It's About the Journey

Hobby Farm in the Making

2012-02-18T10:40:00.000-06:00

I am fully aware of my surroundings and that I DON”T live on a 600 acre dairy farm any longer BUT is that going to stop me from turning my 1 ACRE home into some what of a hobby farm?....

HECK NO!

I have my garden which, as I have told, I’m ssssoooo excited about, my sprouts are growing like weeds and I know I’m going to be a successful vegetable farmer.

On top of that I have been brainstorming about what else I could get over the past month or so. Most of my ideas have got shot down by Lincoln like the mini goat, pot bellied pig, and the guineas. I also suggested maybe we could get some chickens, then we could get eggs and they could get bugs out of the garden. That was shot down too…or so I thought.

Last week we were getting ready for the day and Lincoln asked me if I still wanted some chickens?!

One of his friends was getting rid of the ones he had to make room for new ones. I said sure. I didn’t put much weight into it just because I knew Lincoln wasn’t keen on having a million farm animals running around the yard and I think he sort of thought I wouldn’t take responsibility for them and would leave it to him. LOL

But he worked out the coop plans over the weekend with one of our friends, gathered supplies from my parent’s house, and had a great coop built by Tuesday afternoon.

I was thinking some little ramshackle chicken coop but NO SIR this thing is legit.

Tuesday night Lincoln went off to buy and bring the chickens home. We got 2 roosters and 9 hens.

One rooster came with a name, Gustar, and the other one we named Pete.

Gustar

The hens aren’t named yet but I think my favorite one so far is a fat little brown one.

The first night Hercules didn’t know what to think so he sat and barked at his boundary towards the chickens ALL NIGHT LONG! I figured if I could get him used to them then he would leave them alone so the next night when I got home we were going to try it out.

I pull into the drive way and Lincoln says didn’t you get my text…obviously it was an important one but I hadn’t got it. He said that when he went out to check the chickens had laid 5 eggs!

We were so excited.

We walked down to check them out and I brought a hen out in my arms to show to Herc and let him get a sniff. When I squatted down he was sniffing around and the hen started going crazy…this made Herc get really excited. After a few rounds of this he just stepped back still curious but not that interested.

I thought..hhmmm he doesn’t care much for them so I walked a few steps back to the coop and let the hen down on the ground and WOW it was on!

Before I knew it the hen was running zig zag patterns and Herc was on the hunt. He got shocked and sent back to the house before he could sink his teeth in but the chicken was excited and still on the loose. It went behind the coop by the fence, Lincoln and I tried corralling it but it slipped out of my hands and through the neighbor’s fence. UHHHGGG

So me, in my rubber boots and wind pants, hop the fence to ~~chase~~ catch the chicken.

It was a cluster to say the least.

I was running back and forth trying not to bust my butt.

FINALLY I grab the hen and give it to Lincoln to put away and then I hear a yell….I’M SURE GLAD YOU CAUGHT THAT THING YOU’RE FUN TO WATCH! I turn around and the neighbors were on their way out their driveway and had to stop and enjoy the show…. J I’m so glad I could provide entertainment for everyone.

Lincoln said when we were getting the coop and things together…."Now I’m getting you all this but the chickens and taking care of them is going to be on you."

SURE

that has already changed and we are only in the first few days. He has talked to all his friends, researched on the internet, and gotten all these ideas how to make our chickens and the coop all it can be. LOL

He even put a fallen limb and an old tire in there for them to roost on and lay eggs in.

Needles to say we are loving our new additions and are very pleased that they are such great producers.

Who knows what we’ll get into next!

Should vs Am

2012-02-18T08:56:00.003-06:00

Ok this Saturday morning I got up around 7:45 and planned on going straight to the office after making myself a cup of coffee and plunging into my INTERNAL AUDITING homework so I can be done for the day.

Let's just say that I got my coffee made....I'm now on my second cup and I did log into school but got side tracked over here.

Go check out Rachael, who lives in Amsterdam with her fiance and travels all over. JEALOUS! (about the traveling all over)

Anywho, needless to say Rachael is WWAAYYY more intersting that auditing so that's about as far as I have gotten.

Plus ontop of checking out cool blogs my mind keeps slipping away to WHERE CAN I TRAVEL TO? Now this is always on my mind but as of late it's REALLY on my mind. I can credit my big tax refund to that....THANKS UNCLE SAM (for once). I am itching and scratching to go somewhere but main problem....no time off from work.

Sigh! Life is hard, I know.

Ok so I'm going to finish learning about Rachael and lusting over her travels then I promise I'm going to burry myself in auditing.

Happy Saturday!

Spicing up Supper

2012-02-16T20:42:00.001-06:00

I’ve been trying to broaden my supper menu and this week so far I think I have done a great job. I can’t keep from bragging about this meal, not because it’s so special and difficult to put together but because it is something new to me and is different from my day to day menu. Last night I made salmon patties or as Lincoln would call them salmon croquettes said in a really fancy almost proper British accent LOL J, black eyed peas, and …… mashed cauliflower. I heard about this in the kitchen at work a couple weeks back and have been itching to try it out. I have been trying to cook and eat healthier so I was really looking forward to this test run of something new and different. It turned out amazing and I can honestly say that I wouldn’t mind substituting mashed potatoes for mashed cauliflower every time. Don’t get me wrong I’m still very much a meat and potatoes type of girl but mashed potatoes could hit the road….but don’t hold your breath waiting on me to give up all other forms of potatoes. I made my cauliflower just like I would my potatoes…. Break into medium size florets, boil until fork tender, strain, and then mix with mixer using the same ingredients you would your potatoes. I also threw in a few cloves of garlic in my boiling pot to give it a bit of added flavor. I was so impressed and excited with my supper! It turned out better than I had hoped or even imagines cauliflower could. If you haven’t tried this give it a whirl I’m sure you will be as impressed as I was.

not my picture...stole it from pintrest

Other stuff on themenu…. Salmon steaks, broccoli rice of roni and green beans! YUMMO

And this weekend I plan on making some variation of beef stew!! I’ll keep you posted.

I was so excited & surprised...

2012-02-07T20:18:00.000-06:00

when I logged onto Amazon.com this past weekend to spend my Kindle gift cards and found that James Patterson is coming out with another Women's Murder Club novel!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am beyond excited and couldn't click that pre-order button fast enough. It doesn't come out until May 7th but at least it's coming period.

I thought that after the 10th book that was going to be it.

Out of all of James Patterson books this series is my favorite.

I read them so fast and they just suck you in. With the amount of gift cards I had racked up from Christmas I got to buy about 8 books and I am glad I had to pre-order the best one since I will want to save it for a last good read and savor every page.

click on the pic and it will take you to Amazon.com so you can get your own copy!

What Amazon says about it (sounds so good):

Your best friendLindsay Boxer is pregnant at last! But her work doesn't slow for a second. When millionaire Chaz Smith is mercilessly gunned down, she discovers that the murder weapon is linked to the deaths of four of San Francisco's most untouchable criminals. And it was taken from her own department's evidence locker. Anyone could be the killer--even her closest friends.

Or a vicious killer?

Lindsay is called next to the most bizarre crime scene she's ever seen: two bodiless heads elaborately displayed in the garden of a world-famous actor. Another head is unearthed in the garden, and Lindsay realizes that the ground could hide hundreds of victims.

You won't know until the 11^th hour

Tuesday's Travel To Do- Austin, Texas & Surrounding Area

2012-02-07T07:00:00.000-06:00

Keeping up withlast week’s post on mini road trips and long weekend getaways this week’sTuesday’s Travel To Do is an awesome little spot I found via Pintrest, Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve, in my very ownstate capital Austin, Texas

A few facts from Wikipedia:

Hamilton PoolPreserve is a naturalpool that was created when the dome of an underground river collapsed dueto massive erosionthousands of years ago.
The pool is located about 23 miles (37 km) west of Austin,Texas off Highway 71.
Hamilton Pool Preserve consistsof 232 acres (0.94 km²) of protected natural habitat featuring ajade green pool into which a 50-foot (15 m) waterfall flows.
The pool issurrounded by huge slabs of limestone that rest by the water's edge; largestalactites grow from the ceiling high above.
The ceiling and surroundingcliffs of the grotto are home to moss, maidenhair fern and cliff swallows.
HamiltonPool is part of the Balcones Cayonlands Preserve and is a protectedenvironment.

Park rules andfees:
NO

fishing
mountain biking
camping
dogs or other pets
Cooking and fires are also notpermitted
access to thepool and river requires a $10 Travis County Park entry fee

For updated swimming conditions please call (512) 264-2740 before you come.

SWANKY if you’rea nature lover like me! It’s like thePlayboy mansion’s grotto but in Austin and out in the woods. J This travel to do comes just in time to plan alittle weekend getaway as summer is only a few months away, which sends me intoa panic since I’m nowhere near bikini ready!

Also while you’rethere and swimming at the preserve is surely only to take one day check outsome other sites in Austin.

Awesome nightlife:check out 6^th Street

History: check outthe state capitol building

In for someculture, Austin is known for its music scene and is all over no matter the timeof year.

You could also explore Austin on a fun Segwaytour but watch out because those things will FLY! I have first hand experience. http://www.glidingrevolution.com/Tours.aspx

Animal Love

2012-02-05T22:37:00.003-06:00

DIY: Second Mantle

2012-02-05T16:43:00.001-06:00

I had been wanting to add something to my living room that I could put more pictures on that didn't entail me hanging them all over my walls. I thought of a great solution. I love the way I have my fireplace mantel decorated so I thought hhhhmmmm I could hang a mantel above my TV on the big red wall and it would be the perfect and final addition to my decor.

I was in Longview a couple weeks back and stopped by Lowes to see if they had what I was looking for. Indeed they did. I got a mantel and two decorative corbels. A couple weeks after that I finally got around to painting it all and last weekend Lincoln hung it for me and minutes later I had it decorated. :)

I love the way it turned out! I love what it adds to my living room! I feel like my living room is complete!

Corbels after painting them white

all pieces painted and ready to go

Before

In mid-update

Decorative jar I filled with leftover floral scraps

I love this little crown that I got from Hobby Lobby

Also got some really good frames and this little bird too

TADA all done and I love it

Weekend Happenings

2012-02-05T16:13:00.000-06:00

That should really read weekend nothings since that's about all I got done. I got a few things done but the main thing which was GET AHEAD ON HOMEWORK...didn't happen. Not even a little bit.

Saturday I got up early and cleaned house before Lara arrived for us to make a "quick" trip to Tyler. I had to order my bridesmaid dress for Piper's wedding.

After that trip we got home from Tyler and running a few other errands around 3. The rest of the day was spent in the office making my recipe book, organizing this and that and just whatever it took to not do my homework.

Today Kaylynn and I had planned to go fishing but it is so cold today so we scratched that. When I first got up and was in the kitchen making my coffee I checked on my plants and found little sprouts in several of my pots!!! I am so excited. I couldn't wait for Lincoln to come home so I texted him right away and told him of our baby sprouts!

My pots last week when I planted my seeds last week

Tomato sprouts this morning!

I stayed most of the morning in the office and did this and that...more on my recipe book, made Lincoln's Valentines gift, and got my homework assignments organized for the week.

I don't have a lot of original recipes of my own but I am compiling all the recipes that I love and use often into my own cookbook just for better organization and I am starting to gather a few of my own original recipes so this way I can have them all in one spot....MORE on my cookbook in a later post

I was in the middle of making myself brunch when I heard a yelp and bark all at once and I went to look out the laundry room window to find Herc running like a bat out of you know where around the house. I went to the front of the house to watch what he was doing. I thought he had been stung by something because he kept pawing at his mouth and shaking his head. I see something silver hanging out of his mouth so I go out to see what he has been up to. What I find sends me into a panic....A FISH HOOK IS IN HIS BOTTOM LIP!!! I tried getting it out but no luck. It was a double ended hook so I went to get some pliers to cut the other hook out so it too wouldn't get stuck in his flesh somewhere. I put him in his crate until Lincoln can get home tonight to take it out. I have no idea where he got it from because none of the poles are tore up??? MYSTERY I hope he heals ok :(

Poor thing

half of a hook and other evidence I gathered??

Spring?

2012-02-01T22:15:00.000-06:00

It smells like Spring.

It feels like Spring.

BUT it doens't look like Spring and I don't think I should let my mind believe it's Spring.

The weather yesterday, today, and probably the next two days have been and are going to be amazing.

70 degree weather makes me want to leave my job in the middle of the day and grab a fishing pole and head to the nearest wet spot. LOL It is so nice and makes it so hard to stay indoors where I'm supposed to be.

I'm not giving into these illusions though because we (Texans) have yet to have a "winter" and I know that a cold spell is just around the corner waiting for all of us to say WTH I'm breaking out the flip flops and capri pants.

Do people still wear capri pants???

Anywho it's February 1st, me and Lincoln have been together 8 months <3 and still going strong.

