Last blog of February

another month gone. Where does the time go? I used to think only old people said time flew. When I was little, time did not fly. Now it does. And I am not old. I can only imagine time when I am 40.

Hopefully by then there will be a cheap cure to crows feet and laugh lines. And fat-free peanut butter that taste like the real deal.

Here's to dreamin'.

Anyway, sorry for the lack of blogging this week. I have been sick. 102 fever on Tuesday - I don't remember being that sick. I felt like poo and, according to my sweet hubby, didn't look too hot either. Oh well.

I am better now. I woke up this morning, put on my new skinny jeans (onto my not-so-skinny-butt), grabbed my purse and headed to work feeling 90% like myself. There is nothing a cute pair of jeans and a nice purse can't cure. By now I am a little worn down, but my purse and jeans are still looking good. I made it through the day. Thank. You. Very. Much.

Trey's friend introduced this site to him - check it out. Please. It is quiet funny.

That's all for now. I have pictures to post, but will have to do it at another time. It's all about patience, people. You will just have to wait.

JTS, the third.

Saw this on a few blogs. Thought I would talk about Trey!

(Trey, in his office)

1. Who is your man? Jean Thomas Skaggs III, better known as TREY
2. How long have you been together? Starting dating in the fall of 2003 and were married in June of 2006
3. How long did you date? do the math. We were long distance for a while - he was a youth minister in Atlanta and I was a junior at MSU when we first started dating, then he moved to Hattiesburg to go back to grad school my senior year of college, so when I graduated I followed him here! We did spend our summers together at TLC in Maine, though :)
4. How old is your man? 27 - will be 28 in Sept.
5. Who eats more? Trey, for sure. He once ate a dozen cookies in one sitting
6. Who is taller? Trey - he is 6'3'', I am 5'5''
7. Who sings better? We both are pretty bad. But I will give him this: He plays the guitar and sometimes leads praise and worship for youth groups and his voice is not all that bad :)
8. Who is smarter? hmmmm... probably him. He has a higher degree and is very well read. However, I am full of random, pointless facts
9. Whose temper is worse? his, i guess, but it is not that bad. But I am a brat
10. Who does the laundry? TREY! Thank goodness!
11. Who takes out the garbage? trey, again.
12. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Trey
13. Who pays the bills? Trey ( i don't do math)
14. Who is better with the computer? me!
15. Who mows the lawn? We fight over who does this! I discovered I LOVE mowing the grass, and so does he. So he does the back (it's bigger) and I do the front. It's all about compromise!
16. Who cooks dinner? Me - but he is a good cook too
17. Who drives when you are together? Trey
18. Who pays when you go out? Trey, but it's the same account.
19. Who is most stubborn? we both are pretty stubborn.
20. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Me
21. Whose parents do you see the most? about the same. Trey hunts with his father, so sees him a lot during hunting sesion. His parents are an hour away and mine are about 3 hours away. We are blessed to see them both a lot! Actually, mine are coming today for the weekend! YIPPEE!:)
22. Who kissed who first? He kissed me first
23. Who asked who out? He asked me out
24. Who proposed? Trey did...at the same place my dad proposed to my mom
25. Who is more sensitive? Me
26. Who has more friends? We both have many wonderful friends! We both need to be better about staying in touch with old friends, though.

let me buff your heels.

I bought a ped-egg the other night at Bed, Bath and Beyond. You know, the egg shaped pedicure thing that comes on infomercials. I have been watching the commercial for a while now waiting for one more free offer to go along with the egg before I made my purchase.

Well, I was in BB & B the other night getting a shower curtain (for my new bathroom!) when I saw the egg. "As seen on TV" the sign said. Bingo. So I took my egg and curtain to the counter. I asked the little lady behind the counter if she pedi-egged her feet. She does not. But she did mention that the eggs were flying off the shelf. Sold. I will take it.

