Sunday, October 31, 2010

We Have A Winner...........................

.... for my 400th Post Giveaway! (The actual 400th Post was here and I did the giveaway on my 401st post, lol)

First off, thanks so much to everyone who entered! There were WAY more entries than I could have ever expected, so thank you!

I tallied up all the entries, made a list, and then used a Random Number Generator.

The Random Number that came up was.............




which means our winner is..........



~Haley~ from Wide Eyed Smilin!!!!!!!

Congratulations, Haley!!!!

Email me to arrange for your prize!






Sunday Stealing and Day 21


1. What inspires you to blog?

Other blogs originally inspired me to blog. I loved the idea of documenting/scrapbooking/journaling my life this way.

Anything and everything inspires me.......... random thoughts that run through my head, different events/occasions, things I'm going through, my friends and family, etc.



2. What’s the best thing about blogging, for you?

Two things:

1) I've met some really awesome people and made some really great friends!

2) Years from now, I have events, emotions, and thoughts documented. I'll be able to come back to this blog and remember what I did and what I've been through :)



3. What is your favourite book of all time?

Pride and Prejudice and Oh, The Places You'll Go!

Very different books, but I love them!



4. It’s 9pm and for some reason you’ve been hungry all day, despite the three square meals. What do you rustle up?

Um, hopefully something healthy. I try.

Otherwise, a cookie.



5. Who are three of your style icons?

Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Aniston, and Taylor Swift



6. What’s your current favourite song/piece of music?

I am currently OBSESSED with Taylor Swift's new album. I've listened to it no less than 2 dozen times. I'm not kidding. 

Expect a full post about it tomorrow or Tuesday.



7. What is the last book you read?

An American Wife - The fictional book, based on Laura Bush's life.

I'm very slowly making my way through Laura Bush's autobiography (because of my own time limitations).

Honestly, I found myself relating to the author's perception of Laura. I'll be interested to see if I feel the same way once I've read the autobiography.



8. What is your current favourite recipe?

I would have to cook in order to have a favorite recipe and I don't currently do that.



9. Who or what first inspired you to set up your own blog?

See #1



10. What object could you not live without?

My cell phone.



11. Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Hopefully, married with a couple of kids.

Beyond that, I don't know.



12. Who or what made you into the person you are today?

Lots of things, obviously.

The main thing I'll attribute to who I am........... A lot of sad and scary things have happened in my life. In several ways, I grew up fast. At the same time, I've also been protected and sheltered. It sounds like an oxymoron, but it's not.

I can seem naive and innocent. In some ways, I probably am. But, I still know and get the bad stuff. Several people assume that I've led a charmed life and don't know what the "real world" is like. They're wrong..... I do know about the sadness and ugliness and loneliness that, unfortunately, lives in this world. It's just that I have plenty of love and support to get me through it........... that makes me very blessed.



13. What have your learned from blogging?

I've learned about other people. I like how bloggers just write what they feel. It makes for an interesting case study on people, I think.

I've also learned a lot about myself. When you're reflective enough to write something down, you are already being more open than alot of people are, imo. Then, when you make yourself go back and read it, it allows you to take a step back and really learn what it is that makes you tick. Sometimes, I'll be typing along on my computer and have a complete revelation as to what it is I'm really thinking, lol.



14. Knowing what you know now, what knowledge would you pass on to your past self?

I don't know if "knowledge" is the right word. There is different pieces of advice I'd give.

Mainly, I'd tell myself to "Speak Now." Don't wait to say the things you want to say. Once the moment passes, you'll regret not saying it. More often than not, I hold my tongue. I probably save myself a lot of grief, but I've done a lot of regretting the things I didn't say, too.



15. Sunday roasts - lunchtime or evening meal?

Um, either. Roast is good, at any time.



16. What has been your best blogging-related experience so far?

Meeting my Florida bloggers, in person :)

Also, gaining a couple of really awesome friends that have loved on me, even from states and states away.

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Day 21 - Picture of Yourself


 
This is me. Not looking so hot. Acting stupid.
 
I'm trying to be ok with taking pictures of myself that aren't "perfect."
 
