Happy Tuesday

Just thought I would pop in and say hello to everyone. I wanted to share some of the cutest little owl things I bought at Target the other day. These are just too cute. I think they are supposed to be for Valentine's Day. They were just putting things out. I also got a large place mat that I am using under my keyboard. They have a pillow that matches too but I didn't get it. Maybe I will ask for it for my birthday. I hope everyone has a safe and fun New Years Eve. I will be back on Thursday to talk about goals for next year. Hope everyone will share theirs as well.

Merry Christmas to All !!!

Hello and Merry Christmas everyone. I hope everyone was able to spend a wonderful day with their families. I have spent a quiet day at home with my mom and dad. Now I still get to enjoy 3 more days off. YIPPEE !!!! I thought I would put a few pictures of some of my favorite gifts from my parents. They are very random, just like me. I got several of the books I had been dying for. I am super excited about my Harry Potter Clue game. I need some volunteers to play it with me. Of course I got some scrapbooking goodies. I love the 2 new ornaments I got. The frame holds a picture of my sweet Frosty and the other is the prettiest white owl.

I hope to hear about everyone elses Christmas too. Have a great weekend.

Friday Christmas Fun

Hi folks, sorry I haven't blogged this week. I have just been so busy with getting ready for Christmas. Friday was a super fun day. I went to pick up Amelia for our book club and took Kendall & Landon's Christmas presents. It is so much fun to see Kendall open hers now since she is so into it. She cracked up up !! She kept saying, "oh my goodness" while Amelia was showing her everything in her box. Then of course she had to open Landon's too. I just adore these 2 little ones. They are my babies.

Then it was off to Limestone county to Shannon's for our book club meeting. We had such a great time as always. I just love these girls. We always spend the whole time laughing our heads off. We played dirty Santa with books and had a blast. I got "The Friday Night Knitting Club" which is one I have been wanting to read.

Have a great day. I hope to blog some more Christmas greetings soon.

Christmas fun with the girls.

Last night we had our annual Christmas party at Amber's. We had our empanada's with cheese dip & guacamole as always. Really good stuff. We all got tons of great presents. Twilight love was present as always. I got a fabulous carousel of scissors from Jaime that I have wanted for awhile. I got 3 great movies from Amelia and a super fab Twilight movie book from Amber. I am truly blessed to have such wonderful friends. I have tons more Christmas fun coming up later this week. I will be sure to update with tons of pics. Here are some shots from the party plus, per Amelia's request, some pics of my scrapbook room tree.

Long Time No Blog

I can't believe it has been 2 weeks since I have posted. It is such a busy time of year. I finally got both Christmas trees put up. I would be one of those crazy folks with like 10 trees, all with different themes, if I had my own house. I have the most fab little tree in my scrapbook room. It is all purple and other bright colors with all my owls and penguins on it. I also have some Paris stuff on it too. Totally me.

Last Saturday I went to Nashville with the girls for our annual shopping trip. Usually we spend the night but since Landon is so small, we decided to just make it an all day thing. Opry Mills was crazy as always. I go the most incredible deal on a Fossil Alabama purse at the outlet. It is a $118 purse I have been lusting over for a couple of years. It was marked down to $29.99 with an extra 25% off. I was just stupid giddy with myself. The girls were so laughing at me dancing around in the store. It was the shopping find of the millennium.

Sunday I went to a baby shower for Jennifer. I can't believe she is having twin girls. She got so many wonderful things. It makes my biological clock start ticking louder and louder. I would give anything to have a baby. Unfortunately, it just doesn't appear to be in the cards for me. I guess I will just have to shower all my love on my niece and nephews. Yes, please note that I said nephews. Jaime found out Monday that we are adding another little boy to the family. It makes my heart swell just thinking about little Noah Emerson coming. From the day I met Jaime, she has always wanted a little boy named Noah. It brings tears to my eyes to think that he is finally on his way. I am so happy for her and Brandon.

This weekend I get to have my first Christmas gathering. This one is at Amber's with the girls. It will be fun as always. Next week I have work parties, one for just us and another where we go out to eat with Dr Hardy. It is kinda sad though, since our party will really be a going away party for Paige. Her last day is next Friday. Even though she drives me insane, I will miss her terribly. She is like my incredibly annoying little sister. Then we get to have a super party with the book club on Friday. I am so excited about that since I was sick and had to miss last time.

Oh well, I promise I will try to not wait another 2 weeks before I post again. I am sure I will have all sorts of party stories to share.

A Grateful Heart

I think that Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to do 2 posts in a row, lol. For me, that is some sort of record. I just wanted to take a minute to express how thankful I am for all the wonderful things in my life. I have wonderful parents who have gone above and beyond for me. They have supported me unconditionally over the years. There is no way I could ever express what they mean to me. I am also grateful for my incredible circle of friends. They are my hand picked family. I couldn't love them anymore if we were related by blood. They give me more love and support than they could ever realize. I don't say often enough how much they mean to me. I am also so thankful that I have a great job. It has it's bad days but the good times far out way the bad. I have a horrible habit of feeling sorry for myself. It is probably my worst trait. I want to take this time today to vow to try to do better about that. I don't ever want to forget how wonderful my life really is.

Stuffy Nose & Twilight

Isn't that just a lovely title, lol. Unfortunately, that has been my life since last week. Nothing exciting to blog about that's for sure. I missed by beloved book club meeting last Friday night due this sinus crud. I tried my best to make it, unfortunately poor Amelia was witness to the fact that I had no business there. Let's just say it wasn't pretty. So I slept or read magazines most of the weekend. I was about to bust to go see Twilight. I had promised the girls at work ages ago that we would all go see it together since I was the one who got them hooked on the story. So Monday night Paige, Kelly, Jennifer & I ate our fav Mexican food and the headed over to see Twilight. Amelia and Amber met us there. They had already seen the movie once but were dying for a second look. Amber is now a total Twilight convert too. She is even reading the books, which is a victory in and of itself. So, of course the movie isn't as good as the book. No movie ever is. But I really did enjoy the movie on it own. The eye candy alone is worth the price of admission. Robert Pattison is BEYOND dreamy !!!!! It was definitely worth the wait and the hype. Amber even begged the concession stand cashier and got me one of the free posters they were giving out with the purchase of a combo. I am such a nerd, but I was so excited !! I was also so excited to see the new Harry Potter preview on the big screen. All I can say is WOW ! I really think that this will be the best movie yet. I can't believe they are making us wait until July, AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Amelia and I have already made plans to go to the midnight showing. I am so taking that Friday off work. Of course I probably won't tell Dr Hardy the real reason I want to be off. He would laugh his head off and never let me live it down.

Bye for now all. I will have a big Thanksgiving post tomorrow. I have lots to be thankful for this year. Have a super day.

Obsessions & More

Happy Monday to all !! I hope everyone had a super weekend. The football was wonderful again. ROLL TIDE !! Let's just hope we can keep that up in a couple of weeks when we play Auburn. I don't know about you but I am itching for a win. I had a pretty quiet weekend. I don't know what has been wrong with me but I have been totally worthless for the last 2 weekends. All I want to do is sleep. I manage to get my laundry done and that's about it. I did get to visit with Jaime, Amelia and the kiddies on Friday night. I really needed the time with the girls. I have been feeling so glum lately. They always make me feel better. Kendall of course is always a hoot. I am in awe of that child's imagination. It is hard to believe she is only 2 sometimes. Landon is just about perfect. He is such a good baby. He looks just like his daddy but definitely has his mom's laid back personality.

