Amyisms

Boy, Has Life Changed

2010-04-28T09:25:00.002-05:00

Obviously, there's been a large gap in the postings on this page. A little monkey that arrived on December 18th, 2009 is probably a large reason for that. Life has certainly been chaotic ever since and I wouldn't change a thing. Just over a year ago, I never would have imagined being married with a baby this quickly... but now that its happened, I can't imagine life without such a wonderful husband and the sweetest baby girl in the world. I really believe that it was all meant to happen this way and all of the pieces of my puzzle of life have just fallen right into place.

I returned to work on February 16, 2010. It was really difficult to leave Georgia Lou for so many hours a day. Luckily for me, Scott and especially Georgia Lou, she was able to stay with Grandma and her cousin, Noah, everyday. That at least made it a little easier on mommy's nerves. After just a couple of weeks of making a 2-hour commute daily, I started looking for alternative options such as taking a pay cut to work less days a week, etc. I think realizing that I wouldn't be able to stick out this arrangement long term, I was blessed to have my boss allow me to begin working from home! I never even imagined that this could be a possibility but I am more than thankful for this opportunity.

So starting on April 1, 2010, I began working from my and Scott's home in Valley. This eliminated the need to get up 3 or more hours earlier to get ready, get me and the baby packed up, feed her and drive an hour and a half to mom's, just to drive another half hour to work and then reverse that route back home 8 hours later. Georgia Lou & I are getting more sleep and Mommy certainly feels a little more sane these days. Don't get me wrong, working from home is no easy task! Or should I say getting my work done while entertaining a four month old is not an easy task. Some days are better or worse than others, but for the most part Georgia Lou is a very content baby and easy to manage. Thank the Lord for PBS and Nick Jr. Unfortunately, I have already managed to learn the theme songs to most of the shows that come on both those channels and find them singing in my head even in my sleep. I think Scott worries about my sanity sometimes when I begin singing things like "Don't Bite Your Friends" to Georgia Lou.

On April 19, Georgia Lou had her 4-month checkup. She weighed in at 11 pounds 7 ounces and was 24 inches long. Though small for her age, she is growing at the proper rate and will just be a petite girl I think. Even though she is over 4 months old now, she is still wearing 0-3 months clothing and still has a good bit of room to grow in them! I will do my best to keep this site more updated in the future but no promises that there will be time in the currnt craziness!

Peace Lily

2009-11-19T13:48:00.000-06:00

Last Friday, Scott took the Jeep to get serviced since we were taking it on the trip the Athens for the football game. I went to pick it up for him and there’s a very nice older woman who does their billing and I always end up staying a while chatting with her. She lost her daughter several years ago in an accident and she talks about her a lot. She told me that her birthday is near mine and Thanksgiving and that this time of year is always hard. But, she said shortly after her daughters death someone gave her a peace lily and that she sat by it and prayed for a sign from God that her daughter was alright and with him. She said the next day, her peace lily bloomed and she knew it was her sign. It was a nice story and at the time I didn’t give it too much thought.

I have a peace lily on my desk that Mama Shell gave me in June of 2006 when I had my gall bladder removed. The last few weeks, I’ve been worried about it because it looked a little wilted. This morning, it looks great and there’s a single bloom on it. To my knowledge, it has only bloomed once since I’ve had it. I’ve been thinking and dreaming about Mama Shell a lot this week, with Georgia Lou getting closer to being here, our first Thanksgiving and my first birthday without her. I have to believe that it was a sign from Mama Shell that she knows I’m thinking of her and that she’s here in spirit. I’m upset a lot that Mama Shell died just two weeks before I found out I was pregnant and that I never got to tell her. So it means a lot to me to know that she knows anyway.

Lanx?

2009-10-20T09:52:00.000-05:00

Just curious as to who you are?

Unveiling

2009-09-18T08:44:00.004-05:00

It’s been such a long time since I blogged. Its not for a lack of material, its due to a lack of mental capacity to organize my thoughts into words. I was already scatter brained and this “pregnancy fog” is only making it worse. At lunch yesterday, some of my co-workers were discussing the unveiling of a statue that is coming up. Well, it reminded me of a good story that I’ve not blogged about before.

My senior year in high school, I was the VP of the Student Council. The rest of the seniors and I decided that we’d like to have a fund raiser and buy a plaque to say thank you to the two teachers that sponsored the Student Council. I helped in the fundraisers but the president handled the ordering of the marker. The plan was to place the marker at the trunk of a newly planted tree on school grounds. The stone would be partially buried with the engraved side facing up, obviously. So she was able to get a good deal on a piece of stone on which a mistake had been made. Since that side was going to be buried in the ground, it didn’t make any difference. The president didn’t bother to share this detail with me. We decided to unveil the marker at a pep rally in the gym in front of the entire student body before it was placed under the tree. The day of the rally, the President was out sick. So it became my job to pull back the sheet to reveal the marker. Well, I didn’t know that I was only supposed to reveal the FRONT of the marker so I yanked the sheet off the whole thing. A huge gasp in unison came from the senior section, which was on the backside of the marker. I was horrified to realize that a person’s name and birth and death date were engraved on the back! So embarrassing. I don’t even remember what I did at that point. In facet, I didn’t even remember it until yesterday when I told that story at lunch. I think maybe I must have blocked it.

GeorgiaLou.com

2009-09-09T11:54:00.002-05:00

Just in case anyone is interested, I created a baby website for Georgia Lou to update as my pregnancy progresses. There is a bio, photos, family info and another blog. I plan to blog at least once a week to keep it up to date. I am hoping this will be something I can keep going for a long time and Georgia Lou will be able to look back on it one day and appreciate it. Enjoy!

Valley Takes Trash Seriously

2009-08-06T09:02:00.002-05:00

Last night, Scott’s cousin Ambre, her husband and their son were over visiting and I was in the kitchen with them cooking dinner. Through the kitchen window, I see a vehicle I don’t recognize pull into the driveway and a man with a badge on his hip get out and head to the door. I step outside to see what he wants and the following conversation takes place.

Officer: I’m here to see David (Scott’s first name)
Me: (breathing a sigh of relief that he’s not there for me) He’s not home from work yet, can I help you?
Officer: I’m here about his trash bill. What do you know about that?
Me: Well, I don’t know anything about it.
Officer: Are you his wife?
Me: Yes, but very recently. In fact, I just moved in last week.
Officer: Well, his trash bill is VERY overdue.
Me: (sigh and say) How much does he owe?
Officer: $115. I’m actually here to write him a citation and fine from the city.
Me: And how do we go about taking care of that?
Officer: You’ll need to go to City Hall and pay the full amount
Me: Well, I can go do that right now
Officer: Well, if you can do that now, I won’t write this citation and you should be very thankful, the fine is like $500
Me: Well, I appreciate that and I’ll go drop a check in the drop box right now.

Can you believe that? First off, let me explain. About a year ago, I set up all of Scott’s bills online to be automatically drafted out of his account each month. The only bill that I was not able to do that with was, of course, the city trash bill. I told him this, but apparently he forgot. So for nearly a YEAR now, he has assumed that they were drafting it out and so he’s not been paying it. I’m not sure which I’m most shocked about… the fact that he’s gone so long without paying and they’ve still be picking up the trash, that the city fine is $500 or that they send the law out to your house to give you the citation! Either way, we had an eventful evening. And yes, I did go down there and drop off the check so hopefully the man with the badge will not have to return to the house!

Georgia Lou Yawning

2009-08-04T07:35:00.005-05:00

A few weeks ago, Scott and I went to a place called Baby Waves in Columbus, Georgia for an ultrasound. My doctor's office doesn't do the diagnostic ultrasound where they determine sex until about 20 weeks and I'm just too impatient to wait until then, so we went there at 16 weeks. it was pretty incredible what you can see even that early on. Here is a tiny clip of little Georgia Lou yawning. Its pretty rough but hopefully you can see her little mouth opening and closing as she yawns.

Take a Guess!

2009-07-01T10:59:00.001-05:00

We'll be finding out the sex of Baby Nolen on July 11th. So before we do, take a guess at what you think it will be, when it will be born!

Big News!

2009-06-09T15:18:00.004-05:00

Hello blog friends! I've been rather busy with HUGE changes in my life lately, leaving not much room for blogging. Scott & I got married on June 1 in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. You could probably say I'm the happiest woman on Earth at the current time. Why the sudden jump? We are expecting a BABY in December. While I am terrified, I am also thrilled at the same time. It's going to be a huge life changing experience, but I can only imagine it will make life better for the both of us. More interesting for sure.

I've already had my share of "Amy-isms" so far in this pregnancy and as soon as I have some down time to write about them all, I'll do just that. As for right now, we are working hard to finish some rennovations to his house so that we can get me moved in, while finishing rennovations to my house so we can get it on the market. Whew! There's so much too do in such little time. My goal is to be moved in with him by then end of August. For those of you who know us personally, will understand when I say that it all must be complete before the beginning of College Football season or NOTHING will get done on the weekends thereafter.

So for now, I'm enjoying being Mrs. Scott Nolen and counting down the days till I'm a Mommy. Wow?! 11 weeks down, 29 to go!

Baby Nolen

Mama Shell

2009-04-09T11:49:00.004-05:00

As most of you know, my grandmother, "Mama Shell" passed away on Sunday, March 29th. She would have been 90-years-old on April 26th. I still don't think it has fully hit me yet, as I didn't see her one a day to day basis. But I know over the next coming months, the birthdays, holidays and other family functions will seem hollow without her. I appreciate all the support and kind words that I have received over the last few weeks and even months as she was in the hospital for quite some time before her death. It's never easy to lose a loved one, but having great friends and supportive co-workers makes it just a little bit easier.

The following is an excerpt from the program that I designed for her funeral service. I just wanted to share a little bit about her life and my family. Thanks for reading:

Sarah Frances Williams Shell was born in Butler County on April 26, 1919 where she later met the love of her life, Ralph Shell and married in May of 1938. She said the first time she saw him, he was working in a field, and he looked like a bronzed god. Of course, she was a blue-eyed beauty so they were a great pair. On their wedding day, Ralph was arrested for a traffic violation in the big city of Montgomery and his father-in-law had to bail him out of the city jail. They set up house keeping in a two-room tenant farmhouse across from Ralph’s parents. (They called it the goat house because they couldn’t keep the goats from trampling across the front porch and eating her flowers.)

During WWII, Sarah and two-year old Barbara followed Ralph to Charleston, SC where he worked in the Naval Shipyard and where their second daughter, Linda, was born. They returned to Montgomery after the war to a little house her dad had built for the family behind the “BIG” house. Then, the third child and only son, Ron (my dad), was born. He was the apple of the eye for father, grandfather and uncle.

Sarah worked at Montgomery Fair & Gayfers where she retired after almost 40 years. She was a talented and creative homemaker, wonderful cook and avid gardener. She loved to travel with camera in hand to visit family and friends. Gift giving was her trademark. She loved photography, and in her 80’s learned to “surf the web” and use email. She enjoyed many happy years at Morningview Baptist Church where she and Ralph worshiped. Her family was the joy of her life, and in return she was greatly loved by all of her children, grandchildren, extended family and many many friends.

April 26, 1919 - March 29, 2009

Grass

2009-03-25T11:12:00.003-05:00

I cut my grass last night for the first time this year. It was already kind of dark, but there's a street light right in my front yard. I knew if I didn't do it right then that its supposed to rain for 3 days, then I'll be gone for the weekend and it'd be Monday before I could cut it. And I'm sure it would be out of control by then.

I said all that to say... I cut the grass in the dark. As I ran along the fence that separates my yard from the neighbors, I notice little pieces of white stuff flying everywhere. And then I remember, that when my new neighbor moved in, she spilled those little styrofoam packing peanuts all over her yard. I assumed she picked them up or they blew away. Wrong. They blew up against my fence amongst the leaves.

My yard looks like it has dandruff.

Baffled

2009-02-06T16:45:00.003-06:00

As part of Scale Back Alabama, some of my co-workers and I have been dieting and exercising together. As a reward, on Fridays we eat somewhere other than in the cafeteria in our building. To be health conscience, today we walked to a restaurant I'd say about a dozen blocks or so away. We are walking through an area with some construction going on and we encountered something unexpected. A pair of underwear. A large pair. Of the tighty whitey variety. It was funny and unexpected as I watched all of my coworkers divert there walking paths to go around the pair of undies and looking down at them with a confused look on their faces.

This got me to thinking. How would this even happen? In the middle of downtown Montgomery, what scenario could end with someone’s tighty whities landing on the sidewalk? I didn’t see Tom Cruise or Dustin Hoffman driving by, so I don’t believe they were Rain Man’s underwear. Was someone carrying a spare pair in their briefcase? And why would you need to? And how would that be the ONLY article to escape? I’m baffled. Please, someone please, explain to me how this might have happened??

Pssstdddttt! Eeeeeennntttd!!

2009-01-13T08:36:00.000-06:00

So last night was the first whole evening I have spent at home in several weeks. So I decided it was time to take down the Christmas tree and get the Christmas decorations out of my front yard (yes, I really it is well after New Years). The moose I bought for my front yard suffered a tragedy in a storm last week and was slumped over onto the ground as if it had been caught in a driveby. So, last night I was searching the yard for the pegs that had once held his feet to the ground. While I was searching, the UPS pulled to the curb in front of my house and I was excited because I was expecting a package. I walked to the end of the driveway to greet the UPS man and receive my package. He had some difficulty with the machine that scans the package so we stood there idly chit chatting for a moment, when I realized that I had left my front door open so that I could carry the moose inside. I notice a large fluffy Siamese cat creeping toward my front porch. I say aloud, “No kitty, don’t go in my house.” But the cat pays me no mind and continues toward the door. I take a few steps that way thinking surely the cat will not just walk into an unknown house. Wrong. I am running through the front yard yelling strange sounds like “Pssttddd!!! EEEEEnnnttt! Noooooooo!” trying to scare it away. The cat gets into the foyer, hears me stomping up behind it, leaps into the air, makes a u-turn then runs out the door between my legs.

Of course, the UPS man is laughing hysterically and says, “I’m assuming that is not your cat.”

“No, and I’m allergic,” I tell him. I think I made his day.

Itchy, Scratchy

2008-12-10T13:57:00.003-06:00

So, I went to Books-a-million with Jonathan & Jennifer at lunch today. They had some crazy Christmas hats and I was thinking about getting one to wear to our Christmas lunch tomorrow. So, I tried some on and of course took some pics with my camera phone.

I decided it wasn't really worth the money and didn't get one. We got back in the car and headed back to our offices and my foreheads starts itching like crazy. I look in the mirror and my forehead is broken out in hives. Apparently I was allergic to the fabric in the hats! I'm so glad I didn't buy one. I'm ready for it to be closer to 5 so I can take some benedryl and stop itching! AHHH!

Christmas Moose

2008-12-10T11:15:00.003-06:00

When I was about 5-years-old, I told my parents and Santa that I wanted a Christmas Moose. They had no idea what I was asking for. So, they went through sales papers and showed me every moose they could find and asked if this was it? Nothing was. So for Christmas that year, I got a bunch of mooses. They never figured out exactly what it was that I was asking for, and I was so young I don’t remember. But I was happy with all of the mooses that I did get. My favorite, which I remember having for years and years, were the Rodney and Rhonda Reindeer that were Hallmark’s Christmas special that year. Every year since then, I have gotten some sort of Christmas Moose.

So, last night I had been planning to go get a real Christmas tree. It rained, of course, and no one was available with a vehicle that could carry a live tree. So, I went to Target instead to get the lights and the stand so that I would be ready when weather permitted. There, I spotted a moose and I knew the moment I saw it that it was meant to be my Christmas Moose of 2008. He was a bit of a pain to assemble, but well worth it. I absolutely LOVE him!

Vacation Time!

2008-12-09T14:48:00.002-06:00

I’m looking forward to Christmas, of course. But even more so, I’m looking forward to our New Year’s trip. Scott and I are going to Orlando for the Capital One Bowl. We’re going to leave few days early and go to Disney’s Magic Kingdom on New Year’s Eve. I am so excited you’d think I was 10 years old or something? But I have never been so I am thrilled. Last year, we went to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl and it was one of the best vacations I have ever had, so I can only imagine how much better this one will be. And I have to think that the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom will have to be incredible, right?? We haven’t decided exactly what we’ll do on Friday before we come back but I’m leaning towards Universal Studios. If anyone has any other suggestions, feel free to let us know!

I won! I won!

2008-12-04T15:54:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to share some exciting news of my own. Mary Kay Andrews, author of the New York Times bestselling Savannah Breeze and Blue Christmas, had a recent contest where readers were asked to submit a story about their worst/best renovation project. I submitted a blog I had written about renovating my upstairs bathroom in January of 2007. It was announced today that I was chosen as the winner! My story will be read on a video which will be posted on her website (www.marykayandrews.com) as well as HarperColllin's (publisher) website. I will also recieve an advance copy of her new book which does not come out until June 2009.

In case you are interested, the following is the entry that I submitted.

Allow Me to Recap
Tuesday night I began to work on my upstairs bathroom. I was working by myself, so I opted not to remove the toilet yet, but to begin tiling the floor and put all the solid pieces down that wouldn't need to be cut. I also left the sink in place since it is fixed to the wall and doesn't actually touch the floor. I can't even begin to tell you what a big mistake that was. The removal of the sink and toilet in the downstairs bathroom was so easy that I had a very skewed idea of how easy removing these should be. Those do-it-yourself shows that tell you to do ALL demo first… weren't kidding.

Last night, I lured my good friend, Q, over with pizza for dinner in exchange for his help. While I had somebody to help, I figured the first thing we should do is remove the toilet since I didn't think I could carry it out of there by myself. I had no idea what I was getting us into. The tank came off the toilet with minimal water on the floor, but the bowl was a different ballgame. For whatever reason, the bolt that hold the toilet down will not come out, so I am going to have to get a metal saw or something and just cut them off. So, we moved to the sink next. Very quickly, he realized that I didn't have a pipe wrench or any sort of tool to disconnect the pipes in order to get the sink out. Before leaving to fetch the tools from my brother's house, we notice that the water supply for the toilet is dripping on the floor, so we put it in a bucket to keep the water from getting on my freshly laid tiles.

