The Love List!

I have been so busy with work! This whole babysitting/law clerk/receptionist/personal assistant/real estate property leaser/ has gotten me running in circles. I don't have time for "ME," and I'm not liking it in the least! I haven't had time to catch up on news, watch Wimbledon, read my new books, lay out, work out at the times I want to and the list goes on. Needless to say, blogging has come last on my 'to do lists' as well.

I don't know how ya'll feel about all the news lately and whats going on in the world, but I'm almost sick of reality! I wish that I would wake up tomorrow and miraculously the oil leak has stopped, Joran Van Der Sloot actually told the truth for once in his life, (I'm hoping he has a short lived one) I'm sick of hearing about kidnappings/abductions, I'm tired of the growing economic downfall.  I have put a list of things that make me happy, they are simple things but they are escapes. Also, it's a great way to learn more about my quirks

Okay ya'll are going to laugh at me! I love this group called "Vineyard Sound" They wear all Vineyard vines apparel. I mean cute preppy metro well dressed guys with some mighty voices, of course I am a fan!





And check out this one too!



And here is the best scene ever about singing Capella, It's a horrible quality version, but NBC has weird copyright regulations, but I cannot watch this scene without cracking up, Pure love!!





here is another video of what makes me happy! I have never been big on musicals, as a kid I didn't enjoy them. I always thought to myself, 'why do they have to sing about what they are feeling, why not just say it?' haha but i just love love LOVE this! I think it's impossible not to watch this and not break a smile ; )

I also have a love for the following

I am OBSESSED with the NEW nike tempo shorts, they are called the NIKE Pacer shorts. They have the same look as the TEMPO but sit lower on the hips. I absolutely have to get a size Medium in them. I hate my work out shorts to cling to me, so I always go for a size bigger to make sure I have plenty of extra room in the legs to move around and be comfortable, I have 3 pairs already and want at least 2 more. I cannot stress how much these shorts fit better and look better!! the durability is also a plus along with the price!

also oldies music makes me happy along with this man's music
Ray Lamontagne is so talented and that voice of his, I could listen to for the rest of my life! so soothing and sooo sexy!

This device also makes me happy, whether lounging by the pool or taking a jog, it's always with me!

and last but not least, what makes me the happiest of all?...... these people! no matter what I'm going through or what I need at any particular time, my circle of friends just seem to fit perfectly......... and that is something that will never go out of style!

What Else Can Happen??

I have been holding this entry for a couple of days because It's been hard to write. I first cannot stress how furious I am at 'Big Oil Companies.' It's disgusting to see their selfishness and greediness. It's also disgusting to see how Americans just don't care about what is happening or maybe more disgusting they don't completely understand nor comprehend what this does to our environment. These are just a few pictures I got the last day at the beach.

The pictures above are not good at all, these are probably the first pictures taken of the oil hitting the beach of Gulf Shores.  The top picture is broken up oil about to hit shore and the above picture is a mass of brown like oil about to wash to shore. It's funny how that morning and all that day the beach and weather was AMAZING!

The next picture are coast guards or BP supervisors "ASSESSING" the situation, when I say assessing, they were actually asking beach goers to take their pictures with the oil washing up to shore in the background..........and the group of "Supervisors" were smiling.........I have a lot of words I would insert here, but I'm choosing not to!

The next picture would be the double red flags flying in the air letting everyone know the ocean is not safe for swimming and is closed!

The next picture is a bulldozer of tar and oil filled garbage bags from the beach.

I still cannot believe this happened, This area had to overcome Katrina just a few years ago and now they are facing an oil spill. What else can happen? This country is not slipping anymore it now has a million pound weight tied to it's feet and was just thrown overboard! Between the economy, the war, environmental downfalls and the way of the 'American Society' we need a big slap in the face! I would like to point out these problems just didn't start with a new president either! I would like to point out these kind of happenings usually happen when a lot of wealthy people just get wealthier and the poor just get poorer and the middle class just slides down hill too........I will let you all come up with your own assumptions to what I am referring to.

On a different note that doesn't make me want to move to Australia, I would like to add I have had the busiest day!! I live in an apartment complex and I ran this (late) morning in some neighborhoods close by. I also met with my "little sisters" and we had lunch, then I went to work where I babysat my bosses little baby! I have been sitting for her until about 30 min. ago because my boss and her husband wanted a "date night." Since I don't have a social life, (hahaha) I didn't mind!

I'm BAAAAAAA-ACK!!!

     I am officially back in T-Town and officially unpacked! I had a wonderful time in Gulf Shores with my Mom and a few of her sisters.  We stayed at my Mom's brother's family beach house and it was amazing! We laid out on the beach everyday but one day and we didn't see oil until the last day. Gulf Shores this time of year is usually packed out, but because the scare of oil reaching the beaches on the coast it was less crowded than usual. We didn't mind the less than crowded restaurants though!
    Here are a few pictures of laying out and going out to dinner!

If you haven't guessed, that's my momma and me in the picture above! Yes, my hair is naturally curly!

Oh and here is a pic of the best watermelon, yea it's exciting.........

And yes, we ate it all!! and yes I wouldn't be surprised if I gained 15 pounds in  9 days from tons of seafood and eating ice cream almost every night with fried apple/peach pies! When we were not laying out on the beach or stuffing out faces at the many fantastic restaurants we were SHOPPING!!! Gulf Shores offers outlet stores like Ann Taylor, J. Crew, and Polo just to name a few. Needless to say, my wardrobe just expanded and I finally decided the theme of my kitchen while shopping!

here are pictures of the ways my mom spoils me!

