Swine Flu

I came across this today and laughed out loud. Perfect timing for the whole swine flu issue.

While my heart and prayers go out to the family who lost their baby (only reported US death) to the swine flu , I am also sick (pun intended) of the media making a bigger deal out of this than it needs to be. Hello, media...STOP trying to freak everyone out over this. Tons of people die each year from the regular flu. We all know the flu stinks. If you are sick, go to the doctor, otherwise the only extra precautions needed are wash your freakin' hands more often and IF you are sick, keep your bum at home. Problem solved. Tomorrow, I'll take on our current economic state. (just kidding, that would take more than one day.)

Sorry, to hop on the soapbox, but as of late, I feel like I cannot watch the news. I grow tired of all the gloom and doom.

Is any one else feeling the same way?

Walk Down Memory Lane - Missing my twin

Come for a walk with me down Memory Lane!
And if you have a "Memory Lane" post, head on over to Scottsville to join in on the fun!

Ok, for my first "WDML" post, I am going to introduce you to My Twin aka GI Barbie.....I am really missing her right now.

When my family moved to Georgia, my freshman year of high school, one of the first people I met was this sassy girl from Texas (LOL. Sorry, E you're not the only Texan in my life. LOL) We were like sisters from another mother within in a month. All the big events in my life we have been together. People began calling us "the twins" our freshman year because we looked a little alike and since we are both only children.... we are the closest either of us had to having a real twin. She is the yin to my yang.

On our way to the Citrus Bowl our freshman year of high school. (See why people called us twins. LOL)

Our Junior year of high school.

Our senior year of high school.

Hanging out before she went to Iraq. (Do I have some crazy eyes going on in this pic or what!)

Taking in a Braves game before she moved to DC.

Her hen party.

On her wedding day.

My Hen party that she organized. St. Patty's Day in the Vista, SC. Yes, I had been drinking.


Together at my wedding.

(sigh) So it has been a year since I have seen her and I am missing her like crazy. And today, I received an email with her new family photos. My little "niece" is so freaking cute and I haven't even met her yet. So, I broke down in tears. I miss my twin so very much and hope to fly, drive whatever to DC to see her soon.

Friend OR Stalker

In this digital age we live in, I have found that we willingly post all kinds of detailed information about ourselves on the web via Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and all the other social networking sites out that almost anyone can find you. Kind of creepy, eh!?

However, sometimes these things can be good as well. I have a bloggy friend whom I have come to consider a close friend. She is fabulous. Any way, today is her birthday and she was not really looking forward to it. So, last week I decided to send her a birthday surprise. SO....I stalked her, but in a good way. I found out where she worked from a social networking site we are connected to each other on and then googled for her office address. Erica's gift (LOL, Yeah she even blogged about it. )

While she was curious how I found out all that information, I knew she would be cool with being stalked since it was ME and for a good reason. You see that's the thing. There is a fine line between stalker and friend and the difference is your relationship with that person. IE: On our first date my now hubby brought me red roses (the first to ever do that.) It was cool because I liked him. IF some of the other people I had dated had done the same thing.....odd!

So there you have it.....I am a stalker. LOL.

Funny or NOT

Before you get all excited...I am NOT with child. I am, however, in Atlanta on business again! (Yay, I get see Mama Spawn!!! Who currently has a fever of 101. but, is felling better today.) Anyway, my favorite radio station here is All the Hits Q100 which you can listen to on online. Their morning show cracks me up. This morning they had gotten an email from a pregnant woman who received an email with a song about being pregnant which SHE did not find funny. I, on the other hand, laughed out loud, because while the song is cheesy, the message is so true about (some) pregnant. So please go have a listen here and look under "Pregnant women are smug". Do I only think this is funny because I don't have kids yet, or is it funny?

Spring = New shoes!!!

Ok, is it me or does spring bring out the desire to go shopping in you too? So, I'm on a mission this season to get a pair of cute black sandals. Ken would tell you that I have a zillion pairs of black shoes and he has no clue why I need more. But, the real reason is that I feel I am too old to wear cheap flip flops any more. That and they have been bothering my feet. The words NO ARCH SUPPORT comes to mind.

Since I cannot afford the really good shoes I love, we are going to my next favorite summer shoe... Oka b. I'm not one for huge product endorsements and I'm completely NOT getting free shoes for this. Although OKA b, if you are reading this and feel like helping a shoenista out, I wear a size 8!!!!! Any way LOVE LOVE LOVE these shoes! They are made in the USA, machine washable and completely recyclable. Plus they come in a TON of colors and have good support for your feet. Plus they blog, people what more could you ask for. LOL. I own a pair in black (like the ones above and bought a pair in chocolate for Mamma Spawn two years back. So, I was looking at their flip flops and about getting another pair of the Madison in navy blue or white.

Hello 4 am

(gasping for air, cough cough cough) What the heck was that?!

