Just tickled pink...

Over the summer we've been doing some work on our home.  New paint, new carpet, new bathroom fixtures.  We're getting ready to try and list our home for sale.

We've been so busy, it seems like we haven't had a free moment this summer.  Between all the work, cleaning up and de-cluttering we've snuck in weekend days at the pool and time with friends.

This Labor Day weekend however, we decided was a time to get away.  A time for us to spend some time relaxing together.  A few weeks prior we planned a trip for the weekend down to Sanibel Island, FL.  It was a place I've wanted to go for a while and a place Mr. Potts spent his summers shelling on the beaches there.

via

We spent days in the sun strolling the beaches and finding all sorts of shells.  We lounged under umbrellas and listened to the crash of the waves.  Our evenings were spent in little seaside restaurants enjoying our time together and each other.

Our first day there was spent talking about our future and what it holds for us.

Our first evening was kicked off by a walk on the beach where we paused for some time and then opened an envelope which had traveled down from Charlotte with us.  Inside this envelope we found the following message:

Congratulations!  It's a GIRL!!!

 

We were both so excited, thrilled, over the moon....tickled pink.

That's right.  We've been talking and planning and speculating about our future and our growing family.  A family of two which will become a family of three (5 if you count Hayden & Pepe Cat - which we do) March 6, 2013.

We couldn't imagine a better way to celebrate our Labor Day.

I hope yours was magical as well.

Strolling Back In

Funny how life seems to take over sometimes, isn't it?

Family, fun, vacations, summer....summer gets me every time.  Does it seem like that for anyone else?

So what have I been up to? 

We went to Cabo and fell in love with it.

 We went with a group of friends to the beach.

We spent a night rocking to Tim and Kenny (swoon, right, MCW?)

via

We took the munchkins to the beach.  They LOVED it, of course!

We went to a wedding which obviously gave me a good excuse for a new dress!

What else has been going on?  Work has been busy but otherwise good.

I think we've just enjoyed the summer.  How about you?  Have you enjoyed the summer?  Done anything special?

Cold weather & a bit of random thrown in

I'm in Indianapolis for the day & leaving to head home tomorrow evening. We've been enjoying seasonable winter weather in Charlotte (but honestly, who hasn't been?) so to step off the plane & feel the bite of winter cold was a bit of a shock.

I'm not sure what the highs will be here. This is one of the first times I've ever traveled for work and not checked the weather report. I most likely will be going from hotel to conference room so I don't expect to be outside much. Anyone else check weather.com before they travel?

On to the random...mostly travel & airport related.

Anyone ever people watched in an airport? It really is one of the more interesting parts of traveling. Different nationalities, different accents, fashion choices....oh my!

I've seen jeans that my mom would have worn 10 years ago on women barely older than me. Faded & maybe with a hint of acid wash.

I know we all want to be comfortable when we travel (at least I do) but I have what I call travel clothes that wear well out in public without looking sloppy. Typically a looser fitting black pant in a light material, a soft knit sweater & usually comfortable shoes that I can slip on & off. But I always have a pair of socks so I don't have to walk through the screening area barefoot! Do any of you also travel like this?

Little girls and boys with their parents in awe of the hugeness of the airport and almost overwhelmed with the excitement of flying on an airplane. That is a sight to behold. I also wonder how parents do it with a small child. I appreciate those whose children are quiet & excited on planes, not screaming & kicking my backseat.

I tend to tear up a bit when I see the young men in uniform boarding a plane. I try to thank them for their service when I see them. I also feel a tug on my heart because so many of them look so young. They're practically babies yet here they are defending our freedom.

Enough randomness for a morning. Hope you're all having a wonderful week! I can't wait until Friday!!

Fabulous Friday

Why hello! So good to see you my dear friend.

I'm back to my perky happy self. Why is that, you may ask? I have finally recovered from a very nasty cold. I can talk without getting out of breath. I can laugh without coughing for 5 minutes after. Hayden & I can go for a walk outside without me feeling like someone took to me with a baseball bat after.

Fabulous Friday indeed!

The other part that makes this day so fabulous?

