What is "skyping" and why do I seem to be the last person under the age of 35 to be in the know? I mean, I thought I was a pretty savvy gal but this one's got me puzzled. I feel like that stupid word is everywhere I turn these days - in other friend's blogs, on their facebook pages, and even on professional business cards! SKYPING? I assume that it's some form of communication, possibly of the internet medium, but that is just not enough.
I google....
and UnifiedCommunications.com says,"Skype is an IP telephony service provider that offers free calling between subscribers and low-cost calling to people who don't use the service. In addition to standard telephone calls, Skype enables file transfers, texting, video chat and videoconferencing. The service is available for desktop computers, notebook and tablet computers and other mobile devices, including mobile phones. A number of companies, including Skype, produce dedicated Skype phones."
I'm still confused. Telephone? Computer? Texting? I'm obviously out of the technological loop and need someone to pull me back in ASAP!
12.29.2008
12.23.2008
12.22.2008
Today marks one month, to the day...
before I meet the new little man in my life! The one who has been keeping me awake all night... sending me to the potty every 30 minutes... making me so hungry that I've almost gone into debt buying Ben & Jerry's Half Baked and Hardee's gravy biscuits ... punching my insides... and "un-glueing" me physically & emotionally for the past 8 months. One month to the day, until that wonderful day when I meet the little man who is making me fall insanely, head over heels, uncontrollably in love every single minute of every single day. One month!
It's amazing to me how much you can love someone that you've never met. Especially when that someone causes you to pee in your pants atleast once a day. I imagine his little face, so perfect and round, and how precious it will be to see his soft, tiny hand wrapped around John's finger. I wonder if I will melt into a ball of mush at the first sound of his baby cries or what it will feel like the day we bring him home. Will he have John's great hair, my eyes, a good sense of humor? Will he be a t-ball all-star or spelling bee champ? Will he love me as much as I already love him? And will the first moment I hold him in my arms be as overwhelmingly wonderful as I have envisioned?
These are the sweet thoughts I wrap myself in on the days when the "joys" of pregnancy are staring me down into the toilet. I have definitely earned a new-found respect for mother's across the globe, because, let me tell ya', it sure hasn't been easy, Soulshine. In fact, some of those days have been down-right miserable!
There was the morning that I yacked in the shower! I couldn't stop puking so, naked & wet, I proceeded towards the toilet where... I puked so hard, I pee'd ALL OVER THE FLOOR. And if that wasn't bad enough, in the midst of being exhausted from puking and still green with nausea, I had to clean out a shower that was filled with last night's dinner and a floor that was covered in a bladder full of pee. I didn't eat lima beans again for 6 months! (I know, I know. You're thinking you could have done without that, right? Well, so could I!)
Then came month 6 when I had my flu shot & glucose screening (to test for diabetes). Apparently the combination was too much for my already tired body and somewhere between the hours of 2 and 3, I passed out cold on my desk at work, waking up 2 hours later to a pile of drool and one very confused customer.
Oh! Then there was that unforgettable night at John's softball game, in the fall. Sporting my newly protruding belly, I made way to the bathroom stall to pee. I was still learning how to maneuver properly and apparently, hadn't worked out all the kinks in my squat & hover (ladies - we all know about the public bathroom "squat & hover") and I pee'd all down the back of my brand new maternity blue jeans. Imagine the embarrassment of walking back out to a bleacher full of people with a huge dark stain down the back of your pants. Not pleasant! I imagined the baby, all snuggled in my belly, laughing his adorable buns off at his idiot mommy who just pee'd herself.
I've had heartburn & headaches that I thought would kill me - learned to say the words "diarrhea" & "constipation" in public without embarrassment (ps. there's no normal pooping in pregnancy) - silently cussed out several stupid men who took the liberty of calling me "chubby" - mastered the art of secretly napping at work - concealed a million eye rolls after being told, "this is nothing compared to what's coming soon" - read things that scare the absolute beegeezus out of me - made keegles a part of my daily life - and, well...
I could go on and on!
But it won't be the misery of peeing my pants or overwhelming nausea that I remember when I see his perfect little face for the first time. In fact, I have a feeling that all of that suffering will fade away quickly leaving me only with the greatest blessing I have yet to receive.
One month to the day, and I can hardly wait!
It's amazing to me how much you can love someone that you've never met. Especially when that someone causes you to pee in your pants atleast once a day. I imagine his little face, so perfect and round, and how precious it will be to see his soft, tiny hand wrapped around John's finger. I wonder if I will melt into a ball of mush at the first sound of his baby cries or what it will feel like the day we bring him home. Will he have John's great hair, my eyes, a good sense of humor? Will he be a t-ball all-star or spelling bee champ? Will he love me as much as I already love him? And will the first moment I hold him in my arms be as overwhelmingly wonderful as I have envisioned?
These are the sweet thoughts I wrap myself in on the days when the "joys" of pregnancy are staring me down into the toilet. I have definitely earned a new-found respect for mother's across the globe, because, let me tell ya', it sure hasn't been easy, Soulshine. In fact, some of those days have been down-right miserable!
There was the morning that I yacked in the shower! I couldn't stop puking so, naked & wet, I proceeded towards the toilet where... I puked so hard, I pee'd ALL OVER THE FLOOR. And if that wasn't bad enough, in the midst of being exhausted from puking and still green with nausea, I had to clean out a shower that was filled with last night's dinner and a floor that was covered in a bladder full of pee. I didn't eat lima beans again for 6 months! (I know, I know. You're thinking you could have done without that, right? Well, so could I!)
Then came month 6 when I had my flu shot & glucose screening (to test for diabetes). Apparently the combination was too much for my already tired body and somewhere between the hours of 2 and 3, I passed out cold on my desk at work, waking up 2 hours later to a pile of drool and one very confused customer.
Oh! Then there was that unforgettable night at John's softball game, in the fall. Sporting my newly protruding belly, I made way to the bathroom stall to pee. I was still learning how to maneuver properly and apparently, hadn't worked out all the kinks in my squat & hover (ladies - we all know about the public bathroom "squat & hover") and I pee'd all down the back of my brand new maternity blue jeans. Imagine the embarrassment of walking back out to a bleacher full of people with a huge dark stain down the back of your pants. Not pleasant! I imagined the baby, all snuggled in my belly, laughing his adorable buns off at his idiot mommy who just pee'd herself.
I've had heartburn & headaches that I thought would kill me - learned to say the words "diarrhea" & "constipation" in public without embarrassment (ps. there's no normal pooping in pregnancy) - silently cussed out several stupid men who took the liberty of calling me "chubby" - mastered the art of secretly napping at work - concealed a million eye rolls after being told, "this is nothing compared to what's coming soon" - read things that scare the absolute beegeezus out of me - made keegles a part of my daily life - and, well...
I could go on and on!
But it won't be the misery of peeing my pants or overwhelming nausea that I remember when I see his perfect little face for the first time. In fact, I have a feeling that all of that suffering will fade away quickly leaving me only with the greatest blessing I have yet to receive.
One month to the day, and I can hardly wait!
12.02.2008
Lamaze
Deep inhale through your nose. Exhale through your mouth, releasing all the air.
Our first lamaze class was informative,inspiring, and even comical. As John was counting how many breaths I would take during a typical contraction, I could hardly contain my outbursts of laughter. It all felt so silly, but i'm sure it won't in a little over 1 month. My favorite part of the whole night was when the teacher lowered the lights, I was instructed to lay on my side, and John had to give me a 10 minute body massage. I LOVE lamaze class!!!!! And the best part is, we have 2 more to go!
Here are a few things we learned from class numero uno:
* In mere weeks, I will be birthing something the size of a small football player out of a hole that's the size of a lemon (ugh!)
