Rambling...

I have been sooo stressed out lately.  So stressed out, actually, that I am saying "to HE$$ with my diet." I have lost eight pounds, and have decided to leave it at that. Forget about getting back to my super-skinny twenty-one year old days.  Forget about that flat tummy I used to bare in belly shirts.  Forget about the tiny items of clothing I used to wear.  I have just made up my mind that I am sick to death of turkey pepperoni, fat free cheese, and raw vegetables.  My husband and I both love to cook and love to eat.  So I have decided if I can just maintain myself where I am right now, I will be happy.  I had rather enjoy my food than eating things that taste only one notch above a freaking shoe box!  So, tonight I am going to go home and cook up some mashed potatoes loaded with blue cheese, fried okra, barbecue chicken, and garlic toast soaked in butter!!  Ahh, yes, this well make me forget about my stress for a glorious few minutes!

Okay, back to my stress.  About three years ago, my dad gave me a house that he built about twenty years ago, and had held onto as an investment property.  The tenants that lived there had been there for over eleven years, payed the rent in cash on time every month, and bascially maintained his equity in the house.  He told me that he felt like he should give it to me now, while I could reap the benefits, rather than wait until he died.  I was living in my own condominium alone, and this sounded like the perfect arrangement.  The rent I would collect from the tenants would maintain what would then be MY equity in the home and bring me in a small amount of income each month.  Perfect, right?

Enter Murphy's Law (that is my life,too, Lisa hehe).  Brent and I got married, built a beautiful new home, and went a little overboard buying new furnitue and this and that for our house.  Guess what?  I got "the call."  Perfect, wonderful tenants had decided to get a divorce and would be moving. That left Brent and I with not only the mortgage payment on OUR house, but the additional mortgage payment on the RENTAL house.

Can you see where this is headed?????  To be continued...

I........

I am sure you all get tired of reading these "all about me" things, but I think they are fun -they give me material for journal entries and sometimes I just find out a little something new about myself....This one came from Jackie's (Waiting to Exhale..) archives.  Soooo, here goes another.....  and I am tagging anyone else - I just love to read these about other people!

I AM:  many different things at different times...

I WANT:  to live a long, happy, fullfilled life (and a strawberry milkshake at the moment)

I HAVE:  a whole lot to be very thankful for and need to remember that more often 

 I WISH:   I could take a vacation to Fiji

I HATE:  disorganization, sitting in traffic, tomatoes 

I MISS:  my stepdad and my friend Beth, from high school, who I have lost touch with (I need to try and get in touch with her)

I FEAR:  big bugs, lightning, my own anxiety

I HEAR: a maccaw squawking  

I WONDER: why people believe in "Scientology"   

I LOVE:   my husband, my friends and family, eating good food, the Golden Girls, clothes, Hollywood gossip magazines, a good book, smoothies, feeling at peace, the fact that it is almost time for me to leave work...

I ALWAYS:  worry too much

I AM NOT: short

I AM NOT ALWAYS: very patient 

I NEED:  to quit smoking

I SHOULD:  learn a new hobby of some sort

Girlie Things

I got this idea from Gillie, so go check her list out - I LOVE BEING A GIRL. 

This entry really amused me, because I am the ultimate girlie girl.  There is absolutely 100% no boy in me AT all (which is probably why my marriage is so interesting-my husband is 100% boy -fishing, hunting, sports, playing in the dirt - so we are complete opposites - but you know what they say about opposites....)

