~Last post of 2008~

I waited until the last minute huh? Almost! We have plans to go hang out with about 10 or 12ish of our closest friends and ring in the new year right. Lots of food and lots of booze! *we'll be safe.. I promise* We'll have a fried turkey, green bean casserole, potatoe salad, bufallo chicken dip (my dish) and I'm sure lots of other random good eats. Here's some few tidbits I have to catch yall up on:

The best deal of the year:
My mum gave me the cutest "nice" winter jacket for Christmas. Unforunately it was a tad too big and when I went back to Penneys they didn't have anymore. So I start looking around, head to the $50 sale rack, and find an amazing black and white houndstoothish jacket. Nice! I march my happy rear end on up to customer service to make my exchange. Get up to the counter and cashier girl does her thing, takes a second look at the register, and asks me how much I think the jacket is. I tell her proudly, $50. She feels the need to go on and check on that. She heads back complaining to cashier girl #2 about co-workers putting sale signs up in not so much sale areas and does her thang on the cash register. I steel a glance at her computer, wondering what all the fuss is about.. heck yes! I just got a $250 jacket and all I had to come out of pocket with was $8!! Holler!

My NOT a New Years Resolution:
I'm going to run a mini-marathon this year!! Mum.. quit laughing!!
I started this week so we could be clear that this is NOT a resolution. I never stick with my NY's resolutions! I'm not by any means and never have been a runner so this whole thing is starting off very very slow. I went to the website "from couch to 5K" for my training guidelines. It's a 9 week program and it tells you to do certain things 3 times a week. I think I'll be aiming for 4 times a week though, just because I also need to lose a few (28) lbs!! This week involves a 5-minute warm up walk, then 60-seconds jogging followed by 90-seconds walking. I do that for a total of 20-minutes. Next week I think those numbers are switched, but I'm not sure. The first day wasn't so so bad. The second day I thought I might die by the end of it! When I got home I could barely put any of my weight on my legs. I'm determined though and I know it will get easier. I'll do my other two on Friday and Saturday. Wish me luck!!

Also, Trey took the pre-test for the ASVAB again this morning. This time the recruiter came to our house, which I thought was very nice! I was still at work by the time he was finished. He calls me and says, "Well, looks like I won't be joining the Army any time soon". WHAT?! I didn't know how to respond. I felt horrible for him. I'm not quit sure what I said, but his response was, "Sike, your husbands a genious!!!" AWWwwwww!! I'm so proud of him and happy for him. He feels great about himself right now. Last time he scored a 40-something. This time he got a 70-something. *sorry for the inaccuracy* The recruiter told him that was more than enough to pass the test :) He takes the real thing next Wednesday. Prey, hold your breath, cross your fingers, wish on a lucky star... Let's do whatever it takes!!

I hope everyone has a safe, happy, and most of all fun New Years Eve!!!

Finally a free minute

And UNC just lost their bowl game. Boo. I won't go any further into that..

Trey and I had a great Christmas this year. But is it just me, or did it go way too fast. I spent the majority of the day packing away all of our decorations. It felt like I just put them up! I remember thinking last year that I was almost thankful to be putting them away, but not so much this year. Although it is nice to remember that my living room is all that much bigger than it's looked like during the past month! There's a plus!

First we had Christmas Eve with Trey's family. We had dinner (a roast, potatoes, salad.. i'm pretty sure there was a veggie, but I don't remember). We sat around watching the Hawaii bowl game, then waited for his sister to get off of work to exchange gifts. With his family, everyone picks names and only buy for that person... which is nice on the wallet. My MIL had my name. I got pretty good gifts. My favorite though was this:

So thoughtful of her! Especially since they are not such big fans. (??!? I know right! Crazy!) We didn't get back to our house until around midnight.

The next morning we got up pretty early and had breakfast together. We made (read: mostly I made) eggs, turkey bacon, sausage, and biscuits. All hubs picks. That was basically my present to him. We didn't exchange gifts at all. (Unless you count buying a house and a 52" flat screen TV during the year) We just don't have much cash flow coming in and would rather buy for our family than for eachother. We got to my parents house around 10:30 and about 1/2 the living room was covered in presents. Nice job of "not having a big Christmas mum"! I don't think that she can help herself! Cayce was there to greet us at the door.. so excitedley:

With her pretty Christmas collar on! She loves it! What a pretty baby!!

Santa was very very good to us over there! Some of my favorites were.. Patriots flag to hang outside (that was actually from my brother) a toaster oven, George Foreman grill, a niiccee jacket..one for Trey and I each). And my other brother, Steven, got us some decorations to put outside for next year. I don't think he was quite satisfied with our decor when he came over ;) Santa brought the whole family a Wii!!! We had so much fun with that all day. We couldn't get enough. (until the Celtics game came on of course) Yall.. my dad even liked it! That says a lot.. he doesn't play games!

Oh I almost forgot. My friend Ashleigh got me a gorgeous ring from her jewelery (sp) party she had last month:

LOVE IT!!! We joked later that we felt like we got engaged bc I told her I couldn't stop staring at it. Teehee.. No? Not funny? It was at the moment. Not so much now. Oh well...

So there you have it. Tonight we're going to have dinner and possibly a few drinks with two other couples we're very close with. Trey and the two other guys have been friends since 9th grade. Just a bonus that us girls get along so well! Back to work Monday :( *Oh yes, back to a normal work week.. for now*

Test Results

Thank you so much for comments from yesterdays post about Trey. I knew when I went private that I'd get less feedback, but for the few that do comment, yall have NO IDEA how much I appreciate it. I have such a hard time commenting from our computer for some reason that I have yet to figure out. It only lets me comment on a few of your blogs. The other ones, when I try, my internet connection goes out. It never fails with Red, White, and Preppy's and KLC's. I hate it and it's so frustrating! I really do care and I always try. I just doesn't happen. Just know that I follow religiously and wish I could give you my feedback more steadily!

Trey got home last night rather pumped. He didn't actually get to take the ASVAB yet. His recruiter gave him some kind of pre-test to get a good guess as to what he'd make on the actual test. (He needs to make a certain score to get into OCS and Mr. Recruiter wants to make sure he gets that on the first try.. hopefully) Well he didn't on the pre-test. Passed the English part with flying colors. Not so much the Math. All that algrebra and fractions and stuff is hard after you've been out of school for so long!! I know I'd have a problem with it! But they gave him and website to go to where he can brush up on his skills. Someone is coming out to our house on the 31st so he can take that again. Then I guess we will go from there. I think he can pass the second time :)
But T was all pumped up about the info they gave him. He's liking the money and the opportunity to see the world. And mostly to be doing something that he can feel great about.

So that's where we are with that. Rest assured that I'll be keeping yall updated!

Is everyone ready for Christmas???!? I know I am. We're sitting around the house now with a fire blazing, the Tree lit up, and my mum's Christmas Tree scented candles going everywhere... perfect! I am fully, fully content. The only thing that could make this better is if I didn't have to get up and work in the morning!! Yes, I'll be working *probably* all day tomorrow. We've never had to work a full day on Christmas Eve, but with all these refi's going on.. we are so so busy. So I'm thinking we'll be there all day! Which is fine, I'm off Thur. and Fri of this week and the same next week. T has the day off tomorrow and his grandfather is in town from Alabama, so he'll be visiting with him all day. I know he's very thankful for that. I'll be going over to my in-laws after I get off. That's our Christmas time with them (we switch off holidays every year). Thursday morning, we'll wake up and spend the morning alone. I'm making him his big perfect breakfast (eggs, turkey bacon, and sausage biscuits) then we'll head on over to my parents to spend the day there. I'm so excited. We always have a good time at my parents house. There may or may not be a couple bottles of Reisling involved.. just saying.

I hope everyone has a wonderful wonderful Christmas with your loved ones. And stay safe!!!

Changes may be coming!

How do I even start this?? *sorry if I ramble too much*
Hubs is going to an Army recruiting station at 3:00 today to take the ASVAB test.
Yes, I know, I'll let that sit in and resinate for a little bit....

