D-E-F-G

D
Deaton
Dogs
Daddy
Duke, Patty
Dixie Chicks

E
Emily
EMU

F

G
Granny
Goonies
Gregory, Philippa

A -B-C

A
Analysis
Annie
Animals
Aunts
Astin, Sean
action figures

B
BFF
Brenda
Books
Barbie

C
Coke
Crider
Christmas
Collections
Computer
College
Crafts
Chinese Food

Encyclopedia of Me

I was recently invited to join in a scrapbooking night in my community by a former high school classmate that I've reconnected with because we are both bridesmaids in our friend's wedding. How cool is it that I have a new scrapping friend? She is amazing! So creative and makes my easy layouts look like the white-trash of scrapbooking LOL She has even attended CKU (that's Creating Keepsakes University)! Whoa!
She showed me the projects she was working on and I fell in love! I'm not that creative but I am hoping to give it a shot. She showed me her "Encyclopedia of Me" album that she is working on. The basic layout of the album is to set it up like and Encyclopedia. You feature journaling regarding several things for each letter of the alphabet that makes up you. Each letter also features two pictures of two of those items. Say you have 5 entries for the letter "A", you would only have 2 pictures though. You can also do cross-referencing so that you can feature more things by using different letters. Erica, oh wise scrapbooking goddess, shared with me the formulas and write-ups of how to assemble this album. For example you could do a feature on "B" titled "Best Friend" but then I would put "see also Danielle" and also have an entry about Danielle under "D". It sounds confusing but if you saw the instructions and such, it would probably make more sense.
I don't typically do albums like this. I usually do yearly albums featuring the major events of the year. Your standard Christmas, Halloween, Birthdays, Vacations type albums. More of a chronological style. I still like that but I think this "Encyclopedia of Me" could be an additional project.
I first need to determine my entries for each letter. I know I am very lazy regarding this blog but I truly am trying to be better. I'll give it a rough start and add to it as we go.
Wish me luck!

What's Your Passion?

My friend and fellow blogger, Jen recently posted about her passions. I have decided to be very uncreative and "copy" her post. Imitation is the biggest form of flattery, right?


What are your passions? What are my passions? Jen says that they can change and I feel that's true.


1. New Orleans - My first visit in 2002 changed my life. I fell utterly and completely in love with the city. I emersed myself in it. I love the music, the architecture, the history, the food, I even love the smell (as gross as it can be on Bourbon Street). I have taken to reading anything I can find on it. I was devastated when Katrina hit only 4 short months after my second visit. I love the city and would do anything to have a second home there in my retirement years.

2. Books and Reading - If you know me, you know that I feel naked without a book. I always have to have a book with me. It doesn't matter if I'm at a baseball game or going to a restaurant, I have to have a book with me. I love to read. Reading is like breathing. I can't live without it. I will read anything. As long as I'm reading, I'm keeping my mind active. I obviously love fiction first and foremost. I also love history books. If you saw my collection of books about the Titanic, you'd probably think I was a nut. At last count, it topped 80 different books. I can't learn enough. There's too much out there. In a fantasy world, I would have a room that was a library like in old homes and had such high shelves that you have to have one of those rolling ladders to reach anything. I love my books however, I have come to realize that in this day and age, I might actually benefit from getting an eReader; perhaps the Kindle. I think I'm moving toward keeping the books that I really love and buying those that I love and moving away from buying everything I want to read and then hanging on to them forever. As much as I love them, some books aren't worth the space they take up or at least they're not worth the space for so long.

