I'm ashamed to admit it

I had to take a few days to get some things right in my head before I could come back here & share them with you.

I've shared before that Mr. Potts & I have made the decision not to have children.

I've also shared how much of an impact we have on my sweet niece and nephew. In fact, we're more parental figures to them than their own parents. We're the only people they see in a solid, stable, loving relationship.

We already know that we'll buy them their first cars.

We're already setting up accounts to help them pay for college. I also explain to my niece that Mr. Potts and I go on so many fun trips and do fun things with her because we went to college and did well in school and worked really hard.

I know that doesn't have everything to do with it, but when explaining things to an almost 6 year old, sometimes you go the easy route that will have an impact.

Part of our reasoning is that if we have children we won't be able to influence as much in my niece and nephew's lives & do as much for them.

Another part of our reasoning is selfish. We like to travel. We like to spend our money on nice things & on nice gifts for other people.

I could even say that the world absolutely terrifies me to raise children in nowadays.

Either way, we've made our choice and are happy with it.

Although, sometimes that choice stings.

Like when someone told me that we were going to miss out because we aren't. A comment I've often thought about because she doesn't know how much more we do because those little ones don't have good parents.

Sometimes it stings like this Sunday when one of my very best girlfriends shared with me that she was pregnant. And I went into a short moment of shock before I congratulated her & her husband.

I'm so happy for them because I know they want to be parents & will be wonderful.

But I knew at that point our friendship would change. The change had already begun. That evening the other women there (we were watching LOST) started talking babies & feeding & diapers & wipes & things they would need, while I stood by not adding to it because I don't know. And if I tried to, it was dismissed because I've never been in that situation.

I had hoped things wouldn't change for a few more years. I had hoped they would have a baby in the next 2 or so.

On the way home that night, I broke down in tears.

We've had most of our friends begin to have babies. We've lost touch with some who have them because every time we invite them to something they can't make it.

Or when we plan to go over to their house & hang out, it gets canceled.

Or they'd rather do things with other couples who have kids that their kids can play with.

And I get it. I truly do.

But it still makes me sad.

And I know that I was selfish on Sunday night to feel that way and I was so so embarassed. But I couldn't help how I felt.

So I needed a few days to pull all this together in my head.

And realize that she is one I won't lose. Because we are such wonderful friends. And while we may not have children, that doesn't mean I don't love them. I'll hang out with her & take walks & bring over breakfast & love her baby.

Things will change, but I won't lose her.

I'll just have one more piece of her & her husband to love.

Seeing that my heart is so full of love, I doubt this will be a problem.

Happy Thursday, y'all!!! Aren't you glad Friday is almost here?

Fabulous Friday

Happy Friday Everyone! It's here - another edition of Fabulous Friday! A highlight of all things fabulous that I've stumbled across over the course of this week (in no particular order, of course!) or even fond memories I have stored in my brain.

In the past few days certain bloggers have shared fabulous photos with their readers. I thought today I'd highlight a few of those for you.

Aren't you all excited for this? I certainly can't wait!


A friend of mine once said, "Change or don't complain." Michelle is looking to make that change & I adore that about her.

I swear, every time d.a.r. posts a recipe with pictures my stomach is instantly growling!


These last pictures are from Bumpkin, Molly Lou & Trish - a compilation of my favorites from Wordless Wednesday & Pink & Green Thursday. If you aren't already reading these ladies you should make the time to stop over & check them out!







b.e.g. - I thought of you when I saw this. Can't wait to share some wine with you in a few weeks!



My favorite for last. This brought to mind summer nights & time with Mr. Potts. Trish, how I wish we could go to Tuscany & stroll around with our hubbies!

Have a Fabulous weekend & watch out for bad drivers!!

Wishful Thursday

I was so wound up yesterday over my near poo throw that I didn't participate in Kelsey's Wishful Wednesday.

