Welcome to Memphis {vol 1}

"Welcome to Memphis" is synonymous to saying "Welcome to the Ghetto" or "Welcome to the City Where Nobody Gives a Shizz."

Disclaimer - I have NO IDEA why it's sideways.

Apparently it's also synonymous with "Welcome to the City Where People Hold Their Cars Together With Saran Wrap and a Prayer."

Growing Down {vol 1}

Per this post we know I've gotten a trainer and am on a quest to slim down.

In the 1.5 short months that I've been doing this, I've learned so much and something tells me that my learning has just begun. 
I've lost in some ways, but I've grown - and will continue to grow - in others.

So, these weekly posts - mostly for my memory - are going to be called "Growing Down."

Weight Loss This Week: 1.5 poundsThis number is not as high as the previous 2 weeks [they were 4 and 4.4 pounds, respectively], but I refuse to beat myself up.  I lost.  There was a loss.  During the holiday season.  This season is like the Superbowl of the unhealthy food world and I am usually the star quarterback and I still lost weight.  And, as my mom says, "just maintaining during the holiday season is a victory."  And she's right, but I'd much prefer a loss.  So, 1.5 pounds?  I'll take it.

Weight Loss Total: 16.2 poundsWe're almost to 20!  I'm so close I can taste it!  And it tastes like healthy food.

What I Learned This Week: Bananas are not my enemyI'd been avoiding bananas altogether because I was afraid they contained too much sugar.  However, at the advice of my trainer I've begun eating them again prior to workouts. 

Health Food Obsession: Back Yard Burger's Wild Turkey Burgers w/Pepperjack cheese - plain
Holy Mother of God. 
I don't know why I didn't jump on this bandwagon sooner!  I am in love with these things!  And you can get them on a wheat bun!

The Love List: {Top 5 Christmas Movies Edition}

I love movies at any time of the year - you could seriously ask me on any given day if I want to see a movie and the answer will always be "YES."

So naturally, I love Christmas movies.

There are certain ones I have to watch every single year or it's just not Christmas.

Here's a countdown for you:

5. Elf

{via}

"I love you!  I'll call you in five minutes!"

I'm not a huge fan of Will Ferrell, but this movie makes me love him. 
And I just love Zooey Deschanel.

The "Baby It's Cold Outside" scene?  LOVE.


4. Holiday Inn
{via}

"I'm Linda Mason."
"Oh, LINDA Mason!!" 

Does it get any better than Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire together?

The answer is NO.

It's always been a back of the mind dream of mine to open a place like this.

Incidentally, this movie is the reason I know how to correctly spell "Connecticut."

3. Four Christmases

{via}

"My childhood was like the Shawshank Redemption.  Except I didn't have some old, warm, black man to share my story with!"

This movie = hilarious.
I can never stop laughing when it's on.  The church scene is GOLD.

2. Love Actually
{via}
 "But for now, let me say - Without hope or agenda - Just because it's Christmas - And at Christmas you tell the truth - To me, you are perfect - And my wasted heart will love you - Until you look like this."

I want to watch this movie all year round.  It's just the best.  The minute I saw the previews for this movie I knew I would see it in the theatres and love it.
I can never pick a favorite storyline.
I just think that little boy is precious.
I watch it SEVERAL times a Christmas season.

1. White Christmas

{via}

"Mutual, I'm sure"

It wouldn't be Christmas without seeing this movie.

When I was growing up - and still to this day - my family watches it on Christmas Eve.

Would anyone judge me if I said I have always desperately wanted Vera Ellen's waist and one of those red outfits?


Honorable Mention goes to:

Eloise at Christmastime - Because nothing with Christmas, Julie Andrews, New York City and a pug could be bad.  And I just love this movie.

and

Christmas in Connecticut - I grew up watching this every Christmas and still love it til this day.  I blame this movie for my affinity to want to smash fine china.

So, there you have it!

What are your favorite, must-see Christmas movies?

My Grown-Up Christmas List

Every year I make and distribute a Christmas list for my friends and family.

