The Southern Savant

Bailey's Second Annual VDay Photo Shoot

2012-02-14T14:30:00.001-06:00

Bailey's Second Annual VDay Photo Shoot = SUCCESS!!!!

This is an annual event nowadays. The post below has a picture from last year's glamorous shoot. This year, I wanted something with beads. And Bailey insisted on the glasses..... ;-)

What you don't see are the McDonald's fries in front of her. She will definitely strike a pose for a cold fry lying on the ground!

Serious face.

Enough with the glasses!!!

I think this picture has a hippie lovedog feel to it....PEACE, LOVE and BAILEY. This is the 9TH year Bailey has been my Valentine!!! And this is the 4TH year Dr. J has been OUR Valentine!!!I LOVE my crazy wonderful life!!Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

HAPPY VDAY!!!

2012-02-14T08:35:00.003-06:00

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

The Day where the boys get BURNED if they don't spend crazy amounts of money on chocolates, flowers and somethin' purdy from Zales.....
When, in all actuality, every day should be Valentine's Day with your honey.....
So go give him a hug, and tell him he's hot stuff!!!

Bailey and I are currently on a sugar high, because OUR Valentine got us donut holes this morning! Great start to the day! Dr. J will be getting HIS present tonight..... ;)

J'aime "Midnight in Paris"

2012-02-08T15:04:00.007-06:00

"Midnight in Paris" is, hands down, one of the BEST movies I have EVER seen.
Dr. J and I saw it a few weeks ago, and the next day I was at Walmart buying the blueray DVD. (I was shocked they even had it in stock) We have seen in several times, and will be watching it many more times, I am sure.

At the very least, I knew that the movie would be "pretty." It's filmed in Paris, for goodness' sake, so that is a given.
But the plot was really creative and made you fall in love with the city, past and present.
Owen Wilson (Gil), is a writer, who goes to Paris with his fiance, Inez (Rachel McAdams), for a few days with her parents. Gil is obsessed with the Golden Age of Paris and tends to have a nostalgic view of life.

He is searching for inspiration for his novel (without much support from the fiance) and one night, goes on a midnight walk alone...... and discovers a Paris that, today, we never thought was possible....

Now, to be perfectly honest, if you have NO clue who Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, Cole Porter, Ella and Scott Fitzgerald, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Edgar Degas and T.S. Eliot are, then you probably will not "get" this movie. At all.
It will be pretty to watch, but some of the dialogue will seem like an inside joke or story in which you do not have "insider status" to enjoy.
Now, I am not some literary snob, but I've read tons of books and studied many of these people in school, so I found myself in book/art nerd heaven, just like Gil.
But at the very least, you need to know who these folks are. Because the very fact that Gil is hanging out with them is amazing!!!
And after you watch the movie, do some research about your favorite characters, maybe you will discover a new love for reading or for art..... (I looked up some of the characters that I wasn't entirely familiar with, and found myself learning many new things!)

Woody Allen directed this film, and his love affair with Paris is so very evident.
So, if you love Paris, or you just want to watch a movie with Owen Wilson, where he isn't crashing a wedding or riding down the catwalk on a razor scooter, then watch "Midnight in Paris"!!! Now!!!

On a side note:
1. The soundtrack is FABULOUS!!!
2. And, did any of you who have seen the movie notice the cameo by a certain very beautiful First Lady??? (look at the above picture) =)
3. And, furthermore, I want to go back to Paris for my honeymoon. (of course!!)

Oh NO, She's Up

2012-02-07T06:47:00.001-06:00

Saw this last night and thought I'd share.....

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Saturday Night

2012-01-28T20:40:00.001-06:00

My Saturday Evening Dinner -- courtesy of my Dr. J:

I LOVE him!!! And his gourmet cooking!Now, we are snuggled up by the fire, and are watching "Midnight in Paris" (again). ;-)- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Happy Feet

2012-01-27T09:59:00.001-06:00

It is such a beautiful morning that I could not resist a morning run!!

And my iPod entertained me with music from The Westminster Choir's Royal Wedding performance. I'm a sucker for high church and huge organ and choir music!Now I feel fabulous and am ready for a great weekend!!Happy Friday!!!!- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Wise Words

2012-01-26T18:15:00.001-06:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

What I LOVE today!!!

2012-01-21T17:04:00.001-06:00

What I am LOVING right now!!!One of my amazing Christmas gifts from Dr. J ----- My Prada Saffiano Lux Open Tote!!!

I needed a black bag --- I just did NOT expect this!!!I get compliments everywhere I go. It is a great size (10x14x6) and it looks great with any outfit!So thanks Babe!!!Thank you for all you for me!!! You make all the girls jealous!! Haha!Xoxo!!!- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Urge

2012-01-18T16:05:00.001-06:00

Yes, this is big time RANDOM:You ever get the urge to block someone on facebook? And THEN you admit to yourself how immature Facebook is, how you probably shouldn't even participate in it, and how you really shouldn't even care about that person anyhow!?!?Besides, why block them ----since then they wouldn't be able to see how great YOUR life is!!!!Nothing makes the disloyal, unhappy and extremely reductive folks angrier than when you ignore them and live a happy life!!!I think I'll just mind my own business....everyone else seems to. Lol!Happy Wednesday!!!!- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Black Tie and Black Lace!

2012-01-09T18:20:00.001-06:00

"War Horse" London Premiere:

1. There is just something about a man in a tux. Mmmm mmmm mmmm......And although Wills looks quite dapper in his tux, I must brag that my J looks sooooo much more handsome in his!!!! It's like Tom Ford designs all his clothes just for Dr. J!!! Oh and if you are looking for the perfect bowtie for your beau, Mr. Ford has the PERFECT one!!!2. I LOVE Kate's dress!!!! Beautiful!!! I need it now! I'm sure I can think of a wonderful place to wear it, with Dr. J and his tux, of course!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Greatest Quote of the Day

2012-01-08T18:59:00.001-06:00

Greatest quote I've heard in a while:
"Well, SHE must be a JOY to live with!!!"
(from one of the smartest men I know!)
Kept me laughing all afternoon. :-)

- Posted using the vast wealth of randomness and snark found in my adorable Mensa noggin....

Look!!!!

2012-01-06T20:30:00.001-06:00

A Forever CRAZY wearing a Forever Lazy!!!!

Too cute!!!!

- Posted using the vast wealth of randomness and snark found in my adorable Mensa noggin....

Bonne année!!!!!

2011-12-31T17:05:00.001-06:00

Bonne année et bonne santé !

- Posted using the vast wealth of randomness and snark found in my adorable Mensa noggin....

Happy Christmas!!!!

2011-12-25T10:08:00.001-06:00

Happy Christmas from the Southern Savant and her favorite
Cotton Headed Ninny Muggins!!!!

- Posted using the vast wealth of randomness and snark found in my adorable Mensa noggin....

25 Days of Christmas Gifts...

2011-12-23T18:05:00.001-06:00

This is a great idea for anyone wondering what I love.... ;-)

I know most of my posts have just been pictures lately.....I've been too busy in the madness of December to blog actual words.....
I am sure NONE of you have any clue what I'm talking about regarding busy holidays. ;-)
This month has been VERY VERY eventful and I'll fill you in soon.
Oh yeah, tonight we make our television singing debut with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra on WFAA Channel 8 in Dallas!!!!
And by "singing debut," I mean that we sang carols with the other patrons while Channel 8 filmed the Dallas Symphony's Christmas Special two Fridays ago at the Myerson in Dallas.
It was WONDERFUL!!!
If they caught us on camera, I hope it doesn't turn out that I have a face for radio.....you can maybe see me sporting my new Tom Ford red lipstick. Yeah, I went there. To Red Lipstick Land. It is so glamorous there....and no one does lipstick like Tom Ford!

This time last year were were at Westminster Abbey's Service of Lessons and Carols. Oh how I miss London......
Happy December 23rd Everyone!!!

- Posted using the vast wealth of randomness and snark found in my adorable Mensa noggin....

Oh yeah Wait a Minute Mr. Postman (Christmas Card Edition)

2011-12-21T17:32:00.001-06:00

Carlos the Mailman's
Christmas card is cooler than your Christmas card......
Just saying.

:-)

- Posted using the vast wealth of randomness and snark found in my adorable Mensa noggin....

ELF on a Shelf.....

2011-12-15T22:07:00.001-06:00

Not all the elves on shelves act NICE......
Some are quite NAUGHTY......

(Julie, I'm correct with my plurals for elf and shelf, right???? Lol!)

- Posted using the vast wealth of randomness and snark found in my adorable Mensa noggin....

My favorite Pin of the Day

2011-12-13T22:49:00.001-06:00

:-)
Don't lie.....
This makes you laugh too!!!!

Posted using the vast wealth of randomness and snark found in my adorable Mensa noggin....

Merry Christmas from The Johnson's!!!!!!

2011-12-13T19:08:00.001-06:00

GREATEST. CHRISTMAS. CARD.
EVER.
In all the history of EVERDOM!!!

Is it wrong that I'm kinda jealous my Christmas cards are never this Gangsta???

- Posted using the vast wealth of knowledge in my adorable Mensa noggin....

True Story

2011-12-12T09:08:00.002-06:00

Baby It's Cold.....

2011-12-05T19:30:00.001-06:00

Happy Turkey Day!

2011-11-24T13:29:00.001-06:00

Slapsgiving!

2011-11-23T15:02:00.001-06:00

Happy SLAPSGIVING to all you fellow "How I Met Your Mother" fans out there!!!!

In the words of Barney Stinson, I hope your holiday is
"LEGEN ------- wait for it ------- DARY!!!!!!

Storm Snuggles

2011-11-21T23:26:00.001-06:00

Major thunderstorm moving over our house =
Poor Bailey is huddled under her Victoria's Secret Pink blanket, panting nervous pants, while lying on top of me.

