engaged?!

So, from time to time, I'll decide to wear my beautiful fake diamond ring.

it is freakishly huge- like 4 or 5 carar solitaire and smaller pieces all around the band.
but absolutly beautiful.

I wear it when I'm feeling sassy.
Or when I need a break from all the gentleman callers who are banging my door down.
Or just because I want to create a little drama in the boring lives of the people around me.

But, the last time I wore it, I startd to realize something on a bigger.
I really want to get married. It's something my heart desires.
But, when I was wearing that ring the other day, I realized that as much as I want a husband. And as much as I want to get married, I realize more and more that HE will not be my everything.
The ring serves as a reminder that a ring, or a wedding, or even a husband won't complete me.

Only God in heaven can complete me.
Only He can by my everything.

I still want that husband.
But I want God more.

Austin Leon Smith

My Pepaw passed away yesterday. Very weird. He'd been sick for a while now-- about 6-7 years. He'd lost his vision and had alzheimers's-- and other just general old people things.

He was amazing.

I grew up going to Mississippi for the summers-- and memories of riding in the ol' blue pick up out to the farm, walking to church Sunday mornings and nights, shucking peas on the back patio, eating breakfast out in the garden, camping at Clarkco, baiting my own hook for the first time, watching the Braves on TV after dinner, him always drinking lemonade instead of sweet tea-- are permanently a part of who I am.

Even as an adult, the memories overwhelm me. A few years ago I did a project about WW2-- from the war perspective and the homefront perspective-- so, I interviewed my Pepaw aboout his tours of duty in the European front-- and how he fought and where he fought.

Even just last year, my dad and I went to visit the grandparents when one of their best friends who I've known my whole life passed away. At the graveside, Pepaw was too tired to walk out to the service, so he and I sat in the car-- and laughed. I couldn't even tell you what we were laughing about, but I remember his quiet little laugh and that glint in his eye to just remind me that he still knew enough to be himself.

I'll probably remember that laugh for a long time.

I love you, Pepaw.

Random Tagged-ness from Abby

Random #1: I think I'm really awkward on the phone. So, I don't answer calls or call people sometimes. I mean, not like my bffs. But other peeps. I'd much rather see you in person or just send an email.

Random #2: I do not water chestnuts. The sound they make when you crunch them makes me want to GAG. I will pick every single one of them out of whatever I'm eating.

Random #3: My dad always a game with me and my siblings about being the favorite. I love it. We're all the favorite. Except my mom really is. We all know this.

Random #4: I sometimes wear a fake diamond ring. Just because I feel like it. And I'll make up a full stories about my fiance and wedding. It makes me smile. :)

Random #5: I busted my head open on the bottom of the pool when I was 12. I had to get 13 stiches in my hair line on my forehead. I have a scar.

Random #6: I don't hate getting shots. I always ask for them at the doctor's office.

Random #7: I like the smell of cigarettes. Not the smoke part. But the smell. It's calming to me.

Random #8: I drink Diet Coke so much that I don't like Coca-C0la Classic any more. It's too sweet.

**There are a bunch of rules. But I am not a rule follower, so I shall not be doing that part. Unless you want to be tagged. Then I tag you.**

so lazy

I am officially so lazy.

Seriously. I have done nothing of any value for the past week. Well, I went to White Water with my cousin. But, I don't think that really counts.

Summer is awesome.

I'm an AUNT!

So, my brother and his wife had their baby last night at 10:14pm. He's a big one! 9 pounds, 11 ounces-- 21 and a quarter inches long. He's precious! So fun!!! We waited for EVER for him- he was only a week late- but he's here now! His name is Brody Austin Smith! He's so BA! :)

All I have right now is his pictures from my mom's phone-- I'm sure I'll get some more today because I am an amazing aunt! Love him already- which is weird!

on the brink of cuteness

you know how you meet guys (or guys, when you meet girls...) and they're only quasi-cute? like they're "on the hump" of being cute. and then their personality throws them over to one side or another?

there are things that throw guys into the cute category:
-being Alabama fans
-being really funny- especially if you have the same sense of humor as me
-loving Jesus whole heartedly

there are things that throw guys into the skank nasty gross category:
-being super cocky
-joking on Alabama and being wrong about their facts

a little too crowded

my house is adorable.

but it's crowded.

not so much with people (even though there are four girls living together here!).

but with stuff.

and it's not really a bad thing, but sometimes I want to buy new furniture and can't because there is NO where for anything else to go!

but, I'm not really complaining. i just want things:

is this sad?

so, in preparing to read "The Outsiders" with my kids, I did this whole power point on The 60s in order to familiarize them with the setting. in my research, I came across this dress...

