Hodge[s]podges

The Worst Date Ever [Valentine's Challenge]

2012-01-31T05:00:00.002-05:00

I'm linking up with Neely, Amber and Casey today!

This also falls into the category of one of those "missed opportunities." And let me clarify. This was only a bad date because I made it that way. Mr. Husband is completely romantic. And I'm hard to surprise.

We traveled to Charleston, SC with our college buddies for Mr. Husband's fraternity alumni formal. We weren't going to participate in the actual formal, but we wanted to see everyone and used that excuse to get down to our favorite town.

We had an amazing few days. We played on the beach all date, ate some amazing meals and partied hard. One of Mr. Husband's fraternity brothers invited my best friend along, so it was great.

The night of formal, Mr. Husband made a pretty big deal of making sure we spent the evening alone. There was a restaurant that we'd gone to once before, and it was kind of expensive. And he wanted to take me there. And he made sure I wore a specific dress. No, my stomach wasn't in butterflies hoping for a ring. Okay, maybe only a little bit.

My best friend was staying in the room right next to us, so while Mr. Husband was getting ready, I wandered over there just to hang out. And our friend [her date] comes and sits next to me on the bed.

"Jo, I feel like I should tell you that J didn't bring the ring. I just don't want you to get your hopes up so you can enjoy your evening."

Uh. Well, I would have. But now was just sad. And mad. And hurt. And well, let's face it...fuming! Please, before you judge me, know that at this point Mr. Husband and I had been out of college for a year, and he'd already had my ring for two years! [I wasn't certain of this fact, but I did know he had it.] And we'd been together for five years and 9 months! Not that I was counting...

I tried to brush it off. I would be fine. I would just enjoy my evening with my wonderful boyfriend who was taking me to a gorgeous restaurant in my favorite place.

Nope. We all get in the cab to head downtown, and I'm not talking. I'm just staring out the window blinking back tears. I might be the most emotional, dramatic person on the face of the planet. We go our separate ways from our friends, and now it's just me and Mr. Husband. He can tell something is wrong. He doesn't push it.

We order our food, and I'm really trying guys. I'm really trying to be pleasant and cute and witty and all I can think about is why doesn't he want to marry me?

Dinner was somewhat of a blur. I don't remember a bite of my food. I don't remember what wine I drank. All I remember is sitting across from the man whom I desperately loved questioning whether he loved me too. What an awful awful feeling.

The waiter comes by our table...and here's the freaking kicker.

Mr. Husband tells him it's two separate checks!!!

Oh, God. It was just so awful. We left the restaurant and I demanded to just go back to the hotel. I cried all night long. It was terrible. Awful. And I made it that way...

There are no pictures from that night because I was being such a sour puss. I ruin everything with my stupid moods! [luckily, Mr. Husband loves me anyway :)]

[The Real Story: Mr. Husband did have the ring. His friend apparently was just trying to throw me off [as was Mr. Husband when he asked for 2 checks] Unfortunately, all they were successful in doing was pissing me off. Mr. Husband figured he'd wait until I wasn't in such a bad mood to propose. He proposed the next weekend. And that's an even funnier story.]

Best Date [Valentine's Challenge}

2012-01-30T05:00:00.003-05:00

I'm linking up with Neely , Amber & Casey for the valentines challenge!

Is it weird that our best date was after we were married? And it wasn't even a really planned out date? It's just one of those nights that I will forever look back on with such peace. It was a nice evening. Just me and him.

Mr. Husband is a football coach. Which means from about July to whenever the season finally ends, I never see him. There were a lot of days where I'd go to bed before he ever got home (if he ever came home), and I'd leave for work before he woke up. I don't care how much you love each other or how secure you are in your relationship, that always hurts. Being married but living like a single person. Being the only one to take out the trash, feed the animals. To tuck yourself in to bed alone every night. I missed my friend.

His team had an away game in Raleigh, our hometown. I was so excited because it meant going home to my parents house, even if Mr. Husband had to stay with the team. The state fair was in town that weekend, but we weren't sure if he could hang back with me after the game or if he had to travel back to Charlotte on the bus with the team.

Somehow, magically, he managed to stay behind. And somehow, magically, we convinced all the people who've been dying to see him, that we were going to The State Fair...alone. [side note, at this point Mr. Husband and I had been together eight years. we'd never been to the fair alone.]

Do you know what I mean if I say it was a night we were just completely in sync? No petty spats, no anger, no expectations? No arguments over what to eat, what to see. We were just completely enjoying our stolen moment together. Holding hands, kissing under the bright, colored lights. We shared dinner while walking. We shared yummy treats. We were witty and the conversation never lagged.

My friend was back. And I was so completely happy in the moment.

We didn't want the night to end, but of course it did. And the next day, we traveled back to reality, and I lost him for a few more weeks. But I always, always look back on that night, think back to how I felt the whole night. And I'm grateful that we can still get there, to that place, to that feeling, after all these years.

There have been many great dates. Dates where we were dressed fancy and Mr. Hubs spent a lot of cash. But nothing, not to me anyway, will top that night at the fair.

All The Yelling...

2012-01-27T05:00:00.003-05:00

I'm going to get down, dirty and really honest here. Because if not here, where?

I'm not always the nicest person. I know, *gasp*! But I've been doing a lot of thinking the last few weeks about who I'm not nice to.

And the answer makes my stomach flop.

Because I'm generally almost sickeningly nice to people whom I hardly know/don't know/ etc.

But I can be my nastiest to the people [person] I love the most.

why on earth do I do that?

[okay, hopefully it isn't THAT bad!]

Need an example? Well, as shameful as it is, here you go.

Tuesday Morning Mr. Husband had to ride with me to work because we left his car there {we went on a date right after I got off on Monday so he just met me at work, I'll share pics from that in a minute}. I leave at a very precise time every morning. And I'm always on time. And Mr. Husband, since I've known him for twelve years, is habitually late. Not a terrible amount, usually within 5-10 minutes late. I can't stand when people are late.

So when it was time to leave for work on Tuesday, what did I do?

I hollered and screamed like a mean old lady.

And drove like a bat out of hell to work scaring Mr. Hubs in the process, I'm sure.

I was late. Only by a couple minutes, but still. I hate to be late.

Mr. Husband jumped out, kissed me and left. And I felt horribly guilty, like I always do when I lose my temper at him.

So I called as soon as I got settled to apologize for yelling at him. And you know what he said?

It's okay. I'm used to it.

Stab me in the freaking heart right now. The last thing I want my husband to be used to from me is yelling.

[photo]

So Mr. Husband. I'm sorry. And I love you. And I promise to make more of an effort to be as nice to you as I would be to total strangers.

Oh, our date? It was lovely! You know, after I bit Mr. Husband's head off for parking at a parking deck several blocks away in the rain. [gosh! I'm seeing a trend here and I don't like it!]

It's Charlotte Restaurant Week, which means all these fancy pants restaurants offer amazing deals that grant poor people like us the opportunity to feast.

And boy did we FEAST!

We went to Chima Brazilian Steakhouse. You know, a place with the gouchos who walk around with unlimited meat, a giant salad bar and fantastic appetizers? Oh, have mercy was my tummy hurting when we left. I can't usually eat very much in one sitting, but I think I definitely got my money's worth!!

My plate was this full for approximately 4 rounds. Holy cow! No pun intended. okay, maybe a little

I definitely finished the Top Sirloin pictured here. The service was so great, though, that I knew I wouldn't be able to get a picture of my EMPTY plate before they would come and swoop it away.

It was quite a lovely dinner, I must say! Live in Charlotte? I highly recommend taking advantage and participating in Restaurant Week!

Also linking up today with Tara @ Fabulous but Evil for my favorite link up!!

Sinful Colors: Mint Apple. You can't tell, I don't think, from this picture but I also have China Glaze Nova over my ring finger. Just a tiny hint of glitter on an already sparkly polish. Loved.

It's Okay!

2012-01-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

Oh gosh, y'all. We made it to Thursday!

I'm linking up today with Neely @ A Complete Waste of Makeup and Amber @ Brunch with Amber for It's Okay Thursday!

It's Okay...

that Mr. Husband and I went on a date at 5PM on Monday because it would be cheaper. Whatever it takes, you know?
that I've never watched a single second of The Bachelor. Maybe I don't know what I'm missing? I'll watch if you convince me!
that I'm one hundred and ten percent looking forward to Valentine's Day this year because Mr. Husband and I get to celebrate it in our favorite place: Charleston!
to have friends over for enchiladas on a random Tuesday just because.
to go out and party like college students when we're 25+. And have house parties that the cops show up to 3 times. #justlikeoldtimes.
to read an entire book in one day [I've only ever done that twice! I'm the slowest reader ever!]
that I wore leggings under yoga pants on Monday because it was 1)that cold 2) I so desperately wanted to be comfortable.
to be really excited about my new domain name [even if it all came out of being frustrated about my followers situation. and i had to move my blog back over to blogger from wordpress. shoulda just stayed there from the beginning!]
that once I get an idea in my head I can't just "let it be." I need it done, right then. #impatientmuch?

Hope you all have a WONDERFUL Thursday.

xoxo

Aw shucks, you guys!

2012-01-26T05:00:00.002-05:00

Can I get real for a minute? Because I'm feeling really overwhelmed lately, and in the very best way.

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I've been writing my entire life. I can't remember a time when I wasn't filling pages of notebooks with stories and feelings and the like.

I even went to college for writing and graduated with a degree in English with a concentration in creative writing. But that's when things kind of changed. Part of that program was these awful things called workshops. Where you printed a million copies of your work and passed them out to the class to take home and read. And then the next class session, we'd sit around and they'd discuss your work like you weren't sitting right there. And it was God awful and terrible and always left me questioning why I was even bothering. Because I wasn't going to be Faulkner. Or Hemingway. Or anyone people studied in their English classes. And because of that, I felt like I didn't belong. And I felt like I wasn't any good at what I always thought I'd be doing with my life.

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It left me empty and without the confidence I needed to pursue the career I always wanted.

Somehow I found the courage to take the step and at least write a book. But that confidence I needed to actually show it to someone was lacking.

And suddenly I'm feeling like it's not all that bad. And that's all because of you guys. Every single one of you who happen upon this little blog and take the time to tell me you enjoy it. That there really might be an audience out there who likes what I have to say.

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So I just wanted to take a second to say thank you. You have no idea what you're doing for me, and I greatly appreciate all of your support. And who knows. Maybe I'll even contact that editor and send her my work. Because you make me feel like it might be worth it.

Love Story Part 3!

2012-01-25T05:00:00.002-05:00

Missed out? Don't worry! Catch up on part one and part two!

Senior year started with a bang. No, really. A few weeks after the concert, a friend of mine was hanging out and smashed into the tail end of my car while backing out of my driveway. So I started the year with a bumper that was basically just hanging on. Classy, right?

If nothing else, it made my car extremely noticeable.

So when my car wouldn't start one afternoon the first week of school, I just attributed it to the damage that still hadn't been repaired. I didn't skip a beat, hopped in a car with a friend who took me home.

My car hung out in the school parking lot for several days.

Finally, my mom and I went by the school one afternoon so we could wait for AAA to come tow the car to a shop. I was secretly thrilled because it was a gazillion degrees outside and I was missing marching band practice. It was a Tuesday, so practice was actually from 6-8, the football players had their practice early so we could alternate using the field. So it wasn't unusual to see all the football players leaving campus.

I saw Mr. Husband's truck. Or heard it, rather. I looked up just to take notice. And I found him pulling into my section of the lot. What is he doing??

He hops out of the car and suddenly there's this confidence about him.

"Y'all alright? What's going on?"

I explained, and he asked for my keys as he walked up to my car. I tossed them to him and watched, in awe. What is that feeling? Why is it different all of a sudden? I'm actually happy to see him.

He pops my hood and explains that it's either the battery or the alternator. He said he'd wait til AAA got there just to be sure we got taken care of. wow, that's really sweet.

AAA arrives a bit later after some chit chat and the boys do their thing. While the man is attaching my car to the tow truck, Mr. Husband came and stood by me, kind of behind me. I leaned my back into his chest and could feel his heart beating wildly. mine was too...

He followed my mom and I and the tow truck to the shop just to be sure we didn't get taken advantage of. I thanked him and told him I'd call him later. Let's be clear here, it would be the first time I ever did the calling.

I called him that night, and we talked for hours and hours. And by the end of the conversation, I knew things were different.

I can't explain why. I have no idea what changed, even to this day. But suddenly, it felt right. I was falling for him.

Sometimes & Always

2012-01-24T05:00:00.003-05:00

Today I'm linking up with Megan for Sometimes & Always

Sometimes: I get really frustrated when things don't work the first time

Always: I become almost annoyingly persistent until it all works out. Which it always does

Sometimes: I wait a really long time in between eye brow plucks only because I'm lazy and too poor to get waxes.

Always: I feel so fresh and new when I finally just take the time to do it.

Sometimes: The baby I nanny smiles and points at me when I'm standing outside her window of the car.

Always: It melts my heart and makes my uterus flutter!

Sometimes: My dog sleeps like a person.

Always: Mr. Husband and I think it's so adorably cute

Sometimes: I wish it were Friday as soon as Monday rolls around.

Always: I end up enjoying my week and it flies by.

Sometimes: I can't believe I got so lucky in life.

Always: I praise God for being so lucky.

Have a happy Tuesday, guys!

xoxo

Under Construction

2012-01-23T10:52:00.003-05:00

Please bare with me, we are under construction!

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Also? I'm so glad you found me!

And thanks for stopping by!

Be sure to update your URLs...

[oh, and tell your friends!]

Tagged!!

2012-01-21T08:00:00.001-05:00

Miss Ashley tagged me in this fun blogging game.

And truthfully, I was quite honored because I just love her. And her blog.

One: The Rules

you must post the rules.

post 11 fun facts about yourself in the post

answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post. then created eleven new questions for the people you tag.

tag eleven people & link them in your post.

let them know you've tagged them.

Oh boy. Eleven fun facts... this might be tough...

I love FRIENDS. So much that I watch it every chance I can. It's a comfort thing.

I'm scared to death of heights but enjoy flying.

Mr. Husband and I dated for 5 years 9 months before we got engaged.

I lost an "uncle" back in 2007 who was so important in not just my life, but so important to my whole family. We miss him every day.

I am the baby of 5. There is a 10 year gap between 3 & 4. Same parents.

I can click my tongue really really loudly.

I have a sick obsession with TV show DVD box sets. I have the entire series of: Gilmore Girls. S&TC. FRIENDS. OTH. Reba. HIMYM. Friday Night Lights. I think there are more...

If I see someone crying, even if I don't know them or know why they are crying, I'll most likely cry too.

Dream dates for Mr. Husband and me usually involve cheese plates.

I ignored Mr. Husband for 5 years before I finally gave in and fell in love <3

I've written an entire novel. And I'm too afraid to do anything with it.

Ashley's Questions

In the event of some sort of disaster, what three items would you grab first?

Wedding bands. Macbook. Photo album.

[my husband and pets are all getting out if I don't grab them, right? If not, my answer changes]

If you could have any super power, what would you choose?

The ability to forget. I realize that's not a super power, but it's a power I wish for

What is your favorite artist/band?

Hands down always? Taylor Swift

What is your favorite thing about blogging?

All of you! And knowing I'm not alone when I feel a certain way.

What is the best movie you've seen in theaters in the last month or so?

Mr. Husband and I saw In Time with Justin Timberlake? Sawooooon!

Did/do you go to college? If so, where?

I did. And graduated in 2008 {yikes!}. I went first to Western Carolina University and transferred as a sophomore to Appalachian State University to follow my love. It worked out...

What TV show is your guilty pleasure?

shh. don't tell anyone: jerseylicious

Facebook? Twitter? Other?

all of the above? Twitter. Facebook.

Given the option, where would you like to live?

Honestly? Right where we are. (maybe in a better house?) I am happier in Charlotte, NC than I've been anywhere else. #happylife

What are you currently reading?

The second book of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo series: The Girl Who Played With Fire

You just won 1 Million dollars! What are you going to do with it first?

