Guilty as charged....

OK....yes, I did it.  After searching for an address in my old facebook messages, I found them....the old messages from the ex-boyfriend.  So, of course, foolish me decided to just read one, which proceeded to me obsessively searching my facebook messages for every message he had ever sent me over the course of our relationship.  Then for good measure I decided to retrieve all the cards he ever gave me (which of course I kept neatly together) and throw a major pity party.  FYI....of course I am not the only one that has ever done this or that is what I will tell myself, so we well know that no good can come out of situations like these. 

So after the pity party you just remain confused.  Well, he said he loved me, he said he wanted me to marry me, he said he was the luckiest guy in the world, he said I was his favorite thing!  What went wrong?  Then the obvious conclusion comes.... you went wrong.  You must have done something wrong to make him change his mind and then you analyze what you did wrong till your blue in the face.  There I sat on the edge of my bed on the verge of tears.  Then I decided this had gone too far!  The devil wasn't gonna steal my joy, or what was left of it ...

So the obvious questions came to mind  1.) Do people just fall out of love?  and 2.) Is it really possible for someone to say I will love you forever and really mean it?  Forever is a really long time!  The older and older I get this statement is harder and harder to believe.  Are people that are married a long time still "in love" or have they just learned how to put up with someone successfully with minimal disagreements?

In relationships why do people change their minds?  Why do people say things they don't mean?  Why do people want to be in love when it is a known fact that the majority of those relationships will end in heartache, hence the skyrocketing divorce rate.  So the question remains:  Is the feeling of being in love, worth the heartache that happens when the other person changes their mind?   Hmmmm...and, no, this is not a trick question even though it sure sounds like one!  This reminds me of a "Sex and the City" episode where Carrie questions if she ever really loved Mr. Big.

After much consideration, I guess I will have hope.  I guess I will choose to believe that someone will love me forever...one day.  Hey....it is better than the alternative ;)

Hebrews 11:1 
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Just as you are.....

Lamentations 3:22-23

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.


Happy Birthday Big Brother!

Today is my big brother's birthday, though he isn't that much "bigger" than me.  We are only 15 months apart, so as children we often got mistaken for twins.  As I blogged earlier, we lived in the country, there were no neighborhood children to play with, so we were thicker than thieves as little kids.  We grew up in a 4 bedroom house, but me and my brother shared a room until I was in the third grade, because we didn't leave each other's side.  Then after that came the years where we didn't much care for each other, the years where we fought constantly, the years where your friends seem so much more important than your family.  Can you tell we are related?

photo courtesy of Meagan Jefferson

I always joke that I am so passive because of my brother, who as a child was the worst sore loser ever.  Being the younger sibling I usually never won, whether it was a board game or sports; however, every once in a blue moon I would be about to win.  Of course, my brother would quit or throw the pieces off the board, anything to not allow me to win.  My mother always said I never batted an eye and just went about my business.  To this day, I am the least competitive person you will ever meet.  Second, third, and fourth is fine with me! :)

I am very grateful I have a sibling and can't imagine how it would feel to be an only child.  In my brother, I find someone that knows who I am and loves me regardless. I have someone to call and complain about my parents.  I have someone that thinks and views things almost exactly like me because we were raised with the same values, in the same house.  Most importantly, I have a built in friend for the rest of my life (hopefully, God willingly) after my parents are long gone.

So happy birthday to my big brother!  The person whose idea of "I will be there in a minute" means at least a hour and fifteen minutes later.  The person who if you say you are going to pick him up, you will get there in he will be just then be getting in the shower.  The person with little to no fashion sense and I always feels needs his t-shirts in a size bigger.  The person who is the quite guy in the corner, but one of the funniest people once you get him to talk to you.  The person I know would do anything  for me, his family, or his friends, whether he just met you or has known you forever, and not ask for anything in return.  I am lucky God gave me a sibling like you!

I took my brother out to eat Friday night for a "fancy" meal at Cafe Dupont for his birthday and I must say it was one of the best meals I have had in a while.  The restaurant is located in downtown on 20th Street North.  It was a pretty small restaurant with a quiet and quaint atmosphere.  I got the grouper and my brother got the lamb chops.  Dessert was chocolate almond pie and creme brulee.  Everything was delicious and I would definitely go back.  Service was adequate.  Our server seemed a bit overwhelmed, but we were never left unattended for a long period.  I would definitely recommend.  I need to find a date and go back!

photo source:  www.dupontcafe.net

photo source:  http://blog.al.com

Sidebar when you first come in the restaurant..

