Fashion

I don't claim to have any fashion skills. I like designer clothes, but not on me. I love designer shoes and purses, because they always fit. Now you guys know me - I'm a jeans and t-shirt type girl, yet one thing you don't expect from me is that before I die I WILL own a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes.


So just because I am no fashionista, doesn't mean I don't have taste. Like for example...

Let's go over the pros and cons.

Pro - nicely shaped leg on the pant

Con - 1/2 inch too long for her

Pro - nice mani

Con - camel toe


Pro - pretty flow of hair (but I like it blonde)

Con - Pleats...really now


Pro - ok, so I can't think of anymore and I'm tired of being nice.

Con - these pants cause butt front

Con - she needs a better bra, tabloids say she's not wearing one.

Con - ok, I'll stop.



So now what I have told you based on my many many years of fashion experience. I had a funny thought the other day. I have a couple of pairs of these seamless VS panties...love em' - so comfy, non binding, commando feeling - love em'. When you are my size - really, what's the point of having seamless panties? If you are wearing a pant that causes you to have to wear a panty of such or a thong- you just should not wear the pants. Do you not think your cellulite ripples are shining through? Well, one may not have panty lines, but it surely doesn't hide those cute little butt dimples or side thigh/butt waves. I can see how seamless on people of normal size that can pull off the fitted dress pant or capri could wear them to prevent the linear eye sore. Ok, well that is what I leave you to ponder on over the weekend - why does VS make such expensive seamless panties in XL size? My conclusion is it's the nonexistence feel they have on your bottom, but that still has nothing to do with the concept.

New Colors

Trying to change up my page a little. I will try this dark bubbly layout for a few days and then maybe switch it up until I find my niche. I want feedback throughout this process. I'm feeling a little dark and trapped in this template....thoughts?

Baked Ziti for an Army

Good stuff, but made way to much for just me!

Come over for left overs - there is plenty!

Fiesta for 1

I wanted to share with you all what you missed out on.

It was the party of the century and I was the guest of honor!

My pico de gallo kicked serious culo...

quite possibly the best I have ever had!

Thanks Pioneer Woman, it was the hit of the party!

(margaritas weren't half bad either)

Breath of fresh air

So, after reading and craving both Susan's Ziti and Ree's pico de gallo - I HAD TO FULFILL my cravings immediately!

I gathered all the ingredients and produce for my pico de gallo and headed towards the 5 lines that were open out of 30 check out counters. I see this guy dramatically waving me and mouthing "HURRY HURRY!" for me to come to his check out line. It wasn't like a hey hey pretty lady in funky t-shirt and jeans with flip flops come in my line - wink wink. Instead it was like a jocular - beat the crowd game he was playing. So I played along. I looked both ways and made my way to his register. I layed out the ziti, crushed tomatoes, mozzarella, then on with all the produce. He said - yuck - what's up with all the produce? I said I am making pico de gallo doesn't that sound yum? Then all of a sudden my suspicions were true, he kicked it into gear....Oh my gah, that sounds so super yum! When I lived in Mexico we called it "something random he said" So I cued in - AH! Entonces, hablas espanol? Confused he was like ....uh si. To be completely honest with you I think he was blowing smoke up ratty t-shirt, but even still he went on to say how his friends mom speaks like 4 languages and is "super loaded" and yesterday he invited him and his "significant other" (I think he even did the quotation marks when he spoke? ) to the Bahamas. Even though I had like 9 items it seemed like forever that we talked. It was a breath of fresh air to have someone out of the norm to these parts totally flame all over the place. I think I want to take him shopping and maybe go drink martini's? For like 2 minutes of my life I didn't feel like I was in Mississippi in Wal-Mart, but maybe in the middle of Neiman's smelling perfume. I'm a dork - you can say it, but it was a fun change of 2 minute pace - literally, a happy feeling.

It would have been the icing on the cake if he'd of busted into song "I say a little prayer for you" like in My Best Friends Wedding. I would have been dancing on the conveiter belt.

I love cereal

I am trying a new tactic. I went to the store the other day to grab a couple of things and noticed the Special K box on the cereal isle. I love cereal, more than most - and all kinds from the bran to the choco chips. I saw that Special K had a new one out called 'Chocolatey Delight'
(I too thought it was spelled Chocolaty?) -as I was trying to figure out how this can be "good for you" I noticed the 2 week 6lbs diet that Special K offered.

I can't figure out how healthy this really is, but I am going to try it. You eat cereal for breakfast and lunch and then you eat a regular dinner. Hmmm......cereal = what I love and on top of that any Special K cereal fits in the plan....like Chocolatey Delight (which I haven't tried yet, but bought) or I like the Original with sliced banana in it. You can eat fruits and veggies and these yum little snack pack deals. To be completely honest with you - I have little faith in this plan, but I can't knock it until I try it. I am the Queen of Fad Diets and will seemingly try anything.

As for the eat what you want dinners - I am going to try some of the recipes Susan has posted. I look forward to the Ziti. I guess I could go in and figure out how many points the cereal has and the snacks and pretty much call it Weight Watchers?

This past weekend was a really nice weekend. Saturday Chippy and I worked on the ski boat - we had to do a little work on the floor. Once we get that puppy up and going it will be a good workout for him to start skiing - anything that is fun and can be classified as exercise is helpful. Too bad I can't do any swimming, skiing, tubing etc this summer. My ear surgery is next week and I can't get my ear wet for a while. I even have to wash my hair with a cup over my ear for like a week or two afterwards. After we worked on the boat we went to Jackson and went to Bass Pro Shop and Academy. I always forget how fun Academy is and they have cute clothes for relatively inexpensive prices! After that we went and ate BBQ at Corky's then headed home. Yesterday, Sunday, we went to see Blades of Glory which was partially funny but all around silly - which I love about Will Ferrell.

After the movies I went to Women's Bible Study where the topic was about sex....that was fun/funny. Everyone wanted someone to say something, but no one wanted to divulge any info - it's a small town they may be penned as the Town Nympho if they spoke? True or untrue, it doesn't matter. It may be a church function, but that doesn't matter either....Yet all in all the teacher did a great job educating us on men and sex and why. One thing she did say is that parents shouldn't tell their kids that sex is dirty or nasty or BAD, but they should stress what a special gift it is and should be treasured. Anyway it did show me how the image of sex has been spun to sinful and bad and taken away from the true meaning of something shared between a woman and a man, married, that God has created. I can't explain it like she did, but it made since to me. And no, I will not talk about my sex life - sorry.

Once I got home from church, Chip had hamburgers on the grill. Fred and Tasha came over and we ate and watched a movie. I was so tired from my happy weekend I went to bed at like 10:00. Fun weekend - very relaxing yet eventful!