I love it. Is that lame? I'm thinking my mom can make it. I want it. Granted, the shoes are HORRIBLE, but I find something fun to go with this....

Tell me your thoughts!

summertime!

so, I'm a teacher, so I judge seasons based on the school calendar, so it's summer! get excited! kids finished on friday- I only have one more day! Love it!

Today I'm rocking a kinda random outfit-- yellow bermuda shorts and a pink tshirt with brown flips. cute, I think. but kinda random.

summer summer summer summer time!

the best thing about summer is the music. i love summer time music. songs that could have never been popular all of a sudden are chart toppers because it's warm outside and everyone wants to sing loud w/ the windows down to a song that makes you jump around! love it!

doing that thing I do

How much does everyone love the movie "That Thing You Do!"? Seriously? One of the greatest ever. It's a girl movie, and I can respect that, but I think the average boy can tollerate it as well. Tom Hanks is kind of an ass in it, so that's entertaining.
And the bass player doesn't have a name- even in the credits, he's just listed as T.B. Player. THAT IS FUNNY. gotta love it.

i love the music. not gonna lie. know all the words to more than just the title song.

the best part is Capn' Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters. hands down. and even better is when Lenny tells the radio dj that his influence was Capn' Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters. STELLAR. hilariosity.

you better love it. i do!

I LOVE Vincent Chase

So, do you watch the HBO show "Entourage"? if not, you should jump on board RIGHT NOW. I love it. I could watch it every day. Love the boys- Vince, Drama, E and Turtle. Love Ari- he reminds me of a good friend of mine that I don't see anymore, so that's super, because he is SO funny (both Ari and my friend). but it's super. seriously. it's the third season, and I'm hooked like a dead fish.

JUMP ON BOARD!

I've found the cutest most comfortable skirts EVER from Old Navy- you need one, they're only $14.50-- here's the link for them-- you need to scope and fetch! I ordered one last week, and wore it this week to school and I have never been so comfortable in my life. Love them. AND people told me I looked cute! So, go figure! Love them!

So, it's beach time. I have got the FEVER. I am looking at Beach houses for the summer! I am ready to go! LOVE it! Anyone in? I am with you!

high heels and flip flops

so, I have this emotional crisis in my life:
high heels or flip flops?

i love heels. one's legs look SO much better. pants look better. dresses look better. make your legs look longer, which is SO good since I'm 5'4''.
but, they hurt my feet. i can wear them for a few hours and I'm fine, but if I have to wear them for a whole day, i'm walking around barefoot before the day's over.
but then I have this whole thought process that if i wear them more often, they won't hurt as much because I'll be used to them.

but they still hurt my feet SO bad.

then, we have flips. cute, fun, summery. but, they do nothing for your body. just make you look short and dumpy.
but i love them. i have plain ones, cute ones, leather, plastic, ribbon, fabric, all sorts-- love them.
until my feet become more durable, i'm gonna just wear flips more often, and suffer with heels when necessary.

gotta love the flips!

but, still a dilemma.

since I've been gone

Hey! I am so sorry that I've been MIA for the last few weeks-- I went to China for 10 days and the time leading up to that was out of control! BUT- my time there was AMAZING! we got to see Dad work in AMAZING ways! love it.

in the shopping front, I got to hit the silk and pearl markets for a few days! UNBELIEVABLE! it just blows your mind that you can buy and pair of REAL pearl earrings for THREE DOLLARS.

out of contol.

and I got a new Mountain Hardware jacket-- adorable! love it! mine is red, but it's the same style.

AND IT WAS ONLY TWELVE DOLLARS!!! SO AWESOME!

but, I'm back. get excited! I've missed you!

deal of the CENTURY

So, I LOVE Hobo International's bags- especially their clutch called "Lauren"... SO cute, SO conveinent!

and then one night I was out at dinner and I saw my friend Ellen had one- and I complemented her on it-- and she tells me that she got it at WAL-MART! WHAT!?!?! are you kidding? and she said it was only about $15! So awesome!!

so, the next time I was at WalMart, I made a point to look for them-- but couldn't find them. sad day for me. and I almost broke down and bought one for lots of money...

