Lynette over at Crazed Mind has tagged me with this game/meme. This meme involves opening the closest book to you, not your favorite or most intellectual book, but the closest book to you at the moment, turn to page 56. Write the fifth sentence, as well as two to five sentences following that. Then pass it on to five bloggers.

I have two books close to me, a thesaurus and The Book of Answers by Barbara Berliner.

On page 56 the fifth sentence is :

entrials- baked in a umble pie. In time, the dish went out of fashion, but the phrase took on a new life that it till has today.

Okay that sounded gross. It was talking about where did the phrase from to eat humble pie originate. I love books like this, full of little tidbits of information.

I am going to follow Lynette's lead and tag 5 of my followers.

The fabulous life of a Southern Belle

Unnecessary Drama

He call's her "Lemon Pie"

By the hair of my chinny-chin-chin

Ramblings of a 30-something Carolina girl

End of january - first habit of 2009

I decided this year I was going to have new habits, not resolutions. With this month coming to a close (already???) I figured it was time to reassess the list and see how i've done so far.
My new habit for January was to make an effort to look nice everyday. I think I did pretty good in that department. There were only a few days, and those mostly weekends, that I didn't do more than throw my hair in a pony tail or not wear makeup. As far as clothes go, I made more of an effort to avoid the jeans, sweatshirt, and sneakers look. Not that I object to comfort, but it really doesn't look all that professional. I tried to limit it to once a week, and that on my busiest running around spending most of the day in the car anyways days.
I have started exercising this past week. My goal is 3-4 times a week. Both Carl and Ken are exercise junkies, they go 6 times a week and really really watch what they eat. I've been trying to learn from their example, but there is no way i'm giving up my tub of sour cream. I draw the line there.
So since i've already started I decided that February's habit is going to be #2, to exercise in some form everyday. Carl and I are doing yoga tomorrow, altho it's the P90X yoga tape. It's pretty intense. He's been on that program for a week now and it's kicking his butt, altho I supose that's the idea. I'm just gonna do the yoga part with him and do my own thing the rest of the time.
And yes, walking the dogs for 30 minutes a day is going to count.
I"m really hoping the yoga thing helps with my posture. I'm pretty short to begin with (only 5'1") and i've been so tired and stressed lately i've been slouched over 90% of the time. I know I need to do something about it soon or i'm going to turn into the hunchback. My sister even wore a corset for a month to train her to sit up straight. I don't know about all that, but if I can't get myself upright any other way that might be a last resort.
This is the updated habit list.
1. Study devotionals once a day
2. Exercise, in some form every day
3. Live on less than $50 a week (with the prices of gas going back up this might have to change)4. Make an effort to look nice for work every day, (no more jeans, sweatshirt, pulling my hair back in a pony tail and no makeup) January - accomplished!!
5. Stop cursing
6. Watch the news everyday and pay attention/get caught up on wordly events
7. Be more concious about recycling.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Anyone have any ideas for new habits?

Photo tag

SassyEngineer over at A Pretty Peony had this on her blog and tagged anyone with blue eyes. Okay, well my eyes are blue with green around the middle, but I guess that's close enough. (and I hate the term hazel. They actually look more like sunflowers but I can't get a good enough picture of them.)

But anyways.. here are the rules...

1. Go to the section of your computer where you store all of your photos.

2. Select the 6th folder.

3. Select the 6th photo from that folder.

4. Post and explain about that picture.

5. Tag 6 other people.

This was one of the puppies from my dog Daisy's first litter (Daisy is the dog that my ex kept). It was summer, the kitchen floor was cool, and for some reason it found being cramed under the stove comfortable. Never figured out why.

I am going to tag everyone who has a birthday in January. Have fun!

All about A

The Pink Tutu was playing this game, and of course you know how much I love lists so I just had to play along. She has given me the letter "A", and my job is to list 10 of my favorite things that start with "A". (If you wish to play along leave me a comment and i'll assign you a letter).

1. Angelina Jolie. I don't think i've seen a movie that she's been in that I don't like. Plus she's married to Brad Pitt. Gotta give her props for that.

2. Anne Rice. I have read all of her books except the most recent ones about Jesus's life, which i'm trying to work my way thru now. A wonderful, talented and twisted writer.

3. Avacado. Sliced or on a sandwhich, and best of all...in guacamole. Yummy!!!

4. Allison Krauss. Her voice is so pure and haunting, and I love her band. Very cool. 5. America!!! Need I say more? 6.Alibris . I just love this site. I started out as just a customer, but in October opened up my own store. I've always wanted to own a used book store and so far totally love doing this. My goal is to have 500,000 listing by next december. 7. Acqua Panna water - my favorite bottled water. And it has to be the glass bottle, not the plastic. 8. Apple Perfume - okay so it's actually called Be Delicious, by DKNY, but it smells like green apples and i'm getting stumped here. This is harder than I thought it would be!

9. Apricots- the yummiest fruit. Raw, in a pie, or in preserves. Perfection. 10. Autumn - my absolute favorite season. I love watching the leaves turn - not that the leaves change color here or we have much of a fall. It's more of a 2 week chill before winter creeps in. I'd love to spend an autumn down south or back east and just enjoy the change in the weather and nature.

Just what I need...

..A new shoe addiction. I bought a pair of these the other day

and let me tell you, these were the most comfortable shoes I think that have graced my feet in a long time. They're Antonio Melani, from Dillards, and oh my God were they comfortable. I wore them for about 6 hours straight, with about half of that being walking. First time wearing new shoes, and doing that much walking, normally I would be crying where's the bandaids by now, but not these. No blisters, no tender feet, just a slight pinch in my pinky toe, which I think will go away as I wear the shoes more and the leather stretches. I am now officially addicted. And they looked so cute with a pair of jeans and a white sweater. Love a pair of shoes that goes dressy and with jeans.

