{Semi} Wordless Wednesday

Happy Leap Day, friends.  366 days this year.  I always love Leap Year and I have no idea why.

Whoo Hoo, it's Hump Day!  I love a short work week (I took Monday off).  This weekend, I'm celebrating another birthday weekend with some friends.  Should be a pretty good weekend, too.  I can't wait to spend some time with my girls (and the guys, too).  I am sure there will be singing and dancing and plenty of laughter!

Here are just a few Pinteresting things that remind me of my girls:

Happy Wednesday!

xoxo,

Laurie

Misc Monday: Birthday Weekend Recap

What a wonderful weekend!  I am not one for the spotlight.  Honestly, it makes me uncomfortable.  As I get older, I am learning to find balance and acceptance of being the center of attention sometimes and still being comfortable.  Some people are plenty comfortable int he spotlight.  I am not.  This weekend was perfect balance for me.  Not too much hoop-lah, but still enjoyed time with friends and family.

Here's a quick birthday recap for my Miscellaneous Thoughts on Monday:

• My team at work brought in breakfast on Friday for my birthday and as a going away for one of the girls kicking off a new career today.  It was so nice.
• Great dinner on Saturday night with two of my besties.
• Lots of laughs and of course some dancing!
• Fabulous food--enjoyed Chinese take-out on Friday night and a fabulous dinner at Emerywood Fine Foods on Saturday night.  Fried Chicken and my favorite cake at my parent's house on Sunday.
• Good friends--running buddies on Saturday morning and two of my besties on Saturday night.
• Lunch with Family on Sunday (my actual birthday).
• Lots of calls from friends...I love the ones that sing to me especially!
• Loads of wishes on Facebook---that has to be the best thing ever.  It's overwhelming every year.

Overall, it was a great weekend.  I'm enjoying my weekend one more day by doing all the chores today that I ignored all weekend.  

Thank you to all of my friends and family!

Happy Monday!

xoxo,

Laurie

It's HERE!

A few week's ago, I ordered my Choose Joy necklace from Lil' Blue Boo.  I've written about Ashley and her courageous fight battling cancer.  You can read her story HERE.

It arrived with a little card that reads:

"Life can be hard....there's financial trouble, difficult relationships, health problem, death, etc....but everyday I have a choice:  I can let these things bring me down....OR I can CHOOSE JOY and just be thankful that I'm here.  I can choose."  ~Ashley Hackshaw

I can't wait to wear my new Choose Joy necklace.  It will be a constant reminder around my neck to CHOOSE happiness, kindness, and love.

What will you choose today?

Happy Friday!
xoxo,
Laurie

PS--I'm really proud of my friend, Coach Angel, today.  Read about his courage HERE.

Make the World a Better Place

Have you ever thought about how you treat someone for a fraction of a second could mold their entire day?I'm guilty of not being nice all time, having little patience, and being grumpy in general.  My friend,Sabrina, once told me that I should always pause and think:  Is it right?  Is it kind?  Is it necessary?  Think about it.  If you paused for just a moment before opening your mouth, you could change the world.

I have been thinking about some things that I have been studying for work and in my personal life.  It's about how we live today.  How we treat each other as fellow human beings.  At work, our entire department has read The Fred Factor.  Honestly, I'm a people-pleaser and a natural-born Fred.  I am also very competitive.  That in itself can bring out some not-so-Fred traits. So where's the balance?  I have been working on going the extra mile without expecting anything in return.  Working with friends and co-workers to make our lives and jobs better than ever.  I have been amazed to watch my team come alive with this thought process.  Think along this line:  Is there anything else I can do for you?

I have always tried to keep clear of office gossip and drama.  I also believe it is important that I keep my opinion to myself.  I am supportive when needed and constantly holding on to the right attitude.  Most often in my experiences, unless you are asked for your opinion, it is best to keep your mouth shut.  How someone takes on a specific task is how THEY do it.  If they wanted YOU to do it, then they would have asked you to do it.  It's all about behavior and how we treat others.  It is important in the public world to always be on your best behavior and use your manners.  When you put your "idea of right" out there, it is just that...your idea/opinion/belief.  The world goes round because we are all different.  The important thing to remember is your right is just that....your belief of the right way.  Be open and willing to hear other ideas.  Don't judge someone else's idea just because it is not your own.