No room....to talk (or for my big bootie anymore)

I can't gripe at all of my daily blog reads for not posting anything in a while, because I too am guilty. Seemingly after I blog I can think of 100 other things to talk about, but right now I am at a loss. One thing I do know for sure is that my a$$ is large and after seeing pictures of myself at my sister-in-laws wedding - you could set a coke can on my hips/butt area. Now if that isn't motivation to lose some weight then how about finding out yesterday that an ex-boyfriends sister is in the same wedding you are in come October. Why is that nerve wracking when I'm happily married and living la vida un-loca? Because I'm a girl...and have a big butt...and because I can. Any way there are all of these factors over my head on why I should run to Colorado everyday to run with the Janii and then run back, but here is the issue. I truly have tried, but not hard enough. I have set my alarm for the past 2 days super early. Night before last I set it for 4:45 so that I could snooze an hour and then get up and walk or something productive before work....but I hit the snooze for 3 hours! Who does that? So last night when I set the alarm I set it for 5:45 because surely after yesterdays episode I wouldn't snooze that long ever again - plus I felt like a total dip for even doing that - so I knew I would not do that again and didn't need that extra hour of snooze. Wrong - I snoozed for 2 hours this morning. I guess my body knows I don't have to get up until like 7:30-7:45 and goes into coma, paralysis, you can't get up mode! How in the world can I save my large bottom from getting larger if I can't even wake it up to do something about it? Tomorrow is Saturday so once I do wake up I don't have to work and can go walking or Zumba. I did go walking last night in the neighborhood. It was nice, the dogs enjoyed it and then got a good nights sleep. Now really, I could layer the reasons one on top of the other on why I should push it into high gear, but being in this wedding in 5 months with girls the size of my left leg should be reason enough. Focus, Focus, Focus! I'll let you know how the motivation level goes. Sigh....

1 down 49 more to go....

Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of our wedding. We made it! This has been an extremely trying year, but I have come to appreciate our relationship much more, especially over the past few months. So much has happened it's hard to reflect back and realize what a long year it was, but how fast it went - does that make sense? As most of you know my husband moved me from civilization about a year and a half ago to his hometown to pursue a new career. After 6 months of our marriage, 10 months of living here - 2 hours before we are closing on our new house he gets a call to be transferred to Alabama. It was like a Godfather situation...an offer he couldn't refuse. So, we still close on the house and here I am in our big new house all by my lonesome with my 3 kiddos...sad sad story huh? No way! The sad story was before we closed on this new house - both working from home, together 24-7 in a 1400 sq. ft. house with 3 dogs between 20lbs - 112lbs and driving each other bonkers...that was bad. Husband and I are extremely independent and most don't understand how we can do what we do - him gone during the week, home on the weekends. Me in B.F.E. protecting my young from mean neighbors with nice flowerbeds, my lack of socialization and killing the garden to nourish our bodies. (I wanted to sound like I really was far away from civilization, but it's not true).
The Land of Koz has started to grow on me...we are trying to develop a life here and make friends and be involved, etc - the American thing to do. Now the Hunky Dorie part didn't come until 3 1/2 months ago when I decided to take a positive turn with my attitude because the year before that was hellacious and I couldn't dwell on anything but the bad...which made for a long long long year. I'm pleased to say that I can reflect back and be happy with where I am in my life right now. My next goal is to make it to our 50th Anniversary.
I do have a funny story. Yesterday we were talking about how many boys there are to carry on his last name - there are 3....one is gay and about 45 years old, one is his 14 year old cousin and then him. Before his 14 year old cousin was born there were no other boys and his gramps enlisted him to carry on the family name before he passed away. What a strong load to carry at age 8 knowing you were the last hope of the family tree, the carrier of the 'holy grail' so to speak. Now the crown has been placed upon my head because of this ....how did he put it, oh yeah....."obligation" .....that he has. I asked if we could wait until the 14 year old cousin got married to see what the pedigree would come of the name if we waited. I think we decided that was a good plan....or maybe I decided that? My second question was....what if we were to have a girl, does that mean I have to procreate until an XY chomesome is made? Sheesh, I did not sign up for this - I guess that's why he didn't bring it up until after a year of marriage?

I need my researching friends to help me find out more about Mirena - google it because the webpage won't work for me. I saw a commercial for it, but don't know much about it. Anyone know anything?

Update....I have readers!

What an exciting thing! I didn't know I had readers! I'll have to actually write important stuff now, I just thought it was me and SM2 commenting back and forth and trying to be fancy and technologically advanced about it! I'll have to get a little more organized about my page now.

Well since my fan crowd was so impressed with my pasta skills I will put pics and comments of how I cooked it...

The pasta was just alright. It was my first time so I need a little practice. It was hard to tell when the noodles were done boiling because they never truly dried out like the store kind.





I wanted to do a light pasta so I mixed a little sherry and parsley and a dash of EVOO.

I went ahead and mixed the pasta in with the 'sauce' once it cooked a little

Here is the final picture. Once I started eating, it was still a little bland so I added tuna. I need practice, but it was sure fun.


You are right Jenn it does take a while to make the pasta. Hubby says he knows how to make homemade Alfredo, so maybe we can do this again this weekend and I can practice making the dough. I have a couple of thoughts on how to make it a little easier....we shall see! I think I want to do a lasagna next time - maybe we can make a white lasagna with the noodles, chicken and Alfredo?? It will just have to be a surprise!

Smelly Investment

I am a glutton for 'NEW & IMPROVED' tag lines in the supermarket. Consider me a poster child that is sucked in to marketing tactics and on top of that being from the instant gratification generation - doesn't help. I can see a commercial for a creamy glass of chocolate milk and get up from my recliner like a zombie to go and make me a glass from the fridge. It never tastes as good as I want it to, but I GOTTA HAVE IT. Much like my investment the other day- I had to have it, but it didn't work out like I wanted it to.

You know that funky smell I sometimes talk about that appears every now and then between my office and the kitchen? I thought it was my plants, I thought it was a flower I had on my desk, I removed things from the area 1 by 1 until I thought maybe it was my trash so I'd take out the trash 24-7 to no avail...then I got a new trashcan and I haven't smelled it since then. So YEAH! Mission accomplished. Well as preventative maintenance I was in the garbage bag isle of the local market and saw this glad odor shield invention. Mmmmm I thought - Fresh Scent - how pleasant! It gave me a warm cozy feeling knowing I would never be haunted by that horrible smell from the garbage again. I've used these bags for about a week or so now and the first few days I could smell the Fresh Scent wafting by as I passed - oh happy thoughts of butterflies and birds untainted by rancid rubbish. I would take out the garbage when it's full and skip to the trash bin outside happy from the Fresh Scent. Ok...well I'm back from fairytale non smelly garbage land. I now think it is more nauseating to have that Fresh Scent on top of leftovers. I just passed by and the can isn't even 2/3 full and wanted to lift the lid and puke in it. Hind sights 20-20 I guess? So I take out the garbage and in the outside 4'x2' bin where I have been confining my Fresh Scented trash and it smells worse than just trash. It's like when you use room deodorizer and you just make it worse by adding Country Lavender to the poop smell or what have you. I think you get the picture - and it's not nice.
I can not wait until I finish using this box and it is out of my pantry - - - which too smells like Fresh Scent. Oh gag. I may just go ahead and give them away because I can't throw them in the trash - it would stink it up!

