Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Let Them Walk

I found this on a friends site and thought it was worth sharing. (I'd link to her but it's on myspace.) It's actually part of a sermon by TD Jakes (you can find it in it's entirety here.) I enjoyed the excerpt and thought I would like to read it for myself. This part is such a valuable and profound bit of wisdom. It's a hard thing to do, but oh so gratifying and freeing.

"There are people who can walk away from you. And hear me when I tell
you this - when people can walk away from you: let them walk. ....When
people can walk away from you: let them walk. I don't want you to try to talk
another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you,
coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone. When
people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to
anybody that left."

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Tuesday Top Ten: Things I Can't Live Without

Top Ten Things I Cannot Live Without
(and this goes without saying my husband, friends & family, love, world peace, etc.)

  1. Birth Control: I'd hate for my first baby to be named OOPS!
  2. Chap Stick: I'm sure there is a 12 step program for the chap stick obsessed such as myself.
  3. My Car: How far have you gotten without your car lately?
  4. My Phone: Seriously it's rare that I ever forget it, but if I do I get all panicky and start sweating and nearly need to breathe into a paper bag and all I can think about it what can I do to get to it the quickest!
  5. Hand Sanitizer: I don't want the funk everyone else has!
  6. Clorox Wipes: They clean anything and everything! Quick! Easy! Sanitary!
  7. Diet Coke/Coffee: Ahhh...Good morning to me!
  8. Planner: I'm a busy, busy girl! I've got to keep up with myself. It also contains my...
  9. List: I always have a list of something. I feel incomplete without it.
  10. Purse: My monstrosity of a handbag which contains all of the above items. Why yes, even my car! It's in there next to the kitchen sink.

Random other essentials off the top of my head: Contacts or Glasses (I'm so blind!), My Pillow (it's 25 years old and going strong! Hey Oprah...back off that bug crap about my pillow! I'm never getting rid of it!), Razor (I have horrible leg hair growth), and a book/mp3 player (because I often get bored and enjoy whipping one of them out of my magic bag at any moment!)

So what can you just not live without? Bonus points for those who list 10!

Monday, January 29, 2007

Dr. Mrs. M, Full Service Relationship Therapist

Remember when Mrs. M's Loveline was suddenly open by popular demand? Well, I've moved up in rank. I'm full on relationship troubles including marriage! Apparently after nine months of marital bliss J and I are just so unbelievably perfect that everyone wants to know the inner secrets of our relationship and how we remain so unbelievably perfect. That, or we put on a good show!

I still find it entertaining that I've suddenly had an entourage of people coming to me seeking relationship, dating, boy, marital, husband, etc. advice. I know it's normal for friends to talk about such things, but there has been quite a rush. And seriously, me?

My husband frequently enjoys hearing me on the phone giving advice and counsel. He'll often pause to listen before enthusiastically nodding his head and faux clapping. It's rather entertaining.

Perhaps I should write a column, a weekly question and answer. I'll syndicate it and answer relationship questions and solve problems from coast to coast. I'll be world famous for my oh-so-great relationship advice. Yeah, that's it........

Friday, January 26, 2007

This is all you get today....

A- Available or married? Married! 9 months now.
B- Best Friend? My husband of course!
C - Cake or Pie? both please!
D- Drink of Choice? White Zinfandel. Diet Coke or Sweet Tea if we're going no poison.
E- Essential Item? My purse. i have all of the essentials in there!
F- Favorite Color? Pink
G- Gummi Bears or Worms? Ugh! Neither. If I'm having sweets it's chocolate.
H- Hometown? Hilltop in WV and Mo'Burg, TN
I- Indulgence? Magazines and crafty items
J- January or February? This is silly. But it doesn't matter.
K- Kids & names? Future kids either boy or girl will have my maiden name in there somewhere. L- Life is incomplete without? Hand Sanitzer and Clorox Wipes
M- Marriage Date? April 29
N- Number of Siblings? One fabulous and adorable little brother.
O- Oranges or apples? Both! with strawberries, grapes, blueberries, pineapples, and cantaloupe
P- Phobias/Fears? Snakes, car accidents, stupid people
Q- Favorite Quote? "Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "Woo Hoo-What a ride!!"
R- Reason to Smile? It's Friday! Stop what you're doing and dance a jig!
S- Season? Spring.
T- Tag three people! Ummm, Southern Girl, SEC, Ta Ta, Brittny, Jenny
U- Unknown fact about me: I once flooded the house and caused my parents to get a new floor b/c I filled the bathtub up and jumped in so I would turn into a mermaid. When it didn't work...I kept trying!
V- Vegetable you hate? Hmmm, I'm not sure. I can eat about anything sauteed or with dressing. W- Worst habit? Oh it's hard to have bad habits when you're as perfect as I am.... Har Har Har!Y- Your favorite food? Let's go with my favorite food groups: Cereal, Brownies, Cookies, Ice Cream, Cheese, Green Beans, and anything with peanut butter.
Z-Zodiac Sign? Sagittarius, the little archer guy.

Thursday, January 25, 2007

4:45 AM, A One Act Play

Day: Wednesday
Time: 4:45 am
Place: Bed
People: Mr. and Mrs. M

(Mrs. M has just returned from the bathroom because she drinks too much and has the bladder of a three year old. She was dreaming of something beeping but as she lies back down she can still hear it. It's the smoke detector.)

Mrs. M: Honey..... (tap, tap, tap) Honey...
Mr. M: Mmmfffph zzzzz...
Mrs. M: Honey...the battery is dead in the smoke detector and it won't quit beeping. Will you take it down.
Mr. M: Mmmfffph zzzzz....
Mrs. M: J! Wake Up!
Mr. M: HUH?
Mrs. M: The battery is dead in the smoke detector and it won't quit beeping. Will you take it down.
Mr. M: Why me?
Mrs. M: Because I can't reach it.
Mr. M: Did you try?

Mrs. M puts on her huffy, puffy voice

Mrs. M: No! I'd have to get a chair and turn on all the lights and I don't know how to get it down and I'd make all kinds of noise and well you're awake now so just get up and go take it down please and thank you!

