Thursday, June 26, 2008

Snooze alert

I just realized how completely boring my life is. I always had a clue, but I went to sign on and blog today and there's nothing to talk about. **sigh** oh well, I'll just talk about other people to make myself feel better.
Do you watch America's Next Top Model (ANTM)? I do, even the marathons. So you would probably know Toccara, who was one of the first plus sized models to really charge through the show. I loved her. I loved the way she spoke, even though the judges gave her heck about her accent. I loved her as a plus sized girl.


Then she went on Celebrity Fit Club. And now she looks like this:

I personally love the old Toccara. Kudos to you for making yourself healthier, but where did you go??? And what's with the ridiculous eye makeup? Are we going for the famous tarantula eyelashes?

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Weekend rewind


I had such a great weekend. I got to see my mom, dad, sister, and niece (she gets cuter by the day by the way!). They came up late Friday night and mom and dad traveled on down to Alabama to get their early, and Jamie (my sister), Paisley, and I packed up and drove down early Saturday morning. I don't know how mom did it. It's 9 hours from her house to Alabama, and 4 hours from mine. I would have crashed if I were her, especially after working a full day... sheeeesh! Anyway, we got there and had such a fantastic 90th b-day party for my papa. It was patriotic themed and we had great pictures of him when he was younger, pictures of the family, military pictures, and so on. I'm still a little worn out from the weekend, so I'm a little short on words. Here are some pictures though. OH, and to let you know, my pineapple carrot cake was a freakin' hit! Of course, there were 20 cakes at the party, so it didn't get eaten there, but everyone at work said it was fantastic! I'll post the recipe and pics later.

Friday, June 20, 2008

My lady Martha

Phillip loves to watch tv series on DVD. We've cleared several boxed sets of several different shows (**sigh**) and lately, I've been conned into watched "StarGate SG-1". I'm hoping you guys can guess by now that I am a very girly girl, and Si-Fi is just not my thing. Phillip is usually very understanding of this and will not watch the Si-Fi channel, or will not watch it around me. But he borrowed this set from a friend and it's been different. Every time I'm cooking dinner, cleaning thehouse, get up to use the bathroom, refill my cup, get something to eat (literally anything that keeps me out of the living room) the show that we're watching is paused and the StarGate DVD is started up immediately. I'll groan or make a comment, and he'll say, "I'll turn it off when you come back in". Then, I will return to the couch and he will watch it until I voice my annoyance. The past 2 nights have been nothing but StarGate (Lord help my soul) because I've been too tired to fight it. But, last night, he actually let me have control over the TV. So, as any good woman looking for revenge would do, I found the "Lifetime" network and watched a woman's movie (heh heh heh!) Last night was perfect though! The Martha Stewart Movie was on!! AWESOME!!! I looooove Martha and I was super psyched to watch it. I really started thinking about the movie and how things really went down and real life. First, Cybill Shepard sucked as Martha. Oi- Vey! It was not a good thing. I would looooooove the chance to play Martha! OMG! Second- it was funny to me how they portrayed her daughter, Alexis, in the movie. I'm a big fan of hers as well, and it just seemed weird to me. Third- how would you like to have been on the jury that found her guilty! Holy Hannah! I would have flipped! There's no way they would have let me in the jury box b/c I'd have my little picket sign stating "I HEART MARTHA!" in bright pink letters with lace glued on as trim! Fourth- they showed how Martha was in jail and there was a Christmas decorating contest in her unit. Could you imagine working with her and going through that challenge with her... awesome.... just awesome! Anyway, I love my Martha, and I hate how they portrayed her as a beast at all times. I'm sure she's tough, but not like that all the time (at least I hope). Watch it if you can and let me know what ya think.

Oh, also, I got my hair cut yesterday. I sat down in the chair, told the lady how my hair likes to function, and then said, "Please, I need to feel pretty. Make me pretty!" My cut was styled after this:

Needless to say, my hair does not style like this, but the end product looks pretty good and I'm happy with it. I wish I could be all spunky like this though. It would be fabulous!

