Saying Goodbye

Well... saying goodbye stinks.

I thought I was doing pretty good with this whole moving thing but now that it's here... I'm really sad. I am excited to be moving back home, but at the same time I know that once I'm there it won't be the same as I remember it being. People and places change a lot in 2 years, and I know I have changed a lot, too. What if I don't like it? What if it's so different that it's not even like being at home anymore?

I am excited about living with this little stinker again though. {Even though my mom has totally corrupted him!}

I'm just kind of worried, but at the same time I'm not. I'm moving back to the comfort of "home" no matter how different it may be; not to a strange, far away place like when I moved to TN {not that TN is a strange place, it was just really far away from home.}

I'm so thankful for the friendships I have made here, and I hope that each and every person knows that I love them and won't forget them. I went to Maureen's house this afternoon to say goodbye to the kiddos.... it was fun hanging out and having a "party" with our "processed cheese food" {aka Rotel cheese dip made with Velveeta} and a healthy side of grapes. I love that family so much and I'm so glad I've gotten to know them! {Maureen - thanks for everything & I really hope we keep in touch!} I will definitely miss you guys!!!

Rindi came over tonight too, to see us before she leaves since she is going out of town in the morning. It's weird to think that it's the last time I'll see her until at least September... and tomorrow will be the last day I see anyone else until then, too. I think I would feel much better about all this moving stuff if I didn't have to say goodbye. That's the hardest part.... even though I know I'll see everyone again.

Life as I know it is about to change again... and even though I know it's the right thing to do, I also know that sometimes the right thing is the hardest thing...

Uh oh...

Beth bought this last night.

24 Season 6.

I only have 3 days to watch it ALL.

So far, I've only watched 2 episodes (last night).

Okay, I don't really think I'll watch the whole thing by Friday.

That would mean I'd have to watch about 7 episodes each day.

Plus pack.

Buuut... the more I watch now, the less I have to rent later.

So maybe I will only watch, like, 4 a day?

I could totally watch it all, but I promised Beth I would only watch it with her after she gets off work.

And she has to pack, too.

This greatly limits our 24 watching time.

I hate packing.

Life: Updated {Do you copy?!}

You may remember (but probably not) at the beginning of June I started watching 24 on DVD. Beth swore to me I would love it, and I was a bit skeptical, but she was right! Now, not even 2 months later, I have gone through 5 whole seasons!

I've also started talking like Jack Bauer, acting like Jack Bauer, and thinking like Jack Bauer. In other words, I look for terrorists everywhere I go and think of all the different possible terrorist attacks they could be "covertly" planning. Then I save the day. I also answer my phone stating my last name instead of "hello," and end all phone conversations with "copy that," and hang up. No goodbye. Oh, and I also carry an awesome man purse {you can get one at amazon.com} with a cool pocket night scope so I can see bad guys from far away. Except my man purse is for girls and it's pink, and without a night scope. But I want one.

Season 7 will premiere in January, leaving me 5 months to watch season 6. Unfortunately, Beth doesn't own season 6 yet, otherwise I'd probably watch all of it this week before we move. It's probably a good thing though, considering I'm moving on Saturday {yeah, in 5 days} and I haven't really started packing yet!

Speaking of packing, this is what our apartment currently looks like:

Okay, just kidding. It's not that bad....yet. But that's probably because Beth hasn't started packing either. She moves on Friday. And she has a lot more to pack than me. We are really on top of this moving thing.

One last thing, because I'm "going dark" in a few minutes {"Going dark" is another term I learned from Jack Bauer} . In real life it means I'm incredibly tired and about to go to bed. Anyway... remember back in June when I was in my real life 24 episode and I had to wear a bomb heart moniter for 24 hours because I was having random heart flutters? Well... after about 4 days last time the heart flutters finally went away on their own. But surprise! They're BACK! They started again on Thursday just a little bit but by Friday they were in full swing...and on into Saturday.... and still today! I think they might be a little better than they were yesterday, but over all they have been a LOT worse than the last time! Tomorrow will be day 4, so I'm hoping they'll disappear again. Or at least get better until I go see my cardiologist on August 7th. I have no idea what triggers them though... it's quite strange!

Alright..I think it's bed time.

Copy that.

Anyone want some chocolate?

We've got had plenty!

We had some friends over last night for chocolate fondue* straight from the fountain AND chocolate molton lava cake! I think we supplied everyone's "fix" of chocolate for awhile!

We had some delicious chocolate covered strawberries, and Britt brought some bananas and Byrd brought donuts! I'd never dipped donuts in the chocolate fountain {granted, we have only used it one other time}, but it was really good!

