Where is my DARN fairy godmother when I need a wave of the wand??

According to www.buzzsugar.com today --- romantic comedies are ruining people's marriages!!! For me personally, I can now see how I have sabbotaged my husband after watching these kinds of movies. After watching the NOTEBOOK for example I immediately wondered why my life wasnt as equal. I have 3 kids, and a job, and a really busy life!!!! How dumb! I guess I was expecting Brad to turn a pumkin in to a beautiful carriage and drive me off into the sunset while the bluebirds chirped on my shoulder. HA HA HA. I am so glad I read this article today. Maybe it will hit home with you too. I think in the future I will stick to CSI and cartoons. Here is the article :

According to relationship experts at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, romantic comedies give people unrealistic ideas about love and sex, and cause them to "fail to communicate with their partner." Here's more:
Psychologists at the family and personal relationships laboratory at the university studied 40 top box office hits between 1995 and 2005, and identified common themes which they believed were unrealistic.
The university's Dr Bjarne Holmes said: "Marriage counselors often see couples who believe that sex should always be perfect, and if someone is meant to be with you then they will know what you want without you needing to communicate it. We now have some emerging evidence that suggests popular media play a role in perpetuating these ideas in people's minds. The problem is that while most of us know that the idea of a perfect relationship is unrealistic, some of us are still more influenced by media portrayals than we realize."

The Advocate just interviewed ME!!!!

How funny. You might be seeing a picture of me in the Advocate with Toys For Tots. Hopefully the picture THE ADVOCATE took came out than the picture I took. See attached...laugh...and then come back and read....OKAY!

Anyway, I hosted a Christmas Party for the Homeowners of Signature Homes community, "The Quarters at Dutchtown". Instead of doing a gift swap we each brought a gift for TOYS FOR TOTS. I called them yesterday to see if they could come by and pick them up. They came today with a lady from the Advocate that took some pics, asked me some questions, and said she thought this would make a really neat story for the paper.

So WE SHALL SEE!!!!

so now do you trust the news guys???

Did you hear them say atleast 500 times to not get excited...it wont stick??? HA HA HA. Brad woke me up at 5 am to a light snow, and 30 minutes later my car was covered. I woke up all of the kids at 6am and they have been non-stop until now. Christian made a snowman with a sand bucket......we werent ready with the carrot and hat considering THEY SAID IT WOULDNT STICK!!!! Now 3 inches later....my yard is covered in this beautiful white mess. While I am warm inside cooking chicken and sausage gumbo next to a warm fire while the hot cocoa bubbles on the stove. Well whats left of it anyway. I am so thankful that I am home today! I just wish Brad and Mike could be here too!

Just wanted to share the cuteness.....

My little brother
Cody with them big brown eyes.

Cameron....in to trouble!!!

Baton Rouge May See Snow THURSDAY!!!

According to the Baton Rouge business report Baton Rouge may see light snow on Thursday!

I am so excited! Check it out for yourself. www.businessreport.com

Cameron

Cameron had a major asthma attack Wednesday night. My brother came and got me @ 1:30 a.m. Cameron was trying to scream out my name but didnt have the air/energy to do it. What a scary sight. Seeing the way he was breathing and struggling for air. OMG!! This was the scariest asthma attack he has ever had. If you dont understand...imagine a fish out of water. It was terrifying. I gave him 2 breathing treatments and he was fine until 6am when it happened again. We went to see the Pulmonologist that morning and he said there was hardly any air moving in Camerons lungs and that we were very lucky. I can not imagine my life without Cameron. I am so thankful. Now we are on steroids, breathing treatments every 2-4 hours until this clears up.

He is at work with me today being my little helper.

Holiday Frustration

So...things have been a little crazy. I am beginning to think that the reason I started the blog is to show you just how unsimple my life is. I am thankful for my life, my family, everything. There is just no down time. No quiet time. The simple days of get up and go do not exist.

My mother raised me as a family girl. Holidays were her favorite including Thanksgiving and Christmas. Since her death it seems like our families have grown apart. We visit at funerals and holidays and that is about it. Not the way it use to be for sure. I just crave the family time. People are just to busy these days. I was really looking forward to Thanksgiving. And then it happened.....

I was invited to Thanksgiving with my dad & gran. Told to bring a dish, and then uninvited basically to lunch. Weird? I thought so. My family has always had this kind of "open door" policy. You come, we love. Apparently not anymore. I understand that my family is a family of 5 and that means 5 extra settings at the table. But come on now!!! Way to hurt my feelings. Way to make me feel insecure again. Honestly, I thought my family was better than that. AND THEN....

