Jill Sharpe's Alabama

We spend Christmas Eve at my Grandparent's every year. We get there pretty early and spend the whole day. This year was WONDERFUL. I couldn't believe how great the weather was. It was sunny, crisp and cool. Welcome to Jill Sharpe's Alabama!

 Mama and Daddy - the BEST parents in all the world!

There was no shortage of presents. Check out Granddaddy's tree. The ornaments were a little sparse.

The kid who stole my heart 12 years ago.

Renee (sweetest Aunt ever!) and Abbie

James got a bike.

Matt and Paw Paw shooting the breeze. (That Alabama afghan has been on that loveseat for as long as I can remember.)

Hubs and my Bro -  not sure what they were doing with that basket.

You will 100% of the time find Granddaddy napping at least 3 times on any given Christmas Eve (actually on any given day).

And who doesn't do a little skeet and target shooting on Christmas Eve? Check out Mama Hen shooting the glock. Her Hubs, Mark had to hold her ears because it was so LOUD!

Marty & Casey

Have you ever seen a better homemade target?

My bro, me and Mama Hen - I think we're tough enuff. Doesn't everyone have raccoon pelts hanging on the front of their barn?

And the best part - Aunt Affie's Christmas getup. This year she paired a Christmas sweatshirt with a Christmas vest and a Christmas scarf. Well done, Aunt Affie. Well done.

I totally realize that I'm the luckiest girl in the world!

If I'm lyin', I'm dyin'

I was having lunch with my Mama a couple of months ago and somehow we got to talking about the music on her IPOD. All of a sudden she said she had heard this song on the radio that she really wanted to download but she didn't know who sang it. And y'all, I just about busted a gut when she said the main words were "Take it to the Limit".

I said, "Mama, that's by The Eagles" and no lie, she didn't know who The Eagles were. Needless to say, I brought her the greatest hits CD the next day and now she can "take it to the limit"  to her heart's content.

And that would be reason #321 of why I love my Mama so much!

40 Years and Counting!

Guess what happened 40 years ago today.... yep, my parents got hitched. All the kids and grandkids descended on their house this afternoon after Church and celebrated. I'm so thankful to have two parents who love each other and have stayed together through thick and thin.

Check them out leaving for their honeymoon.

All I can say is that I truly hope my marriage will be as strong as theirs. I love you Mama & Daddy!

Good food, good shopping

Today we had a Christmas lunch with Jay's family at The Rucker Place in downtown Birmingham. Before last week, I had never even heard of it, but it was amazing. Apparently, a General Rucker had it built for his daughter for a wedding present. Her family lived there for about 50 years before it was sold to a Doctor who used it for his practice. The current owners bought it in 2002 and renovated it for events. You can read the full history here.

It was just beautiful and I'm pretty sure I had the best-looking date there!

We also braved Bed Bath & Beyond, TJ Maxx, Wal-Mart and Target. There is no doubt it's the last weekend before Christmas - the traffic was insane! Thankfully, I only have one more gift to get and I'll be done! I'm not gonna lie, shopping wears me out. It took me all of about 2 seconds to get my jammies on once we got home and now I feel snug-as-a-bug on the couch.

Have a great weekend everybody!

Bliss and Pain

This weekend was total bliss. I had nowhere to go, nothing to do and let me just tell you, it was beautiful to behold. Hubs had weekend coverage so he was M.I.A. during the day Saturday and Sunday. I lit cinnamon candles, turned on all my Christmas lights and read, and read and read as the wind actually howled outside. It was so cold going to Church - there were actually a few little snow flakes on my windshield!

I will say, I don't think I've ever been so glad to get home from Church. I wore a new sweater dress and it was the most uncomfortable thing ever. Well, the dress wasn't uncomfortable - it was what I had to wear UNDER the dress that was the problem. I think we all know that sweater dresses are very unforgiving and I have quite a few areas that need a lot of forgiveness! I thought I would be all smart and wear Spanx - OH.MY.WORD! I think next time I'll just let my stomach hang out. Oh dear, I don't need to do that either. I'll have to give that some more thought.

Just curious, what's the most uncomfortable thing you've worn?

They like me! They really like me!

Well, at least one blogger does! I know posts have been scarce around here lately and I've been seriously pondering whether I should "shut er' down". I've gone back and forth because let's face it - I really have NOTHING TO SAY!

And then this - an award from Miss Stacy over at Stacy's Snippets and Random Thoughts. I've been reading this chick's blog for a long time now and she's one of the few people who can make me laugh out loud. If she didn't live 1500+ miles away, I'm sure we would be fast friends and "thick as thieves". (I've been wanting to say that ever since Bravo replayed Carolyn saying it approximately 500,000 times.)

