Dare to be Domestic

random musings friday: 01.27.12

2012-01-27T12:24:00.000-06:00

Here we are already at the LAST full week of January. Where is the time going?!?!? Let's jump right into Random Friday Musings, thanks Shana for hosting this each week!

When it comes to planning dinners at our house Mike and I do a half and half thing each week. I pick about 3-4 meals to purchase and prepare and he picks 3-4 as well. This week I was feeling a bit uninspired we eat the same stuff all. the. time! Then while browsing on pinterest I found a recipe that Kallay had pinned that sounded not only healthy but amazing! It was Roasted Shrimp & Broccoli. Let me just tell you, I'm a sucker for roasted vegetables and this recipe knocked my socks off. Thanks so much Kallay for pinning and sharing it, AND for mentioning in your pin you'd like to add garlic in the mix. The idea was genius and put the meal on a whole different level. This will definitely be a new staple in my meal rotation!
I'm back on my Green Monster kick again. I've been doing my best to eat as clean as possible. I decided to rethink my resolution and instead of just trying to workout to lose weight, I'd try to eat better for my health. I don't want to make the common diet mistake I've made for years where I tell myself food is off limits because it's "bad". That just makes me want it more. In the end I figured if I can eat at the least 80% clean each day if not more then I'll be doing right by myself and hopefully see results in not just my weight but feeling better as a whole. I'm tired of the "diet" food they market. Low calorie this, and low fat that. Why not just eat whole foods with vitamins instead of always trying to count all my calories. It's exhausting. The Green Monster Smoothies I felt would be a great way to get more vegetables and greens in my system as well as fill me up in the morning. So far so good. I've had one for the past 3 days for breakfast and instead of being SO hungry by 10:30-11:00 am I'm ready for a simple snack. My monster recipe right now: 2 huge handfuls of spinach, half cup plain greek yogurt, 1 cup fresh orange juice [or apple], 1 banana, honey for sweetness and ice cubes. Blend and take with me to work. I want to switch it up, here and there and get some berries or kale to toss in the mix. Wish me luck!
Mike has declared he wants to no longer grocery shop at Walmart. FINE BY ME! We usually go there because the prices are the best but I will be honest the selection isn't always the best and dealing with half the patrons there drives us both nuts. By the time we get to the checkout we are both stressed out, frazzled and annoyed. Who wants to feel that way after a long day at work? Not me. So he wants to see how well we can do shopping and money wise at our local grocery stores. We also sort of want to take a small stand against Walmart as well. We are currently in the process of getting a Publix here locally. It will be the first NICE grocery store chain to come to this area. We have Food World, Foodland and Piggly Wiggly but all of these seem very old school compared to what most people have in stores like Safeway, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, etc. A Publix would be a dream. Only issue is that construction for the new store has been put on hold due to Walmart deciding they are going to open not 1 new store in the area, but possibly two! This causes HUGE competition for Publix. You know they won't have food prices that are close to Walmart, but I tell you what I bet the quality will be 100% better. I'm over having to pick through bruised onions to find an "OK" onion. And I'm frankly really tired of having to deal with the lack of selection of meat, there is no butcher on sight and the seafood is laughable at best. Fingers crossed Publix actually opens but in the meantime we'll take our chances at the local small grocery stores. I would really LOVE to have a grocery store here that had a salad bar like the Giant did where I used to live. I'd eat lunch there EVERY DAY! Mike feels the more we buy local the more we will help our economy and I agree with him 100%. The more we can stick it to "the man" of the big corp. stores like Wally World the better I feel about where my money is going.
You know how last week I told you we finally started watching It's Always Sunny in Philly... well now I'm dreaming about them. In the sense that Mike and I are living in their town and hanging at the bar. I need help...
I got asked if I had Super Bowl plans this week... and for the first time in YEARS I could honestly say I didn't. Where I live I am the only one of my girl friends that TRULY is into NFL. I have a few girlfriends that root for teams but I doubt they tune in each week like I do. With that in mind it seems pointless to hold a Super Bowl party for people that A) don't care about NFL and B) don't care about either team in the running. If your team is in the running, congrats and may the best team win! {Shana I hope your boys are victorious, that's just my two cents!}

That is all I got today - I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I'm looking forward to the sunshine in the forecast!!! I am so over rain!

from the sidelines

2012-01-26T12:25:00.001-06:00

Head on over to From the Sidelines today
I'm posting about streaking and sports related eye candy!

wedding wednesday: the rehearsal

2012-01-25T17:02:00.001-06:00

So here it is wedding wednesday again and I figured I would talk to you about the rehearsal dinner. I wanted to break all of this up bit by bit not just to take it easy on myself in writing these posts but also so that you weren't taken over by a million things I wanted to talk about that happened on my big day!

I was told over and over again that I was a very chill and laid back bride. Most of my vendors would tell me over and over how thrilled they were to be working with Mike and I. This always made me feel amazing. The only time I did have a melt down other then the issue with me fearing I picked the wrong dress, was the evening of the rehearsal.

I am however getting ahead of myself. Friday morning I woke up ready to rock and roll. Mike and I had gathered all the items we needed to take with us to the resort in anticipation of leaving semi early in the morning. I was due to be at the resort Friday by noon. The organizers for our wedding we going to be there to meet with us to make sure everything was set up as needed in the hall for the reception and if anything needed to be changed they would make it happen. As we were loading the Jeep I felt great.... but we were running a bit late. Fast forward to a few moments after that... I started to feel horrible. Delayed hangover, such fun. Apparently we all partied WAY too hard the night of the Meet n' Greet. The only cure for this was food - when we arrived at Burger King they informed us that they stopped serving breakfast ... it was 10:15 AM!!! WTF? I've heard of 10:30 but that's just lame BK! So we opted instead for the gas station. Yes you read that right... the gas station. It was close and on our way. Thankfully this gas station was known for good biscuits and breakfast. I however had other ideas in mind, the minute I saw PIZZA I knew it was clear. 1 slice of cheese pizza and a coca cola and this bride-to-be would be set. It took me a long time to eat that single slice, lots of deep breaths but I did it!

Thankfully some of my bridesmaids had stayed at the resort Thursday night so they could be there to meet the organizers if needed. We arrived and I gave huge hugs to those that couldn't be at the meet n' greet and we got down to business. It was time to decorate. With my crew of bridesmaids and friends we got the hall all decked out within about an hour. Which was great. I never thought hung over women would work so well but we did!!!

After that we all decided naps were in order and retreated to our rooms. I couldn't sleep... instead I set up my suite so that it would be organized the next morning. I laid out all my accessories, perfume, make-up, anything I'd knew I'd need. Hung up my outfit for the evening and placed all the gifts for my girls neatly on the table. I had a huge suite in anticipation for the hair and make-up girls that would be doing all our hair the next morning, and basically it was the "honeymoon-esque" suite in the resort. I tried to lay down but was too excited... and it was strange being away from Mike. He had his own room on the other end of the hotel. I texted him to ask what he was up to... turns out he was hanging with my friend's husband and invited me down.

I spent most of the afternoon with my bridesmaid A and her husband B we all had a ball. I was thrilled to have this time with them since they weren't able to make it to the meet n' greet the night before. The hours flew by and before I knew it I was rushing back to my room to get ready.

At this point I discovered how burned I was from the tanning bed. Not brutal but it was pretty bad... needless to say I can see in my make-up it was WAY too light for my berry shaded skin [you'll see in pictures].

All of us met and waited at the patio for the rehearsal. I didn't have a wedding coordinator, and sort of wish I had gotten one just for the managing of this part of the big day. We asked Mike's Aunt and Uncle to help us out the day of but his uncle was ill that evening and not able to make it down for the party.

MOH T, Maid K, Myself {with the wrong shade of make-up}, Maid A, Maid K and my Jr. Maids T & R

As you can see the dress was casual, we were after all at a wilderness resort, that and it was FREAKING COLD OUT! I was originally going to wear a blazer, but the temperature had dropped so much in the days before the wedding it made doing that impossible so I opted for my back-up wrap around sweater to keep me warm.

Once the sun started to set we had everyone there and accounted for and then it hit me. I had all the important info about who was walking with who in my head but when asked how it was going to run, I forgot it all. Thankfully my MOH saw my look of distress and can always tell when I'm freaking out on the inside and she hunted down some paper and a pencil and wrote it all down for me. Once all lined up and ready to rock I felt better, but something as small as this made me near tears, the disorganization of it all. Seriously, I hate that. But everyone assured me all rehearsals are like this. Funny I've been in a lot of weddings [see all the girls above, yeah minus one I was in ALL their weddings, well not the little ones jeez!] and I NEVER remember it being THAT chaotic.

We ran through the ceremony a few times and felt like we all had a firm grip on it and decided it was time to party!!!

Mike's mother set up an UNBELIEVABLE party for us at one of the pavilions located on the land surrounding the resort. She had everything decked out in fall colors, she even brought TONS of mums to decorate the entire area. I wish, wish, wish I took better pictures, but I didn't. Martha Stewart would have been floored ya'll his mom is amazing!!!

Mike and I arrived to the party fashionably late to a loud round of applause it was a bit overwhelming and I almost cried. There was GREAT food his mom got from our favorite BBQ place in town, as well as great cake and wine! We had a BYOB policy for everyone and I planned to bring smores for the kids but forgot so they got marshmallows only - I mean I should have remembered it's like I was getting ready for my wedding or something ;)

REHEARSAL DINNER FUN & MAYHEM

{Mike's mom has all the amazing pictures, but I have to get them from her}

The Father of the Bride and all her maids n' friends from Maryland!

BEST GIFT EVER!!!

My maids totally BRIDESMAID-ED me with this gift. Between them and their husbands they made a box of memories and objects that reflected those memories. Each maid and their husband chose something that was a total inside joke to us all. Needless to say Mike's family then learned how loud I can fart, how I love to scream about Nascar when I'm drunk "LIL E IS GAWD!", how many tattoos I have [not a secret], and many other SWEET memories as well. They also learned about the time I stole a parking cone from my old home town one night while drinking and didn't realize I had done it when I sobered up the next AM and asked why there was a cone in my trunk... good times!!!

At around 10:30 PM the park ranger told us it was time to wrap up the party, which we were all OK with considering it was freezing, the fire was dying down and the food and beer were both slowly running out. We all helped Mike's mom clean up the place and migrated back to the hotel. Mike quickly piped up that he would be taking the Keg from the rehearsal dinner {our contribution} down to his hotel room and that the party was not over!!!

All of the "youngin's" and my father and his friend came down to our party. Seriously it was like when you were in high school and your older friends scored a hotel room and some booze and you'd all go party the night away... What? You didn't do that? To warn you myself and all my friends are 30+ years old. We have a few 20 somethings in the mix but everyone was legal at this hotel party. Some people just stopped by for a few drinks and conversation then left... the ones that left missed one hell of a throw down. I was supposed to duck out at midnight... tradition and all. Mike came over and kissed me and said "It's almost midnight, do you have to go?" and I whined like a 4 year old stating I didn't want to leave all my friends were partying... so we both decided to say screw it to tradition and I stayed well into the evening... I think we all retired around 2 AM! Hair girls were coming at 9 AM thankfully I didn't get wasted... whew!

MORE MAYHEM I LOVE THESE PEOPLE!!!

{may I remind you I said we're all 30 something...}

Groom Keg Stand... awesome!

PLANK PILE!

I had NO clue then and I still have none!
FOR THE RECORD: That boa was supposed to make it to the photobooth for the reception... annnd we couldn't find it the next morning!

Who need strippers when you have best friends?

GETTIN' HITCHED YA'LL

DOUBLE PLANK!

FINAL PLANK OF THE EVENING... but NOT the weekend!!!

Bottom line we had a BLAST!!! I can't believe we didn't get kicked out of the hotel we were extremely loud!!! Up next... preparing for the big day & First look photos!

random musings & confession friday 1.20.12

2012-01-20T12:28:00.001-06:00

Let's get this started the weekend is almost here no time to waste!!!

Join the fun & link up with Shana over at

Fumbling Towards Normalcy

Tuesday was interesting, on my way to pick-up Mike for lunch [we eat together everyday] I got to hear one of my old school songs on the radio. It's bad enough that I get excited to hear "Ice Ice Baby" on the radio these days, but what is worse I actually know every. single. lyric. to that song. No lie. I was rapping my little white heart out. Later that evening when I went to pick-up Mike after work [we also carpool everyday] as I was flipping through channels on the radio I came across another HUGE favorite in my high school years... B.B.D.'s "Poison". Truly a great day for radio play - my lesson learned "You never trust a big butt n' a smile."
Oddly enough on Thursday morning while riding to work the radio decided to do a throw back on me again and play Kriss Kross' "Jump". I realized that while I was rapping the ENTIRE song word for word that my mother was right. She said that if my studies were rap songs I'd get straight A's. I don't remember a single lesson from most of my high school or college courses, unless challenged while watching Jeopardy, but I can damn sure tell you "Everything is the back with a little slack, cuz inside out is wigity-wigity-wigity-whack!"
Am I the only one that wasn't surprised by the discovery that Paula Dean has Type 2 Diabetes?
Alabama player Kilpatrick declared he's going to enter himself into the NFL draft... a few days later he was busted for possession of weed. Classy, dude. I hope that even though he's not under Nick Saban's wing any more that Saban rips him a new asshole, for being one! Roll Tide!
I was going to save this for a "She Tried It" segment but decided I'd just share it here since it's rather random. I tried a Big Mac for the first time in my life on Wednesday. Yes I'm 35 and I had never eaten a Big Mac. It never appealed to me and I honestly had the fear that I would LOVE it to the point that I'd want to eat them all the time. It's not the worst menu item at McDonald's but it's certainly far from the best. 530+ calories no thanks. I tried it, it was alright but I think if I had a moment where I had to feed the McD's craving I'd much rather just go with the Cheeseburger, plain, basic and small w/ some small fries. So there you have it, not earth shattering at all. I'd like to thank Kathryn over at omnivore100project for inspiring me to try it, and thank my stomach for not being head over gut for it! Whew... bullet dodged.
Work is feast or famine right now. Last week I was bored out of my mind this week my brain is spinning. It is what it is. I'm just thankful I have a job and that I'm busy again so please don't take this as bitching!

Step into the Confessional... man I miss Real World circa the 90's!

Link up withe Leslie over at A Blonde Ambition

I need a hair cut so bad. I haven't had it trimmed since well... before my wedding. Probably three weeks before my wedding. It's horrible. I look like a Redneck trying to be Kim Kardashian. Only these aren't extensions and they damn sure aren't shining like her hair does. I just can't decide if I want to go shorter, or keep it fairly long. OH the choices!
I also need a pedicure, or maybe just an all over spa day. If only that shiz was free.
After months of living out of my suitcase [October - November I left my clothing in there from the honeymoon and then November - NOW from my trip back home to see my dad]. I finally reorganized my clothing. Let me be clear, ~~I still did laundry~~, Mike did laundry, and I still had clean clothing. I just continued to place all the clean folded clothing on top of said suitcase and used that as my means as to put clothing away. Nothing has been hung since October, or before that. It's just sad. Finally the other night I had enough of it and put all my clothes away. It's amazing how much it decreases stress in the AM about what to wear when you can easily see all your clothing hanging in front of you.
I don't care about the Super Bowl now. None of the teams I have stock in are currently in the running so I'm done. I guess I'll just watch the commercials. That being said, you all know I like the Mannings so I guess I'll be pulling for Eli to get to the big game.
I still have Christmas decorations up in the house. Mike took down the outdoor ones so that we didn't look too bad to the neighborhood but the inside is still full of holiday cheer. At least in my defense we thought my dad might be down shortly after the holidays for a late Christmas. He hasn't made it yet so we are finally going to tackle that this weekend.
I was supposed to start Turbo Fire last week... didn't happen. After getting sick I felt it would be wise to rest and then start fresh next week. I gotta get myself motivated... apparently tight jeans aren't enough to get my ass moving just yet!
I jump on the badwagon late with a lot of things [tv shows, trends, smartphones, hunger games - still haven't bothered to buy it]. So this really shouldn't be a surprise or a confession but... Mike and I finally watched a few episodes of It's Always Sunny in Philly... and now I'm totally hooked. Why do I always wait so long? I LOVE IT!

via IMDB

Well there you have it folks - my confessions and musings! I hope you all have a great weekend! We don't have any plans as of yet, so I'm hoping for a mellow weekend!

take action!

2012-01-18T09:11:00.000-06:00

Wedding Wednesday is on hold this week - I will double up next week and bring you the Rehearsal Dinner and Getting ready all together [possibly even first look images].

Instead I thought it was more important to pass this on in hopes that many of you will sign this petition. There isn't much to say - fellow blog pals if you don't like the idea of being censored or told how to run your blog or website please take time to sign this petition. Censorship sucks, Freedom of Speech Rocks! Tell Congress: Don't Censor the Web!

SIGN HERE: https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/

is this a joke?

2012-01-17T12:22:00.001-06:00

Originally I deleted this email, not really thinking anything of it. Then after a few days I started to get really annoyed and couldn't for the life of me figure out why this person thought it would be wise or OK to email me this inquiry. Usually I just get those emails about needing to deposit a HUGE lump sum of money into my banking account since there is some distant dead relative that wanted me to have it, but not in this case.

I received this on Friday... from a Mr. Alan Statham.

Allan Statham [his name wasn't private so I'm sharing it].
Jan 13 (5 days ago)
to bcc: daretobedomestic@gmail.com
Hello, I need a good and reliable cleaner that can clean my new apartment for me...i will like to know if you are available to clean my new apartment for me....Get back to me as soon as possible if you are available.... House cleaner needed!!!

Soooo... this wasn't sent to my personal email. This person must have found my blog and decided that since the title was Dare to be Domestic that he would see if I might clean his apartment? Not sure. Either way I haven't responded. I thought I might take a vote - do I respond with something completely joke worthy or just let it go. I have to admit I laughed I bit when I read this, then my inner feminist came out and I was like WTF? Why is some douche bag asking me to clean his apartment - get off your lazy ass and do it yourself pig! Furthermore I don't think I've ever once talked about cleaning on this blog, have I? I thought about it, but I figured most of you know how to clean your own homes at this point, I mean we are all adults, correct?

I will admit I get strange emails from time to time. Usually it's not a direct question or anything as odd as this. For the most part my email for this site lies quietly with little contact [I have emails forwarded to my personal email to keep tabs on them].

Needless to say I've never been so sure about changing my blog name as I am right now. I will do that eventually to avoid idiots like this.

So readers what do you think - do you want to help me come up with a clever reply to this douche?

dreaming.

2012-01-16T08:35:00.000-06:00

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. To most it's just another day off work but to me it is a day to honor a man I've looked up to since the day I learned about him in school. I always reflect on his wise words in the speech he gave on August 28, 1963 in Washington, DC. I don't have much to say other than the fact that he will always be a hero of mine and his words still ring true and while much has been done to make his dream come true we still have a long way to go, in my opinion.

via ABC News

I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day the state of Alabama, whose governor's lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith with which I return to the South. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."

random musings & confession friday: 1.13.12

2012-01-13T10:51:00.000-06:00

Happy Friday everyone!!! I wanted to do a few fun things today. I'm an avid read of Shana's blog Fumbling Towards Normalcy and I've been trying to stay active in participating with her Random Musings Fridays. I'm also an avid reader of Leslie's awesome blog A Blonde Ambition ! Leslie does a great Friday Confessional post each week and I decided I would jump in and join the party on that as well. So here goes folks, a 2 for 1 deal on a Friday. My musings and my confessions - I can tell you're totally beside yourself with excitement to know what's on my mind. *wink* Maybe one day soon I will do a few more of my Fixation Fridays as well, but for now I'm on a roll with this.

Here it is Friday and I still feel like I'm nursing a WIN hangover from Monday's BCS Championship win by Alabama. Yeah... and I'm still talking about it. Bottom line the hangover feeling is due to lack of sleep not having fun beverages.
When I went to the doctor on Wednesday I got a Cortisone shot in my hip. I've never had one of these and while it knocked the funk out of my adnoids and system I don't think I ever want another one ever again in my life. I couldn't sleep at all that night. Wide awake, making lists, thinking about tons of random things [should have made a list for this] and just overall had a piss poor night of rest.
We finally got a dusting of snow and ice here in the South. I'm excited about this but I can't help but chuckle when I see how "Southerners" behave when this happens. 1 flake = total excitement. I guess as a former Northern/East Coast girl I'm a bit jaded and tend not to react in the same way, but I do love watching it fall, even if it doesn't last.
With all the money we have to pay in Alabama state taxes - I will say I really wish they'd put that money toward getting some salt trucks here. We don't get a lot of snow, but we get lots of bad ice and there roads are NEVER treated. It's horrible, dangerous and I think the State needs to recognize this.
We have no set plans this weekend and I'm really excited about this. I'm still feeling the effects of being sick and run down [lack of sleep] and I think it might be a great weekend to finally lay low, and possibly watch Lonesome Dove. It's Mike's most favorite thing on earth and he's talked about it non-stop since the day we met. I guess 7 years is long enough to wait right?
If we're watching a western mini-series all. day. long. I hope he plans to make some pioneer food or some biscuits to go with it.
I was supposed to start back on Turbo Fire on Monday. That didn't happen, not for lack of desire either. We spent the entire weekend straightening and organizing the mancave aka workout room AND I set my alarm to get up early Monday, but was too exhausted. As the day drug on I felt more run down and worse. By the time I got home, I was miserable. I called my father for our weekly chat, made dinner and watched the BCS game. I figured I could start new on Tuesday... well my body had other plans. After feeling sick, miserable and feeling like I threw my back out. Turbo Fire was out the door. If I get enough rest this weekend, it's GAME ON for Monday.
My back is still wrecked and I think if I feel up for it I'm going to do some Yoga X from P90X on Saturday to see if I can loosen up a bit. Wish me luck!
My Super Bowl prediction for teams is Ravens vs. Packers. I would love to see the Saints in there again, and it pains me to say I think the Ravens will go all the way, but it's just my gut feeling.
It will pain me to root for the Patriots because I am really not a fan of them or Tom Brady... but I will do so this weekend. And you all know why.

Here goes my first stab at confessions for this week....

Due to my lack of sleep I've been staying up a bit later than Mike. While he's asleep next to me I channel surf and I will be honest there isn't jack on that late at night. The past few nights I've found myself actually watching the Jersey Shore. Ugh - I know when it first came out I thought it was fun and comical but now it's just down right redic! I am SO over these douche bag kids thinking they are celebrities. They truly drive me crazy now. In watching the past two episodes of the new season I am convinced of one thing - there is nothing positive they add to this earth and Vinnie is a baby. Get over yourself dude. He's full of #firstworldproblems for sure. I know you miss your family but you are getting paid to live at the beach, party and do whatever you want for how many weeks? Get over it.
I am totally jealous of Mike's new smart phone. He and I decided to get on a family plan after the first of the year because well, we're family now. I am not due for an upgrade until June and I'm dying to get a new phone. Neither of us had a smart phone until now and I was on the fence about going iphone or droid... I'm still a bit on the fence but after seeing all the great stuff that his android phone can do, that iphone keeps claiming is exclusive to them only I'm almost 99% convinced I can tell the iphone to take a walk off a short pier and get a phone like his.
I ate fried food 3 days in a row this week. So much for getting healthy right? I've had fried chicken, fried pork chops and left over fried pork chops. Thank goodness last night's dinner was made up of baked chicken [no skin], sweet potatoes and green beans! I need a detox.

So there you go - my confessions and my musings. I will try to give you more dirt next week.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. Good luck to all my friends that have teams in the playoffs still! I myself and happy I don't have to "stress" about football until next year.

blog hoppin'

2012-01-12T11:50:00.000-06:00

via google • I lurve lol catz!

I don't have much to say here today because I'm still a bit under the weather {yes I'm milking it, nothing is nicer than having your husband make dinner and dote over you all evening}, and I'm all cheered out from talking about my Alabama Boys' big win over LSU for the BCS Championship Title over at From the Sidelines. I'm not one to tell people what to do but if you're interested you might want to roll over there and check out my post as well as all the other great ones by our members!

I hope everyone is having a great Thursday!!! I'll be back tomorrow with some Random Musings and possibly some confessions too!

Enjoy your Friday Eve Day!

wedding wednesday: meet n' greet

2012-01-11T14:51:00.000-06:00

It's that time of the week again. Wedding Wednesday! I almost didn't post this today because I'm feeling under the weather, but I'm on a roll with posting so far in the new year and didn't want to lose my steam.

When we set out to plan our wedding we knew we wanted it to reflect our personalities and be rustic, but fun, even a bit old fashioned. We tried to show this not only in the Save the Date Cards [see below] but also the other invites we sent to all our guests.

SAVE THE DATE... OPPS too late it's over, sorry folks!

I originally wanted it to say "Are Gettin' Hitched" but I thought I should stick with a semi formal "getting married." Yeah, I chickened out. All invites/printed items were designed in partnership with Mike. We are both graphic designers and it seemed silly to pick something out of a book. I was foolish and decided to have our Save the Date card drilled at the top to allow for ribbon to be connected. It was adorable but let me be the first to say that if you are doing most of your invites and assembling alone - DON'T do this. We sent out a little over 100 invites to friends and family and let me tell you I was SO sick of ribbon I could have died! We chose a slightly pale sage-ish green ribbon, and the invite was printed in deep brown ink on kraft paper stock - which had bits of fleck in it and is a bit imperfect which is JUST what we wanted. Mike is always helpful with projects I take on but I didn't want him to be bothered with having to tie all the ribbons even though I KNOW he would have helped me and offered at great lengths to do so. I took his offering of help and used 100% in creating our invites [more on those in future posts].