I am so excited right now I am about to bust. The Twilight movie is coming out on Friday. YEAH !!! I so can't wait to see it. Robert Pattison is to die for !!!! Plus, there is going to be a new Harry Potter preview shown before the movie. In my little world, those 2 things together make life just about perfect :) I have mentioned before my obsession with the fan fiction for both Harry Potter and for Twilight. I read them all the time. No granted, there is a lot of garbage out there. Some stuff is very poorly written and others write about characters & situations that are just down right icky. But there is some really incredible stuff out there. I have decided to put a few links on here for some of my favorites.

These are a couple of Twilight stories
http://www.twilighted.net/viewstory.php?sid=831
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4636693/1/

Here are a few of my Harry Potter favorites

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4611808/1/
http://www.checkmated.com/story.php?story=9397
http://www.checkmated.com/story.php?story=79
http://www.checkmated.com/story.php?story=3917


Like I said, this is a total obsession of mine. Of course everyone knows I am working on a Harry Potter one of my own. I highly recommend these though. They are a super good read. I had better run. I will leave you with a quote that was on my daily desk calendar one day last week. I don't think it requires explanation, especially for some.

"I don't deserve any credit for turning the other cheek because my tongue is always in it." Flannery O'Conner.

Randomness

Hello patriots !! Hope everyone had a good weekend. Sorry I haven't been that great of a blogger recently. I haven't been feeling well the last week or so. Thankfully, it is starting to pass. Hopefully I will be a more diligent blogger. I haven't really done anything grand this weekend. I watched the Alabama game on Saturday. Gotta love some college football. ROLL TIDE !!!! I am so in hopes we can make it to the national championship game. It has been wayyyy to long. I was a freshman in college the last time we won one for crying out loud !!!! LOL I have also been working on my ebay stuff. I am really starting to clear out a lot of my loot. Hopefully I can make enough money to buy my Christmas presents. For some reason I have been feeling so much stress about Christmas this year. Normally I would already have about half my shopping done. So far this year, I have bought one little thing for Kendall. It is driving me crazy !!!!

I watched the movie Juno tonight for the first time. I absolutely LOVE it. I laughed out loud the whole time. I would love to write a script like that. It was so witty and sarcastic !! I also ran across a great quote about creativity on one of my scrapbooking blogs. I really love it and it fits the way I few my own creativity.

Sometimes, it's so hard to find what it is I'm trying to say. People might think you can turn creativity on and off but it is not like that. It just kind of comes out, a mash up off all these things you collect in your mind. You never know when it's gonna happen, but when it does....it's like magic. It's just that simple and just that hard. Gwen Stephani

I have been feeling very self conscious about writing lately. I have just gotten some negative feedback and it kinda squashed my confidence. I am really working to build it back, but it is kinda hard. Hopefully, I can get pass this block soon. I just wish I could figure out the key to getting past my fears!!!!! Hope to blog again soon. I would also love to READ some new blogs too, hint hint.

Happy Birthday Daddy !!

I wasn't sure if I would have time to blog tomorrow so I wanted to be sure to add this one tonight. Tomorrow is my dad's 70th birthday. I can't believe it, it sounds way older than I see him as. This is a very special picture to me. It is the only picture I have of my dad as a baby. He is the one on the right, with the hand holding him up. The other baby in the picture is his twin sister Betty. She died when they were only 4 months old of SIDS, My grandmother always said I looked like Betty but I think it was just wishful thinking on her part. She also joked with me all the time that I would have twins someday, because it skipped a generation. I guess I should be thankful that isn't really an option for me right now. I don't know if I would be ready for 2 little people right now. I hope to blog again later in the week. Hope everyone is well.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween to everyone. I hope all the trick or treaters have a super day. I went to visit Amelia, Kendall and Landon this afternoon. I had to check out Kendall in her cute little witch outfit. She wasn't totally thrilled with it. She refused to wear her hat, which is how I ended up with it. You know I can't resist the opportunity to wear something stupid on my head. Isn't Landon adorable. He is just the sweetest little pumpkin ever. Poor Amelia wasn't feeling all that great. It has to be rough coming down from the hormone high. I hope see feels better soon. I have a busy weekend of ebay work planned. Hope everyone has a great weekend. ROLL TIDE !!

Welcome to the World Baby Boy !!!

Hello everyone. Sorry I haven't blogged since last Wednesday, but I have been totally swamped. Last Thursday we had a super shower for Amelia & Baby Landon. Then on Saturday, I had a super Bridge Street outing. Most importantly though, on Monday at 1:44pm Mr. Landon Nicholas Ledlow made his entrance into the world. Isn't he adorable. Mom & baby are perfect. I got to go visit them last night in Huntsville. He is so sweet and so tiny!! He had lots of love from me, Christyn & his Aunt Jaime. Plus he had his awesome mom & dad. He is a very lucky little boy to have such wonderful people as parents. And of course we can't forget that he has the most super fabulous big sister ever, Kendall. I am going to visit them Friday afternoon after work so that I can see Kendall in her cute little witch costume. I am also anxious to see what she thinks about baby brother once he comes home. So far, I don't think she should really care less, LOL.

Questions about Books

Anyone who knows me knows that I am the ultimate bookworm. I read anything and everything all the time. So when Amelia's mom posted this book survey on her blog, I knew I had to share.

1. Name a book that has changed your life? Well, first off I can't name just one. Of course the Bible is a given. There are 2 more very pivotal books for me though. The first is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. This was the first "real" book I ever read. I wrote a book report on it when I was in the 9th grade and I fell in love with it. The other important book is "The Wives of Henry VIII by Allison Weir. I bought this book with my birthday money when I was 16. It was the first book I bought that cost over $20, LOL. It was the first historical book I read and again, I was totally hooked. I have been obsessed with British history ever since.

2. What book have you read more than once? Ok this one is funny because there is no possible way I could tell you every book I have read more than once. It is probably in the 100's. I will say that I can reread the Harry Potter books over and over again and find something new in them every time. I will never get tired of them.

3. What book would you want to take to a desert island? This one is tough for me too. I want to take all my books with me. I couldn't possibly pick just one. I would have to take all my Harry Potter books, the complete works of Shakespeare & the Bible. That should keep me occupied for awhile, lol

4. What book has made you laugh? When I was little I always loved the Ramona books by Beverly Cleary.

5. What book has made you cry? Anything by Nickolas Sparks is sure to bring out the tissue. !!! I don't think I will ever read The Notebook without sobbing.

6. Which book do you wish you had written? Well first I want to write my own book. But other than that, I would love to take credit for Harry Potter or for Twilight. I would love to continue the Harry Potter books into that 19 years between the end of Deathly Hallows & the Epilogue plus some about the next generation too.

7. What book do wish was never written? I think every book ever written serves some sort of purpose, be it good or bad. Censorship is something I feel extremely passionate about. If I was forced to choose one that shouldn't have been though it would have to be Mein Kampf by Adolph Hitler. This book is where he voiced his horrible views and led to the extermination of millions of innocent people.

8. What book are you currently reading? Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

9. What book are you meaning too read? Again too many to count. I am really looking forward to reading The Other Queen by Phillipa Gregory.