One of my best girlfriends who lost her little one a little over a year ago had a precious, perfect baby boy on Wednesday. He's perfect and he's all theirs.

I'll admit, I burst into spontaneous tears of joy when my girlfriend called me to tell me they were going to have a baby that day. I cried when I saw her, I cried when I held him and I'm crying now. But happy tears, only happy ones.

When I met him I told him how loved he already was and how many prayers went into his arrival. Love surrounds us this month; I like to think this little baby boy has been born into an expanded family that will love and support him his entire journey into adulthood.

Plus, he's absolutely gorgeous!

When I saw him I thought, "This is exactly what a baby Potts would look like."

Fabulous Friday for sure!

The other week I asked you to share how you spread the positive in your life; the first three to share were Sarah Lang, Tracy & Neha. Ladies, if you'll send me an email with your mailing address, you'll have something coming your way in the next few days.

Happy Friday, y'all!!

PS: LOVE that b.e.g. has continued this on even while I stepped back for a while! If you aren't reading her already, please go over & say hello!

A little meme to break up the monotany

A break from the usual. MCW tagged me in the meme going around and I have to admit, I sighed a little sigh of relief. Who doesn't sometimes need a little prompt to get things going?

The rules:
1. Post the rules.
2. Write 11 fun facts about yourself.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you and then create 11 new quesitons to ask people you tag.
4. Tag 11 people and link them to your post.
5. Let them know you've tagged them!


1. I'm going to Cabo with Mr. Potts and another couple in April. Exactly 73 days from now I will be here.


2. I would rather eat fruit than chocolate. Apple pie, blueberry cobbler....you get the idea.

3. I believe that peanut butter should be it's own food group.

4. There are very few foods I choose not to eat. Cabbage, mushrooms and liver are the only three. Cabbage because I can't stand the smell of it cooking, mushrooms are a texture thing and liver is just disgusting. Bleh.

5. In the last 5 or 6 years I've developed an intolerance for shellfish & it makes me very, very sad. I used to LOVE oysters & crab & lobster. Sigh

6. I follow old school punctuation rules, i.e. 2 spaces after a period.

7. Mr. Potts' Dad & Stepmom have offered to pay for me to go back to school and obtain my masters degree. I cried. It is something I've wanted for a while & didn't think I'd have the opportunity to do.

8. I love the Real Housewives series, but ONLY Beverly Hills, OC & NJ.

9. I will sometimes go for a spell without purchasing clothes. But when I decide I need some new things I totally go for it.

10. My favorite nail color lately has been OPI's Wocka Wocka from the Muppets line.

11. One of my previous life stances has changed dramatically in the last year. This will result in a major life change in the next few years. To be discussed at a later date.

Now on to the questions that MCW posted!

1. How do you eat your burger?
I like mine either one of two ways. With peanut butter (see #3 above), bacon & cheddar OR on a toasted english muffin with bacon & pimento cheese.

2. What's your favorite characteristic about yourself?
I'm sincerely optimistic and find the positive in anything and usually anyone!

3. What time period from the past would you like to live in?
I like the period I'm in now, but I wouldn't mind the "Little House on the Prairie" type of period where things were simpler.

4. What actress would be cast to play you?
Reese Witherspoon. I seriously believe we'd be BFF in real life.

5. What was your first car?
A Honda Civic

6. What's one product you hope is never discontinued?
Aquaphor Advanced Therapy hand cream

7. What was high school like for you?
Nothing mind-blowing. I was there, I did well in classes, I had bad hair (but who didn't then?) & then I went to college.

8. Do you believe in ghosts?
Not especially

9. What would your dream house look like?
It has a huge porch, a large living area outside, a master kitchen that opens up into a dining/living area & lots of room.

10. When did you have your first beer? Did you have more than one?
Umm....I don't remember. Probably sometime in high school & I'm sure I had more than one.

11. What is your least favorite word?
One that has to do with women's underwear. Rhymes with SHANTY. Makes me shudder.

Now, I'm breaking from the rules & opening this up to anyone. If you want to play along, use the same questions MCW asked. Because thinking up 11 new ones is just making my brain hurt!

