Book winners!

I only had 4 entries for the On Folly Beach book, so my "scientific method" for drawing a winner was to write your names down on pieces of paper and draw them from a hat.
Because I am at work, I have no camera to show you what I did, so you'll just have to trust me on this one.

And the two winners of the book are:

Belle from Life of a Southern Belle
and
ewatson

Ladies, email me your contact information so that I can send it on to the publisher to send you your free book! My email address is usc_emily@hotmail.com

I am moved by the spirit....

I am here to testify. I found an amen kind of love. The kind that makes you fall down on your knees and reach for the sky above. The kind that your soul can never get enough. I found an a-men, an a-a-a-men, an a-men kind of love.

Y'all, I'm not usually the romantic type. I prefer private shows of affection and love over public displays. You won't find sappy statuses on my Facebook. I'd rather get a practical gift than flowers (especially roses- I don't like roses!) But, just for a minute, I've got to break from my norm and tell you about something wonderful- three years with WEG.

I've told you before I don't do well keeping track of dates. I can't tell you a specific date when WEG and I went from friends to something more, but I can tell you it was Memorial Day weekend 3 years ago. And since that day, my life is forever changed. I never realized that I could love someone with the depth and passion with which I love WEG. Never realized there was someone out there that was so perfect for me. Someone who would challenge me and make me a better person. Someone that would love me like he does.

I'm not saying we haven't had our share of trials. But, to quote Gary Allan, "the struggles make you stronger and the changes make you wise." And if there's one person I want to face the hard times with, it's WEG. He's my rock, and I can't imagine facing tomorrow without him, having had him by my side for three years. I hope we have many more happy years together. And while we have no big plans for a celebration of the three years, I'll celebrate them in my heart and pray that God has more in store for the two of us.

Stream of consciousness

Ahh, Wednesday....halfway through another work week. It seems like I am ALWAYS counting down to the weekend. What about y'all? Unfortunately, I do not have Monday off for Memorial Day. It's quite annoying when it seems like EVERYONE around you is off, but you have to come into work. Every year I am annoyed by this fact. Yes, the university does take the day from us to put it at Christmas. So, at Christmas, I get almost 2 weeks off. However, I'd probably take that time as annual leave anyway. I WANT MY MEMORIAL DAY! Wah, wah, wah.

Moving on. I need a new vacuum cleaner. Ours has taken to spitting out dust in large clumps while I am vacuuming. Gross. I changed the bag, but no dice. Same thing happens. However, I am not looking to spend an astronomical amount on a vacuum cleaner, although I would like something that is pretty decent. Any suggestions of a great vacuum cleaner for a reasonable price? I would love to hear them!

In other news, we are FINALLY finished with wedding season! 5 weddings down, none to go (for a while, that is). We love all of our friends who got married, but, sheesh, it is exhausting and expensive to go to so many weddings. By the time you throw parties for people, buy gifts, pay for accommodations if the wedding is out of town, and outfit yourself, you've spent a pretty penny. I can only imagine the costs that go into your own wedding- yikes!

Also, don't forget to read my review of On Folly Beach in my previous post, and enter for a chance to win the book. So far only one person has entered, and I'm giving away two copies. That's good odds to win a really great book!

Finally, my Gamecocks need to get it together in the SEC tournament. We're currently losing to Ole Miss. We are rarely very good in the tournament. Perhaps we are saving ourselves for the regionals of the NCAA tournament. Here's hoping that's the case! We didn't throw our ace this game, but Ole Miss did.....and their ace was SEC Pitcher of the Year. Yeah, not looking good for us.

Anyway, enough rambling. Only 46 more days until vacation..... Maybe after that I will be able to put together a cohesive post.

The big W....

I'm a worrier. Always have been, but hopefully won't always be one. I try to let go of some things that cause me worry, but in the end, it eats at me. A few months ago I went to a women's retreat and the speaker told us the parable of the soils. She told us that women are often like the seeds choked out by vines. Those vines, including worry, are what keep us from being in the good soil and growing and relishing in God's word. She told us that worry is a sin. And if that's the case, which I know it is, then I sin a lot because I tend to worry a lot.

If WEG goes out with friends, I worry about him. Not about what he's doing because I trust him, but about his safety. I worry that he'll make it home okay. I can't fall asleep until he's home. It's a worry that's totally out of my control, but one I obsess about, nevertheless.