THEN- two nights ago, I was at WalMart and just happen to be walking through some random section-- AND LO, AND BEHOLD- I found the clutch!!! AND to make it EVEN better, it was only FIVE DOLLARS.
I am SO SO SO excited- I used it tonight and it was super!
Check it out!!

what NOT to wear

so, TLC's "What Not to Wear" is one of my favorite shows. and I love Clinton and Stacy. me and my friends always joke that we'll start dressing poorly JUST so we can be on the show and get $5000 and an awesome trip to New York and a makeover w/ Nick and Carmindy! if you don't know what I'm talking about, you need to invest a few hours of your life into this show. it's SUPER!

so, here's the deal. i teach with a lady who needs to go on the show. i want to nominate her. should I? I don't know what to do! she's SO sweet and I really like her a lot- but her fashion is just sad. and inconsistant. and sometimes really matronly. and sometimes a little skanky. and too tight. and too big. it's just sad.

advice? help!

SIngles Awareness Day

Happy Singles Awareness Day!

I hope you and yours enjoyed the day.

My highlights were as follows:
-A FunDip Valentine (I LOVE FUN DIP!)
-I wore my pink Solomon's again! I'm SO outdoorsy!
-Dinner with my sister at TacoMac. She's my favorite.

Today I looked like booty because I could wear jeans and a Tshirt-- you missed out on yesterday, when I looked SO cute! I wore my black,white and yellow plaid suit- looked A-dorable!

I'll probably look cute again tomorrow- then like cripe on Friday b/c it's jeans/tshirt again! Good times! I think I'm gonna wear my AWESOME houndstooth shirt! love it THE most!

oh, we dig it

So, I wore the shirt posted below today to church-- evidently it's super cute because I got a million compliments on it-- even from boys (which is always a miracle when your shirt isn't low cut)! Love it!

Especially love the shout out to the Alabama Crimson Tide- Roll Tide, Roll!

ya dig?

so, I bought a shirt today- I need your thoughts.

Please keep in mind that I'm a HUGE Alabama fan- and part of the love includes a love all things houndstooth because of Bear Bryant's hat

Tell me what you think!

everybody's working for the weekend.

i've been thinking about that song. and maybe I don't know what it means? seriously- does it mean you work during the week so you can enoy the weekend? OR does it mean you work over the weekend?

i choose the first choice. but, if i'm wrong, i'll have to just deal with it because I don't work on the weekend. a teacher perk.

but, now I'm sitting on the couch watching the news, trying not panic. every time I watch the news, I go under this panic that I know EVERYONE they show in some tragic incident. very worrysome.

ask me what I did last night.....

OK- so, after school, I went to a 7th grade dance. it was pretty awesome, I'm gonna be awesome. usually, these things are TORTURE. but this was actually pretty good- I enjoyed my self.

THEN- I went to Echo, which is the singles/college deal at my church, and it was super as always. the best part (of the music) was this GREAT bass player. during one song, the bass part was so amazing that I didn't sing or worship or anything, because I was watching the bass player so intently.

amazing.

it's cold.

i'm freezing.

the only recourse is that I have on my ADORABLE pink Solomon's

aren't they cute? i love them. I have them in green, but they're not NEAR as cute. love! love! love!

100 things about me...

