My Obsession

Anyone that knows me well knows that I have quite the obsession for clothing. I don't have an ordinary obsession either - I long for items out of my price range. Living in a small town has forced my shopping to hit the web for better deals. I find many great deals if I just wait long enough - and by living in a small town, no one ever has the same duds that I obsess over.

Recently, I found my latest need - these denim beauties....

I had found these Rock & Republic's while vacationing in Las Vegas a couple of months ago. Tears streamed down my face when I flipped over the price tag. $310 DOLLARS, i shrieked. I couldn't fathom a pair of $310 pair of jeans. But I needed them and wanted them....so the search began. With a little patience and persistence they popped up on my radar recently for merely a fraction of the original cost. And when I say fraction, I mean fraction. While some say that I have been guilty of pay way too much for jeans - I didn't in this case.

These pink crowned denim beauties should be waiting on my doorstep as we speak.....oh I can't wait to slip these babies on. Cross your fingers that they fit!!

There she is....Miss America!

We had a Miss America Watch Party on Satuday night full of fun, excitement and lots of great foods. Being an avid pageant watcher and having competed myself back in the day, I have found very few people willing to sit through a 2 hour production of any pageant on TV. But I have successfully found two: Melissa & Ryan - my bud's from Kansas City. Everyone else thinks it is torture (including Blaine), but for whatever reason, Melissa especially will step up to the plate and enjoy the occasion with me.

Pageants for me was more than prancing around on the stage in a swimsuit or pretty evening gown. I learned so much about myself and others during all of my years in pageantry. I learned how to think on my feet, overcame any shyness I could possibly have, met some incredible people and still remain friends with a few, learned that you win some but lose so many more and understood the true meaning of carrying yourself with pride - no matter the outcome. Sure there were tears and moments of regret, but those experiences taught me more than I could have ever learned in college about people.

Although I don't share many of my experiences with the world (because people can be very judgemental) and I am guarded at who knows what I did with my life prior to hitting the age of 27, all of these things shaped who I am. I have chosen not to share so many experiences with others just due to the simple fact that people like to judge you for petty things such as pageantry/modeling. I have experienced negativity more often than not, but I am proud to be me.

I am happy that I had all of those experiences - even if the ultimate crown never hit my head. It was never about the crown anyway - it was about opportunity and experiences. I didn't win Miss Missouri like I had hoped for so many years. But I did find the experiences and moments that shaped me, allowed me to grow into a very talkative person, taught me to walk in 4 inch heels down a set a stairs gracefully, showed me the many great things you can do with duck tape and butt glue, taught me to tease my hair to be as big as Marge Simpsons and gave me an incredible selection of evening wear that I haven't touched since but long to wear.

I have found that once a pageant girl, always a pageant girl - and I have grown to love and accept that. As I walked down the aisle on my wedding day ending my pageant career and committing to share my life forever with a pageant hater, my dad said to me "this time when you walk down (the runway), you will not be 1st runner up." Those exact words give me courage to this day. Sometimes you win, sometimes you become 1st runner up. In the end, it is about the journey.

Now here is a little something I vowed never to do. But I have a great, great friend that begs to see my old pageant tapes. Since that is NEVER going to happen - Melissa, these photos are for you!

Here I am in my first Miss Missouri Teen pageant. I am second from the right. (I lost to Melana Scantlin - you might remember her from the TV series Average Joe.)

Here I am in my final Miss Missouri pageant awaiting the results. The results didn't turn out like I had hoped.....

Can you believe that I have black hair here? (I am the one in the black dress.) In this lineup are two Average Joe stars (Melana Scantlin & Larissa Meek) and the girl second from the left went on eventually to win Miss USA and host shows on the Game Show Network.

(Momma Moore - quit rolling your eyes...... hee hee hee.)

So that's my pageant experience.

Family Fun & Sunburns, Gulf Shores - Season 3

Although Season 3 cannot come fast enough, Family Fun & Sunburns - Gulf Shores has been scheduled for June. Two condos are rented (one for the parents, Shania, Misti & Blaine and the other for Julie, Brad & Tyler). Ronnie, Angel & the girls have not been able to commit to the family vacation just yet, but I am confident they don't want to miss Season 3.

