Emerald Isle

When I was working in Emerald Isle, I drove to a public beach access to see how there beach compared to Wrightsville Beach. Well, the beach isn't as wide but the water is a little bluer. The one thing that impressed me and I thought was absolutely amazing were the shrimp boats. There were probably about 8 boats not far from the shore fishing. I took some pictures because I figured I would probably not see anything like this again. I wanted to share a few pics with you.

Scenic Pics...

Here are some pics that I took from little towns that have been close to where I've been working.

Two Things

I found this on someone's blog and I thought it would be fun to do.

1. Two names I go by: Jennifer & Jenn
2. Two things I am wearing right now: Sweater and Jeans
3. Two things I want (or have) in a relationship: Love & Trust
4. Two things I like to do: Travel and Shop
5. Two things I want very badly in this moment: Dinner and my bed
6. Two things I did last night: watched tv and went to the grocery store
7. Two things I ate today: cereal and subway sandwhich
8. Two persons I last spoke to: my mom and clients
9. Two things I am doing tomorrow: working and working
10. Two favourite days of the week: Saturday and Sunday
11. Two favourite holidays: Christmas and 4th of July
12. Two favourite beverages: Diet Coke and Sweet Tea
13. Two things about me that you may not have known: I can be very shy and I love to sing when I'm alone
14. Two jobs that I have had in my life: Marketing Representative and waitress
15. Two movies I would watch over and over: Legally Blonde and Clueless
16. Two places I have lived: Mississippi and North Carolina
17. Two of my favourite food: Mexican and Seafood
18. Two places I would rather be right now: no where

And here is another question: What are the 5 gifts you would buy for Yourself this Christmas, if you had unlimited income? And here are my answers.
1. A house
2. A trip around the world
3. I would purchase a whole new wardrobe
4. A new car
5. A boat

So excited, he can't stand it...

Brian is getting all excited about Christmas. Click on the link and you won't be disappointed.

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9632409919

Childhood memories...

On Yahoo's home page, they had a list of shows that will be airing in the next few days and I cannot wait. I actually have these on DVD, but I love watching them on regular cable network. They certainly bring back memories from when I was a little girl. I have to say, my all time favorite is Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. I don't know what it is about it, but I love it so. I just remember getting so excited when it came on TV, and it usually came on right before Christmas and it seemed like it only came on once. Its a definite classic. I wonder if kids today enjoy it as much as I did. Here's a list of Christmas classics that I loved watching.

1. Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

2. Frosty the Snowman

3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

4. Santa Claus is Coming to Town

5. Twas' the Night Before Christmas

6. Charlie Brown Christmas

7. Yogi Bear's First Christmas

8. A Very Smurfy Christmas

9. A Christmas Story

10. The Year Without Santa Claus

11. Mickey's Christmas Carol

Getting in the spirit.

Tonight I decided I would bake some Christmas cookies to get myself in the Christmas spirit. I know your probably like, Jennifer, you have all your decorations up and your not in the spirit? I'm telling you, this weather is throwing me all off. Plus, today is December 1 so I still have some time. I did enjoy baking and decorating the cookies....although, they are a little messy looking. I only decorated a few and just iced the rest. I don't have the patience to do tidies work when all your going to do is eat them. Plus, God did not give the gift of being an artist. I stink at decorating, especially cookies and cakes. At least I can say I tried. I'm just happy they taste good.

(I ran out of room in writing Christmas)

Just around the corner...

I tried to post pictures of our decorated home a few days ago and something happened. Everything that I had typed and all my pictures dissappeared and I didn't feel like redoing it all over again. So, I'm going to make this blog short and sweet. We have our house all decorated for the Christmas holiday and I think it looks pretty good. The way the house is laid out, its really hard to make everything flow. I guess you have to settle with whatcha got. Anyway, here are a few pics. I just wish the weather was a little cooler.

Our undecorated Christmas tree

I'm sure your wondering why on earth we have our Christmas tree up so early (2 weeks early to be exact), but I have my reasons. A week or so ago Brian ordered our Christmas tree from Balsam Hill and this sucker came in two large boxes. One box came on a Thursday and the other came on Friday. I thought the company accidentally sent us two trees until I looked at the packing slip and it said that were to get two boxes. Now, when an artificial tree comes in two large boxes wouldn't you put it up early so you can see how big it is. Also, I wanted to make sure it wasn't too tall (9 feet) for our house and that we actually have a place to up it. Well, it took over an hour to put it up. It wasn't difficult putting it together, but we had to fix the branches. All I have to say is that this is a B-E-A-UTIFUL tree. It looks like a real tree, except it doesn't have the real tree smell. Maybe I'll buy the smell in the can....maybe not, I'm sure it really doesn't smell good. Overall, I love this tree. It will take years to fill it with ornaments. I think the ornaments that we have now will only cover a small portion of the tree. We had a Charlie Brown Christmas tree before this one, so we don't have a whole lot of ornaments. Anyway, is this a big tree or what?

