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.