Paula Dean..I am Not

I may have that sweet charming Southern accent going for me, but when it comes to cooking that's about all Paula Dean and I have in common. I'm the first to admit, I am no cook. I can cook about 5 things really well and that's where my abilities stop.

I have been branching out a bit and trying some new things, most of which are to no avail. So when I saw this simple recipe for a beef tenderloin with only 3 ingredients (including the meat) I decided to take another lookey. The reviews on the dish were wonderful so I thought I'd give it a try.

On down to the Walmart I go with list in hand. When I couldn't find the cut of meat I should have known this was over my head and too rich for my blood. But feeling ambitious, I high-tailed it to Lowes Foods. Still feeling ambitious even when I couldn't find it amongst the other meats, I decided to go to the meat counter. In my most confident voice I asked Mr. Butcher, "Do you have a beef tenderloin roast...ummm...maybe around 3 pounds or so."

To my delight, he answered yes! SCORE! Well...I guess I was so excited I must not have heard "per pound" when he said "$13.99" As I was busy salivating over this huge chunk of meat, I didn't even notice the price.

I get to the check out and Awww Lawwd, I bout had me a heart attack right there in line:

But it is a nice looking piece of meat, if I do say so myself.
And knowing my limitations, I'm not touching it. This is now the Husband's project. No way, I'm gonna ruin a $50 piece of meat.

Key West...Take Me Away

Hi my blogger lovies. Yes, been gone for awhile. Between being a productive, working member of society and  my dedication to Pirate football, I've been a bit busy. Not to mention my husband's overwhelming demand for perfectly starched laundered shirts. Yes, I know I could just take them to the cleaners but I'm too damn cheap and I've got a vacation to plan. Which is sorta the premise of this blog today. I'm so excited I'm going to Key West in March I could just shout it from the mountain tops...but since I'm no where near a mountain top, I'm just gonna share it all over the land of blog.

And I think this is where I want to stay. Nothing special...small, quaint and they have cocktail recipes painted on the wall.

And this is what I want to do:

http://bestonkeywest.com/dolphin-shipwreck-and-snorkel.html 

Make sure you check out the video.

The rest of the time I just want to plop my ass in chair somewhere and drink myself stupid. Sounds like a perfect vacation to me.

And as an extra bonus my beautiful friend and favorite blogger Kristen of http://kristenlawlor.blogspot.com might be joining.

Throwback Friday

I miss Greenville. I miss college. Plain & simple.

Now that football season is here (Dwayne Harris kicked ass last night, btw)
it makes me think of my college days back at ECU.

This picture was taken at Eastern Street (2001) when we celebrated all of the July bdays.

This also happened to be my 21st. Doesn't seem like it was 10 years ago.

I don't remember a hell of alot of what happened. I do remember us getting a
ticket for noise, making a shit-load of PJ & jello shots. We also walked away
with a couple of extra bucks in our pocket. I still have the t-shirt that was made for me to prove it!

And last but not least, I woke up with dirt in my nose & ears. Bush diving, maybe?

Those were the days & sometimes I long for them again.

But I am proud & blessed to say that most of those peeps are still in my life. And while we are not 21 anymore, we still give it the ole' college try when we get together. Its as if our maturity regresses, along with our tolerance, & we behave as if we were back there on Eastern Street
whipping up a batch of PJ (these days its Sangria) & bonging beers and doing keg stands.

Thank God, its football season. Greenville, here we come!

31 on 31

I just woke up from an amazing nap, still tired, sore and with skinned elbows. Although this doesn't sound like someone who just probably had one of the most amazing birthdays ever, I assure you, I wouldn't want to feel any other way.Tawni, me, Lindsay & Leigh at the Murphy Center overlooking the field

In the past birthdays have never really meant that much to me however, the older I get, the more I cherish the fact that I have lived another year. And I am so fortunate that I have a wonderful husband and friends that help to make this celebration of life better and better each year.

