A Powerful Statement

Cancer. The one word that can devastate the lives of millions. For those who have been stricken with cancer, it means more than just devastated. Life is forever changed by this word. It is an unfair occurrence in so many lives; it's like a question without an answer. Thankfully, there are numerous people who care to finding a cure. In today's terrible economy, it is hard for so many people to donate. Fortunately, it was clear yesterday that no matter the bad economy, it won't stop people from giving to a cause that is needed, to fight breast cancer. 

The scene was 7,000 people plus. Pink shirts everywhere. Groups big and small walking in honor of or in memory of. It is easy to see that everyone is helping fight for someone. Seeing the smiles on faces of survivors with covered heads is the most powerful statement to this fight. 

My aunt has cancer. She has lived with it for 6 years now. She does not have breast cancer but took it upon herself to start a team and support the cause. One of my greatest friends lost her mother to the battle almost a year ago. Kristen walked for her, as I am sure she will every time this race takes place. This is the reason for the race. What my aunt is able to do for cancer is motivating. How Kristen responds to losing her mother is what I call courage. These are the reasons why I walk.

The Joys of the Office

For the past 2 weeks, I have had beautiful pink flowers on my desk thanks to Mrs. McNair. She picked them out of her garden and was thoughtful enough to bring me some. Little does she know what all these flowers do for me. Every day when I answer the phone to hear a difficult voice, they are right there to make me smile. And when I just need to breath, I can look to the right of me and there they are, big, beautiful, pink flowers! I also love the thought that my boyfriends mom thinks of me when she picks flowers for herself to sit at her desk. 

Another perk at work is when my secret pal sends me a little gift! This past week I was pleasantly surprised when Tammy walked into my office with a basket full of goodies! The basket had candy, a really cute note book full of paper with a K on it, Halloween lights, and a pumpkin! 

Every day at noon, us girls gather in the kitchen for a little eating and lots of gossip and girl talk. NO BOYS ALLOWED! However, if they do chose to come join us...they get an ear full! I love our days at the park with potatoes, eating out on birthdays with a waitress talking directly in our bubbles, and of course the occasional after work drink we so rarely get to do!

My Security Blanket

When I was a little girl, I would carry around a blanket my Aunt Sandra made for me. It was Care Bears for all of you that are wondering. I would wake up, stumble into the living room with my blanket and Chee Chee in hand (Chee Chee is a monkey I also always carried around with me). Even though I do not carry around my Care Bear blanket (or Chee Chee) any more, I have discovered something I must always have with me or I whine and pitch a fit, my whole day is ruined. At home I still pile up with a blanket, but I don't have to carry it with me outside the house. But with that blanket, I must also have a book. Now, my security blanket has become a book. Yes, I must carry around the book that I am currently reading everywhere I go (most of the time it stays in my hand bag). I discovered this this weekend when I left my house and all I could think about was my book, all alone on my night stand. I was without reading on Sunday and at work on Monday. All I could think of without my book was how I had wasted all this time not reading! Problem solved: I skipped working out yesterday to go home to read. I got home, piled up on my couch with my blanket and book but never cracked it open, it just sat there with me and I felt better! Go ahead and call me a nerd, a book worm. I totally agree with you.

I recommend you read this book, you will want to carry it around with you too.

An Experiment With Sand Crabs

This July, Daniel and I went to the beach with his family. Every day on the beach I always watched the little, white crabs come out of their holes. I found amusement in this. I would always tell Daniel to look, look now, oh look he is out again, oh there he goes. I am sure he didn't think it was as cute and entertaining as I thought it was. However, he took part in it the last day. We had crabs right in front of our chairs whereas all week they were to the side of us. I am a fan of popcorn and had popped some to take to the beach. As we are eating it, looking at the crabs, taking it all in, we decided it would be nice to share with them. So we did just that. We had about 3 crabs we were working with. Different sizes, too. I don't know much about crabs but I am thinking they were all family. They were in different areas but I know they have little hallways to get to each others rooms or houses (this is my inner child talking).