New Toy

I bought a new toy yesterday! I couldn't wait to try it out so I set it up and tried my hand at making pasta. I made a special dough for my first attempt at pasta. I blanched some spinach, put an egg in my food processor and chopped the spinach in with it. I then added about a cup of all purpose flour and mixed it with my handy dandy Kitchen Aid mixer. I then attached my new tool and......

Here is the set up
- dough rolled into egg shape
- attachment on my mixer
- paper towels to lay the pasta on and dry out
















Here it is in motion - making flat noodles. Cool, but I can't figure out how to make it not clump together after I detach the 'strand' from the mixer















This is fun - all this with such little dough. I have flat noodles (left), macaroni noodles in the back, and lasagna noodles in the front right. Check out the super long lasagna one I made! I have to let it dry out before the taste test. I'll let you know how it goes.



I leave you with the awe of the hole.....

look at that macaroni hole.

I admire Ree for taking on a new lifestyle and becoming the pioneer woman. She's my inspiration. Although I do not know her personally we are BFF.

I feel as though we have a common ground. Not necessarily in the same light, but as far as taking on new ways of living. Her living was filled with pedicures and shopping but is now filled with hot cowboys and awesome pictures and calf nuts. While mine is now filled with close mindedness, poor grammar and then quite possibly a new story on my top 10 list of "things that could only happen where I live."

Yesterday I was with my sister in law and she wanted to stop and pick up the local paper. I had a headache so I wanted to grab a couple of Advil and a drink. We went to the nearest gas station and found a crowd of people standing out back near the car wash. The curious human I am, I too went to check out the excitement to find the perfect new joke for Jeff Foxworthy - "You might be a Redneck". A beat up old blue and white single cab truck had pulled into the automatic car wash to shine her up - there's nothing wrong with that - unless you have selected the 7 cycle automatic pressure wash and vortex dryer while you have a garbage bag taped to your drivers window. Friends, I do wish I had my camera. We all stared on as the wash started. Cycle 1 was light, just a prewash. Cycle 2 was a little more aggressive, Cycle 3 reverted back to some "special soap" lightly sprinkled on.......then Cycle 4 came full force - although you couldn't see the guys face through the black bag window you could see the impressions of his arms trying to hold it up as it violently attacked him. By this time they had pretty much closed down the gas station because all the cashiers were outside checking out this idiot. Once the vortex dryer came though the guy in the truck had had it with the garbage sack he pulled the remainder down and wadded it up into a ball. Now with a transparent view of the crowd watching him - he pulled out of the wash and next to the gazers - the only words spoken were from an old man in a snap up shirt and jeans -- "Jew get wet?" The guy went on to say how the motor in his window went out and he can't roll it up - he then was showing the on lookers how he had all the parts to fix it, but hasn't had the time..........ummmm. What? You might be a Redneck.

Welcome to my life.......Ree, wanna switch places?

I wanted to blog about my yard, but I am embarrassed and my pictures are stupid. I wish I was as crafty and green thumb-ish as my #1 fan SM Squared - I can't even compare - so I digress. Instead we will play show and tell for what I did this past weekend.

Below we have the guy in certain circles known as Fred.

Our buddy Fred is the 'fi-ah stah-ta'

He kept the warmth flowing for us until about 3am when I was on the verge of tears because I was so freaking cold. If I'd have known all you had to do was rake the coals and add sticks I would have started the fire back up and thrown myself in it, but instead I fell into a coma until about 7am. Mr. Rachel was warm and cozy in his blanket while the other crew was in the Serro Scotty crashed and had pleasant dreams.

Now this is a funny picture.

You may not notice, but on the very top log there is something random on top of it....

But Rachel, what is it?

It's a pair of panties. Now, now I know what you are thinking and this was NOT and X rated camping trip. Those little panties were from our friends little girl who tried to pee in the woods and instead aimed and hit her under roos. Moms solution was - we have plenty more where that came from and tossed them in the fire.

Not to worry - she did find more. See!

This is our clan and our set up. My tent was far off to the right of the Serro Scotty Camping device in the middle of the arctic circle. I don't have a picture, but I just want you all to know how much I enjoy eating Smores. It makes hypothermia alright.

Sunday night we watched a documentary on the Galapagos. This was neat to me because I have been going back and reading my journal from when I lived in Ecuador and laughing and reminiscing. Maybe one day in my spare time, I will publish it for all to read. It was fun to see some of the animals and places I have seen first hand through that documentary. For example, the tortoises - they can weigh up to 500 lbs and live for hundreds of years. Here are a couple of pictures of authentic Galapagos turtles.

I went through other pictures, but they were mostly of people and not the place, sorry. I must not have all of them in one spot because I did have a few of the flamingos that I couldn't find and I found a pic of me in the muck they live in (wearing the same t-shirt that I wore yesterday - 10 years later). I did get a lot of lush pictures in the Amazon, maybe I can have fun and go through pictures and take you all on a mini guided tour of my world travels, while I reminisce. Could be fun, could be boring - depending on your mood.

I leave you with this ~

The thought for the day...

How can there be self-help "groups"???

birth blog

Last week we talked about my ear issue and how skinny I used to be, but I'm ok with those things. I'm keeping my new found Positive Attitude that I made for new year's. I'm proud of myself - I think I have done well trying to see the good in things and realizing that only I can make a difference in the things I do and don't like in my life.

(I wrote this blog and then re read it, just so everyone knows, I am not sad or hold any grudges, The things I will talk about are now seen as humorous and is why I can write about them.)

One thing I don't have control over is my birthday. For some reason this year I was happy it was my birthday - it was going to be a good day and I prepped myself for it. Friends took me to dinner the week of, made me brownies, sent me cards. It was a nice hype. I always receive the 1st call from my mom, which I did. The day went on and I received calls from friends and in laws it was nice. I worked in the yard, which is what I wanted to do, and ate Chippy steaks that were PERFECTLY how I wanted it to taste and then passed out on the couch, early. So really things went how I planned in my head. It was an ok day, a tiff here and there which didn't 'totally' ruin my day, but set me back a little. I truly thought this year would be different. Now what I'm about to say is not negative by any means because it's the norm and I have accepted it over the past many many ...many years. I thought maybe my dad would remember to call. He didn't, but this is now the, oh I lost count year that he didn't call. That is what I have come to expect. What I didn't expect was a card in the mail from him, which was a step in the right direction and accepted happily. I called him Sunday to thank him and he said he didn't do much this past weekend just hung around and grilled out......which is better than the "I was watching TV" excuse he had about 3 years ago. But this comment is not meant derogatory - it's now humorous. It's a yearly bet that I take dibs on.

I realized this year that birthdays don't mean as much as they should, or maybe as much as I want them to. Growing up mom was always like THIS IS YOUR DAY! Which I always believed. I still do. I have received a few calls yesterday and today - "OH I'm the worst friend in the world, I feel so bad I didn't call" But really, it's ok. I promise. I had a good day and am now a year older and wiser and plan to take complete advantage of my wisdom.