It just so happened that this year the Ladies Pirate Football Clinic was held Saturday, the day before my birthday. So three fabulous ladies joined me in Greenville to run drills in a 110 degree stadium. We were treated to a delicious catered lunch over looking the field and a tour of the weight & training room. The eye candy in there wasn't an awful addition either!

We were able to run out onto the field, like the players, to Purple Haze. We did chants, passed and threw footballs with the QB (yep, Dominique Davis) and tackle those big bags with the Defensive Tackles. Was it hot...hell yes, more than 400 hells. But totally worth it! Just to be on that field with the coaches and players was pure heaven. Everyone was so nice. I was just amazed! I didn't think it was possible to become a bigger ECU fan but by golly, I AM!

The weight room: Click on the pic to enlarge & you can read it. LOVE IT!

With Head Coach Ruffin McNeil all sweaty from "practice."

With some of the first string players. Davis is #4 & OMG #99 is one big ass dude!

Afterwards we headed to Chico's (hands down the best mexican food ever) and had baskets & baskets of chips & salsa. Oh and a craft of sangria too! Then back to Raleigh ...

We headed out to The Big Easy restaurant and over indulged in gumbo and Hurricanes. My awesome husband surprised me with these tasty cupcakes. I usually hate being sang "Happy Birthday" to but these made up for it. I'm pretty sure I squealed and giggled like a little girl. What a way to end a perfect day.

Thank you Dustin for the awesome cupcakes and more importantly the thought and planning that went along with it. You are just too good to me! Also thanks to everyone who came out. I wouldn't want to spend my birthday with anyone else (well Coach Ruff maybe would have made it better)!

Summertime

Happy First Day of Summer. I hope this summer creates magical memories for everyone!

Throwback Friday

In honor of Fan Fest this week in Nashville (insert pouty face here for not being there), I would like to reminisce about my Sugarland weekend

in VA in Summer 2008.

Most of you probably don't know of my love for this duo. Their music speaks volumes to my heart and has got me through some really touch times. I've had the pleasure to meet them several times and Jennifer & Kristian are the nicest people ever. Jennifer even quoted meeting me, in an online interview, that I was one of her "favorite fan moments." Pretty freakin' cool, right. She even remembers my name. HOLLA!

I went up to VA Beach on Friday, laid out at the pool all day & then hit the beach so I could get as close to the stage as possible. Front row...not bad for an hour wait in line. Incredible show as usual.

The next stop was Bristow, VA on Saturday. I stopped by one of my sorority sisters, Lindsey's place, & we proceeded to the venue where we over-indulged in cold bevvies...even peed in the woods.

I met my pal, Annie, the bass player for Sugarland so we could hang out a bit. Annie, at the time, was collecting vintage grape cluster lamps. I actually had one so I boxed it up and met her at will call to give it to her. In appreciation, Annie hooked us up with All-Access passes and some amazing seats. Thanks again, Annie!!

Once again the show was amaze-balls!

Annie Clements & me backstage

Annie in action

I'm really sad I'll be missing their show next week in NC. Bummed, really.

If you haven't seen Sugarland live, its a MUST. Best show ever & you won't regret it...promise!

Throwback Friday

Throwback Friday is back!
And talk about this week's Blast from the Past!
Now that summer is pratically here, it always makes me think about the summer's of my childhood, teenage & college years.
This week's installment is dedicated to my childhood and highschool BFFs.

We were inseparable. And could cause some major trouble when we were together.

This was taken at Myrtle Beach, in 1998, before all of us went off to college.
I was the only one who went to ECU so it was so special to spend one last weekend with my "sisters." I remember this trip very fondly.
We had a great time sneaking into clubs, meeting boys, watching the sun come up over the ocean while contemplating life, and who could forget trying to find Krista who went MIA the last night we were there.

Over the years, we have drifted apart and are not as close as we once were.
However, I can say that I love these girls like I always have and I miss them.

Hopefully, we can all get back to MB and try to relive that weekend...well almost...I don't think our husbands would appreciate us meeting boys.