Okay! I can do this!
Trey grew up in a military family. It's all he's even known. He always knew he would follow in his father's, grandfathers, etc, footsteps. Of course by the time he graduated from HS he followed another path. (ie staying in town drinking all weekend with his buddies) and then meeting myself of course the year after we graduated. The military plans were pushed to the back burner and at that point in my life, if I had anything to do with it, I was pushing those plans right out the window!
T finished school and has tried three different jobs from that point on. Went back to school last semester to get his Masters. He's never really satisfied with the jobs he's tried out for one reason or another. The jobs he REALLY wants to get into, he seems to keep getting declined for. So when my brother announced recently that he's joining the Nat. Guard, the ideas started brewing with T again. He really really wants to do this. Of course he's worried about us being apart, but the desire to be doing something he's always wanted to do, and knowing that this will give him a surefire way to provide for his *future* family, is the reason he's going for it. My acceptance has a lot to do with it too.
His father set him up with a recruiter that he's been friends with for years apparantly. He got T an appointment to take the test right away. His goal is to make a certain score on this test so he can get into Officer Candidate School (OCS).. which this recruiter guy seems to be pretty sure of his ability to get him into it. So.. this would mean.. 8 weeks basic training followed directly by 14 weeks of OCS.
Of course I'm freaking out slightly inside. But we're at a completely different point in our lives than when we just started dating. I don't think we could have made it through this back then. Now obviously we're married and much stronger. And I'd like to think I'm much more mature than I was at that point in my life. This isn't set in stone yet, but with my personality I immediately start worrying and imagining that this will be my life.
I have moments where I'm perfectly ok with all of this. I know that I'll be so so proud of him. It'll be great to see him happy. Seeing what this will do to him will make me happy definately. But then there are moments last night. We're laying on the couch watching one of my all time favorite movies *love actually* and I just started crying. I was picturing myself alone while he's gone at that time of the day and that's when I think it'll be tough. When the day is over, it's dark, and I'm just lounging on the couch, getting ready to get to bed. Yuck!
I need to do my research if he does do well on this test. I have no idea what to expect after basic and OCS is over with. As in.. what are his chances in being deployed and how often we'll have to move around if any.
Now i'm just jumping the gun big time. I'll stop now. One step at a time. Let's just see how he does today!!

Dirty Little Secrets

For those of you who watch Lipstick Jungle, bare with me. If you don't, great! I have to describe part of one of the last few episodes to go into the main point of my post. Which I am sickly very excited about.
I think it was about 2 weeks ago, Niko and her boyfriend Kirby went to an art exhibit that he had heard about. Everyone got together in this room and had the opportunity to write any secret they had buried deep down on the wall with an invisible, glow-in-the-dark marker. After a certain amount of time, the lights were turned off and the wall was filled with everyone's secrets. Only you have no idea who wrote them on the wall. There was a little more drama involved in the episode, but that's all I need to refer to. I LOVED that idea. I thought that was so neat and thought about how much weight that must lift off of anyone's shoulders to get that out. Even if you're not directly telling anyone. At least you know it's there, right? Plus I find it absolutely fascinating to see some of the stuff that people keep in. Plus I'm just down right nosy! Let's be honest ;)
All of the above reasons explains why I was so THRILLED to see an email from a co-worker today. She knows me a little too well and thought I might be interested in this website (and I never even told her about the Lipstick Jungle episode). I suscribed to it immediately so I could be the ever-faithful follower that I could be. I guess the person who has this blog has an address out there where people can send in their secrets on a postcard.. and people send those puppies in! Some are funny, some sad, some scary. All very interesting.
So let's see.. anyone brave enough to share any dirty little secrets?? Leave one as a comment annonomously (sp) if you're up to it : )

These are a few of my favorite things

Kind Of.
Heather gave me a list to do, a list of 10 of my favorite things starting with G. She did not force this on me, I requested it, but me being the complete slacker and procrastinator that I am, I put it off.. for what? A week. Maybe more. But to my credit, I have been thinking of my fav G's all along the way. Sooo here we go...

1. Grandparents
Who doesn't love their grandparents?? Both of my grandfathers have passed away, both while I was in high school. There will always be times that a wave of sadness rushes over me whether it be when I see pictures or during holidays (especially Christmas) but they've left me with lots of great memories. I do still have both of my grandmothers, which I'm thankful for. Neither one live close to me (one in Mass, one in MD) but they are only a phone call away. And they get so so happy over just a little 5 minute conversation.

2. Great Food
I LOVE me so great food! I try to be careful with it, I really do. But it all boils down to the fact that I just love food. I'll be making some much needed changes though. Really soon.

3. Grapes
Ok.. this wouldn't normally make my list of favorites. But they are one of my favorite fruits so i went with it!

4. Gas Prices
Woooohooooo! They are so cheap right now. I love the fact that I filled up my Santa Fe for $13 the other day. I paid $1.39 per gallon!!! Can't beat that!

5. Giggles
I love the sound of laughter. Especially that full blown, loud laughter that comes from deep down in the heart. Makes me smile all the time.

6. Gifts
I love getting and receiving to be honest. I get much more excited to give them though. I usually can't contain myself and usually give away the surprise before I can actually give the present. Now if I just had more money to do it more often...

7. God
Wow. I've been thinking so much I almost missed an obvious one. Speaking of the big man.. I've just started a new book that I think is going to be amazing! The Shack. I've heard great things about it and I'm sure I'll be dedicating a few posts to it.. or at least bringing it up quite often.

That's it. I'm cheating. I can't possible think of 3 more. I'm sure i'm missing obvious choices, but I just don't have it in me! And to think I could have gotten the letter Z or X!!!
If anyone else would like to try and tackle this little game, let me know. I don't have a son, but I'll make hub pick a letter out for you!

My mama

Today is a very special day.. Happy birthday Mum!!!! Although she would insist she is turning the ripe age of 29 for the 10th year in a row, today is her 45th birthday. I think. We have to do the math every year since she has been claiming that 29 every year for so long. Easy for me since she is 20 years older than me. So today is all about her. I wouldn't know what to do without that woman. I love how silly we can be together. My favorite moments are us sitting on her back porch, in their beautiful backyard, surrounded by the trees and her many, many flowers (to say she has a green thumb is an understatement), sipping our Reisling, gossiping and giggling. I love her honesty. She'll tell me what I need to know without holding back. There's no lying to make you feel better with that woman and I love it. I love how she loves her family. We are all number one with her and we all know it. She takes such good care of us. Especiallly those boys (my dad and 2 brothers). They have it good!! She does so much for them.. keeping that house together, being an AMAZING cook, helping the youngest one with his school work, and filling the house with her kick ass personality and laughter. She never stops! My mum is just an all around amazing person and I am so thankful to have her in my life. I really don't think anyone that has ever met her could have something bad to say about her. So here's to you mum.. 45 years is nothing to lie about!
Trey and I are going over my parents house tonight. Nothing big. She's not the "lets go out and make a huge deal" type of celebrater. We're going over there with pizza and subs in tow and it will just be a quiet night hanging out.

Later added:
While I'm ranting. This has been going on for a while now and I'm not sure what's wrong with our internet, but it's really interferring with my bloggy social life. If it seems like I'm not commenting a lot. I'm not. But it's not my fault. I try so very hard to comment every day. There are so many posts that I try to comment on, but for some reason, our internet goes out when I click on "post a comment" It's so very frusterating. Any ideas on why this is happening??

One more thing to add to my list of excitement!

My best friend in the entire world JUST NOW got engaged!!! I am so so so happy for her. He is an amazing guy.. seriously.. if I could have gone and picked someone out off of a shelf for her, he would have never come close to Pat! They are perfect together!
Now for a little background info:
Sara lives in Massachusetts. We grew up down the street from each other (hence the name Southern Yankee.. since i'm down here now.. yeah yeah yeah) We met when she was two and I was three. Our families had been close for a really long time. In fact, my cousin used to babysit Sara and her brother and sister.. fast forward years later, S babysat for that same cousins kids.. anyways just to give you a little insight as to how close our lives are. We were INSEPERABLE growing up. Did everything together. When I moved to SC at age 13... I thought my life was ending. It was like ripping half of my heart out and leaving it with her 1300 miles away. *sorry for the dramatics but I'm not really exaggerating*
We've stayed close over the years. Never going too too long without talking and even if we do go longer than acceptable, nothing ever really changes with us. And when we do get to see each other (which is usually about once a year) we just fall together as if we've never been apart.
She was the first person I called when Trey proposed to me over two years ago (wierd) besides my family. And I was lucky enough to have her be a part of my wedding. I know your soul mate should probably be your husband.. and T definately is part that, but I think I have two soul mates. S and I were definately made to be in eachother's life. I couldn't imagine mine without her.. distance and all. Okay enough for the corny details.. I think you get how important this chick is to me. And this dedication post to her is much much overdue :)

Here's a little more detail into the engagement:
First you must know that S is the epitome of a Christmas Elf. She LOVES this time of year.. more so than I. So it's only fitting that he did this during this time of year. This morning they were out picking out a Christmas Tree. She found her perfect choice, he sneaks the box under the tree and says "Ohh look.. there's already a present under there for you" She finds it, which to her looks like a rock and didn't register with her until he got down on one knee.. she freaks.. says yes.. end *or should I say beginning* of story!!
The ring is perfect.. yay for picture messaging. And I only wish I could be up there with her celebrating right now!!! More than you know.

Congratulations Sara (not that she reads this.. YET) and Pat!!!!