We trek across town (in a small Honda with a large daisy painted on the hood I might add) to get the tools and end up running a friend of Q's to get his truck and taking a little longer to get back then we expected. We get back with the tool and go upstairs. Q sits on the floor under the sink to disconnect the sink and suddenly his rearend is completely soaked. Apparently that little drip had overflowed the bucket and had made its way over most of the bathroom floor. There was water everywhere! We dried up what we could but I knew that getting all the adhesive wet meant that I was going to have to take up all those tiles and start all over again.

The sink came out without too much work but the mounting plate that was screwed into the wall was a different story. I get out the power screw driver and Q starts to take the plate off. On the first try, the screwdriver spins out of his hand whirling to the ground, bouncing off his foot and then breaking one of the tiles. (And, yes I laughed at him). After what seemed like an hour of drilling and wrenching the stupid plate, we finally got it off.

The next project was to knock off the tile toothbrush holder, soap dish and towel racks which are mounted into the wall. After the other frustrations, we were both ready to swing the sledgehammer a little bit. I knock them all off, managing to break yet another new floor tile. Then, trying to make the leftover broken pieces smooth, Q uses a coal chisel and the sledgehammer. His hand slips off scraping against the broken tile and suddenly, there is blood. And do I have band-aids in my house?? Of course, not! So, what do we use? That's right… duck tape!

So, after we get him all patched up, we start removing the newly laid tile from the floor. Might I remind you, that I had decided to tile over the existing tile on the floor rather than demo it up. Yet, another bad idea. The old tile was coming up with the new tile. Now, I have to demo up all that tile before I can begin laying the new tile. So, basically… last night we undid any progress that I had made. And yes, the drip is still going. I managed to rig up some larger buckets to catch the water and I only hope its large enough to hold it all until I get home for lunch today to empty it.

Luckily for me, Q has agreed to come back tonight for round two. I'm surprised since every time he comes over he seems to get hurt. This past summer, he worked in my yard and got stung by wasps. I think he even tripped on my stairs once. My house is a Q-danger zone. Maybe I should buy him something better than pizza? So, wish us luck that tonight goes a little better… or at least that there is no blood involved this time!

Bathroom Update
I am officially a moron. My dad came by on my lunch break and looked at the damage and helped me figure out how to cut the bolts off the toilet bowl to get it out. I had the toilet tubing running into long tray catching the water which drained down into a large tupperware container so that it wouldn't overflow by the time I got home from work. Dad said it looked like a rube goldberg contraption.

His question, which never once crossed my mind... or Q's either apparently... was why we didn't just to do THIS:

Can you really call this progress?
This is a picture that was taken of my icky pink bathroom before the renovation process began. The walls were pink... the floor was pink... Can you say "YUCK!"?

This is the current condition of the bathroom...

I got the beadboard on the walls last night, but they were pretty warped. So it required wedging 2x4s in there to hold them flat to the wall while the liquid nails dried. My bathroom looks like a jungle gym!! But the tiles are looking great and I am really happy with the color I chose.

I'm getting really excited. I think I have at least reached the halfway point on this project. Let's just keep our fingers crossed that I will be able to get a lot done this weekend since it is a 3-day weekend. I'm so glad it is Friday and I can work on it late tonight and not have to get up early in the morning.

oh my...

What a mess... This was earlier tonight and I got almost all the tile off. We duct taped some plastic sheeting up in there so I can take a shower. Sigh... I am so ready for this to be finished.

30 Things I Learned This Weekend

1. Concrete is heavy, even if broken into small pieces.

2. Just because you have a masonry bit for your drill that says "for concrete" does not mean it will drill through it easily or even at all.

3. When using tools in a two story house, what you need will always be downstairs when you are upstairs and vice versa.

4. Flying busted concrete is unpredictable and painful, especially when it is unexpected. I highly recommend eye protection.

5. There is a maximum number of times one can swing a sledgehammer in one day.

6. Montgomery City Waste Management cans have a maximum weight. Wheels and the can will bend if this weight is exceeded, possibly turning over and spilling heavy concrete in your front yard.

7. Concrete is not flexible and this is not negotiable.

8. Large chunks of concrete in your front yard serve as not only lawn decoration, but a new perch for pigeons and other birds.

9. It will rain as soon as you put wood in the back of a pick-up to bring it home.

10. Sheets of concrete backer board will fit in a convertible if you just put the top down. (Note: they will also scratch the paint if you slide them across the car as you put them in/out)

11. You should always be friendly to your neighbors. You never know when you might need them to help you carry something heavy from your car into the house (See 10)

12. When cutting pieces of wood, you should mark which piece you intend to use and make sure you have the right one before you pound nails into it and carry it upstairs to put in place.

13. People who say, "measure twice, cut once" know what they are talking about.

14. When you call someone and ask them to bring you a tool, you will most likely find another way to accomplish your mission before that person arrives with said tool.

15. What you planned to accomplish today almost never translates into what you did accomplish today.

16. Don't laugh at someone when they hammer their own finger. Remember karma. If you laugh, it will happen to you moments later.

17. Sometimes spare parts can be found in a wall. Don't panic if you unexpectedly remove a piece of pipe, as it may not have been connected to anything in the first place.

18. If you are sitting in a tub pounding on the wall and you feel something wet on your head, don't accuse the person behind you of spitting on you. Consider first that they showerhead may be dripping.

19. When using a sledgehammer on one side of a wall, don't be oblivious the fact that you are affecting the next room. You should check the status of the other side of the wall at random intervals. The wall may crack and chunks of plaster may fall out in the next room.

20. If you are a good climber, you do not necessarily need a ladder to get into an attic.

21. Make sure an ice pack, tourniquet, large bandages, and a crow bar are at least close by as they may be necessary at some point in the process.

22. Color is subjective to its environment. Just because golden brown looked good in the downstairs bathroom, doesn't mean it won't look like poop smeared on the wall in the upstairs bathroom.

23. Demolition dust can travel much farther than you think it can.

24. A loyal dog will follow you up and down the stairs as many times as you go, even if you tell her you will be back in one minute.

25. You can't convince a barking dog that the knocking she just heard was your hammer, and not someone at the door.

26. A dad who's back hurts too bad to push out the garbage can at home can still use a sledgehammer on his daughter's bathroom wall.

27. Do not say "I told you so" to someone with a sledgehammer in their hand.

28. Do not say "Measure twice, cut once" to someone still holding a power tool.

29. Allowing someone to break for dinner, usually translates into letting them quit for the night.

30. The most necessary tool to survive a renovation project is a good sense of humor.

Keys, keys, keys...

2008-11-20T14:00:00.002-06:00

So, I guess I jinxed myself by blogging yesterday about my blunders. I was planning to do some shopping after work yesterday, so around 4pm I went to my car and got my jeans and tennis shoes out of the trunk to change in to. I came back in the building, changed clothes in the bathroom and then went back to my desk for the last hour of the day. Then, I shut down and got ready to head out. When I started digging around in my purse, my keys were not there. So I dig through the bag of clothes and checked all the pockets, still no keys. Then, it dawned on me. I must have laid them down in the trunk while I was digging around for my jeans and tennis shoes. I have no extra set of keys.

A co-worker offered to take me home. I decided I may as well and just wait until in the morning to call either the dealership or a locksmith figuring they’d probably charge me an after hours fee if I called this late. We get to my house and I realize that I don’t have a key to my house either! So, we move along to plan B. She takes me to Wal-mart where I do some shopping while I wait for my mother to get in town with keys to my house. I decide to stay there and make due until the morning. I almost panicked when I discovered I was out of TP in the upstairs bathroom, but luckily there was a spare roll in the downstairs bathroom since I had no way to go get more. How embarrassing would it be to have to call someone to bring you TP?

So, this morning I realize that my overnight bag was also in the trunk from where I had spent the night at Scott’s the previous night. That bag included things such as my good hairbrush, hair straightener and my only stick of deodorant! I did the best I could with my hair and mom picked me up. I called the dealership when they opened and was told that they could in fact cut me a new door key if I could provide proof of ownership and identification. So, I gather those things and we head to the dealership (making a pitstop at the drugstore for some deoderant). On the way there, I get a call from a co-worker.

Co-worker: Amy…
Me: Yes?
Co-worker: Do your keys have a little flash light on them?
Me: Yes!
Co-worker: I have them at my desk.
Me: Where were they?
Co-worker: They were found in the ladies room.

Talk about embarrassing! I’m just thankful that I had not paid for a new key or paid a locksmith to find there were no keys in my car! And I was even more thankful that I had a keychain on my ring that led them to our offices. The restroom that we use is public for the whole building and they would not have had any idea where to bring it without that keychain. Whew!

Couple of Blunders

2008-11-19T11:28:00.003-06:00

SUNDAY

Sunday afternoon I had my purse sprawled out on Scott's bed and digging through the contents. Scott: What are you looking for?
Me: (frustrated) My keys!
Scott: What's that in your hand?
Me: (more frustrated) My keys!

MONDAY

Monday morning when I was leaving Scott's house for work, I stopped by the gas station in Valley. While the gas was pumping I ran inside to grab a muffin for breakfast. The cashier messed up while ringing up the guy in front of me, so I had to stand in line longer than normal. The sun was streaking in the window and right into my face where I was in line. I stood there with my hand shielding my eyes thinking, "I sure wish I had my sunglasses." I finally checked out, got to the car and reach for my sunglasses. They weren't there. Becuase they were on my head. I'm sure I looked like an idiot in the store my my hands over my face when I had sunglasses on top of my head all along.

TUESDAY

Tuesday night, as I mentioned before, Scott & I went to dinner with some friends at Olive Garden. We ordered some drinks and an appetizer. When the appetizer came out, I looked down at my lap and realized that my napkin wasn't there. I peeked under the table and couldn't see it. So Scott, being the gentleman that he is, offered to get it for me. He leaned over and almost had his head in my lap reaching all over the floor. Kelly, looks at me confused and says, "What is he looking for?" When I told her, she pointed across the table at my silverware which was... yes, still wrapped in my napkin! At that moment, Scott says "Well, where the hell did it go!?" I burst out laughing. I don't know why, but I was certain that I had already unwrapped my napkin and placed it in my lap. I can't explain it. Poor Scott. I don't know how he deals with me.

But I'm sure glad he does!

Sneaky, sneaky

2008-11-19T08:46:00.002-06:00

So, last night Scott & I ate at Olive Garden with some friends. I guess what I had for dinner did a number on my stomach because I was really gassy afterward. Luckily, it was of the silent but deadly variety, but it smelled like garbage! So, a while after we got home, we were standing in the kitchen. I walked away from him to let one loose in the bedroom. Unfortunately for him, he walked in right after I did it.

Scott: (wrinkling his nose) Something smells bad in here!
Me: (stifling the giggles) What does it smell like?
Scott: I dunno... Like bad food or something?

He walked back outside before I burst out laughing. The person who said women are evil creatures... may not have been completely wrong.

Popeye, You're My Hero!

2008-11-04T14:10:00.004-06:00

Boy, has it been a long time since I blogged. I've been swamped with things at work... which is when and where I usually do most of my blogging.

Halloween has come and gone. It was another great one. I made my and Scott's costumes this year. We were Popeye and Olive Oyl. For those of you who don't already know, Scott is almost half a foot shorter than myself, and he's bald so I thought this costume choice was hilarious for us. And I don't think I did such a terrible job.

Scott to the Rescue!

2008-09-22T09:16:00.004-05:00

Usually on Sundays, Scott and I lay around and watch NFL and don't do much. This was not the case yesterday. We were at my house this weekend and Scott helped me get a lot of work done in my back yard since he'll be leaving for Korea on Saturday. There was an enormous pile of leaves in the yard and we decided to burn them in my brick fire pit.

So we were out in the back yard burning and supervising the fire. I'd like to mention at this point that Scott was wearing some of my clothes because he didn't think to bring anything that he wanted to work in the yard in. I won't go into detail because he might kill me if I did, but I'll say he was wearing some jeans that I can no longer fit into with the legs rolled up about 4 times. So after a big cloud of smoke starting billowing around the neighborhood, we heard sirens. I just knew someone had called the fire department thinking it was my house on fire and not leaves. Not to mention, it may or may not be legal to burn leaves within the city limit. Scott was more worried that some firemen were going to show up and find him wearing women's jeans. Even Scott said he looked like a homosexual, his words, not mine.

So we had been out there about an hour or so. We had the back door open and we saw a bird fly into the house through the open door. I went running in and saw that the bird had made it through the laundry room, the kitchen and was now in the dining room. My dining room has very large windows with no blinds. The bird was flying into them repeatedly. It then became Scott's job to capture the bird, not harming him, and put him back outside. Why? Because I was going to be the one holding the camera.

I got him a towel and he caught the bird. It took two or three tries because Scott was afraid he'd hurt the bird if he squeezed too hard, so it got free from him a couple times. But eventually he got him out and he flew away unharmed.

Later, Scott called his dad to talk about football, but also told him about the bird. Scott told him, "It's always an adventure with Amy." And his dad laughed, but added that I kept him young. I'm going to have to agree with that one! So, I want the thank Scott for all his help! He was willing to work even if it meant he had to wear womens' jeans and catch birds!

You Got Hit in the Face With What??

2008-09-18T11:29:00.003-05:00

For the last two evenings, the weather has actually been really nice in Montgomery. I decided to take advantage of that and get some work done in my back yard. The first day, I chopped down a massive amount of bushes and trees and drug them out to the road. I was really amazed at how much I got done in less than two hours. I wish I had taken a before and after photo, but I didn't think about it until after. But the brush pile I created is taller than my trashcan by the road if that gives you sort of an idea of how much I accomplished.

So last night, my mission was to rake all of the leaves off of my back patio and into the grass. My theory was that the next time my yard man comes, he could run over them with the mower because it has a bagger, therefore, picking up all the leaves saving me the hassle of bagging them. And let me mention that these are huge ass magnolia leaves that are a big pain in the butt and attract roaches. So I attempt, at first, to use my leaf blower but quickly realize its not moving the leaves. One, because the leaves have been there so long they are all stuck together and two, because there are so many small branches and limbs mixed in from recent storms.

So picture this, I'm holding the leaf blower and it doesn't seem to be doing much. So I decide to move some branches out of the way. I lean over to pick one up, not bothering to turn off the blower. So the blower points straight down below me, shooting dirt, leaves and even a worm into the air. You guessed it, the worm hit me right in the cheek. At this point, I am so not a happy camper. I throw down the blower and finish raking all of the leaves into the yard by hand.

I got inside and I'm pouring sweat. So I head straight to the kitchen to wash my hands and face. As I'm standing there I hear scratching noises. So not only did I get hit in the face by a worm, but I think that my furry little friends might be back. So, I call Scott. Like this is really going to accomplish anything since he is an hour away, but I needed to vent!

Scott: Hey baby. What are you up to?
Me: I raked the yard and there's roaches and worms everywhere and I was using the blower and worm hit me in the face and now I think there's a mouse in the kitchen and I don't know what to do and why do you have to live so far away I need help!
Scott: I'm sure it's just a little mouse. And you got hit in the face with a what?
Me: A worm. And I don't care if its a little mouse. He's in there pooping on stuff and prob trying to eat my food and I'm scared to open the cabinet because he might jump out on me and I'd poop in my pants if he did.
Scott: Well, umm... I'm not feeling so good myself so I'm going to go lay down. Why don't you do the same. I'll call you later.

So, I did search through the cabinet and drawers and don't find any evidence of a mouse. But I know I heard something? Anyway. That was my day.

So, I Did It Again

2008-09-15T12:58:00.002-05:00

Those of you who read often will remember a few months ago, when I had my embarrassing incident at lunch. My co-workers still make fun of me every time we see the scruffy guy with the ponytail in the cafeteria.

Well folks, I did it again. This time at least I didn't sit with the ponytail guy. I just didn't notice that one of my co-workers was already seated at a table and so I sat at the empty one next to him. So when the third co-worker came to join us, he laughed and said "Well, Amy... do you just not want to sit with us today?"

Sigh. Honestly, I think I sat my lunchbox down then went back to get a fork and the first co-worker sat down while I was up. But logistics don't matter to them. I'll always be the one the one who screws up. It's ok, though. I'm used to it.

For Once, Karma Wasn't a Bitch

2008-09-12T09:48:00.003-05:00

I can’t believe I forgot to post about this last week. Last Wednesday night, I had planned to cook dinner at my brother’s house. When I got off work, I headed to the Wal-Mart in Millbrook to pick up the groceries I needed to make dinner. My brother and his wife, Jennifer were going to stop somewhere and get his haircut, and theoretically, we should have arrived at their house about the same time. But about the time I am leaving Wal-Mart, Jennifer sends me a text message saying that they still haven’t started cutting Jonathan’s hair yet so I could come to Prattville and pick her up if I didn’t want to wait. I figured I’d better go ahead and do that since I just bought chicken and didn’t want it to get warm in the car. So I loaded the groceries into the car and headed to get her.

When I got there, she asked if I minded running in Target with her real quick to make a return. No problem. So we drove over to Target which is in the same shopping center. As we started to get out, I reached for my purse and it wasn’t there. I thought maybe I put it in the trunk with the groceries. Checked. Not there either. Then panic set in. I must have left it in the shopping cart in the parking lot at Wal-mart!

So, we jumped back in the car and I flew back to Wal-Mart. It had been at least 10 minutes and I was praying it was still there. I drove up to the cart corral and there was the cart, no purse. So I jogged up to the guy who was collecting carts in the lot and he took me to customer service. Someone had just turned in a purse. I gave him my name and described the purse. He came out carrying it and I was so thrilled!