The party was thrown to celebrate a couple of things - Beth's birthday {which was yesterday....Happy Birthday, Beth!}, and as a last little get together before we both move. Which I can't believe is SO SOON. Beth is moving on Friday and I'm moving Saturday! Crazy!

After we had all completely filled up on chocolate, we tried to take some group photos via the camera's timer.... this is the craziness that ensued....

This {above} was the first attempt...and ended up actually being the best. Duncan even posed too for a complete group shot {I don't think we could get him to do that again if we bribed him with snacks}

Then Rindi took the camera and we had a little "futu-shoot" {said in Britt's "old timey" accent} * Please excuse the abundance of penguin cups and the random Subway cup on the table. Thank you.

It quickly turned into "Britt's photo shoot"....

<
family portraits gone wrong?

laying across everyone didn't really work....

so I moved to the top of the couch....

it worked for a minute

....until Beth tried to pull me down...

OLD TIMEY!!!!
or a group mug shot??

You decide.

me & the photographer, Rindi :)

{however, I'm not sure if she is available for hire...}



Thanks for stopping by our party!

*Don't have a chocolate fountain? Well, you should get one, they're fun! But don't worry. You can still enjoy chocolate fondue even without a fountain! Here's a recipe:

• 10oz bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chopped into small pieces {we use a bag of Hershey's semisweet chocolate chips}
• 1/2 - 3/4 C of milk OR half & half OR heavy creme {if you use milk, add 2 tbsp of butter}
• 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract

Directions:

1. In a small bowl combine combine the chocolate and 1/2 cup milk or cream and melt gently in a barely simmering water bath or microwave on Medium (50%) power for about 2 minutes.
2. Stir until smooth.
3. Add more liquid if the sauce seems too thick.
4. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
5. Use immediately or set aside until needed and re-warm briefly.
6. Have skewers or forks ready for guests!
7. Left overs will keep in the fridge for several days! :)
8. Dip strawberries, marshmallows, pineapples, dough nuts, graham crackers, etc in the fondue!
9. Enjoy!:)

Well, the countdown is on....

me with the girls before Savannah went to "school" & Madison still in her PJ's

Yesterday was my last day watching Madison. I know y'all are bummed because now you won't get weekly photo updates of her {but I'm working on getting Amanda to update her blog more regularly!} ;-)

Seriously though, I will definitely miss seeing her every day and Savannah every morning, especially since I've seen them at least twice a week for the last 10 months! I don't think it's quite hit me yet, since I still have a week and a half left and I'm planning to go see them again at least once next week! {Although Amanda may have to put up with random visits from me every day...}

Such precious babies, and I've been so blessed to have been a small part of their family for the past year!!! I will definitely miss you guys probably more than you know!

No car + no motivation =....

... another blog post with cute baby pictures!

Since I'm confined to the space of my apartment and am not motivated enough to put away the laundry just yet, {I'm thoroughly enjoying lounging around today!} I've been going through the pictures on my computer to organize them.

I wish I was better about printing them as I take them, but that hasn't happened for the past couple of years. So I'll just keep thinking about it and maybe I'll start printing again one day....

Anyway... I came across these cute pictures I took a few weeks ago when I watched Andrew along with Savannah and Madison! Andrew is Savannah's best friend and is about a year older than her, putting him in the pretty-talkative-and-potty-training phase {aka about 2 and a half}. It was fun having 3 babies... a lot of work having a potty training 2 year old, a 1 year old trying to keep up with the 2 year old and a baby... but a lot of FUN!

It was so cute the way "Drew Drew" and "Nannah" played together...

And of course the little bit....so cute!

Busy Weekend

I had a few options for what I could do this weekend -- I was invited to yet another KD wedding in Memphis; Beth was going to Memphis to see her new apartment and invited me to tag along; and of course I was planning on having another 24 marathon.

Not exactly how the events panned out.

Mom and Dan came in town to load up some of my stuff! {and she gave me a whopping less-than-48 hours notice to get it all packed up and ready!} They were planning on picking up Obie and Zeke's new 110 gallon aquarium, my dresser, and bookshelf.... hoping it would all fit. Well, it did, and so did my desk and night stand - leaving me with just a bed for the next 2 weeks! I was kinda surprised they got it all in just the back of a truck! That aquarium is not small!

So that was Saturday morning. We had a fun little dog party, too, because Tobey and Pete both came along. Duncan loved Tobey, but was scared of big dog Pete.

After that I went to Memphis with Beth and saw her new apartment, and took a nap on her floor! I've had a sore throat/allergies/head cold thing going on since Friday...I think... and it makes me sleepy! We also went shopping at Gordman's, which could quite possibly be my favorite store, and got a new decoration for my new bedroom!

