My Day Out !

I went to the beach today!



I sat myself down in this chair!



SEE! I even took a picture of myself sitting in that chair!



I sat there for a good while, just enjoying the sun, and the fact that it was January, and I was sitting on the beach! (I even got sunburned!!!) Finally, I forced myself to get up, and started walking again. I took lots and lots of pictures. Here are just a few of them!



This is one of my favorites! I like how it looks like it's getting dark outside, but it wasn't. I LOVE how the sun is shining from behind the palm tree!



After leaving the beach, I walked to Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. I took the guided tour of the house, and then wandered the grounds by myself, taking even more pictures.

Here are a few of those:



I have to say that THIS picture is probably my absolute favorite picture of the day!



It makes me laugh to see the little tongue sticking out!

The View From Our Balcony!

This can all be seen from our balcony!











We also have this really cool draw bridge right outside the hotel. The boats line up and wait for them to raise the bridge up, so that they can pass beneath it, to the other side. You will hear a bell ring, (usually every 30 minutes, if there are boats waiting) and they stop all traffic and pedestrians. Then the bridge slowly starts going up. Sometimes, there are several boats/ships waiting to cross and it takes a while before they lower the bridge again. We waited for over ten minutes to turn into our hotel because they had everything stopped.







I got to visit with my Aunt today! We haven't seen each other since I was a toddler. It was nice to "re-meet" her. We had a fun time shopping, and going to lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. I LOVE that place!

We Made It!

AHHHH!!! It feels SO good to have the WARM sun shining down on my back!

Enjoying The View!

This is what greeted me this morning when I let the dog out!



I hope to capture many more pictures like this in the next few days (minus the houses). We leave for Florida in the morning!

Did someone say Pina Colada?

Favorite Cookies!

OK! I was wanting something sweet! (When I am NOT wanting something sweet?) So, I decided to make one of our favorite kinds of cookies! They are called Oatmeal Scotchies! Several years ago, I noticed the recipe on a bag of Nestle Butterscotch Morsels. Can you say YUMMY!



If you would like to have a new addiction, here is the recipe:

Oatmeal Scotchies

1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract or grated peel of 1 orange
3 c. quick or old fashioned oats, uncooked
1 (12 oz.) pkg. (2 c.) Nestle's Toll House butterscotch flavored morsels

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon, set aside.

In large mixer bowl, beat butter, sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla extract or orange peel until creamy. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in oats and Nestle's Toll House butterscotch flavored morsels. Drop by measuring tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 7 or 8 minutes for chewier cookies; 9-10 minutes for crisper cookies. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

My Pretty Pretty Tori Belle!

I decided (about five minutes ago) that my photograph for today would be of my beautiful kitty, Tori Belle. I never get tired of taking her picture. She is a bit of a DIVA though! And she can throw some serious attitude in your direction, not to mention the evil "stink eye" she gives you, when she doesn't approve of what you are doing. But with a face like this, you can't resist snuggling on her! Even when she totally WHINES about it!



She looks a little annoyed doesn't she? LOL As I was taking her picture, Dink (Brat Girl's cat) walked into the room, and she was NOT pleased that she had to share the same air with one of the "commoners!" HEY! I told you she is a DIVA! I should have named her "Queenie" or something! (Brat Girl calls her "Satan." Now, you can understand why she walks around with a chip on her shoulder!) LOL

I keep trying to catch her when she is laying on her back, with her belly up for God and everyone to see. But, she knows when I am coming with the camera and rolls over really fast! She is such a TEASE! She knows that I CANNOT resist rubbing that soft, fat, fluffy belly!

It has become my life's mission to capture the perfect picture of that tummy!

Tomorrow is supposed to be in the mid 50's here. Hopefully, I will be able to go outside and take some pictures.

It's WHAT time?

This is what time I get up in the morning to take my son to work! GRUMBLE! GRUMBLE! GROAN! GROAN!



I went to a Premier Designs Jewelry party tonight. There was a lot of cute stuff there, and it was neat to see how they interchanged different pieces. I would have never thought to keep layering a bunch of different necklaces together. My mind just doesn't work that way. LOL! I think along the lines of, buy the pretty necklace, now you gotta have the matching bracelet, and then of course there are the earrings too! Everything has to be all "matchy matchy" in my head!

