Satan's spawn came to my house, drew my blood, and replaced it with apple juice.*

Hey, did you read the title. If not, look up and check it out. See it? Ok, good. Well, that pretty much sums up my blood drawing experience, less she also had a spiked femullet (you know, a female mullet) with a braid down past her bum. No really, it is. But since you think I'm being overly dramatic, I'll go into detail.

But first, this disclaimer: the following is very un-politically correct and while we here at The Mrs. M/Newlywed Bliss do not discriminate or have prejudices against those who choose other lifestyles, it is what it is and I'll give my viewpoint accordingly on my blog. You may continue.

The life insurance company has a mobile service to give you a (free) physical before being approved for the plan. J set up our time to be last night at 6:30, as he is home from work by then. We had a conversation something like this:

J: Cupcake, it's no big deal. They just do the normal stuff and
you have to pee in a cup and I think getyourblooddrawn!

Me: Blood drawn? Or just a finger prick?

J: Probably just a finger prick, at least that's what
I'd think. I mean, surely. It'll be fine cupcake.

Ok, so I sucked it up and knew I just had to do it. I had hoped that taking allergy shots has toughened me up enough to get though this. Hmph! No so much.

So the, ahem, lady arrived at our home and got out of the car. My eyes popped out of my head. She was, well, quite Butch. Picture this: A femullet. With a spiked top. And a braid. A braid from the crown of the head down. Down to the arse! The sides were trimmed up around the ears and neck like a normal male haircut (I suppose). She also had interesting jewelery.

As you can see, we were off to a glowing start. She's friendly enough and speaks to the dog (who barks and runs) and we exchanged pleasantries. I gave her a heads up that I'm a bit anxious and not looking forward to the blood-drawn part.

Response: "well you and everyone else. I've never met someone that liked it."

Strike one for the butch woman with the funky 'do.

My retort: "ok, well I sometimes pass out....always"

We get started with the normal height/weight (ruined my husbands thoughts that I'm a buck twenty-five soaking wet) and blood pressure stuff. I had an up close look of her gaudy jewelry to see the big gold EMT ring, a copper bangle-type bracelet and an interesting thumb ring. I studied it, thinking that the star with a circle around it symbol looked familiar. Hmm, where had I seen that before? Oh right, that would be in Sunday School when they taught us about the occult! WHAT? THE? ----!

I pick my mouth up off the floor and move on. We tinkle in the cup (one of the least sexy things J and I have done together-producing a cup of urine to a stranger (ahem, now known as Satan's spawn) in our home) and then comes the really fun straw-the-size-of-a-needle-sucking-enough-blood-to-fill-a-punch-bowl. J went first, I turned my head and didn't watch a thing.

J was finished and announced that he'd go take care of the pooch.

Me: Oh no no no no NO you won't! You'll pull up a chair and sit right beside of me.

I'm fairly certain he rolled his eyes at me.

So then it came. Of course she looked at both arms because my veins are microscopic (which is even better for the large, drill-typed needle). Finally she goes back and look at a happy place with a is a pretty little card from Mrs. A on my fridge.
Gulp! It goes in. Ok, not to bad. Not to bad. I'm fine, really I'm fine. I'm going to be fine.

But I'm not. I can feel the blood gushing out of my body like a fire-hydrant in the Bronx on a smoggy July day. I feel faint...dizzy...sick.

She tells me to slow my breathing and apparently I take that as a cue to just stop it all together! Silly breathing.

Next thing I know butch spawn with bad femullet with spikes and braid is holding me up and J is pouring juice down my throat. I don't really remember the first drink but on the second drink my head began to come back down and reattach to my body. I could open my eyes and slightly funcion after the whiffs of peppermint oil under my nose (better than ammonia--points for the spawn on that one). The third brought back color to my lips and face and I felt a bit more normal. I finished off the juice and she did a quick check of my reflexes to make sure I was ok and then was out the door.

So see there--I told you--Satan's spawn came to my house, drew my blood, and replaced it with apple juice.

Afterwards J took me to our favorite little place, The Silver Spoon, and I had this:

Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. I only regret that I didn't get two of them. (You see J's hand there but he didn't pull back a nub--I barely touched him.)

