Christmas Crazies!

I’m exhausted and watching SNL…you could’ve guessed! Not only is it 1 a.m. but today I had to Christmas shop. I usually make lists and have Christmas planned out but not this year. With everything moving so fast I really didn’t have time. Did I mention I had a job offer and moved all within four days a week ago?! I’m not complaining! I’m really happy to be in the city I love and working for a non-profit again. Woo! I survived my first week of work and the holiday party Friday. My white elephant gift…a board game of course! Buzzword! It didn’t get passed around but nothing really did so I can’t judge if it was successful or not. Do you want to know what I got? A lamp for my new desk! I was pretty content with it. Want to know what else was there for ideas? Sure…

Let me see if I can remember…

A Spongebob chia pet (did you know there’s salvia in them? Hello, Miley!)

A lamp (I won it!)

A fleece throw (I had it first and it was stolen)

Set of wine glasses

Candles, candles and more candles (hot item!)

Mickey Mouse (hot item!)

Singing “Shout” Dog and Bubblecake (delicious) coupons (hot item!)

Leopard better than a snuggie but similar to one

Christmas blanket

Laptop case (hot item!)  

Decorative tea light Santa’s

Starbucks coffee and thermos (hot item!)

Buzzword (I brought it!)

Photo album

That’s all I can remember…pretty good memory though.

I think I’ve said it before I love gifts no matter if they’re for me or not. That probably explains why I can remember the elephant gifts so well. I usually love shopping for gifts but today it was more of a get in and get out! What was I thinking shopping the weekend before Christmas- the last weekend at that! Crazy-town USA! I tried to map it out this morning I had every family member to complete and wanted to make sure I could avoid the dreaded Valley View Mall unfortunately I needed to go to Macy’s so that was unavoidable.

First I stopped by my favorite store Buy the Season and even it was packed! Not a good sign and the two items I was looking for were gone. Sad story I made one purchase and headed down Electric Road thinking I would stop at Barnes and Noble but realized I was heading to VVM anyways so I kept going. I wasn’t in a hurry but the bumper to bumper traffic had me feeling like I was. I was too impatient to fuel up on Wendy’s due to the 5 cars ahead I skipped it and hurried to 581 instead! I arrived at my destinations VVM. Target, Macy’s, Pet Smart and an undisclosed place that if I named would give away a gift and I was finished.

You know what I hate? How expensive it is to wrap the already pricey gift. Wrapping paper, tape, tissues, boxes, ribbons, tags!

The ‘kids’ in our family were suppose to have a budget but I’ve never been one to follow rules or unfortunately a budget. Budgets are like a turtleneck –practical and constricting – LOL! Was that stupid or clever? I respected the budget by what I like to call the $10 over or $5 under rule- that’s what I like to call fuzzy numbers. I must be tired – LOL!

Okay so seriously shopping was out of control and I was a speed shopper today. Parking far away and walking fast. I mean what is it with people- a little snow and extra traffic and we drive like were in drivers ed! I kept trying to talk to myself, chanting “Christmas season, Christmas cheer!” It worked some until I went out the wrong door at Macy’s and lost my car for a brief panicky moment. Thank goodness for my easily identifiable Jeep! Oh and I only went into Macy’s not the rest of the mall I don’t think I could’ve done it otherwise. I finished my shopping at Target and I must give them credit for always having the lines open- thank you holiday help! My last stop was at Pet Smart.

I don’t think I’m the only one doing a little holiday shopping for their puppy wuppy! It’s my first Christmas with Tex and he’s not here with me yet and I miss him so much. I don’t know what I’m going to do when I have children because just thinking about him my eyes fill up with “I miss you” tears. Anyways this time last year Tex was spending his first couple of weeks at the SPCA and I’m so happy he has a home this Christmas which is why I got him a few treats. I would like to add that Pet Smart is having a 50% off Pet Holiday Toy sale and it’s really good! You know the beloved Loofa/Bobo dogs? The big ones are $3.99 (from $7.99) - the holiday ones are already cheaper but until the 23^rd they’re 50% off! Amazing! December 17-23 http://www.petsmart.com/

I got Texi the Santa

I arrived back at the apartment and I was exhausted but at the same time I couldn’t wait to wrap. I really love wrapping presents and obviously refuse to have anyone else do it for me. (See previous blog!) I wrapped all the gifts but I’m not finished completely because I have some gifts lingering in South Carolina but I think I’m finished shopping! Yay! Tomorrow I’m not going out in this mess…I’m going to take the day and relax – I dvr’d Toy Story and Grandma’s Boy today so maybe that’s what I’ll do tomorrow.

To everyone that is still shopping with the other Christmas crazies – good luck!

Thanks for reading about my adventures!

