Costco = The Perfect Date

I don't think I've mentioned this before, but I LOVE Costco. I started going to Costco when I first started working for RB&Co., almost 3 years ago. Then, after getting my own Costco card through work, I introduced Landon to the excitement of this perfect store. People make fun of us for going there on dates. It's a perfect date place - cheap food and lots to look at! We even went to Costco with Eric and Kelli on a double date a while back! I will split this blog entry into two sections...one is PURCHASING and the other is EATING.

PURCHASING

What do we purchase at Costco, you ask? We do not have a large family (obviously). When we first started going, we wrote down bunches of different things, how much was in the package, etc., and compared it with Wal Mart and Publix prices. Costco was cheaper on all of the items. As a general rule, we buy toilet paper (only Charmin for me :), dishwasher detergent, paper towels, Landon's deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, and lotion for me. One thing that has been an issue for me there is bar soap. I have already discussed a few posts ago how I must use bar soap. I love Dial and that's what I want to use, but they don't have it. So...right now in our shower is Dial (that I purchased from Sam's) and Irish Spring (that Landon is using). I always like to check out the clothing - sometimes they have great clothes for great deals. You do have to watch the quality, but usually, you definitely are getting at least what you pay for. Costco is also a great place to buy home stuff - but it's very hit or miss. And, let me tell you, if you see something you like, you better BUY IT IMMEDIATELY...next week if you go...it may be gone. This happened to me with a patio set I really wanted. It almost happened to me with lamps for our bedroom, but Bonnie got those for me at another Costco. I have bought lamps, rugs, and big candlesticks to go in front of the fireplace there. The best place to shop at Costco is the aisle right when you walk in the door - that's where they usually put all the fun new things they have gotten in. We have bought SO MANY Christmas gifts from Costco, it's ridiculous. They just have great seasonal merchandise. The aisles that are the best are the ones between the clothes and the food. That's the ones they change out really often. And, everything is GREAT QUALITY. I think that's about it - we usually do not buy food there, because it's just so much, but we have bought granola bars for Landon a time or two....alright...on to EATING...

EATING

Now, we can do some serious eating at Costco. I love to get a slice of pizza there. While they do not have pizza and a coke in a combo (like they do the hot dog), it is still a great deal. You get a large piece of pizza for like $2.00 and a coke for like $.65. Where could you beat that? And, the pizza is great (although I do think Sam's pizza gives them a run for their money). I ALWAYS get pizza (pepperoni or cheese).

Landon, on the other hand, gets some different things. Most of the time he gets a hot dog and a coke - this is like $1.64 or so. The hot dogs are great (not good hot dogs at Sam's - to me, anyway). But, they do not have mayonnaise at Costco (I know, we put mayonnaise on hot dogs and that's weird). So, if we are going that night to Costco, Landon has to either bring some mayo in a ziploc from home and then I carry it in my purse, or we'll go by Chick-fil-A and get a couple packets to take. That's a little inconvenient, but it doesn't stop us. Landon doesn't always get the same thing though - he sometimes will get a chicken bake, or a twisted churro.

And, they have desserts. My favorite dessert is the hand dipped ice cream bar. They can put nuts on it, if you like, but I don't like nuts. They take a HUGE vanilla ice cream bar and dip it down in a huge crockpot thing of creamy thick chocolate. Then, they put it in a wax paper holder so it can have a minute to dry. Ya'll, it is to die for. One of my co-workers was saying that no one could ever eat one of those by themselves...uh, sorry, I can - and usually do when I get them. I don't think I realized (until he said that) there were people who DIDN'T eat all of it. There might have been one time I didn't eat the whole thing (but I think that was because I was laughing so hard at the mad libs Eric and Kelli and Landon and I were doing). It is AWESOME.

That's pretty much all I have to share about Costco. We'll be eating there on Saturday evening with Eric and Kelli before going to see a movie. Hope you have a great weekend! Sorry for no posts...remember...I'm a maniac at work right now!