Apparently, I need to tell you 7 things you've never always wanted to know about me. Well Stacy, be careful what you wish for...

1. I'm becoming obsessed with tacky Christmas decorations. I'm not sure when it started but I can totally see myself in a few years becoming the old lady who leaves her blue lights up year round. No, I don't have any blue lights - yet.
2. After reading this and this, I think I've had PMS for about 2 years straight. I'm sure you don't think that's possible. Just trust me.
3. I bought a Middleton Doll at FAO Shwartz a couple of years ago when Hubs and I went to New York. I've always wanted one. I did the whole shebang: picked out my baby, sat in the chair and rocked it while the nurse went over the adoption papers as I promised I would take care of my "baby" for the rest of my days. I did all this while Hubs pretended he didn't know me.
4. I cut bangs a couple of weeks ago (yes, I did it myself) and can't seem to stop. I think they're about halfway up my forehead right now.
5. I've been known to waste huge amounts of time whenever I have a day off. Today may or may not be one of those days seeing as how it's 9:30, I'm still in my pajamas and I have a list a mile long of things I need to do.
6. Apparently I need 9+ hours of sleep to have a sunny disposition. I never get it which leads back to #2 on this list.
7. I may secretly wish I was cool enough to be in the CIA.

Thanks Stacy! Bless your heart for being a faithful reader.

The best laid plans...

I didn't intend to go another week without posting but somehow it just happens. In my defense, a small part of my week included some sickness. Thursday I was sitting at work and in a flash my body went cold, my face got clammy and my stomach started churning. A stomach virus has been going around our office so I knew what was coming. I got in my car and headed home as fast as I could. Let's just say, it's a good thing that I did. Thankfully, I didn't seem to have it as bad as my coworkers and it didn't last over 24 hours.

I finally ventured out of the house Saturday afternoon and did some shopping with J2 while Jay and Mickey watched the Alabama game. We both had some Kohl's cash and a JCP coupon burning holes in our pockets so we were women on a mission. It had been a while since we had been shopping together and we definitely needed the retail/friend therapy.

I cannot tell you how thankful I was for the extra hour of sleep last night. Of course, I woke up at 5:45 but it was so wonderful to just be able to sit around and not be rushed before getting ready for church. And this day! The weather was perfect. Anytime the weather allows me to wear a sweater, jeans and boots - PERFECTFECTO!

Here's to a good week!!!

Where have I been???

Well, I'm sure you all have been on pins and needles wondering where I've been for the last couple of weeks. I know my riviting posts about cutting off my mole and forgetting to wear deoderant have kept you on the edge of your seats wanting more.

But seriously, it's been a little crazy around these parts lately. I've been working a lot - a whole lot. Thankfully, that seems to be slowing down some and I can hopefully get back to my normal amounts of laziness.

I commited to finishing an unfinished sewing project in the month of October on Joy's blog. She's going to have a giveaway for all the participants. I decided that this would be a great time to finish a rag quilt I started for my friend, K's youngest. It's way overdue seeing  as how she turned 2 in July. Yes, the depth of my procrastination has no bounds.

Last Sunday afternoon I decided to finish it up. I only had 3 rows left to sew so I knew it wouldn't take long. I had just finished it up, opened a drawer to look at some fabric and found a stack of squares that I had started sewing and never finished. I have no idea who I started this quilt for, but somewhere out there I assume there's a 5 year old who will never be the same for not getting a quilt lovingly made with my own two hands.

I'm not sure where it came from, but I was overcome with a need to finish it too. All I can say is I really hope I win. Here they are Joy!

I really do love sewing and wish I could do more of it. Unfortunately, I have to balance it with all my TV watching. Priorities.

Is this post for real?

I'm having one of those weeks. Actually, more like one of those months. Pretty much everything I do is wrong, or afflicted, or just plain psycho.

And why does it seem like all of a sudden absolutely everything needs to be done all at one time. My hair desperately needs to be colored. I'm sporting some serious gray roots. My toenails need to be painted. My eyebrows need to be waxed. The list goes on and on.

And then today, I forgot to wear deoderant. Thankfully, I sit in a freezing office all day so there's no chance of sweating. My mom was there and I think she came in my office several times just to make sure I wasn't stinking. The sad thing about it is that just yesterday I bought a 3 pack of Secret deoderant at Target. Oh the irony.

