i know you can relate...

One of my most favorite movies of all time is Father of the Bride. I love this movie for many reasons: Steve Martin (hilarious), weddings (my favorite), Diane Keaton (gloves, adore), and Franc (duh). My most favorite scene out of this movie is the one where George is sent to the store donning his way too tight tuxedo to get buns for hotdogs. He is already so frustrated that when he goes to by buns, he starts taking out the “extra” buns and only taking the ones he needs, and eventually gets arrested.
I understand his frustration in this situation. I know I know. The bun people got together with the hotdog people and said “let’s have fun with this shall we?” and from there our lives just got more and more difficult. I once sat down and figured out how many of each I would have to buy in order to get them to match up. Yes, I really did that. Luckily, it wasn’t but 3 packs of dogs and 2 packs of buns.
Last night we had hotdogs for dinner. I put all 8 hotdogs in the pot (in retrospect, yes I know, silly) and proceeded to cook the baked beans and fries. Everything was bouncing along just peachy when in walked Friend. Here’s how the convo went:
Friend- “is someone else coming to dinner?”
Me- “no why?”
Friend- “well I can only eat 2 hotdogs and I bet you only eat 1, and there are 8 in the pot”
Me- “oh well, I’ll just put them in the fridge”
Now at this point, I thought the picking on me was over. WRONG.
Friend- “wow we have a lot of buns”
Me- “that’s how they come, I can’t take out 4 buns just b/c I only have 8 hotdogs”
Friend- “well no, but they do make 8 packs of buns now, even 10 packs. But 12 is fine is guess”
Me- “I’ve never heard of such a thing. Ugh, go watch TV or something”

Ok, you all know I HATE being wrong. Did they come out with 8 pack buns and I completely missed it?!?
Of course, I want to come back with a rebuttal and tell him he’s wrong! But for some reason I feel I am probably going to be the wrong one. Darn!
We’re half way through the week! Do something nice for someone!

Day 3

Day 03 → Something you have to forgive yourself for.

I cannot thing of one specific thing I need to forgive myself for, b/c most things that I felt bad about doing or saying, I’ve probably already forgiven myself for b/c I hate living in the past. But are there a few things I wish I had done differently, you betcha! So instead, I’ll list those.

1. Being mean to my mom. Of course, we all lose our tempers at our moms at least once in a while. Sometimes when I was younger, I honestly believed my mom’s sole purpose in life was to embarrass me. Or tell me how to do s/thing “her way” when I thought my way was justfinethankyouverymuch! But when I was about 17, I turned into this different person. Not evil, yelly, screamer teenager, but the child who came in, went to my room, shut the door, and didn’t come out. I wanted nothing to do with any of family. All I wanted was to be alone. And all my mom wanted to do was help me and care for me, but I just ignored her. I know it broke her heart. I will never get that year back. I will always look back and wish I hadn’t been such a brat to her. But now, we’re best friends and she knows I love her.
2. Saying ugly things about people and having no remorse. Yes we all gossip, but I can remember saying things about someone that I didn’t “really” mean, but I said in anger and honestly didn’t feel bad about saying it at the time. I look back now on ways I hurt people inadvertently b/c it wasn’t necessarily what I said that was the worst; it was my sucky attitude about what I said.
3. No being a better student. I could have been a straight A student if I had tried. Now anyone that knows me very well knows that I didn’t really care about grades in college. I didn’t apply myself until the last minute, and then I was doggy paddling as fast as I could to keep my head above water. In the end, it worked out for me, but I think if I had of started out on the right foot, I would have done very well.
4. All the times I had the opportunity to help someone less fortunate than me, but didn’t. My mom will tell you I have a tender heart. I care about people. I can’t watch those “adopt a dog” commercials without crying. We once passed a homeless man holding a sign that just said “hungry”. We drove right by him standing in the rain and I started crying my eyes out. I made mom go to the McDonalds drive thru and get him a cheeseburger and apples. We took it back to him, drove right up, and handed it out to him. I felt so good about what I’d done. But now I think about all the people I’ve passed with those signs that I don’t help. I know, maybe he isn’t really hungry, or maybe if I gave him money he’d go out and buy drugs. But who am I to judge him? How many times a week do I go out to eat and spend $25 on a meal, when people all around me are starving?
So there you have it. Not a happy post, but I bet it’s one we all can relate to.
Much love!!!

There are those days when…

I know it’s going to be a difficult day.

I can get away just ONE MORE DAY without washing my hair b/c duh, it’s still raining.

I smile at people and they don’t smile back, and I want to smack them.

I say something nice to someone, and genuinely mean it, and they give me a smirk w/sarcastic words.

All I want to do is cry b/c I’m so overwhelmed and everyone wants “just a minute of my time” but all those minutes add up to hours, and who has hours???

I want to chunk my phone across the room in an effort to relieve the frustration it is causing me.

I wish my phone and computer never existed.

I feel so huge that I know my jeans must be mad at me. They all cower in the back of the closet screaming “please don’t pick me!!!!!”.

I don’t make my bed, and regret it when I come home.

I wonder what the heck I’m doing with my life.

I have more dirty dishes in the sink than clean ones in the cabinet.

I have only enough money to make it to my next check.

I miss my sister so much it hurts.

I miss my whole family so much it hurts.


But then there are days when…

My brother sends me random texts and they make me smile.

I get the most awesomest Chrimmuh tree ever, accompanied by sparkly snowflakes.

I realize I do still a can of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle soup in my cabinet for the rainy day.

My best friend emails me just to say hello, and I realize how thankful I am that God blessed me with her!

I get to help my sister with math homework.

The sparkly shoes I’ve been wanting for months go on sale.

I get to visit with people less fortunate than me, and I realize just how good I have it.

I wake up, and realize that everyone I love in my life is alive and well, and knowing that, well that’s enough to make up for all those days when things don’t go my way.

Do something nice for someone today!

Much love!

whoever said you can't go home

They were lying. Thomas Wolfe, you don’t know what you’re talking about I tell ya. Maybe you just didn’t have the right home to go back to. But luckily, I do.

This weekend I went home for a childhood friends wedding, and it was fabulous. I got to spend an entire weekend with the girls (now women) who shaped and molded who I am today. Each one of them holds a very special place in my life.

Brittany was my “first” friend that I actually remember. We went to 3 year old daycare together. Then we both went to Miss Mozel’s where we met the bride, Elizabeth. We have been friends since. I am so proud of both of them. Britt is going to be the bestest nurse ever, and Elizabeth is going to have a wonderful life with her new hubby!

Kayla went to church with me when I was tiny and then was my summer camp buddy for years. She is one of the one’s that “got out” and now is in cosmetology school and is kicking butt! I know, she did my hair this weekend!

Aimee went to church with me and then moved schools with me and everyone thought we were twins. I don’t think I could have made it through middle school without her. She helps children with speech problems everyday and does a fantastic job. She also has the most precious house ever, complete with husband and tiny tiny dog! ϑ

Jill was this girl in choir with me in middle school and she was my first real new friend at my new school. She was totally different from me and we had very little in common. But our differences is what made us awesome friends. I don’t think I’ve ever had a fight with her or even an argument. Yes we’ve disagreed, but hey, what friend agrees with you all the time? We pretty much lived together in high school. We ate every can of green beans we could get our hands on, and my mother considers her one of her children. She now is the best bank teller Wachovia has ever seen and is in school…how she does it, I don’t know.

Normally you don’t become friends with someone after high school that you didn’t hang out with in high school, but Delana that person. She was definitely my saving grace when I thought life I knew it just couldn’t go on (insert stupid teenage girl and you’ll get the picture). But she knew I just needed a beach trip and a shoulder to cry on, so there you have it. She is the person who’s gonna keep my teach clean for me! If I can just get her to move here! Haha!

God has so greatly blessed me with friends who loved me at my ugliest (see 6-10th grade) and still love me now. I never get tired of being around them, laughing with them, getting in trouble with them, dancing at weddings, and being the life of the party with them.

Girls I adore each of you! ϑ

Yay for Monday of a short week! Do something nice for someone!

Much love!

put a smile on

I am an unusually happy person I think. I hardly ever look at the glass half empty; normally I see the good in people, and always like the find the good in every situation. Growing up my mom always used that quote about taking less face muscles to smile than to frown, and yall? I’m all about less effort on my part.

