Quote of the week

"Think of Me. Look at Me often and unconsciously you will grow like Me."

Until Next Time...Blog On!

Christmas Surprises

The kittens Skyping with the boys!

So the big guy, aka Santa, brought a definite surprise this year.... two twin kittens for me and my younger sister. I knew she was getting a kitten but had no idea I was getting one??? See my mom thought it would be a good idea because 1.) I had mentioned getting a pet a few weeks ago (remember my commitment post?) and 2.) they were the only two in the litter, true twins, so how could she separate them. So, this is how I ended up opening a little kitten for Christmas.


Holly and Wreath- Christmas Kittens

I got the boy cat (named WREATH) and my sister got the girl cat (named HOLLY), based on personality. Holly sat all morning sweetly curled up and calm as my crazy kitten ran around in circles only stopping to be touched for a mere second or two until he was off again. Yep, my cat for sure!


Me "trying" to bond with Wreath!

So, Saturday I am returning to Charlotte with a cute gray kitten. Not sure how long he will be staying? We may take a trip back to visit his sister (for an extended stay) in Greenville very soon. We will see. Boy oh boy, that Santa is a funny guy.

Crazy Wreath!


Until Next time... Blog On!

Fa la la la la la la la la....

Holiday memories with good friends!

Tis the season, right? Well I was really brought into the holiday spirit at my best bud's holiday Christmas party. Not only were there beautiful decorations, amazingly tasty food/beverages, an ornament exchange BUT also ROCK BAND. You know that no holiday party is complete without Rock Band, right? Put 30 grown adults in a "man cave room" all participating in Rock Band and you have yourself a good time! I think this all led to what really got me into the holiday mood. As the night died down and guest began to leave we were left with the core group, 10 or so faithful friends (or the overnighters and neighbors, really). This core group of ladies decided to carol, indoors that is. So we burst out in song, at the top of our lungs, dancing around the house in a train like commotion. We tried to get the guys to join in but no real success. I can not really paint a picture of how funny this sight must have been. It was great and really got me into the spirit. So fa la la la la, la la la la! Merry Christmas!

Noah, the best dog-host known

Until Next Time.... Blog On!

Settling In

I am really liking the Queen City thus far. As weird as this may sound I feel like it is my "new Charleston"... Strangely the two cities remind me a lot of each other. The area I live in has the old charm feel, it has local restaurants and shops which are within walking distances, the best running routes, loads of beautiful homes and parks, and just an alive sense about it, ya know a hustle and bustle I guess. Also, I have found a really good church up here, maybe even my next home church...who knows? I have really missed being connected to a church in the city where I live. I am excited to have this part back. And lastly I am excited about getting involved in my community again. There is so much going on in Charlotte that I think this will be easy to do. I want to give back and be an active citizen. Yes, I think this new city is going to fit me well.

I think I might just settle in.

Until Next Time... Blog On!

Commitment Issues

So I have decided I may have commitment issues. Why have I come to this conclusion? Well, I always kinda knew it. I don't commit to things eagerly at first as I want to make sure I am 100% in. I hate those backer outer types :)

The other day I went to the local Humane Society in search of a possible new pet. I loved all the little guys and gals. I actually may have fell in love with a hound mix puppy named Virginia. She was precious in the best sense, playful, loving, clumsy. Perfect except she would grow to a whooping 70lbs. Yeah Virginia had to stay where she was. Anyhow I was driving to my next destination, TJ Maxx, YES, I can commit to shopping. My friend and I were discussing the pet situation and I said I just wasn't sure I could commit to this whole pet owner concept. I mean it is a lot of work. As I started listing off all my excuses I noticed a few homeless people near the train station in passing. It suddenly reminded me of the homeless community in San Diego and how most of them have pets. Wow, if the homeless can commit to an animal companion, shouldn't I be able to? Yep, I definitely have commitment issues!

Until next time...Blog On!

December Birthdays

Shout out to all the December Birthdays!

Kristin R- 17th

Mandi- 20th

Candace- 24th

Jesus- 25th

Kristin H- 28th

Caleb- 29th (my adorable nephew turns 2)

Until Next Time... Blog On!

So Proud

My sister-n-law posted this picture of my nephew's (Joshua) class photo. Notice anything besides him being the only white kid in his Indonesian classroom? He does all Americans proud. Love it. I will keep this forever and blackmail him one day when he is a teenager who think he is too cool. Wow, I love this kid! Until next time, Blog On!

Wow

So five states in five days, a move to a new city in a new state, lots and lots of boxes unpacked... I am TIRED! I can't believe I made it through last week, but I did. A few highlights.

