Happy Halloween!

Oh, the Horror!

While a Brittish man wearing fishnets, a corset and heavy make-up may be scary to some, Dr. Frank N. Furter is not usually considered a frightening character.
This week on Glee, they were featuring songs from the Rocky Horror Picture Show, the 1975 cult classic starring Tim Curry as the transvestite Frank. I hate I missed it, but I'm sure the kids did Tim Curry proud. Coincidentally, I was flipping channels around 9:15 and the original RHPS was on TV.
It's cheesy, silly, and in no way scary. Musicals usually don't make for good horror movies. Frank prances around in his outfit and Rocky, his creation, wears little more than a gold speedo. Heck, Janet and Brad spend most of the movie in their underwear. Sure, there are dead bodies and a little gore, but not enough to keep you up at night. It's really a mock-horror/sci-fi flick.
But when I was about 12, it scared the crap out of me. And I never laid eyes on the film.
RHPS become a popular midnight movie shown at one of the theatres in my area. How do I know? My favorite radio station would play the advertisement for it all the time when I was in my room, late at night, listening to music. I'd hear the creepy voice of Rif Raff or Magenta and tidbits of a few of the songs. I was sure RHPS was a super-scary movie. "Horror" was in the title for crying out loud! Just hearing the ad freaked me out enough to change the station. and it was an old school radio, so I had to scroll the dial to one station, and then scoll it back to try and find my station again.
Years later, when my friend's older sister told us about it and how fun it was to sit in the theatre and sing along and throw toast, I couldn't believe it. Props and singing and dancing? That is what I changed the station for? That is what gave me the creeps?
Now that "Paranormal Activity 2"? That would keep meup at night.
This post has been brought to you by Mama Kat's Writers Workshop.

About Me

It's funny. Sometimes exploring bloggie land feels a little like dating. Now, it's been more than 13 years since I've been single so I may not have a clue as to what I'm talking about but stick with me a minute... Sure, you have your favorites that you visit regularly, but sometimes you go venturing out to see who else is out there.
If you're anything like me, you read a post or two and check out their "About Me" page or profile. I might learn that we are both Southern girls and enjoy Yaz so I immediately feel a connection. Based on that, I decide want to check them out again. I may, indeed, visit again only to decide later that I'm really not enjoying them anymore. On the otherhand, I may really like this gal and add her to my favorites list.
There's a little bit of a pressure to have not just a good post but also a good profile. My problem is how do you stuff a lifetime into two paragraphs?
I have a husband and a daughter, but my blog does not revolve around either of those. They are certainly contributing factors, but not the main source of my writing. There's only so many ADORABLE pictures of your child we are interesting in seeing.
I want to come off as witty, but not snarky. Let's face it, who needs another self-righteous bitch in their lives? And then, I want to keep it clean, but I do curse occasionally so I don't want to completely edit myself.
I'm also fairly crafty and enjoy decorating, but I'm not nearly as good as some of the ladies out there so I don't want to mislead people to think I am a go-to girl for tye-dying Tshirts and Halloween decorations (although my fall decorations are pretty cute this year...).
Drinking, going out, dancing and having a good time are not things I gave up when I got married. It doesn't make me a bad person or a bad mom and I certainly don't do it all the time. I enjoy spending time with my friends and if it involves a round of shots, so be it.
I'm Southern and proud of it, but I'm also a bit redneck. We enjoy playing in the mud, college football and bar-b-que (that's a noun and not a verb). I don't want you to think I am some back-woods moron because of it. I have a four-year degree and know the difference between "affect" and "effect".
I enjoy music, movies, TV and reading but don't feel strongly enough about any of them to feel that my preference for them defines me. If you loooove Twilight, that's great. Good for you. I don't care about it, Taylor Swift, The Jersey Shore or James Patterson.
So while I'd love to have a profile that really let's you know who I am, I just don't know how the hell to put 35 years of me onto a single page. What about you?
This post was brought to you by Mama Kat's Writers Workshop.

