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Thanks for the comment BREN!

Well, Brenna is right, that first picture sucks. I look like a EMO teen boy! Gosh, I hope I don't look like that all the time. I cannot find my camera. So, Joe took the pictures with his blackberry and all I got were two chances. You would never know people used to pay me money for taking my picture. Oh, I just had a thought! I think I look like Eddie Munster! Wasn't that the son's name on the Munsters. crap, I look like a Munster!

New Hair AGAIN!!

So, I decided to go back to red. I REALLY liked being blonde, but I feel more like myself red. Also, it's really expensive to keep the blonde up. The new red is a little darker than I might like, but it's growing on me. It's a little shocking to me. Oh, and Joe took the pictures and is way over taking my picture. He wouldn't wait for me to make a semi normal face. It's my fault because I am never happy with the pcitures and I make he take several trying to get a good one.

Christmas Spirit...a day late

Okay, so I have had the HARDEST time getting in the Christmas Spirit. I have gone through the motions. Listened to the music, baked all the stuff, watched the movies, but still just kinda blah. Not Bah humbug, but just blah. Usually, I have on the Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving and listen to nothing else at all. But, this year I have found myself starting out with "holly Jolly Christmas" and then somehow get to "walk like a ZOmbie" .....
I really think it's because a lot of our traditions, we just can't do this year. Joe and I usually take Bella to Nashville for the ICE exhibit. It's amazing! But, this year we are short on time. Joe's sister and Brother-in-law usually have a big caroling party, but not this year. And the biggest thing I am missing is Kansas. I think there are just 2-3 times in my whole life I have not gone back for Christmas. When I was younger we were there for Christmas, but now everyone in my immediate family can't go, We go the day after Christmas. But, this year I can't go. Joe tried very hard to make it happen. He found a great deal on tickets and was going to suprise me. He even called my boss so I could get the time off. My boss called him back and told him that he had rearranged the whole schedule and I could have all the time off I needed except for this Sat. That is really nice and I really appreciate him trying to accomadate, but the deal Joe found had to fall over that Sat. So, now I have a bunch of time off except for Sat. For me Kansas and Christmas go hand in hand. I feel this desperate need to be there. I have a big family and I am close to most of my cousins and VERY close to my Aunts and Uncles and I can't begin to tell you how much my Gram means to me. My Grandfather dies last Feb. and I never realized how much I would miss him. My Gram and I can talk and talk. We are very similar in a lot of ways. My Grandfather was more quiet and our relationship was different. But, he was just someone I loved and counted on being there. A permemnt fixture. Now, that he is gone I am realizing that more of those "fixtures" will not always be there.
Kansas always held the perfect Christmas for me. I loved that even though we lived far and didn't get to see family as much as we wanted, when we came back we just fell into place. I know things change and I have traditions with my little family that I hold so dear but I can't help miss the candlelight service at the church in Wellington (when they turned off the lights and it was just the candles,it was magic to me when I was little), the way snow literally glistened on the fields, the hot candy and carrot cookies at Gram's, the cousin reunion on Dixie's, Christmas at my Aunt Pat's house, sitting around the table at the farm just talking and eating. I still can feel it, smell it, just everything.
I know this is a huge post and if you have made it this far, thank you for reading and having patience. Please, don't get me wrong. I am so grateful for what I have here in Georgia. I can never put into words how thankful I am for Joe. Whatever I can say is just not enough and seems trite. The reason I named this Christmas spirit a day late is because I did find my Christmas spirit, yesterday. I had SUCH a good Christmas with my family. We just had the best time being together. I am so thankful for my sisters and their families, my parents, and my Joe and Bella.