I find that storms are always weathered more easily when we have a friend by our side. :-)

Yes, this is a very young Southern Savant

2011-11-20T08:07:00.001-06:00

In honor of a VERY rare Baylor football victory, I bring you a glory days photo......

And I confess, I didn't even watch the game. I kinda gave up on BU football when I was about eleven. ;)

Para....Para........Paradise.......

2011-11-19T14:10:00.002-06:00

When she was just a girl
She expected the world
But it flew away from her reach
so She ran away in her sleep
and dreamed of Para-para-paradise,
Para-para-paradise, Para-para-paradise

Every time she closed her eyes
When she was just a girl
She expected the world
But it flew away from her reach
and the bullets catch in her teeth
Life goes on, it gets so heavy
The wheel breaks the butterfly
Every tear a waterfall
In the night the stormy night she'll close her eyes
In the night the stormy night away she'd fly
and dreams of Para-para-paradise
Para-para-paradise Para-para-paradise
Oh oh oh oh oh oh-oh-oh
She'd dream of Para-para-paradise
Para-para-paradise Para-para-paradise
Oh oh oh oh oh oh-oh-oh-oh
lalalalalalalalalalala

And so lying underneath those stormy skies
She'd say, "oh, ohohohoh I know the sun must set to rise"
This could be Para-para-paradise
Para-para-paradise Para-para-paradise
Oh oh oh oh oh oh-oh-oh
This could be Para-para-paradise
Para-para-paradise
This could be Para-para-paradise
Oh oh oh oh oh oh-oh-oh-oh

(I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS SONG!!!!)

I know the coolest kids!!!

2011-11-17T11:04:00.001-06:00

Today I'm thankful for my church home. NBC is a wonderful church with strong leaders and some of the sweetest members I've ever known. It's not perfect, but it is perfect for me and J.
After volunteering this summer with R and the kids @ VBS, I felt led to help during the school year on Wednesday nights. We have our transformers themed activities after church dinner. It's called "Be Transformed."

And it is a wonderful hour. We have kids of all ages and we sing, play goofy games and then break to our classes to do a craft and learn our verse for the week.
I help with the kindergarden class. They are so hilarious.
Last night, I discussed Ugg boots and winter wear with two adorable girls E and K. I got invited to ride bikes with K, who is my future neighbor. :) And as we were making our thankful turkeys, we discussed Nehemiah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls ----- Or "Jerusalem Twalls" as one girl said. ;)
Afterwards I met with my favorite boys to go over their school week and discuss the Dutch apple pie they are wanting their mom to make for thanksgiving dessert!
I love spending time with these kids. They are all so kind and say the most honest and funny things. It's hilarious listening to their stories and then try to tie it in to our lesson for the week.
I'm so thankful I'm there each week. It's a wonderful change to my usual daytime shenanigans and I have met many new parents too.
(I figure I need to be involved now so when I have a kid, I'm no stranger to everyone. I don't want to be one of those parents who just dump their kids and never help out. I mean, people change your baby's diapers and spend time with your older kids, the least you can do is help out once in a while! Haha.)
So I'm thankful today for my kid friends. :-)
I'm also SO thankful for this time because I have learned so much and God has opened my eyes to what I want as far as a family myself.
Kids are cool.
Exhausting.
But they are some cool little turkeys. :)

Thankfulness

2011-11-15T14:27:00.002-06:00

So many friends of mine are listing one thing a day they are thankful throughout the month of November, either on their blog or their facebook.
Since facebook has gotten increasingly lame, I decided I will throw a few thankfuls out here on the old blog for the next several days. Sometimes I think we all get so focussed on what we do NOT have, we tend to lose sight of what we DO have.
So here are a few things that I'm thankful for right now TODAY:

1. My friends. As in, my REAL friends. I have many AMAZING friends. I'm thinking of S and J in particular right now.
S is pretty much my mom nowadays. She loves me unconditionally, laughs at all my jokes, but at the same time will lovingly give me the figurative slap in the face when I need to get back in line. I appreciate that. She's NEVER ugly. Always faithful and true. And I know that every little piece of advice she gives me comes from the fact she loves me. That's so cool. We aren't blood relatives. She doesn't HAVE to love me, but she CHOOSES to instead. That's priceless. And she will definitely be a "grandma" to my kids one day too.
And J: my email buddy who I've known since the first day of second grade. There is something about knowing someone for a really long time that just makes you love them and root for them. You understand them. Even if you don't live in the same town, or talk every single day, you just are on their side. I think about J and her family every day. I pray for ALL of them. And I know she does the same for me. She wants the BEST for me. She wants me to be happy. And she's always happy for my good news. And I'm happy for her good news. I'm not jealous of her, even though she is blessed beyond measure. I'm just down right happy for her. And when one of us is having a bad day, we can email the other and vent, gripe, moan and groan and at least know someone is praying for us and of course will keep quiet if we need something to stay private. J is LOYAL. She's NO flake.
True friends are hard to find. Loyalty is PRICELESS. And I'm thankful for S and J today.
2. ANTIBIOTICS. After being sick for over two weeks, I'm thankful for drugs. Oh, and cough drops. Oh and the new kleenex that is actually cool and soothing to the touch. Makes a huge difference on the schnoze. It may cost thirty cents more, but that's thirty cents WELL SPENT.
3. RAIN!!! Right now it is POURING outside!!! We need rain in these here parts SO BADLY right now. So Praise the Lord we are getting some today. Truly. Rain is a blessing.

More later!

Mom, where do pumpkins come from??!

2011-10-28T12:53:00.001-05:00

Happy Halloween Everyone!!!

(I just had to share this with y'all!!!)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

What I LOVE Today!

2011-10-18T11:05:00.001-05:00

Princess Kate in Beulah.
Simply DIVINE.

The cool temps this morning called for a new batch of spice tea to be whipped up. Y'all know the recipe - the Southern, magical mixture of tea, tang, lemonade, cloves and cinnamon.
It is the perfect treat after Bailey and I just powerwalked down Cumberland in this incredible wind!!!!

Released today: The details of Le Tour de France 2012.
July will be fun! Contador is once again the favorite.

SOLD!!!!!
Buh-bye Condo and all that comes with it!!!!!
Now it's Onward and Upward to the rest of our life together!!!
An answer to prayer. And the perfect time to leave some things and people behind, to make room for a future that is truly looking bright!!!!

Speaking of Onward and Upward, "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost is one of my favorite poems.
The road less travelled - truly a wonderful place to be. :-)

"TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."

HAPPY TUESDAY MY FRIENDS!!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Secret Hideout

2011-10-11T09:43:00.001-05:00

Now THIS, my friends, is the PERFECT place to relax and to spend quality time with the one you love the most........

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Happy CC Day!!!

2011-10-10T14:24:00.001-05:00

Happy Columbus Day People!!!!

(Thanks to my Florence friend MC for posting this on fb earlier! :-))

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ONLY in The CAN......

2011-09-07T17:11:00.001-05:00

Here is a car in front of me at a red light this afternoon.
At least the baby mama let this fella know he was off the hook..... ;)
He should leave this on his car. Just so all the other local ladies know he won't be registering at Babies R Us or attending paternity hearings in family court, at least for the next few months!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Carousel of Progress ;)

2011-09-07T13:27:00.001-05:00

Now THIS is what I call PROGRESS people!!!!!!

Yesterday, the soil samples were done at the lots! Bailey and I went over to the neighborhood for our midmorning run and discovered the guys drilling for "sole" samples (as the locals would say)!!!!
Bailey then inspected the holes.

She was pleased with the results.

And so was I!!!!!!
I'm a huge fan of progress. Sometimes things seem to move at a snail's pace, but I see God taking care of it all. And I am fully trusting Him and J. It is a wonderful thing to have faith and then see God making things happen in HIS perfect time.
And TOMORROW is going to be even better!!!!!

(btw, did anyone get the Disney carousel of progress reference??? "there's a big bright beautiful tomorrow......."!?!??)

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Frankie says......

2011-09-01T16:23:00.001-05:00

RELAX.......

I don't know about you all. But this weekend we are gonna cool off and get a little R&R!!!

The weekend starts NOW!!!
Later my friends!!!
Hopefully I'll be back on a more faithful blogging schedule after the weekend!!!
Until then!!!
:)

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Shhhhhhh.......

2011-08-11T07:18:00.001-05:00

I've been told lately that I should listen more. After asking that person to repeat their statement (I wasn't listening), I decided there may be some truth to that suggestion. I love to talk and to listen. BUT I do not always love to listen when the talker is saying something I don't like, or if the conversation between the voices in my head is distracting me. :) (sometimes I am truly in a zone were I am analyzing the talker's previous statement, or where I'm trying to predict their next point.)
I'm not trying to be rude, but alas, it can still seem that way to the talker who is trying to get me to listen.
Afterall, we do not learn by talking. In fact, we learn by listening. Not just HEARING the speaker, but LISTENING to them.
So I will work on that. With everyone. No need to appear closeminded. Or appear like what they have to say does not matter. Because it really DOES matter.
BUT................
The thing that gets me is when someone tells me to listen and yet they, at times, don't listen to a word I say about certain things. In fact, at times it goes so far as they won't even discuss certain topics because they do not want to listen to what others have to say.
I think some people should take their own advice. It's good advice. But if you want ME to LISTEN to you, then you LISTEN to your own advice and also LISTEN to what I have to say. Especially when it is about something I am very knowledgeable about and is about something that I've been right about before.
Who knows, maybe it will HELP you avoid a BIG problem.......
So I will listen. If YOU will listen.
:-)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Kitchen Sneak Peek!!!!

2011-07-25T13:19:00.001-05:00

Here is a juicy sneak peek into our future kitchen in our future home, La Maison de Vie.
This is the oven J has chosen!

It's the La Cornue Chateau 165!!!
Who knew ovens and ranges could be so amazing and beautiful at the same time!?!!
These are truly works of art!!

This baby has an electric oven, a gas oven and the range top features and combinations are endless!! J can REALLY cook now!!!