Ordinarily, I don’t carry any cash. But the weekend before I had gotten out about $100 after the whole ticket fiasco when we were considering purchasing another pair of tickets. I assumed the cash would be gone but was just hoping that my debit and credit cards would be in place. I was shocked. The cash and everything was still there. I was amazed. Actually, I was lucky that I left it at the Millbrook Wal-mart and not the one in Montgomery or I probably wouldn’t have even gotten the purse back!

So here’s where it gets weird. As we are getting back into my car, we look up and there are a bunch of carts pushed into the parking space in front of my car (Yes, Jen those people are assholes). In one of the carts, there is a purse. We realize that is probably belongs to the person who is backing out so we start yelling and waving at her. Her reply when she realizes she left her purse, “Oh my God, my husband would have killed me!”

But what are the chances that immediately after rescuing my purse, we would save someone from losing hers? Karma works in mysterious ways!

What's that on your face?

2008-09-10T09:18:00.001-05:00

First off, let me start by saying congratulations to my brother on his new job. It’ll be a promotion and a raise. I’m pretty proud of him!

Second, we had a get together for dinner last night to celebrate his new job. I cooked tacos and baked a cake at their house. I was in the kitchen cutting pieces of cake fresh out of the oven. It was a chocolate upside-down cake with fudgy icing. As I was cutting and putting pieces onto plates, I got some of the icing on my thumb. Obviously, since it was right out of the oven my finger felt like it was on fire. My instant reflex was to put my thumb in my mouth and lick the icing off. As I slung my thumb upward toward my mouth, some of the icing slung off and landed on my nose. So not only did I manage to burn my thumb and my tongue, I also burned my nose. My brother was the only one who witnessed this but since he laughed so hard others came into the kitchen and saw me before I could get the chocolate off my nose. How embarrassing! And I think this is yet another thing that only I could manage to do.

Anyway, congratulations Jonathan!

An Amyism Strikes Again

2008-08-30T13:17:00.000-05:00

I am still shocked about the outcome of today. No, I'm not talking about the scores of any of the games. I'm talking about me.

For those of you who don't know, I bought tickets back in May to the first Georgia game. I bought them that early because I wanted to give them to Scott for his birthday in May. I finally got the tickets in the mail last week. I felt kinda ripped because the tickets were not as good as I was told they were going to be, but nevertheless was still totally excited to be going. Especially, since the first game was not going to be televised since we just played Georgia Southern. We got just a little lost on the way here and it took us 4 hours when it should have only taken about 2.5, but part of that was traffic.

Well, we got up early this morning, got ready and headed toward downtown Athens. It was a bit of a hassle to find a parking spot but we managed. It was a bit of a walk to the stadium, a lot of it was uphill. So of course, Scott was just fine and I thought I would have a stroke at any moment since it was hot as hell and I'm totally out of shape. As we finally reach the gates to the stadium, I reach to my back pocket to pull out our tickets. Not there. They were there a few block back. Not there now. The tickets were slightly longer than my back pocket and stuck out just a little bit. I'm not certain whether they just wiggled their way out of my pocket as we trecked up hills, or if someone slipped them out of my pocket. it wouldn't have been hard and I'd never have noticed. I was stunned. We had little cash on us. Just enough to buy food. We were asking prices for pairs of tickets and people were asking outrageous amounts. Once it was only 15 minutes before kickoff, there were few people around the gates selling tickets. We were sweating like pigs, more me than Scott. So we headed outward, either looking for a cheap pair of tickets or an ATM machine. After kickoff, people still had not dropped the price of the tickets so we decided to head to the restaurant where we'd parked Scott's Jeep and hope they were carrying the game even though it was only on pay-per-view. No dice. They were playing the radio broadcast inside and at least they had A/C. We sat inside through most of the first half then decided to go back to the room and try our luck with the radio there. At least we'd be able to listen to it loud and not be fighting to hear over all the people talking.

At this point, I have to say how much I love Scott. Most people would naturally blame me and yell or be pissed off at me for losing/getting the tickets stolen. Not Scott. Never. His response, "nothing you can do now. Let's just make the best of it." God, do I love him. I'm so lucky! I'm still mad at myself and pretty bummed about not being able to see the game live, but it means more than anything in the world to me that I have someone who is so supportive.

So, right now we're in our hotel room in Athens. We're about to get dressed and ready to go out somewhere in Athens. We're looking for somewhere nice to eat that has large TV's on which we can watch the Alabama vs. Clemson game. If anybody reads this shortly who has a recommendation, give me a call or shoot me a text on my cell phone.

How Lucky too Have Opposable Thumbs

2008-08-22T09:24:00.002-05:00

I am minus a thumb today. Well, not really. Minus the use of one anyway. It's there, it's just so swollen and sore that I can't really bend it or put any pressure on it. It's very pretty too. A lovely shade of purple!

Yes, I shut my own thumb in the trunk of my car. Not my whole thumb, just the tip. How does one do that, I know you are asking? I don't really know. I just wasn't watching when I shut it. I was too busy looking in the back window searching for the flip-flops I couldn't find.

So I just wanted to share my misery. I'm sure this will be really funny once I don't feel like a cartoon character where he just hit his thumb with the hammer and it goes, "whump, whump, whump" and blows up like a red balloon. It just feels that way, when really it looks like this:

I'm amazed at how hard it is to do very simple things while trying not to use your thumb... like hook your bra, button your pants. And I didn't realize just how week my left hand is. It's gonna be a fun few days. Sigh.

More Photos from Kayaking

2008-08-20T15:01:00.010-05:00

I just wanted to share some more photos. These are the ones that were taken with the disposable cameras on our rover adventure.

Jonathan and Jennifer. I took these two before the first flip when we lost our camera:
First flip. Me floating away, Scott getting back in the kayak:

Safely back in the kayak:

Us catching up after the rescue mission (notice I have no paddle):

All back together again after the rescue mission:

I love our faces! I think I had just yelled at him not to flip us over:

The aftermath, happy to be OUT OF THE WATER:

Seriously, who am I?

2008-08-18T16:44:00.001-05:00

I went to lunch today and was really surprised at the topic of conversation I chose. Football? I mean seriously… me, Amy, willingly discussed football? And not only that, but I knew off the top of my head the names of players, coaches and different teams’ schedules. And not just Georgia and Auburn either, but several other SEC teams. And it wasn’t just limited to college football either. I even discussed NFL.

This time last year, I MAYBE could have named 3 Auburn football players’ by last name. That’s it. Until last season, I was what you could call football ignorant. Honestly, what I knew about football I learned from an electronic handheld game. And at the time, I didn’t know what I was doing, but I did know that I only had for chances to move my dot at least 10 spaces. (Stop laughing guys.) I now know that I was trying to go at least 10 yards in 4 downs. Who woulda thought?? Granted I still don’t know some of the penalties but I am getting much better.

Until recently I would have rolled my eyes and said, “Ughhh, the boys are going to talk about football” and found something else for myself to do. Not anymore. Now that I am more informed, I feel more inclined to join the conversation and learn even more. I have never been so excited about the start of college football season. Ever. I have Scott to thank for this. He is very patient with me. If something happens during a game and I don’t understand the call or the penalty, he is always more than happy to explain it to me. Granted, I have learned that it is best to wait until a commercial break or a timeout to ask for said explanation, but I always know that he is happy to teach me more about football. It is just one of the many things that I love about Scott. He’s always patient with me, not just about football.

So, I said all of that to say how excited I am that college football season starts in less than 2 weeks. I’m absolutely thrilled! I bought tickets to the opening Georgia game in Athens for Scott’s birthday. It’s a small team so I’m especially glad that I got the tickets because the game will not be on tv and I would go insane having to listen to it on the radio. Granted, I’m not the happiest about missing all of the other games that will be on tv that day, but our game is early afternoon so I’m sure we’ll catch a lot of them.

My biggest debate for this season is related to NFL. I’ve never really watched too much NFL. Previously, my only opinions have mostly been that I don’t like the Cowboys and I do like the Greenbay Packers. But this year, I can’t decide… was I ever really a Packers fan? Or just a Brett Favre fan? I just don’t think it will be the same to cheer for the Packers without Favre but I don’t think that I can see myself cheering for the NY Jets? Am I alone in this? Is anyone else having this battle with themselves? I think for now I have decided that I might just cheer for the Colts instead, as I have always hat the hots for Peyton Manning as well. I guess we’ll see once the season starts how I feel when I watch a game. That’s what its all about anyway, right? Cheering for whom you feel most loyal to?

So, for now it’s GO DAWGS all the way! And for NFL, TBD. Happy football season everyone!

Book Recommendations & a Funny Story

2008-08-15T13:51:00.002-05:00

I’ve been reading a new series of books recommended to me by my cousin. They are the Stephanie Plum Mysteries by Janet Evanovich. I’m obsessed with them. I have read more books in the last few weeks than I have read in probably the last year. Of course, I’m not getting much sleep in order to do so. I find myself glancing at the clock at midnight thinking, just a few more pages. Then again at 1am. They are good murder mysteries but they are hilarious at the same time. I highly recommend them.

Without giving too much away, I will tell you that the lead character is in her early-thirties and has found herself taking a job as a bounty hunter with no experience at all. This as you can imagine, gets her into all sorts of trouble and embarrassing situations. In the book I was reading last night, a person who she was trying to capture broke into her apartment and attacked her. Not funny, but this leads me to my funny story for the day.

I was laying in bed reading the book and had just turned off the tv so it was totally quiet in my house. My bedroom is on the second floor. I heard a strange noise coming from downstairs. Of course, immediately my heart starts racing and I picture someone breaking the window of my front door and reaching through to let himself in. I squeeze my eyes close in hopes that the sound will go away and no one will be there. It doesn’t stop.

I creep out of bed and tiptoe around upstairs looking for something, anything I can use at a weapon. Sadly, the best thing I can find is a heavy handled hairbrush. I don’t even own a baseball bat or a gold club. I am defenseless. So I put myself in my hand and am prepared to call out, not sure who, but someone. I tiptoe down the creaky stairs and see that the front door still looks secure. I peek around the corner and the back door is fine too. I still hear the noise and can tell its coming from the kitchen. I walk around the corner to see that a large piece of paint from the ceiling is hanging down and the ceiling fan is chipping off small pieces that are clattering to the floor.

This is not the first time a chunk of my ceiling peeled off, this is just the first time it happened while I was home and scared the bejeebus out of me. My house was built in 1930 and there is not hood or ventilation system over my gas stove. So it just steams the paint right off. Guess I should put that at the top of my list of things to repair… right after I change my underpants.

Parker

2008-08-14T10:23:00.002-05:00

For those of you who don't already know, my best friend had the most beautiful baby boy 2 weeks ago. I went over to cook dinner for them last night and got to feed Parker. While I was feeding him, Scott called me on my cell phone. The following conversation occured:

Scott: What are you doing?
Me: Feeding the baby.
Scott: You are what?
Me: I’m fedding the baby.
Scott: Umm... Welll... Uh? Isn’t he uh?
Me: What?
Scott: Isn’t the baby breast feeding?

I just cracked up. Men.

Me, Scott & Parker: 1 day old

Congrats Scott!

2008-08-11T13:57:00.004-05:00

Scott started his new job at the new Kia Motors plant in West Point, Gerogia a week ago today. I just wanted to say how proud I am of him and all of his accomplishments. He was one 20 maintenance employees to be chosen out of 43,000-plus applicants. I'm so extremely proud of him! The following photo and clip of an article appeared in the Valley Times newspaper:

KMMG's first hourly associates hired for West Point operation
WEST POINT - Monday, Aug. 4 will go down as a special day in the lives of 28 hourly production and maintenance team members at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia as they became the first group out of more than 43,000-plus applicants to begin work for Kia's first North American automotive manufacturing assembly plant.

River Rats

2008-08-11T11:12:00.005-05:00

Sometimes I get this crazy idea that my life is not exciting enough and decide to try something new. Of course, I’m not usually brave enough to try it myself so I rope someone else into trying it with me. This past Saturday, Scott and I went kayaking with my brother, Jonathan and his wife, Jennifer. Scott has been kayaking and canoeing before but its been over 10 years. The rest of us had never even touched a kayak.

So Saturday morning we pack a few soft coolers and buy a couple waterproof disposable cameras and head to the rental place in Wetumpka, Alabama. I was pretty nervous but I tried to act like I wasn’t because Jennifer was a lot more nervous than me and I didn’t want her to chicken out on us. Once we got out there it was great. The water was smooth and the weather was beautiful. Scott managed to drop his sunglasses in the water before we even got good and started. We were paddling along talking about how we should buy kayaks and travel around to different places. Through the first section of choppy water Scott and skimmed over the top of a rock. Jonathan and Jennifer were busy laughing at us when they skimmed and got stuck on a rock. But they scooted until they were off of it.

In the very first large rapids Scott and I flipped over. Scott says its all my fault because I got scared and started saying, “We’re going over! We’re going over!” So of course we did. It wasn’t so bad. I got drug over some rocks and sucked in some water. But overall, I was glad I had gotten it out of the way and wasn’t so scared of the water anymore. I did lose my sunglasses and Scott lost his hat though. We lost our camera too but Jonathan and Jennifer rescued it. But we got back in and were off again. The next rapids, we actually stayed afloat. We even cheered. But the cheering was short lived.

Through the next set of rapids we hit a rock and run aground. We had to get out to get off of the rock. As soon as we got back in, we hit another rock and flipped over again. All the while, Jonathan and Jennifer are just floating right through like its nothing. This time we lost our cooler and they managed to rescue it too!

The next set of rapids, you guessed it, we flipped again. I fell into a place where several currents converge into a swirl. I was hanging on to my paddle (because they cost you $35 if you lose it) and trying to swim out of it with water shoes on. I absolutely could not swim out of it. Jonathan and Jennifer were just at the top of the rapids paddling backwards to keep from running over me. I kept yelling, “I’m stuck” and “I don’t know what to do” and there mouths would move but I couldn’t hear what they were saying over the sound of rushing water. After what seemed like eternity, I banged the paddle on a rock that was under the water just a couple of feet away. I managed to get a grip on it with the very tips of my fingers and pull myself on it. I had to constantly hang on to stay on the rock but at least I was out of the way from oncoming kayaks and canoes.

So, once I climb up I see Scott probably 50 yards ahead and he is scrambling onto a larger rock island. And I see the kayak floating away from him. So here I am perched on a rock in the middle of the Coosa River, Scott is on a rock further ahead (just out of shouting range) and our kayak is floating off to who knows where? As I sit there, several other kayaks come by and I can see them looking at me holding a paddle and looking around seeing no boat. A man and his daughter come by on a tandem kayak and I see him pull up to the rock that Scott is on. The little girl climbs off on the rock with Scott and the guy begins to paddle upriver towards me. I see him signal “I’m coming to get you.” I am absolutely amazed at this man’s strength as he manages to paddle all the way up past me and then wedges his kayak against a rock close to mine. I hand him my paddle and he outs it in the kayak with his. Then, he stands up and reaches out to grab my hand and pull me to the rock he is on. I hear him say, “Oh no.” I look over and see both of our paddles floating away down the river. I frantically start waving at Scott and the little girl hoping maybe they can catch our paddles. No such luck. So I get in the kayak with the man, saying “My name is Amy by the way. And thank you for rescuing me.” As we start to float down the river, we are both doggie paddling out the side to try and maneuver the canoe to the rock that Scott and the man’s daughter were on. As we get close, Scott throws a paddle to us and the man manages to reach it. From the big rock, I can see Jonathan and Jennifer probably 50-100 yards further up the river. They have our kayak tied to theirs and they are paddling as hard as they can upstream.

Courtesy of Google maps, here is a diagram to show just how spread out we are:

Another man on a kayak comes up to us and offers to take Scott up to ours so that he can come back for me. As Scott climbs on, I notice he is missing one of his water shoes. Scott gets our kayak and gets to toward the bank where the water is not rushing as fast and finally makes it back to me. At this point, I am on the verge of tears. We were told that Moccasin Gap was the biggest rapids and I was terrified of what might happen if they got any bigger. We rest on the rock for a minute before getting back in, and yet another man comes by, searching for an expensive pair of sunglasses that the river claimed. I ask him how many more rapids there are and he says that we have just crossed the last one, and that Moccasin gap was actually the rapids where we flipped over twice. My reply, “Oh thank God!”

It is then that I learn that my Jennifer and Jonathan had seen a snake while trying to bring our kayak back to us. And Jonathan had pretty much worn himself out trying to paddle so far upriver and were just going to float the rest of the way. So Scott starts paddling us a l ittle faster to catch up with them. We passed several kayaks and kept thinking, “Is that them? Nope.” But when we finally reached them, we knew it was them because they were both slumped over not moving like they were dead. I think if they had not been with us, they would have had a wonderful time since they didn’t flip over once! They did manage to save our camera, our cooler (twice) and our kayak!

So, overall I have to say it was an exciting experience. I don’t know if I will ever go kayaking again or not. I would say in a lake or something, sure. But if there are rapids and rocks involved, I’m not so sure. But I can say that I tried it and survived, and we got some great stories out of it. I’m sure I left out a lot of the details, but so much happened and so fast that its hard to remember it all. But I want to say a big THANK YOU to David who rescued me from that rock, even though I doubt I would ever be able to find him and really thank him myself. I can’t imagine how we would have gotten out of there if it weren’t for the kindness of those complete strangers.

To our surprise, my parents were waiting at the rental place waiting to take our pictures when we returned. And I suspect to make sure that we actually did return. The following is a photo that Dad took. Notice Scott is holding his one remaining shoe. I’ll be sure to post some of the photos from the disposable cameras as soon as we get them developed.

Total rescues by Jennifer and Jonathan:
Our camera
Our cooler (twice)
Our kayak

Total goods claimed by the river (from just me and Scott):
His sunglasses
His hat
My sunglasses
One of his water shoes

Scratch and Sniff

2008-08-06T14:56:00.003-05:00

Two weeks ago, I went to the doctor with a sinus infection. No biggie. Had one plenty of times. He prescribed some amoxicillin which I’ve had a thousand times as a kid. (Note to Men: you might not want to read the rest of this paragraph.) Well, as a woman, I did the smart thing and ate some yogurt everyday while on the antibiotics to prevent getting one of those wonderful “secondary infections.” No such luck. I got one anyway. So I treated myself with some over the counter stuff and it went away.

