Tuesday, December 30, 2008

RUNNY

Scene: C's house
Time: 6 p.m.
[After C initiated a talk recently about how exercise needs to become a priority again in both our lives, we had decided to go for a run together after work. Come run time, however, I was feeling distracted and frustrated about my boots and turned off by the cold.]

L: [coming in from outside after getting her iPod and rubber band] Can I be honest?
C: Yes.
L: [untangling headphones] I am really not 100% into this tonight, but I want to try. I hope once we're out there I'll start to feel it, but I am just not in the mood to do this. Hopefully I will push through.
C: You don't have to go, you know. I don't you to get frustrated and I don't want to either. [In our talk, we discussed how he doesn't want to waste his exercise time.]
L: [pauses, thinks] You're right. Okay, you go. Have a good run.
C: Okay.
L: [walks out of kitchen, slumps onto rug, lies down, watches C]
C: [takes another minute to get ready, summons dogs to go outside]
L: [realizes how pathetic she is being] Wait! [hops up] Let me come with. I want to try.
L and C: [Go run two miles without stopping, including up a really big hill.]

[End scene]

BOOTED

So remember how I bought new Uggs and I love them?

I was partially lying. But let me explain. The boots themselves are great. High quality, so comfy. They're just a tiny bit too big.

Since it's after Christmas, no one is ordering more Uggs. Spring shoes are where it's at right now for the few stores that actually carry the brand. So the day after Christmas, I spent some time calling around trying to find a store that had a pair in the size, style and color I want. Figuring the same size I've been wearing in my old non-Ugg Uggs would be a good fit, I was glad to finally find some at the Summit and put them on hold. I went to try them on, they felt great and so I bought them. I gave the saleswoman cash plus the Visa gift card I've been sitting on since June and was going to use my debit card for the rest. This was too much for her to process, so she took my Visa gift card, bought a Belk gift card with it, and was able to complete the transaction that way.

So over the past few days, I've been thinking these shoes are a little big. I tried to ignore it. "Go away, nagging thought - these shoes fit GREAT!" It didn't work. I still wanted to try on a size smaller just to see if they'd fit. Hopefully, they'd be too tight and I'd have proven myself right.

I called a few Belks around Nashville yesterday and tried to find a size smaller, in any color, just to go and try on. Only one Belk in this town carries Uggs, and they didn't have anymore left. I found a pair at a Dillard's, though, and went after work to try them on. Y'all, it fit like a glove. Like the shoe had been custom cut to my foot.

I was furious when I left the store. Why had I been so hasty? A) If I wanted to return the too big boots, I'd be stuck with a ton of Belk store credit and B) I knew I'd never be able to find the correct size, style and color at a Belk this late in the season. I can order the right size from Uggs.com or something, but now I have wasted my Visa gift card and am going to have all that Belk credit and no money lying around to spare on my boots from anywhere else.

Just to test my luck, I put Monica to work and called about six different Belk stores in Alabama and Tennesse (and then later on one in Kentucky, Mississippi and Georgia). Everyone I spoke to was rude, and if they even carried that brand at all, all they had left were size 11s and weren't getting any more in.

So I guess I am just going to take these back for Belk credit and buy the right pair off the Uggs web site. I have no other choice if I want the right boots. I'm going to attempt to the first part of that plan after work today, so if anyone would like to buy some of my Belk's credit, let me know.

Monday, December 29, 2008

REGISTERED

So today I went and registered my car. I had been putting this off for a few reasons, which I won't get into here and now lest Wes tell me my blog is not interesting again, so let's get right to the good stuff!

Knowing that this was the first day all these offices were open post-holidays, I woke up extra early, and in the interest of getting out the door faster, I let the hair go au natural and even skipped putting on make up. I was on a mission people!

