25 Things About Me

It seems I can only do blog entries when my family is sleeping so when my body decided to be in full alert mode at 4:45 this morning I thought that it would be a great time to work on my blog! Life is going 100 miles per minute so it's been over a week since my last post (or has it been 2 weeks??) and I promise I am trying to get back in the routine of this but it's proving to be difficult!

Today's entry is just a fun one that I have seen circulating so I figured why not join the band wagon and do it myself! You may or may not know these things about me but I will try to be extra creative with them since I am usually pretty open and honest on here.

1. I am DEATHLY afraid of heights! I can not stand being high up....be it an airplane, mountain, bridge, roller coaster, elevator, building, etc. I go into a full fledged panic attack when I am put into these situations. As you can imagine this proves to be very difficult when I am driving a car or using an airliner for transportation.

2. I am blind as a bat. Literally, I can not see a foot in front of me if I am not wearing my contacts or glasses. For those of you that wear corrective lenses, I am -8.75 in both eyes so that gives you some perspective on how bad my vision is. When I don't wear my glasses everything is fuzzy and blurry. I can't make out faces, words, numbers. If I didn't recognize your voice I would not know who was in a room with me. I have thought about Lasik but that is expensive and I am not sure how I feel about a laser going anywhere near my eyeball.

3. My first car was a 1977 Honda Accord and it was a stick shift with a choke. It's only luxury was air and a cassette player. I am not even sure if it had air now that I think about it. The car didn't last long because I totaled it 2 months after turning 16 when I slid out in front of Doug Walter's Mom on Burrage Road going to school while it was sleeting. The tiny car didn't have a chance against her Buick Roadmaster. My Dad was pissed.

4. My hair color has been almost every shade of the rainbow....well, not literally but it's been various shades of blonde, red and brown. While in high school I couldn't make up my mind so the obsession started in the 9th grade.

5. I have had 9 surgeries since turning 21! I have had the following: Wisdom Teeth, Tonsils, 2 Laparoscopies, 1 D&C, Gallbladder, C-Section, Tubal Ligation and a Hysterectomy.

6. I can not sweep or mop. I am not kidding. I do not know what it is but all I do is move dirt from one area to another or swish dirty water around on the floor. It's ridiculous and I am admitting that it's not normal. Thankfully, I have had a housekeeper or my husband takes care of the floors!

7. I weigh less than 100 pounds and I don't work out or diet. I am not sure what it is about my metabolism (it has been checked) but I don't seem to gain weight unless it's due to medications or pregnancy. I weighed 85 pounds when I graduated high school and stayed that weight until I became pregnant. After having Brody my weight has been around 85-95 pounds.

8. I didn't know I was pregnant until I entered my 2nd trimester!!! I AM NOT JOKING. In my 20's I was told I would have a very slim chance of getting pregnant due to scar tissue from several surgeries so pregnancy was off the radar to me. I never had a regular menstrual cycle so it wasn't shocking if I skipped months at a time. However, in January of 2008 I was feeling bloated and started eating breakfast all the time (which was not normal) and my appetite was becoming intense. I never put much thought into any of it until two people told me they thought I was pregnant. I laughed it all off and then my curiosity got the best of me and I went home on a lunch break and took a test, then another test and then another test....all 3 were positive!! I went to the Doctor and it was confirmed that I was indeed pregnant and had been since approximately October of 2007! Talk about a SHOCKER.

9. My dream car is a Corvette! I will have one before I die.

10. I can not stand Barry Manilow. I love most music but there is something about that man that I despise. I would rather listen to nails on a chalkboard than hear his music being played. I do not understand his hype at all.

11. I worked in NASCAR for 7 years. It was a lot of fun at the time but I can honestly say I am glad I am no longer part of that travelling circus! Without the job I would have never got to experience some really cool once in a lifetime events nor travelled as much as I have but it's a very toxic environment that ultimately can destroy you if you're not careful.

12. I have been to the following destinations: England, Ireland, Cancun, Punta Cana, Key West, Aruba x2, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos. I feel like I am missing one or two more but oh well. My favorite by far has to be Aruba -- so beautiful!

13. I hate romance novels. I can't get into them and the only one I did like was "The Notebook" (not sure if that is even considered a romance novel). I think they are cheesy.

