Gini Renee

Easy come, easy go.

2009-12-05T23:04:00.000-08:00

So blah blah, I'm a sinner. I live with my boyfriend. And believe you me, it is hard work! The first month was all fun. Granted I hadn't seen Brandon in 6 months, being together 24/7 was very nice. But now...not so fun. He is here ALL the time and not to mention he is a very big PFS. PFS is a term coined by Jamie. It stands for Personal Fun Spoiler. So not only is he here all the time, he eats loud, spoils my fun AND he wants to play video games every second of the day. Yes, living with my boyfriend is definitely hard work, but if it were easy, would it be worth it? I want to write a book about living with your boyfriend. No one ever told me it was going to be easy, but no one ever told me it was going to be this hard! Each day is something new and interesting and we are working on the big adjustment. But at the end of the day, I know that I want Brandon here with me.

This morning while I finished taking down the wallpaper in the bathroom, Brandon went to Vons and bought stuff for breakfast. He made eggs, potatoes o'brian (which apparently is a real thing), waffles with karo syrup (my fav) and he even brought home Starbucks for me. Then when testing colors on the bathroom wall, Brandon writes this on the wall:

Annoyed he didn't write something sweet like "I love Gini," I can't disagree with "Brandon Rules."

thanks.

2009-11-26T18:39:00.000-08:00

I feel like my whole life I have seen the glass half empty, or at least until I can remember. I know when I was a little I was happy. I mean don't get me wrong, I am happy for a lot of things in my life but I wish I could be one of the those happy people no matter what happens. For instance, I hate my job = I hate my life everyday between 8:00am - 4:30pm. Why can't I just hate my job and be happy? Despite my ongoing desire for constant bliss, I am thankful and happy for so many things. So on this Thanksgiving evening, I was to remember the things that do make my happy and all the things I am thankful for this year.

I'm thankful for Brandon, for his love and his service to our country this year.

I'm thankful for Lindsey, always for being everything I need whenever I need it.

I'm thankful for this girl, Autumn. I'm thankful for her strength and support while the boys were on deployment. I'm thankful that she became one of my best friends and part of the family.

I'm so thankful for this girl. Adrie wanted a little baby so bad and when it wasn't happening, we were all so sad. Lyla is a very special girl and this little miracle came at a time in our lives when we all needed a ray of sunshine.

And this, I am so thankful for this. I can't even put into words how this moment felt right here. I wish everyone in their life can experience a moment like this. It is by far one of the most memorable days of my life. I am so thankful that Brandon and all boys came home on time and safely!

Above all, I'm thankful for this. For this is what keeps me crazy, keeps me sane and keeps me going. We are all messed up, but we're messed up together and that's what is important.

A Magical Night

2009-11-22T19:55:00.000-08:00

There is something really fun about getting dressed up in a fancy dress and getting your hair done. One of the perks of being a Marine's girlfriend is that I get to go to the annual Marin Corps Ball. In celebration of the USMC birthday, each squadran hosts a ball with dinner, dancing and a ceremony. The Marine Corps Ball for Brandon's squadron was Friday November 13th at Paradise Point. It was my 2nd time going with Brandon, which was awesome. I had so much fun this year. Last year I was still new and didn't really know anyone in addition to still getting to know Brandon. But this year, I got to get ready with one of my best friends and mingle with all my acquaintances at the ball. Autumn and I got our ball dresses like 5 months before the ball. We were shopping one day while the boys were in Iraq and we stumbled upon THE dresses, so we had to buy them. I was very happy with my dress, all my accessories and my hair! I hated my hair last year, but this year it was lovely.

The accessories. This bracelet kept catching my dress, so I had to take it off pretty early in order to save the integrity of my dress! I made this peacock clip myself...Let me know if I can make you one. :)

As Teyana would say "Holla."

Our beautiful shoes.

Autumn and I all ready to go!

Sgt Croniser and his guest. :)

Mommy to be...

2009-11-02T20:42:00.000-08:00

Haha..in like 3 to 4 years. I look like a Mom in this picture, at least I think I do and I am a bit obsessed with the idea. Sorry Adrie, I stole your baby for the picture. Ahhh, I love little Lyla and she fell asleep while I was holding her. That is like the biggest accomplishment and sweetest thing ever --- when you get the baby to sleep, you are like golden. I can't wait to be a mommy...in like a hundred years. For now, I will just steal little nieces and nephews and borrow them for a while.