2007 has been an odd year thus far. I wasn't really expecting much out of it since I had a surgery right off the bat, expecting another one on my ear, not living a normal married life, holding more responsibility than I care to amongst other things, but it has taught me a lot in these short lived past 2 1/2 months. Only I can make things what they need to be in my life. Sounds so simple, but I just now figured it out and how to control it. Sure I have to play with the cards I'm dealt, but it's my job on how I want to make the most of them. I'm trying really really hard to do the right things. We shall see how the rest of the year goes. I'm expecting changes. Positive changes that I can control.

On a different note:
One of the things I have to get off my chest that it has been brought to my attention that I am rude and sarcastic in a bad way. Everyone I have ever met has been a victim of my degrading humor which is meant to be funny - Yet, I am not funny. I apologize to anyone I have ever offended or caused to "roll their eyes" at me. This aspect of me probably won't change or else I will never have the opportunity to speak again. So, I apologize for the past and in advance. I look forward to another 26 years of raw unedited humor! Oh if you could see the evil smirk on my face. Just to let everyone know things are changing, it is my mindset, not necesarily who I am. I like me, why would I redo that?

Skinny Rachel

Most of you have never seen the skinny Rachel.

This picture was of friends and I before prom my Senior year of High School. Almost 10 years to date.

Look how my friend Lalo can actually wrap his forearm around my waist. Now it's like whole arm around my waist. This is my motivation picture. I will be skinny again, one day.

So I don't have to explain this a dozen times over the phone, I figured blogging is best.

Some of you know, I went back to the doctor today because my left ear popped day before yesterday. This was completely random because my ear hasn't been able to do so in about a year. I was excited because I could hear a little better, but scared because I didn't know why. Especially since I was to have minor surgery to put a tube in that ear and remove my adenoids in a week. Today, Dr. Cole had me pop my ear as much as I could and it ended up being a good thing. He said a couple of things which I will get into, but has recommended me to a Dr. that specializes in this type of stuff. Dr. House (not to be confused with the cocky dr genius on TV)

As we all know I am a visual learner, so I have attached links and cartoon diagrams to help explain what is going on in my ear. I avoided graphic realistic pictures for those with a weak stomach (Adrienne & Chip).

What I have is called a Cholesteatoma (see diagram attached where I marked in red where it is)

An explanation of what a cholesteatoma is can be found at this link - it's the best I could find. http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/ears/cholesteatoma.cfm

When I popped my ear for Dr. Cole he could see the cholesteatoma move, so he informed me I need to pop my ear no less than 25 to 50 times a day. He doesn't know if it will help maybe relieve the pressure/suction that could possibly invert the cholesteatoma, but our ears are suppose to do this automatically about every other word we speak allowing air flow. This cholesteatoma is caused, as you can read, from complications of the Eustachian tube not draining. Hence I couldn't hear for the past 10 or so months. Randomly enough the drainage is not happening because my adenoids are abnormally large covering the Eustachian tubes, on both sides, causing the 'clog'.

Either way, I have to have my adenoids removed. As far as the tubes go he is unimpressed with my tympanogram, test that measures pressure in my ear off of my eardrum. It is to be at a bell curve, but even with my ear having popped, mine is still flat. Here is what a tympanogram does http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tympanogram So since he is not happy with the results of the tympanogram it is still a possibility that I have to have tubes in now BOTH of my ears.

So here's the potential plan. Dr. House check out the cholesteatoma - then go in remove the adenoids and cholesteatoma, decide if I need tubes and kill about 100 birds with one stone. Seemingly as you can see from the diagram where I marked in red that it is near the eardrum. If the cholesteatoma is removed I may have to have a Tympanoplasty. As I mentioned I left out the graphic pictures and I couldn't find any non realistic cartoon diagrams, so in our language this is an eardrum transplant. They graph skin and make a new drummer boy fer me.

Long story longer....all of this could have been prevented. I have been to 5 doctors now and about to see the 6th in a year about this....ridiculous. As I mentioned a cholesteatoma happens because the fluid in my ear has been 'stagnant', if you will, causing poor air circulation. As you can read in the link about the cholesteatoma it can spread towards the brain, which Dr. Cole explained to me can go toward the frontal lobe or the cerebral cortex that holds spinal fluid, and if not tended to has not so great repercussions. He was unable to see the base of the cyst and is taking action because at this time we don't know which direction its going to continue to grow. They are setting up an appointment with Dr. House for me, but he is allegedly the best of the best and hard to get into....so it may be another month. Good news is this is getting taken care of, I have finally found someone that knows what's going on and by seeing this Dr. House allows for a second opinion and we will go from there.

I will keep everyone updated. I hope you all have a better understanding of what's going on - it's hard for me to explain without these visuals and over the phone. I don't have to have surgery on Wednesday which is good news as well, but I have to wait even longer to get this new found problem fixed which is aggravating.

Now the burning question is......Am I going to fall apart before I'm 30?

Addictions

I have a new addiction. It's a blog. How cyber goofy am I? I wouldn't go as far to say it's an affair, but close, I think about it often and wonder what my new blog friend that doesn't know I exist is doing...did I mention it's a female. Does that make me a lesbian? Just kidding. I did find this really fun blog and it gets a lot of traffic and the girl Ree, is hilarious. Check it out when you have about 10 hours to hang out Confessions of a Pioneer Woman

Speaking of addictions...Grey's is a rerun tomorrow, so that's a pisser. When will there be a new one? I'm dying here.

Tonight my friend Kim and I are going to Starkville to eat at The Veranda and possibly take in a movie. Should be fun, I'm looking forward to it.

This past weekend hubby and I planted a garden......I know, give us a break, we didn't know you were suppose to wait until AFTER Easter. We are instant gratification type people and wanted to do it now. It doesn't matter if we have anything grow or not we have invested a total of $1 in the whole thing. I did buy a strawberry basket where you plant the strawberry roots and it grows in a hanging pot. That did set us back a good $5, but I plan on having strawberries o' plenty. In the garden we will have a luscious supply of Spinach, Watermelon, Cantaloupe and Cucumbers. We shall see. I'll take pics as they start to grow even though everyone thinks we are idiots. Cut us some slack....we are new to the gardening thing and one day you will be begging for my prize winning veggies. Oh, what a thought! Don't they have contests at county fairs for prize winning squash and cucumbers and stuff? Don't tempt me! You know I have an addictive personality. I may join the Vegetable Circuit and travel near and far to show my beautiful vegetation. Miracle Grow will probably be my sponsor. Yeah, you're envious. Look out because size does matter. Who knows I may even get into entering hydroponic vegetables.

I'm an Asteroidea

I've become that blogger. You know, the one where you go and check their blog to see what's up and it's the same damned thing you have already read like 2 weeks ago. My deep apologies.

Good day boys and girls. Can anyone tell me what an Asteroidea is? Asteroidea sound it out.
Ass ter o idea. If I were to guess I would say a smart ass that has all the answers. Wrong. It's a starfish. Well I think I have become an asteroidea - in both my definition and the literal meaning. I went to the doctor yesterday because I can't hear out of my left ear. I had a sinus infection a year ago and it clogged up my ear. I like to say it happened after I got married, makes for a funny story. But that isn't the truth. Hubby and I make an odd couple, he can't hear out of his right ear so together we have to make sure at restaurants we sit on each others "appropriate" side, it's a good thing I like to drive or we'd never hear each other in the car.

