just for angela...

Well, I don't have any fun road trip pictures today cause I didn't go anywhere, but I will make up for it.

Kati and I went shopping today. Cause I totally needed more clothes. Then we had lunch at Panera (one of my FAVES!), and we ran some other errands. Then Kati's sister and her boyfriend came over for dinner. It was a fun day. Tomorrow Kati's husband is getting up and making breakfast for us. I suggested that he take my husband under his wing...

By the way, I asked the husband if I could use his name and he said yes. Well, I can use his initials, but that's what everyone calls him anyway. I just can't say what it stands for. Anyway, his name is TJ. So yay for that. Now I don't have to call him "the husband" anymore.

So more details for Angela...I will be living in Georgia. He is not home right now, but will be back not too long from now. Sorry, but I have to be vague about that he says. When he gets back, I'm going to go up there. He lives with a friend in an apartment right now. I call him LB. Apparently we're big on initials.

Anyway, when everyone gets back, we're going to move into a new townhouse thing together. We're a precious little family. LB just wants to have a wife without actually having a wife. He likes it when I go get stuff for him at Wal-Mart and make the house look nice. But that's ok. I don't mind. They have some training to go to about a month after they get home. They'll be gone for another 3 months or so. I think I'm gonna stay in Georgia and find a job and enjoy having the place to myself. I'll use that time to girly up the place. No more bachelor pad for the boys.

Angela didn't have anymore questions, but she wants all the details. It's funny to think about how I never really mentioned him or our relationship in all the posts I've written. I mean, ok, I realize that I frequently mentioned him, but not anything about us. So here are the basics:

We've been married for 4 years, together for 5. He has a daughter who is going to be 8 in November. He's 27. He is obsessively neat and frequently throws things away that I need because I happened to leave it sitting on the kitchen table for more than 18 minutes. We tease each other relentlessly and we have a shit ton of fun doing it. He is my absolute best friend. I tell him everything and I can totally be myself around him. Which I realize should be the case when you marry someone, but I think a lot of people still don't have that. I have so missed having him around to talk to.

He laughs out loud when he watches TV. He mouths the words I'm saying when I talk to him. It's really kind of creepy. It's like he knows everything I'm going to say. Like lip syncing. It's also fun to watch, and he doesn't realize when he's doing it. He thinks I've turned Jers into a sissy. Which I so have not, BTW. He gets a new car like every year. Well, not new new, but new to us. In the months that we've been, *ahem*, not together he's managed to acquire a different one.

He always notices when I paint my toenails a new color. He is OCD about working out. Goes to the gym everyday. I personally think he's unbalanced, but it's whatever. We sleep back to back. He won't eat McDonald's, which again, I find unbalanced. He takes the longest showers of anyone I've ever known. Like ever; in my whole life.

While I stomp around and yell, he's incredibly patient. I get mad when he won't fight back. I mean sometimes you just get good and mad, and it's incredibly irritating when the person who is supposed to be fighting with you stays impeccably calm. He gripes at me for hogging the covers, but I think he secretly likes it. Some days I want to kick him in the teeth, but I love him every day.

Oh, fun story. So, he proposed to me on a beach in Florida. It was late at night and he suggested we go for a walk on the beach. So we do, and it's just like the movies. The waves were crashing, the moon was our only light...so romantic. So we're walking and he starts telling me how much he loves me and stuff. Then he stops and hits one knee. So I'm like super excited. He asks if I'll marry him, opens the ring box, and the ring goes flying out like it was spring loaded.

Now the light of the moon is not so much romantic as it is a huge hindrance. We couldn't find the ring anywhere. We were so careful and sifted through the sand, but to no avail. I have never seen him look that ill to this very day. So he called a friend who brought a flashlight out. We still couldn't find it. So I go to Wal-Mart (at 2am, mind you) to buy a metal detector. The boys stayed on the beach with the ring.

So I go into Wal-Mart, find a metal detector and batteries, and go to pay. The lady is looking at me like I'm nuts. So I told her what happened. So she was just like, "Oh honey. After you find it, just bring this back and you can return it." Which was good since it was like $250. So, I'm hurrying back to the beach and I get pulled over for speeding. You know how the cops always ask why you're in such a hurry? Yeah. I had a good reason. So I told him and he looked like he didn't believe me till I showed him the metal detector. He started looking ill too, so I'm thinking his wife's ring was rather expensive. He let me go.

So I get back out there, and the boys had used their shoes to cordon off a possible landing area for the ring. Geez, military much? The boys put the batteries in and TJ started sweeping it across the designated square. He started in the bottom left corner and swept up diagonally. It wasn't looking good. He got to the very top right corner and it went off. His friend hit his knees and started digging like crazy. Then all the sudden his hand shot up in the air. He had the ring. He was in our wedding.

TJ yanked it out of his hand and jammed it on my finger. I never did answer the marriage question. So we went back to Wal-Mart and when I walked in, everyone kind of looked at me expectantly. I held my hand up in the air and a cheer went up. It was awesome. We returned the metal detector and went back to the hotel and passed out.

