Her 21st!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BELLA GRACE!!

My little Bella girl is turning 3 today! awhh..I wish I had puppy pictures of her on this computer. Hands down, cutest diva-dog ever. EVER.

i ♥ monogrammed.......EVERYTHING

Ok, this is Rude. REALLY rude. Etiquette and manners right out the window- I know. You don't have to tell me. I didn't go to cotillion though, so I figure I can get away with it.

I found something I NEED. NEEEEEEEED, people. NEED. I found, while reading one of my cutesy-cute blogs I follow, a monogrammed frame type of thing. Mrs. Lovely, over at Just Lovely, had a post in which she talked about house-warming gifts she was considering for a friend of hers. Cue eyes turning green with envy. She posted a picture of this little guy and I fell in love. She even includes a link in her post to where she found it. AWESOME. I think this may become my go-to wedding gift in the future as well.

In the words of Rachel Zoe.... I DIE!!

I love monograms, but have been a little worried about how our new monogram will look, with the double letters and all. My old monogram is dRm, and our new monogram together will be dDb. I'm excited to personalize things with this, and after seeing this sample picture I feel better about the whole reoccurring "double-d" challenge/fiasco/cheap joke I face. The sample picture has two "b"'s and I think it looks just fine. Resume begging. Thanks.

Sorry for begging. Seriously.

Now on Refrigerators across America!

Big Bummer that I can't enlarge this pic anymore or it gets wayyyy fuzzy. These are our Save the Date magnets- they've been out for quite a while now, so I feel safe posting them! I wanted it to all be a surprise. I marked out our names under the date on the StD, so don't think it looks awkward!

I have had this design in my head for as long as I can remember. I always knew I'd end up marrying someone goofy and light-hearted like myself, and that this type of StD would be perfect. I had these pictures taken (for free!) and had the idea drawn up. The HARDEST part was finding somewhere online to order the magnets in the correct photo booth type of dimensions. Everywhere I looked or printing company that I called on didn't have the correct dimensions to achieve the look. I finally found an online website that specialized in this and ordered these from http://www.wedding-magnets.com/. Their website gets a D- for quality, but their finished products and customer service get an A! Not only did the magnets look GREAT, but they all came in their own individual clear plastic sleeve, and a stack of mailing envelopes, which were tied together with ribbon and those little metal wedding ring favors. Nice touch. I've gotten so many calls and messages about these, and I can say I'm really pleased with them. It truly shows our personalities, and it's something we will have on our refrigerator forever!


(i think you can click on this picture to enlarge it...ya know, if you are that interested!)

Rewind to LAST last Monday please

You know, not YESTERDAY, but the Monday BEFORE that. Wow. I need to get my act together. Anyway, here are my initial thoughts and commentary on the guys on the new season of the Bachelorette. I vowed up and down and all over again I would never watch the show again because of how much of a sham and plotted story it is becoming. Anyway, I love Jillian and she dresses WAYYayyyyAYYYY cute, so I say I am just watching to check out all her wonderful outfits. But I admit, a house full of guys doesn't hurt, especially when they have more drama-drama than a house full of catty girls.

Here goes (and keep in mind this is ALLL prior to last night's show-all nicely recorded as I watched on a paper towel so I wouldn't forget....because I knew I'd wait forever to post about it)

My Bachelorette standouts -GOOD & BAD :
(there seem to be a lot of D-bags this season...some of the guys I've mentioned are developing into them after watching last night's episode, some of them came out of the starting gate this way. Bless their little souls.)

Juan- CA-UTE building contractor from Cali...maybe I just have a thing for building contractors? ehh, Mr. Dunn-dee?

Kipton- laid back surfer guy from Cali, not all that cute, but I might just have a crush on his name

Wes-Country twang-twang guitar playing sweetie from Austin, TX. Playing the guitar and singing country songs wins me over for sure, but that gold chain he had on was one big "oh no he didn't" (ps, thoughts on him have changed after watching last night)

Greg- eek, I can't even remember if he made it through the first round of cuts, but he seemed like SUCH an ego-maniac last week

Josh-once again, can't remember if he made it through cuts (I don't think so) but he was a lifeguard and he just creeped me out for some reason. and he was a mega cheeseball.

