Pearls Of Wit

WHITNEYED

2012-02-12T17:27:00.002-06:00

I remember sitting at my desk when someone a few cubes down shouted out (not uncommon in my office, btw) "Michael Jackson died!" We all were so intrigued. The King of Pop was gone! So sad.

Here's the thing: I listened to a lot of Michael Jackson in high school and college. But I've been listening to Whitney Houston since I was two. I probably could recite "All at Once" before I could recite my own address. Michael Jackson figured out how to be a great entertainer and performer. But Whitney had straight-up, unparalleled, God-given TALENT.

Simon Cowell put it best yesterday when he said that Whitney was the voice by which all other voices were and will be measured. I don't expect that to change anytime soon. She opened her mouth and made it all just seem effortless.

I think that's why I am so sad. I consider myself a little bit of snob when it comes to voices. I've been told I'm "hard to impress" when it comes to that and maybe that's true, but here's the real truth: no other singer I'VE ever heard holds a candle to Whitney.

So many of her lyrics are so ironic right now, but none more so than this: "And if by chance that special place that you've been dreaming of leads you to a lonely place, find your strength in love."

BLUED

2012-02-10T18:20:00.004-06:00

GET EXCITED! The first pictures Blue Ivy Cater are here! So much hair!!!!

For more pics, go here.

DISTRICTY

2012-02-09T19:24:00.007-06:00

This time last week, I was packing to spend the weekend in Asheville, NC for... wait for it... district conference for ADPi. I was secretly kind of excited because for my first and only trip to DLC when I was a collegiate, I had scratched my eye with a contact and so per doctor's orders, I was rocking my glasses the whole weekend and several days afterward. Bum-mer.

So I was content to volunteer to tag along with the exec group for the chapter I advise. It WAS a good way to get to know the new girls and show my support for what they do. It was NOT a good way to meet the leadership in our district: no one reminded me that NO JEANS were allowed. Have you ever been the only woman in a room of 500 women wearing jeans? TWICE? Yeah. Not my finest hour but no one kicked me out.

Anyway, it made me miss all my friends who found it in their heart to claim the girl in glasses as one of their own that rainy Atlanta weekend and who collecitvely managed to make the Mallard Ball T-shirt look good with khakis. Even though Auburn is in another district, they accidentally called Beta Omega for a few of the awards that were handed out and I almost stood up and cheered anyway.

THINKING

2012-02-07T12:37:00.003-06:00

Ever since I found out I was going to be an aunt, I have been more emotional and sensitive to anything baby related. Yes, the Grinch has a heart. Imagine what I will be like when I have my own kids!

In light of that, I thought this little video/moment was adorable. Dierks Bentley's new album "Home" came out today and the last track on the CD is about his daughters Evie and Jordan. Dierks sang the song at the Ryman last week and said it was probably the only time he would ever perform the song live, as it is too painful to listen to when his daughters aren't around. Break my heart in two!

HAPPY

2012-02-02T20:32:00.003-06:00

Roses are red,
Tulips are pink.
I GOT PROMOTED!
How was your week?

PESTOED

2012-02-01T09:48:00.000-06:00

ANOTHER RECIPE! WHAT HAS GOTTEN INTO ME?

I will tell you what has gotten into me: lunches. Deciding what I am going to eat for lunch is more taxing than deciding what I am going to wear to work. Must it be this way? Must life be so hard? I have several friends that teach for a living and I always am so envious when they talk about their cafeteria food, even when they are complaining. I would love a cafeteria where I could go and choose what I wanted every day, free of charge.

Until then, I have tried everything from frozen meals to PBJs to going home for lunch to turkey pitas to skipping it altogether and nothing is as easy OR filling as a leftover. Hence, I am cooking my tail off - not so I can have dinner. So I can have lunch.

So, tonight's recipe is brought to you from my friend Molly. I have no idea where she got it but let me know if you have seen something similar. This dish was so idiot-proof that the hardest part about it was opening the jars of pimentos and artichoke hearts.

Baked Pesto Chicken Pasta

16 oz box of bowtie pasta
2 and a half cups of shredded chicken (I just used 3 breasts)
1 cup pesto (they don't sell it in "cup" increments at the store; 8 oz = 1 cup)
1 can cream of mushroom soup*
4 oz jar of diced pimentos
4 oz jar of artichoke hearts*
1/4 cup of oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
1 cup Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to box and drain. Boil and shred chicken. Mix all ingredients but cheese. Spray a large dish with pam. Pour/spread mixture into dish and cover with parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes.

The asterisks are because I used my handy-dandy food processor to get the mushrooms in that soup ground into smithereens as well as chop up the artichoke hearts a little bit. Just a tip.

DELICIOUS!

KINGED

2012-01-31T16:04:00.002-06:00

I found the baby in the king cake today at work! I am SO pleased with myself, you'd think I grew wings and took flight or something else that's actually hard.

According to legend, this feat means I am Queen for a Day (obviously), will be the next to have a baby (HA) or I am supposed to bring the next king cake.

I CHOOSE to believe that it simply means that babies naturally flock to me and I will be a good aunt.

PHOTOGRAPHED

2012-01-30T14:09:00.003-06:00

A few weeks ago when I was home for peanut's baby shower, I spent some time with my beautiful friend Kathryn, who has turned her love/hobby of photography into a growing business. Now we all know people with nice cameras that think they are a photographer. Kathryn is not that kind of photographer. She's really, really good. Look what she did with me using only sunlight, 45 minutes around her neighborhood and a few keystrokes on her computer:
Check out her website to see more of her amazing work and be sure to remember her next time you are in the market for some professional photography! If you tell her I sent you, she'll throw in a photo op with one of her beautiful little girls. Perhaps that's a simple offer now, but you won't regret it when they are professional models one day:

PROUD

2012-01-29T14:28:00.005-06:00

Guess what you guys? I've decided that I am a VERY good cook. I know so because I have a terrible, terrible stove. I would have an easier time cooking with a hairdryer and some Bic lighters than I do with this flinging flanging stove. The past three times I have cooked something stovetop, the smoke alarm has gone off and don't get me started one what a traumatic experience that was the first time it happened. All I know is that the eye should not be red-hot when you have it on medium heat, amiright? All of that to say, I bet when I move out of this joint, I will like cooking a lot more because things won't burn to a crisp 30 seconds after impact. As was the case with the chicken I made for a Thai Chicken Pizza last night.
My sister made this for me when I stayed with her once and holy cow is it yummy. She does about half the steps that this Rachel Ray recipe calls for so it is super easy and delicious. And, just like half-marathons, if I can do it, SO CAN YOU!

To make our version and not Ray-Ray's, you'll need:
1 pizza dough, any brand (that Pillsbury pre-made stuff in a can works)
1/2 cup duck sauce (we like Saucy Susan!)
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (I used more than this)
1 package (2 cups) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 rounded tablespoonful peanut butter
2 teaspoons hot sauce
2 teaspoons grill seasoning (recommended: Montreal Steak Seasoning)
4 chicken breast cutlets, 1/2 pound (I used three)
4 scallions, chopped
1/4 cup chopped peanuts (unsalted if you got 'em)

Go ahead and mix up your soy sauce, steak seasoning, oil, hot sauce and peanut butter and then coat your chicken in it. While that sits and marinates, preheat your oven to 425. Take a cookie sheet, spray it with Pam and spread your Pillsbury dough out into a nice large rectangle. Pour the duck sauce on it and spread it around like pizza sauce. Top with cheese and red pepper flakes. Put it into the oven for 15 minutes or so, or only 10 minutes if you have a mutant oven like mine.

Once that's in the oven, cook your chicken over medium-high heat. Pour some wine because the smoke alarm will go off and you will want it to calm your nerves. Cut the chicken up into smaller strips about halfway through. While the chicken and dough are finishing up, cut up your scallions and chop your peanuts. Remove dough from oven, top with chicken, scallions and peanuts. ENJOY!

JAMMED

2012-01-27T16:07:00.001-06:00

My two new favorite songs. CAN'T STOP PLAYING THEM!!!!

Happy Friday! Jam out and enjoy your weekend!

RUNNY

2012-01-23T12:44:00.005-06:00

On Saturday, I participated in my first race since 2008. The Zoo Run Run was also my first race ever, so it was neat to kick off this whole I-guess-I'm-running-again? plan with a race that's near to my heart.

Speedy Gonzales and I got our bibs and he was none too happy about his assigned number. Red flag much?
Once it was time for all the participants to line up, I shooed El Diablo off to the front to run with the fast people. His kind. Meanwhile, I hung back with the walkers until all the crazies were 1K in, then took off.

Just like last time, we ran through the exhibits and I saw elephants, horses, TIGERS!!, a snow leopard and some flamingos.

I was proud of my time: I went running three times this past week and finished one minute slower than 2008, when I had been running 3 to 4 times a week for three months.

Someone ~~had time to cool off, take a nap, get something to eat, make a few calls and warm up the car~~ stood patiently and waited for me to near the end of the race, and then jumped in and ran the last 10' with me to the finish line.
Official party line: it's not that I couldn't have kept up with him, I just didn't want to run anywhere near #666!

BUMPY

2012-01-19T11:44:00.011-06:00

Want a "bumpdate" on my little precious prince of the world nephew baby angel love?

His Birmingham baby shower was weekend before last and my goodness did the little fellow collect. So many cute little outfits, toys, a homemade blanket from one grandma and a homemade baby blue feather boa wreath for the hospital door from the other (I'll let you guess which grandma gave which). It was a really precious time with some of my sister's close friends as well as women who are important not only in Jennie's life, but mine and mom's as well. Booboo is already so loved! But the line forms here to snuggle him, ladies; let's just be real.

Also, he has a name. Mimi, Bebop (don't ask) and Aunt Nin had to play a little word scramble to figure it out, which was pretty clever way to reveal it, if you ask me! Four minutes in (a terrible time, we'll have to be faster for baby #2), we finally solved the puzzle and were thrilled to have a name by which to call him! Not that I can share here, of course (hence, smiley faces where his initials should be). But trust me, it's cute. Just like he will be!
It was so weird saying goodye to my sister that night, knowing the next time I saw her, she'd be in labor. Would you believe me if I said I've already started my list of what to pack? Yes, even aunts need a hospital bag!

CAKEY

2012-01-17T13:20:00.004-06:00

Every once in a while, a recipe comes along that you picture yourself making at least five times a year until you die. This cake and I will have a long, long relationship, I just know it. This will be the cake my kids and grandkids beg for on special occasions. This will be the cake little old church ladies will ask me to make for the potluck. "Lindsay's gonna bring one of her chocolate cakes, naturally; Gladys, what will you bring?"
My friend (and fellow adviser) Allison brought this cake to our December board dinner. I didn't even eat the dessert I brought to share with everyone, I was so consumed with this cake. So using my KitchenAid + new SUPER HANDY glass mixing bowl with a spout and new bundt cake pan, I made this for Evan who joined me for dinner and the Golden Globes on Sunday evening. Since I am a lady first and chef second, I won't say who ate what but I will point out he took some with him to nibble on later. Either way, this is what two people did to this cake:
YEAH. It's that good.

What's that you say? Your new year's resolution was to eat a cake all by yourself? Okay - here you go! This will fix you right up.

1 box of Duncan Hines Butter Recipe Fudge Cake Mix
16 oz. Sour Cream
12 oz. Chocolate Chips
4 Eggs
1/2 cup oil
1 pkg. Instant Chocolate Pudding

Dump everything into a bowl. Mix and pour into a bunt cake pan. Bake at 350 until done (approximately 60 to 90 minutes).

And they lived happily ever after!

RUSHED

2012-01-15T14:56:00.002-06:00

Crickets.

Crickets.

Crickets.

I just renewed this domain name for another year. Did I just waste $9?

So, fun update. I helped out quite a bit this week with sorority ~~rush~~ recruitment at Vanderbilt. I am LOVING being an adviser, by the way. Since 99% of you probably went through rush in August like me, I have to tell you how different it is. In previous years, school started on a Wednesday, henceforth rush was Monday, Tuesday, Thursday night and Saturday night, with Bid Day on Sunday. This year, it changed and rush was from on Friday and Saturday nights, two weekends in a row! In January no less! Don't get me wrong, I sure hated being a sweaty betty running all over the hill in the Auburn August heat. But it's like 15° outside up here. The poor PNMs have to line up for the parties outside the houses and quickly throw their coats off at the last minute. Brrr!

I missed all of last weekend's activities since I was in Birmingham for my sister's baby shower, but I pledged to help out as much as possible this week. I was at the house Wednesday night to help with the "Entertainment Round" preparations, including seeing their brand new skit, which they were so proud of! On Friday night, the last party ended at midnight. I didn't go to bed until 3 am! Pref parties were yesterday and I spent lots of time washing and rewashing tiny cups and plates in between parties and talking to girls. I answered questions about everything from rush at Auburn to job and career advice.

Someone recently asked me if it was worth it to have the extra "drama" in my life that a sorority house brings and I couldn't answer YES fast enough. I love being a friend to these girls and maybe a positive role model. I'm young enough to still get it, but old enough to have a different perspective on certain things. One girl has already asked me to be reference for her upcoming job search. This may be my favorite thing I have done in Nashville. I wish I had signed up sooner!

PINTERESTED

2012-01-10T09:30:00.001-06:00

If you haven't heard of Pinterest by now, I hate to ask where have you been? but seriously. Where have you been? I will cut the guys some slack since all of us females know Pinterest can skew a little bit on the feminine side at times. But Evan, Elliott, Wes and lots of other guys I know hang right there with us, dotting my page with exquisite men's fashion, recipes and other handy little tips and tricks that I've been known repin myself.

Over the past few days I tried my hand at two Pinterest projects: one in the kitchen and one on the floor, I guess (where do you do your gift wrapping?) Neither of these were my first Pinterest project, mind you, but two that I tried more or less on the fly and was pleased with the results.

Thursday night I was wrapping up some cute and tiny clothes for a baby shower gift for Baby G. I didn't have just the perfect shade of ribbon to match, so I pulled this trick out of my hat I saw on Pinterest once (via Anna). You take a scrap of paper, fold it twice, cut some slits and curl away. It makes a fluffy, funky bow that will surely garner attention at your sister's baby shower... especially if you talk about it quite a bit in advance! More pictures and better directions can be found here.
And now for a project with a little more consequence, brought to my attention via Elliott! I told you I got a crockpot for Christmas, right? Yesterday I made my first crockpot dish. I put all the stuff in there before work and lo and behold, that meat was cooked when I got home! Whaddyaknow! Here's the recipe for brown sugar and balsamic pork tenderloin, or, a fancy recipe for barbecue. In the words of Randy Jackson, "it was just aight for me, dawg." It looks a lot better in the pictures, but it was still yummy for my first swing at it. It better be yummy, I have about 1.75 lb of it left to eat. Now what all can I do with leftover barbecue? Let me just look on PINTEREST! Bam. Full circle.

DELAYED

2012-01-05T09:57:00.000-06:00

Friday night before Christmas, Mom hosted our family plus my uncle, aunt and Anne Heaton for dinner. It was fun to be together and kickoff the holidays!

And after the extended family left, we opened our presents. I was super excited to receive a Kindle, two DVDs, a Cam Newton/Carolina Panthers T-shirt, and lots of other fun things, most of which belong in my kitchen: crock pot, bundt cake pan, gift cards, food processor... exciting stuff!
The real highlight of the evening came when Mom unwrapped her last present. Earlier this summer, while my sister was visiting, we went shopping and found this amazingly heinous denim outfit that kindasorta looked like something Mom would wear. It was $2, which we paid for in pocket change, once we were able to stop laughing enough to do math. She kept it at her house until Christmas, when she wrapped it up and we got Mom's boyfriend in on the joke. He usually buys her clothes for Christmas anyway, sometimes clothes she's already picked out. That's what she assumed this was: something she picked out or something he saw and thought she'd like. Au contraire:

Everyone spent the night at Mom's house, which was a nice touch. We woke up Christmas Eve morning and lulled around the house for a while before heading separate ways: Mom to Greenville and the rest of us to join our other side of the family.

We hung out with my other uncle, aunt, cousin, husband and their son Tristan before going to the Christmas Eve service at the church where I was raised. Guess who kept one-year-old Tristan in her lap most of the service? I am going to be such a good aunt next year when we have TWO little boys, full of energy, that need "help" keeping quiet during the service. We had a delicious Italian dinner afterward that my aunt so kindly prepared for us. We used to eat Italian food on holidays all the time, thanks to my Granny. So it was nice to feel like she was there and reminisce about holidays gone by. Once we were stuffed to the gills, I followed my sister and her husband back to their house where I spent the night.

Christmas morning, Jennie prepared a delicious Paula Deen praline french toast casserole that was DIVINE. We got ready and once again, went separate ways: them to Jamie's hometown, and me to lower Alabama to spend the day with Mom. We visited with all kinds of friends and family, including a stop by Mawmaw's nursing home, before dinner with our second family, which has become a tradition that I enjoy so much! After dinner and a game, I drove back to Alabama and was asleep as quickly as I could be.

