Things that are annoying. One that is not.

1. It never fails. As I am cruising down the highway and going through a toll booth, I always get stuck behind someone who is unraveling every piece of their car to find some change. One day an old man totally tossed the change nowhere near the basket. He actually got out and was wandering around looking for it. I couldn't help but think I was being punished for throwing my gum out the car window or something.

2. Shopping carts. I seem to always select the one that has had its wheels put on backwards. Then I walk through the store sounding like someone with a bag of wrenches tied to myself. I know I am not the only one. I will say if you go to the Target on Midlothian, they have the BEST new all plastic carts that you barely have to whisper on and they navigate properly. It's beautiful.

3.It took me four months to get my cowboy boots. But I got them.

4.I like things that are shiny. Like glitter.

We've had a busy February! Here's the newest addition to the Neese family, Samantha. Matt's cousin Thomas and his wife Danielle had this beautiful child in December. It took us awhile, but we finally got down to NC to visit her. Look at the chubby cheeks!



I then spent a nice "girl weekend" visiting Blacksburg. I met up with my best girlfriend Abby who flew in from FL and we then met up with another friend, Jen. We did breakfast at Gillie's, got pedicures and did a little makeup shopping. At New River Valley Mall we could barely believe that this was still there amidst all the upgrading and renovation:



The picture is a little dark, but I think Abby captured the moment. We're hoping to try on the hot orange prom dress next time we are in the B'burg.

Before I got stricken with the stomach flu I got a sassy new hair cut:

This is a little blurry and I'm completely cross-eyed as usual.

Then it snowed a million inches and I've gotten to enjoy going into work late this week. We don't even own a snow shovel since it never snows here. But my neighbor was kind enough to lend me one to get my car out. I was really excited to get to work early this morning only to find that we had no heat. Awesome.

Times Are Tough

I went on a little Walmart outing today. Thank goodness it was quiet and relatively bearable. Usually I will go at random times to avoid all the craziness, but today I lucked out. I did, however, notice as I rapidly ran each aisle that there were a lot more coupon conscious people around (including me). People with lists shuffled through their cut out coupons ravenously looking to save 35 cents or so. It really made me think about how bad the economy is. I remember when I was little I got to be my mom's "coupon holder." She would have me find them all while we shopped. I was so proud. Now, it seems like a necessity to people who do have jobs, much less all the people who are losing their jobs.

Matt and I head off to do some doctor business this week and I have a lot of serious thinking to do. Well, actually, first I have to call my insurance that I had to get because Matt's kicked me off and find out if they waived my pre-existing condition clause. Then I can think harder about what I want to do at the doctor this week. Without going into too much detail (because it's none of your business), there are some serious financial decisions about baby making to be had. It is not so easy for everyone in this world and we fall into that category. Although I can say I've become much more relaxed and accepting of what is to be. Sometimes I get really nervous and worried, but most of the time I just want to keep moving forward. If I let myself get caught up in everything it doesn't do me any good. So I will try and keep positive and hopefully if you read this, you'll think positive things for us too!

HOLLA AT YA NEW YEAR!

I'm just sitting here watching the Golden Globes thinking about what a bad blogger I am. I'm on blogger probation. I need to devote at least one or two days a week to this thing. But I don't. Because I'm super detail oriented and it takes lots of thinking to do this. Here's what's new:

-We had to use our xmas money to buy a new computer. It decided it didn't like us anymore and we agreed and got a replacement.
-I'm already looking forward to some sort of vacation. I don't know what it will be, but I hope it involves sunshine and a miniature umbrella in a drink.
-We had a busy holiday and went from place to place to place. I can't wait until we have kids so all these people will come to us.
-Notable gifts: a t-shirt from my sister that says: "Push it Real Good" and Guitar Hero World Tour.
-My goals at work for 2009=ridiculous. I mean really, a salesperson with no Blackberry?
-I am however, very thankful for the Yoga and Zumba classes they are offering at work. God knows I need them!
-We have FOUR weddings this year!

I will try to be a better blogger this year, pinkie promise;)

Totally Copying....

Had to change my background. It felt necessary in these festive times:) Things are really busy right now with holidays, birthdays and whatnot. I am just trying to get through it all, so I am the world's worst blogger!

I can say I'm looking forward to the new year~
I finally ordered my cowboy boots but they don't come in until Feb:(
I love that people I went to high school with are posting old, RAD pics that happen to have me in them!
I am praying for my father in law who is very ill with cancer (he can use your prayers too!)
I am missin' my friends (Abs!)
I really need to watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation...soon.

Running To Stand Still

We will be participating in a 5K this week in honor of Matt's dad. He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma almost one year ago. This is an incurable form of blood cancer that attacks bone marrow. It is very hard to imagine our world without Matt's dad in it. He is a huge influence and mentor for the entire Neese family. We pray every day that God will keep him here with us for as long as possible. We are thankful every day and encourage our friends and family to reach out for any cause that is put on their heart.




So I was flipping channels tonight and came across Rattle & Hum on an HD channel. They periodically play it and I always love watching it. My parents took us to see that movie in the movie theater when I was 10 (1988). That movie theater was later turned into the place where Matt and I got married. So I was watching and marvelling in the pirate looking outfit Bono wears in most of the movie and the fringed vest The Edge rocks out with his jeans rolled up. I realized three things:
1.I'm old
2.Bono looks good even as a pirate
3.That movie is still just as good as it was when I was 10

The Hills.....Have a Point

I've been a little conflicted lately. Sometimes being a woman sucks. Because even though we don't want to, we care about things way too much. I've often times been irritated with myself for feeling upset when I know I shouldn't be.

So here's the situation: Almost a year ago my best friend and I "broke up". While I haven't spoken to her in a year, I am thinking it was pretty much mutual. Mutual in the fact that neither one of us tried to salvage anything. I know my reasons for not trying. I have somewhat of an idea of hers.

She recently got married and it has hit me hard. Mainly because I've known this person for 19 years and have been there for pretty much everything. She was in my wedding and I always thought I'd be in hers. I've told a lot of people who say the situation is sad that I really couldn't miss something that wasn't there. But when things like this happen, it just hurts.

Someone once said:
"Never make someone a priority who only considers you an option".

And I will also quote Lauren Conrad from "The Hills" (Laura will appreciate this):
"I'm so tired of trying to make you be my friend.....I feel so pathetic."

These quotes make me feel better because I know that I'm not the only one. At the end of the day I look at myself and know that I was the best friend that she could have had. But sometimes that's not enough.

And that's why I'm going to go drink some wine.