tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67925228051260652462011-11-15T00:25:06.152-05:00~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.comBlogger301100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-49135728757402419182008-12-31T09:38:00.003-05:002008-12-31T10:03:52.578-05:00

Ah, 2008. What a beast you have been. As I write this entry on the last day of this year, I am not the least bit sad to see you go. In the history of me, you made the top three list in "worst / hardest / saddest years of my life". How d'ya like THEM apples? Hmmm?Granted - not everything was bad, 2008. New friends came into my life when I needed them most. Strength was acquired from reserves in me

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-37884455048243857102008-12-11T18:57:00.004-05:002008-12-11T19:12:02.499-05:00

When was the last time you received a compliment? A real, genuine compliment? Been stopped a complete stranger to have them say a few nice words to you? Mark Twain once said that he could "live for two weeks on a good compliment." My best friend and I were blessed to receive a touching compliment today.As I do every Thursday, I had lunch with my best friend. And, as we do every Thursday, we

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-24094661593582741562008-11-25T13:31:00.002-05:002008-11-25T13:40:22.138-05:00

It is entirely possible that, in this scary world of dating, I am my own worst enemy. I am the girl that is really good at giving wise and sound advice to her friends, but fails miserably in taking that advice herself.Why am I like this? More than one person has commented lately that I have a tendency to project negative feelings on my new relationships (i.e. "I'm so gonna jinx this"..."I know

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-64862211093961098122008-11-23T18:33:00.002-05:002008-11-23T18:47:50.601-05:00

I am going through these days in a perpetual state of "waiting for the other shoe to drop". It is making me anxious, and sometimes I feel so overwhelmed. I need to remind myself to breathe at times.The state of the country / economy is weighing on my mind. How will my company be affected? Will my job be in jeopardy? If I lose my job, how will I make it? What about my parents - how are they

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-86184416205415467972008-11-12T14:46:00.005-05:002008-11-12T15:00:01.071-05:00

My friend Allison had a baby yesterday. This, of course, was cause for immediate celebration on my end! I love babies.........especially OTHER people's babies! Being the good friend that I am, I promptly called the hospital to get Allison's room number so I could send her a gift basket to mark the arrival of wee Sophia.After working all day, followed by dinner at my parents' house, I was finally

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-36417484568518829862008-11-11T09:17:00.003-05:002008-11-11T09:27:52.285-05:00

It has been a while since my last post. I have felt rather uninspired of late, though I'm not sure why. I'm sure, in part, it's due to the quiet shift of the seasons. We are well into Fall, knocking on the door of Winter. The days are shorter. The leaves are falling. The world around us is falling into slumber.And yet......There is a stirring in my soul. A part of me is being awakened by

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-25517533287319231682008-10-06T13:50:00.005-04:002008-10-06T14:12:08.959-04:00

There is a quote that is a recurring theme in a series of books I've recently read by Emily Giffin. "The opposite of love isn't hate; it's indifference."When I first read that phrase, I wasn't entirely sure what the author meant. I had always assumed that the opposite of love was hate. But then, after I thought about it, it made perfect sense. With love, there is passion and emotion.....same

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-55245545950929543982008-10-01T12:09:00.008-04:002008-10-01T17:00:33.671-04:00

A while back, I met someone.It was a chance meeting, and one that I thought wouldn't lead to anything in particular. I was wrong.Turns out, he is a truly wonderful guy. I was surprised by many things about him - his intelligence, his maturity, his insight, his wit, his sensitivity. As most women do (but few will admit to), I have a checklist for things I'm looking for in a man.......and this

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-25709104045260785552008-09-21T19:45:00.003-04:002008-09-21T20:06:30.503-04:00

A few years ago, our preacher gave an incredible sermon, in which he gave the following definitions:Justice is getting what you deserve.Mercy is not getting what you deserve.Grace is getting what you don't deserve.I have not been having much success with my interpersonal relationships of late. In the past couple of weeks, I've tiffed with my best friend (this is so rare, it's noteworthy). I've

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-29686575331396792382008-09-04T10:48:00.003-04:002008-09-04T10:52:55.842-04:00

This is a true account of what happened during my recent vacation. I have chosen to share this story because of how powerfully the experience moved me at a time when I was feeling particularly vulnerable. I respect each person's right to have their own beliefs, and I hope you will respect my right to mine.~ CAs my friend and I made our way towards Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, I was consumed with

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-50672508204930901052008-08-29T00:10:00.002-04:002008-08-29T00:14:16.794-04:00