Mr. M gets out of bed slightly growling and pulls the smoke detector out the bedroom ceiling. Mrs. M watches.

Beep................Beep.................

Mr. M repeats for smoke detector in hallway. Mrs. M watches.

Beep................Beep.................

Mr. M repeats for smoke detector in bedroom one. Mrs. M watches.

Beep................Beep.................

Mr. M repeats for smoke detector in bedroom two. Mrs. M watches.

Beep................Beep.................

Mr. M is super annoyed and contemplates beating them all with a hammer. Mrs. M thinks she should get earplugs.

Beep................Beep.................

Finally Mr. M realizes it's the back up battery is dying from the first smoke detector and cannot be easily removed.

Mr. M: It's the back up battery. Go put it in the kitchen......in the refrigerator.

Mrs. M takes smoke detector and starts out the bedroom door.

Mrs. M: (very seriously) Why the refrigerator?

Mrs. M: (very seriously) So we can't (expletive) hear it!

Mrs. M puts smoke detector in refrigerator and returns to bed. (Of course she never really returns to sleep because she is thinking that what if there really is a fire and the smoke detectors are all ripped out of the cieling and how will they get out and where is the nearest blankie because it's cold......she survives on caffeine all day.)

The next morning Mr. M finds the smoke detector in the refrigerator next to the eggs.

I wish I had a pictures but of course it's been returned to the ceiling now.

Yes, that's us in the morning hours. Mr. and Mrs. Sunshine!

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

JL and Volunteering

This past weekend I spent a great deal of time on Junior League activities. I've really started looking forward to and enjoying JL activities more than I expected. There are still the handful of catty, ridiculous girls who talk through the whole meeting and only talk to each other because they're like a middle school clique, but that aside, I've met some truly amazing and wonderful women.

I have a lot in common with several of the women. First of all, we're about the same age. Several of us are newly married. There are a ton of ladies in the Marketing/PR industry as I am. I've really done some great networking and prospecting this way. Above all however, [the majority of ]these women have a really beautiful heart and a love of their community just as I do. Our project Saturday was very fulfilling and it was nice to see other women with such a desire to volunteer.

I've always had a spirit to volunteer and serve. I remember always doing March of Dimes, and also volunteering at the Special Olympics when I was a kid. I was involved in projects, like reading to the elderly, with my Brownie Girl Scout Troop as well. (Which by the way I love Girl Scouts! It's also cookie time again! Yum Yum!). I continued to volunteer for a variety of events and projects throughout middle school and high school. I became president of a school service group in high school and was able to really become involved in activities and fundraisers for charities. I also began volunteering as an MDA Camp Counselor when I was 16 and continued for 9 years. In college I was part of a service sorority and really had some of the most amazing times of my four years. Being in the JL is a continuation of being able to volunteer and give back to my community.

The only thing that could make my love of volunteering any better is to do it with my husband, and this summer that's going to happen when we work on a house with Habitat for Humanity together. I've done it before and it's a great experience. I'm glad J agreed to do it with me. He's so talented with his tools and building things that it would be a shame not to do it. He, by the way, would love to build houses for a living. Well, except for working in the sun, and the rain, and the wind...etc. Perhaps he should stick to purchasing and logistics from his office chair.

So, are there any other JL'ers out there? Any GS girls? Who else volunteers either on your own or with an organized group? Anyone want to share any past, present, or future projects?

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Tuesday Top Ten

Since Southern Girl told you what was on the Addypod, I thought I'd share my most recent fave running songs* from the La La Pod. (Ok, so this is a twenty list, these seem to be my faves this week! Totally random, I know!)

  1. Dancin', Shaggin' on the Boulevard, Alabama
  2. Dixieland Delight, Alabama
  3. Play that Funky Music White Boy, KC and the Sunshine Band
  4. Motownphilly, Boyz II Men
  5. Material Girl, Madonna
  6. Margaritaville, Jimmy Buffett
  7. Jessie's Girl, Rick Springfield
  8. Take It Easy, The Eagles
  9. To Be With You, Mr. Big
  10. Big Yellow Taxi, Counting Crows
  11. Ice Ice Baby, Vanilla Ice
  12. Walk the Dinosaur, Was (Not Was)
  13. American Pie, Don McLean
  14. London, London Bridge, Fergie
  15. Hey Jealousy, Gin Blossoms
  16. Hold On, Wilson Phillips
  17. Humpin' Around, Bobby Brown
  18. I'm Too Sexy, Right Said Fred
  19. Dangerous, Roxette
  20. Jump Around, House of Pain

Other current faves are Little Red Corvette (Prince), Little Miss Can't Be Wrong (Spin Doctors), U Can't Touch This (MC Hammer), Keep Your Hands To Yourself (Georgia Satellites), You Give Love a Bad Name (Bon Jovi), Soak Up The Sun (Sheryl Crow), and La La** (Ashlee Simpson)

Anyone else wanna share current or long time favorite songs?

* Hey! Don't Judge!
** Of course I'd love a song called La La!

Quote de Jour

Ahh, an oldy but a goody:

"If you make my mama cry one more time I'm gonna put on my ass kickin' boots and come pay you a visit!" --The Rev.

Other fab quotes from him:

"Juan, we need to go to bed so these nice folks can go on home."

"You've got a bell in your butt. That's what happens when you get married. The bell rings every time you sit down and your wife can't stand it."

Monday, January 22, 2007

Blue Monday

Today is Blue Monday, the official day when most people get depressed over bad weather, Christmas debt, and broken New Years Resolutions. Well, I've still yet to make any New Year's Resolutions, Goals, Lists, etc., but I am working on it. Until then you get this, My 2006 in Review. Perhaps it will help me to make the above mentioned lists, goals, etc. for 2007. Everyone participate and send me the link to read yours!

1. What did you do in 2006 that you’d never done before?
got married, got a restraining order, planned a wedding, began the foundation for my own business

2. Did you keep your new years resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I resolved to quit smoking which I've never done a day in my life. Easy enough, right?