Speaking of deoderant, I was in the grocery store sometime when I was in middle school and I heard this girl yell out, "Hey Mom, I need some deo for my b.o." Crack me up. I'll never forget it.

You Can Quote Me

All I have to say is BASEBALL Playoffs baby! I am absolutely loving that my Yanks are on TV every night. It's like a little treat for working all day.

I got my hair cut last night - about 2 inches. My niece is going to the Xcell Academy in Hoover and it tickles me pink to have someone who does hair in the family. The best part of her going to Xcell is that a haircut is only $10. Oh yes - you read that right - TEN DOLLARS!!!

Sometimes I wish I had gone to school to do hair. I would want a shop like Truvy's in Steel Magnolias. I mean, how fun would that be??? I watched Steel Magnolias not too long ago and I really do think that might be my favorite movie of all time. I laughed. I cried. I laughed again. Ouiser has the best quotes EVER! Here are a few of my favorites.

 " I do not see plays, because I can nap at home for free. And I don't see movies 'cause they're trash, and they got nothin' but naked people in 'em! And I don't read books, 'cause if they're any good, they're gonna make 'em into a miniseries."

"This is it, I've found it, I'm in hell."

"I'm not as sweet as I used to be."

"You are a pig from hell."

"I'm not crazy, I've just been in a very bad mood for 40 years!"

"Oh! He's a real gentleman! I bet he takes the dishes out of the sink before he PEES in it!"

"He is a boil on the butt of humanity!"

Please tell me y'all love it as much as I do! OK, that's it. I'm gonna go have to watch it again - right after baseball's over.

Poop and Love

When our new Sunday School year started at the end of August, I decided not keep the nursery and go back to my Adult class with Jay. I did agree to be put on the Parent's rotation. Yes, I'm fully aware that I'm not a parent - it was a moment of weakness.

Today was my duty day and I was put in with the 2 year olds. There were 12 of them with 3 adults. Not a bad ratio - or so I thought. The problem with this age group is that they are half diapers, half panties and the ones that are in panties really aren't fully potty-trained.

We had one little girl who tee-teed in her panties. All I could think is that her parents must have given her a liter of water before she came in because it was a river all over the floor. I got her cleaned up but bless her heart, there wasn't a change of clothes in her bag so she just had to walk around in her shirt.

A little later, I actually had a little girl come tell me she had to go potty.  How awesome is that? What she didn't tell me is that she had already POOPED.ALL.UP.IN.HER.PANTIES! I cannot even tell you how gross it was. I may or may not have vomited a little in my mouth. By the time I got those panties off, there was poop all down her legs, poop on the toilet, poop on the floor and yes, poop ON MY HANDS!

It took me about 20 minutes to get her, me and the bathroom cleaned up and I'm just gonna be honest, I threw her panties away. They was just no way I was going to try and rinse them out. It was just more than i could stomach. I was sweating like a crazy woman and when the last one left, I was out of there like lightning.

And with that, I would like to wish my Hubs a Happy Anniversary. The past 12 years have been more than I could have ever hoped and most definitely more than I deserve.

A meme about ME

The lovely, Joy over at Joy's Quilts tagged me in a little "getting to know you" meme.

What would be your dream job?

Hands down - a librarian! I started college with the intentions of getting my Masters in Library Science. Due to lack of maturity and a lack of interest in 'learnin', the thoughts of continuing on to get a Masters after my college graduation were just more than I could fathom. So for the past 14 years, I've been Programming - and it's not all that bad!

Where would you like to live?

I LOVE living right here in Trussville, Alabama.

In what century would you like to live?

This one of course!

What would be your last meal?

Now this is a hard one! If I had to pick, I think I would go with some Pasta Milano from Macaroni Grill and garlic bread. For dessert, blackberry cobbler with vanilla bean ice cream!

What made you start a blog?

I was reading Mama Hen's blog everyday and well, who doesn't want to be like their big sis???

What is your favorite piece of clothing?

My cowgirl boots!

 What's your favorite film?

Just one??? Gone With the Wind

What would you like to do before you turn 100?

run a 10K, hold my niece and nephew's babies, meet Derek Jeter, go to Niagra Falls... oh, the list just goes on and on

Now it is your turn!I tag...

Mama Hen

Amy

Stacy

LeAnna

Hope y'all will play along! If I didn't tag you, I hope you'll do the Meme and leave me a comment. I would love to read your answers!

R.I.P. to my Mole AND GIVEWAY WINNER

Yesterday morning I was able to leisurely get ready for work because I had to wait around for the bug lady to show up. I laid in bed too long (got caught up in a book) and didn't realize the time until about 10 minutes before she was supposed to be here. I decided to jump in the shower and get that done before she arrived.