(I do the same thing on my birthday, but that's neither here nor there.)

Anyway, I usually have it out by now but this year it was just difficult to decide material things that I wanted for Christmas.  Usually if I want something, I purchase it. 

My mom kept emailing me asking for my Christmas list, so finally I put a few things together that I wouldn't mind seeing under the tree.

As I've gotten older, though, I have much more enjoyed shopping for others and watching them open the presents I've carefully selected for them.

1. Bobble Bottle - Magenta

2. Longchamp Style Tote

3. Mindy Kalig's Book

4. Lady in Waiting

5. FujiFilm S2950 Combo pack

6. Conair Infiniti Dual Barrel Waver

7. Bare Escentuals Eye Shadow in DRAMA

8. The Help on DVD

9. Multi-Chain Necklace

Confessions

Today I'm participating in A Blonde Ambition's "Confessions" link-up!

1. I always forget to check my mail and now I'm having to re-register my mailing address at a bunch of places because for so long the mailman just went ahead and stamped everything NON-DELIVERABLE because the mailbox was too full for anything new.

2.  The front of my work is all glass and my co-worker and I make up stories about all the people who walk by our windows everyday.  It's like writing a soap opera.

3.  When I was little I wanted to be on a soap opera.  I thought that it just had to be the most glamorous job ever.

4.  I have Christmas pajamas.

Don't judge me.

5.  I love to drink out of wine glasses.  I will drink ANYTHING out of them - we're talking juice, water, soymilk...

There is no rule that says they have to be for just wine.

6.  I've yet to watch one Christmas movie.  But when I do, Love Actually will be the first one I watch.  And I will watch it more than once.

7.  I'm currently freaking out that I've ended on a weird number and that I didn't stop at '5' or try to get to '10'. 

I need to get over it.

Head over to A Blonde Ambition and read others/link up your own!

Have a great weekend!



"Be a pal, lift up my hand and smack her with it."

If you know the tv show from whence that line comes, you are awesome.

And yes, I just used the word whence.

Deal with it.

Anyway, the point of this post is to talk about my adventures of late.

Specifically the one where I get a personal trainer and he proceeds to kill me.

It's a good kill me, though.

Although I've never been more sore in my entire life and I don't know if I should be as excited about that as I am.

So, I hired a personal trainer at the beginning of November.

I go twice a week for personal training sessions and then do cardio on the other days.

Recently, I've begun doing the 30 Day Shred with my mother and let me just tell you how much I want to tell Jillian Michaels not to phone in her workout.  I hear her voice saying "Don't phone it in..." in my sleep.

Anyhow, I've lost 10.3 pounds thus far.

Yes, I just used the word thus.

I'm down some inches in some places, too, but I don't feel like typing all the details out.

This is my version of The Biggest Loser.

And it really should be recorded, but NBC hasn't emailed me back so I'm going to start blogging it.

Feel free to comment.

Unless you're going to talk about chocolate, french fries or chicken biscuits.

Then you have nothing I want to hear.

30 in 30

 

Instructions:

a. Put together a list of 30 things you want to accomplish in the 30 days November contains.

b. Do the 30 things in no particular order.

Simple enough, no?

Here is my list:

1. Keep a food journal every day.

2. Set up the home office.

3. Pay for the person behind me at Starbucks.

4. Get a personal training membership.

5. Clean out clothes and donate.

6. Christmas card pictures/order cards.

7. Make cookies for neighbors.

8. Wear a different outfit every single day.

9. Pick a book of the Bible and deep study it.

10. See 3 new movies.

11. Draw up detailed plans for our 2 holiday parties.

12. No carbonated beverages.

13. Scan/upload/sort all pictures to my computer.

14. Start a savings account for Haiti missions trip in July 2012.

15. Compose detailed Christmas list and start(and finish?) shopping.

16. Make a meal for someone else.

17. Send out 2 cards per week in the mail.

18. Try 3 new foods.

19. Create/order new business cards.

20. Yoga or Pilates class once a week.

21. Take sewing machine to be fixed.

22. Purchase new duvet cover.

23. Go see an IMAX movie.

24. Tour the Brooks Art Gallery.

25. Research new cameras.

26. Start non-profit outreach for work.

27. Start my 2012 resolution list.

28. Get a massage.

29. Spin class once a week.

30. Drastic hair change.

I'll update as I've completed different ones!