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
R was born in September to my friends A and B, and Sj, Bear, and K were all born in December, three days in a row.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully!

5. What countries did you visit?
Mexico. But will never got back if they extradite Dog! (As in Dog the Bounty Hunter! I love him, but that's a whole other post!)

6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
A winning lottery ticket, a weekend home on the lake

7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
April 29, the day I got married.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting married! Being brave enough to get the restraining order.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Further pushing off grad school

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
A horrid bladder infection, but nothing bad thank goodness.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
All of the stuff for our house! Since we moved in New Year's Eve 2005, I know we bought a lot of stuff (new appliances, wood blinds, paint, etc) in January, but I don't remember all of it.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My husband! He is so calm and laid back and really helps me through everything when I get upset, high strung, stressed out.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
My mother, more commonly known as the uterus donor. Don't even get me started. I console myself in the fact that I get to choose her nursing home. I hear they're doing wonderful things with elderly care in Nigeria these days.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Wedding, Taxes, Mortgage, Target

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My Wedding And My Honeymoon! Woohoo!

16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
"How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You" That was the song J and I walked back down the aisle to after we said "I DO!"

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
a) happier, I always get happier!
b) probably chunkier
c) well, I have acquire a second income, however I've also acquired a house and a husband with a love of all thinks Dewalt. So all-in-all, probably about the same.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Traveling! Those dang jobs get in the way.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying. That got me no where.

20. How did you spending Christmas?
With J and both of our families in a sun up to sun down celebration!

21. Did you fall in love in 2006?
Oh I was already madly in love! But I think it happened all over again when I walked down the aisle toward my fabulous husband!

22. Did you attend any weddings?
Who didn't get married in 2006? Besides my wedding there was Bracelet Girl M, Bracelet Girl E, Braclet Girl B, Sorority Friend A, High School Cheerleader friend L, J's colleg friend S, J's weird friend from High School, Camp friends J and L, Old School Friends from WV, BC and AG, Church friends A and J, and I know there were a few I can't remember right now! We were invited to TWELVE weddings last year...TWELVE!

23. What was your favourite TV program?
Gilmore Girls, Desperate Housewives, Design on a Dime, Rachel Ray's 30 Min Meals

24. Is there someone no longer in your life that was last year.
My mother. Praise the Lord! I should have freed myself sooner.

25. What was the best book you read?
That's a tough one because I read so many books. Overall my favorite authors are Jane Greene, Sophie Kinsella, Meg Cabot, and Jennifer Wiener. I read The Lovely Bones, and that was really good! I think that was last year.

26. What was your favorite music of the year?
Wedding music. It controlled my life until April 29 and then continued to do so at every other even I attended. However I am and always will be a Rock N Roll girl at heart.

27. What did you want and get?
I got so many things. J and I are truly blessed.

28. What did you want and not get?
Oh there are plenty of things to list here too, I'm sure. However they were obviously meaningless because I can't think of a single one!

29. What was your best gift of 2006?
I received so many wonderful gifts. The best could be the fat checks from my grandparents as wedding gifts to J and I. Who doesn't love cold, hard, cash? However we received so many wonderful wedding gifts including a huge buffet ( I do mean huge!) and wedding cake for 150 wedding guests from my aunts and cousins catering company.

29. What was your favourite film of this year?
I don't get out much. I did love The Devil Wears Prada and Marie Antoinette.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was t---t---twentyfive! My husband and I celebrated and ended up going to the Home Depot about three times. Long story!

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
The winning power ball ticket?? Just a thought.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Clearance, pink, black, more clearance. I'm a simple girl! I love jeans and flip flops. I miss the days when that was my daily outfit for at least 6 mos.

33. What kept you sane?
My husband, the great SEC, God

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Dog the Bounty Hunter! And I do love Leland Chapman in that redneck kinda way. I think Pres. W is rather amazing as well.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Hmmm,

36. Who did you miss?
My dad, he's dead and my grandparents. I also miss my other grandparents who are too far away to visit as often as I'd like, and my fabulous little brother whom I rarely get to see because did I mention that my mother is evil?

37. Who was the best new person you met?
I met so many wonderful new ladies this year in JL. I'm not sure who is my favorite.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.
1. Don't argue with idiots, they beat you with experience.
2. You can't make people care.
3. Some people suck, some people suck totally!
4. Each day is a new beginning.....

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"I needed the shelter of someone's arms, there you were......How sweet it is to be loved by you!"

Friday, January 19, 2007

Whiny Whiny Whiny

I have a plethora of ideas in my smart little head about posts, all of which you'll see in the upcoming months. However right now I'm tired, I'm lazy, I have a headache, and I just don't want to. But I didn't want to abandon my loving, adoring readers by leaving them high and dry for the weekend. So what you get today is a whiny post. Whiny, Whiny, Whiny!

I'm really never whiny. But don't inquire that point to my lovely husband.

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Hang 'Em, Hang 'Em High

I live in a relatively safe town, a small to mid sized city. I also live in the nicest, safest part of town. The most crime that has happened is when a band of gypsies were breaking into homes while families were on vacation. The would loot and leave. I'm definitely not afraid of this happening in my very modest neighborhood when there are the much fancier neighborhoods with much fancier houses.

However earlier this month there was a very violent and brutal crime that took place in my town that started as a "carjacking" and ended with a young couple being horribly murdered, and I'll just leave it at that since the details are very, very bad.

First of all, I don't understand why there are so many details out there. To me, displaying the violent acts somewhat glorify it and only give suggestions to other evil spirits who would plan such a crime. I'm in the media business so I know that such details aren't necessary. I really feel for the family. If I were the family of this young couple I wouldn't want to know the horrid details, much less have the entire world know them.

Second, at least 2 of the men involved had a criminal past. One, a convicted felon, and the other was on parole from a 20 year sentence for aggravated assault and robbery. The others had criminal pasts but I'm not sure I've ever read the extent.