This weekend I also bought a wreath and garland from Pottery Barn. I think it's going to look so good on the mantel. Here are pics from there website. When I have the mantel decorated, I will post some pics.

Say a prayer for me tomorrow. I'm taking my drivers license test (written) tomorrow so I can have my NC license. Let's hope that I will pass this thing :)

I'm so HaPpY!!

We got a Christmas tree...yea! Well, we ordered it off the internet yesterday. We should have it in about a week. After tons of researching on the internet and looking at the trees at Lowes and Home Depot, I think we found the perfect artificial prelit Christmas tree. I found a website called Balsam Hill and the trees looked really good. There trees were even on the set of Ellen DeGeneres show, so they should be pretty good. I let Brian pick the tree, of course I had some say in it as well, but I let him make the final decision on which one to get. We decided to go with the 9' Ocala Spruce Pine with clear lights. Brian wanted colored, but I told him no on that one. I'm not crazy about the colored lights. We can have colored lights when we have kids. I think we're going to happy with this tree. What do you think?

I know, I know...

My apologies for being away for so long. October has been a very busy month for the Kinard's. For starters, Brian celebrated his 31st birthday on the 6th. I think he had a pretty good birthday. We went away for the weekend to Lake Lure... about 30 minutes from Asheville. We hiked Chimney Rock, played on the rocks in the river and had delicious food. I believe Brody really enjoyed himself (yes, we brought our child along). I do believe he was a happy little dog that whole weekend. I think Brian enjoyed himself as well. It was nice doing something for him since he does a lot for me. I'm sorry I don't have pics on my computer from this trip...I guess I never added them.

The next weekend, we went to Mississippi to friends and family. We spent the night with Curtis that Friday night and with my parents that Saturday night. Brian, Curtis and I went to the Bin and had a few beverages. Saturday, my Dad and sister-in-law came up and us three had lunch at Petty's BBQ in which I found a piece of hair (not mine) in my sandwich. Needless to say I lost my appetite. Suzanne met with a friend and my Dad and I went to the MSU vs. Tennessee game. Brian and Curtis hung out. I figured they needed some guy time and plus I wanted to spend some quality time with my Dad. I have very few opportunities for that...I'll take what I can get. After the game, we met up with Brian and went home. Suzanne and Audrey spent the night, too. Chris couldn't make it sadly because of work. It was great seeing Suzanne and Audrey. I haven't seen Suzanne since Christmas last year and I hadn't seen Audrey since April. That little girl is growing up so fast! It was great seeing my Mom too :) It was a very short weekend, but it was a great weekend. I can't wait to go back for Christmas this year! Here are a couple of pics from the trip.

The following weekend was my 27th birthday. I cannot believe I'm actually 27...three years away from being 30. It really doesn't seem that long. I swear, I think the older you get, the faster time flies. We didn't do anything for my birthday. I didn't want to go anywhere since we've been gone every weekend for the past month. We were actually suppose to go on a hot air balloon ride, but that feel through. Instead, I went shopping. I bought a few tops, jewelry and shoes. We had Mexican for dinner and went bowling. I finally beat Brian in a game...that has never happened! He's so good at it. He's one of these people who either bowls a strike or spare...it's aggravating. I was happy I finally beat him and he said he didn't let me win. I believe him I suppose.

This past weekend was another relaxing weekend. Friday night we hung out at home. We were actually asleep by 10pm. Saturday, we got up and had breakfast at IHop which was delicious. That afternoon we went to a movie and watched Dan In Real Life...highly recommended. I loved that movie. Brian said it was a super chick flick. The remainder of the afternoon, I bought a few Christmas decorations. I know, I'm getting a little ahead, but I want to get the good items before they are all gone.

In between all the weekend fun was work of course. That's nothing to write about though. No need to bore you on that subject. Hopefully, I won't be away for so long. Life gets in the way for the little things.

A Nice Weekend

Sunday evening I returned from my weekend trip to Nashville. Well, technically Columbia, TN. I actually almost missed my connecting flight in Charlotte because my flight from Wilmington didn't arrive until 5:30pm and my flight to Nashville left at 5:45. I definitely can say that I got my exercise running. I was the last person to bored. It would have been my luck if I missed it since that was my first time to fly by myself.

We had a good time. We didn't do much. Just stayed at the house and played with Irie. She's too cute. She just smiled and just talking away. Well, not actually talking, but baby talk. So sweet. It was great seeing Summer and Chad. I haven't seen Chad since the wedding and haven't seen Summer since her baby shower this past March. That has been the longest I've gone not seeing either one of them. I told Summer I'll have to come back when Sex and the City comes out in theaters next year. I know Brian won't want to watch it with me. Plus, it wouldn't be as fun.

