Monday, October 27, 2014

It's Monday, my Brain Feels Tired Already and I Love Mugs

Ha! Those are all true things. It is only noon(ish) on Monday and I am off work today and somehow my brain already feels a bit tired. Isn't that sad? I think Mondays have some kind of pull on a person - even when you aren't at work, Mondays just seem to be slightly less than appealing in some way. I have the notion that Mondays are that way because you look at all the things you need to accomplish before the weekend starts and at times it can be a bit daunting...

Although some weeks that also invigorates me, so perhaps I'm a wee bit schizophrenic where Mondays are concerned. Suffice it to say, I feel like Mondays will always be the least liked day of the week. Stinks for you Monday.

One of the aforementioned mugs - a souvenir from my parent's 32nd anniversary trip. 
Something I never intended to collect but I've apparently done without thinking on it? Mugs. I never realized until it came time for me to pack up my life and move just how many mugs I actually owned. The answer is that I own so many! I don't say too many because I love mugs, I really do. I also love drinking coffee (oooh, I love it so much) and hot chocolate and I am a new fan of hot tea, so I guess when you are a drinker of all things warm and toasty, you can never have too many mugs. I have added three to my collection since I moved to Virginia...two of those in this past week. Wow.

A Panera Pumpkin cookie for an after dinner treat on Monday night!

I love Winchester & apparently Southern Living does too! I've only lived here about 5 months but I can actually claim I've been to the places in the first three paragraphs! 

Desperate for a bite of something sweet on Tuesday night - bless him!

A sweet little Pumpkin ready to face the chilly October breezes after Wednesday night Bible study!

Gorgeous blue skies on Thursday - this may be my favorite color of blue!

Up before sunrise on Friday morning - which isn't hard since sunrise isn't until 7:30!
I guess the week passed in a rush of work and home, work and home...I told a friend earlier today that I felt like this past week had just flown by and I realized as I typed it that I meant that; I wasn't just saying it in the way people offhandedly make that comment. I have so few pictures from the past week because I feel like I was hopping to and fro, always doing something. I'm fairly certain that isn't really the case but that is how it feels. The truth is more than likely that I fell into a deep book reading hole and that consumed hours of my time. It happens!

Sweet Wild Orange Tea to drink while watching The Best of Me on Friday night.
I spent Friday and Saturday morning working - Friday night my Mom and I rediscovered Pier One - If I'm being honest, I somehow got the notion in my head that Pier One had gone out of business several years ago. I don't know why I thought this because I see the commercials all the time. I'm nuts I guess. It wouldn't be the first time I've thought that...or been told it. Ha-ha! I probably didn't need to know Pier One was still a thing, they have way too many things that I could buy...if I had A) money and B) a house to put them in. All in good time, I suppose. My Mom and I also went to see The Best of Me; I had read the book it was based on, she had not. Let's just say she wasn't thrilled with how some aspects of the movie turned out. 

My parents picked apples on Saturday morning and I arrived home just in time to see my Mom shoving handfuls of apples into a homemade pie crust. She assured us that even though it was piled high, it would cook down and be just fine. I don't know how she wrangled the top onto it, but I do know that the finished product was delicious and was the perfect celebratory snack after watching State beat Kentucky. I tell you though, being a State fan is always a white knuckle ride - my blood pressure is up from the time they take the field until the clock finally stops. That being said, they're still holding strong at #1 and I'm glad to be a bulldog!

Oh my - look at that pie!

Watson says "help someone...this woman in here keeps ringing this strange bell & I do not like it!"


Sunday morning baby snuggles - thank goodness for this little peach, she kept me warm in church, ha-ha!

I took my sweet parents out for a belated anniversary lunch - aren't they precious?
We spent Sunday afternoon at the Arboretum - if I keep going at the rate I have been, people are going to start to recognize me! My Dad wanted some really nice Autumn color pictures and I knew the Ginkgo grove at the Arboretum was absolutely beautiful...so with just a wee bit of convincing, we climbed into the car and headed up the road! We were not disappointed (at least I certainly wasn't) as the trees had all turned a glorious shade of yellow - but we also discovered that while Ginkgo trees are absolutely beautiful, they smell like poop! So, maybe plant those not as close to your house...

Possible Christmas card photo? I don't know....we'll see.

Watson says "will you please stop making me pose for pictures...there are things I need to sniff..."

Color everywhere - even my shoes were feeling very Autumnal!

Quite possibly the best mug ever!
Our last stop on the Sunday afternoon outing was an old school house that has been turned into an antiques store. Inside this lovely little school house, my Dad hit the mug jackpot - he found a mug that had my dog's mug on it. I mean, how perfect is that? It was only $2 and so of course, I had to have it. I'm fairly certain I own about 35 mugs at this point, but when you've got that many...what is one more, right? Watson wasn't nearly as impressed as we were but that's fine, hes goofy like that.

