Keri's Korner

New Chapter

2011-10-04T09:25:00.000-04:00

Well, I believe it is time. This blog has lived its life. I'm starting a new blog that I will reveal in time. There are changes afoot and I don't want to reveal them just yet.

I will update periodically and will do a big update when I reveal my new blog.

I'll leave you with this statement as a preview: Living a path of uncertainty is could be the ultimate test of your faith. I'm living my test.

Monday

2011-08-16T11:16:00.000-04:00

Monday was different.
I went to work, but it was like I couldn't concentrate on anything.
Derek changed the brakes on our friend Isaiah's car. His wife Kara fixed us supper so when I got off work, I went over to their house.
Like Isaiah said, it was odd being over on a week night.
We told them that I still had a curfew since we were living with my parents. They laughed. Before we were married I did have a curfew of 10:00 or so. Yes, I was 24 with a curfew. But it all goes back to the whole honor thy father and mother. That's just one of the rules that I followed. So they still pick on me about it.
Their kid Elijah is so funny. We never know what he'll say. We were sitting at the kitchen table talking and Elijah came in riding on his little 3 wheeler toy. Kara told him to go back in the living room and he rode by her and said "Stop being crazy." The look on Kara's face was priceless.
"Did he just call me crazy?"
"Yes. Yes he did."
LOL. It was so funny. We had a good time. I love being able to just go over to some friends' house and hang out and talk.
But.
9:45 P.M. came around and I started getting sleepy so we headed home. Derek played Black Ops when we got home. I sat in the chair and attempted to read a few pages in one of the books I got at the thrift store.
Fail.
I read maybe 1 1/2 pages. I went to sleep in the chair. Derek woke me up when he asked "Are you awake?"
No.
I got up and went to bed. I was going to let Bree, our dog, come get in the bed until Derek came, but I know how she is. She will get up there and walk around and not stay still. I was really tired so I just put her in her crate for the night.
Then I went to bed and was asleep before I hit the pillow.
Great Monday. Just different change of pace.

Weekend Wrap-Up

2011-08-15T11:49:00.000-04:00

This weekend was AWESOME!
Friday we were hanging out with some friends when a lightening storm came through. We stood outside for a little while and watched the lightening light up the sky. It was a remarkable sight. Too bad I couldn't get any pictures.

Saturday was the best. I got up and cleaned house while Mama was outside cutting bushes. When Derek woke up, we went to town to the thrift store to see what good buys we could find. I got 6 paperback books for $1. Derek found an awesome leather jacket. We looked it up and its worth probably about $100-$150. I think that was all.

Saturday afternoon when we were on our way out, after we had picked up some friends, we were driving down the road and there were some police and I noticed an ambulance in the field. There had been a plane crash!

Saturday night, we went out to a CD release party. Now keep in mind, I live in north Georgia. Hickville. Necktown. Whatever you wanna call it. The party was for the Jeff Vaughn Band. It was at a place called Slow Water which is a place where people go kayaking. There is a big field there and they have a stage built for events.

Our friend Phil and his band Mill Hill was one of the bands that opened. When it got dark and Jeff Vaughn Band started playing, Derek and I were down in the middle of all of it. Derek's friend Cory and his son Peyton came with us and they were in the middle of the crowd too. It was soo much fun. I took some great pics too. Here are some pics!

This is Phil with his band Mill Hill.

This is the Jeff Vaughn Band.

Smell of Success

2011-08-10T10:03:00.000-04:00

Monday evening my mom mentioned possibly making some more pear preserves to try and use the pears off of the tree in the back yard.

"I'll just wait and let Daddy pick them tomorrow," she said.

Instead of waiting, I got up a little while later and went outside and picked pears. I came in with a 5 gallon bucket.

"It takes two buckets."

So I went outside and picked another 5 gallon bucket of pears. I was picking the pears from up in the tree with a garden hoe. It was interesting because I couldn't always see if there were bees and june bugs on the pears. When I pulled a few I had june bugs and bees flying around me. Luckily I didn't get stung though.

We went walking Monday night after I picked pears and then we came home and peaked and cut them up. Mama prepared them for last night's cooking. She had a meeting to go to so she left me to the cooking. They took about 3 1/2 hours. It was ok though. Derek and I cooked supper. Chicken, mashed potatoes and broccoli with cheese. OOOoo... and some homemade Red Lobster biscuits. Yummy! I actually made them by the recipe this time and they were spot on! I should have taken a picture. They were awesome.

I stayed in the kitchen most of the time to keep the pears stirred. Mama got home about 9:00. We started jaring them up around 9:30. She started and I finished them while she went and took a shower. I ran out of jars and still had some pears left so I had to go on a hunt for jars. We had been making pint size jars but I found some half pints.

In all we have made 25 pint jar, 1 quart jar and 3 1/2 half pint jars. The last half pint last night wasn't full so we put that in the refrigerator and I enjoyed it on a piece of toast with my grits this morning. It was scrumptious.

Great Weekend

2011-08-09T10:28:00.000-04:00

This past weekend was great. Friday, I got home from work and we had a thunderstorm. Derek and I sat on the back porch and watch it come up and rain. It was so nice. The storm blew away some of the heat.

Bree was out on the back porch with us watching it. She's scared of thunder though.

She looks terrified in this picture. She was just walking around the back porch until there was thunder and she decided she better get in mama's lap.

I stood up because the rain was blowing through the screen. So I leaned up against the freezer. She thought that this was the safest place apparently. She didn't move until we went inside.

After the rain let up some, we decided to go to town to get something to eat. Bad idea. The town was about 10-15 minutes away. They had no power. So we turned at went on a little further north. While we were driving down that road, we saw a rainbow. We stopped and took some pictures.

While we were taking pictures of the one rainbow, I noticed that there were actually two rainbows!! A DOUBLE RAINBOW!!! WHAT?! Yeah, we were sufficiently amazed.

It was pretty amazing.
After we got some tacos from Taco Bell, we went to a friend's house.
They had baby frogs on their porch.

Saturday night we went to a place called the Sandbar. This is a restaurant down by the river. Its a little ways off the road down a dirt road, but it worth it. It is also the ending point for people who are kayaking down the river. So they get a lot of business. We went because our friend Phil's band was playing. Our friends Kara and Isaiah and they son Elijah went with us.

Kara loved the fried green tomatoes!

The chicken wings were awesome!

And the band was awesome too!
There was some excitement towards the end of their second set.

This guy in his truck, obviously drunk, drove down the rocks where the boaters get out and right into the river. He got just a little ways down the shallow part and then the tires dug in.

He kept revving his engine trying to get it unstuck. The truck didn't move an inch.   The people who ran the Sandbar went down there and talked him into leaving.   He left.

But he came back.
This time, they just called the police. So about 10 minutes later here comes 3 Sheriff's Deputies. They pulled up, got out with guns drawn and we watched them go through the woods with their flashlights.
They brought him up in handcuffs and gave him a sobriety test.
He supposedly blew a 1.7 . He was druuunnk.
They found some things in his truck that will probably keep him in jail for a long time.
That was an interesting end to the night.

It did rain some, but they had shelters set up this time.

Sunday was great too. We went to church then came home and grilled hamburgers. Derek and I went to town to get a replacement gas tank for the grill.

When we got back, mama had started cooking pear preservers and O.M.G. It smelled sooooo good in that house. I wish I had a candle that smelled like that. I love making memories with my family and friends.

Weekend

2011-08-01T12:07:00.000-04:00

This past weekend was pretty fun. We went out with some friends and played pool for a while. We left one group of friends cause they had to go pic up J's wife so me, Derek, Kara and Isaiah went to the Georgia Diner. The Georgia Diner used to be a Huddle House and I wish it still was.

There was this lady in there that used to work at the local Burger King. Derek saw her and wasn't quite sure that he still wanted to eat there. That wasn't really my problem. My problem was the cook. He was this tall old man that was sweaty and was eating while he was cooking with no gloves. Yuck! But we stayed. Isaiah was really hungry. We scarfed down our food and went back to their house. We were gonna play a game of monopoly, but it was already midnight so we went on home.

Saturday night though, we went back over there to hang out of Kara and Isaiah's house. We played Scatagories and ate breakfast for supper. It was yummy! And I made a dump cake. It was great and we had a great time with great friends.

UFC: Animal Edition

2011-07-28T15:07:00.000-04:00

About 3 months ago, our household acquired another pet. Her name is Friday and she is a kitten. But that doesn't stop her. She is fierce. She takes care of herself around the other cats and dogs.

When it comes to Bree, she goes all out. Its so funny watching them play!

Mac and Cheese

2011-07-27T09:46:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I was just tired all day. Derek said he would cook supper for me. So I said ok. But.... I decided I wanted some home made mac and cheese. So we put the noodles on to boil. Derek had already cooked some chicken in the oven. I decided to help cook and made some garlic and cheese biscuits.

That food was..... sooooooo...... gooooooood....

Look at it...

Picture Time

2011-07-26T10:00:00.000-04:00

Instead of writing a lot about what's been happening the last month or so that I haven't blogged and foregoing the whole apology for not blogging, I'm gonna post some pictures of what's happened in the last month or so.... Here we go...

Watched the pre-4th fireworks with some great friends and their son, who we discovered

Then we went to North Carolina for the 4th to visit with Derek's family and see the fireworks there. We didn't get to see the whole show because it started raining and we had to get home anyway... but go a few shots.

While in North Carolina, we watched the UFC fight with some of Derek's cousins and his brother. That was a fun evening at Buffalo Wild Wings.

There was one weekend that there were some strong wind and storms. Some of our trees were blown down. Guess what we spent out Saturday night and Sunday afternoon doing?!

Here is our furbaby Bree Bree. She is a ball of energy when she's not laying around chillin.

Here is our new demon kitty, Friday. She's not really a demon kitty, but its funny the way she was just laying there and when she stood up, I snapped a pic just the time she shook her head.

I've discovered the yumminess that is the Starbucks energy drink...

Derek and I rode up into the pasture and fed watermelon rinds to the cows. The calf reminds me of a rabbit that has the same coloring and the big cow has a heart shape on its head.

I've got some other great pictures I want to share, but I don't have them on this computer. I will have to share.

I really want to start sharing more pictures and what not. I've got some pictures of sunflowers and from an acoustic concert that a friend did. So I guess that's it for now.

2011-06-15T10:10:00.002-04:00

I know that I haven't posted in a while, but there has been some things going on at my work that have me stressed out to the max. I'd like to go into more detail, but I need my job. Those of you who pray, just pray for me that I will get less stressed and that things will work out for the best.

