A Fork In The Road

I have been feeling the pressure lately about what to do with my life.

Following God's plan is my number one goal,

and I want to please Him in everything I do.

Being faced with so many important decisions,

it is easy to lose sight of what is truly important.

I have been neglecting church for a while now,

and I am in need of some good Gospel preaching

and Christian fellowship.

I would like to think that I can host my own "service" on Sundays

by playing Christian music and reading my Bible,

but nothing can compare to the influence of fellow God-fearing people.

With that said,

I am going to be church searching

and I hope God will lead me to the place He wants me to be.

If anyone has any suggestions,

please let me know,

I am willing to try anywhere!

God is good all the time,

all the time God is good!

 

Peanut Butter Jelly Time

I have no idea why that phrase has become popular,

but every time I hear it,

it makes me think of kids!

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were the staple of my diet back in the day

and I still crave that creamy peanut butter and grape jelly goodness!

A few weeks ago at Gigi's we had a peanut butter and jelly cupcake...

YUM!

Last night, while once again sweating over cupcakes

I realized how much I love kids!

I feel as though I can get on their level

and it is so much fun to talk and play like I am back in elementary school!

For as long as I could imagine I had wanted to be a teacher.

I would set up my stuffed animals and Barbie Dolls to play school

and I even got a teacher kit for Christmas one year!

Isn't it funny how when you are a kid you want to be something different everyday?

After starting off in the Education program at Alabama,

I ultimately decided that teaching just wasn't my thing

but I still love being around kids!

Ever since I started my job at Gigi's,

I haven't been able to sub as much as I had been

and I am really missing my interaction with kids!

Every time they come in the store,

me and Catherine focus all our attention on them!

We bombard them with questions and jokes!

I cannot wait to have children of my own

and Cat said I will probably end up like the Duggars:

Kelly and her Kids!

Oh gosh I can see it now...NOT!

Of course I want a lot of kids but not 19!

No Thanks!

Isn't he precious??

Last night I had some quality girl time at Mellow Mushroom after work!

Me, Taylor, Carolyn, Heather and Melissa went and got some pizza

and I had to have one of their Greek salads because they are DA BOMB!

Then me and Mel went to B. Phils

(aka Buffalo Phil's but Melissa thinks she is cool and can shorten almost any word)

and met up with our boys Drew and Scott!

I was still in my Gigi's gear and EVERYONE made a comment about our cupcakes!

All good things of course!!

Hope everyone enjoys their weekend!

 

You Are Beautiful

It saddens me to see what the media and pop culture has done

to the self-esteem of my generation.

This notion that you must be pencil thin and perfect

at all times is too much for the average person to keep up with.

I have never been and never will be pencil thin or perfect in anyway,

but I am comfortable with who I am.

I have been eating healthier and getting in some extra exercise,

but there is nothing wrong with being HEALTHY,

not going to the extreme of eating disorders.

When I lived in Pensacola there was a movement called You Are Beautiful.

Random people would paint, write or find some creative way to display the phrase,

where the public could see.

It was awesome to drive down the road and look up and see

You Are Beautiful.

Looks are not everything

and we as a generation need to stand up

and encourage, reassure and tell everyone

that they are beautiful in one way or another!

Beauty comes from the inside,

and there is nothing more attractive than a person with a beautiful heart and mind.

Remember:

There is a big difference in being healthy and trying to look like the people on the covers of magazines.

Hopefully the media will smarten up and see what they are doing

to the very easily molded minds of the public!

You Are Beautiful!

LOVE Y'ALL!!!

 

We Are Family

Ok please just picture me busting out in song when this title came into my head

at 3:30 in the morning cause that is exactly what happened!

So I guess I won't be sleeping much tonight,

I have been up for about an hour and really want to go back to sleep

but I can't and it has been a while since I blogged

so y'all are the lucky ones tonight, or this morning, whatever!

My Mommy came to visit me this past weekend

and I had to get in some good quality time

so the blog took a backseat for a few days!

Isn't it funny how God knows what you need when you need it?

My parents were supposed to be in Jacksonville, FL this weekend,

but it got cancelled because our good family friend whom they were going to visit got sick

(please pray he is having some heart issues).

So Mama called to tell me they weren't going

and I was like, why don't you come visit me?

And she said ok and started packing!

