Fashion with a Benefit...Bangle Proceeds Help Susan G. Komen

Tomorrow kicks off Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I'd be willing to bet most of my readers have been affected by this disease, be it directly or indirectly. 

In college, I wasn't one of those girls aching to join a sorority. Truthfully, I had been burned by some girlfriends and was in no hurry to join a large group of them. I was finally in a place where I could choose my friends and I was NOT going to be thrust into a situation where I had to be nice to people who didn't deserve it.

Well, my roomie from freshman year joined ZTA and before I knew it, I was jealous! However, because I wasn't joining for the popularity, I could join for a reason that mattered...philanthropy! 

As a Zeta, I helped host Pink Ribbon events, I wore pink ribbons on my clothing, I had pink ribbons on my keychains and we hosted a "Big Man on Campus" event that raised money for Susan G. Komen. 

This is a disease that affects so many and we need to each do our part to help eradicate it. Who doesn't love fashion? Well, now you can pair this fabulous bangle with the hottest new boyfriend blazer. Put it with your favorite pink Lilly Pulitzer  dress. It would make a great accessory with a crisp white blouse. 

A. Tierney is donating 20% of the sales from this bangle to Susan G. Komen as long as you enter the code: Fall09 at checkout. 

Just remember, you may not need this organization now, but unfortunately it is likely that at some time in your life you will witness a friend or family member in need of these funds and prayers. 

Buy now...help save a life!

In Need of Pedicure Date!

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I am in desperate need of a pedicure. 

Heels rough and scaly? Check. 

Toenails jagged? Check

Polish left on toenails from ages ago? Check.

Friend to go with me so I won't focus on how strange I actually find pedicures? No

Damn!

Art, Money, Bowling and more...

A little randomness does a girl good...

* I am jumping on the Jillian bandwagon. I went out and bought The 30 Day Shred and am starting it this week. Now, I know some bloggers out there talk about how they need to get in better shape and then post a picture of their rock hard abs...well, when this lady says, "I need to get in shape" I ain't lying. So there will be NOOOOO pics of my abs since you can't see them anyways! But I will give y'all updates from time to time on my progress.

* I am going back to my starch free diet. I will have some rice or a sandwich from time to time but for the most part, I will not be consuming breads, pastas, etc... This also means a lot less drinking for me. I'm not going to lie...I will be drinking my heart out in 2 weeks at the Georgia/Tenn game but other than that, I will do my best. Besides, there is always vodka/soda!

* I wish we were rich! Since I'm keeping this blog real, I will admit to being a bit of a material girl. I grew up with a comfortable lifestyle and I get kinda pissy when I can't buy what I want when I want it. I love art and am annoyed I can't afford the good stuff. I get irritated that I can't hire an interior designer or that I can't book a trip to Europe on a whim. However, the job Mr. Marine has is something larger than both of us...so I will suck it up and be thankful we have all we need (even if it isn't all we want)

* That being said, Mr. Marine and I met a fabulous local artist who does amazing abstract art and he is coming to our house tomorrow to see our colors, our decor, etc.. and design something uniquely for us! Can we say EXCITED?

* I joined Junior League. I'm kinda nervous because although I am a girly girl, I have always thought of JLers as a bit snotty so this could be interesting but I am excited to meet new people and a fellow blogger is in my new member class so that is AWESOME!!!!!

* I need a hobby. Mr. Marine is working more and more and I am bored! I used to paint and was very good at it, even selling some at auctions for hundreds of dollars. However, I had a bad experience with an art teacher during a very vulnerable time in my life and I haven't picked up a paintbrush or a piece of charcoal in over 10 years. I'm very nervous to pick up and begin again after such a lapse, but it is something I miss dearly.

* I have been a bowler since I was 4 years old. I used to be amazing at it. I'm thinking I need to start that again too! But bowling isn't recreation for me...it is a competition. Sure, I down a few beers but I am serious, composed and will kick anyone's butt...I miss being the one guys think just looks cute and then being the girl who makes their skills look elementary! I think I need to join a local league!

Wow...diarrhea of the mouth! That's all the randomness I'll subject y'all to today! 

Selfish? Maybe. But I'm Not Ready to Be Pooped On!