*Me, me, me! This could only happen to me! Hello Murphy. Glad to be the example for every single law you could have!

Weekend, Weekend, Wherefore Art Thou Weekend?

Time flies when you're having fun. I can't believe the weekend is over. Quick summary (and then moving on to my incessant whining):

• Dinner with M and R and handful of other couples all to celebrate that M moved back into town and now he can propose to R. Well, those are my thoughts. J and I have bets on the proximity of moving date to proposing date.
• Saturday morning garage saling with my husband. This means we drive around and drink coffee and that's about it. Although we did find a huge doghouse for Mack for only $10. I'm not convinced he'll ever go inside of it, however.
• Saturday afternoon was the Zoo for J's company picnic. Much like this trip, only just the two of us and it included free lunch and ice cream and oh, oh, oh, --a carousal ride. woot!
• Saturday night I babysat (read drank their soda and ate their grapes while reading a great book and peeking up at the kids occasionally and sending them to bed) while J took an online midterm. Yuck!
• Sunday was church, well it would have been but we slept in, and then off to the sticks to meet up with my cousin and his family to grill out and go to the corn maze, hayride, and pumpkin patch. Then it was back home for J to study and me to layout a newsletter before my weekly indulgence of Desperate Housewives.

Not a very exciting post? Well, I'm not very excited so this is all I've got today. I have to have blood drawn this evening. You know, where the tie your arm up and stick a needle the size of a straw in your wee little veins in the bend of your arm and take out enough blood to fill gallon jugs? I take four shots a week for allergies (you can search that on here somwhere) and this makes me want to cry real tears and run far far away, only they'll find me because I run with the dog (loosely speaking) and he's microchipped.

Help me! Tell me your calming secrets that makes this ordeal painless and futile. Or pet me and baby talk so that I can indulge in my wimpiness. Or, send milkshakes and cookie dough.

On average

Interesting stats about the average American:

The average American will eat 35,000 cookies in their lifetime.

Oh please, I've already eaten that many! I'm sure I'm second only to the Cookie Monster (or maybe Brittny--she loves her some cookies/sweets/desserts too!)

The average American will walk two times around the earth in their lifetime.

I surpassed that stat long ago! I did attend a large urban campus where walking was the only method of transportation and my first class every day was a mile away (up hill both ways in the snow, of course.) I probably walked 5-7 miles a day just getting around campus. I'm sure all of those pub crawls racked up the miles too. On top of that I like to run and walk for enjoyment/exercise/to be healthy/etc.

The average American watches four hours of television per day.

Are? You? Kidding? Me? Who has that kind of time? That's 28 hours per week, two months of your life, nine years in front of the tube. I rarely feel like I'm home four hours per day, less sleeping. I barely watch 4 hours per month, and that's only because Desperate Housewives is back on.

The avearage American drinks 22 gallons of beer per year.

For J, maybe. For me? Add some wine and you've probably got yourself a stat!

The average American spends $3,000-$6,000 on the holidays.

Hold on! Wait a minute. I think my heart just stopped! I can't fathom numbers as large as that. This is definately not true for the M House. You know me!

The average American saves less than 5% of their income.

Heck no! I want to stay at home with kids and J wants to retire (early/at some point/period!). We're big savers!

The average American reads (all-inclusive) 8 hours per week.

I love to read! I've never timed it but I'm sure I meet or exceed this. It actually seems like a high number compared to the amount of people I know that don't read. And especially compared to the TV watchers above.

The average American goes to the movies five times per year.

I probably don't do this. If this tells you anything, J and I received 20 movies passes (each) as a wedding gift. We've used two of them, because we gave one set away. We've been married a year and a half. Yeah, I know!

The average American uses the restroom six times per day.

I have a "baby bladder" as J affectionately calls it. I'm sure I triple this per day, at least double. He'll probably tell you I can go six times in a short roadtrip.

The average American visits a fast food restaurant five times per month.

No way! I/We may visit once per month. Although ususally if we're considering it, we hit Pelancho's or Silver Spoon.

The average American shops six hours per week.