In this county, you and your car have to first pass an emissions test before you can get a license plate, similar to how you have to take a swim test on the first day of summer camp. Well, not really. I've been "swimming" for two and a half years in their pool. I just haven't been properly authorized to do so, I guess. ANYWAY. I'm all for clean air but to me it was just one more place I had to go and thing I had to do in order to get this car fiasco behind me. They are smart enough to have about five different testing centers around the county, so I went to one close to me. I pulled in and was pleased to see the lines weren't too bad. Only about six cars in each lane. So I pick the middle lane, put it in park, and immediately the line to my left moved. Curses. Of course I lane hopped, which meant that immediately after putting the car in park in my new lane, my old lane moved forward twice. I considered lane hopping again but decided to let it go and put on my makeup while I waited my turn. Eventually the lady who was running my lane told me to pull on in. I had to get out of my car while she hooked it up to a few devices and then was given the Golden Ticket that I would need in order to get my license plate. Step one.

I drove to a satellite county clerk's office that is in a nicer part of town. Here's now nice - the county clerk's office was in a gorgeous shopping center, had two leather couches and a flat screen TV, and was facing a fur store. I wait in the line for a short bit, while checking and rechecking to make sure I have all the paperwork. Title? Check. Bill of sale? Check. License? Check. Golden Emissions Test Ticket? Check. Check? Check. I was ready.

Finally it's my turn at the counter and a man who had the exact same name as my uncle (shout out!) asked to help me. I gave him my papers and told him I would be needing a special plate. He looked confused. "A special plate?" "A special plate - one for my alma mater." (Side note: each of you should get one of these if they are available in your state - some of the money goes toward scholarships!) He told me they only do those at the main office. I considered just staying put and having a plain old Tennessee tag, but then I remembered how much I love Auburn and asked him for my paperwork back.

I hop back in my minimally-emitting vehicle and head to the main office. I get there and wait again. The things I do for you, Auburn! Finally it was my turn and I handed my neat stack of documents to the lady. She seemed really pleased with how prepared I was. I told her I would be needing an Auburn tag and she thanked me for telling her before it was "too late." I wondered what that meant but decided not to ask.

Fifteen minutes and close to a thousand dollars later - Merry Christmas, Uncle Sam! - I left with my new tag in hand and the promise of my very own car title with my very own name on it coming forthwith in the mail.

And after work, I have one last important stop to make regarding this car: swing by the Toyota dealership to get screws that fit the holes for my license plate, and last but certainly not least get an extra key made so that the next time if I accidentally lock my keys in my trunk, I don't have to pay and arm and a leg for someone to come get them out.

SUPPLEMENTED

The rest of my break, supplemented with photos:

Shopped with Mom. Bought my new Uggs - amazing. Such an upgrade from the $30 pair I was clomping around in. Visited with the Meanses, the Bondses and the Clines (not at the same time). Drove back to Nashville with Evan. Gave C the rest of his presents which included a Brooks Brothers shirt and tie, new cologne and this sweater. He wears them all well. Opened the rest of my presents which included earrings, two sweaters, some bath and nail goodies and some other inside joke items. Ate dinner, built a fire, watched It's A Wonderful Life for the first time. Woke up early this morning to go register my car. Got an Auburn plate.



Hope everyone is merry and happy.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

GAGGED

As promised, here are the two gag gifts I received from my mother this Christmas - I'm pretty sure this is not a tradition, at least one that my sister and I have agreed to recognize.

First up - this beautiful portrait, taken circa 1989. She wrapped it up and gave it to me. She's definitely come a long way. Unfortunately this picture is now missing. It's either been misplaced or she did what she should have done 20 years ago and threw it in the fireplace:

And then there's this little guy, who she gave to me but has put in her purse and continues to show off in public. It's a tiny plastic moose that, when you press its rear down, "poops" out jelly beans. Let me put it this way - she thinks it's much funnier than everyone she's shown it to combined.

PHOTOGRAPHED

My two favorite photos from Christmas:

Me and Anne Heaton - she's 9 years old now! Ahh!

Christmas PJs... becoming an annual tradition

Thursday, December 25, 2008

TRAVELED

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays.

If you traveled as much as I did, I'm sure your day was busy. However, if your car was as gas-efficient as mine is, I'm sure you concluded your travels pleased and happy.

I got home yesterday after the previously mentioned airport drop. We went to church and then visited with my mom's side of the family and their extended relatives where I discovered two things. 1. My nine-year-old cousin is an amazing artist, and 2. Brunswick Stew. What's not to like? Potatoes? Good. Corn? Good. Lima beans? Good.

