Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

Hey people does anyone know we are in a RECESSION?  I mean I know everyone wants gifts and it's nice to get presents, but if you didn't already know I'm poor.  And pretty much the last thing I want to do is go spend my hard earned money on YOU when I can barely pay MY OWN bills.  So this Christmas everyone should be encouraged to just do nice stuff for other people.  I mean donate money, donate time, donate items you don't need any more.  Everyday and I do mean EVERYDAY when I'm complaining about being poor and not having money to do anything, I think REALLY HOLDEN REALLY??????  I mean even though I struggle in my life to get it where I wish it could be, there are tons people who have it a lot worse than me.  Some who made themselves that way, some who did not.  So next time you are thinking about the designer purse you want so bad or that brand name clothing, think about the people who just want a coat or a pair of shoes or food for their kids and maybe give a little. 
For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required.  Luke 12:48.   --I did know the verse, but did not the exact location in Luke.  But the point is still it is something that resonates with me and so should with all of you.

Stop thinking about all the North Face, Prada, Gucci, David Yurman you are adding to your Christmas list and try and remember if just for a moment the meaning of Christmas.  And how maybe at this time of year if not throughout the year, try and think of helping someone else.

Here are some of my fav groups to donate/volunteer for.  Check them out if I inspired you, if you are interested in donating this season.  I'm sure your parents would be much more appreciative of a donation in their name, than something you bought them that they don't need.
Happy Holidays as they begin!

Cystic Fibrosis- my sister lost her best friend Tracey Peel to this disease
http://www.cff.org/Chapters/carolinas/

Eastern NC- Multiple Sclerosis-- My friend Lee Laughinghouse who passed away in 2004, mother has MS.
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/NCT/index.aspx

The Miracle League of Triangle-- I love to volunteer here, because I want every kid to know the enjoyment of sports and team activities, something I was blessed with that many are not.
http://www.miracleleagueofthetriangle.com/


Food Banks at local Churches.  Many people use churches for resources, not just homeless and poor, but new people in town, people trying to get back on their feet.  Just buy a couple of extra cans at the grocery and drop them off on your way home.

Local Health Clinics need simple supplies at OTC meds!!!  Something easy and cheap that we take for granted just being able to throw down $10 when we have a headache.

And if think you have it bad, read about this family.  I have no idea who they are, but were inspired by their story and their son's disease.  I have never seen anything like it.  People are donating ornaments for this family's tree.
http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/

Perception is the key

Sometimes as we get older maybe we realize we are the ones that need to change, change our stubborn ways, change the way people perceive us.  So maybe I think I'm this awesome fun girl, with great stories, always up for a laugh and new adventure.  But have you to really examine if that is how other people also see you. 

I think as I get older I want to be more conservative, go out less, drink less, be more conscious of what I'm eating, stop exhausting myself to be a part of everything.  See when the weekend used to come around you would chat with your friends about upcoming weekend plans.... they would go something like this.  Work/School/Unemployment..grab some dinner somewhere, maybe have a drink, go home get ready, go to friends house, have lots or free drinks, cab, bar, more drinks, maybe late night stop for food on the way home, more free drinks, sleeeeeeppppppppp til like noon.  Get up more food, buy more booze, nap/watch tv/minimal activity, eat again, get ready, someone else's house, have lots of free drinks, cab, bar, more drinks, wander home, more drinks and sleep.  Pretty much the routine every weekend, as you notice lots of drinks and food.  Now that I'm old and my body can't take all that, barely stay up til 9pm on Friday night after a long work week, maybe up at work on Saturday morn or some sort of project, then maybe dinner and drinks with friends.  Sunday relax, clean, do laundry and just catch up on things to begin another work week.
So in the fall lots of weekends consist of football.  Early rising to prepare food and specialty drinks for a day of great weather (hopefully) gathering with friends, and a little football.  Old days, it was jello shots, keg stands, shot gun beers and Bojangles tailgate special.  Now it's homemade dips, pigs in a blanket on real platters, bourbon, mimosas and not beast beer.
So if you are at the homemade dips/pigs in a blanket tailgate and you are shot gunning beers, slamming jello shots, you might want to think of perception.  This dawned on me this past weekend at the UNC/NCSU game....blending some new traditions and old traditions.  We made some food, but also brought along jello shots and we were at the mature tailgate, lots of married folks and couples (boooooo).  SO even though my friend Kim and I were having a great time and handing out jello shots, trying to spice up this party, plus walking around with a tray of jello shots is always a great way to start a conversation with cute dudes.  I wonder what the perception here was, were we the girls stuck in the past, the party girls, the forever going out girls..... because surely I am not.  I was in bed early the night before and def napped after the game.  But maybe there was some single guy there at the tailgate that thought, wow those girls are cute, but they may be a little wild slammin jello shots at 11am????  Pass.  So maybe I'm trying to change my ways and drink less, but it hits you faster, you have to be aware 2 strong bourbon drinks when you are 21 have a lot different effect on your 29 year old body. 