The Positives

Thank you so much for the encouragement you shared with me last Friday when I wrote about the unhappiness I've been feeling in the new job. I know that I'm not alone feeling that way & that other people have been in the same position. I'm working to stay positive about it & I truly appreciate your support.

On that note, this week I've had the chance to spend time with a co-worker who is not my boss. I feel like if I can continue to focus on the positive, this will be a great experience for me. While I've been with this co-worker I was told several times that I have one of the most positive outlooks of anyone. It made me smile knowing that people see this in me.

You see, I truly believe that the small, everyday actions you take can make a positive impact on people you may not know.

I strive to focus on the positive and lift other people up.

I think that the more frequently we can lift others up the better place our world can be.

When people need encouragement, I encourage. When I have an opportunity, I praise people's accomplishments.

What you did last week was turn that around for me & help me keep focused on the positives that are in my work life. Thank you so much.

As a special thank you the first three people to comment with how they spread the positive will receive a special gift from me.

So tell me, how do you spread the positive in your everyday life?

The Grass is Always Greener and all that jazz

Happy Friday everyone!

I can't begin to tell you how much I look forward to Friday each week. Is everyone else like this? I don't know that I ever dreaded Mondays coming around though as much as I do now.

You may remember that I was facing the possibility of layoffs at my prior job. Knowing this I was proactive and searching for new opportunities. One came my way, quite by accident, when a recruiter came across my resume online.

We spoke, I telephone interviewed with the hiring manager as well as a VP and learned that I'd be going to their home office for a day of interviews.

Y'all

I was so excited. Here I was facing a potential loss of job and income and I had been singled out for a new position.

The interviews in the office went swimmingly well...except for the in person with the hiring manager. I walked out of there wondering if he was a modern day Jekyll & Hyde. It didn't go well, in my opinion. He was totally different in person than over the phone.

I walked out feeling that it was wrong and probably, based on him, wouldn't be a good fit for me. I didn't expect to be offered the position.

And then the recruiter called and offered me the job.

With some trepidation I accepted. Based on everything I knew, both with my prior company and the current economy, I felt like it was a no-brainer. I couldn't not have a job. Sure, I thought about dog walking to supplement the loss of income. It wouldn't have been the same though and would have placed a strain on Mr. Potts' & my marriage.

We would have made it through, but it would have been tough.

Interesting side note - I would have been laid off less than a month later.

So, all was well.

And then I started.

And I'm not complaining (well, trying not to) but I quickly realized this was not going to be a long-term job for me.

Very quickly. As in, "I haven't quit applying for new jobs and probably won't until I find one."

One piece of this is that the travel portion has escalated from 50% - 70% to almost 100%. I like my home, I like my bed, I love my pets, I love my friends, I love my family and I love Mr. Potts. Trying to squeeze all of this into 2 days is pretty rough.

Yet there is more.

Because, you see, I've learned that my new boss genuinely dislikes people. He is quite the elitist and has no problem letting people know he is looking down his nose at them. Y'all.

He manages a team of people and feels like it is ok to keep them in a "constant state of heightened discomfort and fear for their job as a way to highly develop them."

True statement out of his mouth.

Last week though had me almost in tears. I learned that he, a manager of people (who doesn't like people), a manager part of an HR organization, has had several (numbering 4-5) HR complaints in less than 6 months.

So, I've been digesting this information and my thoughts/feelings about this new job. Much like a few months ago, I feel like this is not a good position to be in.

What a sad post for a Friday, right?

But what I'm focused on is this:

• I am employed

• We have health insurance

• We are continuing to save for our future

• I'm still learning in my professional life

• I still have regular Fridays.

Fridays make me smile, so today, my wish for you is that you smile!

What makes you smile on Friday?

Fabulous Friday Picture Dump

Happy Friday y'all!!

We're in Nashville for the weekend participating in Mr. Potts' sister's wedding. There shall be pictures, she declares (next week!).

I have several weekends worth of photos to share before the pictures from the wedding extravaganza.

A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to dress up and attend the Humane Society's Ties & Tales gala. We clean up pretty well, no?

