ABC's

A – An advantage you have – Having a job and being a college student

B – Blue or brown eyes – Brown

C – Chore you hate – I don't really have chores, but I never like taking dishes out of the dishwasher

D – Dad’s name – Daddy!

E – Essential start of your day – I don't have a real start to my day. I normally take a shower when I get up, unless I am just laying around the house for the day

F – Favorite color – I like yellow and pink

G – Greatest thing you’ve ever done that made you feel really good – Every obstacle in life has made me a better person.

H – Habit you have – Picking my cuticles

I – Issue you hate that the world tries to make you pursue – Pro-life vs Pro-choice

J – Job title – 3rd key

K – Kohls or Target – Both

L – Living arrangements – With family right now, but soon J and I will be getting somewhere to live once enough money is saved up.

M – Music you like – Top 40

N - Nicknames – Mae

O – Overnight hospital stay – Last September, I stimulated my vagas nerve by something I ate and got very sick.

P – Pet Peeve – constant chatter

Q – Quote that you like most – Quotes from The Office

R – Right or left handed – Right

S – Siblings – One...her.

T – Time you wake up – Depends on what I have to do that day

U – Underwear – yes please

V – Vegetable you dislike – celery and onion

W – What makes you run late – I don't run late

X – X-rays you’ve had – Too many

Y – Yummy food you make – Jarred likes my 7 layer salad

Z – Zoo animal – zebra

So How is Baby Doing?

So I know you're dying to know how our sweet Baby is doing. So I found both old and recent pictures of her to share.

This is what I woke up to a few weeks ago.

Almost like the Cesar commercial. So sweet.



This is a cell picture. I have a weird, creepy obsession with stuffed animals and the mechanical 'real life' stuffed animals. Both the cat and the dog (the one with pink bows, mind you) are those 'Fur-Real' pets that I had to have. These were bought during late night trips to Wal-Mart and no, there was no substance abuse to fuel these purchases. I seriously just wanted them. And J allowed me to buy them, so it's partly his fault. If he's okay walking around Wal-Mart with me carrying a stuffed animal, cooing at it, then I love him even more.

But yeah, the picture just had to be taken. Baby sat down right next to the stuffed ones and I couldn't help but smile.

This is Baby giving a big shout out to her homeland! We thought she would look darling in a sweater, and yeah, we were right.

And such a fashion diva Baby is! Pink collar with a Scottish-inspired sweater? Honey, please, you are too much!

Finish The Sentence

1. I've come to realize that my last kiss... was as special as the one before it, even if it was just a kiss goodbye.

2. I am listening to... Baby sleeping

3. I talk... about work a lot on this blog. I should stop

4. I love... getting home at night and relaxing with J

5. My best friend/s... Jarred

6. My first real kiss... was more of a peck. But still cute.

7. Love is... something everyone should have in life!

8. Marriage is... what I strive for in life.

9. Somewhere, someone is thinking... 'What time is it?"

10. I'll always... want more shoes, more clothes, and more time.

11. The last time I really cried was because... of money issues.

12. My cell phone... is going to get traded in for a Blackberry come August!

13. When I wake up in the morning... I sometimes have to steam Jarred's shirt for work

14. Before I go to bed... I listen to my iPod

15. Right now I am thinking about... doing some laundry

16. Babies are... little and can sometimes be cute. I prefer dogs.

17. I get on Myspace... once in a while. Mostly to see if it's still there. Go Facebook!

18. Today I... am excited about the weekend!

19. Tomorrow I will be... Relaxing at home, but nervous too.

20. I really want to be... at the beach. On a vacation. That won't come for a few years though, because that's how long J and I will be broke.

Marginal Work Won't Maximize Profits

Who knew part time job could be so demanding. Shoo-weee! I feel like all I've done is work. 26 hours isn't anything either. So why do I feel like all I do is get up, eat, shower, work, come home, eat, sleep, and then do it all again? I'm back down in hours next week, so I am looking forward to that.

What do I have to talk about? Nothing really. No new recipes I tried, but I did have some glorious cous cous and black beans for lunch today. No funny stories to tell. Not looking forward to anything, besides for getting paid and buying my awesome TOMS.

Hmm.

What a boring week. I am still wanting to post though because I don't want anyone thinking I've fallen off the face of the earth. I'm still here, just either asleep or surrounded by appliances. What. A. Life.

I am wanting Jarred and I to plan a fun day trip sometime when we both aren't working. Since an actual vacation is out of the question for the next, oh, three or so years, I'd like to plan a daycation for sometime before school starts.