Those of you who are my friends on myspace already know this about me - I keep a daily "thankful" blog. It's something I started about 8 months ago, when I was going through a tough patch in my life. Each evening, I reflect on 5 things for which I'm thankful each day.I am leaving on a mini-vacay first thing tomorrow morning, so I themed tonight's blog about some of the trips I've been blessed to

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-83913482860929512792008-08-27T08:25:00.003-04:002008-08-27T08:47:38.734-04:00

Some thoughts and observations, for no reason in particular..........* Learn to laugh at yourself. Other people will be laughing at you, so you might as well join them!* Find reasons to be thankful in all circumstances. It is the best mood elevator you will find.* Quit worrying about what people think about you. Sing karaoke. Dance in public. Risk making a fool of yourself. If you sit on

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-21889412867289093902008-08-25T09:27:00.008-04:002008-08-25T15:18:42.253-04:00

I hate that I am so incredibly polite sometimes. Really. Having been raised a "proper lady" in the South, I almost always bite my tongue or sugarcoat bad / awkward / uncomfortable news when it must be delivered. As a result, my tongue is nearly severed, and I am now writing this open letter to any and all possible men in my future.Dear Prospective New Man in My Life,Let's cut right to the chase.

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-35867435671715334982008-08-18T11:30:00.004-04:002008-08-18T11:53:20.698-04:00

There are all kinds of habits and addictions that people struggle with. Drugs. Alcohol. Violence. Money.Sex. Often, these addictions go hand-in-hand with one another. Even more often, the addict doesn't even realize that he's addicted to his vice(s) of choice. All the addict knows is there's a pattern and habit to his behaviors, and there's a heady rush as a payoff for the choices he's making.So

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-34208880961735049092008-08-14T16:18:00.003-04:002008-08-14T16:47:26.435-04:00

I love irony. Few things amuse me more than watching Karma work her magic in my life, and in the lives of others. Recently, my life has come full circle, and the irony involved is un-friggin'-believable.First, as everyone knows, I've been testing the waters in the dating world again......usually with rather hysterical outcomes. Recently I went out with a guy who shared the same name (first AND

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-69813630659492275882008-08-06T22:22:00.003-04:002008-08-06T22:34:48.524-04:00

Come now, dear readers.......you didn't think I would be blogging about my freaky-ness, now did you? Hahahahahahaha.Witness proof that the pampered, pristine, princess Carrie can - in fact - roll up her sleeves, do actual work, and manage to get her hands dirty every once in a while. We are smack dab in the middle of our annual physical inventory at work, and it's an "all hands on deck" situation

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-39683982171990029422008-08-03T18:49:00.003-04:002008-08-03T19:15:31.872-04:00

I need to vent. Rant, really. I'm not annoyed by anything in particular, yet I'm annoyed by everything right now. Sometimes I think I must be the only person in the world to be bothered by some of these things. We all have our things that annoy / irritate / perplex us. Here are a few of mine:* I get annoyed when the congregation at my church breaks into applause. Seriously. I attend a formal,

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-76945980012586980292008-07-27T11:39:00.005-04:002008-07-27T19:24:58.754-04:00

From urbandictionary.com:cheese and rice - This is a less offensive way of saying "Jesus Christ" It originated with the movie 'The Faculty'. In the real version, one of the characters exclaimed "Jesus Christ!" but in the edited TV version, they had it changed to "Cheese and rice!" Guy #1: Aliens landed on Earth! Guy #2: Cheese and rice!So there I was, minding my own business.....happily whiling

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-2031364643744637882008-07-24T11:03:00.005-04:002008-07-24T11:13:18.662-04:00

From Fergie......"The path that I'm walking, I must go alone.I must take the baby steps 'til I'm full grown, full grown.Fairy tales don't always have a happy ending, do they?And I foresee the dark ahead if I stay.I hope you know, I hope you knowThat this has nothing to do with you.It's personal, myself and IWe've got some straightenin' out to do.And I'm gonna miss you like a child misses their

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-66844948861142912852008-07-20T14:23:00.002-04:002008-07-20T14:36:17.782-04:00

I had a major victory in this thing called life yesterday. I conquered my long-held fear of big dogs. These pictures are of me with my friend's dog, Sulley. He is an 8-month old, 87 pound Alaskan Malamute. He's huge.I haven't always been afraid of dogs. However, I was bitten twice as a teenager - one of the bites required stitches. Ever since then, I've been incredibly nervous around dogs,

