Happy Birthdays!!!

Yes, Birthdays. My mother and I both had a birthday this past week along with Fefe! Mine was on the 12th, my mother's is the 14th, and Fefe's the 17th. I was 23, my mother 45, and Fefe 5. :)  We had lots of fun surprises and we had our birthday party this Saturday. Because my birthday party was postponed, Derek brought me home a cake. It was adorable!

Yes! Its a dog! Fefe went crazy. We set it on a small ottoman I have and she kept running by and barking at it. She thought it was real!






Fefe also had a little surprise of her own, I got up that morning at 5 am and cooked her and Derek a nice breakfast with eggs and turkey bacon. She also got tons of treats all day. At the very end of the evening, she got a brand new bed, which she loved! (Complete relief, she is very picky)

<-------------------- Proof!











As if I wasn't already indulged enough, Mom made a 40 pound cake for our birthdays. It was... massive.. to say the least, and very.. Charming.  Bless her heart, That was a LOT of work to put into something with her having been sick all last week. She did so well. <333. 

 I received lots of sweet and thoughtful gifts from everyone. We had such a funny moment at one point. Derek handed me his gift, and I was really thrilled to see a TOMS shoe box! YAY! I recently bought my first pair in the burlap and I LOVE them.

They are so comfy, cute, and a really good cause. I told Derek I wanted a black or red pair, so that is what I was expecting. I was charmed when I opened a herring bone gold glittery pair. They were super cute. I gave him a genuine surprised look as I said "OH! I wasn't expecting these!"He looked at me even more surprised and said "NEITHER was I!?" 

He explained that they were supposed to be black and we laughed SO hard, we then noticed they were also 2 sizes off. The box said the right size, and black but the wrong shoes were in there and they wrapped it at the store. OOPS? It was fun. I liked that pattern anyhow but he exchanged them for the right pair yesterday.

Altogether, I had a WONDERFUL birthday and I couldn't have asked for more. <3 More later.

Happy Birthday ME!

We went Saturday evening and babysat little princess Averi. She was an absolute gem for Derek and I and we enjoyed playing with her more then I can express. We were more then happy to give Kari a much deserved break to attend a Christmas Party with Steven. I honestly can't think of anything I would have rather been doing that evening.

So, Sunday, the 12th, was my birthday! I turned 23 whole big ol' years old. Haha. I'll admit, the day started out complete crap. Derek had to work, My family birthday party that I share with my mom was delayed because my poor mom has been deathly ill and my grandmother has mono. I was sulking. FOR SERIOUS?! It did get better though, Derek came through when he got home with lots of sweet surprises, as usual. We are having our official birthday celebration/get-together with the whole fam this coming Saturday, so I will make sure to tell you all about it after then.



Soup and... random bobblehat

It is very rare that food is left over in our house since I am basically married to a Hoover Vacuum.  I have had for a week now, leftover turkey and things from our Thanksgiving.  My dad packed up an impossible amount of Turkey and vegetables and stuff. Derek has been eating it some this week since I have totally boycotted cooking. Seriously, I have had a LOT going on this week and haven't found time so we have individually been fending for ourselves for the most part.  I woke up early today since my sleep has been off so much.  I have stayed up 2 entire nights just this week. I made my coffee and set out some soup to thaw from the freezer.  I then decided I needed more refrigerator space and a fresh soup would be nice.  I pulled out the slow cooker and started making me some soup. I made some chicken broth, chopped a few veges, chopped up the leftover turkey, opened a few cans, and added a few seasonings. Turn that bugger on for 8 hours and VOILA! Soup. Derek will be happy to have a warm meal that isn't something instant. Don't get me wrong... I LOVE to cook and I do cook really often. Thanksgiving and all that baking took its toll on me though. I'm bouncing back haha.

I think I forgot to mention yesterday that I failed my driver's test when I was 17. Our tests aren't on a track. They are in town, with real traffic. Yep, I ran a red light.
But, as you can tell, I made it to and from the doctor safely yesterday. I drove myself, no limo.  I ran a tiny stop sign that didn't matter and ALMOST ran a red light. Hurray for fast brakes and a quick reaction-ed lady behind me. Oh, and I may or may not have ridden the whole way home with the emergency brake up *cringe*. All joking aside, I think it really helped me to get in the car and just go yesterday. Being by myself showed me that if I had to, I would be fine driving here. Derek and I have some fun special plans for tomorrow and Thursday, so, you will hear more from me on Friday. : )

Rent a Limo?

So I woke up this morning with my space bar glued down. Yesterday I spilled coffee all over my desk and directly on my iphone speaker. Luckily my phone is back working (mostly).  I didn't realize in all my iphone-love induced haste, that I spilled my sugar filled coffee onto my keyboard, so now I have a gloppy syrupy sticky space bar that is working slower then Derek at 6 am. Speaking of Derek, he will have to help me figure out how to fix it, because its not one that you can just pop the keys out. But, anyhow, moving on...

