The Fancy Fritter

I have the most talented cousin in the world, Stacy. Stacy is my younger cousin and she can make the cutest baby clothes, bibs, burp clothes, etc. Here is a preview of some of the stuff from her Etsy shop (note the precious model, her little one and my little cousin, the Fritter)

I've seen some of the precious pillowcase dresses and they are to die for...I can't wait to have a baby and let Stacy pretty her up (I guess if it's a boy, we can boy him up? maybe).

Anywoo, please check her out: Gracious Creations, her Etsy store. And the Fancy Fritter, her blog where she will sometimes feature some of her best stuff.

Show Us Your Life - Wedding Showers

Today at Kelly's Korner is Show Us Your Life Friday - Wedding Showers. This is perfect for me since Sasaparilla and I just threw a shower last weekend for his best friend. We threw the tool and garden shower, but it was open to all, not just the guys. I am very proud of myself in my decorating abilities

We went with the typical theme of tools, so I decided to take my step ladder and put it on the table. It made the perfect serving piece - it replace my smaller, wrought iron , stacked serving piece. We put all the fixings for the chili on it - cheese, sour cream, and Fritos.


Here is the remainder of my table scape. I took an existing arrangement and added nails, washers, and bolts to the bottom of the apothecary jar. Then I filled in the arrangement with the tools from my husbands tool set. Finally, I took the tool box and arranged it askew on the table and put the arrangement on top of it. There you go!

As for the food, we decided to serve three kinds of chili with all the fixings. It was a guy themed party so we wanted to keep with that. The ladies enjoyed it all just as much as the guys. I'll post the chili we made on the Recipe section soon. Then, my sis in law and I split dessert duty. She made these lovely vanilla cupcakes. She made these for us on the day we were engaged and they are delicious. Note the sweet little silver rings in the frosting. Then I made Southern Living's Chocolate Bread Pudding. Sorry no pic but it was awesome! I'll be posting that recipe soon as well.

Finally, we bought them a wheelbarrow. So we put it next to where they were going to sit to open their gifts and put all the gifts in it. We did not get a pic but it looked great and everyone loved it.

Well, that was our Tool and Garden Chili Shower and we had a blast, hope you enjoyed!

The New Look

Look at my new blog! Isn't it pretty? I'm so excited! A few weeks ago I won a blog redesign by

She was awesome! She worked with me so patiently even though I kept changing my mind and asking silly questions. But the result is awesome I think. I really wanted her to incorporate Fleur de lis because it represents two big parts of me: My french heritage and the Trinity/Cross. I also love my rotating header. 5 pics and 5 scriptures will rotate, so each time you come to the site you will get a new one. Sweet!

You will also notice my top bar options. Let me explain them a little. Love Story is the story of how my husband and I met, and met, and met and then finally fell in love. Recipes is my recipe blog. I will be posting my recipes, but I'd love to have some guest bloggers post their own. So please go to the Contact section, email me with the subject as GrumpyPants' Recipes. You can put your post right in the email and I will post it for you on my page. I really want this to work because I know that myself and my girlfriends are always looking for recipes. I think the other sections are pretty self explanatory.

Go check out Simply Delightful Designs! She is incredibly creative, great and easy to work with, and has awesome prices.

Thanks Simply Delightful Designs!

To Bang or Not to Bang

So I decided I needed to get a haircut. Nothing drastic just a little style. About a year ago I went for it and cut my hair into a short bob (see photo below).

This is my 2008 Birthday and yes, my mother in law gave me that book. I love her sense of humor.

I had about a million "That is such a cute haircut, who did that?" comments after the cut. I loved it, but it took some work every morning. And I could never pull it into a french twist or pony tail on those mornings I just didn't want to mess with it. So I grew it out.

Once grown out I had this mop of hair that just hung in my face (see before pic below).

So I thought I'd go just about an inch shorter and put on some bangs (see after pic, along with extra chin).

What was I thinking? I asked Don what he thought and after some Umm's and Well's, he told me he liked it better before. He said, I look like a thirty year old with the bangs, but I didn't before. Thanks Sasparilla (that's his blog name - SasparillaSasquatch - check it out as soon as he actually posts, encourage him to post, he's terribly loquacious). It's not his fault, I asked. So now, it's back to the growing out. But what do I do about the flopping in the face? I hate it. I usually end up with my hair tucked behind my ears at the end of the day. It doesn't make for a professional or managerial look. I end up looking like the teenage intern. Talk about getting some respect.

