It's Magic Time

Jeff and I went to the Orlando Magic (vs. San Antonio Spurs) game last night, and it was really fun. My company has season tickets, so we were able to use two of those tickets. I had never been to a Magic game before, so you can imagine how excited I was. Even though I had a headache before, during and after the game, I still enjoy being there.

I am so enamored with celebrities and their wealthiness that I spent most of the game just thinking about how rich those guys are, and they're so young...all but 2 players on the Magic team were born after 1980...that means that they are my age OR YOUNGER and are gazillionaires.

Anyway, as Jeff and I approached the arena, we see this line up of outrageous cars. There were only about 5 or 6 when we entered the arena, but there were more when we left. We saw a Lamborghini, a Ferrari, two very high-end Mercedes, and a Bentley. There were some others, but you see them more frequently...you know, a Land Rover and a regular Mercedes. Needless to say, I was just amazed at the amounts of money that were sitting right there in front of me (in the form of cars)...I just can not imagine having that much money.

I have to admit that I found myself green with envy (very sinful of me!) because I wanted to have that lifestyle. I spent the entire game just imagining how things would be different if Jeff and I were rich...obscenely rich...

Then I had to bring myself back to reality. I will almost positively NEVER have that much money or be rich (in worldly terms) for that matter. I am however, very blessed and have no room to complain or whine about money. I know people who don't even have the things that I have and would probably look at me like I look at the celebrities of the world. Anyway, I'm blessed and thankful for all that I have!

Here are a few photos from last night:



My favorite Magic player, Dwight Howard (#12) does the tip-off thing, but you can't really see him because of the big Spurs player, Tim Duncan (#21). They were good match up because they're both 6' 11"...they'd tower over me!






You have to have one of these shots...like how we pulled of the coordinating Magic colors with our shirts!!



Here's Dwight getting ready for the free-throw...he's so cute to me!

Well, the night ended with a MAGIC VICTORY!! I don't remember the score, but I had a great time and hope to do it again sometime!!

Happy Friday!

Happy Birthday to Jeff

We went to BD's Mongolian Grill for Jeff's birthday dinner tonight. As we were anxiously waiting for our food to be prepared on the open air grill, Jeff was presented with his birthday hat, they rang the gong, and everyone in the grill area joined together to sing, "Happy Birthday to Jeff!"

Dinner was great, and now we're stuffed and miserable!

Happy Birthday Jeffery!!

Celebrating Jeff

Today is Jeff's birthday, and I want to celebrate him!

Here is a picture of Jeff in his early days...long before I knew him and before he knew he'd fall in love with a girl from Alabama. I wonder if he knew what he was in for...HA! HA! :)




Jeff is such an amazing person. He is so loving and genuinely cares for others. He is always so easy going and rarely gets his feathers ruffled; me, I tend to get worked up over silly stuff. I would be a frazzled mess with out Jeff!


He is very smart and extremely driven, and he inspires me. He takes such pride in everything he does. He's such a good husband and always treats me so well. I have mood swings, sometimes at the drop of a hat, and he just deals with me. Thank you, honey!


I love to hear Jeff laugh...he has this little kid's chuckle, and it makes me laugh every time I hear him laugh. I will do things purposely to try to get him to laugh just because I LOVE to hear him laugh. He has such a good sense of humor and enjoys just spending time with me. We ride bicycles, take walks, play cards, watch movies together...we have a lot of fun together, just him and me! I love spending time with Jeff...it makes me feel secure to have him in my life. I know he is going to always be there to take care of me!


I could go on and on about Jeff, but I'll stop with this: Jeff is an answer to my prayers for a husband. I have no doubt that God created him specifically for me, and I am thankful for him everyday! I appreciate all that Jeff is as a person and all that he does for me. I would not trade anything in this world for the timeless bond that I have with Jeff!


Jeff, I hope you have a marvelous birthday that is just as special as you are to me and so many others.


I love you!

Way Back Wednesday

I found this picture of Marlee from way back last year and thought I'd share...it's too cute. She was enamored with this video we found on You Tube of Louie the Pug singing Olivia Newton John (I'd post the link, but I'm at work and You Tube is blocked).