14. I wish I could go back to high school and repeat my freshman and sophomore year. I completely screwed off those two years and didn't feel the need to study or take school seriously. I honestly enjoyed my schoolwork my Junior and Senior year and my grades proved it.

15. I took French for 2 years in school and can't remember a damn thing but the very basics. I tried taking Spanish in college and failed miserably. I prefer English.

16. I named my son Brody because I was hooked on "The Hills" when I became pregnant and I thought Brody Jenner had a cool name so therefor I used it.

17. I am scared of dying. I believe in heaven and that my soul goes to a wonderful place but the process of dying scares me. Like do you know you're dying? Does it hurt? Are you in pain? You catch my drift.

18. My favorite band hands down is Journey. LOVE THEM!

19. I can not sing. I have a horrible singing voice but I love to sing!

20. I believe in ghosts. I know some people are skeptical but once you grow up in Historic Homes that were over 100 years old you do believe some souls get trapped on this earth.

21. I wish I was a criminal investigator.

22. I have 3 tattoos but they are all covered. One on the back of my neck, a tramp stamp and one on my hip. They are addictive and I want more but they would have to be able to be hidden....I am weird like that.

23. I am terrified of Spiders, Snakes and Bugs. I mean, TERRIFIED!!!! I can't breath, I go into panic mode and literally lose my mind when I come in contact with one.

24. I am addicted to my iPhone. It's the best invention ever...or the worst, if you ask my husband :)

25. I have always came across as a hard-ass, bitch, tough little girl, etc....BUT that is all a front because I am actually a softy who can get her feelings hurt easily and cries during sad commercials and TV shows. I have always been small so I had to have a very tough exterior because I was picked on in school for being skinny, short, not pretty enough, etc. I was popular amongst my friends but classmates could be very mean so it hardened me and it's taken a decade to overcome all of that. I still struggle. It's a defense mechanism that comes into play so I don't get hurt.

Beauty Blog: My Favorite Products

I am very excited about this blog post because it's something that is very near and dear to my heart.....BEAUTY PRODUCTS! I have always loved make-up and once worked behind a beauty counter. I also secretly love watching make-up gurus on YouTube talk about the latest products available and their take on different make-up application techniques. My husband and daughter think I am crazy for the amount of products I have and continue to purchase. Personally, applying make-up is like therapy for me (crazy, I know) and it allows you to play around with different colors and techniques. I also like beauty products because they can transform your normal "blah" look into something beautiful. I always feel more put together and pretty when I have my face on. I also find joy in walking into the local drugstore or Wal-Mart and finding those hidden gems and "Holy Grail" items. Many women spend a ton of money of high-end department store products when you can achieve the same look for less. I will admit that I will talk about two high-end products in this post but I contemplated buying them for months and once I did and actually used them I was impressed and I feel the money was well spent....well, for one of them, but I will discuss that a little later. I plan on telling you about the item and it's price point as well as the pros and cons (in my opinion). As we all know, what works for me may not work for you and vice versa. Also to be fair I need to tell you what I am looking for and my face type. I have normal to dry skin with a few fine lines and my pores are larger than I would like. I am a contact lense wearer and my eyes are super sensitive to products I use so I have to be careful when purchasing items for this area....it's usually trial by error so I have used a TON of eye products!! I don't do a whole cleansing routine with my face; I occasionally use a moisturizer, cleansing towelettes and anti-wrinkle creams daily. I do try to use a clay facial mask at least once (if not twice) a week just to deep clean and purge my pores. I also use brushes from e.l.f. Cosmetics - "Essentials Line" and they are only $1.00 each!! You can find these online or at Target; I have also found them at the Dollar Tree!! I use the "All Blending Sponge" from MAC and it's $8 online or at your local department store counters. So, let me begin and hopefully I do not bore you ladies to death! I really want this to be valuable information because I do enjoy what others have to say about their beauty products!

(Please Note: The pricing for all of this was found on WalMart.com unless it was a department store purchase. Also a "Dupe" is a term for a product that is almost exactly the same thing as another...usually a ton cheaper too!)

I will start with my facial cleansing and care products first since that is usually what happens first! I will be the first to admit that I don't always remember to use my facial creams and there are times I am too lazy to take my make-up off....it's not good for your skin but it happens!



