Grab the Door, Won'cha?

Now I'm singing Dont'cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me... dang, that will never leave my head today.

I was walking into work this morning running a little late, as usual.  My backpack is slung over one shoulder {which is so heavy - this Arkansas History book is entirely too thick, if this professor really believes that a group of undergraduate students will read this entire thing he has smoked too much pot in recent years}, I'm holding my coffee, phone and keys all in one hand.  As I'm walking across the parking deck I notice a lady wearing a denim dress -- with a denim short sleeve jacket, multi-colored giraffes along the bottom of her dress and she had some neon pink strapy sandals.  I thought to myself, I wonder if we are having a conference for teachers or something today...that lady dresses just like my Mom did in the 1990's. What a fashion tragedy it was.

I decided to take the stairs since I ate almost an entire order of breadsticks last night at Upper Crust.  The lady {who I assumed was sweet and kind - since she was dressed like my kindergarten teacher [no offense Ms. Lana]} walked through the first set of doors to the stairwell and I was close behind her so I was able to catch the door with my foot and maneuver my way in with my giant backpack.  The second door is what got me -- she walked in, I closely followed and I'm pretty sure she pushed the door back at my face.  Well, the door didn't hit my face [THANK GOD] but it did hit my arm which was holding my coffee, cell phone, and keys.  The almost full cup of coffee splashes out all over my hand, phone, keys, arm, and feet.  I immediately yell "What the shit??"  I then groan and growl as I watch the coffee dripping off my phone onto my feet, did I mention I have on new white shoes today?  The lady turns around, says "oh man"...and continues to scurry her way down the stairs.  Apparently, when you are running late you aren't required to have manners such as holding the door open for someone who is walking in behind you.

So I get down the stairs with coffee still dripping, run inside my office and see my boss standing upfront noticing it is after 8:00am.  I went straight in, ripped my Otterbox off my phone and began to dry off the coffee.  Good news is, it works, bad news my 0 isn't working -- which sucks because it is in my Passcode.  I continue to clean, turn my phone off and on, and BOOM the 0 started working.  Let's just hope it continues to work -- it's almost my birthday YO I need to be able to answer phone calls and text!

Moral of the story, hold the door open for people [and DO NOT wear denim dresses with multi-colored giraffe}.  Don't let it slam in their face.  It's so rude.  I expect it out of college students, it happens all the time -- which in most cases I say "Excuse me, holding the door open for someone behind you is the polite thing to do especially if it is a lady."  Most of the time students look at me like I'm so crazy ol' hag and keep walking.  Seriously though, I know that everyone was raised differently but it's simple common courtesy.

Next time, I'm taking the elevator when my hands are full.  Forget that crap.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERICA!

The Sharing of Birthdays

My birthday is Saturday and I'm making preparations for my weekend, etc.  Surprisingly enough I share my birthday [week] with some fantastic people. 

Kellie (best friend with a baby in her belly) and I were born on the same day, in the same hospital, just a few hours apart - I'm older.  Who would of thought we would be planning our birthdays around the possible arrival of her new little man [still no name].  I was born on my Mother's birthday so I know what it is like to share a birthday with Dear Ol' Mom.  I told Kellie to keep that baby in her belly until June 3rd.  Let's be honest here, I want her to go into labor right now - that means I get to leave work and have several days off for my birthday week but if she must wait, she must wait!!  Anywho - we share our birthdays with a lot of people -- "Little Man" needs a day of his own!

I also share my birthday week with Erica {her birthday is May 31st, please send wine, flowers, and chocolate to EMA!} Erica swears she is the same age as I am.  I mustache you a question? How old are you?  I will go along with the same age thing.   Let's hope that this year will be just as exciting as years past -- again all plans are subject to change with the arrival of the "Little Man."

I had someone tell me the other day that I was too old to take off work for my birthday, that I should be done celebrating birthdays - it was just a sign of getting old.  Yes, I'm old, not married, with no kids -- Lord help us I don't need another reminder.... But to take an entire week out of my life to celebrate my birth, I'm going to celebrate that I'm alive, healthy, no kids and I have a great boyfriend!! 