The next two days were a blur of Kindle reading, TV watching and sleeping in. But I made up for it on Wednesday morning, when mommy-to-be and I hit the ground running to knock out errands for l'petit chéri. We did the same thing Thursday. I think we made 20 stops over the course of two days. Then, it was craft time. Drawer liners from wrapping paper, dressing up some lamp shades, dressing up some mats for his nursery artwork, and my personal favorite: two loads of tiny baby laundry. The only thing that smells sweeter than a baby is a fresh warm load of baby clothes right out of the dryer. We sorted, folded, and tucked them into the drawers. They're only missing one thing now... and he will be here soon!

I left Birmingham on Saturday afternoon. It was nice to have 3 hours in a car on the last day of the year to do some thinking about the year that was and the year that will be. I had fun at Mary Byrne's house, watching the end of the AU game and ringing in the new year with a big group of friends.

But, 2012 is already showing shades of 2011. My car was broken into again NYE. Luckily, I had unloaded ALL of my things from the trip home or something might have been taken. When will he/she learn I don't keep nice things in my car? And just when I think things are straightening out at work, another huge wrench is thrown into the works, leaving absolutely no free time for blogging...

Hope your holidays were terrific and your first week back in the grind has been half as stressful as you thought it would be.

HOME

2011-12-26T11:36:00.003-06:00

Well, Christmas may be over but my vacation is NOT. I still have another five days in the Magic City! Can you believe that?

It's been a whirlwind week. I was an errand-running machine on my first day off. I was able to get a lot of things done, from Christmas shopping to vehicle emissions testing. That evening, I had a yummy potluck dinner with five of my sorority sisters who either live in Nashville or were in town for the holidays. It was SO fun to catch up with them and hear about their lives.

I was originally planning to drive south on Tuesday until Mom told me she bought last-minute tickets to see the Rockettes in Nashville. So she and her best friend plus her daughter all got to town Tuesday after lunch. I pointed them toward downtown so I could continue packing, but we all had dinner at Germantown Cafe before their show.

Wednesday morning, Mom and I headed to Birmingham! We drove straight to Brookwood Mall to have lunch with my sister. We were feeling so brave after that, we even headed to WalMart later!

On Thursday, I slept in, which comes naturally to me in Birmingham, and listened to the rain and storms pass by before going over to my sister's house to see all the cute things she got at her baby shower a few weekends ago! Baby G already has a bigger wardrobe than I do... and he's not here yet! I can't wait to see him in all his outfits and playing with all the sweet toys. Later that night, I met my best girl Kathryn for dinner sans babies! Don't get me wrong, babies are great... but every girl needs a night out. We ate ourselves stupid on cheese dip at Superior Grill and had so much fun.

Friday began the Christmas celebrations! Yes, we stretched them out this year!

WISHY

2011-12-20T13:20:00.004-06:00

Guess what time it is? Time for my annual CHRISTMAS LIST!!! I’ve done my best to think of things that really run the gamut this year so I won’t get any constructive criticism on my list like I have in year’s past.

Let’s tackle this by department:

In the beauty department, I have had my eye on a Clarisonic face brush for a while. Picture it as an electric toothbrush for your face. I have heard this a great way to get gorgeous skin and I don't know anybody who would turn that down.
There are a lot of things I would like for my kitchen. This glass Kitchen-Aid mixing bowl solves my biggest problem right now with my mixer: I can't pour anything out of the bowl (into say, a bundt cake pan) without making a huge mess. Then, once I get whatever I am making poured and baked up, an offset spatula would be a handy way to transfer my yummy treats to a cooling rack. And if it's not treats I'm whipping up, but instead a savory dinner dish, then a regular sized slow-cooker, as opposed to my single-serve lilliputian one, would be nice. Bonus if it has a carrying case in the event I take my show on the road (would also be nice to have a cake caddy for that bundt cake I mentioned). And once everyone has been fed, some tupperware to put the leftovers in would be excellent. Mine is disappearing left and right. And just for good measure or to take up room in the stocking, some more nonstick spoons, etc. would be super handy.
Moving on to electronics: I've already told you how I can't wait to see Beyonce's Live at Roseland Ballroom DVD, so to that let's add Bridesmaids, Glee Season 2, Modern Family Season 1 and Crazy, Stupid, Love. Additionally, there are a few things I would love to own for my Macbook, starting with a Time Machine. No, Emmett Brown, not that kind of time machine. One to back up everything I put on this Macbook. I figure that's only the smart thing to do, lest I lose it all to a crashed hard drive one day. I also have wanted a proper microphone for recording songs (lullabies) for friends (my nephew).

And since no Christmas is complete without something Auburn related, I love this quirky little print of Samford Hall:
Also, am I the only one that didn't know that Hanky Panky (ladies, you know what I'm talking about) made collegiate... gear? War Eagle, indeed.

And speaking of clothing, the last, random thing: boot socks. I already told you I put a hole in one pair from all the walking I did in Vegas. But since lately I will only leave my house wearing boots (or so it seems), I need some thick, tall, warm socks as well.

So there you go, Santas far and wide! In case you are looking for the perfect thing for me to go along with that Friends frame you paid $42,500 for, hopefully will help.

BACK

2011-12-16T10:28:00.003-06:00

Well, it's official. I signed up for a 5k. It seems that is the only way that I will get back into the running game 100% of the way.

The Zoo Run Run was my very first 5k when I was training for the half a few years ago so I am excited about doing it again. Of course, now that I have paid my entry fee and gone public about it, watch that be the day that someone goes into early labor. Ha - like I would be sad about that. I would run all the way home!

DEVASTATED

2011-12-14T17:32:00.000-06:00

The unthinkable has happened. Instead of going into the Smithsonian Museum, or the NBC vault, some geniuses at Warner Brothers got to cleaning out the warehouses and they are AUCTIONING OFF THE FRIENDS COUCH! What a tragedy.
If I were rich and could buy this puppy, I would be the opposite of sad. I'd be thrilled. Because I'd be bidding like crazy on it. Can you even imagine watching an episode of Friends, parked on that couch? But unfortunately, as you already saw, I only won $100 in Vegas. I can't afford the couch.

I can't afford the paper mache frame from around the door (which should also be in a museum, honestly):I can't afford the living room artwork:I can't afford the bedroom artwork:
or the pickle jar kitchen utensil holder:...or any of the other items up for grabs, any of which I would bid on during the online auction on Wednesday, if just one of them were currently priced under the maximum credit limit of my credit card (thanks to absentee bidding option, the bids are already through the roof). Yes, I would max out my card for one of these. I know how ridiculous that sounds, but honestly. These things may seem like yard-sale fodder to some of you, but to be actually able to own an iconic piece of the set of my favorite, favorite, favorite television show? A piece of memorabilia from the 30 minutes of my week that I looked forward to the most for six and a half years? Something to forever represent the six people in my life that collectively did not change, that did not divorce, did not break up with me, let me down on a group project or die? What an unbelievable thought. I promise I'm not dramatizing. That show means THAT much to me.

Just in case you do have that kind of money lying around and want to know what else is up for auction: anything and everything from the Back to the Future trilogy, ranging from a DeLorean to the Sports Almanac to Biff's cane to costumes to the Hoverboards and more. Willy Wonka's hat. Superman's costume. Batman's costume. Judy Garland's gingham dress and ruby slippers and the Cowardly Lion costume from Wizard of Oz. A fake shark from Jaws. A Howard the Duck puppet. William Wallace's sword from Braveheart. Forrest Gump's running shoes. Wilson from Castaway. Tobey McGuire's Spiderman suit. Will Ferrell's Buddy costume from Elf. Brad Pitt's Lt. Aldo Raine costume from Inglourious Basterds. Kristen Wiig's bridesmaid dress from Bridesmaids. Yoda puppet from Empire Strikes Back... you name it, they've got it. I want to buy all of this stuff and put it in the garage of this house.

TRIPPED

2011-12-13T20:14:00.007-06:00

Since no one bothered to guess, I am tempted to not even tell you that I up and went to Las Vegas... again... to see Kanye and Jay-Z.... AGAIN!

I know. It's getting insane how much of a devotee I am to music's second-most polarizing figure (runner up to Gaga, I presume). But talent is talent, people, and Kanye HAS talent. Regardless of what he says or does, I will never deny that. Throw in Jay-Z, who also has immeasurable talent, and it's just almost too much for me to bear.

When I saw them last time, I immediately started telling everyone whom I thought would actually go see them, to absolutely, 100% do it. Find a way and get there. One of those people included my pal David:
who was ready to sign right up for Camp Watch the Throne almost immediately. Next thing I know, plans are made and we're going to Vegas to see the concert!

After I get my Home Alone tour guide business off the ground, I think I will get a Las Vegas First Timer's tour guide business up and running. I have so much fun filling people's heads with interesting knowledge about Sin City and showing them around for the first time. Did you know there is no apostrophe in Caesars Palace because they want each of their guests to feel like a Caesar, important and powerful?

We stayed at the Encore, which is a beautiful property. We got there Thursday and decided to kick around there for the night, just strolling between the Encore and Wynn (pictured above) and taking it all in. Good thing we didn't log too many miles, because after breakfast on Friday, we did so much walking up and down the strip that I put a hole in my brand new boot sock. Yikes. We stopped long enough for lunch at Olive's at the Bellagio, where I discovered that I like beets (albeit candied beets), and at the Cosmopolitan, where I discovered that I want to live in this giant chandelier:

The show was Friday night and my boys did not disappoint. They had made some minor changes since I saw it last month and I was just as enthralled with everything as I was the first go round. They did the most exciting song, "People" in Paris, let's call it, SIX times in a row for the encore. They would catch their breath and let us scream and then Jay would shout "AGAIN!" and the beat would drop (yes, I just said that). It was both hilarious and awesome.

Conversely, Saturday was a low-key day with some leisurely time in a few different Sports Books with some shopping sandwiched in between. We debated about going to see MJ Immortal, the new Cirque show at Mandalay Bay that's about to kick off a nationwide tour, but decided to spend the last night prowling around the Wynn/Encore properties... oh, with a little gambling thrown in:
Yes, mama won $220 on the $1 slots. Actually, mama won $265 but got greedy before she cashed out. Then, got greedy again and lost all but $100 of it. I know. You gotta know when to walk away, a lesson I learned the hard way. I wish I had a video of that machine going nuts when I spun the lucky sequence of numbers. It was truly something I'll never forget!

Of course, no amount of cash could top meeting Jay-Z and Beyonce, an opportunity that I learned I missed while sitting at the airport on Sunday. Robin Leach tweeted a picture of the lovely couple backstage at MJ Immortal, where they met the cast after taking in the show on Saturday night. CHEESE AND RICE. This happened LAST time I was in Vegas except it was Lisa Kudrow and the Elvis show. Moral of the story: whatever Cirque show I feel drawn to next time I am in Veags, I must go see it!

Speaking of my next trip to Las Vegas, while Vegas in December lacks the poolside entertainment that Vegas in the summertime brings, I do think that my next trip will be in December 2012. I have my eye on this guy: the Las Vegas Half Marathon. Start at Mandalay Bay, turn around at Fremont Street and run back. Flat course, cool weather. Have I talked about this before? I really mean it this time.

I can't close without saying many, many, many thanks to an incredibly generous friend for an incredibly amazing trip! I had a "shoe"-per time!

SEASONAL

2011-12-06T19:27:00.003-06:00

Nothing to see here! Business as usual! It's the holidays which means I am making brownies every other night and taking them all over the place for parties and dinners and the like.

I did use my KitchenAid to make something other than dessert, which is new. I have been living off my favorite soup this week and thanks to Pinterest, I learned that I can use the paddle attachment to SHRED! MY! CHICKEN! You have to say it like a game show. I cooked the chicken, threw it hot in the bowl and let 'er rip. Next thing I know? Fluffy, perfectly, evenly shredded chicken for my soup. This tip has changed my life! You are welcome.

Last week, just in time for the big bowl of soup I have been living off, I came down with a sinus infection. Normally, I just ride it out and try to self-medicate, but not wanting to be sick this whole week and weekend, I bit the bullet and went to my mean doctor. And by mean doctor, I mean this mean doctor. I answered all the nurse's questions and made it clear that this is a semiannual thing and I just want some drugs to nip it in the bud. When the doctor comes in, I run through all my symptoms again, remind him this is what usually happens when the weather changes quickly and homeboy puts his pen down, looks at me and says in his best fatherly tone, "Do you remember what I told you to do LAST time this happened?"

Me: blink, blink. Frown. "Um, obviously NOT or I would have done it." So one stupid copay and two prescriptions later, I will NEVER forget what I am to do when my sinuses start acting up again. I also will NEVER forget what a moron the doctor so rudely made me feel like, so yet again I declare: I am never going back there!

BUT. Speaking of places I am and am not going! I leave in 48 hours for a pretty fun trip. Can anyone guess where?

THANKFUL, part 2

2011-12-02T12:41:00.001-06:00

(Longest, unnecessary, dramatic pause ever. Sorry everyone. Didn't mean to leave you hanging that long.)

The next day...was GAME DAY! I woke up at 6:15 am, slapped on a face tat and some orange attire and we headed to the Plains. I enjoyed getting to be there for my FOURTH time this season. Can I just point out that four home games is the total lump sum of home games I attended in 2010, 2009, 2008 AND 2007 COMBINED? And this year I went to four games in one season! I am still kind of shocked by that figure. Those of you that go to every game or most of them really need to count your blessings. But I digress.

So my fourth game of the season was not the wildest success on the field per se, but it was still a fun time and I could not have been happier to be there with family and friends. We stayed until the clock hit zero, something all fans should do, and soaked up a few fleeting moments before waving goodbye until next season.

Sunday, I braved the rain the entire way home. Never took the wipers off the highest speed. Thanks to my new boots, I'm happy to walk in the rain, but driving in it? That'll never be fun.

I hope you all had a memorable, fun-filled, laughter-rich holiday.

THANKFUL, part 1

2011-11-29T12:41:00.007-06:00

Gobble gobble! Who had a good Thanksgiving break? Mine was just right. Lots of family, lots of food, a little football - just right!
I got to Birmingham a little later than planned on Tuesday but was happy just to be there. Last week it was announced that we were all getting one extra day to take to be with our family, a very unexpected blessing. So rather than drive home Wednesday, I got there Tuesday! Five whole days off!

Wednesday, Mom and I ran errands, including a quick trip to see my sister and her husband, who had thoughtfully brought her some lunch, before she got off work and they headed west to stay with his family. It had been more than five weeks since I had seen her or little bumpus mumpus. I got to feel a few good kicks (guess he liked his lunch) while we were there and then we continued about our low key day.

When we got back to the house, it was time for to make my contribution to Thanksgiving: two Salted Caramel Cheesecake Pies. I'll give you a minute to soak that in. My sister always advises me NOT to try new recipes for groups of people or guests: always test them out first, she says. Here's how it usually turns out: I never follow that advice and plan to make the dish anyway. Mid-prep, I always panic for a minute and rue the day I found whatever recipe I am surely ruining. Then, once it's all said and done and I taste the end result, I declare myself the best chef ever. In this case, that cycle did not fail. Cheesecakes are tricky little things. They never look done but you have to turn off the oven anyway. It's nerve-wracking. The caramel was super easy to do but the cheesecake made me all kinds of nervous. My mom finally got me to step away from the oven by taking me to Outback. Oven? What oven?
Thursday, we began the day with a little parade watching before heading out to the first stop of the day. Last Thanksgiving, while we were in DC, my cousin was giving birth to a little baby boy. Of all the days to come early, Tristan decided to make his way into this world the same day as the Iron Bowl. He ended up arriving a little after midnight the following day, but people that know my die-hard Auburn family can appreciate that the nurse had to turn my cousin's in-room TV off to keep her calm! Or maybe it was to keep my uncle calm. Either way, Thanksgiving will now include celebrating little Tristan's birthday and I couldn't be happier. I have only met this little guy twice, once last Christmas and again this summer, but boy did he love his cousin Lindsay. He gave me lots of snuggles and cute little smiles.
Then it was time for cake! He seemed to like the whole cake and icing combo and took his time enjoying every ounce of sugar. He did not seem to like the sink bath that quickly followed.
Later in the evening, when we ran back by their house so Jennie and Jamie could see all of them, he reached for his fun cousin Lindsay as soon as I walked in the door he reached for me. Smitten!

From the party, we headed to see the other side of my family, who were congregating at the lake. After some good food (cough MY CHEESECAKE PIE cough), I joined the men behind the barn and shot clay pigeons. Raise your hand if you got two in a row! Watch the video for proof. I am sad the part where I yelled "PULL!" is not on film but oh well.

It was home for final preparations and then Jennie and Jamie as well as Fred rolled in. We had dinner together and enjoyed Pie Number Two before calling it a day.

