...life makes love look hard...

Doing a little link up with this post.. just trying to meet a few more people and follow a few more blogs & who are we kidding get more followers myself! So I'm linking up with Jaime for What I'm Loving Wednesday! So.. this is what I'm loving!!

As most of you know I'm country music OBSESSED!! It's a problem. Seriously. But it's my escape. I spend $$ on music: XM Satellite Radio (so I can have 6 choices of Country music stations), CDs (yes I still buy hard copies and not digital copies), Concerts ($250 alone on my CMA music fest ticket), and my tv is constantly on CMT. Yea.. you get the picture. Anyways.. I have my favorite artists and they include: Sugarland (they converted me to country with "Baby Girl"), Carrie Underwood (duh), Martina McBride, Faith Hill & her hot hubby Tim McGraw, Dolly Parton, Josh Turner, Scotty McCreery, Luke Bryan, Chris Young, Jason Aldean, Darius Rucker (SC represent), Miranda Lambert & her sweet hubby Blake Shelton, and last but certainly not least....

Taylor Swift. She writes the songs that are my life, or what I think my life is! ;) Her newest song & video really ARE my life! The song is "Ours" and the video is her in the role of a 20-something girl who works in an office, trapped in a cubicle and the monotony of the everyday grind. I could relate. She modeled it after me. Anyways, I won't give away the ending because it's just priceless. There are several lines in the song that I can relate to & that remind me of Firefighter D (could be the whole hero thing). So, this song of course makes me think of him every time I hear it. And he now listens to country music (thanks to moi) and he heard it for the first time the other day & not knowing that I feel this way about the song he texted me and said "I just heard the Taylor Swift song "ours" and it made me think of us." Um, yea.. pretty cool! Anyways, here are some of my favorite lines...

"Your hands are tough
But they are where mine belong.."

"And any snide remarks from my father about your tattoos will be ignored.."

"And life makes love look hard
The stakes are high, the water's rough
But this love is ours..."

I love how the shades of grey in office contrast to the bright and sunny colors that appear when she is with her boyfriend in the video. I love how she has to show her ID badge (I do too), I love that there is a cute little old custodian man (we have one too), I like her lunchbox, I like that she tries to make her cube "colorful" with sticky notes, and I love they struggles with the copier because that is my daily life. Anyways... Here is the video! Enjoy! :) It's what I'm loving!

Since we are clearly in the "work" topic today, I have a presentation today that I created and I have to present at 1pm est. I'm going to channel my inner Jennifer Hudson & George Lopez and say, "I Got This!" But thoughts and prayers are appreciated. Ps... Kinda looking like T-swift in this video today.. Pink shirt, grey skirt. You know, it's how I roll! 

Duck.. Duck.. GOOSE! TAG! I'm it!

So since I have a few new blogger friends I was asked to participate in a "tagged" post. I have previously not seen this silly (yet entertaining) game on blog so I'm jumpin in! It's a great way to get to know each other and even connect with old blogger friends! I got tagged TWICE! Woah! Not sure if I can handle the onset of popularity! Just kidding I'm flattered, but I've included both of my "tagged" questions in this one post!

1. You must post the rules.

2. Post 11 fun facts about yourself on the blog post.

3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, 

and then create 11 new questions for the people you tagged.

4. Tag 11 people and link them on your post.

5. Let them know you've tagged them!

 

11 fun facts about myself:

1. I had my ears pierced by an oral surgeon. Yes, I did. I'm dealthy afraid of sharp objects, ie. knifes, needles, ice picks, safty pins.. you get the picture. SO, no way was I up for having my ears pierced by some 20-something chick working at Claire's. I was having surgery to get my wisdom teeth out, and the day before I called and asked if he could do it while I was under the anistisia and he said sure! No worries about getting a tatoo... unless I have some other surgery! ;)

 

2. I marched in the Rose Bowl parade my junior year of high school. It was a long 9 miles through horse poop and pita bread (don't ask), but totally worth the trip to the west coast!

 

3. I'm a tv-aholic/addict whatever you wanna call it. I'll admit that I don't think I had a life before I invested in a DVR because I DO NOT miss my shows! And as far as "my shows" go.. I'll watch anything reality based as well as dramas like Parenthood, Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice! I'm a sucker for ABCFamily tween dramas like Pretty Litttle Liars, Switched @ Birth, Secret Life & Make it or Break it. & I just watched Glee (on demand) a couple weeks ago for the first time... where. have. I. been?