Hmmm Ken didn't hear that. But, what was that?

Oh wait...that was me....

Gross, I think there was something in my throat..

Please say it wasn't a bug, please say it wasn't a bug!!

Oh, gross!!! Ugh! I read or heard somewhere that people swallow thousands of bugs while sleeping.

Please, NOT have been a bug.

Ewww, because IF that was a bug...........it was HUGE.

Maybe it was....... a bogey.......Nah, that's kinda gross too. But, at least it wasn't a bug, eh?

Did I really just say that? Ah, yeah I did.

Why is the hall light still on? (It's on a timer.)

Maybe I can slip out of bed, pee and drink some water.

Don't wake the fur babies. Don't wake the fur babies.

(in bathroom) Aw MAN!!!! "Hi, Gizzie! Hi my good girl." Great! Now they are going to want to pee too. UGH!!!!

Ken: "Babe, you ok!? Why are you up?"

"Yeah, just had to pee. And of course you know they now have to go as well." I cannot go any where without my furtourage (fur entourage). Between Ken and them, I am never without being followed and checked on.

(Dogs outside.) Grrrrrr, Scooter ate the little stoppers for the timer. Crazy little bugger!! "UGH! FOUR AM!!!!"

(Back in bed with the uppies and Ken.) Hmmm, not sleepy!

Is it me, or do all women obsess of crazy stuff like this at all hours of the night?

Ah, I suppose I do normally wish for an extra two hours in my day.......So, I have them in a way. What would you do with an extra two hours in your day? Albeit, I might miss this time not sleeping later.

By the way, the picture above is of sun set not sun rise, but its 0400, work with me people.

Happy Earth Day

I tend to be less than a tree hugger, but I do understand the importance of taking care of the Earth. I mean, we drink organic milk and I planted an organic garden, but I know there is still much that I could (should) be doing. I have a rain barrel to water my plants even though Ken still uses our sprinkler system to water the grass. We recycle, drink filtered tap water, believe in using reusable water containers and I take my our reduce reuse shopping bags.......... But, still my thoughts on the whole tree hugging thing can best be said by this picture.

What can I say....I leave a big footprint, but at least I'm doing in cute shoes....... LOL. I'm a shoenista!

What are you guys up to honor of Earth day?

MIA

Yes, I know I have been neglecting my bloggy friends and I am sorry. I just have a LOT on my plate right now. I miss you guys too.

You see, I began blogging when I was very unhappy with where my life was headed. That and I was in a new city that did not feel like home at all. And I have met some REALLY cool people that I honestly would call bloggy friends, we'd probably be much closer if we all lived down the street from one another. With that said....here is what I have been up to:

Being a wife Ken and I are better than ever. In the last six months we have become stronger as a couple and I am much more in love with him than I ever thought possible. We are working together on many common goals and have been very busy. Needless to say, he likes it when I'm not blogging while he is home.Plus he has been coming home early some days and we have been working in the garden or taking the pups for a walk.

The regular job: My current employer has made it VERY clear that we all better get our bums in gear and make numbers or else!!! Although Ken has been working regularly (thanks to GOD!), the housing market here is still not what it was, so my having a job is highly important.

Chasing the dream: This one.......... I am busting with excitement over!!! The full time event planning thing is currently on its way to actuality. The key is keeping the main job until I can completely make the switch. I've been busy making arrangements for the two weddings I am doing at the end of May. On top of that, I fully intend on having a reception hall / event center of my own. No clue where the cash is going to come from or how it will all come about, but I have been writing my business plan, praying and getting all my ducks in a row. It is awesome to see things unfold that all point to this dream coming to fruition.


On a side note: I had plans of buying this place, did a whole lot of research to find out who owned it since it is basically a run down building...Ah yeah, found out last Monday the guy wants $1.4 mill for it. (And since, you know, I have that kind of cash in a shoe box under my bed........LOL.) Needless to say, I had to say I am passing on the purchase at this time. So, the search for an event center is on. Other than that I have been coordinating an event at our church (The outdoor cafe) that will continue for the next three months.

I promise to try to do better about blogging.

God bless Wireless

Dear God...........Thank you, thank you, thank you for wireless....phones, computers and of course Internet!!!!



Ok I admit, I have complained about my job when really in the current state of things I am really grateful to have a job at all. Working from home is not for everyone and I had thought this many a day over the last year. What can I say, unless you are doing something you love, telecommuting is not as productive as it could be.




As of right now.....I take back any negative thought I have ever had about working from home. I write to you from my new office. (smiles. Teehee.) As you can see the new office is much larger and has a rather nice view.




My new office furniture is compliments of a family friend. Yay, for nice hand-me-downs!!!!! The coworkers really like the new digs are well.



With the weather forecast of 75 to 85 for the rest of the week, I foresee this being our location for the time being. All I can say is, God bless wireless! Now if only we could get my computer battery to last more than two hours. Ah well, that's why we have really long extension cords, right?!