I was hurrying and before I realized it, I had started shaving my legs. Habit, I guess. I really started hurrying then and before I knew it, I had SHAVED A MOLE OFF MY LEG! I felt the cut and then the sting. Oh the wretched sting! I  couldn't tell how bad it was at first because of all the shave gel so I went ahead and started rinsing the conditioner out of my hair. When I looked down again I saw blood running like a river down my leg. And then I heard the doorbell. That bug lady - she's got great timing.

I slapped my washcloth on it and applied pressure (I didn't watch ER all those years for nothin'.) I hobbled to the door, let her in, and spent the next few minutes trying to get it to stop bleeding long enough to get a bandaid on it. I'm not sure why, but I didn't get ANY SYMPATHY WHATSOEVER from the bug lady.

I had my whole night planned - several ways I could milk my injury with Jay. And do you know that stinker made plans to go watch the Auburn game with some friends!!! I propped my leg up on the ottomon all night anyway and pretended there was someone there who cared.

Now, for the important news! The winner of the personalized lap desk from The Southern Belle Boutique is

Rebekah

from In the Heart of Our Home!!! Congratulations Rebekah! Leave me a comment or email me and let me know which desk you would like to have and with what name/initials!

I labor, therefore I give

I am so in love with Monday holidays that I just can't stand it. I LOVE going to bed on Sunday night knowing that I get one more day of being at home. So, in honor of my blissful feelings - I think it's time for a GIVEAWAY!!!

I was perusing Etsy the other night and came across The Southern Belle Boutique. I wanted to add pretty much everything to my cart because it's so stinkin' cute! I saw these personalized lap desks and I just knew all of you wuold like to have one. How cute are they??? I can't decide if I like this one better

or this one??? They even have a cup holder!

Regardless of which one I like - the important question is - Which one do you like? Just leave me a comment and let me know which one you would love to have. I'll close the comments Thursday night, randomly select a winner and post Friday morning. Good luck!!!

I cried today

It started slow - just a few trickles sliding down my cheecks. Before I knew it, I was sobbing, my shoulders shaking. I was on my way home from running errands and for some reason, she flitted across my mind - my Grandmother. She's been gone for a few years now, but it can still hit me with powerful force.

This woman, she was like no other - not the typical grandmother you hold in your mind from old movies and books. She was better. She was strong and country. She grew up poor and some of the stories she told me still break my heart.

Like most southern women, she showed her love with food. She never thought we ate enough, even after we all sat around sleeping after a meal because we had gorged ourselves with so much food that it was impossible to do anything else. I don't ever remember there being a time when there was just one meat or casserole or dessert. There was at least 3 of everything. And it was all good - everytime.

My Granddaddy called her Pearlie-Girl and it was the cutest thing you ever heard. He can barely hear but she could be two rooms away, call his name, and he would immediately answer. She was 16 when they got married and loved him with all her heart until the day she died. He will love and miss her until the day he dies.

She wasn't shy about giving her opinion and she was usually right. She was tough and did what needed to be done. She wasn't sentimental. She drove a truck that had a tag on the front that said "Let me tell you about my grandchilden." It's still on that truck. And I hope I can have it someday. I don't know why. I just do.

She had a garden. She made jellies and canned vegetables. I was in college before I ever ate a green bean that didn't come out of her garden. I still have one quart of her vegatable soup in my pantry but I can't bring myself to cook it. I can't stand the thought of there not being anymore left.

Me and Mama Hen and my brother stayed at their house a lot in the summer growing up. We would say "we're going to the country." They didn't have cable and just a window air conditioner but we couldn't wait to get there and were sad when we had to go home. At one  point, Grandmother played softball for the church. She was the pitcher and she was good. I remember going to the games and then we would stop by Dairy Queen and Granddaddy would buy us a hotdog.

I would give anything to have her back for just one day, or one phone call. Praise Jesus, I will have eternity with her in Heaven.

Vacation Recap

Obviously we had a wonderful time in Hawaii but OH.MY.WORD. the recovery has been oh-so-hard. I'm not kidding, that 7 hour plane ride kicked my bootay.

It's unbelievable to go to a place where it's beautiful everywhere you look. Just riding down the road (in a black convertible mustang) is amazing. I can't believe what the locals get to see just driving to work! We got to do some really fun things like...

Take a plane over to the Big Island for a volcano tour where we stood on lava and walked on black sand. We were supposed to get up close and personal with the active volcano but apparently it got crazy the Thursday before and spewed enough lava to destroy 96 homes. We steered clear.

