BIG TIME UPDATE

HUBBY GOT A JOB!!!!!!!
Turned in his two week notice today. So he is AZ bound as soon as his notice is worked out.


SO EXCITING!

Ah, Joie de Vivre! (The Joy of Life)

Mon français est pourri, mais je reconnais la grande nourriture cajun. Et nous avons eu un temps fantastique à la cajun Cookoff à Phoenix aujourd'hui.





(My french is rotten, but I do recognize great Cajun food. And we had a fantastic time at the cajun cookoff in Phoenix today. )

Sorry about the crappiness of the pic with SD in it. She was busy scarfing down Gumbo. :) So I had to get my snaps in when I could.


I also got some great shots of her on Halloween last night. :) I have more but these were sent to me by SD's BFF's mom.

God governs the affairs of men. If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable than an empire can rise without His aid? BF

My mantra for the day. :)
Rumors are confirmed SD made the cheer leading team! Go SD. Can't wait to see those cute uniforms.

So tomorrow night I am going to be a Gold Digger. My costume is complete. I can't wait...it is going to be a riot. LOL

Halloween here I come.

"Success doesn't come to you…you go to it."Marva Collins

SD heard a rumor that she made the cheer squad at her school. That is SO exciting. I am hoping it is true. Will update when I know for sure. I am packing up and heading home. Flying from east to west is so nice. I get home the same time I leave. :)

I have a busy few days ahead of me:
Get home
Get the rest of my belongings out of the rental
Get the maid over there to get it clean
Pick up SD
Halloween (SD is spending the night with her besties and I have a party)
The Great Cajun Cookoff on Sunday
Monday night football with all my lovely Saints fans in Phoenix
Pick my mom up from the airport

Busy busy schedule!

Proverbs 18:22 - "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD."

Just a little reminder to Bey. LOL. I am blogging from Atlanta. My parent's dog died. I came to spend some time with my mom cause she is having a hard time.

I go home Wednesday then my mom comes out for the month of November. My 'rents are retired so they can do whatever they want. My dad is coming too but instead of flying he is driving because, "I have always wanted to do that."

Bey came over for the weekend and spent some time with me. We enjoyed a good weekend of quality family time. The leaves are changing and my parents new home is so beautiful. I believe I made it here for the peak fall foliage weekend.

I have gotten to see my friends that live in Atlanta, and just have a good time in general. Bey has some testing and interviews in Phoenix coming up. He is testing with the Police Department and some school district positions. We are keeping our fingers crossed.

My plane points west on Wednesday, and I will be desert bound once again. It is hard to believe that I have already been here a week. When I return back to IPGzona I have to get the rest of our stuff out of our rental. Then I will be living in the Barbie dream home full time. :)

SD made straight A's on her report card, and today she is trying out for the cheer leading squad.

You are the same today that you are going to be five years from now except for two things: the people with whom you associate and the books you read.

I have had some requests to see some of the letters I get from Bey. Here is a partial.

Darling wife,

Another weekend has passed that we were separated. I know it has been as difficult for you as it is for me. All that you go through for me. You are such a strong woman, I wouldn’t trust anyone else in this world with what I place in your capable hands.

May your day be free of the nagging worries that have filled you lately. I ache that I can’t help you with your chores so that you could lay your angelic head down and relax. Keep in mind that this time is not forever. I know it is hard to hear but you just need to endure as we both know you can.

Do you remember that book we read together about napoleon? Do you remember how he told his lover to not bathe he was coming home? We laughed so hard thinking that it could take him a month to get to her how gross and completely French that was. That memory just ran through my head today and the price I would pay to see and feel you laugh like that beside me is a cavern and it is filled with ache.

I believe I discussed this with you but at least our separation is temporary. At least we know that this will end. Sooner rather than later. Imagine if we were separated by something more traumatic such as divorce or death. Angel face a day with out you is a day not worth it.

This past week I have been slammed. I got SD Tuesday...and Wednesday because it was an early release day. I also got her this weekend and it is Columbus day so no school.

That will keep anyone busy. She had a sleep over Friday, and then she hung out with her best friend on Saturday. Then it was spending time with my family and having a nice relaxing weekend.

“You'd be surprised how much it costs to look this cheap!” Dolly Parton

On tap today:

• Coffee at 6 AM with Morgan
• Unpacking and what not at the new house
• Cleaning and what not at the rental
• Work-grades, posting, wrapping up some course development
• A few quick errands
• Auburn Football with the Auburn club
• Girl's night out with my Phoenix girls and friend that is here from out of town

I am exhausted already and it is only 5:40 AM. Also on the list locate my Auburn gear and Auburn shoes and Auburn beads so I am correctly attired for the party. Locate my LBD, boots and cowboy hat for girl's night. You may not think that boots and cowboy hat go with an LBD, but I like it. It works for me.