It is one week out of 52 weeks where fun is had, cake {made by MARY JO} is eaten, friends come together, and I get presents.  Why wouldn't I keep celebrating!  Everyone should get at least a day -- I just try to press my luck as far as I can get it and get a week out of it! You are never too old to celebrate your birthday, even if you are telling everyone you are several years younger like I do.  Feel free to send flowers, get Mary Jo cupcakes, buy Busch Light, Panchos cheese dip or beef jerky.  I love all of those things.  Let's get this party started!


Happy 27th 23rd Birthday to Me [and Kellie and Erica]!!!


HURRY UP BABY SMITH!!!

Time to Pack

I packed last night for my weekend trip to the cabin...which is in South Arkansas on Maddox Bay.  The Bay reminds me a lot of Black River..not the cleanest water but as long as I have a boat, water, music, and an ice cold beverage I will be just fine.

I was having a discussion with a friend on what to pack for the cabin.  I was raised at the lake so most of my childhood memories are on the water with my family.  We stayed in a camper, storage was limited, so I learned at a very young age what you should really pack for trips like that.  Nothing fancy, just the necessities. 

My packing list includes:
shorts -- cotton and denim
t-shirts/tank tops
1 pair of sweatpants [the boys freeze me out at night]
swimsuits
hair dryer/straightener (can't go anywhere without that)
My favorite Polo Hat
Sunscreen ***
Beach Towels
Sunglasses [notice the S, I always lose a pair, always!]
Teva flip flops
Beer Tity

What else do you really need?  You wake up, eat, go out on the water all day, come home, cook, sit by the fire, sleep, then start the process all over.  Come on girls, leave that make up at home!  We are going to play on the water for pete's sake!  Enjoy not being a "girl" for three days of your life!


Happy Packing!


***Wear sunscreen.  It's the first weekend most of us will be in the sun since last fall.  Guys, your legs are white -- don't forget to put sunscreen on the tops of your feet too!  Plus, wearing sunscreen helps protect us from age spots, getting wrinkles, skin cancer, etc.  It's cheap - it's well worth it to avoid the pain you will endure the following week when it feels like hell has taken over your body from being sunburned when you get in the shower. 

My Person(s)

Grey's Anatomy has been my a show that I love for years now.  I watched it every Thursday night with Kellie -- we would clean house, pack to go home for the weekend, I would drink wine from a box, and we would watch Grey's.  It was our ritual, our thing. 

Now that we are grown-ups [Well, Kellie is a grown-up, she is married and about to pop out a sweet little baby boy] I still watch the show, I still drink wine, I just do it alone these days.  When I was watching the last four episodes of the season I got to thinking about Christina and Meredith.  All the crazy things that those two have been thru, [I swear both of them have almost died 3 times or more]...they are so hateful to each other but at the end of they day, they are best friends.  They are each others "person" {other than their husbands}. I got to thinking about my "person" or could I just label one "person" in my life...  I have several friends I talk to everyday, who have my back when I need them, who support me, and I have came close to death with [The Miata, house fires, Spring River, Black River, Hawkeye Fest, backroads...just to name a few].

I have found some quotes that remind me on conversations I would have with a few of my "persons." ***Please note, I am always Christina, the loyal, to the point, and a B most of the time***

{Me and Erica}{Me and Chris Pugh}{Me and Emily D.}

CRISTINA: "What? I'm being supportive."
MEREDITH: "Really?"
CRISTINA: "Yeah, this is me being totally supportive. Go on."
MEREDITH: "Okay. The man I love has a wife and then he chooses her over me. Then the wife takes my dog. Well, she didn't actually take my dog. I gave it to her. But I didn't mean to give it to her, I meant to give it to him, and that doesn't change the fact that she's got Derek. And my McDog. She's got my McLife! What have I got? I can't even remember the last time we kissed. Because you never think the last time is the last time. You think you have forever, but you don't. Plus my conditioner decided to stop working and I think I have brittle bones. I need something to happen. I just need a sign. I need a reason to go on. I need some hope, and in the absence of hope, I need to stay in bed and feel like I might die today."
CRISTINA: "Whatever. Everybody has problems. Get your ass out of bed and get to work. NOW! Move, move, move!"

