July 31, 2007

Heather, Fire Chief in training.

I am back from my blogging sabbatical. I know I have been missed. I was not gone on my own free will, mind you. I was blog-absent due to the fact that AT&T had a fiber cut south of Jackson that affected my work. In layman's terms (because I asked) that means no internet. My question is this: someone please tell me how people functioned at work with no access to the outside world? It was, for lack of better words, awful. But I woke up this morning with a great feeling that the world wide web will be back in business when I got to work and alas, it was.

So here I am. Pull up a chair and grab a cup of coffee; I have plenty to share.

1) Trey and I have a house guest. Sophie, you ask? no. She is our daughter. Mice? Don't be silly. We have an actual human being staying with us for 5 weeks. My friend, Morgan, whom I went to school with from kindergaren - college has moved into the Skaggs' home. I only wish that I had a picture from us when we were in kindergarten that I could share.. We wore big bows in our heads back then. Anyway, she is in physical therapy school in Memphis and is doing a clinical at none other than Forest General Hospital here in the burg. Last night we painted our toenails, drank Merlot, and cooked baked chicken and rice. We also rented a girly movie and then watched Age of Love. It is like living in the KD house, only quieter! Trey I am sure loves this, evident in the fact that he visited a friend last night until about 8:30. WELCOME, MORGAN, TO THE 'BURG!

2) I was told yesterday that I was in the wrong profession. Let me back up. About a month ago the fire chief on campus asked me to design the fire plans for our new Residence Halls on campus. I thought this to be a very strange request to be given to the Marketing/PR girl, but I ask no questions here: I just do as I am told. So they sent over the floor plans from the architect and told me to make the fire plans. I am talking I had to decide where to put all fire extinguishers, pull stations, deisgn the escape route, etc... I told this man that I knew NOTHING of the sort and had no expierence in anything fire safety except that you should "STOP, DROP, and ROLL" if ever on fire. He told me I could do it. So I did. I deisgned the fire plan for one wing on one floor of our new building. This took FOREVER. literally. I didn't even understand what all those markings on the plans were, I was just designing a fire extingusher and placing them on the floor plan as I saw fit. Rules? Regulations? Knew nothing of them. I was totally
BS-ing my way through this. But I did my first plan and sent it over to Fire Safety for them to review. In the meantime, during our staff meeting I was letting them know that the fire plans were taking longer than I imagined. My boss looked at me funny: "YOU are designing the fire plans?" Uh, yes sir, as directed by the chief. He then proceeds to tell me that if there was a actual fire and kids got all burned, we could be held liable because, well, a young inexperience marketing manager decided where all the fire ext. should be placed. SCORE! I was off the hook. It wasn't a fun project anyway.

Fast forward to yesterday when I recieved a phone call from the fire chief:

He told me that I was in the wrong profession: I SHOULD BE DESIGINING FIRE PLANS WITH ENGINEERS/ARCHITECTS. I had to fight my urge to die out laughing.
He told me that he could not have done better after 30 years of training.
I told the nice man that I completely made it all up as I went and that according to my boss I was not to do it anymore for liabilty reasons. I should concentrate on actually marketing and PR. His response? "Darling. I got your back. This fire plan is immaculate. I will call your boss today.
CRAP! All this time I thought I was pretty good at designing websites, recruiting, publications, etc...when all the while it was a Fire Chief that was my calling.
I just hope they have cuter uniforms when I take over.

3) Trey and I went to TJ MAX the other night. He was bored after approx. 10 minutes of me searching through candles and lamps. (the possibilties are really endless at such a store). So he announced that he was going outside for a walk. I assumed since this store was conveintly located next door to an ice cream shop that he would walk back in with something fattening and covered in chocolate. No, my friend. He walked back in about 10 minutes later with a cup, two pieces of paper, and a huge smile.
While it is true that TJ Max is the neighbor to the ice cream place, it is also the neighbor to Shoe Carnival, the most ANNOYING store in america. Are you familar? They ask questions over the intercom and people fight over the answer before spinning the wheel to claim there price. For starters: I HATE CLOWNS and all things carnivalish. Anyway, my husband played their games for at least 10 minutes, feeling pretty proud of himself. He beat out 9 and 10 year old girls who were probably really looking forward to that 10% off pair of shoes. But no, Trey in his full competive self claimed victory over these pre-teens, thus resulting in a 15% off purchase of some shoes. Thanks, hun.

