I don't have time to wear makeup every day. I need that time to clean my rifle. - Anon

I cannot tell you how wonderful my life has been lately.  I got a new truck, the pool is finished, my parents are in town, and everything else has just been rocking along perfectly. 

Everyone is being their perfect selves.  Bey and I have some fun trips planned in the upcoming months.   For example it looks like we are NOLA bound once again.  We are planning a trip to Turkey in the fall.  At some point this summer we are going to Belize. 

I suppose we don’t have to go anywhere really because the backyard is an oasis, but I have the need to cruise on out of town.  ;)  We are expecting some big changes in our lives this year so we …or rather I need to get some of the traveling out of my system.  :) 

Work has really been keeping me busy.  I got put on about 4 extra projects which of course brings in a few new piles of extra money.  The trade off is that I have been working and working and working and working.  I can’t get out from under all the work I have. 

I need to post some pictures of the pool and vehicle, but I have already posted many of them on Facebook. 

SD is doing well.  She is making straight A’s.  Additionally she has gotten really involved at church.  She has made a number of friends near our house.  She is signed up for her first lock in at church.  :)  She is very excited about going. 

Finally my cousins are all in town visiting my aunt so it was nice that we had SD this weekend as well as my parents. 

Monday Madness

One of the best ways to spend your Monday is working your butt off getting your grades in, but it is all totally worth it!!!!  I am going to be mostly off until April 5!  Definitely reason to brag! 

Hubby had to work late tonight, but as soon as he gets home I am going to meet him with a hot dinner, a cup of coffee, and a trip to our new hot tub! 

I hate that he is back at work.  I wish he could work from home.

“A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day.” Bill Watterson

We bought a new Dodge Ram Laramie this weekend.  It is a 2010, black and tan, and gorgeous.  Good Riddance to our old truck.  I put the entire truck on my credit card, and then I came hoem and paid it off.  In that one quick purchase I earned enough air miles to go to Bali.  Now it is time to plan. ;)








One of my most favorite songs to make myself smile.

Sometimes you feel like a Snark- IPG

Check out the progression of the backyard Oasis

Additionally I want to share the pictures of the lake that I was enjoying in the boat today!  I will have some more personal pictures taken by me and my family in a bit, but is this not the most amazing thing you have ever seen?  And only 45 minutes from my house (including boat hauling time)!  WHO HO!!!!!!

I almost got away with it. - international party girl

If you know me at all you know that I am always up to something.  Whether I am running off to Russia, moving across the country, or redesigning my backyard, I am almost always getting into trouble.  It is no wonder my nickname has almost always been Trouble. 

THE POOL IS SO MUCH FUN.  Everyday they are doing something.  The granite guy is going to be in here to install the granite countertops next Monday!  Whoot!  Can’t wait. 

I guess the thing that made me want to blog was I had the most perfect Sunday this past week.

Me, my handsome man, my brother in law, my SD, my aunt, and my uncle all sat around and played family game night.  It really was perfect and fantastic to have my whole family all together.

“When it comes down to it, I let them think what they want. If they care enough to bother with what I do, then I'm already better than them anyways.” Marily Monroe

I owe you all an apology. I have not been as active as I typically try to be. I have been getting my house in order and digging a beautiful pool. Turning my wonderful home into a place none of us will ever want to leave.

Back from my Blogcation

I admit I have been crap lately.  No blog updates for almost a month.  Wow!  I have been keeping my regular journal and writing other nonsense such as checks for bills.  I just had not had a chance.

That is not quite true.  I guess I have been adjusting.  I had a hard time when I first got married.  Everytime I turned around and Bey was there I was like WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? and he resonably responded "I live here."  I have sort of been going through that again but on different scale. Don't get me wrong...I love SD, and I love Bey.  I always want to talk to them and hear how they are doing.  But it has been an adjustment for me now that Bey is here and we have SD.  

I just can't seem to hit my supergirl stride.  I know for a fact it has to do with juggling all the things I am juggling.  And by things I mean...finishing the Diss, work, unpacking and organizing my house, being the domestic Goddess I am, doing a MAJOR remodel to the house think 2000 square feet of tile.  

I finally found a gym I liked and joined it.  However I can't seem to hit my stride there either.  I did happen to find a Yoga instructor that both challenges me, and suits my needs in that area so mark that down as a resounding success.  In this category I guess I have to include Belly Dancing.  I have started taking it.  I am not so good, but I enjoy it!!!  

I have found two stepmom groups that I have joined, and enjoy meeting and dishing with those nice ladies.  We have also found a church we will join.  So all of that is great.  

Oh and my precious Saints made the superbowl!  Who dat?

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. ~Bill Vaughan

I need to do a wrap up of 2009 but I will probably do just one great big resolution/ wrap up post over the weekend.  I have been enjoying my time off, and will get around to those chores this weekend.  :)

In the meantime here is a collage of my statuses in facebook for 2009.