10. What is your all time favorite book? There is no way I could pick one. Heck I have trouble picking 10, LOL. I will just hit a few of the high points. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott: Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell: East of Eden by John Steinbeck: all 7 Harry Potter books: Books 1 and 3 of the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer: The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory: The Kennedys and Fitzgeralds by Doris Kearns Goodwin and many many many many more.

I hope everyone will share their favorites too. Have a super day !!

No More Drama !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have always prided myself on being a repulsively boring person with an extremely non-dramatic life. I don't like foolishness, in fact I despise it with every fiber of my being. I have already been in the 7th grade and I hated it the first time I was there !!!!! I don't like feeling like I am back there again with all this she said, she said foolishness. I HAVE HAD ENOUGH !!!!! I had my say last night for good or for bad and that is all I am going to say. If things don't work out, it will not be my fault. I am tired of being made out to be the bad guy, some impossible hateful bitch of a person. You know something, I am many many things but I am not cruel or heartless. I consider myself a pretty good friend. I don't appreciate being made to feel otherwise.

Ok, that is my rant for the day. I will leave everyone with a quote that I had to memorize when I was a junior in high school. It is from a very famous surrender speech by the Nez Perce Indian Chief Joseph. I find it stunningly appropriate today.

"Hear me my chiefs, I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever.

Weekend Happenings

Hello to everyone. Hope you had a fabulous weekend. On Saturday, I got to go to a baby shower with Jaime for my friend Amanda and her adorable little man Camden. Isn't he a cutie !!!!! He is so sweet & he slept through his entire party. She got so many cute things. I told Jaime I couldn't wait until we knew what little baby E is so that we could plan her super party !!

Saturday night I watched the movie "27 Dresses" for the first time. It was really good but it made my cry. The main character is so much like me that it was a little scary. I was sobbing by the end because I could so identify with her pain of always being 2nd, helping everyone else while she gets left on the sidelines. It guess it was just a pity party evening, LOL.

Sunday I finshed up a special project I have been working on so now I will have time to focus on my writing. The story is taking a little different turn than I originally intended, it just seems to be working out that way. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks I will have a huge file for everyone to check out.

I have a great week coming up. We are having a little gathering for Amelia & baby Landon on Thursday and then Jaime's big 30th birthday is Friday. Hope everyone else has a good week, even my teacher friends that must go back to school.

Busy Bee !

I can't believe it has been over a week since I have blogged. I am so bad. I just can't help it. I seem to be so busy lately. I need to figure out how to put an extra day in the week, one that I don't have to work !! I have been working a lot with my eBay stuff right now. It has been selling so well the last week or so, I feel the need to keep striking while the iron is hot. I still have a ton of stuff I need to get rid of, especially paper. Not only I am making money to help with all my birthday & Christmas shopping, but I am clearing out space in my overloaded scrapbook room. If anyone out there needs anything in particular for a scrapbook, let me know. I have tons of different themes, just about anything you can think of. You can check out my auctions on eBay. Just do a search for the seller name "purpletreasures".

This past Saturday, I went to a reception for my friend Paige & her new husband Chris in Muscle Shoals. It was really pretty there. Her step mom did a really great job with everything. I can't believe that Paige is married with a baby on the way. If you had told me this time last year what would be going on, I would have probably taken your temperature, LOL.

I am so excited about all the babies around right now. I am hoping to make it to Amanda's shower on Saturday and I will finally get to meet little Camden. I can't wait. Plus Landon will probably be here in 2 weeks or less. I can't wait to see the little man in person. I have a special project I have been trying to finish up before he gets here. Let's pray I get it finished before he gets here !!! Plus Jaime & little bebo seem to be getting over the sickly stage and will be feeling better soon. I can't wait until we find out who baby Emerson is. That would be a SUPER Christmas present.

I have 2 friends turning 30 over the next week or so. Kelly is having a party this Friday night at the Horse in Huntsville. It is definitely not my cup of tea but I will go to support her. Plus J's big day is just around the corner too. I am here to say that your 30's will be WAYYYY better than your 20's I promise !!!!!!

I must admit that I haven't been able to work on my writing as much as I would like over the last couple of weeks. As soon as I finish Landon's project, I will have much more free time. The Harry Potter story is coming together now. I am also working on a soundtrack to go along with it. I think I have decided to go with Amelia's mom's suggestion of "Philbert" for my new house elf. I can't wait to share more of this story and some of my original work soon. Just hang in there, hopefully you won't be disappointed. I hope everyone has a fabulous week. I promise I will try to be a better blogger this next week.

6 years

Today is a very important anniversary for me. Everyone has moments in their life that are milestones. These are the days that you refer to as before or after. Today is most definitely one for me. 6 years ago right now, I was in surgery at UAB hospital. I was having a huge carotid body tumor taken out of my neck. It was a very very scary time. The Drs had scared me and my parents. They had prepared us for the fact that I could very well be blind or deaf when it was over. There was also a great possibility that I could have a stroke during the surgery. The tumor was so large twisted around everything that they had to cut out a large section of my main carotid artery on that side. It was replaced with an artificial graft. There was also a lot of nerve damage on the right side of my face and down my right arm. I had no feeling in my face from my eye down into my chest on that side. The worst complication though was that all the nerves that controlled my vocal chords on the right side had to be cut. This meant that I couldn't swallow and I could hardly talk. I was in ICU for 2 days after the surgery and then in a regular room for 3 more days. I went home for one day but then I had to go back and have a feeding tube put in my stomach. I was in the hospital that time for 3 more days. Luckily, I only had to have that feeding tube for 2 months. It was horrible !!!

Needless to say, this was the most difficult test of my faith in my life. It is not fun to look death in the eye at 28. It is only by the grace of God that I was able to come through all that. I know it sounds odd, but I could literally feel all the prayers that were coming my way both in the hospital and after I came home. I remember flipping through the channels one Sunday morning and I stopped at one of the random church services that was on. It was some church in Montgomery I had never heard of. It just so happened they were doing their prayer requests right then and somehow, they had gotten my name. That was so surreal. I also have to thank my wonderful surgeon, Dr. William Carroll. He was so nice and really took time to answer all my questions and explain everything that was going on. Later, he called me his "poster child" because he honestly didn't think I would survive everything. Of course I also have to thank my awesome parents. Without them, I would have never made it. I don't think either of them slept for about 10 days during all the madness. It was the third time in my whole life that I saw my Daddy cry. The only other times were when my grandparents died. That really tore me up. I couldn't stand the thought of him crying over me. It was a very difficult time for all of us.

I have to give a quick good luck to my friend Amanda. She is going into the hospital tomorrow to have little Camden. I can't wait to meet him!!! I am also think about my sweet Papa today. It would have been his 98th birthday today. That is hard to imagine. I hope everyone has a fab weekend.

Hair Woes

Ok, here is the truth. I HATE my hair. I love the color, but it has no style to it right now. It is just hanging there, getting on my nerves. I want to do something new with it but I am at a loss. I am going to have it done a week from Friday. Any ideas you can send me I would love. I have been looking around for some inspiration but I haven't come up with anything. Hopefully one of you will have a brilliant idea.