For the nights that I have time and feel like my face needs a good deep cleaning I use Freeman's Facial Clay Mask: Avocado & Oatmeal ($3.98). I typically put it on before I step into the shower and bath, letting it set for 10 minutes before taking it off. I like that this product dries on your face without being a cakey mess. Once I feel like it's been on long enough I take a washcloth and warm water to rinse/wipe it off. It comes off easy and you don't feel like you have to scrub your face off in the process. I have normal/dry skin and this gives a good deep clean without drying me out. I also love how my skin feels afterwards and it really seems to help minimize my pores. The only downfall to this is that if you don't wear one of the wide head bands that can cover your hairline it will end up getting in your fine hairs and then you are forced to wash your hair. For that reason, I always do it when I am ready to wash my hair so I don't have to worry about green hair later!



I have found that the Equate Beauty Refreshing Cleansing Towelettes ($3.48) take off my make-up better than any of the other name brand ones that I have used! These towelettes aren't rough so you don't feel like you're tearing your skin apart. The smell is clean and refreshing. It takes off all of my make-up including my mascara and eyeliner. However, I do use a separate product for that just to really get everything off that area since my eyes are sensitive. I will mention that in a bit. I also like these towelettes because they are a "Dupe" for the Garnier Refreshing Towelettes so that saves me a few bucks! I have found a lot of the CVS brand towelettes to be entirely too strong when using around my eye area so that is why I tried the Equate brand. I was impressed with the quality because the towelette itself is thick and soft without a ton of fragrance and product overload. It's really a good quality towelette that works and doesn't cost a fortune. Worth trying if you use towelettes instead of facial bars and soaps.

Before switching to the Equate Towelettes above I had been using the CVS Age Defying Towelettes (dupe for the Oil of Olay brand) but found that those really burned when used anywhere near my eyes. I couldn't even use them on my cheekbones because the scent and ingredients just sent my eyes screaming. It was really strange but I kept using them on my face just nowhere near my eyes so I purchased the Almay Oil-Free Makeup Remover Pads ($6.98). These little pads work well and they didn't send my eyes into panic mode. They are oil-free so you don't have to worry if you already have skin that's prone to be on the oily side. They don't burn your eyes and they aren't loaded down with a ton of product. The pads themselves are very soft and I found another use for them that makes me happy. These pads are just the right size to use right before you groom and fill in your eyebrows. You will never believe the amount of buildup you have on your brows from your foundation/powder. These pads remove all of that residue so you have a nice clean slate to work with when grooming/shaping your brows.

I am at an age where unfortunately I am starting to get fine lines so I am all about keeping those at bay and erasing the ones I have. I haven't used a ton of anti-wrinkle products so I honestly do not have a good comparison for you. I did try some of the Oil of Olay Regenerist products and they became too pricey for me to continue using them. However, my Mother swears by the stuff so it must work but it just doesn't work for my wallet! I decided I would try the L'Oreal Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate ($13.87). It is very silky and absorbs quickly into your skin. It has Pro-retinol A and a lot goes a long way which is good considering the tube is only 1 fluid ounce, which is a "con" considering it's over $10.00! I have used this product off and on for about 4 years and I must say that it's not like an instant face lift but it has kept fine lines away and the ones I do have they aren't getting any worse so it's working in my opinion. I also did some research online and you can purchase this through ebay and amazon cheaper than what I get it for at Wal-Mart but I am all about convenience and it's easier for me to just pick it up locally.

The last product that I use in my skincare management routine is one that is currently a new product that a lot of people are talking (good and bad) about. I have been eyeing this product for weeks but was hesitant about it because of the price point but I finally broke down and bought it after seeing rave reviews on YouTube! L'Oreal Revitalift Miracle Blur ($19.97) is a skin care/preventative product that is supposed to instantly erase the look of lines, wrinkles, and pores. Another great feature that this product offers is that it has SPF30 in it so you are getting some sunscreen coverage during the day. It's also used as a primer before applying your make-up but it's not considered a moisturizer or foundation. When I first used this product I must admit I was skeptical and a little confused. The texture really threw me off (still does) and I think if you have Oily skin it may really throw you off but I still think it's worth trying because in my opinion it does what it says. First, back to the texture, it's thicker than most silicone based primers. It's creamy so it glides over your skin filling in your pores and fine lines nicely. I find that using less is more when using this product. I also think the more you try to rub it in the more frustrated you will become. I usually put it on first thing in the morning and let it "set" before applying my make-up because I have applied my foundation directly afterwards and I did not like it at all -- I felt like my concealer and foundation slid all over the place. When using this you will find that you don't have to use as much concealer and foundation because just a little will glide nicely along your face. I honestly feel that it does help blur my imperfections away and helps me save the amount of foundation that I have to apply afterwards. It's not as "heavy" as it may appear to be when you first squeeze out the small amount you are going to use on your fingers. If you can get past the texture and overall feeling you have when you first apply it then I think you will be happy you made the purchase.

