I'd like to welcome

the cold front that has settled over our city for the past couple of days! I extend a heartfelt "Bout time you got here!" This morn I wore a sweater and boots to work!!!! I even pulled out a few of the coats from my waining collection, and hung them-up for later wear! I don't know if this typing is conveying my excitement, so I took a screen pic of the temp when I got to work this morn... Seeeeee:

Yep, you can smile and be happy for me. The rest of the Floridians around here are sad-faced, but I happy packed up my business flip-flops and open toe heels! Thank goodness for decorative socks and boots!!!

Now backing it up, on Sat my love took me to the fair (Tasha you were right, we skipped the local Festival and we did not regret it)! I love the fair. Ironically, I don't ride any of the rides (neither does Kj), but it's fun to walk around and play games and take in the smell of fried everything. ;-) Kj fooled the guesser with his weight (hello Mr. Guesser Man, all that muscle and great home cooking is sure to add up to more than 205!!!), so I got a prize! Then he made a prize winning free throw shot and I got another prize (we're not V. Tech fans, but a co-worker of his is, so we're going to donate the ball to him)! We went to the rock exhibit (b/c we're dorks) and someone had the neatest display of rocks that looked like food! The only thing that I regret is not going into the "Freak Show". I wish it had another name b/c that just sounds so harsh, but oh well. Anywho, I think it would have been neat to see the spider body woman or the headless man. Maybe next year! Also next year I'll have to partake of one of the unique spins they put on the traditional funnel cake. Bavarian Cream??? Hey, why not!









I know this post is forever long, but it's been 4 days so bear with me!

Lastly I'd like to do a little braggin! Below is the account from the flag football game that took place last night. I had to work late, so I missed it, but tah-dah, I'm married to a BALLER (is that what good football players are called??? hummm)
Article:

Our flag football team won the first game of season last night in a thrilling 6 OT's victory over 728 ACS to make our record 1-0. Some of the highlights to the game are KJ played quarterback and had 3 touchdowns including a game wining interception return of 78 yards. Offensive played well to include J Smith and Glove using the ground game to help the victory. In dramatic fashion with less than 2 min to play in the game KJ and Playmaker caught a 5 yard TD to tie the score at 20-20 and force OT. In OT the two teams went back and fourth scoring drives but on the last 728 ACS drive in OT KJ with the help of Lewis and Smith forced the quarterback to throw errant pass in which KJ intercepted and ran back for the game wining TD.

Yep, I'm proud! Hate I missed it!
But the price to being married to a "baller" is walking into your CLOSET (?!?!?!) where he is trying to "air out" the clothes he played in last week but accidently left in his trunk for 4 or 5 days! I can't even begin to tell you of the rank nastiness! Let's just say that I had to immediately soak the clothes in the wash, and lysoled the mess out of his gym bag and the trunk of his car....
sigh.

LOL!
Hope you've had a wonderful Tuesday!

lots of lovin!

10 on Thursday:

1) I'm really not matching at all today! LOL! I'm "blending" with my cream top, gold lace camisole, sand colored slacks and dark brown shoes... I'd take a pic, but I just might be shame... to my defense, it's all in the same color family... sort-of.

2) KJ organized my shoes in the closet last night. He thought it would aide him as he pointed out that I've got 15 pairs of black shoes and 12 pairs of brown... but instead of seeing his point I thought, "my goodness do I need some more shoes... most of these are so old..." Sorry luv, the next shoe sale at Dillard's, I'm there!

3) I've decided to look into having my tonsils out as they are yet again swollen with huge white puss pockets on them. Yes, that's gross I know! Precisely why I want them out of my body.

4) This weekend there are 2 festivals; the mullet festival...fish not the haircut, (although I've heard that i'll probably see a few) and the state fair. I'm having a tough time decided which to go to, so I think I'm going to do both...

5) I've got a logo to work on for a cousin and for some reason I've got the worst creative block. I think it's got something to do with not wanting to disappoint family...

6) I believe my neighbors got a dog. I only know this because I spied a discarded box with a dog-crate on it next to their trash. I want to ask them about it, but I don't want to be that nosey, I snooped in your trash neighbor, so I'm waiting until I see the dog outside...

7) I got a FL tag for my car. Kind of hurt my AL soul...

