From our home to yours....Merry Christmas

After work a few nights ago, I ran in to the grocery store to pick up a few things. I went in with my hurried "get in, get out" mentality because I longed for my sweat pants cozy by the fire. I rushed to get each item on my list and scurried to the check out line. While in line I felt the biggest hug around my waist. Before I even turned around I thought...Aww this poor child is going to be SO embarrassed when I turn around and he/she realizes I am not his mom or teacher. We all know the feeling... at one time or another I am sure we have all grabbed the wrong mother's hand resulting in ultimate humiliation for anyone under 4 feet tall.

When I turned around I was surprised to see a little girl with glasses and a huge smile still hugging me just as tightly looking up at me. I smiled back at her and she simply said "I hug pretty people" and squeezed me again. I smiled at her and told her "I hug pretty people back" she smiled. I told her she made my day...and she did! The world needs more people like this precious little girl...

Three years ago tonight I would not have believed you if you told me my life would get even better...what an incredible journey it has been.











Most blushing brides gracefully gaze in to the distance for photographs as they wait for their groom..this picture captures most of what we have of me that day..as well as how I felt

Three amazing years....here's to many many more

Below are the lyrics to one of the songs during our ceremony as well as a portion of my email to our pastor as to why I wanted to include this song...

"This song is by Nichole Nordeman, a christian artist, but is not usually a "wedding song". In my opinion it is perfect on so many levels. It talks about the seasons of life..to me that can also be a parallel for the "seasons" of life that john and i have already had the privilege of sharing as well as the "seasons" of life and marriage that are to come. Seeing the beauty in each other and it God through every step whether it be a difficult time, or an easy time. It also highlights the fact that all of the seasons are from the Lord who is not only our creator, but also the creator of love...including the love john and i have for one another. Because of Him there is the beauty of each season, and because of Him John and I know what it means to love."


Every evening sky, an invitation
To trace the patterned stars
And early in July, a celebration
For freedom that is ours
And I notice You
In children’s games
In those who watch them from the shade
Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder
You are summer

And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come
You are autumn

And everything in time and under heaven
Finally falls asleep
Wrapped in blankets white, all creation
Shivers underneath
And still I notice you
When branches crack
And in my breath on frosted glass
Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter
You are winter

And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced
Teaching us to breathe
What was frozen through is newly purposed
Turning all things green
So it is with You
And how You make me new
With every season’s change
And so it will be
As You are re-creating me
Summer, autumn, winter, spring

I see your two nieces and I'll raise you a nephew

If you could not tell from my last post. John and I are both thrilled to be an Aunt and Uncle. We are so proud of our BEAUTIFUL and healthy nieces! They got to go home on FRIDAY!!

Just in case you wondered if they are still beautiful




My brother is Stuart. He is 30, he lives in Baltimore, designs video games (the true reason John married me) and is ALWAYS on an adventure. He loves to boulder, travel, do triathlons and is 110% OBSESSED with any "hobby/adventure" he chooses. If you cannot tell from the picture he is way too cool for any of you...and typically is way too cool for me.





His wife is Allison. She rivals Stuart in coolness. She is an architect in Baltimore and is equally adventurous and fun as Stuart.

Allison and Stuarts' latest adventure is PARENTHOOD!! We are thrilled for them, and were ecstatic to learn this week they have a healthy baby BOY due in February. It has been so much fun listening to Stuart as his excitement increases and increases about this baby! I am sure he will know all there is to know about babies, because he is quite the "researcher". Stuart and Allison are minimalist, yet Stuart is a sucker for "gear" it will be fun to see it all collide when they bring home baby!

Last weekend was my first official "I don't work on weekends" weekend and what a wonderful weekend it was!

Saturday morning I slept in, and woke up to my favorite Panera Bread breakfast and latte. I had a perfect slow morning...that turned in to the whole day..spent time with John, talked to mom and argued who loves fall the most and did a few things around the house.

Saturday night John and I went to "Merry Mimics", a ball here in Montgomery. We had so much fun! The concept of these events is still a new one to us being transplants to Montgomery, but it is always a good time to enjoy each others company, dance, AND people watch! John especially enjoys wearing his "James Bond costume" and driving my car very fast in his "costume".




Saturday night I am ashamed to say ended with a late night run to Wendy's...we did still manage to set the alarm for church and planned to make every effort to be on time... In my half awake, half asleep state early Sunday morning I heard a phone buzzing and subconsciously assumed that John's cell phone was dying..which it often does and the delightful buzz was is typically our friendly reminder.

After a few buzz cycles I realized the buzz was coming from my side of the bed. My cell phone is always on my bedside table and makes a much different noise from the "P.S I am dying noise" of John's phone. I opened my eyes just enough to realize that it was my phone buzzing, but it has fallen on to the floor. I opened it to see who called around 7:00 and saw that I had missed a call from my mother in law. For us that is when it all began! I immediately started yelling that "the babies are here!" and "we gotta go!", "get in the shower!" If you had been a fly on our bedroom wall you would have thought I was in labor! When I called John's mom back my hopes were validated..Alyson (my sister in law) went in to labor during the night and delivered our very first nieces early early Sunday morning.