So you ask, why so happy? I can sum up why we all should be happy in 3 points:

1. God is in control. How can you not be at least a tinsy bit happy when you know that the guy who created the universe is still taking care of you? That’s a no brainer.
2. People are good. Yes I understand not everyone is all good, but I believe everyone has a good side, and if you’re a positive person, you will bring that out in them. (see “what the world needs now is love”…melt)
3. It isn’t all that bad. Are you alive? Yes. Maybe you don’t have all your family, but are you healthy (or vice versa)? Not everything is a major catastrophe. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

As thanksgiving approaching I can’t help but be happy. I sit and think about all the blessings I have, and it’s a total duh moment that I have nothing to be sad about. Yes, there is tragedy in the world. But have you ever noticed the people in other countries who are in such awful conditions still seem happy?

We live in a country where anything is possible. We have everything at our fingertips. We can be anything we want to be. When we get sick, there is a doctor who can help us, and we don’t have to drive 48 hours to get to them. Yes medicine is expensive, but at least we have it. Yes water/gas/electricity can get pocket heavy, but be thankful you don’t have to go down to a river to get water, and not even clean water at that.

So yes, I can’t help but be a happy person. The outlook you take on life determines how you feel, as well as how the people around you feel. I know you’ve been around someone who is mopey and depressing and just blah. And they bring you down and you totally don’t want to be around them. But get around that happy person, and you can’t get enough of them.

So if we all made just a small conscious effort to be happier, I think we would all see we really are the lucky ones.

It’s Tuesday of a short week! Get excited about vacay! Do something nice for someone!

Much Love!

oh if today weren't friday, i think i'd force it to be

It has been that week.

You all know the week I’m talking about too. Most weeks for me are great. Life just bounces along nicely, no big speed bumps or hurdles.

But this week, God has enjoyed watching me this week. I don’t think I took one breath on Monday. I ran around like a crazy person. It was our first payroll week with our “new and improved” payroll system. Let me just say the new system is crap and I hate it. I normally am all about change. Change is good. It helps you grow. The changing from my old system (which I just learned to love) to my new system has been no ride in the park. I’ll take the old system back thankyouverymuch.

Then Ali and I did an “anything goes” class. Pat I’ll take “Things I regret in my for $800 please!”. Oh my calves were still screaming at me yesterday. Definitely too chubby for that class. And it didn’t help the self esteem that Methuselah to my left didn’t even break a sweat. Brat.

Tuesday just wasn’t my day. Nuff said. That was the day God really out-did himself! He was pulling out all the stops! ϑ But on the good side, I got a gorgeous ceiling fan from my grandma and my handy friend got it put up. When he asked what kind of fan I wanted my reply was “one that moves air”. It was really that kind of day.

Wednesday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! We went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner and it was AMAZING! So so so good! If you go, get the Key Lime Cheesecake. Divine.

Thursday all I did was file. And file. And file.

And now it’s Friday! Yaya! One of my dearest friends is getting married this weekend and I am super excited for her and her future husband! Hopefully I’ll have pictures next week!

Its FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do something nice for someone!

Much Love!

Things I appreciate about my mom...

Things I appreciate about my mom…

It’s not mother’s day or mom’s birthday, but you all know how I adore my mother so here goes.

1.       She never called my siblings and me by our real names.

We all have beautiful names but I was always something like “Lilla-bet” or Libby, and William was “Will-ham” or Bubby, and Alexa was/is “Lex-Roy”. Now I don’t know where she got those names, but she used/uses them. And there’s no question who she’s yelling for in a crowded store.

2.       Her spirituality isn’t forced.

She loves Jesus and it is evident. She taught us to never be “forceful” Christians. We should always be open to sharing our beliefs, and we should live them in order to be a positive example for Jesus.

3.       She cooks every day.

Maybe not now so much since there are only 3 people in the house and most nights they don’t get home until late, but when I was younger, there was dinner on the table every night. Some nights it may have just been Hamburger Helper and green beans, but still. You always knew you were going to get a good meal.

4.       She has clever sayings for her rules.

She had this rule when boys would come over to our house that “four feet on the floor” was necessary at all times. Love her for that now.

5.       She is serious about nap time.

She used to would put a sign on her door when we were little. This is exactly what it said, “If you are coming in this room to wake me up, there better be vomit, blood, or a fire” and boy did she mean it.

6.       She allowed us to be individuals but also gave us boundaries.

If I wanted to wear a pink striped skirt with purple leggings and a red top, she let me. If I then wanted to add the largest clip earrings known to man, she would help me get them on. If I lost one, she would cry with me (b/c after all, every pair was my favorite). She never let me wear the short skirts in middle school that everyone else wore and at the time, I was sooo mad at her. But again, she knew what she was talking about.

7.       Even when she’s sad, she handles herself with grace.

Someone dies in our family, you know my mother is sad but she’s not dramatic and falling on the ground or ridiculous stuff like that. She grieves, cries until she feels better, then wipes off and keeps going. She doesn’t meddle in sorrow. Her theory is “there’s too many things in life to be happy about. Why spend your life crying about things you can’t change?”

                Side note: this is also her theory about going to see sad movies or listening to sad songs.

8.       She never gave me a hard time about being in a sorority.

Some moms don’t get it. It’s expensive, can be nothing but a popularity contest, and sometimes is just silly. But my mom NEVER said a negative word about it. Anything we put on, she was there volunteering. She initiated me, was there for bid days, parties, fundraisers, you name it.

9.       She came to everything.

If we were in it, she was there. It didn’t matter if it was 3 hours away, she was there. Even now as an adult, if my choir is singing, she is there. She would drop everything right now if I called her and told I needed her here.

10.   Her love for her children and family is evident.

Have I ever disappointed my mom? Yes. Has she ever been angry at me? Yes. Have I ever been angry at her? Yes. Have I ever doubted my mom loved me? NEVER. I went through a stage in high school where I thought my mom might be the devil. It wasn’t that she wouldn’t let me do what I wanted or that she was mean, but I just didn’t want to be around her, and it broke her heart. She didn’t tell me this at the time, but she would cry almost daily b/c I didn’t want anything to do with her. Then one day my loathing of her just ended, and she’s now my best friend. And honestly that’s what a best friend is. It’s someone who loves you even when you are down-right evil to them. I am so blessed to have a mother who shows her love to her children and family on a daily basis.

I know I should end at 10, but oh well.

11.   She whistles. Every time I hear someone whistle I miss my mom. It’s like her thing. She doesn’t sing much, but she whistles everything.

Yay for I’m running out of T words Tuesday! Do something nice for someone!

Much love!

JC Penney Christmas Catalog

Growing up, my brother and I always got so excited about the Christmas catalog coming in. About 3 weeks before Thanksgiving it would come in the mail and it was like someone had told us we had won the lottery we were so excited! The toys in the catalog you couldn’t get in our store so it was always such a surprise to see all the amazing things!

Mom made us take turns looking at it. It was almost an inch thick so there was a lot to look at. My brother and I would spend HOURS dog-earring pages with everything we wanted. My mom gave us both paper and a pen and told us to write down everything we wanted. We were write list after list. Each time we would strike more things off the list and “re-order” them with the things we wanted the most.

In my mind, we were getting everything we wrote down (silly, I know). But my mom never said anything was out of reach. Obviously, my parents did NOT buy us everything on the list. That would be silly. But I remember that excited feeling of getting to pick out what Santa was going to bring me.

This weekend I was at home and there on the table was the Christmas Catalog. I almost lost my breath I was so excited. I picked it up and hugged it. It wasn’t as big as I remember it being. You can thank the internet for that. There weren’t as many toys. You can thank gameboys and x-box for that. There weren’t as many dolls. You can thank American Girl for that. There were a few things that were the same, but mostly different.

But Christmas is different now. When I was little my mom shopped for Christmas gifts, but not too much. Now, people start shopping in October. My parents budgeted $150 for each of us for Santa gifts. Now parents spend thousands on their kids for a holiday about Jesus.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t buy gifts for Christmas. I love gifts and I love giving gifts. But I have to wonder how much more of the real reason is going to be cut out each year…how much more “real” Christmas do we really have?

Life Lessons: things to learn from Forrest Gump

The other day while walking with my friend Ali, we were discussing our favorite lines from Forrest Gump. I remember being a little girl and sneakily watching that movie at my friend BreeAnna’s house. We drug the TV onto her sunroom balcony so her mom wouldn’t know we were watching it. It was rated R after all (gasp!!)! So after our walk I was on my way home and I started thinking about how much I wanted to watch that movie. So I did, and this is the things I learned while watching it as an adult.

