What a great day!!

***** 24 hours left to enter my 300th Post Giveaway!! *****

Today was a great day!

First and most importantly, my brother Trevor had knee surgery. He messed up his knee about three months ago and the surgery was scheduled before his heart problems. They decided that he'd be ok to go through with it, so today it was. Passed with flying colors!! In fact, they said it wasn't as bad as they were thinking from the MRIs, etc. He still needed the surgery, but it was way less invasive, less traumatic, and should have a shorter recovery time!!

Once he does recover, he'll go back to the heart drawing board. They'll do an exploratory surgery to see if they can replicate what his heart originally did. If they can, they'll hopefully be able to pinpoint where the tachycardia is coming from.

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On way more superficial notes...............

The new Vera Bradley patterns came out, today! Our local store made a big to-do about it..... quite fun. I took a long lunch to check them out and walked away with this beauty.....

Lisa B in Slate Bloom

LOVE the new colors. So pretty! What do you think?

Again........ today is the last day to enter my giveaway!

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Big Brother started tonight!!!!

I love this show, to a ridiculous degree. It makes me happy every summer when 13 strangers get locked into a soundstage-turned-house with each other.

I clearly take pleasure in the little things, lol. What small pleasures make your day?

6 months later......

Half a year. That's ridiculous.

Let me start off by explaining where I'm at, at the moment.

I still miss "The Guy." I still miss our friendship. I still wish things were different.

At the same time, I literally pray every single day that that I'll find peace. If TG and I aren't supposed to be in each other's lives, I'd like the desire to not be there and to be at peace with it. If we are, I want to be at peace with whatever capacity that entails.

Basically, I'm throwing my hands up and saying, "Jesus, take the wheel."

I've been saying that for a while.

You know how you had to run a mile in PE? Some people finished quickly.......... me, I took forever. I kept running, but it would take me twice as long to finish.

I'm running a mile, folks. Some people would have already finished, gone back to the locker room, showered, changed, and headed to lunch. I'm not. I'm still trudging along.

And, I'm ok with that. Because, I'm learning a lot and growing. I'm getting to a place where I feel comfortable, again. Where I'm starting to picture a blank face in my dreams of my future life and not his face. Where I'm not automatically reaching for the phone when something happens that I'd have shared with him. Where I start to think about my unknown future with a slight excited wonder, instead of a sad fear.

My endurance is better. I promise.

So much so that when TG contacted me in a show of support during the initial situation with my brother, I did get sappy for a little bit, but it quickly passed. I also got slightly annoyed............ It took my brother having heart problems before you can talk to me like a normal person?!

After that short exchange and show of heart, a month passed.

I even wondered to myself, "Well, I guess our once a month brief window of contact isn't going to happen. I guess that's ok. We're both moving on, for real."

Only, I mentioned on my Facebook that I was going to see Eclipse at midnight. And, he promptly replied with a smartass remark that alluded to an ongoing debate we've had for the past 4 years.

Again, I was both amused and annoyed. In fact, I said to my friend Billie Jo as we were sitting in the theater waiting for the movie to start, "How dare he?! Why does he do that? He can't just sit silent and then pretend like the past six months haven't happened! That's an inside joke between two best friends!! We aren't even friends, anymore!"

Then, I was done and decided to put it out of my mind.

On the 4th of July, he chatted me up on FB. We chatted for 30 minutes. About random stuff. I didn't ask him anything and I didn't volunteer any information about myself. He led the conversation........ mostly ridiculous chit-chat, with a few sides of being real and letting me in. Nothing too major, but like any conversation we would have had before.

You know, six months ago when we talked all the time.

Again, when the conversation ended, I felt a mixture of amusement, annoyance, relief, confusion, frustration, anger, etc. Mainly, I just didn't want to get too excited.

Because, it may not happen, again.

Even if it does, it doesn't necessarily mean a whole lot.

Because, I still need to keep my nose to the grindstone and move on.

Then, we got into a short debate on our friend's FB page.

While the above three instances really aren't a lot and aren't a whole lot to get excited about, they came in such quick succession that it left me wondering, "So, are we supposed to be friends, again? Is my punishment up? Did you decide that it's been long enough and we can go back to normal? Why ignore me for six months and then decide to start talking? Really.... what gives?"

Again, may just be a short set of flukes.

May not hear from him for another month..... or two.... or not at all.