Sunday...was planned as my 24 marathon day! The marathon was cut short to two episodes though because I got to spend the afternoon/evening with these precious babies!

Savannah and Madison of course!

Amanda asked me to babysit while they went to a work dinner at the Country Club. I'm so sad I only have one more day left {tomorrow} with them!! Well, really just Madison because Savannah will be at "school." I keep trying not to think about it, but I kind of have to since tomorrow is that day. :(

Just for my momma...

Today while this angel was taking a nap I saw something that I know my momma would love! {yes, Madison is an angel and I spent ALL day with her today and I have no idea what Amanda is talking about when she says Madison acts up... because she took 2 good naps, ate lunch with no fuss & played and smiled all day!}

anyway... right outside the back door they have this lovely little thing hanging on the porch:

And today I saw TWO Hummingbirds on it! I've told my mom about it before, but today I actually took some pictures for her... although, I never got a good picture of both of the birds. But they were really cute together. I think they were in love.

Anyway..just for you, Mom! You always tell me about your Hummingbirds, so I thought I'd show you mine! Or rather, Amanda's....

I'm thinking about....

...splurging on one of these:

Not only is it cute & small, but it's also waterproof! You may remember a few months back I bought a Fuji Film S8000. I LOVE it, but it's basically too big to carry around with me in my purse - which I need to be able to do.

I've been thinking about getting a compact point & shoot to carry in my purse anyway, and I was just going to get a basic cheap one... but then I saw this. It's perfect. Besides the not being cheap part.


It's $300. Although I can get it for $225 on Amazon.com. Not bad, right? More than I'd usually want to spend... but it's waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof....perfect.



If it weren't for them:

I'd probably already have it. But I spent $200 the other day on a 110 gallon aquarium {plus stand} for them! I just keep telling myself it was a very good investment because a new one would cost about $1,000...and they NEED it. They are currently living in a tiny 10 gallon tank {and should be in at least a 60 gallon right now...at least 100 when they are full grown}. So I think they will love the 100 extra gallons of space to swim around in & I won't have to worry with buying any more tanks as they keep growing.

They better be glad I love them & think they're cute.

Anyway... I have more to write about but I will do so at a later time. I must get to sleep now. Ciao!

And the bedroom dilemma continues...

I think I have niched the black & white theme for my new bedroom {I know, it was short-lived}. Last night while flipping through a catalog I stumbled upon this beauty-

It's called Medallion Percale Bedding by The Company Store. I like it a lot better than the black & white. It has more color (obviously) and it will go great with my wooden furniture {we were going to paint it all black}. I also like the fact that it's coloful, but not too much in my opinion... it's not too BRIGHT! I still want to paint the walls, but we've crossed off the light blue option. I think I'll go with either a simple beige or the light green I mentioned before.

Another plus is that it's cheaper than the others & it's a comforter cover so I can use my nice down comforter with it!

Also, you may have noticed I switched my blog address! I finally got around to hosting it on my own domain. I'd been meaning to but never took the time to sit down and figure out how, but it wasn't that hard {just don't ask me to explain it!} Anyway, it's now located at http://blog.lynnie-d.com/ ... so you can change your bookmarks if you like, but the regular blogspot.com address will still get you there!

Alright...back to my 24 marathon! I'm on the "season finale" of season 3!

Have a Happy Birthday Dinner {or 3}!

I guess everyone thinks I am a pig, even though I always bring home leftovers, since I got to have not 1, not 2, but THREE delicous birthday dinners! And they were all lots of fun!

I already told you about how Amanda's sweet family took me out for dinner at Sparky's last Wednesday {my actual birthday}! Well, on Friday 5 of my friends accompanied me to another birthday dinner at Chili's. We were going to go to Lambert's, but for various reasons it didn't work out, so we stayed local and ate here.

After dinner {and lots of laughing! we had the most interesting conversations over dinner!} we came back to the apartment and watched Fool's Gold. It was okay...I guess it was cute, but I really don't remember it now. (I was sleepy & usually forget movies anyway...)

I will miss these people when I move! {only 3 weeks left!} :(

Then yesterday, Beth woke me up to see if I wanted to go to U.C. with her to take Duncan to the vet. He's been excessively whiney & stuff lately, so obviously there was something wrong {turns out he had a bladder infection or something of the sort}. And well, last night when we were at her house, we randomly decided to go to Lambert's. Her house was a little bit closer, so it wasn't quite as far of a drive. So... Beth, her mom & I got some rolls throwed at us last night in Sikeston, MO!

We caught them!!

I got this huge thing of sweet tea! I was in heaven!

It was fun! Waaaay too much food, but on the bright side I can eat off of it for the next month!