I started my month of letter writing today and mailed my first letter to London :) I'm so excited. I even made my own stationary. Nothing fancy but I think it's cute and it gets the job done with lines on the paper! I can actually write straight without my reader getting a crook in their neck from craning it side ways to read my crooked writing. LOL

Anyways enough Wednesday rambling, I'm off to do homework or read a book or something more productive than blog-surfing.

Tuesday's Travel To Do- New Orleans

2012-01-31T07:00:00.000-06:00

I have slackedoff on my travel to dos and I’m not even sure slacked is the word as I haven’tposted one in like a year. L I know, I’m filled with shame. Anyways, I vowed last week that I intend onbeing a better blogger and that’s what I’m going to do.

ONWARD to this week’s Tuesday Travel To Do!

Since I’ve come home I haven’t really gottena chance to do any traveling not even a weekend away but one that keeps poppingup in mind is New Orleans.

I keepthinking that New Orleans would make a great long weekend trip. It would be a nice, maybe a bit long, drivedown so a mini road trip would be involved but once we got there it would besites, food, and fun. I have been to NewOrleans once after high school because our cruise ship left from there butthere wasn’t time to site see or anything so to me it doesn’t really count.

When I think of New Orleans I think ofculture, old, jazz music, mardi gras, and a lot of fun to be had. That’s why this week’s Tuesday’s Travel To Dois New Orleans. I am a bit overloadedwith homework so I’m going to show a few cool pictures to showcase a bit of thecity. When I think of along weekend in NOLA I think of an unplanned itinerary while just roaming thestreets and enjoying the street cafes.

After arriving from the drive STAY here! I always try to stay in a Marriott no matter where I go. I think they are the best hotel chain and you are guaranteed the same exceptional service no matter the location. They are GREAT!

VISIT these Historic sites!

The Garden District of Historic Homes...bound to be awesome and to transport you back to another era

St. Louis Cathedral. You know cathedrals are always stunning.

Take a walk on the wild and DARK side and visit a couple of these to learn some culture.

Historic Voodoo Museum...freaky but so interesting

Visit one of New Orleans cemeteries and find out what makes them so different from others across the US and I'm sure the world.

EAT

REAL Cajun food....mmm mmm good. And right now is getting to be craw fish season. Makes me hungry just thinking about it.

The famous and prized Cafe Du Monde a must even though it's a tourist area I wouldn't miss it.

while at the Cafe you can eat their famous beignets and have a coffee

Wholesome FUN

visit the zoo

ride a street car

Be a STREET walker (get your minds out of the gutters people, I'm talking about a leisurely stroll) among the famous streets of New Orleans

Canal Street

Bourbon Street

Festival Fun

Mardi Gras

Well people I hope you saw enough of New Orleans, Louisiana to give it a shot on a long stay or a long weekend, either way your senses will be over loaded with culture and you will submersed in another world.

Happy Tuesday and Happy Traveling

48 Random Facts about Me

2012-01-29T22:08:00.000-06:00

Saw this HERE and thought it would be a fun post.

1. What time did you get up this morning? 8:30, its hard to sleep in when Lincoln works nights because he comes in around 6:45 a.m. and I always sort of wake up at this point.

2. How do you like your steak? Medium rare. I used to like it like a little dried up charcoal bricket but as I've grown more mature my taste in meat has also. LOL

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Friday I saw One for the Money with Amber

4. What is your favorite TV show? I have a lot of favorites. Some of the current faves are Pretty Little Liars, Gossip Girl, anything Kardashian related, and Army Wives

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Germany no question

6. What did you have for breakfast? Cream of Wheat

7. What is your favorite food? Meat and potatoes. Nothing beats a good filet of beef. MMM MMM Good

8. Foods you dislike? not a whole lot but I don't like brussel sprouts

9. Favorite place to eat? I love steak and if I can get a good one at a restaurant I love it like Saltgrass but I also really just love homecooking so I would really pick home over anything else

10. Favorite dressing? Italian

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? Toyota Corolla my truck LOL

12. What are your favorite clothes? I don't really know because I'm not one of those girls that is all into that. I'm mostly wear and I am most comfortable in just jeans and boots

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? The world...why limit myself to just one place to visit? There are millions of miles of ground I need to cover.

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? As in the way I look at things I have to go with 1/2 empty but my current cup runneth over with greatness

15. Where would you want to retire? My dream home with lots of family and friends and farm animals around

16. Favorite time of day? Night or those long days of summer where it's still light at night :)

17. Where were you born? Mt. Pleasant, Texas, y'all.

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? Basketball

19. What is your favorite fragrance? None. I'm not really into perfumes and fragrances.

20. What is your favorite face cream? I don't really know what constitutes as face cream but I use Mary Kay moisturizer

21. Favorite baby/kids products? Ask me again in a few years. ;)

22. People watcher? Not really I work at a bank I get enough people there that I don't want to watch when I don't have too. LOL

23. Are you a morning or night person? Night. No matter what time I wake up, it always takes me a while to get going in the morning.

24. Do you have any pets? Hercules my 15 month old boxer

25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? Ummmm I don't think so. LOL

26. What did you want to be when you were little? A vet

27. What is your favorite memory?

28. Are you a cat or dog person? Dog

29. Are you married? No

30. Always wear your seat belt? always as a driver but sometimes as a passenger I don't

31. Been in a car accident? yep a single car with ME the single driver I over corrected and wrecked...ever since then I wear my seat belt.

32. Any pet peeves? People with bad table manners.

33. Favorite pizza toppings? Pepperoni

34. Favorite flower? Tulips

35. Favorite ice cream? Not a big ice cream person but I guess if I have to pick then Rocky Road

36. Favorite fast food restaurant? Subway

37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? None.

38. From whom did you get your last email? Erika The Fairy Blog Mother, on POSSIBLY my new blog design

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? oh geez idk Lowes

40. Do anything spontaneous lately? No not really...I'm more of a planner not a fly by the seat of my pants kind of gal

41. Like your job? I do now!

42. Broccoli? Yuck

43. What was your favorite vacation? That's easy. Thailand with my cousin Mia. Once in a lifetime and totally unforgettable
44. Last person you went out to dinner with? Amber, Friday night after our movie

45. What are you listening to right now? Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 on TV

46. What is your favorite color? idk I really like all colors but I love coral

47. How many tattoos do you have? 4 butterfly on my back, heart on my hip, a solid heart on my foot, and love is patient in Arabic on my wrist

48. Coffee drinker? Yes but just a one cup girl. That's why I LOVE my Keurig

***************** There you have it folks 48 random facts about Megan ********************

My First Garden

2012-01-29T11:00:00.001-06:00

Good Sunday morning, I am up and going at 8:30 this morning and have several things that I want to do around the house but over all I think its going to be an all day pajama day. LOL It's been a while since I've had one of those. Yesterday was a different story and my main goal was to get my garden area fenced off and tilled up so it's ready for me to plant things when that time comes. I am happy to report that is exactly what happened and this morning I potted my seeds to get them started. I have always wanted a garden and now that I am home for good have some space to do it....I thought why not? I am really excited to get it going and I just hope and pray that its a success.

I have all my plants started as seedlings, as of this morning, except my really summery ones like watermelon and musk melon. I plan on growing okra, squash, zucchini, tomatoes, sweet red peppers, jalapenos, cayenne peppers, onion, and cucumber. Not a whole lot of things but to me I already am feeling skeptical like maybe I got in over my head. LOL

I really felt like that after I saw the finished garden space. I was like hhmmmm I hope I can handle all of this. My Dad & Patricia came over to help me fix it up.

I found the spot I wanted to put it. On the East side of my house.

Dad getting the boundary set and I drove the post.

Used chicken wire to keep all the critters out and I ran some just along the barbed wire fence as one side of it. Here attaching the chicken wire to the post.

Dad taking a break

securing more wire to post and Hercules is intently watching so he can help the next go around. LOL

Rigging up a board that I'm gonna use for part of my gate

Got our gate installed and now finishing the wire attachment

Dad was tired since he did almost ALL the tilling so I got in and made some rows. That is HARD work. Don't be fooled!

FINISHED

YAY I am so glad that this task got accomplished this weekend and now I'm on my way to being Ouiser Boudreaux. LOL You know from Steel Magnolia's, one of the best movies of all time. I'm like Ouiser in the fact that I don't like tomatoes but I'm growing them anyways because DUH that's what you do when you have a garden you grow tomatoes....among other things. :)

Happy Growing!

What's in YOUR laundry room?

2012-01-28T23:25:00.001-06:00

Washer- YES
Dryer- YES
Worm compost---------BREAKS....WHAT

Yep, I have worm compost in my laundry room or the makings of compost anyways. So as I told you a few weeks ago I attended a gardening seminar in Pittsburg and it was over compost. NOT what I expected but I did learn something and I have put that knowledge to good use.

Today, I finally got my worms so I could put together my compost bucket.

It is really easy and they pretty much take care of themselves. All I have to do is feed them about every other week. In approx 2 months I ~~will~~ should have about 5 gallon size bags full of VERY fertile soil that I can use in my garden. (more on that later) Worms like to stay in dark places and also need to be kept in a neutral temp like a house, barn, or shed the point is they just don't need to get too hot or too cold. Now don't worry because they can't get out of their container and there shouldn't be any odor. (if there is your doing it wrong)

You will need:

container- I used a Rubbermaid tub I had on hand
drill
newspapers
5 or 6 cups of yard dirt
a couple handfuls of leaves (optional)
worms
fresh food scraps like potato peels, egg shells, raw vegetable clippings, coffee and tea grounds
water

What you do:

Drill holes in the top of your container around all the edges so your worms can get air
Layer the bottom of your container with newspaper

Add in dirt and leaves on top

Dump in worms on one side of your container

Put your fresh scraps on the other side

pour water over it just to moisten (NOT TOO MUCH)
Let your worms do the rest

TIPS:

Only use newspaper nothing colored or shiny like magazines
NO cooked food or meats only raw veg
They are supposed to love cornmeal also so you can sprinkle some on top
Next time you feed them put the food on the opposite end of the previous feeding so you keep your worms moving and eating some that they might have missed

Friday Night Movie

2012-01-28T22:37:00.002-06:00

Last night, Friday, after I got off work I raced to MP to meet Amber at the movies. She had invited me earlier in the day and seeing I had no plans I accepted. We saw One for the Money and it was surprisingly good. I had seen the previews for it a few times and it didn't really strike me as something I would spend money on. Amber wanted to see it and I am glad i didn't protest. I loved the movie, it was funny, had some action, and the ending was just what we were hoping for.

After the movie we headed over to a TRUE Mexican restaurant and stuffed our bellies with tacos. I headed to Wal-Mart for a few things after we ate and Amber had to go help a friend study for a law exam. It was great having a little girl time and was way better than the alternative....sitting at home alone on a Friday night seeing Lincoln had to work.

Truck Shmuck

2012-01-28T22:20:00.002-06:00

Lincoln is a pickup man...of course I could never date someone who drove a Honda or something like that. LOL Anyways at least twice a week we talk about vehicles and its mainly like this:

Lincoln "BABE you should see this truck I found on Craigslist!"

Me " really what did it look like"

Lincoln commences to tell me all the ins and outs of said vehicle

Then we have the occasional conversation where its ME telling him what I would like in a new vehicle. Mostly I lean toward an SUV but there are days where a truck looks and sounds really nice. Either way I go I will be going Toyota when the time comes but that's neither here nor there.

Lincoln always sides with me needing a truck.

1. so he can use it too

2. so I can help him and we can take my vehicle hunting, hauling things, etc

3. so I don't have to use his truck for things. LOL

This weekend was going to be a number 3. I had a million things to do on my list this morning and a few of them were:

get chicken wire
get t-posts
buy worms

As you can read...I needed to use his truck for some of these things because it would make my life a whole lot easier, but also on my list were:

clean car
get oil changed
go to feed store

SSSOOOO I decided to just suck it up and take my car. The list dealing with my car were WAY more important and HAD to be done so instead of me doing all this extra driving and vehicle changing that's what I did.

I was up, dressed, coffee made, and in MV by 8:30 on a SATURDAY mind you. I got so much accomplished and got everything that I could marked off my list. I didn't get the car cleaned but that was about it. I even got all my necessary fence building materials plus some potting soil, worms, and paint.

WHO needs a truck when you have a Corolla S?

Me and Lincoln have a running joke about my car, we call it my truck because I use it for everything like it is my truck. I do this because its my car and I don't have a truck and my car is just so freaking awesome that it can do everything I need it to do.

This includes but is not limited to:

hauling chain saws
gas for the lawn mowers
groceries
fence building supplies
dog
55 inch TV

Now you can see why Lincoln agrees I need a truck when I up grade because I just do too much for anything else. LOL

This morning's haul. and as you can see there is room to spare and a whole other seat that could be laied down!!!!