It's been too long...

2009-11-01T13:52:00.001-08:00

Brandon has been home for over a month now and I have totally negleted my blog, amoung other things. I promise to be a better blogger from here on out.

My little Lyla is getting so big...I can't wait to see her tonight!

Home at last.

2009-09-23T21:10:00.001-07:00

After six grueling, lonely and testing months, Brandon FINALLY came home. YAY!!!! The homecoming experience was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I don't think I have ever been so excited and nervous for something. I waited and counted down the days til he came home and before I knew it, the day was upon me. I went to work that day and everyone kept asking me why I was there. Brandon came in that night, but I wanted to save my time off for when he actually arrived. I did leave work early though, there was a point in the day where I just couldn't concentrate on work anymore. I was so nervous to see him. The brief I had gone to told us that it would be awkward when the boys returned. Brandon and I had joked about this, but part of me wondered if it were going to be true. Anyways, time flew by that day and before I knew it, I was driving up the 15 towards Miramar to welcome him home. Autumn and Gary were already there so I had someone to wait with. We waited in the terminal with more than 100 other people waiting to see their love ones. It was pretty emotional. You had families, new babies, wives, girlfriends, fellow Marines, all waiting for their Marine to come home. Someone came on the loud speaker and announced that the plane wouldn't be arriving until 6:40pm, when it was only 5:30pm. UGH! Would the waiting ever end. Gary, Autumn and I all went outside to wait and within 10 minutes this huge commerical plane flew overhead and landed on the runway. We ran through the terminal to the waiting area outside to watch as the plane made it's way to us. I think being outside and seeing the airplane in front of you was the most nervewrecking moment. I mean here you have waited 6 plus months for this Marine to come home and now they are right in front of your face, but you can't see them or touch them just yet. The plane came to a stop and they moved the stairs in front of the door. A few moments later, the door opened and the crowd went while. The Marines filed down the stairs and had to stop to turn in their guns. One by one they made it to the "waiting area." I searched ever so carefully for Brandon...I didn't want to miss him! After about half the Marines made their way to us, I saw my Brandon walking over. I screamed and ran to the entrance. He had to shake hands with Master Gunz first and then hurried over to me, who was frantically waiting. Giving him that first hug was so relieving and so wonderful. It was like a huge weight had been lifted off my back. I think it's a feeling that you can't even imagine unless you have been separated from your love one for a long period of time. I can't say enough about how I think that day was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. It was so pure and real. I hope to never have to relive it, although I am sure I will have to. I am so glad that Brandon is home. It's so wierd having him here, not awkward but every now and then, I'm like "You're still here, in real life!" and I hope it stays that way.
On my way to get Brandon...and yes those are new sunglasses. :) I got them minutes before I left for Miramar.

Autumn...I can't say enough about this girl. She made the deployment a million times better. She's an amazing friend and I love her dearly.

Brandon wanted to come home main body so that he would get the band and the news at his homecoming...

Both which were there.

The plane has landed!

The door opens....

The moment I have been waiting for....

Hurry up and get over here!

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

LOVE.

SO HAPPY.

dry spell

2009-09-13T22:04:00.000-07:00

My shopping has been slowing down. I just can't find anything I LOVE anymore.

But here are three things I found in the past few weeks. Brandon is coming home VERY soon and the pressure is on to make the place look fab...although I'm sure he wouldn't care if we lived in a tent, he'll just be happy to be home.

Cutie alarm clock...it's going in the guest bathroom.

The leaning tower of Gini. I ordered this from overstock.com. I followed all the directions, used all the parts, had no parts left over and still it's lopsided!!! How annoying. Jamie and Lindsey said they didn't even notice til I said something but I keep staring at it and wondering what went wrongAnd lastly, this cute placemat that I use for Penelope's food dish. I love it.

So yeah, these are all my finds for this week.

Next blog's topic: Brandon's Homecoming! :)

oldies but goodies

2009-09-01T22:21:00.000-07:00

So my shopping was put to a halt last weekend because I wasn't feeling well. I decided to just post some things I had gotten a while ago...they are still just as great, even if they are old.