Crazy lights

Over the weekend we stayed at Joe's parents house to celebrate christmas with them. Saturday night, Joe's parents and one of his brothers and his wife went to a Christmas party while we stayed at the house with Joe's sister, Jane and her husband Peter. We had Bella and the brother at the party's kids. They had made cookies earlier in the day. So, Peter and Jane had a great idea to box them up and take them to the firehouse and police station as a "thank you and Merry Christmas" The girls made Christmas cards and were so excited to give them to the fireman. It was the cutest thing to see these sweet little girls handing out the Christmas cookies and cards to the fireman and policemen. The fireman and policemen seemed really suprised and very grateful. After that we drove around and looked at Christmas lights. (I learned that I don't have much patience when I am sitting in the very back of our mini van next to two giggiling girls) I was very impressed. There were two house inpaticular that just went NUTS! I don't know when these people start setting up, but I wouldn't be suprised if it was before Thanksgiving. It's really neat to see people do things just for fun. I am so tired of people cancelling fun things due to the "economy". Life goes on people! Anyhow, enjoy the pictures.

Swap

we spent the weeking with Joe's Family to celbrate Christmas. When we got home late last night I was so excited to see a package on my front porch! I was like a little kid, I ran up the stairs and grabbed it. I was so excited when I opened it. My cousin Leslie had my name in the Winter swap my sister, Brenna organized. It had slipper socks, bath and body works hand soap, a beauituful scarf, adorable home made notecards, homemade snack mix, notepads, and a really cute ornament. Thank you so much Leslie! I LOVE<>

Here we go again,

About every six months or so, Joe and I go through this. We start thinking about having another baby. Not to go into too much detail, but my pregnancy with Bella was not a cake walk. I know a lot of women go through a lot worse than what I did, but not being able to drive was a big pain in the butt. This time I wouldn't have the luxury of Brenna driving me around. The driving issue was due to the horrible migraines that I would get that effect my vision and sometimes speech. At one point we thought I might have a tumor. I really have a chari malformation. It's where a part of your brain hangs down into your neck putting pressure on your spinal chord. Sounds crazy, but mine is not as bad as it could be. I also had some heart issues, too. But, the delivery went great and Bella was beautiful and perfect! So, it was completley worth it.
For awhile the conversation of having another baby was about giving Bella a sibling. I was really worried about her being alone. But, that has changed. I don't worry about that so much. She won't be alone. It's morphed into more wondering if our family is complete. How do you know? I have talked to some people who just know they are done, but the feeling lingers for me. We have thought about adopting, but we just do not have the money and frankly I am a little frightened of putting Bella through possibly loosing a sibling. I know even if we had a biological baby there is a chance somthing could happen. I am also nervous because I know some people who kinda scare me away from having more kids because of how gard it is. i am not scared of hard, but we have kind of hit our groove. I just don't know what to do.
This is a little off the subject, but a lot of people have told me to pray about it and I have for years. Sometimes, I think because we haven't had another child, that is our answer. But, I really would like to feel peace about it and I just don't. I get frustrated when i hear people say "god said" or "god spoke to me" Do they mean they heard God speaking to them or do they just get a feeling. Because I can make myself think things. Don't get me wrong I have seen god work in my life. I see it and aknowlede it. give it full respect.
I don't know if it would even be possible. Last time we were thinking about having a baby, I asked my primary Dr what he thought and he litterally winced and said that I needed to ask my obgyn and if thought it was okay then he would recommend a high risk dr. for me. I asked my obgyn and he did the same thing and said I needed to get my cardiologist on board. So, I went to the cardiologist and didn't even get to the baby talk because he said he found a small hole in my heart and that kinda threw me for a loop. my primary said that he didn't feel like the hole was a big deal. I never get straight answers. So, as I am writing this I realize this might all be a mute point or a "moo" point.

I am trying to redecorate my bedroom. It the last place always to be cleaned and if company is comming I throw stuff in there and shut the door. So, it's just a ridiculous mess. I picked out a new paint color for the walls. It's a gray. Sounds dreary, but I have bright things on the walls and the comforter I want id purple. So, it might work. i always think painting is going to be so much fun and then not even half way through I decide that it is not so much fun! joe painted bella's room a really pretty pink color and hung these cute cupcake things everywhere. I have to give him a lot of credit. i don't know if other husbands do this, but he gets really into helping decorate the house. Sometimes, I don't love the things he wants to put up (wooden Johnny Cash picture, I love johnny Cash, but the picture is a really upclose picture decopoged to a wooden board. Joe didn't make it or I would just let it go) But, I can't say much because he didn't say one word when I asked him to hang my autographed Framed Twilight poster in our bedroom.