Give my parents everything they could ever want and set them up for the rest of their lives.

My Eleven Questions:

What are you afraid of?

Do you have any hidden talents? If so, what?

Why did you start blogging?

Go out or stay in on a Friday night?

What did you {or are you} major {ing} in in college?

Favorite homemade meal. Share the recipe?

Last thing you laughed at so hard your stomach hurt?

Favorite vacation you've taken thus far in your life.

Do you need anything special to sleep? Fan on? Window open? TV on? Childhood stuffed animal?

Favorite cosmetic product?

Backstreet Boys or N*SYNC?

Tag! You're it!

Tara @ Fabulous but Evil

Julie @ The Smitten Mintons

Kait @ Mrs. DIY & The Tennis Guy

Anna @ My Newlywed Life

Chelsea @ Choose To Be Happy

Corley @ Corley Mae Is Working On It

Cait @ Fit, Fierce & Fabulous

Cmae @ Happiness is...

Becca @ One Girl One Beautiful Life

Ashley @ Adventure of Newlyweds

Jess @ Pretty Physicist!

It's a big day!

2012-01-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

Hiya!

Thanks to everyone who already follows this little bloggy.

I appreciate it more than you'll know, really. Especially because I am completely computer dense and didn't realize that all of you who follow me receive my new posts in your EMAIL. That is commitment!

But because of yesterday's post...where I admitted that I was sad more people didn't follow me

It came to my attention...

That I'm lacking that fancy schmancy gadget in my sidebar that you can "follow" without receiving all the annoying emails. [again, PROPS to all of you who bit the bullet and subscribed that way. seriously!]

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So it got me thinking about this little blog.

And I was beginning to think it was time I buy my domain.

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But I don't want to buy "JoElizabeth" which is what my URL is currently. [joelizabeth.wordpress.com]

So today I'm doing it. I'm purchasing my domain.

www.hodgespodges.com

[please note the extra [s] on the end. hodgespodge is taken. boo.]

So please sure to adjust your google readers, etc. And I'll be sure to alert you to when the change is actually happening.

And I PROMISE you, I will work on getting that fancy little gadget so you all can follow to your hearts desire.

Without the annoying emails.

Thanks!

xoxo

It's Okay!

2012-01-19T04:39:00.000-05:00

I'm linking up with Neely @ A Complete Waste of Makeup and Amber @ Brunch with Amber. They're trying to grow this link up each week. Why don't you help em out and participate! It's a fun post to write!

It's Okay...

that I totally wrote two posts today. Because some days are just two post days.

that my back has been hurting so badly since Saturday night. You know, the night I thought it would be a good idea to wear stilts.

that I didn't have time to make breakfast this morning so I packed two lunches.

to have painted my nails last night and already want to change the color

to feel a little bit sad that more people don't follow my blog.

to have finally started using the alarm on my phone instead of the alarm clock that is across the room. You know, so I can smack the crap out of it when it goes off.

to have been looking forward to tomorrow night's dinner all week even though I could have made it any night this week, but that wasn't in my agenda! (enchiladas, in case you're wondering!)

to feel totally and completely content with life as it is just at this moment.

Happy Thursday, y'all. I actually get off early today; I had no idea. Don't you love those little surprises? That also means that I'll be drinking wine before 5 and catching up on my DVR!

ps...follow me on twitter @joelizabeth. Not to whore myself out or anything.

Don't Feed The...

2012-01-19T00:00:00.000-05:00

ETA: Ugh. Sorry folks. For some reason my video didn't load at the end of this post. It was really funny, too.

Oh, gosh. I am one moody girl when I'm hungry. Like, I turn into a different creature or something. Mr. Husband, I'm sure, would describe it as something like this:

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There are times that Mr. Husband and I will be in the middle of a discussion and he'll "pause" it and say we can't continue until I've eaten something. I'm pure evil when I'm hungry. He always asks why I just don't carry snacks with me. Silly man, doesn't he know that won't suffice? Most often, all that will cure the evil hungry joey is some type of greasy fatty food...stat.

And God forbid you take food from my plate while I'm eating. Please tell me you've seen this Episode of FRIENDS. It is SO fitting!

JOEY DOESN'T SHARE FOOD!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCCzzZVVpIA

I know I'm not the only person out there that turns evil when hungry. Share your story!

Love Story Part 2

2012-01-18T00:00:00.000-05:00

Missed part one? Don't worry! Catch up here!

It was years later. Several years later, actually. And I had been broken. So broken, that I'd sworn off dating. I was focusing on my friends and school and family. All the things I'd flushed down the toilet while in my last relationship. Mr. Husband was always around. He'd actually come and sit in my car awkwardly in the mornings while we waited for the first bell to ring. I never paid him much attention.

[worst feeling ever, right? right...]

School ended. Summer had finally arrived. And with that, my birthday came. Seventeen. I had no big plans, but my friends and I got dressed up, planned on eating cake with my family then we were going out. Anywhere.

Just after everyone sang Happy Birthday, the house phone rang. I answered it upstairs in my room. It was Mr. Husband wishing me a happy birthday and asking if I liked country music.

"Uh? Sure." I said as I hurried him off the phone. I had big plans of doing nothing all night with my friends. I didn't have time for him. [shudder, I was mean.]

The phone rang again almost instantly after we'd hung up. Mr. Husband again. "Look out your door."

"Huh?" I asked as I made my way to the garage. I swung the door open and there at my feet was a floral arrangement. I gasped into the phone and thanked him. Just then, his headlights appeared crawling up my driveway. He said to check the card just before he hung up and got out of his car.

Two tickets to the Alabama Farewell Tour. 3rd Row. Wow.

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Please know that I was polite enough to invite him out to do nothing with me and my girlfriends that night.

Weeks went by, and I had two surgeries scheduled. What a fun way to spend the summer, huh? My wisdom teeth were up first, and then I was supposed to have my wrist surgery. The day of my wrist surgery, Mom and I found out that it was really just the pre-op appt. The surgery would be a week later. Mom left town for a party in NYC, and my best friend came to spend the night.

The next morning, the doorbell rings at an ungodly hour.

A man is standing on my front stoop with an embarrassing display of flowers, balloons and a little teddy bear.

From Mr. Husband. Sent from football camp. Wishing me well from my surgery. What a freaking sweetie.

But you know what?

My wrist operation [since it'd been rescheduled] ended up being the day before the concert. I whined and complained to my mom [gasp! shock! I know...]. She said I had to go anyway.

My parents were out of the house that night, so my best friend came over to help me get ready. Because I was one arm down. Mr. Husband walked in to find bff putting deodorant under my arms. Classy. I planned the all too cliche "call in about an hour in case I need to be rescued" call with bff, then we were off.

We went to Panera again. This time I actually ordered. A salad. Which Mr. Husband offered to help me eat because my good arm was totally useless. #embarrassing.

When we got to the concert, do you know what I did? I made sure Mr. Husband sat to the right of me. The side where my cast was. To discourage him from trying to hold my hand during the concert. [I was SO mean!]

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The concert ended. We had fun enough, but I still just wasn't feeling it. Timing is everything, folks. No joke. When he got to my house, he asked if he could come up to see the bear he'd sent. I gave him a lame excuse about my dad not allowing boys in the house after nine. [Ever since we started dating, he's given me a hard time about this one. Because there is no such rule in my parents' house. Never has been...busted!]

He stopped calling after that...

Things for Tuesday.

2012-01-17T00:00:00.000-05:00

Things I love...

Planners and calendars! I am obsessed with staying ultra organized!

Coffee. Lots of it. Especially peppermint mochas and White Chocolate mochas!

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Being comfortable. Cozy tops and comphy shoes are all I wear. I'm a very casual kind of girl.

Pens. Especially fancy ones like the Sharpies Pens. I have a gazillion pens. And it's not enough.

Notebooks. I have so many. Too many. Journals and lists and blog ideas and and and....

xoxo

Merry UnChristmas!

2012-01-16T07:17:00.000-05:00

This weekend was such a fun one! I got to celebrate the 1st birthday of the sweet little girl I nanny. And one of my best friends came to town. And we went out! I'm an old lady who never goes out. So Mr. Husband, Abby and I got all dolled up and ventured out to the Epicenter! So! Much! Fun!

We had drinks and dinner at BlackFinn then headed up to Whisky River for more drinks and maybe even just a little dancing. I made the huge mistake of wearing super tall platform heels. I'm still paying for that mistake in soreness. But they were hot!

Mr. Husband and I postponed our Christmas. It only made sense to wait until he had a job. But I was growing tired of the Christmas Tree hanging out in our living room, so we decided to do Christmas last night! And you know what? It was so wonderful.

We've decided once we have kids that we'll do turkey on Christmas Eve and church. Christmas morning will be brunch and Christmas dinner...steak! Ain't nothing wrong with steak!

So last night we decided to go out for our steak dinner. We hit up Texas Land and Cattle and it was [as always] delicious.

Then we came home and changed into PJs for our Christmas!

[I'm sorry. It didn't dawn on me until halfway through to put the flash on. I'm kind of a photo-failure]

Mr. Husband and his Brooks Brother's shirts!

Happy happy wife with my Clarisonic Mia! Best husband ever!

Another surprise: We're going to Charleston!!
Merry UnChristmas from The Hodgeses!

I'm a failure & NAIL FILES!

2012-01-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

[psst. y'all. it's friday the thirteenth. yikes!]

Something happened.

It's been a week, and I'm just now ready to joke about it. Because it is one of those palm-to-forehead-so-embarrassed-and-hate-yourself kind of moments.

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Last week was a rough one. It was just one of those weeks that everything was just a hair off. And on top of that, the little boy I nanny was going through a whiney phase. Which was making myself and his parents feel like we wanted to rip our hair out.

So come Friday night, I was so incredibly ready for a glass of wine and my sister and niece to arrive.

But I needed to get wine. Oh, and like food. Because we were getting company, and it's usually nice to be able to feed them.

So I head over to Aldi, which is what everyone wants to do on a Friday night. Grocery shop.

But I suffered through and filled my cart up.

I was so proud to get it all done before Mr. Husband got home and before my sister arrived.

[something you should know. Aldi only takes cash or debit. They cannot run anything through as credit. Ever. Even if you beg them.]

So I get to the check out.

And I wait forever.

Because they almost always only have 2 registers open.

And finally it's my turn. The lady rings me up. Scans every single item in my cart. And gives me the total. I slide my card and........

I can't remember my pin. It's fallen out of my head. I frantically type in the first thing that comes to mind.

wrong. decline.

I try again. oh gosh what is it what is it what is it?

declined again.

CRAP!

The lady cheerfully tells me, "You know, there's an ATM right across the street."

Uh, that's great lady. But I can't remember my pin number.

And then she says it. It a sing songy voice with a zillion people in line behind me watching this all unfold.

well I guess you have to leave, then.

Oh, the shame! I turned so embarrassingly towards the exit and start to walk out. And then it hits me.

WHAT ABOUT THE WINE?

Is it sad that was my first thought? Probably. So I go home and frantically search my house for my pin number. But I was ~~smart~~ stupid and threw it away. So I call the bank, and they're glad to give it to me in the mail. So no pin number. No groceries. And no wine!

So I suck it up and head to Food Lion to grab the necessities. You know, wine, chocolate and stuff to make for breakfast the next day. I was delighted because they had my favorite cheap red on sale for even cheaper, I grabbed a toblerone bar and some bisquick and was out the door.

Thank God for the wine.

Later that night, I finally get a chance to put stuff away. And you know what? The wine made it home and nothing else. I left the darn bags at the store.

I am a grocery shopping failure.

{my pin finally arrived in the mail on Tuesday. And I felt like such an idiot because I had the right numbers just in the wrong sequence.}

Today, I'm also linking up with Tara from Fabulous But Evil for my favorite link up!!

OPI Grape Fit with another OPI sparkles over it...can't remember the name. Sorry!

My niece takes nail polish to a whole new level! 20 different polishes, one for each finger and toe. She loves her Aunt Jo; I have the best nail polish collection!

[sorry for the poor picture quality!]

Hope you all have a WONDERFUL weekend! And here's to no grocery shopping failures this week!

A little this & that and It's Okay!

2012-01-12T05:01:00.000-05:00

Oh, gosh. I've been a complete blogging failure this week. I won't even try to deny it.

And it's not even like all that much has been going on

Except that I haven't been sleeping well. And I think I'm obsessed with that. I spend all day thinking about sleep. And needing sleep. And wanting to go home and get right in my bed. And then I get there...aaaaannnnnd nothing. WHY DO I SUCK SO MUCH AT SLEEPING?

[photo]

Okay, enough of that. You should probably be sure to ~~stalk~~ check my blog for the next segment of our love story!! Missed the first one? That's okay. See it here.

Mr. Husband started his new job just after Christmas, but this week was his first week as manager. Fancy, right? Right, except he's been working open to close. Which makes me a sad, lonely wife. I'm definitely looking forward to next week when he'll finally be on a normal schedule for the first time in. our. marriage!

It's it's okay thursday! And it's OKAY that it's Thursday!! Go link up with Neely and Amber!

It's okay....

that I'm stoked that there's a Starbucks right around the corner from the little boy's school who I nanny.

that I'm a complete sleeping failure [still] and may soon move on to drinking heavily or taking hard narcotics just to get a good night in. I'm totally kidding. Kind of.

to feel like work days don't count when I get off an hour early.

that I've completely lost my mind.

to be exciting to be planning a vacation with best friends for the summer that I'm already pretty certain we can't afford.

to be nervous to get a haircut...even if it's just a trim.

to have done a load of laundry on Sunday and for it to still be sitting in the dryer...

Have a good Thursday, friends!

Sometimes & Always

2012-01-10T01:46:00.000-05:00

I'm linking up with Megan over at Mackey Madness today! Go show her some love.

Sometimes I look at my life and wonder how things can be so hard and how I can feel so lucky all at the same time.

Always: I'm entirely grateful for the life I've been given.

Sometimes I take extra precautions to make sure I can sleep at night {melatonin or sleep aid or something}

Always: I wake up in the middle of the night and toss and turn and stare the clock down.

Sometimes I wonder how I would have really felt if I really had given Webster up

Always: I'm am so so glad he's still here with me. Snuggling, actually, as I type!

Sometimes while cooking dinner after work I get this overwhelming feeling of I'm adult.

Always: I brush it off and act totally child like with Mr. Husband.

{And this next one is backwards for yah!}

Always I plan to write my Sometimes & Always post the night before.

Sometimes I end up writing it at 6:30AM as I'm scarfing down a cup of coffee.

No, I'm not talking about today. [ok. maybe I am.]

Happy Tuesday, Y'all!

Nail Files!

2012-01-06T01:53:00.000-05:00

I really wanted to paint my nails last night and blog about it. Because you know, that's the cool thing to do.

But then I fell asleep.

And lately, my nail polish chips the second I paint it.

BUT!

I did want to link up with a new blogging friend Tara @ {Fabulous but Evil, duh!]because this might be my favorite link up yet!

[cutest link up name ever, right? right!]

And even though my nails are super bare right now, I'll share with you a nail polish that I was OBSESSED with for a good month and a half.

Katy Perry's OPI teenage dream

It's LIKE a dream. It's sparkly and pink and come on...why wouldn't you love it?

Happy FRIDAY LOVES!!! Holy moly, I love Friday!

It's Okay!

2012-01-05T00:00:00.000-05:00

I'm linking up today with Neely over at A Complete Waste of Makeup! She's trying to reach over 100 links today, so why don't you participate?

It's Okay:

that I've skipped breakfast every day this week and have hated myself for it

that I'm grouchy sometimes, especially in the mornings

that I suck at sleeping. WHY is this?

that I got an idea for a blog post/story from this song (even though I don't like the song)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odsGzafXAYQ&ob=av2e

to wish my mom would just come live with Mr. Husband and me. It was easier with her here.

to feel so deeply sympathetic to my friends who are anxiously awaiting a certain piece of jewelry and who were left utterly disappointed after Christmas & New Years because I know exactly how that feels.

to want to hijack a Starbucks barista and hold them hostage in my kitchen and demand peppermint mochas from them. I won't, though.

to wish there were more hours in the day. And more hours of daylight.

to want something to happen. anything to happen to shake things up a bit.

to be flattered that so many people thought my ring was beautiful yesterday [thanks!]

