Not Me Monday

Today I’m going to participate in Not Me Monday. Well, just because I want to! Check out MckMama’s blog for more Not Me Monday happenings. The best one is very possibly The Goodwin Family’s . All I can say is EEEEEWWWWWWWWWW!!!

So here goes my first shot at Not Me Monday. . .

I did not successfully pull off a small, intimate surprise dinner for my best friend Friday night at Grits Café. And we did not sip on yummy peach martinis while catching up on everyone’s busy lives. We did not enjoy great shrimp and grits, stuffed chicken, steak, and a delicious birthday dessert!

I did not agree to keep my sister’s wild, seriously hyper maltese this weekend. Saturday, I did not take said hyper dog along with our two dogs to the dog park for some true doggie fun with other dogs, a big creek, and lots of toys. When the dogs were pooped out, I did not load up and get all three dogs home and bathed as quickly as possible.

Tim was not cutting the grass, weeding and edging, and pressure washing the house all while I was frolicking with the dogs.

I did not clean our house top to bottom Saturday afternoon. And Tim did not shampoo the carpets while I mopped.

I did not create a pretty dang yummy chicken dinner, either!

Sunday we did not leave our house way too early to pick up my mom and be in Atlanta for my cousin’s daughter’s baptism. We also did not get to watch my cousin’s husband baptize his precious girl! And it was not touching. Nope. Not at all.

We did not enjoy some Holy Smokes barbeque (Pretty fitting, don't ya think?) with family and friends, and we did not make time for a trip to the Mall of Georgia. I’m so glad, too, because I did not find the most precious dress for Tim’s brother’s wedding!

After this busy weekend, we were not tired at all and did not sleep like babies last night!

I did not spend my Monday lunch break visiting a friend who just had a precious baby boy, and it did not in any way give me a little more baby fever. . . . And that thought did not just send the hubby into a tail spin!

Here’s to my First Not Me Monday! Fun Stuff!

Fun Giveaway

Remember when I hit 100 posts? I was so excited! I did a fun little giveaway and gave Kristin some great mascara, a book, coffee, and a travel mug ~ all of them a few of my favorite things.





Had I the least bit of talent in me, I might've done something more creative. But, this chick has not artsy genes.





Oh, but she knows who does!!!!





Melissa over at Initial Designs has painted a couple of pieces of art for me in the last year. She painted this precious e for Ellie's room:

And she painted this for my mom.

Melissa has crossed the 100 mark on posts, and she's doing a giveaway! Be sure to jump on over and check it out!!!

Titus 2 Tuesday & Wednesday Walk All in One!

Sorry I've been MIA this week!! Things have been pretty crazy these days at work ~ I know, I know ~ so I've not really been able to digress from work duties to write!! And I miss it!!

Today it's a combo of highlighting my precious Aunt Lynda and how she's definitely a Titus 2 lady in my life and a walk down Memory Lane with one of my grandmother's cookie recipes!

My Aunt Lynda has the sweetest, brightest disposition. She's one of the most intelligent women I know, and she is absolutely the ultimate positive Patty. Aunt Lynda is married to my mom's brother, but I've always felt that she loves our family as if we really were blood. And that means so much to me.

Aunt Lynda's taught me how to be a Southern Lady. Aunt Lynda is absolutely the epitome of a gracious hostess. She never loses her cool, even when our family is piled in her house, snacking on buckeyes and cheese balls, with all the women directing whose casserole goes into the oven next, how the ham should be cut, which glasses go on which table. See, in the Towe family, we're all convinced we are the boss. So, you get us all together and we're all chiefs with no Indians. It's enough to make a preacher cuss. But not Aunt Lynda. She never loses that beautiful smile and truly seems to enjoy every second of the family chaos!

To always trust God's plan. Aunt Lynda always has a positive comment to any sad situation. I've said before that the world could come to an end, and Aunt Lynda would not be worried. Rather, she'd be smiling and saying, "Oh what a wonderful time it was!"

So, when Aunt Lynda's daughters, son in law, and grandchildren came through our town on their way to meet Aunt Lynda and Uncle Robert at the beach, we were all excited to get to visit with them over lunch. I made a batch of cookies for them to take on their trip. I used my G-ma's recipe, which I was certain Aunt Lynda would recognize. Wouldn't you know I received the sweetest email from Aunt Lynda asking me what kind of cookies they were and for the recipe. Laura (My cousin, her oldest daughter) kept telling Aunt Lynda she was sure they were cowboy cookies. But Aunt Lynda couldn't seem to find the recipe!