So - another week come and gone. October has only one week left; really just five day, how in the world did this month pass so quickly? Oh well, however that happened I plan to enjoy the last five days of October and that means I'd better get off the computer and get busy doing other things. Till next time, have a happy week!

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Blast from the Past - Part the Last

Finally - we reach the end. I know, aren't you excited? I guess I'm surprised because for the most part it seems like a lot of my answers have stayed the same. I guess that means I'm fairly certain of who I am as a person, so that's neat. Who knows...maybe I'll try this again in 2019 and see what has changed and what has stayed the same!


76. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO? 
The chef on Food Network

- I am listening to the MSU vs. Kentucky game! Go Dawgs!

77. LAST THING YOU DRANK? 
Lemonade 

- Strawberry Fruit20; it's flavored water

78. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? 
My sweet Momma 

- My little sister, Lindsey. She is such a mess!

79. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IN THE PREFERRED SEX? 
Smile 

- I do like a good smile!

80. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? 
Read, spend time with my family/friends, play on the computer.

- Reading is still an excellent way to pass the time. I blog, which wasn't something I did five years ago. I especially love exploring where I now live; there is so much to see and do and never quite enough hours in the day!

81. FAVORITE THING TO HATE? 
I don't have something that I have as a favorite thing to hate... 

- Yikes. nothing. Hate is a dangerous emotion to have.

82. FAVORITE SEASON OF THE YEAR? 
Fall 

- Autumn...Fall...all things involved in the months of September, October and November!

83. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF CANDY? 
Chocolate! Any kind, so yummy! 

- Oh my yes, chocolate is lovely.

84. HAVE YOU EVER REALLY AND TRULY HAD A BEST FRIEND? 
I really & truly have a best friend in my life right now. 

- I really and truly still have that best friend in my life. I'm lucky to say I have two real and true best friends and that isn't even counting the one in my own family, my little sister!

85. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR? 
Brunette 

- I'm a brunette, although depending on how frequently I get my hair done I can also have some Auburn in there too. I like adding in that little glint of red!

86. EYE COLOR? 
Hazel 

- Yes, still a hazel eyed girl.

87. SHOE SIZE? 
A nine 

- Oh gosh, I do believe my foot has grown. Yikes! I usually wear a 9.5 and every once in a while, a 10! I did buy a 9 recently though...but that's unusual.

88. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE? 
I really like Taco Bell, it is a weakness.

- Oh, is Panera considered "fast food"? Probably not. So I guess I'll say Chipotle. There is one about fifteen minutes from the house and I absolutely love that place! Five Guys is also delicious!

89. FAVORITE RESTAURANT? 
Olive Garden or Chili's 

- I still love Olive Garden and Chili's...but we recently ate at Longhorn Steakhouse and it was delicious! I would also like to go back to a restaurant in one of the nearby towns; Flint Hill Public House. We ate there last year and I really enjoyed it; I'd like to try it again.

90. DO YOU LIKE SUSHI? 
No thank you! 

- Nope, not at all.

91. WATCH TV TODAY? 
Food Network so far.... 

- I have not...had to be at work at 9:30, so there wasn't really much time to watch television. I also do most of the TV watching I do at night. The TV is on the State game though...first TV I've watched today.

92. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR? 
I love love love Christmas! 

- Christmas! I do still love Christmas!

93. PLAY ANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS? 
I can kind of tinker around on the piano 

- Give me a piano and I can pick out a tune.

94. REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT? 
Republican 

- Still a Republican; don't foresee that changing.

95. KISSES OR HUGS? 
I like them both! 

- Hugs are lovely; I haven't really been kissed in quite some time. So I suppose I'll settle with hugs for now.

96. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS? 
Relationship, I don't do one night stands.

- Definitely relationships; I absolutely don't do one night stands. 

97. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT? 
Some BOPS last night, so good! 

- I probably paid some of the layaway on my Hallmark Keepsake ornaments; since I'm working there part-time right now, I bought more ornaments than I usually would and even at a discount I still have a payment or two to make. 

98. WOULD YOU EVER BE A HOUSEWIFE? 
Sure, that would be wonderful! My dream job, to be a Mommy. 

- I'd love to! Reference the above answer; it hasn't changed.

99. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING? 
206 Bones, by Kathy Reichs 

- The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

100. DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE: 
What love life, haha?

- I don't have a love life, persay but I am very loved. Ha-ha!


So, while some things have changed there are a lot of things that are very much the same. Life is nothing more than one change after the other but it's lovely to be able to just roll with the changes. It's also nice to see that I apparently know myself quite well as a person. Check back in another five years (okay...hopefully you check in more often than that) and we'll see if things have changed!