I really don't wear jewelry, but you "have" to buy something when you go to these kinds of things. Don't you? So, I bought the Tutti Frutti necklace and the MATCHING earrings! Imagine that! LOL Now, they can join the other jewelry that I NEVER wear, in my jewelry box.

Photograph Of The Day!

I know that there are a lot of people already doing this kind of thing, but Brat Girl and I have decided to "try" and take a photo every day to post on our blogs.

It doesn't have to be anything special. Some days will be totally on a whim. Other days, something specific may be sought out.

It is "MY" hope, that this will help us pay more attention to the little things in life. Things that make us who we are. Things that make us smile. Things that make us cry. Things that surround us on a daily basis, but we tend to rush past or take for granted.

After all, don't they say the details are in the little things? (Or something along those lines?)

Here is my photo for today!



For those of you who know me! You know just how well this picture reflects part of ME! I am one of those people that the comedians make fun of. They joke about the women who have chapstick in their purse, coat pocket, and on the night stand next to the bed. That is SO ME! I have to have Carmex on at ALL times. And it can ONLY be Carmex. I do not like the waxy chapsticks.

Now, don't be too surprised if you find a similar picture on Brat Girl's blog one day, because she is JUST LIKE ME, when it comes to Carmex. I think the two of us keep the company in business. Maybe, it's a cult? YEAH that's it! The "Carmex Cult" Are you a part of it too? We should create a secret handshake or something! Don't you think? I KNOW! Everyone in the "Carmex Cult" wear only red and yellow on Monday! OK?

I'll be looking for you!

Why It's Great To Be Me!

I was tagged by Kari, over at Just Livin' Large, to participate in the Why It's Great To Be Me MeMe.

The following are a few of the reasons why I think it's great to be me:

1. I have a wonderful husband! We have been married for 22 years, and we still enjoy doing things together. Whether it's watching a movie, going out to eat, playing Scrabble, or wandering around at the local flea market, our weekends are pretty much spent hanging out together. (Unless he is working on the dungeon!) He is my biggest fan & supporter. He is the first person to say "GO FOR IT!" whenever I decide I want to do something. He has more faith in my abilities than I do! He also spoils me ROTTEN! (I probably shouldn't be putting that in writing, or admitting it on the internet, because if you ever ask me if I'm spoiled in front of him, I will deny it!)

2. I have two great kids, that are quickly turning into amazing, interesting, fun adults! They each have their own strengths and qualities that make them unique. It's still hard to believe that my babies, have grown up, and pretty much lead their own lives, even though they are still under our roof. They also believe in my abilities more than I do! LOL It's so nice to have your own personal cheerleaders!

3. I can honestly say that my mother is one of my best friends! I love the relationship we have. We talk all of the time. She is a rock in my life!

4. I have a the best Mother-In-Law that anyone could hope for! I am so glad that we enjoy each other. I hear many people talk about strained relationships with their Mother/Father-In-Laws, and I am so lucky not to have that problem in my life.

5. I have a home that I truly love! There is nothing that compares to having your own little piece of the world. A place that reflects who you really are. You are not bound by all of the restrictions of renting. You are allowed to share your personality through your choice of design and decor. It is my sanctuary!

6. I was born with a creative soul! I cannot imagine my life without creativity being in it. I have always wanted to be an artist. I have tried many different art forms, and hope to continue learning many more. It's such a rewarding feeling, knowing that you created something with your own hands.

7. I get to travel with my husband on some of his business trips! It is AWESOME! My husband travels frequently, and builds up so many miles flying, that he earns free airline tickets. He also builds up enough points for free hotel stays. Every so often he will say that he is going to so & so place, and asks me if would I like to join him? I have enjoyed Albuquerque, Boston, Las Vegas, Washington D.C., and Phoenix. Next week, I get to go to Fort Lauderdale with him! YAY! Warm weather!

I could probably continue on and on with my list, but like I told Kari, it hurts my brain to think so much! LOL

I will not tag anyone with this MeMe, but if you feel like you would like to participate, please let me know so that I can come to your blog and read all the reasons why it's great to be YOU!