Contrary to what I told you a few weeks ago, I did not participate in any Black Friday shopping this year. Sat it out altogether. Once I saw that what was on sale did not interest me in the least (an iPod touch that had the same memory as what I have now), I decided not to even get out. So I slept in Friday before heading out in the pretty weather to help my sister with her Christmas card photo. We got a great one highlighting l'petit chéri and even got a few of the four of us, thanks to that handy timer function:
I followed them home to see the little guy's nursery, which is absolutely adorable. Blue and green and perfect all over. There's still lots to be done, but seeing that crib ready to go made my tiny heart grow three sizes larger. I attempted to help hang curtains but proved no help at all, so I settled in to do what I do best: eat leftovers and watch TV.

I briefly went back to my mom's house, only to hop back in her car to go to dinner and movie with J & J. We saw Tower Heist and I loved it. It was off to bed quickly thereafter because the next day...

TO BE CONTINUED!

HAMMED

2011-11-23T10:21:00.013-06:00

This time last year, I was in DC! They day before Thanksgiving, my mom, my sister her mother-in-law and I were out running final pre-holiday errands, including loading up the trunk with Georgetown Cupcakes and picking up one small Honeybaked Ham.

Have you ever seen what kind of line is outside the Honeybaked Ham store the day before Thanksgiving? Even though you should have called and reserved your ham, you still have to wait in line to pick it up. And that line made Walmart on a Sunday look like a cake walk. It was so bad that there were policemen patrolling the parking lot and store. Yes, law enforcement was needed to keep order.

So we parked the car a block away at CVS, got in line and waited... and waited... and finally made it into the store to pick up the small, bone-in, spiral cut ham.

We helped ourselves to the samples while waiting in yet another line to purchase the ham, then headed outside. I don't know what made me think to do it, but as we walked by the long, long line and saw one lady rushing through the parking lot, intent written all over her face, I spied an opportunity. I shouted to her "They are all out of ham, we got the last one!"

Heads turned. Fists clenched. My family burst out laughing. "WHAT?!" she exclaimed as she stopped dead in her tracks.

"We got the last one! They are all out!" I repeated.

Before the lady could accost me or steal our ham, I told her I was kidding and they had plenty of ham for her. Despite her visible relief, it was clear that she did not think this dialogue was 1/10th as funny as my mom, sister and I did. "Yeah, Happy Thanksgiving." she muttered as she continued towards the store.

In an instant, I knew I had stumbled onto something amazing. The next person we passed in the parking lot: "They're all out of ham; we got the last one!" This gentleman also was indignant. "WHAT!?" "Just kidding, sir! Happy Thanksgiving!" I don't remember what he said as he stalked off but it wasn't laughter.

I was ready to spend the next hour outside that Honeybaked Ham store, telling people they were out of ham but my family feared for our safety so they made me leave. But, you are reading this and have some free time today, I encourage you to go to your local Honeybaked Ham and tell the herd of ham hopefuls that they are S.O.L. It will be the funniest thing you do all holiday season.

Happy Thanksgiving!

HUNTERED

2011-11-21T16:22:00.004-06:00

Christmas came early, kids:
Actually Christmas did not come so much as the rain did. And came. And came again. It rained yesterday, rained today and will rain again tomorrow. When I leave work tonight I expect to pass animals filing by two by two.

True to my word, I finally bit the bullet and marched into our new Nordstrom yesterday and pulled the trigger. Relax, I had done my homework on these puppies. I was confident in my purchase. And walking to work has never been so much fun. I practically danced my way here.

WET

2011-11-16T12:00:00.003-06:00

Can I complain for one second? Just one second on this topic and I won’t mention it again.

Walking to work SUCKS. I can think of about four days total that I got here and wasn’t sweating. It’s been hot as hades until about last Monday. Walking to to work in the heat = sweating when I get here. Then it got cold for basically a week, requiring use of my cute yellow coat, which means guess what? Sweating when I get here. My walk, which is slightly longer than everyone else’s since I walk from home not the off-site garage, is just long enough to work up a sweat no matter the temperature, my clothing or my pace.

I can deal with sweaty. Definitely not my preferred look but I can make do. Windblown? Also not my favorite look but I can make do.

BUT THE RAIN!? THE RAIN. IS. KILLING. ME.

If I wanted to walk to work in the rain and be all cute and metro about things, I would move to New York City. I cannot deal with it. Today when I woke up and heard the rain, I seriously contemplated calling a cab. This was on top of my idea yesterday of just calling in sick and staying home altogether (didn’t do it).

My only rain shoes are Crocs and that’s another whole post in and of itself. But I bit the bullet and wore them in today, after nearly ruining my new boots yesterday trying to get home in one soggy piece. But don’t forget that crocs have holes! I’ve been here for three hours and my feet are STILL drying off. You know what? I hope I get sick. I could use the down time.

My North Face jacket and my cute little Old Navy pink and giraffe print umbrella are not cutting the mustard. This weekend, I’m going to buy an umbrella the size of a dining room table and some rain boots so thick you’d need a drill bit to get through them. I may even buy a poncho for good measure. Or maybe I should just man up and get one of these:

A raincoat, waterproof trousers and umbrella in one. Yes, I think I need one of those. If you're driving downtown and you see me crossing the street in a black Hazmat suit, don't worry, we're not under attack! It's just raining!

MARCELLED part 2

2011-11-15T13:08:00.002-06:00

Remember this cute little thing from more than a year ago? Well, he's back! With a second video, a book AND a TV show!

This shell guy is like 800 times cuter than that hermit crab I used to own.

EXCITED

2011-11-11T13:53:00.004-06:00

It appears I have established a new Christmas tradition:

Christmas Eve service followed by Christmas PJs photo followed by unwrapping Beyoncé’s newest DVD!

I don’t think I will be able to wait a full month for this one when it comes out. She was in her second trimester when she did these four shows! #STARPOWER

ATTENDED

2011-11-10T18:28:00.006-06:00

Well I did not come home with a CMA award. But I did come home with an official CMA program and a really fun memory of my first ever live awards show! From start to finish, it was an exciting evening for any fan of country music. I, being a SUPER-fan of country music, had the best time ever. Many many thanks to this guy for the ticket! I am so grateful!
We were told we had to be in our seats at 6:30, in time for the pre-show awards ceremony. That went by really quickly then we watched with eagle eyes for the stars to scurry to their seats minutes and seconds before the live telecast at 7 pm. If you know me at all, you know I have incredibly poor eyesight, even with my -8.5 lenses in, so I was doing good just to tell which were the men and which were the women. Jay was pretty accurate in picking out who was who ("That's Sugarland." "Looks like the Band Perry to me." "Tim and Faith, obviously." etc.) except I did spot Taylor Swift in her really big dress.

We had made our predictions in advance so in between all of the performances, it was fun to see who was gonna win our bet of a home-cooked meal. Out of 12 categories, we only picked the same winner for three of them. I knew I had it in me and sure enough, I won!

My favorite performances were Zac Brown Band's "Georgia On My Mind", Rascal Flatts + Natasha's "Easy", the Lionel Richie medley, Carrie and Brad's "Remind Me" and Sugarland's duet with Matt Nathanson to "Run." I was so happy Miranda and Blake won again!

Click in the photos to see my cute little labels of which stars are sitting where. Were you watching? What was your favorite part?

AWARDY

2011-11-07T18:59:00.004-06:00

What do Carrie, Taylor, Miranda and I all have in common?

WE'RE GOING TO THE CMAs!

Yes, that's right, still years away from my first nomination, I will turn industry heads and attend the Country Music Awards this Wednesday night. Considering the red carpet is set up on the street right in front of my building, I will not say I won't try to sneak onto that too, but I'm definitely getting into the show. Ticket and all! In the words of Reba, here's your one chance Fancy, don't let me down!

I'm waiting for Martina or Sara to invite me over to do hair and nails and makeup but the call has not come just yet. But, just like every girl would, I have started thinking about what I will wear.

If I had unlimited funds and overnight shipping, I would definitely rock one of these fun sparkly dresses from Piperlime.com: which is your favorite?
That last one would look better with tights I think. But not boots, otherwise no one would be able to tell me and this girl apart:
Yikes.

Anyway. I'm so excited! CMYaaaaaaay!

TOPPED

2011-11-02T13:04:00.002-05:00

Ugh. I want to find a cave and move into it. Things are so hectic right now. I feel like I am on a merry-go-round of chaos and I would like to exit the ride but the conductor won’t stop it just for me because the music is still playing and the other kids are having a ball so I just have to maintain my death grip onto this scary horse with a pole coming out of its head while my relatives take pictures of my crying face as I pass them like clockwork every 45 seconds until the music stops and I can safely exit the ride.

In other news.

Kate and I had a BLAST in Atlanta this past weekend to see Young and Yeezy, or JayZ and Kanye, as they are more commonly known. I mean, a BLAST. Everytime I leave a concert (see: JT, Kanye 2008, Paul McCartney, etc) I declare it the best concert I have ever been to. But, I think this really actually truly WAS. Think how many hits the two have between them. Then think about how many songs they have been on together that weren’t on their recent album. Then, think of all the songs that were on it. And that’s what we heard. The set list reads like an Entertainment Weekly Top 38 Rap Songs of the past 25 years. Everyone has asked and the answer is YES, Beyonce was there. She was backstage the night we went, but was out in full force for the evening before (they did two shows in Atlanta – one Friday, one Saturday). Here’s a rough video of her from the back jamming out to her boo. And don’t worry, that’s exactly how I dance too.

So, until I tell you otherwise, let’s just go ahead and pencil that one down as best concert ever. I started a Word document on my laptop recently of all the concerts and tours I have been to in my life. I know I’ll wanna remember this stuff ~~when I can't look it up on Wikipedia anymore because they had to shut down after years and years of everyone ignoring their CEO’s plea for donations at the top of the page~~ when I’m old and gray. So far top five in NO particular order are this show, Paul McCartney’s On the Run show in July 2010, Kanye West’s Glow in the Dark in May 2008, U2’s 360 in July 2011, Justin Timberlake’s FutureSex/LoveShow in March 2007. Oh wait. Can I do Top 6? Elton John and Billy Joel’s Face to Face tour in May 2009.

BLACK

2011-10-28T12:14:00.007-05:00

Attention shoppers: Black Friday is officially FOUR WEEKS away. My sister and I somehow went from the could not care less about Black Friday types, to the looking at circulars in advance, mapping out deals, camping out, strategic fools. Don't worry. We know better than to hit the malls. That’s how you get trampled.
It started in 2005 when we saw that Motorola RAZR phones were two for $80 or something like that at Comp USA, which opened at midnight on Black Friday. We grabbed some friends who must have been easily entertained (or incredibly bored) and headed up there to get each other a new phone for Christmas. It was a LONG night.
I didn’t have my license, which was required to activate/renew the contract, and T-Mobile or whoever we were with in 2005 was so logjammed from the midnight Black Friday sales that it took hours for the phone to get activated. We decided to leave the phones in the activation queue and come back and get them later. We went home to change into warmer clothes and headed to Best Buy to try to buy my mom a new computer for Christmas.
We were so far back in the line that we did not even get the stinking computer. So we went back to Comp USA and got our snappy little phones and admitted defeat. It was crucial that we stop at Chick Fil A on the way home, where we took a slow moment in the drivethru to pose with our loot. I think we swore up and down one hundred that we would never. do. it. again.
So we didn’t. In 2006 anyway. But in 2007 we were back at it, only for small wares. I had my eye on a Justin Timberlake DVD (shocking) and my sister was after the entire box set of Sex and the City. We rolled out of bed at 4:30 and were back asleep by 6.

We opted out of the madness again in 2008 and 2009. We came close last year but decided it wasn’t worth the bitter DC cold to wake up that early for things we didn't really need. I rode with my sister to take my mom to the airport that morning only slightly less early than Black Friday sales began, so on the way home we did swing by Target for some deals ($5 and $3 movies and a portable DVD player).

This year, however, we are BACK! We both have our eye on big ticket items. She wants to hit the Babies R Us sales to get some furniture for l'petit chéri. Aunt Nin, on the other hand, plans to hit the Best Buy sales to get herself a new iPod!

I can hear your eyes rolling with the anticipation of even more iPod drama. Like clock work every year, I know. But here’s the deal: my iPod works just fine... with one small asterisk. I have run out of usable space on it. When I bought it in 2005, I distinctly remember thinking “I will never use 30 gigs of memory!” Well, five years later, I have used that and some change. In July, I took every single Christmas song off of it so I could make room for the new fun summer jams I was buying. But what am I supposed to do when Christmas rolls around? I have to have my holiday music!

So, thanks to a little elbow grease, I have figured out how to do this cheaply and efficiently. Step one. Rewards. I have rewards accumulated on my credit card and checking account that will get me $100 in Best Buy gift cards. Step two: I am also planning to use the $50 card that my sweet friends gave me for helping out with the class reunion. Step three: I got on BestBuy.com and found out that I can trade my current iPod in (tear, sniff) for a $35 gift card. That’s a total of $185 and I haven’t spent a dime yet! So, I am watching for Best Buy to release their Black Friday deals which will determine if I’m gonna go for the iPod Touch or stick to my current model but with quite a bit more (4x more to be exact) memory. You have more room on the classic and for less money. But the Touch has the Nike Technology that I know I would use when I run. I don’t think I would use all the other features (email, Facebook, etc) since I have my phone, at least not enough to make me lean toward the Touch without further question.

All of that to say: first, who will be up at the crack of dawn (or before) with us, and what will you be after? Second, which kind of iPod would you get?

PUNCHED

2011-10-27T12:04:00.002-05:00

So I have another really funny story for you. This may be even funnier than the story from yesterday.

A friend of mine was at a concert and met a cute guy. She gave him her business card. Sounds pretty normal, right?

Later in the evening, he approached her again, confused. Turns out, she had given him her SWEET CECE'S PUNCH CARD, not her business card. He thought she had wanted to go get yogurt!

How embarrassing! And how hilarious! That totally sounds like something I would do. Or maybe something I should do. After all, he did come back and talk to her again, right?

And don't worry, she got her Sweet Cece's punch card back.

GROSSED OUT

2011-10-26T10:59:00.005-05:00

Last night I was at work setting up for an event and I had to put votive candles in the bathrooms. I did NOT want to go into the men's room on our floor because I know too many of the men that use said restroom. Oy vey. Didn't want more knowledge than I needed. But I couldn't find a man to take the candles in for me so I had to do what I had to do.

After making sure it was all clear, I stepped in, set the candles down and made sure housekeeping had left everything nice and tidy. As I'm exiting, a male coworker who was working late I guess enters the restroom. You'd think it would be really awkward that I was in the men's room and I was. But sadly, that was not the most awkward part. He was holding a giant slice of chocolate cake!

Can one of you men please explain this to me? Is this a new thing? Eating while... you know? I've heard of multitasking but this (pardon the pun) truly takes the cake!

COMMERCIAL

2011-10-25T14:38:00.006-05:00

Do you love chocolate?
Are you trying to lose weight?
Have I got the SNACK for you!

Am I the dead last to board the VitaTrain? Why have none of you ambushed me and shoved one of these snacks in my mouth yet? FREAKING DELCIOUS, I tell you. Being the chocoholic that I am, I went straight for the kill and bought the Deep Chocolate VitaTops. I brought one to work today and just ate it ten minutes ago and that sound you all just heard was my head exploding with amazement. It tasted like a very yummy and decadent chocolate cake! Really, this thing is only 100 calories? Okay. Let’s discuss it at my ocean-front property in Arizona!

Pick these bad boys up in the freezer aisle, kids. Unless you wanna be like me and order them by the 24-pack carton....

CONFIDENT

2011-10-21T12:43:00.002-05:00

Clay Dudley was the only one who thought we were going to beat Florida in 2001. I thought he was crazy.

Call me crazy but I have a good feeling about the comeback kids. Don't count us out yet. Win or lose, I think we'll have a great game this weekend. KEEP SWINGING!

PLAINSED

2011-10-19T10:47:00.004-05:00

On Saturday, I found myself once again on the Plains for my third Auburn game this season. The last time I went to three Auburn games was my senior year. Crazy! All is right in the world again.

As I promised I would, I went rampant in the bookstore, snapping up the cutest, tiniest Auburn gear for my precious angel baby nephew whom I love and adore. Parents buy furniture, grandmas buy toys, aunts buy Auburn stuff. And lots of it. Okay I didn't buy all of that. His mom did buy the things she is holding.
You'll notice we bought two onesies, two tigers, two pair of socks... do not judge. There were plenty of additional onesies, tigers and socks (oh my) that we put back! I really could have bought at least twenty more things. It's all so tiny and all so Auburn, and that's not the best of both worlds, I don't know what is.

All five of us, heading into the game! And what a beautiful game it was!
So much has changed since the last time the Gators left Jordan-Hare empty-handed (2006)...
...but all for the better, I would say.

War Eagle!

SAVED

2011-10-09T20:17:00.003-05:00

Thanks for the sweet comments and e-mails in response to the post below. Words of encouragement are so appreciated!

