Christmas 2011: Riddle Me This, Batman....

 Who is cute enough to drive over two hours, roundtrip, to join for breakfast?

Who is cuddly enough to squeeze and love on for as long as she'll let me?

Who has a Mama that I absolutely adore?

This little girl, that's who...... 

December 29th, I headed a bit to the east to meet up with Britt and her super cute, super cuddly daughter Ella. I was excited on multiple levels.... 1) I hadn't seen Britt since her baby shower like 7 months before.... 2) I wanted to snuggle her sweet little baby.... 3) I knew I'd be the first Blogger to meet Ella and it made me happy, lol.... 4) We were eating at Keke's (we missed you, Lil and Justine!!)

I knew she would be and was, but I just loved seeing what a great mommy Britt has become. Also, I adored getting to know Ella.

After a good long chat and a yummy breakfast, it was time for Mommy to get sleepy Ella home. Not before taking some pictures, of course......



Confessions

~ I gave up cookies, cake, and candy for Lent. It's proving to be tougher than I thought it would be, simply because there is still a ton of Valentine's Day candy lying around.

~ I do not drink a ton of coffee. Maybe one cup a day. I usually take it with me to drink as I'm starting my workday. A lot of times, I won't even finish the cup. However, this morning, I filled this baby up and took it with me as though I have a serious problem....

 

~ While I was in Nashville, my brother drove my car. When I got back, he gave me $20 for gas. I took it.... then, I felt like crap for taking money from a college kid.... so, I gave it back a few hours later.

~ Speaking of Nashville, this is what I wore to an event on Friday.... (after I texted this exact photo to about four people to make sure I looked ok before leaving the hotel room)....

~ Also speaking of Nashville, I met a super cute Blogger Baby while I was there. And, of course, his lovely Blogger Mama. However, before I post about that, I feel that I should post about another Blogger Baby that I met, um, back in December.

~ I was in a serious grump mood while watching The Bachelor, last night. The Fantasy Suite thing was grating on my nerves.

~ I get nervous when I think I am using up too much storage on my IPhone. So, yesterday, I created my own private YouTube channel, just so I could upload the videos and get them off my phone. I don't know that I'll even share the videos (of Lydia being cute and various artists singing this weekend), but I just want to have them for safe keeping.

~ I'm devastated that Picnik is closing and have been furiously putting together blog designs that I can use throughout time. The summer one I just finished last night may be obnoxious to ya'll once you see it, but I am in love. I'm almost willing for it to be summer, again (almost.... let's not get too crazy), just so I can use it.

~ Despite their claims, I do not believe for one second that Google+ will be as good as Picnik.

~ Almost every single morning, I walk out of the house without make-up on. I wait until I'm at my desk at work to apply. So, basically, anyone who is there before 9am (or 10am.....or 12pm) sees me looking like a hot mess on a daily basis. Sadly, I'm ok with this.

~ This morning has been seriously unproductive. I'm ok with that, too.

Blissdom Not, but Still Traveling

For the past couple weeks, I have been seeing various bloggers talk about Blissdom. A couple have been getting excited on Twitter.

It wasn't until last night that I found out that Blissdom is being held in Nashville. All these Bloggers are heading to Music City to learn/talk/meet blogs.

Silly me.

I'm also headed to Nashville this week, but for an entirely different conference, lol. A work seminar.... that is supposed to be uh-mazing.... and I'm really excited about it.

So, all you Bloggers out there that will be in Nashville. Hit me up, lol! Just because I'm not "Bliss"ing it doesn't mean we can't meet up!

The Monday Real

Britt and Jess have cleverly changed Messy Mom Monday into The Monday Real! Head over and link up!

Being Real.

That is what this is all about.

So often in life, we put a smile on our face and paint a rosy picture of what life is for us. While it may be the best part of us, it isn't always the most real.

I mean, who wants to tell everyone just how much we're struggling? Better yet, when we look back on our FB pages or our blogs or our Twitter feeds, who wants to necessarily remember just how tough things were?

We, women, we don't like to admit our weaknesses.

A few days ago, one of my friends and coworkers told me that she and her husband were talking about me earlier in the week. She has come from several different markets, some small and a couple very large, so she's seen quite a bit in the business. Apparently, she and her husband were comparing her last Promotions Director to me.....