My favorite girlie things....

anything from Bath and Body works

lipgloss

silver jewelry

bubble baths

pedicures and toe rings

my pink UGA sweatshirt

my Coach purse with the fur on it

my silver sequined flip flops

my white victorias secret robe with the pink polka dots

the fresh flowers that I buy when I grocery shop at Publix and put in a vase in my kitchen

my "fresh linen" room spray that my bedroom always smells like

AND

the only time I EVER like to be sweaty is when I am lying next to the pool, cold drink in hand, stack of girlie magazines next to me, with my yummy scented suntan lotion close at hand :)

Monday

 

I LOVE Kenny Chesney - his songs have always been very powerful and emotional to me.  Brent and I had a horrible fight Friday night.  One thing is for sure, being married is not always easy.  It can be so many different things at one time-wonderful, safe, passionate, stressful, difficult, irritating, humorous, infuriating.  The BIGGEST lesson I have learned in my one short year of marriage is that in order to make it work, one thing is a constant-compromise.  You have to give up your stubbornness, your ego, your attitude, your need to be right all of the time.  Brent and I both have very strong personalities - that is probably why we love hard, but we fight hard, too.  Marriage is alot of hard work, at least in the beginning.  But like anything precious that you don't want to lose, it is worth fighting for.  I listened to this song on my way to work this morning, and it says alot about marriage......Because no one can make me laugh like my husband, love me like my husband, and sometimes, PISS ME OFF like my husband hehee......

 

I had a hundred dollar ring in my hand
So weak and tired I could barely stand
From bein up all night praying she’d say yes
So with a hopeful heart I hit one knee
With a tear in her eye she looked at me
It was the moment of truth, I was scared to death.
My life hung on what that tear meant
Then she smiled at me, and I lost it...

No one can make me cry, make me laugh
Make me smile or drive me mad, like she does
It’s like a curse that is the cure
Better or worse, one thing’s for sure
It’s real love
And I don’t know what I’d do if I lost it

Well the honeymoon ended and life began
Jobs and bills, losing touch with friends
And that apartment got smaller everyday
Then one night the walls finally closed in
I came home late, she said where have you been
You used to call and tell me you’re on your way
She said if this is how it’s gonna be then I quit
She walked out the door, I lost it...

I picked myself up off the floor
She walked back through the door
We made love like it was the first time

 

No one can make me cry, make me laugh

Make me smile or drive me mad like she does

It's like the curse that is the cure

Better or worse, one thing's for sure

It's real love

And I don't know what I'd do if I lost it

Oh if I lost it, if I lost it
I don’t wanna lose it...
 

Sunday...

Be who you are and say what you mean, because those that matter don't care,and those that care, don't matter.  

I stole this from Jackie, Waiting to Exhale..  I am thinking I may have already put this quote in a previous entry, but I am not for sure, and I like it so much, I'll just post it again.  It rings SO true for me in my life.  BTW, I am a new reader of Jackie's journal, and she is an AWESOME lady-has been through a tragedy and shows unbelievable faith and strength.  Stop by and give her a kind word - she can use it and she really appreciates the comforting comments people leave her. I had a rough start to the weekend, but things have calmed down.  Will explain later..... right now, I am going to take a hot bath, get in my jammies, and get ready for The Sopranos...

 

 

Faith

God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change

the Courage to change the things I can

and the Wisdom to know the difference......

TGIF

It is a beautiful Friday here in Georgia, although a little chilly.  I am leaving work early today and plan to stop and get a manicure/pedicure n the way home.  I have someone coming to do some work on my hardwood floors, which means I will be forced to stay home the rest of the afternoon.  Maybe I will guilt myself into straightening up my closet, as it needs it badly.  No big plans for the weekend, and that is exactly how I like it!  My dear, sweet grandmother (I'll dedicate an entry to her in the future) turned eighty years old Thursday, and we are having a birthday party/cookout at my mom's house on Sunday.  Have a good weekend everyone!

Don't know what I would do without Hadon to snag entry ideas from. 

TOP 10 CONCERTS I HAVE ATTENDED

(These are in no particular order.  Hadon had the dates of all of his listed.  My past days of too much partying have eliminated exact dates from my memory hehe) But here goes:

1.  Rolling Stones-Grant Field, Atlanta, GA

2.  Allman Brothers-Roxy, Atlanta, GA

3.  Motley Crue-Omni, Atlanta, GA

4.  Stevie Nix-Chastain Park, Atlanta, GA

5.  Grateful Dead-Omni, Atlanta, GA

6.  Metallica-Omni, Atlanta, GA

7.  Neil Young-House of Blues, Atlanta, GA

8.  Robert Plant-Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA

9.  Lollapalooza-Lakewood Amphitheatre, Atlanta, GA

10.  Rod Stewart - Chastain Park, Atlanta, GA

There ya go!

