Late Thoughts

So it's late. Well it is for me. I mean 11:00pm! That's late for me. There's a lot of things that happened this week that I wanted to share. Nothing to big or crazy. Just things. Also, I love lists, I do. So this will be in a list format.

1. I got an interview for another Admin job at the same Y I work at now, just a different atmosphere and new responsibilities.
2. There is a great "debate" going on between some people at church (including Jeremy and I) about politics (and aren't we never to speak of religion and politics in public, ah well). It's on facebook and it's brilliant! I love it!
3. I've watched a couple of things on youtube over and over and over again: bon qui qui and all her glory, all the flight of the conchords' songs, and the tina fey and amy pohler skit (palin/clinton). I literally have watched each of these like 20 times this week. It's a problem that I don't want to fix.
4. I miss my puppy more and more each day that I have to go to work.
5. I've been praying for Stephanie (NieNie) and Christian like crazy this week because of her surgeries. But he was finally able to go see her for the first time since the plane crash on Thursday. Click on the "cjane" button to the right and you can read the update by her sister Courtney. Truly beautiful.
6. I have fallen in love. This man that comes into my home everyday and cooks for me and then cleans, too. He takes my dog out and even cuts my hair. He is goregous and sometimes he kisses me, real good ones. It's weird ya know, it's like he's in love with me too. I should marry him. Oh wait, I did. Lucky gal.

Tomorrow is snuggle saturday with the man of my dreams, and the Bud.

Bedtime.

Nizzle

This is Nizzle (with Christie and Anna making faces in the background that make me laugh). She is my friend. I love her dearly. She and I love the same things like hot tea, Whole Foods, Obama, Ten Thousand Villages, hippie bags, and flea markets. Actually, this list applies to my other friends too, but more of these are me and Nizzle. She is pretty and now, she is on my blog. Dom, you're amazing.

Ode To The Bud

Dearest Foster,

Thank you for being so kind. When I was sick last week you stayed by my side and licked me occasionally to show love. You are always ready to play fetch well, unless you're watching your "stories" in which case you look at me like I've suggested a run or something. And even though you chewed up my blue suede peep toe pumps, I still love you. I love when we have snuggle time on the bed with daddy (Jeremy to me) and when you're done with us and you hop down and lay on the cool bathroom tile. You are my son because we have the same hair color and eye color. I love you Bud.

Love,

Mom

A Chronological look at Foster:

The photo that was online where I found my little Bud. He was rescued from the woods in South Carolina. This was him weeks old. Needless to say, I fell in love. And as soon as I sent these photos to Jeremy at work, his reaction was "Crap. Well I guess we're getting a dog." He was in love too.

Another one from South Carolina. So dern cute!

This is the day we brought him home. We named him Foster right here in Stacy's apartment.

This is how he used to sleep. On the shelf under the coffee table with his head hangin' off. I mean how can you not love this kid?

My Boys.

More Family...

More people I love...

Boys making quite akward faces...seriously, those are terrifying. Front to back: My love, Andrew, Taylor, Caleb, and Dan.

Girls are much prettier. Front to back: Christie, Anna (sister), Laura, Meredith. My dears.

Morgan (known this chick since birth) and Nathan (her handsome boyfriend who has a bro-mance going with my husband) with us at the Durham Bulls Game this spring for Jer's 25th birthday.

There are just so many people in our lives that we love dearly. You'll see them all on this blog once I can get a digital camera that works!! Film is expensive, although the photos are goregous.

The person I love the most however, is Jeremy Francis Morin. That's right, Francis. I love his middle name, it's so Italian, like him. Here are just a fraction of the reasons I love my husband:

1. He is goregous.

2. He waited to have sex until his wedding night. He saved that moment just for me, and I saved it just for him.

3. He always covers his eyes during boobie shots in movies, he knows I'd cover them anyway.

4. He always makes me feel beautiful, celluite and all.

5. He loves me like God loves the Church, just like he's supposed to.

6. He lets me pay him with kisses for cutting my hairs (that's right he cuts all of 'dem).

7. He likes all the same movies, music, YouTube vidoes and tv as I do. And he'll watch Bon Qui Qui over and over with me because he knows that if he didn't I WOULD CUT HIM!

