Silence is golden ... but duct tape is silver. Unknown

This is what I did today

A dirty bird can't fly with a broken wing! Who dat!

So what I do is I make sure that everything is all in order with work.  Then I furiously research my little endeavor.  I am pretty excited about this new business.  I am ready to get the legal paperwork done so that I can get this business off the ground.   I love when I get excited about an idea.  I try to draw everyone in and get them to feed on my excitement.  

I was running around the house like a Heisman Trophy today.  I had so much on my plate, and I had so much to do.  This is not the first stressful day now that the fall semester is in the full swing of things, and I am sure it will not be the last.  

I am off in a puff of smoke to Hawaii on Saturday.  Family time!  I get to spend some time with the ‘rents.   

I need to take a second to Kvetch a teeny bit about my brother in law.  My brother in law was laid off in September, 2009.  And by February he had not been able to find a job in Texas.  My husband and I believe in doing the right thing.  We do the right thing even when we don’t want to do the right thing sometimes.  We both operate under the belief that for those God has given much he expects much.  And my husband and I are blessed.  We have a beautiful marriage, a wonderful life, a healthy (step) daughter, financial stability, fulfilling careers, our own health, a fabulous family, and an amazing home…just to name a few things.  Anyway, we asked my brother in law to come live with us until February, 2011 to help him get on his feet.

Now mind you he pays no rent, no bills, and does not buy food.  We provide all of that.  Generally speaking he helps out around here when we need some help, but not always.   NOW comes the whining part my brother in law cannot handle his business.  He can’t prioritize.  He is unable to accomplish what needs to be done to get ahead.    And while this should be none of my business this drives me INSANE!  I am not sure where my brother in law will be moving when February 12, 2011 rolls around.  But when he does I will be happy to stop worrying about folks that do not take care of business.

Here is what happens…your body gets older. But your mind stays the same. Maybe.

I was out tonight.  Bey is out of town.  And I am busy running around going out like I am in college.  (not really)  Example 1.) I left the house at 8 o’clock (at Auburn I never went out before 10:30) .  Example 2.)  I went to dinner first (at Auburn I could not afford to go out and go to dinner).  Example 3.) I am already home (at Auburn it was a bad night if I was home at 12:45 AM.  Nevertheless let me live my dream.  I decided while I was out it is a strange strange strange world we are living in. 

Call me naïve but I have never seen one of those crazy vapor cigarettes before.  I was mesmerized and asked a million questions about them.*  Additionally I met the band that was playing live out tonight.  They played some classic rock that I did.  After their set I talked to them.  In the past I would have been too busy running my mouth to talk to the band.  BUT tonight was surreal.  I couldn’t help feeling like it was last summer and Bey was going to be stuck in Mississippi.  That is how it felt all last summer.  Surreal and frustrating.  It shouldn’t feel like that now since my life is perfect.  Bey is here, we have a wonderful home, and we are never going to be separated for a long time ever again.  So it was crazy I felt like that.  Overall the evening was a success.  Perfect time for getting together with all of my friends.

*Ridiculous since I don’t even smoke, but I was fascinated by the blue light!

There Are No Good Girls Gone Wrong - Just Bad Girls Found Out ~ Mae West ♥

The refi is almost done.  I got our appraisal back, and who hoo!  I believe we will close at the end of the month.   Here is the deal.  Last year we got a 30 year mortgage with a 5 percent interest rate.  It was a great rate at the time, and I was pretty happy.  However I stay on rate alert, and last week 15 year mortgages came at 3.65 percent.  So I said to Bey…let’s refinance.  A 15 year mortgage at 3.65 percent is way better than a 30 year at 5 percent.  We decided to go ahead and put another chunk of money down on the house and ta da the payment is almost the same!  

I did the math ( right now Bey and I are on target to pay off our home September 2013).  Based on that target we will save 16,000 dollars by doing this refinance.  If we were to wait and pay the house off in 15 years we would save over 169,000 dollars in interest over the 30 year loan. 

Other than boring finances Bey leaves tomorrow to go to Mississippi.  I am buried and leaving for Hawaii soon so no Auburn football for me. 

