Today has been one of the crazy days - as soon as I walked into my office @ 8 this morning, I was go, go, GO! I had an Executive Committee Meeting, Board Meeting, and two meetings for our Women United High Tea! Whew! I did get to my sweet friend, Megan, for 2.5 seconds, and it just brightened my day!


Anyways, I have been tagged by the PRECIOUS Caroline, and I'm excited because I really can't think of something that y'all would want to hear about! Ha!


What if I could meet someone in the art world to chat with?
- I am a lover of art, that's for sure! My dad was an attic artist - he would seriously go up in our attic for 36 hours straight and paint the entire time! I took art throughout high school, and it was one of my favorite subjects! Most of my family members have some piece of artwork that I did while I was taking classes! Ha! If I could meet someone in the art field, it would have to be Georgia O'Keefe - I really enjoyed studying her in high school, and I love her perspective on flowers! Absolutely gorgeous and so interesting!

What if I could have one wish granted for the benefit of all mankind?
Since I work in a nonprofit, I see so many people struggling every single day - I would wish that those people who struggle daily would be able to survive - especially children. I also pray for all those people who cannot see the beautiful and magnificent things our Lord is doing every single day! We serve an awesome God, huh?


What if I could travel anywhere in the world?
I'm with Caroline on this - there are so many places I would like to visit...France and Africa are two places I'm dying to visit. I really want to see the Great Wall of China, too! I would also love to visit Israel - our pastor leads a two-week tour of Israel every summer, and Brad and I hope one day to travel with the church doing this AMAZING trip.

What if I could live in a period other than the present, for 24 hours?

Hm, interesting question...I think I would love to live in the Victorian times - the times of little white gloves, tea time, and frilly dresses! But I would also love to live in the 50s - I love the movie Mona Lisa Smile, and I think it would be so interesting to live in a time when the role of a woman was changing!

What if I could make over three areas of my body?

I would make it where I would NEVER have to pluck my eyebrows - I HATE doing that! I would fix my big booty (the curse of being a dancer/tumbler for so many years). And I would tone up my arms - I would love to have some muscles! Ha!

What if I could become an animal for 24 hours?

If I could be an animal, I would be a cute puppy - like a Yorkie or a Toy Poodle! Who doesn't love a cute puppy????

What if I could bring someone back to life for 24 hours?

Only 24 hours, well that wouldn't be long enough for me! Ha! I would definitely bring back my sweet Aunt Peggy, who was taken so tragically from this Earth, tell her I love her and have her tell one of her hilarious stories!

Thanks, Caroline for the tag! You are such a sweet spirit, and I am so happy to have connected to your blog!

Ok, now I tag whoever feels like doing this! Just let me know if you did it so I can read your answers :)

I really don't have much to say today - I have a million thoughts running through my head right now, but nothing seems to make sense! Do you ever have one of those days? I woke up early this morning, remembered something that I DID NOT need to forget, and by the time I got to work, I could not remember for the life of me what it was! It'll come to me later I'm sure!

Last night, I had a Junior League meeting, and I got to see one of my favorite people, Megan! I was so excited to see her - plus I got to FINALLY give her Vance's birthday gift. Vance turned one in early February - we got him the most adorable outfit, and I can't wait to see him in it! You better take pictures, Megan!

Every morning, while I'm driving to work, I usually listen to some kind of praise and worship CD to get me pumped up and ready for the day. My favorite song to listen to is "Trading My Sorrows" from Darrell Evans. I for real get excited and dance around in my car! My church, World Outreach Church, just recently released this CD, "Touch Our Generation." It is a really great CD, and I am pretty much in love with all of the songs!
I'm pretty excited about doing this study, A Life Well Lived at church. My women's small group leader, Diane, is teaching it, and I absolutely love her. God has truly blessed me with such an amazing leader. Have any of you done this study before? I'm fascinated with Solomon, and I can't wait to learn more about Ecclesiastes, the book he wrote at the conclusion of his life. Looks pretty interesting to me!

So, as you can tell from the title, it's my 100th post! I can't believe the joy I have received from blogging - so here it is without further adieu, 100 Things About Lena!!!