We had an awesome weekend together and she even got to stay until Tuesday morning!

I was excited for her to see Gigi's since I talk about it all the time!

She even got the behind the scenes tour and met my manager!

I reserved some cupcakes for us and after I got off

we went to Iguana Grill for some Margaritas with Catherine!

It was muy bueno (that means very good in Spanish)!

Sunday we took a long walk down by the river and sat on the bank

to talk about life in general.

I have been struggling with my future again

and Mom always knows what to say to make me feel secure!

I am so blessed to have such a God-fearing mother.

There is nothing better than to seek advice from someone who will be honest

and is coming from a Christian viewpoint!

Monday I had the day off from Gigi's

and I really needed a dress for two weddings coming up

and also a formal gown for our Mardi Gras Ball in two weeks!

So we set off shopping and I found a beautiful cocktail dress

that I love in Tuscaloosa!

We had no luck in the formal section

and so we decided on the fly to go to Birmingham!

Being just 45 minutes away, we thought it was worth it because the Ball is only two weeks away!

We had a blast trying on dresses

and I got a perfect dress for the Ball

and Mom even found a dress for the wedding in 3 weeks!

Overall it was an awesome and much needed Mommy time!

She is an phenomenal mother and I am so thankful to have her

as my role model, comforter, encourager, Godly influence and everything else

a mother is!

I am defiantly a mommy's girl...

and a daddy's girl!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Good night (or Good morning whatever)!

  

Don't Mess With Traditions

Here in the great state of Alabama,

we are forced to chose sides from birth.

Who will you support?

The Alabama Crimson Tide

or

The University of Auburn Tigers?

The rivalry between these two great southern schools

is unmatched in the nation.

The love and allegiance fans have for their teams

leads to children being named after the greats

and decoration revolving around team colors.

This competition has long brought tensions between fans.

A house divided is a common term used for families who have been

burdened with fans for each team.

But through all of the passion,

Alabama and Auburn have managed to keep things on the classy side.

Sure we both have fans that get unruly at times.

People make bad decisions.

But what happened last month to the Auburn tradition of Toomer's Corner

is devastating to the tradition of the rivalry.

If anyone came onto the Alabama campus and permanently defiled

one of our sacred tradition pieces,

(Denny Chimes or the Walk of Champions)

I would be hurt, angry and disappointed.

Hopefully Auburn fans will realize that not all Crimson Tide supporters

encourage or defend the actions that took place in Auburn.

It is truly a sad situation for both schools,

and maybe some good will come out of this

and we will all take a chill pill on the intensity of our rivalry

and use this to bring our schools closer together.

We did, by the way, win two National Championships back to back

for our state...

which is pretty impressive!

Roll Tide and War Eagle!

(Yes I did write it but I will never say it out loud,

we can come together without losing every sense of rivalry!)

Have a great weekend!

 

Oh Happy Day

It has come to my attention that a few of my recent posts

have been on the negative side.

So today I want share some positive things!

#1 Gigi’s Cupcakes

God has blessed me with an amazing job at Gigi's!

I know I tend to complain a lot,

but I am so thankful for this job!

I love selling cupcakes,

talking to people,

and eventually baking and decorating!

I am also starting to really get to know my co-workers

and they are such great people!

So even though it is sometimes tough dealing with the public,

I love my job and I am so thankful to be there!



#2 Family and Friends

I know I harp on my family and friends all the time,

but God has given me some of the most amazing influences in my life

and I am a better person because of them!

You are affected by those who you surround yourself with

and thankfully I have chosen and been given

uplifting and positive people!

I love y'all!

#3 My God

I could go on forever about all of the positive things in my life,

but there is one thing I know will stay constant in my life.

My God.

My relationship with God challenges me to be the best person I can be.

I want to please my Heavenly Father

and by doing that, I can have a fulfilling life on this earth.

Following His Will and Word,

I know that I am bringing joy to His Name

and that is all I should be concerned about.

Sure there will be tough times,

but focusing on Him will get me through the worst!

Praise Him in the storm and the calm!

Enjoy the sunshine after the rain!

And Happy Birthday to my bestest friend Catherine!

Love you!

 

Cry Me A River

Another crazy Gigi's story for you:

So this lady calls and says she bought a Southern Comfort cupcake

earlier that day.

