Long time. No Blog.

I really don't even remember how this blogging thing works anymore. For some reason, I felt the need to blog today.

This weekend... oh, this weekend. This weekend was very eventful for a number of reasons that I'm sure will be explained in more than one post. First, my bff Sarah's bachelorette party took place in Nashville. I planned to drive separate because I had to go to Atlanta on Sunday for a costume show. On the way to Nashville, a bolt and screw the size of my middle finger (no lie) hit my a/c compressor, and my air went out. I was in no way driving the rest of the way to Nashville in 100 degree weather with no a/c. Five hundred and ninety four dollars later, I was on my way to Nashville. Nothing was going to ruin my fun!

The most exciting part of the trip was seeing Chelsea Handler in her "Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang" tour. She was MORE than I imagined. My cheeks hurt from laughing so much. She is incredibly obnoxious and really doesn't care what people think about her. I loved her.

After the concert, we spent an extended period of time in Tootsies. After about an hour, I was having withdrawals from my usual Lady Gaga and Kesha dance music. I mean, I can only bust so many awesome moves when all they are playing is Brooks and Dunn and Carrie Underwood (whom I really cannot stand). Anyway, the "almost bar fight" that involved the bachelorette herself was the icing on the cake. I ended the night with a cheeseburger and fries at 2:00am which was possibly the BEST part of Nashville.

More to come...

Chelsea Handler - WHOA!

I will see her September 24th in Nashville. I've just recently gotten into watching her, and I'm currently reading her book, "Are you There Vodka, It's me, Chelsea." Her sarcasm is wonderful, and she's quite scandalous! I LOVE when people say things that I'm thinking but would probably never say.

Warning: Bad language and sexual content, but it's Chelsea Handler, so I shouldn't have to give the warning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tin_SKUO5bM

P.S. I do not agree with everything she stands for, and I certainly don't support her promiscuous lifestyle, but the girl is funny!

CAUTION - Don't read if you don't want to know the truth.

I usually try not to believe too much that I read on the internet, but I've found this site to be too accurate not to believe. First of all, I've allowed myself to become WAY too involved in the Bachelorette this season. I don't even like Ali. I think she is superficial and quite immature. However, I just can't stop watching it. Anyway, after last night's scandalous previews for the rest of the season, I did some snooping. Check out the site below. Shame on you Frank... I did a whole blog post about you, and I actually liked you.

http://nahupsi.wordpress.com/2010/05/29/the-bachelorette-6-the-truth-behind-frank-neuschaefer%E2%80%99s-scandal/

Just thinking

Just some things I've been thinking about lately:

1.) I wish more people would grow a backbone. In my opinion, I think Facebook has made people such cowards! I'd delete mine if I knew I could find out so much about people on my own. Everyone Facebook stalks. I don't care what they say.
2.) Respect what others are going through. Unless you've been there, you don't know what YOU would do or how you'd react. Recognize that people have stuff going on behind the scenes that we probably have no idea about.
3.) Be confident in how you act and present yourself. If you aren't happy with yourself, you will never make anyone else happy.
4.) Jealousy will wreck your life. Again, jealousy will wreck your life. Enough said.
5.) Do something nice for someone even if they have never done anything nice for you. You will feel better regardless.
6.) Keep those who build you up close. Stay away from those who create negativity. Life is so much better that way.
7.) There aren't too many things a good glass of wine, a good laugh out loud conversation and/or a good night's sleep can't cure.

That's all for now.

MY Bachelorette pick

I am ashamed to say that I have whole-heartedly gotten into the Bachelorette this season. I feel SO embarrassed for the guys and Ali when awkward stuff happens. In fact, last night, the episode was so awkward that I spent half of it with a blanket over my face because I couldn't watch it. I never knew a group of guys could act so much like a group of teenage girls! So far, two of the men have cried because of being bullied by the other guys. WHAT?

My Pick...

Frank, 31
Frank is so cute, especially in his glasses. In my opinion, he should never take them off! Do I think Ali will choose Frank in the end? Absolutely not. Frank is a lover. He fell for Ali way too quickly, and he is a bit emotional. In the end, I think Frank's jealousy will overcome him, and Ali will be annoyed by it. I may be completely wrong. Frank may stick around until the end. Hey, I won't be sad about it!

