Wordless Wednesday

Ralphie begging. How could you resist?

33 things I love

My 33rd birthday is next week and I'm not sure if I'll be blogging then so I decided to post this now. I saw a list like this in a magazine and thought it was a neat idea. Now, as you read this don't get offended that certain things are not on it. This is not an obligatory list, it's totally selfish. These are things I love that make me feel good, so here it goes.

1. My husband. He is my best friend. I can tell him anything!
2. Tyler. He's happy just being with me and he'll do about anything that I want.
3. Ashley. She is very opinionated (love that) and she is incredibly funny.
4. Our kitty, Ralphie. He's soft and fluffy (don't love the shedding) and has a huge personality.
5. The ocean, especially where the colors are all shades of blue and green.
6. Starbucks - White chocolate mocha is my favorite.
7. Bubble baths
8. A good book
9. Sunrise
10. Sunset
11. Pompeii Purple - my favorite OPI nail color
12. Sephora
13. Full body Swedish massage - newly addicted
14. Being spoiled or pampered
15. Baby animals - cute ones
16. Laughter - as long as it's not hurtful
17. Seeing old people hold hands
18. Good, hot pizza
19. Strawberry Pina Coloda - Cheeseburger in Paradise
20. Cracker Barrell - early on Sunday morning.
21. Savannah, GA - only been there once but loved it!
22. Sweet tea - especially from the above place.
23. Expensive purses - because my hubby thinks I'm worth it.
24. Pictures
25. Falling asleep in the middle of the day just 'cause there is nothing to do.
26. Swimming
27. When I go to the doctor and my blood pressure is down and so is my weight. That means I'm doing something right. At my age that is good.
28. Holding hands with my husband and kids
29. Kissing my husband and kids
30. Hugging almost anyone as long as they don't smell and aren't sweaty.
31. Christmas but even more so the Christmas spirit that makes people more giving and patient.
32. BBQ - chicken, ribs, hamburgers
33. And finally, the 4th of July. I love, love, love the fireworks. I think it's the perfect introduction to my birthday on the 5th.

I've been tagged again

I love reading these on other peoples blogs and love filling them out. Thanks Hap!!!

Five things I was doing 10 years ago
1. My hubby and I decided to move away from our families and closer to work so we moved a whole 25 miles north.

2. I finally talked Chad into having one more child. He had 2 and I had 1 when we got married. He was through with kids and I wanted a little girl. On July 13 we found out we were pregnant with Ashley. We can't imagine life without her.

3. Potty training Tyler.

4. Fighting with the in-laws. Since I was the newest addition to the family everything bad that was happening had to be my fault.

5. We bought a mini van and instantly became sir and mam at the age of 23.

Five snacks I enjoy
1. Popcorn dipped in peanut butter (thanks Hap)
2. Apples (dipped in caramel sauce is an added bonus)
3. Tortilla chips and salsa
4. Combos
5. Carrots and dip

Five songs that I know all the words to
1. Brickhouse
2. Purple Rain
3. The Wedding date soundtrack
4. Fergalicious
5. Don't Cha

Five things I would do if I were a Millionaire
1. Move, I would love to live on the beach
2. Put away money for the kids college
3. Travel, almost everywhere
4. Donate money to my favorite charities
5. Adopt

Five bad habits
1. Eating out
2. Assuming the worst
3. Fashion shows and magazines
4. Caffeine
5. Stressing out

Five things I would never wear again
1. Jellies
2. Tapered jeans
3. Shoulder pads
4. Short shorts
5. Shoes without socks

Five things I like to do
1. Read
2. Laugh
3. Spend time with my husband and kids
4. Go on vacation
5. Watch movies

Five favorite toys
1. Strawberry Shortcake - I sniff them every time I go through the toy isle
2. Easy Bake oven
3. Clue
4. Cabbage Patch kids
5. Pacman

Memphis Rocks!!!