I have lots more to write about, but I will do it later! I'm in the middle of a 24 marathon! I have to finish seasons 3-6 in the next 3 weeks!!

Birthday Extravaganza!

Or not really. I mean, when your birthday is on a Wednesday, there's not much to do. Especially in a town with a limited amount of people to celebrate with because most have gone home for the summer.

But it was still nice - I got lots of calls, texts, and messages from family & friends, and Amanda and her family took me out for dinner at Sparky's! So sweet {thanks so much, Amanda!!}. She warned me that eating out with 2 babies might be difficult, but it wasn't! {Of course - Savannah and Madison are little angels, no matter what Amanda says! ;-)}

I was planning to continue the celebration at Lambert's tonight with the few people that are here for the summer, but the plans changed! Five or six of us are going to go to Chili's in town instead.. it's not exactly fine dining {but really, is Lamberts?}, but it will save time & gas money since we won't have to drive for 2 hours. Plus, more people get to go this way, and I think it will still be fun! I like Chili's and Goley promised to buy me a Molton cake there since Chili's apparently doesn't celebrate birthdays anymore.

Lame.

Anyway... so I am just hanging out around the apt today, doing laundry and cleaning up until dinner party time! I washed Obie and Zeke {turtles need baths sometimes, you know} and I found a 110 gallon aquarium for sale in the paper for them! I really want to get it {it comes with the tank & a stand for only $250!} but I'm not sure how easy it would be to move home, so I don't know if I can do it. Speaking of which, I need to call that guy back again...

Alright, well I have some other stuff to get done, so I'm off... til later!

Always

22!?!

Happy 22nd Birthday to me!!!

Actually... this year it's kind of weird. It doesn't really feel like my birthday! June flew by and July snuck up on me before I knew it!

So far, 22 feels about the same as 21...

{and in case you were wondering, no that's not really my birthday cake, but it would be cool if it was, right?}

Bedding Dilemma

After spending a couple hours last night flipping through some Pottery Barn magazines and then surfing Pottery Barn and Benjamin Moore paints today... I am at a loss for what I want to do with my bedroom!

Instead of painting my room light yellow or green like I mentioned before, my mom and I found a pretty light blue in a Pottery Barn magazine that I think I like. I do like light yellow, but my room has been that way for the past several years. Then my mom mentioned light green which I thought might be cool... until she mentioned the color she was thinking of was called "Pond Ice." I immediately pictured ice cube trays full of pond water. aack! But then I saw the blue in PB and I really liked it. Here is the color - it's "Crystal Springs" by Benjamin Moore.

It's hard to tell what it really looks like there, but it's kind of blue/silver/gray and I think it would look really good next to black and white bedding {which is, coincidently, what it was next to in the Pottery Barn magazine ;-) --- but I was totally thinking about going with black and white before I saw it in Pottery Barn!}

So Mom and I went to Target today to look at comforters. I like black and white because it's simple and classy and I'm a chicken to do too much color because I'm afraid I won't like it! That's another reason I like the idea of painting the walls - I can have black & white bedding, but still have some color, too!

Another reason I like the idea of black & white is because my mom already kind of has a black & white theme going on in my room right now, so I'd already have some throw pillows and a rug to match.... as well as {and maybe most importantly!} several cute little wooden penguins for decorations! There's also an awesome black & white bulletin board for sale in TN that I love, but haven't gotten yet because I never had a use for it. I hope it's still there!

Anyway... here are some of my favorites that we found... feel free to leave opinions!

#1 - Zeus Collection. I think it's my favorite - it seems the most "grown up," but it's also the most expensive @ $130.00.

# 2 - Reversible Floral. I liked this one because it's reversible and MUCH cheaper. The problem is, all that's left is a King size, but it's still only $50.00!... 80 bucks cheaper!

# 3 - Black Scroll. I like this one... it's also reversible and still cheaper ($70.00) but I'm not a huge fan of the pink accents. It looks A LOT better in person, though! And it's also not really pink, it's kind of a cranberry/redish-pink color, which I could live with, and actually kind of like, but it throws off my blue walls. If I went with this one, I definitely couldn't paint the walls blue and I don't think I'd want to paint them pink-cranberry.... and I'd like to paint them some color, but my mom likes white with this one.

Actually - these all look way better AT the store. I'm not so convinced about any of them after seeing them on here! aahhh!

So.... I don't know! I would love to do something super creative and cool with the bedding and the walls, but I don't know what! Creativity and home decorating is something I love, but not something I'm good at coming up with myself.

If anyone has any ideas or inspiration...let me know! I'm open to other colors besides black, white and blue... it just seemed like a good idea! I have less than 3 weeks to come up with something if it's going to be ready by the time I move home, though!