8) Publix had a sale on gatorade (3 for $5)... needless to say, I had a cart full, literally! KJ drinks a gallon a day!

9) I've got my C-mas want-list all compiled, but I haven't the slightest idea what I'm going to get anyone else. Everytime I start to brainstorm, I end up adding a few more items to my want-list. ;-)

10) The airforce tests their bombs near my work place and it sounds like heavy thunder only it shakes the building. Sometimes I'm hugely disappointed when I look out the window and there's no rain, but mostly I'm grateful that those bombs are hitting their targets and not having an off day, ya know!?!?!

Happy Thursday All!

Oh New Orleans....

this city never ceases to amaze me!
We went down this past weekend and met my parents for a little mini vaca (just the weekend) and to see the Eagles play the Saints.
Saturday was perfect. Wonderful weather, laid back day, lots of walking, a ton of laughing. The French Quarter (which wasn't really hurt by Katrina) was its usual colorful self. There's the ever present smell of cajun spices, sweet pralines and beignets, and then the occasional whiff of vomit to remind you that the national liquor laws do not apply within the city limits. ;-) It wasn't crowded, but nothing's out of the ordinary there. Nothing. It was mid day and we saw one girl in the hootchiest devil's costume I've ever seen and then an older couple, her with her pearls and him with his top hat, on the same street, within minutes of each other. Talk about variety! ;-)

For dinner we met my dear Caroline (a new resident to the city herself) and listened to a little street corner band (I'm pretty sure they were a local highschool horn section looking to make some extra moola on the weekend) and ate at the Red Fish Grill. Oh the food was scrumptious, but the company made the meal. ;-)

Sunday we went to church at a congregation just now getting its feet back on the ground (very inspiring) and then headed to the Superdome decked out in our Eagles gear. I thought we might be the only ones in green, but those Eagles' fans are no joke and even in the dome you could scan the crowd and find big splotches of green amongst the black and gold. Everytime the Saints cheered "Who dat, said they gonna bet those Saints, who dat, who dat?" (I told KJ that the most boot-leg sayings are accepted in cheer format) there was a thunderous answer of "The Eagles, The Eagles!"... too bad we didn't. ;-) It was all in fun for the most part and after we graciously tucked our feathered tails between our legs, most of the Saint fans thanked us for such a good game and for supporting the city. You hate to lose, but it's worse when you lose to sore winners and I must say that if we had to lose to someone, I didn't mind serving them a victory in their home city. KJ didn't necessarily feel the same... he's a die-hard bird man... ;-)

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Happy Tuesday!

Bubblicious...

Yesterday while hunting for stuff for my neice and nephews Halloween package, I found some bubble gum flavor (just scented maybe because it doesn't really taste like bubblegum) chapstick. Secretly, I've been on the hunt for this for about 3 days. I figure since my current chapstick is at its end, why not revert to a childhood favorite. I almost did a little dance in Dollar Tree when I found it in the basket beneath the tootsie roll and key lime flavors.
So today I'm sporting my new chapstick (under my fall lip stick color) and I think it's put a little pep in my step. Doesn't take much... ;-) Oh yes and it's Friday!

Lastly, this morn I asked Kj to take a quick picture of me for my passport. He tried his best to give me the same service I would have received at the local CVS or dmv. No "1,2,3", no "Smmiilllee", no "say cheese" just CLICK... then "Girl ain't nothing wrong with that picture..." After some whining on my part and some protesting on his, he took 2 more...hehehe I luv him to pieces, but for the life of me if we go on this cruise and end up ship wrecked on an island and my passport is the only thing that washes back onto the Florida shore as proof that we were even on the boat, do I (does he) really want any of these to be who they come searching for???



I set the self-timer when I got to work and just took another one. Plus my hair had dried, so it had more volume and you know I love big hair. ;-)
Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!

I think I'm offended...

Earlier this week we came home from work, and this was kindly left on our door:


What?! No one told me that this week was lawn critique week!!! LOL! Seriously, we know that our little crunchy patches of grass aren't doing so hot at the moment, but I'd also like to point out that hellllooooo, it's Autumn, and in almost every state but this one, there's some evidence of that. Rustling orange tree leaves, cool air, dead grass... you get my point. I don't know if palm tree leaves even change color and just how are we even suppose to make grass grow in sand???? Can I get some real dirt please?!?!?

