A Little Holiday Shopping Fun :)

James gave me his credit card today to make a few returns for him,etc and I immediately thought in the words of Julia Roberts (aka Vivian) "Big mistake. Big. Huge. I have to go shopping now"

This is how I see my afternoon going....:)



'Twas the weeks before Christmas, when shopping needed to be done,

This is what Jennifer called Christmas fun!

James gave her the AMEX with much confidence and care,

In hopes that his needed presents would soon be there.

Could she stick to his list that she had in her hand?

Of course she could! That is the plan.....

The list was short and she knew she could get it done quick,

So off to the mall to see what she could pick!

She spotted a pair of boots that would look great on her feet,

At an incredible price you simply couldn't beat!

So she swiped the card thinking it'll be fine,

Then turned and saw a Chi and shouted "oh, now that one's mine!"

So she pulled the green card out of her wallet once again,

One pair of boots and a Chi, it can't be that big a sin'

Then out of her wandering eyes... a new purse did appear!

She saw it, held and loved it and thought oh dear!

But then was startled, when around the corner there arose such a clatter,

She sprang to the designer purses to see what was the matter.

Away to each one she flew like a flash,

Tore open her wallet, ready to shell out the cash.

With her fashion knowledge, so lively and merry,

She knew in a moment it must be.........Burberry!

More excited than ever, not a one looked the same,

And she whistled! and shouted! and called them by name!

"Now, Gucci! now, Prada! Kate Spade and Michael Kors!

On, Fendi! on Coach and Louis Vuitton.....her most adored!

To the top of the line! to the top of the mall!

Now buy them! buy them! buy them all!"

So up to the register she quickly flew,

With her hands full of purses, and a few wallets too!

She needed to finish her list and hurry back home,

Knowing with James' card, she must not shop alone.

A bundle of bags she had flung on her back,

And she looked like Jackie O opening her giftsack.

Her eyes -- how they twinkled! her new purses made her merry!

Then she ran across the receipt... and oh! that was scary!

To make it up, she'd cook James' favorite meal to satisfy his belly

Trying to laugh and not worry her butt shook like a bowlful of jelly.

She knew it was time to leave the mall right there and then,

She couldn't wait for Christmas two-thousand and ten!

I heard her exclaim as her car drove out of The Lenox's lights.......

"Happy Shopping to all, and to all a good-night."

DID SHE SURVIVE ON ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH

Atop Mt Evans-HIGHEST PAVED ROAD IN US! Elevation 14,k ft!

I have gotten countless emails wanting a follow up to my Colorado Trip and did the "girly girl Princess" survive. I am here to live and tell it folks..... I made it :). If you missed my REI TRIP post below, you may want to read it before you start this journey......

July 29th we departed the ATL airport at a scorching 90 degree. I had been to Denver several times to snow ski and after being there once in summertime for a Young Life camp back in the day, I was thrilled to return to the mountains in summertime.

Well, you woulda thought it was snow weather because when we landed on JULY 29TH MIND YOU, we stepped off the plane to 55 degrees and COLD in Denver, not a pleasant 55, a COLD 55. I quickly panicked realizing my entire trip to REI might have just been a waste, but thrilled at the $$$ I could get back on my returns! We shuttled to the Rental Car place and picked up our Jeep Cherokee, that I was quite pleased with. We were then told it was the coldest day ON RECORD in Colorado for July....lovely. Thank goodness the jeans made the cut for the trip, and pondering in the Jeep on the way to lodging I couldn't help but think I could buy 2 more pair w/ those darn CHACO's I could return!

Our first day we explored Red Rocks, because after all, we were going to see a show there.....we visited in the morning and it was breathtaking. I could hardly wait to get back there for the show. Now, folks, along w/ my REI trip, you must realize the show I was going to was the jam-band Phish. I had a brief run with them back in high school, but it was short lived. I have been re-introduced to them, and they do seem to be playing the same things so I was content w/ going and thrilled that James got to see one of his favorites. RED ROCKS was A-MAZING. I DON'T CARE WHO YOU ARE OR WHAT YOU SEE THERE~ PUT IT ON YOUR BUCKET LIST!! I told James as we were driving off "God was just showing off right there." I'm telling you its incredible as you sit in AWE of your natural surroundings!

We visited lots of other neat towns..... BIG SHOUT OUT TO FORT COLLINS, what a neat town! I should've gone to college there! I probably wouldn't have gone to class though.......wait, I didn't do that anyway :) We rafted in Idaho Springs, James could not believe this was one of my favorite things to do. The chacos made their debut on the Clear Creek River. James thinks they are at the bottom of the river because he hasn't seen them on me since...hmmmm.....And to top it off, as I was putting on my wet suit one of the instructors said "Okay Miss Princess zip it all the way up" And note, I wasn't done yet! HOW did he know I was a princess?? I wanted to scream" DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG I HAVE PREPARED FOR THIS TRIP SIR TO NOT BE A PRINCESS?!?" But he was nice and I just went about my business...makeup and earrings and all....