Not to worry..... I still have the picture pose and will use it 99% of the time. These bad shots are just for the times when I'm expanding my horizons.
 

 



Saturday, October 30, 2010

Weekly Workout Blog and Day 20

Weekly Workout Blog - Week 72


Sunday - Nothing

Monday - Nothing
Tuesday - Curves, 15 mins Elliptical, and 35 mins Treadmill (C25K Week 3, Day 1 plus 10 mins walking)

Wednesday - Curves

Thursday - 15 mins Elliptical, and 35 mins Treadmill (C25K Week 3, Day 2 plus 10 mins walking)

Friday - Curves
Saturday - 15 mins Elliptical, and 40 mins Treadmill (C25K Week 3, Day 3 plus 15 mins walking)


 

Awesome exercise week! I didn't track my food yesterday (Friday), but I still count it as a super successful week. Week 3 of the Couch 2 5K wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting. Cross your fingers that I can handle Week 4, lol.



Goals for this week:

  • Track ALL food
  • Curves for at least 3 days
  • Couch 2 5K, Week 4
  • Elliptical at least twice


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Day 20 - Nicknames

Jess

J

JB

Peepers

Crystal

Rose

Angel

Turkeyface

Shortie (by my 6'6" cousin)

Friday, October 29, 2010

Nifty Fifty (and day 19)

See this pretty lady standing next to me?


She's my Mommy!

And, she's 50 today!!!!

When I was in about the 7th grade, I calculated that she would be 40 when I graduated from High School. That blew my mind for some reason. Then, I further calculated that when my brother graduated, she would be 50. My mind was blown even more, because I couldn't imagine my mom being 50 OR my brother being a HS Senior.

Well, folks, that day has come.

My brother is taller than me (ironically, I always worried that when I married in my early 20's - hahahahaha - my brother would be shorter than me when he walked me down the aisle). My brother is preparing to graduate high school. My mom is 50.

So.........

Happy 50th Birthday, Mom!!!!!

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Day 19 - Something You Miss


I miss my cousins. Like, really badly. Especially when the holidays come up because when we were kids we spent so many holidays together. The last time they were all down here was during Halloween in the 9th grade and the last time I saw them was two years ago during late October.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Ohana with Reggi and the Crew

The same week of the Lady A concert and Susan's passing, some really great friends were in Orlando. Regina and her family are like a 2nd family to us. When the two families get together, it's absolute fun and craziness. We originally had plans to go to dinner with them, on Wednesday the 22nd, but that was when we heard about Susan. So, we postponed those plans.

On Thursday the 23rd, we were able to regroup and make it to Orlando. We had reservations on Weds for Ohana at Polynesian Resort. Taking a chance, we decided to go up there and just get on the list. Regina's family got there first and were told it was an hour and a half wait. However, before we even got there, Reggi called me to let me know they were being seated after only 30 mins! Take note: Despite Disney Dining's booked reservations, it's worth a shot to try!


Miss Lydia came with us! Super cute moment: When passing the open grill, she goes, "Hot! Hot! Whooooooooo (blowing it out), whooooooooooo!"



For those of you that have never been, Ohana is a family-style meal, with multiple courses. It's so delicious, but takes some time to get through. For the kids, they have this Hawaiian woman that walks around every 30 mins or so to do different activities. Lydia was hesitant the first time she came around.... she wanted my mom holding her hand. The second and third time? She would take off, leaving the adults in the dust!!


Joining in the action..........





Shaking it!



Ohana really is a great meal, with plenty of time to socialize. It was a great opportunity to catch up with our good friends. And, boy, were we able to eat!.............

First course.............. yummy bread and salad.

Second course........... chicken wings and pork wontons.

Third course.......... lo mein and veggies. The lo mein used to be scalloped potatoes. I miss those.

Fourth course......... meat. They bring out skewers, two at a time........ shrimp and chicken, then pork and steak. So yummy!!

Dessert...... Coconut bread pudding with bananas foster. Heaven on a plate.



Regina and I




Two families..............




