I Leave You With This...

This newlywed is saying goodbye.

As you all well know, I've been a bit like splattered raindrops lately. It's trickey, really, but this belle and her beau are going through some major life changes. Even though I'm an undomesticated newlywed and will likely never be a MckMama, I do have other tricks up my sleeve. Writing has always been my #1 passion, although I thoroughly love all things fluffy, fashionable and famous, I am not fully satisfied sassified and that makes Jane Anna a very dull girl.

Starting this blog was one of the best misadventures of a newlywed and I don't regret even one post. Being Brazen, I'll just tell you that this chapter of my life is over. Of course while this decision is indefinitely definite, I'm pretty sure it's what I need to do to pursue my dreams. While it seems I'll always be learning to be a wife and it's pretty obvious I'll never be a sassy engineer, which means I do need to open the doors that are knocking, so this prep-e girl is out of here.

Despite your good guesses, I'm not off to be a chic runner, a pink chick or a monogram chick and while the choice I've made is not a housewife's journey to forever or a charge to be thou a knight, it is does cause me to say that I must let go laughing as there are some really great things on the horizon. Of course, I could choose to become a cocaine princess or a preppy princess and really be classy and fabulous, but just ask wifey, I don't think I fit the bill ;0)

This journey I've taken going from Miss to Mrs has been a bit like running in stilettos and at times I thought it may lead me to be a Vodka-puppy mom, but instead my blog sometimes reads like I'm in the sweet tea diaries of a misplaced northerner {someone should grab that title!} floating on in the adventures of Jon and Steph, except we're Dan and Anna, we're as different as a Hokie and a Wahoo and well, let's face it... just make mine a mojito.

As the saying goes... First comes love, then comes marriage and whelp! marriage has come. It's time for me to pull up my boot straps and get serious with my writing if I ever want a future in it. You see, I've been miss caught up with miss e's misadventures, Courtney and the boys and Jenny.Lee! These amazing blogs will be tremendously missed and the footprints they've left on my heart, not easily wiped away, for I will always ...love Maegan, adore blue eyed bride, and miss saskia's spot. Seriously! Withdraw may cause me to see polka dots and paisleys!!

But don't be too dismayed, you'll still be able to follow my Tales from the country Salti roads Peaks -- You can read my writing HERE and still get your fix. As sad as this is for me, all good things must come to an end, true? This is the reality of happily ever after, isn't it?

*****************************************

I hope you enjoyed that... it's been stirring in me a few days.

While blogging truly has been one of the greatest adventures of my life, it's time for me to buckle down and really write like I know I'm supposed to. Some of you may be wondering why I can't do both... Ever heard of "Jack of all trades, Master of none?" -- When I visit blog land I get so consumed with all of said above blogs; reading, commenting, responding, etc... by the time I'm finished, I find the passion I had to write fades for one reason or another. It's time to focus.

Like I said, I'll be writing here if you care to stop in from time to time... This is a place where I can write without worrying about followers, comments or criticism; I can focus solely on practicing my writing. With this, I've decided not to write my first book using modern day technology. I have pen and paper in hand and have been 'kickin' it old school'. I find the words flow more freely and I'm not able to edit what I originally felt.

I wish nothing but the best for each of you who've inspired me with your stories, touched me with your encouragement and uplifted my spirit with your wisdom, insight and sensitivities. I will likely be a "blog stalker" {I forget what that's officially called} when I need a good laugh or cry.

So much love to each of you my dear friends...

Trouble in In-Law Land?

Well... go HERE -- Win this fabulous book and get your husband's loyalty !!!

CONGRATS!!

.... to Running In Stilettos !!!

Thank you for being a follower and a great blogging friend!

You will receive:

One matted, 3 photo frame...

Filled with 3 of the following pix... {your choice!}

Fall for Followers

*******************UPDATED: Seeing as I overlooked the small fact that today is Labor Day, I am postponing the winner until tomorrow :) If you're a follower, enter now!!!