But the most important thing on my mind right now is making money to better J and myself. And I know he is thinking the same thing. And some thoughts about student loans being paid off. Once I get out of school and start a full time job somewhere, hopefully two incomes will help to pay off college much sooner.

But that's a bit down the road.

I love working because I love money. And I have given into the fact that college will get me more money, so yes, it's necessary.

I am going to be wonderful in business because I just look at finances and want to know how businesses can maximize their profits.

I'm sure Daddy would be proud!

101...Barely

So I get to 100 posts and then I never write again. It's only been a day or so since my hundredth post, but in the blogging world that is forever!

So sue me. I've been busy with work this week. A lot has gone on but I can't really say anything on here because I don't know for certain who reads this.

I'm counting down the days left of my summer because my second summer class starts soon. I can't wait. Gag me.

That's the only things that have gone on this week and it's looking like the rest is going to be just as boring.

Man. What a lousy post.

100th Post!

It's my 100th post! YAY!

I guess after Christine's contest, this post might be a little anticlimactic considering there is no prize for this blog. I am one broke chick! Paying for school stinks. And swipes all your money.

But I thought nonetheless, I will do something special for my 100th post. Since it's a big feat for me. I have tried to keep blogs in the past and it's never worked out so well. But with motivation from reading friends' blogs, I have been able to keep this one running! And it's so fun to blog, even when there is nothing to say. Because it's your blog. Who's gonna tell you to shut up on your own blog?

Ahem.

Anyway.

I decided yesterday that tonight I would post a review of the move UP for my 100th post. And now that I am back home from the theatre, I am so glad this is the topic I chose.

Let me tell you: That is one special movie.

I don't see too many movies in theatres. I choose carefully which one to spend the money on. And Jarred and I love going to see Disney Pixar movies. Our first date was to see Meet the Robinsons. I have wonderful memories of that summer at PU going to see Ratatouille. And we were beyond excited to see Wall-E. So yes, we love those movies.

The movie UP happened to be one of those movies that you see previews for and scratch your head, thinking Disney has finally gone off the deep end. But the closer the movie got to its release, the more we found out about it. Yet still, the movie was such a mystery. Did anyone know what it was about? Because what I thought it was about was not at all correct.

I don't want to give away too much of the plot, because I really want everyone to go see it themselves. But here goes...

The movie begins with a young Carl Fredricksen watching a movie of the famous explorer Charles Muntz. He is fascinated by exploration.
Carl meets a girl named Ellie who is also an explorer.
The next few scenes are of Carl and Ellie getting married and living their life together. The scenes are so heartfelt; ones of them taking picnics and cleaning their house together and holding hands while reading in their armchairs.
Eventually, life catches up to Carl and Ellie. Ellie passes away and Carl is left on his own. He is obviously very sad and lonely.
That is when Carl meets Russell, a Wilderness Explorer scout who wants to help Carl cross the street so he can earn his 'Helping the Elderly' badge.
After a scuffle with a man over Carl's mailbox, Carl is ordered to a retirement home. But Carl has another idea. Leftover from his days of working at the local zoo, Carl inflates tens of thousands of balloons to lift his and Ellie's house off it's foundation so he can finally go to South America to explore. He and Ellie had made promises to one another to someday go to find the Paradise Falls.
Does Carl find the Falls? What happens with Russell?

Just watch the movie in theatres!

I cried so much during the movie. During, like, the entire movie. Seriously. My eyes are all puffy and swollen. Jarred commented that the movie really wasn't for children. I agreed. Movies that Pixar has come out with lately are more for adults. The subject matter is something a child would not understand. The deep love Carl and Ellie had and his sense of loss when she is gone is very apparent. It really touches you.

What did I get from the movie?

To always have an adventure. Life isn't terrible, even when we are sad. And on the other said of tragedy, life can be happy once more.

My favorite character, Carl Fredricksen

Probably J's favorite character, Dug

Can't Wait

Large Mouth Bass

Trying to search frantically through Christine's blog for the answer to her contest, I happened upon this post.

Let's just say that her video of the Large Mouth Bass joke made me crack up so hard and I showed it to my mom and she had a good laugh too!

And a big congratulations to her for 100 posts!

I Have Layers, But Not Like an Onion

7- layer Quiz. So sue me. I just wanted to blog about something!

LAYER 1: Tell us your...

* Name: Meaghan
* Birthday (month, day): In a wintry month, a week from the end.
* Birthplace: North Carolina
* Current location: Southerny and landlocked!
* Eye color: Brown
* Hair color: Brown
* Height: 5'5, maybe
* Righty or lefty: Righty
* Zodiac sign: Cappy!

LAYER 2: What's...

