Here it goes...

I think I'm about to touch on a touchy subject and that's okay, its my blog, HA!
I don't know if this will create a debate or if those who read this will stay in hiding...much like I normally would.
I don't like to talk politics or get into the great red/blue debate. Why? well b/c I don't feel I have enough knowledge on the situation and therefore its best I keep my mouth shut. That and the fact that I have VERY strong opinioned people that I love dearly on the far left and far right....so I try to remain mutual by remaining mute on the subject ;)

However, to gain knowledge on a subject is to ask questions...so here is the question I would like to pose (and I understand if I get no comments ;-) ):

What do you think about this stimulus bill?


Here is my take on part of it...as I haven't done my research and don't know all the details. However, it appears to me that we're giving money to lazy people. Sure it "might" help the economy now (again might) but even then...what about the future? and next couple of generations? I consider myself young (25) and I know that MY generation is LAZY...we are. It's sad...but true. We have no concept of what actual work is. Oh...some of us do, but the majority do not. I call us the "now" generation...b/c we expect things "now" not later, not when we actually saved up the money for a desired item, not after we have put sweat into the dollar bills we hand over for the item, but NOW...we'll pull out that plastic or go to our parents b/c that's what gets us the quickest results. Now we're going to our government...and asking for money. We can't pay our mortgages because "well the bank APPROVED me for that much!!!" and we can't pay our credit card debts because "well the bank gave me that much credit!!" and therefore....we spent it and now we don't want to work for it. I really feel like this stimulus bill is only breeding more lazy people....you know, I saw where an article was actually written about SC Governor. He was against the stimulus, as we all know, and the article attacked his opinions and views by saying "well if you don't want the money, don't take it". You know...in all honesty, take my money...I don't want it....I didn't work for it, I didn't EARN that money. Sure I pay my taxes...to keep my country safe, the roads functioning properly, and for teachers to educate....not for the government to hand a portion back to me and bail other lazy people out of their debts. Yes our economy is in the dump....but until Americans stop being so lazy and taking the handouts we're given...it will remain in the dumps, as far as I can see. Some of the stimulus looks to be going to projects that will support state jobs...and that I can see being a positive...then again, like I said before, I'm not that knowledgeable on the subject as a whole. I just don't understand how we're going to bail people out of their homes going into foreclosure and give out MORE food stamps and welfare.....HELLO look at the people who are on welfare....need I say more? Sure, there are times when some of us make mistakes and really need a hand up and for that I can see why welfare is in place...but really, what do we learn from taking handouts? Nothing....nothing more than "oh, hey...if I screw up the government will bail me out...so lets PARRRRTAAAYYYYY!"

I'm sorry but I'm very sad for our Country, but I know I can't worry about it...because this is all part of Gods plan :-) Won't it be great when all of our struggles, worries and fears are put aside and God shows us what he is really all about?!

Remember to pray for our Country regardless of your beliefs!! We are blessed!!

Tuesdays Thoughts

I've been meaning to post a picture of the Valentine cupcakes I made for Sevy but have not gotten the chance. Hopefully I'll find the time to snap a photo before they are all gone!! I tried to take a picture of them on Saturday, but the lighting was no good and we were rushing to leave for our weekend get-away, so I'll try again tonight. I think they turned out nicely. I'm looking for a bigger icing tip to make the icing taller and fluffier!

So more and more of Sevs buddies are getting called back in for Active Duty :-( Two more are deploying in March. I will admit, we're now a bit concerned. The last two guys that were called up were not notified before they received their orders in the mail. With no warning they were not able to go reserve and therefore are now being forced to deploy. Sev nor I can decide if he should go ahead and join the reserves or wait and pray he doesn't get called back up. I'm not sure either of us could handle another deployment!! Calling the IRR back up is all part of the plan to "beef up" the troops in Afghanistan. I told Sev it is his choice, I do not want to talk him into one way or the other and then have him upset with me...as of right now, he's decided to keep waiting with fingers crossed. We have noticed that most of the guys that are getting called back up are guys that have only deployed once and that have been out for over 2 years. Sev has deployed twice and been out only 1 year, so we're really praying the government thinks Sev has served his time and will not call him back up. Sev just wants to finish his degree and move away from the city...if he gets called back up it will only prolong our plans and dreams :-( I know everything happens for a reason, God will not give us a load we cant carry and I have complete Faith in him. Please keep the men that are being called back up in your prayers.

On another note...Sev and I will be in Inman this coming weekend :-) My brother and hopefully my cousin are moving and we're going to help!! I'm hoping to see Mer and her little baby bump too!!
The following weekend I'm very excited to go to a local farmers market here in Columbia. I just found out about it! They carry fresh produce, flowers, crafts and HONEY!! I've been searching high and low for some local honey (local to cola) to eat and hopefully help me with my allergies! I'm also excited to get some local, fresh veggies AND help out a local farmer :-)

And I'll leave you with this cool little gadget I found:
Kleen Seams!!
http://www.rangekleen.com/catalog1.php (scroll down the page until you see the kleen seams)
now THATS what I'm talking about!! I HATE trying to keep food from going between the cracks beside the stove and counters!! I havent ordered any, but if I do I'll let you all know how they work.

Its over :(

the weekend, that is.

I hate to see such a lovely weekend come to a close. Sev and I had the best time! It started Friday night, we went to wild wings (I wanted wings!!) located in the village at sandhills. After dinner we walked around the shops and Sev ended up taking me to pick out another charm for my Pandora Bracelet (it's sooo pretty :-) ). Then I took him into the Sunglass store to finally let him get the pair of Oakley's he has been wanting/needing. Then we stopped in at Marble Slab Creamery and enjoyed some ice cream!! We headed home and Sev had tulips and tickets to the circus on the kitchen table waiting for me :-) He didn't really care to go to the circus, I've never been and said I thought it would be cool, so he got tickets for us to go even though he wasn't really into the idea.
Saturday we woke up and I cooked breakfast, I took pics but will upload them later. I shaped his bacon, eggs and toast into heart shapes :) Corny but Cute!!!
Then we both packed an over night bag, grabbed Ali, loaded up the truck and headed out on the road with no real destination in mind. Sevs plan was to never hit the interstate. We ended up on the blue ridge parkway :) Not a interstate one!! We found a place to stay in Asheville and then went to see my brother for a few short minutes (he now works in Asheville). Then we headed out to find a place to eat. We had the BEST dinner at a little Greek place, province 620, off of Hwy. 25. The next morning we enjoyed breakfast together and set out to explore around Asheville and the Biltmore area. We then hopped back on the Blue Ridge Parkway and made our way over into Pisgah. We took the coolest little gravel roads and had the best time, hiking and playing in the creeks and letting Ali run wild. We ended up in Brevard where we stopped and ate BBQ. Then we ventured into a little outdoor store and I finally got a new BPA free water bottle, lol. We then headed on back down the road to Columbia. We really had the best time and I can't WAIT to go again. I hope everyone else had a Happy Valentines weekend!!

Its not just me!!!!!

http://www.kansas.com/news/story/697253.html




Thats right, I'm not the only one that can't spell!!! HA!!

It's almost that time...

for Hallmarks favorite holiday!!

I will admit...I like it too :)
It was 4 years ago on Saturday that Sevy returned from Iraq and we started our life as a "normal" married couple. So Valentines holds a special place in my heart!
I'm not exactly sure what SEVs plans are for Valentines...but I bet it'll be sweet, he usually is :)

I have been doing very well with my resolutions. I've been working diligently at my finance book...and although my dear father insists I've just created a more complex, paper version of Microsoft money and I could save alot of time by just using that product...I won't. I like my hand written notebook! We're trying to save, and by writing everything down, that we spend money on...it holds us accountable to our spending!!
I've also made our lunch every single day for the past...two...no three weeks!! I know thats saving us money and for me personally CALORIES!! YES two birds!!

So I have some bit of exciting news...for myself anyways....I have been contacted and asked to make a.......

Wedding Cupcake Cake!!!!!!!!

That's right! ME! I'm so excited. The couple are total strangers, so its taken me some time to find out what someone else likes and dislikes, but I think I've gotten a good grasp on what they want and I'll be making the finished product this spring :-)
Can I just say that I have searched high and low, far and wide, over and under, and forevvvveeerrrrrr for BLACK cupcake liners!!! MAN it was giving me a headache!!! I finally found some today in VA and they will be shipped here next week! SCORE!
I plan to take pics along the way :-) So I'll share my first wedding cupcake cake adventure along the way. The hardest part, I think, will be actually hand making the base that the cupcakes will sit on. Man those wood shop classes at winthrop and my OCD dad sure do come in hand at the most random times :-)

I purchased mascara the other day and quickly glanced at the back of the packaging as I tore into it and retrieved my tube. I got a chuckle out of the warnings and thought I would share (this is word for word what the packaging says):

"never apply this product in a moving vehicle. Do not attempt to dilute mascara with saliva...."

wow...LOL.