Despite my iffy mood, I managed to have a great weekend. Friday after work, I met up with my friend Jay, who even though we live less than one mile from one another, I had not seen since June! We decided to check out a new Jackalope Brewery and Taproom in between our apartments. I had no idea what to expect. Was it a brewery tour? Was it a restaurant? It was actually neither. The beer on tap was delicious and once we each had a glass in hand, we grabbed some complimentary (spicy!) snack mix and found a game room in the back where I kicked somebody's tail in checkers. There was a food truck outside, so after the ~~slaughter~~ game was over, we got some nachos and found a table to hang out at until the place closed around 8:30. Not quite ready to call it a night, we made Jay's inaugural trip to Corner Pub midtown for some... CHEESE BEANS.

If you've never been to Nashville or Corner Pub then you may not understand what a rite of passage these things are. Basically, it's little cubes of cheddar and pepperjack cheese, fried. Sounds like another order of your run of the mill cheese sticks, but trust me when I say it's not!

Saturday, I got to sleep in a little bit, hit the gym and watched a little TV before heading into work. Sadly, the Tigers and I did not continue our tradition of them going undefeated while I am at work. (What was supposed to be) my last Saturday event went off without a hitch and in between checking on a happy bride and groom, I was able to watch a little of the second quarter, and most of the third and fourth.

Today is my sweet friend Kate's birthday so Evan and I treated her to breakfast to get the day started off right. Well, that was the plan anyway. The restaurant ended up treating Kate to breakfast, and Evan and I to a discount, because they were SO SLOW. I am all about supporting small businesses like this one over a big chain. But 90 minutes for variations on eggs, biscuits and bacon? Unacceptable. There was more than one table that arrived after us, got their food, ate, paid and left before we had seen the first piece of toast. It made for a funny story though and we all left full and happy.

After a nap on the couch, I decided to test the waters and try a run since it was such a nice day outside. Y'ALL. I think I managed to do something tonight I didn't even do while I was training for the half. I ran 3 miles and a really long time without stopping to walk once! Again, this was my first run in ages. I have no idea what came over me, but I sure do like it. Maybe I have lately finally found the motivation I needed. I have been saying I want to get back into running for years, but after thoroughly impressing myself tonight, I may finally be there.

Bottom line: I managed to turn the week around and have a pretty good weekend to boot. Hope each of you did as well!

DOWN

2011-10-07T09:26:00.003-05:00

"Humility is perpetual quietness of heart. It is to have no trouble. It is never to be fretted or vexed, or irritable. It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me, and when I am blamed and despised."

I have really been pondering this quote lately. Despite all the happy, exciting things going on in life like babies and exfoliants, I've been so... down.

Finding quietness of heart when the chips don't fall your way at work is hard. Finding quietness of heart when yet another boy doesn't like you back is hard. Finding quietness of heart when you are 28 and wondering what in the heck you are doing with your life is hard. Finding quietness of heart when you don't feel good enough, pretty enough, thin enough, successful enough or social enough for your own standards or someone else's is hard.

I've said it before and then bulldozed right past it, but this has been one of those weeks where due to a lot of different things happening (and not happening), I feel really behind.

Everyone has these moments, and I'll snap out of mine. It's just been a long, discouraging week. Don't mind me - enjoy your weekend!

CARED

2011-10-06T13:59:00.002-05:00

A few weeks ago, I saw several posts about what's in people's makeup bags and medicine cabinets. I won't bore you with the details of every single product I use, but I will tell you about some products I picked up recently that are changing my life, one swipe at a time.

I really had to dig deep in my heart to pay close to $8 for deodorant but I'll admit it: I'm a sweater. I sweat bad and I sweat often. Walking to work everyday during the hottest summer in the history of mankind, I hit my limit. I finally bit the bullet and bought some of that clinical strength deodorant they make now a days, Degree to be exact, and I LOVE it. It really does work. My armpits are infinitely more dry than they ever were before. WHO KNEW?!

Secondly, I have started realizing in my "old age" I need to do more for my face besides wash it. Wrinkles aren't going to prevent themselves, you know. So I swung by the Sephora and had them give me a sample of God's gift to eyes everywhere: Clinique All About Eyes: RICH! My dark circles have disappeared in a week, ladies! I am addicted to this product and really can tell a difference.

I also had Marni, my friendly Sephora representative, prepare me some samples of a highly-recommended Peter Thomas Roth mask and a Fresh exfoliant, both of which I like but need to find a cheaper alternative.

It's skincare boot camp up in here!

PARTIED

2011-10-05T15:19:00.003-05:00

At halftime of the Auburn game on Saturday, I hopped in the shower so I could get ready for my reunion. I spent the entire second half of the game running back and forth between the mirror and the TV to see what had happened. It felt like every other down there was an interception or something. My nerves were shot by the time the game ended!

As soon as the clock hit zero (hold your comments on THAT, please), I was out the door and racing up 280 for the event to begin. I hadn't made it to the cookout and game on Friday (had a good excuse) or to the Saturday afternoon, kid-friendly picnic, so I was excited about finally seeing everyone!
From what I could see (and from what I was told repeatedly) everyone really enjoyed themselves. It was fun to see former classmates and meet their significant others. Add to that merriment a delicious spread of dips, yummy finger sandwiches, pasta and my personal favorite, a fabulous dessert sampler! The food was a hit for sure. As if old friends and yummy food wasn't enough, we also had a rockin' playlist put together by DJ LJ (me), a cash bar and an enormous TV showing the Bama-Florida game! You'd just about think it was a party!

Also, on a recent trip home, I unearthed my senior yearbook, as well as our senior class prophecies. Folks had a great time flipping through the yearbook and re-reading (and in some cases, explainging) the prophecies. Get this: mine said I would move to Nashville! Isn't that crazy? It also said I was going to marry my high school sweetheart's younger brother and get discovered by Kenny Rogers and well, clearly, neither of those things have happened. YET.

In a completely unsuspected and generous move, the class officers gave me a gift card for helping to pull the event together. I was so touched and already have my eye on several things to spend it on!
I won't speak for everyone, but I know I had a blast and wouldn't have done a thing differently. The venue was the perfect size for our crowd and everyone seemed to mingle really well together. Here's to another 10 great years!

STILL THRILLED

2011-10-03T20:02:00.001-05:00

Well THAT was what I call a good weekend: Auburn wins, I'm getting a nephew, and the class reunion was a smashing success. Thanks to ~~everyone~~ Corrie for being excited about my nephew! Hope the rest of you were just curbing your enthusiasm, because that certainly won't be the last you hear of him!

Maybe some of this unbelievable, equally once-in-a-lifetime good news will illicit a comment?

I was so excited on Friday morning that I could not sleep. Proof? I got up and went to the gym before work... to which I was an hour EARLY! Leaf, turned. I am addicted to the endorphins I felt all day long. I'm sure some of that had something to do with the fact I was mere hours from finding out baby G's gender, but maybe not entirely, because guess what? I DID IT AGAIN TODAY! I think I can keep this up.

But maybe not, because also this weekend, I found some new sheets that are exactly what I wanted and my bed is more comfy than ever. Ever since May, I have been sheet-hunting up a storm. Would it be redneck of me to admit that I had burrowed a giant hole into my fitted sheet? Holey sheet! It's funny (especially said like that), but not very grown-up of me. So I found some new sheets that were the kind of cotton I wanted, the kind of weave I wanted, and a decent thread count. Did you know thread count is not the end-all, be-all of sheets? I have researched the stew out of sheets. Weave, composition, single or double strand... all of these things matter just as much as thread count!

Last but not least, it was announced today that the Auburn/Florida game (my next trip to the Plains) is a NIGHT GAME! I love a night game! That gives me plenty of time to hit up the bookstore and buy them out of tiny jerseys for who? what? huh? Oh that's right, MY NEPHEW!

More on the reunion coming soon...MOM.

REVEALED

2011-10-02T09:16:00.003-05:00

After weeks and weeks of waiting, we FINALLY learned the gender of little precious lamb angel baby G!

I love him so much already! No other man will ever come close! And no woman will ever love him or spoil him like his Aunt Nin.

And of course I immediately (the next day) went out and started buying tiny, adorable things for him: a sweet little fuzzy hat with bear ears, and his first orange and blue outfit! Next up, trucks!

REUNITED

2011-09-30T08:37:00.008-05:00

First of all, let's get this out of the way. TODAY IS THE DAY WE FIND OUT IF BABY G IS A BOY OR GIRL!!!!!!!!!! Aunt Nin (not the final name, by the way) is beside herself to find out whether she will be buying babydolls or dumptrucks. But I can't reveal what I find until later in the weekend, so I have to talk about something else until then.

So! Look at this here article that was at the tippy-top of the Tennessean.com this morning: Reunions Not the Same Since Facebook... Why Go?

Funny that the very day I head home for my class reunion, that's the first article I read. I mentioned the other week that I was helping to plan my 10-year reunion, which kicks off tonight. We've planned a really nice, affordable (I believe so, anyway) intimate gathering for tomorrow night, preceded by a kid-friendly picnic in the park tomorrow afternoon and of course, the Homecoming dinner and game tonight. This journalist should have just called me because I have some really fun facts I could have shared. Like, that less than 30% of my class of 100 is attending. Heck, people that didn't even officially graduate with us are coming, and I don't mean spouses or significant others.

Maybe I should be more specific when I say "attending." Less than 30% are attending the Saturday evening portion. Several additional folks have told us they'll only be at the Friday night game, I assume because it's free. Fine by me. I won't argue with you over money by any stretch. What I will argue with is the excuses that we've been given such as I'm too busy or just simply, I can't make it.

SO I think this article hit the nail on the head. While Facebook has been extremely helpful in contacting people for this thing, it's also I think the new worst enemy of a class reunion. If I want to know what so-and-so is doing, I can look it up on Facebook. The motivation to re-connect with everyone isn't there like it was for our parents' generation.

As for this girl, I am pumped up and can't wait to see those that DID buy tickets and CAN make it. It'll be a happy crowd of sweet, supportive folks that genuinely want to be there. Basically the same ones that stayed up til 2 am every year to finish our class float for the Homecoming parade. One anonymous individual even changed his family's vacation plans to be there, after seeing the onslaught of "feedback" that we were getting over this shindig. His first drink's on me. Someone else bought a pair of tickets just to show his support, even though he can't be there (for a very good reason). So, just when I thought it was almost shot to hell, my faith in humanity is restored.

I'll end by saying this: if you "make it" to your class reunion, please thank your class officers. And if you're a class officer trying to plan one right now, e-mail me for some words of comfort or advice (your choice). It's a lot harder to plan a class reunion than you think. Keep in mind I plan events for a LIVING and this is one of the hardest things I've ever helped with. Admittedly, that's probably my fault. Since it was not for work, I was more personally invested, and therefore, much more subject to get my feelings hurt.

But enough about that. All the planning is done and the fun part can begin. And this hot mama is bringing her camera, so expect lots of amazing pictures!

Go Lions!

ADVISED

2011-09-29T11:48:00.006-05:00

I have had a few meetings so far with the ADPi chapter for which I am an adviser (look it up) and I must say, I am really enjoying it!

The girls are really sweet and don't make me feel too old or out of touch with reality, much like we probably did our advisers. I am enjoying learning all the new lingo and traditions that are unique to Vanderbilt as well as all the stuff ADPi chapters are supposed to do now.

They were talking about homecoming at my most recent meeting and another adviser and I realized they don't even do floats at Vandy. They are supposed to decorate golf carts for a parade, but even that is optional. I can't imagine homecoming without a float!

I have not been to a full-fledged chapter meeting yet but I will soon. And actually I think it's formal chapter... better brush up! It should be really fun. It'll take loads of restraint for me to behave. I just miss college. Hopefully they haven't figured out that really this whole thing is stage one of my campaign for house mom so I can live on a college campus again. I would be a much better house mom than any of our RAs ever were to us. Right, Kelly? Look, I fit right in:
(Not at Vandy; this was taken at AU last fall when I got my first peek at the new chapter room)

Speaking of traditions, Hey Day was yesterday. Does that make you nostalgic or what? A day set aside JUST to say Hey! to everyone you encounter. I love Auburn.

I know loads of Beta Omegas read this blog: what do you miss about ADPi and/or Berta Dunn? If it's a good tradition, I'll try to convince the girls they need to start doing it.

LOCKED

2011-09-27T13:53:00.011-05:00

A few weeks ago, Mom told me that just because I tweet* does not mean I get to stop blogging. Fair enough. So along those lines, I recently realized I never shared this with all of you, even though I did tweet it*, but Mom wants me to blog what I tweet, right?

My last trip home, Mom and I were waiting for my ride back to Nashville. No better place to wait than Yogurt Mountain, if you ask me. So we filled up our cups and found a table near the door, when I looked outside and saw this:

Oh, by the way- IT WAS LOCKED.

*Tweet from personal account and Pearls of Wit account, that is.

PLEASED

2011-09-26T12:14:00.003-05:00

Sorry to leave you hanging - I was too busy cuddling up to my new boots and my sister's belly.

The boots* got here Friday afternoon (less than 72 hours after I ordered them, mind you) and my sister got here shortly thereafter. We grabbed dinner at NY Pie and went to her favorite Old Navy (the only one around that sells maternity clothes in-store) and a few other places before heading back home to watch the newest episode of AU Football Every Day.

Saturday, we had a quick breakfast at home while the traffic died down around us from the half-marathon we did not run (ha), then set out to do some more shopping, get pedicures, see the Lion King 3D and swing by the Kroger for chili ingredients for dinner. I think it's safe to say the chili was better than the game was. But we won and that's that! I have faith!

Sunday morning, we got breakfast at a cute little diner on the other side of the river before we headed out for a bit more... wait for it... shopping (we were looking for baby bargains!) and then split ways. Someone had to get home to go grocery shopping for a big gender reveal dinner on Friday night! And I had to go the gym so I can eat that dinner.

Much to my chagrin, the bebé did not decide to make itself perceivable via interpretive movement to his or her auntie quite yet. I was hoping s/he'd decide to kick for me, either during the Auburn game or in an approving response to my chili, but maybe the baby is just as comfortable and relaxed in Tennessee as his or her mama is!

*Okay so back to the boots. I put them on as soon as I got home and they fit so well! I took a pic and tweeted it, mentioning Piperlime of course, and guess who tweeted me back just now? Piperlime! HAVE I MENTIONED I LOVE THAT WEBSITE?!

SPENT

2011-09-22T08:14:00.004-05:00

Guess what, kids? I finally saved more than I spent! Isn't that great news?! What a milestone!

Oh um, by the way... it was these that I bought:
But thanks to some sweet coupons and discounts that I had been saving up on Piperlime.com (if you don't shop there you are missing out!), I got these great boots for less than half of the price. If only I was as motivated to do the same thing at Publix. Oh well.

CLEAN

2011-09-20T09:40:00.003-05:00

Last night at 6 pm, a sweet little lady showed up at my house... to clean it.

Pick your jaw up off the floor.

First of all, the gift of Heidi was a gift from my mom. She bought one hour's worth of cleaning on a Groupon a few months ago and presented it to me as a gift! I was thrilled... then insulted... but then thrilled all over again.

Secondly, one hour's worth of cleaning the shoebox I live in can really go along way if you let it. She got halfway through the apartment. When she arrived, I told her to focus on anything with a tile floor (which is basically the bathroom and kitchen).

And focus she did. While she was cleaning, so was I: folding laundry, hanging clothes, etc. We both sang along to Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift while we worked. It was adorable.

My apartment is so clean and shiny. I don't think I'll get in the habit of hiring housekeepers too often (yet), but it sure is nice every once in a while. Like going to the doctor for a checkup. Sometimes, you just need professional help. Thanks Mom!

SAUCED

2011-09-14T11:53:00.000-05:00

Buongiorno!

Did you know I am one-quarter Italian? I'm no Snooki, but I do really like that part of my heritage. We've already touched on how I was a picky eater as a child, but once I learned what I was missing out on, I changed my tune and started the enjoying homemade pasta, meatballs and ravioli at holidays like the rest of the smart adults. I also assume that's why I think the only food groups are Chianti, cheese, carbs and chocolate.

I also like to think that's why I could eat this lasagna every day for the rest of my life and be happy as a clam.

On Monday, I asked Chef Jennie for a recipe for something I could make and nibble on all week. She quickly rattled off from memory the recipe for that Taste of Home lasagna. Lasagna intimidated me a little bit because I had never attempted to make it before. But, I ran to the grocery store that night after the gym, and much later (10:30 pm), I had dinner:
Now I know what you are thinking: ~~could she have used any more cheese?~~ that looks like every other lasagna I've ever seen! BUT IT'S NOT. There is a secret ingredient (at least I think) in the sauce: dry onion soup mix. BAM. It will make it a little saltier than you might expect, but the flavor is unbelievable!

I wanted to dive in head-first and never, ever come up for air. Death by lasagna, just like Garfield the Cat always wanted. Okay, don't go that far, but try it and see for yourself.

PS - No-boil, oven-ready noodles? WHO KNEW!
PPS - Chef Jennie's recipe, v. the Taste of Home recipe, calls for one extra, smaller 8 oz. can of tomato sauce in addition to what is listed.

