Landlocked and dreaming of white sand beaches......

Yes, I know it’s Friday (thank goodness!!!) and normally I blog about my fur babies, but they are at home with the puppy daddy.

Last night, I could not sleep after returning to my parent’s house (coffee after 5pm, rich food and two martinis with my friends at the Cheesecake Factory, turned on the tv….) and I have no clue why. HGTV’s International House Hunters (my obsession), a show I watch from time to time was on and they were in Belize. It was a couple from Texas who up and decided they wanted to move to Belize….(oh how jealous was I!) So, they are look for a nice little home ($1.8 mil) to settle down and raise a family. (I’m sorry and you do WHAT for a living at only 36, that you are buying a $1.8 million dollar home ….in BELIZE!? Could you PLEASE adopt me….Ken won’t mind, really.) Then I flip to Travel Channel Top 10 I am completely longing for a vacation somewhere beautiful!

Ken and I bought into a vacation club/ roaming timeshare during our honeymoon (reasons not to have several mimosa with breakfast) ……Not the best idea since he stopped taking a salary two months later, but whatever. God is taking care of us. I haven’t been on the beach or out of the country in almost a year and I feel landlocked. Yes, I have been stalking vacation websites during lunch and dreaming about when we can afford plane tickets.

If you could be anywhere right now vacation wise, where would you be? I decided last night I’d be in Belize.


Yep this is also Belize. Amazing diving there.

Notes From the Bridal Brain - Ceiling decor

Found this breath taking photo on The Knot Real Weddings: Heather & Jamie of Naples, FL (Photos: Donna Newman Photography; Event Planning: 50Fifty Creative Services; Location: The Ritz-Carlton, Naples.) I Loved loved that they get it!!!

“Location, location, location”………..



is not only important in real estate, but can be critical in event planning, especially a wedding. Take your time when looking and find a place where you get the most ambience for your money. The wrong location combined with the wrong décor can kill the perfect event.

The Knot has a great article 17 ways to spruce up your Site Today we are going to cover the issue with ceilings. You might think, “NO one ever looks at the ceiling”…..Oh, but they do. Plus ceiling décor is a great way to make an over sized space seem cozy and/or elegant. Another option is to create taller table arrangements.

I am currently planning a wedding for a youth minister and they have chosen to have the reception at the church. This is a great choice for them, it not only fits budget wise, but reflects who they are as a couple. From a planning aspect, what makes for a good warehouse church ceiling does NOT make for a breath-taking reception. The bride-to-be and I have been toying with ideas. She brought an amazing picture of an art deco chandelier. While renting a chandelier of this magnitude would sky rocket their budget, after studying the photo, I realized how easy it will be to fabricate. We are also going to use inexpensive fabric and a few white Christmas lights to transform this modern warehouse church into a reception of Pride and Prejudice (Bride’s favor book and movie) elegance.

Here are a few photos to inspire you. The pictures below are all from The Knot’s Real weddings and are not my creations. (On a business trip and forgot my camera and jump drive at home.)

OSB - Week 7 / Fat Tuesday

Ugh! I’m on a business trip in Atlanta (Yay, I’m home for a whole week!!!!! And get to spend time with Mamma Spawn, Goo and my girlfriends!!!!) traffic stinks, but just think of all the calories I might be burning while I’m (yelling at other drivers and sitting in traffic for an hour and a half each way which totals 3 hours of my life I will never get back) having a pleasant drive with my fellow commuters.

OSB -I have not clue what I weigh right now and I say this week doesn’t count! So there! The only exercise I am getting is walking from meetings, typing, walking to and from the printer (I know, I work for a company who seeks to make the world a little more green by replacing fax machines and consolidating all business communication via the web and I LOVE paper. I print, print, print and keep files. (Head hanging, I have a BIG carbon foot print. However, unless the office burns to the ground my files are safe whereas I have all ready found how much info can be lost when you trust these stupid machines. Nope, I’m NOT a techie; I just sell and market the stuff!))

Since yesterday was Fat Tuesday and (I needed an excuse to drink, eat fabulous food, party, and shovel chocolate into my mouth one last time) I’m Catholic, we went to Copland’s. All I can say is, Dear Copland’s thank you, thank you, thank you for pouring my first hurricane so heavy handed. It was a great way to wash away the stress of my day. Also the seafood stuffed artichokes were simply FAB-U-LouS!!!! The Jazz band was rockin’. Yes, that was me dancing in my seat and I appreciate the beads without having to go through the regular Marti grais debauchery to obtain them. Yes, my parents and friends are fabulous for paying and allowing me to crash their little party. They are one wild crowd and I love that about them. So yesterday really was FAT Tuesday for me.

With that said, I gave up all sweets for Lent. Woohoo, 40-days without chocolate!!! I thought about giving up coffee as well, but I wasn’t sure Ken would make it all 40 days with my being deprived of chocolate and coffee. Really, I did it for him. I am attending noon mass around the corner from the office (I will have a smudge for half the day.) and will have an opportunity to explain what the ashes on my head represent. Ok ok, as much as I joke about being Catholic, eating all the chocolate I can get, and my smudge, today really is a BIG day and I take it seriously.