DIY: Re-do an Antique Lamp

2012-01-28T21:44:00.000-06:00

Now I use the word antique loosely! LOL My Mom and Mike got some new lamps for their living room and my mom was planning on throwing the "antique" ones out. LOL They were pretty old and gold and ugly BUT I saw their true worth. :) I confiscated one of them and re-did it today. I was also so pleased with the way it turned out I just texted her to have her keep the other one for me too.

I am planning/in the process of redecorating or just decorating for the first time my guest room. I have some really nice furniture in there and it has sort of a western feel to it. I don't want a western themed room so I decided to do something light, relaxing, warm, and cozy all in the same decor. I haven't done the room yet just the lamp so I won't give all my elements of surprise up just the lamp right now. The rest will come in spurts so I probably won't reveal the rest until the room is complete but the lamp is too good to be true. I am sad and jealous of myself for doing such a good job because I don't want to put it in the guest room I want to use it so I can see it and be delighted often. :( Oh well, I guess I shouldn't out do myself and I wouldn't feel this way.

ANYWAYS

Without further ado I present to you the before & the after!

You will need:

Old Lamp
1 can appliance paint in wanted color
lamp shade
lace ribbon
hot glue and approx 3 glue sticks

I love, love, love my newly redecorated lamp! Mother you missed out. LOL

DIY: Chalkboard

2012-01-28T21:19:00.000-06:00

Back in September on one of me and Kaylynn's Canton trips I picked up some letters cut out of steel and a cabinet front. I also got some chalkboard spray paint at Wal-Mart and my project was in the works. I did all the painting and things and Lincoln attached my letters to the front of my board.

I love the way it turned out and it took up a bit of space and added some decor in my laundry room.

You will need:

1 cabinet front
Decor of your choice if any
Paint of your choice for cabinet
Chalkboard paint

Mailbox Love

2012-01-28T20:53:00.002-06:00

In honor of February & it being the love month and all I decided to take part in a little challenge that I found here! An author, Mary Robinette Kowal, set forth THIS challenge and it goes something like this:

In the month of February, mail at least one item through the post every day it runs. Write a postcard, a letter, send a picture, or a cutting from a newspaper, or a fabric swatch.
Write back to everyone who writes to you. This can count as one of your mailed items.

All you are committing to is to mail 24 items. Why 24? There are four Sundays and one US holiday. In fact, you might send more than 24 items. You might develop a correspondence that extends beyond the month. You might enjoy going to the mail box again.

Not only am I going to be showing my love for my friends by sending them a nice note, letter, or whatever I am going to be showing every one's mailbox some mail. First off, my poor little rusty white mailbox will get to send instead of always receiving and all of ya'lls mailboxes are going to be shown a little love in the form that equals NOT A BILL! LOL I get such joy out of the little things in life and checking the mail is one of them. Even now all I get are the expected bills and the not so expected or wanted junk mail but every great once in a while I will get the save the date or a shower invite and it instantly puts a smile on my face. I can't tell you what I find so enjoyable but it's just fun. So I have my list of names and I'm sending out my email and texts to get the proper addresses tomorrow so I can start and finish my Month of Letters Challenge.

Join me in showing some mailboxes some love!

Progession

2012-01-25T21:46:00.002-06:00

I have really been thinking about my blog and what to blog about and how to do it and I've been trying to come up with a new blog design. All this has been going on in my head because I REALLY like my blog and I really want to progress into a better blogger and a more noticable blogger. I know that I say (and it's true) that I blog because it's my online scrapbook but I also want to blog to make connections and gain followers. I mean it's for me but come on....everyone likes a little love.

So to try to help my blog and myself and just to get things going I....

am bringing back Tuesday's Travel To Do. I think that a lot of people like those types of posts and I loved writing them. Since I'm not traveling anymore it will let me see some of the world and learn about a new place through my own blog. Also I didn't ever really intend on slacking on my Tuesday's Travel posts but when I came home it just sort of happened and overall until recently my whole blog suffered over the past year so I'm changing that starting this coming Tuesday. HOPEFULLY I can come up with a cute little graphic for those post. :)
want to get a new blog design. I love my design now but I want something more simple and sophiscticated rather than whimsical and cartoonistic. I am loving grey, and pale yellow, and chevrons and sleek lines. I don't really know yet but that's what directions I'm going in.
am going to be more camera conscience so I have more reasons to blog. I mean I always want to blog about stupid stuff just because I have pictures. I could have kicked myself this past weekend because I didn't take NO pictures. I thought oh this would be a great time to bring out the camera but then thought well I can't really get any good pictures. I just need to start taking pictures no matter what and then I can edit them or whatever and make them work.

Here's to progressing as a blogger!

Just a cool pic I found!

Cheers

Who says you can't have it all?

2012-01-23T22:40:00.000-06:00

I saw this first thing I opened the Internet tonight and thought DANG!

First off she looks amazing and she's 5 months pregnant.
Second, she's pregnant with her second child with her fiance and she's still one of the top models in the world.

I love Alessandra she's one of my favorite if not THE favorite VS model. I think she is so pretty and her body is still smoking hot all while she looks natural and not too thin.

This article and pictures goes to show you that a woman can be successful at what she does and have family. AND if your lucky do what you love while having a family LOL like Alessandra. If I was a model I think it would be hard to walk the catwalk while I was pregnant but she rocked it.

gREAT wEEKEND

2012-01-23T21:20:00.000-06:00

I had a great weekend but definitely not as good as a weekend spent here would have been.

Cape Town, South Africa courtesy of Bing.com

Anywho know since in crying over a missed beach, I had a wonderful weekend either way. Friday night we cooked hamburgers on the grill and then sat around the fire pit. Lara, Colby, Kaylynn, and Casey were over and we had a lot of fun. Kaylynn and Casey spent the night since it was bound and determined to be a late and fun filled night. Saturday we were up around 7:30 and sat around, drank our coffee and then Kaylynn and I headed out to Tyler to run a few errands. Kaylynn got a new purse from Dillards, which was the sole purpose of the trip and I got some tights and a pair of JEGGINGS. Yes, you read right.. jeggings. You know the leggings that are printed like jeans. I needed these for my tall boots and long sweaters/shirts that I have. After eating WWAAYYY too much at Olive Garden we ran a couple more errands and headed home.

On our way back we stopped in Lindale at Red 55 Winery and the Miranda Lambert Store to check it out and grab a bottle of Miranda Lambert's wine. We rested the rest of the afternoon before we had another long night. Lincoln had been working on smoking some pork on his propane smoker and that was dinner Saturday night. It was so good and after the same crew got our bellies full we headed back outside for some more fire pit action. I think we are getting old or we just over did it Friday night because Saturday we were all worn out and went to bed earlier. Sunday morning after sleeping in and having a mouth-watering breakfast of sausage, biscuits and gravy we all got showers and then headed out to Casey and Kaylynn's house. Once there, we formed a game plan for the rest of the day that consisted of four-wheelers and miles of dirt roads. We road for 4 or 5 hours along the back roads North of MV and it was alot of fun. Nice and relaxing and something that we don't do a lot of very often. The weather was great even though it was super windy. After we got jiggled all over the place we were hungry so headed to Mi Casita for some early dinner and then home. It was nice spending the weekend with friends that are such great influences and so close that we call each other family. It was a much needed staycation and I'm glad my brother and Lara came out for the nighttime fun.

I was also proud of myself and glad that I have teachers that require this to happen but I had all my homework done and turned in on Thursday night. So...that meant that my whole weekend was still free and I wasn't neglecting any school work. I was pumped and it felt great being able to enjoy myself without having those nagging thoughts of all the homework that needs to be done at the last minute on Sunday when I get home.

If I had another career!

2012-01-18T21:05:00.002-06:00

Do you ever think that if you had some cool and exciting TOTALLY different life what your career would be?

Not that my life isn't wonderful but with my other career I couldn't have a family and people all around me that I care about. The reason being is because if I had a new career and I was willing to give up all the great loves in my life I would for sure have to be a spy or some sort of covert agent.

WOULDN'T THAT BE AWESOME!!!! uuhhhh YEAH it would be!

I would dye my hair black and get bangs and I would go by the name Nikita. LOL

I think that the ultimate spy job would be working for Russia because they are so scandalous and I could wear one of those fur hats and look smoking hot doing it. LOL

I love reading books that are government action type books because I can live vicariously through the author's words. :)

I don't know why but I just felt like sharing and I MIGHT be procrastinating on doing homework on the second day of the semester. ;)

So what would you do in another life?

A Saturday with Averie

2012-01-18T20:19:00.003-06:00

Saturday, after my gardening seminar I went to pick up Averie. We had a few hours to kill before the movie so she wanted to eat at Burger King because, of course, all she eats is chicken and they have the best. LOL After 6 nuggets and a bag of apples we headed out to Sulphur Springs. I figured since we had time to kill I would take her to the park called Kid’s Kingdom. I remember going to the park when I was little when it was new and it is a kingdom for kids. I remember being in awe of how awesome and fun it was. It felt like we played for hours and never came across the same section. Now, it seems average and after a few times of chasing Averie around we had covered all the grounds. LOL She didn’t know that though and to her she was in heaven. We ran away from monsters and did the monkey bars more than our fair share. LOL

part of THE KINGDOM

Cutest monkey around :)

She loved sliding down the pole. ;) We better watch this one. LOLOLOLOL I know so inappropriate!

After a couple hours of that we it was time for the movie so we headed over to the theater. The movie wasn’t as crowded as I thought but it was nice and really cool watching it in 3D. She really enjoyed the movie and looked really cool in her glasses. J The movie relaxed us both and when I left there around 4:30 I could have REALLY gone for a nap. BUT that didn’t happen instead we ran by my moms house to grab Averie a few things since we were having a slumber party that night.

Once we got to the house she wanted to make sugar cookies and frost them but I wasn’t up for the mess so instead we made chocolate chip. After cookies and pizza for supper it was bubble bath time. She got herself all clean just in time for a night filled with nail painting and movie watching.

Shanna came and picked her up around 10:30 Sunday morning. We had a great time but I’m glad I don’t do those types of trips every week, they wear me out.

The Help Book Review

2012-01-17T23:01:00.001-06:00

I finished reading The Help yesterday morning, which I am really glad because school started today and I knew I wouldn’t be able to finish it anytime soon. I enjoyed the book but seeing that I have seen the movie a few times it was more like reading the movie. LOL I wish that I would have read the book before I watched to movie but it was obviously too late for that. The movie was a lot like the book so in my opinion if you have already watched the movie I wouldn’t read the book simply because it will be hard to hold your interest because its around 500 pages long and it is so similar to the movie you know the general plot and scene sequence. Overall it was really good even though I had ruined it for myself by watching the movie and if you haven’t seen it then check it out it’s a hoot. J

What I plan on doing with my last long weekend

2012-01-13T21:45:00.002-06:00

This weekend is my LAST llllooooonnnnnggggggg weekend before school starts on Tuesday and also just for a while seeing that the next one won't come til May...Memorial Day. WOW!!! That's a dry spell.

To ensure that I made the most or least of my weekend I cleaned my whole house from top to bottom last night. I mean ENTIRE thing! I went from room to room and did the entire thing: ceiling fans, curtains washed, base boards scrubbed, dusted...mopped you name it and I cleaned it. Hercules has been permanently outside for about a week now so I wanted to get my house all spic and span.

Now that my house is spotless I don't have to worry about doing that before school starts. I always feel better and just more organized and prepared when my house is all done up. I don't know why but my mom said today it's like when you clean your car it almost feels like it drives better. LOL Same thing with a clean house.

Instead of chores to make my weekend fly by I am going to just do whatever. I have a couple things planned for tomorrow but over all Sunday and Monday are totally free so there is no telling what I'll get into.

I'm going to attend a gardening seminar tomorrow morning! I know just call me Weezer! (if you didn't get the Steel Magnolia reference then shame on you) I haven't ever had a garden and I'm determined to get one going this spring. My friend texted me today letting me know that her friend who has a local feed store is having a seminar so I'm headed there in the morning to learn how to grow some stuff.

The only other thing is I'm taking sweet Averie to the movies to see her favorite, Beauty and the Beast. I can't wait to see her light up in the theater and share this with her. These Disney movies were coming out for the first time when I was little so to share this with her is awesome. Plus it doesn't hurt that she is the cutest thing EVER!

Here is to a GREAT long weekend!

Hunger Games Trilogy...In Review

2012-01-07T09:34:00.002-06:00

Over the past long weekend I finished up reading Mockingjay, the third book in the Hunger Games Trilogy.

I started reading them about a month ago as soon as I saw the trailer for the movie. It looked so good but also different from my normal reading material.

I don’t want to talk to much about them because I don’t want to ruin it and I am the worst story teller so as many details as I HAVE to give I would for sure ruin it.

BUT I will say that it’s the perfect amount of futuristic, romance, action, and scandal to keep you interested, and with the perfect amount of details in the writing so you get a great picture without being bored to death.

The second book, Catching Fire was for sure the most suspenseful and it kept me locked in the entire time.

