You have the right to remain silent...

So, I started my first summer class last Wednesday after the world wind weekend we had in Atlanta. Of course, I thought that the first night of class was syllabus night, but to my surprise, my teacher lectured for an hour and 15 minutes....that is a whole other story. He is a very good teacher and I like him, but I wasn't in the mindset for lecture on the first night of class...and I had left David by himself because I thought I would only be gone like 30 minutes...I digress..



So I am in class and everyone has their textbooks out, and I have mine sitting on the desk. Mine looks similar to theirs, but not exactly the same. So, I start panicking thinking I have ordered the wrong book off the internet. SUPER I thought...this is just a stellar week for me! Anyways, my teacher comes in and asks me where I got that textbook, and I told him, I ordered it off the internet. He told me to flip the book over on the back where there is this disclaimer that says this is an international version on the text book I am suppose to have...it is not made for the United States or Canada, and if you are in possession of this book, basically, you have illegally imported it. Well that is just super...I am going to prison for textbook fraud. So, he starts laughing and telling me the FBI is looking for me and all that, and I asked him if I should send it back. He said no, it wasn't that big of a deal. I did get it really cheap, so I should have known something was up with it. I paid like $25.00 for a new textbook, where my classmates paid like $179.00 for theirs. Which brings me to my next point...why in the world does the exact same textbook cost $150.00 less to "International Students??" I mean, seriously....its the same dang book! So, I may go to the big house, but I will continue to import my illegal textbooks so I don't have to dance on a pole to pay my college bills! What a rip off!!

Steven's Birthday!

Today we celebrated Steven's 12th birthday at Liberty Paintball. We had a great time, the weather was beautiful, and no one got hurt...so it was a good day! I have only played paintball once before, and I liked it, but it was also like one of those love/hate relationships. Its fun, but the entire time I am so nervous about being shot and anticipating the pain, that I almost like it when I finally get out. Weird I know...I got hit 3 times today...once in the finger, which hurts like the devil, once in the side and the third time one grazed the top of my head and I looked like a skunk from the streak of paint going down the middle of my head!! Steven invited some of his friends from school as well as my other nephews and we really enjoyed it. I highly recommend Liberty Paintball...the staff was really nice and accommodating. I still can't believe Steven is 12...Happy Birthday Nub!!

Test Results

Thank you to all of you that have been praying for David and for the results of his test. We got them back yesterday and there was nothing wrong with his appendix besides regular ol' appendicitis which they thought was odd. I can't remember if I mentioned this before or not, but David's appendix was in the top 4 largest that the physician had ever seen, and so he was worried about what made it so big. One of the options he gave us was that it was filled with mucous, the other was that it could have neoblasts in it. I remember sitting there while he was talking wondering what neoblasts were and I started putting together my word parts from school and neoblasts means cancer cells. So, as you can imagine, that is all that stuck in my head after he said those words. Not to mention that he operated on a lady about 2 weeks ago whose appendix looked like David's and was filled with those neoblasts...but thanks to all the wonderful prayer warriors out there, we have a clean bill of health, a 4 inch incision, and a sore little fella...but that is okay, we are so thankful that everything turned out okay! So, I know ya'll are tired of hearing about the sickness, so I am going to switch modes into what we did before we left...

On Thursday night, we went to Misti's house for our end of the study cookout. These ladies have grown to be some of my closest friends and we can truly lean on each other with our burdens. It has been a wonderful study, and they are all going to continue this summer...while I will be in school 3 nights a week. :( However, I hope to pick up with them in the fall. I know I am going to need them to lean on during nursing school!!! :) Here are some shots from the night!



Kristi whipping up some delicious Butterfinger Icecream!! YUMMY!


This is what we looked like before our Bible Study...


This is after!! Thanks again ladies for the great time!

We are home!!!!