Over the next couple of days, I start to itch intensely. Not in one particular area but all over. On my leg one minute, my chest and neck the next and then my lower back. I’m scratching everywhere like a monkey. This goes on for a day or two. I’m thinking I’ve had an allergic reaction to some new clothes I wore or maybe some soap or something. I wash all my clothes and even the sheets. Still itching and scratching. After a couple more days of this, I’m afraid that my friends and co-workers are going to worry that I have fleas. So I go back to the doctor and tell him what’s going on. He says that I’ve had an allergic reaction to either the antibiotic or the over the counter medicine. I told him I’d had that antibiotic before so I didn’t think that was it. His response: “Well, you develop allergies to different things with age.” Thanks, so not only do I look like I have fleas but I’m also getting old.

Soooo… he calls in some prescriptions to the Wal-Mart pharmacy near my house. Might I remind you on any given normal day a Wal-Mart in Montgomery can induce a panic attack. I drove to the drive-up window about 10 minutes before 12. I ring the little call bell 3 times and no one answers. Remembering that they close for lunch, I think they must have left 10 minutes early. So, I decide to pick up something for lunch, go home and sit on the couch till 1 and come back.

I do exactly that. Except I decide that I’m not in such a hurry to get back to work and wait until 1:30 since I figure there will be a line when they open back up at 1. I pull up to the window and ring the call bell three times. Again, no answer. So I park my car and decide to brave the Wal-Mart crowd because I am certainly not driving back here 3 times in one day. I walk around the corner to the pharmacy and the roll gates are down and they are closed. There is a sign that says “Closed for lunch from 1:30-2:00.” It is now 1:35. It would have been really nice for that sign to be posted on the drive-up window.

No need for panic. I decide to shop around and pick up a few things I need anyway. I get three different packs of light bulbs, a new bath mat that is on clearance and a picture frame that I’ve been needing for something. I get back to the register and wait the remaining 5 minutes before they roll the window back up so that I’m first in line. I get two separate prescriptions and put my things on the counter. The check out girl just looks at me and says, “There is a 5 item check out limit back here.” Are you kidding me?! I say nothing but when she sees the very irritated look on my face, she decides to say, “I’ll do it this one time but just so you know from now on.” I pay for my items and still say nothing for fear that my head will explode if I open my mouth. I just got out of there as quickly as possible. So, I’m back at work. Wishing that I wasn’t and wanted to share this adventure of a day/week.

Best Halloween Ever

2008-08-05T11:11:00.006-05:00

A few years ago, some friends and I went to a local pub on Halloween night. It was a weeknight and we had not indulged in the whole costume thing, but did go to a pub that was having a costume contest. There were the normal playboy bunnies, witches and vampires and a few that were a little more over the top. One guy was wearing a fake coffin around his neck with his head popping through. Though obviously homemade, it was pretty impressive.

So, a while after we got there, we are all sitting around a table enjoying our drinks and checking out people's costumes. My boyfriend (at the time) was running really late from a rehearsal and I was occasionally glancing at my phone to make sure I'd not missed his call in the loud crowded bar. At this point, I notice a powerized wheeler chair come zipping through the front door. My first thought is, "OMG, what a tacky costume!" And as I look a little longer I feel a little guilty and ashamed realizing, this is not a costume. The man is paralyzed from the base of his neck down. He can't even move his head. There is a small tube running into his mouth that he blows to go forward and sucks to reverse. I start to wonder what sort of enjoyment he might get out of coming into a bar, but think to each his own and go about my conversation with friends.

A few minutes later, I hear his wheels turning and turn to see that the man has pulled his chair right next to mine. I smile politely and say hello. And the following conversation occurs:

Me: Hello.
Wheely: Hello. Where's your costume?
Me: Oh, I didn't have time to get one with it being a work night and all.
Wheely: Oh. Do you have any candy?
Me: No, I don't.
Wheely: I have a blow pop in my pocket if you want it?
Me(outside):Umm, no thanks. I'm good.
Me(inside): OMG, WTF? Are you seriously hitting on me?

I'm looking around the table at my friends who are pretending not to be listening and trying not to laugh. I check the time and my phone again.

Wheely: You must be waiting for your boyfriend to call?
Me: Yes, actually I am.
Wheely: Well, I guess I better BLOW on outta here then.

He laughs, wiggling the tube in his mouth. And with that, he wheels off. I look around the table and my friends burst in laughter. I was joked on for weeks about it. But what was I supposed to do? How can you be mean to a paraplegic?

On another note, I ran into the same guy a couple weeks later at a big bingo casino here in town. I can't imagine how gambling could be fun for him... watching someone else put his money in the machine and pressing the buttons for him? But you gotta admire that he doesn't let his situation get him down. Wheely still likes to party.

Sometimes Karma Works In Your Favor

2008-07-18T10:47:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, I was asked at the very last minute to go over to the Dexter Avenue King Baptist Church for a photo shoot. (For those of you who aren’t in the area, this is the historic landmark where MLK preached from 1954-1960.) I didn’t want to be IN a photo because my face is a little “peely” from the sun I got at the beach. But when I got there, the co-worker who was supposed to be taking the photo had not arrived. It was hot out there and all the other volunteers were whining about not wanting to wait out there too long. I just happened to have my new camera in my car. So I volunteered to take the photos myself. My ulterior motives of course were, if I was TAKING the photos I didn’t have to be IN the photos.

This morning, as I grab my camera out of the car so I can upload the photos to my computer at work, I look around and realize that I left my camera bag at the church. And not just AT the church, but on a bench outside the front of the church. I had my camera, but not the lens cap, cords, manual, extra batteries, charger and $100 bag. I drove back by the church but I already knew it wouldn’t have survived a night in downtown Montgomery.

I trudge into the office and ask the secretary to contact the church and make sure no one there happened to see it and pick it up for me. I seriously doubted this would be the case. I had pretty much accepted that it was gone. They hadn’t seen it.

So I get to my desk and I’m telling a co-worker what happened. And I can’t believe what he tells me. The co-worker who was supposed to take the photos in the first place, showed up very shortly after we’d left, recognized my camera bag and she has it with her!! For once, karma has worked in my favor! I am so thrilled. And I am extremely lucky. What are the chances that someone I knew would be the person to find it?

Note to self: Get an ID tag for your camera bag!

What Better Than a Blue Dancing Gorilla?

2008-07-17T13:43:00.003-05:00

I mean, really? I consider myself fairly savvy when it comes to marketing schemes. It does happen to be what I went to school to do. But sometimes, I just totally can't understand what the marketing team was thinking when they came up with their campaign. This is one of them. What in the world does a blue dancing gorilla have to do with getting a degree? And if you don't have time to go back to school, shouldn't you be busy working rather than playing with the dancing gorilla? As you roll over the gorilla, he dances and when you scroll off of him he stops. Seriously people. Think again.

I also got the following e-mail the other day. Normally I don't pay too much attention to crap mail, but my interest in becoming a writer lead me to at least skim the e-mail. It's well designed and someone obviously spent some time and money on it. But apparently, the writing classes offered do not include lessons on proofreading as they encourage you to get "accedited" today!

With a Hint of Salsa

2008-07-16T16:30:00.001-05:00

I ran to the grocery store on my lunch break today. I am expecting company for dinner and thought I’d save time by picking up all the ingredients this afternoon. I swing by my house to stick the groceries in the fridge and let out the dog I am sitting. I head to the front door and one of the plastic bags begins to tear. And why is it, that when a grocery bag tears, the only item that hits the ground is the one in a glass jar? You got it. I am now sporting my nice black strappy sandals with a hint of thick and chunky salsa. Not only did it break splattering salsa all over my shoe and between my toes, but it managed to cut my leg as well. Go figure.

So, I go in and eat lunch sitting on the couch and I keep getting a whiff of something awful. I figure the dog has made a mess and begin checking all around for it. But I don’t find anything. Finally, when she is sitting next to me on the couch I figure it out. The dog is farting. Silent farts, but most definitely deadly farts.

So, I get back to my office and a co-worker is working on my computer for a bit. My office phone rings and its my mother, so I answer anyway. The following conversation occurs… and bear in mind my co-worker can only here one end of it.

Mom: Are you busy?
Me: No, I just got back from lunch.
Mom: So, how is Pookie [dog] doing?
Me: She’s good but I think her stomach is upset.
Mom: Oh no, did she poop on your floor?
Me: No, but she smells really bad!

{{co-worker looks at me with her mouth hanging open}}

Me: A dog, not a person.
Co-Worker: Good, cause I was going to say I wouldn’t want to be your friend.

I seriously think at first she thought I was talking about her. Nice.

Excuse me, is that a fungus?

2008-07-15T08:40:00.000-05:00

Scott and I had our trip to the beach this weekend. We got in pretty late on Thursday night. Once settled into our room, we grabbed a blanket and headed over to the beach with a little flashlight. We laid out there for hours listening to the waves, watching little sand crabs pop up and talking about all the things we normally don’t have time to discuss. It was a really good start to the trip.

Friday afternoon, we made our drinks and packed our cooler and headed back out onto the beach. The weather was great. Hot, but great. After sitting on our blanket for just a little while, I decided I better go ahead and put some sunscreen on. I had a can of SPF 15 that sprays on and thought I’d just put some on my chest and shoulders. I pulled out the can and pointed it at my chest, pushed the button, and the can basically spit on me. Just a few little spurty bubbles came out. I guess we had used it all the previous weekend at a pool party. I have a pretty good base tan so I figured I would be alright and had some SPF 50 if completely necessary.

So we enjoyed the afternoon swimming and meeting other people on the beach. Scott is far more social and less shy than I am, and so we met several very interesting people while there. He always amazes me with his ability to meet and hold conversations with perfect strangers. I wish I were more like that.

After about five hours on the beach, Scott looked cooked. Despite my insistence that he needed some sunscreen, he never applied any. When we got back to the room, I noticed that I was a bit pink myself. Upon further inspection, I noticed something that looked like a fungus growing up my chest. It took me a few minutes to realize exactly what it was. Everywhere that the sunscreen had “spit” on me had left little white circles and everywhere else was red. Luckily, now a couple of days later the red has faded and I don’t think you can tell anymore. But that just goes to show just how well even SPF 15 works!

And on a side note, the great conversation on Thursday night did include some discussion about commitment and the future of our relationship. Nothing was necessarily decided, but I was able to express my concerns and let him know how I’m feeling and what I’m thinking. I don’t know which direction that will drive him, but I do know that I got through to him and made an impact. He knows that he’s got to figure out what it is that he wants. I can only hope that in the end, he decides that he wants the same things that I do. For now, I’ve decided to give him a little more room to breathe, think and hopefully to miss me. So, we’ll see how it goes. Wish me luck!

Found

2008-07-08T16:24:00.003-05:00

I found this shopping list in a book store a couple of weeks ago. I read it, laughed and then laid it back down. Then, I remembered Found Magazine / Found Blog! I went back and picked it up. My favorite part is that Condoms is at the top of the "other" list and that he needs to remember to bring 8 pairs of "draws." Hilarious!

A Big Day

2008-07-08T11:58:00.002-05:00

I usually post all of my blogs both on here and on MySpace. That started when MySpace got firewalled at work, I could post on blogger then copy it to MySpace when I got home. But lately, I've been posting a little differently, because completely different sets of people read each blog. Scott, for one, only reads the blog on MySpace so I feel like I can post things on here that I might not post on there. Like this one...

Thursday, July 10th Scott and I have officially been dating a year. We are taking a trip to the beach for the weekend to celebrate. In my eyes, a year is a huge milestone. Yes, I've been in several other long term relationships (a 7-year and a 3-year) but I still feel like making it to the year mark is kind of a defining moment? You seem to either make it only a few months or you make it a really long time? I hope that makes sense. To me it does.

For those of you who don't know, Scott is about 10 years older than me. He's also been in a previous very long term relationship. It lasted for 10 years and never resulted in a marriage or any children. At first, I was thankful for that... in the sense that I've found someone who comes without the baggage of a divorce and/or children. But lately, I've wondered whether its a good thing or not.

We've reached this milestone and I feel like its time to make some sort of decisions? I know that I want to get married and have children. And we often have the "if we get married" or "if we have children" talks. But he freezes up when it comes really talking about it. He also has trouble freely saying I love you. I tell him almost daily. Sometimes I get a "You know I do" or sometimes even a "ditto." But only Patrick Swayze can get away with the ditto business. Scott is no Patrick Swayze.

Scott's mother died in a car accident when he was only 13 years old. Obviously, the suddeness of her death has caused him a lot of problems. Any time I bring up his difficulty with expressing his feelings, he blames it on losing his mother. It's not that I doubt this is the truth, but I feel like its always the conversation ender. Like, "Well, my mom died." And what else can I say to that? And if it is the truth, then I think after more than 20 years, its time to talk to a counselor of some kind and deal with it? Am I wrong?

Anyway, my reason for this post is... I feel like this weekend is going to be my breaking point. I haven't given him sort of ultimatum or anything. I wouldn't do that. I'm not stupid. I want Scott to want to marry me, not be bullied into it. I just feel like a year is enough time to be able to make a decision about what he wants? If he just never wants to get married, I think its only fair that he let me know so that I can move on and look for someone who does. I'm not saying I want a ring this weekend, but I do need to see some sort of progress. I need a sign that we are on the same page and headed in the same general direction with this relationship.

I know that a lot of my hurry is based on the inconveniences of this relationship and I try not to let that be a huge influence. But Scott lives an hour away and works almost every weekend. This requires me to most of the driving back and forth. Might I remind you of the price of gas? Not to mention the time. I get a lot of thinking done on those drives, but after a year, I'm ready for a change. I don't think that is asking too much.

Is it?

Too Old For This

2008-06-19T16:40:00.002-05:00

A few months ago, Scott and I decided to join the world of Guitar Hero. I know, I know. We are probably… well, HE is probably too old for that. But who cares, right? So we went to Best Buy to buy the guitar for his Wii. While we were in there, we browsed the other selections. They had Rock Band set up and we’d never played that before. There was a little girl about 8 years-old playing on the drums. I waited my turn to play. When she put down the sticks and walked away, I quickly picked them up. Then, I realized that I didn’t know how to select what song and what difficulty, etc. The little girl noticed and offered to help. She took the drumsticks back and banged on certain drums to make the selections. So, I figured it out. Each drum has a colored ring that correlates to the color of the selection on the screen. Got it. So she hands them back to me.

I wait for moment and realize it is waiting for me to make one more selection. I reach out and bang on the drum to let it know I’m ready. Just as I did, the little girl reaches out to hit it with her hand. You got it. I banged the back of the little girl’s hand with the drum stick. Hard. She just looked back at me rubbing her hand and said softly, “Owwww.”

I apologized several times. But those of you who know me, know I didn’t do so without laughing. I could hardly play for laughing so hard. Scott told me I was going to get us kicked out of BestBuy for abusing small children. I wouldn't be surprised.

Yes, I Said That

2008-06-19T13:53:00.003-05:00

In my second year of college, I was awarded a full scholarship from the Graphic Design Department. The board who voted on the scholarship recipients consisted of two of my professors as well as some other staff members. I remember well day I received the letter letting me know that I had been chosen. I had class later that day with one of the professors. We had a test so I made a mental note to remember to thank her at the end of class.

We sat there quietly taking our test. Maybe ten minutes into the class, the guy who sat across from me came running in late and out of breath.

Prof: You sure are late today and we're taking a test.

Late guy: I know, I'm so sorry but my apartment got broken into and someone was there putting on a new front door.

Me: {{without thinking}} They stole your door?

{{awkward silence and everyone is staring at me}}

Late guy: {{making a face like I was a moron}} No, but they did kick it in...

Yeah. True story. Of course, I realized what I said as soon as it came out of my mouth. But by then, it was too late. I'm sure that professor was thinking, "And we just gave this girl a scholarship?"

Just Curious?

2008-06-12T11:49:00.003-05:00

I have a blog tracker. It's not very detailed but it gives me enough information that I can usually tell if my hits are from people who google something obscure and stumble into my blog, or if they come to it from another blog, or if they link to it from my myspace page or something similar. Most of my hits come from obscure places/countries but recently someone from Birmingham on a Mac on Bellsouth has been reading my blog on a fairly frequent basis. I was just curious as to whether or not you are someone I know, or just someone who happened to find this blog and enjoy it? Either way, I hope you'll let me know who you are so I can quit wondering. And for anyone else who reads every now and then, feel free to let me know. (Except you in Denton, TX... I already know about you, ha ha.) Enjoy reading!

It's Gettin Hot In Here!

2008-06-12T09:14:00.003-05:00

**Warning: This post may cause mental images that you may not wish to have. Just sayin'.

This past weekend Scott's A/C went out and we were not able to get anybody to come out and fix it "after hours." So, needless to say, with the heat index reaching over 100 degrees it was pretty darn hot in there. He had to work on Saturday and called to check on me while he was in his office. The conversation went like this:

Scott: Hey baby, what are you doing?
Me: Sitting here naked in front of a fan watching TV cause its hot as hell in here!
Me: (hearing an echo) Wait? Am I on speakerphone?

Nice.

The Boots

2008-05-30T16:03:00.003-05:00

I’ll start the new chapter off with a fairly mild tale that will embarrass only myself. Just after high school, I hung out with a group of guys who I guess you would refer to as “techies,” one of which was my fiancé, Aaron. We pulled many all-nighters trying to beat the latest video games. This often required late night trips to the local Wal-mart for munchies.

