saturday ramblings

My appetite is gone....literally, there are only 3 things I want to eat.

A grilled cheese sandwich {preferably from Bar-B-Que King*

...and preferably in the morning before they open}

A tomato sandwich {with a little salt and pepper...and

Duke's mayo of course!}

And an Orange Julius Smoothie {strawberries, bananas, and pinapple juice, thank you very much!}

Needless to say, this is what my diet consists of currently. 

A momma's gotta do what a momma's gotta do!

*For those of you who don't know about Bar-B-Que King....it's a small town, family owned bar-b-que joint that everyone in town loves!!  I worked there forever ago, but still remember how good that early morning grilled cheese tasted!!

On a completely different note, I have been reading a lot of good books!!  One of my favorite authors is Dorothea Benton Frank.  All of her books are set in and around Charleston.  I love the southern-ness of her books {I am sure this isn't a word, but it describes her books perfectly!}.  Two other authors I have come to love are Karen Kingsbury {a Christian writer} and Dan Walsh {another Christian author}.  My sweet husband surprised me with a Kindle so I could read while on bedrest.  The best part about the Kindle is the free books!!  Most of the books I have downloaded have been free and really good reads.  But the book I really want to recommend is Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo.  It's about a little boy who went to heaven and it is amazing!  Read it.  Trust me, you will be amazed too!

Weekend getaway

This past weekend, I planned a surprise getaway for me and hubs. We woke up early Saturday morning and headed to The Rock Barn Spa for a little pampering {I got a pedi and hubs got a massage}, swimming, and brunch. After the spa, we headed up the mountain to Asheville. We stayed at the amazing Hotel Indigo.

In this amazing room, with a king sized bed, and a view of downtown.

Enjoying the beautiful weather.

Learning about the Cherokee Indians.

It was a wonderful weekend....relaxing and spending time with my sweet hubs.

when it rains, it pours...

At least, that has been the case this past week at the Grooms house!

Let me start with last Thursday...

Hubs and I went to our neice's t-ball game and as I am sitting there {watching Blake, our cute nephew} a fly ball {from another field where the big kids were playing} hit knocked the wind out of me. I was sitting between hubs and my MIL and she ducked {so it wouldn't hit her in the head} and it hit my chest. At first, I was a little shocked. Hubs and MIL were asking if I was okay/hurt/etc. and all I wanted to do was cry. It hurt so bad and then everyone around was asking if I was okay which always makes you want to cry even more. So here I am, sitting at a t-ball game with a lot of people around....the last thing I wanted to do was bust out crying!! So, like a big girl, I held back my tears until we started walking to the car. Hubs asked me if I was okay and I immediately said no and a few little tear came out!

Then, we get home and hubs closes the garage door and hears a loud bang. He goes to check it out and sees nothing.

Friday morning I wake up feeling like crap...my poor chest hurt and I had a terrible sinus headache. So, I decided I was feeling too bad to go to work and stayed in bed instead! Hubs goes to leave for work and guess what?!? our garage door won't go up! So, he calls our brother-in-law and tells him what happened {with the big bang the night before} and BIL says its probably a spring or screw or something. No big deal, someone will be by today to fix it! Yay!

BOO! Man comes by and says it will be Saturday before he can fix it. So, my car is stuck in the garage and I have to drive hubs big truck.

Saturday rolls around and I decide to venture out to Wal-Mart {because hubs is working, I have to go by myself}. I get everything on my list and head out to leave. I get in the big truck, stand up on the brake so I can see if anything is coming, let off the brake and POW! I get out to see the damage I have done...

{this isn't the exact car...this one actually looks a little better!}

OOPS!

The lady in the car is mad pissed!

Now bumper-less woman: Ugh! Did you not see me?!?!

Me: {thinking} Yes, I did see you, I just thought it might be fun to play bumper cars today. {Saying} No, I did not, I am sorry.

Now bumper-less woman: I tooted my horn!

Me: I am sorry, I didn't hear it.

Now bumper-less woman: {dialing on her phone} There's been a wreck in the Wal-Mart parking lot, send a police officer.

Officer comes, writes a report {because the woman demanded one!} and sends me on my way.

I call hubs and he laughs because now he has proof that I am a bad driver.