8. He can make me laugh anytime of the day no matter how bad of a mood I'm in.

9. The other night before falling asleep he steam rolled me. This is not some weird sex position, it is simply that he rolled over and over me almost crushing my ribs. This annoyed The Bud so he jumped up on the bed and began licking us until we stopped.

10. He is my personal Noah Calhoun (The Notebook, as if I should even have to write that) and any other perfect romantic movie hero you can think of.

11. God sent him to me to protect and care for me, which he does non-stop everyday.

12. He makes faces like this in pictures when I think he's smiling. Jerk. Hot Jerk.

13. He laughs when I fart.

14. He talks about our children (not ready just yet) and dreams about what they'll be like with me.

15. He got this excited when we were finally married!

My two favorite photos from our blessed day.

Well folks. That's it for today. I just worked out with my trainer for the first time and I know it's going to take me at least 20 minutes to shower because my dern arms are still shaky. Thanks a lot Billie.

Whoa. Two blogs in one night. I know. Well, my love was working out after he got home and now is off to the store. I love him. He is so good to me. More on that later...

I wanted to do a meet the family type blog. This way, if you don't know me all that well, you could get a little closer. Some of photos might be funny and old. Or some of the people might also be funny and old. But, they're fam.

These lovely ladies are my mama (left) and my mama-in-law, mamasita. The strapping young lad in black is my daddy. And the man in the peachy shirt is a dear friend of the family (practically my uncle) Mr. Mike. I was always taught to say Mr and Mrs and so even though most of my parents' friends are like family I have to call them Mr. Mike and Mrs. Candi. It's just my upbringing.

This is how we usually find my brother. Sitting on someone with food shoved in his always open pie-hole. I do heart him, though. The two hot totties in this photo are my sister and my sista. The beautiful bean pole is my baby sister and the hot blonde is my best friend of almost 19 years. I've loved both of my sisters my whole life (even before I had a sister of any kind I wished and prayed for one).

I know. Goregous photo. I hope Stacy (sister-in-law) is not mad I put this up. This is Stacy and her fiance Matt. Matt and I actually went to high school together (Class of '02) before he knew Stacy. They are one beautiful couple and I cannot wait to be in the wedding and a part of their perfect day.

There is so much more I want to share about my family and friends, but it is time to shower and then bed. I know, I'm an old fart, but when you have to be at work at 7am, early bedtime is welcomed.

More to come...

Greetings...

This is why I love my FAMILY. I am constantly greeted in the same manner pretty much everyday. When I get home, my pup Foster, affectionately known around the homestead as "The Bud", greets me. Now, there are many different ways that he does this. If I get home from work early, he is groggy and has NO clue why I'm home. This greeting is almost like I've invaded his privacy and it takes a minute for me to a) find him (hiding in the guest bathroom) and b) to get him to wiggle waggle mode. For those not in "the know" (anyone other than Jer and I) wiggle waggle is when Foster gets so excited that his body cannot keep up with the demand of his rear as he wiggle and waggle's his tail-end excitedly. However, if I get home at a normal time he is right there in my face, wiggling and waggling, with an expression on his face that says, "I'm so glad you're home." Also, a little bit of "Take me out NOW, woman!" Either way, it is a nice thing to come home to.

This is the darling face I get to see when I step through our door.

Then there's the husband's greeting. I'm either running around cleaning, watching TV, or on the computer so The Bud is the first to get to Jeremy when he walks in. And while Jeremy loves all the wiggles and waggles, he still says hi to me first. It goes a little something like this, hit it:

Jeremy: Hi Wife!

Me: Hi Baby!

(smooch smooch)

Jeremy: Hi Bud. (scratching furry white tummy and chest, kisses on the head, loves all around)

more smooches between me and the hubs and us and the Bud continue.

These are my favorite greetings. The ones you get when you walk in the door from a day at work that may or may not have been pretty crappy. I mean wouldn't everyone much rather be at home with the loves of your lives than at work? I would.

So Much Stuff

So, we got to see Grace Elizabeth and all her cuteness. She is tremendously cute. I mean really, most babies look like wet worms when they're first born. GE just looks like a little soft angel who makes faces like she just smelled a fart. She has the sweetest features. Oh, baby fever go away. I didn't get any photos, but I soon will. For now, she is our little ya-ya. YA YA!!

************************************************************************************

Meanwhile, I got some film developed and found some fun pictures to share.

