Signs of a HAPPY dog...

Winter Weather Advisory

We have had some CRAZY weather lately! Last week started off great... then come Tuesday we were hit with lots of ICE! The roads seriously looked like a big ice rink. It was so bad that all the schools in our area were closed the rest of the week. Thankfully I didn't have to work much...and when I did... I was able to get a ride from hubby or my boss.

Saturday and Sunday treated us well with 40-50 degree weather and now we are under another Winter Weather Advisory starting tomorrow morning! We are expecting 3-6inches of snow once again!

I am hoping this is the last of all the snow. It's gorgeous but causes too many problems when you are in an area with unexperienced snow/ice drivers!

It's Official...

We often hear that it's not "official" until it's on Facebook. Well, let me just say it is now "official" that I no longer have a Facebook account! Hubby and I deactivated our accounts today and were happy to do so!

I have to admit it was a little hard for me because it's something I had turned in to a habit. I use to check it every day, multiple times a day...and spend hours a day just browsing pictures, status' etc. That's exactly why I needed to deactivate my account. Like many people, I was addicted to Facebook!

We had an awesome presentation during Sunday School this past Sunday. It was about Personal Revelation and Distractions. It was so powerful and I know the spirit was there. I had a strong impression to delete my FB account. I questioned the impression at first but then I realized how FB was taking up way to much of my time...and the sad thing is that I was allowing it to do so. I was allowing it to keep me away from furthering my education, making myself a better person, cleaning my home... and ultimately paying attention to person to person contact. We must see things "as they really are" and not get sucked in to the virtual world. Facebook for me, was a MAJOR Distraction!! It feels good to let go of it!

For those of you who would like to keep up... I will do my best to update this blog once a week or twice a month... but please note that this blog is not my priority. Posting will come after I take care of everything else.

Thanks for understanding!!

-Amie

Myrtle Beach and then some.

It was so nice to be in Myrtle Beach last weekend. I loved being able to see my brother get married to a wonderful girl and spend some time with my mom! We were pretty busy taking care of wedding things but each night we were able to walk down to the beach and admire all the waves rushing in. There is something so peaceful and serene when walking out there at night when everyone has gone back to their hotels. Although it would be scary to actually be out on the ocean at night... its absolutely breathtaking when looking at it from the sand! As much as Ben and I love to admire it... we couldn't live there. The town is too "touristy" for us and in some parts... way too "redneck". (i.e. - while getting my hair done at a salon, one stylist says to another... "Hey Mary Catherine, where can ya find a trailer hiiitch?")

The beach during the day... not a good picture but you know...

I love my mom! :)

The wedding was beautiful and Caleb and Jill looked stunning! I look forward to watching them grow even more as a couple and seeing their family develop over the years! They really do make a great pair!

This is kind of a goofy picture but I love it!

If you are ever in Myrtle Beach or around the area you MUST visit Carolina Roadhouse! They have some really GOOD food!! The only thing I have had there.. but keep going back for is their Entree Chef Salad! It has lettuce (of course...) ham, turkey, bacon, tomato, egg, cheese, almonds and probably a few other things with honey mustard, bacon dripping dressing (you mix them together) and Oh My!! It is by far the best salad I have ever eaten!! Sooo stinkin Yum!

My super delicious salad!!

Ben decided he would be adventurous and either go BIG or go home! Well... lets just say they weren't lying when they named this thing "The Killer Dog". Talk about a beast of a hot dog!! Thank goodness we were all sharing off of eachothers plates because there is no way I'd let him eat that whole thing...even though he could have!!

"The Killer Dog"

Anyway... the trip home was nice. It only took us 15 and 1/2 hours to get back! We hit cruise controlled and hardly had any delays! It's been nice being back home! Especially since the kids have Equestrian camp all this week... I have been able to get some rest and catch up on the daily chores.

Very excited for the Family Reunion this weekend! SO excited to mingle with relatives! Most people would cringe at the thought of a family reunion... but what can I say... I love my family and love meeting new people!

Love,

Me!

P.S. comments are loved :)

Home Stink Home...

Have you ever looked in your refrigerator and thought about how you should clean it out? Wishing the leftovers would get rid of themselves?!?

Fortunately... I found the perfect solution!

I bet you are dying to find out... am I right?!

1. Plan a 5 day vacation (or longer if you dare)... preferably 18+ hours away.

2. Turn off ALL of the breakers to conserve the maximum amount of energy while you are gone.

3. When you are on your way home from vacation... remember that the refrigerator is included in the circuit that you turned off 5 days ago.

4. When you arrive home... open the fridge. I PROMISE you, you will actually WANT to clean out the fridge and you will do it faster than you ever thought possible!!

LESSON LEARNED!!! If you plan on turning off your breakers to conserve energy... make sure that you keep the fridge turned on or else you will come home to one stinky mess and ruined food!!

It was absolutely horrible! Thank goodness the apartment didn't stink when we walked in but as soon as we opened the freezer... yea... imagine salmon, chicken, ground beef and sausage unthawed and sitting in a warm freezer for 5 days!! GROSS!! We came straight in, put on some rubber gloves, grabbed a bunch of trash bags and started chucking every single thing... including the plastic food containers, a glass bowl and a mixing bowl. I was not about to take the time and wash out any of those containers! Yuck! We had 5 or 6 bags of trash that we carried down to the dumpster.

Once we got it all cleaned out... Ben sprayed the heck out of it with Lysol and All Purpose cleaner. Then I sprinkled baking soda around to soak up any remaining odors. I kept the boxes of baking soda in there as well.

As disgusting as it was... It is nice to have a clean slate and start over! I love moving into a new place and filling up the refrigerator! I personally have fun doing so!

I am grateful to say that was the worst thing that happened on this trip (besides my hair...which is a story of its own). I am grateful that we made it to Myrtle Beach and back safely and that we were able to spend time with family and friends and enjoy the beach!!

Besides coming home to a mess, we had a great weekend!!

Growing up and other Bidness

So here lately we have been SUPER busy! Ever since the summer started we have hit the ground running! Imagine what it will be like once the kiddos come along.... Imagine!

In the past few weeks we got watch two of my cousins and one of Ben's cousins graduate from high school. There is something bittersweet about watching kids younger than us grow into young adults... it seems as though its not suppose to happen... not yet, anyway. I am so proud of them though and I am glad to see them all moving on to bigger and better things! There is a whole world out there that awaits them!

This week we are heading to Myrtle Beach to watch/be in my little brothers wedding!! Once again... not suppose to happen just yet!! I can't believe he is getting married... I never thought I'd see the day! No but really, he couldn't have picked a better companion and I am so happy for them both! Congratulations yall!

When I was younger I always looked up to those who were older than me. I always knew I'd get there one day but never knew I'd look back and realize how fast time really flies. It flies... and it flies fast! It's crazy to think I will be celebrating my 2nd year of marriage in July! Crazy, I tell ya! Did I tell yall that Rascal Flatts is coming to town for our Anniversary? Yup, they made arragements just for us....... and everyone else in the DFW metroplex, but no one needs to know that!!!

I am so grateful for family and life, and the experiences we are given, I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father and for the many blessings he has given me.

Ciao!!

Dear Blog...

I admit it... I am horrible to you. I have been so busy that I seem to have forgotten all about you! Not to mention the lack of words that come when I am around you.

I will get better. I promise.

Maybe, just maybe one of these days someone will actually read you!

-Amie