Childhood Memories

A few weeks ago I was scrounging around in Raymond's bag for some chap stick [gotta keep those lips pretty in this "winter" weather], and while I was smearing it on, I was immediately taken back to my childhood. Something about the classic cherry chap stick takes me back, and makes my heart so happy.

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While walking down nostalgia lane, I got to thinking about all of the other random things that send my heart and mind sailing back to my childhood. I'm not sure why these specific things stand out to me, but they must have played some sort of important roll in my life because they all bring back happy memories.

• Wind Breakers- These were something that we wore growing up and I suppose *fingers crossed* that they were really cool.
• Cassette Tapes- I find it so odd that our parents lived without computers. One day we will be telling our children that we lived for some time without IPods, or even CDs! The cassette tape is where it was at! [I specifically remember listening to Lyle Lovett over and over again with my dad on long drives]
• Caramel Apple Pops- These suckers were one of my favorite growing up!

• Tyson Chicken Nuggets- I feel like we ate these at least once a week for dinner with Kraft macaroni and cheese.
• Christmas Music- Christmas was, and still is my favorite holiday and time of year. My house was always filled with so much joy and happiness, especially around this time of year so any time I hear Christmas music I think back to my and my mama decorating the tree together with white lights and pearls. Something I'll never forget. [Still one of my all time favorite holiday albums.]

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What takes you back to your childhood?

Worry Wart

Is it odd that I worry about my dog as if he were a human?

I was looking through photos the other night and came across this one [one of my absolute favorites] and immediately my heart sunk.

This day Raymond and I had taken Guero to the nearby pond to run around and do a little fishing. When we were leaving, Raymond put him in the bed of the truck and I immediately freaked out. There was no way that my crazy 4 month old puppy was going to ride back there without jumping out! Raymond basically told me to chill the heck out and get over it, that's what dogs do. I knew that. I mean hello, I've seen hundreds of dogs riding down busy roads with 60 mph limits. But my Guero? In the bed of a truck where I can't get to him if he needs me, going 20 mph for about 3 minutes... that wasn't gonna fly with me!

Sure enough he loved the ride... and I obviously got the best photos of him to date. Is it just me that is like this or are there any other crazy fur mamas out there that freak out when their babies are in "dangerous" situations?? I just don't know what'd I'd do if anything happened to this adorable face...

Just A Little Time

Hi friends, it's me, Sam! You know... the author of this ol' blog here. I'm just making sure y'all still remember me seeing that I was gone for a long week without any word of where or why!

After receiving crappy news at my last doctor's appointment, I kind of put everything on hold. Don't worry, I'm not dying or anything-- and in time, everything will be just fine. The waiting is going to be the hard part.

I've said it before, but I'm going to say it again... life has been nuts. Stressful, overwhelming, fun, difficult, trying, happy, not so happy... you name it, life lately has been it! With the good comes the bad and I'm slowly accepting that.

Here's a little bit of the GOOD stuff that went on while I was away...

 Last minute Halloween costumes for a Halloween Hootenanny at the Hart's Home!

 Fun shenanigans with great friends! We stayed up until FIVE am.. I don't even know who I am!

Family foot portrait, stuck together pretzels, snuggles, a milkshake for a bad day, football watching in pajamas.

See? Not every day is a rainy one over here! Sometimes we all just need a little time to ourselves to let everything settle and calm down. I'm glad to be back, though!

Take A Look at Yourself

Have you ever been told you were snotty? No? Me either... Okay, that was a lie.

Last month, I wrote this post about choices and being happy. I truly feel like I have made a change in my life [especially within the last few months] to be a happier, more positive person.

While sharing my struggles with you all lately, I've received many comments and emails from you all with kind words of my positive attitude throughout such difficult times. Really, the comments mean everything to me. They are uplifting, comforting, and make my day that much better. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, friends!

While making such wonderful changes within myself, I have to admit-- I am still me. Choosing to be happy and positive doesn't mean you change yourself, just your outlook on life. Another thing I must admit? If you don't know me very well, you may mistake my boldness for rudeness. Insert me being told I'm snotty:

To make a long story short[ish], last week at work one of my managers had asked another manager to speak with me about the way I talk to her, and that it was very snotty and I basically yelled at her when I spoke to her, all the time.