Hope you all have a great Thursday! We're almost there. We've almost survived our first week back to the grind. [I'm sorry if it wasn't your first week back after the Holidays!]

Addicted.

2012-01-04T00:00:00.000-05:00

Fun Fact!

I grew up drinking soda. Which in my house we called Coke.

It didn't matter if it was sprite or pepsi or whatever.

It was Coke.

Which also happens to be my drink of choice.

Not Diet.

Not Cherry.

Not caffeine free.

Good, old fashioned, bad-for-me-full-of-sugar-going-to-make-me-fat- Coke!

[photo]

Another Fun Fact!

After moving to Charlotte ~~and leaving my cupcake job~~, I noticed my jeans didn't really fit like they used to.

And I suck at dieting.

Because ~~please don't hate me~~ I've been thin my whole life.

Even though I ate ~~and drank~~ whatever I wanted.

And then I noticed I went through ~~four~~ a few 2 liters in a week.

So I stopped keeping Coke in the house ~~because I was clearly addicted~~.

I switched to that Crystal Light Sweet Tea stuff.

Because let's be real, I can't drink plain water.

I only let myself have Coke if I'm out ~~or at my parent's house.~~

Okay, so on NYE, Mr. Husband and I are out to a fancy schmancy dinner at Olive Garden. And because it was NYE, I chose wine instead of Coke. But Mr. Husband is addicted to Diet Coke. And so that's what he ordered.

He asked the waiter for a refill which the waiter brought right away.

Mr. Husband takes a sip and looks puzzled.

"Is this Coke," he asks, handing me the glass.

I take a brief sip, "yes." And I continue to sip.

"Don't drink it all," Mr. Husband exclaims grabbing the cup from my mouth. I look sheepishly at him as he takes the half drunk glass back so he can ask the waiter for a diet.

So I say, matter-of-factly, "that's like asking a crack head, "hey, is this crack?" and then telling them not to smoke it all!"

~~I might have a problem.~~

Sometimes & Always

2012-01-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

Hiya! I'm linking up today with Megan from Mackey Madness for Sometimes & Always!

Sometimes: I use a hairbrush to reach an itch I can't reach otherwise on my back.

Always: I think I should invest in a back scratcher or just bug the husband. But the hairbrush works.

[photo]

Sometimes: I laugh out loud uncontrollably while watching 2 Broke Girls

Always: Mr. Husband judges. He judges so hard.

[photos]

Sometimes: I look through old photos of myself to convince myself that my hair really is growing.

Always: I'm relieved that it is. Don't judge . If you had to chop all your hair off to fix a horrible haircut that a beauty school reject gave you, you probably would too.

Sometimes: I over analyze every single ache or pain my body has and convince myself I'm dying.

Always: I'm a hypochondriac. And usually have something pretty off the wall.

Sometimes: My husband falls asleep on the couch and leaves me to sleep in our bed all by my lonesome.

Always: I wake up in the middle of the night and bug him until he comes upstairs. true story: once, I actually poured a glass of water on him from the cat walk to wake him. i totally warned that I was going to if he didn't wake up. I won, he came to bed!

Sometimes: When I take a bath my dog comes in and very gently grabs my upper arm with her mouth and tries to drag me out like I'm drowning.

Always: I laugh uncontrollably and wish I could record it! But I'm usually always naked in the tub, so I'll refrain.

Thanks for creating this link up, Megan! It's so fun!

I'm also linking up with CMae for Ring Bling!

I waited a really long time for it. And it was totally worth the wait :) [the marriage & the ring!]

Maybe this year...

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

MAYBE THIS YEAR I'LL...

read 50 books

clean my potty mouth

celebrate more

put an effort into how I look

think less

go back to church

write more in my paper journal

be a better wife to my husband

take the risk and jump with my novel

be a better woman

smile more

write another novel

learn something

show my blog a little love

take a romantic vacation with Mr. Husband

celebrate my birthday big...with a pretty cake

[how cute are these bird cakes!]

be better organized

I could go on and on, I'm sure. But you know what? I'm just going to close my eyes and jump into the year feet first!

Happy New Year!

[click photos for credits]

2011: Year in review

2011-12-31T00:00:00.000-05:00

Wow. 2011. You might have kind of kicked my butt. It was our first FULL year being married. And we sure had some ups and some pretty deep downs. We are a very blessed couple, and I'm excited to see what 2012 has in store for us. But for now, a little 2011 recap!

January:

Mr. Husband and I decided we would do whatever we could to try to end up in Charlotte, NC in the year 2011.

I traveled to Raleigh, NC alone for the first time since being married for a week. I needed to regroup after finally leaving a job that sucked the life out of me.

While I was in Raleigh, Mr. Husband let me know there was a sweet puppy who needed a good home. Bailey moved in!

February:

I started a second round of 100 days of blogging

We traveled to Boone with our engaged friends, Abby and Chris. On our way there, the Camry died.

March:

Mr. Husband and I traveled to Florida for Mr. Husband's TSA internship interview.

I started working at Gigi's Cupcakes!

April:

I made my very first craft! And I was SO proud!

And of course, the Camry died...again. And so did Mr. Husband's truck. We relied on his work van!

[our car graveyard]

May:

We started the month with a lack of direction. We had no answers for where we'd be living and what we'd be doing in a few short months

[May 3, 2011]

And then suddenly, the car was fixed and we at least had an answer about the TSA internship. It wasn't what we wanted to hear, but it at least allowed us to refocus our attention on trying to get to Charlotte!

I finished my 100! days of blogging!

We celebrated our One Year Anniversary!

[oof! I should have laid off the cupcakes!]

June:

My 25th Birthday! There are no photos to document this day, sad!

We announced some HUGE GIANT NEWS!

July:

I spent the whole time we lived in Athens wishing to leave. And it wasn't until we were leaving that I realized I'd developed a life there and would miss it.

We moved to Charlotte into the most GHETTO house ever!

I was offered a job Nannying for the two sweetest kids

August:

I started my job with the kiddos, and Mr. Husband sold his soul to the team every weekend straight until November 5th!

My best friend got engaged to Mr. Husband's best friend!

September:

Bailey decided she no longer wanted to be crated.

And then she ate my wedding album. So we moved her crate into the living room, and she finally relaxed.

October:

Mr. Husband and I went to the NC State Fair alone for the first time ever!

November:

I confessed about my writing slump and received a lot of support.

I spent my first holiday away from my family.

Mr. Husband and I made some changes of how we handle The Holidays

December:

Mr. Husband's team WON the Pioneer Bowl!

I met a potential Editor!

Mr. Husband turned 26!

We celebrated a very Merry and relaxing Christmas with both families!

Webster got a sweet new apartment!

2011 has been one HECK of a year. Mr. Husband and I have grown so much closer [if that was even possible] and we are so ready to tackle this next year! Stay tuned for my 2012 goals post. It'll hit the blog tomorrow!

I hope you all have a WONDERFUL, SAFE and FUN New Years Eve! Mr. Husband and I will most likely spend the night in with some yummy food and some much overdue cuddle time! Until NEXT YEAR!

Webster's Tale

2011-12-30T07:57:00.000-05:00

This is Webster. He is about 3 years old. And in his little life has been very stressful. He came to live with me when he was just a tiny little kitten.

Shortly after he turned a year old, we began renovations on my parents' house. Work men were in and out, banging all around. Poor little Webbie began to feel stressed. The once very social cat would now hide all of the time. And this is when he started peeing on the floor.

Just around the time the renovations started, I started packing my belongings little by little to move to Georgia which only freaked Webster out more.

And then, two days before our wedding...Webster got out. And he didn't come back. I left for my honeymoon without knowing where he was or if he was okay. I tried to push it all to the back of my mind because who wants their wedding and honeymoon ruined by a missing cat. My new husband would grumble as I ran to the hotel computers every so often the first few days to email my parents to find out if anyone had found Webster. And then finally, on the third day of our Honeymoon, I logged on to facebook and this picture greeted me:

Webster was HOME! But not before being attacked by something that left a tuft of fur outside my parents' garage.

Let's just put it this way. When we moved to Athens, it was only a few days before I found a vet. I was strung out and sleep deprived and begged for something anything that would make the cat sleep at night. He'd sit on our dresser and cry and cry. And pee on my floor. They prescribed Prozac. Yes, my cat was on PROZAC!

Soon, we introduced Mr. Husband's childhood cat, George, into our little home.

And shortly after that, Bailey came to live with us.

Webster was strung out and neurotic. And then we moved to Charlotte, NC.

And he started peeing on my kitchen floor. And I was losing my mind. I'd had him back and forth to the vet while we lived in Athens for what they believed were "urinary tract infections." I'd spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars for them to basically tell me that my cat was just a douche bag. It was behavioral, they finally decided.

I'd tried: calming collars, pheromone plug ins, pheromone sprays, natures miracle, pine litter, cedar litter, boxes with NO litter, locking him in safe rooms. I tried anything anyone would suggest to me with no avail. And soon, I had to make a choice.

Last Monday, I came home to find the same typical 4 places peed in in my kitchen. After working a ten hour day, and having only cleaned those spots that morning, I was at my wits end. I called my mother in tears. I'd made up my mind. We were going to have to get rid of him. Mom told me to call the vet I'd adopted him from because their policy is that they will always take a cat back.

I made the call. He would travel with us for the holiday, and I'd give him back.

I couldn't talk about it for the days leading up without crying. I sported the face of a 16 year old girl who'd broken up with her boyfriend the night before: red, puffy eyes that were constantly tear filled. I love this little sucker, but you have to draw the line somewhere.

The day before we were set to leave for Raleigh, my mom and I were on the phone. She was doing her best to be supportive, but she also loves the little guy. And she really didn't think that I'd be able to let him go ~~which I'm not sure I could have.~~

What about a cage, she suggested:

[something you need to know about Webster is that he is very very attached to me. if I gave him up, he'd spend his whole life looking for me. even when I'd leave for just a few days when I lived at my parents' house, he'd cry and cry until I came back.]

We figured it'd be worth a shot. Mom ordered the cage, and it was delivered the day we returned from Christmas. Mom and I set it up in my little office.

And you know what? HE LOVES IT!

He basks in the sunlight and naps on his little shelves! He also loves his new little bed

He's very relaxed and purrs almost constantly now. I go in to visit every so often and let him out to play.

And you want to know the best part? HE'S USING THE LITTER BOX IN THERE!!

Sometimes & Always

2011-12-27T03:17:00.000-05:00

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and spent some lovely time with family and friends!

I'm linking up today with Megan from Mackey Madness!

Sometimes I want to buy up all the make up from Bare Essentials.

Always: I browse the store forever and pick out just a few things. But fill up my wish list.

Sometimes I want to lay around and read a book all day long.

Always: I get a massive headache if I do.

Sometimes I make Mr. Husband take self portrait photos of us

Always: He grumbles and I end up looking slightly crazy.

Sometimes I get the strange urge to dye my hair at odd hours of the night.

Always: I regret it when my hair is soaking wet and I want to go to bed.

Sometimes people think the mantle at my parents's house is a joke.

Always: I remind them that I'm the baby of 5 and the only one without kids.

It's Okay

2011-12-22T00:00:00.000-05:00

It's okay that this is my first time linking up with Neely over at A Complete Waste Of Makeup for

It's Okay Thursday

It's okay that I made a pretty huge, drastic decision this week and allowed myself to be talked out of it by someone who knows me so well and has my best interest in mind. [no, that's not vague at all ;)]

It's okay that sometimes I play music that makes me feel sad because sometimes you just need a good cry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFMS2qRvvUc

[don't judge. 10 things i hate about you is one of my favorite movies. especially because it's basically a modern day version of shakespeare's taming of the shrew. and heath ledger. yum. sad!]

It's okay that I ate an entire batch of oreo truffles in less than a week. Especially considering what this week was like.

It's okay that my dog went from not being allowed on the furniture to refusing to lay down unless she has a pillow.

It's okay that I'm completely excited to go home to my parents' house this week. And it's totally okay that part of my excitement is because there will be food there. Lots of it.

It's okay that in order for my husband to surprise me with a peppermint mocha he had to pay for it with quarters. I love that he still makes the effort to "romance" me, even when we're poor.

It's okay that I purposefully ignore certain phone calls. And I always will.

[this is cute but...]

[...this is how i really feel]

It's okay that I get totally sucked into an infomercial and don't realize I haven't changed the channel for about 20 minutes.

And it's okay that I haven't started cleaning yet. Which wouldn't be such a big deal except my mom is taking me back/coming with me back to Charlotte on Tuesday. Because Mr. Husband....

FINALLY GOT A JOB!!! [YAY!] but it starts on monday. which means he has to leave on christmas day. [boo!]

It's okay that I haven't planned any posts for the rest of this week. That doesn't mean there won't be any, but there's a chance I won't "see" you all until next week because I will spending much needed quality time with my family and friends. In that case...

I hope you all have

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[also? i'm so very grateful for you all. old and new. thanks for stopping by and taking an interest in my little corner of the world. thanky thanks.]

Sometimes & Always

2011-12-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

I'm linking up with Megan from Mackey Madness for Sometimes & Always!

Sometimes I want to eat really healthily, work out and become super tone and sexy

I Always end up eating what I'm craving and sitting on my butt.

Sometimes I wish I could turn my mind off and just enjoy the moment

I Always end up thinking way too much and over analyzing.

Sometimes I think I can create a schedule to stay on top of the laundry

I Always end up doing a million loads on a Sunday afternoon/evening because I've let it pile up.

Sometimes I think I want a baby.

And then I Always remember that we are poor and it's not the right time.

Sometimes I convince myself that I'll get up right when my alarm goes off and actually do my hair for the day.

I Always end up just pinning my bangs back and letting my hair air dry a complete mess.

Sometimes I think I can stay up to respectable hour for an adult on work nights but end up passing out at 9:30.

Husband Always makes fun of me and calls me an old lady.

Working today & tomorrow and then it's time for vacation!!

Happy Birthday Bunny!!

2011-12-18T00:00:00.000-05:00

You are my friend. You are my rock. You are my comedian. You are a wonderful doggy daddy. You are the love of my life.

Thanks for all that you do. And thanks for being you. And today, we celebrate you. Loving you always, husband.

Loving you always, Bunny.

Loving you through the years.

Happy 26th Husband.

Love, Wife

lazzzzzzzzy

2011-12-17T09:19:00.000-05:00

[photo]

ahhhh, so nice.

So far today I've....

snuggled with husband

snuggled with kitties

fought George to snuggle with husband some more

drank coffee

watched HIMYM

flipped between CLICK and parking lot wars

made & eaten breakfast

finally showered

but only then threw on a bath robe

I love. love. love lazy Saturdays. Once the hub and I get our act together, we're heading to Rock Hill because his only Birthday wish is to eat at Groucho's.

FIGHT like a girl

2011-12-16T05:14:00.000-05:00

Can I be real for a minute?

‎"I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best."
~Marylin Monroe

[photo]

I love wildly.

I try to constantly think of others.

I am compassionate. Almost to a fault.

I try to make everyone happy all of the time.

I am a people pleaser.

But please, do not let any of that make you believe that I am not a strong person and that I will not stand up for what I believe in. Or for myself. Or for the people I love.

Because I am a people pleaser, I am often easily manipulated and guilt tripped. It's a quality that I both love and despise about myself.

Are any of you like this? Are you polite almost to a fault that you land yourself in some really uncomfortable situations that you would much rather not participate in? And it never fails, things are always suggested to me in awkward social situations that prevent me from saying what I'd really want to say, like "no." Or 'HELL NO."

I hate confrontation and will often concede only to avoid further drama or confrontation. I'm loud and outgoing, but I am wildly introverted as well. What a wacky combo, I know.

There are things that no matter how hard I've tried I cannot forget. Or forgive. And I'm not ready to right now. And I'm not sure I ever will be. Some things are irreparable.

