Changes in Latitudes

Good morning!!!!!! I am so so so excited about the response to The Love Dare!! I was so nervous that no one would find it interesting or be willing to join in but I definitely think I got a few joiners which is enough for me!!! Hopefully as the weeks go by, more people will join in. Thank you guys so much!!!!!!!!!

Well, I'm headed to the beach!!!! I can't wait to get there. Me and my husband are fishing today and getting settled in. Our friends will come in tonight around 9 or 10 so we have this first day all to ourselves. :) On another note, I have some AMAZING news to tell y'all!!! Have you heard about this?

Jimmy Buffett Hosts Free Gulf Coast Concert 

Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown Band are all going to perform at this free concert!!! The concert is to help support the Gulf Coast. My brother told me about it Tuesday and said the tickets were free and will become available on Ticketmaster at 11am on Wednesday. There will only be 35,000 tickets given out and you can only get up to 4 tickets. Well, at 10:30am yesterday, my brother and I were each sitting at our computers with the Ticketmaster screen pulled up, refreshing it every couple of seconds until the tickets were available. In the end, we both got 4 tickets giving us 8 tickets to this AWESOME concert!!!!!! We found a hotel about 8 miles from the concert for only 80 dollars per night. It's going to take us about 8 hours to get there...but this is going to be a road trip and concert to remember!!!!!!!! I can't wait! Don't worry, I will take plenty of pictures to post!!!! Is it legal to post video of concerts?? I've never known whether I could do that or not...Well, if I can, I'll post video too! So, did anyone else get tickets for this concert???? They are also going to have a souvenir T-shirt designed for this concert. I'll definitely have to get one. I'll post the link as soon as they have it available so y'all can buy one online too!!

I'm going to have to find a great hawaiian, parrothead like outfit to wear!!!!! How about this??

Okay, I'm ready!!!!! Hahaha. Well, I hope y'all have an amazing relaxing weekend and I can't wait to hear all about them on Monday morning!! Love you guys!!! :)

Ramblings and Father's Day 2010

Happy Friday my sweet blog friends!!! I have had a rather exciting week and an even more exciting weekend coming up!! I had been freaking out about my placement test to get into the community college and studying for a couple weeks. I was too scared to go take it because I felt like I could never study enough. Well, Monday I woke up and said today's the day! I'm just going to get it over with. So I did, and  passed every section with flying colors! Whew!! What a weight lifted! I talked with an advisor about what I needed to do and got registered for classes starting in August!!! I'm so excited!!! I just have one thing holding me back. Money of course. I am going to meet with the financial aid advisor on Monday to see what I qualify for. Keep your fingers crossed for me please!!

Do y'all remember the speeding ticket I got on my way home from the Derby??



Well, it was going to cost me about $400 to hire an attorney to take care of it and it would end up costing me $800 per year if my insurance went up due to the points...so my only option is to go to my court date, which is this morning at 8:30 in the mountains, and ask the judge for a prayer for judgement. I'm so nervous!!! I've never actually been to court and I certainly have never had to speak to the judge! Ahh!!! I hope he will give it to me. I mean I'm still having to pay $160 in court costs!! Since it would have taken me about 3 hours to get there from my house, I stayed last night with my mom who lives in the mountains and I'm leaving from here in about 15 minutes for court. At least I got to spend some time with my mom! Wish me luck y'all!!

Now on to the main reason for this post! Father's Day!!


If there's anything my dad loves more than his wonderful children and moose...it would be Blackjack! My dad is an amazing Blackjack player and he is always traveling to casinos around the country. I love to watch him play and sometimes even play beside him. He helps me but I've still never won a whole lot. I'm not a gambler. I think it's so much fun and could care less about winning money but if I lose $20, I'm depressed. We love to go on the gambling boats out of Little River, SC. The boat goes out into international waters for about 5 hours and then heads back.


My husband has to work this weekend my dad and my brother and I are heading to Little River on Saturday. We will spend the day at the beach, eat dinner at a nice seafood restaurant then jump on the gambling boat!! I can't wait!! I hope I have time to make my dad some meatloaf cupcakes too. He's been begging me to make him some so I think Father's Day is the perfect time! This ought to be interesting huh?? LOL






                                               So, what are y'alls plans for Father's Day???

Back to School

Good morning everyone!! I thought I'd let you guys in on a little something that I've been planning for a while now and I have finally made the decision. I've decided to go back to school! I'm really excited but nervous at the same time. See, I went straight from high school to work for my dad's lumber company. I took a semester in graphic design about 8 years ago and I took a few months of cosmetology school...but it's been almost 10 years since I had to even think about integers and algebra and fractions!! Oh my!! I got a real reality check when I started studying for the placement test. Yikes!! I forgot what it was like to study for a test. I can't believe how much I've forgotten! It's so funny because I used to tutor math when I was in high school! Okay so I tutored general math just for an easy class...but that's besides the point.