"Please let me be. Please go away. I am NOT going to get up today!" - Dr. Suess

I have a lot to do to recap 2009 in the next few days.  However I did want to mention that my blog secret Santa gift came and I love love love it.  I love to cook so the book will be helpful.  The card was kind as well.  I will be updating pics directly.  I had to give credit where credit is due.  Props for the gift secret Santa.

I am sick.  :(   This happens when I travel.  I am also giving Bey dirty looks because I feel like being a whiney baby, and he is not giving me the proper amount of attention.  I guess I should be kinder though he did already buy part of my valentine's day gift today.  I won't pull his nomination for hubby of the year yet.  ;)

To the Black and Gold

Here’s to the boys in black and gold,You’re nothing like the “ain’ts” of old. You showed us grace, you showed us style You showed your hearts, to make us smile.You changed our city, You changed our lives You changed football widows Into football wives.Yes, we know you are thirteen and one But we also know that you aren...’t ......done. Geaux Saints…..Bless You Boys! WE STILL BELEIVE!!!

Dear Bey,

People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever ...meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake

Mail your packages early so the post office can lose them in time for Christmas. - Johnny Carson

I participated in a secret Santa via the mail this year.  I am excited to see what my secret Santa will send.  I am still sick, and that is unfortunate because I have mounds of things to do today.  But the show must go on.  I have just been feeling so grateful for all the wonderful blessings in my life lately.  My handsome man, and all that we have been blessed with.  We are starting our next big adventure, and that is so exciting!

And now I am sick....

It has been such a busy busy week.  A friend of mine had surgery, and hubby and I have been settling in for a our routine.  We leave on Friday for the ATL so there can not be too much settling.  The house is not in order yet, but we are getting there.

We had a slew of holiday parties this weekend Thursday, Friday, Saturday.  We also went out last night enjoying spending some quality time out and about enjoying each other.  It was our weekend to not have SD so we enjoyed being kid free.  It is something that we will have to get used to now that we live in Phoenix.  In Mississippi we either had SD or we didn't, and when we had her we only did family stuff.  So now we are planning dates and one on one time on our other weekend.  It is a lot of fun, and we had quite a long talk about how happy we are in a our new life on the other side of the country.  (I could do with a bit warmer weather though...I move to Phoenix and it is freezing and overcast everyday).

Then this morning I woke up sick as a dog.  Head cold from the looks of it.  SIGH.

Dashing through the Dome, on a 3rd and 1 pass play, See ol' BUSH run, TOUCHDOWN all the way!! HA!HA!HA! Sharper intercepts, Defense gets a sack. Bush flies in the air! Oh what fun it is to see their QB on his back! OH! 13 &0, 13 &0, Undefeated all the way! Oh what fun it'll be to watch the SAINTS Sun-day! Have a Happy ......Saintsmas! WHO DAT NATION .. Good Job!!!

“But I, being poor, have only my dreams. I have spread my dreams under your feet; tread softly, because you tread on my dreams.” William Butler Yeats

I try to spend a lot of my time volunteering to help those that are less fortunate than I am. For example, I work in soup kitchens or visit nursing homes. So lately I have been doing a study on Poverty. In reading the research on poverty I ran across this quiz. I know I have a lot of bloggy buddies that follow. I would be interested in hearing some of your thoughts on this quiz by Dr. Payne. Call it my academic mind or whatever you like...

Please take the “quiz” in Dr. Payne’s book, Could you survive a day in poverty? by reading and thinking about the following:

• I know which churches and sections of town have the best rummage sales.
• I know which rummage sales have "bag sales" and when.
• I know which grocery stores' garbage bins can be accessed for thrown-away food.
• I know how to get someone out of jail.
• I know how to physically fight and defend myself physically.
• I know how to get a gun even if I have a police record.
• I know how to keep my clothes from being stolen at the Laundromat.
• I know what problems to look for in a used car.
• I know how to live without a checking account.
• I know how to live without electricity and without a phone.
• I know how to use a knife as scissors.
• I can entertain a group of friends with just my personality and my stories.
• I know what to do when I don't have money to pay the bills.
• I know how to move in half a day.
• I know how to get and use food stamps or a government debit card for benefits.
• I know where the free medical clinics are.
• I am very good at trading and bartering.
• I can get by without a car.

How did you do?

I did miserably by the way. I would be hard pressed to survive a day of poverty apparently.

Having a Happy Who Dat Day!

"On the twelfth game of the season Coach Peyton gave to me 12 Romped Redskins, 11 Punked Patriots, 10 Battered Bucs, 9 Ragged Rams, 8 Pounced Panthers, 7 Dirty Birds, 6 Dunked Dolphins, 5 Shrunken Giants, 4 Wrecked Jets, 3 Beat up Bills, 2 Tame Eagles, and a Lion Sauce Picante!"