Hope you all are enjoying spring as much as I am!!!

Silly Hubby

This was the scene at the Barbie house (LOL.) on Monday.

Ken: "You ate half my chocolate!"

ME: "No, I did not. Hello, yesterday was Easter and the first day I could even eat chocolate!"

Jump to last night.........

Ken: "I really want some chocolate! I wish I had some."

After returning from the kitchen. Me: "Open your hand. Here."

Ken: "Hey, that's from my Easter candy! You did take my chocolate!"

ME: "You said I ate your chocolate. Which I didn't. I never said I hadn't hidden your chocolate from you."

Ken: "That's not right! You shouldn't hide my chocolate from me!"

Me: "Look, I know how you are. If you had the whole bag of chocolate, you would have eaten it all by now. You ate the other half a bag of chocolate in three days! It would be wrong only IF I ate all of your chocolate. I'm not eating it, I'm protecting you from yourself!"

Ken: "Whatever! I still don't like it."................"So when can I have more of the hidden chocolate?"

Me: "In your lunch tomorrow."


The picture above is unrelated to the story above other than it is from my favorite chocolate maker back home. When I think of the perfect chocolate.....it is them hands down!

Koo koo bear contest issue

Ugh!!! Ok, here's the situation.......an acquaintance from college entered her child into a baby modeling contest and emailed all of us so we would vote for her child. She linked us directly to her little one. So, out of curiosity....I looked at all the contestants before voting. Oops! Here is my issue....While her child is VERY cute, there is another contestant whom I deem the best by far. So....do I vote for the friend's child (She is the only reason I know about the contest in the first place, after all)? OR to I vote for the child I think is the best?

Not sure the mother would even know what I voted, but I'm just not sure what to do yet. So, I am linking you guys to the contest. Perhaps you will pick her child to win. Any way, I am waiting to vote until I figure out what I want to do. I'm sure its not all that big a deal, but I'm stuck. I mean, if I put one of the uppies into a contest, I would hope all whom I told about it would vote for them. Hmmm, I guess I have my answer, eh?!

Too close for comfort

My beloved little puppy man,

We both had such a bad day Monday. I know that it was not your fault that I was mad, but having my dream of my special events hall experience a setback by that man's rediculous offer to sell his location for $1.4 million. This information just made me upset. So, I didn't tell you that the puppy had to stay as I was walking out the front door to go get puppy food. You were a very bad boy for running away and not listening when I told you to stop. Daddy and I did not need an almost two mile sprint after you. Man, you are fast. I was very mad at you for chasing cars and nearly getting hit many times. Cars are BAD things unless we are going for a ride. Had anything happen to you; I would have been heartbroken. I am so glad that God heard my prayers that nothing would happen to you. I am sure you were upset too as I sat on the kitchen floor crying over you while we were both covered in mud.

Buddy, you are my little fuzzy man and I love you so very much. Please stay in the house or the back yard like you are supposed to. I will do my part as well, we are going to puppy classes so that we both learn how to behave so this NEVER happens again.

Love you bunches, baby bear! - Da puppy mommy

Easter Sunday

We had so much fun on Easter. When asked if he needed an Easter bag this year, Ken broke out the big puppy eyes and said he needed one!!! LOL. So, my big man got his Easter basket. No pictures, but he got underwear (no clue how the Easter bunny knew he needed those.), a golf shirt (thanks to TJ Maxx for having a sale!!!), jelly beans, and chocolate eggs.

At church I have been coordinating / decorating an outdoor cafe before service and below is the center piece I made. Then the rest are pictures of the cafe. I have been having so much fun with it.









Guest table.

This time last year!!!!!!

Guess what I was doing this time last year....... LOL. I was marrying my Ken. We are celebrating tonight with a fancy meal at home since our first anniv. is the same day as Easter. Needless to say, I have our wedding on the brain. It was one of the most wonderful days of my life and I am more in love with Ken today than ever. (P.S. I had a hard time picking which pictures to add, so sorry I know there are a lot. Our photog rocked. But I hope you enjoy them.)


Ken and the "boys"








My Nana



Sister-in-law and nieces(9 and 20).





The "girls": (left to right) Malibu/ PR Barbie (friend from college), Mommy Barbie (friend from HS), GI Barbie (my twin. Best friend from HS.), ME, Teacher Barbie (bestest best from HS), Lillip (bridesman. Buddy from HS), The Stpeher (family friend.)














No big church wedding. I'm catholic and Ken is not. So we got married at The Metropolitan Club (GA) by Ken's Pastor (now our's in SC.)








Our first dance.



Goo (step-dad) and our father-daughter dance.



My bestest best making me cry my eyes out.



Oh chocolate goodness!!!!



I love you, but that BETTER go in my mouth and not on my face.



Doing what I love best.