Four! or Fore! Whichever.

Today I decided to take a personal day and go to the Quail Hollow Championship for the Pro/Am event. My brother-in-law got us the hookup with some free tickets and off we went. And looky who I saw....

Yup, that's Tiger Woods - about 10/15 feet from me.

It's true though, he does not sign any autographs and basically has no crowd interaction. Which is unfortunate because he was teamed up with Peyton Manning who was a real crowd pleaser and would sign autographs and joke around with everyone. In Tiger's defense, he is pretty dang good at what he does, and has a tournament to practice for.

Whether you are impressed or not with el tigre, golf is the bomb. I know you lovely ladies may be thinking "no freaking way, that shiz is boring," but I promise, in person - it's awesome! You basically drink mass quantities of beer ($6.50 a pop = highway robbery) and walk around a beautiful course and see some famous people. I love it.

I did see a poor lady get hit right in the right boob with a golf ball (ouch!) but she took it like a champ and just got a picture with the guy who hit her, held his club, stole a hug and was all better. (Though I did hear her ask someone to massage the wounded area. haha)

Other than the beating our wallets took from the expensive beer and food - it was a great time!

Ready, Set, Panic!

If you have turned on the television, read a newspaper or basically walked out in public within the last few days, you have heard about the sudden outburst of the "swine flu."

While I feel that it is smart to remain cautious, wash our hands, and possibly not travel to Mexico - this kind of media outburst drives me insane.

I hate to break it to ya, but people die of the flu EVERY year - not just this one. They contract good ol' Type A, and bam! they die. It happens. Anybody remember the bird flu? Yeah, a few people got sick, some maybe even went on to the next life, but the insane panic that ensued was clearly over done as we never even talk about it anymore.

I hate to sound cynical, or like I don't care - I do, I think it's great to be cautious and take necessary steps to prevent widespread sickliness, but people (even some of my friends) are buying masks in states that haven't been infected and have no reason to believe they will.

On second thought, maybe I shouldn't complain about the change in media reports because if I hear the word "economy" one. more. time. my head just may explode.

Old Red Barn!

Just thought I would share :) This was my first "stand up" cake and everything is edible except for the animals. It was a big hit at this 3 year old's party!

Goin' Home..

Well, sorta.

Guys, we're going to London! We booked our flight last night, and on May 19th we'll be headed across the big pond to the good ol' UK.

We'll be staying close to Hyde Park, which is near the Buckingham Palace area. We got a killer deal at Yahoo! Travel (thanks to Sarah for telling me about that site) and stayed within our budget. I am super excited to see everything again. I'm sure it will be quite different this time, in a much better way. When I was over there last time I just kept thinking it would be so much better to share it with someone other than my classmates that I barely knew.

I'm going to do my best not to think about it until May, because I know I will just get too excited and ONLY think about London. Good luck to me with that! I've already started a mental list of things we HAVE to do, and places that I missed before! Thanks to y'all for encouraging me to take the leap!

Fact or Fiction?

Within in the last week and a half I have had two stories somewhat close to me featured in the news/newspaper...and I must say that these news reporters SUCK.

The not-so-observant Charlotte Observer posted blantant lies about a car accident of someone I went to high school with, and tried to make the people who live near my parents house look like idiots. Let me explain the second...

Last Friday night while I was typing my happy little post about my day at the Biltmore Estate, my parents house was being hit by a tornado. (Gasp! I know) They are all okay, and suffered compartively minor damage to their home, but a freaking tornado hit. Two windows were sucked out of the house. The grill, pool chairs and birdhouses were thrown 20 yards away. Six healthy, large trees were uprooted or split straight in half. Pieces of trees, shingles and pool chairs from other homes were in the yard. It was a sight to behold.

On Saturday morning the fire marshall came out and surveyed the damage and declared it a tornado as the houses that had reported damage were in a straight line for 3 miles and the type of damage was pretty indicative of a tornado.

Channel 9 news was reporting from my old church, and stated, "though it was not a tornado - ask anyone on Sandy Ridge Road and they'd say it was." Then they proceeded to interview a man (whom I just happen to know) whose home was NOT even hit, and basically knew nothing of the situation. It was just the kind of condescending undertone that gets me all fired up. That's right a-holes, make them look like podunk idiots who cry wolf.