This is the most handsome dog. Our Foster B. Wellington Morin. We respectfully call him The Bud. This is right before he got a much needed haircut. I'm tellin' ya, he's not that fat, it's all fur.

My favorite flower. Peonies. These were from Whole Foods and lasted forever. They were beautiful and I couldn't help but stick my face in them everytime I walked by. That in the background is my cute blue chair from the flea market. The color just reminds me of summer and sweet tea with mint.

My boys. The Bud with his eyes closed and mine are surprisingly large. I usually have tiny eyes when I smile. Thank you Lord for my sweet family.

Luke and Dominic. Our hilarious and not-too-shabby pair of nephews. They are so funny. Luke is three going on 76. He's great. And Dominic is about 7 months old is has the sweetest personality. We don't get to see them as often as we'd like, but we think about them quite often.

Now, to bed. 6 am comes quite fast.

Peace & Love.

GE Whirlpool

Well, my first niece is here! We ain't blood but it don't matter. She is already a part of me. I am so excited to get off work and meet this little girl that I've talked to many times already. God is truly amazing in the gifts that He continues to give us. Thank you Lord for keeping Laura and Gracie safe. Pictures of the GE to follow as soon as I can meet her!!!!!



Peace

Hope

So I just read this woman's blog: Stephanie Neilson. She is an amazing woman of God with a gorgeous family. She and her husband were flying in a private plane (her husband is a pilot but we're not sure if he was flying) and the plane crashed. The good friend piloting the plane died. Christian and Stephanie are still in chemically induced comas and are covered in burns. They are stable and their faithful family has all the hope in the world that they'll pull through. The couple has four children who are now with Stephanie's sister. This story just teaches us to live everyday with love, laughter, and with no limits. Just go to Stephanie's blog and you'll see just how creative she is, how in love with her family she is, and how much she loves the Lord. It makes me kiss on Jeremy even more than I normally do (which is a lot so I hope he doesn't mind) and makes me think about my day to day life. I hope I'm making the Lord proud and living this life he gave me to the fullest.

Now, they are not dead and no where near it. I just pray that they get better so they can see their beautiful children once again. Stephanie and Christian, I pray that you feel your family's faith and know that they love and care for you deeply. Peace be with you...

Summer's Slipping Away

This is the last week of camp. I always get sad no matter how old I get. I have so much fun during the summer and knowing that my favorite season is coming to an end is sad. I have to wait three more seasons to feel that joy I get everytime summer rolls around. So, as a toast to the season I thought I'd write a list (I adore lists) of my favorite things about summer.

*The very begining of summer when you know what's coming is going to be a blast...
*Bold blue skies behind bright green leaves
*Salty skin and hair from an amazing day on the beach
*Floating on a boogie board in the tidal pool that forms in the late afternoon on Sunset's expansive beach
*Reading full books for fun
*Lightning bugs
*Tanned skin
*Smell of suntan lotion and sea air
*Rocking in rocking chairs with friends talking about nothing in particular
*Camp assemblies filled with dancing and just having fun
*Driving down to the beach with the windows down and the dog in the back listening to James Taylor with my hubby at the wheel
*Water (pool, ocean, lake, doesn't matter)

These are only a few of the many things that I adore about summer. Ofcourse, I am one of those people that can mourn one season ending and get pumped about the next season in the same breath. So, not to steal thunder from summer, a short list of why I love fall...

*Football (NC State to be exact)
*North Carolina State Fair (never missed a year)
*Leaves changing
*Jeans come back into my daily life
*So do my cowboy boots
*Leaving the windows open all the time...

I hope we all can think about our summers and hope that the joy never fades. But also, embrace the upcoming fall season as I'm sure it will be just as delightful as summer 2008.

Peace and Love.

Well, I sat and read all of Kelsi's answers, so maybe someone will read mine! Thanks half-day!



1. ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT??I have scars on both my knees because when I was a kid I just didn't understand my mom when she said "Stop running down that hill!!!"
2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?Ugh, in our bedroom there's nothing. The rest of the house has art, photos, the usual.
3. DO YOU SNORE, GRIND YOUR TEETH, OR TALK IN YOUR SLEEP?Me? Snore? Why, never!!!
4. WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?I'm going to have to copy Kelsi and say I love everything! Except Emo and hard core rap.
5. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN?I never knew until a couple of years ago, and now I can't well remember.
6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?Just to love everyday.
8. WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION?IF that means something I've bought then it'd have to be my pup. I love him to pieces.
9. HOW TALL ARE YOU?5'9”
10. DO YOU GET CLAUSTROPHOBIC?Nope.
11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?Yup. I freak myself out most of the time.
12. THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY?Jeremy. But I was being a girl if you know what I mean.
13. WHAT’S YOUR WORST FEAR?Agree with Kelsi again, having Jeremy taken away from me.
14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Dark brown hair and hazel/green eyes. My hubby is quite handsome!
15. WHERE CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF BEING PROPOSED TO AT?On Sunset Beach at sunset.
16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINK?If I had to choose, I'd say coffee but I'm a Coca-Cola person.
17. FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING?Cosmic Karma pizza from Mellow Mushroom: pesto, sundried tomatoes, fresh tomatoes, pizza sauce and cheese!!
18. IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?I really just want a Sonic Limeade!
19. FAVORITE COLOR OF ALL TIME?Green
20. HAVE YOU EVER EATEN A GOLDFISH?NO, unless there are goldfish in sushi and I just didn't know it. Not on purpose let's just say that.
21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST MEANINGFUL GIFT YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED?That's tough because I think most people put a lot of though into all their gifts. I think I'd have to go with Jeremy giving me my grandmother's wedding band to use as my own band. Beautiful man he is.
22. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?I'll always have one on Jc Chasez and Justin Timberlake, oh the Nsync days were glorious. But in real life, I'll always have a crush on my hubby.
23. ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED?Nope
24. FAVORITE CLOTHING BRAND?J. Crew & surf companies like Volcom and Billabong.
25. WHO IS THE HOTTEST FEMALE/MALE CELEBRITY?Besides Nsync, I'd have to go with Shia LaBouf; and I think Jessica Biel is beautiful and Reese Witherspoon.
26. DO YOU HAVE A PET RIGHT NOW?Yes, my Foster!
27. WHAT KIND IS IT?He is an Australian Shepard/Chow mix. Adorable.
28. WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THAT THE PERSON IS LEAVING?Can't say.
30. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED:Lame.
31. BLONDES OR BRUNETTES?Brunettes, duh!
34. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF THE USA?Jamaica, Ireland, Italy, and Bahamas.
35. YOUR WEAKNESSES?Temper.
36. MET ANYONE FAMOUS?Nope.
37. FIRST JOB?Ymca Day Camp Counselor, and where am I working?
38. EVER DONE A PRANK CALL?OH have I...
39. DO YOU THINK EVERYONE OUT THERE HAS A SOULMATE?I do believe in soul mates, but I also believe you can fall in love multiple times. I haven't, but I know people who have truly loved more than one person. It's just batural.
40. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED THIS OUT?At work being productive.
41. HAVE YOU EVER HAD SURGERY?No.
42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST?My humor, my hair, and my legs. I prefer hearing the first one.
43. HAVE YOU EVER HAD BRACES?No, never needed them. Thanks mom!
44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?Money. Isn't that awful? We just have a lot of things we want to do with the house and what not.
45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT?Four.
46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?My middle name is Leigh after my dad, Lee.
47. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST TURN OFF OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?Smoking or being dumb.
48. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU MISS ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL?No real responsibility, agreed Kelsi!
49. WHAT KIND OF SHAMPOO DO YOU USE?Tresseme shampoo and Dove conditioner.
50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?Yes, and it's taken me a long time to perfect it. I'm still tweaking it a bit.
51. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?Turkey.
52. ANY BAD HABITS?I have a lot. I'm late a lot and I'm quite lazy most of the time.
53. ARE YOU A JEALOUS PERSON?No.
54. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?Totally.
55. DO YOU AGREE WITH FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS?.Nope. Someone will always get hurt-agree!
56. DO LOOKS MATTER?I think for initial attraction, but you can move past looks.
57. HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER?Scream it out. That's how I was raised.
59. WHAT’S YOUR MAIN GOAL IN LIFE?To have a family that is happy with who they are.
60. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?Sports equipment and a trampoline.
61. HOW MANY NUMBERS ARE IN YOUR CELL PHONE?I don't know. Who knows that?
62.WERE YOU A FAN OF BARNEY AS A LITTLE KID?NO but my sister was, oh the agony.
63. DO YOU USE SARCASM?No. (dripping with sarcasm)
64. MASHED POTATOES OR MACARONI AND CHEESE?Mac and Cheese
65. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?Humor, hottness, and if it's Jeremy.
66. WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES?E-Money (rarely)
68. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW?The Office, Friends, reality TV of all kinds
69.WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH YOUR ENEMIES?Kill them.
70. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?Chocolate. Add in some peanut butter and I'm in heaven.
71. DO YOU HAVE ALL YOUR FINGERS AND TOES? Um, yes.
72. DO YOU HAVE A COMPUTER IN YOUR ROOM?In the guest room.
73. PLANS FOR TONIGHT?Dinner, tv.
74. WHAT'S THE FASTEST YOU'VE EVER GONE IN A CAR?I think I went to 110 and shat myself.
75. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?Sure.
76. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?My dog sleeping.
77. LAST THING YOU DRANK?Water.
78. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?Husband.
79. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX?Smile.
80. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?Art, hang out with my boys, see family and friends, watch tv.
81. FAVORITE THING TO HATE?I love to hate people. hehe.
82. FAVORITE MONTH OF THE YEAR?I love Summer and Fall, but my birthday is in December so it's a toss up.
83. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF CANDY?Oooh, this is hard. Snickers, Reese's Pieces, and Chewy Sweet Tarts.
84. HAVE YOU EVER REALLY AND TRULY HAD A BEST FRIEND?I have a soul mate: Jeremy, a kindred spirit: Christie, and plenty of bosom buddies...but Chrisitie was my first best friend and other than the hubby, she still is.
85. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR?Brown
86. EYE COLOR?Hazel, damn it.
88. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE?I love Taco Bell and Chic Fila.
89. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?Macaroni Grill, Mexican of any kind, Mellow Mushroom, The Rockford, we love eating out.
90. DO YOU LIKE SUSHI?Oh yes.
91. Last thing you watched?Saved by the Bell this morning.
92. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?My birthday. December 30th
93. PLAY ANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS?Nope
94. REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT?Neither.
95. KISSES OR HUGS?Hugs for all, kisses for my man.
96. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS?Relationships.
97. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT?Stuff for camp with the YMCA's money.
98. DO YOU HAVE A LOW SELF ESTEEM OR A HIGH SELF ESTEEM?Depends on the dern day.
99. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?Nothing. Sad because I love to read.
100. DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE:Satisfied.


