Wordless Wednesday

Who wants to play a game?

HANGMAN!!

comment with your letter and I will fill in as we go! I am giving you plenty of time, because this one is HARD! Goodluck!

Interesting Picture of the Day

Gatherers celebrating the Summer Solstice

And boy, it sure is summer. I just recently checked the weather for tomorrow, and it is going to top 100* here in North Carolina. The hubs and I just went out to run some errands, and I could barely stay awake. The sun just drains all my energy. So we have decided to stay indoors for a bit until it cools off (maybe?!). Days like these remind me of being a lifeguard at the Y (where i met David). We made so many memories there.

Happy weekend!

7 Places

7 Places that I want to visit...

1. The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota.

With over 4 million square feet of pure retail bliss, it is the largest mall in North America. It is like a mini Disney world for shopaholics. I would be in heaven.

2. Sydney, Australia.

I just love the Aussie accent...and Sydney is booming. It is prime location to see everything Australia is known for. While visiting, I will most definetly check out the Great Barrier Reef.

3. Las Veggggas.

I have yet to visit Las Vegas. It is on my list of things to do. I want to experience all the lights and action. Ever heard the saying, "what happens in vegas, stays in vegas?"

4. Machu Picchu, Peru and the Incan ruins.

High in the Andes Mountains of Peru, lies Machu Picchu, a mysterious settlement the Incas built, settled, and left all in a century. I think places like this are beautiful just because of their mysteriousness.

5. Iceland.

I would love to visit Iceland around Christmas and experience all the beautiful glaciers and mountains. Because of high volcanic activity on the island, there are no trees. Except for a small national landmark with a few trees. Simply amazing.

6. The Winchestor Mystery House.

In 1881, Sarah Winchester became convinced that she needed protection from the evil spirits of all the people killed by Winchester rifles (her husband, Oliver, was a gun maker). A psychic advised her to add rooms to her mansion in San Jose, California to confuse any ghosts that may try and find her. While this story is full of superstition and paranoia, it is interesting in the least. I would love to visit this mansion...in the daytime.

7. Now number 7 is a tie between The Grand Canyon, The Canadian Rockies, The Egyptian Pyramids, and The Amazon River. Tell me which of these 4 you would likely visit. I think each of them is special in its own way. It is amazing to see the natural wonders of the earth. I believe I need to start racking up my frequent flyer miles.

Update:

I am an official graduate. Got the diploma in the mail!

What is the most faithful insect?

A flea...once they find someone they like, they stick to them. It is officially summertime...because I saw a flea on Haylie today. Which means, I urgently started my "flea-b-gone" regimen. Do you have a dog? Would you like to know my "flea-b-gone" regimen. I guarantee it will keep the fleas out! This may sound like an awfully weird topic to blog about, but it is a common problem for pet lovers.

1. You see a flea...and tried to catch it, but it jumped away. You see another flea...and you decide it is time to do something about it.

2. Immediately take all the sheets, pillow cases, blankets, comforters and throw them in the washing machine on a hot/cold cycle. Do this with pet beds and other areas they usually sleep on.

3. Give every animal in your home a flea bath...the shampoos can be found at almost any department store. The brand doesn't matter...just get a bottle! Make sure you let the shampoo sit on the skin for at least 5 minutes before washing off. And use slightly warm water, but not too hot. Test like you would a baby's bottle...on your wrist. Start from the neck and work your way down their back, and don't forget their legs and feet. If fleas are hiding in their coats, they will run to the place you forgot to wash.

4. Vacuum everywhere...especially carpet. And then, vacuum again. And maybe one more time.

5. Run to the store and grab some flea medication for cats and dogs. Vets will try and tell you that their brands work the best and that store brands will never work...however, in my experience, store brands do just fine.

6. Try to keep your pets away from tall grasses and weeds for the remainder of the summer. If you just can't avoid them, make sure to keep repeating steps 1-5 every month or so.

If your flea infestation is bad...and i mean bad...there are great powders you can put on the carpet to kill the fleas that may hide deep down in the carpet. There is also spray you can spray on furniture and their coats.

If you follow these steps religiously, you will rid your house of those awful little pests.

The Ultimate Job...

The ultimate job (besides being a mother) would be a CAKE DECORATOR! I was watching TLC's show Cake Boss last night, and decided I would love to be a cake decorator/pastry chef. Let's not forget that I CANNOT cook, so maybe this dream isn't exactly reality...but, it would be so fun. It would be that kind of job where you would look forward to waking up everyday. Can you imagine all the interesting people I would meet? And, most of all, you would smell like fresh bread and icing all day long. I don't have a lot of artistic talent either, so I would need a fairy god mother to zap me some artistic ability. Ok, so maybe being a cake decorator isn't exactly my cup of tea...