The man comes to fix the garage Monday {not Saturday!} so I am stuck driving the truck until Tuesday.

Tuesday night our hot water heater goes out. I have been without hot water since then.

Oh, yeah, and our lawn mower broke {that hubs used once before dying on us}.

But we are going to the beach Friday so nothing can rain on my parade!!

cosmo and karen

A few months before Andrew and I were supposed to get married, a sorority sister of mine, Karen Taylor, lost her hubs-to-be in a car accident on the day of their wedding. Can you imagine how devastating that must be?! Cosmo interviewed her and you can find it in this months Cosmo (the one with Pink on the cover). She is an amazing woman with an incredibly sad story. I am so impressed with how she has handled this tragedy. Be sure to check it out!

update

It has been a month since I last blogged! Not for any particular reason...I just didn't have much to say! About a month ago was when they announced in church that Anna Brooks, a 10 year old little girl had leukemia. Not just leukemia, a very rare from of leukemia. A week after the family found out, Anna passed away. What can you really say after something like that happens?! Its not that I knew Anna very well or was close to her family....it was just that it hit me hard and made me want to take a look at my life and re-examine things. So, that is what I have been doing! I met one of my best friends from college for dinner and we planned a trip to see our other best friend in Atlanta in a few weeks. I had a girls night with my mom and sister...just talking, eating, and hanging out! I have spent more time with my hubs. We have hung out more with the Grooms' (playing games, eating, catching up, etc). We hung out with some old friends....and made some new ones! So, with all of that going on {and a lot more things that I didn't mention}, I have had very little time to blog. I have also spent very little time on facebook. I think I needed a little break.

birthday weekend

Yesterday was Andrew's birthday and we have literally celebrated since Friday! Friday afternoon, I left work a little early to pick Andrew's birthday cake up in Hickory (at least, that's where I thought I was going!). Mom rode with me and we stopped by Party City to get a few things for later that night. As I am getting off of exit 133 (where we were supposed to meet at a local McDonald's), I realize that Shannon (the person from the bakery) had said exit 33...as in Mooresville, not Hickory!! I was stressed! So, Shannon (being the wonderful person that she is) met me in Denver and all was well.

The cake was amazing!

Friday night, we ate at Kobe with our family and then came back to our house where we had cake and ice cream with family and friends.


Saturday, Andrew played golf while Ashley and I shopped and had lunch. Later that night, we grilled some steak and chicken with Ashley and Brandon. Sunday was a lazy day and Monday night we cooked out with Andrew's family. His parents had hamburgers and hotdogs and all the works! A wonderful weekend to celebrate a wonderful man!

march madness

Andrew LOVES basketball....he could literally watch it all day, every day! I like basketball but am not a huge fan. I do, however, love to fill out my version of a bracket when March Madness rolls around. I have no clue why, but I love picking out the teams that I think will win! So, yesterday, I filled my bracket out (very proud of my choices) and handed it over to Andrew so he could keep it with the rest of the guy's brackets. I have no real rhyme or reason to the choices that I make except this....I mostly base my choices on whether or not I have heard of or know anything about the team. ha! Some teams I have never even heard of (ie.Siena, Sam Houston St.) so they obviously can't be that good! Pretty easy, right? Well, yesterday Ohio played Georgetown.....and guess who I picked?!? Ohio! ha! I was the only person out of all the brackets (12 or more!) that had chosen them to win. Andrew was not very pleased that I had beat him {and still am beating him in my bracket!}. I love it!

On a different note, Andrew's birthday weekend starts today! I am going to pick up his cake today after work from the best bakery around and then we are off to dinner!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

stress and weekend happenings

Yesterday was an incredibly stressful day. One of the schools I work at had a school-wide lockdown where the police had to be called (talk about drama!) and the day only got worse. I won't go into all the dreadful details, but I will tell you that my diet went out the window last night after church! I really felt that I needed {and deserved} a McDonald's dipped ice cream cone. It temporarily made me feel better. I am back on track today!

