One Day I'll Miss This....

My last post was about being thankful. I am still super thankful for everything...but at some point in the future, I would like to move. I'm not saying that I'm ready to pack up and leave forever, but there are some things about our current home that I would LOVE to change. Since we are not going to add on or renovate, we will have to sell and find a new home.

I had some extra time about a month ago to sit and think about what I want in a new house. (When I say new, I mean new to us, not brand new) There are just a few things that I am asking for...a laundry room, 2 living spaces, a bigger kitchen, a garage or carport, no stairs and if there are stairs-I want at least 2 bedrooms on the first floor, and LOTS of storage. Ok so that seems like a lot, but that's what I came up with for real! Anyway, while I was making this list I started feeling pretty crappy. Here I am making a list about all the things I want and not thinking about all the great things I have.

So, I took some more time and made a list of the things that I will miss when we eventually move:

1. The neighborhood dog.  His name is Jackson and I think that he is a little blind and a little deaf.  He lays in the middle of the road and does not move...you must move! Everyday though, there he is, waiting to be almost hit by the neighbors.  He is the neighborhood mascot and I will miss him.

2. All of the parking space.  This is something that most people don't think about, but I love to have people over! Parking is a big deal breaker when you want to have a crowd. We have our spots we made which will hold one more, the spot on the side of the house, and the field behind the house.  Ok, so this isn't actually ours and it is kinda the neighbors front yardish, but still..great parking places!

3. Double sinks. Who knew that having 2 sinks was so wonderful!? ME!! In the smaller rent house we had before we bought this house, we only had one sink and it was terrible.  First, I like to put my contacts, toothbrush, and soap next to the sink.  Charles does not.  I also do not shave my face and leave small little hairs that stick to places that cleaning doesn't touch.  I like for my sink to be hair free and with 2, it's not a problem!

4. Dining room dresser.  So we bought a really nice new bedroom suit for each other last year for Christmas.  The dresser would not fit up the stairs...so it is in the dining room.  Most people don't notice that it's a dresser so it's really not that bad, but it bugs me.  So while thinking of things that I would miss, this came to mind.  Hey, it's a great conversation starter!

5. Interesting neighbors. I grew up in a house that was away from any neighbors.  The neighbors that were close were either more like family members or they were really strange and I wasn't allowed to talk to them.  So, now that I finally have neighbors, I don't know what to do with them.  Granted there are a few that I really like.  Actually there is one house with a mom and 2 daughters and I really like them.  I don't know them really well, but the girls are cute and the mom is really sweet. Anyway, getting back to the point, the others I haven't had in-depth conversations with; however, I have made up some really interesting stories.  We have a family that is in witness protection because the mom witnessed a murder by her mob boyfriend.  There is a family who lets the kids rule the roost and I think that the little boy ties the parents up at night and force feeds the dad Twinkies (well probably not anymore since the shortage).  The neighbor down the road is an undercover narc agent and his wife comes from a lot of money; she doesn't work and her parents send people over to the house to do chores.  Lastly, there is a family who the dad was married for a while and cheated on his wife with the feed store girl. This girl got pregnant and the dad divorced wife #1, married current wife, and had a little girl who rides around the neighborhood and leaves her bike everywhere.  So...do you see how interesting life is around me!

                                                               This is our neighborhood

And last but not least....

6. Double flush toilets.  I did not know that these existed until we moved into this house.  Now, I don't think that I can ever live without them! Enough said!

I hope that you have a great day and can be thankful for some things while wanting others! :)

Thankful

I know...I know... everyone does the whole month full of thankfulness.  But, I've never done it and I'm not putting it on facebook everyday (not that there is anything wrong with that). So I thought I would give it a try.

I'm thankful for:
God: I have peace and understanding, for that I am truly thankful!
My wonderful husband: He deserves a medal for putting up with me and my craziness! I say this all the time, but I don't know what I did in another life to get him...but I hope I do enough in this one to keep him!
My fabulous family: If you haven't met them..you are missing out! They are great, and a little crazy too!
Wonderful friends: I am lucky to have friends that accept me for me and who support me when I need them!
My health: after the scares this year with friends and family I am happy to wake up and have my health
My job: with so many people out of work, I'm so proud that I have one! I love my students and I love making a difference in their lives!
Forgiveness: I know this goes with God, but I am so lucky to have forgiveness from the Lord.  I am also thankful to have forgiveness from friends and family.
The Sense of Smell: I love to smell stuff...I'm weird I know! But have you ever discovered a strange smell and thought, I'm proud I smelled that...well you should!
The Future: I can't wait to see what God has in store for me, my family, and my friends!
Laughter: I am usually the one making the jokes, but I love listening to people laugh!
Junior Auxiliary: I get more out of this than I put in...even when I'm stressing out over Angel Tree. Plus I am surrounded by great girls!
TV: well...I am and I bet you are too! Duck Dynasty and Revenge are my saving graces sometimes.
Trendy Top: If you haven't seen these...you have missed out! They are on the As Seen on TV aisle at Wally World
Music: Even if I don't have the voice I think I do, I sure love to sing!!
Cowbells: Such a wonderful sound...even if we aren't winning! I'm true Maroon!!
Christmas decorations: It just puts you in the spirit!
My Home: I love walking in and seeing what we've built together!
Reece's Pieces: Best Candy EVER!
My car: It's awesome and it smells good!
The Internet: I'll admit I'm a little addicted!
Blogging: enough said!