Do you stand your ground? Please tell me I'm not the only person who feels this way sometimes. Please tell me I'm not the only person who can see manipulation when it's happening and refuses to play into it.

Love Story pt 1

2011-12-15T00:00:00.000-05:00

I had a string of relationships in high school. And when I didn't have a boyfriend, there was always a boy. Somewhere. That I was crushing on. Looking back at my high school journals now makes me cringe a little bit. I was completely boy crazy. Crazy for all the boys except for one. The one that mattered the most.

[photo]

Mr. Husband and I met in middle school. In our 8th grade PE/Health class to be exact. Yes, we got to know each other wearing awkward gym clothes and learning about sex. All while dodging our teacher Chester Hester Child Molester!

High school rolled around, and like I said, I was always attached. Mr. Husband would always have a gift for me at Christmas time or a card on Valentine's Day. He always sat next to me during the Winterfest Assembly. And it was just kind of this known thing that he liked me. I even knew on some level. He was a nice, cute guy. But for some reason, my feelings weren't reciprocated.

Our sophomore year, we decided to give it a go. And by we, I mean...I wrote him a note in History class just babbling. I was a hard-core note writer. Because if I wasn't writing notes, I'd have to pay attention, duh. A few days after I handed him the note, he passed one back. However, his was two pages typed and literally addressed everything I'd mentioned in mine. How polite!

[photo]

In his note, he mentioned that the upcoming weekend he was planning to go out to eat and asked if I wanted to join. Our friend was having an improve show, so we made plans. He was already driving, so he offered to pick me up. It was a date. Or was it? I wasn't sure. I wasn't even sure I wanted it to be. But alas, the day came and he came to pick me up. I had a terrible habit of getting busy and forgetting to eat. Who am I kidding? Sometimes I still do that. But either way, when he picked me up, I was starving. And at that time, I ate exactly two things while out to eat: chicken tenders and french fries. That. Is. It. He suggested a place called Panera (I'd never heard of it) and chicken tenders weren't on the menu!!! And also? I had no money. He offered to pay, but I panicked and just said I wasn't hungry. why oh why did I say that!? So what did I do? I watched him eat. AWKWARD!!

[photo]

We found our way to the theatre our friend's show was at, and the parking lot was empty. What? We either had the day or the time wrong...or both. There was no show ~~and I was relieved because then I could just go home and eat!~~ We sat in the parking lot forever debating what to do. I shot down every idea he had. [I wasn't a very nice girl, I realize]. I was hoping he'd just take me home.

He suggested bowling. I looked down at my feet, "I'm wearing flip flops. No socks, sorry."

You know what he did next? He freaking drove to target and bought me a package of socks!!!! Oh, my GOSH!

On the way to the bowling alley, the light behind his stereo went out. The car didn't stop driving and the engine wasn't blowing up. But he seemed really concerned about it. So he wanted to stop somewhere with a diagnostic machine ~~????~~ So he pulls into a JUST TIRES and rolls his window down. He asks about the diagnostic machine, and the tech replies exactly what was running through my head. "Nah, dude. We JUST do TIRES."

take me home. take me home. please take me home!! I was so embarrassed for him!

We finally find a shop and he runs into a store to get some replacement spark plugs. I call my best friend briefly and explain my horror! He gets back in the car, and I suggest that we just call it a night.

[photo]

It was the longest, most uneventful first date, if you could even call it that, in history. I felt so bad that I at least invited him in when we finally got to my house. He stayed briefly and I awkwardly thanked him for the socks. He left and I stuffed my face.

It was years later that we finally found our groove. But lots happened before we ever did. Stay tuned for the next segment of our love story!

Blogger Ornament Swap

2011-12-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

Let me just tell you, this was so much fun! I normally always sit stuff like this out. I hesitated because money is tight and who wants to battle the post office voluntarily during the holidays? But I'm so, so glad I chose to participate!

My wonderful partner was Becca. She's a sweet Minnesota-ian (what would a Minnesota person be? Minnesotite? Anyone?) I ran straight over to her blog when I found out she was my partner, and couldn't have been happier about the match! I'd never read her blog before, but just from seeing her love of coffee alone, I knew we were a perfect match!

I received my goodies on what might have been one of the worst days ever. I was so delighted to open the mailbox to find a package just for me!

I love them both! The Christmas tree is all sparkly and totally me. And the second one is super duper Minnesotan which will be a happy little reminder of this fantastic swap [and sweet Becca!] for years to come! [Also, I found it so appropriate that she and I both found it so difficult to just settle on one ornament!!]

Thanks so much, Julie and Megan for arranging this fun swap! I hope we all do it again next year!

Serendipity

2011-12-11T06:25:00.000-05:00

[photo]

Today I'm going to spend the day drinking lots of coffee and working on finishing the tense shift on the novel ~~that I wrote almost two years ago and then left neglected on the floor of my husband's closet and then moved to Charlotte where it is at least in my office now?~~

Why, you might be wondering, have I suddenly found the motivation to get back to working on it. Aside from, you know, the impending deadline I gave myself of February. Well, you need a little back story first.

Mr. Husband coaches football for a private university here in Charlotte. It was a tremendous opportunity, even if he has worked his tail off for free. The experience he's received from this internship alone could set us up for life. Never mind the connections he's made and all the people who have been able to see what he is capable of. One of the fellow coaches on staff is none other than Mike Minter who played for the Panthers for 10 years.

Well, we went to Mike's Christmas party last night ~~in his home which is by far the most gorgeous and elaborate home I've ever stepped foot in.~~ Two women come over and ask if they can sit where I'm sitting. You know, where Mr. Husband left me sitting alone stuffing my face at a party I knew no one! I say sure and we exchange small talk. The woman across from me has written a memoir and is telling me how it's going to be published on July 3rd, etc. Finally after a while ~~and after running out of things to talk about,~~ I asked how they knew each other.

The woman with her was her editor. Inside I was jumping up and down. But somehow, even after the two glasses of wine I downed, I managed to keep my cool on the outside.

We all bonded during a game of Dirty Santa which is by far one of the most hilarious games I've ever played at a Christmas party and HIGHLY recommend it if you're planning you're own. So when Mr. Husband and I went to leave, the editor woman shouted out to us to come say goodbye. She hugs me and we exchange "lovely to meet yous," and we're about to part.

I ask her what type of editor she is at which point she tells me she works with all different types of novels. I mention mine.

"But it's Young Adult," I add. "So I understand if that's not something you work with."

"No," she says. "I love Young Adult. Do you have your phone with you? Let me give you my number."

While I'm adding her number in my phone, she asks, "So this is a book in you?"

"No," I say. "It's on paper. I wrote it just before he and I got married," I gesture to Mr. Husband.

She looks shocked. "You've already written it? Please, be in touch!"

And that's the story of how I met an editor. An editor who might actually be interested in working with my novel. While I understand this is all just a chance meeting and it could very easily fall through, you have to start somewhere. And this, for right now, is my somewhere.

Life Lately..

2011-12-10T10:03:00.000-05:00

Hi Friends! So things have been busy lately. Lots of working and cleaning and well, you know, the normal stuff. I've been reading lots lately too, which only reminds me that I really need to wear my glasses while I'm reading. Holy headaches!
The other day while driving to work, there was the most gorgeous sunrise. I couldn't help but feel so peaceful and thankful. Even if it WAS super duper early and even if I was totally exhausted.

I also started working on my fitness this week. [pausing for the out of control laughter that is sure to follow that statement.] The baby and I took some long walks this week. And I generally ended my day...playing Just Dance. Okay. Laugh all you want!
Uh, what's wrong with this picture? Is that a sign that we put our tree up too early? And the worst part? When I tried to replace the burnt out bulb, the entire strand blew (fireworks and all)! Oh, and the even worse part...there are no white lights left in Charlotte. I'm not kidding you. I'm debating adding the multicolored lights I have hanging out in the garage and making it trippy tree. I don't think Mr. Husband would ~~allow me~~ like that very much.
Mr. Husband and I went on a date to the mall last night to do some ~~very cheap~~ Christmas shopping. He couldn't resist posing with the Biebs. [i'm a little proud to say that i originally wrote beibs which is the incorrect abbreviation of his name.]

Oh, and a candy date! Mr. Husband made the mistake of pointing out a candy store in the mall. Uh, my MECCA! Mr. Husband's tooth isn't as sweet as mine. Wait, who are we kidding? No one's tooth is as sweet as mine. We spent nearly thirty minutes wandering the tiny store and stressing over our choices. The results? A grasshopper pie sucker for me and a chunky bar for Mr. Husband. [i'd never heard of it!]

George made the mistake of snuggling up next to me this morning ~~and waking me up by poking me in the face with his ever sharp nails~~. While snuggling, I noticed that he needed a bath. Enter Mr. Husband and a really pissed off cat. Poor, poor George. He spent the rest of the morning hiding in the "cat room."

And alas, we FINALLY have a curtain covering our front door side window. Mr. Husband was kind enough to hammer in the hardware for me ~~and wake our sleeping neighbors because of our crappy paper thin walls.~~ I bought the curtain for super cheap, but it was too long. So I cut it and hot glued it ~~because the dog ate my bottle of liquid stitch~~ and voila!

I have lots on the docket, so be sure to stay tuned! My most favorite? Sharing my treasures from the great blogger ornament swap! So fun! :)

The Family Tree

2011-11-28T15:31:00.000-05:00

I love Christmastime. And Christmas music. And Christmas decorations. And the Christmas spirit. And I guess this week I'm just running with The Holiday theme...oh, and family.

Last year at this time I was kind of bummed. Wait? Who am I kidding? I was totally and completely depressed. I was hours and hours away from my family. I was [thankful to be] working a job I absolutely hated that only allotted just enough time to spend more time driving than spending time with family at Christmas. Yes, Mr. Husband and I were in the car the entire Christmas break than we did anything else...including sleeping. And leading up to Christmas, I just couldn't shake the funk. I wasn't even excited, just sad. And my best friend sent me what is now my favorite Christmas album (which may live on my iPod all year round...). Dave Barnes A Very Merry Christmas.

And dude...you have to hear this song...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTrX8zsPjL4

We're older now

We all have changed

But we all laugh at the same old things

We'll spend the night with memories

Gathered around the family tree....

Fitting, right? Yeah. I thought so.

What it was like...

2011-11-27T07:00:00.000-05:00

So I've been thinking. Has anyone else noticed how much things change over the years? Especially in regards to The Holidays? I know I touched on this the other day, but it's sitting so heavy on my chest.

The Holidays just aren't the same anymore. And I know it's because we've all grown up. Santa has removed his mask and we get to make our own decisions now (or do we?). But I just keep thinking about the way things used to be, and I'm so wishing for just one more holiday like that.

You know, when family trickles in over the days. The house is warm (too warm, Dad) and full. And it's loud. But we're not doing anything. It's just loud. So loud, that when I try to invite my best friend over, she excuses herself "but you're having a family party." Oh, please. It's just us. Just my crazy, loud, eats-a-lot and drinks-a-lot family. And the house is full of that delicious turkey aroma. And Mom pulls the bird from our ancient oven and places it on the stove where we all peek under the foil to catch a glimpse before my brother in law artfully slices it. Then we're all corralled into the dinning room. The fancy one with the comically long table that is still too small for our ever growing family. We argue over who sits where. But we all sit. Grace is said {Grace? She passed away 30 years ago}. And the passing of the food begins. Who wants what? And then the hollering starts. Someone's offended someone else. The tears start and the table is quickly abandoned.

And I bet you're wondering why on Earth do you miss that? But that's what it's like. Eventually we all eat. And usually Mom and Uncle John (rest his soul) clean the table as the rest of us try to figure out the DVD player to watch Planes Trains and Automobiles followed by Christmas Vacation, which if you haven't connected the dots, is exactly my family. And then most of us fall asleep crammed in our living room with the TV on.

And that's what The Holidays are supposed to be like. But then we all grew up.

[I've searched the internets high and low for a photo of this crazy holiday experience, but alas, facebook didn't exist back then...]

Holidays were more fun as a kid....

2011-11-26T06:15:00.000-05:00

Oh, hello friends. Dear, dear friends. I am so happy to see you and be among your company again. On my couch. In my living room. With a cup of coffee and a sleeping puppy. And Christmas music playing. And..and..and...

Let's just put it this way, I've never been so thankful to pull into my own driveway as I was last night. Happy Thanksgiving?

I think it's really important for me to remind myself of the things I'm most thankful for.

-I'm thankful that my husband and I have an unbreakable bond. That at the end of the day, no matter what that day brought, we are deep in love.

-My poorly behaved, adorably sweet, overly social puppy dog. As frustrating as she may be, she brings me so much joy.

-My cat when he snuggles into me at night. Not so much when he pisses on my floor...every day.

-George the cat. He's funny.

-My wonderful job. The amazing family I nanny for and the kids I have the pleasure of watching grow every single day. Seriously. Love love.

- Best friends. All kinds and all over the place. Don't know what I'd do without any of them.

-My family. Especially for their twitter support through The Holiday. Even if they were all together states away enjoying the company of Mickey Mouse and Shamu.

- Our little life here in Charlotte. We are so happy here. And that's all the Lord's doing. Because we were blinded by all that "sucked" when we first got here, our house included. And as crappy as our house might be, it's home. Home. Home sweet home.

-Education and talents. I'm so thankful that I was given four years of college and that Husband has been working so hard to obtain his masters degree. I'm so happy that he's been given the opportunity to actually coach, and I'm so grateful for my ability to write. I just need to do it. I'm also thankful for this little blog.

- Faith and the Big Guy. He watches out for us and puts us exactly where we should be and gives us the tools we need to survive every situation thrown at us.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are gearing up for a fun fun Christmas.

...I'll be HOME for Christmas. And I couldn't be happier.

Break!

2011-11-23T04:32:00.000-05:00

Good morning, friends! It's Thanksgiving break. Who knew I could actually find a job that allowed for a Thanksgiving break after all! I am so thankful for all that Charlotte has delivered, especially for the amount of happiness and comfort I feel each day. Athens was great. But life in Athens was rocky. And I'm so glad that we're in a place we belong and everything has kind of fallen into place.

Mr. Husband and I are traveling to Raleigh at some point today to spend the holiday with his mom, brother and his grandparents. My family is, as we speak, wandering around Sea World after spending an entire day at Disney World the other day. No, I'm not jealous. What?

But for now, my little family is gathered in the living room on this cozy morning. I've got my coffee [mint mocha, thank you!] and a sleeping puppy at my feet while Mr. Husband is stretched out watching Cars. Yes, he is adorable. And I'm so happy for these little moments.

I've left something out, though.

Are any of you surprised that this is how my Thanksgiving break started out? Yeah, I didn't think so. I'm accident prone. And I fell. Merry Christmas? Ha! At least I can just take it easy the next few days.

You all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! We're having cowpigken for dinner tonight. When my MIL texted that to me, I was certain it was one of those hilarious autocorrect mistakes. Nope. Chicken stuffed with cheese and ham. I'll take it! Oh, along with the bottle (or 2) of wine I'll be smuggling into her house....

Happy eating!

deadline...

2011-11-21T13:57:00.000-05:00

Wow. People all around me are making things happen. Great things. Things they've worked so hard for, with something to show for it.

I can let this discourage me. Compare myself to them. Get lost in the woe is me...

But I won't. Not this time, at least. I feel genuine pride for my friends. And motivation and inspiration to make my own things happen. I'm not sure what all of those things are yet, but I'm inspired.

I pulled the novel up on my computer for the first time in a long, long time. And what's been stopping me for so long is the intimidation of finishing my tense shift. (I've flopped back and forth more than once). And I realized I don't have far to go to finish. So I'm going to finish. I'm not entirely sure when, but it's going to happen.

No, wait. I'm giving myself a deadline. February. By February 14th, my tense shift will be completed.

{photo}

When it all fails...

2011-11-16T12:16:00.000-05:00

You guys? I kind of feel like crying. I've skirted around the issue for some time now, and this month just kind of brought it out to the forefront. I've been ignoring a very important part of myself. In fact, I've been ignoring it so vigorously in hopes that it will...just kind of fade away. That it'll be a part of me that I'll remember once was. And a part of me that I won't miss.

