Monday Minute: You annoyed me, I kissed you, got drunk, watched a movie, and took a shower!

(1) What's your biggest pet peeve? white sneakers with black pants, soggy french fries, annoying songs stuck in my head, parents that are too busy talking to notice their child climbing on store displays, slow drivers in the fast lane, people that don't stop thinking of the next thing to say long enough to actually listen, Facebook status used for therapy and/or weaponry, saying "wool" instead of "well,"  people that assume strippers are forced into it, when maybe, they just enjoy the work and the money, people that try to force their religion on you, women that act weak or stupid when they're not... oh, wait, you just wanted 1. ♪I don't wanna be a stupid girl♪ (Pink)

(2) Describe your first kiss.  ♪My first kiss went a little like this...and twist♪
(3OH!3) He gazed lovingly in my eyes, this was the moment we had waited for...Screeeeeeeeeech! Yeah right! This isn't the movies people! No romance here. I was 9, he was my friend's brother, and his girlfriend asked if I wanted to kiss him. So I did and I moved my head all around (you know, like in the movies) and they laughed at me. No fireworks, no leg pop, etc...

(3) Describe the drunkest night of your life (or at least, the drunkest night you can remember). The worst night ever, the super short version: I hadn't eaten before Jack and I met, (Daniels, that is.) I drank a lot in a little time, couldn't feel my face, went on Montu, (the roller coaster.) This was followed by lots of projectile vomiting, and friends pushing me around Busch Gardens in a wheelchair while I was in and out of consciousness. ♪The hangovers hurt more than they used to♪ (Hank Williams Jr.)

(4) What's the last movie you saw and what did you think of it? I watched Old School, again, last night, and I think I enjoyed it more this time. "You're my boy, Blue!" ♪Hello darkness, my old friend, it's good to talk to you again♪ (Simon and Garfunkel)

(5) Do you prefer taking a bath or a shower? teehee, depends if I'm alone or not *blush* ♪I love to wash in your old bath water♪ (No Doubt)

Deliver Birthday Smiles

October 5th is a very important day in our house, it is our oldest daughter's birthday. This year is extra special, because she'll be 18! I can hardly believe it; my little baby girl is all grown up!

October 5th also happens to be America's most common birthday. Apparently, those winter months are full of loving because more babies arrive in late summer and early fall than any other time of year. So, with so many October birthdays its the perfect time to celebrate. ♪Well, you say it's your birthday, well it's my birthday too, now♪ (Beatles)

1800Flowers.com wants to help you deliver Birthday Smiles. To find out more about how they will be celebrating birthdays throughout October, in your area,  visit Facebook.com/1800flowers or follow them on Twitter.com/1800flowers Who knows, maybe you'll win something!


Make sure to check back here to find out how my #1's birthday went and to see the flower arrangement I picked out for her! Oh yeah, and  I'll be hosting a 1-800-FLOWER Giveaway that you're gonna love!



Disclosure: 1-800-Flowers provided a flower arrangement in exchange for this post, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Army of Women, Kickin' Breast Cancer's Ass!

I thought of a lot of things before I finally had my breasts reduced. Obviously, they were very VERY big, and they got in my way. I have back problems and these heavy hanging G size melons weren't helping things. Exercising was difficult, and I'm against black eyes, so running was out of the question. Clothes didn't fit properly, and while I love attention, I was starting to think my eyes were on my chest, because that's where every conversation took place! ♪I drive these brothers crazy, I do it on the daily♪ (Black Eyed Peas)

But, having such major surgery is risky. It was going to hurt, and it would take a long time to heal. It wasn't cheap, even with insurance paying a portion of it. And, I would be forever marked with scars to remind me of my decision.

My decision, my decision... It would be my decision! With breasts that large, I was at a higher risk of breast cancer. My mother had already had 2 lumpectomies before she was 50, and I had already had one scare that included having a ductogram, (a small catheter is inserted into the milk ducts prior to a mammogram, yeah not any fun.) I had vary fibrous tissues, so, at 32, I began getting mammograms every 6 months. I had come to the conclusion that it was only a matter of time before I got that "you need to come to the office so we can talk" phone call. I needed to do something! I needed to reduce my risk! So, I had the surgery.

A year later, I am left with scars, but I couldn't be happier about them! I can run and jump, wear button up shirts, and the surgery was a jump start to my 40lb weight loss. I went from a G to a D, and while I know I am still at risk for breast cancer, I just don't worry about it ALL the time.

I made a decision that was right for me, but it's not right for everyone, and it shouldn't have to be.