Anyway, on to the Operation Skinny Bitch. Still drinking LOTS of water. The whole giving up sweets thing should help out a LOT (doing for God will be some much easier than just not eating sweets. I have increased my fiber (FiberOne cereal is yummy!!!), and I did a little weight loss research about nutrition and exercise hope this helps you guys too.

Sorry for the randomness of this blog. I suppose something as serious as Lent and Operation Skinny Bitch don't really go together, but you know me.....if it is on my mind.........its in the blog. Enjoy and for those of you with smudges; I'm with you and may you have a blessed Lent.......for those of you without sudges; ask, learn, and join if you wish. Take care and may God bless you all. And for those of you who don't beleive in God, he believes in you so be blessed as well.

Oops Update: For those of you interested in Operation Skinny Bitch , please click on the link and check it out. Its a group with the common goal of weight loss, the healthy way. We weigh in each Wednesday and report our progress or small set backs. Share recipes, exercise, tips and in general support each other in saying YES to a healthier life style.

¡Gracias tanto!

Wow, La Vie est belle! of Southern Bride enjoys my blog and sent an award. Thanks so much!

And in honor of the Oscars on Sunday, (sniff) "I'd first like to thank God for his many blessings in my life and I cannot forget Mamma Spawn because she has always believed in me. Next I'd like to thank Ken for supporting me and understanding how much I enjoy blogging even though I sometimes spend WAY too much time doing so......." (Music begins and I get kicked off the stage.)

These blog are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight more bloggers who must choose eight more bloggers and include this cleverly written text in the body of their award.

And my nominees for this award, based on the fact that I really enjoy reading their blogs, their great comments, and in general they seem like a great group of ladies are (sorry, I'm stuck in Oscar mode.) Ok, ok, they seem cool and if they lived near by I'd invite them out to girls night drinks...........Check these ladies out.

Lindsey I love her honesty and heart warming stories about being a newlywed.
Chloie What can I say, I just enjoy reading about her life and upcoming wedding.
E This chick is down to Earth and not a day goes by when she does not make me laugh. She also has amazing photos.
The Shabby Princess I am a new follower of her's but have really enjoyed the read.
Running in Stilettos She has a very cute blog.
In His Time
Rachael I have known her all her life, lost touch and have reconnected via email and blog. She has such a cute family.

Yep, He's a Keeper

In my Barbie ways I thought my ideal man was always the well dressed corporate type or the somewhat geeky computer guy. Blond hair and big blues eyes had always turned my head. I wasn’t seeking to be the next Real Housewife of (whatever city), I enjoy working and making my own money always have and probably always will. I guess I was looking for the perfect Ken…….. and like the right perfect shoes, the perfect man was harder to find than I thought. My plans of being married by 25 and children by 30 flew by. God was apparently NOT on the same schedule I was. After many tears, prayers, and frustration…….. I came to realize God’s way MUST be the right way. So, I got my own life together and stopped looking (well , kind of). After my family and friends pushed me, I joined Match.com thinking if nothing else….it would shut the people I love up for the time being. Over the first 3 months I had gone on a few dates, but not much came of it. I just hadn’t found what I was looking for. Then this guy in South Carolina wrote a message something like, “The Saint Louis Cardinals suck!” A yeah, whatever 34-year-old smoker, construction worker, dark hair, brown eyes, non-Catholic, Cleveland teams (Browns, Indians, Ohio State) fan….as IF we have anything in common.



But, never one to back down from a challenge I wrote him back. Addressing my email to his dog (pictured with him), “Dear Miss Weimaraner: Please tell your owner that I do not make a habit of insulting other people’s teams and I might add that he may want to take a look at the Cardinals record this year (on the road to the World Series where they later won. Ha ha) where as what have the Indians done lately and don’t get me started on the Cleveland Borwns, PLEASE!”

Needless to say……This stubborn man was EXACTLY what God had in mind. Our first date, he brought me roses (first to ever do it and surprisingly I wasn’t weirded out by it.) I found my normally uptight “be perfect, be perfect” self relaxing, because to be honest…….I didn’t care if I offended this guy or IF he never called me again. That first night he said I few things I found insulting, but instead of kicking him out of my car, I saw it as a challenge. And before I knew it the date lasted longer and longer and he attended mass with me the next morning even though I hadn’t dropped him off at his hotel until after our late night movie let out.

I was invited it South Carolina for our second date. He showed me the houses he and his brother built. My construction worker was actually a general contractor in the business side of things rather than wearing a tool belt and who could forget that beautiful dog. While I was there, I met his parents, friends and his brother and his family. Who does that on a second date? NOT ME. Still not freaked out………. He went on a fishing trip and called me five times at two am while out with the boys. Told me I was the best thing to ever happen to him….(Drunk MUCH!?) Yes, but he also told me he loved me. THIS freaked me out. How could this guy I only knew for a month, be in love with me? Within 7 months he asked me to marry him, within 11 months after that we were married and I moved to SC. (WAY faster than I have EVER moved in a relationship.)