Thanks!!

2011-05-23T10:12:00.000-04:00

So....

Derek has been home for a week and will be home until after Memorial Day. We've had a good time since he's been home. Him being out on the road so much makes me cherish our time together more. Yeah, I still get to talk to him on the phone when he's not home. But when he is home, I want to be around him the whole time.

We went to the auction the other night. They were selling this telescope. Well, I guess I wasn't paying close enough attention because I thought they said $5, but no.... they had said $35. OMG... I only had like $20 in my pocket. Luckily my brother had went and he agreed to buy it for me. Its still in the trunk of my car. I think I'll get it out tonight and put it together and see was selestial beings I can find! That should be interesting.

Yesterday our church did "Church on the Street" in a local housing authority. It was fun. They had blow up jumpy jumps for the kids. They had two local musical groups come out. There were two churches there. Ours cooked chicken, beans, and slaw. The other had hotdogs I think. And there was cotton candy. And shaved ice. And a dunking booth. It was a lot of fun seeing all those people having so much fun. Then they had a service afterwards for the community. Great fun.

And obviously, the world didn't end Saturday.....

2011-05-02T15:51:00.000-04:00

Wow... I can't believe that it has been a month since I last blogged. At least I know I'm missed.

So lets see. Derek has been home once sicne he got the job. That was for a 2 week period. He went back out and has been gone for week. I've kept busy though.

This weekend I went trout fishing with my parents and younger brother. It was fun. At one spot, there was some other people there fishing. At one point, I hooked a fish and as I was reeling it in, I noticed that the other guy had caught one too. Well, it ended up that we had caught the same fish!! It had swallowed my bait and hook and had been hooked in the edge of the mouth by the other guys hook. I probably couldn't do that again if I tried.

We got out there around 7:00 a.m. We left around 10:00. It was a great time. Better than the last time I went. I only caught 3 or four the last time. So we went home and I helped Daddy clean fish. He skinned them and I filleted them. It was fun! I had taken my camera out and took some pictures of our catch and then Mama came out so I got her to take some pictures of my cleaning fish. So I've got some pictures. I'll upload them later. I just don't have my camera with me at the moment. They are so funny.

I do have a picture for you though.

LOOK AT THAT THING!!! That was in our office last week. It so ugly its cute. He is named Willard. One of the guys took it out to his farm and let it go. We just hope that its mama doesn't come around.

We had an opposum at our house about a month or so ago. Daddy caught it in a trap and let it go out back in the woods. It came back so Daddy set the trap again. He caught our cat Mokey. Twice. Poor kitty. I walked into the storage building where the trap was set and as soon as I opened the door he started meowing like he was dying. He was fine though. He was just trapped.

I'll post a picture of mokey later too.

Hopefully I can start posting more periodically than a month.

House Hunt Begins

2011-03-31T13:35:00.000-04:00

I've kinda started looking for us a house. I've found a few potentials, but there was one near my mom's neighborhood that I would really like to have. The only thing is, I know how to get on the tax assessor's website and check to see how much propertys are assessed at.

I just got off the phone with the person that owns the house I was looking at. It is assessed around $103K. He said that he is asking $130K. Ummm. No. That would be like giving him $27K. No thank you. And before we even started discussing the house, he said "I don't reckon I know you." I told him who my parents were since they only live maybe a mile away and had been there over 30 years. He said "I don't know them either, but I don't reckon that matters." Um no. They aren't trying to buy the house; I am.

So, that house is out of the question now. Back to searching.

He got it!

2011-03-22T09:09:00.000-04:00

Wow.. I can't believe it has been over 10 days since I blogged. I've been really busy at work and our internet at home has been down. I've been calling AT&T, but they can't seeem to get their act together and help me with my problem. When I called last night, one guy told me that he was going to transfer me to the phone line department and demand that they send out a technician. Well, I did, but she said they can't get someone out until Wednesday. Grr....

So anyways, on to my big announcement.....

DEREK GOT A JOB!!!!!!!
Some of you may be thinking...'Wow... that's it?' Yes. That's it. Derek had been unemployed since July of last year. Luckily we had moved in with my parents only two months before that so we had somewhere to stay, but we have been struggling in the area of finances ever since.

I've recently been blogging about my experiences with tithing. Well, since January when I started tithing, I haven't necessarily been able to pay every bill every month, but Derek has been able to find little side jobs here and there to help. I've been tithing for about 3 months and in that time, Derek had applied for many jobs.

Finally, 2 weeks ago, he got a call about a job on a road crew. He went for the interview. We waited a week for them to get the drug screens back. Of course, we knew those would be fine.

Last week on Wednesday, Derek got the call that he was hired and they would be leaving on Saturday. Yes.... Derek left on the road Saturday morning. He will be gone 3 weeks at a time and then home for a week. You have no idea how much of a blessing this job is. Not because he won't be home, but because it was brining him down so much that he couldn't provide the way he wanted to. Now he can. He joked about being the one brining home the bacon now.

So that's my news and I owe it all to God for taking care of us.

Not Yet

2011-03-09T13:42:00.002-05:00

Well, I have something that I'd like to share, but I'm not going to share it until we know for sure the details..... all I can say is that God is good and hears you when you pray.

Saturday

2011-03-05T20:51:00.000-05:00

So..... other than trying to fix someone's iPhone and failing, today has been a good day.

Now, I'm sitting out the house watching Underworld, Underworld Evolution and Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.

I've gotten into the vampire movies so the movies have been interesting....

Night y'all!

He's Awesome

2011-03-04T15:09:00.000-05:00

My God.... IS AN AWESOME GOD!

I wrote a little about tithing HERE a couple of weeks ago. Well, since we've started tithing, I still pray and ask God to help us out. No, Derek hasn't found a job yet, but there are still things that have happened that make me know that its God.

Today, I knew I had to pay my Visa bill. I was dreading looking at it because I thought it was past due. I pulled up the website and the payment was my normal payment and there was no past due balance! WHAT?! I just knew that there was some past due amount left from last month. NO! THERE WASN'T! When I looked at my past payment, I had been able to make 2 payments on that bill last month! I didn't realize I had done that.

Its just so amazing that I can ask God for a simple thing, and he allows me to indulge in awesomeness. I've still got plenty of other prayer requests. I'm not going to say they are unanswered because all prayers are answered. Its not always the answer that we want, but it is always 1 of 3 answers. Yes. No. Wait. My prayer requests could be getting a wait answer. Which is fine. I know that God is working in his own way and it will be in his own time that I see what the answer will be.

God is awesome.

2011-03-03T13:35:00.000-05:00

So I really don't know what's up with me lately. I've been having really bad mood swings, but have been keeping to myself so as not to lash out on anyone. I'm not sure if its stress or what because I've have a couple of dull headaches in the past week also.

It doesn't help that I have to worry about an opossum standing in the bathroom when I open the door... I think he's still under the house...

Last night I tossed and turned all night long. I don't think Derek slept well either. I just need some relief.

Missing Documents and Opossums

2011-03-01T10:43:00.000-05:00

So last week, I received a document that needed to be filed. Well, its missing. I noticed that it was gone from my desk on Friday, but didn't say anything because I thought I would find it.

Monday. No document. We search all......day.......long. Still no document. I hope that it was just misfiled and not shredded.

Last night, I was chilling out in the bedroom trying to catch up on some reading when I heard the bump and noises that we've been hearing a lot lately coming from the bathroom. Before I go into what the bump was, let me give a little back story.

My Kitty, when she gets off the screened-in-porch where she stays, tries to find ways into the house. Our house has a brick underpinning with vents every so many feet. The cats were pushing the vents in and getting under the house. My dad boarded up some of the vents and put wire over some. There was one that was missed however.

So Kitty was still getting under the house. She found a hole under the bathtub in my bathroom. So one morning, she is freaking out because she is in the hollow part of the tub. Under the sink that it connected to the wall between the shower and the sink, there is a removable panel. This is how she would get in the house.

So... last night, I open the cabinet and remove the panel and what do I see?! I big ugly opossum butt and big nasty tail! I immediately slam the cabinet doors. Derek grabs his gun, but it was gone. I guess I scared it when I slammed the doors. So, now we know what the noise maker was. It was no longer my kitty, it was a nasty ole opossum!

Anyone wants to opossum stew tonight? ;)

Sunday

2011-02-27T13:30:00.002-05:00

This morning, I woke up with a headache that started last night.

It was my turn to serve in the one year old nursery this morning.

1 Year olds + headache= worse headache........

I like children, but I could have passed this morning....

Saturday

2011-02-26T19:21:00.000-05:00

Today was pretty productive. I got outside and helped Mama clean up outside around the house and barn. Then I went with Derek to work on a guy's van. He made some $$$ so that's good.

Then we went to my brothers house and grabbed a few more boxes.

Now its a night at home chilling with my hubby. He wants me to watch the movie Friday with him since I've never seen it. Netflix on Wii it is!!

Y'all have a great Saturday night!!

Prayer Need

2011-02-25T11:26:00.000-05:00

If you are the praying type, please pray for a blogger friends Britt's brother. He was hit by a car yesterday while skateboarding.

Please keep Britt and her family in your thoughts and prayers!

You can click on her name and it will take you to her blog. Visit and leave some thoughts and encouragement for her.

Internet Withdrawal

2011-02-25T09:32:00.000-05:00

First, thanks for the birthday wishes! It was a great birthday. My mom gave me a big photo album filled with my wedding pictures. She said she new that's what I had been wanting. When I got it, I started crying. She said "Well I didn't know you'd like it that much." Hehe.. I really liked it.... no.... I LOVED IT! And I think Derek is taking me out to dinner tonight. I love him.

So on to the internet withdrawal. Yesterday, I got to work and there was no internet! Hence the reason I didn't get to post yesterday.

To begin with, I was fine. I had plenty of work to keep me busy. But then, I started getting to the work that required internet access. I didn't let it bug me though. I found something else to do.... make file labels.... straighten up my desk..... straighten up my files....

Let's just say, since I can't talk about some of the things that happen at work, there was a lot of drama and things I wanted to say, but we finally got internet back at about 4:30 yesterday. Then we found out that the internet had been back up and running since about 9:30 yesterday morning, but our router was dead.................... technology.... sheesh....

But today everyone is happy because we have internet. I guess its back to taking advantage of having internet access!

Have a bombdigity day!!