One of my favorites:

2 Corinthians 12:9-10  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

My Favorite Things: Boots

Fall and winter means you can drag out those boots and start wearing them again.  I love when it is cold enough to start wearing skinny jeans and boots.  So with my addiction to Pinterest I found out about "boot socks" and decided I needed a pair.  If you don't know about boot socks, see below:

          

photo source:  www.ilovelowies.com

photo source: www.sahalie.com

photo source:  www.freepeople.com

I absolutely love these boots too, but, alas, they are free people and a tad too expensive!

After I decided I needed a pair of these boot socks, I noticed they were more expensive than I expected.  I searched around until I found an etsy store, Sienna's Closet, that offered a variety of socks that were not that expensive.  OK, so I just looked and she has changed the name of her store to "Grace and Lace" .  Here is the link to her store:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/GraceandLaceCo?ref=seller_info

I decided to get the "Lacey Lou" pair in graphite (dark grey):

I am satisfied with the purchase (super cute) and have worn them a couple of times since I purchased them.  However, one of the buttons came loose the first time I wore them, other than that no complaints.

Thought I would show you my two favorite pair of boots I own:

photo source:  http://shop.nordstrom.com

I love my Jessica Simpson cowboy boots.  I bought them a couple of years back on sale, but still wear them all the time.  I like them because they don't look too western.  Plus, you can wear cowboy boots year round even in the summer with a sundress.

My other favorite pair of boots are my Steve Madden over the knee boots, which after Internet surfing I have discovered apparently they no longer make.  Too bad, because they are super cute and are flat, no heel!  I really don't like to wear boots with a heel too often, reminds me too much of a streetwalker.  So, I found some cute over the knee boots on Pinterest that I thought I would share:



photo source:  http://charmhome.blogspot.com/2011/09/fall-wardrobe-round-up.html

These look really similar to mine!

Hopefully the weather will stay cold and we can wear boots a little longer...you never know with Alabama weather.  We could be laying out in swimsuits tomorrow!

Read the 23rd Psalm while reading my Bible this morning, one of my favorites!  I usually use the NIV when I post bible verses, but I learned this in King James:

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

This Should be Your Playlist: The Civil Wars

My most recent addition to my favorites is The Civil Wars.  I absolutely love each of their voices and together they are amazing.  Joy Williams, the female half of the group, is cute as a button.  I adore her voice and how she dances when they sing, you can just tell she loves music!  Plus, it doesn't hurt the male half, John Paul White, is from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, not too far from where I grew up.  If you love original music, you've found it.  Download Barton Hollow, it should definitely be on your playlist!  My favorite song off their album, "Falling"

I also found this interview, I think it shows how well they connect.  Plus, I love the way John Paul says "White" like a good northwest Alabama boy should!

"Please tell me you know, I've got to let you go.....I can't help falling out of love with you..."

All you need is love...and a dog ;)



My dog is the coolest dog in the world. Period.  Someone once told me she loves me because I'm that one that feeds her.  I don't care if that is the reason, she loves me.  She loves everyone.  She has a better attitude than any person I have ever met.  She greets everyone with an open heart, she is ecstatic to see anyone...I mean anyone.  I always joke if someone broke into my house she would probably load up in the car with them and be happy to see them....hey, I guess you can't knock her...she is pretty adaptive!

I have a golden retriever, who happened to be the cutest puppy in the world.  I am sorry, but babies can't hold a candle to puppies.  So here's how the story goes....It was a Sunday afternoon.  I had no intention of getting a dog.  I love dogs and always had one growing up, but never since I moved out of my parents' home.  I stopped to get a drink at a gas station and there was a pen on a patch of grass at the side of the gas station filled with 7 golden retriever puppies.  Of course, being a dog lover I had to go hold all the puppies.  However, there was one puppy that looked scared to death in the corner of the pen, not moving a muscle.  All 6 of the other puppies were simultaneously tearing up an old tennis shoe the breeder had put in the pen.  An elderly man was standing talking to the breeder and nudged me and said, 'You oughta get that one!  Look how calm she is!" ("That one" was the only one left in her litter of three.  The breeder kept one and gave one to his friend because of her reddish color.) I laughed and said I couldn't get a dog right now and headed back to my car.  I drove home and begin to think of that sad little puppy in the corner.  Long story short, I turned my car around and wrote the man a check.  I bought a full bred golden retriever and little did I know what I was getting myself into with my little gas station puppy.

