A Speedy Recap

This is for all of the posts I wish I would have written over the past couple of weeks. In a nutshell (shoutout!) this has been my life:

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  Celebrated my little one turning 13! (Already wrote about this but I promised pictures of her)

(She didn't like her raincoat too much)

(But the birthday cake made up for it)

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  Was supposed to attend a wedding but had minor skin surgery on my leg and it got infected. Too gross for pictures, trust me. I am still so upset that I missed out on a friend's special day.
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  Came in to work on Monday to find out our entire file sever had crashed, was like that all week making work a bit more stressful than usual.
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  Luckily Friday rolled around and MIML and I actually made it to scrapbook! We hadn't been in months. I am so happy to have someone to sit with me all those hours to chat and help me when I am indecisive about making something so permanent on a page. (Just imagine how we are with other decisions.)
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  Big Bro and Future SIL came in over the weekend for F-SIL's shower. It was so much fun and I got to see some friends that I hadn't seen in years!

(F-SIL and me...note to self, arm on hip, much more flattering)

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  Another week of work. Nothing to note really.
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  My favorite summer day, besides my birthday of course (it is coming up...hint hint) is July 4th. I just love the festivities and fireworks :) This weekend I went with my family to our lake house. Lots of fun, lake adventures, tan, and food!
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  I love 4-day weeks! I am proud of myself for actually making it to the gym this week, however the AC has been broken for quite some time now and it made class last night miserable! They should probably get that fixed soon! And they are repaving the drive in front of the condos. Slightly annoying because it is taking all week and they block out half the parking at a time. Parking always stresses me out.

Things to be looking forward to:

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  Another wedding this weekend! (Yes, even after this summer of wedding festivities, I still love them)
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  A weekend of showers and seeing friends that I haven't seen in a while. (Above statement still true)
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  My mom and I are in charge of the Out of Town baskets for Big Bro's wedding, so I have lots of fun work to do on those.
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  F-SIL's bachelorette party!
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  1 Year Anniversary on the job...yikes!

Whew! So much going on!

Until next time!

I'm a Bad Blogger

Ok, it has been forever since I have posted anything. I really have no excuse except that I haven't done it! There has been a lot going on, so I will try to update as much as I can later.

I am going to try to be a better blogger. Sorry for being lame...

Simply Southern Sunday: Father's Day

"Southern girls put their daddies on a pedestal. They don't want to talk to them, they want to look up to them. After all, Daddy is the ideal man to marry; the perfect fishing partner; the right shoulder to cry on. Usually, it's only later we find out that Daddy was the perfect man to talk to as well."

- Deborah Ford, The GRITS Guide to Life

Now, I am not sure that I agree completely with this - my Daddy is on a pedestal, but he was always the perfect person for me to talk to. He has the best outlook on everything, and always knows just what to say.

(Not the best picture...Sorry Daddy!)

I am so lucky to have such an amazing man in my life. No wonder no other man has made the cut :)

Come Here Rude Boy, Boy

I have no idea why, but I just LOVE this song! Every time we go out, I just wait for them to play it. It is so much fun to dance to (what I wa-wa-want is what you wa-wa-want...) and the lyrics are quite unexpected and slightly raunchy. I can't tell you how many times I hear someone say, "Do you know what this song is about?" I can't get enough of it!

So for some Friday entertainment, enjoy! Have a wonderful weekend!

A Girl's Best Friend

Thirteen years ago, the cutest little furball entered this world. Six weeks later, she joined our family and has been my best friend ever since.

I know most of you think I have a strange attachment to her (Yes, I am totally one of those who considers the pet as a memeber of the family and treats her more like a human than a dog). But seriously, she has been through everything with me, and has been in our family for over half of my life!

Through trying to start a life in new cities, the trials and tribulations of the teenage years, celebrations, successes, anything that life brings, she has always been right by my side. She is the only one who knows my secrets, thoughts and feelings (seriously, who is she going to tell).

Happy Birthday to my little one, Gabby!

**Note** I am on a different computer and unfortunately don't have any pictures to include. When I am able to, I will post picture of her birthday celebration!

You Hold the Key to my Heart

Not too long ago at a wedding, I was sitting by this girl who had a key necklace on. I really liked it, and she got so many compliments on it. Apparently the story is that her boyfriend gave it to her for her birthday or their anniversary or something - I don't remember. Anyway, when he gave it to her, he told her that "you hold the key to my heart". As cheesy and hopelessly romantic as that sounds, I still found it to be very sweet.

Since then, I have liked the idea of the key necklace. (Not necessarily to be "holding the key to someone's heart" but to have a nice, unique piece of jewelry. I would be so trendy!)It is a great gift idea! Check out some of the ones at Tiffany's (shown above).

What are your thoughts on the key necklace?