* I have gained 3 pounds of blood - this really surprised me
* Its better to sleep on my left side because the baby gets more oxygen
* I will lose approximately 15 pounds immediately after the baby is born (that's more than i've gained - woohoo!)
Keep it coming Lamaze!
Our first lamaze class was informative,inspiring, and even comical. As John was counting how many breaths I would take during a typical contraction, I could hardly contain my outbursts of laughter. It all felt so silly, but i'm sure it won't in a little over 1 month. My favorite part of the whole night was when the teacher lowered the lights, I was instructed to lay on my side, and John had to give me a 10 minute body massage. I LOVE lamaze class!!!!! And the best part is, we have 2 more to go!
Here are a few things we learned from class numero uno:
* In mere weeks, I will be birthing something the size of a small football player out of a hole that's the size of a lemon (ugh!)
* I have gained 3 pounds of blood - this really surprised me
* Its better to sleep on my left side because the baby gets more oxygen
* I will lose approximately 15 pounds immediately after the baby is born (that's more than i've gained - woohoo!)
Keep it coming Lamaze!
12.01.2008
our first time....
This past Thursday, John and I did it for the first time! I have to say, I was completely nervous going into the whole thing and I think he was too, though he never led on. I did research, called my mom & dad to see how they do it, contemplated bringing someone else in to help, watched a few TV specials, and STILL almost backed out at the last minute. s-t-r-e-s-s!
But as soon as John pulled that bird out of its nice, Butterball packaging, I knew we would be alright. It was our very first oven baked, Thanksgiving turkey, and it was a complete SUCCESS! I have more confidence in me & John than ever before - WE DID IT!
Before...
After...
But as soon as John pulled that bird out of its nice, Butterball packaging, I knew we would be alright. It was our very first oven baked, Thanksgiving turkey, and it was a complete SUCCESS! I have more confidence in me & John than ever before - WE DID IT!
Before...
After...
11.25.2008
1- Pilot Inspektor
2- Jermajesty
3- Bronx Mowgli
4- Kal-el Coppola
5- Sunday Rose
6- Fifi Trixibelle, Pixie, & Peaches
7- Moxie Crimefighter & Zolten
GIVE UP? This is what celebrities are naming their children in the 21st century. Am I the only one who is confused? I mean, don't get me wrong. I am well aware that picking out a baby name can be exciting and stressful and that you would like his/her name to mean something, but come on! I pulled these of of the MSN article "Can Celeb Tots Survive Their Names?" Look below for a list of the proud parents. (i'm still laughing at Fifi Trixibelle)
(1- Jason Lee's son; 2- Jermaine Jackson's son; 3- Ashley & Pete Wentz's son; 4- Nicholas Cage's son; 5- Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban's daughter; 6- Live Aid creator, Bob Geldof's daughters; 7- Penn, of Penn & Teller, Jillette's children)
2- Jermajesty
3- Bronx Mowgli
4- Kal-el Coppola
5- Sunday Rose
6- Fifi Trixibelle, Pixie, & Peaches
7- Moxie Crimefighter & Zolten
GIVE UP? This is what celebrities are naming their children in the 21st century. Am I the only one who is confused? I mean, don't get me wrong. I am well aware that picking out a baby name can be exciting and stressful and that you would like his/her name to mean something, but come on! I pulled these of of the MSN article "Can Celeb Tots Survive Their Names?" Look below for a list of the proud parents. (i'm still laughing at Fifi Trixibelle)
(1- Jason Lee's son; 2- Jermaine Jackson's son; 3- Ashley & Pete Wentz's son; 4- Nicholas Cage's son; 5- Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban's daughter; 6- Live Aid creator, Bob Geldof's daughters; 7- Penn, of Penn & Teller, Jillette's children)
11.17.2008
busy, busy weekend
This weekend, John and I drove Tucker & the baby bump back home to Lancaster for the final time before baby makes his big debut. Busy doesn't even describe the weekend's events...
FRIDAY:
* WORK ALLLLLLLL DAY
* 6pm - John and I cram sandwiches in our mouths, load the car: dog, toothbrush, deo, undies
* 6:30pm - we hit the road
* 8pm - John's face is mixed with emotions of horror and amusement as I begin to serenade him to "make the drive go faster"
* 9:15pm - we roll into the booming town of Lancaster, SC
* 10:30pm - having never slept in the bed with my significant other under my parent's roof, I had to wonder how this was going to go. Mom says (in a whisper), "I don't know if you were planning to sleep in the bed with John tonight, but just so you know, the guest bed is very unstable and breaks easily." Not sure where she was going with that.
* Midnight - We, very carefully, ease into the guest bed
SATURDAY:
* 6am - after 6 hours of NO SLEEP on the "unstable" bed, we are awaken by a mysterious kitchen farting
* 8am - I set John free to go play golf with Dad, Chris, & Riley
* 11am - hair-cut and style - w/ Trayce (I was instructed to look "fabulous")
* 1 to 4pm - my first baby shower compliments of Mom, Paige, Adrienna - Kilburnie House (can I use the word "fabulous" again?)
* 4pm - i'm rushing back to the house for a Gamecocks game that I wish now I had missed
* 6:30pm - makeup bag, Chanel Chance perfume, purple silk shirt
* 7pm - we're off to dinner for Mom's birthday (this included 4 hours of intense laughing and one very strange conversation about Gav's chrome truck balls)
* 11:30pm - John and I crash on the uncomfortable bed (I slept through the night without waking - quite an accomplishment these days)
SUNDAY:
* 9:15am - Church
* 11:30am - Lunch (John is confused as to why my family eats lunch at the hospital. Frankly, I am too!)
* 2 to 4:45pm - another shower given so generously by all of the sweet ladies at my church (Mom sported her sassy fish-net stockings)
* 4pm - Riley's soccer team wins the championship game!!!!!! I'm still sad that I missed it.
* 5:30pm - 5 paper cuts later, it's time to load the car again
* 6pm - we're back on the road to Charleston (more singing, compliments of me)
* 8pm - roadside stop at McDonalds (has anyone seen ol' Ronald McDonald lately? Lit-tle scary)
* 9pm - we arrive safely at home
* 10pm - John makes a drink, I crack an O'Douls, and we put the baby swing together. I mostly watched! :)
* Midnight - we put the long weekend to rest
So let's re-cap: 2 baby showers, an unstable bed, the mystery farter, a fabulous hair-do, chrome balls, 5 papercuts, soccer championship, tons of laughing and Ronald McDonald's scary ass. What a weekend!
FRIDAY:
* WORK ALLLLLLLL DAY
* 6pm - John and I cram sandwiches in our mouths, load the car: dog, toothbrush, deo, undies
* 6:30pm - we hit the road
* 8pm - John's face is mixed with emotions of horror and amusement as I begin to serenade him to "make the drive go faster"
* 9:15pm - we roll into the booming town of Lancaster, SC
* 10:30pm - having never slept in the bed with my significant other under my parent's roof, I had to wonder how this was going to go. Mom says (in a whisper), "I don't know if you were planning to sleep in the bed with John tonight, but just so you know, the guest bed is very unstable and breaks easily." Not sure where she was going with that.
* Midnight - We, very carefully, ease into the guest bed
SATURDAY:
* 6am - after 6 hours of NO SLEEP on the "unstable" bed, we are awaken by a mysterious kitchen farting
* 8am - I set John free to go play golf with Dad, Chris, & Riley
* 11am - hair-cut and style - w/ Trayce (I was instructed to look "fabulous")
* 1 to 4pm - my first baby shower compliments of Mom, Paige, Adrienna - Kilburnie House (can I use the word "fabulous" again?)
