Cupcake Heaven

For you that don't know or haven't figured it out yet, I have about 36 sweet teeth 24/7...meaning every tooth in my mouth wants something sweet all the time. So the fact that I am celebrating the opening of a cupcake store isn't all that surprising.

But what is surprising is that I have found someone that has a similar sweet tooth problem - issue is - it's Kim and we work right beside each other and talk all day about sweets. So what does that mean? Well it means that if one of us has something sweet, we talk to the other one into having something too...it isn't good for our "summer bodies." But we did agree today that if I start buying maternity clothes to cover up my belly she is going enforce a no sweet policy.

Oh yeah, back to the cupcake shop...this chain cupcake place, Gigi's, finally opened after tempting us for months. Kim happened to notice it was open today while out running errands at lunch. So what does the best co-worker/cubical neighbor/friend do? She gets each of us a cupcake of course!! And picks up a menu so we can decide which day we are going back to try a different flavor.

Today we each had a "Midnight Magic" and that sucker was magically. It is listed as "Devil's Food Cake topped Cream Cheese Frosting and Chocolate Chips."

See you open the box and you catch a sniff of cream cheese and chocolate...what could be any better...

Then you manage the pull the thing out with injuring it and a take one last picture of heaven before you tear into and make yourself sick...
Sorry, but my phone died before I could get after shots, but I think you will understand if I said I licked the paper wrapper!

Oh and if you are concerned - that stack of papers it is sitting on - yep that is a copy of the Highway 80 Project proposal we submitted to the City, they aren't important any more and I have 5 others just like it - no biggie!

10 AM Snack

Okay so I have turned into a little kid again - I need a snack at 10am. This hunger is partly due to my bowl of raisin bran running out of steam, but is mostly due to the wonderful smell of popcorn floating down the hall about 10am every morning at the office. Now it doesn't help either that I spend some time looking at Pioneer Woman's cooking section each morning. And eating lunch at 11:30 kills me too. But bottom line - I am hungry and it is only 10am and now I am stuck listening to my stomach yell at me for the next hour and half. Every now and then I give in and give it a little something to eat - something under 100 calories, but usually nothing decent for me...like chex mix or popcorn with hot sauce or cheez-its.

Here is the other problem with this issue, my work productivity decreases greatly when I am hungry - so I figured I would share since I have writers block when it comes to economic development tools like Business Improvement Districts and Tax Increment Financing...

Thanks stomach - you are the best.

Robert's Wedding

On May 2, 2010, I made a very quick trip to Connecticut for a dear friend's wedding. Robert and I were in the same kindergarten class and he participated in our wedding, so it was only fitting for me to make it to his. Because he is now a minister, he and his wife opted to have the wedding on a Sunday after church so he didn't have to miss a service.

The wedding was a Union Baptist Church in Mystic, which is right on the water. It was a beautiful little community and although my pictures (taken with my phone while driving) aren't the best, they do give you little view into the beauty of the area.

The wedding was truly wonderful. It reminded me a lot of our wedding, which made it really special. Hunter, Robert's brother, wrote a song that he sang at the wedding - also awesome. The minister really knew both Robert and Leona and made the service very personal.

It was also really nice to be able to spend time with CJ and Wade - both lifelong friends - and Robert's mom and step-dad, as well as Robert's college friends, most of whom, the hometown friends had never met. It was determined that Robert hasn't changed one bit and we doubt that he will change.

And finally for those of you wondering - Robert's hair was combed for a short while and Hunter made sure his shoes were tied. However, his use of suspenders and a tie that was tied too short by his step-dad, just really took the cake - it was classic Robert - who else would get married with a tie that barely reached their belly-button. Oh and one more, Mr. Bobby (the step-dad) is country as the day is long and is very soft spoken for the most part. So I asked him what does Leona do and in his wonderful Southern drawl he says - She is a bra fitter but has a degree in Physics. I laughed out loud at hearing those words come so natural from Mr. Bobby - it was classic.

On the drive from Hartford to Mystic...it was beautiful!

Downtown Mystic

The Mystic waterfront - river front, beach front, whatever...

And that's Union Baptist Church on the top of the hill...it looks down over town and the water!

Work Update

If anyone was wondering if I enjoy my job, check out these pictures, I think you will find that I do...

First, we host (put on, do everything except move tables and chairs and cook and serve) a conference each year for MAPDD (Mississippi Association of Planning and Development Districts). We are the "staff" of MAPDD through a contract with the other 9 PDD's in the state. So anyway - 99% of the time the conference is in Biloxi at the Beau. This year was no different. We go down on Sunday and come home on Friday - it is a long week of hard work, but it is out of the office and if you spend wisely you can come home with some left over per diem.

