And so it goes...

*DISCLAIMER - DO NOT READ THE FOLLOWING POST IF YOU GET GROSSED OUT EASILY OR IF YOU ARE EATING.*

This past week I have had the worst cold of my entire life. This is saying a lot since I normally get all stuffed up at least twice a year. I honestly thought yesterday that this cold would actually be the cause of my death. And all this sickness just so happens to be the same time as finals. Yay!
Anyway, on to the gross stuff I warned you about earlier. I haven't had much of an appetite because I can't taste anything, so I decided to go to Rally's (that Checker's to all my homegirls) for some of their extra greasy spicy fries and a large Coke (WebMd said I should stay hydrated). The lady finally gets my order after having to ask me to repeat it several times. I am sure she thought she was talking to Marvin Gaye. I go up to the window and just as I am grabbing my bag, I get the need to cough. I decided to be polite and cough with my mouth closed. Yep, as soon as I did I shot snot out of my nose. You should have seen the look on her face. I could have crawled under the seat! How's that for being lady-like?

Birthday Boy

I had the pleasure of celebrating the first birthday of one of my favorite little guys. We had a blast last weekend hanging dinosaurs, decorating cakes, opening presents, watching football, and playing dominoes. The best part was the fellowship. Lucy, you are a terrific host. Thanks for the invite. Here are a few pictures for your viewing enjoyment.

Life as I know it

It has been a crazy couple of weeks as the semester starts to wind down. To be honest, I have rather enjoyed it. For so long I never thought I would go back to college. I let the fact that I dropped out define me. It has been something I have been embarrassed about for the past 8 or so years. I always thought I was not smart enough to go back. And why waste all the money I didn't have to reaffirm that fact? With a little help from a few encouraging people, I decided to put on my big girl panties and go for it. And now, no matter where the road takes me, I can say I have changed who I am. I have taken that thing that I thought would never change, and I changed it. And I actually enjoy it. So, go for it. Don't let your mistakes define who you are.

Now, remind me of this in a couple of weeks when I am bogged down in finals and final portfolios!

My Dad

Today is my Dad's birthday. Since many of you never got the chance to meet him, I thought I would share a little about him. To say that we had a unique relationship would be an understatement! But, despite everything, he was a great man. And I have not doubt that he loved me greatly.

Here is a list of 10 things I remember most about my dad:

1. He played basketball when he was young, and I hear he was really good at it.

2, He lost his leg due to diabetes, but learned to walk again. He would walk all over his small town everyday with his cane and a smile. When he could no longer walk, he rode his electric wheelchair all around town. He's probably running those streets of gold now!

3. He had red hair. So did all of his brothers and sisters.

4. He was a talker! He knew everyone and would talk for hours with his buddies.

5. He was a member of Ft. Gaines First Baptist Church his whole life.

6. He could not carry a tune in a bucket, but would sing hymns at the top of his lungs. He would sing a special any time he was asked.

7. He once saw Mickey Mantle play a game against the Cardinals, and was a Yankees fan ever since. He is responsible for me being a Yankee.

8. If he wanted to talk to you, he would not stop calling until you answered. He completely filled up my voicemail box many times.

9. He played the Georgia lottery religiously. He always picked the same numbers, 108, for his birthday month and mine. When I would tell him he shouldn't gamble, he would tell me that the church would spend lottery money just as fast as they would hard earned money.

10. People say I look just like him. When I go to that little town now, people I have never met always say, "You have got to be Paul's daughter". It bothered me when I was young, but I don't mind it so much now.

Happy Birthday, Daddy. I miss you.

The next Food Network star

As you all know, I have had a little extra time on my hands lately. I decided to take this opportunity to try out a few new recipes. Here are a couple that I would recommend.


Steakhouse Kabobs
before



after...yum!




Chicken-and-Rice Stoup
before



after


The first recipe can be found on the Food Network website. The second is from my girl Rachael Ray.

Today I am making banana chips and tomorrow will be granola bars. Move over Julia Child, there's a new sheriff in town.