 

4. I'm not big on eating fruits, but I LOVE most veggies.

 

5. I'm brand loyal. Seriously, I don't stray far from what I know is good, what works, what I like etc.

 

6. I'm proud of the fact that I am only 25 & I've owned my own home since I was 23.

 

7. The car I drove in high school & college was a bright yellow VW beetle. It was my trademark and my identity! I cried when I left it on the lot even though I had just bought a brand new car. Pitful.

 

8. I have a 4-legged furry child named MileyBelle. She lives with my parents mainly.. we have "joint custody." Good thing I only live 7min from them. Mom is just glad it's not a 2 legged child. ;)

 

9. I get excited when I DO NOT get mail... sad that when I was younger I couldn't WAIT to check the mail everyday, now I do a little happy dance when the mailbox is empty!

 

10. Since July I think I've become more of a girl.. I learned to use a curling iron & I love to polish my nails. Yep.. I was a little late to the game.

 

11. I'm kinda on a blog posting/reading/following obession right now. I just LOVE it! I love making all the new friends and reading what's happening in other people's lives. Mine is a touch on the boring side, so seeing what everybody else is into is SO.Much.Fun!!

my questions from Ashley @ Little Miss One Big Mess

1. What is one food/drink item you could never give up?

Food: Mac & Cheese   Drink: Coke Zero

2. If you could do any occupation, what would it be and why?

I would be an event coordinator. I'm actually certified to do that, but since the economy sucks nobody really wants to hire someone to plan a party/wedding/fundraiser. BUT I would LOVE to own my own event venue. I drive by this place on Main St. in our town that is now a vacant building and it would make a wonderful venue... "Entertain on Main" is what I would call it! Yea.. I day dream on my commute!

3. Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Neither. I'm ok once I'm up, but getting up is hard. & post-college I'm not a night owl. I'm usually in bed by 10:30/11 & if I'm not you can tell that I should be! I have to prepare myself to have a night out.. it's the first sign I'm getting old!

4. What are the perfect pair of shoes you think every girl should own?

A nice pair of sandals.. like Jack Rogers. Seriously I wear those suckers everywhere. Totally worth the dough! But when it's winter you need to have a good pair of boots and an expensive pair of pumps. The more they cost, the more comfortable they are. Seriously. I have a pair of Burberry black Mary Jane Pumps. I've had them re-soled in the past year. Totally worth it!

5. What is the craziest thing you have ever done?

I'm not a crazy person really. I don't take risk. BUT I did join eHarmony & met a crazy guy there and dated him for about 3 months. Now THAT was crazy!

6. Are you a party person or a homebody?

Definately a homebody.

7. Who in your life do you admire the most and why?

I guess my parents, because they were high school sweethearts and have been married for 36 years. I have to give it to 'em. I hope I will find someone who will stick it out with me that long & longer!

8. Who is your favorite artist/band?

WAYYYY to many to pick. But just take a guess at anyone in the country music realm and you'll probably hit the nail on the head! :)

9. Describe your personal style and how it came to be.

I'm not sure I exactly KNOW my personal style. I think it evolves and develops. I'm mostly preppy, love my button downs, cardigans & pearls. I also like jeans and a t-shirt and boy do I love to rock a good dress.

10. What is your favorite alcoholic drink?

Not a big drinker.. but my go-to is Tequila Sunrise!

11. How old were you when you had your first kiss? 

I was 10. In the 5th grade. Yikes.

my questions from Allison @ Just A Carolina Girl:
1. If you could be on a reality show, what would you choose?

Oh Geez, I have to choose? American Idol (of course I'd actually have to be good at singing which I'm not)
2. What is your favorite workout song?

Anything by Katy Perry or dare I admit Britney Spears!
3. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Steak & Potato (sweet or baked)4. What is your favorite book?

I'm not a reader, but I occasionally pick up one. Anything by Candace Bushnall is good. I really like her prequal series "The Carrie Diaries" about Carrie (from Sex & the City) before Sex & the City! I own the whole S&TC series on DVD. Can we say problem?
5. Who is your favorite sports team?

I don't follow national or major leagues.. but college team would be CLEMSON!! GO TIGERS!!
6. What is your favorite holiday other than Christmas?

Thanksgiving & Easter. I LOVE the meaning, family and food behind both!7. Why did you start blogging and what keeps you doing it?

