Gosh, it's been FOREVER!

I've even gotten a year older since my last blog post!!! What?!?!? These past couple of weeks have been jam packed. I will catch y'all up in my famously boring "list" form..sorry.

1.  I turned 42 on March 8. It was one of the best birthdays ever!! I had so many well wishes from friends that my heart just about burst.....and my head swelled a little. lol My good friend, LBJ, came over from Memphis and took me to lunch. My mom met us and I hauled in a birthday gift! ;) Love my momma! *My dad and aunt took me out for my bday the week before....got cash....LOVE my auntie and daddy* I got a mani-pedi and my massage therapist, Lisa Douglas (the BEST), gave me a gift certificate for a 1 hour massage! YES!! The day just got better and better. AD and Blakely showered me with gifts from Chez Weenie, which I can't quite figure out. AD and I never get each other anything for our birthdays. But hey, I love gifts sooooo I'm quite okay with the change. It was a beautiful, sunny day. Perfect...just perfect. I am ready for birthday #43!

2. Speaking of age, if someone asks me how old I am, I usually add five years to my actual age. I say, "I'm 47." Ladies...never EVER lie "down" your age. You just look pathetic and really bad. Trust me on this one. If you add to it, they will ALWAYS say....You don't look 47!! But if you say, oh, I'm 39 or 29 and holding...they just politely change the subject. Trust me on this one.

3. Blakely was on Spring Break starting last Friday. Soooo, we lit out for Tuscaloosa, Alabama where my good friend from high school, BTJ, lives. It also happens to be the home of the Crimson Tide. Let me just say that I didn't expect to really like Alabama. I don't know why. I mean I love Gulf Shores, but I'd never been to northern Ala. It is BEAUTIFUL! I love Tuscaloosa....LOVE it! I would soooo live there. It is only a little less than 4 hours from here PLUS it is only 4 hours from Destin, Florida; 2 hours from Atlanta; 3 hours from Nashville, Tenn; 2 hours from Chattanooga and 45 minutes from Birmingham, AL! It's got location, location, location!!! BTJ lives on a peninsula so we enjoyed lake views. We shopped at one of three malls and found really cool clothes for Blake. On Saturday, we went to Westervelt Werner Museum which has the 2nd largest collection of American Art/Artifacts in the country! It was AWESOME!! I love history and this museum was a mini-American history lesson in living color. Very cool! Then, we toured the University of Alabama. OK...this is going to take up another paragraph...

I am not a fan of the Houndstooth nation. There, I said it. I am a Razorback and I can't stand Alabama...but I like Tennessee less FYI. So, here I am with the biggest Roll Tide fan I know...Bama Bev and her minion in training...my daughter!! WHAT?!?! If you are a regular reader of my blog, you know my baby loves Florida. Gasp! But now.....Alabama. Good grief. But honestly, I must admit, the U of A has a BEAUTIFUL campus and a very nice, homey feel to it. I actually enjoyed myself! Not to mention their new stadium is HUGE. We ate at a local pub/restaurant on campus, Buffalo Phil's, and I began to melt a little. My kid was having sooo much fun. ***cue sound of a record skipping/scratching*** BTJ insists we go next door to the Alabama Express where one can buy all things elephant. OMG. I did manage to interject WOOOOO PIG several times during our walk through the store. I like to live dangerously. LOL I refused to purchase any item, although they did have some cute stuff. With a tear in her eye, BJT beamed with pride as my kid purchased (with her OWN money lol) a BAMA t-shirt and several houndstooth bracelets. Good Lord. There really isn't much left I can say.

We come home after a wonderful weekend and I am actually ready to go back for another visit! It's a great town with lots to do. I think we will be enjoying Tuscaloosa for many years to come. ;)

3. My Spring Break is this upcoming week. Of course, I will spend the entire week writing papers and practicing stupid Spanish. I don't want to talk about it. I met with my advisor and if I can get the Spanish out of the way, I am on tap to finish by Spring 2011. Yay!!!!!! I am super excited, and a tad nervous.

4. Update on my butterfly sista: she is doing famously with her 2nd heart transplant. She looks great, feels great, and is showing NO signs of rejection. Thank you God!!! I am sooo glad she is home. We all are! She feels a little self-conscious  because  the prednisone she has to take makes her face "as she says..look fat"...Her face looks flawless and beautiful!! I think prednisone is the next best thing to Botox!! Not a wrinkle on her almost 41 year old face!!!!! Seriously!

Other than all of this, it's been a wonderful couple of weeks. I am sorry about the lack of blog entries but I just didn't "feel" creative. Honestly, this entry isn't that creative, either. Later blog readers....

SIDEBAR: I am sick of the health care debate and I will not espouse my political views on this subject. But I WILL say...shame shame shame on Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck for dogging out an 11 year old child who lost his momma because of her lack of access to quality health care. And yes, I realize there are reasons they are trying to point out...manipulation by Obama..whatever...right is right and he's only 11. Do the right thing people!!