* Your heritage: Scottish
* The shoes you wore today: My fabulous Teva's. You remember them?
* Your weakness: probably Anthropologie clothing.
* Your fears: Um, dying might be one... And breaking my leg. Brian Reagan says it hurts!
* Your perfect pizza: Don't like pizza.
* Goals you’d like to achieve: I want to graduate from college, marry my sweetheart, and move to the NorthEast
* Your first waking thoughts: Time for J to go to work!
* Your best physical feature: I like my cheeks. Yeah, I know. Weird.
* Your most missed memory: Just being little. But I also miss parts of high school and freshman year of college.

LAYER 3: Do you...

* Smoke: No
* Cuss: Yes
* Sing: Horribly
* Do you think you’ve been in love: Yes, but I know I have!
* Did you go to college: I am still in the hell-hole.
* Liked high school: On occasions. But it wasn't torturous!
* Want to get/stay married: Yes!
* Believe in yourself: A lot!
* Think you’re attractive: Yes!
* Think you’re a health freak: No, I'm just health conscious! But that doesn't mean I always eat what I should! Lots of times I don't.
* Get along with your parent(s): Yes
* Like thunderstorms: Yes, but Baby doesn't!
* Play an instrument: I did in HS

LAYER 4: In the past month have you…

* Drank alcohol: Yes
* Smoked: No
* Done a drug: No
* Made out: That's private!
* Gone on a date: Yes! J and I went to my favorite steakhouse and we are going on a date tonight too!
* Gone to the mall: Yes
* Eaten an entire box of Oreos: Oreos sound good !
* Eaten sushi: Not enough times!
* Been on stage: No
* Been dumped: No
* Gone skating: In my slippery sandals, yes!
* Gone skinny dipping: Everyday in the shower! Teehee!
* Stolen Anything: J's heart..... :)

LAYER 5: Have you ever…

* Played a game that required removal of clothing: No!
* Been trashed or extremely intoxicated: N/A
* Been caught “doing something”: What does that mean? "Doing something"? Like, a drug?
* Been called a tease: Yes
* Gotten beaten up: By a door frame
* Shoplifted: No!

LAYER 6:

* Age you did get/hope to be married: 20s
* Numbers and names of children (either you have or want): 3 or 4! Names are a secret!
* Describe your dream mate: Jarred!
* How do you want to die: really old and peacefully
* What did you want to be when you grow up: When I was little, I wanted to be a movie director. That is still an awesome dream and I'm glad I had big aspirations as a child. Now, I want to be a financial advisor and work for Dept of the Treasury.
* What country would you most like to visit: England!

LAYER 7: Now tell...

* Name a drug you’ve taken illegally: None
* Name a person you could trust with my life: My family
* Name a favorite CD that you own: All of my favorite are on my iPod! I love Coldplay!
* Number of piercings: 3
* Number of tattoos: 0
* Number of times my name has appeared in the newspaper: We don't even get the newspaper
* Name a past experience that you regret: I try not to regret anything because every experience helps me grow and learn.

And if you didn't catch the Shrek reference, you suck.

Happy Birthday Granddaddy!

Happy Birthday Granddaddy!

I miss you a lot today.

99 Balloons

Just saw this video on Oprah. I know a few of you (coughShannonChristinecough) who will cryyy cry cryyy. Just warning you.

Shoooooooes!

So I was asked for a picture of my new shoes. But I hope when she said 'all of them' she really didn't mean all my shoes. Because that would be a lot of pictures my bloggy friend!

But here is a picture of my Teva Mush sandals. $19.99 at Tradehome.


And Jarred's Cheerwine can. Lovely. Thanks Hun. But yeah, I loved the braided straps and the footbed is super squishy.

I can't find a picture of the TOMS I want. Too bad. Just go to Tradehomes and see them. They are the ones that have writing all over them.

EDIT: I found a picture! Here they are! They are so special and unique. There are statistics written all over them for ever 100 children in a village in black. In purple is written "40 have no shoes".

I really urge everyone to look at TOMS official website and get a pair. For every pair of TOMS sold, a pair is given to a child in need. What a great thing! I also have TOMS shoes blog bookmarked one the left side of my blog. Go check it out!

Can't wait to get more!

Some Dreams and a Rap

Be thinking our our Honey Baby tomorrow; she gets her stitches out tomorrow! And then she finally gets a bath on Friday. Thank goodness. She smells!

