No reason....

So I skipped a couple of months.....sorry about that. I saw that my last post was September 1. Well, a lot has happened since then. I got laid off from my job on September 4th and I still haven't found a job. I hope that I find something soon. Jonathan and I took a much needed trip to the beach in October...yeah, I know, but it was already planned and paid for. In October, we also welcomed the birth of my cousin's baby girl, Bailey. She was born on October 23, which is also my mom's birthday. I haven't seen her yet but I hope to on Thanksgiving. I am sure that I will have to fight everyone just so I can hold her. We celebrated Jonathan's 28th birthday on October 26....I made him brownies and chicken pie. This past weekend we had an awesome chicken stew with some of our friends and family. Everyone loved the stew and had a really great time. Thanksgiving is in just a few days and then another eventful weekend. We will have Thanksgiving with my dad's side of the family and then off to Rob's to celebrate his birthday. Needless to say, we have been really busy and there hasn't been much time for blogging. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Loving the weather....

Ahhhhhhhh.......nothing like nice fall weather in the summer! I love, love, love how the weather has been the past two days. I love the fall! This weather teaser is making me ready to decorate for the fall season. I think I will wait on bringing my pumpkins out for a while though, it is only the beginning of September. I love pumpkins and I usually just do fall decorations instead of Halloween. I can put the fall decorations up earlier and leave them up longer. Fall also means the Dixie Classic Fair is just around the corner and I love some corn and deep fried Snicker bars! The cool weather also means.......chicken stews. It is great to get together with family and friends, have a good meal, and then talk around the fire. Love it!

It is hard to believe that September is already here though. Where did the year go????? Christmas will be here before we know it and the cold weather.......we will be wishing for summer weather soon enough again.

FORE!

I have been such a slacker on the blogging. I have decided to take up golf. It will be something fun for the two of us to do together. We ordered a great set of clubs online from golfoutletsusa.com and got them at a great price. We also order golf balls and golf shoes from rockbottomgolf.com. I came out for a little over $100 for all of my stuff!

Two Fridays ago Jonathan took me to the driving range. I think I ended up hitting over 170 balls!!! I didn't do too bad for my true first time at the range. We went back the following Tuesday and I only hit about 30 balls. Jonathan hit his own basket too and neither one of us did good. I guess we weren't really feeling it that day. Friday, Jonathan and I played 9 holes at Long Creek. I did pretty good for my first time and a whole lot better than either one of us thought I would do, especially considering it was EXTREMELY hot and Jonathan kept rushing me. Jonathan lost about 6 balls and I only lost 3. Overall, it was a fun trip and I can't wait to go back.

WhytheWoods

This past Sunday I returned to the church that I grew up in for Homecoming. Billy Riddle was the guest speaker and told us how God had touched his life. He also discussed his mission trips to Sudan and lessons that he had learned. He has since started his own non-profit organization called WhytheWoods.

Check it out......

http://www.whythewoods.org

Oldies but goodies....

Here a few oldies but goodies on my ipod....

• The Old Apartment by Barenaked Ladies
• Good by Better Than Ezra
• Lump by Presidents of the United States of America
• One Headlight by The Wallflowers

There are a ton more, just not enough time...there was some really good music in the 90's. Anyway, if anyone thinks of some other good ones.

Farmington/UFC

Saturday was the race at Farmington. We ran both the Mustang and the Probe. Wish I had good news. First round of qualifying was supposed to start at 2pm but was delayed due to oil downs. We made a pretty good first qualifying run in the Mustang and decent in the Probe. We were able to get in the second qualifying run for the Probe........POURING rain delayed the remainder of the second qualifying session. By the time they got the track dry and ready for the rest of the second qualifying, the rain poured down again. This time there was so much water on the track they had to pump the water off. Finally, they were able to finish all of the qualifying but it was 11:30pm. The track announced on the PA that the rest of the race would be cancelled due to curfew. We were qualified 4th with the Mustang with a 4.05 at 184 mph to 1/8 mile. The top 8 cars consisted of 4 blowers and 4 nitrous cars. The money was split between the top 8. I guess it did work out pretty good because we got more money than we would have if we went into the semi-finals. Rain just makes for a long, nasty day.