See I want people to see the real me.  The fun outgoing girl, who likes to go out and have fun, but not til 3am (except special occasions), just likes to hang with her friends, go out to dinner, watch movies, hang on the couch with her roomies, working herself out of debt, working hard at her job, but still makes time for the fun things in life.  So in the future if I'm looking to settle down and get away from the party girl image I have to be careful how I'm perceived.  And so should everyone else out there.  You think your married/coupled friends are going to set you up with one of their great guy friends if you are a serial dater, hating on dudes all the time, party hardy, doing drugs, sleeping with everyone in town, go to church on Sunday girl to repent your weekend.... that's a BIG NOPE!  So be yourself and if you want to go home at 9pm and only have one beer, well I say do it!!!!

*Pic's below are not me, but I'm sure I can say it could have been and probably most of my friends!!!

Free Food= Fatness

So I've been pondering over the years why I just keep gaining and gaining weight, as I am sure many of us do.  But I have figured out (for me anyway) why this occurs.  Something about delicious doughnuts, free Halloween candy, samples at Sam's or FREE LUNCH (and I don't mean like the poor kid kind in school)!  I mean the delicious, scrumptious lunches that we get everyday from reps at our office.  I will not specify my job (medical field) and I will not specify who brings us lunch (people who have things, that people in the medical field prescribe to people) but it is AWESOME.... I think about all the money I save at the grocery, I only go like once a month, I don't have to use gas to go out to lunch, I don't waste time in my kitchen wondering what to fix for the next day.  It's all there, prepared for me and just waiting for me to DIVE IN!!!  And boy do I and so do lots of people at work, refer to previous blog 'NOT OK'!  The problem is also waiting for me is the desserts, the garlic bread, the endless helpings...ugggg, somebody stop me.  Oh and especially when someone bring BBQ LODGE, forget it I'm as good as WORTHLESS the rest of the day.  So I'm working on a little thing called self-control, as of now it's a work in progress and I'm losing big time (and not in the weight department).

Then there are the dinners, which are at restaurants that I would not take myself to on a regular basis...EXPENSIVE.  I love a good night out and treating myself to dinner but $80 at Second Empire, I DON'T THINK SO.  But on someone else's tab it's a total different story, I'll try some appetizers, some martinis, splurge for the SURF n TURF and even get dessert.  Now you know good and well after eating all that food I sure as hell don't need dessert.  I always try and tell myself I'm going to take it home to my roommates to share, but let's be real I usually eat it.

So my goal from now on IS..... Try to cut back on all this good delicious FREE FOOD and just try and remember if it wasn't free would I still be eating this???
Maybe a thinner me will appear in the near FUTURE....only if I win the lottery and don't have to pay for my own food, would I give up free food.  So for now I'm a HAPPY FAT, FREE FOOD EATER!!!!!  Join the club, memberships available at www.i'mafatkid.com