* 4pm - i'm rushing back to the house for a Gamecocks game that I wish now I had missed
* 6:30pm - makeup bag, Chanel Chance perfume, purple silk shirt
* 7pm - we're off to dinner for Mom's birthday (this included 4 hours of intense laughing and one very strange conversation about Gav's chrome truck balls)
* 11:30pm - John and I crash on the uncomfortable bed (I slept through the night without waking - quite an accomplishment these days)
SUNDAY:
* 9:15am - Church
* 11:30am - Lunch (John is confused as to why my family eats lunch at the hospital. Frankly, I am too!)
* 2 to 4:45pm - another shower given so generously by all of the sweet ladies at my church (Mom sported her sassy fish-net stockings)
* 4pm - Riley's soccer team wins the championship game!!!!!! I'm still sad that I missed it.
* 5:30pm - 5 paper cuts later, it's time to load the car again
* 6pm - we're back on the road to Charleston (more singing, compliments of me)
* 8pm - roadside stop at McDonalds (has anyone seen ol' Ronald McDonald lately? Lit-tle scary)
* 9pm - we arrive safely at home
* 10pm - John makes a drink, I crack an O'Douls, and we put the baby swing together. I mostly watched! :)
* Midnight - we put the long weekend to rest
So let's re-cap: 2 baby showers, an unstable bed, the mystery farter, a fabulous hair-do, chrome balls, 5 papercuts, soccer championship, tons of laughing and Ronald McDonald's scary ass. What a weekend!
11.14.2008
10.27.2008
10.21.2008
As a soon-to-be mother, I've found myself interested, lately, in topics that never crossed my mind before. One that is quickly becoming the giant "monster in the closet" of topics for mothers of young children is Autism. Tackling "1 in every 166 children", it may dampen development or create the inability to speak or even express emotions (to name a few). Although the thought of Autism is frightening, not thinking about it could be detrimental for that sweet little bundle that you love and adore. For anyone who may be interested, I stumbled across this article in Newsweek - click here to check it out!
Warm & Fuzzy
Yes, Fall is upon us... and with it has come a refreshing cooler air, pumpkin patches, white-chocolate covered pretzels, deep burgundy & yellow leaves, my favorite long sleeved fuzzy sweaters, and the possibility of snuggling by the fire with my sweetie, tonight. These amazing cool breezes have swept a permanent smile across my face and scents of spiced candles are shining unbelievable warmth into my happy heart.
It's change,
and I like it!
It's change,
and I like it!
9.24.2008
little boy blue
Model airplanes & t-ball games...
IT'S A BOY!
(due date standing strong at January 22nd)
9.22.2008
7x8
I met a little boy in my mad dash to the apartment complex vending machine the other night. I had to stop him and give a good friendly pet to his adorable Boxer. Who knows, this could be Tucker's long lost cousin. Being smaller than what that breed normally produces, I asked "how old is she?".
"56!"
No thinking, no hesitation, it came out so naturally... "56". It took me so off-guard. This 10 year old boy is spouting "56" and my twenty (something) self is standing there trying to do the math in my head.
"She's eight!"
The boy and his pup continued on their way and I giggled the whole way back to my door.
"56!"
No thinking, no hesitation, it came out so naturally... "56". It took me so off-guard. This 10 year old boy is spouting "56" and my twenty (something) self is standing there trying to do the math in my head.
"She's eight!"
The boy and his pup continued on their way and I giggled the whole way back to my door.
9.15.2008
Congratulations to my extraordinary friend, Carissa (and her husband Eric), on the birth of their first son. At 27 years and two days young, she is now a mommy - her greatest adventure yet! What a blessing!
~
"A babe in the house is a well-spring of pleasure, a messenger of peace and love, a resting place for innocence on earth, a link between angels and men." -- Martin F. Tupper
8.28.2008
Garnet & Black
It's gameday, and there's nothing more exciting than being in Williams Brice Stadium with the mixed sounds of fans cheering and 2001 ringing in your ears. I just need a hug from Cocky to make it all complete!GO. FIGHT. WIN. GAMECOCKS!
8.21.2008
Tom & Jerry
Blogspot, I feel bad!
I have successfully managed to destroy a life this afternoon. Sure, it's a mouse. A mouse that's been invading my work space for well over 2 weeks now, pooping on my desk, eating my candy, and just plain grossing me out. But I caught a glimpse of its tiny gray mouse face shortly after it ate the poison and its tugging at my heartstrings. Is it silly to be sad that this creature is off dying somewhere in the vicinity of my office (hopefully not under my desk)? Is it these crazy prego hormones that have me so worked up? There's no reason to cry for poisoning an office invader, right? Right!
I have successfully managed to destroy a life this afternoon. Sure, it's a mouse. A mouse that's been invading my work space for well over 2 weeks now, pooping on my desk, eating my candy, and just plain grossing me out. But I caught a glimpse of its tiny gray mouse face shortly after it ate the poison and its tugging at my heartstrings. Is it silly to be sad that this creature is off dying somewhere in the vicinity of my office (hopefully not under my desk)? Is it these crazy prego hormones that have me so worked up? There's no reason to cry for poisoning an office invader, right? Right!
8.15.2008
bustin' out
The zipper on my favorite blue salsa skirt broke this morning - pulled right apart. In the middle of a conversation with 2 male co-workers in the office.... RIP! Should I take this as a sign that it's time to stop fooling myself? I thought I could squeeze a few more wears out of this baby, but it looks like I thought wrong.
Maternity clothes, here I come!
Maternity clothes, here I come!
8.08.2008
16 weeks and counting
I got to hear baby's heartbeat for the first time this week - Wednesday, August 6th to be exact. Talk about a soulshine moment! Now this bump is not the only evidence that a special little something is on its way.
8.06.2008
7.30.2008
"There shall be eternal sunshine in the grateful heart." - Celia Thaxter
In the midst of frustration at work today, I decided to step back and take a breath. Several breaths. Deep breath in... and out... ahhhhhh!
I clicked the mouse, at my right, onto "blogspot" and snuck away from work into my own little cyberworld and continued to breath my cares away. But somewhere in the midst of my breathing, I got sidetracked... stuck... on a word.
Soulshine!
It's in the title of my blog, the Allman Brothers wrote a song about it, but what exactly is soulshine? As I muttled through my free-flow of thoughts, I decided there was no better cure to my anxiety than to think about what soulshine means. So here goes!
To me, Soulshine is......
*Knowing that I've made someone else smile
*The oh-so tiny baby that peacefully sleeps in my belly
*The first hug from John when he comes home from work
*Laughing
*Listening to great music in the car, with all the windows down (even more fabulous on those perfect Spring days)
*Coming home to my waggly tailed, toy in tow, pup, who is always happy to see me
*The smell of freshly bloomed lilies
*Delighting in the company of my lady-friends at Charleston's newest cookie bakery
*Family vacations
*The first snuggle into my sateen sheets before I go to sleep at night
*Unexpected surprises
*Witnessing the vast beauty that God has bestowed upon this earth
*The swings at Waterfront Park
*Knowing that I am strong enough to resist temptation
*Fireworks
*Sweet, encouraging emails from my Dad
*New car smell
*That empowered feeling I get right after a good, long workout
*Blowing out the candles on your birthday cake while your loved ones attempt to serenade you
*A change of scenery - whether big or small - new colors, new sounds, new smells (it's good for the soul)
*LIFE! Being here, living (really living) everyday, and showing God that he did not put this body & soul here to waste
I clicked the mouse, at my right, onto "blogspot" and snuck away from work into my own little cyberworld and continued to breath my cares away. But somewhere in the midst of my breathing, I got sidetracked... stuck... on a word.
Soulshine!
It's in the title of my blog, the Allman Brothers wrote a song about it, but what exactly is soulshine? As I muttled through my free-flow of thoughts, I decided there was no better cure to my anxiety than to think about what soulshine means. So here goes!