{Me and Tiffany}

 MEREDITH: "No matter what, you walking down that aisle today. I need you to go down that aisle."
CRISTINA: "Is the toilet paper cutting off your circulation?"
MEREDITH: "You marrying Burke, it´s a sign. Sign that people like you and me ... can do this. Be healthy, be happy. You marrying Burke restores my faith in... me."
CRISTINA: "Ohhhh I get it. My wedding is about you."
MEREDITH: "Yes."

{Me and Kellie}

 MEREDITH:  " Whereas if you're my baby's godmother-in-waiting. It's only me and Derek. One wrong turn down a dark, twisty road. Boom, you're in."
CRISTINA:  "I will NOT be taking care of children.  That's what boarding schools are for."

{Me and Stormy}

CRISTINA:  "We don't have to do that thing, where you know, I say something, then you say something, and somebody cries, and there's like a moment..."
MEREDITH: "Yuck."
CRISTINA: "You should get some sleep. You look like crap."
MEREDITH: "I look better than you."
CRISTINA: "Not possible."

Even though I don't have one "person" it sure is nice to know that I have lots of "persons" that are there for me when I need them - and they come to me when they need someone to tell them the truth {or what I believe is the truth}!!!!

Boom, Happy Tuesday!

She has a baby in her belly

My best friend is pregnant -- in case you didn't know.  She is just a few weeks away from her due date and I am getting more and more anxious.  I have learned a great deal about being pregnant and baby stuff over the past 6 months -- I guess everyone knows this stuff besides me. Maybe because I have been anti-pregnancy, anti-baby for most of my life.... But anyway, after hearing some of this stuff, I'm still not positive I'm for it all!  I'm sure after the baby is born and I hear all the gory story's, my fear will even be worse!


First of all, no hot dogs?  Now that sounds like no life I want to live.  Apparently, some doctors suggest no hot dogs -- I will find one that says, eat as many hot dogs dipped in Panchos cheese dip as possible.  I can't have Busch Light and then they say you can't have hot dogs... pump your brakes.

Use olive oil on your stomach so you won't get stretch marks.  I guess I will take a bath in olive oil...

To harden your nipples for breast feeding, use a rough wash cloth, foot file, etc. and rub on them often.  This will prepare you for when the baby is born.  WHAT???  Um, no thank you!!!

When they say you are dilated so many centimeters -- that means fingers.  ***1 finger, 2 finger, -- 10?  Holy crap.

Did you know it was possible to wear blue jeans without buttoning them?  Apparently so and it happens a lot with pregnant women... just pull up maybe use a ponytail holder to keep them together.  Pretty nice trick for when my jeans are bit snug!

Your feet may grow up to two sizes when you are pregnant... does that mean I could buy new shoes?  Hmm, well that sounds like a deal, I guess?  Refer back to ***

I will end with - some pregnant people don't like their belly being rubbed, my best friend being one of them.  Since I know she doesn't like, I keep my hands on that thing all the time -- talking to my sweet little "nephew"  and how excited I am for him to be here.  So, FYI, don't just rub a pregnant ladies belly but if it is your best friend tell her to get over it and have it!  It's way more fun that way :)


Hurry up BABY (with no name) -- I'm ready for you to get here so I can hold you and stop rubbing on your Momma's belly!

Too Much Junk in My....

Trunk?  Being healthy is hard... I love sweets and junk food more than most people.  I could live off of Panchos cheese dip, Mary Jo Cupcakes, hotdogs, and diet coke. 