Mark-pizza shop owner-umm CUTE- does he deliver?!! Can't remember if he made it through round one either- I think so though.

Jesse-he was into details and I thought it was soooo cute. He was a winemaker (umm, fun!) and he had on the "aspiring Canadian" shirt. sweeeet.

Michael-breakdancer with a GREAT personality. he would definitely be one of my good friends. guess that's not the point of the show, though? he's so-so on looks, but he seems SO easy to get along with. may turn out to friend material for her too, though.

AND MY HUGEST CRUSH EVER (outside of Ryan from the season with Trista as the Bachelorette)
THE ONE, THE ONLY JAKE!!- WOW. what else can I say. I see him making it pretty far. He's super adorable, a pilot, and from TEXAS! does it get any better?

Ok, and as a sidenote, I need the jewelry that Jillian wore in the first episode for my wedding gown. Thanks. [[APPARENTLY, there is not a SINGLE photo of the beautiful diamond outlined flower with pearl center earrings and matching cuff bracelet that she wore.]] HELP PLEASE!!

Oh, and I found this website that tells where she found her fringed mini dress for the date with Jake (you can find a very similar one at Forever21 also) and the black & white mini that Mr. Dunn-dee fell in love with. He admitted he has a thing for black & white. I've noticed this over three years - everything he ever buys or picks out for me....black and white. always. Soooo, I might have to make the purchase on this black & white dress like Jillian's.
http://sharpinsandiego.wordpress.com/2009/05/26/jillians-bw-and-fringe-dresses-found/

Winners All Around!!

I won my FIRST ever blog giveaway! HOORAY! Kristen, over at Kristen's Palace, emailed me letting me know I won her $20 giftcard giveaway! How convenient is THAT?! I mean, God sure takes care of my unemployed little behind! Because let me tell you, this girl here likes to put on some makeup and actually leave the house for supper every once in a while...and, well, unemployment doesn't just lend itself to that too often! SOOO, I am most appreciative of the $20 giftcard. AND I am having some major restraint by selecting a restaurant rather than a store (she told me it could be for any store or restaurant), so that I can treat Mr. Dunn-dee as well! I'm so glad she stumbled across my blog, because I absolutely love hers! And the quote she has on her header....oh yes, definitely going to be painted on a canvas and hung on a wall IF and WHEN I ever have a little girl. It's Perfect!!

THANKS KRISTEN!!

Now on to American Idol. And I have to still yet to post about The Bachelorette. But that should be expected from me by now.

Anyway, KRIS ALLEN won American Idol. Did I expect it?! Not by a long shot. Am I SO HAPPY and SO PROUD? You bet!! I don't think I've ever mentioned this, but I went to college at UCA in Conway, AR! WOO HOOO!! Something to finally be proud of other than Scottie Pippin graduating from UCA. While I never met Kris personally, I did know his brother, Daniel, well (the blonde guy always on there). I was involved in different groups and clubs with him and had classes with him, and lived right behind his frat house. Every where they visisted in Conway was all places I knew, and while I didn't know Kris, it's still exciting seeing your little college town up there all coming together. I know their family and friends must be completely overwhelmed. I couldn't imagine my life taking that drastic of a change so soon after getting married. Hey, I wouldn't MIND that kind of drastic change right after getting married, but it would be hard to take in all at once!


Here is a video from my friend's iPhone in the park in downtown Conway at the watchparty. It's neat to have a little inside look of the craziness in Conway!
Warning: Lots of screaming. LOTS. You've been warned.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8UJTnE-35U

Ok, don't know WHY, but it wouldn't let me embed the video...it kept saying the HTML tag was messed up- what am I doing wrong?!

REALLLY!?!!

Ok, I think I know why Real Estate is doing so poorly right now. I am outright DISGUSTED with the professionalism and manner in which real estate agencies deal these days. I've never dealt with any before, and it is PITIFUL. PITIFUL, people!