Loved this waterfall. I'm crazy about them.

On Maui, we drove the Road to Hana where we saw beautiful waterfalls and flowers. Imagine our surprise when we saw this on the side of the road.

We loved walking in Old Lahaina, relaxing on the beach, and driving to the top of the Haleakala crater at a whopping 10,023 feet! It was completely crazy to think we were walking ABOVE the clouds!

I had a great time with my man in Hawaii!

Aloha!

Did you think I'd fallen off the face of the earth??? No, I'm still around. Just not in my beloved Alabama! Guess where I am...  Yep! Hawaii!!! Jay and I got here late Saturday after an EXTREMELY LONG flight and we've been vacationing in paradise ever since. I can't even begin to tell you how beautiful it is so I'll just show you. This is the view from our front balcony. (Disregard the date - obviously we had the wrong date set in the camera.)

This is the view off the side balcony.

I can't believe I got to spend my 36th - I mean 29th - birthday in Maui! We've had fun and done some "interesting" things. I'll definitely post more about this trip but for now I better get back to paradise! We'll be back on the mainland Sunday.

In the mean time, check out Mama Hen's A Southern Girls Giveaway!

Aloha!

A-HA

Today something hit me with such stark clarity that you would have thought a bomb went off in the sky. I.am.a.horrible.person. No, I haven't murdered anyone or robbed a bank. Mostly, it's the thoughts that go on in my head and unfortunately make their way out of my mouth on way too many occassions.

I am a SINNER! Of course, I've always known I'm a sinner - we all are. But I guess I just thought I was basically a good person and trying to be in God's Will and do the right things. I know I am a child of God and my salvation is secure but I think the Lord has been slowly revealing to me over the past month that I have not been in His will. And today, oh today - it hit me like a ton of bricks. I think God got tired of me taking so long to "get it"!

I feel like so many things that I have taken such a strong stance on are just STUPID! I have a tendency to make up my mind about something and that's just the way it is. Well guess what - it's not always the way it is. I'm not always right. My way isn't always the best way and FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT'S HOLY - could I just please remember that I am NOT THE BOSS OF EVERYTHING!!!

My preacher has brought up the song "I Did it My Way" in his sermons a couple of times. Well guess what happens when I try to do it "my way"? It's a big ol' mess! NOTHING good comes from it. I don't want to live my life my way, I want to live it His.PERFECT.Way.

I have seriously been knocked down a peg or two and I can't think of a better way for it to happen than by my precious Lord and Saviour, who does it in love and desires to restore me to Himself. How can I possibly feel completely different tonight than when I woke up this morning? It's my heart. I think it got picked up, dusted off and put back all shiny again.

All I can say is thank you God - over and over. I wonder if He got a good chuckle when I had my A-HA moment.

Just Lovin'

Have you ever just glanced over at your man and had overwhelming love? I just did. It wasn't anything he did or said at that moment - just that feeling. Hubs can drive me crazier than any other human in the world, but let me just tell you - he makes me happier than any girl has the right to be.

Just a few things about Hubs that makes my heart smile.

1. He turns the bed down every night and tells me the Bed Fairy came. He had to go out of town a couple of weeks ago and when I got home from work I found a letter on my pillow letting me know that he made arrangements with the Bed Fairy to come early.
2. He gets rid of any leftovers that have been in the fridge too long because the smell makes me gag.
3. He thinks I'm cute when I'm wearing my glasses and no makeup.
4. He searches the channels every night to see if there's a Yankee's game on to surprise me.
5. He's been putting up with me for years and says he wants to keep on for the rest of  his life.

I know - I'm a lucky gal!

Friends

It has come to my attention that I've been neglecting the ole' blog for quite a while now. I really do feel bad because I know so many of you are on the edge of your seats daily wondering if I've posted a nugget of brilliance that will make you laugh. Oh wait, for a second I thought I was The Pioneer Woman.

I think one of my problems lately is the fact that I haven't had my beloved Diet Mtn. Dew or Diet Coke since Wednesday. I can't tell you how sad I am about it but I was stupid enough to make a bet with Hubs that I could give them up. I feel like I've lost a friend. And that's just not right. Friends should be friends forever. There's even a song about it. I just decided, I'm going to rekindle my friendship today - first thing -  as I stop by Sonic on the way to work and get a Route 44 Diet Coke.

I really am going to try to do better with my blogging. You never know how exciting I might get once the aspartame is flowing freely through my veins again. I wouldn't want you to miss out.