I'm headed to a friends house after work to make Valentine Cupcakes for my cutie :-) I'll take pics!!

Happy Thursday.

Pecan Ice

Thats right, you read correctly...I will now give you the recipe for a new little ditty we call "Pecan Ice":


Items needed:
1 Ice machine maker
1 1/2 bag of shelled pecans (hand shelled by 1 loving father).

1 Husband that insists on helping put away the groceries.

First allow said husband to put the frozen groceries into the freezer, DO NOT help or supervise!! At this point I am not exactly sure where the instructions go, I will assume that said husband does not close the ziplock bag full of pecans then stuffs them into the ice box because he ran out of room in any other part of the freezer (again an assumption).

Second, have a house full of guests over for dinner.

Thirdly, allow guests to have free access to the ice and water dispenser.

Fourthly, listen to the "uhmmm...what tha..." as your ice dispenser distributes nicely frozen pecan ice into your guests glass!!

WAnna take a wild guess at who the creator of this new recipe is???

Man do I love him!!! It was a good laugh :) Although, we have yet to get all of the pecans out of the ice box.

We were soooo lazy this weekend...it was GREAT!!! I stayed in my pjs ALL day Saturday!!! Got a little house cleaning done and gazed out at the amazing weather but never stepped foot outside...I LOVE lazy days!!!

awww Man!

I ran to walmart today on my lunch break. I had to grab sevy some school supplies :-)
I also grabbed a box of our current favorite cereal, kashi GoLean Crunch Honey,Almond and Flax seed. I took my items to the cashier and she goes to ring my cereal up and says "oh I'm sorry, I can't let you buy this!" me: "excuse me?" cashier: "yeah, they have a recall on it, we're pulling them from the shelves now! That and a cranberry granola Kashi bar!" Me: "what, really whats wrong w/ them?" Cashier: "don't know...just got the letter to pull em' "
Just great, not only do I love that cereal...I've gotten into this little habit of pouring it in my morning yogurt for breakfast....but NOW its been recalled and who knows when or if they will bring it back!! :-( NOT to mention, I JUST polished off the rest of our last box this morning! YIKES!!!
It's crazy the way we are now having to worry about the foods we eat! I guess we're going to have to go back to when everybody raises their own meats and grows their own veggies!! Whats next the recall of peanut butter?? oh wait.....

Really??

Severyn came home last night with some very interesting...disturbing news.

His buddy that deployed with him on his first deployment had given him a call. This guy got out of the Army not long after they returned from their deployment, actually he got out right after Sev deployed for his second tour. It seems he has been called back to Active Duty and was given notice that his orders were in the process of being drawn up for deployment. Technically, this is all very possible and unfortunately something the Army is allowed to do. You see....when you sign your enlistment papers, you are signing up for 8 years of service. Now you may only be signing for 4 years of Active duty...but once those 4 years are up, you are put into a category known as IRR (Inactive Ready Reserve). So you will have served 4 years Active duty and then be known as IRR for another 4. During this time you are a civilian and you have no contact w/ the Army as far as training, drills or deployments are concerned. You are just eligible to be called back up if the President deems necessary...ie. if they don't have enough soldiers to deploy. B (Sevs buddy) has 14 months left as IRR. The moment he got notice of his up coming orders he sought advice from a recruiter. He determined that if he joined the reserves and changed his MOS (job) from Infantry to Construction Supervisor...he would be non deployable. HOWEVER he had to do so asap in order to join the reserves before his new Active Duty orders were drawn up. Luckily, he was able to join the reserves in time and will not be deploying or have to serve Active Duty. Funny enough...because he only had 14months left in the IRR, they will not make him go back for any type of training. He just has to serve those 14 months as a Army Reserve Construction Supervisor...and get this, he WAS Infantry, his civilian job is Accountant....he knows NOTHING about construction, but the Army made him a supervisor. Am I the only one that finds humor in this??? Well, I do and so does B and all of his buddies.
Then he goes on to say that another one of their buddies....deployed w/ sev on his first deployment and got out after....was also called back up for Active Duty. Unfortunately he did not know about the signing up for the reserves in time...and has been called to Active Duty and reports to GA in March, from there he will deploy. Soooo what about us pulling out, what was that all about Obama?? Come to find out Obama is calling back the IRR to "beef up" the military BEFORE pulling out?? riiiggghhhhht. I won't hold my breath.
And what about Sev?? Well, we arent sure what the future holds for him. We have yet to receive any orders in the mail. We have all of our fingers crossed and I think I've sent up a few dozen prayers that he doesn't get called back up. There a few reasons we believe he may not be...but when he called around he found out that Yes he actually was still able to be called back to Active Duty but he has a case that he can fight against being deployed...so we're grasping for hope here. IF he gets called back we've decided he will go into the Reserves....yeah he might have to train one weekend a month and two weeks out of the year...but thats a heck of a lot better than moving us across country to be Active Duty once more!! Huh...I wonder what MOS he may have to have....doctor sev?? HAHAHAHAHA.

Keep us in your prayers :-) As with everything Army, expect the unexpected and wait ;-)

Whyyyyy **edited***

Can't I spell???



I've struggled w/ spelling...well, all of my life. I made great grades in college (graduated w/ honors!!). Yet, I can't spell to save my life. I can't decide if I can blame my teachers or blame myself :(

Mom pointed out some of my ...lets call it "creative" ways of spelling in a few of my past posts and it was rather frustrating. I come up w/ my own way of spelling!! The weird thing is...sometimes I will spell a word correctly and in the next sentence I'll butcher it!! I sure wish I knew how our brains worked!!



Actually, brains are pretty amazing things. They are even more powerful than we can imagine....**enter tune to pinky and the brain**. I've decided there are two kinds of people (maybe the same as right brain left brain). However, I look at it as...those that have all the common sense in the world and those that have all the book smarts in the world. If you are 50/50 in both of those categories, then you're average! I would like to think that I have some of both sides...but I have to face the facts....I have way more common sense than I do book smarts. **sigh**. Sev and I were talking about this the other evening and I said "you know, if you asked me ONE thing about what I learned in college about Economics...I couldn't tell you...yet I made straight A's in those courses." I was able to retain the information I needed to pass the tests and ace the course....but that was it!! My brain was not capable of retaining the information any further than the length of the course. Yet I studied my tail off in order to pass the classes...why? because my common sense side said "hey! dingy! You're going to want a degree...you're pretty high maintenance and will require alot of money one day...and money means good job and good job means DEGREE!!" So I studied and stayed the course. Common Sense.

It's also amazing how are brains work over all. How our memory works. The lengths our brain goes in order to remember something, or do something, or even protect us. You know the saying "if you set your mind to it"...it's eerie how true that is. If you reallllllllllllllly realllllllllllllly want something it's 100% possible to obtain, if you use your brain. I think most humans don't even use 20% of our actual brain capabilities. So how do we? I think if I could (and here again I'm not all that "book smart side brain") I would find it interesting to study the brain....what makes it tick and how it actually works. Isn't God amazing?! I have complete faith that he knew exactly what he was doing when he "hard wired" each and every one of our brains....no engineer, architect, artist, doctor, professor, psychologist or man with any amount of high IQ....could replicate the brain. So how could anyone believe in anything other than God...a higher power! It makes you think doesn't it!

okay........I'm done "thinking" for the day.

oh and in conclusion to where I was originally headed w/ this post....I don't know WHY I can't spell!!! Luckily, I have surrounded myself with people that understand and love me :-) and can say "Hey!! Dingy...you spelled that wrong!!" LoL.

Another week almost gone

It's thursday...yipee!! One day away from the weekend!!
Sev is set on going to Inman this weekend. Since Christmas he has begged to go hang out w/ my dad so that they could drive their "little" cars...or better known as remote control TOYS!! Big kids.
So he has his heart set on going up this weekend...and I have a feeling he'll win, since I won last weekend and we got to stay HOME!! I'm such a home body! I like my own bed, my own things and doing things on my own time. Sev HAS to be entertained...Big kid.