Of course, as I get with every event in my life...I'm excited about new outfits and school supplies!!! I will have to have something cute to carry my books in!! How about this cute flamingo tote from Anthropologie?? So adorable!!

Or this bag from Coach. Sigh...Rather pricey for a bookbag...but hey, I'll be carrying it often! A girl can dream right? That's what I love about blogging! :)

 Coach pencils??? Yes, please!!

Anyway, I am going to school for teaching. I am torn between teaching early childhood or special needs. My heart is telling me special needs but I'm scared to death! It's such a huge responsibility but I really feel like that's what I should be doing. There are so many things throughout my life that has led me to that. I am just deciding to follow this a little late! Better late than never though I guess! Since I don't have any credits, I will be taking 2 years at a community college then transfering to the university for the last 2 years. I am hoping I can go full time while still working for my dad. He says he will definitely work with me so I'm thankful for that!

The next obstacle is money! The fact that I don't have any. Hahaha. I am really praying that I am eligible for grants or scholarships of some sort. As soon as I take my placement test, I will meet with an advisor to talk about money and enrolling. I think summer classes start in July so I need to hurry. I'm sure I can get loans but I would like to get as much free money as possible!! Of course...who doesn't? So do y'all have any advice on grants, school, teaching...? I'd love to hear what y'all think and get some inside scoop!!

Strawberry Fields Forever

Let me take you down, 'cause I'm going to strawberry fields! I don't know what my fascination has been lately with strawberries...but I want so bad to go wandering through a strawberry field with a little basket picking my own strawberries. I know there are places around to do that but I just haven't had the time or gotten the opportunity to do it yet! Have y'all ever done that?? It probably isn't all it's cracked up to be...but in my head it's the best thing ever.

                                                                   Photo from typarlandscapes.com

Photo from destinationfantastic.com

 

Isn't this necklace from Forever 21 adorable?!

 

And look at these Keds! I'm pretty sure they are for kids...but I would totally rock these!

 

We can't talk about strawberries without mentioning strawberry wine!!! 

 Photo from vitiswine.co.uk

Now you can sing along with me "Like strawberry wine and seeeeventeen...the hot July moon...saw everything! My first taste of love...ohhhhh bittersweet....green on the vine. Like strawberry wine..."





Isn't this bedspread darling??

Photo from finebeddingpro.com

One of my favorite scents from Victoria's Secret...Strawberries and Champagne. Yum.

And how do y'all feel about strawberry chicken salad?!?! Sounds delicious right? I think I'm going to have to try out this recipe very soon. 

Strawberry Chicken Salad




2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
2 celery ribs, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/3 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
2 tablespoons chutney
2 teaspoons lime juice
3/4 teaspoon grated lime peel
3/4 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
4 Bibb or Boston lettuce leaves





In a large bowl, combine the chicken, celery and onion. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, chutney, lime juice, lime peel, curry and salt. Add to chicken mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.


Just before serving, stir in strawberries. Serve on lettuce-lined plates. Yield: 4 servings.



Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups equals 222 calories, 9 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 61 mg cholesterol, 528 mg sodium, 14 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 22 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 very lean meat, 1 fat, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fruit.


Strawberry Chicken Salad published in Healthy Cooking April/May 2008

A bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work.

Oh how I love fishing. The first time I ever went fishing, I was probably around 5 or 6 and I went with my dad. I remember catching the tiniest little fish and dancing around, excited as I could be screaming "I got a fish! I got a fish!" Since I met my husband, I've learned a lot more about the different types of fishing and I have fallen in love with it even more. I always throw my fish back but my husband will keep one every now and then if it's a good size and type for eating. Last weekend, he and a couple of friends traveled up to Kingston, NY to go fishing on the Hudson River. They had a blast and caught a couple of pretty big Stripers. Here's my precious husband with his catch.

When he brought home some filets of Striper I knew I had to come up with a good recipe and quick while it was still good and fresh. I chose Striper Cakes with a low fat zesty remoulade sauce. I whipped up some of that yummy coleslaw I told y'all about a while ago and it was all DEE-licious!! Here are the recipes I used!!





Striper Cakes

2 pounds of fresh striper (remove all red meat)
2 tablespoons of light mayo
1 tablespoon of dijon mustard
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups of italian bread crumbs
1 can of sweet corn with red and green peppers
2 teaspoons of Old Bay seasoning
a couple dashes of ground red pepper
a dash of red pepper flakes

To poach fish:

4 1/2 cups of water
3 tablespoons of lemon juice
1 teaspoon of salt
1/8 teaspoon of black pepper


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cut fish into 1-2 inch pieces. Add to a saucepan and add the poaching ingredients. Heat on medium high heat until water begins to simmer. Simmer (not boil) fish for about 10 minutes or until fish looks flaky.
3. Saute corn in a pan with a tablespoon of canola oil.
4. In a mixing bowl, combine mayo, mustard, eggs, sauteed corn, Old Bay, ground red pepper and flakes.
5. After fish is done, drain it of all excess moisture and mix it into the above mixture until the pieces of fish are small enough to make good cakes with.