One of our engagement photos.

Ken is my polar opposite in almost every way. The yin to my yang. I’m Corporate Barbie: He’s Construction Ken. I plan out every outfit I wear down to my jewelry, shoes, etc; all he cares about is if it is clean. I’m domestic; he’s outdoorsy. I can follow a recipe and make fancy meals; he finds leftovers, a few spices and can create an amazing meal. He’s quick to anger, yells a lot and quick to forgive, whereas if I’m slow to anger, quietly evil and hold a grudge forever. We are both the most stubborn people you could meet.


At GI Barbie's wedding.

Its somewhat odd that someone who seems all wrong for me would be exactly what I needed. Albeit, I’m not the typical Barbie girl so why would I have the typical Ken? This man of mine can be wonderful and on aspects he is somewhat less than wonderful, he is willing to work on and that’s why he’s a keeper.

Its Monday Again; Wasn't ME

YAY, its Monday and I'm in Atlanta all week. The only thing good about Mondays is denying everything I do during the week. This lovely form of therapy was NOT created by MckMama. GO check what she didn't do this week.

It did NOT just occur to me that I forgot to turn in my Internet bill with my January expense report, which means I just cheated myself out of $50 for the month, who is honestly that careless when every dollar counts and our corporate office won't let me double up this month. But, IF that had happened, my FEBRUARY bill would have all ready been sent the second I got it, right.

While trying to figure out when Easter is this year (April 12), I did NOT ponder for a half an hour thinking we had plans that weekend, but couldn't put my finger on it.....Like someone was getting married...."Who the heck gets married Easter weekend?!".....Then later realized WE got married April 12th last year. Ooops. What kind of newlywed forgets their first anniversary even for a few minutes? But, since it did not happen...... I also did NOT tell Ken when Easter was and ask him what was going on that weekend and HE did NOT automatically know what that day was. I mean, IF that had happened what kind of wife would that make me?

I am NOT learning SO much from my first give-away and what NOT to do for next time. On the same note, I did NOT schedule the contest to end while I'm on a business trip and where I'll have to lug the budvase with me in order to send it in a timely fashion.

Ken was NOT touched by watching "Fireproof" on Saturday and suggest it to other men. This movie and work book was NOT suggested to us before Christmas when we completely did NOT need it and Ken did NOT make a comment to the sales person which proved we so did need to watch. I also did NOT know that GOD is still working on our marriage. 317 days of marriage and counting!!!!

After announcing that someone had forgotten their coffee cup at church and running after the guys, when he came back in and said "Oh I came back in of my coffee cup." I did NOT say, "Oh you did? How funny I was just asking whose cup this was." He did NOT over hear me and that was why he was coming back. Blond, much, NOT ME.

What did you NOT do this week?

Scootie Scoo - One Uppy Puppy

Ewwwwwww, what's dat?!!! I'm little I wanna see too!!














See Gizzie I told you da Mommy was making puppy cookies.















When will the cookies be finished?














ok FINE, I chewed a whole in your sheets while you were in the closet getting dressed.















But, It didn't chew the toy basket!!! I promise!















Why are you yelling? I'm trying to help you find your files.















What do you mean this is Daddy's PS2 remote? It's puppy sized!





















Happy Friday bloggy peoples.It's Scootie. I think I was bad. Da Mommy has been yelling lots. But, I didn't do nuffin!! And let me tell you, she says her doesn't believe in spankins, but she sure believed in them five minutes ago. She's posting pictures, but don't beleive them. It was ALL gizzie but da mommy doesn't beleive me. Tell her!!!! a'cause I didn't do nuffin! OH and I wanna cookie.

OSB - Week 6 - OH baby

Ok ok, I was a slacker. My mother-in-law made chocolate chip oatmeal chocolates, my favorite. The uppies were not walked, it was cold out and I have been a bum. I gained a pound.

With that said, do you hear ticking?..........I'm nearing the tenth anniversary of my 21st birthday and have been feeling baby fever. (Yes, that is me as a little person. I couldn't find any of Ken.) Babies are everywhere.......... At the grocery store.....little blue eyes are smiling at me. At church I receive a giggle and a wave. I long for a little person. Do a little web looking for a dress to wear to the Colorado wedding, low and behold..... so many designers make maternity clothes. Bump around Target without thinking...end up in the baby section. Hello, GOD ....are you trying to tell me something?

Ken was ready to have babies once we were engaged. At 37 he worries he will be too old. I know he will be an amazing daddy, that's one of the reasons I kept him. :D He says he agrees with my thoughts that "he needs to have regular work and pay checks before we "try" and that we needed to be married for at least a year (one year April 12th)." I know I am the only one holding us back. If I don't kick this baby fever soon.......Surprise!!!!!!

So, my dear readers....... How do you kick longing for a baby, you know without actually having one? I know people raise well adjusted children all the time while pinching pennies, but I know I could not raise a child with the amount of stress I've been feeling about work, money, and the economy. Any thoughts?

