I am in a bloggy funk.

I started two different posts before deciding I wasn’t in the mood to finish either of them. For that reason, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to do a fun meme that my friend Mel posted a few weeks back.

The ABC Game

A. Age: 37

B. Bed Size: Queen, though there are plenty of nights I’m sure McDaddy wished we had a King because he says I take my half out of the middle.

C. Chore you hate: This would be a tie between dusting and mopping. I wouldn’t mind dusting if I felt like I was completely eliminating the dust. I wouldn’t so much mind mopping either, but I don’t feel like I ever get my floor completely spotless.

D. Dogs: We don’t have any dogs in our house because Alex is allergic to them, but we had a dog while I was growing up. Smokey was a cute little three pound yorkshire terrier and I’d love to have another Yorkie someday.

E. Essential start to your day: I would say an ice cold coca cola classic. Someone else might tell you my blood pressure pill.

F. Favorite Color: This is tough because I love bright colors. My favorite color used to be orange, but I love pinks, lime green, and of course, chili pepper red.

G: Gold or Silver: I have oodles of gold jewelry. Some years ago though, I switched to silver and now wear mostly silver jewelry.

H. Height: 5’8′

I. Instruments you play: Piano and Saxophone

J. Job title: Correctional Counselor turned Stay-At-Home-Mom

K. Kids: Two sweet boys. Stevie is 8, and Alex is 5.

L. Live: In a home, on a hill, in a small town in West Virginia

M. Mom’s name: LaDonna, though she goes by Donna.

N. Nicknames: Princess. And sometimes Jules.

O. Overnight hospital stays: Several. Tonsilectomy in the the 6th grade. Broken jaws in the 10th grade. C-section when Stevie was born, and another C-section when Alex was born.

P. Pet peeve: There is a long list. Probably my biggest is being late.

Q. Quote from a movie: “Nobody puts Baby in the corner” and also, “It’s Friday, you ain’t got a job”.

R. Right or left handed: Right.

S. Siblings: Twin Brothers who are four years older than me.

T. Time you wake up: 6:30 AM on weekdays, and too early on the weekends.

Underwear: Where to start with this one… If you happen to be one of my IRL friends, you know it is no secret that I am known for always having spare “drawers” on hand. A girl never knows when she might need a spare pair, so I’m sure to have one with me at all times. I prefer brightly colored SOFT cotton ones.

V. Vegetables you dislike: Spinich, I guess.

W. What makes you run late: This is going to sound crazy, but usually it has something to do with Alex and his choice of shoes.

X. X-Rays you’ve had: Lots and lots of x-rays on my teeth and jaws thanks to some serious life-changing surgery on my jaws.

Y. Yummy food you make: McDaddy would say Chicken Enchiladas. I would say Strawberry Poke Cake.

Z. Zoo- favorite animal: Giraffe. Not for any other reason except that they are tall and have an easy time nosing in people’s business seeing what’s going on

My buddy over at One Red Daisy tagged me to do The Rule of Three.

And there is no way I am posting a meme on Not Me! Monday, but if I did, it is probably because I didn’t do anything at all embarrassing this week which means I would have no substance for an actual Not Me! Monday post.

Three names I go by:
Julie
Mommy
Julie Kay

Three jobs I have had:
Inmate Counselor
Data Conversion Operator
Human Resources Department at a plant that manufactured the color blue.

Three places I’ve lived:
Charleston, WV
Flatwoods, KY (home of Billy Ray Cyrus)
(that’s it for me!)

Three favorite drinks:
Dr. Pepper
Coca-Cola Classic
Really sweet tea

Three TV shows I watch: (which doesn’t even begin to put a dent in the ever growing list)
Desperate Housewives (cause I am one!)
The Young and The Restless (coincidentally, so am I)
Grey’s Anatomy

Three places I’ve been:
Austria
Switzerland
Paris

Three places I would like to visit
Australia
Greece
Lake Powell (again!)

