101 Days of Summer - Day Ninety

Wow. Its already Tuesday. This week is moving quickly. Probably because I am looking forward to the weekend! My entire family from my Mom's said is going to the family lake house and we are all super excited to see eachother, its been probably Christmas since we all have been together in one place. Which is a large undertaking when there are 12 (6 girls, 6 boys) grandkids alone, not counting adults. The grandkids always joke around that no matter how old we get we will never be considered 'adults' when it comes to who gets to eat first on Holidays, which is always the adults. But we are never considered 'kids' when it comes to chores and bills. Gotta love it! I'd like to introduce my family to you! Try not to get lost!

**Mimi & Papaw**
<3 (Mimi passed away 12/08) <3

1. Michelle & Karl
    Christopher, Lindsey, Trip, Alexandra, Cameron
    Dog: Radar

2. Donna
    Dillon
    Dog: Missy

3. Anita & Glenn (my parents)
    Carrie(me!), Jessica, Rachael, Kurtis
    Dog: Sasha

4. Billy & Amanda
    Jonah, Katie
    Dog: Sadie

So yes, I have a fairly large family, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. All the memories we have together are worth millions.

101 Days of Summer - Day Ninety One

I have chosen Mondays to be, Movie (or TV) Monday! So today I wanted to talk about one of my favorite TV Shows right now, Criminal Minds. If you haven't watched it give it a chance. I have never liked criminal shows, or CSI but this show knocks the socks off of all these programs. Their characters have this way about them that makes you want to be a part of their team.

I mean, look at Derek Morgan (played by Shemar Moore).

The show followers a team of criminal profilers from the Behavioral Analysis Unit of the FBI. They look at the crime and how it was committed to figure out who the criminal is and how they think. Based on these things they create a profile that helps them find the criminal.

101 Days of Summer - Day Ninety Two

Sundays are always a favorite day of the week for me, mostly because I know that I won't have to work, no matter what! I know, exciting. Today I was able to enjoy the pool and the amazing Florida weather with Selina. We were out there fairly early so we got to tan w/o the sun completely frying our skin. Went to Goodwill where I got some awesome find, as always. These were my favorite:


White Jean Skirt from the Gap - $2.33
Old Navy Jeans Shorts - $2.33
White Arie Tank Top - $1.20


PS: The best movies come on late at night! Confessions of a Shopaholic, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Runaway Bride. Whats a girl to do?

101 Days of Summer - Day Ninety Three (Rebecca Black)

Its Saturday, Saturday, gotta get down on Saturday......


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD2LRROpph0


So Every Saturday I have decided that my blog will be something about Pop Culture. Whether I share a recent video that has made me laugh or one that has gone viral, or I talk about music, celebs.... it will all be Pop Culture related. 


This week I have decided to talk about the Rebecca Black's video, "It's Friday" that has reached 148,682,463 + views.Her mother reportedly paid $4000 to have the single and an accompanying music video put out as a vanity release through the record label ARK Music Factory.  The unfortunately thing about this video is that the majority of people can't stand her, they think her music is ridiculous and they understand why you would put something like this out there for others to suffer through. This video has 407,788 likes, 2,917,269 dislikes, pretty clear what people think about her.


If you haven't seen this video I highly suggest clicking the link above! Let me know what you think of Rebecca and "It's Friday"!

101 Days of Summer - Day Ninety Four

Not much happened today so I wanted to write a little about something that has bean on my heart for a very long time! For those of you who have known me for a while know that I have a heart for Africa. In particular a heart for AIDS orphans in Africa. I had the opportunity in 2008 to serve the children that had been on my heart for so long, the kids that I had prayed for since I could remember! That trip truly changed my life and I can't wait until I get to go back! Though I only spent two weeks there I will forever remember what happened. So it begins, South Africa, part one!

I honestly can't tell you how my passion for orphans came about or how my love affair with Africa began, but what I can tell you is that I have never looked back since I fell head over heels in love with the country, the people and the culture. I had the most supportive family throughout the process of preparing for my trip. When most parents are approached by their 16 year old daughter saying she wants to go to Africa their reaction usually isn't supportive. But my parents were so excited to see me following my dreams and were ready to help me get their in whatever way they could. This wasn't going to be my first mission trip, I had also been to Mexico, Jamaica & Peru, so we knew what we had to do to raise the funds. But this trip was more than I had ever raised before, thousands more. It seemed like such a huge undertaking that I was never going to accomplish. Not only was I raising money but my sister as well, she was going to Costa Rica that same summer. After countless hours at Chick-fil-A, 4 spare change jars that sat on the Chick-fil-A counters for months, car washes, spaghetti dinners, church offerings, generous donations and house "ducking" I finally reached my goal! It didn't become real to me, that I was actually going to South Africa, until I was boarding my plane.