I took her home and called her several names, before I decided on Lucy, because she had red hair like Lucille Ball.  I sent her papers in so she would be official..."Mindy's Lucy Lou".  "That one" now known as Lucy Lou hid under chairs the first week, looking adorable, before she decided to reek havoc on me and my house, before I realized she was nowhere near "calm".  She never chewed on my shoes or furniture, but practically anything else...window sills, socks, blankets, anything she could get her teeth in.  I soon discovered golden retrievers put everything in their mouths.  I couldn't even pet her the first several months of her life, because she was constantly trying to swallow my hand.  I took her to obedience school...what a joke and a waste of money!  The main problem with Lucy is she was (and still is) obsessed with me.  She wanted to be in my lap, which was cute when she was a puppy , but not so cute when she grew up.  I couldn't step a foot without her underneath it.  I looked like a battered wife most of the time with bruises all over me...my arms, legs, stomach, everywhere she could jump.  People would say get a newspaper and swat her...ha!  Lucy will undoubtedly rip the paper from your hands, tear it to shreds,  and then eat the paper.  (She loves eating all kinds of paper products: napkins, tissues, toilet paper, paper towels, and...newspapers)  Then you would have the people that would say spank her, show her who's boss! Yeah, that doesn't work either, she would think you were playing a game and her obnoxious behavior would worsen.  People said I was a softie.  I wasn't being firm.  Lucy, as a puppy, made me more mad than anything, more mad than Charter Communication!  I mean anything!  I wasn't hitting her like a "softie".  She just didn't respond to any sort of punishment...until I purchased a shock collar.  Two days with a shock collar on her neck and 75% of her behaviors disappeared! I would have paid $500 dollars for that sucker! 

Fast forward to present day, is she still under foot...yes.  As we speak she is sitting as close as she can get to my chair.  I take her to the park and people ask me how I have trained her to not run away.  I just look at them confused.  Lucy would never leave my side...and she hasn't in over three years!  I am reminded of a John Grogan quote,“Dogs are great. Bad dogs, if you can really call them that, are perhaps the greatest of them all.”  I guess I got lucky to get one of the "bad ones" ;)

 

I read this passage in Jennifer Weiner's book Good in Bed several years ago and it couldn't be more true! Thought I would share:

I think every person who is single should have a dog.  I think the government should step in and intervene:  If you are not married or coupled up, whether you've been dumped or divorced or widowed or whatever, they should require you to proceed immediately to the pound nearest you and select an animal companion.

Thought I would share some pictures of Lucy Lou:

 

Proverbs 18:24  One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Curls without a curling iron...

My hair is not curly, but not straight.  It is that in-between.  I would describe my hair as thick, wavy, and frizzy.  I know lucky me! ;)  The only thing that will straighten my hair and keep it straight is my Chi.  I have had my Chi straightener 7 years.  I bought it before you could get them at Ulta and other beauty supply stores.  I got it when you had to get your hair stylist to order you one and they weren't $115.  However, it doesn't matter Chi straighteners are worth every penny you pay.  They are awesome! Now I just need to wake up early enough to actually straighten my hair, which hardly ever happens.  This is my old and trusty Chi and, no, it didn't come with that nice travel case....

photo source:  www.bcrater.com

So if you hair is thick, frizzy, or curly...this is the only thing that will work, trust me!

Now back to the post at hand.  I saw this on Pinterest today and thought I would try it tonight. 

All you need is a headband and she actually has a video on her website that shows you exactly how to do it.  I thought it wouldn't hurt to try this technique out.  If it doesn't work I will just pull my hair up tomorrow for work.  This almost seems to easy to actually work!  Here is the link to her website if you want to try it out:

http://thepapermama.com/2011/07/hair-tutorial-no-heat-curl-html.html

Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

For I know the plans I have for you.....

I have never explained the name of my blog.  If you have been following me you know I started this blog at the beginning of the year and for those of you who know me personally know that New Year's Eve/Day is my least favorite holiday! New Year's Day comes and I always ask myself this question, "Is this what I am supposed to be doing with my life?" I always feel a little lost.  I remember on New Year's Day reading one of my favorite bible verses, Jeremiah 29:11 (29eleven), and feeling a comfort and a peace of mind.  God knows the plans he has for me, plans to prosper me and not harm me, plans to give me hope and a future.  I felt better...I don't have a thing to worry about!