The four of us came home and opened gifts. My mom and I found out about two weeks ago that we both got my sister the exact same present. She hadn't asked for or even mentioned a Gorillapod, but she got one (two technically). Since mine was delivered first, I got to give it to her and didn't have to shop for something else. So she liked her gift just as much as I like my set of Henckles knives, Land's End Tote Bag, DVDs (Will & Grace, Knocked Up, 27 Dresses, The Office), sweaters, cutting board, CASH for Vegas and more.

Today Santa came and then Mom and I headed out after brother and sister took off to see his family. We made the rounds all over my mom's hometown, visiting and eating at every stop. My grandmother didn't recognize me for the first time ever, so that was a little disconcerting especially on Christmas. In all fairness, I struggle to recognize her. But I know surely my MawMaw is still alive somewhere deep inside the kind and polite but nervous and frail stranger she has become.

Mom hates to drive so I made her a deal that if we managed to be out of the last house, heading home by 5:30, I'd drive the whole way. She lost the bet by 10 minutes. We came home and went to see Marley and Me. What a movie. Well done, Jennifer Aniston, well done. I recommend everyone go see it.

And now - the grand finale of the day. I'm heading to bed to sleep on my new contoured tempurpedic foam pillow. Tomorrow I will tell you about the two funniest presents I received. From my mother, of course!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

TIFFANIED

There's moments a girl will always remember. Her first date, her first kiss, her wedding day, etc.

Last night, I had a Moment I'll Always Remember. I got my first Little Blue Box.

Since we are apart for Christmas (booooo!), C and I swapped just one present each on our last night in town. His was an argyle sweater I knew he'd love. Mine was a beautiful sterling silver necklace he picked out all by himself from Tiffany. It is gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. It's on a sterling silver chain and has some engraving one side of the pendant - Tiffany etc., and then he is having the other side monogrammed for me after New Year's (or whenever he is able to pry it off my neck). The gasp of surprise when I saw what was in front of me to open was just like what you see in the movies. That should be their slogan - Tiffany & Co.: The Gasp Is Free! And don't worry, there's more than a sweater waiting for him under the tree (and quite deservedly so). So generous. So sweet!

I wore my necklace the entire night and all day today. Dropping him off at the airport wasn't fun by any means, but having a small token to remember him by around my neck made saying goodbye a teeny, tiny, quarter-size bit easier. I kept reaching up and touching it the whole drive home. Are you still there, Tiffany pendant? Are you really on my neck?

Thank you, C. Merry Christmas. See you Sunday.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

PREPPED

The presents are wrapped. Now the clothes need to be packed, the kitchen tidied and the car loaded, and then I'll be good and ready to go home til Sunday.

I hope it's a fuzz bit warmer in Alabama than it is in Nashville.

Update: I just got my first Christmas present! Thanks for the book, Evan!

Monday, December 22, 2008

REBOWED

So in keeping with the whole bow craze, I decided to go out on a limb and make a different type of bow - the BEST type of bow. Cute little hair bows for a cute little girl!

Using this handy tutorial, I made four bows with ease. The things I did differently were: used E6000 glue instead of a hot glue gun (worked just fine); stripped twist ties to get fine gauge wire so I didn't have to buy any (also worked just fine); didn't do as many loops for the white bows so they'd be smaller (both of those were made from just one yard of ribbon) and unfortunately I didn't have any wax paper on hand so I used tin foil (not a good idea - get some wax paper). I also used the alligator clips to hold the center ribbons in place tightly while that part dried and then later glued them to the back so the bows could be worn.

I have to say both the merry maker and the wee wearer of these bows were tickled with how these turned out. What a cheap, easy craft! Some of my friends that are expecting a baby girl may get a basket full of bows soon. Bows of all sizes and shapes for little girls to grow into - is that a good gift?

My mom used to make me and my sister bows for every outfit. Not just grosgrain - we had balloon bows and comic strip bows. Oh gosh, is this more proof I am turning into her?

Friday, December 19, 2008

BOWED

Here's your Friday Five/Bow Tutorial. There are tons of other ways you could do this, involving a neater bow and multiple pieces of ribbon and wire, but this is the quickest, easiest way I know how.