I was standing 3 feet from her when she said all of this. My initial reaction was disbelief, and then anger. As I have gotten older, I have learned and now pride myself on holding my tongue and being professional. I couldn't hold my tongue this time. I looked right at her and said very calmly, "I don't yell at you, and I'm sorry if you take it that way", and I walked away. I replayed the situation in my head for the next few hours. I was right- she was wrong. Plain and simple.

As the days went by, I realized that while maybe she is a sensitive person, maybe I too am a little much to handle to somebody that doesn't know me well.

Since that moment that I looked her in the eyes and said what I said, she has been extremely nice to me. I mean a little over the top nice. While it is a bit annoying, I think she realized that I wasn't trying to be rude to her and is just trying to show that she wasn't trying to be rude either.

The entire point of me telling y'all this, is because I think we all need to take a step back every now and then and look at ourselves. We all get comfortable with who we are and we stop trying to improve. Nobody will ever be perfect and there is always room for improvement. Realize that everyone takes things differently.

Be Kind.

Starving...

... for the Lord that is.

With life so crazy lately, I haven't found enough time to spend with God. Not time to do anything out of the ordinary, just time to talk to him. [Reading back over this-- what an awful excuse that is. What I should have said is that I haven't made the time.]

We all do it. Life gets busy, hectic, and stressful and we become way too busy worrying about what we're going to do about situation this or that. When all we really need to do is just let it go. A few weeks ago I met with a small group of ladies that I am going to be joining consistently for a book study. One of the girls mentioned [that girl is Ruthie... yes of The Chronicles of Ruthie Hart, and yes, I know her in real life] something that keeps surfacing to the front of my mind. She said something along the lines of "...take that list of difficulties, frustrations, etc., crumple it up, and give it to God." How true is that? When you can't handle anymore, He is there to take over!

Like I said before, my life lately has been all of the above. Today I sit here writing this post and can't help but notice that I am starving, craving, and begging for the Lord to come into my life. I wish I could sit peacefully in my room all day, just talking to him.

Unfortunately we have bills to pay, work to be done, and a home to clean. Fortunately beginning in November, our small group will be reading and discussing Esther- It's Tough Being a Woman by Beth Moore.

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Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman by Beth Moore provides a personal study experience five days a week plus viewer guides for the group video sessions of this in-depth women's Bible study of Esther - a profile in courage. Join Beth in a very personal examination of this great story of threat and deliverance as she peels back the layers of history and shows how very contemporary and applicable the story of Esther is to our lives today. If you've ever felt inadequate, threatened, or pushed into situations that seemed overpowering, this is the Bible study for you. Just as it was tough being a woman in Esther's day, it's tough today. This portion of God's Word contains treasures to aid us in our hurried, harried, and pressured lives.

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I'm not sure what this book has in store for me. I don't know that it is exactly what my life is craving right now. I do have faith that it will speak to me, and am praying that it moves me the way it has others. Whatever it may be that it does to me, I know my life will only be brightened by studying the words of God and I am so excited to start this journey with and learn from some amazing God-fearing women!

Life Updates

Hi friends! The past couple of weeks, I feel like I have been so out of touch with blog world. Sure, y'all still have three weekly posts to read from me, but what you don't see is the behind the scenes of it all-- and to be honest, there really isn't much to see. I have been quickly typing up a post, or publishing drafts I've had saved for a rainy day when my brain just isn't working [happens a little too often].

On top of my surgery a few months ago, Raymond ended up getting a horrible toothache followed by a miserable sinus infection the next week. His toothache kept him from eating for 2 days and from working for 5. Needless to say, we've felt like we're in the middle of a hurricane these days! Saturday was my first day off in 12 days, and about half of those days we're spent working 12+ hours. I have been busting my butt at work to try and help make up for all of the time we've been missing due to our ailments.

Life lately has been a whirlwind. Physically, mentally, and emotionally, life has been hectic, busy, and as I mentioned before, a little trying at times. No worries though, things are finally starting to fall back into place [slowly, but surely] and eventually I'll be able to spend more time chatting with you lovelies again.

Other than working like a dog, things around these parts haven't been all bad. A couple of updates are definitely in store if you're a nosy blog reader like me and like to know everything about the author...

+ With an entire weekend of free time, I decided that it was going to be spent doing nothing productive. My plan was to sleep in, nap, rest, spend a little time watching trashy television, snuggling with Guero, and hopefully convincing Raymond to give me a foot/back rub.