I can't stop listening

I can't stop listening to this. I love my girl, Gaga, but Idina Menzel gets me every time. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!

On another note, this past week was the first time I've ever really watched a whole episode of Glee. This is probably because I don't know what comes on TV at any particular time on most nights. I happen to love Glee, and I plan on catching up on all the episodes this summer. It will be a nice change from subjecting myself to the emotional craziness of Grey's and Private Practice.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zq4o-FlKbo&feature=fvw

challenge for today

Dear Anyone that takes the time to read this blog,

Here's a challenge for you today. Take a picture like the one below. Pull it up on your computer screen, and look at it for 10 seconds without picking something out that needs to be changed. Can you do it? I 'xed' mine out in about 8 seconds. Here's to liking ourselves a little bit more. :)

Disclaimer: I'd like a boob job.

On another note, I plan to do absolutely nothing this weekend. I read "Dear John" a few weekends ago, and the movie is in the mail from Netflix as we speak. I will stay in my PJ's all day tomorrow. I am headed to the lake on Sunday to spend some time with my friends. I got a new swimsuit which I'm pretty excited about. I will never post a picture of myself in a swimsuit for me or anyone else to analyze. Happy Memorial Day!! Sweet Summertime.

Wedding Bells

Kristen & Jon Carroll - 5.22.10

This past Saturday, my sweet, sweet friend Kristen married her lovely fiance', Jon. I was lucky enough to be a part of this wonderful celebration. Kristen's family is military, so much of her family is scattered about around the country. It was so amazing to see so many people travel so far to join in on the festivities. I love families that love each other. Kristen and Jon are such a great couple. I wish them all the happiness in the world.

My "aha moment" of the day was at the end of the ceremony. The preacher said, "I don't cry a lot. But, if Kristen and Jon come to me in 25 years and tell me that they love each other as much as they did the day they got married, I will cry. They will not be tears of joy but tears of sorrow. Love is supposed to grow and mature, and so I hope they love each other SO much more than they do today. If they do, that is the greatest love story of all." It was weird to me how such a simple statement could resignate with me so much. Being an old married woman of almost three years, I believe in and completely understand what the priest said.
This is probably my favorite picture of the day. After all the running around and craziness that usually takes place on the wedding day, Kristen finally had time to think about the committment she was about to make. The guests were seated, the photographer was already in the church, and the ceremony was about five minutes from beginning. So, there we stood, Kristen and her bridesmaids, waiting to walk down the aisle. At that moment, Kristen said, "I can't breathe. Can I do this?" I told her that people always say it's never too late to back out, but that I wasn't willing to let that happen because I wasn't about to go into the church and tell everyone the bride was MIA. Right before we left to go into the church, Anna (fellow bridesmaid and friend) took this picture with her Iphone. To me, it shows exactly how Kristen felt at that moment: the anxiety, the excitement, the wonder of just how much her life was about to change. And, through all of that, she completely understood and was ready for the committment she was about to make.

I just really love this picture.

growing up a little

My baby brother is graduating high school on Thursday. For some reason, it just hit me that he will actually be leaving Prattville and moving to Troy in a few short months. It seems like just yesterday that my sister and I were in our t-shirts and panties teaching him how to do the "funky chicken" in the living room. (Yes, we have video.) A phase of his life will soon be over. There will be new people, new surroundings, and new challenges he will face every day.


As I sat there on Sunday during his baccalaureate service at church, I remembered how I felt when I graduated high school. I felt like life was going to get SO much easier because I was going to have so much freedom. I've always been an independent soul and always wanted to be on my own. My how time changes your mind. I wish my brother the best. I hope he falls into the right group of people and makes smart choices. I hope he makes good grades and finds something to major in that makes him really happy. Most of all, I hope he discovers who he is, stands firm in his beliefs and holds true to what makes him the amazing brother and friend that he is. After all, that is what growing up is all about, I think.
Note: I know what college is all about. I also hope you have A LOT of fun, Chaddy. I know you will. Be good.