Shopping for the Near Impossible- $25 Gift Guide

Christmas is right around the corner and if you’re like me you haven’t started shopping and/or are broke. I’m both! Although I think it’s time to share with my ‘social networking family’ that I am a working girl now. Today would have been my 5^th day of work if it weren't for the snow! Tomorrow (weather permitting) is our work holiday party and there is of course a gift exchange- white elephant or whatever you might call it.

Shopping for any office gift exchange can be challenging. Budget following, gender neutral, office appropriate etc. I think my gift is all of the above! I’ll let you know how it goes tomorrow and what I purchased!

Today I wanted to share some tips/ideas for shopping for an office gift or maybe that certain person that is hard to shop for…maybe it’s your cousin that’s approaching adulthood or in their teens, a friend that you haven’t been keeping up with as well as you should, an in-law of any sorts, etc. Really just anyone that is hard to shop for or you really don’t know what to get them. When in doubt go for something a little impersonal with a hint of personal. Here are a few budget friendly ideas (under $25)

1.Travel mug with a Starbucks (or any coffee place) gift card inside. Practical and delicious!

Takeaway Porcelain Mug
$13.99
Target

Got a coffee loving sports buff? Check out the travel mugs at Walmart and Target - college and professional league logo cups!

2. Board Games
When in doubt a board game is sure to be a hit. Did you know Yahtzee is only $5? Most board games are less than $30 which I know isn't under $25 but pretty close! Plus with all the recreated versions of the throw backs you can't go wrong. Happy playing!

Scott and his fiancée came for Thanksgiving and wanted to contribute but being 5 hours away it's seemed impossible she brought Mad Gab instead = success!

Mad Gab

$25.24

Walmart

3. Head phones/ear buds and an I tunes Gift card

Skull Candy Ear buds

$9.99

Target 

 

4. DVD - A new release G, PG, PG-13. I almost bought Toy Story 3 for my party but didn't! I would stay a way from R movies in less you're buying directly for a person.

5. Gift cards- I tend to shy a way from giving a gift card but I must admit I love to receive them! I'm weird about things like that just like I don't like gift bags haha.

Restaurants (maybe a place you see them going to lunch at often) Bookstores, Target, Best Buy

6. Cocktail theme minus the alcohol! 

Wine glasses, coasters, napkins

Stemless wine glasses

$2 each

Pier 1 Imports

Napkins and Coasters

$4.95/each

Pier 1 Imports

7. Fun Kitchen Utensils 

Pastasaurus 

$8.99

Chocolate Paper (an amazing store in Roanoke also online)

Pac-Man Hot Mitt

$16.99

Chocolate Paper

Chocolate Paper is another favorite store in Roanoke (besides Buy The Season) I'm so happy to be back! I purchased an amazing gift for my sister-in-law (soon-to-be) there yesterday! I'll tell post Christmas!

8. Specialty Food/Chocolate 

9. Anything As Seen On TV- you know you've always wanted to see what it's about you've just been to practical to purchase it!

Think beyond the Snuggie and most items sold at Bed Bath and Beyond work! 

I've tried the following As Seen On TV: Sham Wow (boo) Strap Perfect (yay!) Bump It (Eh) Snuggie (Eh) 

For an office gift I'd say the more ridiculous the better!

10. Cozy Day In

Magazine, Coffee cups, hot chocolate 

Hope this helped with the impossible gift match or office exchange! Oh and many make awesome host/hostess gifts. 

 Happy shopping and Merry Christmas!

Inspired.

I sit here distracted by SNL and Facebook. I notice my feed (on Facebook) filled with love notes for Daniel. It's been two years since we lost this beautiful soul. December 4, 2008.

As I read the comments on his page tears rolled down my face and still do because as I posted a couple of blogs ago I can't help but feel the pain that they do. I was more of an acquaintance to Dan though he treated everyone like a best friend. What I remember about him the most is his kindness, smile, crazy good soccer throw in's and his striking good looks!

I remember the text message, the disbelief, the utter shock and then a heart wrenching pain for his parents, family and friends.

The last time I saw Dan was at Food Lion (June 2008) buying beer for I can only assume his friends younger siblings high school graduation party. I'm sure that night was another memory made and now cherished.

I think it's fair to say that the pain his family and friends feel is similar to the pain I feel just for two different people. Two completely different deaths, two completely different people but both gone too soon. As I posted in my older blog "Dealing with Death" it's sometimes therapeutic to see others feeling the same way that you do. I don't mean it makes it easier to see other people in pain but it does make me feel more normal or maybe united. It's refreshing to know that after two years he's not forgotten, still very alive in all of our memories and hearts.