I worry about money...all the time. I was not very smart with credit cards in college, and I am paying off debt. Sometimes when it gets to the end of the month, I worry that I won't have enough. I am constantly budgeting...adding up what I have left to pay for in the month minus what I currently have. I hate to go under a certain amount in my checking account because I feel like I need that for emergencies. I've got a little money in a savings account, but not a lot, so I worry. (As a side note- in December, I will have the credit card debt paid off, so hopefully this will be less of a worry)

I worry about my job security and the future of my job. I'm pretty sure I'm safe, but the reality is the cost of living keeps going up, and there is just no money for raises. So, I don't know if or when I'll get a raise. And that worries me. Because if prices of gas, groceries, and clothing continue to rise, yet my pay does not, what will I do? Yet another worry.

I worry about something happening to my parents. I'm an only child so the sole responsibility for dealing with it would fall on me. It's a nagging thought in the back of my mind all the time. Certainly not something I can control, but still something that worries me.

See, I told you I was a worrier. I also worry about small day-to-day things. It may be why I always take the reins when something is being planned because I worry that they won't be done right if I don't. Okay, so maybe you could also call me a control-freak, but that sounds too harsh.

So, what should I do about this constant worrying? I know the answer. It's as clear as day, and it was reiterated to me upon reading the Proverbs 31 devotion of the day today. I should give all my worries over to God. In fact, it says in Matthew 6:27: "And who of you, by being worried, can add a single hour to his life?" So true. My worrying doesn't get me anywhere. It just puts my stomach in knots and stresses me out. It doesn't matter how much I worry about a situation, God has it in his hands and will have it turn out just as he has planned. Wow, what a revelation. But not so much a revelation as something I have known all my life. So, why do I continue to worry?

I need to work on it, no doubt, and show Satan who is boss because, clearly, that's who is sneaking into my life when I worry. If it were January 1st, I'd make this my New Year's Resolution, but it's not, so how about I just make it a life change? It's going to take a lot of prayers to let go and let God have control of my worry, but I think I'm up to the challenge.

What about you? Do you worry? Have you let go of worry? Was it easy or hard? How did you do it and succeed?

It's official!!

In just short of two months we will be heading to Fripp Island for a week-long vacation. I can't wait! My annual leave is approved and I am ready to go. This will be the first time I have ever been to the beach for vacation for an ENTIRE WEEK. Yes, you read that correctly. My family just wasn't the week-long beach vacation type. My dad doesn't like the beach all that much. He was a farmer at one time in his life and has suffered a heat stroke while working on a farm in the hot South Carolina summer sun. So, his idea of fun was not to go sit on a beach. He much preferred the mountains or other types of trips. So, my mom and I would go for short periods of time to Hilton Head where her college roommate lived, but never for an entire week.

There's sure to be lots of this:

and this*:

And this**:

Hurry up, July!!

* The deer are quite tame on Fripp Island. This is not out of the ordinary.

** I'm pretty sure we were playing flip cup or chandeliers. Either way, fun!

Help! Wedding planning question.

And no, I'm not getting married.

I need some advice for WEG's sister. She's engaged but doesn't know where to start with her planning. I thought it would be nice to get her a planning book that will help her get started and go through the process of planning a wedding.

Knowing that so many of my blog friends have planned a wedding, I immediately knew who to come to for help. I would like to get her a book that starts at the beginning and helps her with all aspects. It would be a bonus if it had pages that she could use to write information about vendors, etc.

So, ladies, what books did you use when planning your weddings? Which were your favorite? Which had the most comprehensive information? If you, like WEG's sister, were completely baffled at where to start, what did you find to be the most helpful?

Thank y'all so much in advance for your answers!

On Folly Beach

TLC Book Tours has once again asked me to participate in a book tour for another of Karen White's books, On Folly Beach. It is very fitting that I am posting this today, as I spent the weekend at Folly Beach and saw many of the places mentioned in the book.

I must say, Karen has done it again with her new book, On Folly Beach. Like her past books, The House on Tradd Street and The Girl on Legare Street, Karen weaves a tale that brings the past together with the future. A tale that leaves you yearning for more when you are forced to put down the book to attend to other matters....like work, sleep or household chores. Believe me, if I could have chosen to keep reading instead of those things, I would have! I loved this book.

A little background on the book. It is set in both the early 1940's during World War II, and present-day in Folly Beach, South Carolina. The main character is Emmy Hamilton, a widow to soldier Ben, who died in Afghanistan. Unable to let go of her loss and move on, Emmy is convinced by her mother to buy a bookstore in Folly Beach and move from her safe haven of Indiana. Some of the books Emmy finds at her new bookstore, Folly's Finds, are tied to the past and to a secret that only Lulu O'Shea knows. Lulu is the sister of former Folly's Finds owner, Maggie Reynolds, and also an avid bottle tree maker. Emmy is forced to break through Lulu's tough shell to find the meaning of notes that she finds in the margins of books that she knows could only have been written between Maggie and an unidentified man. Emmy is joined by a delightful cast of characters both in the present-day setting and the setting of 1942, and each character comes alive in the book.