I'm excited!

Grownup?

When I was little, all I wanted to be was "grown up."

One year for Halloween - I think I was about 6 - I was a "teenager" for Halloween.

I got to do my hair all big and poofy and wear makeup and a shorter skirt with heels; I had arrived.

The other day I was having a conversation with someone and I started a sentence with "When I grow up I...." This individual looked at me like I had three heads and then proceeded to inform me that I was, in fact, grown up.

Now, it's not like in all reality I don't know this.

I'm about to be 28.

I live on my own.

I pay my own bills.

But, there are still parts of me that cannot believe that my "grown up" is here.

That got me thinking about the little things that make me feel like a "grown up":

- having my own work email

- setting an automated "out of the office" reply on said email when I go on a business trip

- going on a business trip - seriously

- grocery shopping

- buying stamps

- scheduling doctor's appointments

- planning a Christmas party

- going to bed at whatever time I want and having that time be 8p

- hearing a song from when I was alive on the oldies station

- calling around to get prices on furniture upholstery

- feeling old in Forever21

I know how old I am, but sometimes I still feel like that little girl getting excited about dressing up like a teenager on Halloween.

Texts From My Mom

So over Labor Day weekend I stayed at my parent's house because I was working so much and they live so much closer to my store.

Since that time, I've yet to get all of my paraphernalia out of their house and have been coming before work a couple mornings a week to grab something that I needed.

The other day, we had the following text conversation.

And yes, we watch Survivor.

Don't hate.

I'm not sure it's ethical for a parent to charge mail fees. ;)

Still, I lol'd when I read this message.

DWTS vs. OMM {Round 1}

So, the other morning I'm just getting ready and watching Good Morning America - normal morning - when I hear a story about outrage on the newest cast of Dancing With the Stars.

Apparently, people are less than happy that transgender Chaz Bono has been asked to appear as a contestant on the show.

Most specifically, a website called One Million Moms has called for both Bono and homosexual contestant Carson Kressley to be replaced.

I've copied and pasted their call to action below and, just so you know, it's verbatim.

'Dancing with the Stars' has Spun Out of Control!

Some families have already decided against watching Dancing with the Starsbecause of the skimpy costumes and provocative dance routines, but now they have gone too far! This year, not only are they casting Carson Kressley fromCarson-Nation, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, and How to Look Good Naked, but also transgender Chaz Bono- child to Sonny and Cher- from the documentaryBecoming Chaz will be appearing in the show. Both are LGBT rights advocates and promote this destructive lifestyle. DWTS is helping them create visibility for the LGBT community.

This is completely unacceptable and Christians should not watch the show, no excuses! Kressley will be paired up with a female dancer, and since Chasity, transformed to Chaz after her sex change in 2009, will also be paired with a female dancer.

To push the envelope even further for a program that could be a family show but is obviously not, Kressley is also author of the children's book You're Different and That's Super, a children's book promoting the homosexual lifestyle to children.

Bono is the show's first transgender contestant and has served as Entertainment Media Director for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). Herndon Graddick, senior director of programs for GLAAD, said in a statement, "At a time when transgender representation in the media is sorely lacking, Chaz Bono joining the cast is a tremendous step forward for the public to recognize that transgender people are another wonderful part of the fabric of American culture."

TAKE ACTION

Email ABC Network and let them know that we will not tolerate these subjects being forced into our homes. DWTS airs 8/7 central when children are awake and Christian families will not enhance the ratings by watching the show when it returns September 19 unless this issue is taken care of and these cast members are replaced (Kressley was added last minute anyway because of another cast member's injury).