I just don't understand our justice system. First of all, we convict someone of a crime or felony and send them to a place where they get three square meals, a bed, recreation, and an opportunity for education. I happen to know that our county jail (my cousin is a cop there) is super nice and the prisoners are somewhat living it up considering it's a "punishment." Maybe they want to go back and that is the problem. Why should it be so nice and easy on them, and on our hard earned money? Furthermore I get super upset over the criminals getting "life in prison", "double life in prison", "triple infinity to the moon life in prison", what is that all about? I just don't understand it.

You want my opinion? I thought you might. Hang them! Hang them high! I'm not really concerned about it being old fashioned, or so horrible, or so whatever anyone thinks it is. A few good public hangings and I'm thinking we'd cut the crime rate down considerable. Also, think of the money we'd save not putting prisoners through school, giving them a place to live, and three square meals a day. Why put up with this stuff? (And since you asked for my opinion on the Saddam hanging that is so controversial, I think it was long overdue!)

Not only does my heart break for this young couple and their families, but the whole ordeal really has me upset and worried. Again, I live on the West Side which is the nicest part of our town and this happened on the North/East side, which well, isn't the greatest part of town, but it still worries me. I'm afraid to be home alone after dark and drive home alone in the dark. I'm defiantly not running outside of the evenings now, and I'm being much more aware of my surroundings. I'm sure I'll get over it. A couple of years ago a girl was stabbed to death in her apartment (still unsolved, roommate suspicious) and I couldn't stay along for months!

Anyway, my point is so many innocent victims could be spared and the rest of the community have much more peace if we'd just really deal with criminals. Hang them high!

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Now Open: Mrs. M's Loveline

Lately I've had several close girlfriends come to me with advice regarding love, dating, relationships, and guys.

First of all, I truly love this! It's such fun to share in juicy secrets with girlfriends and be part of their life by temporarily acting as if we're at a middle school dance and being all giggly. I feel really honored and special that they share details with me since I know at this age you have few friends in which you share such things.

Second of all, me? Why are you coming to me! I sucked at the whole dating thing and my best and longest relationship turned out to be my husband! Want proof of how horribly bad I was? Here you go!



Mrs. M's Not So Fabulous Dating History:
(coming soon to a reality show near you!)
  1. On the van ride home from head start my "boyfriend" Josh put his jacket over our heads so he could kiss me and no one would see. Smooth.
  2. Above "boyfriend" moved away and I moved on to his cousin Zach in kindergarten. We kissed in the planetarium on a field trip and he brought me a pink corsage to the school dance. He dumped me for another girl with my same name. Traitor!
  3. I kissed boys. All the time. I was the constant recipient of a letter sent home to my parents saying something along the lines of "please have your hot lipped hussy of a daughter put her pucker away during school hours as it is not appropriate to kiss the boys. It's also not appropriate to chase and tackle the boys before kissing them. We appreciate your assistance in dealing with this ongoing matter." That was me, the classroom harlot.
  4. I had my first "real" kiss in fifth grade behind the divider. (Racy!) He dumped me at the entrance to the National Zoo on our class field trip to DC. It was a double break-up with my best friend who was dating his best friend. Jerks!
  5. In middle school I kissed my boyfriend in "the elevator room" before play practice. The relationship didn't even make it to our final performance.
  6. In high school I fell for a very charming and preppy "bad boy". We would "cruise town" and make out at his house during tennis practice. He'd take me back to the courts before my parents would pick me up. We were history by the end of the season. Did I mention my tennis coach was also my church pastor? Scandelous!
  7. My on and off junior and senior year my boyfriend was a year ahead of me. He dumped me just before my senior prom. Therefore he left me no choice but to tell everyone in our very small town that he was gay. Hey, it was the only reason I could figure he dump a hot commodity such as myself. Idiot!
  8. In college I dated (loosely stated) the above mentioned boyfriend to basically use him for bling-bling, free meals, and the standby date to sorority events. I insisted I hadn't a clue as to how above rumors were started! (Ruthless!) I moved on to a real frat guy by the end of my freshman year. Showed him!
  9. While breaking up with a boyfriend in college because I was not his number one priority and I didn't feel that he always treated me like the princess I was (what was he thinking?) he said "I can't believe you're doing this, you'll never find what we have." To which I replied, "Good, because this sucks!" Score one for me!
  10. I had a mad crush on a good friend through most of my college years (such a good friend I have no clue where he is or what he's doing now!) but never let him know because I felt it was obvious he didn't return my affection. Besides a few casual dates and my wild fantasies of having his babies, nothing! (Maybe he was gay too? And thankfully, I didn't have his babies!)
  11. Boyfriend mentioned in #8 was standby date for me in college as well. (The loser is older than me and still can't manage to come up with a degree even from the community college.) However when I was just being friendly and invited him to a costume party he gets a big head that apparently I'm head over heels for him and apparently I'm so cool now because I'm a sorority girl. However when I harshly turned him down (if you know what I mean) he was a total ass to me for the next week until the actual party which he did show up to go to. I guess he thought I'd changed my mind since I was dressed as sexy, prostitute kitty (NO! I didn't come up with that, it was from SNL!). He gushed over me all night and I allowed him to before demanding he take me home. He tried to kiss me, I dodged, loudly proclaimed "I have standards" and shut the door in his face. He called all night, and day, and night, for several weeks. Embarrasing!
  12. Then there was the guy I met at a mixer who had a great personality and was very sweet. He promised me the world but gave me hell. I was relentless in pursuing what I thought was a relationship before realizing he was really none of the above things and only convinced me to think so by woo-ing me with wonderful fruity drinks all night while I belted out karaoke at the top of my lungs and thought I was cool. However a while later at another party (ok a mixer entitled White Trash: Meth Labs and Ghetto Fabs) as he turned on the charm again. He took me home and tried to walk me to the door when I not-so-politely stated, "I'm not sure why you're suddenly playing cupid, but give it up because I've moved on to bigger and better things" Ok, so maybe I said a few other things and we were in an awkward situation, but I don't want you to think too badly of me. Thanks to A. and Mrs. S. for seeing me through that one! Furthermore, while at another after party from Homecoming on a chilly October night, Mrs. S pushed him into a pool with one hand all while holding a drink in her other hand! HA! Now that is a true friend! (By the way, we kinda left the party then!)