That is right, a new beach bag, shorts, jeans, a purse, dresses, house shoes and books!! I may have gotten a lot but I got a GREAT deal on everything! So if anyone out there needs a date to a wedding anytime soon.........I might have to brag a bit and say I don't look half bad in the black dress and the charcoal and white seersucker dress would be great for a rehearsal dinner (wink, wink. ; )    I am also so excited to read all my books, and trust me these are not going out of my sight. Since under-grad I would lend out books to my friends to read and I never get them back! My favorite two from the shopping trip are actually picture books! The two Kennedy ones are pictures of their life, I am fascinated with this family!

I stated earlier that I found the theme for my kitchen and here it is!!

It's all nautical!! I had a guy actually suggest this! He suggested I use the colors Red, White, and Navy. I think he chose right, it's not girly and I can use my Ole Miss platters and Alabama platters too! For a military guy, he has a little taste!! While shopping at the beach, I saw the large bowl and that was the piece that grabbed my attention and made me decide that is what I wanted plus it was the very last one, so I knew it was meant to be, HAHAHA! It's going to take a little while and some cash but i think it will be soooo CUTE! Anchors Away!

Tomorrow I will post pictures I took the last day we were at the beach and the oil. It is so sad to see this happen! I am furious that British Petroleum (B.P.) is letting this leak into OUR oceans! AND, Joran Van Der Sloot is finally behind bars and is behind bars in PERU none the less! The maximum sentence is 35 years, reason being: no person has ever completed serving 35 years, they either are killed by other inmates or die due to living conditions before serving 35 years. B.P. weeks ago tried jamming the oil leak with trash, I think I know of some "human trash" they could have tested with that experiment !

I'm off to the gym to work out! I need to make sure I can still wear my clothes I just bought and make sure I can fit into my other clothes as well, the pictures of me in a swim suit were just plain depressing, it's time to get into gear about this!

A look into my productive day...so far!

      I leave for the beach Saturday morning with my Mom and Aunt and the rest of my Mom's side of the family will be down there or meeting us later. I am leaving tomorrow afternoon and headed home so we can leave bright and early Saturday! I am really hoping this Oil Spoil thing will not impact my time of soaking up some sweet rays on the beach. I already dislike gas and oil companies for their greediness and I really don't want to add another reason to STRONGLY dislike them.

     I decided to take some pictures today of things I have been doing! (be prepared to be bored)

     I woke up this morning and finished packing my clothes and beach bag, I only have my cosmetic bag left to pack!

I also made my famous Tuna Salad! I absolutely love tuna and chicken salad. During my time from Ole Miss to Alabama my parents made me get a job for a bit and my Mom had a great idea for me to work at a Deli/Catering business. It was actually a smart move! I learned so much about cooking and catering. I have friends that visit for football games and friends that come see me just to spend time with me and I can't help myself from making finger foods or baking!

The Tuna Salad only takes :
  squeezed tuna from a can (make sure it's tuna in water or albacore tuna in water)
  chopped celery
  Mayonnaise
  Lowery's Season Salt
  Apple Cider Vinegar

It's absolutely wonderful and So-So Easy! Here is the final product!

I also cleaned the Kitchen! I have a pet peeve about leaving my place a wreck when traveling for more than a couple of days! However, my brother will be there so I know when I come back it will NOT look like this!

While I was cleaning and making tuna salad I watched the Today Show through my bar opening! I am crazy about the Today Show! I still wish Katie Couric was still there!




I also sat at my dining room table and my To-Do list for the next two days and had breakfast. I also included a list of things for the beach that I might forget!



    I also wanted to remind everyone about Recycling! I have been trying to do my part in "Repower America" It's an Organization that Al Gore headed up about five or so years ago and it's amazing. These bags are less than a dollar at almost every grocery and department store.   They are easy to fold up and put in your purse or just keep them in your car so you already have them when headed to the grocery store! Did you know you have to use oil to make plastic bags? Did you know it also takes more oil to recycle them? Did you know that small animals can ingest the plastic bags and die if not properly thrown away?  I'm making a small contribution  and you can too by buying these bags and re-using them. Did you know that I have a link to "REPOWER AMERICA" at the bottom of my blog, so go check it out and learn more and start getting active in saving the planet! WE CAN SOLVE IT!

    While I was in Montgomery this past weekend for Memorial day visiting friends, I finally shopped at a "Fresh Market." I could honestly spend hours in this place. I also think it would be a cute daytime date. Fresh Market is just like any other grocery store but BETTER! I made my friend LU- LU eat there for lunch twice! I had a sandwich with chips and fruit the first day. The chips were so good and they only have 1 gram of sugars and starch with less than 12 grams of carbs! I'm officially addicted. I had to buy another bag to bring back to Tuscaloosa with me! These chips are great with salsa and they are also organic! This would be great to serve with salsa for a snack or appetizer on my newly renovated patio/balcony!

I have been at work and after some filing I decided to give my self a pedicure.....I mean I am going to the beach!

Well, that is about it..........I finished my blog for the day while working and I am about to call it a day here at the office and head to work out for hours on end!  I visit my two little girls tomorrow morning from my Big/little Sister program, did I mention how sweet they are?... and we're baking tomorrow!  I hope to make an entry or two while I'm away but if not, I hope everyone has a lovely weekend and great week next week! Wish me well while traveling and pray the oil situation doesn't get any worse! Love ya'll!