My Sissy

I don't know how many reader's of my blog actually know my sister.

But if you do. You know how lucky I am.

I stinkin love her.

And she took this picture of my Boo.

Which is my favorite of her 2 years of life so far.

I just got it enlarged and it is hanging in my living room.

Thank you Kathi, for being my hero.

And for taking this picture.

I love you!

Something Unpredictable

So....

If you know me.

You know that I have always said.....

I only run if I am being chased.

So this is a stretch for me.

I ran my first 5K.

Yes. 5K. Which amounts to about 3.1 miles. It was fun.

And I am planning on doing it again.

Charlotte

Girls weekend 2010 was awesome!

We went to Charlotte, N.C.

We stayed at the Omni Hotel which was AMAZING! And we got it for a great price. I totally want to go back to this city with Benji.

We found out after we had planned our weekend that The Pioneer Woman was going to be in Charlotte for her book tour the same weekend.

So we shopped until we were ready to drop at the crazy awesome mall in Charlotte and then we waited to see the legend herself!

~This is me, Jocie, Carla and the PDub...Ange our other girl on the girls weekend wasn't as obsessed with PDub so she went to get the car! haha.~

My Sissy's BFF, Dana,(my dear friend as well) and my friend from highschool Kimmy were also there to see her. It was such a fun time.

Great girls weekend away. I think we are planning on hitting Asheville next year.

Diversion

In less than two weeks I'll be leaving my Boo.

To fly far far away.

I'm crazy. Crazy for thinking I could actually go through with this.

So I'm eating. And crying. And blogging. And cleaning. Rearranged the laundry room today. And the kitchen.

Organized the recycling. Really.

I can't sleep.

But I'm fine.

But if you think of me. Pray for me. I hate flying. Which is the real issue.

Emery actually stays with both sets of grandmama's all the time. It's not the leaving her I fear. It is the flying. Which I know is irrational. I think once we actually land in Serbia I will be fine.

And we have a day and a half layover in Paris.

Which I've mentioned.

Which is what is getting me through.

I know. I already said I was irrational.

I'm gonna get some meds for the plane ride.

And write down everything I want Emery to know in life.

And keep eating.

And blogging.

And watching Desperate Housewives.

And Gossip Girl.

Okay. I revealed too much.

A Lifetime Obsession

It's no secret that I've had a long standing obsession with Paris.

I've heard that it was a disappointment to some.

I say there is no way.

I just know that in a little over 2 weeks from now I will have seen Paris.

Brand Loyalty

I've loved Nalgene bottles forever. I still have my first one that is at least 10 years old. I know, I know it's got that crazy BPA in it...or whatever. I Tried switching to the metal bottles, but I just can't get used to the taste, feel.

Anyway the all the Nalgene's now are BPA free. I just got Emery her first one today. Isn't it adorable!?

She loves it already. :)

Today

I had great intentions of accomplishing a ton today. Saturday.

Instead. Emery and I are still in our P.J's.... We had a huge breakfast of eggs, bacon, asiago toast, goat cheese and strawberries.

We watched Dora.

We watched DVR'd t.v. shows that I enjoy.

We napped.

We ate some more.

We cuddled. Laughed. chased Vance, aka "Nancy" around the house.

We read books. Some of E's, some of mine.

We cuddled and laughed some more..... and played the tickle game.

It's has been not like I planned.

But it has been perfect.

Thank you GOD for blessing me with a daughter.

I'm In The Mood For...

I guess I'm just in the mood for griping b/c this is my second post about my frustrations with the people who actually have jobs out there.

I mean if I had a job and I needed it (I realize some people work but don't "need" too????)

Any way. If I had a job in this economy- even if it was at Walmart I would be thankful.

But I swear, yesterday I actually walked out of Walmart. Leaving my intended purchase behind. That's. How. Bad. It. Was.

I will spare you the details. Because it was so excruciatingly painful, slow, and lazy...that I can not possibly recount the story without my blood pressure rising.

Just know that ANYONE can get a job at Walmart. The girl that I mistakenly chose as my cashier was so annoyed at being on the clock she was physically laying on her register.

While the woman she was ringing up (in front of me) in the 20 items or less EXPRESS lane, had TWO separate transactions. BOTH with 30+ items. And wrote a check.....

I finally put down my one item after she started unloading her second cart.

Unreal.

This is why Publix and Whole Foods have my heart.

Joke Of The Day

How many McDonald's employees does it take to load a gift card????????

Well. I don't know because I have rarely had it actually completed on the first try.

My mama loves McDonald's coffee. So a gift card for her coffee is something I like to give her for various gift giving holidays....