We get to Brads house and world war 3 basically breaks out. I wont say who but there is screaming, cursing, tears. I couldnt help but laugh (and i still am) at Brads uncle trying to break it up by asking for some cheesecake. LOL. I was not involved in the screaming. It just hurt to see that go on in a family that is usually so opposite. Brads family is more like what my family once was. They would give you the shirt off their back if you needed it. If you had a party of 20 you could still come to dinner. That is just the way they are. I hope this was the last time I have to see that. It broke my heart.

Well....LSU also broke my heart but we will have to save that for a whole 'nother blog.

The good part of my holiday.... Christian worked extra hard and cleaned the house 100% spotless. I came home to candles lit, and the smell of fabulosa (my favorite cleaner). I enjoyed baking with Christian as well. Cameron was on his best behavior except for a few minor flare ups when he was obviously bored out of his mind. We also went to Cabelas ....AND saw the movie BOLT in 3D. How cool. Cody said that the "movie was coming out of the movie" I guess because it was 3D.

I am still on Atkins. I did have a few slip ups but the best news is I am off Dr. Pepper. It's been almost 3 weeks I think???

I am so glad to be back at work. I sold a house yesterday and have a second showing scheduled for Saturday. Woo Hoo. I love my job.

I love my life :)

Crazy parts and all.

I think I can I think I can I think I can

Well….Today is day 3 of the Atkins diet. So far so good. The only thing killing me is that I am not supposed to eat fruit for 2 weeks and that is hard for me since I have cut the sweets. I am going to go get some sugar free jello and pudding today. Hopefully that may help too. I love Dr. Pepper. I am so trying not to think about it right now. I went to the doctor about a month ago and she made me realize how bad I need to make this lifestyle change. It’s not even about the weight. It’s more about the self confidence, and the amount of energy I have. I am always so tired and I am sure the cokes have a lot to do with that. There are a lot of good recipes and the allowable foods at http://www.atkins.com/ and I also love http://www.3fatchicks.com/. There is a lot of useful info on their community forum.
Any motivational stuff you can send me would be helpful. Or good recipes. I am bummed. I did not know that Crystal light had carbs in it :( How depressing considering I hate water. Anyway…. That’s all I have to say about that.

What a weekend.

This weekend was nuts. It just went by so fast! Once you do your cooking, cleaning, and grocery shopping it is almost over. We did manage to squeeze in 2 hours of math tutoring for Christian (thanks Dustin!). Cody stayed with the in laws on Saturday and me, Chris, and Cameron watched LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Did anyone else think that was the best movie back in the day? I was so excited to see it after all of these years, and then realized how dumb it was. Even my kids were rolling their eyes. THE DISAPOINTMENT!!!!

Sunday was my moms birthday. It was very upsetting not getting to celebrate it with her. Mom died when she was 36. I did however spend the day with her family which felt wonderful. They even put an extra candle on Nick's birthday cake for her!

I have not prepared at all for Thanksgiving or Christmas. My kids Christmas lists are rediculous. They have lost their minds. I am hoping to bring them to the Christmas play at First Baptist Church to remind them of the true meaning of Christmas. We really need to be going to church. It's just so easy to make excuses and not go..........And once you get out of the habit of going........you know.

Last but not least........Me & my brother are joining ANYTIME FITNESS today! I am hoping with Mike and Christian going it will help motivate me to go. I also found alot of neat recipes at www.atkins.com and joining their website is totally free. ANytime fitness is only $39 a month!!!

Oh and this is frmo AShley..........

All about MY HUBBY!!!

This is a quiz about your hubby! Let's see how much you know, and then pass it on to learn more about your friend's Hubbys!!!!
Here we go...
1. He's sitting in front of the TV; what is on the screen? Brad is usually in the garage. Not a huge TV watcher. But he does love King Of the Hill and America’s Funniest Videos
2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? Thousand. YUCK
3. What's one food he doesn't like? We both don’t like coconut
4. You go to a bar. What does he order? Miller light
5. Where did he go to high school? Our Lady of Mercy & McKinley
6. What size shoe does he wear? 13
7. If he was to collect anything what would it be? He collects everything. He can not throw stuff away. He has a nice gun collection.
8. What is his favorite kind of sandwich? Ham and Cheese
9. What would this person eat every day if he could? TAKE OUT of any kind
10. What is his favorite cereal? Frosted Flakes
11. What would he never wear? Cut off shorts, flip flops in public
12. What is his favorite sports team? LSU
13. Who is his best friend? Not sure. He has a bunch of friends. Don’t know that I can pick 1
14. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do? GRIPE AND COMPLAIN
15. How many states has he lived in? Just this one. But he wishes he lived on the beach somewhere.
16. What is his heritage? I don’t remember
17. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake? Red Velvet or a Cookie cake
18. Did he play sports in high school? no
19. What could he spend hours doing? Fixing things, playing around in the shed. Oh and SLEEPING.
20. What's his worst habit? Not picking up after himself.

