*blows off dust*

I just had this weird desire to stop by and post something. 

I don't know if anyone will read this. 

I kinda feel like Matt Damon in The Martian, trying to contact the outside world... on a deserted planet. 

#BringHimHome 

Maybe I'll start blogging again?

Do people still do that?

If you're still out there, holla at me. 

Once upon a time, there was a girl who hated vampires.

Once upon a time, there was a girl who hated vampires.

Actually, she hated anything "scary".  She didn't watch scary movies.  She didn't go to spooky houses.  And she didn't read scary books.

Actually, she didn't read books at all.  This was a very dark time for literature in this girl's life.

During college, she was forced, often tortured, with reading.  She spent four and a half years reading text books and syllabi. Occasionally, she would find time to read a magazine or a newspaper article...and blogs, of course, but books were just a thing of her past.

Until one day, a couple of her friends started talking about a book.  It was this tragically romantic book about a girl who moves to a place where trees are covered in moss and it rains 90% of the time.  The girl meets a god-like boy at her new high school.  He seems unattainable and completely uninterested.  Until one fateful day, when he saves her from a van skidding across the ice...WITH HIS BARE HANDS.  What the what?  Come to find out, it's a book about a girl who falls in love with a vampire...and vice versa. 

For obvious reasons, the girl adamantly refused the book.  There is no way that she would ever, and I mean, EVER read a book about vampires.  *Refer to the title of the post*

Two weeks later, the girl had devoured the books...all of them.  No, she didn't eat them.  *rolls eyes*  She prefers brownies.  By devour, I mean she read the books non-stop.  She didn't eat, sleep, do laundry, or talk to her friends, until the very last page was read.  Then, she read them again.

And so began her love affair for all things sparkly.  And Edward Cullen.

Now, let's skip ahead about a year.  These vampire books became a movie, and a new love began to blossom.  She found herself head-over-heels, not only for the sparkly vampire, but also the god-like creature that portrays him, Robert Pattinson.

She began filling her office with all things Twilight and Rob.  She started a blog.  She went to Twilight Conventions.  She threw Twilight parties.  She got a Twilight tattoo.  She traveled to Forks.  I guess you could say, she became a Twihard, in every sense of the word.

So, as her final hurrah...one last Twilight party (that lasted 7 days)...she made the pilgrimage to the Black Carpet.  That's right, and she slept in a tent in the middle of LA for three nights

(well, for a couple of nights...sorta...she had a room at The Luxe across the street...WHAT? She couldn't risk being stinky when she met Robert Freakin' Pattinson!), she waited in line after line, she obtained ulcers from all of the worrying she did over whether or not she would even get into Tent City/Fan Camp (that's what they call the place they herd all of the fans while you wait to see if you get a spot on the Black Carpet), met people she would have never met any other way, rubbed elbows with Twilight Stars,

made friends who will last a lifetime, 

and ROBERT FREAKIN' PATTINSON.

 Stop back by later this week for a picture overload and to hear all about when she met Stephenie Meyer and Robert Pattinson.

iheartfaces - Best Faces of 2012

Way back when, I used to join in on the weekly iheartfaces Challenge almost every week.  But, we all know that I completely fell off of the blogging wagon, so I haven't linked up in quite some time (like years).  

One wagon I haven't fallen off of is the photography wagon.  I still love it.  I actually just recently upgraded my camera...like, it came in the mail YESTERDAY!  I can't wait to go all snap happy with it.  Unfortunately, I haven't even had the chance to play with it yet...but I did kiss it...and pet it...and called it "my precious".  What?  I really love it and it's been on my wish list every since I got my first DSLR, so it was a long time coming!

Today's picture that I'm linking up with this week's iheartfaces.com challenge is from my old camera, but I still love it, because I love these faces more than my new shiny camera.

I know, I know.  Two blog posts in one week.  Don't get all excited.  I'm notorious for going all guns blazing and then fizzling out like a dud on the 4th of July.

It's Dangerous To Go Alone - A Legend of Zelda Birthday Party

I thought about coming on here and just writing my post and pushing "publish" like no big deal...like I haven't been here in 7 months.  But I have to be completely honest and tell you that I almost forgot how to even get here.  I was going to feel really stupid if I had to email one of you and ask you how.  Fortunately, I got to hang on to a little bit of my pride, and I figured it out myself.