Weekend Update, Shower and More

Hi everyone. Hope you had a great weekend. My has been fairly quiet except for today. Today we had a shower for Paige, one of my friends from work. Here is a picture of Kelly, Jennifer, Paige & I. She actually got married about 2 weeks ago but we didn't have time to get her shower together before she and Chris went to Gatlinburg. She is having a baby the last week of April, about the same time as Jaime. We had a really great time. She got tons of really pretty stuff.

I haven't really done much else this weekend. I watched a lot of football yesterday. ROLL TIDE !!! Now that was an awesome football game !! I have been so tired and gloomy lately. I really need to try to break out of this funk. I worked on my Harry Potter story this weekend. I have several chapters done but I think it is too much to post on here. I am not sure how to get the story to anyone. If you would like to read it, just send me your email and I can try to send you the Word file. I wish there was a way to put a link on here but I am not sure how to do that. I also have a random chapter of an original story. I am still working on a good organizational system for my ideas.

I hope everyone has a great week. I am anxious to hear more news on all the impending babies.

Monday Quote and More

I had the funniest quote on my calendar at work today that I wanted to share. It is very appropriate for all the single folks out there like me

"Men are like parking spaces.....the good ones are either too small or they are already taken."

HA !!! I just had a big hoot out of that one.

I need to ask for some help on my Harry Potter story. I need a name for a new house elf that we haven't met before. I been racking my brain for a couple of weeks but I can't come up with anything, so please send me your suggestions. I need this name before I can write and send out the next chapter.

I decided to reread Twilight while I was waiting on my copy of The Pact to come in. I love it even more this time around. I am excited to see the movie. I just hope they don't mess it up too badly. I have also started on my first original story today. Hopefully I will have a sample up toward the end of the week.

Week in Review

I hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend. I know that all my Alabama fan friends definitely have. ROLL TIDE !!

This week has been fairly quite. For some reason I have felt like crap all week. I have been feeling just totally drained, like I could sleep for days. I am hoping after taking it easy this weekend that I will feel better this week. Work is work right now. Things had gotten really stressful for a week or so for no really good reason. Everyone just seemed to be on edge and really snippy. We sat down and had a talk and I think the mood will be better. I think we were all just feeding off each other's funk right now. I think that is the price you pay for working with 4 other people in a fish bowl. You have to get along with each other or life is pretty miserable.

We had the first real meeting of our super book club on Friday night. We had SO much fun. All the girls are so funny. We really seemed to click well. I don't think I will ever look at boy shorts or wet towels quite the same way again after our conversations on the Bunny Tales. I am excited about our new book called The Pact. I have never read it but I have heard of the author. I definitely think it will be a better read than the last one. We put off our next meeting until November. The next time we meet, there will be 3 new babies in attendance. That will be so much fun !! I also really appreciate all the great encouragement and feedback from the girls on my writing. It really means a lot to me for have that support for something that is really near and dear to my heart. It really is a dream of mine that I have had ever since high school. I have kept it hidden for a long time because I felt I wasn't good enough. Who knows, maybe one of these days the can read one of my books and tell me what they think. That would be awesome.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week and posts some new blogs. We are slipping girls !!!

Monday Monday

Hi everyone. Sorry I didn't post of the weekend. I have been feeling so wiped out the last few days. Plus, it's not like I have such a spine tingling life to report on, LOL. Friday I had lunch at Logan's with Amelia & Amber. That was great. I don't see Amber very often anymore. Saturday I worked all day taking pictures of stuff for ebay. I am trying really hard to keep cleaning out all the scrapbook stuff. It is starting to dwindle done some, but it is still taking up half my scrapbook room. Sunday was a blah sort of day, I didn't really feel like doing much of anything. I have to get more motivated. I have so many projects I need to be working on.

I am glad to hear that Amanda is feeling a little better. Camden will be here before we know it. I am super excited about our book club meeting on Friday. I can't wait to see what book Melanie will pick for us. She and I read the same sorts of things so I have faith she will pick something great.

I have been trying to figure out a way to organize my thoughts & ideas better for my writing. It is something I have really been struggling with. I tend to jump around so much, I don't really think in any sort of logical order. I have been thinking about getting some sort of little tape recorder, like you have in college to record lectures. That way I can record stuff when I am in the car and then go back and type it when I have a chance. Does anybody else have any ideas? I am also thinking about taking a creative writing class if I can find one. I think it might help me to fine tune some things, especially writing dialogue, which is really tough for me. Send any ideas you might have my way. Hopefully I will be requesting some proof readers soon. Hope everyone has a great Monday. I love that the weather is starting to feel like fall !!

Where Were You ?

I can't help but think about where I was and what I was thinking seven years ago today. I think we are all doing that. September 11 will always be burned into our brains as one of those watershed moments in life. I was running late for work that morning. I was always running late back then. I was putting on my jewelry and watching Good Morning America like always. They were talking about reports of a plane hitting the Trade Center. Then I saw it, I watched the 2nd plane hit the towers. It was like watching something out of the disaster movies my mom loves so much. This couldn't possibly be real, and it sure has heck couldn't be happening in New York City. I tried all the radio stations, trying to find anything else out in the car on the way to work. When I finally got to Family Security, no one else knew what was happening. They of course had all been on time and had missed everything. I will never forget how ironic it was that it was the United Way Day of Caring that day and we all had on our t shirts. Those shirts were red, white and blue and had the date on them, September 11, 2001. I still have that shirt. I have never worn it since that day but I can't bring myself to get rid of it. It is a tiny tangible reminder for me. I also remember watching the cars line up at the USA gas station that we could see from the front doors of the credit union. No one knew what was going to happen next. Would we be attacked next because we were so close to Brown's Ferry or the Arsenal in Huntsville? It was a scary time.

Today I try to watch the news and the memorials but I just get frustrated and angry. In this political season, everyone wants to turn this day into some sort of political statement for the election. I personally don't think that is the way those who died that day would want to be remembered, as political pawns. I choose to remember them as accidental heroes. They all had homes, favorite things and friends and family that meant the world to them. I think they would want to us spend today being grateful for those things we cherish in our own lives. Never ever take anyone or anything for granted. You never know what will happen next.

There was a quote on my daily calendar at work on Monday and I saved it until today to post. I think it sums up how we should all look at life.

"I have found that the only things I have to regret are the things I did not do."

Don't leave anything undone or unsaid. I love you all !!

Horrible Blogger Am I

Every week that I claim I am going to be this wonderful blogger, I never quite make it. Oh well, I guess I shouldn't fuss at anyone else for neglecting their blogging duties either. I had a pretty uneventful weekend. I tried to get some work done on some of my gift projects but as usual, not as much as I needed to. I am working on the invitations to Paige's bridal shower right now. I need to have those ready to mail by the middle of next week. I can't believe she is getting married this weekend. That just seems CRAZY to me !! I am going to have to buckle down on a couple of my baby things. Landon will be here before we know it.

I am going to try to work some more on my story this week. I have the first 3 chapters worked out in my head now, I just need to get them in the computer. Hopefully I will have some more to post later this week. I have also started on Bunny Tales for our lovely book club. Definitely not my normal read that's for sure. It is not all that bad though. I haven't gotten into the details of her time in the Playboy mansion yet. My only technical comment so far is that I hope she wrote this herself and didn't pay a ghost writer to help her. If she did, she should get her money back because they didn't help anything. There are so many errors it is crazy.