This made me feel like someone had found a picture of us and circled with a red marker all the areas that "need improvement". Creative criticism my bootie! And we don't need someone to point out to us that yes, our neighbors on both sides have traded their souls to the sod devil for luscious kelly green grass in the MIDDLE OF OCTOBER. sheesh.

So Mr. Lawn Critique Man, yes, we are very well aware that our grass is going thru some issues, but leave us alone! We're just fine with the grass being greener on the other side.

Happy Thursday ALL!
:-D

Wednesday Smiles

1) One of my closest friends posted this Butter bean this morn. I'm still in awe that one of my girl's is growing a human...

2) I've decided not to complain about work anymore. I'm a firm believer in: If you can change it do, and if you can change it and don't then don't drive everyone insane with your incessant whining. I love that we have the "power" to pull ourselves out of miserable situations and I'll have to keep you posted on mine, but only the positive actions that I'm taking to alleviate the misery... ;-)

3) This FL weather will allow the neighborhood kids to wear their halloween costumes without big bulky coats to cover up the cuteness... I guess that's a + in the FL's not sooooo bad category.

4) I haven't been late to church or work this week. The church one is the one I'm most proud of (20 min early for Sunday school, 10 min early for Teacher's meeting and Evening service, and 5 min early for Sisters' Bible study last nite...). Whooo-hooo for me!

5)I've discovered these Nature's Own crunchy granola bars and I must say that they've been a fabulous new breakfast option.

6) I love Publix. Have you ever heard of smoked paprika??? Well, I hadn't, but Rachel Ray required it and Publix delivered!

7) Tonight we're steaming crab legs for dinner. Thanks a million Cindy and Lisa for my fryer/steamer (that my husband unpacked and thus threw the directions away telling me that I could just look them up on line, but ha-ha, I found the directions in a drawer last week so now I can actually figure out how to steam things...)!

8) Recorded this special about Beyoncé last night and as much as I loooovvveeee her and am somewhat envious of her "I can't believe you can have a body like that" body, I was so thankful to be me, in my house, on my couch, with my eye-rolling husband (he doesn't quite understand my B. fixation). God's given me the life he wants me to have and I'm enjoying it. I'm working on the body thing... kind of.....

9) Deep breaths are an amazing calming agent.

10) Thank you Lord that it's Wednesday!

Yep, I'm Quirky....

So as I was blog hopping this morn, checking in on a few of my favorites and I ran across the latest confessions going around.
5 Weird Things About Me. Although not tagged, I thought it would be fun to play along. A good Friday post I think...
Here goes:

1) When I was around 11 we were on a church trip in which we stopped at a Waffle House. I could have promised up and down that I smelled marshmellows (which I despise) and from then until I was in highschool, I was convinced that Waffle House put marshmellows in their batter and I would not eat there. The thought of that memory makes my stomach churn...

2) When I was little, I hated my knees (thought they were ugly and would cry if mom came near me with shorts), didn't like the way jeans felt (so mom bought me every color of sweatpants known to man), and the stitching in socks bothered my feet (so I wore them inside-out). Admittedly, I was a funny looking kid.

3) I have always hated the thought of losing teeth. Didn't like when the baby ones "fell" out and I'm petrified of the adult ones being knocked out in some random freak accident (like me tripping and hitting my mouth on the curb...)

4) I have no problem eating or drinking "old" stuff. I'll leave a cup out for a day or more (Liz no comment) and probably drink the rest of the contents before I put it in the dishwasher. This is probably more gross than weird...

5) When I'm concentrating on something I have a tendency to squish my lips up to my nose. It's not cute. It probably looks like I'm smelling my upper lip, but I"M NOT! Kj's taken to calling me Jason Terry (he plays basketball for the Mavericks), so I'm trying to be more conscious of when I do it... (apparently to no avail as I'm doing it now...)

Gotta love me! No really, ya gotta...
hehehe

Happy Friday! Tricey, Colleen, Tasha... you know the deal. Hit us up with some weirdness!

