Recently, I’ve been participating in blog link-ups that have led to new friendships (some even in the Dallas/Fort Worth area …. SCORE!!!!!) and I’ve noticed a significant increase in blog traffic. Not that I’m a numbers kind-of-gal, but I love knowing people read this stuff. Bless her heart. I’m hopeful that my new blogging buddies in the DFW will decide to meet in person soon (hint hint … wink wink). I’d love to meet these fabulous, talented, and creative peeps for drinks, dinner, and whatever! In the meantime, check out this link-up that goes beyond the boring traditional About Me page.

Creepy-crawlies freak me out. The usual culprits (snakes, spiders, etc.) are on my list, but it wasn’t until I moved to Texas that I came into contact (literally) with scorpions. I consider these evil creatures the spawn of Satan. Last summer, while vacuuming under the couch,
I got stung struck stabbed on the thumb by one of the little fudpuckers. I freaked out because I didn’t know how I would react to the venom, as I have other allergies. Luckily, I had an arsenal of Benadryl, a WebMD-prescribed paste of water and baking soda, and Husband telling me to “CALM DOWN.” If I were a cat, it would have claimed at least two lives. Maybe five. In the last three months, we’ve killed six scorpions in the house. I’m constantly on the prowl and hunting for the minions. I’m proud to say that every scorpion I’ve eliminated has died quickly and violently via  rubber-soled shoe. Husband often thinks I might shatter the tile or wood floors, but, in that moment, I don’t care one teeny-tiny bit. Simply put, when I go for the kill strike, I hath no mercy!!!!!!!

Definitely our wedding day in Kentucky (03/31/07). The morning of, while my beloved Mother was running around making sure all the details were perfect, Dad and I sat on the front porch and read the newspaper. She was NOT a happy camper. Later, after everyone was dressed, we played ping-pong in a Sunday school room while waiting for guests to be seated. Husband-to-be was in the reception hall salivating at all the food being set-up by the caterer. He said it was torture not destroying the fruit tower or eating a piece of cake.

I loved our wedding day. It wasn’t super-duper fancy, but it was perfect. The church was packed, the food was delicious, everybody had a good time, and we remember all the quirky details: like me forgetting to flip my veil in front of my face before walking down the aisle. Once pronounced husband and wife, Husband and I yelled “WOOHOO!!!” and high-five’d.
We almost forgot to sign the marriage certificate. The food was incredible. (Did I say that already?!) The after-party took place at my parent’s house. I forgot to take a change of clothes to the church so I wore a shirt I found in somebody’s car and kept the slip I had on under my dress. My hair had enough hairspray to glue cement so it stayed up, along with a veil. Friends and family brought more food for everybody to enjoy and afterwards we rode four-wheelers and ATVs to the farm. I drove a tractor. And kissed baby pigs. The party-after-the-party took place inside the hotel lobby. We had tons of out-of-town guests come to our wedding, plus Husband’s family from Texas, so we basically had the place to ourselves. While some swam in the indoor pool, the rest of us played board games and cards. Husband and I eventually went to bed (heyyyyyyy!!!!!!) around 2:00am. We were on the road back to Texas the next morning (Sunday) by 7:00am. I cried like a baby when I left. I always do. Husband and I returned to work on Monday.

This question is so hard for me. I miss certain things from my childhood, teens, and college days but I wouldn’t want to be that age forever. I’d miss out on the experiences I’ve had recently and the relationships and friendships I have now. I wouldn’t trade them for anything. If I could time travel for a day or two, that would be cool. Forever? Not so much.

Goodness gracious, I have no idea.

Ohhhh this is going to be fun. In no particular order, they are:

• She’s Country ~ Jason Aldean
• Coal Miner’s Daughter ~ Loretta Lynn
• If I Could Turn Back Time ~ Cher
• The Power of Love ~ Celine Dion
• Good Hearted Woman ~ Willie Nelson & Waylon Jennings
• Georgia On My Mind ~ Ray Charles
• The House That Built Me ~ Miranda Lambert
• I Told You So ~ Randy Travis (and Carrie Underwood too)
• I Gotta Feeling ~ Black-Eyed Peas
• She Is His Only Need ~ Wynonna
• I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool ~ Barbara Mandrell
• Rolling In The Deep ~ Adele
• Kiss An Angel Good Morning ~ Charley Pride
• Pontoon ~ Little Big Town
• When You Say Nothing At All ~ Keith Whitley / Allison Kraus
• Fly Over States ~ Jason Aldean
• Crazy ~ Patsy Cline
• Drift Off to Dream ~ Travis Tritt
• Cowboy Take Me Away ~ Dixie Chicks
• Only Wanna Be With You ~ Hootie & The Blowfish
• Born in the U.S.A. ~ Bruce Springsteen
• God Bless the U.S.A. ~ Lee Greenwood
• Heartland ~ George Strait
• Stand By Your Man ~ Tammy Wynette
• Lady Marmalade ~ C.Aquilera, Lil’Kim, Mya, and Pink
• Mississippi Girl ~ Faith Hill
• I Will Always Love You ~ Whitney Houston
• Stronger ~ Kelly Clarkson
• With Arms Wide Open ~ Creed
• Endless Love ~ Lionel Richie & Diana Ross

Sorry, I might have gotten a little carried away with the song titles but once I started,
I couldn’t stop my list-making. Oops.