My magnet I got at the Exchange a few weeks ago...

Cute dishes!

This pillow is so amazing. I couldn't capture the color, but it's a lovely purple. LOVE IT!
This mirror is from....Anthropologie. Trick. Big Lots. Booyah.

It's just a matter of weeks now. I need to stop being a slug.

P.S. I'm getting my carpets organically cleaned this weekend. Go me.

All the small things.

2009-08-26T19:48:00.001-07:00

This weekend shopping trip was about the small things. I started out looking for a couch, but decided to wait til we could afford a nicer, bigger, better one. After that revelation, I focused on the small decoratives. Well, mostly because I was out shopping and they were the only things I liked. Nonetheless, they are still equally as important as say, my Penelope portrait that I am still waiting on....

This is a terrible, terrible picture, but the lamp is oh so cute. Yes, I will remove the tag and plastic eventually. Thank you TJ Maxx for being the source of some really great finds. Next up, this cute dainty cake stand. It's so pretty.
And lastly, my clearance treasure...

Til next weekend.... :)

My Latest Finds

2009-08-17T22:05:00.000-07:00

Yeah so I get bored REALLY easily since my bf is gone and all. I have a past of using retail therapy to cure my blues. However, I've been trying really hard lately not to be a big spender. In the midst of trying to make a house a home, I must spend some cash monies. I'm obsessed. Here are my latest finds that I LOVE LOVE LOVE.

Here are some other things that I LOVE LOVE LOVE:

Baby Lyla & Baby Penelope

Making a house a home.

2009-08-11T22:03:00.000-07:00

Now that I'm an adult, I need to start living like one. Thank goodness I have two older sisters to look up to, especially in the decorating department. My sisters have impeccable taste and that's hard to compete with. Plus they make like 3x my salary...but little by little I'm trying to make my house more homey. It looks more like a dorm room or college apartment than a young professional's condo. Rather than a matchy-matchy, super themed house, I'm just buying things I like, which I think is waaaay betta. Below are my newest and proudest finds.

I love this blue velvet chair & bought it with real money!

It wasn't a gift from American Express!

And all my new pillows! I waited FOREVER for this orange pillow to go on sale. I saw this pillow a year ago and didn't buy it and I walked into the store on Saturday and there it was. Just waiting for me to buy it and I did. And I was happy.

Manic Mondays

2009-08-03T21:37:00.001-07:00

I felt crazy today. So crazy. I came home from work and talked to Brandon. After talking to him, I just felt so yucky. Then Eleni called. You know how when you are about to cry and then someone close to you asks how you are and you just break down crying? Yeah, that's what happened. Poor Eleni thought she was just calling me about work, she didn't know she was going to play therapist. Anyways, after going crazy for a little bit, I decided it was nothing a little retail therapy couldn't cure. So off to the store I went, where I bought Penelope a pink sparkley headband, which she hated. She ran around the house trying to get it off, but it was just so cute. It was VERY hard to take pictures of her wearing it. Look how cute it is though!!!

And then I found these...aren't they the cutest shoes in the whole world?

So I got home, painted my nails and took pictures wearing my new shoes. That's totally normal. Hey, life gets boring when your boyfriend is George Glass. Can't wait to be normal when he returns....

happy birthday baby.

2009-07-30T22:41:00.001-07:00

Brandon celebrated his 25th birthday in Iraq. Poor guy...they ambushed him, wrapped him up and taped him to a jet...really. Guess that's what happens when a bunch of boys are stuck in the middle nowhere for 6 months.

HAHAHAHAHAHA.

I love him. <3>

i heart you jame!

2009-07-22T21:14:00.001-07:00

Yeah, not me with my best look, but I love this picture. It pretty much captures us in our true forms...retarded & annoyed, yet we totally love eachother. Jamie & I recently got into a huge fight and it was like the worst time of my life. Those 5 days were torture. I don't know what I do without her. I'm so happy she lives in San Diego near me. I love her soooooooooo much. She can never die or move away or else I'm going with her.

To you

2009-07-09T22:57:00.000-07:00

Boats n' Hoes

2009-07-05T10:28:00.001-07:00

Autumn, Sara, Sepi and Me!

I got Autumn to dress up!