So I don't think any of those really were earth shattering, but I am so thankful for everything that I have. I am surrounded by wonderful people and I am lucky enough to have everything that I could ever want. This upcoming holiday season, I want to remember the reason we are really here...to help others. I found this quote the other day and I think that it is a great note to end on:

Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.
-John Wesley

Ummm....

I know it's been a while...I mean a really long time!!! I was so pumped to be blogging and then it kinda took a nose dive! I have decided that there are several reasons why this is.... a.I am lazy...b.I am boring...c.I don't have kids.  Those are all truths and very good excuses.  You see being lazy stops me from writing, because I am too lazy to think of words.  Being boring stops me from writing because I don't really have anything to write about.  And, not having kids stops me from blogging because that's what other people blog about and they don't have to come up with witty or funny things to say due to their children being so dang adorable. BUT I have found a remedy for this!

Wait...No...I'm not fixing the not having kids thing...totally not preggo!

But I can be creative and when you are telling everyone what you've been up to for more than 2 weeks, it can seem (to the untrained eye) that I am in fact, not boring! So here goes a little ditty I came up with (while being lazy and boring might I add!)

You may be thinking

that I have gone away

But I'm back in the saddle

And I have a little to say..

To catch you up

On my life for the past while

I wrote a little poem

And I hope that you crack a smile

Dad had surgery on his back

And it went pretty swell

But he got out of bed

And broke 3 toes when he fell

 

I got a nail in my tire

And ran over a snake

Got mad at the world

And decided to bake

I got bored with the food

And went back to bows

Spent the next month

with ribbon coming out of my nose

My dear friend opened

A neat new shop

Now all of my money is gone

Each time that I stop

But it was back to the bows

And getting them sold

The fall festival snuck up

 And it was really cold!

In between all

Of the aforementioned stuff

I've had some days

that have been pretty rough

  

But with pals to lean on

I had fun at last

So now that catches you up

on my story pretty fast!

So there were some lower points in that little ditty, but in all honesty this has been a pretty tough summer/fall.  With my dad's surgeries/hospital stays and some other personal stuff going on, I really haven't been my usual upbeat self.  So if you know me well...I apologize; If you don't know me well...well I'm sorry about that too!

I promise that I'm going to do better about blogging...and I'm going to post happy, funny, witty, and all that other crap that I'm supposed to be writing about!

Much love!!

Really...?

I admit it...there are several times a week that I think to myself, Emily..you are getting old!! But Emily, I need an example you may say.

Well I have a few:
1. When I go to bed late and then try to get up for work the next morning.  And I'm not talking about staying out late and partying.  I'm talking about staying up late, watching a dvr show, or working on my online class.
2. When I try to have a glass (or two) of wine and wake up with a headache the next morning. I'm not saying that I love to get crunk or anything, but sometimes I would like to feel older and sophisticated by having a glass of vino without paying for it the next 2 days!
3. When I walk and my bones make noises.  Ankles, knees, and any ol' joint pops and cracks like I'm 90 and feeble.  
4. When I see a child and my ovaries hurt...it's true! I mean maybe I'm not exactly ready for children, but when I see a kid I think it's cute now.  Instead of getting nauseous and freaking out...I really feel my insides leap for joy. 
5. When you ask a little kid when they were born and they say 2000.  WHAT...are you kidding me!?
6. When I'm planning my 10 year reunion.  Which might I add...it's really hard to do this and keep your sanity.
7. When you ask a college student a question and they answer, "Ma'am?" Yes, please call me Ma'am I'm only 7 years older than you...do I look that much older?
8. When a student doesn't call me Ma'am and it gets on my nerves. Yes I know I'm totally redundant, but still...would a little respect kill you!?
9. When I'm shopping and I look at cute outfits, but then realize I would have nowhere to wear it and if I did buy it, would I be able to put a cardigan with it and wear it to work!?
and lastly....the thing that makes me feel really old, but makes my blood boil.................
10. When I am on facebook, instagram, or twitter and see curse words. Really…Does that make you cool? Really…Does that make your point better?  Really…Does it make you more of a man or woman? My mom always said, “Don’t write anything down that you don’t want everyone to know or judge you on.” You know what, that was really good advice.  The only problem is, a lot of people didn’t get the memo or the “talk”.

So here it is…the talk.  You can take this for what it’s worth, you can email this to your friends, or you can say, girl you crazy, but either way here I go…Saying cuss words is one thing.  I have had my bout with sailors mouth, I’ll be the first to admit it. I have been negative and said bad things.  But, I have tried to be better here lately.  I have made a commitment that I am going to be a better person.  With this, I will admit that even in my dark moments, I have never written the words out.  There is just something different about saying the word and then writing or typing the word.  It comes with more malice or more crudeness I’m not sure which is worse. But if you have to call someone ugly names online to make you “seem” funny, guess what…you’re not! Get over yourself and grow up! And if you take offense to this..yes I’m talking to you!

Ok so that’s it, just feeling a little old today, thought I’d share why!

Have a great Labor Day!!!!

My name is Emily...Emily Bond

Have you ever had one of those moments where you envision yourself in a spy movie?! Well I had one of those today. 

After I got dressed for work this morning, I was rushing around the house getting everything together.  Packing a lunch, putting my camera card in my purse (to finally do something with those pics I’ve had for months), and finding an umbrella incase there was some rain.  Anyway…I grab all of my things: purse in one hand, phone and Pepsi Max in the other, lunch dangling somewhere in between and I lock the door behind me.  Gasp, horror, shock washes all over me! I have left my keys in the house! I find a dry place to put the drink and lunch and throw my purse over my shoulder to go to my secret hiding spot for our spare key.  Wouldn’t you guess it…the key is gone!