One such night, I had recently purchased a lovely pair of the knee-high “hooker boots” that were oh-so popular that year. I bought a budget pair that I thought would be wonderful because they laced up the front for looks, but also had zippers up the side so you didn’t have to unlace them to take them off. This was a good idea in theory. The problem was, the top two laces were just those hooks that you wrap around, so every time I unzipped the boots they would slack and the laces would fall out anyway. Thus, requiring you to both lace and zip them up every time. It took way too long to get these boots on, let me tell you.

So that night I was wearing these boots at a friends’ house when the guys decide to make a run to Wal-mart. I asked Aaron if he would drive so that I could just put the boots on in the car and save us some time. He agreed and we headed out. I sat in the passenger seat in the dark feeling my way around to put the boots on. I felt the zipper and slipped my foot in and shifted my it around trying to wedge it into the bottom of the boot. It didn’t quite feel right and I thought, “Well, maybe I am trying to put the wrong shoe on the wrong foot?" So, I asked Aaron to turn on the light for a minute so I could see what I was doing.

When the lights came on, I looked down and began to laugh hysterically. My foot was inside my purse. Aaron looked over and saw it too.

Aaron: What the hell is wrong with you?

Me: (still laughing) I dunno, I just felt the zipper and shoved my foot in??

Aaron: Okay, I understand the zipper part, but didn’t you feel all the stuff in the bottom of your purse?

I have no idea. But I know that I laughed till I cried. I laughed so hard that I still didn’t have my shoes on by the time we made it to Wal-mart.

Something Old, Something New

2008-05-30T15:35:00.003-05:00

So, I’m sure you’ve noticed my lack of blogging lately. It has not been for a lack of time, but for a lack of material. I’ve been dating someone seriously for almost a year now, which has removed my need to do stupid things such as drive halfway across the country for a horrible first date. I’ve gotten a new car which has a functioning gas gauge and even a little light that comes on the remind me that I will soon need to stop for fuel. I’ve not been “hitting the bars” and having drunken wild stories to tell. Things have become…I wouldn’t say boring, but maybe more stable is the word? It’s nice. It’s comfortable. It’s definitely much safer!

But this has caused a hole in my blogging. This, I can fix. I have only been blogging for the last two years or so. I have PLENTY of stories from pre-blog days. So, here begins a new chapter in my blog. I will delve into my past and dig up the kinds of stories that you always end up rehashing at 3am at a Waffle House or the first time you meet some new friends. I love those nights and those stories. I hope you will too. Bear with me though, I will probably go way back in some of the blogs which will require that I introduce several “characters” that I may or may not have ever mentioned before. I hope you stick it out. And please, PLEASE give feedback. I am considering publishing a book that would be comprised of stories much like the ones I will post here. Feedback, good or bad will help me decide whether or not this is a worthwhile endeavor, so I’d really appreciate it.

And in advance, my apologies to any friends who might be embarrassed by future posts…but you knew this day would come, didn't you?

Tooting My Own Horn

2008-05-30T08:57:00.004-05:00

Can I just say that I'm proud of myself? After tiling the countertops last week, I decided to tackle tiling the kitchen and laundry room floors. While Scott and I were in TN visiting his family, we made a trip to Home Depot to pick up some supplies to help his cousin finish his basement. You can’t take me into Home Depot without me finding something I “need.” I decided to price out buying a wet saw versus renting one. They had one for only $88! SOLD! So my souvenir from our trip to TN was a wetsaw and some tin backsplash tiles. I was thrilled. So when we got home, I picked out my tile color and got all my stuff together.

Saturday, I put most of the solid tiles down and then left for Valley for the weekend. I used my wet saw on Tuesday night for the first time and was surprised that I actually did a good job and managed not to cut off any limbs or appendages. I did cut myself a couple of times, but only on the sharp edge of a cut tile and NOT the saw thankfully.

One note about wet saws: The little safety guard not only keeps you from touching the blade and little bits from flying out into your face…but it also keep the stream of water from shooting directly into your eyes. I found this out the hard way.

Last night, I grouted the kitchen and I am amazed at how well it turned out considering my lack of experience. I’m really impressed that I was able to do this completely by myself. Scott helped take the quarter round off around the floor and moved the refrigerator for me, but other than that, I have done this all myself. Thus, the tooting of my own horn. I’m a little proud, can ya tell?

Anyway, so the kitchen is almost done. I just have to clean up one more time, seal the grout and put down new quarter round and then its on to the laundry room. Here’s a pic of the progress, but keep in mind the tile is still a little hazy from the grout:

I know they look a little orangy but they are actually tan. I can't wait until its all done!

Did I Mention How Awesome I Am?

2008-05-07T08:50:00.003-05:00

Well, how awesome I am with a little help from my friends? Justin, Jennifer and I re-tiled my kitchen counter last night and I must say it looks pretty darn good! (Hard not to look a considerable amount better considering it was previously done with small pink floor tiles.) It hasn't been grouted or anything yet, which is why the lines are so dark in the photo below. I'm debating now on what to use as a backsplash since the new and shiny tiles make the old ones look dingy?

Just Another Lunch

2008-05-05T16:01:00.001-05:00

I just got back from lunch with several co-workers. I paid for my lunch in the cafeteria and looked ahead where a co-worker, Tommy, was already sitting and holding a table for us. I realized I hadn't gotten a knife and went back to get one. I walked back to the table, sat down and started arranging my trey. I looked over at the table to my right and there sat Tommy laughing. I looked up and realized I was sitting with some old scruffy guy that I didn't know. I was totally embarrassed. I moved to the right table and another co-worker, Brian, came walking up behind me laughing so hard he about dropped his trey. We tried to have causal conversation but every time Brian looked at me he started cracking up all over again. Go figure. I'm an idiot.

Decisions

2008-04-16T15:02:00.002-05:00

I can be such a strange person. Or so I’m told. I have often called myself the most indecisive person in the world. Sometimes I absolutely cannot decide what I want for dinner, which shirt I should wear with these pants, or what color I should choose for this particular design. But it seems like the more significant and more important things, I seem to be able to decide upon with no problems. I guess when it comes to how I feel about something or someone, I can really decide what is the right thing to do. I decided what car to buy in a day? Yes, I did some research on the internet ahead of time so I know a little about what I had in mind. But when I saw it, then drove it, I knew it was what I wanted.

I guess I can say the same about big decisions in my person life. It didn’t take me long at all to decide that Scott is just the kind of person I’ve been looking for. And the strangest part is that it took me completely by surprise. We went out on a few dates but I was blind to him for several reasons. For one, I was still a good bit tangled up with “the ex” and all the craziness that surrounds him. I think I also was not expecting the man of my dreams to come in quite the package that Scott is. Please don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying there is something or anything at all wrong with Scott. I’m simply saying that being a nearly 6 foot tall, 25 year old (at the time) female who lives in Montgomery… I didn’t expect to be so completely compatible with a 5’7”, bald, 35 year old (at the time) man who lives an hour away from me. But I’m so glad that I was completely wrong. And more importantly, I’m so glad that he was patient enough, or perhaps persistent enough, to stick it out long enough for me to realize how wrong I was.

After about the second informal double date, I pushed him away and told him I only wanted to be friends. And at the time, I was certain that was what I wanted. But we continued to bump into each other through our mutual friends. The more time I spent with Scott and got to know the real him, and not the guy who was trying too hard to impress me, I really enjoyed his company. After a fun Friday night just hanging out, I decided on the spur of the moment to invite him to go to a concert with me… that night... in Pascagoula, Mississippi. So our first real date, the first thing we ever did alone together, we drove (part of it accidentally) through two states without my even knowing his last name! The conversation on that drive was so entertaining that we managed to drive 75 miles past our exit. I think that says a lot about our compatibility.

After that trip, I was sure Scott was what I wanted. The only uncertainties I still had then, were whether or not he was still seeing other people and whether or not he was interested in being in a relationship? It didn’t take long for us to iron all of those sorts of things out and we’ve been practically inseparable since, despite the physical distance between us. And I must say, this past year has been one of the best of my life. Being with Scott has taught me what being in a real, mutually beneficial, open and honest adult relationship should be like. I’ve never been able to trust anyone the way I trust him and its such a wonderful feeling.

So, what spurred this sudden confession of emotions? Because Scott is trying to make a pretty big decision himself right now. We’ve been looking at houses. And when I say WE have been looking, I mean that we are looking for a new house for him for now, but with the potential of it being our home if we eventually decide to get married. We’ve found one house that we both absolutely love. It’s a beautiful and huge historic home in Lafayette, Alabama. It is more than 150 years old with 6 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a pool. It’s everything we think we want in a house. But with a house of that age and size come many responsibilities. And Scott, unlike me, is not one to make a rash decision of this magnitude. So, I guess in a way, this is my way of expressing how I feel about the situation. I want him to know that I love him and support him no matter what. Either way, I’m really excited to be beginning this new adventure with him and can’t wait to see where the road takes us next!

My Trip to the Governor’s Mansion

2008-04-05T15:25:00.001-05:00

I had lunch and then headed over to the Governor’s Mansion about 12:30. It was still sunny but the wind was beginning to pick up. I stood inside the gate directing people towards the front of the mansion where they would begin their tour. Around 2:00, the bottom fell out and it began to pour. Brian, the previously mentioned co-worker, and I seeked shelter in the carriage house at the back of the mansion. It poured for only a few minutes before almost completely stopping, so we headed toward the mansion to see what the game plan was for the rest of the day. As we rounded the corner of the house meeting up with a security guard and an unnamed man in a suit, we walked up onto a nice marble porch surrounded by marble columns. Allow me at this point to remind you, that I did not come to work dressed for this occasion and was wearing flip flops which have almost no tread on the bottom. You guessed it, my feet flew out from underneath me. I hit my butt first and then my head too. I laid there for a moment mortified, with my eyes closed thinking, "I did NOT just do that." Since my eyes were closed, the 3 men around me panicked thinking I was knocked unconscious. Actually they thought that I had hit my head on one of the columns that I missed by merely inches. They scooped me back up to a standing position and I insisted that I was fine. And I thought I was. I continued to help and direct traffic and pass out lemonade but as time went on, my head began to pound. I even stood, with a wet butt, listening to the guest speaker on back patio next to Patsy Riley (the Governor’s wife, for those of you not from Alabama). I left early and went ahead and got on the road to Valley since they were predicting tornadic weather to hit Montgomery within the hour. I felt like someone had beat me up. And today, I’m even worse. I think I pulled some muscles in my neck? I guess its kind of like whiplash in reverse? And no bruises have appeared on my butt/hip yet but I can feel that they are coming. When I told my brother about it, he laughed and said he was sure there was a security guy somewhere watching the footage of me falling over and over again. Maybe he’ll send it into AFV and win $10k??

Anyway, I just thought I would share my embarrassing and painful moment for the laughter and enjoyment of others. Today, I’m laying around Scott’s house watching the rain and resting!!

Wardrobe Malfunction

2008-04-04T11:32:00.000-05:00

So, there is a Tourism event today at the Governor’s Mansion and they had been asking for volunteers to help. I didn’t volunteer because I heard a co-worker say he had plenty of people for Friday. But now that Friday is here, and its looking like its going to storm...suddenly some of the people who volunteered are not available. Well, all the volunteers are supposed to wear our Sweet Home Alabama polo shirts. I didn’t wear mine because I wasn’t planning to help. But I was asked to help this morning since so many people backed out. There were some XL men’s polos left in the closet so I got one of those even though its a bit too big. Problem 1 solved. Problem 2 was... I wore a black bra under my black and white shirt today. The polos are white and very thin. Its supposed to storm. Not a good combo. Luckily for me, I remembered that I had packed a nude colored tank for my weekend trip to Valley and it just so happened to be in the trunk of my car. But this did require me to treck through the building and out to the parking deck to get the tank. I was told by a certain sarcastic co-worker...”I don’t know what you were told, but this is not a Girl’s Gone Wild Governor’s Mansion Special.” Nice. No worries though. Karma will get him.

DUH!

2008-04-04T09:10:00.002-05:00

I just had one of those "DUH!" moments. I brought my iPod with me to work today to charge up for the drive to Valley tonight. (I'm thrilled b/c my new car has an input so I can plug it straight ini and no longer have to use an FM Modulator!) I plugged the iPod into my computer and iTunes popped up. For a moment, I thought... “Ooooh, maybe the previous guy downloaded some music on this machine and I’ll get it for free?” It was empty and for some reason I was very surprised. Then I remembered... the guy I replaced is deaf. I supposed he really didn’t have a need for any music. Hmm. Total brain fart. At least its Friday.

I’d Like to Introduce…

2008-03-24T16:22:00.007-05:00

My new car! I’ve never had a brand new car before and if you’ve read my blog ever before, you know my luck with cars. I’m so excited to have a car with a working gas gauge, windows that roll up and down, no holes in the roof to leak when it rains, etc.

For Once Counting on Karma

2008-02-21T16:57:00.002-06:00

I was walking up the large hallway of my new office building today. I had a lot on my mind. I’ve been stressing a lot lately. My sister had surgery this morning. My grandmother in North Carolina whom I haven’t seen in over three years was taken to the emergency room and admitted to the hospital today. I’m worried about my financial situation since I won’t get my first paycheck from the new job for a month. So, I walked and ahead of me I notices a woman passing by and something fell out of her pocket. As I got closer I realized it was money. Without a thought, I scooped up the money and dashed toward the elevator where I had seen the woman waiting to get on. As I came around the corner, the doors were beginning to shut and I yelled, “Ma’am! You dropped your money ma’am!” She managed to hit the button and the doors opened back up just long enough for me to reach my hand through and give her the money. It wasn’t until I began walking away that I realized what I had done. Without even a but of thought, I gave the money back to the woman when it would have been so much easier to pick it up and put it in my own pocket. Especially when I’m worried about money. Especially when I needed that exact amount of cash to play Bunko tonight. But I didn’t. I guess I judt don’t think that way. The right thing to do seems to be the natural thing to do. I want to believe that it only makes me a good person and something to be proud of, but the fact that I am missing that devious gene also makes me susceptible to the kind of people who do have it. I am too trusting. For now, I’m going to hope that I created a little bit of positive karma in my favor. I’m going to hope that it helps get my Grandma home safe and sound. I’m going to hope that it helps my sister heal up fast. Maybe its wishful thinking, but what’s wrong with that?

Wierd Mood

2008-02-19T20:52:00.000-06:00

I'm just in on of those weird moods. I have a lot on my mind so I'll just start there.

I started the new job today. I was extremely excited to find out that my new title is "Assistant Art Director." Being an Art Director is my dream job, so being assistant to one is just one step closer. The department is smaller than I expected it to be. There are about 20 of us. I guess that's a lot less names to have to learn. Everyone seems really nice and several people seem just thrilled for me to be there. I had been really nervous about starting. I was a relief to get the first day out of the way.

Valentine's Day was wonderful. I fully expected Scott to have nothing planned. But I was wrong. His Jeep was in the shop most of the week and I stayed at his house, letting him drive my car to work. So on his way home from work that day, he called and told me to be dressed and ready when he got home. He showered and dressed quickly and we headed out, him not telling me where we were going. First, we went to a store in LaGrange where he told me to pick out a really nice dress. I was surprised and completely didn't expect that. So, I shopped around and he bought himself a suit. I had a little trouble in the first store finding a dress that was right, but at the second store i found several dresses in no time. In fact, I couldn't decide between two dress. One was a "little black dress" that was pretty fancy and even made Scott's jaw drop when I came out in it. If that doesn't make a girl feel incredible, nothing will. The other dress was a little less flashy but I felt like I would get more use out of it. Namely the wedding we were going to the following Saturday. So Scott insisted I got them both.

Then, he surprised me with dinner. He took me to dinner at the Piedmont at Calloway Gardens. They have a romantic Valentine's Day special. It was wonderful. I was even brave and tried some things I had never had before: lobster spring rolls and smoked duck! After dinner, we went to a little drink bar they had and sat by a big fire drinking martinis and beer. It was extremely romantic.

But typical of ANY day spent with me, you know something had to go wrong. Remember, that his Jeep was in the shop so we had to take my ghetto-mobile on our romantic date. So here we are, all dressed up and headed home and my car begins to overheat. We make it from Pine Mountain to the Wal-Mart in Valley. We shop for coolant in Wal-Mart wear a little black dress and suit. What else could be expected with me?

Adding the coolant seemed to do the trick for the time being. We leave my car at his house for the weekend and head to Montgomery to attend Ashley and Will's wedding. Once we get back to his house on sunday, we decide to take my car for a test drive to make sure its safe for me to drive back to Montgoemry. No such luck. Overheating again. It spends all of Monday in the shop, so I am once again stranded at Scott's with no car. And the problem with the car turns out to be more expensive than the car is worth to fix. They fixed enough so that its still driveable bbut I just have to make sure it doesn't overheat. So I'm driving Dad's car for now. I'm planning to trade in the ghetto-mobile (if they'll even give me $5 for it?) and try to get something else. I'm just having a little issue getting affordable insurance with my poor driving record. Yeah, I know... nobody's fault but mine. But still, I can't help but be frustrated...

So, that's where I am. Home after my first day of work. Sitting in bed watching Mike Rowe crawl into small and dirty spaces. And somehow I feel like my whole world has kind of turned upside down? Not necessarily in a bad way? But just different. I've spent every day for over a week with Scott and it feels weird to be alone. It felt extremely weird to pass by the State Bar today and head to a new job. I just feel weird. I can't explain it any better than that. I think I should just go to bed.

Another One of Those Days

2008-02-05T14:48:00.001-06:00

Once again this morning, I woke up to find that I had no hot water. A trip down to the basement revealed that it was once again full of water and my pilot light was out. Yes, I got a new sump the last time the basement flooded. Yes, it was working properly. Yes, there was a kink in the hose preventing any of the water from being pumped out. So I unkinked the hose and the water started to flush out. I called my grandmother who lives nearby and asked if she minded if I used her shower since I knew I didn’t have enough time to wait for it to heat up. I get ready and manage to make to work only about 15 minutes late.

