Top 2 Tuesday - Favorite Drinks

Favorite Drinks!

I'll choose 1 alcoholic, and 1 non-alcoholic.

Immediately when I saw "Fav Drinks" for this week's Top 2, I knew exactly what #1 would be:

{1}

Bahama Breeze Pina Colada

{if you live near one.. or have had one.. you know how yummy they are}

{2}

Sweet Tea

Never ever tried it until we lived in the South for 3 years.

I haven't made it in a while, but with summer coming, Im all stocked up on my favorite

Southern tea!

Link up, and tell us what your Top 2 Drinks are HERE.

Top 2 Tuesday - Dream Rooms

DREAM ROOMS!

I'd have to say my dream room would be a fabulous HUGE kitchen!

I love the look of this kitchen below, its my favorite picture that I found so far...

Oh, and an enormous walk-in pantry off the fab kitchen... like Ina Garten!

I love organization, and this is awesome!

{Another Cool Kitchen Idea..}

Im in the kitchen cooking all the time anyway...

The ideas could go on and on... I just picked these few pictures because honestly they are the first ones I saw and grabbed my attention.

Cant wait to see more fab dream room ideas!

Tell us at The Undomestic Momma

Top 2 Tuesday - Random Facts About You

1. I was an extra on One Tree Hill !!!

When Mathew was still in Iraq, we lived not far from where they film.

It was November 2007.

I sent in a pic/called, and they called me to be on a few episodes! I only got to be on one..

I was flying out west to visit my cousin Jeanne the VERY NEXT DAY

...but they wanted me to keep coming back if I could! They asked me could I return for the wedding, and a couple other episodes! ( I could have had my big break!)

EPISODE 5.11
Episode Title: You're Gonna Need Someone On Your Side

Prod. No: #3T6811

Original US Airdate: March 11, 2008

On the eve of Lucas and Lindsey's (guest star, Michaela McManus) marriage, they conspire to save Nathan and Haley's. Brooke pairs Peyton with a surprise old boyfriend, while dealing with Victoria (guest star, Daphne Zuniga). Rachel returns to Tree Hill facing old challenges, while Dan also returns hoping for a fresh start.

(sidenote: this episode is going to be on TV again soon! - SOAP net.. I keep watching so I can TIVO it!)

I was a "guest" at Lindsey and Lucas' rehersal party.

It was probably one of the coolest things I've ever done.

And I saw a glimpse of myself on TV when the episode aired!

I was there with about 20 other "extra's" and I was in a scene with Bethany Joy Galeotti, she and I even had a little conversation between takes.. because it took a long time.

I was there for 5 hours and the scene was about 2 minutes

I also caught a glimpse of Chad Michael Murray twice!

He drove right by me when we were on a break in his big black Hummer.. and then he was on the set watching when we were filming our scene!

It was like I said... very very cool.. and has prompted me to be even more obsessed with the show, since the places they film we have actually eaten at, drove by and walked the same streets in North Carolina..

I even knew where CMM lived ... when he was in NC filming anyways...

I am still looking for my paystub from that night.. of course I saved it!

When I find it I'll make sure to upload the image!

I heart One Tree Hill! (and NC!)

2. I still sleep with my baby blanky.

As Taylor said..."Don't Judge".. But I still have my baby blankey which is in pretty good shape for being VERY old.

Coincidenlty Samantha has her own "Blabey" .. which she's obsessed with as well.. following in Mama's footsteps.. Which is fine with me.. It doesnt leave the house .. EVER.. and we try to keep it in her crib...try...

How can I be a hypocite and try to break her of it?

Im glad SJ isnt battling with giving up a bottle, pacifier, or something else I would try to break that immediately.

But for now C'est La Vie..

Great Top 2 Taylor!

Top 2 Tuesday - Relationships

What a great topic!

Okay here's what I've learned...

1. Don't forget where it all began....(your love)

I think in the daily/weekly/monthly/yearly business of life I (personally) forget sometimes all that my hubby and i have gone through to get to where we are today.

We began dating when I lived in Ohio and he in NC (military)

We visited only on weekends, and spent countless paychecks on Airline tickets.

We sometimes only spent 72 hours with each other on weekends when we could

We survived a 13 month separation while he was in Iraq

We moved in with my Mom for 9 months

We've learned how to raise a baby and all that comes with it.

And at the end of the day we need to take time to remember where it all began

Love you hubby!

{mid-break from Iraq - July 2007}

2. Do what is right for YOUR family

There can be a lot of influential factors when deciding which way to do things, raise kids, buy a house, remodel, faith, financial decisions.

And I've learned that the three of us are the only ones who should determine our present and future decisions.

Its natural for friends/family to want to help, or give their opinons

But at the end of the day ... our family is just us.

{Christmas 2009}

Cant wait to hear some good advice from you all...

Joelle

Top 2 Tuesday - Things You've Learned About Money

1. Saving can be just as much fun as spending.. (sort of...)

My husband I guess has tought me this. When he met me I will be honest, I didnt have a lot in savings.. okay I probably just had my 401k and THATS IT..


