Wednesday, February 29, 2012

The One Where Our House Gets Broken Into

A few years back, when my Handsome Husband and I were only just en fianced, we lived in squander a dirty little San Diego house with two 21-year-old men boys.  It was not quite the ghetto, but it certainly wasn't the suburbia I grew up in.  It had a killer backyard though.

Evidence of aforementioned killer backyard.

We were all in college, with the three of them working on their bachelor's degree in various fields, and me in nursing school (we were quite the eclectic group actually, I think we had a nursing major, a political science major, pre-med and engineering majors).  We came and went at different times, sometimes were out until 3am, and other times we never left the couch (oh college life).  I was often the first one home in the afternoons as I was off of school at 3pm most days, and would head home, nap off my nursing school exhaustion and then get to studying while I waited for the boys to come home. 

One Tuesday afternoon heading home after a long day of lectures of mental health or pressure ulcers or something, and while chatting with HH as I pulled into the driveway of our little house, I noticed our front door was wide open. 

Here's the thing, for some people this might be an immediate red flag.  But I was living with three 21-year-old boys.  Something most 21-year-olds are not known for?  Responsibility and reliability.  Sorry, it's true.  It wouldn't have been out of character for one of them to have left the door unlocked and for it to blow open during the day, or for one of them to actually be inside but have left their car elsewhere the previous night out.

So while I mentioned to HH the fact that the door was open (I might have prefaced that statement with a What the F), I went inside without hesitation, barely looked around, and headed straight back to our bedroom.

And that's when I saw it.  All of my jewelry boxes that I kept so stealthly hidden in the drawer of my nightstand opened and strewn hastily all over my bed.  I think I may have screamed into the phone when I realized our house had clearly been broken into.  I ran outside, petrified that I had walked in mid-breakin and there may be someone still in the house, got off the phone with HH, and called 911.

It was the only time in my life I've ever called 911.  Terrified, I told the operator what I had walked into, and then realized that there was no one coming out of the house, and that it was probably all clear.  And that's when I made the biggest mistake that day.  When the 911 operator asked me if I thought there was someone in the house, I was honest and said I didn't think so.  And then it took six hours for an officer to come out to our house and take our report.  Six hours of thinking about what had happened, six hours of not wanting to touch anything (they did end up taking fingerprints). 

After hanging up with 911, I waited for HH to come home before I went inside.  While I was fairly certain there was no one inside, I was shaking and scared, and waited in my car for him.  We went in together, and tried to survey the damange.

It was hours (maybe even days) before we really realized all the things that went missing that day.  But in the break-in we lost:

A brand-new (literally a week old) MacBook Pro
Brand-new, still in the box, subwoofers and amp for HH's car
A stereo system
An older laptop belonging to one of our roomates
A jar full of coins, probably valuing over $150

And I gained?  A whole lot of anxiety.

Tune in next week when I talk more about how I grappled with getting back to real life after the break-in.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Sneakpeeq GIVEAWAY!

It's giveaway time here at Stress Case again!  And lucky for you ladies this is not the only one in the near future for Stress Case readers - I've got two more pretty exciting ones lined up for you for the month of March!

What am I giving away today, you ask?

Let me tell you!

A $25 Gift Card to SneekPeeq!


What is SneakPeeq?  Well, to be honest, I had the same question!  After taking a look around the website, I've seen that is a fabulous website similar to a Groupon or a nomorerack where you can buy fabulous home, food or style goodies for yourself or friends at wonderful discounts.  And better yet?  It's linked into Facebook as a new app!

For example, right now they have the following awesome products on sale at SneakPeeq:




Possibly the very best thing about this giveaway?  Everybody wins!

 SneakPeeq is giving away 20% off your next purchase just for entering, plus a chance at the Grand Prize:  one winner will receive a $25 gift card to use on your favorite food, style and home products—that goes a long way in sneakpeeq’s amazingly low-priced boutiques!

Come see all the things you love but haven’t discovered.  

SneakPeeq only has New Products that you have never seen before!

Enter the giveaway by clicking HERE and joining sneakpeeq!  

The winner of the $25 gift card will be announced on my right back here on Stress Case on Monday, March 12th!  That's right y'all, you've got a full 2 weeks to enter - get to it! 

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Grateful Sundays

This week, I am so so so undeniably, over-the-top and unapologetically grateful for

my Handsome Husband on our first wedding anniversary.

