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.

What makes this Friday a Fabulous Friday was the kick-off we gave it last night.

My best girlfriend Sandy met me after work and we headed to Off Broadway to do a little shoe shopping.

Side note: This was us at my wedding in November 2008 (she was my Maid of Honor).

This was us in March/April. Can you see the weight difference in us both?

Wow - it is amazing to me to look back at that.

After our shoe shopping (still searching for the perfect pair of nude shoes, by the way) we went to a place called Mac's. Great little spot that Mr. Potts & I discovered right after they opened. They've gotten wildly popular & for good reason.

We all sat outside at a picnic table in the sun laughed and talked and caught up.

And we ate some great food & had a beer or two.

It was, as Sandy would say, "Good Stuff."

We're heading out of town for the weekend to visit some good friends of ours.

Happy Friday, y'all!!!

Hope your weekend are full of GOOD STUFF!!

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!

Thursday's Thoughts

I feel like I don't have enough time for everything going on, but like the rest of you, I try to squeeze every little drop out of my day.

And I've found recently that I'm happy.

More than just content. Truly, ecstatically happy.

There is nothing special that has happened to put me here. No big changes that have occurred. Just an overall feeling of happiness.

Maybe I've learned to let go a little bit & not stress the small things.

A little cat hair floating downstairs in the hallway? Sweep it out when we walk Hayden.

A pot of Gerbers that have molded & must be redone? Two pots of gorgeous marigolds (keep the bugs away!) & another pot of Gerbers that are rocking that porch!

It could be the weather we've had lately. Every morning on my way home from the gym I see people out in groups or with their dogs running.

Each evening I see couples strolling in the late sunshine, grateful for a respite to the day's heat.

I look at Mr. Potts and feel so loved each day. I think of my babies and smile. I think of friends we have whom I cherish more than anything.

Could it be a weekend getaway with a group of fabulous girls? Possibly!

Watermelon, strawberries, blackberries & peaches. All are calling my name. Summer squash, zucchini, red bell peppers & Silverqueen corn. So brilliantly colored & crisp.

I'm not sure what it is, but the old adage to "Stop & smell the roses"? I'm sniffing as deeply as my little pollen clogged nose will let me.

Which considering my allergy problem, may not be the best thing.

But I'm going for it.

Thursday's Thoughts? More like Thursday's Ramblings, but it's ok.

What's on your mind? What makes you happy?

We keep it KLASSY

As the weekend drew to a close yesterday, I realized how thankful I am that we don't have any more friends getting married.

Because weddings are fun, but people of a certain age (*cough* not 21 *cough*) don't bounce back as quickly (*cough* Mr. Potts *cough*).

A good time was had by all.

We attended the rehearsal & rehearsal dinner.


With our group of friends, shenanigans were to be had.


The wedding was nice and I was complimented on my reading - several people told me I should be on the radio - only if it pays like Ryan Seacrest!

After the wedding we had a few hours to kill.


So we headed back to a friend's hotel room.

Where we kept it KLASSY - as if there would be any doubt.


The bride and groom danced a few dances before we all took to the dance floor.


Congrats you two!!

Sunday was a beautiful day to spend with my mom and the munchkins in celebration of her.

Although in true Mrs. Potts' fashion I forgot her mother's day card. To which she told me she didn't need one any way & to save it for next year.

Wonder who I get my smart mouth from??

Hope all your weekends were as lovely as mine!

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.

I'm keeping this short this Friday. I'm running on a time crunch.

I gave my knee a rest this morning (self-diagnosed Runner's Knee - via Google) and slept in.

I'm reading in a wedding this weekend & let me tell you, the bride, well she is, (dare we?) a bridezilla.

So I jetted after work yesterday to get my hair done. This was a quick, "PLEASE FIT ME IN OR THE BRIDE WILL KILL ME!!" express job on my Kelly Bundy'esque root.

I'm leaving straight from work to rush home, freshen makeup, fluff le hair & head to the church for the rehearsal.

Wedding is tomorrow at 2pm which means I'll be hustling to get to the gym & then get ready for the wedding.

It is also a Catholic wedding which means I'll be famished - so I'll need a good lunch to tide me over.

So....

Today I'm sharing with you an excellent giveaway for a copy of Heather McDonald's book about Blue Balls.

Ashley at Kiwis & Cocktails clued me in on this lovely lady (shame on you Ashley for holding out!) & when I visited her blog, I had to begin following her.

Surferwife is funny, irreverent, dare I go on?

And she lives in a warm, sunny place.

Stop my heart.

So, go on over & give her a peak. I'm sure you'll like what you see!

Cinco de Bust

Our big plans this week included going to our favorite Mexican place near us & eating the following:

• Chips
• Salsa
• Queso
• Corn Salsa
• Carne Asada

Which I was SUPER excited about. To make ourselves feel a bit better about eating that, Mr. Potts & I walked to the restaurant & planned to walk home. You know, to help it settle.

I should have known we'd have a problem when I saw all the cars in the area.