Random Facts since I changed my way of life (unhealthy to healthy):

•  Drinking water all the time is great but having to run down the hallway every 30 minutes is not so great.  Especially when I am in heels.
• Almonds are good but my gosh they are expensive.  They get me thru the day though, a small handful helps fulfill my need for something crunchy (I miss ChexMix).
• You can drink apple sauce, it's called GoGo SqueeZ.  No refined sugar, 100% fruit, no spoon, no mess, and it is 3/4 serving of fruit!  Not too expensive either!
•  They make chips made out of sweet potatoes!!  I have never been into the organic section but they have them and they are delicious!
• Almond Milk taste.... just fine - I use it to mix up meal replacement shakes and in my cereal.  Oh! Kroger is sneaky and puts their brand of almond milk with the regular milk and not by the Silk Almond Milk that is in the organic section.  So, check it out, it is cheaper!
• When you run [or workout], your toes hurt.  I have tried two different pairs of shoes, been fitted at a shoe store and my toes still hurt.  {Sore toes gives you a reason to get a pedicure}
• When you cheat and you eat bad -- you pay for it and promise yourself you will never do it again... until the next time.
• Food day at work = absolute hell.  I want to call in sick on those days.... all kinds of fatty food:  brownies, cakes, cheeses, breads, etc.  I lock myself in my office and eat carrots and apples all day.  It's the only way to survive.
• Dance in your kitchen, it is good for your soul.
• Skinny Girl Wine isn't a replacement of Busch Light but it is nice to have a lower calorie wine.  110 calories per serving.  I treated myself this weekend...and had the whole bottle.

Call me, Maybe?

Road Trippin' Weekend

This weekend Cory and I struck out on a road trip across the state for Tyler's graduation and Mother's Day.  I wanted to share a few things that made our trip enjoyable -- not that each others company isn't enjoyable enough.

First of all, I downloaded Brooks and Dunn, iTunes sessions.  Neon Moon is a classic but this version is amazing -- download it if you haven't!  It will make you want to pull over and two step on the side of the road.
Secondly, beef jerky.  Cory and I do not make a trip longer than 30 minutes without stopping at a gas station to load up on beef jerky.  This trip I even purchased the sausage and cheese duo -- don't do it, the cheese is terrible.  Hank and Goose were happy for a road trip treat though.
Third, Dual air control -- Cory freezes me out of the truck.  I honestly think we would have never broken up the first time if this handy thing would have been invented.  He stays cold, I stay warm -- and we both stay happy.  Comfortable Alyson calls for a happy trip!
Forth and finally, SPARK!  If you haven't heard of it, ask me.  It kept Cory away so I could nap, which was really nice.

On another note....

I am so proud of Tyler for graduating, especially in 4 years!  Tyler was all smiles on Saturday-- and I'm sure ready for his "man summer" he has planned for Cory and himself. [Note to self:  keep an eye on this "man summer" idea.]

The wonderful Meadors Family

All in all, a pretty good weekend with a great family and wonderful food.  Back to the diet today.  Blahhhh!

Golden Ring...With one Tiny Little Stone

Wedding rings, they symbolize a never ending love, a circle that continues forever.  Depending on the relationship, wedding rings aren't purchased or sometimes wedding rings aren't worn -- mainly by the man.  Us girls like to show off the rock [Please note: I do not have a rock or anything on my left finger] so women are much more likely to always be wearing their ring.

When you are married, shouldn't both the man and woman always show their symbol for their marriage?  Or if you are comfortable in your marriage, should it be ok that your significant other is not wearing their wedding ring.  ***Don't get me wrong, there are times and circumstances where a wedding ring shouldn't and can't be worn.  Some people work with machinery or in areas where they could have a finger smashed or badly hurt, due to a wedding ring.  Surprisingly enough, gold isn't that strong, it will bend pretty quickly!