Things I'm a little excited about:

1. I.. JUST.. SAW.. TWILIGHT

and I'm in complete and utter love. I LOVED it. loved it, loved it, loved it! When is the next one coming out? Not soon enough. I haven't stopped thinking about it. Is it the best movie ever made quality wise? No. Did they play background music too much during key conversation moments? Yes. But I'm convinced that if you are as obsessive over the books as I was/am... you'll love it! It's everything I hoped it would be, and I have to admit I was a little scared to see it. I didn't want to be dissappointed when I thought so highly of the books. Did not let me down! That quite possibly could have been the quickest two hours of my life. LOVE.

2. SEC Title Game...

Tomorrow, 4:00. Nervous? Maybe. Optimistic? Of course! Alabama v. Florida! Eeekkk.. we'll see. But just think of the possibilities. If Bama looses.. wth.. we won 12 other games. Annndd if we win.. oh hell yes. I can't even begin. Think I'm excited? Hub will be bouncing off of all 4 walls! Wish us luck!!

3. Christmas Decor

Our little house is coming together! We're sitting in the dark with the tree light up and Annie's Christmas Tree candles going strong. A little peice of heaven. Tomorrow we'll take care of the outside lights, but here are just a few pics of the inside :)

*Our beautiful Christmas tree*

*Mantle above fireplace ~ before stockings*

*Dining Room Table*

Have a great weekend! Remember I'll be switching to private at the end of the weekend. I have a little list of emails going so let me know if you'd like to be added!

A little bit of privacy...

Wow.. it feels like it's been a really long time since I've posted anything. Yes I have been busy with being in Alabama for Thanksgiving and everything, but really that's no excuse. There were definately times that I could have jumped on. I have been keeping up with everyone else *without commenting*.
Here's my deal:
I've decided to go private. I don't like the idea of ANYONE OUT THERE being able to read my thoughts. Yes, I know, I don't really post about anything personal or of much meaning.. but that's because I'm too worried about Joe Schmo out there reading it. And let me tell you.. that's exhausting! And it kind of freaks me out. I want to be able to write about whatever comes across my mind without scensoring (sp) myself. It's too tiring to have something on my mind but write all around it. So.. there's my decision. I've been debating on it for awhile. But there it is.
I would love for all that do, to continue to read and give me your much appreciated input.. so please please send me your email so I can invite you to read. I'll be changing it over by the end of the weekend.. maybe Monday.
Thanks girls!

Weekend Recap and a lil recipe for ya!

So another weekend comes to an end. For most people at least. Not I.
I hope everyone had a great one and that it didn't fly by too fast for you! Ours was pretty low key. We did NOTHING friday night. Which seems to becoming a pattern lately. One I am pretty happy with. I made steaks and baked potatoes and we catched up at a couple DVR'd shows. We watched Law and Order SVU and ER. We were seriously both asleep a little after 10 on the couch! Ha! We're getting old and boring!!
Saturday, we got up pretty early and got some errands done. First stop was to the post office to mail Blue Eyed Bride and Red, White and Preppy's candles to them. Sorry girls! This post office isn't opened on Saturdays?? Who knew.. I thought they all were. Looks like I'll be sending them to you tomorrow. I really hope you get them before Thanksgiving.. I think you should. Anywho.. after we got home, hub went out and did some raking. I stayed in and gave the house the emaculate cleaning it really really needed. While cleaning, I noticed that a couple of radio stations are already playing 24/7 Christmas music!! Too early you say? Not so much says I! Got me in a little bit of a Christmas mood so we invited friends over later that night to watch Elf and Christmas Vacation. Two of my yearly Christmas movie necessities! I made a delicious Baked Ziti recipe that I'll post down on the bottom. It was a hit!
Today we went to my parents to watch The Patriots beat up on Miami. Great game! By far the most entertaining game of the year. And of course my mum had lots of goodies over there. Buffalo Chicken Dip, Chili, and a sandwhich ring. I'm stuffed!! Now we are just had home relaxing, doing some laundry and will probably watch a movie. Love Actually if I get my way.

Tomorrow I'll be busy getting ready for our trip. We are going to Huntsville, Alabama for Thanksgiving to see Hubs family. We're leaving Tuesday night and will be back Sunday afternoon. It'll be nice to get out of town for a little bit! I'll be sad to be away from my parents during the holiday though. When we come back, my cousin from Massachusetts will be here visiting. She is a senior in high school and is thinking about coming down here to USC for college. Which by the way will make my life complete for her to be here so I'm crossing my fingers :)

Thankfully, I'll still be connected to everyone while in Alabama. Trey has to do some stuff for his class so we'll have to bring the laptop. Great thing too.. around that wacked grandfather of his *and I say that with a very fond heart* I'm sure there's lots of stuff I'll have to post about!

Here's the baked ziti recipe I promised:

You'll need:
1lb of ziti
2-26 oz jars of speghetti sauce
1lb of italian sausage
1/2 onion
1 1/2 cup of sour cream
8 oz shredded mozzerella
8 oz shredded parm cheese
6 oz of sliced provelone cheese

boil the ziti for 8 minutes, drain
While that's going, brown crumbled sausage and onion together, add speg. sauce and simmer for 15 minutes
Lightly grease bottom of a 13x9 pan (I used Pam)
Add 1/2 of ziti, 1/2 of sauce mix on top of that, provolone cheese, sour cream, rest of ziti, rest of sauce, mozzerella cheese, parm cheese.
Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
Uncover and bake for another 5-10 minutes.

That's it.. very easy and very delish!

To bold or not to bold

I saw this post over at Wandering DC's blog (very cute one by the way.. it should be checked out ) and thought this looked fun.. so here we go! Just bold everything that you have done if you want to do the same.

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with dolphins *on my list of things to do before I die*
03. Climbed a mountain * i don't know if it can be considered a huge mountain by any means.. but I've definately hiked up a small one *
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula * yeaaa right*
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said "I love you" and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped * no desire*
11. Visited Paris * on my list *
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights * Confession: I'm not sure what this is.. feel free to enlighten me*
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby's diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon *on the list*
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment *part of my day to day life*
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and didn't care who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states *I will one day*
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk.. ha!
42. Had amazing friends *still do!*
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Taken a midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving *no desire*
51. Visited Ireland *on the list*
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke *one of my favorite past times*
59. Lounged around in bed all day *not in a long long time though*
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theatre *on list*
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight *not sure what D&D is*
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days .. impossible
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on a television news program as an "expert"
83. Gotten flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents *thankfully this one doesn't have to be bolded*
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Passed out cold
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking *everyday*
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback (WTH?)
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone's heart
111. Helped an animal give birth *Watched..does that count?*
112. Won money on a TV game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol *pistol)
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for 30 hours in a 48 hour period
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. States
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about *maybe??*
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed *love it*
132. Touched a cockroach *not on purpose*
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad and The Odyssey
135. Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone's life

Conclusion:
I think I need some spice in my life!! I don't think I bolded even 1/3 of these!!

Drum Roll Please!!

Hub was such a great help tonight and just picked the three lucky winners out of his lucky Alabama hat!


Readyyy......

1. Blue-Eyed Bride

2. Red White and Preppy

3. Heather at .. and now I'm a grown up.


Congrats girls! I really really hope you enjoy your candle. Feel free to post about how you like it once you get it.. only if you like it though ; )


Please email me with your address for me to send it to and which candle you want. Refer back to this post for a list of scents to choose from! There are two new ones: Holly Berry and Bayberry. My email address is jayetton@hotmail.com.

I'm so glad that all of you participated. I wish I could have picked everyone!!

Cant buy me love love

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Ours was pretty quite, but I loved it. Our income has taken a slight cut so we have cut out any unnecessary spending. Which means NO going out to eat, NO more out of the house date nights (that cost money at least), and NO more happy hour or out on the town nights with friends. Sad? A little maybe, but don't feel too sorry for me. I'm sure it will get a little old, but I really did enjoy my weekend with hub. Friday night I cooked dinner and we watched movies that we have taped on the DVR (HBO free for 3 months.. we've been taping EVERYTHING), Saturday morning hub went to the gun and knife show with his dad. Gave me some time to get stuff done around the house. When he got home it was football, football, football. Another couple that we are friends with had a little get together at their house for the Carolina and Alabama game. *Boo Carolina, Yea Alabama* At least I have one team I can count on :) Sunday we did a whole lot of nothing. Bummed around. My brother came over for a little bit.
I know everyone is having a hard time financially right now. We're just trying to be as smart as we can. Trying to save as much as we can. We haven't always been very cautious with our savings and I'm really hoping that it's not too late to start being that way now!

