Back...

I'm back safe and sound in Tennessee from my Christmas trip to Arkansas. The Christmas presents are put away and I have started laundry. Right now I'm in the process of paying bills online. I had a wonderful Christmas and had a great time in Arkansas visiting with family and friends.

I hope everyone had a VERY safe and merry Christmas. I will post pictures soon!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Spending Christmas...

I see the countless Christmas trees
Around the world below,

With tiny lights like heaven's stars

Reflecting in the snow.

The sight is so spectacular

Please wipe away that tear

For I'm spending Christmas

With Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs

That people hold so dear

But earthly music can't compare

With the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you

The joy their voices bring

For it's beyond description

To hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me,

Trust God and have no fear

For I'm spending Christmas

With Jesus Christ this year.

I can't tell you of the splendor

Or the peace here in this place.

Can you imagine Christmas

With our Savior, face to face?

May God uplift your spirit

As I tell Him of your love

Then pray for one another

As you lift your eyes above.

So let your hearts be joyful

And let your spirits sing

For I'm spending Christmas in Heaven

And I'm walking with the king.

One of my FAVORITE poems ever...I think about this poem every Christmas. I say the words over and over in my head the weeks leading up to Christmas. It makes me cry but they are happy tears...to me isn't sad. I love it and wanted to share. If you have lost a loved one it is such a sweet way to think of them this Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Christmas In Nashville...

Blake and Kristen came for a visit this weekend! Saturday morning we got up early (for us) and went into Nashville. We went to the Opryland Hotel to look at the Christmas decorations. Then to downtown Nashville for lunch and to walk around. We went to downtown Franklin to check out the shops. We ended our day at Steak and Shake...my first visit ever to Steak and Shake.

We had a lot of fun! Below are some pics!

One Week Until Christmas...

I can't believe Christmas is one week away. All my Christmas shopping is done AND all the gifts are wrapped.

Yesterday my boss' wife hosted a Christmas tea for all the ladies in the office. We had so much fun. We drank hot tea and ate little sandwiches. We all got an awesome basket of goodies...it is full of things for us to use to relax.

Tomorrow night is our work Christmas party. We are going to have a "white elephant" gift exchange.

The MOST exciting news of the week. Blake and Kristen are coming to visit this weekend. They will be here on Friday night. They are going to a wedding in Chattanooga on Sunday. I'm so very excited!

Let It Snow...

Recap Of The Day...

I went to the doctor this morning. She was great! I like her a lot. She made some suggestions to try for my migraines. Also, she is referring me to another doctor...to help as well. So overall the appointment went great!

It is snowing here and has been for about three hours. My boss closed the office early so we could get home in case the roads got bad.

Oh yeah...in case you were wondering. The inability to drive in snow isn't a problem that is isolated to Arkansas. Tennessee has the same problem!

I hope everyone is having a great week and is getting all your Christmas shopping done!

Doctor's Appointment...

Well I did it after talking about it for months...I found a doctor here in Tennessee and I made an appointment that's the real story here. I would like to say that I researched for months to find the right doctor for me to explain why I waited so long. Honestly...I had this one doctor's name written down on a piece of paper in my wallet for about 2 months. I finally broke down and called her office today. She isn't seeing new patients until MARCH!!

That began a frantic search for a doctor that I could see this week. One clinic that had about 15 doctors didn't have an opening until next Monday. I wanted to see someone this week...I really wanted to see someone today but I'll settle for Thursday morning. I found a doctor. The lady in scheduling that made my appointment was very nice. I think you can tell a lot about an office by the person that answers the phone. I will let you know if the other folks in the office are just as pleasant.

Not that you need any details. I'm okay. Nothing serious just needed a doctor here in middle Tennessee. I want to talk to a new doctor about my migraines....I haven't had one this month which is AWESOME. That is in large part due to some self-medicating.

I can just picture it...as soon as my mom finishes reading this post she will leap from her chair and do flips. Then call and tell me it is ABOUT TIME!?!?!