Talked to my friend Mike who is moving to Phoenix last night for 3 hours. (It had been awhile). He will be here this month for a little visit. Can't wait to see him!

The 'rents are coming soon. I am pretty excited and can't wait to show them the new Casa de IPG.

All my furniture was delivered yesterday and can I just say AMAZING. Literally gorgeous. I swear I am going to post some pics as soon as there are not boxes coming out of my ears.

Little SD is sick. She has chronic stomach pains so the doctor is running tests. She found out they needed a stool sample. She asked her mom what stool was, and when she found out she was mortified. Feel better SD!

Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry. Mark Twain

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrkkkkkkkkkkkk
I have been up since 4 AM working. I will probably be up a few hours more. Give or take 5 or so. Sigh. This project WILL NOT END. WILL NOT...sigh.

Anyway, tomorrow my furniture comes for my barbie dream home. YEAH! :)

So I know this is crude, but saw it on an Auburn blog and had to share. :)

I am going to take pics of the house tomorrow with the new gear. I also wish I had made Bey leave his little HD video camera. I could have taken some video.

Thanks to all the well wishers. I appreciate you ladies.

"Why do blessings wear disguises? If I were a blessing, I'd run around naked."

I was whining to my mother about my life this morning. I need to mention here this probably has more to do with PMS than any actual problems I have. :)

My new home is starting to take shape and look like an actual house. My dining room is finished except for a giant mirror that has to be mounted on the wall. My guest bathroom is finished except for this funky piece of metal wall art that goes there that I have not located yet. The man room is almost finished except for the electronic stuff that is all Bey's. I won't even pretend I know how to do that. The living room is finished except for a couch that is coming Friday. The boxes are not unpacking themselves...sigh. I took the boat out Sunday night for a tiny spin. It just felt good to drive it and have the wind in my hair. I also did a quick swim in the lake and it was so warm. I had bought chicken for dinner and I sat on the lake in the boat eating with the dog and watching how beautiful the sun sets in the desert.

My husband is pretty romantic. He writes careful loving cards and letters to me all the time. And during this period of being apart we have both been mailing each other packages and cards to say that we care. I need to mention here that his cards always put mine to shame. Mine are always along the lines of I miss you. I love you. Whereas his are always pontifications on our perfect future in our wonderful new home with SD. Really I should take a class. The other day however I came up with a fantastic idea. I called one of my best friends in Starkville. I gave her the ingredients and my specific cooking instructions and she made Bey his favorite meal from me. Cooked exactly like he likes it. A long distance hug of comfort food.

“The best way to be boring is to leave nothing out” Voltaire

I am going to catch everyone up on the most boring stuff first.

OK FIRST...

School dissertation work will recommence on October 1, 2009. Blah. I haven't got much left to do, but I have been putting it off for a few reasons. First of all I can keep health insurance through Mississippi State as long as I am a student. I was concerned for a bit that I might have to insure both Bey and I (spouses count t00). However it doesn't look like that is the case. Bey will be staying put until he finds his perfect job. So there is no need to lolly gag.

Work

So much work I could scream. Life is too full. Too much going on. I have so many classes and they are all starting like NOW. :) October is always like that! ;) Anyway, most of my course development wraps up at the end of next week. SIGH. Relief.

Furniture

I ordered an entire house full of new furniture and it is all being delivered on Friday. The furniture is contemporary and some of it is custom so the only place to find it is in IPG's home. For example I have a six foot long wall in my foyer that needed something and so IPG's sweet Daddy agreed to build her a fascinating plant and indoor water feature to her exact specifications. Once the house is finished it should look like a show place. Will definitely post pics.

Family

My dad retired in May and has been furnishing his own retirement casa. He and my mom are planning a much anticipated trip to IPGzona. They should be staying between 3 and 4 weeks and we plan to see much of the state as well as just spend some great quality time together.

Sad Stuff

The family dog (not my dog Shug)...my mom's dog Licorice has been diagnosed with cancer. This has delayed my parent's trip. They do not know how much longer they will have with their sweet dog. So they obviously need to spend time with him.

Bey has turned down a few job offers that just were not a good fit for our lifestyle and this family. So the job hunt continues. I am happy I got to spend time with him, and although I know that this separation is difficult it has also made me appreciate some things.

1. Some women are not loved their entire lives as much as my husband loves me. I am not bragging or trying to be mean. I just know that I am the very center of my husband's world. The two of us together create a universe. Not having him here has made me appreciate that in brand new ways. Knowing that our bond is that strong means it is ok that we are not together right this second. We will be, and when we are it will be great.

