Simply*Southern

Holiday Love

2011-12-08T12:22:00.000-06:00

Let me start by saying - *I.LOVE.THE.HOLIDAYS*- from Thanksgiving to Christmas.. I LOVE them. I like the smells, sounds, Hallmark movies, family time...

Holidays are for making memories with loved ones. This will be the second holiday time Bombdiggity and I have spent together..and I have LOVED every second of it. We put up our first tree together this year.. *sigh* it's perfect. Hopefully next year we will have the house built and I can REALLY get some decorating done.

I cringe when I hear people complaining about having to "buy" gifts... for there is nothing I heart more than being about to give to the ones I love.. I am a spoiler- just ask Bombdiggity. We spoil each other.literally.

Keep Christ in your holiday. Remember the real reason for the season. We would be nothing without the savior born to Mary.

Newest Hobby

2011-11-14T09:41:00.000-06:00

I mentioned before that Bombiggity got me a bow after I mentioned i'd like to get into archery...

Here it is

It's AH-mazing- I love it. I like that it's difficult, I like that not many girls actually get into bow hunting. I LOVE that bombdiggity got one too and we do it together.

My strings are pink and green, so my arrows are pink and green..

oh and they glow in the dark- how cool is that?!?!

My latest group:

*Love, Peace and Arrows*

Bling Bling

2011-10-17T19:29:00.001-05:00

Yep! I got a ring!! Bombdiggity proposed September 23, 2011.. and I said yes. More than once.

ahhhh I LURVE my ring... words can't describe...

oh and meet bombdiggity..

without a doubt in my mind, we are a match made in heaven... le sigh..

Date of our nuptials: March 17, 2012... 152 days from today :)

Back in Action

2011-09-13T10:46:00.000-05:00

SO much has gone on since my last blog.. I have landed a great job at my Alma Mater (*GEAUX TIGERS*) and really think that I am going to love working here. It's going to be challenging and yet laid back. More details on that to come.

My guy (whom I will call bombdiggity in the blog) is amazing and things are going so great that I often pinch myself. Bombdiggity spoils me. I cannot lie. I love all of it. Period. I recently mentioned that I would like to venture into the world of Archery... I read about it and researched it. Became completely obsessed with talking about it and "shopping" for the perfect bow... Then.. he bought me one- pics to come soon. I * FREAKING* LOVE IT. It's so much harder than shooting a gun and way cooler.

More details to come...

Imperfectly Perfect

2011-08-10T08:40:00.000-05:00

I am far from perfect- and I am glad. I do not have the perfect job, car, or life. But I am happy. Happy with who I am and who I am with. I am happy - no blessed- that I am loved by my heavenly father who has covered me in his grace. I am loved by a wonderful guy, who knows ALL my flaws, and still wants to be around.

I am a horrid blogger.. I know this. I try- genuinely, but I fail at keeping up with the goings on in my life. Sorry friends. I never feel like my life happenings are important enough to post.

I don't go to church like I should.. I have actually been church hopping for years, I know i need to get planted, but I am still looking. I want one close and yet good for me. Is that too much to ask?? Sunday was actually the first time i'v ebeen in months.. I know. I'm horrible.

I feel like that Fleetwood Mac song- Landslide... ha!

Stars Hollow

2011-06-27T19:27:00.000-05:00

My guilty pleasure: Gilmore Girls. I *flipping* love this show, the random topics, the mother/daughter relationship, the innocence of the show. The whole seven season dvd series is on my secret wish list- I won't lie..

this is a complete random post I know.. but it's a manic Monday.

I am not one to lie around watching the tube, but I could watch the GG's every second of every day. word.

*peace, secrets and stars hollow*

This week

2011-06-15T06:22:00.000-05:00

My bestie is leaving- I posted about her getting married this Summer a while back.. and I am happy for her, but now that means she is moving away. She is following her man.. the man of her dreams. You know when you have that one friend that is closer than a sibling.. the one you can just look at and read their thoughts.. that's Ouiser.

I am overjoyed that she is so happy, and yes, I am helping her pack. We are having our weekly dinner Thursday- it will be the last one for a while. We are going to the place where we first met.. cheesy I know. We were both waitresses at a small restauarant in the country. I was a newbie and she was training me. It was that moment when we started talking that I knew we would be fast friends.. and have been inseperable since. I read a quote today that said " best friends are the siblings God forgot to give you" and with Ouiser that's so true- she is my sister. My eyes are filling with tears as I type this, not because I have a heavy heart- but because I am so relieved to know that she is finally happy and has a man that loves every part of her. She and I have been through so much, never alone but always together, but it hasn't been an easy road for us. Texas (her man) is truly an answered prayer, one that I have prayed for for years. To see the love in his eyes for her allows me to let her go with a peaceful heart and wholeheartedly allows me to share in her genuine excitement. So this week will be full of tears shed, some already this morning, and lots of laughs as I pack her up and hug her goodbye.