Musical Monday

Thanks to the tips last week from Malcom and Candice, I am attempting to play along again. We'll see if this works.

This week is Tool's "Lateralus". I love Tool. I love Maynard. The man is a genius. I've heard a total prick in real life, but still a musical genius. I listen to their cd's when I need inspiration, and this video is definitely inspiring. I don't know who did it, but it's just totally awesome.

Anywho, listen to the lyrics, watch the video (warning: it's LONG 9 minutes and 24 seconds to be exact) and just be awed. I know I am everytime I watch it.

Manic Monday and Blond Moment #2

With Nicole dealing with the death of her brother and 6 evictions pending (just waiting on the go signal) this weeks is going to be pretty hetic. I have like 6 posts floating around in my head that I want to write about. So the dishes won't get washed, or the laundry put away. I'm sharpening my writing and communication skills. That's what's really important, right?

So in honor of this Monday Morning, I thought i'd start everyone off with a blonde moment. I have a very dear friend (hi hunny!) who called me to share this ....this... moment (i'll leave it at that). Now she knows I love her dearly, and that I share this purely as a warning to women everywhere....... Slow the F*&k down!!! Now it was a day like any other, taking kids to school, stopping by the grocery store, fixing dinner. Normal. So here she is, in her routine, bringing in and unloading groceries, and i'm sure in a bit of a hurry as that seems to be her normal state (with three kids and a wicked addiction to coke (the soda people!) she can't help it). So she's putting away the freezable food, shuts the door and bends over to pick up more stuff to go into the fridge. The freezer door doesnt lock. It opens quietly. She stands up, quickly. Bam! Whacks her head into the door. Cursing insues (the kids ears are still ringing). But, being the modern super mother that she is she goes about her day. Finishes putting away the groceries, takes #1 kid to volleyball or soccer or whatever sport she's in this season, and comes home. At some point a massive headache starts creaping in (duh). So she takes her prescription migraine medicine, thinking that should take care of it. And it does, slightly. While fixing dinner tho she notices she's getting light headed, that the room is starting to spin. So, she calls her doctor. Who tells her that she has a MILD CONCUSSION! (At this point in the story I cracked up and fell off the couch I was laughing so hard). So she's taking it easy, and of course using this as an excuse for the kids to have to keep the noise level down. Now c'mon ladies, we need to slow down. There are good concussion stories and you've got to be kidding concussion stories. This is one of the later. So as an early monday warning, everyone slow down! And have a good week.

Smart Ass Answers

You might have seen these already.

SMART ASS ANSWER #6 It was mealtime during an airline flight. 'Would you like dinner?' the flight attendant asked John, seated in front. 'What are my choices?' John asked. 'Yes or no,' she replied.

SMART ASS ANSWER #5 A flight attendant was stationed at the departure gate to check tickets. As a man approached, she extended her hand for the ticket and he opened his trench coat and flashed her. Without missing a beat, she said, 'Sir, I need to see your ticket, not your stub.'

SMART ASS ANSWER #4 A lady was picking through the frozen turkeys at the grocery store but she couldn't find one big enough for her family. She asked a stock boy, ' Do these turkeys get any bigger?' The stock boy replied, 'No ma'am, they're dead.'

SMART ASS ANSWER #3 The police officer got out of his car as the kid who was stopped for speeding rolled down his window. 'I've been waiting for you all day,' the officer said. The kid replied, Yeah, well I got here as fast as I could.' When the cop finally stopped laughing, he sent the kid on his way without a ticket.

SMART ASS ANSWER #2 A truck driver was driving along on the freeway and noticed a sign that read: Low Bridge Ahead. Before he knows it, the bridge is right in front of him and his truck gets wedged under it. Cars are backed up for miles. Finally a police car comes up. The cop gets out of his car and walks to the truck driver, puts his hands on his hips and says, 'Got stuck, huh?' The truck driver says, 'No, I was delivering this bridge and I ran out of gas.'

SMART ASS ANSWER OF THE YEAR 2008!! A college teacher reminds her class of tomorrow's final exam. 'Now class, I won't tolerate any excuses for you not being here tomorrow. I might consider a nuclear attack or a serious personal injury, illness, or a death in your immediate family, but that's it, no other excuses whatsoever!'
A smart-ass student in the back of the room raised his hand and asked, 'What would you say if tomorrow I said I was suffering from complete and utter sexual exhaustion?' The entire class is reduced to laughter and snickering.
When silence was restored, the teacher smiled knowingly at the student, shook her head and sweetly said, 'Well, I guess you'd have to write the exam with your other hand.' A BONUS

EXTRA A woman is standing nude looking in the bedroom mirror. She is not happy with what she sees and says to her husband, 'I feel horrible; I look old, fat and ugly. I really need you to pay me a compliment.' The husband replies, 'Your eyesight's damn near perfect.

How to create and Indoor Sactuary

Where do you go to relax at the end of the day? Your home! Stress should be left at the door and your soul given a place to rest and be nurtured. To make your home more enviting for relaxation, implement these ideas. You'll be surprised how doing these for a few weeks can create a totally different environment and feeling in your home.

