Blog Love!!

Thanks to one of my favorite blog girls Donna at Lip Gloss and Flip Flops for gifting me with my first blog award, the Liebster!! I am so excited!! Hopefully I will do Donna proud and continue to be a good little blogger!!

Here we go...this is my first 'blog award', so hopefully I do it right!....




Liebster means "favorite" or "dearest" in German. This award, which originated in Germany, recognizes up and coming bloggers! In accepting this award, I agree to:


*Thank the person who gave me the award and link back to their blog

*Copy and paste the award to my blog

*Reveal the 5 blogs I have chosen to award and let them know by commenting on their blogs

*Pay it forward to 5 blogs

I started blogging...over a year ago just as a way to connect to other ladies out there with similar interests....Fast forward, I failed! I became more of a blog stalker than blogger myself. Recently, here I am back again and hoping to really make this habit stick and using it as an outlet to what is going in IRL. Along this journey, I have encountered some FABULOUS people! They have made this experience ridiculously rewarding and something that I truly look forward too. Now...if only I could get a handle on the whole Twitter thing....baby steps, Cara.....

The goal of this award is to highlight other new bloggers....honestly most all of the blogs that I follow are not 'new' (if you are new and are seeing this...let me know! i'd love to find you!...) and actually have many followers. These girls have been so FAB, and supportive, I just had to highlight them!

1. Tina @ Sequins, Plaids & Paws
2. Ashley @ Adventures of a Future Teacher
3. Nikki @ Raindrops on Wednesday
4. Celia @ ....just trying to find my way
5. Jules @ Chic & Pink

Random Thoughts and an update on Momma

Hi ya’ll! I hope you are having a good Wednesday!!

A couple of random thoughts this week…….

My Momma surprised me last week with a new Amazon Kindle Fire!! Yayy!! This thing is awesome….at least as far as I can tell in a week. So far, I have downloaded a few books….
(sorry for the crappy Droid pics)

(grr...I don't know how to make the picture rotate!)

Watched the first two episodes of Revenge on my new Kindle (soo good, ya’ll!). I am totally late to the party on this one...but I really like it! I usually don't get into new shows right away...I am afraid I will get hooked and they will get cancelled! By the time I go to bed right now, I need an escape, please share any other shows that you love, I am definitely looking to get into another series!

Downloaded a copy of US Weekly (I wanted to see what it was like on the Fire…it was ah-mazing! Literally just like the magazine (ads included) but on the tablet. I know I am going on and on….but I don’t have an iPad…or iAnything really (except and old school iPod), so this is big news for me.

I definitely need a cute cover for it...

Let the randomness begin!....

*Why does Sephora not sell MAC cosmetics?? That would make my life easier...

**I am really craving birthday cake...must be the PMS talking, but seriously! Someone in my life needs to have a birthday party so I can have some cake!!

***While on our way back from a doctor's appointment, we sat in traffic beside MotorCoach One...who knew!! (as an aside, we are in Northern Virginia so I guess this shouldn't surprise me being this close to DC, but still)..

****George Clooney was in Baltimore this past weekend (with Stacey Keibler) and I missed it! He was in town to go to the Ravens game with Stacey (former Ravens cheerleader)...and although not cheering on my boys, he seemed to like Charm City.  Here is George with Baltimore Raven retired player, Jonathan Ogden.

*****Ali & Roberto from The Bachelor/ette broke up....who didn't see that one coming??! I was definitely Team Chris that season, but he has moved on and is engaged to another Bachelor alum, Peyton

******I can't spell definelty (I have miss-spelled it each time I initially wrote it above) and use it wayyy too much..ugh

___________________________________________________________
Mom Update......Unfortunately, Momma has had a rough week with the pain. It is so hard watching her not be able to find any position that is comfortable, and seeing the pain all over her face. The 1st chemo session was on Friday and she did really well! I don't know if it was the combination of pre-medications or just a good day, but she felt pretty good. She felt good most of the weekend until Sunday when she started to get really tired and the pain kicked up in her back.The doctors say that the chemo will help with the pain and that they have such great drugs now a days that side effects aren't what they used to be, I just pray that is the case. We saw pain management doctors today, they switched up her medications so hopefully this combo will be more effective for her!

Hope you all have a GREAT Thanksgiving!!

Target Tuesday: Black Friday Edition!

Hey ya'll...as Target Tuesday is the brainchild of the fabulous Tara, I am sharing the love in hopes that you will check out Tara and her fab blog too!



And now...its time to link up for Target Tuesday!






This week, I am highlighting everything I want from their Black Friday ad (you can see the full add here). I am not a Black Friday shopper...I am intrigued and would like to experience it one day, but don't have a willing partner in crime yet.

Let's get to it!.....

Nikon L105 Digital Camera...I need a 'real' camera....

Rachel Ray 14 piece cookset...not that I know how to cook, but I like the orange pots and pans...and who knows, it could inspire me!

8 Bottle Wine Cooler....for lots of Moscato and Riesling!

I've always wanted a Dyson!

