Still Here

First of all, I just realized I haven't posted anything in a very long time. Things have really been hectic lately and I just haven't had the time to do much. At the end of December, my boss and I changed firms and my life has now been consumed by paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwork.

I absolutely love the place I work at now. It is a really great company and I hope to stay there for a very long time. I am in the midst of studying for my Series 7 again and hope that this will be the last time. It is an EXTREMELY hard thing to study for because of all the rules, regulations, formulas, etc. Although I have been in the "Business" for almost three years now, the stock market is still a difficult thing for me to grasp. However, I am further along than I was in 2005.

So, I hope everybody had a great Christmas and New Year. We all did. Hope you all stay warm and safe.

I am NOT in High School anymore

Have you ever had relationships whether with friends or family and all of sudden that person(s) stop talking to you and you don't know why? I understand that people move on and some relationships aren't as strong as you might have thought. It just boggles my mind when someone you really considered a "True Friend" all of a sudden quits responding to emails, messages, etc.

I don't force anybody to be my friend, etc. and I know I am very opinionated and speak my mind. Hey, at least people know where I stand. Anyway, I have come to the realization that people like that don't need to be in my life. I don't play around with people's emotions and especially those whose friendships mean something to me. If I had an issue with someone, I would let them know. Life is too short. Besides, those are mind games you play in High School. Honestly, I don't have time for that kind of nonsense.

Tag, you're it!!

Yourself: Trying to decide if I want to have another child.

Your partner: Great husband. Very attractive. Excellent Father.

Your hair: Dark brown, shoulder length, and layered. I really like my current hairstyle.

Your mother: Don't know what I would do without her. She is awesome and a terrific grandmother to not only Sophie, but my nieces as well.

Your father: Same feelings I have about my mom except he is a wonderful grandfather. I couldn't have asked for anything better.

Your favorite item: My Crystal Light packets. You know, the ones you add to water. This is the only way I can drink my water now.

Your dream last night: Good grief, I have no idea. I haven't really slept that great since the time change.

Your favorite drink: Sweet Tea (Either from McAlister's or McDonald's has a really good one) The sweeter the better.

Your dream car: It used to be a corvette, but I do like BMW, Mercedes, Lexus.

Dream home: Probably on a beach somewhere. I love my house I am in now. I feel really blessed to have such a nice home. I just wish I could decorate the house with everything Pottery Barn. I love that stuff.

The room you are in: Office @ work

Your fear: I just want to make sure I am doing everything I can to bring Sophie up to be a successful, loving, caring, confident woman.

Where you want to be in 10 years: Continue to be in a wonderful, happy marriage enjoying my family.

Who you hung out with last night: Jeff and Chevy. Sophie spent the night at Mimi and Pop's house. She does that every Sunday and Wednesday because my mom takes her to school the next day.

You’re not: Very good about keeping my opinions to myself. I try!

One of your wish list items: To continue to have a healthy and loving family. Also, for Sophie to find a husband one day who is as great as her father.

The last thing you did: I am now at my mother-in-laws typing this so I just finished dinner.

You are wearing: Work clothes which consists of brown pants, burgundy shirt and brown heels.

Your favorite weather: SUNNY and HOT!! Ultimate tanning weather. Not too hot, though.

Your favorite book: Ummm...I really don't have an answer for this one. Most books I read now are children's books.

Last thing you ate: Two cheeseburgers (without the bun of course), and a salad. Watching the carbs!! Props to Shari for being my inspiration and go to person on this.

Your life: I am truly blessed to have a wonderful husband who I have been married to for 12 years. A beautiful daughter who I love so much. Great parents (both mine and Jeff's) who would and do anything for us. Two wonderful brothers, great sister-in-law, and sweet nieces. Basically, grateful to have such a terrific family.

Your mood: Relaxed. Wishing I could have worked out today, but had to stay late at work.

Your best friend: Megan (May May) & Emilie

What are you thinking about right now: I need to hurry and finish this so I can go watch Dancing with the stars.

Your car: Black GMC Yukon. Love it, but hate to fill it up with gas right now.

What are you doing at the moment: Back at work now, trying to finish this up so I can post it.

Relationship status: Happily married for 12 years!!!

What is on your t.v: CNBC because it is the next day and I am at work. We have to watch it.

When is the last time you laughed: This morning with Sophie. She always makes me smile.
I am tagging anybody who wants to do this.

Halloween Fun

Another Halloween has come and gone and it was a good one. Sophie had so much fun this year going door to door trick-r-treating. I think she has the concept down quite nicely. She was so adorable in her Raggedy Ann outfit and it just fit her personality.

She really racked up in the candy dept. and Daddy has probably eaten most of it. I don't mind because I won't eat it (maybe just a few pieces) and Sophie doesn't usually eat candy either. I am so glad that there are still people who like to pass out candy to the trick-r-treaters. I have a lot of great memories going trick-r-treating when I was younger and I hope Sophie will have the same. It was so much fun to see the excitement on her face when she got candy. In fact, many times she was given two or three pieces because people thought she was so cute. I would have to agree with them.

I hope all of you had a fun Halloween.

These are just a few of Sophie's 2 year old pictures. They were taken by photographer Shari Barnes. Shari is truly gifted and captures Sophie's personality like no other. If any of you are looking for an excellent photographer go check out Shari's website. It is www.sharibarnes.com. She also does weddings and her attention to detail is out of this world.

"7"

I am sure that most of you are probably scratching your head wondering what is the significance of the number 7. Well, in my line of business the number 7 refers to the dreaded "Series 7". If any of you out there have worked in the financial industry, you know exactly what I am talking about.

Basically, the Series 7 is a license you obtain to become a broker. It is probably the HARDEST thing I have studied for in my whole life. In fact, most people compare it to studying for the bar exam. Anyway, I am back to studying this lovely information once again.

You see, the first time I studied for this was when I was pregnant with Sophie. At the time, my boss didn't understand what I meant when I would refer to pregnancy brain. Well, she does now because after I got back from maternity leave she announced she was pregnant. So, I continued to study and finally took the test.

In order to pass this wonderful test, you only have to score a 70. Easy right? Not quite! Unfortunately, my first score was far from a 70. I guess studying for such a thing isn't too bright when your hormones are going nuts. So, after about a 6 month period I decided to take it again. I studied, studied and studied some more. This time, missed it by 10 points. I was SO UPSET. After that go around, I decided to forget about it. I don't really have to have it, but it is best for me in the long run.

So, that brings us to the present. I am studying once again in hopes of passing this freaking test. I would love to have it behind me and start reaping the benefits of obtaining this license. When I do pass, I am throwing a party!!!!

Anyway, I guess through all of this I have learned that things don't always go the way we want them to. I am one who is used to achieving goals, but this is one goal that I haven't quite accomplished yet. I am very hard on myself when I don't do well at something, so I have to remind myself that I did my best and just try again!!

Wish me luck!!!

Beach Anybody??

In August, we went to Destin with my best friend and her husband. This was our second time to vacation with Megan and Justin and as always we had a blast. Sophie was to little to go last year with us, but this year she was introduced to the beach for the first time. She absolutely LOVED IT! She was so excited to see the "Big Water" and probably would have stayed outside the whole day if we let her.

Sophie had it made with her own pool, umbrella, beach toys, and sand buckets. She was quite fascinated with the sand and occasionally took breaks to go in the "Big Water" with Daddy. Sophie and Daddy had lots of fun jumping the waves and looking at all the fish.

We all had a terrific time and the weather was FABULOUS! I can't wait for it to happen all over again next year.