3. Crafting - I love to craft. I'm no good at it but I love it. My mom is spectacular at it. She does everything. She bakes, makes gifts, does beautiful gift baskets, sews, scrapbooks, quilts, crochet, papercrafts, everything! None of it is tacky either! I have an entire room at my house which is my crafting space. Although it was put together when I was pregnant, I haven't used it. In fact, it's just my catch-all room right now. Part of the problem is I didn't have a radio or tv up there to listen to and I hate the quiet. Now I have one of those little portable boom box things for my iPod so I can listen to a book or something. Hoping to get the cable run up there as well. I don't have time for any of it. Knitting, I love it, finally kind of got the hang of it but there's no time to work on a project! Crochet as well. It's a lot faster but I haven't had the opportunity to do anything. My scrapbooks are obscenely behind. That may change. A girl (you can see her blog here) I went to school with and that I'm going to be in a wedding with invited me to a local open scrap she goes to every last friday of the month. I'm going to go this week. I'd like to at least get a couple of pages done. I'll post the results :)

I suppose that's it for now. Nothing life changing or worthwhile. As my friend Jen says that she's passionate at being a good wife and mother, I am as well. I'm no good at that either but I try. I worry most about Emily. I want her to be a good girl and I doubt myself anytime she gets sad or upset. I just don't want her to be what I call "a sticky-kid." Sticky kids are the kids that kind of never had rules and stuff growing up and just kind of got dirty and had kool-aid rings around their mouth and got in trouble and stuff. I don't want her to be a sticky-kid. My husband, he knows I try to be a good wife. At least I hope he knows. Lord knows we've been through enough that has tested me (no, nothing like Tiger Woods or anything..other stuff) but I try.

My EXTREME wish list

My birthday is coming in just a few short weeks. I tend to have bad birthdays. I don't mean bad as in "my cake is dry" or "my friends forgot" bad, I mean close family members dying, having heart attacks on, house burning down kind of bad. For example..my would-have-been (grand)father-in-law, the man who raised my husband, passed away on my 21st birthday. My dad had a heart attack about 10 years ago on my birthday. AND (drumroll please...), our condo burned down while we were out on my birthday, in 2002. Nothing like coming home to find your front door busted in, no power, furniture tossed everywhere, no signs of your kittehs, and your home filled with black nasty smoke. But I digress...
I try not to think about my birthday but it's kind of hard because it's the only holiday that's just for me. Being completely selfish in this blog post, I have decided to make an extreme wishlist. Some of the things are silly, and you'll probably be like "really?" but it's me, it's how I am, I can't help it.

• A Kindle - the 6" would be fine, the other one is way too expensive
• The movies "Just Friends" and "Role Models"
• Brighton Fleur De Lis Heart charm for my charm bracelet
• Princess cut diamond earrings
• White gold or Platinum ring with Emily's birthstone
• Dharma Initiative Swan Station t-shirt
• A new pink skin for my blackberry curve because dude at the store totally gave me one that was "supposed" to fit mine and the package even said so but it sucks.
• A new pink skin for my new iPod nano 5th generation. These are kind of a pain to find. As soon as I find one, I'm getting it.
• Time to sew, knit or crochet at least one project. I am anxious to sew a small idea I have for a stuffed animal for Emily. Not sure if I can do it but I would like to try.
• Skechers Shape-Ups

To be continued.....

Edit 2/9/10: Oh yeah, the 3rd season of Designing Women comes out on my birthday. So I want that too. As well as the 2nd season of The Patty Duke Show (duh!) that came out today.

Best Jams of the Decade

The other day at work, my coworker told me that her husband, who has a job as a trivia MC at local area restaurants was going to be using all songs from 1999 this week in between trivia questions. That was my favorite year for music that I can remember. However, as we bring this decade to an end, I wanted to bring out some of the songs that stick out to me over the last 10 years. These songs represent my college life to the present. See if you like any :) By the way, these are in no particular order...they may be in year order but that's it. These are just the songs that when I hear them, they take me to a certain spot in life. Like a moment just captured and I'm instantly back in that time..pretty cool. Keep your eyes posted for edits...I'm sure I'll think of some that I forgot.