SUNBURNED

2011-09-13T10:57:00.006-05:00

War Eagle and Happy Tuesday, kids. Did you have a good weekend? You know I did! I got to Birmingham around 7 pm on Friday after a fun ride with Kate, just in time for some of Chef Jennie's delicious steak tacos. Now if you're wondering "Does she go home to see her family, or to eat her sister's amazing dinners?" the answer is BOTH.

After we had finalized our plans for the next day (not as easy as you'd think, keep reading) we all hit the hay since the alarms were set for 4:45 AM! Oh Auburn, the things I do for you.

For this trip, our resident Bama fan (Jamie) and his Auburn-loving brother (Matt) were joining us. We even twisted Jamie's arm enough to get him to wear a blue shirt! We headed out of town again but not without another prank called to my mom to tell her we overslept again. Still classic!

The four of us met Mom and Fred in Montgomery and rode to Auburn with them. Since we left earlier this week, we had more time to play Gameday than we did last week, so our first stop was Tiger Walk. Matt had NEVER been to an Auburn game in Auburn before so we wanted him to experience the whole kit n' caboodle.
From the Tiger Walk, we headed to the bookstore then back to the tailgate to nibble on something before the game. We dutifully put on our sunscreen (some of us, not enough of it) and then headed to the game!

I'm sure by now you've all heard about poor Spirit's unusual flight. Someone needs to get Harvey Updyke's alibi for Friday night and Saturday morning to make sure he wasn't creeping around the Raptor Center, because something was not right with our little feathered friend:

Between that pre-game flight and the goal-line stop, that game was one big miracle sandwich.
We tailgated more afterward and I got to visit with an Auburn buddy before it was time to pack up and head out. We all went separate ways in Montgomery: Fred to Greenville, Matt back to Mobile, and Mom, Jennie, Jamie and I to Birmingham in her car (which she had left in Montgomery on Friday night).

The day went by so quickly! My next trip to the Plains will be a month from now and I am already looking forward to it! We better take two cars, because once I find out if this little peanut is a boy or girl, Aunt Lindsay will be buying out the AU Bookstore! War Eagle!

APPALLED

2011-09-09T12:20:00.008-05:00

As you know, I was at the Auburn football game last week. I screamed myself hoarse. It was such a thrilling, exciting victory, but I was having a blast nonetheless.

I know this sounds really spoiled and really lame to a lot of you, but to go from being at all but one game (give or take) a season to ONLY one game a season is a tough, rough pill to swallow. Throw shoes at me now please. My point is that for me, Auburn is not a school, a football team or a place - it is truly a way of life.

So to be back on the Plains for a gameday, knowing that due to recent events, it would NOT be my only trip for a year, was just too much fun. I was soaking it all up and having a ball until one little thing set me off.

I have done the reverse "Rammer Jammer" more than once after beating Alabama - after all, that has happened 16 of my 28 years on earth (six years in a row, recently). But those are the ONLY times I have participated in the reverse "Rammer Jammer." I wouldn't dream of doing it otherwise.

So someone explain to me WHY at the opening game against Utah State, our student section was repeatedly doing reverse "Rammer Jammer" like it was November 26, 2010?! I was appalled!

Students, students, students! Don't you see? THAT'S NOT OUR CHEER. We ONLY do that cheer when there are Bama fans around to hear it and bemoan the fact that we just beat the snot out of them! We don't do it when we're playing Utah State! Or Mississippi State! Or any other team but Alabama. I bet the Utah State fan that was at the game was so confused.

That's the beauty of even doing "Rammer Jammer" in reverse. We only do it when they are around to hear it. "If a tree falls in the woods" ...and all that.

We have plenty of cheers to do. Didn't you pay attention at your Camp War Eagle pep rally? Can I interest you in Bodda Getta? What about a classic Track 'Em? Or if you're just looking for something new to do, allow me to point the way!

I appreciate the fact that you are practicing up. Like Sister Mary Clarence's choir of nuns, you just want to be ready for your big show for the Pope. I get it. But I know I am not alone when I say that as a proud graduate who stood (the entire game) in that student section for five years, the fact that you current lot have started taking your cues from Alabama fans is a pretty scary thing. What's next, orange and blue houndstooth? Gag me.

For the love of all things Auburn, let's leave "Rammer Jammer" where it belongs and when it counts. You'll know it's time when the scoreboard looks like this:

IGNORED

2011-09-08T12:28:00.011-05:00

WELL!

Backstreet's back, alright! And so am I!

A lot has happened since we discovered Bamalicious. Where should I start?!

First and foremost, in mid-August I started a new job. I'm still in the same department at my same place of employment, but what a difference two cubbies down can make! My hours are a lot more stable (9 to 5), my routine is a lot more regular (M-F), and my smile a lot bigger!

Therefore, there's no moss growing under MY feet. I have been busier than a one-armed paper hanger!

Carrie, Leslie and I teamed up for the most recent Bacchanalian Society event, which I have talked about on here before. Teams of up to three people bring wine, two bottles of which are put out to taste and one bottle of which is reserved for the winners. This year, the event was at the Adventure Science Center, which is the Nashville equivalent of the McWane center. You can just imagine how much fun we had. Other people were giving us dirty looks but we had ~~more fun playing than we did drinking wine~~ equal amounts of fun playing AND drinking wine. Exhibit A:

Also that week, Evan and I decided to buy last-minute tickets to the Katy Perry concert when she breezed through town. It was soooo fun! We were on practically the back row, but that did not stop us from singing ourselves hoarse and dancing up a storm. I got so carried away in fact that I accidentally dropped my camera case and it landed on a lady's head three rows down (I got it back). What can I say? California Girls are undeniable! And so is Katy Perry! It was a perry good time.

We had our first bunko on the last Wednesday of August. It was at MB's house. We have changed up our bunko rules for this season; two years of playing really wore us out. This year, we are alternating a Bunko night followed by an "activity" night, where we will all go do something interesting. A visit to the vineyards, a trip to play laser tag, etc. There have been some really good ideas tossed out and I am excited about some new adventures with my bunko ladies. Good thing I have been practicing my laser skills (see photo above)!

This past weekend I made the first of at least three trips to Auburn via Birmingham. Evan and I had a fun car ride down together and he dropped me at Jennie and Jamie's house, where a delicious homemade dinner was being whipped up. We woke up at 5:45 am the next morning, prank called my mom to tell her we overslept (hilarious) and then hit the road with Linda and Fred. Pulling into Auburn felt so good! Winning the game felt even better! Rubbing my sister's belly while we were coming back to win the game was the BEST! Baby G might be our lucky charm? Also, more than once I was overcome with the sensation of how RIGHT it is now that I can come to as many games as I want... as opposed to trying to squeeze at least one in.

I spent the remainder of the long weekend with my family. My sister and her husband are participating in my mom's neighborhood-wide garage sale, so we spent some time at Mom's house so they could continue to sort through things. I had a blast digging up old calendars, my CWE notebook, some Miss Homecoming stuff, and a few things from my senior year of high school...

...which brings me to the latest thing I have been up to lately: helping to plan my class reunion. SIGH. Even though I was not a class officer, I offered to help plan the reunion, seeing as how I do this for a living. Of all the bumps in the road you encounter with planning any event, the hardest bump to navigate for me has been the sheer volume of people who have flat-out ignored those of us trying to put this thing together. Don't get me started. I have been happily plugging away behind-the-scenes, and it wasn't until we made a strong push in the last few weeks to sell the tickets that I have wanted to cancel the whole thing out of frustration. Not over the attendance, not over the budget, at being ignored. By the same people. Multiple times. Maybe this is just practice for the wedding I will plan one day.

But that's all I will say about that. Since I hate being ignored, I will pay it forward and stop ignoring my blog too. OKAY, MOM??

This weekend I am heading back to Birmingham/Auburn to see the defending National Champs! Let me know if you will be there, too!

SIPPED

2011-08-25T20:50:00.010-05:00

Back in April, my mom, sister and I each purchased a Sips N Strokes groupon. It has pretty specific terms: must be used Thursday through Sunday, at the 280 location, by October 26. We have been on their web site constantly, trying to pick a weekend with a nice painting that coincides with when I am home (or could come home) to participate in this fun activity together!

Today I got an e-mail from the company announcing that the September paintings were finally online! Hooray! Since I'll be home at least three weekends in September, I was hopeful there would be a bevy of awesome paintings for us to choose from. I immediately went online to check them out.

Apparently September 23rd is teen night, or juvenile delinquent night, or both. I wouldn't care if this young lady was wearing Cam's jersey, in Jordan-Hare, with the eagle perched on her shoulder. THIS. IS. NOT. APPROPRIATE.

This painting, appropriately titled Bamalicious, is so incredibly awful and ridiculous, that we are tempted to sign up and go JUST to see what other type of people would come paint this atrocity. I'm sure the only people that would pay money to paint this girl are the same type of people that are paid money to pose like this, so really, we're just going in circles. Also, where would you hang that? I can't imagine finding just the perfect spot in the house for that painting to go. Nursery? Not so much. Kitchen? Hardly. And furthermore, if you've ever been to a Sips N Strokes class, you've seen the... artistic interpretation... to which these paintings are subjected. I would DIE to see what her butt would look like interpreted, drunkenly, on 25 different canvases.

Really, Sips N Strokes. Really? This is the best you can come up with just one month away from your Groupon expiration? If I weren't laughing so hard, I would call to complain.

PRACTICED

2011-08-24T10:08:00.002-05:00

I am getting some great practice towards my Aunt of the Year campaign. Baby girls seem to be en vogue right now. I am hoping they are en vogue for at least 5 more weeks!

While I was in Birmingham, I got to visit with an old friend and a new friend! Tap-dancing, NKTOB-loving Allison and her husband live in Birmingham now and just welcomed a gorgeous little bundle of joy named Harper! She is so beautiful!

In July, we welcomed our second bunko legacy. First Ellie, now Miss Madelyn! I took her mom and dad some dinner this past Monday and got to visit with the little angel. As you can see, we bonded right away.

Baby G, your aunt is ready to love on you too! But since I have to wait until February, can you do me a small favor in the mean time? Don't be shy in five weeks when your mom and dad go to find out what kind of little baby you are!

BREADED

2011-08-17T11:27:00.000-05:00

When I decided to come home this past weekend, I knew Jennie and I would have some time to kill on Saturday. One conversation led to another and before too long, it was decided that Jennie would teach Anne Heaton and me how to make homemade bread!

Anne Heaton is our 11-year-old cousin who lives in Birmingham but I hardly ever get to see. She was born in March of my junior year of high school and I was OBSESSED. I could not get enough of her. But now I only see her at holidays since that I live in Tennessee so it was a treat to spend a full day without tons of wound-up family around, just us girls. She's grown into such a beautiful, kind and incredibly artistic girl, so we thought bread-making would be up her alley. Turns out, we were correct!

Back in January, to distract herself from the sorrow from not getting to go to the BCS Championship game, my sister spent the day making this delicious homemade bread. The recipe is from a cookbook that I received in high school, but the recipe itself belongs to a dear family friend of ours. I don't think he would mind me sharing it! I was careful to document the whole process from start to finish. Enjoy!

All ready to go, with the bread hook and sack of flour!
After getting our dough mixed, Jennie and Anne Heaton get it ready for kneading:
For a tiny girl, she could knead really well!
Kneaded dough, ready to rise:
Ninety minutes and one lunch break later, look how much it had risen!
Everyone got dough to make her own loaf (the recipe says to make two loaves but we made three and could have probably gotten away with four or five):
The artist carving a design in the top of her loaf:
After letting it rise another hour:
Egg white and water mixture, to get the loaves brown and crispy:
Finished products!
Bon appetite!
The bread was delicious! I plan to make it again very soon!

RAPPED

2011-08-16T16:47:00.004-05:00

There has been some major attention recently surrounding a really awful video filmed to promote Panhellenic Recruitment at UAT. Watch the video here.

All I have to say is this: ADPi's rendition of "Hey Y'all!" would put this crap to shame. You've never seen white girls rapping like we did.

To my knowledge, this never got properly documented on video (PS - do they still do this song during ~~rush~~ recruitment?), but maybe the lyrics will paint the picture for you:

"ADPi don't mess around because we love you so and this we know for suuuuuure...
Oh yes, we really want ya, we can't stand to see you walk out the dooooor...
Don't try to fight the feelin' because the thought alone is killing us right noowwww...
Thank God you finally got here so that we can show you how we get dowwwwwwn

Heeeyyy Yaaaaaa'lllllll,
Heeyy Yaaaaaaaa'll!!
Heeeyyy Yaaaaaa'lllllll,
Heeyy Yaaaaaaaa'll!!

Ohhh you think you've got it? Oh you think you've got it? But got it just don't get it til there's nothing at AaaaAAAAaaaaaAAAaaaAAAAAaaalll...
We get together, oh we get together, ADPi's do it better cause we're all invoooOOOoooOOOoooooOOOOooollved...
If what we say is "we live for each other" then what makes, what makes, what makes, what makes us the exception?
So why you, why you, why you, why you, why you so in denial when we know you're so happy heeeerrreeee..."

Don't roll your eyes, it was awesome. Just ask the handful readers who bore witness to this amazement as they came down the steps with a twinkle in their eye and a calling card in their hand and made their into the basement of Berta Dunn to be dazzled by what SOME people (us) called the best skit on campus that year?

SISTERS! Anyone got this on video?

LAKED

2011-08-10T14:45:00.001-05:00

Friday afternoon, I threw some clothes in a bag, met Evan in Decatur and headed to Smith Lake to spend a weekend with former Nashvillians, the Waldrons! It was the perfect vacation. We had great weather, great food, and great FUN! Since pictures are worth a thousand words, and I took about a thousand pictures (or less... right Evan?), I'll just let the pictures tell the story. It was a blast. I hope we are invited back!

But first, a few quick humblebrags: You should know that the last time I went tubing, I was 11 years old and shattered my ear drum when I was flung out of the tube. So to say I was a little... skittish?... would be a huge understatement. Would you be eager to hop on something that required surgery the last time you were on it? In the words of Kevin McCallister: I don't think so.

You should ALSO know that I have never skied on real skis. First of all, our youth skis had the rope tied to them, hence the skis beared the initial pull of the boat, leaving me void of that that painful "hey look, there went my arms!" feeling that I became accustomed to this weekend. Additionally, the skis were tied to each other, so you had a lot more stability when trying to get up out of the water. Let me just say that having to hold onto a rope and finagle both of those large, awkward skis to go in the proper direction is MUCH harder than I thought. It only took six tries for me to get it right, but eventually I did. Quite a feat, considering it had been 17 years since I'd even attempted!

HOSTED

2011-08-05T07:22:00.004-05:00

Several months ago, my sister excitedly asked me to put them down for a visit on last weekend in July. When I asked why, she told me that her husband, my dear brother-in-law, had found out there was a Star Trek convention in Nashville that weekend and he wanted to attend. Not one to question any excuse for visitors, I marked the weekend off.

They rolled into town late Friday, which was the perfect time to go get some of that delicious Jeni's ice cream I have raved about before. We hit the hay afterward, gearing up for a big day the next day!

After a quick trip to find some maternity pants for the mommy-to-be, we grabbed lunch and headed east of town to visit the Hermitage, former home of President Andrew Jackson. I had been touting this attraction to Jennie and Jamie for a while. They are both huge history nerds (in the most endearing way), and I knew that this is something they wouldn't want to miss as they have gone out of their way to visit many other former Presidents' homes. And since I, too, had never been to the Hermitage (something most Nashvillians do in elementary school), I was more than happy to check this one off the list with them.

We paid admission and watched a short film about "Old Hickory" himself before getting our complimentary audio guides and moseying off toward the mansion. The landscaping is gorgeous all across the plantation, so the walking part was actually a treat. We had contemplated squeezing this in during their visit this past December, but I am so glad we waited until this time of year because it meant all the gardens were in bloom! Exhibit A:
The audio guides told us all we could want to know about what the property was like in Jackson's day, from how people arrived in their horse and buggy, to how food was prepared and what time it was served (dinner at 3 pm, anyone?). We enjoyed seeing the mansion with original decor as well as the tomb and the gardens. I also learned lots about our seventh President. I was so "learned" out in fact, that I sat out while they hit the last few stops on the property (the well, etc.).
We were exhausted so after some Chick-Fil-A lemonades and a quick nap, we freshened up and headed off to dinner and a movie. Dinner: Germantown Café, one of my sister's favorite places to eat in Nashville. Movie: Crazy, Stupid, Love which was crazy, stupid GOOD. I loved it. Go see it!

We ate breakfast together Sunday morning before shipping Jamie off to the convention and heading off on all of our girly errands. We got pedicures, went to the mall, looked at baby stuff... fun sister things! Mom rolled into town around 3:30, we ate dinner with some friends and then it was back home for Jennie and Jamie and to the Ryman for Mom and me.

Thanks for coming to see me, darlings! Let's do it again soon!

TEMPTED

2011-08-04T14:42:00.001-05:00

Before I tell you about my fun visit with Jennie, Jamie and Fetus G., I have to tell you about what happened after they left on Sunday!