Barley and John were a little confused by their wake up call, but very quickly got in the game. John and I were out of our house and on the road in 30 minutes...which I may boast is EXCELLENT timing for me! We ordered bigger coffees than normal and shot down the road. We could not get to Huntsville fast enough!

Now, I have always known that I married in to a strong family...but this weekend raised the bar a little bit more. My sister in law Alyson is wonderful...she has been blessed first with a dream pregnancy. Now, I know all days were not easy or fun and her continuous optimism absolutely played a part, but all in all she made it look WAY too easy. She was a happy, energetic, glowing pregnant lady. In my opinion she gained less than average weight and truly was all baby...and did I mention she was having TWINS?!?

Her delivery story is one that is impossible to follow. Not only was the blessed with a dream pregnancy, but her birthing experience was one for the record books! Alyson woke up went to the bathroom and her water broke, she calmly woke up Pat, told him he was welcome to shower she was not in pain, but it is time to go to the hospital...they got everything in the car..drove 25-30minutes to Huntsville Hospital. Parked the car, got to the waiting room, filled out paper work..yes she sat and filled out paper work! They put her in her room and started preparing for iv and eventually her epidural. When asked to rank her pain on a scale of 1-10 she gave it a 5..and then after a "little" contraction bumped it up to a 6. The nurse wanted to go ahead and check her to see if she was progressing...she yelled "oh my gosh she has hair!" Alyson said a crew of nurses flew in from every angle and her doctor dashed in to the room...My sister in law had TWO babies...naturally...with NO drugs..in THIRTY MINUTES from the time she started her paper work!!! The craziest thing..she swore she NEVER hurt and just took a few Motrin all day. I made her vow when I weigh 300+ pounds and am in labor for 127 hours with ONE baby she will just feel REALLY sorry for me and will not remind anyone of this day!!

The product of her perfect pregnancy and even more perfect delivery could not be more perfect. John and I both instantly fell in love with our nieces. Savanah Claire and Payton Elizabeth. It is amazing how differently they look. Both perfect and gorgeous but each 100% individual.

Savanah was born first and she honestly looks like her daddy. She has Pat's eye shape and dark hair. She was 4 pounds 13 ounces and 17.5 inches long.





Payton looks like Alyson. She already seems to have her complexion. She weighed 4 pounds 15 ounces and was also 17.5 inches long. She has the most fun strawberry blond head of hair!!






Now, I just cannot wait to go back to Hartselle to love on these two beautiful babies (and of course their amazing mom!) I am thrilled to officially be an AUNT!!! ...let the spoiling begin!

What a difference a month makes

It has been literally one month (and one day) since my last post and I can honestly say that the past month has been one of the craziest times of my life...not the typical "oh ga, we have been so crazy", but full blown crazy..causing me to learn how life can truly change in an instant.

A little while ago I posted and "boasted" about my wonderful transition out of the wedding planning world in to my "new" job. I was thrilled to enter a time that I had my weekends back..my nights...and my sanity..without going in to any details I was VERY wrong in every category. To friends I have met post college I am sure I was starting to look like I am a very wishy washy person who can not find satisfaction in a job. I guess I am okay if people think that, but it is a category I would never personally put myself under. I just think there has been some unusual circumstances and very odd timing.

I heard about two jobs and actually decided to interview with both. I then finally had the problem I had been praying for...I was offered BOTH jobs. Amazing! I decided to take the job with Clay Metal and Stone in Cloverdale. I accepted the job in August and was faced with having to tell yet another employer that I would be leaving.

Despite my environment, putting in my notice was shockingly hard for me. I have decided I am just not good and confrontation..especially confrontation that disappoints..and I guess I am vain enough to believe that my exit was sure to disappoint...oh well. I could write an entire blog about the day I put in my notice at Marquirette's. I am sure I would blush when I read it..so awkward but so relieved and thankful to be done.

I should have given an official two weeks notice...but understanding it is retail..and more importantly that I am worse than chicken it ended up being about "a week and a half notice" I gave my notice at the beginning of the week. Thursday I started not feeling well. Friday I felt terrible but pushed to go to work because I thought it seemed pretty shady to put in a notice and call in sick for the first time. I found myself at Primend on my lunch hour...little did I know that was it for me and Marquirette's. Primed gave me medicine to "get me through the weekend" but made me promise I would go see my doctor Monday. Problem my doctor is in Birmingham.

That weekend was so terrible and most of you have heard WAY to much information about all of it. Monday I was in a wheelchair going to my doctor due to the overwhelming pain. What I thought would be a quick office procedure resulted in the worst pain of my life and a full week in Brookwood Hospital. The crazy thing is I felt so sick and I had the lingering "just about to get to go home" mentality that I never once got cabin fever..just emotional and sick of being sick. That Friday I had to have surgery. My doctor is wonderful...almost as wonderful as my family(husband included) and friends for being so incredibly doting and loving. I can not thank each of you enough for all the goodies and support and most importantly prayers..I believe prayers made all of the difference. I was released from the hospital Saturday and started down the long road to recovery. I conquered or survived so many of my fears. I had never really been sick. NEVER stayed in the hosptial. NEVER had surgery. NEVER had an IV. NEVER really had major blood work done. I did each of these things and so much more. I will never take my health forgranted. What an incredible gift it is to be healthy!