There have been handfuls more of what I lovingly call "90 Day Romances" that I'm so famous (infamous?) for during my dating and especially collegiate years. (I even attempted to break up with J after 90 days because I just thought that was how it worked! Thankfully that hiatus was short lived and God definitely showed us we were meant to be!) However I'll save all the Murphy's-Law-type juicy details of my less than stellar dating years for a very dry novel, coming soon to the NY Times Bestseller List.

So back to my wondering why-for-the-love-of-everything-good my friends come to me for advice. Perhaps they think I have it all figured out since I have a husband. Perhaps they worship me for my rockin' dating history. (Quit holding your sides with laughter pains). At any rate, I love these girls and I'm so happy to listen and offer advice and an objective opinion. Funny how the same advice and objective opinions I give are the ones I never took. Go figure.

Anyone one out there have a great (or not-so great) dating story? Please share!

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Projects: The Stairs

As you may know my hubby and I are the king and queen of projects, especially the at home kind. I'm just not happy with buying something, I want to make it. I like being crafty and the challenge as well as I'm thrifty. My husband is the same way. He loves playing in the garage and working with all of his fancy, schmancy power tools. Likewise, we have a list of projects to do at any given time.

Seeing as how my hubby starts grad school tonight I was wanting to get as many projects done as possible, but there are still several on the list, big ones at that.

I was coming home from a morning meeting of my sorority alumni, enjoying the beautiful weather, and thinking that it would be a great day for a nice long bike ride on a trail near our house. So, I called my hubby.
Me: What are you doing?
J: Oh, a little research.
Me: Research, on what?
J: Oh, you'll see.

So I drive on home thinking that he's online and has found something he just has to have, or just has to do, or would like to do, etc. But I arrive home to find that he's taking the carpet off of the stairs. The "research" was seeing how hard that would be and what exactly was under there. Thus we launched full force into a large project on our list which was redoing the stairs.

We had what we like to call "church carpet" on our stairs, a very cheap, economy carpet stuff. It was not at all attractive and was a major pain to vacuum yet seemed to hold on to every speck or dust and dirt. Out goal was to put down hardwood treads.

Now although I didn't get to go on a bike ride that day, I was pretty excited to start our project. We'd planned on doing it since buying our house and had saved up for it. I suppose this weekend was as good a time as any.

My husband (who is very good at demolition has been taking apart the whole staircase and checking out everything underneath, presumably for fun. We've stained (and stained and stained) and polyurethaned (and polyurethaned and polyurethaned) the treads and are nearly in NA from inhaling all of the chemicals. We also painted the risers.

It's an ongoing project of doing a little every night this week until the big installation this weekend. I have JLK stuff all day Saturday and have a sneaking suspicion that my husband will not have patience to wait for my assistance until Saturday afternoon.

Monday, January 15, 2007

Day Off Accomplishments

I had today off of work in observance of MLK* day. My hubby however did not, so I had a full day all to myself for a variety of things on my to-do list.

Seriously, the things I can accomplish in one day as a free woman! First of all I went to bed later, without stress, and woke up early, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed ready to go. It's amazing how the mentality of not going to work changes everything, and I even like my job as far as jobs go.

So I get up before my husband, make coffee, have my raisin brand and clean the house. I'm scrubbing the kitchen, putting in laundry tidy-ing up the living room and powder rooms, etc. I go out for a quick errand for my afternoon projects and stop by the Catholic campus for a half hour run on my way to the grocery store. I'm home in time to put away groceries and eat lunch with my hubby who came home to see me. That afternoon after a warm bubble bath (to catch up on my book) and a shower I managed to continue/finish laundry, clean the bedroom, rearrange some closets, make window treatments for the kitchen and living room windows and begin on the roman shade for the window over the sink, make a delicious lemon-poppy seed bundt cake, and prepare a superb dinner of chicken picatta complete with nice table settings and complimenting wine.

When J called that afternoon and I'd told him I fixed a bundt cake. He asked what else I was doing or had done and I rattled off a few things. His comment (don't we all love them):

"I think you're trying to prove all the wonderful things you could do if you
didn't have to work and could stay at home. "

Am I that transparent?

Here's the scrumptious chicken picatta recipe if anyone is interested. However I cannot give you the lemon-poppy seed bundt cake. If I told you, I'd have to kill you.

1 pound penne rigate
2 Tbsp olive oil
1.25 pounds chicken tenders
salt and pepper
2 Tbsp butter
4 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
2 medium shallots, chopped
2 Tbsp flour
1/2 cup white wine
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 chicken broth or stock
3 Tbsp capers, drained
1/2 cup fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped
Chopped or snipped chives, optional

Bring a large pot of water to boil for penne. Cook according to package directions, then drain, return to pan, cover, and keep warm.
Cut chicken tenders into 1 inch pieces. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 Tbsp oil to the pan. When oil is shimmering, add chicken. Season with salt and pepper, and brown until lightly golden all over, about 5 or 6 minutes. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
Return pan to stove and reduce heat to medium. Add another Tbsp olive oil, 1 Tbsp butter, the garlic, and the shallots, and sauté 3 minutes. Stir in flour and cook 2 minutes. Whisk in wine, then add chicken stock and lemon juice. Stir in capers and parsley. Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then add remaining 1 Tbsp of butter. Return chicken to the pan and heat through, 1 minute. Add chicken mixture to the pasta, stirring to combine well. Adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve with chives, if desired.

*I'm very excited to have a day off for MLK but it also slightly bothers me that most organizations are not off in observance of President's Day which, in my opinion, should be equally weighted.

Friday, January 12, 2007

The New R--Bear

I know, I know! It took a while, but here's Bear.

me with the all the bambinos. I so love these kids! you've seen her beautiful brother and sister here , here, and here.

with J. Girlfriend may get jealous if her boyfriend dotes on her little sister.