HAPPY LABOR DAY !!!

Original Post:

It starts August 1st.

Which is ridiculous seeing as its the hottest month of the year.

Yet, I can't help it...

Visions of crisp blue skies, bright orange pumpkins, big yellow mums on porches and people in sweaters, jeans and boots. The feel of cool, clean air, the sight of bright red trees, the taste I don't have a sense of smell of hot apple pie and the sound of walking through fallen leaves.

Autumn

I live all year waiting for this season and it's right around the corner.

I told you I'd kick off my return with a giveaway and what a better way to celebrate my favorite season!?

If you've been following me for any length of time, you know I love photography -- I'm also starting a new challenge for myself {which of course will be blogged about later} and so this giveaway is very personal!

I'm giving away 3 of the following pictures {your choice}
framed in a black, 3 photo, matted frame {like this one :}

How to win:

I've been thinking over these last two weeks and have decided this giveaway is going to be exclusively for my followers. I love each of you simply for the fact that you read, comment, email, chat and enjoy the content of my blog!

So, really? How. do. I. win?

Answer me one question:

• If the world stopped having seasons {that sounded very dramatic} tell me which season you'd want all year long and why?

That's it!

I'm totally celebrating you!

My amazing

awesome

wonderful

fabulous

followers!!

I will announce the winner Monday, Sept. 6th @ noon

3 weeks in pix

So what have you been up to, Mrs. Realife?

Thanks for asking! I'm delighted to share :)

We watched thunderstorms...

and this baby bird grow up.

We made hamburgers for us... and Elly :)

We made...

...delicious,

homemade,

one of a kind,

Salsa :)

We drove through thunderstorms...

We picked fresh peaches...

and pears.

and "jarred" them.

Yum.

We laughed a lot.

... and made fresh crab cakes after crabbing and "gutting" them?
{I forget what you call it}

We sat on our front porch and photographed another storm.

Took more pix of the lighthouse.

and more pix...

of the rain.

We had summer BBQ's with friends...

and watch the sun set over the water.

Went to our local Art Festival...

and purchased a really neat center piece for our dining room.

And of course, last, but not least...
We taught Elly how to order fast food :)

What did you do these last 3 weeks while I've been gone?!

Featured Friday: She Rocks - I'm Rollin'

I love featuring new bloggers -- I guess because I get to talk about people who I think just really rock.

This weeks next couple weeks Weekly Blog Love {click to see all my featured blogs} is a woman I've been following... well, for a long time, now. Her incredibly random thoughts maker her spontaneous and interesting and keep me coming back for more.

She's incredibly funny.

She literally makes me laugh out loud.

Taking road trips and visiting other cities is a hobby and reading about them is like reading a book. She's also features a freaking precious pup every now and then too.

She's...

Honest.


Life of a party.


Beautiful.


Open.


Makeup Artist.



Raw.


Cook.


Vulnerable.



Sincere.


oh, and doesn't talk bullshit.

How's THAT for a description?

She's... Ms. Salti !!!!

To add to all this fabulousness.... She's also holding a GIVEAWAY! It's for a gorgeous serving bowl perfect for ANY hostessing event or a night when you're home alone and just want to eat everything in your cabinets because your depressed :) Click HERE to enter!!

Go check her out... follower her and tell her I sent you!!

***********************************************

Now... for the Rolling part...

I need a break from blogging. It just so happens that the fabulous Ms. Salti mentioned that in her comment yesterday and I'm taking the advice because I need to regroup. I love writing. I love sharing my life. I love my readers. So I need a couple weeks to get my grove back after all I've been going through.

How about this? I'll be back with a bang in September featuring a giveaway -- You know how I love giveaways :) Fall will be right around the corner and I will be way inspired --

Love you all mucho - XOXO
and I'll see you in September...

20/20 Vision

So after yesterday's post, I had several of you comment or email "What's a Vision Board?"

It's simple.

Yet incredibly powerful.