Let me tell you, readers, my feet feel like I just got an expensive pedicure, sans the pretty polish. I was so impressed, the first thing I did when Trey return from St. Louis was make him touch my feet. He was also impressed, I am sure.

Last night I even talked my husband into letting me ped-egg his feet. I have been wanting to give this manly man a pedicure since our first meeting nearly 5 years ago. His flip-flop wearing days have done a number to his soles. Now, because of this plastic egg, his feet are as smooth as a baby's bottom. (henry's, per say) I told him I will pedi-egg his feet nightly, as I will mine. We will be a smooth feet couple.

All this to say, if you don't have a spa pedicure in your monthly budget, get a pedi-egg. For $9.99 your feet can shine.

You can thank me during open-toe season.

i eat sawdust.

Construction is still underway as we speak. We gutted the bathroom (thank goodness!), tore down the wall between the kitchen and living room and closed up the existing doorway to the kitchen from the dining room. I don't think I could have handled anything more! It is driving me absolutely crazy that my house is covered in sawdust. So messy. My inner-melita is coming out and I have a sudden urge to pick up a mop and broom and not put it down until my whole life is in order. I realize that those of you out there who have been through MAJOR remodeling might think I am am wimp and exaggerating. I don't care. I don't like the dust. BUT, it will all be worth it (it already is!) but my tiny bit of OCD is coming out more and more as I stare at the 2 1/2 inch deep dust that surrounds my life right now.

It is not finshed yet - the drywall is still drying in the bathroom and no paint has been put up yet, but I have been asked to show the pictures thus far - so here you go!! I can't wait to share the final product! I never knew I would get so excited about a new toilet.

Anyway, here are pictures from our kitchen and living room. Yes, we have a VERY bright yellow kitchen. I painted it that color when we moved in. When we bought the house, the walls were the darkest wood you ever saw. I mean, the cabinets, walls, everything was this depressing dark wood. So I decided to paint it the polar opposite. I went overboard. Oops. Will be repainted (and remodeled) soon! Our whole point of this project is to sell it in about a year and make a profit - I think we will succeed in our goal!

BEFORE:
(with the island and bakers rack pushed to the middle of the room!)

DURING:
ALMOST COMPLETE!Before:
looking to the dining room from the living room
(with the furniture pushed to the middle of the room!)ALMOST DONE!
A look from the living room into the kitchen and dining room. Please notice the dust/dirt on my floor, furniture and walls!!

Now to the bathroom. Please, do not coment how gross my old bathroom was. I know this. That is why we got a new one!

BEFORE:

Ummm... Yes, that is a puch button flush toilet. The 50's called, they wanted it back.

DURING:

ALMOST COMPLETE:

YAY! I am so excited! I will post more when the projects are complete! In the meantime, I am so ready for Trey to come home. He has been in St. Louis since Friday. He will be home in a couple of hours!
HIP HIP!

my hump, my hump.

I attended my first MSU basketball game of the season this weekend. We won. Ole Miss lost. No, we did not play Ole Miss, but the fact that they lost thrills me. I will go ahead and say it: the thing I hate most about being 3 hours away from Starkville is missing all the MSU sporting events. I love a good b-ball game at the Hump, a fight on Scott field, and there is nothing better in my book than a spring day at Dudy Noble. But, alas, I am in Hattiesburg and I have to take what I can get. While I do like the burg, my heart is still maroon. I took off work yesterday because they are still working on our house and my home was sans a toilet and Trey is in St. Louis for work until Wednesday. Perfect. I shall go to God's Country for the weekend. GO DAWGS!

I went for a walk around campus saturday morning before the game with the sis and her BF. I took a lot of pictures. I am so jealous of those stinkin' freshmen that have 4 years to enjoy of the beautiful place!! So much has changed! Here are some FABULOUS pictures of God's Country. Yes, I took pictures of me with the people working in the brand spankin' new Union. We are giving the university a thumbs up.
The pictures above were taken in the Cotton District. I lived there for only 1 summer in college, but it was fabulous. Lots of restaurants, bars, shops, etc... there. So precious. My cousin, Jake, lives there now. Super jealous. I love that place.