Finish These

I tag everyone!  Thanks again, Hadon (The Hadonfield Myers Experience)

 

Okay For The Really Bored..Finish These

The last place I drove my car was.... to Publix

I am.....a real bi**h sometimes

Life is....funny

I light a candle when....ever I am at home

I would like to.... have more money

God is...Good

Nothing makes me happier than...a quiet night with my husband

Maybe I should....learn to play Spades

I love.... alot of people

I don't understand....why people hurt children

I lost my....mind a long time ago (I'm with ya, Hadon)

People say I'm.... the female version of my dad

Somewhere someone is...having sex and I am jealous hehe

I will always....love my family

I never want to....lose my momma 

The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is....brush my teeth and put my eyedrops in

Life is full of..... surprises

Take time to smell....how precious new babies and new puppies smell (and remember it when they get older and aren't always precious anymore hehe)

Nice....."Beaver."  "Thanks I just had it stuffed." (lol Brent and I were just talking about this line from the movie "Naked Gun" last night)

Tomorrow I am going to... leave work early

I have low tolerance for....too many things, unfortunately

I like to wear my shirt.... and sometimes I like to take it off, hehe

Coffee is...... only good when it is Starbucks Mocha Frappucino

I think smoking is....a horribly disgusting habit that I need to give up before I get pregnant

I get annoyed .....very easily with certain people

My job.......is okay if I have to have a job, hehe

For a Klondike bar I would....not do a whole lot

Always have.....a sense of humor - sure makes life easier

A stitch in time.....is better than stitches in your body ?????? (Dumb questions deserve dumb answers)

Never put.......a frog in a blender

If I was only allowed to say one word for the rest of my life it would be......NO

My bath tub is....somewhere I would like to be with my husband right now

Variety is.......having one of everything from Victoria's Secret in your closet

Home is....my favorite place to be

If the shoe fits....buy the same pair in another color

Children are......precious gifts

Peace is.....never going to happen on this Earth, unfortunately

After a day at my house you would want to...tell me to stop cleaning so much

Animals are....awesome

Money talks.....and BS walks

I cross my........legs when I have a skirt on (again, dumb questions deserve....)

My heart will.....keep beating for a while, I hope

Immediately give in when....my niece cries

Grocery shopping....is something I spend way too much money doing

The Last thing I mailed was....I'm sure a bill of some kind or another

I could eat....anything my mom cooked at any time of the day

Time is..... going by faster the older I get

I answered these because....I thought that Hadon would like it if I did :)

 

Women in J-Land

I spoke to Nelishia last night (her journal, Wishing and Hoping, is private),and what a beautiful Southern accent she has.  I have quite a Southern accent I am told, probably from living in Georgia for the past thirty-two years hehe.  But hers was quite different, perhaps from being raised in Eastern Kentucky.  She is having a very difficult time of things right now, and I thought the least I could do was help her out by making a phone call for her. That is the wonderful thing about this community; so many women, different ages, from different backgrounds, living in different areas of the country; single, married, divorced, yet we are all women who share the same day-to-day struggles, frustrations, joy, and pain (although some worse than others).  There have been so many deaths of loved ones here lately, and so many different heartaches.  It is nice to want to reach out and help and think you can make a difference, as others have done it here for me.  Please remember Nelishia in your prayers.  Happy Tuesday! 

What Kind of Kisser am I?

***You're a Passionate Kisser***

For you, kissing is about all about following your urges
If someone's hot, you'll go in for the kiss - end of story
You can keep any relationship hot with your steamy kisses
A total spark plug - your kisses are bound to get you in trouble

What Kind of Kisser Are You?
http://www.blogthings.com/whatkindofkisserareyouquiz/

Hmmmm - I'll have to ask my husband about this one.....

Thanks for the idea, Hadon.