Love you, ladies!

Krista, Janet, myself, & Hope
Myrtle Beach, SC 1998

Wheew What a Ride

After 3 years I have finally finished!

HOORAY!!!

Although I walked across the stage to get my diploma last week, I still had this stressful cloud hanging over my head.

Even though I had completed my school requirements to graduate I still was not a Respiratory Therapist. I still had the nerve racking Boards looming ahead.

I am proud to announce that I passed my Boards yesterday. I am now a Respiratory Therapist.

Now I just have to get a job. Until then I'm gonna do some relaxing and start to study for my two-part registry.

And I want to send many thanks to my wonderful husband who has been my biggest supporter and motivator through this long journey. Also many thanks to all of my friends and co-workers for your support and continuous words of encouragement. I couldn't have made it through without all of you.

Throwback Friday

Why yes I have been MIA recently. I have to admit I've been a little stressed and busy. So until school is done and I've passed my boards, Throwback Friday is on a little vacation. I know, I know...I can hear your sobs from here. I promise to start it back up as soon as I can.

But just for a little update, I did have a wonderful interview at Duke. Now I'm not getting my hopes up too much. Its Duke, for heaven's sake. They only hire the best (well atleast thats what I'm telling myself) and the market is really competitive right now and even the health care industry is cutting jobs and budgets.

I won't hear anything for another 2 to 3 weeks but that's okay. What will be will be. Right now I have to concentrate on finishing school (2 more weeks, yo) and taking my exam to get licensed.

So until then, if I don't post or comment, it doesn't mean I don't love yaw'll; cuz you know I do. So send up some prayers and keep everything crossed for me. Peace!

Is This Legal?

No, you are not seeing double, triple or even quadruple. Yes, this is all liquor. And we have two more bins full of the stuff. So much in fact, I'm renaming "Casa des Costello" to "Costello Speakeasy."

I'm sure you're asking where in the hell did we get all this booze. No, we didn't rob the local ABC store. My mother-in-law has finally made the move from Iowa to North Carolina.

She owned a bar.

She closed the bar.

Now we own bar...well not really but we could. We have more liquor than ECU's campus.

Whose ready to party?

Seriously...

We need help with consuming all this goodness.

And on top of all this we just bottled 2 cases of home brew & have another 5 gallons fermenting that will be kegged in another week.

Issues?

Perhaps.

Throwback Friday

On Monday, my little girl will be 8. I remember the day I brought her home. Suzie was soooo tiny and I was completely in love. The week before, I had gone and bought her some toys, a bed and all the puppy essentials. I went to Target and bought a pink baby blanket, which she still has, and a play pen. No child of mine was to sleep in a crate; I wanted nothing but the best for my new little pup.


Today Suzie looks nothing like she did when she was a pup. She has grown into a beautiful, lovely lady..well aside from licking her lady bits. She still has my heart.

A lot of my friends have "real" children these days and I can't imagine having one myself. Its strange to some of you, I know, that I don't have this overwhelming desire to be a mother to something other than a furbaby. Don't get me wrong, I like kids and I love holding and spending time with my friends' kids. I guess just for me, I was born without that biological clock. Or its just broke. But whatever the reason, I can sorta understand the love that parents have for their children. Because I've been spending so much time with babies, both personally and professionally, I've realized that I talk to Suzie and treat her just like I do the human babies. So in a weird way, I get it.

I love this dog more than anything. I mean its right up there for the unconditional love I have for my husband. I'd be devastated and lost without "my little Suzie girl." She makes me smile and laugh and angry sometimes...like right now while she is trying to rip paperwork to shreds. Ahh, who needs that silly paperwork right? Go ahead, play and have fun! Don't worry; mama will clean it up.

Happy Birthday, Suzie!