Things have been ok for me except that I'm a zombie now. - Jonathan Coulton

This week has been an improvement to last week.  I have spent the entire week kicking it via the phone to my BFF.  I wish we lived closer.  However it is great to catch up.  Our roommate from college had a baby this week.  Of course we talked about all those "glory days" when we were at Auburn.  While I have to say that I am pretty high up on the happiness Richter scale these days nothing compares to those carefree days at Auburn.  Best times of my life. 

Speaking of good times at some point is all of our adult lives we have to start growing up.  Unfortunately that time is getting close for me awfully soon.  I have enjoyed all this Peter Pan time....now it is time to grow. 

My interest in life comes from setting myself huge, apparently unachievable challenges and trying to rise above them. Richard Branson

This is why it is fantastic to be a stepmom.  You listen to teenage girl angst.  You pay very close attention.  You nod your head solemnly and you smile like an ancient wise soul.  You place your hand under your chin as you ponder strife you could not imagine could occur to an upper middle class teenage girl.  Then you sigh and say with authority.  Go Ask Your Father. It is a fabulous power really.  I wish I could exercise it in all aspects of my life. 

SD had her first boyfriend last year.  Or perhaps crush is the better word.  It was obvious to me.  Here this little girl who I could barely get to take a bath with tears, threats, gnashing of teeth suddenly became exceedingly interested in her appearance.  It was a crush!  Of course the only thing that could change behavior like that would be a BOY.  Unfortunately this boy is unfantastic.  And I am so glad her interest in him has disseminated. 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…no not Christmas.  The time when the munchkin goes back to school.  I love having her here, but I have to transition to my fall busy schedule.  No more of my summer lazy schedule. 

My bridesmaid dress came this weekend for my BFF Sally’s wedding.  Sally and I have been BFFs since 1995.  Fifteen years.  Oh my.  We met at Auburn when we were just munchkins ourselves.  After complaining to her that I am not feeling great lately, that I am struggling with some of my own personal demons.  She suggested that I go back to Auburn.  Pretend I am 18, rush my sorority again, and get our buddy Matt to make me a fake idea.  See this is why she is my BFF she always has the best ideas.  Unfortunately because of some of the events going on I may not be at the wedding.   We talked about it this weekend and she was so supportive of where my journey is.

“If it weren't for electricity we'd all be watching television by candlelight.” George Gobal

So last night SD was at our place, but I am not there.  :(  SO Bey had made her a delicious dinner of Lobster and King crab (Fry’s had them onsale last week so I bought a bunch. 

SD said to Bey…”I am going to start calling IPG the not evil stepmom.”  Bey said, “Yeah she is pretty good to you.”  SD said, “Yeah she is great.”

I turned in the final copy of my Chapter 1 to my advisor today!  THIS is the sound of relief!!!

"Travelling is like flirting with life. It's like saying, i would stay and love you, but I have to go; this is my station." Anon

What all has been going on?  LOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First and foremost I should mention I am once again out of town.  Out of the country.  Out of my mind.  One thing I have just recently realized is I hate being separated from the man.  Bey is an outstanding man!  I can’t believe how much I miss him. 

Let’s see I believe I mentioned I bought a new truck, and the pool was finished.  Work has been hectic and fun all at the same time.  My parents came for a visit which was nice to see them.  I can’t ever spend enough time with them!  It is so great that my dad is now retired.  I have never seen him so relaxed. 

Bey and I have been having a great time.  One thing that has been a lot of fun is settling in to our schedule.   Having SD every other weekend allows us to have alone time.  We are able to spend some quality couple time.

We went to a crawfish festival back in April.  It was nice to listen to Zydeco music and eat Jambalaya.  It was even nicer to spend the time with our friends and hang out with people from Louisiana that have been transplanted in Phoenix like us! 

SD was inducted into the NJHS (National Junior Honor Society).  We are so proud of her!  She looked so pretty at her induction ceremony.   I was so proud seeing her standing there with her candle. 

SD has been attending Bible study at church.  She is very dedicated and enjoys the study.  She has also made quite a few friends at church. 