Chow for now. Please send all your prayers and good wishes to my friend Amanda. She is having some trouble with her blood pressure at the end of her pregnancy. I have total faith that she & Camden will be just fine.

Happy Monday

Hello folks. I hope everyone had a fabulous long weekend. I was feeling really sickly on Friday & Saturday but I feel better today. I have been working on my little ebay business all weekend. I am planning on taking off this coming weekend possibly. I have so many projects I need to be working on. So I think I am going to take next weekend as a crafty one. I have also been working on my Harry Potter story too. I have all of the first chapter finished, typed, saved and everything. I have bits & pieces of other chapters finished. Chapter 2 is very emotional and difficult so I am still working on it. Nothing much else new to tell here. I am excited about watching the new 90210 tomorrow night. I followed the original religiously. I just wish some of the original guys were going to be in the new one. Lord knows, I adored Luke Perry back in the day. It's funny, my very first key chain after I got my car was of Luke Perry. Goodness, that makes me feel OLD !! I also have to say how happy I am that Jaime & Bran are having a baby. Nothing makes me happier than being an aunt. I get to spoil until my little hearts content. Have a great week. I hope to hear from my blogging buddies soon.

Thank Heaven for Long Weekends

I don't know about you, but I can't remember the last time I have needed a long weekend more. I have been trying to get sick all week and it really caught up to me yesterday. I had the most unbearable headache all day. It eased up some last night but I woke up at 3:30 this morning throwing up with the headache worse than before. I tried to go to work but got sick as soon as I got there. Dr. Hardy & Paige kicked me out. Dr. Hardy has been sick all week and didn't want it again. So I came home and I have slept all day. I guess I didn't realize how tired I was. My head feels much better tonight but now I have a horrible sore throat. YUCK !! But at least it is a long weekend. I plan on taking it easy that is for sure.

I am excited that everyone seems to like my little story I am working on. I tend to skip around a lot. I can't seem to write it in order. Here is a preview of a little note that will be important later in the story. Have a good weekend all. And if you have any ideas for the story, be sure to send them my way.

Once, a long time ago, you told me I had the emotional range of a teaspoon. Tonight I intend to prove you wrong.

For once don’t argue. You have 30 minutes to put on what is in this box and meet me at the bottom of the stairs.

Love Ron

P.S. Don’t bother questioning Harry or Ginny, they aren’t going to tell you anything.

What Do You Think ??

Ok so I had to write some this morning. I have to clear some of this out of my head. So I thought I would post a little teaser. These are the first few paragraphs of Chapter 1 in my story. Read away and let me know what you think. Please be brutally honest. I promise I can handle the truth.

There was something so strange about it. Ever since the final battle last Friday, the sun had shown so brightly every day. It seemed so unfair that this spring was so perfect when they were all so filled with grief. Harry was lying on his back in the middle of the field behind the Burrow. This had become his hiding place over the last week. That first night after the battle he had stayed at Hogwarts. The next morning Ron wouldn’t take no for an answer and made him go back to the Burrow with the rest of the family. He didn’t want to be there. He felt so guilty it was choking him. There was such a cloud that hung over everything. Fred was gone. And George may as well have been too. He just sat in the corner of his old bedroom staring into space. He wouldn’t even come down to eat. Mrs. Weasley was pitiful, bursting into sobs every 5 minutes. Ron was just so angry, snapping everyone’s head off at the drop of a hat. And Ginny….that one hurt the most. She looked at him with this anxious look in her eyes, expecting something, any sign of life from him. He couldn’t bear to look at her. It was just too hard. He wasn’t ready for this. And what was this? If this was what life after the war was going to be like, Harry thought he might prefer the old tent in the woods instead.

He had been to so many funerals in the past few days. They had all started to run together. Hermione insisted they attend as many of them as possible. Colin Creeley’s was very hard. His muggle family had a hard time understanding what was going on and what had happened. Yesterday had been the worst yet, for Remus and Tonks. He had seen his godson for the first time. Little Teddy looked like his mom, with his bright turquoise hair. He squirmed and cried all during the service. It was like he knew that all this was wrong, that his parents should still be here with him. Mrs. Tonks had tried to get me to hold him. I just couldn’t, it was just too much. People were constantly coming up and shaking my hand, congratulating me. He just wanted to scream. DON”T YOU SEE! DON”T YOU CARE, THEY ARE DEAD!

So he had retreated back to this field, with the grass up to his knees. He laid here for hours on end, almost invisible. That was exactly what he wanted to be right now.


“Ron, is Harry in there with you?” Hermione stopped short of opening the door. She didn’t want to take the chance that Ron was in there changing.

“I haven’t seen him all morning, he was already gone when I woke up.”

Hermione could feel the tears starting again.

So Much Going On !!

I know 2 days in a row of blogging goodness !! What can I say, I need to vent. There is just so much going on right now, my head is spinning. Ok, let's start with Paige. For those who don't know, Paige is my friend that I have worked with since the beginning at Dr Hardy's. She is like my little sister. I love her dearly, even though I sometimes want to bang her head against the wall. So, she is getting married on October 11 at Quail Run in Hartselle. I get the joy of being her wedding planner, lol. So Kelly and I are trying to get a quick shower together too. All this has developed over the last week. Paige has been engaged for about 6 weeks but we found out last week that she is going to have a baby. GOOD LORD !!! Well, we found out today that little bit will arrive around April 17. So now, between Sept 20 and November 7 I have 9 birthdays, 2 babies and 1 wedding in my little universe. I think I need to make a list !!!!!!!!

On to some more of my foolishness. Everyone knows i have been rambling on about my writing for a couple of months. I have also developed a total obsession with reading Harry Potter fan fiction online. So I have decided to combine the 2. To practice for some of my original stuff, I have decided to write my own Harry Potter stuff. I have been working this out in my head for a week or so and I started writing a little yesterday. Today I worked out an outline of the chapters. Now I just have to get it out of my head on onto paper. So I thought I would give you a teaser of my outline. It might not make sense to some, but to all the Potter lovers out there, you will definitely understand. The story starts one week after the final battle at Fred's funeral.
Here are the tentative title names:

1. Too Much Grief
2. Back From Down Under
3. Pity Party
4. Offers
5. Return to the Burrow
6. Godric's Hollow
7. The Honorable House of Potter
8. Nightmares & Burnt Toast
9. Christmas in July
10. Yule Ball Redo
11. Awkward Morning
12. Flying Lessons
13. Return of the World
14. Sticks & Stones
15. Oddness
16. Christmas Eve Surprise

Now this is the bulk of the original story I have laid out but I will probably add more. This is the part that is well developed for now. Let me know what you think. My blogging friends need to get on the ball !!

Monday Musings

I am sorry for being such a bad blogger. I was busy over the weekend putting together some more stuff to put on ebay. I am trying to clear some of this stuff out of the way so I can get to work on some special projects. I am have so many things going on right now that will be calling for special gifts. Not to mention the fact that I am bound and determined to make my Christmas cards too. I ordered the cutest stamp on ebay today. It is an owl wearing a Santa hat !! I know, I'm a nerd.

I am excited about our new book club that had its first meeting on Friday. I must admit the first book, A Bunny's Tale, isn't really my normal pick. But that is the goal after all, to read some stuff I wouldn't normally. I ordered it over the weekend and I am anxious to get started on it. I think we are going to have a lot of fun. Hopefully we can get some more folks to sign up too.