Girl Power

I am not a feminist, man basher. I love my husband and men in general. But, sometimes there are things that just make me proud to be a woman. It sounds kinda silly, but last Sat. we had this great singer/songwriter perform at the Crimson Moon. (another reason I love my job, I get to see amazing people perform) Her name is Jenifer Daniels. She was just amazing. Imagine a really enthusastic Sarah Mcglaughlin (I know I didn't spell it right, but you get the point). She was really great. It makes me wonder how she is not at the top of the charts and songs like Womanizer are number 1. (I have to admit that I like that song, but it doesn't take much talent. I could have Bella say womanizer over and over again and put music behind it and get close to the same outcome. I'm not Brittney bashing, because she is a guilty pleasure for me. Her music rocks on the treadmill..I'm way off point) ANYWAY, she was HUGE pregnant, with TWINS and singing so beautifully and dancing around the stage and playing her guitar. She just was amazing. Did I say amazing? cause she was. The pictures are kinda bad because I took them with my phone, but I loved the way she had to play her guitar on the side because of her baby belly. check out her website www.jenniferdaniels.com

To answer your question

Yes, I do take a bad picture, and often. But, thank you so much for asking.... Why was it a good idea to stand like this and right in front of everyone else in the picture?

DisneyWorld has a strange effect on me, like a "I have to try on every stupid hat" effect

hmmmmm......well, I dunno...

Best for last, this is what Joe calls "Dj Wifey" When I call Joe on his Blackberry, this is the picture that shows up. He thinks it soooo funny and EVERY time he says "yo, yo, what up DJ Wifey" and laughs like it's the first time I've heard him say it. I will never live this picture down.

Me in all my TWERD glory!!

So, I made a wreath for the very first time. Joe spray painted the wreath black for me. The picture isn't very good. The flowers on the bottom are not as white as they look. They have more red in them and the apples are shiny red. The wreath is probably REALLY ugly, but I have worked on it so long, I can't tell.

Inspired by Nat

Okay, so i am very fed up with my hair. I like the blonde, but it's fried. I have liked the short, but not as much as I liked the bob I did have. I'm just kind of over it. I wish I could be one of those people who really doesn't care what other people think, but i have had more than one person tell me I was better as a red head. Joe doesn't care either way. I could literally have bright purple hair and he would think thats just fine. (he's the best) There is a hair style that I have really really wanted, but felt I was too old to try it. Then I saw the same picture on Natalie's blog and I commented to her that she should go for it. But, I'm too chicken. I can't decide what to do with my hair!!!! It's stupid to stress this much about hair, but I think it looks horrible right now. The bottom picture is what I want, but am chicken to try. The top one is what I feel I look like in the a.m.

Charades

After our awesome Thanksgiving dinner we played Charades. Before then, I don't remember the last time I played that game. We had sooo much fun. Some of the things people had to act out were Dirty Dancing, leg warmers, thighmaster, break dancing, Sweatin to the oldies, and Mystery Alaska. This game produced great pictures.

Found it!!!

I guess I should have asked Joe before I tore the house and my car apart trying to find it. He had it. But, here are the pictures from Thanksgiving.

So, I have a bunch of great pictures from Thanksgiving, BUT I can't find my camera. I know it will turn up. Always does, but it's really annoying! I loose everything and so does Joe. Usually we always find what we are looking for, but gosh it's frustrating. How did we find eachother? So stay tuned...

Pet peeve

I know this is silly, but it drives me nuts. for whatever reason my debit/credit card strip wears out fast. (Iknow, I know, maybe I use it too much) I order new ones from the bank and it wears out and never works when the cashier goes to swipe it. That's not even the part that frustrates me. What frustrates me is that I let them try to swipe it and then when it doesn't I always say "you will have to type the number in because the strip is bad" the they take a plastic bag and wrap my card in it and try to run it over and over and over again. I have NEVER seen this work, but almost everyone tries it and they get this look on their face like they have this special magic trick that they know and noone else does. So, i have to stand there and watch them try their "trick" and then eventually just type it in like I said to do in the first place. Again, not a big deal, BUT OH MY GOSH JUST TYPE IT IN.

