Happy New Year!

I have the flu.

Thought for the day

Quote of the day

I can still bench 300.  It's just in multiple lifts!

- Matt Hancock

And...

...I'm a nerd.

Brrr

I ran this morning.  Well, run/walked is probably more appropriate.  It wasn't pretty.

Proof :)

Man, that's beautiful...

Song lyrics of the day

To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They lost all of their faith in love
They've done all they can to make it right again
Still it's not enough

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
You try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you're not alone in your shame
And your suffering

When your lonely
And it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus

To the widow who suffers from being alone
Wiping the tears from her eyes
For the children around the world without a home
Say a prayer tonight

- "Cry out to Jesus"   Third Day

Relevant.

'Cause maybeeeeeeee

You just sang that, didn't you?

All I want for Christmas is you

It is confirmed.

I am a super nerd.


I just got an A in my final class for business school.  Which means I graduate with a 4 . 0 !

From Leah's blog

I'm reposting this from Leah's blog today because it's great advice!

Life Lessons (by Leah)

- Mascara.  There should be a MINIMUM of two coats.

- Recognize that your parents DID actually know what they were talking about, and that they truly only wanted the best for you.  Revel in that.

- If you don’t know what it’s like to laugh until you cry, YOU’RE DOING IT WRONG.

- Sing out loud.  Not just by yourself in the car.

- Don’t skimp on quality: bed sheets, shampoo, naps, bras, or girlfriends.

- Love hard.

- When in need of a quick feel-better-remedy, cleaning your house and washing your hair will do the trick almost every time.

- Laugh at yourself.  Talk to yourself.  Coach yourself.

- When you can, do nice things for others.  When you can’t, at least say nice things to others.  You’re never too broke to give a compliment.

- When “Don’t Stop Believin’…” comes on as the last song of the night, buy a long-neck beer bottle to sing into.

Real conversations

F--- yeah!

Oh my gosh, with all of the work and travel this week I almost forgot one of the most important things that happened this week!

I WROTE MY LAST PAYMENT TO DAY CARE EVER!!!!!!!!


I'm so excited.  I suddenly feel so rich.  :)

This is the definition of AWESOME

9 years...

...and not a day goes by that I don't miss her.

This is amazingly accurate

I took a personality quiz at ipersonic.com and this is what it came back with:

Social Realists are popular persons full of energy. They are reliable, well organized and helpful. Traditional values are important to them. Founding a family also plays a central role in their life. Social Realists have a marked social streak.

They are always ready to listen to the worries and problems of others and spare no effort when they are asked for help. With empathy and understanding, they can sense what other people need. Social Realists are always willing to highly regard the strong points of the other person and to excuse that person’s weaknesses. They are the most sociable of all personality types. Social contacts are very important to them.

Social Realists find it very difficult to cope with conflicts and criticism - harmony is their elixir of life. Acknowledgement and esteem are very important to this type. Differentiation on the other hand is not necessarily one of their strong points. At work and in partnerships, they are loyal, committed and always there when needed. They find it easy to make friends due to their open, warm manner and they have a large circle of friends. In love, they are faithful and attentive and care for their partners with a great deal of imagination and sensitivity. Social Realists show their feelings openly and honestly. Should a relationship break up, they tend to blame themselves. That is why they find it very difficult to end a partnership even if it has not fulfilled their requirements for some time.

Social Realists are more conservative types. They have a set system of values and rules which is orientated to the prevailing traditions. They prefer clear, structured surroundings and work processes; they find too much change und unrest unpleasant. Their strong points are carefulness and reliability and not so much flexibility and spontaneity. Social Realists are open-minded towards anything new only to a limited extent. But, should one be looking for someone to fulfill a task reliably and exactly, they are the right persons.

Your type is the most social among all personality types. For you, it is essential to choose a profession where you can deal with as many people as possible. You recharge your batteries with the help of people contact and the personal exchanges needed for your very special talents to unfold.

You are the prototype of the caring person in the positive sense, because you love to act on behalf of others and care for them. If you have the impression that there is a way to contribute by improving the quality of their life, it satisfies you more than anything.

For your type, the feeling to be needed, loved, and appreciated is more than vitally necessary. Therefore, working in seclusion is not for you. It is just too much counter to your extroverted nature, and your need for interpersonal interaction. You have the best ideas during dialogues with others, as they stimulate your creativity. Instead of developing abstract aid projects with the help of a drawing board, you prefer to engage yourself on the frontline with person to person contact. For you, it is important to see the results of your work so you can go home feeling that you (again) made the world a better place - at least a bit.

