Yes I am still alive and BLESSED! Thought I would share the most recent, biggiest and most exciting news in my life,since my last post last year, to those who still come by to see if the blog dust has been wiped off ;op.

I am now MARRIED! :) Now, don't even ask me about the knitting LOL. See our wedding story and pics below. Hope all is well and yarny with each of you!! Until next time!

Bride:
Stacey Michelle Richards, 35
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Groom:
Christopher Kerry Henderson, 42
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Hometown of the Bride:
Racine, WI
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Hometown of the Groom:
Huntersville, NC
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Wedding Date:
4/1/2011
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Wedding Location:
We had a courthouse wedding in Charlotte, NC!
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Occupation of the Bride:
Nonprofit Professional
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Occupation of the Groom:
Independent Contractor
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Alma Mater of the Bride:
Johnson C. Smith University
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Alma Mater of the Groom:
North Mecklenburg High School
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How they met:
‘Chris and I met nine months ago on a rainy Friday night in August, 2010, at our church singles bowling event,’ Stacey said. ‘We were on the same bowling team.

We really did not take any special note of one another until the end of the evening, when I mentioned needing to get up early to go running. Chris immediately piped up and said he was a runner too and wanted to meet up with me.

We quickly began getting to know each other during our predawn runs each week, and he kept asking me out until one day I decided to give him, and love, a try. We started courting one another within a month.’
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The moment they realized they wanted to be a couple for life:
‘There really isn’t an exact moment we can pinpoint that we decided to be together for a lifetime. The more we learned about each other the more we realized we were made for each other.

Soon after we ran our first race together back in October 2010, a half marathon (13.1 miles), and went on a trip to visit my family, we were certain that we had won each other's hearts!

Chris describes our relationship best. He says we are “a match made in heaven reunited on earth.”
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The Proposal:
‘When we both decided to enter into a courtship, with the specific intent to be married, we discussed it many times and we prayed continuously that we were making the right decision.

During these discussions we not only talked about how marriage would be for us, but what kind of wedding we would like to have, and before we knew it we were planning a wedding … without a formal proposal.

It was all so natural we just flowed right into it! I always joke that Chris got off easy!’
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The Wedding:
‘When selecting our wedding date, we really took a look at the dates and the significance of them. We wanted it to be meaningful.

We selected the 1st of the month because the number one means GODhead, unity and undivided. We both love the month of April since both of our birthdays are in this month and our favorite season is spring. Yes, April 1st, April Fools Day!

This meant we would have just a little over a month to plan the wedding! We thought, 'How appropriate to celebrate our wedding on April Fool's Day, since no one would believe that we got married so quickly.' It fit us perfectly!

The week leading up to the wedding was rainy and we were concerned the actual day would be gloomy, but that afternoon the sun came out and it was simply beautiful.

The trees and flowers were blooming and it was the perfect cool spring temperature.

We were surprised and delighted to see how many couples were getting married on April Fools Day at the courthouse, and as each couple came out there was a wave of cheers that gave an element of fun and excitement.

We selected royal purple as our accent color for the wedding. I had a vintage look in a unique ivory dress, birdcage veil and royal purple shoes to add flare.

We had a small wedding cake celebration afterwards that gave us an opportunity to exchange our intimate and personal vows with each other and express our love in front of our close family and friends. Chris’ mother made the wedding cake which added a special touch to the day.

Some of our guests were oblivious to the ‘special announcement’ we were about to make, which added to the April Fools Day surprise.

Guests had the option to complete a “Love Note” sharing any wedding sentiments or marriage advice to us. This was a unique twist and expansion on the guestbook, as the ribboned cards were later slipped into the extra pages to be remembered.

It was just what we wanted for our wedding day. To be effortless, meaningful and filled with joy!’
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The Honeymoon:
‘We took a couple of mini weekend getaways in our wedding month, all of which were centered around the mountains. We visited Biltmore Estates during the Festival of Flowers and got some quality quiet time at a private mountain home. It was a wonderful way of enjoying our wedding bliss!’
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Their Plans:
‘Our personal backgrounds made us realize why we were brought together. We know that through a ministry in GOD, we are to help others overcome the obstacles we have been through. We compliment each other in that Chris is a visionary and I am an organizer.

As we plan to work together in ministry, we also look forward to starting a family soon.’
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Advice to Others:
‘Make your wedding your own personal statement, and know it is not based on man’s approval but GOD’s approval.