1. I was born the day after the first day of spring - March 21st.
2. I was born in Waco, Texas - most people are freaked out about that.
3. I was named after my great-great-great Aunt - her name was Lockey Leona, and her nickname was "Lena." My mom loved that name. My middle name is Carole - which is after my grandmother, Carolyn. I love my name!
4. My sister, Katy, is my best friend. We are connected in more ways than one. If she cries, I cry. If she laughs, I laugh. She is also an ADPi - so we share that as well.
5. My mother is my other best friend. She was 23 when I was born, and I'm so happy we have a close relationship.
6. I am a marketing/special events guru - I love a good advertisement, and I love to plan special events!
7. I am in the midst of planning a "Women United" High Tea - oh yea, I'm going to wear a hat AND gloves!
8. I am a paper snob - for my wedding, I insisted on having the best paper for my invitations - I chose Crane's, and I wouldn't change it for the world.
9. My wedding was the best day of my life thus far - it was everything that I am - especially southern.
10. I love being from the South, and I could never move above the Mason-Dixon line.
11. I love Chicago, but I hate that they don't have sweet tea!
12. I love Charleston, South Carolina. It is my dream to retire there.
13. I am obsessed with history. All of my friends will tell you that - I won the Daughters of the American Revolution award in 8th grade, and I thought that I was going to work in politics.
14. I saw how dirty politics really are - so I decided to become a teacher.
15. While in college, all of my education professors spoke nothing but horrible things about teaching - so why would I want to practice something that my professors apparently hated?
16. So I changed to journalism/public relations.
17. Sometimes I wish I would have become a teacher.
18. I love my job so much. I am truly blessed to work with such an amazing group of women.
19. However, my dream job would be to become a mother.
20. I have severe endometriosis, so sometimes I get worried about not being able to become a mother.
21. I know that whatever happens, God will bless us with children.
22. My sister once told me that if I can't carry a baby, that she will carry it for me. This is the most precious thing she has ever told me. (It's crazy because she doesn't want children at all!)
23. Brad and I are completely open to other options as well - especially adoption.
24. That's what I love most about my husband - he's always up for whatever adventure comes our way.
25. I met my husband at the Kappa Sigma fraternity house.
26. I was actually dating his roommate at the time.
27. But I secretly had a crush on Brad.
28. We dated for 3 months.
29. We got engaged in front of both of our families and all of Miller's Grocery - my favorite restaurant.
30. I looked for my wedding dress for four months.
31. My mom's best friend embroidered "Mrs. James Bradley Warnock May 19, 2007" in blue on the underside of my dress.
32. I wore my Alpha Delta Pi badge under my dress.
33. I love my years in ADPi - and I'm so proud to belong to such a beautiful sisterhood.
34. ADPi was the first party I went to on the first night of rush. The first girl I talked to in ADPi was Melanie - I was her "rush crush."
35. I seriously did not think ADPi would give me a bid (everyone wanted ADPi that year) - I can remember how happy I was when I got my bid - I was even more excited when Melanie met me at the door.
36. Melanie would become my Diamond Sister/Big Sister that year.
37. I did everything in ADPi - I was on the Executive Council for two years, participated in fight song, lip sync and step show.
38. Lip Sync was my favorite - each year, I was always chosen to do the goofiest part. My first year, I wore a red wig and pretended to be Little Orphan Annie, my second year, I wore a mullet wig and was Billy Ray Cyrus, my third year, I wore an afro wig and sang Afro Man, and my final year, I teased my hair and became my ultimate idol, REBA MCINTIRE!!!!
39. I love to dance. I was captain of my high school's dance team. I took dance for years. My favorite style of dance is hip hop, and I love to dance to a good beat - especially rap! Ha! I would love to teach and choreograph hip hop dances!
40. Brad and I used to have dance offs in the fraternity house.
41. He is actually a really good dancer, and most people are surprised to see him bust a move - especially at weddings.
42. He helped me perfect my robot moves.
43. Brad was actually in the Mr. MTSU competition (before we dated) - he grew his hair out into an afro (we both have curly hair), dyed it red and pretended to be Napoleon Dynamite during the entire pageant. He actually did the Napoleon dance for his talent.
44. I have never seen the tape from Mr. MTSU - Brad was a celebrity after he competed in this.
45. I oftentimes wonder if our children will have thick, curly hair like Brad's.
46. When people first meet Brad, many of them say that he looks like JFK, Jr. - It's all because of the hair.
47. Little old women are obsessed with Brad - they always say he is one of the most handsome men they have ever seen. I'm going to have to keep my eye on him!
48. I love to think of names for our future children - Charlotte, Pellie Mae, Mattie Kathleen, Caroline, Ruth, Virginia, James, Harris, Charles, Henry - I love old, southern names. If you've got a good one, send it to me!
49. I cannot wait to have a baby so I can decorate a nursery. If we have a boy, we want to do a cowboys and indians theme with lots of reds, greens, and browns. Of course a lot of the furnishings will be antiques! If we have a girl, it will be PINK of course - my mom has started collecting antique lambs for me, so it will have a sweet, girly theme complete with a PINK chandelier!
50. I love antiques! I love to buy old pieces and think about all the people who have touched and looked at them - I think there is so much character in a good antique.
51. That doesn't mean I don't love Pottery Barn! If it wasn't so stinkin' expensive, I would buy more! There is actually a man at a flea market in Nashville who can create almost any piece in the Pottery Barn magazine for a THIRD of the cost!
52. Even though we have only been our first home for close to 5 months, Brad and I love to plan for our next home.
53. We hope to build our next home - we have been collecting houseplans and decorating ideas.
54. We want to build a quaint cottage style home with a big front porch and a screened-in porch on the back.
55. That's quite a ways down the road, but we both love to dream and plan for the future.