Looking back, it's pretty funny. But only because we found the ring. I think he would have wept if we didn't. He probably wouldn't have left the beach. All the old people come out early in the morning with their metal detectors and they're like vultures.

Anyway, enough detail for now. I'm sure I've bored you all to tears. It's Angela's fault. Blame her. So here are some pictures for ya'll. One of us and then like my favorite picture ever of him. He's sexy :)

So, I hope you enjoyed the details and the pictures. I'm a sleepy girl. I'm gonna eat a chocolate chip cookie and watch "Design Star" on my computer. Then I'm going to drift off to dreamland where I can eat all the chocolate chip cookies and chocolate donuts I want and not gain an ounce.

xoxo

road trip: day 1

Well, I made the 4 hour drive to the Dallas area today. It went really quick. I guess today was a driving mood day. I took some pictures for ya'll. I was telling hubby about my pictures and he made fun of me because I turned around to take one of them. I think he's scared that I'm going to turn all our future road trips into a big picture fest. He's probably right to be scared. I told him to shut up cause I was having fun.

I'm at my friend Kati's house. Gawd...gorgeous. I'm so jealous! And it is so Kati. She's awesome at decorating and even used orange in her dining room. I love orange!

Holy crap there's a Spam commercial on TV right now. I didn't even know they had Spam commercials.

Angela has requested more details about "you know who". I think I know who "you know who" is...kidding. What do you want to know?? I'll take questions :)

So, this is the one I turned around to take. I was flying down a back road and I happened to look to the left, where a horse was standing on the front porch of this house. It's kind of hard to see, but that's totally what's happening. I don't know why I'm so amused by this, but I am. Enough to flip a U-turn, take the picture, and flip another U-turn.

This is a picture of the big white statue guy that we always pass. It's Sam Houston. I don't know if anyone who's not from Texas even knows who that is, but it's kind of a thing on our trips to Kansas to point out statue dude.

Ok, so this is my Dairy Queen Blizzard. They shut down all the Dairy Queens that are by my house, so when I stopped to get gas and there was a Dairy Queen at the same exit...well, I got one. Clearly. It had Snickers in it.

These would be my chocolate donuts. I so told you I was getting some. Did I get them at the same exit at which I got my Blizzard? Yep. Is that really bad? Yep. Did I still eat them both? Absolutely. Calories don't count when you're in the car. Duh. My husband begs to differ. He was just like, "Holy hell you have got to stay away from that stuff!" I can't. Impossible.

The clouds were pretty. And I was in a good mood because I had been watching the temperature thingy on my rear view mirror drop steadily. I'm only 4 hours north of Houston, but it's so much nicer here! There's like zero humidity. When I left this afternoon, it was 103. When I arrived in Dallas a little under 4 hours later, it was 88. I find myself strangely eager to continue north...

This is my view during the majority of the drive. Where she gets the energy to stand on my console and balance the entire time, I do not know. She likes to scope out the road though. Whenever we pass cows (which is quite often) she almost kills herself in her hurry to get back into the back seat to look at them as they go by.

So, those are today's pics. I'm sleepy now. But I have to wait for husband-o-mine to call. Hopefully that will be soon.

xoxo

road trip sweetness

Well, I'm off on my road trip adventure tomorrow afternoon! I'm headed up to Dallas to visit a friend and her husband, then off to Kansas, then back through Dallas to stay with my cousin and visit family there. I really hope I'm in a driving mood tomorrow. Sometimes I could drive forever and just sing to the radio and sometimes I just want to be out of the car. Fingers crossed that it's the former for this trip...

I'm still trying to figure out how to upload pictures from my BB to blogger. I'll get it at some point. I'll be sure to take interesting pictures and have good stories to tell. I'll definitely take a picture of the vast bleakness that is Kansas. Love visiting everyone there...but I would be terminally depressed if I lived there. Not near enough trees and green. Lots of crops as far as the eye can see.

Anyway, in honor of my road trip, my Spoonful word tonight is *gasp* "road trip". Shocking, I know. Totally didn't even see that one coming. Don't pretend like you did.

The line-up: Classic Airstream RV Trailer Necklace from Charm Star, Which Way Today from LJ Design & Photo, Weekend Bag by Retrofied, and Atlas Bangle Bracelet from So It's Gray.

First of all, how cool is that charm??? I love those trailers. They're so cute. I always thought they looked like eggs. A friend from college had an uncle who lived in one on his parent's property. We called it "The Egg". As in, "Does the A/C work in The Egg this week?" I have never seen a charm of that before and it just stinking rocks.

There were a whole lot of photos and prints that came up when I searched road trip, but I fell in love with this one right away. I love those old signs with all the wooden arrows. And it has Route 66 on it, which I really wanted. I've always wanted to drive Route 66. It's on my list of things to do before I die. But the photograph is gorgeous and I love how it captures the whole mood.

I. Adore. This. Bag. I want one soooo bad! It's huge. I could actually fit more than my toothbrush in it! And it's so darn cute. I love the fabric. Gray is my fave. Now, there is actually a Road Trip Bag in this shop as well, buuuut this one is the same bag with zipper upgrades. I love zippers. So technically it's still the Road Trip Bag, only on steroids. I will have this bag. Too bad it won't be in time for this road trip.