I honestly would be blowing smoke out of my ears right now if it was humanly possible.

I just got done calling a bajillion real estate agencies to ask if they had any rental listings, just so I could get some information and see what companies actually dealt with rentals.

First 4 agencies I called-no answer, no answering machine to pick up missed calls.

Next agency- lady that answers that phone is sweet as pie and buttering me up like toast and telling me she will put me through to the rental department, but says first she will get my number in case the lady doesn't answer. In the meantime, she manages to ask what I'm looking for.

I respond with "oh something small, I'm getting married and we just need a starter house"

lady: "oh, well...you don't just want to BUY a house?"

me: "no, my fiance builds houses for a living...hahaha, cheesy laugh."

lady: "oh....ok. i'll put you through. click."

No answer from rental department (but there was a voice mail system!), and of course, the other lady failed to ever get my number.

NEXT agency-
young girl answering phone in an "i'd rather shoot myelf in the eye with a bb gun than be here, and i stayed out drinking all night last night so i barely have a distinguishable voice" tone:
"Hi, _______ Realty"

me: "hi! I was calling to see if your agency has any rental listings at the moment in the ______ area?"

chick: "umm k, what's your price range?"

me: "I'm not as of yet, it depends on the size and neighborhood I guess. I would say under ____. "

chick: "oh, nope. nothing."

me: "umm....ok, do you have ANY rental listings?"

chick: "for houses...i mean yeah?"

me: "umm....yes. i am just trying to get some information and figure out price ranges and such, and figure out what you have listed. That price range isn't set, I just need an idea of what is available and rates."

chick: "oh, well....i mean.....the best I can do is call you back in a couple of weeks when maybe I know of something."

me: "nevermind. click."

REALLY?!!! REALLY?!! Do you have rental listings or not? Let me know! Have you ever actually sold or rented a house before? Because I'd be shocked if you had. Take a thoat losenge and maybe a redbull, sister. Or I might be forced to come and take your job out from under your feet.

LAST agency: the agency that broke the camel's back. and made the camel think that if she possibly went into real estate she'd alone outsale every AGENCY as a whole operating in this town.

me: dee doo doop dee dee (dialing number)

guy: "yeah, hello"

me: "..... I'm sorry, I was trying to reach a real estate agency."

guy: "that's what this is. i'm one of their agents"

me: "oh, sorry....I wasn't sure where I had reached because you just said HELLO."

guy: .......crickets.......

me: "ok, well I was calling to see if you have any rental listings at the moment."

guy: "ahhh, yes. umm.... actually, we have a lady that handles that....." yes, that one. (not talking to me at this point, but still talking into the phone).

me: "oh, great!!'

guy: "yeah, i'll give you her cell phone number and you can call her. (gives number).

me: "ok, and her name is?"

guy: "connie. but her husband's in the hospital, so you might not want to call her for a while."

me: "ahh, ok. thanks for your help."

guy: "yep." click.

REALLLY?!!!?!!! REALLY??!!! Ok, what company/business answers the phone "hello?!" I don't care if your work number is your cell phone number (which, in this case, it WASN'T). If you know people reach you by that number for business, you should always answer the phone with either YOUR name or the company name. GEEZ!! I had NO idea who I was calling.
I swear, I had to call and get a work reference on a guy when I was working at an employment agency one time and I had to call McDonalds....and you know how they answered the phone? "Hi, thank you for calling McDonald's on _____ St." I mean, REALTORS, if McDonalds has the respect to answer the phone as if they are working out of a respectable establishment, why don't you?!
PITIFUL! REALLLY!!!

Bad Blogger Gets Another Award

Consider me lucky. While I consider myself a poor, boring blogger, evidently there are some people out there that enjoy my rants, raves, and plain out rambles. I got another award, and to prove my poor blogging status, she had to REMIND me she gave me an award. And what's worse, I had to go to her "older posts" to retrieve it! Eek! Sorry!