You are a born team player. You are open and communicative, easily integrating yourself into group hierarchies. For your personality type, harmony is the keyword in your personal, as well as in your professional life. Since conflicts and power struggles seriously stress you making it difficult for you to attend to your tasks, you should put your emphasis on working in a stress free, respectful, and affectionate environment. Working environments continuously affected by tough infighting, and where competitive conflicts are intense represent too great a strain

True story

The happiest place on earth

Well, somehow Jayson and I managed to NOT blow the surprise and to keep our trip to Disney a complete secret until we got to the airport.  We told the boys we were going to pick up Grandpa at the airport and it wasn't until we parked the car and got out that this occurred:

The boys didn't believe me for a solid 5 minutes that yes, WE were actually going to Disney World!  I had to show Brier our tickets for him to finally understand.

Our first day was spent at the Magic Kingdom.  Tyler was big enough to ride every ride this time, and he LOVED Space Mountain and Splash Mountain.  This was a big deal for Jayson too as he'd always waited with Tyler when Brier and I rode the rides, so he got to ride Space Mountain too!

Here's Tyler on the Astro Orbiter:

And Brier and I on Prince Charming's Carousel:

And my favorite photo of the day - this about sums it up!  The look on their faces were priceless!!  (And yes, I got completely drenched on Splash Mountain.  Like, down to my UNDERWEAR.)

The second day we decided to check out the Hollywood Studios again.  We ate at our favorite restaurant for lunch - the Sci Fi Drive In!

  

Tyler and I got lots of selfie time.

And Brier also did the Jedi Training Academy again.  We just finished watching all 6 of the Star Wars movies last weekend, so he was really into it this time.

The last day we spent at EPCOT.  The boys finally enjoyed going through all of the countries and we rode all of the rides more than once.  We had a blast!

 

We can't wait to go back!

24 hours to go!

1.  Paper has been turned in.
2.  Assessment has been taken.
3.  Graduation has been applied for.

My only thing left to do is to tell my fellow classmates PEACE OUT on my weekly post for tomorrow.  I cannot believe I'm finally finished!!!!! 

Peace out, business school!

I'm ba-acccckkkkk....

I know, I know.  It's been almost a week since I've posted anything!  I promise I will spend lots of time telling you all about our Disney trip, complete with obnoxious photos and a video our "surprise we're going to Disney" reveal.  Hang in there...

In memory - HLH

My sister Heather died very unexpectedly from complications caused by unexplained internal bleeding in December of 2004.  It was discovered after her death that she had the vascular type of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a connection tissue disorder characterized by weak, lax joints, stretchy skin and easy bruising.

As part of Heather's legacy, I spend time spreading the word about this unfamiliar, often misdiagnosed condition, in the hopes of saving another person's life. 

A former coworker in Texas became familiar with the condition when her infant daughter sustained multiple unexplained fractures and her husband was wrongly accused of child abuse.  It turns out, both Bria and her daughter had the condition.

Hear about Bria and Andrew's Story here.

This weather makes me want to:

An Important PSA

Song lyrics of the day

A long December and there's reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last
I can't remember the last thing that you said as you were leaving
Oh the days go by so fast

And it's one more day up in the canyons
And it's one more night in Hollywood
If you think that I could be forgiven
I wish you would 

-"A Long December"  Counting Crows

I'm sorry

But I won't do that

Today's choice for our current episode of "getting caught singing when you think you're the only one home":  I'd do anything for Love by Meatloaf.

You know you're a mommy when...

... you're listening to classical music when writing a paper and you actually can pinpoint exactly which Baby Einstein DVD used that score in it.

Jupiter by Mozart?  Baby Galileo

Carmen by Bizet?  Baby Noah

Fur Elise?  Baby Beethoven

All of my moms and dads know what I mean.

A day that will live in infamy

On December 7, 1941, the United States was deliberately attacked by Japan at Pearl Harbor, HI.  This event was what brought the United States into World War II officially, and the bravery shown by the American people on that day should never be forgotten.

Totally unrelated, I had to write a huge term paper about the attack on Pearl Harbor when I was a senior in high school.  Most people chose the event they were going to write about based on what they thought they would be able to research at the library, or whether the topic was interesting. 

I chose this one because December 7th was the day before my birthday. 

Wow this is beautiful

It's 7 minutes long, but totally worth every bit of it.

