Charleston Event

So last week I had the opportunity to head to my favorite city and assist an event firm with a rather large scale event. And can I just say, oh my goodness! The event was for a major corporation and it was hosted at The Sanctuary out at Kiawah. I cannot even begin to put into words how beautiful it is out there! After registration and a cocktail reception held at The Sanctuary itself, guests were transported via trolley out to the Ocean Course Clubhouse (which they had completely rented out) for their dinner. The theme of the dinner was the Ryder Cup. I normally don't go into my "work" (I hate to even refer to it as work, because I get so much pleasure out of it--most of the time!), but ladies, if you are ever looking for an amazing backdrop for an event this is definitely something to take a look at!

Another stop for me while in Charleston was at Cupcake. I wanted to bring some treats home for the family and once again these didn't disappoint! I now know why the Red Velvet Cupcakes are there best seller!! I didn't have the chance to do much shopping, as the rain was making it's way, but still it was a great, quick getaway for me. Nothing like a walk alone on the beach to collect your thoughts and a drive around the city smelling the Charleston air to refresh you!

I've been tagged!

I was tagged by cutie patootie over at http://www.blogger.com/www.monogramchick.blogspot.com (need a computer lesson regarding links, by the way!). Check her out. You'll fall in love with all her fabulous monogrammed goods!

1. I must have one foot out from underneath the covers when I sleep. I can't breathe otherwise!

2. I have an abnormal fear of little people. I know that they are only different by their stature and that most of them are probably very nice people, but they just scare me. I said it's abnormal.

3. I am currently an Invisalign patient. and yes, I feel like a preteen again worrying that my mouthpiece will accidentally find itself in the trash. It will all be worth it when I'm sporting the best accessory, a great smile!

4. I wore braces for 6, yes, count 'em, 6 years. See above. Obviously, my orthodontist didn't know what the hell she was doing.

5. The mere mention of snakes nearly paralyzes me with fear. I have a crazy thought in my head that a snake will somehow manage to work it's way into the air conditioning of my car and try to come out through a vent while I'm driving down the road! I also think they are waiting in trees to just drop down on innocent victims. Hence, my lack of interest in hiking!

6. I went skydiving for my 2nd 29th birthday (did ya follow that?). Beyond giving birth, most amazing experience EVER! Word to the wise, do NOT participate in a night of beverages beforehand! I'm just sayin'

7. I think about my funeral...alot. I think it's the planner in me. I have already told Hubby of one song that MUST be played...FREEBIRD! I know that isn't what you all were expecting, but this song brings back too many memories and one in particular makes me laugh out loud every.single.time I think about it. And I know it will bring laughter to others during my farewell celebration. And one of my parties would never be complete without laughter! I have also informed Hubby he must put some heavy rocks in the casket with me. All the way through high school I was EXTREMELY thin and got teased endlessly about it. I want all those dear boys that I grew up with to go to pick up my casket thinking it will be a cake walk to get a shock. My final practical joke on my way out!

I am supposed to tag seven other bloggers, but so many of you have done this already I'm leaving it to those of you who still haven't. Leave me a comment and let me know when you complete your list!

Wish I Could've Been There For That...

Yesterday my BIL received his Purple Heart and the Joint Service Commendation medal with V device (V for valor). Words cannot even begin to express how proud I am of Sweet P. Not only is he a wonderful husband to my baby sister, but he is an outstanding soldier. He was injured in the line of duty several months ago and needless to say it was a bit stressful for us here stateside. The hardest part for him wasn't the physical aspect of it all, but leaving his fellow soldiers so he could actually come home and be taken care of. He didn't want to leave them behind. They may need him and he wouldn't be there. The sense of something greater than one's self...amazing, rare, beautiful.
For all of you opposed to the war, I understand where you are coming from. However, I understand the purpose of this mission. I understand that the work these brave men and women are doing is having a positive effect. I also understand that it is not merely a soldier's sacrifice, but a family who makes a sacrifice to help insure our security. I know what it's like to get a phone call from one of the people I hold closest to my heart and wonder what I can do for her to make things better, because she is sacrificing the chance of a "normal" life with her husband and child. As a wife of a Gulf War Veteran and former soldier and now the SIL of a soldier, the military is definitely a part of my life. Holidays and visits are dictated by block leave. Moving is dictated by what unit you are a part of and where they are stationed. And if you've never had to make this sort of sacrifice, please take a moment to put yourself in the shoes of those that live this life day in, day out. And everyone, take the time to thank a soldier. Not only do they deserve to hear it, they need to hear it.

