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.

Just a bit of Narcissism, but I'm rather Excited

Did I ever tell you guys that I won free bridal portraits? Well, I did! I know, I've been married a year and a half. Recently my wedding photographer held a drawing for free bridal portraits and I was the winner. Woot! I was pretty excited to get dressed up in my wedding dress and pose for the evening. She did a fabulous job, just as she did with my wedding pictures (which are on this here blog somewhere).

This session was so great because I was so laid back and casual about it. I mean hello? I'm already married so this was just for fun. I recommend all brides have pictures after the fact. There was no stress or pressure, I did my own hair and make-up, and the flower are a seasonal mix my husband and I picked up that morning and tied together with a pretty ribbon I had at home.

I think the pictures turned out lovely. Also, you may notice that I took a bit of an, um, excursion if you will. The photographer was super excited when I dunked right in. I mean, after all, my next husband won't want me to wear this dress. (Kidding, kidding! I'm only kidding! Besides, the little adventure didn't hurt it at all. It's as pristine as ever and ready for me to cut up to make a Christening Gown for our children. By the way, I made my own veil. I know, toot, toot!) Be sure to scroll to the end for a little, um, surprise twist!

(yes, that's real fountain!)
(yes, I'm plunged)
(what? you don't float lazy river style in your wedding dress? that's weird!)

Now are you ready for the fun part? Well you didn't think I was going to look like a show-off did you? So here goes, if you read this post (and I know you did, I can see that you know) then you have to post a few of your bridal pics and link back so we can all look at them. I don't care if they are snapshots, a portrait session, or on the wedding day.

AND, it gets better. Email me your favorite and we're going to have a little bridal photo gallery over here. Send them to themrsm (at) gmail (dot) com.

Get to scanning and sending, even if you were married a million years ago. Don't ruin the fun for everyone!

Bunc-off!

Well dear Internet, I'm happy to announce that gambling earnings for hubs and I this week are in the triple digits! I was the big winner at Bunco last night bringing home a pocket of cash. I was also tied for the most Buncos, but lost that prize in what we termed as a Bunc-off! It was a door prize, not a cash prize. Anyway, I'm taking myself to the Clinique counter for bonus time with my earnings. I'll post about that later.

P.S. Hubs and I aren't like big, bad gambling people, really! We're not standing over a craps game with pistols in our pockets, we totally quit that last year! But seriously--we're not those people--I promise! It's small stakes and small winnings, but gives me such joy to talk about as I can see our families being aghast at our yuppy ways!

Bunco Night

Tonight is my monthly game of bunco (come on snake eyes!). If all goes well and I come out the big winner, J and I will have quite a gambling income for the week.

I'm sure our parents are proud.

By the way, anyone else out there into Bunco? I (big, fat, juicy, puffy heart) Bunco!

I have more wit than decorum.

I was returning to the office after lunch today enjoy the lovely weather with my windows down, roof open, radio up. I was at a light near a large truck and didn't realize there was a passenger until he stretched himself at the window looking at me. It could have been because I was singing badly and loudly, or because I was picking my nose.

The light turned green so I guess I'll never know.

Autumn is in the Air

Autumn came in last week and didn't even knock. I walked out the door one morning and suddenly there he was with chilly weather and dew on the grass. It seemed so sudden but then again it is September. Even the 85 degree afternoon sun felt cooler. Well, it was cooler compared to the heat wave of 105 degrees and the Caribbean of 125 degrees.

I love these days of autumn before it gets too cold. However much like the days of spring they're all too short. I do love getting out my long sleeves and jackets, putting on a sweater and going to a football game, building a fire and sitting on the patio, eating soup, firing up the grill for smokey barbecued ribs, watching the leaves change and fall, planting mums, hiking in the mountains, having hot apple cider, visiting a pumpkin patch and corn maze, going on a hayride, taking road trips, baking pies......

What do you love about autumn?

The Best Case Scenario

We had the best Saturday! My friend JB hosted a fabulous UT vs FL Shrimp Boil with great food, cold beer, and indoor and outdoor television's for the fifty plus guest's viewing pleasure. Unfortunately the viewing wasn't a pleasure as UT has not game, literally. However J did win $50! (He bets on ending score number per quarter and was the 4th quarter winner.) So it was indeed the best case scenario for us, err, him.

Regardless of the game, we had a fabulous time and can always find an excuse for a party. It was fun to spend the day with such great friends and enjoy the fabulous authentic food. Yum!

Every girl needs a Big Orange Manicure.

Mr. and Mrs. O.

The lovely JL girls.
J and I
How cute--the three of them match.
JB, the fabulous hostess with the mostess, and her beau. (Don't let the LSU hat fool you! He's not a bad guy.)

It's a lovely day for a duck.

Rain, rain go away...

While this weather is great for my flowers (I have twenty roses blooming, twenty!) and hopefully it will help my crunchy, crispy hydrangeas, it's making me rather groggy at work today. Yes, I shouldn't already be blogging at work, but the VP's etc. are out and everyone else is playing and looking at a new baby that was brought in, so I'm having a difficult time staying on task with the lady who is training me. She's pretty much over everything at this point, and I can't say I blame her.

I need a nap. I see it in my future this afternoon. That said, who wants to come clean my house and go to the grocery and do the baking for the big football party this weekend? More than one are welcome. I'll make you a towel animal.

Here's the Scoop!

Thus far, I'm really enjoying my new job! That said, I'm still rather overwhelmed. Do you know what my new job is? That would be Marketing Executive. Good grief I just wanted to be the assistant. At least we know I can sell, as I obviously sold myself to this guy rather well.

It's fortunate for me that I'll have been able to train with the lady leaving for three and a half days. I'm still not sure it's enough! Tomorrow is the last day with her and I'm a little anxious about being at it alone on Monday.

I feel (slightly) certain that I can do the job, but she is obviously the golden child, so I have big shoes to fill. I think I'm most terrified of not being able to find materials that I need. She's rather organized, but all brains think differently about things like that. The computer files are a shared server so things get a little mixed up and aren't always titled to what I'm looking for in a certain document.

However, all that said, I did get a fancy new laptop. Yes, right now I'm live to you from the fancy corporate laptop. My goal is to run through all the Marketing Server files and pick her brain at any questions tomorrow being as it will be my last chance. And also on the plus side is my fancy new office space with a large L-shaped work station and a floor to ceiling window across one entire wall. Not too shabby!

I'm rather excited about the work that I get to do as well. I think I'm going to enjoy it, as far as work goes. The projects are so diverse. For example, you know those little binders you get in resorts that has all the information, attractions, dining, emergency info, etc. I'm doing that! I'm also doing lots of other random things that are in-room materials that you just don't think about such as researching, designing, quoting, and ordering branded toiletries. Other projects include market research and advertising research to determine where the company should advertise to help the sales and reservation teams, designing ads (although the fancier ones are done by the web designer) writing and proofing all materials, copy writing Internet material, and the copy, designing, and ordering of all promotional materials.

The bad part is that being the marketing person means that I don't have anyone to fall back on so I've got to be on my game. But overall I think I'm going to love it, I just hope I can stay on par and be successful. I've wanted this for so long and now that it's hear I'm a bit scared! But thinking back at the road I've taken to get here, I realize that God so had a plan for me and that He meant for me to have this job in this time. Although I've been a little afraid and anxious the entire time, I felt confident in my decision entirely. It was definitely a peace on He could give me.

Wish me luck Internet! I hope our love affair can continue.....