Sunday afternoon my mom, dad and I drove to see little man. Kristen was supposed to be on call all weekend, but came home with what could be the flu, so we took that as an opportunity to help out while Rob was at work on Monday. Yes, he has a nanny. We can't resisit his cuteness. He is so funny now. I miss him. He is just the cutest in the world. I honestly don't know how I will love another baby (mine, for example) as much as I love Henry man. My mom says it will happen. I will have to see it (or feel it) to believe it. I love him.
We took him to the park on Monday afternoon. He had the best time. Bless his little heart: it was 60 degrees, but we bundled him up like he was ready for the snow. There was a little chilly wind in the air, afterall. Plus, we have Mississippi blood.
OK, that is enough pictures for today.



Tomorrow is the finishing day for our house - be ready for pictures!!! So far it looks so great!

Day O Love

(not me)


Happy Valentine's Day. I bet you all wish you were working in my office right now. I made killer heart shaped cookies. Sugar with strawberry icing and red sprinkles. Pretty impressive.

My husband woke me up with heart shaped waffles for breakfast. Cute boy. They were delish. The perfect amount of spray butter.

He also bought me a brand spanking new, non-stick, life-time guaranteed....skillet.

Let me explain:A couple of weeks ago, dear Trey decided he would cook breakfast while I was still asleep. So he did. However, he also burned his breakfast - whole thing solid black. Windows had to be opened to control the smoke. He left the skillet on the stove - COVERED in black soot. Ruined. Done. Dead. I was...um....not a happy camper. It was a wedding gift, and those can be pricey.

So sweet boy bought me an even better one for V-day! He went to a cute store, The Kitchen Table, and told the ladies what he did. He said they laughed. Bless him. What a perfect gift. I love my husband.
Anyway, thought I would share.

On this day last year I listed things that I love, and also things that I do not love. I will continue that tradition.

THINGS I HEART:

1) I have a new found love for Trey's heating blanket. I used to be hot natured, now I am always freezing- which I hate. But his cozy heated blanket makes my heart happy. 2) Cherry Coke Zero. Just tried it recently. Don't knock it until you try it.
3) Remodeling my house. I can't wait to share all my pictures. Such a transformation.
4) Chinese children, namely of the female gender. This was on last year's list but it is such a love I thought I would carry it over to '08.
5) Volunteering with the hospice. I love it. They are precious people.

THINGS I DO NOT HEART:
1) Living 3 hours away from the fam. May not be that far, but it is still an afternoon drive. I am going to see them this weekend. Mama, go ahead and clear you schedule...I got tons of things planed.
2) Stupid parents of college kids. My job has helped me develop this hatred. Stupid people.
3) Getting chill bumps after I shave my legs.
4) Hardy Street 5) rednecks who yell at their kids in public places. Wal-mart or Target, per say.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S! Hope you feel loved today!

please come over. Shower, if you want.

Tomorrow is the big day! I AM GETTING A NEW BATHROOM!

You do not know how much this thrills me. Let me elaborate, as I always choose to do:

Trey and I live in a sweet little 1955 home. Original hard wood floors in the living room, dining room and bedrooms. Big picture windows. 3 bedrooms/ 1 bath. Which is fine - there are only 2 of us. Bad thing is this: the bathroom. I tried to paint it to cover it up with little to no improvements made. So we are gutting it and starting over! HIP HIP HOORAY!!!

I will show before and after pictures soon!

I am so blessed to have a wonderful husband that goes along with my remodeling plans! He could care less about a nice bathroom. Me? I like a nice vanity!

anyway...had to share my joy.

Oh, you may be asking "One bathroom...where will you shower for work?" no fear, friends. I work in housing. I got a key to an empty private dorm room. :) Trey is going to love this....

not a dancer, an artist.