This post should really have been several posts so that it is not so obnoxiously long but unfortunately that is not the case...I was supposed to start my new job Tuesday September 2nd. I was so excited about starting my new job and eager to get things underway. Sadly, I had to push my start date back to rest and recover. Last Thursday I had my post op with my doctor in Birmingham. She was thrilled with my progress and I was thrilled with her good report. Each day I gained more strength, felt better and starting to feel more and more like myself again.

Whew.

That catches us up for the most part. Monday I started my new job. I literally LOVE it. I hope and pray that I will always love it as much as I do. I go to work at 9:00...every day... Monday through Friday. 9:00 is the perfect time to go to work in my opinion. 8:00 seems just a little bit too early...AND I leave at 5:00. I do not work weekends and I do not work nights. I do not have to look at a calendar to know when I work..or wait on an emailed schedule to make plans. I was so giddy as I got in my car each day this week to head home. I really can not describe my gratitude. This job is sales and interior design and I honestly think it is a perfect fit. My coworker is as sweet as she could be and the showroom is beautiful. I could not ask for more. At this point my only problem is wondering how I am going to afford to eat at Nancy's everyday...its just next door..what a wonderful problem to have.

Tonight is my first official official Friday night. I guess I should be a little embarrassed that I am blogging and not doing something crazy! We did go to dinner with some wonderful friends and enjoyed good company and lots of laughs. We got home and what was supposed to be a quick email, facebook, blog check in resulted in the marathon post.

Tomorrow is Saturday. I will sleep until my eyes open. My husband will be home with me...sleeping until his eyes open (or until I wake him up) and we do not have plans until the evening. I honestly do not know what I will do with myself...is this really what life will be like!? ....incredible

Something that may NOT be hurting America

In response to Nick's recent posts series "Things that are hurting America", I wanted to write about a much different experience...and not one at Taco Bell.

I got a new car. Still excited...but you know that. The worst part about a new car (if you have to find one) is getting the liscense plate. I am not a fan of renewing liscenses, or liscense plates, or boater registration, etc. etc. and typically neither is any one else in the crazy long lines standing with you for hours...the worst part is the people behind the counter hate all of these things the most...which means they also hate you for making them deal with these things all day.

I put it off long enough. This week my car will be three weeks old, so I set out on my mission to get the tag. I checked several times to be sure I had my papers and insurance so that I would not work forever to get to the front of the line and be refused a tag...I left the house at 8:15 this morning and headed toward the Probate Office on the Atlanta Highway.

I walked in the office approximately 8:20. I was kindly greeted by a retired aged man who sincerely asked how they could help me. I told him I needed a new tag and he directed me over to the "pick a numbers"...As I lifted my hand to choose my fate a lady said "ma'am, I can go ahead and help you over here if you would like"...I was thrilled not only because she could help me right away, but more importantly she did not sound like she hated her life!

She was nice as she asked for my papers, asked which tag I wanted, looked at me when she told me my total and actually pointed at the places she needed me to sign...I was beyond thrilled...the best part it is 8:53, I am at home, and the tag is already on the car. AMAZING! High five to the Probate Office on Atlanta Highway.

One week ago today my life changed...now, I thought the day my precious Dyson came there was no way my life could get any better but I really was so wrong.

Most of you know the red jeep...you know its beautiful appearance, its special sounds, special smells, and special ways you have to occasionally hit the battery connectors to get it to start. You know that it does not have air conditioning...or radio...or a seat that is not broken....did I mention no air conditioning?!?!
Some of you know the dear Volvos I had the privledge of driving for the near decade prior to the wonderful jeep. The Volvos were loved, they were carefully maintained..they sometimes had to be put in neutral and "re-started" on the interstate despite the fact that they were automatics. One was driven with a small screw driver in highschool after the ignition fell apart and one was lovingly named Speedy due to the fact that its spedometer as well as so many other things did not work. The Volvo worked hard to drive to Auburn to visit John...the Volvo was so proud to be parked on sorority row. Do not get me wrong I have always had a car...for that I am very thankful...but always a car with "personality".

I have never been one to have any sort of self image associated with the car...or lack thereof that I drive. I think of cars as a super way to get from A to B and am honestly okay with whatever that involves...UNTIL i am hot....all the time......really hot..and until I find myself ready to go to church by myself and a car that will not take me there or find myself opening the hood solo in a parking lot after work hitting the battery in hopes of it cranking...

John is patient. He is wonderful. VERY few things ever bother him. He is so optimistic I really think his deep love for the red jeep is blind. I also think he is blind to the fact that it is one million degrees daily in Montgomery....

I was off work last Monday and John did not have to go to work until 1:30. That in itself is a miracle these days..John asked if I might like to go see our friend John Ingram. I didn't want to jump to conclusions incase he meant for breakfast or coffee, but was beyond thrilled when he said go see him at work...Jack Ingram Nissan

We talked and decided a realiable, efficient, couple of years old, gently used car would be the way to go. I was shy looking at the cars. I never fathomed such a "fancy" thing could be mine... then just for fun we drove a maxima....and then an altima...and I fell in love.

