Gotta Love Him

I have a really awesome husband.

So, I haven't had that great of a day. I'm feeling kind of down.

We need to go to the grocery store.

I texted Ben on the way home from work, asking if he wanted to go to the grocery store with me.

He answered back, "Yeah!"

Pretty enthusiastic, huh?

Well, he got home a few minutes ago and we are sitting here on the couch watching some of the Alabama basketball game.

I said, "So you like going to the grocery store with me now?"

He said, "No. I hate the grocery store. But I love being with you."

SWOON.

How did I get so freaking lucky?

RANDOM TRIVIA FACT: Today is the inventor of the Bunsen burner's 200th birthday. His name was Bunsen, and he's obviously dead. I'm not his biggest fan, because without him, I wouldn't have had to endure so many awful science and chemistry labs.

Hit Me Up On Facebook

I've got some griping to do.

You Facebook people are ridiculous.

Mark Zuckerberg should create an etiquette book to accompany all Facebook accounts. Kind of like a school handbook that you have to read the first day of each year, sign, and return.

Excuse me, Mr. Zuckerberg? You want me to write it for you?

Why, I'd be honored!

FACEBOOK ETIQUETTE

1. Thou shalt not post about bodily functions.

EVERYONE CAN READ WHAT YOU'RE WRITING.

Posting a status about your colonoscopy is gross.

Giving us a play-by-play of the labor of the birth of your child is just odd.

Telling your grandson, Bobby, about your recent herniated disk is read by all your grandson's friends.

The words "diarhea" and "time of the month" should never be used.

Do you begin a conversation in person with these topics?

No.

Then they should never be on your or anyone else's wall.

2. Thou shalt not make the duckface.

What is with the kissy lips pictures?

Sick. You look deranged. It's not flattering. You don't look like a model.

Oh, and when you throw the deuces with it? You look like a d-bag.

http://www.antiduckface.com/

3. Thou shalt not air your dirty laundry.

I am tired of reading about your baby daddy drama.

I am tired of reading about your divorce.

I am tired of reading about your lack of a love life.

I am tired of reading about your crazy Aunt Sally.

I am tired of reading about your stint in rehab.

Call someone who cares, rather than telling everybody who doesn't.

4. Thou shalt not complain.

If every status is about how tired, exhausted, lonely, sad, brokenhearted, sick, stressed...honestly, I could go on...maybe you should re-evaluate your life.

Work on your positivity and post THAT on Facebook.

5. Thou shalt not use Picnik editor.

Ok, so I use Picnik to edit my photos. But I only use the sharpener and the contrast. I don't change the colors, add stickers, and write "2 Seksy" or "Gangsta Biotch" on my photo, and then make it my profile picture.

It's just skeevy.

And when you edit your picture to make your tan look darker, we can tell.

6. Thou shalt not add ♥ or ten thousand eeeeeeeees on the end of every sentenceeee, loveee.

Cut the crap. Get a Myspace.

7. Thou shalt not burn bridges by using Facebook.

Yeh, you've seen it.

Jane Doe is in a relationship.

"I jus loveeee my bf. We gonna 2 b 2gether 4eva."

2 hours later.

Jane Doe is single.

"I hate that jerk. I hope he think of me when he wit dat ho!"

2 hours later.

Jane Doe is in a relationship.

"Every1 deservs a 2nd chance. We luv each other n dat all dat maters. H8ers keep h8in. I luv u, John!"

30 minutes later.

Jane Doe is in a relationship, and it's complicated.

8. Thou shalt not post bad song lyrics as a status.

"Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars - I could really use a wish right now."

"Baby, I was born this way."

Or, any Black Eyed Peas.

9. Thou shalt not use your Facebook as a bumper sticker for your star student.

I get it, your kid is great.

But I don't care that he won his class spelling bee.

Or that your baby rolled over.

Or that your toddler went poo poo in the potty for the first time.

I really don't.

10. Thou shalt not post raunchy Spring Break photos.

One day, you people will have to get a job.

Unless you're Snookie, your job will have to involve some sort of professionality.

Hiring managers now research you on Facebook.