The Temptations and Four Tops were in concert at the Ryman Auditorium. When I saw this concert announcement earlier this year, I e-mailed my mom who immediately made plans to come up. The only person that loves Motown music more than I do is my mom. I got hooked on it as a child because my parents would play it nonstop at the lake each summer. I knew most Motown standards by heart before I probably knew most of the popular hymns by heart.

It was so much fun! The Temptations performed first, and delivered a KNOCKOUT performance. Their performance alone may have cracked my Top 5 concerts ever. There is only one "original" Temptation still in the group but the four additional members were amazing! They sang all of their hits complete with their famous choreography and even on the ballads, the momentum never stopped. Think of how many classics they had: "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone," "Get Ready," "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me," "I Wish It Would Rain," "I Can't Get Next To You," "The Way You Do The Things You Do," "Just My Imagination," "Ain't Too Proud To Beg," and of course "My Girl." Original member Otis Williams is second from the right and to the far right in the pictures below, respectively.
The Four Tops were... a little less amazing. They did a great job, but the three song and very dialogue-heavy tribute to the fallen Tops really was a buzzkill. But they brought the house down with their hits: "Bernadette," "It's the Same Old Song," "Reach Out I'll Be There," "Baby, I Need Your Loving," "Ain't No Woman Like the One I've Got." They closed the show with "Standing in the Shadows of Love" followed by - you guessed it! - "Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)." Original Top Duke Fakir is on the far right.

It was a very fun show and one I will never forget. If you're a Motown fan and have not seen these acts perform live, you better do it fast!
Thanks Mom!

GRAPED

2011-08-01T19:46:00.008-05:00

Today, something really bad happened. I know "bad" is in the eye of the beholder, and really bad things are happening to really good people all around me - my best friends included - but today, something bad happened that was bad enough to ALMOST ruin my day.

Someone. Ate. My. Grapes.

I'll wait and let the magnitude of that statement sink in. Watch this while it does. You know what video that is. Or you should. Here's a hint: MY SANDWICH?!

I bought enough grapes on Thursday at Publix to last me throughout this week for lunch. I must have stuffed half of them in a Ziploc bag, planning to nibble my way through them over a few days time. I brought the bag of grapes and a sandwich for lunch on Friday but didn't eat them due to a last-minute lunch date, so I left both the grapes and MY SANDWICH in the fridge to eat today.

But today when I got to the fridge, MY SANDWICH was there but the grapes were gone. The whole bag stuffed full of grapes. They didn't even leave me a single one.

I was so bothered someone ate my grapes, I stewed over it almost the entire day. At some point I realized I was more upset by Grand Theft Grape than I ever was about the four-time automobile thief. You don't expect much from bums or delinquents or thieves without morals. But this is a PROFESSIONAL environment. We are all adults. You expect a certain decorum from grownups. You expect everyone to be decent. You expect to go to the fridge and your Ziploc baggie full of delicious NEW grapes from Publix to be sitting there waiting on you. But no. They were gone.

Confession: I was so mad, I threw MY SANDWICH down the hall.

Then I went back to my desk and sent a building-wide e-mail.

I don't know when my thing about not sharing food started but it is UGLY and it is real. I saw a side of me today I did not like, but I could not control the rage, yes RAGE!, burning inside me! How did I get this way? Was it from always being the kid with a fruit break, having to share hers with the kids without one? Was it from having food eaten off my plate by a friend trying to be funny in high school? Was it from living in the dorm for four years?

I need therapy. And more grapes.

AMAZED

2011-07-29T15:21:00.002-05:00

My sister, brother-in-law, and Fetus G get here tonight! I am excited. They are here until Sunday and just as soon as they head out, Mom gets here for dinner and wait for it…..the Four Tops and Temptations concert at the Ryman. This was my idea. I love Motown. I can’t wait!

So the whole weekend should be pert near amazing!

And SPEAKING of amazing, Kanye and Jay Z’s new album just might be the second most amazing thing ever (second to Fetus G of course). I can't say for certain yet because I have not heard the whole album, BUT if the lead single Otis is any indication, my head will explode out of sheer adoration. I am 99% sure I’m going to see them on tour in Atlanta in October, unless the expanded tour lineup that they are announcing on Monday includes Nashville.

Maybe it will be as much fun as the last time I saw Kanye in Atlanta!

HAPPY

2011-07-25T18:31:00.004-05:00

What a fun weekend. I will never forget Kathryn's first visit to Nashville. She left this one
and this one
in Birmingham with their Daddy, turned up some Beyoncé and hit the road.

To say we had fun would be an understatement. We ate a ton, laughed a ton, watched Troop Beverly Hills, did ~~dances~~ band chants in my living room, painted the town red and were still in bed before midnight.
Sorry for the fuzzy picture but it's only one I got! Dangit.

Dear Velda, I feel like our friendship hit a new plateau this weekend! No going back now! You thought you were stuck with me in ninth grade? You ain't seen nothing yet!

Hope each of you readers had a lovely weekend too!

RANCHED

2011-07-20T18:30:00.004-05:00

Brad. Danny. Jake. Melody. Ted. Lucy. Mr. Ernst. Buddy. What do all of these people have in common?

They are all on DVD! Yes, if you know who those people are, then you should be just as excited as I was to learn that Hey Dude is officially on DVD!

My sister and I were addicted to that show when we were little. There is a good chance I could be addicted to it again, as soon as I get my hands on the DVDs.

What was your favorite Hey Dude moment? The pageant? Melody's big date? Brad's INCREDIBLY HUMILIATING chicken suit pictures?

AZURE

2011-07-19T13:20:00.005-05:00

Another piece of news... nothing as earth-shattering or scream-inducing as yesterday's though.

I have taken a position on the advisory board for a local ADPi chapter!

Now, before you fall out of your seat laughing, let me just say that I LOVED my year on the executive board of my sorority. The hardest thing about it was the advisers*. All of them were incredibly sweet women who went out of their way to open their hearts and homes to us youngsters. But they were very "old school" in an increasingly "new school" world. This chapter has very young advisers, like yours truly. I met with the main chapter adviser, who came from a big school like me, and I really liked her way of thinking. She told me some examples of how she stuck her neck out for her girls against pressure from nationals (costing them the Golden Lion) and I was really impressed with her rationale.

I loved my college experience, especially the ADPi part. I hope to impact this group of women's experience for the better, even in the smallest of ways.

And to those of you who think this is completely nerdy, keep it to yourself!

*P.S.: Yes, that is how you spell adviser. Look it up.

SURPRISED

2011-07-18T09:30:00.003-05:00

Big news! There is one small thing I did not mention about my birthday trip home. In addition to my grill pan, I also got another gift from Jennie and Jamie. I was so confused. There was a purple envelope taped to the back of the grill pan, but I'd already opened a birthday card from them...

Okay. I promise I'm not stupid. Every time I've seen them (or talked to them) for the past few months, I've been hoping for baby news (or, as I said in the video "I've been hoping you would tell me!"). You have no idea how much I want a niece or nephew. They just knew the way to take my mind of babies for five minutes was to distract me with something shiny and new, I suppose. And it worked. I think the fact that I was so caught off guard and surprised makes it ten times better. Having just visited with my aunt and uncle that day, I thought the card (which had a cute little poem with the word Aunt in it about 20 times) was from them. You can even hear me say "Aww, it's from Eddie and Debbie" in the video. For 27 years, Aunt = Debbie. But now, Aunt = ME!! And And even more, guess who's gonna be a GRANDMA? Lord help us all. Did you hear all that screaming in that video? The kid's not even here yet and I'm already going deaf.

The funny part is that the day they ended up taking the at-home test had actually been circled on my calendar for months. June 8 was a very crazy day at work that I had been anxious about since March. Who would have thought that my nutty day was the same day they would find out they were going to be parents?

Yaaaaaay for our baby! I already love my niece or nephew so much! Is it February yet?

HAPPY

2011-07-15T11:50:00.004-05:00

It's the WEEKEND! And I am so happy. This song just tickles me to death. I remember hearing it all the time on Magic 96.5 when I was little. I thought you'd enjoy hearing it today too!

Speaking of being tickled to death, big news coming on Monday! See you then!

VISITED

2011-07-14T14:35:00.005-05:00

What a fun time of year. The next five weekends, I have really fun plans. Get a load of this:

Tomorrow, Mom and friends will be here to spend a fun weekend out and about. We have dinner reservations at a new restaurant I have been eager to try, and beyond that I have no idea what we will get into. There are BOYS in this group so I can't play the pedicure card... stay tuned to see what we come up with.

NEXT weekend, my beautiful friend Kathryn is coming to visit for the first time ever. The last few times we've gotten a picture together, she's said I can't post them online, so how about this one instead? More than TEN years ago at high school graduation. This picture makes me smile. Isn't she pretty?

Then the NEXT weekend, my sister and brother-in-law are driving up (so much more fun to say than FLYING down) for some Nashville fun. There's a convention in town that Jamie wants to attend while he's here, so Jennie and I will do something (pedicures) while he's conventioning and then we'll all go play.

Just added to the schedule: going to the lake the NEXT weekend with these crazy kids and I cannot wait. I haven't been to a lake in YEARS, so that's plenty appealing, but any time the four of us get together, good times are had. It's going to be a blast!
And the next weekend, I think I will be heading to Birmingham! Woohoo!

Lots of fun things to look forward to! I can't remember the last time I had five free weekends in a row.

PRESENT

2011-07-13T13:10:00.006-05:00

Set your DVRs or cancel your plans! Tonight VH1 is airing the Behind the Music of Miranda Lambert. Woop woop!

Click here if you want to see a sneak peak, featuring how she and Blake Shelton met.

Fun fact: I was present that night! I was recruited via e-mail to be in the audience for the taping they talk about in that video. I even convinced my sister and her best friend to drive up for it. My friend that came with me recognized Miranda from Nashville Star. I had no idea who she was (I didn't even get a picture of her singing... just Blake, haha!) but I vividly remember how intensely they were staring at each other while they were singing. They have words for it that I'm not going to repeat here. Then her album came out soon afterward and I was a big, big fan.

Look who else was in attendance that night, exactly two weeks off her American Idol victory. Poor thing, they didn't even let her stay backstage after her performance. Cue the crazy fans wanting photos:
Another fun fact: that purse I am holding was stolen out of my car a few weeks later. Which is why I never leave anything valuable in my car!

SOLED

2011-07-11T13:45:00.003-05:00

Every once in a while, we all come across that product, place, person, thing, etc. that makes our heart sing. You try to imagine life before this wonderful creation came along, and you just can't do it. Life has forever been changed.

No, I'm not talking about Jeni's ice cream again. I am talking about my Sam Edelman Gigi shoes in almond patent leather. YOU GUYS. This is the official shoe of my summer if not my 2011. I wear them almost every single day. They go with EVERYTHING. The only reason each one of you should not click the link and find them in your size is because you're a man... and even so, you might still want to consider picking up a pair. They are THAT great! I feel like I owe it to you all as a bloggy friend to tell you: get in on this. Buy these shoes before they are all gone.

You're welcome. Let me know if you buy them!

FULL

2011-07-10T21:14:00.007-05:00

While I work on the handful of questions I received, how about I tell you about my weekend?

Friday night after work, I met Kate for some dinner. We decided to head out to the new TAZIKI'S, which is finally open in Cool Springs. I had not been there yet so I was super excited to try it out:
It was delicious. My only complaint was that the potato chips aren't the same potato chips as they serve in Birmingham, and if you don't think I'm gonna tell someone, you underestimate my love of potato chips.

While in Cool Springs, we ran some more errands, including picking up a new hair dryer for yours truly. My hair was DOA Friday morning. It was pretty old in hairdryer years. I've never missed dorm life quite like I did on Friday. I was up a creek while getting ready for work. Good times.

On Saturday I slept in a bit, had to pop into work, ran errands, then grabbed Kate and went to pick up Evan who was in town for a matter of hours. He picked a yummy place to eat in East Nashville called the Silly Goose, and being the gentlemen that he is, ordered this cheese plate appetizer for us to share:
It was as delicious as it looks, naturally. And dinner that followed was even better. But the REAL highlight of the night came when we wandered next door to Jeni's, the new ice cream shop in town. OH. MY. LORD. Forget everything you ever knew about ice cream. This stuff is UNREAL. Naturally, I had to do some taste testing before deciding what I wanted to chow down on... that would be six spoons in my hands. Glutton much?
Their salty caramel ice cream will make you CRY its so good. Every one of you get in your car, come to Nashville and GET TO JENI'S. If there is one in your town or they sell it by the pint in your town (cough Birmingham cough), go pick some up today. It's THAT good. And you thought I liked potato chips! Ha!

After we were full as ticks, we went back to Evan's and played games with his roommate and a buddy. I finally got to crack open my Game of Things and it did not disappoint. Three of the five of us laughed until we cried and I can safely say I have NEVER seen Evan laugh that hard before! Such a fun night.

Today, I tried a new church I've never been to before, ate a yummy lunch, went to the pool and whipped up a dish I've seen floating around on Pinterest: garlic/honey/balsamic chicken with pesto orzo. I didn't follow the instructions exactly, so my sauce was more like a glaze, but it was pretty good.

So to sum my weekend up, I ate, I ate, I ate then ate some more. Lord help me. Hope y'all had a full weekend too!

ASKED

2011-07-08T09:53:00.002-05:00

At the risk of assuming you all care way more about my life than you actually do, I'm gonna do a FAQ post. What have you always wondered me but never asked? What would you like to know more about? If this is a giant flop, I am going to be so embarrassed, and please be nice.

Leave your question in the comment section or e-mail me. Go!

BOOKED

2011-07-07T14:25:00.002-05:00

BIG NEWS: I finished Harry Potter. I got majorly sucked in for the last two books. I read book six in a week and book seven in two days flat. My mind was BLOWN. Lots of surprises. I don't know about you, but I really think someone should turn those books into movies!

Next on the reading list is All In, by theman-themyth-thelegend himself, Gene Chizik. Full disclosure: even though the book came out July 3, Linda found them for sale at our church bookstore and I think she may have bought every copy. Not that I’m complaining; she remembered her baby girl and I got my surprise copy in the mail week before last and was thrilled. So thrilled, in fact, I opened it right up and read everything from Cam forward. Not to spoil the ending, but we win! War Eagle.

What are you reading these days?

MAGICAL

2011-07-05T17:41:00.005-05:00

Happy Independence Day! I certainly celebrated my freedom by declaring myself free: free from showering... free from household chores... free from doing anything I didn't have to or want to do. And it was a great way to live.

So I guess you could say my fourth was pretty boring. I slept in, read Harry Potter the majority of the day, taking breaks only to start laundry and make dinner and at 9:30, pulled a stool from my kitchen out my front door, into the hallway and next to the window to watch the fireworks: just me and my PJs. Not the way I want to spend every Fourth of July but for this one, I'll take it

But enough about my fourth; wait til you hear about my second! I woke up Saturday to a text message inviting me to attend THE biggest concert taking place in Nashville in YEARS. Everyone loves some U2, including this girl. I was just not quick enough on the draw to get a ticket when they went on sale... that, and I still haven't won the lottery. So imagine my utter shock and gratitude when someone generously offered me a free ticket with their party! I was giddy ALL day long.

This U2 360° tour has been going on since July 2009. The Nashville stop was their 100th show of the tour and bear in mind they have not played in Nashville since 1981. The show was SO MUCH FUN. Not knowing a ton of U2, just the classics you probably know too, I was nervous that I would not know a lot of the material performed since this tour is, after all, in support their last album. Well, I needn't have feared. They hit them all: Mysterious Ways, Elevation, Vertigo, Pride (In the Name of Love), Sunday Bloody Sunday, Beautiful Day, One, With or Without You, Walk On, Where the Streets Have No Name, What I'm Looking For, and my personal favorite, City of Blinding Lights. I love that song so very much, and they played it at the height of the show: the stage was all lit up, including some powerful beams that were shooting straight up into the sky. It. Was. Incredible. I also learned made some new favorites from the songs I did not know as well.

The two highlights of the night were Bono's tribute to Johnny Cash and this touching moment at the end of the night. Bono spotted a man holding a piece of paper that read "Blind Guitar Player." After their final bow, Bono walked to the edge of the stage, asked him if he wanted to play, and shouted at the rest of the band, who was already heading offstage, to hold on a second. Bono takes the guy's hand, leads him to center stage and the techs strap a guitar on him. Then, U2 and this guy play "All I Want is You." And as if that memory isn't priceless enough, Bono GIVES the guy his custom guitar. UNREAL. Watch that video link. None of us knew the guy is blind and didn't realize it until we saw security leading him backstage with his walking stick. Somehow it makes the whole thing so much better. What a beautiful moment!

So, I would tell you to get your tail to this concert ASAP, but unless you are in one of the nine other cities where this tour is stopping before it ends July 30, then I guess it won't be happening. It was the best show I've ever been to! Bless you, St. Bono! You have a new fan in me.

So I hope both your July 2 and 4 was as free and magical as mine!