So we finally made it home today...I was very anxious, but we made it. We went through 2 wrecks...one that didn't take too long and the other one had traffic in a dead stand still. So, I decided to turn around in the median like a lot of people were doing and hit the ol' "Detour" button on the GPS...I have only done this one time before and it worked out, granted, it took me through the ghetto in Birmingham, but I got around the wreck. So, I hit the button and took off on these back roads between Atlanta and Birmingham. Well 30 minutes later, I realized that we had made a complete circle and were back at the exit we got off of and the traffic had not moved. I about had a meltdown. I was so worried that David's pain medicine was going to wear off and us be no where near home....so I stopped at a gas station and got directions for a detour and made it okay. It took almost an additional hour, but we didn't have to sit still which drives me nuts. So, the pictures below are from David's first real meal and then our way home....which reading this now sounds goofy, like its a childs first steps or something, but everyday was a milestone. I never thought I would clap and cheer when my husband pooted, but I did. Now, hopefully I will not make a habit of clapping for him when he does this, but he has a pass for the next few days. We will get our pathology report back tomorrow so keep praying for good results!! Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day Weekend!!

Headed to ALABAMA!!

Well if all goes well, we are headed home to Alabama tomorrow...I am so excited, yet anxious about the drive. I have never been afraid to drive anywhere by myself...in fact I love nothing more than hopping in the car and taking off somewhere by myself, but tomorrow will be different. Ya'll please pray that there is no traffic or anything unexpected that will keep me from getting home as quickly as possible and that David won't be in too much pain. We have been working with our surgeon to get a plan for pain medication before we leave so that he will be as comfortable as possible. If only I could have an escort....



Well one way or the other my "Black Trans Am" will be headed towards Alabama!! WAHOO!

Surgery Update

Well, it is 8:00 p.m. in Atlanta, and we are trying to settle in for the night. We made our last walk around the halls, and David is worn out. The nurse gave him some orange sherbet which David enjoyed because that was the first thing he has had to eat since 7:00 Friday night...anyone that knows David knows he doesn't go that long without eating! :) In the morning, Dr. Jones will come in and check David and give us the latest update and see where we are at that point. David joked tonight that we have reached a new point in our marriage because I cheered for him when he peed into his little plastic container...ahhh, the little things. Goodnight for now, we are off to a peaceful nights sleep of nurses coming in every hour for vitals, a lab tech drawing blood at 2:00 a.m., and getting up to walk in the middle of the night....this is my idea of a vacation!! :)

As you can see, the "caring wife, no shower, 2 hours of sleep look doesn't really agree with me! :)

Memorial Day Weekend Vacation...I think..

Sorry I have been away so long, we have had alot going on. I will post some pictures from our Frazzled Female Finale which was so much fun!! But onto more important things. David and I decided to come to Atlanta this weekend to go to IKEA and get some furniture, catch a Braves game, and just goof off. So we started at IKEA.....


LOVE THAT STORE!!! We had picked out everything we needed and were coming back on Sunday to pick it up before we left to head back. After IKEA we went to our favorite restaurant, Copelands Cheesecake Bistro...




Then, we headed off to our hotel to hang out. We then ended up here....




This is David with his morphine pump...


Yes, that would be Emory Hospitals Emergency Room....David was having severe pain in his abdomen and so we decided to come in. Not knowing what it was, but not thinking it was a really big deal...WRONG!! We had to have immediate surgery to remove his appendix which was in the top 4 of largest appendix that the surgeon had ever seen. The surgeon sent his appendix off to the lab to try and determine why it was so big and if there was anything funky going on with it. So, here I sit, typing in this hospital room that has now become my home for the next several days. We may be here for a couple of days, but that is okay. I am super appreciative for everyone that is house sitting for us and taking care of our baby at home. He is probably getting more attention now than when we are there because so many people are staying at the house. Also, Davids brother and nephew drove down yesterday to see us which was very nice. I didn't think it was necessary for them to come, but by about hour 19 of no sleep, I was about to have a meltdown, so the company was much appreciated. They took very good care of me and David and it was nice to see a familiar face. So, keep us in your prayers as we stay here and wait on test results. Hope everyone else is on the river... :)

Disney Knows How To Do It!

So for the past several months, David and I have been debating on what to do for our anniversary this year. That is normally when we take a big trip, and we were looking into lots of options this year. I am a cruise fan...I don't know why, but that is my idea of a vacation. No one can get you on the phone, everything is planned for you, people clean up after you and bring you pizza by the pool...hello...PARADISE! However, David said that he is not that wild about cruises, he doesn't mind them, but he hasn't been on one yet that just knocked his socks off. He was wanting to go to Orlando, stay in a nice resort and go to the Disney parks and stuff. Well, leave it to Disney to help out this couple in need. We are going to do the 7 night land and sea vacation from Disney and their cruise line. I am really pumped about it, because I went on a Disney Cruise when I was young and it was the most awesome vacation ever! I talked to a friend from church who just got back from one because I was concerned we would look like pedophiles going on this cruise with no kids. He said that was not the case, that there are alot of people that go without children and whole areas just for adults that no kids are allowed in. So, we will fly to Port Canaveral, go on the cruise for 3 nights, then get back, stay in Animal Kingdom for 4 nights and visit the parks during those days. Win win for all involved. I am, of course, looking for a coupon of some sort for this trip, so if you know of any Disney discounts, let me know!