The Beau Rivage! Cool place in Mississippi.

A early morning run along the Gulf Coastline

Crab Claws in Mobile...why do we not have these? They are AMAZING!

My new pad! The part that is finished, that is. I have a bit to go.

Until next time...Blog On!

Margin and Consumption

So recently I heard a really great message that got me to thinking. Greg started talking about Margin and Consumption, which of course peaked my interested as I deal with these 2 things everyday. (What is the margin we will make on a certain item and how will the consumer react to the item. These two things= profit, which = A good thing!)

BUT what do these two things have to do with the Bible? I was listening. Well he began the message titled "How to be Rich"...OK now I was really listening, and I am guessing I too have intrigued you. (NOTE: This post will be longer than most but stay with me, I think it is worth it.)

Greg's first point was that we are already RICH. We may not feel that way especially now, but we are. The fact that you are an American citizen means you are rich. We are richer than @90% (don't remember exact percentage) of the rest of the world. We have rich people problems; our dryers or ovens break (hello: we have a dryer or oven to break!), we have to call the plumber to fix something (hello: we have running clean water and a sewer system!)... you get my point. And most of the things we want or think we need are things that were not even developed or available 5 years ago, so obviously we can live without them and do not truly NEED them.

His next point was that as soon as we receive more Margin due to our society/natures we automatically consume that margin. How true is this? We get a raise/bonus at work, win the lottery or another blessing of some sort and what do we do? Buy more, buy bigger, use more--right? Greg spoke of a man in the Bible who had a prosperous crop, one so prosperous that he could not fit it all in his barn. So what did he do? He tore down his barn and built a bigger barn. Isn't this what we do all the time? (Good example: A new electronic version comes out of an I-Pod, Computer, TV, etc. and we buy it although the older version of the one we have is perfectly fine and serves us well).
But God called the man a fool for his behaviour, why? Because that very night after he finished his new barn, his life was coming to an end. You see he had control with what he did with his margin but he had no control over his future. What good would all his margin do him now? What more could he had done with his margin that would have served him well past the days of his life on earth?

To bring this to the point, We are to not view being Rich in the NOW sense as much as being Eternally Rich. You have all heard the verse "Store up your treasures in heaven.... for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" Luke 12. This verse really hit me as real for the first time. What I have is not for me to be able to consume more and more. No it is for me to have margin so that God can use me to bless others. How great would it be if those who had margin helped those without margin. Right now is a really hard time in our economy and for our nation. But it is not a bleak future. We can all do our part to help those in need. "Now that truly is investing in your futures"

One last point: So you think you don't have this Margin I am talking about. Well that may be the case, but for most of us we could create margin. How? Three simple ways: 1.) Spend Less 2.) Sell Something you can do without (EBay is great) 3.) Make more. Pretty simple-huh? And what if we took this margin and didn't automatically use it to consume more for ourselves, but instead blessed someone else with a greater need.

So as this season of consumer purchasing takes place, maybe you will think about how you spend your margin a little differently. I know that I will.

Until Next Time....Blog On

P.S.- I am proud if you stayed with me til the end of this unusually lengthy post

Turkey Day

Happy Turkey Day everyone and Special wish to Staci for a VERY Happy Birthday!!!!!

Reminder: Be thankful!

Until Next Time: Blog On!

So long, farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodnight... from Ash and Herb

Well, I didn't hang so well with this blogging deal. Oh well. I was happpy to share with y'all some of my profound thoughts.

So, Herbie (the most awesome, cute, soft, sweet, who knows how to sit, shake, beg, and scratch his butt on the bed while making comical noises dog in the world-Erica wouldn't let me write an entire entry about how great my dog is so I thought I would get my digs in ;)) woud like to take this chance to say goodbye to Erica.

Things I will miss about Erica:
1) the smell of her yummy coffee in the morning
2) her frankness
3) she helped me learn to be clean and neat (no small feat)
4) the constant presence of reduced fat cheeze-its and Wheat thins in the house
5) she and Drew get along really well and like to chat about Carolina football
6) always knowing what is going on in Lauren's life :)
7) Her love of lists (inspiring this one)
8) Her love for Herbie-love and her tolerance when I bring other dogs (even sweet smelly ones like Rudy) to the house
9) always having a friend to watch The Hills with
10) having someone to take me outside and feed me treats (that one is from HERBIE)

We will miss you Erica.

Face Lift

Ok, so some of you may have noticed a few changes on the blog. I decided it was time. I mean Ash gave up on the whole blogging world months ago and we techincally will not be roomies in Cola town in little over a week. So, I made a few minor changes to reflect the above. I will make more later, not too creative just yet. I will however miss Ash and Herbie Love but will be back to visit them in Cola town soon (and of course next football season!)

