But why must they do it in other people's cars, homes, etc.?
Last night both WEG's and my cars were broken into in our driveway. At 6:30 at night.
I say broken into, but that's not really the case. Nothing was broken. By some strange fluke that NEVER EVER EVER happens, both of our cars were unlocked. Apparently I did not lock mine yesterday when I was unloading stuff out of it. I always lock my car. Why didn't I do it yesterday?
And WEG had just gone outside to turn on the grill and he got a pair of shoes out of his truck, forgetting to lock it back. Not 10 minutes later, he goes out of the house with steaks in one hand, and Abe's food in the other, to see the lights on in his truck and a guy with the rear driver's side door open. WEG's truck was FULL of Christmas presents that he had just picked up from his grandmother to take home for her today.
Fortunately, we do not think he got any of the presents because WEG yelled when he came out the back door and the guy dropped the bags of presents as he ran. WEG has seen the guy before around the neighborhood, and he has even come knocking on the door asking for money.
It took the cops an hour to get to our house because they were so backed up in our area of the city. During that time we realized he had gone through my glovebox and center console, but all he had gotten from me was a change purse of pennies, which he dropped as he ran, as well. We also realized that he had the audacity to open up our grill which WEG left shut to see what was cooking. I guess if our steaks had been on there, he'd have stolen those, too.
From WEG's truck he got some money from the center console- about $30 we'd guess, and his GPS, but as far as we can tell nothing else.
We were lucky, though. If my car had been locked, he would have immediately gone to WEG's truck and seen the presents and had more time to steal those. Instead, he took the time to go through mine, taking time away from WEG's truck. So perhaps we should say that my car being unlocked was good fortune because what a horrible thing it would have been for WEG to have had to tell his grandmother that the presents she had just given him had been stolen.
It's a shame that some people do not have integrity. That they do not have the initiative to get a job and pay their bills and make their own money. That they have to steal from other people to get their next drug fix. It's a damn shame. When the cop was there he made the statement that the criminals shop, too- just from other people instead of stores- I guess they do that too- shoplift. It makes me so mad...it makes me feel violated (for the second time in a month- the first was when someone stole my debit card number and charged adult entertainment to it- you may remember that post)
WEG and I need to move- we have been wanting to get out to the country and this just further fuels that desire. It doesn't feel very safe in a neighborhood where at 6:30 in the evening someone will come into your yard and steal things from your cars while you are just inside. The guy had to know someone was coming back outside if the grill was on, and yet and still, he still proceeded to ransack our cars. Like I said earlier, a damn shame.
But, on a lighter note- and if you've made it this far- I missed my one year blogiversary last week. I can't believe it's been a year since I started blogging and I can't imagine not doing it or reading all of your fabulous blogs that provide me such insight and advice. Thanks to everyone who reads what I have to say.
May you all have a Merry Christmas!!
Thursday, December 24
Friday, December 18
It's the most wonderful (but busy!) time of the year
Happy Friday, y'all! I am checking in quickly because my weekend is shaping up to be a busy one. It looks something like this:
Friday night: Christmas party with our best friends. It's the 3rd annual, and a fun tradition we look forward to for many more years!
Saturday: Wrapping Christmas presents for WEG's family while watching The Holiday and hopefully The Family Stone (if I can find somewhere to purchase it!!)
Saturday night: Tacky Christmas sweater party. I'll make sure to take pictures because I'm pretty sure my sweater takes the cake!
Sunday: Home to Elloree for church and to stay over until Monday. I'm using this opportunity to go ahead and take home all of my family's Christmas presents.
However, did I mention that at 12:00 I will officially be off for 2 weeks for Christmas break?! I can't wait to sleep, lounge around, run in the mornings, and spend time with my family and friends without the obligations of work.
I hope everyone has a great weekend and enjoys any parties that you may have! And check back on Monday morning because I'm doing a book review of Karen White's The Girl on Legare Street for the TLC Book Tour.
Friday night: Christmas party with our best friends. It's the 3rd annual, and a fun tradition we look forward to for many more years!
Saturday: Wrapping Christmas presents for WEG's family while watching The Holiday and hopefully The Family Stone (if I can find somewhere to purchase it!!)
Saturday night: Tacky Christmas sweater party. I'll make sure to take pictures because I'm pretty sure my sweater takes the cake!
Sunday: Home to Elloree for church and to stay over until Monday. I'm using this opportunity to go ahead and take home all of my family's Christmas presents.
However, did I mention that at 12:00 I will officially be off for 2 weeks for Christmas break?! I can't wait to sleep, lounge around, run in the mornings, and spend time with my family and friends without the obligations of work.
I hope everyone has a great weekend and enjoys any parties that you may have! And check back on Monday morning because I'm doing a book review of Karen White's The Girl on Legare Street for the TLC Book Tour.
Tuesday, December 15
The Girl on Legare Street
When I was asked by TLC Book Tours to do a review of The Girl on Legare Street, by Karen White, I jumped at the chance. I tend to love any and all books that are set in the South, especially South Carolina, because I know the places that are mentioned in the book and can really feel as if I am right there with the characters. The Girl on Legare Street was no different, and I loved it as a follow-up to The House on Tradd Street, which was also so kindly sent to me. Although you do not have to read The House on Tradd Street in order to understand The Girl on Legare Street, it does help so that you will really know the characters.
Karen WhiteWhether or not you believe in ghosts, I guarantee you will get sucked in to this book and not want to put it down. The more I read, the more I wanted to read. I could not put the book down, awaiting the next clue in the mystery of the Prioleau family. Karen White’s characters came alive for me, even those that were not, well, alive.
Without spoiling the book for those of you who have not read it, I’ll give you a brief synopsis of the characters and the storyline. The lead character, Melanie Middleton, is a successful real estate agent in Charleston. The only daughter of the famous Ginnette Prioleau, Melanie and her mother are thrown together in this book out of necessity for Melanie’s well-being. However, because Ginnette left Melanie with her father when she was a child, she is very resistant to getting to know her mother after years of heartbreak. One of the other main characters is Jack Trenholm, a writer by trade, who is researching Melanie’s house on Tradd Street for his next novel. Jack and Melanie are often at odds, but realize that they can’t solve the mystery without each other’s help. Through most of the book, Melanie is in denial that Jack is perfect for her, mainly because of his relationship with Rebecca Edgerton. Rebecca is a reporter for the Post and Courier and is very interested in the Prioleau family history, to the point of it being a bit fishy why she would care so much- but read the book, and it will all make sense. Other characters include Melanie’s friend Sophie, a professor at the College of Charleston and an avid preservationist; Chad, one of Melanie’s clients and also a professor, who sparks up a love interest with Sophie; Melanie’s father, a recovering alcoholic who is dedicated to reviving the gardens at both the houses on Tradd and Legare Streets; Amelia Trenholm, Jack’s mother and owner of an antique shop downtown; and Marc Longo, a man after Melanie’s affections much to the chagrin of Jack.
And then there are the ghostly characters. I came to love the ghost of Wilhelm, Melanie’s “protector” and a Hessian soldier. Whenever he is around Melanie and Ginnette are safe from the girl ghost who is out to harm them for past wrongs committed against her by their ancestors.
Through the book you will follow Melanie, Jack, Ginnette, and Rebecca on their quest to find out the secrets of the Prioleau family and rid themselves of the haunting of the dangerous girl ghost bent on revenge. Along the way you will witness relationships sputter and flourish as new clues are uncovered to solve the mystery.
If you like a good ghost story, mystery, or just a book about strong relationships (both positive and negative), then this book is for you. Karen White weaves a story that is both fascinating and fun to read, a real page-turner that will leave you begging for more when you reach the end. I can’t wait to read what she comes out with next!
Joy to the World
Do you ever find yourself getting so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas holidays that you forget the real reason for the season? I know I'm guilty of this, and for that I am ashamed. It's easy to get carried away with present buying and wrapping, Christmas parties, baking, and decorating at this time of year. Sometimes we might not stop to think about the baby that was born in a manger in Bethlehem. A baby sent to be the Savior of the world. A baby that would later die on a cross and rise again for our sins.
How many people do you think do not know about Christ? How many don't know that he is the real reason for the season, and not a jolly old man in a red suit? At Christmas, moreso than any other time of the year, it makes me think what it would be like to live in darkness, not knowing that there is someone who we can rely on in the midst of everything. It makes me incredibly thankful to have been raised as I did, and I hope that one day I will be able to tell my own children the story of Jesus' birth and the real reason we celebrate such a joyous holiday. Maybe one day I'll start a new tradition with my own children of baking a cake for Jesus and singing happy birthday. And I'll continue the traditions that my parents did with me, those that keep Christ the central focus during the season. We'll put out the nativity, read the Christmas story, and participate in church services. I'll let them ask for 3 things for Christmas to symbolize the gold, frankincense and myrrh that were brought by the wise men to baby Jesus.
Now, mind you, I am NOT having children any time soon...no way. But, I like to think of how I will teach my children about Christ because it's something I find to be incredibly important. If everybody knew about Jesus and his teachings and his incredible love for us, don't you think the world would be a better place? Because how can you know Jesus and steal from your fellow man? Kill your fellow man? Wage war on those that aren't like you?
It's so important to remember the story of the baby born that cold winter's night in a manger. The baby who grew up to be the Great I Am, the Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father, Emmanuel. Will you remember, not only this Christmas season, but throughout the year? Will you tell your children the story?
For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
How many people do you think do not know about Christ? How many don't know that he is the real reason for the season, and not a jolly old man in a red suit? At Christmas, moreso than any other time of the year, it makes me think what it would be like to live in darkness, not knowing that there is someone who we can rely on in the midst of everything. It makes me incredibly thankful to have been raised as I did, and I hope that one day I will be able to tell my own children the story of Jesus' birth and the real reason we celebrate such a joyous holiday. Maybe one day I'll start a new tradition with my own children of baking a cake for Jesus and singing happy birthday. And I'll continue the traditions that my parents did with me, those that keep Christ the central focus during the season. We'll put out the nativity, read the Christmas story, and participate in church services. I'll let them ask for 3 things for Christmas to symbolize the gold, frankincense and myrrh that were brought by the wise men to baby Jesus.