Millionaire's Shortbread

So two nights ago, I made quite possibly one of the best deserts I have ever eaten...and to make it that much better, it was simple to make!! Only 5 ingredients! It is called Millionaire's Shortbread and boy is is delicious! Now let me please make a disclaimer before I am scolded by my husband for my sub-par photography...it was early when I was taking these, and I don't know why they kept turning out blurry....but here they are!!





Now, a few tips before I give you the recipe. This recipe is not hard...just a little time consuming because you have to wait for each layer to harden/cool. Oh, and while you are making the carmel sauce from scratch...don't run your finger on the back of the spoon to get the carmel off and onto the shortbread layer because it is BOILING LAVA HOT!! I made that mistake and burnt the crap out of my finger, of course the mixture was so thick it just stuck on the finger making matters worse, and my first reaction is to put it in my mouth, then burning my tongue..I promise though the recipe is worth it! Here we go!!

Shortbread:
-2 sticks butter, cut into small pieces, plus more for preparing pans
-2 cups all purpose flour, plus more for preparing pans
-2/3 cup sugar
-1/2 tsp salt

Carmel Layer
-(2) 14 ounce cans sweetened condensed milk
-2 tablespoons butter

Chocolate Topping
-3/4 pound good quality milk chocolate (As I am reading this, I just realized I used a whole pound of chocolate...woops!! The more the merrier I think!)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. Butter 2 (8 inch square) non stick pans and coat with flour, tapping off excess. Pleace the flour, sugar and salt in a food processor and pulse once. Add butter and pulse until mixture resembles peas. (I do not have a food processor, so I just used my big mixer and it worked okay...probably not as good as a food processor though) Press the shortbread mixture into prepared pans and bake until golden brown around the edges, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely.

Carmel Layer:
In a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat, combing the condensed milk and 2 tablespoons of butter. Slowly bring the mixture to a boil, stirring continuously. Continue stirring over the heat until the mixture becomes thick and and amber color, about 15 minutes. (This is the worst part to me because my hand got tired, but still WELL WORTH IT!) Pour the carmel over the cooked shortbread and spread evenly using an offset spatula. (This is where I burned myself trying to get the extra carmel off the spatula..just let it stay on there to cool, and eat it off later!! Cool to room temperature.

Chocolate Topping
In a glass bowl, set over a saucepan of simmering water, melt the chocolate. Once chocolate has melted, pour it over the cooled carmel layer. Cool at room temperature for about 10 minutes, and then place in the refrigerator to cool completely, allowing chocolate to slightly harden but not get too hard. Cut into 2-inch squares and enjoy!!

Oh a side note, I had company over for dinner last night that went BONKERS over these. And I at so much of it yesterday, including a piece for breakfast that I thought I was going to be sick...but like a trooper, I kept eating! Let me know what you thinK!!

Lazy Saturday

For the past two weekends, David and I have had relatively relaxing weekends. He had photo sessions scheduled but with the insane amount of rain we have been having, we had to re-schedule, so that left us with a free Saturday and Sunday...hoorah!! So, we decided after the Bag Ladies Brunch to head out to our river place and make sure that a tree had not fallen on our camper with all the wind and storms we have had....and also to make sure it hadn't blown off the side of the hill. It was such a pretty day and I was so excited to go because we don't get to go very often. As soon as we turned on the street for the river lot, Wilson got real excited. So, we drove up to the top of the hill, checked out the camper (still there and no tree damage) and then were about to take Wilson down to the river when the skies turned dark...and not just kind of dark, like REAL dark. So we took off back out of there with thunder, lightening and hail on us. Wilson, as you know, does not do very well in storms, so I ended up getting in the back seat with him. SIDEBAR-For all you mothers out there that are laughing at me, think about how you look riding in the backseat with your baby.....its the same thing. :) Anyways, so, he calms down and actually sleeps the majority of the way home. Can we say spoiled??