Our wedding was by no means a destination wedding for Mike and I but it was for most of our family and friends. We had it here, close to home and close to the majority of his immediate family. My family is very small it consists currently of myself, my father, 2 cousins and their families and my Aunt and Uncle, all on my father's side of the family. As many of you may know my mother passed away a few years ago, and most of the family I knew personally from her side have since passed as well. Knowing that the majority of my guests were friends made it a bit easier to plan an in state wedding. We had considered going to Maryland to have the wedding but I wanted things to be as easy as possible not only on Mike and I in the planning process but his mother and father as well. His immediate family is huge, and I'm sure adding travel to the amount of money Mike's family was going to spend for our big day would only add to the lump sum they were going to have to spend.

Knowing we'd have so many friends and family from out of town coming in to celebrate, and most of which would be there early Mike and I devised a plan to have a "MEET N' GREET" night before wedding formalities were in full swing. We picked our favorite restaurant and bar to be the meeting place and reserved the patio for our fun evening of drinks, dinner and socializing. I'm not sure where I got the idea for the Meet n' Greet but I am glad I did. Most of my friends from back home hadn't met Mike's family yet, and my father had only had limited time to socialize with them as well. My best friends, ARE my family so I wanted time for them and Mike's family to get familiar with each other before the formal festivities!!! We had excellent weather for weeks leading up to the wedding weekend. It was warm, comfortable and most guests would be pleased. However, right before the wedding weekend it got colder locally and we were forced to take over the back room at the restaurant instead of the fun patio. It was simply, too chili to be out there for an extended amount of time.

The day of the Meet n' Greet:

My bridesmaids had been texting me all morning long on Thursday. The best was from my oldest friend, she and I met in middle school when she was new to our town and school. We've been friends ever since. We lost touch after college and thanks to the magic of facebook reunited and it truly feels like we haven't missed a beat. She texted me that she almost missed the plane. She and her husband had been taking their time to get to the gate and decided they wanted a Bloody Mary before the trip. Needless to say they made the flight when someone came searching for them but it made for a great story because the rest of my bridal party that was flying in for the big show were on the same flight!!! HA!

All the girls and their hubby's took separate rental cars from the airport due to staying in different locations that night and thus leading to different arrival times. My phone was buzzing NON-STOP! My girls were excited and so was I. I had told the girls that it may be fun to meet at the Marriott for lunch. Mike and I had been there a few times for happy hour and while the price of food is a bit over the top, we knew it was the perfect place to meet since a few of the girls were staying there for that evening. I wanted to make it easy on them since they had just flown into town.

Once at the hotel, I could hear them in the dining area - always a great sign right? Then again when you've been sippin' on cocktails all morning on a flight there's bound to be some loud talking! It was so great to see them all!!!! I almost cried. This marked the first time all my friends had come to Alabama [NOT counting the Maid of Honor and one of my maids making it for my bridal shower, a couple weeks before, as a surprise!!!] But this marked EVERYONE I loved the most being there with me!!! Talk about wanting to well up!

Introductions were made as needed once a few other friends showed up with their husbands - Mike has met nearly everyone but at the same time there is always one or two people he has yet to meet properly.

Bless our server's sweet little heart... and all those around us!

MOH & Groom to Be!

Drinks were flowing, conversations were loud, enjoyable [at least for our table] and it was like old times! A happy hour style lunch for sure!!!

Dear friends, P, T {MOH} myself laughing while picture is being taken, and K {Bridesmaid}

Bridesmaid & MOH take over the Marriott Lobby! Heaven help the staff!!! And yes, she's planking!

After Lunch Mike and I finished up other things we had on our to-do list. Which mind you was pretty difficult with the buzz I had caught while eating lunch with my girls and their hubby's. Maryland KNOWS how to party!!!

Before I knew it, it was time for dinner at the Meet n' Greet. I realized by this time I had gotten a bit PINK in the tanning bed and wasn't pleased about it. I hadn't tanned in over 10 years!!! I was against it and fearful for skin cancer etc. Well I dropped that for 3 days so I could have some color on my big day and got too much on the final day. Thankfully it toned down but that is why I look like a ROSEY WOMAN in all these last pictures!

MOH & I at dinner

K, My dad & MOH, T • Everyone loves this man!!!

We have quite a few pictures from the dinner but I figured I wouldn't bore you with the images. Let's just say dinner was great, delicious, we filled the entire back room with bodies and laughter and I had about 3 of those drinks in front of me {Captain n' Diet}.

We then decided to let the responsible adults take the kids home.... and the rest of us went out to our favorite watering hole downtown to continue the party. Joined by both FRIENDS and FAMILY!

Yes, she's planking... K started a trend this weekend passed down from her cousins. Needless to say it was a bit hit!!!

Mike, myself and my new family - 3 of my brother-in-laws, my Father-in-Law & My Sister-in-law

{I have 2 other SIL's and one more BIL as well - SEE HUGE FAMILY!}

LOVE this picture - we had a blast!!!

And we paid for it... trust me Friday morning I ate Gas Station Pizza for breakfast on my way to the resort! Yes I said Gas. Station. - classy!

I hope you enjoyed it I know we did - next up! The Rehearsal dinner!

we did it!

2012-01-10T09:11:00.000-06:00

Lucky #14! Well done Crimson Tide and Saban!!!

BCS CHAMPIONS 2011 Alabama 21 • LSU 0

WAY TO HOLD THAT LINE BOYS!

ROLL TIDE ROLL!

via google • Saban is one happy camper for sure! RTR!

the good, the bad and the ugly.

2012-01-09T12:17:00.001-06:00

I was going to save this post for my bi-weekly posting over at From the Sidelines but I just couldn't hold it in any longer. Plain and simple, last night sucked, big time. The Steelers lost to the Broncos and my worst enemy, Tim Tebow. I brought this on myself I was the first to say last Friday that Tebow will knock my team out of the playoffs and take the Steelers down, it would be just my luck for this to happen. And you know what... it did. GRRRR!

My only mental saving grace is that A) our team wasn't at 100% with our line-up and B) Now I can relax. Sure I wanted my boys to go all the way but let's be realistic, we aren't operating with a full starting line up, we are battered, beaten and would still have to make it through New England AND my best guess would be the Ravens in order to make it to the big game. Yes that is my prediction as much as I hate to see it happen I think the Ravens have a great shot of making it to the Super Bowl this year.

THE GOOD:
Tim Tebow. Even if I think he's BAD, he's still good. The world's golden boy. There is no denying that Tebow is a good kid. I'm just not a fan, the boy gets under my skin. I can't say anything more positive than that he's a good kid so I'll stop there. [You do realize this is killing me not to go all word vomit about him right?]

THE BAD:
Steelers are out of the playoffs and I'm pissed but coping as well as a fan can at this point. As stated above, we could have done better, much better and frankly why the fuck didn't we try for that field goal to win the game? Sure all the odds were stacked against us, and it had never been done before but why on earth would you back down from a chance. Their Fear: Oh the ball might get tipped, the Broncs might run it back for a touch down - well GUESS WHAT... they did that anyway in overtime and we were hung out to dry. I am all about taking chances, and that was one I feel we could have risked. No guts, no glory.

THE UGLY:
I can't believe I'm going to admit this... but here goes. Last night before the game they were showing pre-game interviews with Tebow [my eyes just rolled as I typed this]. Tebow was discussing his excitement about playing against the Steelers and how he has watched them for the past decade and always admired them. Nice suck up Tebow, very sweet of you. In the process of watching this and trying not to get my eye balls stuck in the back of my head I started to joke with Mike about Tebow's lovely sore on his lip. Be it from a bump at practice, or an actual cold sore I didn't care - I started to bust on him wondering how his virgin ass contracted herpes. Well... I guess the joke was on me... after the loss I sulked... I watched Cleveland Show, Family Guy and American Dad and then went to bed... this morning I went to the bathroom and noticed I had gotten a sore on my lip, a blister if you will, over night. SERIOUSLY!?! I never get cold sores, blisters or anything funky on my lip unless they are overly chapped. I guess this is my payment for busting on one of the flock. Tebow got me back - divine justice for the golden boy. That makes me the "UGLY" for being ugly.

IN OTHER NEWS

TONIGHT IS THE BIG NIGHT AL VS. LSU!

[You know where my heart lies]

via google • SEC, SEC, SEC, SEC

I guess either way this ends, SEC is a clear winner. But for me I will only be pleased if Bama takes the win to give us 14 National Championships. For the record, I will say that normally LSU is one of my top five favorite SEC teams but tonight they are the enemy!

Now if you will excuse me, I've got to go find a way to hid my nasty lip AND get some things ready for the REAL game of the season! Alabama takes on LSU for the BCS National Championship. All I can say is ROLL MUTHA F'IN TIDE and I hope to end on a high note - after last night I don't know how much more I can take.

LESSON: Don't ever bust on Tebow... you might end up with bad hair, a sore on your lip or worse. He apparently IS the messiah and we should all bow down to him. Yeah, that isn't going to happen.

random musings friday: 01.06.12

2012-01-06T10:32:00.000-06:00

One week down in 2012 - we killed it people, in a good way! I started following the wise words of Ally and Shana when it came to keeping notes and the verdict is: I have issues with a lot of Hollywood types. So here goes... First Random Musing Friday of 2012!!!

Zooey Deschanel gets on my last nerve. Everyone thinks she's soooo cute and quirky. I think that A) She's trying too hard to seem like she's not trying too hard and B) That doesn't make her quirky at all, it makes her a faker. I'd like to also comment that my note to remind me of this actually said "I would love to punch Zooey D. in the face." Isn't that sweet? I never claimed to be, so get over it.
Speaking of Hollywood types - by now you all know about Katie P and her hubby Russell B getting the big D. I can't believe this didn't happen sooner. I don't know how she put up with him. About the only thing I can deal with watching him in is Forgetting Sarah Marshall. I couldn't stand him for 4 hours let alone 4 months of dating + marriage.
Hollywood #3: I don't get the whole Ryan Gosling plague that's happening. Sure he's attractive but I am just not into him. And yes, I've seen the Notebook and I'm of the few that think while it's a touching movie, it's also overrated [yes I just said that]. Same thing happened years ago when everyone was hot for Brad Pitt. They just aren't my thing.... then again I have the hots for Zach Galifinakus sooo there's that. [Note: I do have crushes on conventional hunks like Ryan Reynolds, Ben Affleck & Jason Sudeikis].
PMS hit me hardcore this time around - hence wanting to punch sweet Zooey in the face. I probably would just roll my eyes at her now that my cycle has come to an end.
I truly enjoyed New Years Eve at home this time around - I made some amazing crab cakes with twice baked potatoes. This allowed us to not have to worry about reservations anywhere and we didn't have to worry about calling, paying, or riding in a cab to get home after partying. SCORE!
Why do cab drivers always have their heat set on HELL in the winter? I mean they ride in the car, never getting out... doesn't it get hot for them? Bottom line I hate FULL BLAST HEAT in a car unless it's warming up, and it's needed.
I forgot to put on my wedding rings yesterday after doing my hair - I felt truly naked.
This weekend we are getting the mancave in order. It currently resembles a Hoarders producer's dream. It's packed to the gills with wedding gifts still in boxes as well as props from the wedding reception - what the fudge am I going to do with 30 mason jars filled w/ dry wax and coffee beans? Once this is all straightened up and the room is cleared I will be resuming Turbo Fire again, starting over from day 1.
Mason Jars = Hillbilly Fun Fest this summer. I'm sure I can master some sort of moonshine recipe before then, right?
I hate this time of year when you realize all your hard work went down the crap shoot because you were too lazy to workout while you were busy celebrating with friends and family. I wouldn't say I was too lazy just didn't care to. I made the joke the day after my wedding when I was stuffing my face at the lodge's buffet ... "I'm married now, I can get fat and ugly and he's stuck with me!"So not true... but it was funny... now I fear if I don't get my ass in action it will become a reality! SO I am going to get my booty moving for my health and the love of my husband in 2012.
I purchased some of my favorite all time Quaker Oatmeal in Cinnamon Spice last night. The store we shop at NEVER carries it. Only at random times. So since the shelf was full I purchased not 1 but 2 boxes. I also purchased what I like to call my "hippie oatmeal" which is Kashi Cinnamon and Honey. I will eat the Cinnamon Spice sparingly, at least that is my plan. When I made some this morning it didn't seem as amazing as I remember it being though. I was disappointed - then I feared that my hippie oatmeal with the flax and good for you junk ruined me. Sorry Mr. Quaker... there's a new meal in town.
I'm thinking of taking my blog in a new direction for the new year. Change is a good thing or so I tell myself. I guess it's not really a new direction but I think a new name, that is more reflective of who I am and what I do here is in order. As well as some new things - More on that to come!
This weekend is big, HUGE for my football teams. Steelers are going to be playing the Broncos and I'm nervous. It would totally be JUST MY LUCK that Tebow would possibly knock my boys out of the playoffs - man will I be pissed. Anyone that knows me, knows how much that boy gets under my skin. While he's a great kid, no person on earth is that ~~holy~~ good 24/7. It's just not possible. Yes, I'm very pessimistic. I've been over him for years, since he was a Gator. Mark my words there is a skeleton or two in his closet. LET'S GO STEELERS!!!!
HUGE FOOTBALL NEWS #2: My Bama boys are set to face off with the tigers of LSU! I'm so excited and nervous about this game!!! LET'S GO FOR #14 BOYS!!! ROLL TIDE ROLL!

So there you have it... my random thoughts from the week. I wanted to leave you with one of my favorite SNL skits to date... It's a shot of a TV so sorry about that but it's too good not to share.

she tried it, and...

2012-01-05T10:00:00.002-06:00

One of my goals for 2012 was to try new foods. This goes hand in hand with not only trying new foods but also at times trying to be more healthy. I figured I'd start a new little thing of "She tried it, and...." I'll let you know what I've tried and whether or not I liked it, or hated it.

I got the year started off right - almost by accident with this goal of trying new things. I hoped to at least once a month, try a new food. After a long, emotional day on New Years Day. Saying good-bye to Mike's great uncle and witnessing the most amazing military funeral, his family and I decided we would meet up for dinner. Not many places, of the affordable nature were open on New Years Day so we opted for Cracker Barrel. Yes I realize that this isn't really healthy eating 101, but it was homestyle, comforting and nice to have the family at a table together, and for once letting his mom who usually prepares all our family meals, get a chance to rest after her long weekend of caring for her Aunt and family.

I settled on the Chicken and Dumplings and lots of veggies. Sure they were covered in butter but like I said I was going for comfort food. That being said, I did make an effort to not eat myself silly. All of the items on my plate were things I had tried before, but Mike's brother's girlfriend, B had brought his father some Black Eyed Peas from her grandmother. The tradition of pork and black eyed peas is a big one here in the South and Mike's dad was not going to be content until he had some. This also was not a new meal for me. Mike's father passed around the bowl of good faith and luck to us all who wanted to eat a bit and Mike and I took our share of a few bites on our plate. They were tasty and I could almost feel the happy thoughts for 2012 fill my belly.

B also had another bag hidden in her purse and passed that out as well. Apparently her grandmother armed her with an arsenal of good luck food to come to our meal with. Almost as if we were at the movies smuggling in our own candy we passed the bag around the table. Normally I would have freaked out when she told me what it was, but I'm feeling more adventurous these days. B explained it was hog jaw. Funny, it looked like bacon. Mike grabbed a bit and handed his brother and I the bag. His youngest Brother [he has 3 brothers and 2 sisters, big family!] and I agreed to split a piece but with a rush of courage I stated that NO I would just get my own and try it all.

Here I was sitting at a table holding a bit of hog jaw in my hand. It looked like bacon, it smelled like bacon but it was much thicker than any slice of bacon I'd ever eaten. I took one moment to think about it and then quickly took a bite. Immediately the flavor filled my mouth and it was amazing. Better than any bacon I had ever tasted. Not quite as gutsy as say eating a pigs foot or cheek but I was eating hog jaw. WOW! And I like it... a lot!

The second item B got me to try was a bite of her cooked cabbage she ordered as a side. I've never liked cabbage unless it was red, raw and in my salad as a child. I'm not a huge fan of coleslaw either but will eat it from time to time if it's tasty. I was hesitant that I wouldn't like it but after taking a bite realized it was delicious. And I started thinking something I might like to add to my book of recipes to cook. The scent of cooked cabbage far outweighs the taste for sure. I was expecting a pungent flavor but it was mild and very, very enjoyable. Eating this takes me one step closer to trying a Reuben sandwich, for which I was always fearful to eat with the tangy cabbage on top.... or SourCRAP as I called it when I was a child.

Boiled Cabbage & Hog Jaw
VERDICT: Delicious! And while I would never make hog jaw at home, I might have to stop by B's grandma's house in the future to get my fix!

P.S. I wasn't 100% in love with the chicken and dumplings from Cracker Barrel. The rest of the veggies were tasty though. I really hate going out to eat and feeling like I could have made the meal better at home, myself. Tip for 2012, if you can make it at home, it's best not to order it while out unless you know it's going to knock your socks off.

wedding wednesday: engagement portraits

2012-01-04T12:19:00.001-06:00

With this Wedding Recap I wanted to start from the beginning and work my way to the final days. I realized in all the hustle and bustle of planning my wedding that I never shared with you some of our engagement shots. At first I wasn't sure if I wanted to do the engagement pictures. I wasn't where I wanted to be with my weight loss and figured that since we were getting married so soon after our engagement that it might be a waste of time. The more I sat and pondered about this I realized I was being silly - this is a special time in my life and it's something important I'd like to have documented. I was and currently still am struggling with wanting my picture to be taken so this was a big leap for me. I also realized this was the perfect time for Mike and I not only to get used to having the camera focused on us for an extended amount of time but to also get to know our photographer on a more personal level.

Originally I wanted to go with a local couple that own a photo studio downtown. When I contacted them they sadly informed me that they would be busy the weekend of our big day doing a wedding in Mississippi. As I stated in a previous wedding post if you are passionate about a certain vendor such as musicians, chefs or photographers it's best to check with them for their availability before committing to a date or a location for your event. I was a bit up in the air about who to go with and a customer of mine suggested our photographer Breanna Fogg, of Breanna Fogg Photography. Her work blew me away from the moment I saw her website. It was fun, fresh and timeless. Originally I wanted to go with a bit of an old fashioned feel to the images. I loved the soft tones I had been seeing all over the blog-iverse of brides and grooms and engaged couples in the mid afternoon sun. Then the more I thought about it I remembered, hey girl, you're a graphic designer - you can make your images look however you want. It then dawned on me - bottom line is we want great shots! Not just romantic shots. Mike and I agreed 100% that we wanted to go with Breanna and we hired her quickly.

Our first engagement session was scheduled to be at the end of July. I figured it would have been the best time to get some fun shots of us at the creek, and we'd be fully tanned and looking great after our vacation over the first week of July. After returning from our vacation I was thankful that our session ended up having to be rescheduled due to weather [it was a mess that weekend]. The best thing about it was A) I didn't have to melt in the heat and B) My legs were peeling SO bad. I didn't have to have that as a lasting image of myself. I had gotten a wicked sunburn on the back of my body the second to last day of vacation thanks to not reapplying my sunblock!!!

Mike and I decided to reschedule our photoshoot for September. The air would be cooler and that suited both of us really well. We wouldn't get the fun shots we originally anticipated getting at the creek where we kayak, but in the end jeans and light shirts were way more comfortable than a sweat covered face and rings on our shirts, right?

At this point Breanna and I had been chatting via email for a few months and she was always warm, friendly and such a breeze to work with. This was only amplified in meeting her in person. She was a dream. Breanna met us the day of our shoot - at our favorite watering hole downtown. I was starting to get nervous - the only "photoshoots" I've ever had in my life were uncomfortable class portraits and school pictures - all of which I hated. After a glass of liquid courage we were off to our first location, the railroad bridge where Mike proposed to me.

Sadly at the time of day we got there the lighting was not right so we only got a few pictures on the actual bridge - but the surrounding area made for the best pictures! It was wooded, and the shade helped since I was wearing darker colors and the setting sun was still a little warm, even in September. I do live in Alabama afterall.

Bottom line we had a blast - taking Breanna from place to place around our small town and joking and talking with her. I think she got some amazing shots and I finally felt comfortable in front of the camera. If you're a soon to be bride I truly think getting engagement shots done are worth the money and effort. Especially if you don't know the photographer and want to get comfortable in front of the camera. By my wedding day I was no longer nervous about what I was going to look like, or how I should stand [they will tell you what to do, and if you're lucky like I was, your photographer will fix your hair for you too!]. And I was able to relax and not feel like a Kardashian with a hound of photogs in my face.

So without further delay... here are a few of our favorite shots taken that day, in September before we were Mr. and Mrs.

Breanna - if you are reading thank you again! Working with you made it easy and awesome. You're the best!

All photos taken by Breanna Fogg of Breanna Fogg Photography

This is the bridge where Mike proposed to me... at the verrrrryyyyyy end of the bridge!

our favorite pictures are ones of us laughing together.

Mike thought of using the original printing type for these images I'm so glad he thought of it because it was a great touch! Being graphic designers in the print industry this worked out well to showcase our careers.

Downtown... love this place!

I wish I could remember what he was saying to make me laugh so hard!

Everyone has a "Cheers" in their lives, this is ours!

I hope you enjoyed it! Next up... Wedding Weekend Kick Off - our Meet n' Greet Night before the wedding!

2012: Goals

2012-01-03T11:03:00.002-06:00

via weheartit

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! It's that time of year again... we all start thinking about ways we'd like to improve ourselves, our lives and the way we live them. I've been racking my brain trying to think of things I really want to do with my 2012. So here's a few improvements, and goals I'd like to share not only to hold myself accountable for but also so I can have it in writing.

PERSONAL GOALS:
Find more reasons to celebrate.
I saw this listed on an ad, for what company I can't remember but it really stuck with me. All too often I let life pass me by and only celebrate really huge milestones like birthdays, weddings, anniversaries. Why not celebrate that it's Monday night and you didn't once say "Is it Friday yet?". Mike and I have a long standing "date night" type tradition. When Fall shows start every Thursday night we cook a fun dinner, pop open a bottle of wine and relax watching our favorite shows. I want more nights like this for us and for our friends. It's Tuesday, let's party!

Live in the Present.
All too often I find myself thinking about the past. Or fantasizing about the future. I think it's great to look ahead, to make plans and to be hopeful, but if you spend every moment thinking about what could have been or what might be, you miss out on what you have in front of you. I want to be more present in my day to day life and enjoy this first year of marriage, and enjoy everyone after that as well. Live in the now!

Blog more.
2011 was a whirlwind for me. Since the day I got engaged my life was consumed by planning our wedding and while I should have documented more while the planning process was happening I just didn't have the time, or energy to do so. I will however do a full recap of the events. A subtitle to this is blog more HERE. I started to spread myself too thin thinking it was wise to start a weight loss blog, as well as joining a blog community and then also trying to blog on my wedding website. It was too much, instead of doing it at all I dropped them, missed deadlines and that only made me feel worse. I decided this year I will take down Cocktails and Cardio, and focus my energy on D2BD. And that way I will have more time to talk sports over at the fabulous community over at From the Sidelines. Along with blogging more I fully intend to get back into the swing of not just reading all your blogs but commenting too. Don't worry I've been lurking like a stalker, totally.

Do less, focus more.
As stated above I often get overwhelmed. I want to focus more on myself, and my relationship with my husband in our first year of marriage. This falls in the lines of doing less, to focus more on him and myself. I need to be better about asking for help. I think I try to take on too much sometimes, and need to do less to get more out of life. With all this free time, I will be able to find more reasons to celebrate! ZING!

Be the best wife I can be.
I have an amazing husband. But first he was an amazing friend and boyfriend. That hasn't changed but I need to remember that even though we had the beautiful wedding, the marriage needs to be just as beautiful as that special day and that takes work. All too often I think people slack in their marriages and I don't want to be that person. Mike lost his great uncle this past holiday season and the one thing I have noticed about him and his great aunt is their love for each other. They have been married for a very long time but you still saw the love they shared. Seeing her without him this weekend broke my heart and made me think and hope that I can be as lucky as she was to live with the man I loved for as long as she did. This is an on-going goal but one I wanted to have in writing.

Become Healthier.
This is a huge one - as most of you know I have been on a roller coaster of workouts for about two years now. P90X, ChaLean Extreme and TurboFire. All of which are amazing programs... and I saw results but, what isn't so amazing is that I'm right back where I started. Not feeling better, but worse about myself. I busted my ass to get in shape for the wedding, only to be not 100% pleased with how I looked and then let it all fall apart with the looming holidays. Instead of working for a goal of being X lbs. or Size Y. I want to instead keep up with my workouts but try to focus on how I feel, what I'm eating and how it fuels my day, my life, my mentality and my relationships. In this quest I want to test myself to see just how clean I can make my diet. Most of my downfall wasn't my lack of effort in sweating, it was my lack of eating foods to fuel my workouts, my body and also my health. Apparently pizza n' beer aren't great workout fuel. I eat entirely too much junk, plain and simple. What good is it to push my body just to maintain the weight I'm trying to get rid of. I'm tired of lying to myself. So this year I will strive to be healthier and see where that leads me. I need a life change, not a quick fix. As stated I will blog about it here.