Neither of these is our actual oven of course. When we pick the color and trim
(We both liked the same combo - which isn't surprising at all),
we make the official order to Paris. Then one artisan in Paris builds the oven from hand. He even engraves your name on the oven and will put a quote, proverb, name of your house, etc on it.
It's made as an heirloom piece, JUST for you.
So cool!!! Families hand these down from generation to generation. They are a big deal in Europe.
J now has to decide what he wants on the personalization.
I can't wait to see what he picks!

We are also getting the La Cornue rotisserie.
You can see it in the pictures above. It will cook everything from fish to a 12 pound turkey! All while catching the drippings in a ceramic pan in the bottom. For example, you can roast a chicken and have the juices collect on the pan with some potatoes. So you have the perfect seasoning on the vegtables as well as the perfect chicken!
This is so French!!!

Anyhow, that's a little peek of what we are working on for the house.
I'm so excited about everything and am endlessly thankful to J for how hard he works to make his, and our, dreams come true.
He's such a good man and I know deserves a beautiful home so he can escape the day and feel like he's in the French countryside!

www.lacornueusa.com
(here is the US website - if you want an expert description of these products. We all know I have no idea what I'm talking about!)

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Ohhhh.....champs élysées!!!!!

2011-07-24T08:30:00.001-05:00

Where I want to be this morning!!!

I'm ready to go back to Paris!!! So jealous of J's cousin, who lives in Paris and gets to see the finish in person every year!

I couldn't think of a better place in all the world to be this Sunday morning!!!

(I've been right here too!!)
;-)

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Dog Days of Summer

2011-07-21T13:09:00.001-05:00

This is what Bailey and I do in the 150 degree weather while we watch Dr. J mow the lots.......

Earlier in the day, we were avoiding the heat so we did Arts and Craps with the drapes shut and the AC blasting.
Bailey made a necklace that says "Bailey Loves Justin".
Because she really does. ;-)

And this is what happens when you leave your comfy chair in the shade. You snooze, you Lose.

But, no matter how hot it gets, I'd rather be sweating with my Oldies, than be anywhere else.
And one day, we will have our dream house built, so I'll have the indoor option on this spot as well. :-)
And then Naked Thursdays won't be so awkward for the neighbors. (jk!)

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Ahhhhh....... Friday!!!!

2011-07-15T17:57:00.001-05:00

Sometimes I cannot help myself. When I see certain people, I have to laugh!!!!!
Such entertainment........ :-)

We have a lot to celebrate tonight, so Dr. J has made an amazing prime rib and we have opened a beautiful bottle of wine.
Good food, the best man, and house talk!!!!!
Happy Friday Night Everyone!
Stay cool! (if you can!)
Xoxo!!!!

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Joyeux Le Quatorze Juillet!

2011-07-13T20:14:00.004-05:00

'Joyeux Le Quatorze Juillet!'

Pretty Pretty Princess

2011-07-10T18:01:00.004-05:00

If I had three wishes, one would be for this Princess' wardrobe.
Seriously.
(oh and don't go judging my wish and say I should have wished for world peace or a cure for cancer. I've got all that covered since another one my wishes will be for an unlimited amount of wishes......aha! See! I've got all the touchy-feely-make everything better stuff covered too!)
And when my hair grows up
(or out, I should say, a few more inches),
it wants to be just like Princess Kate's!

My Schnoze is IN LOVE!!!!

2011-07-07T20:37:00.002-05:00

I was sorting through some samples from a Neiman Marcus Beauty Event a few months ago, and came across a sample of this:

Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensee
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this scent!!!
It is not like any other scent that I currently have, and I REALLY want to add it to my collection!
Here is how their website describes it:

“He wove through the crowd when suddenly his heart quickened. That scent. It was hers. He had worn it first until she stole it for herself. Now, there she was before him and the magic of years past came flooding back in a moment.”

"Vanille Insensée, an electrical current runs through the subtle sweetness of vanilla, jasmine and fresh lime to bond with rich oak moss, woods and spicy coriander."
Mmmmmmmmmmmmm.........
I am a sucker for all things French!
I've even enrolled in the BBC French for Beginners Class!!!
(I know, since Texas is FULL of French people!)
This is about to go off the "Want" List and go to the top of the "Need" List. =)
I figure since our amazing house plans are French,
our kitchen will be the most French kitchen in all the land
(I will post you a pic of the Oven soon - yes I AM IN LOVE WITH AN OVEN),
I can at least have a French cologne too!!!

Have any of you wonderful Bloggers tried this cologne?
If so, please give me your thoughts!
Because if it's stinky in real life, then I may be rethinking the whole thing.....=)

Geeks and Perverts =) (With a title like that, you will HAVE to read my post!)

2011-07-05T19:29:00.005-05:00

I had a friend tell me this, many moons ago, when facebook and myspace were infants in the wide world of the interwebs:
"The Internet is for Geeks and Perverts!"
I initially scoffed at this broad and judgy, albeit funny statement, but my recent online adventures have me thinking this old pal may truly be a wise old sage of all things on the internets.
As we ALL know, there was a trial going on in central Florida for the past few months. A precious little girl is dead, and the state was seeking answers and justice. It began when I was at Disneyworld, so inbetween our magical fun, we caught a good amount of testimony on the channel in Orlando dedicated completely to airing the trial.
Now, let me say right now, this post is NOT to discuss with you the facts of the case. This is not an opportune time to argue whether the science is "junk" or the defendant was a "trashy slut."
No.
And furthermore, this is not a post where I will bore you with the many morsels of goodness I learned in law school about burden of proof, reasonable doubt, and hearsay.
As our boy Rhett would say: "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn"
I'm here instead to tell you about the ridiculous response that my humble opinion received on facebook today.
Yes, I have an opinion about this jury, this trial, the evidence, etc.
WE ALL HAVE AN OPINION.
That's cool. It's America (last time I checked), so we ALL can have a differing thought, and NONE of us goes to jail for being wrong.
In fact, as we all now know, the Defendant probably won't spend too many more days in jail either.....Although that one dude that flipped off the Court did spend some time in the slammer this week. =)
So, I posted my opinion. It was laced with humor and wit of course. Knowing full well that some would disagree, and many would "like" my status.
But then, the FACEBOOK WHEELS FELL OFF.
EVERYONE was being so ugly to some of my friends who were voicing there opinions. Some folks were saying that if you ever disagree with a jury, you are un-American, etc.
Now, like I said before, EVERYONE can have an opinion.
But what REALLY makes me "LOL" at some of those up on their soapboxes, THEY COULD NOT HANDLE those who disagreed.
It was like "You disagree with ME!?! Well, then you are stupid poop face and I'm not inviting you to my birthday party!!!"
Mature folks would say "I completely disagree with you. Here is why. But I'm not going to hijack another's facebook wall to be hateful."
Free Speech is a double-edged sword.
You dish it out, you better take it in.
But it was clear today, that some folks just cannot handle debate.
Some folks are not mentally equipped to discuss anything.
AN.Y.THING.
(Maybe they should stick to "The Jersey Shore" and whether Ronnie and Sammie should get back together in Italy - That should not cause a civil war, right???)

This is just one example of how ridiculous Facebook discussions have become in the last few months.
It's kind of annoying, yet not surprising, considering the sources.
Part of me is tempted to just forget Facebook altogether. Or at least cull the friends list down to my actual friends.
But then you have to deal with the "OMG, She deleted me!!! What a B!!!!" etc. nonsense.
And, in a small town, this is just magnified. I've seen Jerry Springer-type explosions between people who block people or don't let everyone write on their wall!!! GASP!!! =)

It's unfortunate, but I think I'm going on a Facebook cleanse. I'm tired of dealing with ignorance. It has nothing to do with anyone's actual opinion, it's just their over-sensitivity to anyone who disagrees with them.
Maybe I will just post pictures of kitties and unicorns and rainbows. =)

So, maybe my pal was right.
Maybe I should leave facebook to the Geeks and Perverts for a little while,
at least until the Election season really heats up......=)

Oh, Hey There.....

2011-07-05T07:02:00.001-05:00

How you doing, Artsy GM????

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Disney's Wild Africa Trek!!!!

2011-07-02T15:41:00.010-05:00

Here are a few pictures from Disney's Africa Trek, an AMAZING adventure that you can enjoy at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The tour group is very small and no kids under twelve are allowed (which is a good thing, I promise). You get to hike all through the Animal Kingdom forests and then go through the savannah in a private bus and have lunch while watching all the animals. This is not the concierge level behind the scenes tour. (we have done that tour as well. It's neat, but this one takes the cake!)
Spots are limited since they keep the groups so small. It's only about $200 a person, but definitely a great event to add to your Disney itinerary. You will NOT be disappointed!!! I was very impressed with our guides, the bridges you get to cross, and how close you get to the animals!
They weigh you on a scale (no one sees your weight, it's a secret), so they can give you the proper gear to wear through the forest. You get to visit the hippos, and we even got to visit with the head hippo guy while he fed the boys. Then we headed to two HUGE bridges we got to cross! VERY FUN!!! We crossed over the gators, too! Then we strapped onto a big metal guide so we could get super close to the gators without falling all the way down to them if we slipped. =)
(I kept listening for the gator who ate the clock, remember "Peter Pan", anyone?)
Following the forest, we made our way to a private vehicle and road around the savannah. We ended up at a hut, where we ate a wonderful lunch and watched the elephants, etc. from the hut.
The guides even set up binoculars where we could see the lions sleeping! One was upside down and sleeping just like my dog Bailey! We were very close to the rhinos and even saw three cheetahs, along with dozens of other animals!
If you ever get a chance, GO ON THIS TOUR!!! They go year round, rain or shine, so you will always get your money's worth!
(OH and you can carry your camera, if you have a neckstrap. You have to leave everything else in a locker at the camp. I didn't take a camera, but J took his Leica. Also, the guides took TONS of pics and then mailed us a CD. These are the guides' pictures. J's are Leica-Lovely, but I'm too lazy to upload those. haha!)