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Delurking Time

I'm finally on the bandwagon with National Delurking Week. I know I have lurkers out there. I can see you. (And you to the right, and you hunched down back there in the corner. And you with your back turned talking on your phone (probably an iPhone!), I see you too!)


So anyway, be a friendly lurker and admit that you're here, reading, stalking, chuckling at my antique phone. Go ahead, I'm waiting. (And remember, I can see you!)



Fifteen Days

I couldn't handle it! I went back to my old phone. I only had the other one for 5 days and I just couldn't take it. So yes, Apple now has the fancy, schmancy iPhone and I'm sporting my antique model. I still think I'm a cool kid. I'm so cool I don't have to have new fancy gadgets to be cool. (But don't, under any circumstances attempt to take my laptop or mp3 player!)

So, yesterday on the phone I told my husband I was considering returning it, since I had fifteen days to do so with no penalty. Then I mentioned it again last night as we were cooking dinner. He rolled his eyes at me (knowing he'd probably be the one to take care of it) and told me I didn't really give the phone a chance. (I don't care, I just don't like it. It's super hard to text message. It's like when you got to the atm and push "Spanish" just for fun to see if you can figure out what it is saying from memory. Expect that's not fun when I'm trying to quickly text!) Plus the pictures don't show up pretty because it had bars at the top and bottom of the screens with lots of mumbo-jumbo so I couldn't even see the pretty pics of my hubby, or the too cute kiddies I love. Plus the colors on the screen bars were bright red and it annoyed me. I couldn't change them either. Ok, so that's enough pointing out how obviously, horribly, awful this phone was.

Again, back to us cooking dinner. I wrapped my arms around my hubby and squeezed on him. I looked at him with my pretty, pretty blue eyes and gave me a million dollar smile. Then I said in my sweetest, sugar-dripping voice, "Honey, you know how I'm sooooo picky about things, even little things, and I change my mind all the time. Well, there's one thing I'm certain of and I didn't change my mind about, and that's you!"

He says, "Good because your fifteen days up!"

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

A Few Open Issues

  • This week is kicking my bum. Partly because of this, and partly because of my lack of sleep due to this.
  • I'm not that cool. I'm sending it back.
  • It's not hurting, but still bruised. Yes, STILL bruised!
  • Have still not fully decided on this.
  • Spoke too soon here, Brrrr.....
  • Yum! Could still eat this.
  • Would like this to return.
  • My poinsetta is still alive. I'm wondering if it could be fake, or if my hubby has been switching it out as I kill it.
  • Two murders in our city this weekend and cops are still doing this. See also here.
  • Would like to be doing this or this.

Ok, perhaps a lousy post. Could be the fact I slept about 3 hours last night and it's very chilly and windy outside. Yes, that could be it.

This Might Be

This might be the cutest picture I've ever seen. My new cousin K:

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Cool Kid Status

I'm finally a cool kid. I got a (drum roll please....) camera phone! Yes, a camera phone. Now that camera phones are no longer the in thing and phones do things I can't even do while not using a phone, (like my hubby's phone) I got a camera phone. I didn't even get a flip phone until after camera phones were cool. Even my little brother sports the fancy little phone that opens with a keyboard. Which, by the way, I think is ridiculous since he's only thirteeen. Talk about the differences in the way we were raised.

I decided to clean out my contacts list once all of the numbers were transferred. I had 232 contacts! Not numbers, just contacts. I call, um, maybe 25 people total! I did manage to get it down to 167 and have faith I can ride 25 more.

I hate getting new phones because they never work like you're old phone. It's not nearly as easy for me to text message on this new phone, a hobby I greatly enjoy while sitting at my desk, ahem, working.

Well I guess I've arrived: laptop, check; pda, check; mp3 player, check; camera phone, check.

Ok, who am I kidding? I'll never be the on-top-of-it kinda girl with all of the cool new techy gear, but my hubby will. Which is good because then he can learn to use all of that stuff for me. Maybe someday I'll care more. Or, maybe I'll always be to cheap to care and live vicariously thru A with her top of the line phones/ipods/blackberries/whatever the cool new DC urban thingy is.

Speaking of A, she found this awesome sleek black laptop breifcase tote that was exactly the item I've been searching for. The store had more available so I picked it up while I was in Chattanooga. Even better, it was on sale!

Monday, January 08, 2007

And This Is How It Goes

Expletive!

That's how I feel. I've said and thought so many expletives that I'm certain my dad is on his way back to ground me or something.

I have a bladder infection. Not just a bladder infection, but the mother of all bladder infections. We're talking I feel as if I have to tinkle every twenty minutes, so I rush to the potty and it's plink! P-L-I-N-K! On top of that it hurts like words that I cannot say and that I'm afraid to type. OUCH!

It began brewing on Friday but I had not clue what was going on. By Saturday, I was pretty sure something was wrong. Mrs. O-to-Be and all of her pharmacist knowledge diagnosed me and took me to get over the counter meds to alleivate symptons until I could get an antibiotic. This was great until shortly after taking the meds and I once again visited the bathroom. Then, I screamed.

Strike up the Pride of the Southland and cue Rocky Top because folks, I had it! What is it?

BIG ORANGE TINKLE!

For-the-love-of-everything-good I just knew that I was dying. I have alumni school spirit, but this was ridiculous! Perhaps that the fish I'd eaten contained too much mercury and now I was radio active. Or, I need to back off the sweet potato casserole? Actually, none of the above. Mrs. O-to-Be informed me it was the meds. Way to scare a girl who already suffers lab-coat syndrome.

After a painful Sunday I did everything I could to get an antibiotic or doctor's appointment on Monday. My gynecolgist informed me that she could see me on Tuesday.

Me: Tuesday? I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL TUESDAY! I'm on death's door! By Tuesday I'll be in the ER with kidney stones. I. HAVE. TO. SEE. YOU. TODAY!