These atlas bracelets are so darling. I can't wear big bangles like that because they make my arm look like a freaking twig. I hate it cause they're so cute, but it's just one of those things. Anyway, I can totally see myself wearing this on the road and walking into a gas station to buy a nice, healthy snack (ok, chocolate frosted donuts...) with my sunglasses on top of my head. I would love so incredibly road trip experienced. Which I really am, I guess. But then people would know, you know?

I'm aware that I think about really strange things sometimes. Atlas bangles send me into a whole scenario. By the way, my weekend bag is in the back of my car in full view of anyone walking by. That way if they don't see my bangle, they'll still know. Mmmm...chocolate donuts. I am so getting some of those tomorrow. It's like a road trip staple. My husband doesn't even ask anymore. He just comes out bearing donuts. Good man. Took awhile to train him to do that though, so be patient with them girls. They get it eventually.

Now I'm thinking about donuts and that makes me think of breakfast. Which in turn makes me think of cereal. And now I want cereal. So I'm going to get some Corn Pops and then I'm going to bed. I have a lot of packing and other little things to take care of before I leave tomorrow.

Next time I talk to you, it will be from the road!

xoxo

muahahahahahaha

I'll have you all know that I'm posting this from my brand new BlackBerry Curve!!! It's pink. Is my computer right next to me? Yep. But am I still loving using my BB? Oh yeah. Now I just need to figure out how to post pics...

and the sugar comes full circle..

Gosh but Gmail is helpful. I still get the "be happier" ads, but those have since lost their appeal. However, I was checking my email earlier and I have a new one that is not only highly entertaining, it's rather enticing too. For reasons unclear to me, Gmail has picked up on my pyromaniacal tendencies. I have been offered the opportunity to get a degree in "Fire Science". What I want to know is why this wasn't available when I was in college. Forget my Master's...I'm starting fresh with "Fire Science". (Yes, I do realize that this is a degree for firefighters and the like, but pyromania is so much more fun. Besides, I'd learn everything I'd need to be an accomplished arsonist anyway.)

My blog has probably just been flagged by Homeland Security for writing that. I imagine next time I go to the airport I'll have quite an experience. They'll see my ID, think my name sounds familiar, check their watch list, and take me to the back room for a chat. And a cavity search. Golly, something to look forward to.

Speaking of watch lists, I got the phone call from CVS this morning; automated voice saying my scrips were ready. They called at 7:30am. I'm thinking that was totally on purpose. I know the automated voice didn't call anyone else at 7:30am. Anyway, I then got a call later in the day from a real live person to tell me that they had tried to refill some of them and they realized my refills were gone. Which I knew. I have the new scrips, I just haven't taken them in. I was wondering if they'd catch it. I was quite impressed when they did. The whole "we don't know anything about any prescriptions ever in the whole world" act was getting a tid bit tired. Glad they're changing it up. Keeping it fresh. Gotta keep me on my toes. Doing their jobs all the sudden; what a strategy. I certainly didn't see it coming.

Anyway, if you you remember, I talked about some good news that I got. I needed some time to get things figured out and just hold onto it for awhile. But now I'm just happy and excited and I want to tell people. So here it goes...my husband and I are going to work things out! He called me last week to say he missed me and he wanted to do whatever it took to fix our marriage! So I said yes. That's all I ever wanted from the beginning. It was a shitty, sucky, horrible, painful, awful 6 months, but now that everything turned out right in the end, the path I took to get here seems irrelevant. We both had a lot of time to reflect and learn things about ourselves. I know I've learned lessons that I will never, ever forget. I think we'll be a lot better for it. When it comes down to it, if either one of us wanted to be somewhere else, it would have been simple. All the hard things - telling our families and friends, divorce papers, etc. - were already taken care of. We both know what it's like to think you've truly and completely lost each other, and I know that neither of us will take it for granted again.

So, now I'm starting on a new journey. A happy, rebuilding journey. Believe me when I say that there will still be plenty of angry, sarcastic, entertaining posts. That's just who I am :) I told my husband that he might not want to read my blog because it said not nice things about him. He said my next post should be entitled "an apology to my wonderful husband". Ha! As if. I told him not to hold his breath. He called me a hooker and I called him an ass. God it's good to be back. I actually missed him calling me names. I guess I should put that in context since no one knows a whole lot about the good parts of our relationship. That's what we do. It's done with much laughter and love. Disturbing? Maybe. But I wouldn't trade it for the world.

You know what's really disturbing though? Calling him by his name. Cuh-reepy. Unless I'm talking about him, I never use his name. I call him B. His name doesn't have a 'b' anywhere in it, and it's a long story as to how we got to that point so I won't bore you. But I just never use his name. He doesn't use mine either. Even when he's talking about me to someone he usually calls me Chelly. One of the things he did to really get under my skin during the dark times (that's what we decided to call the past 6 months or so) was to call me Michelle. It was the worst. My name was a punishment.

