Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Okay, so every now and again, a ray of sunshine breaks through what seems like a world of gray skies, thunderstorms, and minor flooding (if you're standing in the parking lot of the complex where I live).

Looming.

Coming.

Here.  (FYI I was not moving while taking these pics!)

Besides the fact that we literally had one of the worst storms ever on Tuesday, and my parking lot did flood pretty badly (photo evidence above), I got the most amazing rays of sunshine today!  It was a morning like any other morning, apart from two things - a special note and a special email.

The special note was left by my gift-delivering ninja, Comanche!  It contained words of encouragement and love and I was taken by a wave of appreciation for him and knowledge that somehow, I am blessed enough to have that man in my life.  God is so good, and He has been especially good to me.

The special email was from a lady that I don't personally know, but we will call her my fairy godmother/deliverer of amazing news!  What was this news?  I ACTUALLY WON A GIVEAWAY!  I have literally entered hundreds, I would have to say, in my lifetime.  This email marked the SECOND time I've won!  Haha!  Moral of the story:  If you want to win the lottery, your best bet does not live in me! :)

Now, the first giveaway I won earlier this year was special to me because of three reasons.  The first is that it was hosted by a woman that I have grown so very fond of, despite the fact that we've never met.  The second is that it was my first time winning a giveaway!  The third was that it came at the perfect time and helped me get my newest business started with my partner!

This giveaway is special to me for multiple reasons, too.  The number one reason was it was hosted by one of the most respectable wedding magazines on the planet, which provides inspiration and guidance to brides with Southern flair. 

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I mean honestly...how flipping adorable is their website header?  I die for the cuteness!  The second reason I was so incredibly excited is because this giveaway contained a prize that is "song-of-the-South, sweet-potato-pie-and-I-shut-my-mouth" adorable!!!!!  Don't believe me?  Check this out!

Yes, that is the Southern Weddings Magazine website.
Yes, that is my hand making that thumbs up.
Yes, I somehow by the grace of God won
that adorable clutch & bowtie!

If you'd like to read the official post by Southern Weddings Magazine, you can do so by clicking --> HERE.

I have to say a huge thank you to the ones who made my day today!  You will never understand how happy and grateful I am to have received these blessings, and I want each and every one of you to go check out Southern Weddings Magazine!  The photo shoots are gorgeous, the brides, editors, and writers are Southern belles, and preppy country goodness drips off the pages and melts your heart!

Until next time,

The Bountiful Harvest Of Summer

One of the perks of working where I do is that people like to give us things!  They love to share their products and services with us, and for that we are all so very blessed!  A local farmer's market, orchard and wholesale nursery just dropped by and delivered a ton of delicious summertime delicacies just for us!

Want to see my spread (which was actually pretty small as far as quantity is concerned)?

Why yes, that would be fresh corn, cucumbers, zucchini, and peaches!  You're such good guessers!  I am blessed that such smarties read my blog!  Y'all make me smile real big!

Just looking at this picture makes me drool all over myself, so basically what I'm saying is that you should be glad you don't have to see more or be around me at this particular point in time!  I can't wait to fix that corn, add those cucumbers to my summer salads, and I'm going to make my darling Comanche deep-fry that zucchini for me so we can dip it in Yum-Yum sauce (which his sister stumbled upon in one of our local Food Lion stores!  For reals, y'all - you can buy the Yum-Yum!  Meet me in the aisle, it's goin' down!).  I also am looking forward to several afternoon and evening snacks of those juicy and delicious peaches!  Good and good for you!

There was also a special gem in my loot!  Check it out!

Aww, bless your heart, you little peach!

It's a peach shaped like a heart!  I die a million deaths over this insane amount of cuteness.  Seriously, I gushed about this for two minutes straight and showed it to everyone, who also thought it was adorable!  And now, that is continuing as I show it to all of you - you are welcome and you can each personally thank me later when you have time.