Too tired

Too tired to do a real post today. Here's one of the old school pictures I promised. Yours truly circa 3rd grade-no wise cracks about the Chiclet front teeth!

quick update

Can't post pics tonight like I'd planned. Got a last minute call to come to Charleston and assist an event firm down there with one of their events. Super excited!

Do yourself!

Have you done this yet?!! I wasn't going to put this up, but really who was I kidding, I love to get a good laugh out of stuff like this!! There are real old school pictures to come, but until I scan them in keep feasting your eyes on this piece of art!! Go ahead, do yourself!

Dear John

well technically not John...

Dear J.Crew,
I know we haven't seen much of each other lately. And I know you miss me as I miss you too. Please understand that I just need a break for right now. Just a little bit of time. I promise it's not you. It's me. I got your email and my mailbox was full of your sweet offers today. It's tempting, yes. But I know this is what's best for me right now. I am begging you to stop taunting me with all the promises of beautiful things.

We'll be together again soon,
The Wife


and to Blogger, when I want to only delete ONE picture, please, please, please do not delete the entire post! I wanted to only remove the picture of Lovebug, up close and personal, and it deleted the whole football saturday post. arghhhh!

Bullies suck!

Today was a l-o-n-g day and I am exhausted. I took pictures which I will post later. Unfortunately, we did not stay to see one single play of the game. Lovebug had to be checked in 4 hours prior to kick-off and that took all of Baby Girl's patience.

On another note, to all you bully little girls: Karma is a bitch! Lovebug is so tender hearted and I KNOW she needs to toughen up, however that does not stop my heart from breaking when she comes home in tears because of her frienemy! And really, at this age I just was not at all prepared for such behavior. Why young lady must you ignore my child when she is speaking to you as if you don't hear her at all? Why must you only have negative comments to say to her to degrade her in front of all the other neighborhood children? Why do you think it's ok to share secrets with all the other little girls in front of my child and deliberately leave her out? And if it's so important for you to NOT acknowledge my child then why, do tell, must you come to every place my child is playing? What is it that you are missing in you own life that makes you feel so inclined to treat others so poorly? Does it really make you feel better to see another person so hurt? I've seen how people like you turn out as they get older and let me tell you, happiness isn't found through trying to bring others down to your level. Rather it just makes you appear bitter, which is never attractive, no matter what the people who are too afraid to stand up to you say. The predicament lies in the fact that this child's parents and Hubby and I are neighborhood friends. I'm feeling like getting all Mama Bear on someone and we all know that is not the right line of action and I shouldn't even be having the fantasies of doing so, but I can't help it.

Rematch today on the racquetball court and no one was injured. I'm improving--thank goodness!
Looking forward to this weekend and the football game. Saturday is going to be a crazy busy day...as Lovebug is being surprised with a granted wish...she's going to be a Clemson cheerleader for the day!! So we will be doing brunch and a light lunch at our tailgate. Hopefully, I will have some pictures to post this weekend...if I'm A.not completely worn out from chasing a two year old around at the game and B. I don't over consume adult beverages or C. I can stop crying while watching Lovebug do her thing on the field.

Maybe

I may or may not have intentionally thrown a basketball directly at Hubby yesterday hitting him square in the chest. I do, however, know that it's on like donkey kong tomorrow on the racquetball court.

Lightening strikes!

Please forgive my appearance, but this made my day today!! I happen to be in the same place as Lightening himself (aka. CJ Spiller!) and HAD to have my picture made with him!! He was such a good sport about it and giggled at my crazy lady self! I informed him that I would appreciate a shout out Saturday after his first touchdown and went as far as let him know where my seats are located so he could aim my shout out in my direction! Oh yes ladies I did!! It gets worse, as I told him that how every time I wear my jersey we lose! I.lose.my.mind.sometimes! I also informed him of how I chased his coach down the road one evening, on foot no less, so I could get a picture made with him. WHY?...I wasn't kidding when I say I've got spirit! When I got home I let Hubby know that this picture would be put in his future man-land as we can look back and giggle at my stalker self having her picture made with what I'm sure is going to be a great professional athlete! Go Tigers...and thanks for being such a great sport CJ!!

We've got spirit

Here are some pics from First Friday in Clemson the other week and yes, I'm behind...sue me!!

My little ladies taking it all in!

notice the young lady standing in front of my girls--A.She NEVER sat down during the parade and B. She positioned herself there after my cuties were already in position to wait for the parade to come. Can someone say "manners?"