Beautiful Creation

2011-02-23T12:22:00.000-05:00

I was on my way to the kitchen when I looked out a window and saw that one of the bushes beside our office had blooms on it. So before the cold weather takes them, I went an cut me a few.....

I needed something to add some color to my office... This worked perfectly!!

The color in the picture is brighter than what they actually are... They are a deeper red. But either way, they are beautiful!!

Guess its a birthday present from mother nature ;)

My Special Day

2011-02-23T10:31:00.000-05:00

Guess what today is!!!!

MY BIRTHDAY!
I'm now 26 years old.......
And guess what I'm doing on my birthday.... working......
Guess what else I got to do on my birthday!! ........go pay the taxes and tag on my car!!!.........
Today has been a great day so far so I'm not complaining....

iPhone Veteran

2011-02-22T15:28:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I did it! I finally downgraded out AT&T plan from iPhone data plans to non-smart phone plans. Of course, I'll miss my iPhone and all the apps that went with it, but at the same time once I get the wifi fixed on it, I could still play the games and I can still use the iPod now.

We had to do something though. Our monthly bill was running on average $160.

I don't think I'll miss it as much as I think. In fact, today, I don't even have a cell phone with me at all. Derek's died on him and he had left his charger at a friends house Saturday. He had to go to a guys house this morning to help move some logs and he needed a phone in case he got lost. So I gave up mine. Its not that big of deal. I wasn't really expecting anyone to call me. Derek knows where and how to reach me so that's not a big deal either. If someone really had to get in touch with me, they could call my mom or Derek and they would get them in touch with me.

Its nice too that I haven't been checking my phone ever five minutes to see if someone has texted me or if I have a missed call. Like Derek told me last night, "I kinda like it without a phone." Maybe I'll start doing that more often. Just leave me phone in the car while I'm at work.

So I'm here saying Goodbye! to the iPhone data plan and hello to a simpler phone and more time.......

50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind

2011-02-21T14:26:00.000-05:00

This is number 71 on my list of 101 Things. You can find the 50 Questions that will free your mind HERE. So here we go.....

How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? I think I would probably be about 30. I'm going to be 26 tomorrow, but sometimes, I feel and act older.
Which is worse, failing or never trying? Never trying is worse. Because if you fail, you at least know that you tried.
If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do? I suppose we do things that we don't like in order to make a living (for some people) and we don't do things that we like because we might not can afford it.
When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done? I will have said a lot more than I've done. I always say that I'll do things one day and it just never gets done.
What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world? I would make it to where we were not so dependent on technology such as computers and phones because it takes away so much personal interaction with people. Sure we wouldn't have blogs or iphones, but it would give us more time to talk face to face with people. And sometimes these technologies have such a negative impact on people and families.
If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich? I would be a crafter/sewer/photographer
Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing? Sometimes I believe I am settling for what I am doing. I could do more for what I believe in, but sometimes, I don't know how to do that.
If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently? I would not worry so much about what people thought of me. I would work less and play more and spend way more time with my family. I would have had children 6 years ago.
To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken? I don't think I've controlled it at all. Sure, I've made decisions that have led me to where I am, but there are other things that have happened to me that have put me here also. I ultimately believe that God is in control of where my life goes and what happens.
Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things? I'm more concerned with doing the right things. You might can do things right, but that doesn't necessarily mean that what you are doing is right.
You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do? I stick up for that friend and let them know that the person is my friend. I tell them the way it is and I would probably get up and leave.
If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be? You can do whatever you set your mind to.
Would you break the law to save a loved one? I'd like to say no, but it would really depend on what they had done.
Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity? Not that I recall.
What’s something you know you do differently than most people? Thinking. I know that my thoughts and what I think about is a lot different that other people.
How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy? Because everyone doesn't have my personality and doesn't have my life so of course what gives me happiness might not necessarily give them happiness.
What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back? I really want to own my own home. And right now, financials are holding me back.
Are you holding onto something you need to let go of? I'm sure there is something that I need to let go of. I'm not sure if its emotional or material.
If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why? If I absolutely had to move, I would probably move to North Carolina because that's where Derek's family is.
Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster? No and No.
Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton? I'd rather be a joyful simpleton.
Why are you, you? I am me because of the experiences and the things that have happened in my life, the way I was brought up and the experiences that I did not experience.
Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend? No. I've neglected friendships that I wish I hadn't.
Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you? Losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you.
What are you most grateful for? Having a God that loves me no matter what.
Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones? This is a toughy. I think I'd rather not be able to make new ones.
Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first? Yes. Its called faith.
Has your greatest fear ever come true? Not yet.
Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it really matter now? Not really cause I don't even know what that time would be.
What is your happiest childhood memory? What makes it so special? When my brothers and I would go and play in the woods behind our house. It was special because I felt lucky to have siblings that would go and play.
At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive? When I was at the ladies' retreat.
If not now, then when? I don't know, but hopefully its at the right time. No sooner, no later.
If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose? Oh about 100lbs.
Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever? Very much so.
Why do religions that support love cause so many wars? Because the source of the "love" is different. And the beliefs of what that love can do and conquer is different.
Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil? I believe it is possible. Do we ever reach that point? Probably not.
If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job? Most likely.
Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing? More work that I actually enjoy doing.
Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before? Not really. Yeah, I come to work 5 days a week, but it never really is the same around here.
When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in? Probably never.
If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today? I would visit my parents, my brothers, my husband would be with me and we'd visit some of our family together.
Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?Heck no. Beauty fades and being really famous gives you no privacy.
What is the difference between being alive and truly living? I think when you are just alive, it just means that you have a heart beat and brain activity. To truly live means doing the things you love and being with the people you love.
When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right? When you are extremely passionate about what is right.
If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake? Disappointment.
What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you? Probably nothing.
When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing? Last night laying in bed.
What do you love? Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love? I love my husband. I tell him I love him and embrace and kiss him. I love my Jesus. I worship him and honor him with praise.
In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday? What about the day before that? Or the day before that? Most likely not.
Decisions are being made right now. The question is: Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you? The decisions that I've been working on, I've been praying about and letting God lead my path. So ultimately He'll make them and I'll follow his lead.

2011-02-18T17:11:00.001-05:00

Its been a blah day. Its almost time to go home. I guess we'll see what awaits me there.....

Fail

2011-02-18T09:41:00.000-05:00

Well it seems that I'm having a hard time sticking to that goal of blogging every day for a month. And now that I'm not using my iphone anymore, it might be harder. But hopefully I can get the wifi fixed in it and be able to use it as a iTouch, Who knows though.

~~I just haven't really had anything to blog about.~~ I haven't really had anything to blog about that I can share here. Like I said, if I could talk about work I would. You have no idea how I just want to keep typing and "accidently" let it flow out....

It would probably take some stress from me, but I can't.... I need my job.

2011-02-16T15:55:00.001-05:00

All I'm gonna say is if I could talk about my job on here, I would....

Pukey Monster

2011-02-14T10:13:00.000-05:00

So instead of the cookie monster visiting us last night, I'm sure you can guess who did.

I've got a sick hubby today. We aren't sure exactly what made him sick, but he hasn't felt well since yesterday morning. And last night it got worse. I hated to do it, but I told him I wasn't sleeping in the bed with him because if he had a stomach bug, I didn't want it. That was a little before 12 last night.

I heard him get up again around 4:00. He wasn't feeling much better this morning. He said his whole body was aching. That could have been from being sick, but it could also be the flu. So I gave him some multi-symptom cold medicine like he asked and I came to work.

I hope I don't get sick. I've been thirsty all morning. So I could be getting dehydrated, I just hope its not from a stomach bug. I hate getting sick.

OH... And some good news!!! My mom said that they had two different people donate brand new sewing machines for them to take to Honduras on their mission trip!!!! YAY!!!!

Well, if you are praying people, please pray for our family as we have sickness going on, and pray for my mom as they leave for their mission trip at the beginning of March.

2011-02-13T20:11:00.001-05:00

Watching Hee Haw with my Honey.

Clean Productivity

2011-02-12T14:11:00.000-05:00

I've been somewhat productive today. I cleaned out the litter box, cleaned off the back porch, and cleaned some things up that came out of the storage building. I also went to town and met a friend to get a phone from her.

Its a non-smart phone. Why would I want that you say? Because iPhone is way to expensive for us at the moment. Having a bill that is $160+ each month is not working for us. When I got it, it was great, but now it's just a burden. I enjoy playing the games, but when I get the wifi fixed on it, I'll still be able to play those. So yeah, we are downgrading our plan.

Later, I'm gonna go to my brother's house and move some more things to our storage building and out of his house. I will be so glad when we are able to move in to our own place. Hopefully that will be the last time we have to move our things.

So I'm hoping to get a lot more done... we'll see....

Funky Doright....

2011-02-11T16:17:00.000-05:00

Today has been weird. I haven't really done anything out of the ordinary. Work. Post Office. Work. Lunch. Work. Bank. Work. Sporadic phone calls from Derek.

I'm in a funky mood today for some reason.

But besides that, let me tell you a story.
So about the Bank part of my day. Our student came back from running errands. Part of her errands was to go to the bank and deposit our pay checks in their respective accounts. She brought mine back. The correct amount had been deposited, but there was $5 too much in the cash amount I got back.

Here were my options: a) keep it. b) take it back.
I'm not gonna lie. I would like to have done (a). But I did (b). The teller had read a 3 as an 8 on my check and that's the reason that the deposited amount had been correct. I told her that I'm sure God will bless me, but it wasn't going to be through dishonesty of keeping that $5. She thanked me for making it right and I left.

So.. the good news? I hadn't looked at my bank account all day until I got back. I saw where she had corrected everything, but I had about $25 more than I expected to have. I got to looking and there was a pending credit for $28. There was no information about who it was from. I called the bank to inquire about it. She told me it was from the tax company that I had used to do my taxes last Friday. I'm not quite sure why I'm getting that credit, but I'm going to credit it to God blessing me for my honesty.

So though I'm in a funky mood, some things have been good today.

2011-02-10T07:34:00.000-05:00

When the weatherman said snow, I said whatever...

Guess what... It snowed. And I have to go to work...

Two Pretty People

2011-02-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

This is another attempt at beginning that blogging goal....

Last night, I went and visited my friend Sarah who had her baby on January 17. Sarah had just laid her down to sleep when I got there. I got to see her sleep...

So we had some girl talk and she told me all about her experience at the hospital. It seemed quite interesting. She had a great experience. The hospital she went to is the one that I plan on birthing my children at.