Until Next Time.... Blog On!

Perfect Weekend!

Charleston --- Oyster Roast --- "The place where everyone knows your name" --- Good times with Great friends --- shopping on King Street --- Catching up over coffee --- Inspiring message --- a walk on the beach in November --- picnic in the park with two adorable puppies --- a reminder of all your many blessings just before the holiday we set aside to be thankful!

Yes, perfect weekend!

Until next time...blog on!

Nomad

I seriously think I could almost define myself as a nomad. Why? Because I have counted it up and in the past 8 years I have moved 11 times. That is right eleven. And I am about to move again. With my track record you may be fooled to believe it is something I enjoy doing... I have a strange addiction to it maybe. But No, I hate moving, hate it with a passion. So although I am very excited to move to the Queen City, the whole process is overwhelming to me. You have to find the right place/area in a city you know little about. You have to think about lease term b/c if you end up really liking the new city you will want to buy instead of renting. And last but definitely not least, the thought of packing those boxes once again makes me want to vomit. Oh the life of a nomad. It is rough but somebody has to do it I guess.

until next time, Blog On!

Cotton Pickin

On a recent trip through the state of Georgia I saw tons of beautiful white cotton fields. It was a cool sight so we decided to pull over and do a little picking.

Sometimes you just got to stop and smell the roses, or pick the cotton!

Until next time...Blog On!

Happy Day!

It's 11:11 on 11/11 :) Ahhh, a good moment!

I was watching some kind of celebrity gossip tv show the other day (real brain food, ya know) and an actor was talking about being engaged but that he and his fiancee were not going to actually walk down the isle til 11/11/11. Kinda cool I thought, but they are stealing my day. So I have exactly 3 years to find the man of my dreams. Kinda seems like pressure when I am working on the whole philosophy of God just having him arrive on my door step. I better start putting in some good words with the Big Man up above. If you too have any connections, could you ask him to have my Mr. Right arrive sometime within the next 3 years just so I can get married on 11/11/11? Thanks!

Until next time, Blog On!

GA vs. FL game

This past weekend I headed to Jacksonville for my first ever Florida/Georgia game experience. No, I have not converted (still a gamecock fan) but so many of my good friends are GA fans that I wanted to experience this world famous event! And boy did I have BIG FUN!

We arrived on Friday to a beach house that is beyond words to describe. This will be a whole separate post with pics. Everyone got ready and we headed down to "THE Landing". Craziest thing ever and I guess something all should experience at least once. Being that it was Halloween, the thousands of people that were there were all decked out in their holiday attire. Favorite Halloween costume: Pac Man (very clever and stood out even in this crowd).

"The Jacksonville Landing"

Then Saturday of course was the BIG Game. Now while the outcome was not how I or anyone I knew there would have hoped for, it was still a good time. (Afterwards I was able to see MY GAMECOCKS pull out a W.)

"Drew and I cheering on the DAWGS!"
I realized I am so glad I live in the south where our lives from August til December revolve around college football. What a beautiful thing!

Until Next Time Blog On!

All-Natural....

I truly appreciate those who embrace the whole all-natural concept. I try, but you can always do more. A good friend (Meredith) has really impressed me with her dedication to this lifestyle especially with the birth of her first born, Eden. She has opened my eyes so much to the dangers of all the chemicals we put into our developing children. One of the neatest tricks that she has, that I will share with you guys, is her "homemade baby food".
http://freshfromeden.com/

To know other cool ways to be a super hip all natural Mommy check out Meredith's blog or website above.

Until Next Time...Blog-On!

Hiking

I love being surrounded by nature's beauty. My favorite place is usually an isolated beach watching the waves crash on a sandy shore and the endless sea in front of me. Ahh but when the air becomes crisp and fall approaches, there is nothing better than a trip up to the mountains to see another one of nature's jewels. A good hike through the quiet woods up to a waterfall (as you enjoy the changing foliage and the array of colors they paint) is an experience like no other. One thing I love about the Carolinas is our diverse geography. While we have some great coastal areas, we also have our share of amazing mountain trails and waterfalls. Above are a few pics of our local beauties! Enjoy and get out and see for yourself. Sometimes I feel closest to God when I am amongst his masterpieces!

Until Next Time... Blog On!

Happy Birthday!

To one of my dearest, oldest friends. We've been friends since "speedbumps"!

Wish I could be there to help you celebrate!

Love-ECK

Family and Football

I love football even if I am a GAMECOCK fan. It is rough but I guess it builds character!

Until Next Time...Blog On!