56. To get us ready, we have been practicing Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover - we love the envelope system, and we cannot wait until we are debt-free (besides the house payment).
57. Even though I hate the car payment, I LOVE my car.
58. When I graduated, I told myself I wanted to buy a new car. After I got my first promotion, Brad and I visited the VW dealership to buy my dream car - a VW Beetle. But after I saw Brad crunched up in the back seat (he's 6' 4"), I decided the Jetta was a better option. Ha!
59. I minored in French in college - I can't speak French very well, but I can definitely read and write it. I really want to travel to France because I love the culture so very much.
60. I really want to travel to some French-speaking countries in Africa to do ministry work.
61. I have always had a heart for service - especially for those who have just been through a disaster.
62. I volunteered on the Gulf Coast just a few weeks after Hurricane Katrina. It amazed me how thankful everyone was, even in the midst of destruction - it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
63. I can't stand it when someone is walking behind me - I always feel like they are chasing me.
64. I have never been in a haunted house - when I was a senior in high school, we went to the "Haunted Prison" - well, when we got there, it was a FOR REAL prison. I couldn't go in, I just waited outside while everyone went through. I can't believe some people pay money to get scared!
65. I am still very good friends with some of my friends from high school.
66. I met my best friend, Claire, in 9th grade in our Physical Science class with Mr. Lykins.
67. We used to drive around in my 1984 Blue Escort (with a hatchback) and knock over porta-potties! That car was indestructible!
68. I met my other best friend, Lauren, in high school - we were both in Student Council. Lauren is one of the smartest girls I have ever met - she's in Law School at the University of Texas. I miss her a lot.
69. My very best friend is Diane. We met in kindergarten, and we have pretty much been inseperable since then.
70. Diane is one of the most beautiful singers - my favorite song she sings is "At Last" by Etta James.
71. I had six bridesmaids and four honorary bridesmaids in my wedding. They were all so wonderful and helpful during my engagement and wedding - I love them all very much.
72. I designed my bridesmaids' dresses - they were cherry red - very vintage looking, with an adorable belt around the waist. They were probably one of my favorite things at the wedding.
73. I love to read. I can remember my mother reading Little Women and Little House on the Prairie to me when I was a little girl. Both of those are two of my favorite books.
74. I hope my children will love to read as much as I do.
75. My husband does not share my love for books - he loves SPORTS.
76. Brad is obsessed with University of Georgia football, Atlanta Braves baseball and Atlanta Falcons football.
77. I do share his love of baseball. My brother plays baseball at MTSU, and I am very proud of him. My dad also played baseball there, so it's a family tradition! I played softball for 8 years, too!
78. There is nothing better than watching a baseball game on a warm, sunny day - especially when there are hot dogs involved!
79. Some of my favorite movies from my childhood include "Charlotte's Web," "Thumbelina," and "Rumplestilskin" - we rented them so many times, that the movie place gave them to us one day.
80. My granny is my hero - there is seriously no one like her. She is the most outstanding Christian woman I have ever met. My only hope is that I can become half the woman she is - I love her more than anything in the world.
81. Family is extremely important to me, and I am so blessed to live only 10 minutes from my parents - Brad and I eat dinner at their house at least once a week (my mom is such a good cook!)
82. I am an advocate for adults - I believe there are so many adults who have been overlooked in their lives - I assist adults in getting their GED, finding a job, or brushing up on job skills. I believe that if you impact an adult, you impact their WHOLE family, including their children.
83. I am a member of the Junior League of Murfreesboro. I am the youngest member in the whole league! I love serving others, and I love that Junior League helps me do that!
84. I am chairing "Kids in the Kitchen" next year for Junior League - Kids in the Kitchen empowers youth to make healthy lifestyle choices and helps reverse the growth of childhood obesity and its associated health issues. It's a big job, but I'm extremely excited about the opportunity!
85. I love writing thank you notes. I love writing notes period. I love to randomly send a card to someone to let them know I am thinking about them.
86. I love getting mail. Everyday when I come home, I always ask Brad about what we got in the mail!
87. I love my quiet time in the mornings. Most mornings, I wake up about 30 minutes before Brad - I get my shower and have my quiet time with God.
88. Right now, I'm doing the study "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World." I love to ask women who they relate with more - Mary or Martha?
89. The majority of women say Martha - we should all strive to be more like Mary!
90. I love etiquette. I want to get my etiquette certification so I can become a certified etiquette expert. I would love to consult individuals, children and businesses on the importance of etiquette.
91. I love to learn something new every single day. I do that a lot at my job.
92. I was first hired at United Way as a temporary worker - I was a communications assistant.
93. I was at the right place at the right time, and I was hired on full-time at United Way in April of last year.
94. I adore my boss - she's motivating, determined, driven, and full of life. She's such a good role model to myself and my co-workers.
95. My boss is also an ADPi - she was a senior when I was a freshman. Another one of our co-workers is an ADPi, too. OBIC, sisters.
96. ADPi was founded in 1851 as the first secret society for women - ADPi was founded on the priciples of scholarship, service, leadership, sisterhood and Christian womanhood - I didn't appreciate the foundation of Christian womanhood like I do today.
97. I love my Lord and Savior with every breath in my being. I am nothing without Him.
98. I love to pray - I keep a small journal in my purse so I can write down prayer requests and praises.
99. I am not perfect by any means, but I try to live my life every. single. day for the Lord.
100. I am blessed beyond my means, and I am truly grateful for everything and everyone in my life!