One bright side to all of this is that it's really forcing us to focus on our relationship. We've talked about so much over the past week. About what's making us happy, what's not making us so happy, what we want out of life, what needs to change.. etc. We're depending on each other for entertainment, companionship, whatever. Our relationship has been so closely involved with our friends since day one so this is really a bigger deal that what it may seem. But it's good.. very good actually! I'm very lucky to be married to my best friend in entire world and that's definately something I realize over and over again. Especially now!

Speaking of saving... Let me just report to you the outcome of my trips the the grocery stores today. Yes, I go to two different stores most of the time. Depending on the sales.
Bi-lo ~ My inial total was $80.63. After sale prices were deducted and coupons as well, the amount I actually paid was... $45.90!!
Publix ~ Initial total was $132.41. Actually paid.. ready?? This one is really exciting.. $60.86!!!
Can you believe it? I get so excited. It's like a game to me! Thank you thegrocerygame.com for saving me big bucks on groceries especially since we won't be treating ourselves to dinners out at restaurants!!

Watch for my post tomorrow as I'll be picking the three winners for my Annie's Candles giveaway!!

Only 9??

Really?
I'm going to have to insist that more people want in on my giveaway for the following reasons:

This is my first one, I was way too excited about it, and the candles are delish.

Come on girls.. sign on up.
Clearly I'm not above begging...

My First Giveaway!

I am SO excited! VERY VERY excited! okay you get the point.

I've gotten so much great feedback on my mum's candles and I want to share them with more people! Who better to share them with then all my bloggie friends?? Sooo.. I'm picking three winners. All you have to do is let me know that you want in. I'll list options for the scents you can pick from. Leave me a little comment letting me know which one you would choose if you're the lucky winner! Win win situation for everybody. You get a yummy candle, Annie's Candles is getting the name out there :)

You'll love love love them, I promise.

Here's a list of scents she has going now:
Apples & Berries
Apple Jack & Peel (great fallish/thanksgivingish scent)
Christmas Cookies (more of a vanilla/almond scent)
Christmas Tree
Clean Cotton
Cranberry Apple Marmelade (this one has been a favorite)
English Garden
Gingerbread
Lilac
Mistletoe
Pumpkin Souffle (also a favorite)
Rose
Sandlewood
Santas Cookies (more of a cinnamonish scent)
Winter Garden

There may be more so I will update if I can think of anymore!!

I'll pick a winner Tuesday night (the 18th)

I would love for everyone to sign up!! Even if you've never left a comment. Don't be shy!!

I'm Still Here!

I am getting so so slack about coming on here and posting and if anyone has missed me (please say you have!?!) I am sorry for that. This girl's been staying busy lately!
Hub and I had a great weekend.
Friday night we hung out at the house. We had a pizza, wine, and movie night. We got to try that new pizza place I've been talking about. You know. The real New York style pizza place I mentioned. Giovanni's. It's delish. And Cheap. And 4 minutes away from my house. Not a good thing seeing as how I'm trying to avoid that crap. *I say as I'm getting ready to watch The Biggest Loser* Teeheee. We watched Saw 4. I liked. Kept me guessing the whole time. I get pretty excited over a scary/gory movie. Love turning the lights off, lighting some of my mama's amazing candles, having a couple glasses of wine and cuddling on the couch. Perfect night.
Saturday, we woke up pretty early. Trey headed straight back to the couch to get ready for football. I went and did a little bit o' shopping at TJ Maxx. I LOVE our TJ's over here. Never fail to find some good deals. Got a pair of Seven jeans for $25. That's over 1/2 off. Love it. Came home, watched a very very heart clenching Alabama/LSU game. Oh myyy.. I couldn't even watch the first half in the same room as Trey. But they did pull it out in overtime *thank God* and it was a good night for us. We then went out for our friend Brandon's birthday. Had a great time. SOMEONE had a little too much of a good time and for once it was not me. I'm not sure if I even got tipsy. But I did have a great time out with our friends. Never a dull moment that's for sure.
Sunday.. went to my parents house to help her make 10 lbs of meatballs and watch The Patriots. It was good spending more time over there but sadly, it was not for a good occasion. My dad's boss, Marty Hastings, who I posted about a little further back, passed away Saturday morning. He's been battling cancer and lost the battle this weekend. My parents went to see their family Friday night, so it was good that they got to see him one last time. My mum said they were in good spirits. I think they have accepted this was just his time and I have to imagine that they didn't want to see him suffering anymore. I hope it is comforting them to know that he is with God now and not feeling any pain and living a perfect life with Him. The wake is Wednesday and the funeral Thursday. I know it will be emotional time for everyone. My dad's been working for him for years and years and years and I know he thought a lot him. From what I've seen Mr. Hastings was a very very good man and a lot of people will want to be there to celebrate the 50 years of his life he had here. I just pray for comfort for the family that he left behind.

Now we're back to the work week!
It's been good so far. Hub and I have been commited to spending less time in front of the TV. It's been consuming us way too much lately. It's like we've barely been speaking to each other when we get home from work. Now we've been coming home, working out, he's helping me make dinner, and we're eating it at the dinner table together.. NOT IN FRONT OF THE TV. It's been great and I feel like we're getting closer again. Love <3 Not that it's been too too big of a problem, but something did need to change. I've been loving it :)

I also received two awards over the weekend! Thanks Beth and Heather! Those deserve their own seperate post so I'll get on that tomorrow.
Have a great rest of the week!!!

These are a few of my *un*favorite things

One of my fav bloggers did a post today on her top 10 pet peeves and it inspired me. I don't know why I wanted to do it immediately since it will make me think of things that make my blood boil but it just looked fun. And it might be interesting to see if anyone has the same peeves or if some of mine are just completely off the wall. At any rate.. here they are. I don't think they'll be in any particular order. Thanks, Heather, for the inspiration!

1. Being lied to
This is definately my number one pet peeve. I HATE when people lie to me. There's really no need for it. It doesn't matter what I'm being lied to about. It could be anything from "oh no... I really can't come shopping with you because I have have a funeral to go to" to "Yeah.. your hair looks great" when really I look like a fool. Just tell me the truth. It takes a lot to make me mad and when I do get mad I'm over it in about 2 and 1/2 minutes. Just tell me the truth!

2. Cotton Balls
*I'm so glad to know i'm not the only one* It's hard for me to even type this while thinking about it. Ughgghhhhh.. I'm cringing. I can't stand the feel of it in my hand. And the thought of stretching it out.. OMG. I break out in chill bumbs and shudder. I can't be around them.

3. When people go in out doors and out in doors.
I know I know.. why let something like that get to you?? It really does though. Just bc that out door may be closer to you.. it's not there for you to go in. It's for people to go out. And bc you want to go in, people who are using it for it's correct purpose, to go out, have to get out of your way. Just walk the extra foot to the in door please.

4. Not being on time.
That goes for other people and for the rare times that I'm late. I understand the occasional slip. For other people this is more of a gripe if your habitually late. Please don't make me wait and wait and wait. It's rude actually. And for myself, I consider being on time late. I like to be somewhere *lets say work for example* early. If I'm going to be at work right at 8:30, I spaz just a little, call our amazing receptionist, and tell her I may be late. I get panicky. Crazy? Maybe a little.

5. People not using their blinkers.
There's not much I can say on this one. Other than, if I'm waiting to turn on a street, and your driving down said street, please put your blinker on if your turning on the street I'm on. I could have pulled out a full 3 or 4 seconds earlier if I knew you were turning. Now I just sat there and waited and waited watching you make your turn. You better hope that I wasn't running late!!

6. Judgement.
Now I'm not perfect on this note. I do try to check myself when I realizing I'm doing it though. Along with this category is racism.. ignorance.. you know. I don't live in a "let's hold hands and sing together" kind of world, but I do think we could all do a little bit of a better job of being tolerant of each other. I understand that we all judge a little bit, we're human, it's what we do. But when it consumes you and becomes hate.. that's when I think it's rediculous (?). Don't be ugly!

7. Insects.
All of them. The small, the big, the creepy, the crawly. I don't like them. I don't want them around me. I spaz when they decide to come around me anyway. I've been like this since I've been able to breathe so i'm not sure this will ever go away.

8. Satellite TV.
For the most part it's ok. But for those two or three times it's happened in the past 9 months.. curse you Dish TV. Nothing's worse than being in the middle of your favorite show and having it go out on you. You want to see mad?? Don't worry.. I'll get over it.

9. Something being right on the tip of my tounge but I can't quite get it out. It will consume me and I will not rest until I get it.

I really can't think of one more at the moment and I'm spending way too much time sitting here racking my brain. So there's my list. That was nice.. getting it off my chest. I would love to hear some of everyone else's strange peeves!

And now we wait!