The day I stuck it to my boss

Back when Steve and I were newlyweds, I used to work in a commercial real estate office in Virginia Beach. Back then, I got paid like $8/hour as a receptionist. It was a family owned company so there were some nice perks, like occasionally being treated to lunch, getting to leave early sometimes and nice Christmas bonuses (what's that?! a Christmas bonus! Who gets those anymore?).
On the down side, some of my bosses were real jerks. This one guy, I'll call him Bill, thought he was hot shit. He'd walk around with his Bible and his day-planner complaining how BUSY he was. At least that's what he'd say when he finally wandered into the office at 11:00 and wouldn't return any calls. Bill was so snobby. He only used GOLD paperclips because he thought they looked classier. One time I had to give him a ride to his house. His car was being detailed or something. I had the windows down and he looked at me like I was insane. "Can we get get some air on in here, " he whined.
I'm telling you all this so you can have a picture of the kind of guy Bill was when I tell you the prank I pulled on him.
I shared the front office with Samantha, the office manager. She and Bill had a love/hate relationship. She loved to pretend she hated him when truth be told, I think she loved all the attention from their nagging/kidding/complaining.
One day, Bill was in the supply closet which was just off our front office. He started singing and Samantha and I decided to show our displeasure by shutting him in there. No big deal. He kept singing and ended up being in there quite a while.
Somewhere I get the bright idea to put strips of clear packing tape across the door frame (I am giggling as I type...). Several strips of clear packing tape all across the door. I'm back at my desk when he finally emerges and SMACK! Bill walks right into the tape! It was like seeing someone walk into a giant spider web. I was laughing so hard I fell off my chair! Samantha stiffled a few giggles then followed Bill into his office as he stammered off.
Afterwards, I had to apologize to Bill. I guess I should be glad nothing worse came of it. But I gotta tell you... it was soooo worth it!
This post has been brought to you by Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop.

wall art ...finally!

We've been in the house over a year now and there is still one box to be unpacked and some pictures to be hung. I'm just not a very motivated person. So I was in no hurry to put something up on the living room wall. I knew I'd find something I liked and was cheap not too expensive.

Back in January, on the way home from visiting a friend, I stopped at an outlet mall. In Carolina Pottery I saw the coolest wall "tiles." I use quotes because they looked kinda like ceramic tiles but were really light-weight metal. Anyhoo...They were big (check!), blue and brown (check!) and $17 a piece (check!). However, when I got them home, I decided it was too much blue on blue. I thought some sort of backing would look good. Long story short and 9 months later... I finally have them hanging on my wall!

Tada!!!

I cut an old political sign (corrugated plastic) to size and then spray painted it brown because the white showed through the burlap. Then I sprayed adhesive onto it and placed my burlap over it. I folded the corners giftwrap-style and used duct tape to hold them down. I nailed straight through sign to hold it and each of the tiles in place.

Ok, so it's not Goodwill cheap, but not bad for less than $75!

I'm participating in:

R.I.P Kermit

These are part of the latest style in home decor from a "professional" decorator, as featured in a name-brand catalog. You can have a set of 5 for $250. Really? REALLY?
Cuz I think they look like somebody decided to hunt down Kermit the Frog and his friends, chop off their legs, mount them upside down and spray paint them white.

Save big for kids!

I had a great response from my last post, so I thought I would take it a step further and show you the huge deal I got on kids items this week.
Some of you know I work with a local children's consignment sale that happens twice a year. I shopped this week for my daughter and man, did I rack up!
I got 12 tops, 9 pants, 5 dresses, 3 pairs of PJs, 4 hairbows, 1 pair of shoes, a big wagon, a DVD and a small toy castle. The last 3 items will be put away for Christmas. Many of the items were name brand like Gymboree or Children's Place and one of the dresses was a smocked dress (translation: for Southern girls, these are must have for church and special occasions and can be very pricey!)
How much do you think I paid for all that????
$250?
$200?
$180?
$150?
Nope, nope and nope! I Paid $140 for all 37 items!!!

Outfits for less than $20

If you've visited here before, you probably know I like to save a few bucks. This is a particularly helpful habit since I am now unemployed and living off an allowance from the hubby, but that's a whole 'nother post.
It kills me everytime I see on the Today show or in a magazine, "Get the Look for Less!" and the outfit still cost $250!
"Wow, Brandi, you got that dress for $150?," asks goofy Ann Curry. "My goodness! And those shoes are an absolute steal at $160!"
I don't think so... I realize that is a markdown from the original price tag of $9999, but come one peeps! Who really shops like that? (don't answer that if your answer is "me")
I thought I would show you a few deals from some of my past shopping trips. They may not be the height of fashion or the latest trend, but who wants to look like the Kardashian sisters, anyway?
Necklace- $6 - from Cato's (cheaper women's store, usually next to a Wal-Mart)
Polo shirt- $1 - from a thrift store
New York & Co. capris - $3 from Goodwill
Shoes - $8 - clearance from Belk (Southern department store)
Total- $18