Back to the story. So after 1 year and 5 doctors later they figured out what is wrong with me. I have to have my adenoids taken out and a tube put in my left ear. There is still a 90% chance I can gain my hearing back. Ok, what does the starfish have to do with anything? If anyone knows anything about starfish - they regenerate. So you can chop off one of their arms or flange's or whatever you call it and it will eventually grow back. Well back in 1987 it was a traumatic time in Little Rachel's life, she had to have surgery. Her adenoids and tonsils were large and must be taken out. Now, 20, - yes exactly TWENTY years later my adenoids have reappeared so large and in charge that they are the cause of my ears not draining. And because not one of the doctors caught this, my ear has become progressively worse and now has a cyst in it. The cyst can be a serious thing, but we don't know anything about it until the doctor goes in and checks it out. So I will keep you updated on that, but don't want to alarm anyone.

Now that I know I'm a starfish - I'm not saying I am going to chop off my appendages to see if they grow back, that would be ridiculous - but pretty cool if it happened!

I learned a lot about starfish or "sea stars" while looking for a picture to post. Pretty odd little creatures. Check em' out if you have a second. Starfish

So mad my stomach hurts

Have you ever been so mad that you could throw up? Well it's not a fun feeling. I got a call a bit ago from my husband and he informed me that we may have had our old house sold, but the nut job across the street scared the poor buyer away. My understanding is that it was the persons 4th time to look at the house - she was there this last time by herself and the fat re-re lunatic across the street approached her. He creeped her out so bad she went back to the realtor gave them the keys and said - NO THANKS, I can't handle living across the street from a guy like that.
I went over there a bit ago to release the wrath of Rachel on his ass, but fortunately or unfortunately - however you want to look at it, he wasn't home. I fear it would be best if I yelled at him as opposed to when my husband gets home this weekend. Hubby doesn't hold back when it comes to the weirdo across the street, but if it were anyone else he would show a little more respect. So, now that freaky pee in the front yard guy has run off potential buyers I'm on the edge of losing my sanity. Help.

I'm supposed to post 10 things no one knows about me.

Mel-o-Drama posted this game on her blog and I thought it was neat. I too will try to think of 10 things no one knows about me.

1. When I was 5 my brother gave me a wedgie in my favorite pair of pastel heart panties and hung me on the door knob. I was stuck there for a long time until one of his friends helped me down. Ruined my favorites and tore them a little - I have never forgotten.

2. I lived with my dad from 4th grade to 1/2 of 8th grade in SugarLand, TX. It's where they made Imperial Sugar.

3. I had a baby sitter once when I got home from school and I didn't know her, so I locked myself in the garage and told her to leave because she was a stranger and after about 30 minutes she didn't know what to do, so she left. I couldn't get in trouble because I did the right thing by not letting a stranger near me or in my house, but she really was sent there to take care of me. Soon after - I got a nanny.

4. I watched my step-dad die from lung cancer and he had never smoked a day in his life.

5. My favorite holiday growing up was Juneteenth (June 19th.) It's the day that slavery was abolished and I would eat the best bbq you have ever put in your mouth and be the only white person beside my grandma and dad there enjoying the festivities.

6. I had a cat that Santa brought me when I was 6 named Marshmellow Popcorn Cuddles Childers and he was my best friend.

7. I went to a NKOTB concert (for those of you that don't know - New Kids On The Block) when I was 10 and my dad dropped me off at the Astrodome alone with 574,924 million people and I found my way to where my friends were. I was extremely independent at a young age. Afterwards we had a limo and everyone thought we were NKOTB leaving and were banging on our car.

8. I've lived in South America and Spain and have seen more parts of Mexico, Europe, and Central America than I have in the United States.

9. Someone hit my car once and tried to blame me, but once they found out who my brother was they apologized and gave me all their information and wished me a great day. My brother was really mean growing up - hence #1.

10. I was the manager of our dance squad in high school.

Post a comment if you decide to play the game too.

I'm a winner! "Best Valentines Day Ever"

I never read the local paper, but catch it online sometimes. Well tonight I needed my friends email address and knew he had an advertisement online and I could get it there. I log on to the site, and read the headlines

Car Burns:Total Loss
Book Signing
Scholarship Deadline Today

Then for some reason this one headline sticks out to me

Leanne Lawrence Wins: Best Valentines Day Ever

That name doesn't ring a bell, but I click on it anyway wanting to know what the "Best Valentines Day Ever" meant. Well it has a picture of this girl and I do end up knowing who she is (she works at my insurance agents office) and so I read on all about these other winners from little stores around the Square and HELLO, there's my name. I WON a burt's bees make up kit! They misspelled my name, but that's ok with me. The irony is I don't wear make-up, but it's still cool. I'm a winner! I went in the store the other day, my good friend Tasha works there and we were standing there talking and I asked what this registration box was for, she said I don't know some give away. So I just stuck my name in there not even knowing what it was. Ta Da - I win! Too bad I didn't win the registration thing I signed up for at Christmas for $500 free gas - but shoot, I am happy with any winning.
So, it's like 10:00 pm and I call my husband and tell him my name is in the paper and I won something! He was like, oh yeah, I saw that earlier and forgot to tell you. UGH! What a dumb a$$ to forget to tell me! I'm gonna go google what exactly a burt's bees make up kit is. I'm excited!

I survived

This weekend I survived many things.

*Annoying conversations
*Bad drivers
*1 yr. old birthday party
*nothing valuable breaking
*Extended family of In Laws and kids
*Divorced people being in the same room
*pinata
*toys
*balloons
*streamers
*not finding any snakes under a boat
*my husband driving and talking with his hands
*finding clothes that fit in my closet
*balancing my checkbook
*falling asleep in my recliner with 8 mischievous adults in the room
*waking up this morning

I really want to do something productive outside this afternoon, but I also want to go to bed at 5:01pm and rest until tomorrow morning. I am beat. I don't think kids are feasible at this juncture in my life, and I can't rewind time to have them when I had more energy, nor do I want to rewind time. I will admit for like 1.25 seconds I thought it would be sweet to have a kid around, then when the toys came smashing into my sofa table and kitchen cabinets and pianos were being opened and banged on - my mind changed...yes, that fast. I am still exhausted and there hasn't been a toddler in sight for over 48 hours. Our house is not child proof with 4037 kitchen cabinets, hard tile floor, stone fireplace, stereo-speaker-TV wires strung about and plantation blinds that touch the floor. Definitely not child proof. Husband did handle it well when a 2 year old went pulling on his speaker covers, yes the speakers that cost more than my car. I am all about disciplining other peoples children though. That may make me the "mean lady" but if you can't get your butt in gear or cause me to have a panic attack because you think the arm of my couch is a horse with a hard tile floor below you. I may take action. So parents or parents to be, I love you and I will love your kids - I may love my own kids one day, maybe - but just don't think I'm the "mean lady" - I just don't have patience, but I am a good person and mean well. Just look at that face - how can you not just want to squeeze it!