John went to work and I went about my day. Tuesday as I left for work John said I needed to be thinking if I wanted that car...What do you mean if I wanted that car!?! John and John crunched numbers and John tried things out on all his fancy, cute money graphs and charts and Wednesday morning was THE day. For someone who is not a car person this car fit every bit of the car favorites I had written thus far...It is pretty, black, tan leather interior, sunroof, radio, cd player, good fuel efficiency lots of "fancy things" most of you think is normal and AIR CONDITIONING..we adopted it Wednesday and I drove in shock the few miles to work..

The next morning was even better.....when I woke up it was STILL in our drive way. John and I no longer have to do the car dance of coordinating schedules to see who ever had to go the farthest or did not need to be hot had the green jeep...we no longer cross our fingers that the other can get where they need to go if one of us goes out of town. It was a win win...do not worry. John still has his beautiful red jeep. I think we would had to pay them to take it away...so let us know when you are ready to go pick up your Christmas tree....he will be happy to do the honors!

Happiest Birthday to me!

Sunday was my TWENTY SIXTH birthday and it quite possibly was my favorite birthday ever! Saturday for the first time in literally months, I did not have to work. Starting off a birthday weekend knowing that I would have some time for myself was reason enough for me to celebrate!! I was thrilled at the thought of three days to do whatever I wanted!

Saturday morning my sweet friend Brittney arranged for several of our friends to get together for a girls breakfast to "kick off" the birthday fun. We were planning on going to Shashy's but sadly realized it was closed due to the holiday weekend and moved the group to Durks. It is was so much fun to visit with friends and eat greasy "dirty grits". We ate, went to a little shop and truly enjoyed the morning.

After breakfast I practically had made plans not to have plans, but as most of you know if I have time off I enjoy working on things at home. I kidnapped my friend Annie and took her to the paint store to choose a color to paint my dining room ceiling. We spent the better part of the afternoon painting the ceiling and working on a few little projects at home. John asked Friday night if we could go on a date Saturday night to celebrate my birthday a little early because he is working the night shift right now. As Annie and I ran to Lowe's for a last minute errand John told me I should come home and started getting ready for dinner so that we could eat and visit for a while before he had to head to work. Casually he said lets go eat around six.

I got back from Lowe's and of course I didn't want to get ready. Annie told me I should listen to John. I didn't think anything about it. I got ready and we went to Kabuki. John walked a little ahead of me and when we got to the dining room where we usually turn right....we turned left in to the "party" room and were greeted by some of my very favorite friends saying SURPRISE!!! It was so much fun! I do not think that I am a very easy one to surprise and John did it with flying colors! I was thrilled, surprised and honored to share dinner with such great friends who took time out of their weekend to celebrate with me. Alex and Susan were already at the lake and came back home just to celebrate with us. Jur and Nick JUST had babies and still made the effort to come...not to mention what an incredible and thoughtful husband I have to arrange the whole thing for me!


Sunday was my actual birthday and it was just as perfect as the day before. I woke up...John was still sleeping (again working nights) picked my favorite coffee mug, put a little extra creamer in my already LOTS of creamer coffee and enjoyed a bagel with strawberry cream cheese. Then I went to Home Depot (not every birthday girl's first stop but high on the list for me!) I came home painted the second coat on the ceiling and worked a little while on my china cabinet in progress...GREAT DAY!

That afternoon my Mom, Dad and Rachael came to help celebrate my birthday with me! I love having them at my house and they do not get to come nearly as often as I would like. We ordered Mellow Mushroom and enjoyed a relaxing night at home. It truly was a perfect birthday for me!

Sometimes Quitters DO Win

I have always had a subconscious "quitters never win and winners never quit" mentality...but that all changed when I finally found the courage to quit my job.

It has been a while since I last posted, but so much has happened. After months and months of prayer and continuous internal conflict, I made my decision to leave Weddings by Jill. I loved so much about that job, but I knew with out a shadow of a doubt it was time for a change. I hate to disappoint. I hate for people to feel that they can not count on me. I hate to leave tasks incomplete. I did all of these things when I told Jill it was time for me to go. Leaving that job was like breaking up with the terrible boyfriend I never had. I knew it was "over" and NEEDED to be over, but for some reason I kept hanging on. It was honestly the hardest thing I have ever had to do...99.9% of other big life changes could be credited to life events that were out of my control. I had to quit my high school job to go to college. College job to move back to Birmingham. Leave my roommate because I was getting married and moving. This was the first time I ever said...I have made this decision for myself...if for no other reason but knowing it is what I need to do.

As soon as I "talked to Jill" the weight of the world was off my shoulders. I left the office after our conversation to run a quick errand and get myself together. Before I could even call John to tell him about the morning my phone rang. It was the owner of Marquirette's here in Montgomery. I met with him weeks prior about a possible position and we had been emailing and playing phone tag ever since. He said he really would like to nail down the position as soon as possible and was curious if I was still interested...WHAT?! little did he know that I literally JUST gave my two weeks notice not exactly knowing what was in store for me.

Two weeks came and went. Seemed so dramatic and important during the time, but it is funny how perspective changes with just a little bit of time. I tied up as many loose ends as I could, turned in my credit card and phone, tidied up my desk and left my office one last time. It didn't really sink that I was done. My last day at Jill's was a Thursday. Like a dummy I told Marquirette's I would start Friday. Mother's Day was Sunday and since I would be working the Saturday before I thought it would be helpful to try to meet people and figure things out a little bit so I would at least have a name to yell when I was lost in the craziness that Saturday. I jumped right in...so far I haven't sunk yet!