The last book was the same because with the turn of every page came a new twist. The last paragraphs of Mockingjay were the best part of the book to me and made me so glad that I read them.

I recommend these books to anyone who likes reading I really think all types of readers would enjoy them and I am really looking forward to the movie coming out in March.

Here’s the trailer! Doesn’t it look exciting?

Take A Chill Pill

2012-01-04T20:12:00.004-06:00

This week has been horrific. I had to take on a lot of extra responsibility at work this week until we got another teller in place and WOW has it been hectic. Plus you throw in a 4 day work week, the 1^st& the 3^rd (Social Security checks come in), and PMS you can imagine the week I’m talking about. The older I get the more emotional I get and I don’t really like it. I am hypersensitive, emotional and an all around tit bag this week and I am sick of it and I KNOW Lincoln is sick of it. LOL I am ready for the weekend so I can de-stress and take a chill pill.

I saw this verse on Jenni’s blog the other day and thought it was great and something that I need to look at and remember often. I worry about things that are way beyond my control and I know that it’s stupid but I can’t help but worrying. I need to just relax and put everything in God’s hands and no matter what happens I know I’ll survive it be good or bad.

Who of you by worrying can add one single hour to his life? Matthew 6:27

Here’s to the upcoming weekend and maybe a lot less stress and worrying!

A few days in Dubai

2012-01-02T12:07:00.000-06:00

After leaving Egypt on Monday January 17th I flew to Kuwait for a connecting flight back to Dubai. I checking into my favorite hotel the Renaissance by Marriott and stayed in for a whole day and a half. I just slept, got all clean, and ordered room service. I was so sick of moving hotels, being sick, and on the go that I needed to recoup and relax. I had a whole 3 days of activities planned out for my last days in Dubai but I really didn't get around to any of them except a couple. I just felt too bad and was really ready to get settled in back at home. Plus I felt like a tourist in my own city since Dubai had become so familiar with me.

After lounging around for days I decided to drag myself out and do a few of my planned activities so I went out for a day of headache filled fun.

I headed to the Dubai Mall. I went to the top of the tallest tower in the world, the Burj Khalifa. Out of all the days in Dubai the day I went to the top it rained. LOL Probably the first time in MONTHS.

A view from the top

another view from the top

After that I went back down to the mall and visited to really neat aquarium they have there.

Following the aquarium I did a little lunch, a bit of shopping, and then headed back to my hotel.

I left Dubai the next day and arrived back in the U.S. on January 21st. I am sad to report that was my last use of my passport and it is locked up in my safety deposit box. I hope that I will get to travel again soon but really I have no idea when or where...mainly the WHEN I can always find where. LOL

Now I am all caught up on my travel post almost a year later.

Happy Traveling

Tid Bits from Egypt

2012-01-02T11:33:00.002-06:00

Egypt was truly amazing and nothing like I have ever experienced. I came away from there truly appreciative for all my own blessings and also appreciative for the Egyptian people and their outlook on life.

Here are a few pictures that didn't really fit into any post but gives you more of an idea of how it is.

This is the normal transportation in Egypt. There are a few newer cars scattered around here and there but mainly they are really really old. Our EPA would have a field day there I tell you.

Not only are there old cars but old fashion types of living mixed right in with the new.

Even in the third world you can still find beauty and the people are even happier than the ones who live in mansions.

Apparently with my blonde hair, fair skin, and blue eyes the people found me to be some sort of celebrity. These girls passed me then called out to Mustafa in Arabic and asked him if he would ask me to take a pic with them. LOL

They still use REAL keys for everything!

Dogs are considered filthy animals and the people don't touch them but cats on the other hand are ok. SO there are cats EVERY WHERE in Egypt. Mostly wild but still hang out around the streets, in front of shops and cafes, and pretty much anywhere else too.

Egypt Day 6

2012-01-02T11:19:00.000-06:00

Sunday January 16, 2011

I loved sightseeing around Alexandria. I had a bunch of little sites throughout theday and then a drive back to Cairo. First I went to see the some catacombs and youweren’t allowed to take your camera underground for pictures but it was veryinteresting. I can’t believe thatcultures used these mass underground graves for their dead like a bigunderground cemetery. My 21^st century brain immediately thinks “whatabout all that decomp soaking into the ground”! They never thought of that until everyone started getting sick. LOL Inot only saw the little cuts in the walls were the bodies were laid but therewere still some skeletons there to see NOT TOUCH!

After the catacombs we visited the ruins of what is called thePompeii Pillar. I can’t remember a lotof the details of this historical site but I do remember that it had to do withCleopatra and I’m pretty sure that one of the men that were in love with herhad this built in her honor. But don’ttake that to the bank because I’m not sure. Speaking of Cleopatra I did learn that she wasn’t as pretty as she ismade out to be and apparently most people don’t like here. According to Mustafa, who knows his history,she was queen b**ch and very manipulative and pretty much destroyed everythingshe came into contact with from men to cities.

Next we went down town to see the remains of the Romantheatre. Alexandria played a big part inRoman history and their influence is all over and it is very surprising seeingthat mixed in with the Middle Eastern culture.

I also got to see another citadel or castle. This one was more of what I would imagine orrelate to the movies. It was crazythinking how you would stay warm, though because everything was concrete andthere were huge open spaces. I wouldn’twant to be on the bad list. LOL

The afternoon call of prayer was put over the speakers likein every city that I had been too so far and my driver asked if I minded if wemade a quick stop at a nearby mosque so he could pray. I of course said that was fine becauseMustafa had already explained to me so of the religion and told me how mydriver was very religious. When a Muslimmisses one call to prayer that they must make it up later that day so my driverhad been making up a day’s worth of prayer all at night when he got home or tothe hotel. I was glad for him to stopand go pray because first I got some great pictures of the architecture and Ialso got to talk more about their religion, which has a lot of the samefoundations as Christianity. While I waswaiting a man who gives out copies of the Quran gave me a version that had beentranslated into English for me to read. I was/am excited about this because it is always nice to remain openminded about other’s lives and also just to learn about something sodifferent.

The original Alexandria Library was destroyed by fire yearsand years ago which is so sad because I have heard so much about it and it wasso old so it would have been really something awesome to see. Besides just the library its self the scrollsand books that it contained would have been awesome to see. We are talking back from the Roman days! Anyways it was gone but they have a wonderfulnew modern museum which is equally cool. The design of the library was so neat and was designed with all thereaders and studiers in mind. I wouldlove to not just tour it but actually be a lucky student or patron that got touse the library.

When I left the library a smarter woman it was lunchtime. Instead of sitting in another restaurantwe got take out from Pizza Hut and went to eat on the beach. It wasn’t really bathing suit weather seeingit was January, clouding, and quit cool but this was my first trip to theMediterranean and I was determined to make the most of it given thecircumstances since I have no idea when I would be back. The pizza was a nice change from the Egyptianfood that I had been eating the past week and the water was FREEZING. I would have loved to submerse myself butankle deep was all that I was doing. LOLI was so excited to say that I touched the Mediterranean Sea.

That afternoon I sadly had to leave Alexandria and make thetrek back to Cairo and get everything together since I was flying out the nextmorning. I enjoyed my stay in Egypt somuch but I can’t say that I was glad to go. The pollution and filth was weighing on me and I still was battling somesort of badass cold. I was ready to getback to Dubai which compared to other places that I had been the past 3 yearsfelt familiar, like home. J

Egypt Day 5

2012-01-02T09:40:00.000-06:00

Saturday January 15, 2011

A good part of day five was spend making the drive to Alexandria. Now the parts of Egypt that I have seen are justdessert and city. The cities are builtnear the rivers because there isn’t enough rain to sustain life out in themiddle of no where. Alexandria is at the top of the country it isa Mediterranean coast city. It is sobeautiful and a neat place. I wish Iwould have had more time there to explore and relax but my schedule didn’t allowit. On the way up to Alexandria we stopped to visit a World War IImuseum and it was neat. They hadmachines and uniforms that were wore during the war on display but overall itwas a nice leg stretcher and a break in the dessert drive.

We also stopped at the Common Wealth Cemetery and for acemetery it was really pretty. Thatsounds weird to say but it was. The cemeteryis in a town called Marina which is on the North coast of Egypt overlooking theMediterranean before you get to Alexandria.

When we got into Alexandria before checking into the hotelwe ate a really neat seafood restaurant and it was the best fish I had everate. It was stuffed with something andman there was so much good food that I couldn’t even begin to eat it all and Ileft way to full.

After getting my belly full I was dropped off to check intoa historic hotel right on the ocean wall called the Windsor Palace. It was for real old and even had one of thosecable elevators that you could see all the moving parts and the door was prettyfabricated metal. I got settled into myroom and met Mustafa down for a walk along the sea wall. It was so pretty and so many people wereout. The only thing that I rememberbeing a hassle was the dang wind coming off the Med. We walked all the way to the end of the stripand got some AWESOME ice cream. As wewalked back we had a very cultural talk and then I headed to bed.

the is the elevator

Egypt Day 4

2011-12-31T20:47:00.002-06:00

Friday January 14,2011

Friday was an eventful day but by my travel itinerary itshould have been a slow day with an afternoon of free time and rest before mynext few days of travel. Mid morning onFriday after checking out of my hotel I visited a local village that was soempty in Tayoum. This little village isknown for its natural spring and the water that it supplies but they littlecanals and waterways were so polluted with trash it wasn’t much of a site. We did run into a local man who lives in thevillage and he invited us in to see how him and his family live. It was so neat, this family lives purely offtheir own little 5 acres of land, and 5 acres is really an exaggeration it’sprobably more like 2 but I’m not sure. It is small. They have a cow anda chicken coop for their milk and meat then they have fruit trees and a smallgarden for all other things. The man andhis family farm this small plot of land all by hand and it sustains them!! Amazing that people still live like this andso pure to me they don’t know the hassle of cell phones and technology I wasvery impressed by them. After walkingaround and listening to the farmer’s tales of living off the land he invited usto sit under this pavilion and drink tea. It was really nice and his kids were so cute. The little girl was so shy and it took heralmost the whole visit to warm up to me.

After the visit with the farmer we headed to see yet anotherpyramid, the Maygum pyramid, named after the area it was built in. This pyramid was built tower style.

By mid-afternoon we were done with our scheduled activitiesand then I was off to roam. The nightbefore Mustafa had invited me to an Egyptian wedding in his hometown of Memphis, right outside Cairo. I happily accepted and was very excited to see even more of the Egyptianculture. Since I only brought jeans andsweaters and traveling clothes I didn’t have anything appropriate for aWEDDING! Have no fear my stylist Mustafawas there to save the day. We went into,what they call, they new part of town to find a dress and to have a latelunch. A traditional Egyptian dish thatis cheap to make and a favorite is a dish called kushari. Mustafa new of the best place to get this andtook me. It was so good and at the endthere was tapioca. Apparently that isanother Egyptian favorite and Mustafa was so surprised that I actually knewwhat it was and liked it. LOL My mom had been fixing tapioca for us for yearsand most people don’t really like it but I love it. I was SO EXCITED that I got somethingfamiliar. LOL After eating we headed out to shop and OMG!! Egyptian style isNOT up-to-date and isn’t really my thing but Mustafa lives there and knowswhat’s appropriate so I let him pick something out for me. I think I gave the dress and things to Goodwillas soon as I got home and unpacked but apparently I fit in because everyone wascomplimenting me later in the night. LOL J I went back to thehotel to get ready and take a short nap before Mustafa picked me up to head to Memphis. Little did I know I was in a huge learningexperience!

Cairo Tower

Downtown Cairo

Memphis

Memphis isn’t much differentfrom Cairo inlooks but its just way smaller. Thetrash, dirt roads and lack of modern amenities is the same. We arrived safely and went to Mustafa’s houseso he could get ready for the wedding. As he was getting ready I was introduces and visited with his family andof course drank more tea. Tea is an allday event in Egyptand by the time I left I had gotten use to it. I also unknowingly witnessed another family there asking Mustafa’s parentsfor his sister’s hand in marriage. Lateron Mustafa told me what had been happening while I was in the room and alsoexplained why his sister was so upset. Seein Egyptarranged marriage is still normal and this boy’s family wanted Mustafa’s sisteras a wife for him. They had come toarrange the marriage with Mustafa’s parents. Her father hadn’t made a final decision yet but it was looking like shewould be set to marry this boy whom she knows only from around town but reallydoesn’t even like. See she has a boythat she likes and in Americawould be a boyfriend but seeing she isn’t allowed to date it isn’t that. The problem with this is that Mustafa’sparent’s don’t approve of this boy because he isn’t going to college and onlyworks as a mechanic and they don’t think he could provide for their daughterand their future family. So she isforbidden to even talk to him and for sure not see him but Mustafa and theirbrother help the sister talk to the forbidden lover. I felt so bad for her when I heard this andeven though I love learning about other’s cultures and being open minded I knewright then I wouldn’t ever make it there with such conservative and old fashionmethods. Anyways after Mustafa dressedwe said goodbye and he took me to a “salon” to get my hair and makeup did. Ya’ll I walked out of there looking like Icame out of 1989 and not in a good way. Plus I looked to be about 14 since I had just cut my bangs. I walked out of there looking like a low renthooker only in a more conservative dress LOL. I had a head full of curls and blue eye shadow on. YES you read that right.

