Ever feel like people you love and adore are against you?

If you have, I'm sorry. It's not fun. I hope that this isn't the case but in some cases it's really hard to not wonder....this comes in the form of family, friends and even work relationships.

Any relationship that you care about and you get this funny feeling....yeah, it will bother you.

How do you fix it?

I don't want to be the overly sensitive type and jump to conclusions and confrontational... My resolution seems to be just sit back and take a step back on these relationships and reevaluate where I stand with those people again and go from there.

Oh how I long for the days of rainbows, butterflies and cream puffs.

"Life is what you make it"

XOXOXOXO

My Laila, the Orange Tabby

Orange kitties are also called Gingers or Marmalades!

Just those names sounds so peppy and perfect to describe my lil Laila! She has loads of personality and is the most loving kitty in the world. Her veternarian described her as a golden retriever! LOL. If I am upset or down, she comes to see what's wrong with me and every morning she wakes me up snuggling and rubbing her head all over me. So sweet!

Even when Sasha got a shot, Sasha cried and Laila ran over to her to see what was wrong. She's very caring and most of the time, she's mellow and cuddly. However, she can be Girls Gone Wild with her little antics! She loves to hide under the bed and get your feet and LOVES feather toys. She is also obsessed with anything that has a tag or seam on it. This might go with the notion that Ginger Females are "Flighty". :)

Some people have questioned if this breed of tabbys are similar to "Fiery Redheads"? LOL. Ginger cats are said to be spirited and fiery (and sometimes mean-spirited or sly), just like a typical redhead??! EEEEEK!

Anyways, she's a cuddle bug and I am so happy I got her. She is my "Day Personality" where Sasha is my "Night Personality" - so I'm just happy that they balance each other out and love each other so much like good sissys should! :)

Here's some recent pics of Laila!

My Sasha, the Black Cat

Sasha is my older (just by a few weeks) and the dominate cat in my house...she's also black which is even more intimidating!

So I noticed last night that her once blue, that turned brown eyes are NOW turning green! Eeeeeeek! I always thought that black cats with green eyes were scarey; but maybe I should learn to embrace it as part of her mysterious beauty. I would definitely describe Sasha as mysterious, alluring, beautiful, playful, elegant and gorgeous. I always call her my Black Panther, cause she slowly and quietly slides by you and you can see her shoulder muscles as she walks.

She is a stand-offish cat when you first meet her, but she is sooo loving when she is comfortable with you. She lets me hold her like a baby on her back (which Laila won't let me do, surprisingly).... And I like her "night-like" personality!

She's also a really good Halloween decoration!

Now in bringing up this topic, I wanted to fill you in on some facts about black cats:

One of the 13 superstitions in our country is if a black cat crosses your path, it is considered bad luck. However, in parts of Europe, if a black cat crosses your path, you are considered to have good fortune. If a black cat walks into your house or home, you are truly blessed.

Interestingly enough, in most other cultures, the black cat is a prized possession. Owning one is considered to bring the owner good luck. :)

The origin of the black cat and good luck is believed to have begun in Ancient Egypt with the sacred black cat of Oagans- BAST. BAST, a goddess of Egypt reigned in the Twenty-Second Dynasty and was the official deity of Egypt. Many courted her favors, by procuring black cats into their households; believing that she would become part of that cat in spirit, and grace the home with riches and prosperity.

In the 1600’s Charles I of England, owned a black cat. He fiercely loved and protected his cat. Keeping it under guard 24/7, until one day the cat fell ill and died. Charles I was heard to yell- “Alas my luck is gone.” The next day, he was arrested and charged with high treason. Ultimately he was put to his death.

Oh I almost forgot! It's also belived that a lady who owns a black cat will have many suitors! :)

SO WHY DID BLACK CATS GET A BAD REPUTATION AND WHY?

When the Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock, they brought with them their devout faith in the Bible, with which they took to extreme.

They also brought a deepening suspicion of anything deemed of the devil....hello, Salem Witches! They viewed the black cat as a companion, or a familiar to witches. Anyone caught with a black cat would be severely punished or even killed. They even viewed the black cat as part demon and part sorcery!!!!!!

Also did you know that during Halloween, black cats are exceptionally vulnerable to people who want to do them harm...maybe like some of the bible thumpers I mentioned above. It is even thought that all cats may be prone to this so make sure you keep your kitties safe!

May I also mention that Shelters and Adoption Agencies are especially careful when adopting out their black cats because they are afraid of them being tortured?! I didn't know this until recently and it just shocks me! It reminds me of how I was interviewed several times before I was able to adopt Sasha.

She's beautiful and represents a side of my personality. :)

Here's some recent photos of my baby, Sasha.

I LOVE IT WHEN WEDNESDAY!

Okay so I'm copying a little of what Lala has posted and also the morning show that I hear on the Urban Radio Station in Huntsville...except theirs is, "I HATE IT WHEN WEDNESDAY"...so I'll put a more positive twist on it and list the Top 5 Things I Love that I have experienced this week:

#1 - I hit up da club!

I had a last minute decision to go downtown this past weekend and I am so glad I did! I met with with my best guy pal, Will and we hit up Rush, a nightclub downtown in Huntsville. This place is like a second family to me! I have known a lot of the employees and regulars that go there for years and it's always a good time. However, I have not been there since around August, which is a while for me, so it was about time for a visit and ohhhh what a great visit it was! They had the old school techno and I felt like I stepped back into VINYL! They had C02 spray and old school techno mixing it was awesome! I couldn't stop dancing! Will even had a great time too and was dancing with me! Ahhhhh, it was good!!!! "I got my fix....*tap tap*"

#2 - I watch Lifetime movies with my boyfriend...oh yes ladies, I caught a good one!