Clemson cheerleaders...my girls aspire to be one some day!

One word

Ok, so I got this from another blog and thought I would give it a try. You must answer the question using only one word. If you haven't done it yet, give it a whirl and let me know what you come up with.

Your hair? mess
Your mother? crazy
Your father? missed
Your favorite thing? laughing
Your dream last night? ?
Your dream/goal? career
Your favorite drink? dr.pepper
The room you're in? bedroom
Your ex? loser
Your hobby? planning
Your fear? illness
Where do you want to be in 6 years? career
Where were you last night? home
What you're not? liar
Muffins? top
One of your wish list items? boots
Time? lunch
Where you grew up? carolina
The last thing you did? groceries
Favorite weather? warm
What are you wearing? shorts
Your favorite book? magazine
Your TV? on
Your pet? dog
Your computer? on
Your mood? relaxed
Missing someone? sister
Your car? garage
Something you're not wearing? shoes
Favorite store? J.Crew
Love someone? yes
Your favorite color/shade? pink
Last thing you ate? biscuit
Your life? busy
Your friends? questionable
What are you thinking right now? answers
What are you doing at this moment? relaxing
Your summer: hot
Your relationship status: married
What do you do when you can't sleep? television
When is the last time you laughed? hour
Last time you cried? hmmm

It's a lot harder than it looks! Let me know how you do!

note: the muffins question---the answer refers to my muffin top--it is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of muffins. Sad, but true!

Body in Motion!

Today, for the first time ever, I played racquetball with Hubby. If you were at my Y this morning, I apologize for the screaming coming from the racquetball court. I am not afraid to admit, it scared the shiot out of me!!! Of course why wouldn't it? Box like room, a darting rubber ball, my lack of grace= a very good chance someone (ie. me) is bound to get hurt!! Hubby enjoyed laughing at me. I personally think he was getting some sick pleasure out of watching me contort my body just dodging that stupid blue ball! God help him when I get better at it is all I'm sayin'.

...

Everyone is busy talking these days about a "change". How about we all aim to do our part towards change instead of relying on one singular person. If it takes a village to raise a child doesn't it seem reasonable to believe that it takes a country to bring up a nation?

What is Love?

Love is driving all the way back home from Point A to spend a couple of hours and share dinner with your family before getting back in the car to head to Point B, adding several hours of driving to your trip. He's a keeper, that's for sure!

Revelation

No, it's not about the toxic friends. Still putting that post off.

Rather, it's about possible Baby Number 3. Long, long ago I was a gal who said she would "never have children" and then something switched. I went to the opposite end of the spectrum and said I would love to have 4 children. Then Hubby and I came to a compromise and we agreed on the golden number 3. As I lie in a hospital bed right after I had Lovebug, vomiting and trying to nurse at the same time (yeah, THAT was fun! n.o.t.) I still held strong to golden number 3. Then Babygirl came along. That pregnancy was a lot different from my first and recovering from surgery with two sweet ladies to take care of was pretty difficult. And my body, well, as I've said before, was changed! I gained 55 pounds each time I was pregnant. But even with all that I still held onto the golden number 3. But now as time has passed I started waining. Second guessing myself. Wondering why I would change the dynamic of the family, of my girls relationship. Was I being selfish? And I do already have 2 beautiful, perfectly healthy babies, wasn't that enough? And in my super obsessive state I worried about the effects of middle child syndrome on Babygirl. Lovebug would always have the first of everything with me and a baby would have the last. Where did that leave Babygirl. So I've struggled with this for several months now thinking I'd finally made a decision that I was comfortable with, no more babies for me. Until yesterday...and it was a simple moment brushing my girls' hair and chatting with them in the bathroom. And I realized that there is enough love in this house for just one more!...

On the road again...

Hubby and his new "Lady" are on the road again this morning. He's been home a lot more lately which made today seem so more difficult for me. He won't be back until Friday either...ahh! And to sales managers out there, if you are going to force your staff to be at trade shows pony up the money for the guys to actually have a booth to occupy!! Really, is it beneficial to have them just lurking around? I think not!

On a brighter note, how 'bout them Tigers? Lovebug was supposed to go with us, but she had a major clothes meltdown prior to leaving and since I had a sitter coming anyway to watch Babygirl I just threw in the towel and told her to stay home. We stayed till the third quarter and then headed on back home. Thank goodness we did, because it seems our sitter was more concerned yesterday with all things other than watching my children. As in she cleaned out her purse, did homework, let my girls just play on their own. Really upset about that and am now on the prowl for a new sitter! Yesterday was also a reminder of why toxic friends are no good, but that's another post for another day.