At the salon...wait til you see the finished product I looked hideous!!!

There are no words....all I have to say is that I am way too nice to change anything about my appearance so I just go with it. LOL

We met up with a load of Mustafa’s friends and headed out tothe wedding which to get there we had to take a fairy ride. The wedding was ok but seeing I don’t speakArabic and didn’t know a soul it got old quick. It was fun to see the wedding and how they are similar to ours but thiswas also a Christian wedding and so the only differences where the culturaltraditions.

The lovely bride and groom. I didn't know them and they didn't know me. LOL

It was an experience to say the least and I am sure my momabout had a heart attack when I told her where I had gone and most of you thinkI’m too trusting and all that but I experience the culture in a whole newway. In Egypt I was an official travelerand not tourist because most things about this trip were not touristactivities.

Egypt Day 3

2011-12-31T20:18:00.001-06:00

Thursday January 13, 2011

I was not feeling very well at all come Thursday but I wasdetermined to not let my sickness get me down and stop me or even slow me frommy itinerary so I trudged forward knowing that soon I would be able to rest inDubai and then HOME! On our way out oftown we stopped at a pharmacy to get me some medicine and again luckily Mustafawas there to tell the man what I needed. It was some strong head hold medicine that made me really exhausted andnot so much sleepy but it made me feel very weighted down. I still don’t know what it was all I know isthat it helped me until I left. LOL

We went to The Valley of the Whales which isessentially a dessert full of bones. LOL When I put it like that it doesn’tsound very interesting but it actually is. The theory or fact or I’m not really sure of which but it goes to saythat The Valley of the Whales used to be an ocean and then when it receded thewhales and all other oceanic life just dried up. I collected several sea shells that are sopetrified now that if you’re not careful they will just turn to dust in yourhand. We followed the path and read theplaques that told about all the history but really it was just a big hike. It was so windy and I am really glad Ibrought along several scarfs for ear and neck protection. We climbed a huge sand dune that when westarted didn’t look that big but by the time we got to the top we could seeforever it seemed like and were way out of breath. My legs were for sure burning and sore theday after this journey.

Entrance to the Valley of the Whales

On the ride back I let Mustafa and the driver listen to my IPodand they loved old songs from like Michael Bolton and stuff LOL. We stopped by Lake Karonand walked around and even found a waterfall that was created from thespillway. It was really neat seeingwater out in the middle of the dessert.

By late afternoon we had seen the sites of that area and headed into asmall village to eat at a fish restaurant by the lake and then to a newhotel. My room at the hotel was reallybig and so homey. I was so tired anddidn’t feel good I took a long bath and headed straight to bed.

Egypt Day 2

2011-12-31T19:33:00.001-06:00

Wednesday January 12, 2011

Every day on my Egyptian journey was packed full ofactivities and the second day was no different. I was picked up by my driver and Mustafa after a hearty breakfast andour first stop was the Egyptian Museum. They wouldn't allow cameras inside the museum but it was really neat. I saw King Tut's tombe and it was amazing. There were so many neat things inside that just put you in a state of awe thinking that the people made these things without our modern day technology. I really have no idea how they did it but it makes it that much more amazing.

After the Museum we had a bit of time to kill before lunchso we took a felucca ride down a stretch of the Nileand it was so nice. You were finallyable to breathe a bit of fresh air rather than the burnt diesel and dust thatcovers the city. The water was relaxingand I got to see Cairofrom a different perspective.

After lunch we headed across the city to the Citadel and the Mohamed Ali Mosque. No not the boxer.LOL Everyone around

Egypt

is named Mustafa, Mohamed or some other version of the name for the prophet of Islam. This was my first mosqueto go into and I was really looking forward to it. I had seen my friend’s pictures of mosques in

Turkey

and just seen other general pictures and the insides of them look so beautifulwith all the mosaics and open space. TheCitadel was very interesting. Citadel isjust another word for castle or fort. Itsat at the top of the hill and overlooked the surrounding city. This would have been essential in the old daysto ward off any attacks and to keep from being surprised. It was all concrete and much smaller than Iremember but was pretty much a small city within the walls. The mosque that was inside the walls of theCitadel wasn’t one that was still in use so I, as a women, didn’t have to covermy head, hair, and arms but we did get these little surgical booties to putover our shoes to help preserve the carpets and things. While at this mosque I learned about thedifferent parts that a building must have to actually be considered amosque. You need a pulpit type structure for the leader of the prayersto stand, a little niche in the wall that indicated the direction of Mecca andthis is the direction that everyone faces as they pray. You also need afountain or some sort of area that has water so everyone can wash beforeprayer. Mainly the big pretty parts ofthe mosque are for the men. Women have asimilar room for prayer that is in the mosque but they aren’t allowed to praybeside the men.

After visiting the Citadel and adjoining mosque the drivertook Mustafa and I to the town center where there are many businesses, theregular townspeople, more mosques, and the Khan Khalili Market. I as really excited about this becausealthough it is known to attract tourists it isn’t like the pyramids that areONLY for tourists. The locals still usethis market or bazaar as they call it to purchase goods of all sorts. There are allies and allies full of differentlittle shops selling anything and everything, a lot of clothing and home goodscan be found here. I don’t buy nickknacks for myself when I go to a different country in remembrance of it becauseI know that one day I am just going to pack it up or throw it away so instead Ilike to have the pictures as memories and also a scarf from that place. This was the only thing I wanted to do in thebazaar besides look around and take some neat pictures. I knew what I was looking for in ascarf. I knew that I wanted it to besort of neutral so I could use it with a lot of things so the first shop wecame to had a beautiful Egyptian cotton scarf that I loved. It was so soft and pretty but the price theywere asking, according to Mustafa, was too much. It was a good thing he was with me to hagglewith them because I am not sure what a fair price is and they take him moreserious since he is an Egyptian man. LOL I never went back there to get thescarf but I ended up finding one that was just as pretty and just as soft for abetter price down a different ally.

Between shopping and checking out more mosques we would rest at a littlecafé type business where we would drink hot tea with fresh mint leaves andsmoke sheesha (hooka). The shop owner’sson was there helping the dad by delivering tea and refilling the flavoredtobacco and he was so cute. I guess I’msomewhat of a rarity having blonde hair and blue eyes and traveling alone andthe little boy was smitten. He wasflirting up a storm and kept asking of a picture so finally I gave in and tookone with him. LOL

After an afternoon ofmilling around and just soaking in the culture of the town square we headed outto our Nile dinner cruise. I recognized the area because earlier in theday it was near the place where I rode the felucca. The dinner cruise was fun although the boatmoved so slow you really couldn’t tell you were moving. The food was really good especially thedesserts. They had these little squaresthat were AMAZING and I knew what it was. Pretty much it’s some sort of dessert made from our American Cream ofWheat. Mustafa told me that in Egypt it iscalled basbosa. While were stuffed ourfaces with great buffet food we were entertained by a belly dancer thatencouraged participation and I was one of the lucky ones who got picked Land also a tanura? Which reminded mesomewhat of a Mexican entertainer. Afterthe dinner cruise ended it was probably around 10 but I was so wound up Iwasn’t ready to go to bed to we stopped back by the main square to drink somemore tea. After we had our fill of thatMustafa let me drive his car LOL!

I was sort of sick of having history lessons so Mustafa tookme to a night club. It wasn’t packed butit was a lot of fun and I got to really learn how to belly dance and see moreof a cultural interaction rather than just be a tourist. It was sort of funny because the driving andthe nightclub weren’t part of my tour so we sort of had to go around the driverto accomplish these activities. According to Mustafa, the workers in all industries compete constantlywith each other since money is such a shortage so if anyone ever does anythingeven SEMI wrong they will be thrown under the bus immediately by someone thatthey may even consider a trusted friend. YIKES, sounds like KBR LOL After the dancing it was around 3 am andneedless to say I was very exhausted and becoming sick from all the smoke andjust the different environment so it was for sure time to head back to thehotel.

So Long 2011

2011-12-31T15:13:00.000-06:00

2011 has been a great year and I couldn’t be happier. I don’t have pictures of all these events buteither way here are the main happenings that made 2011 a great year.

January-left Iraq for good and went on a trip of a lifetime to Egypt

February- Got settled into my house and used this year to add decorations here and there and went to a PBR event with Heather and Matt
March- Found a job, ran into Lincoln at the taco shack and we started talking and the rest is history in the making J So far we have been “officially” together 7 months on January 1^st and I don’t see an end in sight ;)

May- Went to my first Rangers game with Lincoln, Amber, and Mark and loved it, Celebrated Memorial day at the lake with Casey and Kaylynn

June and July- jumped with both feet back into school and Piper got engaged
August- Amber’s wedding, fall semester of school started

October- went to a fun Halloween party

November- Thanksgiving, got a gun for my early birthday present, started a better job, and Lincoln and I took some Fall pictures

Christmas- turned 25, celebrated Christmas with my families, ugly sweater get together

That is 2011 in a nutshell! I would have never thought that I would be back in a relationship with agreat guy who would do anything for me, back to the everyday life of a smalltown citizen and plugging away at school so soon. When I thought of 2011 back in 2010 I thoughtyeah I’ll head home get my house in order and just party it up, travel around,and maybe not have to work so much, and do a little school here and there. My year hasn’t turned out like I thought butthat is definitely for the better. 2011has been a great year for me and my family and I know that 2012 is going to befull of special moments and unforgettable experiences. I have a few ideas of what I want to happenthis coming year but all good things come in due time. I am glad to be in good spirits about thepast year, the future, and I can’t wait to see what it holds for me andLincoln.

With the New Year of course come resolutions!

I only have a few this year that should beeasily attainable and I am really looking forward to getting these going.

1. Starting January 1^st Lincoln and I aredetermined to get back into perfect shape. For me that means lose 15-20 lbs and tone up. I already have the Insanity dusted off andready to go. I’m going to help Lincoln staymotivated to workout with me even when he is tired from getting off anight shift and he is going to help me cook and eat healthier.

2. I want to try to save money better than I have been. Even though most of my money goes to justeveryday bills and things I would like to cut out pretty much everything butthe necessities and hopefully save a bit in the process so I can get back totraveling.

3. Do more activities and dates with my wonderful Mr.Lincoln

4. Just continueworking on myself and my issues…like trust and in turn having that help myrelationship with others.

Bring on 2012 It’s going to be a great year!

Christmas Crafts

2011-12-31T14:49:00.000-06:00

I made a good portion of my Christmas gifts this year and some turned out great and others good but not like I imagined. I learned a few new things too that next time I do a similar craft I'm for sure going to use. Anyways now that Christmas is over and everyone has their gifts I can post how I made them. I have been wanted to do this for a while now but I didn't want to ruin the surprises.

Me & Lincoln's Ugly Sweatshirts

Supplies Needed for one shirt:
1 sweatshirt
1 felt square
Hot glue gun
Scissors
Glitter poms
Garland

Ten Commandments Cross

I got a cross from Canton that had the 10 commandments carved into it. I thought that it would make a great gift for my Mom. I painted the gross a light tan or more of a cream color then put a brown metallic glaze over it. It wasn't EXACTLY how I imagined it but it worked and my Mom really liked it.

Cross with Welcome Plaque

I also got just two plain crosses from Canton and found two metal plaques that had welcome written on them and thought it would be cute to decorate the crosses and then attach the plaques. I painted the plaques a cream color. The crosses were another story. I wanted to do like a paper mache type decor on the front of them but that didn't workout too well. Patricia's ended up being just brown with the plaque and Lara's was green with a gold glaze and the plaque. I don't have a whole lot of pictures of each but you can get the drift.

Connie's Cross

I loved the way this one turned out.

Ugly Sweater Get-Together

2011-12-28T23:38:00.000-06:00

Thursday started for me around 4:30 AM!

I have really been wanting to have a small get together at the house with some of our friends and Christmas time seemed to be a great time. Note to self that Christmas time isn’t a great idea to throw in another event since this time of the year is jam packed with stuff already. Anywho, I wanted to have it on a weekend so a few more of our friends could come but between all the Christmases and things that wasn’t possible so I settled for a Thursday night.

Everyone that came that day had to work on Thursday so we didn’t get going until around 7 but we had so much fun. Everyone was to wear an ugly/tacky Christmas sweater just for fun and so we could get some good pictures. I stayed up Wednesday night making mine and Lincoln’s sweaters LOL. I tried finding some at Goodwill but didn’t have any luck so I just settled to make them. I think they turned out perfect and we had so much fun.

