Bubblicious

1. Open purse to smell Bubblicious aroma coming from zipper compartment.
2. Take in the wonderful taste of Bubblicious.
3. Prove to yourself that you can still blow a bubble within another bubble.
#WinningInAllTheAbove

4. Skip ahead 30 minutes when you attempt to blow the largest bubble known to man.
#FAIL  #GumPlasteredOnFace  #DrivingHazard  #StillAKidAtHeart  #TookItOneStepTooFar

Return of the '90s

Okay, this must be the year for '90s bands to reunite:

1. I just learned that S Club 7 is reuniting...

They rose to international fame in 2000 and split in 2003, but in March it was announced that all original seven members will reunite for seven UK shows. Also, with a possibility of a two-album record deal. Oh and a little unknown fact, this group was created by a former Spice Girls manager.

2. Along with 98 Degrees.

Nick Lachey (lead singer) has had his solo career, but the boys are back together as they reunite for the Summer Mixtape Fest. They will also appear on "The Today Show" on Aug. 17.

3. Spice Girls will be doing the closing ceremony at the Olympics this year.

This isn't actually the first time the girls have reunited. In 2007 they got back together for a reunion tour.

4. Backstreet Boys has been back together for a year or so, but now fifth member Kevin Richardson is joining back in.

I guess technically this boy band never completely broke up. Brian went solo for a bit and Kevin left the group, but they were still making music with just four of the five boys. They also toured recently with the band below.

5. New Kids on the Block has returned in the past few years. (Late '80s to early '90s, but still...)

Now that the bands are coming back, the clothes are soon to follow. Who out there is ready for some acid wash jeans? Or maybe some rolled up jeans? Possibly even a baggy buttoned up shirt (tucked in), paired with high waisted jeans? I know you're scared of those high waist jeans, but prepare yourself because a lot of celebrities are already wearing them again. Get excited!!!

I would LOVE that job!

I think everyone has at least one career field that they see and think, "I would LOVE that job!" But then minutes later after dreaming about being a _fill in blank_, then they start to think about all the reasons they wouldn't be able to actually do the job (setting aside any lack of education).

If you have NO clue what in the world I'm talking about, let me tell you my example. I always liked the idea of being a veterinarian (more specifically a part of the Humane Society). Every time I hear or read an article about animals being rescued by this awesome society, I can't help but automatically wish I were a part of it! Then comes the downfall...seeing the horrifying sights.
Even though I would get to rescue the animals, I would probably end up balling my eyes out while doing so. It makes me extremely sad every time I read an article about animals in a hurting environment and therefore having to being rescued. I can't even watch those commercials where they show all the sad looking animal faces...I have to change the channel!

                                                                          *******

I read an article today about 185 chihuahuas being seized from a home in Pennsylvania. Now I will say, it turned out not to be as bad as it sounds. The dogs weren't in as bad condition as you would think and had no major health conditions, only health issues with their eyes and skin. They weren't scared of new people and the couple owned them had a name for every single dog (which they told the names of each while they were being taken away).
A sad part to the story is that the couple had 30 dead puppies in their freezer. They did not kill the dogs - veterinarians said they died of natural causes. The owners had put them in the freezer because they were planning on cremating them.
Once again, this was probably one of the best stories I've read about animal seizing.
When living in Savannah, I had to cover a story on horses that were badly malnourished and some were even dead on the farm. Just covering the story and taking pictures of the malnourished horses brought tears to my eyes.

So, all of this to say that no matter how much I would want to be employed with the Humane Society, I don't think I would survive a single day.

To all those that are able to survive one day and many more within that career field, major kudos to you! You're living one of my dream careers and I'm glad that someone out there is able to handle it.

Living in the Moment

I think so many of us have a hard time "living in the moment." This could be due to worries about finances, family, friends or, just simply, your future. However, living in the moment is something we all should remember to take in as much as possible.

Here is a blog that I follow from Bethany Joy Lenz. She played Hailey on One Tree Hill for 9 years and also is a lead singer in the band Everly. She has an amazing voice.
Anyway...she always has something fun to write about and I thought this was a good one. A little food for thought?

June is Hilton Month

June really isn't "Hilton Month," but I call it that since my brother (David) and his wife's (Jody) birthdays are in June...plus there's father's day. I know that last one doesn't really help make it "Hilton Month," but David is a father...I guess you have to have Pheobe logic:

(Pheobe trying to prove a cat is her mother reincarnated) "First of all, okay, there's the feeling. Okay, and for another, how about the fact that she went into my guitar case... which is lined with orange felt. My mother's favorite fish is Orange Roughy. Cats like fish!"

Anyway, focus...I had a lot of fun doing a photo shoot with them to commemorate "Hilton Month." Any time that I get to spend with my brother and his family is something I take full advantage of. Due to my work schedule, I only see them once a week and to me that just isn't enough.
SO! Enjoy some of my favorites from the shoot...(I apologize for my fascination with black and white photos).

Hilton Family: David, Cole, Katie and Jody.

David and Jody

David

Jody

Katie

Cole

Cole and Katie

I don't think it's just me...wouldn't you agree they look spectacular when photographed? Visit facebook.com/roryclancyphotography to see more of this family and other photo shoots.

