Starting Fresh

I'm not sure if I'll be blogging like I used to, but as of right now, it's just not happening. I haven't been able to read any blogs let alone blog myself.

So, for the first time, I had to completely clear my Reader and start fresh. I am bummed that I missed out on some good post, I'm sure, but I just can't keep up.

So, I am starting fresh and will try to blog more... I believe I may have lost 99% of my blog readers... But maybe I'll get the blog bug back and have something interesting to say. :)

I really do miss it! But, time won't permit it right now.

Until later... I'll leave you with some adorable pictures of sweet Lola.

- Deb

Remembering 9-11

America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our
freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves. -Abraham Lincoln

It's not easy to forget this day. I was eighteen and freshly out of high school and into my new world as an adult. I felt like I had everything ahead of me. The options were endless!

Then, on the morning of 9-11, sleeping peacefully, the world came crashing down. I was awaken up by my cousin calling, completely out of sorts over the tragedy of the first plane crashing. Who would have thought it could get worse...

My panic stricken mind couldn't comprehend what had happened. Twin Towers? Destroyed? I felt like there was no protection anywhere and the world was coming to an end. I grew up learning and listening to end-time prophecy and was sure this was it. Our lives were changed forever.

My mom got us all together and we headed for the church. When we got there, everyone just sat around and talked and waited for news. I was so fearful and questioned my Pastor about everything I could think of. We watched the news, waiting to hear something good... but it was all bad news.

Fast forward eight years... life isn't as bad as we thought it would be that horrible day. We've all pretty much adjusted to the changes, drastic changes that we don't even notice now. We give more honor to our soldiers fighting for our freedom. We've learned how we truly are the land of the brave and America is the home of the free. Or so we think...

This makes me think of the bondage that really holds America. Our world is turning upside down and freedom can only truly come from One.

I woke up this morning thanking God that I know Him. He knows me. And I am indeed Free. Free from bondage of sin, Free from fear, Free from any enemy that can stand against me.

God is my Freedom. He is your Freedom.

God bless America and the men and women fighting for this great country and the men and women who stand firm and put their lives in God's hands.

Me, Myself and I... sort of.

I had some fun with yearbook yourself today... :)

Soul sista'!

Apparently I would have been athletic in the 1960's.

Can anyone really be this sweet looking? I would have thought this girl was up to something. lol

Who knew I could look like a rockstar!

I look just like my mom in this one!

::

Play along!

Backyard Wedding

My cousin Eileen and her long time boyfriend, Frank were married in a small ceremony at my home this past weekend.
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I made these arrangements last minute, a little frantically. :) The bride was getting her self all spiffed up for her wedding and it dawned on me we had flowers to put together. I threw together five arrangements in 30 minutes. Whooo! It was tight.

Eileen is having a big reception in October, so the ceremony was small and intimate. I was her maid of honor and my sister-in-law Sonia was her bridesmaid.

We had little cones on the back of each chair with rose petals to throw once the ceremony was done and earlier that day we hung up white lights from the trees to brighten it up a bit. By the time I had crawled up and down that ladder a zillion times I was done. Once I realized that I had strung the wrong end and we had no plug to plug in... the tears almost came and then the frantic "What are we going to do now?!" Oh boy. I ended up crawling up and down that ladder again and re-hanging the lights... in addition... this past week was the hottest week in SoCal. Sweaty hot mess. lol

The beautiful bride is five months pregnant and finding a dress was a little difficult... but she ended finding one that my mom altered for her and looked gorgeous!

The wedding party got to wear whatever they wanted, good thing it blended pretty good.

My brother Peter and his wife, Sonia

My cousin and her son, Cristian

Cutting a scrumptious red velvet cake.

They were supposed to be in Cabo today for their honeymoon but the hurricane messed all those plans up. Instead they went into work today... and are planning on booking another honeymoon soon here. Nature's way of throwing a wrench in!

Cabo Shower

(My aunt and cousin, Eileen)

Two weeks ago I threw a shower with family and friends for my cousin, Eileen at my home. She got married this weekend and honeymooning in Cabo. The theme was a honeymoon shower since she didn't want lingerie or home goods. I was racking my brain for an idea to add some Mexican flair and my mom suggested peppers in the centerpieces... what a great idea! I went to a local Mexican food store and bought serano chili's and habeneros and added them to the floral arrangements. I did cupcakes instead of a cake. I like the look better and they are easier! I made the butter cream late Thursday night and nearly left it there unfinished, but pressed on and finally finished it.

Each guest went home with a "love notes" pad and a little box with my peanut butter balls. It was a beautiful night with good food and laughs!

Wedding to be posted soon...

Good Changes

I've got good news to share! But first... here is the back story.

