Filled with thoughts of NYC

New York was wonderful. Short but full... very full. Full of tours and trips and eating and WALKING. Full of freezing, shopping, and taking pictures. And at the end of it all, full of sore muscles and tired legs and swollen feet, but hearts and minds full of knowledge and satisfaction in a trip well deserved and well appreciated.

Never assume.

This is for men...all men, everywhere.

Never assume that your girlfriend knows how pretty she looks.

Never assume that you've told her enough times how much you love her.

Never assume that the last time you bought her flowers should make up for THIS time.

Don't ever assume that she is telling the truth when she says, "Nothing is wrong." or "I'm fine."

Never assume that your girlfriend knows how much you want her to come home with you for Easter or to meet your parents for dinner.

Never assume that your girlfriend knows she is invited. ALWAYS and I repeat, ALWAYS give her a special "in person" invitation no matter what event.

Never assume that Valentines Day is only a big deal to every girl in the world EXCEPT your girlfriend. Even if she says, "Let's don't give each other gifts this year, " ALWAYS buy her something...or even better, MAKE her something. Home-made gifts are always better..unless, of course, they are diamonds.

Don't ever assume that she is just gazing out the window at the pretty view. Chances are, if she's not gazing into your eyes, then you need to figure out what you need to apologize for.

Never assume that a blanket apology is good enough for your girl. A specific apology is needed for each crime committed.

Never assume that she has received enough hugs or kisses from you this week.


Always love her more than you did the day before.

Always apologize even if you would swear on your life that she is at fault, not you. It's not worth the fight.

Always get a card...no matter what holiday. And always, write a note in it. Don't just sign your name.

Always mention how much prettier she is than the super model on TV...even if she doesn't ask.


Never hesitate to answer NO, to the question, "Does this make me look fat?" We will ALWAYS ask it, even if we KNOW we look like a cow. We just want to hear the right answer.

Never hesitate to show emotion in front of her. We like a guy who is sensitive.

Never hesitate to turn to HER favorite show. Yours probably wasn't that important anyway.

Never hesitate to compliment as SOON as you see her all dressed up. Don't make it an after thought. Even waiting five minutes means that it wasn't the first thing that popped into your mind when you saw her.

Never hesitate to hold her as long as she wants.

Never hesitate to grab her hand in public.

Never hesitate to place your hand at the small of her back. It makes her feel safe.

Never assume she loves tv wrestling as much as you do.

Never assume she likes listening to loud annoying music. Most girls don't.

Never assume she knows what you are thinking. We can't read minds. (We realize men can't either and if I thought men were smart enough to get all of this on their own, I wouldn't write this.)

Never assume it is okay to insult anyone in her family, even if she does.


Always assume a one karrat is a minimum requirement.

Never hesitate to hang up with your buddy to take your girlfriend's phone call.

Never assume that she knows how important she is to you. Always tell her. Everyday. Twice a day.



These things were just on my mind today. I needed to get them out. Maybe this will help some poor lost boy out there.

New York New York

I can't believe it's almost April. I'll be heading to New York this Saturday with my mom and sister-in-law and HER mother. I'm looking forward to the new sights, sounds and most of all...photo opps. I'm sure I'll post some on here when I return. I've been reading some on what to see in New York. Since I've never been, I should be prepared, I guess. I hope to see and/or do all or most of these:

1. Times Square, of course

2. St. Patrick's Cathedral

3. Metropolitan Museum of Art

4. Central Park

5. Greenwich Village

6. Brook-Lyn Bridge

7. Empire State Building

8. FAO Schwartz

9. Disney Store

10. South Street Seaport

11. Museum of Modern Art

12. Chrysler Building

13. Battery Park

14. Rockefeller Center

15. Carnegie Hall

16. Grand Central Station

17. Top of the Rock

18. ride on the Staten Island Ferry

19. China Town

20. Tiffany's

21. Trump Tower

22. eat at Tavern on the Green

23. see a Broadway play

24. ride the Subway (I'm sure it's not too much different than the Subways in Europe, though)

25. 911 - World Trade Center Memorial

26. Ellis Island

27. oh, yeah and I almost forgot...Statue of Liberty!

Think I can do it all in four days? We shall see! I'll let you know how it goes.

Corn pizza??

Well, on Saturday evening I made myself get out of the house and go to Wild Oats Health foodstore. I spent $149 on "gluten-free foods." I may be broke but at least I'll be healthy. That place was so expensive. Man! But I did get my gluten free pizza. The crust was made with corn flour instead of wheat flour. Very interesting. I doused it with enough ranch dressing that it tasted okay. Guess I'll get used to it.