Then it happens…I’m a sexy spy trying to get the documents from Dr. Dreadful’s secret lair.  I pull out my extra spyish card (it was a CVS rewards) and go to town on the door! I can hear the music playing in the background as I break the seal and let myself in.  I fling the door open, get the keys, and I’m out in one blink of an eye!

Ok, ok…so I’m not a spy, but I was able to open my door in less than 30 seconds with a plastic card! I’ve got to have some street cred right! Also, you might want to dead bolt your doors…this sexy spy could be lurking around in the bushes! Have a great weekend!!!

Maybe this isn't so much sexy spy as goofy cat-burglar!

Raising Heck and Hashtags

Ok so some if you may not agree with me or even give a hoot what I have to say, but I've got to say something.
First let me preface this with my love hate relationship with social media. I think it's amazing what facebook, twitter, and other sites have done for our lives; however, we have made it ok for people to be mean to others. I am really interested to see how the kids who are use to this stuff turn out as adults. I say all this as I am on a blog spilling my guts, so what do I know!!!
Ok here goes:
So a couple weeks ago a sweet old man, when asked in an interview what he thought about marriage and Christianity, gave his honest opining. I don't know if you've heard about this little restaurant called Chik-fil-A, but that sweet man was the CEO.  Ok, ok..so you've heard about this "controversy".  But can we stop for a minute and look at the facts? We live in AMERICA (you know freedom of speech)!!!! Freedom of speech lets everyone be able to say what they think! That means EVERYONE!! Gay, straight, happy, sad, mean, honest!!! I'm not going to put my feelings on here, I'm just going to say this.  IT'S A SANDWICH!!! Does it make me less of a Christian that I didn't go stand in line to eat or does it make me less of a supporter that I will be going to eat some nuggets dipped in Polynesian sauce sometime in the next month? Just a thought!!!! Either way does this have to be hashed out on social media for weeks at a time.  Especially when countries around the world are putting aside their differences and competing at the Olympics (have you been watching? USA USA USA).
Speaking of "hashing" things out, this is a public service announcement.  Do you know what a hashtag is? Do you know what a hashtag is really for? (Did you just notice that I ended each sentence with a preposition? Please don't judge me!) If you are new to the twitter world then you may not know what I'm talking about right now.  But, a hashtag is used for a lot of different stuff.  For instance you can sort comments into categories: #ramblingsofrealcraziness; use it for emergencies #boonevillefire; or my favorite you can be a smarty pants: #hilarious (you know, if something really isn't funny). BUT 2 hashtags are enough per tweet, instagram, or facebook status.  We don't need you to "hash" out your day through hashtags.  I know this is not a big deal, but I'm trying to save everyone some embarrassment here.  If you post a picture from your day out at the mall and want to hashtag it fine, but we get that you are #shopping, #spendingmoney, #mallatbarnescrossing, #clothes, #charlotterusse.  Why don't you just do ONE hashtag: #broke!
So I am done Raising Heck and Hashtags...
until next time
#stayclassy #getoffmynerves (do you see what I just did there!?)


I blocked out the ugly word!! Yay me!



Summer in One Blog, Yes Please!

So the last time I posted I told you all that I loved summer, but it had been busy/lazy. Well guess what, nothing has changed! I do still love summer, but I have been super busy/lazy for the past 6 weeks. All during June the hubby was in principal school (which I will elaborate on in just a bit) so I tried to help as much as possible with that. Then I did VBS crafts...whew that was busy. Then Dad went into the hospital. Then it was 4th of July. Then we started doing summery things. Then I got sad and missed camp. Then I got sick. Then Charles got sick. Ok, that about sums it up! Haha! Let me explain...

 

Principal School: The husband decided that he wanted to have more responsibility and increase his job outlook (he's a counselor). He got accepted into the MAPQSL program through the state's communinty colleges. This lasts all of June (pretty much every day from 8:00-4:00). He had to read, write, and read some more! It's a great opportuninty becuase you have to be selected to do this, but it was a stressful month. He has completed the "core" of the classes, but on Saturdays during the rest of the school year, he will go and do more work and study for his BIG licensure test. So we're not out of the woods yet! But he is excited to start a new chapter, and I'm excited to be along for the ride!

 

VBS crafts:Need I say more? We made all kinds of stuff and had a good time doing it! But just let me say this, deciding what to do for 40 preK-6th graders was hard! It was like hurt your head kinda hard. But now I know what works, so if you need some advice..well I may not be able to help, but I could try!

 

I caught everyone up on Dad's visit to the hospital last time. Since then...nothing has happened. We are waiting on the doctor to schedule the back surgery. Once that happens, it's full force speed ahead! Dad is in great spirits, even went on a little vacation with my mom, aunts, and uncles. He's eating great (if you know him that's not a shocker!) and feeling good!

 

4th of July: If you are not from the wonderfully small town of Booneville then you don't know how big a deal the 4th of July parade is...it's a Big Dang Deal. Everyone dresses in red, white, and blue; floats are made, golf carts decorated, bicycles with flags, strollers with streamers, police escorts and everything! Again...BIG DANG DEAL. Well I have only missed a few parades in my day and they were met with family scorn and disbelief. So this year the hubby and I took our big butts out of the bed on July 4th to get to Booneville to see the parade. We had a tent, chairs, and enough food to..as my dad would say..choke a mule! The parade was great, but the food was better! And like I said, when family misses the parade scorn and disbelief follow. Well only the two good cousins made it this year. So to my 3 other cousins and thier families in Tupelo, Mobile, and Baton Rouge..you owe us!!! We are counting down the days until 4th of July redemption..you have been warned!!!