Forrest knew…

1. The value of generosity. He had money yet he wasn’t trying to get rich. He cut people’s grass for free, built a church, and donated money to a hospital. Yet, he still had more money than he knew what to do with.
2. The value of loyalty. When Forrest met Bubba you had to laugh b/c he seemed sooo intrigued by his new friend. But later in the story he gives half his wealth to Bubba’s mama b/c he made a promise to him. And people around him were telling him that he was stupid to do it, but Forrest knew what he was doing.
3. The value of a “glass half full” attitude. Think about how many times “his Jenny” turned him down. He still fought for her b/c he loved her, and he knew she loved him. He kept a consistently positive attitude.
4. The value of knowing no prejudice. He looked at everyone exactly the same. Not everyone does that. Those are the kinds stupid people his mama talked about for sure.
5. The value of being a steadfast friend. He never gave up on Lt. Dan and the life change he believed could occur, the shrimpin bidness with Bubba, or that one day Jenny would be won over by his unwavering love for her.
6. The value of simplicity. He didn’t try to tell people what to do, although he did love to quote his mama. “Stupid is as stupid does” is such a simple phrase, yet it is SO true. Watch the news and see all the stupid things people are doing and you will totally agree.
Too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Per Forrest Elvis may have died “because he sang too many songs.”

Most of the truths from Forrest revolve around his attitude of being happy with whatever situation he was in.Being in church my whole life I can save I’ve heard just about every verse in the Bible. Everyone knows Philippians 4:13, but the verses before it are sooo powerful and I came across them one in my devotion and they ring true to this analogy, and is very uplifting.

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am in. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:11-13

It’s Thankful Thursday (2 weeks early)! Do something nice for someone!

Much love!

one week from today.

I love birthdays. Like love them. I don’t love them just b/c I like getting presents. That’s really not it at all. Maybe it is the attention you get all day long by everyone who knows you. Maybe it’s the wonderful thought that you’ve successfully survived/barely came out alive of another year.

I don’t fear growing old. Me and aging, we’re good with each other. We understand that no matter how much I plead with it to stay away, she’s a comin’ to punch another hole in my time card. And normally I’m A-OK with it.

Not this year.

This year is different for me. I am dreading 23. Not because I think it’s an old age. No, 23, you numerically do not scare me. But what has me quivering in my bootz is that 23 is pure grown up age. Most people get out of college when they’re 23, and they grow up, and become rational adults.

I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking “Liz, you’ve already done those things!”. And although that may be true, my life plan is not going as planned. When I was in elementary school, in one of my Sunday school classes our teacher had us write down our life plan. Let me just tell you. All the other girls are looking at each other like “what’s a life plan?!” and I’m scribbling away at my paper like a crazy smart kid who just got his final exam. Here is how my list went (feel free to laugh at it, b/c it’s ridiculous):

1. Graduate high school as valedictorian. Yeah right. I did make straight A’s my senior year, but other than that, I was at school for the social aspect.
2. Go to a large university near my parents. Baha. I went to a small liberal arts college that is over an hour away from mom and dad. Best deviation from the said plan EVAH!
3. Meet the man of my dreams at freshman orientation. Day 1 we would know. And let’s get it straight. He wasn’t going to be my age. He was going to be a senior. Totally into those older men.
4. Drop out of college to marry said McDreamy who had since graduated law school in 2 years and was at an extremely successful firm.
5. Get married by 20, 21 at the latest (for real, that deserves laughter). Live in a house too big for a young married couple.
6. Pop out babies like a toaster pops out bread. First one starting about a year after marriage and then one every 2 years until I was bored with pregnancy or when we ran out of space in our massive house. I know I know. My how things change.
7. Live happily ever after.

Yall that was legitimately my list. And I am a “go getter” so I had every intention of doing it exactly like that.

People say that God laughs at well thought out plans. Well God plus every angel in heaven had a field day with my list. Let’s examine the things on it that HAVE happened. Ready GO! Ok so now that you’re done, you will concur that NOT ONE of those things has happened.

Up to this point, I had been totally fine with that. But now I’m a real adult. Granted, I don’t want the same exact things as I did when I was 10. Do I still want some of them? Hecksyes! So this “age” meltdown isn’t about getting older. It’s about me being super OCD and freaking frack when things aren’t just so.

“For such a time as this…” is one of my favorite phrases. Queen Esther from the bible said that. I can relate to her. She moved away from her family to a place where she knew no one b/c she knew it was the right thing and was what God had in His heart for her. And He blessed her. She didn’t understand what God was doing in the beginning, but God allowed her to help save her ppl and she knew God had placed her where she was “for such a time as this” and I know it’ll happen for me.

And maybe, just maybe, 23 is the year it’ll happen.

Bring it on Father Time.

Yay for Wondrous Wednesday! Do something nice for someone!

one week from today.

What a weekend...

This weekend was Alexa’s birthday party. Not just any birthday party, but a sleepover birthday party. Now, to my knowledge, this is the first of its kind for our darling girl and we’ve always been reluctant to allow it for a couple of reasons. One, our house isn’t big enough. For a single friend to come over, sure there’s enough room for that, but multiple friends is pushing it. Two, it’s a LOT of planning. What do we feed them? What do we entertain them with? Who is allergic to something? On and on and on. Three, its costs are equivalent to purchasing a nice handbag (and we all know how much my mom and I adore handbags).

So we started discussing numbers the invite and settled on 10. Good even number. The day of the party we had 9 RSVP’ed, which one of those girls being a maybe. I of course was even more thrilled with 8. Mom, Laura, and me chaperoned this shindig, and the ratio of 3 to 1 was really working for us. But that was soon to change.

Now, if I wasn’t invited to a birthday party that everyone else in my class was invited to, I would be upset and of course, share this disappointment with my mom. And my mom, being the wonderful mom she is, would take me shopping or to a movie and I would forget all about the party. Well since Alexa had a limited number of girls she could invite, not everyone got an invitation. I mean come on, we can’t invite the entire 5th grade class, or even all the girls in her homeroom.

So here we are, 830, which is 2 hours into the party and a mom calls. I’ll pause while you gasp the way we did. She actually called my mom and asked if she could bring her child to the party. Now, this child has been to our house before, it was nothing short of a miracle that we didn’t take her home before midnight. Her manners lack, her attitude sucks, she feels entitled to everything that isn’t hers, and she’s a whirlwind of emotions. Needless to say we were all standing behind mom doing the “NO DON’T DO IT” hand motions. But mom doesn’t have a mean bone in her body, so she said “sure, bring her over.” Crap.

I honestly think the child didn’t realize she wasn’t invited. I think she thought she just “missed her invitation” in the mail.

So that definitely made the party interesting. It is amazing how one individual can change the entire mood of the group. Everyone was bouncing along just nicely, but you throw in the wild card, and everyone goes batcrapcrazy. I have to say, I was very proud of the other girls at the party. They all knew before hand that this child wasn’t invited, but no one pointed that out to her.

As I observed this situation, I saw what my mom was talking about my whole life. The actions of one individual can either help or hinder a situation. For my sister, I’m glad the other girls were able to be sweet and caring people towards this child. I saw tolerance, and acceptance, and gentle spirits. So even though it was a party, I think the girls learned a very valuable lesson too. If they can learn that one simple truth now, life down the road will be so much easier for them. And that’s all because one child has a gutsy mom, and I have a compassionate one.

Yay for “Team Player” Tuesday (b/c that’s totally what happened)! Do something nice for someone!

Much love!

What I'm thinking....

I’m currently reading a book called “A Man Worth Waiting For: How to Avoid a Bozo” and in the book, the author lays out her opinion about the types of men that Christian women should look for. And so many things she says, I’m like “duh liz, you know this stuff” but then I look back, 6 months to a year, and see I’ve done things or settled for those guys that she calls Bozos. And then I could just kick myself.

One of the things she outlines I being the woman that deserves a Godly man. You can’t expect to be able to get this wonderful man you don’t truly believe you deserve that, and that he deserves someone like you.

She uses Proverbs 31 to illustrate what I, as a woman, should be in order to be what God wants me to be. And this isn’t just as a future wife or mother, it’s also as a child of God.

So let’s unpack some of the key futures in P31 that I see. God read the chapter and then these will make much more sense. This is my own person translation of the verses keep in mind.