Now, mind you, I am NOT having children any time soon...no way. But, I like to think of how I will teach my children about Christ because it's something I find to be incredibly important. If everybody knew about Jesus and his teachings and his incredible love for us, don't you think the world would be a better place? Because how can you know Jesus and steal from your fellow man? Kill your fellow man? Wage war on those that aren't like you?
It's so important to remember the story of the baby born that cold winter's night in a manger. The baby who grew up to be the Great I Am, the Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father, Emmanuel. Will you remember, not only this Christmas season, but throughout the year? Will you tell your children the story?
For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
Monday, December 14
Happy 101
Megan over at Magnolias and Mimosas has been so kind and given me an award- it just made my day!!
The rules are simple: 1) list 10 things that make you happy and 2) pass the award on to 10 bloggers who brighten your day.
So without further ado, here are 10 things that make me happy.
1. Turning on my Christmas tree lights each day and enjoying how pretty it is with wrapped presents all around it.
2. The thought of having 2 whole weeks off from work once I make it through this week!
3. Pedicures- even though I haven't had one in a while!
4. Great friends, great family, and a great boyfriend!
5. Good restaurants like Mr. Friendly's, DiPrato's, The Gourmet Shop, and Pawley's- to name a few. What can I say, I love to eat!
6. Going home in the fall when the fields are filled with blooming cotton.
7. Daffodils growing wild in the spring.
8. Enjoying a college baseball game (the Gamecocks, of course) on a beautiful, warm day.
9. When my Gamecocks beat Clemson....in anything, but most especially baseball and football.
10. A cute new outfit that I got for a good deal.
And there are so many bloggers who brighten my day, but I'll just stick to 10. And if you've received this award already, ladies, consider yourself even more loved!
Practically Perfect
Perfectly Pleasant
Saskia's Spot
Running in High Heels
Ramblings of a Thirty-Something Year Old Carolina Girl
Polka Dots and Protein Bars
That Girl
Pickles on Pizza
Just Another Day in Paradise
Southern Web Girl
The rules are simple: 1) list 10 things that make you happy and 2) pass the award on to 10 bloggers who brighten your day.
So without further ado, here are 10 things that make me happy.
1. Turning on my Christmas tree lights each day and enjoying how pretty it is with wrapped presents all around it.
2. The thought of having 2 whole weeks off from work once I make it through this week!
3. Pedicures- even though I haven't had one in a while!
4. Great friends, great family, and a great boyfriend!
5. Good restaurants like Mr. Friendly's, DiPrato's, The Gourmet Shop, and Pawley's- to name a few. What can I say, I love to eat!
6. Going home in the fall when the fields are filled with blooming cotton.
7. Daffodils growing wild in the spring.
8. Enjoying a college baseball game (the Gamecocks, of course) on a beautiful, warm day.
9. When my Gamecocks beat Clemson....in anything, but most especially baseball and football.
10. A cute new outfit that I got for a good deal.
And there are so many bloggers who brighten my day, but I'll just stick to 10. And if you've received this award already, ladies, consider yourself even more loved!
Practically Perfect
Perfectly Pleasant
Saskia's Spot
Running in High Heels
Ramblings of a Thirty-Something Year Old Carolina Girl
Polka Dots and Protein Bars
That Girl
Pickles on Pizza
Just Another Day in Paradise
Southern Web Girl
Friday, December 11
Rockin' around the Christmas tree
And now the post you've ALL been waiting on! Wait, you haven't all been anxiously awaiting my Christmas decorations pictures? Oh well, you're getting them anyway.
Come in through our back door and notice the lovely handmade wreath- not the greatest picture, but you get the idea (and I made it myself- don't judge!).
And then the wreath on the coat closet- perhaps it needs a little oomph, but it will have to do for now.
Wow, that was exicting, huh? Moving right along....and into the dining room where the candles are burning in the pretty votives (Better Homes & Garden Collection from Walmart). Definitely needs some greenery or something around the candles.....maybe next year!
Sorry, no dinner on the table, so don't sit down :-) Next up is the Christmas room. Notice my tablescape on top of the record player. I just love ornaments in a big glass container- so festive!
The stockings are hung by the chimney with care- a house divided, you know. Y'all know which stocking is mine, I hope...ahem, Go Cocks!
And then there's the tree, all pretty and lit, with presents underneath just waiting to be opened. By the end of the weekend, presents will be taking over the room because I plan to wrap, wrap, wrap!
And if you'd like- have an ornament instead of a cookie. I thought it was a whimsical touch for the coffee table- and, if the truth be told, I had no cookies!
And if you're the mailman or driving by, notice our front door wreath (again hand-made by moi). Nobody actually uses the front door except for mail delivery or take-out delivery. And now I notice I need to fix the ball at the top of the wreath so there is no gap- putting it on the to-do list! Sorry it is off-centered!
I hope you enjoyed the tour (I am by no means an interior decorator, but I think it feels festive and homey)- Ho, Ho, Ho Y'all! (sign by myflipflopz- isn't it precious?)
Thursday, December 10
Stay tuned... (as well as my advice for today)
Tomorrow I will be showing y'all my Christmas decorations. I just have to take pictures of my outdoor wreaths this afternoon. Last night when I thought about it it was too dark!
In other news, this week I have been dealing with the huge nuisance of having my credit card number stolen. Well, take that back- it was my DEBIT CARD NUMBER, which makes it worse since that is my lifeline! I never have cash and don't ever use checks, and I have credit cards but I refuse to use them because I am paying them off because of past stupidity in the spending department. So, seeing as how my debit card was compromised, I am playing the waiting game on getting a new one sent to me. On Monday they said 7 to 10 BUSINESS days. I am sure hoping they are underpromising and will overdeliver, as WEG said he thinks would happen.
In any case, on Monday I went online and looked at my bank statement, wondering how in the world I had spent that much over the weekend, only to discover in my pending charges that there was a $119 charge to NOUCard.com. Not having a clue what that was, I went to their website, which still did not help much, but made me think it was some sort of discount card you could get for online retailers. The $119 would have been for the platinum lifetime membership. Knowing that I did not make this charge, and certainly did not make it on purpose if I mistakenly checked a box while doing online shopping or something, I called the 1-800 number on the website. 50 minutes of being on hold, and I finally reached a representative.
Much to my surprise, the lady told me the charge had been made on Thursday. Well, I worked all day at Holiday Market on Thursday and had not been near a computer, so I told her this and asked her what exactly had been purchased. She then told me that they were an online billing site for ADULT ENTERTAINMENT WEBSITES....what?! I was definitely sure at that point that the charge was fraudulent, so I told her as much. She asked me what my internet service provider was, I told her Time Warner Cable, and she tracked the purchase back to a computer on an ISP out of Illinois. Luckily, because she could clearly see the charge had been made on my credit card and not by me, she agreed to do a credit. But, that meant I had to go to the bank and ask for them to send me a new card and make sure I watched my account til the credit went through. Thankfully, the credit went through this morning, so I am no longer out the $119, but I'm still waiting on my new debit card.
Ladies, I was very lucky that I am so diligent in watching the charges on my online statement. It was a rarity that it took me from Thursday until Monday to notice the charge, but I was super busy this weekend and didn't go online to look.
So, my advice for today is for you to pay close attention to your bank statement online, as well as your credit card statement. You can easily set these up online so you can monitor them constantly, rather than just once a month when the paper statement comes. Right here at Christmas, I'd hate for the same thing that happened to me to happen to one of you! People who think they have the right to use other people's money like it is their own infuriate me, and I hope we'll all protect ourselves against fraud!
In other news, this week I have been dealing with the huge nuisance of having my credit card number stolen. Well, take that back- it was my DEBIT CARD NUMBER, which makes it worse since that is my lifeline! I never have cash and don't ever use checks, and I have credit cards but I refuse to use them because I am paying them off because of past stupidity in the spending department. So, seeing as how my debit card was compromised, I am playing the waiting game on getting a new one sent to me. On Monday they said 7 to 10 BUSINESS days. I am sure hoping they are underpromising and will overdeliver, as WEG said he thinks would happen.
In any case, on Monday I went online and looked at my bank statement, wondering how in the world I had spent that much over the weekend, only to discover in my pending charges that there was a $119 charge to NOUCard.com. Not having a clue what that was, I went to their website, which still did not help much, but made me think it was some sort of discount card you could get for online retailers. The $119 would have been for the platinum lifetime membership. Knowing that I did not make this charge, and certainly did not make it on purpose if I mistakenly checked a box while doing online shopping or something, I called the 1-800 number on the website. 50 minutes of being on hold, and I finally reached a representative.
Much to my surprise, the lady told me the charge had been made on Thursday. Well, I worked all day at Holiday Market on Thursday and had not been near a computer, so I told her this and asked her what exactly had been purchased. She then told me that they were an online billing site for ADULT ENTERTAINMENT WEBSITES....what?! I was definitely sure at that point that the charge was fraudulent, so I told her as much. She asked me what my internet service provider was, I told her Time Warner Cable, and she tracked the purchase back to a computer on an ISP out of Illinois. Luckily, because she could clearly see the charge had been made on my credit card and not by me, she agreed to do a credit. But, that meant I had to go to the bank and ask for them to send me a new card and make sure I watched my account til the credit went through. Thankfully, the credit went through this morning, so I am no longer out the $119, but I'm still waiting on my new debit card.
Ladies, I was very lucky that I am so diligent in watching the charges on my online statement. It was a rarity that it took me from Thursday until Monday to notice the charge, but I was super busy this weekend and didn't go online to look.