We found that crabs like popcorn. They would pull it into their hole and eat it! They would also come back for more. Seeing a very small crab push and pull this also very small piece of popcorn was entertaining to say the least, as well as being shocked they would even take it.

*Please click on picture to see crab. Sorry, I couldn't crop it to make it larger.

Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Part of My Day

I never heard the rain until 6:00 A.M. I was woken up by a booming crack of thunder and the rain came down even harder. I rolled over and grunted, mad that I had to get up in just a few short minutes. It is hard enough for me that the most difficult part of my day is getting out of bed, I don't need a thunderstorm to go alone with it. I love, love, love the rain and this was just a mean tease that I had to get up and come to work!

Let's say it wasn't even raining: The alarm goes off, I go to hitting the snooze button. I hate the sound of my alarm, and all alarms for that matter. I'm the one that has to be woken up in the morning by a person. This person has to be nice to me, realize that I may not be nice back to them, and know that I will not get up right away. I feel sorry for this person....but many thanks to you if you have ever woken me up!

On days like this, why can't we all just come to a stop and rest? Let's say we did come to a stop and rest, there would be no wrecks, no wet bottoms of pants, no wet shoes, no pull your hair up due the the weather cause you know it's gonna look bad, and no grumpies. All I want is to be piled up on the couch watching a lifetime movie, eating popcorn, reading a book, and dozing off when I feel the need. It's too bad I'm not in kindergarten any more, Mrs. Coplan would have let us take a little bit of a longer nap, watch reading rainbow, and of course we could've had snacks. 

Message to the Rain Cloud Kings and Queens: Only thunderstorm when I am able to pile up, don't have to go to work, or at night when I get ready to slumber for hours. You make it very difficult for me to get up....on top of having to get up already. Don't you see, it would be easier for me to spend time with you, my dear friend, when I don't have to rush out the door. So, please next time you decide to play, have a dinner party, or whatever it is you do to make all those glorious sounds, do it when I can be at home!

Remembering

I did not lose a family member, friend, or coworker on this day 8 years ago, but we were all personally attacked by the terrible things that happened to our fellow citizens. Of course we all remember where we were, what we were doing, who we were with when we saw the shocking sights. I was a senior in high school. I was with one of my best friends, Jayme, in Mr. Farley's English class when we were told what happened. Once hearing what America was going through,we rushed getting the news on to see what we just didn't want to believe. We watched the 2nd plane hit the tower. We at first thought it was a replay, then noticed it was a different tower. We watched silently and were filled with worry, fear, and hurt for what these innocent Americans were having to endour. Later that day, my girlfriends were at my house and we sat in my drive way with no words to say, just stunned, filled with sadness, and terrified of what would happen next. Still 8 years later, I have the same feeling as I did when it happened. I am thankful we have been safe with all thanks to our military, government, national leaders, police man, and so many wonderful American citizens. 

God Bless America, land that I love. Today I am saying a prayer for all families who have lost someone. No day is easy for them, but this day their world was made a different place.

A Very New First

As we all know, I am a die hard, scream and yell, houndstooth wearing Alabama fan. NEVER would I EVER pull for another team. However, I am dating a Tennessee fan. I know, you just laughed and your jaw is dropped. I totally understand, mine is too. But wait for what I am about to tell you....I said, "Go Vols," on Saturday. I know, go ahead and roll over, you are shocked. I have always hated Tennessee more than any other team out there. Deep breath in....I have an awesome boyfriend....deep breath out....who means more to me than Alabama football. Breath. 

The same night, Daniel wears a crimson shirt and is cheering for Alabama. Oh my goodness: I see how great this can be! It's like I have stepped out of my body. We can have more fun in football season cheering and following 2 teams, having longer cookouts and more beers. I think this may be the best football season ever!  

Upcoming football events: 

I will be going to my first Tennessee game in a few weeks. Wearing ORANGE! 

We will be attending the Tennessee Alabama game. (Yes, all this could be thrown out the window. We may kill each other.)

Stay Tuned!