1. Tie a piece of wired edge ribbon around your gift.

2. Fold your ribbon up like an accordion. At least three loops on each "side" is best (but the more the merrier).
3. Fold your accordion of ribbon in half. Cut the ribbon's corners off, so it is thinner in the middle when you unfold it (this is optional but I do it - makes it easier to arrange the loops later).
4. Place your accordion of ribbon on the knot you already tied on your package and tie the ribbon one more time, securing it around your accordion of ribbon.
5. Fluff and poof the loops, trim up the end pieces with scissors and serve to your brother-in-law.
P.S.: Merry Christmas from Lindsay. I think these were much cuter in person, but whatever.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

LOVELY

My new camera just got here! Glory on high. So the aforementioned bow tutorial will have to wait because we have our department holiday party at my boss's house tonight. Good times.

In other news, after my event last night, C and I FINALLY built a a fire using my last starter log and his hand-me-down fire tools. After the fire alarms alerted us that the flue was not, in fact, open, we quickly remedied the situation and settled in to watch the Jim Carrey version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which is what we are doing when we make faces like these:
Also, one of Carrie Underwood's fan sites got a hold of the Autograph Story and posted it on a forum. They all think it says Loser, too.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

WISHY

Last night I found my Wish Ornament, which you may remember I received at a holiday lunch last year.
What wishes would you put in my ornament?

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

GORGED

Today we had a little party at work. We all brought food and invited the other departments to join us. I ate myself stupid, y'all! Here's what we had:

Kahlua soaked, chocolate covered cherries
Goat cheese pesto tort
Homemade empanadas with two kinds of sauces
Rotel
Homemade spinach dip
Pigs in a blanket
Ham biscuits
Homemade pimento cheese
Meatballs
French onion dip
Brownies
Candy
and more!

My two favorite items:

Courtney's Drops of Deliciousness
On a cookie sheet, place one rolo on top of a mini pretzel. Melt the rolos in your oven. Press a pecan on top. Refrigerate.

Laura's Cream Cheese Logs
1 package cream cheese
1 cup finely chopped green onions
1 cup bacon crumbles
3/4 cup chopped pecans (toasted)
1 tsp red pepper flakes (more or less depending on your taste)
apple butter
--
Unwrap cream cheese (if you want to make two logs, cut it in half). In a mixing bowl, stir together green onion, bacon crumbles, toasted pecans and red pepper flakes. After mixing, spoon in apple butter until the consistency is a paste that will spread over the cream cheese to coat (you can refrigerate this overnight if you want). Cover the cream cheese logs with the paste and serve with triscuits. (Laura says: be careful not to add too much apple butter or it will slide off the cream cheese and be very ugly! You can use pumpkin butter this time of year in place of apple butter.)

Monday, December 15, 2008

FUZZY

This weekend really kicked off the holidays for me. Allow me to recap:

When we last met, I was heading to wrap my presents. I picked out paper and ribbon from Wal-Mart, and even though I had to dig around to get what I wanted, I was proud of my selection. I am very picky about wrapping paper. And now that I can tie a wicked bow, I was really looking forward to having some pretty packages under the tree.

Here's how they turned out:
You can see I went with a solid gold, a pretty candy-cane striped print and the smallest box is red with little snowflakes on it. All three got a lovely bow.

Then Saturday, I went to a holiday brunch which was fun. After that, I went into work to hand make my Christmas card. Hatch was here putting on a workshop, so I took advantage of the chance to be creative with some of their supplies. I made a very simple red and green print, took it to Kinko's and had them copy it onto some sturdy paper. I used a paint pen to add a small embellishment and wrote a note inside each card. I won't spoil the surprise for those of you that have one coming your way, but know your card is a LJ original. I'll post a photo of the finished product later this week.