I had some super secret news today. I am over the moon !!!!! Hopefully I can share soon for those who don't already know. Let's just say we are going to have a very special spring this year. Hope everyone has a super week. Hopefully, I will be a better blogger.

Quirky but Boring

Amelia's mom put out a challenge to list 6 little know quirky but boring things about ourselves. Well anyone who knows me would agree that I should have no trouble coming up with 6 quirky things, lol. Ok, so here is my list

1. I can't stand for the different foods on my plate to touch or run together. My parents think
is so stupid but I can't help it. It freaks me out.

2. I can't read a book with a messed up spine or pages. I have never enjoyed library books or
borrowing books, and I freak if someone borrows one of mine and messes it up. The same
for magazines. If they get wet or creased in the mail I go nuts.

3. I am totally addicted to Harry Potter fan fiction. I read some everyday online. People write
stories about the characters and what happened to them after the books end or scenes
that were left out of the books. There are some that are stupid but some are really good.
I am even working on a story of my own. I highly recommend the website checkmated.com,
it is the best by far and has tons on Ron & Hermione, my fav characters

4. I am addicted to nose spray. Just ask Amelia or Jaime, it is a horrible habit. I always have
some with me.

5. I tend to eat the same things over and over. I could eat the same thing for lunch every day
it wouldn't really bother me. I take spells and change what the "it" thing is every once is a
while. Right now it is these low fat pizza bites, a $.99 frozen dinner from walmart. Weird
I know.

6. I hate hot liquids. I don't do coffee, hot tea or hot chocolate. I don't even like soup. Don't ask
but they make me thirsty.

Frosticulous John

12/23/2000 to 08/18/2008 - my sweet angel

Thank You

I just wanted to do a quick post and thank everyone for their kind words and wishes over this difficult weekend. It means the world to me. I have come to a peaceful place with what has to happen. It doesn't mean I have stopped crying a little, just that I have resigned myself to what has to happen. Frosty had a really bad day today. It was obvious that he was in pain. As hard as it is, I guess that makes this a little easier. I know he will be ok soon. My dad is going to take him either tomorrow or Tuesday. My mom said that she isn't going to tell me until it is all over. My sweet daddy has even fixed a little grave for him so I can put flowers on it. Just keep those positive thoughts coming my way this week. I know I will need them. I have a really wonderful group of friends. I love you all very much.

My Sweet Boy & a Difficult Decision

Well as many of you may know, I wrote early in the week about how my oldest cat Frosty is sick. I took him to the vet yesterday and it was much worse than I could have imagined. Turns out that is colon is not working at all and has several large masses in it. It is totally blocked. Also, his blood work shows that he is severely anemic & his liver isn't functioning hardly at all. The only option the vet thought might be possible is to do a risky surgery to try to help his colon. That would cost over $2000 and she honestly doesn't even know if it would help, or that he would even survive the surgery. Of course when she told me this, I was beyond devastated. He doesn't appear to be in any pain, he acts pretty close to normal, just not as much energy. Although she can't know for sure, the Dr says there is no way he can be so sick and not be suffering. The vet said that although she can't make the choice for me, she feels it would be best to put him to sleep. I didn't know what to do at the time. All I knew is I wanted to take him home to say goodbye. I told them that my dad would bring him back today to do "it". But my dad and mom felt like they should talk to the vet before then. I think they wanted to hear it directly from her because I was so hysterical by the time I got home. Daddy refused to take him today until he could hear it for himself. So my mom talked to the vet and she confirmed everything I told them. So now it is up to me. How long do we wait. Do we watch him suffer and die at home or do we put him out of his misery. I wish I had the courage to take him down there myself, but I know I can't. It's my baby and I don't think I could possibly be the one to hand him over. So I think my dad is going to take him the first of the week. I don't know, I can't even think straight. I feel like I am in a fog. I know he is just an animal, but he is my baby. He was with me through all the most difficult times in my life. He has listened to me cry and stayed in bed with me when I have been sick. I feel like I have failed him. I feel like if I had done something different, then things wouldn't be so bad.

Just keep me in your thoughts this weekend. I pray no one else ever has to make a decision like this.

Tuesday Musings

Hope all is well. I am so enjoying the cooler weather this week. It is amazing how much more pleasant I am when I don't sweat, LOL. I went to the new Chili's in Decatur last night with Paige, Kelly & Jennifer from work. Jennifer is our baby. She makes me thankful every day that I will never have to be 19 again. She can make me feel so old sometimes, but she is the sweetest thing ever. Kelly is too much like me for her own good. We get along great. She and I both are fairly mellow. If Kelly & I are pissed, you had better run because it won't be pretty. And lord knows that Paige is one of a kind. I love her dearly, like a little sister, but sometimes I want to smash her head in. She makes such stupid choices !!! She is leaving us in about 4 weeks to move to Birmingham with her fiancee. Lord help, there are SO many things to say about that, very few are good. I wish her well but I would be lying if I said I thought it would work. That means we are on the hunt for a new assistant at work. Heaven help me !!!!! Dr Hardy hates change and is so dragging his feet about interviewing people. I try to tell him that even though Kelly & I are good, LOL, we can't handle THAT much by ourselves. I am giving him until Friday and then I am going to try to nudge him in the right direction. I need a vacation !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am very worried right now. There is something wrong with my oldest baby, Frosty. He will be 8 years old this fall but he is really sick. He has lost a lot of weight in the last month or so, just skin and bones. Nothing seems to help. I talked to one of our patients today who is real active in the Humane Society and is a real cat expert. After giving her all the symptoms, she thinks Frost has diabetes. Who knew cats could get diabetes !!!! Lord knows mine would. I am taking him to the vet Friday afternoon so they can do some blood work. My poor baby !!! I am so scared they are going to tell me something is bad wrong and we have to put him to sleep. I would be devastated. Wish us luck Friday. Bye for now

Quotes for Monday

Happy Monday all ! I hope everyone had a great weekend. Mine was the usual, knee deep in the scrapbook store. I am going to have to work out some sort of schedule for myself and stick with it. I feel like that is all I do. I don't know when was the last time I just read a magazine or actually made something for myself. I just need to set aside certain times for packing and listing stuff. I just feel so guilty if I am not working on it. I am just going to have to snap right out of that.

When I got to work today, I couldn't help noticing that my page a day calendar had some super quotes on it this weekend so I thought I would share to get the week started off right. Here is the first one

"Character is what you know you are, not what others think you have."

and this one is my fav,

"Your passion is waiting for your courage to catch up."

That 2nd one is me in a nutshell. I wish I wasn't such the cowardly lion. Hope everyone has a great week and blogs some more soon.