Here are a few things I found to be Pinteresting on the subject:

Go out into the world and be the BEST YOU, you can be today.  Remember, just a smile can change the whole day for someone.  Your actions speak louder than any words.  Maya Angelou said it best:

Happy Thursday!
xoxo,
Laurie

{Semi} Wordless Wednesday

This week is flying by!  I love having Mondays off.  I wish I always had Monday off.  I'm not sure why, but it always makes the week better to NOT start on Monday.

Today, it's going to be in the 60s and 72 tomorrow.   I am loving this spring weather.  I have a later February birthday and I remember having birthdays with a foot of snow on the ground one year and shorts the next.  This is a tricky time of year.  Just two days ago, we had our first snow.  I love that my niece and nephews came over to sled our hill.  We had a great time and then retired inside for some hot cocoa.  It was a great way to spend the Presidents Day Holiday.

Happy Wednesday, y'all!
Bring on the Spring!
xoxo,
Laurie

Birthday Giveaway!

I've been talking about doing a giveaway for over a week.  My life got so busy last week that it's taken me a while to get it posted.  I figured since this is the beginning of my birthday week, it would be fitting to giveaway something fabulous.  I am also thrilled to partner with The Pink Monogram again for another great giveaway.

Have you visited The Pink Monogram lately?  There is always something new and fabulous to drool over.  You should check it out HERE.  So many things on my WANT list, not to mention fabulous gifts for Weddings, Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Easter, Mother's Day, Graduation and more!

Today, we're giving away the highly coveted and quite fashionable personalized Otterbox phone cases.  I am in the minority on these, as I have a Droid Charge.  No one makes a cute case for my phone.  I love my big ol' phone, but I sure wish someone would make an adorable case for it.  For now, I just have to search for adorable wall paper....cause that's all I've got!  You, however, can win one of these fabulous cases.  Here are a few of my favorites:

This one is my REAL favorite!

I know you're wondering what you can do for your chance to win this fabulous giveaway!  Here are the RULES  and LOTS of opportunities for your chance to win.

• To enter, you must LIKE The Pink Monogram on Facebook.  You can link up HERE.  Come back here and leave me a comment telling me your name on Facebook.  First name and last initial is fine.  If you already LIKE TPM on Facebook, still let me know in your entry comment.
• One additional entry:  Head over to The Pink Monogram, browse around and tell me something other than the phone cases that you have on your WANT list.  Come back here and leave a comment with that item.  No entry will be given for a comment about a phone case. 
• One additional entry, share this giveaway on your Facebook page.  Let me know by leaving a comment
• One additional entry, share this giveaway on Twitter, but remember to include @LuluDaisy in your tweet.
• One additional entry, LIKE Lulu and Daisy on Facebook.  You can link up HERE.  Come back here and leave me a comment telling me your name there, too.  First name and last initial is fine.
• One additional entry, Follow The Pink Monogram on Twitter HERE.  Leave a comment with your Twitter handle.
• One additional entry, Follow Lulu and Daisy on Twitter HERE.  Leave a comment with your Twitter handle.
• Two additional entries if you post this giveaway on your blog using the Lulu and Daisy button.  Leave a comment with a link to your blog.

That's NINE available entries to increase your chances of winning.  Do the one for the entry or do them all!  You can leave separate comments or just one with all entries.  I'm old school and will tally up the entries whether you leave one comment for each entry or just one comment with all of your entries.

The winner will be selected at random based on entries beginning now through midnight, February 29th.  Winner will be announced by March 2nd.

Good luck!

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo,

Laurie

First Snow in the Piedmont

The Mid-Atlantic received their first taste of winter yesterday.  After a very cold rain that turned to sleet mid-afternoon it turned to all snow, just as our forecasters predicted.  Though Hubs and I have had our share of winter weather during our travels to the mountains, this was an exciting and beautiful snow in our area.  The best news...spring will be back today with a high of 48 today and 62 by Thursday.  Here are just a few snap shots I took yesterday when it turned to snow and this morning when I let the dogs out.

Its not much, but it sure it pretty this morning.  All the kids in the area had better get out and sled now...it will be gone by lunch.

Happy Monday, y'all!
xoxo,
Laurie

{Semi} Wordless Wednesday

What an honor I have today.  I'm guest posting for Daphne over at Flip Flops and Pearls for {Semi} Wordless Wednesday.  Be sure to link up and check me out over there!