+ Saturday we watched the Red River Rivalry and let's just say it didn't go so well for us Longhorns. That's as far as I want to get into it! Dinner out with my honey at our favorite hole in the wall, and then drinks and pumpkin carving at my best friend's house made for a perfect Saturday night.

+ We have a Halloween party to attend next Friday and are seriously struggling to come up with costume ideas. Last year we were white trash bikers but are at a loss for something fun. Anyone have any good ideas or past costumes to share? Please do so!

+ I know I said that I wasn't going to do anything productive, but Sunday morning I woke up and cleaned the heck out of our apartment. Bathroom, kitchen, living room, vacuuming  scrubbing, dishes, laundry-- you name it, I did it. We had friend's coming over for the Cowboy's game [again- let's not talk about this game either], and not having time to really clean in weeks took it's toll and I couldn't bare to have people see our dump of a home.

+ While carving pumpkins Saturday night, my friend Amanda and I were discussing how we wanted to save the seeds so we could roast them and have them to snack on, when we got the weirdest looks from Raymond and our other friends. I know blog world is crazy about all things pumpkin, so I have to ask-- does roasting pumpkin seeds sound foreign to y'all or are my friends the crazy ones? I thought this was something everyone knew about!

+ Today marks week three of four that I was told to wait by the specialist for my wound to heal. He said it would take a lot of patience but if there is no progress within four weeks, another surgery will be in store for me. Well, unfortunately for me, it seems as though things aren't getting any better or closer to healing. To be honest, I'm ready to just have surgery again and hopefully get things moving. I'm tired of being cautious and uncomfortable and this past week, things are getting a little painful. I'm just over and done with being patient!

+ Guero is getting his chi-chis chopped off next Monday and I'm a bit nervous. I don't know if I should stay home with him for a few days or are we okay to go to work as normal? This may sound weird-- but Guero is unlike any animal we've ever come across and he is just, different [in a good way] and I just have weird feelings that he's going to have a difficult time with this. Anyone have any tips or advice on neutering?

+ Fall weather still hasn't graced us yet here in Austin. I'm constantly wearing my Christmas pajamas and socks and burning my fall candles, but it just isn't enough to make up for the heat.

+ I have had a few readers email me in regards to my I Am The Girl posts [edition one and two]. I am SO thrilled that y'all love them and the idea of them so much so that you want to do them as well! I have created a button that I would really appreciate you add to any IATG posts you decide to write. I believe we all deserve credit where credit is due! I am even considering making it a monthly link-up... would you guys be interested in participating?

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I wish I had more fun, awesome events to share with y'all, but when life is hectic, social life takes a back seat. Sometimes it's okay to be boring, though!

What's going on in your neck of the woods? Fill me in, friends!

Foodie Friday: Chocolate Coconut Brownie Bites

These little gems come courtesy from about a year ago when I was doing a vegan cleanse. About a week into the cleanse, I found myself consumed with a crazy craving for something, anything sweet and comforting. With a little search around Google, I stumbled across the recipe [can't remember where I found the original] for brownie bites and never turned back! After a couple of tweaks, I ended up with these delish chocolate coconut brownie bites. Try to control yourselves with 24 of these babies in your face!

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Chocolate Coconut Brownie Bites

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

Yields: 24 mini bites

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup + 2 T buckwheat flower
• 1/2 cup + 2 T brown rice flower
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup agave nectar
• 1/2 cup apple sauce
• 1/4 cup coconut oil 
• 1/8 t baking soda
• 1/2 t salt
• 1 t vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks

Directions:

Mix all dry ingredients together and set aside. Mix all wet ingredients together, and then combine with dry. Using a spoon (or ice cream scoop), dollop batter into mini cup cake liners. Cook for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from pan and let cool slightly. Enjoy!

[Tip: I smeared a little almond butter on them while still warm and they were oh so amazing!]

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I Am The Girl [Edition 2]

Last month I wrote am I Am The Girl post to give y'all a little more insight as to who I am-- you can view that post here. I've been thinking that it would be a good idea to keep the posts going every so often so that new [and old] readers can continue to learn new things about the author behind this ol' blog!