I'll learn to be ok with that. I'll be ok with that.

If it's not, I still need to keep looking forward.... keep my nose to the grindstone.... move on.

Still slightly confused, though. And, a little perturbed.

A few days went by and one of my best friends brought him up. She'd noticed the FB action. I also mentioned to her about our conversation.

"He seems to be slowly making his way back into the picture. Or not. I can't really tell."

Her response......... "He doesn't need to be in the picture. You're better without him and if he inches his way back in, you'll be less likely to find someone new and from a relationship standpoint, that ship has sailed. You need closure and to move on."

To which I responded............... "Closure would be nice if I were to ever able to get any. But, I didn't. I got silence. Which answered one question, but none of the others."

Our conversation continued, but it ended up really pissing me off.

Because........ I know I need to move on. I get that. I'm working on it. I don't need to be told that.

And, I've made good progress. No, I'm not to the finish line, but I'm way farther along than I was a month ago or two months ago or three months ago.

Thankfully, I was able to get my cousin Heidi on the phone and she spent a while reminding me of all the ways I've grown. And, she helped me realize that one person's opinion (though, I do value that person and their opinion) is just one person's opinion. And, that no one.... not me, not Heidi, and not my other friend.... knows what's in store for me. Only God has those answers. And, that the way I'm going about it is the right and healthy way for me.

And, as much as she wants me to get over it and move on, she also admitted that I have plenty of reason to be confused and not quite over it.

Because, six months later, he's still pulling at the strings he knows he can pull.

The one where my mom reads my blog......

**** Don't forget to check out my 300th Post Giveaway!!****

When I first started this blog, very few people in my life knew about it. I told a couple friends that I don't see often and my cousin Heidi. That's about it. That's basically how it's stayed.

It's not that I really had anything to hide. It was just that it started as a bit of a scrapbook, plus as a way for some of my dear (but far away) friends to keep up with what's going on. People in my everyday life already know what's going on. I live with my family, so they already know what's going on, too.

And, let's face it, it's sometimes a little easier to be more open when the people you see everyday aren't reading. You don't have to "nice it up" as much. Or, sometimes, tell things to a computer screen that you haven't yet said outloud...... fears, hopes, struggles, etc. Sometimes, it's easier to write it out so that you can figure it out. My family and close friends eventually will know it, too, it's just that sometimes my blog finds it out first, because I haven't yet figured it out.

Then, my mom found out I had a blog. I didn't give her the address, because well, I was trying to keep it just mine for a little while longer.

Momma apparently G**gled.

Last week, we were chatting and she made some passing comment about something I said on my blog.

"Huh?"

"Your blog."

"Since when do you read my blog?"

This led to a series of rapid-fire questions...................

"What have you read?"

"Why didn't you tell me that you were reading?"

"How did you find it?"

"What have you read?"

The answers.................

"Only a couple posts."

"Well........ you knew I knew you had one."

"G**gle."

"Only a couple posts."

I'll admit, I was mentally trying to remember everything I've written in the past couple months.

Then, she added, "I like it. You're a good writer."

"Um, ok."

"I don't want you to ever NOT saying something just because I might be reading."

"I'll try."

"I won't read if you don't want me to."

"It's ok.".....................

I don't really mind. I don't think.

Like I said, I don't have anything to hide.

It's just a weird feeling to know that it's not just mine, anymore.

Has anyone else ever gone through this? How did your "blog experience" change, if it did at all?

And, Mom..... if you're reading this........ my blog still isn't public knowledge. So, please don't mention it to your friends or mine. I'm not THAT ready to share all, lol.

Oh, and I love you!!

The Last Rodeo

***Don't forget to enter my 300th Post Giveaway***

Regardless of whether or not you listen to Country music, odds are that you've heard of Brooks & Dunn. They're kind of up there with Willie Nelson, Reba, George Strait, and Garth Brooks.

If you haven't ever heard of them, then climb out from under the rock and head to the nearest music store. Because, as of Sept 2nd, seeing them in concert won't be an option. Because, they're retiring and are currently on their farewell tour.......... you know, until they decide to go on a reunion tour.

On June 11, 2010, B&D made their last stop in the Center of the Sunshine State. I, of course, made sure I was there, lol.

Jason Aldean was opening for them. Let it be known that I LOVE Jason Aldean. Even more than B&D. Are you noticing a trend, so far, this summer? I am enjoying the opening acts better than the headliners.