No matter what I do, no matter what mistake I make, He forgives me and accepts me just the way I am.  He loved me so much he sent his only son to die for me!  What if we loved all the people in our life the way God loves us?  What if we accepted everybody different from us for what they are?  What if we could gain forgiveness, just by saying "please forgive me?" That is what God does and did for us.  He saw our sin, he saw we were straying and he decided to extend his hand.  He sent his son.  He didn't give up on us.  We are worth the effort. Now that is love...the kind that last forever!

Reminds me of a song by my favorite brothers:


This song has one good lyric after another....

"There's a darkness upon me that's flooded with light, in the fine print they tell me what's wrong and what's right, and it comes in black and it comes in white.... and I'm frightened by those who don't see it"

"If you're loved by someone you're never rejected! Decide what to be and go be it!"

Rejection is a hard pill to swallow....

Of all the feelings rejection is the absolute worst! Rejection can come from lots of places:  You didn't get that job or promotion you wanted.  You weren't approved for that loan.  You didn't get invited to that office party.  That guy never called you again when you went out with him last weekend.  You got dumped.  When you are rejected immediately you think the following things (depending on the situation):  I am not good enough.  I am not smart enough.  I am not pretty enough.  I am not lovable.  I am not worth the effort.  I am not enough. Period. 

After my most recent disappointment, one of my best friends told me "Rejection is God's way of protecting you or promoting you."  However, sometimes the "bigger" picture is hard to see.  Love, especially, blurs your vision.  I realize I most definitely am over analyzing everything.  Has "he's just that not into you" taught us anything? If he's not calling you, if he's not making time for you, if he tells you he's not happy....HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU.  Women should realize these things and just pick up and move on and stop "nit-picking" everything to death.  (and yes by women, I include myself)  I do realize the problem at hand...women want him to be BE INTO them and they want the story to have the ending they planned out in their head.  Oh....but sometimes God has a different plan!

I am suddenly reminded of a "Hills" episode. (of course, I watched "The Hills" obsessively when it was on)  I remember LC questioning Whitney in the Vogue office, why after a break-up when you are just about to pick up and move on something happens and hinders all the progress you've made.  LC pointed out it's like all your ex-boyfriends all wear beepers that annouce you are about to attempt to move on.  Not so fast....we can't let that happen.  Let's throw a wrench in there. Ugh!  This happens everytime and actually happened recently to me.  I let a simple "rejection" steal my joy.

I get on my facebook one morning and realized one of my ex-boyfriends removed me from his friends.   REJECTION right in my face, right in the corner of his facebook page where it says "Add Friend" (I thought we were?!)....oh, good, not only I am not good enough to be his girlfriend, but now I can't even be a casual acquaintenance on a social networking sight.  He doesn't even care to to see the minor details of my life that could be obtained from facebooking stalking someone! (not that I do that...)  Yes, of course, hurt feelings proceeded, but...hold on....let's not forget he's just not that into you!  Then it happened, I had a pity party...and then was sad the rest of the day.  Now lets be clear here I chose to be disappointed and sad, he didn't cause it.  At church yesterday the preacher said..."No one ever blamed their way into happiness"  He's right when I am happy I don't blame anyone, but when I am angry or sad I sure do!

So the moral of the story here is choose JOY.  Every morning when you wake up try to be HAPPY with my life just as it is.  Somedays I will be successful and somedays I will  fail miserably.  However, the older and older I get I realize happiness is a choice you make every day, not a feeling or a destination.  Abe Lincoln said it best when he said:  " Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be"  AND you know Abe he was always honest! ;)

Psalm 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Typical weekend...

Relaxing weekend, no where I had to be, but I didn't get a dang thing done...typical.  I did eat some good food.  Suprisingly, I had the best chicken fingers I have ate in a long time at the Fox and Hound on Friday night.  I have also ate the worst wings ever at the Fox and Hound too, so I have yet to form a firm opinion on their food.  The chicken fingers were beer-battered in Newcastle beer (one of my favorites), so that might have been why I enjoyed them so much...who knows.  My friend and I left to meet up with some friends at Black Market Bar in the Colonnade.  I have never been, but really enjoyed the atmosphere.  Just enough people, but not too many.  Plus, we got to sit on the patio, since it was unseasonably warm Friday night.

photo source: www.birminghamhappyhour.com

Saturday met up with one of my best friends to head to Flip Burger.  Now Flip Burger only has two locations, Birmingham and Atlanta.  The food was delicious and the atmosphere is really cool and modern.  It was even worth the Summit traffic.  It has an awesome patio and view, can't wait for spring to go back when it is warm.