So tell me about your hair disasters, even post some pics (hey I showed you mine, now show me yours). I'm gonna try the Mr. McLinky thing I'm seeing on everyone else's blog. And since I love all 9 of you, but you're 9, tell a friend. If you tell a friend and you tell a friend and you tell a friend...you get the point. Let's laugh about our hair mistakes together (and make Grumpy Pants feel better, that's the real point). Anyway, there ya go. My hair. At lease I can pull it into a twist and it looks good.

Trust In...

I just finished reading a great trilogy of books by Linda Lee Chaiken, The East of the Sun trilogy (check it out of your church's library or your local library or buy it at Lifeway). The books follow a young woman, Evy, through her life and as she falls in love and marries Rogan, in the late 1800's and early 1900's. The focus of their relationship is Evy learning to put her trust in God as well as her husband. That struck a chord with me. I love my husband more than words can express. He is the most loving, sacrificing, and humble man of God and I thank God for him everyday. But, I'd have to say that trust has been an issue with us. Don't get me wrong, we're very happy - I think this is why they say marriage is the ultimate Refiners fire. In marriage, you are forced to face all the good and bad things about yourself, but hopefully, with a loving partner who is willing to go on that journey with you. Don has been so wonderful through this process.

Anywoo, I was single for 28 years before I was married. In the South that is apparently considered OLD MAID territory. Whatever, I wasn't ready to be married until then, so there.(that's a little shout out to all my single ladies who think that just because they are 20 something and not married they are losers. NO MA'AM! God will bring your man about at His appointed time and it is wonderful when He does - so don't rush things. Enjoy your singledom, God has a purpose in it, seek it out). Ok I'm done with my little side note.

So, like I said, I was 28 when I was married. Plus, I came from a single mom family, so I was used to being very independent and not having a man around. This has led me to make some rooky wifey mistakes. Such as questioning my husband on every decision he makes. Why? Why did we turn this way, I go that way? Why? Why? Why? Ummm, I can see how that can be quite annoying, but at the time I feel like I'm entitled to know everything. Instead of just trusting my husband and his ability to make decisions for us.

Evy and Rogan faced this on a much more dramatic scale. The scene that really spoke to my heart was when Evy and Rogan's ship (this takes place in 1900) docked in Tarshish. Rogan was in a hurry to get them passage on another ship and told Evy not to go into town. Evy decided she was going anyway - despite her husbands wishes. She didn't think that he might have a good reason for not wanting her to leave. No, she just thought he was being mean and she deserved to get off the ship. Well, let's just say, Rogan swooped in just in time to save her from a desperate situation. If she'd just listened to him and trusted that he knew what he was talking about and that he had her best interest at heart, she never would have been in danger nor done damage to their relationship.

As I read this, I finally became fully aware of how I have hurt my husband by not trusting in him. When he brings this up I usually say I deserve to ask questions and know what's going on. I did not realize until recently that I am in essence questioning him and his abilities as a husband. I had no idea because I was only looking at it from my perspective. I am sooooo sorry Sasparilla, I love you and even though I know I won't be perfect, I will trust you and have trusted you always. I just have not done a very good job at showing that.

I started to think about all our pre marital counseling. We were told marriage represents man's relationship with God. Wow! Did I screw up or what? Not only did I tell my husband I didn't trust myself with him, I told God I didn't trust him with me. I never realized how arrogant I could be. But again, that's part of marriage, God revealing our little issues and helping us deal with them with a loving partner.

I'm not trying to say we as wives shouldn't ever question our husbands, just check your motives. Am I asking because I just want to know or understand? Or am I asking so I can make sure I get my way? Quite humbling.

Let me leave you with a few verses God brought to mind today.

I trust in God. I praise his word.
I trust in God. I will not be afraid.
What can people do to me?
Psalm 56:4 (NIRV)

Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:8 (NIV)

Have a great day and be encouraged - no wife is perfect (neither is a husband) - hold each other up and encourage each other in your journey through life - do not persecute each other, but love unconditionally.

The Prayer Life

This is hilarious and so, so, so, so true. Wow, let's laugh at our humaness.