**I cannot believe I just posted 100 things - and YOU READ THEM!!!!

Blessings - looking forward to posting hundreds of more times!

Okay, well it's not really a secret, but I am officially obsessed with Chicken Breakfast Burritos from Chick-fil-A! Ha! Just a little random tidbit about myself...

This weekend was so busy! Does that really mean it's a weekend when you are running around like crazy??? Anyways, I worked at the shop on Saturday, and I had the pleasure of working with an awful Mother of the Bride. Now, I'm usually not this rude, but she was awful. I felt so sorry for the BRIDE - I felt like the mother was not even letting the bride pick out anything. The MOB (Mother of the Bride) kept saying over and over again, "I want something different - none of these fit MY taste." Um, hello? This is not YOUR wedding - yes, I realize that you may be paying for a lot of things, but your precious daughter should be able to pick out some things. Of course, I didn't say any of this - this is just what I was thinking in my head. Poor girl.

So, after that ordeal of about 2 hours with the awful MOB, I had a terrible headache. Brad's parents were in town, and they were shopping around The Avenue. I told Brad I needed a nap - and it did just the trick! We went out to eat with my family at our favorite mexican restaurant, and we got home in time to play a little Scrabble. Well, I didn't play, I just tried to assist Brad - the bonafide champion of Scrabble - even though he LOST! Ha!

We woke up super early on Sunday morning and went to the early service at church - what a wonderful service! Afterwards, we had breakfast at Cracker Barrel, and I splurged and had FRENCH TOAST! Yum yum yummy! Brad's parents left after breakfast to head back to Atlanta since the weather was not looking so great.

After Brad's parents left, my mom and I ventured to a little town about 20 minutes from Murfreesboro called Woodbury. We both LOVE Woodbury - they have the neatest antique store that is housed with the Old Feed Store. Anyways, I bought a blue donkey planter that matches my mexican-themed kitchen and a brass hummingbird figurine. I was a bigger spender and spent all of $7! Well, we were hoping to find some more things, so we decided to drive to McMinnville. Nothing was open there, so we decided to drive another 20 miles to Smithville - we had no idea where anything was and of course nothing was open. We saw a sign for I-40, which we knew would get us home, so we start travelling north. Well, we crossed over a lake, and I said, "Mom, this is CENTER HILL LAKE." Ugh-oh, we were a long way from home! We finally found I-40, and we were almost to Cookeville, which is about an hour and a half from Murfreesboro. We were laughing so hard I thought I was going to die! When we got home, we had travelled 175 miles! Ha! It was so much fun being with my mother, and we talked about everything under the sun. It is a memory I will truly treasure.

Today is President's Day, but it's not a vacation day for me. Of course, my banker is home probably still asleep. I'm envious of those of you that have the day off.

How was your weekend?

Blessings, y'all!

Last night, Brad and I ate with April and Brandon at Blue Coast Burrito - it was the second time April and I have met, and converation was NOT lacking! In fact, they pretty much had to kick us out of the restaurant! We are going to plan an all-day scrapbooking event, and I want all of you avid scrapbookers to come and share ideas, so be checking back for more details! After dinner, Brad and I made a trip to Books A Million because I have been looking for a particular Beth Moore book to have for my morning quiet time. Well, I have not been able to locate the one I want, but I did find something else...it's called "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" by Joanna Weaver. We studied Mary and Martha in my small group a couple of weeks ago, and I have been completely in awe of their stories. I love to ask women who they think they are more like - Mary or Martha? My grandmother and I had a beautiful converation about them on the airplane to Jacksonville a few weeks ago. I can't wait to dive deep into this study, as I have always longed to worship as Mary did. Anyways, back to the real reason for this post, I was tagged by my good bloggy friend, April. And I can't wait to join in the fun!

The details:List 7 random things that people may not know about you. The rules are to link the person who sent this to you and leave a comment on their blog so their readers can visit yours. Post the rules on your blog. Share 7 facts about yourself. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, linking their blog. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1st hold up your right hand and repeat after me"I --insert name here-- do solemnly swear not to pass judgment on Lena or any parties involved in this open & honest meme...so help me God!"Ok..you may proceed!