Three favorite dishes:
Olive Garden spaghetti with meat sauce
My mom’s spaghetti
My mother-in-law’s spaghetti

Three things I’m looking forward to:
McFamily Vacation to Florida with McDaddy’s entire family (that’s 27 for those of you counting – 2 parents, 5 kids, 5 spouses, 15 grandbabies and a partridge in a pear tree)
Three upcoming trips in our summer home camper.

Three people I’m tagging:
My sister-in-law and IRL friend, Michelle over at We Don’t Eat Bugs
My URL friend, Kellyn over at Fritz Facts
My URL friend, Allison at Slice of Heaven who is currently on bed-rest awaiting the precious arrival of Baby #3.

This post is linked to Not Me! Monday over at MckMama‘s place!

Oops… It looks like I forgot to post this on Friday.

Sheesh. Sorry.

A sweet forever ago, Mel over at A Box Of Chocolates tagged me for a short meme. Even though it has been months since she posted this, today seemed like the perfect day to play along. While I am supposed to tag eight other bloggers, I am choosing not to do that. Instead, I will list eight of my favorite blogs and would love for you to visit them! If you visit, be sure to tell them I sent you.

Oh, and in case you are wondering I am not being compensated for plugging them. It just so happens that I enjoy reading these blogs and want to spread the love!

8 Things I Look Forward To

1. Our family birthdays. My birthday is in two short weeks. 36, here I come!
2. Christmas. My favorite holiday and favorite time of year.
3. Picking Stevie up from school. Even though he is in the first grade, I still miss him terribly when he is at school.
4. Girls’ Night Out – They don’t happen often, but when they do, I whoop it up!
5. The last day of school – It will mean my PTA duties can take a break until school starts up again. Unless of course, someone else is out of their mind willing to head the PTA festivities and duties up next year.
6. May 23rd – Mine and McDaddy’s wedding anniversary. I love our anniversary. Mostly because it means I’m getting a gift it was one of the most special days of my life.
7. Saturday – McDaddy’s family is celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas on Saturday because all 24 of us will be together. Our boys are really looking forward to spending next week visiting and playing with their cousins.
8. Finishing our basement – We are in the midst of some major renovations to our basement which is scary because hello? I know nothing of interior design. 

 8 Things I Did Yesterday

1. Went to the grocery store to buy cloves (which by the way were $8.65 for a tiny, little container)
2. Prepared Vanilla Delight (which by the way was YUMMY!)
3. Ate way too much!
4. Clipped Alex’s fingernails
5. Watched the Macy’s Day Parade
6. Took a bath
7. Cleaned the basement
8. Loaded and Unloaded the dishwasher three times (So thankful for the dishwasher!)

8 Things I Wish I Could Do

1. Keep the kitchen countertop clear of debris
2. Blog Design
3. Surprise McDaddy with a ginormous garage
4. Get rid of the clutter
5. Be really good at styling my hair.
6. Control my temper AT ALL TIMES!
7. Learn to say NO!
8. Get more help with PTA matters.

8 Shows I Watch

1. Grey’s Anatomy
2. Desperate Housewives
3. The View
4. The Young and The Restless
5. Criminal Minds
6. Bones
7. American Idol
8. Dancing With The Stars

8 Blogs I Read

1. Big Mama
2. Boo Mama
3. Such The Spot
4. We Are THAT Family
5. These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things
6. Slice Of Heaven
7. The Queen B
8. Fiddledeedee

Enjoy your Friday, y’all!

I don’t normally post on Saturdays, but its late, the kids are asleep and I am wide awake. I was visiting some bloggy friends and found this meme over at Heather’s place. It looked like fun, so I thought I’d play along.

I am.. very lonely without my sweet hubby.

I want… this 6-month deployment to be OVER.

I have… 2 very different, but very sweet boys.

I wish… I knew more about html code.

I know… some sign language.

I hate… olives.

I fear… lots of things, but I try to place my trust in God.