So, my advice for today is for you to pay close attention to your bank statement online, as well as your credit card statement. You can easily set these up online so you can monitor them constantly, rather than just once a month when the paper statement comes. Right here at Christmas, I'd hate for the same thing that happened to me to happen to one of you! People who think they have the right to use other people's money like it is their own infuriate me, and I hope we'll all protect ourselves against fraud!
Monday, December 7
Slacker alert
I know I have been slack in my posting here lately. I can't believe I haven't posted anything in a week! So, what have I been up to in the past week?
Here's a recap:
Here's a recap:
- Wrapping Christmas presents so my tree did not look incomplete
- Getting my house ready for guests who arrived on Thursday
- Working at the Junior League Holiday Market for Just the Thing on Thursday
- Friends arrived Thursday evening
- Shopping at Holiday Market all day on Friday
- Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo on Friday night
- EdVenture Children's Museum on Saturday
- SEC & ACC Championship game watching on Saturday afternoon/evening
- Working at the Holiday Market on Sunday
Which brings me to today. I am back to work after not really slowing down over the weekend and I.am.TIRED! And I have a doctor's appointment today, which will be no fun at all considering my dislike for doctors.
This week, I have more Christmas present wrapping ahead of me because I just love a tree that's surrounded by presents! I also need to get in a better exercising groove. Last week's craziness coupled with dreary, rainy days was not conducive to getting outside and running. So this week I need to remedy that.
I am going to sign up to run in a 5k that is in March, so I need to get a move on! My current regimen isn't working because I feel as if I am not progressing all that much, so it may be time for me to try the Couch to 5k program I've been hearing so much about. We shall see!
I will be catching up on your blogs this week, too (over 300 in my Google Reader), and I hope to be commenting. I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season...I can't wait for Christmas!!
Sunday, November 29
Something to crow about
All I have to say is...COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO! C.J.** who?!?
Gamecocks: 34
Tigers: 17
Way to go, Cocks!
**C.J. Spiller is Clemson's star running back who has been a Heisman contender this year. He had one kickoff return for a touchdown at the first kickoff (we had to re-kick after lining up offsides to begin with and that came back to haunt us), but besides that we shut him down. He only had nine carries for 18 yards.
Monday, November 23
Truly Thankful
In every thing, give thanks; for this is the will of God. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
As we have entered into the week of Thanksgiving, I would like to tell you a few things I am truly thankful for.
First and foremost, my family. My parents are my rock. They are always there for me, always encouraging, always loving. They have been with me every step of the way for 27 years, and I thank the Lord every day for blessing me with two good, Christian role models. I am also thankful for my other family members, especially my cousins. I know I can count on them for anything and I hope they feel the same way about me.
Second, my wonderful friends. It has been said that if you can say you have one or two real friendships then you are blessed. Well, I have way more than that. First there are my three friends that complete the fab four- Holly, Julie, and Carolyn. I know y'all have heard me talk about them, and I am so lucky to be a part of such a special friendship bond that we share. In addition, I am still very best friends with my childhood friend, Joy. She may be two hours away, but when we see each other, it's like no time has passed. We both grew up as only children, so we have always been more like sisters. Also, there's my friend Bess, and if not for her, I would not have survived college. From my sophomore year right up until she got married this past August, she was my roommate. I can honestly say that it was so easy to live with her, and we may have had 3 total fights the whole time we lived together- which was about 7 or 8 years.
Third, I thank God every day for WEG. He makes me laugh constantly, and always picks me up when I'm down. We are there for each other through everything that life throws at us, and I look forward to many more happy times with him.
Fourth, I am thankful for my health. I have no real health issues to complain about, and I hope this will continue. Maybe the Lord just knows how much I fear doctors ;-)
Fifth, I am thankful that in this economy, where so many have lost their jobs, I have a stable income (even if it is not a large salary), and I have no fear of losing my job. I know right now that is a major thing to be thankful for.
Finally, I am thankful to live in a country where I know I will not be persecuted for my beliefs. Where I am free to worship God, free to walk around without fear, free to express my beliefs despite the fact that I am a woman. I know that so many people in other areas of the world do not have these luxuries. So I am thankful to live in the United States of America. Regardless of the problems we have, there are things we could be dealing with that are FAR WORSE.
So for these things, I am truly thankful. I could go on and on about other things I am thankful for, but I'll leave you with the big six. I hope as you celebrate Thanksgiving this week, you will remember to thank God for the blessings in your life.
As we have entered into the week of Thanksgiving, I would like to tell you a few things I am truly thankful for.
First and foremost, my family. My parents are my rock. They are always there for me, always encouraging, always loving. They have been with me every step of the way for 27 years, and I thank the Lord every day for blessing me with two good, Christian role models. I am also thankful for my other family members, especially my cousins. I know I can count on them for anything and I hope they feel the same way about me.
Second, my wonderful friends. It has been said that if you can say you have one or two real friendships then you are blessed. Well, I have way more than that. First there are my three friends that complete the fab four- Holly, Julie, and Carolyn. I know y'all have heard me talk about them, and I am so lucky to be a part of such a special friendship bond that we share. In addition, I am still very best friends with my childhood friend, Joy. She may be two hours away, but when we see each other, it's like no time has passed. We both grew up as only children, so we have always been more like sisters. Also, there's my friend Bess, and if not for her, I would not have survived college. From my sophomore year right up until she got married this past August, she was my roommate. I can honestly say that it was so easy to live with her, and we may have had 3 total fights the whole time we lived together- which was about 7 or 8 years.
Third, I thank God every day for WEG. He makes me laugh constantly, and always picks me up when I'm down. We are there for each other through everything that life throws at us, and I look forward to many more happy times with him.
Fourth, I am thankful for my health. I have no real health issues to complain about, and I hope this will continue. Maybe the Lord just knows how much I fear doctors ;-)
Fifth, I am thankful that in this economy, where so many have lost their jobs, I have a stable income (even if it is not a large salary), and I have no fear of losing my job. I know right now that is a major thing to be thankful for.
Finally, I am thankful to live in a country where I know I will not be persecuted for my beliefs. Where I am free to worship God, free to walk around without fear, free to express my beliefs despite the fact that I am a woman. I know that so many people in other areas of the world do not have these luxuries. So I am thankful to live in the United States of America. Regardless of the problems we have, there are things we could be dealing with that are FAR WORSE.
So for these things, I am truly thankful. I could go on and on about other things I am thankful for, but I'll leave you with the big six. I hope as you celebrate Thanksgiving this week, you will remember to thank God for the blessings in your life.
Wednesday, November 18
These are a few of my favorite things...
Christmas is in the air. It will be here in the blink of an eye. Not to forget Thanksgiving, because who doesn't love to eat all that yummy food? I know I do. So, I'm not sailing over it, forgetting that it's a week away- definitely not. However, I am going to do a post on my favorite things about Christmas. Here we go.
1. Putting up my Christmas tree and then enjoying it throughout December.
2. Collecting Christmas ornaments for said tree. I like ornaments that mean something, and I am working on my collection. Like I said, I'm still working, but I've got one from each year that WEG and I have been together, Clemson & Carolina ones for our house divided, fish to represent his favorite pasttime, ornaments from historical places in Elloree, a few from my childhood, and this year I finally found a chocolate lab one for Abe :-)
3. White chocolate peppermint mocha from Starbucks. I don't drink many of these- maybe one or two over the course of the month, but this is one of the 2 exceptions I make for my anti-hot drinks quirk.
4. The other exception- Williams Sonoma peppermint hot chocolate on Christmas morning while opening presents.
5. Stuffing stockings and also finding out what's in mine. WEG and I do stockings together (mine is a Gamecock stocking, his is Clemson) and I also do stockings at home with my parents.
6. Looking at Christmas decorations and trying to figure out how people are so crafty and creative!
7. Riding around my hometown looking for the blue, red, white & yellow ribbons on the houses that won the decorating contest- such a simple pleasure, I know.
8. Singing "Silent Night" at Christmas Eve service and holding up candles when "darkness flies, all is light" (one of the few times I enjoy Christmas music)
9. Hot dogs and chili on Christmas Eve. Well, really I should say I enjoy dipping chips in a bowl of the chili. Weird, maybe, but it's a cousin tradition.
10. Having a big breakfast on Christmas morning after opening gifts...mmm!
11. White chocolate covered mini ritz bits with peanut butter. My mom makes these only for Christmas and they are SO GOOD.
12. Exchanging presents with family, friends, and WEG. I love to watch people open the gifts I got them!
13. Our friends Christmas party. This year will be the third annual. We rotate houses between 4 couples, have a big dinner, open gifts (just the girls), drink a little bit (okay, a lot), and just have fun.
14. Lights Before Christmas at the Zoo. This will be my second year in a row going with my friends and their son. I love watching him look at the lights!
15. The Nativity Scene. Probably my favorite Christmas decoration. I really want one of my own, but all the nice ones are very expensive.
16. And saving the best for last- Remembering the reason for the season- Jesus's birth. Coupled with this is hearing the Christmas story. It never gets old.
What are some of your favorite Christmas things?
Friday, November 13
Friday Tidbits
Sorry this is so fragmented, but I just have a few random things going through my head.
** I am so glad it is the weekend- this week has been DRAGGING by because we are done with events for the semester. Talk about boring!
** We are going to the game vs. Florida tomorrow. It will be only my 2nd USC game this year that I have been to, and only the 1st where I have been able to tailgate. I picked a good one...we will probably get annihilated. I know, where's the faith in my team? Let's just say it flew right out the window with a squeak-by win against Vandy and losses to Tennessee and Arkansas.
** It will be 76 tomorrow at the game. Try and find something to wear in stores right now that is not only garnet, but also appropriate for wamer temperatures. Not having any luck so far! Everything is a sweater or turtleneck or something I will melt in.
** I really want highlights in my hair. Just subtle ones like the ones that appear in the summer from the sun. However, I don't want to pay for a salon visit, and the last time I had highlights, it seemed like every time I went I got lighter and lighter and lighter until I was a platinum blonde. Totally unnatural. Has anybody tried any at home highlights that would be good for light brown hair? If so, we need to discuss.