Friday, October 24, 2014

Blast from the Past - Part Three

Oh happy day, I know you've been waiting with baited breath...so, not to disappoint, without further ado here is part three of the blast from the past!


51. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? 
Turkey! 

- I certainly still love a good turkey sandwich!

52. ANY BAD HABITS? 
Biting my nails, playing with my hair... 

- I actually don't bite my nails too much anymore (so glad I have moved past that habit) but I do still tend to play with my hair a lot. I also use the word "like" a wee bit too often.

53. ARE YOU A JEALOUS PERSON? 
I can be, but I think everyone is at some point... 

- Is being possessive of time and attention being jealous? Just kidding, yes I can get jealous at times but it doesn't happen too often.

54. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? 
Sure, I'm pretty cool! 

- Certainly! I think I'm a great person and I make a pretty awesome friend also.

55. DO YOU AGREE WITH FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS? 
I used to, but I don't think it's the best idea. Someone will inevitably get hurt. And a relationship should be built on more than the physical. 

- I don't. Not at all. I don't think building any relationship on physical gratification is ever a good idea.

56. DO LOOKS MATTER? 
Looks don't matter if a person has a horrible personality 

- Looks are important but they aren't everything. A person is made up of much more than looks.

57. HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER? 
I usually yell a lot, or cry 

- Oh my, with a lot of dramatic crying!

58. WOULD YOU RATHER GAIN 58 POUNDS OR LOSE 58 POUNDS. 
Oh, certainly lose 58 pounds. 

- I'd still definitely be happy to lose 58 pounds. That would be lovely.

59. WHAT'S YOUR MAIN GOAL IN LIFE? 
To have a family, be a good wife & mother & also be a loving person to others 

- To live my life according to God's purpose for me; hopefully that includes being a wife and mother at some point. 

60. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD? 
Probably a baby doll or something, nothing really stands out... 

- Oh man, I don't know how I didn't think of this the last time I did this! When I was three, I received a Disney World playset for Christmas and I absolutely loved that thing! I still have it boxed up somewhere and one day I plan to whip it out for my children because it was and still is awesome!

61. HOW MANY NUMBERS ARE IN YOUR CELL PHONE? 
Only about 30-35, not a ton.

- I'm not sure, more than 50 at this point.

62. WERE YOU A FAN OF BARNEY AS A LITTLE KID? 
Nope-never ever 

- Not even a little bit. I actually used to get in trouble for singing "I hate you, you hate me, let's tie Barney to a tree" and making my little sister upset. Whoops. Sorry Lindsey.

63. Do you use sarcasm? 
Way too much, haha! 

- I am fluent in sarcasm. I speak it as a second language and I'm probably much too proud of that.

64. MASHED POTATOES OR MACARONI AND CHEESE? 
Macaroni & Cheese-but boy...I really like mashed potatoes too! 

- Well, certainly macaroni and cheese is one of my favorite foods but you can't go wrong with really good mashed potatoes. Can I just have both?

65. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL? 
Christian, personable, kind, makes me laugh, cute 

- A Christian man who has a heart for God and will be a spiritual leader. I think if you've got that box checked, all the other things will line up. It wouldn't hurt if he was attractive, kind, liked kids and had a good sense of humor. 

66. WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES? 
Nat, Noodles, Spikenard 

- Nat, Noodles, Lindsey calls me Spikenard, my Mom sometimes calls me Shealy Nat (instead of Natalie Shea)...

67. FAVORITE SUPER POWER? 
The ability to fly is pretty cool.

- I think I'd still like to fly...or apparate. A way to travel quickly without actually having to get on an airplane or spend hours in a car.

68. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW? 
I have 3 favorites-Bones, Smallville & How I Met Your Mother 

- Well, How I Met Your Mother ended (and crushed my heart) and Smallville has also ended. I still love watching Bones but I also especially love....GAME OF THRONES! Sleepy Hollow is a favorite too!

69. WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH YOUR ENEMIES? 
Kill them with kindness.

- I still believe this but I learned very well in the past three years that it is easier said than done.  

70. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? 
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough 

- Oh man, I do still love some good Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough but I've also had a Black Raspberry Vanilla with chocolate chunks and that is absolutely divine.

71. DO YOU HAVE ALL YOUR FINGERS AND TOES? 
I certainly do! 

- Yes, all present and accounted for.

72. DO YOU HAVE A COMPUTER IN YOUR ROOM? 
I sure do! 

- I don't...but I have a tablet and that's like a small computer. Of course, my cell phone (which is always with me) is like a small computer too!

73. PLANS FOR TONIGHT? 
Just do whatever, no major plans. 

- I'm going to the movies with my Mom...at the Alamo!

74. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO LIVE WHEN YOU ARE OLDER? 
Not in Mississippi, I know that much! 

- Ha-ha, and this has changed because I don't live in Mississippi anymore! I now live in Northern Virginia and I love it. I could stay here for a good long time and have no complaints.

75. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS? 
It doesn't really matter to me.. 

- Since this is a blog post, it would be odd. However, I guess someone might see them and make their own post based on the questions.



The last post...tomorrow...

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Blast from the Past - Part Two

As promised...we move right along to Part Two of the blast from the past!

26. DO YOU HAVE A PET RIGHT NOW? 
A wonderful puppy, named Watson 

- Oh, my sweet precious Watson! I'm so lucky that I still have him! He's learning all about being a Virginia indoor puppy. Ha-ha!

27. WHAT KIND IS IT? 
A Jack Russell Terrier 

- Ha-ha, same!

28. WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THAT THE PERSON IS LEAVING? 
Sure, you can't stop love 

- I also still believe that you can't help the circumstances in which you fall in love, so - yes.

30. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED? 
Six 

- Always six. I was born on the sixth. 

31. BLONDES OR BRUNETTES? 
Brunettes 

- Brunettes because I happen to fall into that category. I also really like Auburn hair, but that's not an option.

32. FAVORITE QUOTE? 

"It's not about the destination, it's all about the journey" 

- To thine own self be true.

33. FAVORITE PLACE? 
The mountains, they are gorgeous 

- I do still love the mountains and now I'm blessed to be able to live in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. Absolutely amazing.

34. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF THE USA? 
I haven't 

- I have! Something that has changed; I have! I've been to the Great White North - Canada!


O Canada!

35. YOUR WEAKNESSES? 
Chocolate, shopping... 

- Books. Oh my goodness books. I do love chocolate and I love to shop (if I'm in the mood...) but books. I absolutely love books and I could go broke buying them!

36. MET ANYONE FAMOUS? 
I have! The lead singer from Third Eye Blind 

- Still just the lead singer from Third Eye Blind... 

37. FIRST JOB? 
Baby-sitting 

- Of course this hasn't changed. Ha!

38. EVER DONE A PRANK CALL? 
I don't really think so.... 

- I have not. Ever. And I strangely don't feel tempted to try it out.

39. DO YOU THINK EVERYONE OUT THERE HAS A SOUL MATE? 
Sure 

- I don't know if I still think this...at least not in the romantic sense. I believe someone's soul mate can be a best friend, a sibling and for some people, their true love. I think that just because you don't have a significant other, you can still have found your soul mate. I also don't think a person's true love also has to be their soul mate. 

40. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED THIS OUT? 
Commenting on pictures 

- Drinking coffee and watching American Horror Story.

41. HAVE YOU EVER HAD SURGERY? 
I haven't 

- I still haven't, although I almost had Lasik. That's a long story for another time but to make a long story short, Valium does not calm me down...it makes me extremely hyper. Ha-ha!

42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST? 
My smile 

- I still get compliments on my smile but people also seem to (in recent months) compliment me on my "bubbly" personality and I'm often told I'm pretty funny. 

43. HAVE YOU EVER HAD BRACES? 
Yep, for three long years... 

- Duh, no change to this answer. I probably should have been more vigilant about wearing my retainer...

44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY? 
My birthday is a long way away...don't really know 

- My birthday was just 17 days ago; it's probably a little early to start planning for the next one. I still want to go to the UK...but I'm told that is happening in Spring 2016, so that's all I can think of. 

45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT AND THEIR NAMES? 
Three, maybe four. I like the names Clark, Michaela & Zoey 

- I still like the number three. I also still like the names Michaela and Clark. Zoey isn't as prominent in my mind as a name anymore.

46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? 
Yep-Natalie Wood 

- This also hasn't changed. Still Natalie. :)

47. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST TURN OFF OF THE OPPOSITE/SAME SEX? 
Men that think too highly of themselves, don't be self-absorbed! 

- Oh, this hasn't changed much either. I hate cocky people! Hate is maybe a strong word; I strongly dislike cocky people and I also can't handle stupidity. 

48. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU LIKE(D) ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL? 
I had fun with my friends, I liked that. 

- I can't say I remember oodles of things I liked about high school...but I guess the one thing I liked was the time I was able to spend with my friends. Two of my very best friends; two people that I still am able to have as best friends are people from high school. So, I like that.

49. WHAT KIND OF SHAMPOO DO YOU USE? 
Either Pantene or Herbal Essences 

- Pantene, always and forever Pantene.

50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? 
I do like my handwriting, it's pretty cute 

- I do like my handwriting still; I really like my cursive writing.



Part Three...Coming Up Shortly...