I hear… a clock on the wall ticking.

I crave… our family being together again.

I search… for things I misplace. Most recently it was a tracking number from Fed Ex.

I always… wanted to ride in one of them fancy hely-copters  (Sorry, my boys quote from the movie CARS daily!)

I usually…  talk WAY! TOO! MUCH!

I am not… your average gal as was proven recently with this post.

I miss… my friend Jon. (And of course McDaddy!)

I love… God.

I never… can keep the little green bench in our room cleared off.

I rarely… do anything without making a list.

I cry… at the drop of a hat these days.

I lose… my patience daily. (It’s no wonder I take a blood pressure pill)

I should… get to bed earlier every night.

I worry… a lot less than I used to. (Thank you, Jesus!)

I dream… about having a Saturn Sky.

I was… 25 pounds heavier this time last year.

I need… to lose 25 more.

I can… waste ridiculous amounts of time on the computer.

There you have it.

All about me!

Enjoy your weekend.

Where were you January 31st….

TODAY – 35 years old. Married to the love of my life who is currently deployed (as of yesterday) for 6 months. Stay at home mommy to a 6 year old and a 3 year old.

5 years ago – 31 years old, married for 6 years, mommy of a 2 year old.

10 years ago – 25 years old, working as a correctional counselor at South Central Regional Jail.

15 years ago – 20 years old, dating McDaddy, full-time college student working on a psychology degree while working full time at a
local grocery store.

20 years ago – In the 9th grade at HMJHS. Majorette, member of the school newspaper and member of Student Council.

25 years ago – I was in the 4th grade and was a brownie. I also took piano lessons and talked non-stop.

Where are you going?

5 years from now – Stevie will be 11, Alex will be 8. (WOW!), McDaddy and I will celebrate 15 years of marriage and I will be ready to hit the big 4-0! Hopefully, McDaddy will be out of the military and we won’t have to worry about deployment ever again. I will more than likely be back in the workforce, spreading my fabulosity.

10 years from now- Stevie will be driving [YIKES!] and Alex will be a teenager [heaven help me!]. McDaddy and I will be getting ready to celebrate 20 years of marriage and will take a fabulous trip to some exotic place. [hint, hint.]

15 years from now – Stevie will be 21 years old and hopefully knee deep in college text books. Alex will soon be 18 years old and hopefully pouring over college applications. If mama can make it through the high school years with 2 boys without a heart attack, it will be a miracle.

20 years from now -WOW! Our boys will be 26 and 23 and will hopefully have found 2 great gals to marry (I’m already praying!) and be well-adjusted adults. Me and McDaddy will be 55 years old and have a ways to go before retirement.

25 years from now – Me and McDaddy will probably be grandparents by now. If I had my way, we’d both be retired and travelling the world at this stage in our lives.

I think I may have set some sort of record today.

I shopped for 8 hours. 

With my 2 kids.

My mom.

And a van-load of patience.

Because of that, I am pooped!

I saw this meme over at Faith’s blog and decided to play along even though she didn’t tag me. I was out all day, so she probably had trouble finding me. Anyway, here goes.

8 THINGS MEME

8 Shows I watch:

Only 8…. I’ll do my best.

1. The Young and The Restless
2. The Bold and the Beautiful (darn those cross-overs)
3. Big Brother
4. American Idol (Coming Soon) 
5.  The View
6. Desperate Housewives
7. Criminal Minds
8. Dancing With The Stars

8 Favorite Restaurants:

1. Outback Steakhouse
2. Longhorn
3. Olive Garden
4. Famous Dave’s Barbecue 
5.  Top Spot (Local Hot Spot)
6.  Lonestar
7. Logan’s
8.  Rio Grande (Local Mexican Place)

8 Things that Happened to Me Today

1.  I got honked at for being in the wrong lane.
2. I shopped for 8 hours with my mom and boys.
3.  I ate Chinese for lunch – yummy
4.  I got my first blog award
5. I bought a new fossil watch with birthday money from the inlaws to replace the one that was stolen from me at the Y.
6. I drank 3 Dr. Peppers (naughty girl)
7. I went back to sleep after McDaddy took Stevie to school – yay! for the extra hour.
8.  I wrapped presents.