My foundation that I have chosen to blog about is fairly new to me because I was still using my old foundation until it ran low a couple of days ago. I decided to try Revlon Colorstay Whipped Crème Makeup ($10.97) after hearing and watching non-stop rave reviews on the product. BEST.PURCHASE.EVER! This stuff is amazing. I hate that I haven't tried it sooner because I was missing out! This creamy, fluffy, whipped goodness just glides over your face giving it a flawless finish. It doesn't settle into your pores or fine lines so you don't have to worry about an instant aging effect like some foundations give you. It doesn't set into a cakey mess and it doesn't leave your skin with a shine. I would say it's more dewy than matte but still a great product if you have Oily skin. I am highly impressed with the quality of this product and the only downside would be packaging. It is a very bulky glass jar that takes up room. If you are used to applying your foundation with a brush that is not suitable because your fingers do it better. I just blend everything together with my MAC blender once it's applied and it looks great. This seriously might be a "Holy Grail" product for me!!


 I am new to trying my hand at the whole contouring craze that is going on right now because I tend to get a little overwhelmed with it all. However, I do know that you need a good blush, bronzer and highlighter to achieve the look. Finding the perfect bronzer was seriously the hardest part of achieving the right duo. I found that many of them were entirely too orangey leaving me looking like an OOMPA LOOMPA. I also bought some that left me looking very muddy, almost dirty. I took a leap of faith when I ordered a duo from e.l.f. because I had only read reviews about it online. After using this product for over 2 months I think I finally found a great combo - e.l.f. Contouring Blush & Bronzer in St. Lucia ($3.00). I would have to say that the pigmentation isn't as great as other blushes and bronzers I have so you do have to build on it. I like the fact that there is shimmer in the product but it's very subtle so you don't feel like you have dumped a bottle of glitter all over your face and neck. The packaging is very sleek and slender so it doesn't take up a lot of room in your makeup storage. This is also supposed to be a dupe for NARS - Orgasm Blush & Laguna Bronzer duo so if you prefer e.l.f. you are saving close to $45! If you are also someone "dazed and confused" about the whole contouring craze then you need to check out this link from BubzBeauty! She breaks it down for you and even gives an example for each face shape. 


I have found a blush that is a drugstore brand but has a high-end quality! Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso ($6.97) is the prettiest shade I have ever put on my cheeks. It's a peachy-coral tone that has nice pigmentation and blends well. I honestly think this would be beautiful on any skin tone and has been compared to NARS blush in Orgasm. I use this by itself when I'm not using the e.l.f. Contouring Blush & Bronzer as well as on top of it. I can't recommend this product enough because I firmly believe this is a shade that you will keep reaching for on a daily basis with your make-up routine. I am so glad I read about this product in a beauty blog because it's become my favorite blush...hands down!

So, this next product is one that I spent a lot of money on and isn't typically something I would purchase because of the price point BUT....I am SO glad that I did! MAC's Definitely Defined Extra Dimension Skinfinish ($30.00) is the bomb.  I have heard and watched reviews about this product for a while now and I could never bring myself to buy it until we had a gift card for Macy's. We don't have a Macy's in my town so I figured why not spend it online buying this gem. This is a nice highlighter that is a pretty shade of pink champagne. A little of this product on the top of your cheekbones, down the bridge of your nose, your cupids bow and even under your brow bone gives a nice touch. I also found that too much of this product will make your pores more noticeable so a little goes a long way. It can also be "too frosty" if too much is applied so you need to take it easy when applying the product to your brush. All in all I am happy with the purchase and I use it to give my face a subtle and youthful glow.