Thanksgiving At Granny Brewer's...

If you will notice all my pictures from Thanksgiving are of kids. Of course there were other things going on. How can you resist taking pictures of such cute kids?!?!

Hanging Out With The Condray Kids...

Saturday I hung out with Paige, Janey and the Condray kids. Here are some pics. How cute are they?!?!?

Kennedy took this pic!

This was part of Kennedy's photo session in the wedding dress!

A kid can never have too much Coca-Cola!

Me and Kate..she looks so excited...

What's up?!?!

Such a sweet smile!

Let's see what I can get into up here?


Brothers...

I love this picture because you can see her HUGE ring.

I love hanging out with the Condrays. I had a great time!

Update..

I went to Arkansas for Thanksgiving. I had a great time. I got to visit with LOTS of friends and family. I got back on Sunday night.

I brought back the stomach virus...that's right I'm sick again.

I went to the doctor yesterday and received a liter of IV fluids. I'm feeling a bit better today but I'm still running a fever!

I hope everyone has a very safe and happy THANKSGIVING!

Pictures From The Huckabee Book Tour...

Here's the bus!

The book with the details of the 56 city book tour!

Governor Huckabee signing books

More signing books

Janet and Sarah Huckabee working the book signing line

Folks standing in line at the book signing in Edmond, OK

Governor Huckabee doing an interview on the bus

Book Tour...

For me the book tour started on Wednesday night. I left on the bus at 7:30pm from Nashville. On Thursday morning I woke up at 7am in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Here is a run down of what the rest of my time on the book tour was like...

Thursday
12pm - book signing Cedar Rapids, IA
On the bus to the next stop
6pm - book signing Des Moines, IA
Back on the bus

Friday

1am - arrive at the hotel

12pm - book signing Kansas City, MO

On the bus again

4pm - book signing Springfield, MO

Travel on the bus to next stop

7pm - book signing Bentonville, AR

More bus time

12am - arrive at the hotel

Saturday

7am - book signing Tulsa, OK

bus time

11am - book signing Edmond, OK

yes...more bus time

3pm - book signing Arlington, TX

back on the bus

7pm - book signing Dallas, TX

We stayed overnight in Dallas!

Sunday

9:55am caught a flight back to Nashville

TOTAL MILES ON THE BUS: 1,764 Miles

I had so much fun! I loved meeting the people that were standing in line to have their books signed by Governor Huckabee. They were all so excited to see him. Some of them were so nervous to talk to him. I heard many comments from the folks when they talked to him including, thank you visiting our town, I voted for you, I love your show, I never miss your show and please run in 2012.

I did all kinds of different things while I was there. I loved all of it. I was SOOO very tired but I would do it again tomorrow.

Trip Was Extended...

I will post more later but I ended up staying on the road until this morning. I'm back in Nashville. I'm exhausted but I had a great time! I will try to post pictures and more details tomorrow night!

On My Way To Iowa...

I never thought I would be saying/typing those words. I assumed last summer my trip to Iowa for the Straw Poll would be my one and only trip ever to that state.

Last week I found out I will be going to Iowa again for the same person. Governor Huckabee's book tour starts Thursday afternoon in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I will be on the book tour for two stops Cedar Rapids and Des Moines. Then Friday morning I will catch a flight back to Nashville.

I'm very excited to attend the first two stops of the book tour. Iowa will be very cold. The high Thursday is 38 degrees...BBBBRRRRR!!!

The Week So Far...

Instead of going to Arkansas this past weekend...I had the stomach virus. I felt pretty bad until Sunday afternoon. YUCK!

This has been an extremely busy week at work. I am currently working on the schedule for two book tours. I'm loving the work it has just been very busy.

Also this week Sarah, DJ, Drake & Bryan have been visiting Nashville. I worked with them on the campaign. I miss working with them very much. I was so excited to see them and get to catch up.