The guys were great sports when it came to us dressing them in their sweaters. Lincoln never complained and even wore it all night long. LOL I think he knew that not having it on was NOT an option. Doesn't he look perfect?

We were twinkies!

When Lincoln got up early to go to work I got up and headed to my house (since we stayed in MP) to make chicken spaghetti and brownies for supper that night. By the time I got to work Thursday morning it felt like I had already completed a day’s worth of activities. WHEW!

After work I raced home to finish up some house cleaning and to make the frosting for our ~~gingerbread~~ graham cracker houses.

Easy frosting for houses use:
3 egg whites
5 cups of powdered sugar
Mix until the frosting has the consistency of peanut butter.

Kaylynn came early to help me and then the boys got home from work just in time. Lara wasn’t able to come so it was just Casey, Kaylynn, Mia, Lincoln, and my self. We got our bellies full on chicken spaghetti and took some awsome pictures then we got ready for the ~~gingerbread~~ graham cracker house building.

I suggested that these picutres be our Christmas card next year! LOL

We got all our supplies out and separated into our boy/girl teams and dug in. Graham crackers are VERY hard to work with when it comes to making them stand up and not break. LOL Luckily our icing was like cement and dried fast so that made it a bit easier. The boys were going all out with reindeer and things while we were just trying to get a basic shape going that we could decorate. In the end the girls won because the boys weren’t able to even decorate theirs since it caved in due to weight! LOL I’m not sure if they let us win or not but either way it was a lot of fun working on them and decorating but it isn’t something I would want to eat. I have a sweet tooth at times but that is WAY too much sugar for even my sweet tooth.

The boys in deep concentration building the foundation of their house.

We WON!

After we made our houses and half way cleaned up that mess it was time for the main event. Lincoln was totally amazed that in my 25 years I had never seen A Christmas Story. He loves the movie and watches it every year so this year was my induction into the club I guess. LOL Casey and Kaylynn also love the movie and they all can pretty much quote the entire thing. :) We got cozy with our Christmas sweaters and became mesmerized by the funnies in the movie. After it was over it was late and Kaylynn and gave in to sleep hours before LOL. We said our Merry Christmases and everyone headed home and us to bed.

All in all, the ugly sweater get together was a hit and I am thrilled that even though it was thrown together last minute we were still able to pull it off and enjoy the season with our friends.

Christmas Crap 2011

2011-12-28T21:53:00.003-06:00

Wow, Christmas was crazy this year. I had so many different ones to go to and I was so ready for a day of rest come on Monday. It was almost just too much but it is always good seeing family that you don’t usually see and catching up.

* Wednesday December 21st- Christmas at Connie’s (Lincoln’s mom) and ended up being a late night due to me making us some sweaters (more to come on that in a later post)*

* Friday December 23rd- Christmas with Lincoln’s extended family on his dad’s side in Pittsburg. Full of chicken spaghetti and Wii dance games LOL*

*Saturday December 24th- Annual Deal Christmas Eve Morning Breakfast with all my dad’s side of the family. Not everyone showed there faces this year but it was good getting together with our gang and eating cinnamon rolls. Right after breakfast and a little visiting me and Lincoln headed to Mt. Pleasant so he could drop me off with his mother for another Christmas event. He had to work nights this weekend so he had to miss a few of the events but I don’t think he minded. LOL I rode with Connie and Shawn to Lincoln’s Nannies in between Longview and Gilmer for some Christmas lunch, game playing, and gift exchange. I actually won a money game and left with $51. :) I think the veteran family members were jealous of my beginners luck. I got home from that around 6 and then had a full night of cooking and finishing up my last few gifts. Needless to say by this point I was wiped out and really want just to sleep in and do nothing the next day but I couldn't.*

* Sunday **Christmas** - I got up around 9 and got ready and headed out to my Mom’s house early so Lincoln could get a few hours of good sleep before he came over. We ate lunch and unwrapped presents at Mom and Mike’s and around 3 headed to my brother’s house for Christmas with my dad. We had finger foods that took on a Mexican theme, visited, and unwrapped presents while watching Lonesome Dove. After everyone had there belly and hands full my Dad and Patricia headed out since Patricia had to work Monday and I stayed to help do some decorating around the house with Lara. My Mom and Mike came over to help with the logistics of all the hanging. Around ten Mom and Mike headed home, Colby and Caleb went off to varmint hunt or something and Lara and I watched The Help. I got home around 1:30AM and was totally exhausted. That was my Christmas in a nutshell. I enjoyed every bit of it but was glad also for it to come to an end. Tonight I think I’m going to take my decorations down and get my house back to normal and ready for the New Year.*

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T22:28:00.003-06:00

Just wanted to take a minute and wish everyone a Merry Christmas! The past week has been so busy and hopefully this coming week I will get time to blog about it all and get all caught up on everything before the New Year!

I hope Santa does all ya'll right tonight!

The Real Thing

2011-12-19T21:53:00.002-06:00

I saw this picture on Bing a couple days ago and it reminded me of my childhood. :)

Growing up we always had a real Christmas tree. It was something that we always did as a family...go hunt the perfect tree. We would always load up on the four-wheelers or the mule with chain saw in hand and head out. Usually it was around my birthday or right after since real trees always dry out so fast and make a mess. A couple weeks of having one of those trees up is long enough (for the adults of the household anyways). It was always an adventure finding the right tree that everyone agreed on and that didn't have any bald or dead spots around it. Then came the fun part... getting it in the house and in the ~~stand~~ bucket. Yes, you read right BUCKET. Forget those fancy smancy tree stands, we used a 5 gallon feed bucket around the Deal household. Put the tree in the middle of the bucket, fill that bad boy up with large rocks and then a tink of water to help hinder the fast drying process. Redneck NO...Country YES! LOL Hey why fix what's not broken...right? I remember one year we did the whole process and when we got up the next morning something in the bucket had shifted and our tree had fell over and water was all over the floor. My mom had just gotten new ornaments that year too and a few were broken...she was not a happy camper. :( I would love to have a real tree but they are very messy and Lincoln's allergies can't handle all of that but I have the memories of childhood and they are great!

My Birthday

2011-12-19T21:29:00.000-06:00

Friday I turned the whooping 25 years old!!!

I have not been looking forward to this number, I can't give a reason why really I just have been feeling that 25 and after makes me really OLD. LOL After the day got started I knew that I had been wrong and 25 was going to be great. I am so lucky to have all the awesome people in my life that love me and I am so grateful for all the blessings that God has allowed me to have.

The week before my birthday my Mom called me and invited me to get my toes done. I picked out a blood red and asked the man to add snow flakes or something Christmasy on them. When he finished he just got up and I had no snow flakes. I asked him again and he instructed me that after they dried his co-worker was going to take care of them for me. She came over and asked what I wanted and I told her snow flakes or something like that. So she thought...... and then this amazingly excited look came to her face and she said "I DO NOSEMAN FOR YOU!" She was so excited I didn't have the heart to correct her confused English so I just smiled really big and said YEAH. Me and my mom that is was so cute and hilarious. So from now on all snowmen are going to be noseman!

They turned out great.

Thursday I had to go the my brother and Lara's house to pick up some things and they also gave me my birthday present. DRUM ROLL Please for the amazing

SNUGGIE!

They make you look about a million times bigger than your actual size but I have already put this baby to good use. I actually asked for a Snuggie and am so glad someone got me one. Lara called my Mom and asked her if I was serious because she was going to really get me one if I was. I need one for when I am doing homework, reading, or just sitting on the couch chilling.

Friday I was surprised when these beautiful flowers were delivered to work from my brother and Lara. It was so sweet and they really filled up my station with a great smell from the Lilly's.

Friday night me, Lincoln, Caleb, Mom, Mike, and Lara all went to San Remo's Italian restaurant in Sulphur Springs. I hadn't ever been there and have always heard awesome things about their food so decided that's where I wanted to celebrate. I will go back but won't get what I ordered this time. It was ok but not really what I expected. My Mom and Mike new I wanted a Erin Condren life planner and so a few weeks ago my Mom had me order one and lucky me it came on on Saturday. I am already in love with this thing and have it all marked up and ready to go.

Lincoln really surprised me with a GREAT gift and one I have never received before. The weekend after Thanksgiving he surprised me with a Tikka T3, 243 deer rifle. I love it and it shoots awesome. Not only did he buy me the gun but also a scope and carrying case. It hasn't killed anything yet but I am a great shot with it so I am sure when a buck walks in front of me he will be dead meat. (pun intended LOL)

Germany...I miss you!

2011-12-19T20:35:00.000-06:00

I love Bavaria. If I could live there I would.

picture via Bing.com

Girl's Christmas Gift

2011-12-14T21:56:00.000-06:00

Like most of my gifts this year for Christmas I made Gracie and Averie's gift too. Instead of buying them another toy that they don't need or even have room for I decided to make them something for their bedrooms. I think they turned out so cute and simple but I know they will love them. They are both girly girls and love anything that is, could be, or even resembles BLING! LOL Especially Gracie. I really hope they love them and look cute in their rooms.

I took regular wooden letters that I got from Canton, painted them a pink/purple color and then coated the front side with glitter.

First Snow

2011-12-14T21:45:00.000-06:00

Yes, you read that right...December 6th, last Tuesday morning it snowed in Winnsboro, TX!!

I was getting ready for work and went to turn the coffee maker on and I look out the window and I FREAK OUT!!

It is SNOWING! Pretty big flakes too.

I am so excited but the only ~~person~~ thing to share my excitement with is Hercules. I ran outside with my hair in a towel and camera in hand to capture the flurries and Hercules is constantly looking at me like WTF is going on. LOL

I ran back in and call my Mom to brag because she loves the winter and when it snows. It wasn' snowing in MV but she said that it "was more than likely moving her way" She was white with snow envy. BAAHHAAAAA!!! ;)

By the time I left for work the miracle had concluded and the only snow left was on the roof but either way it snowed in Texas at the beginning of December.

SO COOL!

Doggy Nanny

2011-12-13T22:46:00.000-06:00

I need to enlist the help from a super doggy nanny to help contain my horrible mutt!

Hercules has been acting HORRIBLE!! He tears up anything and everything that is outside and isn't concrete. He has torn up faucet covers, water hose, sprayers, lounge chairs, tropical plants and the pot, any paper product that gets blown into the yard, and mail delivered by UPS or FedEx. He is a perfect angel inside he never has accidents, chews, or tears up anything. The only thing he does do inside is NOT MIND but I suppose that's my fault for not teaching discipline.

Saying all this, today was the last straw. I got a text from Lincoln this afternoon and he said that while he was in the shower Hercules had PEED and took the most ginormous dump on my cowhide rug. I cracked! I was so mad and I had decided to give him away to a loving home. I confess that if he continues on with this bratty rebellious behavior he is going to have a whole in his head and I am not speaking figuratively.

Lincoln cleaned up the pee before he went to work but the poo was still too soft so I got the joy of cleaning that up when I arrived home from my AWESOME day at work. Now you are probably saying well he just really had to go. WRONG!! He had been outside all day long while Lincoln was in the house napping and milling around the house. He only let him in to eat and stuff while he got ready for work so there is really no excuse. I have no idea why he has been acting like this. He should be out of his puppy stage he is 14 months old!!!

I have decided to get a game plan together and regain control of my household because right now Hercules rules the roost. He doesn't know any discipline besides what outside means and he goes into his crate great. It's not that he causes so much trouble inside but it is all his outside antics that are driving me crazy. All he does is continue to cost me money. If I don't get a handle on this dog immediately I am going to have to get rid of him and I really hate that because he has a great personality and he is very loving not to mention he doesn't really do anything too bad inside the house (where he spends the majority of his time).

My main goal is to teach him to leave things alone outside and mind more commands. The only obstacle I find in my way is that he doesn't get hurt. You can just beat him and spank him but he still comes back wagging his little nub IMMEDIATELY! It doesn't sink in that..."hey I shouldn't do that ever again" I just don't know. Lincoln is going to have to help me a lot because I haven't ever trained or even had a dog as a pet so I am a new mom. This whole game plan is coming a year late but for a while it wasn't bad but now it is really taking a turn for the worst and I am at the end of my line. Anyways he has acted nice tonight since I have been home and I have semi- forgiven him and we will be working on things soon.

Kardashians on the Brain

2011-12-13T21:41:00.000-06:00

body

I was laying in bed last night after watching my recorded episode of Kourtney and Kim take New York and was thinking...I know a dangerous thing to do close to midnight on a Monday night!

I was thinking the Kardashians are the Sex and the City for this decade. My friends and I would sit around and watch SATC and decide which friend we were so was just wondering which sister I am most like? I mean they are my TV family and obviously my life is no where as glamorous as theirs but they are still somewhat normal girls and a typical family.

I love all the sisters and my favoritism flips back and forth depending on what situation they have themselves in. For the longest I always loved Kim the best. Kourt just seemed cold and boring so I didn’t gravitate towards her and I loved Khloe but at times she was a little to brazen for my taste.