Now for the fun part - we start conference week off by having beer and crawfish at our office on Thursday afternoon around 3.

Then Sunday, we all drive down, unload our cars, then go to dinner together - and yes, there is usually beer involved with dinner.

Monday we spend the day getting set up and organizing, then we spend the afternoon relaxing...

And note, that is my boss in the picture and he was only one to go swimming, go figure.

Tuesday, is pretty busy, but Tuesday night we have dinner at Town Green in Biloxi (walking distance from the Beau). It involves awesome food and lots of beer on tap.

Wednesday - is mostly all work. The girls and I went shopping Wednesday evening then ate at Leo's Pizza in Ocean Springs (which is the best town on the coast if you ask me).

Thursday - more work, but a good bit of free time in the afternoon. So again, the girls and I walked to Ocean Springs/Biloxi bridge and took a special little kid named John with us. He loved it! And yes I continue to get as many "Coolest Aunt Ever" points!!

Then there is a big dance party - similar to wedding, but the music got old and the room was filled with smoke, so a group of us went to the top floor of the parking garage with a pick-up and a cooler of beer and enjoyed the views of the Gulf (my idea - thank you).

Friday is clean up/pack up day - so after that was done, I spent the day with John!

Now we are hosting another meeting at the office tonight and I hear that steaks and beer are involved.

Why I Live in Mississippi?

Because Andrew selected UMC for its outstanding test results and the awesome people. But that isn't really the topic of discussion.

It is a book that was dropped off on my desk Monday. It is called "Why I Live in Mississippi - 101 Dang Good Reasons."

Are you ready for this...

#2, #19, #47, & #73 - Elvis

#32 - Side orders of bacon break Guinness records for size and weight.

#26 - Second helpings are encouraged

#80 - More church suppers per capita than any other state.

#23 - Tomato Sandwiches

#24 - Banana sandwiches

#62 - Best corn bread on earth

#72 - Moon pies

Has any one figured out a trend here yet??

#87 - Coconut Cake

#88 - Red Velvet Cake

#89 - Gumbo

I think you get the picture now - then it takes on things like this:

#97 - Christmas decorating is easier when you live in a trailer

#91 - We pray the Yankees don't move South

#66 - Dually-friendly parking spaces

#5 - There's a profit to be made from New Yorkers who think we're quaint.

#64 - Suits are strictly church wear

#65 - Overalls are business casual

#61 - People are so friendly they actually frighten many Yankees.

Okay so you got the picture - these people love their Elvis, they love their food, and well they are just laid back, relaxed, some might even say fat and happy, and well Yankees are only welcomed if they are going to spend some serious cash at oh say a river-boat casino.

I don't see a thing wrong with any of it - Gotta love this place!

John's Birthday

My take on John's birthday party -

"Good morning, CC. Even though I can't say CC I still love you!"

"Aunt Gray Gray, I hate this stupid hat..."
"Papa John looks pretty good in it, so I am going to let him wear it while I open my gifts. Okay? Cool - Aunt Gray Gray, you are the best!"
"Hey, CC, how 'bout hurry up and open the next one? I really need to figure out what it is."

"Oh and a tractor book!"

"Oh and look at my hat - Thanks, Uncle Andrew (or Houn-Duck), I love this huntin and fishin hat!"

"Alright Mac-Daddy, here is my loot - I got a bowling set, a tractor book, a train set, and this awesome hat that I am wearing backwards (Sorry, Uncle Andrew, blame CC for that)."

"Did y'all know that I can ready already?"

"Oh and I got this toy that I can push or ride from Aunt Gray Gray and Uncle Andrew. See I can push it and make tractor sounds at the same time."
"Oh yeah, and I like to push it from the wrong side from time to time...Thanks, Mac-Daddy, but I think I can handle it from here..."
"This is my favorite toy! I call it a Tacta, but Mom thinks I should say Tractor...but who needs r's?"

"Everyone say it together, Tractor! Yep, I had the coolest tractor, banana cake for my birthday!"
"I don't know why y'all are singing to me, but while I have y'all singing I am going in for the kill..."
"Mom, are you sure I can just stick my hand in this? Mac-Daddy is watching and you know he doesn't like for me to get food on my hands."

"Hi Mac, this stuff is awesome, but you can't have any of mine since you were making fun of my crooked, Chiclets looking front teeth - take that, dude!"

"Mac, Oh Mac, Come here so I can give you hug! What you don't want green hands touching you? I don't understand Mac - come here...it will be fun!"

There you have it folks - John loved his gifts and his cake!

John's Birthday Pictures - Finally

Here are MB's - These are great - enjoy!

Here are Dad's!