So, Dad came over to the house at lunch to help me get the pilot light relit. No such luck. Luckily for me, Scott just happens to be coming to Montgomery tonight because it’s my brother’s birthday and we’re all having dinner. She gets to be the next one to attempt to relight it.

So once Dad was unsuccessful at lighting the pilot light, I go into the kitchen to make him something for lunch. I have been in Valley since Friday, so this is the first time I have really been in my kitchen since then. I discover that a loaf of sourdough bread has been invaded by some sort of rodent. And it was ON THE KITCHEN COUNTER. Which means there were little nasty mouse feet on my counter. So to say the least, I am not a happy camper. I have looked all over the house and I haven’t found any droppings or any other sign of them, but I know they have to be around there somewhere.

So, now my debate is what sort of traps to get? I know not to use poison because they eat it and die in the walls and you smell them for weeks. But I don’t want to see a smashed mouse in a trap either. So, that leaves me with the sticky traps or the kind that closes up and captures the mouse. But then what am I supposed to do with it? I’m certainly not going to touch it! And I think I would feel like a horrible person if I just threw a mouse in the trash to starve to death? I don’t think I can do it? Anyone have any suggestions? Or does anyone want to volunteer to come remove a mouse when I catch one?

I'm beginning to think I should sell my house and get a little apartment so there will be a maintenance man to call when these things happen!

Update: I left out the part about my car. My keys keep getting stuck in the ignition. It used to happen only in the winter time when it was really cold outside in the mornings. But if you didn't already know, it feels like springtime out the right now so its not the cold. I have no idea what to do about it? I didn't think I was going to be able to get in my house at lunch because I couldn't get my keys out. (This of course was before I realized the fact that I could take my house key off the key ring and use it to get in - DUH!) So if anyone has any suggestions about what might be wrong or what I can do to fix it, feel free to let me know! I'm hoping if I just leave the keys in it, someone will do me a favor and steal it!

Grrr....

2008-01-25T14:14:00.000-06:00

I've been so stressed these last few days. But alas, I have something funny to blog about!

I went to lunch today with my mom and sister. We went to a little mom and pops place around the corner. I saw the HR lady for my new job there. Had a nice lunch. When I got back to work, I went up the elevator. As soon as the doors closed I saw my reflection in the doors and realized that my sweater is buttoned crooked. Its a grey fleecy sweater and it may not look the greatest but it keeps me warm when its this cold out. But buttoned crooked it makes me looks like the homeless bag lady on the corner. So I walked around like that my whole lunch and now the HR lady probably thinks I'm "special." Oh, who am I kidding? I AM special! Nothing I can do about it now.

I did, however, call my mom and sister as soon as I got to my office and ask why didn't one of the two heifers bother to tell me I was buttoned up crooked? They swore they didn't notice. Suuuuuure. Likely story.

Update & Thanks

2008-01-16T15:29:00.001-06:00

I have to start off first by saying that Scott is the bestest boyfriend EVER! He came to my rescue yesterday with everything we needed to get the water out of my basement and to get my hot water heater back up and running. In the short time I was home alone trying to figure out what to do, I managed to get my clothes very wet, bang my head on the duct work in the basement, get a severe cramp in my neck and shoulder trying to use a hand pump, pump several gallons of water into my mothers shoes (while she was wearing them nontheless), yet not successfully removing very much water from the basement. So, thank God for Scott!

Let me remind you, Scott lives about an hour away. Which means that after an entire long and hard day at work, he got straight on the road to drive an hour to do even more work at my house. Now that’s one hell of a guy! What more could I ask for? I can’t possibly put into words how grateful I am, not only that he knows how to do these things, but more importantly that he is willing to help me do them. It’s an amazingly wonderful feeling to know that I have a partner that I can truly count on. So thank you again baby!

Good News & Bad News

2008-01-15T09:00:00.000-06:00

I’ll start with the good today. I got a new job! My last day at the Alabama State Bar will be February 8^th. I will be starting as a Marketing Specialist/Graphic Designer for the Alabama Department of Tourism and Travel. It’s a pretty decent pay raise and after a probationary period I will receive an addition 5% raise. And those of you who know me, or even just read my blogs, know that I am in desperate need of a new(er) car and I might actually be able to afford to get one after this. Hallelujah!

And onto the bad news. Last night I boxed up some Christmas decorations (a little late I know) and was headed to the basement to put them away. I was carrying a fairly large box down the dark narrow stairs and no, this time I didn’t fall. When I hit the bottom of the steps, my entire foot was submerged in water. About 4 or 5 inches deep. It’s not uncommon for there to be a little ground water on the floor down there but there is a sump pump that is supposed to keep it fairly well drained. Apparently not. We had a pretty heavy storm on Thursday night in Montgomery, so I assumed the water got in then and I haven’t been home to discover it since then. Knowing there is nothing I can do about it this late in the evening, I proceed about the other things I need to do.

This morning, as I am preparing to take a shower before work I doscover that I do not have hot water. Gee, I wonder if this is related to the amount of water that is in my basement? I am still hoping that the water is indeed from the storm and that it is high enough to have put out the pilot light on the water heater, which also resides in my basement. I’m hoping that the water heater did not break and flood the basement which would likely be much more costly to fix/replace.

So for now, I am at work wrapping up some things around here. I’m headed home about lunch time and Scott (AKA My Mister-Fix-It) will be coming to help me get the water out, determine where it came from and whether or not I will HAVE to call a plumber to fix whatever is wrong. So, keep your fingers crossed for me. I have faith that Scott can get it done without me having to spend a fortune!

WALL-E

2008-01-04T15:20:00.000-06:00

I think it's the graphic designer in me (even though Scott's says its the kid in me), that absolutely loves animated movies. I love them all but Pixar by far has made my favorites. I was so excited to see this preview today! I can't wait for it to come out. He looks like the robot from Short Circuit. And the noise he makes when he thinks he ran over the bug is adorable. I want a WALL-E!

Karma Strikes Again

2007-12-28T10:29:00.000-06:00

As I am sure I have mentioned before, Scott and I are leaving for New Orleans tomorrow. Once again, I am ready for the vacation. Our tickets to the Sugar Bowl arrived by FedEx this past Saturday. Apparently they had been attempting to deliver them for a couple of days, and since no one ever uses the front door at Scott’s, he had not noticed the stickers on the door notifying him of the attempts. Saturday morning, Scott had to work and I was at his house alone sleeping in. About 10:00am the dogs start going crazy and there is a knock at the door. I scramble out of bed and quickly throw on something that is respectable enough to go to the door in. I go to the back door first, since that’s where most people come and realize that no, the person is at the front door. I run out just as the FedEx guy is about to drive off. Luckily, he sees me and stops. As he steps out of the truck, his foot lands directly in a deep hole hurdling him head over feet through the front yard. I manage to stifle my laughter and ask if he is okay. Though embarrassed, he is not hurt. I sign for the tickets and get back into the house quickly before I explode with laughter. Then, I proceed to call several people and relate the story so they can laugh too. Over the next couple of days, I continue to tell the story to more people and enjoy a good laugh at the expense of the poor FedEx guy.

Bad idea.

Christmas Eve. Scott and I are getting ready in a hurry so we can make it to both of our families Christmas festivities. He’s upstairs at my house finishing getting ready and I go ahead and start down the stairs. Hearing my heels on the wooden stairs… ‘clunk, clunk, clunk,’ as I go down, Scott calls “Be careful” from upstairs. No more had the words gotten out of his mouth when “KABOOM!” Luckily I was only two or three steps from the bottom so I didn’t have far to fall. I turned my ankle a little and bruised my butt and palm which took most of the weight when I fell. Karma. It really is a bitch.

Then, yesterday I called in sick to work. I had been to Valley for Christmas with Scott’s cousin Chris who had just gotten in town. When I woke up, the rumbling and sloshing sounds in my stomach were a clear indicator that it would NOT be a pleasant hour drive to work. So, I stayed at Scott’s not feeling well and sleeping in. When I got up after lunch time, I was pretty hungry and decided it should be safe to eat by now.

For those of you who have never been to Scott’s allow me to explain first. Next to the stove, the cabinets are high like the ones that would go over a refrigerator (although the refrigerator is on the other side of the room). So, I’m stirring pasta and cooking at the stove, and stop to go to the bathroom which is directly around the corner. WHAM! I catch the very corner of the end cabinet right above my temple. And I did not catch it softly. I saw stars and was dizzy. I thought for a moment that I might have given myself a concussion.

Today, I am fine but my head is extremely sore in that whole general area. Every time I glance in the mirror I expect that whole side of my head to be black and blue. But not yet. So I am expecting the bruises to appear just in time to look great in all of our New Orleans pictures.

So, all I have to say is I am sorry that I laughed at the FedEx man. When will I ever learn about this karma business?

Why I Need This Vacation

2007-12-13T11:21:00.000-06:00

Here are just a few reasons why I desperately need this vacation...

I bought the exact same Christmas gift for my mother twice in the same week.
I mailed out 60+ Christmas cards out with the WRONG return address on them. (My house number is actually '2041' for anyone that got one.)
I split my favorite pants last night getting in Scott's Jeep.
I bit into a bone in my cheeseburger at lunch on Wednesday and thought I had broken my tooth. Fortunately, I did not.
I busted my tail on a project at work, only to find out there was already a template they wanted to use… and was told there was no sense in me "recreating the wheel."
I discovered that I had made a major miscalculation in my checkbook and have far less spending money for the trip to Gatlinburg than I previously thought.
I spilled, yet another, full glass of tea in my car… this time in the driver's seat as I was getting out.
I have apparently completely lost a gift that I bought Scott for Christmas. It was only a gag gift so it is not that big of a deal, but just the point!
The "Service Engine Soon" light is coming on in my car nearly every day, and I am just waiting for the excitement of finding out what breaks next!
I got my eyebrows and lip waxed so I would "feel purdy" on the trip. My skin had a bad reaction to the wax or the lotion and I have broken out a rash across my forehead and lip. So much for feeling "purdy."

Baby Photo

2007-12-07T08:48:00.001-06:00

We are playing the "Guess Who is Who?" with baby pictures at our company Christmas party this year. I finally remembered to bring mine in and I thought I would post it here too just for fun. I think they will probably guess that its me by the eyes if nothing else. What do you think?

Time Passes

2007-12-06T16:21:00.001-06:00

It's funny how the time passes. This week has seemed to go by so slowly. I have so much to look forward to in the upcoming weeks, so I just want this one to be over! Next Friday, Scott and I are leaving for Gatlinburg and staying in a cabin with Jennifer and Justin. Scott and I will have been dating for 5 months (feels like much longer) next week and I think that's a good excuse to do some celebrating while we are there! Also, I haven't been to Gatlinburg in years and I have never been at Christmas time when all the lights are up. I am hoping that there is at least one snow flurry while we are there. Not enough snow to keep us from going out, but enough to enjoy. I thought when I moved to Alabama after living in Ohio and Maine that I would never want to see snow again… but I do miss it.

Then, the next week is Christmas. I have been buying presents since Halloween and it has been killing me to keep them hidden and not give them early (except a couple which I did give early). I'm really looking forward to this Christmas. The holidays last year were so hard on me. I was single and living alone for the first time. Don't get me wrong, I always love to spend time with my family during the holidays but it still felt pretty lonely not to have a significant other to share it with. This year… not so much. I have really enjoyed putting up the tree and taking pictures and sending cards with Scott. (If you've given me your address, expect your card in the next few days.) He's not a scrooge like most of the guys I've dated and he's happy to help me put up lights and watch silly Christmas movies. He's so great. Its so much fun to sneak around buying, wrapping and hiding Christmas gifts. I can't wait to give him all the things I've gotten.

Then the next week, we will be going to New Orleans for several days. The main reason for the trip, of course, is to go to the Sugar Bowl to see Georgia play Hawaii. But we plan to do some sight seeing while we are there as well. And I have no idea what we'll be doing when we ring in the new year, but I'm excited to be spending it there. The only time I have ever been to NOLA, it rained the entire day and the Essence Festival was going on so it was a madhouse. I'm looking forward to having the time to shop around and do all the things I want to do. If anyone has any suggestions for places we should go or things we should see while we are there, feel free to let us know!I hope everyone else is doing well and feeling as great as I am right now! It's almost Christmas!!

Just sharing...

2007-11-30T15:59:00.001-06:00

I just wanted to share (even though it’s a little late)! This is my birthday cake from Scott. No one has ever gotten me a birthday cake but my parents, so it was pretty special to me. Thanks again, baby!

The Professional Whistle Pop Player

2007-11-01T15:01:00.000-05:00

This is my sister-in-law, future professional whistle pop player! For those of you who aren't from around here, that is the Auburn fight song she is playing:

Achmed the Dead Terrorist

2007-11-01T14:16:00.000-05:00

Such a Dilemma

2007-10-31T15:55:00.000-05:00

Though I have never been what I would call a huge football fan, I have always been an Auburn fan. I don't know exactly how it happened because my father is a big Alabama fan and went to the University in the days of Bear Bryant. But I went to Auburn University Montgomery and even though they have a different mascot etc., I've always leaned toward Auburn. This season has been very different. For those of you who know Scott at all, I don't have to explain how huge of a Georgia Bulldog fan he is. I have never seen someone who is so devoutly dedicated to a football team. What he drives, the decoration of his house and even his entire wardrobe reflects this year round. So, being around him so much this football season, I have found myself cheering along side, wearing Georgia shirts and jerseys, facial stickers and all sorts of things.

So, I have come to a dilemma. Next weekend, Scott and I are going to the Georgia vs. Auburn game in Athens together. Last night while we were shopping in Wal-Mart, he picked up a Georgia purse and said, "If I got this for you, would you carry it?"

Without a second thought, I replied "Of course. It would be great to put our cell phones and wallets and things in next week for the game." It wasn't until he looked at me funny that I realized what I was saying. I was going to carry a Georgia purse to the Auburn vs. Georgia game?

I have always criticized girls who "convert" and pull for a different team just because their boyfriend or husband does. I have even been known to call them traitors. But now, I find myself wanting to do the same. And its not that I want to pull for Georgia just because Scott does. That's not the point even a little bit. I think that because I have spent so much time with him, watched so many games with him, and listened to how enthusiastically he talks about the coach, the players and the University, that I have grown an attachment to them myself.

I have watched countless Auburn football games and I have always been passionate about wanting them to win. But I have never been able to name players other than the quarterback. This year, its the same. But I can name several Georgia football players by name right off the top of my head, even down to the kicker! (Maybe it's because I think Coutu is funny looking, but that's beside the point.) I absolutely love to watch Knowshon Moreno plow down the field, get the crap knocked out of him, leap back to his feet and even pull his opponents to their feet. That kid is incredible to watch.

That being said... I haven't yet decided what I will do for the game. I have another week to decide. I do know which way I am leaning, so if you happen to see any pictures of me at the game sporting a Georgia jersey, try not to give me too hard of a time about it. So for now, War Eagle!? Or Go Dawgs!?

Punkin' Time!

2007-10-31T11:15:00.000-05:00

I am such a kid! I love Halloween and playing dress up, and yes, carving pumpkins! I try to do something different every year. Scott and I carved one last night and I have one more to do later. Here's the one from last night:

Anybody else carve one?

New Look

2007-10-29T13:45:00.001-05:00

So, I'm a redhead now. I've never been a redhead before. I was kind of shocked at first, but I'm really starting to like it. I think being with Scott has made me more confident and made me brave enough to try something drastic with my hair. I've always wanted to try red, but just never had the nerve. I got it done Saturday morning before I was to be a bridesmaid in a wedding. Then that night we went out dressed up in our costumes. Here are a couple of pictures from that night.

New Site

2007-10-29T13:35:00.000-05:00

I've been obsessed with Post Secret for a long time now. I discovered a new one today. The creator is on tour with the creator of Post Secret. I have no idea why I find this sort of thing intriguing, but I do. Especially found notes and photos. I hope everyone else enjoys it:
Found Magazine

Also, someone e-mailed this to me today and I had to post it on here:

Halloween Parties

2007-10-17T10:30:00.000-05:00

Today, I was invited to a friend’s Halloween party. I immediately got on the internet and started looking for good costume ideas. Suddenly, it occurred to me that I’d better double check and make sure that this Halloween party is in fact a costume party. There is a very good reason why I thought of it.

When I was in junior high, my best friend at the time (Amber) and I decided to get good costumes for the Halloween Dance at school. She went as Cleopatra, so we sprayed her hair black and did crazy eye makeup. I went as Peter Pan and even painted all my nails green. We arrived at the dance to find that we were the ONLY two people wearing costumes. As if that wasn’t embarrassing enough, I forgot my hat with a feather in it. Allow me to remind you that I am nearly six feet tall and have been since before I was in junior high. So, without my hat… everyone thought that I was dressed at the Jolly Green Giant. People were coming up to me all night saying “Ho ho ho! Green Giant!” This was before the days of everyone having a cell phone, so there was no calling mom to come back and get us. We just had to stick it out and wait until the dance was over.

To top it off, I couldn't find green nail polish so I used an acrylic paint on my nails which I thought would remove easily with nail polish remover. Wrong. I had green stained finger and toe nails for weeks and so, continued to be called the Green Giant.

This is not a mistake that I wish to repeat. I confirmed. It IS a costume party and I WILL NOT be Peter Pan.

Trip to Nashville

2007-10-16T15:44:00.000-05:00

The trip to Nashville this past weekend was GREAT! Even the drive there and back was nice. Scott and I don't always have a lot of time to just sit and talk without distractions so the five hour drive was a good chance to do some catching up. We went up to visit his cousin, Chris and his chilren, Sadie and Brighton. We had a blast. We spent one night out in downtown Nashville, went to the Georgia vs. Vanderbilt game, the Parthenon at Centennial park, and various other things.

Click the picture below to view the album from the trip. (I find it more convenient to 'View as a slideshow')

Also, here is a video that I took while we were walking around downtown Nashville. That's Scott you can hear laughing and saying "Go Dawgs!" while barking at people passing by. Priceless.