No animals were harmed in the posting of these pictures. However, I nearly threw my laptop across the room four times. Why does Blogger make is so difficult to put pictures in order?!?!!? I had a few more I would have liked to post, but Blogger hates me, so I gave up! =)

The KEY to a BETTER MARRIAGE - and Frequent Washing is NOT needed!!

2011-06-26T19:01:00.004-05:00

Introducing --
A REAL SOLUTION TO A REAL PROBLEM.
No, I am most certainly NOT making this up.
Here it is,
the BETTER MARRIAGE BLANKET.
(you can thank me later....
I may not be a licensed therapist, but I'm pretty sure this will drop the divorce/breakup rate dramatically. You're WELCOME!)

Look at all the benefits of the Better Marriage Blanket:

A real solution to a very real problem
Contains the same type of fabric used by the military to protect against chemical weapons
Even works on top of bed sheets
Makes a great wedding or anniversary gift too
The molecules that cause the odor are absorbed and neutralized in millions of microscopic pores in the activated carbon so it has an almost unlimited capacity for eliminating odor
Frequent washing is not needed. Only wash when the outer fabric needs cleaning but “Refresh” The Blanket in the dryer or in the sun occasionally
The blanket will not smell bad after use
Odor absorption will last for the life of the Blanket

Now, if ONLY they made a TROUSERS/JEANS version........

An 11 Course Evening In the Queen Victoria Room

2011-06-20T19:49:00.003-05:00

{I'm SO in love with my J!!!}
****
So here we are,
one course into our ELEVEN course food extravaganza at
The Exclusive Queen Victoria Room
at the Grand Floridian Resort at Disney.
OH. MY. HEAVENS. ALIVE.
It was truly an amazing dinner!!! We had such a great time!!!
There were only four tables in this room, and we had the earliest reservation. So, for much of the time, we were alone. The staff was AMAZING. And so was Curtis, our new best friend, who introduced us to some new food and new spirits throughout our trip!
(more on Curtis and the Hennesy Ellipse later)
Anyhow, the wine pairings were PERFECT. One of my favorite courses was the lamb, cold smoked and served over dry ice! SO the table was covered in dry ice fog while we ate!

Here is my personalized menu:
(which explained the tummy pooch that would surely cause one to think
I had a five month bun in the oven!!!)
****
Amuse-Bouche:
Soft-poached Quail Egg with Galilee Caviar
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Lobster Panna Cotta
Burrata Alla Pann with Jamon Iberico
{Tattinger Prestige Cuvee NV}
****
Maine Lobster and Mango with White Sturgeon Caviar and Passion Fruit Pearls
{Michel Redde Sancerre "Les Tuilieres", Loire 2007}
****
Cold "Smoked" Niman Ranch Lamb with Fuji Apple and Curry Dressing
{Grans-Fassian Piesporter Kabinett Riesling 2007}
****
Alaskan King Salmon Cooked Tableside on a Heated Himalayan Salt Block
{Kanbara "Bride of the Fox" Gohyakumangoku Junmai Ginjo, Nigata}
****
Roasted Quail with Asian Pears and Serrano Ham Jus
{Ceretto Rossana Dolcetto d'Alba, Piedmont 2006}
****
Veal Sweetbread and Shank with Mushroom Ragout
{Domaine La Roquete Chateauneuf de Pape, Rhone 2005}
****
Australian Kobe Beef with Garlic Potato Puree
{Benziger Tribute Sonoma Mountain 2006}
****
Selection of Cheese from the Spaulted Maple Tray
{Quinta do Crasto Late Bottled Vintage Porto 2005}
****
Orange Panna Cotta with Chartreuse-Pineapple Sorbet
Mocha Scented Tanzanie Chocolate Mousse Timbale and Chocolate Cocktail
{Navan Vanilla Grand Marnier}
****
"Celebes" Coffee, Tea and Friandises

We also had an extra course of Turbot, right after the Quail!

And there you have it!!!
The chocolate dessert was covered in a chocolate "tiara" with edible 24 karat cold flecks.
So I ATE GOLD!!!
haha!!!
Anyhow, this was just ONE meal we indulged in at Disney this year!
I ate until I hurt, but IT WAS A GOOD HURT!!!!

(And thankfully, I was the perfect Princess while we dined. I did not do anything gross and un-princess-like, such as let out a big, stinky fart during dinner, and subsequently horrifying other guests and embarrassing the one I was sitting with. Yeah, some of you now what I'm talking about!! LOL!!!)

And We're Back!!!!

2011-06-05T19:26:00.001-05:00

I have SO many fun things to share about our trip to Disneyworld!!! This was our third time to go together and we had the most wonderful time!!!

I cannot wait to post about the Wild Africa Trek, our new friend Curtis,Cognac over 250 years old, and the FOOD!!!
Oh the blessed,
GLORIOUS FOOD!!!!
Stay tuned!!!!

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And We're Off!!!!

2011-05-25T06:29:00.001-05:00

I hope I didn't forget anything too important!!!

Later Gators!!!

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Happy!

2011-05-23T07:23:00.001-05:00

J's Happy Place

+
Bailey's Happy Place

=
My Happy Place!

Happy Monday Everyone!
Xoxo!

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The EYES Have It!!!

2011-05-22T19:40:00.002-05:00

As of midnight tonight,
I will be cleared by my Eye Doctor to wear contacts again!!!
HALLELUJIAH!!!
Last week I had a terrible pain in my right eye which left me unable to really see or even keep my eye open. Thankfully Dr. R was able to see me first thing Thursday morning and he said I had a pretty bad abrasion as well as an infection, due to some bacteria or allergies, etc.
GROSS.
So I've been pumping my right eye with steriod drops faithfully since then.
Thankfully by the Friday morning I was already feeling much better.
I say all this to make two points:
1. It is INCREDIBLE how quickly the human eye heals!
I literally could tell HOURLY how it was improving.
Truly amazing. God is pretty smart in how He does things. Seriously.
AND
2. I could not imagine life without sight!!!
Ohmygoodness!!!
It was killing me to not be able to fully function.
God Bless anyone who has lost their vision.
Eyesight is truly a miracle AND a gift!!!

SO yay for my eyeball being better.
And yay for being able to put these OLD glasses away and get back to contacts!!
I think I should go ahead and get a better pair of glasses with an updated prescription.
A pair that I can actually SEE OUT OF,
as well as a pair that doesn't make me look like a complete dork from 1999. =)

Small Town Tuesdays

2011-05-18T09:04:00.008-05:00

{Isn't my Iphone Hipstomatic camera amazing?!?! I rode my horse downtown and snapped this photo this morning! It looks just like it did in 1906!}

SO I've decided to add a little feature to The Southern Savant called
"Small Town Tuesdays."
{I reserve the right to change this title as I get more creative - it is still too early for Gorgeous to think very clearly}
This little jewel will share stories from my hometown.
Actually, more like my firsthand experiences in this beyond-insane-burrow that I call home.
At the risk of putting my Faithful Readers in danger of catching
"Corsicana Overload Disorder"
(which is a doctor recognized condition that requires numerous adult beverages to talk yourself into not moving to Dallas),
thus prompting you all to never want to visit here much less relocate to my Kingdom, this Queen of the Crazies will just give your small-town-palette a sample of what Her Majesty has only very recently experienced......
So grab a cup o' Jo, or actually pop some popcorn, and enjoy the show!

Living in a small town means:
*****
While shopping in the Beer/Cheese aisle at HEB (you notice BEER and cheese, NOT WINE and cheese), I saw a small girl around the age of seven walk over to the Keystone Light, pick up a sixpack, turn it sideways and hold it up to her stomach and proudly proclaim:
"Looky here Dad!!! Look at ME!!! I GOT ME A SIX PACK!!!
WOOO HOOOO!!!!!"
Git 'er Done, Little One, Git 'er Done.........
*****
Hotwater Cornbread is STILL hanging out at J's building. I would LOVE to see some neighbors' faces if they saw where he sat down to take a break from the Stuffed-Animal-Decorated Huffy. =)
*****
Usually when I drive through town, people stand out on the corners holding flags and chant my name.....HOWEVER, one day recently, I was cruising down 3rd Avenue in the "Carriage District" and a grown man was standing in his front yard, taking a LEAK.
Yes, Peeing.
As in leaning WAY back to ensure it would almost reach the street.
At least he had manners though,
because he made sure he waved at me really friendly-like when I passed.
What a gentlemen.
He should be knighted.
*****
And finally, when yours truly was at the Post Office this week, attempting to carry a very large and awkwardly shaped box inside to mail (my ladies in waiting were on their smoke break at the Waffle House), there were THREE men who very willingly volunteered their strong arms to carry the package inside and place it on the counter for me.
THAT is why I LIKE this Crazyland.
Because you can fairly quickly find a helping hand,
especially from the men whose mamas taught them to help a little lady in distress.
I was not in a terrible amount of distress,
but I did look quite silly in four inch heels on the street corner by a red light trying to maneuver a large cardboard box. =)

ONLY IN THE CAN.......ONLY IN THE CAN.
=)
Y'all Come Back Now - Ye HEAR?!?!?!

Blogger Is Being Naughty!!!!

2011-05-17T14:35:00.001-05:00

Am I the only one having Blogger trouble!?!?!
My posts won't post. They disappear after I finally get them to post.
It's a mess!!!
I'm considering moving to Wordpress.......

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My Happy Place

2011-05-15T12:43:00.001-05:00

This is what I'm sitting under while having lunch and enjoying the sunshine on this beautiful Sunday!
It's rare that I need a jacket in May but it is kind of chilly out right now!
Happy Sunday My Friends!!!

-
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Capital Capital

2011-05-13T18:29:00.001-05:00

On my way to uptown for a surprise dinner date to The Capital Grille, courtesy of my handsome dentist fella of course.....I just LOVE HIM!!!
I'm glad I wore a pretty dress! You never know where you are going when you hop in the Range Rooney!
Happy Thursday Evening!!!
;-)

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Summer. Starts. Now.