She says it was too hard to eat with a plastic fork,

and she wants to get a different cupcake.

I told her that was how that cake and frosting was made,

she insisted on getting another cupcake

so I asked our manager

and she said no.

I explained to the lady again that the Southern Comfort was dense

and the caramel frosting sets on the firm side.

Then she asks if she is going to be able to get another cupcake

and I said no and she hung up.

THEN

she calls back and asks to speak to the manager.

She tells her story again about it being hard

and her plastic fork breaking.

Our manager tells her the same thing I told her 

and then the lady hangs up on our manager.

Really?

You didn't like that cupcake and you think you can just call and complain

and get another cupcake for free?

The sad thing is we tried the same cupcake with a plastic fork,

and what do you know?

It was dense but completely moist and totally edible!

People amaze me sometimes!

Well me and Taylor are about to make some spaghetti!

Yummy!

Happy Wednesday!

 

Taylor Swift's Favorite Holiday...

Is probably not today!

It's time once again to visit our single ladies

and see how they are handling

this international day of love.

#1 The Resentful Singlette

 Valentine's Day can be very depressing for the Resentful Singlette.

This day is surrounded with love

and the fact that she doesn't have that

"someone special"

tears her up inside!

This Singlette is blindsided to the fact that she is indeed

surrounded by love.

Hopefully she has friends and family

to fill her love tank on a day like today,

and help her forget the fact she is alone.

#2 The B***H

So what she is alone on Valentine's Day!

The B***H embraces this time to remind those around her

that she is so worthy of love

and is grateful for the love she already has!

She knows that this day is not only about that

"special someone"

it's also about loving who you love!

(Jamming to some Taylor Swift

can also help ease the sting)

Overall Valentine's Day is truly a money holiday.

Sure you get to show the ones you love, you love them,

but what about the other 364 days?

I wouldn't mind flowers and candy on April 25th!

Bottom line of today:

LOVE WHO YOU LOVE

AND SAY THAT YOU DO!

(lyrics courtesy of Rascal Flatts)

I love y'all!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Now I'm off the blast some Taylor Swift!

 

Say What?

 So I have dubbed today as Say What Sunday!

I love quotes, verses and songs.

They can provide the best words needed for any situation!

Today's topic is friends.

I have been so blessed with so many amazing people in my life

and so this is a tribute to them!

 

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

-Michael W. Smith

 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

- John 15:13

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one”

- C.S. Lewis

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.
- George Washington

I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
- Rembrandts

Hopefully you also have great friends in your life

so why not take this time before

the holiday of love,

and tell them how much you care.

Share a quote or use your own words,

anything from the heart means a lot!

 

Happy early Valentine's Day!

I love y'all!

 

Rants and Raves

I am totally exhausted

and need a place to vent,

so enjoy!

Honestly…

I'm sorry that Gigi's Cupcakes doesn't have the flavor you want today.

Maybe you should have checked the schedule before you came into the store.

And no we don't have every flavor available 24/7,

sorry we don't employee Santa's elves to help us bake!

I really wish the DMV would be more selective about who they give drivers licenses to.

There are terrible drivers out there and they need to go back to drivers ed.

Stay in your own lane,

DO NOT BLOCK THE INTERSECTION,

turn on your lights when it is dark or rainy,

and please do not pull out in front of me and then drive 20 miles per hour.

Ok I'm done!

Thanks for listening!

About to fall asleep watching Despicable Me to hopefully put me in a better mood!

Still love y'all even if you are guilty of the above annoying crimes!

 

Oh No She Did Not!

As I laid in bed this morning,

thanking God I made it back safe from Birmingham

(story to follow, no worries)

I got a text from a fellow Gigi's employee

informing me of an article about Gigi's in the Crimson White

(the university's newspaper).

Background info:

About two days ago

as I was slaving over cupcakes,

I got an order from a girl who said she wrote for the Crimson White

and wanted to try our four most popular flavors.

I gave her my recommendations and took her order.

She came in the next day to pick up her cupcakes.

So this article that ran in the paper,

describes Gigi's cupcakes as nothing special

and that the author would rather stick to store bought brands for less money.

She stood in a long line, her cupcakes fell into each other in the box,

the cupcakes had too much icing and no real flavor.

OK

#1 If you pre order, which she did, you do not have to stand in line, which I told her on the phone.