If you have an album titled, "Dirrrrty Spring Break" and all the pictures are of you and your skanky friends in bikinis funneling beers on the beach and/or dancing on the bar, chances are you will not get hired.

Especially if you're an Elementary Education major.

11. Thou shalt not repeatedly ask me to be your friend or "like" your page.

I said no once. Please don't make me do it again.

12. Thou shalt not invite your friend list to play Farmville, Cityville, Aquariumville, or Loserville.

I DON'T WANT TO PLAY.

These violators should have their own system.

13. Thou shalt not use bad spelling or grammar.

If you're old enough to be allowed to have a Facebook, you have had some sort of basic English class. You have heard about the use of commas, periods, and proper nouns.

You should also know the difference between "there," "their," and "they're."

14. THOU SHALT NOT POST IN ALL CAPS.

15. Thou shalt not have a "middle" name.

Jose Krazyboi Smith.

Sheniqua Godsgift Thomas.

Michael Tooflyforhaterz Jones.

Seriously?

Everybody needs to treat Facebook like it was when it was FUN.

You know, when it was JUST college kids? There was an empty space for a wall and you had to sign it. There were no pictures except one literally for your face.

Hence, FACEbook.

Let's all be adults.

Or at least act like them.

Except for the Charlie Sheen jokes.

You can keep those coming.

NOT SO RANDOM COINCIDING WEBSITE LINK: www.lamebook.com

How He Loves

Because we all need to be reminded sometimes...

He is jealous for me

Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree

Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy.

When all of the sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory

I realize just how beautiful you are and how great your affections are for me.

Oh, how He loves us.

We are His portion and He is our prize

Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes.

If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking.

Heaven meets Earth like an unforseen kiss

My heart turns violently inside of my chest.

I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way He loves us.

He loves us.

Oh, how He loves us.

RANDOM TRIVIA FACT: 50% of all pizzas in the US are sold with pepperoni as a topping.

I Love My Dog

I have blogger block.

I haven't really had anything to write about all week.

So I'll write about what I love most next to my husband.

Charlotte.

a.k.a. Poopy Dawg, Poopy, Poop Doggie Dog, Bebe Dawg, Baby Girl, Woopy, Woopy Poopy Pants...

Bless this baby girl.

She brings us so much joy and laughter.

Sometimes so much annoyance.

She is our baby.

Until we get a REAL baby, that is...

She is protective of her Mom and Dad, barking at everything that comes NEAR the house.

Including the neighbors in THEIR yard that she can see through the slats of the fence.

She loves being outside, but only on HER accord. We have to leave the back door open so she can come and go as she pleases. But close the door? She goes nuts and wants to come back inside. If the door is open, she'll stay out there forever, only coming in every few minutes to do a "drive-by" the couch and make sure we're still there.

She cries when she can see the bulldog across the street. She wants to go play with him so bad, but she's just too wild to meet all the dogs in the neighborhood right now.

Plus, we're pretty sure the owners of the bulldog are drug dealers...

She's a cuddle buddy when she is ready to take a nap. She will curl up right next to you, or sleep across your lap. When she's older, we're positive she'll be a wonderful lap dog.

She only stays in the bed with me. If Ben leaves before I do, she will stay with me for hours. But if I leave before Ben does, she's up and ready to play.

Ben is her best friend. She follows him around like...well...a lost puppy dog. She cries when he leaves and rejoices when he comes back, even if he's just gone to another room. She goes to him with her toys when she's ready to play.

I am her mother. She comes to me when she wants hugs and kisses and scratches. She knows I spoil her and give her everything she wants, even if I fuss about it. She worries about me when I cry and is excited for me to come home.

Really. Ben says, "Mommy's coming home!" and she waits by the back door.

I love the feeling of KNOWING that she loves us. She is so excited when we come home. We're trying to teach her not to jump, but sometimes, it's just so sweet that she can't get enough of us, so we let her anyways.

She reminds us of the Duck Hunt dog sometimes. She'll pop up at the foot of the bed and cock her head to the side. Sooooo funny...

She even had a duck to play with...until she killed it.