Thank you Kelsi for helping me waste 35 minutes of my life. I do love these....

My Heart Breaks

There are many things in this world I don't understand. One thing that has plagued me since childhood is animal cruelty. Jeremy will tell you, I cannot watch National Geographic shows that even show the "circle of life." When I was child I used to cry when a horse would fall in a war movie and I sobbed when Old Yeller was killed. I just have a huge heart for animals and their well being. Awhile ago I heard about the Taiji dolphin slaughters that occur every year in a small bay in Japan. These horrific whalers and fishermen trap whales and dolpins in a bay and net off the only way out. Then they proceed to slaughter the mammals with harpoons as the water turns blood red. Witnesses have said that the water is so thick with blood you could dip a paint brush in it and be able to paint a deep red onto a canvas. As I write this my eyes are filling with tears again because I cannot believe this happens. This is not the circle of life. This is humans taking their power over these animals and making a profit. Not only does this cruelty happen to the dolphins and whales but most often their meat (which is soaked in mercury because of contaminated waters) is then sold in markets and used in school lunches!!! Can you believe this?? I have sent out an email to almost everyone I know about a petition against Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart actually has a hand in the Japanese market that sells this meat. I am no longer shopping at Wal-Mart (there are many other reasons not to shop there, too). If you want to sign the petition I will post the link below. Water is a part of me as much as my arms and legs are. The animals that inhabit the world's oceans and seas should be left to live as they have forever. I am so sick of animal cruelty and this is one cause that I'll not forget or let slip to the back of my mind. Thanks for joining in the fight. Peace.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/991643794?ltl=1137650675

http://www.savejapandolphins.org/

A fisherman's boat in the bloody waters of the small bay in Taiji Japan.

An arial shot of the bay where so many cetaceans are killed each year.