 

Much About Nothing

Well, I haven't commented on my "weight loss" journey, because it hasn't been much of a journey- hehe.  I started off the first week losing a few pounds but I have since gained it back.  I mean, my self-discipline is absolutely horrible.  I only want to lose maybe 10 pounds max, and I can't even do that?  I am just so used to eating anything and everything I want that it has been quite difficult to teach myself new eating habits.  However, I know for my overall general health, this is something I need to do.  Soooooo, I am at least TRYING to continue this journey.  The one positive thing that I have started doing is walking on my lunch hour.  This actually is good for two things - it keeps me from spending money unnecessarily (I am bad about going to Target, Pier One, etc.) and it will hopefully get a few pounds off of me.  Fortunately, the weather here in Georgia is awesome right now - low humidity, 65 degrees, and sunny - which is perfect for walking outside.  It won't be long until the Georgia summer will hit and the heat will be oppressive and the humidity so thick it is hard to breathe outside.

Well, another thing I am very unhappy about - my dumba$$ messed up DVR'ing "24" on Monday night.  Brent was not feeling good, so we decided at the last minute to tape it and watch it Tuesday night.  Perfect.  Brent set the DVR and went upstairs to get an early night of sleep.  Great.  I have the nice quiet downstairs to myself - perfect for checking out the girlie movie on Lifetime.  So, last night after dinner, we turned on the recorded "24."  After the first commercial, it just stopped.  Ok, WTH?  Well, apparently I turned the channel and didn't hit "swap" so it stopped recording.  I could tell Brent was pretty PO'ed, but he just said "It is okay."  I said, "Is it okay that you married a dumba$$?"  So, if anyone feels like leaving me a brief synopsis of the episode, so that I may be somewhat caught up by next Monday, please feel free...

Does anyone else watch the Soprano's?  That was awesome Sunday night, although I was quite shocked that Tony got shot.  I heard one theory that I thought was quite interesting;  that they actually started the season with the last episode of the season, and will work backwards from there - which very well may mean that Tony will die.  I don't know if this theory is valid, but I do know that I will have to watch the entire season to find out!!  Oh, way to keep people hooked!

Ok, more rambling later - I am off for my walk:)

More questions

Okay, snagged another one from Hadon,

The Hadonfield Myers Experience (thanks, Hadon, for entry ideas :)

 

 

The Saturday Six (On Sunday,errr, now on Monday)

     1. READER'S CHOICE QUESTION #79 from Cat: If you could trade places with one person in your family for a week, who would you choose? And would you want to trade as they are now, or sometime in the past (or future)? 

   Hmmm.  I don't think there is anyone in my family that I would rather have their life than mine for a week.  Actually, maybe my four year old niece, Makenzee, in about twenty years from now, just to see what it is like being a twenty-something in the year 2025, err 2026.

     2. READER'S CHOICE QUESTION #80 from De: What were you doing 1 year ago this month, and are you more or less satisfied with your life today?

  I was planning my wedding, about 1 month away from getting married.  I was happy then and I am happy now, although in two different ways.  I was excited and anticipating married life then, and now I am finally starting to settle in to married life and really enjoying it.

     3. READER'S CHOICE QUESTION #81 from Lisa: Do you prefer watching television over surfing the Internet?

That is a tough one.  At night, I like to catch up on journals, but I definitely love Golden Girls reruns, Lifetime movies, The Sopranos, and 24. 

  

     4. READER'S CHOICE QUESTION #82 from Antonette: Outside of the U.S., where would you live and why?

Anywhere that it is hot and sunny with wonderful food that I could lie on the beach with my own personal cabana boy bringing me frozen drinks and giving me massages (Hey, I don't ask for much hehe)

  

     5. READER'S CHOICE QUESTION #83 from Elton: When you leave your home, do you ever feel paranoid that you've left something behind?

  Ummm, no.  Although I do feel lost if I ever am without my cell phone.

     6. READER'S CHOICE QUESTION #84 from Laura: What song or songs would you want played at your own funeral and why?

Willie Nelson, "Seven Spanish Angels" because I like it and Willie Nelson always reminds me of my dad when I  was young.

