Isn't that Something

I may have nearly caused a four car pile-up taking this photo

These little guys give me a smile every morning. These are the Fork Shoals Goats. When we first moved into or little rental, one glimpse of this scene made me think, "WHERE did you move me to, Shawn?!?" I thought forsure we would have neighbors who had a chicken coup and a cow complete with bell.

I have since grown to adore this motley crew of goats and donkeys.

I smile whenever I see them climb the tops of the haystacks and roam the area between two blueberry-sized one minute away from my home. Oh you goats and your climbing ways! How do you do what you do with such cloven hooves?

Anyone have interesting neighbors with interesting pets? The oddest I had seen was someone walking a pet pig once when I lived in Chandler, AZ.

Delivery Room Dilemma

He's the Sweet and Silent Type

I have recently become aware that my fur-st born baby-dog can come to the hospital. I immediately became elated at the idea of having all of my brown-eyed boys with me and Henry. I have since been begging Hubby to let me dress Remy up in an "I'm a Big Brother" tee shirt and glasses and have him in the delivery room. He can cheer me on and snuggle with his human brother and kiss my hand when I need encouragement.

Hubby is in a place of "no" right now. I am in a place of pushiness and perseverance.

We shall see who comes out on top of this one.  Potentially crazy pregnant woman v. Level headed engineer who would have to wrangle adorable pup...

Atlanta Chili Cook Off

Yes! I finally have my camera back so I can show you a little fun we had at the Atlanta Chili Cook Off a couple of weeks ago. We took the two hour trek to Stone Mountain for some yum-time. I certainly was not blown away by any of the dixie cups of chili served. It was quite warm outside but somehow the many of the chili cups were chilly. The smokers were out in full force and the port-a-potties should have been set on fire, not exactly a super-nose's paradise.

Desperate for a good time, we made the best of it. We hunkedred down, listened to the tribute bands serenade the masses and watched various fathers chase around their scampering sons. We spent the better parts of two hours on our little patch of grass laughing and chatting. It felt so good to be with our friend, Tyler, and just being outside.

The Mute Button (24 Weeks)

24 Weeks Baby!

I was talking to a very nice gentleman on the phone at work Friday about to sign his family up for a fun event we have planned for next Friday when I felt a sneeze building up. I asked if I could put him on hold for a moment.

As I pressed the Mute button, Waaaah-CHOO! It have have been my loudest sneeze in my life.

"God Bless You," came the voice on the other end of the phone.

Without hesitation, I exclaimed, "Crap! The Mute Button!" The man burst out laughing. My face was bright red, and I apologized about five times and told him how embarrassed I was. He said it was nice of me to offer to mute the phone, as he probably wouldn't have done that. I laughed my uncomfortable laugh and he continued laughing as I completed his registration.

Meanwhile my manager and co worker were cracking up.

Its the little things in life, right?

"This is How I Roll" tee gift from my mom from 2Chix.com (Please ignore strange face and frizzed up hair)

In other news, Hubster and I are dragged the pooch to Atlanta this past weekend. We ditched the dog at our friend's house as we made our way out Saturday morning. There is a chili cookoff that I packed a Costco sized tub of Tums for. Thanks to this little lady for sharing the great idea of a great chili festival with us! People watching was out of control! (I actually have to go back to ATL to retrieve our camera before I can post photos as I didn't take any with my phone.)

Well That Was Awkward

I have been putting off the inevitable trip to the DMV since I moved to Greenville. But today was the day... and procrastination-karma is a swift little devil.

Walking into the county clerk's office, to get my car registered in SC, I felt a scratching on my leg. Weird. I shrugged it off as my skin has been pretty dry these days. Another couple steps and *plop* a pair of black panties flew out of my right pantleg!! A woman walked by just as I was crouched down shoving them into my purse. Someone needs some static cling remover immediately.

From rogue and unregistered to official SC citizen

The entire two hours I was at the DMV all I could think about was the little something-something in my purse:

Was it wrapped around my wallet destined to fly into the face of the cashier who will deny me a plate and take a horrendous forever photo for my ID card? 