Weight Watchers on Hold

As you read in Thyroid and Antidepressants, I have a slight thyroid problem. It's being treated, but my doc told me I'd gain some weight until we got my levels correct. Great! I'd just lost two pounds on the Weight Watchers and she tells me I'm gonna gain it back, plus more. So I put Weight Watchers on hold. Oh and to top it off, she said I could not work out until she gave me the ok. Dang It! I mean talk about no control!

I'm not happy, I'm getting fat, and I can do absolutely nothing about it. I got a new haircut (which I will post as soon as I can get the pics from the husband's camera). Don took pics of before and after for me. I just about cried when he showed me those pics. I made a mistake because the new do emphasizes my roundness. Notably the double chin I'm developing.

Did I mention I am not happy? I'm not a vain person ya'll. But I'm just as concerned with my appearance as the next girl. It doesn't help that I used to be a size 1/2. I know, start groaning. That's usually what most people do. But I was. And when I was training for Miss LA, my trainers tried to make me gain weight. Unsuccessfully, I may add. I was the contestant who ate the Johnny's Pizza the night we had swimsuit competition. And all the girls hated me. But now, I look like a bloated pageant queen, instead of toned and beautiful swimsuit contestant. It's not fun. My arms swing in the wind now. OMG! And did I mention I have not had children yet?

The doc visit is on Sept 3rd, so hopefully I can resume the working out and the Weight Watchers. I will, of course, keep you posted and let you know my progress (and include some whining because I am Grumpy Pants after all).

Good day!

(in)Courage

If you need a little lift in your day, check out (in)courage

It's a wonderful site full of encouragement and God. I signed up to have the feed sent to my email and I cannot tell you how great it is to get them. I usually end of receiving it when I am in the most need, and God uses these ladies to speak to my heart. Don't we all need a little of that everyday.

Thyroid and Antidepressants

I have been vindicated! I cannot tell you how happy I am to write this post (although some of you may think I'm crazy before it's over). I have been on a long journey and have finally come to the end. Let me slow down and start at the beginning...

About six years ago I moved to Little Rock, AR to begin grad school. At that time I started feeling funny - not quite myself. Gaining a little weight (even though I was still training for Miss LA and had never had this problem before), emotional, and fatigued. All normal reactions to grad school, so I just wrote it off. My third year I began my residency and moved to Monroe, LA. There the symptoms really started to kick in - terrible fatigue (the kind that you're so tired when you're driving home at 5pm after work you feel drunk), more weight gain, really emotional, and fast heartbeat. Again, I attributed all this to stress and beginning a new career. This is three years now. So I moved back to Shreveport and started dating Don. He and his family were just shocked at the fact that I was always tired. I would go to bed at like 8 pm every night. Poor Don started getting very worried. But I was putting on a brave face and pushing it hard to keep up. I'd already mentioned all my symptoms along the years to my doctors and they all said it was nothing. My Ob/Gyn in Monroe said it could be my thyroid, but instead of giving me a blood test she gave me a quiz. A QUIZ! Really? Can we say lazy?

Anyway, the wonderful day came when Don proposed. Soon after that he put his foot down and made me go to the doctor. I went to my family doctor, explained all my symptoms and told him I would not be leaving until he actually did something. He drew some blood and told me he'd call me with the results.

The results came back that I had hypothyroidism. What? Basically, he said my thyroid was a little underactive and I would need to take a synthetic hormone for the rest of my life. I could live with that. Anything to make me feel better and help me loose the 20 lbs I'd put on. But the annoying thing was he never did any follow-up. I learned later that I should have been getting blood work every 4-6 weeks to check my levels and ensure my dosage was correct.

So, of course, I started to feel like crap again about 3 months later. I found an endocrinologist, and thought this person would take care of me. He was nice and he listened - but he prescribed me an antidepressant. So instead of looking into my strange symptoms and finding out what was wrong with me, he decided I was a little high strung and depressed. Yeah, that makes sense.

I gave up at that point. I was tired of going to doctors and being made to feel I was crazy. I must be a hypochondriac because my symptoms in someone my age without children just didn't make sense.