This minor little quip doesn't need to be front page news, but get your facts straight. Seeing how NOT-seriously they took a minor story scares the hell out of me. If they can't even get a witness for something as small as this story, when well over 10 homes were hit with plenty of people who would be willing to tell how it sounded like a freight train and made their ears pop - and they're gonna go pick some poor guy that doesn't even KNOW what happened, what the heck else are they lying about?? What kind of biased opinions are they reporting as facts in our everyday newspapers?

I have always thought the news media had their own agenda, and seeing such poor journalism cements that idea in my mind. I'm afraid they have lost my trust, and my business. So do your research, know your stories (especially around an election) because these people only want what makes the better story even if it means reporting lies.

Fondant!

Yay for fondant!! Don't look too close as this is my first time ever using it. That junk is HARD to knead. Whoa carpal tunnel. Fun to do, though!

Top 5!

Because Amber and Ashley did it....here are my top 5 male and female crushes.

5. They're kinda a package deal. David & Victoria Beckham.
4. Halle Berry - always looks beautiful.

3. Carrie Underwood - I'd rather look at her than hear her.

2. Cameron Diaz.

1. Megan Fox - first movie I liked her in.

Apparently I can't decide between blondes or brunettes for the girls.

And here are the gentleman. (This should actually probably be my fictional character crush list.)

5. Matthew McConaughey

4. Edward Cullen.

3. Cam Gigandet - didn't even know this man existed until Twilight!

2. Johnny Freaking Depp

1. Nate Edwards a.k.a Mr. GQ himself

So I cheated with the last one, but I seriously couldn't think of anyone else that I wanted in the list AND my husband reads my blog AND he's gonna say something about this post, soooo I thought I'd try to suck up a little bit. hahaha

This will brighten your day.

I tried for a solid 10 minutes to figure out how to put the youtube video directly on my page, but it just didn't work out for me. (One of my youtube savvy friends help a sister out!)

This is a video of my 2 year old nephew singing Amazing Grace. I promise, it's worth your time!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCUuTzVVBHs

Girl's Day Out.

Today my Mom, sister, and I headed 160 miles northwest of Charlotte and graced the Biltmore Estate with our presence. The three of us together (when all in a good mood, like today) is a sight to behold. Exhibit A.

Mom & Melissa in front of the Biltmore.

This day trip was a much needed getaway for all three of us as this is a difficult time for most everyone, and being able to just forget the world and emerce ourselves in a different era was wonderful. I have always been fascinated with the history of the Biltmore, and could literally go there once a week. An added bonus? The Festival of the Flowers has begun.

Tulips in the walled garden.

There were thousands and thousands of flowers everywhere. Every single room in the tour had vibrant and beautiful real flowers placed just-so. Not to mention, a whole new suite is open that I didn't get to see the last time I was there. Truly a wonderful trip!

Just Sayin'

This morning I read a somewhat disturbing article that was arguing the point of whether or not America was still to be considered a Christian nation. Apparently, an astounding number of people no longer self-proclaim to be Christian. (I partly think it's fear of being judged - but who knows.)

So, I just want to say it - I am a Christian and I am proud of it. That is all.

Shackin' up.

This past weekend at a girls night out, the topic of living together before (or after) you're married came up. One girl went far left and said her parents told her to live with a man before she married him, and the next one followed it by saying that her parents told her they would not have any part of her wedding if she lived with her fiance before hand.

These are two extremes, and I understand the pros and cons of each side. Nate and I did not live together before we were married, but I've met plenty of people who do, and I don't think they are bad people by any means. So the following observations are obviously biased as I have only done it one way - but I promise I do not judge either way.

Living together before hand allows the "test run." If you're just dating and live with the person and realize that you absolutely can not stand their drinking out of the milk carton habit or the fact that their side of the sink has mold- you have an out. You can break up, move out and move on. Bad thing (maybe not bad, but more of a let down) is that well, you've already lived together. I have met more than a few girls who live with their beau, and just can't get them to commit to marriage because "they don't see why being married makes a difference." 95% of girls dream of their wedding loooong before it's even a reality, and being hindered by the fact that your man doesn't think it changes anything makes me want to blame the shackin' up. Perhaps only living together after you've got the rock and set the date is the way to go!