Happy Wednesday, y'all! xoxo, Laurie

Miscellaneous Monday: Grammy Hangover

Who watched the Grammy's last night?  What was your favorite part?  Who did you like the best?  Who had the worst attitude?  I have never been an award show person, but this year I have tuned in for the Golden Globes and the Grammy's.  What's next??  The Tony's?  Yeah...I wouldn't know many on Tony Awards.

I do love music, though.  Music has written the soundtrack to my life.  There are certain songs I hear and I can place myself back in time.  Back to careless days of my childhood or during times of pain or times of success.  Music touches us in a way nothing else does.  It gets under our skin and gets our body to move.

My miscellaneous thoughts for today:

• I really enjoyed the Beach Boys last night.  They have been a long-time influence in my life.  I can't hear them and not think of my Uncle Bob.  We knew the words to Good Vibrations at such a young age.  That song really takes me back to 1979 in his light blue Corvair convertible driving down the road from Mobile to Gulf Shores, Alabama for the day.
• For the first time, I thought Paul McCartney looked old.  He's kind of always been very "Dick Clark" to me.  Never aging.  Always enjoyable.  I love the Beatles and even saw Paul in 1989 (I think that's right) at Carter Finley.  He can still sing his fanny off, though.
• Adele....Amazing, classy, and beautiful.
• Jennifer Hudson....That girl's got some ca-ho-nays to get up 24 hours later and sing a tribute to Whitney.  How she did it without crying, I will never know.
• Foo Fighters....Dave, I love ya.  You've got more talent and creativity in your pinkie finger than people think.  Rock on!
• Whitney...you wrote the soundtrack to my life from 7th grade on.  "I wanna dance with somebody who loves me."  Her smile was infectious.  How could you not love this beautiful, talented woman.  Don't judge her for her addictions.  She worked really hard to fight them.  A true talent lost, but forever influencing our lives.

For those who wanted to see my Valentine's cookies, I iced them during the first hour of Grammy's last night.  Here they are:

Happy Monday, y'all!

xoxo,

Laurie

Snowy Saturday

It is another great day in North Carolina.  Today I'm in Banner Elk.  We woke to beautiful falling snow.  At this hour, it is still coming down.  3 - 6 inches expected around the area.

Should make for some great skiing later on today.

I also must note that this is my first post from my Droid.  I hope it looks great.

Happy Saturday!
xoxo,
Laurie

{Semi} Wordless Wednesday: What's So Pinteresting?

 

Good morning, friends!  So glad this week is half over.  My allergies are now starting to kick in and I had to put myself to bed last night with a Benedryl.  Love having a Benedryl hangover (NOT)!  It's so hard for me to keep my eyes open this morning and I have a lot of work to do today.
 
Today I'm sharing my favorite Valentine ideas from Pinterest.  Hard to believe it's just a week away.  Winter is flying by!

Yummy cookies

I have already baked my heart cookies.  I just need a night this week to ice them.  I won't be this creative with the colors, but they will be adorable and delish.

Love this sign!

Adorable Cakes

Does anyone have any big plans for the Big Red Heart day?  We don't.  All I ask for is a box of chocolates.

Happy Wednesday, y'all!

xoxo,

Laurie

Lil Blue Boo

Have you met Ashley?

By now, many in the blogging community and otherwise, have found the Lil Blue Boo blog.  A blog who's origins are not so different than what they are now:  Encouragement, Creativity, and a Zest for Life.  I have been fascinated by Ashley and her courageous battle against some of the most aggressive cancer I have ever witnessed.

I probably came across her blog just before the cancer.  My sister has a 3 year old daughter and Ashley designs an adorable children's line, Lil Blue Boo.  I began stopping by daily to "check-in" on her and see how she was doing when she became ill.  Sometimes, it's hard to read everything she's been through.  I mean, she's not that much YOUNGER than I am.  She has a precious daughter and a fabulous husband.  What I love most about Ashley is that she's real.  She's blunt and honest about what she's going through.  Yet, despite the fact she's been on chemo constantly since October, she still manages to write and keep everyone updated.  She plans fabulous, creative birthday parties for Boo.  When she can't write, her assistant or her husband will write for her.  And they laugh.