I have really enjoyed my new job. My feet not so much. I must say this is a difficult transition for someone who feels much better about herself in shoes at least 3" tall. ...AND I have to wear skirts and dresses...which if you know me and have noticed...this is something that I do not typically do. But hey, it was time for a change right?!? I just didn't know that change would mean that my faithful pairs of black pants would no longer be a part of my daily life...and I have yet to accept the fact that the heels really aren't either.

I was ready to escape the stress and drama. Ready for something that didn't require me to have all the answers. Ready not to have to memorize random things about people and the way they like bows tied or what seafood their future father in law may be allergic to. Stress level is way down. Still around a bit of drama, but right now I am a happy outsider to the drama. I know every job has an element of drama, this one is no different, I am just thrilled not to be a part. My job is not nearly as mindless as I anticipated and so far I am enjoying it much more than I expected. After all days fly by when I am surrounded by diamonds and china!!

Is this the house of Mistress Mouse?

I have random thoughts...this is not news to most of you. Yesterday I had a random thought that lead me down a really fun trip down memory lane.

I was getting ready for work. I was in the bathroom, but the Today Show was on in the bedroom as usual. A commercial came on talking about all the new shows that would be on tonight...Grey's, Ugly Betty etc. etc. This particular commercial said something about this episode of Ugly Betty it is Betty's Birthday yada yada.. My brain was already on to something else. Hearing "Betty's Birthday" reminded me of one of my all time very favorite books...Betty Bear's Birthday.

Later that day I was thinking about joy. Topics that both Carrie and Laura wrote about. I thought about choosing joy, what it means to be joyful and then WHAT brings you joy. I know that there is a difference in happiness and true joy, so in some ways I am using "joy" loosely. But hopefully you will understand. Most of you know that I am not an avid reader. But after thinking about Betty Bear for the first time in at least a decade it brought me a different kind of "joy" or happiness that was fun to think about.

Last night I was at John and Nick's softball game. I did not want to go, but once I got there I was happy I did not insist on staying at home. It was a beautiful night with beautiful company and Laura and Nick brought us comfortable chairs. Laura and I got on the topic of memories and first memories (you can read her blog about this too)I too consider myself someone who can recall vivid early memories. As I thought about some of my favorite early memories I started thinking about things that I LOVED to do...at the top of the list was reading the books with my mom.

It took me a while to get to the point of this post, but as I think about my VERY favorite books I can not help but wonder if I came in to this world who I am loving some of the things I love, or did the exposure to these topics and ideas help make "teach" me to love some of them? Hmm...psychologically it is fun to think about but on a much lighter level I just think it is funny to think about what books were/are my FAVORITE. It is also neat to think about what interests a child, not just me as a child, but any child. Stuart, Rachael and I had very different favorites growing up, so I can not help wonder if part of the person you are today comes here just the way you are!


1. Betty Bear's Birthday- I have already mentioned this one, but to my best memory Betty Bear's Birthday is about a cute bear who lives in the Forest. It is her birthday. She visits with all of her friends and goes about her day and no one tells her "Happy Birthday!" At the end of the book she is sad and she goes home(i think home?) and all her friends are there to surprise her! They had not forgotten...just were building up for the big party!! I can remember reading this with mom. I remember feeling so sad for Betty, but more importantly I remember the "Joy" I felt when it was time for the surprise party! I am pretty sure this was my first exposure to the idea of "surprise party" different idea as an adult, but to a child it was a brand NEW concept that was one of the most exciting ideas to me! I love friends, I love birthdays and I love a party... Fun fact, Mom also read this to me on my 16th birthday and the end was the "cue" for my friends to come out from every direction for my very own surprise party!


2. Nice New Blue Shoes- (SADLY no picture of this one!)This book is about a little girl who goes shopping with her mother. I can not remember the whole story I just remember the "Joy" of sitting with mom and saying out loud "Nice New, Nice Blue, Nice New Blue Shoes!!" It thrilled me! Funny, I still love shopping especially with my mom and I still love NEW SHOES!!


3. Is this the House of Mistress Mouse?- Quite possibly my favorite of my favorites. If I remember correctly this book was about a Mister Mouse who is invited to go visit with Mistress Mouse, but for some reason she does not tell him or he does not know where she lives. He goes lots of places looking for the "House of Mistress Mouse". The best part about this book is that is has a whole in the center of it that you stick your finger through on each page. You see the different animals he meets and as I recall you get to "try on" a beautiful ring and feel the baby fur of the baby mouse at the end. I remember the "Joy" and anticipation of the pages turning. How much fun it was to see the animals and try on that ring and loving on that baby...


4. Pig Pig Grows Up- This book was a funny book. It is even funnier to me to think about how funny I really thought this book was. It is also very funny to think maybe my mom was trying to teach me a little something...hmmm..Pig Pig is about a Pig who does not want to grow up. He is a "Big Pig" now but insists on "wearing" his baby clothes, eating baby food and sleeping in his baby crib. Pig Pig does grow up, but I was so connected to Pig Pig and I totally understood how he felt!