I Am The Girl That...

is newly addicted to Sex and The City

dwells too much on what others around me are doing

has finally decided to make things happen for myself

has the most handsome puppy around

may be just a little biased

doesn't pamper myself enough

is starving for the Lord

and has officially joined my first small group

loves meeting new friends

doesn't see enough live music

is ready for the fall weather to finally be here [and stay for a while]

will wear Christmas pajamas year round
needs good book recommendations

found my dream engagement ring [it's only $14k]

is learning to find the positive in everything

can't wait to move into a house and out of an apartment
wants to make Christmas cards with my boyfriend and puppy this year

is ready for Halloween/Thanksgiving/Christmas parties

needs a real vacation [seriously, I haven't had one since 2007]

laughs at all of my own jokes because they really are hysterical

while other people just laugh at me

has some of the best friends ever

& as usual

I am the girl that is still so thankful that you're here reading this blog & appreciate all of the kind words you all leave me on a daily basis!

Now it's your turn! What kind of girl [or guy] are you??

Who Cares

Happy Monday, friends! Most of the time Mondays are something we all dread, but I am in a chipper mood simply for the fact that I am spending the entire day (11 hours!) with these guys:

Sure, it has only been a week since I've seen them, but boy did I miss them!

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A few weeks ago, Julie posted a link on Twitter stating 32 Things We Should Stop Caring About and after reading the list, I couldn't agree with it more. Below are a couple of the things that I am going to be working on to stop caring about, and my thoughts in bold. In the end, all that matters is the family and friends we hold dear and nothing else! (You can View the entire list here.)

What the people you don't like post on their Facebook status (why are you even still friends with them?)  There are a few "grown" women on my Facebook that I don't even talk to, or know through somebody else and they post the most annoying and immature things that get on my nerves, but I can never remember to just delete them!

The opinions of people who a) will never like you and b) have absolutely no bearing on your life. This is why we have our own friends and family. Not everyone is going to like ya.

Whether or not you look as good as some random, well-dressed stranger on the subway. God made us all different for a reason.

Whether people you know are getting married, having children, or making big life changes when it either hasn't happened to you yet or you don't want it to happen at all. This is probably my biggest worry. Everyone around me is getting married/buying houses/having babies and I'm not. Commence complex.

Hitting your life milestones at the "right" moments. This goes with the above. I need to remember that I am only 23 and my time will come, too.

The fact that friends are going to make harmless decisions that we wouldn't necessarily make for ourselves. (They are there for your love and companionship, not another parent.) I am an extremely matronly person and just want the best for everyone. Well, the best for me isn't what's best for all of us.

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And these two are a few I don't really care about but thought were just too funny to not share:

When someone looks at the food you're eating and comments on how it isn't good for you. (That is why I ordered chili fries, bitch pass me the ranch dressing). Mmm... chili fries!

Trying to convince your friends/acquaintances to start watching Breaking Bad. If they're not going to do it, it's their loss, dude. This series has been recommended to me numerous times. Maybe I should really start watching it?

Do any of the items in the list make you worry??

Foodie Friday: Oatmeal Cookies

With an anniversary dedication and being so busy last Friday, it's been a few weeks since we last had a Foodie Friday post. Fear not, though, I have a great treat to share with y'all today! Nothing will ever compare to my love for a Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pie, but when looking for something on the healthier side, these cookies do the trick!

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Healthy Banana Oatmeal Cookies

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

Yields: 12-15 cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup raw walnut pieces
• 1/4 cup raw almond slivers
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup skim milk
• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions:

Combine and stir all ingredients together, until mixed well. Roll into ball in hand. (yes, this will be a sticky mess) and flatten on greased cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool slightly before removing from pan. Enjoy!

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He Is Real

The past few months have been trying for me [and my honey]. In June, the boys started school. This meant that my hours were sliced in more than just half. They went from 45 to 20. While I knew this was coming, I had no luck finding another job.

With no other choice, my sweet, amazingly wonderful boyfriend said that he would take care of me for the two months that the kiddos were in their summer program for, and I would find a job by then. Well, those two months have come and gone.

August rolled around, I had been on a few interviews, and unfortunately the cards were never dealt in my favor. Luckily, I had four weeks that the boys were out of school, and was able to bump back up to full time.

