Greater things are yet to come...

March 29, 2009
in this city...is the song that has not left my head since Friday night. I went to Redemption 2009. It was such an amazing time with God and women of all ages and races. Very uplifting and eye opening to the true "King" in Memphis. On Saturday, I volunteered at the Hands of Hope Gala. Big crowd, but it was lots of fun! I was in charge of seating the corporate sponsors as well as closing the silent auctions. I have a new love for live and silent auctions. I am so pleased that most of the items went for a greater value than they were worth! On Sunday, Ray went to the Elite 8 game to cheer his home state to victory and I went to the Children's Museum and the play ground with Stephanie and Mary Anna...what a cool place for kids to go in Memphis. I look forward to taking Lily one day! Also, went shopping with a friend, to church, to the new target (where I could spend hours), did laundry, cooked dinner, ran the dishwasher and worked out...plus I finished up a power point for work that I presented today. Hello! I'm tired just typing it all! Good night!

Settled in...

March 26, 2009
with popcorn and Twilight. First, I love 100 calorie snacks and I have found the most filling 100 calories...Orville Redenbacher's Smart Pop. Second, I read the first Twilight book this summer and I liked it enough to start the 2nd book. I never finished it...so not like me. I was just done with vampires. Since the movie came out on DVD, I've been wanting to see it, so Jerra (who hearts Edward!) let me borrow it. I was impressed that the book followed the movie to a T. Liked the movie and the ending...am eager to see the 2nd one, but don't think I want to spend my time on the rest of the books...especially since there are so many hot book set in NY!
Here is a cute picture of Miss Lily from last week. While they were at mom and dad's house, Grandpa Chuck bought Lily her first set of wheels. She LOVES them!

Please say a prayer for my little friend Thomas (and his momma and daddy). Not only did Thomas break his arm, but he also had tubes put in and his adenoids taken out. What a week he has had.

Just another week...

March 24, 2009

Not much going on here. Mom is on a cruise with the teachers for Spring Break! I so hope they are having a good time and good weather. Emily, Caleb & Lily just got back from a fun filled weekend with Megan and Adam in Dallas. Grandma is in Searcy. I'm here in Memphis, patiently waiting for our dogwood tree to bloom, probably tomorrow (as long as these winds don't blow all the blooms off tonight). Over the weekend, I finished a book I started several months ago. I adore Candace Bushnell and think she is a fabulous writer, but this book is my least favorite of hers. Almost like it has too many characters and not enough plot. However, while I would never want to live in New York, I so enjoy reading books set in the area (and I love to visit!). I do have 2 weeks of vacation my first year at my job (thanks to my negotiation skills!) and I learned today that I can not carry any days over, so I best start booking some trips!

Happy...

March 21, 2009
1st 'full' day of SPRING! I'm a day late on this one, but I passed out last night before I got around to posting...Happy 5th Anniversary Emily and Caleb!

15 Million women...

March 18, 2009

write blogs...wow! I love my blog...it is so fun to write and reread. I enjoy all my friends blogs and shhh...don't tell Ray, but I even love reading friends of friends blogs! Today I read a blog about focusing on the little things that make you happy and forgetting about the bad economy, your bad day at work, the supper you burned, etc...I love my bathroom ledge...probably the cleanest place in the house, because I'm ocd with keeping it neat and clean!

I adore my Big Sexy hair products , Erno Laszlo , Romance and all products made by Philosophy in the Amazing Grace scent (Thanks Caleb, Em and Lil). I love my beach themed bathroom with my shell pictures on the wall (Thanks Molly), the picture from my wedding day with my sisters on the beach and my fun pink fish trinket box (Thanks Aunt Marca). To be continued...

I LOVE March...

March 17, 2009

St. Patrick's Day...My Birthday...First day of Spring...Everything starts to Bloom...'Spring' forward, so it stays lighter later...Warm days with cold nights...I could go on forever...

And it was Monday...

March 16, 2009

It was a good weekend...volunteered on Saturday at the Repeat Boutique and Stephanie & I had a big time out downtown Sunday afternoon! Now it is Monday...how did that happen? Back to work...the weekend went so fast...I did wash some clothes, but never ended up cleaning the house...oh well. Tonight, we went over to mom and dad's to play with Lily. They came to visit since Caleb was fishing with his dad. Lily is so active and fun! She loves to stand up.

We had some St. Patrick's/Lily's 8 months old cupcakes and Nonna thought she would love her first taste of icing...and she did!

The things I remember...

March 12, 2009

I remember dates...sometimes it is a good thing (remembering people's birthdays), but sometimes it is a bad thing. Like today...March 12th will forever be the day that Hallmark announced they were closing Hallmark.com. Bye-bye flower, plants, gourmet and gifts. Bye-bye to an amazing job that kept me learning and growing everyday (yes, at 30 I thought I would work for Hallmark until I retired). However, God had another plan for us all. I'm so happy that I still keep up with lots of my Hallmark friends. Just got off the phone with some of the girls in KC who were out at a 1 year Anniversary happy hour to reminisce about the 'good times.' I miss you guys! Oh and I also remember my 1st day at Hallmark was December 6th, I signed my contract on January 16th...you get the picture.

