Thursday, January 29, 2009

Beach Trips in the Winter





I love the beach and everything about it. I love souvenir shops, seafood, the night life, the relaxation that comes from hearing the waves roll in. I love it all. Ryan & Myself and Deidra & Shaun recently took a trip to the beach during the winter to celebrate New Year's Eve weekend, where we met up with Richard, Kyle, DJ, and Jackson- and I must say that we collectively enjoyed the difference in which we experienced. In the summer time you have the hustle and bustle of families on summer vacation, and at this time of year it was much more laid back.

For New Year's Eve we went to The Wharf for their new year's bash. It was really neat, but the venue was set up outside and it was FREEZING. Luckily we found refuge in a one of the bars called The Big Easy. Deidra and I made a terrible mistake when we decided to wear dresses. Oh my- our legs froze to death and on top of that we forgot our pea coats- I blamed this little tidbit on Ryan and he got a spanking for it. You see, he hung my pea coat up in his closet and that's where it stayed. After I spanked him he politely returned the favor by giving me a 'firm talking to' about being more organized and responsible. Anyway, back to the events of NYE... at midnight we got to see a beautiful fire works display and around 2 we took it on back to the hotel. Overall NYE was fun, but little did we know the real fun would be found on New Year's Day

The next morning we got up and began getting ready for the day, which held no real plans. The only thing that we HAD to do was walk on the beach (this was mine and deidra's request). So we showered/dressed and headed out. The first stop was the notorious Pink Pony Pub"(
www.pinkponypub.net ) . We decided to head their first. Each year my dad, Ryan's dad, back-in-the-day Deidra's dad, and all their buddies go to the beach for a golf tournament and at some point in each trip they enjoy a few drinks at The Pink Pony... and for the longest time all of us kids thought that the pink pony was a strip club. However, we have since learned that it's just a little pub that has been around for many years and weathered several hurricanes. At the Pink Pony the group enjoyed Bloody Mary's and Seafood while taking in a great view of the ocean.

After taking the edge off and feeding our appetites for seafood- Deidra and I headed on to the beach. None of the boys wanted to come with us, however, I am pretty certain once they saw our awesome pictures they immediately regretted that decision.

The next stop of the day was "The Hangout" (
http://www.thehangoutal.com) The Hangout has just been built in Gulf Shores, AL within the last year. So we HAD to check it out and we LOVED it. We all had so much fun. It has the best set up for a restaurant/bar- ever. The inside is is really open with a "big ass fan" and all the walls around you are garage doors that can be opened during the warmer months. Outside you have the beach in the front and in the back you have different areas for bands to set up and play. The particular day that we hung out at the hangout- they didn't have a band scheduled. We were all pretty bummed about it- but decide it was a new year and we would not be held back!! So Shaun decided to approach our waitress, Brittany-Reshanda(double name), about Richard, DJ and Kyle playing for them. At first Brittany didn't believe that they were musicians, but oh did they prove her wrong. Brittany told her manager and one thing lead to another and 590 Shoreline played about an hour set. Every one at the Hangout loved them and they were even invited back to play during spring break. We stayed at the hangout for literally 6 hours- we made friends with the staff, danced, and and made merry. We loved it. When we left we had a small parade through the parking lot to the car. So FUN!!

Did we head to the hotel at this point? NO. We decided to take our friend Brittany-Reshanda's advice and head to Mud Bug's. Mud Bug's is a local hang out and we fully embraced it. It could be compared to a more upscale Col. Tom's, for those of you who are familiar. Mud Bug's is a karaoke bar. However, it's not just karaoke bar, when you karaoke here you get to sing along with a one-man-band. Deidra and I sang Reba McEntire's Fancy (with our friend Brittany-Reshanda, who met us at MudBugs), all the boys sang The Eagle's Seven Bridges Road and at some point the karaoke turned to RAP music and we got low... and kyle humped a pole. That's when we knew it was time to call it a night!

I brought in the New Year with some of my favorite people, in one of my favorite places. I think that overall everyone had a great time. We laughed constantly and experienced new places that we will visit again. My only regret was Waffle House after Mud Bugs- but what do ya gonna do? Right?

I highly suggest a beach trip in the winter!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Tuesday's With Harley


In order for me to have a blog that sufficiently embodies all of who I am... it has to include one Mr. Harley Toland. He is my 5 year old Yorkshire Terrier aka Yorkie. I know that people often claim that they love their dog whole-heartedly, but we do love him with our entire hearts and the thing is... he loves us back- unconditionally.