Hmmm, maybe. I suppose if you factor in online browsing, the grocery store, and running small errands, this could be accurate. Although, with the Great Dish Debacle of 2007, I've done a bit more shopping as of late.

The average American eats 200 sandwiches per year.

Probably, I eat sandwiches a lot for lunch.

The average American moves 11 times during their lifetime.

I did that just in college! I was a nomad! Me, a sleeping bag, and a toothbrush!


How average (or unaverage) are you?

The Great Dish Debacle of 2007

Calling all Internets--I need your help. Hubs and I have recently decided to purchase new dishes. There are a myriad of reasons, but the biggest being that hubs hates the way our dishes load in the dishwasher because they're very concave. The one time per month that he loads the dishwasher, it makes him irate. (Calm down hubs, I know that sometimes you load the dishwasher twice in one month. Ok, kidding!)

We didn't register or ask for new dishes when we were married because I had some that we both liked that were rather new. I'd gotten them less than a year before we were married. Besides, we couldn't really find much we liked. We decided when we found some, we'd just upgrade then. Since then I'd been wanting a nice neutral and classic pattern. I entertain often and a nice white would match nicely with all occasions and decor. (I've included pictures, but click the link for the full decor and accessories--oh the accessories!)

Well, one day while shopping at World Market, we happened upon these lovely dishes. The Nantucket collection. If you look closely you can see there is a debossed dot pattern. Polka Dots! White! Classy! Yea!

We decided to shop around a bit before making such a big purchase. Then, when garage saling with MommyO and DaddyO (long story short, they are the grandparents of kids I nannyed for and they love J more than words can describe. They live just around the corner from us so we visit frequently.) they were left with a huge box of Buffalo China, (I found it at Williams-Sonoma) the salad/dessert plate and the cups and saucers. I was so excited they offered it to me because once I monogram it with an "M" it will be the perfect, classy dining piece for all occasions of entertaining.

Getting those pieces brought on the great preponderance (Is that a word? Did I just make that up?) of should I just get the bowls and salad plate and call it a day? (I would still monogram the salad/dessert plates, but that's all). Well, therein lies the problem. The Buffalo China is actually a very creamy white. All of my accent pieces are bright, crisp white.

I ventured on to other options and fell absolutely head-over-heels, completely and madly in love with the Emma Collection from the Pottery Barn.

The Emma Collection is perfect and beautiful and lovely and I must have it this instant! I went to my local Pottery Barn store to view the splendor of it in person. Then my shoulders slumped and I frowned. It's a very creamy white. A perfect and lovely creamy white, but not the bright, crisp white of all the serving and entertaining pieces, etc. that I already own.

I have a few pieces from the Pottery Barn Great White Collection. Namely I'm in love with those big, wonderful soup mugs you see there. However, the rest of the collection is rather huge and far to big for normal dining.

There is also the Pottery Barn PB White Collection, (bright, crisp white) of which I have a few pieces. It's very quaint and cute, but also rather thin. J didn't like how thin it was and I have to admit, although I love the mugs, would my piping hot coffee sizzle right through?

Lastly, we have the Everyday White Collection from Bed, Bath, and Beyond. I have several of these pieces and have been quite happy with them. I would do the round pieces and not the square. The square are a bit to modern and trendy for me as I'm a straight up traditional girl. I have the teapot and a couple of the tea caddies. It's also a bright, crisp white.

First, don't get your undies in a wad over the pricing, as I am The Bargainista! I have a, um, let's says "coupon" at both The Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma for a sizable discount. Also, I have loads of Bed, Bath, and Beyond coupons (you can even use expired coupons and use one per item that you're buying!) and items there are often on sale.

Now, the issues. As I said, I'm in love with the Emma dishes. They're nearly the same thing as the Nantucket and I'm fairly certain they are made at the same place, by the same people, just stamped with different names and sold at different retail chains. As for the Nantucket, I hope that it goes back on sale the way I originally found it so that it's more affordable. I love the Buffalo China too. It's great craftsmanship, super heavy, and will last forever. Because of reasons noted above, I do not want the Great White or PB White collections. The Everyday White is still a slight option. The biggest dilemma is the million shades of white I'm bombarded with. I don't want to give up all of the accent and serving pieces I've collected because the purpose of those items was that they match the current dinnerware, and would match anything we found.