The World Cup: Soccer Studs

This past weekend, I was forced has the pleasure of watching the World Cup games with my soccer-obsessed friends.

Now I enjoy sports as much as the next girl, probably more in most cases, but that many games in a row is a bit exhausting!

At least soccer players are nice to look at. Don't know what I mean? Check out this article to see! I think I would like to watch some more now!

My Summer Reading List

One of my favorite things about the summer is to catch up on reading. Or should I say was to catch up...that was when summer meant a break from things, like school. Now that work is all year round, I don't really get a break, but I would like to read more. I got my library card, so that is my first step!

Here are some books I would like to read this summer:

The Southern Classic. It was mentioned in those books I read earlier. I never read it in high school and I feel like I am missing out.

For someone who aspires to be a first lady...it is only appropriate.

I love Emily Griffin's books! Her newest won't be anything less than amazing I am sure.

I also have a whole selection of books that I bought on impulse last summer at Half Price Books. I should probably read those too.

What is on your summer reading list?

Some Good Reads for Southern Girls

I mentioned a few posts ago that I had read a couple of wonderful books over Memorial Day weekend. I

highly recommend these for any woman, or young lady. Without necessarily knowing it, these books illustrate the women in my family and my friends. I am fortunate to be surrounded by strong Southern women who constantly remind me what is important in life.

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What Southern Women Know (That Every Woman Should)

I am pretty sure this was my mother's handbook to raising me. There were so many quotes in there that I heard many times growing up. It is funny that no matter how much I hated them then, I remember them and cherish those words now. One of the prominent themes in the book was "Southern Charm" - I wonder why I liked it so much??? (Shout out!)

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The Grits Guide to Life

This book made me laugh out loud multiples times! Girls, hold off on rushing out to get your own copy - you just might be getting it as a gift! It has everything from etiquette to the rules of football. It has everything you need to live a truly Southern life! 

Friends, don't you worry. Many of the things in both of these books reminded me of ya'll. Each of you is the epitome of the Southern Woman.

Thanks again, Future SIL, for lending me these - they were fabulous. (PS in exactly 2 months I get to drop the Future!!!!) There are other editions of these books that I can't wait to get into! (Such as a deeper look into faith and flirting)  I thought these were great reminders of everything I learned growing up - you can always improve so it is good to have reminders even if it is something you already know.

Be looking for some "Simply Southern" quotes from these books. They are just too good not to share!

I highly recommend them! (There you go Simply MJ, sorry for the delay!)

Insomnia

{Sing to "Disturbia"}

(I’m living with) Insomnia, I just can’t sleep through the night.

Insomnia, I’m awake before it’s light.

Insomnia, to sleep is what I’d like.

Insomnia, Insomnia…

Warning: This is what happens when you don’t get much sleep at night.

I am not sure what my deal is, but I cannot sleep! I either can’t fall asleep, or I am wide awake before my alarm goes off. Then I am exhausted during the day. This is not normal.

What is going on? All I know is that I am getting sick of not being able to sleep and I just want to sleep for a full night. I get cranky when I don’t get my sleep…

This and That

I don't know about you, but lately I have been catching myself saying, "I want this and I want that..." My mother used to get frustrated with me because I was always saying "I want, I want, I want". Well, I do want a lot, but I do know I can't get everything I want, at least not at once right?

Here are some things that I have been longing for lately:

A new car

This one might be a need soon

New makeup

I actually want a complete makeover so I will know how to best accentuate my features. And I have been sick of what I've been using for quite some time now.

New workout clothes

...and maybe a rockin' bod to go with it. (We'll get there, Denise.)

A new purse

A girl can dream right?

And there is always a want for more clothes, shoes, and accessories, so that doesn't count as anything out of the norm.

I want to do some crafty things around the house.

I would LOVE some time to do some of my summer hobbies - soaking up the sun, spending time with friends, read, 'book, workout more.

And that is just a start. I find it ironic that for someone who has so much, I can still find more to "want". Why can't what I have be enough? Oh well, I guess it is nice to know that I can long for things and still value what I do have. And, doesn't everyone go through spurts like this where they just want to change everything they have?

Mixing Food and Fashion

I am not sure whether I should be amazed by their creativity and unique talent or simply disgusted by the concept.

See what I am talking about here, and let me know your thoughts.

Summer Starbucks Obsession

This weekend I tried something new at Starbucks. Apparently trying new things was the theme of my weekend...

Anyway, I have a new favorite drink!

The Tazo Shaken Iced Black Tea is the bomb!

To make my day today, I got a surprise note in the mail right after I was raving about my new fav. Inside my note, I had a giftcard to Starbucks! Somehow that vendor knew the way to my heart! I wish stuff like that happened every Monday.

Hope everyone has a great week!

You Complete Me

I haven't felt so much like myself as I did this past weekend. I owe that to my fun-loving, dancing-the-night-away, roadtrip-companion friends - the best friends I have ever known.