A Night to Remember

You want one word to sum up my weekend? That would be impossible to do! Lets see, there was family, friends, food, love, excitement and celebration.
Matthew proposed to me on Sunday with an engagement party that followed.

Just thinking about it puts the biggest smile on my face.

 He took me out to a point on the lake (the same point we have decided to have our wedding).

It was a beautiful day with the sun skimming across the top of the water. Perfection.

Also my Matron of Honor.:)

He then took me to our engagement party at my friend Amy's house. Amy is an amazing hostess and I couldn't thank her enough for that night.













The food was some of my and Matty's favorites! SO GOOD! With Kabobs, Coffee Brisket, Mac&Cheese, Corn on the Cob and much more. We made sure to have leftovers the next day. YUM!















They did such an amazing job decorating...with candles in mason jars hanging from trees, chalk art and candles all over the tables.

And the most wonderful part of all is that we got to celebrate with some of our closest family and friends. Matthew had asked me when we first started dating what my perfect proposal would be and I told him that I really didn't care how I was asked, but I wanted to celebrate with a group of our closest afterward. He most definitely followed through with that and the night turned out to be more than amazing and something that I will brag about for as long as I can. Thank you to this wonderful group for making it a night to remember!

Front, from left, Phyllis (Matty's mom), Matty, Me, Joy (My mom), back from left, Juli, Mrs. Kim, Pastor Nick, Zachary, Lizzie, Lucas, Donnie, Amy, Sarah J, Devin (Matty's brother), Kenny (Matty's dad), Katie, Terry (My dad), David, Jody, Cole, Pastor Jerry and Mrs. Shirlene.

Two problems

I'm in a picture-taking-in-the-snow-mood. Two problems with this are as follows:

1. We are currently in the month of May, which means there is no snow right now. This makes me very sad and the sun makes me mad. Yes, yes, I know - that rhymed...not even planned. I'm just good like that. HOWEVER, the good thing about living in Missouri is that the weather could change at any minute. I know many of you out there are virtually throwing things at me or will be throwing things at me the next time you see me. (One of those people sadly enough is probably my wonderful guy.)
2. I am at work. Don't get me wrong, I like my work, but in this particular moment I loathe it due to my desire to be in a beautiful downfall of snow. Once again, HOWEVER, having some '80s music playing in the background helps just a tiny bit.:)

I apologize to those of you who opened this blog thinking it was going to be mind boggling and brilliant. Instead you got a rant. Then again, my thoughtless rhyme a couple paragraphs up was pretty brilliant, I must say.

I will now leave you to your horribly hot, insect-infested Saturday as I know you are now probably packing a bag full of fruits and heads of lettuce to throw at me, given the slight chance you see me randomly walking down the street.

With love...

Soda Peer Pressure

Matthew is a horrible influence when trying to stay off soda. He practically forced me to drink half a bottle of Coca Cola.

**Now I must admit the soda was pretty cool because it was in an aluminum bottle. That's right, not an aluminum can, but an aluminum bottle.**

Anyways... back to no soda...I was up to 5 days off!
Now back at square one with some tea.:)

Break a move!

I've really been in an 80s/90s mood this week with the urge to wear leg warmers (if only I had some **sigh**) and listening to the soundtracks of Breakfast Club and Footloose.

The beginning sequence to Footloose is my absolute favorite. It shows only the shoes of people dancing...I always dance along. Now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever watched that movie with someone else. I guess that explains the dancing.

OH and I watched a few episodes of Saved by the Bell this week. I own the 4th/5th seasons. I know that's nothing to brag about, but oh well...
Zack Attack is another jam that my iPhone has graced me with.

...Anyway...

Enough flashback geek time. Just wanted to share my obsession this week because I know all of you will be extremely jealous.
If you aren't...just break out some New Kids, MC Hammer, Vanilla, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Beastie Boys, Cyndi Lauper, etc. (The list could go on and on) And break out the Running Man (my fav.) or the Roger Rabbit, The Love Shack or the Cabbage Patch. It will get you in an awesome mood!

You know you want to...
If you've forgotten what awesome moves you have, then here is a tutorial on The Running Man:

AND here is an even better video of Jackson Brundage (11 years old who plays little James Lucas Scott on One Tree Hill) behind the scenes doing a little break dance of his own. This kid is an awesome actor and has some dance skillz!

Now break a move!

Purple and Red

Purple and Red

The wings flap in the wind
with colors of red
encircled by purple. As a creature
of beauty, her purpose
is to fly through life
making every person and creature
around her happy and amazed. She
wound up here
uniquely made into something
that others
look forward to seeing.

She started out as an unwanted
creature and as many
don’t want to see. As a creature
marked by many to just stay away.

She made herself a home
in which many see as a cocoon.
She keeps herself
from the world
around her until a day
where she no longer wants to be
sheltered. Making her way out
under others eyes
they see she has changed.

Change is beautifully colorful. These colors
she does not want. It is not her.
Given no choice
to choose who she ends up being, she
soars through the air
with her mind
at ease. Flying, with the wind
keeping her strong.
She no longer cares about her colors
and what she is made of. Purple
and red no longer are a concern.