*Hugs, memories, and besties*

throwing in the towel...

2011-06-08T07:36:00.000-05:00

I have done it and can't look back now.. my baby business that was blooming so nicely for a long time decided to plummet and die... so the doors have been closed and I am waiting to see what God has in store for the next journey in my life. feelings of failure and disappointment are oozing from my soul right now but I needed to stop the bleeding.

I am waiting for a breathe of fresh air- for a break. It's been a rough month of May for me, I won't lie. Which is why I have been MIA- apologies there. I have also not wanted to "vent" , copmplain of seem like I am whining so I refrained from blogging.. ridiculous i know.

Its been a learning experience, my heart has been opened and has fallen in love..through all my emotional turmoils I have learned and been shown what love is. What real love is. I am shown everyday that he loves me and tells me also- which makes it even better..

Don't mistake this as a "woe unto me" post- because it's not. I am blessed and I thank my God for my blessings everyday.

My Ouiser got Married- now she will be packing and heading to the Lone Star state.. Ugh the though of saying goodbye brings tears to my eyes. She is happier than I've ever seen her and it's all because of Texas (her man- which is what I call him). Amazing what a man can do to a lady :)

Bring on the questions ladies, I am feeling some blog loneliness and would love to get to know y'all better and share more of myself too.

*Hugs, Coffee, and Kisses*

Breathing in, breathing out....

2011-04-11T19:29:00.000-05:00

Overwhelemed- is an understatement right now. I am worried that I have bitten off more than I can chew. I fear that i will fail again. This store is overwhelming me and making me crazy. I feel like it's a cross between paranoia and apprehension. Does that make any sense at all? Probably not but this post will not make perfect sense- of that I am sure.

Do I love what I am doing? Yes. Am I worried about success? every.second.of.every.day. I dream about it, I think of it 24 hours a day 7 days a week. I find myself guzzling reisling and hoping that the next day will be better than today. I think about everything bad that can happen and expecting the worse. I am at a point in my life where I am vulnerable- more that I ever thought possible. More than I *knew* possible. Who me? I am that strong girl- you know, the one that does everything solo. The one who refuses help because it's a "sign of weakness". But as strong as I'd like to think I was- I sit here, with the rain hitting my window and tears stinging my eyes, wondering if I didn't jump into this sooner than I should have.

If I am going to be real- I have to admit my fears. Dude- it's time to wear my feelings on my sleeve. It's time to be real. Do I go out do something crazy? Do I stay responsible? These questions do not even make sense in black and white, much less in my head. So the question I am contemplating in my head currently is: " Do I continue to go out on a limb?" or "Do I throw in the towel?" So as insomnia attacks me tonight- this is what I will be pondering...

Happy Manic Monday

running through my heart....

2011-04-06T13:11:00.000-05:00

Seems I was walking in the wrong direction

I barely recognize my own reflection, now

Scared of love but scared of life alone

Seems I've been playing on the safe side, baby

Building walls around my heart to save me, oh

But it's time for me to let it go

Yeah, I'm ready to feel now

No longer am I afraid of the fall down

It must be time to move on now

Without the fear of how it might end

I guess I'm ready to love again

Just when we think that love will never find you

You've run away, but still it's right behind you, oh

It's just something that you can't control

Yeah, I'm ready to feel now

No longer am I afraid of the fall down

It must be time to move on now

Without the fear of how it might end

I guess I'm ready to love again

So come and find me

I'll be waiting up for you

I'll be holding out for you tonight

Yeah, I'm ready to feel now

No longer am I afraid of the fall down

It must be time to move on now

Without the fear of how it might end

I guess I'm ready, I'm ready to love again

Ooh, I'm ready to love again

Ready to Love Again- Lady Antebellum

Carrie Bradshaw

2011-04-06T12:44:00.000-05:00

I mean- DUHHHH I know she isn't real- but she is amazing. Her sense of style and bravery to wear anything, and I mean anything... but then again I can't help but wonder is Carrie Bradshaw and Sarah Jessica Parker aren't really the same person.. and that Sex in the City was really Sarah's life played out for real.

ya gotta admit. the girl has spunk.

not to mention a life that I can relate too- crazy relationships...