Is it ok to have an array of whites and creams and make it all look pretty and put together? Will it look mismatched? Should I hold out for crisp, bright whites that I'm in love with? At this point I fear I'm just in love with new dishes even though the ones I sought aren't exactly perfect, or are they? It is possible to collect all of my accent pieces in the Emma pattern, but I still have a variety of serving trays and platters that are the bright, crisp white and are irreplaceable.

Puh-lease give me your thoughts and opinions! As ridiculous as it is, I'm quite perplexed about the whole situation. GFTS-certainly you have an opinion and your mom has a rule about this somewhere. Mrs. S-pull out every Southern bone in your body and tell me what you think! The rest of you-please help to! Really, my husband will be grateful that I have someone else to discuss the matter with as I'm sure he's growing weary of it.

While I'm at it, here are my current dishes. They'll be posted on craigslist soon, any takers?

They're very cute and fun, and I love the mix and match. The only downfall is that they don't really match our kitchen (not that it matters really, but have you met me?) and also don't match every table scape (again, not that it matters I suppose since I could use china, but having a neutral would be nice). I also have twenty-four (yes, 24!) place settings. I couldn't quit collecting all of the solid colors when they went on sale and somehow ended up with a whopping twenty-four place settings (twelve striped, four red, four orange, four blue, four green).

My House Husband

Yesterday J had the day off from work. (Yeah, I know, lucky, lucky guy!) I took care of the pooch in the morning and put him in the garage so J could sleep in. (Yeah, I know, fabulous, wonderful wife!)

He actually didn't sleep too late, and accomplished quite a bit on a to-do list. I didn't make it either, it was just mental for him. His day looked something like this:

• Make recycling center in the garage
• Cut, paint, and hang shelves in the office closet
• Take items to charity center
• Go by hardware store for cord thingy with plug in for garage ceiling
• BUY WIFE MUMS FOR FRONT PORCH (oh yes he did!)
• Run errands at big box store
• Take wife to lunch at Bravo! (yum!)
• Weed eat and manicure lawn
• Go to the grocery store
• Clean garage
• Cook dinner for wife (grilled talapia!)

Isn't he fabulous? I could get used to a house husband I think. Now I'm excited for reorganizing the office closet since there are fancy, pancy shelves.

The Bridal Gallery, Part Deux

It seems a couple lovely ladies missed out on the fun. So without further adieu let me share with you Rusti and Mrs. S.

Also, this is last call---I'm going to do a Bridal Gallery Part Trois if you're interested. You have until this weekend to get your pictures to me, and I'll post it next week. (Ahem, Zoe--you promised you were sending pics!) Send one, two, or ten. I'll take your favorite professional or snapshot and if you only have them with a friend or hubby--that's fine too. We're pretty laid back at the M Bed & Breakfast. Go search now, don't miss the fun!

Here is Rusti. I just love bouquet pictures like this. I also really love Rusti's Autumn-hued bouquet. She got married on my birthday, did you know that? Yes, November 25 is definitely a date you should remember! I was getting my engagement pictures made the day she got married--how fun is that?

This is simply the most gorgeous pictures I've ever seen. Rusti looks sassy, sexy, classy, and beautiful all in one glance! I love that she is giddy-happy but without big teethy smile, it's all in her eyes! She looks so timeless. Rusti-I hope you have a big copy of this in your house!

Cute as it can be! I love this sweet little picture. Just look at that big puffy dress and how darling she looks perched in the middle of it. Beautiful!


Ah, the window picture. I do so love window pictures. I think this shot captures a wedding day as she looks like she's waiting for the most wonderful thing in her life to happen.

The only thing I love more than window pictures, are kissing pictures. I love this shot. Do they or do they not look positively hot for each other? They even make "hot for each other" look classy! Look at her beautiful hair too!

This is perfect, perfect, perfect! I hope this is a huge canvas in your home. It captures the love and happiness of your wedding day and is so timeless and classic. (I'm all about the timeless and classic, can you tell?)

She's bringing sexy back! I had to include this picture to show off that stunning back of her dress--sexy indeed!