Breathe - Faith Hill
Say My Name - Destiny's Child
Smooth - Santana ft. Rob Thomas
Jumpin' Jumpin - Destiny's Child
I Try - Macy Gray
Bye, Bye, Bye - *NSync
It Feels So Good - Sonique
The Real Slim Shady - Eminem
Private Emotion - Ricky Martin
Faded - Soul Decision
Oops..I Did It Again - Britney Spears
Lady Marmalade - Pink, Mya, Lil' Kim, and Christina Aguilera ft. Missy Elliot
Gone - *NSync
Butterfly - Crazy Town
Ride Wit Me - Nelly
Never Had a Dream Come True - S Club 7
Hot in Herre - Nelly
Days Go By - Dirty Vegas
Starry Eyed Surprise - Paul Oakenfeld
Hey Ya! - Outkast
Where Is the Love? - Black Eyed Peas with Justin Timberlake
Shake Ya Tailfeather - Nelly, P.Diddy, Murphy Lee
Stuck - Stacie Orrico
Why Can't I? - Liz Phair
Me Against the Music - Britney Spears and Madonna
This Love - Maroon 5
Yeah - Usher ft. Ludacris and Lil' Jon
Gigolo - Nick Cannon
The First Cut is the Deepest - Sheryl Crow
Hollaback Girl - Gwen Stefani
Wake Me Up When September Ends - Green Day
Hips Don't Lie - Shakira ft. Wyclef Jean
Sexyback - Justin Timberlake
Ridin' - Chamillionaire
Fergalicious - Fergie
Cupid's Chokehold - Gymclass Heroes
Rehab - Amy Winehouse
I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
Crank Dat - Soulja Boy
Better in Time - Leona Lewis
Let It Rock - Kevin Rudolf
Lose Yourself - Eminem
Dance with Me - Debelah Morgan
Hit 'Em Up Style - Blu Cantrell
Around the World - ATC

Always on My Mind

Today was a long, stressful day (but it was fun and worth it in the end). I thought I'd be asleep about 3 hours ago after Emily's big first birthday bash but I'm still awake because there are a few things on my mind.
1. What I thought was an incisional hernia probably isn't but it still worries because I'm not exactly sure what it is. Have I ever mentioned that I'm a hypochondriac?
2. I'm bothered that I tried to call a family member to see if they were coming to Emily's party (after not receiving an RSVP) and also to wish this person a Happy Birthday as she shares one with Emily. I left messages and never heard back. Another family member was able to get a hold of her. It just makes me sad.
3. I'm obsessed with GLEE
4. There's just not enough time for anything. I feel like I try to get things done but everything multiplies by 8 or something before I make a dent in anything like laundry, dishes, tidying up, etc.
5. I've cut myself down to 1 pop/day (well, today I fell off the wagon and had at least 2) in hopes of working on losing weight. I obviously have no time at the moment to dedicate a lot of time to exercise so I'm hoping that by watching what I eat and stuff I can at least give myself a kick start. I need to lose 92 pounds.
6. I'm obsessed with GLEE - see, I told you!
7. I miss Granny a lot
8. I need to finish this book! I'm loving it and need like a nice long afternoon or day off to just finish it.
9. I'm stressed. I just don't think my husband gets it.
10. My hands hurt because I dove for home plate this morning aka I fell on the sidewalk under the breezeway and slid across the pavement. Ouch.

More to follow on Emily's 1st Birthday....

The Best of the Rest...

I have been on a mission lately. That mission has been to find the best LOL sites ever. Those sites that make me crack up until I almost pee my pants. The sites that make me stay up way past my bedtime looking at cats talking funny, strange people at Wal-Mart or awkward family photos. I have been slowly passing these sites on to my friends but it may be best if I just compile them all in a list here. I'm sure I will need to add to it as I'm sure to forget some of them.
Enjoy! Don't LOL too hard :) **Please remember that this is all in good fun and that some may be raunchier than others or may offend so don't say I didn't warn you. Read at your own risk **

I Can Has Cheezburger - the site that started it all
Off-shoots of ICHC are:
Failblog
LOL Celebrities
Totally Looks Like
LOL News
Engrish - please remember it is all in good fun (this site may offend)