To me, Soulshine is......
*Knowing that I've made someone else smile
*The oh-so tiny baby that peacefully sleeps in my belly
*The first hug from John when he comes home from work
*Laughing
*Listening to great music in the car, with all the windows down (even more fabulous on those perfect Spring days)
*Coming home to my waggly tailed, toy in tow, pup, who is always happy to see me
*The smell of freshly bloomed lilies
*Delighting in the company of my lady-friends at Charleston's newest cookie bakery
*Family vacations
*The first snuggle into my sateen sheets before I go to sleep at night
*Unexpected surprises
*Witnessing the vast beauty that God has bestowed upon this earth
*The swings at Waterfront Park
*Knowing that I am strong enough to resist temptation
*Fireworks
*Sweet, encouraging emails from my Dad
*New car smell
*That empowered feeling I get right after a good, long workout
*Blowing out the candles on your birthday cake while your loved ones attempt to serenade you
*A change of scenery - whether big or small - new colors, new sounds, new smells (it's good for the soul)
*LIFE! Being here, living (really living) everyday, and showing God that he did not put this body & soul here to waste
7.22.2008
tell it to me straight
Mustard on my shirt.
A glob of ranch dressing in my hair.
BBQ sauce on my right cheek.
Spinach crammed in between my two front teeth.
All happenings that a trendy, trying to be cute, city girl would prefer to avoid when out in public. Or, at the very least, would like to be notified of immediately so she can diffuse the situation.
John, the eternal honest guy, recently informs me oh-so delicately that I have a "problem" with food.
A problem? What do you mean a problem???
Apparently any time that ketchup (or any other condiment that can be quickly removed from the entree) is in my vicinity, it winds up on my face like I'm a walking advertisement. Like Heinz just paid me 50k to embarass myself.
As always, I call him a "liar" and immediately storm into the bathroom to disprove his accusation. I've even gone so far as to call a waiter to the table from across the restaurant for confirmation. Crappy thing is, he's always right! grrrrrrrr. So here I've been floating on this happy, I'm a neat eater, cloud my whole life. I've been living a lie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This could only mean one of two things -
a) I develop a wierd twinge when I'm with him, and only him, that causes me to splatter food on myself
OR
b) This is an on-going problem that no one bothered to help me with.
And if it is the latter of the two, then I just have to know... WHY HAS NO ONE TOLD ME BEFORE???
How many dates have I ruined because I unknowingly wore my leftovers? Or worse, is this a topic of conversation when my friends are alone.... "did you see Courtney's face after she ate that last piece of pizza at lunch today?"
On behalf of myself and all of the other sloppy, tragically unaware, people out there, please don't be embarrassed to pass my way and say "you have some grody goo stuck to the side of your chin!"
A glob of ranch dressing in my hair.
BBQ sauce on my right cheek.
Spinach crammed in between my two front teeth.
All happenings that a trendy, trying to be cute, city girl would prefer to avoid when out in public. Or, at the very least, would like to be notified of immediately so she can diffuse the situation.
John, the eternal honest guy, recently informs me oh-so delicately that I have a "problem" with food.
A problem? What do you mean a problem???
Apparently any time that ketchup (or any other condiment that can be quickly removed from the entree) is in my vicinity, it winds up on my face like I'm a walking advertisement. Like Heinz just paid me 50k to embarass myself.
As always, I call him a "liar" and immediately storm into the bathroom to disprove his accusation. I've even gone so far as to call a waiter to the table from across the restaurant for confirmation. Crappy thing is, he's always right! grrrrrrrr. So here I've been floating on this happy, I'm a neat eater, cloud my whole life. I've been living a lie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This could only mean one of two things -
a) I develop a wierd twinge when I'm with him, and only him, that causes me to splatter food on myself
OR
b) This is an on-going problem that no one bothered to help me with.
And if it is the latter of the two, then I just have to know... WHY HAS NO ONE TOLD ME BEFORE???
How many dates have I ruined because I unknowingly wore my leftovers? Or worse, is this a topic of conversation when my friends are alone.... "did you see Courtney's face after she ate that last piece of pizza at lunch today?"
On behalf of myself and all of the other sloppy, tragically unaware, people out there, please don't be embarrassed to pass my way and say "you have some grody goo stuck to the side of your chin!"
7.15.2008
To all you pregos.....
One of my very first gifts as a pregger was the Jenny McCarthy book Belly Laughs, compliments of my sweet Carissa.
With no idea what to expect, I dove in yesterday. Teary-eyed on the first page I wondered, what has my friend gotten me into???
Jenny writes, and I quote...
To Evan-
the little man who changed Mommy's world.
Thank you for filling my soul with giggles and
allowing me to experience the kind of love
I had only read about in fairy tales.
You are my sunshine.
Waterworks!
Fortunately the phone rings shortly after "sunshine" and I was forced to suck up my blubbering and put on the professional face. Maybe it's a good rule of thumb for pregnant women NOT to read "these" books at work. I'm certain that somewhere, some poor male customer's comfort level has been compromised because he mistakenly walked into the office of a woman who just read the above paragraph. But who cares what they think anyway!
My journey with Jenny continues.
Who knew such fascination lay in a book of pregnancy. Actually, I guess it should be pretty fascinating considering it does lead up to the moment where we squeeze something the size of a watermelon out of a hole that's the size of a lemon. So scratch that.
But, seriously, this lady really knows her stuff. After "sunshine" it was ALL sunshine. In fact, it has been nothing but non-stop laughter since the first page of the first chapter. And not normal laughter. You know what I'm talking about. The out loud, uncontrollable, people are staring and pointing, deep, I just did the equivalent of 1,000 crunches LAUGHTER!
This girl, god love 'er, actually goes into detail about weighing her own boobs. The woman weighed her boobs. My kinda girl! On page 59, I almost peed myself when she said, "I have a food scale and I just had to know how they'd compare to a meal, so I plopped a breast up on the little metal tray. Each breast: 5 pounds. That's ten pounds of breast. Think of that in terms of chicken and you'll quickly see that your breasts could feed a family of eight or ten people."
I couldn't thank my dear friend more for sending this little treasure of laughter my way. I may have cried in the following pages but it was only from my inability to control bursts of hysterical cackling. This lady is dead-on and I suggest ALL of you bun-baking females rush out and buy it.
When you do finally get it, read the "Psycho Chick" chapter TWICE, and know that we're all in it together!!!
I'm off to purchase a food scale, so until next time......
Love & Hugs!
With no idea what to expect, I dove in yesterday. Teary-eyed on the first page I wondered, what has my friend gotten me into???
Jenny writes, and I quote...
To Evan-
the little man who changed Mommy's world.
Thank you for filling my soul with giggles and
allowing me to experience the kind of love
I had only read about in fairy tales.
You are my sunshine.
Waterworks!
Fortunately the phone rings shortly after "sunshine" and I was forced to suck up my blubbering and put on the professional face. Maybe it's a good rule of thumb for pregnant women NOT to read "these" books at work. I'm certain that somewhere, some poor male customer's comfort level has been compromised because he mistakenly walked into the office of a woman who just read the above paragraph. But who cares what they think anyway!
My journey with Jenny continues.
Who knew such fascination lay in a book of pregnancy. Actually, I guess it should be pretty fascinating considering it does lead up to the moment where we squeeze something the size of a watermelon out of a hole that's the size of a lemon. So scratch that.
But, seriously, this lady really knows her stuff. After "sunshine" it was ALL sunshine. In fact, it has been nothing but non-stop laughter since the first page of the first chapter. And not normal laughter. You know what I'm talking about. The out loud, uncontrollable, people are staring and pointing, deep, I just did the equivalent of 1,000 crunches LAUGHTER!