I have yet to paint anything today. I have been doing laundry all day and watching TV while folding. I am hoping to begin the l-o-n-g process of drawing up plans for a painting or mixed media piece. I'm excited to get to be creative again! I had so many ideas while I was an art major at PU. The air in the art department just sparked your imagination. I really miss it sometimes. But at least now I am able to do what I want with my art. I don't mind being critiqued on my pieces, but I never liked being graded. What the professor thought was D- work could have been seen as B+ work to another. It's a really subjective area to go into.

Now I am a finance major, so it's been a really hard switch. But with my knowledge of both fields, I could have a really successful business in art.

Suh-weet! Just thought I would share some dreams of mine.

Speaking of dreams, did anyone catch the CMA Awards last night? I didn't watch, but I saw Taylor Swift's rap and I give kudos to her because it is so funny!

Missing

I'm sitting at home with nothing to do today.

I miss it so much, I sometimes wonder if I made the right decision.

But that doesn't mean I can't still do it. I can.

But I must make time for it.

I've lost a little bit of what I'm passionate about.

I want it back.













I think I'm going to paint today :)

Too Obsessed?

Maybe so. But she's such a sweetie. Just look at that face. It for realsies makes my heart melt.

I should post pictures of our other sweeties, our five fishies. But since Daddy (J) gave them a fake plant to hide in, pictures would be hard to come by.

Today was the usual l-o-n-g day at work, but I saw Christine! It's nice to see bloggy friends in real life!

Other than that, it was an uneventful, boring, overly-dramatic day at work. I swear, maybe it's NOT a good idea to have 6 hormonal women working together. Too much... bitchiness. But it's a job. And it pays pretty well. So I can't complain too much. Besides, I've already ranted and raved at Jarred. At least he humors me by acting like he gives a flip about what Boss Lady did or what Sales Girl said.

Thanks Hun Bun. Love yeeeewwww lots!

His job is still going well, but I think he will be glad when he can really dive into the work instead of learning how to do the job. All in good time Grasshoppa!

And one last thing:

Saw on Oprah tonight, go to this website. It's Real Age. Just take the test and there is lots of information about how to be a healthier you! Both Mom and I took the test. My chronological age is 21.4, but my RealAge is 28.7.

Ouch.

But I'm not surprised. I have really slacked on eating well and trying to be physically fit. I need to start back pronto because my health has somewhat deteriorated since school let out. I have stopped trying to be active and eat healthy and work is so stressful (and an unnecessary stress at that). I am very overwhelmed and feel on edge all the time. And let's not get into the IBS. Because it has come back full steam ahead!

I have GOT to get this under control. I can just feel my heart being so rapidly all the time and that concerns me.

Not Me! Monday

So here we are again folks. Another Not Me! Monday. In past Mondays, I have fallen victim to something called 'writer's block' where I can't think of a single thing to divulge to my wonderful audience. But this week, I am going to try my extra hardest to see what my brain can come up with, embarrassing or not.

1. Let's start with Saturday night. Jarred and I went on a nice date to my favorite steakhouse and then went to the mall to SHOP! I didn't go into a certain well-known 'undies' store and begin to have a conversation with one of the salesgirls about whether the 5 for $25 or 3 for $30 was a better deal, considering the latter were better quality undies. She didn't look at me like I had 5 heads and say, "Sweetie, I don't work here, I work at Macy's."

Oh.

I'm glad I was talking about underwear to a complete stranger. I'm glad she knows now that a random girl likes seamless microfiber better than cotton. Eesh.

2. Considering I woke up much later on Saturday afternoon morning (yeah...) in no way did I have chocolate cake for breakfast. That would be terrible of me and I can control my cravings better than that. Who do you take me for?

And I'm not eyeing the cake on the table right now. I just had a protein filled breakfast of an egg and cheese sandwich, so I wouldn't want to mess up my diet further by taking a slice.

3. I did not almost kick the girl doing my pedicure in the face on Thursday. She was digging into my toenail with the file and I didn't want to grab the thing from her and shove it up her nose.

Sympathize with me. My poor little toesies hurt now. But they are so pretty. So thanks lady. I know beauty hurts for real now.

4. I totally in no way went to the mall and spent hard earned money on more clothes and another pair of flip flops this weekend. And this wasn't the trip I made with J after the steakhouse either.

In my defense, the guy from the shoe store had told me they were getting in a new shipment of TOMS and he had me come by and look. Well, I mean, he didn't drag me into the store. I'll admit I went willingly.

I found a new fabulous pair of TOMS, but I was good and told him I would have to wait until my next paycheck. So I'd come back in 2 weeks. But then I saw them. The cutest pair of flip flops. They are Teva's Mush sandal. Perfection. I didn't drool all over them. I left the store empty-handed nonetheless.