A little background info on Harley:

His birthday is November 1, 2003. He is a Scorpio. He is the full-brother to the late Mr. Beasley Brown. He loves Cookies, Ice, Treats, and Chips. Harley's favorite pastimes include: playing fetch down the hallway, tearing up his cow, or curling up with anyone that is taking it easy. If you have ever met Harley you are well aware of his sweet manner. When he begs for food... it's not aggravating... it's really sweet. He doesn't whine or carry on, he simply sits up like a MeerCat and waits patiently until you either decide to share or happen to drop a small bit of food. Either way he is very appreciative.

Harley sleeps with me each night. This may sound crazy but he always gives me a goodnight kiss. When I go to bed he comes in my room hops in the bed with me... and before he will even think of getting comfy he gives me kisses, as if to say, "Thanks for sharing your bed with me. Love you. Goodnight." He does this every single night... and if he sleeps with someone else... he thanks them as well.

One of Harley's favorite places to visit is our farm (which will be featured in a later entry). When we are at the farm he does NOT have to wear a leash and I think he really loves it. You see, when we are in town he can't just go outside, we have to walk him with a leash. So at the farm he gets to cuts loose. He runs fast, jumps high, and loves life. Another place that Harley considers a favorite is my grandmother's house. She is the reason he knows the word "cookie." He eats at least five cookies while in the presence of my grandmother. It's funny really... if she ever comes to visit our house he is constantly looking at her like... "uhh, yeah, so why didn't you bring those cookies with you?"

Being that Harley is a Yorkie he is not much into water as, let say, a lab or golden retriever would be... but that doesn't slow him down on a hot summer day. He thoroughly enjoys lounging on a float in the pool for as long as you will let him.

People say that one's dog is a reflection of its owner, and if that statement is true then I must be pretty dang great!!

I love Harley and every (most of them anyway) Tuesday will be "Tuesdays with Harley."

Friday, January 23, 2009

It's Friday... ALL DAY LONG!!

I hate Fridays! They are too laid back, I have to wear jeans, and on top of that I leave work at 1:00 every Friday. Basically Friday's are awful. Eww. So in order to help perk up a day that is already pretty drab... I am going to share a couple of jokes with everyone. Now these aren't going to win any awards anywhere, but someday when you are put on the spot you can always fall back on these two... and I have some good experiences with them. So, here we go...




Joke #1:
Why did the chicken wear underwear on his head?
(pause for anticipation)
To Cover up his PECKER!!! Hahaha.


Now keep in mind... these are just to help brighten a dull Friday... like I said... these jokes have not received any awards. The next one is a little longer and may require a bit of practice prior to actually reciting it for a large group.


Joke #2:
A farmer had three daughters. It was a FRIDAY night and they were all getting ready while waiting for their dates to pick them up separately, of course.


The first potential suitor knocked on the farmers door.
The farmer answered. The first guy said, "Hi. My name is Eddie. I am here to pick up Betty. We are going out for Spaghetti. Is she ready?" The farmer responded, "Not quite, come on in."

The second guy showed up, and nervously knocked on the door.
Again the farmer answered. The second guy stood on the front stoop and said, "Hey. My name is Joe, I am here to pick up Flo. We are going to the show. Is she ready to go?"
And the farmer invited him in...

After a few more minutes the third guy knock eagerly on the farmer's door.
The farmer went to the door and opened it. The third guy said, "Hi. My name is CHUCK!"


Maybe these little jokes tickled you like they did me... or maybe I have a third grade sense of humor. Not sure, but I am a fan of both. Share these with a coworker... brighten someone else's day! Just a enjoy a good laugh, if you will. Happy Friday Yall!!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

The Name Says it All...

Some of you may find yourself wondering why I decided to name my blog "Stage Fright Jitters." You are thinking to yourself..."but she doesn't sing or dance or even perform, does she?" The short answer is NO I don't. I don't do any of the above-- on a daily basis anyway.
The reason I chose the title that I did is because I have a philosophy about life and it goes a little something like this:

Life is short. Too short not to live it to the fullest. I don't want to wake up one day and think I missed out on something, even the smallest thing. You see, sometimes people find themselves moving through life without stopping to smell the roses, so they say. I don't ever want to be that person. If at some point in your life you realize that you haven't had the jitters about taking a chance on something... then it's time to do something random. Take a trip somewhere new, go sky diving, ride a bull, drive a race car, learn to ski, ride the Dr. Doom ride at Adventure Island, go to a karaoke bar and sing solo, who cares just do something new and exciting... Live a little.

I am in no way saying everyday is a crazy/wild time, but even when I am 75 I want to still be having fun... . I want to sun bathe naked by my pool, ride my Harley on Sunday's with my boo, I want to wake up scared to take a chance, feeling a little jittery about a wild plan that I have conjured up and go to bed saying "Hell yeah baby...I loved it!" So welcome to "Stage Fright Jitters" Hope you enjoy the ride!!

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