Pictures Post

I have not much talking to do today (yeah right, you say...). Today is Show Us Your Wedding Dress Day on Kelly's Korner, so I only have one picture scanned in but wanted to show it...I loved my dress, and if I had to choose over again, I'm 99% sure I'd choose the same...(do you think I'm going to say groom???)...DRESS! I'm 100% I'd choose the same groom again...even though we know each other VERY well after 6 years of marriage. We just celebrated our 6th anniversary on July 19th...
Because both mine and Landon's birthdays are in July, we went home to celebrate with our families this past weekend. Below are some pictures from my parents' house:

Momma made Dirt Cake and a Hummingbird cake - both great! Landon's mom made a German chocolate cake, and it was awesome too - just don't have a picture of it! Not as much picture taking goes on at Landon's house as it does at my parents' house :)

Here we are with our presents!

Since my birthday was yesterday, the 23rd, all the pictures below are things my friends did for me. My friends Bonnie and Malissa bought this market basket below for my birthday present - I LOVE IT!!! Bonnie got one for her daughter, and when I saw it, I wanted one so bad!!! Landon told me I should think about whether or not it was something absolutely necessary, and even though I said it was...I didn't have to buy it because they bought it for me! I can't wait to carry it around in Publix - it is super cute...uh, did you notice it has my NAME ON IT???

For lunch (picture below) we went to a place in downtown Roswell called Party Chic. We sat out on this great balcony (even though it was humid and making my hair big). The balcony overlooks the little downtown street - it was so fun. I had Quiche Lorraine and a salad (p.s. - I do not care for goat cheese).

Here are the three of us after lunch sitting on a swing on the balcony - I am not pleased that the nice person who took this picture did not hold his arms still and it's blurry! Yuck!

Then, because it was right across the street, we went in a little gift shop and found lots of fun things. Malissa and I tried on these funny glasses - how do you think we look??

Finally, after work and going home to fun balloons and a card from Landon, we went out to dinner with Eric and Kelli (hello, Kelli's birthday is my same birthday!!) and went to see Smoke on the Mountain at the Theatre in Marietta Square. It was a very fun day! Here we are below eating at the Marietta Pizza Co. Someone should be proud because I ate outside twice in one day! That is a record for me. So, that's it! I had a great birthday! I am ready for the weekend though because I am exhausted - it's been a busy week!! Have you ever read the book When Crickets Cry? I'm trying to finish it this weekend - oh yeah, and I'm going to paint the bathroom...oooh, I'll try to get some before and after pictures so you can see!

Washcloths - Useful or Trash?

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= A GREAT SHOWER AND CLEAN BODY

Washcloths...take them or leave them...
I had the most interesting conversation with a friend the other day. I wanted to share it with you, and give you something to think about. Who uses a washcloth? I have chatted about washcloth use with other friends, and just have some interesting thoughts. Okay, I don't think we really used a washcloth growing up - you just put the soap on your body with your hand. I now use a washcloth for my face, only. So, I don't know if you think this is strange or not. But, let me tell you something that will crack you up. I was talking to a very smart friend the other day about this washcloth issue. She told me she uses a washcloth for her body and for her face...I thought for a minute and said, "Uh, you use the same washcloth on your body that you use for cleaning your face?" And then, here comes the wisdom...she said... "Yes, THE SIDE THE TAG IS ON I USE FOR MY BODY AND THE SIDE WITH NO TAG I USE FOR MY FACE." Dude, that is crazy smart. I thought that was like the most clever thing ever. Who thinks to do that? I never have. I promised I would not use her name because she thought that would be embarrassing to share on here - but let me tell you, I think it's awesome! She is obviously a smart cookie.

Also, let me just share this about bar soap while we are on the subject of washing and washcloths. Even if I use some kind of body wash, I have to use bar soap first. So, basically, I wash twice - always have, always will. I love Dial bar soap (but not the spring water kind - because that's the kind we had in Louisiana when the hurricane came and it brings back bad memories). But, we've been shopping for soap at Costco, and Landon wants us to buy the bar soap in bulk there. They don't have Dial. We have been buying Irish Spring, which is okay, but not the greatest. I just need Dial. At my work, some of my friends have Sam's cards, so guess what? I bought Dial there the other day!!! And, not the spring water kind - the classic gold kind. I love how Dial smells. I can remember my dad always smelling like Dial at night and me sitting on his lap before I went to bed. Dial is just home-y to me. I also have been using this new Caress body wash stuff...I love it! Usually, I don't consistently use a body wash, but I have been using this stuff for a while, and it is awesome!! You should definitely try it - it has made my skin really soft...