I've been wringing my hands with decisons concerning my job for... well... 2 years. I am a total chicken when it comes to asking for things from my boss. I just never know how he will react. I will be with this company for five years come November.

When I first started working with this family owned business, I was hired after my sister recommended me for the position of receptionist/clerk. I was twenty-one and very wet behind the ears. Not sure how to do much of anything in the office world since I had only worked for myself previously, owning a small business when I was nineteen. I thought I was a pretty good boss and didn't demand too much of myself. ;)

In the office, it was just me and my sister and the husband and wife boss team with a couple guys that were in and out. We had tons of benefits that come with small business; good relationships with our employers and we got to spend time together. Okay, so that wasn't always the best part since having your baby sister underfoot all the time was not easy and for me, having the big sister overhead all the time was not a thrill. But, we really enjoyed those days when we would eat lunch together in my sister's office and chat about nothing of importance.

As the months went on, the business began booming and we hired a receptionist. Things picked up more and more and now we have four girls in office besides me and several guys in and out of the office. All over the course of 4 1/2 years. Seriously, only due to the blessings of God. I am 100% sure of it.

Our office is split into three departments. My boss' handle one each and I handle the other. My department is 50% of the business and it's overflowing with work right now. God? I think so.

Anyway, I finally got up the nerve to discuss a much needed raise, and it was granted. Come to find out, my boss was already working on getting me one... God was already on the move while I was fretting over it.

Good changes!!!

Helllloooo...

Is anyone out there? :)

Yes, I'm still here and NO I haven't decided to stop blogging... I just don't have the time right now. I will be putting up a new post, a catch up post, later on this week to prove to you that I am still alive and well!

:

I have some serious catching up to do on my reader and lots of commenting... How did I get so behind? I really can't say... but behind I am.

:

Major event this weekend - Bridal Shower for my cousin. I've been running around like crazy getting everything together. I think it's going to turn out just the way I have it planned in my head, but we'll see!!
:

I'll be back... really.

Another Wedding

I've been busy planning another Bridal Shower and helping with wedding preparations, again. Two weeks after we got back from my sister's wedding, my cousin,who I've mentioned on here several times, started planning her wedding ceremony. Her and her long time boyfriend were planning on getting married by themselves on a tropical island resort, but have decided to have a small home ceremony.

I for one am happy, since I'll be able to see and participate in her special day. My sister was to be her maid of honor but since she just got back from her honeymoon and is already planning on being out here for my cousin's large reception, she can't make the ceremony. I was more than happy to step in as the maid of honor instead of bridesmaid. I am so excited to be apart of her wedding planning and all the things that come with the days approaching her big day.

Today we went to do some cake tasting... that was hard. Who wants to taste pastries and fillings and butter creams? Someone has to do it... :)

So, yet another thing to keep me from blogging... but I'll do my best to not let it get in the way too much!

Take Me Away...

I am so ready for a road trip... get away, just go wherever the road leads you...
Or maybe a cruise... no worries, be pampered and enjoy the Pacific Ocean.

Sounds divine.

But, here I am sitting at my desk, enjoying the sounds of copiers and living life. Normal life.

I am so burnt out with things right now... and blogging has been last on my list these past couple of weeks. I just don't feel like taking the time to write. You'll notice that I have more pictures than writing lately. ha-ha, just me being lazy.

I have been absorbed in reading. More like listening. I've signed up with Audible again and just finished the Fountain Creek books by Tamera Alexander and now onto Courting Trouble by Deeanne Gist. All while reading As Sure As the Dawn by Francine Rivers... I kinda like books.

I can go to these far off places and visit without having to board a boat or get on a plane... it's all at my fingertips. The only problem is, the minute I shut the book... I'm right back where I started.

Lovin' These 5

These are the 5 things that get my heart singing this week...

1. LOLA - She is so sweet and that little face is irresistible! I just can't get enough of her. Of course, there are those moments when she is chopping down on your fingers... no blood but really painful. She is a sweetheart and has me wrapped around her little paw.
2. CPK Thai Chicken Salad - Such an easy top 5 for me right now. I went to CPK this past weekend and decided to order something different. Seriously craving this right.this.minuite! Perfect textures, sweet and spicy... Mmm good.
3. Kindle - I want this so bad. So so very bad. 1,000's of books at your fingertips... seriously? It's every bookworms dream.

4. Loving Leah - Hallmark came out with a new movie in Jan but I just found out about it. I am a huge Hallmark fan. I love how everything is generally simple without the junk of today. I love this cultural Love Story. A must have for a Hallmark junkies collection.

5. Godiva White Chocolate Pearls - Need I say more?

Take Me to the Fair

Have you ever come home from a long day of work and felt like doing this?