I got to the polls at 8:00 this morning. I didn't think about the fact that we'd be outside waiting. Didn't bring a jacket. My poor little buhonkus froze!!! I was so cold I could barely text.. which that along with the rednecks *don't mean to offend* behind me kept me sane during the three hours I waited. I don't mean rednecks as in from the south. No no.. I don't think all southerners are rednecks by any means. I mean the people that smoked the ENTIRE time. (Enter a little known fact about me.. I strongly dislike being around smokers). Complained really loudly the entire time with loud breathy sighs as well. Made other rednecks friends and talked.. again.. really loudly about their strange strange life. Things that I would never tell strangers. One of them gave up after an hour and a half of waiting.. and I quote, "I can't take this shit nomore. I'm going to take a nap. My bed is much warmer than this". Goodbye.. you probably shouldn't be voting anyways!!!!
Anywho... I didn't plan for that to be the focus of my post.
How exciting is this???? The race is so close. A lot closer than I though it was going to be! Hub and I are in our sweats watching the votes come in and the electoral map light up state by state. I've never came out and said who I was voting for, but I did vote for McCain. Of course I want him to win, but I'm not sweating it too much. Hub on the other hand has had a couple minor annurisms, but I feel like there's nothing else we can do to change anything so why worry about it now? Whatever will be will be, right? No need to get my panties in a wad.. I've done my part. I can only hope for the best for our country! And let's not forget who's hands we're all really in anyway right?

Sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself

Here's my story..

Spent a couple hours at my parents house today while Hub was home... yup.. you guessed it... sick. I passed it on over to him :( He's usually a much better sport about these things though so hopefully it won't be too bad. I'll take good care of him!
Anyway.. I leave my parents house and start driving down the road. Driving, driving, driving.. pass my brother, wave.. drive more, drive more.... About 15 minutes later, I'm heading down 77, jamming to some sweet tunes, when I realize.. where the hell am I?? Why am I on 77 and how do I get back home from here?
I know very well when I turn out of my parents neighborhood I am to keep going straight all the way to 20. This is NOT a new concept to me. Why today do I decide to make an extra turn and go 15 miles down 77?? Who knows! I had to call my dad and have him give me directions on how to get home ( I had already passed the exit to get on 20).. yeah.. so there's my day in a nutshell.
Now, on a mission to find this mysterious pizza place that is supposedly (?) right around my house and is supposedly (?) REAL NEW YORK STYLE pizza. So says the lady from Mass. I met the other day at CVS. I can't seem to find it anywhere.. Let's try not to get lost this time :)

I'll be cheering my Pats on tonight.. playing the Colts!! Wooohooooooo!!

Updates

I am still sick. Though I wouldn't quite call it miserable anymore. Definately not with a capital M.
I was persuaded to go back to the doctor Thursday afternoon and he put me on yet another antibiotic. I was fine all day yesterday, convinced myself I was going to the Carolina/Tennessee game after all. Not so much. I am resigned to the couch all day. I'm just now starting to slow down on the coughing from 7:30 last night. Yuck. The frigid air of the 7:00ish football game would probably not be so good for me. Very disappointed. Oh welllll...

Last night went pretty well (besides the continuous coughing). My chili came out very well despite all odds. We got through the first two Saw movies. I fell asleep within the first 15 minutes of number three, so we'll have to continue that saga at some point. Buuttt... I only had 4 trick-or-treaters. I was looking forward to seeing many many customes. The ones that did come were adorable though! And that leaves me with one huge problem. Lots and lots of Halloween candy left in my house. I will be taking it all to the office Monday morning. If it makes it that long.. teehheee..

My brother signed his paperwork with the Air Force (National Guard I think). He'll be taking his test in the next week or two and getting his physical down. He's excited. This kid shows NO emotion. NONE. But he was very animated while describing his morning and talking about his options. I hope it works out for him.. I'm sure it will!

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I can see myself getting pretty restless laying around here all day. Maybe I'll finish my Eclipse book and move on to the 4th story. And get some laundry done of course. Maybe make it over to Mum's house to pick up some candles. We got a lot of orders this week :)

What a week...

Ugghhh.. I am Miserable *yes, that's with a capital M*
I just can't seem to kick this sinus situation that keeps trying to take me down over the past month or so. I've been doing a pretty good job of kicking it's rear end.. until this week. Stayed home from work Monday (which kills me seeing as how I have 1 vaca day for the rest of the year now), went to the doc and the box. So I am now on three different drugs.. fun! I do good until about 3:00.. then I'm completely done for. I can't breathe!!!!
Okay Okay.. enough whining for now. I'm really not a good sick person. I complain. Alot. I'm sure it gets very old for hub, but he does a very good job of taking care of me :) Gotta give him credit.
So, Halloween is in two nights and I have to say I'm pretty dern excited. No special plans. And thank God I didn't make any!! I would've had to cancel. I refused this year to do the whole dress-up, party thing. Hub and I have all 4 Saw movies to watch, I'm making chili, have a fresh loaf of French bread, and plenty of candy to hand out to the kiddies. I cannot wait. The only thing that could make it better is if we could have a fire. Gotta get that sucker cleaned out. It's on our to do list!
We hopefully will be going to the Carolina/Tennessee game Saturday. ONly if I can breathe correctly and am not still coughing up my organs. Oh yeah.. and if dad comes through with the tickets :)
I'll leave you with that. I have to go and finish hacking now.

Wait wait wait..
One more very important thing on my mind:
Remember last weeks post about my brother? You know, it was his 19th birthday, I talked a lot about him making choices about going to school, what are you going to do with your life... blah blah blah.
welllll.. He has an appointment tomorrow morning at our local Air Force base to sign on up. I think he has to take a test first but still.. huge step. He's been talking about this for a couple months now, but I can't believe he's actually going through with it. I'm very supportive of it, proud of him, yet scared at the same time. Will keep everyone updated!

Candle Pics

Warning:

These won't be the best picture quality wise (although I did try really hard), but you'll get the point Cranberry Apple Marmelade.

Clean Cotton, votive

Pumpkin Souffle (seems to be a favorite)

Maybe I'll do a little giveaway soon :)

Candles Candles Candles!!`

Just got off the phone with mum and have some very exciting news. A couple of posts back, I talked about my mother getting back into making candles and our idea to try and sell them. I handed out a few samples at work and tried to spread the word as best possible. A few people from the office liked the samples and put in an order.. which I was very thankful for. And I know it made mum feel good :)
So here's the potentially GREAT news... Ready?
While at her hair appointment this morning, her hairdresser let her know that she'd like her to bring some candles into the salon for her to sell! (!!??!!!!!!!) I'm bursting with excitment. That's huge. A big turning point hopefully.
I can see a couple of potential panic attacks arising in mum, but don't worry.. I'll be there to remind you to chill.. and that this could be fun. I'll sacrifice my social life if I have to ;)
If I have to drive allll the way out to Bwood after work a couple nights a week and on the weekend I will (What a terrible terrible idea it was to move out to L). And again.. this is the hopeless optimist coming out in me.. but I just don't see how they wouldn't be a hit.
*post to follow with some (maybe not so high quality at the moment) pics of the infamous candles*

On a seperate, much much more awful note, she also shared with me in this same conversation that my dad's boss had a fall today and is in the hospital with bleeding in the brain. His name is Marty Hastings and his family really really needs all the prayers they can get. Marty was diagnosed with brain cancer a while ago (not sure on the exact time.. sorry) and things have been progressively getting worse. He is in a wheel chair now. I'm not sure how he fell this morning or where he was (whether at home or at work).
I know this is hard for my parents as my dad is very close with him and they have worked together for a long time. I hate hearing the hurt in their voices and that alone brings me to tears, but I just can't image how their family is even coping. I'm pretty sure he has at least one son that is still in highschool (mum, please correct me if I'm a little off) and a wife that plays in mum's Bunko group. It's just awful.

Also, I am debating on switching my blog to private for many many reasons, but am so hesitant to do so. Any thoughts? For those of you who are set to private, isn't it hard to connect with more people?

Happy Birthday

Tomorrow is my "little" brother's 19th birthday!! Happy birthday Charlie!

That's us at his high school graduation this past June. Hence, the reason I put little in the quotes. He's a tad bit bigger than I.

Let's get sappy for a sec, shall we? Charlie, love you more than I could ever express. I'm so thankful to have him and my other brother in my life. I know he is so unsure of where he should go with his life right now, but the one thing I would tell him is to just live it up. Don't rush so fast into complete responsibility. It's not always so much fun. I wish he'd realize that this is just about.. no really is.. the last stage in his life that he can just let go and have fun and not worry about bills and other such responsibilities. Don't get me wrong, it's not all so bad, but I'd just like to see him live a real college life and put himself it a good position for the future. Whichever route he chooses.

Anyways.. in the meantime. I'd really like for you to make up your mind about where we're going for your birthday dinner tomorrow night. Please make a good decision.

Thanks!

Awards!

Over the weekend I received a couple of rewards. A big up to Mojito Maven for the first two!