The burger I ate was the butcher's cut and it was delicious, especially with an ice cold draft beer :), but all the burgers looked delicious!  AND they were the perfect size, not too big.

photo source:  http://gastronomyblog.com/2010/01/09/flip-burger-boutique-birmingham/

Sides were great too.  I got french fries and my friend got onion rings and both were excellent! She also got a hot chocolate milkshake to go, which I had to sample.  I wanted to get a milkshake, but was too full.  Probably will get one when I go back...they had a Krispy Kreme milkshake I have to try!  Next time you are out shopping at the Summit, stop by....it is a little pricey for burgers and fries, but I thought was well worth the money!

Also this weekend took Lucy Lou to Railroad Park to explore.  It was kinda dark and gloomy this weekend and the park is located on 1st Avenue, downtown, so it didn't quite leave you with that warm and fuzzy feeling.  Plus, constant sirens were going off the whole time we were there.  There was a policeman on duty the whole time and children playing all around, so I never felt unsafe.  It was actually well landscaped and I think it would be a good park once it warms up.  Lucy enjoyed herself because there was a stream throughout the park that, of course, she took advantage of.  I took my camera and tried to take some pictures (lots of good opportunities for shots).  However, couldn't take a lot with a 65lb. dog on a leash.  I will have to go back by myself one day. 

photo source:  http://bhamweekly.com/birmingham/article-2050-beautiful.html

James 4:1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?



My Favorite Things: Picture Walls

If you have been to my home, you well know that I love to cover every square inch of wall space with picture frames, artwork, mirrors, basically anything.  I don't have a system.  I start with one picture and slowly, but surely end up covering the whole wall.  Pinterest has confirmed that I am not the only person that enjoys putting holes in their walls ;) Thought I would show you my walls first. (please excuse the picture, I have a blackberry that is pretty old...no Iphone here) I like to use different pictures/styles, the more eclectic the better!  My living room:

Another wall in my home:

Pinterest also has lots of good ideas! Some of my favorites:

Love the photo rack!

Mismatched frames, ceiling to floor!
photo source:  http://www.johnnyinadress.com/2011/03/got-blank-wall.html

Plate display
photo source:  http://houseandhome.com/blogs/house-home-daily/enviable-entryways

photo source:  http://thebeautifulsoup.com/

Adore this room!
photo source:  http://laurasmitchellinteriordesign.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-08-04T10%3A00%3A00-05%3A00&max-results=25

Oversized photos
photo source:  http://www.4men1lady.com/2011/10/wall-hanging-decorating-ideas-for-your.html

Idea for over the bed display

Picture Shelves
photo source: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/

Here is a good link that instructs you how to make a picture wall (if you are a directions kinda girl) and it has lots of examples:

http://lilyrose.hubpages.com/hub/wall-decor-photo-display

John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

This Should be Your Playlist: Mumford & Sons

You have probably heard Mumford & Sons on the radio, they play "Little Lion Man" quite frequently.  However, that is not their best song...by far.  Their album "Sigh No More" is "da bomb" as they used to say.  I love their lyrics!  I listen to them a lot in the morning and their music really does lift you up.  :) Look them up and listen! They should definitely be on your playlist.  This song is in a close tie with "Awake my Soul" (will probably post that one later!) for my favorite song they sing:

"There will come a time you'll see with no more tears,
And love will not break you heart, but dismiss your fears,
Get over your hill and see what you find there,
With grace in your heart and flowers in your hair..."