The weekend of Thanksgiving we decorated the tree and had our annual holiday cookie making day with the munchkins. This year they both spent the night before the big day.

I ask them all the time if they'll slow down & quit growing. They both refuse.

This past weekend we had our annual holiday party. I was rocking the red lipstick & slightly darker hair.

And what photo dump would be complete without a few gratuitous Christmas decor photos?

Our buffet dressed up for our party. If you look closely you'll note that I hadn't put the cheese out with the crackers yet.

Why yes, those ARE nutella rice krispie treats!!

Our mantle. We added lighted garland this year.

I can't seem to take a decent picture of lighted elements. Any suggestions?

Hope you all will have a wonderful weekend!!

Tuesday Confession

I've finally caught up on reading blogs. Phew. There were several times when I thought it would be easier to simply select "Mark all as read" rather than wade through all the different blog posts.

I'm so glad that I didn't do that. I would have missed catching up on all the things that have been going on in everyone's lives.

Hopefully by now you all know that I have accepted a new position with a new company. One that hasn't gone through and emerged from chapter 11 only to still not make numbers. I can't tell you how excited I am about working for a stable company!

Y'all that feels great.

Almost as great as participating in Leslie's Confessional. I mean, really, who doesn't like to get things off their chest?

So, here goes!

1. I've got house fever. Mr. Potts told me one evening that he'd been looking at houses online. Well, that got me started. I've found several that I love. Some with beautiful interiors, some with beautiful exteriors, very few with both.

2. While I have house fever, I do love our town home. It fits us perfectly, for now. I love it even more so since it is decorated for Christmas and everything feels so warm and cozy.

3. I've finished most of my Christmas shopping and gift wrapping. I have a few people who aren't accounted for yet and I'd love to be able to cross them off my list.

4. I want to try on my wedding dress from 3 years ago to see if it fits.

5. See above - I think it will fit but probably be way too big. Since I wore it I've lost about 20lbs.

6. I've a longing for these boots.

via

That's all I've got! What confessions do you have?

Happy Tuesday, y'all!

Not another manic Monday

Thank you all so much for the kind and welcoming words last week. After being absent so long from blogging, it felt good to let you know what has been going on.

This past Friday was my last day at my former company. It was quite a bittersweet day for me. While with this company I've grown in my professional experience as well as experienced professional heartbreak.

Anyone wondering what professional heartbreak is? I had to sit and think for a few moments of the best way to describe the disappointments I experienced there.

As a learning professional I truly want to help others learn and grow in their professional experience. What I saw with my former company was almost the opposite. There were many times when we had opportunities to be exceptional, even great, but did not have senior level support. In all honesty, one could probably say the company as a whole regressed.

Professional heartbreak.

But I also loved many of the people I worked with. There will be many people that I will keep in touch with, many who had tears in their eyes on Friday. I'll miss them all but am excited to be moving on and have an opportunity to learn and grow in my new role.

I have a week off before I start next Monday. Wonder what I'll be doing?

1. Going back to the hair salon (I was there Saturday) to have the fix my hair. I was brushing through my hair last night and noticed that if I part my hair differently than it was blown out that I'll have a stripe in the middle of my hair. Not like a random long strip of blonde hair root to tip but a horizontal strip about 4 inches long about 2 inches down from my root.

Not good.

2. Going back to Ulta to pick up eye makeup remover. I didn't look closely at the label on the mascara I purchased & picked up waterproof. I don't normally wear waterproof & had a hell of a time getting it off Saturday night (Sunday morning) at 3:00 after our holiday party.

3. Uploading pictures from our party. You know, so you can have a post with pictures.

4. Prepping for Mr. Potts' sister's wedding in Nashville this weekend. Trust me, the pictures (and stories) from this will be PRICELESS.

Happy Monday!

Falling back on the radar

Over two months.

That is how long it has been since I sat down at the computer and wrote here. Sad, isn't it? It felt like every time that I sat down to write all I could think about was my job situation.

It wasn't good.