1. A Godly woman is willing to work and serve. As a wife, she does things for her husband and her children. My mom was an excellent example growing up of being willing to serve. My mom did everything she could to let us know that we were priority for her through her actions.
2. Provides for those who are under her care. That doesn’t necessarily mean that she works outside the home, bc a lot of great moms don’t work outside the home, and in the same breath, there are a lot of wives without children that don’t work. But the mom/wife works to make sure her children are always fed, clothed, and to school. She provides those things for them.
3. Strong. Emotionally and physically. She doesn’t have to be able to lift a bus, but she doesn’t let the weight of the world seem heavy on her shoulders. She is there for those in her life when they need her emotionally, and she is rock strong.
4. Dignified. NOT haughty or acting like the world owes her something, but demands respect and acts in a respectable manner both in actions and in tone.

5. Keeps her house in order. This one confuses me. Is God saying that if your house is a mess that you’re not a Godly woman? I don’t think that’s it. But one way to look at it is this: If God blessed you with something wonderful (Duh, your house and all that’s in it), don’t you think it would be only fair for you to keep it clean? Be proud of what you have and always keep it at its best.
6. Fears the Lord. This is the most important. Because if you do this one, all the others will fall into place. God will give you a willing spirit, will provide for you and your family, will give you strength to face anything, we give you a sense of dignity, and place order in your life. And with all of that together, it is no wonderful that God says you will be “worthy of praise”.

Yay for Wonderful Women’s Wednesday!! Do something nice for someone!

Much love!

It’s Monday…so it’s ok for me to be ill.

I know, bad attitude Elizabeth. But today, it has been one of those days for me.

I work up this morning late. Reason being, I had “rolled” over on my phone and turned it off in the middle of the night. Great. So I woke up at 6:55. I have to be at work at 7. Yippee great. So I started off badly.

Finally got dressed, got my coke, and as I’m walking out of the kitchen I hear a splashing sound. I like splashing in puddles, but not in my kitchen floor. Now I know my kitchen so when going to the fridge I never turn on the light. So I walked and turn the light on and my kitchen is under water. I’m talking gallons and gallons, and all the way out into my carpet. My new carpet. So I’m trying to clean up all this water and I don’t even have enough towels. I’m scooting water across the floor and laughing at the irony of what I was doing. There was so much water I couldn’t even figure out where it was coming from. So I get the majority of the water up and get the towel hung up and report my leakage, and get out the door.

Then it’s on to Peachtree Industrial or as I refer to it, the Devils Highway. OMG. Speed limit if 45, people go 30. Really people?! WTW!!! I wanted to go all Kathy Bates in Fried Green Tomatoes on the people in front of me. But I can hardly afford my insurance premium now, so adding an anger accident probably wouldn’t help me very much.

I balance my checkbook every morning and realized I missed a check. It was only a $20 check, but I HATE when I miss something. Hate it. It frustrates me. Ugh.

It’s also a payroll Monday. And no one considers me getting the payroll done a priority. They would if they didn’t get a check I betcha. I should try that.

But the afternoon get better. I got all my mail open, all my checks written, all my filing done, and get an unexpected surprise. So yeah, it totally made up for all the things that were crappy. God has it under control. He’s looking out for me I tell ya!

Yay for Magnificent Monday! Do something nice for someone!

Weekly Top 10 Countdown

Current Playlist (or my most favorite songs right now)!

10. Free Falling- and not the Tom Petty version. Yuck. The John Mayer version. Bestest thing evah!

9. Hello World by Lady Antebellum…melts my heart I tell ya.

8. Dynamite by Taio Cruz (see: me, tarmy, and lamb driving around screaming it to the tops of our lungs)

7. Just a Dream by Nelly. Makes me wanna dance.

6. Big Sky by The Isaacs. Go listen NOW!

5. Little Lion Man by Mumford and Sons. I actually am in love with every song of theirs.

4. Half of My Heart by John Mayer. Makes me think of Lauren Mc, and crying in Tapestry. Miss you love you!

3. Thinking of You by Katy Perry. To me this song doesn’t scream Katy (I call her Katy as if we’re friends or something) but I think that’s why I like it so much.

2. Forever Young by Jay-Z. I do like the original too, but I just am in heart with this song. And it reminds me of studying for exams in a study room with Haughey, Marg, Marcia, and Lamb. Miss college. Not exams.

1. Undo It by Carrie Underwood. Oh anger management songs! ϑ

Yay for Favorites Friday! Do something nice for someone!

Much Love!

Hang on a sec while I cry…

Today my gorgeous little sister turns 11 (GASP)!!!!

I was remembering this morning exactly how this day went 11 years ago. It was a Thursday. Well actually it started on Wednesday night. We were in GA’s at church (for those of you non-baptists, GA’s is Girls in Action! Tadah!) and my mom was teaching that night, of course. Well every 5 minutes or so she would get up, say she needed to go to the bathroom, which, if you’ve ever been around a pregnant lady, constant bathroom visits are pretty much the norm, and then come back and continue teaching.

Even being the inquisitive girl I was, and really good at noticing things, I still didn’t pick up on anything. And honestly, neither did mom.

So we went home that night all normal smormal. Got up the next morning, and mom donned her red matching suit (she had two outfits there are the end. They were just alike except one was red and one was purple. Thank you MiMi maternity), got us kids up and ready for school, took us to school, then headed to work.

Now from there, I don’t know what she did, but I do know I got out of school that day and went to Gamma’s house and immediately told her that “my mom’s at the hospital having her baby.” Now, no one had called Gamma yet, no one had called the school, mom hadn’t even called dad yet. But after much convincing I made Gamma call the hospital, and sure enough, mom had been admitted to the hospital about half an hour before. I just really knew in my heart that she was having Alexa THAT DAY.

Well Alexa was born that afternoon weighing 8 lbs 4 oz, and she was perfect. In every way she was perfect, at least to me. She was so little and cute and beautiful. Prettiest baby I’d ever seen. I know everyone thinks their baby is the prettiest, but she wrote the book on beautiful. I remember the first time I held her thinking there was no way I could ever love anything or anyone like I loved her. I didn’t put her down the whole first year of her life b/c I just literally couldn’t get enough of her. She was “my baby” and I made sure everyone knew it.

This morning when I called to sing Happy Birthday, I made up my own words and she just laughed. Her laugh is contagious. You hear her laugh and you can’t help but join in. I asked her if she was nervous about getting old and here’s how the conversation went:

Me- Are you scared about growing up and getting old?

Alexa- Nope, not at all.

Me- Why not? I’m scared about you getting old b/c that means I’m getting old.

Alexa- But you see, you and I are pretty, so getting old doesn’t scare us.

Me- (insert long pause) Who told you that you were so pretty huh?

Alexa- You did Sissy! You always tell me how pretty I am, and how you love me to the moon and back.

Me- Guess you’re right then!
So even if I never do anything else right for the rest of my life, I know that my favorite girl knows how much I love her, and that she is beautiful just like she is. She knows I’m always in her corner, and that I’d drop the world if it meant taking care of her. I wished and prayed for years that God would “just give me a sister” and He did. And I couldn’t be more thankful.

Happy Birthday Flow…can’t wait to get old (and prettier) with you.

Yay for Thankful Thursday! Do something nice for someone!

Much love!

Issues, I haz them

No, not those kind of issues, though I feel many of you could very easily point out some of them. I digress. I have issues with bad weather. I HATE IT! I don’t mind rain. I could live in Seattle that’s how much I don’t mind rain (of course my picking that city has nothing to do with my love for Grey’s. None whatsoever). But I just don’t like thunderstorms. I run and hide in a closet, or cry, or sit in the bathtub, or something absurd like that b/c I am so terrified.

And friends? It has stormed here for 3 days straight. And I’m not talking about a clap of thunder and flash of lightning either. I am talking desk rumbling, walks shaking, electricity exiting, trees bowing kinda storms.

Normally I love my office with a view. But since Monday, I’ve been scared biggies time. I watch the tree for a hint of sway. I listen to the radio intently for changing in predicted weather and hear tornado watches go to warning. Side note, does that not seem back*sswards to you? If someone has seen one shouldn’t it be a watch??? I mean duh. I dontz get it.

So…I’m freaking out. Like, should I start building an ark? It took Noah like 200 years or something like that to build his but he started before the rain. Did I miss the memo to get started on that thing??? Currently outside my window, rain is literally going sideways! SCARY!