We highly recommend 50 kisses a day (Seriously, it works.) And to always keep GODas your first love, coming together in prayer daily.’

Hey Now!
Still not much knitting over here. Maybe tonight during a Redbox movie since it has been a low key Sunday and all.

I haven't felt our lost hour yet due to Daylight Saving Time (DST) but don't doubt it will catch up with me in the A.M. lol

So I thought I would share some odds and ends that has been going on recently.

I painted the town on Friday night with a couple of girlfriends like it was my birthday (but it wasn't...coming up soon though!!), and I also splurged on painting my nails with some of this

Ava turned me onto this nailpolish waaaay back when (& purchased the same color on the same day as me! Tee hee), but I never tried it b/c it truly is a splurge LOL Recently I have been seeing this nail color on a couple of people from their Spring 2010 line and finally caved.

It's like a puddy/brown colour (see the two different lightings) and reminds me more of a fall color than spring, but I've been coveting it for about 2 months now so I go it when they said it was in stock (has been hard to get since it debuted). LUVIN the natural look. There really is a difference! It goes on so effortlessly and is smooth and thick...pure quality indeed. Gonna put a top coat on it and see how it holds up with all my typing this week.

I also got to hang out with a fellow knitter and Soror DeltaPurl

We ate GAWD at the Cheesecake Factory and than walked around the mall to window shop all the irresistible eye candy merchandise Haha! Great to see you gurl!

And of course I am still running :) I've been prepping for my 10K race at the end of this month.

I am really excited about it b/c it will be a mini getaway as well. I luv Charleston and hear this race is really fun! Can't wait!

Welp that is it for now...just may have a completed project by the end of this month?!? Haha!

Have a Blessed Week!

I started out with the Couch to 5K program and then slowly progressed to now being able to run 3.1 miles= 5K (give or take on the day ;op).

And actually ran my first 5K race today!!!

Yep I am putting my knitted hats to good use :)

It was a challenging goal accomplished and it felt victorious!

For more details and to follow me on my new journey you can do so on my new running blog at: www.runcrimsonrun.blogspot.com

This summer I have fallen in luv with a few items. And here are my most recent ones:

Since it is an ice box at my place of employment ;op I now drink a lot...A LOT of tea to stay warm there.

I've always wanted to get into loose teas and last month I jumped into it! I saw this great contraption on my blog friend Chan's site. And so.glad.I.did!!

This is THE best invention for tea drinkers!

You place the loose tea in the little basket, fill it up with hot water, and drink from the top!! The other best feature is that the tumbler is dishwasher and microwave safe - SOLD!! Anything that makes an indulgence easier!!

Edit: I was remiss in not letting you all know where I got this wonderful tea tumbler from and I purchased it from Target (here)! If you can't find it in store you should be able to order here online ($5 bucks cheaper at Tar-jay though)

I LURVE this item so much I got it in all three colors ;op

I just couldn't believe that gift set was marked down to $7 bucks! Just Wow! Lurves a bargain :oD

Some of you may know I collect elephants, and really like to get unique/different kindThis one has both of my fav colors in it (purple & red) and lurves that she wrote my name on the leg too! My new heart elephant figurine :)


A couple of weeks ago I made it to the Asheville mountains for an art festival (it was great!!)
Well it was also extremely hot with the sun beating on us!! THIS stuff right here..is wonderful on my extra melanin self ;o) with the 70+ spf and lurves that is a spray on!! Yay!

And my most BELOVED to-date item right now......

:oD I am ab-so-lute-ly IN LUUUUUURVE!! It has totally altered my life! I rarely sign onto my real computer (which makes for back reading on blogs....sorry!) and luv all the apps that I have on it. It is so seamless and smooth!!

I am stone cold in love!! So much so I named it Sanchez ;o) LOL

Well now you know what I've been in love with this summer

Enjoy August!!

Over the weekend I took notice that I've really been into a few items lately and call it "My Trend Year" of the:

Fedora Hats (for a little swagger when I decide to 'paint' the town Haha)
Rose Rings (just can't get enough of these!!)
And the luv of actually wearing purple lately (down to the toe nails)
Got those cute purple hot pants for a steal!! (and there goes my rose theme again)

What trend has been marking your year??

So Happy 2nd day of March! I can't believe the first quarter of the year is quickly coming to an end!!

And guess what we got last night on the 1st day of this month ;op

Finally some real snow!! Nothing record breaking, but enough to shut down our city again! LOL Workfree day!! Woot! Woot!