Don would not have it. The breaking point was when my heart starting beating so fast and so hard I thought I was going to pass out. Literally started seeing stars. Well, I'd just started my new job in the clinic and so I made an appointment with our endocrinologist. Who just so happens to be a woman. She spent 5 minutes talking with me and knew exactly what was wrong with me. Of course, she took some actual blood to confirm (no quiz here). Turns out I do not have hypothyroidism, I have the complete opposite - Grave's Disease. Grave's disease is hyperactivity of the thyroid. So my other doctor basically prescribed me more of what was making me sick and made the problem worse. My current doctor said she's surprised I didn't show up in the ER with cardiac arrest.

So that was a happy day. I finally knew what was wrong with me. I was not imagining it or being a crazy hypochondriac or anything, I really was sick. The treatment is to basically kill my thyroid and then start me back on the synthetic hormone. We killed the thyroid by taking radiated iodine. Nice huh? I could not be around people for 2 whole days because I could have given them radiation poisoning. Don had to sleep in another bed room for 2 weeks.

It will all be worth it though. I will be well and feeling good. I go back to the doctor on the 3rd to follow up the killing of the thyroid and get my new hormone dosage. We did have to put off having children for a year, but this way my baby will be healthy as well.

Well, that's my long story. I felt some of you might benefit from my struggle. Do not ever let a doctor intimidate you or make you feel like you're crazy. You know your body better than anyone and you know when something is wrong. If your doctor won't listen to you, find another.

Ok that was long, so I'll stop now. Good bye.

Long Time No See

The coolest thing happened this week on Facebook. My best friend from when I was 6 found me on it. It was awesome. We were buds. Her name is Kelley too and she lived in the house behind mine. We'd climb our chain link fence about a dozen times a day to play. We spent a lot of time in our saaaweeet above ground pool. We'd listen to Bruce Springsteen and play with all her Care Bears. She had about a million of them and most of their little friends. Her mom made the most incredible Monkey Bread. Good times.

Then, Kelley's family moved back to Georgia, where they were from and I was a very sad little Cajun. Shortly after they moved I was able to visit her in Georgia for about a week and then that was the last time I saw her. I've tried for years to find her and her family, but never could. But I have thought of her so many times over the years. Times like the prom and graduation and my wedding. I always felt she should have been at those events and I wondered what they were like for her. She was the funniest and the best. And now we found each other! WooHoo! Facebook you rule!

Anyone else found some long lost friend or relative on Facebook or other social networking site? What was it like?

Life Without the Cable

I was reading BooMama this morning and decided I needed to share my dilemma. I call it my HGTV-detox. Ummm, Hi my name is GrumpyPants, and I miss my HGTV. I know I'm being a baby about this, but I miss it, I really do. Here's the deal...My husband, Don, has not had cable since around his 3rd or 4th year in college. He and his roommates moved in and just never found the time to get cable. They weren't home much anyway and when they were they'd watch DVDs. Then, in his first job after graduation, he'd work 60+ hours a week. So there was no need for cable. Also, he joined the Blockbuster Club, which is just like NetFlix except it's Blockbuster. So there was never a shortage of entertainment. Don was great with me when we got married and we tried the cable. But, we really only watched it first thing in the morning when we were getting dressed and on Saturday mornings. And, let's face it, I need to be cleaning my house on Saturday morning instead of watching other people clean up their house. But, dang it, sometimes - say Saturday mornings - I want to watch a peppy designer transform a run down house into a mansion, all for $2,000. Can I hear an Amen!?

But, Don's right. We are so much more productive without cable and the $70 extra bucks a month is nice as well. Plus, we still watch a good deal of TV during the week. We get The Office, House, The X Files, and Lost in from Blockbuster and watch that quite a lot. We have even discussed cutting back on this. Because the couch potato body is just not attractive and the laundry should be done at some point.

Anyway, all this rambling to say, I miss HGTV. Can someone create a way that I can get my HGTV, FoodNetwork, TNT, USA, The History Channel, TLC, and Animal Planet only and leave everything else out. Because I really do not need all the sports, news, and hunting (really? do we really need to watch someone fish?) channels. Anyone else feel as I do, or am I just crazy? Anyone ever cut out TV cold turkey? What was it like?

I will end with saying that TV is fine in moderation, but when it gets out of hand - say more than 6 hours on average per week - it's time to cut it off. And we plan to limit TV severely with our children - we do not want overweight kids who have no idea how to play because they sit in front of the TV all day - no TV babysitter in the Echols' household. Thank You Very Much.