I'm mama's lil pirate...ARRGGHHH

Awwww Snap...Spring is Here

To kick off the first weekend of spring we did give the boat some much needed TLC, with a little help from our friends, of course. I love spring and it just makes me all giddy. And I go around singing this little rhyme courtesy of our dear ole friend Mr. Willy Wonka:

IN SPRINGTIME

THE ONLY PRETTY RING TIME

BIRDS SING

EH, DING A-DING A-DING

SWEET LOVERS LOVE

THE SPRING


I love how my husband is "photo-bombing" our pic with the kids

The boat looks brand new. I wish I could take some sort of credit for it. I didn't do a damn thing but drink beer and gossip. But I had a dandy good time doing it. By the end of the day I was so pumped, I just couldn't stand it-I had to put on my life jacket and pretend I was floating around, getting my Vitamin D on.
So until next time, stock up on the suntan lotion and get your gear ready...ITS BOATING TIME FOOLS!

Final Answer...

I am a bit torn about the cleansing diet I did last week. I lost 2 lbs so that's good, but I have been trending around the 1-2 lbs per week doing things my way. So I am not sure if it really worked or not. I think it may be a good idea for someone who is just starting; I mean it was called the "Pre-Diet Cleanse" afterall.

The powder shakes kept me full for about 5 hours. The downside is they were pretty disgusting. By Friday, I couldn't get them down. They honestly, made me gag. Slim Fast tastes much better but they don't have as much protein & fiber.

The Diet Pak did give me energy and made me pee more. They also made me thirsty so my water consumption went up; the downfall was so did my beer consumption on Saturday.

The cleanse that I drank after dinner every night actually tasted really good. I'm not sure it ever cleansed me though. I didn't see any change in my #2s.

Maybe if I had 100% stayed on the cleanse and didn't cheat on day 6 & 7, I may have lost more weight. However, I could not bear to drink one more of those damn meal replacement shakes. No wonder people lose weight. They taste so damn shitty that you don't even want to eat!

If anyone saw my last post on the weight update, I decided to send back the tee shirt and get a smaller size. I was informed by the husband (after a few beers ofcourse) that the shirt made me look trashier than a lot lizard carrying around a milk jug full of Summer's Eve. He doesn't know much about fashion but I certainly don't want to go around looking like a cheap whore either. I'm hoping the smaller size will give me the look I'm going for, but with a more classy flair. We shall see...

Throwback Friday

In honor of this weight loss journey, I would like to use this opportunity to remind myself of what I use to look like and to use this as a goal.

This was taken in Maneo, NC in 2000-about 4 months prior to my 20th birthday. Oh I wish, I still had that stomach. I'm working on it....stay tuned!

"The Cleanse" Update Part 1

I've been on this new cleanse for 2 whole days. So I know the burning question is the status of my bowel movements. Well, there hasn't been any major poopage; just major gas. Yesterday, I am quite sure, that my stomach and butt were preparing for battle. And, I'm expecting to shart at any moment. I spent most of yesterday with major indigestion and gas pains. Today, so far, hasn't been so bad. I'm not sure if its the powder shakes or the cleanse. I was having trouble drinking the shakes yesterday due to the thickness so today I added a little bit more water and some fresh fruit. It makes it better.

But as I've lost 2 pounds, I'm gonna stick to it the rest of the week. I'll report back in a few days. Until then, just breathe, or fart, or poop; whatever you'd like.

7 Day Cleanse

Because I have received so many messages on Facebook regarding this new diet, I decided to chronicle my week here on Just Breathe.


As most of you aware, I started a diet on January 1st. I didn't follow a specific diet; you know I just cut back, eating healthier and added an exercise regiment. I haven't been too strict but I am proud to say that I've lost 10 pounds. I am about halfway to my goal.

I have now plateaued, so I've decided to do a 7 Day Cleanse Program from GNC. Its called Total Lean 7 Day Fast Loss. The kit (see above picture) includes a daily diet pack, lean shake meal replacement powder and a pre-diet cleanse.


The Pre-Diet Cleanse is to rid your body of built-up toxins that your body holds and does not naturally get rid of. In other words, its gonna make you poop and then poop some more. This also helps to boost your metabolism and allows your body to better absorb nutrients. It has tons of fiber!