I love that many of his friends posted about the snow today being from him. I love seeing our loved ones through nature there's something so peaceful about it. Snow, wind in the face, a pink sunset, fluffy clouds, leaves, flowers, feathers the list could go on....it makes you feel at peace, warm, surrounded. One wall post that hit me was "I will never not miss you."

"I will never not miss you." Is there any better way to put it? I can't think of anything better. Well said. When you have such love for someone, created years of memories with someone how could you forget them? You won't. There won't be a day that you don't miss that person. There will be days that are easier to manage but never will you forget. You will never forget. We will never forget you Daniel.

I love Daniel's website. His family and friends have done a great job creating this image of Daniel if you never had the pleasure of meeting him and they also have some shared stories.
Check it out. http://www.danielsheffer.com/#/home/

I can only hope that I can help do the same for MaDee.

I didn't plan on blogging today. The minute I saw the words on his page I pulled up my blog and my fingers moved...I think there the best blogs, from the heart.

I guess now that my fingers aren't moving a mile a minute that I can reflect on why I felt it. I think one of my best qualities is empathy and MaDee's death can cause me to do two things: feel sorry for myself or feel sorry for others. I do both, I think. The pain from a death is like a cut. It starts to heal and something like today burst the scab open again, gross I know. I guess my 'wound' is still fresh from my loss (our loss) but sometimes I feel like maybe I'm the only one stuck in PARK in my life and everyone else in DRIVE. (cheesy? maybe.) Then I'm reminded like today- "I will never not miss you." A day I can get by without crying is a good day to me. But maybe it's not. Maybe it's another day that I'm stuffing my emotions so I can try to be strong. There are somethings I can't do yet and I often wonder what the hell is wrong with me? Two things particular:  I haven't had the courage to go 'see' MaDee and the second is going around MaDee's sister is still incredibly hard for me because she resembles and embodies (almost) everything about MaDee.

Like I said before there is no right or wrong way to deal with death (within reason) I just wish there was some way easier. Life isn't easy or fair....cliche' cliche' cliche'....enter it here.

I know everyone has lost someone and that depending on how close you are to that person is going to really determine the amount of pain one will feel. It only makes sense, right?

That's why I never want anyone to feel like I think MaDee's death is the only one that matters, that MaDee's cancer is the only one that matters...It's the death and cancer that have affected my life the most....recently. I can't say most ever but as of now yes-most. And I think my mom understands that- that I'm thankful everyday that I have her here and I'm thankful that she is a cancer survivor...without having witnessed this even at a young age I don't know if I would have been as brave and filled with hope during MaDee's battle. Filled with hope until the very last hours of her life... But that's all for another time or blog, or not. I share a lot about my personal life but somethings are better left unsaid. (or kept in my heart)

Obviously I'm on a tangent. It's almost 2:00 a.m.- goodness!

That said good night!

My heart goes out to anyone that has ever lost somebody which is everyone.
My heart goes out to everyone <3

B.I.O: Another Terrible Mishap!

I took a little break from blogging to enjoy my time in Virginia. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I have lots to blog about but I'm going to try to blog in order of occurrence. I was in Virginia for a while and I'm finally back home in South Carolina. The busiest day to travel...no doubt. It took me 9.5 hours instead of the usual 6.5 hours. Bummer but all that matters is I got here safe. I'll have a Thanksgiving blog next but this blog is reserved for another customer service blunder. 

B.I.O- Bitch It Out! I think it's going to be a new hit since I never followed through on I.T.C.C.T (If these clothes could talk) but I think these will be more entertaining and even informative. Like my last blog I have a customer service issue but this one was handled so-so but I can't believe it happened. Maybe I'm critical because I'm a Public Relations major but I think everyone likes to get there way-you know bang for your buck. So here's the deal. I went to dinner with my sister and brother-in-law after his flag football game. 

The Place: El Puerto- Staunton, Virginia (mall road)

The Situation: Dinner for three. Ordered three completely different meals. Arrived around 9:00 p.m. store hours were until 10:00 p.m. I imagined that they were cleaning up and calling it a day because only a few late dinner goers were there. 

We were eating and talking. Then half way through the meal. Steven (brother-in-law) gets an awful looks on his face and gets a napkin starts coughing and we shield our eyes. He had spit out some bites of his enchilada. Picking out two pieces of metal. Two pieces that I assume were from steel wool brushes for cleaning. I understand how it happened; cleaning the pots, then having to cook for us, putting the meat in the pan and two shards of steel mixed into the enchilada. It was an honest mistake but that doesn't make it okay, right? 

Of course not! It was a total buzz kill to the night and we were turned off by the remaining food on our plates. The waiter wasn't around and Steven was debating on telling him or not. He of course did after my sister and I encouraged him. The waiters response was "Oh my gosh" and walked a way. It didn't seem like a big deal to him and it didn't help that in an awkward situation Steven casually responded "it's okay". Steel wool in your food? It's okay?! He didn't believe us that he said that. 