We then took the drive up Mt. Evans. BUDS, THIS IS THE HIGHEST PAVED ROAD IN THE UNITED STATES. I was freaking out! I prayed more in those 14 miles than 30 years! The road is narrow, its a "white knuckle drive" but I am SO GLAD we did it! On the way up we stopped at 2 lakes, the first one we admired a super gorgeous mountain as high as the sky, little did we know we'd be atop that very soon. We then stopped at LAKE SUMMITT on the way up, BY FAR my most favorite "memory" of the trip. It was breathtaking. Strange animals, in desperate need of a pet spa visit were hanging out in the parking lot there and some men working in snow suits. In true girly girl fashion, after rafting I changed into a cute skirt, a fleece and my flip flops since it was 70 degrees. It was a bit chilly at LAKE SUMMITT, but I handled it quite well and we made the rest of the truck up the mountain. It really was to the point of "how much further can we go" the road drops off here and there and bless James' heart I must have said "watch the road and be careful" 1000 times, when again, bless his heart.... his hands or eyes never left their duties.

We get to the top and HELLO!?? IT IS 37 DEGREES! A BRISK 37!!! People were in snow suits, I failed to get that memo! I was just waiting for someone to mention my skirt and flip flops with SNOW on the ground! yes, snow. We stayed long enough to take good pictures and I was back in the Jeep. Mt Evans was by far a big highlight of the trip and we are SO GLAD we did it. I have never in my life seen views like that ALL the way up, better than an airplane. Every turn we made in that 14 mile stretch had us saying "wow" and "awesome" and "incredible" and me "watch the road and be careful" :)

We also visited Golden, CO on our visit and many other little towns, we had a BLAST. SO much history there! We were hoping to go to some of the other shows at Red Rocks (there were 4 and we had tixs to 1) but some of those Phish Phans may "appear" to be homeless, but they got some MOOLA folks.....they were selling tickets $300-400. Needless to say we drove by our last night there, pulled over and could hear some blaring from the natural acoustics of "the rocks." And in all fairness, Phisheads have come a long way since my run with the band back in 1996-97, there were limos like crazy and everyone's "grown up" I think the town of Morrison, LOVED it! Way to fuel a hard economy!

Anyhow, here are some pics.....the memories are priceless, the jokes are endless, the hiking was breathtaking, the rafting was adventurous, and the chacos........are um...........MIA.


Doesn't this look like a postcard? One of the many stops on the way down from Mt Evans







Lake Summitt, only about 1/2 way
up Mt Evans


RED ROCKS....











One of the views from atop Mt Evans










The animals on the way up Mt Evans (at Lake Summitt) in great need of a day at the Pet Spa....

Wait?!?

It seems as though I have friend after friend waiting on something. For those that know me, you know I am NOT patient. :) And that I want instant gratification in all that I do. However, it doesn't quite work that way, does it? I cannot count the number of times lately in my life, I have been ready to scream "what are we waiting on?!? where are you God, Savior, the one that PROMISES to answer?!?" We are waiting and waiting. Andy Stanley just finished up the series "The Waiting Room" If its not us, its our dear friends we're praying for that are in "the waiting room" waiting to be called to our "answer/appointment" by God. I have friends waiting on fertility results to know if they can conceive on their own, I have one waiting to see if their multiple attempt to conceive through fertility assistance has "taken." One who is too young, is waiting the results of a tumor, another waiting on her husband to decide if the marriage to him is "worth it", another in a desperate attempt to move and having to wait for the answers of her prayers of sending a buyer. Another friend waiting on a job, after they were recently laid off after their company went under. Some waiting on the prince charming they have been praying for for years. It seems as though so many of us are waiting on something. Sometimes its big and sometimes its small. We wonder why we wait. After all, he says to "delight in him and he WILL give us the desires of our hearts." We're followers right? We're claiming to God's promises through his scripture, we are doing all that we "know" how to do, so why are we being forsaken or forgotten about? Why are we being "punished" (in some of our minds) on no answers to our prayers we cry out daily? What on earth could be the purpose? We are walking by faith, but what for we ask!?! Why must we wait?!? I thought this answered these questions quite well.....beware if you're in the "waiting room" right now for anything, it could give you chills. Some of us have read it many many times.....


