We Made It Another Year

*Whew* We made it another year. Even though we have only been married three years; we have definitely had our share of ups and down. We've stuck it out and here we are today.

As you are all my cyber girlfriends; I have to share with you what happened on our anniversary yesterday.

Originally, I had weekend plans for our anniversary. I wanted to go to Atlanta and have someone keep Kyla overnight so that we could go out and have a good time just the two of us because that NEVER happens. I was really proud of myself because I had everything planned out. Unfortunately and fortunately we had to change those plans because the hubby got a promotion at work and had to work over the weekend.

OK, so now its Monday morning and it is officially our anniversary. I am awakened my baby girl crying for mama. She must have know it was a special day because she actually slept in until 8AM. So I roll out of my bed and get her ready for school....Thank God for school because she drove me friggin' crazy this weekend.  

My hubby goes outside to warm the truck up and he tell me "let's go".

LET'S GO?!?

Where the h are we going? I haven't worked out yet or taken a bath....I'm not going anywhere or so I thought. I'm glad I had brushed my teeth already. We dropped baby girl off at daycare and we went to eat breakfast; stinking booty and all. After we had a delicious breakfast at my favorite local breakfast spot; he allowed me to go home and workout and take an bath...

Next stop was the spa...YAY! I got treated to a very much needed pedi / mani. 

This little piggy went to the market....

By this point I am officially starving and contemplating taking a nice healthy bite out of the hubby's arm if he doesn't feed me soon. I'm letting him make all the plans for the day so I let him choose the restaurant.  I was just praying that he wouldn't pick the restaurant I work at. He did good...

We ended up eating at the very restaurant where we first met. The place where it all began. The hubby got a little upset because the people who haven't seen me in years still love me and even remember what I like to eat. He has always had a little issue with how much people love me; he says I have and aura about me.  People either really hate me or love me.

Dang, is it time to get baby girl already? Well that was fun while it lasted. The hubby went to go pickup baby girl while I worked on a little homework. I hate to admit it but in the back of my head I was wondering if the spa visit all I was getting for our anniversary. Don't get me wrong I really loved it but I kinda wanted something tangible to remember the day. My memory isn't worth a flip and by next week I probably would have forgotten everything that happened.

Hubby and baby girl came home with another surprise....shoes.....SCORE!!!

What do you think he had in mind when he bought these...hmmmm?

I'm lucky to have such a great husband he listens and pays attention to everything I say. Sometimes that a bad thing but mostly its a great thing. The hubby read my post about getting my swag back and he is helping me do just that.

I love that guy!!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!



I hope that everyone had a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving Day!

My Thanksgiving Day was very untraditional but I spent it with the people that I love most and that's all that really matters.

Wordless Wednesday: Follow Me

Where did my swagger go?!?

I am beginning to feel like the title of my blog is a little misleading. Diva....... yeah right, where?

I have lost my swagger (yes, I'm still young and cool enough to say that) and haven't the slightest idea where I left it. Dammit, I want it back now!!

I remember the days of bi-weekly pedi/mani, trips to the hair salon at least twice a month, wearing heels, having a great body and overall just being down right sexy.

Those days have been replaced with chipped broken nails, jeans with holes (from my thighs rubbing together), daily ponytails, and the only shoes I wear are my Sperrys and work shoes. I just realized that the last time that I've been to a salon was for my sorority sister's wedding back in April and that was a disaster. I must make an appointment A.S.A.P.

As I embark on a milestone birthday in less than two months; I have decided that I WILL find my swag again. I want to enter into this new era of my life in true diva style. It's time to get back in shape, put on some heels, a cute outfit, and some makeup. They say that 30 is the new 20, but honestly my twenties were pretty lame and I'm looking forward to being 30.

Did I just say I was looking forward to being 30?

I sure did!!!

So, I am in the process of trying to get my swag back. I have been working out 4 to 5 days a week. Even waking up early to workout at 4AM. I am determined! I've stepped my makeup game up and the next thing is revamping my wardrobe....oh and doing something different with my hair.

Let the journey begin...