And on top of the fact that I hate thunderstorms, the second a drop of rain hits the earth, I swear drivers start going all over the road, and are screaming in their cars “the sky is falling, the sky is falling!!!!” and then before you know it you’ve been in traffic 45 minutes all because some big dummy in front of you can’t hold it together under water pressure.

But I am comforted by the fact that after the storm there will probably be a rainbow, and I love rainbows, so that’s a plus.

Yay for Wet Wednesday! Do something nice for someone!

Much love!

30 Days of Truth: Day 2

Something you love about yourself

So this one was a tad easier for me than someone I hate about myself, because I’ve learned to love the things about me that make me an individual, and today’s thing is one of them. Sort of.

I love my height. I know, that’s weird. I get it. But I actually to love being short. Of course there are times in my life when I’d wished I was taller. Example: I have extremely high ceilings in my apartment so that means I’m putting stools on top of counter to get to stuff. 911 on speed dial? Why yes, it is.

Another example: buying pants. You tall ladies don’t know how good you’ve got it. I can’t buy a pair of jeans out of store that I want to wear that night unless I’m planning on wearing 9 inches with that. I can however buy ankle pants, and they’re just right (like goldie locks and the 3 bears).

But think of the advantages of being short! I’m excellent at limbo. I’m like mad good. I always won in elementary school and at dances. That was, as long as I took off my heels.

That’s another thing. I can wear the tallest heels I can get my hands on, and I’m still not gonna tower over anyone. It’s marvelous. I feel sassy and short. It’s great.

Another thing, most of my friends are short. I know that isn’t necessarily why I like being short, but we all are, so I take comfort in that. At homecoming someone described my friends as “the short class” and we were all totally ok with that.

So if I ever say something about how I hate being short, just know that it’s a big fat lie and I don’t mean it at all! Haha!

Yay for Tiny Tuesday! Do something nice for someone!

Much Love!

30 Days of Truth. Day 1.

I am on a quest of self discovery, and will be doing a 30 day trip. It’s a list of things that have shaped you, and you tell about them. And yes, I stole them. I may not do one EVERY day, but they will still go in order, mainly because I’m type A.

Day 1: Something you hate about yourself.

That’s a toughy for me. Not saying that there aren’t things about myself that I don’t like, because there are many things I don’t like. But overall, I’m a positive person. I try not to look at the bad, because honestly, I have a wonderful life.

But since I’m trying to abide by the rules, I had to pick something, so here it is.

I have a nervous habit. I bite my fingers. No, not my nails, but the cuticle around the nail. I know, gross right? But I do it. And in the winter, it’s worse. What’s so bad about this habit is that I don’t even realize I’m doing it. I’ll be just biting away at my fingers while working on something, and realize my hand hurts. Wonder why oh smart one?!

I’m not hungry (ok, that’s probably a lie b/c I’m always hungry), but that’s not why I do it.

I’m not anxious. All my bills are paid, my deadlines are met, I have no boyfriend to fight with, and me and my mom are getting along. So it can’t be anxiety.

I’m not bored. I am like WOAH busy all the time. I don’t just sit up my desk and twiddle my thumbs out of boredom. I have papers to file, people to email, new insurance packets to create, etc etc. So it’s not boredom.

It drives mi madre up the wall. She will like literally swat my hand. And I HATE that I do it just as much as she hates to see me do it. It makes my hands all ugly and red and just not cute.

So there you go. The thing I hate about myself.

But I totally have a good attitude about it.

Yay for Super Saturday! Do something nice for someone!

Much love!

Weekly Top 10 Countdown!

This week the top down countdown is things that I wish someone had of told me before I moved to “big girl” city. Here goes!

10. There are 25 Moe’s in a 10 miles radius (well 25 of every store in a ten mile radius). When someone says they want to meet you for dinner, they’ll say the place and the address. WRITE THE ADDRESS DOWN!

9. If your GPS says it will take you 20 minutes to get there, plan for 30, and if it’s 5 o’clock, plan for 2 hours. For realz. Rush hour for 8:30 starts at 6, and for 5 starts at 3. On Fridays, traffic on 85 starts at 11pm the night before.

8. Georgia 400 is the southern equivalent of the AutoBahn. Even the truck drivers are intimidated by the oversized-SUV-drives non-job holding moms racing home after a grueling day at the salon or Neiman’s to meet their children at the school bus coming home from the college prep preschool.

7. No one knows how to get anywhere but to his or her house and to work.

6. Sunday night after 8pm is the time to go to the grocery store. It’s only 80% crowded compared to the usual 176% crowded, and there is always cute guys.

5. Four right turns will not bring you out where you started. In SC, everything is pretty much on a grid system (duh). But here, someone was drunk and following a cow, hence the roads that go all over the place. The chamber of commerce calls it that “scenic route” and posts signs everywhere tell you not the get lost along it. DUH!!!

4. Satan lives here. That’s the only reason that I can come up with that would explain why it’s always so freakin’ hot. There are still 4 seasons here though: too hot to be spring, summer, gates of hell, and almost thinking about autumn.

3. Just because it looks nice on the outside doesn’t mean it’s a nice place. This is mainly relating to apartments and houses. You see of a picture of a place online, it looks pretty, you go visit, realize the place is pretty, but that it’s probably not the “best fit” for you, and wave to the prostitute on the way out of the complex. No liez, it happens.

2. OTP and ITP actually are used in everyday language and on billboards. It took me 3 months to even know what they stood for, and that people could tell something about you just by which of those you were.

And #1, and I’m sure anyone that has visited here can TOTALLY relate to this.

1. Peachtree is the most overused word EVAH! OH EM JEE. When someone gives you directions, they always start with “go to Peachtree, then…”. There’s Peachtree Industrial, Peachtree Road, Peachtree Dunwoody, Peachtree Court, Peachtree Street, Peachtree Creek Road, Peachtree Lane, Peachtree Avenue, Peachtree Circle, Peachtree Drive, Peachtree Plaza, Old Peachtree, Peachtree Way, Peachtree Memorial Drive, and Peachtree Valley Road. So just a heads up, never ask for directions. Especially if you’re already on Peachtree! Haha!
It’s Fantastic Friday!!! Do something nice for someone!

Much love!

I’m losing my patience Fall…

You’ve all heard my rant about my adoration of fall, and all the things that come with it, but yall? I’m upset with fall right now.

Don’t get me wrong, we have had gorgeous weather in “big girl” city here lately, and I am quite appreciative. BUT! I hate this wishy-washy attitude Fall has. Who does she think she is anyway?! It’s 50ish when I leave in the morning, 80ish when I get off, and back down to 60ish after dinner time.

Now I know you’re asking yourself, “what is wrong with this situation? It seems optimal to me!”. Well the problem with this situation is that I have no clue what to wear!!!

I get up every morning, open my window (because I have no thermometer, so that’s how I tell the temp outside), and then decide what to wear. So since it’s chilly every morning, I wear chilly weather clothes. But then I get off work, and I’m burning up. And I’m currently going through this coughy-hack up my lounges thing, and when I get hot (like at the end of the day when I get in my black interiored car), I start dying. People beside me at lights look at me funny because I’m coughing so hard. And then my throat hurts, and I have a headache. And it’s all Fall’s fault. Get it together Fall!

But on a completely different note, I learned a “praying trick” this Sunday at church, and I wanted to teach all of you. It’s so easy a small child could do it (or a caveman, if you’re a Geico fanatic).

Here goes, and all you need it your hand!

The thumb: it is the closest to your heart so it reminds you to pray for the people you love.

The pointer: reminds you to pray for the people who “point” you in the right direction (your boss, your teachers, etc.)

The middle finger: (and no, it’s not to remind you to pray for the people you want to flip off, although that may work too) Since it’s the tallest finger, it reminds you to pray for those who are in power (the president, senate, house, etc etc)
*they need the most prayer I think! Hehe

The ring finger: it is the weakest finger, so it reminds you to pray for those who are sick, weak, and hurting

The pinky: it is the smallest, so it reminds you to pray for the kiddies, because they are the future! Is there a song about that?!?


Yay for Terrific Thursday (thanks for the reminder mom!)! Do something nice for someone!

Much Love!

Have no fear!!!!

When asked what I was going to write about, I didn't really have anything in mind. I tend to only write when I have something to say, but then it came to me. With Halloween right around the corner, and all the "scary" thing that come along with it, I figured I'd talk about my fears. Now understand, I'm not consciously afraid of someone jumping out from behind every wall, although I would probably be frightened by this. I am talking about real fears. So if you're reading this and you think "i'm totally afraid of that too!", TAKE COMFORT! Because I am too! These are in no particular order, just out there for all.