** I am halfway finished with Christmas shopping and I am so glad. It means I will not have to shop very much with the mad rush of the holiday season. It also means I will not have to endure Christmas music ad nauseam. Thankthegoodlord.
** Speaking of Christmas...I am itching to go buy a tree and put it up, but I'm holding out until after Thanksgiving. I just don't believe in putting up a tree prior to then...I'm not badmouthing you if yours is already up, but different strokes for different folks!
** The search for a garnet houndstooth coat was unsuccessful, but I appreciate all your help. Instead of houndstooth, a garnet jacket with a houndstooth scarf was purchased at the suggestion of Kristen- Thanks a bunch!
That's all for now. I hope every one has a great weekend!
** I am so glad it is the weekend- this week has been DRAGGING by because we are done with events for the semester. Talk about boring!
** We are going to the game vs. Florida tomorrow. It will be only my 2nd USC game this year that I have been to, and only the 1st where I have been able to tailgate. I picked a good one...we will probably get annihilated. I know, where's the faith in my team? Let's just say it flew right out the window with a squeak-by win against Vandy and losses to Tennessee and Arkansas.
** It will be 76 tomorrow at the game. Try and find something to wear in stores right now that is not only garnet, but also appropriate for wamer temperatures. Not having any luck so far! Everything is a sweater or turtleneck or something I will melt in.
** I really want highlights in my hair. Just subtle ones like the ones that appear in the summer from the sun. However, I don't want to pay for a salon visit, and the last time I had highlights, it seemed like every time I went I got lighter and lighter and lighter until I was a platinum blonde. Totally unnatural. Has anybody tried any at home highlights that would be good for light brown hair? If so, we need to discuss.
** I am halfway finished with Christmas shopping and I am so glad. It means I will not have to shop very much with the mad rush of the holiday season. It also means I will not have to endure Christmas music ad nauseam. Thankthegoodlord.
** Speaking of Christmas...I am itching to go buy a tree and put it up, but I'm holding out until after Thanksgiving. I just don't believe in putting up a tree prior to then...I'm not badmouthing you if yours is already up, but different strokes for different folks!
** The search for a garnet houndstooth coat was unsuccessful, but I appreciate all your help. Instead of houndstooth, a garnet jacket with a houndstooth scarf was purchased at the suggestion of Kristen- Thanks a bunch!
That's all for now. I hope every one has a great weekend!
Tuesday, November 10
Seeking fashion help!
I know one of you lovely ladies will be able to steer me in the right direction- perhaps an Arkansas or Alabama fan.
I am in search of a garnet (or some variation of this color) and white houndstooth coat. I swear I saw one on somebody's blog recently, but I can't find it anymore.
One of my friends is searching for one to wear to the Clemson-Carolina game in a few weeks, and so far has been unsuccessful in finding one. I scoured the internet, but was unsuccessful as well. I tried searching maroon, burgundy, garnet, and red, but came up with nothing.
So, if you know where to find one, please let me know!
Thanks, lovelies :-)
I am in search of a garnet (or some variation of this color) and white houndstooth coat. I swear I saw one on somebody's blog recently, but I can't find it anymore.
One of my friends is searching for one to wear to the Clemson-Carolina game in a few weeks, and so far has been unsuccessful in finding one. I scoured the internet, but was unsuccessful as well. I tried searching maroon, burgundy, garnet, and red, but came up with nothing.
So, if you know where to find one, please let me know!
Thanks, lovelies :-)
Turn the other cheek?
This post may get long so if you want to bow out now, I don't blame you, but it's something that has been weighing on my mind for a few weeks now and was made worse yesterday.
A little bit of backstory before I get to the title of the post. The preacher at the church I grew up in came to us when I was in 4th grade. Over the years, the church has had its ups and downs with him. In short, he didn't visit shut-ins, people at the hospital, elderly people in the church, etc. like he should have. Instead, he has always been more concerned with hunting, fishing, and whatever else he could find to do rather than what he was supposed to be doing as the leader of a church. He has also always been a little bit shady in some of his dealings- with cell phone companies, bailing his problem son out of trouble time and time again, etc. Things that you would think a preacher would be upright about.
Last year my dad was chairman of the deacons at the church. His term just ended 2 months ago, but while he was serving as chair, he realized a lot of things about the preacher that he probably already knew, but didn't see as much first hand prior to being the chair. For instance, my dad was the one who would visit those people the preacher didn't, and not that my dad minded, but he has a full time job and was still having to do it because the preacher did not. Dad also realized that the preacher was taking a lot of credit for starting programs within the church that he did not, in fact, start. Case in point- there is a program one Saturday a month where some of the church members cook meals and deliver them to shut-ins in the community. The preacher never even walked next door from his house to the church to see how things were going. And on Sunday nights when my parents and other church members were at the church teaching English as a second language to some of the Hispanic population, do you think the preacher participated or even came over to see how it was going? Nope.
So, long story short (although I have already made it long) he just wasn't doing what some people thought he should. His sermons did not cut it, either. Often I would go home and listen to him ramble for 30 minutes through a sermon that did not have a cohesive message. When I started attending a church here in Columbia, I realized how severely lacking the sermons at my home church really were in comparison. Because of these things, many of the church members in the past several months had gotten disillusioned and did not feel he could be the spiritual leader of the church anymore. This all started in my dad's last few months of being deacon chair, so they came to him to help do something. In no way, shape, or form would my dad ever do anything that he felt was not right and there was not a reason for doing. So when church members started going elsewhere to church and asking for a solution, my dad stepped in and tried to talk to the preacher about the concerns. Of course, the preacher did not see where he was doing anything wrong, and when asked to prayerfully consider stepping down, he did not feel "led" to do that.
In the meantime, dad's term ended as chairman, and two other men stepped in as co-chairs of the deacons. Meetings were held to discuss the problems, and the preacher was finally told that if he did not step down, then a petition could be signed by a majority of the congregation to have him removed. My dad was the one that had to tell him this, but prefaced it by saying he didn't want it to come to that. So, the preacher said he would step down, but only if he was compensated with a very large sum for doing so. The church members voted to do this in order to get rid of him and bring the church back to where it should be without all the dissension.
Now, here's the part of my post that goes along with the title. One of the preacher's daughters is my age. We have never been the best of friends growing up, and now I know exactly why. Apparently she has been putting things on her facebook and telling people all sorts of horrible things about my father. She has called him and other members of the deacon board the devil and has said terrible things. This has all gotten back to people in the church because of the people she has chosen to say these things to. She has told people that know my father and some of the other deacons, and they know the truth and the real character of my dad and the others. Dad did not want this whole thing to come to this, but it was necessary to not completely separate the church and drive long-term members away. The preacher was given an easy out and he chose not to pursue that route, instead causing the hullaballoo that we have now.
It makes me very angry to hear the nastiness that is spewing from the preacher's daughter's mouth about my dad and other moral, upright deacon board members. These are men I have known all my life. Men that I know are of good character with strong faith. Men that I'd stand behind any day in their decisions. Never in my life have I felt that way about the preacher. So, it is hard for me to just turn the other cheek like the Bible tells me to when I hear how she is spitting venom about these men. I know she is upset, but now she has made me upset. Shouldn't she have turned the other cheek first, even if she felt that her views and her father's side of the story was the correct one? Isn't that what her father preached? So, why am I supposed to turn the other cheek when she says horrible things about my father if the preacher's daughter can't even do it? If I happened to run into her, to tell you the truth, I'm not sure how I'd react. I'd probably feel compelled to call her out. Luckily, we don't live near each other and the only times I would see her anyway were at church, so I think I'll be able to take the moral high road even through my anger.
Boy, turning the other cheek is tough!
A little bit of backstory before I get to the title of the post. The preacher at the church I grew up in came to us when I was in 4th grade. Over the years, the church has had its ups and downs with him. In short, he didn't visit shut-ins, people at the hospital, elderly people in the church, etc. like he should have. Instead, he has always been more concerned with hunting, fishing, and whatever else he could find to do rather than what he was supposed to be doing as the leader of a church. He has also always been a little bit shady in some of his dealings- with cell phone companies, bailing his problem son out of trouble time and time again, etc. Things that you would think a preacher would be upright about.
Last year my dad was chairman of the deacons at the church. His term just ended 2 months ago, but while he was serving as chair, he realized a lot of things about the preacher that he probably already knew, but didn't see as much first hand prior to being the chair. For instance, my dad was the one who would visit those people the preacher didn't, and not that my dad minded, but he has a full time job and was still having to do it because the preacher did not. Dad also realized that the preacher was taking a lot of credit for starting programs within the church that he did not, in fact, start. Case in point- there is a program one Saturday a month where some of the church members cook meals and deliver them to shut-ins in the community. The preacher never even walked next door from his house to the church to see how things were going. And on Sunday nights when my parents and other church members were at the church teaching English as a second language to some of the Hispanic population, do you think the preacher participated or even came over to see how it was going? Nope.
So, long story short (although I have already made it long) he just wasn't doing what some people thought he should. His sermons did not cut it, either. Often I would go home and listen to him ramble for 30 minutes through a sermon that did not have a cohesive message. When I started attending a church here in Columbia, I realized how severely lacking the sermons at my home church really were in comparison. Because of these things, many of the church members in the past several months had gotten disillusioned and did not feel he could be the spiritual leader of the church anymore. This all started in my dad's last few months of being deacon chair, so they came to him to help do something. In no way, shape, or form would my dad ever do anything that he felt was not right and there was not a reason for doing. So when church members started going elsewhere to church and asking for a solution, my dad stepped in and tried to talk to the preacher about the concerns. Of course, the preacher did not see where he was doing anything wrong, and when asked to prayerfully consider stepping down, he did not feel "led" to do that.