I left after the second qualifying of the Probe. I ended up going to our friend's house, Tommy and Jennifer, to watch the UFC fight on pay-per-view. They are really into the fights. It was pretty interesting but it is so crazy what those guys can and will do. Some of those guys were HUGE. It was crazy to see this one guy get knocked out in only the second round of his fight. Almost everyone of the the fighters' ears looked crazy too....they called it cauliflower ear....pretty gross.

Sorry, this post was pretty crappy.....not really feeling it today.

Great weekend...

It was a nice long weekend for the 4th of July. Jonathan and I both had Friday off. Jonathan and our friend Rob played 27 holes at Hemlock. In the meantime, Crystal, Rob's wife, and I had lunch and then hung out by the pool. It was a nice relaxing day. I will be nice and tan when my sunburn heals. I put sunscreen on my face and shoulders. Needless to say, since I didn't put sunscreen on the rest of my chest and back, you can tell where I did put it on.

Saturday was another swim day but not as long. The four of us went swimming at the campground and then to my parents' camper for a cookout. We headed to Lewisville for the fireworks. There were so many people there. We got there at 7:20 pm and trouble finding a parking spot. It was so packed by the time the fireworks started.

Sunday we had lunch with Jonathan's family. Normally, we go go to church and then to his parents' house for lunch. Yeah, Jonathan set the alarm clock but didn't turn it on. We rented 4 movies and watched 3 of them when we got home, Quarantine, The Happening, and 12 Rounds. These were all pretty good. The Happening was kind of slow but it was a good one. We also rented Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. I will probably watch this alone. Jonathan isn't really into these kinds of movies. I watch pretty much anything.

This weekend will be a race at Farmington. Hopefully, there will be good news to post. :)

Mr. & Mrs. Captain Ryan Derrick

Jonathan and I made the trip to Myrtle Beach Thursday after we got off work. We arrived at the hotel in Little River about 9:30. My parents also went down for the wedding and left on Thursday as well. They left before us and we still beat them down there. I guess the combination of slow driving and not paying attention is the reason we beat them. We hardly every go to Krispy Kreme but everytime we go to the beach we always have to go. So during the 10:30pm doughnut run, Meredith called me and said that I no longer had to do the toast. She didn't realize that her mom was planning on doing one. Whew! Dodged that one!

Friday was an eventful day----in a rush. We got up and went to IHOP with my parents for breakfast. My dad is such a slow driver!!!! I was going crazy. Anyway, a trip to Wal-Mart for bandaids but walking out with more than bandaids. About 30 minutes on the beach and then back to the hotel.

After a few restful minutes in the cool of the hotel, we met up with my parents again, this time we drove. We headed out to Barefoot Landing and ate lunch at T-Bonz. I have no idea why we waste time at BL.....we never get anything there. From there we spent a hurried hour at the Tanger outlets where we scored some good deals. We had to leave and go back to the hotel to get ready for the rehearsal. Rehearsal at the church was interesting. Everything went well but the director was not the nicest lady. She made things so complicated. After the rehearsal, the rehearsal dinner was held at The Officers Club. The food was great and it is a great atmosphere....just not cheap. It came time for the Groom's Cake. We were all kind of surprised at the cake and had to know the meaning. Ryan was asked what kind of cake he wanted. He said, "I don't know," and then picking something random said, "I want a pyramid." It was the best cake I EVER had.

Saturday:

9:15 - Meet at the Starbucks

This happened but the bride and MOB were late....they had to do some stuff at the reception. We only talked 10 minutes before we had to leave.

10:00 - Be at Beauty and the Beach for Hair

Made it. Meredith and her mom got their hair done first. Meredith's hair was beautiful. Vickie's stylist has a break down and throws her comb on the floor when we are telling her what needs to be done to Vickie's hair. "This is why I don't do weddings." (repeated about 4 times) She storms out the back door and at this point Vickie is in tears...apologies are made and everyone's hair gets done.