Send Your Letter Now!

Now, I'm not one to impose my personal beliefs on people, but I will say that I'm a Republican and generally consider myself to be a conservative person.

With that being said, I think that this website is radical and is taking this - and several other issues I found on their website - a step too far.

I highly doubt that they are going to put that much of an emphasis on the fact that Bono is transgender. Yes, it will be talked about, but why not take that as an opportunity to have a discussion with your child? Even if you don't agree with it, tell your child that and tell them why.

At the very least, mute his performance.

Have your child go get their pajamas on during that particular number.

Fast forward through it.

There are so many options here before completely boycotting the show.

If you are offended by this, how are you not offended by Bruno every week?

Did they also boycott Lance Bass?

I think it's not any different.

This is so confusing, and sad, to me that people are so closed minded.

And also, if you're going to run a website (I'm looking at you, One Million Moms) learn how to write properly.

The Million Dollar Question

Source: etsy.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Today a question was posed to me that has actually been posed to me a few times before. I was asked, "Why does God let bad things happen?"

Loaded question for a Wednesday, right?

Right.

I'll admit, I've fumbled through the answer every other time I've been asked this. I'd come up with some Sunday School answer and change the subject quickly. I think, in part, because I've always had a hard myself understanding why bad things happen.

Tsunamis, job loss, earthquakes, cancer, car accidents, death, tornadoes , - these are all things that plague believers and non-believers alike. These are all things that are yes, terrible and very hard to go through no matter what your religious stance.

Say you're a non-believer. You go to the doctor for a routine check-up only to be told that you have terminal cancer. What do you do?

You will probably be angry, hurt, frustrated - you might cry out to God and ask him why he allowed this to happen.

I'm not going to blame you - everyone's allowed grief.

Say, now that you are a believer. Same scenario - check-up, cancer, it's terminal.

What do you do?

The same thing?

Maybe.

Probably.

Now, I'm not judging anyone for the way they react to anything. That's not the point. I can't say what I would do in that situation because I've never been in it.

But what are we supposed to do?

Believe that God allowed these things to happen to us?

He did.

He doesn't want them to happen to us, but it is through these times that he wants us to learn to trust Him.

When I hear of trials I always think of Job. Job literally had everything taken from him and his first reaction was to complain? No. His first reaction was to praise God.

Job 1:20-21

At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground and in worship(in worship!) and said "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. May the name of the Lord be praised."

I cannot imagine having my house, land, income and family taken from me and then - without thought - praising the name of the Lord.

This is the deal:

God did not promise us that life would be easy. He actually says the exact opposite:

John 16:33

"I have told you this so that in me you will have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world."

It's a promise.

"I have overcome the world."

"I've already taken care of this."

How comforting is that?

He's got this.

We're going to crash and burn.

Horrible things are going to happen.

This life is ugly.

It's mean, unforgiving and full of negative things.

We're going to fall.

That's a promise.

But so is the fact that He will be there to pick us up when we do.

I'll leave you with this song. I've been obsessed with it ever since the first time I heard it a couple of weeks ago.

July Haul

July was a whirlwind.

I have absolutely no idea where it went.

I'm sure as I get old(er) I'll be saying that more and more. It really makes me feel like an adult. Well, that and the bills I pay every month. There's nothing like watching your bank account deplete to really make you feel thankful you have responsibilities.

Anyway.

On July 2nd, Collierville held it's annual Independence Day celebration. It was a lot of fun! We ate sno cones, learned to do "the wobble" and saw a bunch of fireworks!

Wendi & I at Collierville's Independence Day Celebration.

July 3rd was not only Faith Baptist's annual fireworks - which really are the best in the city - but also my beautiful mother's birthday! We did do a cake and presents for her at the fireworks, but I didn't get any pictures. Mostly because we were so hot we could barely hold the camera to get the two pictures we did take that night.

Evan & I.

I don't know if I'll ever see a fireworks show that tops Faith Baptist's.