Friday night Trey and I were in attendance at a 4-6th grade Valentine's Ball. Yep. That's right. Chaperones. I have the pictures to prove it.

Our church adopted a local school here in the burg. We offer tutoring, assistance to the teachers, and good behavior prizes - like a Valentine's ball. My only regret is that I was unable to attend the K-3rd grade party. They decorated Valentine cookies. I am sure there was little to no double dipping and finger licking in that icing. It was at noon on Friday. We were at work.

Lucky for us, the 4-6th grade dance was at 5 on Friday. Perfect. Count us in. Please don't be mistaken (as I was) that just because these kids were young that they did not know how to get down. They do. And they did. I especially enjoyed the company of this one young man. I noticed that while the other kids knew the latest moves, he did not. He stayed in the back... alone. So I told him he looked sharp, asked his name, and asked if he was having fun dancing. His response?
"No. I don't dance. I am an artist."
Classic. He is pictured on the right.

Below are a couple more pictures from the night, including mine and Trey's "7th grade dance pose" picture. Perhaps a Christmas card for next year? We shall see.

Proof that age has nothing to do with getting down abilities:

Hawkins Dance from Heather on Vimeo.

fevruary tha fifth

Ok, ok....so I started my birthday post on today's date. I TOTALLY didn't forget about you, Sam! I did wish you a happy day on the trusty facebook.

My highschool BFF guy - friend, SAM, had a birthday Tuesday! Happy belated!

When he was little, he is on video saying "my birfday. yeah! fevruary tha fifth! yeah!" in all his curly haired cuteness.

Check out Sam and his cute wife's blog here.

Anyway, Sam, thanks for commenting implying that I left you out! SO SORRY! I hope Tuesday was fabulous!!

Sam, basking in his birthday glory.

They say it's your birthday.

I hate to be so impersonal, but I am going to have to use one blog post for all my beloved February birthdays. I am a little (ok, a lot) busy right now, so important things (like blogging) are taking a backseat. My apologies.

FEBRUARY 7 - TODAY! - TIFFANY
Today is my cousin's SWEET 16! I can not believe she is 16! Tiffany is my cousin's oldest daughter. I remember the day she was born. She was the first great-grandchild on my mom's side of the family so I thought that immediately made my family old. I was 9, people, give me a break. Anyway, I remember running to my neighbor's house to tell them my cousin had a little girl. NOW YOU ARE 16! that is just crazy. I love you, Tiffany, and I hope today is the best day ever....you deserve it!

FEBRUARY 8 - KATE
My sweet Dallas friend has a birthday tomorrow! OH HAPPY DAY! I miss this girl so much. We lived together in the Cotton District the summer after our sophomore year. She is so much fun. Kate was the fashion icon of our friends. We lived next door to each other our sophomore and junior years, so I was convinced my senior year I would never look ok without Kate's constant advice. She is a great friend - i just wish Dallas wasn't so far! I LOVE YOU, KATE! Happy quarter-life birthday!




FEBRUARY 12 - MIMS
Oh, Mims. The stories I could tell. This friend hails from Minter City, MS, readers. Are you familar with that town? Didn't think so. Oh I love Mims. She is in OT school now getting all smart and stuff. I never lived with her in college, but lived in close enough vicinity to her in the KD house to tell enough stories. I am so glad we were able to hang out over MLK weekend. I miss my friends. Anyway, I LOVE YOU, LAURA MIMS! Happy quarter-life birthday to you too!

FEBRUARY 16 - CANDACE
Tiffany's younger sister, Candace, turns 11 on the 16th! This really makes me feel old. (enter quater-life crisis here) Sweet Candace is so precious. Although Tiffany might disagree, I have never seen sweet Candace be anything but precious. I hope you have the best birthday in a couple of weeks. Make Tiffany drive you places now that she is 16. I love you, sweet Candace!