Go Boston - A New Tradition

On Friday, September 3rd, Josh, my parents, and I will be off to Boston, Massachusetts. I'm not really sure how this trip came about. Josh and I decided we both wanted to go somewhere neither of us had ever been before. The choices were unlimited since neither of us have ever been world travelers. So far we've planned a trip to the Red Sox game, a Salem witch tour, and possibly a ferry boat ride to Martha's Vineyard. This will be the most random trip we have every been on. Please say a little prayer on that September morning. I will be beating my husband to get him on his first airplane ride. He may be left at the Atlanta airport, so if anyone is willing to come pick him up, please let me know.

If I do in fact get him on a plane, Josh says, we will eat and drink like rich people for four days. You can bet on that much. :)

Shoe Dilemna

Have you ever wanted a trendy article of clothing that looks incredibly cute on everyone else but looks completely ridiculous on you!?!? Well, here's my dilemna. I want these shoes. I LOVE these shoes. I almost want to marry these shoes. I already knew I wanted to buy these shoes before I even tried them on. I was so excited.... Then, I put them on, and the ankle part swallowed my ankle. WHAT? I do not have skinny ankles. Anyway, they look stupid on me, and I'm not paying $60 to look stupid. However, if I see anyone else wearing these shoes, I will dead-leg them and run away.

God is bigger than the Boogie Man

Long time no post... I know. Life has been crazy here lately to say the least. We finished up our last regional competition this past weekend, and just when I thought I had time to breathe, I remembered that there is a bridal shower at my house this weekend, dance recital is three weeks away, and my house is in serious need of some TLC. Josh says he is ready for me to be a boring stay at home wife again. I told him maybe next week.

Anyway, I may not have taken off with updating my blog, but I have become a big fan of reading other people's blogs. There are so many people that have such wise and insightful blogs. It makes me realize that this world is so much bigger than my small little life in Prattville, AL. The quote below is from http://jodyrlanders.com/. Read this blog. This woman is so real and honest... She and her husband have four children of their own along with two children they adopted from Africa. Moreover, she chose to stay with her husband after his infidelity. At this point, I'm not so sure I would do that, but her reasoning for doing it, and the journey along the way are all so eloquently written. I read this and remembered that you never really know what you will do until you are forced to be in that situation. Hopefully, I'll never be there.

Here is the quote: Seeking God will not always result in fixes for life's problems. Instead, it will cause us to realize we live within a much bigger story - one in which God resolves the disappointments of life in ways that far exceed our shortened sight.

Sometimes, our disappointments cause us to see that life is much bigger than our unnecessary worries and stress. I've been challenged here lately to slow down and breathe. Life can't be prodded, rearranged or fixed. The shower will still happen on Friday, and recital will come and go just as it has every other year. And one day, I will be the boring stay at home wife who cooks dinner every night and does laundry every week. Sigh. Not today.

My children, well, kind of

Josh and I don't have any kids yet, so I like to think the ten little divas that I spend most of my time with fill that void for right now. And DIVAS they are. Below are some of the comments I've gotten from them this year...


Kid: Miss Rebecca, have you seen my artwork?

Me: No, I have not see it.

Kid: Well, you should. I'm pretty good.



Kid: Miss Rebecca, I'm going to do this dance one more time, and after that, I'm resting.

Me: (laughing) Well, okay, but you probably won't win a big trophy if you quit.

Kid: Right now, I'm SO over the trophy. (eyes rolling, of course)



Kid 1: I didn't wear my pedinis today (pedinis are a type of dance shoe).

Kid 2: Ewwww. I wore my PANTIES today!


I laugh at them every day. Kids are so honest, and they are so good at telling you EXACTLY how they feel. They don't sugarcoat, they don't talk about me behind my back. and they love me no matter what. I wish adults were more like that. I love my little dancing queens!!

My Husband

Here is my husband, Josh and me. FYI: My mother-in-law made us take this ridiculous, glamour-shots wannabe picture. One day I'll be thankful for the memories made while taking these photos. One day.


Josh and I have known each other our entire lives. Although, I never really remember being friends with Josh until junior high, he says he always had a secret crush on me. He claims he knew he was going to mary me when we were in 6th grade, and he saw me at a baseball game. He even remembers that I was wearing white shorts and a purple shirt. I was always the shy, quiet goody good girl, and he was simply put, a Ladies Man. Josh and I really did and still do have the fairytale story that so many people dream about having. I still get butterflies when I'm around him, and I miss him (most of the time) when we aren't together. He lets me be a brat which means I usually get my way. He supports me and loves me even when I don't deserve it. He is my best friend. I'm a good wife too. Just ask him.

