Can you tell it's FRIDAY!
Thank the tiny-econo-sized-baby-Jesus that I made it through this week!
Seriously if I a) didn't think i'd throw my back out or b) scare the hell out of my co-workers I would turn a Cartwheel.
THAT is how pleased I am that it's the week-end!
Picture Snoopy doing the "Happy Dance" and you'll know how I feel!

Stacy & Madison are going to Summerville and I am going to take this as the last week-end (before the car payments start) to do whatever I want.
It's all about me.
If my sister wants to do anything I am up for it!

Also can I just say how much pure unadaulterated JOY I get out of sitting in my new car? I love the feel of the seat, the steering wheel, looking over the dash, over the big hood. I also love the fact that the windows are tinted.
Darkly tinted.
As in "I-Can-Pull-Up-Beside-You-And-You-Can't-See-In-At-All-Dark!"
If I don't give in and put a monogram sticker on the back window I can pretty much ride around incognito. I like incognito!
*turns virtual cartwheel*

Ain't she purty? (said with heavy southern accent)

Yes i'm a spoiled bitch, I have been wanting a Dodge Charger for months and Friday my darling husband took me to "look" and made it happen!

She is steel grey, with dark tinted windows and dove grey leather interior. I can't even begin to tell you all the bells and whistles - i'm still figuring them out!

These pics were taken yesterday on the way to Summerville to show it off to my MIL. That is Big Daddy (a.k.a. Stacy) in the pics hehe...
I am one happy sistah! Oh and as for me saying we didn't have any debt - we do now! LOL but not for too long!

A smooth riding........

I think i've created a monster ... I took Madison for her first pedicure last week before Valentine's Day. She loved it!

Watching TV while Mommy gets beautified! After watching me get my eyebrows waxed she commented "Mommy - I don't think I want to do THAT!". It was fun though. Next I want to try a sugar scrub and a hot stone massage. Mmmmmmm.............

My girl complete in crown (she IS a princess, you know!) on her way to Grandma's house in Summerville last Friday.
She had an awesome party at school (my lord those kids got candy like it was Halloween) and gave out crowns to all the girls in her class and the teachers/aides.
She was just giving the pouty face because she didn't want me to take her picture.

I got this dress at (you can guess) a thrift store. You can tell it was home-made. We love it! I think it is old-fashioned and adorable! She got candy for both of her Grandma's (and Pop too).
Happy Belated Valentines Day from the Monogram Princess~

Via.....

It was a bit chilly but it could have been so much worse (a.k.a. raining or freezing!). I snapped a pic of myself enroute to the Marina

The Spirit of Carolina, we were lucky and had the upper dining deck. I don't reccomend anyone to wear high heels on one of these. You could easily break an ankle (or your NECK) on the gangplank!

Our view of the new Arthur Ravenel Bridge (I still miss the Old Cooper River Bridge though and always will.....)

We were right beside the U.S.S. Yorktown it was pretty lit up!

Getting a breath of air before the main course is served!

The menu and a white carnation ... I had a lovely honey glazed chicken breast stuffed with pecan cornbread dressing and Stacy had the catch of the day which was Salmon. They were both accompanied by lovely mushroom and garlic green beans and he had mashed potatoes. The meal started with a delicious she-crab soup and was accompanied by a bleu cheese/pecan spinach salad. The food was very good!

The Monogram Queen and her King!

We had a FAB-U-LOUS time! I sent these pics to work and I don't even think Stacy has saw them yet. Anyway... this was our Valentines DAY. We stayed both Friday and Saturday nights and i'm VERY glad we did. (yeah yeah it's only money).....

You know ol' greedy is going to go out in search of some baked goodness. OMG these cupcakes were divine. The icing was so creamy and smooth......nothing like the horrible ganache icing i've tasted elsewhere.

Our comfy king-sized bed - it isn't as good as our bed at home though. :)

Love the whirlpool tub! We've had some, er, mishaps with a whirlpool tub (I think on a stay in Charlotte) but no problems THIS time!

We had "lunch" at Red's on Shem Creek. I got a low-country boil! Delicious-ness!
For those of you who are wondering what THAT is... it is boiled shrimp, corn on the cob, boiled potatoes and kielbasa sausage. Some also call it "Frogmore Stew".
Stacy made this for Cheeky & Bella when they stayed with us on the Isle Of Palms in 2007. His is better!

Stacy drinking some Coors Lite and watching the race on the bigscreen next to us.

Stac got a bucket of oysters and I had to eat a few. OMG they had fresh horseradish and it was SO good. No sinus problems there folks *snicker*

Yes Bella........ just Yes!

Next up some pics of the cruise........ Hope your Valentines Day was filled with L-O-V-E. Mine sure was!