5. The terrible thing that happened at our house- This book is another one that makes me wonder if mom was trying to "teach" me something. It also is just another reminder of what a great mother I have, and what a great mother she has always been. In this book a little girl's mom goes back to work, it is crazy at home, dad helps with some stuff but everyone is so rushed it is not the same. Being someone who recalls early memories I have lots of memories with Mom staying at home with me (us) I remember conversations in the car taking Stuart and Rachael places even before I was old enough to school. I remember Mom and I having walks and picnics in the front yard, but I don't really remember when she had to go back to work. Maybe this one is due to mom and this book. Perfect for a child who has always been borderline obsessed with her mom!

This little trip also led me to Amazon and Ebay. I am hoping to find all of these books so that I can read each of them again over and over, and hopefully one day to my children as well. I am sure there are "favorite" parts and pictures that I have forgotten, but I am also sure the topics will not seem nearly as "life changing" as they once did. It brought back fun and fond memories just seeing the cover pictures on line. Do any of you have favorites!? Not just books you recall reading as a child, but books that you can still remember the way you felt while reading them?

The Dyson DC 17 Absolute Animal

My life was changed forever exactly one week ago yesterday. Last Monday I checked online shipping tracking constantly. When I saw it was delivered a little after 1:00 it took everything in me not to jump out of my chair and run home....but I waited. A little after 5:00 I arrived home to a box on my front door that rivaled Christmas morning.



It was well worth the wait. It is incredible! As if the name was not enough..."Absolute Animal" It really does seem to make a huge difference in the animalness of our home. It has changed my relationship with Barley..and maybe even a little bit with John. I always knew I was a fan of a "vacuumed" home but the new addition takes it to a whole new level. So many attachments and features...so little time. It is; however, a little hard to vacuum with only one arm because I had to cut the other one to get it but thank goodness for Bed Bath and Beyond 20% off coupons!

10 Things you may or may not know about me....

tagged by Shea
I tried to think of things that some of you, even my closest friends really may not know about me. You all know I fall asleep in movies and that the blond in my hair is a birthmark, and I completely understand if we can no longer be friends due to my little quirks!

1. I love getting haircuts! I mean I ABNORMALLY love getting my haircut. As soon as the appointment is scheduled I have a mental count down to the day, and really look forward to it. I love getting my hair washed, brushed, cut, and styled ALL by someone else. I think it also has something to do with instant change...haircuts always make you feel better...the only problem is when I get really stressed, I crave instant change... I think it is pretty safe to say I got pretty "stressed" in college because there were quite a few haircuts that didn't make me feel "better" but it really does grow back!

2. I have been a self proclaimed "dog un-liker" (not hater jur) for the majority of my life. I just did not understand the dog thing. Despite having dogs growing up I honestly could take or leave them. I remember saying out loud that I would NEVER have a dog in the house. Then I accidentally went to the humane society one spring morning and accidentally fell in love, and my life was changed forever! Now, I am not saying I love all dogs, but I get "it". Barley and I are best buddies and I love him alot. We have conversations, our routines and I miss him when we are away and find myself wondering what he is doing.

3. I currently drive my SECOND 16 year old car! I feel like very few people can say this...and even fewer under the age of 82. My Volvo turned 16 the year we got the green jeep. I told myself, if your car is old enough to get its license, then it is time for a new car. The dreaded air condition-less, radio-less, seat broken, squeaky squeally, stinky, run down red jeep turns 16 this year so I only can pray that something great (or just something with air conditioner) will roll in for its "Sweet 16"

4. I am weird about resolutions. If I make one that is it...it is gone. I have gone for a decade with out carbonation, years with out chocolate and french fries...but why!? because I am stubborn. No one cares if I have these things or will be devastated if I have a sip of coke, but it is something quirky about me. The ironic thing to me that I cannot cross this stubbornness over to diets, daily workouts or quiet times. Strange....In case any of you are concerned with my mental health french fries came back in to my life when someone brought me the wrong lunch at work. I was so frustrated only a french fry could fix it, and chocolate was reintroduced on my wedding day after six crazy long years away from me...and what a glorious day that was!

5. I love a project. I can not say that I am always in the mood for a project but when I am I AM. My favorite days are days that I can wake up, not shower, and get started working on something I am excited about. The problem is sometimes I do not finish my projects promptly (I understand Carrie, but I can't blame it on being left-handed and can't tuck them away in a closet!) I have walls, doors and trim that still need painting, tile that needs grouting and china cabinets that need finishing....

6. I have issues with the concept of "Favorite". I can handle favoriteS but I am really not a fan of declaring ONE thing my favorite in any category. Food..ONE food?!? season?!? I love all four! It has taken me twenty something years to say "green" when asked my favorite color, but in my head I am thinking...."but I love orange...and sometimes yellow is great..." I guess it is a commitment issue I should work on, but in my weird mind I think it is rude to the other songs I love if I say another one is the ACTUAL favorite. I really like to be able to change my mind....I guess I live a mood based life. Strange I know.

7. I have a weird imagination. If I am in a room I am rearranging furniture in my head or making things different colors or mentally knocking out walls. Outside of my own home there really is no purpose in this, but I find myself doing this lots of places. Another strange unintentional imagination game I play is about money. If someone wins money on a game show, or a billboard declares someones earnings, I find myself mentally spending that amount of money. It is a little worse than a what would you do.."give to the church, save some, help the poor..." I actually calculate real items I would like to have and see how much of "my imaginary earnings" I would have spent.

