Friday, January 30, 2009

Drunk Goggles

This is me wearing drunk goggles, trying to walk in a straight line this past week at our Health and Wellness Fair we hosted at work. It gave me a good laugh so I thought I would share!! It was incredibly hard and I almost fell over at one point! The goggles represent what it would be like to function at about 3 times the legal limit I think. It's not on video, but when I first put the goggles on and tried to start walking on the line, I was so off-centered I ran straight into the State Troopers table and almost knocked it over! I had to take the goggles off to get lined up on the black line! haha! Enjoy!

Monday, January 26, 2009

I'm In Love....

.....with these...

Dear Glorious, beautiful, Italian, hand-made boots,

I love you. I love all $1,164.00 (not including tax) of you. I have dreamed of you for years during my endless search for those "perfect" boots. We could do all sorts of things together, don't you know?! We could ride the motorcycle together, I can wear you with adorable little fall/winter dresses to achieve that sought after shabby chic/bohemian look I've always loved. We could go to the movies and then run to the Fresh Market afterwards to pick up some of their fresh squeezed orange juice that is beyond any other OJ I've ever had. We could ride horses together if I rode horses which I don't, but we could still do that. And even though my husband was pretty blown away by your beauty as well, I will never be able to call you my own. I realize each pair is handmade to illuminate its unique characteristics and you are beautifully worn in before I even buy you, but you are far too much money for me to spend on a new best friend pair of boots.

Your faithful admirer,
Amanda

Saturday, January 24, 2009

The Best Ever

I'm watching Sleepless in Seattle right now...one of my all time favorite movies. It's a classic!!!

It's at that part right now where she's driving in her car to Walter's parents' house and is singing along to the Christmas carol's and sings, "Harses, harses, harses harses." That part always cracks me up!! I just love Meg Ryan. My other favorite part is when Walter finds her in the kitchen pantry in the middle of the night listening to "him" on the radio.

If you haven't seen it....you are missing out! Go rent it right now. Better yet, go BUY IT because you will watch it over and over again! You will laugh, cry and think Jonah is the cutest stinkin' kid ever! And it has a happy ending - my FAVORITE kind of movie!


Have you seen it? What's your favorite part?

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Good Samaritan

Y'all will not believe this story!

Here's some background info so you can fully appreciate this story. Sisters - I will try to keep this to a "Reader's Digest" version since I know how much you llooovvvveeee my drawn out stories, but I can't make any promises...you know how carried away I get sometimes :)

The story begins one cold December night long ago....just kidding...haha. I couldn't resist!

So anyways, I sent Johnny several boxes filled with wrapped Christmas gifts throughout the month of December. One box never made it to him. Clearly, I have been distraught about this and have truly lost faith in my local United States Postal Service. I don't care that they offer me tracking and insurance against loss or damage (read that in a very quick, mumbled voice like how the post office people say it) EVERY time I mail something, it is their job to mail things from point A to point B effectively. I had so many cute manly gifts that I knew Johnny would love in this box but because I didn't purchase the tracking or insurance against loss or damage, there was NO WAY for me to figure out where in the heck this box of goodies was.

Fast forward 5 weeks to today. :) This is where the story gets good people. Don't fall asleep on me yet.

I checked out my Myspace account this morning, not sure why, I don't really even use the thing, but low and behold I had a new friend request AND a message. This was a big day. "Patti" from Kansas wanted to be my friend. Well normally, I don't accept friend requests from people I don't know, but her message to me said, "We have your care package with Christmas gifts. Call me at __________." It was like a ransom note. You bet your butt I hit accept and then promptly emailed her about 15 times.

She said her husband's name is Johnny Webb and they just retired out of the Army 2 years ago but stayed in Kansas where he was stationed, and get this - he use to live in Georgia too. I can't make this stuff up people - this is real life. She said she has no clue how or why the package got sent to them and at first she was pretty annoyed that her husband got a box of gifts from "some woman in Georgia". haha. She said they tried finding my telephone number, but never had any luck. It was my super cute gift tags on each present that I had made with me and Johnny's wedding pictures on them that helped her find me on Myspace. Can you believe it??!! She's shipping the box back to me tomorrow morning. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.

The moral of this story is that if a package gets lost in the mail, you'd better pray it ends up in Patti's hands because she will find you and get it back to you! No, no no. Just kidding. I'm really just happy to know that there are still good people out there who are honest and kind. And I'm SO RELIEVED that those gifts WILL eventually make it to Johnny!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Who Was I Kidding?!

I have a confession to make.

Last night when I got home from the gym I immediately went into the kitchen and had a delicious homemade brownie. It was literally the first thing I did when I walked into the door. It was super yummy and warm and had symphony bars in the middle of them with almonds and toffee bits....oh yeah.

So much for "craving healthy foods" after I work out. What a loser I am. I can't even remember what I wrote about my personal eating habits like 5 hours earlier. Sometimes I just amaze myself, truly. So there it is folks...the truth...for all to see. I still do like salads and I usually do want to eat healthy after the gym....I'm not a total liar. Promise. I think I'm just hormonal. Yeah, that's what it is, I'm sure of it.