Time Flies huh?

43 days until Christmas.

Where did this year go?

In 2009 I will turn 30. Dreading every minute until then...ha ha.

It has been 14 years since mom died. Seems like yesterday.

I have been married to Brad 5 years. Seems like yesterday.

We met 10 years ago! I still feel as young as I did that day.

I had Christian almost 13 years ago!

I had Cameron 7 years ago...and Cody 4 years ago.

I can still picture each one of them as an infant in my arms. I cant believe. Where did the time go?

I have been at Re/Max for 7 years. I have been licensed for 4.

I have had my driver's license for 14 years. OMG.

It has been 3 years since I sold my first house.

2 dead in argument over LSU-Alabama football game. How SAD!

This is from wafb.com.
2 dead in argument over Ala.-LSU football game

OWASSA, AL (AP) - Investigators say two people were shot to death after an argument over the LSU-Alabama football game.
Prosecutors identified the victims as Dennis and Donna Smith of Brewton.
The shooting happened about 7:00 p.m. Saturday at the home of Michael Williams in the rural community of Owassa.
Williams was arrested and charged with two counts of murder. He was being held Monday without bond. A sheriff's investigator did not know if he had an attorney.
Investigators told the Press-Register newspaper in Mobile that Dennis Smith, an LSU fan, called Williams, an Alabama fan, after Alabama's 27-21 overtime win and an argument ensued.
The Smiths went to Williams' home. Investigators said 41-year-old Dennis Smith had a pistol and the 28-year-old Williams had a shotgun and fired. 39-year-old Donna Smith was a relative of Williams' girlfriend.
Information from: Press-Register, http://www.al.com/mobileregister

THIS IS GOING TO BE GOOD!!!

I can't wait to hear the noise in Tiger Stadium tomorrow. This should be really interesting. Poor Nick Saban. Hopefully, LSU can step up and show Alabama why we call them TIGERBAIT!!!! I am praying for a sweet success. Any predictions on the game????

FOR RENT in ASCENSION

Do you know anyone looking to rent?
I have properties that need to be rented out!!!! I have some condos in Gonzales that are $1200. The community is gated with pool and fitness center. I also have condos in the Dutchtown school district ranging from $1350-$1550. ALSO....have several houses for rent in Ascension ranging from $1200-$1600. One year lease is required. Must pass credit check.Please call me or forward my number. 225-445-5190..THANKS and Have a good weekend.

The Stork flew by recently.....

CONGRATS ASHLEY AND JOSH!!!

July cant get here soon enough!!!

I am so happy for the both of you.

I love this song...

Bradley...thank you for making me feel this way. Even after 10 years!!!! And 311...thank you for one of my favorite songs!!!!

Whenever I'm alone with you You make me feel like I am home again

Whenever I'm alone with youYou make me feel like I am whole again

Whenever I'm alone with youYou make me feel like I am young again

Whenever I'm alone with youYou make me feel like I am fun again

However far away, I will always love you

However long I stay, I will always love you

Whatever words I say, I will always love youI will always love you

Whenever I'm alone with youYou make me feel like I am free again

Whenever I'm alone with youYou make me feel like I am clean again

However far away, I will always love you

However long I stay, I will always love you

Whatever words I say, I will always love you

I will always love you

SOMEONE PLEASE WAKE ME UP!!!

I can barely hold my eyes open!

I guess I was up too late watching the election....

It's the time change I am sure!!!

So we have a new President I hear????

John McCain's speech lastnight brought big tears to my eyes. Its not that I am so against Obama I just really thought McCain was the more experienced of the two. Especially when it came to our troops and Iraq. His speech reminded me of how thankful we should be just to be a part of this country.

I know alot of people are whining today but ya know what..... we are still AMERICAN'S, and we have our FREEDOM, and so much to be thankful for. Let's all say a prayer for Obama and pray that God leads him in the right direction, and helps him make the decisions that are best for our people. In the end...isnt it all really in God's hands after all??