Why No Posts?

Well, here's the deal. I am still really enjoying my blog. But, as you can see, I haven't been doing a fantastic job posting new fun stories! That's because my coworker, Mandy, has officially left on her maternity leave. Yikes! My boss, Patty (in the green sweater), sent an email to our company yesterday letting them know, and the subject line said: "Mandy has left the building...but Bethany's still here!" Mandy is the one right next to me with the blond hair. I have been training for a long time, basically the entire time Mandy has been pregnant, to do payroll and many of her other tasks while she is out for maternity leave...12 weeks. I am really busy. I already had a full time job, but throwing this on top of it - oh my word, it is pretty crazy. She was not supposed to have the baby (Isabelle) until August 4th, but because of some high blood pressure issues and the fact that the baby is ready to roll and good weight, they've decided to go ahead and induce, probably next Monday...so Mandy's last day to spend a few hours in the office was yesterday. I am working on not panicking when situations arise...and you know that is extremely hard for me. Success for me is a day without crying right now! I really enjoy the job I'm doing. I love doing payroll - it's meticulous work, and I love that! It's just the volume of the work that is a lot for me and I am more than busy from the time I walk in to the time I walk out! I feel like Daddy saying he doesn't have time to go to the bathroom some days! So...just know...I am very sorry, and I'm posting when I can...but yikes, I'm busy...there is no chill-axin for me right now...unfortunately. So, pray I don't have daily meltdowns or a nervous breakdown during this time. Mandy is set to return October 12th, and I am SO GLAD she's able to take these 12 weeks at home before coming back. I'm so excited for her family and for her precious new baby, Isabelle! Pray that all will go smoothly...I'll keep you updated on my mental status.

Landon turned the BIG 3-0!

Hello! Here are a some pictures in random order of Landon's 30th birthday party last Friday night. We had a GREAT time!! We had about 30 people and the food was AWESOME!!! We also did karaoke, which really made the night interesting...you can see Landon, Eric, and David singing karaoke in one of these pictures below...it was a very exciting weekend...
Oh yes, and one more thing. When you see below that his candles are stuck in random desserts on a plate...just know that I did make him a birthday cake, but he didn't want everyone to eat it at his party so I had to leave it at home. Just want you to know my husband did have an actual birthday cake :)

Sudoku!

Who knows what Sudoku is? I was inspired to write about this after the comment left on the blog yesterday about buying Sudoku puzzles at the dollar store. I love Sudoku so much that I thought it was a blog worthy subject. I learned about this game several years ago when I saw my sister-in-law, Wendy, working on a puzzle one time. She probably doesn't even remember that, but I asked her some questions about what the game was, how to play it, etc. Sometime after that, I began working on the puzzles. I pretty much love them. They can range from really easy to crazy challenging. I have one book in particular I carry around to a lot of places and work on when I have down time. I love to do these puzzles - I love to do them on trips, I love to do them on the couch while we're watching TV, I love to do them in the bed before we go to sleep, I love to do them EVERYWHERE! (Was that like Dr. Seuss or what???) So...all this time, Landon hasn't really given a flip about it. But, all of a sudden...recently...Landon got sucked into the Sudoku experience. He began doing them all the time...at work, at home, etc. We heard you could buy the Sudoku books at the dollar store from Kelli, so we set out to check it out. I am a fan of buying the books there, but I do have to tell you this. The paper quality is not great, so you have to be careful not to write too hard or erase hard or you'll tear the paper. But, the books provide the same entertainment level - they're just more fragile. Landon even looked up a bunch of rules so that we could get further in the games. Just think of it now....Landon and me having a super exciting Friday night, sitting on the couch with our heads buried in Sudoku books and pencils and erasers flying. This is a great date night for us - uh, when we're not at Costco, of course. Costco is our #1 choice :) If you have not tried Sudoku, let me just warn you. If you try it, you will get sucked in. You will become addicted. You will be a true fan.