While we were sitting there later in the evening, we heard something and then the baby started crying. She finally brought her into where we were setting. I texted Derek and told him how cute the baby was. He said "Well they are two pretty people."

Sarah laughed at that. I had a great visit. I plan on going back soon. Maybe she'll let us babysit sometime......

FAIL!

2011-02-07T10:20:00.000-05:00

So, I have obviously failed to complete #11 on my LIST of 101 things in 1001 days so far. That being that I blog every day for 30 days. So this is my second attempt at completing that goal. I was doing so good too. I think I was up to at least 20 days.... and then I had to go and miss a couple of days. Grrr....

In other news....

We had a yard sale at our church Saturday with the things we cleaned out of our storage building that was worth having a yard sale with. It was fun. I don't think Mama made quite what she needs for her sewing machine.

So, if you'd like to donate in order that she can take 2 sewing machines with her to Honduras on a mission trip, the button is in the side bar. It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

A Days Hard Work: #57

2011-02-01T09:59:00.001-05:00

Saturday, my parents, Derek and I got out in the storage building and cleaned it up. There was a whole trailer of trash that went to the dump of things that were broken, or we didn't need or couldn't use but that wasn't in good enough condition to take to Goodwill.

So here are the before pictures of what we were working with:

So.... Chaos basically.....
Now for the after pictures.... organized chaos....

It might not look like its been cleaned out, but look at the trailer that went to the dump......

Derek got $52 from scrap metal.
The day was very productive and so it has turned into a productive week of going through other boxes.
this was number 57 on my list of 101 things.
I'm working my way up on #58 which is to move all our things from my brother's house to the storage building. I think he's working on getting his house fixed up to sell and its hard with a dining room full of someone else's stuff.

My mom and I are going to have a yard sale Saturday at our church with some other people to help with their Honduras trip. Hopefully we can make the money to get that sewing machine they want to take.

And if you would like to contribute to that sewing machine fund, you can click the donate button over in the side bar.
<---------------

Well.... off to another productive day of work and then home to sorting through boxes....

2011-01-31T20:46:00.004-05:00

Got too busy at work to post and still going through boxes at home........ tomorrow.... pictures... I promise.

2011-01-30T23:45:00.003-05:00

No pics yet..... I just realized that I hadn't posted for today so...... this is it. I didn't want to break my cycle.

Long Day

2011-01-29T21:30:00.001-05:00

Wow! It has been a long day. One of the things that is on my list of 101 things...that I need to update..... it to clean up and organize our storage building.

Guess what we did today....

I'll be posting pics of before and after tomorrow. Its 9:30 PM and I'm beat...

Sewing Machine for Missions

2011-01-28T11:12:00.003-05:00

My mom will be heading to Honduras with our church on a mission trip in March. They always take tools and what not to build churches, but never before have they taken the tools to fix clothing and other things.

This year, my mom and another lady want to buy a sewing machine to take with them and leave with the school that they go to. They are going to teach some of the women how to sew so they can mend clothing, make clothing, pillow cases, whatever they need.

I'm praying that you will feel generous and want to help us out in purchasing this sewing machine. Any amount would be greatly appreciated.

The paypal donation button is in the side bar and to make it easier.... here is the same button.

Chiseled

2011-01-27T11:46:00.000-05:00

I've posted pictures from the ladies retreat and talked about a few things that we did, but I want to share more than just that.

This past weekend really made me realize that I need to draw closer to God. I've been focused on other things and I need to refocus on Him and let Him work it out. Before, I haven't given everything to Him and let Him work in my life. One of the things that I wanted God to chisel out of my life was my need for control.

I feel overwhelmed when I don't have control of a situation or I can't fix a problem. I've realized that in some ways and situations, I can't always fix it. I've got to learn to give God control of everything and let Him roll with it. He knows what He is doing far better than I ever will.

For example, our finances. When we moved in with my parents, our plan was to put what we were paying in rent into a savings account. Little did we know that 3 months later, Derek would lose his job. We didn't tithe. I believe this was our mistake. I told God, I've got this when it comes to our finances and instead of giving that 10% to Him, I used it to pay bills. I also believe that our lack of tithing has been the problem with Derek finding a job.

This passed weekend, Allison, my roommate at the retreat, told me that since she and her husband had started tithing that they hadn't overdrawn their bank account and that they actually didn't even miss the money. No it wasn't always easy, but it had become a necessity in their spiritual walk.

This is where I am. On Tuesday afternoon, I was talking to Derek on the phone. I told him that it was time that we start tithing. I knew this is what was right for our family. I didn't know what he would say. So when he said that he had been thinking the same thing and yes it was time, I felt that it was a God thing. Of course it was a God thing. Tithing is in the Bible!

The way God works is amazing. Tuesday evening, we were sitting watching TV and my mom mentions a job listing online. Derek calls the guy. He talks with him on the phone for a good 20-30 minutes about a mechanic job. Its nothing set in stone yet, but it just amazing that we made the conscious decision to follow and be obedient to God and let Him take control, and within hours, there is a possible job opportunity for Derek.

This past year has not been easy. He has been chiseling on my all year. This past weekend was the refreshment from God that I needed. I've been in His word every day since and I don't plan on stopping any time soon.

I also gained a new friend in Allison. We had been friends when we were younger and were in Sunday School together, but life happened and she got married and moved away for a time. Life happened again and she moved back to our area. She has found a renewed life in Christ and is just the godly friend that I have needed.

When you give it all to God, it is amazing what He will do.

While at the ladies retreat they gave out index cards. Each had a promise from God. The one that was randomly handed to me was Proverbs 3:5-6 which says Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

That was definitely the promise that I needed from him. Through that promise on an index card the Lord spoke to me. I've got to trust in him with everything even if I don't understand it because he will take care of it.

I have that promise in my car up near my gauges so that that is one of the first things I see when I get in my car in the mornings. So I that will be continuously reminded of him promise.

God is good.

Oh Me!

2011-01-26T09:06:00.001-05:00

Why is it that the one morning that I have ran out of medicine that works for me, I get the worst migraine!!

I took a hot shower before leaving for work. My hair looks a hot mess. The nausea is almost unbearable. I went to Wal-Mart to get some Naproxen Sodium. It was only 220 mg. I took 4. That's only 880 mg. I'm used to taking 1000 mg. I've also go my neck wrap that I heat in the microwave.

And a cup of coffee.

Oh how I hope it goes away soon so I can't move on with work.

Update: The above was at about 9:05 this morning. It is now 9:45... only 40 minutes later. I took the medicine I bought at about 8:45. My headache has eased off enough for me to join the living.

I can't believe how bad it was hurting. That was ridiculous! It still hurts a little, but it just a dull tolerable pain compared to what it was when I woke up. *Sighs with relief*

Let's Go Kayaking!!!

2011-01-25T19:47:00.000-05:00

1. Go to Google Maps and click on "Get Directions." 2. Enter "USA" as your start point. 3. Enter "Japan" as your destination. 4. Go to the 31st point on your route. 5. When you stop laughing, post this as your status so that others can laugh at it too.

Cabbage Patch Land

2011-01-25T10:16:00.000-05:00

Allison, my roommate for the weekend, thought that it would be awesome to check out the new Cabbage Patch Hospital. Since I had never been, I was kind of excited. I know, I'm 25, almost 26. But I was excited about going.

It amazing how much some of the dolls they had in the cases cost. One was $15,000! Wow....

I was especially excited because the "Mother Cabbage" gave "birth" while we were there. Fun!

So here are some pics...

Ladies Retreat

2011-01-24T15:44:00.000-05:00

This weekend was an awesome weekend full of refreshment, relaxation and plenty of God.

The theme for the weekend was "Chiseled into a beautiful work of God."

We had speakers which were ladies from our church. They did an awesome job. They gave us plenty of scripture and pour out encouragement.

Here is a video that they showed that went right along with the theme of the weekend.

Great word. I'll have more to come tomorrow!!

Cabbage Patch Hospital

2011-01-22T19:13:00.001-05:00

I got to go to Cabbage Patch Land. More story and pictures to come when I get back and can get in the computer.

This weekend has been really refreshing and fun. We had a lot of praise and worship and great speakers!

2011-01-22T09:07:00.001-05:00

Bear!!!

Well it's fake but it's still a bear.

Ladies Retreat

2011-01-21T18:09:00.000-05:00

Me and a friend if mine totally got the honeymoon suite. Complete with hot tub and fireplace!!!!

2011-01-21T12:18:00.002-05:00

Hopefully I'll be able to post this weekend. I'm going out of town with the ladies from my church on a ladies retreat. I need some renewing. Hopefully I'll get it.

2011-01-20T11:13:00.002-05:00

Of all the crazy things that I've heard.......

"If you put butter on em they'll grow!"

Wow.... I'm gonna let you guess what she was talking about....

Migraine Sufferers

2011-01-19T09:20:00.000-05:00

If you suffer from migraines, you know how debilitating they can be. Nausea. Sensitivity to light and sound. Pounding head.

For about 4 or 5 years now I have suffered from migraines. They are not always so bad that I can't function, but sometimes they are. When it is bad, it hinders my concentration and work. Sometimes, I can't drive. I just want to go into a dark room and sleep.

I haven't been diagnosed with migraines which means I haven't been prescribed any medication for it. Therefore, I have to resort to OTC medications.

I've tried Excedrine Migraine. It worked for a while. It no longer works for me. I'm tried Tylenol. It doesn't touch a Migraine.

I have found lately that the only thing that works for me is 1000mg of Naproxen Sodium. For example, this morning, I woke up with a bad headache at 7:00. I immediately went to the medicine cabinet and took Naproxen Sodium. Within 20-30 minutes, I could tell it was going away. I also had a cup of coffee which helps too.

By the time I got to work this morning at 8:30, I was headache free. And for some reason after a migraine, I am in the best mood.

So, I guess this post was an infommercial for Naproxen Sodium and a self-help for those who suffer from migraines.

If you suffer from migraines, what do you do to ease the pain?

101 things in 1001 days

2011-01-18T12:51:00.000-05:00

Does anybody have any ideas about things I could add to my list of 101 Things?

I'm kinda struggling with this list.

Finances

2011-01-17T15:51:00.000-05:00

It really sucks when you go through bank statements and see how much money is being spent on stupid stuff or stuff you don't need. Or fast food places. Or convenience stores. Those small amounts add up. And it just makes me mad.

I've got to get a handle on our spending. These bills have got to get paid one way or the other.

What kind of debt reducing strategies do you use?