Try New Food.
I've been truly inspired lately to try new foods I never thought I'd want to try before. It could be my crush on Anthony Bourdain, or maybe it's in reading so many fun blogs like Omnivore100Project [love her blog!] but in the end I think expanding my taste might also help me discover healthy foods I never thought I'd want. I will also blog about this. I also think this will help me expand my diet and try new healthy foods.

Spend less, save more.
I am working on handling my debt, spending less [needs only, not wants] and putting the rest into savings for our future. It's plain and simple. I am going to try my best to only purchase NEEDS in this year, not wants. This will be difficult with our looming travel plans [see below] but I know if I set my mind to it, I can make it work.

Travel more.
This will most likely happen this year. SO it isn't really a goal - We have lots of plans to visit family and celebrate milestones such as weddings and the holidays. I look forward to visiting new places I've never been before!

Drink more wine.
You didn't think I was going to say quit drinking did you? Come on, I have to have SOMETHING I know I'll achieve on this list! ;) It will all be about moderation!

These are the items I find more important to me at this moment. The best thing about a list of goals is that it's always evolving and there is nothing wrong with adding more to the list. I am excited about 2012 and look forwarding to improving myself and my over all outlook in my life.

What are some of your goals?

Christmas Recap & Random Musings Friday

2011-12-30T10:59:00.001-06:00

While reading Misty's recap she put it as well as any one could... if I don't do this now it will never get posted. I've been running non-stop it seems since I returned from my honeymoon at the end of October. Before I knew it the calendar was saying it was Turkey Time! We traveled then too so now that we're only two days from the New Year I figured there was no time like the present to give a little Christmas recap. Get it.. Present?

The biggest question I got all weekend long was "How was your first Christmas as a married couple?" I was not really sure how to react to this question. It was amazing! What else would it have been? But I don't feel like it out shined any other Christmas Mike and I have spent together in the past 7 years. We have lived together since before our first anniversary of dating, and we already have our own couple oriented traditions. We open one gift before we head to his family's house for Christmas Eve, which is always fun and special. This year his was a Griswold's Family Christmas Tshirt, and mine was Forrest Gump on BluRay. [one of my top 5 favorite movies of all time!] And we then celebrate with a big meal with his family, open gifts together and then come home and relax for a while before turning in. The next morning we wake-up and open gifts. I think I slept until 8:00 am this Christmas which was nice. We did stay up until about 2 AM the night before. We finished the holiday off by spending the afternoon again with his family eating steaks and talking about all the great gifts Santa brought us. It was perfect. Having my father there would have made it even more perfect but since he's due to retire in mere weeks, he had to finish his jobs and then he will come visit me right after the new year!

I had a really hard time formulating a wish list this year. It was hard to think of anything I wanted, or needed. After having our wedding and receiving a ton of great gifts there was really nothing left to TRULY want that didn't seem a bit silly. I am married to the man I always wanted to be married to, I have a wonderful extended family now and it just seemed silly to start asking for anything after being given so much.

In true "only child syndrome" fashion I forged ahead and made a list for Mike's mom including practical things such as a new comforter set, and cookbooks. I added video games and shoes for Michael and called it a day. His mom out did herself this year, not only did she purchase items on our list but she got us fun extras. [3D Video Game Glasses, Cute Charms for Necklaces, a fab resin tortoise watch!!]

I have to say the most special gift I received of course was from Mike. For a few years now I've been coveting a necklace and charms from Waxing Poetic. My lust for these things started upon meeting one of Mike's younger brother's girlfriends. She had one of these necklaces and it was awesome. The perfect combo of every day necklace with flare and both gold and silver represented. It had been years since I had basic everyday necklace that I never took off and I was dying to have one of these. I think I've been asking for this gift for about 2 years now. I'm am however thankful he waited until this year. It's more significant now. The charms I wanted reflect initials for my name. If he had purchased them last year, or the year before I would have a K and a W. Now that I'm married, my new lastname begins with a H. Knowing this, and hoping I'd get the charm this year, would mean so much more since it was a gift from my new husband.

Mike pulled out all the stops! It was the final gift I opened that morning and I was OVER THE MOON excited! Paired with a great flat cable chain it made me smile from ear to ear! I put it on immediately and haven't taken it off since!

via waxingpoetic.com

The K charm is very small - and I love it. It compliments the larger H charm perfectly and I love the old fashioned look that both of these have.

via waxingpoetic.com

While these two paired with a chain were my ultimate favorite gifts my husband out did himself spoiling me with a few other fab items too.

via uo

I first discovered this little gem when Misty blogged about wanting and getting one for herself and I thought what a great thing to keep myself accountable for not just writing one line a day but getting my creative mind working. I also think this will be a neat thing to tuck away when I'm older and let my grandchildren discover it.

Two items I've been wanting for a lonnnnng time are the two following books. I'm obsessed with the Pioneer Woman and nothing has replaced my love for Domino magazine since it stopped being printed.

via amazon.com

I have almost read this book cover to cover already - I love that Ree is SO genuine and sweet. I would love to visit her ranch/lodge one day! PW have your people call ... well ... ME!

via amazon.com

Makes me want to own a home right NOW! I can't wait to use the vital decorating knowledge in this awesome book!

Last but never least it's not like me to wish for practical things usually. But I couldn't get my mind off these slippers. I hate my old slippers and even more I hate walking into the kitchen in socks, only to step in a huge puddle of water that the dog has left behind after emptying her water bowl. It must have been a very husbandly thing to do this year to purchase slippers for the women of the H Family because not only did I get slippers but so did my MIL and my new SIL as well. Well done boys! P.S. Mine are still the most awesome!

SO COZY!!! Roxy Snowflake Slippers via pacsun.com

I tried my best to spoil my husband as well, and I really can't pin point my favorite gift I got him. He had a very Pearl Jam Christmas, as well as a very VANS Christmas. 2 of his favorite things!!! And now he finally owns Lonesome Dove on BluRay thanks to his kick ass wife! All in all as I said I was spoiled this year. I received some great frames for our wedding portraits, as well as lots of other fun items! Lots of K-Kups for my new coffee maker which I'm obsessed with and other fun tidbits. It's nice to be spoiled but as I stated before... I already had all I needed, the rest is just icing on the cake!

What was your favorite gift received or given this season?

I can't let the last Friday of the year go by without linking up for Shana's ....

So here goes, my week of Random Thoughts!!!

For the life of me I can't figure out how two people can make SO many dirty dishes. I bet Mike and I put away and reload the dishwasher no less than 2-3 times a week. It's insane. I know that when I cook I tend to dirty at least 3 bowls at a time. I really need to get a larger cutting board to which I can place all the cut up items out of my way and continue to chop. This would help with the overuse of clean bowls. I also tend to dirty up a lot of pots. I've tried to start mastering many one pot meals. My resolution is to cut down on the amount of dirty dishes we create, and hopefully the amount of water we waste when washing all of these.
I love steam in the bag veggies. This cuts down on the use of said pots, and pans and dishes.
My hands are so dry and my nails are a wreck. I've started taking my vitamins again, and hopefully through the use of lotion and oil my nails will get back on track. Any suggestions in wonder treatments you ladies have found is greatly appreciated.
We have no plans for New Years Eve yet. Usually this would drive me crazy but this year I'm almost content to stay in, make an amazing meal, sip some wine or rum and relax watching movies. I've either become and adult or figured it would be better than fighting the crowds at the bars.
I am SO SO SICK of fast food, junk food and anything that isn't whole food. I'm trying to use this sickness as a way to motivate myself to start eating well again. So far it's not working, Mike is sending me to McDonald's to pick-up our lunch. I can win a tiny battle here if I choose a salad over say a cheeseburger thought, right?
We have a pile of gift cards that we have yet to use from our wedding. I might be the only person on earth that tends to hold on to them forever for fear of purchasing something and not having the gift card anymore. It's like money you'll never get back. It's a strange hang up I have... I keep telling Mike I want to survey our gifts [which most are still in boxes] and make a list before stepping out to the store and mindlessly purchasing items we may not truly need. Responsible, yes... fun, not in the least.
I need to make a list of resolutions, or goals for 2012. We all know what the biggest one will be... get in shape. As if I had to say that again. But I want to go deeper than that.
If we do go out for New Years Eve I have an outfit in mind, but no shoes to go with it. #firstworldproblems

I hope you all have a happy and safe New Years Eve and that the New Year brings nothing but happiness, joy and prosperity to all of you! Tah-Tah for now! See you in 2012!!!!

currently...

2011-12-28T15:31:00.000-06:00

As we count down the days left in 2011 I got thinking about all I've done this year, and thought I might document what I'm doing/liking/thinking currently. After all I don't have to figure out my resolutions until 11:59 pm on Saturday right?

current book: Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential [amazing!]

current playlist: I don't have a list but currently Pearl Jam is in high rotation

current color: I'm obsessed with mustard yellow right now and gray.

current drink: water, but I'm coveting each of my new k-cup flavors I use in my Keurig. Mike and I are also newly obsessed with Gin and Tonics.

current food: junk food - today started operation 'Clean Up Your Diet'. I had a huge salad and I feel awesome!

current favorite show: Without a doubt, Parks n' Rec and COMMUNITY [however I am loving Up All Night, Hart of Dixie and a few other choice shows - does anyone watch American Pickers?]

Ron F-ing Swanson is my Hero! via pinterest

Community via google • Is it wrong I want to own 2 cats and name them after these two?

current needs: I have all I could need, seriously I know it sounds cheesy but I only have wants, not needs right now. It's a great feeling. OK maybe I feel I need a new juicer and a vacation would be awesome.

current triumph(s): getting married, is that a triumph? And eating salad instead of fast food today.

current bane(s) of my existence: crappy food and it's availability and cheap price tag.

current celebrity crush: I've been amused by Jason Sudeikis as of late.

jason via pinterest

current #1 blessing: loved ones/family, my health, my home, my job.

current indulgence: ugh... junk food. Let's make that OVER indulgence.

current outfit: jeans, black boots and a hoodie proclaiming my father-in-law's business.

current excitement: New Years Eve! We don't even have plans but I just love this holiday.

current mood: happy. This year was a huge highlight for me.

vintage D2BD

2011-12-24T10:03:00.000-06:00

MERRY HOLIDAYS

& A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A little Vintage Kelly for Holiday Cheer Circa 1978, I was two.

I hope all your holidays

are Merry and Bright!!!!

random musings friday

2011-12-23T09:07:00.001-06:00

I've always done Fixation Fridays here but thought I might try to take a different route going into the new year. Every week Shana over at Fumbling Towards Normalcy does this feature and every week I'm truly entertained by her musings. I think it's a great way to reflect on your week, the good, the bad and the ugly. As well as a great way to let your reader in on what's happening in your neck of the woods. Please take time to check out Shana's musings. She works in NYC and always has some colorful story about people on her daily commute or in the city itself not to mention the girl is funny!

So here are mine... and next time I'm going to take the advice of Allyson and Shana about taking notes if I plan to make this truly worth anyone's while to read.

Check out the original at Fumbling Towards Normalcy

It's one day away from Christmas Eve and I'm thankful my Christmas shopping has been completed. Thank goodness! I am still going shopping tonight but it's probably just to ensure I have a comfortable shirt to wear for the Christmas feast.
I keep getting asked if it feels different to be married. It does but I can't describe how. The only thing I can come up with is that I feel more confident in myself and our relationship. I never truly had doubts in Mike or us as a whole and when I say I feel more confident that sounds snide and rude - I just simply mean that in my heart I feel confident and full of love because someone chose me over all people to spend the rest of his life with.
I felt like a jerk yesterday as all my co-worker started exchanging gifts for Christmas. This year even with a pay raise [yes I got a raise, whoot!] I still feel like I'm floundering with money for gifts. [My rule was to spend CASH ONLY, no credit cards as I'm trying to pay off debt]. I made everyone a delicious cheesecake at work but I still feel like maybe around New Years I might snag them all a little something more personal. They all seemed fine but it's just my personal hang up. I LOVE gift giving.
My father says I always over gift... oddly enough I always feel like what I give him is never enough. This year I will see him late, after the New Year so I haven't even shopped for him yet.
My Jeep is having issues which really sucks since it was just serviced when I was home for Thanksgiving. My father's best friend is our mechanic and I was given a tune up, oil change and new tires... but when I got home, after my 12 make that 16 hour ride in traffic the trouble started. Currently the door locks only work on the driver side, for the driver door ONLY, and the drivers window will go down, but none of the other locks or windows work, at all. It's clearly an electrical issue but with Christmas this close I didn't want to go in and get it fixed for $160 or whatever they would quote me. Instead I've been dealing with it and locking the Jeep old school, by hand. This really isn't good for a woman shopping alone this time of year in a dark parking lot w/ her hands full of bags. You never realize how much you rely on technology until it's taken away from you. #firstworldproblems
Last minute rush print jobs on the Friday before Christmas are one thing but last minute Christmas cards, give me a break! You're late, deal with it! [I work at a printing company]. My suggestion to all that have failed to get out Christmas cards is to send out Happy New Year cards. I've done a few of these for people and I love the idea!
I'm finally in the Christmas spirit, but it still doesn't quite feel like Christmas here. We got a ton of rain yesterday, I really wish it could have been snow.
Sometimes I cry at the oddest things, but I was watching the decorating of the White House for Christmas on HGTV the other night and I kept welling up at the oddest parts. Christmas is beautiful and moving but I highly doubt that hanging natural crystals from trees in one of the main foyers of the White House constitutes getting all welled up. The tree in honor of the troops in the Blue Room of the White House however, was totally worth it. It was amazing!
This time of year all the tv shows go into reruns and I hate that. However I am thankful that this has happened because I wouldn't have caught a great documentary on the Foo Fighters. I've always enjoyed their music but after watching the documentary about the band I'm completely obsessed with them and even more so with Dave. This also happened after watching Pearl Jam's new documentary PJ 20 - amazing! If you think you liked the band, watch this... you'll 100% love the band!
I have been craving nothing but vegetables lately. This is a clear indication of what I'm not getting enough of them in my diet currently. I'm sorry belly but it's tough to eat green beans with cheesecake, cheese balls, wine and beer. Well I'm sure if I deep fried you, you might fit in but that really wouldn't do my gut any justice!
Due to the above my stomach is a mess! I can't wait for January - this food is all too good to resist right now but I am making a clean sweep as soon as Christmas is over.
I've gained 5 lbs since my wedding. Not a lot but it's hindering my forward progress. To be fair I haven't worked out since 3 weeks before my wedding. When it got down to the final weeks I was too busy to worry about Turbo Fire. I will start strong right after the holidays and try my best to document it again.
I blame my honeymoon for my lapse in eating well and normal portion sizes... I pigged my little heart out in Mexico! [Yes I will write about my honeymoon, promise!]
Lastly - I'm so over hearing about Kim Kardashian and her fake ass marriage and divorce. Just wanted to get that out there.

So there you have it. As of right now - I think that's all that is on my mind. Minus the steak tacos I plan to have for dinner tonight at happy hour... see it never ends! I just shoved sausage breakfast casserole in my pie hole a minute ago, my stomach is turning from it and I'm still thinking about my next meal... again! Hot mess.

she believes and I do too!

2011-12-22T08:33:00.000-06:00

This morning I was greeted in my email by a great blog post by Kallay over at kallaydoscope.com. If you've never read her work you're missing out. Kallay is always real, and she is a excellent writer. I always know when I have a subscription update in my email from her blog it's going to be a great read.

Today she posted a very moving blog called "I Believe..." I wanted to forward a link to it today because it explains very elegantly how I would love to tell my family and friends who are anti-saying Happy Holidays why I say it, and why it's ok with me, as a Christian to say Happy Holidays sometimes instead of Merry Christmas. To be fair I'm not sure if that was the statement Kallay was making with her post, it's just what I took from it a long with a truly, warm and fuzzy feeling.

via google • Santa is a spry man.

We are all here together celebrating what is most important to us and I truly feel no holiday is more important over the other. Obviously I celebrate Christmas so it's truly the most important to me personally but I would never downgrade another persons celebration under mine. I also think that sometimes the message of this holiday season gets too wrapped up in the gifts, the baking and everything else that no doubt makes this holiday fun, but it isn't what it's all about.

It is better to give than receive is what they say - but I also say it's better to send and receive love most of all.

Enjoy Kallay's post - I loved it and have read it now three times, as well as forwarded it to a few friends back home. How's that for advertising Kallay? ;)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU ALL!

last shopping day.

2011-12-21T11:02:00.000-06:00

Well at least it is for me it is the last Christmas shopping day. Thank goodness! Getting out trying to run around with all the other crazies this time of year is not my cup of tea. Thankfully I will get to finish up my list today on my lunch break. And I'm even more happy that the last items are mostly just stocking stuffers and a few small gifts.

This year it was tough for me to make a "wish list" to give to Mike. We just received a ton of great things for our wedding and honestly after you marry the one you've been loving and dreaming of marrying for the past 7 years, what else is there to truly want? Yeah, I know barf, but it's the truth. Mike's family has asked me a million times what we've wanted for the holidays and I can honestly say I was sort of at a loss. There was only one gift I was truly wanting on my list, and that was a new necklace and charm with my new initial "H" from Waxing Poetic. Everything else was fun, and something I'd enjoy but I really just wanted a little something to commemorate my first Christmas as a married woman.

Last year as I said in previous posts we bought everything locally from mom and pop stores, we didn't touch the mall and we certainly only ordered like 3 things online. This year was different - I suggested to Mike that we take my new obsession with pinterest and put it to good use. I instructed him how to use the sight and we then began creating our wishlists for the season. I figured this would make it easy on both of us to order what we wanted, quickly and without searching all over to find it.

Here's mine if you are curious Birthday/Christmas Wish List

This plan worked REALLY well. For my birthday Mike snagged me the purse I really wanted [no longer listed on pinterest] from Pac Sun and he said it made his shopping experience for me super easy! I ended up ordering off the list for his Birthday, but that's OK he enjoyed his gifts. Yes we both have December birthdays and they are actually only 7 days apart.

Everything worked out great - I was able to search and destroy Mike's list as well. A minor slip up did happen. The lists were supposed to be just for the two of us and Mike accidentally linked the list to his mom to show her a gift he pinned and liked but that he was thinking about getting for his dad. He simply wanted her opinion but his mom got excited when she saw the list and started brain storming what to get him. I got really fearful, and I will admit freaked out a bit because I feared she would purchase everything on the list before I got a chance to get my money in order for purchase. Thankfully the crisis was averted and all was A-OK, but just a word of warning if Pinterest is still around next year and you plan to use it to it's full advantage for birthdays or holidays - be sure to let others know that it's your list, or that someone is already using this list, or even make 2 lists. Just so you don't get double gifts across the map.

I'm really excited for Christmas this year, it's taken me until now to get into the true spirit. Some help from Shana's post this morning definitely put me in the mood. Go check it out!

Every year Mike and I have a different budget, we stick to that budget and we always do right by each other. I will say my favorite gift of all gifts was our first Christmas together - he had lost his job due to layoffs and cutting at his office and was working part time at a gas station to pay his bills until something better came along. He felt bruised, beaten down and just hopeless. He felt horrible that our first holiday as a couple wouldn't be so glamorous - I reminded him that Christmas wasn't about expensive gifts, it was about the love in your heart and the thought behind the gifts. I told him we should make each other gifts. I made him a photo album consisting of all the pictures taken of us up until that point during a few visits we had together. He in turn drew portraits of me from photos, his favorite photos. I have to say they are amazing and my favorite gifts to date. I later purchased frames and mattes to display them.

Just remember this time of year, it's not all in what you get, it's what you feel. I love gift giving and if I was rich I'd give my friends, family and those in need the world. But the simple fact is, I'm not rich. I do what I can. I spoiled my husband this year, or at least I hope he sees it that way, and I've given to charity. I haven't sent out my cards yet [I will today] and I haven't had time to make cookies but that's ok. The world won't end, Christmas will still come and the love, yeah, it will still be there! That my friends is the most important thing!

Happy Holidays to you and yours!!!!

seasons greetings one and all.

2011-12-19T16:41:00.001-06:00

I figured I'd share the two cards Mike and I are sending out this year. I say sending because they are sitting in my purse waiting for my lazy butt to get to the post office or even the grocery store to snag some stamps. So if you are on my mailing list rest assured you'll get yours, it's just going to be late. Story of my life!

We did two options this year, mostly because some family members and friends didn't make it to the wedding and because well, I wanted to get the most out of our engagement and wedding photos.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!

[p.s. yes, I made these, I took some inspiration from online stores that I couldn't afford or had time to order from and made my own. And no, my new last name isn't "No Stalking", although that would be pretty sweet].

Did you send Holiday cards this year?

where has the year gone?

2011-12-16T16:26:00.000-06:00

I swear only yesterday I was getting married, and now it's a week from Christmas. Where did this year go? Yes I still plan on telling you about my wedding and my honeymoon, and all that goes with that. I've just been waiting patiently to get my pictures back from our photographer. She sent them out yesterday and I'm so excited. I've seen proofs, they're amazing and I am really pleased with how they turned out. So all in do time my lovelies.

Does anyone else feel like this year has been a blur? It still doesn't feel like Christmas to me yet, no matter how many movies I watch [read: Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation, Bad Santa, Die Hard, and on and on], or how many times I put Christmas music on the radio.

Maybe it's because this year didn't have the standard flow of events. Our wedding was right before Halloween, my favorite holiday. We missed Halloween festivities since we were on our honeymoon, which is a great filler trust me but sometimes I just need Halloween. After that we switched up plans to spend Thanksgiving in Maryland with my father. We usually spend it here with Mike's family. Point being not a single fall-winter holiday has been as it usually is and I think I'm going to blame that for my lack of Christmas cheer... although I'm rather cheerful just not feeling like it's Christmas yet.

Shopping will be completed this weekend, thank goodness. Nothing like waiting until the last minute. This year Mike and I did most of our shopping online. We used Pinterest [so addicting] to create WISH LISTS for each other. This in theory helped out a ton because we were able to give each other links to all our desires and purchase them for each other in one click. It all went smoothly until Mike gave his mom the link to his wish list, to show her an idea he had for his dad, that he also thought he might like to receive for Christmas... and then I panicked fearing she'd buy everything on there, and leave me with nothing. Crisis averted, thank goodness! We worked it all out. But it was touch and go there for a moment. Could you imagine... first Christmas as a married couple and all that was left for me to get him would be socks and underwear? Sooo romantic.

Last year we did a lot of local shopping for everyone on our list and it felt amazing to help our community AND to get out locally and not hit up the mall for gifts. I think I am going to do this again next year. The gifts were more meaningful, the shopping was less stressful and I actually felt good and like it was Christmas for the entire season.

I hope you have all your shopping and baking finished. I myself haven't touched the baking yet... and not sure if I will. However I do have to bake a cheesecake for Christmas dinner. I hope I don't get frazzled before then.

So, are you ready for Christmas?

P.S. I promise to update more often, now that things are slowing down. Tis the Season!

fixation friday: music

2011-11-04T14:09:00.001-05:00

It's been a while blog, I'm happy to be back and I will try my best to make it happen more often. I figured I would try to save wedding posts for Wednesdays and do a bit at a time as to not overwhelm myself or any of you. Today I thought I'd discuss music. I am by no means up to date, or what you would call "HIP"... do we still say hip? When it comes to music, often times you will find me rocking out to old hits from the 60's and 70's and more often than not listening to 80's hair metal and or 90's grunge. It isn't often that I am taken back by modern music, usually it annoys me.... but I have taken time to put together a few groups that have been heavy on my radar both new and old, lately.

ADELE

via google • I HUGE puffy heart her.

Seriously, I know I'm a bit late to the game with this being her second album and all but I can't take my eyes, ears or mind off this woman. She's amazingly beautiful, poised and her voice? Forgetaboutit! She blows me away. I am so happy to see some good, old fashioned talent for a change. I'm not shunning the likes of Lady Gaga, Brit, Katy Perry or any other pop diva or singer in the limelight with theatrical stage shows by any means. Entertainment is different for everyone and while I can appreciate a fantastic stage show, sometimes it's just nice to turn on the TV and see raw talent, no frills just a girl or a guy, their instrument of choice, a spotlight and an amazing song, belted out loud and clear. Cut and dry. No Frills just amazing lyrics, words and tunes.

PEARL JAM

via google • Is it just me or Eddie starting to resemble "The Dude" a bit?