July 27, 2007

SUCCESS!

For a while now Laura and I have been trying (very unsuccessfully, until now) to get our beloved cousin, Adelia, to join the blogging world. She reads ours and comments on them, but for whatever reason, she didn't want to take that plunge.

Until last night...

Oh I am so excited. Now I can really keep up with this little girl. She and Laura are close in age, and act more like sisters than anything. They are so much alike it is scary. They even like the same music. country. vomit.

Anyway, I HAD to steal this picture from Laura of all 4 of us. Notice the adorable smocked -matching- dresses that my mom made.

The 3 sisters and cousin!

(L-R: Me, Laura, Adelia, and Kristen)

GO ADELIA GO! I WILL STALK YOU!!!
WELCOME TO THE BLOGGING WORLD, ADELIA!

July 26, 2007

Second Guess Thursday.

This morning my dear friend that works down the hall, Amy, sent me this card. You must click and view. Make sure your volume is up. I laughed out loud.

I think this card pretty much describes my life and my ability of decision making, or lack there-of.

Coffee or Diet Coke? Oatmeal or toast? Every morning these things enter my mind, and that is before 7 am.

This afternoon Amy came to my office and asked if I would like anything out of the vending machine.

I sat... I thought..... then answered 'no', although I was second guessing myself. Maybe I really did want something out of the vending machine. I didn't know. I suggested that we get out of the office and walk to Barnes and Nobles on campus and get something there. More of a variety.

WHAT WAS I THINKING? MORE to choose from? I should have stuck with the vending machine. 10 choices, tops. Not here. Row after row of food, candy, dried fruit, drinks, cereal, and so on and so forth. Really, I had no idea what to do. Salty or sweet? Something gummy or something with a little more substance? Healthy or junk? Was I thirsty?

The possibilties really were endless. Afterall, it is Second Guess Thursday.

I picked up approximately 6 items before I made my final decision: fat free fig newtons.
hmmmmm....Was it a good one? I don't know. You tell me. I mean, I already ate the cookie/cake (is it a cookie or is it a cake?) but I still haven't decided if the decision I made was a good one. Amy got combos. Oh how I love a good Combo.

This reminded me of planning our wedding. Literally, I could not do it. I felt like I made one fabulous decision (marrying Trey, of course) and couldn't possibly make another decision for at least 6 months, maybe more. Completely indecisive. What colors for your bridesmaids? Flowers? what about a cake? Reception place? Who will sing in the wedding? and what songs?
AHHHHH.
So many decisions. I made the important one, please someone, make the other's for me.

I am about to make one good decision today, however: In exactly 28 minutes I am blowing this joint and going home.

I hope today that you all made good decisions on Second Guess Thursday!?

July 25, 2007

Boy Shakira: the wonder, the mystery, the talent.

I have mentioned this before, but I shall say it again: Trey and I don't get cable. Never have. Trey never plans on it. (we will see about that) It works out fine because we honestly don't watch that much TV. Some people I know TiVo all things trash, ie Murry.

Well, every now and then I get hooked on a show that comes on one of the two stations that we do get. A few months ago it was "You're the One that I want". Trey really hated this because each time I spoke of the show, I would sing it. After the final episode I was convinced that I wanted to be a musical star. Didn't so much work out as planned because, well, I can't sing. but still, I adored that cheesy Greese Academy show.

Well, lately it has been America's Got Talent. I have watched this show since the first audition. This show is going to make it for a few reasons: 1) Jerry Springer is the host and 2) The Hoff is a judge. With these two men, can one really go wrong?

Where else on TV, cable or no cable, can you sit down for an hour and see vocal performances, ventriloquism, people on stilts, magicians, and boy shakira?? No where, I tell you. That is why this is entertainment at it's finest.


Yes, this fine man (?) has made it to the top 20, much to The Hoff's dissaproval.
Last night he pulled out all stops and dressed like non other than former pop-princess Britney Spears. Will he make it through? Stay tuned.

and in other AGT news, check out local Pakinstan native, Kashif. Now if this young man (age 33) doesn't scream talent than nothing does. Kashif, you make America proud.