On Folly Beach forces the reader to think about the past while examining the present and the relationships which bind us to both. Sometimes we find it hard to let go of the people and places we love, until we are forced to evaluate the situation- often by an unlikely source.

Karen White's book is sure to please, and if you don't believe me just from reading my review, TLC Book Tours is offering to give two of my readers a copy of the book. All you need to do is comment on this post and you'll be entered to win. The giveaway will close on Friday, May 28th at noon EST.

When your memory goes...

Have you ever wondered what it will be like when (and if) your memory fails you one day? I'm not talking about forgetting someone's name that you run into in the grocery store. Or forgetting to pick up your dry cleaning. I'm talking about something far worse. Something that affects more than 5 million Americans. What I'm talking about is a disease we all know as Alzheimer's.

Some of you may already know the effects Alzheimer's can have. We probably all know someone who is living with the disease. Perhaps a family member or a neighbor. Maybe it's a close friend just in the early stages. If you don't know anybody with the disease, consider yourself lucky. It's a disease with no cure. There are treatments, but those only delay the inevitable.

On October 16th in Columbia, SC, WEG and I will be walking in the Memory Walk to help raise money for Alzheimer's research. It's a cause close to our hearts, and one about which we feel quite strongly. Our goal is simple: Raise as much money as we can to help put an end to such an awful disease.

If you've ever witnessed what this disease can do or you wish to help find a cure or prevention so it does not affect you or a loved one, will you help? My donation page is HERE. Every little bit counts in the fight against Alzheimer's. And if you're in the Columbia area and want to walk, we'd love to have you on our team.

Thanks, y'all!

Mambo #5...I mean, Wedding #4.

Wedding #4 of the Spring is coming up this weekend. We'll be heading to Charleston on Friday for the rehearsal dinner and the wedding will be on Saturday.

I'm wearing this dress to the rehearsal dinner for which the attire is "resort casual." I think this will be okay, don't you? The rehearsal dinner is at the Maritime Center which is located on the water along with the aquarium.

And for the wedding, I'm wearing this dress, which I haven't worn in two years. I think I forgot that I had it!! The wedding is at a church and the reception is at Patriot's Point in Mt. Pleasant.

What do y'all think? I'm beginning to get tired of picking out dresses to wear!! We have one more wedding next weekend, and then I think we're done for a while...but you never know!

We're staying at the Charleston Place hotel and I can't wait. No clue what we'll do on Saturday during the day, but pulling the blinds and putting the "do not disturb" sign on the door is at the top of the list so that we can sleep as late as we want with no interruptions! I'd like to walk through the Market, but that is definitely not at the top of WEG's list of things he would like to do ;-)

In any case, it will be nice to relax during the day on Saturday in Charleston until time to head to the wedding at 5:00.

What are your big plans for the weekend?

Dear Mama**

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value......She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.....She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31:10-31 (portions)

This passage of scripture makes me think of my mama. She has always been there for me and our family. She gives selflessly to those in need, and if she's not at home or work, she's usually doing one thing or another for her church.

She instilled in me good Christian values, and I never questioned her love for me. Sure, there were times when I felt that some of her rules were too strict. Or times when I hated the response, "If everyone was jumping off a bridge, would you?" But, looking back, I am 100% thankful for her direction in my life. It may have seemed tough growing up, but it's made me who I am today and I would not change that.

So, as Mother's Day approaches, I look back at all my mama has done and sacrificed for me and I am truly thankful. On Sunday we'll celebrate Mother's Day, but I don't think celebrating my mother is something that should be relegated to just one day out of the year. After all, she deserves so much more.

Thanks, Mama for the woman that you are and the influence you have been in my life. I love you!

**You didn't actually think I was going to quote Tupac, did you?

Crazy Eights

LuvRedandWhite tagged me for this survey that will give you a little more insight into moi! Enjoy!