I was 29 years old, just got married, just graduated college, just moved to a small town and was exhausted. Finding a job and moving forward was very much in the windshield of my life, but the rear view mirror was still calling me.

I phoned every counseling agency in the phone book.

Twice.

Nothing.

I started to think I wasn't ever going to be a counselor and in desperation, began looking at independent sales, working from home, sort of businesses. Mr. Realife advised against it, but as my stubborn ass always seems to do, I did what I wanted.

$400 later and not much to show for it and a couple of embarrassing stories later, I was stuck. in. a. rut.

At the time, I was still seeing my own counselor and told her a bit of what I was going through. She asked me a question that I'd asked myself a thousand times, but coming from her it just sounded different, "Anna, where are you going?"

She continued, explaining that our journey can't be aimless. We can't just say "Well, one day I want to, I hope to, I'm going to..." -- You actually have to make a plan, draw out a map and follow it. If you don't, you'll either 1.) never get there or 2.) it'll take you 10x's longer than it should have.

Over the next week, I wrote down what I wanted from my life. While I won't share those things, it was all inclusive - Personal , professional , financial , social , emotional, spiritual... the list goes on. I then cut out hundreds of pictures, words and phrases from magazines that represented my list of desires for my life. Mr. R looked at me sideways, but I didn't tell him what I was doing... this was for me.

I brought it back to her the next week and she said,

Every time you face a life issue, major decision or go through tough times,
you use this board to bring your life back into perspective.

Going home that night, I decided it was time to share this with my husband. While this life is my journey, I wanted to share with him where I was going.

With a few butterflies in my stomach, I sat him down and told him the story. He respected it. He knew that what I was telling him was important. What told me that was when he took it out of my hand and said "So the next time you want to sell ******, I get to pull this out and ask you if it fits in this plan?"

He got it and I love him for that.

Here's an example I found of a vision board.

Source

What's been goin' ON with that girl?

If you've been reading, you know that there have been some interesting things taking place in my life -- Good? No. Exciting? Not exactly. Emotionally Draining? Yes. Opportunity to grow and move forward? Absolutely.

I have a vision board for my life. It's full of things I want to do personally, professionally, socially, financially, etc... I keep it there to remind me of the big picture of where I'm going with my life. When weeks like these last three go by, my board truly keeps me focused on the bigger picture.

As a passionate and sincere person in every area of my life, it's difficult when you work diligently to resolve a situation in "decency and order" and the whole thing blows up in your face. It's even more difficult to resolve stuff when people misconstrue things I've said, take things I've done the wrong way and the misrepresent me to others, especially when it's people you've trusted. Fuck.

In addition to this, it's even harder when what you're facing creates an association back to the worst time in your life.

Then it's devastating to realize you haven't yet fully dealt with the past.

I don't believe in living in the past...
but I do believe our present is effected by it.
So when it's effected, it's our job to revisit and resolve it.

I realize I'm being vague... Some things just can't be talked about. I'm sorry.

*****************************************************

On a completely different note...

My blog was originally started to help pull myself out of the "reality of married life" slums 5 months after I was hitched. Once I started writing, I quickly learned that being married was pretty funny and a joy to share it's ups and downs and virtually connected with a ton of amazing other married women.

These last couple weeks, I've very seriously considered deleting my blog and moving on from the virtual world. On top of the other things said above, a few things happened where I felt very vulnerable to judgment. My heart would never be to hurt, offend or demean anyone through this blog.

On the other hand, it is not my responsibility to babysit anyone's feelings, each person, just as I am for myself, is responsible for their own reactions to not only my blog, but anyone else's blog and for that matter... anything else going on in their life! If you stop following me because I haven't commented on your blog or featured you on a Friday, I have to be honest in saying you may want to look inward at why you take things so personally... I can bet it's not just my blog you deal with these feelings.

So... let's play adults and communicate! :)

I digress...

With all that shitty stuff aside... I can't tell you what each of your responses to my post on Monday did for me in encouraging me to continue with my blog! I believe my life's purpose is to inspire, encourage and motivate others, so telling me that I've done just that for you INSPIRES, ENCOURAGES and MOTIVATES ME!!