Dear HH,

Thank you for the most exciting year of my life,
and for making me feel loved every single minute of every single day.
Thank you for laughing with me, holding me when I need to cry, and telling me when I need to suck it up.
You are my best friend in the entire world, and I cannot imagine a day without you in my world.
I love you, and cannot wait to celebrate the next 50 wedding anniversaries.

Love,
Stress Casey

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Lots of Link Love

Starting in March, Lots of Link Love will be every other Thursday, starting Thursday, March 8th.  The linkup will still be open all week, and I hope you will share it with your readers!

Lots of Link Love 


Like Tara, I think it's important to emphasize the importance of community in the blog world and not only focusing on ourselves and our own blogs, but to spread lots of blog love to those who deserve it.  Every other Saturday, I will highlight the posts over the last two weeks that touched me, made me laugh, pulled at my heartstrings, and inspired me. 

This week, I've got lots and lots of link love to go around!  Such wonderful posts the past few weeks!
  • Ashley brought me to tears discussing her miscarriage, and all the subsequent emotions she felt.
  • Jenna continued her Awakening series, this time stepping up the talk about the very controversial subject of homosexuality, from her viewpoint as a member of the LDS religion.
  • Raquel did a little ranting on Valentine's Day, in which she explains she doesn't think there should be a day designated to something that should happen all the time.
  • Becky shared how her Valentine's Day went, concluding it with just about the sweetest note I've ever read from her husband.
  • Holly wrote about some very common, and terrifying, fears of hers.
Lots of Link Love is also a call to arms for you to join me and do the same - to spotlight your fellow bloggers by showcasing the posts that you loved over the past few weeks.  And when you spread the love, you might just get some back.

Please,
join me!

Link up, even if you just mention one blog post you love at the end of your post, even if you have a list of 20, even if you can't link up until Wednesday (the link up will be open all week), join me in supporting your fellow bloggers!

If you've been featured here at Stress Case, or if you're linking up, please use the button above to help spread the link love and enoucrage others all over the blogosphere to join us.

Remember, the next Lots of Link Love will be Thursday, March 8th.

Friday, February 24, 2012

5 Bloggers I'd Booze With

In no particular order...

1. Becky @

I would love to kick back with Bud Lights with Becky (Lime for her, Original for me), and I think we would take some pretty cute iPhone pictures of ourselves in the mirror together.
Also it would be give me an excuse to see that cute little Elliana in person!

2. Neely @


How can you not want to booze with a girl who is brave enough to talk therapy on her blog, hosts amazing Blog Challenges (sometimes even with you!) and posts pictures of herself with super yum white wine?

3. Kristen @

She's not afraid to cuss on her blog every once in a while, her vlogs make me crack up and she seems like she knows how to party.  Done deal.
And she hides stuff when she's drunk - I'm in.

4. Erica @

1. I want dance lessons from this girl, and
2. I like Boston accents.

and

5. Carissa @

I may or may not have drunkenly impersonated the Sun Drop girl (and taken photos and texted me to friends) on Superbowl Sunday, and this makes me think Carissa and I could have a good time boozing.

 Which bloggers would you booze with?
 
Idea shamelessly copied inspired by Stephanie at BEAUtiful Mess.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Things Thursday: Things I Really Like Eating That Are Slightly Odd

1. Extremely rare steak, like still mooing


2. Box mashed potatoes

3. The sugar sticks from Fun Dip


4. Corned beef hash, especially when I am drunk


5. Bagels with American cheese melted on them

6. Cadbury creme eggs


7. Sandwiches with no crusts

8. SpaghettiO's, but only with meatballs


9. The salads they give you at Japanese restaurants

10. Gefilte fish

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Adventures in Pinterest {Vol. 1}

Like many of you do, I adore Pinterest.  There is a wealth of creative ideas on there, and I love to pin some recipes, crafts, and even dream home ideas.

So, after re-creating a few things from Pinterest recently, I thought - I should be sharing these with my fabulous readers!  All too often on Pinterest, things look so complicated or difficult, I am intimidated to even try, so I hope seeing my Adventures in Pinterest will encourage you to do some adventuring of your own!

And feel free to follow me on Pinterest to see all the fun things I pin!

Follow Me on Pinterest

First up in Adventures in Pinterest?

Recreating this hair style at the request of my dear Sister Singer:




And with the help of a 1-inch curling iron,
a shit-ton lot of hairspray,
and a cute lil pink bow,
we (and by we, I mean me, considering SS just kinda sat there) ended up with this:

Try not to be distracted by the gorgeousness that is my reflection in the background.