8 TV Shows I Like to Watch
1. How I Met Your Mother
2. Rules of Engagement
3. Modern Family
4. Cougartown
5. Accidentally on Purpose
6. Two and a Half Men
7. Dancing with the Stars
8. Deadliest Catch

8 Favorite Places to Eat and Drink
1. Mr. Friendly's
2. Tsunami
3. Casa Linda
4. Chick Fil A
5. Thirsty Fellow
6. Palmetto Pig
7. DiPrato's
8. Gourmet Shop


8 Things I Look Forward To
1. Am's bachelorette
2. Doug & Jamie's wedding in Charleston
3. Am & Jamei's wedding in Charleston & the weekend at Folly Beach
4. Fripp Island in July
5. Hopefully a good run for the Gamecocks in the baseball post-season
6. Lots more fun years with WEG
7. Living in the country one day
8. Retirement..haha

8 Things that Happened to me Yesterday
1. Took the day off from work
2. Cleaned most of the house
3. Did a good chunk of laundry
4. Hung out with friends for an early Cinco de Mayo celebration
5. Started planning a fun Fripp trip for the summer
6. Was touched by the daily devotion I read
7. The scale was unfriendly to me
8. Was reminded of the wonderful relationship that WEG and I share


8 Thinks I Like About Winter
1. Christmas
2. Snuggling for warmth
3. Snow (when we happen to get some)
4. Hooded sweatshirts
5. Roaring fires
6. Scarves
7. Football bowl games (College & the Super Bowl)
8. Baseball season is just around the corner


8 Things I am Passionate About
1. My family
2. My friends
3. WEG
4. the plight of West Virginia coal miners & their families
5. organization
6. people needing to learn the rules of the road
7. people needing to learn the rules of grammar
8. people needing to learn the rules of good etiquette


Words or Phrases I Use Often
1. Y'all
2. Touche'
3. Moron (when driving)
4. Seriously
5. crazy as a bed bug
6. get out of the way (also while driving- road rage much?)
7. Oh my gosh
8. Muah


8 Things I Have Learned From the Past
1. High school is not all it's cracked up to be
2. Some friendships fade over time, and some you lose altogether
3. Life is often shorter than you think
4. It's important to tell those you love how you feel
5. If you think you have it bad, look around and you'll find someone in a far more difficult situation
6. Don't use a credit card if you can't afford what you're buying
7. That retail degree probably wasn't necessary
8. Mom & Dad are usually right, even when you don't want to believe it.

8 Places I Would Like to Visit/See
1. Costa Rica
2. Turks & Caicos
3. Barbados
4. Australia
5. Venice
6. Paris
7. New York
8. Napa Valley wine country

8 Things I Currently Want/Need
1. a vacation
2. my credit cards to be paid off (not much longer!)
3. to lose 10 pounds
4. a 2010 4Runner...hahaha, riiiight
5. WEG's pontoon to be finished so we can go on the lake!
6. the oil spill to be resolved in the Gulf
7. a pair of gold Jack Rogers- cause silver and platinum aren't enough, right?
8. for life to continue to be wonderful!

And I, of course, am supposed to tag 8 bloggers, but since I am about to walk out of the office, I'll leave it here for anybody who wants to do it! Please feel free- especially if you're having writer's block!

A "weight"y issue

I have a problem.

I think the antibiotic that my dermatologist prescribed me is causing me to gain weight. Weight gain is not listed as one of the side effects, but I googled it along with the prescription name (Oracea), and there were forums were multiple people said they experienced weight gain or a bloated feeling due to water weight.

I have not been eating any more than usual, but I have been working out more- running, walking, doing strength training exercises, ab work, and still I have been gaining weight. And it's not muscle. Nope, my stomach looks flabbier than it did 2 weeks ago- just the time when I started taking this antibiotic.

I am completely disheartened. I need the antibiotic for my skin, but I don't want to be a fatso because of it. I also don't want to go off of it and my skin go nuts. I don't know what to do!

Has anybody had this problem before? Is there anything I can do to combat the weight gain while staying on the medication? I am not a gym rat and I love food, so please bear in mind that I will not have the willpower to alter my diet drastically or become a workoutaholic. But are there easy ways to keep from gaining weight?

Anything y'all can offer would be great!! It's bathing suit season and I don't want to be flabby!

My favorite day of the week

I have been so productive already today!
Got up at 8, went and ran/walked the Lake Murray Dam (around 3.5 miles, I think), went to Target & TJMaxx and then to the mall. I bought a lingerie shower gift, as well as a gift for my mom for Mother's Day.
I have eaten lunch and now I am listening to the baseball game before getting ready for Carrie Underwood tonight! I have no housework to do because I completed it all yesterday afternoon. And, I gave myself a pedicure last night, so I can relax a bit until time to get ready.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend. Tomorrow I'm headed to Game 3 of the Alabama-South Carolina baseball series. We won last night on a walk-off homerun in the bottom of the 11th inning, and we're currently winning today. However, Alabama has a penchant for come-backs this season, so we can't be too comfortable with a lead.

Enjoy your Saturday!