Waiting until you're married - it's all new. It's exciting and hopefully you love it! Because if you don't - uh oh annulment please?! Marriage comes with a no money back guarantee, and an expensive fee when breaking the contract. Thankfully, I love living with Nate, but I can totally see the draw of "knowing" what it's like to live together before committing - especially if divorce is not an option (by choice) in your marriage.

These days are the most liberal I think we've ever seen. Thirty years ago, I'm not so sure that living together was accepted. In fact, I'm sure those that did were looked down on from the high pedestals their peers stood on. I'm always interested to know what others think. Should you? Should you not? What do you guys think?

Opinion Poll!

Hello ladies! (I say ladies because men will not care for this post) I'm in need of a good idea - so I'm coming to you! I am throwing a bachelorette party/shower in May and need a good theme for the shower part. I initially intended to have a lingerie shower for the bride, but recently found out that her aunts are giving her one instead- well I can't beat her aunts up for stealing that idea, so I'll let them slide. Next idea - a "toy" party - well, someone is throwing her a Passion party - so that's covered too.

This shower could go either way - either crazy night out or good night in. The bride wants us to do "what the group wants to do" so I need something to do in case everyone just cops out on going downtown.

I want a little something that everyone can bring the bride as a naughty gift. Can you think of anything?

A Series of Misfortunate Events.

I woke up in a great mood this morning. Made a list of things I hoped to get done today, and set forth on my journey to accomplish them. All was well - the kitchen was finally clean following a week of icing and cake making and I was ready to tackle the next room.

Well, my little brown dog frequents the potty, so I wrapped a leash around her neck (like a noose) - we're only gonna be out for a second, right? As we step out the back door, Bailey catches a glimpse of the neighbor's dog and off she goes. Luckily, she was on this makeshift leash - not so luckily, I still had the door knob in my hand.

I keep the doors locked nearly all the time, and all of our doors have the "dummy" locks. Meaning, inside the door always seems to be unlocked when you grip the handle - you know the ones. So, I unintentionally slammed the door behind me as Bailey jerks me out the door and grrreat I'm locked out.

Normally this would be okay - we have a hidden key. EXCEPT...I got locked out yesterday too and forgot to put it back! Totally locked out of my own house. I tried breaking into the screen on the open window and only managed to break half my fingernail off and bleed everywhere. Spectacular. I have no makeup on, my hair is greasy, no bra on, wearing fuzzy pink socks - time to meet the neighbors!

My unsuspecting neighbor granted me their phone, and I dialed my parents house for a good 5 minutes before they answered (they didn't recognize the number -ha!) while my dog literally attacked my poor neighbors with kisses and love. Were she 5 pounds this would be fine, but she isn't and she scratched them and knocked them down.

Someone is on the way to let me in and Bailey and I sit on the front porch. I'm really wishing she had a full collar on, so I double check the latch and...you guessed it. She took the opportunity of me loosening the grip to Houdini her ass out of it and ran off. Time to meet some more neighbors! These I have never even seen before...remember what I look like?

They helped me tackle her and said "aww she's only a puppy - don't be mad." Perhaps my disheveled look indicated I needed to be reminded of her youth. At this point I could cry, but I was just too mad at myself. This was my fault.

A good 30 minutes later my brother arrives to let me in the house and my Saturday resumes as normal, except now my good mood is out the window that I hurt my finger on..

Lessons learned today:

1. Always put the hidden key back.

2. Consider obedience training for the chocolate dog.

3. It's never a good idea to not look at least presentable.

4. I have nice neighbors that may think I'm a little weird.

5. The screens on the windows work.

The reason for my absence..

I have been literally up to my elbows in icing this week. No complaints though! Cake business is growing! Here are the cakes done this week...

Easter Rose Cupcakes.

Musical Celebration.

March Madness Cake.

Full explanation of the themes is over at http://www.thecakeboutiquecharlotte.blogspot.com/.