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence. - Jeremiah 17:7

In the Lord, put your trust. - Psalms 11:1

I will never fail you or forsake you. - Hebrews 13:5

LOVE Y'ALL!!!!!

I LOVE The LA DEPT OF REVENUE AND THE QUALIFIED PEOPLE THEY HAVE ANSWERING THE PHONES!!!!!

Well…. I got a letter last week from the Dept of Rev demanding payment. I am so frustrated. I have paid a monthly payment since 2005 to the LA DEPT OF REVENUE that apparently they say they have no record of. Even though it appears on my monthly bank statement and is withdrawn from my account. Funny. When they want something they can just garnish your wages but when you are in the right you get the frickin’ runaround. Not to mention they work banker’s hours of 8-4 so you can’t call them during the day if you have a normal job. They also kept a portion of my “stimulus check”. They did manage to keep that on record. So the lady I talked to told me that my bank statements would not suffice…that I have to find confirmation numbers. I called my bank and they don’t have a clue what they are talking about. This is what happens when you automatically have a payment drafted monthly. This is what I get!!!!! I am so frustrated!!!!

Are you registered to vote???

Visit http://www.canivote.org/ to make sure you are registered! You can also visit http://ascensionrov.com/default.aspx to see a sample ballot.

Is it just me or is the time change messing with your head too?

I don’t understand why we have to have daylight savings time. I woke up this morning to the sun beaming in my bedroom. Then I have this "OMG I am late" anxiety come over me only to realize that I am not late about 10 minutes later. Plus it is so dark so early. Last night at 6:30 it was pitch dark outside. FRUSTRATING!!!

Anyway, this weekend was great. Could have been better. But anyway… Friday night we were bombarded with Trick or treaters. I guess all of the surrounding area decided this was the year to trick or treat at the Parks of Dutchtown. It was fun though. We saw lots of neat costumes. What’s up with the kids that weren’t even in costumes??? At least paint your face. Get in the spirit! My kids were really well behaved to my surprise. Christian was a giant banana. Cameron was the grim reaper. Cody was Batman. He was so mad when he realized his Batman wrist anchors would not actually pull him up on the roof like they do in the movie. He actually fell to the ground screaming “they don’t work!!!” Too cute.

Saturday I wanted to go put flowers on mom’s grave but I didn’t make it. We ended up going to the fruit stand, grocery shopping, and to Wal-mart. By that time my nerves were shot and we went home. I am a really big LSU fan but I didn’t even listen to the game.
Sunday I watched lifetime movies all day. It was a nice lazy Sunday! I don’t know why I am so tired all of the time. I think its from the DR PEPPER. So this week….I am drinking water to see if that helps. I feel like a snail. I just want my bed and my big fluffy comforter and some Oprah Winfrey today. Oh come on …. You know you want to go get back in bed too!!!

Guess Who Made Honor Roll???

Congrats Cameron & Christian!

The Honor Roll Ceremony is tonight at Dutchtown High 6pm.

I am so proud!!!

How would you like $7500 ?

Have you heard about the new tax credit that passed?
First-time Home Buyers can received a tax credit up to $7,500 when they purchase a primary residence from April 9, 2008-July 1 2009.
Visit http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/ for all of the details and frequently asked questions.
I hope you find this website helpful! For more information you can reach me at (225) 677-7653.

Hate Hanging Christmas Lights?

Holiday Lighting by Beau!

225-278-7523

You buy.... he installs! HOW EASY IS THAT!!!!

I was tagged!!!

Ashley Banks tagged me today! I am pretty public about my life so 6 things should be pretty tough…
Here are the rules:1. Post the rules on your blog.2. Write 6 random things about yourself.3. Tag 6 people at the end of your post(or as many as you want)4. If you are tagged, do it and pass the tag along.5. EnjoyHere are some random facts about me.........1. My best friend in Elementary school lived 2 doors down. Her name was Letty. Her family was relocated and I broke into her house after they moved to see if they left any toys. I took rocks and broke their sliding glass doors. One of my neighbors called the cops and they brought me 2 doors down to my parents. GO ZACHARY PD!!

2. My first kiss was at the skating rink in Baker at 12 years old. Vaughan Knippers stole my heart and I just knew I would marry him. Ha ha ha. I had a mouth full of metal braces. He was wearing Drakkar cologne. Two live crew was playing in the background. Ahh memories.

3. Me and my brother did not get along growing up. Now he is my best friend. I couldn’t live without him. He has been my roommate for over 10 years. I refuse to let him move out.