Saturday night we had a Christmas party to go to downtown. It was fun to get all dressed up. Here's a picture of us. Note the curly hair is making a comeback, and also note that someone has pretty blue eyes:

Then Sunday, we finally got around to trimming C's Christmas tree. Here is the beautiful result -- all it's missing is something for the top of the tree but I'm working on it:
You'll have to forgive the angle. However unflattering, this is a special picture to me because it's the last one my camera took before it fell to a horrible, tragic, lens-jamming, mood-killing death. I had it balanced on some books, on a sub woofer on a TV tray by the couch. That gave us the picture you see above. Unsatisfied with that angle, I added some ornament boxes underneath the camera to raise the stack and pressed the button. However, the pitter patter of mine and C's feet running to our spot caused the tower to wobble and when I heard a THUD! onto the floor, I gasped, ran over and found my camera was DOA. The smaller inner lens is jammed into the outer larger lens at about a 30 degree angle, cracking the outer lens and rendering the camera deader than a doornail:
After a minute of inspecting the camera and a curse word or two, C's iPod sensed the mood and decided it was a good time to play "Bring a Torch, Jeannette Isabella" - the song I used to sing for my grandmother every Christmas, aka a surefire way to make me cry like a baby. Couple that with the shock that my camera is not broken but BROKEN, just in time for Christmas, and I just sat down and cried.

C talked me off the ledge and let me use his computer to check out warranty information. I thought I was covered until I saw this part: In the unlikely event that any additional damage is found during the repair process due to liquid/water, sand, corrosion, battery leakage or impact (such as dropping the unit), a revised estimate will be sent to you for your review and authorization.

Nice. So hoping the best but assuming the worst, we decided dinner from Waffle House would at least help me make it through the night until I could call Canon in the morning.

Y'all - let me tell you. I've dealt with more than my fair share of customer service departments this year. I've heard it all. It is with great pride and total confidence I report that Canon takes the cake. No seriously, I really might send them a cake. I talked to two people on the phone and didn't even have to raise my voice. After one painless phone call, Canon is sending me another new (refurbished) camera. It'll be here on Wednesday, and if that isn't marvelous enough, you should know that my camera's warranty is ONE WEEK away from expiring. One week! Can you believe that? And, most importantly, this transaction will happen at no cost to me. Just like last time, I have to send them my old camera - Canon picked up the shipping tab, of course - and we'll be all settled up. AT NO COST TO ME. You hear that, Geek Squad? I wish everything was that easy to fix.

So the moral of my tale - as you are doing your holiday shopping, let me know if you need help with your bows, and if there'll be any electronics under your tree, make sure they are made by Canon. Happy Holidays!

SOAPBOXY

Before I recap the weekend, I want to get something straight about about Gene Chizik.

First things first: I didn't want Tuberville to leave. Obviously. So having said that, if we have to have a new coach, one that has been here before and really understands Auburn is a nice place to start. And, if he's been a part of a Number 1 and 2 team, both 13-0, in recent years? Well that sounds like icing on the cake to me.

Read what his former players have to say about this guy:

Carlos Rogers: "This was the best decision Auburn could have made. Coach Chizik was like a dad to me. From a player and student point of view he's exactly what Auburn needs in a head coach."

Carnell Williams: "Coach Chizik is a players' coach. Even though he was on the defensive side of the ball, he taught all of us the importance of hard work. He's the kind of coach recruits hope to get to play for, and I think this is a great hire. I'm excited for Auburn."

Dontarrious Thomas: "Gene Chizik will make a great addition for Auburn. He knows the game of football and knows how to motivate and relate to young athletes. He knows how to motivate them to be successful not only on the field but in the classroom and in the game of life. He will be a blessing for the players and for Auburn University."

Antarrious Williams, who went so far as to greet Chizik at the airport: "I think we got the right guy. All along, we interviewed six, seven, eight guys -- I don't know -- before we hired Chizik. I said: 'Where is Gene Chizik? Where is Gene Chizik?' He was my number one choice before they even mentioned him. I think Jay Jacobs got this right on the head. That's why Alabama's successful; players are buying into Nick Saban's system. It's not that what they're doing is so great. It's that players believe what he's saying."

You know what? If Gene Chizik is good enough for Carnell Williams, then he's good enough for me. I'm really not going to argue with Cadillac about football coaches. That's like arguing with Michael Phelps about good swimming. And seeing as how the players are the ones actually holding the football, not the armchair Facebook quarterbacks, if they think this was a great decision, then I think that's whom I'll be inclined to believe.