Lydia loves her "Buhv"




Rochelle (Reggi's sister) and I




The Hawaiian lady came around the last time and sang the island version of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow." Lydia came running to me, "Dancing, dancing!!!" I obliged and danced around the restaurant with her :)




Lydia and her "Gecka"




Rochelle and her fiance, Terrence.... they are soooo sweet together.




Reggi and Trevor




My brother and I




Reggi and I have been friends for almost ten years........ when we first started these pictures, Trevor was a little squirt. Now, he's so grown up :(



Towards the end of the meal, the Halloween fireworks started at Magic Kingdom. They turn off the lights in the restaurant and pipe in the music, so you get to experience the fireworks. Not only did Lydie-lu love it, but so did our friends (some whom have never been to Disney before)!!!

After dinner, we took a ride around the monorail, so everyone could see things a little closer.



Loving the monorail ride. Oh, and Mickey didn't come with us. He was picked up along the way, lol.



It was a wonderful evening!! We ate so much, I literally could barely eat the next day. I was still full!

The next night, they came over to our house for dinner. We had so much fun, they spent the night. Some of them went yard-saling (not me) and apparently had way too much fun.

Sadly, it was time for them to back to Orlando, pack up, and go home to Alabama. We're hoping it will be sooner than another year, before we see them again.

30-Day Blog Challenge - Day 18

Day 18 - Something You Regret


Right now, I regret not hiding my Smore from Disney World.
 
Let me explain......
 
This past Saturday, I went to Hollywood Studios (or, MGM to me). While there, I bought a Smore. Disney's version consists of a graham cracker with a thick layer of marshmellow fluff, all drenched in chocolate. It is delicious.
 
I brought it home and have been nibbling on it, ever since. It was only about 1/3 gone. Last night, I went to get my nightly nibble and the whole thing was gone. Someone stole (and presumably ate) my Smore!!!
 
Everyone was asleep, so I couldn't interrogate to find the culprit.
 
Next time, I'm hiding it.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

30-Day Blog Challenge - Day 17

*** Don't forget to check out my 400th Post Giveaway!***


Day 17 - Something You're Looking Forward To


I'm looking forward to Friday...... it's my Mommy's 50th birthday!!!
 
I have a great present for her, that I'm hoping she'll love :)

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Lady A Comes To Town! (Sept 21, 2010)

I've made no secret about my obsession love for Lady Antebellum.

When they opened for Tim McGraw in May.......... I liked them better. I sat there wishing they could just keep singing. I was sad when they told me they weren't going to sing "Love This Pain."

So, when I found out that they were coming to Florida, on their own tour, I almost peed with excitement. I mean, two whole hours.......... of them singing their music........ so..... freaking..... happy.


Lady A with me, Billie Jo, and LA.



David Nail opened up for them. I met him, but the picture was on Billie Jo's camera and I haven't been able to get it from her, yet. He is really good-looking......... and can sing, too.





In between David Nail and Lady A they were playing various music. At one point, Katy Perry's "California Girls" came on. In the music hall, you could see the whole crowd and all these people stood up to start dancing to it. It was such a fun moment, lol.

Also, we had a snack break which included splitting one of the yummiest cupcakes I've ever had (a Better Than). When I was finished, I kinda wished I had an entire cupcake. However, we'd also split a pretzel......... again, one of the best pretzels I've ever eaten. Sometimes, I love food way too much.

Once the food had been eaten and Katy Perry had been danced to, the wait was thankfully over.

They started out, just the three of them, singing "I Run To You." Love them.........





By the end of the first song, they had the entire crowd on their feet and singing at the top of their lungs. I've been to a ton of concerts in my life (as documented on this blog), but they were seriously one of the best I've ever seen.




Their crowd interaction was awesome!!!........

Stars Tonight



One of the best things about catching a group/artist that you love on a headlining tour when they only have two albums out is that they pretty much play everything you want to hear. By the time it gets to a Tim McGraw or Kenny Chesney point, it's only the radio hits with a couple "B-sides" thrown in. Some of my favorite Lady A or Colbie songs are songs that you'll never hear on the radio, so I love that I have seen them so early on. I wish I'd kept track of everything they sang........ there were only a couple they missed that I was sad about.