Helen and I at the World's Flower Market in Amsterdam

My 5th Anniversary cake

I miss my big office with shelves on the walls...

The Beautiful BBEL with the Sold Out Banner!

Happy day...

March 10, 2009

Today was such a long day and I was so exhausted at work, because I hate time changes (right now I am wide awake!). I left right at 5 pm and met Janis and Lisa at Tugs for their great happy hour specials. It was wonderful catching up and I hate that I didn't snap a picture tonight. I left Tugs and went to celebrate Mary Anna's birthday with some neighbors at Movie & a Pizza. Both places were packed, could it be the beautiful weather? Below are a few pictures from Mary Anna's 2nd birthday party on Sunday.

Gavin enjoying his ice cream...

How I wish they made big pink castles for adults!

Breaking News...

March 9, 2009

The truck started! For the past month, Ray has been waiting on parts. Finally, he got all the right pieces and he diligently cleaned and rebuilt the carburettor. He ran it for about 20 minutes. I hate that I missed this moment, but my dad called me and I could hear it loud and clear! Ray is so excited! Once Ray gets it to stop, we can go cruisin'!

Weekend...

March 8, 2009
Time really does fly...seems like just yesterday we were carving pumpkins, but it is already March...which means it is my Birthday! Thank you for all of my birthday email, texts, calls and cards. I really have had a great weekend. It all started Friday...my line review went really well, so I got the afternoon off. Friday night we went for a pre-birthday dinner at Benihana with some friends. Thanks Kembree for planning, but we are all so sorry that you and Tony didn't get to stay. Hope you are feeling better.

Saturday, Ray made me breakfast and then I did a little shopping with Molly. The weather was perfect and so I went for a long walk and before I knew it...it was time to get ready for Denny & Lori's wedding. The wedding was beautiful and the band was absolutely amazing...Mary and I danced the night away (the band was so good even Ray danced!). So happy for you two!
The Happy Couple

The other happy couple...

Denny jamming out...I'm surprised he only played one song!

After the wedding we went with Keith and Mary to the 'Racino.' We had drove around Krystals and we were eating in the parking lot...I rushed everyone because it was 11:49 and I only had 11 minutes of Birthday luck left...The boys were playing black jack, so I put some dollars in the penny poker machine next to them and hit 4-A's! The best part is that I said too bad it was a penny machine. I thought I had won a few pennies, but then we realized I had won more and we started hooting and hollering! People came running to see what was going on...you would have thought I had won thousands...it was awesome! Happy Birthday to me!
Today Mom, Dad, Emily & Lily and Molly & Logan came over for a birthday lunch. We had a blast and I loved my petite four cake! My sticker says 'Awesome Aunt!' Thanks Lil!


I just got home from Mary Anna's 2nd birthday party! I'll post pictures later in the week. Must go enjoy Daylight Savings! I love that it is 6:30 and still light outside!

Riverdance...

March 5, 2009
Last night, I went with the girls to see Legally Blond the musical. We started with dinner at BlueFin, where we had the comfy couch seats. Enjoyed some wonderful sushi and great company. Then it was off to the Orpheum. I love the Orpheum and really wish that we went more often. Anyway the show was fantastic and our seats were right on the floor. One of my favorite parts was when the entire crew broke out into Riverdance. The musical was like the movie, but had some great theatrical additions. Thank you Kembree for planning this splendid event out!
Me, Courtney, Kembree, Andrea and Lauren...the others were in the bathroom line!

Bad Television...

March 3, 2009
So, I rushed home last night after working late and a Jr League meeting to see the end of the Bachelor. I really hadn't watched it weekly, but I've had it on enough to know what was going on...however after ABC's false advertisement for the most dramatic 'After the Rose' ceremony (that turned out stupid and fake looking) and their horrible script writing for Grey's...I'm over ABC. However, Mike on the Biggest Looser just gave his years worth of groceries to a mother of 5. Now I know why I've always been an NBC fan. Or maybe I'll give up TV and spend my time 'just a swinging' with Lily...

Snow = Happiness

March 1, 2009

I woke up this morning when I heard Ray open the outside door to see how much additional snow we got overnight. We were so excited, one would think we were in elementary school and we just found out that school was canceled. We have a total of @ 6" with drifts up to 12". At 9 am, we dressed in our ski clothes and headed out to play. After about 2 hours we came in and warmed up. Logan and Molly were in Memphis, so they came over and Ray made his delicious Philly Cheese sandwiches. Then we snuggled in for a long winter nap. Been working this evening, but otherwise it was A perfect day!

Shot on Saturday night

Impressive...the newspaper delivered

Beautiful blue skies made for the perfect snow day

The snow compliments our white house

Walking to the river

The drifts were deep at times

Imagining that I had cross country skies

The kid with the good sled...most everyone had cookie sheets or Tupperware tops!

The Harbor Park pyramid