Anyway, she loved to watch Louie!

Hole in my Spacesuit

I have a hole in my spacesuit...I had to have a mole removed today. I am sure it's nothing to worry about, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. I had to have stitches too...I'm being a big baby about it, but Jeff is taking good care of me!!

A Bust

Today has been one of those days where I have had to MAKE myself get out of bed. We didn't go to church this morning...shame on us! When I finally got up, I had the desire to bake, so I decided to make some butter cookies. Well...it didn't work out. I was using a recipe that my friend Liz's mom gave me, and it calls for 1 lb. of butter, but instead of writing 1 lb., she wrote "1 # butter." I had NO idea what that 1 # meant 1 lb., so I only used 1 stick of butter. I ended up wasting 1 stick of butter, 5 cups of flour, 2 cups of sugar, 2 eggs and 1 tsp of vanilla in my attempt to make these butter cookies. I guess it should have registered with me that I was making BUTTER cookies and I'd need more than one stick of butter, but it didn't...

I also attempted to make icing...WHY...you ask?? I ask myself that very same question. By this time, I already knew the butter cookies would be nothing more than an addition to my garbage can, but I proceeded anyway. Well, I guess today was just not the day for me to be in the kitchen because the icing turned to crap too...no matter how much confectioners sugar I added, the icing would not thicken up...WHY, WHY, WHY?!?!?

Okay, so by the time I threw all of that stuff away and cleaned the kitchen, I was ready to just be lazy. I was so disappointed, too, because I wanted to make banana nut bread and cookies, but I wasted so much stuff in my attempt to make cookies and icing that I just gave up and didn't do the bread. I hope my bananas will wait until tomorrow...

Well, even though I was lazy for a little while, the day wasn't a complete waste. Jeff and I were little electricians and put up a new light over our dinner table. We're in a condo, so the one that was there was from the builder and was U-G-L-Y! This one is much better...here's a snapshot:




After working on the light for about an hour...we flipped the circuit breaker back on, and we were so pleased that sparks didn't fly...we were a little worried! LOL!

I guess my attempt and failure to make cookies earlier this morning didn't cure my desire to make something sweet, so I decided to make Thin Mints tonight. This time everything worked perfectly!! The recipe is super simple, but it's just time consuming...here's the recipe and directions:

Ingredients:

• 20 oz. Chocolate Almond Bard (I only used 16 oz.)
• 24 oz. Chocolate Chips (I only used 23 oz.)
• 3 tsp. pure Peppermint Extract
• 1 box Low Sodium Ritz Crackers (the box says "Hint of Salt" instead of Low Sodium)

Directions:

1. Microwave almond bark for 2 minutes.
2. Remove from microwave and add chocolate chips...do not stir.
3. Microwave for another 2 minutes.
4. Remove from microwave and add peppermint extract; stir until smooth.
5. Using a spoon or fork, dip Ritz crackers into mint mixture.
6. Lay flat on wax paper on a plate or cookie sheet.
7. Place in freezer for a few minutes allowing chocolate mint covering to get firm.
8. Remove from freezer and serve.
   

Even though the recipe and directions are really easy, I will warn you that making these cookies is a little difficult. Dipping them in the mixture takes some work, but I finally got into the groove and worked my way through 2 1/2 sleeves of Ritz crackers. I could've done more, but I was tired and already had a lot of cookies. I don't even know who is going to eat them because it's not like I made them for any special occasion...I just felt like making them.

Moving along to another thought...Jeff's work Christmas party was Friday night. We had a lot of fun...he "won" a free night's stay at the Disney hotel where the party was being held. I say he "won" it that like that because I think (no; I know) he's just very well liked by the big boss, and he just got a call asking if he wanted the room rather than him actually winning a random drawing, but we weren't complaining because we got to have a little get-a-way.