I should have known we'd have a problem when I remembered that a popular Charlotte radio station was hosting a Cinco de Mayo bash.

We should have recognized the problem when two people who had just walked in turned around & walked out muttering about an hour and a half wait for a table.

Should have known, but thought we were ok because this was OUR place. We went when they first opened. We went when you couldn't drive down the street in front of them because of construction. We took large groups of people there. I mean, we should have a table with our name.

But obviously we don't.

So we put our name on the list, along with our phone number.

So we called our friends to advise of the situation & they came & picked us up.

Smart kids that we are, we decided to go to the other Mexican restaurant (same name, same owner) a few miles away & try there.

Cause, you know, the radio station wasn't there.

50 minute wait.

Ok, we'll head to the sketchy part of town & hit one of those tiny little Mexican places.

Line out the door.

I mean, did EVERYONE have the same idea we did?

Settled on a different restaurant where I had a steak sandwich.

Which didn't compare to the salsa, queso, corn salsa, chips & carne asada I was going to eat.

So we've decided we're going to celebrate Quatro de Mayo or Seis de Mayo next year. Because when the original Mexican restaurant we went to & put our name down at called us 2 hours and 20 minutes later, we were already finished with dinner & on our way home!

Motivation

Brown Eyed Girl sent me a text this morning talking about motivation & how hard it can be sometimes to stay motivated with exercise. I agree wholeheartedly and realize that many of us struggle with motivation. Perhaps not exercise related, but motivation in general.

For me, it is exercise/diet motivation.

Get up at 4:40am to get to the gym? Sometimes I'd rather sleep?

Healthy salads (like last night's with strawberries, chicken & goat cheese)? Sometimes I'd rather just have fried chicken.

What motivates me to keep making positive choices and positive changes in my exercise and eating?

Me.

I'm my own motivation. No one else is going to do it for me.

I want to fit into my clothes.

I want to run around with the munchkins, push them on a swing, throw them up in the air without getting winded.

I want to be healthy 10 years from now & not worrying about high blood pressure.

Exercise just makes me feel good. I love the feeling after a great workout. Not so much the hair maintenance, but that's a different story.

I like taking Hade Dog for a long walks & not getting shin splints.

I want to feel comfortable in a bikini on the lake.

I want to be ok with having my picture taken & not cringing at the results.

You see, I've made remarkable progress in the last 8 months. I've lost 20 pounds. For me, that is a big deal and something else that motivates me.

I carry extra weight in my face & my stomach, so part of it is vanity.

But I also have a family history (on both sides) of heart problems, cholesterol problems, high blood pressure, etc. In fact, my aunt was just in the hospital with one of her arteries 90% closed.

She's the healthiest of that side of the family - my dad's side where I have 2 Aunts, 1 Uncle & my dad.

I look back at old pictures and I know that we're often our own worst critics. I'm certainly my own.

But I'm working on that voice. I'm making changes so that when I look at pictures, I see how happy I am & how confident I feel.

To show you the difference.

This first pictures is from last year's Derby in KY. Now, granted, it was a nasty rain day, so my hair was a mess. Yet you can see it in my face. How bloated I was. If you watch The Biggest Loser, you'll see that in the Before/After pictures as well.



This year's Derby - here in CLT. What a difference a year makes.

Who knows what next year will bring!

Now, I've gone on about some of what motivates me. What motivates you?

I have visions

Not psychic visions, but this morning I had a great workout & on my way home started thinking about breakfast.

Usually I'll eat an english muffin with a little squeeze butter & honey.

But last night after work I went to the store & bought our groceries for the week.

**Sidenote**
We had blackened grouper filets last night. Mine with a sideof my fabulous 5 Bean Salad - will share the recipe soon.

Tonight we'll be feasting on a Southwest Salad with the creamy salsa dressing Brown Eyed Girl turned me on to.

Wednesday we're going to a local Mexican place for Cinco de Mayo. YUM!!!

Thursday we'll have a salad with goat cheese, strawberries, walnuts, chicken & a balsamic vinaigrette.

So I got all the groceries, including strawberries.

**Back to Story**

So, driving home from the gym I decided that instead of the normal muffin, I'd top it with finely diced strawberries.

Muffin + squeeze butter + honey + ripe strawberries is sure to = Fabulousness in my mouth!

Hope your breakfast will be yummy too!!

Derby Day Recap

Saturday was Mr. Potts & my Derby Day Bar Crawl & what fun we had!

We kicked everything off at our house with the Oaks Lily (see previous post for link to recipe) which was quite the hit!

I bought two bunches of Gerber Daisies & broke them into two vases. They turned out quite lovely.
Mr. Potts & I made quite the pair, don't you think? Y'all - I LOVED my hat!!

We had girls in hats.

We had boys in hats.
The end of the night came & my hat rested by the flowers. I'm saving this for the next time we go to Derby. I was so proud that I made this & pulled it off!! Don't you love the feathers?
Remember when I told you to bet the jockeys, not the horses? That's how I won big money last year on Mine that Bird.

I won the Derby pot this year too!

Love me some Calvin Borel!!!