So, I say all that to say this... Josh has decided to go back to school. It is my turn to support him. I am SO proud of him. He said his goal is to wear a business suit and work downtown Montgomery. He wants to go to dinner meetings at the Renaissance and get free tickets to the Biscuits games. He has such detailed goals! I asked him what he wanted to major in... He said, well, I was thinking Accounting. Knowing how much hell I went through to get my degree, I smiled and said, "go on with your bad self."

Honestly, we may not be friends until he finishes school.

A nifty little discovery

My friend, Sarah, told me about an AMAZING website. http://www.shoedazzle.com/ The company was founded by Kim Kardashian. You create an account, take a style survey, and then five style experts choose shoes for you each month according to your preferences selected on the survey. The fee is $39.95 per month, but only if you choose a pair of shoes each month. If you don't like the selections chosen, you just say "no thanks" for that month, and there is no charge. Now, for the best part... I had been wanting some caramel colored boots to wear with some spring dresses that I recently bought.



So, I created my account, took the survey, and anxiously waited to see what the stylists would choose for me. To my surprise, a pair of caramel colored boots were among my choices. The best part is, they only cost $39.95!! Next month, I'm shooting for a pair of purple suede peep toes... I could only be so lucky.



Vwalah! I LOVE LOVE LOVE these boots!

One Down, Six To Go!-UPDATED

This weekend marked the very first dance competition for the girls this year. We left Prattville on Friday with two inches of snow on the ground and drove in a blizzard to get to Atlanta. I've never seen that much snow, except when we went snow skiing, and that didn't count because it was man-made snow. Below are some pictures.

I fish-tailed and slid a little on the way to the competition on Saturday morning. Thank you, Josh for letting me use your truck and its 4-wheel drive!

The girls did a FANTASTIC job on stage, especially for their first performance. I'm always amazed at the resiliency and determination that kids posses despite all the craziness around them. They work so hard and rarely complain. I just wish we as adults possessed these same qualities. Go on with your bad selves, Centre girls!! Mobile, here we come!!

In my original post, I neglected to mention the surprise "Britney themed" birthday party we threw for our sweet friend, Elise on Friday night. Elise, a reporter for Channel 8 news, had been up since 4am reporting on the snow. I forgot to mention that Elise has a slight (okay, HUGE) obsession with Britney Spears. I don't understand it, but I sometimes choose to support her obsession. Anyway, I was kind of nervous about going through with the party because I knew she would be tired and aggravated from driving on an ice skating rink to get to ATL. Although, her entire face lit up when she saw her Britney cake and the posters her mom had brought from her old bedroom. All things said and done, everybody needs a little Britney in their lives every now and then. Happy Birthday... Britney Style.

P.S. I still think "If U Seek Amy" is a nasty, desperate song. Who do you think you are fooling, Britney? You are defintely no Gaga!!

The Cake!! (I guess it's okay that it didn't match the purple and black decorations I bought.)

Such Party Animals I tell ya!

It's that time of year!!

In the dance world, we celebrate a season that is perhaps more stressful than the Christmas season, and that is "dance competition season!!" Today is February 8, 2010. That means that our very first competition of 2010 will happen in four days. Right now, I am supposed to be focusing on closing the month at work and preparing financial statements. I should be thinking about the mid-term that I have to take tonight for my graduate class. Instead, I'm thinking about costumes that need to be altered, accessories that have not come in, and everything else that needs to be done before this weekend. Dance Dance Dance!!! I cannot concentrate on anything else.

We had our dress rehearsal yesterday... It went pretty smooth We actually finished all 22 dances in four hours which is actually pretty good. There are many things the girls could have done better. Some could have smiled more, some could have pointed their feet better, some could have rolled their eyes a little less, but overall, I'm proud of the hard work each girl brought to the table. I'm SO excited about what each dance will bring to competition. I'm also so proud of every teacher at Centre and the amazing work each of them do with the kids. I could never thank them enough because they do save my life every day.

He are some of my favorite people and me at "Hairspray." Gotta love the Centre teachas!!