Oh, and another thing... a quick congratulations to my friends Catie and Chris who are getting married this weekend. I love you guys and I'll be thinking about you! :)

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Hair has ears

Call me crazy if you want, but I'm pretty convinced that my hair has ears. Have you ever noticed that when you are having a bad hair day you end up cursing your hair and it never gets better. It's because it hears you and doesn't appreciate the comments. Have you ever noticed that once you decide to get your haircut it magically starts to cooperate and look amazing? Yup, you got it.... it heard you and is trying to persuade you otherwise! That's been the case here. My hair is super thick and has been styled the same way for several years now b/c the layers just seem to work. I got it really chopped off last summer and no one but me seemed to like it, and then I got weirded out that I may look like a boy, so I let it grow back out.


I've been sick and tired of my hair lately. It's getting poofier in the summer heat, and I hate having to run a straightener through it to make it look decent. It really just feels like a thick puff sitting on my head. Granted, it's a lot better than what it used to be a while back in high school.... eeeek... the unmentionables!!! So, Kate decides she's going to get her hair cut, and I start considering it too. Then, I say to myself, ok, let's do it. I make the call, and schedule the appointment. The day I made the appointment was a VERY ROUGH hair day because I had no time to style it b/c I was chasing Gizzy around and cleaning up an accident she had. So, I came home after work and took a shower before going out for dinner and my hair was fabulous. I mean, almost to the point of a Pantene commercial (even though my hair would NEVER look that good!) What's the deal hair? Did I scare ya? Huh? Huh? Why don't you stop being a punk and just cooperate?!!

So, today I'm getting my hair cut and I'm letting the stylist have free reign. This is a bold move for me because my hair is very peculiar and set in its ways, and it's a stylist I've never seen before. We'll see how it goes!!!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Always a classic

Wordless Wednesday classic video:

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

update

things have been pretty boring around here lately. Phillip and I got our registry done Saturday at BabiesRUs and we still have Target to go. I'm most excited that we got our bedding picked out. Hubbie has been very particular about it and he finally narrowed it down to a dinosaur set or the set we got and left it up to me. I absolutely love the one we chose. I think it's so classic, and it incorporates my polka-dot obsession in the optional sheets in a non-girlie kind of way. I especially love it because it's not the typical little boys' blue that is sooo not me.


Isn't it pretty!!! I LOOOOOVE IT!!! Now, we just have to figure out what we're doing for a crib!

This weekend was very nice. We pretty much bummed around for the most part, but also got a lot done. Phillip has been ooing and ahhing about having a fish tank in his office, so that's what he got for his almost-fathers-day present. We went and got all the supplies for it (who knew it could be so freakin' expensive to get that thing going!?) and he's letting it run for a couple of days before he gets the actual fish for it. It's pretty awesome I must say. I'm super excited because my dad is coming up a day early to stay with us and go to a car show in Pigeon Forge, TN, and then my mom, sister, and Paisley are coming up on Friday to pick me up and head to Alabama to see my mom's side of our family. I don't get to see them enough, so I'm really looking forward to it. Not to mention that gives me extra snuggle time with Paisley baby! My papa is turning 90 this year and we're gonna have a big hoopla for that. I love getting together with the women on that side of my family because we're all just crazy loons and have a great time together. This will be the first time I get to see my cousin's daughter (who's a little over a year old) and the first time that side gets to see me pregnant. It's gonna be hotter than heck though.... that's the only down side. I just don't see how people live in states like that because they are sooooo hot! I'd be one cranky beast allllll the time. Gotta get back to work, but I hope you all have a great Tuesday!

Monday, June 16, 2008

Prego rave

So, lately, I've noticed that I've had A LOT of cravings and I've been ranting here about restraunts and food that are fantastic. Why stop now right? Let us continue down the glory lane. Next up... Goodberry's Frozen Custard. Never had frozen custard??.... let go of the mouse, remove yourself from your computer, and drive to the most convenient custard counter PRONTO!! It's smooth, velvety, and delicious! I'm a big fan of ice cream, but I'd have this over ice cream any day. No... it's not the same as ice cream. It's sooooo much better! Here's the description from Goodberry's website:
"It begins with fresh heavy cream, whole milk, natural cane sugar, and eggs; eggs that give Goodberry's Frozen Custard its special smoothness and texture. Blended and cooked to a smooth custard consistency, the mixture is now ready for the addition of the flavor elements. Vanilla, made from the world's finest and most rare vanilla beans imported from the isle of Madagascar. Dark and delicious chocolate, specially imported from the coca plantations in South America and Africa."
Ummmmhhhmmmm.... you should be salivating right now, Lord knows I am! And, as always, we live very far from a Goodberry's or any other custard shop. Check out their website and see if there is anything close to you if you live in North Carolina. I know next time I go home I'm hitting this place up!! (along with the Dog House.... yummy!)
Here's this month's flavor of the day:

Friday, June 13, 2008

Fantastic Date Night


I've been dreaming and craving my mom's pork chops, butter-beans, and cream corn ever since I heard a Northern radio broadcaster asking a Southerner what butter-beans were (**gasp! The horror!!**) I've been begging Phillip to get to me to the local restaurant in Dillsboro, NC where you will get an amazing home-made southern meal. It's called The Jarrett House, and it's also a B&B. We've been going here for years for big events or when family comes in town. The meal is family style is always a sure bet. The meal is automatically served with bowls of mashed potatoes, candied apples, cole slaw, carrots, green beans, beets, and homemade biscuits. These are endless and the waitresses keep them coming as much as you want. All you need to do is decide if you want a meat with your meal, and which one. For dinner, there's fresh trout, fried chicken, chicken and dumplings, country ham, or pot roast. Are you salivating yet???.... you should be!! The food is amazing!! Then, there's dessert. There's vinegar pie (basically, pecan pie w/o the pecans), cheesecake, or a cobbler of the day (last night's was strawberry). All of this is pretty well priced and is always a sure bet. I can't wait to have my leftover's for lunch today!! Yummmmmmm :) After that we cruised our little town and hit up Walmart for Phillip's deodorant (romantic right!) Ha ha! While we were there we walked around and just looked at anything and everything. We made our way to the music section and what was laid upon my eyes? This beauty:

I really think I laughed so hard I could've peed my pants! It's just too funny! Especially in this area... the mullet is quite the style staple! I'm not saying it's acceptable, it's just a staple!! LOL! Quite the glory isn't it!? HAHAHA!! And it's only $14.88!!!!! Bwahahahahahahahah!!!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Dirty D


A little something for my homies from the Dirty-D that I got in an email today:)

You know your from DURHAM when..

(and just because you go to DUKE it doesn't mean your a Durham native.)

-you think south point mall is better than northgate
-You're either a Duke or UNC fan..but you have weird friends that go for NC state..
-You've been to a Durham Bull's game
-you agree that the cookout has yummy milkshakes
-school gets canceled if theres even a chance of snow
-You've at least heard of the movie 'Bull Durham' and 'Welcome to Durham'
-you go to a public school..and cops work there
-apparently cosmics beats Torero's
-If you go to a public school, you've seen a fight
-you remember south square
-you know about the 'pickle' building down by southsquare
- Bojangles is beast
- people from private schools miss too much, and when they get out in the REAL Durham, they are lost. AND they are looked down upon by everyone that goes to public schools.
- wynsong theaters are gross, but you know you can get in a R rated movie underage
- You remember the CCB building downtown, before it was suntrust..
- gun shots aren't really anything new
- orange construction cones are the new state tree
- you are someone or know someone who tried to get into DSA..and failed..
- you've seen someone purchase drugs..from the corner of your block
- Durham pace cars are a joke
- you laugh at kids from raleigh/surrounding areas who can't dance
- teachers confuse any hand signals with gang signs. ex: sign language
-When the simple fact you're from durham scares the **** out of kids from Raliegh and Cary
- you've sat at the Infinity/Roxboro stoplight FOREVER
- you know the difference between North, South, East & west durham, and the places to stay out of
- you go to 9th street and see at least one person you know..including the homeless people
- when you leave town, other ask if you've ever been shot.
- you know or have heard of concrete
- you've taken a field trip to the museum of Life and Science

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Boy things scare me

I really started thinking about how I know absolutely NOTHING about boys since we've found out about our sweet little Carter being a boy. I've been scared out of my mind quite frankly. I think Phillip will do great and just put me to shame. I enjoy seeing little things that reminds me that dad's have a hard time too. Hope you enjoy!


OH, also, I made a banging dinner last night. It sounds time consuming, but it's not really. I wish I had taken pictures. It was quite impressive. So, instead, I leave you with the recipe from Food Network.