On the bright side Steven rightfully had his meal comped but I think that if they were concerned about having all three of us a customers it would have been better to comp the entire meal. I think they can afford to lose $26.00 especially for steel wool and the fact we didn't finish our meals because we weren't willing to take a chance. I think I had a cut in my cheek but it might have been me over reacting because of the situation plus I had chicken. Beside the point... plus one for El Puerto comping the meal and taking blame- good PR! Too bad when we went to pay the cashier said...

"Sorry man, that's the first in a long time" 

That's encouraging. We walked out the door stunned. "First time in a long time" said Steven, "Well, that's the last time we'll ever eat here." True for them. Maybe true for me. Sure i'll chew my food cautiously maybe give it a full scan. This could happen anywhere but the fact that they obviously don't check their pots well or flip them upside down before cooking scares me. And that it happens a lot...I mean what's a long time? Weeks, months, years? I'll never know...

So I blogged about it. Bitched it out. I did it for Steven and for the people! I don't want to be known as the customer service complainer because 9/10 times I receive great/good/okay service but this might have beat out Dillard's. Grant it we were in and out of El Puerto before Dillard's wrapped a gift. I love shopping and going out to eat! I don't think it's possible for every store to suck but I get over things like this pretty easy. Over it! 

Just a heads up! 

 

Bitch It Out!

We've all had those moments where you want to be pinched because it can't be real. I'm not talking about the really magical moments or really tragic moments, I'm talking about the moments that are so stupid that you can't believe it's happening. I call them 'wtf' moments. I rarely have a potty mouth on my blog but the title says it all: it's about bitching it out. I'm a day shy of a week late of bitching this one out but I really feel it's entertaining, ridiculous and yes 'blog-worthy'!

I'm not sure if it's Glamour or Cosmo that does the 'Bitch it Out' page but I adore it. It's a way of venting out and having people agree with you on those 'wtf' moments. I am not sure which magazine it's from...I went upstairs to check but like I have said before I'm a tabloid/mom magazine girl so I only could find my People and Red book magazines.I might submit this one to Cosmo. (I'm 80% positive that's the correct one!)


The Scenario:

Last Thursday mom had work off because of Veterans Day and we had planned a girls day to go shopping for my future sister-in-laws bridal shower on Saturday. We went to Dillard's around 11:30 a.m. to purchase somethings off her registry. We had an idea of what we wanted to buy and I had memorized the registry so well we didn't even have to hassle anyone for a 12 page print out of the registry. We looked around a bit and I spotted the Le Creseut crock that mom said they didn't have and it was in her color! It looked like a display so we took the twenty some utensils out of the crock and scooped it up. Next we found two other requested items and went to the check out to pay. It was probably close to noon at this point.

We found two check outs and only one cashier and maybe 5 old ladies going back and forth to the checkout and in the mean time checking out the 99 cent table in between. It was bad enough the cashier had zero help in her department but the 99 cent table hadn't even been marked down from their old sale prices. That meant the cashier had to input each tiny bar code number into the register manually no scanning. I had found 3 mismatched place mats that I wanted from the table but the lady in front of us had 20 items from the table. You could imagine this took a while but our patience levels were still high. No big deal not the cashiers fault she doesn't have any help. It wasn't bad enough to pass up on the free gift wrapping. Apparently (maybe) Dillard's offers free bridal registry gift wrap. Mom and I thought 'sure why not?' We had three fairly large ceramic pieces that would be awkward to wrap, we didn't have boxes and we'd have to buy at least two rolls of wrapping paper...so it's seemed like a great idea. Free gift wrapping.

We carried our three pieces over to the customer service/gift wrap section of Dillard's where we were less than enthusiastically greeted by two ladies working. We sat our three items on the counter and explained how the cashier said we could get free gift wrapping since it's was on the registry. We thought it would be quick and painless. We thought wrong. The first lady told us to pick out wrapping paper. We chose a shiny silver for the two pieces that were alike to be wrapped together and then the second a pretty blossom print. We told her and she said 'Oh no you can only have silver or white' Umm. 'Okay silver.' I said. A few seconds later they're shifting around for boxes and they have one large Dillard's gift box that fits the two alike items together and are making calls to someone to get more boxes because they don't have a tall rectangular one. Then another lady comes in and the lady that was helping us originally left to take her lunch. The lady that steps in doesn't work in gift wrap and the other later that is still there is training and clueless.