But I'm lying. To you and to me. Because that part of me hasn't faded away. And I do miss it. I have missed it. I would miss it. But for some inexplicable reason, I can't bring myself to face it.

I'm not writing.

Not here. Not there. Not anywhere.

I second guess myself. I think too much and get too bogged down. I forget to turn off my [not so good and often wrong] editor. I panic that it's all stupid. I worry. What if all the work is for nothing. What if I spent my whole life only wanting to be a writer and never actually become one. What if my entire education ends in the tragic tale of failure.

Because right now? I'm a failure. And a liar. And not a writer. Not a writer...not a writer.

Once upon a time I found the required energy and motivation to work full time, plan a wedding and write an entire novel in just four months. And now? I can't bring myself to do anything with it. Fear is stopping me. My errors and mistakes are stopping me. I flip flop with the tense. I question the plot. What if it's totally stupid. What if people what the heck I wrote it for; why I wasted my time. I can write, maybe. As for making it something suitable for someone in any kind of writing profession to view? I can't do that. I'm scared to do that. No, terrified.

I'm tired.

I don't have the time.

The office isn't finished.

It's all, pardon my french, bullshit. If I wanted to do it, I would. Wouldn't I? Couldn't I?

...I can't...

[photo]

What's left after...

2011-11-04T15:43:00.000-04:00

Currently? I'm sipping wine, listening to the soft rock channel on AT&T and taking a break from cleaning my disaster of a house. How does it get so dirty so quickly?

Oh, right. These guys...

With all the Kardashian talk, Jessica Simpson's baby and (though it was a while ago now) Nick Lechey's wedding, I can't help but think about marriage and what it means (and what's left after divorce).

I can't imagine that much would be left of me if Mr. Husband and I ever divorced. We've been together all of my adult life. We were 17 when we fell in love. I know, blah blah blah. How many times, I bet you're all wondering, can this girl drone on and on about her husband and how they've been together forever. That's not the point. The point is to be real. And if I'm being real, there would be no media reporting that I'm doing "A-OK" after the split. I would be a disaster. I would be a mess. I went into my marriage with the mindset that this is it. There is no other option. I chose him, and that's it.

When we fight, we fight hard. We argue too, a lot. We're normal. But that D word is never ever brought up. Not even in our nastiest of fights. Because even while we're fighting, it's in the forefront of our minds that "this will pass." I've never had to question if my husband actually loves me, even when we're in the middle of our roughest of fights. Even through the harshest of words. Because we've already survived everything that life has thrown at us so far. And that was all before the real "commitment" was made. Although, if you'd ask either of us, we'd both say we were in it to win it from the get go. There were so many times that we could have walked away when we were just dating, and it probably would have been easy (you know, minus the nasty cry face and empty chest feeling). But we didn't because we knew it would be worth it. We made it worth it.

As I mentioned before, I'm listening to AT&T's soft rock channel. And how ironic that Nick Lechay's "What's Left Of Me" just came on as I started this post. And it kind of breaks my heart that people move on past a life they used to have. Past people they used to love. Love isn't a guarantee. And if you're lucky, you fall in love once. How do these people just walk in and out of marriage so easily?

And as for the Kardashian mess, I don't get it. How can you "love" someone enough to marry them, to commit your LIFE to them, and 72 days later, something changes that? 72 days after my marriage, I won't lie. We were in a dark place. I remember visiting friends of ours and complaining to my best friend that I had no idea that marriage would be like that. We were still settling in. Mr. Husband and I were fighting constantly. We couldn't say anything without being down each other's throats. Even now still, I'm not sure why that was. Life, maybe? Just adjusting to joining two lives together and realizing it's permanent?

If you're on the brink of marriage, or considering it, or wondering what it's like, I'm here to tell you it's the most wonderful, reassuring, painful, confusing, trying thing I've ever been a part of. Like I like to say, I always love my husband. I just don't always like him very much. Sometimes things happen. Sometimes you'll hurt each other's feelings. Sometimes money will be tight (ha, who are we kidding? Money will always be tight). Sometimes you'll make mistakes. Sometimes you'll roll over in the middle of the night and they'll wrap their arms around you and hug you close. But promise me this, love won't be a sometimes thing.

Love is forever. It's constant. If it's not a factor in the recipe, your marriage will be bitter.

Lessons: The Hard Way with Fit Fierce and Fabulous

2011-11-03T05:01:00.000-04:00

It's that time again! I'm so grateful to have Caitlin from Fit, Fierce and Fabulous visiting today! She's kind enough to share with us an experience which I'm sure is difficult for her to talk about. Let's show her some love.

Hi Friends! I'm so excited to be here for ! When I saw a few people posting about life lessons I knew I had to share one that occured about 5 years ago.

Life Lesson

After a difficult break up my senior year of high-school, I was refusing to date and vow to be single until I really found someone I could trust, love, and considerable, have a long term relationship with. I dated here and there and into the spring of my freshman year of college, I met a boy at a restaurant that I was working at. Let's call the boy, Steve. ( I won't use his real name )

Steve was good looking, kind, sweet, sensitive, and gave me huge butterflies every time I stared into those blue eyes of his. Throughout the entire summer, we shared stories of our past, goals for our future, and made every possible moment to be together before I was going to transfer to a new college in the fall. When I left for my new school, I was sad but I told him we would be able to make it because I felt so strong about our relationship, and even though long distance relationships have hurt others, I knew we would be ok.

A few weeks after leaving, Steve started to change. He would constantly ask me where I was going, who I was with, what I was doing, and when I would be back. I would have to call him every time I left my dorm room, and when I was coming home. I would get threats of who I was sleeping with, or making out with just for calling him 2 minutes AFTER I said I would be home from a friends house. ( First off- I have never cheated on any one of my past boyfriends, and this seriously came as a shock to me!)

Suddenly, my friends and family started to notice a huge change in me. I would cry almost every single day from fighting with him or friends. I became depressed, even suicidal at one point.

"It would be okay tomorrow" I kept telling myself- but it was an endless cycle of verbal abuse that I became numb too. I was called everything in the book..how a horrible person I was to society..and how I made his life miserable. I wasn't allowed to travel anywhere, and if I came home on weekends, it was always to spend it with him watching endless reruns in my cold basement.

But I loved this man right?

	Phase 1 - TENSION BUILDING: Tension increases, breakdown of communication, victim feels need to placate the abuser.
Phase 4 - CALM: Incident is "forgotten", no abuse is taking place.		Phase 2 - INCIDENT: Verbal and emotional abuse. Anger, blaming, arguing. Threats. Intimidation.
	Phase 3 - RECONCILIATION: Abuser apologizes, gives excuses, blames the victim, denies the abuse occurred, or says it wasn't as bad as the victim claims.

I know what you're thinking- GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT! And believe me- we had our break ups almost every other day (always him breaking up with me..then calling me a few hours later to apologize and say how much he loves me)

FINALLY
After 9 months of abuse- I was at a meeting with a few friends and I got a text message wondering why I hadn't answered his phone call. I told him I was at a meeting and would call him later. As usual, he went crazy, telling me be was I a B** and other things for not picking up on the first ring.Something snapped in me, and I excused myself from the meeting, walked outside and let it all out.

I screamed, I cried, and I let 9 months of built up pain and anger came flying out of my mouth and into the phone. I told him it was over. I was done being a doormat, and I was going to move on without him. It took a few days to recover and with the help of amazing friends and family members, I started to get back to who I was again.

So that is my biggest life lesson, and I wouldn't wish what I went through on anyone. Today I am currently engaged to the true love of my life and with every day passing, I realize that despite this difficult bump in the road, I am where I need to be in life.

"You are brave. You are strong. You deserve a second chance at life."

Cheers friends :)

Do you know anyone in an abusive relationship?
How have you helped yourself/them go through it?

Thank you so much for sharing, Caitlin. I'm so sorry you had to go through a relationship like that. I'm thankful you found your way out of it.

If you're interested in sharing in Lessons: The Hard Way, shoot me an email at iwrite23 [at] gmail [dot] com

I clean poo in my day job and my night job...

2011-11-02T12:19:00.000-04:00

I came home today to find that Bailey had gotten sick in her crate and torn up her make shift bed (two pillows with a blanket over them). I would usually get mad about this, but she looked so pitiful that I know she was just panicking.

I cleaned out her crate and threw away her bed. We made our way upstairs to the office where she was walking around and licking her lips. I had a feeling she was going to throw up so I quickly called her into the bathroom (tile floor) and pulled the rug up. She proceeded to vomit all the "sick" she had in the crate.

Isn't being a pet parent so glamourous sometimes?

I'm so thankful for Fabreze Air Effects and for our new wax melter thingy that I got from Walmart.

On to writing!!

Nanowrimo

2011-11-01T17:05:00.000-04:00

I should be in bed. And I'm hopping there in just a second because I'm at work before most of you hit snooze for the first time. But I just wanted to share my excitement.

I'm a writer as most of you know. Officially or unofficially or whatever. Unfortunately lately, though, I've been hiding under some sort of writing rock. And I've been pretending like I'm not one. (Uh, anyone notice how this blog has been so neglected? Yeah, rock.)

But being a writer, and having gone to school for creative writing, I accidentally made some friends along the way. Friends who are also writers and who may also feel like hiding under writing rocks. (Hey, we all do it from time to time).

Writing slumps are sometimes really hard to pull out of. And they're especially hard to pull yourself out of.

It's November, which means nanowrimo. I was planning on pretending it just didn't exist this year because of my slump. But out of no where, one of my writing buddies just happened to message me on twitter...

...Uhhh? Yes?

So this was a round about way of saying that I'm writing this month. And it's all thanks to a friend I was in Creative Writing with in college. Get excited...

Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings.

2011-10-31T13:45:00.000-04:00

Okay, that may not look that delicious. But don't let that fool you, so so delicious. And so so easy.

What you'll need:

- 2 to 3 boneless skinless chicken breast

- 2 tablespoons of butter

- 1 onion finely chopped

- 2 cans cream of chicken soup

- chicken broth

- refrigerated biscuit dough

Directions:

Place semi-frozen chicken breast in crock pot. Top with butter. Pour 2 cans of cream of chicken soup over chicken. Pour onion on top. Add enough chicken broth so that chicken is completely covered.

Cook on high in crock pot for 5 hours.

With 2 forks, shred the chicken breasts.

About an hour before serving, tear pieces of the biscuit dough (you can ball them if you want) and place them into the mixture. Stir to be sure the dumplings are submerged. You may need to add more broth.

Serve and enjoy!

sick day...

2011-10-29T09:43:00.000-04:00

I'm taking the day and ignoring all responsibility and getting better. A good old fashioned sick day. I slept well last night thanks to Benadryl, and I didn't get out of bed when I woke up. I just turned on the TV. Thank God for a Top Chef marathon today. Mr. Husband and I spent the morning laughing at our crazy pets and watching Top Chef in bed. He's got another game today, so I stayed in bed and he was off to work.

I am feeling leaps and bounds better then I've felt all week. I'm still a faucet of disgusting, but I'm definitely on the road to recovery.

My sick day in photos:

My neighbors and I play Words With Friends constantly. No joke. I've gotten much better and I've been known to whoop some ass! Check the score if you don't believe me :).

See yah on the flip side.

Tales from the sick bed.

2011-10-27T13:26:00.000-04:00

Hi friends, do you hate me? I would promise that I'll be more present in the blogesphere, but apparently that statement makes me a liar often. So for now, I'm here when I'm here. When I'm not here? Assume I'm cleaning the house. Or caring after two of the cutest kids in the world. Or attending to our petting zoo. Or..or...or.

I have been so sick the last week. No joke. In fact, I'm pretty sure I probably should have taken the whole week off, crawled under my comforter and reemerged a week later. But I didn't. I hardly entertained the idea. I like my job, so kill me. It started with a bit of a sore throat and some drainage last Friday. Saturday I rested. Sunday I woke up feeling like death. And it only got worse from there. I'm currently in the head pressure, build up phase with massive headaches and the inability to breath. Don't you wish you were me? No?

Because I've been so sick, Mr. Husband has been booted to the couch. I toss and turn and hack up lungs most of the night, so I figured he'd be more comfortable downstairs. Which (shh, I think he thinks I don't know this) he probably prefers anyway. I suck at sleeping. But this morning, I removed the pillow from his face (I'm noisy in the kitchen in the mornings...) and kissed my sleeping husband goodbye. And for a second I just looked at him and wondered how we ended up here.

I met Mr. Husband when my schedule got changed in eighth grade and I was shoved into Mr. Hester's PE/Health class a few weeks into the semester. Awkward. And as the story goes, Mr. Husband liked me from then on. And I got to thinking this morning about what my life would have been like if I knew from that moment too that the kid sitting in the back of that classroom would be my husband 10 years later.

And as much as I love my husband, and I'm so happy to have him be the one I married, I am so so grateful that I didn't know. People watch shows like Boy Meets World and think, "aww, how sweet to have been together your whole life." And while I sort of agree for some people that it's cute, it would not have been cute for us. The years and break ups between our first meeting and when Mr. Husband and I finally started dating definitely turned me into a person who would actually appreciate him.

Ok. I think my cocktail of cold medications has made me a little loopy. I'm not even sure if I'm making any sense. So I'll leave you all be. I don't have a picture of us as those happy little eighth graders, but I'll share a picture from our first Valentines Day together as Seniors in HS.

What babies!

An unfamiliar familiar

2011-10-21T19:47:00.000-04:00

I drove down a road tonight that once upon a time I drove down nearly every single night. As I drove, music bled from the speakers and suddenly I was sixteen again. I could see myself, almost as if I had floated out of my own body, on any given day back then. My hair long, blowing in my open windows. That haunted look in my eyes. That question playing on repeat in my head, "Is this forever? When will this end?" Because I knew it would.

And as I drove down that road tonight, I was once again reminded of how funny life is sometimes. How sometimes when God is ripping something from your grasps and seemingly breaking your heart, He's actually opening up opportunity for your life to begin.

Tonight, I'm in a room I spent most of my life in. It's been stripped of my touch and it looks nothing the same. Even the scent isn't the same. Less perfume, more paint. I remember thinking and hoping and dreaming of the days that I'd return to this room long after I'd survived high school. I used to will myself to these kind of moments to find out the answers to my nagging questions. Who would I end up with? Would I get married? What would be important in my life (and more importantly, would what was keeping me up at night then be important in the years to come)? Would I ever be taken seriously? Would I ever be seen as more than just the baby? Will I make it?

Well, future me has suddenly become the present. And those nagging questions don't nag me so much anymore. Life happened.

Who would I end up with? Well, everyone I hoped I would. My friends are the ones I'd hoped would stick around. And my husband...he's exactly who I wanted him to be.

Would I get married? Yes, yes I would.

What would be important? That's still complicated. But most importantly is to be happy and healthy. Less drama, more life. And no, all those things that kept me awake at night no longer matter. In fact, I can't even remember what they were.

Would I ever be taken seriously? Depends on who you're asking. But I'd like to believe that at some point or another in my life thus far, I've been taken seriously.

Would I ever be seen as more than just the baby? The answer to that question is a no. And I'm making my peace with that one day at a time.

Will I make it? Well, I survived high school, college and some change. Sometimes scraping by by the skin of my teeth. Sometimes drowning and swimming as hard as I could to just get my head above water. But yes, you make it.

Week Review

2011-10-15T05:01:00.000-04:00

Good morning, Friends. It's been a while. Who knew that such a dull life could be all consuming? No, I take that back. I don't really think my life is dull, but in the contexts of pages, it might be.

You know how sometimes you see something that happens and you think, "That can only be God." I'm not the most religious person in the world, but I definitely believe. And last year on our honeymoon, I saw God when he dumped a huge group of people in to our lives to make Athens, GA a little more bearable for us. For me, being lonely is my worst fear, and I've had too much of it in my lifetime.

