New Number, Who Dis?

There's the saying, "The older we get, the harder it is to make new friends".

I think that's crap. 

Honestly, I don't want to make new friends. I want to cultivate the ones I've had for years. I want to weed out the toxic people, the unsupportive people and keep the really great ones and if that means I only have 5 friends in my life then that's the number it is. Who's with me? 

This sentiment has really taken ahold of me since having my son. I get that things change with your friends when you have a baby and your the only one who does. I was shocked to see how some of my friends behaved. They literally fell off the grid. I still haven't heard from one of them and it's been at least a year. I couldn't believe over a decade of friendship went out the window the moment I had a baby and couldn't text you back in 2.5 seconds to talk about a movie, etc. 

That right there made me sit down and really think about it. I am known for posting a daily photo of Presley everyday to facebook for all of my friends and family to see. I figure living so far away in California it gives them an opportunity to watch him grow up everyday even when they can't be here and see him all the time. The amount of my acquaintance friends who love it shocked me! I've become better friends with my acquaintance friends that I had some of my friends that I talked to all the time. They interact with me about Presley, they talk about how cute he is, how big he's getting, who he looks like etc. That's what I appreciate. I'm a sucker for a good, How are you doing text or message. 

So for now... I think I'll keep my five friends and call it a day. How about you? How many people are you close with an interact with on a regular basis? 

Здравствуйте

Every now and then I check in on my statistics to this little place I call home on the world wide web. Last month, I saw a staggering number of people from Russia, Ukraine and Germany checking out my space here. I've been noticing for the last several months that more and more people from Russia are reading so I want to say a big hello to all my foreign readers. Maybe I'll finally visit your countries one of these days!

When I go on to check my statistics I do more than see where my readers are coming from. I also see what posts are popular reads and what key words are pulling people in. I thought I'd share the top five blog posts I've had all time and share some back stories to go with them.

1. Crossing Fingers

When I wrote this post, I was desperately trying to get on the travel team at work. I had applied and was in a grueling process of interviewing, testing and just playing the waiting game. I waited for probably seven months and then found out that I got passed over. What really upset me the most was at the time there was another person at my work applied just because I did. You know that type of person. Everyone has one of them in their life. Well they ended up getting it and didn't even really want it. I got stuck and they travelled all over on the department's dime. But I did appreciate everyone's good thoughts for me!

2. How I Could Have Almost Went to Jail

Back in 2011, I was cruising around in my Pontiac Grand Am Sport (Aka it had two doors but no spoiler and the front passenger seat was broken and would slide forward if I braked hard). One winter night during the holiday season, at the height of  the inflatable lawn ornament craze my best friend and I  decided to drive around and ended up at a Walmart. Well my strong hate for those inflatables kicked in when we eyed the BB Guns in an isle. You can only guess from there where the story goes...

3. An edition of, The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

I have done several editions of The Good, The Bad & The Ugly. The only reason I can figure out why this one might have been so popular was the television show that I talked about that got cancelled. Geez FOX aren't you kicking yourself now? I still wish that show had continued. I bet it could have had at least one People's Choice Award by now.

4. An edition of Theater Thursday

This is by far the most seen Theater Thursday. It was a Christmas Edition and a classic Christmas movie. I included fun facts and talked about the movie. I still watch this one every year during the holidays. Do you?

5. Dynasty

I have seen every episode of the show Dynasty. When I moved to California, my mom found out that the original house that was used during the opening of the show is located only a few hours away. I set out to tour it and found out at the time of the post that it was closed for the winter season. Don't worry that summer I went and toured it!

Those are my top blog posts as of recent! Now the keywords cracked me up a little bit on how people find my space...
1. Crossing Fingers
2. Bratz Dolls
3. All I want for Christmas
4. Good Bad Ugly
5. VooDoo Dolls

Now I'm curious... how did you find my little space in the big world wide web?

Elvis & Charlie

You may have never heard this name before but you've probably seen him in photos.

His name was Charlie Hodge and he was one of the privileged to be one of Elvis' closest friends. They met in 1955 briefly when Charlie was playing guitar in a musical group. In 1958, they were both stationed at Fort Hood together in the Army. They quickly became good friends and at Elvis' request they were placed in the same area and were both sent to Germany.

 

Once they left the army, Charlie came back to the States with Elvis. He moved to Graceland and  began playing back up guitar for Elvis. He also went to Hollywood with Elvis while he filmed movies. Charlie was given many back ground parts. When Elvis' daughter was born Charlie was there and got to be one of the first people to hold her.

 

When Elvis went to make his comeback appearance in 1968, Charlie was there to support him on the intimate stage. He played guitar and back up vocals. Once the comeback launched Elvis in to performing full time again, he brought Charlie with him to Las Vegas for his sold out shows and then again on the road.

 

In one concert, Elvis took off his guitar and threw it behind him. Luckily, Charlie was there to catch it. Afterwards, Elvis was so impressed he started incorporating it into the act.