I'm not sure what the point of all that was. Maybe cause I'm stupid giddy happy. I realize that that could be quite a scary thing for all of you. I think I had a point though...

I just took a shower and I'm all shiny clean and ready to do my Spoonful now. My word for tonight is "circle". I'm at a point in my life where I feel like things have kind of come full circle, and I guess it symbolizes a new start. Whatever the reason, that was the word that stuck in my head. So circle it is.

You know the drill...Matchbook Notepads from The Card Stall, Abstract Fancy Tree from Else Studio, Recycled Wool Pillow from Bonjour Teaspoon, and Antique Silver Circle Drop Earrings from Simply Betty.

How adorable are those notepads??? I am obsessed with notepads, especially sticky notes. But notepads in general. I'm forever needing something to write on and I never have anything in my purse. Which is shocking because of all the other crap I have in there. I usually end up writing things on the back of receipts and losing both my receipt and my note. Ugh. Paper gets all bendy and ripped in the bottom of my purse, so I stopped carrying it. But not these neato things. They have a little matchbook case to protect your precious paper.

I know what you're thinking...more trees. I can't help it! Trees apparently speak to me or something. I just looooove the colors in this one though! How darling would it be in a little girl's room? It's a happy tree. Like the "Giving Tree", but that story always kind of made me really sad. That little kid was a jerk. But I digress...

Gray is one of my favorite colors (what does that say about me, K?) and green is right up there too. I love the simplicity of the pillow. It would add the perfect touch to a room that already has a lot going on or it would draw the eye in a room that doesn't have much going on. A win-win, really.

And earrings. We all know how I feel about earrings. I am a little hurt that my polite request for all Etsy sellers to cease and desist earring selling until I got my obsession under control was ignored...But I have this thing for the earrings with the chains dangling like that. They're gorgeous and sexy! And these are certainly no exception. They caught my eye right away.

Anyway, I need to catch a little nap. Husband calls really early in the morning. Stupid time difference. He tells me not to wait up, but seriously. I missed 6 months of this shit. No way I'm taking my Ambien and then being all coked up and loopy when he calls.

Have a good night all!

xoxo

p.s. I think I'm going to get a BlackBerry in the next few days...if I do I'll totally have Internet access when I go to Kansas. Depending on how you feel about me, that could be good or bad :) Anyway, how much fun would that be??? I've always coveted those stupid BlackBerry's. Now I get a pink one! It's nice to have cash flow again!

twice in one day; will wonders never cease?

Yeah so. I was all set to do my Spoonful. I already have the little picture collage made and everything. But Etsy has chosen to do scheduled maintenance at this very moment, so I can't link any of the stuff! It is 2am, so I guess they tried to pick a good time. 'A' for effort. Too bad I'm up way past my bedtime feeling the need to post my Spoonful. Oh well. Shit happens.

I really should go to bed. Maybe it's a sign that Etsy is unavailable. Maybe the universe is screaming at me to quit staying up till all hours of the night and then sleeping half the day away. It does make me feel like an incredibly big deadbeat. But I don't need to work at the moment. So it's ok for awhile, right? I need to get back on a normal person schedule. For some reason I find myself feeling less and less normal every day. Wonder why that is...

Anyway, since Etsy has deserted me, I guess I'll go to bed. Don't let the bed bugs bites!

xoxo

as long as it's after noon

Well, it's almost time for my monthly battle with CVS. Last month it was pretty painless, but I figure that can't possibly happen twice in a row. I'm not that lucky. I'm probably on some kind of watch list behind the counter. Like the ones at the airport for Osama Bin Ladin. That would be so awesome. It's a new life goal for me. Be on the CVS watch list. I'd strike fear into every employee's heart. Oh the pure, unadulterated joy of it all.

I had a sweet girl order one of my items and request a custom one! I'm so excited. I love doing custom items. I'm trying to get everything done before I leave next weekend. I'm also mailing a sample to the owner of a blog so that she can feature my items and do a giveaway. I'm pumped about that. She's been ever so patient with me as I was a horrible person and took forever and a half to email her back.

Well, the road trip is coming. Next weekend Jers and I are off for our big adventure. We're leaving Thursday to hit Dallas and stay with my friend. Then Sunday we'll cruise on up to good old Lyons, Kansas. Try to find that on a map. I'll probably spend a little over a week there and then head back through Dallas on the way home to stay with my cousin. Whew.

Unless I can bootleg a neighbor's wireless Internet connection (which I'm not even fully sure exists in Lyons...), I'll be MIA for awhile. I will, however, be taking pictures and making notes of entertaining things to tell everyone when I get back. Travelling never fails to bring out the crazy, sarcastic bitch in me. It should be fun.

Oh and while I'm thinking about it, I got the sweetest award from Michele over at By Your Side. It's the International Bloggers Community Award. There's a master list you get to be on if you get chosen! Too cool. At some point, I will be a good sport and play too. I just wanted to be sure to thank her for it though! So, thanks a ton Michele!