1. Just like my friend, April, I had some issues growing up with a security "blanket" and sucking my thumb. When I was a little girl, I had a little stuffed birdie (my security blanket - I STILL have it) that I used to carry around with me everywhere. When I would try to go to sleep, I would rub my thumb along the edge of the tag (it would tickle), and I would suck my other thumb until I went to sleep. My parents tried for years to get me to quit sucking my thumb; however, nothing worked. Even when I got up to the age of 10 and 11, my mom said she used to check on me in the middle of the night, and I would have my thumb in my mouth! I paid for that by wearing braces for nearly 4 years since my thumb could fit perfectly in the roof of my mouth - resulting in a severe overbite. So, I am going to try with every bone in my body to keep my children from sucking their thumbs. My mom did say I came out of the womb sucking my thumb. Ha!

2. I am a complete clean freak, and I love to organize things. I hate to see dust anywhere in my house, I hate to have a pile of laundry, and I wash my sheets every Sunday. I make my bed every morning - usually by myself. I cannot leave my house until my bed is made up! On the weekend when I am working, and I get up early, Brad is usually in the bed. I made the rule (HA!) that if you sleep late, you have to make the bed! When I shop for groceries, I keep everything in categories - frozen things, refridgerated things, and pantry things - that way when they are bagged, I don't have to dig through every bag to find things that needs to stay cold!Every Sunday, Brad and I give the house a good clean so that we are ready for our week. It keeps me from having to clean on the weekdays when I am so exhausted after work.

3. I am totally and completly obsessed with stationery - I love to feel paper, I love to pick out fonts and ink colors, I just LOVE stationery! I could seriously spend thousands of dollars on Crane's cards, paper, envelopes, calling cards, anything! Ha! I also love etiquette and learning more about etiquette. I have been neglecting my etiquette blog, but it is my goal to get started back on it - especially since I have to put together a presentation on email etiquette for my office! So be watching for that!

4. I already have all of my childrens' names picked out. If Brad and I have a boy first, his name will be James Harris Warnock, and we'll call him Harris - Brad's first name is James, and my grandparents' last name is Harris - so it's perfect! If we have a girl, I want to name her Pellie Mae Warnock - after my great-grandmother. Brad does not like Pellie - he prefers Charlotte Mae Warnock, but I think Pellie is SO unique! I like really southern names like Henry, Louise, Lucille, Mattie, Ruth, Noah, Charles - I just love them! So, which do you prefer - Pellie or Charlotte???

5. I am a NATIVE TEXAN! I was born in Waco, Texas (please don't judge me!). I love to go back and visit Texas, and many of my friends have recently moved to Austin, so it's even more reason for me to go back to the great state of Texas! On my first car, I used to have a "Native Texan" bumper sticker on the back - Ha! People are so proud to be from Texas, and I am definitely one of those people!

6. I absolutely love blogging. I started blogging after reading my ADPi big sis - Melanie's blog. I used it as a way to journal and talk out my thoughts. It's so much more than that to me now - I feel like so many of you that I have never met in person are just like close friends. April and I talked about how we feel like reading blogs of bloggy friends is just a way of "talking" for us. We talked about how we can't wait until Kelly gets pregnant. Or how Megan is completely obsessed with blogging because of me (love you, Megan). We talked about BooMama and her journey to Africa. Blogging is so fun and exciting to me - I love checking my blog for new comments, and I love to check my bloggy friends for new posts. Blogging has been a great way for me to meet other kindred spirits like myseslf; and it gives me a new opportunity to learn more about my Lord and Savior; it gives me the chance to get new decorating/crafting ideas. I LOVE TO BLOG!

7. I could watch "When Harry Met Sally" and "You've Got Mail" every single day. I adore Meg Ryan, and I think she is the cutest actress in both of those movies. I can quote lots of lines from both, and I almost always cry at the end - they have the most PERFECT happy endings. Brad always makes fun of me because I always want to watch them - but the funny thing is that "When Harry Met Sally" has actually rubbed off on him, and I don't think he minds too much! Ha! Don't tell him I told you that :)

Alright, now that you know 7 random things about me, I tag Melanie, Caroline, Missy, Sarah, Alison, and Jessica!

Blessings!

So I have been neglecting my baby blog for a while now, and I am starting to feel the pressure to post! I have sat down to write several different posts, but I'm suffering from a serious case of writer's block and couldn't get anything down! So, I'll be posting some semi-deep (you like that word?) posts in the next few days - there a just some questions/themes that have been bugging me day and night, and I want to get them out of my head! Ha!