And of course...some Flamingo lovin'! (I actually have this shower curtain up right now!)

What are you loving at Target this week??

Do you 'Black Friday' ???

'Brothers of the Sun' Tour 2012

Ya'll...I am so excited!! I love music that spans just about every genre, but there is nothing better than a country music concert. Two of my favorites are joining up, again, to tour together next year!....

Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw present 'The Brothers of the Sun Tour' 2012!! with special guests Grace Potter & The Nocturnal and Jake Owen. I saw Tim and Kenny when they toured together at the George Strait Music Festival in 2001 and again in 2002 when they set out on their own. Each does a great show on their own, but it is awesome to see them come out and sing with each other. Plus, that much manly hotness in one place???!!!

Of course they are easy on the eyes...ahem....

Here are the tour dates...looks like the closest one for me will be FedEx Field....I so hate that stadium, sigh, the things I do for Kenny!!

Brothers of the Sun Tour 2012:

Sat. June 2 - Tampa, FL - Raymond James Stadium
Sun. June 3 - Atlanta, GA - Georgia Dome
Sat. June 9 - Dallas, TX - Cowboys Stadium
Sun. June 10 - Kansas City, MO - Arrowhead Stadium
Sat. June 15 - Philadelphia, PA - Lincoln Financial Field
Sat. June 23 - Nashville, TN - LP Field
Sun. June 24 - Charlotte, NC - Bank of America Stadium
Sat. June 30 - Pittsburgh, PA - Heinz Field
Sun. July 1 - Cincinnati, OH - Paul Brown Stadium
Sat. July 7 - Chicago, IL - Soldier Field
Sun. July 8 - Minneapolis, MN - Target Field
Sat. July 14 - Anaheim, CA - Angel Stadium
Sat. July 21 - Denver, CO - Sports Authority Field at Mile High
TBA - Indianapolis, IN - Lucas Oil Stadium
TBA - Cleveland, OH - Cleveland Browns Stadium
Sat. August 11 - East Rutherford, NJ - MetLife Stadium
Sun. August 12 - Washington, DC - FedExField
Sat. August 18 - Detroit, MI - Ford Field
Sat. August 25 - Foxboro, MA - Gillette Stadium

Here are a few of my favorites from the boys.....

Tags: You Save Me, Kenny Chesney, Kenny Chesney Videos

Kenny Chesney - Anything but Mine: When the Sun Goes Down

Tags: That's Why I'm Here, Kenny Chesney, Kenny Chesney Videos

Tags: No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem, Kenny Chesney, Kenny Chesney Videos

Tags: The Cowboy in Me, Tim McGraw, Tim McGraw Videos

Tags: Real Good Man, Tim McGraw, Tim McGraw Videos

Tags: Drugs or Jesus, Tim McGraw, Tim McGraw Videos

All hotness aside, these boys put on a GREAT show! Even if you aren't into the country thing, I dare you to go and not have a good time.

If you are a Tim/Kenny fan, what's your favorite song?

Target Tuesday

Hi bloggie friends! I am linking up, again!, with the bloggerific Tara over at Fabulous but Evil . As not only a Target` lover, but a previous employee (10 years...I know!), I am all about some Target!



Last week, I linked up and highlighted my wish list to redecorate my bedroom...this week, I am onto the bathroom! For some strange reason, I get super excited to buy a new shower curtain/rugs/accessories!

This is where my search started, I love the muted colors and the fact that it doesn't jump out at you....

but....was not loving the accessories with this one.

What caught my eye is not my style at all, but it's just so darn cute! Maybe for the guest bathroom....or maybe just pieces...all together it is a bit much, but individually..cute!

It's the Awesome Owl bathroom collection!..

And of course.....some flamingo love!

What are you loving at Target this week?

We Are....Marshall!

"In the middle of Huntington, West Virginia, there's a river. Next to this river is a steel mill. And, next to this steel mill there is a school. In the middle of the school, there is a fountain. Each year on the exact same day, at the exact same hour, the water to this fountain is turned off. And in this moment, once every year through out the town, through out the school, time stands still". We Are Marshall

I grew up 2 hours south east of Huntington, West Virginia in Mingo County. Where I am from, you are either a Marshall football fan or a WVU football fan...except for one day...every November 14th, we are all Marshall fans.

It was always interesting in my family, as one of my uncles graduated from Marshall and my other uncle/grandfather are die hard WVU fans. (For those of you not familar, this rivalry can be pretty heated.) The Marshall football tragedy happened before I was born (1970) , but I have vivid memories of my grandfather talking about it, and my great aunt telling me the stories of looking from her front porch in Kenova, WV and seeing the hill on fire and feeling like the town would never be the same.

Had we this happened into today's time of technology/Facebook/Twitter, perhaps this would be a bigger story. But for those of us this has touched, we always remember the 75 lives that were lost on this day.

Many have seen the movie "We Are Marshall" and I can remember what chaos it caused when Matthew McConahey was in the area filming the movie.