1. Drowning. I can swim, and well. My dad is a human fish and I think genetically I inherited that trait. I can't hold my breath very long on land, but in the water my lungs take on a new strength. All that aside, I still fear drowning.

2. Silence. I am a loud person. Ask anyone that knows me. In college, I would have the TV, fan, computer, everything that made noise, it was going, and only when all that was happening could I study.

3. Kids. Not all kids, just some. And yall know the ones I'm talking about. There are some kids who are just evil. And the scream a lot, and run around a lot, and rip heads off of Barbie dolls...be afraid, be very afraid.

4. Losing my hair. When I'm washing my hair, and run my hands through and pull out a clump, I have a mini heart attack and think my hair is falling out. I know it's not b/c there is nothing causing it to, but nonetheless, I freak.

5. Missing out on important life moments with my sister. She is in the stage where her life is changing, and fast, and I'm missing a lot of it. When she gets her first "real" boyfriend, will she talk to me about it? I'm afraid that I'll miss out on all those things b/c I don't live with her.

6. Being alone. Not alone like in my apartment alone (although sometimes that can be scary), but I'm talking about being alone alone. I know God has someone out there for me, but when you're surrounded by ppl who already have that person, sometimes that fear is very overpowering!

7. SPIDERS. Ummm nuf said. Them jokers are for the strong and mighty. And while we're on things of that nature, add cockroaches to the list. Bleak.

8. Being broke. I know I am not the only person that frets over $. Everyone has worried about it at least once in their life. God has blessed me, and provides every need I have, and most of my wants, but I still worry sometimes about money, and whether I'll have enough. Silly, I know.

9. Mold. Although a bottle of bleach will get rid of this stuff lickity split, it still gives me the heebee jeebees. I mean come on! It's a living, growing thing! And it spreads like wild fire! YUCK!!!!

10. That I don't say "I love you" enough to the people that I feel that way about! I say it when I get off the phone, but sometimes, the people in our life just need to know we love them, b/c one day they may not be there, and we'll wish we said it more often!!!

Here's a little pic to get you in the HalloSpirit!

Yay for Terrific Tuesday! Do something nice for someone!

Much Love!

First Homecoming as an Alumni!!!

So this past weekend was homecoming and it was a blast! It’s so different being on the other side. I had experienced homecoming before, but it was always as a student. This time was different. I was the in the group of “older people” that all the freshmen looked at because they had no clue who we were, even though we’d only been gone 5 short months!

It was so nice getting to see all the familiar faces, watch my “sisters” be crowned homecoming queen (YAY CHAPMAN!!!), KA Rose (YAY CAROL!!!), and OX Sweetheart (YAY ERIKA!!!) and eating way too much Sonic.

But the best part of the entire weekend for me was standing around the kitchen counter at the house with the best friends a girl could ever ask for. We chatted about life, and where it had taken us since graduation. We laughed at people who broke up, who they now were dating, and the irony of their new relationships. We watched Facebook videos of each other being caught in a fib (see Maggs and her intermediate level skiing). We ate food from every fast food establishment in Clinton. We brought out drinks from beach week and reminisced about that week and some of the inappropriate things we did and said (see Bridget yelling from the backseat of Ginger…bahahaha). We talked about how much we missed Scarms, and the times we had out there, and how much we wish we could still live out there. We shared our heartbreaks, and talked about ways to deal with them. We talked about our parents, and the silly things they do.

Most of all, we just enjoyed being together. I stood back at one point and just thought about how truly lucky I am to have such magnificent people in my life. 

To Lamb, Maggs, Bridge, Gabby, Mell, Tarmy…

I love you all so much and God truly blessed me by allowing me to be friends with you. I couldn’t be more thankful. Girls weekend soon!!!!

Yay for Magnificent Monday! Do something nice for someone.

Much love!

Because that's what I did in college...

So this weekend is homecoming and I am SOOO excited! It’s not like I haven’t been to PC 3 times this semester, but still. There’s something about homecoming that’s just different because ALL your friends are there. I remember as a freshmen I hated it because I kept thinking, “who are all these people that I don’t know?” and wondering where all my friends were.

But now, now I’m one of those people. And it’s exciting! I love being a big girl, most days. But I’m excited about not having to be an adult with responsibilities, even if it’s just for 24 hours.

I want to sing/scream “I gotta feeling” at the top of my lungs in the bathroom at ѲX with WAY too many people in there. Why you ask? Because that’s what I did in college, and I remember being completely happy.

I want to get a ride from public safety at the end of the night, because that’s what I did in college.

I want to dance with my girlfriends to random Justin Beiber and Lil Weezy songs, because that’s what I did in college.

I want to eat at El Jal (or hell, however you personally spell it) and drink an overpriced drink, because that’s what I did in college.

I want to wear a dress with cowboy boots to the football game, because that’s what I did in college.

I want to wake up Saturday morning and NEED a coke from sonic, and go get one in my p.j.’s, because that’s what I did in college.

I want to sit in a booth at Waffle House at 3 a.m., order hash browns, and scrambled eggs, both covered, because that’s what I did in college.

I want to stand on the fireplace and sing “Meet Virginia” and NOT cry (see me and Lamb, last week of school) this time, because that’s what I did in college.

I want to stay up all night, sing until in hoarse, laugh until I cry, dance until my feet hurt, eat until I’m sick, and spend time with my favorite people, because that’s what I did in college, and college was the BEST time of my life…

Yay for fantastic friday! Do something nice for someone!

Much love!

My name is Elizabeth, and I have a problem...

So compared to other problems, I guess mine’s not the worse, but it’s still bad.

I am a shopaholic. Yes, I understand that most of the time I bargain shop. I don’t buy expensive things, normally. I have a close relationship with Target. And Wal-mart, and thrift stores. And you know what, the stuff I buy? I don’t NEED it.

Do I need new boots? Please look in my closet and see the 5 pair I already have, and then answer that question. What about a new cardigan? I have every color except….well I can’t think of a color I don’t have. And at first I wasn’t sure what it was that made me do it, but after much soul searching, I’ve figured it out.

I’m bored. I shop because I have all this free time, and nothing to do with it. I live in this fabulous city and yet all I want to do is rush over to Phipps or Lenox and SHOP. I am a people person. I love being around people and having conversation, and when I am shopping, there are people everywhere and conversations about Kate Spade purses and suede wedges just waiting to happen.

Another reason, it is a common link between people. When you see someone wearing Cole Haan shoes, or who has the same flats as you do, you feel some sort of bond with them. Even though you may not know anything else about them, you know they have good taste in shoes, and that you probably would get along great with them. My bff and I send links to each other all the time about Lilly, or Kate, or Tory, and it bonds us. Of course, I know that it is an expensive bond, but it is a bond.

When I sit back and think about my life, I am SO blessed, not even including family and friends. I have a cute apartment, a new car, more clothes than I could ever wear, and enough shoes to sole an army. Yet, I still want more. Moreover, what I buy? I DO NOT NEED!!!!

What I do need: electricity, gas for my car, water, AC, etc. Necessities for living are what I need (now do not get me wrong, I pay those bills so that I have those things). I also need to learn to live more frugally, and to save up for nice things that I want and quit being so spontaneous on my spending. For the most part, I bet if I would wait 2 months once I found something I wanted, I wouldn’t want it at the end of the time period. Flashing NEON sign Liz…duh.

So what am I saving for? Well I want my own house eventually. I want to know that if something disastrous (heaven forbid) happen tomorrow that I would not have to freak out because I gotz monies in the bank!

So to my dear, sweet, getting me in trouble friends Macy’s, Bloomies, NY&C, and Target: it has been fun, but our we are on a break.

I deem today Triumphant Thursday! Do something nice for someone!

Much love!

Working Women's Wednesday

You never fully understand anyone’s job until you actually do it. I have worked since I was 15 years old and held so many different types of jobs, I can pretty much grasp any area of work, except medical of course (you all knowz how biology treated me, and chemistry, well all sciences for that matter).

Most of my past work experience has given me many great opportunities to enhance my customer service skills.

I was a cashier at Zaxby’s and you could not imagine the concoctions people can come up with for chicken, like for real.