Losing

2011-01-16T08:04:00.000-05:00

Yesterday turned out to not be so bad. I actually had some fun. We went over to a friends house and they had rented a Mario game for Wii. It was so fun! I love old school Nintendo games!! We will definitely have to get it for our Wii.

So about Losing.... Last night I got on the scale. Right now, my weight is holding still as far as the weight I lost this week. We are on the 4 off days right now. So far I have lost 8 pounds in 2 weeks. I can't believe that this diet actually works but it does so we are sticking with it.

Any one else deciding to try the 3 day cardiac diet? If so, please share your experience.

What weight loss techniques are you using?

It Never Fails

2011-01-15T08:09:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I mentioned that my day wasn't going very well. Guess what, it didn't stop when I got home. Yeah, I had a while of peace and quiet but then I looked at my phone and had message from my boss about the closing he stayed after to do. There are some questions about what happened there but I won't go into that here.

I just having a feeling that my bad Friday is going to bleed into my Saturday. I really need some things to go right for me for once.

My husband needs a job so that we can get the money to find our own place. I can't wait til we can have our own space again. *Sigh*

Zquiet Update

2011-01-14T13:58:00.000-05:00

I have been using the ZQuiet for almost 2 months now. To begin with, it worked great! Now, from time to time, my husband asks me are "the batteries broke in that thing". Of course it doesn't take batteries. Apparently, when I am sleeping on my back, my bottom jaw somehow falls out of the mouthpiece and into a position that causes me to snore.

So even using the ZQuiet, I continue to have to be a side sleeper.

Also, I have had numerous occasions when I would wake up and the mouthpiece has fallen out completely. I don't know if this is just me or if it happens to others. Once it fell out and was on the floor on the other side of the bed from me. How it got there, I don't know.

I do enjoy the ZQuiet in that I can breathe through my nose more easily. I notice that when I don't use it, I'm more of a mouth breather and its difficult to breathe through my nose. Now, I can wear the mouthpiece and breathe through my nose and my mouth doesn't dry out from being a mouth breather.

Overall, I still recommend this product to anyone who has a snoring problem.

Donations

2011-01-14T13:23:00.001-05:00

As some of you can see, yes I have put an advertisement block on my page. I have also put a donate button up. I'm trying to create some extra income since we are still struggling to be a one income family. Yes I know there are plenty of couples like us, but it doesn't hurt to ask and try to make things happen.

So, if you enjoy my blog and would like to be generous, you can click donate. It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

2011-01-14T11:47:00.000-05:00

So far, today has been one of those days that I would like for it to be over as soon as possible. Things just aren't going the way I would like. But life goes on and I'll live through it one way or the other. It just be nice if some of you that pray would pray for me. Just pray that God would give me peace. Thanks.

Blog Issues

2011-01-13T08:56:00.002-05:00

Just to figure out if there is a problem.... Is anyone having a problem with the background being transparent and not being able to see the type? Please let me know so I can address the issue. Thanks!!!

Back on the Diet

2011-01-12T11:14:00.000-05:00

We are back on the diet. Day 2 currently.

Yesterday, being stuck at home with all the snow, I found myself mindlessly wandering to the kitchen. When I entered the kitchen, I would then stopped in mid step and think to myself, what am I doing?! I'd just grab a glass of water and go back to the TV room.

I was worried that I had gained those 4 lbs back. When I got on the scale the other night, I was up 4 lbs., but then when I got on last night, I was back down to where I was Thursday at the end of the diet. I can't wait to keep losing.

I can't wait to buy new clothes! To have a new body! :D

Day 2

2011-01-11T10:04:00.000-05:00

Today, there is still snow on the ground. Surprise! :P

I went out this morning at about 7:00 to check the road. It was SLICK! Just a sheet of ice. I didn't want to walk on it much less drive on it. So I went a got my camera and took some more pics. I also took a video of the cats.

Here is a video and some pics:

SNOW!

2011-01-10T10:05:00.000-05:00

This is what we woke up to this morning. Derek came into the bedroom last night at about 2:00 and said it had started snowing. From midnight to 2:00 it had already snowed about 2-3 inches. I would say we've got a good 6 or 7 inches right now.

Daddy just came back in and said that it has started sleeting a little now.

Bree was having so much fun running around in the snow.

And I wasn't able to make it to work. So here are some pictures::

101 Things in 1001 Days

2011-01-07T15:18:00.004-05:00

On February 22, 2008, I began 101 things in 1001 days. Well, the end date of November 19, 2010 came and went and the things on the list that were undone are still that. Undone. So I'm starting a new list with things that I enjoy more and am more likely to do.

I'm not finished with the new list and it is unorganized right now. When I finish making the list, I'll organize it. But, here is the list so far:

GREEN = Completed

BLUE= In progress

RED= Not Completed

1. Pay off credit cards
2. Pay off car loan
3. Pay down at least 1/2 of my PLC ($0/2500)
4. Save at least $1000 ($0/1000)
5. Get our own place (whether it is renting or buying)
6. Lose 10 lbs (4/10)
7. Lose 20 lbs (4/20)
8. Give blood 2 times
9. Clean up laptop (backup data & possibly restore)
10. Start on our Wedding Scrapbook
11. Blog every day for a month (2/30)
12. Donate $1 for every task not completed
13. Put away $5 for ever task completed
14. Buy & Wear a dress
15. Cook 20 things I've never cooked before (0/20)
16. Buy a coloring book and fill every page
17. Catalog book collection
18. Watch 15 documentaries (3/15)
19. Learn to use my camera on manual
20. Read 10 books (0/10)
21. Create and keep an updated address book
22. Refinish a piece of furniture
23. Do a cross stitch
24. Make a black/quilt from t-shirts
25. Donate 101,000 grains of rice on Freerice.com (4220/101,000)
26. Plant and maintain a vegetable garden
27. Learn to make pepper jelly
28. Make a recipe book of my favorite recipes
29. Send and Receive 50 postcards through postcrossing.com
30. Reach 1000 posts on my blog
31. Fix/get fixed my iphone (ear piece and volume key)
32. Buy all new underwear
33. Get thrift store dress pants tailored and zipper fixed
34. Get a work out routine going
35. Sew a new bag
36. Expand my jewelry collection
37. Go to a midnight movie premiere
38. Learn basic car maintenance
39. Get a journal specifically for this list
40. Make a pizza from scratch
41. Cook through 2 of my cook books (0/2)
42. Take vitamin E religiously (so far so good)
43. Expand wardrobe (have at least 5 pair of jeans, 5 pair of dress slacks, 5 new shirts)
44. Make money with something I've cooked/baked
45. Make pickles
46. Make 5 recipes from different countries (0/5)
47. Keep food diary for 1 month
48. Invest in a DSLR camera
49. Rip all music to computer, back up and donate
50. Get 20 followers on my blog (so lurkers, you should follow me!) (5/20)
51. Plant a window box herb garden
52. Go to 5 places with Derek in Atlanta (0/5)
53. Spend a night away from home for our anniversary
54. Catch up on Grey's Anatomy
55. Take pictures of each 101 things if possible (1/101)
56. Go camping
57. Help clean out/organize storage building (1/29/2011)
58. Move our stuff out of my brother's house
59. Make a journal
60. Start tithing (1/30/2011)
61. Keep track of what I spend for a month
62. Finish reading the Left Behind Series
63. Get SingStar for Playstation
64. Learn 3 new hair styles
65. Complete 200 sit ups challenge
66. Get a better job
67. Complete the 365 Project
68. Vote in the 2012 election
69. Make pasta from scratch
70. Wreck a journal
71. Complete the 50 Questions that Free your mind (2/21/2011)
72. Buy earrings
73. Go to Stone Mountain and see the laser show
74. Complete 5 things from instructables
75. Own Nicholas Sparks entire collection
76. Go geocaching
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
85.
86.
87.
88.
89.
90.
91.
92.
93.
94.
95.
96.
97.
98.
99.
100.
101.

So there it is. I'll add more as I get them.

IT WORKS!!

2011-01-07T10:27:00.000-05:00

Last night I stepped on the scale and.....

I LOST 4 POUNDS!!!!!

I'm now down below my first goal. Now I just need to lose 6 more to get to my second goal of losing 10 pounds.

My Own Little World

2011-01-06T11:52:00.001-05:00

Check out this awesome post to read about the influence of this video on another's life.

I feel challenged to look beyond my own little world to see the others in need and who I can help.
Like with Operation Hope that we had at church in December, we were able to help many people who needed food, gas, fire wood, or even a hair cut. It was awesome!!

3 Day Cardiac Diet

2011-01-06T11:15:00.001-05:00

I know that I have started many a diet and blogged about it and eventually those diets faded away and I fell off the wagon. Well, about two weeks ago, a man that my mom works with had heart surgery and they put him on this "3 day cardiac diet". I looked it up online. There are good things said about it, but others call it a "Fad" diet.

Tuesday morning when I got up, my mom asked me if I wanted to try the diet with her. I told her I'd at least try it and see how it goes. We are on day 3 at the moment. It's been interesting.

Tuesday night, I weight in. Tonight I will weight again to see how much, if any, that I've lost.

So here is the diet that we are using. The "3 Day Cardiac Diet".

Day 1:

Breakfast: 1 Small apple, 1 slice of toast, 1 tbsp. peanut butter, black coffee or tea

Lunch: 1/2 cup tuna or chicken, 1 slice of toast, black coffee or tea

Dinner: 2 slices (3 oz) of any meat, 1 cup string beans, 1 cup carrots or beets, 1 small apple & 1 cup of vanilla ice cream

Day 2:

Breakfast: 1 egg, 1 slice of toast, 1/2 banana, black coffee or tea

Lunch: 1 cup of cottage cheese or 1/2 cup tuna, 5 saltine crackers, black coffee or tea

Dinner: 2 hot dogs (wieners only), 1 cup broccoli or cabbage, 1/2 cup carrots or turnip greens

1/2 banana, 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream

Day 3:

Breakfast: 5 Saltine crackers, 1 slice (1 oz.) cheddar cheese, 1 small apple, black coffee or tea

Lunch: 1 boiled egg, 1 slice of toast, black coffee or tea

Dinner: 1 cup of chicken or tuna, 1 cup of carrots or beets, 1 cup greens or cauliflower, 1 cup cantaloupe or 1 small apple, 1 cup vanilla ice cream

*This diet works as a chemical breakdown and is proven to work

DO NOT VARY AMOUNTS
OR MAKE SUBSTITUTIONS TO THE DIET MENU!

* You are allowed diet soda or tea with sweetener on this diet.

