Wedding Wednesday

Before anyone flips out, no I am not engaged or getting married, but I always see everyone's Wedding Wednesday posts & I want to do one. So I am :)

Tonight Mrs Manis & I went to a screening of this movie -

If you haven't heard about or seen the trailer for this movie here it is:

The movie hits theaters May 13 and it is excellent! I give it 4.5 / 5 stars! I laughed all the way though, and it's a good movie to go to with girlfriends or your man. It is rated R though, so not so kid friendly. Anyone who has ever been a bridesmaid, a bride, been to or in a wedding or thought about getting married one day will laugh till they cry with this movie. It's been compared to The Hangover but I thought this was much funnier!

Reach Out To Someone

Yesterday I learned of the death of a very dear friend. I am so numb I cant even believe its real. I was planning to see him in just a few weeks. I've been crying on and off all day. Every little thing reminds me of him. He gave the best hugs, because you always knew he meant it when he hugged you.

This week I am making a point to call all of my friends, send them a letter, something, just to tell them how special and amazing they are and how much I love them. I don't want anyone leaving this earth & not knowing how much I cared for them.

Kate, my high school/church bff & I had a huge fight this fall. We haven't spoken since, which hurts me. I was thinking I was standing up to her bulling by not apologizing first but I am finally realizing it doesn't matter who says sorry first. It doesn't matter that we have almost nothing in common these days, what matters is that were friends and I want her to know how important she is to me.

Im going to write her a letter tonight, telling her how sorry I am and how much I miss being her friend. I hate that it took a death of someone I really loved for all this to click into place, but it did.

My dad offered to take me to church to light a candle for David, but I cant, not yet. First I need to forgive myself for not being a good enough friend to him. I could have called more, visited him, told him how much he meant to me. But now all I can do is look at pictures and remember him.

Today I am issuing a challenge, go through your phone, or your facebook and find 5 people, or maybe even just 1 person, you call a friend but haven't talked to, or you had a fight with. Make an effort to reach out to them and say hi. See how they're doing, go have dinner, or lunch, or coffee if they live near by. Make memories now, take pictures, listen to their voice, hug them extra tight, because you never know when they wont be there anymore.

RIP David

  

David McGrath

July 19 1982 - April 8. 2011

David and I met my very first year in stateboro. I was new to town and we had been taking on pof.com before I moved there. He was the nicest guy, always so kind and thoughtful. He was cute and we always flirted. We even dated for a little bit, but deicded to just be friends. David would always make an effort to come to my lame dorm parties, he met all my loser boyfriends and supported me after break ups. He was one of those guy friends every girl needs to have. I always wondered if he & I were meant to be together, both of us being catholic and all. 

We got into a hugh fight about 6 months before I graduated. He didnt like that I was spoiled and my parents paid for my college, I just assumed he was jealous. We stopped talking after that. Only recently, maybe in January, I sent him a facebook message to say I was sorry about the fight. We chatted a little bit but it wasnt the same. 

I was planning to tell him I would see him in Savannah in a few weeks when I was in town for the bridal shower, and I saw everyone writing RIP on his wall. I found the news report of what happened. Heres the link if you want to read it:

http://savannahnow.com/jamie-parker/2011-04-07/fiery-wreck-explosion-i-95-bryan-county-kills-one

David worked so hard as a truck driver, he wanted to go back to school, get married and have a family. David gave the best hugs and he never judged me, even when I was too drunk to walk. David was the big brother I never had and I know a part of me will always love him. 

RIP David, you will live on in my heart always!

Ashley's Birthday

We were a little drunk

Smile!

My Valentine! 

Easter Fail

I know I know I know, 2 posts in one day is no bueno. But Im so.... ugh! Mad at myself and ... well just me.
I was supposed to meet up with my college bff Julie today and see her beautiful baby Aurora. She lives in KY but her family is in SC so she comes through ATL from time to time. The plan was to call me when she was getting to 285 so I could drive out and meet her and have coffee.

I stupidly, had my cell on silent so by the time I realized it she was already in TN :( she wont be coming back through till June :( I had her wedding gifts and a huge bag of gifts for the baby and now... guess Ill ship them to her...

Julie bringing Aurora home for the 1st time

Christmas morning!

Cutest Baby EVER!

Why Holidays Hurt

I know most people spend their whole year looking forward to holidays, and I used to be one of those people. But in the last few years I have had the worst holidays. They always seem to bring out my depression and I end up spending the majority of the day in bed crying. I hate this. I want to love and look forward to holidays like the rest of the world! But more and more now I dread them. I have started sending cute holiday cards to friends and family to put me in the mood but its becoming more of a chore now since no one seems to even notice I send them.