I have a lot going on this week. Derek had to request to move around his scedule a lot this week. My birthday is a week from today, on the 12th. My mother's is on the 14th, so we always share our celebration, so the whole family is getting together on the 11th. Derek, of course requested this day off over a month ago. He also had to request evening shift Monday for a Doctors appointment for me. (Everybody hates the evening shift anyways.) Well, with the holidays baring down on every business and Corporate is paying a visit to his job, His main boss needed him there... Its complicated but there is NO way he could be off either Monday or Saturday. We were gonna have dinner with the family anyway so we will be there in plenty of time Saturday.  The problem lies with Monday.  I called my doctor near tears. I asked would I be able to come in any other time. Its not that he can't re-schedule me, its that I have important tests he has to do that HAVE to done on that day. Bugger.

This isn't an issue for most people, except that I haven't driven in 3 years? I am deathly afraid of driving. Especially in town. I have driven on open highway maybe twice since Derek and I have married.  I can't fully explain why I am so afraid of it. I can drive like a pro, I'm just too paranoid.  I've lost a lot of people my age, and friends and such in wrecks and I think over the years it has taken its toll. Derek and I moved to Orlando immediately after we got married and I was never able to drive there. I tried once because I had to and I almost had a huge wreck so I was paralyzed. I pulled off the road, and called Derek and told him I wasn't moving the car. He came and got me.

Issue at hand, I still have to get to the doctor Monday. Since I am a reclusive hermit (okay, shy may work better here), I can't ask anyone else to take me.  Derek says he will rent me a cab. Seriously? No... I'm not riding with some smelly guy that I can't understand... even if it is 5 miles.  "FINE, How about a Limo?" okay.. yeah.. I'm gonna roll up into the doctor's office parking lot in a Limo.  Right. 

Derek and I are practice-driving to the doctor's office tonight. I will be driving tomorrow... I think.  If I make it home alive tomorrow and un-traumatized then I will try to post again. 

Cookie Recovery

I'm home. I slept so long last night. It was a well deserved Hiatus after a very busy week.  I am cookied out honestly.  I baked SO many cookies this week. The irony in this whole situation is that.. I've never had the cookie monster complex. I don't get it. They just arn't good to me? People... will make themselves sick eating cookies, yet I don't like them. They sure are fun to make. With the busy-ness of the week I didn't find much time to take pictures but I did catch a few.

 Peanut Butter Cookies with Sugar on top

Choclate Chip Cookies with Reece's Pieces

 

White Chocolate Fudge with Peppermint and Butterscotch
(We also made Peanut Butter chocolate and plain chocolate fudge)

And of course... the star of the week... SUGAR COOKIES.
These were a mess. We had so much fun. We have been doing these since I was 2 years old. 

Little Averi began her traditions and memories this week too. She decorated and INHALED... her first cookie. She had a blast.

Now that I am home and rested, I can't wait for Derek to eat up all these cookies so I don't have to look at them. Thanksgiving down, birthdays and Christmas next! : )

I'm not lost.

I suppose I should do an update. I counted on being able to update my blog this week but well.. its been very busy.  I'm at my parents' house. We have been blowing alllll week. I mean cookies cookies cookies cookies and all kinds of other baking. Its a tradition in our house to bake frickloads of sweets during the week of Thanksgiving. The highlight of course are the previously mentioned sugar cookies with icing.  We had lots of fun with that. My aunt, who is actually younger then me by six months, (Kari) and her sister, (Kansas) came over to help the situation. Kari's daughter Averi is 9 months and decorated her first sugar cookie. What a doll. We have baked so much that it is unreal! I'll post pictures of different things when I make it back home Sunday.  We had lunch out at a park today. My Dad's side of the family rents a big building for us to mutually meet and eat.  I have about a 3 hour break right now before I will be heading an hour south to visit with my mom's family. I'm really looking forward to seeing my Meme and PapPap. I don't get to see them enough for my liking. Derek gets off work at 3. He will have a 2 and a half hour drive to meet me there and then he is driving back tonight.  We have a Thanksgiving dinner planned for Saturday at our house that is mostly just close family and such. Derek is coming back tomorrow night and staying and we will drive back home Saturday night. I think he may go hunting with my dad Saturday while I cook and...*sigh*....bake. Haha. I'll update as soon as I find time and inspiration. Happy Thanksgiving!

Eulogy for an Addiction

Dearly Addicted,

We are gathered here to say our goodbye.  Goodbye to addiction, blackened lungs, dull smiles, smoke filled clothes and breath.  Well Cigarette, it has been a year and 4 months since I last smoked you.  It was difficult to let you go but I’m sure you knew that.  You were very well made with all your toxic chemicals carefully wrapped up in a pretty box appealing to even young children.  You were there as a crutch during many anxious moments and you formulated yourself to make me a craver for 7 whole years.  Your prices rose and rose but still we stuck together. 

I met you when I was 14. You made me feel so cool.  None of my friends were brave (or dumb) enough to try you.  You gave me something to rebel against with my family and you made me feel so grown up. 