* Salt and pepper may be used, but no other seasoning.* Use this diet for 3 consecutive days each week.

* After 3 days of dieting, you can eat your usual food,
But Do Not OVER Eat!!!

* After 4 days of normal eating, start back on your 3 day diet.

* Don’t change the rules!

So on Day 1, I enjoyed the breakfast. Since I didn't know we were starting the diet ahead of time, I didn't have time to cook chicken so I ate tuna. Just so you know, tuna with only salt and pepper is not good. Next week when I do this, I will have some chicken. I cooked dinner that night also. Mama had some thin pork chops so we had one of those. I was amazed at how great the green beans tasted with just salt and pepper. BUT, we had baby carrots raw. I do not recommend that. Cook your carrots!

On Day 2, I used a little not stick spray and "fried" my egg. I cut the toast in half and had an egg sandwich. For lunch, both me and mama messed up. On the paper that we have, it said 1 cup of cottage cheese or tuna. So we assumed that it meant 1 cup of tuna. That was horrible. It turns out it was supposed to be only 1/2 cup tuna. UGH. I will eat cottage cheese next week. For dinner, we had the 2 hot dogs boiled. Mama cut up some regular carrots and put them in some water in the microwave. And we steamed the broccoli. I loved the carrots like that. That meal was enjoyable.

Today is Day 3. I'm not blaming this diet for the headache that I woke up with. I'm blaming the weather. I usually get a headache when it rains. And it rained yesterday. This morning, we had saltines, cheese and an apple. I'm very careful about eating block cheddar cheese because it is sometimes a trigger for a migraine. So I ate the presliced cheese. And I had coffee which helped my headache. For lunch I'll have the boiled egg and toast. I'll probably drink a lot of water to keep the hunger pangs away until dinner.

I have some pictures of the food I've eaten, but I couldn't get my iphone to work for me this morning. So I'll add some pictures later.

Tomorrow, I think I'm going to eat Day 1's breakfast, 1 small apple and the toast with peanut butter. That was actually pretty good and kept me up until lunch. For dinner, I hope to cook something good for the whole family.

For exercise, I recorded a show on our DVR. And I've also got a Zumba video. And let me tell you, it is fast paced and will make you sweat. I've also rode the exercise bike this week. Hopefully I'll start to see some results. Mama has already dropped 2-3 pounds.

So here is to sticking with this diet and dropping some weight and getting to a healthier me in 2011!!

AT&T

2011-01-03T15:43:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I hate calling a company. Sometimes I don't mind. Sometimes it's just funny.

Saturday night our internet stopped working. It was late so I just decided that I would wait until Sunday to call AT&T. Keep in mind that the account is under my dad's name which is Steve.

So I get on the line with this guy named Jay. He's asks my name. When I tell him my name, I also tell him the name on the account. He doesn't understand me and thinks that I said my last name is Tyler. Which it is not....

He goes on to say "You are related to Steve Tyler on American Idol?"

This catches me by surprise. "Excuse me?" He repeats himself. I tell him no. I then correct him on both my name and my dad's name. Then he goes on to ask "You watch American Idol?"

No.

"Oh. You like to sing?"

Dude, I would really just like to get my internet fixed.

"Oh. Ok. Let's see..." And we go on to try and get it fixed, which was not accomplished. He scheduled a call back for this evening when I get home from work to try and get it fixed since the department I needed to speak to wasn't open on Sunday.

But come on. Did he really ask me if I watch American Idol? Maybe next time we can talk about Skating with the Stars....

2011 New Years Intentions

2010-12-30T11:01:00.000-05:00

I say intentions because that's exactly what they are. I intend to do these things.

So here is the list so far:

1. Payoff credit cards and car loan

2. Payoff as much as possible on my personal line of credit

3. Lose weight (which includes drinking more water and eating less junk)

4. Get our own place (whether it is renting or buying)

5. Go through things and weed out what I don't need.

That's it so far. I'm sure I'll add somethings.

What are your intentions??

ZQuiet Review

2010-12-09T11:44:00.000-05:00

So about this ZQuiet mouthpiece.

My husband tells me that it has drastically cut down on my snoring.
I read other reviews saying that the first night, the person had great sleep. I didn't really notice that. And I haven't had GREAT sleep, but I have noticed that I don't wake up from snoring or have my husband waking me up because of it.

There have been a couple of times though that I wake up and the mouthpiece has came out of my mouth. I'm not sure exactly how that happens because when I'm awake I try every way I can think of to get it to pop out, but it won't come out. So I think that I'm pushing it out with my tongue while I'm asleep.

One night, I woke up and couldn't find it. It was on the floor on Derek's side of the bed. How it got that far I don't know.

But its doing its job in that it makes the snoring less harsh and Derek can sleep.

A Life Pleasing to God

2010-12-07T15:07:00.000-05:00

No, I'm not perfect and I will never claim to be. I sin. More often that I'd like to admit.

Here lately, I've tried to be more observant of those around me and the lives that they lead. Those that I know from church seem to be leading a good life "pleasing to God". But that is only the way it seems to be.

I was brought up to have morals. My mother instilled in me that you don't have sex before marriage, that you don't live with your boyfriend before marriage because people automatically think that you are having sex, along with many other things.

I feel like the more I watch people, the more I see that our world is going down a path leading straight to destruction. No, I'm not referring to political destruction or economic destruction, but spiritual destruction.

Our pastor spoke about suffering on Sunday. Many people suffer in many different ways. The path to spiritual destruction and that sermon about suffering has led me to want to grow spiritually and pray more.   So I was reading my Bible a lil while ago and this is what I read:

1 Peter 4: 1-6
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do- living in debauchery, lust, drunkeness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the Spirit.

This speaks of judging. I'm not here to judge anyone. Its not my place. But the part that says "They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you," that is one of the parts that I deal with.

I try my best to do what I think is right and good, but often I am looked at strange. Sometimes, I'm asked why I don't do certain things, why I don't "plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation." Trying to live for God may not be the best way to make your social life more active, but then again, why would you want to have a social life with the people who question how you live in the first place?

I ask myself this. The answer is that I don't, but my husband is friends with some of those people. I'm nice to them, but I don't particularly want to plunge into their way of life.

I've just been struggling lately with reevaluating my life and what purpose God has for it. My husband asked me Sunday in the car "What do you want to do for God?" I couldn't answer him because I didn't and don't have an answer. I want to know what that answer is.

I hope this helps someone, because I think its helped me see.

Sigh

2010-12-01T15:14:00.000-05:00

Today has just not been the greatest of days and if I could start it over, I would.

I know that I control my attitude, but people have just been rubbing me the wrong way today.

But life goes on and I have to deal with it.

Thanksgiving in North Carolina

2010-11-30T11:08:00.000-05:00

Derek is originally from North Carolina so naturally that's where his family is. So, I took off work on Wednesday. We left after I got work on Tuesday though. Derek wanted us to be up there on Wednesday so that we could get the good majority of the food cooked since we were eating at lunch time on Thursday.

I had a great time cooking with his Nana. I have discovered where Derek gets his habit of wanting things done his way in the kitchen. His Nana is the same way. Not that she was telling me how to cook MY recipes, but when it came to her things that I was helping with, she wanted it done her way, which is totally fine.

We had all kinds of food. Very filling. And some great desserts. I kept hearing that the food was soooo good and that had been the best Thanksgiving they had had in a while. I'm sure it wasn't only because we had volunteered our time and money to cook them Thanksgiving. It was a great time with family.

I hope to be able to spend Thanksgiving with my family next year. My mom missed having me there to help her cook. I think we will rotate holidays between families.

All the scrumptious food......

The cousins

AND I GOT TO RIDE A MOTORCYCLE FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!!!

Me and my darling husband.

ZQuiet

2010-11-19T09:31:00.000-05:00

I snore.

Yes. That's right. Night after night, I wake up my husband by sawing logs "at the top of my lungs." Sometimes, I end up moving to the couch in order that we both can get some sleep. Well, it finally come to the point that I had to do something.

Enter the ZQuiet.

The ZQuiet is a mouth piece designed to hold your bottom jaw forward so that your airway is unblocked thus letting more air through and easing the snoring.

I received my ZQuiet in the mail yesterday for the 30-day trial. Last night I wore it. For a while, it seemed to work then I woke up and my bottom teeth were hurting so I took it out for a little while. Not too long after that though, D woke up and said "you took it out didn't you?"

So, I put it back in because apparently it works. I didn't get an amazing night rest, but I don't think I've gotten used to having a mouth piece in my mouth yet. But, hopefully in the next week, I'll see a change in the way I feel and the way I sleep. So, we shall see!

Speed Limits

2010-11-15T09:47:00.000-05:00

So, there is this man. I will call him Scott. Scott is a Sheriff's Deputy in the county that I live in. He also lives in the same town that I do. Many mornings he gets behind me on our way to work in the city that is about 20 minutes from our town.

Well, being the smart driver that I am, I drive the speed limit while Scott is behind me. Of course, I try to follow the speed limit as much as possible even when he is not there. But that's beside the point.

There is a bridge going into the city that I work in. The speed limit on said bridge? 35 MPH. Speed that Scott is going? A lot faster than 35. And no, he wasn't on the way to a call. He does this every time it seems like.

So, why is it that we can get pulled over for breaking the speed limit, but law enforcement can so blatantly break the same law as though they are above it.

So boo on them.

2010-11-13T19:42:00.000-05:00

You know you live in the country when you see this.

Did you vote?

2010-11-03T11:36:00.000-04:00

I most certainly did!

I got home last night around 6:30 and remembered that I had not voted. So off I went to the poll. To my surprise, this year, there was only 1 old lady working. The others were young people in their 20's. Last time I voted, which was in the 2008 for the big election, there was only old ladies working and it seemed to take forever.

NOTHING against old ladies, but they were a little slow.

But there wasn't a line last night since I had procrastinated and waited til it was almost over.

But yet, the Republican prevailed and reclaimed the House. And even got some in on the Senate.

Take a hint Obama!

2010-11-02T19:54:00.000-04:00

Derek's friend's baby arrived tonight.
8lbs. 6oz. 20 inches long.

Yay!

Halloween

2010-11-02T09:44:00.000-04:00

So what were you for Halloween?
Me? I'll get to that in a minute. I have to show you my brother.
Meet Poppa Locka!

That bling bling around his neck? Yeah, he made that! I told him I was quite impressed with his creativity in making that.

I'm guessing Poppa Locka is a pimp.