Awkward Family Photos
Look at this Fuc*ing Hipster
We Have Lasers!
This is Photobomb: Photojackers of the World Unite!
Picture is Unrelated: WTF pictures and videos
This is Why You're Fat - Where Dreams Become Heart Attacks
Bad Parking
Don't Judge My Hair - Epic Hairstyles
My First Fail - Baby Fails!!
People of Wal-Mart - the newest of the Epic LOL sites

Item Not as Described - Free is a 4 Letter Word
You Suck at Craigslist!
Lovely Listing - Odd Finds in Real Estate Listings

Urban Dictionary - although this isn't truly what I consider a LOL site, it does come in handy
140Pedia - Everything you need to know in 140 characters or less (Wikipedia as told by Twitter)

Apostrophe Abuse
Apostrophism
The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks
Grammar Bitches
The Grammar Vandal
Literally, a Web Log - An English language grammar blog tracking abuse of the word “literally”
Lowercase L

Passive-Agressive Notes
That's Punny!
Say What?! - interesting signs
Bumper Sticker Madness
Vanity Plates: Creepiness in 8 characters or Less
Ask a Urinal - Wisdom from Bathroom Graffitti
There, I Fixed It - Epic Kludges & Jury Rigs
Cake Wrecks

My Mission (Should I Choose to Accept It aka If I Have Time).....

1. I must, must, must find my prom photo albums. I have fantabulous pictures of a bunch of friends in there that I must scan and put on facebook so that people can laugh (good natured laughing of course).


2. Still need to complete my homework from Kerry by watching The Da Vinci Code. I have actually inserted the disc into the DVD player. Baby steps people...

3. Have to find the Einstein Bobblehead Happy Meal toy from McDonald's. I think I may have this one pegged but I will know tonight. Must get 2: One for myself and one for my boss (he loves toys too). I would take the Easter Island Head too..



4. Start a crochet project that I hope Stink (aka Danielle) can help me with to be done by July 4th for my dad's birthday. I'm not holding my breath but we'll see.

5. Mail pictures of Emily to Kurin's relatives in AZ and IL. Grrr....I got the envelopes addressed but need to organize my pictures to give to them.

On the Spot

Thanks to my dear old friend Jobi, I have been tagged to list 10 honest things about me. Let's begin....

1.) I am the most paranoid, worrisome person that you could probalby imagine. I'm fairly good at not showing it all the time but my mind is constantly on overdrive worrying about this or that. I cannot relax. It's impossible.



2.) One of the hardest things for me to do is have my blood drawn (or IVs put in). I get sick, throw up and or pass out; it's not pretty. Imagine my horror when I realized this would happen multiple times while pregnant! It's totally psychosomatic - for example, there was a woman at work who would draw blood on occasion and I would see her walking by with her little basket of materials and immediately start to be sick. I'm just not right! :)

3.) I was a "refugee" in 2002 after a fire destroyed our condo. It was uninhabitable for 6 months while being rebuilt and our items were in storage for that long as well. This incident probably changed me the most. As a refugee, I lived in my in-laws' finished basement. For 6 months. That's a long time.

4.) I am lucky to have the awesomest best friend. She and I were besties from at least 6th grade through high school. We both went to the same University but lost touch as we were busy with school etc. Four years ago, we reconnected and it is like we had never been apart. It's not like we were mad or anything...just busy with school and other things. It's sad kind of but I am lucky enough to work with her every day now! Well, I did. We're in separate labs now but it's still more than awesome...I mean, who else can I call up on her extension at work and just randomly babble about stuff that only I think is funny and she will listen and laugh even if she could care less? That's Danielle!

5.) I hate chocolate.



6.) I was always scared to join sports in school for fear of being made fun of because I was no good but once I started working at my employer, I joined the softball team, soccer team and bowling league. I only lasted 2 games with soccer but played for 5 years on the softball team and 6 years on the bowling league. Who knew? I really liked softball.

7.) I drink entirely too much Coca-Cola. I recently cut down to approximately 16 oz per day. Don't ask how much I was drinking, I don't even know.


8.) I have played the piano since I was 3 years old. I now have my piano in my house and would love to play but get anxiety over it. I don't think I remember how to do it and that makes me incredibly sad.


