Totally 80s!

A couple of weekends ago, Brent and I attended an 80s birthday party in honor of our dear friends Terri and Bracy Cross.  I was so excited about it, and started planning my outfit the weekend before.  It really blew me away that a lot of the accessories that I got were actually on sale!!! This is the trend these days, so it's true that style trends to come back around.  If that's the case, I can't wait for the modesty of the late 90s. (Maybe not all late 90s trends though).  

So anyway, I got the gloves at Claire's the clothes at Walmart, and the shoes at Savers.  I even got some blue eye shadow and applied it liberally! So I got all ready, and we headed to the Oyster Bar.  I was feeling really good until I realized I was going to have to walk into a full restaurant in this outfit.  HA!  Brent wouldn't even walk beside me on the sidewalk - he was laughing at me 10 paces behind.  

But I do love Teacher Terri and Big June, so this is what we looked like:  

Here are the birthday folks. 

Brent didn't have time to find an outfit at Savers like everybody else, so I got him these flip up sunglasses like the guy on A Different World.  And there's really no words for Bracy.  He said this was his Miami Vice look. 

I got this picture from another blog, so pardon the pixelation.  The person shall remain nameless, but he had the best costume of the night.  I don't know anybody else who would go out in public (or at home for that matter).  

Since the party, we've had a really busy couple of weeks.  I had it in my mind that I was going to begin school at PTC this semester and teach another group of industrial students.  I had my first night class papers all printed out and ready to go, and then I got an email from the department saying they had given my class to a full-time professor.  At first, I was aggravated, but then I realized that I would have a free night, and then I didn't mind so much.  I think maybe God was closing that door in preparation for another door to open, but it hasn't yet.  

For all of the other things that have been going on,  we have been put into situations that have made us totally rely strictly on our Heavenly Father. We've seen Him answer prayer in our lives, and we're now waiting patiently to see what happens next.  

Ok, I guess that's all I got in me tonight.  Time to find some dessert and watch the DVR! 

Blog Catch Up

Oh I know I need to blog, but I'm having a hard time actually doing it.  I promise I will have an update this week.  Maybe even tonight....

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Thirty-six years ago was a special, special day. 

It was the day that God made and I know He was smiling down on Hopedale Missionary Baptist Church in Winchester, Arkansas.  My parents were married, and we are so blessed to have their example of a Godly, Christian marriage.

Here was my dad's facebook post today:   ‎36 years ago today, God brought into my life my best friend and love of my life. She is a great example of a great Christian wife and mother. God promised Joshua that if he would obey His laws and meditate on His Law that he would be prosperous and successful. God has done his part in our lives. Happy Anniversay, Linda, forever and a day, I love you.


Mom and Dad, I pray that Brent and I, and Sarah and Josh too, will be as happy and content with each other as you and dad have been all these years.  We love you very very very much! 

People of Walmart

Brent and I went to McGehee this weekend to have some quality time with my mom, dad, sister, and brother-in-law.  On Saturday, we went to Monticello to catch a movie. We got there really early and when you have time to kill in Monticello you go to Walmart.  (Don't ask - it's just what you do).  So after seeing a few people - and you ALWAYS see people there you know - I spotted the Kentucky Mud Flap in the wild.  Oh yes people - this lady had a ponytail cut INTO her head.  It. was. priceless.  I would like to say a big thank you to the people who thought it would be fun to have a camera in the cell phone, because without them, I wouldn't have this...

You're welcome.

Garden Update

When I decided back in April that I wanted to try my hand at landscape and gardening, little did I realize that this summer would be H-O-T-T-T.  Yes, it's been that hot here, so that means a few things.  I've had to water a lot, and the okra have been plentiful.  The tomatoes never came in and I'm thinking of pulling up the plants.  They're starting to look pitiful.  Actually, Brent said "Your tomato plants are giving you the finger."  LOL.  He's right though.  They are sad. I think next year, I'll just stick to a few okra plants, and maybe try one tomato plant, but I'll save the vegetables for the farmers market.  Oh well - I tried!

Here are my sun plants - they've gotten so big!

Look how much it's grown! 

Here's the basil plant.  I cut it back a couple of weeks ago, but it's still huge. 

This is supposed to be my Southern Garden side.  It's more like "Geez it's hot this summer and my plants are scorched" garden.  Except for the lantana and the azalea.  The hostas may be goners. 

I can't remember what this one is called, but it's blooming and it's pretty.

And I do have to tell on myself.  Last night, I turned the water on about 8:15 p.m. and came in and told Brent to remind me to go out in about an hour and turn off the water. WELL - this morning at 6 a.m. I remembered that the water was still on. OMG.  My water bill is probably going to be outrageous this month, but I'm not telling Brent.  ha!  My plants got a good drink of water that's for sure!

What's On TV

I've been wanting to do a post for a while now about our favorite TV shows right now, and since nothing exciting is happening at the Haywood House, then now seems to be the perfect time. 