1. Green! Bring green plants into your home, especially the kinds that filter indoor pollutants. Some of these plants include gerber daisies, spider plants, english ivy, chrysanthemums, and boston ferns. You should have two plants for every 100 sq ft.
2. Bring the outdoors in. Bring in pieces of nature, whether it be a rock you found while hiking that you like, or a piece of wood, or even flowers you picked off the side of the road.
3. Color. Painting a room can change your whole attitude. Find the colors that represent what you want that room to feel. (In my house my bedroom is green and brown, the bathrooms 3 different blues, and the main rooms a desert tan).
4. Sight and sound. Those nature sounding cd's that you can buy just about anywhere now are wonderful to listen to over a cup of hot tea (or coffee). Fix yourself a comfy sitting place, near a window or pretty art work, listen to nature and just enjoy the moment.
5. Room. You should always find at least one place in your house for a little peace and calm. It could even be the bathroom!
6. Clean. A cluttered environment equals a cluttered mind. Clear out those hiding spot every other week or so. If you have less to clean and worry about you'll be more able to relax and enjoy what time you have.
7. Let the light in! Natural light has an amazing affect on your body. Open up those curtains and allow your home to fill up with the sun.
8. Love love love. Homemade gifts and mementos of those special people in your life can make you smile, which relaxes you! Try to have something that makes you smile wherever you find the most stress. (i have two scary looking witches in my kitchen to make me laugh when i get too stressed out).
9. Read! Turn off the tv, and curl up and let your mind go!
10. Baths. A hot bubble bath, some hot tea, a classical music cd, and some candles. Need i say more?

Hug those you love

My boss and friend, Nicole, lost her brother yesterday. He was only 47. It was a quick battle with cancer that took everyone by surprise. He and Nicole had always been close, altho during the past 10 years they had let disagreements with both of their spouses come between them. In the past year they had rekindled their relationship, making the bond between them stronger than ever. They had lost their mother (to the same thing) 20 years ago and reliving this for Nicole is incredibly hard. I'm trying to be their for her in any way I can, doing as much business wise as I can and also giving her as much space as i'm sure she needs.

I can't help but think of how close my brothers and sisters are. There are 7 of us, spanning 19 years (i'm the oldest). Of course like most families we have our differences. We are all very different people. Some of us working day by day doing the family thing, some very conservative and some living alternative lifestyles. But dispite all the disagreements and differences, I can't wrap my head around what I would do if I lost one of them.

Hug your family tonight. Tell them that you love them.

100 things i've done

Megan was doing this and I thought it looked like fun. (just copy and paste) If you play along, leave me a comment so I can see your list.
Bold whatever you have done. (or italics if your font is bold)
1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo.
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you're not sick.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise.
33. Seen Niagra Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Seen and Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language
.37. Had enough money to truly be satisfied.
38. Seen the leaning tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo's David.
41. Sung karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served in a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Gotten flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma.
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi concentration camp.
67. Bounced a check.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the changing of the guards in London.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book.
81. Been to the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the paper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had Chicken pox.
89. Saved someone's life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby.
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a lawsuit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Read an entire book in one day.

Wordless Wednesday - Baby feet

More blog awards!

Lorie over at Thinking Out Loud has given me this cool award. The premise behind this one is to make new blog friends. So i'm going to award this award (doesn't that sound funny?) to some of the newer blogs that i've started reading.



Lindsey at Sweet Simplicity
Brandy at One Girl Revolution
Liz at Loving mom 2 boys


And Chermonblie over at He calls her "Lemon Pie" has awarded me with the Your Blog is Fabulous Award. Fabulous! (ha! Couldnt help myself) The condition of this award is that I write 5 obsessions I have and tag my 5 favorite blogs.

So my top 5 obsesssions (in no particular order)

1. Sweet tea

2. writing in my day planner

3. Work, work, and more work

4. any food with shrimp in it

5.organizing my life and my home

Wow, I dont' know if I can pick just my top favorite 5 blogs. As you can see from my profile I read ALOT of blogs (in my defense not everyone posts everyday so it's not like I spend HOURS glued to my computer....okay well maybe just a few hours). So I am tagging everyone who is following my blog! Yep, ya'll are my favorites today cuz ya'll like my rambeling..rambleing...(too lazy to find a dictionary tonight. )

Musical Monday

Jori over at Jeff & Me + Three is hosting a musical monday. Very creepy since just like 2 hours ago I was thinking I should start something like this. Cool. But you stole my idea Jori. Just kidding!

But since I'm a total spaz when it comes to learning how to download a video from youtube (any help would be appriciated, I can pay in the form of kind thoughts) I'm simply going to link and share the lyrics with ya'll.

I'm not going to feature a song, like i'm supposed to, but a cd. I first heard "So What" by Pink a couple of months ago. With all the crap that V and I went through I thought this was the perfect break up song. I love to just turn this up and yell (sing) along.

You weren't there

You never were

You want it all

But that's not fair

I gave you life

I gave my all

You weren't there

You let me fall

So... So what

I'm still a rock star

I got my rock moves

And I don't need you

And guess what?

I'm having more fun

And now that we're done

I'm gonna show you

Tonight...I'm allright...

I'm just fine...

And you're a tool....

Best Break up song.... Ever. I'm telling you, there's nothing more cathartic than screaming this out the car window. And I love the video. Pink is awesome.

I bought the cd today and the second song on there also spoke to me and all the ups and downs i've been through the last year. Sober . The total ups and down roller coaster of emotions after a relationship is over. Who you are as person isn't who you thought you were and trying to find the real you just makes you even crazier.

I don't wanna be the girl that laughs the loudest...or the girl who never wants to be alone...I dont' wanna be that call at 4 oclock in the morning..cause i'm the only one you know in the world that won't be home.. that's not the way I want my story to end...I'm safe up high...Nothing can touch me...But why do I feel this party's over? ....no pain inside...you're my protection...but how do I feel this good sober? ....I don't wanna be the girl that has to fill the silence... The quiet scares me cause it screams the truth....

......And if i let myself go i'm the only one to blame...when it's good then it's good, it's so good till it goes bad..till you're trying to find the you that you once had.. i have heard myself cry never agian...broken down in agony just trying to find a friend...