Milani Baked Eyeshadow in Fusion ($6.47) is an eyeshadow that you can use wet or dry. It's a swirl of purple, gold and copper but once applied it is a pretty shade of purple/brown. I have used this shade both wet and dry. When applying it wet  it does give you a richer darker shade but it's still beautiful. This also has nice pigmentation and it's not "dusty" like some eye shadows are so it doesn't have a lot of fall out under your eyes. It's also long lasting because I can apply it in the morning and still have the same look when I am taking it off at night. This shade is one that I use probably 5 times a week because it's a nice subtle shade for everyday wear. I tend to use it wet when I am going for more of a dramatic look and apply it dry for my daytime wear. I'm really impressed with the Milani brand and their baked line so I will probably purchase a few more of their baked eye shadows. The only con is this brand doesn't have a lot of shades to choose from so you are limited in that aspect. This is also said to be a dupe for MAC's eyeshadow in the shade of Trax.

Another eyeshadow that I wear on a daily basis is Stila in Kitten ($18.00). Once again, this is a product I wouldn't typically buy because of the price but I also used the gift card for this. I kept seeing this shade pop up in YouTube make-up blogs and I finally broke down and ordered it. This is a MUST HAVE neutral shade because it's gorgeous on. It's highly pigmented so a lot goes a long way and I use it on my eyelid and inner corners of my eye; I have even used it under my brown bone as a highlighter. It has multiple uses so it's worth the $18.00 in my opinion. It's a nice champagne sheer shade but can be applied heavier for more of a dramatic look. The finish is a bit shimmery/frosty so if you aren't into "shimmer" then you definitely want to steer clear of it. You do have to mind when applying because it can accentuate those fine lines with this type of shade. This also claims that it can be applied wet or dry but I have never used it wet. I would say the only two cons are the price point and it does have fall out. Otherwise, this is a nice universal shade.

I have to be very careful with eyeliners because my eyes are super sensitive so I have been through tons of "eye" products. For eyeliner I have been using Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips for Hazel eyes ($9.63). It's packaged as a set of 3 colors: Taupe, Black and Purple/Pink. They are fairly creamy so they glide on nicely and you can blend them without tugging your eyelid. I feel that the shades really do enhance my hazel eyes when wearing the Taupe and Purple. Black is black so I can't really give a review on that. I have mixed feelings on this product because it's really GOOD but there are some things to be concerned about....is that possible?!? I like that Physician's Formula is a natural brand so I am not putting harsh ingredients in my already sensitive eye area. I also like the quality of their products but you can tell that they don't have the "staying" power of the products that have the harsh ingredients. Make sense? I don't feel like this has the proclaimed 24-Hour staying power because my liner does seem to fade by the end of the day. However, beggars can't be choosers so if you have sensitive eyes or like Organic products this is something you should try!

Physician's Formula FakeOut Mascara (8.74) in black is another great product if you have sensitive eyes or like wearing Organic products. This product is supposed to give you length, fullness and a curl....and it does EXACTLY that!!! Once applied this seriously looks like you have false lashes on without being too dramatic. It's seriously one of the products that does what it claims. I am super sensitive to mascara's and have also tried a ton of them! I can not seem to wear water proof mascaras because of the chemicals so I am kind of stuck with only a few to choose from. I would say the cons of this product is that it's not waterproof so it will run if you cry, swim or sweat too much. I also found if you rub your eyes it does rub off under your eyes and fingers so you do have to be careful if you mess with your eyes a lot. The great thing about this product is that if you are super sensitive to the brands that are waterproof and have harsh ingredients then you do have a really great product to use instead. I feel this is long wearing and comes off super easy when removing your make-up at night. I don't need to use an "eye remover" as it comes off with the cleansing towelettes or warm water.

Well, there you have it, my most used and favorite beauty products I currently use. I hope this helps some of you when you are out making that next beauty product purchase. I also hope that this gives you some more options in the drug store so you can spend less at the department store counters! I plan on doing beauty blogs throughout the month of products I love and hate because I think they really help and I love reading others blogs about their opinions on make-up products/brands.

Back to Blogging...

I have been contemplating for months about getting back into the "Blogging World" (as if I really have the time for this) and I decided that I would give it a try! It's been 317 days since my last post and all I can say is.....WOW, a ton can happen in 317 days! My life has been nothing short of an emotional roller coaster and on the verge of a nervous breakdown!