So I bet you thought I had forgotten alllll about my resolution post. Nope!! I've just been working on it silently and have just now gotten the chance to share.
First, I am packing our lunches 3-4 days out of the week. This is good b/c it's saving us money. We were buying our lunches and 5-10dollars a day for lunch x's two adds up!! So part of my nightly ritual is to make our lunches. I've been pretty good at it too! On the rare occasion we're out of bread and have no other form of homemade lunch to take, we get to spend 5 dollars or less on lunch...but that hasn't happened in a while and now we actually look at that as a treat when it happens!! Not to mention I'm sure homemade lunches are better on the waist line too ;)

Second, I gave up soft drinks two years ago for New Years and for that entire year I didn't so much as look at a soft drink!! On New Years night 2008 I treated myself to a glass of ginger ale. My prize for making it a year. To my surprise it actually burnt my tongue and wasn't as tasty as I remembered. So I made another resolution to continue on the sans soft drink. Well, now this new years I decided that while I don't drink anything but water, juice or fat free milk....I still don't get enough water. So I've been taking a tupperware water bottle (thanks mom) to work w/ me and I've made sure I drink 2 of them while at work :) I swear water can cure some things!! It's amazing stuff.

Thirdly, I've put together two different notebooks and have done a pretty good job of keeping up w/ them. They are my biggest resolution for 2009. I plan to take pics and post them...eventually (HEY, working on procrastination was NOT a resolution, HA). My first notebook is my Finance notebook.....lol, and to think I HATED finance in college, Yuck. Now I actually carry a "finance" book w/ me at all times. In it I have created spreadsheets. I've put in dividers and created different sections and I'm working on graphs, I've got folders and sleeve protectors and I've managed to create one book to house all of my financial information. I'm keeping every single reciept that we get for any...ANY thing that we purchase. I have a different pocket divider for each month and in it goes the reciepts! I have the reciepts colored for "credit" and "purchase". With the reciepts comes a spreadsheet which lists when, what and where we spent money on. Behind this spreadsheet is another spreadsheet breaking down our purchases in three different catagories...Food, Gas, and spending money. All of this is broken down into months. At the front of the notebook is a spreadsheet...lol, man I love excel....and it lists every bill that we owe every month for 2009. On that spreadsheet I write in each month what the bill amount was. This makes paying bills easier and kinda fun (I get it from my diddy). I can actually see when every bill for that month has been paid in one glance. I can also see over the months which bills have gone up, gone down, stayed the same...etc. etc. Kind of cool. At the back of my book is a folder for coupons :-) ****oh no she didn't**** yes...I'm going to clip coupons!!! It's not that I'm against it...or that I've never used a coupon...duh' I like saving money. It's just...I have a hard time using coupons...b/c if I actually sit down and go through the coupon section, well, I end up w/ coupons for things I don't even need...DUH...its the point of the marketing of coupons (ta da I did learnt somethin' in skool). When I need something...I usually need it fairly quickly and don't take the time to look for a coupon for it. Well...that's going to change...darn it...I'm determined!! MY personal, ultimate, BIG goal for 2009 is to pay off my car!!!!!! Hopefully, if I can get a better handle on my finances...I WILL succeed!!
My second notebook is a more personal notebook....and actually one I've had for awhile, but got slack on using it. It's broken down into three different sections. Body, Mind and Soul. I keep recipes and healthy tips I've gathered in the Body section. I keep a journal and just little tid bits of things I collect that make me happy in the mind section and I keep scriptures and devotions and prayers in the Soul section. I call it my balance book :-)

Fourthly, Sev and I both have started couples devotions. At first we were going to do the same one. My sweet momma got us the Love Dare (we loved the movie). Then I realized it was a devotion/ journal and it was just too hard for the both of us to use it and then journal in it. So I'm currently doing that and I got sevy anther couples devotion. We'll switch when we're finshed w/ the current ones :-) So far so good!

Lastly, I've started to write down one chore on my daily to-do list that HAS to be done before we go to sleep at night. Man has this proved to be helpful!!!!! I'm my grandmas grandchild...to a T!!!! I will scrub my baseboards w/ a toothbrush and my cabinets will sparkle...but the part you actually SEE...looks horrible!! It looks like I never clean...b/c when I do clean, I'm wearing myself out on getting the down and dirty scrubbing done and skip the entire "surface" cleaning that should happen daily. So I scrubbed our bathroom last weekend and I'm very proud to say that it is STILL clean!! I keep the clutter down by putting everything away after I use it...ie. my hair dryer and make-up. I have a wash clothe that stays slung over the shower rod and I use that nightly to wipe down the surface of the cabinets. It takes maybe 2min and it's kept our bathroom sparkly :-) Last nights chore was to put all laundry away...now you can see my dining table!! If I can keep this up I'll be ONE HAPPY LADY!!! I've decided to save my down and dirty scrubbing for weekends...that way I can still feel like I did a good job and keep it looking that way during the week. Now if I can just keep Sev home on weekends more often than not...and we'll be doing even better.

Ali got groomed last saturday...he is a handsome little man!!! I'll try and post pics of his new do' soon...and no he doesn't sport the mohawk this time :-) He is currently stylin' the "teddy bear" look...soooo cute. Although....he has gotten into this REALLY weird habit of licking the carpets!! It's nasty, or so I think. He just goes to town licking the carpet and we can't figure out why. It's not in one spot...like we've spilt anything there....nope its just whenever he goes to lay down he starts licking in that spot. I'm afraid it could actually hurt him, so we're keeping a close eye on him and hopefully he'll stop soon! Oh my gosh...and I told my cousin...but forgot to mention it here. There is ANOTHER brussels in the neighborhood!!!!!!!!!! That's right another Ali that lives like 10 houses down!! How cool!! I think I scared the lady to death when I passed her on my way out to work one morning. She was walking verdale (she named him after the dog on as good as it gets) and I passed and thought "oh my gosh she has ALI!!! How did he get out???" I spun around and flew back to her...thats when I probably scared her, lol....and realized..."thats not Ali...that another BRUSSELS!!" So I hung out the window and the first thing I said was not "Hi, neighbor I'm lindsey"...nope it was "Oh my gosh is that a brussles".......probably the second time I scared her, lol. She and I talked for a few minutes and by golly he was...and he was just a cutie. Hopefully Ali and Verdale will meet soon and I can take pics. Of course he won't be as special as his cousin brussels in Raliegh...but still....another one in the neighborhood...how random and cool!!

Okay...I must work now :-) Happy thursday.

Its snowwinggggg!!

It was so cool waking up this morning to WHITE falling from the sky :)
Sev is a little weather bug and I do believe he stayed up alllll night waiting for some snow. He woke us up a little after 4am to open the blinds and there was nothing happening...I really felt bad for him b/c he was so excited (imagine a kid on Christmas morning) and it looked like his little balloon had just been popped when he saw it had not snowed as the weather man had promised. Then about an hour later...what do you know....SNOW!! yipeeeee.

So....its snowing.....and when did I become to old for snow days???? Ugh....another real world annoyance :( Oh well. I have a window my office so I'll be content watching it pile up!!!

COME ON SNOW!!!


So last night was a bit hard. I met Rens new mom and even though I said I wouldnt...I cried a little bit. She was awesome though and promised over and over to send pictures and email me often. She brought her camera and had a million pictures of her other dog and family animals....I could tell she would make a great mom for Ren. Ren was SUCH a good boy too. He just sat there so calm and looked at me while I spoke to her and then I told him to shake and he gave me his paw and laid his head on my wrist :-( I think he knew what was happening. He then walked over, doing the butt wiggle, and licked on Tabitha....so at least I know he's okay.

Man what I wouldnt give to be on a ski slope right now.......guess I better get to work instead!! Happy Tuesday!!!!

S-N-O-W ... thats a four letter word in these here parts!!!

but they keep saying it...and by-golly I hope it happens!!!

So I'm a bit heartbroken today :( At 7:30 this evening I will be meeting with Ren's new mommy. I've struggled w/ this decision for awhile now...and finally decided it was best for him.
I've gone through, weeded out and called vet references for several individuals interested in sweet Renny...and finally found the girl I think will give him the best home. Shes a Clemson student in her senior year...and I can't hold the Clemson against her...shes studying to become a vet. She already has a large dog and understands the patience and problems a big dog can cause! She knows all about the shedding and drooling, the excercise required and wet nose in the ear annoyance, the crazy amount of food a large dog can devour and the.. uhm .."piles" that eventually come from the food they digested! Ren will no longer be confined to a crate for 8 hours a day. He will have a larger play mate to rough house with and his very own bedroom with his own bed to lounge in. She is even getting him certified for therapy work. Ren is really a great dog...he learns soooo quickly and is very eager to please. Its hard to say good-bye but at the same time I know its best. Plus....she promises pictures and visits whenever I want! Her family lives on a 200 acre farm to boot!!! **sigh** So our little family will go back to having one little man king of the house. I just hope I can hold back the tears :-)

Other than that...not much new. Sev and I spent the weekend w/ a lovely little visit from my parents. We played games and ate wings Saturday night :-) They left early Sunday and Sev and I spent the rest of the day cleaning and being lazy...I took a 2-3hr nap!!! I love naps!!