Hide and seek

Elliot loves to bury treasures around the house. Once we find the treasure, it is no longer safe and she has to move it. We always find this humorous since she would never dream of actually digging in the dirt outside to bury anything. I decided to grab my camera and document her next hiding adventure. She loves cookies from Petco and was so excited to get one the other day for good behavior. Here is the journey of that cookie over the course of 3 days.


It all began when I found it in the dining room chair...




Then it was off to the couch...




where it was safely hidden in the blanket...




then it went to the pillow on the love seat...




then Leah picked it up and put it in her bowl...




the next morning it was in my bed...




then it made it to the living room floor where her favorite toy, Blue, could watch over it...




then it went to Leah's flip flop (a personal favorite)...




then it landed on the kitchen floor after someone put it back in her bowl...




then we found it in the hallway...




Finally it went back to the blanket on the couch where it was consumed.

Happy Birthday!

It's a milestone birthday for one amazing woman in my life. She loves her family, loves her God, and loves people. She is a great cook, woman of prayer and she keeps me laughing. She has taught me so much through the years and has adopted me as one of her own grandchildren. Happy Birthday, Grandmother.

How about a list or two

Here's a list of a few things I love right now:

1. Edy's Fruit Bars. They are perhaps my new addiction. I am in love with the strawberry variety. It reminds me of a freezie pop addiction my roomies had in college. Only this time, the wrapper actually gets thrown away.

2. Ranch flavored party mix. Leah has started making this new mix that has Cheese Nips, oyster crackers and pretzels in it along with ranch seasoning. I think I may have eaten my weight in it this summer.

3. Inception. Awesome movie. Strange as all get out, but some kind of awesome. The special effects are amazing.

4. Netflix. It's summer, what's not to love?

5. Air conditioning. This heat almost makes me want to believe in global warming, but not really.

6. Being a nerd. I made a 103 on a paper about Moses and the burning bush, and I was upset that I didn't make a 105. I almost emailed my professor to find out why. I can't believe I just admitted that. I am very proud of the fact that I have high A's in both classes so far this semester. I like to think of myself as a somewhat cool nerd.

7. Food Network Star and Design Star. I LOVE these shows. They make my Sunday nights complete.

Here are a few things I do not like:
1. D.C. Cupcakes. I saw this show on TLC the other day and it was painful to watch. It was so staged and the acting was horrible. Don't watch it to find out, just take my word for it.

2. Belly Shots. I know that people say pregnancy is a beautiful thing, but I do not want to see your belly. It freaks me out. I have no doubt that children are a gift from God and pregnancy is something I can't even comprehend, but I don't need to see your naked belly.

3. The last hour of Today. This is something I have not been able to watch until now due to work. I can not express how much I dislike watching Kathie Lee and Hoda. I think I might actually like Hoda without Kathie Lee. The sad thing is, I am usually too lazy to change the channel.

And there you go.

The good old days...

My old college friend decided it would be great to post some old pictures on Facebook. It was a lot of fun to look back on those days that I miss often. But then I came across a few pics of me. All I can say is what was I thinking? Please tell me I have gotten better with age. And, Lucy Stinson, I thought you were my best friend...how in the world could you let me go out in public with my hair looking a hot mess? Seriously, can my head be any bigger in this picture? All kidding aside, I am glad she found those pictures. College helped shape me into the person I am today. I wouldn't trade those days or the people God placed in my life there for anything. Thanks for the memories guys.

The times they are a changing....

I randomly checked my blog this morning and realized maybe I should update it. To say that a lot has happened since my last post would be an understatement. Here is a rundown for anyone that is interested out there.

I took a wonderful vacation to Charleston and Savannah this summer. If you haven't been there, you should go. I'll post a few pictures on another post.

I am back in college. I started this summer taking 2 online classes at a community college here. It has been challenging, but so far I have an A in both classes. Who knew that it would only take 10 years to get me to actually study?

I have finally declared a major in photography and hope to transfer to a 4 year college within the next semester or two.