But I didn't drag Jarred out to the mall again the next day to buy the sandals just because I had convinced myself I couldn't live without them.

5. And I am totally not going to Old Navy to get another pair of sandals just so I can finally have a 'legal' one to wear to work.

For Realsies RunDown

Fo' realsies, nothing really to talk about, but blogging is in the blood, so I feel like I need to say something anyway.

So here's a run-down:

-Super great day at work (gag me) but I had fun with Tina. Or wait... I mean, we worked real hard. I mean it!

-Hamburgers were super great for dinner tonight.

-I miss spending time with J now that we are both busy. But that is a good thing because HE HAS A FULL-TIME JOBBBB! We are still so thrilled and beyond happy!

-I like talking about the future with him. It makes me feel secure.

-Nights are my favorite because we watch TV and eat dessert and just relax.

-I enjoy getting up in the morning to help him get ready for work. I already feel like a good wife by steaming his pants and shirts for work.

-I think I might need to get some of those sandals that Shannon and Christine got. Because we can't wear flip flops at work, and those would be good because they aren't really flip flops. Right?

SS Time!

More Sunday Stealing!

1. What thing is nearest to you ? A computer...obviously.

2. What is your ringtone ? Plays the AT&T tone. The files on my phone are corrupted (or so the phone say) and doesn't play anything but that.

3. What was the last message in your inbox ? Jarred saying sorry he wasn't coming to see me at work, that Dad didn't want to go out today.

4. Who is your best friend ? J!

5. What is the brand of your TV ? Toshiba

6. What schools did you attend? Nunya. But I was a public school kid.

7. Do you own a MP4 ? No? Never heard of one.

8. What song are you listening to now ? Not listening to music, we're getting ready for dinner, so people are talking and being merry.

9. Did you kiss anybody in the past 2 days ? My Mama, Daddy, and Jarred.

10. Have you ever kissed someone you met in the blogosphere? What's the definition of a blogosphere? Probably not though.

11. What would you want to be called if you weren't your current name ? Audrey Hepburn

12. Would you be happy if you had everything ? Yes. Everything includes everything, not just material objects.

13. Are you always thinking of someone special? I can't always be thinking of J, but I do think of him a lot!

14. Tell us of your most desperate dream? To have a happy life with Jarred.

15. When did you last laugh till you cried? Not too long ago. Probably laughing with Sis.

16. If you had a crush, would you tell them you love him/her now ? If it was Jarred, I totally would!

17. If you could be anywhere in the world now, where would you want to be ? The beach. But I'll take home for now. :)

18. When was your heart last broken? Freshman year of college.

19. Whose birthday(s) is/are coming up? A's!

20. How many email accounts do you have? Too many to count.

Some Questions for J

So I know you wonder what J is like exactly. Well, here is your chance. I've asked him a few questions. They are catered to what he is actually interested, so profound questions were a no-go.

1. So here's an easy one to start: What do you think of Meaghan? I love her and she is my Shaboopie!

2. What is your perfect day like? Lots of sleep! I'd love to go to the beach with M and we'd drink margaritas and I'd smoke cigars.

3. Any particular car you'd love to be able to afford when you and M are millionaires? A Corvette ZR1. M would like a Porsche Cayenne S.

4. Where do you see yourself in 2 years? Married to my Shaboopie with more money than I can ever imagine.

5. Do you think M will give good financial advice (once she's got her B.S.)? Yes. She'll keep us out of debt.

6. Plug your favorite team. Duke! They are awesome and I really like Coach Krzyzewski and when Duke beats UNC.

7. What's your favorite movie? The Jerk. "Lord loves a working man, don't trust Whitey, and see a doctor and get rid of it!"

8. Who's the current NASCAR villian? Kyle Busch - he wins a lot and does things others find questionable. Last week at the Nashville raceway, he smashed the trophy guitar in victory lane.

9. Why the long face Sugar Bear? What long face?

10. Anything you're really looking forward to? Anything with M, we're seeing UP soon!

Plugging A Favorite Artist

I had forgotten all about this certain artist until I went rooting through Mom's stacks of books.

His name is Brain Andreas and this is his website StoryPeople. Go there. It's awesome. I got his Print called "Enough Time" and it is a great reminder to me everyday: "Everything changed the day she figured out there was exactly enough time for the important things in her life."

Awesome.

Cute Wedding Invitation Video

Dad just showed me this awesome video. Had to share it. It's a wedding invitation in video form. Last video for a while hopefully.

Cesar Commercial Say It All

Promise to always be your co-pilot? That's a true Westie for you! I think I'm going to go find my little doll now!

For Shannon about Westies

I saw the pictures you posted of Westies on your blog, Shannon. Aren't they to die for? SO cute.