Let's take a time out for me to bitch:
Training? I get that she has to be trained on certain stuff at the store but if she was hired shouldn't she know how to gift wrap? I assumed that like the customer service in the middle of the mall these people would be pros too. Pros like the bow makers in Michaels. Michaels wouldn't hire someone to be the bow maker if they didn't know how to make bows already. I was blown away. She looked older than my mom so she should have several years of gift wrapping experience unless she has bagged everything her whole life.

Okay back to the story...
The lady that stepped in was on the phone again to find a gift box. Does Dillard's realize that it's prime time Christmas shopping.? How do you not have gift boxes? I get that ours was complimentary but what about the ones that are planning to pay $3-7 per package?! The lady seemed annoyed that we were standing at the counter and told us we could look around or sit.

We've already made our purchases so why would we want to look around? Before we left we started to peel the price tags off and the lady told us not to worry about it she would get them.We realized it was going to take awhile so we went to the dresses. I tried on a couple and looked around and came back to a half wrapped package and the lady putting the other gift into a UPS brown box. WTF. Still not done. Minutes later the wrapping was almost done and the lady in training was making bows slowly peeling the double stick tape and inching each ribbon. I felt like I was in slow motion not to mention it was ugly. I know it's free but where is the talent? We knew we should have wrapped them on our own but it was too late. We saved our breath to even comment on the brown UPS box and just stood there wide eyed as she made that damn bow. A couple minutes later.. mom told her that was fine and to trim the bow instead of doing that inch worm crap. She didn't say the last part but I wanted to. After they were finished the lady said we didn't have to pay for it. We looked at her like she was insane. "The cashier said it was free anyway" "Well thank you for your patience" WTF. It was 1:35 p.m. It took over an hour to wrap two packages! Are you kidding me? As we were picking up our packages another couple came up with two sizable pocketbooks to get gift wrapped and they tried to put them in brown UPS boxes too and the couple said no thanks.

We passed that couple out the door and told them they made the right choice because it took over an hour. Afterwards mom and I were in a state of WTF shock. I couldn't believe that happened. Seriously, we had other things to do but didn't know if we could take anymore shopping. We took a break for lunch and finished out the day.

We told our story to dad and I was still in shock about how stupid it was. I like Dillard's it's a great store with a lot of nice things. I was disappointed in their customer service. I mean they're competition is Nordstrom, Macy's, Belk, Bloomingdales and here JC Penny's. (Did you know that the JC Penny's here has a Sephora in it?!) I wonder if the Northwoods Mall Dillard's is aware of that? I probably should have said something but I'm not that confrontational of a person so instead I blog a 'Bitch it Out!' It was an hour and half wasted but makes a great story.

Of course you want to see pictures right?

Some of you might not think it's that bad but I think we can all agree that it shouldn't have taken over an hour to freaking wrap. If you know me you know that I wanted to unwrap them as soon as I inspected them. I took pictures so I could blog about it! It's funny having a blog you always have moments and when they happen you think this could make a great blog. Too bad I don't get paid but I like to write so at least it's entertaining.

So I managed to control myself and didn't unwrap them but I didn make some adjustments...

Hey when life gives you lemons make lemonade right, haha.

I carefully unpeeled the tape and made a new ribbon combining the packages! I'm a bit crazy it's true.

It gets better or should I say worse...

Saturday morning we're at the bridal brunch for Anna Brooks and she's opening presents and she unwraps her first present from us that was an adorable dog ring holder at BB&B and then her Dillard's gifts that I wrote an apology for the gift wrapping in the card and then she holds up the pieces for all to see and there is the freaking price tags beaming off them. Oh what the hell! Mom runs over to her and we briefly explain the disaster in much less words than above. Mom peels the stickers off. So tacky Dillard's! I mean it's not a big deal on a gift registry because she knows how much everything cost she registered for it. But still  :( Dillard's gift wrapping!!!!!!!!

Okay that chapter is over. I will shop there again but will never get anything gift wrapped there again besides I'm clearly capable myself. I'd rather pay for a box and $3.98 for gift wrapping then go through that again even if it's free.

Thanks for reading and allowing me to bitch it out! I'm so over it. :)

Love!

Weekend

I had a 'blog-worthy' weekend. Nothing spectacular just a great time with the family!

Friday afternoon those with jobs arrive home the last one filing in around 5pm. Mom, Dad and Scott. Scott came in for the weekend! He lives less than an hour away but is so busy with work I don't see him as much as I'd like to! I love my brother. And I'm learning to love South Carolina more and more. A job would really be the icing on the cake. One thing South Carolina does have is some incredibly talented football players which is why Friday I went to my THIRD High School football game.