I promised Aunt Lynda I would share the recipe with her, and I figured I'd share it with y'all, too! I definitely remember enjoying these cookies and a cold glass of milk with my G-ma and G-pa years ago.

Cowboy Cookies
Ingredients: 2 sticks butter, softened; 1 cup brown sugar; 1 cup sugar; 2 eggs; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup chopped nuts; 2 cups flour; 2 cups oats; 1 tspn baking soda; 1 tspn baking powder; 1 tspn vanilla; 6 ounces chocolate chips

Cream butter and sugars together. Add eggs one at a time. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and oats togehter. Add flour mixture to the sugar mixture and stir well until mixed. Add nuts, vanilla, chocolate chips and stir until well mixed.

Drop teaspoon size balls onto a greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 12 - 15 minutes until golden brown.

*I did not include nuts in my cookies, and they were just as yummy!

Aunt Lynda, thank you for being exactly who you are. I praise God for you and the incredible Christian, Southern lady that you are. You've taught me much, and I love you!

Join us for Titus 2 Tuesdays by visiting Shanda's blog. For more Wednesday's Walks, check out Lynnette's blog.

This ‘n That. . . And I Know He Di’ennn

It has really been one of those weeks. I’ve been so busy lately, I can’t believe it’s already Friday. So, in light of my busyness and my mind going here there and yonder, I’m giving you guys a good dose of this ‘n that.

First, check out my new button! I'm not sure how to get html text to it yet, but Christina over at Pooh's Corner held a great giveaway and gave me my own button! I heart it! Thanks, Christina!

I’ve really been thinking this week about being a Godly woman, being held accountable by others and holding others accountable. But I’m feeling like there’s a really thin line between holding others accountable and being self righteous or looking like a holier than thou girl. No? I really don’t have my thoughts together on this yet, but I do intend to do some studying and praying about this. Stay tuned for a post of that nature. I believe some of you might be my best resources for what I’m thinking and trying to figure out.

On a much lighter note. . .

I love summer time! I love driving to work and feeling the warmth of the sun through the windows of the car at an early hour. Fresh fruits are the yummiest! I love 8pm and still being able to be outside. I love the sound the crickets make at night. Lightning bugs take me back to my childhood. Ferns. There’s nothing like some good ole’ southern ferns to make a house a home. I love sitting in the sun. Beach time is my ultimate favorite. I love grilling out and having a nice dinner outside with fresh veggies, a glass of wine or a cold corona with lime. Is it just me or is beer better in the summertime?

Many of the blogs I read have been talking about creative ways to entertain the kids during the summer months. My cousin, who I’ve blogged about before, has these cool Family Nights at her house. Where she comes up with the themes, I have no idea. She’s so creative! Last night’s theme was top notch! I encourage you to check it out for ideas and details! The best part to me was that she spent very little on the supplies. Well, that’s a great part. The best part? Great family time making memories they’ll cherish forever! I pray anxiously for the baby they’re to adopt from Korea. What a blessing that awaits!!

Yesterday, I went to lunch with my sister and Ellie. Ellie was a complete ham! She laughed it up and carried on so much! Aunt B gave Ellie her first taste of lemon, and she LOVED it. I’m honestly not sure if it was really the taste of it or the fact that the cold felt good to her teething gums. But she couldn’t get enough of that lemon! As we were waiting to check out, we were standing in line with booths of folks on both sides of us. We were eating at Between the Bread (for you local readers, you know what I’m talking about), and it’s a very popular lunch spot. And crowded. People were all smiling and talking about how cute Ellie is (DUH!!!), and Ellie just hammed it up! She was kicking her chubby little legs, smiling and talking away to everyone. This couple behind us in line who were obviously traveling (thick European accents) were also chatting with us and Ellie.

All was well until the man behind us says, “She’s quite a hussy, isn’t she?”

The World Stopped.

WHAT DID HE JUST SAY?

He said it again! And Again! Jenn and I both had the dumbest looks on our faces. Then his wife chimed in, “Yes, she is a little hussy! We have two hussies at home!”

Can someone please enlighten us dumb southern girls on what in the heck he meant? Because if “hussy” to him is the same as it is for us, I’m going to track down his European self and kick . . . . . don’t mess with Aunt B’s Ellie.

Have a great weekend, everyone!!!

Wednesday's Walk: Ronnie Roach

So, I wasn’t sure of what to post today for Wednesday’s Walk.

Then, I got an email at work that said “bug man is here”. Yep. We get these emails anytime anyone enters our building. Shred guys are here. Coffee man is here. You name it. It’s a little annoying, but that’s not my point.