That is what Madison mistakenly calls Vera Bradley (and also my great-niece Hannah did too) .. cracks me up! I rewarded myself with the On-The-Go Bag in the Green Cupcakes pattern. Matching wallet too! I keep saying "no more Vera" but she keeps coming out with new patterns that I can't resist!

Madison got a new bag too, the Amy bag in Pink Cupcakes pattern. I am going to get her an Audrey bag for her birthday - not sure what pattern yet. They are precious.

Anyway these are just a little something from the tax work that I did. I need to post about my Valentines Trip - perhaps tomorrow *wink*. Still savoring it!

Front Door decorated.... Check!

Something I bought last week (I think Laurie suggested this too!) for my Charleston Valentine's Get-Away ...

Wishing all of you a love-filled Valentines Day - even if you don't have a "special someone" .... SOMEBODY LOVES YOU... namely.....

Yesterday there was about 12 robins in my yard... I snapped a few pics but couldn't get a decent shot of them all (my yard is big y'all)

NOT the same robin either! Does this mean Spring, glorious Spring is on it's way... or are the poor things just confused by our unseasonably warm weather (going from snowfall to 70+ temps in less than a week?)

Stacy got a little Spring Fever and cleaned up the cushions and put the porch furniture on out. I love my porch furniture dearly! So comfy!

Wherever you are - Think Spring!

I can't believe I haven't shared a pic of my necklace that Stacy got me for Christmas with you all yet but i've looked back.. and I didn't!
The pic quality is NOT the greatest, I took it myself via the mirror, but in case you can't tell it's the palmetto tree/crescent (some call it moon) on a platinum chain. The crescent is diamonds and the palmetto tree, sapphires. Gorgeous!
One afternoon, oh about in October, I think, Stacy and I had eaten lunch at Jewell's on the Square in Darlington and as we were walking back to the Truck, I was browsing in the Jewelry store window. They had this gorgeous necklace but I had no idea he would go back and get it for me for Christmas!
I was speechless when I opened it up. Believe me guys, your wife appreciates a well-thought out surprise gift! Very much so!
This was one of the best Christmases I have had and I suspect it will only get better.

** Also let me say the visit from the upper echelon went well yesterday.
Things can change on a dime (especially in this economy and the banking business) but he did tell us that they plan on moving 1500 jobs here within the next year and no more hiring from outside until every employee who WANTS a job has one.
My job will probably change within the year but if it gets me away from current boss I really don't care. Bring on the change! :)

*** EDITED TO ADD*** I totally "get" what Wendy is saying in my comments but I will delete any anonymous comment. All of my regular readers/commenters know you are always welcome to post any opinion you have on my blog. Regardless of how it reflects on my opinion(s). I respect and like you all! I wasn't even thinking from a "pc" standpoint when I wrote this post and I DO empathize with any disciplinare actions taken during the training of the animals.

We had a terrific time at the Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus at the Civic Center! The elephants were awesome!

I would love to know how they get them to stand up and do all the things they do!

Yes - we are retardo ricardos - me and my sister "K". I think she has one of Stacy on her camera in his clown face!

Stacy & Madison coming back to their seats after a bathroom/get-Mommy-a-teeshirt Break!

These white tigers were GORGEOUS!

Look at them all standing up! I can't get over how they teach these wild animals such awesome tricks!

Stacy playing with Madison's Twirling Tiger!

Brittany & Madison cheese for the camera. They REALLY enjoyed the show. Every aspect of it. I am so glad we decided to go!

The Monogram Queen!

The finale - I should have taken more pictures but it was hard, I was so enamored of what was going on! It truly IS the Greatest Show On Earth!

Also I wanted to say the t-shirts were only $10 which I thought was very fair and they are very nice shirts.
The toys, yeah they were maybe a bit over-priced BUT they give you a guarantee with everything (on a plastic card) and Madison's light-up thingy stopped working I took it down and they exchanged it - no questions asked, as nice as can be and it worked from there on out.
Really i've been to a LOT of places that sell souveniers and never had this kind of Customer Service.
My hat is off to the Ringling Brothers, Barnum And Baily Circus.
Kid AND Parent Friendly!
We'll definitely go back next year!

WOW! I almost couldn't believe my eyes when I woke up to another snowfall within a month! Our welcome slate got snow on it but it's still pretty!

A grey, snowy sky. The flakes were actually falling thick and fast when I took this but the camera didn't capture it. It captures snowflakes better in the dark, i've learned!

This little guy (a gnome in case you can't tell) is still swinging even if he's covered in snow and my Valentines Flag looks pretty against the snow doesn't it?

Another snowy yard shot ....

This little clown just had the BEST time bouncing around in it. I could barely catch him as he flashed past me! I didn't keep him out too long because as someone cautioned me before tiny dogs and the cold do not mix well and my little guy could get frostbite on his pads. Can't have that!
Isn't he just the dearest little thing? I bet he'd love Lynilu's dogs!

Sending more Snowy Salutations from ....