 



The family tent..awaiting the parade to start!





My aunt on the golf cart!! USA USA USA!!!





Daddy enjoying the festivities





Lou Lou and Katie post parade

 You may ask what summery things are, well in that case here is a list:

• tennis playing: well this should say trying to play tennis. You see once upon a time (back in high school) I played a little tennis and really liked it. Guess what, my body forgot about that time and doesn't want me to look like I've ever picked up a raquette! So not only am I shamed by my husband: who never played, picked up the raquette and looks like a pro; I'm shamed by my friends who have secretly been practicing all summer just for this one beat down! But it's ok, I'm gonna practice and be able to at least not get laughed off the court! I'm old and things just don't work like they used to!





This is as close as you will get to seeing me play!


• cleaning out a car to sell: I decided that since Betsy (my 2007 Buick Redezvous) was getting close to 92,000 miles we might try to sell her. Have you ever cleaned out a car? No wait, I mean REALLY cleaned out a car..like detailing it with tiny q-tips!? Well I have and it is no fun. Also, my car was gross!!! Who knew!? So...I have a great suv for someone to buy. It still runs great, no problems at all (we just sent it to the shop to have all the kinks worked out), and 4 new tires!! hit me up!
• driving around car lots for fun: Do you ever do this? It is awesome! I feel so powerful. Like, which one of you puppies am I taking home with me. I can just hear the cars shouting, "pick me, pick me!" But alas, you look at the price and slink back to your old car and think, this really isn't so bad..and it's paid for. Ok so that took a quick turn for the dark, but seriously these cars are not priced to sell!! Wowzer I really just want a $35,000 car for about $10,000..or free!! Is this too much to ask!? Also I thought that I wanted to pick out a car..turns out that I just want to pick out the color. Making decsions is hard! I do not recommend it to anyone! :)
• making fried pies: I've learned to make pecan fried pies..you are welcome!

Yummy

• swimming with friends: Our best friends just bought a beautiful house from some of our other friends who moved away (take a moment to be sad for me) Ok, thank you! Anyway, it has a great pool and pool area so we have taken advantage of that!
• going to a friends house to swim when they aren't there: like I said, we have really taken advantage of the pool!! :)

I am sad I missed camp: Have I ever told you about Summer Scholoars? Well it is a magical camp where 7th-12th graders develop and write a 3 act play, get cast in it, learn their lines, songs, and dances, and preform it all within 3 weeks!!! Wow!! It truley is awesome to see. I began gonig to camp 6 summers ago while in grad school. I met, fell in love with, and married my husband at this camp. Well I didn't get married there, but you know what I mean. After that summer I just couldn't stay away and became head counselor. I didn't go this year due to work stuff and I missed it like crazy. I have visited twice and stayed almost 12 hours each time!! So there's this facet of my life!

I got sick and hubby got sick: Terrible sinus infections (we think). As I was getting over mine, he got his. So here we sit on a Sunday. Well, here I sit, he's still in bed. What a great way to almost end our summer.

Ok, that was a lot of information. But it did sum up my summer in one blog post! Sorry I missed so many weeks in a row, I'm going to get better in the Fall..well maybe!

Before I go, I love these ee cards and thoght I'd share this one with you! Since most everyone knows what a sweater I am, please enjoy! Have a great rest of the summer guys!!

Busy Busy Busy

So remember when I said that I had been lazy and not too busy...no? You don't remember that? Me either! The past 2 weeks have been a blur of good and bad! I'm gonna start with the good!

Like I said in my last post, my best friend's little brother was getting married. Well he did! We went and helped set up on Thursday, had the rehearsal dinner on Friday, and then a beautiful wedding on Saturday.  I'd say all in all, the weekend was awesome!! Driving 4 hours to Arkansas with my mom and my best friend was hilarious, not to mention spending the next 3 days together! Have no fear people of North Mississippi or the world, we have figured out all the problems and have plans to fix them.  If you would like to hear these plans or donate to the fund to get the ball rolling, please just let me know! After getting all the hard work out of the way, the hubby came on Saturday and brought my dad. Even though they missed two fun days, I love that they came! Here are some pics I took over the weekend:


Sweet family at the rehearsal dinner



The gorgeous rehearsal/reception site! This was the set up for the rehearsal



Cute Col Reb! (even though I'm more of a Bulldog girl!)

 

Me & the BFF/sister of the groom



My sweet parents!

 After that fun filled weekend, the hubby went back to principal school (that's another long story for another blog post) and I sat at the house planning VBS crafts.  My dad hasn't been feeling well for the past couple of months and had some doctor appointments.  This past week has really been difficult.  He needs a back surgery to make him able to get around better.  So in the process of getting ready for this surgery, he had a stress test done and some abnormalities showed up.  His doctor sent him to a cardiologist in Memphis on Wednesday.  I knew that it was just shadows and nothing to worry about, but the cardiologist didn't like what he saw so he admitted him into the hospital an hour later.  He was at Baptist East from Wednesday until Saturday afternoon.  Long story short, his kidneys weren't great, there were some small blockages, and the doctors didn't know what they wanted to do.  Anyway, dad was sent home yesterday. The new plan of attack is this: get back surgery done within the month, recover, have stint done, recover, be awesome.  I am looking at this as answered prayers. Dad will be able to get up and around again and his heart will be feeling great too! I know that there is a long road ahead of us, but he's a fighter! I also found out some really great news: I have AMAZING friends and family.  All of the calls, texts, emails, and prayers have been so appreciated! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful support group,not to mention such a wonderful husband that drops everything to take me to my dad.  So thanks again to everyone! I am one lucky girl!