In the midst of all this football that I have been forced to watch on the weekends, #1 because I want to keep up with the college football, but then on Sunday, Josh is participating in a Fantasy Football League and has to keep up with his players. I am pretty good about watching football (it's my favorite sport to watch) but every now and then I crave some "Women TV" - this could consist of Snapped, 20/20 on the Women Entertainment Channel (WE), The Real Housewives, or my ABSOLUTE fav, LIFETIME MOVIES.... And so there it was, Josh and I watching football this past Sunday and while he was taking a shower I flipped to a Lifetime movie just beginning and asked him if we could take a break from football and watch this...he was reluctant, but I batted my eyes and of course got my way. Well, about 45 minutes into it, I realize that he is sucked into this movie and Lifetime is notorious for sucking you in to the upcoming PREMIERE movies that show on their Primetime on Sunday and Monday nights...and yes, we watched those too... "Selling Innocence" and "Reviving Ophelia"...doesn't that just sound lovely? Cause it was!

#3 - I got to see my Swissy!!!!

Her birthday dinner was last night! Happy 25th Birthday Swissy!!!! She was enjoying her cocktails and good convo as she took two shots of saki! Made me very proud! I knew we were swissys....I don't mind a good shot of saki myself, though I know it is not the crowd pleaser. Anyways, I bought Swissy a plum colored scarf and a matching big-beaded bracelet with a card that told her how much I adored her. I hardly ever see her, so it was nice to see her beautiful face for a couple hours; and on top of all that good stuff last night, I get to see more of her throughout the rest of the week as she is on Fall Break (she's a teacher)... Our plans involve making shirts for our race this Saturday as well as watching her play in the Alumni Basketball game at our college, University of Alabama in Huntsville. Go Swissy!!!!

#4 - My kitties are sweet and snuggly in the morning!

Now this is sort of rare....usually they wake me up in the morning wrestling and pawing at me cause they are hungry (yes, they are on a schedule!). Anyways, this happened twice that I can think of and they are so sweet snuggling with each other. I just love my babies! It helps my day start off well already thinking about how blessed I am to have such wonderful, sweet kitties. MUAH MUAH MUAH! Mommy loves you!

#5 - I can take a break and visit my friends that just had new baby girls!


Both Alicia and Heather have recently gave birth to their baby girls!

I got to see Heather's new baby, Reagan for the first time on Saturday and she is just so adorable and such a WIGGLE WORM! She's 11 weeks old and already "wanting" to stand up. She's also so interactive and I can make her smile and laugh. She is adorable!

Then I spent time with baby Briley, Alicia's new little girl. This time she was actually awake almost the whole time. She is only a little over a week old so she is still snoozing and trance-like most of the time. She's a good baby though and just SOOOO Cute!

I hope these thangs aren't contagious though, lol. I'm still enjoying all my friends and family having children and just spoiling them. :)



So that's it for this week!!! XOXO :)

The 7lb Itch....

Yep! I'm talking 7lbs of body fat!

So I was doing well with Charles and at the end of my training session, I felt a "burned-out" feeling and decided to take a break. But this break turned into a short-term disability break and then I got a boyfriend and then you just experience life! There goes the diet, there goes the workout routine....here comes Fatty Patty....oh how I hate her!

Now I'm not saying that I am fat, but I am feeling my stomach jiggle when I'm riding in the car. Not a good feeling. Also, my size 4's are not fitting! And my size 6's are getting too snug. WAHHHHHHHHH!

Yes and I turned 28 last month (Happy Birthday to me!) but with getting another year older, it's harder to lose the fat. Thanks metabolism and Mama's good genes!



REALITY CHECK!



Time to rev the metabolism up!



Time to get it together and quit being a procrastinator and just complaining and not doing anything about it.

I've also had a talk with Josh and we have teamed up to lose some weight. My goal is to be at least 150 (I'm at 157 now)....but I would LOVE to be 145.



This is where I was at when working out with Charles and I think it was on a good start...but I got lazy and burned out. I've heard this is a common problem.








































Okay so jumping back on this band wagon! Just in time for the holidays! Ha.


I dropped a lot of weight running last fall so I plan on picking this back up, as I enjoy the beautiful fall weather. I will keep lifting weights and doing all my fun classes with my girls that I enjoy.


My diet will mainly consist of salads (every variety) and Fiber One bars....hello Mr. Toilet Man.


Okay so wish me luck! I'll check back in on my target weight issue later this month and let you know how things are progressing!

Get Ready to ROLL!!!!

So FOOTBALL SEASON has been kicked off for 3 weeks now and Alabama is just getting cranked up! I haven't posted a blog about GAME DAY Adventures, so better time than ever to start commenting on a ass whooping Bama gave Duke this past Saturday with the final score 62 to 13! *Spank Spank*

Of course, since it's Duke, it was inevitable Bama would defeat....it was a pretty chill game. But hey, that gives us more time to socialize with friends and stuff our faces at the great game day cookout hosted by Stephen. The food was delicious and sooo much of it! I seriously felt like it was Thanksgiving....with all delicious home-made goodies and football! Well besides the fact that it was sweltering hot...but oh well!

Here's a fun photo of the group at the game! Roll Tide!!!!!!!

VEGAS and HOTLANTA BABY!

Life has been VERY busy since my last post!