2011-05-11T13:19:00.003-05:00

It's Official!!!
My Summer starts TODAY!!!
{smile!!}
I am one happy girl!!!
Finals are graded and now it's time to RELAX!!
And it's time to make a "To Do" list for the next few months.....
I need some good projects to keep me busy,
along with the usual stuff I do each week.
I'm going to start the list with reading, some church volunteering, working on my tan and maybe (that's a BIG maybe) working out.....
and of course being J's perfect assistant (lol!)

I think it may also be time for a VACATION.....
=)

I have a good feeling that this summer is going to be the best summer so far!
It should be a time to nail some things down and get some BIG things started!!
Yay!!!

Happy Sunday!

2011-05-08T21:49:00.001-05:00

Why my weekend was fab-u-lous:
1. Dinner in Palestine at Little Mexico with my favorite Palestinians Friday night....I'm still stuffed!!
2. Late Saturday sleep in (very very rare for us) and a day in Dallas with J. Lunch at Houston's (ok Hillstone now) and LOTS of shopping!!! J got my make-me-pretty face creme and J let me try on some blingy baubles....
Let me tell ya, I saw some pretty little ditties....maybe he's looking for birthday ideas, even though he KNOWS what I want! *wink!*
3. Wonderful Sunday morning service at church. I learned a lot and was honestly quite relieved to see that other once super career focused women sometimes begin a new focus on having a family - and there is nothing wrong with that. Just as long as you pray about it and as long as God is running the show. Haha!
5. J roasted a chicken tonight with a new recipe and it was fabulous! I ate my weight in carrots that were perfectly seasoned from all the juices in the roasting pan! Which is good since I'm back on a eat healthy so you will look amazing in your special dresses for a very special event coming up soon!
6. Peace and Quiet! We are STILL free of hassles and RIFFRAFF this weekend!!! Wow!!! Talk about a great time to come and go and just have fun without any....well, you know what I mean! ;-)

I hope all you mothers had a great day today!

Bailey gave me a diamond tennis bracelet, vacuumed all her hair out of my car and massaged my feet.....I know, lucky me!!!!!!!!

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Ahhhhhh.....

2011-05-07T13:34:00.001-05:00

What a nice start to the weekend. So relaxing and RIFFRAFF FREE!!!
:-)
Now let's eat and shop!

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Hotwater Cornbread

2011-05-04T15:08:00.001-05:00

I've blogged before about the infamous Hotwater Cornbread. He is a local character who roams the streets with tight spandex shorts, cowboy hat, boots and the occasional pair of white earmuffs. Nice guy. Just from another universe.
And he always brings out a smile, or a long stare, from people who pass him in their cars while he is riding his Huffy, complete with stuffed animals glued on the fenders.
Anyhow, I've been really getting a BIG laugh from HC the past week or so.
It seems he is enjoying hanging out at j's building. He isn't anywhere near j's door. So it does not bother us at all.....
Instead, he is chillin' on the steps on the side porch.
I would not be surprised if he sits all over the chairs under the porch in the shade......while waving at passersby.
I can't help but SMILE and LAUGH every time I see him there.
:-)

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Calm Down

2011-04-28T15:02:00.001-05:00

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Just between you and me...

2011-04-27T13:30:00.001-05:00

This is my confession......

I just downloaded BBC's Royal Wedding App on my iPhone.
Yeah yeah. Laugh all you want.
The App is free, entertaining, informative AND it plays my new favorite song in the background.
So download it and brush up on your royal wedding trivia and watch the latest videos of royal wedding news. You can even plan your own royal wedding! (oh so corny I know!!)
Hey, if you don't like it, you can always go back to your "Angry Birds" or "Words with Friends" apps.....:-)

Cheerio!!!

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How Very Insightful

2011-04-27T11:48:00.002-05:00

"I shouldn't have to explain myself...
YOU should be the one telling ME why
you believed what you heard."
Anonymous (a true quote genius)

I recently found this quote and thought I would share.
The way I see it, is that if we are so incredibly ignorant to blindly believe everything we hear about others, then we limit our personal growth, our opportunities to get to know others and, frankly, we just come off as too small-minded to process intelligent thought.
It is something we can all work on. I try to never believe idle rumors and exaggerated truths,
as I prefer to see and hear things first person.
Especially when you consider the source,
we have to be very cautious if we take every word for the gospel truth.

=)

TORE-NAY-DOES!!!!!

2011-04-26T19:41:00.001-05:00

Good lands!!!!
Three tornado warnings here JUST this evening!!!!
I love storms and bad weather. As long as it all doesn't get too close!
Bailey was stuck at home during the first round but during a rain break I drove home and got her and brought her back to J's. Poor girl was kind of freaked out.
We got back just as the next round of hail started to shoot down!
So here we are at J's for the evening.
Hopefully the worst is passed, although we are still in a warning until 8:00pm.
The constant sirens are getting old! :-)

I'm currently watching James May learn about wine on BBC America. Waiting for the next round of red storms to come to town.......
Oh and what is up with all the crybabies pitching a fit on WFAA's facebook page about DWTS not being on????
Really people????
Get. A. Grip.
You can watch the Spares when they re-air it.
Or are they called Stars???
Could have fooled me with the current bunch dancing this season.....
;-)

Oh and here comes more rain!!!!

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My Favorite New Song!

2011-04-26T08:40:00.002-05:00

Colbie Caillat's "I Do"
It's happy, catchy,

And makes me think of a certain special someone. =)

It's always been about me, myself, and I

I thought relationships were nothing but a waste of time

I never wanted to be anybody's other half

I was happy staying out of love, it wouldn't last

That was the only way I knew 'til I met you

You make we wanna sayI do, I do, I do, do do do do do do doo

Yeah, I do, I do, I do, do do do do do do doo

Cause every time before it's been like

Maybe yes and maybe no

I can live without it, I could let it go

Ooh what did I get myself into?

You make we wanna say I do, I do, I do, I do, I do, I do

Tell me is it only me

Do you feel the same?

You know me well enough to know that I'm not playing games

I promise I won't turn around and I won't let you down

You can trust I've never felt it like I feel it now

Baby there's nothing, there's nothing we can't get through

So can we sayI do, I do, I do, do do do do do do doo

Oh baby, I do, I do, I do, do do do do do do doo

Cause every time before it's been like

Maybe yes and maybe no

I won't live without it, I won't let it go

What more can I get myself into?

You make we wanna say

Meet my family, how's your family?

Ooh, can we be a family?

And when I'm eighty years old I'm sitting next to you

And we'll remember when we said

I do, I do, I do, do do do do do do do

Oh baby, I do, I do, I do, do do do do do do do

Cause every time before it's been like

Maybe yes and maybe no

I won't live without it, I won't let us go

Just look at what we got ourselves into

You make we wanna say I do, I do, I do, I do, I do, I do,

Love you

SEE?!?

TOLD YOU THIS SONG WAS CUTE!

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

2011-04-23T17:19:00.001-05:00

Oh Joy!
This week, my preggo friend G and her hubby announced that they bought a house in OUR future neighborhood!!!
FAB.U.LOUS!!!!
Good neighborhoods are hard to find and so are Good Neighbors!!
I've learned the importance of having good neighbors these last few years. And when you realize you have classy, respectful and friendly people living near you, you better treasure them!!
I know I will when we move!!!!
The future neighborhood, like I've said in previous posts, is a good one. Safe, friendly, super nice and has great homes. I'm a firm believer that it's the best one in town for various reasons.
But now it is even better!
G and I are pretty much the only "young" ladies in the hood, as most neighbors are "grown ups".
I love that it's a nicer, more mature place, but it's EVEN BETTER with a great friend being just around the corner!!!
They are fixing their home up a little, you know, making it "theirs".
Hopefully we will start building our place sometime soon, even though we are adding some more to our plans. (thank goodness we have big lots - geez!)
I see neighborly bbq's, walks, and visits in the future!
AND I've already decide our future children are totally going to be a neighborhood bicycle gang together!!
Anyhow, I'm thankful for sweet friends and super thankful when we get to run a neighborhood together!!
First it's the neighborhood, then it's the WORLD!!!! (cue super evil mastermind laughter here)
Maybe a "Desperate Housewives of the Drane Estates" is in the furture at some point that we can star in.....totally kidding! (maybe) ;-)

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Good Friday??? NO, GREAT Friday!

2011-04-22T12:59:00.001-05:00

Easter Dress: Check
Shoes: Check
Gold earrings from J: Check
Bailey's Easter present for J: Check

Ok, now that all the "stuff" is taken care of, I'm going to take a moment and talk about the REAL Easter.
As I was having some quiet time yesterday, I tried to sit still, be quiet, and really try to comprehend what Jesus did for
Me. For YOU. For us ALL.
It can really amaze you when you ponder that Jesus would have come to earth and suffered, even if YOU were the ONLY person on the planet.
Get that????
YOU are THAT special!!!!
Really, you are!!!!
So am I. Makes me smile and feel so wrapped in love I can't see straight.
We know love in other ways - our significant others, friends, family, and of course many of you know how much love you can have as a parent. (one day I hope to know that too!)
But all that love PALES in comparison to Jesus' love for us.
All I can say is WOW.

I also had a wonderful London memory that set the tone for the christmas to Easter season. I love this part of the year because you go from celebrating the birth of Jesus, all the way to the resurrection on Easter.
While we were in London we were very privileged to get tickets to the carol service as Westminster Abbey.

J lived at the school when he was in college for a time, and I was speechless as we sat on the second row and listened to the service. We could reach out and touch the choir, we were THAT close!
So beautiful, so humbling and very cold!
But hearing everyone sing along to Old English christmas songs in a church hundreds and hundreds of years old brought tears to my eye.
To know how many people have been to a Christmas Eve service at Westminster Abbey over all these hundreds of years made me feel like a part of something amazing, a part of history.