I am not going to rehash all that has happened this past year as most of you follow me on Facebook, Twitter and IG so you know what has been going on in my crazy life. I also don't want to dwell on everything because it's frankly wearing me out talking and thinking about it. I just want to keep my chin up, think positive thoughts and just move on to calmer days.

The only thing I will say about Brody and his illness is that it's been the hardest thing I have gone through besides losing my Mammaw. Some days I feel on top of the world and other days I have a pity party for myself. I know it's not healthy or "right" but honestly it's just the way it is. You never want to see your child less than perfect and when they are sick you feel guilty. You question what you did wrong to cause this turmoil in your child's life. You beat yourself up. You get mad. You ask God "Why"....then you slap yourself and face the fact that it's reality and you just have to deal with it and make the best of it.

So that's what I am doing....MAKING THE BEST OF IT! I figured that blogging again will give me the outlet I need to relieve stress and talk about things that are important to me. I loved blogging before and not to brag or anything but I was good at it. I have loads to blog about because my life is anything but "normal"; I am a part of one crazy family and there is ALWAYS something going on to write about.

With that being said........I'm baaaccckkkkk :)

Birthday Bash-ing

Brody's 4th Birthday bash....I think not. It was an epic fail (at least I felt that way)! I was so excited to celebrate his Birthday at Chuck E. Cheese's because that is all that came out of his mouth for over a month. He couldn't stop talking about the mouse, the pizza and the games....this was going to be the best part EVER.....not.

Little did I know that my child does.not.do structure! He wanted to play games, skip the pizza and mouse and go straight for the cupcakes and presents. Figures.

I was completely mortified when my child broke down in tears and a full blown tantrum in front of our party guests. I know that they were all there because, they too, had children of their own but it was still embarrassing. I thought Mike was going to blow a gasket any second and he was literally on the verge of leaving!

One thing I did learn from this experience is that toddlers do not do well with structure (CC's is on a timeline so they kind of push you along) and maybe "home thrown" birthday parties are best until your kid gets older! Too bad this was my one and only learning experience...as some of you know, Brody is my last!

I was really bummed that I didn't capture a lot of photo's! He was misbehaving so bad that my main focus was to keep calm and well, carry on! The camera was the least of my worries when it came down to it. I did get a few so at least I can put *something* in his baby book!

In the end he was all smiles and really did enjoy being surrounded by games and his friends. Next year we may just stick with a good ole' backyard BBQ and swim party!

Holy Hurricane

Today has been a whirlwind of....bad luck and/or timing depending on who you ask in our family! This "storm" can pass as quickly as it approached in my opinion.

1. The upstairs A/C unit went out yesterday and the temps have been above 95 degrees! The kids bedrooms are upstairs so poor Victoria had to sleep on the couch and Brody slept with us. Like most kids he tossed, turned and kicked all night long....unfortunately on my side of the bed!

2. See above. I had to wait on the A/C guy today and unfortunately the part we need will not be in until tomorrow afternoon so this means another restless night of sleep. Sigh.

3. Alex is sick.....with some unknown GI ailment so he is basically stuck in his kennel until the nasty poop subsides and is back to what it's supposed to be (sorry if TMI). I have cleaned up more dog poop today than I have stinky diapers and that is a big downer for me.

4. See above. Alex is sick which meant a vet visit....a $200 vet visit and all I got was a mystery diagnosis with an antibiotic and 3 cans of nasty dog food.

5. My child has been a holy terror the past 2 days. We never really dealt with the "Terrible 2's" so I guess we are dealing with the "Terrible 4's"!!! He refuses to listen to me and nothing is working....pops on the rear, the evil eye, the serious voice and time outs have not even phased the kid. I am at a loss as what to do.

6. See above. My child is nuts. School does not start for another month that means one crazy Momma by the end of August!

I think that is all I can really bitch about for today but it's still early (6 pm) however, it's been enough to drown myself in a beer. Cheers!

Stuffed Green Peppers!