I had lunch with my Stacy yesterday. Always good, good times. Her in-laws had Miss K. That means we got to consume alcoholic beverages. You look like a really bad mother and aunt if you're drinking at 2pm with a 2-year-old in your booth. Not that it looks really great to be sucking down a Long Island Iced Tea at 2pm anyway, but hey. Like Stace says, "As long as it's after noon..."

Mmmmm...Long Island Iced Tea.

Anyway, we went to Marshall's afterwards and I got me some kickass Steve Madden sunglasses for $10. That's what I'm talking about. I could spend the rest of my whole life in Marshall's and/or Ross. There's just so much to see. And shit is so cheap! God I love cheap. Did I ever tell you that I got 7 pairs of jeans at Ross the other day for $100? I can't remember if I did or not. It was thrilling. And I'll have you all know that I did, in fact, need new jeans. I dropped a pant size and was sick of walking around yanking my jeans up with every step. I looked like an idiot. Anyway, back to the shopping experience. When the madness is over, the trip to the register is in slow motion with the "Chariots of Fire" theme song playing in the background.

I really need to stop using my blog to avoid all the things I should be doing. Gotta wash my sheets and vacuum and do some staining. Hopefully I will have enough time to get on later and do a Spoonful. Fingers crossed.

xoxo

sugar covered grace

I know, I know. I'm kind of a tease. I talk about big curve balls and then I won't explain. It's good. Really, really good. But I'm going to hang on to this one awhile. I'm gonna hold it close and just savor it for a bit. Then I'll tell you guys all about it.

I found a new quote that I adore. It's from Shel Silverstein and it makes me smile:

"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me...Anything can happen, child. Anything can be."

Doesn't that just make your heart happy?

Anyway, my Spoonful word for tonight is grace. I just love that word. It's Kaitlin's (my niece) middle name, and if I have a daughter I want it to be her middle name too. It's just such a pretty word and I've always thought that if you take to heart the things it means, you'll be a better person.

We've got Grace Postcards from Unravelling, Metal-icious Pearls from Strands of Grace, Grace Kelly from Cuddle Regards, and Grace Eye Candy from In a Lather.

I absolutely adore those postcards. They are so gorgeous. I love the use of color and lighting. I really love the perspective they used too. They're stunning.

I find pearls to be incredibly elegant and classy. They seem to be the jewelry incarnation of grace. I love how this necklace combines a traditional style with a more modern look. The contrast is gorgeous.

And how freaking cool are those cards that look like a purse! You have got to make absolutely sure to go browse that shop because there are so many cool, fun, unique, and beautiful cards to look at. I'm in awe of the creativity and talent. I'd feel horrible writing in them!

I love how yummy that soap looks. The scent sounds so soft and feminine and the colors are awesome. Does anyone know how they make the perfect little swirls in the soap like that? They're crazy cool.

Anyway, last night was a late night/early morning and I'm tired as hell. I'm gonna call it a night.

Ugh. The palm of my hand itches. I hate that. No matter how much I scratch, it doesn't make a difference. What's up with the skin on your palms that makes it un-itchable?? Drives me nuts.

Totally off the subject. Lack of sleep is messing with me. I hope everyone has a fantastic night!

xoxo

just when you think...

As soon as you figure everything out, life laughs its ass off and throws you a big curve ball. Holy crap.

little black spoonful

This is going to be kind of a "post and run" thing. Sorry about that. I'm just excited about my next Spoonful and wanted to get it in real quick! I was feeling sassy the other night and I searched "little black" on Etsy. I found some really fun stuff, but I've narrowed it down to 4 for my Spoonful collection.

Jessica from My Black Dress, Ayala Levinger Art Bag from Ayala Levinger, Little Black Dress Olive Oil Soap from Savor, and Little Black Earrings from Linda Trent Jewelry.

Everyone knows about the LBD. Sadly, I don't own one. I need one now. That's exactly what I picture when I think of an LBD though. Simple, sleek, sexy, elegant, and classy. It's absolutely fantastic!

And that BAG! Oh my gosh! That would go with my LBD (the one I don't own) perfectly! It's such a cool and unique style.

I picked the Little Black Dress Soap because it seems powerful to me. Really feminine and sexy. Plus, it's black soap. How cool is that?? The perfect thing to prepare for your LBD night out.

Heaven forbid I don't include jewelry in my Spoonful...Love, love, love those earrings though! They'd look great on my ears with my hair pulled up. All shiny and dangly and cute. I can see it now :)

I just need somewhere to take all my cool little black stuff now! It's on my list though, believe me!

xoxo

catch some sweetness in a jar

Well, trouble found me. I knew it would. Didn't take nearly as long as I expected either. Although my sister and Ben were sick last night, I took one for the team and went out with a friend. We went to see his friend's band play and then to two different people's houses. When I went to bed, the sun was completely up. Lordy, Lordy. Someone please remind me that I am too old for this. I've done all this crap already and it almost killed me the first time around. I had an awesome time though and I didn't drink so much that I feel like ass today. So, overall it was a success.

Luckily I don't have to be grown up or responsible quite yet. I'm pretty sure that will put a direct stop to all my wildness. Haha. Oh well. Enjoy it while it lasts, huh?