In the Kitchen - Chicken Noodle Soup with a kick

Homemade Chicken Noodle soup

Half a pound of chicken (skinless, boneless, cut into bite sized pieces.)
2 (14 oz) cans low sodium chicken broth
4 cups of water
2 vegetable bouillon cubes
2 cups chopped carrots
2 cups frozen peas (Ken doesn't like celery)
half a medium onion
several dashes of pepper
dash and a half of Cayenne Pepper
1 clove garlic minced
8 OZ wide egg noodles

1. In a large pot over high heat, bring chopped chicken to a boil (until white all the way through) in chicken broth, water, bouillon, pepper.
2. Reduce heat to medium, add remaining ingredients. Cook 10 minutes.
3. Reduce to a simmer for 30 minutes.

This dish is one of the few which is completely my own and I wing it every time. This is my attempt to put what I do in writing, but then again I may have forgetten something. It has the Ken stamp approval of my recipe is better than his and recieved the honor of "Yes, please put the leftovers in my lunch tomorrow." LOL. I suppose he liked it, eh? The Cayenne really helps kick it up a notch. Enjoy!

It's Monday Again - It's wasn't Me

Good morning, Happy President's Day. This fun Monday event was created by MckMama at My Charming Kids For this perfectionist, its a great way to find joy in my imperfections and laugh at myself. AND A WAY WE GO.......

I did NOT make a deal with Ken that we weren't doing anything for Valentine's Day and then do everything in my power to nudge him into purchasing a bracelet from Random Moments website. Who does that? (He bought it!!!)

I do NOT praise GOD again that there was enough money to pay bills again this week, then calculate next weeks, freak out because we would be short and then take a deep breath knowing that GOd can do SO much in a single week. (Found out Ken will have another check on Friday! Thank you, GOD!!!)

Who would allow their corporate office's email (They will no longer allow us to discount anything, but yet we must sell, sell, sell) on Friday make them SO frustrated they would spend the rest of their day looking for other career opportunities? NOT ME

I did NOT give Ken his Valentine's Day present early and he has NOT all ready polished all of his chocolate off.

Who was that woman having baby fever so bad that she stuck her belly out in the mirror Saturday morning, just to "see what it might be like"? Wasn't ME because WE are completely not ready yet. Ken still needs a steady income.

I did NOT mess up the sauce for chicken wantons (My family's recipe) we were taking to the family fish fry (with the in-laws and our friends from Greenville), then eat so much Walleye on Saturday that I felt sick.

Without thinking about money, I did NOT tell the hubs that IF he really wants to go on the fishing trip in June, we'll make it happen but that means I'm going to see GI Barbie and her baby in DC. Its good to give the man something to focus on. (smiles)

I was NOT then tired just thinking about how busy our Spring is going to be. (Our one year anniv., Wedding in CO in April, Wedding in TN in May, Man fishing trip in June, I'm in DC in July.....)

I was NOT so moved while singing in church that I cried a little and then realized other women were as well.

I am NOT mad that we are not off work for President's Day. I needed the extra sleep, despite falling asleep during the movie at 8pm last night.

What did you "NOT" do this week?

Scootie Scoo and Gizzie Too - Bestest Day EVER

Hi. I’m Scooter! For da new people, I am da baby of the Wick family. Daddy found me almost six months ago. Sometimes, I’m VERY uppy.

I was SOOOO happy dis morning. Da mommy woked up early, me and Gizzie got brefast early. I was so ‘cited that I jumped up and down all da way to my house.




Den da daddy waked up tooo. Early and every fing! So, we played bally. My new bally is my favorite, a’cause its just my size. I get my own stuffs, a’cause me and Gizzie don’t share good. It’s all her, really.






Den Mommy said we were REALLY good, so we got a bowl of cubies each. I love love LOVE cubies. Day are my favorite! Mommy waves her hand and da magic fridge-a-tader gives ‘em to us. Its so ‘citing.




Den mommy went bye bye for a little bit. And when she got back, I cried free times for her ‘til she put down the bags and gave me lovin’s. “Mommy, mommy, hi, hi hi.!”.





But, I got ‘stracted a’cause the bags her had were smelly, like good smelly. I dink day had nummies inside. I helped.



Since we had such a full morning, me and Gizzie too a nap on the couch. I love my Gizzie. She’s the bestest sister ever. That’s why I nip at her ears, legs and face all the time.

My Very First Giveaway

Let's face the facts, I need readers and to expand my circle of bloggy friends. With making jewelry and starting event planning, I need some traffic.

Our give-away: Kate Spade (New York) "Madison Square" Cylinder bud Vase, 7 1/2" - Full Lead Crystal.

I've adapted Mojito Maven's giveaway rules so you can enter one of 3 ways:

1. Leave a comment on this post and you will be entered once!

2. Become a follower (or if you are already a follower) of this blog AND leave a comment on this post and you will be entered 2 times!