The buzzing...

The buzzing, the flapping, the humming and the zipping are not my friend.
I'm tired of looking like a scared school girl as I scream and flail my hands everytime I walk outside.

Stupid Spring and it's insects...

Burgeon Stage

I'm not a big fan of rain. Never have been and probably never will be. However, I am able to find the silver lining in almost anything and I DO believe I have found some in this case.

One of my favorite things about Spring is the stage where you look at the trees and some of them are still bare, while others are starting to sprout green. This is what I call the Burgeon Stage. I live in the country, so I see it all the time during that particular time of the season. It's a beautiful sight and I enjoy it even more than seeing the end result.

Burgeon Stage
I took this photo last year at this time. Love it!

 

 

I can't really explain why it's my favorite...it just is.

SO, the Burgeon Stage is my silver lining of rain. One morning you wake up after it has rained for a day straight and you see splotches of green throughout a wooded area.

Makes me smile.:)

Fail

Found some grape Bubblicious in my purse...Score!

...The fact that it was old and I didn't realize it before placing it in my mouth...Fail.

:(

Time flies

Seven years...SEVEN YEARS...

That's what I kept thinking as I sat having lunch with my nephew and niece today.

March 15, 2012
(Me, Cole, Grandma, Katie, Dad)

They turned seven years old. What a great seven years it has been too.

I remember when they were born. I was living in Springfield while I went to college and I drove up to Columbia when I heard they would be coming into the world. They were so small...

Me and Cole

Me and Katie

 Then from there on it's all just a blur, really. They grew fast...

2005

And were full of smiles...

2009

Christmas 2011

 ...even cheesy ones...

Christmas 2010

Summer 2011

I have found myself as a happy and blessed aunt.:) I can't wait to see them grow even more into the man and woman of God they are meant to be.

Happy birthday Cole and Katie! I love both of you SO very much.

2011 (6th birthday)

PJ Harvey Turns 4 years old

My PJ Harvey turned four today. He's getting so big! So I decided to reminisce a little. Below is a little storyline of PJ Harvey's life so far. Enjoy!

PJ Harvey was adopted at 3 months old. He was a smiley little guy and looked so small in the front seat.

 

I remember him being so clumsy that first day. He even fell in a mud puddle, which sadly enough I did not get a picture of.:(

He grew fast, which of course you don't notice until four years have flown by. He grew into a charming little pup.

 

He learned how to claim certain areas as his own - no matter how much room he might take up...

...or who he might kick you out of the front seat (which he still stubbornly refused to give up)...

Between the second and third year, his boyish charm slowly changed to more of a roguishly handsome charm. He now gives a very serious look, which you will probably see from this point on in the timeline.

 One of our first Christmas cards he decided to show off for the camera as he howled while the picture was being taken.

He thinks he is a stud.

 Speaking of stud, over time he found himself to be quite the sportsdog. His first catches were ground squirrels at Duncan Park.

From then on he was addicted...making sure to check for ground squirrels every chance he got.

Silly dog. He loves the snow so much. I wish I could share a picture of him holding his tennis ball (which was covered in snow, making it look like a snowball in his mouth). That picture was too small to share, though. However, here are a couple of other ones.:)

He enjoys laying by the fire, so I chose that as another spot for a Christmas card photo...

As many know, PJ Harvey has never been too good at meeting new people. He is a little protective or what others might call "vicious". Whatever...I don't know how you can call this precious guy vicious.

Matty!

Anyway, PJ Harvey met someone he has grown to like. Meaning someone he doesn't plan to viciously attack anytime soon...

PJ has found that laying on Matty was very comfortable...

 

...and he puts up with him, even when he makes him put on silly hats and clothes.

 

Poor PJ...

I'm glad that I've had my PJ Harvey over the past four years. He brings so many smiles to my face.

 

Him trying to fit into the front seat NOW makes me laugh. It's crazy how big he's grown...

 

Happy Birthday to my PJ Harvey! 4 human years and 28 doggy years...and still SO handsome.

Picture taken: March 9, 2012

Columbian

Haze rises from the auburn colored liquid,
filled with the smell of warmth
and vanilla. White whip
coats, giving the impression
that it is a knoll of snow.
The contents fill a ceramic
perimeter with the designs
of bagels and french cafes.
My mouth slowly takes in the sweetness
and I am rejuvenated.

Please stay a little longer...

Dear Winter 2011-2012,

Not that you really came in the first place, but I'd rather you not leave. At all.
Your 60-degree days and your sunny skies have worn out their welcome. Days like those now disgust me.
PJ Harvey doesn't seem to care either way...

...He can stick his head in the ground whether it's snow or just a pile of leaves.


Oh, and your tease of snow comes in the form of a hail storm?

SERIOUSLY?!?!?!?!

So, if you possibly could...please just stay a little longer.
However, on the off chance that you decide to leave, could you please come back next year stronger than ever? ☺ That would REALLY make everyone here extremely happy. Yes, that last sentence was dripping with sarcasm. But I will be extremely happy and really, I am the one that matters.

With a pleasant smile,
Your snow-loving fan