I've been thinking about the last round of holidays and how they were spent -

My 24th birthday (Oct 6) - did nothing during the day, but I did get some really sweet cards from bloggy friends which totally made my day. That night JAB took me to his favorite restaurant (O'Charlies) and then to a movie he wanted to see. He refused to spend the night with me, so I slept alone at my place. 99% sure I cried myself to sleep. All I could think about was how I was 24 and a mess - thank you depression!

Halloween (Oct 31) - I had a cute costume picked out and even planned coordinating costumes for me and JAB. Spent all day working on them when he decided he didnt want to go out. He told me he hated halloween and it was stupid. Everyone else already had plans and I wasnt (and am still not) confident to go out alone, so I stayed home and watched TV alone. Another cry myself to sleep night, missing my college friends.

Thanksgiving (Nov) - I had just started my new job so that was helping battle the depression, the busier I stay the better I feel. But we had a 4 day weekend so it snuck back quickly. I dont remember doing anything special, my family spent 3 ruff hours together at the country club on thursday but that was all the family time we had. I remember I was sick with a terrible cold so Im sure I spent most of the time off sick in bed watching TV and crying. Depression & sickness (like cold or flu) are a horrible pair.

Christmas (Dec 25) - 3 day weekend, and I was sick AGAIN. I got drunk by myself christmas morning so I would just giggle through the painful ordeal with my family. Then I think I took myself to a movie and spent the rest of the weekend looking for receipts to return everything I was given. I dont think there was as much crying but thats because I tried to stay as drunk as possible that weekend.

New Years Eve (Dec 31) - sick AGAIN. I was sick for 3 months strait, and I was too busy with work training to actually go to the dr and get something for my cold. I took the last day of training off and saw the doc, where I got a slue of cold meds. I was in a medicated coma for NYE which I spent in bed. My parents always remind me that NYE is the end of a really disappointing holiday season and I shouldn't put so much emphasis on things like that. Let me tell you how that made me feel, depressed, stupid for caring and mad at my self for caring and wanting a special holiday season.

Valentines Day (Feb 14) - I worked, where as 99% of my office took the holiday off. I had dinner with LR which was fun, I tried to talk her into having dinner 2x a month but she said she didnt want to commit to that. I was 100% single and all the guys I was talking to at the time had dates... que depressed crying myself to sleep...

St. Patties Day (March 17) - I'm Irish so I should love this holiday but this year it was on like a tuesday, so I might have had a beer that night but nothing special. I had no one to go to a bar with, no one to drink green beer with and so I figured "whats the point". Not sure about tears this night, but there very well could have been.

and now we have arrived as Easter Sunday - an important day for catholics and christians alike. A day to spend with family, eating and drinking and opening easter baskets and being happy together. It celebrates the beginning of spring, new life and rebirth. Its 2.45pm and Ive already cried 2x. It doesn't help that I had an amazing improv show on fri so Im coming down off that high, no one I invited showed up for the show except for my parents and 1 friend. And my plans last night got canceled. Today my parents went to mass without me, my mom is leaving (just left) to visit my sister and then onto upstate NY to be with her family. My dad is out in the garden doing his own thing and Im in my room, in my PJs writing this blog post. I doubt I'll bother going to church, too many families and happy faces, Im pretty sure Id end up leaving mid mass. I'll just say my own little easter prayer in my room. I didnt bother to pick out any sort of easter outfit since I knew Id have nowhere to wear it. I sent out 30 easter cards to friends and family & I got 1 mass txt from a college girlfriend. I'm reading everyones easter posts and twitter feeds, people in beautiful lilly dresses, drinking and eating with friends and family. My one saving grace today is Im going to see my college bff as she drives through ATL on her way back to KY where she lives.

When I was little we, as in my family & I, used to make a big deal out of holidays. We would decorate the house and have dinners, go on trips, take photos, really celebrate the holiday. Now its the opposite. No one cares enough to do anything. My parents tell me holidays are for families, and now that the kids are all grown up its a  waste of money and resources. If thats the case, then why is it that everyone I know looks forward to holidays. They give gifts, eat meals together, take photos, & dress up.

Am I crazy for wanting to love holidays again? Is it wrong that I want to feel the joy & love everyone else feels on holiday? Or should I just agree with my parents and forget holidays all together?

The Osome Nochos Post Show

 

thebasementtheatre.com

Id like to give the basment theatre and JStar a big shout out and thank you! I have had so much fun the last 6 weeks, going to class, laughing till my sides hurt, & getting to know an amazing group of people. They are all so talented and I am so lucky to call them all friends of mine now :)

Right now its 2.45am and I am WAY too wired to sleep. I am running on pure energy & joy and it is just the best feeling ever. It has nothing to do with a boy, or anyone else, just me, remembering why I love theatre so much.