If Jim from The Office was my friend and had seen me stuff my face with that chocolatey goodness (and I don't even really like chocolate!) after I had just written that "I'm a health nut and only eat lettuce after the gym" number I think this is probably the face he would've made....


Or maybe this one.....


If you watch The Office....you will appreciate these pictures!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Rainy Day

Hi Friends!

What a cold, yucky day today is here in Savannah. Last week we were having 80 degree days, and tomorrow it's suppose to be in the 30s.....Savannah is so weird!

Things are going pretty well...I am still keeping my schedule as full as possible, but I am trying to leave some free time for the gym in the afternoons after work. Working out has such a big impact on my life. I not only have more energy, but my mind feels refreshed and I actually crave healthier foods when I work out. I'm overall a pretty good eater...I'm one of "those people" who crave salads on a weekly basis and sometimes for dinner I'll just have a big ol' bowl of brussel sprouts! Don't get me wrong, I also crave McDonald's cheeseburgers and fries every once in awhile, but after I work out, the last thing I want to do is fill my body with grease and fat. So it's basically a win, win! Exercising is not a new year's resolution or anything, it's basically what I have to do to keep sane during this deployment!!

I am doing this new women's bible study on Saturdays and it is by far one of the coolest things I have ever done! I'll write more about it soon. Y'all will all think, "Oh, that is just so neat. I want to do something like that too." And then you can start it at your church and have as much fun every Saturday as I'm having!

Johnny is doing well. Today is the three month mark....only 9-10 months left...we're a quarter of the way done! Hallelujah! I hope these next three months fly by because then we'll be half way done and the rest is all downhill from there. He is super busy in his new position as S4 up at Battalion Headquarters (HHC). He is learning a lot and really fine-tuning his leadership skills. He has some awesome mentors there who are teaching him a lot whether they realize it or not.

Johnny also had his 3 year anniversary with the Army last Tuesday. It is kind of a milestone in his career because when he got his commission, he was required to be in the Army for at least 3 years, and then he could get out if he wanted and do Reserves for three. Well, isn't it convenient he is deployed and couldn't get out even if he wanted to! haha! Sneaky Army! You know, Army life definitely has negative aspects to it, but there are a lot of great benefits that come with it as well. Johnny is an awesome soldier and he loves what he does. It'll be an exciting ride to say the least to see where the Army takes us next!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Unbelievable

I just left the gym on post (aka army base) where I work out and noticed a girl I met a few weeks ago at a Christmas party also working out. Her husband is also currently deployed, but he's not in the same unit as Johnny. She had on a full face of makeup and all done-up hair and was wearing a white sports bra and spandex shorts.

That's it.

That's all she was wearing.

It's not the make-up and perfect hair that bothers me. If she wants to wear all that make-up to work out, that's just fabulous. Not me because I'm a hot mess when I work out and the last thing I want is sweaty drips of make-up falling off my face. Gross.

But anyways, it really infuriates me when women act with complete disregard and respect for their husbands....ESPECIALLY husbands who are currently deployed. I guess every couple is different, but Johnny would be furious if I pranced around a gym full of men in a white sports bra and spandex shorts....and rightfully so. I would never do that anyways, no matter how in shape I was because I have more respect for myself and definitely more respect for my husband.
I'm not perfect by any means, and all marriages are tough and take consistent work. Keeping a marriage strong during a year-long deployment is even tougher in many ways, but the least I can do is show my husband respect while he is away.

Friday, January 2, 2009

Phew....

The month of December was a complete whirlwind!

The holidays are always a busy time of the year and I love the hustle and bustle and cheer of the season, but I'm always left with a mixture of sadness that Christmas is over so quickly yet relief that things will finally start to slow down again. I guess that is kind of the same with many things in life. Sadness and relief....all at the same time.

You are sad when a family member passes away, yet relieved that they aren't in pain and aren't suffering anymore.

You're sad when a once close family member chooses to not participate in family gatherings during the holidays, yet relieved they aren't in a worse place in their lives.

You're sad when your spouse can't be with you to enjoy the spirit of the season, but so relieved to know he will be home for Christmas next year.

The holidays were tough y'all, and quite frankly, I'm glad they are over with! (Is that irreverent to say since Christmas is Jesus' birthday?) I missed Johnny more than I thought I would, but I loved the flexibility I had with my schedule and travel plans, and I loved the time I was able to spend with my family. Missing my man didn't stop me from beaming with child-like excitment when I saw my parents' Christmas tree all lit up!


Today was my first day back to work since last Tuesday! I am SO grateful for the time we had off. It was an amazing break from work and I had the opportunity to work on several projects around the house that I've been putting off since...oh...well.....like for a year now!

My New Year's Eve festivities were uneventful!! My mom, grandma and papa arrived at my home at about 9:00 p.m. that night as a pit stop on their trip from Raleigh, NC to FL. My papa's brother (my great uncle) passed away unexpectedly Saturday evening and the funeral was Wednesday afternoon which prompted their NYE travel.

Johnny went on a 5 mile run at 11:45 p.m. NYE with 2 of his buddies to "run in the new year"! He said, "I can finally say I'm coming home this year." Geez, he just makes my heart melt all the time. This picture was taken NYE...


I hope y'all had a blessed holiday season and were able to spend Christmas with those you love!