NEWS FLASH: This woman has found reason #34287690 to fear having children! My cousin who is a very new mom just informed me that she must wear a "poop apron" to change her sons diaper because he "blasts" them with poop the minute you take his diaper off!

I think I just threw-up in my mouth just typing that!

Now, where is that anonymous person that called me selfish for all of my fears. Remember: fear of getting fat, fear of staying fat, fear of vomit, fear of sucking as a mom, etc...

Well, now you can add to it...FEAR OF BEING POOPED ON!

Call me selfish, but I am not ready to trade wine parties for projectile poop!

A Cute Bulldog or A Heinous Pig? Gooooooo Dawgs!

Mr. Marine and I are heading off to Arkansas tomorrow to cheer for the Dawgs! It is supposed to rain this weekend so I'm not sure how hot I will look in the pictures but I can promise I'll be sporting the Red and Black!

But before I head out to this state I have never had an interest in going to, I must ask...

Why in the world would someone choose to root for this...

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When they could root for this!!!!

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Gooooooooooo Dawgs! Sic 'em! Woof Woof Woof!

Trading Designer Duds for Mushed Peas - Will I Ever Be Ready?

Are my fears of [someday] motherhood irrational or rational?

I know moms out there will tell me "it is the best thing in the world," "it is worth every sacrifice you will make," "You won't ever regret it." But I am terrified of the idea.

I just got off the phone with a very dear friend who I admire as a parent. She is a wonderful mother but she didn't lose herself in the process. She makes time for her relationship with her husband without neglecting her kids. But I also have friends who won't leave their babies, haven't been on a date with their husbands in years, have relationship issues because of it, and they can't talk about anything besides kids.

My fears:
- Losing my sense of identity
- Having a marriage that gets neglected
- "Ruining a good thing" so to speak
- Losing my fashion sense
- Having to clean up after my vomiting kid (Hint: other peoples throw up makes me vomit)
- Losing the ability to speak about worldly things, instead speaking of poop, baby food, etc...
- Becoming frumpy (I'll die if I ever purchase faux jeans with elastic waistbands)
- Not being able to provide for my kids like I was provided for (ie spoiled)
- Not being able to pay for their college or private school education
- Being too selfish to be a good mother
- Not being able to travel to places besides Disney
- Being a "single" mom while my husband deploys
- Having to give birth alone in the case that Mr. Marine is off with his wife (ie USMC)
- Screwing my kids up
- Being too harsh
- Not disciplining enough
- The list goes on...and on...and on....

However, I will be 29 next month and I don't want to miss my chance at motherhood. My parents are everything to me and I want them to know my children. I want them to know my mother and why she is my best friend. I want them to know my dad and my step-dad and neither is is great health.

Guess I am just being paranoid. I always said, if God wants me to have kids He will surprise us because Mr. Marine and I will over think this until we are out of time!

125.00 Tee Shirt Ego Ruins My Relationship with J.

I feel taken advantage of just looking at this TEE SHIRT!

Seriously J. Crew...your ego disgusts me. You are beginning to resemble one of those men who lures you in with his good looks but ruins it all by knowing he's hot!

Guess what, you're not that hot! In fact, your clothes rarely fit me. And if I felt like dropping 125.00 on a new top I'd hightail it to Nordstrom where I can get a great lunch, a glass of wine, an awesome return policy, retail assistants who actually care what my shape and style are, and most importantly...I'd get a shirt that wasn't going to fall apart!

You're dead to me J. 

Dead!

I am one of those wives...and I am proud of it! God Bless America!

Mr. Marine told me in early 2001 that he joined the Marines. I told him that we would NEVER be married because I refused to be be of those military wives! I was a junior in college. I had dreams. I was wild and free to do as I wanted. And I sure as hell didn't want to be married to man who would be gone all the time, might die in war and who would probably cheat on me because that's what military men do...especially the Marines!

After reconciling the fact that Mr. Marine and I would always have a closeness, but never be together...I moved on.

I got home in the middle of the night on 9/11 and checked my email. I had one in my inbox from Mr. Marine that read in part "...I don't know why you are letting the word Marine scare you. It's not like we are ever going to go to war..."