Wowzer

So it's been almost 2 weeks since I've written anything.  You would think that I would have sooo much to tell! Well guess what...I don't! I mean GEEZ, I stopped working on June 1st and since then do you know what I've done..nothing!! That's right folks, I've been a big pile of lazy! I have celebrated some birthdays, had a new baby join the family, and even made some things.  So I will share these things with you. 

First, if you want to feel better about yourself then you've come to the right place.  I have been hearing all about how amazing these 7up buscuits taste.  I decided to try and make them...I'll just show you how it went:

This is all you need for the buscuits...seems great doesn't it!!!

When you mix it up it looks like this.  Not too bad right!? It's really sticky at this point!

This is after I tried and tried to flatten the dough out and cut out the buscuits.  Guess what...it was still sticky and didn't work out too well.



So I decided to just pull them out the best I could and make a kind of drop buscuit.  They don't look too good do they?



After cooking they still don't look good!!! They didn't rise and were kinda flat.

After cooking these things and them looking so terrible, I decided I'd better try them before I threw them out.  Do you know what!? They were sooo good! I ate two of them, hubby ate two, and then we split the largest one for a snack the next morning! I've just got to figure out what went wrong..any advice would certainly be welcomed!!!

For my next trick.... I made cookies for my best friend's mother! She was turning the big 5-0 and needed some special treats. I actually think these turned out pretty good. 

Finally we have a new baby in our family...............


Meet Little Ricky

This is my mom loving on Little Ricky

Oh I almost  forgot...I got to spend 2 days with my neice who loves...BARBIES (almost as much as I use to..or still do).  We played for 5 hours and it was fabulous!!! But in the mist of me playing with her, I found my old barbie and the outfit she use to wear!! Of course I had to put it back on her and take a picture! Good thing I didn't have a camera phone when I was little because there would be a whole lot of albums with Barbies just dressed up in different stuff.  Any whoo...Blogosphere meet.....BARBIE and the ROCKERS!!!!

Have a great week!!!!! My best friend (same one as above mentioned) has a sweet little brother who is getting married so more pictures will be posted soon...with possible funny comments!!!

What I Learned this Weekend

This weekend was a rush! My good friend P got married to her love CE.  It was a wonderful and magical weekend; however it was hot!  We had a great time but I learned a lot…and when I mean I learned things, I really did!!! I am mimicking one of my favorite bloggers (Cassie), but I love lists! I like to make lists a lot and I like to read things about lists. I’m a list freak.  So in the spirit of lists, I have made one that details all of the things that I learned, I hope you enjoy!

What I learned this weekend:

1.      Spray Tans are tricky!

Don’t laugh, they really are! If you are unsure about how to stand, make sure to ask, or be like me, and watch several YouTube videos.  But don’t be like me in the fact that I watched the wrong kind of spray tan video that showed 4 different stances.  The mystic tan only has 2! I prepared myself all day in anticipation of the tanning extravaganza!! When I got into the room I remembered everything I was supposed to do.  I put the barrier cream on my hands and feet so that the tan wasn’t too dark there. I put my hair up in the shower cap so that it didn’t smell.  I was feeling really good at this point.  As I stepped into the booth, I was ready.  The voice came on and said “please position yourself, tanning will begin in 5-4-3-2-1”…the burst of color startled me, but I was ok.  I was standing awkwardly, but I knew that I was getting maximum coverage.  Then the voice said “please turn, spraying in 5-4-3-2-1”.  I scrambled, I forgot how I was supposed to stand.  Were my arms supposed to be up, or out, or in front, what was I to do.  I panicked and put my arms out like a policeman said, hold it right there.  Well guess what, that wasn’t right! As I toweled off and looked around the room, I noticed signs everywhere showing you how to stand.  I put my clothes back on, walked out, and went to Kroger.  It was there, standing next to the Velveeta that I noticed “The Great Divide”.  Not only did the tan look wonderful on the top of my arm, the tan stopped there.  In my rush to get into position #2, I forgot that the backs of my arms had to be sprayed.  Needless to say, all weekend I did not “raise the roof” because if I had, the “Great Divide” would have shown! So yes, spray tans are tricky!!!

Can you see the Great Divide? It had not darkened too much at this point.

2.      My feet are crazy!

Heels plus dancing means I suffer for days! I know this fact; I say this fact to myself all the time.  However, when it comes down to it, I always pick the shoes that are cute, not comfy.  Well on a day that I had to stand, walk, and dance, the comfy shoes should have been a top priority.  As I got dressed, I was so excited because I found these amazing wedges that matched my dress perfectly.  I mean the Greek gods could not have picked out shoes to match a dress any better.  Anyway, I wore them to pictures, then as the day heated up, they got a little uncomfortable.  When I walked down the aisle to read my Bible verse, I was a little shaky, but alright. When I was escorted out, I knew that it was getting worse.  By the time the cake was cut and the band had started, I thought I was going to die.  But, I pushed on.  I danced and danced; I even danced some more.  Walking to the car proved to be miserable.  But if it were even possible, getting out of the car an hour later at my house was impossible! It was like coals were lit under my soles.  I had to peel the shoes off just to walk to my door.  I’m finally better, but it was just yesterday (Tuesday) that I made the recovery.  That’s 3 flipping days!!! I’m old and my feet are crazy!

Ohh, Ahh, Ouch!