As for all the Auburn people that are complaining and thinking this is a huge mistake and we're doomed: you know what, we might be. We can't win every game. But next time we have a great season, you people will bask in the glory and in another decade we'll be angry that they've run off another great, great coach.

You see, this is the difference between Auburn fans and Alabama fans. Bama fans truly think they have the best team in the history of football no matter the season record, the coach or the statistics. They are the most optimistic, hopeful bunch of people. Meanwhile, all it takes is one loss and Auburn fans want someone fired. We're the worst team ever! This is the worst recruiting class ever! This the least prepared team ever! And I'm not watching another game until Jay Jacobs fires someone!

Auburn people, we are our own worst enemy. It's time all of us drink the kool aid they are brewing at UAT and realize that no matter the season record, the coach or the stats - Auburn is the best school in the whole wide world and we shall rise again no matter what. Believe it. Have some pride. Show some respect and quit complaining every time something goes wrong. Unify. Get behind the new coach; get behind the team. And until you do, don't call yourself an Auburn man or woman. It's as simple as that. Thank you.

Friday, December 12, 2008

ACCOMPLISHED

What's up people! Guess who is not only done with her Christmas shopping, but got all her errands run, had pizza for lunch and is now heading home to gift wrap?

Taking a personal day to get things done is the best stress reliever ever. Try it next time you are overwhelmed. Just don't accidentally schedule it the same day as your company holiday lunch or you won't get a chance to win a trip to Tunica.

The highlight of my day? Filling up my car for only $20. Merry Christmas, indeed.

The second best part? The TRAIN that almost ruined my trip to Opry Mills (which, given how crowded that mall was today, really says a lot). Yes, as if an outlet mall isn't crowded enough this time of year, let's drive a train through it. Nice touch. And I swear it was followng me. Three different times I almost got run over by a train that had no business running during the holidays. Doesn't Santa cause enough of a traffic jam?

Thursday, December 11, 2008

CLIPPY

Remember when I told you I was going to learn to cut C's hair?

Well, last night, rather than trim his Christmas tree as originally planned, we trimmed his hair. With holiday parties coming up, it was time for a spiffy haircut!

It was actually pretty fun. We went into his guest bathroom, where I took a lot of delight (probably too much) at making him wear the tiny, tissue-thin cape that came with the clipper kit. Here's my little vicitim, looking embarrassed, nervous, or a combination of both:
Once he was settled in, I plugged in the clippers and took my place behind him. I don't think he thought it was as funny as I did when I started singing "Swing your razor wiiiiide, Sweeney!"

I used the 1/2" guard first, just so I could get a feel for how hair cutting is supposed to go down - speed, pressure, etc. After a few passes around his head, I thought I had done a good job. I was content to leave it, but someone really likes his hair short. Time to really get the job done with the smallest guard.

I got the hang of it pretty quickly (could be because he was talking me through it most of the time). Forgiving one accidental swipe of a sideburn, I have to say I did great for a first timer! It looked nice and even and didn't have crooked overlap lines like I've seen before (not on him of course). I even shaved his neck afterward for the full effect.

Shave and a haircut - two bits! Who is next?

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

UNHUNG

Oh and by the way, I broke another coat rack. Clothes that hang + Lindsay = bad combo.

Although technically, I didn't break it, because C said it wasn't fully anchored into the wall or something. The point is, I was going to hang C's sister-in-law's coat and as soon as I made coat to hook contact, the whole thing - laden with coats - came sliiiiiding off the wall, screws and all. It just quietly fell, cushioning its blow with the wool and down of about seven coats. I just stood there, S's coat in hand, dumbfounded.

I am not meant to hang clothes. And if you need further proof of this, please come see my apartment/bedroom floor.

REMINISCENT

It's been a while since we talked about high school. And since a LOT of people from my high school read this, and this blog has gotten a little lackluster lately, let's go there!