Handbags, Happiness & Other Fun

It was a long week this week for some reason. I know it had to have been for my teacher friends too. Maybe it's the hot weather that makes it so unbearable. I can't wait for fall to be here. I love all the leaves, the football of course and going outside & being able to BREATH ! Not only that, there is so much fun to look forward too. I have birthdays, babies & a movie to look forward too yippee. All these summer blues and an article I read in a magazine got me to thinking. What things always make me happy? The article said everyone should have a list of fail safe things guaranteed to bring a smile & brighten your day. So, here is a list of my top things

1. Kendall's laugh
2. a new purse
3. the sound of my friends voices and laughter mingled together
4. anything Harry Potter
5. The smell & feel of a brand new unopened book
6. a really good black ink pen
7. the sound of a purring cat
8. butterflies
9. sour cream & onion lays potato chips w/ a big icy diet Dr pepper
10. anything with penguins, owls or fat little blue birds

I challenge all my blogging friends to think about what makes them smile. We can all look back on these lists on horrible days and remember to smile! I would love to see some blog posts this weekend. I think we are all lagging on our blog duties and I am ready to read about some back to school hijinks's, LOL. Oh and I thought I would leave you with a little quote. I got it off of a commercial for the show "Private Practice", the "Grey's Anatomy" spin-off. The lead character was saying something about "using handbags to fill the sexual void". Enlightening, LOL. I guess now I know why I need so many new purses ! HA HA. Have a fab weekend all.

Writing Plus Some Odds & Ends

Happy Tuesday all ! I hope everyone is having a super week. I know my teacher buddies are so thrilled to be back at work, NOT, LOL ! I meant to do a blog post last night but I got busy packing up my sales from the weekend for my dad to take to the post office. He is my super ebay helper. It is so crazy in the Decatur post office by McDonald's that I would spend my entire lunch just standing in line. So my very retired dad takes them to Danville for me. He is big buds with the ladies that work up there. He is such a flirt, silly old man, lol. My scrapbook stuff is selling well and that makes me super happy. I think I am going to start a little stash to save for a laptop. I need a computer that can be portable. I am too tied and have too much going on to be without my computer.

I have been thinking so much the last few days about writing. I have never really talked about it to anyone, but it is something that I have always thought of doing. My wonderful high school English teacher, Mrs. Fleming, used to tell me all the time that I had a gift. I never really believed her though. I used to read books & magazines about getting published right after I graduated from UNA, when I was having trouble finding a teaching job. Things started changing for me and I lost a lot of myself for quite awhile, especially when I was engaged. Then I had all the job and house drama so it just seemed so trivial, I didn't give it much thought. It was always a pipe dream. There were always more important things to worry about. For some reason though, for the last few weeks, I have had this urge building inside me. I know this might sound crazy, but its like all the words & stories are forcing their way out. I have had very specific characters in my head for years. I honestly don't know for how long. I think it all started when I was about 14 or 15. I was such a brooding lonely teenager who had no life. I was scared of my own shadow and hid from people as much as possible. So to make up for, I made up the characters in my head. They said and did all the things that I couldn't. These characters have stayed with me all these years, growing and changing and merging along the way. To tell these stories doesn't even seem like writing, like work to me. It is like television, I would just me writing down everything that I have seen and heard. Why am I so scared to just start typing then. Again, I know this sounds crazy, but it makes me feel so venerable. It is so intimate to me, to put these parts of me on paper. To have anyone read it would mean me being totally exposed. What if no one understood? What if everyone thought it was stupid? What if it just plain sucked. lol?

For some reason, I was just so crazed today, I just started typing this morning. Within 30 minutes, I had 6 pages of a story, or really more of a conversation, between 2 people. I don't even know where it came from. It was so thrilling and so terrifying at the same time when I printed them out. To see the words in black and white on a page was a real rush. I don't know what I was thinking. Paige kept asking me what was I up to. Then I did something totally insane. I actually handed it to her and told her to read it. I didn't tell her what it was or where it came from. I think she thought I had just printed some mess off the internet. She came back in a few minutes with a shocked look on her face. "You wrote this didn't you". I felt like I was standing buck naked in the middle of the beltline, LOL. I fessed up but told her not to be nice and tell me she liked it, I wanted to hear the brutally honest truth. She said she could tell it came from me. She could see me in the girl in the story. She was upset, she thought what I was writing about had really happened to me. I tried to explain all this mess to her but she just kept shaking her head. She said it was just like picking up any other book and reading it. Now granted, I don't always trust Paige's opinion & she is way more nice than I am when it comes to telling the truth, but she wasn't lying. She really did like it. She really did think it was good. She said I am insane if I don't do something about it. I think I might hyperventilate, LOL. It also doesn't help that I have an audience of English teachers, lol. I can just imagine what they would do to my grammar and punctuation.

Ok, so that is enough crazy mess for today. I do know that I feel this undeniable urge to write. So I guess I will try and go with it. Wish me luck. It is the scariest thing I have ever done. I hope everybody has a great week. I hope the kids at Tanner don't come back too wound up on Thursday. Chow for now !!

Too Hot !!!

Sorry I didn't blog yesterday, I didn't get in until late and was totally exhausted. I worked yesterday morning, the usual busy Friday. Then I went to Kelly's for her 31 party. I was glad to meet some of her old school friends that I hear so much about. I adore Kelly. I can't imagine working everyday without her. She and I are very similar in a lot of ways. Our goofy minds work alike most of the time, LOL. Then I got to go eat with 2 of my favorite people, Amelia & Jaime. We ended up sitting there talking after 10:30. We were just chatting about anything & everything. There are no words for how much I love these 2 girls. They are the sisters I never had.

So this morning I get up early. I got to go get my hair done finally. I have been putting it off for weeks. I either have plenty of time but no money, or I have the money & too much to get done. I must admit, Johnna outdid herself on the color this time. I LOVE it. It is a dark auburn color that is super shiny. I think it looks really good. I also got to hit up a few yard sales before I went. I love to go "junking" but I am too lazy to get up early on Saturdays and go. I found several cute things, and a super metal magazine rack for me room. I also went and checked out the sales at Goody's. I bought a purse, SHOCKER, LOL. And some jewels, because I don't have hardly any at all, HA !! I picked up several cute things on sale and even found a couple of baby presents (in blues of course). Finally I went by BAM to pick up my very own copy of "Breaking Dawn". I have to go back and read it again now when I have plenty of time and am not trying to skip around so much. Good Lord, I love Edward Cullen, lol. I think my dream man is a cross between him & Noah Calhoun. So naturally, this man probably doesn't exist. Oh well, I guess I am left to my books then.

I guess I need to go. I have to get some more stuff ready to put on ebay. I did really well Friday night with my first group of stuff. I am very encouraged. Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend.

Centered

Hello all, I know I promised to be a little better with my blogging this week. I think about 3 a week is about as much as I can squeeze in. I guess I just haven't had much to chitter about this week. I had a super lunch today with Amelia, Jaime & Amanda. The center of attention was, of course, the cutest little girl in the world, Miss Kendall Elizabeth. She is absolutely, positively the cutest little girl ever. You can't help but smile when you are around her. Of course, Aunt Christy is a totally objective observer, LOL !!! I will miss J & the girls when they start back to school next week. I know they stay pretty busy during the school year. We will just have to make more of an effort to get together.

After I got back to lunch from work, I was in an oddly reflective mood. I couldn't help but notice how genuinely happy I was. That is pretty unusual for me. I have spent the majority of the last 34 years in a fairly dark & lonely place. I am the world's greatest actress so I have been able to fool people for years. But I can honestly say I have never been in a better place. During the last few months, so much as just seemed to have clicked into place in my head. It was like after all this time, the veil has lifting and everything is more clear, making perfect sense. I know who I am, what I am and what I believe. I am no longer willing to bend or break this for anyone or anything. I am fortunate enough to have surrounded myself with the friends & the environment that allows me to be happily me with no judgement or pressure to change. I have lost patience with people who are not thoughtful, or who are self centered. There is no need for a big production or dramatic scene. If there are people in your orbit that make you less than happy, then remove them. It isn't as easy as it sounds, or as simple, but it is just necessary. I feel like I am finally in a place where I can start doing the things I have always dreamed of. I have always wanted to write. My head has been full of stories for years. It is time I start the tell these stories, introduce the world to my characters. I hope to start this soon. I don't care if I ever get published or if anyone else ever even reads anything I write. I just think is would be a shame if all this just stayed in my head. Lord knows it is a cluttered place up there, LOL LOL !!