Shrimp Scampi Linguini

1 pound linguini
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 shallots, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
Pinch red pepper flakes, optional
1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (I got mine w/o the tails 'cause I just don't do tails)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup dry white wine
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley leaves
For the pasta, put a large pot of water on the stove to boil. When it has come to the boil, add a couple of tablespoons of salt and the linguini. Stir to make sure the pasta separates; cover. When the water returns to a boil, cook for about 6 to 8 minutes or until the pasta is not quite done. Drain the pasta.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter in 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Saute the shallots, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using) until the shallots are translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper; add them to the pan and cook until they have turned pink, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the pan; set aside and keep warm. Add wine and lemon juice and bring to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons oil. When the butter has melted, return the shrimp to the pan along with the parsley and cooked pasta. Stir well and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle over a bit more olive oil and serve immediately.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

I NEED THIS!!!

I need these pans like it's nobody's business!! You can find them at Sur La Table if you are as desperate to have them as I am:


Baby shower

Holy krikey!!! I just realized today that our baby shower for the in-law's side is in a month.... I need to get registering!! I'm waaaaay to indecisive for this type of stuff. I can stand at a coke machine for 30 minutes and still not know what I want- this registry stuff is going to be hard! I'm pretty ok with picking out stuff for the room, it's the whole car seat, stroller, high chair, etc. stuff that is going to kill me. EEEEK!

Monday, June 9, 2008

GREAT weekend!


I had such a fantastic weekend! I went to the pool Friday with Katie, her hubbie, and their kids and just had a great time soaking and sunning. Saturday I loaded up my car with Kate, Nishelle, and Phillip and headed to Charlotte. My friend Kristi (in the pink) and her hubbie, Matt, moved to TN and were in town for her sister's graduation. Fortunately we were able to gather our crew from college and meet and catch up with everyone. It's still so weird sitting around looking at each other realizing that we are all active in careers now, Catie and Chris are getting married, we're having the first baby in our group of friends, some of us have been promoted within our jobs to different and better categories, and so on. There was about 12 of us sitting outside (in the ridiculous heat!) catching up on old times. It was just so fantastic and VERY MUCH NEEDED! It's really weird to be apart from everyone when we spent so many years together, leaning on each other as family since our own family was so far away. Great news though! Kristi and Matt are moving back to Charlotte! I cannot put into words how happy this makes me!
Sorry to make it short!! Gotta get back to work!!

Friday, June 6, 2008

He loves me...... I love the puppy not

One of the many reasons I love my hubbie:

He delivers beautiful flowers to my office in person for our anniversary :)


One of the many reasons I sometimes want to skin my dog and mount it on the wall:

Oh, you don't see it????? Let's take a closer look at the beautiful ANTIQUE cherry dresser Phillip got from his great grandmother's home:


aaahhhh.... now you see it. Her crate was several inches from the stinking dresser!! How did Houdini manage to do this!!!!?? ***Damn dog!!!!****

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Let's go back to the baby rules

Ok, I gotta rant.... sorry! I think we need to visit the baby/pregnant rules again. Let's start with NO TOUCHIE!! Here's the story:
I'm standing in the hall having a conversation with our Infant Massage Therapist about a client and being very professional and interested in how our little client is doing. La' Di' Da..... La' Di' Da.... Bam! There's my boss in my face. It all happened so quickly I don't know how I could have stopped it! She stands right in the middle of us, wraps both of her hands around my belly, and starts going to town!! She looks up to the Massage Therapist and with a smirk "I just gotta touch it~!" No, no, no!! No friend, no you don't!! This woman has been my boss for maybe 4 months and we are not close, we don't gossip or share life stories..... we are not friend or anything close to it! NO TOUCHIE!! The thing is, I don't think she even saw the look I had on my face. If she did, she would have clearly noticed the look of bewilderment and absolute embarrassment and quickly withdrawn her hands before they caught fire! She smirks again at the therapist and just keeps on truckin' it down the hall!! And there I am standing with my mouth wide open in complete shock. Let me reiterate for you people... NOOOOO TOUCHIE!! I barely know you, you are not my friend, and you did not ask for permission! This is totally ok if you have followed the previous qualifications.