3.      I’m a sweater, the end!

No, I’m not a piece of clothing! I sweat.. the end.  I have tried pulling off the, oh I’m not sweating, I’m glistening.  But all that is, is a load of bull! My grandfather was a sweater, my mother is a sweater, and I am a sweater.  Even if it isn’t hot outside, if I am doing something that requires minimal effort, I sweat.  I could never be one of those cute girls in the gym that is sweating, but still they look mostly dry.  No, I’m one of those people you see whose face is the color of a tomato and looks like she just got out of the shower.  You may walk past me and judge how gross I am, it’s ok, judge away! I have always been this way and my friends have accepted it.  On my bachelorette party, a good friend made me wear this terrible hat. By the end of the night I wanted to take it off, but my friends made me put it back on because I looked like such a hot mess.  This wedding was no different.  The fact that it was outside, made it worse.  I started sweating before the wedding, but just a little.  I blotted it away and was fine.  By the time my feet started hurting, and after the dancing, I was gross! I heard a while back that you could inject botox into your sweat glands and you wouldn’t sweat anymore.  But if I was to do that, I would get poisoning because it would take so much botox just to stop me up! So I need you all to know this fact…I sweat…the end!

This is before the sweating got too bad!

4.      Birds can get you on a roller coaster!

This is the last, but most important thing I learned this weekend.  Let me set this up for you.  My family takes a trip every summer together.  I have told you how crazy we all are, but we love each other.  My 1st cousins are like my sisters (and brother, Russ) and their children are like my nieces and nephews.  So this year everyone went to Disney, everyone but my family (mom, dad, husband, and me). They were really bummed that we couldn’t go, but took off anyway ready for fun.  Everyone decided to go to Universal Studios one day and ride some of their roller coasters.  Now you need to know how my family is…we fight over front row seats.  It doesn’t matter if one of the “kids” wants to ride in the front, me and my older cousin will fight for it.  You need to know this because while telling the following story, please remember, it could have easily been me that pushed my way into the front.  So while riding this amazing coaster, a bird decided to make a run for it..and what do you know hit my 7th grade cousin.  Upon instant death, the bird stuck with him for the rest of the ride.  Obviously the gforce of the roller coaster does not allow for something to be thrown off once it has impelled you.  So imagine riding for 3 minutes with a bird…a dead bird stuck to your stomach.  (Sorry, I had to stop and have a panic attack to finish writing this!) My family is calling him a bird slayer and having a grand ole time laughing it off.  BUT, if I were there, the medics would have to peel me out of the seat, clean it up, and take me to the emergency room for some zanax that flows through an IV.  I love roller coasters, but I believe I will stay off of them from here on out.  Who knew that birds could get you up there!!

I hope that you have learned as much as I have this weekend! Happy (late) Memorial Day to everyone, especially the men and women who fight or who have fought for our freedom! We owe you!!!

When Did this Happen?!

For the past week or so I’ve been working with some friends to plan our 10 year high school reunion.  It has been a blast coming up with ideas and I know more fun is to come, but… and I mean a big butt, when did I get old enough to be planning a high school reunion!!!!??? It seems like just yesterday that I walked across the stage and graduated, but in the same sense, it seems like millions of years ago.

I don’t feel like I’ve changed that much, but is that necessarily a good thing!? I mean when I was 18 (well I was actually 17 when I graduated) and I thought about what the next 10 years held, am I where I thought I’d be? No! I was going to be famous! I was going to be thin! I was going to have everything and then some! Well here I am, 10 years later and guess what…I have none of that!

Ok, so don’t think I’m saying all of this to sound bitter or depressed…I’m not!! It’s just funny how so many things can change in 10 years.  I wanted to be famous.  Really? Why? What was the point? So everyone would know who I am and what I do?  I mean I love me some Kardashians, but I do not want their life!!! I love the fact that I can take out the trash, with no bra, no make up, and no shame and no cameras catch me! I love the fact that I can gain a little weight here and there and it’s not plastered all over the cover of People! I love the fact that I had some serious relationship fumbles along the way and nobody had to know except for me!!! So I’m ok with not being famous!

I wanted to be thin…ok, don’t judge me! Who doesn’t want to be thin?! Oh wait, that’s right, you, you thin pretty girl who ate 3 baby carrots for lunch and feels full! Give me a break!!! 3 baby carrots just ticks me off! (I know there is some Taylor Swift song stuck in there somewhere!) So yes, after 10 years I still want to be thin, but I’m ok that I am full figured: there’s more to go around!! ;)

Lastly I was going to have it all!!! How simple it seems, especially to a 17 year old.  Having it all at 17 is not what having it all is at 27.  The younger me would say a nice car, a huge house, handsome husband that is a millionaire, and people bowing down at my feet.  The old me, the me that is now, would laugh in this girls face! What does it mean to have it all now!? Well….a handsome, wonderful husband that loves me no matter what, a house that is full of laughter, a car that gets me to my job, a job that is fulfilling and that helps others, and a heart that bows down before my God. So yes, I do have it all…just not the way I thought I would. 

10 years have flown by.  I am still that silly girl who talks too much and has a big group of friends. I have set goals and actually achieved them! But, I am not the same person I was, and those changes are subtle. So I’m happy with subtle, because that is something that I was never good at being!

Congratulations to all of the graduates this season and congrats to the BHS class of 2002…we did it, what ever that may be! 

  Take a walk down memory lane with me....these were from my annual, sorry!