She just wants love. All the time. She seeks our approval and our acceptance. She wants our attention as much as we'll give her.

And we love to give her love.

I don't remember how we filled our time at home before we had her.

Or what my floor looked like before all the bones and toys.

She's one of the best parts about my day. I know as long as I have her, I have someone who doesn't care what I wear, or the zits on my face, or the failures I've made.

She loves me for the simple fact that I love her. I take care of her, and she takes care of me.

If this is what I'm like with my DOG, what am I gonna be like with my KID?!?!?!?!

RANDOM FAVORITE QUOTE: "We give dogs love we can spare, time we can spare and space we can share. In return dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made."

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Once again, I'm linking up to What I'm Loving Wednesday with Jamie at This Kind of Love!

This is what I'm loving today!

1. Cinnamon Frosted Mini Wheats

YUM-O!!!!!! I just had a bowl as my snack, which is much better than a bowl of ice cream, and still so sweet!

2. Jayla's wedding photos

I can't copy a photo because of the copyright barriers, so just click on their name.

Seriously, T2 Photography? Could they be any better?

3. Bored? Check out this site.

For reals, not a scam.

4. Paul McDonald

Ladies and gentlemen, we are watching genius unfold before us! Check out his previous stuff with Hightide Blues and Grand Magnolias.

On the downside, Jacob Lusk, Haley Reinhart, and Naima have GOT TO GO.

5. This song

Thank you, Natalie Grant, for speaking my heart.

6. My sweet hubby, who is asleep in the chair right now.

We just had a five minute conversation about who has the last name "Megia" on Idol - Pia or Thia.

That's what I'm loving today!

RANDOM TRIVIA FACT: In Eureka, Nevada, it is illegal for men who have mustaches to kiss women.

I Wanna Talk About Me

It's time for my A to Z!

A to Z on Katie

A. Age: 24

Will be 25 on October 27th!

B. Bed size: Queen.

Ben would say I stick my butt too far in the middle.

C. Chore I dislike: Cleaning the garden tub.

That sucker is hard to clean!

D. Dogs: My sweet baby girl Charlotte

I begged Ben for a dog for a looooooong time, and she's perfect. :)

E. Essential start to my day: Bathroom and then shower.

Preferably a long, hot shower.

F. Favorite color: PINK!

I also have an affinity for orange and chocolate brown.

G. Gold or silver: Silver.

But my wedding rings are white gold.

H. Height: 5'8"

6' if you count my 4" heels I wear every day.

I: Instruments you play(ed): Took piano lessons for a long time. And took flute and guitar lessons for like a week.

And I sing, but that's not technically an instrument.

J. Job title: Assistant Property Manager

I LOVE MY JOB.

K. Kids: Not yet!

Yes, please!

L. Live: Birmingham

Not Dothan.

M. Mom's name: Sylvia

And I am her child.

N. Nicknames: Thonton in high school, K-Bear by Mom, and Boosef by Ben.

a.k.a. Homes, Baby, and Sweetheart when he's ticked at me.

O. Overnight hospital stay: Never had one.

But spent quite a few with Dad.

P. Pet peeves: Excessive noise and ignorance.

Noises are especially annoying when they are mouth noises: smacking, sighing, etc.

Q. Quote from a movie: If you're from Africa, then why are you white?

Oh my god, Karen, you can't just ask people why they're white.

R. Ranch or bleu cheese: RANCH.

Always ranch.

S. Siblings: Just my brosef!

And all my inherited siblings from marriage.

T. Time you wake up: Generally 6:30 - 7:00

Depends on how many times I hit the snooze button.

U. Underwear: A lot of Victoria's Secret.

And most of them are pink. :)

V. Vegetables I don't like: SQUASH.

And I'm getting over my weirdness with corn.

W. What makes me run late: Laziness.

Just about every day. Remember the snooze button?

X. X-Rays: LOTS.

Ankle, knee, stomach/intestines, thyroid, nose, and all those lady things.

Y. Yummy food I make: I'm a pretty good cook!

I make cajun pasta, homemade soups, and Italian chicken, Ben's favorite!