Buie and I hung out a lot this weekend which is always nice. I don't know what I'd do without him. He's so patient with me even when I'm an absolutel "girl." I could be crying and complaining about who knows what, and he's still patient and understanding. Never ceases to amaze me.

I did miss out on some girl time this weekend in Arkadelphia but I didn't feel well enough to go.
Tonight though, is Little Rock girls night. (Well, actually it's in Cabot) I guess I'll bring some corn chips and gluten free salsa.

I'm ready for a vacation. Let's go somewhere.

I'm lovin' it.

One week down. A whole lifetime to go.

If you are an avid follower of this blog then you know that I can not eat gluten anymore. I must say this: gluten sucks. After having been without it for 7 days now, I can say positively that I am definitely allergic to it. I feel so much better now and it's only been a week. The one time this week I had a migraine is because I ate a piece of chocolate with malt in it which has gluten. Did you know ketschup has gluten, too? Crazy. My favorite thing to eat now is applesause and those gummy fruit snacks. I feel like a kid again.

The Oscars were anti-climatic this year. I even watched "Babel" beforehand (because my boyfriend made me) and it was still disappointing. Although, I'm in love with Jack Black and Will Ferrell and to see the two of them dancing and singing together was all worth it for me.

This weeks goals: Find some gluten free pizza somewhere. I'm craving pizza so bad.

Doctor's visit

Well, I just went to a doctor's visit that will change my life...well, it will change my way of eating at least. I found out yesterday that I have Celiac's Disease which means I can no longer eat Gluten. What is gluten you ask? Well, gluten is found in wheat which means I can't eat anything that was made from wheat flour. No more breads, pastas, pizzas, cookies, cakes, crackers, pancakes, biscuits, cereals, bagels ... oh and the list goes on. But instead of concentrating on what I can't eat, let's look at what I still CAN eat. All meats, all veggies, all fruits, rice, potatoes, etc. etc. etc. Everyone I've talked to who has this disease says that I should start feeling well in no time, once I get all of the gluten out of my system. I also have to eliminate dairy from my diet as well, but let's be honest, who really needs biscuits and a tall glass of milk anyway. The great news about this is I will be eating less carbs so I will most likely lose a lot of weight. Sweet.

More news: I also found out I currently have 4 viruses in my body. One is the mono virus, one is walking pnemonia, the other two I really have never heard of CMV and the parvo-virus. So I'll be doing treatment for these viruses twice a week. I'll go get "anti-virus" IVs two times a week until I'm well...which could take up to three months. But I am willing to do whatever it takes until I'm better.

This was a lot of information to hear yesterday but I had my mom with me so that made things a lot better. She has been right beside through all of this. I could not have done this without her and my dad. They are incredible!

Well, I'll keep you posted as I enter my gluten-free life.

let it snow then.

Just when it was all going down...

He is amazing. I could stop at that, but I'll explain. Yesterday I was so sad, ready to cry by 5 oclock, mainly because I was in pain: headache/ back aches, the whole works. Buie came over and helped me move a few boxes and in the snow. When we got back over to my new place, I realized how happy I was. Right there in that moment, i was happy and standing in the snow looking at him and realizing just how lucky I am. I don't know what is was but it doesn't even matter. He makes me happy. So I say to that...let it snow.

sad snowflakes

Is it allowed to post twice in one day? i guess it is since it's my blog. technically I can post whenever I want. It's funny how these blogs work to me. We are writing and for who? Who reads this or does anyone read this. Anyway, it's just funny to me. These are odd times we are living in.

I've been sad lately. Not sure why. Maybe it's the cold weather that's creeping in my veins. Maybe it's that time of the year when I always get sad ( as stupid as that sounds). it's a sadness with no definition and that's what's frustrating. It's like this hazy fog that can't be explained. Sometimes it's so thick and heavy I can't even get a deep breath. And for what? I have nothing to be sad about really. I am blessed. I have a good life. an amazing boyfriend who is very patient and understanding. a supportive family. but still the sadness. it's there. some day I have the energy to push it aside and other days, like today, I just surrender and let it seep in. Some times I think: maybe I'll learn something or maybe it will just feel good to dwell in this for a while. It feels about as good as jumping in a lake in Michigan in mid-December. Cold. Yeah, I'm ready for spring. New beginning. New buds that will bring forth amazing flowers and colorful petals and leaves. new birth. It's almost as if part of myself dies at winter's end and God gives me another chance for happiness again. I know that may sound whimsical or cheesy but that's how it feels.