-Week one, I needed to have surgery

-Week two, I had a blow out and had to buy new tires [goodbye $400 for TWO tires]

-Week three, playing catch up from the previous 2.5 months

-Week four, still playing catch up and our Labor Day trip [$$$]

Other miscellaneous issues included having my wound reopen and having to drive back and fourth over an hour to the hospital where I had surgery, registrations and inspections went out on both vehicles, and a plethora of other expensive curve balls that life throws at us all. Raymond was out of work last week with a toothache, rent is due this week, and I just dropped almost $100 at the Vet.

There I sat, upset, sad, confused, angry and asking why? Why can't I find a job? Why can't we finally just be comfortable? When will the struggle stop? After many days and nights of silent prayers, an entire day filled with back-to-back annoyances and issues for Raymond, I lost it.

Right now I'm feeling like things can't get worse. Now, I know they always could, but everything is so overwhelming right now. I'm ready for things to get back to normal and to finally stop struggling.

These are the times that I really am thankful that I decided to explore my faith and see what was out there. Nothing can overcome His power. He has a plan. He is good. He is real.

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

With a Cherry on Top

The restaurant that I work for is in the running for North America's Best Sports Bar. Pretty pretty please with a cherry and sprinkles on top vote for us, friends! It takes .2 seconds and you can vote as many times as you want!

Click the link below, select Plucker's Wing Bar and click vote. Simple as that!

Vote For Pluckers Here

Thanks, Friends!

Foodie Friday: Chocolate Chip Reeses Blondies

If you're in the market for a big, fluffy chocolate chip cookie bar, you're in luck! I made these blondies a while back before I really knew what blondies were. To be honest, I still don't really know. I'm chalking them up to something like a chocolate chip cookie... bar. Whatever they may be, they surely are delicious!

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Chocolate Chip Reeses Blondies

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes

Yields: 16-24 servings [depending on what size you cut them]

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 cup tightly packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/8 tsp. baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup Reeses peanut butter chips

Directions:

Whisk together melted butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla, and whisk until combined. Mix in remaining ingredients and whisk thoroughly. Pour batter into 9x11 glass pan and bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool and enjoy!

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Sick Obsession

Good morning [or whenever you're reading this] friends! Right now I am so excited to be vegged on the couch with my feet propped up and the TV on. I have forgotten just how tired I am the next day after working evenings on my feet.

Unfortunately Raymond is home with a toothache and let me tell ya, it isn't pretty. His entire jaw is swollen about an inch and he hasn't been able to eat anything for 2 days. For as big of a guy as he is... he is miserable. My heart hurts for him, but luckily he is on antibiotic and we can only go up from here! In the mean time, I'll just continue to boss baby him around.

Like I mentioned before, I'm excited to veg out and that's for mainly one reason only. I have a new sick obsession... The Real Housewives [New Jersey, Orange County, New York]. Okay, okay, I know I'm way behind the times and this show has been around for years and I've known that. The thing is, I swore I'd never watch it. I mean really, the show is freaking ridiculous! These people are living train wrecks and while my heart hurts for their children that have to grow up with parents like that, I can't turn the channel.

I.am.obsessed.

My absolute favorite is New Jersey. I mean, Teresa? I feel so bad for her. Her husband is so scummy! He is a major McDoucherson and I just cannot stand him. I can't figure out if she's really a nut and has lied so much that she actually believes her own lies, or if she isn't lying and the gods just aren't in her favor. Either way, I love her! [Disgusting, isn't it?]

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 Um, I have that apron. Her and I are like one... except we're not really.

Any ridiculous shows you're crazy about??

The Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ, and Cold Beer

Saturday night I went out with some of my girlfriends to Fowler Fest [Texas country music concert with Kevin Fowler as the headliner]. If you're not familiar, here is one of his latest [and greatest] songs:

It had been a while since I hung out with most of these ladies, and I forgot just how awesome it is to have a girl's night! We all had so much fun singing, dancing, and of course having a maybe a few too many drinks.

Marcy, me, Megan, Val, Amanda

Amanda and I came to the conclusion that there really isn't anything better in life than faith, country music, and football.

I know I've said it before, but I could never imagine and never want to live anywhere other than Austin, Texas. I love my city and state and most of the people in it.

We don't take enough time to just stop and smell the roses. While at the concert dancing with my girls, I stopped and looked around at all of the people enjoying the same thing. It's funny how music can unite so many strangers. There are a lot of things in my life I could complain about, but all-in-all, I've got a darn good life and am extremely blessed!

Monday Randoms

Howdy y'all, happy Monday! Are we ready for this week ahead? I'm feeling good and ready to get it started!

