WEDNESDAY RECAP

Just felt like writing a bunch of randoms today....no specific topic.

Yesterday was Wednesday and it was really busy. Usually that's the day at work that we get a little peace a quiet....but not yesterday. I have mixed feelings about busy days. On one end, I love them because it makes the day fly by and I really enjoy our customers; however, on the other end...it can make me crazy because there is no time to finish anything...just start a bunch of things that will have to be followed up on later. I like to complete tasks ...not leave them hanging. Yesterday afternoon was so crazy that I thought...if my phone rings one more time ..I may just pull it out of the wall. (I wouldn't really...but the thought crossed my mind :)

I haven't been super hungry at all lately. I think it can be due to one of two things:
#1. STRESS
or
#2. God finally answered my prayer of "Please make me not hungry and not like food anymore. (haha)

Either way...NO APPETITE. That is until yesterday. Someone at the office brought in ribs that her husband smoked.....and OMGosh, they were amazing! Some of the best ribs I've ever eaten. Apparently he has a smoker trailer and does this a lot. I'm officailly getting on his list to get my Thanksgiving Turkey smoked...He does this as well...and when I found out about that...I wanted to get signed up immediatly. Thanksgiving Turkey's freak me out...becasue I'm always scared I'm going to mess it up. I joked yesterday with a friend and told her, "I'm not afraid of very many things in the kitchen…..but Thomas THE Turkey is one that I don’t like. I’m always scared to ruin the biggest part of the thanksgiving meal…and you know people talk about your turkey skills (it was too dry..it had no flavor…Heck I do…if I don’t’ like it.) Heaven forbid I not cook it all the way or it be frozen still and everyone break a tooth or die of food poisoning." A huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders! I may never have to cook a thanksgiving turkey!

After work, I picked Yogi up from the groomer. Logan called and said he had to work late and couldn't get to him in time. I got Logan's truck because there is no way I'd attempt to put Yogi in my car. When I got him he looked so nice and clean. They shaved our Polar Bear for the summer and he looked more like a white lab than a white Golden Retreiver! I walked him out to the truck and all of a sudden remembered that Yogi won't jump in the back ...he will only jump down. Logan always has to lift him up there. I looked at Yogi and then glanced down at myself (wearing a strapless maxi dress, wedges)...and thought well I guess we will just have to do this anyways; despite my attire. So I put his giant feet up on the tailgate and began to try to lift him into the truck. Needless to say it didnt work .I couldnt even get his feet off the ground (HE IS THAT HEAVY..NO LIE) I used all my stength and couldnt do it. I really didn't have a solution except to just keep trying. Finally a lady in the parking lot said she'd help me. She was much more masculine and looked like she could snap me and Yogi in half. She got the job done...and I of course was quite grateful. I can only imagine what her thought was in her head looking at me baby talking this Moose of a dog into the back of the truck. Oh well....at least I'm not still standing there.

We ended the day by going to our friends house for dinner. I was exhausted and it was perfect to just sit a relax. I love going to Mary and James'. Mary won't let you lift a finger and you'll lose an arm if you try to help clean up. She is the sweetest hostess and a wonderful cook. She made the perfect summer meal and we stayed over way to late talking (as always!) I love the sweet friends we have made in NWA. It is such a blessing!

SOMETHING BORROWED

I am getting married in exactly two months! Needless to say marriage...and all that it entails has been on the forefront of my mind lately. I've been digging deeper and deeper for what makes a marriage good. We live in a world that tries to live it up and look great on the outside...when in all honestly the inside is falling apart. We all have done this in different aspects of our lives at one time or another but I am refusing to do this with my marriage. I don't ever want to let it get to a point where we are just "acting". My love for Logan is so strong and everyday it gets stronger. I want to be as in love with him 10 years from now as I am today. (If not more). We have been going to Pre-Marital Counceling at the church and it has been the best process. We love going; we get so much out of it. What I walked away with yesterday was HOW HARD MARRIAGE REALLY IS. None of our sessions are negative..but the pastor is just brutally honest. Marriage is VERY hard work. Lucky for Logan...I will work hard everyday for the rest of my life! (and I know he will do the same,) I started thinking back on the old tradition of the Bride on her wedding day. "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Something Blue."


Each verse refers to a good luck item:

I do not believe in luck, but I do believe in blessings and in God's love and wisdom shown through others. I love this tradition.