In the meantime, dad's term ended as chairman, and two other men stepped in as co-chairs of the deacons. Meetings were held to discuss the problems, and the preacher was finally told that if he did not step down, then a petition could be signed by a majority of the congregation to have him removed. My dad was the one that had to tell him this, but prefaced it by saying he didn't want it to come to that. So, the preacher said he would step down, but only if he was compensated with a very large sum for doing so. The church members voted to do this in order to get rid of him and bring the church back to where it should be without all the dissension.
Now, here's the part of my post that goes along with the title. One of the preacher's daughters is my age. We have never been the best of friends growing up, and now I know exactly why. Apparently she has been putting things on her facebook and telling people all sorts of horrible things about my father. She has called him and other members of the deacon board the devil and has said terrible things. This has all gotten back to people in the church because of the people she has chosen to say these things to. She has told people that know my father and some of the other deacons, and they know the truth and the real character of my dad and the others. Dad did not want this whole thing to come to this, but it was necessary to not completely separate the church and drive long-term members away. The preacher was given an easy out and he chose not to pursue that route, instead causing the hullaballoo that we have now.
It makes me very angry to hear the nastiness that is spewing from the preacher's daughter's mouth about my dad and other moral, upright deacon board members. These are men I have known all my life. Men that I know are of good character with strong faith. Men that I'd stand behind any day in their decisions. Never in my life have I felt that way about the preacher. So, it is hard for me to just turn the other cheek like the Bible tells me to when I hear how she is spitting venom about these men. I know she is upset, but now she has made me upset. Shouldn't she have turned the other cheek first, even if she felt that her views and her father's side of the story was the correct one? Isn't that what her father preached? So, why am I supposed to turn the other cheek when she says horrible things about my father if the preacher's daughter can't even do it? If I happened to run into her, to tell you the truth, I'm not sure how I'd react. I'd probably feel compelled to call her out. Luckily, we don't live near each other and the only times I would see her anyway were at church, so I think I'll be able to take the moral high road even through my anger.
Boy, turning the other cheek is tough!
Monday, November 9
Am I the only one...
...who does not like Christmas music? I cringe at the thought of Christmas music playing in stores and on the radio 24/7. I can handle a song here or there, but I just do not like Christmas music as a whole. I really can't tell you why not. I haven't had a bad experience with it or anything. I did work in a retail store at one time and was forced to listen to it over and over and over throughout the holidays, but I disliked it before then, so that wouldn't be the cause of my disdain.
Now, don't get me wrong...I love Christmas and most everything that goes along with it. I can't wait to go get a tree and decorate it, hang our stockings (Clemson for WEG and Carolina for me), and make the house more festive, but I just don't need Christmas music playing in the background while I am doing all this.
Does anybody else feel the same way or am I the only anti-Christmas music person in blogland? Go ahead and call me out as a bah humbug- I know I'm asking for it!
Now, don't get me wrong...I love Christmas and most everything that goes along with it. I can't wait to go get a tree and decorate it, hang our stockings (Clemson for WEG and Carolina for me), and make the house more festive, but I just don't need Christmas music playing in the background while I am doing all this.
Does anybody else feel the same way or am I the only anti-Christmas music person in blogland? Go ahead and call me out as a bah humbug- I know I'm asking for it!
Wednesday, November 4
A glimpse into me
I am at a loss for something to blog about. There's nothing majorly exciting going on in my life (except the fact that I have run 4 days in a row now, and today will make 5, and that is a major accomplishment!). I don't have any great product reviews. I don't have anything to rant about (shocker, huh?) So, I thought I would tell you some things about me that you may not know.
1. I hate dust. It makes me gag, especially when it gets caught on the end of the broom. ugh.
2. I have road rage. Okay, if you know me, then you knew this already. WEG will not let me drive anywhere as he can't tolerate my yelling at other cars. I can't help it that other people are morons when they drive!
3. I dislike hunks of fruit in my food. I don't like ice cream or yogurt with hunks of fruit in it. Don't do fruit milkshakes or smoothies that have pieces of fruit in them. Don't get me wrong, I love fruit, just don't like it in small pieces mixed in my food.
4. I would like to live out in the country on several acres with no immediate neighbors. City life just isn't my thing. I would not mind commuting to work if I could live in the country, and definitely south of my current location. Upstate SC is just not for me. Oh, and I definitely want to be in SC.
5. I'm not sure if I ever want to have a child. At this point, I am scared to death of the thought. I have been told that my biological clock will start ticking one day, but I'm skeptical.
6. I am a plant killer. I don't try to be, but inevitably I forget to water it or something and it dies. The mum I had on my porch several weeks ago when I showed you my new wreaths is now half dead. It was halfway dead within a week of getting it....no bueno.
7. I listen to the Christian radio station pretty much 24-7 except for in the mornings while I am getting ready and then it's country. I love the contemporary Christian songs and know basically all the words to all the songs.
8. I am an only child, and to my knowledge, never wanted a brother or sister. Could it be that I was spoiled? Probably so.
9. I am often obsessive about lists and being organized. I am going to Clemson this weekend with WEG and currently have 3 lists going- one for the grocery store, one of things to pack, and one is a to-do list.
10. I love the Gamecocks and always will, but this year I have not been a good fan. I have not tailgated one.single.time. And I have only been to one game, and that is one I had to go to for work. Maybe it's the thought of how expensive it is to go tailgate and watch a game, or maybe it's the thought of our season ending like it always does- disastrously. Call me fair-weather, go ahead.
11. I haven't had a soft drink in 3 weeks. In fact, I have not had anything other than water, milk, wine, and a handful of beers. If you know how addicted I was to coke (the drink, not the drug) at one time, you'd find this amazing. Clearly I have kicked the caffeine addiction- woohoo.
12. My parents are my role models. They have always made sure I was taught good morals and Christian beliefs and they are great examples of strong Christian people. Everytime the church doors open they are there- not just for Sunday school and Church, but also for mission trips, bible studies, feeding shut-ins in the community, and teaching ESL.
That's enough little-known facts for now!
Hope you're having a great Wednesday :-) Halfway to the weekend!
1. I hate dust. It makes me gag, especially when it gets caught on the end of the broom. ugh.
2. I have road rage. Okay, if you know me, then you knew this already. WEG will not let me drive anywhere as he can't tolerate my yelling at other cars. I can't help it that other people are morons when they drive!
3. I dislike hunks of fruit in my food. I don't like ice cream or yogurt with hunks of fruit in it. Don't do fruit milkshakes or smoothies that have pieces of fruit in them. Don't get me wrong, I love fruit, just don't like it in small pieces mixed in my food.
4. I would like to live out in the country on several acres with no immediate neighbors. City life just isn't my thing. I would not mind commuting to work if I could live in the country, and definitely south of my current location. Upstate SC is just not for me. Oh, and I definitely want to be in SC.
5. I'm not sure if I ever want to have a child. At this point, I am scared to death of the thought. I have been told that my biological clock will start ticking one day, but I'm skeptical.
6. I am a plant killer. I don't try to be, but inevitably I forget to water it or something and it dies. The mum I had on my porch several weeks ago when I showed you my new wreaths is now half dead. It was halfway dead within a week of getting it....no bueno.
7. I listen to the Christian radio station pretty much 24-7 except for in the mornings while I am getting ready and then it's country. I love the contemporary Christian songs and know basically all the words to all the songs.
8. I am an only child, and to my knowledge, never wanted a brother or sister. Could it be that I was spoiled? Probably so.
9. I am often obsessive about lists and being organized. I am going to Clemson this weekend with WEG and currently have 3 lists going- one for the grocery store, one of things to pack, and one is a to-do list.
10. I love the Gamecocks and always will, but this year I have not been a good fan. I have not tailgated one.single.time. And I have only been to one game, and that is one I had to go to for work. Maybe it's the thought of how expensive it is to go tailgate and watch a game, or maybe it's the thought of our season ending like it always does- disastrously. Call me fair-weather, go ahead.
11. I haven't had a soft drink in 3 weeks. In fact, I have not had anything other than water, milk, wine, and a handful of beers. If you know how addicted I was to coke (the drink, not the drug) at one time, you'd find this amazing. Clearly I have kicked the caffeine addiction- woohoo.
12. My parents are my role models. They have always made sure I was taught good morals and Christian beliefs and they are great examples of strong Christian people. Everytime the church doors open they are there- not just for Sunday school and Church, but also for mission trips, bible studies, feeding shut-ins in the community, and teaching ESL.
That's enough little-known facts for now!
Hope you're having a great Wednesday :-) Halfway to the weekend!
Thursday, October 29
Riding boots dilemma
I really want a pair of riding boots, but am struggling to decide if I want black or brown. I also don't want to spend a ton because I'm not sure I'll wear them a whole lot- I don't own but one pair of skinny jeans and I fear they are too skinny for me to fit into at the moment!
Does anybody have suggestions of cute riding boots for a good price? I have been debating the Target ones, but haven't bit the bullet and think I may be too late!
Also, would you go with black or the caramel colored brown? I'm being wishy-washy!
Does anybody have suggestions of cute riding boots for a good price? I have been debating the Target ones, but haven't bit the bullet and think I may be too late!
Also, would you go with black or the caramel colored brown? I'm being wishy-washy!
Wednesday, October 28
Update
Hey y'all! Just wanted to update you on how the sugar and calorie cutback is going. So far, so good. It is incredibly hard to limit myself to 40 grams of added sugar a day, simply because so many things I eat contain sugar. I have never been a sugar-holic and I generally prefer salty over sweet, so if you love sugar, it would only be that much harder. Sorry, that's probably discouraging, huh?
In any case, I had events over the weekend- one on Friday and one on Saturday- where the meals were bbq, mac & cheese, fried chicken, etc...you get the picture. So my calorie counts were out the window on those two days. I still managed to lose 1.5 pounds last week. I'm not putting a lot of stock in that because my weight fluctuates between morning and night, and sometimes even within 10 minutes it will be different. I did weigh myself at the same time on Tuesday morning as I did last Tuesday morning, so maybe 1.5 pounds is accurate.