I think this was a good start to the season, and as I look back to that night and then forward to this weekend, I truly know how deeply I'm loved. How deeply YOU are loved. How deeply God loves every person who has ever sat in Westminster Abbey and in EVERY church all over the world. (and of course all who have never set foot in a church or great cathedral)

"Amazing love, how can it be?
That you, my KING, would die for ME!!!"

Happy Good Friday My Friends!!!
Xoxo!!

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What I LOVE today!

2011-04-21T11:54:00.001-05:00

Look what I found at HEB this morning!!!
Lilly Pulitzer Special Edition animal crackers!!!!
Yay!!!
This is the ONLY LP item you will find for sale around these here parts!

Go ahead and smile, because you know they are cute and you know you are going to look for them at the store next time you go!!
:-)

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Three Random Thoughts

2011-04-20T09:19:00.001-05:00

1. Chocolate vandals!!!

What jerk would punch the Easter Bunny's face at the walmart Easter aisle??? Really. That's rude. It would make sense if the perp then took it to the cashier and tried to get a broken item discount. But other than that, why??? What did this innocet chocolate bunny ever do to you?! ;-)

2. No thanks - YOU do the math.

This Yummy Dannon Greek Yogurt is $1 each at Walmart. Let me take a moment to thank wamart for doing the math for me so I know that not only is this yogurt $1 each, but also TWO for $2.
I'm too pretty to do math!! SOThank you walmart, once again, for being my personal calculator.

3. Crazy Bone is leaving Bone Thugs!!!! Oh HELL NAW!!!!!!
I love Bone Thugs. There. I said it. Don't Judge Me!!
I'll also admit that I've even been to the House of Blues in Dallas to see them perform live.
Ok. NOW you can judge me. :-)

There you have it.
Three random thoughts to start your wednesday off right!
Xoxo!!!

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I admit, I think this is kind of funny....

2011-04-19T18:45:00.002-05:00

This made me laugh last night when I saw it for the first time........

Friday Favorites!

2011-04-15T10:34:00.001-05:00

My week has been fabulous. Here's why:

1. The weather!!!! Makes for relaxing mornings at the park and perfect afternoons at the lot.
2. I met several new folks this week and had some possible opportunities come up. Nothing major to announce, but just laying some groundwork if you will.
3. After my 2:30AM run to CVS to get Bailey some benedryl after a nasty bite on her cute little face, J woke us up the next morning with breakfast! He was worried about B and brought her a dozen donut holes - one of her favorites. So nice!!! It made our day!!
4. Wednesday Church Dinner: I have not gone to Wednesday dinner at church since I was a wee little child. But our church has a wonderful cook and so we have been dining on Northside Baptist Goodness the last month. I love seeing Pastor Rick and the rest of the staff, along with many friends each time we go. Makes for a nice break in the week. And I don't have to cook!! Lol!
5. J finalized a big surprise for us this week. He won't let me blog about it yet, but we are very excited!!
6. The final documents were signed this week for the third lot. What a relief!!! And the house plans are 99.99999% finished. It's great to see J so excited! I can't wait to set the date and get this thing started! Should be pretty soon! I love that everyday we get closer to our future. :-)
7. Gradual: that's what Pastor Rick said how God works most of the time. We don't always see instant miracles, but God works all the time. We can't question His timing or His methods. HE knows best. This has been the theme of my week. And I am thankful that I am finally believing this 100%. This week has shown me and J that things are happening in His perfect time and we do not have to worry one bit. God is good - ALL THE TIME!!!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!
Xoxo!!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhones

Testing My New Blogger Iphone App. :-)

2011-04-10T22:40:00.001-05:00

Let's see if my new mobile blogging app can upload pictures. .....

Here is what I got to do before our hot date Saturday night at Captial Grille.

I narrowed the Easter dress selection down to two. :-)
But, of course, I can only choose
One! No wardrobe changes at church! Lol!

So now I just have to tell
Joseph the one I loved most so it will be ready to pick up this weekend.

Thankfully, my favorite dress won't break the bank either. I
Love finding something pretty that is not completely outrageous, whether I'm buying or the Easter Bunny (who bears an uncanny resemblence to J) is picking up the tab.... :-)
If I could find it on Ebay, I'd be getting it there!!!!

See, this is how I prepare for Easter sans children - dress up and go enjoy church and a fun lunch. (stress free!!)
When the kids come, oh my goodness, it will be a completely new ballgame! Lol!!! I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about!!
:-)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Yeah, I'm 30 (something) BUT I still think I need an Easter Dress...

2011-04-07T08:43:00.006-05:00

Ok, I know I'm not a little kid going to an Easter Egg Hunt this year,

but I STILL think I need an Easter dress. =)

Gotta look a little extra snazzy for church and all the day's activities.

OBVIOUSLY, that is NOT the true meaning of Easter,

BUT it is fun to dress up and look your best!

And, as you all probably have read in previous posts,

I am HEAD. OVER. HEELS. in LOVE with Lilly Pulitzer.

I'm talking TRUE LOVE.

This is a long term relationship and it's SER.I.OUS. =)

Here are my favorite dresses from her Spring 2011 collection.

Yes, I WANT THEM ALL!!!

Do you have a favorite Easter Dress???

It's PICNIC TIME!!!!

2011-04-06T19:23:00.002-05:00

We just enjoyed a lovely Wednesday picnic at the lots!
No, the above is NOT what we wined and dined on, but you get the idea.... =)
We had fun visiting with a few neighbors, who keep asking to see the house plans. I think a cocktail hour is in order soon with our favorite neighbors to show them what we have been working on....

Happy Hump Day My Friends!!!

SPAaaahhhhhhhh..........

2011-04-02T08:55:00.005-05:00

BIG BIG BIG thanks to my sweet J for sending me on a spa day today with my friends M and J!
We will be spending the afternoon at a little spa in town,
sipping wine and getting facials, mani's and pedi's.
I am so excited because I love visiting with these girls and catching up with their most recent adventures.
Is my J the GREATEST or WHAT????

Actually, he is the one who deserves a day of relaxation. He has been so very busy lately, yet he still finds the time to take care of me. I had a girly meltdown a few days ago. I'm sure some of you can relate to those moments we all have. I am working on breaking the habit of taking an event and drawing extreme conclusions.....for example...if someone says "look at these clouds! It may rain later today"....
Extreme Me then concludes: "Oh my gosh, it's going to rain and ruin the weekend and we aren't going to have any fun and it will probably storm so bad it will flood and then a tornado will come and.....blah blah blah...."
In other words, I can take something and conclude the most negative things.
I'm not proud of it, but it's a habit that I developed at a very early age and have a hard time breaking at times.
It is like I completely forget that God is in control of EVERYTHING
and that things will work out fine.
I think that I want things to happen so badly and I want to move forward more than ANYTHING and I have have SO many hopes for our future that one little teeny tiny bump in the road sets me into complete defeat.
After talking to J, he helped me realize that the glass is NOT always half EMPTY, that things are working out and that I should NEVER loose hope of what we have and what the future will bring.
And besides, frowny, grouchy and defeatist faces are NOT A GOOD TIME nor a GOOD LOOK FOR ME.
So that's that!
Half FULL thoughts from here on out!!!

J always has a few minutes to advise and encourage me. Even if he is exhausted and has not had the smoothest day ever, he still thinks of me.
I need to turn the tables and be sure that I do the same for him.
It's the LEAST I can do, for all he does for me....

Now, it's off to do a few chores before SPA DAY BEGINS!!!
Happy Saturday Everyone!!
And thanks be to J for my treat today!!!
Love you more than ANYTHING!!!

Happiness Is......

2011-03-31T15:19:00.002-05:00

Happiness is:
1. The beautiful weather!!!
2. Enjoying a quick lunch with J, even though he is crazy busy today!!
3. Spending quality time with Bailey this afternoon.
4. Cleaning out my closet! (Well, when I'm finished, it will be happiness)
5. Some spa time coming up this weekend.
6. Finding out my dear friend Ginne is having a BOY and seeing her so very happy!
7. Hearing J say, "I love you so much Elizabeth" =)
8. Seeing the house plans almost complete and knowing what our home
will look like - BEAUTIFUL!
9. Knowing I can trust J in all things and that he will take care of me.
10. Seeing God work in my life and knowing that
He will bring about the next step at the most perfect time - HIS time.

I hope your day has some happiness too!
xoxo!

Lupe's Acoustic "Superstar" = smile

2011-03-29T22:55:00.003-05:00

I. Am. Pooped.

2011-03-27T21:17:00.005-05:00

(Bailey puts Clifford the Big Red Dog to shame!!! She's bigger than S's HOUSE!
Look at her!! She's DOGZILLA!!!)

What a GREAT weekend!!!
Here's a numbered recap.....haha!

1. PERFECT Weather!!!
2. Met a new and WONDERFUL friend - J's pediatric specialist Dr. B's wife! (Got that???) They are about to start building a house too and us girls had SO much in common! I LOVE meeting new friends! Can't wait for dinner in Dallas with them!
3. Then Friday afternoon we hung out at the lot and Bailey watched J mow. She, as usual, was mesmerized and kept carrying her frisbee to him when he would turn a corner so he could throw it to her.
2. Early Saturday Trip to Dallas - Had to drop off the Autobiography to LR for the new chrome wheels. They didn't have them when J bought the car a few weeks ago.....Should be super pretty and it will set the car apart even further from the regular ones. (I live my car fantasies vicariously though J - My time for a new car will come - eventually! lol!)
3. Then we had a Fabulous lunch with Joseph at NM and did some Easter ensemble shopping! FUN!!
4. Pastor Rick was back this week from Israel! (So was my friend Ginne, who got to go with her hubby and the group) So Church was WONDERFUL today! Just what I needed to hear to start the week of RIGHT! I'm learning so much right now, and I'm so excited for the next few months --- I have a feeling that something great will happen! But regardless, I'm excited for what God is teaching me. I'm also so happy that J and I are so good. =) He just makes me smile and I'm SO lucky to have him. He is my LOBSTER! =) (Phoebe from "Friends," remember?)
5. J just made some French Apple Pastries.....HEAVEN!!!!