1. I’m a Christian. Like a real one. I love Jesus for real. He’s major important in my life.
2. I love the University of Alabama Crimson Tide.
3. Boys who wear Alabama shirts/hats/etc are automatically cuter to me.
4. I didn’t get my ears pierced until I was 13.
5. I am a moderately severe asthmatic.
6. I love shoes. Especially sandals- more specifically, flip flops. I could wear them everyday.
7. The only TV shoes I watch anymore are cop dramas- CSI, Law and Order, etc. Those- and Friends.
8. I would rather cheer for a team than play for it.
9. I like any live sporting event- even if I know nothing about the teams or the sport.
10. In the fall, you will find me in front of a TV all day on Saturday. I love college football.
11. I like my hands and feet.
12. I don’t like candles, but I wish I did.
13. I live with 3 girls. They’re my favorite.
14. I am the big sister. I have a brother, a sister-in-law, and a sister.
15. I’m deathly allergic to cats. I will go to the hospital if I’m around one for any length of time.
16. I have been in the ER on many Christmas days and eves because of my asthma.
17. I love bags. I have WAY too many.
18. My closet is arranged by color. And sleeve length.
19. I daydream. A lot.
20. I am not a very good manager of my money. It’s one of my biggest flaws.
21. I sing. ALL THE TIME.
22. I have naturally blonde hair. I like it. It’s been natural up until a year or so ago—in the winter, my mom frosts it, like in a cap. It’s awesome. But it looks natural. In the summer, it is WHITE blonde just from the sun- and I LOVE it.
23. My two favorite genres of movies are really dumb girly movies and sports movies.
24. I reread books. I have books that I’ve read 10-15 times.
25. I have a group of best friends from high school called G7. We get together a few times a year to be awesome. Even when I’m mad at them, I love them all.
26. I’m allergic to most plants and hairy animals.
27. You will NEVER see my toes without nail polish.
28. I have a very addictive personality.
29. I lived in China for a semester- and I love to go back every chance I get.
30. My favorite city in the world is Budapest, Hungary.
31. I know my best friend Katy is my best friend because I can sit with her and say nothing and feel like we’ve talked for hours.
32. I drink Diet Coke at a scary rate.
33. My favorite Bible verse has been my fav since I was 15. (1 Corinthians 2:9)
34. I want to go to Prague.
35. I loved high school. But I would NEVER go back.
36. I’d go back to college TODAY.
37. People think I’m crazy.
38. I have quiet moments.
39. I’d rather read than talk to you.
40. I’m way ready to get married, but the idea of kids scares me to death.
41. I love to diagram sentences.
42. I teach middle school. I love them. They make me laugh.
43. I have a tattoo. I regret it.
44. I love music. All of it. My dad raised me on classic rock, so I’m an old soul in a pop music body. I love it all!
45. I don’t like flowers all that much. I mean, I like them enough, but I don’t have a favorite. I just think they’re pretty.
46. I love my parents. I could hang out with them everyday.
47. I wish my parents hadn’t let me quit playing the piano.
48. My all time favorite movie is “The Sandlot”. I could watch it everyday.
49. I have really oily skin that gets SUPER dry in the winter.
50. The two greatest inventions of all time are the iPod and Tivo. No contest. Boo sliced bread.
51. I hate sleeping outside. I do not camp.
52. Football makes me cuss. A lot.
53. I like to dance. All the time. Especially to booty music.
54. I wish I was a good photographer.
55. If heels didn’t hurt my feet, I’d wear them more often.
56. My family is SO funny. I get my sense of humor from them.
57. I love road trips.
58. One of my life goals is to visit all the places in the book “1000 Places to See Before You Die”- I have a LOT to go.
59. I could live at the beach. I love it.
60. I don’t tan very well because I have very fair skin, but I love being in the sun.
61. If I weren’t a teacher, I’d be a full time missionary.
62. I was a life guard for 6 years.
63. I didn’t have a cavity until I was 18. Then I had nine. Kill me.
64. I don’t mind sitting by myself at restaurants.
65. I have 19 first cousins. And another one on the way. And 16 aunts and uncles. I love my big family.
66. Most movies made from books infuriate me. Because they got it ALL wrong.
67. I like to make kissy faces in pictures.
68. The first CD I ever had was New Kids On The Block’s Step by Step. My Uncle Andrew gave it to me for Christmas in 4th or 5th grade.
69. I love Matlock. I’m only a little embarrassed.
70. I drive WAY to fast. I’m a good 15 mph over the limit majority of the time.
71. I’d always rather drive a stick shift. I don’t have one anymore, but I miss it everyday.
72. In the winter, I sleep under an electric blanket on high.
73. I have green eyes, and I love them.
74. I love writing letters. Mainly because I like to receive them, and I like to pass that joy onto others.
75. I quit watching most television shows this past fall- it’s radically changed my thought life.
76. I seriously wish I could marry/date a professional athlete. Preferably baseball or football, but I’m not that picky.
77. I have a freakishly huge head. Hats do not fit my head. It makes me sad because I would love to be that cute girl who wears hats all the time.
78. I hate liars. So much. It’s sometimes worse when you just omit parts of the truth.
79. I don’t always match. Sometimes my outfits are just combinations of things I like.
80. I love museums. I don’t go near enough.
81. My friends and I have this thing called “Fat-ti-ti Harmony”, and we just sing off key. It’s hilarious EVERY TIME.
82. My favorite color is pink.
83. When it comes to the NFL, I don’t cheer for teams. I cheer for individuals- Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Brett Favre, Shaun Alexander, you get the picture.
84. I pop my knuckles all the time. I don’t believe that arthritis crap.
85. I love book stores. I feel like it’s a crime to come out of a book store empty handed.
86. My favorite store is Target.
87. I love to decorate, but I have really expensive taste.
88. I sing to my students. All the time. Usually to answer questions or give directions. If I can think of no song, I make one up.
89. I hate vacuuming. The word even pisses me off because of the two u’s next to each other. Stupid.
90. I fold clothes directly from the dryer.
91. It annoys me when word documents are poorly formatted.
92. There are a lot of songs that remind me of specific times and events.
93. When I’m watching a movie or TV show, I check http://www.imdb.com/ to see if there’s any trivia or info I need to know about that show/movie or the actors in it.
94. I hate whining. It annoys me when I do it. Then I whine about the fact that I can’t stop whining.
95. I will finish reading a book even if it’s terrible,
96. I love People magazine, and I buy it almost every week. But for some reason, I can’t bring myself to subscribe.
97. I always wear a watch.
98. I have really long toes and fingers.
99. I love wing sauce. On anything. All the time. Yum.
100. I’m very picky about lip gloss. If it’s too sticky or gooey, I am going to wipe it off.

