Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Quick Post

I am back at work for a short week! I only have two more days then E and I are off again and on our way to our New Year's celebration! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas with their families! I know mine was great, it seems like it went by way too fast! I must say I am ready to say goodbye to 2009 and hello 2010!! Hope you all had a great holiday and enjoy the celebration of a new year!

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas!



I hope you all have a wonderful holiday with family and friends! Don't forget the real meaning of the season!

Monday, December 21, 2009

Happy Monday!

Hey guys! I know I said on Friday that I didn't think I would be bhack until after the holidays were over, but I found some time to jump on really quick and say hi! I hope things slow down a little bit after the new year! We will see! How are all of you that are stuck in the snow? I must say, I am a little bit jealous! Although, it is getting colder here, and they are mentioning a "snow" sighting on Christmas at my parent's house, which is where I will be for the holiday, we shall see! I am ready to wear my coat and scarves and gloves!! (Today, it is just cold enough for a hoodie!) This weekend, I finished up my Christmas shopping, wrapped presents, made some peppermint bark, made 3 dozen cupcakes for no reason, and cleaned my house! Oh and I turned my TV on Lifetime and didn't turn it off of there all weekend! They were playing all of the cheesy lovey dovey Christmas movies, so I figured I might as well enjoy them for one last week!

I don't know about you, but I can't believe this year is almost over! It seemed like it has flown by! I have stayed so busy this year, I can't remember everything that has happened! I feel like 2009 has been one big road trip! (I have pretty much been gone every single weekend). Then there was the numb face scare this summer, and of course work pretty much dictates my life! I must say, I am ready for Christmas to have a few days to relax, and I am even more ready for New Years to get to have a bit of a vacation! Happy Christmas week!

Friday, December 18, 2009

Friday

Happy Friday! The weekend is finally upon us, and I can't tell you how glad I am that it is here! I have been absent from the blog, well, pretty much the whole world that isn't work the past week! Hopefully after the holidays, things will get so much better and I can get back into my routine! Until then, I may still be a little sporadic, but I am still here and I am trying to keep up with everything! I feel lost without reading about what is going on! But...if I don't pop up until after the holidays...hope everyone has a great one.

Friday, December 11, 2009

A Christmas Survey


So I found this survey here and decided to steal it for your Friday entertainment since I am busy at work and going to be traveling this weekend....

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I LOVE wrapping presents! Gift wrapping definitely!
2. Real tree or artificial? We always cut a real tree growing up, but now have artificial, so there is no preference really.
3. When do you put up the tree? I try to put it up right after Thanksgiving to enjoy it longer.
4. Do you like eggnog? I don't care for it. Plus it is way too fattening to really enjoy.
5. Favorite gift received as a child? I guess my first Cabbage Patch doll Jessica. Or my McDonald's Drive-thru fisher price set!
6. Do you have a nativity scene? yes, a small one.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My brother. He is way too picky!
8. Easiest person to buy for? My mom. I know her well.
9. Mail or email Christmas cards? Definitely mail!! I am a fan of snail mail all year!
10. Favorite Christmas movie? The Elf or Miracle of 34th Street
11. When do you start shopping for Christmas? The day after Christmas!
12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Cranberry Sauce and the Froot Loop Candy my mom used to make!
13. Clear lights or colored lights on the tree? Clear lights.
14. Favorite Christmas song? There are so many...Peace on Earth by Vince and Ginny Gill.
15. Travel or stay home at Christmas? I would love to stay home! But, I always travel constantly!
16. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher. Dancer. Prancer. Vixen. Comet. Cupid. Donner. Blitzen. Rudolph.
17. Angel on tree top or star? It changes.
18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning.
19. The most annoying thing about this time of year? The traffic at the malls! ANd having to hold on to your purse! (Well, that is everyday in my town I guess!)
20. What I love most about Christmas? Traditions, the TRUE meaning, time spent with loved ones, and the decorations!

Well, that is my Christmas survey! Hope you all have a happy Friday and a wonderful weekend!! :) Pray for E's safe llloooonnnggg flight today!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

I think.....

That God reads my blog. Seriously, yesterday I wrote Him a letter wondering why there were such warm temperatures on a December day. (The high was almost 80!) This morning I get up to run and had to run in LOTS of layers and my hands felt like I had stuck them in cold water and they froze immediately. Yep. But I am really not complaining! I am sure that is how the weather is going to be when I run my 5K next weekend! But it is December, that is how it is supposed to be! Anyway, I am gearing up for a busy day (or two) at work, so I have to make it short. I will leave you with the three things on my mind...my love for Mt. Olive Hamburger Dill chips (dinner last night), Cheezits (my favorite snack), and the fact that E comes home TOMORROW! Yay! Now, I am going to try to warm up, keep my eyes open and get busy with my day! Happy Friday Eve! Roll Tide! ;)

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

All I want for Christmas.....