The fabulous Simply Me (I prefer to call her Simply Fabulous, because she IS!) gave this to me a whiiiiile back. I love this award, and am so glad we are blogging friends. She has my ideal of a dream job (hello-working in SHOES?!) and is always up for any scour the internet challenge I throw her way. She's just.....simply fabulous!

My Queenie duties include:1.List seven things that make us awe-summm.2.Pass the award on to seven bloggers we love.3.Tag those bloggers to let them know that they are now Queens of All Things Awe-Summm.4.Don't forget to link to the Queen that tagged us.5.If you would like, copy the pic and put it on your sidebar so everyone knows that you're a Queen.

7 things that make me awe-summm!!!

1. I drive a big bad boy sports car. and have since high school. without complaining. it is so me.

2. I bargain shop like no other. it's a gift. i can literally find the exact same outfit as someone else for half the price.

3. I am a smart girl, and owe it all to my parents reading so much to me as a child. i passed my PRAXIS the first go round (with only one college course in English), and made a 32 on my ACT.

4. I don't hold back in love. Not one bit. I know what I want, and I'm not afraid to go after it whole heartedly. I have drive & lots of love...and no matter what happens, I always will.

5. I love when God gives me the opportunity to help someone, and he ALWAYS will if you pray asking for the chance to present itself.

6. I'm not afraid to say another girl is pretty/cute/gorgeous. even to Mr.Dunn-dee. i think if more girls could do this, life would be 1000% better! haha.

7. I'm not scared of change. i went to college where I knew no one, and instantly had lots of friends. i moved to Tennessee where I knew no one except Mr. Dunn-dee, and now have a group of some great girl friends. i'm not scared to put myself out there and be vulnerable. all you need is a smile and a willingness to be uncomfortable sometimes and not have a safety blanket. peoople will embrace you more than you know if you let them.

Deep conditioning treatment in hair...

....just enough time for a post.

I know, I've been MIA for a while. And really, I don't care. I haven't felt like blogging. I have too much going on in my mind and I don't feel like talking about things until I have them sorted out, because you can't UNsay something once it is said. Just know, Mr. Dunn-dee's things are back at his house, and I stayed there last night "to talk." Not sure where this all leads, what will happen.....or even what I want. Like I said, I don't talk about things to just anyone until they are sorted out, and I knew if I got on here to post it will all come pouring out of my mind, down into my fingers, and straight onto the keyboard for all to read.

Anyway, had a GREAT time at PINKS! All out, and NO RAIN! Well, it spit on us for about 3 minutes,but that was all. Sunny skies outside of that, and a looong tiring day, with a burnt scalp to prove the sun's attendance. (Knew I should have pulled it back- dang part!)

I've enjoyed being off work (being off- who am I kidding?! HAVING NO JOB!), but I am dying....DYING....to go shopping. It's starting to become a problem. I can't leave the house, because I know I'll go shopping. I did buy some new Coach wedges online though. On ebay. And I emailed the lady about 100 times asking questions to make sure they were authentic. I'm so leery of that sort of thing. I know all my signs of fake Coach and real Coach, so I had her send me extra pictures and things so I could check out all the labels and markings and wording. SOOO, that's all I've cracked on. I might need to block ebay here pretty soon though. I've been bidding and bidding on vintage cowboy boots and (luckily) getting outbid in the last SECONDS. Why can't I just get paid for keeping the house clean? I mean REALLY? I can always dream...

Oh, but here are my new wedges- shipped out yesterday! I have a cute red dress to wear them with, and am sure I can find some cute royal blue something at Forever21 to wear with them also. Can't wait to get them!



Ok, time to go rinse out this amazing smelling peppermint deep conditioning treatment.
Sorry, not in the Thank You Thursday posting mood either- in a funk? you bet I am.

Redneck Chic?

Me and THE Mr. Dunn-dee are headed out to the drag races today (PINKS! All out). Woo hoo!

Dilemma: What exactly does a style conscious little lady like myself WEAR to a redneck hoop-la such as this? I know flats of some sort, since we will be walking around most of the day (I guess?!), but I dont want to nasty-up the bottom of any of my jeans in who knows what kind of junk we will be walking around in.....I'm guessing mud/dirt/oil. Lovely.