PS - Click the Walk On link if you want to see why this song is my second favorite U2 song.

POSTED

2011-06-30T16:08:00.002-05:00

Another one of my work blog posts has been published. Does everyone remember the rules? If so, read about a recent day-in-the-life right here!

SWEET

2011-06-26T21:39:00.003-05:00

If you thought the birthday fun ended Tuesday night, then you're wrong! And probably new around here.

It doesn't technically have anything to do with my birthday, but a gathering is a gathering and on Wednesday night, we gathered for safari bunko. It was our last bunko of the "season" and we are now planning our banquet (dinner out), deciding who we are inviting in for next "season" to fill spots that have been vacated and discussing changes we want to make to next year's plan (i.e. not actually play bunko every time). Very important discussions, clearly. Since Mary Byrne had just returned from a real live safari to Kenya*, everyone donned her best neutrals and/or animal print and the herd gathered at MB's hut.

The next night, Kate had Evan and me over for one of my favorite things in life: breakfast for dinner. She made a delicious breakfast casserole, cheese grits and cinnamon rolls, all washed down with yummy mimosas. It was fun to toast with friends and continue the celebrating.

On Friday, I toted these GORGEOUS birthday flowers home from work, so they could brighten my home like they had brightened my desk all week:

and spent the night tidying up my house because on Saturday, sweet Katie drove over from Memphis to spend the day with me! We went to the mall, got each other pedicures for our birthdays, did lots of eating out and went to see a movie. It was SO FUN just pal-ing around town with a girlfriend. I did not get a picture of us, but I did get a picture of something equally as sweet: these brown butter and sea salt chocolate chip cookies that I made for her. They were AMAZING. In a well-constructed effort not to finish them all by myself, I froze half of the dough so whoever is next to come visit me gets the pleasure as well:

And speaking of finishing things, today I finished Tina Fey's HILARIOUS book Bossypants that I expect each one of you to buy or borrow immediately. It was delightful.

I hope your weekend was equally sweet!

*Go look at her pictures. She stayed by a watering hole, just like in Madagascar or Lion King or some other animated Disney film. Unbelievable.

OLDER

2011-06-24T09:02:00.000-05:00

Tuesday was my birthday! I LOVE my birthday more than a normal person should. I don't think I have always been this way, and it shows no sign of waning. In fact, it may be getting worse to compensate for the numbers getting higher.

So, I woke up with the barrage of Facebook and text messages coming in steadily. I headed off to work, where there were fresh Krispy Kreme donuts waiting on me! For lunch, my entire department went to eat at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in town. I did not go hungry on my birthday, that's for sure.

The rest of the day was one long effort not to fall asleep from the building being a little warm and my tummy being pretty full. I succeeded in making it to 5 pm and went home to freshen up before my big night out with Evan.

We had dinner at Flyte, a restaurant only a handful of blocks away from me but one that I have never frequented. I was SUPER impressed both with our waiter and the food. Evan had called and made a reservation, and on his first trip to our table, our waiter brought complimentary champagne, a salmon tartar amous bouche (which I tried, thankyouverymuch) and greeted us by name! Well played, Flyte. We shared a bottle of vino, a salad, and Evan had the halibut and I had the steak. Our meal was delicious and it was such a lovely treat.

Afterward, we met up with Evan's twin and their roommate, both dear friends of mine, for some amazing karaoke. This is a tradition from last year when, on a whim, Evan and I went out for karaoke on my birthday. The karaoke bars are deserted on a random, hot Monday or Tuesday night. So we had the place more or less to ourselves.

It was such a fun night! Thanks to Evan for the birthday treat and thanks to all my friends who reached out on my big day. So far, 28's not so bad!

BEACHED

2011-06-22T22:20:00.002-05:00

WELL! Look who is alive! I am officially in my 28th year and made my peace with it. I just keep telling myself that all the Friends were all single at this point in life, too, and they all turned out okay, didn't they?

When I last left you, I was bragging about how exciting my life was now that I had free time again. That's pretty much still the case.

On Wednesday I added something to the 30 by 30 list (yes that's still moving along - I just haven't been updating you 100%). Kate and I channeled our inner Elizabeth Berkleys and went to pole-dancing class! It was really fun and I'm glad the groupon was for two classes because I am very excited to go back. Take this with a grain of salt, but apparently, I am really good at pole-dancing! Who knew? The instructor even asked if I was sure I'd never done it before. Yes, I'm sure! Granted, we only learned one "spin" where our feet left the floor, but I'll be sure to report back next week after Class #2 if I'm still so good. It actually was much more of a workout than I anticipated. The first 15 minutes are spent on the floor, doing ab exercises disguised with clever little names like "the Betty Boop" and "flirting" and "the Marilyn." So I was working up a sweat in no time. Then we took to the pole and learned a little routine that I'm guessing we will add on to in the next class.

The next day, I flew to Birmingham for the start of my vacation. Now let me just say that for years, I have poo-pooed the idea of flying between Nashville and Birmingham since it's only a 3-hour (or less) drive. And Lord knows I have done it a billion times. But when gas costs more than a round-trip flight, and when you're getting in the car anyway to drive 4 to 5 hours to the beach AFTER you get to Birmingham, a flight starts sounding better and better. I did not like having to get up early, but I was in Birmingham before I probably would have even left Nashville if left to my own devices. The entire trip was 45 minutes, gate to gate. It probably won't be my last time I fly betwixt the two cities.

Once I landed, Jennie picked me up and we flitted around town for a while. We made it to my aunt and uncle's house, where we got to visit with my cousin and her baby, neither of whom I had seen since Christmas. Tristan is a cute little boy, isn't he?

We got lunch and went to Mom's school to eat with her before retiring to the couch to nap before it was time to load the car and hit the road. Before we left, Jennie and Jamie gave me a birthday present, a fancy Calphalon grill pan, which I cannot wait to use!
We made it to Gulf Shores very late on Thursday. I don't have much to report or show about the beach but it was so much fun. We did a lot of relaxing. Isn't that the point of such a trip? Our condo was across the street from the beach, so each morning we'd load ourselves up like packhorses and mosey over to the sand. We'd stay until lunchtime, come in and eat, then float around the pool for the afternoon until time to shower and head to one of the five restaurants worth eating at in the Gulf Shores area. I hate seafood, so don't expect to hear too much here about how great the food was. We grabbed ice cream at Scoops a couple of nights, played Phase 10 a couple of nights, made a quick trip to the outlets, did a lot of reading collectively between us and laughed a LOT. Exhibit A:

I am hoping we will make a family vacation an annual thing now that ~~we aren't~~ some of us aren't having to travel for holidays as extensively as before!
I got home Monday night after a day of driving followed by a quick flight to Nashville. Then, in the most shocking part of this post: I unpacked my suitcase completely. Happy birthday, me!

DONE

2011-06-14T10:48:00.003-05:00

Question: What do Revolution, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Graduation, Teenage Dream, Play On and I Am... World Tour all have in common?

Answer: They are the only CDs I have left!

Remember when I told you that that the last time he struck, the darned thief had taken two large CD cases filled with every CD I'd bought since high school, but left my Carrie and Beyonce and Sara Barellis, etc. (the CDs I really listen to) in my console?

I was in my car Sunday, and went to change out a CD and all that I found were Bed Bath and Beyond Coupons. Somewhere, somehow, he (or she) struck again!

Those six CDs happened to be in the changer and thus unstealable. But the rest are gone.

I give up, criminal. What's next, the cloth off the seats? Paint off the bumper? Just take the whole car. And if you do, your first stop better be church, because you need Jesus.

All this is doing is making me even more uptight about my laptop, by the way. I'm considering getting a safe or something.

BURIED

2011-06-13T14:37:00.001-05:00

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!

TYPICAL

2011-06-07T12:32:00.002-05:00

JUST in case things weren't crazy enough around here...
Insert your favorite expletive here!

WORKY

2011-06-06T12:09:00.003-05:00

Y'all know that as a rule I don't talk about my job on this blog. But guess what. My job has started a blog. And guess who has been tapped to contribute?

Before I give you the link, everyone has to take the following pledge (MOM). Please repeat out loud: "I, (insert your name here), do hereby promise I will NOT embarrass my friend with ridiculous comments on her very professional and super serious work blog. When I comment, I will not use exclamation points without abandon and certainly will refrain from mentioning her other blog (as in 'This is so much better than anything she writes on her other blog!'), so help me Grilled Cheesus. Amen."

It is public, after all, and I'd like to do my part to promote it, so feel free to share with your friends and/or leave interesting (and appropriate!) comments. If we can agree to those terms, then I look forward to finally getting to tell you more about my job! But the first person that acts up is getting voted off the island, capish?

So, without further adieu, If you've ever wondered where I spend all my time and what I do, click here!

BURNT

2011-05-30T16:51:00.006-05:00

In the words of Elle Woods, OMG you guys. It is been INSANE 'round these parts lately. Here's the best example I can think of to illustrate how non-stop I have been lately: I didn't have time to sit down and watch JT + Gaga on SNL until THURSDAY. Yes. FIVE whole nights later. It was fabulous, of course, but you already know that don't you?

The nights I haven't been working, I have been lucky enough to be with friends! We had May bunko last week, where everyone brought her.... and his... shades. Yes, we finally caved and let a man fill in at the last minute:
This past Saturday, one of my very first friends in Nashville got married and several other old friends were there to help celebrate. Here's pretty Leslie and me high atop Broadway, overlooking downtown Nashville:

And me, Leslie and the beautiful bride:

The cicadas are so bad that I can barely leave the house. Last night when I got home from work (at 1:30 am) they were COVERING my front door. I had to psyche myself up to bolt inside. Then I got in the shower ASAP to make sure one wasn't on me. At the nail salon on Friday, a girl had one on her back and in her hair. When we told her, she screamed and threw her jacket down where the thing started chirping really loudly. They're inside. They're outside. They're everywhere.

And speaking of infestations, music fest starts week after next! That's always some good people-watching.

I can't believe it's already June, can you?

CAKED

2011-05-25T10:47:00.003-05:00

Sorry to keep you hanging on these dang cupcakes. They are so delicious! Chef Evan found this recipe himself and did all the work! They turned out DELICIOUS.

Cookie Dough Cupcakes topped with Cookie Dough icing, via the Cupcake Project!

Use this eggless recipe for the cookie dough center. To make the cookie dough frosting, mix one cup of that raw cookie dough you just made with one half cup of heavy cream. It tastes just like cookie dough, but spreads perfectly for your cupcakes. Provided you don't eat them all before you get a chance to frost 'em.

The actual cupcake itself is a brown-butter cupcake, which may I just say is delicious AS IS. If you're not into cookie dough, make this and just be done with it - it'll still be the best thing you've ever eaten.

1/2 C plus 2 T unsalted butter
3/4 C self-rising cake flour (important to get this right, don't use all-purpose)
3 T sugar
5 T brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 t vanilla extract
1 t baking powder
2-3 T milk

1. First, you must burn the butter. There are some photos of these steps here. Place butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it turns a dark golden color (3-5 minutes). Take the pan off the heat and strain into a bowl (to separate from the sediment). Let the butter sit until it solidifies, but is still a little soft. (We let it sit at room temp before popping it in the fridge. Took about 20-30 minutes total; plenty of time to get any rude company out of your house if need be).
2. When the butter is solid yet soft, mix it with all the other cupcake ingredients except milk.
3. Add milk slowly and pulse till well-mixed.
4. Pour/spoon into twelve cupcake liners approx halfway.
5. Bake at 400 F for for 15-20 minutes.
6. When the cupcakes cool, use a paring knife to cut a hole in them and plop in a ball of cookie dough. Spread with icing. Try not to eat all 12 in one sitting.
Amazing cupcakes, amazing friends! And just so you don't think I was TOTALLY unprepared, I had picked up some boxed cake mix and icing in case ~~I ate all the others~~ something went wrong!

PACKED

2011-05-23T12:17:00.006-05:00

What a busy, busy weekend! What DIDN'T I get into? Oh! Pirates 4. I didn't make it to the theater for Pirates. But read what all I did and you'll see why!

Friday night, I made myself an amazing dinner at home - steak and veggies! - and watched the King's Speech, which I really liked. I had to be at work bright and early Saturday, so I was a good girl and went to sleep at a decent hour.

On Saturday, I worked some of the day and immediately afterward, changed into a swimsuit and headed over to a friend's house to celebrate Evan and Elliott's birthday! This was my first foray into suburbia since the Cicada invasion. Living and working downtown, I have come in contact with exactly ONE Cicada. On the drive to Andy's house, I almost wrecked because I was so distracted by what was going on. I could hear the loud chirping inside my car! I even took a video for posterity's sake. Unreal, those bugs.

But it was worth the risk! We had fun celebrating everyone's favorite twins, even when it started to rain! We just retreated to the porch where our host had whipped up yummy burgers and there was birthday cake of course. It was a good time and I was super glad I timed "cheat day" so perfectly.

After the party broke up, Evan, Elliott and I regrouped at my apartment where we had plans to bake cupcakes. Evan had picked out a recipe for Cookie Dough cupcakes and in true Evan fashion, knocked them out of the dang park. I'll post the recipe and pictures tomorrow.; they deserve their own post. They were delicious!

While Evan was baking and I was helping, Elliott had invited a friend from work over. Fine by me; I like a cute, single man as much as the next girl. And this guy in particular makes his television debut tonight on a well-known show on ABC involving roses. It sounded really promising. Until I met him. WHAT A JACKASS. I have never been more grossed out and turned off in such a short amount of time. Either some of the "eligible bachelors" they cast on that show are actually not that eligible, or he slipped through the cracks. Here's how bad it was: he was irritating me/us so bad that E and E had to pretend to leave and go home, just so this guy would take the hint and follow them out the door. Then they circled the block and came back inside. Spoiler alert: he goes home the first night. Shocking. And in a related story, after that I'm never going on reality TV to look for a husband.

Still cackling about what had just happened, and full from yummy and delicious cupcakes, we headed out to continue the birthday celebration with more friends. We danced and had a great time!

I worked all day yesterday before falling into bed after midnight. I haven't even had time to watch Justin and Gaga on SNL yet! Told you it was a busy weekend.

Hope you had a good, busy weekend too!

FOCUSED

2011-05-20T12:39:00.009-05:00

Are you getting tired of all the food talk around here? Someone's going to think this blog actually has a point if I don't change the subject. Oh well.

I am REALLY trying to start a movement here. As in, move some of this weight off my frame. Right now, I'm concentrating on what I eat.

Here's two things I picked up recently at the grocery store to try to help the cause.

This salad dressing spritzer is great for raw veggies with lunch. I love broccoli and carrots but need some little something added to it. With 2 calories per spray, this really can't be topped.

Also, at Erin's recommendation, I picked up these almonds. That 3 pm craving when you want something chocolate or sweet, but don't want to be the Mayor of your coworker's candy dish? These are perfect. By savoring a few of these, I get the chocolate taste I am wanting but in a healthier fashion.
What else? I feel that right now, I can either eat cheaply or eat healthily. Doesn't seem to be too much of a middle ground at this point in time. You should know that cheap for me is peanut butter and crackers. That's a great dinner for one. Healthy is following the food pyramid, fresh veggies, lots of protien, yada yada yada. I'm just trying to lock down the healthy part and make that a habit, and then I can find ways to do it cheaper. I have also learned that if I want the best of the produce and meat, I can't go hang out with John on Sunday afternoons. Or avoid the rush and go Monday when it looks like the locusts have hit. I went to Publix last night and everything was stocked and fresh and beautiful. I bought some gorgeous Greenwise sirloin fillets and my first-ever yellow squash (both on sale, BTW) but can't bring myself to buy peppers... sigh. The seeds still scare the @!#$ out of me. I have looked for pre-cut slices but no luck yet.

Okay. In NON-FOOD news, tomorrow makes it officially one month away until my birthday (!!!) and I can't wait to celebrate at the beach with my family (provided the world doesn't end before then). Yes, for the first time in a LONG time, we are going on a family vacation. I really think the last place we went together, where someone wasn't residing at the time, was ten years ago, when we went to Cancun after my senior year of high school. The only difference being that we've swapped the male figure out. Enter Jamie! I am REALLY looking forward to another vacation. I'm sure that sounds pretty bratty considering I just came back from Vegas, but please e-mail me if you'd like to hear my work schedule in between coming home from Vegas and taking off for Gulf Shores next month. It's a nice way to book-end a very, very busy time of year.

When I'm not grocery shopping, I have been seeing all these great movies that have come out! There is literally a new movie coming out every week until halfway into July that I am dying to see. I was so overwhelmed when I read my Entertainment Weekly Summer Movie Guide that I started sweating. If I don't stay on top of them, I'll get really behind and then never see half of them, since I apparently am too busy to watch the Netflix DVD of the King's Speech that I've had at my house since March/April. I haven't even seen Justin Bieber's new movie yet! I guess I need to examine my priorities and until I do, I cannot add anything else to the DVD queue. So, time to hit the matinees! I already saw Something Borrowed and Bridesmaids, both of which I liked! This weekend it's Pirates 4, next weekend the Hangover 2...