I. Love. This. Song.

The rest of the cd is just as awesome. But you can definately tell that she wrote most of the songs (if not all of them) when her relationship with her husband fell apart. Misery creates the best art.

How to make self-rising flour

For each cup of flour in a recipe, add 1 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/2 tsp salt.

Out of baking powder? Use 1 tsp baking soda plus 1/2 tsp cream of tartar for each tsp of baking powder needed.

Cutest apron on the block

Cookie girl over at Cookie Girl Creations is giving away this adorable apron. I have to say that I had no choice in entering. It is just too adorable. And lately i've found myself in a wierd love affair with aprons. I want one, they're just too cute and pretty, but then I get one and I don't want to wear it cuz I don't want to ruin it and get it dirty. So my goal is to make it fashionably acceptable to wear your apron anywhere. Oooohhh..maybe the newest swimsuit cover? There ya go.

Wierdness

It truly has been a bizarre week. Let me recap, just so I can keep the wierdness in some semblance of order.

Monday: Oh crap, there was a monday? Oh yeah, it was supposed to be the busiest day of the month, but Nicole was having a family emergency so I brought alot of paperwork home and got caught up on 'Big Love' before the season premier sunday. (DVR set!!)

Tuesday: Going about the day, minding my own business, and about 2 in the afternoon I get a text that reads 'Hi Tina. Havent spoken in a while. Hope everything is going good for you.". I was like who the f is this? It was Chris, my first husband. Let's just say dont' ever be behind the wheel when you get a text from your first husband that you havent spoken to in 5 years. I'm lucky that tree jumped out of my way. Turns out that he's getting married. To a girl that I was best friends with in high school. Hm.. so of course my first question was how long have they been dating. Guess they've been friends for 6 years and things just naturally progressed. So, yay. I am happy for him. And her. I'm glad he's finally found someone. We got married 3 days before high school graduation and made it 7 years together before I was going out of my mind and we split. I'm the first one to jump on the your too young to get married band wagon, having done it myself. That was wwwwaaayyy too young. Neither one of us knew who we were as individuals, much less what we wanted to be as a couple. But I know he carried alot of resentment and anger for a long time about the split, so I truly am happy that he's fallen in love and found someone that he wants to be with. Just shocked the snot out of me to hear from him like that.

Wednesday: Boring morning. (should have been a clue) Had a depo for a case going at work. Now while I can't give the specifics in the case I can say that I was truly not prepared to be attacked. I thought the depo would take maybe 30 minutes top. Nope. Two and a half freakin hours. By the time I got out of there I was fit to be tied. There wasnt' a Baskin Robbins close enough. And of course being in that mental state there was no way I was getting anything else productive done the rest of the day. Now mind you, I tried, but after attempting to put something in the computer 3 times and it going going right (damn computer) I quit and went home. Went to bed at 9 pm and didnt wake up til 7 am.

Thursday: After the last two days, Nicole promised me a nice boring day of inspecting some vacant properties and then we'd go shopping. We both had gift cards to Macy's burning holes in our pockets and I for one dont like fire that close to my body. So we headed to the first property. Yep. That was the last one. This house was evicted the day after christmas. They decided they didnt like that and moved back in and rekeyed the flippin house! Metro was called. Locksmith was called. Went through it all again. So we show up a third time and they have done it again! New hardware on the door, house locked up tight. Well, I got smart (a-ha!) there in between the second and this time and had the power turned off so they were in there for 3 days with no power. But seeing as how I am not about to rush in a house with a squatter and get shot for nobody, we waited for metro. Again. Then waited for the locksmith. Again. Finally, after 2 hours, got back in the house, did our inspection and locked the house up tight. In my 5 years doing this this is the first time i've ever had this happen. Sign of the times?

So after all that we headed straight to the mall. Macy's was having some amazing sales so I bought 2 summer nightgowns (and yes I was tempted to come home and turn the heat up to 80 so I could wear them), a pair of silky short gouchos, and a bottle of perfume. I love this stuff! Long day of shopping, got home around 6, got in my jammies, and just surfed around online all night reading blogs. Friday: Full day in the office. Didn't get home til 5. Had plans to go to Ken's for dinner, but V called right when I was walking out the door. They (he and T, the new wife) have found a new place to live. (currently they still rent from me, in the same house that I lived in when we were together). Cheaper, which was his main goal. But they needed a letter of recomendation from me, the landlord. (the power!) So, realizing that this was probably the only moment in our relationship where I had the upper hand I told him that it was a friday night and I had plans, but if they would like to type up the letter for me and bring it over, say 10-ish, I would be more than happy to sign it and give them one of my business cards. They accepted (did they have a choice?) So went all the way up the mountain to Ken's for dinner. He fixed a delicious shephards pie that i'm going to have to watch him make next time so I can post it on my other blog. Got home about 9-ish and worked on cataloging comics for the ebay store til they got here. And it was a pleasant exchange. Havent spoken to HER in 6 months? V calls like maybe twice a week, just to tell me what's going on in his life (havent decided if I care still or not). But paper signed, they have a meeting today with the new landlord. Keep your fingers crossed for me. This is the last tie that he and I have together.

So..... if anyone else from my past pops up I think i'm going to spend the rest of the month in hybernation.

This weekend is going to be spent cleaning my house, since I didn't get anything accomplished during the week. Oh joy.

Catchin up on blog awards

First, I'd like to thank Mrs. Potts for the Honest Scrap award! Very cool!

The rules...

1) Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in content or design.

2) Show the 7 winners names and links on your blog, and leave a comment informing them that they were prized with "Honest Scrap." Well, there's no prize, but they can keep the nifty icon.