Now married for almost 5 years and we have learned to save,realize why it is important to have a savings.. and enjoy the things we have too. Thank you my sweet for teaching me how to be more financially savvy! ha!



2. Some things are worth the high price tag.



When it comes to some things.. Its better not to cut corners on the cheapy things...

Here are some RANDOM things we/I like to spend good money on.. appliances, cars, diaper bags (yes I have a couple of them, including an OiOi ( a little snobby you say?... no way.. )


As far as most things I spend loot on that cost a lot.. they tend last longer, better quality, and you DO get what you pay for.. and seems like EVERY time I try to cut corners with a cheap-o brand, I end up getting the more expensive one in the end.... and throwing the cheap-o to the curb.. what a waste!

Shampoo (my hair is a rats nest without it)
Cookware. If you do cook, then you know it makes all the difference cooking with awesome kitchen tools, knives, bowls, blenders.. ahhh I love to cook/bake..

Here's where I'd spend a million bucks if I had the chance to toss everything I own and re-create an amazing kitchen...

Ok now Im getting out of control... see how #1 comes into play again... I have my hubby to keep us savin'.... well... sometimes...

I mean a girl's got to shop right? its cheaper than therapy.. ha!

Top 2 Tuesday - Things You've Learned From Grandparents

Since I've learned alot from my parents, I thought why not make this post strictly about the Grandparents.

{Betty and Frank}

Engagement Pic

I was blessed to have all 4 grandparents for all of my childhood, and into my adult years too ... just this last year my last living grandparent passed.

Again, learned a LOT from them to, but there are a TOP 2 that stick out in my mind


Here they are:

1. "If you pray to him, he will give you whatever you want."

This was told to me when I was about 10 years old, in my Grandpa Frank's garage, I had found an old steel cross of Jesus, and he was telling me "if you pray to him, he will give you whatever you want"... Me being 10.. I didnt really know what it fully meant.. But now as an adult and mother, it makes perfect sense.. and it stuck with me and probably will for the rest of my life.

{Grandpa Sam and Grandpa Frank}

2. "Be a hard worker." I learned this from my Grandfather Sam, (who Samantha is named after) He was such a hard working man. Was in the military, worked, had 3 kids, worked until he reached retirement, and pretty much worked into his 80's I think.. He was a taxi cab driver, and I remember him always saying things like this to me, "if you work hard, it will pay off", "if you work hard you keep your brain young" (ha!).. Gosh there are so many things I got from him too, just cannot remember the exact words.


I learned stuff from my Grandma's too, one was a stay at home mom, good cook, and housewife, the other was part time stay at home mom, but she worked until retirement age too. Small things like how to make oatmeal, how to tweeze my eyebrows, how to appriciate Italian culture, how to eat good food (ha!)... and how to iron well.. (haha!) Tea is good for you...(my Grandma Betty Jane's drink of choice)

{Grandma Betty Jane and Me}

{Grandma Betty and Grandma Phyllis}


This was a fun post to do!
Makes me wish all 4 were still here today

Top 2 Tuesday - Grammy Favorites

This week's Top 2 Tuesday

Grammy Favorites

What are your TOP 2 favorite grammy ensembles?

I must confess, I didnt watch ALL of the Grammys...Indeed this Momma was in bed by 10:00pm. But I did find 2 fav's from the night and NEITHER one is a singer (RIGHT?)

Im not sure why these two were even there, but maybe in Hollywood you just go to the Grammy's for something to do on a random evening.. must be nice.. ha!

1st - Giuliana Rancic

I just love her "neutral" look with colored sash.. and love love her matching heels!

2nd - Miley Cyrus

Ok, I dont really care for her, or her music that much. I think she was cute on Hannah Montana, thats about it. I had a plain jane #2 picked out, but Grammy favorites has to have a little glam, so I picked her. I really like the leopard print too! bonus!

If I ever get invited to the Grammy's I would want to look as fabulous as these two did! ha!

Cant wait to see some other picks!

Top 2 Tuesday - Things You've Learned About Friendship

Ok Im trying something new, and linking up to do Top 2 Tuesday along with many other bloggers.

This week's topic is (2) Things You've Learned About Friendship.


1. Real Friends dont have to be the ones you talk to on a weekly basis. There are a few friends I have that I can go MONTHS.. literally .. without talking to them, and when you see them, visit, talk on the phone - you jump right in where you left off and have a great great time with them.. Sound familiar to anyone else?

These friendships are timeless, and I miss those friends who I am referring to. We have great memories, but when we see each other, we make new ones.

2. True friends "get" you. These are the friends that you can vent to, ask them ANY kind of question without the fear that they will either juidge you, or run back to another "friend".. and tell them your business. True friends trust you with their secrets, fears, complaints. And after a phone call, make you feel good about yourself even though they are sometimes thousands of miles away.

My friends circle as you become older - does get smaller, and those friends who are in that circle I never take for granted, and I am so thankful for!

I love you all my dear friends, you know who you are!