Anyhew, I was talking to a friend this past week about her estranged husband and how a little over a year ago, he decided to stop wearing his wedding ring.  At the time no 'serious' problems were going on in their marriage but he decided one day, he didn't like wearing his ring anymore so he took it off and hasn't put it back on.  I thought to myself when she was telling me this story "RED FLAG" HELLOOO? Maybe men don't realize how hurtful it is, almost like, I'm married to you but I don't care if anyone knows that.  {Husband -- if you didn't realize that it hurt your wife's feelings that you aren't wearing your wedding ring, it is and it does every time she sees you without it on}

Maybe the wearing of the wedding ring is over thought, is someone that controlling that their significant other MUST wear a ring that basically says that they are taken....

My theory:  A wedding ring once placed on your hand shouldn't leave (Unless you fall into the *** above) - it should be a constant reminder of the vow you made before your family, friends, and most importantly God that you would love that person forever... yes, forever. 

Maybe when that ring is slipped off that finger, they somehow forget?  Keep that ring on, look at it, see the scratches, dents, and imperfections -- it's just like your marriage but it is there, a never ending circle of love!

You better listen to me!

The discussion has come up several times between Cory and I (along with other friends) regarding discipline of children, even the possibility of our future children.  So, at this point in my life, Goose and Hank are my children.  When I tell them no or to do something, I expect them to listen.  What's the difference, right?  You can come a lot more closer to abuse with a dog than with a child [Please note: I know both are illegal and I would never abuse my dog.]

Just a few weeks ago...I know, I know it is still eating at me.... Cory and I were at the cabin with his family.  Goose (our dog, raised by Cory) was begging at the table -- which everyone knows I HATE!  I don't think the kitchen or the table is a place for a dog.  I had gotten onto Goose several times while at the table -- Cory saying nothing, he sees nothing wrong with a dogs hot breath breathing all over you while trying to eat a meal.  Anyway, I told Goose to come to me - he was in trouble for not minding me when I told him to get back.  Then -- out of Cory's mouth was "Alyson, he is fine, no one cares that he is begging for food."  WHAT?  WHAT?  I gave him "the look" and said nothing else.

I got called out, even though Goose didn't realize this, for me disciplining him when he wasn't bothering anyone.  So if my kid is acting crazy but isn't bothering anyone, it is totally okay for them to not mind me when I tell them something??  Nope, not going to fly with me.  Everyone says -- you say that before kids and it will all change once you have kids of your own.  Please, someone, anyone mark my words.... and probably since I'm blogging about this, I will have one hell raising kid but really would you expect anything else?

I saw a sign on Pinterest today, I'm going to hang it up in my house:  "Unattended children will be given an espresso (or RedBull) and a free puppy!"  Hilarious!

"If I have to tell you one more time....1....2....3"

The Story Goes Like This

Our background -- Cory and I started dating when we were16 years old, stayed together for 7 years... even paying on a *RING* (still at the store)... and we decided to go our separate ways.  I got a watch, he got a watch -- we called it even.  After over two years of headaches, heartaches, ridiculous nights, way too many bars -- we decided to talk, meet, hang out and possibly give it another whirl.  Let's not forget during our break-up if there was anything going on in my life of some importance, I was calling Cory to get advice, cry, or complain.

So here we are, been back together since October 2011.  Things are like where we left them off.... well without the fighting and screaming and being broke college students.  We have both made a life for ourselves during our "time away."  I own a house, he has an apartment in Wynne, a cabin and we both work (work too much actually).  We have two dogs, Hank and Goose which we had when we were together the first go around.  Hank still hates Goose as much today as he did three years ago. 

We grew up, on our own, which is what we exactly needed - Who would have thought?  I decided to quit telling him what to do, he decided to be a grown up and start taking care of himself... that reminds me, I need to be sure he got the clothes out of the washer.  A man taking care of themselves, without a wife or a Mom helping them is the most attractive thing I've ever seen. 

Some things never change though...we balance each other... he keeps me pulled back, keeping me calm when it is needed where I push him forward keeping him on track.  He is like a puppy, easily distracted but a cute puppy he is. 

Well this is our story....from now until...forever?  Wow. Yes, I said it, forever.  Away we go with -- the 2nd Go Around!