It was so exciting to see WV on the big screen and to see this story done correctly. But walking away, and every time I have watched it since then, it jars me to remember, this really happened. This was not a Hollywood produced/created story. Please join me today, in remembering those lost November 14, 1970.

WE ARE MARSHALL!

If you would like to read more about the Marshall football tragedy, here are a few links:
http://www.marshall.edu/library/speccoll/virtual_museum/memorial/default.asp
http://www.wvculture.org/history/thisdayinwvhistory/1114.html
http://media.herald-dispatch.com/mucrash/index.php?p=4

It's All About Me

Today, I am linking up with Kasey over aDomesticated Hygienist for 'It's All About Me'. The idea is to share something that is 'all about you', be it photos, updates, stories, or like me, a random questions post, questions found over on Kasey's post from last week (although I did take a few liberties and changed some up). Since I am a 'baby blogger', I thought it would be a good getting to know me post!

Let's get to it....

1. If you had to do it all over again, what would you study in school?
Pharmacy

2. What would you like to add to your life?
Good health for my Momma, love and laughter.

3. What is your favorite thing about fall?
I love the colors of fall...they make me happy!

4. If you did not need the money, what would you do for work?
I would love to write a book, volunteer or start my own business.

5. What is your ringtone?
Everyone: Only Prettier by Miranda Lambert
Mom: The Middle by Jimmy Eat World

6. What is the furthest west you have traveled?
Montreal, Canada or Las Vegas....both seem pretty far and not sure which is further from Baltimore...I guess Vegas is, but Montreal feels like it since we drove.

7. What is the funniest thing you've heard a child say?
My cousin (11 year old boy) told me on my last birthday (31st) that if I wasn't getting married soon..I should just get some cats and call it a day!

8. If you could live in another country for 2 years, where would you live?
Greece

9. What is the worst physical pain you've ever been in?
Tearing up my ankle while cheer leading.

10. Who taught you to cook?
I wouldn't blame that on anyone.....I can't cook!


11. When have you felt bad for losing your temper?
Good question....I am not really a lose my temper kind of girl.


12. What is the nicest thing a friend has done for you?
Wow, I don't think I could narrow it down. My friends have been AHmazing the past few weeks! I would be lost without them! Love you girls!

13. What TV re-run do you sit down to watch whenever it's on?
Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Friends, 90210, King of Queens...I could go on and on....

14. What do you do when you cannot sleep?
Check FB or twitter on my phone.

15. What was your toughest accomplishment?
Getting my degree...I was on the long term plan

16. What in your life is more important than money?
Family..Friends...Health...Love...Happiness

17. E-book or traditional book?
I do have an e-reader that I love, but there are certain authors/book series that I have to have in paper.

18. Favorite football team (college or pro)
Baltimore Ravens
West Virginia Mountaineers

19. Favorite alcoholic beverage? Non alcoholic beverage?
Margaritas!
Pepsi or Strawberry-Lemonade flavored water from Target

20. Target or Walmart
Target!

That is a little about me.....share with me a little about you!

Mom

I have tried to write this blog several times over the past week....I just don't know how to do it, or even if I should. Let me go back...

I started this blog about a year ago as a way to express my love of pop culture, books, gossip and a place to write. I have loved writing since the 7th grade and have always wanted to write a book. As you can see from my limited posts, I haven't been very successful. Here I am, one year later, back in an attempt to re-focus on my blog....but for an entirely different reason. There is no easy way to say it...or even write it.....my Mom, the best person I know, my best friend, has Stage IV Lung Cancer.

My Mom raised me and growing up and even now...it has been me and her against the world. How do we battle this when I can't even think about the future without falling apart?? I am an only child and my 'biological donor' is not in the picture...so this feels so lonely. It sounds selfish, but I am so scared. Scared for me, scared for her, scared for the future, scared for the unknown. I don't even know how to begin to deal.

In some odd way...here I am again back at the blog in an attempt to deal, in an attempt to distract myself, in an attempt to create some new normal, because I feel like my life is forever changed and nothing will be ok again.

In searching for something....I found someone who has faced this evil demon, and says it all in a much better way than I can. Please visit my new bloggie friend Nikki over at Raindrops on Wednesday and read her story.

Target Tuesday!

Hi bloggie friends! I am linking up with the fabulous Tara over at Fabulous but Evil for Target Tuesday!



This your opportunity to go crazy on target.com and highlight what you are loving at Target this week! I actually worked at Target for years...so I like to think I am a pro!!

This week I am loving new bedding and jewelry armoires! I am always obsessed with changing up my bedroom or bathroom.


Puckering Duvet Set.....I long for the a comfy,overstuffed bed....

Egyptian Cotton Sheets? Yes, please!.....

Pretty pillow....doesn't go with my 'look' really, but this is my wish list, so whatev.....

And a little something from my 'grandma' side....

I have always wanted a jewelry armoire.....can't decide between the white or darker wood.

And, a flamingo just 'cause I loooooove them!....

What are you loving at Target this week?