Tuesday thoughts!

Here’s what’s in my little noggin this Tuesday:

1. My Mom had to take my Granny to the emergency room yesterday. As I have shared she was diagnosed with lung cancer a little over a month ago. Still nothing has yet to be done. It’s been quite the process of getting the clearance and the tests she needs before they do the surgery to remove part of her lung. And she battles with very bad vertigo which makes you really sick and dizzy and she did not feel good at all over the weekend and she attempted to walk during one of her dizzy spells and hurt herself. So my Mom took her to the ER yesterday to get her admitted and said she was not leaving until she felt better and gets the tests ran that she needs. Please keep her in your prayers.

2. Lady Gaga is coming to our area in April. I’ll be honest; I’d love to score tickets to this concert, don't listen to a whole lot of her music, but just so I can see her costumes. She is so bizarre but unique in her own right and I think that’s what draws people to her.

3. I ordered from Netflix for the first time yesterday. I feel like I need to dress in my Jasmine costume and start singing “A Whole new world”.

4. I set up Pandora on my computer and set up Glee music on there…. Ekkkkkk!!!! I think this now officially makes me a Glee lover.

5. These are some shows I’m into this fall: DWTS, Modern Family, Parenthood, Biggest Loser (this is my first season watching), Glee (Duh), Better with you, and Law & Order: SVU.

I’ve wanted to try out Mad Men, and I’ve heard a lot about Teen Mom on MTV. And of course, all the Bravo TV shows. There are not enough hours in the day.

I am so glad the networks air these shows online so for those of us without DVR, we can catch the shows. Makes me happy!

What are you watching right now? Any good shows I’m missing out on?

6. I came home last night to find an unexpected check waiting for me in the mailbox. PTL. That pretty much made my day.

7. This is a deep thought, but why do we have a tendency to hold on to relationships when we know it’s time to just let go?

8. Over the weekend I had someone come out on Saturday to check out and fix the internet at the house. I greeted him in my pajamas with an over-sized shirt that I got from the blood bank that says “What is your blood type?” (You know, because I was just curious as to what his blood type was, ha) and pajama pants that did not match. And he had to leave and come back. He was old and in no way trying to impress. I then changed while he was gone and he came back and was like, you changed, hope it wasn’t for me. Ummmmmm, NO!!!

9. Our Fed Ex guy at our office creeps me out.

Me: Hi, how are you doing?
Fed Ex Guy: Better now that I saw you.
Me: GAG

10. I was on my way to school yesterday to Orlando, and my car was very tempted to makes its way over to Disney World and just skip school, ha. There’s so many times on my way home at night if I time it just right I can catch the fireworks from Disney in my rearview mirror as I’m driving away. I live a little north of Disney.

11. All day yesterday I had the song, “Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey stuck in my head. One word, Glee!

Anywho, there’s my brain dump for you today!! :)

A Glee-ful weekend!

So, I've heard about this certain show for awhile, never took an interest in it and never watched an episode.



But thanks to my friend Karah who sent me volume 1 of the first season..... I am officially hooked!!!!

I have taken to this show like you wouldn't believe and finished this whole DVD this weekend and was pretty much determined that I was going to get through it over the weekend.

I can't believe I was missing out!

Seriously, I sat through each episode just smiling! I love anything musicial, and really wish I would have caught the Glee bug sooner!!!

Hope your weekend was a tad bit more productive than mine.

But all in the name of Glee.

Hi, My name is Lauren, and I'm a Gleek :)

Name that quote!!

Yesterday, a few of us girls on Twitter started a movie quote game. It went on forever and it was such a blast. If you want, you can follow me here!

We were quoting our favorite lines from the movie Mean Girls!



Ah, yes, the good ole' days before Lindsay Lohan went all sorts of crazy on us!!

I thought this would be fun for a Friday!

There are so many movies out there that are VERY quotable and leave you remembering some great quotes!

Then the next movie suggestion from the girls was Juno.



They were shocked I had never seen this and said I needed to get on it stat.

Apparently another quoteable movie.

Soooooo, what's your favorite movie quote?

I’ll leave you with one from Mean Girls..

Karen: Gretchen, I'm sorry I laughed at you that time you got diarrhea at Barnes & Nobles. And I'm sorry for telling everyone about it.

You can't tell me that's not funny, ha! Yes, a little gross, but nonetheless funny :)

Have a great Friday!!

In case of an emergency....

Yesterday I had a hair appt. to get my hair cut.



Nothing major, just a trim.