Charlie was present and behind the scenes for all of Elvis' major life events. He was there performing in Las Vegas, on the road, movies, etc. He even had a permanent room in all of Elvis' homes. He lived in Elvis' homes for more than 15 years.

The Memphis Mafia (which was Elvis' bodyguards and closest friends) say that Charlie was one of the few people who truly cared for Elvis. Charlie was one of the people who didn't need gifts or expensive things from Elvis. He really cared about his friendship. He remained by Elvis until the end. Charlie and Elvis were real friends. Charlie was also asked to be a pallbearer by Vernon for his funeral.

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Weekend Update

This past weekend I did a little shopping...

It's the Mint Leaf Bodycon dress from Bebe. I had seen this dress on instagram and loved it. I mean literally loved it. I couldn't stop thinking about it and when I was at the mall this weekend, I knew I just had to walk in there and see if they had it. Well they did so I tried it on and it fit like a glove. I couldn't pass it up. I have visions of wearing it on vacation.

Speaking of being at the mall. I went to the mall with Beezy because he's been obsessed and on the hunt for this things called Funko Pop. They are these little tiny toys/figurines and their made by a company called Funko Pop. They make them for all different kinds of movies and television shows. The ones he's been looking for is the show Game of Thrones. There is 22 individual miniatures. Then they have these ones called variants.

Lord help me.

He's at least accumulated the first 22. We've been to like 6 stores already and online shopped. I've never been inside so many Barnes and Noble stores in such a short period of time in my life.

Yep. That's what 22 of those look like. And I don't even watch Game of Thrones. Apparently I'm going to start season 1 soon.

I spent some time this weekend to get my St. Patrick's Day stuff out. Since Valentines Day is officially over I knew that I wanted to change out the display on my foyer table. That meant I needed a new yarn wreath! I've been making one for each holiday...

I also completed another thing on my 30 before 30 list (post coming later this week) but it involves this...

I attended an engagement party for one of my best friends who happens to also live in Sacramento. They had their special night at the top of Elks Tower in downtown Sac and the view was amazing. Congrats to the happy couple! I can't wait for the wedding.

 

Hope you had a great weekend!

Priorites

In the last few years, I've come to find these two things very true...

1. You learn who your real friends and family are when you either become sick or move far away.
2. It is what it is.

Let that sink in for a second.

When I moved from Alabama back to West Virginia at the beginning of 2008, I became very ill. I'm talking so sick, I couldn't leave the house. The kind of sick where you can't eat, can't get out of bed and can't go one day without feeling like you're not going to keep the food you did eat stay inside you. It wasn't pretty. It took me the entire year of 2008 to get better. I went to the doctor, the hospital, took tests,  ate radioactive eggs, had blood drawn, etc. It was awful. Pure awfulness. I don't know if I could ever be that sick again and make it. It was really rough.

During that time though, I learned who some of my real friends were. The ones who would call me or text me. The ones that I wouldn't have to reach out to first. The ones who wouldn't call me just to talk about their problems but would ask if I was going to be ok. The ones who knew I couldn't go out to eat and would offer to come just sit with me. Then there was my family. My mom was there for me every single day. She would stay up nights with me and do everything she could to tell make me feel like I was going to be ok. Some of my other family would call or ask my mother how I was doing.

Then in late 2012, I moved 2,500 miles away from home to the other side of the country. Again, I learned who a lot of my real friends were and what family was really going to make an effort. I've been really surprised by certain friends. Some of them have made a tremendous effort. They call, they text, they send real mail. I love it and I always try to do the same thing. However, I've been really disappointed in my family. My mom and my cousin have been the only two to really reach out. I talk to my mother everyday and we are incredibly close and I know that will never change. My cousin reaches out and that's really nice. I appreciate it. Everyone else... nothing. Not even a facebook wall post. Yep.

So last week when my cousin was hospitalized for a serious intestinal issue and no one reached out to him except my mom and I. It was hard for him. I think he realized the two above mentioned things. I'm sad for him that he's learning it in his early 20s but hey, you have to learn sometime. You have to learn who to put the effort in with and you have to learn who to cut your losses with. So remember the two things. It'll help you in the end.

Oh Baby!

A week ago, I had the pleasure of hosting a baby shower for a co-worker. She's eight months pregnant and still going strong at work. When she mentioned she would like to have a shower, I volunteered to host it. Um... when did baby showers get so complicated? The mother to be had only one request... the shower have a pink/white theme. Fitting since she's having a baby girl!

First up the thing everyone goes to a baby shower for... cake.

I commissioned a two-tier buttercream, vanilla cake with strawberry filling. Since the baby is a girl and going to be named a name that starts with "G", I decided to add that simple touch. I was extremely nervous on the 30 minute car ride from the bakery to her house. I was nervous that one rough bump in the road was going to destroy that bow. Thankfully the cake made it in perfect condition. Then there was the cupcakes. I decided to make some chocolate cupcakes for the baby shower. I had originally planned to make about 40 but I got really busy trying to plan and coordinate every other detail. So I ended up making about 18.

Of course you can't have a baby shower without balloons. I think the next time I travel with balloons someone should remind me that I have to drive on I5 and not see out of the back window.