I went to bed next to my new college love and woke up to a phone call from my mother tearfully stating, "Carebear, America is under attack." Mind you, my mama has a flair for the dramatic so I stumbled out of bed, knocked on my roomies door and we all sat in front of the TV, watching as the 2nd plane hit the Towers.

Over the next 4 years, I stayed in touch with Mr. Marine, asking every so often, "Where are you? Are you going to Iraq?"

Ironically, this war and 9/11 is what kept us in touch. This lasted until 2005 when we decided, Marines or no Marines, we were meant to be together.

So now, despite my adamant claims that I would never become one, I am a Marine wife.

My eyes fill with tears each time I hear the National Anthem. I have proudly tied a yellow ribbon around my old oak tree while I sent my Lieutenant off to war. I have said that goodbye, knowing it could have been the last goodbye and I love you that he heard from me. I have cried along with my fellow spouses and friends and I have shared laughter with the women who know what it is to love a service member.

Most importantly, I share a bond with some of the bravest women I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Had I stuck to my guns and refused to be one of those wives, I would have been the weak one...because those wives possess more strength in their heart than many possess in their entire being. I am one of those wives and I am a damn proud American!

Mr. Marine's 30th Birthday Surprise REVEALED!

Sorry I have been a bad blogger lately. However, I was yapping about Mr. Marine's HUGE 30th birthday surprise and then I left y'all hangin'.

I bet you've been wondering all these weeks what it was...well, wait no more! Here is the rundown... Now, keep in mind, no surprise was revealed ahead of time. It all unfolded as the weekend progressed!

Surprise #1  - We flew to Jacksonville, FL where I surprised him with a golf trip. But first, we had to get our rental car...where Mr. Marine surprised ME with a shiny red mustang!

Surprise #2 - We stayed the night in an oceanfront condo with some old colleagues of mine who have traveled the world over and are currently in Rome (jealous, me?). Mr. Marine enjoyed  a round of golf at The Ritz!

Surprise #3 -  We head North on 95 when Mr. Marine thinks he has figured it out, proudly saying, "We are going to my parents house or Savannah." Where the tricky little Mrs. states, "I won't say where we are going but I did arrange to meet your sis of 95 for a drink."

Little did Mr. Marine know, that I had already spoken to some of our friends who had driven in from Atl and were meeting us at the restaurant! So, when Mr. Marine walked in the Mexican restaurant and looked to his left, he saw his sis, his Marine buddy Brett and his wife Morgan!

Surprise #4 - We head to his parents house on The Island and when he goes to remove our luggage, I inform him that we aren't staying. Confused, I must confess..."We are staying at our friend Katie's beach house on Sea Island!" Mind you, Mr. Marine is shocked about the beach house but even more surprised that Katie is coming to his birthday weekend given her fiance (Mr. Marine's Phi Delt buddy and fellow Marine is deployed right now!)

At dinner that evening, I call his best friend, and best man in our wedding, and Nate arrives at the dinner table to an enormously surprised Mr. Marine

Surprise #5 - This was a surprise to us both...Katie's beach house is beautiful and this was our room in said house! I never wanted to leave.

Surprise #6 - I told Mr. Marine to sleep in and the girls and I had some errands to run but we'd bring breakfast. Oh, sneaky me had arranged for his good friend from OCS/TBS to fly in from San Diego. So we picked him up and drove back to the Island. When Mr. Marine saw him come through the door, I wish I could have video taped his expression...pure Joy!

Surprise #7 - I chartered a sailboat and the 6 of us spent an awesome day on the water just drinking beer and catching up

Surprise #8 - Mr. Marine's folks hosted a big ol' party at their house on Fri night. As we walked in the door, Mr. Marine had another couple of buddies waiting for him that came in from Atlanta!

The next day was spent at the beach, just lounging and drinking!

Mr. Marine and I enjoyed a relaxing day on Sea Island.

The all impressive Cloister!

Whew! Are you as exhausted after hearing about it as I was after planning all of it and stressing about it all remaining a surprise? 

All in all, it was one of the best weekends I have ever had. To see the expression on my husband's face every time I pulled off another surprise made me gleam! I am lucky to be married to him and I hope this showed him how much he is loved and appreciated by ME!