Dilemma #2: Weather. Oh, lovely, sunny, perfect last week but monsoon this week weather. The weather report for today: Cloudy early with isolated thunderstorms developing this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 84F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
And for tomorrow: Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. High 72F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.

Umm...how do I dress for this weather? GREAT!!

Anyway, the Tyra Banks show is coming on. I have to turn it before I throw something at my TV just to get her sefl-indulgent self off of the screen.

Ohh la la, boutiques & giveaways & awards, OH MY!

I've really been meaning to post this award I received, and I promise, I was pee-pee pants excited when I got this, but I'm just a procrastinator. Please learn to deal. This lovely little award is my FIRST, and it was given to me by the lovely Anna at Accidentaly on Purpose. So sweet, so kind, so wonderful of her! She just posted about having a blast at Chuck E. Cheese in her twenties, and I'm not gonna lie.....I want to go to Chuck E. Cheese now. Anyone have kids I can borrow to have a good excuse for being in there, kicking kiddie butt at skeeball?



Oh, and make sure you check out Misadventures of a Newlywed (along with the thousands of other people, no literally....thousands) for a GREAT giveaway. Winning this giveaway given her thousands of followers maybe be harder than, say, winning a stuffed animal at a fair, but definitely easier than winning the lottery. It's worth a shot!

AAAAANNDDD finally, this little gem. I was invited to joing this members only boutique shopping website (sorry whoever sent me the invite- I can't remember...I hope you're not reading this right now and saying to your self " Oh, I am SO not following her anymore! Ungrateful little.....") The place is called Rue-la-la (cute,huh?) and it features different boutiques for a limited time with items for a deeply discounted price. Both fortunately AND unfortunately, when I was invited, there was an awesome Lilly Pulitzer boutique going on. Discounted Lilly-good. No job to purchase any of said discounted Lilly-bad. Anyway, ladies, if you would like to join this little boutique, please leave a comment with your email and I will see to it that you get an invite.

Stay tuned for Thank you Thursday later today!

A SHOE CLUB?!

When a friend told me about a "shoe club" she joined, I thought "no, this can't be true....a club? for shoe lovers?"

But yes....it is true. I have joined a monthly shoe club. I waited to post about it until I actually got my first month's pair of shoes. Let me tell you how it works- notepads out....pens ready....ok, here I go.

Simply visit shoedazzle.com and sign up. the end. Well, sort of. There is a monthly "due" of 39.00 every month. "Well there, Mrs. almost Dunn, don't you realize you are simply paying 39.00 every month for a new pair of shoes? What's so exciting about that?" you ask.

Well friends, every month I receive a selection of five different pair of shoes hand picked for me based on a personality type of survey I filled out when I registered for the site. If I don't like my options, I can simply ask for a new selection as well. I also have the option to "skip this month" for times when...oh, i don't know...I quit my job and don't need to be buying a new pair of shoes. So, my account won't be charged for that month. Also, if I don't like the shoes I picked when they arrive in the mail, I can return them and choose a new pair.

I do need to make a disclaimer here though fine ladies. This is Kim Kardashian's website. Ugh. Enough said. Not a fan. Never gonna be. However, I am happy to say I am a member of this "world premier shoe society."

I got the shoes I chose for last month in the mail yesterday, and I must say....I DO, IN FACT, feel like a member of a world premier shoe society! I'm positive the UPS guy was shaking in his boots to be delivering to such shoe royalty after seeing this here ole box!

Here is the shoebox itself. The cuteness continues. I think I just paid 39.00 to make myself feel like I actually had a personal shoe stylist. Worth it?! I should think so!!

Here are the "night out on the town, but not TOO long of a night because these are going to be killing my feet" shoes I ordered:

I got THIS free Pashmina since it was my first order. Gee, thanks Kim Kardashian! So thoughtful of you!

And here is the wholllleeee enchilada- Consider me shoe royalty. Princess Prettytoes. Thanks.

Misson Surprise: SUCCESS!