Followers

Hey guess what? Guess what? I now officially have 4 followers. Four! Woohoo! Thank you followers for being at all interested in my ramblings and life. And for reading my totally random posts. I completely appreciate it and tell your friends.

You like me, you really like me! (Ha!)

Opportunity

You know, I read a devotion today that really has me thinking. Where is my passion, my desire to represent Christ and draw others to him? Why am I so consumed with me and my life, yet never think of what God would have me do today? I mean, He's my entire reason for being. God created me to worship and praise him and to bring others to him. What have I done for him lately? Not much, I fear. Does anyone else struggle with this? I find myself battling time constantly. Trying to make time for a devotion or a quiet time or a simple prayer. Most times I fail and then I wonder why I do not hear the Spirit's leading, why I miss opportunity. I know there have been many times God has presented an opportunity to represent him to someone and I've missed it. What a frightening thought!

My pastor, Dr. Chuck, taught on "Reaping and Sowing" this past Sunday from Galatians 6:7-10. 7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do no give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

There is so much in those few verses, but one really got me. Dr. Chuck said that an opportunity is a limited time in which to fulfill a purpose. For us, as Christians, that purpose is to SOW and REAP - to sow the seeds God gives us and reap the rewards of that obedience (seeing others saved, seeing others healed from a hurt, feeling the joy of serving, etc). When was the last time I made time to serve a fellow believer? Or a non-believer for that matter? When I did, what was my hearts motivation?

So then, in Sunday school, we were in the book of Acts - Acts 1:1-11. It is so awesome how God's Word applies just as much today as it did on 1 AD. God's disciples and apostles were just as distracted and human as we are. They wanted to know when Israel would be restored. "When will we see you, Jesus, come back and kick some Pharisee and Roman butt? (paraphrased)" I always seem to be like them - focused on what I think is best and wondering why God does not listen to me. I mean, I know what I'm talking about, right? How arrogant and disobedient can you get? Then he tells me, It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:7-8). God trying to tell me to stop struggling in making my own way and follow his. Take the opportunity he's given me - it's only for a limited time - and reap the blessing. I hope you find time for the blessing as well, for that is all He wants to give.

My determined purpose is that I may know Him - that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, percieving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of his person more strongly and more clearly.Philippians 3:10, AMP

Show Us Your Life - Wedding Reception and Honeymoon

This week Kelly's Korner is hosting "Show Us Your Life - Wedding Receptions and Honeymoons." Well, I am very happy about this, because we had a rocking reception and a beautiful honeymoon.

Here's the Big D and I in our First Dance. We went to dance lessons to learn the Fox Trot and dance to "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm." It's not "our song", it just fit with theme of the wedding and honeymoon. Well, as you can tell from this pic, the dancing lessons flew out the door as soon as we hit the dance floor. Mostly my fault, I completely forgot everything. But, hey, the dress swung beautifully - Thanks Low's Bridal!

A good spin

And the dip

Here's our cake. I loved it! And so did our guests, because it was gone, gone, gone. It was a vanilla but each layer had a different filling. Yummy!

Of course Don had his Groom's Cake. It was marvelous, everyone got a kick out of this. Can you guess what this is?









Our decor was unbelievable. Our florist turned the Barksdale Air Force Base Officer's Club into a sophisticated winter-themed club.





Then we danced the night away:

Yeah, I'm biting my lower lip, what about it?



My feet never hurt once all night because I came prepared with my bedazzled Sketchers





Here's my mom, sis, and I dancing to "Shout" and Don





Yeah, he did, I don't want to talk about it.





Can ya tell we had an awesome time?




So we were off to the Honeymoon Suite at the brand new Hilton in our town. We got there around 12 am and had to be at the airport for 7am to make the flight to Vancouver. That's right, we continued the winter theme into the honeymoon and went to Whistler, British Columbia, Canada.


I don't really know what I was thinking because I don't ski. But I thought I'd try it. Well, after 4 hours of falling down the mountain and going all of 100 yards from the lift, the mountain patrol told me to give it up. They made me walk back up to the lift. It was so embarrassing. But I got a spa day out of it, so it was totally worth it.

Here's a small bit of the beauty we saw.

Here we are as we arrived at the airport in Vancouver

This was the view from our seeewwweeet condo, which had a hot tub on the balcony. I thought at first, "Who would want to get in a hot tub outside when it's -2?" Well let me tell you, after you've fallen down a mountain and have bruises from head to toe , that hot tub is your best friend.