Z. Zoo animal to watch: I LOVE the monkeys!

But I never get to see them because Ben doesn't go to the zoo.

FUN FACT ABOUT ME: Apparently my car has "unusual" tires. I would buy the car that nobody stocks tires for.

Who am I?

Have you been watching/reading/hearing about Japan's tragedy?

I'm not. I refuse to.

As much as I typically lack in the sympathy area, the photos, stories, and news bits about the tsunami make my heart overflow with sadness and empathy.

And guilt.

Guilt?

Yes, guilt.

Guilt because I sit here on my couch on my day off from my relatively easy job.

Guilt because I know where my husband is because he just texted me.

Guilt because my family is safe in their respective places on this earth.

Because tomorrow, I will more than likely wake up again.

Because my house is sitting on dry land with the birds chirping outside.

Because I can go outside to my car and drive around any time that I want to.

Because the only errands I have to accomplish today are taking the comforter to the dry cleaners and folding a mountain of laundry.

Because I complain about the measly things in life that are so easily fixed, like my bank being idiots and not putting my paycheck in last night.

Because I know that my earthly father resides with my Heavenly Father.

Because I am safe, healthy, and happy, while God allows so many to not be.

Why, God, why am I chosen to live so easily? So carefree?

There are people in places who do not know where their mother is because she's been washed away by flood waters. They do not know where their next meal is coming from or when it is coming. They do not know if a guerilla soldier will bust down their door to rape and plunder in the next five minutes. They do not have any other way of life but crime or prostitution.

They do not have understanding of a merciful and loving God, only gods who do not exist.

Why am I chosen?

I have done nothing to deserve this life that I live. Sure, I was born into a family who has generally always been "middle class" by American standards. I am educated to work hard at my job to create this life that I live. I have a home, a car, a bank account, a family, a husband, a dog, and food in my fridge.

I live my life free of worry.

But I did not earn it. I was blessed with it.

Am I supposed to feel guilty for this?

I have no control over rain and floods. I cannot stop the horrible things that happen to people. It is not possible for me to provide a meal to every single starving person.

Is anyone else experiencing this guilt, or am I the only one?

Maybe I am more sympathetic than I thought.

All I can do is pray.

Pray for God to save a culture of people who, as a whole, do not believe in Him. Pray that He will work miracles for these people who will never give Him the credit for it. Pray that if there is anything I can do, no matter how small, that I will do it. Pray that those people who are there who do know Him will be able to reach more because of this tragedy. Pray that our own nation will rise against the wicked path that we are walking and again return to the God of creation.

And I will be thankful for this blessed life that I live.

Every second, of every minute, of every hour, of every day.

My prayers shall be those of thanksgiving and praise, even when I feel like my small, cushy world has been turned upside down.

Because this small, cushy world is not mine.

RANDOM TRIVIA FACT: There are still almost 8,000 people reported missing in Japan, and over 5,000 already confirmed dead. This is one of the largest death tolls in natural disaster history, and it is not completed.

What a man!

Katie at Prayers for Ben did this fun survey about her husband, Ben (yes, same names).

I thought it was fun to do about MY Ben!

Oh, and check out Prayers for Ben. They have an incredible story.

A to Z on Ben

A. Age: 25.

Will be 26 on July 10th!

B. Bed size: Queen.

But he hogs it.

C. Chore he dislikes: Laundry.

HATES IT.

D. Dogs: Sweet Charlotte

But when we get a bigger yard, he wants a Golden Retriever.

E. Essential start to your day: Bathroom and then morning news.

i.e. Sportscenter

F. Favorite color: Red

Like his old Mustang.

G. Gold or silver: Silver

But his wedding ring is white gold.

H. Height: 6' even.

Perfect.

I. Instruments you play(ed): HA! He played the trombone in middle school band!

He wanted to play drums, but he has no rhythm. :(

J. Job title: Moving guy from a moving company

Praying to be a State Trooper

K. Kids: Not yet!

But hopefully sooner than later!

L. Live: Birmingham.

Not Dothan.

M. Mom's name: Brenda and step-mom Robbie

Love them both!