8. I went to The University of Alabama started in the College of Arts and Science and my major....was Pre-Med. You can laugh..I think it is funny too. I had just finished AP Chemistry and AP Physics in High School, and I had aspirations of becoming a pediatrician...maybe I just wanted a pink stethoscope and to marry a hot doctor, either way....four years later I graduated with a degree in Interior Design.

9. I REALLY love the tanning bed. It is the perfect, warm, 20 minute nap. I know it is terrible for me and that is why I have not gone since 2005, but if it was not a health hazard I would go all the time...I think this one falls under the instant change thing too..I am a recovering tanorexic....but I know I have a problem.

10. I am weird about meat. I am by no means a vegetarian, but I am very weird about cooking meat. I get really paranoid about the temperature, expiration date, how long should I have cooked it, if it was frozen is it okay...If I cook meat 99% of the time I can not eat it. What is strange is I am 100% okay in a restaurant or someones home...the only time that gets me is when I am the Chef! This quality hinders my desires to become a domestic goddess and has resulted in way too many macaroni and cheese nights.

There is something in the water...

I am going to be an AUNT! I am absolutely thrilled! My Aunts have always been some of my favorite people, so I think being an Aunt is a very awesome and important job! I was hoping to have recent pictures of my sister in law, Alyson, and me for this post, but I am way to excited to wait! (I stole one from her blog 4/24 from their visit with us!) Alyson and Pat spent the night with us Sunday night on their way home from Mobile and we were so happy to get to spend a little bit of time with them.

I am a lover of all things baby and when the people I love the most tell me they are having babies I become a little obsessed. It is pretty unhealthy...my thoughts are filled with how the mommy to be is doing, baby names, nursery ideas, what they will do when this happens etc etc...I am pretty sure John would vouch for me on this but I promise it is all out of love.

Anyways, it goes with out saying that I am anxiously awaiting Laura and Nick's twin girls and have loved sharing each step of this exciting process with them! I do however regret my initial reaction when Laura AKA Jurrie told me that she was pregnant with twins. In a time I should have said "Oh my goodness! How wonderful! This is going to be double the fun!" I found myself saying "Oh Jurrie! WHAT are you going to do!?! Double this...double that...DOUBLE EVERYTHING! CRAP!" I guess that is when honesty and first reactions get you. I tell you this because Sunday night (or early Monday morning they got here at 1 am) I was asking Alyson if she was excited about her first doctor's appointment the next day. She said she was and that she really was just looking forward to hearing everything is okay and that is IS pregnant.....

JOKINGLY, I said "Well, don't come to me for comfort if it is twins because I panicked for Laura instead of immediately cheering her on......oh my gosh can you imagine TWINS?!?!? hahaha"

I should have learned from my last post during the cell phone conversation that I should watch what I say! Late yesterday afternoon Alyson called us to let us know how her first ultra sound went. When I answered the phone she said....."Well I am not calling you for comfort.........BUT..........we're having TWINS!!!!!" After fifteen minutes of "no your not....yes I am...no way...yes way...you are kidding...not kidding...promise...swear...." It is TRUE.

Not only will I be an AUNT I will be the Aunt of twins (Aunt of TWO sets of twins if you ask me!)
How incredible! I need to be sure I don't drink after these girls because there is something in the water for sure!

...maybe technology does impress me a little

Any of you who know me would know that I have never been considered a "techie" by any stretch of the word. I can not even spell the word! Daughter of one? YES! Sister of one? YES!! Married to one?? YES! YES! But, I have always enjoyed the "simpler" things of cell phones and by no means had any factor of my identity associated with the technology I have (or the car I drive for that matter! )

Unlike all Americans I do not own an ipod, a nano, a chocolate something or a blackberry...I honestly thought some sort of flip phone with a colored screen (fancy!) was enough for me. After all there are curtains and clothes and way more fun things to buy!

THIS WEEK as John and Nick gushed about the latest gadgets and new fangled boy stuff, Jurrie said "WHY would you ever even need all of that on your hip?!" and I responded "Yeah, I mean technology doesn't even impress me" (I sounded as smart as it sounded when you read that) The boys just shook their heads.....

It has been a rough week at our house for some of the "things" I count on most. I started my week with my vacuum cleaner dying. That in itself will require another post and I do not want to cry so I will not "talk" about it now. Needless to say you do not realize how much you love your vacuum until it is gone.....THEN on Monday afternoon it was absolutely gorgeous so our little family (John, Barley and me) decided to go for a walk. Barley was showing his dad a new trick where he stops quickly on his leash in a certain way where it wraps around John's legs and cuts them. After seeing this trick once, John learned his leason and moved out of the way as soon as possible....John got great at moving out of the way and my cell phone also got great at jumping out of his pocket and on to the sidewalk....

The lovely red flip phone (brought to you by Weddings by Jill) had a rough life of abuse. Dropped, kicked, lost in ginormous purses but Monday it met its match in the sidewalk and never was the same.