I am super excited to do this. My sister is organizing the swap and it should be fun. Check it out and participate!!!!! Don't be a weenie!

Twilight

Okay, so I just got home from the Twilight sneek preview!!! I don't want to say to much in case you are going to see it. I don't want to spoil anything. But, It was very exciting to get to go see it.

SOOOO FUNNY!

This cracks me up. justin timberlake is so funny in this skit. he is almost too good a dancer in the skit, maybe a little too into it. LOL

We had such a fun night on Friday. Thursday was Brenna birthday and Friday was my niece Keelin's birthday. We had a slumber party at a hotel. We first went to American Girl at Northpoint Mall. That store is crazy. They have everything for dolls. Ear piercing, hair salon, a restaurant, etc. you name they've got it. It's not really cheap either. But, it's really adorable. I offered to buy Bella a small treat this was her reply "I only like Disney". Little stinker. Have you ever seen that show My Super Sweet Sixteen? I hope my daughter is not a future star of that show. After American Girl we went to Pf Chang's for dinner. So yummy! Then it was back to the hotel for cake and presents. We woke up on Saturday and swam in the pool. It was so much fun I think we should do it once a month!

Happy Birthday Brenna!

Happy Birthday To my beautiful awesome sister, Brenna!
5 things I love about Brenna:
1. she is an amazing Mom. She really is. She really thinks about things and tries very hard to do the best for her kids. She has a lot of patience with her two little boys. Both are under the age of 4.
2.She is a great big sister! I remember one time when we were kids that she was babysitting Kelli and I and I ran from the street to our front door which was down hill and I fell and smaked my face on the sidewalk. I screamed (I USED to be a little dramatic) and cried. She hugged me and gave me a big glass of Coke. i remember her saying Coke makes everything better. I think she was desperatly trying to get me to calm down so she wouldn't get in trouble with Mom. But, I didn't know it at the time.
3. She cans stuff. I think there is probably a better way to put it, but I can't think of one. She cans all different things from tomato jam to veggies from her garden. I think it is really really neat. I have always wanted to try it and I love that she figured it out.
4. She is a very talanted artist. I have always admired that. She is so creative.
5. She loves to read. i love that both of my sisters love to read. It's so much fun to pass around a book we love and get to talk about it and get excited about it. (when does the SHopaholic movie come out?)

I know this isn't new, but...

I know this isn't a new video and everybody has probably seen it, but it still makes me laugh. There is not way you cannot be in a better mood after watching this. I just wish I was that cordinated. I almost fall down on a treadmill at a slow walk. Lol

Fall

Yesterday, I was on the front porch and Bella was playing in the front yard. I looked over and she was laying flat on her back looking straight up into a big beautiful tree. I hadn't noticed until then how pretty the tree is. I guess I need to look around sometimes. I got my camera and layed down next to her. It was just so pretty. We just layed there looking at the trees and sky. I felt really grateful that we live in such a beautiful place.

My ABC's

My ABCs

A = Age: 28 No comments,please:)



B = Bed size: Queen



C = Chore(s) you hate: Chores? How does this apply to me? Just kidding, Kinda. I guess I hate doing dishes.

D = Dessert you love: It changes, but right now, Doughnuts and vanilla soymilk.



E = Essential start your day item: We have 3 alarm clocks and we set the alarms on both our phones and somedays we don't hear a single one. How did we find eachother?

F = Favorite actor(s): Johnny Depp,Christian Bale, Tom Hanks, Rachel McAdams, Helena Bohnam Carter (I am sure I spelled the last name wrong)



G = Gold or Silver: Silver

H = Height: 5'6 1/2 That 1/2 was once very important



I = Instruments you play: I am trying to learn to play guitar.