WAIT

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried. Quietly, patiently, lovingly, He replied.
I pleaded, and I wept for a clue to my fate, And the Master so gently said, "Child you must wait." "Wait? You say wait?" my indignant reply. "Lord, I need answers, I need to know why.
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?"
By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.
"My future, and all to which I can relate hangs in the balance, and you tell me "wait?"
I'm needing a 'yes', a go ahead sign, Or even a 'no', to which I can resign. "
And Lord, you have promised that if we believe, We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord I've been asking, and this is my cry~ "I'm weary of asking, I need a reply!"
Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
As my Master replied once again, "You must wait,"
So I slumped in my chair; defeated and taut And grumbled to God; "So I'm waiting, for what?" He seemed then to kneel and His eyes met with mine
And He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign. I could shake the heavens, darken the sun, Raise the dead, cause the mountains to run. "
All you see I could give, and pleased you would be. You would have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint;
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.
You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair; You'd not learn to trust, just by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me, When darkness and silence was all you could see.
"You would never experience that fullness of love As the peace of My Spirit descends like a dove. You would know that I give, and I save, for a start, But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart. "
"The glow of My comfort late in the night; The faith that I give when you walk without sight;
The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask From an infinite God who makes what you have last. "
And you never would know, should your pain quickly flee, What it means that 'My grace is sufficient for thee'
Yes, your dreams for that loved one o'ernight could come true, But the loss! if you lost what I'm doing in you. "So be silent, my child, and in time you will see That the greatest of gifts is to get to know Me.
And though oft' may My answers seem terribly late, My most precious answer of all...is still...wait.

By Russell Kelfer

My Trip to REI

So, with the upcoming Colorado trip closely in sight, I felt I definitely needed some new "duds" specifically for this trip. Since my summer closet is 90% made up of summer dresses or skirts, which I have been told are "not appropriate" for the Colorado trip that will include hiking, rafting and Red Rocks, I did what I do best-----I went shopping!!!

So off I went at lunch today to REI, what I felt was the 'coolest' place to get CO clothing. At first it seems so bland. I have been there before, but its always so "blah" to me. It seriously needs some pizzazz. But I'm sure they leave out the pizzazz and fun colors and music to keep "divas" like me out of their "outdoor" store. I head straight to the shoes, a boy that looks to be about 14 and a "little guy" gets my sizes in the Chacos. Understand, these were a "must have" I decided before even trying them on. I put them on and immediately felt like Mary Magdalene, really I felt like they were Jesus shoes except they were a feminine color, therefore, I called them Mary Magdalene shoes. I see these on all my friends and sometimes I think they look um......lets say....... silly (for lack of a better word) on them, but they are "cool" so that overlooks silly, right? They are the most comfortable shoes I have tried on to hike/raft in, so my 1995 Tevas are out and the Chacos are in! None were purchased as REI thinks more of theirs than zappos.com but they are coming! SOLD!

Then, I head directly to clothing, but since everything is so BLAH, I found myself having hard time differentiating the women's and men's sections. I found ONE pink jacket hanging on the wall enticing me over to the "womens" section. I grab it, love it, its but of course and XS. Little did I know at that point that probably only XS people, like the itty bitty shoe boy that shop there. However, I move on quickly find sale after sale, rack after rack of name brand clothing. Of course I stick to The North Face & Patagonia, I mean if I'm going to do this I am going to do this, right?!? I even kept myself away from some Patagonia DRESSES! However, they too were "blah" and if I'm going to wear a dress in CO, which is possible, I am thinking more "bold" than the dreaded colors they were carrying. Nonetheless, I was still uber proud of myself for by-passing the dresses!! I keep going.....

By the time I hit the dressing room my arms were so full I dropped clothing! I was thinking how much I was going to spend and how I'd just have it all done in one - stop shopping a-n-d it all was on sale!!! As I entered the dressing room in the "shopping high" we all get, I try on the first pair of clothing, um.....ARE THESE MEN'S??!?! I mean hike if you want to ladies, but seriously must we look like men while we do this?? Needless to say, first pair shorts-goner. Next pai...., North Face khackis, I almost bought them online at rei.com before going shopping because I though they'd be perfect just like my NF jacket I already owned & loved......hmmmm.... well once these shorts were on, another story. 4 sizes bigger than what I wear they may be perfect, thank goodness there was no online ordering! I went up one size thinking "oh they must run small" SMALL MY HINEY, those suckers were hugging my "fluffy" hiney, like those folks in REI hug the trees. Okay, sooo North Face runs a little small. I figure this is the outdoorsy peoples "higher end brand" I compare them to Bebe, BCBG as they are always so small, so no biggie. I was hurt by The North Face people and their terms of a size of a "12" but I move on. Ahhhh yes, oh yes a pair of khacki pant capris. Well, Patagonia must be on a runway somewhere with The North Face because I have never seen that small of a size with double digits on the inside.