And while I think I could have moaned about it for a good 25+ posts, I didn't believe anyone would want to read past the first one. Truth be told, thinking about my situation day in and day out was exhausting. I just couldn't add to that by writing anything about it.

So.

On to better news.

I have a new job!

Phew. Bet y'all didn't see that coming.

My first day will be December 12th. And with that, I'll be a road warrior again. Will fill you in on those travels. Hopefully this will keep me out of Maine in February.

Smile

I also have been very fortunate in that I won two giveaways. Two! I know!

Back in October Abbie from A Glimpse of the Girl Next Door hosted a Stella & Dot giveaway. Lucky me - I won! Now, I've lusted after Stella and Dot jewelry for a while but haven't caved in and picked something out for me.

I was so so excited to pick out these earrings. Aren't they beautiful?

Thank you Abbie! I LOVE them!!

Then, as if October weren't about to wrap up with a bang I won Shasta Anne's Pink Clarisonic giveaway!

I was so over the moon and couldn't believe that I won! Thank you so much Shasta for hosting such a wonderful giveaway!!

Following close on the win of these giveaways I received the job offer. It happened so so quickly & honestly I wasn't expecting it.

I'm beyond thankful for the blessings I have. So many weights feel as if they've been lifted from my shoulders and I thank God for his love.

Long catch up, but much needed.

xoxo

Ch ch ch ch changes! It's in the air!!

Fall is often the time when people begin to change things out.

Summer bags are cleaned and gently placed in their dust bags and the fall/winter bags taken out and brushed off.

Shorts and Tanks are put away in favor of Jeans and Cozy Sweaters.

Summer weight comforters are exchanged for the cozy, cuddly warmth of winter/fall comforters. And maybe an extra blanket hanging around for when the window is open and things are quite brisk.

Summer decorations are exchanged for fall themes. Colored leaves, pumpkins, all things Fall.

Summer highlights are looking a little much so a girl decides to darken them. To fit more feel of fall. I've touched on that recently (see picture in prior pic and you'll see what I want) and will get there myself, it is just a matter of the time, the who and the what in the world will I be doing??

This time of year also heralds my return to comfort food. I slip away from salads and salads and more salads and grilled chicken and pork chops and I return to the comfort food.

We've spoken of it before...Macaroni and Cheese, Chicken & Dumplings, Stews, Braised Ribs, Roasted Chicken, Roasted Root Vegetables. I can go on and on.

Most of the time my food rambling centers on main meals - the big ones that tide people over at the end of a long day. These meals warm people's bellies and their hearts. They're the kind of meal you want to savor with warm fuzzy socks on.

Lately though I've been craving breads. It has to do with the way I'm made up. When I'm stressed (and we know I have been) I want carbs.

Gooey, taste yummy carbs = Comfort Food

So to satisfy the urge I've made Garden Harvest Cake.

So super yummy and so so easy. You're welcome in advance.

From Cooking Light

Garden Harvest Cake

Ingredients

• 4 1/2 ounces all-purpose flour (1 cup)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup grated peeled Granny Smith apple (about 1 medium)
• 1/2 cup grated carrot (about 1 medium)
• 1/2 cup shredded zucchini
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup nonfat buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• Cooking spray

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour and the next 4 ingredients (through salt) in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk.

3. Add grated apple, grated carrot, shredded zucchini, and walnuts to flour mixture; toss well.

4. Combine canola oil, buttermilk, and eggs in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk.

5. Add egg mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until combined.

6. Spoon batter into an 8 x 4–inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray.

7. Bake at 350° for 50 minutes or until a wooden pi.ck inserted in the center comes out clean.

8. Cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack; remove cake from pan. Cool completely on wire rack before slicing.

Happy Wednesday, y'all!! Friday can't get here fast enough!!

Full Hearts

Have I shared with you lately how full my heart has been lately?

No? Forgive me?

One of my best girlfriends, the one I laugh and cry with regularly is pregnant again.

Sigh

So, so full and happy.

She and her husband lost their first baby, a little girl, last December and are now expecting again. I couldn't be more thrilled for them & can't wait to meet the newest little one.

Welcome him or her to "the family" and shower her/him with love.