9.) I would love to have a second home in New Orleans


10.) I have listened to the Legally Blonde: The Musical original broadway recording every day since April 21, 2008. Yes, I know...lame. :P


So, there you have it. That's as honest as I'm going to get right now.

There Is a Purpose

I like this blog. Nobody reads it (which is probably a good and a bad thing). I don't think I care. I suppose I do since I mentioned it. I would like to use this blog for two reasons.

1. To catalog any projects I work on, start, finish, want to do, etc.. and share with others (although, as I said above, nobody reads this that would care haha)

2. To just write about stupid crap that only I care about. For example..how long did I spend the other day stewing over the fact that I just found out that Sean Astin had been in Farmington in October filming a movie. Hello??? Where was I?? Oh, right, having Emily LOL Hey, she was a scheduled c-section, I could have rescheduled haha

I feel better. I needed to kind of outline the use of this blog. I want to do it but I just don't know when I'll have the time. It's 2pm now (um...I am obviously at work...oops!), so maybe I'll be better at keeping up. It's hard trying to get things done around the house, cook, clean, take care of baby, etc and then have time to do extra stuff and then blog about that stuff. I'm tired just reading that sentence!

Adieu!

Haddy

So, this post may not be exactly what it should be but bear with me. Last Sunday morning, Granny died. I know it hasn't sunk in yet. I keep thinking that it didn't happen. It's really very strange. I know that she had a small stroke in December, but she didn't have any real issues with that. There was no paralysis, her speech was slightly affected but not slurred, her word-finding was the problem but within a few days, it was back on track. They did surgery to unblock her carotid artery and she was back to being Granny again. So, although people say "she was old" and "she lived a good life", while that's all well and true, it wasn't time. I don't believe it. I just had lunch at Arby's with her on Wednesday and she gave me a birthday card. It was expected but not expected, you know? I don't know when it will sink in. I did not like the funeral (well, who does though?). I did not like seeing my Granny laying there. I was very sad. I am very sad but I'm not sad like last week. I'm sad but I feel more confused because even though I sometimes can be smart, I don't believe this happened. It just seems weird that I'll never, ever see her again. To me, right now, that's not right. So, to wrap my head around this and to maybe stop rambling on and on, I am going to make "Granny Lists." The first one is what she ate at restaurants. I'm so afraid I'll forget everything.

What Granny Ate

1. Arby's - Back in the old days, it was the Ham and Cheese sandwich, then it became chicken strips, and most recently a Jr. Roast Beef with Arby's Sauce, curly fries and Pepsi
2. Big Boy - Slim Jim combination, no lettuce on the sandwich, fries and coleslaw
3. Taco Bell - 2 soft taco supremes
4. Wendy's - She used to get a Single with cheese, mayo, tomato and onion, fries and a Pepsi. More recently she got chicken nuggets with BBQ sauce, fries and a Pepsi
5. Bob Evan's - Years ago she would always get the Chicken 'n' Noodles, more recently is was breakfast: The Homestead with scrambled eggs, home fries, sausage patties and biscuits and gravy
6. Leo's - Usually breakfast: 2 eggs scrambled, sausage patties, hash browns and white toast
7. Cracker Barrell - The Old Timer's Breakfast with 2 eggs scrambled, sausage patties, hashbrown casserole, and biscuits with gravy, no grits. For dinner she sometimes got the Country Vegetable plate with dumplings, coleslaw, hasbrown casserole and macaroni and cheese
8. O'Charley's - Chicken fingers dinner
9. Herc's (VERY old) - Salisbury Steak, a piece of custard pie
10. Mark's Coney Island - Breakfast: 2 eggs scrambled, baked ham, hash browns, white toast. Lunch: Coney burger and fries (a LONG time ago)

One of the funny things Granny did with her food was when she would eat a french fry, she would not eat the ends. So, at the end of a meal, there would be all of these little pieces of ends of french fries. I never understood why but I thought it was cute.