The Craziness that is my life

I haven't even had time to think about posting this week. This has been the final week in my class from hell ( quantatitive reasoning for business) and we've had a group project due this week. Group projecst in online class is really hard to manage but somehow we got it done.

Here is a quick update of what's been going on this week:

• I had to work 3 13-hours days come home and play with baby girl. When we finally went to bed I get a chance to work on some homework.
• My left eye has started twitching again. This makes day 4...last time it went on for 2 weeks.
• I think I'm developing restless leg syndrome. The last two night when I would lay down or sit down; my leg would go to twitching and tingling...WTH?!? This is what I need on night where I only have 6 hours to sleep.
• I had one of my employees steal on of my new makeup palettes out of my purse. I only got to try it out once.
• Baby girl dropped my phone and my screen stopped working. Great, just what I needed to finish off the week. I guess God felt sorry for me because the people at Verizon were able to fix it for me for free.
• We have a new idiot at work that is really trying my patience.
• And my day off I get to drive 45-minutes to go to a meeting at work.

God, I hope that next week will be a better week.

How was your week and your weekend?!?

Home Alone!

My hubby and baby girl are gone to Atlanta for the weekend. I could not go because of course I have to work most weekends. At first I wasn't too excited about having baby girl away from me for the whole weekend; especially since I actually get to work the morning shift. Then I thought about it and realized that I haven't had the house to myself for more than a few hours since 2007.

My mind instantly started thinking about all the things I could do with no baby and no hubby. I could have a glass of wine(Moscato), crank up the stereo and sing and dance around the house in my undies. I miss the days when I could do that. I could go out with the girls and have a couple of drinks and reminisce on the things we used to do in our heydays . I finally made up in my mind that I was going to get cute, do my hair and go out with the girls when I got off work.

On my way home a few realities hit me:

1. I just got done working 11 hours, driving an hour home and I smell like ribeyes, trout, and fried shrimp ( i was working in the kitchen today). BTW...that combination is not the best smell.
2. All of my two friends are married and have babies at the house. 
3. I'm old and like to be in the bed by 11PM
4. Oh, did I mention I don't have the money to blow on going out?

So fast forward...

It's 8:30PM and I am sitting on the couch in my pick velour sweatpants watching Baby Mama on cable and blogging. I am waiting my baby girl to call me before she goes to bed and I will probably go to sleep shortly after that.

Yes, I know....pretty lame huh?

You Can't Handle the Truth!!!

This week I have decided to participate in Mama Kat's Writing Workshop again because I had so much fun with it last week (see Raspberry Beret). This weeks topic that I picked was confessions.

We all have our confessions and honestly some of those confessions need to stay locked up FOREVER!! You know the ones. I going to get some confessions off my chest and I hope that you don't look at me differently after reading this post.

Here we go:

• I still sometimes wait until everyone goes to sleep and sneak and eat bags of candy (see Relapse)
• I don't wear a lot of dresses and skirts because I hate shaving my legs. Thank goodness for winter..
• In the State championship track meet in high school I accidentally knocked the other girl's hurdle to win first place. I know....that make me a horrible person.
• There are days when baby girl is acting like a wild banshee that I'm glad to go to work to get a break.
• I tell people I don't want any more kids but I really want three more. I loved being pregnant.
• I've peed in the shower. Come on don't look at me like that...you know you've done it too.
• I have more blond moments than actual blond do.
• Hi, My name is Chanel and I am a shopaholic. You can put me in any store and I assure you I can find at least one thing to buy.
• I still text while I drive sometimes...I hope there are no Georgia cops reading this.
• I spend more time reading blogs than I do reading my chapters for school. Shame on me!!

I know that I'm probably going to lost about 10 followers after you guys read this...oh well, I'm just keeping it real. I hope you can handle the truth.

Do you have a confession that you want to get off your chest? I promise I won't tell...

Daddy Dearest

I am writing this post as part of the SITS Content is King event. The assignment was to right a letter to one of your friends as if they were sitting next to you. I decided to do a little variation to this assignment. I am writing a letter to my dad who was my best friend. November 17th would have been my dad's 60th birthday.