Things That I Learned Last Night!

Last night, while Mr. Mister and I were driving down the road, we suddenly heard "THUMP" "THUMP" "THUMP...THUMP...THUMP...THUMP!" As the noise steadily grew louder, I asked "What in the world is that noise? Do we have a flat tire?"

UMMMMMM! YEP! We did!

GREAT! FANTASTIC! And a bunch of other wonderfully descriptive words came to the tip of my tongue! I was NOT thrilled! We had just replaced both of my front tires on Saturday because my tire split open.

We drove a little further so that we could turn off of the main road, because we definitely didn't want to be stuck there, trying to change a flat tire, and end up getting hit by someone who was speeding, as they looked in the mirror to see if they had food stuck in their teeth, while changing the radio station, and talking on their cell phone!

We parked on a side road. A VERY dark side road! A street lamp would have been NICE, but NOOOOOOOOOOOO!
We got out of the truck, in the 29 degree weather, and Mr. Mister began gathering all of the tools that came with the truck to change the tire. As he was grabbing everything, he mentioned the fact that we didn't have a flash light with us. RUT RO SHAGGY! "How in the world are you going to change a flat tire in the dark?" I asked, while beginning to do my jump around to try and stay warm dance.

Never fear! He had his trusty LIGHTER with him! He crawled under the truck and started flicking his lighter to help him see the hole that the iron thing-a-ma-jiggy was supposed to fit into. Finding that hole meant that we would be able to get the spare tire out from underneath the truck. FLICK! FLICK! FLICK! (At that point, I felt like we should have been at some really great concert, swaying back and forth with the crowd, as we yelled out "WE LOVE YOU! YOU TOTALLY ROCK!") I then heard Mr. Mister say that he couldn't find the hole to insert the iron thing-a-ma-jiggy into. Frustrated, he crawled back out from under the truck, and lit a cigarette!

He pulled out the instruction manuals for the truck, and I pulled out my cell phone to call our son. Thank goodness he actually answered his phone, because 90% of the time he doesn't. I asked him if he and his friend were out running around? He said "yes." "Well, can you PLEASE come find us on this cold, no street light around, dark, unknown named, side road, and shine some light on the truck so that we can see what we are doing?" "Sure" he said, "but it's going to take a while because we are all the way across town" OK! GREAT! Help was on the way!

Twenty minutes passed and we were still trying to figure out how to get the tire out from underneath the truck. They even had pictures in the manual! We looked at them and tried to do exactly what was shown, but it just wasn't working. So we looked at the pictures again (and AGAIN!) I guess we thought that if we kept looking at them, that something (ANYTHING) would magically appear, and help us in our plight!

Finally, Mr. Mister decided that the pictures were wrong, and put the iron thing-a-ma-jiggy into the hole at a different angle (not straight like the picture had shown) and TA DA, it worked!

He began to twirl, and twirl, and TWIRL the bar around, so that it would release the tire. As Mr. Mister was dragging the tire from underneath the truck, we saw a car come around the corner. The calvary had arrived! They pulled their car around to face ours, so that the headlights were shining on the front tire.

Next, came the challenge of figuring out where the jack needed to be placed under the truck. A few minutes passed, and I was still doing my "stay warm" dance. (Did I mention that it was only 29 degrees outside, AND that I only had a sweat jacket on? WELL! How the heck was I supposed to know that I would be standing out in the cold for forty-five minutes?) My son was a sweetie, and gave me his jacket. He swore up and down that he wasn't cold, but I saw the goosebumps on arms. I kept trying to give it back, but he wouldn't take it.

They figured out the right spot for the jack, and began the whole TWIRLING process again. Slowly, the truck raised up off the ground so that they could pull the flat tire off and replace it with the spare. Everything was tightened back up, and then they had the fun of twirling BACKWARDS to lower the truck back down. The spare was thrown in the back of the truck, and we all jumped back into our cars.

The heat was blowing on high, as we headed toward our favorite Mexican restaurant for some much needed nourishment.

I know, I KNOW, you wish that you could have such fun and exciting evenings too! It's not easy to maintain this kind of exhilarating lifestyle, but we try really hard.

So, what things did I learn last night?