I wanted a way to document this time in my life. A paper journal just seemed so "old school," plus I like to meet people.8. What was your favorite vacation?

Definately both trips I've taken to Nashvile, TN. If you've never been, GO!
9. If you could only shop at one store, what would it be?

Lilly Pulitzer... but that would be assuming I could afford it. Otherwise, Target.10. Do you have any siblings? If yes, are they older or younger?

Nope. I'm an only. Mom says they knew they couldn't handle anymore. I was more than plenty!11. If you could witness any event, past or present, what would you choose?

Some kind of Olympics. I always want to go. Don't care where, I'd just like to go to say I've been & mark it off the #bucketlist.

My 11 questions for my tagged blogger friends:

1. What do you look forward to the most about your future?

2. Who or what inspires you?

3. What is your favorite color & why?

4. What is your favorite childhood memory?

5. If you could spend a day with someone who would it be & why?

6. What is your favorite song or which one describes you the most?

7. What are your vices?

8. All time favorite movie? You know, the one you can quote everyline!

9. What's the worst fashion faux pas you've ever made?

10. Have you attempted to do/make something from Pinterest, and how did it turn out?

11. If you could visit one place anytime for free where would it be?

My tags!

Jenilyn @ Grits & Giggles

Rachael @ Simple. Little. Joys.

Kristen @ B.A. In Housewifery

 Ashley @ Little Miss One Big Mess

Allison @ Just A Carolina Girl

Rebekah @ Our Journey

Um.. yea sadly I'm not close enough to 11 bloggers to tag them. Need to work on that!

I hope everybody has a chance to participate!! Too much fun for a Tuesday!

Guest Post

I'm guest posting today over at Ashley's Little Miss One Big Mess  I thought I'd do a mini- about me post! Ps. her blog is super cute & a fun read!  She's a new blogger (like me!) so show her some love and pop over there, read my post & then scroll down and read into her crazy life!

Have a great Monday y'all! :)

THE HELP!

Oh. My. Goodness. If you haven't taken the time to watch this amazing movie, then you need to get somewhere and sit down, with a bowl of popcorn, a couple tissues and an open mind. It was seriously one of the best movies I've seen in quite some time! I must confess I didn't read the book. I don't really read books. Ya, I know, shocker. But it puts me to sleep and I get board.. I think I must be partially ADD.

But WOW, this movie was just incredibly cast, written, directed and inspired. So glad it's now part of my collection!

I have to admit I could relate to it on 2 different levels. First of all, I am a product of "help." Although, my mother & father both worked and DID spend time with me when they weren't working, we had an AMAZING lady named Pearl who kept me from age 7mos- 10yrs. You can see a picture of her here! I would never say she was my mother, because she wasn't, BUT she did help to raise me. However, I'm a firm believer that it takes a village to raise a child. I could relate to how Skeeter felt when she came home and Constantine had been let go and how her mother didn't tell her she had passed away and that she never got to say goodbye. I was in the 8th grade when Pearl passed away, but she had not been working for us for about 3 years by that time. She died in the middle of a hurricane so we could not go to the hospital and visit her because the weather was so terrible. So I too never got to really say goodbye and tell her thank you for all that she did for me and my family. She will always have a special place in my heart and she is one person I can't WAIT to see in heaven one day! I know she looks down on me. :)

I could also relate to The Help because I have been "the help." Yep, I was a nanny for 16mos after I graduated from college. It's quite a sensitive subject. I live in an area of SC where having a nanny is kinda unheard of. Most people just send their kids to daycare or moms stay home and keep them themselves. However, there are a handful of  fortunate people around here that have a nanny, and I got to be one. It was quite the experience and in retrospect I wish I'd been a member of "blog world" when I was one.. those would have been some funny posts. Stuff happened to me daily that would make you think "seriously? who does that!" haha

The little girl I kept was 26mos when I started and 31/2 when I was "let go." It wasn't a job to me, I got up everyday and went to play, teach, and love on a little girl who thought I hung the moon. I planned activities and outings. We made cookies, we read books, we took nature walks, we worked puzzles, we played dress up, we played Candy Land, we went to the zoo... yea, not work, if you ask me. Extenuating circumstances didn't allow me to stay with her past July 31, 2010, and her calling me "mom" in front of her mother probably didn't help the situation, but I miss her dearly. I see her pictures on Facebook and it breaks my heart to see her now almost. Sometimes what I see I don't approve of and wish she had a different life. But, she's probably got it better than I think. Anyways, the part at the end of The Help when Mae Mobley says "no Abi don't go Abi" and Abilene says, "I got to baby." Lord, I about lost it. Ok I did. I just felt like that was my little one saying the same thing.