I got an appointment at 3.

I arrive 5 minutes early but being the emergency appointment all those regularly scheduled that arrived at 3:15 were seen first. But I'm not bitter. Luckily I had a book and ring pop in my purse for entertainment.

At 4 I'm taken back for the normal blood pressure, getting weighed, etc. and then have to give a "urine specimen." Does anything sound nastier than "urine specimen"? I think not. Just call it like it is, pee-in-a-cup. After making a big orange cup of pee (not to be confused with cup of tea!) I was ready to get my prescription and leave.

But I didn't get to.

The nurse takes me to a room, gives me a glorified paper towel and tells me to "undress from the waist down." I wanted to cry. I'm a horrible patient and spreading my legs for the doctor was not on my agenda today. I really have to psych myeslf up for the yearly exams when I'm required to go. I huff and puff and strip down, but I leave on my socks. Something about that makes me not feel too naked. I sit on the little table with my glorified paper towel and wait. I'm somewhere between expletives and crying. I'd put on my big girl panties and deal with it, but they're in the floor.

Finally the doctor comes in and does the thing that doctors do. When she asked me if it hurt I wanted to kick her given the close proximity of my foot and her head.

OF COURSE IT EXPLETIVE HURTS! YOU HAVE THINGS SHOVED UP MY CROTCH AND ARE POUNDING ON MY STOMACH! IT WOULD HURT EVEN IF THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH ME!

So there I was in horrible pain, feet in stirrups, with a the doctor poking and prodding me all over and getting luckier than my husband had all weekend given my issues, my big girl panties in the floor and my brain telling my foot to kick, my pride thrown right out the window, and wearing my polka dot socks and pretty new sweater. And all I wanted was a freaking antibiotic!

She tells me to drink lots and gives me the prescription. Drink lots of what? Wine? That's what I'm thinking. I asked her how I contraced this said bladder infection to which she answers "being a girl." WTF kind of answer is that? I've been and expletive girl for 25 years and have never had this issue. Finally I got further explanations that I'm sure you all know as well as not wearing my sweaty work-out pants after I run and to sometimes wear a bathrobe and not underwear while around the house. WTH?

Yes, that was my day. Don't feel sorry for me, I'll just be consoling myself in a fat-free, vanilla frozen yogurt (crazy girl!) and waiting for my hubby to come home and cook me dinner. Send chocolate, I mean wine. Actually, I mean both.

And about bladder infections, don't get one. They suck!

Sunday, January 07, 2007

I'm a Cake Tasting Rock Star!

J and I had such a great time this weekend with Mr. O and Mrs. O-to-Be. Mrs. O-to-Be, her sister, and I went to the Bridal Show which Mrs. O-to-Be really enjoyed. Actually we all rather enjoyed it and tasted about 283 Wedding Cakes! Yum! It was a sweet weekend.

I love the wedding stuff. We worked out tons of details for Mrs. O-to-Be including a charming bed and breakfast for the Bridal Party to stay. Wow, it's adorable. J and I love Bed and Breakfast Inns anyway, hence our home is the M Bed and Breakfast.

We also had a little detour by the mall. We were just driving by and it beckoned us. As we were browsing clothes I found all sorts of cute things, and then put them all back. I have a real problem with buying anything I can't wear to work. It was too bad too, but I found some very cute jeans. Mrs. O-to-Be made the comment of "I can't wait until I'm out of school and work, then I won't have to wear jeans everyday, and I can wear scrubs." WHAT? Do you know how much I'd love to wear jeans everyday? I like my dress clothes, etc., but I love me some jeans!

J and Mr. O had a nice little man-date too. Those boys are too funny when they're together. Mrs. O-to-Be and I can't wait to send them away so that we can turn the bachelor pad into a charming little home. Shhh! Don't tell them.

Friday, January 05, 2007

Wedding Indulgence

I get to indulge in a little wedding fun this weekend! My best friend Mrs. O-to-Be is getting married this July and both J and I are in the wedding party! Not only that but instead of standing all girls on one side and guys on the other, we're going to stand in couples. How cute that J and I will be able to walk down the aisle together again.

So this weekend we're going to Chattanooga to stay with Mr. and Mrs. O-to-Be and Mrs. O-to-Be and I are going to a Bridal Show! I absolutely love Bridal shows and wedding everything. I'm so excited to get to do this with her. Mrs. O-to-Be is in grad school, has a job, and lives out of town from where her wedding will be so she's allowed me to assist in a large part of the planning which has been a lot of fun for me.

I'm also helping my other bestest friend Ta Ta in her destination wedding which is going to be wonderful. It's the second option of the wedding I didn't have! Don't get me wrong, I LOVED my wedding, but if J and I hadn't done the big sha-bang that we did, we'd have totally been in Charleston on the beach and toyed with the idea for quite some time. I love getting to be part of this special time with my friends. I can't wait for Ta Ta and I to go to the Summer Bridal Show.

I know I'm not the only wedding crazed girl out there. Mrs. S admitted to wanting to buy wedding magazines, didn't you Mrs. S?

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Visiting K(and the new mommy and daddy!)

Last night J and I took dinner to my cousins and visited little K. J opted out of the hospital visit so this was his first time meeting her.

I made my "famous" potato casserole (seems I'm always writing about casseroles!) at the request of the new mommy. J and I took it over with some other things for dinner and "ooohed" and "aaahed" over pretty little K.

I hadn't seen her room since it had been finished complete with pretty green walls with yellow accents. There's a K above her crib and a rocking chair in the corner! It's absolutely darling and fit for a little princess.

I can't believe how strong she is. When I held her at the hospital and she was only six hours old she kinda threw her head back. I thought it could just be a fluke. However as I held her on my chest (oh the desire of many!) she would raise her head up and look around when she heard new noises. When her proud daddy holds her up and puts his hand under her feet she'll stretch out and "stand" up. She really is quite a Hercules Baby! It must be all of the football player in her from her daddy.