I'll leave you with this...

...Because sometimes you need to remember what matters.

Five Years Ago, Today

Five years ago today I lost my hope in hoping, my belief in believing, my trust in trusting. Five years ago today I lost my love for life, my passion for living and my desire for giving. Five years ago today I lost my mother, I lost my family, I lost my boyfriend, I lost my purpose for living. I almost lost myself.

In the last five years I’ve moved 9 times, rented my first apartment by myself, lived in a city where I didn’t know a soul, completed my Master’s degree, met a lot of amazing people, met a lot of shitty people, pursued being licensed as a professional counselor, grown to know my family in ways I never had, been in counseling for 3 years, had 2 boyfriends, one fiancé and one husband, got my first puppy, traveled to places I never dreamed and found myself at the end of the rainbow.

Today is not five years ago.

Today I not only believe in believing, hope in hoping and trust in trusting, but help others to do the same. Today I’m awake and alive. Today I live with my eyes wide open. Today I see truth for truth and bullshit for bullshit. Today my focus is not what people are saying, thinking or feeling about me, but being fully responsible for self. Today I see trials as gift waiting to be discovered and tragedies as opportunities waiting to be ceased.

Today is a new day, a different day, an amazing day.

My SIL said something to me this morning that really made me think. She said “Let’s forget the anniversary. Why do we need an anniversary for tragedy?” I told her that sounded really great, but I needed to chew on it…

For my personal situation, I’m choosing to say this:

“I’m not remembering the anniversary of the tragedy to remember tragedy…
I’m remembering the anniversary of the day I started truly living.”

Safety Zone

************************ This is a post I wrote when I very first started my blog back in April of 08'. It's a little deep for Friday, but with some of the stuff I'm going through right now, the safety I have in my husband means so much. So, I'm reposting this one as most of you likely haven't read it. Enjoy and happy Friday!


For all you sports fans, you clearly know what the safety zone is. For those of you who aren't, I'll tell you about my safety zone -- To the side of my blog it used to state states that I will "Laugh, cry with you on this blog..." and I kept wondering when I'd write something about me crying, I mean, that's a little personal, right? Truth is, life is personal... your marriage is personal... your heart and what you're facing is personal and if what I face helps anyone, then I'll put my personal stuff out there --

With a knot in my throat and the heavy beat of my heart pounding in my ears, I'll tell you about my dad. When people say "he's the best dad in the world" I know they haven't met my dad. He really is the best dad in the world. My mother left us when I was 18 months old and my father worked 3 jobs to support us... he didn't leave. Growing up he used to play "Rainy Days on Mondays" when I would cry and he watched Land Before Time with me a thousand times. He would take me to work with him and tell me I was the best helper in the world (he laid tile... not sure how a six year old could help, but I was the best). On the weekends he'd take us to the beach and play with me in the ocean for hours on end... I always felt safe, even in the midst of the mightiness of the ocean. And every night before bed he'd say "don't let the bed bugs bite" and today, if we talk at night, he still does. He always knows what to say and never says what he knows I can't handle. He is the best dad in the world and my ever present safety zone.

Since the time I can remember I've had nightmares that my dad had died. When I married Mr. Realife, it was almost a bitter sweet day as I understood he would now be 'the man' in my life. It takes time to build that unbending trust, especially when it comes to sensitive issues such as my nightmares. We are brand new in our marriage and I had my first nightmare with him there on Monday. I didn't know how he was going to react.

As I always have, I woke up shaking and sobbing and had to call my dad. His voice would assure me things were OK. There I stood on our back porch, at 5:00 in the morning, sobbing on the phone to my dad. Mr. R walks out with a really puzzled look on his face. I was a bit embarrassed {and now annoyed at myself} and shewed him away. He didn't leave. He stood waiting patiently and with empathy in his eyes.