Anyway, it would have taken up too much space to write about Westies in a comment, so I thought I would post. For you and in case anyone else is thinking of buying the most precious breed of dog E-V-E-R!

Of course all dogs take some time to train, but Baby wasn't hard at all. She adapted easily from a potty pad at the breeder's to going outside on the lawn. Westies are curious but won't stray away from property. Baby always did her business and came right back to the house to be let in. It wasn't hard to train her because we took her out frequently, so she learned where to do her business very early.

Westie females are easier to train for first time owners though. We had wanted a girl anyway. We went to a breeder near Hermitage.

As for shedding, Westies do not have a shedding period. But like all things with hair, some will rub off. If we hold Baby, there will be a few little hairs on our shirts after we put her down. But it's nothing serious at all. We just take a little lint roller to our clothes (if even necessary).

Westies can be active dogs, but they mostly adapt to your lifestyle. There are times that Baby wants to run around the house and play chase. But she mostly is a little lap dog that wants to be around her family. She is laying at my feet right as I type this. Westies love to be held.

As one can see.

Westies are also very loyal. They love their family unconditionally and always want to be near someone. So during the day, Baby stays with Mom, wherever she is in the house and always sleeps with someone. In high school, she and I would always cuddle up at night. I didn't need a stuffed animal because Baby would be there!

The breed are also fierce watchdogs. But not yappy. Baby doesn't bark. At. All. There have been some occasions where Dad will be entering the house through the back door and Baby barks and growls because she thinks someone is trying to get into the house. But she always lays back her ears and rolls over for a belly rub when she sees it's just Dad.

Keeping a watch as I sleep.

Westies are great with kids. And other animals. They are very forgiving, so if a toddler is tugging on a Westie's ear, the Westie just takes it. Very passive. We will pick at Baby and she just ignores us, whether we are pulling on her tail or just poking her.

She probably really hates this, but she just takes it. So relaxed.

As I said, Westies are great with other animals too. But it has to be animals that live with the Westie. Baby doesn't like the stray cats that come into our yard. That is the one other thing that will get her growling.

Baby loves to lay around the house. Lay around wherever someone else is.

What a life.

The only thing about Baby is that she has some skin problems. There is no shedding, like I said, but Westie's skin in very dry. It all depends on what the owner wants to do, but Mom takes her to the groomer's every other week or so. But sometimes we just wash her, which takes about an hour. And cute pictures abound. The last picture above is her today at my feet. She has a patch of hair missing from her back because she went in for surgery on Monday. She had a few tumors removed.

Westies have very dry skin and need to be brushed on a regular basis to help distribute the oil from their skin which helps protect it from drying out. But just like any dog, they just need a good home and owners who want to take care of them.

Mmmmmm Cake

Was looking at cake recipes this afternoon after I got off work. So J and I went to the grocery store after he got off work (eeek! My working man!) and got the supplies. I am a real amateur, so I don't want anyone to think I'm some master baker. I mostly like baking and icing cakes and adding sprinkles. So here is 1 picture of my creation, beautiful or not.


Can't wait to eat it tomorrow! We couldn't tonight because the icing hadn't set up yet. Isn't the green awesome? I like colored cakes because I'm not a vanilla kind of girl!

Owee Owee Owee!

Dad showed me this tonight. Can't get over the walrus-like yelps. Is that mean of me?

Not Hate, Just Mere Dislike

SundayStealing time!

This time it is the 'Hate' Meme. But I don't really like the word 'hate' because it seems way too awful, even if it is used so casually in our everyday language.

1. Most hated food: ONIONS. Can't stand the little devils. I remember on multiple occasions gagging because I found some onion bits in a meal. I mostly dislike them because they are slimy on the outside, but they crunch when you bite into them. Gives me the heebie jeebies. Kinda like stepping on a roach or something. That crunch....sickening.

2. Most hated person: I don't hate anyone. That goes against a lot of things that I believe. I may disagree with people, but to me, hating someone is the equivalent of saying you want someone to die.

3. Most hated job: The jobs I have had all had parts I didn't care for. At my first job at FOL, I didn't care for sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day scanning papers into the computer. At my current job, it can be a pain to restock items.

4. Most hated city: Some of the boonies of TN are pretty Texas Chainsaw Massacre, if you ask me.

5. Most hated band: Not really a band, but I don't like Phil Collins' music.

6. Most hated (non-blog) website: I naturally avoid websites devoted to things I don't like, so, I can't answer this one.