Top - $9 - from Cato's
Old Navy linen skirt - $1 - from thrift store
wooden bangle - $1 - from thrift store
shoes - free- I helped with a yard sale and got to keep these
Total - $11

dress- $7 - clearance at Kmart
Gap monogrammed bag - $1.50 from thrift store
shoes (made in Italy) - $1.50 from thrift store
total - $10

Gap top- $2.25 - from Goodwill
Talbot shorts- $2.25 - from Goodwill
beaded necklace - $1 - from yard sale
Born shoes - $3 - from thrift store
total - $8.50

And the best for last...
top - $2 - clearance from Belk
tank - free - promotional giveaway
Ann Taylor Loft capris - $3 - from Goodwill
shoes - $1 - from Goodwill
purse - $.25 - clearance from Shoe Carnival
total - $6. 25

And these are just complete outfits. I have lots of other tops, bags, shoes, etc. Now, who wants to go shopping?!

This post was brought to you by Writer's Workshop.

Ode to a Cupcake

Ode to a Cupcake

by Shannon

How do I love thee, cupcake? Let me count the ways
You are sweet and delicious, I could eat you everyday

Not too little, not too much, a single-serving size

helps prevent the little dears from collecting on my thighs

I love the sugary goodness, it's taste is like a dream

pile them high with sprinkles, non perils or butter cream

Chocolate, vanilla, red velvet or peanut butter

lemon, white chocolate raspberry and many, many others

375 degrees, they bake up in a snap

just don't think of icing them with that fluffy, whipped topping crap

Mamas like to boogie, too

OK, that was fun so here I am again playing along with Mama Kat's writers workshop. The prompts I chose are "make a list of things you no longer have in common with your single/childless friends" AND "make a list of things you no longer have in common with your married/child bearing friends" and why you love them all anyway.
These both appeal to me because I fit in both categories at times. I was never one of those people whose life revolved around having children, although I have been married since I was fairly young (22) so I can't really identify with the single life.


things I no longer have in common with my single/childless friends...
1. I can't run off to the beach this weekend to see the Cowboy Mouth show because I gotta take care of the kid. I can't do anything spur of the moment or without pre-arranged childcare.
2. Staying home on a Friday and Saturday night is perfectly acceptable.

3. Sure I like to have stylish, attractive clothes, but if I can't find it on sale at Kohl's or in a thrift store, I probably ain't buying it.
So when we DO get a chance together, we always have fun and I enjoy the lack of diaper/nap time/pre-school talk.


things I no longer have in common with my married/child bearing friends...
1. I still enjoy busting a move at the bars/dance clubs. Have you ever seen the movie "The Sweetest Thing" with Cameron Diaz? Those bars scenes are the stuff of my dreams (and a teensy bit my life 15 years ago).
2. Your kid is cute, but once he/she starts to wail and/or has a category 5 in their diaper, I'm out. You can have them back. Right now.
3. Seeing little newborns does not turn me into mush and automatically make me want 3 more.
But I know that you understand where I'm coming from when I say motherhood is hard and you don't judge me (right?).

Happy birthday!

My blue-eyed blonde turns 5 today! Happy Birthday, Savannah!
P.S. While exhausting, the party was a success!

My interview with Oprah

Well, sort of. This is my first time of playing along with Mama Kat's writer's workshop and this week's prompt is: Oprah says we all have a story. If you were on her show, what would your story be? What would you be talking about? What advice would she give you?

It's funny because I have seen the commercials lately to promote her final season. In these commercials she says the thing she has learned after doing her show for so many years is that we all have a story. We all want to be heard and we want to know what we said made an impact on someone. I agree.

While my life is nothing extraordinary- I don't come from a place of trauma, or of extreme circumstances- I've lived quite a life. Most of us have had some struggle at some point in our lives: divorce, loss of a loved one, miscarriage, financial worries, infidelity... the list goes on and on. So many times along the way I wished there was someone who really understood and knew what I was going through at the time. I say really understood because unless you have been in that person's shoes, you have no way of truly understanding what they are dealing with.

That fact has caused me to bottle up my emotions lots of times, a fact that is foreign to my husband and his side of the family. They can and will air their dirty laundry to anybody, anywhere. I know it drives other people crazy, too, but that's just how I am.