Mr. Dunn-dee's surprise was an all around success!! This is the first birthday (out of three) that I've actually lived CLOSE to him. I lived in Arkansas while I went to college, and he was here in Tennesee....about 4 hours apart. Torture. Let me just tell you, he should have had a sponsor like nascar cars do, with all gas he used and miles he put on his truck coming to see ( and surprise) me every weekend.

Anyway, the surprise, which he couldn't ever figure out from the toy Hot Wheels 69 Chevelle wrapped in the pink bag, was actually a scavenger hunt type of thing I led him on to find the final gift . The toy was just a clue to tease him with. I was so anxious all day. Hoping he hadn't figured it out yet. When he got to my apt, I had a word taped on the front door with a riddle on the back to lead him to the next hidden word. The individual words spelled out "Lose the race, lose your ride." The last word led him to tickets to the Speed Channel's program, "PINKS! All Out", going on this weekend in Memphis. The "Lose the race, lose your ride" is the tagline for the show, because it is a drag racing event we watch on tv all.....the.....time where in the end, the two finalists are racing for the pink slips on their cars. I promise we aren't redneck. Maybe a little pinkneck (pun intended!), but not full blown REDNECK! haha

PINKS! All out: LOSE THE RACE, LOSE YOUR RIDE!
Two hot cars. Two proud owners. And it’s winner takes all in PINKS. Host Rich Christensen travels the country pitting two contestants against one another in this high stakes drag race. The negotiations are heated. The races are real. Emotions run high. And the loser walks home. PINKS: Lose the race. Lose your ride.
He likes to drive fast, he's into racing cars and all that good country boy stuff, and I have to admit I enjoy it also. I love the old souped up cars. I'm a sports car kind of girl myself, and I love watching them race. SO, the tickets that I had hid in my underwear drawer since February (that he was embarassed to go into after the riddle led him there: "Dana wears these everyday, but nobody ever sees them....I hope") remained a secret up until the very moment he opened them up! HOORAY! Can I pat myself on the back? Ok, thanks.

I was sure he would figure out what it was before the end of the scavenger hunt by reading the words on the front of the pieces of paper, but he was so busy trying to figure out the clues that he didn't even pay attention to the words...well, he did mention once- "why do all these say lose??," the only time he noticed the words were on both of the loses. ANYWAY, job well done I must say so myself.

So, fellow bloggers, wherever you are, me and the hot/adorable/country/well-dressed/hilarious/saaa-weeet Mr. Dunn-dee and I will be in Memphis this weekend at the Memphis Motorsports Track getting our redneck on. Pray for sunshine! I wouldn't mind getting a tan while I'm there....ya know, a nice tanktop straps redneck tanline of course.

Sidenote: Mr. Dunn-dee does NOT usually look like this. Hence the reason he wouldn't let me take many pictures.

Me: Smile!!!! let me get a picture!

Mr. Dunn-dee: Doooon't, I look gross and nasty.

Me: It's ok, you just got off work. You work outside!

Mr.Dunn-dee: Yeah, but I know you're going to put this on your blog crap for everyone to look at. I look nasty.

Hmm.....and men aren't into looking good? I beg to differ.

If it were MY Birthday...

...this is what I would wish for!

Seashell Sandles from alloy.com, size 8.5. thanks.


Coral Ruffle Halter linen jumper, also found here on alloy.com, size small.
i'm a sucker for anything linen. and jumpers. and ruffles. and coral. made for me?? i think so.



Charleston stretch twill shorts, in yellow, to wear with EVERYTHING this summer. and to make my legs look extra mexican. also found here on alloy.com, marked down to 21.20. I MAY or MAY NOT have found an Alloy Catalog in my mailbox. You tell me.


These mirrored nightstands for the new imaginary home I will be living in. for the master bedroom, to go along with light chocolate walls and an orange and white comforter. not because I love to see myself first thing when I wake up and roll over in the morning (eek!), but because they add a little whimsy to a chocolate room, and make orange an actual workable color. found this at the Home Gallery Stores.

The Mr.'s B-Day!

