Things Dee Learned this Memorial Day Weekend

Happy Memorial Day and again a shout out to our soldiers, veterans and their families. I'm heading out to the USO Airport Center in an hour to volunteer. Seemed like a 'proper' thing to do to commerate the day.

We had a fabulous weekend. We did the usual and hung out at the in-laws lake house.

We did a lot of swimming around and drinking beer. Notice the picture below. The 'Bobber' Brad got for Christmas.

Hung out with family and lots of friends. Here is SIL, Robyn.

We also ate and went for a lot of boat rides.

BUT..there were a few major things I learned this weekend. Ready?

#1. 'Bud Light' as Brad likes to call the dog(notice him hanging with the real Bud Light on our way to the lake), likes smoker drip pans. Yes, lesson learned that after smoking ribs either clean it out immediatly or keep the dog away from the smoker.
Buddy vomited all night Saturday night and into the next day. I noticed his vomit smelling like ribs but couldn't figure out who fed him.
It wasn't until mid-Sunday afternoon when my FIL went to clean out the drip pan did we figure it out.
GOOD JOB BUDDY! NOT!

#2. When taking a 'family' boat ride on a ski boat - check the weather first and pay attention to your surroundings.
This isn't a picture from that boat ride, but you can't even imagine.
This morning all 8 of us took a boat ride to the other side of the lake. I noticed it seemed a little dark, but thought it would pass. On our way home we ran into some NASTY storms. Thunder, lightning, the whole bit.

All 8.of.us. found a cove with some shady trees and pulled the boat up and got off and stood under them for 20-minutes waiting for it to pass. Well.... it didn't. Kids and all we made a run for it and high-tailed it home.

Brad and I were literally on the floor of the boat on top of each other trying to stay, warm, dry and most of all safe.

I can't believe how good the kids were throughout the whole ordeal. Oh..yeh..forgot.. we had left the dogs outside while we were gone.
Jordan(brother and SIL's dog), was hiding in a bush. Budster was hanging by the door.

All, in all. A great weekend! Now back to work for a day and 1/2 then it's honeymoon time! We leave for Cali on Wednesday!
CIAO!!

A Constant Battle

Happy Friday and Happy Memorial Day weekend! Take time to remember those defending us overseas and here in the states and of course their families!

Today's post. The constant battle with weight. I think most normal people have to be mindful what they eat in order to keep the pounds down. I'm a total believer a lot of that has to do with what is in food these days.

Anyway - I know I've mentioned over the past week about 'fatness' and 'pounds'.

First things first. I know I'm not obese, I know I'm no 'overweight'. BUT my thing is...I know I have to stay on top of it otherwise the pounds creep up VERY fast! Which in turn would have me buying new clothes and that's just not an option.

Throughout the years my weight has waivered. In high school I was average, but then went to skinny during pageant days. Then to be honest in college -- I didn't watch it as much. I ate cheese fries, drank beer, ate Taco Bell at 2am. I was a size 8 sometimes in college but more of a size 10.

Then I took an overnight job in the TV biz in Reno and the weight piled on!
Check out this picture. I think I was a solid size 12.

A year or so later I got transferred to Vegas and I knew it was time to get serious. I mean, you can't live in a city like Vegas with a bunch of hoochie mamas running around and be a size 12!

So, I dropped 30 or so pounds to a size 2. Check out this picture. I admit I was a little obsessed during this time. I did Bikram's yoga 5 times a week and hit the gym for cardio 5 times a week. I watched every morsel that went into my mouth.

And.. now..
I'm not a size 2 anymore. Would kinda like to be but I've decided that having a life and being more 'normal' about it all is healthier and better.

I decided to share this because I think a lot of you can relate. I also shared this because I want you all to know when I mention 'fatness' that it's just because I have to watch every 5pounds otherwise it ends up being 20.

Understand?!

Happy Day blogging peeps!

Hello Obama!!!?????

Some of you may get offended by today's post but I frankly could give a damn. I'm downright PISSED about this oil spill.

I mean WTF??!! I understand that it's BP's responsibility but at this point Obama and his crew of 'people of change'.. need to do something! ASAP! As James Carville has been saying in interviews on every network --'They're dying down there!'. The wildlife are in grave danger, stressed out.. some already dead!

The fisherman..the economy...all this will trickle down to the rest of America. Wait and see. People are taking this too lightly.