3) List at least 10 honest things about yourself.

The 7 brilliant blogs that I bestow this award to are:

Jane at Jumpin in the Jungle
Michelle at One Crafty Mama
Rachel at Adventures of an American Mum
Sassy Engineer at Pretty Peony
Lena at Inner Green Fairy
Andrea at My Chihuahua Bites
Maven at A Fabulously Good Life

Okay, now to the 10 honest things about myself.

1. I am addicted to sweet tea. Seriously. Check my blood sugar level sometime.
2. I bite my nails when i'm nervous.
3. I babble alot when i'm nervous also. (makes my boss nervous when i'm alone with clients)
4. I am addicted to clothes and shoes. (I just counted - I have 28 pairs of capris. Should I consider this a problem?)
5. I am teaching myself how to cook. (growing up, cooking mostly consisted of openeing a box of hamburger helper. I'm now trying to make it from scratch)
6. My mom is from Tennessee and my dad is from Georgia and even though I was born and raised here in Las Vegas, when I get nervous or pissed off, I get a southern accent.
7. I have a very unique giggle. I've been told it sounds like a horse whinnying.
8. I love the movie 'Waitress' so much one of my goals now is to open my own pie shop.
9. I love the Star Wars movies and was at the midnight premier of the first three.
10. I talk to my dogs like they're my kids and often carry Sunshine around on my hip like a baby.
And !llegally Blonde over at Could've Been Blonde awarded me with this!

The rules of the award are:
- You must be a true lover of the New Year to receive this award. The person to whom you give the award must also be in love with the New Year.- List 5 things that you love about the New Year. If you can't limit it to 5 things, then keep going till you run out of space.- Pass the award along to as many people as you like. That can be 1 or 50. It's up to you! But keep the New Year cheer going.- Let your recipients know that you have tagged them by leaving a comment on their site. Also, link back to the person who gave you the award.

Since we're already at the freakin middle of the month (I swear it's gonna be christmas again before ya know it) I am awarding this to everyone!! We should all have had at least 5 things happen that we love about 2009 so far.

Here is my list:

1. I am 34 years old! Yes, I am proud of this. I am shocked by this. Maybe i'm just in so much shock that i'm confusing depression for pride.

2. My first husband called and told me that he is getting married. To a girl (woman now) who was one of my best friends in high school. I wish them both the best!!!

3. Business's are going great. Busy little bee over here. No time to sleep. I'll do that when i'm dead.

4. My relationship with Ken is growing by leaps and bounds. We are both moving forward and I can't wait to see what the rest of the year holds in store for us.

5. I am addicted to blogging! I feel like i'm making so many new friends out there in bloggy land and am looking forward to getting to know more!

I do believe that's it. If there are any that I forgot please remind me. Remember, natural blonde here.

Wordless Wednesday

Sleeping puppy. I want to be THAT relaxed.

It was a wonderful, relaxing, stress-free birthday weekend. The absolutely best birthday i've had in a very long time. Friday night Ken came over and I made manicotti. (recipe on my other blog) I don't even remember what we watched on tv, just that dinner was good and it was a nice, quiet evening.

Saturday Ken woke up with a mission. For my birthday, he went to Home Depot and spent like $300 on misc stuff to fix up the house. I gave him a 'honey-do' list and he went to work. I got three new curtains and rods, new weather stripping on the patio door in my bedroom, a new shower head and doors for my master bath, and he redid the cable wiring for the front media room. I swear I love this man. This was better than any other present I could have thought of or asked for. He just kept coming up with 'well, would you like me to do.....' and of course my answer was yes! He topped off the day with steak dinner and a cheesecake from Freeds, the absolute best cheesecake in the entire world. This of course led to a discussion of wedding cakes, since he saw a few that they had displayed when he went in. They had one there years ago that i've always said if I were to get married again I would get. It was a 4 layer chocolate cake with chocolate covered strawberries all over it. Divine. But after several bites of cherry cheesecake, I have decided that all I want is a GIANT cherry cheesecake. Or even a bunch of little ones. They are that good.

Sunday I got alot more done around the house, talked to V (more on that later) and then went to see 'Yes Man'.

Loved. It. Honestly, I laughed so hard I think I peed in my pants a little. Enough said.

Vinegar

ALL NATURAL PRODUCTS

Homemade Citrus Vinegar for Cleaning
This is a gentle but effective vinegar cleaner. It is fresh smelling and a wonderful homemade alternative to harsh chemical cleaners. Fill a glass quart jar with the peelings (make sure there isnt any white pulp left) of any citrus frut (grapefruit, orange, lemon, lime, etc). Cover the peelings with white vinegar. Cover jar and allow to sit for about 2 weeks. Occasionally shake the jar. Strain and use in any of the following ways:
Pour into a small dish or bowl to absorb room odors. Make an all purpose cleaner by mixing 1/2 ucp to 1 galon of water. Make a glass cleaner by combining a quart of water with 1/2 cup of the vinegar mixutre and add to a spray bottle. Make a linoleum floor cleaner by adding 1 cup of the vinegar mixture with 2 gallons of water and mop as usual. Make an oven cleaner buy spraying the vinegar mixture directly onto the burned on or soiled areas. Close the oven door and allow it to sit for 2 hours. Wipe clean with a sponge or rag that has been moistened with warm water. Might need to be done twice.

10 Money Saving Ideas for the Kitchen

1. Make a meatloaf stretch by adding oatmeal or rice.

2. Try to make your oven do double duty when you heat it up. Bake soem poatoes with the cookies, or the biscuits with the meatloaf. Or simply cook two of whatever your making and freezer or store the second in the fridge.

3. When boiling potatoes, save the water. If you're makign mashed potatoes us it instead of part of the milk. Or you can let it cool and use it to water houseplants.