How about a cake decorator that gets to play with kittens and puppies all day while my employees make the cakes....and then I get to eat the mess ups. Now, that would be the ultimate job.

Sum It Up Sunday

Every Sunday, I have decided to blog about my week and expectations of the week ahead. I enjoy blogging, but my main goal is to keep friends and family in the loop. Being so far away from home, I find it enjoyable to enlighten my loved ones through blogging.

This week went by terribly slow. Sinec Monday, I have had an awful sleep schedule. I will go to bed right around midnight, or earlier, and wake up between 1:00 am and 2:00 am and NEVER get back to sleep. I toss and turn all night long. Not sure what the deal is...but it is getting old very fast.

David and I have come into an agreement that we need to get dog beds for the pups. Gracie feels the need to sleep right between David and I, and Haylie needs to sleep either right by my neck or between my legs. And Gracie usually ends up kicking me to death throughout the night. I feel like I am being run out of my own bed. So, I will be shopping for dog beds very soon. The problem I will run into is when its finally bedtime and the dogs won't use their new beds...hm?! Any suggestions?

On Saturday, David and I went to the ag jam downtown and ate at Tir Na Nog. Afterwords, we went to Krispy Kreme because David had never been to one in his life (WHAT?! I know, its crazy...). So, because of my diet, I can not have any sugar what-so-ever, including donuts. Let me tell you, that was the hardest thing I have ever had to do...watching David eat a donut right in front of me. AHH. I could have gone insane. But, I am sacraficing health and happiness over the foods I love. I am doing this diet because I was diagnosed with insulin resistance and a few other minor issues. But basically, I eat whole grain foods, lots of fruit, lots of vegetables, no sweets at all, and just water to drink (except I have a glass of 50% less sugar orange juice every now and then).

Today, Sunday, we went to the pool after church and soaked in some rays. Then, I spent most of the day waiting on an email from a potential employeer :):). Cross your fingers!

Well, that pretty much sums up my week. Not very interesting, but fun none-the-less.

On this date...

On June 19, 1910, the first father's day was celebrated in Spokane, Wash. With Father's Day 2010 just around the corner...I decided to blog about 10 things that make my dad special.

1. My dad can pump iron like no other.

2. Anywhere my dad goes, he knows at least one other person...and if by a rare chance he doesn't know anyone, he'll make a friend or two.

3. My dad gives money to needy strangers on the street when he has little for himself.

4. My dad can have a good time anywhere he goes!

5. My dad and I share a love for country music and can communicate just through lyrics.

6. My dad can NOT spell...which makes his texts very interesting.

7. My dad is very habitual...just like me :).

8. My dad has the biggest heart and understands the meaning of unconditional love very well.

9. He works very hard and long to make sure his girls are happy.

10. The day my daddy walked me down the aisle, was the most happiest day of my life. Not just because of the man standing at the end of the aisle, but because my daddy held my hand that day and shed a tear or two. He is most definitely the best father in the world.

Do you remember your dreams?

Yes, yes, and yes! I dream almost every night...and most of the time I remember everything I dreamed. I used to have a somewhat scary dream as a child. It was in 3 parts; the first part being me chased by a dragon (or similar monster) through random buildings with no in or out. Then, it would change to me flying around my house and yard. And, I swear to you, I could "feel" myself actually flying through the air. I would go up and down and swoosh all around. (Strange?!). Finally, the last part would consist of me re-living the day of how I pictured it to go. Which is strange, because it was like the day happened all over in my dreams...sometimes a little different.

I did have a dream last night, but I can not exactly remember how it went. Usually, I can only remember them for the first 30 minutes I am awake. And, if they are really intense, I can recall them throughout the day. The next time I have an intense dream worth sharing, I will blog about it!

Do you have dreams that you remember? Do dreams really mean anything? Or is it just your mind running circles around you while your body sleeps?

Ten Guilty Pleasures

Don't deny it...we all have them. There are at least 10 essential "things" we must have in our lives in order to keep on keeping on. What are yours? I have been thinking about this topic lately, and decided to share my 10 guilty pleasures with the world.

1. A warm bath right before bed.
Yes, I admit, I would die without a bathtub. Ask my husband. Have you ever watched the housing shows on HGTV and the couple will have their "top 5" list of necessary features in their next house. Well, number 1 on my list is a bathtub. I don't care if it has jet tubs or even a rubber ducky; I just want a hole in the floor that can fill with warm water. Granted, the hole must be big enough to lounge. A warm bath right before bed is so tranquil.