July 24, 2007

Christmas in July, anyone?


Last weekend while in Starkville I noticed the downtown stores had sales for Christmas in July.
JACKPOT!

So I called my mom this morning with a small wish list of items for the festivites.

Seems as though Melita, or Santa Claus for that matter, doesn't celebrate this wonderful holiday. bummer. Guess I will hold on to my wish list until December....

In the meantime, I have a story to share:

I was carded for a PG13 movie.
You heard right.
You have to be 13 to see the film. I am 24.

-sigh-

When I am 34, please, by all means card me for a glass of wine, but getting carded for a movie when I am 24??? Come on, people.

Granted, Trey did drop me off in front of the ticket office (there was a line, he didn't want to wait) and I was wearing an over-sized sweatshirt (I get cold in the movies) , no make-up and my hair was in a pony-tail, but still. 13?

I laughed at the little man who asked for my ID, who more than likely was at least 5 years younger than me. His response?

"Sorry, we are just really cracking down on this"?

On what??? Accusing a married woman of being a pre-teen?
Geez.


Oh LiLo


She just can't get her act together. And to think I was actually pulling for her to make it through this. Looks like she is heading to jail after all.
I still think she is the little red head on Parent Trap. Readers, don't trust celebs. They will break your heart.

July 23, 2007

a crawl to the pub


Dear readership,

my apologies for my postings, or lack there-of. It was a busy week last week which ended in a major headache on Friday morning. But I am back in full force and ready to share pictures of my life, as I am sure you are all anticipating them greatly.

A couple of weeks ago Trey and I participated in Hattiesburg's downtown Pub Crawl with our friends, Toby and Kate. It was a very intense game of trivia amongst a very eclectic group of Hattiesburg locals.

I tend to like winning, so when I was informed that there was a prize to be won, my whole mindset changed from that of enjoying a night out to that of a competitive fool. In the end we did not pull out a W. I blame Kate and Trey for our loss, as they were in it to have fun, not to win. Toby and I were willing and ready to pull out all stops (including cheating) to receive that winner's giftbasket, which I am sure was full of items such as koozies and t-shirts.
Despite our unfortunate loss in the game of hattiesburg trivia, we had a great time. Personally, I can not wait for next year where I will surely be up for a challenge.

The Team, "Team Ellie". Myself, Trey, Toby and Kate



Dear Aunt Laura and Cousin Max,

Thank you so much for babysitting me for two whole nights. I had so much fun. My mommie was really worried about leaving me for that long, but I told her I would be fine. She can sometimes be a little silly.

First of all, Max, I still haven't forgiven you for not sharing your dingo bone. My mommie says I should forgive and forget, but I just can't.

And Aunt Laura, I am really sorry for going #2 on your floor. I was just so excited I couldn't control myself any longer. I told my mommie and she is so embarassed. I really am sorry.

I hope that I can come back and play soon. I slept the whole way home yesterday because I was so tired from having so much fun.

My favorite color is pink.

I love you both,

XOXO - Sophie

July 17, 2007

weekend re-cap

"what 'chu lookin' at?"

I don't have a lot of time to write, but wanted to share a few things/pictures.

It was a WONDERFUL weekend...Trey and I hung out a lot, Susanna's visit Sat. night was fabulous and I got to see my sister, brother-in-law, and precious nephew. What more could I ask for?

Henry thinks it is HILARIOUS when someone sneezes, so naturally we all faked a pretty dramatic sneeze just to watch him laugh. adorable. Here he is laughing at his daddy's VERY fake and VERY loud seenze. If you click on the picture and make it larger you can see his two little teeth!


H is for HENRY

Happy Tuesday, readers.

Yesterday I was in Jackson all day for a Photoshop workshop. Very interesting/overwhelming/fun. Anyway, I decided to go on Sunday and spend the night with Kristen, Rob, and Henry Thomas.

They are in the process of changing a room in their house to Henry's playroom. She asked me to paint canvases spelling his name to hang up in there. She wanted them big and 'cartoony'. We hung them up with green ribbon Sunday night.

Thought I would share!