See, whenever I think of the bug man, I think of Ronnie Roach. When I was a little girl, Ronnie Roach was our bug man. He came to our house every month to spray for bugs and pests, and I remember following him around the house, likely chatting away, while he sprayed. For years it was Ronnie who kept our house bug-free.

Time passed. Ronnie retired. We got a new bug man in a new house.

Years later, I was a teenager, and I said something to my mom about how cool I always thought it was that our bug man in Gordon (my hometown) was Ronnie Roach.

My mom laughed! And promptly corrected me, “B, his real name wasn’t Ronnie Roach. I don’t even remember his real last name. Your crazy daddy called him Ronnie Roach because he was a bug man!”

Oooooh, I get it now! Thanks, Daddy, for keeping me laughing years after you’ve gone. I don’t know that I’ll ever not grin whenever I’m told the bug man is here!

Check out Lynnette's blog for more Wednesday Walks!

Titus 2 Tuesday: Many Women

For today’s Titus 2 Post, I have a few women I’d like to honor. For various reasons, I am going to be vague. But I believe if they read this, they’ll know I’m honoring them. And really, it’s what they’ve taught me in the last week or so that’s really important.

To the grandmother who’s raising her two grandsons with her husband, I admire you. You are an amazingly strong woman. I am sure there’s so much more to the story than any of us can possibly know or understand, but you really do seem to handle your heartaches and your struggles with God’s amazing grace. I pray for you so many times. Whether it’s seeing you in the choir or seeing you walk your grandsons through the parking lot of church, seeing pictures you’ve posted of them at school or reading about your search for a condo at the beach. I admire who you are, the mother you are, the grandmother you are, the wife you are, the Child of God you are. I pray God blesses you beyond measure.

To the friend who’s fighting tooth and nail for her marriage. Go Girl. Fight with all your might. I’ve told you before and I’ll tell you a million times over: I firmly believe God will honor you and your prayers. Always know I’m praying for you.

To my friend who fears you’ll never be free from your past, I pray your new Bible will flood you with God’s truth that you are forgiven. Totally. Completely. Forgiven. I’m excited for you and your fresh faith! Thank you for teaching me to be excited about life!!

And thank you, friend, for coming to me to share your struggles about being a friend to another hurting soul. Like you said, God was totally in that whole group of conversations! I admire you so much. You’re really a real life Cinderella story to me; have I ever told you that? You’re an incredible momma, a wonderful wife, and a right handy scrapbook making extraordinaire!!! We are due for another Scrapbooking Night!!!

To my sister, you really are a fantastic mother! I love watching you love on Ellie, care for her, and soothe her like no one else can (well, maybe her Daddy; she is a daddy’s girl, it seems!). From watching you make Ellie’s baby food to watching you care for her in everyday ways, I just love the mother that you are. I pray God will bless me with your calm demeanor when I become a mom.

Wow, God is so good! He’s blessed me beyond measure, including providing amazing women in my life who have and do teach me so much! Thanks, Shanda, for encouraging us to recognize these women each Tuesday. It’s one of my favorite posts!!

Weekend of Fun & God's Goodness

I've got so much on my mind on this Sunday night. It's been a great weekend, filled with family and love. Tim's out of town visiting a friend, so I spent the weekend with my mom, my sister, my brother in law, and of course, Ellie!

While it was such a great weekend, I have a bit of a heavy heart tonight. . . . not sure if I can even put much of it into words, really. I'm listening to Chris Thomlin's song, "Unfailing Love" right now. It's on this blog; precious little April Rose was born this afternoon, and I'm praying for her and her parents right this minute. I'm so moved by God's hand in the very midst of such heartache and pain. The fact that April Rose's mom has this song playing on her blog in the middle of this turmoil is just beautiful to me. Then, I read Christina's amazing post; WOW. I don't know what else to really say. A God thing? You bet!!

Also, I miss the ever-lovin' heck out of my husband. It's funny how you get so used to having your best friend right there with you. We have one of those relationships where we're together pretty much every minute that we're not working. We just crave quality time together, and we thrive on it. While I've enjoyed being with my family this weekend, I miss Tim terribly. He's visiting a friend who needs him right now; but I still miss my husband! And to think that I miss him this much after only 18 months of marriage. I hope it only intensifies in the months and years to come! I love that man so much I think my heart could burst!!

Go check out April Rose's blog, and be sure to see her beautiful picture! Pray for them, won't you? Be sure to read Christina's amazing post, too. God is Good!