Also let it be known that Jason Aldean is the reason it took me almost a month to get this posted. It took this long to get the pictures on his website (many times, they won't let you use your own camera).

Me with Jason Aldean

In between the first opening act and Jason Aldean (the first guy is someone I'll leave unnamed...... I personally think he's a joke), my friends and I met up. We toasted, chatted, and chilled until it was time for Jason's act.

M and I

LA and I

G and I

Yay for Jason!!!

"Why does it always have to come down to you leaving, before I'll say I love you? Why do I always use the words that cut the deepest when I know how much it hurts you? Oh, baby, why do I do that to you?"

"Whoah, whoah... throw your suitcase in the back. Whoah, whoah... done gassed up the Pontiac. Whoah, whoah.... blasting out to JOHNNY CASH! Headin' for the highway, baby we ain't ever comin back!!"

Part of the miniature museum they had set up full of B&D relics......

J and I

Me.......... with Brooks & Dunn

After the Meet and Greet, I headed to find my parents. I took a picture with my mom, but she didn't like any of the pictures and made me swear not to post them anywhere.

Jeff and I

Some random couple that I don't know...... the guy saw me taking pictures and wanted me to take one of them....... even though I don't know them and have no way to give them their picture.

My friend Ash and I

Time for the Last Rodeo...........

J and I

J with our impromtu bodyguard............ there were no chairs where our seats were supposed to be. Which left us standing for the majority of the show. Which made us enemies of the people behind us, because we couldn't sit during slow songs. They were mad. However, it wasn't our fault........ and neither us nor the venue wanted us to sit on the ground like some "nice" man "suggested" we do. So, this guy basically stood next to us and defended us everytime someone started yelling at us. Eventually, they brought us chairs.

"Only In America"...... I teared up when the military men came out.

Red, White, and Blue Streamers!!!!!

Some Rambling and Monday Minute

*** Don't forget to check out my 300th Post Giveaway ***

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July!! We did! Our local minor league baseball team had a big to-do. My family, along with a couple of friends, went to the tailend of the game. Then, they had entertainment and fireworks. It rained... the whole time. My family left and I hung out with my friends.Iit was fine until the fireworks started. Then, we became like little kids and HAD to stand out in the rain to see them. Amazing. They were seriously some of the best fireworks. With the exception of Washington DC (which I've had to the fortune to see twice) and Disney World, they were the best.

"The Guy" seems to be slowly making his way back into the picture. Or not. I really can't tell. More on that later.

And, now it's time for Ian's Monday Minute (the picture is also a link, fyi).........

Who of all your blog friends would you like to meet and/or who have you met?

I have been so blessed to meet Brittany, Lil Woman, and Justine in person, twice! Typing this makes me realize that I never posted my recap of our Bloggy Weekend. This is partly my fault and partly Bloggers..... it kept screwing up and I just lost motivtion. I may one day finish it and post it, purely for fun.

I also am dying to meet Marianne. She is trying to work a Florida vacation into her INSANE schedule, at which point we'll be able to meet. You know how they say that everyone has a twin out in the world? Well, we look nothing alike, but we seriously ponder if we were separated at birth. We are eerily similar. Although, she's way funnier than me.

Gina/aka my Yoda - I would love to meet this woman in person and hug her neck. She's awesome.

Melissa - She has such a neat story. The story of how she and her husband got together is something movies are made of.

Paige - She was my swap buddy and we got along so well. We sent each other ornaments that represented where we were from. I'd love to head to her state and see all the things she loves about it!!

Mrs. Potts - She was my giveaway winner a while back and since then, I've loved reading about her travels. She and her husband are probably the BEST aunt and uncle two lucky kids could ever ask for.

I am probably forgetting someone (or half a dozen). However, there are SO many other people that I would love to meet!! Basically, anyone that I read or that reads me!! Any Blogger would be great to meet!

Consider this your directive......... if you are ever in Central Florida, let me know!!! Tampa or Orlando are just a hop, skip, and a jump from me! I'd gladly come meet for a cup of coffee or just a quick hello!

What kind of vehicle(s) do you drive?

I drive a 2002 Hyundai Accent. My family calls it "The Go-Kart" but I like it, lol.

What kind of cell phone do you have?

An EnV3 (Verizon)

What's the most annoying thing you wish bloggers would stop doing?