Every summer the Orpheum Theatre does a summer movie series and this year they focused on movies made in Memphis. On July 8th, we went to see The Firm. It was my first time seeing it and I loved it.

Just like June, I tried to be at the pool as much as I could. So relaxing.

July 26th was Samantha's birthday! Here she was being serenaded in Italian. She wasn't quite sure what to think!

Samantha & I - July 26, 2011.

My New List

Source: wavesrule.tumblr.com via Whitney on Pinterest

So, if you've known me for any length of time then chances are you know that I had "a list." Well, who are we kidding? I have a lot of lists; I am constantly making lists. But one list in particular has always been around and that was my "guy list" and all of the requirements that I had for someone I would potentially date.

Well, I'm a slightly stubborn person and I flat-out refused to compromise on this list. I was not budging. I just thought I knew myself and that I knew exactly what I need out of someone. And that's partially true - there are certain basics that I will never compromise on.

But I had a lot of things on there that barred me from dating certain groups of men. And then something happened: I fell for someone who fulfilled little to none of the requirements on my list. All the careful planning I had done in preparation for me to have feelings for someone else went out the window.

Now, I did not date this individual but through my feelings for him I learned a little more about myself.

See, I believe that everyone we encounter is put into our lives to teach us something and we should teach them something, too. Now I have no idea if I taught him anything, but he for sure taught me two things.

1. It's ok to let go of the little things on the list and that every guy that I have feelings for or date does is not a check mark on a list.

2. Being on fire for God and not compromising in their faith and convictions really is the most important thing to me.

My feelings for this person have faded, but not my gratitude. I have no idea if he's even reading this - I would venture to say no - but if you are - thank you. For knowledge is the greatest gift that someone can give a person and that's what you gave to me.

That brings me to the photo above. I came across it on Pinterest last night and haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. Wendi and I were reading it and you would have thought we were in church we were agreeing so much! Ha!

It was reminding me more of my grandpa with each new line I would read. And you know what? My grandpa and grandma have been happily married for 70 years. So, if that list is like my grandpa and he knows how to make a marriage last then that's what I need to be looking for.

Well that photo?
Is my new list.
Feel free to copy.

The Love List {Travel Edition}

"Vacation all I've ever wanted......"

It's summertime, so let's talk about vacay.

I'm not going anywhere this summer (except for a couple days at Kentucky Lake) but that doesn't mean I can't dream.

So this post is going to be about the places I wish I were going this summer.

It's not going to be depressing at all.

5. Miami

{via}

I took my mom to Miami for her 50th birthday and ever since then we've both wanted to go back. Gorgeous beaches, amazing shopping, fabulous places to eat.......I would go back in a second.

4. San Francisco

{via}

"Whatever happened to predictability? The milkman, the paperboy, evening tv."

Ever since I was little I wanted to go to where the "Tanners lived."*

As I've grown up, though I've learned a million more reasons why I've wanted to go there and I need to make it happen. Sooner rather than later.

3. London

{via}

I heart London.

I want to visit Westminster Abbey, Harrods, Big Ben, the London bridge(and hope it's not falling down, youknowwhati'msaying?), Buckingham Palace......my list goes on and on.

2. Bali

{via}

Specifically this private resort. I want to go where there's no technology. I'm thinking honeymoon here?

1. Ireland

{via}

This is the number one place I want to go and I can't wait until the day that I get to go there. And I will go there.

I can't wait to eat fish n' chips in a real Irish pub. It's on the bucket list.

Where are you dreaming about?

Yeah. I Said It.

---- Those shoes you wear? Not actually shoes; they're slippers.

---- You sir? Are married to the world and it's causing problems. It's time to file divorce papers.

---- You are no longer attractive to me. Let's go ahead and deflate that ego now, shall we?

---- We have a co-dependant relationship, but it's ok. I like to be needed.

--- Stop feeling sorry for yourself. There are a lot of people who have it much worse than you. Put on your adult hat and quit your whining.