I accidentally left my phone at home on Wednesday. It wasn't working well but I still felt so weird with out one at all....I told Jill about the dreaded fall and she actually said her phone was having a lot of trouble too. The conversation ended with Jill saying "I hate our phones!!" I didn't say me too because it is paid for...each month...by someone who is not me or John.

Thursday I went to work. My focus was not on my phone but with dying curiosity regarding the genders of my favorite twins. I went in to my 11:00 meeting and Jill set something on the table in front of me and said "Don't say I never gave you anything" and it was this...

The AT&T tilt. It is BEAUTIFUL. Has a fancy slide out keyboard. GPS navigation. Internet.....it even "TILTS" to my surprise. I do not really know how to work it yet, but I am in love. ....Now if I can just find the money to buy John and iPhone the world would seem a little more "just".
Maybe technology does impress me just a little.

Fireplace Facelift

The Before.....

I made my dramatic entrance and immediately failed the very few readers I have by only writing one post....

BUT...The LJM has been very busy since the last post. One morning after John left for work last week I could not help but notice that the tile on the fireplace was looking at me funny. I have always despised the terrible maroon-ish, cheap, ceramic tile, but this day I hated it even more than normal and decided that I could not take it any more! I started ripping out the tile on the hearth and hoped that John wouldn't be too upset when he got home and discovered that I was destroying his house.

He came home and luckily he was not mad. That night I tore out the tile around the surround with full confidence that this would be a "do it myself project". I was already thinking about how proud I would be when I accomplished such a big task ALL by myself. Sadly, when I tore the surround out I learned that the original installer of the tile applied it directly to the Sheetrock.....so basically I was not only ripping out the tile, but also pretty much the wall! Oops!

I called my Dad and explained the situation. He told me several things to get at Lowe's or Home Depot. With confidence that I still had everything under control I headed to Home Depot to get everything I needed to continue on my little "project". I was so sad as I starred at the shelves and shelves of boystuff starring back at me. Even with my dad's excellent description I had NO clue what I needed to buy. Boo.... I was sad.

I called Dad back and told him I could not find what I needed and for some reason became way to shy to ask for help so I returned home with nothing.....sigh...and Dad said he would come help me the next day! Hooray!!!

Dad got to Montgomery around 9. I think the description of the remains of the fireplace I gave him the day before somewhat lived up to the destruction he discovered when he got here...He poked, tapped and studied the fireplace and told me to get a pen and paper. Immediately he listed several things we would need from the store. I jotted them down and we headed to Home Depot.

Dads are smart, but my Dad is very smart...he can read the labels of the boy stuff at Home Depot and understands what they say! He knew just what to buy. Our favorite purchase was "Wonderboard"....and it is incredible! He asked if I had ever heard of wonderboard and I told him I think I used to have a bra by them but some reason I don't think that is exactly what he meant....Wonderboard fixed the surround I destroyed and made it even better than new!

We worked and worked and worked and worked...Dad left at dark and the fireplace is ALMOST done! I still have to get a wet saw to cut thin tiles for both sides of the hearth and a piece for underneath the firebox opening. Then I will move on to grouting....YIKES! I will post the finished product, but our process pictures will have to do for now!

Barley helped us all day and was very happy with our progress. He loves spending time helping his mom and granddad.

Dad carefully evaluating my destruction......

The Mantle must go....

measure twice cut once

Hooray for Wonderboard!

tiling begins.....

The "Almost finished" after!

Okay...it is finally time for the truth. I can handle that I occasionally smash stale hot dogs in peoples' faces, and that I dip like a Major League third baseman and even that I costs $969 to fill up with gas and only get 4 miles to the gallon.......but this....THIS I can not take.......

My alter-ego Amanda Overmyer.....who knew that an American Idol contestant would be my breaking point. Sadly, this is not my first comparison to Amanda and quite possibly is not my last. After the first person told me that I look "just like her" I drove down the road listening to the radio callers compare her to the grandfather on an old television show and all were shocked by her awful appearance, amazed that such a person could ever be on television...hmmm....I guess I will add that to the terrible list of celebrities to which I have been compared. The good news is that it is only March and I already have an excellent Halloween costume in the works.

Well, now that the real LJM has come forth, it is time that you know how truly terrible I am, so I will share 7 odd things about me......

1. I do not fart in people's purses (which by the way was my personal favorite. I laughed out loud and it is now the name of this blog...at least for now)

2. I have never knocked down an old lady OR a fruit stand to the shock of popular belief

3. When I get nervous I do not smell my toes

4. When John refers to the 'pulp digester' he may, or may not be referring to me

5. I actually do wear glasses and or contacts however my eyes are not burning chunks of space rock

6. I actually did play soccer for a bit....but my feet were really hot

7. Most importantly I do NOT believe that I am “better than all you suckers that write blogs” I am certainly not above reading yours, in fact I read each of your blogs daily and find myself checking them often through out the day. I have "never stoop so low as to leave a comment on one." which sadly I must confess is due to my ignorance.

So hear I am the real LJM. I can not promise any posts remotely as intelligent or interesting as the ones I read daily from my favorites, but I have arrived in the blog-o-sphere none the less. After such a dramatic entrance I am sure to disappoint.....but if you people knew the people that I know that know photo shop.....or had an idea of the terrible existing pictures of me floating out there......you too would start a blog!