And?  I think we I nailed it.

One more photo of pretty Sister Singer for good measure:


If you're hoping over from a linkup party today - Welcome!
Thanks for coming by and I hope you'll take a looksie around!
And if you wanna make me smile really big?  Join us for our Spring Sweets Swap!

Monday, February 20, 2012

What Are You Doing Today?

What are you doing today?

I ask because it seems everyone and their mother has the day off (love that),
so I'm interested in knowing what you might be doing with yours!

What am I doing today?

Meeting with the Dean of this Law School:


Touring this fancy campus:


All because of this handsome man:


Remember how I said I was a Proud Wifey before?
Yeah, I'm even more of one now.

Why?

My Handsome Husband has gotten into four law schools so far.
(And if we're being super braggy, he's gotten some pretty large scholarship offers too!)

PS - wanna know what you should be doing today?  Signing up for our Spring Sweets Swap!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Grateful Sundays

This week, I am grateful for Valentine's Day.  Some people think it's a dumb holiday, some people are bitter think it's cheesy, but me?  I think it's beautiful to make one day of the year all about love (and chocolate and flowers).


What did your Valentine's Day look like?

Friday, February 17, 2012

A Very Sweet Announcement: The Spring Sweets Swap!

I hinted about it last week, and now it's time for details!
Brought to you by the same (fabulous) ladies who brought you this giveaway:

Photobucket
Heartfelt Happenings & Stress Case are BACK with our first ever Swap - The Spring Sweets Swap!
Spring Sweets Swap

If you've never pariticpated in a swap, or if you're a swap expert, please join us to celebrate the turn of the season (or what we imagine it to be like at least, it's always Spring in Southern California)!

Here's the 411
How does it work?
Link up with the linky form at the bottom of this page (you'll have two weeks to do so!), and once the sign-ups are over, we will assign you a swap partner by Monday, March 5th
What next?
You can go check out your partner's blog and reach out to them to exchange contact information!  Get to know them and what sweets and fun spring goodies you might want to send their way.  You get a week to shop, and then ship their package to them by Monday, March 12th.
And then?
Check your mailbox like a crazy person, eagerly awaiting your fun Spring Sweets!
Then link-up with here or at Heartfelt Happenings on Tuesday, March 20th aka The First Day of Spring to show off your Spring Sweets Swap goodies!
Anything else I should know?
The price limit on spending is a whopping $10 - just enough for a few sweets, but not too much to make your friends and family worry about the amount of money you're spending on...strangers (they don't get the blog world, do they?).
Oh!  And?  If you sign up you'd be making me smile really really big.
Like, this big:

And to get me to smile that big without the Bud Light next to me?  Would be quite the accomplishment.

Sign up below!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Things Thursday: Things I Learned From Disney Princesses

This post is written in honor of my Sisters.
Sister Singer who is Disney obsessed, and has a tumblr dedicated solely to Disney fan art,
and Sister Swimmer who spends more time at Disneyland than she does hanging out with me (sad).


Here's what I've learned from Disney Princesses*.

Snow White
Eat food from strangers.
Dwarfs are friends - even the grumpy ones.

Cinderella
Mice are not to be feared, in fact, they make some pretty bomb dresses.
Do not miss curfew.
A good pair of shoes can lead to a love story.

Sleeping Beauty
Sewing/spindles are very dangerous - coma-inducing even.

Ariel of The Little Mermaid
Gingers are hot (this movie changed my life, obviously).
Mermaids are good singers.
Octopus is evil.

Belle of Beauty and the Beast
Reading is cool!
Love is blind.
Furniture and home accessories have quite the personalities.

Jasmine of Alladin
Not everyone answers "unlimited wishes" as their first wish when offered 3 wishes.
Fancy rugs are actually magic carpets for riding.

Pocahontas
Interrational relationships are beautiful.
Maybe the story of Thanksgiving isn't all about pumpkin pie, and gobble gobble-ing.

Mulan
Menswear is so in.
Bitches girls can fight just like men.
A daughter's love for her Daddy knows no bounds.

And, in conclusion:


*Those pictured and not mentioned are past my time, and some of them in the image I don't even recognize.  What a way to feel old.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

The One Where I Spell My Own Name Wrong

Yes, this happened.

No, I'm not proud.

But, yes, I do find it hysterical.

Let me first start by saying, in my defense, that I spelled my last name wrong, not my first.  And even more so in my defense, I went from the simplest, most common last name in the world (maybe it started with an 'S' and rhymed with Myth) and switched to a last name that is super uncommon and doesn't even follow basic spelling rules (I before E except after C, yaknow?).