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-66456992495820351092008-07-16T19:58:00.005-04:002008-07-17T14:55:49.029-04:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about fairy tales. There are a number of reasons for this: one of my nicknames is "Princess" (well, I *am* one!); I still believe in once upon a time and happily ever after; and fairy tales usually work out splendidly.There's the rub.There is a situation in my life that, no matter how I try, I don't think it will get wrapped up nicely with a big, red bow. Instead,

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-23611469718882809792008-07-12T22:40:00.003-04:002008-07-12T22:53:57.449-04:00

There is a wonderful children's book called "Love You Forever". I first became familiar with it when I was in college studying Early Childhood Education. It's a timeless classic about the unconditional love between a mother and her son.I thought of that book tonight - in particular, the cover art. As you can see, a mischievous toddler has gotten into antics in the bathroom, leaving a wake

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-5556375626675572392008-07-09T09:03:00.006-04:002008-07-09T09:26:53.139-04:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about expectations. Expectations I have of myself. Expectations I have of others. Expectations I have of situations. Expectations in general.I have always thought that, if we communicate our expectations to others, then they will invariably strive to meet those expectations. For example - I *expect* others to treat each other well and with kindness, as that is how

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-38829490738517177692008-07-06T21:13:00.004-04:002008-07-06T21:20:23.073-04:00

I've been having an interesting email exchange with a friend of mine tonight, and it's gotten me to thinking:When did being kind become the exception, not the rule?I like to think of myself as a generally kind person, though I'm sure there are those who would beg to differ. I cannot, however, be deliberately mean or unkind to others just for the heck of it. I don't understand those who can. The

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-9074825073065491362008-06-30T09:59:00.003-04:002008-06-30T10:37:28.386-04:00

Dating is hell. Period. I am honestly trying to figure out why I'm so intent on getting "back into the dating scene" after a particularly harrowing first date on Friday night. It began innocently enough with exchanged "winks" online. Winks turned into IMs. IMs turned into emails. Emails turned into phone calls. True, there were a couple of minor red flags during these exchanges (do I really need

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-66824056086271285212008-06-29T15:25:00.004-04:002008-06-29T15:34:49.546-04:00

I want so desperately for people to think that I'm composed, well-educated, polished, impeccably mannered, impossibly refined, and all around stunning.Yeah, that's never gonna happen.Witness not one, but two things which occurred in the past 24 hours to lend credence to my last statement (and realize I share these horrors with you, and no one else!).First example of how I am the opposite of a

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-54530345784290560042008-06-24T23:14:00.002-04:002008-06-24T23:19:12.599-04:00

I've spent the past few hours out here in cyberspace......playing around on the various sites I frequent: myspace, gmail, twitter, blogspot. It's gotten me to thinking................I was messaging some of my friends on myspace tonight, and I had a realization. I am very, very close to some fabulous people (Hollie, Keesha, Jan, Melissa, Marla, and countless others). These are women whom I can be

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-51678789915710717242008-06-22T14:19:00.000-04:002008-06-22T14:27:31.504-04:00

I'm restless. I've been restless for some time now. I thought, perhaps, it was something else.....depression, confusion, boredom. No. I'm restless.I'm ready to get on with my life. There's so much I want to do! Photography classes. More introspective writing. Fall in love. Travel. Learn a new language. Buy a fabulous condo. During my recovery from surgery, I've had way too much time

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-25500507977372603862008-06-22T01:31:00.000-04:002008-06-22T01:34:07.484-04:00

So, my favorite salesman comes into my office on Friday, and we have this conversation: him: "Carrie! I'm so excited!!! Mini KISS is coming to Harrah's on July 3rd!!! I just made a reservation! I'm leaving work early so I can be first in line!!!" me: "WTF is Mini KISS?" him: "How can you not know what Mini KISS is???" me: "Seriously?" him: "I see your point. Mini KISS is just what it

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792522805126065246.post-70145448190440976642008-06-21T23:23:00.000-04:002008-06-21T23:26:41.557-04:00

Life is so funny in the lessons it chooses to teach us. Life. Karma. God. All synonymous with "what goes around, comes around." Sometimes I have to remind myself to step back, take a deep breath, and reflect on the bigger picture. It is only when I do that, that I'm able to learn and grow. Witness my growth today. I discovered that I can empower myself richly and immediately out here in

~ Care ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09278504209281533599noreply@blogger.com0