Kiss little fingers and toes & marvel with my girlfriend over how perfect her baby is.

Makes for a great Tuesday, doesn't it?

Happiness Is....

Fresh hair.

I'm still a little more blonde than this picture, but I love having fresh highlights/lowlights. Still not here yet, but I wasn't quite ready to go so dark yet.
via

Fall TV

One of my faves!
via

So excited about this show!
via

New shoes. I'm dying for some new boots. Any recommendations for tall, black boots?

And y'all? It is Thursday! Which means tomorrow is FRIDAY!!

Fabulous Friday

Angel babies singing
Is everyone ready for Fall?

I know MCW - not ready yet since it means winter is around the corner. I can't help it.

I've seen all the posts people have written detailing their love of Fall. I can't help it, I love it too.

Ready for my list?

Short, sweet & to the point.

Kind of like me.

Boots, Sweaters, Chilly Weather, Going a little longer, a little further on the dog walks, Not sweating, Less frizzy hair...

Speaking of hair (and she veers off track - not surprising is it?)

I'm really loving this hair right now. Pretty for Fall, no? Thoughts?

via

Ahem. Back to the list.

Stews, Chicken & Dumplings, Warm Coffee on the Deck in the chill of a Fall morning, Football, Scarves...

Don't you love this scarf?
via


Pumpkin, Pumpkin patches, Pumpkin picking...anything to do with pumpkins and my munchkins!!


Who doesn't love the Teddy Bear Harness?

2010 - He outgrew the Teddy Bear Harness & moved on to Cotton Candy.

Still precious, isn't he?

LOVE

Happy Friday y'all! I hope your weekends are FABULOUS!!

2 X 4

via

No, not the wood used in building things.

Since I have one thing and one thing only running through my brain.

Scratch that. That is not true.

Today I obsessed over:

A pumpkin apple muffin that I really wanted but the bakery did not make today.

via

A slice of blueberry pie with ice cream that was my dinner. Comfortfoodmuch??

via

For the record, this was not my pie. I take mine with TWO scoops of ice cream, please, thankyouverymuch.

How skanalicious my hair is looking since I haven't been to the hairdresser since July. Y'all.It is bad.

Sons of Anarchy premiering Tuesday night. Jax. Whoa.

via

But as has been the case lately, the most constant thing on my mind has been what could be a large change in my life.

And as should always be the case (at least in my case) I'd like to be as prepared as possible. Which means looking at plans B, C, D & E in case A doesn't work out.

A being find a new, better, more secure job AFSAP (As Freaking Soon As Possible).

So if A doesn't work out for me, what you may ask is my B?

Two by Four. Two feet by Four Feet.

Not a padded cell.

My two feet with a companion's four feet.

Not that I believe that I would rival the Two by Four of NYC. But as a way to provide a little extra income (I mean, cause if I got nothing else coming in that makes it extra, right?) I think it is doable.

Because y'all. People in Charlotte are like WHOA about their dogs. Personally, I use my lunch time each day to come home & take Hayden out. Because I can.

But those with newer dogs, puppies, elderly dogs or who happen to have to work a long shift would love to have someone check in on their loves.

So, what do you think? Would you pay to have someone take your four legged baby out for a break during the day?

Disclaimer
I know that there is a lot more to it than just thinking how awesome it would be & how great I'd be & then *poof* it happening, but it is a fun thought, no?

Random Thoughts on a Tuesday

Hi everyone!

I hope that each of you were able to have Monday off and that today is your first day back to work. For those that didn't have Monday off I am sincerely sorry.

I absolutely LOVE short work weeks. Almost as much as I LOVE long weekends. Anyone else believe that the US should institute a nationally observed holiday each month that falls either on a Friday or a Monday?

My hand right now is up in the air saying, "YES!! PLEASE!!!"

On another note, I drove past Auto Bell recently and saw a Mini Cooper parked next to a PT Cruiser. Anyone ever wonder what the PT Cruiser's owner must think? Because really, isn't the PT Cruiser like a bigger, less chic version of the Mini?

On to the next thought....