This girl, god love 'er, actually goes into detail about weighing her own boobs. The woman weighed her boobs. My kinda girl! On page 59, I almost peed myself when she said, "I have a food scale and I just had to know how they'd compare to a meal, so I plopped a breast up on the little metal tray. Each breast: 5 pounds. That's ten pounds of breast. Think of that in terms of chicken and you'll quickly see that your breasts could feed a family of eight or ten people."
I couldn't thank my dear friend more for sending this little treasure of laughter my way. I may have cried in the following pages but it was only from my inability to control bursts of hysterical cackling. This lady is dead-on and I suggest ALL of you bun-baking females rush out and buy it.
When you do finally get it, read the "Psycho Chick" chapter TWICE, and know that we're all in it together!!!
I'm off to purchase a food scale, so until next time......
Love & Hugs!
7.14.2008
a time for fertilizer
I never paid much attention to butterbeans. I knew that my "nannie" used to make them for after-church lunch on Sundays - cooked in a pound of butter and so tender they melted in your mouth. They're tiny. Green. Grow in pods. That's about all of the information I had gathered. Never had a need for anything further.
Recently, butterbeans became more significant in my life. I discovered that they are actually seeds, eaten as vegetables. Generally 1 to 3 cm in length and oval shaped. They are an excellent nutritional choice and go nicely with a dash of salt and pat of butter.
Much like butterbeans are something else twice as nice. Tiny. Green (but not in the literal form - let's hope). An excellent nutritional choice. Currently measuring in at about 2 1/2 cm. Due to sprout in mid January. And currently resides in the safest nook of my belly...
A precious little baby - our "Butterbean". Something I'm sure that will go even nicer with a dash of salt and pat of butter.
Recently, butterbeans became more significant in my life. I discovered that they are actually seeds, eaten as vegetables. Generally 1 to 3 cm in length and oval shaped. They are an excellent nutritional choice and go nicely with a dash of salt and pat of butter.
Much like butterbeans are something else twice as nice. Tiny. Green (but not in the literal form - let's hope). An excellent nutritional choice. Currently measuring in at about 2 1/2 cm. Due to sprout in mid January. And currently resides in the safest nook of my belly...
A precious little baby - our "Butterbean". Something I'm sure that will go even nicer with a dash of salt and pat of butter.
6.03.2008
In a time of much change....
People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built.
~ Eleanor Roosevelt
6.02.2008
My Boyfriend...
Carrie Bradshaw -- the source upon which I derive all wisdom regarding shoes, sex, & the most divinely posh cocktails -- once said, "If Lewis (the sailor) was right and you only get one great love, New York may just be mine... and I can't have nobody talkin' shit about my boyfriend."
I took Ace to watch the fireworks at Joe Riley Stadium on friday night. For those non-Charlestonians who aren't familiar, let me clue you in. After every Friday night home game at the Riverdogs baseball stadium, the skyline of Charleston lights up with the most unbelievable display of fireworks. I, being the savvy Charleston gal that I am, have recently discovered the perfect nook upon which to gaze at this spectacle and take full advantage of its space. As I stood there watching the bright purples and clear whites exploding into the cool Friday night air, I could not dismiss the overwhelming feeling of fortune. I mean really, look at this incredible city...
There's shopping on King Street... dining on the waterfront at Fleet Landing... Folly Beach (to name one)... museums... Italian Ice stands on every heated city corner... The City Paper & Skirt (where I reach for my local savvy)... cobblestone streets... southern hospitality in every doorway... sailboats tipping the wind from the Harbor... Sunrise Park... Piccolo/Spoleto... the sounds of a saxophone at your window on a cool spring night... and post baseball fireworks.
That's Charleston!
I think I found the love of my life!
I took Ace to watch the fireworks at Joe Riley Stadium on friday night. For those non-Charlestonians who aren't familiar, let me clue you in. After every Friday night home game at the Riverdogs baseball stadium, the skyline of Charleston lights up with the most unbelievable display of fireworks. I, being the savvy Charleston gal that I am, have recently discovered the perfect nook upon which to gaze at this spectacle and take full advantage of its space. As I stood there watching the bright purples and clear whites exploding into the cool Friday night air, I could not dismiss the overwhelming feeling of fortune. I mean really, look at this incredible city...
There's shopping on King Street... dining on the waterfront at Fleet Landing... Folly Beach (to name one)... museums... Italian Ice stands on every heated city corner... The City Paper & Skirt (where I reach for my local savvy)... cobblestone streets... southern hospitality in every doorway... sailboats tipping the wind from the Harbor... Sunrise Park... Piccolo/Spoleto... the sounds of a saxophone at your window on a cool spring night... and post baseball fireworks.
That's Charleston!
I think I found the love of my life!
5.16.2008
Jason Mraz - "Lucky"
So the video may not be that great BUT I think this is my new favorite song! If you've never paid attention to Jason Mraz and you love the cool stylings and fresh beats of young musical geniuses then LISTEN!!! An added bonus... Colbie Caillat singing alongside!
5.14.2008
afternoon delight
The warm, soft surface glided across my bare skin as if the two were meant to be in connectivity. The divine scents of eucalyptus and spring magnolias wafted through the air like billowy clouds directly into my nose as I drifted into a state of peaceful delight. A soul satisfying, all sensory invoking gift from me, to me – my first (and hopefully not last) hot-stone, full-body massage.
From the initial contact of heat along the sides of my aching lower back to the moment she removed the remaining stone from the center of my forehead, I was entranced.
I often dream of heaven…. I imagine its grandeur. Sunshine. Rainbows. Celestial voices singing sweet melodies. Family. Old friends. Beds made entirely of egyptian cotton cloud puffs. Laughter. Soft winds breezing through endless fields of sunflowers. Dancing. Crystal clear oceans rolling into white powdery sand….
And me, on a massage table indulging in the warmth of smooth stones and sweet smelling oils.
The price of my rejuvenating experience = $95 (a minimal price to put on an afternoon of luxury and pampering). If you live in Charleston, I recommend the ladies at Stella Nova. Maybe we'll bump into each other in the spa lounge! =)
From the initial contact of heat along the sides of my aching lower back to the moment she removed the remaining stone from the center of my forehead, I was entranced.
I often dream of heaven…. I imagine its grandeur. Sunshine. Rainbows. Celestial voices singing sweet melodies. Family. Old friends. Beds made entirely of egyptian cotton cloud puffs. Laughter. Soft winds breezing through endless fields of sunflowers. Dancing. Crystal clear oceans rolling into white powdery sand….
And me, on a massage table indulging in the warmth of smooth stones and sweet smelling oils.
The price of my rejuvenating experience = $95 (a minimal price to put on an afternoon of luxury and pampering). If you live in Charleston, I recommend the ladies at Stella Nova. Maybe we'll bump into each other in the spa lounge! =)
5.12.2008
I got an email today entitled "Tips for living an exceptional, superb, & powerful life" - the title stuck out, so I decided to dive in. Out of a list of 40, here are a few the email suggested that I'm going to try and invite into my daily life...
- When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to________ today.
- Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
- Dream more while you are awake.
- Try to make at least three people smile each day.
- Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.
- Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
- Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
- Ladies - Go on and burn those 'special' scented candles, use the 600 thread count sheets, the good china and wear our fancy lingerie now. Stop waiting for a special occasion. Everyday is special.
- Frame every so-called disaster with these words: In five years, will it matter?
- Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch with them.
- Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:
· I am thankful for __________.
· Today I accomplished _________. - Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and ENJOY.
5.10.2008
5.09.2008
4.28.2008
XOXO
HE SAID THE "L" WORD!!!... on the flybridge of a 4 million dollar yacht... with the Friday night Charleston fireworks ablaze in the background... Ace told me that I was the most perfect person he had ever met (boy is he fooled!) and that he LOVES every tiny piece of me.