Had it already fallen to the floor for the old man with the oxygen tank to have a heart attack over? 

Was it somehow hidden inside my passport the lady was about to open up and then charge me with lewd behavior and harassment in front of the four teen moms and sixteen babies crawling on the dirty linoleum?

What my purse looked like when I flopped it on the table at home... peek-a-panty

I made it out alive and my Monique's Little Black Unmentionable remained tucked into my purse pocket until I got home and put them in my dresser where they belong. And my license photo is certainly not the worst I've taken, too.

A Dream I Dream

Some people dream big, shooting for the stars, profound life-altering dreams. My current dream (aside from not looking awkward when I preggo dance around my living room in front of my husband while singing the wrong words off key to Maroon 5's "Moves Like Jagger") is to get myself all dolled up primped-curled-and-pearled, Stepford Wife perfect and then rock out in the pit of a hip hop concert.

Glenn Close in the 2004 remake; via

Can you imagine the fun for everyone to see me jamming at a Lupe Fiasco or Pitbull show in my Sunday best?

Heck yes that would be a good night!

Belly Rubs

Yesterday I had my first belly rubs. Contrary to my normally, "don't touch me - stranger danger" feelings, I got the warm fuzzies. I was escorting a group of pre-K kids into the museum when all of a sudden I felt a tiny hand on my recently-rapid-expansion belly.

I look down to see the sweetest little face looking u at me as she moved her tiny hand in small circles just below my navel. "Tell me you have a baby in there," she said as she continued her small circles.

I was a taken aback, but happily told her, "Yes, there is a baby in there."
"Do you know if it is a boy or a girl?" her hand never stopping.
"No," I smiled down at her, "I don't know if it is a boy or girl yet." The equally tiny girl next to her in line began to rub my belly in unison with her.
"Do you want a girl?" the original inquisitor asked, both staring up at me.
"I wouldn't mind having either a boy or a girl."
"You want a girl," she assured me. "I am very good at hair and I would like to do her hair." The second child nodded her head, then both stopped rubbing and followed their teachers into the museum. And that was that. The five-year-olds have spoken.

Had those girls been old women in the grocery store, as I feared this occasion would be, I may have froze up or ran as fast as I could manage. I had a smile for the rest of the day.

So here it is, my first BUMP photo...

16 weeks 5 days

Throwback

I have been in love with style from the 40s and 50s my entire life. There was so much glamour at a time when money was scarce and spirits needed lifting. All a girl could do was doll up her hair slap on red lipstick and face the world guns blazing. My stylist in AZ, Sabrina, completely gets my 40s fascination; she's been known to sport a victory roll once or twice before. She organized my last photoshoot in the Southwest days before I moved eastward. She styled me up with gorgeous hair and make-up. Her fiance, Elvis Castilo took some incredible shots. I had so much fun; I left wanting more!

Now if only I could look like this everyday!

Viva la Bride

Memorial Day weekend was one for the books. We celebrated Natalie's bachelorette party in Puerto Penasco, Mexico (Rocky Point to all you Arizonans). It was a great sun drenched weekend filled with laughter; perfect to usher Nat into her wedded life. Congrats, love! I can't wait to see you in July for the Big Day!

When Natalie met "Ricardo"

I want to make this a postcard, "Welcome to Rocky Point, Mex."

Beautiful Sunset

Cheers to the Bride

My weekend beverage, everyone wanted some. Tastes so good!

For all the other ladies

Steph took "Ricardo" swimming and Roxie played lifeguard.

Gifts, a little raunchy a little racy all in good fun

Morning Veg

I have decided to eat up all the lettuce in my lil garden-built-out-of-love. Made a delicious salad last night. Happy with its crisp flavorfulness, I plucked another chunk from the earth. I gently tossed it into the sink after ripping off the dirt-clod root. Rinsing the leaves with running water, smelling the earthy smell, handling the big ol' caterpillar... the WHAT?!