What's a girl to do with the cuteness that is this particular peach?  Well, send a fresh and fruity love note to a sexy man in uniform, duh!  And that's just what I did via picture message!  See?

I do heart him.  Like whoa.  The peach don't lie.

Hopefully, my precious peach served as much as an afternoon laugh to my Comanche as it will as a satisfying summer snack to me later (say that five times fast, won't you?).  This blessed gift just warms my heart and enlightens my soul because it means that summer is officially upon us and it's one of my favorite seasons (not that I have more than four to choose from or anything).

After my last post on goals, (and let's be honest, you all read it twice because it was so good), this gift decidedly helped me with Goal Number Three.  It's hard not to stop and enjoy the simple things when the simple things are dropped at your doorstep (or in our case, in our little break room).  Thanks be to God for having someone deliver when I needed them to!

Happy Summer and Happy Weekend, everyone!

Until next time,
Miss Chicken Wing

Test 1,2,3

Well, Peeps, as you might have noticed, there are a few changes as far as looks go around this here blog.  The reason?  Well, I had some posts scheduled for you and then all of a sudden the website that hosts my original blog background completely went down, leaving my posts completely unreadable.

BUMMER with a capital BUM!

But, in order to allow you all to still be able to read the blog while this problem is going on, I figured I'd just do the easiest thing and add a new background and signature (even though you won't be able to see my signature in any of the older posts).

Again, BUMMER.

But, honestly, you know it was me who wrote them because who else would be so crazy?  No one, that's who!

Hopefully, everything is up and running soon and you may wonder why I chose the background that I did.  Well, to be honest, I wanted to keep with the same color scheme as that's how I've branded the Wing.  Second, I've had SO MANY PEOPLE tell me that my icon makes them super hungry, so when I saw that my very own blog could be positioned as the tastiest dish you'll ever read, I had to take the plunge!

I hope you enjoy this backup background, and that you all are having a Fantabulous Friday!

Until next time,

Goals Are Important

Every now and again, it's good to take some time to focus on your goals.  Having something to achieve is so important in life - the moment you stop trying for something is the moment boredom sets in and we all know what they say about idle hands being the devil's playground.  I've actually seen such boredom in action recently and it's amazing to me how unhappy people can become when they stop reaching for something greater.

I want to increase my chances of reaching my goals, so I thought that it would be best to keep myself accountable, and what better way to do that than to share a few goals with all of you so you can hold me to them! :)  Welcome to your homework, Peeps!  Here goes nothing.

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1.  I would like to become more of a domestic goddess.

By domestic goddess, I mean that I would like to be better at all things home related.  I know that in order to accomplish this, I will have to practice better time management, as I have so little free time as it is.  Yes, that means that sometimes, I will have to give up my precious television or catching-up-on-the-magazine-subscription-I'm-four-months-behind-on in order to become the goddess I was intended to be. 

Help needed in the following areas: 
a.  Cooking - yeah, I have three dishes I can successfully make (and that's if I check the recipes a bazillion times).
b.  Cleaning/Organization - Okay, I'm sure we can all be better at this, but I know if I could accomplish a better system for myself, it would keep the anxiety and breathing into brown paper bags at a minimum.  Just kidding - there have been no actual documented panic attacks associated with having to clean or organize things.

Excuse the cell pic (that's me on the end back there) and the members of our Coupon Club at work!

2.  I want to become an awesome coupon queen!

You see, I have discovered that couponing is power, and I want to be better at it!  I have done pretty well so far, but there is vast room for improvement.  (Have you seen Extreme Couponing? Crazy Town, right?!?!)  While I don't have room for that kind of stockpiling, and mine is done on a much more pared-down level, I would love to know that I'm saving money on EVERYTHING I buy.  It's possible - inconvenient sometimes, and a lifestyle change - but possible! I really want to be able to save money!