I was e-mailing with Katie today when she reminded me about a girl who transferred to my high school our freshman year. Her claim to fame? She had six toes on each foot! Well, six toenails. The pinky toe was a doublewide (two bones, one toe) and it had two nails on it. She said she had been known to paint the nails and then drawn a smiley face beneath them, like a little toe face. The first time I saw it, I was a little creeped out, as I figure most people were, but then it got to be kind of cool. I mean, how many people have you ever met with extra appendages? She was also one of the first from our class to get married, I think, so obviously she worked those extra toes to her advantage. She was a really nice girl, too; just to clarify that she had more going her way than 12 toes.

I don't know what made me think of this but remember when they tried to give detentions for using the stairwells incorrectly? Someone decided it would alleviate traffic problems if students used one stairwell strictly for going upstairs, and one stairwell strictly for going downstairs. Yeah right. Maybe the 2 feet deep, chock-full backpacks that we all wore like turtle shells were the problem, taking up all the space and making it too crowded in the halls. If anyone reading this got one of the few detentions they handed out for improper stairwell use before ditching that plan altogether, please share.

Oh and last week, I was talking to a girl at work about high school dress codes. Our skirts had to be 2 inches above our kneecap. She said hers was the arm's length rule (skirt can't be shorter than the tip of your middle finger with your arm at your side). Why didn't they just put us in uniforms?

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

AIRBORN

THIS JUST IN: Southwest gives gift cards. Which, unlike cash, is a perfectly acceptable gift.

Click here to purchase one today!

BETTER

Mucinex-D. Amoxicillin. Flonase. Cortisone shot. What do all of these have in common? They are in me right now. And only one of them was injected in my hip!

My little cold turned into a full fledged sinus infection, where I was averaging a tissue a minute and zero sneezes, despite having the overwhelming, constant urge to sneeze. You could have flushed a toilet with all the pressure that was building in my sinus cavity. But, as you just read, I am medicated, getting better and ready to resume normal productivity.

Speaking of productive, I'm taking off work Friday to get my Christmas shopping done and catch up on errands that have backlogged the past month. Return things, swap things, pick up things - I hope I get a lot done, because I have plans the remainder of the weekend. And as for next week, I have four events to run, three to attend, and then it'll be Christmas week.

Lastly, the Carrie Underwood concert was phenomenal. I just sit in awe of her vocal capabilities. She reminds me of Whitney Houston with the notes she is able to hit, and powerfully so. She did 19 songs, which was a little much, but included two covers ("You Can Go Your Own Way" with opener Little Big Town [who was also phenomenal, by the way] and "Paradise City"). I had been looking forward to that show for six months. I wasn't disappointed in the least.

Sunday, December 07, 2008

RELIEVED

Well I did it. I finally got my new car. This was something that had been weighing on my mind long before my wreck and now I am done.

After a sad Friday evening (Allison's going away outing) I was glad to have something to look forward to on Saturday morning. The ever helpful and always entertaining Kate drove me just past the Tennessee state line to meet my mom and uncle in Athens. The exchange of keys was pretty short and before I knew it, it was just me and the car heading back home. I opened the sunroof and played with the radio and adjusted my seat and mirrors and tried the cruise control. Everything works great. Pictures to come soon.

I haven't picked a name yet. I think Candace Camry (a la Candace Cameron) is funny but I don't think Candace is a good car name so I am still thinking. And YES this car will have a name as I have noticed that all my things with names (Monica, Rod) still work while the things without names (old car, computer) do not.

After I showered and ran some errands, I went to C's house to watch the SEC championship game on his high def TV and then whipped up dinner for us, his parents, and brother and sister-in- law plus kids. I made poppyseed chicken (of course) and it was a hit (of course).

Right now I am sitting on my couch watching/reciting Home Alone and drinking coffee. Later tonight, we are all going to see Carrie Underwood. In between, I have some major cleaning of the apartment to do as well as the first of my Christmas shopping! All in all, a great weekend.

Friday, December 05, 2008

TANGIBLE

People keep asking me what I want for Christmas and won't accept my answer of cash, cash, cash. I just bought a new car, have a computer to fix, an apartment to decorate, I'm saving for a trip to Vegas... if ever there was a year for cash, this is it. But no. Tangible objects. Stocking stuffers. So at least let's make them things I want or need or will really use!