I'll post more pics of competition season as it unfolds. Hold on... here we go!!

Dear Hormones, go away!

Happy, Sad, Mad, Angry, Frustrated, Excited, Furious, Happy, Sad, Content, Overwhelmed, Tired, Happy, Anxious, Blah! That pretty much sums up the realm of my emotions this past week. My hormones hate me!! If this keeps up, my husband may hate me even more. Yesterday he said, "Well, I'm glad you are over being sad, but Good Lord, now you are mean!" Take what you get big boy. That's what you get for marrying a woman. (I mean, I'm sure those that are married to the same sex have the same problems, right? Probably not.)

I did want to mention some things that have helped to brighten up my life a bit over the past couple of days.

1.) Sarah found her dress. There are still some accessories that may or may not be added to the dress. We shall see. :)
2.) My friend Christy found out she she is going to have a Pennie.
3.) I took yesterday off, and spent the day in bed surfing youtube and watching The Proposal and Sweet Home Alabama. (No matter how bad I feel, a good love story ALWAYS makes me feel better.)
4.) I got an 'A' on one of my papers I submitted for my graduate course which is good considering my professor told me that it was impossible to get an A+. Being the overachiever that I am, I refuse to accept that. I HATE professors that grade like that. What is the point of having a 100 point scale if no one will ever achieve it? (Hormones, calm down.)
5.) One of the babies in my dance class sang "Single Ladies", Chipmunk style, ten times during class. They always make me feel better.
6.) One of the kids on my petite dance team brought cupcakes for her birthday, and they were strawberry flavored (the icing and the cake). MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD!!
7.) I shaved my legs last night. That always makes me feel better.
8.) I had a Banana milkshake from Sonic and didn't feel bad about it.


---So, in closing... Thank you God for placing people and situations in my life to cheer me up. Thank you for making me realize that the simple things in life are worth noticing and should be appreciated. Thank you for not ever giving me more than I can handle because I love my husband, and I like having him around. Time to put my big girl panties on and get on with it!

Sometimes you have a good day and sometimes you don't!

On Sunday, I ate a chocolate sunday, and it was good. Little did I know that the chocolate sunday would make me gain back 2 pounds of the 4.9 pounds that I previously lost. UGH! I mean, it doesn't even weigh 2 pounds. How is that possible??

On a more positive note, I went shopping with Sarah and some of the wedding party on Saturday. We found the ALMOST dress (I picked it out BTW.). But then, Sarah remembered that her cousin had a similar dress for her wedding last summer. After a quick search on mobile facebook (ain't techonology great? I mean how did I function before I had my Blackberry?) we confirmed Sarah's worse fears. CRAP!! So, off to the next store we went. We found THE dress this time. haha! Note to self: if on a budget, always ask for the price before you try on THE dress. It totally sucks when you realize you can't afford it. Just saying. (Sarah, you are still my friend.) Back to square one. I received an e-mail from Sarah yesterday with a picture of another dress. Maybe we will go see it this weekend.

Here is some of the bridal party as Sarah models THE dress. Of course this was before she found out the price. I love my totally indecisive friend. :)

Oh my....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOqeLmqh8-E&feature=related

Matt Lawrence melted my heart last night. It doesn't hurt that he looks like Tim Tebow whom I have a slight crush on. :)

Anyone that can sing Ray LaMontagne like this is my American Idol!

New Year, New Duties, New Diet!

So, Sunday I was driving home after having dinner with some of my favorite people at Olive Garden. (This event requires a post of its own, but I haven't quite decided how to title it or how to keep it rated 'G'. On the contrary, I did post a half naked picture and a very detailed blog about Dr McSteamy, so I'm not sure this blog is rated 'G'... I digress.) Anyway, my phone rings, and of course, it was in the bottom of my purse in the back seat of the car. I waited until I got home to check my voicemail, and it was from my dearest and long-time friend, Sarah. She said she needed me to call her back immediately. Do you ever have one of those psychic moments when you KNOW what the phone call is about? You want to call back and yell out what you think, but you stop yourself because you don't want to ruin the other person's suprise?!? So, being the wonderful friend that I am, when she finished yelling, "I was wondering if you would be my MATRON OF HONOR!," I said "I KNEW IT!" That wasn't ruining her suprise, was it??