Come on snow!!!

I love...

I usually do this around V-day...but I'm in a good mood :-)


~Cherry Vaseline Chapstick! (santa put this in my stocking and it pretty much rocks!!)
~Ali after he has just had a bath and runs through the house like a wild man for a few min. before wanting to cuddle.
~My job (shhhh I don't want to jinx it!!)
~Wii Fit...lately its been being nice, lol :)
~Sevys smile.
~sugar free hot chocolate :-)
~getting a reciept after making a "purchase" that says "0.00 balance"!!! I got the sweetest deal yesterday!! I'll post more about it after I give someone the thing I ended up getting a deal/steal on!! :-)

Tonight is our company holiday party..lol, I know it seems a tad late...then we have NO plans for tomorrow night or this weekend. Just staying out of the cold!! Hot chocolate a good movie and a clean house...yipeeeeee!!

What a weekend :-)

we spent saturday night in Boone, NC skiing our tails off!! weeeeeeeeee had a blast!! I fell ONCE...and was pretty proud of that :-) seeing as how I havent been skiing in..oh' FOUR YEARS...**sigh** sad I know. I guess its like riding a bike though, you never forget how. Actually, the one time I fell was simply silly anyways...it wasnt a true true fall...I guess I think of a true fall as actually wiping out and loosing a ski or two on the way! I just did a funky little split and then laid over...no skis lost, no damage done...just a nice stretch in areas I have trouble stretching in yoga, lol. It rained most of the night, so we spent our time skiing wet...but that didnt slow us down :-) I hope to go again before this season is over. Sev is getting pretty good at skiing and while he still wouldnt go to the top...he chanced the yellow slopes and did fairly well. He was sweet enough to let me go on up to the top w/ our friends and ski a bit...he said he didn't want to hold me back, lol...but I think he was just tired of me telling him how to ski :-) I would love to take a weekend and got to West Virginia and ski...maybe next year. Nothing more to report...we've just been working and hanging out. I've been on the Wii Fit almost everyday, except this weekend..but I got a workout skiing!! Hope everyone in blog world has a great week!!

2009!!!!

I haven't even messed up and written the wrong date today...yet :-) It's going to be a good year ;-)

I'm still working on my resolution list. Well, I have the general outline finised, but I wanted to try things a little different this year. I am going to actually write out everything I plan to get accomplised for my resolution...this way I can check off the items once they have been completed. Well, duh, everyone says they "want to loose weight" or "get healthy" or "excercise more"....so to make sure I actually stick to my goal I'm going to put specifics on my list, such as:
-Complete 40 day marriage devotion book.
-Jan 16th, deposit money into savings. (we're doing this weekly so each week I'll actually get to check this off!!)

It will probably be a nice little book of lists...but I want to see how many things I can get checked off before next year :-)
If youre reading this...I would like to know what your resolutions are, if you made any. If you don't make them, why?

Happy New Year!!!!

2 days left in 2008...

...not even 2 full days.

I'm working on my resolution list. I love resolutions and I love lists. I don't know why. I've always been driven by reaching my own personal goals.
I got the coolest Christmas gift...I got alot of gifts...but I was stoked to get Wii Fit!! My dad found it for me (it was a hard one to find!!) and "Santa" delivered it Christmas morning. I was a bit unsure about the whole game. I thought it would be fun but I didnt really count it as something that I could use to really get a workout. Uhm WRONG...that sucker kicked my tail last night!! man was it fun!! I can't wait to hop back on the board tonight :-) My dad also got me WiiSki, I haven't tried it, but I'm excited to show sev up with my ski moves, lol.
So the Wii Fit calculates your BMI and keeps track of the weight you've lost and the better balanced you become. It was pretty sad to watch my little Wii Mii get a 31 Fit age!!! It told me I was a tad unhealthy for my real age, lol. Yikes....so Sev and I started our Wii Fit journey and we now have a healthy competition going for the new year...I believe that will be part of our resolution.
We had a lovely Christmas. We got to spend time with our family. I haven't seen my gma Nail in ONE and a HALF years!! how sad is that?!?! So it was nice to spend an evening with her. I also found where my creative gene comes from, my aunt Robin. She has all of her own original paintings hung in her house...that was a treat to see. We spent time with Jess and Don and their new pup, Harper. Sev got a big "toy" remote control car for Christmas...so he spent some time playing with that. It felt like Christmas...finally...seeing as how its a bit hard to feel the Christmas spirit when you're in the Hawaiian sun and away from family (aud can vouch for that!!). I'm excited to bring in this NEW YEAR...I have a feeling it's going to be a good one :-)

I'm signing out for 2008 as I don't expect to post again until next year!!!!

Why won't it snow!?!?

It snowed in Las Vegas, it snowed in New Orleans and it snowed in Texas...why won't it snow here?? ................"I'm dreamiiiiing of a Whiiiiiiiite Christmas"..................................
I've decided I can not and will not live anywhere more south than I'm living now!!

Okay done with the rant.

So let me recap how our weekend before Christmas was spent. We attended Sev's company Christmas party Friday night. It was a nice little party. They served yummy food, there was dancing and even singing. It was the first time I was able to meet any of his co-workers and their spouses. Severyn really likes this one guy he works with, Bradley. So for the evening we pretty much conversed w/ Bradley and his wife, Jennifer. While we are standing around our little table, the topic of "what we all do for a living" comes up between the wives. We get to Jennifer and she tells us she is a nurse. She is actually a head nurse for a dialysis center. I'm not sure why we really got to talking about her job in particular but at one point she said something about having to take blood. I mentioned that I could NOT have her job b/c I pass out every, single, time I've ever attempted to have my blood taken. I don't know why, I just do. She was amazed by this. So she starts asking me why I think I pass out, was I afraid of needles, was it that I was afraid I would die from it...what exactly made me pass out. She then goes on to tell me IN DETAIL what she does. Now, I will admit I was pretty interested b/c having just got over a kidney infection, hearing about dialysis was actually something that I wanted to know about...so I would be well informed on what I needed to do to take care of my kidneys and stay as far away from her work place as possible. So as she is talking IN DETAIL about her job all of a sudden everything goes black.
Yep....
I start feeling yucky and chills run all over my body and I realize...I'm fainting.
Now...because they were serving adult beverages that evening all I could think was "Lindsey DO NOT pass out!!! Everyone will think you are drunk!!" (which by the way, even more hilarious...I had NOTHING but WATER to drink!!) So I try to calmly stagger away from the table and away from Severyns coworkers and away from the OWNER of Severyns company and I start to walk a VERY crooked path towards the ladies room. Jennifer, being ever so polite says "oh are you going to the bathroom, I'll go w/ you to find it." not knowing that I'm about to faint. As we walk she continues to talk....and I continue to stumble out into the hall. Finally I know the floor is a inevitable place and I collapse against the wall. I think I managed to say "I think I'm going to pass out." Jennifer ran off to get me water and the world spun as I lay on the floor in the lobby with my head between my knees. I see a pair of men's shoes come into focus and realize that some of Sev's very high up supervisors are walking towards me....at this point all I can think its "dear lord, thank you, thank you for not letting me put "mullen" behind my name on this name tag." I know everyone thought I was beyond trashed and I was beyond words of explanation...I mean, how do you say "no sir I'm not drunk I'm just passing out b/c I can't talk about taking blood"....**sigh** So after I nod that I'm okay. Jennifer returns with a glass of water and Sev and I call it a night.
ps. so we can mark off "afraid of needles" because that is NOT what made me pass out.
Saturday Sevy and I cleaned our house...and I mean CLEANED. We went through our closet the better half of the morning. I sat in the floor and made sev try on ever single thing he owned (most of which was wadded up on the floor, below is row of empty hangers) we put away all of his summer clothes and took away everything that he no longer wears. Then we each opened one Christmas gift and ate lunch. Then Sevy played Wii while I continued to clean. We left for mexican and rented Hancock that evening. Sunday my brother-in-law, Don, came to spend the day w/ us. Jessie was in Spartanburg so he spent the day with us and we finally got to meet their new pup, Harper.
I work with some GREAT people and for a great Company. I'm not saying much about my new job because I don't want to jinx it. However, they really are great. So Sunday when Don rang our doorbell, the first words out of his mouth are "uhm, there is something bleeding on your door step."...WHAT...I rush out to look and sure enough there is a nice big Omaha Steaks package....clearly "bleeding" out the sides. Long story short...it had been delivered OVER a week and a half ago. We never use our front door so we never knew it was sitting out there!! I called the company and they are actually going to send me some more steaks but man was that a nasty surprise!! ...and no I didn't faint when I saw the blood...so we can check "afraid of blood" off of my list. haha. My very sweet boss sent me steaks for Christmas. When I came in this morning I had a flower delivery, my other boss had sent me a Christmas arrangement!! How sweet :-)
Jessie and Don are staying the night w/ us tonight and then my Christmas vaca starts!! yipeee...