Friday

High School Football?! That's right. It's crazy because I found myself being the exact way I was in high school about getting dressed for Friday night. It's about comfort, the weather and fashion. I know some people detest Uggs but I'm not one of them! It was actually chilly at night and I was thinking while getting dressed how do SC high schoolers dress? Am I in style here? What if I wear Uggs and everyone makes fun of me? Okay, so it wasn't that serious but I laughed at myself. I opted for a purple long sleeve tee, moccasins and a scarf and guess what? Froze my butt off! Thank goodness for the blanket and sitting strategically in between Scott and dad. My brother on the otherhand wasn't as fashionable. He packed for the weekend and either forgot jeans or only brought shorts because he wore his khakis and tennis shoes! I joked on him all night about not knowing if he was my dad or my brother. A hot chocolate and a popcorn later the game was a blow out and we left at the beginning of the fourth. Summerville High School killed the other team and we saw their all-star get his 2,000th rushing yard and we were out.

At home the lame fam went to bed at 10:30 p.m. and left me downstairs to watch television, facebook stalk and rate clothing on fashism. I went to bed fairly earlier to read my new book and get some rest! My new book? You may refer to an older blog about Nora Roberts Bridal Quartet- the fourth one is out now. Love! Anyways it was lights out because in the morning it was YARD SALE day.

Saturday

7:00 a.m. my alarm clock goes off. So early especially on a Saturday. It was Yard Sale day. Our neighborhood has an annual yard sale it's actually pretty cool because a lot of houses participate so all you have to do is park and walk. We had a few items to sell but not a lot. We weren't the hottest sale on the block but we got rid of some bulk. Dad got out the power saw early to cut pieces of plywood to make tables, he didn't have as much as expected so we had to bring out our kitchen table. Ghetto. I wasn't embarassed we had stuff to display and sell! I think there's this misperception that only poor people yard sale but it's actually no different than going to thrift stores or antique stores. You'd be surprised what people sell in yard sales. Unfortunately we didn't have any hot ticket items like furtniture and electronics but it was a neat experience. I displayed like items together and sat. Dad has an overstock of those strap tightener things and for fun started making 10-packs of them. He made $6 off the bat while mom and my stuff stayed put. Really?! Three hours later the sale was over. We sold some glasses, jewelry, shoes, stuffed animals, 1 shirt and a bunch of those tie things. We made.....$20! On the plus side dad got his broken, in need of repair push and riding lawn mowers towed a way for free. The other stuff we either had second thoughts on like my bowling ball, two picture frames and some clothes worth consigning but the majority went to Goodwill. During the sale we took turns working our sale so we could go to others. I bought one item- a floppy picture tree that I plan on spray painting and using for one of the themed tables at the rehearsal dinner that you can't know about yet! Mom scored Yahtzee and a princess puzzle mat for one of her friends daughter. Total spent $2 - what's not to love about a yard sale?!

After the sale we relaxed all day and went to dinner. To dinner Scott had on some real comfortable jeans. Wranglers- Brett Farve! Must have picked up some jeans on his errand run, haha. We ate at delicious Logan's Steakhouse and got ice cream at Ye Ole Fashion. Arrived home and relaxed. Watched the rerun of SNL and went to bed.

Sunday

Sunday fun day. Sunday we went to Taste of the Town. It was so much fun. Summerville has two big events every year this and Flowertown Festival. Taste of the Town is a fabulous idea that I think many towns could do. It's a bunch of booths spread out all over the park. The booths are local restaurants. What you do is buy tickets $1 per ticket and go around to different stations and purchase food. There were a variety of restaurants from locally owned and some chain. We had 10 tickets each- Scott and I ended up splitting another ten later. With my tickets I got so much food but fortunately for the big purse I was able to keep some for later like the baked goods and kettle corn. It was a lot of fun. I love festivals and I'm glad that we went. I really want to go to this golf course for dinner now they had a delicious flatbread steak chiptole sandwich.

After an hour we left the event - full! Shortly after Scott left. :( Mom, dad and I hung out some more and later we played Yahtzee and watched IRT Deadliest Road Edition! That concluded the weekend. It was a great weekend!

I love my family! So blessed to have them all- we missed you Ashley, Steven and Anna Brooks! Next weekends plans consist of a shower I will be attending not hosting in North Augusta for Anna Brooks and Scott will be attending his Bachelor Party- pray for him.

Speaking of praying I have a couple of people that I would like to specifically mention and hope to have more people to continue to pray for their health and think of these families...

Tina Hunt and Family
Mark Tinsley and Family
Baby Cy Arey and Family

And whoever else is in need of prayers for strength and healing! The power of prayer is quite real- we've all witnessed miracles and know that anything is possible through God.

Thanks for reading!

Love,
Amanda

What I know now that I didn't at fifteen, a letter to myself.

