BURIED

Well, as my mom often calls to ensure, I am alive and more importantly, feeling SO MUCH like my normal self. I have been living at work lately. But, that block of time has passed and I am dancing in the light that once looked so, so far away at the end of the tunnel.

Let's see, what have I been up to? I fell off the wagon with the movies. I still haven't seen Pirates 4 or Hangover 2... yet. But I did watch Never Say Never and Black Swan, thanks to Netflix. BOTH of them were outstanding. Obviously very different ends of the spectrum there but they were both great. I am a "Belieber" now, and not too ashamed to admit it either. I even went and stood outside of work last week when he was due to arrive at the CMT Awards, hoping to get a glimpse of him from 200 yards away. If you know how bad my eyesight is, then you can appreciate the humor there.

On the nights I wasn't working, I have been improvising in the kitchen some more. I have mastered zucchini, so I bought some cherry tomatoes and have put those in a few meals, including this chicken dish, which, when I told my sister what I was making for dinner, prompted her to ask if I made it up. Ha.

I made it across the river for two of the CMA Fest shows at LP Field with a Nashville newbie. The first night I saw Zac Brown Band, Jason Aldean, and Brad Paisley, who brought out Alabama! The last night I saw Darius Rucker (who finally sang a Hootie song for me), Blake Shelton (who did a hilarious medley of music he heard growing up including "Play That Funky Music White Boy," "Centerfold" and "My Prerogative") and my favorite of them all, Miranda Lambert. Both nights were so much fun!

Speaking of so much fun, I get to see my mother, my sister and brother-in-law so soon! We leave for the beach Thursday and thanks so some cheap Southwest airfare, I will have some time to kill in Birmingham to kill before we head for the Gulf. I can't wait!

Then the day after I come back, it's my BIRTHDAY. You know how I feel about that. Birthday gift wish list coming up soon!

So, get excited! I'm back!