I was happy to come home Sunday. I missed my two guys. Brody was certainly happy to see me. I probably thought I had abandoned him. Of course, I would never do that.

Going to Nashville...woo-hoo...

Tomorrow is almost here and cannot wait. I finally get to see Miss Irie Layne Zelinski, Summer and Chad's little girl. Grant it yes, I'm looking forward to seeing them as well, but just looking forward to seeing that sweet baby girl. It will be GREAT seeing Summer since I haven't seen her since March. I do believe this has been the longest we've gone without hanging out. When I was living in Starkville, I would go about once a month. Any who, I think we will have a good time.

Summer will be picking me up from the airport tomorrow evening and we're going out to dinner (just us girls). That will be wonderful for the both of us....we'll be able to really catch up. Although, we talk on the phone just about everyday, but nothing beats face-to-face conversations. I'm just hoping the flight goes well. This will be my first time flying by myself...I'm a little nervous I have to admit. I'm not worried about having to wait for my connecting flight in Charlotte, but its the flying part. Grant it, I like to fly, but it's the whole taking off and landing that I don't enjoy...oh yeah, and the crashing... I won't have Brian there to take my mind off of it. I am carrying our portable DVD player so I can watch a movie while in flight. Unfortunately, I can't watch it as soon as I get on the plane since your not allowed to have electronic devices turned on while taking off. Fabulous. I'm sure everything will go fine. That's just not my ideal way of dying. Alright, let me get off this subject or I won't be going at all.

I will be sure to take lots of pictures and have them posted next week. That is, if I'm still alive...

Crazy Thursday night...

I just LOVE living in this town! Let me set the picture. My regional manager, Mary Stewart, worked with me Wednesday, Thursday and Friday last week and we had a good time. The whole time we rode together, all she talked about was how cool it would be if we saw one of the characters from One Tree Hill. They are currently filming for the fall season. I've watched the show a couple of times, but I was familiar with Chad Michael Murray because he played in Freaky Friday and A Cinderella Story. Sure, of course it would be cool to see one of the characters. Its not often that you have that opportunity. Anyway, we went to dinner Wednesday night towards Wrightsville Beach and had a relaxing night. We split appetizers and had a couple of drinks. We were pretty tired, so we called it a night.

Thursday we made our two tales in Beulaville and called it a day. Mary Stewart wanted to go downtown for dinner. So, Brian and I met her around 6:30pm at Elijahs and had dinner and drinks. The food was wonderful and the drinks were even better. The restaurant closed at 10:00pm and we weren't ready to call it a night. We asked the bartender where a good place to go and he said The Reel Cafe. So we walked there and sat outside and ordered drinks. They had a band playing and the weather felt so good. After being there for about 30 minutes, I had to go to the bathroom. So, I went up stairs and did my business and when I walked out, I saw this guy with a Reggie Bush jersey on leaning against the wall talking to someone. When I walked out, I looked his way and we locked eyes and low-in-behold it was Chad Michael Murray. My face went blank and I was going to ask if that was him, but all I could say was hey. He said "how's it going" and I walked downstairs....actually rushed down the stairs to tell Mary Stewart. She liked to have DIED! She walked to the bathroom and when she was walking up, he was coming down. She was flipping out. I wouldn't have acted crazy if she hadn't been talking about it the whole entire time. When she came back outside, she wanted me to go inside to the bar with her. I really didn't want to because of the dumb ass look I had on my face. To be nice, I did. We go inside and sat at the bar and ordered a drink. I told her to go ask for a picture, but she didn't want to. She pulled out her phone and took a picture while they were getting up to leave. They walked out and this guy comes over and asked if she got a pic. She said yes and he said that we should have asked and would have taken one with us. He said he worked on the production of Once Tree Hill and said they go out all the time. So, next time I see them out to ask for a pic. Anyway, it was pretty exciting and he's so cute. Brian thought we were crazy. Like I said, I wouldn't have acted nutty if Mary Stewart hadn't talked about it so much. It was definitely an awesome night.

Need a handbag for an event??

Okay, I think this really neat and kind of thinking of joining. I was watching some show on TLC last night and they were talking about a website that you can go to and borrow designer handbags and jewelry by the week, month or year. This is basically Netflix for handbags...how cool is that? Here's the low down.

BORROWING:
--There is no time limit—keep your item for six months or keep it for a year! As long as your account is in good standing, borrowing frequency is completely up to you.
--Borrow any item, whether it's Trendsetter, Princess, Diva or Couture Collections. You'll be charged an additional fee either by-the-week or by-the-month for each item you borrow.
--For the first three months of membership, you can borrow up to three items at a time. Only one of those items can be from our Couture Collection. After three months, you can borrow as many as five items!