Why do I want to tell someone about the hard time I'm having only to have them look at me like I had grown a third eye? "What? What did she say? Quick, look away...pretend you didn't hear and maybe it'll go away..."

Or to have them try and rationalize the situation, giving a logical explanation for everything when they don't have a clue. "Well of course you feel that way. You probably aren't eating enough spinach. Studies have shown that people who eat spinach are practically perfect in every way (actually that's Mary Poppins)."

Or worse yet, they feign a polite smile, tell you they are so sorry and then they avoid you like the plague. "Oh, is that Mary over there? Last time I saw her she was babbling on about some sob story. I don't want to hear that again."

So yes, Oprah, everyone does have a story. It may not seem significant or you may not understand, but it's their story and it's important to them. And if we could learn to be a little more compassionate, maybe more people would be willing to share their story, therefore helping others who are dealing with the same thing.

the cutest invitation in the world

I just have to brag on my aunt. I gave her an idea of what I wanted to do for Savannah's birthday party invitations. I wanted a bug theme and I had a note card from a while back that was a ladybug with opening wings to reveal the note inside. I didn't show it to her, I just described it to her and this is what she came up with...
How cute is that?! Then you open the wings and read the party details! My aunt has one of those fancy-schmancy Cricut (cricket) machines that cuts things out. It's pretty amazing.

Hopefully the rest of the party will go just as well. It was her birthday party last year that inspired me to write this post. In the meantime, happy Labor Day weekend, ya'll!

Designer's Challenge

I need some decorating help here. So all 3 of you that read this blog, let me know what you think:
I want to put some curtains in our bedroom. Not so much for privacy or light, but I just think they'd look nice. I was looking at the latest issue of Southern Living and I got curtain envy. What can I say?
Here's my problem...there is a window and a set of french doors with a transom. I want to put curtains on both. I want them to be a little above the actual window/door frame by a few inches. If I do that, I need curtains approximately 98 inches long. In my brief curtain shopping experience, They only come in 63, 84 and 95 inches. Do I go with the 95 inch and let them be short a few inches? Do I go with the 95 inch and add on some fabric myself? You know me...I am not paying for custom made curtains.

So, what do you think?

Le Gourmet Cracker Barrel

Taking a break from the visiting in-laws for a little bit. This time it's Steve dad, his step mom and her granddaughter here from IL. It's been a pleasant enough visit so far(all 48 hours of it), but they are just different. Even Steve thinks they are so don't go accusing me of being biased against the in-laws. They are nice people, but just...different. Case in point:
1. They considered stopping to eat at Cracker Barrel on the drive here, but step mom said it was expensive and so dad turned right around. Cracker Barrel!
2. The never heard of this "Rue 21" store and thought they'd check it out. To me, it's a teeny-bopper store and they have nothing for me. The in-laws loved it! They got $2, $3, and $4 items and are excited to find out they have one back home!
3. They've also never heard of capers, drinking bottled beer or putting chicken on pizza. OK, the part about the beer was an exaggeration, but they joked about buying a case of bottled beer, because that would be a splurge!

Slacker Cleaning

Now that I am unemployed, the first thing to go were the house cleaners. Steve was quite brutal, in my opinion. My last program day (last day with kids but not last day of work) was on a Tuesday. By Thursday, Steve had cancelled the services of the two lovely ladies that had been coming every two weeks to clean. So that jobs belongs to me again! I don't hate cleaning, I just hate making time to clean and having the energy to clean. That's all.
But here's a slacker tip for you...If you're like me there is constantly hair all over the bathroom floor. Sure you could hall out the vacuum but why bother? Most of us own and love our swifters! Really, this a fabulous product I have owned since they probably came out. The problem: those refills tend to run out and they aren't exactly cheap. My solution: used dryer sheets. Simply lay one on the floor and put the swifter head on top of it (mine are not big enough to "lock into" place, so just the pressure of pushing it around makes it stay under the head). Ta-da! It may not pick up the bigger pieces of trash/dirt, but it does a super job of getting up the hair! And last time I checked, I have plenty of used dryer sheets and hair.

Oops! I did it again

I swear, somebody take my temperature! I must be ill! This is what I made for lunch today:
An Asian salad very similar to what you'd get in a restaurant. It's lettuce, bagged coleslaw, canned mandarin oranges, chow mien noodles, Asian sesame dressing and chicken nuggets! It was very good. And the best part? It was all stuff I had on hand! When you live out in the sticks, you don't want to drive to the grocery store unless you have to (ie: beer run).
I also wanted to mention that I tried another version of the peach enchiladas. I don't keep soda on hand (see earlier mention RE: grocery store) and found another recipe that omits the soda, but uses water instead. It wasn't quite as golden, crispy on top, but still VERY GOOD! And I also use less butter, sugar and soda than

it calls for, but whatever suits your taste.