A letter to a granddaughter

My mind has been wandering today nonstop, so couldn't really focus to post.  However, I went for a run tonight to clear my head and when I got back I saw this note laying on my coffee table.  I found it a couple of weeks ago, words my grandmother wrote when I was born.  I had laid it out because I wanted to frame it.   I read it and it made my heart smile and it reminded me what a lucky girl I am.  Thought I would share:

May 14, 1982
What a very special day to have a darling granddaughter.  She will be so extra special because we do not have girls.  She will be all we wished for in a little girl of our own.  I know she will be loving and caring.  I know I will not be around to see her all grown up and that is so sad.  Yet somehow perhaps I will know what a wonderful person she will be and I pray her disappointments and hurts will be few.  Little girls get hurt so easy, not physically, but with little broken hearts.  May a guradian angel be ever with you my dear. Be happy and know that you are loved in a very special way.  May God bless and keep you in His loving care always-

Psalm 91:11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways"

My Attempts at Cooking: Meatloaf

Meatloaf has always been one of my favorite meals, one of the things that reminded me of home.  The best meatloaf recipe I have found that is most similar to the way my Mama made it is Paula Deen's Old Fashioned Meatloaf.

The ingredients are as follows:

1 lb ground beef
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
1   egg, lightly beaten
8 ounces canned diced tomatoes (without juice)
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats

Topping:
1/3 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon prepared mustard

After you combine all the ingredients you just form into a loaf and bake at 375 degrees for a hour.  I sometimes make the topping or sometimes I just use whatever barbecue sauce I have in my refrigerator.  I like to put it on about 10 minutes before I take it out of the oven to form a crispy crust.  I don't have a meatloaf pan, so I just form and place on a baking sheet or pizza pan covered with foil.  I always form 2 loaves, then I just freeze one for later, since we are cooking for one!  For the complete recipe see the link below:

http://www.pauladeen.com/recipes/recipe_view/old_fashioned_meat_loaf_aka_basic_meatloaf

On a side note, I just read recently that Paula Deen has developed type 2 diabetes....I know shocker ;)  However, I still love Paula Deen, even though I think she has taken the "I'm just a country girl" routine a tad too far.  I still use her cookbooks to cook a lot of dishes that remind me of my childhood.  If you don't have a Paula Deen cookbook the best ones are "The Lady and Sons" cookbooks.  They have all the traditional southern recipes you grew up on. 

You always eat meatloaf with mashed potatoes.  Since I lack the time and motivation to cook homemade mashed potatoes I always use instant mashed potatoes! They taste just as good....to me they do anyways.  (My mother always tells the story that I would turn my nose up as a child when my aunt cooked homemade mashed potatoes, because I was used to eating Hungry Jack instant potatoes! :)  I like to use the packets of Idahoan mashed potatoes, they are my favorite. Plus, they only take 4 minutes to make!

Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.  

I'll cry if I want to....

When you are dumped you are mad as hell initially.  I don't make you happy?!  You need someone different? I am not enough?  You want to say "Why not?" Did you ever think what I need, my happiness, you selfish son of a ......

Then it comes, it is like a tsunami wave, unbearable sadness.  Then you start to make excuses.  He didn't mean that.  He will realize he made a mistake.  We're not really broken up for forever.  Why do women do that?  He just basically ripped you apart naming every single flaw you have and told you that you don't make him happy, but he didn't really mean it.  On closer inspection....ummm...yeah.... he did really mean it.  No matter what you think about the other person, you got dumped.  He doesn't want you.  Game over and it makes you feel like the biggest loser and, no, I don't 'mean the winner of a television weight loss competition ;)

And why is it you break up and then all you hear on the radio are sappy love songs?  I heard Sinead O'Connor "Nothing Compares to You" on the radio a couple of weeks ago....(OK, I am completely embarrassed to tell this, but will because I am sure some other foolish girl has done the same thing....or that is what I will tell myself)   So I heard the song, then I proceeded to break down in the car on the way to work.  I am not talking about a tear rolling down my cheek, a complete breakdown....on I-65....in morning work traffic.  Nice, Mindy!  You have turned into the woman you despised, your worst nightmare, in shambles over a man...of all things!  Think of all the BIG problems in the world.  So now you don't just feel sad, you feel guilty and pathetic.  You  have so many things to be thankful for....you shouldn't be sad, you should be happy!  AND it doesn't help it was the cheesiest song in the universe that ignited this breakdown!  Get it together Mindy...geez!

I guess people cry when they are sad and that is acceptable, but I don't like to cry.  If I do cry I don't like anybody to see me!  Oh no, I cry in the bed or in the shower.,..never in public and definitely not in the car in I-65 work traffic! :)  However, I guess crying doesn't make me weak. I guess crying is a good thing.  I guess it is normal.....right? 

