Hot, Hot, Hot!

While Kentucky experienced an unusual cold spell, Woody and I vacationed in Florida during the first week of October. Not only were we able to take part in the wedding of my childhood friend Ashley, but we squeezed in time with Woody's family and spent some time in Siesta Key celebrating our two year wedding anniversary. Reports from Kentucky were temperatures in the 40s all while we couldn't escape the unseasonable heat and humidity of central Florida; upwards of 90 degrees most days. Our trip was fabulous and we quickly returned to the real world. I am so blessed to be married to my best friend, my hero, and my soul mate. I love everything about our life together and our precious mutt, Max. Happy Anniversary to us!

Sunset on Siesta Key

Cousin Nikki and our bargain find: Chanel Sunglasses!

The Bureaucrat

No post in four months but who's counting? Since my last post, I've accepted a new position in the Office of the Governor with the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security. Having been there for over four months, it is now official and safe to say that I love my new job! Not only do I love my job responsibilities as a Grant Manager, but I really enjoy the people I work with and being in the midst of the whole Frankfort scene.

Looking back, I see now how the Lord has closed doors for the right reasons and opened new ones. I often ask myself how I got here? How did a high school girl, so "engrossed" in Anatomy and Biology classes, with her heart set on Med School and a passion for surgery, end up in government? The Man Upstairs I tell ya, the Big Guy in the sky! He knew the path that was right for me and the path in which I could make the most difference. I realize now that I wasn't meant to be a surgeon; I still love blood and guts by the way..., I was meant to serve local governments. I was meant to have a family, quite possibly, and not to be on call 24/7 without a family or social life.

In my previous job serving 17 counties and 33 cities and their elected officials, and in my current position serving the entire Commonwealth, I am blessed with the opportunity to help local governments, help thier constituents. "Help me, help you!" is my career motto. More importantly, I am able to serve first responders in my new job, something that is most rewarding to me.

More to come I promise!

Best Good Friends

I bet you didn't know that these are the real Ya-Ya Sisters? Friends since kindergarten through thick and thin. We've been through it all together. Some of us friends even before kindergarten. How is it that we've remained "besties" throughout our lives? I have no idea! Everyone has those that they feel close to regardless of time lapsed between visits or miles between them. I have about 10 of those friends. In June, we all found time in our busy schedules to celebrate Tashena, a.k.a. "T". She is expecting a mystery baby (the sex will be a surprise) in August and I was thrilled to be able to help T welcome "Mystery Baby" with her closest family and friends. Although we are miles apart, from Lexington, KY to New York, NY, we remain "besties". Within our sisterhood there is a Doctor, not one but two Pharmacists, a High School Teacher, a Graphic Designer, the Government Extraordinaire (that's me), and T; the triple major, world traveler, and future lawyer, just to name a few. We are talented, we are smart, perhaps a little competitive growing up, we are beautiful, we are there for each other, and we will grow old together. Here's to you T, Jason, and Mystery Baby!

Curb Appeal

What are the two most important concepts to curb appeal? 1. A cute front door, either a bold vibrant color or adorned with a simple yet sophisticated wreath. 2. LANDSCAPING!

After living in our house for a year and a half, Woody and I finally scraped some change and came up with a fantastic design.

EXTREME "BEFORE"

"AFTER"

Don't Be A Paleface

It's official. The first sunburn of 2009 has arrived. It's barely April here in the Bluegrass and I have experienced my first sunburn of the season. Why do I say this as if I am expecting more to come? Expecting is one thing, however, knowing, despite my efforts to apply 100 + SPF sunblock, that I will receive yet another tortuous sunburn is another.

Two days ago, Woody and I took full advantage of a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon and finally landscaped our pitiful, sorry excuse, for a front yard. Not a cloud in the sky, nor a drop of sunblock lathered on my freckled, winter-white skin, we diligently plotted, fabric-lined, edged, and planted. In shorts and a tank top I cheerfully glavanted across our front yard in nearly 70 degree weather for several hours, ignoring the fact that in several hours, I would be on "fire" from my stupidity.

It is inevitable. Until a true 100% SPF is released, I will continue to sunburn. I will also notice every new freckle that graces my skin with its presence. I have accepted it. I will never have a beautiful bronze suntan (unless it is sprayed on of course) and I will continue to be surrounded by those who do tan and tan well. I'm jealous, what can I say? Two days ago we were soaking in the beautiful Kentucky springtime weather. Today, I am bathed in a pleasant reminder of a weekend full of Vitaman E, as a cold 30 degree rainy day sends chills over my bright red splotchy-ness.

"Before" and "After" pictures coming soon...

(of the yard, not the sunburn, get your mind out of the gutter!)

NannerPuss

One of many commercials that repeats itself in my head throughout the day.

http://www.dennys.com/LiveImages/enProductImage_631.wmv

Do you have any coupons?

One of my favorite things to quote, besides stupid commercial jingles and Forrest Gump, is the self check-out computerized lady voice at Kroger and Wal-Mart.

"Welcome Kroger Plus Member!"
"Please scan your first item and place it in the bag."
I repeat, "Place your item in the bag."
"Please wait for assistance."
"Do you have any coupons?"
"Insert cash or select payment type."