Seriously, my favorite part of the whole process is the hair wash. LOVE it. I would go just for that alone.

Back in late July I switched to a new girl. I know her and she is just precious and I'm very happy with her.

When I first went to her I noticed that she would blow dry and straighten one half of my head while the other side was wet. And then she would blow dry and straighten the other half.

She did it again yesterday and it reminded me to share with y'all this story.

When I noticed she did this the first time I was like ummmm, you're not going to fix one half of my hair and leave the other half hanging are you? HA! I was kind of perplexed as to her method.

She then proceeded to tell me her reasoning behind it!

She went on to explain that for some reason she has this fear that in the case of an emergency, a fire or etc., and the building had to be evacuated and she was in the middle of fixing hair, and most importantly that if cameras where involved that at least one half of the head would be looking good and they could catch the good side.

I so laughed.

Isn't it nice to have your hair dresser looking out for your best interest?

And just hope the camera catches my good side.

You know, in case of an emergency!

Goodbye Summer!

And......

Hello Fall!!!!





I've always wanted to experience Central Park in the Fall!!!



(Sigh)...Someday!!!

I'm not one to wish time away, but this is my favorite time of year and I'm glad it's here!!

Happy Fall y'all!! :)

What are your Fall favorites? What is there not to love, right?

Perm and big hair bows, oh my!

In all my school years, I never did like a single school picture of mine. I think the only one I liked was my senior photos.

My hair went through a lot of phases and I look back at the pictures and sometimes think to myself, why did I pick that outfit to wear, and on picture day nonetheless.

I came across this over the weekend and one picture particular stands out and makes me cringe above the rest.



Can't believe I'm showing you this!

Sorry, the picture is blurry because I had to take a picture of a picture. But there’s no mistaking the perm and the huge bow sitting on top of my head. Seriously, Mom? I’ve stopped trying to understand this.

I had major buck teeth growing up y’all… I mean BAD, and after 3 (yes, you heard right) times of getting braces that was rectified and the perm left and thank God the flat iron was invented.

I managed to turn from the above, to this.




This is what I want people to remember, ha!

And a little funny story to add to this. When my Mom and her husband at the time, my sister’s dad, went on vacation I stayed with my Grandma (My Dad's mom) while they were out of town. I wanted to get rid of my perm so bad. So I convinced my Grandma and my Aunt to go and let me get my hair cut and I got my whole perm chopped off.

Lets say, my Mom was NOT happy!!!

I have never in my life cried so hard because I looked like a total boy with my hair cut and I hated it!!!!

So much for that bright idea!

But good thing my hair grows back fast!

Please tell me y'all went through an awkward perm phase?!?!?

Weekend Recap!

I'm sitting here on a Sunday evening wondering how in the world the weekend went by so fast!

Haven't done a weekend recap in forever!

I had a very nice weekend, sad to see it end!

Friday night I treated myself to Olive Garden, I had a giftcard to use up. YAY for guilt free eating out!



And then I did what any cool person does on a Friday night!!!!



Why grocery shop of course!I know, I score majorly high on the cool meter!

Then Saturday was all about Football!!!!

Arkansas Razorbacks


vs.

Georgia Bulldogs.


Such a good game!!!

Then of course

My Gators


vs.

Tennessee


We beat the tar out of them!!!! Was SO proud of the Gators!!!! Lets keep it up boys! So far 3-0 :)

Then Saturday night we had my nieces over night. My Mom and her husband came over and spent the night. It was a full house and I loved it and it was so much fun. We ate tacos and loved on the girls. It was a great night spent with the family.

Just hanging out.


Watching the football game :)


My Granny came over and visited with us so she could see her great-grandbaby.


Melissa, my cousin/BFF came over to see baby MacKenzie because she hadn't seen her yet since she was born. Her and Lexi.




Lexi wanted to take some pics with my camera, so these next few pics are compliments of her as you can tell from the angle, ha!



My Momma!




Bath time for the baby!!




It was so great this morning waking up to these precious faces!




And this is when you know you have kids in the house!








And then Mommy and Daddy came to pick up the girls!! :)

Lexi wanted to take a picture of her Momma!


And the rest of today was pretty much low key and then tonight went over to Melissa's to visit with her some more and her husband. We cooked out burgers and watched some more Football. Perfect end to the weekend!! Didn't get any pictures except of her sweet pug!!!



Hope y'all had a wonderful weekend!

Freedom from debt!

Debt…. Such an ugly word!