All this has pointed me in a new direction for my blog. I'll still tell you about things we've done or rant on my family once and a while, but I thought I'd do a little more lifestyle stuff: cooking, decorating, cleaning... all that good housewife stuff since I am officially unemployed now!

Stayed tuned and let me know what you think.

Call me Betty Crocker

Something must be wrong with me. Last week I made super-good shrimp and grits and there was enough to feed a small army! Then last night I made delicious banana bread and tonight I'm making peach enchiladas(pictured below)!
Please don't tell Steve. He's out of town and I don't want him to get the wrong idea...you know, that he'll think I actually plan to cook on a regular basis.

How to Eat Like a Southerner

As my mother-in-law and her sister are returning home to IL today after a visit here, I thought I would educate a few of you out there. I love them, I do, but they needed this training before they got here! In case you haven't learned enough watching Paula Deen, here are a few pointers:
How to Eat Like a Southerner
1. Grits are ground corn, best served with lots of butter and cheese. For all that is good on this Earth, do not put sugar on them!
2. Peaches should be peeled before you eat them. I know this is mind blowing to some of you, but eating a peach with the fuzz on is like making out with Justin Beiber. Both are a little hairy and make me want to wipe off my tongue.
3. Yes, we know the peanuts are wet. We like them that way. It's called boiled peanuts and they are delicious.
4. If someone offers you "Bar-B-Que" it is pork and because we are in the midlands of SC, it will have a mustard-based sauce on it. "Bar-B-Que" is not to be used as a verb and it is not the same thing as a"sloppy joe," no matter what the people back home call it.
5. Whatever you do, don't ask for a "pop." It's Coke. Otherwise, don't be surprised if somebody smacks you upside the head!
Ya'll come back now, ya heah?

Gross, funny or logical?

Let me preface this by saying I am an every-other-day kinda gal when it comes to washing my hair. It's thick and dry and it works better that way.
So is it gross, funny or logical that up until today, I had not washed my hair since Wednesday? Thursday was my "off" day and then Friday I just never got around to it. We were in the pool so I figured a little chlorine will rinse it off. Then Saturday we got up kinda early so I said I'd wait until Sunday. Then Sunday we were going to be on the lake all day so I figured "why bother?"
Come on...you know you've done it to!

Da Bomb!

Here's my current top 5 list of things that are da bomb! (for anyone who doesn't appreciate my slang, that's things I really like!)
1. The smell of Bath and Body Works True Blue Spa products. You can't really go wrong with BBW products, but this stuff smells like spring flowers after the rain!
2. These stuffed portabella mushrooms from my friend Andrea. So good! I made them for me and a friend and she's vegetarian, so I substituted carrots and cauliflower for the chicken . It's a a giant version of the appetizer you order at restaurants.
3. Cruisin' on the lake in the evening. My parents just bought a pontoon boat and we went on the "maiden voyage" last night. The weather was awesome!
4. Soon being unemployed - by choice! My school job is grant funded, the grant is over and I'm outta there in about a month!
5. Being close to finding a new pastor at church. We've been without a pastor for over a year and I'm on the committee to hire a new one. We've seen some great candidates and I'm excited!

Here's my current list of things that should have da bomb dropped on them:
1. Being close to finding a new pastor at church. We're almost there, but this process has taken so long and is so rigorous. I hope we make a decision soon!
2. Steve's iphone. He's on that thing all the damn time! Did you see the Marriage Ref last week? Same thing.
3. Savannah's restless night. I guess the soothing boat ride did nothing for her last night because she was up about 3 times in the night and got up very early this morning (keep in mind early for us is about 6:30). I'm hoping I can work in a nap for all of us today.
4. From last summer's post: hair removal. Nuf said.
5. Doing dishes. Why can't I seem to keep up? It's like the little bastards are Gremlins and they reproduce when you get them wet!

What's on your "bomb" list?

Roman Holiday

Last month I flew out and met Steve in Rome. He was already in Europe for work so caught him at the end of his tour. Here are a few pics from our trip.....

It was Steve's birthday while we were there so they brought him a birthday tirimisu!!