Woody hates it when I talk back to her, mimicking her computerized voice. The lady voice and I have practically become BFF. She knows I have coupons so why does she always ask? She should know by now that I am a coupon freak! Self check-out lady and I have a love / hate relationship and sometimes I don't feel like putting up with her attitude.

Yesterday, I called in at work with back pain. I've diagnosed the pain as a pinched nerve that is affecting my whole left arm, my neck, my shoulders, my spine, and my head. After boredom with day-time television set in, I decided to make the trip to Wal-Mart for some Icy Hot and a few other household items. With coupons in hand and a wobbly buggy, I carefully picked out the items that matched the coupon. Nearly 25 items later, I proceeded to checkout. Being somewhat in pain, I decided to go to a real cashier instead of computerized self check-out lady. The cashier bagged all of my items as I handed her $17 worth of coupons. That's right, you heard me, $17 worth. The cashier then got all flustered and voided my entire order to start all over again in an attempt to make sure I had the correct items and that my coupons were not expired. As if! I would like to apologize to the self check-out computerized lady voice for my betrayal and to thank her for trusting my judgement in products and respective coupons. I'm sorry ; (

The "Us" Factor

Nestled in the Smokies with 70 other couples, Woody and I took part in a Marriage Retreat with our fabulous church at the end of January. Now when I say "marriage retreat" people look at me like there is something we are not telling them and that Woody and I are going to work on things. That's not it at all! In fact, three wonderful days were filled with sessions on deepening our marriage relationship with one other and strengthening our spiritual life together. The speaker was very dynamic and focused the sessions around different "vantage points" of marriage. What if the ultimate purpose of marriage is not to make you love your spouse more, but what if it is to give you an environment to learn to love God more? What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy as we compliment one another in unity?

We also uncovered some of "His" needs versus "Her" needs and touched on the 5 Love Languages, an excellent book to learn more about how your partner likes to give and receive love. The 5 languages come in the form of: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.

Her Needs: Affection, Conversation, Honesty & Openness, Financial Security, and Family Support.

His Needs: Sexual Fulfillment, Recreational Companionship, Attractive Spouse, A Peaceful Home, and Admiration.

Interesting huh?

In addition to devoting time to the "us" factor, we also met many wonderful people that also go to our church and bonded even more with folks from our Sunday School class.

Snow Day

It has been snowing, raining and freezing since Monday night here in Lexington. For the first time in years my office is closed and I feel like a kid again with a snow day. Amber, a friend since childhood, is snowed in with me and it has been such a joy having her here. She is in her last year of pharmacy school at UK and doing a rotation in Lexington at a diabetes clinic. Her car has pretty much been coated with ice and snow over and over again and her tire remains frozen to the curb. We tried to move it into the garage this morning but quickly gave up. Below is a picture of our house this morning just as another blanket of snow was falling. Our little tree in the front yard is weighed down with ice and I woke up this morning to the sound of large branches breaking and falling in our back yard. As you can see, the grill is frozen and Woody forgot to put the cover over it again after it was used last. It's hard to believe we (Woody) will be cooking burgers, hot dogs, chicken and steaks on it in just a few months. Mmmmm....

The Bachelor

Since the inaugural season of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, I've been a loyal fan. Not only do I love the shows for their entertainment value, but they are a constant reminder of the blessing in my life I like to refer to as Woody. As I listen to the lonely hearts and and the dreams of all the wishful women that hope to land the attention, love, and possibility of proposal from The Bachelor, I realize that I too had some of those same feelings being single. There is something missing inside. Something you long and yearn for but seem to look in all the wrong places.

The days of middle school crushes, high school flings, college relationships and adventures made me the person I am today. I don't regret for a second past relationships of any sort. Whether they were merely friendships or romantic relationships, I quickly learned the characteristics I wanted, or the ones I wasn't necessarily looking for, in a relationship. Was I looking for a husband in particular to alleviate my need for stability and security? No. Did I find someone I fell in love with and couldn't imagine a day living without? Yes! God blessed the broken road that led me straight to Woody. Our timing was perfect for finding each other. Without the experiences and trials before meeting Woody, I wouldn't appreciate loyalty, trust, complete love and devotion, friendship, and all the other things I love about him and our life together. Woody is my best friend, my hero, and my soul mate. It says so on his wedding band.

My advice to those with a missing piece in their lives:

1. Praise the Lord for all the blessings in your life no matter how small or insignificant they may seem.

2. Make a list of the things you are looking for.

3. Make a list of the things you are definitely not looking for.

4. Get involved at church, at school/work, and in the community.

5. Be yourself! Compete love and devotion comes from someone who loves you for you.

6. Don't apply to be on The Bachelor because your "eggs are rotting".

7. Patience is a virtue. The lessons learned and the wait are all worth it for Mr. or Mrs. Right.

8. Learn as much as you can about yourself.

9. Ask the Lord that you may find happiness and fulfillment and to bless you when the timing is no less than perfect.

10. Ask my friends who have followed this advice. The results may surprise you.