I heard the kids late last night playing in it! Haha!
Look a snowman by them!

Speaking of March it is also National Crochet Month!! One of the Purls (Donna) sat down with me and another Purl (Pam) in our knit/crochet group to show us how to do
Granny Squares!! Bet you can tell which one is mine huh?? LOL (hint: the messy one) You really can't call yourself a true crocheter until you've done one of these! Hahaha!

And it is also Malabrigo March too!!! Yay!!!

I promised myself I would pull out my BTS vest from its plastic chamber and work on it this monthAfterall it is out of the beautiful Rhodesian malabrigo (why she is called Ms. Rho). She has been in hibernation for about a year now....le sigh

So the Malabrigo Junkie KALs may actually get me to work on a longtime WIP instead of starting something new...pooh

I did finish my pimlico shrug (in Malabrigo too!) and today would have been a perfect day to get pics of it in the snow! But my one minor problem is not having an available snapper...again. Will be back with that F.O. post eventually, until then

Some of you may have heard about our "snow" here in the south this past week.
I said it that way because it is our typical yearly event (2-4") that melts by the end of the day! LOLBut it has been "cold" (said that way b/c it is for us!) here; and besides my mittens keeping me warm lots of yummy teas have
My double brew of white pomegranate and peppermint tea in my new fav mug. I am getting ready to upgrade to some Teavana!

and favorite comfort foods
My good ole winter standby of grilled cheese on whole grain bread (lil crisp haha) and tomato basil soup!

And weekend breakfasts has consisted of
Scramble egg whites with cheese and more whole grain bread with sugar free raspberry jam (so y'all know what I ate this Sunday morning!)

And one of my girlfriends knows how much I lurve lurve LURVE Garrett's popcorn (you can only get in Chicago). So on New Years Day she brought me a bag back from her layover there
That barely made it thru the day!!! Lurve my cheese and caramel mix snack!
It didn't stand a chance and was demolished and devoured within 24 hours! LOL

My lips and fingers could not even lie! ;op

Lawd help me!! :oD My body still has yet to recover from all of my holiday eating....sigh Haha

Happy Friday!!! :o)

Today's blogstalking is about what is on my laptop wallpaper. I switch mine up often according to what is going on with me or how I am feeling.

So here it is now!
Thanks Sheila for the inspiration!

And I maintain that our local community (for the most part) caused this large imbalance of supply and demand. Did it to ourselves!! Shish.....

The pic above was the line I waited in on Saturday to get gas...not bad at all considering what I have seen all across town! Only waited a smooth 15-20 minutes for it, and that was short!!

This is the service woman directing traffic

(excuse all photos taken on my cheap camera phone ;op)

Yes folks have even been getting indignant in some cases over getting gas, hence the blue suits coming out to regulate at the pump lines!

And others have been severely impacted by this self-imposed gas shortage by not being able to get to work, and having a terrible domino affect on them maintaining their livelihood.

Folks were even being pushed into the gas station b/c they ran out while waiting!!
Thank goodness I have had the foresight and resources not to wait that long.

Someone asked me a few blog posts ago about the gas situation here and how much we were paying since they have been hearing about it on national newsThat is pretty good here, as anywhere at any moment you could be paying as much as $4.19 for the lowest grade. And the higher octane for the luxury cars are the most priceless commodity.

I hear that Atlanta and Nashville are having the same gas issues too.

For those who are interested in seeing more Click Here to see a video that someone did to show what the hunt for gas is like here!

But I am not & have not worried about it, as I truly know GOD has everything under control!

Weeeeeeeell I never intended to be so silent this long,
but just know life has been really busy for me and my blogging mojo is still very very weak. As it already took every ounce of me to get this post together! ;o)
Thought my blog makeover would help me a bit...but.....

So on top of all of this I have been very very bad......because at the beginning of this year I received a book to review and have yet to do it!! However, I have looked thru it and have already gleaned quite a few tips, and some of the guide charts to be helpful! I will definitely come back to give its proper due!! In the meantime, you can visit her fabulous blog here!

I brought this book up to say with our economy in the toilet and the need to stretch our dollars a little longer it is right on time!!

I have always been big on finding a deal when shopping for clothes, but lately good finds have been wonderful gold mines for me!!

Here is what I have been into lately and over the summer time:

Budget (notice I am not saying cheap) shoes. Not one pair is over $15-$20!!!
See my fake L.ouboutin shoes. :o) Tee hee! And I forgot to put my new burgundy T.ahari in the photo which I just got last night for only $30 bucks! They are baaaad.