4. I met Brad at a coke machine. I told him the first day I met him that I loved him. And I did. And still do!

5. I was in JROTC in High School. My mom refused to let me wear combat boots. This was when they were first coming in style (doc martins). So I signed up for ROTC and was issued a pair. Ha. Guess what, I am being paid back! My kids are doing the same stuff to me.

6. I had a peeping Tom at my house in Zachary. I think it was Derrick Todd Lee. It was about 2 miles from where Randy Mebreur was abducted. He peeked in my window, beat on my door about 4 nights in a row. The cops said he had been hanging out in the barn spying on me. There was a lantern and a sleeping bag in there as well as a hole he carved to watch me. One night he knocked and Brad was with me. The gun was loaded. He almost got in…..and then we both screamed out of fear and he ran off. I moved out the next day. Christian was a baby! And Martha was my roommate!

I don’t have 6 people to tag yet so I am going to repost this on myspace instead!

Step into my shoes

I am so glad this weekend is over. I guess to my kids it was pick on mom weekend. THey fought over everything and anything! Christian had a party Friday night and this was his first....and I remember my first. So we go into the lecture of no drinking....etc. He was like "mom, drinking? come on now" PROUD MOMENT!!! But that little voice inside my head still made me worry.

Then Saturday I went to Winn Dixie with the kids behaving like MONKEYS. Seriously they were climbing on shelves, asking for everything, driving me insane. To top it all off I slipped and fell at the cash register as I was walking out the door.

Sunday I had a very slow open house and went home to World War 3 at my house. Cody was begging to paint. (Brad sealed the garage floor) Cameron was picking fights with Cody. I screamed so much I probably looked like a smurf. Finally at 10pm I was able to close my eyes, slow down my speeding heart and pass out.........ONLY TO WAKE UP THIS MORNING TO A BLARING ALARM CLOCK!!!!

I am so glad to be at work this morning. Peace and quiet! I can actually think!!!

My dad sent me this lastnight...

One day a mother died.
And on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of her bedroom, the daughter was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more. No more hugs, no more lucky moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, No more 'just one minute' Sometimes, what we care about the most goes away. never to return before we can say good-bye, Say 'I Love You.' So while we have it . . it's best we love it . .
And care for it and fix it when it's broken and take good care of it when it's sick.
This is true for marriage .... and friendships ..
And children with bad report cards;
And dogs with bad hips; And aging parents and grandparents We keep them because they are worth it, Because we cherish them! Some things we keep -- like a best friend who moved away or a classmate we grew up with. There are just some things that make us happy, No matter what..
Life is important, and so are the people we know And so, we keep them close!
Thank you very much for
Being a special part of MY LIFE!
Be kinder than necessary,
For everyone you meet is
Fighting some kind of battle.

ABOUT ME

There was not enough room to fill this in!!!

I am 29. Mom of 3. Wife to 1. Ha ha ha. I met Brad 10 years ago, told him the day I met him that I was going to marry him, and HERE we ARE!! I am a Realtor and also the Vice President of Sales and marketing for RE/MAX Excellent Properties. Been here 6 years. I love my job....my company is like my second family. My kids are my life. Three boys. Christian 12, Cameron 7, Cody 4. And Boy are they busy. My brother is my best friend. He has been there for me during the best and worst times and saved my life more than once. I got married in high school. Thankfully divorced a few years later. (Hey we lived and learned and remain friends) My mom died when I was 15 years old. My life temporarily came to a standstill and had a few thunderstorms but I made it through. Still think of her daily but I know we will be together again one day :) My dad is remarried and works at GP. My husband ROCKS. Something about the way he looks at me that has driven me nuts since the first day we met. Did I mention that we met at a COKE machine?? Our first date was at the Keg in Lafayette. We are complete opposites. He is shy. I am outgoing. But we just click….most days. My favorite days are the cool breezy ones. I love to cook but hate doing dishes. I love LSU especially when they are winning. I thank God every day for my children. I also ask for patience on a regular basis. I hated high school. I hate pumping gas. My favorite band is Fleetwood Mac. My favorite song is dreams. Is this enough? Oooh. My favorite drink is a Dr. Pepper in a Styrofoam cup with ice and a straw. Ha ha ha. I think this is enough.

Wow...I am a blogger!

I have been blogging on myspace long enough. Thought this would be a good way to share my life with the world. So here I am. Not quite the Brady Bunch family but we get by! I also thought this would be a good spot to VENT my frustration on those terrible days and share my happiness on the others. Now lets just hope I can keep this thing up!