4. Buy a whole chicken and chop it yourself.

5. Buy holiday hams and turkeys when they're on sale and freeze them.

6. Grow your own herbs. Lots of herbs, and even some veggies, grow great in small-med size pots that fit right on your window sill.

7. Have one meatless meal night a week.

8. Always watch the scanner when checking out. Just because it's marked a certain price doesnt mean it made it into the computer.

9. Make your own juice from frozen concentrated juice instead of buying bottled juice that says 'from concentrate'.
10. Price Comp! Find a store that will price comp any ad and find the best deal for what you're shopping for.

Largest Full Moon of 2009

Happens to be on my birthday. How perfect is that?

Turning 34

These pictures has nothing to do with the post. Everyone just love the other pictures from Hawaii so I thought i'd share some more until my new camera comes in and I can bore everyone with pictures of my dogs. Yep, I bought me a new camera. Kind of a birthday present to myself. Oh yeah, tomorrow is my birthday. The big 3-4. And ya know, it either hasn't hit me yet, or it's not going to bother me. I didnt have a problem turning 33. 32 - yeah, that freaked me out. I was depressed for a week. I think that was the worst one so far. I don't think i'd have a problem though with getting older if I had accomplished alot of the things that I thought I would by now. Now I know there are no rules, no one saying 'you have to do this by this age or you're a failure', but honestly sometimes that's what I feel like. I always thought i'd be married and have a family by this age. I've been married (legally) once, for 7 years, and then was with V for 5 years so I consider that being married. But neither one lasted (obviously) and no kids, which since the relationship didnt last is probably a good thing. Now Ken and I are working on our relationship, and I think we're progressing, both have the same goals and ideals. I just... well, you know how it is when you're uterus starts hollering at you ...'hey, all the other women your age have already had at least 2! I'm beginning to go stale down here!'.... I swear I hear that dreaded clock ticking... and Ken and I have talked about it. We both want kids. We both just want so much for our relationship to be stable first. To NOT be that couple who in 10 years is staying together for the kids. We've had so many ups and downs that I know in my heart that this time is a one way street on the up path, but... I just want to be sure. So... wow this is going in a hundred directions. Sorry. For my birthday, as I said, I bought me a camera. I have an old one, that Bella ate the cord too, but I wanted something new to celebrate the new year of my life. A year hopefully filled with new experiences, friends, and lots of laughter. And a new camera to capture all of that.

Wordful(less) Wednesday #2

Sunset in Hawaii. Summer vacation 2006.

Is it really only tuesday?

Okay, this post might sound a bit like a ...well okay it probably is just a whine fest. I am just exhausted tho and I cant believe there's still 3 more days in the week!!

This weekend was spent cleaning out a rental. I honestly can't believe some of the things people leave behind when they move out. I've always tried to be super concious of what I leave, if anything, in an apartment/house. But this house was a total bachelor pad. Wrestling videos, comics, the whole nine yards. It took us about 6 hours to bag up everything. The topper was this evil snake in a bottle. And yes, it was a real snake. Carl said it was a cobra, but I didnt get a very good look at it. As soon as I realized it was a snake, my stomach rolled and my skin crawled. Totally grossed me out. Which of course the boys thought was hilarious, so Ken decided to sneak it up on my whenever my attention was drawn elsewhere, simply because he thought it was hilarious to hear me scream. I didnt find it that amusing. I did find it humorous when he was laughing so hard he choked on his coke and almost threw up. Would have served him right. The thing was just awful. I got the worst vibes from it. Definately evil.

Monday... crap, was that really just yesterday? I was swamped at work. Along with being the first of the month (rents due) and all the vacancies we're dealing with, there's also the year end getting ready for tax stuff to get out. And I ran out of checks. How does that happen? And then I ran out of stamps. Seriously? So I left around 2 and went and got my eyebrows waxed. I was beginning to look like a muppet and was in serious need of some pampering by this point.

And Darlene, my manicurist, being the wonderful darling that she is, had a free hour so she gave me a free pedicure. So many different yay's here. It had been 4 months since my last one (who has the time and it's winter so no one besides me and the inside of my socks see's my feet) and man oh man did my feet appriciate her generosity. I guess I was making faces cuz she asked me if it was hurting. Nope, I was just disgusted by what she was scraping off my heels. EEW. Never going that long without one again. But after that I had to go back to the office and finish up paperwork and didnt end up getting home until 7.

Today was almost as crazy. I had left my leather jacket at Darlene's so I had to go pick that up at 8, then rush to get my tuneup on my car at 8:30. But I had forgotten that it was trash day and the trash guys were two houses down the street and wouldn't let me drag my trash can to them. Wienie heads. So now my garage is gonna stink until friday morning. Lovely. But I digress. Picked up my jacket, dropped off my car and walked over to the Cannery Casino (right across the street) for breakfast while I waited. I went to their cafe. Yeah, won't be doing that again. It didnt taste bad, but it didnt taste good either. No taste come to think of it. But walking back across the street to pick up my car I had this guy pull up, roll down his window, and I swear he asked me if I wanted to go for a ride. Now, this is vegas. So probably 70% of the time when you see a younger woman (and sometimes not so younger woman) walking around or in front of a casino, she's probably a hooker. And by the look on this guy's face I had a feeling that's what he thought. Are you kidding me? I was wearing jeans, a black sweater, 3 inch heeled black boots and a black leather jacket. The only part of skin showing on me was my face and it was probably red from walking into the wind. Now maybe this is what hookers look like in Alaska or somewhere where it's cold but not here. So this just set me off. Here I am trying to make an effort to look nice, and some guy thinks i'm a hooker. I'm gonna go back to the sans makeup and just wear sweats.