Dear person who controls the weather (I guess that'd be God, right?),
While I am not normally a complainer, and I usually love the warmer temperatures, the constant shift in temperatures in mid-December is no fun. While Saturday morning, I woke up to snow, ice and road closings, today, I woke up to sweating, steam, and running in shorts and a t-shirt. It was H-O-T! Like 70 degrees hot at 6am! It is so hard to get into the holiday spirit when you are enjoying your Christmas Tree with the air conditioner on and an iced chai instead of nice hot chocolate! Please send the cold weather back at least until the Christmas season is over! Please?

Thankyouverymuch,
Me

Well, now that I got that outta the way, I will tell you about last night! I sat down to watch the Biggest Loser Finale and I thought I would work on a few crafts while I was sitting there doing nothing. My grandmother mentioned she wanted one of those wreaths I made a while ago, and I made some ornaments that I found on Kelly's blog for some Christmas presents. It was fun. Since E is all the way around the world and a phone call is about $400 a minute, and we are on whole different schedules with the time, we don't get to talk in the evenings like we are used to, so it is weird having to be so quiet. I mean I talk to Scout, but he doesn't talk back much. Anyway, The Biggest Loser Finale was great! I was most surprised about Rebecca! I didn't even know who she was until she started acting silly like she did on the show! But, if that isn't motivation to work out, I don't know what is? Besides the fact that Danny, Shae and Daniel are said to have added 15-20 years onto their lives! That is CRAZY! It was a great finale and I am glad I did crafts while I watched it instead of eating this time! (I usually always snack during it and I feel so bad). I think I enjoyed watching it better sans food! Well, it is Wednesday! I am SO ready for the week to be over with! Not only will E be back, but the year is almost over and I am ready for that!! New Year's will be the first time I have really been able to "get away" all year long! It has been a busy year and the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010 is fast approaching! Anyway, that is another post for another day! Happy Wednesday!

Pictures of my creativeness: (wreath and ornaments)

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Weekend Update

Wow, sorry I am just getting to you! It seems Mondays are always so busy for me, getting back to work and I am either busy doing a project or busy preparing for something coming up. Anyway...I had SUCH a busy weekend and I have lots to tell, so I think I will do what I do best and make a list.

1. I put all of the names in a hat and drew one so.....My Blog Giveaway winner is KRISTEN over at K. Law: Inspired. If you will email me your info, I will get this out ASAP! (I will post soon everything that she won!)

2. Alabama BEAT Florida and are now SEC Champions!! We will play Texas on January 7th for the National Championship! Great game!! Roll Tide Roll! I am definitely so proud to be a UA alumni (I mean I always am, but especially in times like these!)

3. I went and saw The Blind Side this weekend! It was such an awesome movie! I think I cried the whole time! I can't wait to take E to see it when he comes back from being around the world! If he doesn't think I am a big baby for crying through the whole thing!

4. IT SNOWED IN ALABAMA!! We got about an inch on Friday night and I was giddy like a little kid on Christmas morning! I was up early (had to take E to the airport at like 6 am) and I was outside taking pictures and so excited! Snow doesn't happen often around these parts, especially not this early, so it was a monumental occasion!

I hope you all had a great weekend! I will post pictures soon, I just wanted you all to know I was still here! Have a great week! Be back with you soon!! Tonight I am planning on being crafty while watching the Biggest Loser finale!! I am so excited! I think I am going to make another Eddie Ross wreath, this one for my grandmother in gold, green and silver, ans some ornaments for Christmas presents. I'll try to take some pictures if I remember!!

Friday, December 4, 2009

Football Friday Part 14 Post-Season


Today marks the first FF post of the post season with one more to go. Tomorrow Alabama meets Florida in Atlanta to face off in a game for the SEC Championship title. The winner will play in the BCS National Championship game and the loser will play in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans!

I am of course hoping for a Bama win for the SEC Championship and a shot at a National title! I am NOT a fan of the Florida Gators! I think it is because I am really sick of hearing the name Tim Tebow. Anyway, hope you all have a GREAT weekend! I will be cheering on the Tide and unfortunately putting E on another plane (only for a week this time)! The weatherman is also mentioning a chance of "precipitation" in the form of some white stuff, but I will believe it when I see it! I DO live in Alabama you know!