Soulshine. Lemme tell ya. It was one of the MOST PERFECT moments I have yet to experience in my 26 years of roaming this earth.
With fireworks exploding all over my heart, I said "I love you, too"! Sigh
LOOK OUT WORLD - THIS LADY'S IN LOVE!
"Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot, who calls you back when you hang up on him, who will lie under the stars and listen to your heartbeat, or will stay awake just to watch you sleep... wait for the boy who kisses your forehead, who wants to show you off to the world when you are in sweats, who holds your hand in front of his friends, who thinks you're just as pretty without makeup on. One who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares and how lucky he is to have you.... The one who turns to his friends and says, 'that's her'.” — Anonymous
Soulshine. Lemme tell ya. It was one of the MOST PERFECT moments I have yet to experience in my 26 years of roaming this earth.
With fireworks exploding all over my heart, I said "I love you, too"! Sigh
LOOK OUT WORLD - THIS LADY'S IN LOVE!
"Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot, who calls you back when you hang up on him, who will lie under the stars and listen to your heartbeat, or will stay awake just to watch you sleep... wait for the boy who kisses your forehead, who wants to show you off to the world when you are in sweats, who holds your hand in front of his friends, who thinks you're just as pretty without makeup on. One who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares and how lucky he is to have you.... The one who turns to his friends and says, 'that's her'.” — Anonymous
4.21.2008
Somewhere over the rainbow....
way up high.... there's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow... skies are blue... and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.
**LISTEN HERE**
Hi, you've reached Courtney! Physically, I am in the office today, but you will have to leave a message at the beep, as my mind has wandered off into a daydream.....
Somewhere over the rainbow... skies are blue... and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.
**LISTEN HERE**
Hi, you've reached Courtney! Physically, I am in the office today, but you will have to leave a message at the beep, as my mind has wandered off into a daydream.....
BEEP!
4.09.2008
You Say Goodbye, And I Say Hello
When Cari D made the decision to pack her memories and leap from Charleston to her current hometown, DC, I must say that my heart was a bit broken. Together since the age of 14, she's been my leaning post... Saturday afternoon beach buddy... roomie... late-night back porch gossip gal... the first person I called the day I passed my driver's test... truly my greatest girl-friend. Even though this move occurred almost 2 years ago (and she is wonderfully happy, I should add), I still feel a twinge of home-sickness for her when the salty beach air is warm or I hear the churning of margaritas in the blender. She's an incredible lady and Charleston will never truly be the same without her daily presence.
Shortly after her move, she came back bearing gifts. Mine - a dainty blue clay pot etched with tiny white flowers. It was filled with dirt and contained the beginnings of a "Forget-Me-Not" plant - soon to become a blossoming of delicate sky-blue flowers. Although I'm sad to say that the precious plant is long deceased, the beautiful pot still adorns my living room. In the midst of Spring cleaning this week, I ran across the message that was enclosed and it just served as one more reminder of why I love her so...
"Don't be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is before you can meet again. And meeting again after a moment or a lifetime is certain for those who are friends." -- Richard Bach
My luz muffin comes for a visit to Charleston in less than a month bringing a wonderful new surprise... a baby bump in her belly.
*happy tears*
4.07.2008
TWIZZLERS....
Candy or Plastic????
That is the question!
Anyone care to explain why the world continues to be so hyped about a non-flavored piece of candy that has the consistency of plastic? I just don't get it!
The thing that gets me... people "love" these rubber-like sticks (which in my opinion are the red-headed step child of candy) so much that I'm certain someone out there, right now, is pissed at me for daring to speak such words. Some avid Twizzler lover is soon to bombard my in-box with hate mail, i'm sure of it!
All of that aside, I am a strong supporter of the Hershey Corporation. Did you know that every time you purchase a piece of Hershey candy, the proceeds are filtered into a trust for an orphanage founded by Milton Hershey and his wife? See for yourself.... click HERE! That’s just one of the great things that Mr. Hershey did while he was alive! You've gotta give it to the man, even though his company did invent the "plastic candy". ;)
So maybe instead of Twizzler, I'll stick with his much cooler brother, Hershey kiss. All in the family, right!
The thing that gets me... people "love" these rubber-like sticks (which in my opinion are the red-headed step child of candy) so much that I'm certain someone out there, right now, is pissed at me for daring to speak such words. Some avid Twizzler lover is soon to bombard my in-box with hate mail, i'm sure of it!
All of that aside, I am a strong supporter of the Hershey Corporation. Did you know that every time you purchase a piece of Hershey candy, the proceeds are filtered into a trust for an orphanage founded by Milton Hershey and his wife? See for yourself.... click HERE! That’s just one of the great things that Mr. Hershey did while he was alive! You've gotta give it to the man, even though his company did invent the "plastic candy". ;)
So maybe instead of Twizzler, I'll stick with his much cooler brother, Hershey kiss. All in the family, right!
4.02.2008
DANCING QUEEN
The Dancer believes that his art has something to say which cannot be expressed in words or in any other way than by dancing... there are times when the simple dignity of movement can fulfill the function of a volume of words. There are movements which impinge upon the nerves with a strength that is incomparable, for movement has power to stir the senses and emotions, unique in itself. This is the dancer's justification for being, and his reason for searching further for deeper aspects of his art.
~~ Doris Humphrey (acclaimed dancer & choreographer), 1937
***
I took dancing when I was a little girl. I remember pouring into my tiny black leotard - a piece of cloth that, now, would be just enough to manufacture a pair of gloves for my hands. Although it barely clung on to my petite frame, that black leotard made me feel special… beautiful… inspired. With ballet slippers and tap shoes in hand, I would mosey off to Ms. Susan’s Dance Studio.Ms. Susan - a story in herself. A woman legendary for the deep lavender painted home in which she lived; an old goat who years later would make repeated attempts to charm my high school boyfriend (30 years her junior). That’s the lady who taught me how to dance. Although she was a harsher gal who had be-friended the better end of the bottle for some years, she always remained graceful in front of that dance mirror - like a willowy branch on the banks of a river, allowing the breeze from the water to tickle the tips of its leaves. There, through the crack of a door which led into the “big girl” studio, I would watch her, as if my life depended on it. Little blonde curls and big blue eyes exploding with all the wonderment a five year old could possess – I watched her. Her pirouettes were perfection and tap precisely polished.
She passed away recently, and although we weren’t close, it still felt like the world had shifted a bit when my mom called to tell me. The fact is, she scared the hell out of me as a child. Even still! It doesn’t take much for my imagination to collect images of her torturing 4-year-old girls across the southern state – her bony little finger pointing, disappointingly, for the misuse of jazz hands and high kicks. Yep, she was frightening all right.
My mom, god love her, had to sit in the studio the whole first year that I practiced. Her departure would bring an immediate swell of tears & terror. Fortunately, total trepidation gave way to slight apprehension which eventually dwindled into the occasional nightmare.
I still have that black leotard in the depths of my parent’s attic back home, tucked neatly beside my tattered pink slippers. I gave up on dancing when I was 13 and still wonder where those feet could have taken me had I continued on...
Tissue Please
5:30, yesterday afternoon: The moment I've been anticipating ALL day. WORKS OVER and I can finally take my runny nose, sore throat, non-functioning brain HOME. To the couch I go!
9:30, last night: Me! Drowning in a sea of tissues and vicks vapor rub! I extinguish the last ounce of energy in my body to prepare a bowl of Campbell's Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup (the cure all) and bury my face into the coolness of my blue suede pillow.
10 o'clock: A slight tap on the door, ever so faint. Who could that be?