Gloria Steinem once said "A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle."  She's absolutely right!  I don't need a man to make me happy, but I have decided for right now a man broke my heart and I am sad sometimes...and I am gonna cry if I want to!

Psalm 147:3-5 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.  He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.

Country roads take me home....

I grew up in a small town and I am ashamed to say I didn't appreciate it.  I am from Haleyville, AL, and, no, it is not close to anywhere you know.  I didn't even grow up in Haleyville; I grew up 10 minutes outside of town on my parents' farm.  You had to drive 10 minutes from my parents' home to reach a red light.  If you went to "town", you made a list, because you couldn't run to the corner store for a gallon of milk.  There was one gas station on the way to town and it closed early and was not open on Sundays.  I remember there was many times I didn't think I would make it town to fill up and this was before everyone had cellphones, so I would have been hoofing it! ;)

 It was always so hard to give directions to my house too.  You blinked and you could miss my driveway and, yes, it was dirt road.  A long dirt road at that.  You couldn't see my house from the highway, so you couldn't say, "Stop when you see the grey house with black shutters."  This irritated me to no end when I was a teenager, I always wanted to live "in town".  I always felt like like I was missing out. 

Fast forward to the present, I am beyond grateful that I grew up exactly where I did.  I got to go fishing, swim in creeks, play in pastures, and ride four-wheelers.  Throughout the course of my childhood, we had every animal imaginable:  dogs, cats, cows, donkeys, mules, pigs, sheep, and at one point an emu (long story). My parents' have since got rid of most of their animals, but my Daddy still has his hunting dogs and raises quails and pheasants, so his hunting dogs have something to hunt....of course! Plus, growing up in the country you have an endless supply of fresh vegetables and if you didn't grow something that year, your neighbor likely did and would bring you some, more than you needed or wanted.  There is nothing like a fresh tomato right off the vine or pickles canned from cucumbers grown form your garden.  I guess as a child I thought everyone had childhood memories like mine, but, boy, was I off!  Oh goodness...how I miss the country sometimes!

Now I go home and I drive down that dirt road and I think maybe one day I will live on my parents' farm, build a house, have a husband, and have kids that complain about not living "in town".  I better start on that.....I'm not getting any younger! ;)

The pier off one of my parents' ponds.

 This was my one of my favorite trees, but the April tornadoes got it :(

Two of my Daddy's pigs.  He raises his own pork!  You should see them right before they leave to be made in to pork chops, bacon, etc. and, yes, he names all his animals, even the ones he eats.

Lucy and Snickers (one of my Daddy's dogs) swimming. 

My mother's flowers in the spring.....gorgeous! You think I would have a green thumb!  No such luck!



Matthew 6:26-27 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

8th birthdays are the best!

I have had a busier weekend than expected, which is good.  I try to stay busy, since I have been anxious here lately (to say the least)!  It was one of my best friend's daughter's birthday, so I got to attend her 8th birthday party yesterday.  I haven't been to a child's birthday party in a while, but I must say adults are missing out.  Somewhere along the line we get too old for pizza, chocolate cake, and presents.  The party was held at Tortugas Pizza, which I have never been to.  The adults were treated to a Chicago style pizza and it was really good.  Our pizza looked like the one below (taken from their website)

The birthday girl was also treated to a cake from Edgars and it was delicious.  If you haven't been to Edgars, you must go! They have four locations in the Birmingham area and their sweets do not disappoint.  They also serve breakfast and lunch. I would recommend the one on Hwy 119.

After the party I tagged along to iJump, which was an interesting experience, and I guess the new rage with kids.  I guess it is similar to Chuckie Cheese, which was the coolest thing ever when I was a child.  However, it was filled to the rim with kids and, yes, they were all sweaty and screaming.  However, I have to give it to the guy who thought of the idea, lets blow up a bunch of inflatable slides and bouncy castles and charge every kid $10 bucks to get in was a genius.  We could only stand about an hour, before we headed out.  Needless to say, Anslie had a blast, which I was glad to see :)

Before I get off (brownies need to be taken out of the oven)  I thought I would also mention Homewood Toy & Hobby  It is a great toy store located in Soho Square.  They have lots of different toys (not junk!) and are reasonably priced.  Kids' toys are so "high tech" now, I like to buy toys like I played with when I was little.  They have the rest of their lives for cellphones, Ipods, and laptops!