I knew that based on my Top 2 Tuesday post with tropical visions dancing in my head, I had to come back to this topic.

I wish I could come home to this bedroom every day.

Tropical islands, soft white sand beaches, lounging in the sun...these have all been in my head lately, so I drifted towards island rooms with walls opening to the ocean.


Light and airy with wooden floors and soft accents.


I want to fall asleep each night listening to the waves roll in. A place like The Crane, Barbados where we spent our honeymoon with the doors open each night to the sea.


Again, guess it is time to start playing the lottery, right?

Armed and Dangerous

Yesterday after getting home Hayden and I set out for a walk.

Poo bags in hand (because I refuse to be a bad pet owner & because you never know if you'll need more than one) we set out at a good clip.

Hayden always gets so excited when we go for walks. At the beginning it can be a bit of a challenge because in our neighborhood we still have some owners who don't realize that letting your dog poo somewhere & not picking it up is just wrong.

And we also have some people who will just toss random food out their car windows. Hello chicken wings??

Either way, I can handle that. We sail right past the poo. I fuss at Hayden to "DROP IT" if she opens her mouth nears any food on the ground.

I'm also careful when we cross the street.

I've seen people out walking who don't even look to see if cars are coming.

Hello, accident waiting to happen.

I look both ways multiple times.

I make eye contact with drivers.

I don't walk when I see this sign.

I do walk when I see this sign.

Again, after checking 5 times both ways. I have precious cargo you know.

I even give thank you waves (twice!) when people actually stop when I have the right of way. One wave to acknowledge that they stopped & a second to thank them again.

I mean, if the red hand is there, I don't even think about it.

We do happen to live in a city where people regularly run red lights. In fact, I almost saw a man get hit last night because he thought he'd cross 4 lanes of traffic juuuussstttt before the little guy appeared telling him to go.

Thankfully he jumped back before he was run over. And trust me, he would have been run over.

So when Hayden & I, in all our cautiousness, were almost home last night we came to our last big crosswalk. There we were, crossing the street, her beside me, a bag of poo in my right hand, waiting to be thrown away.

When a woman ignored the fact that we were in the middle of the crosswalk & decided to turn. She almost took us out.

Thankfully, even after checking 5 times, I still look while in the middle of crossing the street.

Did I ever tell you I'm a good aim?

I was furious - add to that I have a short temper. Remember that bag of poo waiting to get thrown out? She almost made it through the intersection with an open bag of poo being tossed in her open window at her face.

Lucky for her Hayden looked up at me right at the moment I was getting ready to chuck it & grinned. It seemed like she was telling me to let it go - we were safe.

I didn't throw the poo & she didn't end up with it on her face.

But, I was armed & dangerous.

So, when you're out & driving & see someone walking their dog carrying a bag of what could be poo. For your sake I would caution letting them make it across the street without almost hitting them.

You never know when someone could have exceptional aim & a short fuse.

Happy Wednesday!!!

Top 2 Tuesday

To Do Before You Die

Don't we all harbor those inner questions? The ones where we ponder what in life we truly want to accomplish before we kick that proverbial bucket?

You know, tour Switzerland on a bike, go to Germany & experience driving a 6 series on the Autobahn before I ship that bad girl home (cause you know she'd be a girl, y'all - my current car is EVA - like the hot German supermodel) (and don't you wonder about my car naming abilities? I mean, how will I ever top EVA?), opening my own little cafe where live jazz or guitar music would play into the afternoon hours, etc.

Mostly, however, my dreams around what I'd like to do are pretty selfish.

I'm in need of a tropical getaway & that clouds my visions right now.

My top 2 for Taylor's Top 2 Tuesday would be:

1. To retire at a young (and by young I mean by 40) age to a place where my views will only include sun, sand & water. Something like these.

2. I'd like to travel the world. I know, I know. We all want to do this. I have an overwhelming desire to do it. I've been to most of the states. I'm lacking a few which I'm sure I'll hit eventually.