I screamed! I mean, it was squirming around all one inch of him. Bleeghghh! I shot it with the detachable faucet washing it down the drain with my fears. Immediately, I felt bad for the poor little guy. Maybe I wasn't awake enough to be picking vegetables at 7am? Maybe that should be a night prep for the next day's lunch? Maybe waking my temporary roommate up with a blood curdling scream wasn't the nicest either.Sorry Kenda :)

I made her a breakfast berry smoothie to make up for it. I buy my way out of freaking people out by providing them with food. Getting some Vitamin C in during the AM doesn't hurt me either ;)

Lettuce in the back, carrots in the front and cucumbers on the side YUM!

 P.S. Wrote this two weeks ago, but for some reason never published. Slacker!

My Next Pet

Ever Since I have seen those CRA-ZAY DirectTV ads, I have been desperately wanting a Petite Lap Giraffe. Who wouldn't?!? A very clever company, that ad firm for the satellite dishes, created a site where you can watch those little guys go about their nonexistent lives. This is a video on the site and below is the link.

 

Behold: http://www.petitelapgiraffe.com/index.php

Inspiration for Creative Expression

Dance your heart out!

Sometimes you see something that makes you smile and kind of warms your heart. I feel this way when I see videos of puppies rolling around, babies laughing, and every form of dance. It is this last form of expression that truly inspires me. I am in awe of people who just "Go For It." There is no half-way, rather it is living and dreaming to the fullest. Below is a video of a woman on Ireland's "Got to Dance" program. While she may not be the most technically advanced danseur, she goes all out and just dances!

(It helps that this particular tune cracks me up whenever I hear it)

Happiness: Got to Dance 2

Dance on!

Reading (still): "Inside the Vicorian Home" ***this book is huge!***

Listening to: "Firework" by Katy Perry ***also inspirational***

Happiest Penguin

For those of you who do not know... I love penguins and polar bears and little white seals. A friend posted this on facebook, but I really felt the need to steal for my own. Just look at this little guy!

I shed a couple of "happy Tears" to this. You just keep on bouncing little man! Keep. On. Bouncin'!

Its still a happy new year

3 Days into Eleven...
1. Have not had a diet coke, or any soda for that matter. May have replaced one bubbly addiction for another more Crystal Light-y one. (must work on overall obsessive tendencies)
2. Have decided that cleaning up my potty language should be more of a priority (one should not have to apologize to one's self mid-swear tirade in crowded parking lot in car ... alone)
3. Ate a banana today so will be tall and skinny like said banana (so far just looking white and goofy - and kind of squishy actually) like banana. I find role models in interesting places, no?
4. When I thought I broke my foot (again) on NYE, I cursed that oh-Ten year. When I rolled my ankle this morning I said, "Thank goodness I didn't break my face." This is taking a positive stab and being more positive and less whiny. I'll take what little successes I can get in this road of personality change.
5.  Applauded my nearly halfway mark in the 500 page "Inside the Victorian Home," until I realized that reading how the mantra "cleanliness, is next to godliness" became so popular during that era while I sat next to a pile of laundry three feet high (yes, I, too wish I was kidding).
6. Brought "Ethnic Cuisine" into Sprouts Farmers Market, but did not buy any of the delicious and exotic ingredients (Happy Hubby said no to lemongrass and vermicelli rice noodles, but yes to sweet potato and bacon. He is most certainly a meat and potato man).

Have adapted a word-of-the-day game to play with Hubbs (though I think I am the only one playing). Today the word is "pandiculation" meaning: yawning and stretching. "{Coworker} must have had a rough night judging by all the pandiculation going on over there."  tee hee hee

Listening to: "You Have Me" by Gungor

***Really really loving this book, by the way. I am fascinated by how people lived before the invention of modern necessities like toothpaste and toilets.

Reindeer Games

At the CW6 Holiday Party, we had a bit of fun. One of our games was to dress up a team member as a reindeer. The materials were a dark brown shirt, 2 felt "hooves," a white felt "belly," a pair of tan pantyhose, six deflated balloons, a red foam "nose," and two really creepy fur eyebrows. I knew as soon as we pulled the nylons over Doug's face that we had won.