That being said, how the heck are you guys?

One of my New Year's resolutions was to make a point to stop by here at least a couple of times a month and dust off the cobwebs.  So, here I am.

*blows dust*

*coughs uncontrollably*

I have so many things that I've wanted to blog about.  I actually am having a hard time figuring out where to start!  I know crazy problem for someone who hasn't blogged in 7 months.  Trust me, it's not that I haven't had any "material", I just haven't had the time!

Did you all know that I went to LA to the Breaking Dawn 2 Premiere, camped out for 3 days, and met Robert FREAKING Pattinson?  I'm sure if you follow me on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram, you picked up on that little tidbit.  I still pinch myself every once in a while.

So, that's totally bloggable, right?!

I've also thrown a few parties and such that I would like to blog about.  I love putting stuff like that on here, because it's a way for me to keep track of my own ideas and I know I always love finding blog posts like that when I'm trying to plan a party.

Last Saturday, Isaiah turned 9!  Can you believe that?  When I started this blog, he was 4.  I seriously have NO idea where the last 9 years have gone.  He reminds me constantly that he'll be a teenager in 4 years.  WHA?!  No.  I'm planning on doing everything within my power to change the age of becoming a teenager...maybe adding in a few new numbers between 9 and 13.  Something.  I can't just stand by and let this happen.

So, Saturday, we had a Legend of Zelda party.  If you know Isaiah, you know that he always wants something crazy and off the wall.  It was fun going old school.  I should have paid more attention back in my Nintendo days, because I had to keep using the 8 year old (now 9...only 4 years away from a teenager).

Let me tell you, there are just not that many Zelda party resources out there!  I looked high and low...blogs, Pinterest, websites, etc.  I finally found a few good ideas over on the Zelda Party Channel.  Surprisingly (or not), there are more adult party ideas out there than their are kid friendly ideas.

Here's how we did it:

Isaiah's top request was a Triforce Treasure Hunt.  So, I found a free template for a Treasure Hunt online at Parents.com and customized it to fit our party.  I made some signs for different parts of the yard using places from the Legend of Zelda games.  I led the kids around the yard as they searched for pieces of the Triforce.  Sometimes, they would have to solve a math problem or a riddle to know where to find the next clue.  Then, when they had all of the pieces of the Triforce, they put it together and flipped it over for their final clue, which led them to Isaiah's Room where there was a treasure box full of gold (aka chocolate coins).  The kids loved it and it took up a lot of the party time!

The other activity that we did was making shields.  Even the girls loved this!  They totally got into designing their shield.  They put a lot of thought and hard work into them.  Then, they took them with them on their Treasure hunt!  

Along with some swords, of course, because it's dangerous to go alone! 

For food, we had pizza and Red Potion Punch.  The punch was a recipe I got off of the Zelda Party Channel website and it was DELICIOUS.  I'll definitely be putting it in my file for future use...would be tasty for an "adult beverage"...I'm thinking tequila or rum, probably.  I used frozen strawberries, so it gave it a slushie consistency.  I made individual servings by pouring it into 8oz Mason jars.  Since it started out semi-frozen, they stayed cold for hours (with the lids on)!  This was a big hit with the kids and the adults!

I basically just used lots of green and gold for the decorations and found some Zelda party supplies on CelebrateExpress.com...and failed to take any decent pictures of the decorations...so, just use your imagination. 

The piece de resistance of any party, if you ask me, is the cake!  My cousin's wife's sister  (did you get that?) started making cakes a couple of years ago and she has been a wonderful resource for me when I'm planning an event!  She never fails to come through with an AMAZING cake and she's always up for a challenge.  I love her...and this cake!  Isaiah loved it, too.

He was one very happy 9 year old...who will be a teenager in 4 years.  

Huntington Beach Mini Movie by the Fabulous Movie-Maker, Becca Darling

Yeah, yeah, yeah.  Two of my last three posts have been about Huntington Beach and how awesome it was.  Deal with it...'cause Honey Badger don't care.  "Toniiiiiiiiight...we ARE young!!!"


If you want to smile today, you should watch this.  It has that affect on people.

