I guess criminals have to shop, too

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!!

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.

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 White

Whether 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

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

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?)

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!

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:

• 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!!