A couple of post ago I wrote about a blog that I was following and planning to participate in. I finally am participating and I plan to go back and do older post too. I wrote this a couple of days ago but my computer had a breakdown and I was unable to respond. Oh the irony. The founder of the read.write.heal blog challenged us to write about what we know now that we didn't know then. The age she used was 13. I adore her post and encourage you to read it. http://www.readwriteheal.com/2010/10/what-do-you-know-now.html

I am posting something similar but not to my 13 year old self. I've already said that I am in a crossroad in my life. Graduated from college, jobless, in a new town and really just stuck. For lack of better wording I'm stuck. I can't remember any insecurities I had at 13 sometimes I wish I was that little girl or tomboy. I was in what I called an ugly stage of my life but looking back at the pictures I wasn't ugly at all. I really was just growing out of my tomboy Nike athletic wear and getting into boot cut jeans and American Eagle clothes or whatever I could steal from my sisters closet. I was carefree then and actually think that my 13 year old self might have some advice to my 23 year old self.

So I am writing to my 15 year old self. My little freshman in high school self. I had everything I thought was important at fifteen.  I now realize I would have given up all of it if only I had been true to myself.

So what do I know now that I didn't at fifteen...a whole lot.

If I could, I would go back to my fifteen year old self and say...

You're not going to marry him you may both think so but you're not. You're too young for love!

He is going to be the first to break your heart but not the last. With each heartbreak you will get stronger. With each wrong relationship you will be more in tune with what you want. You're still too young for love. No matter how much you love and give someone it will never be enough if it's not right.You will find love and it won't be soon enough but it will be in time.

You will start some games and not some games, it's not the end of the world. You're not a star athlete, big deal--

Don't be afraid to pursue your dreams. It's never too late...

Your sister, Ashley isn't a bitch or a goody goody she's actually your best friend.

You'll never be able to please everyone but you'll try and fail every time.

Popularity really doesn't mean a thing.

Don't criticize your body because one day you would kill for it back!

The birthmark on the middle of forehead isn't a curse. It continues to fade and you actually adore it.

Same with your big gap that could double as a water gun. It gets smaller after braces but due to nature and the carelessness of you and your retainer it gets bigger but you dig it.

Cherish every single day, hour, minute, second with your mop headed friend MaDee. It'll mean the world to you. (Thank you for sticking it out my fifteen year old self)

Don't grow up too fast...you're going to miss this.

Be nice to your bushy eyebrows they don't grow in as fast anymore.

That fall on the bleachers? You'll have a lot more embarrassing moments than that. You're not graceful.

Don't dismiss compliments

Don't worry so much about what you don't have -- be thankful for what you do have

Throwing a tantrum in the morning because you have nothing to wear, no one cares

Math is hard to you it doesn't mean you're stupid

You'll go to college just like your brother and sister

Scott and Ashley aren't the bar of standards and your parents don't think so either

It's okay to want to be just like your sister

Being said NO to certain parties, trips and sleepovers isn't the end of the world and may be a blessing in disguise

Your parents aren't out to sabotage you

Dad may never like who you date until you're actually engaged to them- seen it happen!

Don't let anyone walk all over you. It's a characteristic flaw that you'll slowly attempt to 'fix'

A boy doesn't define you and certainly should never be the certain of your world-

Stay independent.

Stay beautiful- because you actually are quite beautiful and you don't need some dumb boy to validate that!

Love,

The much wiser but still learning 23 year old self.

Whew. Can anyone relate? I sure hope so. I am actually okay with my journey- I often ask myself is this the life I've chosen or is this the life that God has chosen for me? I wish I had the answers. I know he knows the outcome I just wish I did. I remember thinking how 23 was so old. When I was younger I had expectations on each age. I'm not sure where I got these expectations from probably television or the movies but at 23 I thought I'd be engaged, have a job, live in a big city and be fabulous. I think I was on some sort of 5 year plan. What was I thinking? I am 2 for 4 so I guess that's not terrible. I remember thinking that you went to college and it was a sure thing that you'd come out with a husband. I didn't and I also didn't go into hoping to get my M-R-S because thank goodness at 19 I didn't think that anymore- though in college I probably did think I was going to marry by then boyfriend...but it ended up to be another heartbreak- lesson learned. So many lessons learned. Life is a journey. I don't have much expectations anymore but I hope oneday I can write to my 23 year old self and say...you have a successful career, you found your someone, the pain of MaDee's death does heal in time. As for now I'm happy to be alive, happy to have a college degree, happy to have love and support of family and friends and happy to finally be me.
I often relate my post or life to music.
Listen to: Carrie Underwood- Lessons Learned

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mSm19ETQvg



Thanks for reading!

Amanda

Happy Halloween Part Two

Can I confess something? Yesterday didn't feel like Halloween because it wasn't. I was dead set on today being November 1st but today is Halloween, duh. I can't believe it! Why would trick or treating be today if yesterday was Halloween? Crazy and a little stupid? Yes.