Recently, I helped throw a baby shower for my bestie, Alicia, and her new bundle of joy (still on the way), Briley Alivia King.... The shower turned out GREAT and everyone had a wonderful time. Alicia was gorgeous and getting very excited opening up all the GIRLIE stuff for her new love of her life. It was great! Okay....so check! On to the next task!

So my birthday was coming up soon and in that week, Josh and I were planning a trip to Vegas!!!! However, the first game of the college football season was the Saturday prior and I wanted to celebrate a Huntsville birthday by going out that night....bad idea!!! I completely passed out after the football party and missed my birthday party downtown! :( So I missed that, which I was very upset about but now I just have to laugh. More so, I feel bad for everyone who took time out to come out! Sorry guys!!!! :( Oh and here's a pic of Will holding my birthday cake that I missed out on! :(

Anyways, so off to Vegas the following Monday....we arrived to stretch limo and a bottle of champagne apporximately 930am! We checked into a nice room at the Mirage and met up with our friends John and Brandi - awesome couple! So much fun! The week consisted of going to Club Jet, Bare (topless pool), Black Jack, Roulette, Horse Races, Kitty Glitter (my favorite slot machine), strong drinks, great food, shopping, and just spending time with my new official beau, Josh. :)

Oh yes! And we met up with Genny and Roman one day for a "Virgo Birthday Lunch" at the Belagio (her birthday is the day before mine, September 8th).

I arrived back in Huntsville on Friday, September 10th at 2am and got back up to depart for Atlanta for Kelsie's Bachelorette Party at 6am! Yes, I was struggling the whole trip there until we stopped at a very cheap liquor store around Marietta...then I caught my second wind and was pumped! (Btw, our hotel elevator smelled straight up like watermelon...which is a complete mystery to me...but I giggle about it!)

We started the party at the pool at the Twelve Centennial Hotel and once everyone arrived we got ready to make our way to the comedy club called Punchline, from there we went to Door 44 and had quite the "Atlanta Experience".

The following day, we made our venture to Duluth (GA) to get on the Tube!!!! We arrived after a couple pit stops and pepto shots...lol. Wow, what a day! To sum it all up, we ended up getting into some bad weather about 2 hours into our 4 hour journey...this included a pretty heavy rain storm, thunder, lightning and even the sound of tornado sirens! After a brief panic which included throwing ourselves out of the water and climbing up a bank into a very ritzy gated neighborhood (straight up in people's backyards!) the sun shone again and we decided to stick the rest of this trip out. Now, I can't possibly explain this whole story on the blog, but it was quite interesting and these memories will last a lifetime! *WINK* We finally ended our journey, cold, wet and SOBER....well, except our Bride-to-Be, Kelsie who made her a couple cocktails after our brush with death!

That night we reserved a VIP table at Club Opera! Had an amazing night! Here's a pic of all us girls at Club Opera!

We made it back home safely the next day, a little dehydrated and exhausted! But it was all worth it!!!!

Now it's time for me to get back to reality and in my routine! Looking forward to some quiet nights in for a minute and then we'll be back up and running! :)

My Little Pussy Cats - Update

I have recently become obsessed with my kittens, Sasha and Laila (yes, I added another one!). I now know how it feels to have children, okay, maybe not that bad but I think about and dote on them any chance I have and can get. They are my WORLD!!!! :)

Here is a picture of Laila, my sweet orange tabby - she will turn out to be the best cat ever! She has the most loving personality and loves attention. She is soooo funny. I think she likes me to laugh at her cause she acts so crazy and clutzy...it's like she wants to hear me laugh....oh she's the best.

Sasha is doing well and adjusting to her new sissy quite nicely. She loves to give Laila a bath and Laila enjoys it just as much. Although she MOST enjoys running around chasing Laila and teaching her naughty things! tsk tsk!

A most recent event with Sasha, is a doctor's appointment to take a look at her spay incision...which I noticed the other day looked infected and some tissue was coming out of the wound. So I took her to see her new doctor, Dr. Lowe....no worries Sasha, your new doctor is good looking so that helps. :)

At the doctor, I felt a strange sensation while Sasha was looking at me worried and wanting me to save her...at this moment, I believe she REALLY bonded with me! She clung to me for safety; hardly shows this side so it melted my heart.

Ever since the doctor's visit, she has been more affectionate and loving. Usually, she enjoys terrorizing Laila, meowing and tearing through the house AND her litter box - just like a mischevious black cat should.... Maybe this new behavior change was a result of the handsome Dr. Lowe???? ;) Here's the latest pic of Sasha...so content. :)

Personality Test

See link: www.personality100test.com

I just took a personality test, here are my results:


The type of information you are most attracted to:

You emphasize past experience, realism, common sense, and practical issues. You have a matter of fact style and are direct rather than indirect. You prefer applicable, concrete knowledge over abstract, theoretical knowledge. When someone explains something to you, you often ask them to provide an example.

You are most comfortable dealing with the here and now, the real world. When someone asks, 'But what if x happens or y happens?', you respond by saying, 'It hasn't yet happened. Let's deal with it if and when it does, instead of wasting time now speculating about it.' You trust information gathered by your own five senses over any other information source. Avoiding speculation and exaggeration is important to you.

You would rather say 'I get things done' than 'I create ideas and possibilities.' You don't like it when people jump around in their thoughts or when ideas don't logically flow.

Caution area: you may sometimes overlook long-range planning by being too focused on the moment.

How you prefer to make decisions:
You are clear-headed and calm under pressure. You do not get carried away by your emotions or rely on emotional manipulation to persuade people.