3. Create a blog post about this GIVEAWAY, link back to this post, and leave me a comment letting me know you created a post and you will be entered 4 times!!
4. The contest will close Thursday, February 26th at 5pm EST. I will draw the winner and post on Friday. That winner will have until Monday at 5pm EST to contact me about their prize, otherwise a new name shall be drawn Tuesday morning, etc.

We will leave this open of two weeks from Today!!! Yes, and I am such a dork that I wrote it in my paper calendar, uploaded to my phone, etc.

Keeping up with three blogs was getting to be too much. My writing, spelling, content, actual job,etc were suffering for it. Much room for improvement.....Here is what you can expect from here on out my dear readers. (Yep, its a list....brace yourself.)

Mondays will be Not-Me's, Tuesdays: something about married life: cooking, recipes, my need for inprovement, Ken stories, whatever. Wednesdays: Operation Skinny Bitch Thursdays: Notes From the Bridal Brain (information about weddings, party planning, and the like. Fridays: Scootie Scoo and Gizzie Too (I'm supposed to be writing a book, but I'm a slacker. I couldn't even keep up with the blog.)

I hope you enjoy and Happy reading.

OSB - Week 5

I was able to stick to my goal of eating somewhat better. Ok, fine I still have one trouffle a day, but would you REALLY its just so Ken survives the week. If I drank any more water, I'd float. Ken apparently lost 17 pounds on the potato chip diet, the buttface. I honestly don't get it. He drinks 3 glasses of soda a day and easily eats two exact meals after dinner and is dropping pounds. I (loath is about him) am so proud of him. I have not been eating anything beyond 8 pm. It paid off though....I lost 4 pounds!!! Woohoo!! Happy Dance!!!!

If you'd like to join the Operation Skinny Bitches follow the link.

In the Kitchen - Mexican Casserole

Tonight's menu consists of Layered Mexican Tortilla Cheese Casserole out of my Favorite Brand Name Comfort Food cookbook (I'd give you a linky, but Target and Amazon are out of them right now. That and I found mine at Ross a few years ago for $8! I so LOVE a good deal.) This cookbook has the Ken approval rating of "You can make anything out of this book for me to eat!" (Very high marks indeed. LOL) Yes, sadly my great cookbook are flagged with post-its on what recipes Ken will and will not eat. In my opinion part of the reason this book has high ratings is that each recipe has a picture. My man is one that, if it looks gross (healthy), he wants nothing to do with it. In just 25 more minutes, we shall see if my version looks half as fabulous as there's. By the way, we will have none of that corn tortilla, corn and black beans aren't that great for you.... (Even if the OSB weigh in is tomorrow. Well, crap, I forgot about that! ARGH!......Whatever.)

Oh in other fabulous news (yes, I am well aware that fabulous is used FAR too often. Mamma Spawn would agree. No I don't need a thesaurus, thank you very much!) Ok, back to my point. I had a small happy dance at the grocery store (Bi-Lo, they give an extra discount for bringing your own reduce-reuse bags!!!! (Yes, I'm THAT woman walking into a foor store with my Target bags.) A discount is a discount and every penny counts right now. I mean hello, if I save five to ten bucks, I could actually go shopping again at TJ Maxx or Marshalls. Hello.....new clothes or home decor or hmmmm more beads.

Anyway, if you try the recipe I hope you enjoy.

Jewelry Love

I *heart* jewelry, it is one of my MANY weaknesses (note: clothes, shoes, Coach, purses, Burberry, plaid, French silk ice cream, wine, Starbucks, stoppping.....ok so you get it.) The jewelry making began because I found a fab-u-lous pair of red flats (my every own ruby-red slippers. Yes, I did just so happen to go ask Dorothy for Halloween that year.) I wear a lot of black (slimming qualities, yay.) but I love to add a splash of color to set it off. I simply could not find the perfect red necklace to go with my shoes. Or IF I found it it was over $200 (Are you kidding me...not even garnet........that's a Coach purse! So, I went to my local craft store and just so happened upon the exact beads I needed. And thus it began. After moving to SC ladies began to remark on a few pieces I had made. Then there was a gentle nudge from the blogging world and I have been obsessed ever since. Hey is what I have made so far:

Necklace in progress. I think there will be a bracelet for this on as well. Donno yet.


These are mine and kind of what kicked off my jewelry making over the summer. The thing with the ribbon is a Cleveland Browns necklace. I'm a fan by marriage and made a few of my fellow Browns Babes at our local Browns Backer Club. (Ken is el presidente next year.)


Earrings








Necklaces that will be for sale once I get my stuff together.


Bracelets

As you can see I'm still (an idiot when it comes to taking pictures)photographically challenged and my items will be for sale once I get my stuff together.

Its Monday again and It wasn't mE

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

And away we go......

I did NOT get so excited about date night last Thursday that I got all dressed up, blogged about it, took pictures, then misplaced camera which I still cannot find. On the same note, I did NOT eat NOR do I highly recommend Olive Garden's Strawberry Lemoncello Martini, salad, chicken gnocchi ma...something and the black tie moose cake. They weren't fabulous...at all... and the thought of them is NOT making my mouth water.