I'm still enjoying the snacks and foods I mentioned last week and have done a good job keeping my calorie count to right around 1500 per day during the week. Weekends are definitely harder, but I try to be reasonable without being so strict.
Now, if I could just get motivated to exercise more, I'd be in business! I like to get out and walk, but it has been so rainy here lately that I don't want to go out in it. Also, I have burned myself out with Jillian. The thought of the 30 day Shred makes me shudder. And, WiiFit just doesn't seem to cut it for me. My heartrate never seems to elevate like it should. Besides joining a gym, do y'all have any other good suggestions of at-home videos, etc?
In any case, I had events over the weekend- one on Friday and one on Saturday- where the meals were bbq, mac & cheese, fried chicken, etc...you get the picture. So my calorie counts were out the window on those two days. I still managed to lose 1.5 pounds last week. I'm not putting a lot of stock in that because my weight fluctuates between morning and night, and sometimes even within 10 minutes it will be different. I did weigh myself at the same time on Tuesday morning as I did last Tuesday morning, so maybe 1.5 pounds is accurate.
I'm still enjoying the snacks and foods I mentioned last week and have done a good job keeping my calorie count to right around 1500 per day during the week. Weekends are definitely harder, but I try to be reasonable without being so strict.
Now, if I could just get motivated to exercise more, I'd be in business! I like to get out and walk, but it has been so rainy here lately that I don't want to go out in it. Also, I have burned myself out with Jillian. The thought of the 30 day Shred makes me shudder. And, WiiFit just doesn't seem to cut it for me. My heartrate never seems to elevate like it should. Besides joining a gym, do y'all have any other good suggestions of at-home videos, etc?
Friday, October 23
Willpower
On Wednesday, right after writing the post on cutting back on sugar, I went to lunch with my dad. And guess what he brought me? A bag my mom sent to me of my favorite candies- Heath bar, Kit Kats, and Skittles. That bag sat on my desk for the rest of the afternoon Wednesday, and then I took it home, where it sat until this morning, untouched. This morning WEG decided he would take full advantage of my sugar cut-back, and picked up the bag to carry to work.
Willpower is a bitch.
Willpower is a bitch.
Wednesday, October 21
Hidden sugar..it's sneaky!
Does anybody out there worry about your sugar intake? I thought by cutting cokes out of my diet I was doing well, but then I realized what your normal sugar intake for a day is supposed to be. Do y'all know? It's 40 grams of added sugar. According to nutritionists, that does not include natural sugars that are found in fruit, dairy, etc. But, STILL! On Monday I ate like I normally do and added up how many grams of sugar I had- 51 grams. And I was somewhat conscious of it so I cut back...so I guess I can't say I ate what I normally would, sugar-wise, but I didn't watch it as carefully as I am now.
Quaker Lower Sugar Oatmeal- 120 calories/4 grams of sugar. Pretty good. Not as good as the full-sugar version, but what ever is?
I also always try to eat a banana each day for a snack. I need the potassium and love a good, barely ripe banana.
On Monday afternoon I went to the grocery store and shopped by looking at labels. I never do this. I know, I know- not the smartest way to grocery shop, but definitely quicker. My yogurt that I had previously been eating- Yoplait Light- I think was 14 grams of sugar or something obscene like that! And usually for breakfast I'd eat that and a frosted brown sugar pop tart, which is 14 grams, as well. 28 grams all before 10:00 in the morning- I was over halfway to the recommended intake for the WHOLE DAY. YIKES! I thought I was doing well because I wasn't consuming an insane amount of calories.
I am really trying to lose a few pounds that I feel have snuck onto my body when I wasn't paying attention. Or, more precisely, while I was ignorantly eating things loaded with sugar and calories. Now I am planning my snacks wisely. Counting out crackers for portion size, trying not to eat over 1500 calories a day, and only consuming 14 grams of sugar. But, it's hard! I am writing down every single thing I put in my mouth, including a piece of bubble gum (4 grams of sugar!!) and making notes of where I can improve. Maybe that's a bit obsessive, but I have done this before with the calories and lost 15 pounds, so I'm hoping it works.
Here are a few of the items I am eating for breakfast, lunch, and snacks. I find that if I really watch what I eat during the day, I can have a good meal for dinner and still not go over my calorie and sugar intake.
Breyers Light Yogurt- 80 calories/7 grams of sugar (half of Yoplait). I haven't tried the cinnamon bun or strawberry banana split, but key lime and vanilla are pretty good and WEG said he liked the strawberry cheesecake.
Quaker Lower Sugar Oatmeal- 120 calories/4 grams of sugar. Pretty good. Not as good as the full-sugar version, but what ever is?
Crispix- I eat this dry for breakfast. A cup and a half has 165 calories and 6 grams of sugar. I like Crispix because it has a little sweetness to it.
Laughing Cow Original Creamy Swiss Cheese Wedge- 50 calories/1 gram of sugar with Triscuits Thin Crisps (15 crackers)- 130 calories/no sugar. One small wedge pretty much will cover 15 crackers if you don't overload the cracker with cheese. This is a good, filling snack. You could even get the light swiss wedges for less calories. My grocery store didn't have them in stock. 
Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers. These are so good! The calories and sugar contents vary from meal to meal, but the ones I have eaten are under 300 calories and right around 5 grams of sugar. Be careful of the whiskey steak and other ones with a "sweet glaze" as those have more sugar. Yesterday I had the Chicken Marinara and it was so yummy! I sprinkled 2 tsp. of parmesan (20 calories) on top to make it even tastier.
As far as drinks are concerned I am trying to drink strictly water and 2% milk. No fruit juice, soda, or sweet tea except for a splurge once a week.
What healthy, low sugar items are y'all snacking on and eating for breakfast & lunch? I could use some tips!
Friday, October 16
Friday Fragments
Good morning and Happy Friday!!
I have to start off by telling you a funny story from yesterday. Since Abe has been sick, we have been keeping in the house. So yesterday I got home from work and let him out to go to the bathroom and then decided I'd let him ride with me to the grocery store to pick up a few things. While I was in the grocery store he climbed from the back of my 4Runner to the front seat and was just sitting there waiting on me when I came out. He rode in the front seat home and when I got home, I got out and closed my door and went to open the passenger's door for him to get out. Well, Abe had other plans and those were to be completely stubborn. When I opened the passengers side door, he jumped over the driver's side and wouldn't come back and get out. So, I walked around to the driver's side, opened the door, and he jumped over to the passenger's side and just looked at me. This went on for about 4 times, me walking around the car to the side he was on to try and coax him out, and him jumping to the opposite side to just look at me. Finally I coaxed him back into the back of the car and he got out before I had to pick him up- even with a weight loss of 12 pounds, that would not have been a pretty sight! I wish someone had been secretly videoing the whole seen because I'm pretty sure we could have won America's Funniest Home Videos. Here are two pictures of Abe in the driver's seat. Silly pup!
In other news, on Monday night I went to Hobby Lobby in hopes of buying 2 fall wreaths to put on our front and back doors. I was completely unsuccessful, as they had only one left, and to me, it was overdone and a bit tacky...plus it was $20 for one, and I just didn't want to pay that for something I didn't like. So, I bought the materials to make 2 of my own- ended up spending less than $40, so I was happy. And voila, the finished products below (this is probably my only attempt ever at a craft project, so I was pretty proud of myself). Please note my attempt to get in the Halloween spirit with the jack-o-lantern bucket of mums. I got the bucket at the Fall Festival in Elloree last weekend for $8.00. It's an old maple syrup bucket that a man cuts to look like a jack-o-lantern and then paints. I thought it was cute, and when Halloween is over, I'll turn it around and it will just be an orange bucket for Thanksgiving.
I have to start off by telling you a funny story from yesterday. Since Abe has been sick, we have been keeping in the house. So yesterday I got home from work and let him out to go to the bathroom and then decided I'd let him ride with me to the grocery store to pick up a few things. While I was in the grocery store he climbed from the back of my 4Runner to the front seat and was just sitting there waiting on me when I came out. He rode in the front seat home and when I got home, I got out and closed my door and went to open the passenger's door for him to get out. Well, Abe had other plans and those were to be completely stubborn. When I opened the passengers side door, he jumped over the driver's side and wouldn't come back and get out. So, I walked around to the driver's side, opened the door, and he jumped over to the passenger's side and just looked at me. This went on for about 4 times, me walking around the car to the side he was on to try and coax him out, and him jumping to the opposite side to just look at me. Finally I coaxed him back into the back of the car and he got out before I had to pick him up- even with a weight loss of 12 pounds, that would not have been a pretty sight! I wish someone had been secretly videoing the whole seen because I'm pretty sure we could have won America's Funniest Home Videos. Here are two pictures of Abe in the driver's seat. Silly pup!
In other news, on Monday night I went to Hobby Lobby in hopes of buying 2 fall wreaths to put on our front and back doors. I was completely unsuccessful, as they had only one left, and to me, it was overdone and a bit tacky...plus it was $20 for one, and I just didn't want to pay that for something I didn't like. So, I bought the materials to make 2 of my own- ended up spending less than $40, so I was happy. And voila, the finished products below (this is probably my only attempt ever at a craft project, so I was pretty proud of myself). Please note my attempt to get in the Halloween spirit with the jack-o-lantern bucket of mums. I got the bucket at the Fall Festival in Elloree last weekend for $8.00. It's an old maple syrup bucket that a man cuts to look like a jack-o-lantern and then paints. I thought it was cute, and when Halloween is over, I'll turn it around and it will just be an orange bucket for Thanksgiving.
Please ignore the fact that the railings need to be removed, the steps need to be repainted, and we need a new door! Our house is quite old and we seem to always have much more important things to do than those things ;-)
And last, but not least, my Gamecocks are taking on the Crimson Tide from Alabama tomorrow night. I'm super nervous, as they have a bunch of veteran guys and we're pretty wet behind the ears. I hope that Alshon will have another spectacular game, and Garcia will be careful with the football! Most of all, I hope it's a good game and we play them close, and if we're lucky, we "roll" them instead of them "rolling" us...but I'm not counting on it! In any case, GO COCKS!