Then Silver Bay. People will complain all day about how fish is prepared, but continue to come back EVERY week. God blessed me with great amounts of patience at that job, maybe because He knew I was going to need it at my next job, a camp counselor at the YMCA. Now, up until that point, I truly believed I liked kids. That job pretty much changed my life…

Then there was the jewelry store (ahhh loved that job). People want the biggest diamond for the lowest price, and just didn’t understand why you couldn’t do that for them. I will never forget one time a guy came in with $500 for an engagement ring and got irate with me when I explained to him that a real diamond probably wasn’t gonna happen for him. Need I say it? I think yes! DUH!!!

Then there was the bank. I now have an appreciation for bank tellers, but also feel it has hurt me in the long run b/c when I sit through a drive thru to cash a check, at a bank I have an account with, and it takes 20 MINUTES (see BOA yesterday, I was fuming), it really irritates me b/c I know how simple it can be. Sorry that was a free bit, had nothing to do with my story.

But now my new job. I LOVE it. But in this business, every now and then, you have someone call you, and you honestly pull the phone away from your ear, look at it, and wonder “Can this person be for real? Can they hear what they’re asking of me?”

Today I had one of those instances. A very angry (I mean mad woah angry) ex-employee called me because they thought their check was short. Come to find out, they quit and actually wanted to get paid for the rest of the days in that pay period, all because they TOLD us they were quitting, like that made it all better! I just had to laugh…I mean, DUH!

I finally did get them to understand the error in their thinking by using my super duper customer service skills. See all those “Chicken finger plate, hold the slaw, double the fries, extra salt, extra bread, what do you mean it doesn’t come with a drink” orders finally paid off for me.

Happy Hump Day! Do something nice for someone.

Much love!

Listen up ladies!!!!

Because I gots something to say! This is a life lesson, so please pay CLOSE attention!!!!

LEGGINGS ARE NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, CONSIDERED PANTS!!!!!!!!

I don’t care if you have the body and booty of Jessica Biel, it’s still not acceptable. Yesterday I was in the mall in Banana Republic (only people with good taste are supposed to shop in there right?!) and skinny minnie in front of me had on leggings, a tank top, a pashmina, and flats. Now granted, I like all those things, and sometimes in that exact combination, but she was missing a necessary item! How about, oh I don’t know, A DRESS?!?! I mean, where are this girls friends, or her mother, or her boyfriend?? Does she not have one single person in her life who has enough guts to tell her she looks horrific? I know I would NEVER let any of my friends go out the door looking that bad. EVER.

Example Two: last Wednesday at CHURCH.

This one is bad. Girlfriend in front of me had on this precious jacket, I mean, crazy cute. And as she was approaching me I noticed that she was indeed wearing leggings as pants, and had on divine Frye boots (I adore completely). But then she turned around like she forgot something in her car, and when she did, I almost FAINTED! Not only was she a cheeseburger too big to be wearing the leggings without a dress or some butt covering device, but I COULD SEE YOUR THONG! And let me tell you, it wasn’t black.

So now I’m faced with a fashion dilemma. Do I rush to her and whisper in her ear as so not to embarrass her? Do I let her continue on with her BAD self and let her think she looks good, because I’m sure she did think that? Do I tap the person beside me and get them to go tell her?

In the end, I couldn’t tell her. By the time I would have gotten to her, she would have already re-passed all the people who had already seen her pretty pink undies. So I let her go. Mental note to never be that girl. Under NO circumstance. Ever.

But what is cute is little girls in leggings. Those are allowed to be pants. We were at a parade on Saturday and this angel (brat) in front of me had on precious candy corn leggings (swoon). If you haven’t seen them, waltz through the little girl section at target and you’ll see them.

And no, I’m not weird, I’m allowed to walk through that section for 2 reasons!
1. I have a 10 year old sister and she still wears cute little girl clothes
2. I can still wear stuff from that department, as sad as it is to admit

Yay for Terrific Tuesday! Do something nice for someone!

Much Love!

You did what?!?!?!

This is an old story, but it is definitely worth re-telling because we’ve recently revisited the situation. We laugh now, but we definitely weren’t laughing when it happened.

For those of you who have ever had a husband, boyfriend, dad, etc. do something so stupid as a gift for you, your sister, your mom, etc., this story is in hopes that you’ll laugh and learn from it (if you just happen to be one of those stupid decision making guys).

My dad is a very smart man. He can fix anything and remembers everything. For the last 5 years or so he has been very wise. When it comes to gift giving occasions, he just calls me up (he freaks out about time so it’s normally at least 3 weeks in advance), asks me to find out what mom wants for her birthday, Christmas, anniversary, or Mother’s Day present, I’ll ask mom, she’ll think it’s sweet that dad put forth the effort, I’ll go buy the gift, wrap it, bring it home, give it to dad, he’ll pay me back, and he’ll give the gift to mom and she’ll think it’s wonderful. This is what NORMALLY happens. Let me interject that I LOVE doing this for Dad. Especially since my mom has very specific tastes and I am extremely familiar with them.  This is what NORMALLY happens.

My mom’s birthday is the beginning July.  Now granted, Dad was traveling quite a bit then, but he was still in the US.  The middle of June comes around, no call from Dad.  The end of June comes, still no call from Dad. Now it’s the first week of July and I haven’t heard from Dad.  I just assumed he had done something super sweet and bought mom a present on his own this time. WRONG!

The day of her birthday, Mom calls me up and I feel the fire darts through the phone. She is FUMING! I tell her happy birthday again and ask what’s wrong. Well she just erupted about what my dad had done. Come to find out, Dad had bought some of his employees gift cards for Copper River for a job well done. Well neither of the employees felt they could take them since Dad paid for them out of pocket so Dad decided it would be a good idea to just give them to mom, AS HER PRESENT! One, mom hates Copper River. Two, the gift cards had the guys names on them. Three, he told mom what happened! I couldn’t decide if I should laugh or cry or be angry or what!!! I was definitely at a loss for words, which doesn’t happen too often.

Well 2 weeks ago Dad called me up about getting something for Mom for their anniversary. See, Dad learned from his mistake! I bet he never again will allow a “gift giving” occasion to go by without calling me, because I’m sure mom gave him quite a fit for some time.

Since then, we have laughed about that situation quite a few times. We joke that we’re going to wrap up those gift cards and give them back to Dad for Christmas. Wouldn’t that be just hilarious?!?!

My parents will be celebrating their (count in head) 29th anniversary this year!!!! Everyone clap!!!
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! Love you and wish you 29 more years, plus some!

"There could never be a more beautiful you..."

Last night as I lay in bed eating an entire can of Beef-a-roni (I did walk yesterday so I’m entitled) and watching trash TV, I realized something. Out of the shows I watch, not one main character is overweight, chubby, or even normal looking. Examples, Desperate Housewives and Brothers&Sisters. I am obsessed with these shows, but look at the main characters. Gaby, stick thin (see ZERO % body fat), Bree weighs 100 pounds on her fattest day, Susan, well if you watched last week’s episode you’ll see where I’m coming from. Now please, don’t think I’m on a skinny person rant, because I’m not. I realize that what is on TV is not real life or healthy most times, I know this, but does my precious baby sister?

Everyone knows how I feel about that little girl. She is everything I prayed for and hoped for my entire life. I remember being 8 and asking my parents to have a baby (preferably a girl) and them laughing. Then again at 9, asking again. Again, they laughed. This sequence of events happened until I was 12 years old, and then God answered my prayer and there she was. I remember calling my friend Brittany and crying in the phone (yes I was a drama queen even at 12) and telling her I was getting my sister (again, no one was certain it was a girl, but I knew from the instant I was told mom was pregnant). When she was born I remember looking at her and thinking she was perfect in every way possible. She was the prettiest baby I’d ever seen. I stood at the window looking at that tiny, beautiful, red headed wonder that was in empty nursery. I knew I would love her forever. I carried her around for the whole 1st year of her life. Mom was scared that she would never learn to walk because I wouldn’t put her down long enough to try. But she was “my baby” and I wanted to keep her close to me at all times.

My sweet baby girl will be 11 the end of this month and that freaks me out. There are so many things that she will learn about in the next 5 years of her life. So many heartbreaks I want to keep her from. So many worldly things that I don’t want her to know about because I want her to stay the innocent being that she is now. Her life consists of dance shoes, and song books, and school musicals, and Barbie’s. Soon all of that will be replaced with boys (GASP), and school dances, and girl fights, and me always being wrong. Yall? I’m NOT prepared for that at all!!! So many things I want to tell her. So many things I’ve done that I DON’T want her to do. So many things I want her to learn from me, both good and bad.