I DO NOT need Teacher Barbie's(BFF in ATL) help to take pictures of my jewelry, because no matter what I do, I simply could not get it right. Which does not matter right now considering I have no clue where my camera is.

Ken did NOT get all huffy about my wanting a personal day on Saturday. When his "understanding" wife asked if he was hoping to spend quality time with her and he replied (I worry someone might hit on you.) "no, but can not understand why she would want to do something so hooky as going to Starbucks to read a book." And he did NOT keep this up for so long that his wife did NOT lay down the law by saying...her getting hit on was a given (I was in evil mode) and that his saying such things was implying that SHE would forget that she was married. Even though out of ALL the people in the world she chose HIM to marry. The vows were taken seriously.

My personal day was NOT spent not only at Starbucks ($0 thanks to a gift card from Momma Spawn), bought a new shirt at TJ Maxx ($14 less the $10 left on our gift card making it $5 out of pocket), I did NOT whisper to the shoes that I would be back some other time. Nor did I happen into Michael's drooled over more beads and happened to spend $12.

NOT to add to the Ken list of things which did NOT happen this weekend. I was NOT accused of shinking his shirts or that because I work from home you'd think I could manage to iron his shirts instead of making jewelry all the time. The man knows better than to tempted a woman in the middle of PMS. Surely he does.

I was also NOT asked if we were a refuge for dust bunnies and perhaps I should hop on that. (This man apparently wants to have bodily harm come to him.)I did NOT then clean like crazy rather than making myself a widow.

Ken also did NOT make Walleye (one of my faves. He doesn't eat fish) for me for lunch AND cook dinner. (Guilty much, I think so.)

My niece (the 21-year-old) and I did NOT run/walk three miles at the dam yesterday and my muscle are great! Ha ha yeah, right.

There are NOT embrassing photos of me in high school posted on Facebook and I have NOT spent the better part of my morning commenting to people and then scanning in a little black mail of my own. You know what they say about pay back......

UGH!!!! The Big Dog did NOT just rub her bum up against my leg, leaving a lovely poo stain on my tan capris. I did NOT just tell you that, because that would be gross.

I DID NOT just share that with you and I'm sure the questions are NOT going to come rolling in. It gets worse and perha-ps I'll share some other time.

What didn't you do this today?

Too blessed to be stressed

(Photo from our honeymoon in Cancun. I took this from our table at dinner one night. Oh, how I long to go back.)

What I have experienced this week is nothing less than a miracle. I am a planner.....worrier...whatever you want to call it. I stress about money and being "poor" probably more than is healthy. It wakes me up at night. (Yes, I know there are many people far less fortunate than I and just how ungrateful that might make me sound.) So, handing everything over God and submitting to his control is far from effortless. Sadly, I had stopped giving as much to God and other charities in my own little effort to budget everything. It did not feel good.

A wise woman (close family friend with a great understanding of the world.) told me last week that although I did not have the life I had planned on, I was exactly where I am supposed to be. That if I stopped worrying so much that God's many blessings would shine through. That when I stress so much I block out God's goodness. Then I left the tv on too long and the "700 Club" came on. They said something about someone saying that God was not a slot machine. The 700 Club stated something like, "God is the ultimate slot machine. You give him a little and his blessings will abound." (Ah, hello, God...You talking to me?) So, I took a deep breath and a leap of faith. I said Prayer of Jabez, gave some money to God and waited patiently, for once.

Monday, I got a commission check I wasn't expecting, I got two leads on accounts which could not only set my month, but blow my year out of the water, and then today another unexpected check arrived. Ever the planner, I crunched the numbers, and I kid you not the new amount is nearly to the penny of what was needed to get us to our next pay period. God's way of saying, "Hey, you.....I got it covered!" All I could do was be thankful, so much so that, yes, I cried.

Once again I am reminded that, "Where there is hope, there can be faith. Where there is faith, miracles can occur." I wish you all many blessings.

EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Mamma Spawn and I in The Vista my bachelorett weekend. St. Patty's Day '08.)
Yay, Date NIGHT!!!!!! I cannot tell you how excited I am over a little night out to dinner with the hubs. Our neighbors, who rock and work at Olive Garden, gave Ken a gift certificate for his birthday the other week. It has been SO long since we've eaten out that I feel this is cause to celebrate. In true Barbie fashion I'm wearing my sexy trouser jeans, a dressy cowl-neck sweater (it was 17 this morning), my bra and panties match (these used to ALWAYS match, but funny how marriage changes that.), and I will unbox my favorite suede Ann Taylor heels. I'm going all out. Let's just hope Ken picks up on my "this is a date" vibe and doesn't decide to wear a Ohio State Sweatshirt. How disappointing would that be.....

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Ms. Random Moments at Another day in the Same Life wants to hear a few honest truths' about me.

1. I love Ken so very much, but I sometimes recall the single Barbie days with fondness. Not that I miss the dating world or would trade Ken at all. Heck no! But, those wonderful days of being in my apartment all by myself where my space was as clean or messy as I wanted it. My money was all mine......Coach purses, new shoes, and buying a new dress to attend a wedding or have a special night out were done without having to think about purchasing dog food or that Ken's truck needs gas. All that "material stuff" is less important now, but sometimes I miss it just a little.