After struggling for a long time, I have quit my job to concentrate on college. It has been one of the scariest things I have ever done. Hopefully, I will be able to find a part time job that will work around my schedule since I have decided to go back to college full time.

Please keep me in your prayers as I move into this stage in my life. I know this is something I need to do, and I know it will all work out. I just have a hard time waiting for all the pieces to come together sometimes.

Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday to one amazing roomie and friend.


Here's hoping your birthday is out of this world



Full of the sweeter things



And practically perfect in every way.

Reunited...

Last weekend Leah and I took a little road trip to visit my Lucy. We had a blast! It was great to catch up and just spend a weekend away with some much needed girl time. Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy. Thanks for a great time, Ace. Can't wait to see you again. By the way, how could you not fall in love with this little guy?

how my garden grows

We spent most of the weekend in the backyard and it was wonderful! From grilling, planting tons of flowers, entertaining guests and just relaxing in the sun, we made the most of the beautiful weather. Elliot had a blast making sure the backyard was free of birds. Here are a few pictures of the flowers in the yard. I'll have more pictures of the new flowers soon, assuming they make it! Happy Spring!

just us girls

A few weeks ago, Leah and I decided to have a girl's weekend with Anna and Sarah. We went to Gatlinburg for 2 nights and had a blast! This was the first trip for the four of us together, but it definitely won't be the last. Thanks for the memories, girls!

cruising the neighborhood

A few weeks ago, Elliot went for a ride with the girls in Sarah's convertible. She had the time of her life. She now thinks my Honda is the most boring car in the world.

I'm a Mac

Well, after years of longing for a Mac, I decided to bite the bullet and go for it. I am so excited about it, but there is still so much I have to learn. I'd like to send a shout out to the lovely IRS workers for processing my tax papers so quickly and helping to make all this possible.

Spring

Dear Spring,
First, I would like to apologize. I know that I have treated you wrong. I was tempted by Winter and all the things that came with it. I love warm socks, cute sweaters and hot chocolate. And who could resist all that beautiful snow? But, I know now that with you the grass literally is greener. Please forgive me and come back soon. This will be my first Spring in the new house and I can't wait to discover all the beautiful flowers that were planted by the past owners. I am dying to spend endless hours in the backyard. My cramped up feet are longing to feel the freeing comfort that only flip flops can bring them. My Miracle Grow and lawn mower are calling out my name every time I walk into the cold garage. Sweet Spring, I promise I will not court Winter again. I will remain faithfully yours.
Love,
M.A.

you

you are 4 years old. you are a joy. you love to cuddle. you love to play with all of your toys. your stuffed blue lamb is still your favorite thing. you love to visit family. you love to take road trips. your best friend is your cousin, oreo. you love your back yard and could spend hours a day out there. you love cheese. you love new collars. you have to eat a dried chicken finger every night at dinner. you are a great guard dog and your bark is bigger than your bite. you love to sniff. you love rachel ray dog food. you bury your dog food all over the house in imaginary dirt,but would not dare dig in the dirt outside. you are a city dog. you hate the vet, but love the attention. you have sensitive ears. you are a joy. you are 4 years old.

the aftermath

The contractor came this morning to fix the pipe and survey the damage. When he was finished, we were left to start the clean up.



How does she manage to look cute when she is cleaning?




You will have to excuse the Afro I am sporting under that hat. It was some kind of cold in the garage!




All the bags of soggy, gooey, dripping wet ceiling and insulation.




Now we just have to wait for it to dry out.

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down

We arrived home today to find that a pipe in the attic had burst. Leah opened the garage door and chunks of sheet rock fell to the ground. Water was gushing out of the ceiling and the side of the house. After what seemed like an eternity, two great friends showed up to help us turn the water off. They also helped with sweeping out all the water and were able to get the garage door closed now that is wet and has stopped working. Luckily, the water looks to be contained to the garage and our cars were not inside. Now, we wait for the contractor to come in the morning. Take a look...




If you look closely, you can see the leak where it all started.