Anyway, this story starts at a little housewarming shindig for my very good friends, Kindergarten Teacher and Twin Unicorn who recently moved in together.  Being the cuties they are, they had a fun little activity where you could write something funny on a small chalkboard and take a photo with it.  Being the hopeless romantic I am, I thought it would be adorable to write "The OurLastNames" on the board and take some pictures. 

Well, it was adorable.  

Until my Handsome Hubs took a look at the pictures.

Maybe that's our last name, maybe these are staged photos to tell the story with a fake last name.  You don't know.

Impressed he was not.

But, because he loves me so, and knows what a redonk last name his is (especially compared to starts with 'S' and rhymes with Myth), he forgave me.

And he even gave me a little sugar...


...with the misspelled name adding a certain sparkle to our photo.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Monday, February 13, 2012

Are You There Blog World? It's Me, Casey.

Today, I am linking up with my blog girlfriend, Neely, for her awesome link-up encouraging bloggers to get their blogs out there!




So, blog world, what should you know about me?

My name is Casey (and you can call me Stress Case if you'd like).

I am in my early twenties (holding on to that one for dear life).

Married the love of my life last year on a perfect California February day.

I'm a pediatric nurse, and love my job.

I was going to share a debut vlog today, but completely chickened out - it's intimidating!

Some posts you could check out to get to know me a little better:
Alternative Blog Names
I'm {Blank} Because
What's Upsexy?
Worth the Hangover
Meet & Greet
Things You Should Know About Me if We're Going to be BFFs

I share some inspirational worlds every Tuesday for Quotable Tuesdays,
list some random crap most Thursdays for Things Thursday,
talk about what I'm grateful for on Grateful Sundays,

and 

I host a bi-weekly link-up on Saturdays to honor and spotlight fellow bloggers and their exceptional posts.  It's new and I'm working to get it off the ground and encourage all of you to support your peers and share your favorites posts over the weeks!  I hope you'll consider linking up with for the next Lots of Link Love on Saturday, February 25th.

Lots of Link Love

Thank you for visiting me here at Stress Case - I hope you'll take a little looksie around!

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Lots of Link Love

Quick question for you, my fabulous readers: If I was to move Lots of Link Love to a more "blog-friendly" day, like Tuesdays - would you be more inclined to join me in highlighting fellow bloggers?  Please weigh in via comments if you would!

Lots of Link Love



Like Tara, I think it's important to emphasize the importance of community in the blog world and not only focusing on ourselves and our own blogs, but to spread lots of blog love to those who deserve it.  Every other Saturday, I will highlight the posts over the last two weeks that touched me, made me laugh, pulled at my heartstrings, and inspired me. 


  • Kara shared a poignant post about the realization you make a few years removed from high school that your "best friends forever" might not always be that.
Lots of Link Love is also a call to arms for you to join me and do the same - to spotlight your fellow bloggers by showcasing the posts that you loved over the past few weeks.  And when you spread the love, you might just get some back.

Please,
join me!

Link up, even if you just mention one blog post you love at the end of your post, even if you have a list of 20, even if you can't link up until Wednesday (the link up will be open all week), join me in supporting your fellow bloggers!

If you've been featured here at Stress Case, or if you're linking up, please use the button above to help spread the link love and enoucrage others all over the blogosphere to join us.

The next Lots of Link Love will be Saturday, February 25th.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Ten on Ten

ten on ten button
"Once a month on the tenth taking a photo an hour for ten consecutive hours.
Finding much life and beauty among the ordinary things of our day!"
Learn more about this project HERE.

Oh, how I love this idea.
Here are my 10 hours on February 10th, 2012 - a littple glimpse into my life.


10:45am
The view I've got from my desk.

11:45am
Gorgeous California February day - had to head to a meeting mid-day today.

12:45pm
I've been a little coy about what company I work for, but if you happen to live in my area, you may have figured it out now.

1:45pm
From one hospital to another.

2:45pm
Last minute work to get done.

3:45pm
Change from scrubs into business casual for a charity event.  Weird to be in my clinic and not in scrubs and sneakers.

4:45pm
Participating in the silent auction - who wouldn't?

5:45pm
The last teeny bit of a sunset.

6:45pm
Nope, that is definitely not how you spell my name.
(My last name doesn't even sound like that.)

7:45pm
It's been a rough week - trying to end it on a good note.
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