I've been a fan on and off since the 90's. I say "off" only because there were a few years that I lead myself astray listening to different types of music and not keeping up with Eddie and the boys. [Read: Went clubbing a lot and wanted to listen to dance music mostly]. When Mike and I started talking in 2003, we found that our music tastes were very similar. While I have a few choice bands I like that he can't quite figure out why, for the most part our core loves are the same. Pearl Jam was one of those. Where I fell away from the band, he thrived. Mike took time to make me mix CDs with quite a few Pearl Jam songs on them. I quickly discovered all the awesomeness I was missing and started to purchase albums I had missed out on though the 90's and 00's. It's safe to say that PJ is in one of the top slots of my TOP 5 Fave Rock Bands of all time. A few weeks before the wedding Mike and I watched the PJ20 documentary that followed the guys from their beginnings along the 20 year path that has lead them to where they are now. It's hard to believe that 20 years ago, I was a teenager, wearing ripped jeans, flip flops, and friendship bracelets with grundgy clothing, obsessing about Eddie Vedder and Kurt Cobain - oh how I miss those days. 20 Years ago and yet the moment I hear the opening guitar solo in "Alive" I am still transported back to my youth and summers spent at the shore in North Carolina. I can remember belting out "Black" driving my 86 Mercury Topaz and I recall perfectly the day my English teacher asked us to write down the lyrics to our favorite current song and I penned "Jeremy" word for word, line for line for her. She later handed back these papers with little notes scribbled on them. Mine said "Ok? Interesting." in red ink. Maybe she feared I might pull a Jeremy on the class, or maybe it was the bit about mashing his teeth into the recess lady's breast... that made her uneasy, not sure.. either way Pearl Jam struck a chord with me from then on. And I will go on the record to say I think that Pearl Jam was way more amazing than Nirvana. Nirvana had it, but Pearl Jam IMO surpassed "IT".

In watching the documentary Mike and I discovered without knowing that we chose our wedding date to be October 22nd, 2011, which was in turn Pearl Jam's 21st Anniversary of their first ever official show. HOW FREAKING COOL IS THAT?!?! We were stoked beyond belief, especially Mike who for years has idolized Eddie and the boys.

For our wedding I gifted Mike the "Into the Wild" soundtrack. A grouping of songs performed by Eddie and composed largely by him, minus two tracks. I wanted him to have gifts that would stand the test of time. He will always enjoy Pearl Jam and their music, and I wanted him to be able to revisit this music and his other gift at any given time and remember that I gave it to him on our wedding day, and enjoy them both for years to come. If you haven't seen this movie yet I highly suggest it, it's very moving.

via google

I also purchased the PJ20 book - it's filled with day by day, month by month and year by year journal entries and documentation of their rise as a band, the good and the bad, and all their side projects. It's absolutely amazing. I can't wait to read all of it. After my husband does, of course.

via google

Ever since watching the documentary I can't stop thinking about Pearl Jam, listening to them and wondering what their next move will be.

FOSTER THE PEOPLE

via google

Seriously other than knowing this ONE song, I have no clue about this band, their background or what they are all about. I can tell from googling this image that they ARE easy on the eyes. All I know is that when "PUMPED UP KICKS" comes on the radio I want to put on a pair of roller skates and dance on them in circles rolling to the beat of the music. I LOVE this song!

Off the top of my head these are the 3 big fixations that stick out right now. Between planning the wedding, marrying my best friend and having a very crazy honeymoon I'm spent. I'm looking forward to a weekend of relaxation, football and putting away wedding gifts.

So tell me... What song/band/singer are you fixated on right now?

it's official... we're hitched!

2011-10-31T15:14:00.000-05:00

via Breanna Fogg Photography

I couldn't be more excited to be a Mrs. It's a wonderful feeling! Mike and I survived our crazy honeymoon [more on that later] and had a ball with the days leading up to the wedding and the actual day of and after party. I will have lots of details to come. We are both so blessed to be surrounded by friends and family that love us as much as we love them. The day was made so special to have them all here with us, we missed those that couldn't make it but they were in our thoughts and hearts just the same. We've just started to see a few proofs from the big day and I am so over the moon excited about how well our photographer did.

I will share more soon but this girl has lots of catching up to do after her wedding and honeymoon. Can we say HUGE "TO DO" pile? I am planning to do lots of mini posts about details and certain aspects of the day, so as not to be overwhelmed on my end, or to bore you on your end.

Just wanted to share a few favorite shots we've gotten to sneak peek at so far! Enjoy!

via Breanna Fogg Photography

What do you remember most about your wedding day?

Extra, Extra, ENTER HERE!!!!

2011-09-22T15:01:00.001-05:00

My dear pal Shelley is hosting a giveaway over at her Little Owl blog! I wanted to give her a shout out and tell you all to head over and check out all she's doing and enter for a chance to win some of her adorable artwork! When it comes to crafts she's seriously the bees knees!!!

1 month.

2011-09-22T12:18:00.000-05:00

I am a day late and a buck short on this Wedding Wednesday thing, I know. My mother always said I'd be late to my own funeral, and she's probably right. My friends like to say I'm just on "Kelly Time." I used to not be very prompt but after meeting Mike I've been really good about going places and getting there well before "right on time." Howeverrrr when it comes to my blog I guess I'm the boss and I tend to slack, right?

It's hard to believe today marks just 1 month from the day I will say "I do!" to Mike. Wasn't it just April??? Didn't we just say "OMG we're going to get married?". I swear it was only yesterday we had no idea what the date would be when asked "Have you set a date?" And here we are... 30 days from our wedding. INSANE!

We did a ton of ground work which was so helpful in the beginning but after our vacation in July there was a lull. We didn't do much, we didn't schedule anything and we certainly didn't purchase items. Fast forward to this week, I've been purchasing and scheduling meetings like a mad woman. We have final meetings with the baker, the florist, and hair appointments, I'm left and then I'm right and up and down. It's a great feeling to get so much crossed off our To Do List!

Friday morning I have my first dress fitting. I went in this past weekend while my father was in town and tried on the dress for the first time. It fit like a glove, which I was happy about and a bit disappointed. I've been busying my ass working out to get in shape for the wedding, and really hoped the dress would be a bit loose. But, I will roll with the punches. Fitting like a glove is better than being too small right? Since I had my first fitting I knew I'd have to find shoes. I've been putting it off for lack of not seeing anything in store or on line that spoke to me. Monday Mike and I tied up loose ends with our gift registries at Target and then went to the mall for shoe shopping and I found absolutely NOTHING! Not even one maybe. It's homecoming season here I can't believe the lack of choices these young girls have. Then I realized that most of them probably shop at specialty bridal stores in the area and get their shoes there. Most of the shoes in those places were $100+ and while this is my special day, shoes that expensive were not in my budget. After feeling a big defeated and upset since I really wanted to be able to try on shoes to get a feel for comfort... I went home and did what any rational bride would do. I logged on to the internet and searched, and searched, and searched and then finally purchased 3 pairs of shoes to have sent her, rush for my fitting.

The shoes came in today and I adore all three! They are similar in color, but have a style that is each their own. I'm so excited that they all fit but now it's a matter of height, comfort and practicality. I'm happy my father came to visit this past weekend. I wasn't aware that in heels he'd be quite a bit shorter than me so I had to rethink my height of heel. Originally I was ok with 4" or higher. Now I knew it needed to be no higher than 4". I thought about showing you all the heels I chose but in the end I know it will only make me more indecisive. I've been a mess. Remember me freaking about my dress... well now I am trying to trust my gut with accessories. And when I mention them to people their comments make me worry, I know in the end I will trust my gut and make the choices according to that.

Bottom line I love all three pairs of shoes, one is a bit more of a risk than the other two and I sort of like that, but my jewelry choice is also a risk so I might want to take it one at a time not get too crazy with my choices. In the end I want to look back in 10 years and not wonder what on earth I was thinking but know that I had fun with my bridal look.

Shoes, check.

Jewelry, check. [unless I change my mind]

Something old, check.

Something new, check.

Something borrowed, NEED!

Something blue, check.

Mike's sister asked me last night if I needed something blue, and I did. She found something realllly cute she said but wouldn't tell me what it is. So I'm excited. It's hard to ask for a borrowed and she has offered up her veil if I can't decided on one or find one.

I had no idea shopping in a small town would be so difficult for a wedding. We have the basics, but if you want to be different it causes challenges. Thank goodness for Etsy and the internet. They have been my saving grace!

Mike is all ready with his suit and his shoes and he even special ordered some really great cuff links to complete his look on the special day. They are made with small wood branch ends and have our initials burned into one "K+M" and our wedding date 10-22-11 in the other. I love that he thought of that! He also purchased some great ties from Etsy for the guys that are just too awesome! Add to this that Etsy is where I found his wedding band that will be made of wood [he is allergic to metal, all metal] as well as a few other wedding items I will say I'd be lost without the site.

Mike has also purchased my wedding band and I wish the images online did it justice but they really don't. It's delicate and perfect and if I can get a nice shot of it with my point and shoot camera I will. It wasn't what I thought I wanted but much like my engagement ring once it was in my hand I knew it was just the right piece for me. He did amazing!

We are trying to finalize plans with our videographer and have to rent some chairs or chair slips, we aren't sure yet but other than final plans and small bits n' pieces we are ready to rock and roll. I'm so excited for the big day to come together.

When you were down to 1 month what was your biggest worry?

For me... being too over done on the big day and finding the right garter!

Tonight Mike and I will celebrate our 1 month away with a bottle of wine, new NBC shows and stuffing our invitations - yes, we're late but they look amazing. Did I mention I'd be late to my own funeral? It's expected.

no words.

2011-09-11T20:11:00.001-05:00

There are no words I can say to truly describe how I'm feeling today. It's been 10 years since all our lives as Americans were changed forever. My thoughts and prayers are with the families touched by this day, and in the end that means all of us. We may not have all lost someone we loved but we have all been changed.

Take some time today to reflect on all the good in your world, hold a loved one and tell them how much they mean to you.

Most of all - thank the great men and women in service positions and our armed forces for helping us when we are down and protecting us daily.

September 11th will forever be with us, and it's up to us to make sure no one ever forgets and that we always stand strong together as a nation.

Hop on over....

2011-08-25T12:12:00.000-05:00

Take a trip over to the new blog community I've joined From the Sidelines! I'm posting there today a bit about my wedding and how sports has plaid a rather unique part in the planning process!

ENJOY!

2 months.

2011-08-22T16:22:00.000-05:00

The countdown has begun. I woke up this morning and realized in just two short months I will no longer be a Miss... but a MRS. I'm really excited about this notion. It's a great feeling knowing you're marrying the one person you've known since pretty much day one was the one that you wanted to marry. I've dated guys in the past that brought up marriage and it made my skin crawl. I've also been engaged before, I'm still not sure why I said yes. I've been hoping for years that Mike would pick me to be THE ONE. I'm so happy I was patient.

Fear has never crossed my mind when I think about marrying Mike. Doubt is not something I've ever felt with him either. From the day that we decided we wanted to be together officially I knew he was the one for me. I can't imagine life without him. He's my best friend and my everything.

So here's to the next 60 days my dear. Soon we'll be married, it's a moment I can't wait for.

wedding wednesday: colors and tunes

2011-07-27T12:29:00.000-05:00

Hello my dear neglected blog and readers. I swear I haven't been living in a hole, or that I ran off to some remote island. Well the second one is actually true I did spend a great week during the 4th of July on a small island off the coast of North Carolina, Topsail Island to be exact but that isn't really my true reason for neglecting my lovely readers - it was more to do with wedding planning and getting back into the swing of things after my vacation. Which reminds me a vacation blog update might be a great topic right? I'll get right on that. After my "back to reality" depression subsides.

On to other important things, like weddings - You know, the thing that has been consuming me non-stop. Even if I'm not actively planning I am suffering from wedding brain. It's all I think about. I never thought I'd be one of those brides. Thankfully I am not a Bridezilla - have you watched that show? It's insane! I will say this, Mike and I have been watching it here and there and we both agree that we want to hang out with and shoot the shizz with Porsha from Mississippi. The other girls I want to slap in the face repeatedly!

PORSHA IS GLORIOUS!

If you haven't seen her episode of Bridezilla you're missing out, she's a riot!!!

"Ain't nobody wanna go to recess, bitch!"

Anydiva, I figured I needed to update the wedding information for myself and anyone that was interested in reading about how it's all coming together.

COLORS: Chocolate Brown and Fern Green

via google

Mike and I decided to go with chocolate brown and fern green, partly because we love the color scheme [our entire living room is done in these colors with burnt orange accents] and because we really wanted a color that would pop next to chocolate. Originally Mike had thought about wearing all black, but after looking at suits found he really liked the idea of either a dark chocolate suit, or a light tan suit. I left the choice up to him. Knowing many personal friends that went with the blue/turquoise color scheme for their wedding I wanted something different. I feared that if I did all chocolate and orange the wedding may come off as a bit too much like Halloween, since it's on October 22nd. I didn't necessarily think that was a bad thing, it's my favorite holiday, but I wanted it to be more about our special day, and not a holiday. The first logical choice was then Green. I fully intended to have hints of gold and rust throughout the reception, and in the wedding day decore, but for the wedding party and for the peace of the Alabama fans in said party no one will be wearing orange flowers on the big day. Superstitious? Yes, I am. Alabama plays Tennessee on our Wedding day and while one groomsman is a Vols fan, one is a Wolverine fan and one is a Auburn Tigers fan, the rest are die hard Alabama fans [at least on the grooms' side]. Add to that the fact that the bride and groom are both big Alabama fans and that a few groomsmen have requested to NOT have orange for that purpose - I'm totally game for making these changes. ROLL TIDE! And before you worry or ask, no the wedding cake won't have houndstooth icing... but I may sport a garter w/ this pattern fo' sho!

BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Fern Green and Chocolate Brown

I sent my dear friends on a mission, one I thought would be really fun and totally nice to do. I asked each girl in my wedding party to pick a style dress they loved, so long as it was in the same shade. Easy right? Wrong! Apparently, while all the girls were excited to pick a dress that would flatter them independently the issue came up when four of them went together to David's Bridal and they discovered most of the dresses they loved didn't come in Fern Green. This limited their choice of styles in the right color considerably. I had explained they didn't need to go to a bridal shop but in the end, busy mothers with children and scheduled days do have more time to get together and go to one place vs. driving all over the place to different stores. In the end four of my girls solidified their dresses in the same shade and sort of different styles, and one more had found her dress and shoes as well. My junior bridesmaids will be wearing chocolate brown and I am so excited about the dress they choose. It's going to be ADORABLE!

TUNES: Musicians and DJ's

When it came to planning our reception and our special day we knew music was going to be one of the biggest factors of the day. Mike and I are huge music fans and have similar taste for the most part. I think mine can be a bit more off the wall than his but we agree about most of the songs and artists we love passionately. Mike worked hard to find just the right DJ for our reception and secured him. Originally we had talked about having a friends band play but ultimately we feared it might be too stressful and that often times a band only plays songs that the bride and groom like, and our bottom line is we want EVERYONE invited to have fun and enjoy themselves. We knew a DJ was the way to go for us. He can play all spans of music and keep everyone moving on the dance floor.

For the ceremony we chose to go with professional musicians who played classical instruments. We have secured a violin and a cello/guitar player for the big ceremony. Meeting with them was awesome. We gave them our selections and they were both so excited to be doing something different and fun. I am not going to give away any of the information about what songs we have chosen, otherwise I'll have nothing to blog about after the big day, that and I want to keep it a surprise to the guests who may read this. Bottom line, our wedding is going to be original, and different and that's what we love about it. I'm so happy the musicians are on board.

WUV, TWUE WUV is the WEASON we are gathered here today.

We have also secured an officiant, something we were seriously worried about. A dear friend and youth leader at his church has agreed to marry us and I couldn't be more excited!

HARDEST PART OF PLANNING: Including all those you love in the special day.

The hardest part about planning a wedding for me hasn't been the colors, the venue, the choices of dresses or even finding my own dress - it's actually being worried about hurting friend's feelings. My wedding party is very large, I never thought I'd have a big wedding party, but Mike's family is very big, and his immediate family of brothers and sisters equals 6 including him alone. He has two sisters, and three brothers, and one brother-in-law all of which are part of the wedding party. All have been added to the wedding party. I had never thought I'd have such a big wedding party. But even with all the friends I have standing up with me, there are many that I wish I could have had as well. That being said I look forward to asking each of those friends I feel bad about not being in the wedding party if they want to take part in the special day in other ways. There is lots to do on a wedding day and while I often times worried that friends might be offended if I asked them to handle programs or the guest book, in the end I know most will feel honored to help out, that helps me feel a bit better.

What was the hardest part of planning your wedding day?

daring to do something different.

2011-07-26T10:06:00.000-05:00

I joined a club. A really fun club started by the Awesome Hutch. Come on over and check out the fun! If you love sports you'll enjoy this new blog! From the Sidelines. Check out my post there today!

Is it football season yet?

Monday Minute #63

2011-06-27T09:21:00.000-05:00

It's that time again! Thanks Ian for setting these up every week!

1 - What's a piece of advice you'd like to share?
My mom once told me... after my first break-up from a boyfriend.. 'Men are like buses a new one comes along every 5 minutes." I was crushed when she told me this, I wanted more sympathy... but in the end she's totally right. Sure each bus might be more smelly than the next one, and leave you stranded on the side or the road wondering what you did wrong to deserve such treatment. But eventually, you find the right bus, on the right route and it leads you to the right destination. I think that is what she meant, just not in so many fluffy words. After over 13 years of dating, I finally found my perfect bus.

2 - Describe the last time you sat on the toilet screaming at someone to bring you some toilet paper.
It's the worst feeling ever to have to do that. No girl truly ever wants her boyfriend to see her in that position. But often times when we arrive home from the store the toilet paper will sit in the dining room next to the hutch for days on end. Of course the one day I forget to look at the TP roll before sitting is the day it happens. It usually starts with me screaming BABE about 10 times before he hears me... and then I'm greeted w/ a hand over his nose just incase I've dropped a deuce that would level a building... to which I say... "I only peed... give me the toilet paper!"

3 - Explain why anyone would want to eat sushi.
Um, because it's delicious, duh!

4 - Describe your perfect dinner - one app, one entree, two side dishes, and one dessert.
If I had to describe my perfect dinner it's the one I get back home whenever I visit my father. We always go out to eat at our favorite place, The Flaming Pit. The meal is always, as follows.

Shrimp Cocktail [these shrimp are HUGE, and dwarf my thumb they are so thick]
Salad - simple greens, carrots and cherry tomatoes w/ the best damn Balsamic dressing on earth. Tons of spice - it's seasoned so well with a kick that I actually get a flushed face when I eat it.
Prime Rib - huge slab of meat and totally bloody. Seriously it talks to me when it gets to the table. It's also such a huge slab of meat it actually leaves VERY little room for the other two bits of food.
Baked potato, baked to perfection
Green beans with butter - I would prefer not to have butter but when you are living, you want to live for real while dining out.
Dessert: The tallest slice of cheese cake drizzled with either raspberry or strawberry glaze

SOOO GOOD! The only time I change this up is when I want to eat their crab cakes OR if they have cream of crab soup on the menu instead of Shrimp Cocktail. Side it all up with water, and either a glass of wine or a Captain and Diet and it's golden!

and finally...

5 - When was the last time you pissed the bed?
I couldn't tell you so I'm sure it was when I was still very young. I can tell you the last time I pissed my pants was probably in 3rd grade. I was running home from the school bus stop and got to the door and right as I touched the door knob I lost it... worst day!

Wedding Wednesday: The Dress

2011-06-22T16:12:00.001-05:00

Pssst! Over here! Yeah, it's me. I just climbed out from under the rock and millions of piles of paper on my desk. My to-do list keeps getting shorter when it comes to the wedding but longer in all other aspects of my life. Please tell me this is normal. I'm starting to stress. Oddly enough not over the wedding but everything else. FOUR MORE MONTHS!!!

Our planning is still going really well. We sealed the deal with a credit card and oohs and ahhs and a cupcake on our wedding cake. We still have to iron out the fun details such as flavor of cake and delicious fillings but the overall concept and quote have been agreed upon. When I last discussed my plans and how they were going we were knee deep in appointments but I'm happy to say as of now we only have 2 more appointments and things to truly secure before we start ironing out final details, those two things are a wedding director for the day of and an officiant. Yes, I know I have the entire wedding pretty much planned and no one to perform the ceremony, crazy right?

I'll start off by saying originally we planned to have one of our dear friends officiate for us. Long story short after much consideration one friend feared he wouldn't do a good job and I completely respect that. I know that personally I couldn't do it for someone, I get too nervous. I'll sing for your wedding all day long, but speaking on public freaks me out. Our second dear friend we considered wasn't sure where he would be at that time, currently his life and job are up in the air and he may be relocating. Rather than commit and have to bail at the last minute he did the responsible and respectful thing and declined. Again I totally respect and understand his choice. Now we just need to find someone. We are planning on going the route of a Justice of the Peace. Mike and I are not religious people, I guess you could say we are more spiritual. We don't belong to a church and neither of us want to go through classes in order to get married. Sure, I know that just sounded really selfish but to be fair, we've lived together for almost 7 years, and moved in together after only dating for about 7-8 months. We celebrated our 1 year anniversary while living together. SO there you go. We know each other and while I know marriage does make a few things different I really think the two of us have a firm grasp on our relationship and don't need a class or meetings to tell us otherwise. That being said, we have a few leads on religious pastors that would marry us, if we take the classes. If all else fails in the Justice of the Peace department or Officiant department we will track someone down. It was suggested we go to the court house to get married one afternoon and then make it official at the celebration, but personally if I was going to do that I'd save a lot of money and just do that and have a party later - NOT pay to do all I'm doing. I also thought it was a bit too selfish of us. I totally get why couples have the wedding at the courthouse and there have been odd say, Tuesdays I've thought to myself... If Mike asked me tomorrow to marry him, I'd take my paycheck and run to the courthouse with him and get married right there on the spot. In the end I realize how many friends and family members would be disappointed if I did that and it brings me back to earth. Our special day isn't just about us, it's about sharing it with all the people we love. That's the point of a wedding. Fingers crossed we find the right person to marry us.

I've found a possible wedding director. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to look around for that on the internet. I figured it would be easy here in the land of extravagant weddings to find a director. Planners are easy... but just finding someone to come in and delegate and direct a wedding is more difficult. I understand people want to sell the entire planned package, but that wasn't what we needed. We simply need a direct and friendly person to tell members of the bridal party where to be, what to do and how to make it all flow seamlessly. Thankfully through a friend I found a woman looking to get into this business and help out with my wedding. I'm excited to meet her she seems bubbly and full of spunk, just what Mike and I wanted.

Other than that - it's all the small details left to tie up in a neat bow. Rings, accessories, final flowers, final cake information and food, and fittings. Did I mention I got a dress? Hence the title of this entry?

Yep, last weekend I finally found my dress. I had only been dress shopping twice before this past weekend. The first time I went dress shopping it was a bit of a joke. I was really nervous about trying on bridal gowns. I thought I'd need something simple, almost destination wedding worthy. There wasn't much to choose from at this particular store in the way of destination wedding attire. My eyes were immediately drawn to the bridesmaid section. I think the girls at the store were less worried about me since I seemed to be making such an odd choice in dresses. I must have pulled 2-3 bridal gowns and then the rest were bridesmaid dresses. I was clearly out of my comfort zone and floundering. My dear friend Miss K was with me, she is one of my bridesmaids and helped me go through dresses. I think we both felt a bit uncomfortable with it all.

Thankfully the girls at the shop were very helpful. They had their hands full with another bride and her mom and I didn't want to ruin the special moment for the bride that was there. She had her mom and was SERIOUSLY in search for her dress for her big day. She was adorable - I just had a feeling in my gut I wasn't going to find my dress that day so I tried on what I thought I would like, and in the end it all really didn't work. I found one contender, but I wasn't sold or in love with it. The nice girls wrote down the dress style for me, and they also were nice enough to cut out swatches of fabric for me to send my bridesmaids that aren't local to aid in their search for the perfect GREEN dresses.

Fast forward a few weeks and I decided to bite the bullet and get serious and go shopping with Mike's mom for dresses. One afternoon we ran out to another dress store about 30 minutes outside of town. Tons of local girls had told me they found their perfect dress while there, so I was hopeful. Another bonus, this bridal shop had a back room full of cast offs, discontinued dresses and last season wear that they would not be selling anymore. The key to this room was to find a size that would fit you or you could alter to fit you because it was all sold as is off the rack. Sadly, I found a few to try on but none of the cute $99 dresses were the one for me. I even tried on one of the $99 dresses TWICE hoping I would change my mind... I didn't. Instead I searched the entire floor and found a ton to try on. If I had any advice for a new bride trying on dresses. Look over tons of pictures and find styles you like, but be completely open to trying new things on when you get to the store. Find your dream style, and try it on but be prepared that you may not like it on you. It's hard to judge a bridal dress if you've never tried the style on, what looks great on the size 2 model might make you look larger than life even if you aren't. I have to give props to Shana she had a great post about bridal shop issues she's had in the past as well as a new obsession called Big Bliss that I need to watch! I too have had issues in the past not being tiny enough to fit into some dresses as a bridesmaid but NEVER like I had with bridal gowns.

While the 2nd dress store I visited to try on dresses had a huge selection to choose from the sizes left a lot to be desired for me. There were probably four fabulous dresses I couldn't even get on to judge if I like them on me. They were size 4's. Why do dress stores do that? Seriously, at least get the average girl's sizes to offer as well. A small girl can always pull a huge dress tight with clamps and effort from the sales people, but a larger girl like me can't always squeeze into a dream dress. I felt a bit hopeless a few times while I was there and a bit tearful in the dressing room. I know I'm not a huge girl, but I'm also not a cute little size 6 that most brides probably dream to be. [Note ladies: If you are a size 6 be prepared to wear a size 8 in the wedding dress department]. I was shocked how many size 12's and 14's were too tight to zip, but at least I could get them ON my body to judge. God bless dresses that lace up the back!