J = Job title: Mommy, DJ Wifey (Joe calls me this), and Waitress (I think your supposed to say SERVER, but I like the way Waitress sounds)

K = Kitchen color(s): It's a fruity wallpaper. it was already here when we moved in, but it's cute.

L = Living arrangements: Very happily married in a cute little house!

M = My name is: Erin



N = Nicknames: Erin Shmaren, Ernie Gale, Scout, and like I said before DJ Wifey (it's a long story that comes from a picture of Kelli and I. I might post it. It's silly)



O = Overnight hospital stay: Something when I was really little, but I don't remember it and when I had Bella

P = Pets: 2 old dogs. Lammy and Ashes, 1 cat Smokey, 1 unnamed fish, 2 goats Dobe and Huck


Q = Favorite quote: "I'm an early bird and a night owl. SO, I'm wise and I have worms." - Michael Scott It's not very poignant, but it makes me laugh But, seriously, there are two by Gandhi that I like. "Find yourself through the service to others." and "Be the change you hope to see in the world." Not exact quote, but you get the point.



R = Right or left handed: Right

S = Siblings: 2 Kelli and Brenna

T = Time you woke up today: 7:45 we over slept...did you read that part about the alarm clocks?

U = Unique about you: I'm not sure what to say, hmmm... the things I would put down, I know aplies to other people, so not so unique. well, I have a tattoo of a scooter on my ankle and I have played a cheerleader in over 3 times in various things. Okay, that's the best I can do.

V = Vegetable you love: snap peas and asparagus

W = Worst habit: so many!



X = X-Rays you've had: my teeth, my neck, and several of my head.

Y = Yummy food you make: I don't really have a standout, it's not for lack of trying. I do try to duplicate my Gram's fantastic chicken.


Z = Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Now you know my ABC's I want to know yours!

I posted so much about dreading my new job, but I didn't ever post about it after. I pleased to say, I really like my job. It makes me appreciate the time I have with my family and I get to contribute, a little. The people there have been really great and helpful. Joe has really stepped up to the plate and does little things to make my days that I work easier. He's a sweetie. I hate being away from Joe and Bella, but sometimes I enjoy being there. Especially now, since it has gotten cooler and the leaves have changed. The square in Dahlonega is so pretty in the fall. I am usually the upstairs server and we have this great porch that overlooks the square. I can just people watch. A couple of times people have brought their guitars up and they just strum and drink coffee. It's so nice. Not a bad place to work. I have worked in some restaurants where it just feels like you are trapped and completely unaware of the outside world. They also have concerts there. Last night I was the Performance Hostess(basically I just took tickets at the door), but the opening act was so good. Her name is Caitlin Crosby. She is tall, skinny, beautiful, and very talented. How unfair! If she wasn't so sweet you'd want to hate her just on principle. Lol www.myspace.com/caitlincrosby
I just thought after all my complaining, I should be positive and thankful for right now.

Wicked

So Friday of last week my friend Stephanie emailed me asking if I wanted to go see Wicked at the Fox and if so, did I have any idea on how to get a deal on tickets. I wanted to see it, but I just figured that I couldn't afford the tickets and I wasn't going. No Biggie, but Stephanie excitement (yes, I could tell by her email) about it, made me excited and really wanting to go. Ticketmaster had "limited" seating tickets. "Limited" was explained as you might not get to see the stage, but the tickets were A LOT less. So, I emailed Stephanie back and she said she was not opposed to sitting in the bathroom. LOL We got the tickets and fully expected to have crappy seats and not be able to see anything. Seriously, I thought we would be behind a wall or something. We were so excited when we got to our seats to find they were second row in the front balcony. They were fantastic seats. We were so close and could see really well. We could see down in the orchestra pit. The only thing we could find wrong with the seats is that there was not a straight on view of the stage, but we were thrilled to not be in the bathroom.
I have to say I was not as excited as I probably should have been, but I didn't know much about it. I have talked to so many people who after seeing Wicked are just completely enthralled and when they tell you about it, you can just see there eyes light up. hmmmm.... Don't get it, I thought. I am not one of those Broadway musical types. I hate to admit it, but I get bored. Sitting in one spot for that long is hard for me. I love Hairspray, but I got very bored during that at the Fox. I wanted to see Wicked because I love the Wizard of Oz. Well, I totally get it now. It was beautiful and amazing. I have seen a few shows at the fox, but none were like this. I just can't say enough. So, Thank you Stephanie for getting the ball rolling and inviting me to go with you. I had a blast!