I, along with some girls at work, even started a Coupon Club at our company, and basically we meet once a week to clip or organize our coupons, and share the ones we know we won't use.  For example, I don't have any children yet, so I have no use for Pull-Ups.  My coworker, though, has a little girl and she's in the midst of potty training.  I give her Pull-Ups coupons and she gives me M&M coupons.  I think it's a fair trade!

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3.  Simply doing simple things.

I want to make more time to do simple things.  Day-tripping to the lake, taking a hike, having a picnic, laying by someone's pool, taking a drive somewhere, taking more pictures!  I want to enjoy the simple things in life!

I'm hoping these are some attainable goals - in my experience, having goals is great but overloading yourself with goals is a good way to set yourself up for failure.  While I have way more than three goals currently in my life, I have chosen these three to start with.  Once I accomplish these, I can focus on different ones, and hopefully by pacing myself, I can achieve them!

What about you?  What goals do you hope to soon achieve?

Until next time,

Another Song of Sunday

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First can I say that you know I adore that picture! Chickens singing? Sign me up! Here is another beautiful song to bring a message of hope to your week.  Beautiful voice all around and I absolutely love the note she hits at the end! Talk about getting chills and an amazing message at the same time!

Natalie Grant - Your Great Name

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Until next time,

Happy Weekend (& Uber Cute Video)!

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Here's a short post to start your weekend off right!  I hope you all experience at least one memory this weekend that makes you smile and I hope we all can make at least one friend as loyal and helpful as this next guy.

This video makes me smile real big because my Aunt J's Jack Russell is also named Jesse, and he's been a part of the family for as long as I can remember.  Granted, Aunt J's Jesse might get a complex from watching this video, but we love our little people food tester just the same!

Enjoy everyone, and if the maker of this video, "Jesse's person," would like to come and train my little fur monsters, I would totally be down with that!


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Until next time,

Today Is A Great Day

Well, Peeps!  Today is a great day.  Why, you ask?  Well, today is great for two reasons.  The first is that TODAY IS LITTLE SISTER CHICKEN WING'S TWENTY-FOURTH BIRTHDAY!  WOO HOO!!!!

Who doesn't love a good birthday now and then?  So, to celebrate via the blog, I thought I would create a picture montage of the most ridiculous variety in honor of my sister!  Here goes nothing, and a big THANK YOU to FaceInHole.com for being more than a little awesome.

One of our favorite childhood activities? Playing BARBIES!

We have danced in multiple recitals together!

Even though Little Sister CW usually goes for lean men,

and I usually go for men of the stronger variety,

neither of us can deny our love of the Beebs. Just sayin.

We love watching crap TV - Bring on the Wingashians!

We will be each others' maid of honor someday if we don't kill each other first!

And if we do kill each other, hopefully someone won't turn us into Chicken Nuggets!

I hope you enjoyed this ridiculous picture journey, Little Sister Chicken Wing!  I love you and hope you have the best twenty-fourth birthday ever!  I hope this year will be epic and that it will bring only good things your way!

The other reason that today is a good day is because my favorite show, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, is well underway!  Last night was the very first competitive performance show and holy bologna, if that episode was indicative of how this season is going to go - we have our work cut out for us!  Season Eight's bench is STACKED with talent - probably the most talent in one season that has ever been in the history of the show!  Don't believe me?  Check out this AHH-MAZING statue routine, choreographed by Travis Wall (of Season 2), set to a song by Ingrid Michaelson, and danced by Melanie Moore and Marko Germar:


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Like I said - AHH-MAZING! Love doesn't even begin to describe it! I can't wait to see how the season progresses and how the dancers develop even further! And that is why today is a great day!

Until next time,

Busy Is As Dizzy Does

As you may have been able to tell, my posting has been very erratic lately, and I am sorry for that!  It's not that I don't adore you guys, but it's that for some reason, somebody decided to only put 24 hours in a day (the nerve). So, to make up for that, I give you THE MOST MASSIVE CATCHUP POST I CAN MUSTER. You have been warned.