I hung up and he asked what happened. Through my blubbering and blowing my nose I explained and he listened. Pretending he could understand what I was saying, he led me back to the bedroom. Without a word he got in bed, pulled the covers up, pulled me into his arms and held me until I fell asleep... For the first time, I knew I had a safety zone in this amazing man that I married.

life shit goes on...

Hello all of my incredibly amazing and lovely readers...

Some things are going on right now that are preventing me from posting -- more about it later, but I'm thinking of you all and can't wait to catch up!!

PLEASE send positive thoughts and prayers my way :)

How about I leave you with a cute picture of little miss Elly Mae to cheer us all up :)

Tuesday Talk: Freakin' Genius

****ETA: Thanks to "Anonymous", who I just love with all my heart, shoot me for lying the story below is "false" and well... I'm all about "reality" on this blog, so I'm telling you up front it's been "Snoped" as false -- either way... who the hell knew you could make so much money off a parking lot?!

Original post:

Sorry this isn't going to be informative, deep or even very insightful... but it sure as hell was a shocker to read, so I'm sharing.

Saskia... this one's for you:

From The London Times:

A Well-Planned Retirement

Outside England's Bristol Zoo there is a parking lot

for 150 cars and 8 buses. For 25 years, its

parking fees were managed by a very pleasant

attendant. The fees were £1 for cars ($1.40),

£5 for buses (about $7).

Then, one day, after 25 solid years of never missing

a day of work, he just didn't show up; so the Zoo

Management called the City Council and asked it

to send them another parking agent.

The Council did some research and replied that the

parking lot was the Zoo's own responsibility.

The Zoo advised the Council that the attendant was

a City employee.

The City Council responded that the lot attendant

had never been on the City payroll.

Meanwhile, sitting in his villa somewhere on the coast of Spain

(or some such scenario), is a man who'd apparently had a

ticket machine installed completely on his own; and then

had simply begun to show up every day, commencing

to collect and keep the parking fees, estimated at about

$560 per day -- for 25 years.

Assuming 7 days a week, this amounts to just over

$7 million dollars!
.....
And no one even knows his name.

new bra = new woman

I'm not really inspired to do Not Me's today, so you're going to get some random musings on this wretched glorious Monday :)

Random Musings deserves a random pic, right? I wish I were here today.

I started my morning routine as usual when I come into the office by making coffee and washing out coffee cups from last week -- I totally proved to myself that I don't have a sense of smell seeing as 15 minutes later I discovered that our sewage system had thrown up in my toilet -- awesome.

I think my butt is actually getting BIGGER since doing The Shred -- I've always just thought that I had a flat butt... but me thinks not -- This is doing wonders for my wardrobe seeing as I'm filling out my pants more. Um... er, yeah.
******** ETA: Thanks to Becky's Comment.... I felt I should add, my whole body isn't getting bigger! LOL -- JUST MY BUTT!!! I've actually lost quite a few inches in other areas! I just think the muscles in my butt are building and I now officially have a butt that you can acutally see! I didn't want to discourage anyone from doing The Shred... It's transformed my body and still is!

I've sucked at commenting lately. Sorry to all my amazing bloggy friends -- I will hopefully get back in my grove. I miss you!

I'm taking little Miss Elly Mae to the "spa" today. Nails clipped. Nails painted. Body washed. Baby powder applied. Bows in hair. Pix to come later! {p.s. - we wash Elly every week... but since she's going, I'm having them do that, too... I'm not a bad mommy}

I went to Target this weekend! It's totally an even to go seeing as it's a half hour away. I spent 2 glorious hours roaming the isles of this glorious store. Only spent $58.00 so I was proud of myself!

I promised pix of my new office like 3 years ago! The reason you haven't gotten them is because I'm OCD about how it needs to look before the big reveal! Sorry.

I got a new bra and I'm a brand new woman no, I am not bra deprived, I just happened to have one that I love with all my heart and you can read here that it died last week

I know I've talked about my mom a few times on this blog. {pieces of it are here and here} Today, I'm missing her. :(

Happy Monday all !!
Make it a great week!

chillin'

I was on my way to Wal-mart when I saw this...