just call me Quasimodo

The worst part about dental work is that I don't numb very well. so, they always have to give me extra drugs to make sure I'm not feeling anything. the upside of this is that I don't feel anything while they're doing work. but the definite downside is that I don't unnumb for hours. right now, if I smile, I look like Quasimodo. which, if you will recall, was shunned to the bell tower because he was so unattractive. right. we could be cousins right now. a little disheartening to say the least.

well, i'm all doped up, so I'm gonna take a nap.

live it up!

canaling my root

arg.

that's my mad sound. i have to have a root canal tomorrow. i am NOT happy. I went a looked on wiki to scope out what it looked like. and well, now I have effectively psyched myself out. it looks very painful. but the hygentist lady told me that it's not as painful as it used to be, so that's good news.

but, the real raw deal is the one my kids are getting-- a sub all day today and a sub for a half day tomorrow. boring-osity.

had small group tonight- super times- they're so funny-- it's fun to see how much I've learned about life, love and other mysteries since I was in highschool/college. not that I'm some life genius, but still, i have figured some stuff out.

i'm wearing my favorite shoes tonight! my ADORABLE argyle Ked's- who knew there were CUTE keds? scope out- you can match me. http://www.keds.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=901&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=110&iSubCat=14&iProductID=901

who knew?

Who knew that there was a second Cinderella- much less a THIRD! I mean, they're both blockbusters that are so good that they went straight to DVD, but still- who knew? I shocked by it.

my feet are freezing

I hate winter. For a number of reasons. The biggest one is that my feet are SO cold. and I can't move my toes. I wish I could wear flip flops every day. Just an FYI- I rarely say the entire word "flip flops"- I usually just shorten it to "flips". that was for free- enjoy it!

so, here it is in February, and I keep buying sandals- in the last few weeks, I've bought these little slides from Brooks Brothers (they are on AWESOME sale)

and I've bought new Steven Bonano sandals-- so cute- pink w/ black stitching and monogram- I love them! Can't wait to wear them with a cute black strapless dress! so cute. (they weren't on sale at all- a MAJOR splurge)

AND I bought some Brighton flips- with little green and blue bows- ADORABLE (and they were on MAJOR clearance too!) love. love. love.

and as always, I've picked up flips here and there- cute brown with different colo polka dots from Target for A DOLLAR. shut up! i know! unbelievable....

bienvinedo

Hey friends! And welcome-- I'm a regular blog reader, so I thought I'd try to jump on this blogwagon. I'm sitting at home today, doing nothing- went to the dentist because I lost a filling, but then I found out GREAT NEWS!! I get to have a root canal! Woohoo! kill me. I hate mouth pain. I hate spending money on stupid things like teeth.

So now I'm sitting at my house looking like booty, and watching Entourage. I love Vincent Chase. I'd date him SO fast.

But, back to reality- I'm ready for baseball season! Bring on the Braves! I'm ready. Football is officially over, since the Super Bowl has passed- and basketball makes me want to jump off a bridge- bring on the baseball pants!