Something Old: represents someone before you who had a beautiful marraige (HARD, but Beautiful because of the strength they had a couple to endure, even through the rough times.)

Something New: representing the new, exciting time of your life. The new journey of following your heart and the path God has for you as a couple.

Something Borrowed: Representing the "borrowed" item...but much more than that. It is almost as if you are borrowing from that person...their years of wisdom; Their secret to a good, healthy marriage. I feel that I will be borrowing all my life. I will be seeking out women who love the Lord and who strive to please Him by loving their husband and honoring him by being a godly wife. (This is my favorite verse out of the four....there are so many women who can teach us from their experience...if we just let them. )

Something Blue: Honors the old tradition...so special and so true.

I am so ready to be Logan's Bride; to walk down that aisle and see only him..waiting for me. I have been in prayer to prepare my heart for the words I will say on that day. I take the vows and the promises so seriosuly ...I want to think about each one of them and how I will honor it in my thoughts, words and actions.

Today the focal point is "Something Borrowed". Feel free to comment, send and e-mail etc. of your marriage advice that you can lend me and let me borrow for my upcoming marraige. I want to know what you've learned. I will write it on my heart and apply it to my role as a wife!!!

THE QUEEN OF NO!

I know that we are probably supposed to blog about how pleasant we are or how we don't ever get mad..blah blah blah. Not today. I'm human. I'm mean at times. I can tell it like it is and not bat an eyelash. Is this a flaw? Quite possibly. Am I ashamed of it? Not usually. Is it innappropriate sometimes? Well, yes. Is it necessary at other times? Uh. YEAH. Hence why I don't feel ashamed to defend myself or others for that matter. Some people have never heard the word no in their life; and sometimes they need to. Everyone has always been scared to hurt their feelings or step on some toes...well not this someone.
I've never had a problem saying "NO." Even when I was little. I love to say "Yes"....it's fun to say it and I like to make others happy. If you need me..I will be there in a heartbeat. Loving and helping is what I do best. HOWEVER, I learned early on in my life ..that if you spread yourself too thin, let others walk on you, or let people get away with murder....then you'll have an unpleasant life. Who wants that? Things can be prevented (ie. awkward situations, overbooking, stress) by just one simple word: "NO" or if you are feeling nice three simple words: "NO THANK YOU".
I have a guilt complex about a lot of stuff...I say "I'm sorry" more than anyone you'll ever meet...I'll say sorry even if I'm not the one who is wrong. (Harmonizer). I just don't have a guilt complex about N.O. I think that if you enable people to treat you a certain way....nothing will stop them the next time. (If you give a mouse and cookie, he'll want some milk to go with it: if you give a moose a muffin, he'll want some jam to go with it)......you get my drift! HELLO!! THERE IS A REASON AN AUTHOR WROTE THOSE AS CHILDRENS BOOKS! To teach us at an early age...to not let people take advantage of you, be rude to you, ETC. Give (inconsiderate people) an inch..they'll take a mile. I've learned really quick in my life who I can roll out the welcome mat to and who I need to be cautious around. I have a sweet sweet friend who sometimes gets flustered becasue she say's "Yes" to A LOT OF STUFF. and at the end of the day she is so tired and frazzled. She used to ask me; how do you manage you're time so well....Simple answer; "I learned to say No." Give it as a gift to yourself. Don't overuse it or it will lose it's effect. But DO IT ...PLEASE! It will change your life! :) Happy Friday!

OH and P.S. Friday Favorite:
Wee Brie Cheese (can find it in the gourmet food section). YUMMO! Have eaten it with crackers and grapes ..everyday this week for lunch! My new fav!

FRIDAY FAVORITE

Happy Friday! I'm so excited to have a long weekend!

Okay so I'd have to say that my Friday Favorite is a little website called :
ETSY!!!!

I love this place! I could search for hours ...all the while accumulating a list of things to buy!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Other Friday Favorite would have to be a new CD that I own! A little angel left it for me on my desk one day...and to say I listen to it everyday would be an understatment. I listen to it all the time...I think I forgot what real life radio sounds like! Her name is Laura Story and she is a Christian artist. The album is called "Blessings".

Have a Blessed Weekend!

Friday Favorite!

I've thought of doing a weekly friday favorite.....but have never started it because I fear I might only remember to post on Friday's like 4 times in a year. Well this is my first shot at "Friday Favorite" ...we will see how it goes from here!