I can't wait to share some more of my stories about my trip! Just wait until you hear about all of the travel issues we cam across! Until later! Sala kahle! (Stay Well in Zulu)

101 Days of Summer - Day Ninety Five

Work. Work. Work. Work.....

My goal is not make this blog as interesting as possible while still documenting what I am really doing every day. Today I worked (again, sorry is this get repetitive). When I got off work I had Starbucks with Darius, James and Emily and then it was time to pick Selina up from work. Afterwards we went grocery shopping a.k.a. couponing. We got all the things in the picture for $3.49!! Yeah for coupons! We also took a trip to Target to get other things we needed.

Selina's mom came up from Tampa with her furniture! Finally, Selina has her bed, dresser & end table! We also got our desk for our den, so excited to get our place put completely together!

101 Days of Summer - Day Ninety Six

Ok, so I was planning on doing a VLOG today and I actually filmed myself all day long doing various things. Then when it came time to edit my videos I could't get them off my iPhone and into a video editing program. So when I figure that out maybe I will add the video to this blog!

It was amazing outside. Not a cloud in the sky with a little bit of cool breeze. Not gunna lie, most beautiful day in a while. I had to work most of the day, made another delivery downtown, went over to my parents and hung out for a little while after work, went fishing with Daniel, Liz & Matt. Everyone caught something, except me. :( I still had a great time taking pictures, its what I do! We went to 4Rivers BBQ afterwards and it was amazing. It was my first time eating there after everyone I know was raving about how amazing it was I finally went.

Afterwards Matt & I watched pieces of the 6th Sense at his parents place.

101 Days of Summer - Day Ninety Seven

WoooWeee! Day 97 already? I need to get a hold of myself and make some sort of plan for this summer!

David & Timmy hiding from Gio.

Today I had a management meeting at work at 8:15am, went to Panera afterwards with some of the gang, then went back to work to deliver food downtown (which I have a story about), came back to make more phone calls, blitzed the mall with coupons & then came home!

Ok, so the story about my delivery downtown, earlier today..I had to go to the Suntrust Building, which is the tallest building in Orlando if you did not know, so i drove around twice before I figured out where the parking garage was, then I had to go to the top level because thats where visitors parking is. Once at the top I began unloading all the food that I had onto this metal cart thing so I could just push it. I start walking to where I thought was the elevator, but no. The sign says, "Stairs to the Elevator". WHAT! This guy walks right past me with this look on his face that said, "I want to stick around and watch how you are going to do this."  I was already pushing it close to the time of delivery so instead of sitting there thinking of driving the food down and then parking or some sort of crazy plan, I began walking down each level of the parking garage until I found an elevator. Two levels, tons of sweat, eight speed bumps and countless stares later I found an elevator! It was the most beautiful sight! Once I got into the elevator I had to go down to the street level (the parking garage isn't connect to the building...dumb, I know) I had to push the food down the street and into the Suntrust building. Confidently I walked right past the concierge/Security guy because I thought I knew what I was doing. I walked towards the elevator with my food in tote and once in the elevator I went to press #21, which is where I was headed. The numbers only went up to 15. I was so confused. So as I got out of the elevator, the wheels of my cart got stuck inside the crack between the elevator and the floor. Some guy attempted to help me but instead he knocked over my cart. -_- 

At this point I was minutes away from our delivery time and was almost freaking out. So I went over the the Concierge/ Security guy who just saw the whole thing play out, and he said, "What floor are you trying to get too?" I told him 21 and he;s like, "Oh, the elevators to the top floors are on the other side of the building." I have never heard of this, how can they do this w/o posting a sign or something! I finally got into the elevator, which went all the way to floors 25 or 26! Thats a lot of floors! Once there everything went smoothly, I got to talk to some greatly important people. On my way down I began to realize that I had to push my cart up hill, two levels. Though the boxes and TMS (Basically a cooler that keeps things hot or cold) had no food in them, they were still heavy and the boxes had nothing to weigh them down so they were kind of going everywhere just walking on flat ground. I took the elevator to the highest level possible and I began my hike up two levels. I stripped off my cardigan, pulled my hair up in a ponytail. Thank goodness for all the wind it made it not so terrible. Once I got to my car and loaded everything up I had to take a minute breather to re-coupe. Non-the less, now that I know what to do when I get there and taking two people may be a better idea, I can truly walk in there confidently knowing where I am  headed. 