But for now, I want her to know she’s beautiful. What she’s surrounded by tells her that she needs to be stick thin, and bitchy (I mean for real, watch TV for a minute and see the way those girls speak to their mother). I want her to know that she is PERFECT exactly the way she is. So what if she’s not the skinniest girl in the class? Who would realistically want that title, not me! She has SO many wonderful qualities that will last longer than beauty. She is SO smart. Girlfriend has brains. And not only is it book smart, she’s street smart too. And she can read people. She knows what is going on in the lives around her b/c she cares about people and asks about their lives. She has a willing spirit. She wants to help people who are less fortunate than her. She cares about the environment and God’s creatures. She works in the yard and loves animals. She is confident in who she is. If she wakes up and wants to wear zebra leggings, a neon green tutu, and bright converse shoes, she does, and she rocks it! (I on the other hand run screaming from all those things)

So what is the point of all this? I don’t really know, other than I want my sister and all the women in my life to know that what makes them PERFECT is their individuality (see Johnny Diaz “More Beautiful You”). And my sister, she’s an individual. I will never quit telling her how much I love her. She knows beyond of a doubt that “to the moon and back a million times” would not be a long enough distance to fit all my love for her in. And do I take comfort in that? You bet your neon tutu I do!

Yay for Monday!!!!

So some weekends are just so busy that you need Monday to come along so you can relax. Mind you, I am NOT complaining about my weekend! I was absolutely wonderful and I loved it!!!

Friday afternoon I left worked and headed to PC to help with rush, not that I was really that much help, I probably was more of a hindrance that anything, but it was fun to catch up with all the pretty girls that mean so much to me! I figured I would get plenty of sleep that night too. NOT! I was up until 3 o’clock chatting with the girls. I didn’t mind it one bit until I had to wake up at 6 Saturday morning in order to get home for the Clemson game.

Sweet Lamb and her family allowed me to tag along for the game and we had a fabulous time. Although we lost, it was still a good game and the weather was warm and gorgeous! Lamb’s family is wonderful to be around b/c I swear they laugh a lot, and I love it. I enjoy being around happy people, and her family and friends are just those kind of people. We ate, and ate, and ate. I had so many of those pumpkin candy things that I thought I might explode, but they’re my favorite and they’re only around once a year so I have to enjoy them while the getting is good. Side note: the other thing I had WAY too many of this weekend was the Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks (see WAY too expensive coffee place less than a mile from my house…bad placing). OMG they are my FAVORITE, but I’m definitely gonna have to cut back this week, maybe.

Sunday I woke up and could not utter a word (no snide remarks please) and felt like death. I’m sure yelling all day Saturday and staying up all night Friday did not help. So no singing happened for me, which was sad. I was really excited about my ensembles piece, but I am sure they did a remarkable job without me. I got to go to my first NFL game Sunday afternoon and couldn’t find a soul to go with me. I asked everybody and everyone had plans. Boo. But I did still go, went by myself and had a great time. The guy beside me and his son asked me about half way through the game which player I was dating (b/c duh, I was there by myself, so that had to be the reason right??? Haha). That definitely made my day! The game was really really close, and the Falcons won in the last 7 seconds! Yippeeeee!!!

So as you can see, I was a tad bit “over-stimulated” this weekend (that’s what A said at least), but I am sooo glad I had those fabulous opportunities. On top of all that, the Braves won last night (another close call) and the Padres lost so off to the play-offs we go! Yay Atlanta!!!!

Happy Monday loves!

Weekly Top 10 Countdown!

This week I put great thought into what this week’s “theme” would be for my countdown, and after much thought, I chose pet-peeves, mainly because everyone has them, and they’re probably very similar for all of us!

10.) People who walk slow like they have nowhere to be EVER!!! While at a Braves game on Tuesday we were walking to our seats, running just a few minutes late, and you would have thought the people in front of us were having to trudge through muddddddd. If I were taller and a guy, I would have pushed them, just to be a bully.

9.) People who think they know everything! Now I know that many times I am a know-it-all, but I can let things go. I can accept that other people have opinions and they are entitled to them. Some people didn’t get that “manners memo”.

8.) People who talk during TV shows. UGH! If the TV show is on, and people appear to be watching it, keep your mouth shut, or go in the other room. Please.

7.) Miley Cyrus’s song “The Climb”. Every time I hear it, I want to scream. It had its time, now let it go.

6.) The sound my ceiling fan in my apt makes. It’s the wobbly “tappy tappy tappy” sound, and it is about to send me over the edge.

5.) People who drive in the left lane, but drive “like” they’re in the right lane. Speed up, or move over. Simple.

4.) Drive thru cashiers who act like they hate their job. I understand everyone is entitled to have a bad day, but if you hate your job so much, quit. I’m sure there is someone who would love to have it. The same applies when answering a work face, don’t sound pissed at the world. BAD!!!!

3.) Parents who think their child has never done a thing wrong. For real, unless Jesus came back in the form of your child, I promise, he’s not perfect.

2.) When you are looking at shoes online, and you take the time to sort them by size (b/c duh, most shoes don’t come in a 5.5 so I might as well weed of the ones that are never gonna happen), and then when you click on the shoe you like, it says they’re out of that size!!! If you don’t have it, LEAVE IT OUT OF THE SORT!!!

1.) Parents would be SOOOO mad if their child lied about their age to buy cigarettes or alcohol, but allow their child WHO IS UNDER 13 TO LIE ABOUT THEIR AGE to have a Facebook (where there are millions of people who can see everything about them). Such a double standard, and it’s super annoying b/c the only reason they’re really on there is to “Like” everything and talk about their “relationships”. Parents, please don’t let your child do this. Alexa wants one, but I wouldn’t approve of her breaking other laws, so until she’s legal age, no facebook (per me).

Yay for the weekend and Clemson Tiger FOOTBALL and FABULOUS fall weather!

Much love!

People say the darndest things...

Yes I know, that's probably not the way you spell it, but I think you all get the point.
Sometimes, someone will say something and you literally look around to make sure they are indeed talking to you because what they just said is not applicable to your life in any way, shape, or form. That happened to me last night.

So I’m at my kiddie choir practice which already provides for a jolly good time. This Sunday in service the happy hypers are singing in the 8:45 service (aka, I expect you all to be there in support of me getting out of my box, plus my ensemble is also singing at the 10 and 11:15 service, just a plug) so we of course had to practice in the “big church”. Now for those of you who aren’t familiar with the church, it’s a mouse maze esk setup. There is literally a hallway called “Main Street” because it is so freaking long and runs the entire length of the church. That has nothing to do with where I was going with this story, but I love useless info sometimes. ANYWAYZ, we took a pilgrimage to the sanctuary with 40ish kids.

Now, I am a fan of lines. I like the order of them and the ease of which you can keep up with everyone. Last night I was in the middle of the line and things were going just fabulously and then WHAM, everything changes. I hear a ruckus behind me and then realize one kid has fallen, then when he fell he hit another kid, who fell into the other kid, etc etc etc (add 4 more kids) and then that kid fell into the wall. As I retrace the events leading up to this, I still can’t figure out what happened but boy did I laugh. OUT LOUD. AT.THE.KIDS. I couldn’t help it. I felt like a terrible person, but when people fall, regardless of age, I crack up. I did quit laughing long enough to help the kiddies up off the ground and back on our way. Needless the say the mother volunteers judged me for my unorganized section of the line. Issues, I haz them.

So we finally get to the sanctuary and as the leader is giving instructions kids are running wildly throughout. Well I had enough. I started rounding up kids like cattle, placing them on steps, and told them if they moved from that spot, I’d wave to them from the stage on Sunday because they weren’t gonna be singing (harsh I know, but some of the small people are fierce brats). NO ONE MOVED the entire practice, and it was heavenly.

After it was over and all the devils angels had been picked up by their parent’s one of the leaders said, “I’m so glad you are here to help us! You are so good with the kids! You have that motherly behavior and tone and the kids just love you!!!” I thought, boy has this lady lost it big time. I once made a kid cry because I told her I was gonna take her seat if she got out of it one more time. I feel like that mean guy off Chitti Chitti Bang Bang most days, but to hear I have a “motherly” side, that’s a new one. Not that I wasn’t flattered, I mean yeah, duh. But I still had to laugh, again OUT LOUD.

People say the funniest things sometimes.

Yay for the almost weekend!