Dollar General Issues

First, let's just get this out of the way. I cannot remember if the store I'm going to talk about is called Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar...whatever. They are all the same to me, but I'm not sure...so just go with it. I have two bones to pick with this store (whatever store it is). First, I will tell the first story.

So, I go to the dollar store with my friends at work. This has probably been a year ago, maybe. I am buying some items for work - oh, I remember, some things for the Christmas party for our employees' kids (I think) that we have every year...or maybe it wasn't for that. ANYWAY, I get to the register with my items. Well, obviously I do not have cash to pay with, so that's out. I do not want to pay with my debit card, and I do want to pay with my GM Mastercard - so that it will be on a credit card and by the time I am reimbursed for it through work, I can pay off that amount on the credit card. I attempt to run my mastercard through at which time I hear the most unbelievable words. Take a deep breath and get ready. The cashier says, "WE DO NOT TAKE MASTERCARD." I stared at her in disbelief. I said, "You do not take Mastercard?????" She says, "No, we take everything else (Discover, AMEX, etc.) but not Mastercard." Then, Malissa had to pay for it for me on her Discover (I think). (I've said "I think" so many times in this story that I'm not sure if this story really happened or not!)... I just must tell you that I found this completely unbelievable. Are you kidding me people? A retail store took every type of credit card, even American Express, but not Mastercard? What in the world sense does that make???

So...fast foward to last night. I do not usually shop at the dollar store. I should shop at the dollar store more because there are good deals there on things (but I'm not buying food there. I draw the line at that - if you are comfortable with that, fantastic - I am not). So, with Landon's birthday party coming up, and Landon "encouraging" me to spend less money...I headed to the dollar store (uh, Dollar General...whatever) to look at some plastic tablecloths, etc. This is after I went to Big Lots and found NOTHING. My time in the dollar store was pretty successful. In my cart I had 6 plastic tablecloths, 5 packages of silver grassy stuff to decorate the tables, 2 packages of streamers (blue and white), and one assorted cutlery packet. Oh, and some bubbles for the kids. So, the cashier begins checking me out. Does anyone else feel like a giant you are pushing the cart around there? When I got to Wal-Mart, I felt much more comfortable with my size and the cart size. Anyway, I decide, on a whim, to ask about the return policy - because I must be able to return this stuff if I find something better for the same price. Well, guess what? Strike #2 for Dollar General, they won't give me a refund...even with my receipt...even within a certain amount of time. They will only exchange. Well, just no, my friends, I do not want to exchange. I want a refund. So, after she rang up half the stuff....uh, I told her nevermind, I didn't want it. I explained why and told her I'd have to come back and get it later if I didn't find anything better. She then had to call over a supervisor to void every single item she had checked already. I'm just saying this was a little annoying (and I'm sure it was annoying to her - she didn't make the return/refund rule there).

So...here are some things you need to remember when shopping at Dollar General:

1. Do not expect to use a Mastercard at Dollar General. In fact, your best bet is to use cash (even though I never have any and won't follow my own advice). You better have a variety of cards in your wallet to choose the appropriate one that the Dollar General happens to accept that day.

2. Do not expect to EVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES get a refund at Dollar General. It's not gonna happen. You better be prepared for Final Sale.

All in all, I'm not such a big fan. I did not return there...but after thinking more about it, I may return some other stuff I bought (because the retailer actually gives refunds for returns) and purchase some tablecloths there, at least.

Thoughts? Opinions on Dollar General? Think I'm a brat?