Here's what I came up with:

1. Actors Acting coffee table book from Amazon

2. Something to start off my Mariposa String of Pearls Collection (might have to pool resources for this one)

3. The big liter bottle of my favorite shampoo (this really is a genius gift and someone should get this).

4. Movie passes (preferably Regal, not Carmike or Rave)

5. Sephora gift card

6. This cute Andy Warhol wall calendar for my desk (also available at a bookstore or BB&B near you!)

7. A season of Will and Grace, preferably one of the later seasons like 6, 7 or 8

8. This chair towel thingy (in white, I think) that I can get monogrammed later

9. Medium sized, natural & washed black Land's End tote bag which I will get monogrammed later in a style I like (aka none of Land's End options)

10. Money to take my Intro to Improvisational Acting class with Evan this January!

Thursday, December 04, 2008

BITTER

Would you buy it?
Suggest a more creative slogan in the comments section.

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

VOCAL

Why is this post-season coach watch becoming a regular thing for Auburn? Will Coach Tubby stay or go? Just like last year, I had to e-mail Tubby himself and Mr. Jacobs, our athletic director, to give my two cents:

First, my e-mail to Jay:

Subject: Keep Coach!
Hi there Mr. Jacobs,

I hope Coach Tommy is there another year! Please keep him! To show my support, I wrote a poem:

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Keep Coach Tommy
and the other coaches too!
We'll work out the offense
In our off season
And when we go 13 and 0 again
Coach Tubbs will be the reason!

Thanks for your attention to this matter and War Eagle!
Lindsay, '05


To Tommy himself:

Subject: Stay stay stay!
Coach Tuberville,

I e-mailed Jay Jacobs to tell him the same thing I'm telling you - you need to stick with us! Auburn fans can be so fickle. You are a great coach and don't listen to the naysayers. Please read the poem I wrote and have a great week!

[insert poem again here]

WAR EAGLE!
Lindsay, '05


Last year, "Jay" or an admin pretending to be him wrote back with a blanket e-mail. We'll see what happens. I like Coach T. I want him to stay. After all, the night is darkest before the dawn.

SURVEYED

Of ALL the people in the world, I was asked to fill out a Geek Squad survey. Boy, was I excited.

Please see the images below for the highlights:

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

VEHICULAR

So I bought a car. I didn't buy it per se, a man from Montgomery did. Blah blah blah, details details, long story.

A 2004 Toyota Camry LE will be arriving in Alabama very soon, and I will be arriving in Alabama this weekend to pick it up. Silver, 6-disc CD thingy, sun roof, great condition. That's about all I know. I kind of wanted to just close my eyes and have a car show up in my budget and that's almost what has happened.

Everyone start thinking of names!

Monday, December 01, 2008

TIDBITTY

• I love Black Friday/Saturday. I have only done the doorbuster thing one time, in 2005 with my sister. We found Motorola Razr phones on sale, 2 for $80 at Comp USA. Their doors opened at midnight as opposed to 5 am so we just stayed up all night and went to bed 7 am after busting down Best Buy's and Circuit City's doors for movies and camera memory cards. The cheap movies are the best part, and you don't have to be there at the crack of dawn to get them. For instance, this weekend after the football "game", we went to Target and got a handful of movies, starting at $4. They had all kinds of good movies for sale. My sister got Juno plus others for $6 each, I got Baby Mama for $9 and my mom Santa bought me season three of the Office for $13. I was going to get Knocked Up and 27 Dresses but changed my mind, even though they were only $6 a pop.

• Did you watch Britney's documentary on MTV last night? I was surprised. She can go from seeming professional and mature to coming across vapid and childlike in no time flat. And she was also contradicting herself right and left, regarding her life. Are you positive, or are you sad? Is it exciting because you're doing what you love, or is it all repetitive and endless? You know what Britney? Thanks for the hits, but it's not too late to move back to Louisiana. I'm just saying.

• My favorite part of the Iron Bowl: realizing Bama has a player named C. Reamer on their team. The graphic with his face and name popped up and I went nuts. That means they have Coffee and CReamer. Haha! If you don't think we laughed about that for at least two downs, you'd be wrong.

• Add to the list of Things That Ruined 2008: Allison is moving away. Yes, Allison of tap dancing infamy. Thanks a lot. Now who will do fun stuff like this with me?

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