But regardless- she always looks the part. She is a writer and views the world as such.. such an inspiration to me. Rocking body and personality to boot.

Ok so I love Sex in the City- mainly Carrie...Sue me.

Inquiring minds want to know....

2011-03-24T10:17:00.000-05:00

I have decided that in order for my blog to be "real" i need to hear from you (my readers)... so starting today- I will answer ANY question you send my way.. I know that I have been Vague about myself in the past and I am trying to rememdy that immediately.. So ladies.. send your questions my way!

Running through my head... coming from my heart

2011-03-17T22:43:00.000-05:00

She's got a bumper like a billboard

Covered in stickers of her favorite band
She's got a handful of records that she turns to
When she needs to land
She's a saturday night parade through the streets
That all eyes come to see including me
She carries memories around like souvenirs down in her pockets
She should have let some go by now but can't seem to drop it
Says forgiveness ain't nothing but a lifeless tire on the shoulder of her soul
That never rolls

For as much as she stumbled she's runnin'
For as much as she runs she's still here
Always hoping to find something quicker than heaven
To make the damage of her days disappear
Just like Guinevere
Just like Guinevere

She don't hold onto nothin' new for very long
Yeah she writes you in as just one more tale
and then you're gone
She once fell hard 'cause she dropped her guard
And no one gets to stay it's just too late

For as much as she stumbled she's runnin'
For as much as she runs she's still here
Always hoping to find something quicker than heaven
To make the damage of her days disappear
Just like Guinevere
Just like Guinevere

Guinevere- Eli Young Band

Insomnia

2011-03-11T00:57:00.000-06:00

Yes- it's late and I am still awake. Ugh- although I should be used to this. I do not sleep often, especially at night..at night my thoughts run wild. It's when all my emotions that I don't allow myself to feel and deal with during the day- come full fledge at night. Tonight I laid in bed for hours with tears streaming down my cheeks-check yourself, no I am not crazy, I just feel like it- I let things overwhelm me. I let myself over-commit. It's like a disease. "No" doesn't belong in my vocabulary- I know I need to learn- It's something I struggle with.

It's in the still of the night that I allow myself to critique myself, "am I being the best I can be?" It's in the silence that I really deal with issues of the heart- my heart is full for many reasons... family issues are definitely taking priority- is it really too hard for some people to be appreciative of the blessings they have and to learn work ethics? It's in the still of the night that I really allow myself to be the emotional girl that I am. During the day I am the one who "has it all together" who can "encourage" anyone who comes my way and the one that people think "have it all" but I don't. I am not as confident as I may seem, I have a heart that is learning to trust, a heart that is beginning to love again, and I have a brand new business that has become my child and is in need of serious TLC. Just reading my words above bring tears to my eyes..

* i know- second blog in one day about sappy stuff* but hey- now I can't b*tch about not having heartfelt blogs because tonight- it's all heart. Tonight, there is no filter on my thoughts.. they are all tumbling forward.

I know that tomorrow will be beautiful and will have enough of it's mistakes in it- I will embrace it. I will conquer whatever comes my way. Tomorrow I will wish I had fallen asleep earlier, tomorrow will be an adventure in itself..

Sweet Summertime

2011-03-10T08:28:00.000-06:00

There is no hiding my *love* for Summer. I love the smells of sunscreen and the feel of the sun on my skin..- le sigh- Sand between my toes- and yummy drinks in the cooler. The days seem to always be good in the summer.

This Summer I will see my Ouiser marry the man of her dreams, we will have the bridal showers, make memories and maybe say goodbye. Just typing those words brings tears to my eyes.. my heart clenches tight and I can't breathe. She has been my right hand, my rock and closer than my blood sibling. You know that feeling you get when you are thinking something and then someone else says the exact thing you're thinking- that's us in a nutshell. I am happy for her new beginning- thrilled actually, but it's hard to say goodbye. I know that it's not really goodbye- more like a "see ya later". Her man, we will call him Texas, has not been able to find a job here in LA so after May 14th, they will be living in the Lone-Star state. Circumstances may change- a lot can happen in two monthes- but as it stands now- she will be making the move.

With him I know that she will have everything she has ever dreamed about- which makes it easier for me to let her go, with him she is complete. She will make a radiant bride and as she walks down the aisle she will take his breathe away. She will steal his breathe like he has stolen her heart. A real life fairy-tale - the story of dreams coming true. IF being with her Texas means she leaves- then I will be the first to push her away. Friends, true kindred spirits, are hard to come by- therefore take hold of the ones you have and love deeply.