The newest member of our family does this often. She sprawls out and takes her naps like this. Ah to live the life of a pup!

I gathered all my energy and went to one of my favorite places... The Orange County Fair. I love it. Every year I look forward to the food, people, smells and sights.

This was calling my name.


Calorie filled deliciousness. Fresh Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting. A staple at the OC fair. The minute you walk into "building 10", where all the cool trinkets are, you can smell them in the oven. Mmm Mmm good.

I don't only go to the fair to eat, partially true, I also love the craft building. I love the table scapes. The judges critic each one and type it up for all one million OC residents to see. I cringed at 99% of them and figured they were the work of a sweet elderly lady and really didn't know that the table cloth was stained. (*cringing* again)

But there was one worth mentioning. You wouldn't find this table scape in Martha* Stewart's* home... no siree bob. This was a unique one and, according to me, the Blue Ribbon Winner.

The IRS table.
How clever is that?

You can't go to the fair and bypass the animals. No matter how bad the stench is. I'm so glad I didn't... I found the next character to be on Dr. 90210... he needed some dental work.

Oh the joys of the fair. I am going again because it's so big you can't cover it in one visit. Plus... I didn't get to eat an onion blossom or turkey leg. Maybe I shouldn't go back...

Another Blog Giveaway

Okay, so I don't know if any of you, my bloggy friends, are interested in a blog makeover... a very fab blog makeover, but I am! That is why I am posting this. I know it's selfish but it is my blog and I would LOVE for it to look better than this... so that's the excuse. :) Join me!

If you want an extra fab looking blog, join in and leave a comment for the Design Girl to win a standard blog makeover valued at $70.00.

ENTER HERE - Blog Makeover

Southern Wedding - Part Two

My sister and I are very close; it's been a big adjustment not having her around all the time. Even talking on the phone is different since it's always the important things that have to be talked about and not just the basic day to day things. The couple of days I had with her were rushed and full of wedding stress. I didn't expect to have my sister back for a couple of days, I really did expect all conversation to be "wedding talk", as it should be. But deep down I wished for my sister back, the one that would listen to all the things that were bothering me and put it all in perspective. The one that would laugh with me and carrying on as only sisters can do. Sometimes changes in life are no fun. This being one of them for me.

Day of the wedding, we had lunch at a little Shrimp Shack with our Pastor and his family. Tons of fried food! So yummy... but you can only take so much! I could hear Weight Watchers calling my name after every bite.

(Fried pickles and a fried shrimp poboy)

After lunch we rushed to the house to get ready. NINE people with one bathroom. Bad news. Lots of arguing about who's going to get in next. Wasn't pretty.

I drove the bridesmaids and my aunt and nephew to the wedding site... we were already about 30 minutes late and I couldn't get into the parking lot and passed the location and drove about 3 miles with all screaming, "Turn here!" "I can't turn!" "Hurry!!!" "Make sure we don't get there before Cath!!"

Oh boy.

As we got ready to walk down the "aisle", things got harry again. By the time I scowled my way down, kicking sand as I went, all I could think of was, why did I wear shoes? and this dress is making me look pregnant...

It was all forgotten, almost, as my sister walked down... then the tears came. This was really it... she was getting married.

My incredible Pastor and his wife.

Dad smiling, mom crying

The wedding party... the bridesmaids didn't get the "sunglasses" memo

My big sis and I

My nephew Cristian... miserable and ready to "Goo hoooome"

Mr. & Mrs.
After being friends as kids, and having a secret crush on each other, 20 years later they found each other on Face*book and here they are...

After the reception, which I don't have any good pictures of since I was running around buying more cups in a hectic tourist town, my Pastor took us to Lamberts, "home of the thrown rolls". What an experience, I loved it!

We got caught in a rain storm. I'd never seen rain like this. It looked like rain from all over the world was being dumped out on this one area. I felt like a kid again and wanted to run and jump in the puddles. My first warm rain experience.



Here is my sister-in-law, soaked through. Lamberts is such a fun restaurant. I remember seeing it on Food* Network* and wishing I could visit. Wish came true and it is just as good as they described. Hot rolls being tossed around and so much food you don't know what to eat first!


I ordered the famous chicken fried steak... and got a whole cow! ha-ha
I barely made a dent in this thing... but it was so very good.
If I could bring the Southern food here, I'd be one happy camper... of course if they included a free visit to the plastic surgeon for some liposuction, that would help too! Who can eat like this every day?

My sister and her new husband are on their honeymoon in Costa Rica! Starting a new life together...

This Southern wedding was a good experience and best of all, family time. I love them and spending time with them is not something I dread, it's something I look forward to!