Next, we have one of my best friends, Mrs. S. She was the first of the Bracelet Girls to marry, although we were all engaged at the time and proceeded to get married in the next 6 months. And, as if that weren't enough, we were all a part of each other's wedding--talk about an (expensive/fun/high emotional) year!

This is one of her favorite pictures. She and B were hanging out between pictures gazing lovingly into each others eyes and she's playing with her feet. It is precious!
The bouquet shot again. I love it to pieces. She looks gorgeous in this picture.
A classic (and timeless--don't think I'd forget that) bridal picture. Mrs. S had a December wedding which was perfect decor for her favorite color, red! The church was decorated beautifully with minimal effort on her part. Also, her favors were little Christmas ornaments. Isn't that neat?
I love this beautiful, sweet, and sincere shot of Mrs. S gazing at her bouquet. She was so giddy all day. (Turn your head sideways for the full effect.) I love that profile shot and how elegant and graceful she looks here. Beautiful!
And lastly because she insisted I post this, would be me in rare form getting my groove on with the groom at the reception. This was after several double fistings before the open bar closed, and then finishing off about five other people's champagne after the toast because "they didn't like it." Are you kidding me? They didn't like it? Well, I hated to see all the money go to waste, so I drank it for the S's!
Now go visit Rusti and tell her how stunning and beautiful and gorgeous, and lovely that she is. And leave all of the same lovely comments here for Mrs. S as she doesn't have a blog, although she could because the mother-in-law fodder I get could keep us all entertained for day.

Class Reunion

A couple of weeks ago one of my darling friends made a trip to Michigan for her 10-year class reunion. This event lead me to a topic of conversation within my group of friends about attending or not attending class reunions.

My class reunion will be in three years, and I have no intention of going. Mrs. O (she's been my friend since the fifth grade!) and I have always said we have no desire to go, and thus far have stuck to that.

The few close friends I have from high school I keep in touch with regularly. Half of them were not even in my class and therefore wouldn't be at the reunion anyway. There are another few friends that I don't consider close, but we once were, and we chat regularly through email and make plans for dinner when one of us are passing through the others town, etc. The others, well frankly I couldn't care less. Besides, with Facebook and MySpace I know exactly what these people are doing without having to travel and spend a weekend making pleasantries and empty promises of "I'll keep in touch" and "Call you soon."

In addition, a few older friends from my high school that have attended their reunions discussed the utter lameness and waste of time that it was--just as (I/we) expected.

Let's talk about reunions I might enjoy. I would like a reunion from my college days. Graduating members of my major and The College of Communications would be fun. In addition I could really enjoy a PRSSA reunion (the cause of the hula-hooping on the bar while karaoke-ing to Madonna in hot pink sneakers and a cocktail dress episode in New Orleans.). I may or may not be interested in a reunion from any of my other activities and committees, it would depend on my feelings at the moment. I didn't have a great deal of close friends in said activities that I care to catch up with beyond above mentioned sites.

However, the best reunion I could think of would be a sorority reunion with the fabulous Gamma Girls. My nearest and dearest friends are a product of my sorority. GFTS (she was also with me through PRSSA, classes, and lasted the perils of being my roomie), Mrs. S, Mrs. Y, Mrs. LN (also known as the Bracelet Girls), Mrs. H, and the list goes on. Thankfully I'm regularly in touch with these lovely ladies as well as several others through our sorority alumni group, so I suppose that is a reunion of sorts, and it's once per month.

Back on subject, did you or will you go to your high school class reunion? Why or why not? What about other reunions? Would you like other (i.e. college, sorority, etc.) reunions and would you go? Go ahead, discuss.

(I'll just be over here in a state of nostalgia singing the alma mater: On a hollowed hill in Tennesse like beacon shining bright, the stately walls of old UT rise glorious to the site. So here's to you old Tennessee, our alma mater true. We pledge in love and harmony our loyalty to you! Now let's break it down: G-A-M- GAM, M-A GAMMA! S-I-G SIG, M-A SIGMA, G-A-M- GAM, M-A GAMMA Siiii-iiiig-ma! WOO!)