You made loved ones sick, you caused many arguments and disappointments.  You made me miss tons of important moments.  I missed joyful expressions during Christmas, I missed funny stories during family get-togethers, and I can’t tell you how many times I missed LSU score that awesome touchdown because I needed to go outside to smoke.  I stood outside in the freezing cold or scorching hot temperatures just to taste you.  I was out there in the rain trying desperately to keep you lit. I forgave you for burning clothes, and car interiors, and carpet.  I overlooked the fact that you smelled horrible, made me cough constantly, and really disappointed people close to me.

I can’t say I haven’t missed you from time to time.  It’s been hard learning how to handle stress and excitement without you.   I haven’t been able to replace you with anything but common sense.  Sometimes I dream of you. These dreams never last long.

It has taken me quite a while to be able to say farewell for sure. I was so dependent on you that I wasn’t confident that I could really let you go.  I know now that I can do anything.  You were my strongest addiction in the world.  I have let you go because I cannot take the heartache you cause me anymore.

  

I won’t miss you anymore.  If I think of you, I will think of the desperateness you made me feel if you weren’t there. I will think of how sick you made me feel.  I will think of the loved ones that you have drained. I will think of the people’s lives that you take.  I can smile and gladly say goodbye to you now addiction.

My Pet Gremlin

Remember that show?

SO CUTE! I have my own gremlin. Her name is Fefe. 

She is actually a long haired brindle-colored chihuahua.

I love this dog. She is like a child to me. We honestly spoil her so rotten. She is an absolute doll and gets along with everyone. She is very calm and quiet. I adopted her a week before I met Derek. I bought her from a friend of a friend on March 11, 2007. She was born December 17, 2005 so she was a year and a few months old.

She took to me immediately but even still gets sort of scared if she does something wrong because she didn't have the best life before she found us.

Fefe is very attentive to my emotions. She has been very therapeutic to me. I think we needed each other.


I honestly can't imagine not having my little snooklebottoms. She's the sweetest gremlin you'll ever see.

Procrastinating

I'm just gonna be straight. That's what I'm doing. Procrastination = Brooklynn.  I have ONE more day worth of school and yet I can find no drive. I have assignments that I need to finish in less then 24 hours yet I'm writing this. I will do them straight after... I think.  I finished my last speech tonight. I think it went fairly well although Youtube is being a complete (useless) tool.  It was great that my dad got to be their for my final speech taping. He works so much I hardly get to see when I make the a hour and a half drive to visit.  I'm a COMPLETE Daddy's girl. Its very evident. I'm looking forward to a week with them at thanksgiving. I will be covered in flour, sugar, and stress. The week of thanksgiving is so much fun at mom's house. Its been a tradition that my grandmother started when I was just an ickle little one.  We bake every kind of cookie, fudge, sweet that you can think of.  Sugar cookies are the main thing. We started out decorating them with candies. Baking candies, red hots, sprinkles, and those little silver decorative balls (which we later found out were poisonous if ingested... WHAT?!)  We now make a homemade royal icing and dye it all different colors. We decorate with fricktons of sprinkles and sugar and whatnot. (No silver balls) LOTS of pictures will come that week. Maybe a few recipes. I have to come up with a new recipe to make also. Every year mom  has each one of us pick out one new cookie or cake or bar or whatnot that we would like to make. Last year I made apricot and raspberry filled thumbprints and peppermint white chocolate fudge. Delicioso. Funny thing about all this... I hate sweets. OH well, Until next time. : )

Boogles from my Boogie

Derek and I have been married 3 years. I will go ahead and let you know in advance I have NO clue where "Boogie" came from. He somehow magically became my Boogie somewhere around the first 3 or 4 month mark.  I am his Broo or Little Bee sometimes.   Anyway, "Boogie" messed up and did something very silly one night about a week ago. I won't go into detail about his little lapse of intelligence, just that it was a big one. He came home from work the next day with a scary smile and something hidden behind his back. I was told to close my eyes which can be a bit unnerving around him. Derek has a very child-like-prank-prone like quality.  I opened my eyes right as he stuffed this big frumpy pinkish-red thing... into my hands.  It was quite puzzling. I soon realized it was the beloved sock monkey.  He found it holding Christmas presents under a tree in a local grocery store. This... was to make up for his "moment" the other night.  He held his breath as I looked over him with a serious face. I smiled and named him Mr. Boogles.  FORGIVEN! <3

Come inspect my laundry.

Well, I suppose it is time. I need to start a blog as I have nothing else to do right now. I don't know what I will write about or if anyone will read it. I've always kept a journal. I mean always as in literally always. My grandmother meme <3 started me writing when I was about 7 or 8. I remember drawing pictures on vacations with her and such before I could write and she would write on it what I wanted her to.  I've always enjoyed writing poetry immensely. I suppose I'll figure out what I want to write about soon enough but for now... Enjoy my general random bobblehat.