"Yatch Club Snob" was the look I was going for.

Lindsey's Boats n' Hoes 25th Birthday party was so fun! We dressed up nautical themed, danced the night away to the jams of the DJ and had our picture professionally taken. Jamie and Gilligan, I mean Adam, came for a little bit. I love being able to hang out with my sister and all my friends, that way I can have all my favorite people together in once place. Lindsey is the coolest person around and so many people came to her party, even the some of the "popular" kids from our high school graced us with their presence. Yuck. A few days later Lindsey told me her family said I looked like I was having lots of fun at the party....they were right.

so many things, so little time

2009-05-07T00:37:00.000-07:00

I started this blog the day Brandon left...I thought I would be bored and would have nothing to do but post blogs. Wrong. Updating my myspace just seemed easier, but I like blogs because you can actually explain pictures...which is super bettah! Seeing that my last blog was like a month ago, I am going to try to sum up the last 30 days in a few pictures and captions.

*MY DREAM LIFE*

Eating ice cream, being with my sisters, holding a baby in my arms on a Wednesday afternoon.

I got to hang out with my newest little niece. Doesn't Lyla look thrilled to be so close to her favorite auntie?

Autumn & I went on a habor excursion in the San Diego Bay.

There was a cool sandstorm in Iraq and Brandon is getting buff!
(He's in the middle)

I got an ORANGE kitchenaid mixer!!!!

Trying to enjoy our weekdays, Autumn and I headed to Old Town on the hottest day of spring so far. The heat was sweltering...and as some of you may know...the heat isn't good for people like me. HAHAHA.

The Lindz joined us from some mexican food and a short photo shoot which was cut short by our sweating selves.

I visited the flower fields with Sue. Autumn suggested we go a loooong time ago and since then I've been recruiting people to go with me. Jamie & I were supposed to make it there today, but we had to get our eyebrows did!

Movin' on up...

2009-04-05T22:05:00.000-07:00

Autumn and I went the Flower Fields in Carlsbad this past week. I've lived in San Diego my whole life and never once went here. But now that I have Autumn, we've been acting like tourists in SD to pass the time of our boys being gone. The flowers were so pretty. We went during the week and hardly anyone was there, I guess that is ONE perk of not having a normal job...I get days off when the rest of the world is at work. The flowers were beautiful! I highly recommend you visit this amazing place.

Autumn and I

Soooo pretty.

I love these flowers...orange is my favorite color.

I love Sgt. Croniser!

It's been 4 weeks already! It feels like it's been 6 months though...everyone said time will go by fast but it's not going by fast enough for me. Anyways, Brandon got promoted this month to Sergeant. Yay! I'm so proud of him and happy...more money. ;)

Hello, Goodbye

2009-03-09T17:42:00.000-07:00

Hello Baby.
This week has been an emotional one. On Thursday afternoon, I got to say hello to my new niece, Lyla Mae Scout Russell. This makes me the favorite aunt 8 times over, sorry Jamie but it's true.

So Jamie and I headed to LA for the birth of our 3rd niece, after stopping by In n' Out of course. You see my sister makes my life better because she likes taking picture of herself as much as I do. It's nice not having someone judge you for your self-photograpy sessions. We were excited these pictures turned out cool, even though we were totally driving when we took them and I think that might be a little dangerous, if not illegal. Oh well.

I can't believe this 8lb, 5oz 21 inch long baby came out of tiny Adrienne. Thank goodness she had a c-section because who knows if she would have been able to push this giant baby out! Everyone kept saying she was a fat baby and then my mom told me I weighed 8lbs when I was born. So then I stopped calling her a fat baby too. I don't want Lyla to have a complex so soon.

Goodbye Baby.

Thursday I said hello to Lyla and Sunday I said goodbye to Brandon. My sweet little boyfriend is off on deployment for while. I didn't get the chance to ask him to marry me before he left (just joking) but nonetheless, I'm still waiting. I love him.

He'll be stationed on base in Al-Asad, Iraq aka "Camp Cupcake" known for it's Cinnabon and Burger King. He won't go off the base and will just be busy data analyzing things I don't understand, driving his roommate crazy and going to the gym. Luckily, I have made some friends with Brandon's friends wives, so atleast we don't have to be depressed alone!