Thursday, October 15
Update on Abester
Just a quick update on Abe- thank you for all of your sweet comments!
The vet diagnosed Abe's problem as whipworms. Whipworms come from the soil and get into the dog's intestines, causing many of the symptoms Abe has. However, they are often hard to detect, so nothing showed up on Abe's bloodwork and they couldn't use a feces sample because, well not to be gross, but it's not solid. So, we are not 100% sure it's whipworms, but that's what we are currently treating him for. If this doesn't work, the vet will have to re-diagnose. The good thing is, the vet said it wasn't anything serious like the things I mentioned yesterday, although Abe has lost 12 pounds. I'm telling you, Google can be a nightmare when you are trying to diagnose what is wrong and can often scare the crap out of you, making you think the worst! I think I should just stop using it to diagnose a sickness- it always makes me paranoid.
So now, we just have to hope that the whipworm treatment works and we don't have to try something else! Unfortunately, the vet told us that if he gets whipworms once, he's likely to get them again since they live in the soil and can't be treated for removal. Apparently there is a type of heartworm medication that will guard against whipworms, but it's not Heartguard, which he is on now. So we may have to switch that up so he won't get them again. Unfortunately, we have a friend who is a Heartguard rep and gives it to us for a deal, so that will be one more expense if we have to change up his medicine.
Anybody ever feel like having a dog is a lot like having a child? If so, I'm not sure I'll EVER be ready for a child. In the past month and a half, Abe has racked up $1500 in vet bills- I'm beginning to think we should get insurance on him..sheesh!!
The vet diagnosed Abe's problem as whipworms. Whipworms come from the soil and get into the dog's intestines, causing many of the symptoms Abe has. However, they are often hard to detect, so nothing showed up on Abe's bloodwork and they couldn't use a feces sample because, well not to be gross, but it's not solid. So, we are not 100% sure it's whipworms, but that's what we are currently treating him for. If this doesn't work, the vet will have to re-diagnose. The good thing is, the vet said it wasn't anything serious like the things I mentioned yesterday, although Abe has lost 12 pounds. I'm telling you, Google can be a nightmare when you are trying to diagnose what is wrong and can often scare the crap out of you, making you think the worst! I think I should just stop using it to diagnose a sickness- it always makes me paranoid.
So now, we just have to hope that the whipworm treatment works and we don't have to try something else! Unfortunately, the vet told us that if he gets whipworms once, he's likely to get them again since they live in the soil and can't be treated for removal. Apparently there is a type of heartworm medication that will guard against whipworms, but it's not Heartguard, which he is on now. So we may have to switch that up so he won't get them again. Unfortunately, we have a friend who is a Heartguard rep and gives it to us for a deal, so that will be one more expense if we have to change up his medicine.
Anybody ever feel like having a dog is a lot like having a child? If so, I'm not sure I'll EVER be ready for a child. In the past month and a half, Abe has racked up $1500 in vet bills- I'm beginning to think we should get insurance on him..sheesh!!
Wednesday, October 14
Good vibes for Abe
Our poor sweet Abe has had a rough go of it lately. Y'all remember my post about him getting hit and having to have stitches in his leg? Well, when we took him to the vet to get the stitches out, he had developed an ear infection- how that was possible, I'm not sure, since he was taking antibiotics for the leg. So, the ear infection cleared up a couple of weeks ago, and now he is sick again. WEG is taking him to the vet at 3:00, so say a little prayer that it's nothing major, however, I have scared myself to death reading the internet for the possible culprit of the symptoms he has. I've seen everything from parvo to distemper to heartworms. He just had his shots a month ago, so I would hope it's nothing major like that, but it's scary!
On Sunday he threw up three times. He wouldn't come out from under the shed on Monday and wouldn't eat or anything. Finally we coaxed him out on Monday night and brought him inside, gave him a bath, and gave him some food. Between Monday night and today he has eaten a total of 2 cans of wet food and maybe 2 24-oz cups of food. He has been drinking a ton of water, though- we think he may be slightly dehydrated. This whole time he's had diarrhea, and today he started this wheezing/coughing thing and threw up a small amount twice. Also, today, he has developed a warm nose which indicates a fever. You can tell he just feels terrible and has no energy....he just lays around and looks miserable, and he has lost weight because of the throwing up and not eating.
So please, send good thoughts Abe's way and help me pray that it's nothing serious and this visit won't cost an arm and a leg!
On Sunday he threw up three times. He wouldn't come out from under the shed on Monday and wouldn't eat or anything. Finally we coaxed him out on Monday night and brought him inside, gave him a bath, and gave him some food. Between Monday night and today he has eaten a total of 2 cans of wet food and maybe 2 24-oz cups of food. He has been drinking a ton of water, though- we think he may be slightly dehydrated. This whole time he's had diarrhea, and today he started this wheezing/coughing thing and threw up a small amount twice. Also, today, he has developed a warm nose which indicates a fever. You can tell he just feels terrible and has no energy....he just lays around and looks miserable, and he has lost weight because of the throwing up and not eating.
So please, send good thoughts Abe's way and help me pray that it's nothing serious and this visit won't cost an arm and a leg!
Friday, October 9
Show us your life- Gamecock Style
I have never participated in Kelly's Show Us Your Life series, but I thought this would be the perfect chance for my first time getting in on the fun.
This week, we're showing love for our favorite team. If you read regularly, you know I'm a big Gamecock fan. I grew up in a Carolina (the real Carolina- SOUTH Carolina) family. We bleed garnet. My dad went to USC, my mom's sister and brother went to USC, my maternal grandfather was a big supporter. Both sides of my family all pull for USC (except my cousin who got married to a Clemson boy and went over to the dark side- bless her heart). I was taught that Clemson was a bad word- that we never pulled for Clemson to do well in anything. How I ended up with a Clemson boy, I'm not sure ;-)
I love everything about the University of South Carolina, except maybe the fact that we don't win as often as one would hope. In fact, I got three degrees from here and now I'm employed here. If you cut me, I swear my blood will be the perfect shade of garnet- not red, not burgundy- GARNET!
By far, I am the biggest supporter of Gamecock baseball. One season during my college years I went to every.single home game- that's a lot if you know anything about baseball. I sat through rain, I sat through cold, I waited out thunderstorms. I've watched my Gamecocks play baseball at Auburn, Alabama, Vanderbilt, Georgia, LSU and Omaha- the year we beat Clemson twice to send them packing, no less! Here's a picture of our beautiful new stadium.
Football comes second to baseball in my book, but I love to travel with the Gamecocks for football as well. My goal is to make it to every SEC school for at least one sport. I've followed the Gamecocks to Ole Miss, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia for football. Next year, I'm hoping to make it to Auburn. The only schools I've never been to for anything are Mississippi State and Arkansas. Here we are in Kentucky last year- we won at the end!!
And, Tennessee- we lost in overtime. Heartbreaking.
So, you can plainly see how much I love the Gamecocks. The fight song is currently playing through my head- Hey let's give a cheer, Carolina is here, the mighty Gamecocks lead the way. Who gives a care if the going gets tough, and when it is rough, that's when the Cocks get going. Hail to our colors of Garnet and Black, in Carolina pride have we. So, go Gamecocks, go, drive for the goal, USC will win today...GO COCKS!
Here are a few pictures of my Gamecock pride through the years (mostly at our tailgates)...Enjoy! And, by the way- GO GAMECOCKS- BEAT THE CATS!
We hail thee, Carolina, and sing they high praise. With loyal devotion rememb'ring the days. When proudly we sought thee, they children to be. Here's a health, Carolina- Forever to Thee.
Wednesday, October 7
Happy birthday, Mama!
I know I'm a day late and a dollar short, as my mother's birthday was actually yesterday, but I was super busy with an event at work, so I didn't have time to post.
And now, this is my 200th post, so I can't think of a better thing to say on it than happy birthday to one of the kindest, most caring people I know- my mom.
I know I haven't always seen eye to eye with my mother. At times when I was younger, I thought she was probably the toughest mom around. Yes, she may have been strict at times, but looking back on it, I can see why. I'm an only child and if something happened to me that was it.
I've seen my mom battle some difficult things in her life. She lost her mother to a cerebral hemorrhage when I was 11 years old. My mother was the one that tried to revive my grandmother when my grandfather came screaming out of the bedroom after finding her. I know this was incredibly difficult for my mother to lose her own mother. And my grandmother was fairly young- in her 60's- when she passed away. Being that my mom is in her 60's now too, I can't imagine what it would be like to lose my rock. But my mom, even on her saddest days, has shown me what true faith and strength are all about.
You see, my mom fights a battle every single day of her life against a disease you can't win against. She has severe rheumatoid arthritis- so severe that knee replacements and hip replacements won't help. So severe that the cartilage in every single joint in her body is wearing down. In most cases, every joint is bone rubbing bone. But, she keeps on going, never asking for pity. She goes to school every day and teaches Latin and English to high school students- which is usually a thankless job. So, even dealing with a debilitating disease that leaves your body so weak, my mom shows amazing strength.
There's not a single thing in my life that I have not been able to burden my mother with. She listens to all my problems and gives me the best advice. It took me a while to see that my mom is usually always right. Mothers do know best. She has become my best friend and confidante through the years, and I wouldn't change that a bit.
So, thank you, Mama, for being a wonderful, Christian example for me in my life. I can only hope that, if the day comes, I'll be half the mom you have been. I love you and happy birthday- a day late and a dollar short.
Wednesday Wisdom...or not
There's a topic I would like to raise because it makes me wonder and I want to know if y'all ever think about this.
This morning an Amber Alert came across the radio. A 5 month old, Cori'anna Heyward, was abducted from Charleston by Corey Heyward, who I assume is her father. It makes me wonder why 5 short months ago the mother saw it fit to name the child after her father, but is now reporting that he abducted her.
Last week there was a similar situation where the child abducted had part of the father's name in his name, and it was the father who had abducted him.