When we first moved here to Charlotte, I found a job almost immediately. I don't know how we would have done it if I hadn't found a job so soon. And no less, a job I love. And we all know how uncommon that is for me! But my nights were still spent in front of the TV with the pup glancing hopefully out the window for Mr. Husband's headlights. I was lonely.

And then one day, I went out to my car to get some stuff I'd bought to finally turn this house into a home. And just at that moment, our new neighbor pulled into the driveway. Imagine my delight when she got out of the car and she was my age! And seemed so normal! (In this neighborhood, that's completely uncommon!!) And you know what? We hit it off right away. My nights are no longer spent lonely in front of the TV. I no longer conversation bomb my husband when he walks in the door. And I no longer feel scared to be alone in this house so much. Because I have people who car right next door. Oh, and my dog LOVES them!! She'd much rather be over at their house then home :)

I'm spending this lovely cool morning under a blanket sipping vanilla biscotti coffee and catching up on episodes of Revenge. (Great show, by the way).

What did you do this week?

Over the weekend I went and got my first shellac manicure. O.M.G I love it! It's been a week today, and it still looks great!

I went mattress shopping on Monday afternoon with C! (the neighbor). We had lots of fun testing out the mattresses and making complete fools of ourselves. She'll kill me for posting this pic, but shopping wears her out!

I had to use up some ground beef in the fridge on Tuesday before it went bad, so I made sauce and meatballs. Mr. Husband can't eat the pasta, so to avoid a massive load of leftovers, I told the neighbors not to worry about dinner and to come over! It was so much fun. (Please notice--not that some of you could--that our kitchen table is the EXACT same one my parents have. That was a sweet surprise from Mr. Husband when we moved here.)

Bailey, pining over the neighbors after they left

I ended the week by mowing the lawn for my first time ever! Mr. Husband's schedule is crazy, so I thought it would be nice to take care of it for him. Our dinky little mower got the job done just fine. However, I ended up with a pretty nasty rash all over my arms, legs and stomach. I guess I'm allergic to yard work :)

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Whatcha been up to?

2011-10-07T16:36:00.000-04:00

I did a little past blasting yesterday. I scrolled through my facebook wall way back to when Mr. Husband and I were first engaged. I'd forgotten how crazy, bizarre and busy things were. I was constantly looking for a job, hating a job or trying to find a job. I was planning a wedding (with no money because of the aforementioned job situation). I was maintaining this little blog pretty well AND I was writing a novel. With that said, I should be able to maintain this little blog without any complaints now that I'm far less busy. No dice.

Do you guys want to hear a freaky story about the happy little ghetto I live in? No? Well, too bad. I'm sharing anyway because I make the rules around here (I'll be happy to note this is the only place I make the rules. Husband I know is grinning somewhere).

Last Saturday I was enjoying my night in watching junk on the TV with a sleeping pup on the couch when I saw a few police cars pull up right down the street. I peeked out the window a few times but then lost interest. I just figured someone was beating their wife again. (I live in a great part of town). About twenty minutes after the police arrived, my neighbor knocked on my door and asked if I was okay because he heard Bailey barking her head off. Bailey, however, was asleep on the couch. Not my dog.

I invited him in anyway because he told me that there was apparently a car chase and the dude ditched his car and was now running. Awesome. We chatted for a while and then we saw the cop car right by our house turn off his lights and drive away. We decided to go out onto my patio to see if the police on the street behind our houses were still there. While we're out there, we're joking about how our curiosity was going to get us killed. My neighbor was in the military and is currently an armed securities officer at the hospital, he knows his way around a weapon. And he was armed. And he joked that whoever was out there better be a good shot because he was armed...

Guys? The words weren't OUT OF HIS MOUTH before a gun shot fired about 30 yards away from us. Holy crap your pants, batman!

We dashed inside, locked all of the doors and turned off all of the lights. Oh, and called 911. Welcome to the ghetto, ladies and gentlemen.

Unfortunately, I have no other details for this story. I had my boss (who works at the police station) look into the case, but there is no report of anything. Iiinteresting.

And not to change the subject, but I'm currently loving Friday for this reason:

I'd never had this before (and I'm typically a white wine kind of girl) but the bottle was too cute to pass up. It's not bad, either!

The best friend arrives tomorrow for a girl's day, and I just finished painting her birthday present. I should probably stick to my day job because painting is not my forte. But I'll be sure to share the [embarrassing] finished project once I've given it to her.

Oh, and I know I mentioned the neighbors earlier, but we had an awesome couple move in next door. They are like our neighbor soul-mates or something. We all grilled out on Sunday, and it was so much fun. The night ended with the boys watching football at their house and the girls watching junk TV at my house.

Okay, friends. Laundry and cleaning are calling my name. Jealous of my Friday night? I know you are.

Lessons: The Hard Way with The Smitten Mintons!

2011-10-06T01:00:00.000-04:00

I hope you are all excited to welcome my second guest poster: Julie, from The Smitten Mintons. Her lesson is a good one, so listen up! {And show her some love!}

Hey y'all! I'm Julie from The Smitten Mintons and I'm so happy to be here today!

My lesson learned the hard way happened in high school. I have always been one to fall hard and struggle with maintaining balance between my relationship, my friends, and my schedule. Well, in one particular relationship, I invested so much of myself that I neglected other important aspects of my life, including my friends.

I found myself choosing to spend time with my boyfriend over just about anything else. I would skip the girls' nights that I always loved to go to, and I barely saw my best friends.

After we broke up, my wonderful friends were there waiting for me. They were there when I needed them, and I'll never forget that.

But the one thing that still bothers me is our trip to Europe. A teacher from our high school took a group of us to tour Europe, including my boyfriend and me. From that trip, I probably have a handful of pictures of me with my friends, and the rest are of me and the boyfriend. I realized that I was so attached-at-the-hip with him, that I barely made any time to be with my friends. I missed making memories with friends that are still in my life, 6 years later, for a guy I haven't talked to in years.

So, the lesson of my story is...there needs to be balance. No matter what it is that you tend to put all of yourself into...school, boyfriends, family, friends....I think there needs to be a healthy balance of each.

Luckily, by the time I met my sweet husband, I had learned this lesson and made sure to not make the same mistake again.

Thanks so much for having me, Joey! This is a wonderful series that really made me think about how important it is to remember past lessons learned!

Thanks so much for stopping by, Julie. This is a lesson that everyone should take to heart. I know I've been there, have you?

Again, if you are interested in participating in this series, shoot me an email! iwrite23 [at] gmail [dot] com!

Hold on, wait a minute...

2011-09-27T14:43:00.000-04:00

Despite my lack of sleep last night thanks to a sick pup, I had quite a good day! I'm so happy with the kids I watch (and very proud that the 4 year old's behavior has started to turn around at school). And I'm starting to make this house feel like a home, and that's huge.

Also, we had neighbors move in finally. And they're great! So great, even, that he mowed our front lawn for us today while we were at work since he was out doing his own. Wowza! What a great thing to come home to. They are so friendly, and I'm so thankful.

I've been doing a lot of thinking about this little blog. And I think I've been putting too much pressure on it's poor little shoulders. I think it's time to get grounded and back to the root of it all. I started this blog originally for me to use as an outlet. And maybe as a tool for others to find that they aren't alone in some things. And to practice my writing daily. That was it. I didn't care about followers or giveaways or the blogesphere at all [gasp!].

I read blogs; that's no secret. And I compare everything I do to every one of them. My layout isn't as fancy. I don't have a gazillion followers. I don't have cute little weekly link ups. I don't...I don't...I don't. But I forget that's not why I did this. And I'll find that I don't post because I'll get halfway through something and realize it's not "interesting." And I'll think "what if someone stops reading because of xyz..." And enough is enough. I will post equally interesting and uninteresting stories sometimes. If you follow, I'm eternally grateful. It's nice to know there are people out there who "support" me. But I can't promise bells and whistles. Because I'm a stock kind of girl. And I guess this is a stock kind of blog.

So my life isn't as interesting as some lives out in the blogesphere. And my posts might be erratic and maybe a little boring. My pictures aren't high quality and my font is standard. And you know what? That's okay. Because that's me.

So in my effort to "try so hard," I ended up failing worse than I ever did before I was trying. So this is it. Take it or leave it.

Oh, and a happy little photo just to brighten your day.

[photo]

5 Foods

2011-09-25T06:02:00.000-04:00

Have I mentioned lately how much I love coffee? No? Well, just to put it out there. I do. I love it a lot.

I'm lacking motivation lately. I'm not entirely sure why. I'm sure I'd feel much better if I just started and completed something. A trick I learned a long time ago for lack of motivation is to start the easiest, simplest, least time consuming project and the high you'll get from actually finishing it will make you feel accomplished and thus delivering the much needed motivation. Eh, maybe I'll do that today.

Five Foods

Pancakes and Waffles: okay, I realize that's two foods. But I couldn't decide which I liked better. So they both make it.

Dessert: again, I realize that this blankets more than one "food" but I don't discriminate against sweets. All sweets are good sweets. And I love them all equally.

Ravioli: with my mom's sauce. Seriously, it's the best.

Calamari: my go to appetizer pick. If it's on the menu and we're getting an appetizer, you can bet your bottom dollar that it'll be calamari on our table.

Cheese: this is a serious subject for me. I love all cheeses. But cheese also reminds me of my friends and Charleston and most romantic evenings with Mr. Husband. It's like a special occasion thing. Cheese platters and wine. Who doesn't love that? In fact, to celebrate the opening of Trader Joes in Athens last year, Mr. Husband and I went and bought all different kinds of cheeses, fruits, meats and crackers, two buck chuck and spent the entire day having a living room picnic with our cheese plater and Friday Night Lights. Tell me that doesn't sound amazing? This one deserves a picture for proof :)

6 Places...

2011-09-24T18:13:00.000-04:00

I'm going to warn you. I took a tylenol PM about 7 minutes ago so this post may end abruptly.

6 places

The Dickens's House: this will probably always be my number one favorite place. It's home. It looks like home and smells like home, and I have so many memories that begin and end there.

Charleston, SC: The four of us, the swodges? the heet? we are something special there. We're something special other places too, but in Charleston, we forget about life and let go. Plus it's the birth place of a pretty awesome love affair between my best friend and Mr. Husband's best friend :)

Athens, GA: This place taught me that life can happen even in a place you really don't want to be if you just let it. I grew to not just like Athens, but by the time we moved, I loved it. It taught me that somewhere other than The Dickens's House could feel like home. Plus, it's the first place Mr. Husband and I ever lived together. And that's pretty cool.

Playa Del Carmen, Mexico: Our Honeymoon. The first place Mr. Husband and I ever flew to together. The first real resort I ever stayed in. The most relaxing vacation we ever took. The place God threw an amazing group of friends into our laps to help with the transition to the aforementioned Athens, GA. A fond place in my heart.

Charlotte, NC: The home of our first house. It's nothing special. It's nothing glamorous. But it's our first whole house. Where Mr. Husband coached his first college team. The place that finally allowed for us to be back in NC and close[er] to family.

Boone, NC: I learned so much about myself and did so much growing while living there. I made huge mistakes and met some amazing people. Oh, and I found the most special cat in the Walmart parking lot. RIP Oscar.

Comfort food: Chicken Pot Pie!

2011-09-19T04:15:00.000-04:00

One of my go-to recipes for a filling, comforting meal. It's simple, delicious and will definitely impress company (if you happen to have any!)

I had this meal for the first time when I went to visit a friend of mine who happened to have a very bad cold at the time. We were supposed to go "out on the town" but since she was sick, she wanted comfort food. Enter: Chicken Pot Pie.

Tell me that doesn't look delicious. And that's even before it's cooked!

Go here to find out how to make this gorgeous and filling meal! Oh, and it also makes wonderful leftovers :)

Settled Down...

2011-09-18T07:56:00.000-04:00

I've been working this last week to finally settle into our house. I know you're probably thinking, "gee, didn't you move in like two months ago?" Yes. We did. But life took off pretty quickly (thank God) when we got here, and I just hadn't found the time. Plus, I didn't have much in the decoration department because we were the first to live in our last home, so Mr. Husband was paranoid and wouldn't allow any holes in the walls. We lived within bare, white walls for over a year. Enough, I think.

I'm a sentimental person. I think entirely too much. I analyze everything. I put myself into other people's heads all the time. This can be both good and bad. As I hang things on our walls, I see our life coming together. I see these things hanging on our future walls of our future homes with our future kids running around. Maybe I'm putting too much pressure on little doo-dads that I find at Hobby Lobby or little paintings I create for our living room walls, but I throw almost nothing away. What I have now, I'll have ten years from now. It matters to me. And Mr. Husband just rolls his eyes and tells me "Looks great, babe." Thank you.

Then my mind wanders. I think about ex-boyfriends. One, who hurt me the most, in particular. And I wonder what he would think of how my little life has turned out. Maybe I'm being too honest, but when we first broke up, I'd hoped my life would end up just like this. I'd hoped that I'd find happiness and stop wishing that he'd come back to me. And I hoped somewhere down the line, years and years later, we'd run into each other. I'd be happy and settled down with a man who actually, really loved me. And he'd still be on his own, trying to find his way. Maybe that's petty and mean of me. But I can't be the only girl in the world who suffered a nasty break up who thought these things. Who hoped for these things.

And now, it's years and years (and years and years and YEARS) later. I'm happy and settled down. I have a happy little dog and happy little cats. I have a husband who actually really, really loves me. And whom I actually really, really love. I have a real kitchen table, and I cook dinners in far more than we go out. I wear a ring around my finger that my husband bought me when he realized he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. We have a place to hang our keys, and the place I call home, he does too.

So with every picture I hang on the wall, I take a step further away from the life I had into the life that I always wished I had. And the sixteen year old girl inside of me can't believe it all actually happened.

"H" for happiness. Or Hodges, whichever :)

You won't believe it!

2011-09-13T10:02:00.000-04:00

I haven't fallen off the face of the world or anything, I swear. I've just been really busy.

What could be so important that it keeps me away from blogland, one might ask! Well, lots I guess.

Like I went home to do basically nothing with my mom and sister (and niece, duh). And well, while I was there, Mr. Husband called me with some news which is the real reason I've been so MIA. And no, he's not preggo ;).

I'm not sure if you all know, but Mr. Husband coaches for a university here in Charlotte alongside a former NFL player which is a dream come true in and of itself. But that former NFL player owns a publishing company...and he wants to see my work. Pause for the screeching that I hope is ensuing from you beloved blog readers :).

So that's where I've been. Working on getting the novel in tip top shape. And working, and keeping up with the house, and cleaning cat poop out of the litter box. You know, in case you were wondering.

I'll keep you all posted!!

Never forget. We will never ever forget.

2011-09-11T05:23:00.000-04:00

[photo]

Today, I am twenty-five years old. I am married to a man I knew this day ten years ago. I am still best friends with the girl I was developing a friendship with this day ten years ago. I finished high school and college and my life has been so full the last ten years.

I was old enough this day ten years ago to know exactly what was going on. As a daughter of a veteran and a sister of an active military (at the time), I knew enough. I knew enough to feel sad and terrified. But what I remember most was feeling like I lost my voice. What I was feeling inside couldn't be expressed in words.

I was a sophomore at Millbrook High School. I was in Geometry; it was the very end of class. A teacher came in and informed my teacher to turn on the television, and she did. What we all heard first was that all Wake County Schools would stay in session until further notice. "What is it, some kind of storm or something?" My teacher wondered aloud.

But it wasn't a storm, not the kind that we all were so familiar with. It was absolute devastation--and we are all still feeling it so boldly ten years later.

Class was dismissed, and I found my boyfriend at the time in the hallway as I always did.

"A plane, it hit one of the twin towers," I tried to explain.

"What movie were you watching," he asked casually.

"It's no movie, dude," a friend came up from behind and explained. "We're under attack."

I saw the second tower fall live in the band room during lunch; a lunch period that no one ate a bite. Which looking back now, I realize how very early we had lunch!

I have family in NYC. I have family who couldn't get home for days and who are still battling with the memories of the tragic day.

It's a beautiful day here today, just as this day began ten years ago. We will never forget.