We went to Disney on Ice last night and I had to share. I was "that" mom. You know, the Mom that thinks her child is the cutest and most special. yep, that was me. In case you don't know and if you don't know, you don't know Bella, she is Disney crazy. Mickey Mouse in particular. It's not like the normal kid obsessed, I mean really. She has always loved Mickey Mouse. She will pick out shapes that might resemble Mickey when we go shopping or just out an about. Like, at the grocery store there was a sign for eggs and there was a grouping of three, she started squealing MICKEY!! She was 3! REally obsessed. (like I can talk, Hello? Twilight She comes by it honestly.) So, she was soooo excited about Disney on ice! She wore her Minnie Mouse dress. She was even more excited because my Mom went with us. When Mickey and Minnie hit the ice and the "when you wish upon a star" song came on, Bella's face lit up. Ear to ear smile! She made the same face the first time we went to Disneyworld and she saw Mickey in person. Seriously, priceless! We had such a great night! A much needed night. We, like everyone else, have been stressed about money, but it made me feel so good to get to do this for Bella. I want her to have memories like that and not memories of us being stressed. So, a bill may not get paid exactly on time, but it doesn't matter.

So, I posted a comment on a friends blog that got me thinking. If the house was burning down what would I try to grab? Really, I know, if the house is burning down getting the family out it #1 and as long as everyone is safe that is all I can ask. BUT, if you knew everyone was going to get out safe and you had just a minute to grab some things, What would it be? I have actually put a lot of thought into it. Until recently I had a cabinet by the front door loaded with all of our pictures so it the house did catch fire I could throw the albums out the door. I recently moved the cabinet because we are moving the jukebox to that spot. But, I would for sure try to throw pictures out. My Mom's family and My Dad's family both had house fires and lost a lot of pictures. I have just a few of my Gram from when she was young. I would love to see some more. When we went back to Kansas for Christmas and then later for my Papa Bill's funeral, I had several different family members tell me I looked just like my Gram used to when she was young. I don't see it at all, but we are a like in a lot of ways. As many ways as we are alike, we are different. lol I would also grab a book that my Gram filled out. It is full of her favorite memories and thoughts on everything from music to candy to scriptures. I also have a journal I have kept for Bella and about Bella since she was born, I would grab that and I a quilt a friend made for Bella along with some other blakets that were gifts. Other than those things, I can't think of anything else. My wedding dress is at my Mom's. (I tried it on one of the last times I was there, so depressing. I think I weighed 110 maybe when we got married. Sick.) I have thought of cutting it up to make a quilt with along with some of Bella's baby clothes.
So, what would you save?

Do I stink or something? I keep getting left out of things!

5 things...

Natalie tagged me...here goes.

5 JOYS

~music
~Twilight (I know, you can make fun of me, but I love it right now. Joe and I spend hours reading it together. Yep, we are cheesy.)
~Road trips with my family
~shopping-finding that bargain
~traveling

5 FEARS

~BEARS!!!!
~Sharks!!!!!!!!!!
~haunted houses- it makes no sense because I love creepy scary things and Halloween is my favorite holiday-non-religious holiday
~losing my parents or Gram
~being disappointing

5 OBSESSIONS

~my family
~blogging
~Thai Food
~Hawaii I save every year in hopes to spend a month there and every year something comes up, but I am still saving
~Twilight (roll your eyes again, it's okay)

5 SURPRISING FACTS

~
~I really can't think of suprising things about me. Does anyone know of anything they were suprised to find out about me? hmm....
~I'm quite stubborn
~
~I was in a Mcdonald's commercial "you want fries with that?"

5 PEOPLE TO TAG
Mom
Brenna
Kelli
Leslie
Stephanie

More TAG pictures