So Me... For Halloween, I was pissed. That's about all I was. First, the Georgia Bulldogs lost. Then, when we were on the way to take 2 of our friends home, they decide that we should go to Athens, which is probably a good 45 minutes away from where we were, to go to a haunted house.

I do not do haunted houses. I went to one last year that was set up in what looked to be semi- truck trailers. It turned out to be very scary and when I came out I was hyperventilating. Not fun. I didn't think clowns could be that scary.

So we go to Athens. The person who that told us where it was didn't know that the street he told us it was on was on the other side of town than what he said. So once we found that, we got there and THERE WAS NOTHING THERE. Turns out that the website we looked at was a 2008 website. Great. So we went to a gas station to ask about it. The guy said he thought it was there to but that we should try Lexington Road. Ok. That's on the other side of town. Yippee..... I am highly pissed by now because I'm wasting my gas for nothing. So we get to Lexington Road. Once again, NOTHING. We ended up eating at the Varsity.

I wasted almost 1/3 of a tank of gas just to end up eating at the Varsity. Ugh...........

Hope you had a happy Halloween!

Semi-Rant

2010-11-01T10:04:00.000-04:00

So this isn't really that big of a rant, but I have a tiny one.

Old house=Office building that I work in.

Office building being old house= EXTREMELY COLD.

Thank the Lord for space heaters.

2010-10-28T10:41:00.001-04:00

Odd but pretty mushroom outside our office. I'm assuming this is a mushroom. Maybe I should just say fungus.

Wild Game Supper

2010-10-28T09:39:00.000-04:00

Last night, the church that I attend had an event called "The Wild Game Supper". They have been having it for over five years now. Its an event mainly for men, but women do come.   The workers set up a banquet type hall. The men come and go through the buffet line that consists of "Wild Game".

This "wild game" is quail, duck, frog legs, chicken wings, gator, shrimp, shark, salmon and buffalo. I served the chicken wings. I would think that people would at least get the one thing that they know what it is. But no, there were a lot of people who passed on the chicken wings stating that they could have those any time.

"But they are wild chickens" I would tell them.

A few looked at me and laughed, a few like I was crazy. And some just waiting for me to pile their plate full of them. I do have to admit though, in past years, the wings were not that great because they were just smoking them and not putting any sauce or anything on them. This year, they put some kind of sauce on them. It was kinda like a spicy BBQ sauce. It was BANGING!!

When it was time for the servers to eat, I ate chicken wings. And some shrimp and buffalo. I tend to stick with things that I know I'll eat. I'm not too sure about the shark. And gator isn't that great unless its cooked right.

The quail looked like it needed some clothes. It was piled in a pan like little naked birds. I couldn't bring myself to eat any of it.

We had a good time though. I'm sure there were a lot of people who came to Christ. Fun times.

Pretty

2010-10-27T11:39:00.000-04:00

I saw the following video over at Bubblegum Diaries this morning. Thought I would share it. It's quite good. (Beware, she does drop the f-bomb once.)

The ladies named is Katie Makkai. I think she does a pretty good at defining the word pretty and showing how our world has warped the word.

Remember Me

2010-10-26T11:02:00.000-04:00

As of late, I have become a fan of Robert Pattinson. He is the guy that plays Edward in Twilight. I looked him up on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) to see what other movies he has played in. I looked through the pictures there then scanned the movie list.

He played a character named Tyler Hawkins in Remember Me. It is a 2010 movie that I'm guessing didn't make it to the theater. The girl that plays Allie is Emilie de Ravin who played Claire on LOST.

He is just as find in this movie.....

Here is the story line from IMDb.com: A romantic drama set in New York City during the summer of 2001, where Tyler, a rebellious young man, meets Ally through a twist of fate. Her spirit helps him heal after a family tragedy, though soon the circumstances that brought them together threaten to tear them apart.

SPOILER AHEAD. STOP READING IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE END.

I was really enjoying the movie and then it started playing that type music that makes you know that something is about to happen.

In the movie, Tyler tells his girlfriend that he's going to meet with his dad at his office. Tyler goes to meet with his father at his office only his father had decided to step up and be a dad to Tyler's little sister and he rode with her to school that morning. Tyler went on in to his dad's office and sat at his desk. He watched the screen on the computer as a slideshow of pictures went across. It was of Tyler, his little sister and his brother who had since committed suicide.

Tyler realized then that his dad really did love and care about him and his little sister. He moves over to the wall of windows and looks out. The camera then begins to pan away from the building and then I realize whats going on. I'm sitting there with me headphones in while Derek watches full ball and I say "Oh no...." Derek's like WHAT?!

Tyler is standing in his father's office that is located in one of the Twin Towers. Up to this point, the director keeps you in the dark as to what the point of the movie is about. Then it all hits you at once.

The movie cuts to the little sister in class. The teacher gets her attention and then walks by the chalk board and written on the board is Tuesday, September 11, 2001.

For real? You're going there?

I almost couldn't believe that the director had done that, but on the other hand, he knows how to bring out emotions in people. It cut to the mother coming out of her house and wondering what's going on. She runs to the end of the street and sees it. Then to his father who steps out of his car and sees it. The look on the father's face says it all. And then it cuts to Tyler's roommate and girlfriend. They run out to the roof of the building and see it.

The Towers had been hit and Tyler died. HE DIED! I was sitting there crying because he died! I told Derek had I know that's how it would have ended, I may not have watched it. It was good, but still... he died and I cried. Grrr... he died.

Car Troubles

2010-10-25T12:57:00.000-04:00

So, Saturday I was on the way to a house warming party at a friend's house that was about 25 minutes away. I was just driving along, maybe 10 minutes from her house, and my car starts decelerating even though I'm giving it gas. And then a red light with a battery inside comes on.

Ok... this is just great.

I start pulling off the road and the power steering isn't working. Of course that was because my car had shut off. Just great. So I call Derek. He has to go get gas in his vehicle before he can come get me. He didn't realize just how far out I was from the house.

When he gets there, he hooks up the jumper cables between the vehicles. He lets it charge for a few minutes and then tries to crank my car. It would crank but it wouldn't stay crunk. So eventually, we decided to call the wrecker service. They take it too the mechanic that we usually take our vehicles to and luckily they have a contract with that mechanic where they just bill the mechanic. Yay. Because I had no money at the time to pay him.

That was Saturday.

We prayed at church yesterday that the fix for my car wouldn't cost much. That was Sunday.

This morning, I took a half day off work so that we could figure something our about my car. We went up there and he hadn't check it, but he had MOVED the car. He moved it! WHAT!
He said "Oh, was it not supposed to crank?" Um. No. So we explained what happened and he was like "oh ok, well give me about 45 minutes to check it out. "

So I drop Derek off to work at the church for a little while and I went home. About 11:15 Derek calls and says that so far the mechanic hasn't found anything. Great.... Guess I'd be driving the Astro to work. Whooopie......

Derek called me at work about about 10 minutes ago to tell me that the mechanic had driven it about a 5 mile route, 3 different times trying everything he could think of to cause it to fail again. Nothing. He told Derek "I don't know."

So, it's best to think positive about situations. I told Derek "I'm going to believe that God was saving me from something. There may have been something down the road that may have happened, but he kept me from it. And as far as nothing being wrong with my car, that is an answered prayer."

Derek said that he and Mama had just been talking about that, that it may have been God saving me from something. So we are going to leave me car for the rest of the afternoon to let him keep looking at it and then we'll go get it when I get off work.

So after all the things that I've been through, being robbed at gun point, living through an auto accident where someone else lost their life, I still believe that God works in mysterious ways and that things happen for a purpose. I'll never know this side of Heaven what he saved me from, but I'm just glad I'm here to give him the glory.

Face painting for a friend

2010-10-16T08:46:00.001-04:00

My fingers may look like I did a lot but I had only opened the bottles.

I've been bitten.

2010-10-14T10:11:00.000-04:00

When all the hype began when Twilight came out, I didn't understand it. I thought that it was just one of those movies that had a cute actor that all the girls went gaga over. The cute one I refer to is Jacob. He dark skinned. Dark hair. Built. Hot. That all I knew or cared to know.

The student who was working in our office at the time was a Twilight fanatic. She read the books, watched the movies, and tried to convince me that I needed to see the movies. I wouldn't budge. It was just a vampire movie and blah blah blah.

That was until I watched Twilight.

I stayed up until midnight the other night watching Twilight because I didn't want to turn it off. The movie makers have a way of drawing you into the movie. I was so into that movie, and it was so late when I watched it, I dreamed about Twilight and vampires all night.

After watching Twilight, I had to see the other movies. All I'm gonna say is I love Twilight.

And.... TEAM EDWARD! I feel like a teen aged girl again going gaga over a guy. Yeah, I'm married and I absolutely love my husband. But I think its ok to say, Edward is hot. And who doesn't have a celebrity crush? Not really a crush. But you have those certain celebrities that you like and see all their movies and what not. I have a few of those. Ben Affleck. Vin Diesel. And now I can add Robert Pattinson to that list. For now anyway.

Seriously... Look at that face....

Emotional Eating

2010-10-12T11:08:00.000-04:00

So... I've been trying to do good with my eating, but at times, I can't help but to eat. Well, yes, I know I can help it. But you know that there are those times when there is a certain emotion or emotions that trigger that want of something. Whether its something sweet or salty or sour, there is that something that you want to "sooth" you.

One of those emotions that does it for me is anger. And, this morning, I got angry. It might have been a petty thing that I got angry over, but quite frankly, I don't like people making me feel like an idiot. If a person has bad hand writing, that doesn't give them the right to make someone feel stupid because they can't read the horrible hand writing. And then to point at it and read slow and talk to me like I am a child?! You are asking for a bad rest of the day.

So, while I was out on errands this morning, I stopped at the convenience store for the convenience of the sweet things there. I got a cherry Dr. Pepper and a brownie. I know, shame on me. But guess what IT WAS GOOD! Did it make me feel any better? A little, but not really. But that little bit of happiness or whatever you want to call it that that brownie brought quickly dissipated when I had to enter back into the presence of the one who thinks he's above all others.

Let me stop now before I say something I shouldn't. But yeah... I emotionally ate. My bad.

2010-10-12T10:56:00.002-04:00

All I'm going to say is that I'm tired of the narcissistic crap. PERIOD!

2010-10-07T08:12:00.000-04:00

Why does the sun seem to shine so much brighter on cold mornings?