The Bookworm award *is what I think we're calling it* was the first:

Rules are:
1. Pass it on to five other bloggers, and tell them to open the nearest book to page 56. Write out the fifth sentence on that page, and also the next two to five sentences...The CLOSEST BOOK, NOT YOUR FAVORITE, OR MOST INTELLECTUAL!!

My Book is ~ The Bible
When we went back to your servant my father, we told him what my lord had said.
"Then our father said, 'Go back and buy a little more food.' But we said, 'We cannot go down. Only if our youngest brother is with us will we go. We cannot see the man's face unless our youngest brother is with us.'

She also gave me the Kreativ Blogger award. I've gotten this one already, so I won't post up the pic, but the list I'm supposed to make is different, so here we are...

6 things I value:


The strength of my family.
My faith.
Honesty.. I want it brutal.
TimeMy husband. *I originally counted him in the first bulletin, but think his support and conpanionship deserved a special shot out*
A scense of humor.
I think it's a necessity to get through life.
Kindness

6 things I don't value:

Money.. yes it's necessary, but I tend to value other things above it.
Close-mindedness
Ignorance
Insects
People who don't think of others.
I'll stick with negativity as well.. I hate it!
(That was actually pretty hard to come up with that list!)



I tag:
Just Ask Beth
... and now I'm a grown-up
Tidbits of Drama
Tales of a Northern Bell
High on Hairspray

I have one more "tag" to follow up on.. I'll get there.. promise!

Annnd I'm back

I have to admit: It felt like I haven't been on here in so long that I was kind of intimidated to even log in. I was afraid of the massive amounts of posts to catch up on and got pretty lazy and didn't feel like going through my weekend. But alas.. here I am. Typing away. Enjoying myself.

I had a GREAT weekend. The wedding was absolutely perfect and we had a blast. I can't say enough about Bride. Beautiful, classy, calm, happy, fun.. she lived it up and I was so so so happy for her. Like I mentioned before, we've been friends since 9th grade and it was great to see her so happy. I could not have hoped for anything.. or anyone.. better for her.
Saturday night was the actual ceremony. Reception was a little too fun. White Zin + songs like the cha cha slide all night = a bad next day for me.

I took a few pictures on my camera (although not many.. my camera was MIA between Friday night and Sunday afternoon) but I do have a couple of other pics other people tagged on FB to share.

Here I am in all my glory:

I cut the other girls out for privacy reasons.. sorry!
And here's one of the lovely bride and groom:

I have a decent one of hub and I too, but until I find the cord to connect my camera to the computer.. this will have to do!

Today was an amazing relaxing day off from work with my husband and unfortunately it's back to reality tomorrow. Oh well.. 4 more days until the weekend :)

And thank you so much for the two blogs I was tagged to over the weekend.. I promise I'll respond. I'm just not ready for that yet!

What? My grandfather is still alive?

According to my father he is!
After dropping hub off for his class last night, I trecked on over to my parents house since it is closer to Trey's school than our house is. After a glass of wine with mum, a long walk with Cayce and my youngest brother, and yummy dinner with the fam, we sit down in the living room.
While we were watching that Old Christine show, Cayce (our dog by they way, we think she's part lab and hound) wouldn't stop fussing. Dad couldn't hear the show *God forbid* so he sends Cayce over to her bed. After staring him down for about a minute, she instead comes to me for protection. But she lost that battle and within another minute she was on her bed, again staring my father down. That's when he blurts it out...
"I swear she's my father reincarnated"
We look at him and laugh. He's serious though. And he says it like it's the most logical thing to say in the world. It's the way she looks at him he says.
So.. low and behold.. we've been living with my grandfather for what.. 7 years? Feeding her/him dry dog food, giblets on Thanksgiving, and treats every night at 9 on the dot. She/He does get an occasional Cheez-It as well. And maybe a couple other treaties while I am there.. I'm just saying.

Please keep my family in your prayers as the Red Sox will most likely lose tonight and be out of the runnings. They will be in severe mourning.
Thanks and have a great weekend!
Update:
The sox pulled it out... can't believe it! Now I don't have to deal with a depressed Yetton family over the weekend.

A Pat on the Back...

For me!!

In case you noticed.. I did not post my weight loss results Monday. You may have thought to yourself that I was slacking off, but no no, you would be wrong. I have made the decision to switch my official weigh-in day to Wednesday to follow along with the rest of the Weight Watcher Wednesday bloggers. So this morning I jump up on that scale. Result for the week was 1.4 lb loss (yay). Off I go to my chart to add up my total and low and behold, I notice that I started this roller coaster of dieting (kind of) exactly a month ago.
So here it is. My first month total number of pounds lost is... drumroll please... 4.8 lbs. Yes, I wish it could have been at least .2 more lbs to make it an even 5 and yes, I could have tried much much harder.. but I have to admit. I'm pretty dern proud of myself.
Confession Time:
Up to this point, I've only worked out on average.. ehhh.. I would say once a week. I know.. shame on me. I'll try to do better, I promise! I've done it twice this week already and have full intentions of getting up in the morning to do so again. * I do have a wedding to look good for this weekend ya know* Woke up Tues am to do The Firm workout.. yuck.. it kicked my rear. And just got done walking Cayce. My family's dog that lives at my parents house. it was great for me and she loved it!
Good luck to me for getting up at 5:30 tomorrow morning!!

Auntie's Candles

I am so proud of my mama! She's doing something she loves to do and with a little help from no other than muah... she may just be able to make some money doing it. I believe in her with every fiber of my being, even if she doesn't.

Mum has started up making candles again and she so so much enjoys it. And yall.. she's good at it too. Slammin really. She has all kinds of scents and sizes. And prices to beat Yankee candle. Some of her yummiest scents being... *Fresh Cotton, Lilac, Apples & Berries, Apple Jack & Peel, Pumpkin Souffle, Cranberry Apple Marmalade...* They smell simply delish! Has soy and regular paraffin wax as well.

I would love to help her actually make a profit doing this, so I am trying my best to spread the word. I figure this will help. I'm also bringing samples to give away at work tomorrow *hope boss lady doesn't mind* along with different jar sizes she'll make to show prices. We'll see how it goes from there.

I figure it's worth a shot. If noone likes them enough to buy, she'll still do them and force them on people for presents. If nothing else, she'll still have me sniping them off of her whenever I come over. She'll be happy making them and will always have me as a loyal customer :)
But really I hope they'll sell!

What do yall think? Are there already too many outlets out there for candles or do you think it's worth a shot? I will be posting pictures later (forgot my camera batteries at her house) and will be willing to send out samples. Let me know!

Confession Time

I wonder why I constantly feel the need to confess potentially embarrasing details about myself on this thing? I'm thinking it could possibly be bc of my early childhood Catholic days. Maybe part of my subconscience still feels like I should be confessing to a Priest and this is as close as it gets. Whatever the reason... here goes ~

I still like Brittney Spears and I'm glad she has a new album coming out.

There... I said it.

I've been rooting for her all along and am glad she is back. I think she did a great job of presenting herself on that last award show. I think it was the MTV awards? She won three and held herself very well. Now she has a new video out and a new album coming out in December. (I taped 20/20 from Friday night and learned all this new information) I love the video, I have to admit.

And I say, good for her!! We all have our deep dark secrets and scary points in life right? What if ours were out there for the world to see. I'm pretty sure I would have gone off the deep end as well!

That's all I have to say about that. I'll run off and say my three Hail Mary's and do the Rosary a couple hundred times now.

Wanna be my friend?

There is this family that lives down the street from us. But not on our street.. they are outside of our "neighborhood" on the main street. I've been noticing them since our realtor drove us to look at our house and have been dying to be their friends ever since. In fact, they are so important to me, that when I saw their house, I thought to myself that this was an omen telling us we need to move in.

They have had a Patriots flag flying proudly from their house since February. They fly it all year long!! I love that. I need some support. New England fans are hard to come by around here. (They have also had a little Redsox flag by their mailbox... and a Carolina flag) We're a match made in heaven.

So for the past couple of months, I'll admit it, I've been somewhat stalking them. I drive slowly by their house. We take walks by their house while I'm secretly hoping they'll be outside.. so I can what?? Attack? I haven't thought out exactly what I'll say.

"Hi, I've been planning this get together for the past couple of months, do you want to be my friend?"

Maybe I'll just throw out a big hefty Go Pats and see where we go from there.

Broken Heart

Hello, my name is Jessica. And I have had my heart broken tonight by fictional characters. Why, out of all the people I know that have read Twilight series, has noone told me how heart renching the first couple chapters of the 2nd book are. I have been sitting here (paying no attention to the Clemson game mind you.. so we know this is serious) crying my eyes out over the lost love between a highschool girl and a vampire.

Don't judge me.