Needless to say, the baby shower turned out to be really great. Everyone had a good time and the mother to be liked everything. However, I think I won't volunteer to host another one for awhile. It's expensive and a lot of work! I was exhausted! I'm glad everyone had fun though. My favorite thing was the favors...

How cute are those baby girl cigars?! I mean really! Plus they gave that vintage feel.

Weekend Review

I'm not going to lie... I ate this meal three times in one week....

So what is that you ask? Oh it would just be the most addictive meal ever. It's the Urban Fries with a side steak from Jack's Urban Eats. (Mom, the next time you are in CA, I will take you there).

The Urban Fries include blue cheese, hot chili oil, red pepper flakes, and lots of chopped parsley. I know it probably sounds like a weird combination but I promise it's amazing! I wasn't sold on the idea until the first time a co-worker let me try hers. Aaaamazing! I get a side of steak added on top and it's just the right combination to make a meal. I don't even want to know how many calories is in that thing.

One of my friends celebrated a Birthday mid-week so when the weekend came, we all gathered to celebrate! It was at Country Club Lanes and since I had never been there it was a new experience. I clearly wasn't dressed for bowling but I was there to support! Haha!

The maxi skirt I sported to bowling...

The birthday girl herself...

 Then the next time I figured it was time to get my butt in gear and start working on the inside of my garage. Next month I'll have lived in California for a year and in that time I haven't done one thing to my garage. Granted, I added a washer and dryer but besides that I've never painted it or cleaned out all the boxes I randomly throw in there. This weekend that major project started.

Clearly the before was on the left and the process of the after on the right. I have to finish cleaning it out and then I'm going to recruit my friends to help me insulate the garage and then paint. It's a slow job but at least I started!

Now it's back to work! What did you do on your weekend?



Weekend Review

Last weekend while I was out shopping some blowhole hit my car. It was parked and they sideswiped it. Didn't even leave a sorry note! I mean really?!? Who does that? How rude! I have insurance of course but the damage was over $2,500.00. It was really noticeable too because my car is black and clearly their car was white...

Now I'm cruising around town in this sweet rental for the next week while my car gets repaired. It's a pretty sweet ride. It's the brand new Ford Focus and it's fully loaded. They gave it to me with only 750 miles on it, leather seats, xm radio, the works. I kinda don't want to give it up because it's that nice. It makes me really want a new car even though I'm just getting done paying mine off. 

 And of course, I had to jam out in this sweet ride...

I also tried out another Sacramento food place, Buckhorn Grill. 

I would definitely go back for seconds. The food was pretty good and the wait time wasn't that long. I had also got invited to a BBQ Bash/Pool Party. It was a lot of fun and I'm really thankful for the group of friends that I've made in Sacramento. 

Now I just have to make it through another week of hard work. Then hopefully, another weekend of fun times! Have a great Monday!

Roll the Dice

This past weekend, I travelled to Reno, Nevada: The Biggest Little City in the World!

Some friends and I decided to escape Sacramento and make the 2 hour drive over into Nevada to have some fun in Reno. Since I had never been to Reno, I was pretty excited to see it. I've been to Las Vegas a few times so this wasn't my first time to a gambling town. We arrived and set up camp at Circus Circus Hotel and Casino.

There was a championship bowling tournament going on in Reno and the home base was Circus Circus! Everywhere we went bowling pins and balls were the theme! I'm also a sucker for a souvenir cup/glass so of course I had to get this...

We also hit up a giant buffet inside the Silver Legacy Casino. The buffet had the best desserts because of that I got two!

This was the best chocolate and they had an amazing chocolate moose as well. If you ever get to Reno, hit up the silver legacy buffet because it was totally worth the money. When I'm traveling I usually find at least one thing to take an inappropriate photo with...

Later that night we went over to the Peppermill Hotel and Casino. The Peppermill is by far the nicest hotel that I saw there. If I go to Reno again I will probably stay there. The Peppermill is also home to Edge which is a very upscale hang out spot. 

See those shoes I'm wearing? I love them. They are black and gold with accents. I was so excited to wear them. I don't know if it's because I had been walking around all day or what but my feet must have got a little swollen. By the end of the night they had completely broken open the skin on my ankle. It wasn't pretty!

To treat myself from the pain, we ate again but over in the El Dorado Hotel and Casino. It was so much food that there was no way I could finish it. 

Sadly, all trips must come to an end and it was time to head back to Sacramento. The trip to Reno was great and if you ever get the chance to go I highly suggest going. It's definitely not Vegas but it's a fun time in Nevada. 

Sunday Social

1. Top 3 favorite kinds of food

Can I just say all breakfast foods? LOVE THEM!

2. First 3 things you do in the morning

Moisturize my face

Get Dressed

Eat Breakfast

3. Last 3 things you do at night

Clean my face

Set my alarm

Read

4. 3 TV shows you NEVER miss

5. 3 places you want to visit

Italy

Australia

And of course I'd love to go back to England!

6. 3 people you can always count on

My mom

Josh

Kristin and Erica