#2 It's not our fault you couldn't carry the box flat like we told you when you picked up your order.

#3 There is no such thing as TOO MUCH icing.

#4 You must have burned your taste buds off cause our cupcakes are FABULOUS!

That is all I have to say about that!

Onto my near death experience...

Last night me, Taylor and Mary Claire traveled to Birmingham

to meet Taylor's parents, brother and BF Michael for dinner to celebrate Taylor's birthday!

We ate a Chuy's at the Summit and it was very good and different!

We knew the weather was going to get bad,

there was a winter storm advisory,

but we never thought it would be a blizzard!

As we got onto the interstate to head back to Ttown,

snow started to fall.

It was not bad at first but once we got onto I 59,

the roads were COVERED in snow!

It was so scary!

I could not see the lines on the road

so I stayed behind a tractor trailer to follow his tracks

to make sure I stayed in one lane!

Anyways,

we made it back safely and in one piece!

Now I'm going to enjoy this winter day!

Thank you Lord for the beautiful snow and for keeping us safe!

 

Cupcake World

Hello from the land of cupcakes!

I eat, sleep and dream cupcakes nowadays!

It has been hectic and crazy but I am loving every minute of it!

I don't think they ever imagined that a cupcake shop would be so successful!

Even though there are other Gigi's Cupcakes,

we have had an overwhelming response

baking over 2,500 cupcakes a day!

AH!

So far every flavor I have tried has been DELICIOUS!

Favorite to date:

Champagne

But today we have Peanut Butter Cup

and I have already tried the frosting and it was to die for

so I can only guess what the whole cupcake is going to be like!

The customers have been really great considering the long lines

and trying to understanding why we don't have every flavor on the menu out all day long!

We can't bake at supersonic speeds!!!!

I just want people to remember that you are here to get cupcakes and that alone

should make you very happy!!!

Today is also my roomie/best friend for life

Taylor's birthday!

It has been three great years of friendship

and I am looking forward to many more!

Happy Birthday Boo!

Hope everyone has an awesome Wednesday! 

  

Happy New Year China!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Coming from such a multicultural family,

celebrating Chinese New year has become a tradition.

Three of my cousins on my mom's side of the family

are adopted.

Two from China and one from Vietnam.

They are beautiful girls and we are so blessed to have them in our family!

Children of the World, the adoption agency through which my cousins were adopted

and my mom works,

held their annual Chinese New Year parade and Silent Auction

this weekend.

It was a lot of fun seeing all the adopted children together,

they paraded through downtown Fairhope and then gathered

to feast on egg rolls and fried rice!

The agency relies on donations to stay in business

and so they also had a silent auction to raise money.

They were really successful and we had a great time

welcoming the year of the rabbit!

I have had an awesome weekend at home as usual!

Spending time with the family is always fulfilling!

I am ready to get back to Tuscaloosa

and my amazing new job at Gigi's Cupcakes!

Thursday I learned how to make frosting!

I am really excited about learning how to bake and decorate all the cupcakes!

Yay for cupcakes!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Happy Year of the Rabbit!

 

Sweet Tooth

Last night me and Cat went to the new cupcake shop in town.

As we were standing in line to pick out our cupcakes,

I asked the owner if they needed some extra hands,

he told me to fill out an application and bring it back in the morning.

So me and Cat ran home,

enjoyed our FABULOUS cupcakes

and filled out an application for Gigi's Cupcakes!

After an awesome rain induced nap,

I got a call and I got a job at the cupcake shop!

I am so pumped to start tomorrow!

I love cooking and baking so this job is right up my ally!

Hopefully I can learn some skills to impress y'all with!

The only thing I am worried about is eating too many cupcakes!

AH!

It is going to be hard not to lick my fingers while icing or making batter,

cause that is my favorite part!

I made an delicious dinner tonight!

I sauteed some tilapia on the stove with a little olive oil and garlic,

and seasoned it with a lemon and herb rub.

Then I steamed some corn and red and green bell peppers,

and cooked some green beans with a little Cajun seasoning!

It was SO good!

We finished up with some Blue Bell Cookies N Cream Light ice cream!

Now we are about to hit the gym!

Starting work at Gigi's Cupcakes in the morning

and then studying for my Public Relations test for Thursday!

God is good!