Anyways, here is a recap since I last posted:
Thursday and Friday were extremely busy days for me at United Way. I know everyone has busy days, but sometimes my days are so busy that if I do not write something down at the second it happens (or I remember I need to do something), I will forget it in an instant! Crazy! I always told myself I would never be a list person, but I seriously have to make a list every single morning when I get to work, or I'll fall apart! Friday I did get to eat lunch with my favorite girls, Abigail and Diane. And being the bad blogger I am, I forgot my camera and did not take a single picture. We were seriously cracking up the whole time, and I know I would have gotten some hilarious pictures! On Friday night, I ate with my grandparents and parents at our favorite family restaurant - TOOT's!!! I seriously ate an entire basket of fried pickles and did not feel so hot afterwards! Then, my sister and I ventured to Hastings bookstore and read some hilarious coffee table books - I love spending quality time with my sister!

On Saturday, I worked on a few things around the house, then we went to the birthday party we had planned for my mother, grandfather and uncle. Here are a few pictures from the night - I was so worn out afterwards! Entertaining a 5-year old and a 3-year old can really wear you out!

Tessa and I - please excuse my curly fro - I didn't feel like taming the mane! Ha!

On Sunday, Brad and I went to church where we started our second 3-week series for the New Year. I'm going to have to post about the sermon because I think everyone that reads will benefit somehow - the title of the series is WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF??? After church, I made chicken fajitas for lunch - and we even ate off our FIESTA dishes! You would have thought we died and went to Mexican heaven! Ha!

After lunch, we went to The Avenue, an outdoor mall in Murfreesboro - got Turner a toy @ Petco, visited with my parents, and went home to CLEAN! Sundays are always our day to clean the house, and yesterday was not any different - except I had my mom's vacuum. And boy, what a treat that was! I know y'all are probably thinking I'm crazy, but I'm a clean freak - I LOVE TO CLEAN!!! Yes, I just admitted it. And my mom's vacuum is fabulous - lots of attachments, which makes cleaning even more fun! Ha!
So I woke up this morning to an extra spiffy house - which makes my Monday wonderful! Today has been busy around the office, but I'm glad I got a few minutes to update y'all on life at the Warnocks!

Oh, FYI, my birthday is in 39 days!!!! Whoo hoo! (I will be posting a birthday want list for all friends and family - so watch out!)

Today has been a great day - busy - but great! I feel like I've been running around like crazy, but I honestly could not think of anything interesting to post about...

I've been playing catch up at work, and it's been quite the task since I hate being behind. I'm working extra, trying to get the new LIVE UNITED campaign started at our United Way. My boss and I had a brainstorming session yesterday for about two hours, and the creative juices were really flowing! If you are interested in learning more about LIVE UNITED, visit liveunited.org - there isn't anything on the website yet, but there will be in a few short months! And it's all very exciting! Brad laughed at me when I got home with all of my DVDs and CDs, but he just doesn't understand that I eat all of it up! When they unveiled the new commercial, I had tears in my eyes because I thought it was beautiful. And y'all probably think I'm crazy! I majored in journalism with an emphasis in public relations, and one of my minors was marketing - so good marketing makes me tingle! What silly stuff makes you tingle??

I'm looking forward to a marketing meeting for the United Ways of Tennessee tomorrow - I just got asked to be on the committee in November, so this is my first meeting! I can't wait to hear what everyone else thinks about the new stuff!

Friday is a special day because it's when I have lunch with two of my very best friends, Abigail and Diane! We always meet at Goodness Gracious, and I haven't been able to come for the past two weeks because I was in Florida, and I had other meetings - so I'm long overdue for a 'ladies that lunch' date!

I'm also looking forward to throwing not one, but TWO bridal showers this spring! They are both very different, and I'll post something about each so I can get some ideas!

Thank you to those of you that commented about good southern authors - I actually picked up Cold Sassy Tree last night, and I can't wait to jump into it! Thanks, Melanie!!!

I hope you are all enjoying your Super/Fat Tuesday! Ha! It's a SUPER FAT day :)

I'm off to start praying that my house doesn't get pounded with storms tonight...I need some REST!

Here is another little craft I worked on last week. Last year, I got one of these CD case calendars from The Write Impression, and when it came time for a new calendar year, I thought instead of buying the sheets for each month, I would make them myself! I only did February, and I'm going to try and get March done here in the next few weeks. I love having a calendar with the entire month in front of me, so this works perfectly! So, if you have an extra CD case lying around, you can make your own desk calendar!

Yesterday, my mom and I made a trip to the TJ Maxx Home Goods store in Mt. Juliet (about 30 minutes from Murfreesboro). It was the first time I have ever been, and let me just say that I'm HOOKED! We literally spent HOURS in there! I got so many great ideas for my house, and even though I didn't make any big purchases yesterday, I can see some in the future! I did pick up this framed picture to go in my master bathroom. Brad and I bought a new shower curtain on Saturday night at Marshall's, and I think this picture is the PERFECT compliment!