+ I started my new old job on Friday and was just so busy that I didn't have a moment to fit a single tweet, let along a blog post in. I missed this little world I have here on the internet, but sometimes it has to take a back seat. I'm pretty sure I wont be able to keep up with 5 posts a week now, but am going to do my best.

+ Speaking of that ol' job, I "trained" all day Friday [9am-2am], and let's just say I felt like I got hit by a bus. My body is used to constant moving from taking care of the boys, but my feet are not used to non-stop walking for 17 hours straight. I came home, went straight to bed, and moaned myself to sleep-- I don't think my feet have ever hurt so bad! I know it's like riding a bicycle, my body will just have to get used to it again!

+ This is NOT how you put on deodorant. Ouch! And yes, I wear men's deodorant-- it works and smells much better than women's! Don't judge.

+ I think it's time for a hair cut [and time to clean my mirror]... I look like Cousin It [Adam's Family anyone?] PS- please excuse the trash hole that is the background of this picture, someone thought it'd be great to tinkle on our comforter so I was in the process of changing the bedding.

+ I am going through a candy phase. I picked up these babies as an impulse buy the other day and then somehow a few days later I ended up with a box of Turtles, Sour Patch Kids, and candy corn. Thankfully I think I got my fix because my waist does not appreciate all that sugar.

+ I got bit by something [pretty sure it was a chigger] last week at my aunt's house and woke up the next morning to this beautiful sight. WHAT THE HECK! It is the weirdest bite I have ever seen in my life!

+ Something else I can't get enough of? These bad boys... fantastic childhood memories for me right here in a little donut! [Can you spot a little beggar in the background?]

+ Two words: Sock obsession. I have always had a deep love of all things fun and/or fuzzy socks. Christmas  and holiday themed are my favorite hands down, but anything other than a plain color can make me dance out a happy jig! I always get socks for Christmas and am NEVER disappointed to find them in my stocking. Right here is 48 pairs of fun socks, and is only about 3/4 of my stash. I might have a problem...

+ I can't get over how big Guero is getting. He weighed in at 50 pounds 2 weeks ago and at the rate he is growing, he is probably 55 by now. Insane! I'm not sure what I'm going to do when he is full grown- I can hardly handle him now! Isn't he handsome?!

Have a beautiful Monday, friends!

Bringing it Back - Accent Vlog

Do y'all remember the accent vlogs that were floating around a while back? Well, I was totally in love with watching all of them but never hopped on the bandwagon myself-- until now. I know I may be a year late, but I figured that with a few new followers these days, it'd be cool for me to put voice behind these words. When I'm reading a blog I always look for videos so that I can see and hear how the author speaks, and thought y'all might be interested as well!


The words:

Aunt, Route, Wash, Oil, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water, Sure, Data, Ruin, Crayon, Toilet, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again, Probably, Spitting image, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Syrup, Pajamas, Caught

The Questions:

+ What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?
+ What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball?
+ What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?
+ What do you call gym shoes?
+ What do you say to address a group of people?
+ What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs?
+ What do you call your grandparents?
+ What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?
+ What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?
+ What is the thing you change the TV channel with?

Notes:

+ The camera starts to shake a little bit because Guero bumped into the table it was sitting on.
+ I'm looking away to read the words, so forgive me for the lack of eye contact.
+ When I answer the question about soda, I made absolutely no sense. I meant to say: You can call a sprite a coke, but you can't call a coke a sprite. Not sure why that was so difficult for me to spit out haha!

Now, without further adieu....

So what do ya think? Big accent? No accent? I'm dying to know!

If you made a vlog feel free to leave the link the comments section-- I'd love to watch them!

Blessed

I'm going to be completely honest here, y'all. Today, I was totally planning to write a post about all of the things I'm unhappy with in my life [there aren't many].

What I was going to tell you:

+ I'm tired of living in a third story apartment with a dog and that I cannot wait to finally find a house with a yard where Guero can run wild.
+ I wish I had the time and extra money to decorate a new home.
+ My blog needs a make over badly.
+ I wish I could buy a DSLR camera to be able to take better quality photos.
+ My social life is lacking lately due to my work schedule.
+ I'm still not healed from my surgery and I'm dreading what the outcome may be.