Any way. I'm not dissing on the "idea" of working in food service. Heck, waiting tables and slinging coffee got me through college, four years of seminary and nine months of pregnancy. I'm no stranger to the food service industry.

Which is why I know it is NOT THAT HARD to load a stinkin gift card.

Seriously.

I have probably purchased 8-12 Mickey D's gift cards for my moms coffee....and every single time. It takes at least 10 minutes and no less than three employees and a shift manager to figure out how to sell it too me.

A few times, I've even been denied the purchase after they've exhausted all their intelligence and given up on trying to figure out how to ring it up.....So I leave and try the next one down the road.

I guess maybe I should try and get my mama to switch to Starbucks???

Wishy Wish

I've been told I'm the worst to shop for. And I concur, I am difficult. So here is my wish list for 2010.

1. Sewing machine
2. Pistol- to protect my boo
3. Espresso machine- to feed my habit
4. Big ol nice good expensive camera
5. Big ol nice good expensive Audi, or Volvo...big enough for 2+ kids
6. Rain barrel- to water garden and cut our water bill in half.
7. Compost bin- to compost waste to fertilize our garden
8. Starbucks gift card- is never wrong
9. Wireless printer/scanner
10. Anything Le Crueset that I don't all ready own.
11. A watch- I'm picky though, so ask.
12. Tile for the master bath. (hey this is my wish list, okay)
13. Trip to Paris
14. A pair of Frye boots like the Pioneer Woman has(imitation is the best form of flattery)
15. Finally, I always need a massage, a pedicure, or a salon appointment- so gift certificates for those are always a win win.

If You Were Wondering....

If you were wondering where I get it.....

It's from her.

My Mama. I love her. And Emery loves her. A ton.

Happy mother's day to the woman who paved the way for me.

I love you Mama.

My Friends

I love my friends.

I loved my weekend in Charlotte.

I'm gonna make Benji take me there. With him. So we can share the city.

I had a great girls weekend away.

But I am ready to see my girl, my hubby.... I love them.

And this is exactly why everyone needs time away.

Because it makes you realize how blessed you are.



Can't wait to post pics of us and PDub! LOVED her!

Work In Progress

I'm working on a wish list. For you, honey, Banjo, Benji, hubby. For you, Mama...For you Sue. Maxey...Anyone wanting to buy me something.

I'll post it here.

Of course money is always fine. Loved. Appreciated. NEEDED.

But if you want something concrete....

I'm working on a list.

It's That Time Again

Last year we went to Atlanta.

This year Charlotte.

Annual tradition? I hope so.

Girls weekend awaits! Just two more days...I think I can make it.

Friend

"To have a friend you must first be a friend."

~Emerson

Desperate Confessions: Part Tres

~Some times I hate technology. I think that we would all be a lot happier, satisfied with our own lives if we didn't have access to glimpse into "the Jones'" house...

Ya know?

Any way, with that I'm here to announce my life is not perfect! Whew! aren't you glad! I catch myself wishing, desiring this certain brand of "whatever"...I catch myself being envious of other peoples travels, their house full of children, their real career...flawless figures, AFTER birthing, (with no drugs) the said house full of children.

You get the point.

I'm not like this often. I do have, and I recognize that I have a very blessed life. Benji and I have traveled more than many will in their life time. I did all that I wanted for the entire first half of my life. We have a home, we are comfortable, fed and warm (or cool, depending on the season).... I have all I need and most of what I want.

I have to remind myself often that outside appearances are just that....outside. They don't reveal what's going on inside.

~My Boo (Emery) is sick. I hate it when she is sick. :( It breaks my heart.

It is also exhausting. But most of all it is sad to see her sick.

~I've been to two funerals in the past month. Both for people my age.

Very sobering. Very sad. Very real.

Life is short. We only get one chance to make it count.

I'm learning to be intentional in my relationships. If I miss my Mom, I call her. If I want to talk to my friend, I call her. I tell Emery I love her. I kiss my husband....I cook a meal, even when I don't feel like it!

I want to embrace each moment to truly live.

~ I need a trip to the beach. And I need it soon. I want to feel the sand, salt and water.

~ I wish I lived closer to my sister. I love her and miss seeing her on a regular basis.

~Some days I still miss my Dad like it was yesterday. Some days I ache to talk with him about what's going on in my life. For him to hold my daughter....

~I say this often, but I'm still trying to figure out my place in this season of life. It is so different than any I've had before. Staying at home is a lonely place sometimes. It is worth it. But it is a sacrifice on many levels.

OKAY! Enough rambling and self reflection. I've had my fill of confessing tonight.

Love
Peace
&
Chicken Grease