What did we win, you ask?

Why a bag of reindeer poop!
**chocolate covered raisins and chocolate covered peanuts

For the Children

I know I have had a long day at the office; it is evident in the recent goings-on in my mind. Several times in the past hour, I could swear I heard a baby's cries. "Not normal," I thought to my (already overheated brain) self. Again, a baby cries.

"I really do have baby fever!"

Wow, not even a minute later a pair of children run by my desk. Today is our TV station's Childrens' Party.Whoops!

What a way to realize that I do have babies on the brain. Is it also normal to blush when I embarrass myself only in my head?

Adventures in Food City

GIANT, HUMONGOUS, INCREDIBLE CONGRATULATIONS to two of my friends (K and N) who were each recently engaged! They are superb women and deserve the best of the best. D and T are the luckiest men in the world.

You all make me smile an ever present obnoxiously ear-to-ear grin. I love love!

With that said...

In my search for champagne to celebrate the blessed events, I ran into a local grocery in a neighborhood that can be at best time described as "sketchy." I bee-lined to the booze and was quickly followed a a diminutive man. He spoke to me in mumbled Spanish.

"I'm sorry, what did you say? Say it again slower," I smiled.
"What is your name?"
"Monique."
"[Your shoes are dangerous on this floor. You can fall]," he said*translated* gesturing to my stiletto boots.
"I like them!" I smiled, still perusing the limited bottle collection.
"Yes, yes! Sexy shoes!" he said in emphatic English.
I laughed, "Thank you." I motioned to leave the area, decided the discount bottle wasn't really worth the $2 cost. The man followed me, speaking more rapidly, as I took a few steps.
"Sexy Shoes! Camarones! Sexy Shoes Camarones!"
I laughed again, obviously confused. "It was nice to meet you."
I walked to the bread aisle, he followed. "Sexy Shoes! Camarones! Sexy Shoes Camarones!" he exclaimed. To the juice aisle, "Sexy Shoes! Camarones! Sexy Shoes Camarones!" To the produce, "Sexy Shoes! Camarones! Sexy Shoes Camarones!"
After this third aisle I booked it out the store, straight to my car, keys in hand. "Do you work at the bank, he asked"
"No, I'm going to a friend's house," clearly I stopped making sense because I was so confused. He waved goodbye from the store exit as I drove away. I called the hubster right away, cracking up. He forbid me from ever walking into another store of that name.

If you, or someone you know speaks Spanish, knows slang of any kind, can you ask them to explain why that man was yelling "Shrimp" at me. I promise I was not wearing and shellfish or seafood at the time.

Congratulations, my dearest friends. I will only be harassed for you and you alone!

A Little Help from My Friends

Le Jour Neuf
A picture of my friends

G, Little Sister, Moi, Nat, Linds, Heather

There is always room for a fun one in the wedding album. I truly have the best friends; ones that I will count dearest to my heart for the rest of my life. All very different, all very brilliant, funny and social. As I said, they are the best (though I am admittedly biased in this opinion)!

Listening to: "Sleepyhead" by Passion Pit

Happy Happy

Le Jour Six

Something that Makes Me Happy

My Hubby and My Little Remy

The Great Outdoors and My Little Remy

My Little Remy!

Listening to: "Like a Star" by Corrine Bailey Rae

'Stache Dash 2010

Ladies and gents, believers and non... I have completed my first 5k! Benefitting cancer research, the 'Stache Dash was an excellent event. I wish I had a camera better to capture the incredible costumes and superior mustache-ery in Tempe that day (R.I.P. camera), but trust me. It.Was.Epic! Behold proof:

I was wearing a "Finger 'Stache" (a temporary tattoo on my finger), not simply holding my finger beneath my nose.



This is the closest I came to being a bonafide runner. And I didn't come in last... boo-yah!



Listening to: "Primitive" by Roisin Murphy