3rd year in a row...

... of having the best gift at our White Elephant gift exchange for our favorite things!

Side note:  my friends have no idea how to spell my name...

Thought for the day

Five for Friday

1.  It's so warm outside that I want to blow off work and go to the driving range.

2. It's supposed to be 30 degrees tomorrow!  Brrrrr!!!

3.  My research for my last ever research paper is almost done.  Then I get to sit down and write it all tomorrow and Sunday.  Fingers crossed the words come easily...

4.  I haven't had a soda since December 1st.  My belly is ridiculously flatter already. 

5.  I am craving a milkshake something fierce!

It's beginning to look a lot like... spring?

Truth

Jen just sent me this.  I'm so loved.  :)

Go Heels!

(a few days late but totally relevant)

God only takes the best

A friend of mine from high school lost his father today in a tragic car accident.  It's such a shocking thing when people are taken from us too soon and so suddenly.  Gene Sanders was a very sweet man - I remember talking with him at football games and how proud he always was of his family.  Heaven gained another angel today and it's further proof that God only takes the best.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Sanders.

Um wow.

This is a real cover letter we just received from an applicant.  Congrats on #10!

"I think I love you better now"

Two things:  1) I love this song
                     2) Fuck yeah, Rupert Grint!

Song lyrics of the day

She's a little complicated
She'll make her mind up just to change it
The kind of girl that keeps you waitin', waitin' around
She likes to get her toes done bright red
She's always reapplying her lipstick
The muddy river bank shes the first in and last out
She's got something I can't figure out
That everybody's talking about

Shes got the blue jeans painted on tight
That everybody wants on a Saturday night
She got the mood ring, she's never the same
She's sunny one minute then she's pouring down rain.
And she'll do whatever she wants
And when she moves every jaw's gonna drop
And I do but I don't want her to stop
I want, I want I want whatever she's got
I want whatever she's got

-"Whatever she's got"  David Nail

Photo of the day

Life throws you curves, but you learned to swerve...

Me I swung and I missed
And the next thing ya know
I'm reminiscin' dreaming old dreams
Wishing on wishes
Like you would be back again

Song lyrics of the day

Yeah, tap on my window, knock on my door
I want to make you feel beautiful

I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pourin' rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile

And she will be loved, and she will be loved
And she will be loved, and she will be loved
(Please don't try so hard to say goodbye)

Yeah, I don't mind spending everyday
(Please don't try so hard to say goodbye)
Out on your corner in the pourin' rain
(Please don't try so hard to say goodbye)

 -"She will be loved"  Maroon 5

Quote of the day

Love is giving someone the power to destroy you.  But trusting them not to.
- Unknown






(damn I suck.)

Oh memories... (The Principles of Lust)

14 things only girls with thick hair will understand

From the Huffington Post (Click to see original)

So much hair, so little time. That is the mantra of women with thick hair everywhere. We know people are tired of hearing us complain, but having locks for days isn't all it's cracked up to be. At the end of our showers there is always enough hair in the drain to create another human, ponytails are always too tight or too loose and hair ties are constantly too stretched out to wear around our wrists. To all those ladies out there with thick hair, we understand your struggles. Herewith, a list of 14 things only women with tons of hair will truly understand.

1.  Low water pressure makes you want to cry.

2.  You regularly break hair elastics.

3.  Your hair is so heavy sometimes it gives you a headache.

4.  At any given moment, a piece of hair will fly into your mouth.

5.  If you shower and put your hair in a bun in the morning, by nighttime... it's still wet.

6.  Straightening your hair takes so long, you eventually start sweating.

7.  You've given up on French braids, as your arms get sore by the time you're finally finished.

8.  Whenever you get your hair cut, the hairdresser ALWAYS comments on how much hair you have. Thanks, Captain Obvious.

9.  Your hair is always (accidentally) in someone's way.

10.  Hats never fit on your head because you have too much hair.

11. When you take photos with your friends, your hair is often out of the frame of the picture.

12.  Travel shampoo is laughable -- that will last you, what, one wash? (Conditioner is even worse!)

13.  You frequently have to explain to friends what getting your hair thinned means.

14.   But, at the end of the day, you'll never go bald... ... So thick hair, don't care.

Grrrrrrr

The twitch in my cheek is back.  Do you have any idea how annoying it is to just be sitting here and my butt cheek has the shakes!?  GRRRRRR.