You are able to deal with information on the basis of its structure and its function rather than its emotional content. You are able to ignore interpersonal climates and are not often swayed by gossip.

You appreciate fairness and reason. You recognize that feelings are often easily changed and unreliable. For that reason, you prefer to be fair and logical rather than emotional.

Flashy advertisements do not fool or distract you. If you go to a store because you need to buy a jacket, you stick to buying only a jacket. Deals for items that you don't need are not likely to affect you; you choose an item foremost because of its function and utility.

The environment you do best in:
You do not like to leave questions unanswered. You like to get to the bottom line. You function best when you can understand the situation and have a feeling for what you can expect. When given a series of options, you prefer to analyze them, come up with a good solution or decision, and then stick to it.

You enjoy finishing things more than starting things, and find simplicity to be more appealing than complexity. While you appreciate flexibility and can tolerate unpredictability, you feel most comfortable in an environment that is more structured than unstructured.

In your living space, you like to know where things are. Other people may not recognize it, but you have an order.

Sasha and a little insight from The Secret

Hello friends!

Sasha is in her new forever home now! I just adore her and am so happy she's finally here. She ate some dinner last night and CRASHED... She looked like she needed "mental health" time...like it was THAT kind of day. I wonder if she got a hold of some xanax cause she slept hard all night. BTW, she loves her new bed! Here's her first pic at home...if you can see her. :)


Also, here's a good little note from The Secret:

Trying to change someone is a waste of time. The very thought of changing someone is saying that they are not good enough as they are, and it is soaked with judgment and disapproval. That is not a thought of appreciation or love, and those thoughts will only bring separation between you and that person.

You must look for the good in people to have more of it appear. As you look only for the good things in a person, you will be amazed at what your new focus reveals.

My new Princess, Sasha

On this coming Monday, I will be bringing home a new bundle of joy...my new pussy cat, Sasha.

Something struck me about her when my Step-Mom sent me the photo of her, with a caption that said Free Kitten and went on to tell how she was thrown out of a moving truck. Now, she has sent me Free Kitten photos before but for some reason, this one was different.

The adoption process was different as well, I talked to the lady who was caring for her for about an hour phone interview. After that, I scheduled a time to come visit her and see this little thing in action. She is the sweetest little thing and warms up easily but when she is in "play mode"...watch out!

I went back and forth with several names and couldn't finally decide until I spent some time with her (I visited her for about two hours) and realized that the name, Sasha, fit her purrrrrfectly. :)

MY BEST FRIENDS

So one day while driving, I was thinking about how much I just adore all my best girlfriends.... Even though we are living much different lives and are not routinely in the same circle of friends, we talk pretty much everyday. Thank goodness for email!!!!

No matter how hard life can get sometimes or how down I feel about certain things, I always revert back to how much I am blessed to have 7 beautiful friends, inside and out.

I wanted to write down all their unique qualities and express to them how much I love them and how much they mean to me.

Alicia
AKA: Club Alicia (my favorite), Spring Break, and Danga
Oh Alicia.... Alicia is my Soul Sista. She is one of my best friends that is probably most like me in many many ways. She is my CLUB ALICIA and a dancing fool! When we go out, we are always always on the same page which sometimes can get us in trouble. Alicia has a very strong personality which I am drawn to...she can be the biggest biatch and the sweetest little thing ever. I respect her cause you definitely know where you stand with her at that exact moment....no fluff. She is a very independent woman! She is a fellow VIRGO. :) She is very intelligent and once given a task, she will complete it to the best of her ability. She is very organized and detailed-oriented. She always has her lists and calendar squared away...she is a planner (like me). I have so many great memories of her, it's just endless. She has looked for love for a long time and I am so happy that she has found it and is undergoing a new FAMILY adventure. I wish her all the best and I am so happy for her. Alicia and I are like sisters, I wouldn't know what I would do without her in my life. I love her to peices and am so thankful she is my best friend.

Lindsey F
AKA: Lala
My Fun Lindsey!!! I miss her so so so much. Words cannot express how many times that I wish I could drive 15 minutes, be at her house and pop open a bottle of wine and just chat. I am so proud of her for her new found independence and leaving her home, friends and family, to see what new adventures she can find herself in up in Washington, DC. Lala is my hippie girlie, a person who strives to maintain balance and serenity in her life....much like a LIBRA that she is. Lala is very logical and opinionated and has a strong sense of right and wrong...she has a very sensitive heart. I see her always appreciating true beauty in her life and has a unique sense of style which is fitting of her personality. She is often very flirtatious and truly is herself when surrounded by people who adore her. I feel like Lala has grounded me many times (in a logical frame of mind) when I feel out of control. I have the best time taking road trips and partying....I think we both bring out our adventurous side. She is my Alicia Silverstone and I am her Liv Tyler in Aerosmith. I love you Lala. :)

Lindsey SG
AKA: Slaw Puppy, Puppy, Peaches, Slaw Dawg, Slaw
Puppy is quite possibly the nicest person I have ever met in my entire life. No matter how she might feel about the person she tucks it away and puts a smile on her face. Sometimes I wonder how she does that? LOL. Most of the time, she is cool, calm and reserved on the outside and just has that THING that just attracts people to her. Puppy is warm and sympathetic and will surprise you with her quick wit! She always looks at the glass being half full rather than half empty. I laugh cause she is such a "pansy" (as her husband would say) about doing anything girlie that involves pain (waxing, threading, etc); however she can play sports with busted up limbs! She's my Peaches in the fact that she manages to always be the "Urban One"...even when we dressed up as 80's.... "The biatch keeps it real!" And in this sense of the word, she can go toe to toe with you if you cross her. I love you!