Pardon my feet...

Bag Ladies Brunch

On Saturday, my mom and I attended the Bag Ladies Brunch at the Carnegie. It was the first year for the event and it was a great success. They had all these beautiful handbags that they were auctioning off and all of the money was going towards the new Visual Arts Center that Junior League is sponsoring for the Carnegie...so needless to say, I spent entirely too much money on handbags...but when it is for a good cause, I will whip out the ol' checkbook!! I won't get into specifics about my bidding war over a particular handbag, but at the end of the day, I loaded that baby up in my car. What a great feeling...and such an elaborate ploy to get people to spend more money on something than they normally would. Now, I am not a purse girl, or a shoes girl....I guess if I had to say anything I am a clothes girl...actually, I lied. I am a dishes girl. Yes that is right, dishes, like china dishes. I will not spend $50.00 on a purse, but now $50.00 on a plate...what a bargain!! :) Or, I will spend money on outdoor things, like boat stuff or river lot stuff...but on just about everything else I am a cheapo. Love to find a bargain! Here are some shots from the day. We had a great time, and if you didn't make it to the event this year, I highly recommend it. After all, where can you pay $150.00 for a purse that is only worth $80.00?? :)

These are the 11th street and 12th street chicas! We all grew up together...or rather, I was the baby that they put rollers in my hair and dressed me up like a doll...




Me, my mom and Aunt Barbara


Aunt Barbara after she was given the coveted designer purse from our entertainer...

Rodeo Fun!

On Friday night, we gambled with the Mother Nature, and went out to the rodeo in Athens. I wish I could find a picture, but I didn't have the time, nor desire to go digging through my mom's bazillion picture albums to find the picture of when I was Miss Rodeo Queen. Maybe I will find it and post it later...anyways, I digress. So we ended up going and it sprinkled maybe a little bit, but nothing major. As we were walking in, our neighbor AJ McCloud on WDRM stopped us and we were talking. He was about to do a live broadcast and asked if we would comment about the rodeo. Now, I am a trained professional in public relations...I should be ready at all times to "make a statement/give a comment." We had about 30 seconds before we were on...and I went blank...I am talking BLANK!! So, when he put the microphone in my face, what came out was just by the grace of God. It wasn't my best, but definitely not my worst. David of course had to throw in something goofy as usual...you can listen to it here...



So after our 30 seconds of fame, we went on in to enjoy a wonderful night at the rodeo. Here are some shots from the night....

David is obviously a little more excited than I am...


It is my goal next year to carry the flag...ya'll watch out!


A little chuck wagon racing...


And of course our favorite...the bull riding!

May I present to you...the 2009 Ms. Hendrix Health and Rehab!!

On Tuesday of this week, I had the honor to be asked to judge the Ms. Hendrix Pageant at Hendrix Health and Rehab. I of course said yes, and was super excited about getting to do this. I have judged pageants before, but this one was totally different. When I sat down and they gave me all the contestants information I started to have a little mini panic attack..."How am I going to pick...what sets one person apart from the other...why can't they all win...." these were the things going through my mind. All of the contestants were wonderful, but this one stuck out to all 3 judges. They were escorted in my the guys from the rehab department, and as you can see, there was an archway decorated with flowers. Well, this lady is walking in and her escort takes her through the archway, when she announces that she knew this was just an elaborate hoax to get her to marry him. She told him, that would not be happening today that she didn't want to be married. The place erupted in laughter. All the contestants were asked 2 questions, "What message would you like to tell the world, and what enjoyment to you get out of life. As you can imagine, we had a wide variety of answers. Now, this lady is 86 years old and zips around like she is 40. He answer to the second question was, "Every day that I wake up on top of the dirt instead of under it is a good day." Amen sister! What a great attitude. We could all learn alot from Ms. Hendrix 2009!!!

Nothing sets the tone of a dinner party...