Trick or Treat?

I usually love Halloween but for the past few years I felt like I am growing out of it a bit. YET, in the spirit of feeling young I am going to embrace it fully this year. So what does that mean? It means I need a costume, right?

So what to be, what to be? I have had some very interesting costumes over the years, from a milkshake to a cow (wow, that is a lot of dairy)...so what to be this year? A few ideas: A Fanta Girl (support the Co. ya know) or Sarah Palin (but isn't that what everyone is going to be).

Obviously I need your help....what to be? Any IDEAS?

Until Next Time...Blog On!!!!

I do LOVE the candy corn!!!!

Hot and Cold

I love this time of year!!!! You wake up in the morning and it is brisk. You almost even need a jacket as you walk outside. Yet by the afternoon it has warmed up. You change back over to AC in the car. Then as you are going out in the evening or getting ready for bed, it is once again a little chilly. You reach for a comfy blanket to snuggle up in.

So Lovely! Hot and Cold!

Until Next Time...Blog On!

Handyman no Handywoman!

So this past weekend I had the brilliant idea that I was going to install pergo floors in my condo by myself before my new renter moved in. I arrived Friday evening to a condo not exactly in the condition I was hoping for. Not only was the carpet in need of replacement (which I knew about and had already planned for) but several other things were in need of repair and some TLC.

So I for went my high hopes of hardwood floors and spent the weekend having my very own DIY network. Thank goodness Lowe's could install new carpet with such short notice so I could focus on other things. In the words of a good friend, "Erica, you always bite off more than you can chew yet are like a cat and always land on your feet but I think this time it may just be too much even for you."

So with the assistance of some friends, walls were patched and painted, moldings repaired, disposal fixed, filters were replaced and the whole place was scrubbed from top to bottom.

Being a homeowner is Overrated! But if you are in need of a handy woman, I may just be your girl. Don't worry, I plan to keep my day job!

Until Next time...Blog On!

"Did Ya know?"

Helpful Tip of the Week (trying to be enlightening):

After you take your laundry out of the dryer, do NOT throw away those used dryer sheets!!!
Why? Well, they are awesome for some many other uses!

1.) Work as a duster. (Quick sweep over the tv, table, picture frames etc.)
2.) The best polish remover (100% better than cotton balls)
3.) Great cleaning cloth (especially for the bathrooms!)

So get ya a little basket and throw them in there when you take a load out and you will have them when you need them for one of the uses above or maybe another use you have discovered!

ALSO- new miracle cleaning product: Mr Clean Eraser (It will take anything out of anything)

Until next time.... Blog On!

Hard day at work

"Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a living!" Isn't that what ole DP said.
Well, after a recent "hard day at the office" I realized guys have out smarted this whole work day thing.

Golfing=Work, genius.

Until Next Time....Blog On!

Distance makes the heart grow fonder...

This may be the case in some instances.... but in other's maybe not?

I was skyping with the boys (my 3 nephews, well 2 really, the third is just a few weeks old) when my oldest nephew (3+) looked at my brother (his dad) and said "Is that Popa's cousin?" What? My brother and I both could not stop laughing. No, I am not your Popa's (my father) cousin...I am your aunt. The aunt that held you right after you were born, changed my share of diapers, buys you fun things, lets you eat candy when you are not suppose to and has followed you around for 3 years now with a camera constantly in your face...remember me?

To make the matter worse, my other nephew (2nd oldest) was more concerned with seeing the dogs than seeing me. He kept saying doggy, doggy.

So you see, this whole distance thing, I don't think it is making the heart grow fonder for my two (once sweet) nephews. No, now I have been replaced by a dog and somebodies cousin? I am going to buy my ticket to Asia TODAY!

Until next time...Blog On!

Ferrah Fawcett

I think you all will be glad to know I am starting to come out of my Ferrah Fawcett stage. Yes, I had a wild hair (no pun intended) this summer and decided to cut off about 8 inches of hair, go dark and get bangs. Yeah, I just wanted a little change :)

As badly as I love the bangs trend.... sadly it just was not for me. They drove me crazy. I felt like I was constantly squinting at people b/c my hair was in my eyes.

So I have been growing out the bangs since July and FINALLY they are starting to blend. So those of you who have been wondering, "What is she doing?" Does she not realize she is sporting a 70's hair-do? Yes, yes...I do realize, but it is hair and it will grow. Be patient with me. Thank goodness "she has a great personality" right? :)

Until Next Time...Blog On!

Quote of the Week

"People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed"

Many ways to take this and it can be applied to so many different situations.

Pretty good one I think!

Until Next Time....Blog On!