"Amazing Grace" because it is my mom's favorite.

There ya go!

Sweet Dreams

I actually sat down with the intentions of doing a nice long entry.  However, after eating a big dinner (Brent grilled pork chops and I made mashed potatoes, squash casserole, and salad) and watching Sopranos, I am now too sleepy to think straight. 

The weather here was incredible today, 80 degrees and sunny.  Had a relaxing weekend and am not looking forward to another week at work.  Oh, well, maybe tomorrow I will get my long entry in - for now, sweet dreams everyone!

Being Thankful

I stole this tag from Lisa Jo, Damaged Goods.  She always has the best tags, and this one actually brought tears to my eyes.  What a great tribute to such a strong lady.  When things like this happen, I think it is just human nature to question everything;  why God would let so much tragedy hit one family; why a child would be left orphaned; how no matter how much fame and money you have, you cannot buy your health; how we should look at our own lives and be thankful for everything we have, every day, in spite of the troubles, struggles, and heartache we face.

When I first moved further away from my job and had a new, long, and frustrating commute that I was not accustomed to, I found myself irritated as I sat in traffic.  One morning, I was upset about something and began to say a quiet prayer.  This has since become something I now do many mornings.  Not only does it ease my frustration but it allows me to start the day focusing on what I am blessed with as well as sort out troubles I am having. 

Yesterday morning, I heard the news about Dana Reeves as I was getting ready for work.  When I got in my car, I began my morning prayer ritual with more thanks than most days.  It is sad that it takes another family's misfortune and tragedy to help us (me) keep our own lives in perspective.  No matter how bad things may seem sometimes, I am so blessed to have my family, my husband, and my health.  Thank you God, for what I have today.

And Here's Another One...

This one from Lelly, Sangria Times!

 

Q: What does the last text message on your mobile say ?
A: Deepak did it

 

Q: Whose bed did you sleep in last night ?
A: The lakehouse

Q: What color shirt/blouse etc are you wearing ?
A: brown Vic Secret turtleneck sweater

Q: Most recent movie that you watched ?
A: Steel Magnolias

Q: Name one thing that you do every day
A: Tell my husband that I love him

Q: What's the color of your bedroom walls?
A: beige

Q: How much cash do you have on you right now ?
A : about 100 bucks

Q: What's your favorite sport?
A: None, really, but UGA football if I had to pick 

Q: I can't wait till...?
A: We go on a trip to Cayman Islands

Q: When was the last time you saw your mom?
A: End of last week

Q: What did you have for dinner last night?
A: filet and grilled shrimp

Q: Look to your left. What's there?
A: A calender

Q: What's the last piece of clothing you borrowed from someone?
A: Nightgown from my momma

Q: What website(s) do you visit the most during the day?
A: FoxNews.com

Q: Do you have an air freshener in your car?
A: No, but I keep Bath and Body Works body spray in my console

Q: Do you have plants in your room?
A: nope

Q: Does anything hurt on your body right now?
A:  nope

Q: What city was your last taxicab ride in?
A: Atlanta at the Sugar Bowl

Q: Do you own a picture phone?
A: nope

Q: What's your favorite Starbucks drink?
A: Mocha Frappucino

Q: Recent time you were really upset?
A: The last time Brent and I had a bad argument

Q: Would you have a problem if your friend went after your ex boyfriend/girlfriend?
A: Not sure about that one

Tagging Everyone Again

Snagged from Hadon, The Hadonfield Myers Experience.

 

Type your FIRST REACTION when you hear these words:

1. I need: I pretty much have what I need.

2. Sex: Love it! 

3. Relationships: Take alot of work, but are SO worth it...

4. Your Last Ex:  On good terms

5. Power: Aphrodisiac

6. Marijuana:  Many years ago......

7. Crack:  Never

8. Food: Like it too much

9. The President: Like his wife

10. War: Sux

11. Cars:  I HATE traffic

12. Gas Prices:  Make me sick

13. Halloween:  Still candy in my kitchen from it

14. Politics:  Mostly BS

15. Religion: Personal  

17. MySpace:  Don't really get into it

19. Marriage:Alot of work but AWESOME 

20. Fashion: I need to go shopping

21. Brunettes:  Blondes have more fun

22. Redheads:  Blondes still have more fun

23: Work:  Work

24: Pass the time:  Doing this...