N. Nicknames: B by his family, Bef or Benny P by his friends, and Boosef by me!

Or Slice, Baby, Babe, Ben-Jammin or Benny Benny Boop Boop Be Doop.

O. Overnight hospital stay: Hasn't had one.

He still has his tonsils and everything.

P. Pet Peeves: Bad drivers

Common phrases used while driving: "Pee or get off the pot," "You're on the interstate!" and " "You're an idiot. Read the signs!"

Q. Quote from a movie: "I feel the need. The NEED. FOR. SPEED!"

We watch Top Gun at least once a week in my house.

R. Ranch or bleu cheese: Ranch

If he has another choice, it's usually Thousand Island.

S. Siblings: Two older step-brothers, and one younger half brother

So much fun.

T. Time you wake up: If he works, EARLY.

If he doesn't work, Charlotte makes him get up right after I leave at 8!

U. Underwear: He has a lot that vary.

He has boxers, boxer briefs, bike shorts, red ones, blue ones, striped ones, holey ones, and ones with suggestive designs.

V. Vegetables you don't like: Beans. Any kind of beans.

Except green beans. And baked beans, but those don't count.

W. What makes you run late: ME.

And it drives him nuts.

X. X-rays you've had: Teeth.

Not just normal dentist x-rays. He ripped some teeth out in a basketball net one time.

Y. Yummy food you make: STEAK...

Seriously. He's a great griller.

Z. Zoo animal: He HATES the zoo.

No kidding. Won't take me there. "Why do I want to look at some stinky animals just sitting around?"

THAT'S MY MAN!!!!! Love him so!

Stay tuned for my version!

ANDOM TRIVIA FACT: St. Patrick was not even IRISH! He was Welsh, but is the patron saint of Ireland for driving the snakes out!

In the Meantime

"No Mom Talk Monday?"

I'm not a Mom, so I have no problems with this, considering the only Mom I ever talk about is my own.

Anyways, the premise of Courtney's "No Mom Talk Monday" post today was about some of her most vivid childhood memories. I think that's pretty cool, so I thought I'd relive some of my own...

This is a long one.

We had a baby-sitter named Michelle, who had a little brother named Woody, who was my brother's age. Our families were/still are very close. Whenever Michelle came to baby-sit us, Woody would come, too. Woody and Wes would disappear into Wes' room, I'm sure to play video games (or was this too long ago for video games?) or something...not this night.

Michelle and I were in my room (I'm sure playing Barbies or school or the like) when we heard this *CRASH* and a few screams. We ran into Wes' room to find blood all over the floor and Wes holding onto his face and Woody...crying.

Michelle rushed Wes into the bathroom and held his head over the toilet so the blood will drip in, trying to get the story out of a tearful Woody, trying to get in touch with my parents who were at a church banquet (before cell phones, mind you), and consoling a little sister who literally thought her brother was dying.

Turns out, they had been playing football in Wes' room and threw the football too high. It crashed into the dome light and busted it into a million different pieces...one of those pieces went right through Wes' cheek. Several stitches and a few scoldings.

Or the time that he jumped off the roof of the house (he did that a lot) and pretended to be dead. He scared me so bad he promised never to do that again, as long as I didn't tell on him.

Or the time that Wes and I got in a huge fight over who would sit front and center of the TV. I ended up cracking a broomstick over his back and he dragged me around on the carpet on my stomach and gave me carpet burns. He got a big spanking for that one.

WHY DID OUR PARENTS EVER THINK IT WAS OK FOR US TO BE LEFT ALONE WITH EACH OTHER?!?!?!?!?

It wasn't all violent, I promise.

There is a really embarrassing home video of us and our "circus."

It was some sunny Saturday and Wes and I had been spending the day in the backyard. We decided to put together a "circus" for our parents. The "circus" consisted of Wes sliding down the zip line he and Dad had made from a crowbar handle and old wires and me...well, not doing anything talented but jumping off the 3 foot fence because I was MAYBE 6 years old.