She is now 5, well tomorrow she will be. They were sweet enough to invite me to her "family party" last night. It was so great to see her and spend some time with her. Last year when I went to her party she acted like she didn't know or remember me, which broke my heart. I mean I poured everything I had into the child for 16mos so for her to act like that was a big blow. However, last night we were playing a game on her moms iphone (while waiting for our food) and she turned to me and said "remember when I use to play games on your phone?" So if she remembers that, she remembers a lot more than I thought! I hope I can see her more than 2 times this year (I saw her in Jan & May last year). Hopefully her mother will let me babysit her or just take her to the park or to get ice cream. She's so sweet and turning into a beautiful young lady, and I'm proud to say I had a small part in that.

I have moved on, I know it doesn't sound like it. But I have. I have a "real job" now. I also keep 2 little boys one night a week or every couple weeks and I love them too. So until I have my own children I will be "The Help." It's a title I'm ok with. :)

Confessional Friday {Link Up}

Hello Lovelies! It's finally Friday! Holy moly for a short week it's been LONG!!! Work is semi-busy and currently giving me a headache (literally) because I'm doing research on state insurance websites and reading a bunch of tiny print.. yikes!
Anywhodoodle.. no big weekend plans exactly. Pampered Chef party tonight with some co-workers. Not exactly sure why I'm going because Lord knows I don't cook! Then going to Firefighter D's house afterward to watch Friends with Benefits! Super excited to see that movie, it's been on my "Redbox List" for a while!
Saturday I have a few errands to run, one being the gym, the grocery store and finally Target! :) I have to pick up a birthday present for a sweet girl turning 5 on Monday. Her party is tomorrow night. This little girl has a big spot in my heart and I MAY do a blog post with a current pic of her on Sunday. I used to be her nanny.. so it's a touchy subject. I miss the little munchkin like crazy! Excited to see her though!
Sunday I plan on being as L-A-Z-Y as possible! Me and the DVR/a movie may have an afternoon appointment and invite Mr. Nap!

Wow. I'm talking crazy! Let's move on with the Confessions shall we? Again.. love that Mrs. Leslie from A Blonde Ambition does this to provide me with a dose of therapy! :)

1. I have really NOT gotten started on my fitness/diet routine I had intended on doing. I mean I had the day off from work Monday and then it's just been a crazy work week & never got to the grocery store. So yea... I'm gonna get right on that this Monday. PROMISE!! :)

2. My department at worked moved floors so they could renovate ours. I'm in a 6x6 cube, in close quarters to EVERYONE. Meaning I can hear every noise anyone makes. Kinda annoying. But I love the cozyness of my cube. Everything is at arms reach for once in my life! #shortgirlproblems

3. Discovered that I'm pretty good at painting my nails, and keeping them painted. I did treat myself to a mani/pedi on my day off Monday. Love how long those little ladies can get my polish to last. (This time I got OPI "Do you think I'm Text-y" polish) I however am OBSESSED with Sally Hansen Insta-Dri polish. It's the bomb.com & I intend to pick up a new color while at Target tomorrow! Must try it if you haven't! Seriously it dries in like 2.5 seconds! Ps. I learned this week on a blog somewhere you should refrigerate your polish! FYI

4. Really wish I'd thought through my outfit better today. Should have worn Kackis and a turtleneck. This is the 3rd day in a row in a skirt/dress with hose/tights. I kinda wanna cry cause it's Friday and I should have "dressed down" a bit. Just a little uncomfy!

5. In case any of you had thought I'd become less-obsessed with my country music. You'd be wrong. Iheartradio.com has been on constantly this week at work. I kinda like playing with it and seeing what I can get it to play. The more less common, less heard on the radio songs I can get the better!