7. Most hated TV program: Not one specifically, but I don't like soap operas. Or Live with Regis and Kelly.

8. Most hated politician: This question is just so people can rip on Bush. Yeah, yeah, you hate Bush. But he's not President anymore so SHUT UP! I basically don't agree fully with any politician, mostly because I am a mixed bag of fun when it comes to political views. I'm from the camp that is called "My Body, My Choice; Traditional Marriage; Big Corporations Rock; Let's Lower Those Taxes on the Wealthy". Any politician wanna step up and FIX THIS?

9. Most hated artist: I have a certain degree of respect for all artists because I consider myself one (though I've gone on a hiatus), but I have a problem with the work of Andres Serrano who just does his art to get a rise out of Christian groups.

10. Most hated book: Heart of Darkness was torture to read in HS. And when I was in grade school, I bought a book that was the fictional diary of a little girl who was moving to another state. Her diary was just a lot of whining and moaning and complaining. Nine-year-old me really thought this fictional little girl needed a good slap in the face.

11. Most hated shop or store: I don't hate any store because they are employing people, which is always a good thing. But I am not sure what I think of Hollister. It's so dark in there so it makes me wonder whether there is something wrong with the clothes.

12. Most hated organization: Some of the things PETA does get on my nerves. But mostly I just dislike organized crime. :)

13. Most hated historical event: Any presidential assassination. They have all been so terrible, of course. Or the Holocaust. Yeah. That one was pretty bad.

14. Most hated sport: Soccer is sooooo boring to watch!

15. Most hated technology: I like all technology.

16. Most hated annual event: I don't know of any annual event I dislike, except for maybe when the store has a semi-annual sale. YIKES!

17. Most hated daily task: Drying and straightening my hair. Takes forever to do correctly.

18. Most hated comedian: I don't really care for Carlos Mencia. I don't think he's that funny. Or Larry the Cable Guy. He's definitely not funny.

19. Most hated blog: None?

20. Most hated song: I'm not to crazy about any song by The Veronicas. Their voices are like nails on a chalkboard. And anything too emo. Puh-lease. Get over yourself!

Finally, Some Answered Prayers

I can't say much in terms of details right now, but I just wanted everyone to know that Jarred has gotten a job offer! This will be his first full-time job. We are beyond excited, and glad that this day has finally come.

We are just happy that little by little, he and I are able to move forward in our life together.

He is a super special guy, let me tell you. Kind, good-natured, humble, smart, funny. Many people who meet Jarred for the first time tell me he has something so endearing about him. The women at church say that 'something' is that he's a sweetie.

Yes, I'm lucky.

This isn't the end of the road for us; we are not settling yet. We still have many dreams we want to achieve, but our dreams have meshed together, being more about our dreams together: our first house with a garden (of course, l-o-n-g ways away), our first pet, that dream vacation in FL we are going to take someday.

But now it seems a lot closer.

We have our dream occupations, but for right now, we will gladly take a good full-time job that will pay the bills (student loans!).

He's wonderful.

Meme? What's that?

From Sunday Stealing, again.


1. Name one person who made you smile today: Katherine

2. What were you doing at 8am this morning? D-e-a-d asleep

3. What were you doing 45 minutes ago? I was at work, closing with B

4. What is your favorite candy bar? 3 Musketeers

5. Have you ever been to a strip club? I don't even know where one is around here.

6. What was the last thing you had to drink? Sweet tea

7. What was the last thing you ate? Shrimp/cucumber/caper cous cous and a salad

8. The last sporting event you watched? J is watching soccer right now

9. Do you go to church every Sunday? No

10. Do you prefer Chinese food over pizza? Heck yes!

11. What are you doing tomorrow? Working and laundry. Oh, and homework. ALMOST DONE!

12. What do you think of when you hear Australia? A crude drawing of a guy saying "F-ing kangaroos!" You can see the video here, but I'm warning you, it's pretty crude.

13. Biggest annoyance right now? Not annoyed right now. Man! My head might just explode!

14. Last song listened to? 'Millennium' by Robbie Williams. It was playing at work, so don't think I'm weird listening to junk like that.

15. Do you have a maid service clean your house? Not made of money yo.

16. Are you jealous of anyone? J, cause he's super hott!

17. Is anyone jealous of you? I hope not.

18. What do you usually do during the day? Go to work, or go to school

19. Do you hate anyone that you know right now? No

20. Are you thinking about someone right now? Jarred!

Best of: Makeup

I threw out a lot of old makeup last week, but I have stocked back up with fresh tubes of lipstick and mascara, and palettes of blush and foundation.