Well, I have done enough rambling for one night. One my obsessive notes, I was fortunate enough to get my grubby paws on an advance copy of "Breaking Dawn" before Friday night. OMG !!!! Wild book, not at all what I was thinking. Incredible story though. I will read anything Stephanie Meyer chooses to write. She has a real gift. I also discovered something new & fun today while digging around on the internet. On the big Harry Potter fan sites there is a section called "fan fiction". I had seen it before but never thought anything about it. Turns out tons of people have written loads of stories about the characters. What would have happened next? What if things had ended differently? I read several really good stories, especially about Ron & Hermione. Who knows, maybe I will write one of my own sometime. If you are a HP fan, you should definitely check some of them out.

Chow for now, I have a busy morning tomorrow then a super 31 party at my friend Kelly's hosted by none other than the 31 guru herself, JME! She has promised we will play games, YIPPPEE !!!!

Harry Potter Tuesday

Ok, so I might be a tad bit obcessed, but the trailer for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince came out tonight. It looks awesome. I will so be there on opening night to see it. You have to check it for yourself. Today has been a pretty boring day. I actually took the afternoon off from work today, which I never ever do. I have been feeling really crappy the last few days with my allergies so I though I would come home and rest a little. Tonight I have been watching another super fav movie "Hairspray" while I listed more scrapbooking goodies on ebay. This will be the first week I have had the stuff on. I am anxious to see how it does. My goal is to make the money for all my fall birthdays and the upcoming baby gifts with my little shop. Wish me luck. Have a super Wednesday.

Aren't weekends for rest !!

Isn't a weekend supposed to be restful, especially for someone who works as much as I do. Well, I have worked like a dog this weekend but at least I can go to sleep tonight with a sense of satisfaction !

My weekend started super fun on Friday. I got to take the load of goodies I had collected over to the scraptastic girls in Athens. They had a fit over everything. I kept trying to tell them it was a bunch but I don't think they really believed me until they saw it all. That has been my favorite part of getting all this fun scrapbook stuff, being able to share it. I can't wait until we can have another day together. Oh and I forgot to mention the super fab owl notebooks & stickers the girls gave me. LOVED THEM !!!

I work up on Saturday as a woman with a mission. I was going to organize my scrapbook room or die trying. Success !!! I organized all the patterned papers into their plastic boxes and have them all stacked up. Then I set to work on putting up all the stuff I had pulled out that I wanted to keep. I had a bunch of brads and stuff to find a place for. Plus, I got 2 new cricut cartridges in the mail on Friday. Both are super fabulous !!! One of them even has an owl on it !!

So today, I started putting together some lots to put on ebay. There were a lot of the brass embossing stencils. Plus, I put on a bunch of the Disney stuff. Be sure to stop by ebay and check it all out. I am going to try to get a bunch more lots ready to put on next Saturday & Sunday. I will be very distracted next weekend though. The fabulous book Breaking Dawn comes out Friday night at midnight. I have had my advance ticket for weeks. I will have to force myself to work and not bury myself in the book !!! I can't wait to find out if Bella pick Edward. She had better !!!!

I will try to do better about blogging this week. Hope everyone has a fab Monday.

Beautiful Mess !!

Well I promised so more pics so I finally had time to put some on. Look at what remains of my clean, beautifully organized scrapbook room, LOL !! The good news is that I have finished going through all the paper boxes and pulled out what I want to keep and a big pile to take my buddies. This weekend I am going to put it all in the big plastic boxes and organize everything by theme. So by Monday, there might actually be room to MAKE something in this craziness. I am just giddy with myself to share the goodies on Friday. I have had all this stuff to myself all week. I am anxious to share it with folks I know that will just as giddy as I am. My head is just spinning with so many ideas. But the mess must come first. Who knows, by Sunday I might actually have some stuff ready to go on ebay.

I had a wonderful lunch today with one of my favorite ladies, Amelia. She is one of the prettiest pregnant people I have ever seen. Lord knows I wouldn't look that good. I am off to rest a little now. I am thrilled with all that I have accomplished tonight.

Restful Monday

Doesn't that sound strange. No one would ever think of Monday as relaxing. It definitely is for me. I had a very thrilling but exhausting weekend. I have managed to get all my lot out of Daddy's truck and into the house. There are 18 totally packed boxes of paper alone!! My mom and I spent all weekend sorting through the boxes that have odds & ends like stickers and such. I have stuff for any theme you might want. Tons of sports, every Disney character ever, cartoons, travel, just way too much to list. I pulled out what I thought I might use and my mom did too. Then I have one large box that I have been putting stuff for my scrappy friends in. Goodness know, if they don't see it in the box, I can probably find it. I tried to divide things into themes, this will make it easier to list everything on eBay. I have started on the paper but I am not even halfway there. The stack to give to my friends is already about 8 or 10 inches tall and that is just through 5 boxes. I can't wait to show them everything on Friday. Hopefully by the end of next weekend, I will have everything totally organized so that I can start flooding eBay. Goodness knows I don't have the room to keep everything for too long. There is one narrow path around the edge of my scrapbook room now that is just barely wide enough to navigate to the computer. The cats are a little angry that they don't have the entire floor to roll around on now!! Hopefully I will have some more pictures tomorrow. I am off to eat lunch now. Have a great day all!!

Out of the Blue !!!!!!!

Well Jaime hinted in her blog about my windfall and here are the first photos to show it. Last night Dr Hardy calls and starts asking me random scrapbook questions. I couldn't figure out what he wanted. He never really pays much attention to all my scrapbook foolishness. Then he drops the bombshell on me.

Back around the first of the year, the scrapbook store in Decatur moved out of the Big Lots shopping center and into one of Dr. Hardy's buildings on 6th ave. I remember joking at the time that I should get a discount since I worked for the landlord. About 2 months or so after the move, the owner declared bankruptcy and went out of business. I remember him sending our handyman over to clean up the place so he could rent the building again but that was the last I heard about it. Come to find out she just walked off and left her ENTIRE !!! inventory behind. She told Dr. Hardy that since she has lost her house and was living in an apartment, she had no where to keep the stuff. He told her that he would hold if for a couple of months, but that if he hadn't heard from her by July 16th, then everything was his. All this stuff has been sitting in his storage building. Thankfully it FINALLY dawned on him that maybe Christy might want the stuff. So Daddy & I went and picked everything up this morning. OH MY LORD !!! You will not believe everything that is in this. There are tons & tons of paper, stickers, pens and more. I just skimmed over the tops of the boxes. These pictures are the back of Daddy's truck before we unload it all. I have been given a real scrapbook store. I will post tons more pictures as I start going through this stuff. Ladies, if we do get to have a scrapbook day this Friday, I will be supplying all the materials. Of course my scrappy friends will get first dibs before I start flooding ebay with the rest. Wish me luck !!