We shared a playroom at one point. My half was COVERED in Barbies. We're talking giant house (built by my Uncle Bill and Grandaddy), at least 3 cars, furniture, clothes, dolls... He and his friend Blake liked to rip the heads off my Barbies and switch the heads around. (Have you ever seen a Barbie with her head put back on? She has no neck.) I would also find Barbie and Ken in...ahem...compromising positions.
He loved Erector and K-nex sets. The other half of the playroom was full of that stuff. He made a giant rollercoaster out of every. single. piece. of. Erector. set. We would get under it and pretend it was a spaceship/airplane/jungle jeep and go on adventures together.

We got to attend the same school when he was a senior and I was a 7th grader. We had the same lunch period. He embarrassed me on a daily basis...the only senior who would talk to his younger sibling.
He decided to entertain the lunch period by getting on stage in the cafetorium (look it up) and singing Limp Bizkit while his friends made a mosh pit below. I'm pretty sure he stage dived.

Then when he decided to run for Student Council president, he made ME his campaign manager to get the younger votes. I passed out these hysterical buttons with WCW wrestlers and stupid sayings on them that he and Dad had made. He won by a landslide.
You could purchase a "Candy Gram" for Valentine's Day for anyone in the school for $1. Mom made us buy one for each other. When they delivered his to my desk, it sat there on the corner of my desk, wrapped up in cellophane and curly ribbon. I took it home to him and presented it with glee. He turned red and admitted he'd eaten mine when he got the munchies in 3rd period. Mom made him march down to the drugstore (it was a very small town...one drugstore, one block away) and buy me LOTS of candy and a cute little dog stuffed animal with his own money. I still have the stuffed dog.

All in all, my brother is pretty awesome.

I lost my keys one weekend in Tuscaloosa, and Wes drove all the way to Montgomery from Dothan to bring my extra set, all so Mom wouldn't know. She does now, no worries.

He took me to lunch the day before I graduated high school and explained to me all the things I SHOULDN'T do in college.

He gave Ben a really hard time when he first met him. Kind of a "If you mess with my sister, I have really big friends and we will stalk you down and kill you" talk.

He spent my 21st birthday with me, which is the night that Ben asked Wes for permission to marry me. The next morning, he told me that Ben was a great guy and he would love for us to get married.

And then he walked me down the aisle.

Wes and I have been through so much together. We are 5 years apart and are just now getting to that "friendship" level, rather than just a big brother/little sister annoyance.

I love my brother and I consider him one of my heroes.

Thanks for being the greatest big brother in the world, Wes.

Even if you did put my Cabbage Patch doll, Fletch, on the blade of the ceiling fan and then turned the fan on.

Oh, and I apologize for locking you in your room in the house in Columbia so many times. I'm glad that you figured it out and switched the locks around.

RANDOM MUSIC MONDAY: This song will always remind of me my brother because every time we went to Pizza Hut, he would play this on the jukebox. :)

Old Blue Chair

I love my job.

I really do.

We have a lot of fun here and it's a super laid back office.

I get to keep Facebook/Blogger/Yahoo/Gmail open on my desktop all day long.

I'm on my lunchbreak - sitting at my desk eating hummus and chips and writing you this blog post.

But I really want to be here. Feel me?

It has been so gloomy and rainy and dark in Birmingham lately. I just want to escape to sand, sunshine, an icy beverage, and my husband in nothing but swim trunks.

Maybe we could break ourselves away from the shore to the quaint shops of this coastal town.

Someone would be playing steel drums in the background.

We would enjoy some spicy island food and make friends with the bartender who is American, but chose to live in this tropical locale - because he CAN.

We would mosey back to our turquoise blue Adirondack beach chairs. Ben would lay his down flat and make a pillow out of his tshirt so he could lay on his face. I would be armed with SPF 3249723847287, a good book, and an umbrella, digging my toes deep into the sand until I could feel coolness.

A cabana boy would come by and ask to refill my daiquiri...several times...

When the sun goes down, Ben and I would leave the beach for our private cabin and we would lay down together in the white hammock amid the green landscape, and we would drift asleep there, listening to the sound of the waves crashing against the shore.

I can taste the sea salt now.

RANDOM FUN FACT: I have new followers! YAY! If you are reading this blog, click the "follow" button. It's not hard.