Where is the Department of the Interior? Where is Green Peace(we have heard nothing from them), and all those AWESOME celebs who want to save Africa and Haiti..nothing from them.

If you recall, there was a similar reaction during the floods of Nashville(except celebs jumped on that)..
All I can say is do something! and.. by the way... at least I can say I didn't vote for Obama. There I said it.

Tea Time!

I'm on a tea kick these days. It happens every few years with me. I diss the coffee bean and go for the tea.

It makes me feel good when sometimes coffee does not. Anyone else experience that?

Throughout the years I've developed tea favorites including one concoction that I thought I would share with you guys.

First off -- this is the best tea bag ever!! My friend Dawn introduced me to probably ten years ago.
Good Earth tea - the original.

WOW! Try it and I promise you won't be disappointed. A bit of sweet and spicy and without any sweetners!! I haven't had it in a year or so but saw it at Trader Joe's last night and snatched some up. I'm sipping on a cup now!

My next favorite? A concoction that my yoga instructor in Las Vegas turned me on to. She told me to make it and drink it first thing when you wake up BEFORE you eat anything. It helps get rid of toxins and helps me rid of bloat.

It's an acquired taste but you should try it! My Mom drinks it everyday! I haven't drank this in probably a year but have decided to start back in hopes that it will help me shed a few pounds.

Here's the recipe:

#1. Steep a bag of ginger root tea(or some other sort of ginger tea works too)

#2. Two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar(it's best to use this kind with The Mother..it's the best for you)




#3. A pinch of sea salt(no subsitute for this..don't use regular salt)

WAH-LAH!!

Do you have any favorite teas or crazy drinks??

Baby Shower!

If you've been following my blog long you'll know that I'm not a fan of baby showers. No big..I plan on having one too(but only for my first child).

Anyhoo.. I traveled up to West Virginia for my friend Kathleen's shower in her hometown.

This is her first child and she's not finding out the sex(drives me nutzo..I need to know now! lol)

It was a beautiful drive through the mountains to get there and the shower was lovely and full of family and friends.

Here's Mommy to be. Can you believe she's 26-weeks and she's still wearing a size 0 Lilly dress?

Champagne punch...

Cupcakes!!

And.. this is the best part.

Kathleen picked out the lunch menu and even though it's not your 'typical' ladies lunch fare it is what the pregnant 'mommy' wanted and crazes. Meatloaf, mac n' cheese, hot chicken salad. Even Brad laughed when he heard what she had chosen.

Brad's actual quote? 'That's AWESOME!'

Here's a better shot of that dress I mentioned before. Fatty Magee that I am..and all.. Seriously, I need to lose at least 5-pounds ASAP!

Me and Kathleen have similar sandals. Except her's are Jack Rogers and mine are Bonanno's. Wonder is the same company makes both? Doesn't seem to be much of a difference?

Of course, people came with their West VA baby gear! Kathleen is married to a Buckeye fan so the baby will surely get a lot of that at her Ohio baby shower.

Love this..(even though I'm an LSU fan)

A funny point in the shower? When Kathleen's grandma gave her this paci holder. I have to admit -- I, like Kathleen, thought it was a dog collar at first too!

I didn't get a before shot of my gift but here's an after shot. Thanks to Sara for the idea!

This was the coolest thing ever! Maybe I've been living under a rock but I've never seen someone make a doll out of diapers!

Kathleen with her Aunts, Mom and Grandma!

The 'Daddy to be' showed up at the end after 9-holes of golf.

After the shower we headed back to her parents house.

Where one of Kathleen's friends brought her breast pump to let her borrow. The demo was interesting to say the least. I declined on taking pictures and posting about that.

Hmm.. Friend Sara thinking of baby!

What a great weekend! Thanks to the Cochrane's for hosting me!

Hope you all had a great weekend too!

Sunday Night Dinner

Don't you just love summer evenings? Grilling, a glass of wine..and relaxing? Grill food is one of my favorites and always has been.

Right now we're liking grilled corn and veggies. What about you? More today on the weekend!
Happy Monday!

Wicked = Overrated

I have been to a lot of Broadway shows but I'm going to be honest -- last night's showing of Wicked here in Charlotte just didn't live up to all the hype.

I think a lot of it had to do with the theater it was held in. It's not the big theater that they normally have these shows but instead a smaller one outside of Uptown Charlotte. I have seen shows here before and just about everytime I'm disappointed.(I saw The Producers there and LOVED it). I think it's the acoustics?