Her mantra, Choose Joy, is so inspirational.  It is an attitude of happiness.  An attitude of gratitude and something that I have chosen to take on for myself.  No matter how things may seem, we never think if we choose how we feel, it can make a real impact on our own attitude as well as those around us.  I am happy to CHOOSE JOY today.  Be sure to read about Ashley's father, too.  He chose joy his entire life.

Ashley is a "home girl" from North Carolina and a graduate of Wake Forest University.  She lives in California with her husband, daughter and Yorkie. I encourage you to take a peek and follow along Ashley's journey.  She is a true inspiration!

Happy Tuesday, y'all!
xoxo,
Laurie

Miscellaneous Monday

Good morning!  I'm not sure why I'm so chipper this morning.  I got a good night's sleep, but I'm still tired.  It's going to make for a long day.
Here are some of my miscellaneous thoughts today:

• We went to a Super Bowl party last night and I can honestly say that the only part I watched was the halftime show.  I don't really have an opinion about it.  It was fine, but nothing to write (home) about.
• The Crack Bread and Golden Graham S'mores were hits, too.  The highlighted links are to the recipes.
• I didn't really care who won the Super Bowl, but congratulations to the New York Giants.
• The worst part about last night was that I was too busy socializing and shooting pool that I didn't even watch the commercials.
• The best part was the delicious dinner from Two Bills and a Grill.  Oddly enough, I usually only see one of the Bill's doing the work...and it's always the same Bill.

Happy Monday, y'all!

xoxo,

Laurie

Just a Little PR

Out of my own blogging slump, I found time to really shake up things with my husband's company, Christopher Tester Custom Woodworking.  By his name, you may think he spends all of his time in his wood shop making cabinets.  Not true.  He is actually quite good at all kinds of things.

When he first began his business, we set him up with a group on Facebook.  All of his friends were followers and he gained several loyal customers (some he is still working for today) from this page.  There were just a few photos, as we found time for that was slim.  First mistake--no thought had been put into showing his work at all.  It's certainly not like my house is a showcase.  You know the old saying about the cobblers children never have shoes?

So he began taking photographs of his work.  Then we realized, though the finished product looks fabulous.  It would REALLY look great with a "before" shot.  Mistake number two--we had tons of great photos with no before photos.

This week, I began my quest of moving and deleting the group and getting his business page up and running.  I have spent countless hours uploading photographs (some with both, before and after shots) to his new Facebook page.  You can check this out HERE, if you haven't already.  My second job has become promoting this page.  So much so, that I'm writing about it here.

If you live in the Piedmont of North Carolina or know someone who does, please pass along his information.  His works speaks for itself.  We are also happy to work on vacation homes at the coast and in the mountains.

Finally, after a few discussions, we thought it would be fun to blog about his work on a weekly basis.  We haven't completely narrowed down the topics yet, but it will include his work, his adventures in building his first boat and his love of snow skiing.   You can check it out HERE.

Who are you pulling for tonight?  Pats or Giants?  I don't care but I'm looking forward to socializing.  Be safe!
Happy Sunday, friends!
xoxo,
Laurie

{Semi} Wordless Wednesday and What's So Pinteresting?

First of all....thank you all so much for your kind comments regarding my slump.  It's a lack of creativity combined with some winter blahs.  I'm also preparing to launch a blog that I will write for my husband's business.  He's a cabinetmaker and carpenter.  Though Facebook is fabulous for getting the word out, a blog would be more fun and informative for him.  I like the ideas of telling the story of a renovation.

Today, I thought I would share the items I plan on making for Sunday's Super Bowl  I have since found out that though I didn't know who was playing....I was pretty on the money in Monday's post.  I still don't care who wins, but I'm sure I'll pick a team by Sunday.

I found this Golden Grahams S'mores recipe last Friday at the Flip Flop and Pearls Recipe Swap.  I thought this was the perfect bit of sweetness to take to the party.  I also found a new fabulous blog to read, The Magnolia Pair.  Check out Britt and her adventures!

For the savory, I'm making what has been termed as Crack Bread.  I'm also making homemade sourdough bread for it.  We shall see what happens, but I think it will be yummy!!

Let's not forget my new favorite quote.  I've never been a fan of the "Put Your Big Girl Panties On..." but this one seems to fit the bill in a classier way:

Today officially kicks off my birthday month.  Yes, I celebrate for a month.  Why not?  Not to mention that I share my birthday month with so many friends.  Here's to us!

Happy Wednesday, y'all!
xoxo,
Laurie