"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them,

and try to follow where they lead."
~ Louisa May Alcott ~

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY GUYBOO!

I hope you have a wonderful day!

Happy Birthday Mick Jagger, Sandra Bullock & Me...

I know that Mick and Sandra read my blog on a regular bases so I had to give them a quick shout out.

Well I turned THIRTY-ONE today!! I spent the first part of my day at the spa...it was very relaxing. I watched a movie and napped this afternoon. I went to dinner with a friend of mine from work this evening. I have had a great day.

Thank you so much to all of you for the text messages, emails, e-cards, calls and cards. So far thirty-one is not bad.

One of the best things this week is no one in my office could believe that I was going to be thirty-one. They all thought I was joking when I told them. Most of them thought I would was in my mid-twenties....I'll take it!!

Fish Pedicure Anyone?...

Fish pedicures: Carp rid human feet of scaly skin

Watch the video

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - Ready for the latest in spa pampering? Prepare to dunk your tootsies in a tank of water and let tiny carp nibble away. Fish pedicures are creating something of a splash in the D.C. area, where a northern Virginia spa has been offering them for the past four months. John Ho, who runs the Yvonne Hair and Nails salon with his wife, Yvonne Le, said 5,000 people have taken the plunge so far.

"This is a good treatment for everyone who likes to have nice feet," Ho said. He said he wanted to come up with something unique while finding a replacement for pedicures that use razors to scrape off dead skin. The razors have fallen out of favor with state regulators because of concerns about whether they're sanitary. Ho was skeptical at first about the fish, which are called garra rufa but typically known as doctor fish. They were first used in Turkey and have become popular in some Asian countries. But Ho doubted they would thrive in the warm water needed for a comfortable footbath. And he didn't know if customers would like the idea. "I know people were a little intimidated at first," Ho said. "But I just said, 'Let's give it a shot.' "
Customers were quickly hooked.

Tracy Roberts, 33, of Rockville, Md., heard about it on a local radio show. She said it was "the best pedicure I ever had" and has spread the word to friends and co-workers. "I'd been an athlete all my life, so I've always had calluses on my feet. This was the first time somebody got rid of my calluses completely," she said. First time customer KaNin Reese, 32, of Washington, described the tingling sensation created by the toothless fish: "It kind of feels like your foot's asleep," she said. The fish don't do the job alone. After 15 to 30 minutes in the tank, customers get a standard pedicure, made easier by the soft skin the doctor fish leave behind. Ho believes his is the only salon in the country to offer the treatment, which costs $35 for 15 minutes and $50 for 30 minutes. The spa has more than 1,000 fish, with about 100 in each individual pedicure tank at any given time.

Dennis Arnold, a podiatrist who four years ago established the International Pedicure Association, said he had never heard of the treatment and doubts it will become widespread.
"I think most people would be afraid of it," he said. Customer Patsy Fisher, 42, of Crofton, Md., admitted she was nervous as she prepared for her first fish pedicure. But her apprehension dissolved into laughter after she put her feet in the tank and the fish swarmed to her toes. "It's a little ticklish, actually," she said. Ho said the hot water in which the fish thrive doesn't support much plant or aquatic life, so they learned to feed on whatever food sources were available—including dead, flaking skin. They leave live skin alone because, without teeth, they can't bite it off.

In addition to offering pedicures, Ho hopes to establish a network of Doctor Fish Massage franchises and is evaluating a full-body fish treatment that, among other things, could treat psoriasis and other skin ailments. Ho spent a year and about $40,000 getting the pedicures up and running, with a few hiccups along the way. State regulations make no provision for regulating fish pedicures. But the county health department—which does regulate pools—required the salon to switch from a shallow, tiled communal pool that served as many as eight people to individual tanks in which the water is changed for each customer. The communal pool also presented its own problem: At times the fish would flock to the feet of an individual with a surplus of dead skin, leaving others with a dearth of fish. "It would sometimes be embarrassing for them but it was also really hilarious," Ho said.

It grosses me out a little but I think I would do it!

What do you think?

I Just Got Home...

I was in Arkansas this weekend to attend my cousin, Jody's wedding! I've known him his whole life...I'm around 7 months older than him...granted the first few years are a little blurry...we grew up together, went to the same school and spent many many holidays together (I have some really good stories). He found this amazing girl to marry...Jodi. She's so very precious and fits so well into our family!

Jody and Jodi had one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever attended. It is so awesome to see two people that are so in love get married.

I pray that God will continue to bless your life together and I pray for many, many, many happy years together. Again congratulations and love you both!

P.S. I caught the bouquet....first time in my life I have ever caught the bouquet at a wedding!

Cool Picture...

I thought this was a cool picture. I got it in an email today. It is a five generation picture. Just wanted to share.

Three Months...

Well I've been in Franklin for three months now. Can you believe it?!?!? I've made it through the 90 day "probation period" at work. I guess they are going to keep me. I'm still loving work. The more I learn and the more duties that I'm given the more I love it. Everyone at work is super nice (even the guy that asked me if my family was redneck).

The summer has been usually mild here this year...according to the local folks. I'm not much of an outside person but since the weather has been nice I've enjoyed the being outside. I'm enjoying porch at my apartment.

All is well!

This Is Alittle Funny...

Happy Birthday Jessica!

I hope you have a GREAT day!

So Is Your Family Really Redneck?...

I had that question ask of me today. One of the guys in our office asked me what I did this weekend. I told him I went home for a visit. He said, "so is your family really redneck?", I said, "what?", he said, "well it is Arkansas. I was just wondering". It was kind out of the blue. I mean really who asks that question?!?! I was telling my mom about it this afternoon. She didn't think it was a big deal. I told her that I don't go around asking people if their mom and dad are cousins!??!?!? I wasn't offended just surprised by the question.

I hope everyone has a

great & safe holiday weekend!

Home...

I'm going to Arkansas this weekend! I'm so excited. I haven't been home since May. I'm leaving right after work. All my stuff is in the car...I'm ready to go. I thought I might get off work early but unfortunately someone else is out so I'm covering for her. Yes, I'm posting at work. It is SUPER quiet here. I'll be on the road soon!

A Movie...

Nicholas Sparks is my favorite author. I've read all the books that he has released. I'm to the point that I wait not so patiently for each book to be released.

I have some exciting new for those who care: 1. he is working on a new book...WOOOHOOOOO! 2. one of his book has been made into a movie that will be released in September.

For those of you who to don't know who Nicholas Sparks is....well first we probably aren't friends. He is the author of A Walk To Remember, The Notebook and Message In a Bottle. All three of these books have been made into a movie.

The new movie is Nights in Rodanthe. Although it isn't my favorite book. The movie is staring Richard Gere and Diane Lane...how could the movie be bad. I will tell you...for those of you still reading...I was disappointed in The Notebook movie...anyone fortunate enough to watch the movie with me heard about my disappointment...don't get me wrong it was a good movie just not as good as the book. I know a movie is never as good as the book...but I was still disappointed. If you would like to watch the movie trailer click here. The release date is September 26.

Oh yeah...I'm totally kidding about the us not being friends thing...some of you may have just missed the opportunity to be educated about Nicholas Sparks...anyway consider this post your first lesson.

Head Shots...

Here are some of the pictures from the photo session at the office. The photographer took over one hundred shots. It was a lot of fun.

Chattanooga...

I went to Chattanooga this weekend with Becky, Doyne, Jessica, Emery and Guice. We had a really good time. We went to the aquarium, the Chattanooga Choo-Choo and walked around downtown. The aquarium was AWESOME! It see more pictures visit Jessica's blog.