Even though we dealt with illness, difficult boyfriends, creepy men at the bar, almost getting killed by running a red light, and not knowing where we were going to sleep, we had one of the best weekends I have had in a while. The best part is, this was the first of many bachelorette weekends we will get to share together. That means more gossip about people we only know through blogs, sneaking into hotels and sleeping as many to a bed as posssible, and making memories that we will laugh about for years to come.

Thank you all for the laughs, the new dance moves, the conversations that help us get by, and just being the friends you are.

(Just one note for next time...let's try to take more pictures k? I know you only read posts with pictures in them :) And MIML and I need stuff to scrapbook...)

Summer's Opening Weekend

We have officially kicked off my favorite time of the year! And I couldn't think of a better way to do it, well besides the fact that I missed SATC2 with my best friends.

This weekend I went to our lake house with my parents. Since life has been busy lately (when is it not right?) going away to where life is a little slower is just what I needed. No computer, no work, I did have a TV and phone but rarely used them. It was just so relaxing!

I spent most of the day soaking up the sun on the boat. I wish I had pictures to show you. The water and mountains are just beautiful. I also read 2 books over the weekend. Thanks, future SIL, they are truly handbooks for us Southern girls to live by :) Now I feel totally rejuvenated for another week at the office (and it is a short one!)

June is going to be such a fun month! I cant wait to take a roadtrip with the girls this weekend to our favorite city, another trip the following week to a dear friends' wedding where I get to spend time with other friends I rarely get to see, a new roomie for the summer, another wedding, and then the women of the family and our friends celebrate and welcome future SIL into the family!

Whew! I have a feeling June is going to fly by but it will be full of celebration and spending time with the people that matter most to me.

I hope you all enjoyed your long weekend and are as excited for summer as I am!

Have a great 4-day week!

A Sad Day in CVG

As of yesterday, the bar next door to work is officially closed. Apparently the owners didn't pay their taxes. This happened a while back before I started working here, and only lasted 6 weeks until they could get enough people to scrounge up all the money. We will see how long it lasts this time.

The past couple of days people have been in an out cleaning out the place. They tend to take a lot of breaks for a drink though. The locals keep walking by and are really sad that their hangout is gone. Now, they really have nothing to do during the day!

It will be interesting to see the atmosphere change now that it is closed. Will I still have exciting stories to tell? Most likely...The building is owned by the city, so I doubt they do anything with it for a while. And in the meantime, the strip club across the street will have to do.

Financial Lesson

"I like my money right where I can see it: hanging in my closet."

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Carrie, I couldn't have said it better.

Not Enough Hours

Do you feel like there just aren't enough hours in the day? With a full-time (and some over time) job, a house to manage, family obligations, trying to take care of yourself, and trying to build a social life on top of it all, it just seems that you can't fit everything you need to in one day.

I feel like I am so far behind on things. I can't tell you the last time that I really cleaned my house. Yes, I will routinely vacuum and dust as often as I can. But when it comes to really scrubbing things down and disinfecting the entire place, I just can't seem to fit it in! (It is on the agenda for tonight, so hopefully there will be no distractions.) The goal was to finish it this weekend, but my cousin was in town and every chance I had to get my chores done, I would get a call asking to meet them for dinner or something - and if you don't then you are being rude.

I realized over the weekend when I finally cleaned out my car that I am a few thousand miles late in getting an oil change. Oops. Add that to the list.

I am trying my best to come up with a routine workout schedule. But I have come to learn, nothing is routine anymore. I am lucky if I make my favorite class once a week.

Since I was a complete hermit this winter and nearly avoided having a social life, I have gone to the opposite extreme and have tried to say yes to almost every opportunity that arises. Oh, how I love summertime. This switch in priorities makes getting everything done more difficult, but is necessary and a bit more important at this point. Now it just comes to being creative and finding new ways to multitask to fit it all in. I realize I better master this skill now, because when I have a family of my own to take care of, it will only be more difficult!

Thank goodness we have a long weekend coming up. I am looking forward to a weekend getaway with nothing on the mind but a little R&R. Until then, I will be cramming to get everything else done :)

May we all have a fun (this weather is amazing, besides the humidity) and productive week!

Thank Goodness for Friends

"No matter who broke your heart, or how long it takes to heal, you'll never get through it without your friends."

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I love you all!

Happy SATC Week!

Can you believe it is almost here? SATC2 comes out this week! And just in time, I have finished watching the entire series! (It just took me 4 months or so...) I still have to watch the first movie to complete my SATC quest before the movie comes out.

I hope everyone is planning your GNO's to go see the movie with all of your best friends! I hope to see it with all of mine :)

Until then, I will leave you with some of my favorite SATC quotes. Enjoy!

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"I'm looking for love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other love."