At this point I have convinced myself I'm too fat to go to Colorado. I won't even be able to hike a trail, I'm just fat. No thoughts that I play tennis, hike Kennesaw Mountain, I can't do it in Colorado, I'm going to have to call James at work, shed a tear and tell him I'm just simply too fat to go to Colorado. And also that I should've never eaten fried rice at the sushi place for lunch right before shopping. I am ready to google on my i phone "how much weight can I lose in 2 weeks?" However, I keep trucking and will google that after I get out of the ridiculous treehouse-like dressing room. I keep going and I get a pair on that fits............. but UGLY! I mean who wears this!? All I could think of at that point was me posed on a hike just perfectly, with a cascading snow capped mountains behind me and James next to me, and realizing I would get no "cute" comments on facebook IN THOSE PANTS. Ughhh...

I did find a pair of shorts I'd never spend $25, much less the $45 I DID spend on them, but just because they were "what I am to wear." And it made me feel better that I kept on my black pumps when I tried them on. Seriously the things pumps do for our legs..........

So, I emerge from the dressing room, grabbing all my clothes that didn't work off their tree stump bench and there I see.... one pair of pink "something" hiding on a bland rack. It was pink Columbia capris, of course they came home with me too. I swear they were screaming "save me from the neutrals!!!" I also had a good buy on a North Face light jacket and a pink NF shirt. I guess NF expects their "granola girls" to have large 'tops" as their tops run right on size?? No no, I quickly realize its because I would wear it more fitted than the granola girls would :)

Soooo, I take my 4 items to the checkout place and spend my total of insaneness on my new "Colorado Clothing" that you may not ever see me again in. As she rings up the total, I immediately start thinking of what kind of party I can "host" to wear these again? How cute could I make Earth Day 10'? That thought didn't last long. I pay and exit with my REI bag (of course made from recycled something) and march my cute v-neck dress, black pumps, Versace Sunglasses self out of their "forest" and hop in my BMW back to civilization.

The Granola Princess

And they're off.....!

Big hats, super heels, cute dresses, warm sun, good friends and a good beau, horse races with WINNINGS what more could a girl want in a weekend?? This past weekend we traveled to Kentucky to meet some friends and attend Keenland, one of the fabulous horse races in Kentucky! We had a fabulous brunch tailgate the morning of the races and then headed into the Grandstands at 1230 for the 1pm race. the inside was beautiful, gorgeous landscaping, very well kept, neat venue. Pretty dressy. I loved that there was a small string band playing as you entered, hats and horses galore! There were 9 races total and we bet a little on each, I strictly picked by name while everyone else was analyzing how much the horse had won that year, who their jockey was, etc. And it turns out, that stuff really doesn't matter, we won several races! I have never been so excited on a $2 bet before :). 'If only' we had bet more. I must say the #1 race we bet on Precious Princess, how could she NOT win, she was not favored at all YET SHE WON!!!! I wanted a picture with her but didn't make it out in time to visit with her. I'm not one to gamble so I didn't actually place the bets, my job was to pick the names and then kiss the tickets before the race, it worked! :) Fun times had by all and a wonderful, memorable weekend!! I really plan to go back to another KY horse race, it was a blast! Here are some pics! This upcoming weekend a group of friends and I are headed to Rome, Ga for Steeplechase. We go yearly so its that time of year again, so two weekends of horsies, whats a girl to do? Buy another hat is what she is to do! I truly think that is THE reason we have horse races :).

Down on the Farm

I have a few 'favorite' spots I love to go to that are close to home and this is just one of them. I was fortunate enough to travel lots of places all over the world last year for my 30th year and saw some AMAZING sights (older blog"Thirty and the Year of Travel" on it if you want to see pics) Anyhow, out of all the places I got to see and absolutely loved visiting, there are still a few more closer to home that mean more than any statue, monument, ocean or historic building. One of those places is known as "The Farm."

Just a few years ago, some of my best friends, Staci & Andy's parents purchased "The Farm." It was a beautiful 1800s home on 420 lush beautiful acres complete w/ pecan and peach orchards, located right outside Macon, Georgia in Marshallville. However, it is very much 'off the beaten path'. Its GORGEOUS!!! The beloved home was last used as a hunting club if I remember right, and bless Andy's mothers heart, she has worked ever so long on making the home cozy and comfortable for all. It has a touch of her in every space of that house. Its perfect now and fully functional. Complete w/ old tall windows that are original, as the floors and many other details of the home show its date. It has a great side yard that I dream about and as you ride up to the 'home place' you see a white picket fence on the edge of the property and a big front porch welcoming you in. It is simply breathtaking, especially when things are in bloom, or a recent snowfall (it does happen!) or when its all green in the summertime.