My dog is currently laying across the pillows at the top of my sister's bed. Lins is too nice to move her. If I was sick like that, I'd be pushing her furry little rear over. Instead Lins is just wandering around the apartment finding things to do until my princess dog feels like moving. I hope she's not holding her breath.

Anyway, my Spoonful word tonight was "firefly". I don't know why. Other than the summertime always makes me remember catching fireflies at my grandma's house. And I like fireflies cause they're pretty. There aren't any in Texas. This upsets me. So tonight I have brought fireflies to the Lone Star State.

The line-up: Tree of Fireflies from zMac Photography, Mini Firefly Lantern from April Hiler Designs, Sterling Silver Firefly Bookmark from Ysabelle Sol Art & Jewelry Designs, and Firefly from Bean Tree Designs.

I apparently have this thing with tree art. Those are the ones I'm drawn to. Isn't it cool though? All the lights in the branches? Yeah. I thought so. I thought that little lantern was darling too. It's supposed to be for a flower girl to carry at a wedding. I'd just hang it up somewhere since I will never, ever be party to another wedding in my life :)

I love my Amazon Kindle, but I really like bookmarks too. And this little firefly bookmark is awesome. But I have nowhere to put it. Good thing that doesn't make a bit of difference when I'm picking out stuff for my Spoonful!

I've noticed that I always have jewelry in my collections. This just highlights my sick obsession. But you know how they say you should love yourself for who you are? I'm just gonna go with it. But I love the colors and the dangle beads. I have a thing with dangle beads too. I have lots of things. That sounds awkward...

I'm going to bed now. I feel like I've taken my Ambien even though I haven't. In case you were wondering, that's a rather scary phenomenon. Since I'm not allowed to be on the Internet after I take my Ambien, I should probably go now before it gets really ugly. Jers is still snoring away on my sister's pillow. Imagine that.

xoxo

sugar falls

Well. I'm in College Station. Where everyone is sick as hell. My sister and her boyfriend both sound like they're dying and I'm going down with them. Damn sick people. So now we have a chorus of hacking, coughing, sneezing, and nose blowing. It's way attractive. So far I'm not as bad as they are. Just a sore throat, runny nose, and coughing. I don't feel sick sick yet though. I'm taking Tylenol Severe Cold like my life depends on it. Which it kind of does, I think.

So much for trouble...oh well. Trouble has a way of finding me. I doubt it'll be too long before the opportunity presents itself again.

You know what is so stupid? Paper towel commercials. There's always this kid making a massive mess. Like throwing a cereal bowl or kicking a plate of spaghetti. Then it splatters everywhere into the biggest mess on the planet. A mess that would inspire yelling and stomping from me. But nooooooo, this mom just grabs one sheet of Bounty and smiles and laughs and hugs the little demon child. This does not happen in real life. "Oh sweetie, it's ok that you smeared hot wing sauce all over my white walls because we have Bounty!" Yeah friggin right. Random, I know. I just think of that every time a paper towel commercial comes on.

Today's Spoonful keyword was "autumn". Call me crazy, but I'm a tid bit tired of triple digit temperatures and scorching heat and suffocating humidity. I long for just a cool breeze. *sigh* I can't wait for fall and all the pretty leaves and fun holidays. When people can go out and get the mail and not need a shower afterwards. Only in my dreams at present. Ugh.

Anyway, so here are my autumn things that make me almost feel a few degrees cooler!

Here's the roll call: Autumn Sterling Silver Ring from Firefall Studios, Eternity Brass Antique Leaf Necklace from Rhonda's Treasures, Rococo Shawl from Tickled Pink Knits, and Autumn Landscape Metal Artwork from Copper Leaf Studios.

I adore the ring and necklace. I have this thing with leaves. It's just lately. I've never been a leaf person before. But I love how the ring spirals around and how elegant the pearl makes the necklace look.

My most favorite from this particular collection is the shawl. Oh. My. GOSH! I don't know if I could pull it off, but how stinking cute is that? I love, love, love the color and how it drapes on the edges. The pin is beautiful too. I just fell in love as soon as I saw it.

The last one is actually metal art. It's a maroon background with a gold metal overlay. I love how there's a picture in the cutout, as well as an etching on the metal.

I gotta refuel on the Tylenol. Rapid Release is the way to go in the Tylenol world. Just FYI. I hope everyone is having a significantly colder day than me!

xoxo

ruby red sweetness

Hot. So hot. I feel like I live on the equator. This is outrageous. I've probably said this 812 million times, but I don't ever remember it being this miserable before. Come on fall! Not that it will really cool off here at all till October, but I can't wait for all the fun holidays! Fall and winter make me happy.

So, my Spoonful theme today: ruby. I was inspired by Keirsten's necklace/bracelet (which is included in the collection). I love that sucker. Plus, Ruby is my grandma's name. I adore my grandma. She is the most incredible person I know. So rubies make me happy. So I went with it. I found some really awesome stuff.