It was the new squeeze, who, for Soulshine's sake I will now refer to as Ace - my Ace of Spades (I smile). He was there to rescue me from my sneezing, coughing, and inability to breath, and like a scene from a Harlequin romance novel, my hair caught the wind as I reached to embrace.
SNEEZE! (all over his blue cotton shirt sleeve)
He didn't care. He kissed me.
SNEEZE! (into his left ear drum, which I'm sure wasn't the most pleasant moment of his life)
He told me I looked beautiful - the liar! My nose painted a color red that Granny Smith only wishes for her apples, hair has somehow formed a bird's nest in the back in which I'm certain that something has taken residence, no makeup, no shower, chloraseptic breath, and holey Pink Floyd t-shirt paired with the most hideous sweat pants that somehow make my sore throat feel slightly better as I slip each leg in. BEAUTIFUL - HA!
At any rate, he is there to take care of me. What more could I ask for?!
Sighs & Sneezes,
Love Struck
9:30, last night: Me! Drowning in a sea of tissues and vicks vapor rub! I extinguish the last ounce of energy in my body to prepare a bowl of Campbell's Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup (the cure all) and bury my face into the coolness of my blue suede pillow.
10 o'clock: A slight tap on the door, ever so faint. Who could that be?
It was the new squeeze, who, for Soulshine's sake I will now refer to as Ace - my Ace of Spades (I smile). He was there to rescue me from my sneezing, coughing, and inability to breath, and like a scene from a Harlequin romance novel, my hair caught the wind as I reached to embrace.
SNEEZE! (all over his blue cotton shirt sleeve)
He didn't care. He kissed me.
SNEEZE! (into his left ear drum, which I'm sure wasn't the most pleasant moment of his life)
He told me I looked beautiful - the liar! My nose painted a color red that Granny Smith only wishes for her apples, hair has somehow formed a bird's nest in the back in which I'm certain that something has taken residence, no makeup, no shower, chloraseptic breath, and holey Pink Floyd t-shirt paired with the most hideous sweat pants that somehow make my sore throat feel slightly better as I slip each leg in. BEAUTIFUL - HA!
At any rate, he is there to take care of me. What more could I ask for?!
Sighs & Sneezes,
Love Struck
3.19.2008
Breezy
Today in Charleston, NOAA says....
"breezy with a south wind around 28 mph"
How fitting that they use the word "breezy" when there are tornado-force winds whipping past my office door. I just witnessed two flags detach from my building AND was (literally, no kidding) knocked backwards when I attempted a short walk to the mailbox. I had no idea that in walking out to mail a letter, I could potentially be risking my life!!! Waves are rolling into the marina! WAVES!
No offense NOAA (because you usually have it goin' on) but I think today the forecast should have read more like this....
"Wizard of Oz tornado-like winds. Possible loss of any loose clothing with a 99.9% chance of getting knocked into the plough mud if you're standing too close to the edge without your feet glued down."
That's All!
"breezy with a south wind around 28 mph"
How fitting that they use the word "breezy" when there are tornado-force winds whipping past my office door. I just witnessed two flags detach from my building AND was (literally, no kidding) knocked backwards when I attempted a short walk to the mailbox. I had no idea that in walking out to mail a letter, I could potentially be risking my life!!! Waves are rolling into the marina! WAVES!
No offense NOAA (because you usually have it goin' on) but I think today the forecast should have read more like this....
"Wizard of Oz tornado-like winds. Possible loss of any loose clothing with a 99.9% chance of getting knocked into the plough mud if you're standing too close to the edge without your feet glued down."
That's All!
3.18.2008
It's found in the laughter of two newlyweds taking the first step into their new home, echoed in the tune of an Al Green song, drenched in the sloppy licks of a puppy who has been awaiting his master's return, nestled in the hum of a mother's lullaby, and forever engraved in the touch of two slightly wrinkled hands after 50 years of marriage.
Many debate that it will conquer all and The Beatles have sold-out venues proclaiming that it is 'all you need'. It was reflected in hundreds of Shakespeare’s sonnets, inspired an entire artistic movement in the late 1700’s, and retrieves close to 2 BILLION results when typed into the search engine Google.
It's a force that constantly surrounds our existence - the epitome of all emotions & feelings one can hope to achieve - and if you are one of the few lucky enough to be touched by it's magic, you understand the magnitude of what it can bring into a life. It is universally recognized and very seldom forgotten...
And for the first time in a long time, I think I'm falling into it!
Many debate that it will conquer all and The Beatles have sold-out venues proclaiming that it is 'all you need'. It was reflected in hundreds of Shakespeare’s sonnets, inspired an entire artistic movement in the late 1700’s, and retrieves close to 2 BILLION results when typed into the search engine Google.
It's a force that constantly surrounds our existence - the epitome of all emotions & feelings one can hope to achieve - and if you are one of the few lucky enough to be touched by it's magic, you understand the magnitude of what it can bring into a life. It is universally recognized and very seldom forgotten...
And for the first time in a long time, I think I'm falling into it!
3.12.2008
I wish you enough...
An email I received this morning, that I just had to share...
Recently I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said, "I love you, and I wish you enough."
The daughter replied, "I wish you enough, too, Mom."
They kissed and the daughter left. Standing there I could see the mother wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?"
"Yes, I have! When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough.' May I ask what that means?"
She began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. When we said, 'I wish you enough,' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them."
I WISH YOU ENOUGH SUN TO KEEP YOUR ATTITUDE BRIGHT NO MATTER HOW GRAY THE DAY MAY APPEAR.
I WISH YOU ENOUGH RAIN TO APPRECIATE THE SUN EVEN MORE.
I WISH YOU ENOUGH HAPPINESS TO KEEP YOUR SPIRIT ALIVE AND EVERLASTING.
I WISH YOU ENOUGH PAIN SO THAT EVEN THE SMALLEST OF JOYS IN LIFE MAY APPEAR BIGGER.
I WISH YOU ENOUGH GAIN TO SATISFY YOUR WANTING.
I WISH YOU ENOUGH LOSS TO APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU POSSESS.
I WISH YOU ENOUGH HELLOS TO GET YOU THROUGH THE FINAL GOOD-BYE.
L*O*V*E that! It just gives me the 'warm & fuzzies'!
Recently I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said, "I love you, and I wish you enough."
The daughter replied, "I wish you enough, too, Mom."
They kissed and the daughter left. Standing there I could see the mother wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?"
"Yes, I have! When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough.' May I ask what that means?"
She began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. When we said, 'I wish you enough,' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them."
I WISH YOU ENOUGH SUN TO KEEP YOUR ATTITUDE BRIGHT NO MATTER HOW GRAY THE DAY MAY APPEAR.
I WISH YOU ENOUGH RAIN TO APPRECIATE THE SUN EVEN MORE.
I WISH YOU ENOUGH HAPPINESS TO KEEP YOUR SPIRIT ALIVE AND EVERLASTING.
I WISH YOU ENOUGH PAIN SO THAT EVEN THE SMALLEST OF JOYS IN LIFE MAY APPEAR BIGGER.
I WISH YOU ENOUGH GAIN TO SATISFY YOUR WANTING.
I WISH YOU ENOUGH LOSS TO APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU POSSESS.
I WISH YOU ENOUGH HELLOS TO GET YOU THROUGH THE FINAL GOOD-BYE.
L*O*V*E that! It just gives me the 'warm & fuzzies'!
2.27.2008
ONE BRICK AT A TIME
So I'm doing laundry on Sunday afternoon - my least favorite way to spend an 80 degree, perfectly golden, day off - and realize that I'm a quarter short for the dryer. I dash to the car, scrounge a quarter from the console, and make my way back to convert wet clothes into dry. I round the corner and what to my wandering eyes should appear.... my new fella’ has already done the deed for me, DRYER SHEET AND ALL. Have I lived my entire life shielded from these gentlemen who do indeed roam the face of this earth? I mean, ladies, let's be real... in the (let's say) 4 serious relationships you've had since venturing into the world of dating, how many of those men (and I use that term loosely) actually went out of their way to do the dishes, took the time to doctor you & your runny nose, or just gave you a simple "you're beautiful" everyday?!