Okay so today I was a bum. I got showered and dressed into my costume for trick or treating. I love dressing up so I dressed up to answer the doors for the kids! I started out being Wilma Flinstone but the dress that came with the costume is too short for this occassion so we made a new one from a sheet but it was so frumpy I changed into a black shirt dress, hose and a witch hat instead! I loved the orange Wilma hair though!

I love holidays. I love the tradition, the decorations, gifts, food, laughter and love. Halloween isn't real big in our family but I still love it and we still had some great decorations! I just wanted to show off our cool decorations and my head shots for Halloween! Happy Halloweenie!

Enjoy the pictures...

Happy Halloween !!

The Decor...

Halloween luminaries-cute!

scary!

luminary bags and you can't really see but shepard hooks, the mason jars and tealight candles

(recycled from my sisters wedding!)

Frankenstein!

Scary cat

The Great Pumpkin Again!

Scary pumpking on fern stand (recycled from sisters wedding!)

The Costumes...

WILMA!!

Okay the wig wasn't working out but I love the orange hair.

Maybe I should pull a Rihanna?

So I went with the witch instead.

Dress Up...withTex!

Okay not really dress up but a little ribbon on the collar

he kept biting it so I had to shorten it.

"I'm so embarrassed"

Wittle Puppy Wup!

So that was Halloween. As mentioned last blog we never had trick or treaters in my old house on the country roads. This year we had a disappointing 18 but it was better than nothing. Everyone was so cute! Zombies, Vampires, Soccer Player, Skelton, Zombie Nurse, Puppy dog, Tinkerbell and Peter Pan, Nerds etc. I loved them all!

Thanks for reading!!

Happy Halloweenie!

Weenie Dog!

It's our weiner dog Petey- he doesn't need a costume because he's the devil in disguise everyday poor senile Pete dog.  Happy Halloweenie. Get it?!



Happy Halloween!

I love Halloween and today it really didn't 'feel' like Halloween but it was still a great day! I have lived in the country most of my life so the only trick or treaters we ever had were the neighbors so I'm very excited for tomorrow night! We actually live in a suburb now and not on a backroad. I think I'm going to dress up tomorrow but we'll see as for today I left the costume at home and hung out with one of my favorite people, my mom. I would say mum because it sounds so cool but she's my mom.

Today was great. Mom and I went to The Scratch Pad a fabulous stationary store in Mount Pleasant. We ordered the Rehearsal Dinner invites for my brother's wedding. The months are flying by! They're really pretty and I'm excited about all the ideas that are being tossed around for the rehearsal dinner which of course I will go into great detail about post wedding in a blog.

After we headed to Stein Mart, it's not an 'old lady' store like I once thought. I discovered my love for Stein Mart when living in Roanoke but I still prefer TJ Maxx. Then Ross Dress for Less, the mall and home. I ended up with three tops and an awesome pair of boots from Rack Room. I am loving the light reddish tan boot with black leggings. You may disagree but I love black and brown together!

We arrived back at home just in time for dinner. After much debate we were headed to Cracker Barrel but mom threw a wrench two turns in time and said "How about The Mustard Seed?" The Mustard Seed is a delicious restaurant in downtown Summerville. The presentation of the food is awesome and the prices are reasonable considering. It's a gem despite it's lack of decor- worth going to if you're in the area! I don't think I have a broad enough palate but I'm a food critic today...I had the pork tenderloin with creamy sauce, potatoes and asparagas. We ordered one slice of coconut cake to go since we were so full but their desserts are banging so it was a must.

Back at home I decide it's time to carve my pumpkin that I requested dad purchase on his way home from work Thursday because of all the post on facebook I was feeling deprived. Tonight was the night! Mom has this ceramic pumpkin in the bathroom at Halloween so I decided to copy it. How did I do? I'll let you be the judge...

The inspiration: this ceramic pumpkin

The Result:



Keeping in mind that it was all freehanded....

I love the bat cut outs!

I'm proud. I love arts and crafts because I'm a creative cat!

Some of my fondest Halloween moments were dressing up and getting crazy in college- it was a holiday that MaDee adored and we were always together for. In honor of her and this fun holiday I leave you with these...

buying our gear! 2006

Me, MaDee, Chrisi



MaDee, Me, Megan, Chrisi 2006

Make shift Village People: Cop, Construction Worker, Cowgirl, Biker

Me, MaDee

Kitty Cat and French Maid

2006 Pt 2 Roanoke

MaDee

Me, MaDee, Mary, Roanoke Friend

Witch, Wilma, Betty, Camo Girl

2007-Roanoke

MaDee's Halloween Birthday Bash

Great times! That I'll cherish forever ...

Happy Halloween!