Friday, August 28, 2009

Red Cross My Heart

Today I gave blood for the first time.



I was ABOLUTELY TERRIFIED. I went in with my knees shaking, the blood drained from my face, and a queezy stomach. They had to prick my finger twice to make sure I wasn't anemic b/c the first reading came up with a low count. I was kinda hoping it would come up low on the 2nd round just so I could get myself out of that place as fast as possible. But, I stuck it out and stayed. I've always contimplated giving blood but never brought myself to do it. They were doing the blood drive directly across from my office and I told myself that there was absolutely no reason for me not go. The lady who took my information asked me if I had given blood before and I told her no. She asked me if there was a special reason why I was doing it. Yeah..... I think there is.
For these two:



For this little girl and her momma:

And for these wonderful people:


.... in hopes that one day, if they ever need it, maybe, just maybe, the blood waiting on them would be my blood, and maybe, just maybe, there wouldn't be a shortage for any other family who has people that they cherish as much as I cherish those people.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Belle of the birthday!~

This past weekend we celebrated Paisley's 2nd birthday. I made sure to spoil her a bit and made her a tu-tu, an appliqued t-shirt, and 3 cakes. Yup, I was super aunt! I loved every minute of being crafty for my little munchkin and I would do it everyday for her if I could. My machine and I got into quite the disagreement and tangle when I went to make her shirt. I found some really cute fabric at Hobby Lobby (I LOOOOVE THIS STORE!) and the pink in it matched the tutu material perfectly. It's been so long since I've been able to sew that I had to duke it out with my machine and my scrap fabric that I keep to remind myself how to do things and mess up on. That size 10 pair of kakhis will never be worn again and it has gotten more use under my sewing machine than it ever has! For you sewing perfectionist, yes, I noticed that my fabric is sideways, but it's still cute.... yes, I realize that my lining around the number is DEFINITELY not perfect.... and yes, the thread got all clumped up. Right at the very end of sewing it the thread snapped and was only functioning on half the actual string so I had to go back, rip the stitches out, and start right in the middle of it. But, it's ok. Paisley never knew and she loved it. She loved her cakes too. All she kept saying when she saw them was "Dora!" "Swiper!" "Pack-pack" (she can't say "backpack")

This is the bow on the back

The complete outfit


The big cake was for the guests and the little one was Paisley's cake

Yummy homemade buttercream!!!

Paisley's personal cake



Precious little girl!


Throwing grass


One of my favorite shots!


Crazy baby is too fast for my camera!


Paisley and Carter had a great weekend together. They stayed at grandmother & poppy's house together the night before.... bless mom and dad's hearts!


What iiiiis this?

A little drool on the sleeve is my trademark by now




Paisley and Jamie (my sister)
Her momma loves her!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Seriously huge news on the homefront!

Hello friends! It's been a while since I've been able to update. My new job has kept me super busy and I feel like a better and more efficient worker than I have ever been. It's crazy. I never realized.... scratch that..... I realized that I was a bit of a slacker at my last office, but here I'm more motivated and actually enjoy what I do and ALL the people in my office instead of 4 or 5 select few from my last place. I'm constantly on the run, and then when I get home all I want to do is play with Carter. He is really growing up so fast right before our eyes.
Anywho!!
I've been crazzzzy busy lately. Tuesday was Paisley's 2nd birthday (I KNOW RIGHT!! I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE'S 2!!!!!) But, this weekend is her actual party. My sister asked me to make her cake again this year. I plan on doing it up a little more fancy than I did last year with her number shaped cake for the guests and Barbie cake for her.

Don't get me wrong, I stinkin' love last year's 2 cakes. But I want to do something a little more for her. And, I've taken it upon myself to make her birthday outfit as well. I have found some really great ideas on other blogs and I gotta say that she is going to be the cutest thing once I get done!! I'll post pictures after the party b/c I don't want to ruin the surprise.

Ok, and for the news here.... WE ARE BUYING A HOUSE!! We have found the most beautiful 2-story home in Burlington that we just love. It's in the Elon area in a neighborhood that Phillip esteemed to be as he grew up. It's 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, with a 2 car garage, wrap-around porch (you guys know I'm a sucker for a porch!!!!), a great backporch, and a great backyard. The house will DEFINITELY need some updating though. It's going to be a very very very loooong and expensive process to get everything out of the 1980's time period, but I'm so pumped about doing it! We are planning to have Carter's 1st birthday at the house and hopefully most of you readers will be able to see it when you come to the party. I can't wait to send you more pictures and keep you updated on everything! Check back in on us soon!

Thursday, August 6, 2009

La Cucha what?

FUNNY MOMENT OF THE DAY-
I work in a satellite office of the main headquarters for my agency. We have a little space that no one ever comes to, so we keep the doors locked pretty much at all times. Today was the first day someone has rang the doorbell since I have been here. Just imagine sitting at your desk and suddenly hearing "La Cucha Racha" ringing throughout your office! Very random, and freaking hilarious!..... only problem is now I can't get it out of my head and I've been La Cucha Racha-ing myself all over the building with imaginary maracas in my hands!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

a sign from above....

I got a true a sign from above that I should not be such a heffa'. The only thing that makes my long drive to work in the mornings bearable are my stops for a steamer from Starbucks, or breakfast from Chick-Fl-A. I stopped at the latter and got breakfast today. As I was shnarfing it down, I unknowingly dropped a tater-tot into my lap and it weaseled itself between my thighs. I don't realize it's there until I get to work and see that every time I moved my legs to push the brake or gas pedals I was rubbing that stupid tater deeper and deeper into the crotch of my pants. So, today, after I dressed up for a rich client that I'm seeing, I walk into work with greasy crotch. Dang it!!~

Monday, August 3, 2009

Peanut Butter Cheesecake Brownie Babies

So, I haven't been completely void of cooking and baking since I've been away. I'm working on getting the recipe up for you guys to a Paula Deen cake that I made. It was INSANELY moist and goooood! But, I guess you'll have to settle for these, which I found in the Kraft Food & Family Magazine (love it!):

Peanut Butter Cheesecake Brownie Babies

1 pkg. (19 to 21 oz.) brownie mix (13x9-inch pan size)
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1-1/2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
20 maraschino cherries

HEAT oven to 350ºF.

PREPARE brownie batter as directed on package. Spoon into 20 paper-lined muffin cups.

BEAT cream cheese, sugar, egg, peanut butter and vanilla with mixer until blended. Spoon 1 rounded Tbsp. into center of batter in each cup, pressing down slightly into batter. Bake 30 min. or until centers are set. Cool.

SERVE topped with COOL WHIP and cherries.


These babies were super fast to make and turned out pretty well. The only thing I would have to say is that "pressing" the peanut butter part into the inside is not as easy as it sounds.

I was in a hurry to make them, so mine didn't turn out as pretty as the picture they have. This is what theirs looks like:

This is how mine turned out after the Cool-Whip had melted: