Oh hail!

I couldn't believe what was falling from the sky Friday afternoon! It started out as a thunderstorm, and then Bryce and I went to the window when we heard a little bit of hail. All of a sudden it was like golfballs were coming from the sky. They were bouncing all over the place. That's when we took cover. I couldn't hear my own voice over the hail pelting the back of our home. My MIL lives in Gallatin off of Brown's Lane. That's where the F3 tornado came through. Her house withstood the twister, but two streets up homes were leveled.

Here's the aftermath from our home:
Only our vinil got busted up in the back. None of our window were broken either. I consider us pretty lucky!

The newest addition to the family....

Here it is....in the flesh. And in my driveway.

{Infiniti G35}

This was on my list of "dream cars" on a previous blog, and my husband and I finally took the plunge and traded in our Jeep for this. It's such a fun car to drive! It's like a 4-door sports car. I'm very happy with our decision!

One Big FAT Blog

I haven't blogged since just before vacation. I've actually still been in the "vacation" mindframe since I came home Thursday night. I haven't had to work since I've been back, and reality is just now setting in. I also haven't had to get adjusted to the time change either! Okay, it's 8pm and I still have so much to do!

Arizona was a BLAST! My best friend celebrated her birthday on Sunday. We pretty much partied like rock stars the entire time we were there. There was alot of this:



Followed by this:

My sister made nice with the owner of a bar in Tempe, so we got to experience for the first time what it's like to be a VIP. Back door entrance, photos for the social pages, people buying you drinks. Loads of fun!

We also visited our old house in Avondale, AZ. It's changed alot since my parents moved to Tennessee. Here's a picture....

We all got along great for the four days we stayed together. I got too much sun (ouch!), but also got to blow off a little steam. I'm now relaxed, refreshed, and ready for whatever may come my way!

Two Peas Blog Challenge

How much do you normally spend in a scrapbooking store? How often do you normally shop in a store? Or are you an online shopper?

I usually go shopping at my local scrapbook store once every two weeks. My average amount that I spend on supplies is $20-40. Alot of times I have spent way more than that! I was shopping there yesterday and managed to get away for under $8! I have shopped online on very few occasions. I have to fondle my supplies. See it, touch it, smell it....you know! I will shop online for things that I can't get my hands on locally. I get alot of QuicKutz from e-bay :)

I'm Marcia Brady

You Are Marcia Brady

Confident yet kind. Popular yet down to earth. You're a total dream girl. You've got the total package - no wonder everyone's a little jealous of you.

What Brady Are You?

check out this website to find out which Brady you are!
http://www.blogthings.com/whatbradyareyouquiz/

Oh yeah baby!

I finally got a day off! I've pulled in mucho hours the past couple of weeks between all of my jobs. I leave for sunny Arizona Sunday morning! That's part of the reason for my mad work schedule. Since I only work PRN, that means I have no benefits now. No vacation time, no sick time...luckily Chris has the health insurance on us. So, needless to say, my trip will be sans pay, but WELL WORTH IT!

I'm going with two "non-scrapper" friends, so my time touring the LSS's will have to be alone. They absolutely think I'm crazy for spending my money on QuicKutz instead of a new Coach handbag. I did manage to sign up for a class at Scrapbooks-Etc in Mesa. I'll be taking Eva Flake's "Just My Type" class. All the things that scrappers do on the computer these days amazes me, and hopefully I'll pick up a thing or two in her class.

My grandparents are house/dog-sitting for my parents this week while they are cruising the Western Carribbean (LUCKY!). So, I promised Grandma I would take her to the mall today for a little bit of shopping. It should be fun! I need to pick up a new swimsuit for my trip: as much as I hate to see myself in one already. I hate the "first" time being seen in my swimsuit. I don't know why. After I break the ice the first time, I'm alright.

I never win!

Anything! You name it, I enter it. Drawings at work, at the grocery store and online. Heck, I didn't even win a prize at the baby shower I went to Saturday. I buy powerball tickets only to match a maximum of two numbers on a $10 ticket. I buy scratch offs only to win another ticket (that's a loser).

But, I do have what I like to call "random luckiness". My bouts usually happen in the form of retail.

I was at Victoria's Secret about a month ago buying a new bra. The lady at the register had the hugest pile of panties at her register that she was going through. She asked me if I wanted to go through them, because they were mistakenly left out of their semi-annual clearance sale. She was getting rid of them for $1. They were cute too!

I went to Sonic (my daily watering hole) on Sunday and ordered my usual. A large diet coke...not a lot of ice. What did I get? A Route44!!

That's the extent of my "winnings". But I guess it's the little things in life like a free upgrade of my favorite soft drink that will forever keep me smiling!

~~My top 5 Dream cars~~

This blog challenge really hit home with me. My husband and I are currently in the market for a new car, so if some of my "dream" cars seem practical, that's why. We're really trying to narrow down the field, but here are my top five!

1.) This baby above! The Infiniti G35 4-door coupe. This little car has everything that I love! I really like the sleek sophisticated look of the car.

2.) Nissan Maxima. I actually had a 1997 model years ago, and man that was a solid car. It had tons of zip and was loads of fun to drive.

3.) Nissan Murano

4.) If money were no option, the Mercedes CLK 500 Cabriolet.

5.) Man, it's harder to think of 5 cars than I thought it would be.....hmm...I'll say the new Ford Mustang GT, performance red. This was my single gal, pre-kids car. I loved it! Five-speed, spoiler, leather seats. AHH, I had a lot of good times in that car. But mine was a 2000 model, and I really dig the new retro body style on these cars.

Weekend Randomness

Okay, I really need to give props to this movie! I just finished watching "Walk the Line", and it was phenomenal! I'm shocked that it didn't win movie of the year at the Oscars, but I also haven't seen "Crash". I can't get over how well they sang in the movie. I just loved these two actors in this movie! And, being a southern gal probably helped peek my interest.

I raided Hollywood Video on Friday, and in addition to the above film, I also rented:
-In Her Shoes
-Flightplan
-Saw II
I planned on having a weekend indoors watching these movies, but the weather has been so awesome here! I've got spring fever BAD!! I'm ready to start landscaping projects. I got this really cool magazine in the mail last week that lists the different kinds of plants that look good together grouped in a bed. That's always been hard for me to put together, so now I'm really excited about getting down and dirty in the mulch!

What a day!

Well, first of all, today was BEAUTIFUL! It got up to almost 76 degrees here! I would always be a happy woman if the weather would stay like this. I was ready to start gardening. That's one of my biggest mistakes. I always plant at the first sign of spring, and then we end up getting another big frost or snow. But, that's me....impatient.

Bryce and I spent the day cleaning and playing outside. He's in this phase where everything's "mine", and he wants to "help, help". So he gets the swiffer. It's just right for him, and he doesn't feel left out. Now, if only I could teach him the correct way to work it. Oh well, as long as he stays busy I guess.

This is my man! I had to take this picture after he went to get his hair cut. FINALLY! Chris went almost three months without a trim. He was going for the Patrick Dempsey look, but it just wasn't happening (speaking of PD, he'll be on Barbara Walters tonight ;)). This is the most handsome look for you, honey. Freshly trimmed with my "barely beard".

LOVE YA!





So, I'm enjoying yet another season of American Idol. What I don't understand is why they have to show an episode three nights a week? I don't usually watch that much t.v., but I find myself rushing around five evenings out of the week just to be ready to enjoy my shows. Yes, I'm addicted!

I {heart} Travis and Sarah!

I've been totally sucked in by this season's Bachelor. I don't usually dig this show that much. I don't like the idea of playing with people's emotions, ya know? That's just a hurt that can't heal. But, it must've been the hometown connection that drew me in. Oh, and Travis....he's not so bad looking himself!

I didn't like Moana throughout the show. Almost everything she said to Travis sounded like something from a Hallmark card. Creative editing? Maybe. But I felt HORRIBLE for her when she got dumped on! I really think she thought she had her man. Poor girl! I wonder how she's coping?

Sarah seems like your typical southern girl. Kinda reminds me of myself. Whatcha see is whatcha get. I'm sure she has the "depth" that Travis needs in a relationship, and I wish them well. I can't wait to hear some updates on Nashville's new First Couple! Move over Keith and Nicole!

My NEWEST guilty pleasure....

Yep, my Ipod Nano. Who knew that a little piece of technology the size of a credit card could be so great. I never knew that I needed one until Chris got it for my birthday. This little gizmo has been the biggest treat that I've gotten in awhile. I've always loved my music and usually burn more CD's than I can keep up with. The Nano has been the solution to all of my problems! I never leave home without it. The accessories that come with it....OH MY!!!

I'll have to say that I'm pretty ecclectic when it comes to my music taste. My playlist has a pretty broad selection. Since I take it to the YMCA with me religiously, I have alot of booty shakin' music on there (of course). But some of my faves are:

Sheryl Crow: Perfect Lie
James Blount: Goodbye My Lover
Purple Ribbon All-Stars: Kryptonite (I'm on it)
Anna Nalick: Breathe (2 am)

Random Challenge for Monday

List 5 or more false impressions you give people when you first meet them. Things they assume of you but is completely wrong.

WOW! This is tough. I never really know what people think about me.

1) That I'm stuck-up. I'm really just quiet around strangers.
2) That I'm a good girl. Totally not (all the time).
3) That I have OCD. I just like things a certain way.
4) That I'm mean!
5) That I'm younger than 27.

A little celeb gossip today :)

WHAT WAS BRITNEY THINKING????
What exactly goes through Britney Spears mind when she does this stuff? OK, even if you or I have done it on a quick trip to the end of the block or whatever. We know its wrong and illegal. If you are Britney Spears and KNOW paparazzi follows you EVERYWHERE why would you do something so irresponsible? WHAT if the paparazzi caused a wreck and YOU KNOW her car has an airbag and it goes off? This picture reminds me a LOT of the one with Catherine Zeta Jones smoking while pregnant. BE AN EXAMPLE GIRL!

A few challenges today!

Not alot's been going on with the Dickens family lately. We were total vegetables Saturday. It was super cold and snowing, so we enjoyed some time indoors! I've got some challenges for today...I'm acutally going to try to do them all. Maybe it will help you all understand me a little better ;}

There's 3 today.

#1 Alright. Name from number 1-10 (or how ever many you want) and how those number are significant in your life.

1. The number of years we've lived in our new house
2. The age of my precious son
3. The number of scrapbook classes I have this month
4. I can't think of anything as the number 4, but 4 o'clock is the time my hubby gets off work, the time the nursery opens at the Y so I get to work out, and the time Oprah comes on!
5. The number of tv's blaring the superbowl at my house last night!

#2 The men are out of the house with the kids (can you imagine) for the night into the morning. You and five of your best friends are getting together to scrap, eat, and gab. What ***five*** chick flicks would you have ready to watch while you are scrapping????

OH! I {heart} chick flicks!
1. The Notebook
2. In Her Shoes
3. You've Got Mail
4. Fried Green Tomatoes
5. The Wedding Date



#3 What size do you primarily scrapbook and why?

I primarily scrap 12x12 because I teach alot of layout classes at my LSS. I'm afraid if I switched sizes, I would have such a hard time going back to the big canvas for class. One day, I would love to try 8 1/2 x 11 landscape. I'm usually a 1 or 2 photo per page person and I think that would look nice!

AHHH....Sheryl Crow Rocks!!!

Yep, I was there last night. Me, my best friend, and Sheryl Crow at the Ryman. It was a last minute offer that the tickets were given to me. I can't believe I actually hesitated about going. She rocked the house last night. Out of the many artists I've seen perform live, she's the only one who sounds better live than on the radio. After the concert was over, my friend and I decided to go up to the stage, in hopes that she would come back out for a "meet and greet" with the fans. Well, that didn't happen, but I did end up with one of her guitar pics and a playlist from the show. I can't wait to get some of her music uploaded to my nano!

Monday, Monday

I'm prepping myself for a long, hard day of housework. It needs to be done, and I'm sure I'll be glad when it is. Since I'd rather be scrappin', here's a little fun from the 2peas website before the real work begins!

List top 5-10 strength of yours as a scrapbooker.
1) I like to think I'm pretty good at mixing and matching different paper lines on a page.
2) I'm never afraid to try new techniques.
3) I save those scraps! You never know when you might need them!
4) Dragging out the old stuff and making it new again :)
5) completing layouts! I usually seem to get atleast one layout finished a week.

List top 5-10 weakness of yours as a scrapbooker.
1) I'm a paper hoarder! I buy all the cute stuff, and never have any pictures to go with it.
2) ORGANIZATION!!! Big-time lacking in this area!
3) I don't get out enough to crop with other scrappers
4) Journaling--I'm always reluctant to journal on a page for some odd reason?
5) Quickutz- This is a recent weakness....I've been buying dies to no end....

Bryce's 2 year portraits

I took Bryce to Portrait Innovations on Friday to have his two year portraits made. They did such a wonderful job! I had the hardest time deciding on which poses to choose. I narrowed it from 85 poses down to 8, so I feel like I did pretty good!

He was such a trooper throughout this hour and a half ordeal. He started out a little camera shy, but ended up being the biggest camera ham you've ever seen!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

I'm officially the big "2-7" today. YipEe!! I don't really have anything big planned today, since I feel like I ran all over the country yesterday. Bryce had his post-op follow-up appointment yesterday at Vanderbilt. We had to be there at 8:30, which I should've known would be impossible. Traffic going into Nashville on a rainy morning is horrible! Plus the construction around the hospital that rerouted me from my usual streets and turned me around. But on the upside of things, Bryce's ear is healing better than expected! No more surgeries in his near future. Thank God! OH!! I seriously contemplated walking through the ER while I was at Vandy to see if I could spot Dr. Stork (aka "The Bachelor"). I wonder if they have any patients that fake symptoms just to get in there to see him??

Hubby and I have lined up a sitter for tonight, and we're going out for dinner! It's been so long since we've been out alone together, I can't even remember the last time!

Rain, rain go away!

It has rained in middle Tennessee ALL weekend! And to beat all, it's such a COLD rain. YUCK! I wish that I didn't have to get out in it, but like the money-hungry mom I am, I signed up for 24 hours of call today at the hospital. Lovely....I got awakened by the sound of my beeper. It's almost like scraping fingernails down a chalkboard! Eight hours down, sixteen to go!

I'm so excited!! I'm planning a girl's trip to Scottsdale, Arizona the first week of April! I really hope everything works out. I have approval from hubby ;) and the PTO request is in! Next step, plane tickets baby!