This week I was put in a situation where I had limited groceries and I had no idea what to cook. I had ground beef, a green and red pepper, a onion and some shredded cheese that needed to be used before they spoiled. I was at a loss as what to make because honestly I only use ground beef for spaghetti and tacos! As usual, I went to my source allrecipes.com to get ideas on what to make for dinner and I ran across a recipe for Stuffed Green Peppers. I had never made stuffed peppers before but the recipe I found sounded amazing so it was worth a shot! This recipe will now be saved for future use because it was AMAZING!!! This recipe calls for 6 green peppers but I only had two so the remainder of the mixture was placed in a casserole dish and baked beside the peppers. I hope your family enjoys it as much as mine did!!



Ingredients

• 6 green bell peppers
• salt to taste
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/3 cup chopped onion
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, chopped (I used one can of diced tomatoes)
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup uncooked rice
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (I used one small package of fiesta blend cheese)
• 2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed tomato soup
• water as needed

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cut the tops off the peppers, and remove the seeds. Cook peppers in boiling water for 5 minutes; drain. Sprinkle salt inside each pepper, and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, saute beef and onions for 5 minutes, or until beef is browned. Drain off excess fat, and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the tomatoes, rice, 1/2 cup water and Worcestershire sauce. Cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until rice is tender. Remove from heat, and stir in the cheese.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. (175 degrees C). Stuff each pepper with the beef and rice mixture, and place peppers open side up in a baking dish. In a medium bowl, combine tomato soup with just enough water to make the soup a gravy consistency. Pour over the peppers.
4. Bake covered for 25 to 35 minutes, until heated through and cheese is melted and bubbly.                

Living in Fast Forward

I am FINALLY taking the time to write a new blog...it seems that June & July have flown by and the end of summer vacation is fastly approaching!

It's pretty obvious that I haven't blogged in a while so that means we are no longer in North Carolina visiting my parents. It was a great 4 weeks but by the end of it my Mom was politely kicking us out of her house because she couldn't take the toddler anymore! The highlight of the trip was Brody getting to go to "Turtle Beach" (Myrtle) for the very first time. We had a ton of fun and I wish the trip could have lasted a few more days because Brody was really enjoying himself.

Victoria had a great time while visiting her family in Texas and I must admit that even though I was not at home while she was away there was still a piece of our family that felt missing. I end up missing her more and more each year; things just feel strange when she isn't around. She is growing up so quickly that it's really hard to think that she will be turning 16 in October! She finally got her drivers permit so by next summer she will be driving ALL BY HERSELF!! Scary. You always thought your parents over reacted with the whole turning 16 thing until you find yourself a parent of a 16 year old!

Brody's 4th birthday is a week away and he couldn't be more excited. Of course, we have had to play it up because he can't really grasp the concept yet but it's fun to see his eyes light up. We are planning a Chuck-e-Cheese birthday this year instead of the usual Concord party because I felt it was time for him to be surrounded by  his friends. His Nannee and Pappaw can't make it but I am sure he will be too busy to really notice (or at least I hope he is).

We have added two new rescue dogs to our mini zoo....call us crazy, I would have to agree with you! It is a lot of work but it's wonderful to know you have given a home to an animal that almost didn't have a chance. "Bonesy" and "Lou" are great additions to our family even though they are larger than we are used to. Now our home consists of 4 humans, 1 cat,  4 dogs, 2 fish, 2 birds and 3 hermit crabs!!

"Bonesy"

"Lou"

As for me, I am doing better with each passing day. That is not saying I still don't have a "bad" day but I have more good days. I am slowly starting to get back into my routine and things that I enjoy. I haven't gotten back into my craft room yet but I am planning to as soon as Brody starts preschool. I was enjoying my camera again but I left my battery charger at the hotel in Myrtle Beach so I had to order a new one...which arrived last week so I will be able to take pictures of our Destin trip this upcoming weekend!

Having fun but missing Daddy!

We are only 2 weeks into our summer vacation at Nannee and Pappaws and we have already made a ton of memories to carry back to Georgia.

We have hit up all of our favorite places to eat (some of them SEVERAL times) and I am sure we have gained some weight in the process. We have taken advantage of the cooler climate and spent most days playing outside (rare for us to do in GA because of the extreme heat and gnats). Brody has ran around naked enjoying time in the sprinklers and his mini pool on the porch. Pappaw spoiled him by buying him at mini conga (this now makes the kid a one man band; he has a guitar with amp, microphone, keyboard and a drumset). He was a patient shopper while Mom and I did our Goodwill shopping runs even telling us our items were pretty! He was a happy camper when he found his very own treasure; a firetruck.