I'm sure there are things, but I can't think of any at the moment. Basically, if you do something that REALLY annoys me, I just won't read your blog. Harsh, maybe, but the truth.

What's the one thing that you still have on your bucket list to do before the year is out?

I'd like to lose 30 lbs before the year is up. More would be nice, but I'm trying to be realistic.

I want to get out of Florida for a couple days, at least. I used to travel all the time, but this thing called work is making bimonthly travel a little problematic.

Read the stack of books that I have piled up. There are about 6 books that I've collected and intend to read.

Happy 4th of July Sunday!!!!

Apparently, I'm all about hodge podge posts! Don't forget to check out my 300th post giveaway!

First of all...........

I hope your day is filled with foreworks, yummy food, and a love for this great country!!!

Next up...........

Keely's GTKYS!

The questions..

1. What do you look forward to the most on the 4th of July?

FIREWORKS!!! I love them!

This year, I also looked forward to eating whatever I want. I've been SUPER strict about my diet and how many calories I eat everyday. I promised myself that I could eat whatever I wanted and not count calories on July 4th, lol.

2. Are you a hugger?

Yes, but I probably don't come across that way.

3. What is your favorite BBQ'd food?

Ribs and Pulled Pork......... YUM!!!

4. Do you like to watch parades?

I do! I like being in them, too, lol.

Funny thing about the South (or, at least Florida)......... we don't tend to have parades in the summer. Whereas I see that lots of people attend 4th of July parades, we don't have them. Usually, because it's too hot and/or too rainy. Our parades take place in the winter.

5. Who has stinkier farts..boys or girls?

Boys.

6. Vampires or Werewolves?

I like them both, lol.

7. Do you read your horoscope?

Sometimes, but just for fun, lol.

8. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

 

Vanilla....... Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.... Banana Split

 

 

..... Because I'm in a mood to do them, lol............

 

 

Lauren's Fill in the Blanks

 

1. This weekend for The 4th of July I'll be hanging out and not working! Yesterday was kind of a bum-around day. Today, we went to church and out to lunch. We'll cookout later and if it's not raining, go see the fireworks display.

2. Fireworks are completely AWESOME! I love them. I hated them when I was little...... in fact, until I was about 10, I would watch them from inside. They were always pretty to me, but they were loud and I was afraid one would land on me and I'd catch on fire (I've always been overly cautious, lol).

3. Nothing says summer like ice cream, baseball games, watermelon, Kenny Chesney, So You Think You Can Dance, Big Brother, Panera's Strawberry Poppyseed with Chicken salad, heat, humidity, BIG rain storms, boiled peanuts on the side of the road, heat, humidity, and so much more.

4. My favorite summer memory is visiting my family in Colorado, going to LA with my friends, and cheerleading camp.

5. My favorite thing about summer is everything in the #3 answer, except for the heat and humidity, lol.

6. Summer in a word is LAZY (and I love it!).

7. If I could choose to have summer or winter year round I'd pick winter. While I like summer, I definitely prefer when it's not so hot and humid.

 

 

Mama M's 5QF

 

1. What is one thing you miss the most about childhood?

Summers off, lol. I really miss that.

I also miss having my best friends around me all the time..... slumber parties, movie nights, lunch at school, cheerleading..... they were with me all the time.

2. Are you still friends with your friends from high school?

I am! They are the friends I'm talking about.

I have awesome friends, in general, but they don't quite know me like my friends from high school do. We're all trying to reconnect, though......... after 4 of us got together in June, we're going to try to establish a bimonthly meeting. July 22nd is our next!

3. Is there a catch phrase, cliche, or word that just drives you bonkers every time you hear it?

D-bag......... I hate that word. People use it all the time and it drives me crazy.

I also hate it when people say, "You deserve better" or "It's his loss." I understand the sentiment and that they are trying to make you feel better. However, I always want to be like, "Well, if I deserve better than why don't I get to choose whether or not we are together? Why does HE get to choose?  And, while it may be his loss, it's MY loss, too."

4. What is one thing that you think symbolizes America...besides "Old Glory"?

The Statue of Liberty........ I feel like it's a guard, making sure that everyone that comes to our country knows who we are and what we stand for.