The rest of today wasnt bad, just busy. Didnt feel like cooking dinner so we just had Panda Express for dinner. I really need to get my butt to the grocery store tomorrow though. Maybe, as long as tomorrow is really friday.

If I wasn't addicted before, I definately am now

AndreaLeigh over at My Chihuahua Bites has given me this lovely blog award. My second in a week! Yep, it's official. I am addicted to blogging. Where else can you spill your guts and win awards? Well, wait...doesn't Jerry Springer hand out awards?

So I am passing the lovely blog award to the follwing fellow bloggers.

Lenaloo

Seven Clown Circus

Julie at Wearing Mascara

Chris Bliss

Scentsy

I recieved a burner and two differed secntsy bars as a gift from a tenant who was moving out. I fell in love with this thing. It's a two part double burner type holder. You put the scented wax bars on top, turn it on and enjoy the aromas. No messy candles to knock over, no paranoid half way down the street oh my god did I remember to blow out all of the candles? It's perfect for someone as scatterbrained as me because i'm always leaving the house and forgetting to blow out a candle. And the wax smells so good when it's melting. The smell is subtle, yet fills up the whole house. I've been using the sugar one and have actually had people ask me if I just made cookies.



The only problem is that I have no way of contacting the lady who gave it to me and I don't know where to buy new wax bars. I checked out the website and they only sell through their reps. I have emailed them several times asking the local rep to contact, but so far havent heard anything.

Does anyone happen to know where I can get some more of these things?

New habits - not resolutions

Over chinese lunch today, my best friend Emily and I were discussing our goals for the new year. I had really decided to not set any resolutions, as I feel I should just keep taking baby steps towards my new life. But after listening to Emily talk about her goals, and her plans to acomplish them, to improve herself this year, inside and out, I felt inspired. So instead of resolutions, i'm going to set out 12 new habits that I want to establish for 2009. They say 30 days of repetition makes something a habit. So I figure one a month and i'll be doing good. So here it goes.

1. Study devotionals once a day
2. Exercise, in some form every day
3. Live on less than $50 a week (with the prices of gas going back up this might have to change)
4. Make an effort to look nice for work every day, (no more jeans, sweatshirt, pulling my hair back in a pony tail and no makeup)
5. Stop cursing
6. Watch the news everyday and pay attention/get caught up on wordly events
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

These are in no order yet, and obviously I still have to come up with a few. For January i'm tackeling # 4. All I did with my hair was pull it back into a clip but I at least put on a nice sweater and makeup. Any one have any ideas of new habits they'd like to establish in their lives?

100 things about me

To start off 2009, i'd thought i'd attempt my list of 100 things about me. So here it goes....


1. I was born in Las Vegas NV. (I have spent the majority of my life here, but have lived in Memphis Tn for 3 years and Dayton Ohio for 3 years)

2. I'm the oldest of 7 kids (3 girls, 4 boys) (We're all very close, almost too dependent on each other. We almost never just get together because we have birthday parties for everyone at my parents house, and with the growing number that works out to about 2-3 parties a month)

3. I currently have 3 neices and 3 nephews

4. I married my high school sweetheart 3 days before graduation only to get divorced 7 years later. (llloooong story)

5. The smell of coffee makes me nauseous ( I was ecstatic when I found out that Star Bucks has a drive thru so I could get tea and a lemon loaf in the morning and not have to go in)

6. I was allergic to gold until I stopped eating red meat. ( I also dropped 15 lbs when I stopped eating it. Now I only eat it twice a month, if that)

7. My favorite Disney movie is Beauty and The Beast

8. I have blankets that were made by my great grandmother (now passed), grandmother (now passed) and mother on my quilt rack.

9. I moved 3 times in 2008

10. I have been anorexic twice in my life, the lowest weight being 85 lbs

11. I'm 5'1"

12. I love sushi

13. I hate peanut butter cookies. (the smell of baking peanut butter is enough to make me gag)

14. I hate doing laundry so much I make sure I have enough clothes to go a month without washing anything. (I actually have enough summer/spring clothes to go 2 months, but I've never pushed it)

15. I am a packrat by nature - i've had 50 glass jars stored in the closet before, just in case.

16. I used to be afraid of dogs until I got a rottweiler (Daisy) as a puppy for mothers day.

17. I love being cheap and frugal - if it's not free or almost free I dont want it. (I constantly get teased for my mismatched house. I have a 3 bedroom, 1700 sq ft house, fully packed and furnished, and probably only spent $400 total for everything (not counting clothes and books of course). I love mismatched homey looking decor! )

18. I set out and iron 8 outfits every sunday night so during the week I dont have to worry in the mornings about rushing.

19. I've only lived by myself for a year out of my life, the rest either with husbands/boyfriends or roommates (currently Carl)

20. I make my sweet tea sweet - a cup and a half of sugar for a 2 qt pitcher

21. I always have candles burning

22. I cant sleep without a blanket on me, even in 100' weather.

23. When I was in the 6th grade I was fascinated by snakes and sharks and had pictures of them taped to my desk.

24. I can swim as long as I dont have to put my face in the water - if my face gets wet I freak out

25. I love massages

26. I collect piggy banks, tea pots, and anything winnie the pooh or the muppets

27. I would rather pay someone to wax my eyebrows than to pluck them myself

28. Typing was the first college class I ever took.

29. I can type 80 wpm.

30. I love playing bingo, have my own bingo bag and about 70 dobbers

31. I love quilting, altho pretty much all i can do is basic squares.

32. I love anything to do with the muppets and cried when Jim Henson died.

33. The only reason I passed any math in junior high and high school was because I had a friend sit in front of me in every class who always did the work for me.