Today's lovely collection includes Ruby Red Rose Natural Soap from Intentions, Ruby Red Convertible Necklace-Bracelet from Lune Designs, Ruby Jade from Honeytree, and Ruby Flock Flower Placemat from Kainkain.

How fantastic is that print? It's incredible. I love the colors together. I usually have a hard time deciding what to pick, but I saw that and immediately knew it was going in. Doesn't that soap look yummy? I'm kinda scared to buy something like that cause I really want to eat it. Is that weird? Probably. But weird is what I do, so it's cool.

I think you all know by this point that I am not a place mat type of girl, but this one ROCKS! I love the black and red together. And it's so simple. I'm actually setting my dining room table in my head. For someone who wants to throw her remote through the TV when wedding shows come on, that is awfully domestic.

And I saved the best for last...that necklace! First of all, it's two pieces of jewelry. Common sense tells us that two is always better than one when it comes to jewelry. And the colors are incredible. The beads look so smooth and cool. Kinda like glass tile. I apparently have a glass thing.

I really need to take a shower now. I have to finish laundry before I can pack to go visit my sister. Oh, I'm going to visit my sister today. I'm going to spend the rest of the week with her. See if I can't get her in a little trouble.

xoxo

roping some sugar

Blah. It's been a day. A hot one. Holy crap. I swear that it has never, ever been this hot and humid and miserable here. I know I was gone for awhile, but this was not how it was. I ran errands today and I felt like I was gonna die from walking in and out of the store. I got some new furniture for my bedroom though. I was running out of places to put my clothes (how horrible is that??), so I got this little cabinet and some cubes with baskets. I got it all put together this afternoon and it looks cute.

Funny story - I have a friend who flies Apache helicopters in the Army, and he got some new gear the other day. So he was looking at the box, and it was talking about the warranty and what it did and didn't cover and all that. He said the last two lines were, "This guarantee is void only if the PELICAN product has been abused beyond normal and sensible wear and tear. The above guarantee does not cover shark bite, bear attack or children under 5." Hahahahaha. I laughed my ass off. Children under 5 go in the same category as sharks and bears. But seriously, who puts sharks or bears in their warranty anyway? It's not like they're even closely related or anything. Too awesome. I guess people who make products for the military have to plan for every occasion. So, there's a little humor for tonight. He saved the box, so hopefully I'll get to see it one day. It would make me incredibly happy.

Job searching sucks, just so you know. I'm not to the point where I'm desperate and I have to take the first thing that's offered to me. It would just be nice to be able to find something I like. I wish someone would just offer me a really awesome job with a great salary and fantastic benefits. Anyone? At all? *crickets* No? Ok then...

Just a warning, what I'm going to say next will spoil The Bachelorette. So if you haven't watched it yet, and you want to, read no further.

Ok, now can you believe that Ed couldn't close the deal??? And then he talked about it on TV? Holy crap. I mean, I know it's one of those things and it probably is really awkward with cameras filming everything for millions of people to see. But seriously. Poor dude. They didn't have to show that shit. He's going to be that guy from now on. Guarantee you that's the first thing they'll ask him on the reunion show. God, I just feel bad. That's no one's business.

My Spoonful tonight is a collection of lariat style necklaces. I absolutely love them, and I've found some of the most gorgeous ones ever.

Yummy! How awesome are those?? First of all, I'm going to say that I'm a horrible person and I have no idea where the first one came from. Here's the thing: I always look over a few days and pull up some Internet windows with items I like. Well, that one got closed AFTER I already made the little picture collage. I've tried really hard to figure it out, but I can't. So sad day. From there on, we have Maeve Lariat from Eye Love It, then Prepster Lariat from Silver Dot Jewelry Designs, and the last one is Summer Sun from Made By Sam.

Anywho, off to finish up the laundry and hit the sack. Hope everyone has a great night!!

xoxo

YAY!!!

I got featured in Angela's treasury!! Too exciting. I love her. You will love her too, so go see her shop and her blog.

Then go look at the treasury!!

Ok, gotta keep trying to catch up on everything...ugh.

drunk on sugar

You guys are so sweet! You missed me! You don't know how nice that is. I got so many comments and emails from everyone, and I really appreciate it. I'll do better from now on, I swear.

Today has been a day. My computer erased an article (along with all my research) randomly today. Jers has been limping lately. I think she just stepped on her leg wrong, but it still makes me nervous.

This is the best part though: I had TWO flat tires on my car. I just replaced the battery. Piece of crap. I don't think I ever told my battery story. So. I take my car to Auto Zone to get a new battery because my car just decided to stop starting. Love that. So I give the guy all the info about my car, he gets the battery, and then we go outside so he can put it in.

Oh, oh first of all, he saw my military ID in my wallet and he (I shit you not) whips out his wallet, flashes his ID, and says, "Army Reserves." Wait. For real? So I'm just like great, he's one of those guys. So now we go outside. He sees my base sticker on my car. I also have a sticker with my husband's unit on it. Clearly I need to take it off. He has a really cool job. I could explain it, but I don't think I'm supposed to and it would just confuse the hell outta everyone anyway.