Anyhoo -- Brad and I both agreed that it was a bit slow moving and we enjoyed Jersey Boys MUCH better.

I'm sure if I saw it on Broadway in NYC I would think different but for now this is my story and I'm sticking to it.

Heading to West VA this afternoon for Kathleen's baby shower! More on that next week. Have a GREAT weekend blogging peeps!

Oh Charlotte! What a Great 8 years!

This next week will mark 8 years that I will have lived in Charlotte! Honestly - I can't believe it! It's the longest I've lived anywhere at any one point in my life except Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Many of you might be wondering how I ended up here? Well, I'll give you a short rundown of how I made it to the Queen City.

* 1997 - graduated from LSU but continued to live in BR and work at a local TV station for another year. During this year -- I searched for jobs in Los Angeles. Got a freelance offer with E! News but my Mom refused to let me take it because it wasn't 'steady' work.

* 1998 - decided to get to the West Coast somehow and took a job in Reno-Tahoe, Nevada at a local TV station working the morning show(ughh..my day started at 11pm). Skiied, hiked, had a blast.

* 2000 - my TV company decided I was 'good' and asked me to move to the Las Vegas station.
Partied my a-- off, gambled, met celebs, new friends, hung out with old ones who lived there but then...

September 11, 2001 happened.

I was depressed, missing family, starting thinking about long term things and what I wanted out of life. Living the fab life so far away from the people I loved didn't seem to be important anymore. I starting researching on where I would go next.

I literally made a list of what I wanted out of a city:

* To be back in the 'South'
* Where people appreciate SEC football and I could actually go to see my Tigers play.
* Near mountains where I could get my hike on.
* No more than 8-hours from my family
* In a TV market where I could actually make some $$

It was narrowed down to 2 cities: Nashville and Charlotte. I found a job in Charlotte first.

* 2002 - I moved to Charlotte on Memorial Day weekend which happens to be one of the biggest weekends in the city. It's RACE Weekend(NASCAR). I knew no one except cousins who I lived with for 6-months.

Since then - I have enjoyed many SEC games including several where I have gotten to see my Tigers play at University of SC!

I have gotten my hike on in more ways than one!! Here's me hiking the Grandfather Trail at Grandfather Mountain. Happens to be one of the best trails in the Carolinas.

I've enjoyed the NC and SC beaches.


Partaken in many wine tastings at area wineries including ones in the Yadkin Valley.

Met awesome friends like Dana. I met her the first year I lived here through the Jr. League of Charlotte(where I've met most of my friends here).

And most and best of all... I met Brad. (this was exactly one year ago in Uptown Charlotte at a concert).

Charlotte is a great city for many reasons. No, it's not a SF, Chicago, or NYC but it's the South and there is a great quality of life here.

I don't forsee us living anywhere else unless there's some major job change(and you never know).

Here's to Charlotte!!! CHEERS FOR A GREAT 8-YEARS!

At Last..

Following yesterday’s post I thought I would post this picture. Giving that Brad and I waited till our ‘30’s’ to get married our rents were ecstatic wondering if it would ever happen.

My Mother never mentioned to me once about getting married. In fact, when one of my Aunt’s asked ‘when are you going to get married’, my Mother responded…
‘Seriously? we just got finished getting one divorced(my brother), leave her alone! She’s fine!’ LOL!

Mom and Dad were elated when I did find the ‘Mr. Wonderful’ and couldn’t be happier.

Who else was happy? Brad’s Mom! She was so funny!! Leading up to the wedding she would talk about how happy she and FIL were that Brad found someone because they weren’t sure if he would ever settle down(he’s 32).

So… wedding day – she told the photographer she wanted to take this picture. It was all her idea!

Her and my Mother giving each other a high five that they have their babies married off!!

In other news: As Brad would say -- 'My FATNESS is out of control!' Seriously people. I have got to quit stuffing my face because my clothes are getting tight!

Back to the gym tonight! Happy Wednesday!

A Journey

Happy Tuesday! A bit of a different post but one that had me thinking a lot after I got an email last night from another blogger.

Let me start with - it was a journey of sorts to find, what my Mom would call, 'Mr. Wonderful' aka Brad.

As most of you know I am 34 going on 35 and am what is referred to as 'married later in life'(a nurse at urgent care said that to me the other day). Okay - thanks.. I'm fine with that.