There was some talk about this on Twitter this morning, which gave me inspiration for this blog post. According to creditcards.com, 29% of Americans don’t use credit cards. Are you one of them?

I am trying hard to focus on getting rid of my debt.

I have stopped using both my credit cards. One I have cut up and one I have just for emergencies.

I took a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace class and it is so true when he says the borrower is slave to the lender.

That is exactly how I feel.

I'll be honest, I still found myself using the credit card after I took his class. You can sit in the class and hear all the right things to do, but you have to want to get out of your situation bad enough in order to make a change and I am finally at that place.

My ultimate goal would be to be free of credit card debit before I get out of school. Because when I get out of school I will be hit with student loan payments and I would just love to be free and clear of credit card payments.

The thought of student loans makes me cringe, but unfortunately it's what I had to do.

And then I have my car. Oh, how I dream of the day with no car payment!

I’ve FINALLY realized I have been living way outside my means. It’s a mess I’ve gotten myself into, but I can get out of it with a lot of hard work.

It takes you awhile to get into a debt mess (or in some cases not very long) and it will take awhile to get out of it, not going to happen over night.

I’m blessed with a job as a receptionist, but let’s face it, it pays the bills but it’s surely not the big bucks! But I'm in school trying to obtain a career which will give me better financial stability for my future.

I've also learned of the importance of knowing where all your money is going.

This might seem so minuet, but I have a prime example to share with you from just this week. I was driving home from school this week and my car wanted to make a direct right into the McDonald's parking lot because I had a craving for a McFlurry and fries. Y'all don't know how badly I wanted it. But I'm proud to say I conquered and just drove right on by. I know it was money I didn't need to spend, and about $5 more dollars I had in my pocket.

So small, but yet a big lesson. And if we can learn the lessons in the small things, think of the bigger things God will entrust to us. Just one of many examples I could give you.

Have you found yourself debt free? Are you currently in the process of trying to become debt free? Any advice? Anything that you can share that has helped you? I would greatly appreciate it.

I know if I can get a handle on this at a young age, it will so benefit me in the future.

Poor girl's menu!

I have seen a lot of people blog their menus for the week. They always make my mouth water and I always seem to read them when I’m hungry, ha!

I have quite an interesting menu this week. So thought I’d share.

It’s not your typical menu but I’ve affectionately renamed it “The poor girl’s menu.

So without further ado… And also let me add too that 3 nights out of the week I have school and I get there in enough time to eat before class starts.

Monday:
Lunch: Tuna
Dinner: PB&J

Tuesday:
Lunch: Chicken Viola (this meal can be found in your frozen food section and quite tasty).
Dinner: Popcorn (Yes, don’t judge, snacked on it while at school and that was my dinner)

Wednesday:
Lunch: PB&J
Dinner: French bread pizza

Thursday:
Lunch: Tuna
Dinner: Leftover Chicken Viola

Friday:
Has yet to be determined. Thinking it might be an eat out day. Don’t you think I deserve it?

This menu seriously makes me laugh and thinking that none of your mouths are watering.

I get home last night and much to my surprise I find this in the mail:



Hallelujah, the food God’s knew what I needed.

I donated blood last month and this was their gift to me. It’s a win-win situation. I save lives and my tummy gets rewarded in return.

And it couldn’t have been more timely.

Now the dilemma is Olive Garden bread sticks or Red Lobster’s cheese biscuits.

This post should be alternately titled “Darden Saves the Day”.

Sleepover with my Momma!

There are those moments, the sweet times that you just want to get down for the books.

Last night I had an impromptu sleepover with my Mom, ha!

She went and visited with my brother, his wife, and the grandbabies while I was at school and instead of driving all the way back to her house, she ditched the husband for the evening and decided to stay with me. And her work is closer to my me than her as well. How could she pass up being able to sleep in a little later? Ha!

I got home from school last night and she was already at the house.

I was preparing my lunch for today and then she called me into the room and said, you have to see this.



This 10 year old opera singer on America’s Got Talent is simply amazing. I imagine this is what angels in heaven sound like. We caught the tail end of the show.

Then we crawled into bed together and watched CSI: Miami.

It was nice just to spend time with her alone.

We started to fall asleep and so we set the alarm clock and called it a night.

I think she forgot I changed the alarm ringtone to the ringa ding ding dinga dong geico ringtone. So at precisely 6am she pretty much jumped out of her skin and it scared the daylights out of her.

I laughed. Couldn’t help it.

But in trying to turn the alarm off she gave my phone a pretty good beating and broke my trackball (it was already on the verge) on my blackberry and so now it’s all taped up.