I am so excited for Sarah and Adam. They have been through a lot the past 10+ years, and I've been Sarah's friend the entire time. I've even stayed Adam's friend even though he drove Sarah NUTS waiting so long to propose. I feel like this is my wedding too, although, I'm pretty happy that all I have to purchase this time is a few wedding gifts and a bridesmaid dress.

The date is set for October 9th, 2010. I am in another wedding (Kristen and Jon's whom I LOVE very much) on May 22nd. My dilemna: Lose weight for Kristen and Jon's wedding, and KEEP IT OFF for Sarah and Adam's wedding. This year, my weight loss has a purpose besides wanting to be "sexy by summer." I just have to figure out how I'm going to pull it all off.

Here's the ring!! Turns out, Adam has had the ring since November of 2008. Josh bought my ring on August 4, 2007 around 6:30pm and proposed on August 4, 2007 around 7:00pm. I have a very patient husband. Congratulations to my very best friend and her VERY patient fiance'!

NOBODY should look this good!

As a child, I never had movie star crushes. I never melted when the Backstreet Boys or nSync came on TV. (I didn't say that I didn't know every song.) My husband always asks me what guy I fantasize about, blah, blah, blah. I guess he is trying to make sure his body matches up. Truth is, I'm a realist, and I know Dr. McDreamy will never show up at my door in his underwear begging to jump into the sheets with me. What's the point??

Oh BUT, Dr. McSTEAMY!! This is his first appearance on Grey's... THIS is when I turned into a 13 year old blubbering idiot who panted at the TV. (Okay, no panting, but close.)

Last night was a crossover episode of Grey's and Private Practice. Mark (McSteamy) was in LA with his newly found pregnant daughter so Addison could perform a surgery only SHE could do. (sure.) Anyway, together again. Addy and Mark. AND again, he undresses himself. Just when I had gotten back to normal and remembered that I am 23 and married, and that he is NOT coming to Cotton Terrace to sweep me off my feet. And so, it has begun. I'm 13 again. Now, if I could only find my Backstreet Boys cd.

Who looks this good eating cereal!?! And, where can I get one of those bowls?

disclaimer: I love my husband more than any man on this earth. I love his body more than I like McSteamy's.... Just for the record, I do not want a life-size poster of this to put in my closet.

It's about time I start this thing!

I created this blog about six months ago, and completely forgot about it until my friend Jessica started one to document her after-college, in the real world, big girl life. After a little boost from my pal, I've decided to start this thing. I'll start off by saying that I don't pretend to have an extreme lifestyle full of exciting events. I spend most days balancing financial statements and most nights chasing two year olds around so I can wipe their noses. That said, ordinary things to most are probably extraordinary to me. Most blogs will probably be about stuff that happens at dance or stupid things my husband and I get ourselves into. Feel free to stop reading now.




So, for my first blog... Hmmmm...



Every year, our dance competition team takes on the task of performing a production of about 40 kids. It usually requires numerous props to pull it off. We will start with our first.



Our first year, we did a Pirate production. My dad and many of the other dads constructed a pirate ship from plywood complete with a PVC pipe flag and steps made from 2x4's.

Because our business was just starting out, we didn't have the money to rent a uhaul let alone buy a covered trailer of our own. We carted that ship around on a 16ft trailer with bungie cords and bright blue tarps to protect it. But, it was a DANG good looking ship, and we won many awards with that piece.

Last year, we did a piece titled "Rockin Thru the Decades." We started with music from the 40's and ended with "Sexy Back" by Justin Timberlake. It was fitting for the time. Ha! For this prop, my dad took the existing pieces from the pirate production and constructed a 5'5ft tall Jukebox along with two LIGHTED platforms.

Yes, those are babies in Afro wigs.... I always try to add a humorous aspect to the productions because I feel like productions are meant to entertain the audience and the judges. Wait until you see this year's production!! (No pictures until after competition season, sorry)

So, this year we are daunted the wonderful task of constructing a life-like airplane complete with wings and a propeller. My dad is so excited about it. He hasn't been able to sleep for the past week because he is so excited about starting the project this weekend. (Did I mention that I was a really sarcastic person?) I know it will turn out wonderfully!! It's the "in between" events that will require a lot of prayer. Stay tuned.