Can you imagine what my life would have been like if I had moved to Boston? Buie just asked me this the other day and I haven't really stopped to think about it until now. A lot of things would be different. I would have a whole new life and my friends here would a thing of the past. I'm not sure if Buie and I would have dove into the long distance thing either. I tried that once. I'm not good with long distance. And talk about cold. I don't think I'm made for cold weather. I keep hoping everyday that I put on my heavy coat and scarf that today might be the last time I'll wear this until next year...but alas, I woke up today to snowflakes!! Spring better be amazing, that's all I'm saying.

10 down. many to go.

I have decided that I need to be more disciplined. So far I have lost 10 pounds since the horrid realization last year that I have gained about 30 pounds since I graduated college. Everyone always warns you of the "freshman 15" but no one seems to mention the "post-college 30." Well, ladies and gentlemen, it's coming off. Slowly but surely. Here's the problem though. I can't exercise like normal people due to my ....um... situation. Fibromyalgia, I'm convinced, is of the devil. It causes me more pain than I ever knew existed. So...the plan to be more disciplined: swimming. No impact exercise that works all muscle groups. And the good news...I have an indoor pool in my new condo.

10 down. many to go.

It's been a while

So blogging is back in again apparently ... someone told me today. Xanga is out...way out and blogging is so in. (quote unquote) I couldn't help but laugh at that one. Who decides what's in and what's out?

Well, it's Valentine's Day which always reminds me of my significant other, as well it should. Which in this case, I'm celebrating something a little different. This is the year I am certain that I will never spend another Valentine's day with anyone other than Brent Buie. Valentine's Day is also special to me because it was around this time last year that I told Buie those three words that are so hard to say at first. But it's the same three words that I think get overlooked. We say those words so frequently now that I almost dont even think about the meaning behind them. Today we take the time to slow down and think about these three words. I love you.

the road less traveled.

I recommend doing something today that you don't want to do. The reason you don't want to do it is probably because it's uncomfortable or not easy. Someone once told me, doing the hard thing is usually the right thing. So do something hard today...do something good for you. Go workout. Go talk to that person you think hates you. Go ask a professor why you're not doing well in his class. Apologize to your significant other. Take the road less traveled. It'll pay off in the end.

The simple life.

The simple life.

You may have just thought of a once popular tv show starring two melo-dramatic divas called this very same thing. Ironic if you ask me. The drama that these two girls, Nicole and Paris, stirred up is exactly the opposite the life that I've always dreamed of. The simple life is and should be just that. Simple. To have a life with no drama, no complication, no explanations...just simplicity...this is my dream. I really hate...with all of my heart I hate when others are so starved for attention that they feel they must create something exciting to have joy in their lives. This excitement they are creating is some fictional, illusional world that some how has then convinced is reality. This is beyond me. Life is life. It's not the movies. That's why people like good movies so much...mainly because it never or rarely will ever happen in real life. A movie is an escape from reality. As Americans we pay billions of dollars a year two escape this life which we lead and somehow transforms our minds into thinking we are in a different reality. It's funny...some people do that everyday yet pay nothing. Why can't people be content in the own life they have? Yes, escape away from life for a while and go see a great movie. I do it everytime I can. The difference is...I come back to reality. Some people are convinced their life is just one big drama and that the rest of us actually care to watch it. ha. I know it sounds harsh but these are just my thoughts for today. My challenge: Accept your life the way it is. If you don't like it, then YOU CAN CHANGE IT. But don't lie about, trying to make it something that it's not. And by no means should you try to alter someone else's life. Leave well enough alone. Yeah, that's my advice for today. I have no idea where this came form. Perhaps someone out there just needs to hear it.

Office Space

It doesn't matter how much sleep I get i'm still exhausted when I wake up. I was in bed at nine last night and asleep before 10. I'm yawning right now as I type this. Someone help me out here? Is my life THAT boring?? Well, let's be honest I sit behind a desk all day. All some how, some way THIS is supposed to provide stability in my life. I think all this is providing is a good excuse to visit an insane asylum. Seriously how do people do this their whole life?? Sit behind a desk and answer phones and hope their backs don't fall off because of how much pain they are in when they sit in a stiff chair all day. If ya'll have not seen "Office Space" go watch it today!!! Angie and Charlie, watch it by yourselves. I can't remember if it's Colson or Will appropriate but chances are probably not. My dad said it best when he said, "You're a mover and a doer, not a sitter." Which is so true.

So the question of the hour...how does a mover and a doer make it in a sitter society...or better yet a sitter job...because I hate to admit this but money makes the world go 'round. You know it's true.

numero uno

I'm always looking of ways to help me waste time at work. Well, job well done, Cara Beth. I love journaling, writing, imagining, and dreaming...better yet I enjoy keeping up with those I love. Angie has set up a blog and I thought I should try this out and see how it works.

We shall see. Hollar at me, Ang, and we'll see if we can get this thing going...