8 Things I Look Forward to:

1.  My boys enjoying Christmas morning.
2.  Christmas breakfast
3.  Our trip to Florida the day after Christmas.
4.  Spending Christmas with my family.
5.  Our annual family ski trip next month. 
6.  Playing Santa
7.  August, 2009
8.  My warm bed that will welcome me in about 3 minutes.

8 Things I Wish For:

1.  I wish for it to be over.
2.  The end of pull-ups!
3.  For God to keep McDaddy safe during it.
4.  My family to be saved.
5.  For my kids to not have to go through it.
6.  For God to be at the center of my life at all times.
7.  A Saturn Sky
8.  Many more healthy years for my parents.

I am not tagging anyone, but invite you to play along!

Darcie over at Such The Spot did this meme today and I thought it looked like fun, so I’m playing along instead of tackling the laundry pile.

My fellas might not have clean underwear, but by-crackie (pun intended) ya’ll will have your daily dose of crazy.

To play you fetch your iPod and put it on shuffle songs. Copy the questions and as you answer them, jot the song and the artist down as the answer.

I’m grabbing my iPod that looks exactly like this…

Here we go….

If someone says, “Is this okay?” you say?  Let it Fade by Jeremy Camp

What best describes your personality?  You’re My Angel by Brooks and Dunn (McDaddy might not always agree with that).

What do you look for in a guy?  Put Your Records On by Corrine Bailey Rae

How do you feel today?  Love’s In Need by Blackstreet

What is your life’s purpose?  Because He Lives by One Accord

What is your motto?  Livin’ On The Edge by Aerosmith (how funny!)

What do your friends think of you?  Fantastic Voyage by Coolio (Even funnier!)

What do you think about often?  Here I Go Again by Casting Crowns

What do you think of your best friend?  What Have You Done For Me Lately by Janet Jackson (I Promise they are randomally shuffling!).

What do you think of the person you like (in my case I’m assuming this refers to the person I married)?  All I Want To Do by Sugarland

What is your life story?  Voice Of Truth by Casting Crowns

What do you want to be when you grow up?  All 4 Love by Color Me Badd (Yes, it has 2 D’s – the 90′s rocked!)

What do you think when you see the person you like?  Feelin’ So Fly by toby Mac

What do your parents think of you?  The Other Side by Aerosmith

What will you dance to at your wedding?  This Is How We Do It by Montell Jordan

What will they play at your funeral?  All I’ve Ever Wanted by Mariah Carey

What is your biggest secret?  Washed By The Water by Needtobreath

What do you think of your friends?  What If His People Prayed by Casting Crowns

What is the worst thing that could happen?  I Love Me Some Him by Toni Braxton

How will you die?  Better As A Memory by Kenny Chesney  =(

What is the one thing you regret?  So Long Self by Mercy Me

What makes you laugh?  Shame On Me by Rachel Proctor  (Pardon the commentary but I just have to tell you this, I actually went to HS with Rachel Proctor. She is a songwriter in Nashville and most recently released her own CD entitled Only Lonely Girl. Give her a holla after you read this).

What makes you cry?  The Keeper Of The Stars by Tracy Byrd

Will you ever get married?  Queen of Memphis by Conferate Railroad

What scares you the most?  Someone To Love by Jon B

Does anyone like you?  I Like It Like That by After 7

If you could go back in time what would you change?  All I Really Want by Alanis Morisette

What hurts right now?  If I Had No Loot by Tony! Toni! Tone’!

What will you post this as?  Your Eyes Don’t Lie by David Archuleta

See?!  Wasn’t that fun?  Now, why don’t you play along.