now if it would only snow!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What an exhausting weekend

I got a call from my dad on friday saying my grandmother was in the hospital. I had two hours of work left and dad said she was doing okay. I finished out my work day and then went home to throw some clothes in a bag and head to Spartanburg. First, I let Sev open one of his Christmas presents early. He had asked for the new Batman movie and I knew it would give him something to do while I was gone Friday evening, so I went ahead and let him open it. Then I think I drove 80 the entire way to the hospital. It still felt like it took forever and I was filled with worry and selfish sorrow. It's a sin to worry...so I really try hard not to. My mom reminds me that death is just a part of life. Everyone eventually goes and its something we have to be some what prepared for. I know this and my grandma is one of the lasts people I worry about when it comes to her after life, I know she'll be in Heaven and I know she'll probably have a ton of animals to keep her company until all of her family gets there. However, for selfish reasons I don't want to think about ever loosing my grandma. I am very close to her and I'm not sure what life would be like without her. So, I ended up spending Friday night in the hospital with my grandma. She was feeling better and seemed like herself, so that was a relief. The doctors are still not sure exactly what caused my Grandma to get sick, but they are doing some tests and hopefully she'll make a full recovery. She returned home Sunday. Saturday morning I was complaining about my kidneys hurting to Grandma and she made me promise I would go see a doctor. I honestly didn't think much of it, it wasn't horrible pain and I'm pretty stubborn when it comes to doctors (or maybe I'm just afraid they will try and take my blood!!!). To make Grandma happy I agreed to go. I left the hospital and went to the doctor. Come to find out, I have a kidney infection!! Yikes!! Not fun! I guess I'm glad I listened to my Grandma and Momma!! I'm on some meds and hopefully everything will be as good as new :) I left Saturday to come back to Columbia...to check on my dogs and husband :) I slept in most of Sunday morning and woke up around 12pm!! Sev and I ran to the mall (which was a DUMB idea only two weekends from Christmas!!) he HAD to have some pants!! Poor boy only had 1 good pair!! So we picked him up a couple pairs of pants and did some last bit Christmas shopping. I've been working with polymer clay to make some interesting beads and I think I made two last night before I passed out!! The weekend went by fast, as usual, but man did it wear me out!! We have two Christmas parties this week, one for each of our companies. That should be fun. Then we're going to have our Christmas on Saturday morning. We will leave next a week from tomorrow to head up the road to Inman to spend the Holidays with our families :) I love Christmas!!! Now if we can keep Grandma out of the hospital and my kidney infection goes away, everything should be merry and bright :)

I smell T-R-O-U-B-L-E

Our office is a walking christmas candy, cookie, yummy, goodie TRAP!!! The past couple of days we've recieved Christmas presents from our vendors...and WHY must those presents contain oh so yummy junk??? Today we have unwrapped a huge box full of cookies...and not some cheap hard sugar cookies...we're talking, big, soft, multi-flavored, so good grandma coulda' made them...cookies. AND we opened a box of SEE's candy!!! I havent had SEE's since I was in Hawaii...and seeing as how you can only get SEE's in Hawaii or Cali...getting a box was like GOLD today!! This is bad...very bad. I allowed myself to eat one of each goodie today...but this is going to get hard!! I've been told this is just the start...T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

They call me Doodle bug

I've always had an interest in art, any art. Painting is my favorite. I took different art classes at Winthrop, when I was actually going for a degree in art. Now I just doodle for fun. My dad seemed to make sense when he told me a business degree would be in my best interest. I never really liked the idea of being a "starving artist". Sev got me the easel I had been drooling over for some time as a Valentines gift. While I cherish that easel...it has played the role of a mirror stand, instead of serving its original purpose. My grandma kept me well stocked with paints, crafts, pencils, pens, markers, paper and canvas. She really believed in my talents. So when my grandmother asked me to paint her a picture, I knew I owed her...I dusted off my easel, pulled out my paints, and dug for inspiration. The only requirements she requested were the colors blue and pink (the color of one of her bedrooms). So while I don't think its the best piece I've ever created...by far....I guess it turned out okay.







My favorite thing to paint are trees...I'm not sure why. My favorite tree is the dogwood tree.









I also snapped a picture of our tree :-)




A friend of mine owns a framing and art shop in Lexington SC. She has asked me numerous times to paint and display my work in her shop...while I could spend my day painting, I know I'm not great and I need more practice. So, I'm hoping to keep the dust off my painting supplies and maybe just maybe I'll have my paintings up to displaying material :-)

What a Wonderful Weekend

We spent some time with our friends in Rock Hill. We havent had the chance to visit with them in a couple of months now. Our time with them is always a fun and cherished. We left Rock Hill early Sunday morning, in time to make it back to Columbia and go Christmas tree shopping!!
I had finally decided to give in to my brain, even though my heart was very much against it, and get a artificial Christmas tree this year. For numerous reasons...some being, we have two dogs that know to potty outside and if we bring the outside inside...well....you know....it might not be a good idea. Another reason...MAN Sakes alive...real Christmas tree prices are CRAZY!!! Plus the hassle of getting a tree stand, stringing the lights, the loose pine needles everywhere and the battle of crawling under the tree, trying to keep from squashing christmas presents while balancing a cup of water, just to keep the tree alive until Christmas.....it all seemed just a bit much. So the moment I finally settled for a fake tree...Sev flat out refused to allow such a thing to take place. We would be having a live tree as long as he was a part of the family, and since I have no plans of getting rid of him, lol, we ended up getting a real live, wonderful smelling, pine needle dropping, water drinking, Christmas tree.
Sevy found a farm in Lexington, where you choose and cut your own tree. We set out Sunday on our hunt for the perfect Christmas tree. Well, much to our disapointment...frasier furs do not grow any farther south than NC. If we were going to have a live Christmas tree, we were going to have the "right" kind of Christmas tree and not some sad looking, Christmas tree wanna-be, virginia pine. Therefore, we ended up picking out a already cut, brought in from NC, frasier fur. We did drive through the tree fields and enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate...we just ended up coming back to the hut and getting our already cut tree.
We spent the better part of yesterday evening stringing lights on the tree and hanging ornaments. This is our first real live tree that we have picked out, purchased and decorated together since we've been married. We have the Army to thank for that ;-) It was alot of fun and I'm actually glad I let Sev remind me that I should always always always follow my heart. There is NOTHING that compares to the smell of a live christmas tree!!!! It isn't the most stylish Christmas tree but it proudly displays the handful of ornaments we've collected over our 4 years of marriage...and we LOVE it :-)
I will admit...as much as I love our tree...I will never have a tree that I love more than the tree my sweet daddy mailed to me last year, that one will always be number one in our hearts (see last years Christmas post).

I will take pictures and post them asap.