6. Loving the new followers I've acquired this week! Really makes me happy! && thanks for leaving comments that also puts a big smile on my face when I get an email with a comment! :)

7. Hate it when Pinterest flops out on me.. I hate seeing that 502 oops! error! :/

8. No, me and Firefighter D are NOT in a relationship. We are dating. No Relationship. Why's everybody gotta think it's gotta be "a relationship?" Seriously. People who I don't even really talk to have asked me about him. I mean I've been VERY vague on Facebook about it, haven't seen anybody I know when we've been out and I don't really talk about him. Geezzzus! Come on. Ever heard of taking things slow?? I've done the fast, rush into a relationship and then watch it spiral out of control and then I get hurt. I'm not really up for that again. //off soapbox Sorry!

9. Beyond ready for a weekend. How about you? What are your confessions this week?? Have a lovely!

It's OK! Thursday

Hey All! Doing a link up today that I found via http://allisondiane16.blogspot.com/ that she links up with on Thursdays from Brunch with Amber. Always exciting to find a new link up! This is pretty cute.. a little like confessions, but I love a random posting! :)

It's Ok....

...that I haven't exactly jumped on my New Years Intentions. Back to the gym day #2 starts at 6pm today!

...that I went shopping on Monday and bought $52 worth of stuff from the VS Semi-Annual Sale.

...that I've bought b-fast everyday this week. & non of it has been "healthy."

...that I have VERY little weekend plans & I'm excited about it.

...that all my shows come back on this week and my DVR is working over-time. Hey, I think I just figured out my weekend plans! :)

...that I like January only for it's less planned, less busy, dreary kinda month it is!

...that MOST of my friends are in a serious relationship, engaged, married, having babies or a combination of any of the above, and I am not!

...that I make lists for EVERYTHING!

...that it's now fashionable to wear balck with brown.

...that I'm really into painting my nails currently.

________________________________________________________________

It's NOT Ok....

...that people feel the need to rant about football on facebook.

...that tights and hose make my legs feel like linked sausage.

...that it's been FREEZING cold in SC this week. I hate cold weather unless there is snow and the whole town shuts down.

...that I've had more than 1 headache in the past week and I feel tired 85% of the time.

...for people to ignore text messages. It's a text. It requires maybe 60 seconds of your precious time to read it and answer it. Thanks.

...that I still have acne at 25.

...that I want to spend more time on blogging and Pinterest than doing something actually productive! ;)

Have a Wonderful day ladies! :)



A tribute to older generations

A while back I said I would do a post about someone very special in my life. She is my "adopted" Grandma. Now, I guess I need to explain that. She has known me my entire life. She was my dad's secretary when I was born. My dad soon moved on to another church and they no longer worked together but saw each other frequently. Then a few years ago she started working at the office my dad works at, then summer after my Jr. year of college I worked there and continued working there after I graduated. She and I became really close friends. She has 2 sons, neither of which ever married so she has nieces and nephews and other family but no immediate grand children. So.. I adopted her. I have 2 wonderful grandmothers, but neither of them live close, so being able to go to lunch with her and have a great relationship with her means so much! She's a good bit younger than my grandmothers, but still old enough to be my grandmother! :)

A couple weeks ago we celebrated her "retirement" from my dad's office. She is retiring for like the 3rd time, but she is still going to work there 2 days a week. Anyways, it was a great time hearing all the funny stories and getting to see some of the people I use to work with as well. Here is a picture of Gma Jackie and me!

The funny thing about Gma Jackie is that she reminds me SO much of the lady that use to take care of me when I was a child. They oddly look AND act alike. Their mannerisms are so similar and their hands are almost identical. (I am observant when it comes to hands, it's weird, I know!) Anyways, the lady that use to keep me when I was little passed away when I was in the 8th grade. It was very hard for me because she practically raised me. Granted, my mom wasn't not the typical mom to have a nanny, she went to work everyday and needed someone to stay with me and refused to put me in daycare. I am forever greatful for that! However, I miss Pearl all the time. There are times where I just randomly think of her and smile knowing she's looking down on me and probably laughing! :) Here is a picture of her and me. Pretty sure I was four in this picture.

Anyways, the older women in my life have really taught me a lot and a lot about myself. I enjoyed seeing and being around my biological grandmothers over Christmas. Please pray for my dad's mother as she is having surgery on her "good" eye, tomorrow. Hoping all goes well & she will continue to sustain the vision she has left in that eye. Her mother, my great grandmother, was blind the last 30+ years of her life, so bad vision runs in the family. I just don't want her to lose her vision. Her mother lived to be 99 and 6mos, and she just turned 89 so she could potentially have 10 years left if she can sustain her health. Again, thanks for the prayers! :)