1:00 - Be at Church

We made it but almost late. We left he hair salon about 12 and then waited in line at the Chik-fil-a from 12:15 until 12:35 just to get our food. We still had to drop of the the step-mother of the groom by her hotel and go to the church. We make it to the church, eat and then get ready for the wedding.

3:00 - Wedding & Reception

Right before the bridesmaids were supposed to walk out. The flower girl falls asleep. I end up having to carry her down the aisle. Cute moment and ended up with snot on my dress. The reception was held at the Surf Golf and Beach Club. Everything was beautiful and the food was awesome. Tons of fun dancing.

8:00 - The After Party
The bridesmaids, two of the groomsmen and spouses went out to HOTO's (Harold's on the Beach) for some drinks and good times. We were all in our dresses and tuxes and it was EXTREMELY hot. About 10 Jonathan and I decided that we had had enough. I was so tired and ready to get out of that dress. After a shower, a pizza run was made. Nothing like Papa John's at midnight.

It was a great weekend. Everything was so beautiful.

Our bags are packed and we're ready to go......

Last night we packed for the beach and today starts an adventure. I don't think it ever takes me long to pack for trips. I always have an idea or a mental checklist of what I need to take. I neatly pack my suitcase and get everything of mine together. I then start working on any snack bags, swim bags, etc.

It is always funny to me how long it takes my husband. It never fails, there is something that will have to be washed at the last minute. I am called in to help pack his suitcase and then shirts are being thrown frantically at me to fold. A million questions like, "Do you think I will need this?; Did I pack that?; Do I have everything?" Don't get me wrong, this is not a complaint session.....I honestly do think that it is funny.

Anyway, we are driving down in Jonathan's truck. It should be interesting this afternoon trying to fit our bags, a cooler, golf clubs, pillows, and my bridesmaid dress (hopefully, it will not get squished and wrinkled) in his truck. Friday, Rehearsal at 4:45 at the church and then dinner. Saturday: Hair at 10, be at church by 1, wedding at 3. Yummy food at the reception following the wedding at the Surf Golf and Beach Club. Oh yeah, the toast at the reception and yes I am still nervous. Party, party, party then leaving on Sunday. Hopefully, I will get to do some shopping in there somewhere. Jonathan is hoping for some golf.

.~*~.

Yeah, yeah. Old picture but it's the beach.

My Bestfriend's Wedding

Tonight, we pack! Jonathan and I will be leaving on Thursday as soon as we get off work to head to Myrtle Beach for my bestfriend's wedding. I cannot believe that it is here already. It will be an exciting time but also hard for her not having her sister there. I will be taking on the duties of the MoH since she will only be there in spirit. I have also been asked if I would do a toast at the wedding. Needless to say, I am just a little bit nervous already. Hopefully, I will do okay. I just hope everything goes smoothly and as planned for them. I was fortunate enough to only have minor things like cake flowers being used on the food tables instead of the cake and outrageous thunderstorms. Also, let me say that when the Roles dropped us off at our house after the reception, we were happy that we had a keypad for the garage doors because neither one of us had a key to the house! Ah, the memories. More to come.......

The beginning.....

So I decided to do a blog....I already have facebook and myspace, so what's one more. What to say, what to say. I guess I will start off with a little info about us.

Jonathan and I were married on March 15, 2008. We first started dating October 19, 2002 and were engaged on October 30, 2006. Boy, how time flies. He is my best friend and a wonderful husband. We built our home in Tobaccoville and love where we live. We love our house but of course there is always something we wished we would have done differently. Jonathan loves drag racing and goes to different events with his dad and brother. Their dad owns two pro-modified dragsters, a 2008 Ford Mustang and a 1998 Ford Probe. I love to watch movies and read. I guess you can consider us both neat freaks, which is probably the reason why we still do not have pets. We have done some dogsitting for a couple of our friends. One thing we can agree on: we do not want a dog that sheds. We do want kids someday. There are still some things we want to do before we decide to go down that road. Jonathan works with his brother doing lawncare and landscaping. He loves being outdoors and always has a nice farmers tan. He has a degree in machining technology but can't imagine having to work indoors. I, however, am an administrative assistant and though I like being outside, I can't stand the heat.

I guess that is a good start. Hopefully, there will be more to come.