24: Football: Go Dawgs

25. One night stands:  I'll keep that to myself...:)

26: Pet Peeve:  When Brent brushes his teeth and gets water all over the mirror

27: Pixie Stix:  cavities

28: Vanilla Ice:  Who cares

29: Porta Pottie:  I'll hold it

30: High school: I Loved It

  
32. Pajamas:  My favorite outfit

33. Wood:  Ok, Hadon, my mind is in the gutter too LOL

34. Surfers:  Patrick Swayze was HOT in Pointbreak

35. Pictures:  STILL need to do something with my wedding pics 

Takes me back...

I am not a huge Kelly Clarkson fan, but I did like this song the first time I heard it.  I assumed the lyrics were talking about someone who broke her heart.  Well, I heard her talking about this song recently, and it was about someone who broke her heart - her parents and the divorce they went through-really hits home with me now.

 

Because Of You"

I will not make the same mistakes that you did
I will not let myself
Cause my heart so much misery
I will not break the way you did,
You fell so hard
I've learned the hard way
To never let it get that far

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

I lose my way
And it's not too long before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know that's weakness in your eyes
I'm forced to fake
A smile, a laugh everyday of my life
My heart can't possibly break
When it wasn't even whole to start with

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

I watched you die
I heard you cry every night in your sleep
I was so young
You should have known better than to lean on me
You never thought of anyone else
You just saw your pain
And now I cry in the middle of the night
For the same damn thing

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I try my hardest just to forget everything
Because of you
I don't know how to let anyone else in
Because of you
I'm ashamed of my life because it's empty
Because of you
I am afraid

Because of you
Because of you

Another Tagging

Another one from Lelly!  Now I tag everyone!

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?Where are my allergy eye drops?

2. How much cash do you have on you?Hang on - lemme look - 81.00 plus my lucky 2.00 bill

3. What's another word that rhymes with "door"?Four? score? more?

4. Favorite planet? Earth, I suppose
    
5. Who is the 4th person on your cell's missed call list? Mom cell

6. What is your favorite ring on your phone?T-jingle

7. What shirt are you wearing?Black button-up with white pin stripes from Express
     
8. Do you "label" yourself? Not really
    
9. Name the brand of shoes you are currently wearing?Kenneth Cole Reaction
     
    
10. Bright or Dark Room?Bright
    
11. When was the last time you touched something fuzzy?last night, my chenille blanket on the couch
     
12. When was the last time you listened to "Last Christmas" by Wham?Christmas when they played it non-stop on the radio
     
13. What were you doing at midnight last night?Sleeping soundly
     
14. What did you last text message say that you received on your cell?Missy wants to go out.
    
15. Where do you put your mail?kitchen counter
     
16. What's a word that you say a lot?"Seriously"
    
17. Who told you he/she loved you last?Brent
    
18. What was the last fluffy thing you touched?Would Brent's hair be fluffy?
    
19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days?Do B.C. powders count?
    
20. How many rolls of film do you need to get developed?2
    
21. Favorite age you have been so far?Hmm, hard to say -I am happy to be the age I am now 
     
22. Your worst enemy?Don't think I have one (maybe cigarettes hehe)
     
23. What is your current desktop picture?Brent and Me
    
24. What was te last thing you said to someone?"I think they make nice flower arrangements."
     
25. If you had to choose between a million dollars or to be able to fly what would it be?
     Money!!!!
26. Do you like someone?I like lots of people.
     
27. The last song you listened to?"Mississippi Girl" by Faith Hill
    
28. If the last person you spoke to was getting shot, would you jump in front of the bullet?
     Hmmm, not sure about that one

29. Have you ever punched someone?Yes

30. What is the closest object to your left foot?My desk