My stepmom group is going well, and I have been enjoying getting to know my fellow Stepmom’s in the valley.  On Saturday, we went and painted our own pottery.  Not really my thing, but I still had such a blast with the girls. 

I’ll have some new school stuff to report directly.  Additionally now that all the projects are done around the house Bey and I can just settle in to our little love nest.  J

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!!!!!!

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!!!

“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!"

“Never slap a man who chews tobacco.” Williard Scott

It is truly amazing that I am not incarcerated.  Seriously.  This probably warrants and explanation for those of you that do not know me personally….for those happy few that do… you know that it truly is a miracle that I am not caged.  ;)

Perhaps I should take this time to elaborate… onward and upward eh?

My day began early.  IPG is a lark and leaps happily out of bed humming and singing while forest animals chirp around her a la Cinderella.  No really I am a morning person.  HOWEVER hubs is NOT.  He thinks that hitting the snooze button is an Olympic sport…since he has to get up earlier than IPG…she on occasion finds this behavior annoying.

IPG had to return an enormous (6ft) sconce to this snotty boutique that she frequents.  (This whole thing is probably IPG’s fault as she should stop frequenting snotty boutiques).  The sconce was the perfect width, but expensive, and the mirror on the sconce was scratched.  Upon arriving to the snotty boutique the festivities begin.  A snotty member of the help at said boutique tries to give IPG a hard time about returning the sconce.  IMPORTANT NOTE HERE the sconce is 1 week old AND IPG has her receipt.   Enter the incarceration portion of the evening. 

On occasion some people need a swift smack in the face.  Just.  Right. In. The. Face.  IPG wanted to smack this clerk.  IPG resigns herself to just rolling her eyes at the snotty clerk. 

Blah blah blah…SC suggests some ridiculous suggestions to IPG.  Blah blah blah. 

IPG: “Here is the receipt. “

Snotty Clerk (SC): “Maybe you just can’t make the mirrors work.”

IPG: “Despite being from the south I am fully capable of operating a mirror.  I look in the mirror…I see my reflection.  That is how mirrors work.  However this mirror has a big scratch on it.  I do not have a big scratch on my face.  That would be a scratch on the mirror.”

SC:  Maybe you would like this nice vase. 

IPG: That vase is lime green and it is a vase.  Not something to …HANG ON THE WALL.

SC:  Perhaps you would like this table.

IPG: Perhaps I am not speaking English.  How shall I put a table on the wall?

SC: I don’t know I was looking for something in a similar price range.

IPG: How would that help my decorating conundrum?  (Note to self: don’t use large words like conundrum with snotty clerks).

SC: What about this wet bar?

***And here is where I think that I should be allowed to smack with dispensation.  A wet bar?  Really?  It is bad enough SC implied I could not use a mirror as if I am some sort of Vampire, but what in God’s name does a wet bar have to do with a wall decoration….meanwhile back at the ranch.

IPG: Give me my money back.  I am growing dumber by the minute.

Exit IPG

Who Dat?

Twas the month before Xmas & no sign of snow.But N.O. doesn't care cause the Saints are 11 & 0. Dinkins scored a touchdown, Sharper intercepted a pass & the Who Dat Nation cheered when Brady was sacked on his a**. Sunday the Redskins, to D.C. we'll go & when the Black & Gold are finished we'll be 12 & 0! Go Brees, Go Bush, Go Harper & Ellis, our teams UNDEFEATED & the others are jealous!

http://www.wordle.net

Dear Santa, I can explain

Well it is that time of year again.  I am on Santa's naughty list and proud of it. :)  LOL One of my sorority sisters told me last year that she would be so disappointed in me if the day ever came when I didn't make it on Santa's naughty list. :)  Funny.

My sister left yesterday.  My SD left this morning.  My brother-in-law leaves tonight.  My dad leaves Wednesday.  My Mother In Law comes Friday, and my mom leaves next Tuesday.  So the holiday is winding down.  But the dahling Bey stays here.  :)

Tonight I am watching my saints with all the saints lovers in Phoenix.  Who dat?  Tomorrow it is back to business as usual I guess the festivities are over for a short time.