I'm planning on doing some Christmas shopping this weekend!

I hope everyone is having a great week!

6th folder, 6th picture...

I was worried about what might be the 6th picture in my 6th folder. Here it is. It is a picture of Dennard!

What I Did This Past Weekend...

I spent the majority of this past weekend reading. I finished two books. It was great way to spend the weekend. I spent part of the time on the couch reading and the rest of the time on the porch reading.

The first one I read was The Wednesday Letters. I stayed up until 1:30am Friday night/Saturday morning reading. I got up Saturday morning and finished the book. The Wednesday Letters is written by Jason Wright.

Then I read the new Nicholas Sparks' book The Lucky One. This book was probably one of the best book that I have read by Nicholas Sparks. It isn't my favorite but it was really good. I was disappointed with the last book (The Choice) that Nicholas Sparks released it wasn't bad but it was all that great either. I finished The Lucky One Sunday afternoon.

They are both really good books. If you want to read a little more about the books you can click on the book titles. I have a friend from work that is bringing me the Twilight books...I'm excited to get started reading them.

Happy Election Day...

Things That I Don't Understand...

• Wrinkle-free shirts that you have to iron
  
• Chocolate that tastes bad
  
• Shoes that hurt your feet but look great
  
• Fabric softener that smells bad
  
• Leaving your house early but still getting to work late
  
• A store that has 20+ check out stands but only have 5 open during the busiest time of the day

Early Voting...

I voted tonight after work. I stood in line for an hour. I love to watch people. The voting location is a fitness center so there were so many people plus the people standing in line.

The lady behind me took a cell phone call from her mom. So everyone around her heard about her hairy landscaper ex-husband, kids being out of school tomorrow and about the guy her dad set her up with. She and the guy haven't met but they have exchanged emails all day he is so funny.

I also saw Joe Diffie early voting. The first country music star that I have seen live and in person.

Chocolate...

• In the United States of America alone, people consume an average of 100 pounds of chocolate every second.

• Though milk chocolate is favored by nearly three fourths of Americans, dark chocolate is healthier for you. In fact, recent studies have shown that dark chocolate can help maintain a healthy heart
  
  
• Elvis Presley's last meal consisted of four scoops of ice cream and six chocolate chip cookies.
  
  
• The blood in the famous shower scene from Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" was actually chocolate syrup.
  
  
• Chocolate is the most popular gift given to teachers by their students.

Walking With God...

Well I finished reading Walking With God (yes..Crystal finally!!) I've been reading this in addition to my Bible study. It is interesting how the two books have some very similar points. Obviously those points are things I needed to hear/read.

This is the first sentence of the book, "This is a series of stories of what it looks like to walk with God over the course of about a year." It is an intimate look at the author's life and his conversations with God.

I know my struggle isn't always taking the time to talk to God. My problem is being still and listening to what He has to say.

If you would like to read more about the book or other articles from the author you can click HERE!

Flu Shot & The Minute Clinic...

I got a flu shot this evening for the first time in my life. I had the flu last year and I didn't think I was going to make it.

So I went to The Minute Clinic at CVS Pharmacy. Got a flu shot and was done in less than 5 minutes. The interesting thing about this clinic is that you check yourself in on a computer...all I could think about were the germs on the computer from the sick people. Thankfully they had hand sanitizer right next to the computer.

So all is well so far...hopefully the shot will do the trick. I'm hoping I don't get the flu BUT if I do it should be less severe. Trust me if I get the flu...I will let you know!

Funny Story...Well Kinda...

Friday is casual day at PSB. So yesterday I wear jeans and a long sleeve T-shirt. I had on a green long sleeve T-shirt with a gray one over that the layered look not unusual for me. I went thru the day, got home and ate dinner. Then around 8pm I go into the bathroom to wash my face and I look in the mirror. My shirt is on backwards and obviously had been that way ALL DAY LONG. Completely noticeable....all day long it had been that way. Oh well!