Real conversations

True Confession Tuesday

I've said - OUT LOUD - at least twenty times this morning, "I really don't want to work today."  I should have just taken a personal day to get caught up on life.  Sigh...

Relevant

That does it

I'm bringing vests back.  Who's with me?!

It starts

This one brought the sads this morning.  Sigh...

Episode 4

Have you heard Tim McGraw's new song Southern Girls?  I LOVE IT!

hi ya'll!

I haven't posted a picture in awhile.  Just saying hello!

I hate it when that happens

Monday musings

1.  It's cold outside.  I hate the cold.

2.  I got a blast from the past last week and then he showed up in my dream last night.  Coincidence?  Nope.  Just wish he would get out of my head.  haha!

3.  The search for the perfect piano continues.  I found three this weekend but they wanted way too much money for them.  Sigh... isn't there a wealthy benefactor somewhere that just wants to share the gift of music with me?

Yes, he really said that

Dr. Brian said to me this morning :  "Oh my god, Carrie.  That gap is EPIC!"


I couldn't stop giggling the rest of my visit.
(he was referring to my gap in my front teeth, thank you very much.)

True Story

Song lyrics of the day

I see you but I can't believe you're here
I can't believe you're near enough for me to touch
Why you're wanting me so much?

You're back
Back for one more try
But you should realize that things are different now
Ever since you quit

Coming around, bringing me down, I said we were through, now I'm over you

But you could change my mind
Little girl, if you wanted to
When you look at me the way you do
I'm easy, so damn easy
You look so good and you look so fine
Girl, you know
You could change my mind

I hear you but I can't believe what you say
You're the one that got away from me so long ago
Don't act like you don't know

Why I can't make up my mind
I can't give you the time of day 'cause I'm afraid
That you'll just keep

Running away, what can I say, I gotta go, the answer is no

But you could change my mind
Little girl, if you wanted to
When you look at me the way you do
I'm easy, so damn easy
You look so good and you look so fine
Girl, you know
You could change my mind

Take it on home, leave me alone, I'll say it again, this is the end

But you could change my mind
Little girl, if you wanted to
When you look at me the way you do
I'm easy, yeah I'm easy
You look so good and you look so fine
Girl, you know
You could change my mind

You look so good and you so fine
Girl, you know
You could change my mind
Change my mind

-"You could change my mind"  Randy Rogers Band

Really?

If you only have one child, why buy a minivan?

Thank you WiserTogether

Many people ask me if I'm crazy to be working on my MBA while working for a high-growth tech start up.  Most of the time I actually DO think I'm crazy because the stress can be astronomical.  But I think in the back of my mind, I totally knew what I was doing. 

I have had the luxury of using my current situation as a case study for all of the papers I've had to write throughout the course of this program.  And boy were they timely!  From writing a business plan to company mission statements to figuring out a go-to-market strategy for a new product, WiserTogether has been my inspiration. 

So WiserTogether, I dedicate my 4.0 to you!  Thanks for helping me kick ass for the last 3 years and showing me what to do (and often what NOT to do) in the business world.  We're almost there!

The best part...

...of company functions, are the pictures that surface a few days later...

(drinking in the office after hours, with my CEO and about 10 of my partners in crime.  The only cups we had for wine were coffee cups!)

Five for Friday

1.  I've drank 7 Diet Dr Peppers today.  I'm *slightly* over-caffeinated at the moment.

2.  I just found out one of the girls in my circle of friends has breast cancer.  She's my age.

3.  I've had two songs on repeat on Spotify all day.  Taylor Swift and Florida Georgia Line.  Yes I'm having a bit of a pity party.

4.  Less than a month until December 17th.  I didn't notice until yesterday.  Sigh... it never gets easier with time.

5.  I heard from an old high school friend on Facebook this week that I haven't seen since he graduated with my brother.  I'm so happy to see that he's doing well for himself.  He was always one of my favorite people.  Thanks Facebook - you're not always evil. 

Best Photobomb ever

Song lyrics of the day

But if I told you I loved you, would it make you want to stay?
I'm sorry for the way I hurt you and making you walk away.
(I should have took the time to tell you)
And if I wrote you a love song and sang it to you every day, would it ever be enough to make you wanna come back home and stay?
(I can't go another day without you)
Would it make you, make you, wanna stay?

-"Stay"  Florida Georgia Line

I see you!

I have a new stalker.  Hello, stalker!  Thanks for stopping by!  I love comments...