2. Going to bed knowing your alarm is not set for the following morning.
OH. This feeling is the absolute best. I HATE HATE alarms of any kind. Their annoying high pitch blast just ruins my day. I love going to bed knowing I can sleep until I can't sleep anymore. Don't believe me? Try it.

3. An afternoon thunderstorm.
Well, unless it disrupts a sunbathing session. I love thunderstorms, but only when it is still light out. I admit, I get a little nervous when a storm passes by in the middle of the night. It is pitch black and all I can think about is when the a tree is going to blast through my window. An afternoon thunderstorm is perfect.

4. Lions, tigers, and bears...OH MY.
Animals...animals of any kind (except: spiders, snakes, and most bugs). I love my dogs and cat like they are my own children. Most animal lovers can relate. I get so distraught when I see a cat or dog roaming the streets and I will BEG David to turn around and pick them up. Almost everytime he has refused to turn around...but I still try. It breaks my heart to see a homeless animal. I even have 3 bird nests on my porch in my hanging flower baskets (which are now dead btw) because I refuse to let those little babies be homeless. Having a bad day? Go to an animal shelter and look around. Those big brown eyes will melt your heart.

5. B-r-e-a-d.
hmmmmmm...carbohydrates. Yes, yes, i know...bread is not so good for us. But, I LOVE LOVE a warm yeast roll or a pastry or a donut or pizza or a sub sandwhich or CAKE. I recently started a new "diet" that only lets me have whole grain breads and such...so yeast rolls are most definetly out of the question (and cake and pizza etc). BUT if I lived on a planet where diet and excercise and all that good stuff never mattered, I would so eat yeast rolls for every meal. Yes.

6. Early Fall
I grew up in the hills of North Carolina...very close to the mountains, and I love when the trees are full of color and there is a crisp, cool breeze going by. I love everything about fall: halloween, pumpkins, apples, leaves, thanksgiving, the fair, and digging out winter clothes! As soon as September hits, I will go into excitement mode for the upcoming season. To me, fall is like that mysterious season that gently approaches and gently leaves. Sometimes, if you blink, you'll miss it.

7. Pretty in Pink
Anything and Everything pink...enough said.

8. Children
I think I was born to be a mother. I love children. Being around babies and toddlers is something special. They are so loving and forgiving. They depend on you so much and it just makes me feel worthy. I CAN NOT wait till the day I have my own children. I will finally be content.

9. A day at the spa
Massage, pedicure, manicure, facial, all of the above. Count me in.

10. Toni Braxton
Ok, I love country music, don't get my wrong, and that is basically all i listen too...but songs by Toni Braxton are amazing. She has a great voice and the lyrics are so sensual. When I was little, I memorized every one of her songs and would sing them in the shower. "Unbreak my heart, say you'll love me again. Undo this hurt..."

So, those are my 10 guilty pleasures. I am sure I could think of many more, which calls for a possible "Ten Guilty Pleasures II." Let me know some of yours!

Summer is here!!

Wow...it is 94* and rising today. After spending a few hours at the pool, I gave up and decided to come back in. It is definitely summer now, and the fourth of July is right around the corner. David and I are planning to make it back to Hickory for the 4th. We always take to the lake with the fam and spend the day out with friends.

The dogs are not enjoying this weather. They go out for 2 minutes and are panting like rabid rabbits. Which reminds me...there has been an increase in rabid foxes around here lately. Actually, a few people have been attacked and bitten. When we were on Oak Island a few weeks ago, we were walking back from a late night walk on the beach and saw 3 foxes jump out right in front of us. Fortunately, they kept running. Make sure to get your pets their updated rabies shots!! (note to self.)

That is all for today...woo hoo for SUMMER 2010!

Oak Island, NC May 30,2010

The First One!!

Oh wow...where do I start? It has been one crazy year. David and I got married last May 30 and just passed our one year anniversary a few weeks ago while vacationing at the family beach house on Oak Island, NC. The trip was amazing. We spent our anniversary night with a bottle of wine and one picture-perfect view (see picture). We watched the sunset over the blue ocean and then headed to the pier for a night of fishing. However, we failed to catch any fish?!

The past few months have literally been like a whirlwind. I graduated May 15th and had family down for the weekend and then our anniversary trip. I have decided to go to graduate school and (hopefully) get my Phd in Animal Science. To be completely honest, I am a little hesitant about going to school for four more years...but I am assuming it will be well worth it.

David LOVES his job at the credit union. I am so thankful that he has found something he loves and his stable.

We started discussing houses...and hopefully will be able to end our lease in November and move on with our lives. We are definetly going to try and settle down in either Cary or Apex.

Soo....woo hoo for starting a blog!