What I am actually going to tell you:

+ I am blessed to have not just a place to live, but a nice place to call home.
+ I am starting a new [old] job and will earn the money to go to school, where I will then earn more money to buy and decorate the home we want.
+ I can still write out my feelings without a perfectly designed blog.
+ I have a digital camera that takes decent enough pictures for now.
+ I can make more time for friends, family, and fun.
+ I can and will heal and everything will be fine.

Clearly, I was going to give myself a pity party today.. and I kind of still did. That being said, I saw a wonderful quote on twitter and it put me in check, real quick.

"God is not likely to reveal more to you until you've responded to what He has already revealed."

I keep asking God for this and for that, but I forget to thank Him for what I already have-- I beautiful family, boyfriend, friends, home, vehicle, job, the opportunity to go to school to get what I truly want in life, and much much more.

Yesterday on my way home from work, I saw a homeless man standing on the corner of the road, wearing hospital clothes, covered in bandages with a smashed in face layered with scrapes, cuts and bruises. He looked sad and he looked alone. My heart ached. I tried my best to not look at him, and it was one of the times that I scrounged my entire car for any change I had, but found none. So instead I prayed for him. Maybe he is a bad man, maybe he asked someone to rough him up for sympathy. Who knows, but either way I asked God to heal him and help lead him down the right path. A good path.

In that moment I remembered that quote, and thanked God that that wasn't me. Not only did I just thank Him, but I was truly happy with what I have.

Have you counted your blessings lately??

Weekend Things

Hello, friends! I hope you all had a fantastic weekend, we sure did over here in our neck of the woods.

As I mentioned before, Saturday was our 5 year anniversary. Unfortunately, Raymond had to work most of the day [the rain has his schedule all sorts of messed up], but I on the other hand, got to sleep in.

Naturally I spent the morning lounging around on the couch watching an Awkward marathon on MTV. Have any of you watched that show? I magically stumbled upon it during the first season and while it's about a girl in high school, the humor and dialogue are completely aimed for an older audience in my opinion-- that or my sense of humor is a touch on the immature side. <--- wouldn't surprise me!

I finally got the will to peel myself from the couch and into the shower so I could run a few errands and ended up hanging out at my parent's house for a few hours. I love that they live only 20 minutes from me & I can drop in and annoy them whenever I feel like it! Another good thing about hanging out at the 'rent's house is the fact that I don't have to worry about food. Does anybody else notice that even though you become and adult and are in complete charge of your own grocery shopping, your parent's always have the best snacks/food at their house? Not complaining, just acknowledging!

Because we're still dating [ahem- meaning not married], we don't go all out and crazy when celebrating our anniversaries. We spent Saturday evening/night BBQ-ing and hanging out with good friends. We ate delicious food and played quite a few games of the beloved corn hole while watching football and listening to music. Life really doesn't get much better than that, and being who we are, it really was a wonderful way to spend our special day evening together.

Of course Sunday was spent watching [more] football and an over-due visit to our favorite little hole in the wall, Crawfish Shack. I've mentioned this place before on the blog and I cannot recommend it enough! If you're a lover of all things seafood, GO! I promise you will not hate me for it.

The weekend was rounded out with snuggles from our handsome baby boy that is growing much too fast and lounging on the balcony watching the rain. A perfectly relaxing weekend if you ask me!

I love him!

Oh just sleeping on mom's pillow like I'm a human. No biggie.

This photo melts my heart. Sleeping on my tummy.

Rainy Days

Using R's safety glasses to chop onions

5

Tomorrow marks five years that Raymond and I have been together. It’s hard to believe that we’ve made it this far, but then again, it feels like forever.

We always hear it, “I cannot imagine my life without you”. Well, to be honest, I can imagine my life without him, but it sucks. My heart aches to even being to think about it. So I don't, and I wont.

We've had our fair share of ups and downs but right now in this moment, I feel like we've finally got it figured out. As mad as he can make me sometimes, I would absolutely never trade him for the world.

Raymond, I love you. I have learned from you, been loved by you [and probably hated at times]. You are my rock, my rhyme, and my reason for becoming a better person.

In a sea of people, my eyes will always search for you.

Five Reasons Why I Love You

+ You teach me to be a better woman
+ You can make me laugh at the drop of a hat
+ Your nick names for me are almost just as ridiculous as mine are for you
+ I have met an amazing family because of you
+ You encourage me to do what I love to do, solely for myself