On a different note, Andrew's birthday is this weekend and we have a weekend full of plans to celebrate him! Friday night we are going to a Japanese restaurant for dinner with most of our family (16 of us!), Saturday we are going to do exactly what he wants to do (which will more than likely be watching basketball all day!), and Monday (his actual birth day) we are grilling out with his family. It should be a fun (and busy) weekend! Pictures and a post to come :)

Blossom

When I first started this blog, I wanted it to be about me and Andrew and our newlywed adventures together....it has turned into much more than that. So, to organize my thoughts and be a better blogger, I have decided to start a new blog about just me {and the woman I hope to become}.

the dreaded "d" word

I have NEVER dieted....yep, you read that right! Never once have I counted calories, participated in the Atkin's/South Beach fads. Hard to believe, huh? But desperate times call for desperate measures! Last year, while I was working nights in the NICU, I lost a ton of weight. Marriage put the weight back on....plus a few extra pounds! So, I am counting my calories....recording EVERY.LITTLE.THING. Ugh! I am not a big fan of the idea, but I feel that I have no other choice. One of my friends told me about a website he was using to record his caloric intake and exercise (www.livestrong.com). He has already lost 15 pounds! I am jealous. I registered for the myplate food diary today. We shall see how it goes....

HELP

HELP! Andrew's birthday is coming up (March 22nd) and I really want to surprise him with a little day trip somewhere.....I thought about going on a hike in the mountains, going to a basketball game, or going to a winery....any thoughts or ideas?!?! Any good recommendations?!?!

please keep in mind, we are newlyweds and have very little money :)

freedom

Last night at youth, we talked about the persecution of Christians. Scary! Christians being killed, beaten, put in jail....all around the country! And I am sure it will only get worse. Andrew read a scripture that really spoke to me...."Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load." Galatians 6:2-5

Carry each other's burdens....what powerful words! Last night, as I walked around the room and read the stories of persectuion going on around the world (and even in the US), I felt so much sorrow for these people....a people that will one day be us. Andrew also reminded us to not only pray for our brothers and sisters going through this, but also for the people who are doing the persecuting (like Paul prayed for his persecuters {Psalm 35, I believe!})...that God will change their hearts.

Aaron also reminded us that if we don't have a heart for this, pray that God will give us a heart for these people. He also challenged us to bow our heads and pray before every meal, no matter where we are.

How often do we take our freedom forgranted? Freedom to read the Bible, to pray, to be Christians....

Pray for the people who do not have this freedom.

To read stories that will touch your heart, click here.

road trip

I am a planner....so you can imagine how stressed out I got when Andrew called Friday morning and said we were leaving that afternoon to go to Boone for a training session Saturday morning. Since we don't have kids, it is a little easier to just pick up and go, but it is still a little stressful for me! I like a routine. I enjoy having plans. I write everything down in my planner. I have a list for everything. It's just how I operate. Nevertheless, I made a plan for the afternoon to prepare to leave and got to it! I had to clean my house, do laundry, figure out where Cooper Lee would stay, and pack my overnight bag. I felt much better about the whole situation when we left!

As you can see, Andrew was not stressed at all!

So, to my real story....our road trip to Boone. We left around 6:30pm and drove to Boone. When we got there, we ate at Macado's (yummy! loooove the macaroni and cinnamon sensation dessert!). Then we went to our hotel room at the Broyhill Inn. Now, I am super picky about hotel rooms and in general find them very gross. This one was clean but really outdated! I probably wouldn't want to stay here again! From the front, it doesn't look so bad, but I am sure that they haven't updated the rooms since the 80's.

There was snow everywhere, but the roads were clear (and for this, I was thankful!) Saturday morning we got up and had breakfast at the hotel and then drove to the church where the training would be held.

The training was for The Truth Project...a small group study that answers all the important questions ("Who is Jesus?") and gives you Biblical references to back-up what we believe. How often have you found yourself trying to defend your beliefs and not had the knowledge to do so? Our beliefs are based on faith, but I think it is also important to have hard evidence to show non-believers that we are not out of our minds! {We are starting the study this Sunday and I am soooo excited!} All morning, we took notes....

My favorite quote of the day was "If the Devil can't make you bad, he will make you busy." How true!!

After the conference, we made a quick trip my Andrew's old house. He went to school at App so he felt right at home!It was a pretty nice house for 7 college guys to live in!