I officially have a ghetto blackberry. Ha!

Before we got up out of bed we laid and plaid sudoku together on her phone!

We got ready this morning side by side in the bathroom, chatting and laughing.

I so enjoyed it.

We turned on Good Morning America to see Oprah had surprised her audience on the first show of the last and final season with a trip to Australia and John Travolta would be the pilot taking them there.

So jealous I wasn’t sitting in the audience that day.

And then I apologized to my Mom that she would not be able to fulfill her dream of attending the Oprah Winfrey show one day, because y’all know that every ticket for each show till the end of the season is spoken for.

We laughed and had some more chit-chat as we were getting ready.

And then it was time to head off to start our days. It was a sweet reminder of why I love my Mom so much. She makes me laugh. I love spending time with her. She is truly one of my best friends.

These are what sweet moments are made of.

Let's have a sleepover again soon, Mom!!! :)

Isn't it ironic, don't you think?

If you remember from this post, I got a driving ticket back in July. I was distracted by my phone while texting and driving.

Again, I’ll say, don’t do it.

Well, I had 60 days to take the driving course to keep the points off my license and so this past weekend I spent Saturday morning at Alpha 2 Omega traffic school. Yes, that’s the name.

Yes, Jesus, the Alpha and Omega, was all up in there convicting me that I was to NEVER do this again.

Anyhow, there was a packed crowd. Every seat was accounted for.

You would be surprised that a majority of the people were made up of old people. On second thought, maybe you’re not, as it’s a known fact that some old people in America today DO NOT know how to drive.

But I was in the class too, so who am I to talk?

So the back row where I sat was made up of all us young offenders.

We each had to go around stating our name and what we were there for.

Red light runners and speeders seemed to be the norm as we went around the room.

Then it comes around to me where I proceeded to say.. "Hi, my name is Lauren and I was ticketed for careless driving because I was distracted by my phone and was texting while driving."

No joke, a big “Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh” resounds from everyone in the room and everyone turns around to look at me.

I felt like the biggest criminal offender in the world and wanted to shrink down in my seat.

Let me say I know texting while driving is a huge deal and not making light of it, but this gets better…

So then two seats down from me on criminal row, the gentleman says, “Hi, my name is so and so and I am here for high speed pursuit and I was arrested and was mandated by the court to take this class.”

Yes, high speed pursuit people…As in running from the cops.

And want to know something, not a peep from anyone at this man’s confession. But for me, I got the “ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.”

I wanted to stand up right then and there and say, did you not hear this man? Give him an “ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh”, I want to hear an “ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.”

In the words of Alanis Morrisette, isn’t it ironic, don’t you think??

But in my defense, at least I didn’t have to get a mug shot taken!

Where were you when the world stopped turning?

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that bible at home
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

The greatest is love
The greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

I will never forgot where I was on that day. I was a senior in high school. Our class was in the library. I remember we watched the horrific events unfold and glued to the TV and knowing that at that moment our country would never be the same again. We would never be the same again. Our hearts would never be the same.

I remember coming home later that day and calling my mom sobbing just asking, how can someone do this? And not being able to wrap my mind around the fact that people could be this cruel and just praying out to God that either he come back that day or that he would use this terrible situation and make it out for good.

Whether we were directly affected by September 11th or not, no denying that a bit of all of us changed that day. I have never been more proud to be an American. Never been more proud to wear my red, white, and blue.

We have and always will live in the greatest country ever.

Pray for those families today that lost their loved one's. Continue to pray that we will never be attacked on our soil again. Pray for peace and understanding between all countries. Let us never take our freedom for granted and may we continue to remember the price that comes with that freedom and the troops that are fighting each day for us.

God Bless the U.S.A.

1 Corinthians 13:13- And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

I could die at this cuteness!

Seriously, when I saw these I about died.

This is my adorable niece, and she is all mine!!!!!

Don't be jealous :)

When God Writes Your Love Story!

I’ve never been in love.

In fact, I’ve never had a serious relationship.

And you know what, I'm beginning to realize there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.

In the midst of my frustration, deep down I know its God’s protection and him guarding my heart.

It’s not that I’ve never wanted to be. But in high school, boys will be boys and the priorities are all out of whack. I’ve always known what I wanted and that just wasn’t my cup of tea. And as I’ve gotten older I've yet to find anyone in the church atmosphere.

So one may think, well maybe I’m just out of luck.

Not so though.