Other things that are of interest...while I was at the airport on Tuesday waiting to leave for Jacksonville, my friend Myranda (that just got engaged) called to ask me to be in her wedding! I was so shocked that I started crying! Myranda is one of my sorority sisters, and we have recently gotten very close, even though she lives in Chattanooga. She will be moving to Murfreesboro in the summer, and I CANNOT wait! It's so nice to have so many of my old friends moving back home! I cannot wait until her wedding, and I ordered my dress on Saturday. Myranda's colors are navy blue and pink (how preppy is that?), and the bridesmaids' dresses are navy blue strapless with the cutest pleats in the bottom and then we are wearing pink sashes! I can't wait until her wedding in July!

Lastly, one of my other new year's resolutions was to read more and stop watching so much television. I'm proud to report that since the new year, I have read THREE books! I read one this weekend - I couldn't put it down. I read The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd earlier this year, and I re-read The Secret Life of Bees, also by Sue Monk Kidd. The Secret Life of Bees is one of my favorite books, and I always recommend it to others. This weekend I read The Choice by Nicolas Sparks - he is seriously one of those authors that grabs you in the beginning and has a hold of you until you finish reading. Although he is an extremely feminine writer, I can't stop reading him! I'm now reading Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson, and I'll let y'all know how that one goes! I love reading books that are set in the South - do y'all have a book that you just LOVE recommending to other people???

Well, this has been an extremely long post, but I had to get y'all caught up since I've been gone! I will let y'all know that I did read my daily blogs every day while I was in Jacksonville on my blackberry - thanks for keeping me interested!

Blessings, y'all!

This is going to be a terribly random post, but I just have SO many things to be excited about, and I want to share them ALL with y'all! So, here are a few things that are making this gal smile from ear to ear....


Two of my Christmas presents from Brad FINALLY came in! I got my PSA Stamp with our new address, so I don't have to write out our address every single time! And I also got a set of Tervis Tumblers with our monogram on them! I got Brad a Georgia Tervis Tumbler for Christmas last year, and he LOVES it! They are great gifts - especially for men since they have basically every school logo! Plus, they NEVER break! I love love love 'em!!!!

I got this precious little sign from Marshall's the other day for $2.99!!!! I thought it would fit perfectly in Turner's little nook where his food and water bowl sit! There's the cutest little howling dog on the sign as well as Psalm 104:33 - "I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live. I will sing praise to my God while I have my being." LOVE IT!

This is a picture of the lampshade that I covered with this adorable black and white gingham fabric! I got the lampshade for $3.99 at Old Time Pottery and I got the fabric for a good deal at Wal-Mart! I had a little help from my mom covering it, too!

Today I have the day off, so I'm pretty excited about that! I plan on having a special matinee date with my hubby to see 27 Dresses! I don't think he's as excited to see it as I am, but I can't wait to see it!!!

On another FUN note, I have been tagged by APRIL in the 4 things tag! So, here comes the fun!

4 jobs I've had:
1. YMCA Camp Counselor
2. MTSU Orientation Student Coordinator
3. United Way Communications Assistant
4. Retail @ The Write Impression

4 movies watched over and over:
1. Gone with the Wind
2. Steel Magnolias
3. When Harry Met Sally
4. Breakfast at Tiffany's

4 places I've lived:
1. Waco, Texas
2. Belton, Texas
3. Columbia, Tennessee
4. Murfreesboro, Tennessee

4 shows I watch:
1. America's Next Top Model
2. Good Morning America
3. The Office
4. Ugly Betty

4 places I've been:
1. Hawaii
2. Charleston, South Carolina
3. Washington, D.C.
4. Seaside, Florida

4 people who e-mail me regularly:
1. Brad
2. Anyone at United Way
3. Reporters from local media
4. Friends - just depends on the week on who emails more!

4 favorite things to eat:
1. Deli sandwiches - Subway, Jason's Deli, etc.
2. Southern food - Goodness Gracious, Miller's Grocery
3. Sushi/Asian food - Sushin, Fugi, Mikado's
4. Mexican - Mia Patria, Blue Coast Burrito (April, that's my FAVORITE as well!!!)

4 places I'd rather be:
1. Charleson, South Carolina
2. On the beach - on ANY beach
3. In my shop that I hope to open with my sister and mother
4. At a coffee shop with a good friend or a good book :)

4 things I look forward to this year:
1. Continuing to make our house a home
2. Growing my relationship with my Lord and Savior
3. Trying to learn more about becoming a mommy
4. Becoming more crafty and organized - scrapbooking more

4 people to tag:
1. Megan Hutchings
2. Melanie Blair
3. Missy Bond
4. Whoever else would like to continue the fun :)

Here's a close up of the first page - LOVE the title, Southern Charm :)

Here's a close-up of my bridal portrait that FOR SURE took up a whole page! Can you tell why I'm so excited???