Im planning to take improv II beginning in may and I am super excited! The Osome Nochos have also been invited to do some open mic improv stuff so be on the look out for that!'

My advice to my readers, if you live in Atlanta, GO TO THE BASEMENT THEATRE! Say hey to everyone and tell them Bridget sent you!

If you don't live in Atlanta, which I know many of you don't, google a local theatre, be it improv or community. Go, support the arts, make a night of it!

The Osome Nochos

 

If your anywhere near Atlanta, and I mean like driving distance, so  anywhere East of the Mighty Mississippi, you should come to the little theater that is really a basement of an office building, spend $10 on a ticket and $5 on some fun candy and soda, and watch me and my improv group perform! 

We are called the Osome Nochos! And we rock!

I am SOOOOO excited about this!

Most of you dont live in Atlanta, so I encourage you to seek out a small improv theater in your fair city and go! Its a cheap date and so much fun! 

Every Monday Matters!

Welcome back to the 2nd every monday matters! This week I found myself looking forward to this monday a little bit more, how bout you?

Today is about one of my favorite things, TV

FACTS

• 99% of all homes in the U.S. have at least one TV—50% have three or more.
• 68% of all 8- to 18-year olds have a TV in their bedroom and 49% have a video game player there as well.
• A person watches TV an average of 40 days per year.
• Children spend nearly 2,000 hours a year in front of a TV, playing on the computer, and playing video games, compared to 900 hours in school.
• 200,000 violent acts, including 16,000 murders, will be seen on TV by a child before their 18th birthday.
• Roughly 70% of all shows include some sexual content, with an average of five sexual scenes per hour.
• 57% of parents admit to having some degree of difficulty in getting their teens involved in meaningful conversations; and, 74% of parents are not sure their teens are even listening when they talk.

TAKE ACTION TODAY

• Turn off your TV today. Tape the “No TV” sign to all TV screens so that you don’t turn it on out of habit.
• Designate certain TV-free times throughout the week to reduce viewing hours.
• Remove TVs from bedrooms, the kitchen, etc.
• Make a list of activities to do besides watching TV―activities like reading, biking, swimming, walking, gardening, or socializing with friends. Then start doing them.
• Avoid using TV as a reward―this only increases its power.
• Be more selective about programming―choose history, travel, cooking, home repair/design, and othereducational themes.

YOU MATTER

70% of people say that no matter how hard they try, they never seem to have enough time to do everything they need to do. Are you part of that 70%? If you gave up TV for just one day a week, you could exercise the recommended weekly amount necessary for healthy living, read over 20 books a year, or spend more time with your loved ones. Instead of watching reruns of Friends, go make some.

Staycation Link Up

So I still have not figured out mr. linky :( so we're going to do this link up the old fashioned way - as if there is an old fashioned way in blogging - ha! I know your rolling your eyes at my weird attempt at humor but just bare with me here folks


So we have  ladies signed up for this swap. I asked each one to do a link about their dream staycation & here is what they came up with:

http://confessionsofacollegeangel.blogspot.com/2011/04/staycation.html

http://mrandmrsboots.blogspot.com/2011/04/staycation-swap.html

http://southerngraceful.blogspot.com/2011/04/perfect-staycation.html

http://mrandmrsmanis.blogspot.com/2011/04/staycation-all-i-ever-wanted.html

http://djpeach.blogspot.com/2011/04/my-ideal-romantic-staycation.html

http://sweettpaperdesigns.blogspot.com/2011/04/my-ideal-staycation.html

http://cjsouthernsophisticate.blogspot.com/2011/03/staycation-swap.html

Im still waiting to hear back from a few people, but in the meantime, check out these very exciting staycations!

Every Monday Matters!

I'm starting a new thing on my blog, calling it Every Monday Matters. For the next 52 mondays, I will be doing a blog post asking my readers important questions or to do a simple activity that can and will make a huge impact on their life and the lives of those around them. 

I picked up this book this weekend:

It a book about making a difference on my least favorite day of the week, Mondays. 

So I'm asking you, my reader to head over to EveryMondayMatters.com and check it out. And participate in this monday activity. 

Every Monday Matters from Every Monday Matters on Vimeo.

This weeks theme is

WHAT MATTERS MOST? 