. .

Yes, I know coming from a blunt person this is a lot but overall I liked Kim. She is business savvy, beautiful, and lives life like she had half a brain.

Since the notorious 72 day marriage headline I can’t feel but some disappointment in Kim. I know I am for sure not the right person to be judgmental in this situation but my views of the sisters and in life have changed over time and as I continue to see the family evolve Kim moves further down my list.

Kourt is a wonderful mom, Khloe has matured and is awesome, and Kim seems very consumed with her own life and material things.

And mostly BOY can she be a brat!

Don’t get me wrong I still like her but she isn’t my favorite any more.

Right now I have to say Khloe is my favorite.

My evolution of feelings towards the sisters got me thinking which one I am most like. All three are so different but when all put together balance each other out and bring out the best in each other.

In my own opinion, I think that I am smart when it comes to my career. I have goals and now that I am back home I am determined to reach them ASAP, this is the Kourtney part of me.

I love LOVE and have learned some really good lessons making a few, not so good, choices but now that I have made those mistakes I am a better person for them and try and think I’m doing a pretty darn good job at making right ones these days, this is the Kim part of me.

Now, besides my actual goals and choices in life there is my personality. Out of all my friends and family I am by far the most out spoken. Now I don’t act unlady like but my close relationships can always count on me to keep it alive and real to say the least. LOL I think of myself of a realist in most aspects and I am for sure blunt. This is the part of me that will never go away because it’s just the way I am and this is the Khloe part of me.

I have parts of all three sisters but the person that I think that I am most like is Khloe. I don’t consider this a bad thing at all. She has a successful marriage which is always her first priority and she loves her family. Not only that but she works at her career too and has goals for herself. Can't hate on a girl for that!

Which Kardashian do you like the best or are most like?

What I wish I was doing....

2011-12-11T10:07:00.001-06:00

La Fortaleza in San Juan Puerto Rico

I wish I was visiting one of these beautiful places instead of doing my final project for my accounting class. At least I can look at the amazing pictures and day dream in between research questions and Access queries. :( I know it sounds like a ton of fun but hey on the VERY bright side this is one of three finals that I will be taking this week and then I have a few weeks off from school before my loaded Spring Semester starts. I plan on doing a few little projects around the house that I have been too busy to do because of school and work and enjoying the holidays of course. Anyways enough procrastinating, I suppose I better get to it so I can get done and maybe have a bit of my Sunday left to enjoy.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Thanksgiving Festivities

2011-12-04T22:03:00.001-06:00

Thursday, Thanksgiving day, we ate at my Moms with all the gang. After lunch we all just hung out and I helped my Mom put up her tree. Saturday I cooked dinner at my house for my brothers, Lincoln, and Levi came down.

I'm not a fan of myself in the pic but its a good one of everyone else.

Caleb and his friend Noah

Hercules needed a band-aid because he some how he got a cut on his nose and he was bleeding profusely.

Full of food and full of love

rain, rain, DON'T go away

2011-12-04T21:04:00.001-06:00

It has been raining for a solid 24 hours now and I am loving it. Today all I did was get up way to early for a Sunday morning (8 am) and did homework until about 6 pm.

I drank a lot of this

I love my Keurig

Built one of these

Hercules loves laying by the fire.

and now its on to my Sunday night shows while Lincoln is at work. Bring on Kourtney and Kim Take NY!!!

Friday Night Lights...and I'm NOT talking Football

2011-12-04T20:25:00.001-06:00

Friday after I got off work I rushed home to change clothes, get Hercules, and head to Lara and my brother's house to help decorate the tree. I was in charge of the design LOL so after I rushed around I was off. I stopped by Parker's Pizza by Vinyard's and grabbed supper for us. I got to Lara's and we started in on the tree as we ate our fair share of pizza. Shanna dropped Averie off and my Mom showed up shortly to oversee the planning. She never trusts my visions of design and is always SO surprised when it turns out wonderful. LOL I told her she needs to quit questioning and just trust. Averie was quite the little helper globbing all her ornaments in one section while Lara and I went behind her replacing them. LOL I remember when my Mom did that to us when we were kids. They don't really grasp the idea.

Without further ado....

I love the tree topper and the glitter things coming out!

While we were laughing and decorating we noticed Ave's shoes! All we could see was the little shiny black tips and knew they weren't her tennis shoes. I told her to pull up her pants and this is what was under.....

SHINY BALLET FLATS AND FUZZY HELLO KITTY SOCKS! BAAHHHAAAA

She obviously dressed herself that day!

After I was done getting the fashionista on camera she wanted a picture with Nana. Awe

That night miss fuzzy socks came home with me and Hercules to spend the night. She has came over many time before but she always chickens out on spending the night. Friday was our first slumber party and she never asked for Nana or Momma or no one. We watched Wall-E and then about 30 minutes of Cars before we were out and dreaming of sugar plum fairies. I didn't dream for long because I woke with two little feet jabbed into my side that stayed there the rest of the night. If her feet were stuck in my rib cage she was wedged up beside me making not only herself but me sweat in our sleep. We slept in until about 9 and then Lincoln got in bed. He had worked nights and came in around 7 but was on the couch til we got up. We had a great time and I'm thinking we will have many more slumber parties.

Turtle Doves & Twinkle Lights

2011-12-04T20:10:00.001-06:00

I haven't got to have a proper Christmas at home since 2007!

Knowing this now you might understand my excitment this year when I got to get new decorations (in September), put up a tree (Thanksgiving night), Christmas shop til I dropped (already done:) ), and cook a whole lot of holiday food.

I love my tree it turned out just the way I imagined it!

Fall Photos

2011-12-04T19:28:00.001-06:00

Last Sunday my Mom came down and took some pictures of me and Lincoln and a couple of me and Hercules. Lincoln of course rolled his eyes when I told him in a very enthusiastic tone to GET DRESSED!!! Mom is here to take our picts....REMEMBER I told you about it. LOL!!!!!! He grumbled ooohhhh geez and went to the closet. LOL He can't complain too much since I don't ask for a whole heck of a lot. :) Our pictures turned out great and I just finished editing a few of my favorites at picnik.com If you haven't ever used picnik its great and FREE. Anyways I think the pics turned out great and I can't wait to print and frame them.

Love this one, we are REALLY smiling and not faking it

Love this one too. LOL which ones don't I love??

the boot pic didn't turn out exactly like I thought but its good still

I love the way this one turned out after editing. I have some other faves but out of all the edits that I did this one takes the cake.

<+tbody>

Doesn't Hercules look mean?

Thanks Mom you did a great job.

December?? Are you Serious?

2011-12-01T15:57:00.001-06:00

Yes, I know the whole blog-world is posting about DECEMBER and I am going to post about it just because its so crazy and because I found this really pretty picture on Pintrest. LOL December 1st is almost over and it seems like we were just saying GEEZ its May already...June...July....etc... you get the picture. This year has literally FLOWN by. Only 23 more nights and Santa will be shimming his way down my chimney. Just as this whole year has flown by I am sure this month will also and before we even have time to blink I will be posting about the new year and all the fun and happenings of significance that went on in 2011. Anyways, I hope you all make the best out of your December!! I am going to TRY since in 15 days I'll be rounding the ole birthday corner with a whopping 25!!! :( I'm not excited about that number but what can I do.

Happy 1st

Blog for Thought

2011-12-01T14:42:00.001-06:00

A few days ago I was looking at the blogs I follow and Stephanie from Beautiful Mess posted a cool post. You can go check out her cool blog and the post I'm referring to here. Anyways the meat of the post was a her answering the question:

If money were no object, what would you be doing today?

I have been thinking and there is so many things I would love to do.

1) TRAVEL- there is no doubt that if money was not a problem I would travel to every corner of the Earth and back. I would love to experience things that are different, open my mind to new ways of living, and submerse myself into other's culture.

2) I love to COOK- I have always dreamed of owning some sort of sandwich shop/cafe/bakery type business. I would definitely have a lot to learn but I know the basics and I may not be the most creative person in the world but on cooking I think I could hit it out of the park.

3) Build my dream home on my dream land and raise my dream kids with my dream husband!!! LOL That's a lot of dreams but hopefully even in the real world where money is an object I hope to do those things. :)

4) The idea of being a wedding planner and also of being an interior designer sound GREAT but again comes the part of being creative and also not getting bored the same thing. It would take a while to get bored but I think it would be one of those jobs where if you really didn't just LOVE the job a person would get burned out easily.

5) and of course it would be nice to just do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted to do it. Watch LMN all day in my pj's and eat Little Debbie's, work in the yard, shop, play at the lake, buy a butt load of toys like RV, boat, hunting ranch....you know all the goods.

So your turn.... What would you do if money weren't an object?

Leftover Turkey Pot Pie

2011-11-30T16:41:00.001-06:00

I always like to pass off ideas that I have probably seen somewhere else as my own. LOL I like to think they are my own creations so the leftover turkey pot pie is more than likely a recipe I received through my email but never opened. I mean since I didn't open it and never looked at the recipe this one is my original creation. :) Make sense??

Ok now that I have explained my some what plagiarism onto the hot steamy goodness. On Thanksgiving I only ended up making one pie so I had a pre-made pie crust that needed to get used and I was also down to the turkey that if it didn't get ate last night it was going in the trash. I didn't want to waste too much so I started mentally going through my pantry at work. I knew I had the most important things: TURKEY and CRUST. Then I figured out what else I would through in it to make it yummy. I should have taken pictures but of course I didn't. :( Hopefully one of these days I will learn so I can showcase my real stuff but until that day comes I have left you with the above picture from Google and my recipe!

I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients
1 nine inch remade pie crust
1 can of Texas style biscuits (the small can with only 5 biscuits)
Cooked turkey- just add however much you have or would like in it
1 can drained green beans
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 can of milk (meaning fill the soup can up half way)
Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to taste

Directions
* Heat oven to 350
* In a medium mixing bowl whisk together soup and milk
* Add turkey, drained green beans, and spices and mix well
* line a baking dish/bowl with pie crust ( I used a Correll baking dish)
* Pour mixture into bowl lined with crust
* Top with biscuits
* Bake until biscuits are brown at 350

******************************ENJOY*****************************

2011-11-30T10:52:00.001-06:00

I started a new job on the 15th of this month and so far I LOVE IT!!!

I think it is a way better fit than my last job. I love the environment and the people are so welcoming and friendly. There’s a mixture of age groups of mostly women and they are really great. The office is bigger than the one I was working in previously and I think that suites me better. Everyone still works as a team to make the most out of the day but everyone also does their job and is happy about doing it. LOL I have always been a fast learner and this job was no exception within the first week I was thrown to the wolves and luckily I’ve stayed a float. LOL ;) I am very happy with management so far they are very encouraging and professional, which is a huge plus. I feel like this job will be a great fit for a while and will let me concentrate on school. I was to the point before I started this job that my life was miserable. I hated going to work and I COULD NOT wait to get off. I had so many disappoints and was very ready to move on from it. I am so happy right now and I find myself smiling on my drive home from work and excited about life and work again.

A few months ago Lincoln and I had a conversation about marriage and things like that (not that we want to get married but just our expectations and things out of a relationship). One of the things he said was that he wants his wife to work and have something that she loves or at least likes/enjoys doing as a career or job. His reasoning was first to contribute to the household and second was that he feels that when one person hates their job that it puts a lot of strain and bad feelings into the relationship. Not so much that the relationship turns bad but that the spouse that is unhappy with work will let that unhappiness leak and infect the other aspects of their lives too. At the time I didn’t agree and thought your crazy!
BOY am I singing a different tune these days.
It’s not that I intentionally let my unhappiness with work leak out but it did without me even thinking about it. I found myself unhappy and uncertain in other parts of my life just because I hated my job so bad. I was constantly in a bad mood and I am so glad that I took charge and fixed the problem. Now I feel like I am back on track and ready to rock-n-roll. Just as smiling and laughing is contagious… well so is bad moods and it doesn’t have to be another person doing it, it can be you. I told him last week or so that I knew now what he was talking about and that I now agree with his reasoning that both people should be happy on all fronts especially work. I mean for the most part we spend more time at work and with coworkers than we do with our own loved ones. That makes for a long day when you don’t like the people your sitting beside. LOL!!

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T09:05:00.001-06:00

I have not had a Thanksgiving at home since 2008 and I am so excited to be here this year with my family and friends. I have dinner with my mom and step dad and their gang today and then on Saturday I'm having my Dad, brothers, and that side of the family over to my house for dinner. I am so ready to make a feast and really excited for everyone to get together. Heck if no one shows up I will be happy just because I got to cook a lot of really yummy food. I will take pictures and hopefully some cute ones will turn out that I can post.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!!

Go Check Out Her....

2011-11-23T19:52:00.001-06:00

One of my favorite blogs is All In My Twenties where Kristen is always up so something and telling the world what's on her mind.

Today she posted this and I love it.