I found about four contenders as I called them, while shopping at the second store but again, nothing that said YOU HAVE TO BUY THIS DRESS NOW! So I got the style numbers from the nice sales girl and thanked her a million times for helping me. I hated to make her do all that work and then me purchase nothing. Especially after she stayed a bit later than normal after closing to ensure I was able to try them all on. I felt rude but what can I do other than say I'm sorry. I just didn't find THE dress.

While trying on dresses, I started to panic. The sales girl told me that most dresses take up to 16 weeks to come in. Holy crap... that's four months!!! As of TODAY I am 4 months away from my big day!!! HOLY HELL! Then I worried a bit more as we left empty handed but I brushed it off. I've always been a firm believer in fate, or maybe it's the whole thing of "if it's meant to be it will be". None of those dresses were meant to be.

What's been driving me nuts is all the fall stuff isn't even out yet. Most won't be released until today! But I feared I wouldn't have time to dilly dally on this issue anymore and I went out one last time on Saturday to dress search. I returned to the first shop I went to locally. When I was there the first time I saw a lot of pretty dresses but dismissed them for being too dressy, or thinking they weren't want I wanted. This time I was armed with a bit more experience in what I liked on my body and what I hated. I even took the time to reorganize my dress binder to show case ONLY the dresses I thought I would like and focused my brain on that.

I originally thought I wanted and loved one style... it only takes trying on that style two times and having it not work with your body to make you rethink your entire strategy for shopping. My 2nd visit did just that. I knew that I needed to find something completely off my original comfort zone.

I wanted pretty, but not fussy, not a lot of rhinestones because as much as I hate them, I hate even more when people call it bling... drives me insane. I didn't want "bling", that being said I didn't want the dress to be too standard or boring. I was relying a lot on pattern, material and the way the dress would lay. While I adore what I call the "cupcake style" where the bottom looks like billowing fluff of satin, I didn't want a big dress. I went armed with my friend T and prayed we'd find something special. One bonus is that T has been wedding dress shopping before so she had a good eye for what I was looking for and helped me be open minded enough to try on anything and everything.

The sales girl that was there before remembered me and I told her I came to try on some more. She was worried and fearful to ask if I wanted to try on the dress I wrote down the last time. I told her no it was OK I was going a different route and being more open minded. She smiled in relief and then told me thank goodness because she had sold it off the floor last week! I thought that was funny, see it just wasn't meant to be!

I must have gathered about 15 dresses off the floor. I searched high and low and kept price in mind. My dream dress was not going to break the bank - I had tried on a $1200 dress and started to freak out for fear I'd rip it at the 2nd store I shopped at. I tried one of those on again this time, but it didn't float my boat at all.

The first dress I tried on was awesome. I didn't know if I was head over heels for it, but it really looked good on me, if I may toot my own horn. After it I tried on a few more but none of them were hitting the MAYBE pile like the first one. After a few more dresses I found one more to place in the maybe section and then moved on to one I thought was really cool. The top was pleated and it just had this really cool design to the way the fabric had been sewn, there was no bling only layers of fabric in alternating patterns. It was a size 8.... Shit I thought to myself. I tried to step into it but my hips and booty weren't having it, I had to use another plan of attack. Over the head... here goes nothing.... well... I got the dress down most of the way but all the damn underskirts were getting stuck around my waist making it hard to tug it down. After a lot of battling and sweating I got it down as far as I could but again since it was an 8, it was up a bit too high on my hips to get the full effect. I hated after all that effort to get out there and not like it at all, because it was a great dress. Maybe if it was larger, again I don't get why size 8 or smaller are even offered for trying on! I went back in the dressing room and dreaded getting it off. I started to pull it up and couldn't get it higher than my shoulders and couldn't pull it without fearing I might rip it. The more I moved, the more I started to sweat and then worry. I peeked my head out to T and told her what was happening. The other girls were up front helping a customer that came to pick up something. T helped me but she couldn't get it to budge. I asked her to go grab them and I would put on my shorts so I could at least feel comfortable when they got it up over my head. Yes... I was stuck. I figured I had 2 hopes, they get me out, or I pay for the dress and wear it until I lose enough weight to get the damn thing off! After a few minutes of three people pulling I finally broke free and felt less like a sausage and more like a REAL girl!

All I could do was laugh it off. They assured me it happens a lot and even if that isn't true it was really nice to hear! Thankfully to be fair most of the dresses on the floor were 12 or 14 in size. Bigger would be better but I was happy to see that.

After trying on a few more dresses I arrived at my final dress. Moment of truth. I tried it on and it was an awesome dress. It was really cool. It started to boil down to the first dress and the last dress. In the back of my mind I knew I only had this weekend and possibly next before I went on vacation and wouldn't be able to shop. Time is ticking down and the time to order is only getting shorter and shorter. We all deliberated a bit on this last dress and then I decided to try on the first one again.

Standing in the mirror I looked at the dress and really loved how it fit. T told me a few times she thought it was perfect. So I got dressed and one of the sales reps went ahead and wrote down the dress for me on a card. As I got dressed I ran it all over in my head and figured it was now or never. I walked out and up to the front and as they handed me the card decided then and there I would purchase the dress. As they measured me I started to feel more and more confident in my choice. They informed me I would need possibly a size 16 or 18. She said my chest and waist were actually much smaller and my hips would probably be fine in the 14-16 but that I might be better off getting larger so we could be sure that all of it had enough to either take in or let out. I agreed bigger would be better. I've been working out but I'm still not where I want to be. I was shocked by the numbers but, with the type of dress I purchased the extra fabric may be needed for the back. [I would show you the dress but Mike reads my blog so that's not going to happen, and I can't describe it too much either, sorry ladies].

I went ahead and placed the order for my dress. I was really hoping to be one of those success stories that tells you I only paid $100 for my dress, but in then end I came in well under what I budgeted for a dress, almost less than half of that and it didn't break the bank. I did a happy dance, hugged T and proceeded to text to my bridesmaids the image of the dress. Every text message came back with rave reviews and amazing compliments so I felt amazing while driving home. It dawned on me. I had just purchased my wedding dress. HOLY CRAP... I'm really getting married. Sure I knew that before but with each thing we cross off our list, I get more and more excited about how real it all is.

I got home and told Mike the great news. I think half my excitement was to be finished with the task of finding the dress. It's been so fun, but I'm not a huge shopper, I purchase more for when I need than when I want. And with still feeling a bit uncomfortable with my body, it was a rough ride but it had a happy ending.... that is until the worry set in.

I started to have little fears in my mind creep up... "Did I pick the right dress?"... "That was really easy and went really smoothly"... "I wonder how much the rush charge might cost for the dress?"... "I hope I'll have enough time to get it altered when it gets back so I'm not wearing a lumpy trash bag of a dress".... "F#CK did I pick the right dress?"

Most of these fears were due to it all going so smoothly.... nothing in my life ever goes that easy, that is unless it has to do with Mike. Maybe he's my lucky charm, and I told T she probably was too I was calm and collected the whole time we were at the store, minus getting stuck in the dress. I'm usually a very laid back person so these irrational fears were strange to me. Monday morning I woke in a panic, freaking that the dress wasn't right for my wedding vision, it wasn't vintage enough or it wasn't the right color, what would I do if I hated it when it came in. Crap, did I pick the right dress? This bothered me so much I started to cry in the shower and breathe really fast. What was wrong with me? I never freak out like this, ever!

I got out of the shower and went to look up the dress on the internet again to assure myself that I had picked the right dress and of course the internet was down. I came into the bedroom and Mike asked me if I was OK. I told him what was up and he reminded me how happy I was when I got home. Then I asked him, but was I happy because it was handled or that I loved the dress. He feels it was both. He knows me as well, if not better than anyone else on earth so I took his word for it.

When I arrived at work I was still shaken up, but one look at my dress and I immediately started to feel better. Since it was similar but not the same as what I was thinking I wanted, I think I freaked. The material isn't what I thought I wanted and the fear of the color I chose started to weigh on me too. It was so fly by the seat of my pants, even though it was sort of not. I just got freaked. It's a huge purchase, and Mike likened it to purchasing a house, I'll probably be the same way, especially if there are no speed bumps on the way!

I think I'm ok now. I love the picture more and more when I see it. Now I just have to work on my arms and body and get it ready. After the first fitting I know I'm not going to be allowed to lose a ton of weight so I hope I can get where I want to be before that time comes up. Wish me luck!!! I just purchased Turbo Fire and I'm anxious to get it going after vacation!

Next stop: Accessories, shoes, bridesmaid dresses, wedding rings and engagement photo sessions!

So tell me have any of you had a panic attack after ordering your wedding dress?

Monday Minute: 6.6.11

2011-06-06T08:29:00.000-05:00

It's that time again! Thanks Ian for keeping me interested in blogging I've slacked so much lately!

1 - What part of 'no' do you not understand?
Basically the NO part. I'm an only child and I will admit that I was spoiled. I did hear the word NO a lot growing up but honestly I still don't always understand it.

2 - Which current reality show do you think you could win?
Thankfully reality contest shows are usually my favorite. I'd love to say I could win WWE's Tough Enough but after watching this season's show... I know I'd pee myself every time Stone Cold looked at me sideways. He's a scurry son of a bitch!

If I could pick one to win - I'd say biggest loser - I think if I had them yelling at me and guiding me in my fitness quest I'd ace it any day. Then again I don't quite have the body mass to lose like the others so I'd probably suck at that.

Is there a reality show where it's open season on the Jersey Shore cast? I think I'd win at shooting them with paint balls at the club, or at least drink them under the table. I will admit when the show came on I was truly entertained by it, not it just drives me insane. ENOUGH ALREADY MTV!

Better yet, put me on Say Yes to the Dress - I'd ace that!

3 - Would you amputate your right arm for ten million dollars?
No way... while I'm not pleased as punch with my bingo arms right now, I need them.

4 - If I say, just bring it - what you got?
Dance off, right here, right now! Watch out for my Lawn Mower, it's earth shattering!

and finally...

5 - You are opening a restaurant. What type or theme of food are you serving?
If I opened a restaurant here in Alabama - hands down Maryland Crab Joint. They don't have anything like it here and I think that would be a plus, provided the natives would be willing to learn how to pick crabs like us East Coasters. Otherwise I'd open a bakery/sweets shop. I'm obsessed with perfecting my baking skills right now.

Monday Minute: Memorial Day Edition

2011-05-30T09:20:00.009-05:00

Happy Memorial Day everyone! I hope you will take time today to remember those who have served our country and brought us the freedom we have and protect it every day!!! Thank you to our troops!

Today's post is short and sweet - it's a holiday after all there are things to be grilled and beers to be consumed. Thanks to Ian I finally have a reason to blog on Mondays! Again if you have never been to Ian's blog before, check it out! P.S. I really like a good excuse to feature Yoda on my blog too, he's my favorite Jedi, ever!

1 - Aside from your armpits, what body part of yours sweats the most?
As a woman we all know how much our boobs sweat, hot right? Add to that my back and I'm just a hot mess all around when the temps get high. Alabama is not a place for a lady to live and not sweat that's for damn sure!

2 - You have two slices of bread. You can add one additional ingredient to make a sandwich, but as much of it as you want. What are you putting on it?
Apple Butter - pounds and pounds of apple butter. Better yet, screw the bread just give me a spoon I'll eat it like applesauce - SO good!

3 - Can you put your entire fist into your mouth?
I would try but that might cause wrinkles around my face and I'd hate for people to think I suck pole for a living because of it.

4 - Open your email. How many emails do you have in your 'Inbox'?
Hehe, you said inbox... get it? 20 Emails but most have been read.

5 - If an adult male is taken for ransom, is that considered kidnapping?
Yes. I still believe it is even if the kidnapper is a woman, there be some craycray bitches out there!

I will try to remember to link up Ian! This message has been scheduled and I can't say if I will honestly remember the linkages after all those frozen drinks this weekend.

"There was something important I was supposed to do today...."

via google

wedding wednesday: plans

2011-05-25T20:40:00.001-05:00

Where to begin. In some capacity I knew planning a wedding was a huge deal, I just never realized how much went into it until I was tossed full throttle into wedding plans when I was given a beautiful ring. When Mike and I got engaged I was under the delusion that I'd have a full year to plan a wedding. The more we talked about it [that day] the more I realized we both wanted to get married sooner rather than later. I guess it goes right in tone with Mike's proposal and not missing an opportunity to make this happen. Live each day like it's your last. Oddly enough that wack job of a religious nut that has predicted the world would end this past weekend is now predicting that the world is due to end the day before my wedding. Nice try old fart, I've been saying for years that Hell would freeze over the day I got married so I beat you the punch!

The day Mike proposed we made a trip to the book store so I could pick out bridal HOW TO books. Like I said, I had an idea of what we had to plan for but no idea how much detail goes into getting hitched. Thankfully the wedding section at our local bookstore isn't that overwhelming and choices were few and I really think I purchased the best book to help me out. The Wedding Book The Big Book for Your Big Day by Mindy Weiss

via google

This book has everything. I knew nothing about Mindy Weiss when I purchased this book but she seems to cover all the bases and not just for "BLOW ALL YOUR MONEY ON A BIG WEDDING" style gigs either. She gives sound and proper advice for any bride no matter what her budget. I am SO happy I purchased this book instead of a few of the others I had in my hands at the time. The rest of my money was spent on tons of wedding magazines.

I read through the first few chapters that discussed everything from who pays for what to what all you need to get started. I had a few mini panic attacks when I read the time lines she listed. If we followed them to a T we were way behind schedule. Cue heart beating wildly. When I mentioned these deadlines we were off on Mike went into planner mode.

I'm happy to say it's been less than a month since we got engaged and we are only 5.5 months from our wedding date and we've already accomplished so much. Mike gets all the glory on this! Our biggest issue was figuring out budget. Thankfully we have 2 loving families willing to help us with our wedding so while we are staying completely realistic in our expectations and the cost of things it's nice to know we have support. If we didn't we would be planning a wedding for next year and saving every nickle and dime until then.

VENUE:
We toured a lot of locations online before even considering setting foot inside one. Most of the hotels around here while beautiful, were hugely overpriced and to me a bit cookie cutter. I was trying to think outside of the box. I knew a hotel would be the perfect location for the ceremony, reception and for people to stay but I wanted something different, and more, well, US. We toured a local reception site that would be able to take us for the entire day, we would have full run of the building and it was beautiful inside. Exposed brick, and a lovely courtyard to do the ceremony as well as plenty of reception room. Open catering and the whole 9 yards. The price was right and we loved the location but a nagging voice in my head was saying to look around a bit more. My father said the same thing so the following weekend we did lots of searches and came across the local State Park Resort here close to town. It had what we were looking for, outdoor views, a rustic feel and even better, lodging for our guests to be close to all the action and not have to drive far after a night of partying. We mulled over the typical locations around here, Country Clubs and such, but in the end it didn't feel like us. Neither of us plays golf, or tennis or anything like that. The State Park Resort however, screams Mike and Kelly. Mike being the planner he is set up an appointment for us during the week and we headed out to meet with the woman in charge of events at the location.

Driving in there are lots of tree lined winding roads. We both talked about how amazing it will look in the fall when the leaves start to turn bright colors. The whole area has a very outdoorsy feel to it and as you drive to the resort you pass campgrounds, boat docks, a marina, tons of deer and wildlife and a side road that takes you to lake front cottages. Our jaws dropped as we drove up to the front of the lodge. It's amazing and so pretty. My heart started to beat in fear worrying that we might not be able to afford it. It has just the right amount of outdoor feel without getting cheesy or feeling like you're going to summer camp. But not stuffy in the least which is what we wanted. After talking with our coordinator and walking the grounds and being shown all the areas we had available to us we were sold on the location. At this point I still hadn't had the big talk with my dad about budget so we got our names on reserve on the book and went home to mull it over.

Hands down this was the place for us! We secured the location and our date for the wedding. October 22, 2011. It was exciting to finally have a date! We had been asked since the first hour of engagement when we were getting married and only a week or two later we actually HAD a date to tell people.

via Joe Wheeler State Park Lodge

PHOTOGRAPHY:
Once we picked and secured a date and venue my next worry was the photography. The resort handles the food and lodging and we are able to bring in our own booze and vendors for other items. The most important thing to me about the wedding day is capturing the festivities on film [digitally]. Since I was a kid I've always oogled over my parent's wedding album and even though their marriage didn't stand the test of time, all their pictures did. I'm a huge fan of journalistic style photography for weddings. I hate stuffy portraits, even though I will have those taken for posterity, I want the images that show how much fun everyone had during the big day. We will have friends and family in from all over the US and I want to have those memories.

My first choice for photographer sadly was booked. She and her husband will be off doing a wedding in Mississippi that weekend, which made me so sad. I had been dreaming about having them do my wedding for almost 2 years now. My word of advice if you LOVE a photographer or vendor and feel like you NEED them at your big day... find out when they are available and book your dream venue around them. After I got over my disappointment of not having them I was given a few other names by this couple for other photographers and a vendor friend that does sound as well. I finally found the right photographer for us. She has beautiful work and gave us a great price that we could live with. I had no idea photography was so expensive but in the end it's on my MUST HAVE List. We went with breannafoggphotography.com - I can't wait to meet her in person and do our engagement shoot with her.

MUSIC:
While I said that music is important to me, I think Mike may be more passionate about it sort of like I was with choosing the right photographer. We've been making a playlist for our big day since before we ever go engaged. We have so many songs that mean the world to us that we'd like highlighted on our big day and needed just the right person to make that happen. We didn't want a show boat DJ. I can't stand those types. For birthdays or company picnics or even clubs YES, by all means. At a wedding I want the music to tell the story, not the guy who's about to play the Electric Slide [for the record that is on the "Don't Play" list]. Mike searched high and low for not only the right price but the right personality. You should have heard some of the stuff DJ's were wanting to do at our wedding. One wanted to play games!!! GAMES!! He talked so big about himself like he was just the bee's knees. He actually had a game where you blindfold the groom and make him feel women's faces to guess which is his wife! What the crap? There is no way that would end well! He also talked about how he gets the crowd going and all I could picture was this DJ being a lot like Carrot Top and not what we wanted in a wedding entertainer. Thankfully Mike found a great DJ that does all the important parts of his job and then lets the music do the rest. That is what we wanted and needed.

MUSIC FOR THE CEREMONY:
Mike and I have been going back and forth about music for the actual ceremony. Do we pick instrumental audio tracks on an ipod or sound system? Or do we get friends or family members to play instruments. While we think it would be super special to have our friends play the wedding we also didn't want people to feel obligated to do something for us at the wedding. We really want everyone to come, relax and enjoy the big day. Even our friends that are in the actual wedding party we want them to be as relaxed as possible. In the end Mike and I agreed live music, using classical instruments would be classy and beautiful. Mike did his magic work and he found a cellist and a violinist for the ceremony.

So here we are: Venue, check. Food, check. Photography, check. Music, check. Ceremony Music, check. Lodge rooms booked, check. Add to that Mike has picked out his suit, and we have a meeting with a florist next week, we have a contact to hire a bartender for our evening, and I bet there is a ton I'm forgetting AND it's only been less than a month.

So this is where we are at. I have picked my color swatches for the wedding and will share that soon. I will be calling a few bakers this week to get quotes and meetings set up for the cake and finally try to get time to go shopping for my dress. I don't think we are doing too bad. I really hope that by our July vacation week we will be able to sit back and now that everything that can be done ahead of time, is done and all the other stuff we will worry about when we get back to our daily grind.

What was your biggest worry, or issue when you were planning your wedding?

wedding nightmares

2011-05-24T12:32:00.000-05:00

It's official. I'm a Bride-To-Be. Yes I know the ring is what makes it official but after last night I really feel like I've earned the title of a Bride-To-Be. In the middle of the night last night I had my first bridal anxiety dream.

So far planning has been a breeze and I plan on sharing all of this information on Wednesdays here at the blog. My own version of Wedding Wednesday. Thanks to Mike being so good at putting stuff together he's really taken the reins and handled the bulk of our phone calls, and arrangements that have needed to be made. I will share more of that tomorrow. Today I'm going to talk about my nightmare wedding.

First of there shouldn't be any anxiety for me right now with all of Mike's help but I guess in the back of my mind there is a nagging voice saying... "Kelly, your wedding is only about 5 months away!!!" So since that nagging voice is there, I guess my brain is freaking out. I have done the whole deal of falling asleep thinking about wedding plans and things that are on my to-do list, which is never healthy.

So last night I drifted off rather well. And slept great. Half way through the night I woke up, visited the restroom and then went right back to sleep and that is when it happened.... the nightmare kicked in.

My Nightmare Wedding

Don't say it could be worse... please!

It was our wedding day. Only the location wasn't the nice wilderness resort we are actually having our wedding at. Instead it felt more like a subway train station meets tacky casino. In the dream I seemed okay with this choice, [which is F-ed fo' sho] but very frazzled about every detail. I remember my shoes being something I was disappointed in [this probably stems from the fact that I'm more concerned about finding cool shoes for my big day than I am about the dress, yes I'm strange]. My dress fit well, and my girls all seemed pleased with the absolutely hideous dresses they picked out for themselves. [Most of my bridesmaids are coming in from my hometown or from the other side of the US, only one is a local bridesmaid so I won't be able to be there when they pick out their dresses. I have full confidence that they will do a great job in picking nice dresses, I think my fear lies that my "shade of green" won't be communicated properly, even after sending my care package OR the dress shops won't carry the color I have in my vision. Green isn't just green... damn I sound like Shelby in Steel Magnolias now... piss!]

Like I said all my girls were pleased with their dresses, I wasn't sold on them but let it go, it was the big wedding day after all and It was about me and Mike. I remember going to touch up my make-up and when I looked in the mirror I was shocked. I looked like Dee Snyder had done my hair and make-up in cahoots with a Bratz doll! It was super kinky curly and three different shades of pink and red. WTF?!

Seriously... I looked like this, even the make-up is a close match just add more Hot Pink, Red and Purple streaks to my frizzy curled hair.

[I'm going to guess this hair issue and make-up stems from anxiety about getting my hair cut this month and the fear of making sure my hairstylist will be available for my big day and a good make-up artist.]

All the girls and guys finally get ready for the big ceremony... but wait... we are in the hall entering the Casino-esque area and there are guests still filtering in to sit down. Mike and I are hidden from each other but I can hear his groomsmen on the other side of the hall... yep, they are all plastered. Just F-ing great! Then it hits me, I started to freak out again... we never told the people what to play for us to walk down the isle to... and then music starts. I can't recall what it was but I was pissed that it sucked and freaking out. If this dream is hell my guess is it was probably Nicklecrap because I was LIVID! Then I realized half my girls weren't there to walk out... AND my father was missing. The Wedding Coordinator signals me to walk down the isle and I yell to her, "MY DAD ISN'T HERE!" She bluntly says "Tough Shit, show must go on!" and shoves me down the isle. Not only am I walking down the isle but all the late guests are in my way, they are all in sloppy clothing and no one is watching this special moment and I'm miserable. I trip a few times on the runner which is also hot pink, what the crap? And then I start to sob. Not happy emotional tears but "HOLY SHIT THIS IS A TRAIN WRECK" TEARS! I get to the end and it's something out of The Hangover! Most of the guys that made it are all lined up and swaying, covered in dirt and what I believe is vomit, Mike is there, his eye is black and he smells like Whiskey and a cold cut sandwich. He smiles to me and it makes me feel a little better, but I still realize this wedding is a total hot mess. As I glance down the isle there is my Maid of Honor and my father walking down the isle together waving to everyone like they are Miss America and Mr. Universe and then I woke up... WTF?!

Needless to say I am sure most of this is due to some details being up in the air at the moment. I have to say for having a wedding in less than 6 months and only being engaged for almost 1 month we've gotten really far with planning. More on that tomorrow!

So tell me... did you ever have anxiety dreams as a bride or groom? If so please share!

Monday Minute

2011-05-23T10:44:00.000-05:00

It has been forever since I've been able to participate in one of these with the cool as shizz Ian so here goes! This is a better way to start off my Monday than the one that has made me super grumpy! *Gives the stink eye to Mother Nature*

1 - Think back as far as you can, what's the first tape, record, etc you remember listening to?
Listening to vividly? I would say it was either be The Eagles or The Rolling Stones at home. I couldn't tell you for sure the album - but they were always on in my dad's car or on the stereo. In my mother's car she tormented me with Neil Diamond, Carly Simon or Jimmy Buffet, OH and Willy Nelson. If we are talking about my taste and what I was obsessed with I will say Michael Jackson's Thriller and The Boss' Born in the USA [it was the first tape I ever purchased for myself]. Oddly enough most of these are still true favorites of mine.

2 - What's the first concert you've ever been to, the year and who performed?
Debbie Gibson's Electric Youth Tour. I have no idea who opened, I can't remember. A fun fact was discovered through chatting with Ian over email, apparently he and I were both at this very same concert. Small world right? As far as the year, I will need Ian to tell me that. I have NO freaking clue!

3 - Ever bleed from your ass?
Not that I can recall... and clearly not enough to make me worry or I would remember, right?