So if Ouiser reads this- which I know she will, she will know that "guh, I got yo back", and that she is my sister in more ways that I can tell her. She knows that I am thrilled about her and her Texas- she knows that I expect bambinos in 11 months, and she knows that I will help her pack, shed some tears and hug her tight... then plan our next Tequila Tuesday night because she is never going to be gone out of my heart.

*Besties, Tears and Tequila*

Blessed

2011-03-01T08:39:00.000-06:00

I really am blessed. Way beyond what I deserve- it's called Grace, thank God for it. I was able to have dinner the other night with two ladies that have inspired me more than I can say. They are both fellow businesswomen and wonderful mommies. We were able to vent, laugh, tease, inspire, dream together, and almost cry as we shared our hearts to each other. We were soberly remind how truly blessed we are to be in each other's lives as well as to have wonderful men supporting us in our adventurous efforts.

I'm inspired to be a better me, to love deeper, to help more, and to give freely. I want to be the person that people remember as having the biggest heart. Was I that horrid before? NO. *snickers* but I was getting discouraged quickly. I have a wonderful support group, i have the best guy, and a best friend that is closer than a sis.. but it's hard to find kindred spirits that love to reach down deep and pull out that creativity. So when you find one, you seem to latch on.. I thrive on other's creative spirits.

What inspires you?

Hotties

2011-02-21T09:09:00.000-06:00

Ok, So I always have my Pandora radio on while I am at the store, and I LOVE listening to new country artists, whether bands or just single artists, I love finiding new peeps to jam to.. these three guys aren't really new but have serious drool quality..

Luke Bryan- yes he is married but still a hottie

Brantly Gilbert

and Easton Corbin

Who do you love to listen too?? What are some bands that you like??

I <3 Zac Brwn band, Josh Abbott Band, Steel Magnolias, Thompson Square and many more...

*Boots, Jeans, and tunes*

WHOOP WHOOP

2011-02-19T11:40:00.000-06:00

I just ordered these and I'm totally STOKED

Call me crazy- but I am obsessed with my boots!!

In my world...

2011-02-18T14:05:00.000-06:00

There has been lots of new things! First, I've shopping for the store- which by the way is UBER therapeutic and fun.. and monogramming like crazy..if you aren't friends with me on FB, please consider it because I do ship/mail orders. *Monogramming & More, LLC* and you can also add me *Margen LaBauve*

Just a sneak peak at some new stuff

Like I said- very SMALL sample of what I have..

Now for a personal blog.. I am so blessed. Sometimes it blows my mind when I sit back and think of what I have in my life. Is my life perfect- um not even close. If you would have asked me at 21 what I would be doing at 27- Owning a store is not what I would have said, but i love it.. No really I do.

I also found someone who gives me butterflies and makes me smile/laugh constantly. *another blessing* and yes, he reads my blog now and so I have to watch what I say about him... can't have him getting a big head.

I am content for the first time in years. Content that I am where I am supposed to be in life and that trusting God is what I will continue to do.

*Love, Hope and Peace*

Regrets

2011-01-28T23:07:00.001-06:00

My last post I "talked" about how I wanted to read more "real life" blogs.. well who better to start that then me. So most of you (if you've been following me for more than a year) remember me talking about planning a wedding and such.. yeah well that is something I regret.

Let me back way up... I met the Ex one week after after breaking off a 6 year relationship.. rebound much? Yes indeed. But I was determined to make myself heal, so that I didn't feel like such a lost soul. I was looking for something to take my mind off my extreme heartache.. the Ex was there. I can't believe I am saying/typing this, but the truth is the truth. After time I made myself ignore his MAJOR flaws and told myself that I was happy and that he cared. I did care about him, but only because I saw him as a project, I was not "in love" I just didn't want to be alone. I was tired of being rejected.

I wanted to settle down, I wanted to be loved, I wanted to be a wife. But not to him. Not to someone who didn't appreciate me or what I did for him, or even the person I am. The Ex and I were together for two long and miserable years. You know how you have that moment where you think you know someone.. and then all of a sudden your world changes and your vision becomes clear. I remember it clear as day.. I was sitting there staring at him and I thought "I don't want to marry this guy, I don't want to be miserable for the rest of my life". But what to do?? HELLO- this thought didn't hit me until three weeks before the real wedding date.. what to do? If I call it off, my beautiful plans would be ruined, my perfect day would never happen..