Who got it worse? Them or me?

2007-10-10T11:10:00.000-05:00

My office is on the corner of a long hall, very close to the breakroom and the bathroom. Luckily for me. Last week, I dressed really nice because I had a business meeting at lunch with a potential freelance client. He was an attorney driving in from Tuscaloosa to meet with me about a project and I thought it best that I spiff up a little bit and look professional. I wore one of my favorite outfits: a red wrap top and a black skirt with red flowers on it.

The meeting went great and I agreed to do the job. Afterwards, I went to the bathroom then headed back to my desk to work. I walked down the hall past several co-workers and into my office past the fellow I share an office with. As I went to sit down, I reached back to smooth my skirt against me and to my horror... felt nothing but ASS. My skirt had gotten tucked in my panties!

I have heard of this happening to people and always laughed thinking “Wouldn’t you feel the draft?” Apparently not. There is no telling how many of my co-workers saw my butt that day. So far they have all been polite enough not to say.

Update: I posted this blog yesterday and then left the office for a doctor's appointment. I was wearing the same outfit. I did it again. I walked through the crowded lobby and busy parking lot before a woman honked her horn at me and said "Ma'am, your skirt is up in the back." Of course the other women in the car with her were laughing hysterically. I can't blame them... I would have to. I think I should not wear that skirt anymore.

Post Secret

2007-10-05T16:01:00.000-05:00

I know that most of my fellow bloggers already read this because of Lioux/Damn You Dan. But I just realized that I have never posted a link to it myself. I am completely addicted to this site. I go at least once a week and have read all of the books. I didn't actually buy the books but spent several hours in a Barnes in Nobles reading every page and drinking a cappuccino. But I just wanted to try to introduce some new people to the world of Post Secret. It's incredible... sometimes very sad and sometimes very moving. I hope you all enjoy as much as I do.

Post Secret Blog

All's Quiet on the Amy Front

2007-10-01T21:43:00.001-05:00

Gay title, I know. I couldn't think of anything better for the moment. I haven't blogged in so long. It's mostly because I can't get on MySpace at work anymore, and after spending the whole day in front of the computer at work, I don't much feel like getting on here at night. But tonight, I'm home alone and just thinking. I also haven't had too much to blog about. I haven't fallen down any stairs, nearly knocked down my house with some hair-brained home renovation project or locked myself out of my car or house lately. It's kind of odd actually... for things to feel semi-normal. I finally feel like I sort of "fit" where I am. I don't know if its because Scott's as crazy as I am... or if he's just normal enough that it balances me out, but I know that I am happier right now than I have been for as long as I can remember. I've been spending so much time with him at his house, that it almost feels weird to be home alone. I'm sure it helps that all of my friends are so happy too. Everyone is either getting engaged, getting married or preparing to start a family. It's exciting. I'm just knocking on wood (knock, knock) that this trend of happiness continues.

Love everyone!

How gorgeous?!

2007-09-19T17:21:00.001-05:00

I have always loved weird flowers. Before I bought my house, I lived in an apartment in this neighborhood. I used to walk my dog around all over the neighborhood to check out other people's flowers. There was one in particular that I always said I would plant in my yard... whenever I had my own yard. Well, now I do and I just happened to buy a house with two of the trees in the yard. They are Angel's trumpets and I just love them. The blossoms hang downward and I've never seen any other flower quite like it. One of the trees is blooming right now and I just wanted to share.

Well... I tried

2007-09-12T16:15:00.000-05:00

Saturday, Scott had invited some people over to watch football at his house on his new tv. He was frustrated that he'd not had time to mow the grass during the week and he had to work on Saturday. So, I decided I would surprise him and mow his yard while he was at work. I checked the weather report and it wasn't going to be too hot so I figured, why not?

I got out there and cranked the mower with no problem. I made the first ring around the yard and cut too close to the back porch. Wham! I hit the concrete and the mower chokes off. I flip it to the side to confirm that I have bent the blade. It's bent so bad that its digging into the ground.

So, I find a wrench and take off the blade. I stand on it, thinking just maybe I can bend it back into place. No go. So I get in the car and head to the hardware store to find a replacement blade. I found one that matched but asked a salesperson to confirm that it would work. He looks it over and agrees that it is the right size. I explain that its my boyfriend's new mower and that I was trying to surprise him and managed to tear it up. He laughed hysterically. At least I made his day. But he did tell me to tell Scott that his wife wouldn't even TOUCH a lawn mower and that he should hang on to a woman that was even willing to help. I made sure to tell him.

So maybe those flowers weren't for nothing after all?

For No Reason

2007-09-11T15:03:00.000-05:00

Every girl loves to get flowers. But the best kind are the ones that you get for no reason. And when I say ‘no reason’ I mean that it’s not your birthday, Valentine’s Day or an anniversary. I’m talking about the kind of flowers that are just to say “I appreciate you.” It doesn’t matter what kind or color they are, they are always the most beautiful. I’m still getting used to having someone who constantly reminds me how much he appreciates me and what I do for him. He’s amazing and I only hope he knows how much I appreciate him as well.

Thank you again for the beautiful flowers!

Add it to the list...

2007-08-31T08:08:00.000-05:00

So…

I ran out of gas again last night… at the Franklin/Tuskegee exit. It was a mess! I walked half a mile to the exit to find out there was NOTHING! A repo-man driving a tow truck picked me up, took me to a gas station and then took me back to my car. On the way back to my car, we saw a tow truck picking up what I thought was MY CAR. So the entire way there, I’m panicking, thinking that my car has been impounded and Jennifer is calling every minute to make sure I haven’t been hacked into small pieces by this stranger. Thank God the car was still there. When I started to pour the gas into my car, it went all over my feet instead because there was a big crack in the nozzle. Luckily for me, my repo-man was thoroughly prepared and had a large funnel I could use. Poor fella! He even followed me to the next exit to make sure I made it and gave me his number in case it ever happened in his area again (LOL!). When I finally got gas in my car and got back on the road, I got lost trying to find Niffers to pick up Scott. They were closing and had already turned off the lights so I kept driving past it. Of course, he was a bit inebriated and was mad because the bartender wouldn’t serve him a drink at 10:27 when they don’t close until 10:30. Apparently they were very rude to him and he was pretty ticked off about it. So he was not the least bit sympathetic to what all I had been through.

So, I didn’t sleep at all last night and I have a pounding headache. I’m waiting for the morning mail to come in to see if there is important things in it for me to post on the website. When that’s done… I am out of here!

How it got worse...

2007-08-28T11:46:00.000-05:00

I barely slept Sunday night. So I woke feeling pretty crappy on Monday morning and made the drive home from Valley. I get home about the time I would normally be getting up for work. So I get in the shower... and am attacked by a weird looking lizard. Well, maybe not attacked but he did jump on me. Not a pleasant surprise in the shower. I finish showering managing to stay on the other side of the tub from the lizard. I go get my clothes out of the dryer (also known as how Amy irons her clothing). The pants are hot and a little snug from drying. I do the typical "stretch out your pants" bend and hear a ripping sound. Great. The whole seam of the butt of my pants split wide open. There is no time to "iron" another pair of pants so I just go with the wrinkles.

Work was typical. I told my co-workers about my morning and they all got a good laugh. I fought sleep all day. I found out late in the afternoon that I would also be working until close at American Eagle. Great. So I go straight home, eat a quick bite, change clothes and head out... the following is a re-enactment of how my day got worse.

Yes, I just whacked right into the car that was parked at the end of my driveway. Totally didn't see it there. Had to knock on the neighbors doors to find out who's car it was. Had to stand in the rain and wait for a cop to come do the accident report. Was late to work. It was an overall GREAT day. Today can only be better.

Sigh...

What Auburn Students Are Really Up To!

2007-08-21T11:37:00.000-05:00

The following video was made by a couple of Auburn students. They never imagined what a success it would be. Read the article below! I also included the lyrics cause I had trouble understanding some of it myself. ENJOY!

Teixeira tribute hits the airwaves

By Mike Tankersley

A few weeks ago, a couple of self-described average college kids were fooling around on the guitar, and now -- to their amazement -- they have a cult following.

And the best is yet to come.

Tyler Crawford and Andrew Hall, who have been roommates at Auburn University for about a month, sat down one night in early August and, off the top of their heads, wrote a tribute to Mark Teixeira, a player the Atlanta Braves acquired July 31, the major league trading deadline.

For a lark, they decided to write a song about the new player. It took about 30 minutes.

"Once we wrote the first line," Crawford said, "the rest of it kind of just came to us."

Crawford and Hall recorded the song onto the voice mail of Hall's cell phone so they wouldn't forget the tune.

"We couldn't stop laughing," Crawford said.

A few days later, they borrowed a camera with a video function, and in about four takes produced a video. They first posted it to Facebook.com, then a day later put it on YouTube.com.

"We only posted it so our friends could see it," said Crawford, who strums the guitar throughout the catchy song that so far is titled simply "Mark Teixeira Tribute."

"We were just goofing around," Hall added. "We thought our friends would get a kick out of it."

What followed amazed Crawford and Hall.

Michael Brouder, director of marketing and on-air promotions for SportSouth/FSN South in Atlanta, discovered the video.

"It made the rounds in the office, and we thought it was great," Brouder said.

He got an idea. The video, he thought, might be a creative way to pump excitement into the network's late-season Braves broadcasts.

Brouder tracked down the students through You-
Tube.com.

"I actually created my own YouTube account to send them an e-mail," he said.

In the e-mail, Brouder asked Hall and Crawford if they wanted their video seen "by 11 million viewers in the Southeast."

Hall and Crawford were blown away.

"Fifteen minutes later, we heard from them," Brouder said.

SportSouth played a clip from their video during Sunday night's game. Teixeira followed the act in style, slamming a pair of two-run homers. TBS, which also carries Braves games on TV, also played some of the song.

The fuse had been lit.

"At first, there were maybe two comments and 100 hits," said Crawford, who hails from Chelsea. "We were watching it on YouTube and we thought it was so cool so many people had watched it."

By the end of the weekend, more than 47,000 people had viewed the video. That number had ballooned to 56,000 by Monday night.

"It's really blown up," said Hall, an Athens native.

Hall and Crawford are realistic. They know the song won't bring them a fortune. But the effort has produced plenty of excitement.

Today they'll record the song at the SportSouth/FSN South studio in Atlanta. The plan was for the two to record the song again for use in the Atlanta pregame show, "Braves Live," before tonight's game at Cincinnati.

But Jeff Genthner, Senior Vice President and General Manager for FSN South, has other ideas.

"If they nail it in rehearsal," Genthner said Monday, "we're going to have them play it live. Hey, the Braves play baseball live, not live on tape."

To say Genthner loves the song is an understatement.

"When I saw it, I immediately thought, this is what SportSouth is," Genthner said. "It's two guys sitting on a couch singing a homemade song about the Braves.

"It has catchy lyrics. These guys are really talented."

SportSouth already has turned the video into two on-air promotions that began airing during Monday night's Braves telecast. (FSN South and SportSouth are both owned by Fox).

On Aug. 31, as guests of the team, Hall and Crawford will perform the song live in the plaza at Turner Field before the Mets-Braves game. And they'll get to meet Teixeira.

"We're the filler act for when they switch sets for the bands," Hall said. "I mean, we've got just the one song."

Hall and Crawford aren't taking themselves too seriously. But they're enjoying the moment.

"This really is a dream," said Hall, who is engaged to Crawford's sister, Emily. "This is one of those things where you just have to take advantage of where it takes you.

"And if all we get out of it is playing the song at Turner Field and playing it once at SportSouth, well, I figure it's a story we can tell for the rest of our lives."

LYRICS:
VERSE 1
Four and a half games back and I don't Te-care-a
You know why we got Mark Teixeira
Got a new Braves jersey that I'm gonna wear-a
And written on the back is Mark Teixeira
The Mets are scared cause their lead's gonna narr-a
They're lookin' over their shoulder at Mark Teixeira

Chorus:
We got Fred McGriff back in '93
Hampton's out cause of injury
Schuerholz smiles cause he is happy and Bobby says,
"Let's go Mark T."

The National League it just ain't fair-a
The Atlanta Braves got Mark Teixeira
Chipper and Andruw make a mighty nice pair-a
Let's make it a trio add Mark Teixeira
A side effect is mild hysteria
The medical reason is Mark Teixeira

Chorus

Bridge:
Scott Thorman stinks and Julio is old
What did Shuerholz do? Must've sold his Sooouuulll

Pitchers beware cause he's gonna scare ya
Throw him a strike now if you dare-a
He could probably steal on Yogi Berra(NOT Yogi Bear-a)
Biggest thing in Georgia since Scarlet O'Hara
If I were a woman I'd probably Marry ya.

And that's not Gay cause its Mark Teixeira

Boy, I Feel Stupid

2007-08-13T07:47:00.001-05:00

Yeah, it’s Monday. I went to Biloxi this weekend with Scott, Jennifer and Justin. Scott and I were so tired that when we got home at 6:30 pm, we went straight to sleep. And we slept pretty solid until he had to get up early this morning to go to work.

Yet, somehow I’m still tired. Tired enough that my brain is apparently not functioning properly. I was going to stop by the little shop at the end of my road and pick up a croissant for breakfast, but discovered that it was closed. So, I detoured over to the McDonald’s across the street. I ordered, pulled up to the first window and paid. Then… drove away. I didn’t realize until I got to work, that I failed to stop at the second window and actually receive the food that I just paid for. I’m really not sure how I did that. I could try to blame it on all the kids around me that were walking to school or the fact that I was laughing at Rick and Bubba going on and on about the trooper’s “Take Back Our Highways” crap. But not today… today I think its just me and that my brain is still in Biloxi mode. It didn’t want to be back in work mode. So I aalready warned my co-workers that my stomach will be growling in our Monday morning meeting.

Sigh… breakfast anyone?

Weekend Warriors

2007-07-31T15:56:00.002-05:00

This weekend was so productive! I decided that since Scott had to work on Saturday, that I would find myself something productive to do while he was gone. I just cleaned up a little and got him some new bedding. He works so much that he just doesn't have time to do things like that for himself. Well, I jumped started something and we were inspired to do even more.

We spent Sunday renovating the master half bath. We painted the walls a deep red. We pulled up the carpet and put down the old-fashioned black and white checkered vinyl floor. It made an incredible difference in there in just one day. And I think it's awesome that we survived "Extreme Makeover: Valley Edition" without even arguing. I think that's a pretty good relationship test!

There was only one catastrophe… and it was a typical Amy event. I was putting the second coat of paint on the walls while Scott was outside getting ready to cut the grass. And being the nosy person that I am, while standing on the seat of the toilet, I peeked out the bathroom window to see what he was doing. I managed to knock over a large jar candle that was lit on the tank of the toilet. And of course, it poured hot wax down one leg and then landed on my toe. Luckily, it wasn't hot enough to scald me, but my toe was purple and bleeding. So I start to scramble and clean it up so that I won't have to be embarrassed and tell him what I had done. No such luck. He heard the banging all the way outside and came in to see if I was ok and caught me covered in blue candle wax and bleeding. So, he decided it was probably best (and safer) for him to pull up the carpet. I went to get a hammer out of the tool box to get up carpet tacks. Well, I didn't know that it was a "McGyver" hammer that converts into a screw driver. The head of the hammer fell off… and you guessed it, landed right on the same toe! So, Scott made me sit on the edge of the bed where he could see me with an ice pack on my toe. He said he would be able to get more work done if he wasn't worried about me injuring myself. Go figure!

Once the carpet was up, I was in charge of putting down the new tiles. After the incidents so far, he was kind of nervous about leaving me alone with a utility knife. Progress was moving right along and I got up to get some more tiles. When I sat back down, I sat right on a screw driver… which didn't really hurt but it surprised me so I yelled Ouch! And of course he came running… he just knew I'd cut myself! Poor Scott! I'm going to make him a nervous wreck! I'm just so excited that things are going so well with me and him. I never saw this coming but I couldn't be happier about it!

Family Portrait

2007-07-20T13:58:00.001-05:00

I don't think I have ever seen a serious portrait of my family. There is probably a good reason. My parents just got back from visiting mom's family in North Carolina. They took some pictures to bring back to me and siblings since we couldn't go. This is one of my mom's brother, Uncle Biggie, saying hello and he misses us:

Yes, I said Biggie... until I was about 10 I didn't know that Biggie wasn't his real name. I also have an Uncle Skeeter and an Uncle Alphas if that tells you anything? I also have a picture of my grandmother on a four-wheeler giving the same expression. If we can't see each other very often, the least we can do is send each other entertaining pictures.

I love you guys and I miss you!!

Update:
After my mom read this post, she gave me a few other bits of funny information. Apparently Uncle Alphas' (who is related by marriage) name on his birth certificate was actually... brace yourself for this... Alphas Omega. He later had it changed. I can't imagine why?

Happy Friday!

2007-07-20T11:48:00.000-05:00

Last night was great! I went to the Wesson's and learned how to play Bunko. I wasn't sure that I understood everything but as soon as the game started I picked it up. I can't wait to play again and I'll be sure to bring my own drinks next time so I won't be too shy to scream "Big Bunko!"

I've also moved to a new project on my house. I recently acquired a Woodchuck Cider sign from my favorite bar. It inspired me to finally finish taking down the wallpaper in my kitchen and decorate around the sign. So far all I have done is paint the top half of the walls a dark green, but it already looks so much better than the icky teapot wallpaper that was up there. Is it sad that I am so excited about decorating my kitchen in a beer theme? Who cares! I love it!

It's been a loooong week and I'm so glad its Friday! I'll be dipping out of work a little early today since its completely dead around here. I've gotten so much accomplished with everyone gone to the annual meeting. So I think I deserve to be able to leave early!

Overall, I just feel GREAT! I'm smiling and laughing all the time and I look forward to every day… which unfortunately has not always been the case. Hmm… wonder what could be making me feel like this? :)

Can I Please Just Go Back to Bed?