Day One, we went dog sledding. It was so much fun! This little guy liked me a lot.


Here we are! My man had the time of his life. You can see me, having fun, but wrapped up tight cause it was cooooooold ya'll.


And this is what happens when you get ice sickles on your eye lashes.


Here's one of the little guys. Cute!



Day Two, Ski Day, the worst day of my life. It was also a day that cemented for me that I married the best man for me. Each time I fell down the mountain I would get more and more upset and started crying. But my man instead of getting mad and frustrated with me because I was ruining his trip, he just kept encouraging me. He was awesome! So here I am thinking, "How the heck do I walk in these?" And then, "WHAT AM I DOING?!"

That's the end of Day 2. Period.

Day 3 - Touring. To make up for the bad day before Don took me on a tour of our beautiful Whistler. We took the lift to the top of the mountain and had lunch at the beautiful 5 star restaurant at the lodge.

Here I am at the top! Oh Canada!

Since Whistler will be the host of the 2010 Winter Olympics, they had all kinds of cool things on the mountain.

Here we are at the the lodge restaurant. Cool view.


Day 4 - SPA DAY! And the angels were singing...not really, but it was awesome. Don went back up the dang mountain and skiied and had the best time. He was like a little kid.



Awwww, did I say the spa was great?! Then we ate the most wonderful fondu.


Day 5 - A One Horse Open Sleigh

Yeah, he took me on the most romantic, rustic one horse open sleigh ride. He's the best





Aren't we sweet?



Hey, and guess what? We ate some more.



Whew! Ok, so I know that was a monster post, but the reception and the honeymoon in one is a lot.

I hope you enjoyed your tour of the Echols' Winter Wonderland Wedding and Honeymoon!

Turn That Frown Upside Down

I just had to post this, especially considering what the past few days have been like (there's a reason my husband calls my GrumpyPants). This is an awesome devotion from Lisa TerKeurst. Please check it out, it will bless your day. I will leave you with the Power Verses from the devotional and pray God's Word lifts your heart:

Philippians 4:4-5, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all..." (NIV)

Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (NIV)

Colossians 3:15-17, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (NIV)

Low Ridin and Partay

Well, tonight I'm sitting on the couch - blogging - watching Ghostbusters and watching my husband wrestle the lab on the floor. Ahhh, bliss. Well, it's bliss after my day. I won't bore you with all the mishaps, but I'll tell you how I ended up low riding today, ya know - rolling with the homies.

Anyway...on my way to work I made a swing by the post office. While I pressed the button to lower my drivers side window I heard a loud grinding sound. Then, my window stopped. So of course I freaked out and started pounding the button. The window went all the way down and then stuck. It stuck! Well, considering that we have to cut into the tile wall in the bathroom to in order to be able to turn on the hot water again, this was one expense I did not need. Does anyone hear me out there? I hear these things come in threes - what next? So, in order to keep my hair looking nice and work weary, I lowered my car seat back and leaned to the right. Oh yeah...I think the teenagers in the car next to me were all like, "What's with the old lady? Man everyone tries to copy us. "

So, I know I ran on about that, but dang it - it is rare that in the summer in Louisiana that my hair is straight, poof less, and shiny. I was willing to try anything in order to save my 25 min to do hair do. I know there are lots of women who understand me.

Finally, I need some ideas. The hubs and I are throwing a Honey Do shower for our friends, Troy and Hannah. Anyone ever put one together? What kind of food did you serve? Did you have little favors for the guests? How did you decorate? What was your theme? Yeah, I need help and the party is the 22nd. Like I need one more thing. But these are awesome people and I want them to have a great time. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Ok, Dana just started floating over her bed and Vankman is all confused, so I'm gonna go and enjoy some awesome Eightiesness (yeah, I just made it up, so what?)

Redesign

I am sooooo excited! I won Simply Delightful's giveaway - a new blog design. Woohoo! I cannot wait to see what she can do. Please check out her wonderful website, it's full of tips, tutorials, and ideas.

Well, I wish there was more to blog about today, but it's been pretty tame lately.

Oh, but even though I am not a Bill Clinton fan, he did some good today. Check it out - he was able to talk Kim Jong Il into releasing Laura Ling and Euna Lee. Praise God some good news for a change.