4 - If you went to your Senior Prom and had a date, do you still speak to said person?
Yes, I went to my Senior Prom with my then boyfriend. We argued the entire time we went to his Senior Prom [I was a junior then], but at my Senior prom we got along great. We don't talk anymore, we broke up after 5 years and he dumped me for another chick, who he cheated on me with. Nice right? So much for first loves. I'm glad I got the one that treated me horrible out of the way when I was young. It made me tough and stronger. He found me on facebook. Asked to add me as a friend, I almost told him to kiss my ass but figured I could be polite. One email and that was that. Thank GOD!

5 - Name the one television show that's no longer on the air that could have gone on forever.
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER! I'm still pissed it's over. Seriously there is no end to evil, and there is tons of ways to continue the story now that there are MORE slayers. JOSS stop teasing me and bring something back already!!! I was also pretty upset I got on the Smallville train so late. Watching the last episode made me super sad and I've only watched it for the last season.

If you have never been to Ian's blog before, check it out. It's a hoot!

In other news, the movie Bridesmaids is freaking HILARIOUS!!! I loved every minute of it. I can't wait for the Hangover 2 this weekend! And not soon enough Green Lantern, yes I just want an excuse to see Ryan's body in some green tights... so kill me! EPIC MOVIE SUMMER!!!! [Thor was amazeballs as well!]

fixation friday: the proposal

2011-05-13T12:49:00.001-05:00

Yep, it's here the moment many of you have been waiting for... the post where I share my proposal story. For those of you that missed my tweets or just didn't know, Mike asked me to marry him on April 30th and I accepted happily!!! I didn't want to steal Kate Middleton's royal thunder, or the Navy Seals amazing thunder when they caught Osama so I chose to keep it all hush, hush for a while. Oh wait, You say Mariah Carey gave birth on the actual day of my engagement, care? We don't need to taint this post with her crazy ass. In all reality... I am sorry it's taken so long - since the event happened it's been a whirlwind of plans. For those of you that have been hounding me, thank you for being patient and I love that you are so interested, it warms my heart. With out further delay, I want to present to you our proposal story, not just from my point of view, but from Mike's as well. Sit back, relax and enjoy!

HIS STORY... in his words.

I had the ring in my pack that I use to carry my phone, ipod, banana, & other various things to me with work when I ride my bike. I had bought her ring with full intentions of asking her to marry me while we were on vacation at the beach. Which already has cliché written all over it, but I didn’t give a fuck. That’s what I wanted to do. I looked at it a couple of times and put it away in the trunk that holds all my video games and accessories. [Clever hiding space, husband-to-be! love, k]

Then the tornadoes came on April 27. We began to watch the videos and pictures coming in of all the people who lost everything, including their lives. I began to think of their lost opportunities and chances. On Friday, we watched some more videos that I had not seen yet. The missed chances started weighing on me more and more. I decided the next day I would ask Kelly to marry me.

I woke up the next morning, thinking of how to do this. Without even five seconds passing, it hit me: Railroad Bridge.

The Railroad Bridge is no longer a railroad or a bridge. Its more pier/walkway than anything else. It starts on the Sheffield side of the Tennessee River, and goes roughly half way over the river, before abruptly stopping.

When Kell came down on one of her visits, it was one of the first places I took her. She seemed to really like it, and I’ve always thought it a neat place.

When she woke up, I told her that I wanted to go to the Farmer’s Market, which is also across the river. Thinking that we would cross the river and I would make mention that I would like to go down to the Railroad Bridge and check out how fast the water was moving.

We both got dressed, and while she was doing her hair, I retrieved the ring from the trunk, and put it in my pocket. We got in the Jeep and drove across the river. I said “Wow, look at the river, its really moving…I wanna go down to the railroad bridge and check out the water”

She said “Ok, but lets get an iced coffee from McDonalds, first.”

“DAMN!” I thought. So, we went through the Drive-Thru at McDonalds, she got an iced coffee, and I got a frozen strawberry lemonade. We went back to the bridge and parked. Got out and started walking towards the bridge. Noticed that there was a dick painted on the trashcan. I thought, “I’ll now remember that dick for the rest of my life.”

As we approached the bridge, Kell said “This would be a nice place to have a wedding” I laughed a little on the inside, and she said something about the logistics of being able to get everyone seated where they could see.

We continued down the walkway, and passed a man with a stroller. We stopped at the end, and just kind of looked out and about for a few minutes.

I didn’t rehearse anything over and over in my head. I didn’t want anything to come off as forced, or cheesy. I wanted this to feel and be real.

I took off my sunglasses, and said. “I didn’t really want to go to the Farmers Market. That was bullshit. I have something for you. I was waiting ‘till we were on vacation, but with all the death and destruction that we’ve seen this week, I keep thinking of missed chances and opportunities. I don’t want to miss another opportunity with you.” I pulled out the ring, opened the box, knelt down on one knee, and said “Kell, will you please marry me?”

Before I could get the ring out of the box, she pulled her current ring off, and grabbed the ring out the box, and put it on her self, and emphatically said “YES!”

We hugged and kissed. Then noticed the underwear stuck in the tree limb.

Great, now I’ll remember that underwear forever.

We walked back to the Jeep, and went to the Farmers Market. I don’t think either of us cared about what anyone was selling. We just kind of walked around, and then left.

I tried to call my mother, but she was in Illinois at the time, and I couldn’t reach her, so I called my dad.

Then we had lunch at B’s grandmother’s restaurant. [B is Mike's brother's girlfriend]

When we got home, I changed my status on Facebook to “engaged to Kelly W” Within 20 seconds the texts and calls started rolling in.

Then it dawned on us. We now have a wedding to plan.

HER STORY... in her words.

It was a day just like any other Saturday. We had spent the night before drinking with our good friend Miss K. The vodka shots were flowing and the conversation was rolling. Most of the evening was spent talking about all the damage and destruction that had taken a toll on most parts of Alabama. How fortunate we were to make it through with little damage, how much our hearts ached for people in other areas who were not as lucky as we were. My mind raced as we watched actual tornado footage taken by people all over the state, with hand held cameras, most while driving and swearing and breathing heavy in fear and later posted on YouTube. It was unreal. You know that movie Twister... doesn't even touch this. We had laughs to lighten the mood but most conversations went right back to everyone who was hurt or left with nothing. We all knew we were truly lucky to have our homes, and more importantly our friends, family, each other and our pets with us. We got home late that night, full of booze and went to bed.

Saturday morning as I said started as any other. I was a bit more hung over than usual, so I skipped my workout, and knew I'd make it up on Sunday. I got up, got in the shower and tried to shake off the tired feeling in my brain. We try to not sleep too late on the weekends, I hate to miss the day. Long gone are the days of being 20 something and sleeping until the clock read PM. While I was in the shower Mike mentioned he'd like to head over to the Farmer's Market to see if we could find some good fresh produce for dinner. I thought that was a great idea. Spring has sprung here in the south, why not celebrate with fresh goodies.

Since I knew we were bumming around I figured I'd just toss on a comfy tshirt, some jeans and flip flops. I had no idea the day would turn into something so special. We hopped in the car and the need for more sleep washed over me. As we headed over the bridge Mike commented on how fast the water was rolling. I replied that "Yeah, it's so brown it looks like chocolate milk." He asked if I cared if we headed out to the railroad bridge and I said it was a great idea. We hadn't been out there in ages. I think maybe once, since the first time he took me there upon visiting him before we were officially dating. However I begged him to stop at McDonald's so I could get some coffee.

Once we got our beverages we took the winding road back to the area where the Railroad Bridge entrance was. This as Mike said is an old bridge, that used to be functional, they have since cut it in half, blocked off the end and kept it for a historical marker for the towns of Sheffield and Florence, AL. We hopped out of the car with our drinks and started walking.. "Oh look... what a nice spray painted penis on that trash can... wonder if the Superbad Kid was here?" I said. Mike chuckled. As we got down to the entrance to the bridge and started walking we couldn't have asked for a better day. The weather was cool, the breeze was blowing and the water was rushing faster than I have ever seen it rush before. It's amazing after they day of destruction that was before this day, the following days had been absolutely beautiful, weather wise. Nature is a mysterious thing.

After a few steps I made a comment "This would be a great place to get married." Mike chuckled again... after about 20 more passes I retracted that comment... "Nevermind, it would take too damn long to walk to the end and there isn't any where for people to sit." Again he chuckled. Mike kept walking back and forth stopping from time to time to comment on the water and chit chat.

We held hands as we walked, which we do quite often but something felt different that day. A few weeks ago I had emailed Mike and stated that my biggest fear is that we would become more like roommates, and less like boyfriend and girlfriend. That I didn't want day to day things to make us feel like our whole life was a routine. Little did I know what he was planning but the two of us have always been honest with each other and we don't hold stuff in. So I expressed my worry, since that day we both made it a point to be more affectionate... but like I said this felt different. In my gut, in my heart. Maybe it was the thoughts of all that had been lost during the storms for many people, or maybe it was my instinct, either way I remember my heart feeling really warm, and my mouth wearing a smile. As we walked and the breeze blew, I looked over the water and I took a moment to be thankful for all I had. I knew it was the right moment to take that in, and thank God for my many blessings. Hand in hand with Mike is the one place I was happiest to be, and I had that.

We neared the end and sat and looked over the edge. They have wooden railings all around the bridge so you can fall unless you jump, we rested or arms over the top and talked about the night before, and stuff we had to handle that day. Watched the water and discussed simple things... Mike then paused and took off his sunglasses, something he never does. He's always wearing them outdoors... he said "I got something for you, and I was going to wait to give it to you when we went to the beach, but given the circumstances and all that's happened in the past few days, I didn't think it was right to wait." [I'm paraphrasing obviously]. He explained a bit more about lost chances and opportunities for people all over and how he didn't want to have that happen for him. During all the storms and footage we both discussed how we would feel if we lost our home, our pets and loved ones, but for some reason we never discussed the thought of losing each other. Not that it didn't dawn on me, we were at our offices, it could have easily been us that lost a loved one. We weren't together. I guess it was just too hard to discuss. I would be lost without Mike. It hit me as he started talking how much I need him, want him and never want to be without him... just then he said as he started to dig in his pocket, pulled out a box and knelt down "Kelly, will you please marry me?" As soon as he started to kneel I could see the red box and I knew what was coming... my ears started to ring a little bit and I can't say I blacked out, that's not the right wording but I went into auto pilot mode... I started to rip off my ring on my left hand and move it to my right finger and while I was saying this said "YES!" in a quivering voice.... I knew when he said "I got something for you..." that the ring was coming but I wanted to be absolutely focused on what he said... once he got the words out... it was a daze... I apparently snagged the ring from his grip and shoved it on my hand saying "YES!" I feel horrible for that, it was a chance for him to slip the ring on my finger. I will have to be more calm at the actual wedding and allow him to take the lead. I know I said "WOW" a few times and I hugged him and held him tight and kissed him. I welled up, I didn't full on cry but I knew in my heart he was who I was meant to be with and it felt just right.

It was the perfect setting, the perfect person and the perfect reason and I couldn't have asked for anything more! I can remember shaking a little bit and while we hugged I thought to myself.. "Shit! Now I have to plan a wedding!" That's a healthy "SHIT" mind you not an "OH CRAP" shit. Just an overwhelming feeling but in a good way.

When we stopped to breathe a minute and admire my new ring... we looked down and noticed underwear stuck in the branches below... how romantic... a pair of BVD's... and a thong. Clearly someone else got engaged or lucky out here prior to our moment... but the basis of our relationship is our ability to laugh together and that is what sealed the moment, one question, one answer, a hug, a kiss, and a full belly laugh. We were engaged.

We walked slowly back down the bridge that he had brought me to so many years ago smiling and marveling at what had just happened. Now every time we cross the river we can remember that day. [And the underwear and the penis painted on the trash can, good times].

We chatted excitedly while driving over to the Farmers Market, he later told me that he didn't even want to go there it was just a way to get me over the river. But we enjoyed browsing and talking to others. I had a hard time not wanting to shout it out loud. The man and his son that Mike mentioned on the bridge were at the Farmer's Market it took all I had not to say, "DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU JUST MISSED?" It was odd to run into them again.

We went about our day, shopping for groceries and items for the tornado relief and went home. We made phone calls, changed facebook status and did all we could to get the message out. We decided to take a walk around downtown with our dog June to sort of celebrate. We started discussing our plans for where we'd like to have the wedding and reception. As we walked passed the park we noticed a wedding happening... I felt like this might be a sign. Our first choice was to get married in the park, it was after all the very first landmark Mike took me to when I visited, and I've always loved the park with the fountain surrounded by trees in the town center. I had another sign earlier in the morning as we drove through downtown to get to the bridge we passed the local bridal boutique. I've never noticed anything in the window prior to that morning but as we drove past a dress grabbed me by surprise and I couldn't take my eyes off it. I shrugged it off mostly because I didn't think a wedding would be happening for me anytime soon. Boy was I wrong.

We later decided to celebrate at our favorite bar, just the two of us. We sat down, and had a few rounds of beer chatting with one of the owners, our friend and other workers about our great news. We tweeted the good news and got wonderful feedback, thank you for that! Then we quietly brainstormed our wedding, sitting at the copper bar top, over our favorite brews and it all became clear to me... this is really happening.

A little secret: The first time I met Mike in person, after an hour of hanging out he kissed me on the cheek and I told myself, "One day you are going to marry him." I'm so happy I was right.

Mike and I at the Railroad Bridge during our first visit in 2005

the day after...

2011-04-29T08:41:00.003-05:00

First let me say that Myself and Mike are alive, well and doing just fine after the storms. Thank you all for checking in I really appreciate it!!! oxox

Dorothy's Lessons:
Tornado. When most people hear that word they automatically start to think of one of the most beloved children's stories of all time, The Wizard of Oz. The story of a little girl who is swept up by a tornado, in her home and dropped abruptly but safely to a mystical Munchkin Village in the land of Oz. In Dorothy's tale she doesn't have a bump or scratch on her, the only casualty in this story is the Wicked Witch of the East who was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time when D's home dropped from the sky. I'll be honest I'm surprised she was the only one killed, that house was rather large and those Munchkin villagers were rather small. It seems like this story tells children that if you are a good "witch" or good person, you won't get smooshed with a house in a tornado, that only happens to bad people/witches. Well friends, we all know as adults that this lesson isn't true.

As I sit here typing this to you in a word document to save for later, since I am without internet, I have learned to rethink the way things disappoint me. Today, the day after horrible storms and tornadoes ripped through Alabama and surrounding states. Every time I feel side tracked today because I couldn't email a proof to a customer, I reminded myself that someone out there can't find their loved one or worse have discovered that their loved one is no longer with us on this Earth. Every time I feel annoyed because my text message won't go through, or a call from my cell won't connect, I realize that there are people that have no home to rest their head and have lost their cell phones and everything they have ever held dear to their hearts.

I thought of these people while I took my warm shower this morning. Instead of mindlessly going through the motions, I took the time to be thankful for the warm water on my skin, the soap in my hands and roof over my head. Instead of rushing, I took my time and tried my best to count the blessings I had in my life at that very moment. I have a tooth brush, safe in it's holder and plenty of contact solution so I might be able to see, and a case to store these contacts in before I go to bed each night. I have clothing, I have deodorant and more importantly I have my life just as it was 24 hours ago.

Last night, once we finally gained back a single channel on our television and our cable, we watched the news before heading to bed to rest our heads on our warm pillows. They showed the devastation that spread far and wide through Alabama and my jaw hit the ground. I had no idea how bad it had gotten in other areas while at work all day yesterday. Tears filled my eyes. I can't being to imagine what these families are going through. Items can be replaced, I know this but I can't imagine a tornado crashing into my home and taking everything I ever worked so hard to attain whisked away in a split second. Even worse than that, I can't imagine a tornado ripping through my home and taking people from me that I spent my life creating a bond with. Its defeating and a helpless feeling even for me, and I have lost nothing personally.

Story after story is being shared today around this state and surrounding states effected by these storms. It's enough to forever break your heart. Stories I'm hearing are that of what horror movies are made, and sad extremely dramatic movies. This doesn't happen in real life... but yesterday it did. You only see half of the truth of how bad things are for most of these communities on the news. I think it's the media's way of protecting us. The reality is harsh from what I have heard, devastating and harsh.

The storm kept rolling today [yesterday] and reports through text messages from my friends back home in Maryland started to roll in. Some were in the basement, some were at work but all received the same message from me... "I am ok. Be safe and listen to all warnings! Take nothing for granted these storms mean business." I am still waiting to hear how things went up there as I type this. As I said I am off the grid right now with only a basic cell phone and 1-3 cable channels as my guides to the outside world. I don't even have a smart phone so the internet is not there for me.

Last night I received text messages via twitter from friends making sure I was ok and I want to say thank you for that! My friends back home all texted me upon finding out what was going on and it warmed my heart to know that people care from far and wide even if we have never met before in person. My father couldn't get through to me, and I couldn't get a call out to him - thankfully through the wonders of technology we finally sent texts back and forth and I could calm him and let him know I was safe, we were safe and that the most damage my home had was a fallen branch off our Bradford Pear tree that fell into the street. No damage, nothing lost. I am one of the lucky few and I am forever grateful.

This morning I walked in a haze, hearing the reports on the radio, seeing footage of the tornado that ripped through Tuscaloosa, AL. I've been there, I've seen where the damage hit, I've rooted for my favorite college team in that town - but my worries weren't with the buildings, it was with the people of the community. Tuscaloosa, AL, Cullman, AL, Arab, AL and Phil Campbell, AL are all close to where I live, most are a 20 minute drive to 2 hours in driving distance. The great state of Alabama is a large and expansive state and as of a few moments ago our death toll was up to 141 people. To me 1 person is too much. We have warning systems for this type of occurance - sirens, television, radio, even weather radios [reminder: purchase one ASAP!]. Usually if you have access to the radio or television or are within earshot of the sirens you know when trouble is coming sometimes up to 15-30 minutes in advance. We are constantly told to seek shelter. I will say that most people do listen, others may not but the bottom line is these storms were massive and some people found shelter as best they could in their homes and sadly, I don't know if most of our homes are as safe as we think. As I looked at the rubble on TV I realized how many of these homes were reduced to dust. Brick homes, homes you thought were sturdy, and if it hadn't been for a basement for these people they wouldn't be with us today. Many others were not as luck, living in trailers or homes without basements. These storms were intense and the tornadoes they produced were incredibly strong.

As an East Coaster - these storms freak me right the hell out. I've been here in Alabama for almost 6 years now and I still get shook up when I hear the sirens go off. I still get worried when the Emergency Broadcast System breaks in while we are watching television. Most nights it's for strong weather others it's for flooding but once you hear the siren go off you know it's a warning that tornadoes may touch down. Its a sick feeling to watch the clouds swirl and not know when it's going to drop. To be honest it's rare that I will even watch the skies. I'm always the first to yell "DO I NEED TO GRAB ANGUS AND JUNE? DO WE NEED TO GET IN THE BATHROOM NOW?!" Mike was born and raised in this area, he's used to this so he's a bit more calm. Myself I'm calm with most things, tornadoes I am not. Give me a hurricane any day, they give me warning to get out of dodge and batten down the hatches if I need to. Tornadoes sneak up and attack with little or no warning.

Yesterday during the storms a wall cloud formed downtown right close to our local University. This is the second time that this has happened since I moved here. The first time was my first year here. A dark, ominous cloud that you watch for rotation, spinning and dropping. While in the office where I work, with no windows we sat designing away when my co-worker said to me "Whoa... did you feel that?" I nodded yes. Not only did it sound like the wind shifted outside but, our ears had popped, and the pressure in the air completely changed in a split second. It was like when you ride in a plane and the air pressure changes, only maybe not as intense from where I was at that moment, but still, like nothing I've felt on the ground before. As we looked outside the front door the sky was pitch black, it was that wall cloud I just mentioned, hovering over us. I've never felt the pressure shift before while living here, to say I was worried is a huge understatement. Thankfully nothing happened here in town. Strong winds, gusts of rain [I thought of Forrest Gump with a bit of 'Stinging Rain'] and property damage due to all the wind and rain hit my town and surrounding communities.

Lots of neighbors reported no power, our power only flickered. Other people reported loss of cable, internet, phone lines - we experienced this. But like I said I don't feel right complaining. What do I have to complain about really in the grand scheme of things. I have my home, my health, my boyfriend, my pets my family, my friends and loved ones and in the end the things I love are just things, not people and not what is important.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all effected in these storms. I can't begin to imagine all you are going through but I can send my condolences, my love and my prayers to you. I hope in the next coming days that more and more support groups will come forward and organizations to help restore order to these places that were so badly hit. I also hope I will be able to help out with clean up, etc. See the end of this blog for information on how you can help.

My lesson in all this is that in a way Dorothy is right, there truly is No Place Like Home. Home is where your heart is, not where you hang your hat or where you park your car. Home is where you raise your family, and find your refuge. Home isn't a thing, it's a feeling - your roof and the structure is a house and while it keeps you safe and warm, it doesn't define you, it simply protects you. I know it's easy for me to say all this, since I have lost nothing. I hope that even though Dorothy never taught us tornado safety that we can take that message with us, and all of those effected can remember that we will rebuild and make our lives better, and stronger than they ever were before. I know it's easy for me to say this, with my warm bed, my house and my belongings all close to me, but I promise you I never take these items for granted. I want to help and I hope to do my part for everyone that I can because frankly, I feel guilty in some ways that I am OK after this horrible disaster. And the only way I can describe it is that my heart aches.

To all my blog buddies in Alabama and surrounding states, I hope you are OK. If you have information about support and donations etc. Please contact me so I can post this in a future blog for all to see and do their part if they so wish.

Thank you for listening!

WAYS YOU DONATE TO HELP DISASTER VICTIMS IN ALABAMA:

Online: Go to www.alredcross.org and click on the "donate now" link on the homepage

Call: 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and you will be prompted to a menu that includes financial donations

Text: "Red Cross" to 90999. A response will include two options for donations, either to Japan or for Disasters: domestic and spring storms.

You can also get in touch with the various chapters of the American Red Cross in Alabama by following the links below:

Northern Alabama http://www.redcrossrelief.org/

Mid-Alabama (Birmingham)
http://www.alredcross.org/general.asp?SN=8618&OP=8619&IDCapitulo=DRGYJ0Q5XZ

Central Alabama (Montgomery) http://www.montgomeryarc.org/

Southern Alabama http://www.redcrossalcoast.org/

UPDATES:
Lost and Found Pets in the Alabama Area:
http://altornadoanimals.wordpress.com/
[I am so thankful that this has been set up!!]

*** In totally unrelated news I am overly excited about the Royal Wedding and the NFL Draft! I DVRed the wedding this morning AND worked out before work so I would be able to go home and watch the footage as soon as I walked in the door. Maybe I should get some champagne for the occasion? AND I am so over the moon for My Alabama Players 4 picked up in the first round of the Draft. I just have to wait to see where our Quarterback McElroy heads to. Congrats to my Roll Tide Boys! Please note Steeler Fans I'm not switching teams but I would be lying if I didn't admit to wanting to purchase a Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons jersey and a Mark Ingram, New Orleans' Saints jersey! WOOP! You bet your ass I'll find a way to make it to a few Saints Games this year if I can! I had planned to write an entire post about both of these and may still later but right now the state of Alabama is more important to me than everything else happening in the world. Even though Kate Middleton looked absolutely amazing in her dress, and didn't her man look like a total Prince Charming?!?! I like to pretend that I'm a distant relative of the royal family, my lineage is from Wales of course. And for the record, Kate's sister, Piper... has my all time favorite girls name! I adore it! Cheers to the royals!

fixation friday: frozen beverages

2011-04-22T17:04:00.000-05:00

Today's Fixation Friday is going to be short and sweet. A few weeks ago Mike and I took our first Kayak run of the season. It was a warm and comfortable day on the creek and I'm glad I planned my beverages accordingly. The night before we stopped at Wally World to get our groceries and drinks for the weekend. Mike opted for his bargain favorite Natural Light and I snatched up my tried and true favorite beer, Mich Ultra. We started getting closer to the counter when I remembered that I wanted to try some of Dailys Ready To Drink Pouch Frozen Drinks!

via google

I quickly placed my case of beer down in a display that was clearly for soda and not for beer. I do this a lot. If you ever come to our local Walmart and find say, some pajama bottoms in the frozen food section, chances are I changed my mind and left them there and bought some hot pockets instead. Rude, yes, but it's me and I live up to my mistakes so there you go. After stashing the beer in the wrong section I started to browse the rack of Pre-made drink pouches by the checkout. There were so many flavors I didn't know where to start so I got one of each, and maybe two of the Lemonade flavor. Mike decided he'd get one as well.

Once home I read the directions on the back, freeze for 8 hours and then enjoy! Easy enough. I tossed all the pouches into the freezer and waited until morning.

We loaded up the kayaks... and by We I mean Mike and his man power loaded up the jeep with the kayaks, paddles, life vests and other odds n' ends and I did my Saturday workout, showered and got ready for the creek. Make-up is optional, but I chose to wear a little bit. I'm a girl with dark circles under here eyes after all. After my primping I packed my cooler with the frozen pouches that were almost solid ice blocks at that point. We waited for Mike's little bro P and then headed out to pick up his kayak and some ice for our coolers. I tell you all this because before getting these puppies on ice, they stayed fairly solid for a good 30 minutes without melting. Good to know if your cooler runs warm!