3.) Last night, I was trying to find a particular dish towel, and I was unsuccessful. After about 30 minutes of searching, I got frustrated and completely organized every closet, basket, drawer, desk, dresser, table - ANYTHING I could get my hands on! I started around 7 p.m. and did not stop until after 12:30 a.m.!!! Brad was working at Hastings, so I had time to go through all of his stuff (he leaves stuff everywhere - no joke!) and organize everything! I'm a neat freak and an organizer, so I had fun going through his piles of stuff! I wish I had before and after pictures for y'all, but I'd almost be too embarassed to show you the before pictures! I'm hoping to get some baskets and label everything in the basket so it's easy to find! My next stop is the attic/garage, but I'm going to need Brad to even begin to tackle that one! Have you ever just gone through everything like I did last night?

4.) I have TWO dinner dates this weekend that I'm excited about...tomorrow night, I get to eat with my little sister, Kayla for her birthday, and on Wednesday night, I'm eating at Pei Wei (YUM!) with my ADPi Big, Melanie, and I CANNOT wait! Melanie was one of the main reasons I joined ADPi, and I love her dearly! Melanie is a wonderful writer, and she has her own blog HERE, so go check it out :)

5.) My parents are coming to my office this afternoon to help me move around my office, and I CANNOT tell you how excited I am! My window shines on my computer, so I feel like I'm squinting all day long, so it'll be a nice change!

-I have LOTS of more fabulous (and not-so-fabulous - but that's for a later post) things that happened last week, but I think that covers it for me! I hope y'all are having a beautiful Monday :)

Blessings!

I got a few inches cut off, and I love it! My hair grows really fast, so every few months, I do something different with it! Here are before and after pictures....

It's a little "poofy" now that it's shorter, so that will take some getting used to, but overall, I love it! In other news, I just uploaded 250 pictures from my camera (FINALLY), so I'll be posting some pictures from Christmas and other events!

Hope you're enjoying your Friday :)

Ha, I'm trying something different with the blog...what do you think? I'm just playing around, and who knows how long this one will stay?

Going along with the upgrades for the new year, I'm getting my hair cut tonight, and I CANNOT wait! I'll for sure post before and after pictures, although I'll tell you...it's going to be quite a change!

Brad and I are working to organize everything - my next stop tonight is the office closet and our laundry room! I know Brad is getting sick of me organizing everything, but I just can't stop myself!

I hope y'all are enjoying the New Year! I know the Warnocks are :)

At 5 p.m., I will OFFICIALLY begin my Christmas vacation, and I will not have to return to work until December 31st!!

And this girl CANNOT wait!

I have a busy evening running around town finishing up a few things before I meet The Write Impression gals at 7 for our Christmas dinner. We're going to a FABULOUS place, too...MAGIANO'S!!!! Whoo hoo! I'm so excited!

Tomorrow morning, Brad and I will be hitting the road for Georgia to spend an early Christmas with his family! We've got a few things to do on Sunday when we get back, so we will not stop for one second!

On Christmas Eve, we will visit my dad's side of the family in Columbia, come back for Christmas Eve service at church, then head over to my house for appetizers and a veg out time before the craziness on Christmas morning!

Christmas morning is something I always look forward to...we'll visit my aunt and uncle's house so that Tessa and Tye can open all of their gifts from Santa. We'll have an early Christmas dinner and exchange gifts (we draw names in my family). Sometime in that mix, Brad and I are going to exchange gifts - who knows when that'll happen! I'm so excited to spend time with my wonderful family!!

Cherish every moment with your family - hold the ones you love close to your heart, and thank our amazing Lord for every precious moment with them. Remember the real reason for the season, and be sure to take some time to reflect on what happened in a manger so many years ago....

MERRY CHRISTMAS, Y'ALL!!!!!!!!!

Last night was a fun-filled evening...Brad and I took my little sister, Kayla, and her cousin, Brittany, to the Predators game. This was the first time that I had been to a hockey game - Kayla and Brittany included. I was kind of hesitant about going, but let me just tell you...it was an absolute blast!!! Our seats were pretty high up, but we still had a great view of the hockey rink. I don't know much about hockey, but thanks to a little "Hockey 101" in our programs, I learned the basics (plus my husband is OBSESSED with any and all sports, so he helped). Even though the Preds lost 2-1 to the Colorado Avalanche, it was a night well-spent! I know the girls really enjoyed themselves, although I think Kayla went just to see a real-live hockey fight, which we did not get to see! Boo!!!! I am really amazed by the sport, and I have a feeling that I will be attending a lot more games!

Oh, I forgot my camera at work, so I don't have a SINGLE picture.

So, I feel like I have neglected my poor little blog. Being sick with pneumonia will make you neglect your blog - trust me, I have learned this! Anyways, this past weekend was WONDERFUL (well, minus the getting sick part).

Brad and Tessa - I think Brad was trying to look sweet?

This picture makes me CRACK UP! It definitely shows my relationship with Tessa and Tye - I love them so much, but they treat me like I'm their jungle gym! Notice Brad sticking his head out on the side?!???

Definitely some family-loving sweetness :)