Who knew a horse could be a bird's best friend :)

Only. in. the country.

Foto Friday: Marley Elly Mae and Me

We live in the woods and in the woods, cute things happen...

Tuesday, when I arrived home from work, I let Elly out as I always do. Mr. R was headed to the barn to feed the animals, and as is her tradition, she bolted like lightening to follow him.

Not paying attention, I kept hearing this squawking bird and then realized Elly was pouncing back and forth like a boxer around something... Unbeknown to me, she was interrogating this baby bird!


I believe it's a Green Herion b/c we have a lot of these around... poor thing must have fallen out of its nest!!

Seems Elly was moving too fast for me to catch a good shot, but she was being nice to the baby -- I think it was more freaked out by my shoving a large, black, loud, clicking thing in her face, but it was important that I documented the whole cute scene! Aren't you glad I did?? :)



Sweet baby... I hope she's OK!

On another note... last weekend I went over to Raleigh to see my Sister, Brother and SIL and my 7 nieces and nephews --

I heart them.
The Adults.
Kids.
Praying to the god of swimming.
What nice ears you have.
Auntie, Anne... STOP TAKING PICTURES!
What would swimming be if I didn't bite my tube?
Come on! JUMP!
Mama... I'll rub your head and make you feel better.
Can't you see I'm having a private moment!?
One. more. piece.

What?

I'm gettin' outta here.

Auntie Anne with all the kiddos.

I ALSO heart FRIDAYS!!!
Have a fabulous weekend!

Sometimes Being a Woman Rocks

My 1st car was a 1984, Red, 2 Door, Hatchback, Standard, Honda Civic. I'm not sure if it's because I just never paid attention or that I didn't care, but I went my entire first year driving it without changing the oil. I had no idea that this was needed every 3 - 5,000 miles.

It died suddenly on the side of the road, never to be resurrected.

My 2nd car was a 1986 I was moving up in the world, Silver Blue, 4 door, Hatchback, Fully Loaded, Automatic, Dodge somethingorother - I drove it one year, changed the oil and kept gas in it.

I should have kept this car because it ran well, was incredibly comfortable and was paid for but I was a car snob I wanted something a little more... um, 20 y/o-ish...

...So, I traded it in for my 3rd car. A 1996, White, 4 Door, Tan interior, Fully Loaded, no hatchback Standard, Volkswagen Jetta - My. Absolute. Dream. of a car. I loved this car. I changed its oil, washed it, vacuumed it, and drove it into the ground in 5 years.

This leads me to my 4th car. A 2005, Silver, 4 door, Hatchback I'm starting to see a pattern, Almost fully loaded, Standard, Scion XB. Yes. That's that little milkman truck, safari car, box on wheels thingy. I'm not really sure what I was going for here other than a reasonable car payment and some security that my car wouldn't break down in the middle of nowhere as I was traveling a lot that summer. I drove it for 2 years and after a year of dating Mr. R, he convinced me I needed to trade it in while I could still get a decent trade-in price on it. And I did.

Lastly? My 5th car. A 2007, White, 2 door, Black interior, Fully Loaded, Hatchback, Automatic, Volkswagen Rabbit. I've decided I'm a serious VW girl. They are sporty, easy to drive, durable and fun cars. I take pretty good care of it... Oil is always changed at 5,000 miles {even though the kind of oil that was used says I can go 10,000}, I don't clean it as often as I'd like... but that's life.

Anyhow...

I had my first 5 oil changes done for free by VW as this was part of the deal. It would cost me $80.00 to have the dealership change it and well... I thought it would be easier if I bought the stuff and Mr. Realife did it. Not so much.

I bought the oil from Sam's Club and thought I was set. Mr. R informed me I needed an oil filter, too, so I went to Ace Hardware I'm not kidding and asked if they had one. They were incredibly polite at least to my face and said that I'd need to go to an automotive store.