I read so many blogs where I read about people doing life with the one God picked for them. There are many mommy blogs I read where I hear cute stories about their kids and the things they do and say.

And it always makes me smile. Because it gives me hope and there are so many things I have learned from married couples and through the mommy’s in the blog world and through all the people that are seasons ahead of me.

I’ve gotten a glimpse of the kind of wife I want to be and the kind of mother I want to strive to be. Although my mother, herself, has strongly guided me and has set such a good example and given me a great moral compass!

I’ve had so many people tell me, Lauren, you’ve been set apart. You’re not the average girl and you’re not like any other girl.

It’s so very rare today to see a young woman in her 20s waiting for that one, hand-picked, gentleman, that God has for her. It’s so easy to settle just because you’re longing to love and be loved.

Real authentic love is worth waiting for.

It’s written by him, and him alone.

I came across this song Faithfully when I bought the book, “When God Writes Your Love Story”. The authors recorded it to go with the book.

Oh, how I want to experience love like this.

And as God writes my love story (he hasn’t put the pen down), Faithfully I’ll wait!


"Faithfully"
Tonight I saw a shooting star
Made me wonder where you are
For years I have been dreaming of you
And I wonder if you're thinking of me too
In this world of cheap romance
And love that only fades after the dance
They say that i'm a fool to wait for something more
How can I really love someone i've never seen before
But I have longed for true love every day that I have lived
And I know that real love is all about learning how to give
So I pray that god will bring you to me
And I pray you'll find me waiting faithfully

Faithfully, I am yours
From now until forever
Faithfully, I will write
Write you a love song with my life
Cause this kind of loves worth waiting for
No matter how long it takes I am yours
Faithfully

Tonight I saw two lovers kiss
Reminded me of my own loneliness
They say that i'm a fool to keep on praying for you
How can I give up pleasure for a dream that won't come true
But I will keep believing that god still has a plan
And though I can't see you now,
I know that he can
And someday I will give you all of me
Until I find you, i'll be waiting faithfully

Faithfully, I am yours
From now until forever
Faithfully, I will write
Write you a love song with my life
Cause this kind of loves worth waiting for
No matter how long it takes I am yours
Faithfully

Be present!

It’s funny. There are some days I’ll get on this blog to write and know exactly what I’m going to talk about and then there are other times, like this morning, where I have no a clue and just hope something comes to me. I’m also learning that it’s okay to have those silent days. Those days where you just have nothing to speak of.

I thought today was one of those days, but then two words came to my mind. “Be present.”

And I’m going to roll with it.

God has really been stirring the pot in this area of my life.

There is so much that consumes our time and distracts us and keeps our attention. And wouldn’t you say especially where technically is concerned?

It so easily keeps us from being in the present.

Do you ever have those moments, wherever you maybe, you’re there in body, but your mind is totally elsewhere and not really taking in the here and now, that very moment, and the people you are with?

These moments in life are fleeting. Here one day, and gone the next. We can’t get it back. And as you can agree, time is not standing still.

I want to live with intention. I want to look back with no regrets.

I want to soak in every moment with my Mom and not take for granted the wonderful relationship I have with her. Because the fact is, one day she’ll grow old and I’ll be the one helping take care of her. The least I can do for all the years she took care of me, and STILL does.

I want to be a daughter of intention.

I want to soak in every moment with my sweet niece’s because I know one day they won’t be little anymore. They’ll grow up and have kids of their own and that moment will be here in the blink of an eye.

I want to be the best Aunt I can be with intention.

Ever since my sister moved, I realize that I could be doing more to keep that communication open. She’s busy living her life, and I’m busy with mine. But there’s no greater relationship than the one you have with your sister and it’s easy to take this relationship for granted. We’re in a difficult season right now. We’re in two different seasons of life. But our hearts will always be connected as sisters.

I want to be a sister of intention.

I want to invest in my friendships that God has placed in my life. And with Facebook and all the other avenues we can communicate, it’s so easy to depend on these. You need face to face, soul to soul friendships. No social networking in the world can replace that. When I leave this earth I want people to say I was a good friend.

I want to build friendships and maintain friendships with intention.

I want to make sure I am there in every way possible for my Granny who is battling cancer right now. You think Grandparents are going to be these constant figures in your life. But as I learned with the death of my Grandpa last year, that’s not true. I don’t know where this journey will take her and have no clue how much longer she’ll be with us. And that’s the case whether she has cancer or not.

I want to love and be there for her with intention.