Self Sufficiency

2010-10-05T11:24:00.000-04:00

So... I live in the country and have all my life. My parents own cows. My dad cuts hay for those cows. We don't use those cows to survive though. I guess you could say they are a source of emergency income. Something happens? Need money? Sell a cow. And during the spring/summer my mom plants a garden. Of course, this past growing season, all we got was squash. I'm not sure exactly what happen to the tomato plants. They just didn't put out.

So then there are the people who live out in the country and are almost totally self sufficient. They have a garden without or maybe with a greenhouse. They have means of storing their crops. They have animals that they use. Chickens. Cows. Goats. For the most part, they live off what they grow.

Being a person who has always known the world of technology, I've been exploring what it means to be self sufficient. I have realized how technology impacts my everyday life. Like right now, I'm using a computer to post to my blog. Back in the day, people just had paper journals and sometimes people would read them, sometimes not.

I have a car. This allows me to drive the 20-25 minutes to my work. Could I do it on a bike? In my current physical condition? No. It would take a whole lot longer to make that trip.
I also have a cell phone. The impact that it has is not always a good one. I feel lost if I leave home without it. It connects me to people I may need to call. It connects me to Facebook. It connects me to my email. I guess the most important thing is that it connects me to 911 if needed. And sometimes I think, what did people do back in the day? They dealt.

At home, I have a computer, TV, air conditioning, microwave, stove/oven, heat. What would I do if the power grid in America suddenly shut down and we were without power for an extended amount of time. Die? No. Not necessarily. If I was self sufficient, I might have learned how to deal with not having A/C. I might know how to build a fire to keep warm. I might know how to cook on that fire. I wouldn't write blogs on the internet. I wouldn't have Facebook. And we all know the world will stop if Facebook goes down. :P

So I am seriously thinking of making some changes and doing some things to help me become more self sufficient.

What do you do that is self sufficient? How does technology affect your life?

Belated Blog B-Day

2010-10-04T14:28:00.000-04:00

I knew, but for some reason forgot that my blogoversary, blog b-day... whatever you want to call it, was in September. And I missed it. Oh well... Be late than never I say!!! I think this is my 5th year!

Rain Rain... go away?

2010-09-29T14:11:00.000-04:00

It has been raining for almost 4 days now. Yesterday I don't think it rained, but it seems like its just been a drab week all week long.

I'm not exactly sure if it is the rainy weather that is making me tired, lack of sleep or that I have been forgetting to take my thyroid medicine. I know... crucify me for not taking my medicine. I keep forgetting to take it out of my purse and put it with my other medication that I take in the morning. So then I forget to take it on a daily basis which is horrible for my mood and body.

The past 2 nights haven't been that bad on the sleep front though. I woke up some, but it didn't take me long at all to go to sleep. Oh well...guess I'll just go home and take a nap.

Fall Festival

2010-09-28T13:58:00.000-04:00

This past Saturday, I went to two fall festivals. There was one in the town that I live in and one that is about 30 minutes away.

About the one in my town: There was a lot of yard sales going on. You would think that a fall festival consists of rides for kids, and craft booths, and good food. Where I live... yard sales. But, there was some food trailers and tents. I didn't partake of any of the food though. It was way too early in the morning for jumbo shrimp and BBQ.

I saw someone that I had worked with before. She said "There are so many Mexicans here you can barely walk." I just simply said, " Welcome to America." I don't mean any offense in that, but it is true that our area has become heavily populated with Mexicans. But what area hasn't right? I think it all has to do with the chicken house industry around here. There are A LOT of chicken houses around here. In fact, the house we are looking at has 4 chicken houses about 100 yards from the house. But we really like the house.

Back to the fall festival. There were some craft booths with homemade crafts. Some booths had homemade cakes and fried pies. No, not literally a big pie that is fried. Its a little turnover pie that you can hold.... that is fried.

This town, that only has a 4-way stop and a blinking red light, has 6 antique stores, 4 or 5 of which are all on the square. We went in one. It was cute. They had some cool things.

So here are some pics:
This candle, though small, has a big smell.
Smells just like a lemonade cake. I love it!

This was one of the few booths that had homemade goodies.

Mmmm.. Cake! And some sort of preserves or spread after that...

These bottles had been melted to look this way. I thought

these were awesome!! The lady said you could bring your

own bottle and get it melted like this.

I LOVE BOTTLES!!!!!

And this lovely lady was making baskets...

I told her to smile and she started laughing because I

wanted to take her picture. She was sweet.

I got more photos later from the other fall festival!!

Football and Monopoly

2010-09-26T14:19:00.001-04:00

Friday night, D and I went to went to a local football game with some friends and their son. It was fun, but the team we were cheering for was losing horribly so we left in about the 3rd quarter. Isaiah, one of the friends, had been chatting back and forth on Facebook about playing monopoly. We had played before and he and Derek beat me so this time I told him he was going to get the smack down.... Well, he did. So he was out and then it came down to me and his wife Kara. She beat me. Its all good though, we had a blast. We hadn't hung out with them in a while since they had moved to Atlanta, but now they are back so we wanted to spend some time with them. Here are some pics:
The mascot goes to our church... The little boy is Elijah, Kara and Isaiah's son.

Isaiah and Derek

I've got loads of pictures from 2 fall festivals and a local concert from Saturday so come on back tomorrow!!

The Boogie Man

2010-09-23T10:52:00.000-04:00

So lets get to the story of the Boogie Man at the Redneck Wedding.

Little boy Cooper is the son of the dad with the really bad hair cut. Cooper's hair wasn't any better. It wasn't shaved on top, but it was still a mullet. And imagine, this little boy talked with the thickest southern accent I've ever heard other than Paula Dean y'all.

This is a picture of Cooper and his Mama. Its a little blurry cause he wouldn't stay still.

After the ceremony was finished, the Groom, Derek and I went out back. When we stepped out the back door, Cooper and another little boy, that we'll call Michael since I don't know his real name, were out on the stoop. Cooper had gather all the electronic tea lights and stacked them on top of a 1/2 cement block. I asked what they were doing and Cooper said they were "camping". Okay. That's cute. I made the mistake of telling them to be careful that the Boogie Man doesn't get them.

It was obvious that Cooper had already been enlightened to the existence of the Boogie Man because he responded "We'll be okay. I've got muscles to fight him off." I told him to watch out cause the Boogie Man likes fire. He said ok and I walked over to where Derek and the Groom were standing across the drive from the building.

I told Derek that I was going to go "play" with the kids. So I walked back over to where Cooper was. I pretended that I had been running from the Boogie Man. Cooper got excited. "Where's he at?! Let's go get him!" So we started back over towards the trees. Cooper walking like he was about to whoop up on the Boogie Man. Derek and the groom were standing under the trees in all black. I said "Watch out! There's two of em!" Cooper was looking up in the trees, "WHERE?!"

Then someone stepped out the door and called for Cooper. I told him to go on, that I was gonna go find the Boogie Man. A few minutes later here he comes running back out there. I asked what he was doing and he said "I've come to protect you." "I've got my husband to protect me." He said," But I've got muscles." "My husband has muscles to. You need to go protect your friend so the Boogie Man doesn't get him." He said "You think? I'll go do that." He ran off.

Not even 5 minutes later, here comes Michael. "What are you doing?" I asked. "I want to see the Boogie Man." I told him that was a bad idea. "You know how to keep the Boogie Man away?" I asked. "No, how?" I picked up two sticks and clacked them together a couple of times. "You do that, and he won't come anywhere around you. Go show Cooper." So Michael went running back across the grass clacking the sticks together. We laughed our heads off.

So when we were going back inside, we got to the stoop and Cooper asked if I wanted to camp. I told him no but then I noticed a rope. "What's the rope for? You gonna string up the Boogie Man when you catch him?" Cooper said "No, we're fishing."

I looked at him. "With just a rope?" "Yeah." So I sat down on the edge of the stoop. I grabbed the rope and the longer stick that I had given Michael. Cooper watched me and asked what I was doing. I tied the rope to the stick. "I'm making a fishing pole." I took it and pretended I was casting it. Michael grabbed the end of the rope and said "You got a big one!!" So I pretended I was reeling it in and held up the line and said "Look at that one!! He's huge!" Cooper said, "Let me try." I handed him the "pole" and told him to have fun. I got up and went inside.

Never in my life have I been to a wedding and ended up pretend camping and fishing with a kid and his mullet. The things I do.

In the spirit of the boogie man... here's a video!

Redneck Wedding

2010-09-21T13:30:00.000-04:00

I can now say that I have been to a redneck wedding.

Here is the proof:

At the last minute someone backed out and my husband had to stand in. He's the best looking one up there....

Someone forgot to tell one of the groomsmen and that groomsmen's son that it was black shirts, not white.

This girl, I don't think there is anything that needs to be said about her.

I mean come on... skater shoes with a dress??

This man's hair cut is horrific! It's shaved to about half way down the back of his head.

Then its all party! LOL. And his son's hair isn't any better. Like father like son.

Another lovely hairstyle in hickville. I mean seriously.

But you can't really say anything. Both people with horrific hair had on blue jeans and t-shirt.

The lovely wedding cake.......

Someone's aunt did it. I think they need to learn more about fondant.

Would anyone agree???

But don't get me wrong.. the cake tasted amazing!.... besides the fondant.

And lastly, the buffet.

Hamburgers, hotdogs, baked beans, slaw, chips and dip and fruit salad with fruit punch.

This was my first experience at a redneck wedding.... there is another story to come though.

UGA v. Arkansas

2010-09-19T13:54:00.000-04:00

If you're a GA fan, we all know that they lost to the Arkansas Razorbacks.
But here are some pics I took yesterday before we got started selling drinks.

THE DAWG WALK

Alone Time

2010-09-17T09:39:00.000-04:00

Last night was the first night in a very long time that I was able to have some alone time.

There was no one in the house but me and the dogs. No one to bug me about anything. So I sat and watched TV and ate the hamburger helper that I made. There was so much more that I could have done, but at the moment, all I wanted to do was sit. So that's what I did.

I should have slept to get some rest and try and get over this cold that seems to be taking over. Hopefully it will ease off some by tomorrow. We are going to volunteer at the UGA v. Arkansas game tomorrow. No, I will not be climbing stairs this time. I was told that I will be the change girl. I'll stand out by the entrance to the tunnel where we go out and if someone comes in for change, they will just stop at me instead. That seems like the better decision for me.

And I get to watch the game!

I think I'll be taking my camera tomorrow. That way I'll get some better pics. So look for some pics Saturday night or Sunday! GO DAWGS!!!