BHS Class of 2002

 


My composite picture



Mother's Day

Ok so here's the deal...I'm terrible with remembering things! You can ask anyone that knows me, if I don't write it down, I totally lose it! I have been planning on writing the sweetest, most heartfelt Mother's Day post for about 2 weeks.  But as I stated above, I forgot to write it down.  So on Sunday (which was Mother's Day) I woke up, went to church, fixed some food (I will get to that later) and went to my cousin's house for a MD lunch.  As soon as I walked into her house, the thought washed all over me...the blog...my post...my mother! So for my mother reading this, I'm sorry, all of the things said below were meant to be read on Monday, not Tuesday after the fact!

When you look up mother in the dictionary, you find a few things. One: a female parent; two: a woman in authority.  How can such a simple definition really describe what a mother is? Well I'll tell you, it can't! My mother is so much more than that! But looking at the definition I will attempt to do what so many teachers taught me years ago...read between the lines.  Female parent: that she was, or is.  When my dad didn't want to get his hands dirty because he loved me too much, my mother loved me enough to discipline me.  Because of that I am pretty well adjusted, follow the rules (most of the time), and know that when I have children I will instill the same values in them.  She was a parent in the sense that I knew she would take care of me, no matter what, and love me just the same (and trust me, there were times where I'm sure she didn't want to love me). She was the woman in authority! If you know my family, then you know this is true.  However, she gets a bad wrap because as head strong as she is, my dad pretty much has her right where he wants her! Ha!

Like I said, the definition is missing a lot.  Ally, supporter, healer, know-it-all, nurse, psychiatrist, homework Nazi,  money tree, kind hearted, and most importantly best friend.  My mother is awesome.  Just imagine how awesome I am, and double it! All of my humor, wit, and sarcasticness (that's not a word, I know!) comes from her.  She is funny and sweet, sentimental and true.  She is a mother and no definition can describe what mothers truly mean to each and every one of us.  So, albeit late, happy Mother's Day to one of the best mothers in the world!!!

Now, here is something that I am super proud of...but first I must tell you why! When my cousin asked me to bring a veggie and dessert to Mother's Day lunch I of course said yes. But when I hung up the phone, my mind went into a whirlwind.  As my husband says, I tend to turn everything into a project, and I love to bake.  So....dessert became a project.  I found a wonderful recipe for Pink Lemonade Cake from Better Homes and Gardens magazine.  The cake was on the front of the mag so I knew that this was going to be a show stopper! I worked so hard on making it exactly like the directions said and got great use out of my Kitchen Aid mixer!! But as I put the last of the the frosting (which was to die for) on the cake, I knew something was missing.  I got out my piping bag, tinted the icing pink, and went to town.  I have to say, the cake looked good...but it looked like I was announcing that I was having a baby girl...

That's right, ooh and ahh at this wonderful masterpiece! I am available for all baby showers! So yes, the cake was a show stopper, but not in the way I wanted it to be.  "Happy Mother's Day mom, here is the cake I slaved over....what....no I'm not pregnant...don't cry!" Yeah just another moment where I have let my family down by my lack of progress in the baby department!

You wanna know what the real show stopper was though, my green beans.  I don't have a picture of them, but imagine a casserole dish filled with green beans and sprinkles of bacon on top!!! I'm giving you the recipe so you can be a show stopper too!!!

Arkansas Green Beans
5 cans of green beans
1/4 cup of Butter
3/4 cup of Brown Sugar
7 tablespoons of Soy Sauce (I use the green kind, less sodium)
1 1/2 tablespoon of Garlic Powder
5-10 slices of Bacon, cooked and crumbled

Preheat oven to 340 degrees.
Cook your bacon. I used 5 pieces and it was plenty, but you can never go wrong with more bacon!!!
Drain and wash your green beans. I drain them and then run water into the can twice and drain that.
Empty green beans into casserole dish and spread crumbled bacon on top.
Melt your butter in a separate bowl, mix the brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic powder together.  This mixture should be slightly thick.  I had to spoon it over my beans, but I'm particular.
Cook your beans, uncovered, for 40 minutes. 

These will make you want to slap yo momma, but I didn't since it was Mother's Day

Again, happy late Mother's Day to all of the mothers, aunts, grandmothers, cousins, friends, and ladies out there!

Not as Good as I Once was!

Have I ever mentioned that I once was a fun person?! No…never? Well I was! I mean I use to have a great time, let loose, get crazy, all that jazz! However, in the past 3-5 years my life has sloooowed down a lot! It’s not that I don’t love my life…because I do…I absolutely love my life, but I’m in my late 20s and not my early ones anymore…so I’ve slowed! And I have fun, lots and lots of hard core fun…but not like I use to do back before work, marriage, and the real world. I don’t go out on the town, mainly because it’s either really young people or much older ones and the 25-35 age range has no place, and I don’t stay up past 12:00 EVER!

With that said, this weekend I ventured out and tried to be that same fun person again. Guess what? I’m not as good as I once was, but I’m as good once as I ever was.  Now I know that what I just quoted is an amazing Toby Keith song, but it also sums up my weekend.  I learned that I can go out and have a ball, but I pay for it the next day. I will explain later what I mean by that!

My dear friend P. had a Bridesmaid’s Brunch and Bachelorette weekend starting Saturday morning.  We had a lovely brunch at an adorable bed and breakfast in Corinth.  I think in picking this place, P. had great taste (I had my Bridesmaid Brunch there too)! We had great food and her aunts and cousins are so sweet! After we ate, played some games, and said our goodbyes we headed out for Nashville, TN! We were all pumped! It was going to be the time of our lives and we were going to toast P. in a big way in the Music City!