We often talk about our fun in the sun trips to the Gulf. Actually, we talk about it all year long. The last 3 days of our trip are normally spent talking about next year. We began our "family vacations" about four years ago with a trip to Disney World. Although the time was fun - we decided that Disney was not for us. So Gulf Shores is where we have landed ever since.

I don't remember taking "family" trips all together as a kid, so these trips seems super special to me. Maybe its because I live away from everyone else and I long for the time to spend the entire week with my family - no work, all play. I don't know the reason - but I love it.

Stay tuned for developing stories and previews of Family Fun & Sunburns - Season 3.

This is how I feel this week...

Things have been a bit crazy in my land lately.....all things good, but still crazy. My good friend, Lora, sent me an email with this picture in it. I couldn't help but share with you all.

We all have these type of days/weeks/years. So go ahead...enjoy your Mocha with a little somethin', somethin'. (**Kids - I mean chocolate...nothing more...seriously.)

Peg Leg or a Dancing Queen

Today, my sister, Julie, had surgery on her knee - the exact surgery Mom had a year or so ago. I guess I now know what I have to look forward to. I have already inherited Mom's shopping habits & gift of gab and Dad's back problems and crazy eyebrows. And don't forget - Ronnie, Julie & I all have this disgusting skin hangtag issue in our armpit (I think Ronnie & Julie ripped theirs off - I can't bring myself to do it.) We all have even rubbed off on Shania - she loves Coach as much as her sister (me) and she loves animals just like her other sister (Julie).

Back to Julie's surgery...she is doing fine. She is currently in recovery while all of her family & friends chat about the IV's of diet coke she is probably requesting. This may be longest she has gone in a while without a diet coke. What is most important - is the surgery went well. She should be hobbling around before we know it. I was teasing her the other day that she may come out of surgery with a peg leg. We would then have to buy her a patch for her eye and a parrot for her shoulder and she would proclaim, "Ahoy Matey....Shiver Me Timbers!"

Okay - I know...I am taking the peg leg a little far, but it does make me giggle. At least she wouldn't be singing, "Everyone was Kung Fu Fighting!" (**Inside joke - don't ask.)

Thankfully, Julie still has her leg so she is now a Dancing Queen.....Dancing Queen of Green - that is!

Get Well Soon, Jules.....the beach is only 129 days away. I cannot be in charge of carrying the cooler, the chairs, beach toys AND you!

The Shoppers that Could!

Blaine and I headed to Springfield over the weekend to repair/clean the rental property we have in Republic. Oh what a joy that is! The heavily smoking renters recently moved out - and we thought they would stay f-o-r-e-v-e-r!

After arriving in Republic, Blaine ran off to work on the house while Mom & I ran off to shop at the mall. (Dad and Shania headed to the Nature Center to watch for bald eagles with Ronnie and the girls.) After hitting all of the major stops at the mall and after walking our legs off carrying about a gazillion shopping bags, Mom & I strolled to Ozark to Boomland Square. What did we find? A SALE! Sale is our magic word since we rarely pay full price for anything anymore. I don't really know our strategy...but we always find sales - and good stuff too! I had a gift certificate that was burning a hole in my pocket so I used it - two beautiful new Old World style pictures...one for my living room & the other for my half bath. I also found an awesome clock for my entry table. Love it!!

After staying until closing time, we headed out and drove the back roads back to Republic. But somewhere in Nixa - we happened upon another small shop for a little shopping and fun. We only stopped to buy a necklace for Sydni that she had been eyeing. But just as soon as we entered the door - the shop worker said "everything in the store is 50% off!" Oh holy crap - and they close in 10 minutes!!

After asking if they were willing to stay late and reassuring ourselves that we didn't hear 50% off incorrectly, we began our strategy of getting some goods. I started biting my nails in nervousness....I all of a sudden NEEDED everything. Mom and I shot each other some looks, giggled with pure excitement and whispered "can you believe this" several times. This was the type of happening we had longed for - forever - and ever - and ever. I hate to say that I love the misfortunes of others, but in this circumstance, the store is going out of business and that information has not been advertised yet. We made the sale before the masses - and we loaded up!