6. Add bread crumbs and mix.
7. Make into 6 patties and place them about 1-2" apart on an aluminum foil covered cookie sheet.

8. Bake for 40 minutes then broil them on high for 5 minutes on each side.





Low Fat Zesty Remoulade Sauce

1/2 cup of Fat Free Thousand Island Dressing
2 tablespoons of sweet pickle relish
Cajun seasoning to taste

Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate until ready to use.

Mmmm...tasty!!! I'm pretty sure any flaky fish would work just fine for this recipe! Try it out sometime! You'll love it!!

So what are some of y'alls favorite seafood recipes??

Kentucky Derby or bust!

Tomorrow morning we're leaving on our first ever trip to the Kentucky Derby! I am so so so excited!! It's only going to take us about 7 hours to get there. It's funny how I say ONLY 7 hours which is clearly a long time...but I'm so used to driving between 10 and 13 hours lately that 7 is nothing!! We are staying in Frankfort, KY which is about 45 minutes from Louisville. We were able to get a hotel for much cheaper there. Okay, on to the important stuff...what I'm going to wear! We'll start with the hat because it's a definite. It's a Nine West hat I bought the other day and it's fabulous!

Okay so here's where I need ya'lls help!! I bought a blue floral dress that I absolutely love especially for the Derby. It goes great with the white hat and I was wanting something colorful. BUT the other day I was looking through my closet and found a black and white dress that would look amazing with my hat!!! Now I have no idea which dress to wear. What do ya'll think??



Blue floral??

Or black and white??

Also, those of you who have been to the Kentucky Derby...what are some must-see, must-do things?? I don't want to miss anything! Do ya'll have any tips? I'd appreciate any input!!! Thanks so much and have a wonderful day!!

Livin' on a prayer!!

Take my hand and we'll make it I swear! OHHHHHH!!! Livin' on a prayer! Don't ya'll just love that song?? It's one of my favorite karaoke songs to do! I have quite a busy weekend ahead of me! Tonight I will be attending the Bon Jovi concert!! I am so excited. We are about as high up as we can go without sitting on the roof but hey, as long as I can hear the music I'll be good! The way I look at it is if there isn't as many people up there, the more room I have to dance! Just look at these hotties!!! Hahaha!

This weekend my husband, my dad, my brother and his friend are all going to Tunica, MS for MANCATION! I know, that word is extremely corny, but that's what it is called for real. They are watching a mixed martial arts fight, participating in a Texas Hold 'em poker tournament and a golf tournament, AND skeet shooting. Cigars and beer are included. That ought to be interesting. I will miss my sweet husband. I think it's the first time he has been away for more than 2 nights at a time. He will have a lot of fun though I'm sure of it. I've got some birthday celebrations to go to this weekend and a trip to the gym on Saturday morning! I'm thinking about doing a class of some sort. I love doing aerobic dance classes. They are so much fun and don't feel like exercise!


Tomorrow night I'll be attending a relay for cancer survivors with a friend from work. She has just beat her lung cancer and we are all so very happy for her. She is so strong and her faith has really pulled her through.

During my walk around the track with a good friend, I'll not only be thinking about her and all of the survivors that I've known and met, but I'll also be thinking about the ones who didn't make it. The reason we all need to do everything in our power to help make awareness and raise money for a cure. I know everyone has either been affected or knows someone who has been affected by cancer. I plan to buy a couple of luminaries to carry with me on the walk. If anyone would like me to make it in someone's name, please let me know!! I would be MORE than happy to do it.

Monday is my little brother's 22nd birthday!!! You all know good and well what that means right? Cupcakes!!! Leave it to my brother to pick an outrageous cupcake for me to make him. It will be brownie cupcakes with cookie dough filling and turtle buttercream frosting. I personally think it will be too much going on for one little cupcake...but what he wants, he gets! I can't wait to share the pictures and recipes with ya'll!

Last but not least, Happy Earth Day!!! I have always loved this day because I am very passionate about taking care of the things God has given us. This Earth is a beautiful gift from God and we should all be very adamant about keeping it beautiful. Here is a list of some small things we can all do today to do our part.