"Over at W---, she had two stations and an entire support staff. She had a full-time Promotions Asst, plus about 20 part-timers to go out to events. And, she was a MESS. I was telling P that you have four stations and NO help. Yet, you always have your S**T together."

I have my "stuff" together.

As flattered as I was, I started laughing.

Because, I so do not.

Sure, I may pull it off, in the end. I've always been the type that will write a paper about six hours before it's due (overnight) and manage to get an A. Or, the type to do a presentation on the fly and get great remarks. Or, the type that can BS my way through a business meeting.

Basically, I'm really great at pulling things right out of my butt.

It is a great skill to have, but it is stressful. Because, as I am running around like a chicken with its head cut off, trying to keep all the balls in the air, other things suffer.

Like, order.

Like, laundry.

Like, my diet.

Like, exercise.

Like, my overall health.

Like, my personal life.

The fact is, I'm single with no kids. So, it should be easy. I can just hear all the Mommas out there, reading this, and yelling at their computers, "Ha! You think you have problems?! You think you don't have time to sleep or keep order? Just wait until you have a husband and children, girly."

However, the other fact is that I'm currently married to my job and I nurture it like I would a child.

Friday night, the following was posted to my Twitter....

In case anyone is wondering why I am still single, it is 7:30 on a Friday night and I just left work. :/

That, is real, folks.

Thursday Thoughts

~ I am in a serious blogging/commenting funk. I have half written posts in my draft folder. I have a list of posts that I want/need to start. Yet, when I sit down at night to write, I just stare at a blank screen.

~ I never thought I'd enjoy Twitter as much as I do. Had I known how much fun everyone was having, I would have joined earlier, lol.

~ There are several things going on in my head, right now. Just a lot going on. Which I want to get out, but don't really want to put on a public blog.

~ Busy. That is my life, right now. My car hasn't been washed in weeks (which I've been really good about doing since I got the car), all of my spaces are cluttered and dusty, and I am so worn out at the end of the day that I have to force myself to get up early just to work out.

~ I'm being a whining weiner. I know this.

~ Next week is our Radiothon. And, while I'm so excited, I also am unprepared in a lot of ways. I need to shut myself up in my office and refuse to talk to anyone until I get my stuff for this Radiothon together.

~ Next week is also Singles' Awareness Day. Blech.

~ However, I still want to see 'The Vow.' Because despite the fact I get grumpy on Valentine's Day, I actually am a hopeless romantic who loves sappy movies like that.

Show Us Your Single Life

Kelly over at Kelly's Korner is doing her "Show Us Your Life - Singles Version" again.

She has done this several times and as I've done the EH thing (wasn't a fan), I figure this will be the closest thing I'll ever get to internet dating.

So.............................

I'm Jess. Nice to meet you!

No, I am not related to (nor do I actually know) Martina McBride. I just happened to meet her a month ago and liked the picture, lol.

Quick stats:

• 28
• Born and raised in Central Florida
• Promotions Director
• Single, never married

Things you should know:

• I love Jesus. I've always been raised in the church and went to a private, Christian school for 13 years. While I've been a Christian since a small child, I've grown more in my faith in the past two years than ever before. If you ever want to chat about the ways I've grown or what I believe, let me know!

• I *heart* Disney. As a native Central Floridian, I am well-versed in theme parks and I fully fall on the Disney side of things.

• I love my family and my friends. I've been blessed with some great people in my life who keep me grounded and love me for me!!!

• I'm known for being sweet and mild.......... and for being Miss Mary Sunshine. That can be true, but I also can be feisty, with a love of well-placed sarcasm.

• Children are a passion of mine. I eventually want a small herd of my own :)

• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is my absolute favorite. Period.

What I'm looking for:

• A Christian man.
• A guy with a great sense of humor.
• A guy who loves children and wants to be a father, someday.
• Southern gentleman............. or, is at least willing to travel below the Mason-Dixon line so I can visit home :)
• Someone who isn't too serious.......... I love life, but can sometimes be too serious. I need someone that lightens me up, a little, lol.
• And, just because this has come up, recently........... smokers and chewers need not apply, lol.

If you're interested or know someone who you think would be, feel free to leave a comment or email me!