Below is one of my most favorite songs ever. When this song was over, I pretty much had no voice left, lol.


Love This Pain





Besides their songs, they each took a turn singing solo. Hillary Scott started out with a cover of "I Can't Make You Love Me" and then moved to singing a toned down version of Lady A's "Ready To Love Again". I wish I had the concert version....... it's gorgeous and I prefer it to the album track.




David Haywood is the third and lesser known member of Lady Antebellum. He cowrote "Do I" by Luke Bryan and sang it at the show, which was really cool.




Charles Kelley (brother of Josh Kelley who is married to Katherine Heigl, for all you trivia buffs out there) sang a cover of "Free Fallin'"





Love's Lookin' Good On You



One thing I absolutely love is how well they work off one another on the stage. It's like they were born to perform together.








Need You Now



When the show was over, I literally was sad that I hadn't gone to the show the night before in Orlando. I wanted more.

And, I was sad because that will probably be the first and last time I get to see them in such a small setting. I truly feel like they're headed to huge venues.

30-Day Blog Challenge - Day 16

*** Don't forget to check out my 400th Post Giveaway!***


Day 16 - Dream House




 
Yes, this is Ernest Hemingway's Key West house. Yes, I want it, lol.
 








Monday, October 25, 2010

30-Day Blog Challenge - Day 15

*** Don't forget to check out my 400th Post Giveaway!***


Day 15 - Bible Verse



Philippians 1:9-11

 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.



I Peter 3:8

Live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble.



Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Weekly Workout Blog (times 2)


Weekly Workout Blog - Week 70


Sunday - Nothing

Monday - 15 mins Elliptical, and 30 mins Treadmill (C25K Week 2, Day 1 plus 10 mins walking)

Tuesday - Curves

Wednesday - Curves, 15 mins Elliptical, and 30 mins Treadmill (C25K Week 2, Day 2 plus 10 mins walking)
Thursday - Nothing
Friday - Curves

Saturday - Lake (walked 3 miles)

Didn't quite finish up Week 2 of the Couch 2 5K, but overall I had a pretty good week!


 
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Weekly Workout Blog - Week 71


Sunday - Nothing

Monday - Curves
Tuesday - Curves, 15 mins Elliptical, and 25 mins Treadmill (C25K Week 2, Day 3)

Wednesday - Curves
Thursday - 15 mins Elliptical, and 30 mins Treadmill (C25K Week 2, Day 3 repeated plus 10 mins walking)


Friday - Nothing
Saturday - I walked around MGM with a stroller and a 23 month old..... does that count for anything?

Again, not everything, but a pretty good week. I decided to repeat Week 2.



Goals for this week:

  • Track ALL food
  • Curves for at least 3 days
  • Couch 2 5K, Week 3
  • Elliptical at least twice

30-Day Blog Challenge - Day 14

*** Don't forget to check out my 400th Post Giveaway!***


Day 14 - A Picture You Love






I posted this a really long time ago, but it's still one of my favorites. It's two of my cousin's children.... Bella and Anthony. It's actually hanging on my wall in my office.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

30-Day Blog Challenge - Day 13

Day 13 - Goals



I'm cheating and linking to recent posts where I stated goals............


Friday, October 22, 2010

30-Day Blog Challenge - Day 12

Day 12-What You Believe



I believe in the Trinity.

I believe that Jesus died for my sins.

I believe in Heaven and Hell.

I believe that God knows the count of hairs on my head, He knows who I will marry, He knows my children's birthdates, He knows every aspect of my life......... past, present, and future.

I also believe that He gave me the free will to choose Him.

There's a lot more to it, but that's the gist :)

Thursday, October 21, 2010

30-Day Blog Challenge - Day 11

Day 11 - Favorite TV Shows



I am addicted to TV. Like, to a ridiculous amount.
 
Here's my weekly schedule......
 
Sunday:
 





Monday:







Tuesday:







Wednesday:





Thursday:






 
*Insert The Mentalist picture*

 




We can't forget The Bachelor/ette, American Idol, and So You Think You Can Dance, lol.

It's a good thing for DVRs.