My birthday just passed and unlike birthdays of years past I didn't make a big deal out of it. I turned 35 which should have been a kind of semi big deal, but with all the uncertainty in my life right now we didn't make a big deal out of it.

And I'm kind of semi ok with that.

Next!

I go back & forth between thinking that I MUST find a new job before something drastic happens to me in my current job (i.e. I lose it) or I keep looking and if I get to a point where I don't have a new job lined up then I can use the time to clear my head.

I go back & forth but keep coming back to this: "Nah. A few days might be nice, but I really will feel like something is missing if I don't have one to go to every day."

Next!

via

I like comfort food when I'm stressed. Macaroni & Cheese, mashed potatoes, roasted chicken & vegetables.

via

Comfort food is my friend.

Anyone else out there indulge in it when stressed?

I have been trying to keep a tight rein on it though. I've been doing well with eating/exercising/weight loss lately losing 1-2 lbs each week.

Which leads to the next thought.

I had to have one shot in my leg last Wednesday. The Wednesday before Labor Day. So I've spent the weekend in my sexy leg sock.

Thank goodness Fall is around the corner. At least if I have to wear these it won't be 100+ degrees!

What kind of random thoughts do you have circling around in your head?

Happy Tuesday y'all!

What happens when your brain won't slow down

Thankfully all, Labor Day weekend is here. I can't tell you how happy I am to have an extra day this weekend to try & still the frantic pace of my mind.

When I have something heavy weighing on me I tend to focus on that with that laser beam focus. Laser beam focus is great for work projects, personal goals, deadlines, etc. Not so much when the focus is aimed at what may or may not happen in the next few weeks.

Things that are out of my control are what I've been focused on lately & it is hard to think of anything else.

I've got a great resume that isn't just words on paper. When I look at all I've accomplished work wise, I know I've got something to be very proud of.

I've got resumes/applications out for so many various positions here in Charlotte and am hopeful and praying that something will open up for me soon.

I'm trying to get back into this groove and not have this weigh so heavy on my heart. It seems that since it is what I'm so focused on that it tends to set my direction. I'm trying to keep that pointed positive and happy.

All of your thoughts & well wishes have been so appreciated!!

Happy Monday, y'all!

8 Interviews later....

Y'all.

I feel like a runaway train lately. Feeling like I can't catch my breath.

I've been "looking". Working on my work "life" story, practicing answering those questions, making sure my suits are oh so appropriate.

Hoping that the people I meet with will "see" me. See my potential. See my fit.

Eight in person and phone interviews with eight different people for one position.

Seems a bit much, no?

Praying

Hoping

Waiting

Not very patiently waiting. I know it is a virtue & one that I really strive to attain but.... Honestly? I'm not there yet.

Eight interviews later and they decide that experience in a certain industry is a MUST.

Tears were shed. Eyes were dried.

So to look at the positive side, I've had a lot of practice now! On to the next!!

Fly Free, Fly High

When I think back at all that has transpired this past year one thing that has rocked my world to the core was the loss of beloved Lisa. If you didn't have a chance to get to know Lisa you still can. Her beauty is one that never fades.

She made me laugh, she made me smile.

There were times she made me drool. As in this time she posted a recipe for Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding which looked amazing!

My comment: Oh for SHUT THE F UP! Save me now. Can I come over when you make this? How about just shipping me some?

Her Response: You're hilarious, love that about you!

Schedule a dentist appointment for the next day!

Can also be made with powdered sugar donuts as well!

I would bake up a storm if you really were coming, if nothing else, you'd go home with tight britches dahlin'!

I miss those witty comments and the quick emails to check up on a girl.

I miss her beautiful posts. The images she found were breathtaking.

She was a beautiful woman who was one to uplift others. Always with a kind word and a funny comeback. She celebrated being a woman & lifted us all up with these beautiful pictures.






She was passionate about the beauties in her life.








I miss the SATC quotes and her love for Carrie Bradshaw.






Lisa, I know you had so much love in your life. I'm so thankful to have had you in mine.

Fly Free, Fly High Sweet Bumpkin.

all images via Bumpkin on a Swing Tumblr and Bumpkin on a Swing