Soul Man,

Wow! Where do I even begin? Even though I am the visual reflection of mom; I am certainly your daughter on the inside. I have your smarts, your heart and your charm. Three things that I am very grateful to have gotten from you...oh and your dimples(thanks). I also got your athletics skills

Yes, that 'little boy' standing up is me.

 We had so many good times I could never recall all of them. The weekends at the lake house. There were times when I didn't want to go and you made us. We always ended up have the time of our lives there and I have so many fond memories of those weekends.You were the fun dad that everyone wanted that's why the kids in the neighborhood called you daddy Webb. Everyone wanted to be invited to the cookouts, parties, lake house trips because they knew it was going to be a blast.

You taught me life lesson that people twice my age didn't know. I think one of the lessons that I value is all the business skills that you taught me at an early age. How many 14-year olds do you know that had a resume? Heck, I didn't even have a job yet.

Along with our good time; we also had our share of rough ones. I will never forget when I got flip at the mouth (I must have been insane). You chased me around the house like your were 20-years old. Who would have thought you could still jump over the couch like it was a hurdle in the 100-yard dash? Man, you got skills.

 I did my share of crazy things like running your new Infiniti Q45A into the house, going on a shopping spree with your credit card (you should have known that was going to turn out bad), and getting a tattoo at 16-years old. You're love for me never changed. I was the baby girl...you couldn't stay mad at me for too long.

When you passed away; that was the most difficult thing that I every had to deal with. There were times when I thought about giving up but I know that giving up is not acceptable. I know that you look after me and you always be with me in my heart. After you passed; I got stronger and more determined to make you proud. I think I'm doing a pretty dang good job. What do you think?

Love Always,

Chanelie

I've Been Tagged

Oh man...it's been years since I've played a good game of tag. Well, I have just been tagged by the awesome Sara over at 8aplenty.  As part of this game I have to answers a few questions and then tag four other blogger.

So let the games begin:

4 Things in my Handbag: (Heck that's everything other than the kitchen sink...it wouldn't fit)

1. a 5-hour energy shot for those long night of work and then schoolwork
2. My makeup bag...never leave home with out it
3. My Cosmopolitan Magazine...don't judge me
4. A DVD from Redbox that was supposed to be returned 4 days ago

4 Things in/on my desk.: - I don't have a desk at work so I will use my table at home for this question

1. A Zebra Daisies pen that I got as a free sample
2. My daughter's scrapbook of all her artwork from school
3. One of the attachments to my new vacuum...why the heck is that there?
4. A huge pile of unnecessary papers that probably need to be thrown out

4 Favorite thing in my bedroom:

1. Duh....my bed
2. My bed
3. My blanket
4. Oh, and my closet

4 things I always wanted to do (but haven't yet):

1. I've always wanted to go skiing. My parent would go every year and all we got were some dang pictures
2. Go to law school. I always wanted to be a lawyer but I'm not so sure anymore. Think I would rather just be a mom
3. Go skydiving. I'm a little dare devil
4. Learning how to take and edit great picture

4 Things I enjoy very much at the moment:

1. The sweet kiss from my baby girl
2. Getting to enjoy the holidays with my family and friends
3. The leftover Halloween candy
4. My husband's Spaghetti 

4 Songs I can't get out of my head:

1. Whip my Hair- Willow Smith
2. Let it snow -  Boyz II Men
3. I hope she cheats on you - Marsha Ambrosius
4. Teenage Dream - Katy Perry

4 Things you don't know about me:

1. I am a closet nerd who likes to read and learn new things everyday
2. My biggest pet peeve is rude people. Please use the magic words..please,thank you, sorry, etc.
3. I am afraid of all bugs and insects. This includes flies, butterflies, spiders, etc.
4. I've never seen 'A Christmas Story'. Isn't that sacrilegious?!?

Now it's my turn to tag 4 bloggers:

1. Adventures in the Land of Little Choo Choos

2. Crunchy VT Mommy

3. My Mamihood

4. Life & Times of a Saucy Bitch

Early Christmas Present

I have been asking for a new vacuum cleaner for at least six months and my husband has been insistent that we didn't need one. The vacuum cleaner that we had was on its last leg and pretty much sucked as far as I was concerned. I wold vacuum and still see things on the floor. Anyone who has and infant or a toddler knows how important it is to have clean floors. My daughter is a firm believer in the 5-second rule; no matter how much I get on her for that.