Why I'm not a mommy

There are many many many many reasons why I don't have kids at this point in my life. I won't get into all the reasons, but I just discovered a new reason today at lunch. My niece will be having her 1st birthday party at our house tomorrow. I needed to go get her some fun toys for this glorious occasion, so I went to Wal-Mart. There are billions of kids toys, and I was trying to make sure they were age appropriate, I didn't want to get her anything a 5 year old can barely figure out. I was extremely disappointed to see the Power Wheels they had were for ages 3 and up and the trikes seemed stupid to me. So I called my sister in law and she said - get anything Leap Frog, she'll love it. They have a whole section of Wal-Mart dedicated to this Leap Frog stuff...so then I went and distinguished which age area I needed, punched all the buttons and made the cow moo - and the pig oink - the car vrroom, and then this cute little Alphabet Pal Caterpillar caught my eye. It has different settings where you can play music, it says the letter when you push on a specific leg....but then it has another setting where it pronounces the letter. So I press on A and it says Ahh, then Buh, then Kaa, Duh, Eah, Fuh....I pressed the F again to hear Fuh again. Then I thought it would be funny to press the F and the K, but Leap Frog has out smarted the adults as well. What it does is say "Fuh", then when you press the K it says "Ha ha, that tickles. Kuh" So it won't say it together. So of course I had to try every curse word I could think of. Another one it does it to is Ass. "Ahh, Ha Ha that tickles, SSS" It lets you do Sss hh Ihh tah, but that's like 4 letters at one time. Seemingly it's just the 2 syllable words.
This is reason number 46348759838402 why I'm not ready for kids, because I make good toys try to be bad.

New Tactic
I am going to try out a new mind tactic for losing weight. If I go into my closet and try on everything and then what doesn't fit I have to move to the side....I'm gonna be left naked. Seriously, today I have on these pants that I didn't think I could get buttoned, and I did, but that doesn't mean they fit. They don't give me a camel toe or anything, but they aren't too cute. I seriously have 2 pairs of pants I wear out in public and a few dress pants and the rest are like jogging pants. Ridiculous. Then my shirts. A lot of my shirts seemingly shrunk...oh wait maybe that's just my big gut lifting them up.
So back to my tactic...if I see that I can't wear the majority of my clothes - that is bad. Then on top of that I am poor and can't go out and buy new clothes. So my only option - lose weight. Which is the smartest for more than just my clothes not fitting, it's good for me health wise. I accidentally ran across this workout dvd that I think would be fun zumba. I love the music, but I have a special place in my heart for Latin American dance music, and it would be like dancing - and I like to dance. So, I think I will purchase it and try to fit back into my old clothes. The Zumba girl's website that I posted started in February 2005 and lost 65 lbs by July 2005. Amazing. I really want to get motivated and I'm having to try to trick myself into it, but that's hard to do. So I will try the closet trick and see if it works....I'll let you know - hopefully by Monday I will let you know the closet inventory count. (T-shirts don't count)

No news is good news, right?

I don't have much to say, but I know I had to post something before all of my fans went away. I know a couple of things, but I can't tell you any of them because I keep secrets really well. Don't you hate it when people do that? Sorry. So, I don't have any news. Last night I went to my in laws to wish my father in law a happy birthday. Those visits always turn into 4-5 hour ventures. I ended up installing Windows Office 2007 on my sister in laws new laptop and setting her computer up for her, etc. Have any of you guys seen the Word 2007? Wow, it took me a few seconds to find the save button and had a lot of clutter at the top. It will surely take some getting use to, because I'm sure "it's the new black" and we all have to know how to use it. Excel and PowerPoint didn't look much different. Shut, up! Who am I? Man, I am sounding like a computer geek.

And scene.....(we'll pretend I didn't just have that conversation)

Ok so anywho, what else is going on? Oh yeah! Hubby's bday was Monday so I got a cake for him on Sunday at our Super Bowl gathering. See pics of speedo man and him licking speedo man, priceless. I'm a random wife, this I know. But you have to admit...it's funny.

I got my hair cut today - I don't think I like it. It looks nothing like the pictures above that I showed the chick, she should be beaten with a hair brush. Give me a couple of days to play with it and I'll get back to you on how I feel.

I am no longer a virgin to the "Kosciusko Haircut".....nuff said.

Here are the birds that adorn my bird feeder quite regularly. There are about 5 or 6 others that stand below the feeder and they throw food at/to them. It's funny. Anyone know what kind of birds they are? I'm not up to snuff on my avian classification skills.

How to Save A Life...

Save my life, please. I want to go hear The Fray tonight, just found out they were playing about an hour away and tickets are still available. All of my friends, yes all 3 of you, have become responsible adults and that leaves me to be the lame ass with no priorities.

I have been thinking...last night triggered the thought process. Chip and I were checking out our friends blog furniturefootnotes and it's his business site. Chip thought it would be funny to tool around and post a comment with my name and a comment that I was drunk and some obscene return email address. Well he hit submit and really did it. We cracked up laughing and then decided to call ol' Jack and tell him what my husband did a) because it's his business site b) because my name was associated with it and that's not cool in Small Town Baptist Belt, MS that I was drunk, which I wasn't....yet. We got a good chuckle, but it was the beginning of a realization that maybe we are immature. Is that a problem? Are we just kids at heart or really don't have our priorites straight? But now that I can't find any friends on a whim like when I was in college to go out with I can't help but feel like I have lost my skills. I don't think I'm stuck in the late 90's early 00's....am I?

I do have things that I am looking forward to: Thursday, my friend Lisa and I are going to eat dinner and catch a movie in Jackson. I am excited for a change of pace and hanging out with a familar face! (No, I didn't plan on that rhyming.) Then, possibly this Sunday watching the Super Bowl in my fun stomping grounds, "O-Town," and hang out with my fun responsible friends in my fun old hood. Hubby and I have to discuss further but Yocona River Inn was mentioned in that conversation followed by, but we are poor. So, maybe I'm not too far fetched from feeling like I'm a college kid again. Broke and looking for fun 24-7. Mmmmm, Yocona.

Today is my Katie Lou's 7th birthday!!!