Deck the blog with a new update...

falalalala... :-)

Well, it's been awhile. I haven't been blogging...for good reasons!! My computer had a virus!!! I was to the point of tossing the stupid machine OUT THE WINDOW...when my dad came to the rescue. 8hrs later, a rebuilt hard drive...and my computer is up and running again :-) Thanks dad! I went without a computer for MONTHS, so I know all to well the sting of being without a computer!! NOT fun when you have one husband that HAS to do homework online and one wife that has to pay bills online!! Therefore, I REFUSE to get another virus!! Which in return means...I am VERY cautious as to what websites I visit and from whom I will receive emails from.
So, it's almost Christmas!!! We had a lovely Thanksgiving with my side of the family. Sevy's parents were in VA visiting with the Mullen side of the family.
I got the sweet news that my cousin moo is pregnant :-) and I got to spend time w/ my two FAVORITE munchkins...Alexa loodle and Perrin bug (they are the best...b/c I get to love all over them and then hand them back!!). Alexa is seriously the smartest kid I know!! She blows my mind. What two year old knows how to spell their name AND ride a tricycle (and I'm sure she can even do both at the same time)?? Crazy. Then Perrin bug is def. the cutest kid ever...seriously he should be a baby model. He also cracks me up!! def. 100% boy and FUN, if I could be promised all boys, I would actually have kids!! I rarely get to see either of the two...so Thanksgiving vaca was a treat. Plus its always nice to see their moms too, haha.
Mom and I ventured out on black friday...at 4am!! Even though mom grumbled the entire time...I think she had fun :-) I know I did!!! I tried to explain the madness to dad...the best way to help him understand it was to compare it to fishing....you wait in line and wait in line, much like you wait with your bait in the water and wait...and then the doors open and its a real rush running (and yes I actually RAN through target) to get the "prize"...just like its a rush to fight that fish and finally get it in the boat. I still don't think dad "got it"...but whatever, I'll probably do it again next year...mom in tow!!...oh and yes I got what I was "fishing" for, lol.
So...because I actually LIKE being organized and on top of things (contrary to my moms belief) I actually started Christmas shopping and WRAPPING!!! WEEKS ago!! I was sooo proud :-) I had a nice little pile of presents already wrapped and waiting to be place under the tree. I finished all of my wrapping last night. I do have a few more items to purchase...but those will be wrapped as soon as they make it home. I also got our Christmas cards and started working on those, they would be done, but sev likes to write his own little note...so they are waiting on him :-)
So...I was so happy I actually knew what to buy for people this Christmas. I started making a list awhile back and started picking up the items as I ran across them. My mother...bless her heart...had a hair dryer from the 70's...possibly older. I honestly believe it could have belonged to my grandma!!! You know the kind, the ones that have to weigh around 20lbs, they are big and white, the sides are actually huge round things, and it looks much like a fan with a cylinder stuck on the side...they have one button usually in blue and red to show on/off. yeah...THATS what my mom was using. Granted...it still blew hot air out...but can you imagine the electricity and fire hazard that thing must have used and been!! So...mom got the coolest, newest, lightest hairdryer for Christmas!!! Why am I telling you this? because when I realized the contraption my mother was using to dry her hair I said "oh mom, why do you have this and does it even still work??...a new hair dryer is what you NEED for Christmas." I was thrilled to find the gift mom would like and actually USE!! What does my MOTHER do....goes and gets herself one!! WHO DOES THAT!!! WHO BUYS themselves stuff right BEFORE Christmas!!!! So...now I have a nice WRAPPED hairdryer and two short weeks to figure out what mom will get for Christmas...**Sigh**.
So..Sevy and I decided we will have a REAL Christmas tree this year. It is our first Christmas together, in our own home, with space for a full size Christmas tree. We have plans to pick our tree up this weekend and decorate :-) I'll take pics when we're done. As of right now...I have a wreath on my front door. However, I must say it is a pretty wreath!! Hand-made by my mom...if you need a wreath let me know and I'll get her to make one, shes actually really good at decorations!!!
Okay...I should get back to work, everyone in the office is getting sick and we're short handed!! Hopefully I'll be bit better w/ my blog for awhile :-)

1 new truck, 2 new jobs, 3 new outfits and 4 years of marriage.

In that order.

As many of those close to me know, I HATE change. HAte it...with a passion, for example (my mom loves this one): I grew up and lived in the same house, on the same street, up on the same hill for the majority of my life. I went to the same school, grocery store, library, and church for just as many years. I lived in the same bedroom, slept in the same bed, shared the same bathroom with my brother...for just as long. So this bathroom...it had the same wall paper for as long as I can remember. Honestly...it was pretty tacky. Who thinks that small, uniformed, ducks in a row make for good decoration? My mom, haha. ANYWAYS...the ducks were on the wall in my bathroom and that's how my bathroom was meant to be. One day, I came home to find the ducks had been RIPPED from the bathroom wall. In my 11 or 12 year old mind...that was just plain wrong, why would you change something? So...to try and fix my mothers crazy idea of change, I hand drew ducks back onto the wall, because I had a sense of humor (even though I was disturbed by the change) I drew angel wings and halos on the ducks. I don't remember if my mom smiled at my attempt to fix her mistake...or if she fussed b/c I had drawn on her walls...all I remember was the light green paint that replaced the rows of ducks and how I decided from then on I really did not like change!
I'm saying this..why? because who cries when they buy a new vehicle? Who actually sheds tears when they drive away from the old car they used to drive and pulls onto the street in a brand new, polished, only 7 miles on it car? Who? Me. The girl that cannot for the life of her get used to change. That's who. The day before my senior prom I sold my very first car. I was the proud owner of a new 2001 Ford Escape. Man was she pretty!! Of course...I cried when my 1996 silver, mustang drove off with some wild eyed, way too young, boy behind the wheel. However, I had always wanted to sit up high and SUV's were "cool" back then...not just some huge road hog that guzzles gas. So there I was with my new Escape, freshly graduated from High School and about to start a new journey in life. That little suv drove me all over the next 8 years of my life. If you know me...you know where those years took me...and my little escape was there all along the way :) So when it came time for the "we should think about selling the escape" talk...my heart was having no part of it, while my brain was saying "let it go linds". So...plans were made, offers were dealt, and tears were shed. Adios little suv, thanks for taking me down 8 years worth of roads. Hello new little Toyota Tacoma. Of course, it probably didn't make it easy for me...seeing as how Sev gets to drive the new truck and I'm just out an old 4 wheeled friend. The good news is we're now back down to 2 vehicles which has proven to be better on the wallets.

So...whether or not anyone besides my dad, mom and sev knew...I was MISERABLE in my career with University of Phoenix. So much so that I would come home daily with tears pouring from my eyes and every curse word known to man just begging to jump from my tongue when asked how my day was. I could go on and on about why and how I hated my job, but I will spare those reading. Finally, last Thursday I could not take it anymore. I walked away from UoP for the last time...for GOOD. I also walked away with out a back up plan and so much as an idea of where to go from there. The following day I had already set up an interview and by Tuesday of this week I had a new job. God is Good...that is all I can say. I am now and account executive for AppleOne. I already have good vibes about my co-workers and I'm excited about this change!! Imagine that. So that's my new job...but more exciting is Sevy's new job. My sweet, sweet husband came to me during the middle of the summer and said "I believe I want to change my degree." Ultimately...what he was saying ways "I want to change my degree, change schools all together, loose credits and no longer take up flying as a profession, like I've talked about wanting to do all my life." **sigh** Partly because the worlds "until death do you part" kept running through my mind and partly because I love him more than it seems possible at times...I said "okay, well honey, I'll support you in what ever decision you make" and under my breath I think I said "you just better hope its the right one!!!" hehehe. So...starting the middle of August, Sev was no longer a student at Embry-Riddle. He was no longer studying, professional Aeronautics. Sev is now a student at USC. Sev is now studying Civil Engineering. Good news....he is absolutely loving every minute of it!! It's weird being married to a college student...he now spends evenings reading literature and writing papers...but I couldn't be a bit prouder!! The bad news was...he was going to have to quit working. While his student life with Embry-Riddle allowed for him to work full-time and take his classes online. His college life with USC is a traditional as any college students life....classes in the morning, papers and reading at night. However, back to some good news...Sev was offered a part-time intern/job for a engineering company here in Columbia. It pays to have friends in high places ;) He was so cute when he came home from his interview. He said while they understood that he did not have much experience...who am I kidding, he has NO experience...in the engineering department. They expected him to be a quick learner and would love to offer him a job around his class schedule. All he said was "linds, its so cool, I have my own office and they gave me a hard hat." I have to say I was very impressed and proud of him to take on school and now an internship where he will gain experience but be forced to learn more than just school book materials. Again...God is Great.

So...my new dress code is business dress...not business casual but business dress...yikes!! Everyone knows I am such a tomboy when it comes to dressing up. I spent the better half of yesterday in a dressing room w/ a sales lady explaining how you fit the collar of a dress shirt under the collar of a suit jacket. Also...did you know that when you buy a jacket or a skirt that has a slit in it...that little piece of thread that holds the slit together is meant to be cut off...No WONDER I looked like a penguin waddling out of the dressing room, hahahahaha. 3 new outfits later, I'm a business woman!!