Now I know that assisting with my laundry doesn't tear down the wall of defense we have built to shield us from a behavior that - for years, ah' hell, centuries - the opposite sex has strategically led us to believe is normal. However, this one simple act dismantled the first brick in what I hope to be a revolution against all of my unfavorable stereotypes.
I found a quote by Anais Nin in which she said, "Love never dies a natural death. It dies because we don't know how to replenish its source. It dies of blindness and errors and betrayals. It dies of illness and wounds. It dies of weariness, of witherings, of tarnishings." Well spoken!
Had I only known that these foot-massaging, dinner cooking, handsome gentlemen were out there when I was 15, I could have bypassed all of the other morons.
One small step for man, One giant leap for my faith in man!
2.06.2008
Goggled, and ready to go...
I'm driving across the Cooper River bridge yesterday... the windows are down, my hair's blowing in the breeze, and the voice of Alicia Keys is bellowing through every inch of my car. Then, totally unexpected -
BAM!
My eyeball was greeted by an unexpected visitor.
Eyeball... meet Mr. Rock.
That's right! A rock flew into my car window and out of all the places it could slam its little self into, it chose my left eye. And what's more horrible than the stabbing pain, was the reminder of my beautiful new Prada sunglasses that were lost in the shuffle of an Oyster Roast last weekend - 4 DAYS OLD!!! Prada would have protected me, I know it! I almost cried!
I mean, don't we all assume that we will have the company of our eyeballs forever. I'm sure that's what my Papa thought until his eyeball met the sharp end of a knife, as a little boy - YIKES! Okay, maybe it's a little too early for that story!
The point in all of my rambling is... if you see me out and about and I'm wearing a GINORMOUS set of goggles, you'll know why. I really like my eyeballs, and hopefully we can enjoy many more days together!
BAM!
My eyeball was greeted by an unexpected visitor.
Eyeball... meet Mr. Rock.
That's right! A rock flew into my car window and out of all the places it could slam its little self into, it chose my left eye. And what's more horrible than the stabbing pain, was the reminder of my beautiful new Prada sunglasses that were lost in the shuffle of an Oyster Roast last weekend - 4 DAYS OLD!!! Prada would have protected me, I know it! I almost cried!
I mean, don't we all assume that we will have the company of our eyeballs forever. I'm sure that's what my Papa thought until his eyeball met the sharp end of a knife, as a little boy - YIKES! Okay, maybe it's a little too early for that story!
The point in all of my rambling is... if you see me out and about and I'm wearing a GINORMOUS set of goggles, you'll know why. I really like my eyeballs, and hopefully we can enjoy many more days together!
1.30.2008
FEELING FELICITY
I'm so happy today that I have to share it with the world. I'm feeling... oh, what's the word... like I'm floating on a cloud... it's coming to me... on the tip of my tongue...
ELATED - that's it!
I can honestly say that this first month of 2008 has been one of the greatest in my 26 years of existence - I had to pinch myself on Monday to make sure it's not a dream. More than once I have found myself saying "Everything that could go wrong, has gone wrong" but lately I'm shouting "Everything that could go right, has gone right"!!!
What has brought on this sudden contentment? Is it these incredible blue skies, or the prospect of love in my future, maybe the reunion with old friends, or the 2 special ladies in my life whose expecting bellies grow bigger by the day??? Whatever the reason may be, I wish for everyone in this world to be filled with the pure and complete happiness that is blossoming all over my heart at this moment.
But please don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to gloat! I've certainly had those days, and you know the ones I'm talking about...
You're sprawled out on the couch in your jammies, nearing the bottom of a Ben & Jerry's pint (Half Baked, of course), radiating misery and irritation out of every pore, when your girlfriend calls to tell you about her "oh-so wonderful day". In response you give her the faux "i'm so happy for you, that's great" speech, only to hang up and go buy another pint (this time, splurging for the whip cream and chocolate).
I just believe that when a feeling is THIS GOOD you have to share it! So I figure, who better to share it with than Y.O.U. - my closest friends, the blogosphere. **I giggle to myself**
Soulshine, it looks like the New Years rez has already paid off... letting go of that old baggage was the best thing I ever did! --------------------------------------------------------------------FELICITY
fe·lic·i·ty [ fə líssətee ] (plural fe·lic·i·ties)
noun
Definition:
1. happiness: happiness or contentment
2. something producing happiness: something that creates happiness
[14th century. Via French] --------------------------------------------------
ELATED - that's it!
I can honestly say that this first month of 2008 has been one of the greatest in my 26 years of existence - I had to pinch myself on Monday to make sure it's not a dream. More than once I have found myself saying "Everything that could go wrong, has gone wrong" but lately I'm shouting "Everything that could go right, has gone right"!!!
What has brought on this sudden contentment? Is it these incredible blue skies, or the prospect of love in my future, maybe the reunion with old friends, or the 2 special ladies in my life whose expecting bellies grow bigger by the day??? Whatever the reason may be, I wish for everyone in this world to be filled with the pure and complete happiness that is blossoming all over my heart at this moment.
But please don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to gloat! I've certainly had those days, and you know the ones I'm talking about...
You're sprawled out on the couch in your jammies, nearing the bottom of a Ben & Jerry's pint (Half Baked, of course), radiating misery and irritation out of every pore, when your girlfriend calls to tell you about her "oh-so wonderful day". In response you give her the faux "i'm so happy for you, that's great" speech, only to hang up and go buy another pint (this time, splurging for the whip cream and chocolate).
I just believe that when a feeling is THIS GOOD you have to share it! So I figure, who better to share it with than Y.O.U. - my closest friends, the blogosphere. **I giggle to myself**
Soulshine, it looks like the New Years rez has already paid off... letting go of that old baggage was the best thing I ever did! --------------------------------------------------------------------FELICITY
fe·lic·i·ty [ fə líssətee ] (plural fe·lic·i·ties)
noun
Definition:
1. happiness: happiness or contentment
2. something producing happiness: something that creates happiness
[14th century. Via French] --------------------------------------------------
1.02.2008
OUT WITH THE OLD! IN WITH THE NEW!
“We look backward too much and we look forward too much; thus we miss the only eternity of which we can be absolutely sure -- the eternal present, for it is always now.” -- William Phelps
Every New Year brings a bundle of excitement... reminiscing on the past year, anticipation for the future, and the realization that at one exact moment, everyone in the world (or atleast in your time zone) is joined in the comradery of the 10-second countdown.
And what would the New Year be without a resolution? It's almost silly if you think about it... we could just as easily make a resolution on George Washington's birthday. Instead, I resolve to do something in August and hold off on activating this plan of action until January 1st??? Go figure! If we feel as though an idea is important enough that we should adjust our lives accordingly, shouldn't it be put into effect the moment it is conjured? Maybe savoring a lifestyle that will soon be changed, inhibits an immediate reaction.
So.... in keeping with tradition.... on the eve of 2008, I made my obligatory resolution.
Out with the old. In with the new.
I've tripped over myself too many times, looking to the past when I should have been face forward. NO MORE! You can't walk a cobblestone street with your head turned the wrong way. This is my promise to ME -- to look ahead for my dreams, while never forgetting to keep a keen eye on the ground below me, so not to miss any potholes or pennies. This lady is throwing out old regrets, exiling affections for former loves to my keepsake box where they belong, and extinguishing the notion that my best days are behind me.
Who knew 2008 would be so liberating? Happy New Year Blogspot!
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