I don't want my children to have to worry about breast cancer. So, I took the pledge to join the Army of Women Campaign.

The Army of Women campaign is an online initiative, where women can sign up at http://www.armyofwomen.org/.

*By signing up you're asking to be notified of upcoming research studies.
*Participants must be 18 and older–but we need ALL ethnicities–ALL ages. We need healthy women, women with cancer and women who are survivors. 
*Men are needed, too, because: Yes, boys you can get breast cancer, too!

*By signing up you are not committed to a research study.
*The Army of Women Research Studies are prevention based, not clinical trials.
*It's FREE! They are not looking for donations, you don't have to buy anything pink, you don't have to walk 60 miles, you just need to put your name on the list. That's it!

You can then ignore the rest of Breast Cancer Awareness month, because, let's face it:
We're all aware of it, we just want it to GO AWAY! So join the Army of Women, and help kick Breast Cancer's ass! ♪Women to the left of me, women to the right...and I'll win the fight♪ (AC/DC)


We are dedicating ONE day to reach ONE million women to sign up for the Army of Women. We are declaring October 1, 2010 the official Army of Women Day. Together, we can move breast cancer beyond a cure and eradicate it once and for all.

So, sign up, and spread the word about this great cause. ♪My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard♪ (Kelis)

*Update your Facebook status with the following: “I signed up to STOP breast cancer before it STARTS. Have you? Join today at http://www.armyofwomen.org, then copy and paste this status update as your own”.


*Tweet about the AOW and to use the hashtag #WritePink.

♪I bet you want the goodies, bet you thought about it

got you all hot and bothered, maybe 'cuz I talk about it♪

(Ciara)

10 Reasons to Fall for Fall

Fall is finally here! Though one walk outside this air conditioned building, into the hot Florida sun, and you'll call me a liar and swear it's Summer! ♪People say I'm no good, and crazy as a loon♪ (Charlie Daniels)

Trust me, it's Fall! And, I couldn't be happier! Here's 10 Reason's why:

1. ♪Are you ready for some football?!♪  I enjoy the lazy days of Summer and watching a Baseball Game, but there is nothing better than Football!

2. Halloween is my family's absolute favorite holiday! We dress up, have a feast in honor of our ancestors and exchange small gifts. And, of course there's trick r treating and then we wait all night long in hopes of catching a Glimpse of The Great Pumpkin as he rises from the pumpkin patch to bring...

3. Pumpkin Latte at Starbucks! Yum yum yum!  ♪Yummy yummy yummy I got pumpkin my tummy♪

4. Paula Deen's Ooey Gooey Pumpkin cake recipe- Fall makes me want to bake, and this one of my favorite recipes. It's like cheesecake meets pumpkin pie. Seriously, if you haven't tried it...you...are...CRAZY! What are you waiting for?! Make it, make it!

5. Fall Festivals- like the one in my home town of Keene, NH that holds the record for the most lit jack o'lanterns. This year, it will celebrate it's 20th anniversary.

6. All the new products that come out just in time for the holidays. Like this year's release of Just Dance 2 from Ubisoft. That's right, if you liked #1 you're gonna love #2! I got to try it out at BlogHer, and it was awesome! It has over 40 new tracks and I'm so ready to ♪walk like an Egyptian♪ (Bangles)

7. Holiday wish lists- I'm already planning mine! It will definitely include a Keurig, which I have wanted, ever since I tried it at my cousin's wedding in 2008. This is not your ordinary coffee machine. It is like uber super wicked cool! All you do is choose your flavor cup, (they even have tea and hot chocolate if you're not a coffee drinker,) put it in the Keurig, and in like a minute, you have a fresh cup of warm yummy goodness!

8. Fall Leaves in their pretty changing colors. Not these, of course.

 But these:

What?! It's Florida, We have to pretend!

9. Bosses Day- Who doesn't love to thank their boss for all they do?! We should totally have more of these very special days! (shhh don't tell, but I totally included that part in case my boss was reading, because we all know that some boss somewhere had that little day put on the calendar by some poor little worker so they could feel godd about the job they do.)

10. Um, yeah, um, totally running out of things... OH! I know! Columbus Day! Because we get to honor the scam artist that managed to con his way into history so we would lie to our children, once more, (as if the Santa thing wasn't enough!)

♪Wake me up when September Ends♪

(Green Day)

Disclaimer: I was in no way compensated for this post. All opinions are my own

Wordless Wednesday: Stairway to



Mayfel's Stairs, Asheville



♪ Yes, there are two paths you can go by

But in the long run

There's still time to change

The road you're on ♪

(Led Zeppelin)