I just now looked up to the TV and realized it was the end of the 3rd quarter in the game and the score is 3-0 Wake. I've been in my own little world and not wishing a horrilbe horrilbe loss upon those Tigers.

And just like that.. he loses some points

Should have known! After gushing on hub like that he goes down in another hole. Just like that.

I'm laying in bed the other night. He's walking around brushing his teeth. Getting ready for bed. I might even be feeling a little sexy.. I'm just saying. Then he looks at me and through his toothpaste filled mouth, he says, while pointing at the back of my thighs in a rotating motion, "What's goin on with all that back there?"

What???!!!????

I fly to the mirror. Closely examine my thigh. What do I see? A bunch of tiny, dark blue veins running around all over the place "back there".
I spazzed. Call mum at 10:00 that night to find out what's really going on. She says those are vericous veins. Well what do I do about this? She says.. ready for this? "Get used to it, it runs in our family." Not acceptable says I. I will be doing research very shortly about what all this means. But in the meantime I've seen 100000 vein specialist commercials. I guess there's some kind of hope out there. Aren't I too young for all this????

It's been killing me to not post as long as I've been away! I know it's only been 2 days maybe, but i've missed it. We've been so busy. Let's see.. what to catch up on?

Hub started school again this week (to get his Masters)! He has class Wednesday nights from 6-9:30. Better him than me! Although I have thought about going back. The thought makes me a little neauseated (sp) at the moment though.

I LOVED The Biggest Loser this week. Jillian was on point wasn't she?? Fierce! I like it! She better bust those girls into shape. Wish she could come into my living room and bust me into shape! Am even more excited for next week for the splitting up of families, sad but will be interesting.

I did watch part of the debate, but only lasted about 1/2 hour. I have a confession to make. I really can't stand watching those! I know I need to be involved but I already know who I'm voting for. I'm not on the fence. Do I really have to subject myself to those??? Constant bickering and neither one of them really answering the questions that are being asked of them? Please say no.

Tonight we'll be watching the Clemson game.. Go Wake Forest!!! I'll have to tape The Office and ER.

I am almost done with the first book in the Twilight series and I am so pumped about it. It's not what I thought it was going to be and not my typical read. I suggest them to anyone. I'm so so into it. I'm going to finish the last chapter tonight and hopefully start the second book! If anyone is into it.. High on Hairspray informed me that the movie will be coming out soon! Anyone interested in going??

We don't have big plans for the weekend (Thank God). I think we'll be getting together with some friends for the Carolina game. Maybe my parents house on Sunday.. .and that's about it! Anyone have big plans??

I guess that's about it. Feels good to be contributing again!

Reason number 2838663 I love my husband

Anyone that knows me best knows that I am a Freak - with a capital F - about food and their expiration dates. I cannot bring myself to eat/drink it if it even gets close to the exp. date (like a day or two). Irrational.. I know. But that's me.. can't do anything about it.

Growing up, I've always been terrified that I'm going to drink bad milk. It starts like 5 days before the exp. date. I've always tried to make my mum smell it and tell me if it was bad, only for her to reject me. "Get that out of my face" she'd say and away I'd sulk and go without milk bc I wouldn't take that chance.

Tonight I go to take my meds and think that a nice glass of chocolate milk will take away my chance of nausea. It expires on the 10th.. I pour a glass, bring it to hub, and ask if he thinks it's bad. His reaction????


Not only does he smell it.... he takes a big gulp as well!!! It was still good :)

Now that's love!!! He knows how irrational I am and supports me anyway!

Grrrrrrr

I need more friends in the technology field. Any takers????

My Internet is very very unreliable! I have too many blogs to read everyday for it to keep going out on me like this. It lasts for a minute and then goes out on me. I know it's not our router. I know it's not our outside connection. Could it be that we need a new modem possibly?? Our IP is going to charge us $75 to just come out here and look at our inside connection (nevermind whatever they charge to actually fix it) and I'd rather not go through that if I don't have to. Between hub's car breaking down.. oh I'd say 50 million times this month and my unexpected trip to the doctor this morning (will get into later... one thought process at a time) we don't have $75 to throw away. Especially if they come in and tell us nothing is wrong ~ and still get our mula!! Any suggestions??? I'm desperate.

Back to the doctors office.
I can pretty much count on getting a sinus infection about twice a year. Lovely. I've been dealing with the post nasal drip and semi sore throat for the past couple weeks, but yesterday a sharp pain in my ear just about knocked my socks off. Who gets ear infections at 25 years old??? Of course.. that would be me! Went to doctors care.. definitely have a ear infection and early sinus infection.. got an antibiotic. All for $95. Whhhaaat???? I thought being on a state health plan was a great deal? Ohh no.. I don't know where that hype came from, but some body's been lying to me! Co-pays don't exist with them apparently. You pay full price until you meet your deductible. Which is $700 for the two of us. Crazy... we can't win this month I swear!

On a brighter note ~
I did lose the lbs this week again. Again.. not much.. but at least the scale is moving in the right direction. If we go by the scale at my house I lost .4 lbs. If we go by the doctors scale I lost.. 1.4 lbs.
Docs always right.. right???

Off to shoot some hoops with hub. Fun fun!!

A trip to the grocery store

Let me start off by saying that I have a sick fondness of going to the grocery store. I love it. I love planning the whole trip, I love going aisle to aisle looking for all my goodies, but most of all.. I love the amazing deals I get.

For the last couple of months (I think since April or May) I've been using The Grocery Game to help cut my costs for groceries. I cannot say enough about this website. Here's how it works:


You have to sign up and it does cost.. although not much especially considering the deal it helps you get. You can do a month long trial for $1. And that includes as many stores as you want. After a month, if you choose to stick with it, it's $10 for your first store, then $5 for each extra one you choose. They charge your account every 8 weeks. You also have to clip coupons out of the Sunday paper every week.

What they do is keep track of the sale trends with the stores. She breaks up deals into three categories: Needs (in black, still on sale but not the best deal possible.. only get it if you need it), Blues (Stock up, great deal), and Free (in green and self explanatory.. it's free). It's different then you just using your coupons when you see something on sale, because of the fact that they keep up with the trends. They know when you'll be able to use your coupon to get the best price possible.

I'm horrible at explaining things so I'll show by example. Today I went to Publix and Bi-Lo. At Publix I spent $30.17, but saved $24.80. I got fish oil vitamens and a bottle of Worchester (sp) sauce for free. At Bi-Lo, my total before savings was $23.79.. I actually spent $13.41. I got Eggo Waffles for .14 cents!!!!
I don't pay over .50 cents for deoderant or toothpaste. It's incredible and I get very excited over this. The longer you do it, the less you ever need this on the "need" list. I have 3 extra bottles of laundry detergent in stock and about 5 tubes of toothpaste.

The only catch is you can't be loyal to certain labels. .25 cents for Degree deoderant.. Yes please.. fine by me!

On a seperate note, I have to share with everyone how big of a fool I made of myself in the Publix parking lot on my way out. First you should know that I am not very observant to my surroundings. So at first when I couldn't find my car after shopping, i didn't panick too much. I thought, Oh I just may be in the next isle over. Not there. Next one over? Nope. Ok ok.. maybe just a couple spots down. Now, I'm by myself and realize I must look like a complete loon.. especially when I start cracking up at myself.. alone.. with my cart. So I start walking up and down every isle, at this point thinking someone may have stolen my car. But after about 5 minutes I found the dang thing.

Uhhhhh I worry about myself sometimes.

If you do decide to check out The Grocery Game, make sure you put my email address in as your referral! (jayetton@hotmail.com) You'll get me a couple free weeks :)

My Very First Award

Thank you so so much to Preppy Little Dress for giving me my first award! That was so sweet of her :)

In getting this reward I have to list 6 things that make me happy. I had a hard time narrowing it down.. I have 8!

* Unexpected, simple dates with my husband. (he called me just a few minutes ago and asked if I'd like to go to dinner tonight and get a few drinks. I was planning on cooking, so this is a huge relief)

* Ice Cream (any flavor ~ any time of day)

* Giving gifts to people when they least expect it and seeing their reaction (on the rare occasion that I'm able to)

* A baby's laughter

* Surprises (no matter how small)

* Spending time with my family

* Being able to put the windows down in the fall

* Hearing a favorite song that I haven't heard in ages

I also have to return this to 6 more people, so here you go!

High on Hairspray

Just Ask Beth

Tidbits of Drama

All Things Fluffy.. Fashionable.. & Famous

The JQ Lounge

... and now I'm a grownup

I look forward to reading yall everyday... make sure to pass this on to 6 more people. You just may brighten their day!

Bachelorette and Pork Chops

I spend more time trying to think of a clever title for my blogs than I do actually writing the thing. I end up giving up after about ehh.. a minute, write my actual blog then just come up with something out of frustration. I think mostly because I have no idea what I'm actually going to write about most of the time. It just comes out. See.. like this. This should be fair warning to you that this post will probably actually be a lot about nothing!