No telling what the next 2 weeks will hold...I am sure whatever it is will be a blast!

Although we have had a lot of fun and giggles we do miss Daddy and can't wait to see him in two weeks! Brody will have so much to tell him that I hope Mike has hours to spare to listen to it all. We can't wait to hug his neck and give him kisses, too.

Nothing left but Memories...

Today a chapter of my life was closed when my parents signed the papers on my grandparents home...171 Brookwood Avenue has now been sold.

I am not really sure why I am taking it so hard because I knew this day would come sooner or later. Once my grandfather passed away there was no reason to keep it in the family because honestly it's just me and my parents. They could have rented the little bungalow but the neighborhood has severely gone downhill and the renters you would get would probably be more trouble than it's worth.

I feel like I grew up more in this house than I did in my parents. I probably spent 6 days a week if not 7 there until I turned 18 and even then I was over there at least 5 days a week. My grandparents were amazing and we made amazing memories in that tiny 2 bedroom home. Every Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day dinner was served in the dining room. That house was the one thing that never changed in my life; it was a constant reminder of my childhood. Everything had it's place and stayed that way for 33 years. Growing up it was like a museum....You couldn't touch anything!

I have so many wonderful memories that I will cherish until the day I leave this earth. Some of my fondest ones are chasing fireflies around the back yard and catching them in a Mason jar. On hot summer nights we would swing away and listen for the train at Plant 6 come by with it's whistle screaming in the distance. We would sing songs from CCR or funny little songs my Pappaw made up that would make me chuckle. Pappaw had a building attached to his garage and turned part of it into a classroom for me. I would spend hours teaching my imaginary kids while writing on the chalkboard he hung for me. I could go on for days about all of the shenanigans that went on at that house but we don't have time for that.

I can only hope that the new occupants of 171 Brookwood Avenue enjoy it as much as I did. I hope a lifetime of memories are made there and they are as heartwarming and precious as the ones that I will carry with me.

Eyes Wide Open...Again

I have never kept it a big secret that I suffer from Depression and Anxiety. I think that honesty is the best policy and if others can learn something from my battles with the demons that haunt me than I am helping someone.

The past year I have been on one hell of a ride when it comes to my mental state and all the medicines that have been tried to get me back to "normal" or the "old me". I can't tell you how many different "cocktails" were tried and all failed miserably. My mental state was spinning out of control and I was being pressed further and further down a deep hole of depression. I was pitiful. I couldn't take care of myself so you can imagine how it was trying to take care of my family...they were taking care of me.

There were months that I went days without a bath and stayed in my PJ's for weeks at a time. I had no appetite and barely ate. I had my safe place on the couch and that is where I stayed glued to for MONTHS. If it weren't for watching Brody during the days and taking him to preschool I would have spent hours underneath the covers in my bed.

Some of you that are my true friends may have noticed that my handmade cards stopped coming, I quit blogging, my craft room is collecting cobwebs and my camera hasn't been used in ages. I didn't even get any good pictures this year during the holidays --- heck, I hardly decorated for the holidays this year.

After a year of basically not living and the medicines not working my family said "enough was enough". The mental health care system in the tiny town I live in isn't great so it was time to make some BIG changes and that meant me coming back home to North Carolina and seek professional help from a better health care system. At first I wasn't too keen on the idea about leaving Georgia for an extended period of time but I also knew life was passing me by and I was missing it. I was missing Brody & Victoria's milestones, I was missing making family memories, I was missing my relationship with my husband, I was missing my relationship with Church and most importantly I was missing ME.

Several changes have already been made medicine wise that has helped a ton and I am sure there will be bumps down the road....nothing is ever easy but it has to be better than the past year. I am just glad that I am enjoying life again. I enjoy seeing the smile on my sons face when I actually have the energy to spend hours playing with him like I should be. I enjoy knowing my husbands relief that this nightmare should be over. I enjoy seeing my parents relief knowing they have their little girl back.

If everything goes as planned I should be able to head back down to the Deep South in several weeks! Sometimes we must make sacrifices to better ourselves even if it takes us away from our loved ones. If anything, this will bring my family closer together once I am back. They have been begging for the "old Jamie" for a year now.

So, there it is folks, I am back and seeing things with renewed eyes (and with a renewed spirit). Thank God.