Anyway, the party was semi-formal/formal, so we got to get dressed up...I loved it! We arrived for cocktail hour around 6:30 pm and enjoyed mingling with some of his co-workers. Around 7:30 pm we started dinner, around 9:00 pm they had a drawing for some prizes, and dancing started after that. For anyone that knows me, you probably know what I'm about to say...yup, you guessed it! I danced until I was sweaty...gross, I know, but it's the truth. I absolutely LOVE to dance...I'm like that guy in Weekend at Bernie's...you know, the one that is dead, but every time music starts playing he just starts moving...that's me; when I hear music, I just start moving! LOL!

Here's a snapshot of Jeff and I before dinner and dancing:

Anyway, we had a nice weekend. This coming week is my last full week at work for the year. I only work next Monday, and then I'm off until January 5th!! I can't wait! The only bad thing about having that much time away from work is that when it's time to go back, I am completely NOT motivated when I return to work!!

Okay, well, I must go now. Wishing you all a great week!!

Random, Cont'd.

65. I just sneezed.
66. My favorite Christmas song is Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee.
67. I run my little space heater in my office year round...my feet get cold.
68. Apples and pineapples are my favorite fruit.
69. I do not like cantaloupe or honey dew melon.
70. My paternal grandfather was a Baptist preacher.
71. I was baptised at 7 but actually got saved at 19.
72. I wanted my grandfather to conduct my wedding ceremony, but he died when I was in high school.
73. I met Jeff for the first time at the Orlando International Airport...we were going to NY for a four week work project.
74. Jeff proposed to me with Marlee in one hand and the ring in the other.
75. I have a strong Southern accent, but not as strong as it used to be.
76. I miss the slower paced life that I had in Alabama, but I would not change my decision to move, even though I miss my family all the time!!
77. I am a stronger person because of my past.
78. I am thankful that I didn't marry my high school boyfriend...not being mean, but I'm thankful!
79. I always wanted to have a brother.
80. I want to have a boy first...his name will be Harrison.
81. I used to say that I wanted 5 boys...now I just want to have 2 kids...one boy, one girl, but most of all, I want my kids to be healthy.
82. I want to teach my kids about Jesus and how He died for our sins so that we may one day rejoice with Him in Heaven.
83. I miss my friend Kristin...she lives in Dothan and I in Orlando, and we don't get to see each other that often.
84. I went back to college at University of West Florida in Pensacola after I graduated from Troy State...I wanted to get a Public Relations degree. After one semester, I got the job in Orlando and moved...does that make me a quitter??
85. I would like to get my master's degree, but I don't really want to do homework again.
86. My sister calls herself "Fabulous." She is the most awesome person I know...so full of life and character, and there's never a dull moment with her.
87. I try to drink a 1.5L bottle of water daily.
88. I snack too much.
89. I can be very impatient.
90. My favorite ice cream is Chocolate Chip from Hagan Daaz.
91. When I was born, I weighed 6 lbs., 4 oz.
92. I enjoy riding bicycles with Jeffery.
93. I think I would enjoy event management for a conference center or hotel...I think that would be fun; stressful at times, but fun.
94. I get excited when I get to get dressed up and have a date with Jeff...like tonight for his work Christmas party...it's semi-formal/formal, and I'm super excited!!
95. I get distracted easily.
96. I prefer Diet Pepsi over Diet Coke.
97. I LOVE queso dip from Mexican restaurants...as long as it's the white queso dip.
98. I recently discovered that I like Margaritas...on the rocks, no salt, please.
99. I love to people watch...I do it too much, and I compare myself to each person I see...how wrong is that!?!?!
100. I would love to be able to entertain people at my house...I imagine that one day I'll have a big house with a big kitchen where I can spend hours preparing for a dinner party and anxiously await my guests...I only wish I was more creative with decorating...I feel like I'm pretty boring!

Okay, so I made it to 100, but I feel like I could go on...there is so much about myself that I am bringing to light by doing this...I think this could be therapy!!

Happy Friday!

Random

So I was reading another blog earlier today, and the blogger had listed 100 things about herself. It was a very interesting post, and it got me to thinking..."Could I come up with 100 things about myself?" I was convinced that I could, so here it goes...