Clearly, 5 months ago you knew this guy was disreputable, so why did you name your kid after him? Riddle me that.
Does this baffle anybody else or is it just me??
And on another note, if the sun doesn't come out in South Carolina soon I am going to go insane. this is the 3rd straight day we have had overcast skies and rain. ICK. All it makes me want to do is curl up on the couch with a good movie and a book! It certainly does not promote motivation in my work. However, speaking of work- we just hired a new administrative assistant to replace the old ice chomper and he'll start in 2 weeks. Things are slowing down here now, of course, but it will surely be nice to have someone to do all the paperwork that I have been saddled with since the departure of our last AA.
And finally, we enjoyed a beautiful weekend in Fripp Friday through Sunday, but I have no pictures. You just have to trust me that it was gorgeous weather. Warm enough to sit on the beach for 3 straight days and get a little sunshine on our skin and cool at night to enjoy hanging out on the porch. We couldn't have asked for a better trip!
This morning an Amber Alert came across the radio. A 5 month old, Cori'anna Heyward, was abducted from Charleston by Corey Heyward, who I assume is her father. It makes me wonder why 5 short months ago the mother saw it fit to name the child after her father, but is now reporting that he abducted her.
Last week there was a similar situation where the child abducted had part of the father's name in his name, and it was the father who had abducted him.
Clearly, 5 months ago you knew this guy was disreputable, so why did you name your kid after him? Riddle me that.
Does this baffle anybody else or is it just me??
And on another note, if the sun doesn't come out in South Carolina soon I am going to go insane. this is the 3rd straight day we have had overcast skies and rain. ICK. All it makes me want to do is curl up on the couch with a good movie and a book! It certainly does not promote motivation in my work. However, speaking of work- we just hired a new administrative assistant to replace the old ice chomper and he'll start in 2 weeks. Things are slowing down here now, of course, but it will surely be nice to have someone to do all the paperwork that I have been saddled with since the departure of our last AA.
And finally, we enjoyed a beautiful weekend in Fripp Friday through Sunday, but I have no pictures. You just have to trust me that it was gorgeous weather. Warm enough to sit on the beach for 3 straight days and get a little sunshine on our skin and cool at night to enjoy hanging out on the porch. We couldn't have asked for a better trip!
Tuesday, September 29
SWAMPED
Sorry, no time for posting- I'm swamped at work trying to get out scholarship recipient bios and thank you notes to donors while getting ready for an event tomorrow night. Thank goodness I have Friday off, and we're heading to Fripp with friends. That will be MUCH NEEDED!
Hope everyone else is having a good week- I'm still trying to stay caught up on my reading, but the commenting will be sporadic.
Hope everyone else is having a good week- I'm still trying to stay caught up on my reading, but the commenting will be sporadic.
Friday, September 25
Extra, extra! Read all about it!
My USC Gamecocks knocked off 4th ranked Ole Miss last night 16-10. I am still not convinced that Ole Miss should have been ranked that high, but it's still the first time EVER we have beaten a top 5 team in our home stadium. And we have only beaten a top 5 team one other time EVER. Yeah, that's not so great, but it does mean it was a major accomplishment for our team.
Congratulations, Gamecocks!
Sunday, September 20
Not gonna lie...
I really, really, really STRONGLY DISLIKE Terrell Owens. Just throwing that out there. My mother always taught me that you should never hate someone, so I won't go that far. However, TO is a cocky, arrogant S.O.B. I just saw him on TV acting like the TO we all know and love (eyeroll). If you don't know who TO is or you have never seen him play or on the sidelines after he didn't get his way, then you probably can't understand why I would care enough to dislike someone I don't even know personally. But trust me on this one, he is asshole personified- to put it as simply as possible.
And that's all I needed to say tonight- Carry on.
And that's all I needed to say tonight- Carry on.
Thursday, September 17
Here's the post where I gripe
I first need to preface this post by saying that I am in n oway, shape or form ungrateful for my job. I am lucky to have a job in this economy. I get that, but, that being said some days I just want to roll over, turn off the alarm clock, pull the covers back over my head and quit. Usually those days fall twice a year when our board meetings occur. Don't get me wrong, I love our board members- they are wonderful people. They are fun to entertain and talk to. However, having to be at work, on my feet in uncomfortable heels and a suit is not my cup of tea. I worked 8:30 to 8:30 today. I was in a board meeting from noon until 4, then set up for the board dinner, then that started at 6 and ended at 8:30. I have to be back at work at 6:45 in the morning to get breakfast bags prepared and board a bus to travel 2 and a half hours for our board meeting tomorrow which is at our marine science institute on the coast. I will get home around 6:30 tomorrow night- another 12 hour day. And then, on Saturday we have to entertain board members and alumni at the football game. I know, I know- that's not technically "work," you may think, but it is because I have to be "on" the whole time.
When Sunday rolls around it will be a relief- but then it will be Monday again in a flash and that means it will be one day closer to our Career Evening for students. Which requires me to be at work on Tuesday evening until 7:30. Yes, I am racking up the comp time, but MAN I am tired just thinking about it. I guess this is what I signed up for being an event planner, but it still doesn't make a person any less tired. I have major respect for those of you who work like this all the time- those of you that work 50 and 60 hour weeks. I also hope that if you are working that much, you're making more money than I am ;-) But I do admire your strength and fortitude. I just need to gripe every once in a while. And until November, I may gripe a lot. I have at least one event every single week until the 2nd week in November...remind me again why I like the fall?
Anyway, I do need to enlist your help. Because I have to dress up for most of these events, I need good shoes. However, I don't have $200 to spend on the shoes I want (Cole Haan with Nike soles). I do need some comfortable pumps- a pair of black and a pair of brown- that are closed toe, not a large heel, and run narrow. They have to run narrow- that's the big kicker. I wear a size 9 and a half or a 10 and my feet are narrow. Most shoes that aren't slide on I will walk right out of. But slide ons are so annoying to try and keep on my feet while walking. Slingback work well, but I find I have to take them to the shoe repair store frequently because I wear out the elastic.
So, do any of you ladies have a good suggestion of a comfortable shoe that meets my requirements? I don't want to spend much because I don't have a large budget. I just bought a pair at Dillards that the saleslady assured me were comfortable. I think she lied. They rubbed blisters on my toes even with bandaids on. That is not comfort. I don't want to have to wear the shoes for ages to get them broken in. That is another of my criteria. So, help, please!!
And if you've made it this far- thanks for listening to my whining. I feel better already.
When Sunday rolls around it will be a relief- but then it will be Monday again in a flash and that means it will be one day closer to our Career Evening for students. Which requires me to be at work on Tuesday evening until 7:30. Yes, I am racking up the comp time, but MAN I am tired just thinking about it. I guess this is what I signed up for being an event planner, but it still doesn't make a person any less tired. I have major respect for those of you who work like this all the time- those of you that work 50 and 60 hour weeks. I also hope that if you are working that much, you're making more money than I am ;-) But I do admire your strength and fortitude. I just need to gripe every once in a while. And until November, I may gripe a lot. I have at least one event every single week until the 2nd week in November...remind me again why I like the fall?
Anyway, I do need to enlist your help. Because I have to dress up for most of these events, I need good shoes. However, I don't have $200 to spend on the shoes I want (Cole Haan with Nike soles). I do need some comfortable pumps- a pair of black and a pair of brown- that are closed toe, not a large heel, and run narrow. They have to run narrow- that's the big kicker. I wear a size 9 and a half or a 10 and my feet are narrow. Most shoes that aren't slide on I will walk right out of. But slide ons are so annoying to try and keep on my feet while walking. Slingback work well, but I find I have to take them to the shoe repair store frequently because I wear out the elastic.
So, do any of you ladies have a good suggestion of a comfortable shoe that meets my requirements? I don't want to spend much because I don't have a large budget. I just bought a pair at Dillards that the saleslady assured me were comfortable. I think she lied. They rubbed blisters on my toes even with bandaids on. That is not comfort. I don't want to have to wear the shoes for ages to get them broken in. That is another of my criteria. So, help, please!!
And if you've made it this far- thanks for listening to my whining. I feel better already.
Monday, September 14
Monday mish-mash
A few weeks ago I signed up to play Gracie Beth's Football Swap over at Preppy Southern Princess. I hit the jackpot with my swap partner, the lovely Lindsay from One Day at a Time. She's a fellow Gamecock gal, and all the stuff she gave me is super cute! Here are 2 pictures- one of her creative and cute wrapping, and another of all the cool loot I got.
Cute wrapping, huh? And don't look too closely at the corner of the picture in the background. That's WEG's Clemson diploma. I guess I should have chosen a better location to do my picture taking, huh?
T-shirt, several stickers with my monogram in garnet, key chain, car coaster, magnet, face tattoos, and earrings.
I hope she likes my package I sent her as much as the one she sent me. And props to Gracie Beth for hosting such a neat swap!!
In other news, I have worn my tie neck dress that Polka Dots and Protein Bars made for me twice now. Both times I wore it to watch the Gamecocks play. I got her to do garnet and black, so it's perfect! The first time I wore it without leggings (and forgot to take a picture) and the 2nd time I wore it with leggings and ballet flats. Here's a picture.
And yes, I feel rather silly posing by myself, but isn't the dress so cute? If you haven't checked out PD&PB's new site for her creations, definitely check it out at Hems & Hers.
This week is super busy for me. Our board of visitors comes to town for meetings on Thursday and Friday and then we have to entertain them at the football game on Saturday, so I will be one busy girl! My posts will be few and far between for a little bit because as soon as the BOV meetings are over, I have Career Evening next Tuesday, which is an undertaking!!
And I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but did any of y'all see this story? It's so sad- that girl needs A LOT of prayers right now. Can you imagine losing your soon to be husband on the morning of your wedding to such a tragic accident? It reminds me to always be mindful of stoplights and wear my seatbelt no matter what!
Okay lovelies, have a wonderful week!
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