34. I have 7 years of college under my belt and no degree.

35. I changed my major 5 times.

36. I hate raw onions but love them cooked.

37. I have 2 real best friends - Tiffany, who i've known since we were 15, and Emily - who was my first husbands sisters best friend.

38. Halloween is my fave holiday.

39. I collect witches and have them around my house year round.

40. I have a 3 foot gargoyle statue in my garden

41. My hair is it's natural color now but when I was 16 I died it black and then died the 2 inch roots purple to match my prom dress.

42. I have a fear of the ceiling falling on me.(i actually had this happen before)

43. I am a post it addict. There is a pad in every room of my house and probably about 20 in my car and purse.

44. I know how to change a car tire and battery but i usually let someone else do it for me.

45. I hate saying no and am usually the person that takes care of everyone around me.

46. I taught my self how to drive a stick shift (I had a job interview and my first husband wouldnt get out of bed to drive me and the only car we had at the time was a stick so I hopped in and figured it out).

47. Altho I pride myself on being rather intelligent, I love to play the dumb blonde card. You get away with more if people think you're dumb.

48. I am a capricorn.

49. My favorite colors are pink and green.

50. The only place outside of the US i've visited was Montreal Canada when I was 15 for a band competition.

51. The first time I ever rode on an airplane was when I was 27.

52. I have never been able to get pregnant, altho I usually start having sympathy symptoms when someone around me is.

53. I hate Cheryl Crow simply for that song 'lie to me just please dont leave'. Just terrible.

54. I believe in ghosts and while I dont seem them most people around me tell me that I attract them.

55. I love 'trailer trash wine'. (1.99 sangria mixed with 7-up)

56. I love Acqua Panna water


57. I hate being cold.


58. I wear size 6 shoe.


59. I tend to ramble on and on when I get nervous


60. I have been told that I am too honest


61. I am allergic to loritab and hydrocodone


62. I love shrimp! (I have been known to finish of one of those shrimp cocktail trays you can get at the grocery store in one night)


63. I am a fidgeter - people hate going to the movie theater with me because I wiggle around more than a 3 year old.


64. I love the rain.


65. My dog Sunshine was my ex's new wifes dog. (When we split, he kept our two rottweilers. She had Sunshine, a boston terrier, and couldn't bring her in the house cuz the rotties would kill her. So I told them since I didnt get to take MY dogs, then I should get to keep Sunshine. They went for it. And I totally love my dog!!!)


66. My dog Bella, is the daughter of the two rotties that my ex kept.


67. I had my tonsils removed when I was 24.


68. I love the Flylady organization system and try to follow it, altho currently i'm off the wagon.


69. I make lists constantly.


70. I'm really bad about remembering if I locked the front door or closed the garage door. I've gone back and checked up to 4 times before.


71. My handwriting changes, depending on my mood.


72. I'm addicted to blogs. I guess it's my version of reality tv since I dont watch it.


73. My favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip from breyers.


74. I dont like online banking. I forget things too easily.


75. I'm addicted to Clinique products. I can't use anything else on my skin (good excuse to keep buying it).

76. I really like being alone alot. I have way too many hobbies that are solitary.

77. I cant' sleep without socks on.

78. My parents have been married for 35 years.

79. I believe in the power of prayer.

80. I hate liars and consider alot of practical jokes lies. (like friends who email me this big sob story about how she caught her hubby cheating on her and she found out she was pregnant and on and on. I called and she was like oh I was just messing with you. Totally pissed me off)

81. I use alot of words too much. (totally, wow, perfect)

82. I didnt go to my high school reunion because the only friend I really had in high school was my first husband and I definately didnt want to see him.

83. I have been lobster diving. I caught, killed and cooked my own lobster.

84. I dont use candle holders. I buy tea plates and tea cups at Goodwill for $.25 to use.

85. My first job (besides babysitting) was when I was 17 as a telemarketer for a Lawn Care company.

86. I love putting things in order and filing. (when I was dating my first husband i'd spend hours putting all of his comic cards in numerical order and just be happy as a clam)

87. I had chicken pox when I was 11. I had already started getting acne, so the two combined (and it was a nasty case of chicken pox, not one spot on my face wasnt covered) made a target for the local bullies. I was called pizza face for the next two years. I still have scars on my forehead from the chicken pox.

88. I try to wear a different pair of shoes every day. My theory in this is so that I dont wear the shoes out and they last longer. I think it works cuz i've had some shoes since I was 18.

89. I am unbelievably clumsy. (If you've ever seen the movie "Junior", think Emma Thompsons character.)

90. I dont watch alot of tv, but when I find a show I like that's all I watch. (these day's it's NCIS and House. I watch all of the reruns on USA. Well, not really watch. I always have the tv on for the noise so I mostly listen)

91. I dont' like my writing skills. When I read back over what I've written it sounds more like see Dick and Jane run. Honestly it sounds better in my head.

92. I am a complete light weight. Two glasses of wine and i'm crawling across the floor.

93. I dislocated my elbow when I was 15 doing a free handed cartwheel (my toe caught on the matt is was flipping over and I landed on my fore arms instead of my head)

94. I love my car. (yes, another cheap story). I bought it at an auction for $700 in August of 07. It's a 1998 Chrysler Sebring Convertible and I totally love it. (and the fact I dont have a car payment)

95. I have a journal of business ideas that I want to start/try

96. I'm addicted to my bluetooth.

97. I dont like olives.

98. Everytime a guy has made me a mixed cd, we've broken up within 6 months.

99. I go by my married name because my maiden name is so popular. (there were 4 girls in high school with me with the same first-middle-and last name. fortunately we were all in different grades)

100. I am a huge procrastinator and will put off just about anything if I can.