The Thompson's have been MORE than generous throughout the years allowing all of us to go down there and visit. I've been with Mr & Mrs Thompson many times as well as the groups Staci and Andy bring down. I think I've only missed one trip in all the years. I just LOVE that place.

Its the one place I get dirty :) Its the one place I wear camo :) Its the one place I will shoot a gun (I hate guns usually) Its the one place I TRULY relax. Its the place I can drive a 4-wheeler, play in the mud, see Deer, saw my first coyote, and act silly the entire weekend. :) Its also one of the few places I will go without 'doing my hair' :) I just love it.

A few weekends ago was no exception, a group went down there, just as many many times before and had a great time just as many many times before. We rode 4-wheelers nonstop, shot skeet, targets (thankfully not each other, these guys are super safe!), we got muddy so much we got a truck stuck :). Laughed til we cried, ate til we popped (those are a 'given' on any trip there!) and enjoyed lifelong friendships and new ones as well. Its a place where everyone is themselves and relaxed. A place to tell stories around the late night campfires, a place to see true nature and beauty! Thanks to Staci and Andy ONCE AGAIN for hosting an amazing weekend. They are priceless and we always leave blessed by friends and full of memories, every single time we've had a visit down on "The Farm" In fact, I think Tim McGraw may have been in Marshallville that night he wrote "Down on the Farm" the first few lines describe our farm trips to a "T"
YEE HAW :) :)
Every friday night theres a steady cloud of dust That leads back to a field filled with pickup trucks Got old hank cranking way up loud Got coolers in the back Tailgates down Theres a big fire burnin but dont be alarmed Its just country boys and girls gettin down on the farm

HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!

Hallelujah the Angels cried and so do I this Easter season!

I do love Easter but I am not quite sure I have loooooooved Easter THIS much since I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Easter Bunny when I was a child. Even then I'm not sure it was as exciting as this!!

FOLKS, I MADE IT, 40 DAYS WITHOUT ONE SINGLE IOTA DROP OF COCA-COLA!!!! Not even Sprite or Mountain Dew or ANY TYPE of soft drink!!!!! For those that know me and for those that read my post "Addicted" below you must know I was fully addicted on the drink!!! It made things difficult, there are sooo many meals and snacks that are meant to be enjoyed with a tasty ice cold coca-cola. 1963 Coke's slogan was "things go better with Coke" They were right back in the day! However, I had to endure water and tea and other nonsense the past 40 days. 40 days may not seem like long, but let me tell you, its MUCH longer than you think!

The #1 question I keep getting over and over and over again is "Will you go back to drinking coke?" Folks, are you CRAZY???? I wanted one at 9am on Easter Sunday!!! But, I promised my side-kick who endured this venture with me, we'd wait until Easter lunch with the family. Now, to continue to answer the question, YES, I absolutely will continue to drink coca-cola! It's not great for me but it's not so bad in moderation either. I plan to drink less but give it up totally?? Are you nutso?? Everyone that has been in contact w/ me in the last 40 days knows I have been on this adventure, probably due to my constant pouting, mood swings, and the 10 min it takes me to order a drink at dinner b/c I don't know what else to drink besides coca-cola :). So I'd bet they would be willing to say "now now, let her have her coke." I would like to not drink it in the mornings as my 'caffeine' and strictly limit it to meals, that part I might can do. Thats the one thing this has taught me, I don't need it as much as I think I do. However, depriving me of it forever and ever amen is just not gonna happen, no two ways about it. How can I meet my goal of having a "Coke Room" in my house on my 40x40 list if I stopped drinking it altogether? Thats no fun! And no, I don't believe in Diet Coke, I would love to love it and have tried and tried but its just not going to be my 'thing.' :)


I also would like to give a 'shout out' and dedicate this post to the late Dr. John Pemberton, who brought the beloved into my life. A pharmacist from Atlanta, Ga (even better, its home grown!) he concocted the formula in his backyard in a three legged brass kettle in his backyard. Bless you Dr. Pemberton for all the smiles you've given and meltdowns you're prevented. One day when I pass the pearly gates, I hope to see you and say to you "Let's have a Coke and a smile" (Coke's slogan in 1979).

These days Life Taste Good (2001) and nothing quenches the thirst like The cold, crisp, taste of Coke (1958) and I plan to enjoy the Real Thing (1969)for a lot more years to come...