After months of begging, pleading and a few sexual favors; I finally broke the hubby down and off to Walmart we went.

Introducing my new Vacuum Cleaner: The Hoover Windtunne1 Purely Clean $119.00 at Walmart

 There are so many great features that I love about this vacuum. It has a rinsable HEPA filter which I was very excited about.

It has a foldable handle that my daughter is enjoying playing with. I love anything that helps to save space because we seem to never have enough space.



There is also a indicator to let you know when its time to change the bag, rinse the filter, or if there is a clog.

No more wrapping up the cord it had a 27-foot cord that retracts with a push of the pedal.

I think one of my favorite accessories is the upholstery cleaner. This comes in so handy especially since I have a dog. It really helps to get the hair of the furniture.

I was like a kid at Christmas. I couldn't wait to get home and try it out. I was excited and disgusted at the results. w just vacuumed two days ago and this is what the vacuum picked up. To imagine I was just on the ground working out that morning....ewww.






I am in love with my new toy. I can workout on the floor with out fear of getting the cooties. Life is good!

Raspberry Beret

The worse haircut is not one that I paid for..I would pay to forget it happened. I was in first grade and had just got home from school. I can't recall where my mother was that day but my brother and I were home alone; which is never a good combination. I could tell you some stories of the stuff we would get it to.

Well, this particular afternoon; I decided that I was going to go find some stuff to get into in my daddy's bath room (big no-no).  I was playing around with my dad's hair clippers acting like I was cutting my hair...I wasn't of course.  My brother came down and decided to play with me. So we were pretending to give each other hair cuts but what I did not know it that he was really giving me one. I had no idea what was going on because I was too short to see in the mirror.

I knew something was wrong when my brother started laughing and ran out of the room. I immediately climbed on the sink to find that the front third of my my hair had been shaved off.... How evil could my brother be?!?

My first thought was not about my hair but what my daddy was going to do when he found out. I went to bed EXTRA early that night to avoid seeing my dad. Of course with me being his baby girl he came into my room to give me a hug and kiss good night.

My dad was fuming and even though he was upset with me he was pissed at my brother. He stormed out of my room and had some words with my brother. I had my ear to the wall laughing because I didn't want to miss any of it.

The next morning it hit me that I was actually going to have to leave the house looking like 60-year old balding man. My parent found me a hat to wear to school that day. Well, my EVIL first grade teacher (who gave me nightmares until I graduated college) pulled me into the hallway and told me I couldn't wear my my hat. I slowly removed my hat to show her my hair and she laughed....she frickin laughed at me. She told me I couldn't wear that kind of hat but gave be a red beret to wear. I will never forget my first haircut.

Fast forward 15 years later when I had my car accident. They had to shave part of my head for the stitches...did I mention that I had just got my hair done that week. I was horrified and refused to leave the house. My brother came over to see me and I wouldn't come out of the room.

He slipped a picture under the door and said "it can't be as bad as this"

It was a picture from that first grade incident. I couldn't help but laugh and come out of the room. I wish I had that picture to share with you or maybe I'm glad I don't.

Wordless Wednesday: Sleeping Beauty

This is how I found baby girl sleeping when I came home from work. She was knocked out and snoring too...

Halloween 2010

I know that I am late putting up my Halloween post but I am just getting over the fact that my camera was lost at the Candyfest event that my church holds every year.  I tried to take some pictures with my phone but it was dark and I couldn't get a good picture. So I have no pictures from Halloween night :-(

We had a great time at Candyfest this year. I was a huge event this year. Kyla had a good time playing the games and riding the hay ride. We also did some face painting and sand art.

Here are the only pictures I had loaded on my computer. It is pics from our first family pumpkin carving.

We bought a carving kit that had a lot of cute designs for us beginner pumpkin carvers.

Yum Yum!

My hubby wanted to do a simple pumpkin with the triangles, but anyone who knows me know I rarely do simple. I let Kyla pick out the design for the pumpkin.

I think DH did a really good job on the pumpkin (with our help of course)