"Experience is a brutal teacher, but you learn. My God, do you learn." - C.S. Lewis


Another note! Our Chic Boutique is up and running again and we added new items, so add us on facebook!


http://www.facebook.com/OurChicBoutique

101 Days of Summer - Day Ninety Eight (Dream Vacations Edition)

Nothing exciting happened today. I woke up, ate breakfast, worked from 10-5ish, came home, Gossip Girl Finale. Told ya! But this blog isn't going to be about how I didn't do much besides work, this blog is going to be about one of my favorite things to do! TRAVEL! I know this is so random, but on days that I don't have much going on I've decided to just write about whatever I want. :)

My biggest dream is to travel the entire world or to at least step foot onto every continent (minus Antarctica, I hate the cold with a passion). These are not all of the places I want to visit, but its a good start! So here we go, in no particular order...

Some of My Dream Vacation Destinations!

1.  Maui, Hawaii

2. Barcelona, Spain

3. Paris, France

4. Cairo, Egypt

5. London, England

6. Athens, Greece

7. Sydney, Australia

8. Juneau, Alaska

9. Tokyo, Japan

10. New Zealand

11. The Galapagos Islands

12. Dubai

101 Days of Summer - Day Ninety Nine

Chilling by the pool

Today I woke up knowing it was going to be a pretty awesome day! Had lunch at Olive Garden with my old CFA LOVES. We had a great time catching up and celebrating Veronica's womanhood, a.k.a. she turned 20! Emily is the only 'teen' left in our little group, besides Matt...he will be 20 June 30th. Everyone came back to my apartment afterwards and enjoyed the pool for several hours, where I got some needed sun. This white girl has been pasty white for TOOO long. Just a little sun on my shoulders and cheeks make me happy. Yes Mom, I did where Sun Screen.


By the time we all came in from the pool it was time for Selina & I to get ready for Jessica's graduation celebration at Church. We rushed over there to find a huge potluck, how I love potlucks! You just find a smorgasbord 
of food, its great! Matt of course ate before he came but I think he still enjoyed it, especially watching Kurtis try to beat up an ex-marine. Good times. Each graduate had a slide show of pictures and during Jessica's a picture of her and our Mimi came up and immediately, My mom, Jessica, Rachael and I begin to tear up, Jess just straight up starts balling. 


Mimi passed away the Christmas before my graduation so I understand how hard it is to celebrate when she isn't here. I remember praying night & day that she would make it to my graduation, I wanted so badly for her to see how hard I worked and what I had accomplished. Her opinions meant more to me than anyone else'es.

Mimi, Papaw & I the day before Mimi went to Heaven.

On the car ride home Selina & I were talking how crazy it is that one picture can bring back so many memories and emotions. But the relationship my sisters, my mom & I had with our Mimi was like no other. Its a bond that no one can take from us. Mimi was such an amazing person and its so very difficult to go through times like this with out her. We know she is looking at us from heaven smiling because of how proud she is of all of us. She passed away in 2008 and it seems like yesterday. The pain is still fresh and we still miss her dearly. She was such a blessing to not only her family but to anyone who she was around. For those of you who knew my Mimi you know why its such an emotional time, you know what kind of person she was. 


------Back to the blog------


Once we got home we watched the new Khloe & Lamar episode and then caught up on Gossip Girl from last week, which made me super duper excited about tomorrows episode!!! 


Nighty, Night. <3

101 Days of Summer - Day One Hundred

Day One Hundred

Matt & I at Senior Prom

Today is the day of Jessica's Senior Prom & its so weird to think about because I feel like yesterday was my Senior Prom....when in reality it was two years ago. I know two years isn't that long ago but a lot of things have happened since my Senior Prom in 2009.

~ Travel back two years, I was 18 years old, 15 pounds lighter (pre-college), had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, no idea what I wanted to study in school, shoot, I didn't even know what school I was attending in the fall. All I knew was that I wanted to cherish those last moments I had as a care free high schooler forever.  ~

Jess & Ryan at her Senior Prom

Today made me think about what I have done with my life in the years since I graduated high school it also made me go through tons of old pictures. Which made me think of how far I have come and who I should be thanking. But that list just went on and on and on!! 

Instead of rambling more I decided to share a picture of Matt & I at our Senior Prom in 2009 and Jessica & Ryan at her Senior Prom. We both have been extremely blessed with amazing guys that we love!

 <3333333333333333333333333333333

"101" Days of Summer - Day: One Hundred & One

Ok. So I know that there are more than 101 Days of Summer, but 101 days makes me happy!