FEBRUARY 27 - JAKE

Sweet Jake. My only cousin on my dad's side of the family. We are more like brother and sister than cousins - and I love it that way. We grew up together...both went to good ole' Starkville Academy. I love this boy. He is not only beautiful outside (well he is, people!) but also on the inside. (is that cheesy) He is a sweetie. Jake is following my footsteps and working at the same camp in Maine next summer! I am so happy (and jealous) for him. Anyway, Jake, are you really going to be 21? Please tell me I have that wrong. So not right. I love you much, little boy, HAPPY 21st!

February 27th is also my sweet friend, KATHERINE's birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! She is in Memphis being all smart and stuff. We were both KDs at state - and again, I have too many stories on her. My favorite being a little incident that occured in Mal-function-junction our sophomore year. Love it. Anyway, Katherine, if you are reading this...HAPPY BIRTHDAY later this month! I miss and love you!

whew...i think that is it.

Sad news.

If you are a faithful reader, you might have read about the fact that I volunteer on the weekends with a local hospice by visiting an alzheimer's patient who lives with her daughter and son-in-law. Precious lady.

After visiting with her and her caregivers Saturday, I left her house in tears - I knew it would probably be the last time I saw her. I could tell it was close to time for her to pass.

Well, I got word at about 8:30 this morning that she did, in fact, pass away early this morning. I cried at my desk.

I told myself when I decided to do this that I would not become too attached to the patient. They are hospice patients, and by the definition of hospice - they are all dying. Let me just say that it is much easier said than done. I was so attached to sweet ms. lucille, and her family.

I am going to miss her, but after seeing her on Saturday and seeing the pain and suffering that was going on, I know that it is all for the best. She is in a much better place now - free of all her pain and no more terrible alzheimer's disease. She is free now!

If you are a praying person, please keep her family in your prayers. It was not an unexpected death by any means...they have been preparing for this day for years...but it does not make it any easier. When I was visiting with the family on Saturday, they were all very anxious and felt comepletly helpless. I know they must be experiencing a sense of peace about it all, but death is never easy and they are heartbroken. Just pray for this griefing process. It is not easy, even when the death is so inevitable.

no soup for you. come back one year.

The following may sound like a Seinfeld episode, but it is real life, people.

ok, so I know I mentioned a few posts back about Mississippi being a little...well...plump, but this is taking it to the next level.

According to USA Today, there is currently a bill being proposed by the Mississippi legislature (and I quote)

"Any food establishment to which this section applies shall not be allowed to serve food to any person who is obese..."

It goes on to say that every food establishment in Mississippi will be given the criteria by which a person is considered obese and if the customer falls into that category - tough luck! No food for you!

Can you imagine??? This will never pass, people. I am all about getting our little big problem under control, but is this the way to do it? Isn't it a constitutional right that one can eat?

The punishment for restaurants who continue to serve the chubby?

"The proposal would allow health inspectors to yank the permit from any restaurant that "repeatedly" feeds extremely overweight customers."

What?? Talk about pro-active.

I suggest a slightly different approach:

1)we need to educate the people about nutrition. Some people, i think, are honestly clueless

2) we need to get a handle on our poverty issues. I see a direct correlation between obesity and poverty. Bad food is cheaper, people. Have you seen the 99 cent menus?

3) Get in the schools and get healthy. Children spend the majority of their days during childhood at school and/or in day care. WHY are they serving pizza with cookies and chocolate milk and coke to 2nd graders for lunch? Nutrition is a lifestyle that needs to begin early in life.

Maybe I will call the legislature.

In the meantime, check out the article by clicking here.

I do give props to Mississippi for attempting to fix this problem.

SIDE NOTE: Sophie went to the vet yesterday. She had to get shots, get cut, etc...

Her hair is the shortest I have ever seen!! We have never used the vet for grooming purposes, but she was due for shots and it was just convienent. They left her tail and ears just as long, but everything else is SO short. I am going to have to take a picture.

She kinda looks like the dog to the right..but is still beautiful, of course! Picture to come...