One of my best, oldest friends is getting married in 3 weeks! This weekend is her bachelorette party. Of course I am very much looking forward to it. Not only am I excited to celebrate this special time in her life, but selfishly, I am even more excited for a girls night out! I am stressing big time about spending money that we don't really have. Let me rephrase.. there's no really that belongs in that sentence!! We are flat broke!! What's that you say?? Go home early? Nah.. I'll skip the wine and stick with draft beer. I'm a girl who knows how to cut costs. I can do it! But on a serious note, I am nervous about the lack of money and would be looking forward to this much much more if it weren't for that little setback.

I made an amazing set of pork chops for dinner the other night. Since I am still thinking about them *which says a lot.. not the biggest fan of chops* I figured I'd share the recipe. I don't remember where I saw it and don't really remember how it went exactly but it went a little something like this:

2 pork chops
1/2 bottle of terryaki merinade (sp)
1 crushed clove of garlic (it might have been two... use your judgement)
salt and pepper... however much you want to use.

Mix all that in a bowl.
Preheat oven to 350.
Put chops in a baking dish and pour half of the mixture in it. Cook for 15 min.
Flip those bad boys over and pour the rest of the mixture. Cook another 15 minutes.

Easy as that! They were delish. Served it with some fresh green beans and rice. Hub loved it!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday and a great weekend!!

Hope the bach. party doesn't interfere with any big football games. Don't think I won't be that tomboyish girl at the bar posted up by the TV watching the game. That's me!

AND....

Is it strange that I suddenly have extremely strong cravings for Extra Fruit Explosion gum??? Or am dying to run to the local BiLo to grab a Ziploc Freezer pump thing???

I hate obvious plug-ins!!

Inspiration

Such a great episode of The Biggest Loser! I'm such a big fan of this show and tonights episode just did it for me. It's not even over yet and I'm already blogging. They are doing the weigh ins now.

How inspiring was it when they first got to the Grand Canyon. They got their first look at it and Allison Sweeny comes out and compares the river and the canyons and how long it took for the river to shape itself and make it's way through. That's the same with the families on the show trying to change their bodies and their lives into a healthier lifestyle. And all of us out here, really trying to change anything in our lives. Whether it be our bodies, fighting an addiction, growing in our faith.. anything. It's all a big journey, ya know. There are so many things I'm trying to improve in myself and it's just a reminder that we're all human and we'll slip up and make mistakes. It's a reminder to stay strong and keep pressing foward.

It's so great to see them reach big time goals. It's emotional to see some of them get into the 200's for the first time in a very very long time Im sure. I've cried at least once every week so far... i'm such a sap!

Also, very exciting that they threw those weigh-in and vote-off twists. It'd be way to hard to have decide which family member leaves though. We'll see how it goes... if I had to guess ~ I'm going with Yellow Father.

Meh...

Guess the 2 extra walks worked. Even though I was 1/2 dead during one of them...

Lost .8 lbs this week, for a total of 3 lbs in two weeks.

I have a feeling that's how this will go down.. slowly but surely.

Will somone please call me when my alarm goes off at 5:30 tomorrow morning and remind me how GREAT I feel after a couple of hours???

Back to Reality

Such a great weekend!

The beach was perfect.. just what we needed! The weather was amazing and it was so nice to just be able to relax. We got there a kind of late Friday night..just hung out. I may have consumed a little too much Reisling.. shocker.
Saturday we walked the beach, visited with J's grandmother in Litchfield *so so sweet* and took her to lunch at this little Mexican restaurant.. another shocker. It wasn't like a San Jose's though. I don't remember what the name was, but they had much fresher food.. very yum! After we got back to the condo, I took a beach chair and my book (which I am loving and almost obsessing over by the way) and sat on the beach with my feet in the water for about 2 hours. That possibly could have been the best part of my weekend. After a much needed nap *was still at this point feeling the after effects of the wine* we went out to watch the Bama/Georgia game. Which coinsidently had the Carolina game on as well! Tough keeping up with two games! Alabama beat Georgia (!!!!) which should put us up to #4 in the country!!

Dare I look forward to at least an SEC Title this year??? Maybe too soon, but it has crossed my mind.. Hub is radiating with excitment and pride :)

We got breakfast early this morning, cleaned up, and hit the road. It was sad to leave after such a short weekend, but I LOVED coming home to our little house! Is it strange that I miss it while I'm gone???

Reality hit me all at once with laundry, cleaning, and grocery shopping :(
It will hit even harder tomorrow morning when I step on that scale... DON'T LOOK FOR ANY LOSS THIS WEEK!!! Maybe walking up and down the beach twice helped me out a little....

Random Nothings

Almost Friday.. my favorite day of the week. Tomorrow will be even better then the rest since I'll be cutting my day at work short by 3 whole hours.. go me! And off to the beach we go. Could not be more ready to get away and do something different. Even if it is only for two days!

Just watched The Office premier. Dissapointed. Not in the actual show. There were more than a couple points where I did a little LOLing. Dissapointed in Sattelite. It kept freezing up. Swear.. the couple dollars I think we're saving a month does not make up for missed moments on your favorite tv shows. However, i don't think I missed anyting too important so I won't dwell on this.

Some kind of sickness is being spread around like the plauge and I'm doing all I can to avoid this. (Airborne religously and Clariten D) Thought I caught a little something yesterday.. scared me a tad, but turns out I'm fine. The thought of missing my beach weekend put me a little over the edge. That would be typical. So I think what happened yesterday, is that the Clariten is actually making me sick. I used to have no problems taking it.. depended on it acutally. And now all of a sudden.. makes me feel horrible. Nausous (sp), weak feeling - And yes, I'm eating with it - So badly that I'd rather be congested. Strange. Guess I'll have to find something else.

Good news is that my stuffiness, upset stomache, achy feelings are magically gone and it seems the Beach Gods are on my side!

I LOVE it!!

Did it!
Woke up at 5:45 *after two snoozes* and did my work out. Okay.. I only made it through half of the workout. I really thought I was going to barf! But still.. I attempted.

I felt like death up until about 10:30. I have to admit that until then, I was thinking to myself "never again!". But all of a sudden around that time, I realized I was running up and down the stairs when I had to run something up at the office. I felt GREAT! It really is amazing how much of a difference that makes.

So needless to say.. I am on fire about this. I was planning on doing this just every other day, but I'm finding myself really wanting to do it again tomorrow morning. Think I just may...


So excited for The Biggest Loser tonight! I can watch it now without feeling like a total loser :)
I'm getting a little overwhelmed with my tv schedule with all these new shows starting again. I may need to get another DVR!!
Other new shows I'll be starting this week are:

GG and 90210 *of course*
Lipstick Jungle
The Office
Survivor
ER
Law and Order SVU
Desperate Housewives

Good thing I like working out in the morning.. seems I'll be pretty tied up after work!!

Week 1 Results

Week #1 weight loss: 2.2 lbs!!!!

Part of me is pretty damn proud. The other half, a little disappointed. Just because I know I could've done better. I didn't follow many of my rules. Basically the only thing I did was stop eating as soon as I was full ( simple concept right??)

I did not work out once. And had two bad days, not one (eeek) Friday night I indulged in a big juicy cheeseburger from Dam Bar & Grill. Saturday was pizza and chips and dip. Ahh well.. Football day.. what was I supposed to do???

Speaking of football day... I'm finally getting to the point where I can talk about this. Yesterday my excitement built and built waiting for the Patriots game. I've been an ever faithful fan (lots of practice with that being a Gamecock fan and all) even though we are without the perfection known as Brady. I got all my cleaning and coupon sorting done early in the morning, got the grocery store out of the way. Open up the windows and we're really enjoying the semi cool breeze. Make subs for the both of us. Get nice and comfy just about 5 minutes before 1:00 and wait for the game to start.

And it starts.. but what? Who is that group of idiots wearing The Patriots uniforms??? Definately not my beloved Pats!! What in the hell was that all about??? 22 wins in a row down the hole. It was actually physically painful to watch.
Like I said, being a Gamecock fan, you're used to losing (not being ugly... you know how it is). But watching the Pats.. it's different. You expect perfection and you get it everytime. I want with all my heart to believe that we can do it without Brady (even though its way too sad not seeing his beautiful face on that field). Ahhhh well... maybe next week.

Ok.. back to the weight issue. YAY ME for the loss!! But this week will be even better. Ate perfect portions for dinner tonight, hub and I got out and played some bball for some excersize after dinner. And.... wait for it... wait for it.... wait for it.....


I'm getting up at 5:45 in the am *pray for me on this one* to do The Firm workout.
Hope I'm not too cranky at work tomorrow!