I fibbed...

this is really the last thing I'm going to post today:

This link:
Grey's Anatomy Blog

is WONDERFUL! I'm completely out of my funk now. Just read it!
If you're a Grey's watcher you're going to llllllooooovvvveeee it. It's written by the writers of the show so it has the same tone. AB-FAB!
Colleen, even though you're not a watcher (b/c of all the surprise hospital moments of grossness - have I ever told you that I love this tender quality in you? You're sooo my Colein!!!), I think you'd like to read the blog b/c it really is a commentary to the social aspects of it all minus the surprise hospital grossness. Let me know what you think.

And to the rest of you who watch.... Whatever, I already know that you're going to love it, book-mark it, and check it incessantly like I do....
hehehehe

Ahhh Haaaa! Here's the silver lining to my day...

Not-To-Do List
LOL! I found this on a blog I frequent yesterday and I thought I'd post the link. I'm suchhh a procrastinator! I like to tell people that I'm late b/c my internal clock is off, but I haven't really come up with a witty response as to why I procrastinate... I'm open for suggestions...
Anywho, I'm probably guilty of a million things on this list.
I admit it... I'm not perfect. ;-)

Andddddd I found my John Legend cd!!! Whoo-hooo!!!! That man can sing! I do believe I'm pulling myself out of a funk right before your very eyes! hehehe

Oh and last thing, then I'll stop editing this post and let it be: Grey's Anatomy tonite! Really Addison, you couldn't have just drowned your sorrow in the hotel room by yourself??? You had to call McSteamy???? Sigh.

:-) THAT'S IT! I'm done posting for the day. I can't lose my little miserable job until I figure out my alternatives. hehehehe

lots of lovin!

10 on Thursday???

A few of my fellow bloggers do 10 on Tuesday (which I admit flows better off the tongue), but I'm always late, so here's my 10 on Thursday.

1. I've been having a tough time at work. Last Friday they fired my friend/super.supervisor (she was my supervisior's supervisor) and I'm begining to remember (like i ever forgot) why I hate "corporate" america and miss being my own "boss".
My new dept. head is not a good man. I think because I spend 8hrs here my physique is being affected in a negative way.
2. I've decided that I don't take being-told-what-to-do, well.
3. I really need to finish up some of the projects around the house. Seriously most of them are 98% finished. That last little 2% is starting to drive me crazy. ;-)
4. I should have tried to de-lintify (like that?) the black shirt that I have on today. Seriously, unkempt isn't something I do well. My theory is that no matter what I feel like on the inside, I should present a half-way put together front. hehehe
5. In theory I told myself that I wouldn't get on the internet while at work, but who was I kidding. This IS my sanity.
6. I think God's in the midst of doing some serious work on me. I haven't felt like my "normal" self lately and I can only determine that I'm undergoing some "construction" I'm anxious to see how I evolve...
7. Big yea - FL offers driving school ON-LINE! Really! So earlier this week I completed one section and fell asleep and my loving husband finished my course for me. This is probably not how they wanted it done, so shhhhh, don't tell. ;-)
8. There's a Seafood Festival going on in a neighboring city that I'm really excited about. Food and art vendors! YEA! Most of the art will probably be "beachy" (think peach and seafoam, starfish and boats), but hey a girl's gotta get her kicks wherever she can find them!
9. Kj and I have seperate weekend plans (he's headed to visit some friends in town from philly and I had precommitted myself to go to a ladies day outing with another sister from church...). I'm planning on doing some serious cleaning and finishing the projects mentioned in #3. Plus I've recorded most of the shows I watch and I'm going to use Saturday to get caught up on them. I may try my hand at some gardening, or making some curtains, plus I've got a few paintings I want to do, and a shower curtain to spruce up... Yep, I've got plans!
10. Trying to end on a postive note: Rachel Ray and I have been kicking some dinner butt! We've had Margerita Pizza-dillas, Leeky Chicken, Spagetti al Ceci (with chickpeas), and Canadian Benny's. All have been extremely successful and I'll be passing those recipes on to those interested (I heard you Tericka, I heard you! hehehe).

Happy Thursday All.
I promise that the next 10 on Thursday won't be as whiny! I guess it's kind of unfair to use my blog as therapy, but you all are an awesome group and I think you'll let me wallow this time without too much reprimanding. ;-)
Miss you my girls!