The Bridal Gallery

Here they are, some of the most beautiful brides I've ever seen. Enjoy the gallery, and be sure to stop by the blogs of these lovely ladies and tell them just how lovely and beautiful they are!

First up, we have Laurenjean.

I love this gorgeous outdoor backdrop, absolutely breathtaking. The train on her dress is gorgeous, I love that length.

Are these two blonde cuties going to make beautiful babies or what? They are so cute in this picture. I really like this simple, yet dramatic bridal shot. I absolutely love her flowers--gorgeous! Laurenjean has a gorgeous prfile and the lighting is so complimentary.
Beautiful--just look at that hair! Simply gorgeous!

Next we have Jenny--oh how I love my Jenny! Look at this first scenic shot, isn't it beautiful?

This is such a sweet and tender picture. Precious!

I love window shots, doesn't this look romantic?

And just look at this sexy, sassy, lady below?

So much fun: I love this picture of her lying down with crossed ankles in the air.

Next is Kristen, who has some of the most gorgeous features I've ever seen, and a body to die for. Even after having a baby, she's one hot mama!

I love the very majestic, formal look to this picture. She looks so elegant.

A very sweet moment with her and the new hubby, I just want to wrap it up and tuck it away.

You can just tell they are so giddy and happy in love--total euphoria! I love this shot of her getting ready-look at how naturally beautiful she is!
Next up is Brittny-who I'm sure is a long lost sister of mine somewhere. First is a shot of her wedding party, aren't they cute? I love the little ones.

Next is a little pre-ceremony snapshot with her sister and Hey Brit--is that your mom? You didn't tell me! I love the color of her sister's dress and Brittny's hair is gorgeous.
And here is the famous "what am I doing?" shot. She says she's pointing to the slight burn mark from the seamstress ironing her dress. I still think she's pointing to the zipper and singing "bow chicka wow wow!" At any rate, you get an even better view of that beautiful hair and her long veil.And the last of Brittny and my favorite shot, her and Will. I think this is the cutest most happy picture I've seen. I want to have a blown up framed canvas of it on my wall, but well, that would be really weird now wouldn't it? I think it's the perfect shot of the cute-as-can-be couple.
And last, but certainly not least, we have Alicia. She was having issues making her pictures upload, so I only have two. But WOW! They'll blow you away.

Look at this one, it says so many things. It looks so romantic, but sexy and beautiful at the same time. It's a classic shot with the veil over the face.
And in true fashion, we save the best for last: This could hands down be my most favorite bridal portrait of all time. Just look at her work it! Alicia, are you secretly a supermodel? I'll bet her husbands eyes pop out of his head every time he sees this one!

I hope you enjoyed the mini gallery. A big fat THANKS to everyone who played along.

And they're off....

J and I are headed out of town this weekend for my stint at matron-of-honor for the last time this year. Don't worry yourselves.....they're are still weddings to attend and towels to monogram, I just won't be marching down the aisle in any of them.

To celebrate that today I was going to post the Bridal Gallery of all you lovely ladies who sent me pictures. However then my boss says, "Mrs. M--So and so is attending a trade show and speaking with such and such and we need a corporate brochure, flyers, and ads in a nifty little packet for presentation. Oh, it's happening this weekend."

Awesome I tell you.

But the bridal gallery will go up and you still have the weekend to send your pretty pictures to me: themrsm (at) gmail (dot) com.

Please, not pawing or panting.

People love my husband, they just do. Maybe it's his charm and wit or his dashing good looks.

Example: today I go into the insurance agency to sign the paperwork for our life insurance. As soon as the receptionist and representative realize who I am they immediately start gushing about how wonderful, and sweet, and fun, and so nice, and blah, blah, blah, that my husband is. But seriously, it went on and on. I think it only paused so they could wipe the drool from their faces. The pause was only briefly as they began regushing when they saw my ring as I signed the papers. I was beginning to think I should set them up on a little date they were so smitten. Geesh, no wonder he loves that place so much. Good thing I snagged him early: he's a ten!