1. ALWAYS have a flashlight in your car!
2. Dark side streets are not conducive to changing flat tires!
3. The picture in the car manual is not always RIGHT!
4. The jack that comes with your car, is a piece of CRAP! (But it will help build up your arm muscles!)
5. Buy a new jack for your car! (Who needs arm muscles anyway?)
6. The "try and stay warm" dance DOESN'T work!
7. Wear a heavier jacket in the middle of winter!

P.S. This is for Kari!



Take that! LOL!

P.S.S.

This totally made me laugh today!

Hair Appointments

Yesterday morning I had a hair appointment to get rid of my skunk stripe! (No haircut though, because I am "trying" to let it grow! UGH!)

I love when I can get my hair done up all "purty" by someone else. Especially, when I know I will NEVER be able to style it the same way again, even though my stylist tries to convince me that it's so EASY to do! WHATEVER!

I walked out of the Salon looking SMASHING! I was moussed, waxed, and hair sprayed twice (because she didn't like how the first hair spray held!) My hair wasn't going blow out of place, even if we had a tornado!

I came home, gave Mr. Mister a hug, telling him to watch out because my hair was lethal, and he could possibly be maimed for life! He twirled me around a few times, said that it looked "SEXY!" Then he tried patting my beautiful locks, and was quickly pricked on his finger, as a reward for his appreciation!

He began referring to me as "Needle Head." Isn't he a such sweetie! I love when gives me pet names!

Well, I proceeded to tell Mr. Mister that we needed to go somewhere, because I spent way too much money getting my hair done, and buying little itty bitty bottles of shampoo and conditioner, that are supposedly the "good" stuff.

So, we were driving to Macaroni Grill (please ignore my previous post about dieting, and not eating out so much!) and I kept feeling my hair because it was so BIG! I would push my hair back against the seat and it would feel like I was laying down on a pillow as it squashed against my head. I would move forward and it would spring right back into place! I did the several times throughout the day because it was just so darn funny!

The night progressed along and I went to bed. This morning I woke up and I looked like this!



Yep! That was me! I was BEAUTIFUL!

Mr. Mister and I laughed. A LOT! Although, I think he laughed way more than I did! What's up with that? I thought he said my hair was SEXY!

I hopped in the shower to try and wash all of the bondo out of my hair. Imagine my surprise when I found out my hair was also water resistant! I didn't realize that my hair stylist was THAT talented! I swear it took five minutes for the water to even reach my scalp! I washed it twice with my new MOMO shampoo!



And then used my MOMO conditioner!



Now, my hair is no longer a deadly weapon! That is what using the "good" stuff can do for you! It's worth every penny!

P.S. I think that Mr. Mister and I should dress up as Heat Miser & Cold Miser for Halloween this year! What do you think? LOL

The New Year!

Happy "Belated" New Year!

I hope that everyone brought in 2008 exactly the way you wanted to!

Mr. Mister and I had originally thought we would be in Washington D.C. for New Year's Eve, but those plans fell through. So, we didn't really do anything special. I was actually asleep when the ball dropped!

We spent the 1st curled up on the couch in the den, watching movies on the big screen and eating popcorn! It was nice and quiet! I really prefer it that way!

On the 2nd, I started Weight Watchers again. I waited until Wednesday, because I like weighing in during the middle of the week. It gives me time to work off being "BAD" over the weekend! LOL I try to save up all of my flex points for the weekends because Mr. Mister and I usually end up going out to eat somewhere.

I have a few things I want to try and work on in this new year! I don't want to call them "resolutions" because we all know what happens when you make those! So, my list is as follows:

1. Become more organized! (I REALLY need to accomplish this one! I cannot tell you how many times I have signed up for Flylady over the last few years!)
2. Start making menus again! (I hate being asked - What's for dinner?)
3. Pay off bills! (Doesn't everyone want to do this? LOL)
4. Stop eating out so much! (We spend way too much money eating out!)
5. Create MORE! (I miss creating things! Maybe, Sunday will be my day to play?)
6. Diet/Exercise! (UGH! The thought makes me nauseous! LOL But at least I have already started on this one.)

Well, that's pretty much it in a nutshell! Maybe, having all of it written down, will help keep me working in the right direction.