--- Contrary to popular your belief, it's not all about you. There are other people on this planet. You can pick your jaw up on the floor now; I know it's a harsh reality but you'll be ok.

--- You ruined a lot of lives but somehow you're the one for whom I feel sorry.

--- The color yellow? Not so much your friend.

--- You need a shirt that says "Open Mouth, Insert Foot" because it's apparently kind of like your life motto.

--- I might have feelings for you.

--- The hairbrush is your friend. Use it.

The Love List via Pinterest

Do y'all Pinterest? I swear it's the best invention since....whatever the last thing I thought was the best invention was....or something.

Anyway, it's the most amazing website where you can store all thse things you see online in one place on different - very organizational - virtual corkboards.

It's like a control freak's dream.

And mine.

So, I thought I'd share with y'all who don't Pinterest(love how I've made it a verb?) a few things that have caught my eyes recently.

Source: anthropologie.com via Whitney on Pinterest

I'm coveting this duvet cover, which, yes I realize is a sin but look at it. I need it.
What's that? You want to purchase it for me?

Source: cutestfood.com via Whitney on Pinterest

so easy + so fun = this snack

Source: amelialyon.net via Whitney on Pinterest

Let me tell you that I cried when I saw this series of photos. Which, in and of itself isn't surprising since I'm pretty sure I cried during the Folgers commercial the other day, but oh the sweetness. I will never look this good giving birth, but my hats off to her.

I would. I really, really would.

Source: kuchnia-pelna-cudow.blogspot.com via Whitney on Pinterest

These flowers are made of coffee filters.
COFFEE FILTERS.
I will be making these.

Source: weheartit.com via Whitney on Pinterest

And while we're on the DIY subject, this is just glow in the dark paint in mason jars. So summer.

Source: bestlovequotes.info via Whitney on Pinterest

When I get married, this is going to be the house motto. Well, that and "Momma's always right."

If you want to sign up for Pinterest you can do so simply by going to their website. There might be a little bit of a wait, but I have some invites left so let me know if you want the hook up yo.

Do y'all love how I just got ghetto on the blog?

Happy Pinning!

Someday We'll Know

I've been full blown obsessed with this song recently.

Seriously - like it's on automatic repeat on my iTunes.

Maybe it's because I've been in the mood to watch A Walk To Remember(which Wendi & I did tonight and then we had one big cry fest. good times, i swear) but I think maybe it's because I feel like I have so many unanswered questions about things.

I'm not a person who likes to have unanswered questions. When I want to know something I'm obsessive about finding the answer. Me + Google = BFFs. I'm not even lying. The things I have googled range from "where should we eat for dinner?" to "how do flies give birth?"

I wish I was making that up right now.

The point is, I want to know something and I find it out.

The problem with this? There are some things Google does not have the answer to. And, in fact, it's the things that bug me the most.

~ Will I get married?

~ Will a certain important individual in my life ever be happy again?

~ Why do I never learn my lesson the first time?

~ Will I ever learn to fully recover from the Central North situation?

~ Does Ryan Seacrest ever sleep?

I kid about that last one, but seriously? Does he?

The point is that I have a hard time not knowing things. I will never fully be able to handle not knowing certain things, but I will tell you what I do know:

I know that God is in control and I know that by trusting Him things will work out for good.

(Romans 8:28 y'all)

I also know that no matter what the outcome of any situation above, whether it be what I want to happen or what I want to happen least it was His plan and in the end, that's all I need to know.

When I was little, and I was just as nosy and information seeking back then as I am now, my mom would always use the phrase "You're on a need-to-know basis" and it would just drive me insane.

Well, now that I'm older I look at it like God is telling me that.

He's telling me that I know what I need to know and I need to trust Him for the rest of it. Because honestly? If there were things in my life that I had learned the outcome of it long before I went through the process to get to it, I would have just messed myself up totally. And it's the sweetest things in my life I'm talking about here.

And so, while I'm still working on being content without all the information, I'm also praising God that I've been kept in the dark. Because it's after the darkness that comes the light.

And what beautiful light it is.