Back in the spring, we enjoyed TV shows such as Flash Forward (couldn't finish it, but Brent did), Project Runway, Modern Family, Cougartown, and Big Bang Theory.  But one afternoon I turned on Bravo, and got sucked back into the world of the Real Housewives.  Now, I must give you a little back story on my love of Bravo.  I had this channel when I lived in Little Rock, but when I moved to Cabot, I quickly realized that Suddenlink didn't carry the channel. WHAT?  How in the world was I going to make it without Bravo?  Surprisingly, I did make it - somehow.  But about six months ago, we switched from cable to Direct TV, and it had Bravo in the line-up.  We love the dish - it is very reliable, has plenty of channels, and is about the same price we were paying for regular cable.  Plus, there's a DVR, which has totally changed my outlook on watching TV.  I had resisted the DVR as long as possible, but it really is a lovely modern amenity to TV. 

But I digress.... The Real Housewives of New York City was showing episodes from the first season, and since I had only seen the Orange County show, I was interested in seeing how these New Yorkers interacted.  I really did love this one - they were my favorite (until New Jersey came around), and there was plenty of drama.

You've got Ramona, Jill, Countess Luann, Bethenny, and Alex.  They have more money than they know what to do with, but the most interesting thing to me has been the differences in cultures.  I swear if I was still in grad school, I would have written a paper about this.  First of all, these women are all about the fashion and going to parties, and very rarely to you see them stay at home (unless they're going to the Hamptons).  Of course this is mostly due to editing, but you only see the dramatic snippets of the life.  One thing that has struck me funny is the fact that if someone does something to wrong another housewife, at the next event, she will tell the other party that her feelings were hurt and why.  It is my personal opinion that women in the South would NEVER do that. Oh no. Now, we will talk behind their back and ask everyone why we weren't invited, but to their face, a Southern lady would just smile and be polite. This obviously isn't the Christian thing to do, but hey - I'm being honest.  We Southern girls can hold grudges, but these NYC women seem to get it off their chest and move on.  So Kudos to them!

So after the drama with NYC was over, it was time to move west a little and catch up on the women of the New Jersey franchises.

I think these women were my favorite because they're more relateable, even though they have way more money than I do.  Most of them have young families and they're often seen taking care of them.  With the exception of Danielle, I would want to be friends with all of them.  Now, Dirty D is a big ole freak, and I really do wish they would kick her off the show. The previous episode showed the altercation between her and Teresa, and she said "Teresa attacked her."  LOL! When you see the episode, you see Danielle run away like a child. Seriously - if you're in the right, why not man up and stand your ground.  Makes you wonder if she really is hiding something (I think she is a big ole vat of crazy). 

I think with any of the Real Housewives, one thing that you have to remember is that money can't buy happiness and it won't get you into heave, so we have to keep it all in perspective. This is just for entertainment, but I think sometimes we forget that. We take TV for it's face value, and we should definitely not do that.  My least favorite housewives are in Atlanta, because let's face it - they are G-H-E-T-T-O and do not represent Southern women at all. 

So my newest favorite Bravo show is a spin-off of the Real Housewives of NYC.  Bethenny Frankel is know for her comedic one-liners on the show, and was always so funny.  In the RHNYC show, she was always defending herself from "attacks", but on her new show "Bethenny Getting Married", she seems to be very normal.  Now, getting married at 7 months didn't seem to shame her in the least, but that would not have worked where I'm from.  I am going to chalk that up to another cultural difference.  Bethenny and her now-husband Jason genuinely seem very happy together, and they're hilarious together.  Good for them and best of luck with the new baby. She also seems very relaxed and more funny in this show than the other one. Maybe it's because it's on her terms, and not has to rely on the other crazies. 

Some of our other favorites right now are: 

Memphis Beat

Which I just found out was filmed in New Orleans, which I think is sad. Apparently Louisiana offers better tax breaks for filming than Memphis does, and film crews go where it's cheaper.  That being said, it is a pretty good show to look forward to watching.  Can't say it's the best ever, but it's getting better.  Plus, I do like to have some Memphis pride since my sis lives there.

Police Women of Memphis

And speaking of Memphis - this show really is shot in Memphis. These women can kick some serious butt and take names! They try to keep a dangerous city safe, and there are some interesting characters that you get to see as well.  

Hot in Cleveland

This show is pretty funny and is much like a sitcom was back in the day. And when I say back in the day, I mean 10 years ago. Betty White is hilarious, but the show is a tad predictable.

True Blood

I read the first Sookie Stackhouse book, and then wanted to watch the first season on DVD.  Brent didn't really want to, but he got "sucked" in. (pun intended).  We watched season 1 and 2 back to back, and we love it.  It's not for those who are easily offended, so viewer beware. But seriously - Eric is my new celebrity crush (he's the one in the middle).  I like the Twilight series, but True Blood is SO much better.  It's much less cheesy and more dark. Plus, the writer is from Magnolia, and it's good to support our local people!

Tomorrow I'll try to post a garden update....let's just say things are looking kinda sad out there.

70 Years of Marriage

In 70 years, this could be Brent and I...or at least I hope it will be if God lets us live that long.  This has brought me to tears this afternoon.

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