She is really channeling Sex and the City and Carrie Bradshaw on this post. I loved it and it is so true for hopefully everyone.

Anywho go check it out...you won't be disappointed.

Keep Looking Up...

2011-11-21T21:48:00.001-06:00

Breaking Dawn..Part 1

2011-11-20T22:03:00.001-06:00

The long awaited day finally arrived. Breaking Dawn hit theaters at midnight on Wednesday. I was not one of those who went out in the middle of my REM cycle to see a movie. LOL I waited until Friday. Heather bought our tickets weeks ago and both our moms were coming along with us to see the movie. Peggy, Heather's mom, couldn't make it at the last minute so it was just me, Mom, and Heather but we had a lot of fun. We talked all the way over and then it was time to get down to business and watch the show. I'm not going to spoil the details for those of you who have waited but I will say that it follows the book very closely and the ending is so suspenseful. Me and Heather were sitting here talking back and forth saying its fixing to end, its fixing to end and then finally after giving us more than we thought it ended. The producers for sure left us hanging and I can't wait for the last part even though its going to be a lot like Harry Potter, bitter-sweet.

But in the words of the great Scarlet O'Hara I can't think of that today I will worry about that tomorrow. :)

Hercules 1 Year Old

2011-11-20T21:20:00.001-06:00

October 10th Hercules turned 1 year old. I can't believe it. This year has flown by. I picked him up on January 21st and he was a little over 3 months old. The past 9 months have flown. He has really grown up and gotten very muscular not to mention developed his own very funny and quirky personality. I couldn't imagine the my little family being complete without him. Even though Lincoln gives him a hard time he loves him too. :)

Baby Herc at 5 weeks

Hercules in the girl's Dora chair at Nana's when he was 2 months old

Hims a big boy at 1 year old

Crafts

2011-11-20T20:46:00.001-06:00

Since I have been going to Canton pretty frequent this year I have gotten a lot of ideas and things for crafts. A couple that I have done lately are shown below. I can't post all about my crafts quite yet because some of them are people's Christmas presents but I am taking lots of pictures so I can document and show later on.

Instead of buying an $8 container of modge podge at a craft store I made my own from equal parts of Elmer's Glue and water! This is going to help me complete a few Christmas presents.

I bought these wooden letters at Canton MONTHS ago and I finally just did something with them last weekend. I got some multi colored yarn from Alco and wrapped the letters in it.

Almost done with the H

All done and ready to hang in the entry way

I hung them up and I think they may be a little far apart but I'll see.

I wanted to hang something in the spare bath and thought this was a cute idea. I printed the saying out from the Internet and the frame I antiqued myself. It was a cheap frame from Alco and I spray painted it an ivory color. After it was dry I took some sand paper and rubbed it around the frame and made it look antique. I was EXTREMELY pleased by the way it turned out. I have since replace the picture with a different saying that makes it look even better.

Gone Huntin'

2011-11-20T20:31:00.001-06:00

On Monday the 14th, I had the WONDERFUL pleasure of being off work along with Lincoln, Casey, and Kaylynn who is on vacation for a couple weeks from work. Kaylynn asked me to go to Dallas with her for Casey's Christmas gifts and we also had to make a run at Hobby Lobby so we headed out around 9 that morning. We got all our rat killing done and were home by 3 to all go hunting. It was a bit unplanned and I didn't have any of my camo with me so Lincoln gave me a long sleeve camo shirt and his leafy pants to wear along with some hunting boots that were about 3 sizes too big. Good thing I was only sitting in the stand and not tracking down the deer. LOL This was my first solo hunt without Lincoln and I can say that without him beside me I was way more excited and alert. I didn't see anything but a squirrel but had fun anyways. Lincoln saw a little 4 point but he never came in my direction. Casey and Kaylynn didn't see much at there spot either so it was uneventful but all in all a good day. When we got back it was only 6 but seemed so late with it getting so dark so soon. Lincoln bought everyone DQ and so we loaded up on the Casey's couch at DQ and watch Stepbrothers. We are all always quoting that movie so we just figured we would watch it as a family. Casey and Kaylynn are for sure our closest couple friends that we have. We hang out every chance we can get and always have a load of fun with each other. Casey and I went to school together in MV and Kaylynn and Lincoln went to school together in MP so we are familiar with each other already and just love hanging out together. We all have a lot of the same beliefs and interest. I see many good times in our futures with these kids. :)

Kaylynn and I

Me and Lincoln

Kaylynn and Casey

me in the stand on the look out :)

And no hunting isn't some significant event in our lives but I have complained and then vowed lately to take more pictures of all of our comings and goings but I always forget my camera but this time I remembered it was in my purse so seized the opportunity. Casey made fun and Lincoln rolled his eyes with a sigh but it only took a sec and I was one happy hunter. :)

Funnies from my Phone

2011-11-20T20:18:00.001-06:00

I recently downloaded my pictures off my phone and had a few unique ones on there.

Back in September Hercules got stung or bit by something in the yard and his face swelled, his body had whelps, and his momma was worried. I am so glad the vet thought it was minor and he was fine when I picked him up after work.

Went to my Mom's house one day for lunch and found this in the living room. Mike my step dad left the little notes for my mom since she is always getting on to us for leaving stuff out all over the house. LOL

Adelyn Diane Bales, Heather one of my BF new baby girl

Everything is bigger in TEXAS especially hair bows. Avery before a football game.

Linc: Babe I lost my band aid somewhere
Me: IDK maybe you threw it away

The next day I was taking a bath and I found the rogue band aid stuck to the bath towel. I had to take a pic and send it to Lincoln showing him I found his band aid. LOL

Some kick ass solid chrome wheels on this vehicle at a bank drive thru...CLASSIC

My flying pig I got from Canton at the beginning of this month when me and Kaylynn went for $6

Goats in a tree out by my house

The possum that was trapped in the live trap that I had to shoot. Lincoln was working and wouldn't get off til dark so last Saturday I went to check the traps and found this sucker. I didn' have a gun with me in my car so went over to Kaylynn's and Caseys' house and we went back and shot it. They just look gross with all their teeth and hissing like a cat.

Well that's all folks...

Halloween 2011

2011-11-20T19:57:00.001-06:00

A bit late but better than never eh?

This year was my first ever ADULT Halloween party. I was so excited and a bit anxiety stricken to think of dressing up and having to look cute but not tacky but sexy all in one. LOL Such a female I know. Amber and I had gone to Tyler the weekend before the party and I got a really cute costume from Spirit Halloween. There were so many choices to choose from but I had a few ideas narrowed down going in and I am really glad that my first and favorite idea was there and I looked cute in the outfit. October 29th came around and me and Lincoln suited up. We headed over to Justin's house where the party was being held to party hard. I was a little worried at first because I didn't know ANYONE there but eventually a couple of our friends that we normally hang out with showed up and I got more comfortable...(the bottle or two of wine I was drinking might have been a part of it as well LOL) All in all the night was a huge it and we had a great time. I can't wait til next years bash!

I forgot my camera of course and this was one of the only have way decent pictures of me and linc that I have

Raggedy Michelle and Sgt Megan

Christian (Lincoln's BF was Joe Dirt) he was hilarious with his wig and hair flip :)

CAMEL BACK STAND

Yes, this is SGT Megan doing a camel back stand. A WHAT?? Ok well you have heard of keg stands right?? Justin, our host, was ex military and sine Lincoln was dressed as an army man he lent him his Army issued camel back. Its a little back pack thing that is supposed to hold water when your hiking and stuff. Well Lincoln filled it up with beer and was drinking out of it and I thought BEER+NOZZLE= CAMEL BACK STAND or a baby keg stand. LOL Thanks to Ran for holding me up...I think I lasted about 20 seconds. LOL

All the ladies

And all the guys

Life's little trials

2011-10-25T12:22:00.005-05:00

I was checking on the blogs I follow new posts this morning and came across a truly inspirational post by Courtney from With Gratitude. Although my story isn’t quite like hers, her post did give me the strength to post about a struggle that affects me and my relationships every day. I have gone deep a few times with my blog and shared some personal details but overall I keep it fun and pretty. I guess like others say that sort of gives a false perception because all our lives aren’t roses and rainbows, we all have struggles be it emotional, physical illness, or whatever. So without further beating around the bush let me get into it…

A struggle that I have had with any relationship since I can remember is trust. When it comes to being funny and witty and spilling my life I usually will to a point but when it comes to intimate relationships that spilling stops and all my trust issues come out. Mainly this is only with my romantic relationships but I can see where it affects me in other areas also, like my regular friendships. Along time ago I guess you would have called me too trusting. Well I learned my lesson on that from being burned again and again by boyfriends. Now it is a struggle for me to trust a man that is a huge part of my life and the worst part is that I have no reason to not trust him.

I feel a little crazy because my mind is constantly wondering and analyzing to the point of insanity. I am always looking for a reason to not trust and you know what people when you look for something you are always going to find it even if it isn’t there. Your little human brain is going to see something and twist it and turn it into what you want to believe. This is what I have been doing with my current relationship. The weekend was my breaking point when once again I gave into this no trusting issue and snooped. All you girls know exactly what I am talking about it’s the stupid technology these days and the cell phone. I know we all have done it sometime or another I am sure. Of course I see something that makes my heart sink but never go any further, I start acting weird, and then not being able to keep any sort of secret… I confess my sin of snooping. I cry trying to understand why I do this. I have the same things on my phone but on his its worse? That isn’t fair, we all have friends and we all have friends of the opposite sex that have played big parts in our lives. Like normal relationships we keep contact. I tell him and myself that I have to cure this thing that I have.

So that’s what I am doing I am making it public knowledge that I have trust issues and they are now effecting my current relationship, a relationship that I care so much about and don’t want to mess up. I have to hold myself accountable and realize all the great things I have. I can’t keep searching for some reason to not make this work when really I am only scared and insecure. If I don’t get past this I am going to push all this love that I have right out the front door and it will be gone…the one thing I am so afraid of happening. Isn’t that crazy? The one thing that I am so terrified of and is the reason I have this issue is the one thing that is going to happen because of it. IRONY! This is a huge wakeup call and I am going to overcome this battle. I have been dealing with it for years now. At times, yes, there was just reason to feel this way but when there isn’t a just reason I don’t need to go in search of one. I need to live each day in the present and quite analyzing everything so much that I complicate it. The person I am with is simple and doesn’t complicate things with a bunch of details; he is trustworthy, and brutally honest. I need to remember that and continue telling myself these things and this too shall pass.

Do you have trust issues?

How do you not let them affect your current relationships and how do you get past it?

What's that...?

2011-10-18T21:26:00.001-05:00

earthy smell,

dew on the grass early in the morning,

a cool breeze blowing through my open windows

the signs Fall is well on its way.

Fight for Happiness

2011-10-11T20:53:00.001-05:00

Found this quote on Pintrest and thought it was really great!

Fall TV

2011-10-09T21:16:00.002-05:00

Ok so I am addicted to certain TV shows way more than what should be considered normal. LOL I feel like such a loser because I HAVE to watch certain shows. I feel like I should be doing something more useful with my time. Usually that is the case because I need to be doing homework but I have a few TV shows that I have been with from the get go and I just can't give them up.

1. ANYTHING Kardashian: and tonight is the first part of Kim's fairytale wedding. I love the Kardashians and even though they are real materialistic and Hollywood I think they are great role models and are very hard working. I am so excited to see the final part of Kim's wedding tomorrow night. :)
SWOON

2. Gossip Girl- I got hooked on this show in Iraq and have watched every episode since birth. I love all the scandal. Its a soap for my generation LOL. and this season BLAIR is preggers and this week we will hopefully find out who the baby daddy is.

3. Vampire Diaries- In the off season of True Blood is Vampire Diaries and it at least tides me over. It is a great show and always has a lot of twists and turns. I am currently reading the first book in the Vampire Diaries series. Damon is so hott so that doesn't hurt things either. :)

4. My last and final MUST SEE show is the Amazing Race. I have been watching this show for years and like I always so...one day I will be on this show. I love it. All the adventure and traveling...I can never get enough.

Courageous

2011-10-09T20:45:00.001-05:00

Last night my mom invited me to go see a movie today called Courageous. I hadn't ever heard of it so this morning on one of my study breaks I watched the trailer and sort of got an idea of what I was in for this afternoon. I met Mom at the Winnsboro Chamber around 12:30 and we took off to the Sulphur Springs theater. The movie was so awesome and came from the same people who made the Christian movie Fireproof. I think the only dry eyes in the house were my own. LOL I am not a parent nor a father but this movie is moving and really opens your eyes to God and to being a parent. If you haven't ever heard of it then I have posted the trailer and I suggest that you go check it out. I think that every man should watch this movie and it would be a great movie for new daddys or for fixing-to-be daddys. I know I will make sure the father of my children watch it. I tell you its an eye opener. Thanks Mom for inviting me!

Check it out!

A Night on the Town

2011-10-03T22:23:00.002-05:00