2. Having a man around the house is handy. I am all for a little girl power, but my goodness when it comes to lifting 150 lb boxes of patio furniture from Home Depot. It is nice to have some muscle around (and it doesn't hurt that it is DELISH) lol


Car

The time has come to get rid of this piece of crap in my driveway I call a truck. :) We are considering some vehicles. I haven't had a chance to go check them all out. So here they are in no particular order....

1. H3
2. Mercedes GLK
3. Jeep Liberty
4. Dodge Ram
5. Chevrolet Silverado
6. Saturn Vue

I have gone and seen a few of them, but haven't had a chance to work through the entire list. I am pretty systematic and will have to just work at my own pace. Notice there is not a BMW z4 on there.


Upcoming events

My social life in Phoenix has expanded. I have met people through Auburn clubs, and Saints clubs, and sorority events. It has been fun getting to know different people. Bey and I have even gotten to be such good friends with a couple here that we have planned a trip to Vegas with them in February. It is a surprise for the guy's birthday. We have all told him we are going on a couple's retreat to Napa Valley. It should be pretty funny when he finds out we are actually planning a trip to somewhere way more fun than Napa. :)


Big 5

So Bey and I started planning our 5th Anniversary trip. We were thinking about going back to Belize where we got married, but have sort of decided to do something different. I will give you a hint it starts with a capital A and is continent!

Regarding Dropping off the face of the earth

So IPG has been a little busy. Lots going on. Lots to talk about.

First I am home safely from Russia. I hardly even caused any international incidents. Those are always entertaining. Per my usual I did sit by some insane people on the air plane. Which suits me fine because how else can I have entertaining stories about insane people?

Bey has been in town, and it has been wonderful. I won't give you all the details but it was a much needed time for us to spend together. He left this past Wednesday, and it has perked my spirits up significantly.

We closed on our IPG dream home, and she is all ours. All of our belongings are out of the rental and have been suitably moved into the new address. ;)

We are considering purchasing a new vehicle and have been diligently shopping and test driving cars. Or IPG has been shopping and test driving and Handsome Bey has been sending her links of completely inappropriate cars. For example, I may have mentioned in passing that I wanted a BMW Z4. I took one for a little test drive...just for fun. :) Bey got all excited sending none stop links. However this car is not practical we should probably purchase a vehicle that we all 3 can ride in it at once. Not to mention if I bought one the very nanosecond I purchased it I would accidentally get pregnant by pollination or some such, and would have to get rid of the car.

The car search continues. I really should trade my truck in and just buy a full size truck, but it is my turn to get a new car, and I kind of do not want to waste my choice on a truck. (Even though I like trucks...I am more of an SUV kinda girl). :)

“The duality of St Petersburg and Leningrad remains. They are not even on speaking terms.” Joseph Wechsberg

We have finished up Moscow and moved on to St. Petersburg. It is AMAZING. I really like it here a lot better than Moscow. Things are so strange. I have also picked up quite a few words in Russian. I will be able to annoy others with it when I return home.


The first is a picture of the cathedral in St. Pete, the second of a church built to atheism, the third is St. Basil's in Moscow, and the fourth is Lennin's Tomb.

Have good night (it is 3:46 AM here!)

From Russia with Love

Hola from Moscow. It is hard to believe that I am fixing to go to bed, and everyone I love is just getting started this Sunday. :)

It is amazing here. SO amazingly beautiful I wonder why it has taken me so long to get here.

Ordering lunch was a challenge. We stopped somewhere that did not speak English and had no English menus. Luckily I ended up with a steak and some vegetables. Jet lag is getting to me although I got some excellent sleep on the plane.

For tomorrow Red Square...

xoxox

"My wings are a thousand books." — Gill Robb Wilson

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am blogging via the airplane. I got a coupon for free Wifi on board. And of course I so used it!!! Whoot! Fun stuff! I am blogging and flying.

I am en route to Atlanta. SUPPOSEDLY our flight is oversold by 13 seats if everyone shows. We are going to give up our seats and get 750 bucks and an upgrade to first class tomorrow if that is true. The best part though is that Bey is in Atlanta and I could stay at my parents. YEAH!!!!

I really hope we get bumped because I want the 750 bucks and I want to see Bey and the 'rents.

“Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. Winston Churchill

I have been busy. I am leaving to for Russia tomorrow so I have been getting all the ducks in a row because I close on my house September 15th and I roll back into town on September 12. So I have been a busy girl. :)

But the best news!!!!!!!!!!!! The best news....is Bey is going to be here September 12 - 20th!!!! I am so excited. We will have SD that week with us. So I am very excited. I am going to do cartwheels.

Thank you to Eyes Wide Open for providing my blog with an award!

I will be blogging next week from Moscow and St. Petersburg! :) Stay tuned!!!!