Migraine, Tomato Soup & Pop Tarts...

I had a migraine for 3 days this week. I'm feeling MUCH better today. They are happening more often and are more intense each time.

Tomato soup is one of my favorite things. Until about a year ago just the thought of it made me nauseous. One day I had a cold and I thought that tomato soup sounded good. I ate it and now I have it all the time. I love it with cheese and sour cream.

Chocolate Pop Tarts I haven't eaten them in years. I bought a box the last time I was at the grocery store. I ate the whole box this week...not in one day...but this week.

Just a few random things from this week!

I love candy! I try to act like I don't but I love candy. My favorite is Smarties. Did you know that you can order SMARTIES by the the case!?!?! I didn't but you can!

Matthew and Kenzie's Wedding

I went to Arkansas this weekend for the wedding of Matthew and Kenzie. Below are some pictures from the wedding and reception. The wedding and reception were beautiful.

Congratulations Matthew and Kenzie!

Welcome to the family Kenzie!

Hot Air Balloons...

I saw these hot air balloons on the way home from work. About every two weeks or so I see a hot air balloon on my way home from work. I love hot air balloons and there were three of them today. I also saw one land. I've always wanted to ride in a hot air balloon...maybe some day.

SCATTERGORIES...

It's harder than it looks! Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following. They have to be real places, names, things. Nothing made up! Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial. You can't use your name for the boy/girl name question.

WHAT IS YOUR NAME: Erica
BOY NAME: Eric
4 LETTER WORD: emus
GIRL NAME: Emily
OCCUPATION: Electrician
A COLOR: Ecru
SOMETHING YOU WEAR: Ear muffs
BEVERAGE: egg nog
FOOD: Egg plant
SOMETHING FOUND IN A BATHROOM: Electric Razor
A PLACE : Ecuador
REASON FOR BEING LATE: emergency
SOMETHING YOU SHOUT: Elephant!

The Amazing Race...

This is one of my favorite shows. I started watching the show regularly about 2 and a half seasons ago. I love to see the challenges and the different countries the teams visit.

I do not have any desire to actually participate in The Amazing Race. There are two reasons why 1. My partner would just leave me in another country or 2. My team would be the first group eliminated like the hippie bee keepers last week.

The Movies - Saturday Part 2...

After downtown Franklin I went to the movies. I saw two movies this afternoon The Women and Nights in Rodanthe

The Women - Total chick flick. I would call it a "chick empowering" movie. It has an amazing cast. It is funny, sad and some parts made me mad. So I think the perfect chick flick.

Nights in Rodanthe - Anyone that reads my blog on a regular bases knows that I have a love (some may even call it a slight obsession) of the writings of Nicholas Sparks. Well Nights in Rodanthe is based on a novel by him. I will say that Nights in Rodanthe isn't my favorite book by Nicholas Sparks so I didn't expect much from the movie. It too is a TOTAL chick flick. All of his books are tragic and so are the movies. The movie was okay. I've never read a book then watched the movie and thought the movie was great so I'm not the best judge. Lots of women in the theater were crying. This one poor women was crying very loudly. I can only assume that 1. She has lived through a similar situation or 2. She was not prepared for the movie...she was with a friend...the friend should have warned her.

While I was there I saw a preview for a movie called The Secret Life of Bees. This movie is based on a book by the same name. I've read the book. It will be released later in October...I'll keep you posted.

Historic Downtown Franklin - Saturday Part 1...

Franklin was founded October 26, 1799 and laid out on land donated by Abram Maury. It was named after Benjamin Franklin. The first courthouse was built in 1800 in the center of the public square where there was also a public well. For most of its first 180 years, Franklin was a quiet, small county seat and the wealthy center of plantation economy. However, the Civil War devastated the economy. For more than a century, Franklin seemed remote not only from the capital city of Nashville, but from the rest of the world.