Last weekend I went to Memphis with a bride-to-be, her sister and another friend for an Elvis inspired bachelorette weekend. We had SO much fun. When we arrived in Memphis after the 10 hour drive we decided to go for a quick swim in the hotel pool. As hot as we were, to pool was freezing! We then decided to go ahead and dress up in our matching bachelorette party shirts (I know, how cute!) and head downtown to Beal Street. The drive was a little scary. We had to go through some not so nice neighborhoods to arrive downtown. Beal Street was awesome! There was blues music coming from every bbq restaurant and bar. We went to eat at the Hard Rock Cafe, got a free round from a local then hit the streets to shop. We met some lovely men from Australia that had been in Vietnam and were here visiting the vice president and then decided to tour this great country of ours. They wished our bride well after a long conversation and went on their way. I wanted to go into Coyote Ugly just to say I'd been there. We went, had a great time, did nothing that would jeopardize our marriages ;) and then drove back to the hotel. Enough said about that! The next day we got up earlier than planned because we were so excited about visiting Graceland. We had VIP passes, which meant that we didn't have to wait in line for anything and we got extra tours. I have never been an Elvis "fan". Not that I didn't like him, I just never was that interested. He lived an amazing life. I know he did wrong, but to look at all he accomplished at such a young age and all the public pressure he dealt with. WOW. Graceland was very impressive as were his walls of gold records and trophy room. I could go on and on. I was absolutely in awe. After we left Graceland we went back downtown to go on a "Duck Ride". We got to learn about a lot of Memphis' history. We saw the hotel where Martin Luther King Jr. was shot. Again, wow. I would like to go back to Memphis and see more of their history. My husband would absolutely love all the music and food. After we got back to the hotel, we all crashed. We made record time getting home. It's always nice to come home. I had a great time with the girls and made memories that will last. BUT, I always miss my family and think about what they would like to see when I go away without them.

My friends wedding is this weekend. I wish her all the happiness in the world. I've told her that a good marriage takes work but it is SO worth it.

I'll post some pics from our weekend soon!

Would I like some cheese with that whine? Well, yes I would!

Okay, it's been a long time since I've blogged and instead of family news or inspirational thoughts, I'm going to whine. I'm sick and tired and hungry and hot and and and. I'm sure I could go on but that looks really pathetic. I got sick over the long weekend at our friends annual "Crazy Croquette(sp?)" tournament. I'm going to Memphis this weekend for an Elvis inspired bachelorette party and I would rather not be feeling under the weather. It seems that when I get a cold at this time of year it never goes away. And I'm tired. The kids have ball games every night and tonight Tyler's game will not be over till after 10 p.m. Chad is covering that one. And I'm hungry. I worked SO hard to lose 30 pounds last year and it seems like it just keeps creeping back on. I just can't seem to get in the routine that I was in last year. I took a break over the winter holidays, my bad, but never got back on track. Okay, what else? Oh ya, hot. I refuse to turn the air on until we are all absolutely miserable just so we can enjoy at least a month with low utility bills. Gas prices are killing us since we drive 50 miles everyday for work.

On the brighter side, we have wonderful, healthy kids. Chad and I are still madly in love with one another and our happy home. I'm sorry I complained but I'll do better next time.

I've been tagged

My friend Happi tagged me with a "7 random facts about you" meme. I'm not tagging anyone else since the people's blogs that I read have already been tagged.

1. I used to live in a bus in the woods when I was in the 5th grade. We took baths in a river, used an outhouse and cooked on an open fire. I have no desire to go camping.

2. I LOVE sweet tea!

3. I have my feelings hurt easily but won't tell people when they hurt them.

4. I am addicted to magazines and lip gloss.

5. I have 2 half brothers and 1 half sister. My siblings by my dad live in France and I've never met them.

6. I want to be a better housekeeper, cook, etc.

7. I live for family vacations.

There ya go. Now I really need to get on the vacation/Ashley's birthday post.

2 more days

In two more days we are leaving on vacation! Woo who! We are going to Arkansas to visit my very, very good friend Jeremy. He lives in a historic town way at the bottom of the state. It's so beautiful there and there is nothing that matches southern hospitality. We always have a wonderful time when we visit because Jerm's friends and family have become ours. It's totally relaxing. The kids will ride horses, swim, go 4-wheeling, etc. Anything but watch TV. And while they are entertained with all the country has to offer, Chad and i get to just enjoy being with each other. At the end of our week, we are going to a house he's leased in northern Arkansas that is up in the mountains with a waterfall and private (fishing)pond nearby. That is where we will meet up with my dad. He lives about 4 hours north. I'm SO glad I get a chance to see my dad. He is going to be 65 this year and I always worry that our time together is limited. I probably shouldn't think that way but I do. Ever since my grandparents died, I try to treasure everyone that I love. Okay, this is going the sentimental direction and that was not my plan. Ashley's birthday is next week and I plan to do a tribute but it will not be on her birthday since I plan to leave the computer at home. We are having cake tonight for the fam here. And I still have to pack... What am I doing in blog land? I gotta go. I'll see what you've all been up to when I get back.