:)

Song lyrics of the day

It made me so mad cause I wanted it bad for us baby
Now it's so sad that whatever we had, ain't worth saving
If the love that I got for you is gone
If the river Ive cried ain't that long
Then Im wrong, yes Im wrong, this aint a love song

-"This ain't a love song"  Bon Jovi

Now what about you?

I couldn't have said it better myself

Thank the passer

"What is it that binds us to this place as to no other? It is not the well or the bell or the stone walls. Or the crisp October nights or the memory of dogwoods blooming."
- Charles Kuralt, 1993

Thank you Monica!

You've got a friend in me

My son Tyler is hands down, the worlds sweetest child on earth.  I mean that honestly.  Every night he shares his "sleep toys" with me.  He has probably 25 different stuffed toys that he rotates on and off his bed every day, and every night he gives me one to take to bed too.  I think it's adorable that he's such a good sharing person.

This is the one he gave me last night.  It just cracks me up.  Woody and I totally cuddled last night.  Thanks Tyler.  :)

OMG cutest thing ever!

THIS has got to be the most adorable thing on earth.  Awwww...

Word of the day

conflicted (v): the internal struggle that happens when Back that a$$ up comes on the radio and you realize both boys are in the car.

Photo of the day

That's insane

A neighbor sent this picture to me last night.  Apparently there was an ad on Facebook for someone who was using Shakeology and doing the Insanity workouts.  She thought the girl in the "after" picture looked like me.

Am I that chunky?  Or is it the hair?

Check out my gap

In three weeks, my front tooth has moved THAT MUCH and what was just a little hole is now a full-fledged GAP in my teeth.  I can't help but laugh at this point.

Another PostSecret gem

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Well durn!

I broke a bracket off of one of my back teeth.  If that wasn't bad enough, I can't get the donut off the bracket so it's just kind of hanging out back there, still attached to the wire.  I don't go back to the dentist until November 25th, so I have to just deal with it for the next 9 days.  Grrr...

Being vain is hard, y'all...

What do I think of this weather?

Song lyrics of the day

Home is where my heart is still beating
I don't know when I'll see her again
I hate to see her cry when I'm leaving
But now I'm a thousand miles away again

She feels like Carolina (feels like Carolina)
Looks like California (looks like California)
Shining like those New York lights on Broadway
When she looks back I'm behind her
I'll always be there for her
She makes me feel like home's not so far away
She feels like Carolina

- "Carolina"  Parmalee

Five for Friday

1.  Singing with braces is a whole new ballgame.  I have a lisp and my upper lip gets hung up on my brackets.  Uber sexy, let me tell you.

2.  I cannot warm up.  I am wearing three layers, sitting in front of a space heater, drinking hot chocolate and still miserable.

3.  I hate Nicki Minaj but I love her catchy music.  Dammit Nicki...

4.  Operation House of Mouse is in full swing.  My children are going to be soooooo excited.  27 days and counting.

5.  My house is a mess.  I am genuinely looking forward to cleaning it top to bottom this weekend.  I can't take it any more.

Keep firing assholes!

Real conversations

WiserTogether

As my CEO just stated, "We look good dammit!"

The happiest place on earth is calling!

Look what just showed up in the mail today!!!  I cannot wait!  This is going to be the longest 4 weeks of my life...

My new addition

What does the fox say?

THIS STUFF

...makes me so happy.  I love surprising my friends with little gifts.  :)

Song lyrics of the day

I had it all
But I let it slip away
Couldn't see I treated you wrong
Now I wander around
Feeling down and cold
Trying to believe that you're gone

Love takes time
To heal when you're hurting so much
Couldn't see that I was blind
To let you go
I can't escape the pain
Inside
'Cause love takes time
I don't wanna be here
I don't wanna be here alone

- "Love takes time"  Mariah Carey

Marriage isn't for me

Now, if this blog post doesn't sum it up nicely, I don't know what will.  This was just the perspective I needed tonight!

To all who are reading this article—married, almost married, single, or even the sworn bachelor or bachelorette—I want you to know that marriage isn’t for you. No true relationship of love is for you. Love is about the person you love.

Yeah, no shit!

I came across this statistic while doing research for my business strategy paper today...

A critical differentiator for business survival in today’s competitive marketplace is employee engagement. Workers who are passionate about their jobs are more engaged and more likely to generate value for their companies.









Ya think?

And though you fight to stay alive, your body starts to shiver

And finally...

...PROOF that my friends are more fun than yours!  

 

Another successful Color Me Rad is in the books!