Yay! Today is Mr. Dunn-dee's birthday! I absolutely love birthdays. Probably because I have the worst holiday/birthday EVER. It's impossible to celebrate, so I live vicariously through other's birthday.

We sent this in a card to daddy last year before I moved to Tennessee (we lived 4 hours apart). She loves her daddy!

I have a surprise planned for him, and I'm really excited to actually plan something without him knowing about it (he's the world's best guesser...or maybe I'm the world's worst secret keeper?!). Anyway, this morning I gave him a Hot Wheels 1969 Chevelle wrapped in a little pink bag. Any ideas yet? Don't worry, he doesn't have a clue either. He texted me later this morning and said "i don't get it." My response- "you will." I can't wait for him to get off work!! I will update y'all as soon as he gets the surprise! Woo hooooo, par-tay!

Are you a Reader??

...If you answered "yes' to that question, then I need your advice!

I NEED A NEW BOOK TO READ!!!

I'm not going to lie. Be embarassed, maybe. But lie, I will not. The last book I read was "The Shack." It's a great book, and makes you think about some things and argue with your self over some things. One of those books that helps you to develop a way to defend the way you think and believe, especially within the realms of religion, faith , and your personal relationship with God. I don't support everything the book says, but the book encouraged me to explain to myself the reasons I didn't agree with everything within the book. But, point is, my dad gave me that for Christmas. It's officially May people. How many months is that since Christmas? I don't know, because apparently I've gone retarded with all this non-reading I've done. Did you use (used?! see...DUMB!) to read and for some reason, have convinced yourself that you're too busy? When I was working, I would come home and cook dinner, clean up, and spend time with Mr. Dunn-dee. Also another reason I don't get much blogging done. I want to spend time with him when he is around. But, since sleeping the past few nights on the couch as to keep the Mr. from staying up all night due to my tossing and turning, I've started thinking about how I used to read every night before bed. I'm talking EVERY night from pre-kindergarten age on. Ok, pre-kindergarten age I only read select words and daddy read the rest, which evolved into me alternating with him reading a sentence, a paragraph, a page, and so on. We had a reading program in my school when I was younger, and I would literally read a book per night. I'm talking Mary Higgins Clarks books in one night in Jr. High. I loved reading. I've been thinking that my inability to grab the words I want in conversation these days and my just over all "uhh, drrrrr" feeling I have been having is because I'm not stretching the olllle mind muscles. Yeah, I just said that.

SOOOOO, I need your suggestions! Know any good books? Am I totally missing out on something life changing? Am I missing out a funny, good read? Am I missing out a great page- turning mystery? I read them all!

SEND ME YOUR MUST-READ BOOK LIST!!!

I promise to return the favor with some of my fave reads, but I can't promise to include authors. I'm bad about that. Get over it and google like the rest of the world. (Feel completely free to tell my lazy behind to do the same so I can post the title and author!)

Just a year ago.....

... I was graduating college!

WOW, to think, just this weekend last year I was graduating from college. I remember being so relieved, proud, and in disbelief. Somehow, I couldn't fathom that I could possibly be COMPLETELY done with school. Not one lingering project to make final touches on, not one final paper to make corrections to, not ONE SINGLE EMAIL to send to any professors before the end of the semester. I was done. For good. And...here I am now {cue mental song: And Here I go again on my owwwnnn♪♫}. I'm not gonna lie, so don't make me feel bad about it--I slept. All day. And that's all I did. Well, outside of a morning Wal-Mart trip for Mr. Dunn-dee's b-day card and those time of the month neccessities. Ok, that explains it. THAT's why I slept all day. ANYWAY, point is, this time last year I was graduating college and moving on to bigger and better things, and now here I sit on my lazy behind, jobless. Oh well! There's still a smile on my face. And there is one thing that is a major improvement from last year-I am DEFINITELY not a depressing shade of white like I was last year! Thank you for an early spring!

--With dad-always talking!

With little momma--

With BF, and one of my BM's.

Cheers to college careers!! Proud of all you other college grads out there!!