So. In conclusion, if you need me anytime soon, check the cinema, Publix, the gym or my office.

Have a great weekend!

COUSCOUSED

2011-05-19T13:21:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, I was watching American Idol, trying to decide what variation of chicken and vegetables I was going to make for dinner when my favorite twins dropped by on their way home from the gym.

Y'all know Evan is a pretty good chef, right? I told him I was about to make dinner. He peeked in my fridge and pantry, and one quick Google search later, he's whipping up supper for me. He had a recipe to sort-of follow but he improvised a lot.

Chicken Couscous with Sauteed Vegetables

Low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup quick-cooking couscous
olive oil
skinless, boneless chicken breast - cut into cubes
1 pinch ground black pepper (he used lemon pepper seasoning)
1 zucchini, diced
6 small/medium stalks of asparagus, chopped
1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes
1 pinch of basil
pinch of red pepper flakes

Directions
1. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of the chicken broth to a boil. Stir in couscous and 1 1/2 teaspoons of the olive oil. Turn off heat, cover, and let stand 10 minutes. Use a fork to fluff the couscous.
2. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Stir in the chicken, season with pepper, and cook until no longer pink and juices run clear. Remove chicken from the skillet, and set aside.
3. Heat more olive oil in the skillet over medium heat. Mix in the zucchini, green onions, asparagus, sun dried tomatoes and 1/4 cup chicken broth. Continue to cook and stir until tender, about 5 minutes.

Empty the couscous into a large bowl. Stir in the chicken. Add the sauteed vegetables. Fluff/toss with a fork. Serve with chardonnay and laughter.
It was DELICIOUS. So yummy. I would also like to add that he then cleaned my kitchen and washed the dishes. Tomorrow we're starting on his application for sainthood!

SWAMPED

2011-05-17T13:15:00.002-05:00

Well I intended to give you some fun flashbacks from my first years up here, but (clearly) that hasn't happened. Just been too busy to sit and take a trip down memory lane. Y'all were here. You remember.

Watch this instead!

NASHVILLED

2011-05-14T15:20:00.005-05:00

On Sunday, May 14, 2006, a scared but excited 22-year-old packed up her Ford Explorer Sport, kissed her mother and sister and future brother-in-law goodbye and "moved" to Nashville. It was a Mother's Day, so you can imagine how well all of this went over with the aforementioned mother, whose baby girl was really and truly leaving her for Tennessee.... until five days later, at least, when the baby was coming back home for the weekend (a pattern to be repeated at least every other weekend for the rest of the year).

I was that scared 22-year-old. I had no idea how long I'd be in this town or what mischief I would get into, I just knew I had to start on my own somewhere. It has been a pretty fun ride, sometimes a hard one, but five years later, I'm still here!

Today is my Nashversary! I'll be celebrating all week by recounting some of the highlights of my five years in Tennessee.

Mother's Day 2006... those pants finally fit again, by the way.

CAMMY

2011-05-11T14:20:00.006-05:00

Guess whose birthday is today?
Happy birthday, Cam!

Since we've only met for approximately 60 seconds, I decided to do some research to see how compatible Cam and I really are. Lucky for me, based on our signs, we're good to go!

"Taurus man and Cancer woman are one those few people who were meant to be together. Her imagination will always interest him and he, in turn, will find newer ways of romancing her. Both the individuals are very emotional and will fulfill each other's needs in this aspect. He wants a warm, cuddly home and she will always be willing to provide him that. On the other hand, his protective attitude will always give her the security she most desperately needs. The Bull is as devoted as the Crab and except for a few hiccups, the sailing will be smooth."

Well that sounds good to me! The part about my "imagination" is really hard for me to believe, though...

I hope "God be blessin'" you lots on your twenty-second birthday, dear!

VEGETABLED

2011-05-09T15:58:00.008-05:00

One of the things that I love about life these days is my expanding palette. The past few times I have dined with my sister, she has commented on all the things I eat now that I didn't used to, either by intention or omission. As you could guess, it's mostly vegetables (as if I have ever met a carb I didn't like).

Avacados! Yum! Peppers! Yum! Squash! Yum! Zucchini! Yum! Tomatoes! Yum! Edamame? YUM. And that's just a partial list. You already know how I feel about asparagus. I'll even eat onions now, kids. Unfortunately, so far there appears to be no hope for mushrooms or seafood.

I don't know why I hated all these things when I was little. I probably saw my sister turn her nose up to each and followed suit. You know how kids are. Except I continued this way past childhood. And both of my grandfathers had gardens! What a shame. And truthfully, a lot of the reasons I like them now is because of work, where I have had the opportunity to taste things that I have never tasted before (at no cost to me).

Typing it all out, I am starting to realize how pathetic this really sounds.

Regardless! Fueled by my desire to eat healthier, I went to Publix yesterday and made two friends*. John works the produce section every Sunday and he's going to help me learn my way around these vegetables and more. When I asked him what I look for when shopping for zucchini, he gave me a 5-minute lesson and also cooking suggestions. What customer service!

And now my fridge is stocked with yummy fresh green things: broccoli, asparagus, lettuce, cucumbers, zucchini and there are even two big fat heirloom tomatoes on my counter (never refrigerate tomatoes!) There were things I wanted to get but knew I can only eat so much in one week, so I already have things I want to try next week. I wish I had a grill, but don't think I am above some intense roasting.

If only I was as good a cook as Evan or my sister!

LUCKY

2011-05-07T15:13:00.003-05:00

Well, I survived. Las Vegas was amazing and so much fun. We really had a blast!

After leaving a rainy, dreary Nashville (haha!) and a day full of some the most turbulent flying I've ever been witness to, we got there Sunday afternoon and our first task was to get THIS to the hotel:
Yes, there is something in that box that Evan uses for work. In fact, the contents of that box are the sole reason why we were there. If you are having trouble understanding how large this box was, visualize a small apartment on wheels. You should have seen it coming around the luggage carousel. Later in the trip, I got the bright idea to get inside it and almost had Evan push me around the lobby so I could jump out and scare people. HOW hilarious would that have been? I didn't want to get kicked out of the hotel so we kept the tomfoolery just to our room.

So after a cab ride to the Venetian a.k.a our SWANKY hotel, we checked in and guess who surprised me with a strip-view room? Cue the dance party. Our ~~room~~ suite was so nice. The bathroom, the bed, the sunken living room, the view: it was all so elegant and gorgeous. I'll tell you this: when I own a house, there WILL be a TV in the bathroom, and I kind of question my life's direction thus far since I don't have one yet. Best thing ever! Second-best thing ever? This view:

So we freshened up and set off for dinner. We just decided to wander until we found something, so our strolling led us to Wolfgang Puck's Postrio, located in the St. Mark's Square replica in our hotel. We were enjoying dinner when Evan got a little ping on his phone that Obama was about to make an unscheduled announcement. You know where that went. At some point between the news breaking via social media and the President's speech, applause and cheers erupted from the restaurant across the way and quickly caught on until all the Americans (there were a LOT of foreign tourists in the Square) were cheering and clapping. I bet anyone who didn't have their cell phone in front of them was REALLY confused but it I'm pretty sure I'll never forget that moment.
From there, we strolled further south so Evan could see the Strip; specifically, the Bellagio fountains. As if the night wasn't already perfect, the fountains' first number was God Bless the USA. Well played, Bellagio! Chill bumps! We stayed long enough to see two more performances before deciding it was time to hit the hay.

Monday morning, we found some breakfast, got Evan registered for his work (oh yeah, that) and we then hit the amazing pool. We split some yummy sangria and enjoyed wading around in the shallow pool. One of my favorite things about the Venetian is the staff that bring you treats while you are laying out! Orange wedges. Cucumber slices. Frozen towels. Any minute I expected someone to start popping grapes in my mouth. Eventually we dragged ourselves away from our lounge chairs t commence with the evening's plans. Since Evan had to be on the clock that evening, I was left to strike out on my own. I decided to ~~use my student discount~~ get a ticket to see LOVE, the Cirque show set to Beatles music. It was AMAZING. I was so impressed with the many ways they interpreted the songs. If you like the Beatles, you will probably love LOVE! We met back up afterward and just strolled around until we decided to call it a day.

Tuesday morning, Evan brought me breakfast in bed! Talk about a way to start the day! He had to work most of the afternoon, so I set off for a little window-shopping and sight-seeing followed by some pool time of course before getting dressed up for a big night on the town at the hotel next to ours: the Wynn.
After picking up our show tickets, Evan picked Okada, a Japanese restaurant, for our dinner destination. We asked our poor waitress so many questions, I thought she was going to stab one of us in the eye with a chopstick. She steered us toward some great choices and it was a delicious meal. Afterward, we played some penny slots and stirred up mischief until it was time to see La Reve. What an amazing show! It takes place in a water theater but there are quite a bit of aerial elements to the show as well. We attempted to go to a club after dinner but got too sleepy to wait in the long, long lines.

Wednesday started off with more breakfast in bed (I know, right?) followed by some playing in the box followed by more pool time for both of us. Evan had to took a quick break to wrap up the work portion of the trip but then rejoined me. The sun zapped us both pretty hard, so after a quick nap, we wandered off again to see what our last evening in Vegas would hold.
We wanted to see the new hotels so we walked down to the Cosmopolitan and Aria. Let me just say the Cosmopolitan is one of the prettiest things I have ever seen. Not just hotels I've ever seen - things. It was stunning! One day, when I've graduated from part-time moocher to full-fledged Golddigger, I plan to stay there! We chose to eat at Holstein's, a funky burgers and shakes place in the Cosmopolitan and then walked over next door to Aria, which was also beautiful. We saw the Elvis theater*, where a new Cirque production to Elvis music takes place, and strolled around a little bit more before taking a cab back to the Venetian. I told you the sun zapped us! What a pair.
Evan and his big red box left for the airport early the next morning while I had the ENTIRE day to kill. Originally, I was planning to leave Vegas on Wednesday, so I was going to book the last flight out of town so I'd have some time to kill at the pool or something. It wasn't until Evan pointed out that I actually booked the last flight out of town on Thursday that I realized I had made a boo-boo. So I slept in, sat by the pool for a few hours and then caught a shuttle to the airport. And since he'd already been home a good seven hours, take a wild guess at who picked me up from the airport? Yes, Evan. What a winner.

I was hoping for a very relaxing and very fun trip with my BFF and I got it in spades. It was a great getaway! I am so thankful to Evan for his graciousness. We really did have so much fun.

PS - remember the Elvis theater? While sitting in the airport, I found out Lisa Kudrow had been to see the show the same night Evan and I were stalking around that theater! I was YARDS away from Phoebe and had no idea!

GONE

2011-04-29T09:36:00.000-05:00

I need a vacation. Not a trip to Birmingham, a real vacation.

If I told you I was hopping on a plane on Sunday and heading to Las Vegas for five days, would you believe me?

Because I am. Ca-ching!
Evan invited me (orrrr maybe I invited myself, the line between the two is kind of blurry) to join him in Las Vegas for a conference. Since I had credit for an unused flight to Arizona in January (sniff sniff), I immediately put in my vacation days and started packing.

Are you jealous? I'm pretty sure we're going to have the time of our lives. We're staying here (Venetian)

and seeing this (La Reve)
and other than that, my tail will be poolside as much as possible.

And, if my car gets broken into while I'm gone, I'm going to know it was one of you!

See you in a week!

DRAFTED

2011-04-28T14:52:00.003-05:00

Tonight is the draft! Soon we will all hear how the Titans traded up their pick from 8 to 1 to get Cam as the QB! Then you will hear how we reunited and fell madly in love! And served Gigi's cupcakes at our wedding and had beautiful white-teethed babies and

am I getting carried away?

Don't tell me he's going to Carolina. I don't want to hear it. There is still hope for me yet. I feel like Marty McFly, in Back to the Future, watching his picture slowly fade out of existence...

SAFE

2011-04-27T12:50:00.002-05:00

First of all, I'm guessing the reason only one person so far has commented on yesterday's story about my Mom is because the other two to three hundred of you fell out of your chair laughing before you could click the Leave a Comment button. In the words of Mark A. (who is quoting words of Larry the Cable Guy), "I don't care who you are, that's funny!"

Now back to business. So Monday night, two more cars were broken into in my parking lot. LUCKY ME, I was not one of them. Guess the thief had seen enough of my car. Here's the deal, though: we found the common denominator. This is only happening on nights it is raining! Sneaky criminal. He knows the police can't fingerprint a wet car. So, we officially have a crime wave. We also have a rough description of the probably suspect, as one of the neighbors said he saw someone looking into one of the cars that was (later) broken into. Poor neighbors. All that was stolen from my car was CDs, my cell phone charger, my old (broken) Blackberry and my umbrella*. My neighbor had her GPS, iPod, car charger and car title stolen! I don't even want to know what kind of red tape it will take to get that worked out. Can't say they weren't warned though.

Maybe if my mom would come run around without her pants on, it would solve the problem.

*If you see someone carrying a Southern Living umbrella that looks like he probably doesn't read Southern Living, call the cops!

POSTAL

2011-04-26T18:47:00.004-05:00

Over the weekend I invented a new term: mOMG! Here's why:

Apparently, Mom came home from working out a few weeks ago and decided she would go check the mail. So she walked out the door and to the mailbox and only then did she realize...

SHE WASN'T WEARING ANY PANTS!

She CLAIMS she was about to get in the shower, got distracted and then decided to go get the mail. So in her tank top and underwear ONLY, she strolled out to the mailbox before she realized what she'd done. She'd shed her biking shorts somewhere in the house and didn't even realize it! mOMG!

I've heard of no shirt, no shoes, no service... but no pants? Ridiculous.

Anyone else think she did it on purpose?

EASTERY

2011-04-25T17:09:00.002-05:00

What a fun weekend to Alabama! It was so nice having an extra day to play. I think I need to take more Fridays off. TBD on where I'll spend them.

So, as you know, I drove home on Thursday night and went straight to my sister's house. After dinner, she made some homemade chocolate-chip cookie ice cream! It was delicious (of course; as if you can screw that up) and four people knocked it back pretty fast.
Friday morning, after some homemade pancakes (it's like staying at Grandma's house I tell you), Jen, Mom and I set off for a day full of girly things like shopping, nail salons and Chick-Fil-A. While at Old Navy, we discovered some cute baby shoes in the back. We found out they we clearance and they got a whole lot cuter! Y'all- we bought all 15 remaining pair of these little Auburn Tiger baby shoes for $1.75 a pop. Claim them now while you can:They are so cute! Of course, if you don't have a baby, they do have other uses:
That evening, Mom hosted a get-together for some family and friends in honor of Jennie and Jamie's return to the Heart of Dixie. It was fun to see relatives that I hardly get to see, like my adorable cousin Anne Heaton, who gets prettier and prettier every time I see her!Saturday morning we set off for lower Alabama to see more family, more friends and have a cookout. We visited my grandmother in her new assisted living home, which has an aviary in the lobby. I spent almost as much time looking at the birds as I did talking to my grandmother. These three were making me laugh:
Next stop was the cookout! In addition to mad cooking skills, Mom's boyfriend has a host of animals... some of which I got friendly with (and some of which I did NOT). Here's me, Reid and Daffy Duck:
And the sweetest, quietest animal of them all: the cat!
Jennie, Jamie and I drove back Saturday night and went straight to the theater to see Water for Elephants. It was really good and after staring at him for 2 hours, I can see what all the Robert Pattinson hype is about (vampires - not so much).

Sunday morning, Jennie, Jamie and I went to our old church and made a few mandatory photos.

It was a lovely trip! Very fun and relaxing. Don't worry, Mom, I'll stay with you again soon!

RELAXED

2011-04-21T20:37:00.002-05:00

Right now I am sitting on my sister's couch at her home in Birmingham. We are watching the Judds reality show that she DVRed and saved for me to watch. ~~Naomi~~ my mom is here too and we are all eating homemade chocolate chip cookie ice cream. THIS is a vacation.

Spa Day 2011 was great. It was too cold and slightly overcast so I didn't get to take advantage of the facilities quite like I had planned, but hours later I am still very happy and more relaxed than Paula Abdul at a pharmaceutical convention.

The other news you don't know about this week is that the car was broken into for a third time. Items were stolen but nothing crazy like the computer or my purse. I don't feel like I'm being stalked anymore since things were taken and maybe the thief will just. move. on. I was going to have the officer fingerprint the car but it had been raining so that was not possible.

What else? It's been a busy, exhausting week. I am glad to be home for a few days to recharge my battery before ANOTHER busy week!

GAGAD

2011-04-20T13:23:00.005-05:00

Oh my Gaga.

What a night. I can't even begin to explain or describe. I drained my camera battery filming the kid in front of me dancing, so I have no pics or video from the ACTUAL Gaga part, but enjoy these photos of my beautiful friends!
From what I remember (!), the show was great. She talked a LOT in between songs to her "little monsters." She played the guitar and the piano. She did lots of dancing. She's really pretty talented to be only 25. It was a fun night!