FOUNDATION: I have tried it all. My senior year of high school when I got a case of terrible acne, there was not a foundation I found that really covered up those awful face welts. Trying both liquid and powder, I found any drugstore brand to be terrible. I used to wear the tinted moisturizer from CoverGirl, but I wore that when I was 13! I couldn't wear that now!
I'm sure everyone's seen the infomercials on Bare Minerals. And Honey, let me tell you. That stuff is magic. It really evens out the skin tone and doesn't cake. If you are naturally dry-skinned, then the mineral powder probably won't work though. K has super dry skin and she hated Bare Minerals.

BLUSH: Frankly, lots of times I forget to put on blush, even though I do see the difference when I put it on. I have recently tried Sonia Kashuk's blush gel in Peony. It's a great shade of pretty pink and blends in well with light skin. I have also found that using a red or pink eyeshadow has the same effect. And you get two products for the price of one.

EYESHADOW: This is my problem area. My skin can be very sallow-looking even after putting on foundation. I have tried every drugstore brand of eyeshadow. And there is only one color that I thought looked good on me. And that would be boring old white.
I finally took my butt down to Dillard's and asked about a 'natural' looking eyeshadow that was shimmery. The woman gave me two colors to try. The first was a base that was...white. But to layer over top of it was a color called Kitten Heel. It's a wonderful shimmery color by Lancome and very natural looking. It's a pinkish color and is good for both day and night.

Now for the under eye. I use a Lancome eye pencil is a brown color. And for the insides of my eyes, I use a brightener from Pixi. I just put it in the corners, because otherwise, I look like a sparkled-out teenager!

MASCARA: I am a mascara freak. I am so passionate about the mascaras I hate and the ones I love. First, I hate CoverGirl LashBlast. HATE IT. It was clumpy and frumpy and lashes ere dried to bits. I immediately went to an old standby, Clinique's High Definition mascara. Wonderful for separating. I was then stupidly drawn into the Maybelline LashStiletto. The commercial touts the mascara as having olive oil in it to help nourish the lashes and it supposedly gives a shine to the lashes. Wrong. It smells funky and is no standout in the mascara department. I would have kept using it, but the smell was too strong.
Then I found it. DIORSHOW. I have heard all about this little gem forever now. It is the #1 selling mascara on Sephora.com and I had read tons of reviews. I broke down today and splurged on it. And it was totally worth it. There are three different DIORSHOW mascaras, and I purchased ICONIC because I have lots of long lashes, but they can't curl whatsoever. This baby curls my lashes beautifully.

LIPSTICK/GLOSS: Clinique Chocolate Ice is "da bomb". It looks super dark, but is pretty sheer and goes on really smooth. I layer a Pixi gloss over it and voila! Perfect. If I am looking for a good neutral lipstick to tone down my color, I have found Estee Lauder's Pink Parfait.

PERFUME: I am crazy about Miss Dior. Always have, always will be. I also love Chanel No. 5. Who doesn't???? Coco knew what she was doing. And today I was sampling perfumes and I came upon a surprise find. Gwen Stefani's perfume L is so good! That will have to be a beauty purchase very soon!

Now I don't 'department store' everything. For my hair, there is nothing better than a good bottle of TRESsemme, and sometimes some Head and Shoulders.

Joel McHale, You Said it Best

The Soup video 1

The Soup video 2

Gawd, I can't stand her.

And J said her new hair looks like a cow licked it in the back. Ya know how it stands up and is spiky? Yup. Cow.

BBs

Oh, life is back to normal again.

Rats!

Today was a good day for the most part. We had to wake up at 6:30 this morning to eat breakfast at Cracker Barrel with the family. I was drowsy because I haven't been sleeping well for a few weeks now, but by 7 o'clock when we arrived at the restaurant, I had a splitting headache and was super nauseous. I got in my order of an over medium egg and biscuits, but I soon after told Mom I needed to go back home. It sucks the goodbye to my family was so short.

I got back home and slept. And slept and slept. I slept until almost 2 o'clock in the afternoon. I got up and had some leftover biscuits and cake for lunch (great, I know).

A and I were outside for the later part of the afternoon trying to shoot black birds with BB guns. Sounds super rednecky, but they were hurting tiny birds trying to eat from the feeder. What a sight to see from the road, I'm sure.

We had dinner at A's house. Why are salads always so much better at other people's houses? I have always noiced that I gobble up salads when I eat somewhere else. The Caesar dressing was very good! And it looked like it was Wal-Mart brand! Too bad Caesar is the fattiest dressing. My weakness right there!

Tomorrow marks my getting back to the grind of work. But at least I can be thankful I have my night tomorrow.

And be sure to check out some Gurkee's. I'm 'bout to make them popular!