This goes for school and work as well. I need to be the best student I can be and the best employee I can be and give it my all and not be mediocre. I am blessed to be able to get an education in a career that can benefit my future tremendously. I’m blessed with a job and not everyone can say that.

Again, this requires intention.

I often find myself with my Blackberry connected to my fingers, not wanting to miss out on a thing. But really, I’m missing out on what’s right in front of me. And that’s where I want to be.

Someday I’ll be married and with a family of my own, and living with intention will take on a whole new meaning.

But for right now, this is what’s important to me. This is what matters. This is here. This is now!

I don’t want to miss out on a thing.

I want to be present. And wouldn’t hurt to be present with intention.

To buy or not to buy!

I spent a couple of nights over the long weekend at my parent’s house.

My Mom on Saturday had gone to Belk because they were having a huge sale because they were closing the store.

She bought me a jean dress that ended up only being $4.

I wore it to church on Sunday.



I ended up tweeting this picture on Sunday and got sooo many comments that people loved the dress.

It is so simple and I fell instantly in love with it. It’s just so cute.

Then later Sunday I went to Belk myself because I wanted to see if there was anything else I could find.

I was in the dressing room trying on this Romper and tweeted it to get people’s opinion.




I got a big fat no on this and they all had their reasons why they didn't like it. I asked for honesty and that’s what I got and that was great. I’ll be honest, the picture doesn’t really do it justice, and it’s just one of those things that you have to see in person.

I was really swayed to put it back and forget about it based on everyone’s opinion.

But in reality, I know it was only my opinion that counts, and if I wanted it and liked it, and heck it was only $7, then I should go ahead and buy it.

And the funny thing is, when I got home I tried it on for my Mom, and she loved it. I value my Mom’s opinion (not that I didn’t the others) so that made me feel a lot better about buying it.

I say all this to say this, isn’t it amazing how much stock we put in other people’s opinions and judgment whether it is clothes, or whatever the case may be.

When ultimately, I forget whose opinion in the grand scheme of things matters. But at the same time, its fun to know what other people think and to get other opinions too. So it’s like a catch 22, ha!

The big question was to buy or not to buy.

But in the end. I bought it. I liked it. And that’s what counts.

Remembering my Grandpa!

A year ago today we celebrated 82 years of life and a homecoming.

One year ago today one of the greatest and sweetest men I will ever know, my Grandpa, meet his Lord and Savior, and on his birthday nonetheless!!!

That day I stood there beside him in the ICU room as he took his last breath and stroking his hair telling him it was okay to leave. A moment I will never ever forget!

I spoke at his funeral, read here. It was my first experience with the death of a grandparent. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do but yet the most peaceful thing. The words came freely and from the heart.

Grandpa, I look forward to holding hands again one day with you in Heaven!!!



I've shared this picture on the blog before, it was taken not long before he passed!!! And I will cherish it forever!!

Happy birthday Grandpa!! And until I see you again, keep that seat warm for me in heaven!

Love you!!!

Let's hear it for the Orange and Blue!

In Florida, Orange and Blue are the two greatest colors EVER!!!

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is where all the action takes place!!!! The Gator Swamp to be exact!



Something so exciting about this time of year. Fall is definitely in the air!!!

I'm going to miss this guy, though!!!



I heart you Tebow!!! :(

But I am hoping for a good season for the Florida Gators!!!

I do not claim to be a big expert on the game of Football itself, but........

Gooooooooooooooooo Gators!!!!!!



Who is your team?????

Happy game day!!!!!!

If I could, I would....

On the LPM blog yesterday, Beth Moore asked a fun question.

We all have hopes, dreams, and wishes. The things in the back of our mind where we say, "If I could, I would _____________. And fill in the blank.

And she asked us to chime in with three.

It really wasn't a hard question to answer for me.

If I could, I would....

Travel the world and get paid for it and have that be my job.



If I could, I would.....

Be able to have a child someday.



The Doctors say I can't have children due to a condition I was born with. But I know whose report I'll believe and know God is the ultimate healer and miracle worker.

And thirdly,

If I could, I would.....

Be a singer.



Music is such a powerful tool. So I've been told I have a good voice and I've been known to sing in the shower from time to time, ha!!

So, my readers? What about you? Let me know what your three would be.

I though this will be a little Friday fun!

As I type this I am sitting on my couch and still wondering why I'm up this early on my day off. I'm starting my weekend early. Hello four-day weekend!!!!!!

I'm just going to take it easy and just enjoy the day off having nowhere to be!

Hope y'all have a great Friday!