More than this crawling on your ceiling....
Let me paint a picture for you....we had people over tonight for dinner...during my 2 week break from class, I am trying to have as many people over as possible because this summer is going to be consumed with class. So, we had 2 couples over for a dinner party. I had everything ready...good food, house cleaned, new dishes out...thought I had it going on. Well, I did until after dinner we are all sitting in the den and the biggest roach I have EVER SEEN crawls out of the top of the fire place. I thought for a second..hmmm...do I try not to draw attention to it, or what...but the sheer look of terror on my face clued everyone in. So, David goes over to kill it, when I reminded him not to smash on the ceiling because it would have left a huge spot, and he knocks it off into the floor. The thing then bolts like grease lightening towards Justin...but David with his cat like instincts kills it before it makes it to him. I have never even seen a roach in our house...we have the occasional spider but not roaches. So, thank you roach community, for getting together and deciding tonight was the night to make your debut at the Higginbotham House....thank goodness the health department wasn't there!!

The Playground for All Children

As most of you know, I am a member of The Junior League of Morgan County. For the past 5 years, our signature project has been The Playground for All Children at Delano Park. It seems like it took forever, but actually, we were suppose to raise money alot longer than 5 years to pay for the park. Well, on Mother's Day afternoon, we had the big ceremony and opened the park. It was rainy, and I didn't expect anyone to come, but we had a great turnout. Miss Samford came and sang, and Karen Tidwell, who was the signature project coordinator, did a great job putting together this event. Oh, and the cupcakes there....AWESOME! That was worth it for me to stand out in the rain for. I got a little misty eyed when we finally opened the gate and the children got to run out on the playground for the first time. It was like kids in a candy store. They couldn't decide what to play on first. It was also wonderful to see all the children with disabilities out there playing right next to the other kids. That is the part that got me misty eyed. All the hours of service, fundraising, horseshow and American Girl was all worth it to me at that moment. To look out and see the joy in the children's faces....ALL of their faces no matter what their disabilities were. So, I encourage you, if you have not been out to see the playground, that you go and take your kids. It is awesome and I am so proud to be a part of it!!

A New Brother in Christ...

On Mother's Day, my family had the honor of seeing my nephew Steven get baptized. We are all so proud of him for his decision to follow the Lord and I know he will be a great servant. Here are some pictures from the event.

This picture cracks me up because it reminds me that after he was baptized, he immediately started fixing his hair...that is a pre-teen for ya!!




I know Aunt Patsy is going to kill me for putting this picture on, but it was the only one I had of our whole family...Sorry Aunt Patsy!!!

Moths....Get Ready To Meet Your Maker!

Running to put up the bug zapper???


If you can't tell from the photo's above, David and I have officially turned into the rednecks of the neighborhood...all of a sudden, our back porch has been taken over by these tiny moth things...so, David decides to not just kill them, but to fry their insides out, and then have their fried skeletons hang decoratively on our back porch from a bug zapper....instead of it being like the bug zappers that we had growing up that had that insanely bright light that I am sure was radiating cancer into our bodies, this one has a dull glow. So, David was really excited to hang the thing up...I of course had reservations and figured it the loud popping would terrorize our already weird dog...but far be it from me to get in the way of a husband, chest pounding, drag the food back to the hut moment....so I stood by while he hung this hideous thing on the porch. So, he turned it on and was so excited to come in and wait to hear the sound of death outside on the porch...well, I don't know if its because the light was dim, or what exactly, but there was no sound of death...in fact, the little moths just fluttered around the light, but never went right to it. So, thank goodness we kept the box because that sucker is going back to the store. Anyone have any suggestions for moth removal that won't wake the neighbors or make us sterile?

Excellence In Leadership-Decatur Morgan County Chamber

This year, I have had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of the 2008-2009 Leadership Decatur class through the Chamber of Commerce. It has been a wonderful experience and I have gotten alot out of it. Growing up in Decatur, you feel like you know everything about our city....well after this class, you realize you have no idea. The day that we did the tour of Decatur and the history of our fine city, I was amazed. I had no idea what all has happened in years past in Decatur. So yesterday, we had our alumni luncheon at Rhodes Ferry Park and had a great time. JW's Steakhouse provided our food, Pepsi provided our drinks and Superior Bank sponsored the event. It was really nice. We got to eat with some of the people from previous leadership classes and get to know them. It was super windy yesterday, but no one was complaining...after like 10 straight days of rain, we will take the sunshine and wind for sure! I made some really great friends in this group that I probably would have never met if not through the Chamber. If you have the opportunity to participate in this group, I highly recommend it. I think you have to be nominated by your company to participate, but if you want more details, call Tiffany at the chamber. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!!