And I've recently had this thing for bargain purses from T.arget.com (where they are on clearance) this summer

I rocked the heck out of that off white purse for only $8 bucks!! The other ones were only $10!! Y'all know my love for Tarjay ain't going nowhere! In fact, I need to get some stock in that joint!! ;op Haha!

And my most recent frenzy has been getting budget suits from R.oss for my new job!!! Yay!
Getting great bargain prices for a new business wardrobe has been great! I spent anywhere from $20 (yes you read that right) - $40 for an ENTIRE suit!!! Are you kidding me?!?!? You really can dress for less there! Don't sleep on them now!! I also get all my "formal"/cocktail dresses from there too!

Alright...quick fashion question. I just got this suit on clearance and it is off white

Q: So it is almost the official end of summer, but if I put a black or chocolate shirt underneath it could I still wear it after the 21st?? Put your 2 cents in please! :o)

As far as knitting...nothing to report. :o(

I haven't picked up my sticks in about two weeks now...sigh....pray for a knitting revival over here! Haha!

Make it a fabulous weekend!!

Things have been just fine my way, but I really haven't been in the mood to blog....hence the dry spell.

Visiting some of my friends and some coming by to see me :o)I went to an AWESOME concert a few weeks agoHave I mentioned how I LUV LUV LUV J.ill S.cott?!?!? And how she came to the Queen City and worked it o-u-t!! Yay! LUV HER!!!

I had some j.ell-o fun

What!! I have been good over here! ;op

See! I even took in an art & culture event by going to this play

It was really good!! I had the book for yeeeeaaaars and never read it, so I thought I would go see it instead! :o) Of course now I am reading it!

And in efforts to dispell my selfish knitting

I have been cranking out some charity knitting washcloths with the Charlotte Purls.

Hope you all have a great week!! I will be back with some LYS visit updates.

Until next blog time! Be well! :o)

Yesterday, someone got me caught up in this...dare I say..."tag"...Ugh!! I hate tags and memes.

But when I started looking at it more, to me I considered it more blogstalking and not answering a bunch of random questions. ;op

Hence, my new installment of blogstalking today! :o)

The deal is to show what is hiding behind my fridge, cabinets, and pantry. Kewl.

Here is how my fridge looks like on the outside. I like putting magnets of places where I have traveled on there (on the side of it too), and gotta have my niece's art work up as well!

And here is a quick peek at what is going on top of my fridge

I usually like my water at room temperature (but take it either way). And I have my Christmas canister from my beloved G.arrett's popcorn (which was inhaled 2.2 minutes flat! Haha)

Well since Patrice caught me with this "request" at the end of the week I really need to "make groceries" ;op Haha! My frequent place of shopping for those essentials are T.rader J.oes and H.arris T.eeter. I am in need to pay them a visit right about now! LOL

I normally don't have that many drinks in my refrig, but had some hosting I was doing so...there you have it. Typically I only have water, milk, and diet ginger ale. Haha! That is it!

Random food at the bottom was from my job's cook out we had yesterday.

Nothing exciting in there! Told ya! I need to "make groceries" (I am teasing someone every time I say that...I really don't say that! How in the world do you go "make" some groceries! Haha!) and I don't cook often.

So there you have it! A single woman's frig! Haha!

And I throw (literally) a few things in the freezer

Crab cakes, salmon (which just reminded me to take a couple filets out), TV dinners (yes I still call them that!), veggies, and gotta have some ice cream up in there! Yes...my stuff is just stacked up like that..no order! Haha!

And don't even ask me how long I have had those candle holders in my freezer...literally years!! I never have the ice machine on. I hate stale ice. ;op

Above the stove is where I keep my spices and things when I do get the fancy to whip up something! ;o)

Gotta have good ole L.awry's seasoning! That is just the bare basics right there!

And in my pantry it looks like this

Mmmhmm not much there either! Haha!

My teas, white chocolate coco from Caribou (LUV!), gotta have my straws (I never drink straight from a can), and some soup (usually have more but it is hot out now).

I would have cereal and oatmeal in there..but yeah...I gotta "make some groceries" ;op

As you can see my Foreman grill does not get a workout anymore, and we won't talk about how long that champagne has been sitting there...many many years too! lol

Then I have the infamous pile of plastic bags that I just push down every time I open up the door! Hahaha! I so have not gone all the way "green" ;o)

Alright! That is enough of my biz for now! Haha!