Lessons: The Hard Way Series

2011-09-08T00:48:00.000-04:00

So as I mentioned before, I wanted to start a guest blogging series. I thought long and hard about what would be the best theme. When I started this blog, I wanted to use it as an outlet for myself, but I also wanted it to be a tool for young women around the world to have the opportunity to see that they aren't alone. I've strayed a little bit from things as my life has progressed, but I wanted to stick true to all of that with my series. So without further adieu, my series:

Lessons: The Hard Way

Megan, from Mackey Madness, was kind and gracious enough to agree to be my very first appearance! And she is just a doll. I love reading about her life and love for her job and husband and her furbabies! Now, show her some love!

Hi there new friends! My name is Megan and I'm here today from Mackey Madness.

I'm Southern, obviously. : )

I am super pumped to be here today sharing a lesson that I've learned the hard way. This is such a great topic and one that we can ALL learn from. It pretty much stinks to learn a lesson the hard way, but hey, it's a part of life.

My hard lesson learned starts with my first year of college. I had never really had a serious boyfriend and within the first two months of college, this guy swept me off of my feet. He was not only cute, but also sweet and fun...not to mention he was sarcastic and athletic. I was in love. We dated my entire first year of college and things were about as perfect as any relationship can be. Just when I thought that things were meant to be, I found out that he had been lying to me about some things. He wasn't cheating or anything like that, but he was definitely keeping some secrets from me.

via

We did the whole dramatic break up and it lasted for oh, maybe a week. Then he promised to change and I naively took him back. We continued to date for the next three years of college. We had several more super dramatic breakups. There were lots of tears, lots of sorrow, lots of broken promises, and lots of getting back togethers. Looking back, I was insanely stupid, but in the moment, I was super in love and not willing to accept the reality that we weren't right for each other.

via

I graduated a year before him and we continued to date while I moved an hour away. Once we were further apart, it was so easy for me to see that we weren't right for each other. I was terrified to break up with him because we had been together for 5 years at this time. I didn't want to hurt him either. For several months, I prayed for strength and courage...and then I finally ended things with him...for good.

It was hard, of course. Even though I knew that we weren't meant to be, I still cared about him. He tried to call and text me a lot, but I knew that I had to ignore him to be able to move on. It was definitely the hardest lesson that I ever learned...that I couldn't change someone regardless of how much we loved each other. I invested so much time and love into him, yet all along I had that nagging feeling that it wasn't right. I learned that I needed to listen to my gut and trust that God wouldn't make my soul mate someone who would hurt me time and time again.

Two and a half years later, I'm happily married and in the most stable, loving relationship. And I truly thank God for bringing me to this point and to my amazing husband.

I hope that all of y'all listen to your heart and follow God's will for your life...and end up with the perfect love!

Thanks so much for having me, Joey!

Isn't she a doll? Thanks so much for sharing, Megan. And I'm sure there are so many out there who have gone through something similar!

Thanks everyone for stopping by! Be sure to keep a look out for Lessons: The Hard Way each month! And if you have a lesson (or 2 or 5 or or or) that you've heard the hard way that you'd like to share, contact me at iwrite23 [at] gmail [dot] com and I'll add you to the line up!

The act of wanting...

2011-09-06T16:37:00.000-04:00

7 Wants

This one is a little complicated for me because I've been working on my "wants" lately. I realized a few months ago that no matter what I had or how well things were going, I always wanted more. And that is such a loaded statement. I think it's great to want things if they are the right things. But my typical list might include some purses, a few nail polishes and a nose job. But I'm trying to want the right things.

I want...

1) The motivation to do something with the novel that's collecting dust in my office. I finally removed it from the floor of my husband's closet when we moved and put it in a more respectable place: my newly painted desk drawer. Out of sight, out of mind, right?

2) The opportunity to reach out to young women. I've always been the person my friends come to when they need to vent/need advice. And when I was a kid, I was sure I'd be a counselor. Obviously life took me in a different direction, but I'd like to put this desire to some kind of good use.

3) To get my life together. I feel like I'm much closer to having a life here in Charlotte than I have in a long time. I have purpose and direction (at least starts to both) and I'm actually happy--genuinely so. I'd just like to have it all together. Organized. You know, keep up with the laundry and dishes and convince the hubs to make the bed every day.

4) To find the courage to open my heart to let a story that's been festering out. It's been sitting there since about Christmastime last year. I'm not sure of all the details, but I need to find the time to lock myself away and find where it takes me.

5) To remember to thank God every day for the blessings in my life rather than complain about everything and anything that isn't going right. I'm such a complainer sometimes that I overlook all the things God has placed in my life.

6) To show my husband every day how much I love him. It's so easy to fall victim to routine and life (especially when you work exact opposite schedules, no joke!). And a lot of the time these days, our very limited "awake time" is spent discussing bills and life in rushed moments. Take time time..

7) To spoil my best friend rotten as her Matron of Honor. Yes! You read that correctly, my very best friend is finally engaged to Mr. Husband's very best friend!! And so often, with the two of us, it's all about me. Gee, I know. Aren't you shocked? But she deserves the spotlight even if she doesn't want it. And she deserves all the happiness in the world. And I want to do my part to give that to her. Look at her something sparkly...isn't it gorgeous? He did such a GREAT job! And the best part? The center diamond is his meemas! How special :)

Yikes.

2011-09-05T08:21:00.000-04:00

You guys? You remember my picture from the other day where I said my dog was going to crap a yard sale? Well, this is way way worse...

Do you know what that is? It's our wedding album. The professional one from the photographer. Seriously, I couldn't breathe when I realized what it was. I walked up to my front door and had my key in the lock, put the pieces together in my head, and slowly removed my key from the door, turned around and sat on the back of my car for a while. I may have also called my husband and told him he needed to come get his dog before I killed her. Now, I'd never actually do something like that, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I had hate in my heart at that moment.

I had had it. I walked in, dragged her to her crate, walked through the mess and up to my bathroom floor where I stayed, crying, for the next hour. Ugh, just thinking about it gives me that sick feeling.

So, I'm sorry I disappeared in the middle of the 10 days of you, but I had kind of a lot on my plate trying to figure out how I could keep my dog restrained in her crate. Success: zip ties!

Eight Fears

1) Losing the people I love unexpectedly (or even expectedly). It was an irrational fear for a while, but then it happened. And now sometimes I'll become paralyzed with the fear that it'll happen again.

2) Spiders and roaches. I am NOT a fan. I just don't like anything that doesn't belong in my house wandering around like they own the place. I can tolerate roaches outside but not spiders.

3) Heights. I've gotten a little better with this one, but don't let me fool you, I'm still scared. When I was a kid we went to the top of the Kennedy Space Center. My brother was hanging over the edges looking down, etc. I found the exact center of the building and crouched down. I wish I were joking.

4) Driving/ car accidents. I just don't trust anyone else on the road. And don't even get me started on driving at night in the rain.

5) Being jumped/robbed/ have my house broken into, etc. Scares the crap out of me.

6) Going through my entire life and never getting anything published. It's a different kind of fear, and one I have some control over, but a fear none-the-less.

7) Choking on something while home alone. I know how to do the Heimlich on myself on a chair or hard surface, but I'm so afraid that I'd panic and just die. I'm pretty freaking morbid, aren't I?

8) Finding out I can't have children. Children aren't anywhere in our near future, but I've always wondered if I'm even able to. Can't imagine finding out that I couldn't. And on a lighter note, I'd be pissed that I wasted all that money on birth control, too!

That was hard. Because most of my fears I realize are somewhat silly. Or ridiculous. And I shouldn't spend my time worrying about these things, but hey. I do. Am I crazy and alone on any of these?

Be sure to stick around for the FIRST ever post in my new series on Thursday! You won't want to miss it!

9 loves

2011-08-31T14:44:00.000-04:00

My amazing husband

My pets: Bailey, Webster and George

Coffee, coffee, coffee

Writing

My friends, couldn't live without 'em

My ridiculously huge family

Music: seriously..it can translate your mood

Reading...especially my Kindle

Eating...yup.

And not post is complete without a picture:

My dog is going to crap a yard sale. And you still made this list, Bailey. #shocking

Come on in, stay a while...

2011-08-30T13:22:00.000-04:00

I can't even believe how long it's been since I posted last. I think that might be the longest hiatus in this little blog's history! I apologize for my absence and have a super full post to make up for it!

First of all, I got a new toy!

Yes, I'm a little late to the game. And yes, that's a 3gs iPhone, but one of my bffs was gracious enough to let me have her old phone when she upgraded to the 4g! And I love it!

I've currently got dinner in the oven, and I'm starving. When I was visiting my friend [the same one who gave me her phone!], we made this delicious dish. And I decided that while I was cooking dinner last night that I'd go ahead and prep this meal so I could just stick it in the oven when I got home from work. Doesn't this look pretty? I'm so proud!

Chicken Pot Pie

And you'd be baffled to find out how freaking easy it is to make! And it's super delish.

Work is in full swing. In fact, it's the last week that I have both kids all day #praiseJesus. Not that I don't love both kids [I know, that might be a first], but boy is it exhausting. I probably watch the two best behaved children in the world. I'm often baffled at the 3.5 year old's ability to listen to reason. And I'm constantly reminded when we do activities with other children how easy my two really are. I'm lucky to have a job [and to have found one so quickly upon moving here] and I'm also lucky enough to see this view on my commute every day!

Gorgeous, right?

And because I took such a long hiatus, I'll kick off a fun little series I've seen floating around the blogging world.

So ten secrets... {as most of you know I'm not a very secretive person, so this will be hard}

-I claim that Webster drives me crazy, but I love him sleeping on me

-I don't always brush my teeth before bed #gross

-In college, I'd spend money on useless things when I couldn't pay my bills

-Sometimes I go to MTV.com and watch old Hills episodes while I'm getting ready

-I want to wear my promise ring with my wedding set but don't because it looks gaudy.

-I spend too much time watching youtube videos on clip in extensions wishing I could afford them [and pull them off]

-I got asked to be a stripper when I waited tables in college. [I didn't apply, I swear]

-Aside from a college suite, I never shared a bathroom with anyone until I got married

-I got grounded for a long time in high school because my mother found out I lied about where I was. I went to a party and spent the night in a hotel room with friends and my boyfriend at the time. I didn't have sex.

-Last year, all of my fall clothes came from a thrift store. My most expensive article was a pair of work pants for $10.

Hope you guys have a great week!

Wine. Chocolate. Breathe.

2011-08-18T14:54:00.000-04:00

Today was rough. As the three year old I watch opened his mouth and shouted on repeat through hysterical tears: I WANT MY MOMMY, I had to stop myself from crumpling onto the floor and responding: You know what, kid? Me too.

1) the infant had a hard time sleeping today and her schedule was all off. 2) the 3 year old cried for mommy all day long. 3) they found more things wrong with my car, don't they always? 4) the shop rolled my broken window down and couldn't get it back up, don't they always? Oh, and it was about to rain. 5) Came home to find the dog chewed my husband's new sandals. 6) I need to do laundry and instead I'm blogging and drinking wine. 7) I've been nasty and mean to my husband all week long. 8) We still don't have a functioning microwave. 9) whine whine whine. I'm finished, I promise.

Anyway, forget my dumpy mood. How are you?

I'm heading home tomorrow to take care of a few things. And it'll be only my second time traveling home alone in over a year. I'm excited to spend some much needed alone time with my mommy, my sister and my bff. Oh, and my sweet little niece too.

I did something the other day that will bring some exciting changes to this little blog. Over the last year, I've learned a little more about the blog world, and I've even made a few blog friends (don't make fun of me!). And I'm verrry excited to debut what I've been working on. Hope you guys enjoy it as much as I'm hoping you will!

I've been thinking a lot lately about my frenemies from high school. Did you have any of those? Girls who were your friends one minute and the ones drenched in all your drama the next? I had a couple. And it's nice to see how all of that kind of falls to the wayside as we grow up. It's one of those identifying moments for me. When you realize you're really not sixteen anymore. And that maturity almost always wins out. And all that "frenemy" business falls away, and they just become "friends." It's nice that after all these years, we still have ties to the people who were so present in our lives as we were growing and changing and finding ourselves. Even if they were part of the reason that growing up was so hard. Facebook, you have some great qualities about you, even if you keep trying to force that chat app on me.

Go pour yourself a glass of wine. Or of apple juice, whichever you prefer. And grab some kind of decadent sweet treat. And take a deep breath. Tomorrow is Friday. All those kiddies out there survived their first week of school, and I survived my first week back at work.

[Also coming soon: a book rave for Chevy Steven's Still Missing which may or may not have been the reason I made the City Inspector who showed up to my house yesterday show me three forms of ID before I allowed him into my house.]

xoxo

Oreo Truffles!

2011-08-14T13:26:00.000-04:00

EDITED: to change the name. Found out what they were really called, so I tossed my not-so-creative title for them :)

I found this recipe while reading one of my favorite blogs. Rebecca's great, and so is this recipe!!

OREO TRUFFLES:

If this recipe was any easier, they'd practically make themselves. All you'll need:

Next, fill a gallon sized zip lock baggy with the package of Oreos and smash them up. Luckily, I had some pent up anger towards the owner of our house, and the repair man left a hammer sitting on my kitchen counter (and a freaking microwave on my kitchen floor...!) so I graciously slammed that hammer down on the poor, innocent oreos. Hey, it helped me feel better!

Pour the smashed up Oreos into a pretty large bowl.

Add your package (8 oz) of cream cheese and stir it up. I wasn't so smart and didn't leave the cream cheese out at all before I decided to use it, so it was hard as a rock. I ended up mixing with my hands.

Roll those suckers into bite sized balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.

Stick the tray in the fridge for an hour.

Next: heat up your candyquick. Most brands come with a microwave safe tray, so it's super easy. I, unfortunately, have lived in this house for three weeks now and still don't have a functioning microwave (like I stated before, we have one sitting on the floor of our kitchen that in fact, does not work!) So I had to resort to using the stove. It worked just fine.

Be sure to cover the balls completely then place them back on the tray and allow them to harden.

I put them in a container and stuck them in the fridge once they were hardened. Oh, my gosh! They are so so good!

Desk Makeover!

2011-08-12T12:18:00.000-04:00

As promised, here is my before and after for my desk! Mr. Husband's job is in full swing now, so I'll be waiting forever for the knobs to make it on, so I figured I'd share beforehand. When he's not working from 7AM-midnight every day, he'll drill the holes for me :)

This desk was handed down to me when I was in high school. I literally sat at this desk every day! I'm so excited to have it in my married house, and I love it's makeover! I just can't wait to get the knobs on.

And voila!

I'm in love with the color! What do you all think?

I'm alive!

2011-08-08T17:50:00.000-04:00

I'm alive, I swear! You would think I'd have all the time in the world to blog because I don't start work until Wednesday, but somehow I blink, and the day is gone.

As we speak [or as I type, rather] my desk is drying. It's actually probably already dry, but I'm afraid I'm going to knick it or indent it or something, and I worked too hard (and sweated WAY too much) painting it, so I'm going to make sure it's good and dry before I mess with it. I've also got to solicit Mr. Husband's help to drill holes for the beautiful knobs I bought for it today.

If I eat a meal, I immediately need dessert. I blame Gigi's for this. Look what I found today.

If you don't know what this is...I don't know that I can be your friend anymore. No, no. I kid. Cannoli's put me right at my mother's kitchen table with loud, NY voices surrounding me. Home!

Don't chase 'em.

2011-08-01T16:38:00.000-04:00

Let's talk for a minute about this. Though this is a simple statement, it resonates so deep in my soul I felt the earth move when I read it. It can mean so much. It can mean so very little. And suddenly a slideshow of all those who are no longer a part of my life plays on the backs of my eyelids.

In all those final moments, the ones from which you know there is no return, the pain is startling. It's deafening and suffocates the life right out of you. Or you wish it would, rather. Remember the quite moments after a breakup? The deeds been done and you're left standing in a puddle of your own tears with your life avalanching upon you. Realizing there isn't a spot for some people in our future is painful. I wish at sixteen I could have seen the perspective that I have now. They had to get out of my life to make room for the life I have now. The husband I love; the friends that drop everything and come running when needed.