This is my 'summer' version of Project 365, which I started twice and never finished. I was just thinking the other day how so many people started it and no one has completed it, that I know of. I am sure there are those persistent and committed individuals who have finished, but none of my friends finished it. So this is a little easier of an undertaking. 

Instead of doing it solely on Facebook I decided to do it in a blog/vlog style through my blog, http://carriescountrywildflowers.blogspot.com/. I will post the “Picture of the Day” on Facebook and will link (in the description section) my blog about my day and other tid bits about how my summer is going…and rambling.

Operation "101 Days of Summer" is a go!

Day: One Hundred & One

So, as badly as I want my summer to be all about fun and games its mostly going to be about work, unfortunately. But we have to work to live, right? Whats that quote. Work to live, don't live to work. That has no application here but it just POPPED into my head so I thought that I'd share, ok...where was I?

Oh, yes! Wishing my summer was like this:                          

 

I started my morning with two, rather large, cups of coffee. Needed a jump start since someone.....*cough*cough* ....Selina...kept me up watching Gossip Girl last night. But it was worth it. We started Season 1 & I'm in love.

Today at work we took 230 sandwiches to Devry University and handed them out and we also had Baby Cow there hanging out with everyone. We had some sandwiches left over so we ran them by Best Buy. Let me just say, Best Buy's break room makes me want to work at Best Buy. We're talking flat screens, x-box, ping pong table and all this other stuff. Baby Cow (Tiff) and I rode in the back of Jason's truck and I can't even explain to you how hot it was, especially for the poor Baby Cow!

This evening I picked up a Rocking Chair that used to be my Mimi's and also her old Bistro Table set to go on my porch. My Papaw had already started spray painting it an olive green but I brought it home to finish it off. I'm so excited about the finished product!

Matt and I ate at Johnny Rockets for dinner, which was a mistake. The food was blahh. I usually like eating there but since I have changed my diet a little bit all that grease made me sick to my tummy. 


Ended the evening with a little Criminal Minds. :)

Happy 21st Selina

I just wanted to send a quick "Happy Birthday"message to my roomie & bestie. (I usually don't like ending things in 'ie' but I will make an exception for her birthday...)

HAPPY 21st

BIRTHDAY SELINA! 

<333333

Ten More Tidbits (11-20)

Here we go again with 10 more random tidbits.....

Tidbit #11: I am quite the fan of the Lord of the Ring & Star Wars Trilogies. Not a fan of Star Trek, sorry to all you trekies. My dad got me into the Star Wars movies when I was young & I remember how desperately I wanted to be like Princess Leia in episodes 4-6 and Princess Amidala in episodes 1-3. My favorite part about them was obviously their impeccable taste in galactic fashion & hair, not to mention they got all the cute guys. When it comes to LOTR (or Lord of the Rings for those of you who aren't into this kind of stuff) I can sum it up in one word...Legolas a.k.a. Orlando Bloom. For several years I was in love with him. I even had a life-size cardboard cutout of him in my room. OUT OF CONTROL, i know.

Tidbit #12: My favorite computer game as a kid was either Rollar Coaster Tycoon or Microsoft word. I had the most BOMB theme parks ever & the level that was in the desert that no one could win, I owned that level.

Also, Microsoft word. This wasn't even the a new one where you can have images and cool fonts. I think I used word art the most. 3D images was the thing back then. I wish I still had the ancient laptop that I used to play on to see all the random things I used to write about. I used to pretend I was some business woman who had so many things to do...oh those were the good times. 

Tidbit #13: I took swimming lessons until I was at an embarrassing age & I still can't dive without belly flopping.

Tidbit #14: I was once mistaken for Elizabeth Smart when I was younger.

Tidbit #15: I used to want to grow my hair out so long that it touched the ground. I made it just past my behind and ended up donating it.

Tidbit #16: I am a twilight fan. [Those of you who hate it, hate it b/c its popular] [This makes you a hater] I liked the books before I saw the movies thanks to my sister Jessica, she forced me to read them. Since then I am hooked. 

Tidbit #17: I enjoy watching live sports but can't stand watching them on TV.

Tidbit #18: I still sleep with a teddy bear that my boyfriend gave me years ago. 

Tidbit #19: When I worked at Chick-fil-A in WG I seriously never went to work without some sort of hair accessory in my hair. I was the Carrie Bradshaw of CFA. Headbands. Flowers. Decorative bobby pins. You name it. I had it in my hair. 

Tidbit #20: For those of you who question my hair color...yes, it is real. I've had highlights before but nothing major.