Kelsie
AKA: The DIVA and I like to call her Kel Bel
Kelsie is the DIVA of the group. Always in the latest style and always dressed to the "T". I think I see hearts in her eyes when she is shopping....she definitely has "that glow". She is probably the only one who wakes up in the morning and her hair is perfect (Will was very jealous btw). We all know how my hair can look when I first wake up! LOL. Kelsie and I first met in Marketing classes at UAH. Kelsie is very smart and is level-headed. She is super silly too, especially with some of the things she says. She is very steady and reliable and she rarely gets upset. She enjoys the good life and she maps out her way methodlically to reach her goals. I must also say that Kelsie is well-liked, kind and considerate. I miss her and I hope that she will soon move back to the South. I know how she misses it down here. Love you Kel Bel!

Brandi
AKA: Baby Brandi, Brandilicious, B-Rand, Brandi You a Fine Girl
She is the baby of the group. Little Miss Brandi. ;) I think Brandi has grown up a lot since the first time I met her and I am very proud of her for also spreading her wings and achieving very important goals. For a seemingly very confident person, she has a lot of self-doubt within herself which she will overcome with time. Brandi has a magnetic personality and enjoys seeking the spotlight, as a true Leo should. Brandi is hilarious and cracks me up and not even meaning to....I will always remember her crazy emails, the puppy picture with one eye, balls off my drumset, show stoppers, etc....there is just too many! She is fun loving and caring and I love her!

Jennie!!!!!
AKA: Jennie B, Jugs Jennie, Jennie B Fitness, and Slightly Ghetto
Jennie is a character! A FANATIC! over the Kentucky Wildcats...she is the CHEERLEADER of the group! Jennie is cautious and has a guard over herself around people she is unfamiliar with but once you know her she is just the best. I love her colorful personality and the fact that she can get "slightly ghetto" even for a Kentucky girl. She has spread her wings and went back to her "Homeland" where I know she is thriving. This girl can lift some weight and when I was in her Body Pump class, I just gasp at how much she can squat, curl, etc.... She is small but a stick of dynamite....so don't piss her off. But when she loves you, she's the sweetest! I love you JB!!!

Kristen
AKA: KT, Tits Tanner
I have just recently really gotten to know Kristen and I think she is just superb! She is SO FUNNY!!!! I think she is a truly genuine person and a great friend and am looking to knowing more and more about her. I miss her too! She has moved to Country Music Capital. I can always count on Kristen to be silly and giggle with when it might not be totally appropriate. I feel like we just CLICK and get this same sense of humor. I love her dancing skills! Especially while driving! I love how she acts all ballsy when she goes in a ghetto liquor store! She is just a goofball!!! Love you Kristen!

Blessings

To allow the Universe to move you in your life to happier and better things, you are going to need to look around you and appreciate the good things here and now.

Seek the beautiful things and count the blessings of where you are.

Dissatisfaction will not bring the happier and the better into your life.

Dissatisfaction roots you to the spot where you currently are, but appreciation for what you have attracts the happier and better to you.

Remember that you are a magnet! Appreciation attracts appreciation!

Are You There Vodka, It's Me, Mariah

Okay so I've never really watched Chelsea Handler's show, Chelsea Lately, but since I have read this book I am now tuning in.... "The Book is "Are You There Vodka, It's Me, Chelsea"

I JUST finished this book and I am passing it around the office to my female co-workers who I FEEL need a little laughter in their lives.

This is not the type of book you should read quietly...oh no... It's hilarious! When Chelsea Handler needs to get a few things off her chest, she appeals to a higher power - vodka. Chelsea tells her personal stories of growing up about her family, relationships, and career that are ridiculously funny and unhealthy. I sympathize and relate to Chelsea in this way...trust me. I find that if you don't laugh at certain situations that have been put in your life, then you will just cry.

She has two other books out right now, all best sellers that I am eager to read.

Now, I have learned several more vulgar expressions....here are some: Well I'll cram a feather up your ass and then we'll both be tickled" Tailgating - "If you want to ride my ass so much, why don't you just climb in my trunk - she's acting like she's got a jet up her ass." "I was twelve years old when I got boobs. I was over the moon, knowing they were the last piece of the puzzle I needed to start my own business. "

If that's not funny enough for you, there are stories about the nights she spent in jail for a DUI and federal warrants, bonding with her cell mate appropriately nicknamed Hammertime, while waiting on her family to post bail. Or there's the trip to London which includes nude dining in the dark and a lengthy conversation with someone whom she thought was Don Henley of The Eagles. There's also the ethnic middle eastern boyfriend who seems to have an unusual relationship with dogs; her sister, the Jewish Mormon; and Chelsea's obsession with little people.

The book was great! If you are looking for a LIGHT book with shits and giggles, I give this one a TWO THUMBS UP!

Paperdoll Photography

"life is what you make itso let's make it rock"

Hello my loves.... So after much anticipation, I finally got my Paperdoll Pictures and LOVE them. I am so surprised at how talented Amelia is....These really look like Authentic Pin Ups...or pretty dang close!

Anyways, here are just a few of my favs.... XOXOXOXO

Lady Bug Luck and Love

I'm driving from picking up lunch today and I was enjoying the SUNSHINE and had the windows down. I was stopped at a light and a Lady Bug flew in my car on my arm. It stayed there for about 3 seconds then flew back out.