A ginormous THANK YOU to Becca @ The Texas Darlings for the video.  (She does this as a business, if you're interested.  They make great gifts!!)

Hope you're all having a super great week! XOXO

14th Wedding Anniversary and Underage Marriage

Fourteen years ago today I married, Michael.  I know.  I know.  You guys are sitting there counting on your fingers, doing the math and thinking "how is this possible?  She's been married 14 years?  She must have just been a baby!"  Well, I wasn't technically a "baby", but I was only 10.  Kidding.  Plus 10.  I live in Oklahoma, not Arkansas.  Give me a little credit.  (*hold up hands in defense*  Totes kidding.  I love Arkansas.)

I remember that day so vividly. There was the missing iron, and then the missing best man who was supposed to have went and found the said iron. I later found out that my mom and aunt dropped two cheese trays and salvaged the cheese cubes that were "on top", so if you ate cheese at my wedding reception, don't 
worry...I'm pretty sure they followed the 5 second rule. 

Thanks to one of my lovely servers, who was also the star goalie on our HS soccer team, my cake was saved from hitting the floor...well, some of the cake. It was a mess, but fortunately we got some nice pics, had more in the back, and got a free cake out of the deal. 


Ah, yes...those are things that come to mind when I think back on one of the most important days of my life.  More importantly, I think about the "dash" that is between 1998-2012...I think about the love that Michael and I share. I think about Isaiah and how I'm glad he's here. I think about the home that we've built. I mean, we technically built a home and did not get divorced. Although there were a few days that were touch and go. If you want to try your marriage, build a house...and live with your in-laws for 6 months while you're in the process. I will pitch a tent and pee in a can before I do that again. Our life may not be exactly the way we thought it would be this far down the road and every moment has not been perfect.  There have been knock-down-drag-out fights and I threw a phone at Michael's head once.  We are both "passionate" people...nice way to say bullheaded and stubborn.  But I wouldn't have it any other way. There is not a trial or valley or mountain or even a little hill that I would take back. Each one has put us on a this path and kept us moving along life's journey. I'm just glad that I'm on this journey with Michael.   Hopefully he doesn't read this, it'll go straight to his head.

If you're reading this Michael, I love you!  I can't wait for the weekend!

Oh, Look! Palm Trees! Californication or #HB7...whatevs

I can't believe it's been over two weeks since we got back from Cali.  It kinda feels like a dream on some days.  Especially, when I'm slaving away, punching numbers all day.  I can't just look out my window and say, "Oh, look!  Palm trees!"

Have you guys seen the sand and seashells in Cali?  AH-mazing.  At least to people who don't live on the beach...and who've had *achem*toomanyglassesofwineandsakeandpossiblyshotsoftequila* a little too much sun.  Yeah, that sun will totally go to your head.  You've really gotta watch that when you're in Cali.

Also, you know how when you've been with good friends and you have little inside jokes and then you come home and those inside jokes aren't as funny.  Yeah, there's that.  Totally pisses me off when I can't get anyone to laugh at "'scuse, the lady" or "Honey Badger don't care..."

Where are these people's sense of humor?!?!  I mean, seriously.  Makes me want to just jack their shit up. 




*skip the snoring and go straight to 0:30* (Sidenote: I love Viv's mom voice at the end "be good"...did you hear that, Skillz?!)

Sorry about that, Skillz.  I wouldn't ever jack your shit up, you know. I love your face.  It would be totally rude for me to do that or oh, I don't know, say, chunk a shoe at you or something like that...

Yeah, that wouldn't be nice at all.

I'm so thankful for sweet friends, who never take pictures or videos of you for blackmail purposes, and never throw you under the bus...ever. 

(Sidenote:  He looks like he's holding a purse...but he wasn't, totally straight.  His girlfriend told us to "keep it klassy"...uh huh, ok.  Sure.)

+

There are just not enough people like the #HB7 in this world.

I'll be back soon with more from the Cali trip!  There are just too many pictures and videos for one post.  *waiting patiently for Becca's awesome mini-movie! 

If you want to see more, go visit one of these girls...Impulsive, Seriously Shawn, or Connie.

GET IN THE HOUSE, CARL!

While you're at it, link up to TTUT w/ Skillz and Shawn! 

Hope you're all having a great week!! XOXO