Beautiful Day

Today is my grandmother's (Mama) Birthday. I cannot put into words what this woman means to me. Sometimes you have people in your life that just get you, that you just love being around.

I have more respect and love for this woman, and it grows more and more every day.

So Happy Birthday, Mama! I love you will all my heart! Thank you for being such a huge part of my life!

Friends

"Charlie's Angels"

"A friend is one who strengthens you with prayers, blesses you with love and encourages you with hope."

This is one of my favorite quotes about friendship. It is so true. The older I get the more I realize that friends of substance are the ones that really matter. Yes, you will have friends for certain seasons or friends that share common interests or phases of life. But then you have the friends that are there through it all... friendships that outlast convenience, distance or even the ups and downs of life.

I am truly blessed to have GREAT friends in my life. I love you all!

Until Next Time...Blog On!

Adversity

Adversity, we all face some sort of adversity to some degree in our lives, right? But how we handle this adversity is what really matters. It is what builds character.

The other day I was at the gym running on the treadmill when a guy got on the treadmill beside me and started a pretty brisk stroll himself. Now what was unusual about this man was that he was blind. I was amazed. But it didn't stop here. After his 20 minutes or so on the treadmill he went to the bike machine and finished his daily cardio. I was just amazed as he made his way around all the crowded equipment. On my way out I was blown away even more as I saw him on weight machines. What, are you kidding me, how is this possible???

As I left the YMCA, located in downtown Columbia, I was in awe. Not only did this man not let his handicap stop him from being physically fit, he also did not just stay in the convenience of his home where I imagine it would be much easier and safer for him. No, he beat the adversity life presented to him and is living life as normally as possible.

He is my hero and reminded me that it is not about the challenges life presents...no not at all, it is how we react and what we do about it.

If this doesn't inspire you, I am not sure what will?

Until next time...Blog On!

West Virginia

If VA is for lovers, what is West Virginai for? Well after spending a week there, I have a few ideas but I will not discuss those here. Go visit and see for yourself.

One day while I was driving through the mountains (in my rental PT Cruiser I might add), I kind of laughed. I had a flash back to 2004 when I was preparing to go out to Vegas for my first ever work trip. I remember being so nervous and so excited at the same time. I had only been out of college and in the "real world" for a few months and didn't quite see myself as a "working woman"....well, I definitely do now. I realized I have been working now longer than I was in college, crazy thought huh?

Anyway, I am back and sorry for the slack in posts. I will try to get you some new material!

Until Next Time...Blog On!

Quote of the Week!

"Money is an excellent servant, but a horrible master"

Until Next Time....Blog On!

Gas Prices

So I saw a t-shirt the other day that said "Gas cost more than beer, Drink don't Drive"... I kid you not. What is the world coming to? It is kind of funny though, and true!

Until next time...Blog On!

The Past

The past is a guidepost, not a hitching post!

Isn't it funny how we always remember the past just a little better than it actually was at the time? I think this may be one of the reasons we like to hold on to the past. This and our innate fear of change and the unknown.

But how much wiser and happier we would be if we used the past as a guidepost and then moved on in a better direction, a brighter future. Let go of the the hitching post, take the lessons you were to learn with you and leave the past where it belongs, in the past.

Until next time....Blog On!

Goals

"Goals are just dreams with deadlines!"

What a cool way to look at our dreams. Being usually an optimistic person, I do believe anything I really want to do, I will make happen. Also being somewhat of a procrastinator, I NEED deadlines in my life to get things done.

So this works for me. I need to set goals to reach my dreams (in a timely manner, of course).

Until Next Time....Blog On!

Don't Worry, Be Happy!

"A SMILE is a curved line that sets everything straight."

What is making me smile today???

The arrival of my new baby nephew. Jedidiah was born on September 11, 2008!

Both Mom and baby Jed are healthy and happy!

Is he not beautiful? Head full of hair like his brothers.

Top Coke Products

OK, I just realized I hadn't followed up on the poll that I posted a bit ago.

How can I expect you guys to continue participating if I don't follow up on my part?


Ok so here is the deal:

You guys named the following brands as your favs.

In 1st place: Coke Classic

Tied for 2nd: Diet Coke and Cherry Coke

3rd: Sprite, Dr. Pepper, Coke Zero, Sprite Zero and Seagrams



So how did ya'll compare to this region's top brands:

1st: Coke Classic

2nd: Diet Coke

3rd: Sprite

4th: Dasani

5th: Dr. Pepper

6th: Caff. Free Diet Coke

7th: Coke Zero


Pretty close guys- Great Job!


Be on the look out for future Polls!!!!


Until next time...Blog On!