I have heard before that there is some Meaning to Lady Bugs and I looked it up when I got back to the office.

Ladybug: Perhaps best known as an emblem of luck, the Ladybug is a love symbol too. Asian traditions hold to the belief that if caught and then released, the Ladybug will faithfully fly to your true love and whisper your name in his/her ear. Upon hearing the Ladybug's message your true love will hurry his/her way to your side. Ancient farmers of the land have considered the Ladybug a good omen as she controls aphid populations. The number of spots on a Ladybug's back is said to indicate the number of months to pass before the wish for love comes true.

Virgo / Dog

VIRGO

Virgos are deep, intellectual thinkers that enjoy analyzing their surroundings. They have a pleasant nature and advanced communication skills. They are sharply intelligent, and believe that all things have an order in life. Virgos can be workaholics, but can lead very successful and career driven lives. However, their hard working nature can cause them to become vulnerable to being taken advantage of by others. A Virgo likes to have control of their environment, are practical to a fault, and have been known to be critical of others' views and opinions. Virgos can be worriers, but the Virgo heart is always in the right place.

DOG

People born in the year of the Dog possess the best traits of human nature. They have a deep sense of loyalty, honesty, and intelligence. Dogs make good leaders, but are sometimes selfish and stubborn. They can be worriers and cold and distant at times. Dogs care little about material possessions and are noted for their sharp tongues. The female dog is giving, a good listener, and generous. They make wonderful doctors and teachers, and will go to any length to protect their children. The male dog is a hard worker and good provider, and is happiest in quiet, peaceful surroundings. They can be pretentious, but make great family men.

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.

So love the people who treat you right.

Love the ones who don't just because you can.

Believe everything happens for a reason.

If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands.

If it changes your life, let it.

Kiss slowly.Forgive quickly.

God never said life would be easy. He just promised it would be worth it.

Positive Thinking and Knowing How to Stop Negative Thoughts

From The Secret:

"How do I stop my negative thoughts?" - is a question that I have been asked many times. If you have ever asked this question then you will feel such enormous relief in knowing the answer, because it is so simple. How do you stop negative thoughts? You plant good thoughts!
When you try to stop negative thoughts, you are focusing on what you don't want - negative thoughts - and you will attract an abundance of them. They can never disappear if you are focused on them. The "stop" part is irrelevant - the negative thoughts are your focus. It doesn't matter if you are trying to stop negative thoughts or control them or push them away, the result is the same. Your focus is on negative thoughts, and by the law of attraction you are inviting more of them to you.

The truth is always simple and it is always easy. To stop negative thoughts, just plant good thoughts! Deliberately plant good thoughts! You plant good thoughts by making it a daily practice to appreciate all the things in your day. Appreciate your health, your car, your home, your family, your job, your friends, your surroundings, your meals, your pets, and the magnificent beauty of the day. Compliment, praise, and give thanks to all things. Every time you say "Thank you" it is a good thought! As you plant more and more good thoughts, the negative thoughts will be wiped out. Why? Because your focus is on good thoughts, and what you focus on you attract.

So don't give any attention to negative thoughts. Don't worry about them. If any come, make light of them, shrug them off, and let them be your reminder to deliberately think more good thoughts now.

The more good thoughts you can plant in a day, the faster your life will be utterly transformed into all good. If you spend only one day speaking of good things and saying "Thank you" at every single opportunity, you will not believe your tomorrow. Deliberately thinking good thoughts is exactly like planting seeds. As you think good thoughts you are planting good seeds inside you, and the Universe will transform those seeds into a garden of paradise. How will the garden of paradise appear? As your life!

Positive Energy

• Write down all the great things about everyone you know.


• Make a huge list of all the wonderful things about you.


• Compliment people wherever you go. Praise every single thing you see.


• Be a ray of sunshine to everyone you meet, and make their day better for having seen you.


• Say "Thank you" at every turn.


• Walk, talk, think, and breathe appreciation and gratitude.
  When you do this, your outer life will change to reflect your inner state of being.

LADY GAG ME

Okay so I wasn't going to post ANOTHER blog today but I feel so passionate about this...it's literally makes me want to GAG...hence, Lady GAGA.

Seriously, look at this face.... How does she make you feel?

I hate her music..."RAH RAH RAH" I mean really? Just like Jamie says, "She's not even saying any words." She also scares the bejesus out of me. She is definitely one of those "trench coat" type psychos who could blow up at any moment...the he/she clearly has issues.

So earlier this week, I was chatting with some friends and heard that she has recently debut a music video, "Telephone" with Beyonce (no wonder I don't like Beyonce either, even though it shocks me that Beyonce would associate herself with someone un-urban). In this video, she thrusts her crotch to a chain link fence...we speculate this is because she wants to prove she does not have a penis. Ha.

I am so pissed to hear that she is labeled to be the "Next Queen of Pop" and is being compared to Madonna. WTF????? I am secretly hoping she drug overdoses herself on estrogen tablets so I never have to see her face again.

GAG ME recently insisted she was ready to revolutionize the pop charts, the same way Madonna did in the 1980s. Hello? I'm sorry, Madonna never had a penis, she actually sang in words, and was Super SEXY unlike her counterpart GAG. Madonna was FRESH and NEW and had no one to IMMATATE...that is why she will always be the Queen of Pop and unreplaceable.

Let me know your thoughts!!!!

High Gravity Beer!

So I drank my first High Gravity Beer last night and I got tipsy!!! Here's a picture of it...it's called Piraat. Drinking ONE of these is the equivalent to drinking THREE Miller Lights. I told Will last night that we need to buy cases of these and take them down to the beach with us when we go to Florida in May to funnel. W O W will we be hammered.