So speaking of life insurance--we're old. When was it cool to go get a life insurance policy? We've had policies through our employers but decided to go ahead and get something more permanent so that changing jobs, moving, or my not working one day (hopefully) will not be affect us and if a pre-existing condition comes into play then we won't be denied at future employers. Besides we got a standard rate for twenty years...Woot! (See above about being old). However they have to draw blood. J tried to convince me it was a finger prick, but it's not. Even though I get shots twice a week, I still have horrible anxiety. And the thought of tying that little thing around my arm, tapping my veins, and draining a whole vile of blood makes me light-headed and I just want to pass out now. Seriously, just sedate me until it's over.

So has anyone else shopped for non-employer life insurance? Hmm, not like you'd tell me since you all want to be hip, young things. I often tease J about it when he doesn't eat well or get a healthy amount of exercise. I've been known to say things like "Well sure, go ahead and eat it. Then call and up your life insurance. Me and my next husband will need it." What? You thought only he had wit? (I have charm too, it usually comes with wine.)

On the other hand, J and I have talked specifically about what we should do in the event we are recipients to said policies. I'm to pay what I need to and then spend the rest of it on "ridiculous, frivolous stuff" so that the "next (person) can't have it" and give him a "good 18 months of mourning" before marrying again. Now that's love I tell you.

On a serious note when I really think about the whole life insurance thing it upsets me. I can't imagine anything happening to my husband or living without him. I know it's inevitable but too much thought and it upsets me. I suppose that's where my slightly odd sense of humor comes in. I mean, I am the girl that picked out a hardwood casket for her father telling the funeral director "he always wanted hardwood floors, I guess I'll give him a hardwood ceiling too." I'm certain she's still not recovered.

Urgent Question (about moisturizer)

Help me Internet!

My night-time moisturizer isn't available anywhere! I use a day and night moisturizer, both by Dove. In fact my face wash and toner is by Dove as well (except for my in-shower face was which is Loreal). I like to use a day moisturizer with SPF so that is unacceptable to use at night. Why is it so hard to find Dove products for the face?

I considered branching out which would be fine and all except other night-time moisturizers were near twenty dollars. Do you know anything about me?

So here is where I need help because you guys are so better than Google. Tell me about your face routine. What products do you use and like and what products should I stay away from? I'm open to new ideas and if that means (gasp!) donating my kidney for face moisturizer then I guess that's what I'll have to do. However with your reviews at least I'll find a good one and not waste tons of money sampling.

I'll go first. I wash my face at night. If I take shower I use the Loreal Pure Zone (blue bottle) for washing my face. Otherwise, I use a Dove cream face wash. I also wash my face in the morning. Same as above for in-shower or over the sink. No rhyme or reason to this method, it's just that one bottle is in the shower and the other in the drawer at the sink.

In the morning I use Dove Essentials Day Lotion with SPF. Then I put on my make-up as usual.

At night I use Clinique Take-off-the-Day Make-up Remover. I also use a Dove Clarifying Toner, a Clinique All About Eyes Rich Eye Cream and then the Dove Essentials Overnight Moisturizer.

I'd like to continue with roughly the same process as in cleanse, tone, moisturize. I'm open to any product or any mix of products if that is the case. I really like Dove because it's good for my semi-sensitive skin and seems to do the trick. I began using a few years ago when I realized I was (gasp!) approaching my mid-twenties (I lost track of time as I had four birthday celebrations for my 21st Birthday--GFTS would love to tell you about the second one, really she would! Go ask her.) and needed to move beyond Clean & Clear and take better care of my skin. (Nothing wrong with Clean & Clear, I loved it for about ten years. I just feel that it's a bit young for me and doesn't provide the care and anti-aging I want for my skin).

So go--give me the low-down on your routine, favorite products, what you hate, and recommendations for me since I'm running out of my old faithfuls!

The last of my roses this year.

They'll look pretty on the table when guests arrive this weekend.

Smoke-Free Tennessee

The great state of Tennessee went smoke-free yesterday. (I know GFTS is doing a big Whoopie! up there in DC.)

Since the bill passed most restaurants and bars began to comply before the official Oct. 1st date. I love going to restaurants, pubs, and local dives and being able to breathe while I dine or have drinks. It's especially nice for me as I have severe allergies and asthma so a couple of hours in a smoke environment and I wheeze for days.