I haven't had this yet as you are supposed to drink it after dinner so I'll follow up in a day or so to let you know how its going and how much I'm going.




The Daily Diet Pack: Supplements to help start burning more calories & increase energy.

The 2 red pills are Burn 60 which is supposed to help increase calorie burn-off. It also has caffeine for energy and metabolism boosting.

The smaller, lighter 2 pills are Waterex. These are for maintaining water balance and also has B-6.

The larger, darker pill is a Green Tea Complex that has EGCG. This is the major component of green tea and is for enhancing metabolism.

As for the program itself, it comes with a detailed meal plan & exercise plan. My plan is a little different. I'm taking the Diet Pack in the morning with breakfast (one of the shakes). For lunch its another shake with some fresh fruit. Dinner is the usual healthy things.

My workout plan for the week is yoga once a week, Zumba class on Tuesday, Zumba on the Wii one day & some other cardio for 30 minutes (probably a Jillian Micheal's' workout).

Now....I realize all this may be complete BS, however I'm gonna do it. I'll check in mid-week and let you know how its going and how much weight I've lost.

I will say that I was quite nervous about the Diet Pack. I haven't had any side effects. I have seen an increase in my energy level today. Also the shakes, although not the most tasty, do fill me up and keep me full.

Let me know if you have any questions and wish me luck....

Throwback Friday

This week's installment of Throwback Friday I've been thinking about since the idea first popped into my head to do these Throwbacks every week. However, now that its time to sit down and actually put the idea into words, I'm finding it quite difficult. I had all these poetic, colorful words I was going to write but I can't remember any of it now.

5 years ago today, I lost my Daddy unexpectedly. I'm not going to go into any details because who wants to relive the worst day of their life, right?

But I would like to share a little bit about my Daddy and what he taught me in life:

Daddy taught me the meaning of a hard earned dollar. I've never met anyone who worked as hard as my Daddy did but yet spent every penny on someone other than himself.

Daddy taught me what good music really is; I mean good honest music.

Daddy taught me any good joke can be funny, even if you can't tell a joke to save your life.

Daddy taught me to always be proud of who are and where you came from, even if you didn't come from much.

I know Daddy is sitting on the front porch of Heaven with Grandma & Granddaddy. I'm sure he's telling, or trying to tell, a joke or some other story he finds funny.

I'm sure he's up there pulling pranks and probably fishing too. I wonder if he's up there driving around on those golden streets or if he's takin' it easy. I hope he's takin' it easy.

I feel his presence often, but its still not often enough.

There isn't a day that goes by I don't think about him and miss him. I still don't think its fair that he was taken from me; from all of us.

I still get angry and suppose I always will. The cliche "He's better off," doesn't make me feel better. I'd rather have him here. I don't dream about Daddy as often as I use to, and that bothers me.

I just plain miss him & can't believe its been this long. I hope I've made him proud & hope he knows how much of my heart has been missing since he's passed.

I miss you "Old Man."

Love,

Your BB

Throwback Friday

So, I am guessing this is probably in 2002? My grandmother warned me
to always write the dates on the back of pictures.

However I do know this was at Walnut Creek tailgating for a concert. Too much alcohol in college has led
me to not remembering details of events like I probably should.

I'm thinking this to be an Aerosmith concert.

And I'm sure there was probably a lot of beer consumed and funneled.

What's even better...10 years later we're still all friends!

Throwback Friday

Since my anniversary was on Wednesday, I find it seemingly appropriate that this week's installment of Throwback Friday be dedicated to my amazing husband. Please disregard the quality of the picture, being that it was taken in the Summer of 2003 (I'm pretty sure I didn't have a digital camera).

This was shortly after D and I had met and we were at a birthday party in Wake Forest (only about 5 minutes from downtown...hee hee). Sorry I had to insert an inside joke there. As it was mandatory that guests only drink beer out of beer helmets (yes, this was D's first introduction to my friends), we spent most of the day on a scavenger hunt for, what I think is perhaps one of the most efficient beer consuming devices ever made. We did finally find them at Spencers. Big shock there, I know!