It's been an awful long time since I've gone through a breakup. I'm lucky, I realize. But breakups don't always have to be with significant others. You can breakup with a friend. And sometimes, those are more painful. You half expect some romantic relationships to end. In fact, you know there's only room for one real love, so romantic breakups happen. It's common knowledge. But it's the friend breakups, I think, that really change a person.

It's been a while since I've gone through one of those, too. But I've been a close witness to one the last few months. It's ugly and nasty. It's hard to watch and almost impossible to console. Because it's when we let people in, and we allow them to get close and trust them, it hurts to no end when that trust is betrayed and suddenly they go from friend to foe. We analyze like crazy and try to pinpoint that moment when everything changed. And hindsight's 20/20. We play the "what if" game. We blame ourselves for ever letting them in in the first place.

Sometimes we need to forget some people from our past because of one simple reason. They just don't belong in our future.

It's 5:30 already?

2011-08-01T12:37:00.000-04:00

Yeah, so...

You all might have to wait just a bit longer for the desk redo reveal. Because, well...I haven't even started it! The desk sits patiently in the garage waiting for me to pay it some attention while I tend to all the other chores around the house. The "office" still had the air mattress all set up in it from when our buddies stayed with us the weekend we moved in. Yeah, I can see the "close the door and the problem disappears" solution maybe becoming a problem in this house. The desk will get redone when I have a place for the finished product to live. For now, it's all ~~snuggly warm~~ roasting in the garage.

Can I just say how much I love those music channels that at&t u-verse has? (Charter has them too, incase thats who you have). And our open floor plan allows for me to blast the stereo and I can hear it all throughout the house. Oh, and the whole not being "attached" to our neighbors bit helps with that one too. Productivity...I hear you calling my name!

I met our neighbors today, too. Nice enough guys. They came over to introduce themselves and meet Bailey whose name they already knew, I'm sure, from hearing me hollering at her in the back yard. Training with an invisible fence requires patience which I have none of. Husband...that's your job. :)

So another day passes me by and not one of my DIY projects have been touched. Another day, friends. Another day.

Wave, hello!

2011-07-31T16:30:00.000-04:00

My oh my, guys. It's been a crazy couple of weeks to say the very least. Luckily, we are in our new home. Well, new to us because it certainly isn't new. The bright side of that is we have lots that we can make look all shiny and new again. Lots of DIY projects are in my future, no joke.

Like, tomorrow. After I finish running errands I am fixing up the desk I just ~~stole~~ got from my parents' house this weekend that I used throughout high school. I'm super excited about it! Everywhere I look it seems I'm seeing people re-doing desks.

I'm also excited to start filling the vases that literally stayed empty the entire year we lived at our old house. I can't have real flowers in my house though because Webster-the-idiot eats them. So my alternative isn't so bad...

Which brings me to my next topic...Pinterest. Are you addicted yet? No? Well, if you want me to send you an invite, just leave a comment and I'll open the doorways to the internet crack. Especially for someone like me who loves all things crafty, this site is like a vortex that just sucks me in. So many brilliant ideas just floating around on there. You should check it out.

I'm off to do something productive, I hope. I will definitely not be either laying in our new garden tub or eating popcorn while watching trash tv. Nope.

Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the desk make-over!

I'll take with me the memories

2011-07-20T16:59:00.000-04:00

If you flip back to the posts from this time last year, you would be absolutely shocked by the fact that this week has been so rough. It's our last in Athens. And I always thought I'd be running out of here singing for joy and never looking back.

But something happened. People came into my life here who made life here bearable. Better yet, they made this feel like home.

And I just never ever thought I'd b so sad to leave. It's like life here was just starting and now it's already time to go.

"How lucky am I to have known people who are so hard to say goodbye to."

And goodbyes wouldn't be complete with out a little boyz II men. So here you go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b3mftcV0dY

DIY

2011-07-13T11:12:00.000-04:00

Yeah yeah. I know. I said I was taking a break. But honestly, I just can't wait to get a move on. I'm ready to get settled in wherever we're going to be. And maybe that's partially due to the fact that most of the jobs I'm considering at the moment don't start until mid-august with leaves me with a couple weeks to settle into the new place, explore our new town and keep myself super duper busy decorating our place with DIY projects.

My worst time enemy right now is Pinterest. I swear. I get so excited selecting all the different DIY projects that I just can't wait to start on. Our place will be so bright and cozy when I get done with. That is, you know, if we even FIND a place!

Do me a favor and get those prayers a comin'. We supposedly move next Saturday and we haven't secured a place as of yet. Scrambling!

a break, of sorts.

2011-07-12T17:36:00.000-04:00

So this is me reporting in to basically tell you guys that I'm going to be a huge blog fail for the next few weeks. We have a lot to sort out [uhhh, like finding a place to live in literally a week and 1/2] and what not.

Aside from insanity of moving and finding and losing a house, I was the matron of honor in one of my best friends' weddings this weekend. I'll share pictures from that soon too.

So I'm begging you to bare with me as we transition. I promise to come back with a bang like with great DIY projects and decorating our new place (which we have yet to find). Promise promise.

Confession Friday

2011-07-01T05:52:00.000-04:00

Link up here!

I confess that I am stalking the rental company of the house we want. I am actually annoying them to death because they hardly answer. Don't they realize they're lives would be easier if they just answer me?

I confess after much consideration that this will be my very last customer service job ever. At least the kind where I'm working a counter. I would prefer it be my very last of any kind of customer service. I've worked in customer service for about the last 10 years and I think it's time I move on.

I confess that I'm looking forward to not working in cupcakes anymore only for the sake of my waistline. I've never been someone whose had to worry about their weight [you have my permission to hate me] but now that I'm consuming my body weight in cupcakes on a daily basis, I've been gaining weight. Luckily, it won't be forever.

I confess that instead of attacking the guest bathroom [where all the cat stuff is] I've decided to just super duper clean our bathroom and let my mom and sister use that while they're in town for the night. Our cats have taken over the guest bathroom and it's just too much effort in the short amount of time I have.

I confess that I have been annoying my husband to no end by leaving dirty dishes every where. I'm usually so neat, but I've let myself go the last few weeks. I think when I get overwhelmed I just let everything go.

Happy birthday to you...

2011-07-01T03:54:00.000-04:00

[photo]

Today would be his 53rd birthday. And he's been gone for four years. And it still hurts every bit as much as it did the day we found out.

Happy Birthday to one of the best men I ever knew.

His first birthday on this little blog can be found here... It's safe to say I still feel the same way.

oh so much!!!

2011-06-30T16:58:00.000-04:00

Oh my gosh, y'all. We have so much going on it's insane. And I swear I've been stress eating popcorn and cupcakes like they're going to save my life. No really, I'm not joking...

I wouldn't be surprised if I weigh 300 lbs by time all this is said and done.

Plans with the move are well, nonexistent. Which is stressing me out like you wouldn't believe. Although, most of you know me in real life, so you probably would believe it. I don't have a job and well, we haven't had much luck on the home-front...literally. Although tonight Mr. Husband did find something very much resembling our dream (rental) home. Now let's just hope there isn't some huge deal breaker like there has been with all the rest. Seriously...it would be perfect:

[photo from rental company]

One of my best friends's wedding is NEXT WEEK, y'all. I can't believe it. In fact, that's partly why I've been so MIA. I'm the Maid (or Matron, rather) of Honor, and I was in Greenville last weekend for her bachelorette party which was superbly fun and maybe even a little dramatic {gasp!}. I'll be sure to share some photos of all the fun soon. I know she'll be such a beautiful bride and a wonderful wife!

Well, I've got popcorn and cupcakes to eat so I'm going to sign off now! You all have a very happy 4th of July!

xoxo

BIG HUGE GIANT NEWS!

2011-06-28T16:07:00.000-04:00

We have some huge news, guys. And I know you are just DYING to know what it is, right?

And no, it does not involve my belly growing to the size of a basketball if that's what y'all are thinking. But it is pretty huge.

WE'RE MOVING TO CHARLOTTE, NC!!!!

Mr. Husband got an internship with Johnson C. Smith working with their football team. It's a tremendous opportunity for him. We are so excited to be moving closer to home, too! It'll be so nice to be just a few hours from our friends and family.

Now, please pray hard for us the next few weeks. Our lease ends here on July 31st. That means we need to find a place in Charlotte before then. Oh, and I need to find a job! So here we go again! Stay tuned for all the details as they come in!

Good [Monday] Morning!

2011-06-20T04:05:00.000-04:00

Good morning! I slept on the wrong side of our bed last night...all snuggled up in Mr. Husband's spot. And I woke up on the right side of the bed this AM! Not literally, but you get the point.

My coffeepot was set to automatically start just a minute or two before I woke up so I was greeted with the scent of fresh coffee [which I immediately gravitated towards] first thing.

Because I had the day off yesterday, I got a lot accomplished. So I woke up to a clean house that is partially packed. Oh, did I forget to mention that our lease ends on July 31st and we haven't renewed? So as of right now, on July 31st we'll be homeless. But that's okay. We should have some answers by the beginning of next week.

I cleaned our down comforter last night and took our brown comforter off to wash because it was full of cat hair. I love love love a crisp, clean white down comforter. I slept like a baby last night and puppy dog and webster slept all through the night, too!

I downloaded two new books to the Kindle last night thanks to the amazon gift card I got from my MIL for my birthday. So I'm excited to dive into those too. The Help and Water for Elephants. I've heard great things about both from my online book club. Yes, I'm that big of a nerd. Judge me. I don't care ;)

Alrighty. I'm off to eat a big ole' bowl of cheerios then take puppy for a pretty long walk so she sleeps in her crate all 8 hours while I'm gone today. Gosh, I feel so guilty.

I hope you all have a fabulous Monday and a great week. It's a long/short week for me. Longer days but I'm off Friday, Saturday and Sunday for one of my BFF's Bachelorette party!! Woo!

Oh, and today is Monday which means we have Mellow Creams at work today. I may or may not eat one. And I may be a little excited about it...

Sitting Pretty

2011-06-18T04:00:00.000-04:00

Ugh, you guys. I've been so sick this entire week. First it was a chest cold that wouldn't seem to lift then yesterday morning I woke up at the butt crack of dawn vomiting. [no guys, I'm not pregnant.] Unfortunately, because we're so low staffed for the summer at work and two of the managers were out of town, there was no calling in sick for me this week. I felt like death a good portion of the day yesterday although that could have been entirely contributed to the absolute lack of sleep I'd gotten the night before. Luckily though, by the end of the day I was feeling way more like myself. I was super thankful because I'd been looking forward to this all week!

I've been dying to go to Artini's since Miss Kate opened right next to the shop about 2 months ago! The second I finally had a night off, I bought my seat and was raring to go!

Meet Megs, my awesome co-worker and friend! We had such a blast painting together. Oh, another thing? Kate, the owner, is so great. She's known that I've been dying to get by for so long and that I wanted to paint this bird. The bird was NOT scheduled for last night, but she surprised us when we got there and said she would teach both paintings! How cool is she? Only like the coolest, duh!

This was the other painting for the night. Beautiful Lake Vogel, which I learned is not an actual place in Atlanta only after trying to convince someone else that it was.

[all pictures via]

We had a blast. And it was exactly what I needed. Sometimes I forget to just stop and breathe and have some fun. I hope you have an awesome weekend. Come by and see me at the shop, I'll be there til 10!

Where's my umbrella?

2011-06-14T04:58:00.000-04:00

...because I'm a bit under the weather.
via

Good morning. Or is it? I went to bed feeling a little off last night and woke up full-throtle sick. Don't you hate when that happens? Isn't sleep supposed to make you feel better? Off to drink some tea and rest up before work. Of course I would get sick when our staff is reduced by half. *cough* would you *sneeze* like a cupcake?

A snuggly, warm kindle...

2011-06-12T14:27:00.000-04:00

Let me preface this with a big, fat "I don't sew." And I totally suck when working with fabrics and measurements and the like. I don't think I have the patience for it all. I probably could figure out all the measurements and explain to you how to make this, but it all just seems too complicated to me. So I basically wing anything I do when it comes to fabrics. Sometimes I get lucky. Sometimes not so much.

I needed something to protect my kindle while it's in my purse. I looked around and found some different options, but none of them were under $20. As I studied them, I realized I could probably just make something for it. So I headed to JoAnn Fabrics and picked out some cute fabrics and figured I'd give it a go.

Cute, right? I found the pattern for the flap here. But I didn't sew a lick. I used liquid stitch. That stuff is amazing. And I pretty much winged the rest. But now my kindle is nice and cozy (and safe) in my bag!

Have a great week, friends! xoxo

Well, hello.

2011-06-10T17:57:00.000-04:00

Hi Friends.

How are you? Good, I hope. I'm exhausted and my back aches from leaning over cupcakes all night frosting my happy tail away. Yup, tonight was another week of extended hours. The difference? I was prepared to be busy. I was prepared to frost all night long. Do I like the extended hours? No. Can I tolerate them if I'm prepared? Yes.

My birthday was on Wednesday. And I had a wonderful day. A wonderful wonderful day. I relaxed all morning long then headed into the store where I was immediately greeted by my manager/friend with a big ole' HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I closed up the shop and got ready in the office. A coworker/friend met me there and kept me company while I got ready then we headed down to Speakeasy where we met some friends and my husband for tapas and drinks. Oh boy, were there drinks. What was I thinking? I guess I thought I could party like the young kids...I cannot. I spent the evening getting sick. But I only have myself to blame. Where was my responsibility? I'm usually much better behaved than that! But I guess if you get one free pass to be irresponsible it's on your birthday, right?

I'm about to reheat my soup from Sweet Peppers that I got for dinner tonight but never had the time to eat, curl up in the recliner and read my kindle. Good night, friends.

Here, enjoy this. This is a friend of mine from college who is an awesome writer, fantastic ukulele player and great singer. She brightens my day. Here's her Friday edition of Ukulele Wednesday. This song holds such a dear sweet place in my heart. I played it on repeat the week leading up to our wedding/my move to GA to be with my love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syZM57VsQ2s

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

2011-06-08T02:22:00.000-04:00

Happy Wednesday! Be sure to link up with Jamie over here!

I'm loving that today is my BIRTHDAY! And if that isn't a reason to be happy, well? I don't know what is. Birthdays are always so much fun. And it gives you a great excuse to hang out with fun people and eat yummy food. And there's usually cake involved. And we all know how I feel about cake...

[photo]

I'm loving that summer is officially in full swing. I love pool and lake days. I hope that I get to enjoy some of this summer rather then spend them all cooped up!

[ps...where we went for our honeymoon!]

I'm loving that my dear sweet husband has been so overly understanding the last few weeks. I have been in one gigantic funk for a while now and he's always so careful to put me back in a good mood. And I love him dearly for that [even if he has taken up a new hobby of....making his own shoes?]

[photo]

I'm loving my new kindle! Mr. Husband got me one for our anniversary/birthday gift and I am truly IN LOVE! It's so light and convenient and wonderful. And I just love love love it. And I just love love love reading. Okay. So I'm a big nerd. Whatever.

[photo]

Lingerie, Lingerie!

2011-06-06T05:49:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I drove the two hours North to Greenville, SC to help host a lingerie shower for one of my BFFs. It was such a lovely day. And I was just so humored by the decor. Most people would be absolutely mortified to have their delicates strewn about the house. Not Miss A. She's a strong, confident woman!

Her mom and I set up the party! It was so much fun. I just always love spending any amount of time in their home with them. Her whole family is just so warm and welcoming and well, FUN!

I was so proud. Mrs. C was sticking to the black and hot pink color scheme but we didn't have a hot pink dish for the nuts. We could only find a clear one. Being that it was a lingerie shower, there wasn't a shortage of Victoria's Secret boxes with hot pink tissue paper in them. So I snagged a sheet, put it inside the dish then poured the nuts on top and voila!

Hand picked roses from their garden. Perfect color and gorgeous!

Congrautlations, Miss A! Love you!