I wanted to catch you all up on the goings-on of the Chicken Wing, so you can each revel in the fact that you're not me for awhile.  There are two words that best describe me and my life at this moment in time:  busy and dizzy.  The good news is that I've been SO BUSY with a lot of good things in my life.  The bad news is that the busy-ness has led to lack of sleep and lack of sleep has most likely contributed to the massive allergy attack that has been plaguing me of late.  The massive allergy attack has led me to take Alavert - D and Wal-dryl (Walgreens' version of Benadryl), which is where the dizzy part comes in - whew, boy, these antihistamines aren't playing around!

Oh, hello, friends!

Okay, obviously the meds are affecting my attention span, so back to the good stuff that's been keeping this Wing so busy.  As you read in a prior post, I had a traumatic evening concerning one of my neighbors on Tuesday of last week.  That ordeal kept me up until 2am, and after a few short hours of sleep, I went in to work a full day.  On Thursday, I had taken a half-day vacation from my full-time job, and we actually booked a wedding to photograph with my part-time job, so I worked a 15-hour day that day.  Then, I waited for Little Sister Chicken Wing to get off work at midnight, we packed our things into the car, and headed home to Momma Chicken Wing's house, getting in at 2:30am (I don't know what it was with me and the 2am hour that week).

The next morning, Friday, both Little Sister CW and I had taken off work for a special reason.  We met up with some lovely ladies at 8am (yes, very little sleeping going on) and had the most wonderful pedicures.  You may think that would be an odd choice of activities for that early in the morning, but it was, again, for a very special reason.  We then went to a special venue, and Chicken Wing got crack-a-lackin' in Event Planner mode.  There were crafts to finish, hot glue guns to heat up, cameras to prep, chairs to be set out, and decor and floral to be arranged.  Why in the world would I put myself through all of this?


Because this client bride was none other than Momma Chicken Wing!

 That's right!  In a huge surprise to most folks, I've been planning and executing my own mother's wedding weekend!  It was a huge success and Momma CW and her new husband, whom we'll call Dubya, are very happy newlyweds. It was a ton of work, but all-in-all, we couldn't have had a better day! The weather was great, and when your client is happy, you are happy. That sentiment is echoed tenfold when your client is a member of your family.

As you can see, I've been rolling lately, and I wouldn't have it any other way - except for these darned allergies! Sheesh, I wish they'd move on out of here and let a Chicken Wing breathe. Not to mention, I'd like to have my old voice back. This raspy mess of a voice can only be described as one used by a sex hotline operator, and I try to live my life quite a bit classier than that.

So, in the words of the ever-articulate Taylor Swift, I ask my allergies, "Why you gotta be so...mean?"  I digress.  The reason I'm so bothered by these allergies, and want them to go away, is because one of my good friends from high school is GETTING MARRIED this week to another one of my good friends from high school...and they're getting married at the beach! Oh, you thought my busy schedule was over? NOT A CHANCE!

Aren't they the cutest?!?!?!

I will have the privilege of participating in the big day as one of G-K's bridesmaids, along with these gorgeous girls:

All the pretty ladies (minus one)!

So, as you are reading this massive post, I will be at the beach doing bridesmaid things and preparing to help another happy couple tie the knot!  I'm a sucker for a happy ending, what can I say?  I will hopefully be back to blogging regularly soon.  I still have a ton of photos to edit, and I'm sure that will only increase with G-K's wedding.  Either way, I hope you have a great week!

Until next time,

SQUEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Okay, so I'm dying a happy death over here because the new BREAKING DAWN trailer just came out!!!!  I know, nerd alert, call the authorities!  I'm so pumped though because I loved the Twilight books and I've found each of the movies to be more than entertaining.  It will be nice to have the series completed, and as you all know by now, there will be two movies to cover the last book, Breaking Dawn.

I don't know how long Summit Entertainment will allow this preview to stay online, so watch it while you can!


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Is anyone else super excited by this or am I alone on my vampire-and-werewolf-loving island?

Until,