 

FACTS

The average person spends:

• 100 hours a year commuting to work, compared to 80 hours of vacation time.
• 91 hours a week at work for dual-career couples with kids under 18.
• 1.8 hours a day doing household activities.
• 2.6 hours a day watching TV.
• 8.6 hours a day sleeping.

Time is a non-renewable resource. Once it’s used up, you can’t get it back.

TAKE ACTION TODAY

• Stop and think … then make a list of What Matters Most to you.
• Take the What Matters Most Urgency Analysis. (turn your music off - this has sound)
• Create a list of how you currently spend your time each week.
• Organize your list of weekly activities and identify activities that are required and those that are optional or waste time.
• Take steps to rearrange your schedule or reduce the optional activities so you can spend time doing What Matters Most.
• Don’t waste time.

YOU MATTER

What really matters most to you? Your relationships with family, friends, and children? Helping others? Passions? Faith? Security? Health? At the end of each year, don’t you want to look back and see that you made a difference? That you matter? Today is the start of a new project. Start it off by making a difference in you, your life, and the lives of those you love. This is your opportunity. Time spent on What Matters Most is never wasted time.

What matters to me most right now seems to be just getting by week to week, day to day. I find myself longing to have a better plan for where my life is going, but then, like I always say, life gets in the way. I have a "to do" list a mile long, and even when I get a few things done, I add 10 more so the list just seems to grow. I feel like I don't make enough time for my family & friends and when I do, sometimes it doesn't feel worth it. I need to remember what is really important to me, and put those things first. Take some time off for me, make a point to call my friends and see the local ones. Making new friends is great, but not at the cost of losing old friends. This week I plan to reach out to 5 friends I haven't spoken to in too long, either by phone or sending a note in the mail. Or both!

What can you do this week to make a real difference in your life? 

Staycation Swap Email Sent

Y'all I am sorry for taking forever and a day to get that email out! I had to gather all the emails from different email addresses, hunt a few down and get my thoughts together. But its DONE! well the 1st email is.

If you signed up & DIDN'T get an email, please email me at atlyankeebelle at gmail dot com and Ill be sure to send you a copy!

In other news I saved big at Old Navy yesterday! 30% of clearance at my local store! So I got 13 new tops and a pair of workout pants. I saved $35 off the clearance price, so I saved about $100 off the original prices, maybe more.

I picked up some silver trays at my local goodwill for my bathroom and I stopped by Borders, which is going out of business and got some great cards and a few magazines for 1/2 off! All in all yesterday was an epic win for the savings dept!

Also,  my Shrek The Musical tickets arrived yesterday! SO excited to see the show! Shrek is my FAVORITE movie, its my ideal fairytale. I fancy myself as princess Fiona, and one day I will find my Sir Shrek. I once considered naming my kid that, but I fear the torture at school would be too much.

Now I just have to find a date to take me to the show. I want to go big, a nice dress, heals (yes - I will wear heals) dinner and drinks. I want to make a night of it. The whole 9 yards.

Today I am washing all my bedding and towels, 2x. I'm weird but once a month I wash all that stuff on super hot with extra soap. I just feel like if I don't its not REALLY clean - ya know?

Thats my weekend in a nutshell, what did you do with yours?

My Favorite Things Swap

So I did another Mamarazzi swap and I had a wonderful partner Angie! Check out her super cute blog here:
http://www.mysocalledchaos.com 
Check out all the goodies I got in my swap box!

My box! So exciting!

They all had cute little notes :)

Like christmas morning! oops - you can't see the book

Much better

Spa time!

Gonna like cute with the hair accessorie & pink nails! & I needed new pens

I love to cook!

Sox! muffins - yes! and a book :)

LOVE LOVE LOVE everything I got! Thanks Angie- cant wait to swap with you for the Staycation swap!

April 8, 2011

Are you going without today? I am. I do it every year. Make a difference, go without for one day. 

Staycation Swap SignUps

Ok ladies - lots of interest in this swap, which rocks!

Here are the ladies that have signed up:

1. AtlYankeeBelle
2. Mrs Manis
3. Tammy from TN
4. Cambron
5. Jenna
6. Jacquie
7. Noelle
8. Mrs Sargent
9. A Real Life Wife
10. Sarah
11. Tracy
12. Natalie
13. Angie

Signups are officially  closed!

Have I forgotten anyone? Please email me ASAP as I am stating to put together all the info and the email etc. I know some of you ladies have done your "My Staycation" blog post and thats great! As soon as I figure out how to do the link up thing we will do that and I will assign partners.

I'm sorry this is taking much longer then planned - Ive been moving and moving again, and lifes a bit of a blurr ATM

Giveaway!

Munchkin Land Designs is giving away a blog makeover! Go check it out!