I will have to say that this shopping trip just might be the best one ever. Mom & I both were in great spirits all day and had so much fun just hanging out. We both determined that if we lived any closer to one another, we would be dangerous....and by dangerous I mean destructive to Dad's and Blaine's pocketbooks and retirement funds. Although I long for the days when I can just hop in the car to meet the family (spur of the moment) for dinner and make every function that the kids may have, I also know that maybe it is for the best - until we successfully purchase all of our needs for our houses. But does that ever happen? I don't think so. Sorry Dad & Blaine!

One Month Until Heart Day - Let the Shopping Begin

I am the first to admit that I don't love Valentine's Day. Don't get me wrong - I LOVE gifts, but the expectations we women put on this lovey, dovey day is just plain ridiculous. I don't care who you are - you can never live up to the standards of a high-maintenance woman on this day. I can say that - I am about as high-maintenance as they come! (Blaine would whole-heartedly agree.)

My expectations for Valentine's Day takes 30 days worth of planning - hence this post on Janurary 14. I want the perfect dinner overlooking the shoreline with candlelight, champagne, chocolates (and lots of them), jewelry, soft music playing from a live band, a hot new cocktail dress, fabulous new shoes.....I want to be sitting across from my hubby who is smiling, rose between his teeth dressed to the nines in a fine suit. And then I wake up. Valentine's Day is a freakin' cliche. No one does this, really. As a kid you dream about the Cinderella moment, but who 1) can afford the extravagance I seek or 2) who has the time for all of this B.S.

You can never get dinner reservations....and if you accidentally do, the menu is overpriced and limited to the types of food you are supposed to eat on V-Day...not what you actually want. After sitting in line for 2 hours, your mood has totally gone from bliss and romance to "OMG... GET ME OUT OF HERE ALREADY!!!" By the time the food gets the the table, you are ready to eat your arm (or you have consumed so much bread on the table you are full.) The champagne is running thin, the music is from the Greatest Elevator Music collection, your dress is uncomfortable, you have already kicked off your shoes, the rose in the hubby's mouth has dried up and died and his fine suit is all wrinkly. So my question is....why bother?

You already know you love each other.....or you wouldn't be living each day with one another putting up with each other's crap, right? If you know how to cook - stay home and do so. You can prance around in that cocktail dress you paid way too much for ages ago - just squeeze it in real tight...you will fit, I promise - grab your stilettos and then throw them back in the closet and grab you houseshoes. Make the hubby change out of his PJs and hold the flowers until the day after V-Day when they are half priced. Now see how easy Valentine's Day can be.....

Not so fast, Blaine- you can still shop for me....I won't complain, I promise!!!!!

Still Working

In case any of you are wondering, I still have a job. I don't talk much about my employer on this blog for various reasons. Things have been in limbo lately, and (fingers crossed) I have survived!!

Keep those fingers crossed though!! You just never know....

Bad Dreams are well.....just bad!

I had a bad dream last night....a really bad dream. Although I will not go into the gory details, I did wake up bawling reaching for Blaine. Thankfully when I put my hand on his side of the bed, he was there; otherwise, I would have totally freaked out.

It got me to thinking - what makes a person dream bad things....so bad that it completely ruins your morning/day/week? I hate these dreams and rarely have them. Usually when I am bothered/upset/tired I have these. I was bothered the past few days about a couple of things, but nothing so earth shattering to dream that my husband had died - and for no reason Blaine has caused. The dream was so real, so disturbing that even when Blaine asked me about this morning, I still cried.

As I sent Blaine away for the week, I gave one extra hug, one extra smooch and one extra high five - just to make me feel better. Blaine is hoping that I haven't now jinxed him. I kind of laughed at that one - realizing the Blaine is as paranoid as I am. Not a good combination.

Like sister, like sister!

Recently I introduced the world of blogging to my little sis, Shania. Now this 13 year old is the only female that I am positive can spend more money than me....so she named her blog "Changing $1500." Check it out at www.changing1500.blogspot.com.

Shania - I have loved your stories so far.......You Rock, Sista!

Flip Flopped into the New Year

Well...we did it. We flipped flopped into the New Year and our heads finally hit the pillow after 4 a.m. What a night. Our tropical themed party was fun and the New Year arrived with cheers from the Preston's and our pals.

Let the party continue through the weekend. The Smith's from Illinois (better known as Shandon and Kristina) and we are headed to Ashland tonight for a get-together at the Watts and tomorrow to the lake for a get-together at Shorty Pants/ the Sherrow's. I am looking forward to lots of friend time this weekend!!