COLLECTIONS:
Couture—Runway worthy handbags and jewelry from top designers such as Gucci and Rosiblu starting at $175 a month.
Diva—Luxurious, dream bags and jewelry from designers such as Louis Vuitton and Charriol starting at $90 a month.
Princess—Confidently versatile accessories from designers such as Betsey Johnson and Pianegonda starting at $40 a month.
Trendsetter—Fresh, trend-forward accessories from designers such as Dooney & Bourke and Lori Bonn starting at only $20 a month.

I think the person who came up with this is genius. So, if you ever need a handbag or jewelry for a big event or you want something nice to just carry around, go visit www.bagborroworsteal.com

A Lovely Visit...

My parents left yesterday from there weekend visit. They arrived Thursday afternoon and left out Monday morning. We had a wonderful time. It was great seeing my parents since I haven't seen them since April...4 months, wow. Brian and I showed them the wonderful sights of Wilmington...U.S.S. NC Battleship, historic downtown, Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach. This was my Dad's first time to see the Atlantic ocean. I had no clue. I have to say that it beats the Gulf. We actually had the opportunity to see dolphins swimming along the coast line...that was really neat. We also played putt-putt and Brian, yet again, won. You just can't beat that boy in anything. We ate a lot of food...I think I gained a little bit of weight. That's okay though. Overall, I couldn't have asked for a better weekend. It has been too long.

Brian "Leo" and Me "Kate"

Productive Sunday

Today has been a very productive day compared to yesterday. This morning I started on some laundry that has built up all week long. I hate doing laundry...its never ending. I don't so much mind the washing and throwing the clothes into the dryer, but its the folding that I hate. I have a tendency to leaving clothes in the dryer or throw them in the laundry basket and let them sit there for a couple of days. Its just not fun to do. I did better today. As soon as the clothes were done, I folded them and put them in their appropriate place. Then I swept the kitchen and both bathroom floors. I still need to mop, but I'll get to that eventually. I did the dishes, went to the grocery store, baked some brownies and vacuumed and washed the car....woo. Exhausting, huh? Brian has been pretty productive today as well. He cut the grass, weed-eated and now he's finishing the paint job that he started a week or so on the garage. I didn't make lunch today, but went to KFC and bought a bucket of chicken with mac-n-cheese, mashed potatoes and cole slaw. I haven't had KFC in so long. I remember back in the day eating KFC after church. Me, Mom and Dad would go get a bucket with all the fixings and carrying back to my grandmamas house. Daddy would fuss on how much it cost....never failed. He hates spending money on food. I still have things to do. I'm suppose to paint the door in the utility room and I definitely need to give Brody a much needed bath. He's been outside the majority of the day. He tried to catch a rat that was in the backyard, but luckily he failed in getting that thing...nasty. Well, I guess I need to see the progress that Brian has made on the garage.

Long Time No See...

My apologizes for being MIA for a while. I've been very busy lately and haven't had time to sit down and type my thoughts. Nothing much new has happened since my last visit...just working. I've been traveling to towns that have been 2 hours away and by the time I get home, I just want to relax...not think. Not that I'm thinking much while typing. Anyway, work has been going good. I actually had a job interview at a doctors office, and was offered, but decided not to take it. I would like to get a position at the UNCW. Don't get me wrong, I like my current job, but would like to find something that doesn't so much traveling. I drive 250 mile a day! Exhausting? Yes. The pro's of this job is that I'm not stuck inside all day long. I get to get out and about and meet a lot of new people. I like to talk, so this is good for me. So, enough about work.

Brian got us a new car. It hasn't come in yet because the color that Brian wanted wasn't on the lot, but we are suppose to be getting it this Friday. It's a 2007 Honda Civic in galaxy gray.

I'll be driving it for a few months until October - November. That's when I'll get to pick out my own car and Brian will drive the new civic. I'm looking at getting a 2008 Honda Accord. I will be giving my car to my parents. Keep it all in the family.

Brian and I celebrated our one year anniversary a couple of weeks ago, July 22nd. We didn't do anything special. I bought him a watch that cost $150 and he got me a table for the entry way from Bombay.

We had dinner at Bone Fish Grill and it was sooooo good. I had 2 lobster tails with vegetables and Brian had the filet and crabcake. I HIGHLY recommend that restaurant. That was the highlight of our day. I can't believe its been a year. It feels like we've been together forever. I guess that's good though.

Time Warner Cable has a channel called ion and I love watching their night time lineup. 8:00-9:00pm its Mama's Family,

9:00-10:00pm its Who's the Boss and 10:00-11:00pm its the Wonder Years. You cannot beat these programs. There's nothing on the television anyway. I'm glad they are bringing back some classics.

Well, I hope everyone will have a wonderful evening, morning or day. Hopefully I won't be away for long. I'm working in Clinton, NC which is an hour away, so maybe I won't be a stranger. Tootles.