September 3rd 2004 was the best day of my life...okay, actually it was more like a scene from an sit com...but whatever. This was the day I got married. First...I decided I would get married in the court house, while Sev was home for r&r from Iraq and in the clothes we had on our back (for me that was white capri pants and hot pink polo shirt. Sev sported blue jeans and a CHAPS t-shirt). Secondly, we would invite Sev's sister to be our witness and last...we would go on a "honeymoon" with my new in laws :) Oh and not to mention we would do all of this without telling anyone (besides Jessie...our witness). We had just taken our seats in the waiting room of the JoP office, when sev realized he had forgotten my wedding band. He ran out of the building mumbling something like "forgot ring, oh gosh, I think its in the car, oh gosh, hold on, oh gosh." About this time the lady seated behind the sliding class window casually called out "Mullen" into the waiting room full of individuals looking just as lost and in love as Sev and I. Seeing as how Severyn had exited the building, this just left Jessie and I to stand up when called. The mouths that dropped open and the chuckles that escaped some mans throat are the only sounds I heard moments before Sev came sprinting back into the waiting room and some lady sighed and mumbled "good, I thought that was illegal in SC." All I remember about the lady that married us was that she had a gold ring, sometimes two, on each finger of both hands and she kept saying "you know, I paid like 45 dollars to get my notary license and it paid for itself after just one couple I married." The only thing I remember about my wedding was how Sev was sweating like I had never seen him sweat before, Jessie was snapping pictures of the two of us in front of a fake tree and I realized I had left my sunglasses on my head and couldnt believe those would be on my head in my pictures....never mind I had on a hot pink polo shirt!!! hahahaha. We left the court house to start the drive to the beach house where Sev's mom and dad were waiting on us and Jessie to have a quick family vacation before Sev returned to Iraq. The next morning, after waking up and stepping out into the living room was a moment I will never forget...Sevs dad looked at me and said "well good morning Mrs. Mullen"........4 years later and Honestly.....from the bottom of my heart.......I would NEVER for the life of me....Change one single thing. That is my wedding story and that is the story I will gladly share with anyone who looks adoringly at my left hand and says "oh, what a gorgeous ring, tell me about your wedding!!!"

Happy Anniversary Severyn...it might be a wild ride but I wouldn't ride this ride with anyone but you.

Happy Birthday to meeee.....WHAT?? I'm 3?????

I celebrated my 25 birthday last Saturday!! Yep...the big 2-5. Wow. I don't feel 25...I don't even feel 21. I feel like I'm still the same ragamuffin kid, racing scooters down the hill beside our house w/ my brother. How am I 25 years old?? A quarter of a century old?? YIKES!!

The only thing I asked for my birthday was a white water rafting trip :) My parents granted my wish and we took a family trip Saturday morning to the Natahalia (sp?) river in NC. I had a blast...I hope my family did too. Chris and I were the only ones to "fall" out of the raft. We all took a break at one point to hop into the freezing cold river...well....everyone but mom, we sorta pushed her over :) It was so fun and a great way to spend my birthday! We made it through the class 3 "waterfall" (no biggie,haha) and then ended or trip on the side of the river with a pizza!! We all said we would go again if it wasnt for the 2hr drive back home and dinner plans we had later that day. My mom had a lovely chocolate cake ready to celebrate my birthday with...but...as she would like to put it "keeping up w/ tradition"....she forgot the candles. No fear...in the back of the cabinet...the top cabinet above the stove....the cabinet you have to climb on a bar stool to reach...farrrr back in THAT cabinet, in an old cool whip tub...was a candle!! A nice big candle. A nice big candle that sported the number 3 on it. So...in order to make sure I still got a birthday wish, I blew out my number 3 candle!! If you're wondering WHY we have a number three candle...don't ask...heaven only knows.
The next day I spent the afternoon w/ mom and Lexi (Chris's G/F). We caught a movie and did a bit of grocery shopping before heading home and getting ready for my family to come over and celebrate my birthday AGAIN!!
All in all it was a nice weekend :) I'm happy to be twenty...uh....three years old!!

Rewind Time

I wish I could!!

Last weekend was wonderful!! Why? What could we have possibly done over the weekend to experience such a "wonderful" weekend? Are you ready for this? We....did....absolutely NOTHING!! It was GLORIOUS!!! I really feel like we run around ALL the time!! I love my home. I love nothing more than to spend a friday evening relaxing after work, sleeping in on saturdays and getting house chores done at a slow and steady speed. THAT is what we did this past weekend. We scheduled a date night for friday and after I got off of work we headed to the local movies to catch...of course...nothing other than Batman :) It rocked. Then we headed home to do spend the weekend at HOME!! We slept in saturday...well, I slept in as long as the dogs would let me. Dogs??

Yes, that is Ali's news. He welcomed home a brother 2 weeks ago. They love each other and are the best of friends. They do fight occasionally but for the most part they arent seen far from each other. I had been debating on rescuing a dog. Ali LOVES other dogs and he has been such a great dog that we thought we could handle another one. I checked w/ our kennel/boarding facility to see how much another dog would cost to board if we were to board them for vacation or anything and it was actually not much more if they stay in the same kennel. So I started my search for a rescue dog. We reallllllllllly wanted another Brussels and I searched and searched for one. However, after looking over numerous dogs...dog breeds, dog rescues, dog pound...etc etc. and after turning down dog after dog after dog. We finally found and fell in love with Ren. I was set on not getting a puppy...I really wanted to rescue a dog and I know that puppies have a much better chance of getting adopted. Plus...I didnt really want to deal w/ the puppy stage. So after work one day I decided to stop by the local humane society and look around, I had just been there the week before and was not expecting to find anything...but I had also been going just to walk dogs and give them a little exercise...so I was thinking I would just walk a few. The last cage, down the long row of cages sat Ren. A skinny, flea covered, long eared, sad eyed, puppy. I said no no no...I was not getting a puppy, but I thought he looked sad so I could at least give him a walk. He was scared to death and just hid under my feet while I tried to walk him to the door leading outside. When I walked by the help desk the lady said "oh I see you have the newbie, he just came here from lexington county he was about to be put down there but we had room for him here and thought he could use another chance" I asked his story...and come to find out, Ren the puppy was actually Ren the full grown Doberman dog. He was THAT malnourished. He only weighed 19lbs and was only as tall as below my knees. If you know anything about Dobermans, they are BIG dogs...by 8months old (Rens age) he should have been well over 50lbs and standing at my hip. Come to find out Ren had been rescued off the side of the road. By the looks of his docked tail he was probably sold or born to be kept in a kennel to try and keep him small and then re breed to create a smaller doberman (think miniature pinchser breed). He either escaped or someone finally let him loose on the side of the road. Either way...he will never be the size of a regular healthy Doberman. Sev came to the pound after I called and told him Rens story and 3 hrs later we walked out with a very shy and timid Renegade, Ren for short :) He is so sweet...and still very skinny...but we're working on that. I will post pictures eventually. He loves to play chase w/ Ali. They created this game where Ali will run up to Ren and bite him and then take off, Ren takes off after Ali only to find himself stuck on the outside of our kitchen table while Ali hides under it. I swear Ali has a smirk on his face when he does this. Once Ren starts to loose interest Ali will bolt out from under the table and zoom around the house as fast as his little legs will carry him...Ren right behind....and then back under the table he will go...its their new game and it is HILARIOUS!!

SO...after the dogs woke me up saturday morning, I let them outside to get an hours worth of shaded outside time. I made pancakes and woke sevy up. I took the day to clean the house. I caught up on laundry, dusting, vacuuming, dishes, and I even threw in a nice bathroom scrubbing. Sev worked on his truck and tended to the garden. I left to go to the grocery store and then stop by blockbuster. I picked up ingredients to make homemade pizza and two movies before coming back home. Sev and I LOVE homemade pizza!!! However...saturday nights pizza was even better!! Why? because we used all the veggies from our home grown veggie garden!!! Yep...thats right...home grown veggies!! YUMMMM-O!! We watched Drillbit Taylor and then ate icecream. Sunday morning we woke up and went to Shandon Baptist church together for the first time. I was really excited to visit this church with Sevy. I had gone alone before and I had gone w/my mother...but Sevy had never attended this church w/ me so that was a real treat!! The pastor I grew up with is actually at Shandon and thats another reason I've enjoyed visiting that church. I really enjoyed the message for the day, Sevy said he did too. We left church and went to get Mexican for lunch. We headed back home and finished doing what we left off on Saturday...NOTHING :) Just a little cleaning here and there, rough housed w/ the dogs and then said goodbye to the weekend and went to bed after watching Army Wives on Lifetime.