The square in downtown Franklin

The Methodist Church

Another picture of the Methodist church

The First Presbyterian Church

Another picture of the First Presbyterian Church

This morning I got up and went to downtown Franklin. It was a beautiful day. I love the downtown area. It has beautiful churches and amazing old homes. There are a bunch of cute little shops and lots of restaurants.

Disclaimer: I didn't write the stuff at the top about Franklin...I got it from the Franklin website.

It's In The Valleys We Grow...

Well I finished another Bible study meeting tonight...it was great. The name of the study is As Silver Refined. However the sub-title (that's what I would call it) is Learning to Embraces Life's Disappointments. So I think naturally most people start to think about past and present disappointments. I know I have that last few weeks. Well every time I start to dwell on disappointments in my life. I think of this poem. I don't always remember the whole poem but I always remember...It's in the valleys we grow. So I thought I would share the poem with you.

It's in the valleys we grow

Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe
It's then we have to remember
That it's in the valleys we grow.

If we always stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain,
We would never appreciate God's love
And would be living in vain.

We have so much to learn
And our growth is very slow,
Sometimes we need the mountain tops,
But it's in the valleys we grow.

We do not always understand
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing.
My Lord will see me through.

The little valleys are nothing
When we picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan's loss.

Forgive me Lord, for complaining
When I'm feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That it's in the valleys I grow.

Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day
To share your love with others
And help them find their way.

Thank you for the valleys, Lord
For this one thing I know
The mountain tops are glorious
But it's in the valleys I grow!

I hope everyone has a great week!

Personality Test...

I took the personality test that Paige and Nicole took. Here are the results.

Your personality type:
Warm-hearted, popular and conscientious. Tend to put the needs of others over their own needs. Feel strong sense of responsibility and duty. Value traditions and security. Interested in serving others. Need positive reinforcement to feel good about themselves. Well-developed sense of space and function.

Careers that could fit you includes:
Home economics, nursing, teaching, administrators, child care, family practice physician, clergy, office managers, counselors, social workers, bookkeeping, accounting, secretaries, organization leaders, dental assistants, homemakers, radiological technologists, receptionists, religious educators, speech pathologists.

So what's your personality?
Take the test CLICK HERE

Officially A Resident...

Well I am officially a resident of the Great State of Tennessee. I don't plan on singing or learning the words to Rocky Top anytime soon.

It has been a bit of an ordeal to get my drivers license. This summer I got my car tags NO problem. However to get a drivers license you have to have a certified birth certificate or a passport among other things. Well I did not have a certified birth certificate (there has been some discussion with my mother about whether I lost or if she actually ever gave it to me) or a passport. So I sent off for my certified birth certificate.

I finally got it in the mail..then procrastinated a few more weeks then finally on Thursday morning I got my drivers license...it was rather painless. The picture on my drivers license is not all that great...I'm not happy with it. I know what you are thinking no one is happy with their picture on their drivers licenses. I was very happy with the picture on my Arkansas drivers license. Oh well such is life in 5 years I will have a chance to make a better picture.

One Hour and A Full Gas Tank...

Well AAA reports that about 60% of gas stations in middle Tennessee are out of gas. Apparently there was a "rush" on gas on Friday morning...I had no idea. Friday night I decided to fill up. I couldn't find a gas station with any gas. So today I found a gas station with gas...I waited in line for an hour to get gas.

Why I'm in line.

Almost there...I can see well almost see the tanks.

See all those cars....yep I waited in that line.

Congratulations Matthew & Kenzie...

Kenzie's corsage

(I added the ribbon to a pin I bought at Hobby Lobby!)

The table

Kenzie & Matthew

I was in Arkansas this weekend for a wedding shower for my cousin, Matthew and his fiance, Kenzie. I didn't take a lot of pictures because I was the one writing down the gifts received. They had wonderful shower and I had fun! Congratulations Kenzie and Matthew! I can't wait for the wedding! See you in October!

I See The Moon...

The moon sees me,

God bless the moon,

And God bless me!