Love the one you're with

Ok so there is an old saying, if you can't be with the one you love, then love the one you're with.  Well I tried this for a bit.  I decided to stop being so critical and if a guy asked me out or wanted to hang out, I would say YES every time.  You know where this got me, no where but pissed off.  Because every time these guys would do something stupid, which I knew they would because that is why I originally would say no in the first place, it just got on my nerves.  Yes I'm a bit of a bossy pants, but when we are riding around town (WHERE I'M FROM) and I give you directions because I HAVE TO WORK, just listen to me.  Life would be a lot happier if I just got home and to work on time, but instead you knew best about the town I have lived in MY WHOLE LIFE, so I was late and now pissed off that I ever considered hanging out with you.  And yes some of my friends called you a creeper, I was gonna give you the benefit of the doubt, you asked for my digits we went out and guess what you were a creeper, you should mostly trust your GF's and your instincts.  When you asked me what brand my clothes were and they were not up to your standards, I should have said no right then and there, instead of feeling under dressed and cheap everytime we went out.  And just because we have great convo's and text constantly and it seems to be going great, doesn't mean I should forget the long distance and believe that would work (in this case, love the one you with, but not often because of long distance).  All these are examples of guys I've said yes too, but mostly knew in the beginning it wasn't worth my time.

So ladies I know it's lonely out there and sometimes it's hard to believe that there is someone out there for you, but I truly believe if you keep having  hope and keep being the bestest girl you can be (and keep you legs closed) you will find THE GREAT GUY.

NOW for those of you who are currently in relationships with guys you really aren't that into, or dating multiple guys..... SHARE THE LOVE!!!  I mean you are not only holding yourself back from meeting someone great, but that maybe so-so girl is out there waiting to meet your mister "love the one your with".  I mean you could be at a bar, chatting up MR GREAT GUY lawyer hottie that wants you to have 1000 babies, botox, work out all day, and meet with your mommy groups.... and the convo is getting good, you are just about to agree to go on a date with him....WHAM, here comes your LTOYAW (love the one you are with) BF, all up in your convo, buying you drinks, trying to show this other guys he is cool and especially show him, you two are together.  So forget MR GREAT GUY lawyer, he ain't competing with this guy.  So see girl you are missing out on tons of hottie opportunities out there.  So explore life alone without LTOYAW bf, get out meet someone great and make great babies together.

Ok now to the girl who is dating multiple guys, don't think I forgot about you.  Let's just say that the odds in this town girls to guys is 4:1.  So for ever 1 guy, there is 4 girls.  So MISS multiple dater, you are dating 4 guys, well guess what that means you are messing it up for 16 other girls out there.  So help everyone get along, help all the lonely women out there be happy and cut some of those men folk loose.  I know it's hard to say NO to the free dinners, the foot rubs, the rides to your car when you cabbed it home, BUT just remember there is some awesome girl out there who thinks your MR so-so is her MR GREAT GUY and they will make awesome so-so babies and live happily ever after.  Which again brings me back to you being more available to find that MR. AWESOME, PERFECT, HOTTIE, GREAT guy that you are looking for.

So ladies don't settle with the so-so's, get out there and meet the MR Great guys.  I know they exist I know lots of them and I'm trying to find one of Mr. great guys FRIENDS that will be my AWESOME, PERFECT, HOTTIE, BABY DADDY!!!

And for now ADIOS to MR. creeper, Mr. Bad direction listener, Mr Snobby Pants, Mr. Stalker (see prev blog), Mr Long Distance..... I'm setting you free and sending you out into the world, because there is some girl out there with older creepy mad fetish, girl with no sense of direction, rich girl good clothes, needs a lot of attention girl, and a hometown girl who is waiting for you guys!

Be carefull what you wish for!