Speaking of the proud daddy, I never thought I'd see "Big, Tall, and Ugly" (my nickname for him as a child which was made up by his sister, but he doesn't believe me. To even the playing field he called me "little, short, and dumb") so blissfully happy and in love as I see him with his wife and new daughter. They are such a cute new mommy and daddy and are just overjoyed at the new addition to their family.

This brings me to think of new parents. I remember when Pie was born her daddy couldn't keep his hands off of her. Even when she was peacefully sleeping in the crib he'd be in her room every 3 minutes, looking, doting, taking another picture. My cousins are the same way. We were eating dinner and they put Katelyn in her swing, every two minutes one of them were up to check on her. It's quite hilarious, and slightly ridiculous!

However I say this having no children of my own. Perhaps I'll be the same way. But years of nanny-ing tell me that perhaps I'll know better too. I've already raised several children, starting with my brother. I was nearly 13 when he was born and raised him from day one because of our parents work schedules among other things. He didn't speak until he was five and I went off to college. I spoke for him. "No, he doesn't want that. Little brother doesn't like that. Here give him this. Hey Little Brother this is what you want" Besides my brother I have brought 3 little boys from 9mo. old to their current five and six and two little girls from birth to two and three.

Maybe all the incessant checking is nervousness and I'm far beyond that having as much experience as I do. Maybe I'll be the same way and not let anyone hold my baby, because it's my baby and if you want to hold one go have your own! I can see J being a doting father much like cousin and Mr. Bex, checking on baby every waking (and sleeping) moment being amazed and blown away but every little blink and yawn. It's so cute to see new daddies.

However God help the child we have if it's anywhere near my husband when the alarm goes off and he's smashing it on the bedside table frantically hoping this will make it snooze and finally giving up and throwing it across the room.

Stayed tuned for the next three years and I'll update you on our parenting status! For now we're perfectly happy being Auntie La La and Uncle J.

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

The Truths of Holidays Foods and Weight Loss

Stop what you're doing and eat a Christmas Tree Cake!

Today, much to my dismay, I weighed myself. I gingerly stepped onto the scale and looked down barely opening one eye to see the results. And you know what? I was exactly the same! (Go on, continue the cheering, clapping, and woohoo-ing!) The laws of physics say I should be a hippo by now.

So I know what you're thinking (especially you there rolling your eyes with a smirk), I must be one of those super-skinny, pinky-finger sized women with a skyrocketing metabolism that eats whatever she wants and never gains a pound. Oh no! No, No, No, No, No! I wish it were true because I'd be way happy about that, but it's not true, so not true.

However I've found some things that are obviously true given my recent experiences:

  1. Eating Christmas Tree Cakes for breakfast every morning for two-weeks, is an obvious metabolism booster! (Take that impostors!)
  2. Corn dogs, french fries, and potato wedges are healthy and should be eaten often. Even twice during a two-day time frame!
  3. Making an large batch of seven layer bars, and eating half of it doesn't count! The half you shared cancels out the half you ate.
  4. Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners containing large amounts of chicken n' dumplins, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, all other imaginable casseroles as well as fabulous salads like cranberry salad and pasta salad, actually burn calories! It takes more calories to eat those fabulous dishes than are even contained in them.
  5. Deviled Eggs are a food group, healthier than the fruits and vegetables food group.
  6. Snacking (more preferably noted as "grazing") often on tasty treats such as Christmas Candy, Reese's Cups, Chips, Chips and Dips, Dips straight out of the container, is favorable for keeping your tummy full, thus happy, thus making it not want to hold onto fats and make you gain weight.
  7. Sodas, regular sodas that is, and Sweet Tea (real, Southern, TN sweet tea and Pal's Tea) is just as pure and healthy as water, only tastier!!! Oh, and wine! Don't forget the wine!
  8. Eating out is the new black! Be sure to order things such as fried chicken tenders, honey shrimp cantonese, loaded baked potatoes, and any sort of tasty looking pasta bathed in cream sauce.

So there you have it. I know it's contrary to everything you've ever been taught but that above mentioned method proved true for me during the most fattening (and wonderful!) time of the year. Here's to corn dogs, sweet tea, green bean casserole, and Reese's Cups! And of course, long live Christmas Tree Cakes!

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Switch it, Change it...

Remember Baby R with no certain name who was named L?

Well, make that Baby R with no certain name who was named L and then had it changed to C, and from here on out shall be referred to as "Bear."

Just in case you were wondering. Pics of the her later this week.

Little Miss K

Here she is!

Happy 2007!

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a great New Year's Celebration. We certainly did. Not only was it New Year's, but it was the one year anniversary of moving into our house! During the 2006 New Year we were asleep by 11pm because we'd been moving since 6am, but this year, we made up for it!

We had a fabulous celebration at the M Bed and Breakfast with some of our best friends. J made a drunken chicken (yum-o!!), I made twice baked potatoes, and seven layer candy (my grandmother's recipe!). We also had tons of other snack goodies, chips and dips, cookies, etc. On top of a variety of other drinks, we had Sparkling Festivas which was my own concoction of wine punch and it fabulous if I say so myself! We're so blessed to have such great friends and ringing in the New Year with them was simply wonderful!

So does anyone make New Year's Resolutions anymore? I know I didn't make any last year, and I'm not sure when was the last time I made them. I just couldn't think of anything last year and really haven't put any thought into doing it this year. (I did resolve to "quit smoking" one year which was super easy since I've never touched a cigarette in my life!) I know my friend Liz has quit the resolutions and now makes mission statements. Hmm, I'll need to inquire more on that one, the PR in me will love that. Perhaps I'll make goals for 2007. Maybe a 2007 to-do list since we all know how much I love to make lists. (Further proof found here, here, here, here, here,......). I've always considered making a "Life List" of all the things you'd like to do, accomplish, achieve, etc. during your lifetime. I feel like I should have done this years ago, but perhaps 2007 would be a good place to start.

What does everyone else do? Resolutions? Anti-resolutions? Missions Statements? Goals? Lists? Something else?

I see you lurking there....just click the little comment button and have some conversation.