Once at the drop off point we got our gear ready for a float. I waited to be down the creek a ways before trying one of my frozen beverages. I think I went with the Peach first - it was amazing!!! I believe these are mostly just frozen wine coolers, no more alcohol content then say a beer and probably a shizz ton of calories so I'd watch drinking these if you're on a mission to lose weight, which I am. I don't plan on purchasing these very often. That being said I like to call them ADULT CAPRI SUNS! You open it just a slit, slide a long straw in and it's like grade school with a kick!

My favorite flavors are a toss up between Peach and this gem.... LEMONADE!!! Yes I sipped Lemonade while riding in Lemon, my kayak.

via google

If you're looking for a quick and easy, as well as refreshing drink for the spring and summer nights, look no further. It's not a premium mixed drink but it's cheap, fun and tasty!!!

I hope you all have a great weekend! I am planning a kayak float again this weekend but I will probably stick to sipping on some water and beer!

HAPPY WEEKEND!

*I haven't been compensated to talk fluffy things about this product I just thought I would spread the love with all of you!!!

happy 420 day... duuuuudddeeee

2011-04-20T15:30:00.000-05:00

I've been so busy lately my brain feels like mush. It's like I'm high, living in a cloud of reefer smoke without any of the benefits. While I can't claim to be any type of weed professional, because I really can't. I will say I've had a smoke a time or two and this hazy brain feeling is a lot of what I experienced without any of the giggles or munchies.

Since my brain is so fried from work and running at full speed in general these days I thought I'd take the lazy stoner way out of this and repost one of my favorite previous Tickled Tuesday posts.

So sit back, light one up, if you so choose and sit back and ready about my all time favorite Stoner Characters. Oh and Happy 420 Day to those of you who smoke a Jay or two on a day like today!

I'd like to add one to the list of fictional stoner characters here today... The cast of That 70's Show! I loved this show and was sad to see it end! If you're having a bad day, just head to Foreman's basement!

via google

nerd alert: comedian love

2011-04-16T10:00:00.022-05:00

At the risk of looking psycho or a total nerd I had to post this, because frankly it rocked my world.

GIRL CRUSH meets BOY CRUSH meets COMEDIAN CRUSH!

via my twitter stream

Sarah and Josh - thanks for rocking my world!

If you aren't a fan of Chelsea Lately this will make NO sense to you but, for those of you who are like me, avid watchers and followers, it's ok to be just a little jealous. Surferwife and Hotpants not included they both have seen the glory that is twitter convos with the Lately crowd!

Sarah and Josh are two of my favorite round table peeps - so thanks for noticing me you two!

P.S. Sarah Thanks for the tweets x2! #gangbang

P.P.S. If I can get a tweet from @helloross aka Ross Matthews,

I will have made my triangle of Cheslea Comedian Tweets complete!

fixation friday: buffy

2011-04-15T15:40:00.000-05:00

Another full week has come and gone. Where does the time go? I feel like I just did a fixation friday post two days ago and I'm at the same point again.

Today's fixation seems rather fitting. One of the only TV shows that I ever was fully obsessed with was Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I say it's fitting because today is actually Sarah Michelle Gellar's birthday! So Happy Birthday SMG!

SMG and her Hubby Freddie P • via google

My fixation with the Buffy franchise started all the way back with the original movie. Please tell me you remember this, if you don't I'll feel slightly old and like even more of a dork for mentioning it AND owning it on DVD [and VHS].

via google

Incase you are just "too young" or lived under a rock this movie was an epic tale of the chosen one. Into each generation a Slayer is born. Buffy, played by Kristy Swanson and Puck, aka the school Bad boy was played by Luke Perry take on the vampires that are taking over her town. Oddly that seems like the only role that Luke has ever been able to play with his beady eyes. There are also tons of great cameos by actors such as Paul Reubens [aka Pee Wee Herman], who places the head vampire's right hand man. As well as Donald Sutherland who place Buffy's watcher. This film is Valley Girl Kitch meets Campy Horror Classics and I have to say it's on my list of favorite guilty pleasure movies.

I can't say that this film started my obsession with vampire folk lore, the movie that sucked me into that was actually Lost Boys. I still love that movie and would watch it a million times today. However this Buffy movie did spur my interest for the TV show that started in 1996. Thankfully both the movie and show were conceived by Joss Whedon. I love his writing and his humor so it was a perfect fit! I was hooked the minute I saw the pilot episode. Buffy moves to a new town after destroying her old high school [movie] and is tossed into meeting new friends and starting a new life, that she hopes will be vampire free. All is fine until she stops by the library and is met by Giles, her new watcher. From there she realizes her life won't ever be normal. Of all the people she meets in the first episode the most important are Willow, Played by Alyson Hannigan, Xander, played by Nicholas Brendon and Cordelia played by Charisma Carpenter. No surprises here my favorite character was Cordelia Chase, the mean girl. Of course I loved Buffy but come on, Cordy was someone new, bitchy and funny. "GOD, what is your major childhood trauma?"

Cordelia and Xander • via google

And that guy? Well don't get me started on him. Xander. I've had the biggest fan-girl crush on him since episode one. Forget Buffy's vampire boyfriends [Angel and Spike, below], Xander was always my favorite. Sure Spike was one hot piece and my mini crush on Seth Green was enhanced when he played Oz, the werewolf pal of the Scooby Crew. But still Xander gets all the glory. He stands by Buffy no matter what, even when he hates what's she's doing [ie Dating Vampires when she should be slaying them].

Willow and Oz • via google

Angel and Spike • via google
Love Triangle Material: The original, and in my opinion WAY cooler
Team Jacob or Team Edward

Bottom line for me there isn't a single episode I've missed of this show and the geek in me will still quote them and watch them at great length every day. I adore SMG and anything that she gets into I try to support and watch be it television or movies. And yes if you're wondering the Celebrity Baby Stalker in me is always on the lookout for her little girl. She's adorable!!!

I love that the show lasted long enough to evolve and grow with the actors that played each part. Not only did Buffy move on to college and into an adult role in her life but her friends also grew, changed and took on different lifestyles year after year. Most of which I related to with all the changes and growth in my own life. The last episode of this show was a big one. HUGE! It opened up many doors and answered many questions as well as caused a few new questions to come up. I won't give it away incase anyone is still watching the show and hasn't gotten to the end, but let's just say I may or may not have cried like a baby when the final credits rolled, knowing it might be the last time I saw this cast in action, playing these characters together.

Rumors fly all the time about a movie. But I haven't held my breathe. I think most of these actors are happy to leave it where it left off and most refuse to do a movie unless Joss is involved and I can't blame them one bit.

Since the show has been off the air I have fun seeing all the cast members in their new shows. And often times spotting smaller supporting characters in TV shows or commercials. This show is a cult favorite and I am not surprised that I'm not alone in my obsession with it. To me this is my STAR WARS. It's the one show I obsess about like most fan boys obsess about comic books, movies or other things they are completely into. Thankfully I don't think I'm in need of "Support Group" status just yet.

Do you have a favorite tv show that you just can't get enough of, or miss terribly since it went off the air?

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!!!

fixation friday: C.R.E.A.M.

2011-04-08T11:56:00.000-05:00

Cash rules everything around me, C.R.E.A.M.!

Get the money, dollah dollah bill ya'll!"

– Wu Tang

If you are familiar with this song or even Wu Tang you know that "The Wu Tang Clan, ain't nuthin' to F#CK WITH! Similarly neither are these two ladies I'm about to introduce some of you two today. Other readers of mine know them as fellow buddies in blog power.

I for one am beside myself with all this congress budget conflict. I can't seem to put into words successfully how I'm feeling so I thought rather than ramble on here, I'd take this Fixation Friday post and introduce you to the words of two very wise women who I feel fortunate to call blog buddies. I'm sure I will come across many more posts about the condition of our National Budget and what Congress and the leaders of this nation are doing, or not doing to fix it written by other fellow blog sisters n' brothers, but for now these are the two women who's words have stopped me in my tracks and truly made my thoughts come out on the screen.

Without further rambling I present to you the posts you need to read:

400 Wake-ups'

Open Letter to President Obama and Congress

and

I is for Irony

and also

Fumbling Towards Normalcy's

Not Feeling Very Random Today

Like I said I am at a loss for words on how to rant about this situation in a way that won't make me sound like a 4th grader with a grudge on the poopy pants that is U.S. Congress. So instead I invite you to read these posts and witness for yourselves the awesome power of emotion and determination in their words.

Thank you Ally & Shana!!

Happy Weekend to you all! And remember while you're enjoying your hard earned paycheck this week take time to think about the others that are working just as hard and are not getting a red cent for it right now, and how truly F-ed up it all is! And also please say a prayer for our troops away from home on the front lines with all this weighing in the back of their minds. Get it together Congress, your country needs you to be the bigger person!

thank you!

2011-04-06T16:49:00.000-05:00

Just popping in to say a quick Thank you to all of you who commented such kind words and support on my yesterday blog. I really, really appreciate all the love and support! You people rock my world!

I hope everyone is doing well! Work has been busier than usual which is great! I'd much rather be running all over than sitting and "watching ink dry".

My workouts are progressing, I just finished my first month of ChaLean Extreme and I'm feeling amazing because of it! So much so I've started to introduce a few P90X workouts back into this as sort of a hybrid program. Crazy? Yes I think I am.

I've also had time to get outdoors and go kayaking since Spring weather is finally trying to fight it's way into the South. Trust me, the object is to stay INSIDE the kayak at this point in time. The water was freezing this weekend, but the weather was perfect. Now if I could just get past all this rain we've been having or maybe score some sweet rainboots so as not to care about the puddles - I'd be in great shape! Although the rain makes for much easier rides down the creek in a kayak - less butt scooting more rowing and floating.

Spring Has Sprung!

via

Pretend this is a view from my sweet Lemon's cockpit!

Can you believe she's already a year old? They grow up so fast! *tear*

[Lemon is the name of my kayak incase you wondered.

And yes she is named after Liz Lemon from 30 Rock - BLERG!]

I hope this blog post finds you well. I promise to be back soon with lots to talk about random things or even ramblings on about nothing in particular soon!

Stay Sweet Lovelies!

What are you most excited about now that Spring is, or is almost here?

yesterday.

2011-04-04T09:39:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, April 3, 2011. Yesterday marked the three year anniversary of your passing. I didn't cry. I thought about it, but I didn't. I think your birthday this month always hits me much harder than the day of your passing. Instead of crying, I tried to fill my day with happy thoughts and busy projects to keep me going. I realize now that's how I've spent most of the past three years, keeping busy and trying not to think too hard about the pain. I know it isn't healthy and I know it probably isn't right. You always did say I was more like my father in that respect. In the end I want to remember the good times we had, not the pain or the bad times or even the moments when you were at your weakest. To me you've always been an incredibly strong woman and I want that vision fresh in my memory at the forefront. I miss you more than I can convey in words. We eat lunch together everyday, you and I, and Mike in the dining room. When I sit at the table I inherited from you I take time to glance up into the glass secretary cabinet where I keep all things fragile, sacred and important. You sit in a special urn next to images from your wedding day and of your aunts, my "grandmothers" and my brass baby shoes. It's sad to think that is all that is left of you, but comforting to know you are close to me not just in spirit but in an actual tangible form.

It's been hard not having your near. I can't even tell you how many times I have had questions and wanted to call you, celebrated milestones or even watched shows like 'Say Yes to the Dress' and been angry at the girls fighting with their loved ones over a dress, then I realize that when that day comes for me, I won't have a loved one to fight with. Possibly only friends or Dad. Then I realize that might be a good thing - do you remember all the times I was a bitchy brat about prom dresses? In the end I'd rather have you there to bicker over the way the dress falls on my body than not have you there at all. This is the stuff that I think about, funny huh?

I miss you mom. Every single day. I want you to know that even though I laughed a lot yesterday while I floated down the creek in my kayak with friends and sipped on frozen beverages. I thought of you. I looked up in the sky every so often and thought of you.

I love you and wish I had you near but I know you are safe, free of pain or heartbreak and at peace, at last.

In loving memory of my mother, Marjorie.

oh ye of little faith wanna cookie?

2011-03-31T12:00:00.000-05:00

I will admit that lately I've been slightly M.I.A. over here at D2BD and for that I am sorry. It seems like most of my time is taken up either by work, working out or life in general. Once I'm at home for the evening I like to unplug from the grid and just relax with Mike, watch some DVRed entertainment and get a full 7-8 hours of sleep. Granny what? I just want you to know I am thinking of you and wondering what I could chat about next that might entertain the masses. Lately all I can truly focus on or find as inspiration to blog about is my current weight loss struggle, but I didn't want to turn this blog into a weight loss blog at all. Instead I started Cocktails and Cardio so that those of you who don't want to listen to my woes can have that option. However, you will still be stuck with my bitching, so get over it. Ha! To those of you who have joined me over there at C and C with words of encouragement and following me - thank you so much! I means a lot to me to have a support system not just at home but on the internet as well. Opening up about stuff like this hasn't been easy for me, and your support gives me the power to be as honest with myself as I can. As women do I hold a lot of guilt about being perfect, or good enough and I hate that. I am good enough gosh darn it and people like me! Is what I try to tell myself everyday.

I don't want my current diet, that will eventually into a healthy way of living instead of just a diet won't effect the way I think about everything but, for now I know I need to focus on it. To me the word diet sounds so temporary. I don't want a quick fix or a temporary band-aid I want a lifestyle change so that's what I've been working on.

I thought about posting this over on the weight loss diary side of town since it has to do with food but then figured no, it's a legit bitch session rant and I might as well share it here with all of you lovelies for shits n' giggles. First and foremost - I don't obsess about food. I'm not going all LeAnn Rimes on you peeps, promise! Yes it's at the forefront of most of my thoughts and plans as well as way I run my days but I'm just trying to get myself in the frame of mind that in the future I won't rely on counting calories every. single. waking. minute. of my day!

So what am I wanting to bitch about? Well here goes. Usually on Wednesdays when I get paid Mike and I decide to eat lunch out on the town. We eat most of our weekly lunches at home, unless we have to pay a bill or do something else on our lunch break. When this happens we are usually at the mercy of the fast food gods for a quick meal on a budget. Sometimes I will splurge and take us to our favorite mini Gourmet Cafe in town but yesterday with our rent being due this wasn't an option. Besides I'd rather save that $20 lunch tab and get more delicious food to stock our fridge with.

After a moment of rock-paper-scissors we decided on McDonald's. Yes the dreaded McDevil! I went in armed and ready with my order. Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad and a Diet Coke. The main reason I can be OK with ordering this and not feel too deprived is that Mike usually gets a burger and fries. Today was no different. The woman behind the counter nicely offered to him "If you make your value meal a large today we will throw in a free cookie." My heart sort of sank, not only are fries a weakness but so are cookies. Why don't you just toss in an extra 5 lbs. of weight for me while you're at it cashier?!?!? Mike got his large [he would have anyway] and we were granted one glorious chocolate chip cookie.

My usual routine at McD's if I'm being good is to take a pinch of Mike's fries and set them off to the side of my salad. I really like the Southwest salad because I don't need the dressing. Whatever they dress the chicken with usually is enough liquid, along with the black bean and corn salsa to make a "sort of" dressing. I usually make a small pool of the dressing on the lid and will sometimes dip my fork in it before eating some of the chicken, but this is rare. It's delicious but really not anything over the top to write home about. If I don't need it or miss it, why bother with the extra calories and fat right? Instead I'll have my 5-6 french fries, get my fix of the salty goodness and move on.

While I ate that cookie called to me. I didn't think Mike was interested in eating it until he finished his meal and opened the cookie bag. The only child inside my head started to scream "YOU AREN'T GOING TO EAT ALL THAT ARE YOU!?!?! I WANTED IT!" Truly, I didn't need the cookie but I wanted that bitch. They didn't need to offer it either. Mike being the kind and considerate boyfriend that he is broke the treat in half and put my half back in the wrapper. I watched him eat it out of the corner of my eye and continued on with my salad. I didn't hear a single "MMM..." out of him so I had to ask.. "Is it any good?" He just replied "Ah, it's ok. It just tastes like those store bought ready bake cookies."

At first I thought - I don't need it. It's not worth it, girl. Then I realized how much I'd been craving chocolate for the past few days and if I just gave my body the taste I'd be over the craving and move on. If I get it in my head I want something no substitute is going to take that away. Trust me I've tried. So I caved. I caved and savored each of the 4 bites it took to finish the cookie. Mike was right, totally store bought rip off, but the chocolate was slightly melted and it made it worth it, to me.

When I got back to work and checked the calories of how much it was for half of that cookie it was sort of disappointing but still, I enjoyed it.

My bitch session is this: McDonald's wants to constantly say they are trying to give us healthy choices and appeal to everyone and in my opinion they want to appeal to everyone and make us all overweight not healthy. There is no money apparently in healthy food sources for America. Why can't you get a free cookie with a regular sized meal? I ordered a salad with a small soda and didn't get offered jack. Sure I probably didn't want it since I ordered the lighter meal but still - why are the only people awarded [or punished depending on how you look at it] the cookie the ones eating the horrible food? Such is life I guess. I love how they are marketing their oatmeal as healthy - sure it might be better than some of the other breakfast options but it and the yogurt smoothies are far from health food. I just wish for once my town could get a healthy fast food option even if it was a mom and pop place. Note to self: Stop eating McEvil, even if you're in a pinch. Back away from it, girl.

Do places around you do this same type of thing?

In other news, this week is the last week, of my first month doing ChaLean Extreme and I'm in love with the program! I look forward to sharing my results over on CandC and here too!

spring cleaning.

2011-03-25T16:52:00.002-05:00

via

I took it upon myself to do a little spring cleaning around here to declutter my blog. I hope it will help to make it a more enjoyable experience for all who come to visit. I've also added a fun "blog button" for anyone that would like to use it to link back. I'm way behind the times with that but hey, better late than never, right? I also added a convenient "email subscription" for following the blog as well. I'm always so happy when I find this option on new blogs. I'd much rather get an email to alert me of a new post than deal with google reader. Feel free to sign up, I promise I will start posting more and make it worth your while. Otherwise I just nipped and tucked and squished the columns down to only vital content. There's no need for me to over run your sense with tons of images and blinking lights right? You come to read my amazing words, right? RIGHT?

I hope you all have a great weekend. I have no formal plans, other than hanging with some pals from out of town. I hope to catch up on some sleep and maybe even get some spring cleaning done around our house, just don't hold me to that. So Cheers to the weekend I hope you all have a wonderful one!

What are your plans this weekend?

spring has sprung.

2011-03-21T15:22:00.003-05:00

Spring is here in the South and I couldn't be happier. All the trees are in full bloom, and my allergies are on full alert. It's time for flip flops to be busted out, kayaks to be dusted off and front porch living to get under way. Mike, myself and his brother JO spent Saturday afternoon chilling out on our front porch. We enjoyed good conversation, a ton of laughs and sipped on beverages well until the sun went down. Once the sun was down we grilled out. We cooked up chicken, squash, zuccini and baked sweet potatoes all the while rocking out to some classic Bruce aka The Boss. You just can't go wrong with that.

Spring is here, and Life is Good!

via Mike's Flickr

I was still sipping on ice water at this point

but representing UNC at the same time. GO HEELS!

Has spring sprung where you live yet?

irish blessings

2011-03-17T10:20:00.000-05:00

It's St. Patrick's Day!!!! I know you have all heard the old saying... I'm not Irish, but I've had Irish in me right? Well it's true for me. Yep, I went there. For the record, Mike is Irish. I'll let that marinate in your brain for a moment. Finished? Not yet... gross! You perv! Anyclover...

I wanted to say to all my readers both

Irish and Not and also the only Irish at certain times...

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!!

via

I thought I'd send a few Irish Blessings your way:

From my English/German/Dutch/Sometimes Irish heart to yours!

So cheers to you and your green bears or martinis!
Happy St. Patrick's Day one and All! ox

When Irish eyes are smiling,
Tis like a morn in spring.
With a lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing
When Irish hearts are happy
All the world is bright and gay
When Irish eyes are smiling
Sure, they steal your heart away.

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.

May you be in
Heaven a half hour before the
Devil knows you're dead!
[my favorite]

There are many good reasons for drinking,
One has just entered my head.
If a man doesn't drink when he's living,
How in the hell can he drink when he's dead?

May the best day of your past
Be the worst day of your future.

For more go here.

a soldier's coming home.

2011-03-16T12:19:00.002-05:00

As some of you may remember a year ago I posted a blog about my cousin, L leaving for Iraq for a year. I'm thankful, happy and so proud to say that the year is over and he arrived back home last week. Safe, sound and into the arms of his wife and two adorable daughters. I couldn't be more proud of him, his unit and all our troops nationwide. Please continue to support the men and women of the U.S. Military and thank them daily!!! And while you're at it, don't forget the men and women that stand beside these soldiers and hold down the fort for them while the troops are away. Like my buddy, Ally!

Cute story, a week before L was to arrive home some military helicopters flew over their home. His oldest daughter looked up and said to her mom. "I wish daddy was on one of those helicopters and could just parachute down to be with us."

Family Reunited!

This image makes me melt. I love you L! oxox

I am so happy to have you home!

It's the little things in life that mean so much,

but what means even more are the people in our lives.

I want to personally thank my cousin and all the troops

for everything they do for us, our freedom and our country! oxox

dear japan

2011-03-15T14:27:00.000-05:00

Dear Japan,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I can't begin to imagine all that must be going through the minds of the men, women and children effected by this disaster. I know it isn't much but I wanted to do my part and help you out in some small way. I hope my donation will be of use to you in these dark days ahead. I will continue to think of you and pray for you all.

If you would like to donate you may do so here.

Light Louisiana Gumbo

2011-03-14T09:22:00.001-05:00

In an effort to stick to my Project 52 goals I've started cooking something new at least once a month. Now that I'm back on the "eating healthy wagon" [for life, and you can quote me on that!] and trying to lose weight I've been keeping my eye out for healthy and light options for new meals.

The other day while paging through a new SELF magazine I came across a recipe for Light Gumbo. I was skeptical of course, but after reading the ingredients I got excited about trying to make it. The fresher the ingredients to me the better something is going to taste and the better it's going to be for me and Mike.

I wanted to share this recipe with you because it was too delicious not to. And I figured why would I share half delicious or down right gross food with you right? Please note that while I am trying new recipes all the time I'm only going to share with you the ones that I truly enjoy! You have my word on that.

Light Louisiana Gumbo

Save 200 calories—enough for a Hurricane!

with Skinny Chef Jennifer Iserloh's slimmed-down spin

on a New Orleans classic.

via self

INGREDIENTS
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 chicken sausages, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
3 cups chopped celery
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup cored, seeded and chopped green bell pepper
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 cup packed chopped fresh thyme
2 tablespoons whole-wheat flour
15 oz diced tomatoes with juice
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 lb medium shrimp, shelled and deveined (about 20 shrimp)
16 oz frozen sliced okra
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

PREPARATION
Sprinkle chicken with Cajun seasoning. Heat oil in large pot over high heat. Brown chicken and sausage, turning once, 2 to 3 minutes. Add celery, onion, bell pepper, garlic and thyme. Cook until vegetables start to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Add 1 tbsp water if vegetables stick. Reduce heat to medium. Sprinkle flour over meat-vegetable mixture. Cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add tomatoes, juice and broth. Simmer, covered, until chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Add shrimp and okra; simmer, covered, until shrimp is cooked through and okra is tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Garnish with parsley.

THE SKINNY
4 Servings, 276 calories per 2 cups, 7 g fat (1 g saturated), 26 g carbs, 8 g fiber, 27 g protein

D2BD's NOTES:
I was shocked to see the calorie count for this meal. It's so filling and SO good. I will admit I added extra Cajun seasoning to make it hot. You could always use hot sauce to doctor yours up if you like it spicy and I also added a bit of Old Bay Seasoning to the Shrimp before cooking and pepper and went light on the salt when added to the pot. This stuff was AMAZING!!! I also had to substitute turkey sausage for chicken sausage since Wally World here doesn't carry it. There are a lot of things that Wally World doesn't carry but that's a bitch session for another time. I also added three chicken breasts instead of just one, since we were expecting company to share this with us and we like to use left overs for lunches. I usually use the rule of thumb 1 chicken breast per person when making spaghetti or soup but in this case we had three left in our old pack of chicken, and honestly with the shrimp and the sausage you truly don't need the extra chicken. I just wanted to finish off the package of chicken and be sure that Mike and his brother had enough meat, they are growing men after all.

I hope if you like gumbo and Cajun cooking you'll give this a try. With spring and summer right around the corner I know it's hard to think about eating warm soups, stews or gumbos but this is an amazing bowl of delicious and one not to miss! It was the perfect ending to a long weekend.

Mike made some beer drop biscuits to go with this and I also made a pot of wild rice as a side. Mike mixed the rice into his gumbo which is traditional but as you know will add to the calorie count of this meal. The biscuits were amazing! He used an instant biscuit mix and substituted room temperature beer for the water that you add. The beer gives the biscuits a deeper flavor, the darker the beer the more flavor you will get. Simply drop the biscuit batter on a non-stick baking sheet and and bake according to the package directions. You can also roll these out and cut them as you would a traditional biscuit but we weren't in the mood for all that last night. I limited myself to 2 small biscuits [seriously, they were super small and flat] without butter and a small side of rice that I didn't finish due to how filling my 2 cups gumbo actually was.