But we did have a fabulous time and I think it raised the question in D's mind, "What the hell am I getting myself into?" but 8 years later (4 of them being married) I can say that we are still going strong and still in love.

And....I'm sure he is still probably asking himself that same question every day.

Cheers to you, Dustin. I love you, babe! Happy Anniversary!

Throwback Friday

I know you all were disappointed last week when I failed to post the weekly installment of Throwback Friday. I do apologize...so here it is yaw'll; bright and early so you aren't spending your Friday waiting, wondering, what this fool is gonna post this week.

Drum roll please.....

Connecticut Trip 2003

Oh Lawd...this was the most random trip I've ever taken in my life.
It all started when I wanted to see my favorite basketball player, Sue Bird,
play at the Mohegan Sun in CT. So I rounded up a few pals (all from different states) and here we went.

Friday: First stop was in Greenville to pick up Spanks.
Then to NoVa to pick up Gould.
On to Maryland to pick up Kelli Quelet and
lastly, to Philly to pick up Colleen where we stayed over night in the bat cave (I have a video somewhere, but can't remember its location at the moment).

Saturday: We got up bright and early and headed north. We briefly stopped in Jersey to visit Kelli's now husband, Keven. And on to Uncansville, CT.

We made it! We walk in the casino and who is taking stage to perform? None other than Nelson (you know the long blonde, handsome twins of the early 90s). U know you had their poster from Teen Beat!

And if it couldn't get any more random, a guy I was sorta dating, very much on the DL, because I was also dating this other guy showed up. He was working in CT so he decided to join us. After the game we then all piled into the car and trekked another hour or so west to Hartford.

We all went out, after many Jager Bombs in the hotel room, where Gould constantly was hit on by this lesbian ALL NIGHT. I tried to convince the lady that Gould was with me; she didn't buy it. Hoolarious! The night ended with me cuddled up with....no not the guy (damn, what kind of girl do you think I am) but with Colleen and Gould.

Sunday: Tired and exhausted we headed back South, dropping off everyone at their respected locations and staying at Spanky's 'rents home in Newport, VA.

Monday we all returned to our normal lives with lots of memories and an appreciation for "Bad Boys."

And man, would I like to find that video. I'll start looking...

OFFICIAL Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole - "What A Wonderful World" Video

This just put me in the best mood ever!!

Throwback Friday

While my life is pretty eventless and boring these days with finishing up my last semester and the joys that go along with school, I thought I would start a new series.

I'm introducing Throwback Fridays, a series in which I find a picture from the past and share with all of you.

And for my first installment of Throwback Fridays, I would like to dedicate it to my dear ole college friend, Spanky.


After Hurricane Floyd flooded out our entire college town of Greenville, NC, our chapter advisor decided to donate some clothes to us (see above picture). This was 1999, not 1969 folks. Her heart was in the right place, but please, like a bunch of sorority girls would actually wear this shit.

So one day on the front porch of the AOPi house, Spanky and I decided to don the clothes and put on a dance party. As this was such a hit, we did an encore production at the annual Pledge Retreat. Our dance, to the Backstreet Boys, became a staple in the Pi house and is still performed today. Today's dance is known as the "Snuggie Dance Off."

I'm Melissa....and I'm an Addict

I can't stop thinking about food.

Honestly, I think I'm addicted to food.

I need help!


That's all. People say Step 1 is admitting you have a problem.

There, I admit it!

Dare I Make a Resolution

I'm gonna do it; I'm gonna make a New Year's Resolution this year. I never do but I think I owe it to my myself and my health to make one and stick to it. So this year I'm gonna eat healthier and loose weight. My weigh-in tonight was 131. My goal: 110. And I have a partner in crime too. Dustin is doing this with me. I'd put in his stats but he might kill me.

Wish us luck folks...I think we're gonna need it.