Napa was across the street, so I mosied {we mosey in small towns} on over. The line was long, but I went in with my game face on now. With men everywhere, I didn't want to look like an idiot, so I stood there looking like I knew exactly what I was doing and what I was there for.

After standing in line for 20 minutes, I was summoned to the register. I folded my hands in front of me and set them on the counter and said in my most serious voice I need a Fuel Filter. He diligently looked on the computer to see if they had that part and he looked at me with a disappointed glare. I'm sorry ma'am, we don't have any in stock.

With my pride a little hurt again and a little taken aback that such a large automotive center did not have what I needed, I replied I'm really shocked you don't have such a common necessity for a car! I've waited 20 minutes really hoping you'd have this item. He apologized and after giving me another referral, I sort of pouted my way out the door.

Feeling distraught and really slightly annoyed, I walked into the new Automotive Store {name is slipping my mind}. Not. a. person. in. sight. -- The very kind looking man stood behind the counter smiling How can I help you, Ma'am? Humbled by my last two experiences, I finally let my gaurd down and just asked I need to get my oil changed and I need a Fuel Filter, do you have one of those?

He grinned and said I think what you mean, is do I have a OIL filter.

I think I died a little on the inside that day and so did my husband.

I think I'll stick to counseling.

Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner!!

Um... yeah. Not so much a chicken dinner...

But -- how about a $30 GIFT CARD to an AMAZING STORE!!!

Recap: Living Rooms Direct, who not only sells fantastic Living Room Furniture, but also has a line of accessories to die for {notNeutral} offered an incredibly generous $30 gift card to one of my amazing readers!!!

Who... you ask, is that amazing reader!!??

A NEW FOLLOWER!!!

SHOOTING STARS MAG!!!

I've been looking through her blog and she's LOTS of fun!! She discusses all the new movies, books and Hollywood stars!!

Thanks for your well wishes yesterday... I'm feeling much better, thank you!!!

Thank you to ALL of my amazing followers being so great!!! Look for MORE giveaways, funny stories and Tuesday talks to come :)

so sorry

I know I said I'd announce the winner today.

I was sick today and the internet was the last thing on me mind.

will. post. tomorrow.

Thinking of you all brings a smile to my face :)

I leave you with a cute pic of Elly in hopes you'll forgive me...

Not Me... Never Me Monday

First and foremost... Stellan is back in the hospital -- My heart is sad and yet, as always, hopeful for what God has for this precious baby -- Please pray, send good thoughts, say positive words or whatever your fancy is, he needs them --

With that... I think we need a little funny, don't you?? Well... I did not do some pretty insane things this week, so hold on to your panties.

Not Me Monday was created by MckMama -- It's an opportunity to get a little therapy for all those things you would never do, but did :) Click here for all the rules.

I did not eat ice cream for lunch x's 2 this week

I did not add chips and drink to round 2.

In addition to this... I did not eat chips and salsa for lunch one day and for dinner another.

I am no longer wondering why I haven't lost any inches on my hips

I did not skip cooking dinner for my neglected sweet and understanding husband every night this week. Oh. Except Sunday... :)

This was not one of my worst weeks ever.

I'm not an emotional eater.

i am not.

i am not.

i am not.

Friday my bra was not sticking me in the side from escaping under-wire -- It hurt so badly by 3:30... I did not take off my bra at work and steal borrow our receptionist hoodie she so conveniently left on the back of her chair to cover up my braless chest. That would be ridiculous.

Speaking of hips... I have not been measuring the wrong part of my hips as my "hips" and thinking I just wasn't losing any inches. Not me. I'm not 31 years old and just now learning what part of my body to measure as my hips. seriously. not. me.


Just a few more pix to convince you he's worth a minute of your time today because I'm just cruel like that

Of course ALL pix by MckMama

NOT that you needed convincing :)

YOU HAVE TIL NOON TO ENTER

MY GIVEAWAY!!

Have a HAPPY Monday

i just love her...