This morning we went on a nice walk and smelled every strand of grass and every leaf along the way. I remember when I first got my Goosey. All of her brothers and sisters, little tiny poofy cute little Lhasa's were running around one tackling the other, one chewing on lamp cords and being funny little pups. But then there was this one little girl that wasn't poofy because slobber from her siblings made her hair mat down and not fro up into a little snowball. She was the last out of the cage and came directly to my side and sat down by me on the floor. She didn't want to romp around, just wanted to be near me. I picked her up and placed her in front of me, but she waddled back to my right side and just sat there. I knew she was the one. I said - this is her, this is the one for me. Both my ex-boyfriend and the dog breeder were questioning why I didn't want the other dogs that were playful and little poofballs and not the sickly looking runt like the little white one to my side. I just knew it from the start she was with me until the end. We got in the car and she was scared to death - rode between my neck and the headrest the whole way home. I got her home and she pooped on my roommate and I gave her a bath. She looked just like a little rat when she was wet, still does. I blow dried her hair and she was a poofy little princess. She gained her self confidence and became the Queen of my world.
We've been through a lot me and my Lou, most things no one will ever know about. We've been through boyfriends, heartache, loss, college, my trips abroad, trips to TX, roadtrips down the Natchez Trace, grooming fiascos, movie marathons, long mornings laying in bed, marriage, moving, bringing other dogs into our routine, long hours by my side as I work, and way too many other things to forget.
Most people think I'm absurd for loving my dogs as I do, they are just dogs Rachel. Sorry, I just wish it were that easy to say. My dogs, especially my Lou has stood by me even if I was wrong or having a bad day, she's been there when I've had wonderful days and some of the most important times of my life. She's kissed away too many tears and has made me laugh too many times to just consider her a dog, she's the ultimate and knows me better than anyone. She knows when I'm upset and just need her to hold me and she knows when I'm happy and runs around excited for whatever that wonderful thing in my life may be! She's taught me many things like slowing down for just a minute and smelling that pretty spring flower, going for the gusto, responsibility, how to love, how to forgive. It's amazing my little girl has had such an impact....but she's just a dog? I beg to differ, she's my strength. As I sit here typing this blog I have grateful tears of happiness for having her and re living all she's helped me achieve...and you know what she's doing? She sensed my emotions, barked for me to pick her up and is now sitting up here on my desk licking my eyes. That's what it's all about. My happiness is her happiness and vice versa. We know that we can't live without each other, and to me - that makes each morning worth waking up and our love unconditional. Herz my Goose.

So my little one, I look forward to the many many more birthdays we have to celebrate and thank you for being you.

I made it!

Surgery went well and I am still recovering. I'm able to move about and shower and what not - I pushed it a little yesterday, but both hubby and I were getting a little stir crazy so decided to get out about town. I think I watched over 10 movies by Sunday and comprehended maybe 1/2 of them. Thank you pain meds :) The people at Baptist Hospital were wonderful. Chip and I tried to make jokes the first hour in the waiting room because we were both soo nervous all we could do was crack up at stupid thing...for example - there is a big screen TV that has a patient number and status that family members can keep track of their loved ones. I thought maybe they would post how things are going up there and Chip was like - "No, this is where you place bets on the patients that are going to make it - like horse racing" We were delirious and trying to make the best of this stressful situation. Cracking up tears rolling down the face laughter. So, they called me back and prepped me for surgery. My husband is "goobed out" to say he least at any hospital thing...for heaven sake he about flipped his lid walking by the gift shop - the teddy bears gave him the heebie jeebies he almost had a panic attack. So we went into the holding room where they put the IV in as he faced the wall and covered his ears. Once the IV was in my left arm and Chip would only touch the tip of my finger on my right hand - it's like he thought the needle was going to shoot out of my left arm and out my right hand fingertip? Then the anesthesiologist came in - Dr. McCloud - more like Dr. McHeaven...I was hoping I wouldn't say anything ridiculous to him once they gave me the "margarita" as he called it. Evidentially I did some some funny things because I had everyone cracking up in the OR before surgery. I remember one of them saying they were glad to have a happy drunk! Then they put the "oxygen" over my eye and the nurse cracked up and that's all I remember. Wheeling me into recovery was extremely funny. I finally came to and there was a cut out heart with glitter around the edges and in the middle it said "I love U" - I asked the guy in recovery if my husband made that for me - he said "Why, yes he did" I sat there for a minute and as serious as the day is long said, "you're silly, no he didn't he's not that creative." Then I asked if the digital thermometer box on the wall was where you put your dentures when you have surgery. So after a nice shot of morphine and the fire in the pit of my stomach was put out (nausea) they took me back to the holding area where my Chippy came. I asked him if I won the trifecta on the surgery races and he told me I did. So, long story short - I did say some silly things, but none of them too revealing, that I know of.
Chip said that everyone in the waiting area thought I was having some massive detailed surgery because nurses kept coming out and letting him know how I was doing every few minutes. Then when surgery was over - the surgeon came out and talked to him. He said everyone kept staring at him because no one was coming to talk to them about how their loved one was doing. Then yesterday I get a call from the Hospital asking how I was feeling. I was extremely impressed. I saw the doctor that referred me to the surgeon yesterday in my outting and told him what a great experience it was and appreciated Dr. Cummins and Baptist Hospital. I had a really good experience and will definitely write them a thank you note. I don't think people write enough thank you notes these days.

Chuckle.

I had to have a chuckle on msn.com today. There was an article on Rachael Ray and comfort foods like her mac and cheese. Then to the right of that same box where the article is located is the healthy section on finding the Right Diet for You ~ and keep that new years resolution. Mmmmm. I watched the Mac & Cheese video because my new years resolution is to stay positive and things like mac & cheese make me happy. Dare to be different - the losing weight thing is so cliche and I say that at least 10 times a year like it's some great big breaking news - I'm Going On A Diet! Why say it again on the first day of the year and lie to yourself? Plus I also found this article Own a Pooch? and since I have 3 dogs - does that mean I am 3 times more likely to be "pudgy"? My favorite part of the article is when it says,"pet owners tended to be middle-aged, have less education and more health-risk factors." Good thing they are talking about the Finnish or I may have taken offense to this article. (wink)
Now my dogs can join the worlds fight against obesity by taking a new drug to make them skinny. Slentrol Oh what a tangled web we weave.

Tomorrow is surgery day - so I probably won't post and if I do then it will be fun for all of us to read due to the large quantity of pain meds I plan on taking - Should be interesting. My fear is not of the surgery itself, but what I am going to say to people when I am not fully aware of the words comming out of my mouth. I do have secrets and I hope they don't become exposed!

Preparing for Friday

Yesterday I went to Jackson to do my pre-admission stuff for my surgery Friday. It really didn't take as long as I thought it would and everyone was so nice there at Baptist. The nurse that took my blood had been there 27 years and she did not look a day older than 30 and had a 31 year old daughter. How did she get such great genes? I needed to know her secret, but she didn't have one. The questionnaire lady was really nice too, she wasn't pushy nor interrogating about medical and family history. She got the facts she needed, answered the questions I had and then sent me to the financial lady. The financial lady was so nice and let me know the most I would have to come out of pocket and she had the most beautiful complexion. I swear, I know I keep going on and on about these women's appearance, but it must have something to do with stress and lack there of? They were so easy going and happy and ready to help me in anything I needed. It really says a lot to me, their customer service is exceptional. Even the receptionists were joking with me and making me feel welcome. I hope my surgery experience is just as great as the pre-admission.
After the I left the hospital I went to Barnes & Noble and saw the Mississippi Magazine Bridal edition. I called Susan to tell her how beautiful her and D's page was, read up on a lot of books, couldn't decide which one I wanted so I left and went to Huntington's Grill. I figured, what the heck - why go home and sit and watch TV. CSI doesn't come on A&E until 10 or 11 anyway. :)
I like going to places and meeting random people. I met the Head Master of a local private school and we talked for a while. He wants to implement an International Program and we talked about foreign countries, the kids, the experiences. It was a nice intellectual conversation. One that none of my 3 dogs can carry on with me. After a glass of wine or two I decided - they took blood from me and I hadn't eaten, so I probably needed to not order another glass and head back to the Land of Koz. On the way home I checked back in with my friend Amy, she had a hysterectomy yesterday (she's 26). She was on some good pain meds and doing well. Then my Mere called me, she was in Houston doing a charity thing for the Rodeo. She's Miss. Do Everything - I admire her and her will. She's definitely a giver. And ALWAYS knows how to crack me up and make me feel better. That's what friendship is all about. We are definitely "soul mates" as she put it in the beautiful toast she gave at my rehearsal dinner. Life wouldn't be good if it weren't for people like that in your life. Everyone needs them. tear....tear...