2007-07-17T07:49:00.001-05:00

I had trouble getting to sleep last night even though I was physically exhausted. I am doggy sitting for my parents while they are visiting my Grandma in North Carolina. One of the dogs is actually mine and she's used to visiting me, but the other one really doesn't seem to like being in a strange house. She whined constantly all night long. Anybody who knows me, knows that I am an extremely light sleeper and I can't sleep through any kind of noise. So, I tossed and turned miserably all night.

So, when the alarm went off (it didn't have to wake me up) I drug myself out of bed. Of course, the doggies who I know didn't sleep all night are up and dancing around wanting their morning treats. Funny how chipper they are considering all the whining that went on all night. I get ready and leave the house a few minutes early to stop by somewhere for breakfast… since there is absolutely nothing to eat or drink in my house. I start to roll through the intersection in front of my house… please note, I do not have a stop sign but the other direction does. Does he stop? Does he look both ways? Does he even pause for a brief moment? Hell no! He almost plows right into the side of me and its not until I lay on my horn that he even realizes that I am there. I say a few choice words although I know he can't hear me and then continue on my way. I stop for breakfast and then head toward work. On Madison, a nice little sporty car is backing out of his driveway and at a pretty fast speed for reverse. Does he pause at the end of the driveway to make sure it is clear before he pulls out? Hell no! He backs out right in front of me while I'm doing 45. Luckily there are two lanes and I am able to swerve around him, again saying a few more choice words.

So, I finally arrive at work to find our e-mail is down. This is nothing for me to panic about, but to all of the people who are leaving the office very shortly to head to the annual meeting, this is apparently cause for widespread panic. I have only been out of bed for about an hour and all of this has already happened. I really want to just go home and get back in bed!! So, someone please give me something to smile about today!

Ok, ok, I’ll blog!

2007-07-16T14:33:00.000-05:00

Yes, I know I haven’t blogged in a while. It has not been due to lack of material, but lack of time to type it all. Our annual meeting is the end of this week and the office has been a madhouse. Everyone packs up and heads down to Point Clear, Alabama for the meeting tomorrow and things will settle down for me after that.

Other than that, things are going great! I’m happier than I have been in a really long time. I feel like I have finally gotten out from under a certain little black cloud that has been following me for years. I only have myself to blame for letting it follow me for so long, but I have a certain someone to thank for helping me find my way out of it. I finally saw the light and realized that I deserved so much better than the crap I had been dealing with. I’m finally figuring out what I want out of life and it feels incredible.

Ok… enough with the mushy stuff. I know everyone only reads my blogs to hear what stupid things I’ve done lately. So here goes one...

Well, I stayed in Valley last night (which for those of you who don’t know is about an hour from me and is on Eastern time). If I leave at the same time as Scott I can make it home about the time I would normally be getting up and get ready for work… which works out pretty nicely. But this morning, when I went to leave, my purse was no where to be found! I dug through my car and looked around his house, but nope. Not there. So the problem with that is, I don’t have enough gas to make it home and no means to get any without my purse. Luckily, I noticed it was missing BEFORE Scott left for work. I really don’t think he knew quite what he was getting into when he decided to get involved with me, but I'm sure he is figuring it out very quickly. He had to follow me to the gas station to loan me money and I made him late for work! Poor guy! I hope he already knew what a mess I am and expected nothing less from me.

So, thank you, baby for not leaving me stranded! Bear with me! This is probably the first of many. But I’m glad you got to be my hero this time!

One Lucky Girl

2007-06-25T14:28:00.000-05:00

I feel so loved! And I don’t mean in the romantic sense. I mean in the sense that I have some really great friends. The past year started out pretty rough for me. I went through a really bad break up, got adjusted to a new job, bought my first house, lived alone for the first time… really just learned to be an adult. Some of it was pretty tough. But the best thing by far that has come out of this past year are the friends that I have made along the way.

I am a firm believer in the fact that everything happens for a reason. Thanks to Jennifer, I met Kelly at a time in my life when I needed her the most. I have done some really stupid things since I’ve known her and she has always been there for me to help me pick myself back up. She’s never judgemental or hypocritical, just always supportive. I’m not sure what I would have done this year without her. A year doesn’t seem like that long, but sometimes I feel like we’ve known each other forever… especially when we seem to always finish each others sentences.

Through Kelly I have also been introduced to a lot of other great people. I realized on the way home from Auburn this weekend just how lucky I am. I spent the weekend with a group of people who don’t care where you work, how much money you make, how you dress, how much you weigh or any of that kind of trivial stuff. They only care that you are a good person and you are fun to be around. I had the best time because I could just be myself for once. I am the happiest I have been in a very long time and I think I am finally just comfortable with who I am and with the people I am choosing to spend my time with. It’s a really great feeling!

Thanks for this weekend you guys! You know who you are and I love you all!

Why You Should Never IM Me

2007-06-20T21:34:00.000-05:00

Friend (8:43:06 PM): hows it goin
OmySue (8:44:04 PM): maaan, i want some cookies or something
OmySue (8:44:10 PM): having a sweet craving
Friend (8:44:24 PM): lol
OmySue (8:44:44 PM): and i'm already in my pajamas and no way i am getting dressed again to go back out
OmySue (8:44:45 PM): lol
OmySue (8:44:54 PM): gonna go raid the pantry...
OmySue (8:44:59 PM): totally almost put panty
OmySue (8:45:00 PM): brb
OmySue (9:03:02 PM): mission accomplished
OmySue (9:03:08 PM): pb and jelly
OmySue (9:03:17 PM): almost was just a pb
OmySue (9:03:27 PM): i swear the lid to the jelly was cemented on
OmySue (9:03:39 PM): mother F’er
OmySue (9:03:44 PM): jelly on the keyboard
Friend (9:04:09 PM): well thats a sticky mess
OmySue (9:04:25 PM): only on letter between H and K
OmySue (9:04:37 PM): i -ust won’t use it anymore
Friend (9:04:55 PM): lol
OmySue (9:05:17 PM): until i forget and stick my finger in it
Friend (9:05:46 PM): yeah... and if I can think of any questions that require that key I will be sure to ask
Friend (9:06:02 PM): that is my duty
OmySue (9:06:21 PM): and you said duty
Friend (9:06:59 PM): yes I did say duty
OmySue (9:07:18 PM): oh look... u said it again
OmySue (9:10:36 PM): and the JJJJ is back
OmySue (9:10:37 PM): all clean
OmySue (9:11:08 PM): i just figured i'd wait until i was done eating... cause i was likely to drop some more
OmySue (9:11:16 PM): and why bother to clean it twice
OmySue (9:11:36 PM): so… i think i pulled a muscle in my back
Friend (9:11:37 PM): yeah?
OmySue (9:11:41 PM): and it is spasming
OmySue (9:11:46 PM): shooting pains in my back
OmySue (9:11:56 PM): damn YOU jelly jar!
Friend (9:12:20 PM): ok ok calm down I am sure the jelly jar is sorry for your pain
OmySue (9:12:47 PM): yeah, i'm sure... thats why it told some of its contents to jump on my J?
OmySue (9:12:57 PM): hmm... that sounds weird
OmySue (9:13:01 PM): have i been drinking
OmySue (9:13:04 PM): i dunno
OmySue (9:13:10 PM): did i just answer myself?
OmySue (9:13:13 PM): i think i did
OmySue (9:13:20 PM): maybe i should lie down
OmySue (9:14:18 PM): nope... i think i'm good

Rain, rain

2007-06-19T14:30:00.002-05:00

Today at lunch, my mom, sister and niece came to my house to eat with me. While we were sitting around the table talking and eating it started to thunder. My sister decided she would run out to the car before it started raining and grab her cigarettes so she could smoke under my covered front porch. As soon as she made it out the door, the bottom fell out and it started to pour. She called from the car and I of course answered saying “ha ha ha ha ha!” She said she was going to stay out there till the rain slowed down a bit. The thunder was booming right over our heads, and shortly after, I got this text message from her:

“That shit was close!”

She came running in when it slowed for a minute and I heard her scream when I big boom sounded overhead as she ran to the front door. Of course, she was soaked and I was laughing hysterically. But of course, I failed to remember that it was also pouring on my car. Which has a hole in the soft top. Which is right over the driver’s seat. Which means that my butt got completely soaked on the way back to work. Man I hate karma!

I Put My Arms Around You

2007-06-14T10:07:00.000-05:00

Those of you who were around me last summer, know that I got completely hooked on So You Think You Can Dance. I was rooting for Benji (who did win) from the day of his audition. I watched the show just to see him dance every week. This season, I didn't think I would be interested in watching because Benji would be gone. WRONG! Benji's sister Lacey is on this season and she is great. The dance she did with her partner last night gave me chills and even made me tear up. Now, thats a powerful dance. It was a beautiful interpretation of an incredible song.

It touched me, so I wanted to share. So, here's the lyrics to the song and the video:

Dancing by Elisa
Time is gonna take my mind
and carry it far away where I can fly
The depth of life will dim my temptation to live for you
If I were to be alone silence would rock my tears
'cause it's all about love and I know better
How life is a waving feather

So I put my arms around you around you
And I know that I'll be leaving soon

My eyes are on you they're on you
And you see that I can't stop shaking
No, I won't step back but I'll look down to hide from your eyes
'cause what I feel is so sweet and I'm scared that even my own breath
Oh could burst it if it were a bubble
And I'd better dream if I have to struggle

So I put my arms around you around you
And I hope that I will do no wrong
My eyes are on you they're on you
And I hope that you won't hurt me

I'm dancing in the room as if I was in the woods with you
No need for anything but music
Music's the reason why I know time still exists
Time still exists
Time still exists
Time still exists

So I put my arms around you around you
And I hope that I will do no wrong
My eyes are on you they're on you
And I hope that you won't hurt me

Feet!

2007-06-13T15:28:00.000-05:00

So, for the last couple of days I have gotten messages and friend requests on MySpace from some really strange people. Today especially, I got several friend requests from people named "Trample Me" and "Stomp Me Flat." And I know I have big feet and all, but I couldn't figure out how in the world the Montgomery area foot fetish community had gotten me on their list!!

Then I realized... my new default picture was of my feet in the sand! Well, duh... that must have done it!! So, no more feet picture for me and maybe that will keep some of the freaks away.... the creepy ones anyway.

Cloud Nine

2007-06-11T15:54:00.001-05:00

I am having SUCH a great day! One of the greatest feelings is to be told by a complete stranger that they think you are beautiful... especially when you think that person is attractive as well. I had been feeling pretty bad lately and that was exactly what I needed. So, I am on cloud nine today! Somebody join me up here!

Another One of Those Typical Weekends

2007-06-11T10:58:00.000-05:00

At the beginning of Friday, I thought this was going to be a really crappy weekend. I thought I was going to have to work at AE on both Friday and Saturday night. But I got a phone call from my manager in the afternoon telling me that I wouldn't be needed either night. So, I decided to make dinner plans with Kelly and drive to Auburn. So as soon as I got off work, I picked up an early birthday and 'thank you for rescuing me' present for Drue and headed their way. Kelly and I went to get pedicures and do girly stuff before dinner. So, I'm sitting there in the big massaging chair with my feet soaking in the little spa, reading a two-year-old issue of Cosmo and feeling pretty relaxed. And suddenly I hear "blooop" and something has hit the water. I hesitate for a moment and think, "Hmmm, what was that?" And then I realized that my cell phone is no longer lying in my lap beneath the magazine. I scramble to dig my phone out of the foot water but the damage is already done. Its full of water. Me and Kelly took the battery out and set it under the nail drying lamps the rest of the time we are there. By some miracle, my phone STILL WORKS!

So, we get back to the house and meet up with everyone else. Jennifer and Wes, Kelly and Drue, and me and Scott all go to dinner at Outback. Wes proposed to Jennifer at dinner so lots of drinks and celebration was in order! CONGRATS JENN AND WES! We all had a good time and for once, got good service.

Saturday morning Drue had to work, so me, Kelly and Scott go to breakfast at Cracker Barrel and my karma returns. It took us 15 minutes to wait in line to get a table, 15-20 more minutes for our waitress to come out and take even our drink order. Then we are still waiting for our food to come out when we hear the sound of crashing dishes. It wasn't close to us at all so I say jokingly "I hope that wasn't our food." Scott and I had our backs to the sound, but I could see Kelly watching closely and she says "Oh no. Our waitress is over there." A moment later she comes to our table and she is carrying plates. She gives us all plates but Scott is missing his main entrée. She says to him "Your French toast is on the floor." I was fully expecting whatever hit the floor to be mine, and so at this point I die laughing. The waitress apologizes and explains how she is having a terrible day and woke up late and didn't even have time to take a shower (which is way more than I think any of us wanted to know). She comes back out in just a few minutes with a plate piled high with French toast covered with strawberries and whip cream. She makes a point to tell Scott that she took her time and fixed it for him herself. I leaned over and whispered "…says the waitress who just told you she didn't take a bath today." I couldn't resist and the look on his face assured me that he appreciated me pointing out that fact while he had his first bite in his mouth.

After breakfast I head back to Montgomery. On the drive, I start thinking what am I going to do tonight since I don't have to work? And then I remember hearing that there is a birthday celebration going on at the StrongFold show this weekend for Nikki and Anthony, but I can't remember where they are playing. I get home and call Dave and find out they are playing in Pascagoula, MS and not in Mobile like I had hoped. I was disappointed for a minute but he assures me that Pascagoula is not too much farther than Mobile. I hesitate for just a moment… and call Scott and say "Would you think I was crazy if I asked you to drive to Pascagoula, Mississippi with me tonight?" (I know what you are thinking, he probably already knows I'm crazy). I hear a little hesitation in his voice and tell him to think about it and call me back. I give him StrongFold's website and a rundown of what kind of music they play since I know he and I share taste for their kind of music. In the long run, we decide to go and hit the road!

This is the first time that Scott and I have ever done anything alone together so I was a little nervous about the long drive. But once we got on the road, we started telling stories and joking and having a really good time. The next thing we know, its almost midnight, we haven't been paying attention to the road… and we really aren't sure where we are. The next sign we see says "New Orleans 52 miles." And I of course say no way, that a 1 must have fallen off the front of that. So the next exit we come to is a rest area and we decide to stop and look at a map and see exactly where we are. As we coast off the exit, we see a sign that says "Welcome to Mississippi" and I'm thinking that's odd because I know we have been in MS for a long time. We walk up to the building and there is a big sign that says "Restrooms open 24 hours" and just beneath that, a sign that says "Restrooms Closed." How ironic.

But we found a map and realized that yes, you guessed it, this is the welcome center for people entering Mississippi from Louisiana!! We drove 75 miles past our exit. Yes, I know. I don't know how it happened either and we probably should be ashamed of ourselves. But I can only say that we were so engrossed in conversation that we lost track of time and stopped paying attention to the road. We did finally make it to the show in time to hear the last five or so songs. But we had a great time hanging out with the StrongFold boys, just like I always do. We got to the hotel as the sun was coming up. I barely remember setting the alarm to make sure we wake up in time for checkout.The next thing I know, Scott is waking me up and the clock says its after noon… an hour past checkout time. Oops.

So, we decide to drive over to Foley and eat at Lambert's and catch some rolls. Then we drive down to Gulf Shores and swim in the ocean for hours. The time spent in the ocean completely made up for the whole driving ordeal… for me at least anyway. It was a perfect day for the beach. Beautiful weather. Calm water. Perfect. And we were kept thoroughly entertained by the Mexican men trying to get on floats out in the ocean. I don't know which was funnier, watching them flip and slide and fall off the floats, or listening to them laugh and make fun of each other as they did it. They noticed us laughing at them too and one of them says pointing to his friend (and sounds just like Speedy Gonzales I must add) "He's crazy, man! He's too fat!" I about lost it!

We got every bit of sunlight we could and decided to start heading back when it started to get dark. We tell more stories and call people to tell the story of our crazy weekend. Before we know it, its pretty late and since its Sunday night there is no where open to get dinner. We swing through a drive-through and then go to a gas station to use the bathroom before getting back on the interstate. The ladies room was occupied so I stood in the hallway while Scott went in the men's room. After a minute or two, I hear Scott's door clicking and banging and I can't help but start laughing at him. And he can hear me laughing and starts laughing too. He did finally get it open. But wouldn't it been the topper to the weekend if we'd had to call a locksmith to get Scott out of a gas station bathroom?

Scott dropped me off about 12:30am so I am pretty worn out today. But poor Scott had another hour drive to get home after dropping me off, and he's on Eastern time so he lost an hour on the way. I can't even imagine how tired he must be today! Bet he'll think twice before he accepts an invitation from me again!

Spooky Old Tree

2007-06-06T20:14:00.001-05:00

I haven't been to Eastdale Mall in forever. But this past weekend I went with my brother and sister-in-law to look at bunnies! Yes, I know... the last thing I need. But I was seriously considering getting one until I realized they make me sneeze and itch. That kinda ruled that out.

On the way out, we passed a little area full of those kiddie rides that you put quarters in. There was this giant tree on the edge. Just looking at it creeped me out! It reminded me of those evil scary trees in the Wizard of Oz that threw apples at Dorothy. So I get up close to get a good look at it and it suddenly started blinking and talking. Of course, I screamed and ran. My brother had apparently hit some button to make it start.

Even little kids were pointing and laughing. Anyway... here is me and the tree:

My Karma is Hereditary

2007-06-01T13:44:00.000-05:00

I just had the most interesting conversation with my mom. For those of you who don't know, I have an eight year old niece who lives with my parents. A man rang the doorbell and told my mom that he heard a little girl yelling "Help! Help! Somebody! Anybody!" Alex was in her new swing and her hair had gotten caught in the ropes. They actually had to cut the swing down to get her out. I was sitting at my desk laughing hysterically as she told me. (I'm evil, I know.) So I emailed and told my brother. His response: "Awesome. She should have taken some pictures."

My mom says we are terrible children. What can I say? Karma is hereditary!!