After reminiscing about Andrew's college days, we ate at Woodland's for lunch (my favorite bar-b-que joint!), went to Verizon (and got me a new droid!), and did a little shopping at the outlets (okay, maybe a lot of shopping). It was a perfect day!

And I couldn't resist taking a picture of this sign....

i'm back

I haven't had the time to blog in what seems like forever! Things have been busy in my life....work, home, etc. Let me just fill you in on what I've been doing for the past two weeks....

Work....has been crazy....everyone is sick! Plus, I haven't been feeling great (sinus/allergy problems). Usually, I blog in the mornings because I try to not get on the computer in the afternoons (so I can spend time with that sweet husband of mine!), but the mornings have been so rushed that I haven't had time to get my thoughts together!

This past Sunday, Andrew was called to bring the word to our entire congregation...can you imagine?!?! I am not one for public speaking, but Andrew does not mind at all! Not to brag, but I thought he did an amazing job! {an unbiased opinion, of course!} I think he was a little nervous the night before and morning of, but once he got up there, he was cool, calm, and collected. He talked about the fruits of the spirit (found in Galatians 5, starting verse 16) and about Jesus being the true vine and God the gardener (found in John 15). He also referenced 1 Corinthians, chapter 13, about Love (we all know this passage right?) and how this kind of love is only possible through God (how true!). He gave three principles to live by....get back to the basics (prayer, getting in the word, etc), surrendering yourself (completely, each and every day!), and going to war (because, let's be honest, it's a battle out there!) {as a side note, I like to think of putting on the armor of God, found in Ephesians 6:10-20}. I am so proud of Andrew for listening when God called! How lucky I am to have an awesome man of God as my husband!

We also went to a Bobcats game (and had box seats!) with some amazing friends {I'll blog about that later!}. And tonight, we are going to dinner for my brother-in-laws birthday {pictures and a blog to come!}. Hopefully this week will bring more blogging!

No Words

I read once that the ancient Egyptians had fifty words for sand & the Eskimos had a hundred words for snow. I wish I had a thousand words for love, but all that comes to mind is the way you move against me while you sleep & there are no words for that.

No Words by Brian Andreas

I love Brian Andreas' work! Have you seen it? Check it out here and let me know what you think!

a few good reads

Playing the Blame Game

First Year Off

Understand and Accepting your Mate's Differences

Summer Fever

Will it ever be warm again?!? This weather is making me long for summer! To feel the ocean breeze on my face, hear the waves crashing down, feel the sand beneath my toes and the warmth of a summer sun....

Zzzzzz

My sleep schedule has been off this week and I am really paying for it! Usually, I get up around 6:45-7am and start getting ready for work, do my daily routine, and am in the bed around 9:30pm (hoping to be asleep by 10pm). Monday night, I couldn't fall asleep until 1am...that is 3 hours later than usual!! Last night, I was awake until about 11pm and up around 6:15am (Cooper thought he just had to go out!). I am barely making it this morning! I have been trying to cut out caffiene so this is also adding to the problem. I need to get back in my routine!

So, for those of you who have trouble sleeping, I looked up some helpful info for The Perfect Sleep Routine...

Prayer Request

Please pray for Adri Patterson. She is the (almost 3 year old) daughter of my assistant principal and was diagnosed with a brain tumor today 1/11/10. She is scheduled for surgery Friday 1/15/10. I thought having a face with your prayers would help. I can't imagine what her parents are going through. All of us at school are doing everything we can to get as many people praying for her as possible. Please pass this along to friends, family members, and church prayer groups. God is mighty and we often neglect calling on His help and then having Faith that He will help.

M. Cargill Fifth Grade Math and Science Boiling Springs Intermediate School



I received this email today and thought I would pass it along!

Sew many options...

Who knew shopping for a sewing machine would be so difficult?!? I never knew there were so many options!! I have never owned a sewing machine...and really have no idea how to use one...but have always wanted to learn. So, I am in search of a beginner sewing machine. I researched many different options, but still have no clue what to buy! I did find a very helpful website (http://www.lindsaytsews.com/2009/02/buying-beginner-sewing-machine.html) that will hopefully guide me in my quest for a user-friendly machine. Now, if I can only convince Andrew that this is a good investment...