So then Auto Zone homeboy (who will now be referred to as just "homeboy" for the duration of this post), starts talking about how he does the same thing as my husband. Which he does not. I promise you. I asked him what unit, and he rattles off the big one. Everyone is part of the big group. Then you're assigned a specific battalion. So that right there proved him wrong. I guess he thought I was one of those wives who had no idea what my husband did. Ha. I know it all.

So he's telling me all about his "war stories" and how he has 7 Purple Hearts. Again, he doesn't. I promise. And wouldn't you learn to duck or something after the first 3 or 4? Anyway. That irritates me because people have earned those and he's using them like it's nothing. That's a whole other topic though. So then he's telling me about his 6 Mustangs and really cool motorcycle. Homeboy works at Auto Zone and he's in the reserves. He doesn't have any of that shit. He thought we were tight though. Dumb shit.

Oh but it gets better. He pops my hood and he can't find my battery. Yes, for real. He was so confused. So I kindly pointed out the plastic housing that encased the battery. He goes, "They wouldn't put it there." Oh really? They wouldn't put it under the big battery shaped plastic thing with the terminals sticking out and a big positive/negative sign on it? No?

Good God. So he gets out the owner's manual and is like pouring over it. It was sweltering. I had the urge to start the car and give him a nice little kick. That's the closest he would have ever come to a Purple Heart. So I just told him that my dad would put it in for me and not to worry about it. Then he all the sudden decides to unscrew the plastic battery housing. Good call. Then homeboy actually has the audacity to say, "I'm a genius." Totally what I was thinking...

GAWD! People just amaze me sometimes. It's just another one of those rapid blinking situations. There's just not a whole lot you can really do or say in the face of that kind of stupidity.

So, the point of all that was that I need a margarita. I've made a new friend who used to be a bartender and he makes the best margaritas EVER! Yum :) Tequila and I have always been close, but we're quickly getting really reacquainted. Haha. So fun. Not sure what I'll do when I actually have to get up and go to work like every other upstanding contributing member of society.

Anyway, I'm going to try a new spin on my Spoonful. I think I'll pick a theme or word, search it, and then do a couple different items from my results. So I used margarita tonight. I'm really in the spirit now. I think I'm going to go have a few later tonight...

Anyhow, here are the things I loved the most:

So, we have the Margarita Clutch Purse from Davie & Chiyo. The Margarita Necklace & Earring Set from Bead Stylin'. Next is the Margarita Glass with Red Hibiscus from Aressa. And last, but certainly not least, is the Margarita with Salt Bath Bomb from Pink Bricks Bath & Body.

I love all my sugars :) The clutch is so, so cute and summery! I love that style of fabric flower. There was lots of margarita jewelry to choose from, but I couldn't get over how much that set really captured the exact color of a margarita. And that glass...hand painted! Oh my gosh. I am in awe at the talent it takes to do something like that. I don't even think I have to explain the bath bomb. Baths and margaritas...are there really any words?

So, let me know how you like the new Spoonful. I missed you guys! I'll get back around to commenting and everything in the next few days. Thanks for sticking with me even though I ran away for a bit. It was really good for me, just so you know.

Have a great night!

xoxo

i didn't die

I know some were probably hoping I had :) I'm playing catch up from my almost week long vacation. Figures that I leave and then I sell stuff. Not that that's bad, I just have a lot to do. Plus, I'm job hunting since I won't be moving after all. I think I'm going to stay in Houston. I've been applying to some colleges and universities for advisor and coordinator positions. Fingers crossed for me! That would be my ideal job.

I really am going to get back into my routine and be a good little blogger again. Cross my heart. But now I have to ship some stuff and run some other errands.

I hope everyone had a great holiday!

xoxo

p.s. The beach was AWESOME!!!!!! :)

real quick

I have so much stuff to do today before I leave. I need to get a coat of grout on the mirror, do laundry, write an article, and pack. Lordy. But I wanted to share some pictures of my work in progress with y'all!

It's just been stuck and sealed, so it's nothing spectacular. But that's where it starts! Gotta grout now! If I don't make it back before I leave tonight, happy 4th of July to everyone! Be safe and remember the ones that are keeping us safe!

xoxo

my personal jewelry designer

I'm taking a break from working on my custom mirror. It's pretty big so I have to do it on the floor. My back and knees are killing me. I've been trying to stop buying stuff till I start selling stuff, so it's been awhile since I've really gotten to work on something. It feels good.

I'm so, so excited! I asked my wonderful friend Dian from Holmes Craft to make me some earrings, and she listed them for me today. Holy cuh-rap, they're absolutely gorgeous! I was so giddy. Not only is she incredibly good at what she does, but she's the sweetest thing ever. Working with her is a blast.

She did such a good job. I sent her some pictures of some earrings I liked, but wanted in different colors. I'm pretty sure it was confusing as hell. But she did it all perfectly. Very rarely do things turn out exactly like you planned.

So yay for earrings! I can't wait to get them :) Go visit her store! You can have your very own personal jewelry designer just like me. Actually, on second though, she's mine. Find your own :)

xoxo