As the holiday season is upon us and lots of us are making Christmas wishes, wishing upon a star and waiting for all our dreams to come true, I just have to say be careful what you wish for.  So I always have known what a great awesome person I am and always wished that one day I would meet a guy who would realize that instantly.  He would fall in love with me and want to spend every minute together, happily ever after forever.  Ok so I met so called guy, he knew instantly he was in love with me.  Even called me later that night, met up with him the next night as well.  Just a casual hang out with good 'drunk' conversation and maybe a BOMO.  Went home with my girls, got another call later evening.  Got another call on Sunday on the way home, had a nice evening chat for a few hours.  Then text the next am at work to see how I was doing, this trend continued even though I said I can't text a work.  Then I got Flowers at work on day 4 to say I hope you feel better.  So this continued for a few days, then one night I was cooking dinner with my roommates and I had 5 text and two missed calls and the final one said please call me back, why are you mad?  FYI dudes girls have lives and don't keep clinging to their phone every 5 seconds waiting for you to call.  So when I say I have a life, I have a life and am probably busy doing something.  And when a girl tells you to chill, then relax and don't blow her up every 5 seconds, ok, ok.  Then came a night out with my girls at this event in Rocky Mount with our friends family, fun fundraiser event.  Yes it's public, but had he ever been before??  Nope I don't think so.  So he was tailgating at a football game earlier drunk by 11am, because yes I got two missed calls and two text before I even got out of the shower that morning.  I was a little frustrated and let it out on him....SO CHILLLLLLLLLL!!  Said I would call when I finished getting ready and was on my way, but no he couldn't wait that long and called me again...ahhhh, now I'm pissed.    So no response from me after that, UNTIL later that evening, when I see him walk by, like 4 times obviously looking for someone and that someone is me.  Finally he text me says he's in Rocky Mount, WOW shocker, I already saw you stalking me.  So by that time, my friends and I are into our drinks, so what the heck.  We all hang out have a great time.  I yet again tell him to chill and stop blowing me up all the time.  Also my friend Laura tells him the same thing, because if a girl's girlfriend tell you something, it's something probably said directly by the girl, SO LISTEN.  I'm way over it at this point, but my friends dad invites everyone back to hang at the house...WHAT, NO???  So then I can't be a total bi-otch and say no, so I just go with the flow, like I said the drinks are flowing.   Another BOMO, whoops and NIGHT OVER.  Next morning 9 am text...how are you feeling?  How the hell do you think I'm feeling after drinking all afternoon and all night til 3 am, barely have been to sleep and I hear his dumb ass text buzz next to my ear.  Oh but don't worry I don't respond and surprise a missed call from him 5 minutes later...ahhhhh.  So at this point SO OVER IT.  He then friends my sister on FB and my friends.....bad move, especially since I'm not answering his calls or text.  So finally I do the unthinkable and UNFRIEND him on Facebook.  He then refriends me on FB, like what do you think I accidentally UNFRIENDED him, NOPE.  So I guess he then gets the picture, and sends me a message that he gets the point after I unfriended him on FB that he would leave me alone....dundundun... of course that didn't happen.  He backs off for a bit, then messages me on FB this sap story.  I do feel bad and say I'm sorry, but make it short and sweet.  So that is pretty much the end.  That was one month ago and I have randomly gotten a text every week.  Seems like a really nice guy, just not the guy for me. 

As much as girls agonize over whether a guy will call or not and we talk about it with our friends, we do really like a little bit of linger and making us wait, wanting and wondering when you will call.  It's when it fades to every week, one week night and so forth that bores us and finally, hopefully we realize you are over us.  So until my next dating story, I will be careful what I wish for.
Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight.  I wish to meet a fun cute guy, that will ask for my number, will call me in a few days, will actually ask me out on a date, will make the first move and will want to hang out and enjoy the same activities, if he happens to drive a truck or suv, has football tickets, loves the beach, likes to dance, likes Mike N Ikes, Reeses cups, action movies, romantic comedies, all seafood, grilling out with friends and BOURBON well then that is ok too!

Thanks guys, I'm back and promise to keep delivering.

Dating in your (almost) 30's

So I pretty much have decided that the older you get the harder it is to date and it pretty much sucks.  I remember watching all these movies and hearing older babysitters and friends just wait til you grow up, live the glamours life, go out with boys, have romantic dates...blah blah blah.  I'm pretty sure they just tell you those things so that you just don't kill yourself then and there.  Let's just say it's not easy to meet people and this coming from a pretty social person.  I would not say that I lack in the friendship department or in social gatherings department.  People say as you get older you get more picky, I do not agree with that.  I think you know more of what would work for you, you are a little more set in your ways and instead of meeting someone and growing together, you meet someone and have to make your separate lives BLEND.