That's a fabulous five covering my weekend. Now it's time for B.E.D......
Lots of fun to be had this week, and I need my beauty sleep!
Night all!!!
xoxo!

WINNING

2011-03-25T16:13:00.001-05:00

Tiger's Blood Snow Cone = WINNING!!

Anyone Else A Little Excited???

2011-03-23T14:19:00.003-05:00

Here is the "Water for Elephants" movie trailer......

I just finished reading this book last week.
And I must say, I really did enjoy it.
I was not sure if I would, since I always get really pissy when animals are abused.
So there were times throughout the book when I thought:
"This better end really good, or I'm gonna be so mad!"
The Circus has always been such a mystery to me.
I am not sure why.
Maybe because I got beat out of the part of Jumbo the Elephant
in our Fifth Grade Musical "The Greatest Show on Earth",
even after I took lessons to improve my English accent.
I'm not bitter though, not at all....=)
Or maybe it's because when I was also a kid, I thought that the circus seemed like such a fun adventure, traveling from town to town and dressing in sequin costumes and entertaining crowds.
Regardless, "Water for Elephants" described "circus life" brilliantly.
It is hard, challenging, insecure and unsafe, while at the same time magical, mysterious and utterly beautiful at times.
And the characters in the book are wonderful, completely believable,
whether they are evil or good.
Many times I have been so disappointed when a fabulous book is made into a lackluster movie.....but by the look of the trailer,
I'm thinking this could really be a great movie!
Fingers crossed!!!
=)

Maria Shara-OHMYGAW!; JWOWW's Rules and Snooki's bump....

2011-03-22T21:59:00.006-05:00

I read the Daily Mail UK every day
I prefer international news for everything,
including gossip and mindless celebrity news.
So yesterday I see that Miss Maria Sharapova just got engaged.......
and OHMYSTARS!
LOOK. at. her. ROCK!!!
DAY-um!!!!!
DailyMail said it costs 250,000 POUNDS.
That's POUNDS people. NOT Dollars.
POUNDS are worth considerably more than dollars.
So this massive chunk of diamond supposedly cost
around 400-ish THOUSAND DOLLARS!
Congrats to Maria!!! haha!

And in other completely unrelated news,
other than these are shamefully ALSO ON MY WISHLIST,
along with the above hand candy.....
JWOWW (my favorite) has a new book out!!!
It's about rules on dating, including how to be "fresh to death"
I'm curious, because I would NOT want to NOT be "fresh to death".......
That sounds important!
There is a also chapter about kicking your competition to the curb, but,
at the risk of sounding a teensy bit bitchy, I didn't have to do that, as there was not competition to begin with.....hehe.
And, if you are looking for some poolside, or "seaside" fiction when you ladies are laying out this spring and summer,
do NOT forget Snooki's new "novel" entitled "A Shore Thing"..........
Why not people???
Jersey Shore only has one episode left until the new season in Italy airs sometime this fall....might as well read a Snooki adventure to pass the time.....
Don't you LOVE both book covers??

Snooki's bumpit is OUT OF CONTROL!!!
And I think I HAVE to get JWOWW's outfit.....
*wink!*

On the Menu this Evening......

2011-03-21T16:51:00.005-05:00

On the menu for this evening:
Tortellini with Italian Sausage, Grilled Fennel and Mushrooms.

Thank you to my friend Mrs. Kay who bought me some yummy fennel at Whole Foods a few days ago, since I couldn't get to Dallas!

WISH ME LUCK!

This is what I LOVE LOVE LOVE about not working anymore,
I can plan menus and get everything purchased and cooking before J gets home!
It's my trial wifey period, you know, to see how I do....*wink!*
He deserves to have someone take care of him a little bit,
since the fellow is so dang busy right now!
And as long as I don't burn down the house, we will be FINE.....=)

Hope you all have had a great Monday!
If dinner does not turn out too gross, I'll post a pic later!

XoXo!!

Look Who Came to Town!!!

2011-03-20T13:30:00.003-05:00

MIKE and FRANK from the History Channel's "American Pickers"!!!!
J and I left church and headed to lunch at OMI (Old Mexican Inn). I was craving their world famous orange dip. (I have had the CRAZIEST food cravings lately!!!)
Anyhow, we got out of the Range Rooney and there are two gentlemen walking in with us. J immediately went up to them and said HI and asked if they had any luck around here looking for treasures. At the same time, I'm thinking "holy cow, these guys look EXACTLY like the American Pickers guys!"
And FINALLY, I put it all together.
We stood outside and visited with them for a bit.
The guys were SO nice. We all laughed about some of the other eateries they had experienced in town earlier in the weekend.
Anyhow, I thought that was pretty fun to meet these guys in our hometown. =)

I am not sure where they went "picking" around here for junk.
Although I have a few suggestions on where they can find some....=)

I'm surprised J did not try to sell me to them! lol!
But then again, he knows he's got a good thing with me!!! =)

2011-03-20T08:52:00.001-05:00

What a perfect way to start a Sunday morning! *wink* Now listening to my European playlist and thinking about Paris. ;-) Church soon! Happy Sunday!!!!!

2011-03-19T10:33:00.001-05:00

Nothing like some early morning frisbee at the lots! Life is good. Wait, no, it's GREAT! Happy Saturday!

I LOVE Sparkles!!!

2011-03-16T19:54:00.002-05:00

A BIG Paris picture post to come tomorrow!!

Until then, enjoy the sparkles, courtesy of my Iphone!

Bailey's Lovely Lady Lumps - Check it Out!!!

2011-03-16T12:22:00.004-05:00

Two Monday nights ago, I took my Bailey Bear to Dr. Waylon's to prep for surgery that would take place early Tuesday morning.
Bailey had three too-mahs and one "dingleberry" that needed to be removed.
I won't lie. I was very nervous about her being cut on in so many places. One of the tumors was especially hard and had grown very quickly. Dr. W said we needed to have it tested to see if it was cancer.
She got through the surgery just fine and I was able to take her home Tuesday afternoon with meds and bandages.
J was also a teensy bit worried about her so he wanted her to come to his house for the evening. J was SO sweet to her. She was still VERY DRUGGED and he sat on the floor in his nice pants beside her and petted her and talked to her. She kept nodding off, but tried to NOT put her chin down, since that's where many stitches were.
J even played her some songs on his guitar and sang to her! haha.
She freaked out a little, since I'm sure she had no idea what was going on!
Anyhow, she has recovered nicely and just in the last few days started trying to remove all the stitches from her chest and leg. Thankfully I've been home everyday so I've been able to be her nurse. (I probably spoiled her too much as she now thinks MY bed is HER bed!)
I took her to Dr. Waylon's this morning and they pinned her down and took the remaining stitches out.
And the BEST news is that the TEST RESULTS ARE ALL CLEAR!!!
No CANCER or anything else that is bad news!!!
She just had a few "lovely Bailey lumps" and they needed removal.
I confess I felt GREAT RELIEF when I heard she was going to be fine!
She's my furbaby!
I immediately text J so he knew the good news as well. He was pleased. =)
So we have a happy ending to Bailey's lumpy adventure!!
And FINALLY I can give her a bath and then vacuum out my car, since she's been shedding like crazy this week!
=)

What I'm Working On Today......

2011-03-14T12:28:00.002-05:00

FINALLY, I have time to organize our Paris/London Pictures!
I'm getting them all together so I can start posting my favorites!

Also, I'm about to attempt to bake some homemade Irish Soda Bread.
STOP. IT.
QUIT. LAUGHING......
I'm trying to learn how to cook more than spaghettio's and mac 'n cheese.
It's not that I HATE cooking, I just don't like being bossed around the kitchen. =)
I do know how to cook some things, but just not anything "special."
To make things even more difficult, most of the ingredients I wanted this morning are NOT available in Corsicana, so I have a friend bringing me some fennel from Whole Foods in Dallas for later in the week.

Now that I have the time during the day to really plan some good menus and give new recipes a try, I'm going to become more domestic.
The goal here is to showcase my potential to be a happy little wifey and cook who doesn't burn down the house every time she tries to bake cupcakes. =)
I'll keep you posted on the results, good OR bad......
Wish me Luck!!!

CATCH UP and a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

2011-03-11T18:51:00.008-06:00

Wow! I've missed so much in the last couple of weeks,
I've got some blog catch-up to do!
We have been all kinds of busy!
The weather has been great lately so we have been able to get all kinds of things done during the week!
Like House plan planning - It's getting VERY VERY VERY close to perfect!
We've also been making some furniture purchases, too,
now that we have more detailed room measurements.
We also spent A Long Weekend at ZaZa Houston in their fabulous West Indies Suite!
My Bailey had surgery and is recovering excellently;
I'm SO lucky I've been home with her all week to make sure she's good!!
It's fun being a stay at home Dog Mom!!!
*****
BUT I will start with Bailey's Valentine to J.
We had a photo shoot at the Lots and prepared a valentine, just for J. =)
She was a great sport, and "posed" for a few money shots, until she had enough and just wanted to play!

Yes, I put a ginormous red posterboard heart around her face.
This was the first shot, and probably the best one!

I put some LOVE messages on the tree.

Here is my sweet Bailey thinking LOVE-ly thoughts.....

And here she is, TOTALLY OVER the ginormous posterboard heart!!!

For the record, no canine companions were hurt during this Valentine photo shoot!
*****
OH AND I NEARLY FORGOT ABOUT SOME GREAT NEWS I CAN SHARE!!!
It's TRIPLOTS!!!!!!
YES, triplots!!!
As in THREE LOTS!!!!
We now own ALL the lots in between the existing sweet neighbors!
This is PERFECT because now there will be NO nefarious people of any sort next door!
More privacy and more space!
Yay!!!!