Exodus 14:14  The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
 

My Favorite Things: Gold Watches

My favorite Christmas present this year was my new yellow gold watch.  I have been wanting one for a long time. Initially, I wanted this Michael Kors watch:

However, I didn't like the price tag!  So, I searcehd high and low to find a cheaper version.  I found lots of gold watches, but most of them were bedazzled and if you know anything about me; I don't do anything dazzled.  Then finally over Thanksgiving weekend I found a Fossil watch, just almost exactly like the Micheal Kors version:

 

This watch is also $135 cheaper.  I have received lots of compliments, even one of my 3 year olds at work told me "Your watch is pretty!"  I have even had several mistake it for a Michael Kors too!  I also have a tendency to wear multiple bracelets with my watch (see below), the more the merrier :) 

photo source:  http://prettystuff.tumblr.com/

Proverbs 4:23  Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

This Should be Your Playlist: Adele

About to head out the door to start this 3-day weekend, but thought I would post really quick.  I was listening to Ms. Adele on the way home from work and her voice is absolutely amazing; she is hands down my favorite female singer!  She could sing the phonebook and people would listen.  It doesn't hurt that she writes a pretty darn good love song either.  If you have ever been in love or heartbroken, buy her new album, 21, and I am pretty positive it will be the only thing you listen to in your car for about a week straight, especially if you are female ;)

Yes, I realize the general population is well aware of Adele because they play "Rolling in the Deep" and "Someone Like You" out on the radio.  However, every single song on her new album is awesome.  Plus, she does have an older album, 19, and it is just as good.  Just put her on your playlist; everyone needs a good love song every now and then.  This is my favorite song from her new album; I love the lyrics!

"So is it over?
Is this really it?
You've given up so easily,
I thought you loved me more than this."

Shopping for significant others.....

Relationships are a lot like shopping...let's break it down.  I know I have had plenty, and I mean plenty of people, ask me the following things:  "Why aren't you married?", "Why are you single?", "Why aren't you dating anybody?"  Like it is so simple to find the love of your life.  Like you can just go to Target with a list of what you want and pick it up.  Trust me I would have got in line a long time ago if that was the case!

Imagine you have to have a dress for a special occasion.  You go out and you have exactly what you want in your head, but when you get to the mall you just can't find it.  You go to multiple places, but you still can't find what you want.  This is kinda like being single, you know exactly what you want, but no matter where you go you just can't find it.

Then you find it, the perfect dress, it looks right, it feels right, but you are hesitant.  It might be too expensive, you might find something better somewhere else, is this it, is this right?  Should you really commit?  You decide to get it, you take it home, and are happy with your purchase.  Time goes goes by and you try the dress on to prepare for the occasion, but it looks different, it feels different, it's not quite as pretty as you remember.  You decide you want something different and return it to the store.  That dress just wasn't what you wanted after all.

The thing about relationships ending them is not quite as simple as returning a dress, especially if you are not the one returning the purchase.  Getting dumped feels like when you take something back to a store and it has been over the time frame, you can't get cash back, you have to get the flippin' gift card.  When you leave a relationship you never leave exactly the way you came, you're like a "gift card" version of yourself.  You are still basically the same person, but jaded and bitter, different.

Sometimes not finding what you want can be frustrating, but I guess you gotta keep looking...no matter how exhausting it seems.  If you don't keep trying things on you will never find the perfect fit.  AND as so many people have reminded me you find it where you least expect it.  Hopefully it will be worth the wait and not returnable :)

Romans 5:3-4 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.



My Attempts at Cooking: Feta Dip

I have been pretty busy this week, so I haven't cooked at all.  Plus I have had little to no appetite the past couple of months, which leads to little motivation for cooking, so I thought I would post a recipe that I have made in the past.

Feta dip (anything with feta cheese, which is in a close contest with sharp cheddar to be my favorite cheese) has to be good and this doesn't disappoint!

This recipe barely has any ingredients, so it is so simple to make.  It can be served with anything, but I always cut up a french baguette (the long skinny one).  Some like the bread toasted, but I like it pretty soft.  I have an aversion to crisply toasted bread.  It always tears up the roof of my mouth.  It is really good to make in the summer with fresh tomatoes, but I made it recently for a Christmas party with out of season tomatoes and it still was pretty good....I mean it has feta cheese...

Click the link below to get the recipe and make it for your next party!

http://www.memoriesoncloverlane.com/2010/11/recipe-that-will-make-your-life-easier.html

Joshua 1:9  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.