Sorry for the negativity. Needed to just scratch the venting surface or else explode!!:) Now off to pick out a week's worth of outfits for Lovebug and get them ironed before Monday (with all the other Sunday things that need to be done before Monday can begin). Hope you all had a great weekend!

Sea Fairies

Here's one of the images captured last month at Folly Beach that I mentioned below. You can check out our photographer at http://www.tiffineyphotography.com/. I love my sea fairies!

Thursday 13

Haven't done one of these in a while so I thought I would change things up.
13. Lovin' some Arnold Palmers lately. Half Firefly vodka, half lemonade. Yummy! But be careful, they go down too easily!

12. Fall sweaters and blue jeans--enough said.

11. Colors of Autumn. Can't wait for the leaves to change. This is when I love to take a Sunday drive in the mountains and just enjoy the scenery.

10. Grease. Watched it again the other night and honestly, I never tire of it. I'm sure Hubby wishes I would!!:)

9. Buttermilk pie. If you've never had it you don't know what you are missing. It is FANTASTIC!

8. Beautiful photography, especially when my girls are the subjects! We took the girls to Folly in August to meet with our local photographer and she did some early morning pictures on the beach and I still tear up looking at these proofs. I can honestly say we've been blessed to form a wonderful relationship with our photographer and she "gets" our girls which allows her to capture their spirit onto paper. The downside? Trying to pick out favorites!!

7. Sarah Palin. I don't ever want this blog to get too political, but I am thoroughly impressed with Governor Palin. After looking into her record as Governor I am proud to have her as a trailblazer that my girls can look up to. Funny how my girls will probably never grasp the significance of this election the way we all do.

6. J Crew fall line.

5. Kelly's Kids fall line!

4. My Citizens jeans. I love the fact that they aren't "Mommy" jeans looking like they are resting underneath the breasts, but aren't letting my lady hump get out of hand. Yes ladies, I said it, lady hump. After giving birth to two little ladies that each weighed 9 plus pounds (Baby Girl was pushing the 10 pound mark!) there is something of a skin issue to be taken care of at a later date. But until then, thanks Citizens!

3. Halloween! It is my second favorite holiday and I'm already jonesing to get out all the decorations! Lovebug is finally having a costume party this year which will make it even more fun.

2. Lovebug and Baby Girl. It breaks my heart that I can never quite find the words to express what these two little ladies mean to me. I think for anyone to truly understand it they would have to know all my back history with my own family...something I don't care to go into. I just know that with them I finally have the family that I always dreamed of. To watch Baby Girl in her high chair every night put on her "show" turning her fork upside down to use as a microphone as she belts out her tunes puts a smile on my face every.single.time. And to listen to Lovebug read me a story knowing how proud she is of her own accomplishments melts my heart every.single.time. To see the bits of me in them, although it can be a little scary, amazes me.

1. Hubby. Hubby and I started different than most couples. I moved home from Charleston, needing to figure out what it was I truly wanted in life and that's when I met Hubby. He asked me out for over a month before I said yes. I knew from our first date that I would marry that man. I also knew that I needed to venture out first. See, I had a very lengthy relationship prior to Hubby and I knew I didn't want to bring any of that baggage with me. Hubby and I ended up dating other people for a while. We became friends confiding in each other. And in the end, he waited for me. That's what I needed and Hubby somehow knew it. He let me be me...and he still does. He is my perfect mate and I love him for it!

food for thought

Just some food for thought that I saw somewhere else that I wanted to share. So many of us can take inspiration from such a simple concept.

ahhhh!

There she is!!! I'm really lovin' it now!!!!

lovin' it

In the middle of watching 90210 and so far...lovin' it. One question though? Where is Brenda? And man, that was a little risky to feature a, um, oral sex scene within the first five minutes. Don't think I would appreciate that too much if my daughters were of viewing age!

oh yeah!

This is gonna be cheese-fest, but oh well here goes.... guess what is back on television tomorrow night?!! 90210!!! Can I get a hell to the yeah?! I hope it lives up to the hype, cause dang it I loved me some 90210 back in the day. I love the the thought of some more Brenda/Kelly drama!!!

storm watchin'

Holy smokes!! Everyone say a prayer for my beloved city. Looks like Hurricane Hannah could make landfall by Friday!!

Hope you all had a Happy Labor Day!