It may sound crazy, but I really think some VERY big things are happening and are about to happen. It's like the stars are aligning more than ever.
Not that I have the magic eight ball that REALLY tells the future,
BUT I just have a really, really, really good feeling about it all!!!
Like at ANY moment, it's going to ALL come together!!

More later!!!

EVERYONE should read THIS post....

2011-03-08T20:11:00.003-06:00

I am sure that many of my faithful readers have noticed that
my blog has been closed the last few weeks.
An individual who did not "like" what I blogged about made a criminal complaint against me and tried to have me thrown in jail.
Yes, JAIL.
After hiring a beast of a lawyer and us explaining the truth to the powers that be, everything is cleared up and taken care of.
I WIN.
And so does the First Amendment.
God Bless America.
God Bless the First Amendment.
God Bless my Attorney.
And God Bless the CORSICANA POLICE DEPARTMENT for knowing the TRUTH.

Oh, and if there is anyone who is still reading my blog who
does not "like" what I blog about,
well, then EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU can -
KISS.
MY.
ASS.

Friday Favorites - Music Videos, that is...

2011-02-11T09:26:00.005-06:00

Here are 6 poppy/Top 40 songs that are on my playlist this morning, and are also all over the radio.
They have been stuck in my head, so I'm giving in and listening to them!!!

My FAVORITES are Train's "Marry Me" and Grace Potter's "Oooh La La" =)
Oh, and yes, one of these songs is a CHRIS BROWN song -
SLAP/PUNCH/THROW ME OUT OF A FERRARI NOW.

I have many more, but this will be a good start to the morning!

Sunshine and Teen Mom 2 =)

2011-02-10T10:36:00.009-06:00

After looking at my blog hits this morning, I must say, I feel rather popular. Lots of people checking it out. haha! The best are those certain specific folks who still like to read every post from the last year. They just can't get enough!!!
I feel so famous!!!

So today the electricity is STILL on at the office (no rolling blackouts yet), the roads are clear and the SUN IS SHINING! YAY!!

{hopping up on the soap box for a few paragraphs......}

Does anyone watch Teen Mom 2?

Janelle is the alleged pot smoker who has a kid. I really did NOT like this girl at first.
BUT HER MOTHER - good grief!! - is SO mean to her!!!
I'm not suggesting her mother is wrong to have rules and boundaries for Janelle. And I'm also not suggesting that she is not the best person to have temporary custody of the Janelle's little boy, BUT DOES SHE HAVE TO CALL HER A W&%*$ and the "worst mother ever", etc. etc. etc.?!?!?!
When, on Tuesday's episode, Janelle cried and told her "boyfriend" that she cries herself to sleep each night because she feels like no one loves her, no one hugs her, and that her mom's words hurt her so, I nearly cried.
Yes, Janelle needs discipline, guidance, structure, rules, etc....
BUT RIGHT NOW that kid just needs a HUG!!!!

Mothers just don't understand that yelling at children, calling them names, telling them they can't look at them without being angry, and even telling them that their dad never wanted them, is WRONG.
150million% WRONG.
You can't speak to another human being that way and not affect them.
NO MATTER HOW OLD we are, mean statements from parents CUT US TO THE CORE.
It takes a long time to get over them, and sometimes kids never recover.

Janelle is wrong on a lot of things. Janelle has TONS of growing up to do.
Janelle should not yell back at her mother, physically hit her, etc.
BUT her MOTHER should SET THE EXAMPLE.

Janelle can't grow up until her MOTHER DOES.

{Hopping off the soapbox now......}

Anyone else have any thoughts on this???

Ok, I cannot resist.....I love my town, BUT....

2011-02-09T09:37:00.006-06:00

Here is another Corsicana-CAN story for you all, unfolding this morning, before our very eyes.

The road conditions this morning are getting worse.
Yeah, I know we are not exactly in a blizzard and I STILL maintain London was SO much colder, BUT around here, people just cannot handle driving on icy roads.
Anyhow, people probably should not be out this morning if they can avoid it.
ALL SCHOOLS in the county are CLOSED, and if they started classes this morning, they are closing right now and sending everyone home immediately.
The College I teach at is closed until NOON TOMORROW.
This is all, of course, not just a move to help the roads be "safe", but also a move to CYA.
You know, cover your a$$.
Schools don't need people slipping, falling, sliding, crashing, etc. on their time OR on their property.
It makes sense.

Anyhow, on to the Can-tastic hook to all this weather/road discussion, wait for it......

CORSICANA ISD is STILL OPEN.
Planning classes for ALL DAY LONG.
The GREATEST part of this story is that the SUPERINTENDENT is ALL over the DALLAS News saying that the sun should be coming out soon and all the roads are clear in our town.

W.T.F.
Now, I don't expect her to be a meteorologist, but she supposedly has a doctorate degree. Therefore, I would ASSUME she has enough brain waves to turn on the weather and see the conditions. I also assume she can look outside. AND futhermore, I assume that she can READ the interwebs and listen to the scanner about all the serious car accidents this morning. They even shut down I45 for a big wreck.

This woman is a baffoon.
Thank you Dr. Stupid-intendent, for going on the Dallas News and making our town look ridiculous.
Also, I would advise you stay inside today, because the parents of these kids at school today appear to be planning some kind of tar and feathering, or possibly a public execution later today, you know, when the sun comes out....=)
Just look at facebook. I assume you can read.
BEST of luck to you!!

Only in the CAN......

My Favorite SB Halftime Show is -----

2011-02-07T14:03:00.003-06:00

-----> NOT FROM LAST NIGHT!!
But from Super Bowl 35!!!
Aerosmith, Nelly, N'Sync and Britney!

JOY!!!!

2011-02-04T09:26:00.005-06:00

I blog to you this morning with Bailey lying on my froze toes.

She is the perfect space heater!{A penthouse view - lol!}

After an early morning snowball fight, she came inside a soggy doggie with a snowflake mustache. Now she's snoring louder than any man could.
Such a tough life for Bailey.....{Here she is on patrol earlier this morning....}

I know all you Moms out there stuck inside with your kids are completely over Snowmageddon 2011.
But I will admit, I was SO happy that we had about 6-ish inches of snow fall last night....
because my office is CLOSED today!!!!

Even Dr. J's office is closed.
And THAT is a big deal, because we all know J would rather be working and helping people than sitting around all day. =)
The roads just are not good to be driving on today, ESPECIALLY when all the terrible drivers out and about as well. And our town is FULL of terrible drivers. Even the neighbors routinely come home drunk and can't even park their cars straight. I shudder to think any of us are on the road with those bubbas and sissies!!! Crazy Town!

SO, I'm cleaning house, then planning a day of reading, snuggling and maybe working on trip pictures as well.{I really wish I had a better camera at my place this morning. The reflection of one of my lamps looks like the sun....}

There is a tentative plan for a prime rib roast for dinner......sounds good to me!!!

Happy Friday to all you Cabin Fever Moms out there!!!

Anonymous is SO Wise.....

2011-02-03T15:28:00.003-06:00

"When you change the way you look at things,

the things you look at change...."

~Anonymous

Snowglobe

2011-02-03T12:18:00.005-06:00

Here is the lot covered in snow. =)

This snow happened a few weeks ago. We walked out of church to LOTS of HUGE snowflakes coming down! So we drove to the lot to see how it looked.

I've gotta tell you, it looks lovely like it is, but it will be even better with a house on it!

We are supposed to get snow this evening.....

"they" are "predicting" 1-3 inches. We shall see.....

Work Schmurk

2011-02-02T08:52:00.003-06:00

We don't have central heat in our office. AND the Can is doing rolling power outages all day.
Which means my office is effing freezing, since it was without power for over an hour this morning.

Obviously, the power is back on now, but I'm still shivering over my space heater under my desk.

So here are a few things to focus on, so I will quit complaining about being cold:

1. It was STILL COLDER IN LONDON. This year's UK winter is the coldest on record since 1641. So I figure I should be able to handle this Texas nonsense.... =)

2. Poop! There It Is!!!

J FINALLY saw this commercial last night. You should have seen his face as the Poop contest happened and they awarded the prize to the third poopy diaper. It was Priceless!!!

I laughed so hard!

This commercial is SO TERRIBLE you HAVE to laugh!!!

Did you notice that it has

An Almost Snow Day Song!

2011-02-01T10:04:00.004-06:00

Oh Land - Son of a Gun

(Thank you Joseph for posting this first!)

We almost got a snow day today.

But not quite....so it's back to work....

QUARANTINED!!

2011-01-31T07:32:00.006-06:00

I am on Day Three of sickness! UGH!
There is a viral kind of flu thingy that everyone is getting. It's not THE flu, but it's something in the same family.
Bottom Line: It's gross and definitely NOT a good time.
Fever, the shakes, stuff in my chest, and now this morning, some kind of stomach thing as well.
SO the heavy meds start today!
NO more sissy over-the-counter junk for this girl!
Time to bring in the big boys!

The worst thing about being sick is being QUARANTINED!
I do NOT want ANYONE else to get what I have, so I've been held myself hostage at my house since Saturday evening. (Our Saturday morning trip to Dallas was fun and so were the popovers and champagne, but I could tell something sickly was running amok......)
J brings me "supplies" and kinda tosses them at me, feels my forehead to see how hot I am, then runs back to his car.
We do NOT want him sick. FOR MANY REASONS. =)

So this is my first actual sick work day I've had in over two years. I HATE using my personal days to be sick. I would rather be sick at work. But since this is pretty contagious, I figured I would do the right thing and stay at home. Although I'm kinda tempted to go up there after work and cough on a few people's phones.....jk.

SO it's just me and Bailey and the blog today........
I HOPE THE REST OF YOU ARE NOT SICK!
AND IF YOU AND YOUR KIDS ARE SICK, THEN I HOPE YOU ALL FEEL BETTER SOON!!!