Now to the second rule- NEVER COMMENT ON HOW WE LOOK- UNLESS YOU'RE TELLING US HOW GORGEOUS WE ARE!! Next story:
My co-worker, who got pregnant the day after I did, went to a meeting with school system representatives. We do this pretty often, so these people know us pretty well. There is this one lady we work with that absolutely none of us like, who is rude to us, and (even worse) is rude to our families. My co-worker got stopped by this lady who looks at her and says, "Are you pregnant again!!!?" Co-worker says, "Yes, we're having a little boy". "Mean ass" then says "You must be right be right towards the end of your pregnancy! How far along are you?" Co-worker answers, "Actually, only half-way through" (keep in mind, I think she is about the same size I am, I tend to feel that I'm more rotund than she is). "Mean Ass" then says "Only half way! You're HUGE!!!" ...... stop the bus..... DON'T EVER SAY THAT!!!! No matter if we're due tomorrow, due last week, or just finding out we're pregnant.... don't say it!!! If you ever want to comment on how we look, stick with the safe examples, "You look radiant" , "You look beautiful!", "You have that glow!", "You look so healthy and happy!" (and really, the "healthy" part is pushing it). DON'T EVER COMMENT ON HOW BIG WE ARE.....EVER (even if we do look rotund and completely big as a house)!! If you ever feel that your in doubt of what may shoot out of your mouth, just stay quiet. Play it safe and just shut it!

Thanks for listening
- Sara

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!

Quick note to my husband.... HAPPY ANNIVERSARY RED!!! These two year of marriage have been amazing, filled with ups and downs but I couldn't imagine doing it without you! You are everything that makes me strong, and you are my weakness!!! Red, I love you with all my heart and I'm so thankful that you were brought into my life so many years ago!! Who knows where we would've been today without our first date (but not date) to Meatballs eight years ago! I love you!






thanks for that little moment.......

I'm pretty sure I've mentioned how much I love the Kraft website for recipes in my blog before. They also have a magazine that they send out (for free!!) that has AMAZING recipes in it. Last night's dinner was from their "Food and Family" magazine and it came out great. I made their Fiesta Chicken Enchiladas. I hesitated making this because it contains a wide variety of ingredients I try to not eat due to my crack-head texture issues. It was a little time consuming because we this recipe is meant to cut down on time by using left over cooked chicken, which is something we did not have. So, we had to grill the chicken and it added more time than I wanted. Other than that, it was a quick fix and incredibly delicious. My hubbie was raving at the end.

Fiesta Chicken Enchiladas

Prep Time:
15 min
Total Time:
35 min
Makes:
4 servings, two enchiladas each
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
4 cooked small chicken breasts (about 1 lb.), shredded
1 cup TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick 'N Chunky Salsa, divided
4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, cubed
1 Tbsp. chopped cilantro
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 cup KRAFT Shredded Cheddar & Monterey Jack Cheese, divided
8 TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Flour Tortillas

PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Heat large skillet spayed with cooking spray on medium heat. Add onions and garlic; cook and stir 2 min. Add chicken, 1/4 cup of the salsa, cream cheese, cilantro and cumin; mix well. Cook until heated through, stirring occasionally. Add 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese; mix well.

SPOON about 1/3 cup of the chicken mixture onto each tortilla; roll up. Place, seam-side down, in 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with remaining 3/4 cup salsa and remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese.

BAKE 15 to 20 min. or until heated through.


Ok, Ok, so I added a little too much cheese. So kill me~

Chef Alfredo giving the wink of approval

Phillip's enchiladas with extra salsa and cream cheese on top

Monday, June 2, 2008

"Little boy blue lost his shoe...."

I realized this morning that I haven't blogged since last Tuesday about the baby! I've been so wrapped up in preparing and brain storming that I forgot to keep you all up to date :) Well, Phillip, both my parents, my sister, my neice, and I crowded around the little ultra-sound machine to see that we have a precious little boy coming into this crazy family!~ Carter James Garrison was quite the active little boy during the u/s and kicked me quite a bit, which was the most action I've ever felt from him. We got some great pictures of him and I hope you like them :) Have a great week! :)

Carter sucking in his bottom lip

His foot

(left side of pic) His hand

The arrow confirms that he's a boy!