This recipe doesn't disappoint!!! SO ENJOY!!!!

fixation friday: japan and beyond

2011-03-11T12:33:00.000-06:00

The earthquake in Japan and tsunami waves hitting Hawaii as well as the West Coast of the US is truly the only thing I can think about, much less concentrate on today. I wanted to keep the mood light today but it's difficult. I do want you all to know my heart is broken for the families in these areas and my thoughts and prayers have been non-stop on these events all day long.

I started my morning waking up refreshed and alive - after my ChaLean workout kicked my butt last night I retired to the bed at 9PM not to watch tv but to sleep hardcore. I even missed Chelsea Lately, this is NOT like me. I got out of bed and Mike asked me to come into the living room to tell me what had been happening while I slept peacefully this morning. The footage of Japan literally brought me to my knees. I sat down on the floor and each flash of footage led to more and more tears falling from my eyes. The uncertainty of what would happen next, was it over? Would there be more? How many people were hurt, how many killed? It all ran through my head. Natural disasters are horrible and my gut was wrenching for these people. Quickly the panic turned to Hawaii and it was all that I could do to get up and go shower and go about my day. I said a prayer for all involved as well as the looming doom that might come to Hawaii, Alaska, and the rest of our West Coast. Let's just say getting ready today and driving down the street it's all I've thought about. The sun is shining here in Alabama the birds are chirping and most people down town seem oblivious to the happenings around the world today. I felt blessed and thankful to have the small town that I live in untouched by such things, but at the same time felt a bit selfish. Every day truly is a blessing to us all. One more day to live is one more day to make things right in the world. I hope that you will take that message today when you hug your loved ones or kiss your children goodnight. When you bust your butts at the gym or workout at home, be thankful you have that to do today. Then also think of everyone around the world who are less fortunate than you are and say a prayer for them, or whatever you may believe in, simply send good vibes their way.

• • •

In other news that I'm fixated on, my cousin arrived home safe and sound this week from Iraq and I couldn't be happier. It's been quite a ride having him gone but seeing him back in his families arms is what makes me heart sing more than I could tell you. Thank you again to all our troops for all they do!

In the weight of everything at hand, try to remember your blessings and that it's Friday!

giving it up... for 40 days.

2011-03-09T17:02:00.000-06:00

First let me start by saying this, I'm not Catholic and I've never participated in Lent. I've had my share of Fat Tuesdays in the past but I've never had an Ash Wednesday. Although this year for the hell of it I thought I would play along with Lent proceedings and pick something to give up for 40 days. I do like the message behind Lent and in a land of excess and greed it feels good to give something up instead of insisting on taking more in.

My item to give up for Lent is simple....

I'm not going to use sugar in my coffee for 40 days.

via

Why? Find out here.

So what are you giving up for Lent if anything?

drop out.

2011-03-08T19:50:00.000-06:00

I graduated high school and graduated college, twice. One thing I never thought I'd be called was a drop-out. But today I stand before all of you, my friendly followers and brace myself to tell you the truth. This would have been the second week, of the second phase, of my second run of P90X... but I'm here to tell you that I've dropped out of the P90X club. Not because it was too hard, not because I didn't have the time and not because I don't have the will to finish it again, but because I just wasn't seeing the results I wanted to.

Now before you go all loco on me or Tony Horton, know this, I probably could have pushed harder and probably could have eaten better, and more. Yes I said eat more. It's amazing how much food the meal plan allows you to shove into your pie hole, given it's part of your daily servings, is good for you and is part of the plan. I know the books say, if you notice a plateau eat more, and I've thought about it but at the same time I was having a hard time working on that. Eat more to lose weight? WHAT? Slow metabolism, burning too many calories vs. what you're taking - I know, I know! But it's a mental block I have to work to get past. I was being told to consume 2,200 calories a day... yikes!

That being said I haven't given up on fitness, or P90X. I plan on coming back to the program maybe in another 6 months. Instead I have, after much deliberation, decided to start a new fitness program from Beachbody called ChaLean Extreme. A great friend of mine from high school has sworn by this workout, it's her favorite and far be it from me to argue with her and her results. She has two kids and looks amazing! She's so amazing she offered to send me the program complete with all items [food guide, bands, workout guide, dvds etc] to borrow for as long as I need.

I am completely stoked about this program. Much like P90X, ChaLean Extreme is a workout program centered about weight training and proper nutrition. The difference with this program is that the calorie intake makes more sense to me. I am limiting my daily calories to a healthy level for weight loss as listed in the program's guidelines, and to build lean muscle. I truly feel like my body was not ready for P90X - While I gained strength through the program, I also don't think I saw the results I wanted because I was so out of shape. Others have made head way so I can't blame the program, something in me didn't click for the second round. That being said, I DO want to try it again. ChaLean is a 90 day program and after I complete this I would like to possibly move on to TurboFire or Insanity.

I hope you all aren't too disappointed in me but while doing P90X I truly felt like I was beating a dead horse. My goal is to shed pounds and build lean muscle all the while changing my lifestyle to be more healthy. I do believe I was building muscle under my flab while doing P90X, it was the flab I wasn't getting rid of - I hope I can come back to the program and become more ripped after completing other workouts, in the future.

All this being said I still plan on sharing my workout information here, but not in great detail. I have started a new weight loss/fitness blog to hold myself accountable for my actions both good and bad. I hope you will join me over at Cocktails and Cardio. I'd love to have you! I will be discussing most of my highs and lows in weight loss and fitness there in an effort to keep this blog more light hearted and fun. Not to say that fitness isn't fun but I'm sure I'll have my share of blah days over there at Cocktails and Cardio.

Won't you join me? What better day to ring in a weight loss quest than Fat Tuesday? Ok so drinking 190 Octanes would be better but still, there is a little comedy in that. If I was Catholic I'd be all about giving up something to help my healthy, instead I'll just say I'm giving up the bad to make way for the good!

HAPPY Hopefully Not SO FAT TUESDAY!

big easy: she's anything but easy.

2011-03-04T11:47:00.000-06:00

Mike and I are back from vacation, and I'd love to say well rested but, that would be a lie. Usually when I return from a vacation I feel refreshed and ready to take on the world, instead I feel a bit chewed up and spit out - repeatedly...

I guess I will start from the beginning, that's usually the best place to start, right? Mike and I arrived in The Big Easy on Friday afternoon around 2:30 p.m. It was a long but enjoyable trip - if I had to choose anyone to roadtrip with on the regular, it would be Mike. While we don't always agree on the choice of music, we usually don't even need any. Between our conversations and naps we seem to be able to entertain ourselves. That isn't to say we didn't jam out a little bit. We mellowed out to the sounds of the Grateful Dead and then kicked things up a notch grooving to Pearl Jam and entered New Orleans rocking to one of my favorite bands, the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Once in city limits we quickly found the route to the parking deck we decided to let the Jeep stay in for the weekend and grabbed all our stuff. We forgot the minor detail of what floor we parked on, I'm usually really good about this, so I'll blame the lack of taking note on the fact that I was super excited to be in NOLA once again. It was a bit annoying to have to park the Jeep and then walk to the hotel - it was only about a block away which isn't a big deal when you're simply walking but when carrying your luggage [and we all know how most ladies pack, I'm totally a classic case of a lady who over packs, religiously], a purse, a bag holding your make-up and bathroom supplies and trying to keep up with your boyfriend who is toting his smaller luggage, a cooler full of mixer and ice as well as a brown bag full of liquor [we come prepared] it's no small feat or cake walk, let me tell you. A bit breathless, and starting to get a rage of a sweat on we arrived at the lobby of our hotel. The lobby was cute, quaint and welcoming which was just what we needed after our 6 hour drive. We were quickly checked in and informed that our hotel room had already been paid for - we brought extra money to pay when we got there but it turns out that hotel.com actually charges your card at the time of reservation. Normally I'd be a bit angry, but, this just meant more spending money for the trip in hand and that my friends, rocks hardcore! If you're curious we stayed at the Parc St. Charles Hotel. I'll give you a quick run down of my opinion of the place at the end of this.

We quickly [well as quickly as the slow ass elevator would allow] made it up to the 8th floor and to our room. 801, first off the elevator. I was originally worried about this because I used to live in a college apartment complex and my apartment was right off the elevator, it made for many weeknights of blissful sleep interrupted by drunks at 2:00 AM, thankfully I didn't plan on passing out early while in New Orleans so we were good to go. Upon opening the hotel room door we were floored, the room was HUGE! Not only did we have a comfy queen bed, but also a fold out couch - a big closet and a seating area for coffee and if we had a lap top even a desk to use, AWESOME! [The table was actually used to mix cocktails, not really enjoy coffee but you get the point, we had many surfaces, for many uses and we took full advantage of that... wait that sounded dirty...] MOVING ON... The back wall of the room was all windows with a view out the front of the building. Not the best view mind you but we were right on a parade route so we did get a skewed view of what was important. Even the bathroom was spacious - if it had a vent for the A/C it would have been party central, but alas, shutting the door to pee even proved to be a bit too warm for my liking but over all I give the hotel room a solid 4 out of 5. The hotel itself was clean, in some areas could use some repair with wallpaper or slightly stained carpets but honestly if you are trying to find a hotel, at a great price, fairly close to all the action [we were only a few blocks from Canal Street and a short walk to the French Quarter] this is a great place to say. Furthermore if your plan is to party your ass off, this hotel fits the bill perfectly. I did have to deal with the noise from a few drunks in the middle of the first night but all in all it was truly no big deal.

After inspecting the room and cranking the A/C the two of us quickly changed into more comfortable clothing. The weather was a bit warmer than we anticipated, weather.com isn't always right kids. We made ourselves a rum and diet drink each and hit the streets with our travel cups. The beauty of NOLA is that you can carry open containers anywhere, unless it's noted that outside containers are not welcome. I do believe that glass bottles are not permitted on the streets but you can carry a can all day long, possibly in a brown bag but that's just not something I'm used to.

We walked around town, down to the French Quarter and over to the mall. I'm sure you're wondering why we hit up the mall first, well it was closer to our hotel, and our travel cups were FAT TUESDAY cups, which means, discounted refills and yes, in the mall!!! I would love to be able to get liquored up at the mall and shop, although this would be dangerous if it was regular behavior for me. We filled up our drink bottles at Fat Tuesdays, after sampling all the different frozen flavors, and proceeded to tool around a bit. I quickly realized how uncomfortable my weekend was going to be, I didn't bring shorts, or even shoes that were meant for spring weather. I brought practical boots that were comfortable, but not meant for 80+degree weather. The search went on but I was hesitant to spend money right of the bat for new shoes, most of which were pricey and not in my "budget" for the weekend.

After walking, sweating and drinking we made our way back to the hotel again to change for dinner and relax a bit. My mission was to find the old pizza place we enjoyed over and over on our first trip to NOLA last October. A friend of ours told us it had closed and I refused to take that as a final answer. We went back down to Canal and I retraced my steps from the last trip to town and there it was like a beacon of light, the French Quarter Pizzeria! [Seriously, I want to take this pizza out behind the middle school and get it pregnant it's so damn good!] After two great thin crusted slices of pepperoni heaven and 2 cold beers we were ready to rock Bourbon Street.

I wasn't sure what to expect, the night was still a bit young, it was only around 9:30 pm. Mike seemed upset and disappointed that it was so quiet down there - while it was busy it wasn't the crazy Mardi Gras he remembered from 7 years go. I told him to keep the faith it was early and most people probably hadn't settled into their rooms yet. We walked around and grabbed more frozen drinks and enjoyed the scenery. We missed the first parade scheduled for the area where we were staying so we hadn't yet came upon many beads... that all changed when Mike got into full Mardi Gras mode and started hollering to the balconies. I will be the first to admit I didn't go all out for Mardi Gras... my puppies stayed in their cage and I did not share my chest with anyone but Mike on this trip. Prude of me? Yes... but I just wasn't feeling it. Sorry... no pictures fellas.

We retired a bit early on our first night - after getting up super early, walking most of the day after a long drive and being a bit tipsy we both agreed we were OK with calling it a night. I'm actually glad we did. This in turn made it easier to get up on Saturday morning to enjoy the city.

Saturday morning we were up and out of the hotel room before 9:00 AM! HOLY CRAP RIGHT? We decided that since I spotted Café Beignet the night before while tromping through the Quarter that I wanted to go there and try their ever famous breakfast of coffee and beignets. We walked down the wet streets that thankfully had just been hosed down from the night before. I can only imagine what it smelled like at 4 AM down on Bourbon Street, probably a lot like Christina's mouth after her stint at the big house. Thankfully I was spared smelling that - word to the wise if you go to New Orleans be ready to often times get wafts from the sewers and or the trash cans along the street, it's not pretty and even worse when you inhale while trying to suck a frozen dream of a drink up a straw - makes for an awesome gag reflex... but I digress. We seemed to have an over all theme to our weekend of getting to a place at just the right time. When we arrived at Café Beignet there were just a few people in line and at the tables in the courtyard, which made for fast service and little waiting for our breakfast. Mike ordered the Southern Breakfast without eggs. Of course they looked at him like he had a third eye but he assured them that is what he meant. The boy hates eggs. I opted for the French Toast breakfast, mostly because in a place called Café Beignet, I saw no listing of beignets on the menu, anywhere. I was a bit tired and needed my iced coffee ASAP and didn't have what seemed to be the motor skill or verbal skills to ask the simple question if they actually served them... two seconds later while waiting for my coffee at the pick-up station I saw the chalkboard sign that read... 3 Beignets and Small Coffee for $2.79 - SON OF A B!!! I just spent $16 on a cup of iced coffee, a jug o' water [$4!!!] and my French Toast... blerg... note to self, make coffee in the hotel room and then join the living on the street, dumbass! I can't get down on the cafe for my own mistake, in the end they gave Mike extra grits with his meal and my french toast and coffee were both awesome! We left pleasantly full and ready to rock and roll... but not after another pit stop at the room for a wardrobe change.

Seriously, the weather was nothing like expected and I really wish at that point I had a weatherbug app on my phone or something I was not prepared for the heat. We switched into comfy t-shirts, jeans/shorts etc. and walked back out to enjoy the day. Shopping and sight seeing were on our list of things to do and we did those well. After picking up some gifts for family and friends we stopped at a place that we love called Pierre Maspero's not only did we get there again in the "nick of time" we actually got a great small 2 seated table right by the open door that looked out on the side street there to people watch and enjoy the slight, and much needed cool breeze that was billowing through the Quarter. Mike and I had two things on our agenda at that moment, #1 - big, cold beers and #2 - which po'boy sandwich we were going to rip into. Mike went with Catfish [but was given Crawfish], I ordered the Roast Beef Po'Boy I had last time I was there and it was just as awesome as it was the first time. Our server seemed concerned that our meal didn't come out fast enough but honestly we were on vacation and in no rush to move from our comfortable seats. It was a great meal and worth every penny, even if they did mess up Mike's order, he said it was still delicious and enjoyable.

We made a trip out to a few shops we don't have access to back home [Urban Outfitters and past Lush] and then decided to hit up the French Market Place. I didn't find anything I couldn't live without but Mike was finally able to replace his favorite sunglasses he lost this past year with a pair for $4.99 from a booth. Designer? No, they weren't but that isn't really how either of us roll anyway. We were able to sample all the great artists works outside the St. Louis Cathedral that afternoon and watch a few street performers as well. It was really the perfect relaxing afternoon I wanted while we were there.

Mike and I decided what would really hit the spot would be a mid afternoon nap so we returned to the hotel to relax. He passed right out, I tried to but just as I hit the pillow loud, thunderous base filled the air outside... the 2:00 pm parade was starting late, at around 3:30 pm. It was impossible for me to sleep, I'm not sure how Mike did it, but he did. Had our rooms been a bit lower, I might have been able to watch the parade from the window but the angle was all wrong. I contemplated running down to the lobby to catch it but figured relaxing was a better plan, even if it meant feeling like I was in high school again in the back of a friends car with a rigged system bumping extremely loud rap music.

Once napped and ready we decided to get out for a bit before dinner, we went back to the mall to find me some shorts and comfortable shoes for me, the girl who packed everything but the kitchen sink and comfortable spring clothing. Usually retail stores are early with seasonal clothing for this time of year, you see bikinis and shorts before you can even imagine taking off your Uggs or scarves... apparently New Orleans didn't get the memo. We ran in the Gap which was about the only affordable option at this mall and they had nothing in the way of shorts. Didn't they like invent preppy casual?!?! Either way I was pissed... no comfy shorts and no ballet flats that would fit my big ass feet. We went back to the shoe store where I had eyed up some Chuck Taylors. I needed comfortable, closed toe shoes - I wasn't about to wear flip flops or sandals through the nasty streets of the French Quarter at night and risk getting stepped on or walking through puddles of booze, or worse! I've wanted some Chuck's since I was in 5th grade and now at age 34... I finally got me a pair. Comfortable, semi stylish and frankly affordable. I couldn't wait to wear them the next day to tromp around the French Quarter for parades again.

Once finished with shopping we made it back to the hotel just in time to watch my first Parade!!! I was so excited. We were able to take in the entire Knights of Sparta parade that started on St. Charles where our hotel was located and continued on to Canal Street. I can't even tell you how many pounds of beads I caught just watching the parade, it was insane. If you ever get a chance to hit up Mardi Gras I have to say the parade, frozen drinks and food are my three favorite things!

After the parade was over we decided our favorite pizza joint would be the quickest and easiest thing for dinner - while I opted for 2 cheese slices, Mike got an amazing sub!!! I was jealous of his food when it came out but thankfully their pizza is a god sent so I was pleased with my choice. After eating we rushed down to The Cats Meow which is a local karaoke bar. Yes we are fools for karaoke! We love it! We quickly put in our song selection and like always got there at the perfect time. Beers were pricey... $11 for 2 brews but since you can't bring in outside drinks you are at the mercy of their prices if you want to listen or sing your heart out on stage! [Note most days it seems they have a 3 for 1 special on drinks, so that isn't too shabby!] The place was packed and I started to get a bit worried and nervous about belting out my song on stage. I always get butterflies before I sing, sure it's karaoke but I just get worried I'll look like a fool. Mike was up first and he killed AC/DC's "You Shook Me"... I was supposed to be after him but the drunken dude before Mike showed up late for his "name call" and I was actually relieved, I didn't want to follow Mike. The next kid did an alright rendition of Sir Mix A lot's "Baby Got Back" and the crowd loved it... Once he was finished there was no where to run or hide, I was on stage, and ready to rock out a little "Highway to Hell" by AC/DC. I had a blast and the crowd loved it. I felt so good when 3 different people patted me on the shoulder and told me good job on our way out. We were riding high and having a blast!

Once back on Bourbon Street, it was packed and loud. Mike and I stopped at Fat Tuesdays to get a huge frozen 190 Octane to start off our night on the street. As we walked through the crowds yet again on Bourbon Street, Mike caught a few more beads and we walked, slowly through the crowd about two blocks. I figured it was a good time to stop and put on some chapstick because my lips and mouth were so dry from my nerves of waiting to sing at the other bar. As I reached on my hip for my over the shoulder purse and pulled it forward terror struck me... every single zipper pocket on my small purse was wide open... and my biggest fear had come to light, my wallet was gone. Everything else was there, my camera, the beads I took off at the karaoke bar, my chapstick and lip gloss... all there. My wallet was no where to be found. I flipped, grabbed Mike and went down the side street as tears welled up in my eyes. He asked "Are you sure it's gone?" I dug through the purse that really holds little at all and said, "Yes, absolutely, it's gone!" We hadn't walked more than 10 minutes through the crowd from the last bar. Mike suggested we head back to Fat Tuesdays and check to be sure I didn't leave it there. I knew I hadn't but it didn't hurt to be sure. When we left after getting drinks I remember shoving it down in the bottom of the purse and zipping it tight - and wearing the purse over the shoulder and having it rest in front of me on my hip. I guess in walking through the crowd, with one hand on Mike and one on a drink, I didn't realize that my purse may have drifted further back on my hip - a prime target for a pick-pocket! The evening before I was able to have one hand free and on my purse at all times [our drink cups from Fat Tuesdays have neck straps on them].

After no luck at Fat Tuesdays and a lot of freaking out on my part [I tossed a full drink at a trash can and said "F*CK THIS TOWN!" I was so upset, the one moment I relaxed and tried to fully enjoy myself on Bourbon in a crowd that already made me very uncomfortable, I get robbed. I didn't feel a single tug on my purse, or person, not a bump or anything. It's like a ghost robbed me. These assholes are professionals and it sucks. I wish I would have been drunk to have some excuse for being so careless, but I wasn't.

After this our night was ruined the mood went from happy go lucky night out on the town to almost the walk of shame. All the what ifs started flooding in to my brain and making it worse. The tears wouldn't stop. Walking back on the side streets to the hotel Mike and I passed three cops and I made a report. They took my information and assured me they would do all they could. I walked briskly back to the hotel, still crying, realizing that all hope for the rest of our weekend was lost, just like my credit card, ATM card, drivers license, insurance cards, the hotel key and parking stub as well as $250-300 cash! I originally thought it was more like $400, but the more I thought about all the money I spent at the mall and shopping for friends and food, it was probably less than that. Either way I felt violated and helpless and I hate that feeling. The rest of my night was spent packing my bags, calling my bank and credit card companies and crying my eyes out. What a great way to end a night, right?

There was no way we could stay for the final day and night of our vacation. Mike only had a limited amount of money in his wallet and my credit card for emergencies and possible fun purchases was gone. We checked out of the hotel and went to the parking deck to face the music of what we were sure would be a costly fee since I lost the ticket for our parking. After searching for the jeep up and down about 4 floors - remember we didn't take note of our floor. We finally found the darn thing. When we reached the window we told the woman our story and she used her CB Radio to discuss our issue with who we believed may be her boss. She came back in a few minutes and said she was so sorry we had to deal with all this and that we were free to go. We were shocked... did she just wave our 2 night stay fee AND the lost ticket free??? They did, so there IS good in the world! We got to the bottom of the ramp and there was an officer there collecting money from people for parade parking at $20 a pop. He said he heard what happened to me and was truly sorry. He gave me a bit of advice and a pep talk and his sympathy and sent us on our way with "Be safe and have a safe trip!"

Thankfully that was almost $90 that we didn't have to spend to put toward our trip home and food. What a relief. Bottom line, while I thought I was playing it safe, I really could have played it safer. I took time to empty my wallet before we left for our trip, only taking vital items like 1 credit card, 1 ATM card, Cash and ID and insurance cards. SMART! What wasn't smart is that I decided to carry ALL my cash on me at all times - I should have either taken a little at a time, or left most of it in my checking account. My rational wasn't the best but it was mine. I hate keeping track of ATM withdraws and I still do things the old school way using a checking register, for fear I'll withdraw too much and send my account into a tailspin. With no online access there would be no way for me to track this without my little register, or writing it all down - it's a chance I should have taken! I had plenty of spending money that wouldn't have made this happen to me. Hind sight is always 20/20. My fear about leaving most of my cash in the hotel is always the fear of the maid getting to my money and being dishonest. Really stupid, I know, at least there would be a way to figure out that a maid took it, vs. some strange person on the street. The other fairly stupid thing I did was carry a purse. In the end the way I originally carried it the first night was with one hand on it at all times, SMART! Had I put a less full wallet in there, or even carried just my camera and other "needs" in there I might have been OK with a wallet in my front pocket. My issue was I didn't have a small wallet and well, have you seen girls jean pockets in the front now? They are TINY! I always fear something will fall out of that! But I should have tried, or at least worn it around my neck, in my bra or in my shoe!

Bottom line - if you leave stuff out where pickpockets can get to it, they will get to it! So that's my words of wisdom to you, not just for New Orleans but any crowded street in the United States - just when you think you're being smart, or safe enough, try a bit harder. In the end no one has ever been TOO CAREFUL.

Mike and I went home a day early, pissed and disappointed... we arrived home to Angus, our cat who was over the moon to see us. He snuggled and purred all night with me, it was nice to be home after our long and disappointing end to our vacation that was supposed to be perfect and fun. The next morning we went to pick-up June from the kennel, and spent our last day off running all over town trying to get my new license, get money out of my bank account for bills and finally trying to relax.

In the end, nothing was taken out of my bank account by the thief, and no charges were made on my credit card. Other than the cash, I lost only my feeling of security, but that's the hardest thing to get back.

If you travel - please be safe, and learn from my mistake. I know I did. And don't let my story sour you on New Orleans - we went for Halloween and loved it! Mardi Gras was just too much for me, I probably won't be back unless I can sit on the balcony of a building and toss out beads. I will go back to New Orleans smarter, wiser and safer than I ever did in the past and hopefully enjoy more great meals and drinks in the French Quarter. I really wanted to share great thoughts on our final meal while there we had planned to have a nice, semi romantic dinner for our last night but as you know that didn't happen. Oh there there is always next time. I have told Mike that if we have the money, I would love to go for a short weekend in December for our birthdays that way we could celebrate in style and see the French Quarter decorated for Christmas.

I will try to post some pictures this weekend from the trip, if they actually turned out OK. I didn't take many because what I didn't mention in this post is that on the way down I started to suffer from Pink Eye or some type of eye issue - great right? [Thank goodness for CVS!!!] Let's just say I really wasn't too up for images being taken of me but I will share what I did take pictures of soon! Pink Eye and Picked Pocket - Thanks New Orleans! Now you see why I say I felt chewed up and spit out, repeatedly!

Be safe, and keep a hand on your goods at all times people! Rules to live by!