2. Emily Post has nothing on me about manors. Its an obsession. My grandmothers had a lot to do with it. I was raised almost like a debutant without the huge sums of money to back it up. However, we have always been comfortable money wise. Always being told sit up straight, shoulders back, glide when you walk, have the best table manors whether you're eating with a homeless person or the Queen of England, the way your home looks is your calling card and reflects you. All this has added to my need to be perfect ALL the time and my Barbiedom. At times I am sure I come off as rather ridged, but its exhausting trying to relax when in the back of your mind you hear 'Be perfect' 'be perfect'. Poor Ken knows I have to bite my tongue about some of things he does. And I worry when we have children. Don't get me wrong, that need for perfection has helped me as well. I'm pretty good at planning a party or Public Relations, because I am always thinking of the what-ifs and being prepared for anything to happen.

3. I cannot go anywhere without Orbits gum and a large napkin supply in my car.

4. I adore Audrey Hepburn movies. I own six. I watch at least two a month.

5. Hmmm, Ms. Moments me too. "I adore lists. Lists, lists, LISTS. The feel of pen on paper. Getting all my to-dos and wants and ideas out on paper in numeric order. Scratching things off my list. So incredibly satisfying. Hmm."

6. I loathe being cold. Like that bone chilling, no matter how much coffee you drink or clothes you put on still cannot get warm, kind of cold. I will take being too hot over too cold any day of the week.

7. I enjoy cooking as I said before I can follow recipes, but I am passionate about baking. Breads, cookies, cakes, whatever. Not so hot for the waist line, but who trusts a skinny cook anyway...... Cookies and milk/hot cocoa can make almost any day look better. (smiles) Mmm, cookies fresh out of the over are my weakness.

8. I long to get back into pottery, dance, or yoga. Working from home I have cabin favor and SO need a creative outlet. The jewelry making is helping. Sad to say but in the last week or so, I have gone through all of my findings and am now brave enough to working with my sterling silver stuff and will work my way up to white gold. Yay, for the fact that Mamma Spawn is SO like me about projects. She gets excited about something drops a WHOLE lot of money on it and then years later, I'm interested and get all of her stuff.

9. Call me crazy but I had an almost crippling fear of aliens (the space kind, not foreigners) up until I was 16. Not that they would take me up into their ship and do bad things to me, but that they communicated with me through telepathy in my dreams. I have always had crazy dreams or I guess night terrors about aliens. Even Mamma Spawn will tell you that as a baby I would move my fingers as if communicating with someone or something while I was asleep in my car seat. It freaked her out. Think the new show "Fringe". Hmmm, could be why I'm not obsessed with watching the show. I know, I'm odd.

10. As a little kid I had NO clue I was multiracial and that having parents of different races made me different. In Catholic kindergarten the kids all said I must be adopted. I was SURE my mom was lying to me when she said I wasn't. However, I look (with a better tan) and act so much like her at my age, that I could be her clone.

And now I shall tag:

Who ever drops by my blog and is interested in participating. I would love to know more about you guys.

In the Kitchen

What’s for dinner? Jambalaya. Yummy!!!! Ken’s response was that HE did not eat Jambalaya, because he didn’t like the okra and other “stuff” that is in it. “Ah, yeah, Babe, that’s gumbo. Same region on the dish, so two points there.” I *heart* Jambalaya, especially on a cold day. I like it SO much, I decided to share the family recipe which has been passed down from generation to generation…………Open a box of Zatarain’s Jambalaya mix (tee hee, I know I know) add boiling water, add chopped turkey sausage, and cook for 25 minutes. (smiles) Ok ok, so I cheat on making Jambalaya, but I am the third generation in my family to use Zatarain’s. I did make scratch biscuits, and sadly they are not that good this go-round.

Ken is a better cook than I am. Shhhh. He can find an onion, left over turkey burger, and potatoes and whip up a fabulous meal. Whereas I can follow a recipe like a champ! Oh and the beautiful thing about Jambalaya….when you mistakenly set the oven timer for 9 more HOURS instead of 9 more MINUTES and everything is stuck to the bottom of the pan 15 minutes later…because you were ah …blogging. ……..You just have to add more water and everything is right as rain.

And no I have not eaten four, yes count them 4 of my not so great biscuits while waiting for my hubby to get home. It’s six o’clock and do you know where you husband is? I don’t. Ok, so the response I got when called was "Still working. Call you later." Which is cool with me.

Blog shall be updated with pictures later.

What's one of your favorite cold (It didn't get above 35 here today.) weather meals?

OSB - Week 4

I wish I could tell you all the great things I've done to shed "x" amount of pounds and woohoo I'm SO on track!!! However, the eating right and exercising kinda feel off as of last Wednesday......I went to Atlanta. While I could give you excuses like, my routine got all out of whack and its the time of the month where I simply MUST have dark chocolate and BBQ chips......... But, I won't. I am accountable for what I put into my body. As I said before I'm an all or nothing kind of girl, so last week was nothing and this week, I'll "try" to give it my ALL, again. Ok so I gained a pound and a half this week. Not a huge deal (pardon the pun) but enough to let me know I really need to get back on track.