I agonized over it for days.. I cried, prayed, didn't dare tell anyone.. andd tried to talk to the Ex about my feelings.. well yeah that was a mistake. It was then I found out the truth.. he no more loved me than the next person... I was nothing more than someone that he used while it was convenient. I was not the love of his life... I actually cared and loved him. I wanted to and tried to be there for him.. but It was a joke to him. The grass was greener on the other side for him.. something that had been going on for months.. within a week the whole "relationship" that I thought we had came crumbing down... i was not the only one, and I had been lied to for months. Was he sorry? no, i believe I got a "I'm sorry for ruining the hell out of your perfect day" as an apology.

Ugh- the regret haunts me still. It's been a year and yet I remember it all like it was yesterday. The pain still flares up at times..but it's not heartache. It's regret. I hate that I wasted time on someone who wouldn't even apologize. That I thought I could change someone, like I meant that much to him that he would want to be a better person. Some people don't want help and push away all forms of it, as in this case. The point of this blog I guess was to explain what happened.. I felt that I owed you that much. I have deleted all my posts about the wedding so that I can't go back and read the "happy" words that I posted.

But the truth is that I am happy. For the first time in years, I am truly happy. I have acceped my life and who I am and I am happy with where I am. Did I make the right decision calling it all off? Absolutely- that is something I do NOT regret. I am so blessed that I have the amazing friends and family that I have, they supported me and continue to support me.. Making the decision was hard.. but who said the good things in life were easy??

Running through my head...

2011-01-26T23:24:00.000-06:00

She wants her nails painted black

She wants the toy in the crackerjack

She wants to ride the bull at the rodeo

She wants to wear my shirt to bed

She wants to make every stray a pet

N' Drive around in my truck with no place to go

But she needs to feel that fire

The one that lets her know for sure

She's everything I want and more

Her real desire, Is to know I'd walk alone out on the wire

To make her feel that fire

She wants a cabin in the woods

She wants to stand where nobody stood

And someday she wants a couple kids of her own

She wants to make love on a train

And some days she only wants a break

Hey but she wants what she wants, but man I know I know I know

She needs to feel that fire

The one that lets her know for sure

She's everything I want and more

Her real desire, Is to know I'd walk alone out on the wire

To make her feel that fire

Yeah, feel that fire

So as long as there's a breath to take

A smile to share, a prayer to pray

A chance to hold her hand to fan the flame

She's gonna feel that fire

The one that lets her know for sure

She's everything I want and more

Her real desire, Is to know I'd walk alone out on the wire

Yeah, to make her feel that fire

Ohh feel that fire

She wants her nails painted black

She wants the toy in the crackerjack

She wants to ride the bull at the rodeo

Feel the Fire- Dierks Bently

Time to unload

2011-01-25T11:27:00.000-06:00

What do you use your blog for? Mine is a Journal..I use it to unwind. To let you lovely readers get a glimpse into my life. It's not to rant about all the things I want to buy or some silly shallowness like that.

Am I being bitchy- you better believe it. I am going to be forced to "unfollow" some bloggers due to the lack of content in their blogs. I mean really? Can we not have out brains and use them for opening up and sharing what's really going on in our lives without lacing our blogs with nonsense. I don't always want to know what your favorite pair of heels are that week..I want to know that you are real and struggling through life like me. I want to know where my kindred spirits are out there. I want to know that I am not the only one that things deeper than what I am going to buy this weekend, or where my favorite place to shop is.

I want to know all about my readers/followers. I love writing about my weeks,days and months. But hesitate to do so because I don't want to lose followers or bore y'all. I want to be able to cast my thoughts out there and have you comment, criticize or correct me.. I want interaction and I want to develop friendships through this blog world...

What are your thoughts??

*Love, thoughts and Blogs*

Organization

2011-01-17T21:44:00.000-06:00

Even though in this day and age we have so many ways to stay organized- I still seem to fall back on the old faithful.. A personal day planner- This is how I graduated college, this is how I never missed a class, test, or work.. It's kept in my purse. I know. I have my iphone and I can use it to help with my calendar but I still like writing it down. I like seeing the ink on paper.. weird? I like to use post it notes on my computer screen I like different colored ink for different agenda items. OCD much- I do believe so.

How do you keep it together?

New reads

2011-01-14T12:58:00.000-06:00

Ladies, I need some help! I need some new titles to read! I've read everything I have so far and need some new reads.... I want the real deal too, no electronic books for this gal.

Ideas? Please send them to me!

Humpday Happiness

2011-01-12T11:04:00.000-06:00

Three posts in two days-- WOOOAHHH I know. However, I am finding this blogging thing once again theraputic.

So, What's making you happy on this Humpday??

I am loving that I got a new pair of boots for Christmas

(Yes this is the actual pair)

I am loving that scarves are once again in style

What are you loving?