Surgery, Panicking, and Kindergarten Memories

Yikes, it's been a busy week! My work is getting busier and busier, with my co-worker, Mandy, preparing to go on maternity leave. I feel like I never have a second of rest! Also, this week, Daddy had surgery to fix his bulging disc. My parents were great about telling me I didn't have to come home for the surgery. I just really wanted to though, and since it worked out that we could come, I decided to go for it. So, we drove home after work on Monday afternoon, and then we drove back after the surgery was over on Tuesday afternoon. It's been a crazy week! I'm thankful for some rest this weekend. The surgery went well on Tuesday. I just have to tell you that I am the panic-er in the family. Several times I have completely panicked in situations, and the stories are still told. One time, about 10 years ago, Daddy had to have double hernia surgery. They had him in the recovery room after the surgery was over, and I got to go in and see him. He was in a lot of pain. It's really weird and hard to see your parents in pain like that. I am so used to seeing them as "larger than life" sort of, always healthy, nothing will ever happen to them, etc. So, seeing Dad in that room moaning and in so much pain - uh, sent me into a tailspin. I walked outside of the room, and my grandparents were standing there nonchalantly talking to the hospital administrator (recall, we are from a small town). I basically yell at them, "Someone needs to get in there and help my dad!!! Somebody needs to get in there now and help my dad!!!!" Another time, I had a very small car accident, and it happened to be right in front of Wise Equipment (the family business). At the time, I didn't know the rule about how you shouldn't move your car from the scene, so I just pulled into Wise Equipment. Well, this was the first accident I'd ever had, and I walked in Wise Equipment (where customers were all around) and drop my keys on the ground inside the door and crumple to the ground, basically sobbing and totally losing it. So...Dad's like, "Excuse me for a moment," to his customer (who happened to be Coach Douglas from my elementary school). He says he thought 19 people must be dead outside, when really, I'd basically had a little fender bender. I am just a panic-er. I don't mean to be - it just happens. So, getting ready to go home for this surgery (about 10 years later), I really prayed about being calm. Hello - no one wants a panic-er around, you know? I did pretty well, I must say. I still felt a little anxious, but I didn't panic! Or make a scene! Before I left to head back to Atlanta, I was telling Daddy bye, and he said (in a groggy, still waking up from anesthesia voice), "Hey, you didn't panic today. I feel like you might not love me quite as much." Uh, he was just kidding of course. I quickly let him know that if panicking had been warranted today, you do not worry, I would have taken care of it. So, that was a success for me. I am calm, cool, and collected...

While we were waiting at the hospital, we saw several people we knew (shock). I saw my friend George who I worked with at the GAP in college. We saw some friends who came to visit us while Daddy was in surgery. And then, we're all sitting there talking, and some new people come into the surgery waiting room. Momma is really watching them, and I can tell she is figuring out who they are. I have no clue who they are. So then, Momma gets up and goes over to talk to them. She heads over to me with the lady, who I do think looks pretty familiar, and says, "Bethany, don't you remember - this is Mrs. Rhoades, your kindergarten teacher!" Oh my word, it was her! She looked a lot different (uh, it has been 23 years, ha ha!) because she used to have longer darker curly hair...and when you're 5 years old, adults just seem so big! Anyway, it was so neat to see her....and, she was Landon's kindergarten teacher, too!! We both went to the same elementary school (although he was two years older than me), and then after his first couple of years, he transferred to the school where his dad worked (recall, Landon and I never met until college). Anyway, it was GREAT to see Mrs. Rhoades. We reminisced about kindergarten and friends and stuff we used to watch and do (like Slim Good body)...it was so neat to see her!!! And, to top it off, my Aunt Carol was there to hang out with us during the surgery, and she always has a camera, so she took mine and Landon's picture with Mrs. Rhoades. Isn't it neat?

Okay, this has been a lot of writing today - but I have one more thing to say. I'm not loving my own picture....I have got to do something with my hair - but I'm not sure what...anyway, I just want to say that Landon looks GOOD in this picture above. I love his shirt (which I picked out), I especially love his hair. He just looks good. I am proud this man is my husband. I pretty much like him a lot :)

So, what are your 4th of July plans? Landon and I don't have anything planned, really. I'm not sure what we will do! I started thinking Stone Mountain today...but I'll keep you posted!

Southern Living at Home - BIG SUMMER SALE

Hello! The great sale just started today, and I am so excited about it!!!!! Southern Living at Home does a huge sale twice a year - once in July and once in December. I think the stuff on here looks great! I have emailed a ton of people about it...but if you'd like to order anything...let me know, and I'll send you the flier!!