So that's what I'm looking for, a BLENDER.  Yes I would like someone who's life would Blend easily with mine.  We would enjoy the same social things, for instance if you don't like going to football games, our lives probably won't blend well together.  But if you do like football and have season tickets and a parking pass, our lives would BLEND great together, I'm a helluva DIP maker.  I've even been on TV talking about my Dips ;)
Also if you don't like the beach, boats or being outside, NOT a BLENDER.  But beach house, sport fisher and unlimited gas card...BLENDING!!
I'm really kidding about the material things, but it is nice to have things in common and things to do on the weekends, I already watch enough Reality TV on my couch by myself, I want to get out and do things.

Also where do you meet so called BLENDER?  There is always the on-line option, but you could possible end up chopped up in a Blender, we don't want that.  I'm just a little skeptical of on-line dating, maybe it's old fashion and why I'm single, but I just feel like you can't really get someones personality from their profile.  Also like how many chats do you have to have before a guy asks you out?
Then there is bar scene, been there done that.  Had too many drinks, thought the man of my dreams was giving me a ride home and then calling me the next day for the most AWESOME date ever.. NOT.  Prince Charming, doesn't drink PBR and ride in Yellow Cabs :(
Then there is a blind date set up by friends, could be a good option.  But it makes me wonder what is the matter with this person that they can't meet someone they know or through someone they know??  But hey they could be thinking the same thing about me....so I would go for it!  Your friends really know you and if there is something your friend thinks you have in common, BESIDES you are both single and down on the dating scene, then it could be a good time.  At least maybe you have met another good friend out of it.

The friend ZONE, that is where I currently reside with all guys.  Not sure if it's me, do I throw the friend zone flag first or just don't get anywhere and by default we are in the friend zone.  I'm currently friends with almost everyone I have dated/hooked up with.  That's just how it works.  So my next order of business is to figure out how to get out of the friend zone and just into the ZONE!

So Blender if you are out there and want to get in my Zone, then holla :)  And by that I don't mean PRB and cab rides home!

And do I look like this girl from Something Borrowed, people tell me that all the time??

I'm back

Ok it's been a while, been really busy the past couple of weeks.
But last night I went to Jason Aldean Concert and it was soooo much fun.  A little bit from last year's concert.  It was Brooks and Dunn farewell tour and J. Aldean was opening up for them and it was THE HOTTEST DAY of the year!  We had a group of girls and our wonderful friend Liz had a hook-up to the tour mananger, so we got to go back stage to meet Brooks and Dunn during the meet and great, how we managed to look any sort of acceptable after that heat I don't know, but the musical beauty Gods were looking out for us.  Then we had like 10th row seats, dead smack in the middle IT WAS GREAT!!!  Then we got to go backstage after the concert and hang out on the bus with Jason Aldean, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn... AWESOME.  There was a little bit of drama and too many drinks, which led Holden to TEARS (which rarely happens) and guess who comforted me... that's right JASON ALDEAN.  He came up to me and got on one knee and said "Holden (yep knew my name) please come back to party and have a good time, no one cares about what happened?"  Well something like that I totally lost if after he said HOLDEN.   So yep that was a great night thanks to Liz and her friend Brian!  We also go one of the tour buses to take us home!  We almost went to Nashville for CMA's which were next day... oh well.  Always a great memory.
No kneeling from Jason Aldean this year, but it was a great time.  I went with Jessica, Erin and Lindsay, we tailgated for a bit.  Walked around met up with friends, it was a little steamy, but not like that night in 2010.  Jason Aldean was the headline this year with Chris Young and Thompson Square.  They are all great acts and love all of them and their music.  We booty shook, we drank beers, we met boys, we saw old crushes, we had McDonald's, what more could a girl ask for.  A sweet southern night under the stars with her girlfriends!
Here are some pics from last year's epic concert, will get some up from this year when I get them!

2010 Grils at Brooks and Dunn

10th row, whoop whoop with Erin, Ashley and Liz

Girls with Brooks and Dunn!

2011 Jason Aldean with Lindsay and Erin



2011 J.A. with Jessica and Erin