In college you should have visited White Columns on a Sunday. GFTS and I would have been out at some fraternity party, sorority mixer, or pub crawl and invaribly hack all day Sunday (in the midst of our hangover). Our quaint, historic apartment sounded like a TB ward. Well, it quietened down mid-afternoon when we took a trip to Sawyer's for some great chicken and fries to sop ourselves up. Oh, and if we couldn't (find/drive/remember) the car at said location the previous night and had to (walk/bus/?) home and then returned to (find/pick-up/locate) vehicle. Then there were the week nights we partied like rock-stars and somehow managed to stumble ourselves to class donning hat, glasses, and starbucks making every effort to just get. through. the. day. Then we took our TB ward show on the road.

Ok, enough of that. What was supposed to be a celebratory post about a Smoke-Free Tennessee has now turned into retreiving closet skeletons of sorority days (sorry Addy, but fun memories, right?)

Back to the original subject, I love the smoke-free laws. Hubs and I enjoy going to a local microbrewery and when we were out there last Saturday night I could enjoy my (one, two, several) Downtown Nut Brown Ale with clean lungs. It made the (potato skins/pretzels with beer cheese/pizza) taste better too.

What do you think about the smoke-free laws and is your state smoke-free?

(Ahem, GFTS, no need to bring out photographic evidence of any of the above. My husband still will not put away that picture of the little "hoola-hooping-on-the-bar-while-singing-madonna-in-hot-pink-sneakers-and-cocktail-dress" episode from New Orleans.)

Good Day October

Well hello there, October. Fancy seeing you here today. A bit early this year? No? Seems like just yesterday it was I was visiting my good friend Spring. Well, it's lovely to see you nonetheless. Please keep up the crisp, yet mild temperatures I've been enjoying so much. The lovely weather in these parts seems all too short. I look forward to a few tailgates and hiking in the mountainss with you, and also a little corn maze and pumpkin patch thrown in. Oh, there will be plenty of fires built on the patio, don't you worry. Would you like some chili while you're out there? I'll see what I can do about that. You bring the caramel apples.


Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to swap out my wardrobe as your presence indicates the end of sandals and tank tops, for me at least, it's one of my quirks.

Further Proof (of that mouse in the freezer!)

Sure is a sneaky one.....

Updates at the Bargainista

Finally! I'm nearly caught up with my recent goodies so go read and check back. I have some great stuff from lovely readers to post as well.

My pretty roses

Here are a couple of the rose bushes in the landscaping at the front of our house. Aren't the beautiful with those bright and lively flowers? (Don't look at the few that have already fallen apart.) I know you're in awe of my green thumb, but really it's more brown. I owe this entire to the gorgeous September weather.


Now if only my hydrangeas would look a bit of alive rather than brown, wilted crumbs. If they come back, I'm naming them all Lazarus!

There is a mouse in my freezer.

Proof!

We ate a snail and a hippo from the garden.

Comfy and Inviting

After a few weeks of searching online and visiting every furniture store in our city, J was proud to bring home this:

A 100% leather (back off PETA!) chair and matching ottoman. This one is just the right color (dark brown), just the right size, the right decor (double stitched, slight nailhead accent), the right look (very tradtional and Ralph Laurenesque), the right plushness, and the right fit (in that corner as well as with the den furniture should we use it with that in future housing). Finally--he found the right one.

This now resides in the corner of our home office. We rearranged a bit after I sold my large Broyhill executive desk (J has another even larger executive desk in the room and it's an antique family heirloom. Also, I must tell you I bought my Broyhill desk at a garage sale for (you'll love this) $35 about 3 years ago. I sold it online for $120. Now that, my friends, is an ROI!) I think it looks rather nice! Ignore the picture sitting in the floor. We're still rearranging the walls after the office makeover.

My favorite thing about this new chair is that I can be all cozy in it reading a book this winter when J is in there studying. Finally, we can spend time together again as he does school work. It will also a be a nice place for him when he's just reading and not working on the computer. In the past he took books out to the den and read from the sofa. And you know what? That silly ol' TV came on every time. Can you believe that?

If you need me, I'll be curled up in the chair. I have just the right khaki chenille throw for it as soon as I monogram the big "M" on it.