1. I'm love to talk...I probably talk too much and should listen more.
2. I'm OCD with a lot of things.
3. I have slight case of ADD...I tend to get off on multiple subjects at the same time, and then I forget what I was originally talking about.
4. I am a Christian!
5. Family is most important to me.
6. I am a newlywed.
7. I watch Gossip Girl...don't judge!
8. I enjoy eating, and it shows from time to time.
9. I'm a perfectionist and it drives me crazy sometimes.
10. I want people to think good things about me.
11. I am a worry wort...not a good quality.
12. My mother is my hero!
13. I have an awesome mother-in-law!
14. I love to hear Jeff laugh...it's makes me smile inside and out.
15. I enjoy my job.
16. I treat Marlee (my dog) like she is human.
17. I love playing board games.
18. I'm struggling with this list...
19. I am the product of a blended family...it has made me the person I am.
20. I want to be a mother.
21. I love to call Jeff, Jeffery.
22. I love to be the center of attention.
23. I love to play board games with groups of people.
24. I wish I had a better self image.
25. I want to enjoy reading books.
26. Mexican food is my favorite.
27. I have a weakness for ice cream.
28. I want to remember more of my childhood.
29. My favorite teacher from elementary school was in 4th grade - Mrs. Young.
30. When I tell a story, I often give way too many details that really don't matter and the listerner really doesn't care to hear.
31. I wish I was more like my sister in some ways...she's so carefree.
32. I listen to Christian music most of the time.
33. I want to lose 10 lbs.
34. I want to live closer to my family.
35. I have lived in Alabama and Florida.
36. I grew up in South Alabama...Dothan to be exact.
37. I've only had one other boyfriend besides Jeff who is now my husband.
38. I love being able to say that I have a husband.
39. I think I would like to be a runner...they always have such good leg muscles.
40. I was very shy as a child...I would not even get up in front of my sisters and pretend to sing and dance.
41. I got a spanking by my 1st grade teacher for talking in class...it was my first day at a new school and I needed to borrow a pencil because mine broke.
42. I didn't have good grades in 1st grade...I was not happy that I had to change schools.
43. I am my mother's daughter through and through.
44. I used to spend every Sunday afternoon with my Grandmother.
45. My favorite home cooked meal is roast with carrots and potatoes.
46. I enjoy cooking but not cleaning up afterwards.
47. My shoe size is a 7.
48. I am short...5'1".
49. I never had a cavity until I was 25.
50. I used to travel 95% for my job.
51. I had never been on an airplane until I was 24...LA was my first destination.
52. I had the fariytale wedding that I had always dreamed of having.
53. If I had to do my wedding over again (I pray that I don't), I would do some things differently...I would not have the big, poofy dress (even though it was fabulous), I would not wear a veil, I would not have spent so much money (even though compared to most other brides, I didn't spend much), I would have made a list of the photographs that I wanted my photographer to capture (more of Jeff and I), to name a few.
54. I wish parents didn't let their kids watch the fairytale ending stories because life is not like that and it sets kids up for a lot of disappointment as they grow up.
55. I wish professional sports players didn't make so much money.
56. I wish movie stars didn't make so much money.
57. I think the excessive money that professional sports players and movie stars make should be given to people whose jobs have a real impact on society...teachers, policemen, doctor's, nurses...people that dedicate their lives to helping those around them.
58. I hope this list doesn't sound like I am an unhappy or ungrateful person.
59. I am a very trusting person.
60. I am getting hungry as I'm typing.
61. I want to be a movie star...I want people to know who I am.
62. Perhaps instead of wanting to be a movie star, I should do something like write a book or become a motivational speaker...
63. I am a Republican.
64. Since getting married in July, I have allowed myself to get out of the habit of exercising.

I'm out of time for the day...I'll continue tomorrow...

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

Hump Day

Happy Hump Day!! We're half way to the weekend and closer to Christmas!!

Toodles! :)

Seasons

There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly, so he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.

The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall.

When they had all gone and returned, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.

The second son said it was covered with green buds and full of promise.

The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.

The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen only one season in the tree's life.

He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season. The essence of who they are, and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life, can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.

If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, and the fulfillment of your fall.

Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. Don't judge life by one difficult season. Persevere through the difficult patches, and better times are sure to come in time.

THANK YOU FOR BEING A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THE SEASONS OF MY LIFE!