In other news, Ms. Random Moments inspired me to go from novice jewelry maker to an earring making diva. I have been on these hour long conference calls where my boss does all the talking and I am mainly there to take notes on what my customers want, answers to questions they have, etc. So, I have to listen enough to answer questions and provide information. No following up on emails, quoting accounts, or whatever can be done, because those actually require my focus. So, I decided to make earrings while on my calls. Oh the beauty of working from home. anyhoo, I have made 17 pairs of earrings over 3 conference calls. The hard part is going to be parting with them. More on that later, because I have to ask Ms. Moments how to take proper pictures of my craft. I suggest heading over to her page, she has some VERY cute items for sale and is currently running a contest.

I'm considering have a little contest of my own, but what I need is a pretty big request, therefore needs a big prize......More on that later as well.

I've Been Tagged

I was tagged by Running in Stilettos This is a fun little light hearted blog full of questions.

Here are the rules:


1. Respond and Rework - answer the questions on your own blog, then replace your least fave question with a new one, and add one more question of your own.


2. Tag 8 other un-tagged bloggers!


Here we go:


Q. Make a list of things you can see without getting up.
A. The uppy puppies house, double sided fire place (my new office is in the keeping room), Dining room table, plants that need to be watered.


Q. What are you wearing right now?
A. Oh you would ask me this TODAY. Purple paisley pj bottoms, Kens red Carharts sweat shirt (I was cold and haven't showered yet. Gross and so not Barbie-like, I know.), Coach glasses (had to redeem a few Barbie points) and slippers.


Q. What's the last thing you read/are currently reading?
A. "Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks was my fun read, but if you go for what I am currently reading. The draft of our go-to market for our partner program.


Q. Do you nap a lot?
A. I wish I could. I have never was able to fall asleep, even as a kid.


Q. Who is the last person you hugged?
A. The Uppy. Its his first birthday.


Q. What is your current obsession?
A. Blogging


Q. What was the last thing you said aloud?
A. "Yes, the meeting MUST be a 5pm our time. The end-user is in California. Will that work? Otherwise, I'll get another tech on the call."


Q. What websites do you visit when you go online?
A. Yahoo, Blogger, Facebook and various clothing sites


Q. What was the last thing you bought?
A. A new drill for Ken. Yep we are living on the edge over here.

Q. What is your favorite weather and why?
A. I agree with R in S, "I love fall. The air is crisp with cool mornings and evenings. Perfect college football weather!" and will add Spring, when it is beginning to warm up. 80 with just enough of a breeze to wear a light jacket. All the flowers in bloom.


Q. What time do you usually get up?
A. 6:50 am That's when the pups potty and I make Ken's lunch.


Q. What is your most challenging goal right now?
A. Personal goal = weight loss and not being so stressed. Family goal = becoming debt free.


Q. Say something to the person who tagged you.
A. Running in Stilettos...........you make me laugh and you love of fashion is right in keeping with mine.


Q. If you could have a house - fully furnished and anywhere in the world - where would it be?
A. The island of Mystique


Q. Favorite vacation spot?
A. Well, as a rule of thumb, "Have passport will travel." Top picks: Domestic....Key Largo, FL; St. Louis, Mo and Atlanta, GA (home); San Diego, CA; New York. Outside the US........Los Cabos, Mexico and London, England. I dream of Ireland and Japan.


Q. What is your favorite item of clothing?
A. Oh I cannot pick just one.


Q. Name one thing you can't resist, no matter how bad it is for you?
A. Chocolate. I *heart* it in almost all forms. Sushi!!!! and Pasta.


Q. Favorite pair of shoes you keep going back too, over and over?
A. Comfort= New Balance running shoes OR KEENS, Summer = Rocket Dog flip flops OR lime green espadrilles, Heels = I cannot just pick one pair. Winter = Jennifer Moore knee high boots OR Merrell hiking boots


Q. What is your favorite restaurant?
A. Arcaboscio's or Imo's Pizza in St. Louis, Mo; Canoe or The Food Studio in Atlanta, GA.

Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?
A. People with unruly children (Ok correction, unruly parents. I don't mind kids being kids, however if they are out of your eye site in a store...your fault. If they have to scream nd cry in the middle of Target to tell you they have to potty 11 times, before you stop telling them to shut-up, YOUR fault!) Bad dressers = don't wear a sweat suit into the office or to church; flip- flops in all the wrong area ie: when its 32 degrees outside; and dress right for your body type. If you are 50..NO mini skirts with knee high boots, people!


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New Question:
Q: What are you most excited about right now?
A: The call I just got about a lead for more work for Ken (woot* woot* my Honey will bringin' home more bacon.) and date night on Thursday!!!!



I tag:
Random Moments

Lindsey

Chloie
Erica

Ok so I could only come up with 4 people. Whatever!