This whole not negative thing.

Ok, so I know I just posted like 30 minutes ago about my new found attitude. But you know what, there are just somethings that you can be pissed about. Like trying to make your blogspot not look like blah white paper and then deleting all of your friends blogs under links. So, if you are reading this and you are not under my links...please post a comment and give me your site so I can repost it! Sorry! I did end up finding some from others peoples site I knew. Thanks peeps!

Happy New Year!

So, my new years resolution is still the same ol' same ol' cliche stuff like - lose weight, save more money, yadda yadda yadda - but this year I am adding something new. So many changes have happened in my life this past year - some good some bad, but it has really changed me. I'm not saying this is for the best either. So, my new new years resolution is to change my negative attitude. I have a friend that is such a Debbie Downer (like that Saturday Night Live skit) and I feel like I have turned into her and I really am not happy with it. I know how my attitude effects others and I don't want to be "that person". Now just because I am working on this doesn't mean I remember to stick by it 24-7. It's my resolution - I am trying to resolve this issue within me, so just bare with me. :)

I went to Alabama the week after Christmas and found my hubby an apartment. It's a nice little one bedroom - he calls it his bachelor pad. He called me last night (his first night there) and we were kind of sad that it became a reality he was there for real. I guess staying in a hotel for 3 months doesn't really feel like a place to live.

This year will bring a lot of hurdles to jump and obstacles to cross, but that is why my new improved attitude will help me though it. Lord, just give me the strength. This new year will be a challenge for me in every aspect.

As for the losing weight. I am in 2 weddings - one in October of this year and one in March of next year. So I have about 10 months to shape my ass up. I say as I just ate 3 of Paula Dean's Georgia Cookies, can't find the recipe online to post, but her new cookbook - a must have.

HAA!! I almost forgot the funniest thing over the holidays. We had a Christmas party the Saturday before Christmas and had a great turn out. A lot of fun people. To sum things up ...the person that never drinks threw up all over my back patio and the person that drinks often threw up all over the side of my house. I guess that makes for a good party? And I would have been throwing up all over if I'd of had to clean up the vom, but my dear friend Tasha gets the medal of honor for hosing that nastiness down. I thank you Tasha with all of my heart - really - there is no way I could do it for you. Just a little take away from the party - according to drunkard #1 (no names mentioned for the safety of the individual) we have brought back the words "Holmes" and "Boss". Here is an example on how to use these words in the same sentence. You have called your local game warden at 11:30 pm to find out the limit on the hooded meganders (aka. flying nuns) and you have to leave a message. "Hey Holmes, this is drunkard #1. If you could give me a call back that would be really Boss. Thank you." So kids, that is your lesson of the day. Please use your new vocabulary every chance you get - that would be really "boss".

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Just want all of my readers (all 2 of you) to have a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year! No big plans. I have off Friday the 22nd to January 1st. We are having a Christmas party at the new digs Saturday night and then Sunday and Monday Christmas with the In-Laws. Tuesday thru Thursday I'll be in Alabama looking for Chip a place to lay his weary head. Then come home so he can go to "Mountain Man" for the weekend - his friends deer camp where they hunt, drink beer, play cards and don't shave for 3 days.

I'm a bad daughter - I am not going to the homeland during the holidays a) I'm tired b) it's a hustle and bustle, then just turn around and fly back - the type of trip you need a vacation from your vacation. c) I want to go to Alabama to see what my husbands alternate life is like.
I think, I hope that my family understands.

I'm looking for New Year's Eve trouble (since I'm not a mountain man), so let me know what you have up your sleeve!? I did receive an invite from an old friend to a party, but I'm not sure that's what I'm going to do. It needs to be something inexpensive, I have property taxes due in January. Man I am such an old Mamaw. lol

Ta Da! It's me, I'm here - Not Lost!

Wow, I haven't posted anything in a month. It's not like I've been busy, or haven't thought about it. I have no excuse. I live in my nutshell and focus on the routine. Though, I did break out of my shell Tuesday night. I went to the Golden Moon Luna Bar - the golden ball at the top of the building in Philadelphia, MS. It was fun, met some funny people. Julie the bartender was a fun lady. She was from Chicago and you could tell she likes what she does. Then I met Billy Jack the Mega Touch and Pool Table sales guy. I met Charlie the retiree that took great interest in what I do for a living. Then there was Jim, the ass that was soo cocky that even my bitchyness couldn't make him budge. Jim is the guy that has "The Tribes" 401-K. The tribe is the casino - it's an Indian reservation and the reason why there is a casino there without being on water. After Jim told me what he did, I being polite and trying to find a common ground with this stranger, informed him my husband was a broker. This was when things got deep and his arrogance shined. I found his boastful attitude quite amusing - it gave me the opportunity to put on my sarcastic smart ass face, which I haven't had the chance to do in a while. Once I let him know I was not impressed nor taken back with his endeavors he said, "Rachel, I like you, you're witty. Have you eaten dinner?" (Well actually he called it supper, which gets on my nerves anyway) I informed Jim I had not eaten dinner. He invited me to go to dinner with him, which I gracefully declined, turned to Billy Jack to my left and rolled my eyes, as he laughed uncontrollably. If I would have had to spend 10 more minutes around Jim the 401-K guy I may have thrown him off the top of the golden ball. I told my husband about Jim and he said, you should have taken him up on dinner, and made him take you to Phillip M's (this fine restaurant we like to eat at, but can't always afford to do so) . The night was so much fun though - I cut up, drank, met new people and got to be a bitch all in the same night. That is rare! I felt like the me I know. I was feeling sort of pathetic going there by myself, but am certainly glad I did. I needed that get away, solo or not!

Next week I get to go to Oxford. I always look forward to seeing all of my friends. There is a party there Tuesday night, but I wasn't going to go to until Thursday for my company Christmas party. If I can find someone to watch my 4 legged monsters I may can do both! That would be a treat. I'm sort of excited about next week. I get to go to Oxford see everyone, see Susan and Daniel's new house, then come home Friday because my friend Juli B. is having a party that night and then our friend from Nashville is coming to town and decided she was having a party at our house Saturday night. So, I will literally have to pencil everyone in this next week...have your people call my people - we can do lunch. (ha, one week of fun things to do has made me a snob)