At the BM Brunch



By the time we arrived and got dressed, it was time for another type of wedding shower! My friend got some beautiful classy appropriate nice stuff (Haha) and everyone was ready to go out. We had a scavenger hunt prepared and we broke into teams.  Can I just take a moment to say that I obviously love doing totally inappropriate things, because this was right up my alley! Some items were: find a bald guy and rub his head, kiss a stranger, get 4 quarters to help pay for the wedding, find someone with the same first name as the groom, and find someone with an accent.  Those were just a few! But everyone had a blast doing it!

We ate at an awesome place, Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant.  If you ever go to Nashville, try it out because I think almost everyone in our party (16 people) loved it! After that let’s just say we went out on the town and painted it not only red, but every color you can think of! Because of some confidentiality clause, I can’t disclose any of the happenings after dinner.  But it was fun, I partied like a rock star, and most importantly my friend had a great last fling before the ring! I will tell you that pizza does not get delivered fast in Nashville at 3:00 in the morning.  Also waking up at 8:30 the next morning is for the birds (and we all know how much I hate them)!

Thus with all of this said I will tell you why I can do it once, but only once in a while.  Surprisingly, I woke to no headache or tummy troubles; however I had a runny nose and a raspy voice.  I will attribute the latter to our air conditioning unit working GREAT! It would either be as cold as Antarctica or as hot as Hades, we opted for Antarctica and I got a sexy voice from it!  As proud as I was to find that I had no head or abdominal woes, I did find that my legs were like Jello.  Obviously dancing the night away was not as good of an idea as I originally thought! In addition, taking a shower at 3:30 and not drying my hair does not do wonders for me either.

All is well though; after a 3 hour drive home, a hot shower, and some sleep, I’ll be back to my old boring self by Thursday! …Maybe Friday, I don’t want to push it. Toby Keith has apparently been out with a bachelorette party in Nashville on occasion because his lyrics are so true!

This is the best representation of how I was feeling Monday morning!

Too much info?

Happy Monday!!! Haha! I thought that this ecard was hilarious! I suppose today is get to know me day because I'm about to unload some insightful, personal, and too much information thoughts into the blogosphere. 

First let me say that I am crazy! Oh wait, did we already establish that in my last post!? Either way, I am a little bit off.  I know it, my friends know it, and even my mother (who loves me no matter what) knows it.  I have a weird sense of humor and I am a webmd professional.  Whenever I have a problem with my body, I don’t do the sensible thing and go to the doctor, I look it up on webmd or google. 
That’s completely safe…right?

If you have never been on webmd, you are missing out! This wonderful website lets you put in your complaints and then gives you a list of potential problems.  There is even a picture of a naked lady (or man if that’s the case) and you can click on the particular body part that is causing you problems.  A list of questions follows the point and click to asses your problems like a real doctor would do.  At the end, the list of probable causes appears.  It’s like magic! Well, it’s like magic to me because I’m a self diagnosed hypocondriac.  Ok ok, maybe I’m not that bad, but I do love to google anything and everything! Is this a problem, should I google therapists or ancient remedies to cure my demons?!!!

So if that wasn’t personal enough, I thought I would share one more thing….birds. Yes you heard read me right, birds.  The little flying creatures that love to come out and play this time of the year.  Why on earth would I want to share something with you about birds you may inquisitively ask yourself, well get ready for a bomb to be dropped on you!!!

I’m terrified! Scared to death! And when I say scared to death I mean pee my pants, pass out, and then throw up all over you scared.  This is a phobia, not a fear. The difference between a phobia and being scared of something is this: if it directly affects your daily life in such a way that you cannot function, it is a phobia.  Guess what…it totally affects my daily life! If you don’t know me or have never experienced an “attack” with me before, you’re really missing out.  I really like to think that as an initiation into my friend circle, you must be able to help me in times of crisis. 

Let me give you some examples of said “crisis”.  Walking outdoors, Washington, D.C., Lowes, gardens, laying out, parks, porches, and life in general.  So if you are not laughing out loud or thinking what a crazy yet, I would really like to meet you! Because, all of my friends and family love to laugh in the before mentioned situations.  I would like to tell you a terrifying story before I end this random posting.

Charles and I lived in the cutest little rent house right after we were married.  It was charming and sweet. We had a garage that you couldn’t park in and a porch that was a 2x2 slab of concrete.  Anyway, when we acquired the house I noticed that the little porch had an ever so slight overhang in the corner and birds would build nests there.  Quickly I made Charles and my cousin cut the corner down so we would not have any more problems with birds.  However, the light that hung down over our little 2x2 area obviously was the perfect place for two swallows to perch and stay for the night. I was trapped in my own home.  I could not go in my front door because of the terror that awaited and the garage was not a great place to get in and out of either! Well, my parents decided to come over one night and after a nice visit, they decided to go out the front door.  I warned them, don’t do it! Birds are right there and they could get into our house! My mom of course left the door open to talk and what do you know, the bird saw the opportunity and flew right into our house! Terror washed over my face and I’ll admit it a little pee threatened to come out.  I ran into our bedroom, locked the door, ran into the bathroom, and locked that door! (I know, what is the bird gonna do, unlock the door and walk in?!) Long story, a little shorter, it took 15 minutes to get the bird out of the house and 30 more minutes for me to come out of the bathroom and bedroom.  I sat on the bed and just cried, my home intruded by the worst enemy of all…birds.  

This makes me laugh because it is true.  The thought of this makes me want to scream!

 So there you have it, a little personal and too much information, story of my so called life! I hope that you feel better about yourself now!

If not, Happy Monday anyway!!!