I'm fine with that because:

* I pursued a career and have been successful - even though it did involve 10-years of h-ll in a TV newsroom. I now work in corporate TV which a lot of people envy and I am a confident woman who can hold her own in the office.

* I am independent. Yes, I bought a townhouse, sold it and bought another one in what was my dream neighborhood. Granted..because of the crappy market I wish I could sell it now but it 'is what it is'. Also, I have never borrowed a substantial amount money from anyone without paying them back.

* I lived out West for 5 years and partied my butt off. I traveled, drank, ate, dated tons of guys, and have stories and memories for days. This was somethng I talked about all through college. Getting the heck out of dodge.

* I have tons of friends that I never would have if it had not been for my single years.

* Last but not least.........I DID NOT SETTLE ON THE WRONG PERSON......I waited for the right person.

The reason for this post? MCW from Saving the Best For Last ,who my cousin found yesterday. I was so intrigued that I read all the way back to her first post because I found that I could relate.

It was this post of hers that really had me thinking back to my 'single and looking' days.

I so remember the frustration..and I left her a comment and told her that I am 34 and recently married and believe it or not..I met hubs in a bar. She replied back saying it was a relief to meet another blogger who can relate because it seems like a lot of bloggers get married at 22.

I also sent her this post of mine from last year where I think a lot of you got freaked out. LOL!

The moral of this post is that just because some women aren't married by age 30 doesn't mean something is 'wrong'. It just means they're confident, independent and waiting for Mr. Right...not Mr. Right now because I need to get married by 30.

That's all I have for today. Comment away!!

Weekend Recap and a 'Break Through'

This weekend really felt like the beginning of summer and it's full force ahead from here!!

Can you believe it's almost the end of May? Geez.. seems like it was just Christmas and I was sending out wedding invites!

Here we go....
The weekend started on Friday night where I met blogging friend Britney! She was even cuter in person and has skin to die for!! How cool that we had a few drinks at the NOLA inspired restaurant Razoos!!

Then after a trip to the Farmer's Market Saturday morning we started our Aunt and Uncle weekend and picked up the niece and nephew!(BIL and SIL had a party to go to)

Here they are...Reed and Paige -- headed to the lake. Buddy had to sit in my lap in the front seat! I was quite furry by the time we arrived.

Speaking of Buddy - it was his 5th birfday on Saturday. I had big plans to make cupcakes and have the kids throw him a party but I chose to drink wine and look at art instead on Friday night.

My MIL did have him a gift though! The kids sang Happy Birthday to the pooch!

Then we hit the lake with the kiddos! Here's Reeders on the ski boat. Last summer he wasn't much about the water.

He would just sit on the boat and stare straight ahead. This year(now that he's almost 4-years old)..he's getting more comfortable.

Paige..

Reed had his first official swim lesson on Saturday morning before we picked them up. Again, last year -- he would barely get into the lake.

Now....check this out!! Uncle Brad is not even holding him!! The beginning of the 'break through'!! We praised him and he could not have been happier!

Later in the day our friends Stephan and Eileen came up to hang out.

Eileen is a high school principal and former swim teacher. She started working with Reed in the water and got him to kick his way all the way to the buoy!!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is big kids. I'm not sure I would want to go all the way out there! LOL! Again, lots of praise!

Meanwhile, Paige was basking in the sun. We were so afraid her face was getting burned so I gave her my hat. Come to find out - baby girl was just hot!

Sunday morning - more boats rides. This time on the pontoon(or as I like to call them - party barge).

Then afterwards Reed told Uncle Brad he wanted to ride the jet ski!?? Brad figured he would just sit on it.

Here's how it went down:

--Reed -- not too sure about getting on - even though he asked. Look at his face!
Uncle Brad convinces him though.

He explains to him that it's just like his John Deere tractor. No big deal...right?

Then off they go. Uncle Brad went slow and figured they would just float around the cove.

So Proud!! Then I yelled-- take him out in the lake!!

and off they went!! Look at their faces!

On the way back in!! BREAK THROUGH weekend. We figure Reed will be jet skiing by himself before the end of the summer!(just kidding).

Fun weekend fo sho!

This week is jam packed! Cocktails with friends, Wicked and then I head to West VA for a baby shower for bestie Kathleen. Yes, I know.... I don't like baby showers but it's for a first child and I wouldn't miss it because it's for Kat!!

Ciao!