But, I want to go to Africa & stay here. While there, I'd like to go on an & go on an eco-friendly safari.

I really DO want to go to Germany & run a 6 series on the Autobahn.

I want to go to Dubai & go shopping - which, by the way, is not inspired by the upcoming SATC movie - I have a girlfriend who wanted me to go years ago during their annual shopping events. Unfortunately, her budget & my budget were NOT on equal footing.

I want to see all that the world has to offer and then have an opportunity to give my help.

Which means I'll need to win the lottery. Anyone have any suggestions?

Spreading some love

Sam, from the ruby Turtle hippie times shared the I Love Your Blog award with me! As Jenny DB would say - BLOG BLING!!


With this award I am supposed to share 10 things that I love.

1. I love trying new recipes. I especially love when they turn out well, as in these, this one (chicken stew, need I say more?), these tostadas and this salad. I am planning on trying this Grilled Halibut with Peach & Pepper salsa from Cooking Light on Friday evening.

2. I love how I feel after I work out. Yesterday afternoon Mr. Potts and I headed to the gym around 4pm. When we were wrapping it up after our workouts, I saw several girls getting ready to leave. They delicately blotted their faces. I just laughed. Here I was tomato red in the face, sweat dripping over my whole body & my hair a twisted, frizzy curly nightmare. Somehow I doubt they got the benefit that I did out of the afternoon gym time.

3. I love our deck in the spring/summer/fall. Often on Friday's after work you'll catch us lounging out there with a bottle of wine & a few beers in our serving buckets. Often reading, sometimes just catching up on our days.

4. I love a great salad in the summer. Often, we'll revert to 3 or 4 salads a week. They're just so yummy!! Topped with fresh fruits or veggies, nothing is more crisp & cool.

5. I love summer time & beach weather. Something about the heat & the sultriness in the air, the ocean breeze, the way my hair gets out of control (I just go with the curl), the lack of responsibility, the ability to sleep in & just relax. Take me to a beach & I am home.

6. I love to travel. Even with all the travel I do for work (and will wonders never cease? I'm in town now for the 3rd week straight!) I still love to get out & see new places. I have a list of places that are on what I guess you'd call a bucket travel list. Will have to share that one day.

7. I love new shoes. I'm currently on the hunt for a pair of great wedges as well as nude pumps for the office.

8. I love time spent with my family. It is quite precious to me & I'm planning a day for just my mom & myself this coming weekend. We may do a little deck re-planting - my gerber pots aren't going to make it. They've molded. Sigh.

9. I love planning special things for the people I love. I'm currently planning Mr. Potts' 35th birthday party - shhhhhh - it is going to be a surprise!!! My niece's 6th birthday is the day before his, so we'll have to plan something uber special for her too.

10. I love meeting new blog people. So if you're new here & haven't introduced yourself, please do! If you've been following me & I haven't made it over to your blog to say hi, let me know!

I'm taking easy way out on this one. If you'd like to play along, please grab this & go for it! Come back & let me know if you do so I can come check out your lists!

Happy Monday Y'all!!

It WAS a fabulous Friday!

While it was a Fabulous Friday, I never had an opportunity yesterday morning to write about it before I went to work.

That would be because I was still exhausted from the night before.

You see, my favorite aunt (I only have 2 & I think I'm entitled to favorites) came over to have dinner with us.

We had our "sophisticated" salad - grilled chicken, goat cheese, strawberries & walnuts.

We also cracked open a bottle (or 2) of Sauvignon Blanc.

And then proceeded to eat, drink & talk. Then moved outside to our fabulous deck & nestled in for some catching up.

Which went on until midnight.

So there went yesterday's early morning gym plans - right over the deck's balcony!

But that was ok because I got to catch up with my favorite aunt. And hang out with Mr. Potts - my favorite man.

So, hope you all will have a wonderful weekend!