FRIDAY FAVORITE:

My favorite thing of this week is the "Skinny Cow" ice cream sandwiches!!!!!
They are so yummy....and low fat!!! (even better).

Let's face it...it's summer...swimsuits season is apon us....I'm a procrasinator...and yeah it's time to high tail it into get skinny mode!!! (Oh and I'm going to be a bride in less than 3 months....it's time to focus!)

This slimming treat...will get you through when you need a sweet fix! Sam's Club has a big box of them for like $9.99! I prefer to buy in bulk on things i love....because it prevents another trip to the grocery store (which we all know I just love those...ha...NOT!)

Now yall go get you a box!

Forgiveness

Forgiveness. Such a simple word, yet it holds so much meaning. It's also the word that won't leave me alone. I have things in my life...things that eat at me...why? Because in order to be free of those things..one would have to forgive. Harder than it sounds.... trust me. Here is the struggle.....how do you forgive people that have so maliciously hurt you? How do you forgive someone who has no remorse? I can SO forgive someone who comes to me and appogizes..hands down..not hard! But that other scenario.....not so easy. I'm heavy hearted on the subject because guess what?! GOD FORIGVES ME EVERY DAY ...WITHOUT ANY SECOND THOUGHT! A God who I hurt day in and day out by my thoughts, words, lack of time for Him or even just insecurites...yet He forgives ME...and wipes my slate clean...AND HE LOVES ME EVEN MORE EACH TIME!!! Oh how I wish I could apply that to areas of my life..with people that I desperately want to forgive....but for whatever reason...CAN. NOT. So here I sit....the unforgiving soul that I am...hoping and praying that one day I will have the courage to just. let. it. go. And be free. Unforgiveness is like bondage...yet sometimes we just can't let go! Why is that? i wish I knew.
Favorite Quote:
"I've been thinking about what I'd say
to you, should we ever speak again.
I thought of all the mean things that'd
make you feel guilty. You know me.
I take a problem and chew on it until
all the flavor's gone......and then I stick it in my hair."
-Divine Secrets of the Yaya Sisterhood

That's exactly how I feel right now. Yes it's funny....but when you get right down to it...IT'S SO NOT! Someone once told me something about forgiveness...and it made perfect sense. They said: "Everytime you don't forgive and you hold onto your bitterness...it's like letting Satan win that battle. Unforgiveness is not from God....it is not the outcome that He hopes for. Don't let Satan win that battle..give it to the Lord and let Him heal you and allow Him to open your heart to show forgiveness as He as shown us."

Now I'm just searching my soul...talking to God every chance I get ...and surrounding my mind in scripture....praying for that difficult task! There is an upside: YAY! I know we are not called to forget....God does not ask us to be fools...THANKFULLY!!! So now off to work on my heart...and trying to allow forgiveness to take up residence there so that I can try to apply to my specific situations!OH. BOY. CAN'T. WAIT!!!! ; )

Little Rock Bridal Shower

My first official wedding shower was such a special day! It was in Nancy Puddephatt's home and was just so beautiful and not one detail went undone!
The theme was "Bling"! It was a party full of all things that sparkle and bling! (True "Haleigh" Fashion!) They went all out in girly colors (PINK). Every table was decorated with crystal, pearls, giant diamonds, jewels....it was so cute!

They served "mocktails" (a fruity fizzy punch) in cute martini glasses with an orange wedge on the side. (how appropriate, since I collect martini glasses). There were mini bottles of water on ice on the kitchen bar and there was a coffee bar set up. Instead of regular white sugar...they set out amber colored sugar gems or crystals! ( to accomodate the bling theme).

The dining room had the most beautiful serving pieces out and the menu was fabulous!
-Salmon Puffs
-Spinach and Turkey Pinwheels
-Caviar served on Potato Chips
Spicy Spinach Dip and Pita
-Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Icing and pink sparkle glitter
-Tuxedo Cake (Debbie Gatewood's masterpiece!)

Even the front door was decorated with white tulle, a giant diamond ring and ribbon. Not to mention the hostesses had a pink boa for me to wear, a real pageant crown (compliments of Cinda Rich) and a ring that lit up! I wore them proudly! The sweet hostesses had decorated a chair for me to look like a throne (White Fabric and Ribbons) and that is where I sat to open all the gifts!
The party favors were hugs and kisses tied in pink tulle and orange ribbon and ring pops! (LOVE THIS!)

What a speacial day...I will NEVER forget!