I definitely felt a GREAT buzz after I drank it! And since I'm not the biggest fan of drinking beer, I enjoyed getting the beer buzz as quickly as I could.

If you ever get an opportunity to try one of these definitely do it!

Be Pro Protein

A little tip I wanted to share from My Daily Moment:

Be Pro Protein

Listen up carboholics! There's life beyond pasta and bread...and it could mean the difference between losing and gaining. Many people don't realize the importance of protein. However, protein is responsible for giving the metabolism a bigger boost than either carbs or fats. Consuming proteins like fish, chicken, eggs, milk, cheese and tofu enables the body to maintain and build muscle mass -- and the more muscle you have, the better your metabolism. Add some sort of lean protein to every meal to reap the benefits.

Mariah

Have you ever wondered what the meaning of your name is? Why did your parents name you that? Does it mean anything significant?

I was actually named after a deceased relative named Mariah and we actually share the same birthday...spooky. My parents were walking through a graveyard where family members were buried in South Alabama and BOTH liked the name Mariah and so I was dubbed thee...

I'm often asked, "Where you named after Mariah Carey?"...seriously, a Pop Diva with Mental Issues???? Or they will sing that song "They Call the Wind Mariah".... I have also heard that "Mariah" means "Star of the Sea" which is funny since I was a Mermaid for Halloween this year and I can make an awesome Dolphin sound! Even though the ocean or any natural body of water freaks me out and I hate seafood.

So I looked it up a few times... It's used in Latin (origin, Maria), English and French BUT it's Origin is Hebrew and means God is my Teacher. Good to know! ;)

Motivation from Charles :)

Just wanted to send you ladies some motivation that I received from Charles to help you stay motiviated on your workouts! I think we can all relate to this. Love you!

Alligator Stew for a Female Lifter's Soul by Erin Davison

I was at the gym the other evening searching for the equipment and the space I needed to begin my warm-up. Other members milled around me, presumably involved in their own workouts. The free-weight area was packed. All the benches were occupied. Both power racks, both Smith machines, both cable frames, and all four bench presses were occupied — and every single one of them was male.

Curious, I peeked upstairs at the cardio area. There were my fellow women, all on the ellipticals and the treadmills. Their bodies either had scrawny, boy-like proportions, or they were motherly with doughy, overlapping curves. The women of the gym had allowed themselves to be relegated to the moving walkways.
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Or had they relegated themselves?

With a roll of my eyes I elbowed my way to the weight rack and grabbed a pair of dumbbells. Neither of the aforementioned body types was my goal, and ellipticals and treadmills wouldn't get me where I wanted to go. As I settled into my workout, I thought about the other women in the gym. Most weren't strong and powerful. Some believed they couldn't be powerful; others believed they shouldn't be powerful.

They allowed themselves to fall for the stereotypes and be swayed by public opinion regarding what they should do with their bodies. At that thought I rolled into a set of pushups and set my jaw. My goal was power.


Plan Your Playlist Well
I have a playlist on my iPod called "Hard Workout." It's a 67-song mélange of hard rock, new metal, 80's pop, grunge, and country. Playing with the Boys by Kenny Loggins is a cheerful kick when I'm weaving my way through my gym; the frantic drive of Superbeast by Rob Zombie spurs me on when I'm pushing for one last rep.

The songs are chosen to be upbeat, motivating, and to get my blood surging. Drowning Pool, Metallica, Velvet Revolver, and other artists' songs propel me with hot guitars and pounding bass, but sometimes the sheer attitude is what drives me.

A good percentage of the songs are by women with unquenchable spirits: Shirley Manson of Garbage; Amy Lee of Evanescence; Pink; Gwen Stefani of No Doubt. These divas of rock share the throne with the country singer Gretchen Wilson. Her song begins this way:

I'm an 8-ball-shootin', double-fisted drinkin' son-of-a-gun, I wear my jeans a little tight just to watch the little boys come undone...

The song continues in a declaration of ballsy female attitude. When this song comes on, my chin comes up and my eyes lift. I survey the gym and prepare to make my mark. My shoulders square off and I decide what to attack next. Any reticence I felt goes out the window as I smile to myself and claim a spot next to some muscular guys. My energy spikes and I am ready.

I'm a woman, I lift weights, and I'm here for the party.
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Bird Legs Are For the Birds
Women are taught through the media and by society that they should have slender, smooth legs, ideally with thighs that don't touch. Muscle cuts are frowned upon because they break the line. If there must be evidence of muscles under the skin, it should be restricted to a single gentle curve of the calf.

Our goal is supposed to be those scrawny bird legs that look as if they can barely do the job of lifting themselves, much less a loaded barbell.

Flip through fashion magazines. Get angry about the narrow definition of beauty. Flip more pages and notice how every picture seems to be the same body, even though the faces are different. Rip out all of the pictures of scrawny models. T hen rip those pictures to shreds.
This isn't about being as thin as the airbrushed, PhotoShopped pictures of women who represent 1% of our population. This isn't about achieving an emaciated, fragile stick-figure. This isn't about looking like you could be snapped in two by a wayward gust of wind.
This is about the strength and curve of a well-developed muscle, the firmness and definition of a body that has passed all physical tests.

There are two "show" muscles in the back of the calf. One is bisected and blooms magnificently when trained. Just north of the calf are the four quadriceps muscles that flow uninterrupted up the thigh. The scalloping of these muscles will break up the smooth line of the thigh and that's what we want.