1. I will use one bottle for water today instead of wasting many.

2. I will take shorter showers.

3. I will not leave the water running while I brush my teeth.

4. I will not litter and I will gladly pick up litter that others have thrown.

5. I will wash my clothes with cold water instead of hot.

6. I will not print something from the computer unless I absolutely have to.



What are some other things ya'll do to save the enviroment??

I got you babe!

Hello darlings!! I hope you are all doing well!! I have been having so much fun this weekend. Friday night was girl's night out. We had a great time downtown. I did not do so hot on my diet that's for sure. It was not my fault that they ordered some amazing jalapeno spinach dip. Yum! I did order grilled shrimp tacos which weren't SO bad for me. I also like to think that walking around downtown for a couple hours counteracted the calories.

We also had a blast at the pop personality party last night! I got to meet Lady Gaga, Toni Braxton, Beethoven, Jennifer Lopez and Olivia Newton John!! I spent about 2 hours doing Lady Gaga's hair and makeup. It was worth it though. Check out the pictures!

It was bittersweet because we had a great time but it was also a farewell party to my sister who is going back to Korea for a year on the 21st. I should be used to it by now, she has been traveling most of my life, but I think it gets harder the older I get because we have gotten so much closer. She is an amazing teacher to the children over there and I truly think that teaching them is her calling. I just want her to be happy! Okay, enough with the mushy stuff. I decided to go with the 70's Cher. My dress was a little shapeless but I think it was the perfect colors.

I don't know that I completely captured the whole Cher essence...but we had an amazing time anyway! I can't wait to spend today relaxing! I was going nonstop yesterday. You know I had to make cupcakes! They were requested by Lady Gaga as her going away cupcakes. Chocolate cupcakes with a chocolate toffee buttercream frosting. Of course I'll share the recipes I used very soon!

I also visited my friend in the hospital to see her new baby boy, Brody. He was so very precious. Unfortunately, he slept the whole time I was there but I could tell with the way he smirked at me that he was going to have an awesome personality. Look at this! Isn't he adorable?!

I hope ya'll are having a wonderful weekend so far! I would love to hear about what ya'll did! Enjoy your day!!

Oh, baby!

Is it just me or are there babies popping up everywhere?! It seems like every one of my friends are either pregnant or have just had one. Three of my cousins just had babies, my best friend and about 5 other friends. Then I have a friend getting induced on Friday, a friend pregnant with twins and about 4 or 5 other friends who are in different stages of pregnancy. Talk about a baby boom! It's so exciting to hear about what they are going through, help them plan the room or the shower, talk about the sex and what to name them, visit them at the hospital. If I can't have children, by golly I'll be the best "Aunt" you've ever seen! Look at this picture of my best friend's daughter. I am honest to goodness in LOVE with this child. She is 4 months old today!

Notice her precious little pink and green outfit! Too cute!! Sorry for the not so hot picture quality. It was taken with my iPhone. Did ya'll know that they have fancy nursing rooms at the mall? I was so amazed. It was like a private living room with leather couches tucked away down a hallway that you had to buzz someone to let you into. Fancy stuff!

I'm still undecided on the pop personality outfit. I have decided to go with Cher for sure. I'm getting a long black wig that is parted down the middle. I have a spaghetti strap, right below my knees, body hugging sparkly dress that I can wear with some gold heels or I started thinking about doing the 70's Cher and wearing a scarf tied around my head and a fringed vest because I'm nervous about wearing that dress!! What do ya'll think??

In need of some assistance pretty please.

My week and weekend have suddenly filled up like crazy and I am not prepared for parts of it!! We are working at the church concession stand, having girl's night out downtown, having some friends over for dinner and the kicker, my sister is having a pop personality going away party this Saturday night! She is going back to Korea to teach English again. Two years ago she went for a year to teach and she fell in love with the kids and the job. She took a year off to come back home but she's heading back to Korea on the 20th!!! We will miss her like crazy but we are so very proud of her!!!! She is in a Lady Gaga phase obsession right now, so she will be dressing up as her. I'll be doing her hair and makeup and I extremely excited about it!!! Here is the picture of inspiration. I don't know if she will be brave enough to go for this outfit but the hair and makeup is a definite.

Okay, onto my problem. I don't know who I'M going to dress up as!! I have a couple of ideas but I need ya'lls help!!! Here are my two ideas. Let me know what you think or if you have any better ideas!



My first idea is Cher. I can get a wig because my hair isn't dark enough to really pull the Cher look off. It doesn't have to be a long dress like this. I was thinking maybe just a short sparkly dress of some sort. Actually I have one!! It's beige and gold sparkly.

My other idea was Jennifer Lopez. I'm thinking "Jenny from the Block". I want to do her more glamorous looks but no one would know who I was. Here's a picture I found. Love the hat...but ya'll know I wouldn't wear that shirt in public.

I'm all out of ideas!! What do ya'll think??