THAT was our glorious, wonderful, much needed weekend :)

My parents made it back from Canada...I'm excited to see pictures from that little adventure. This weekend I hope to have a re-play of last weekend. Then the following weekend is...drum role....my BIRTHDAY!! Hey I have a few more years to be excited about my birthday before I start hiding when my birthday is, haha :) :)

Crawling out from under my rock :)

Actually...I wish I had time to hide under a rock. We've honestly been super busy with life.

I really need to catch this blog up...whats the point in keeping a blog if you're not going to write in it...right?? No wonder I have a thousand journals that are only filled up on the first couple of pages, geez!

Anyways, we had the best time planning and participating in the activities leading up to Jessies wedding. I was at the beach three weekends in a row. The first weekend was for my families vaca. We really had a lot of fun! I must say the BEST part was parisailing with my grandma, she rocks, lol. Oh...and watching my dad on the banana boat, that was hilarious!! Ohhh AND I did a swing thing with my cousin and her husband...scared me to death!! You free fall for a few seconds before the swing actually catches you and then takes you back up to the other side...it was fun and I can now check that off my bucket list, lol.
The next weekend was Jessies bachelorette shower in Charelston. We had ALOT of fun hanging out with Jessie before her big day. Jess is very fortunate to have a very sweet best friend, Jessica Foy. Jessica planned the entire weekend for Jessie. We rented out a room at the double tree and walked downtown Charleston. Jessica made reservation at two different lounges and we ate and drank our little hearts merry. I guess I won't go further into detail there. Oh...I will say that we all wore buttons...some said "buy jessie a drink", "sing for jessie", "kiss jessie" and mine said "spank jessie". Jessies said "I am Jessie"....I won ;) It was lots of fun going out for one last single celebration with Jess...it was bitter sweet :( The next weekend was the wedding and we were once again back down at the beach. It was a BEAUTIFUL wedding, I was so happy for Jessie. Sev and I took Friday off of work and drove down on Thursday night. We staying in a little beach house that his parents rented for us and shared it with Sevs sis Angie and our nephew Eddie (whom I ADORE!!). Eddie carried the ring and I made the pillow for him to carry. I pretty much spent the weekend rushing around doing last minute things with Jessie...it was actually alot of fun and def. a great way to spend time together before her big day and her big move. Sev spent the weekend hanging out with Don and the boys...golfing, goofing around and keeping Don calm, cool and collected. Friday night was the rehersal dinner...it was wonderful!! The mullen family flew in from all over the country, they are ALWAYS a hoot to be around. We ate and enjoyed each others company until late in the evening, then the bridal party all went out for drinks. Jess and I went back to the beach house and relaxed...by this point I had lost my voice completely and she needed some beauty rest!! The boys took Don out for one last night out on the town. The next day came quickly...we rushed around getting everything ready for the big moment. We prayed for NO rain...as the wedding was planned to be on the beach. I did a few tourist things with Angie and Eddie and then we all met back up to get ready. The girls met at a beach house and took pictuers, toasted jessie with champagne and cried a little. The weather turned out to be PERFECT and Jessie could not have looked any more gorgeous. Sevs uncles played guitars while jess walked down and a close friend of Jessies sang a beatiful song before the "I do's" were exchanged. The reception was a blast and the best part had to have been the song Jessies family (her three uncles, dad and aunt) wrote and preformed for her and Don. The title of the song is "Mullen Prison". Please feel free to go to You Tube.com and search "Mullen Prison" it is HILARIOUS!! I will post pictures and a link to the videa soon. After the wedding we all went back to Sevs parents beach house and hung out with the entire Mullen crew. My parents joined in for the fun...and lets just say my mom can no longer say she things OUR family are nutts!! We had a blast just catching up and singing along with Sevs uncles, both of which are musicians. A little bit of background info. Sev's dad, Dave, has three brothers and one sister. His baby brother Andy lives in Alaska with his wife Lynx and is a local musician there, they also run a B&B. His middle brother lives in Colorado with his wife and is also a local musician. He also has a brother, Don, whom lives in WV with his wife and two children. He is a pilot. Then there is Diane and thats Daves sister. She lives in Cali with her husband and two daughters Amanda and Emily. If you can imagine Daves personality times 5..THATS the Mullen family :) I absolutely love them. Then Sue's brother Dan, from Montana was also in tow, he was Jessies photographer and is a retired pilot. We really enjoyed the wedding/family reunion.
We woke up Sunday to have breakfast with Jessie and Don before they departed for Texas. It was sooo sad and not the way I would have preferred to end our weekend. Jessie and Don reported that they enjoyed their honeymoon and are getting settled into their new home. We really miss them...its like the old saying goes "you don't know what you have til' its gone".


Soo that brings us up last weekend...the 4th of July.
Sevy and I drove to Rock Hill and stayed with some friends and their family on the lake in their beautiful million dollar lake house. It was so nice and relaxing. We played on the water all day friday...ate some great food and watched some awesome firework displays!! Saturday I went to a gun range with Sev, Danny and Kyle. Danny is part of SWAT and just recently recieved a new gun...not just any gun but an M4. This is the type of gun Sev carried in Iraq, so of course the boys had to take it out and shoot it. I got to tag along. Let me just say...no matter how many guns you have heard on the television...or out hunting...NOTHING sounds like an automatic M4. I was NOT prepared for the sound. We all had ear protection and now I understand WHY it is SO important to have that!! When we first got out on the range I was going over gun safety with Kyle (he has a glock). I had yet to put my ear protection on because we were far enough away from where Danny and Sev had gone to shoot the M4. I was paying close attention to Kyle when Danny unloaded his rifle. I have never in my life...honestly....jumped that high and thought my heart was going to come out of my chest so fast!!! After I promplty put my ear protection on, Kyle and I took off to the other side of the range to shoot his glock...I decided I would start out small. Let me just tell you...it is NOT as simple as just pulling a little trigger. That sucker is HARD to aim and keep steady!! It kicks!! However, I am very proud to say I hit my target on the first try :) I decided it was time for the big gun!! The boys taught me how to hold the gun properly and shoot from the laying position...I decided I was much more comfortable laying down and shooting the M4 at first. It was a crazy feeling and actually pretty emotional...I never really took the time to think about what it was like to be in a war torn country. I mean, I knew sev was at war. I new he was fighting. I knew guns were being shot and bombs were going off around him. However, I never thought of the sound and actual feeling that went along with the idea of being at war. Just the sound and smell of the gun was enough to have me on my knees praying that we as Americans NEVER have to face war in our homeland!!! It's so different on TV. I know anyone reading this is thinking, "well duh"...but it really was eye opening for me. When we got back from the range...after going through a couple hundred dollars worth of ammo (which also blows my mind!! we're talking about billions of dollars of ammo being shot in Iraq weekly!! I never knew bullets cost so much!!) luckily Danny got all of his for free and we paid nothing. We went back to the lake house and Sev sat around and starting talking "war" stories. I've never asked him much about Iraq. I had been briefed a million times by the Army FRG to "let your soldier speak about the war on his time". So we rarely talk about Iraq. I knew a few things...but not nearly as much as I learned after the gun range. He had his thumb drive that he carried with him in Iraq and he started sharing stories and pictures with us. I realized why he had never shared the pictures with me. I honestly don't know how he carries around the effects the war had to have had on him. All that I have seen are pictures and all that I have heard are stories. Just like I was saying earlier about never really knowing the sound of a gun...I can never really know what it was truely like to be there. I'm glad Sev opened up to Danny, Kyle and I. He was even able to laugh at a few of the videos....videos of actual bombs going off and near death experiences....not a haha laugh but a "I'm lucky to be alive isnt that crazy!!" laugh. Which is much better than stone silence. I'll never ask him to see those pictures again...but I'm glad he finally shared them with me. It might be small...but I feel like I have a better idea of what his life was like in Iraq. I remember thinking about how the gun had such a distinct smell when it was being fired...gun powder and hot lead smell. I can't imagine what that smell was like on top of death.

Okay!!! Enough of that :) Over all the weekend was great...we were able to catch up with friends and let loose!! We were able to really experience what 4th of July means and for that I am greatful.


Oh...Ali...How could I update my posts without the mention of little man. He is doing okay, he actually came down with kennel cough two weeks ago and is finally getting over that nasty little cold!! He has some news he wants to share with everyone...but I think I'll hold off and post about that a little later on ;) This post is already a bit lengthy.

Hope everyone had a Happy 4th of July...I can't believe its already the middle of Summer!!