Cut 'em up, girls. Do your squats and lunges. Burn your glutes on deads and get that perky butt the girls on the treadmills think has to be the product of a plastic surgeon instead of the product of hard work. Use your glorious muscles to redefine what is beautiful.
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Pretty Wild

So how many of you have seen that new reality series on E! called "Pretty Wild"? Well it's about the life of a family that lives in a Westlake Village house in California. The mother is an ex-PlayBoy model who raises 3 girls and 2 of them are hellians! Well she references "The Secret" a lot on the show and about the Law of Attraction. I thought that was pretty neat and just wanted to share in case you haven't TUNED in yet. ;)

JOY

Daily Teachings from The Secret:

Our natural state of being is joy, and it takes so much energy to think negative thoughts, to speak negative words, and to feel miserable. The easy path is good thoughts, good words, and good deeds.

Take the easy path.

You just gotta LOVE Marilyn...

Weekend Update and Reflections

Hello Hello!

Okay so here's my weekend update:

Friday Night -

I went to the UFC and did Tabata and had to hurry and leave to head to Leslie's house. Welll, lets back up and pause at the UFC.... Okay so Thursday when I was doing Body Attack with SLAW DAWG I noticed this hot guy running on the 2nd floor of the gym, and this past Friday I was walking out of the weight roomm (talking to Fast Eddie) and that same guy was coming in the gym and we met eyes and he kept walking forward but looked back twice at me while I was running up the stairs to work on my cardio. Well about 5 minutes later, he came up the stairs. You know that awkward feeling, like "I know we were starring at each other but I'm going to pretend that I didn't notice you" type feeling????

Well that is the end of that scenario...so I head to Leslie's who is one of the bestest people on this planet! I am sooo glad I have gotten to know her better. She is just so genuine and adds some new flavor in my life and I love that! So she's helping gather outfits for this Pin Up Shoot with Paperdoll Photography and she really produced! I believe this girl NEVER throws anything away...she has soooo much random things but it comes in handy when you need to play dress up. She really came threw for me! Thank you Leslie!!!!!! :)

Saturday and Saturday Night -

Okay I woke up pretty dang early and was at the nail salon to see Liz by 9am. I got a mani and pedi....I just love catching up with Liz! She got her hair chopped off and it looks so cute. Her and I were just chatting away about our new workout plans. Her and Lindsay B are on a pretty rigorious workout schedule as well and Liz is telling me all about this detox plan that she is on. I really want to try it out but I think I should talk about it to Charles first. I have never done a detox and think I could really use one!

After the nail salon, I grabbed a protein bar and water and headed to the gym. I did 10 minutes of Tabata and then did some weights... I then met Slaw Pups and Jamie at Salon Allure.... where I was getting my whole face threaded and Slaw scheduled to get her eyebrows done. I was impressed by Puppy, she did great with her threading this time! However, Jamie made a big mistake about calling her a pansy.... Big mistake....HUGE! So Jamie got in the "hot seat" and almost forced to get his unibrow taken care of by his DEAR WIFE! I think Jamie was taken back about the pain...he was tearing up himself! :)

Okay so off to get ready and shower for the shoot...now this is the hour of stress as I am hurrying and trying not to forget anything. I brought so much stuff with me... I met up with Puppy and we were on our way to Gadsden for the shoot. The girls there were awesome! They were so nice and we laughed a lot while they were doing my hair and makeup. I think the shoot turned out good! It's definitely a lot harder being a model than I thought... Most of the poses were uncomfortable and I sweated like a whore in church! I could not believe how different I looked with all the makeup and hair! I cannot wait till I can share my pics with you ladies! :)

So we FINALLY get done with the shoot and Puppy and I were SOOOO HUNGRY! Jamie said that we should stop in Guntersville at this restaurant called The Rock House, and better yet, the chef their is HOT! (according to Jamie, but he's not a homo) Haha. Well we stopped twice to ask for directions and Puppy made the comment, you know if we stumble upon it, then it's meant to be and sure enough that's exactly what happened! So we stopped inside and quickly ordered two Sweet Teas, Green Beans Tempura, Sliders, and Sweet Potato Slices. As we were stuffing our faces and giggling off of the euphoria of the delicious food, the HOT CHEF comes to our table! Apparently the waitress told him that we were from Huntsville and I think we were both suprised when he popped up and said, So you guys are from Huntsville? How did you hear about us? Caught off guard and googly eyed (A hot chef???? Seriously????) we stammered and I think I pointed at Puppy and said, Her husband told us about it.... HA! I got chu! :) Well I think he was scared away cause of my retro hair and makeup! Yeah that's why! It was really funny....guess you had to be there. ;)

Finally made it home, and WILL came over! We had the best convo and he left my house at 4am! I missed him! I haven't seen him since BEFORE I went to DC for the Jersey Shore Birthday Party so we had a lot of catching up to do. Love you Will!

Sunday -

Okay so my Daddy came over and we headed to Lowes for some home repairs. I know, I have seriously had the busiest weekend! So we got the toilet fixed and changed the air filter...but we have to keep working on the caulking in the bathroom. BTW, it is very awkward saying this to your dad, "Daddy I need help with the caulk!" It just doesn't come out right!

So Daddy left and I had an amazing rest of the day napping and catching up on my favorite reality shows that I DVR'd. Good times.

All in all, I had a fabulous weekend! And I hope each and every one of you did as well!

I am looking forward to Brandilicious arriving on Tuesday!!! :)