5. What are your 4th of July weekend plans?

 

See above, lol

 

 

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Weekly Workout Blog - Week 56

Sunday - 15 mins Elliptical and 45 mins Treadmill

Monday - Curves

Tuesday - Curves

Wednesday - Curves

Thursday - 15 mins Elliptical and 50 mins Treadmill

Friday - Curves

Saturday - 20 mins Elliptical and 50 mins Treadmill

GO ME!!!!!! As I also worked out Friday and Saturday of last week, I worked out 9 days in a row. I don't plan on making it a habit (neither healthy all the time nor very practical)..... It was just something that hit me and I went for it. I AM taking today and probably tomorrow off, though.

Goals for this upcoming week:

• Track ALL food
• Curves at least 3 times (this is in line with a Challenge they're having at the gym)
• Treadmill/Walk at least twice
• Elliptical at least once

Bonus points if.....

• I make it to a Zumba class.
• I do pilates.

300th Post: A Complete Hodge Podge

It's my 300th.....300th!!!!.... post.

For some unknown reason, I felt enormous pressure, lol. I knew I wanted to do a giveaway, but didn't want it to be all about a giveaway.

I had plenty to say, but didn't know if it should be it.

Then, I thought, "Heck, why not say it all at one time?" So, my 300th is a mishmash of just about everything (with a giveaway at the end).........

1) I was going to post this, yesterday, but wanted to refrain in respect to the Day of Silence for Cohen. I don't know Megan...... I'd never even been to her blog until yesterday. However, SO many of my favorite blogs have been praying for that family. I can't imagine what they are going through, right now. It's so sad and my prayers are with them.

2) Do you know how there are times when you are hungry, but you don't know what you want to eat? You look through the refrigerator and pantries, but NOTHING sounds like this mysterious craving? Well, that's how I was feeling about life, a couple days ago. I was feeling this overwhelming feeling of discontentment, frustration, and overall weirdness that I couldn't put a finger on. Thankfully, it only lasted about a day.


3) So You Think You Can Dance is alive and kicking this summer. I was unsure how I'd like having All Stars, but I've been enjoying it!! I do like seeing my favorites from previous seasons and I think it's adding something really fresh to the show.

Plus............. seriously............ Twitch and Alex...........

No copyright infringement intended...... Property of SYTYCD and Dick Clark Productions.


3) Apparently, my mom reads my blog. More on that later, lol.


4) Big Brother starts next week!!!!! I'm so stinkin excited!!!!!!!


5) I saw Eclipse at midnight on Wednesday. Out of our 18 theaters, 14 were playing it and were all sold out, lol. I believe this is going to be a tradition.


Billie Jo and Jenn modeling their Jacob/Edward shirts

Anyway, I still hate Kristen Stewart as Bella. Worst choice ever. However, I REALLY liked the movie. Even better than the first, two!

6) Giveaway! Thanks to everyone who reads, comments, and comes to my little corner of the worldwide web! I've met so many awesome people and have been blessed to call them friends.

For my 300th post giveaway, I couldn't decide what to give away. This will only be my 3rd giveaway and the other two had some sort of theme. Well, yesterday a coworker and I went out to lunch. Then, we into our local store that sells Vera Bradley. There were SO many things I wanted, but couldn't decide. Also, I knew that the new colors and styles are coming out next week.

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



All in One Wristlet

Brush and Pencil

Medium Cosmetic Bag

You get to choose! I have all three of these styles and love them! I literally use them every single day. In fact, the Wristlet and Brush and Pencil fit neatly into my purse. The Wristlet is obviously used as a wallet, but I use the Brush and Pencil as an "essentials" keeper. It holds my lady items, extra ponytail holders, bobbypins, and my everyday jewelry. SUPER convenient!!

Anyway, the winner will get to choose one of the above three styles, in the color of their choice. I have different colors for every Vera item I own, lol.

As an added bonus, the winner will receive a $25 Gift Card to Panera........ because, I'm obsessed with their Strawberry Poppyseed with Chicken Salad and I want to share the love, lol.

Here's how you enter:

1) Leave a comment! - 1 entry

2) Become a follower (or already be one!) and let me know - 1 entry

3) Go to verabradley.com and tell me what item/color you'd love to have - 2 entries

4) Post about this giveaway on your own blog and leave me the link to check it (and your blog!) out - 2 entries


*** A total of 6 possible entries!! ***


The entry period begins NOW! The entry period ends next Friday, July 9th at 11:59pm est.

I will announce a winner sometime on Saturday, July 10th!