So fingers crossed that I can report back to you on Monday with a win and some pictures of some flurries!

ROLL TIDE ROLL!!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Woof people, woof!

Hey humans! This is Scout, the best dog on the planet! (I'm not bragging or anything, just repeating what I have heard.) I am at work and I thought I would help my mom out and entertain you people while she is at lunch! She has been really busy working, so I thought I would get on this thing and tell you a little about me and my day.


So, you know my name, it's Scout. I was born in a place you may know called Tuscaloosa, AL. (Before you ask, yes, I am an Alabama fan.)I was born in a place with a really mean family and then one day, my mom adopted me and I went to live with her and boy am I glad I did! I am still a little scared of some things, but I think I am so much better than I used to be! I am almost 4 years old, that is almost 28 in human years for those of you who are slow at math.


My favorite things to do are to play ball, tug of war, use my cute eyes to get treats, play with other dogs, run in circles, and go visit my grandparents. I also like to cuddle with my mom. I don't like the white stuff or the things that make noise inside toys that my mom gives me, so I take it out as soon as soon as I get a toy! That stuff has to go!


She may have told you that I got a job! That's right! I get to go to work with her everyday! It is great! I get really excited when we get in the building and I run up all the stairs to the 4th floor. I don't like the thing called the elevator, so I make my mom come with me up the stairs. She is a little slower than I am, but I meet her at the top. A dog has to exercise, right? I run in the office to see who all is there first. I like it because I get lots of treats throughout the day. But my most favorite part of the day is when all the humans get together for something called a staff meeting. I make sure that I have all of my toys out and ready to play! I get really excited!

Another thing I like to do is to lay and watch the door. When new people come in the office, I let them know who's boss (me, of course). It is funny to mess with them and growl a little, if you knew me, you would know I wouldn't hurt a fly. I have gotten used to the humans who bring the big boxes and envelopes everyday, they even say hi to me. They are cool, so I don't mess with them anymore.

I am still working on getting my own office, but for now, I just share with my mom. I guess it is fun being out in the open where I can keep an eye on what is going on. I get more treats that way. Well, it is about time for my afternoon nap and I think my mom should be back soon. I need to steal a treat off her desk before she gets back.


Have a great day humans! Nice to meet ya!

Woof!
Scout

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Writer's Block

It is Wednesday. Middle of the week, not a very exciting day. I have lots of things on my to do list both at work and at home and I don't feel like doing them really. I really need a shot of "get your butt in gear." Maybe a little afternoon pick me up will help? We'll see. Well, long story short, I got nothing. Maybe someone will hijack my blog and give you something good. I will leave you with the picture of my wreath I promised, and especially for Annie. It was a lot of fun!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

My Favorite Things Giveaway!!

Yesterday, I promised that I would be back today with a giveaway! Because it is the holiday season and everyone LOVES getting presents, I thought I would give you all a special treat. I am giving away a cute gift pack of a few of my favorite things for the holiday season!! Not only a few good things for you, but a few things you can share, like some of my favorite holiday recipes! I am going to make it very simple to enter!! Just leave a comment on my blog. You don't have to have a blog to win either! but if you don't, make sure you leave me your email address so I can contact you to send you the goodies!! You have until midnight (CST) on Sunday, December 6 to enter!! Be sure to enter, and tell your friends!! You can even tweet about it, just copy @beccarie!

Happy Holidays!

Monday, November 30, 2009

Weekend Recap

Well, what a great 4-day weekend. I packed A WHOLE LOT into four days, and I still wish it didn't end!! It all started Wednesday, when we (Surprise!) got to leave work at 11! I didn't know what to do with myself!! So, I went home and got E and we headed to Red Robin for burgers and an amazing Gingerbread Shake! Then, we decided that it was too pretty to spend the day inside so we went shopping and just enjoyed riding around with the sunroof open. We ended the day at Bass Pro Shop and then went home to make homemade pizza! Thursday, we got up bright and early and drove about 2 hours south for his family's Thanksgiving. We ate until we couldn't eat anymore and then both got in the car on our separate ways...me to Huntsville and him to the ducks in Arkansas. Friday...my mom and I got up at 3:30 to continue our Black Friday tradition of craziness! We had so much fun though! I think we ended up spending less than we saved!! [This was the view of the back of the car. Note: My mom drives a Tahoe and there was no more room for stuff unless we held it in our laps!] Then, it was time to go home and raise my blood pressure by watching the Iron Bowl!! Alabama pulled out a W but not without causing me to have a heart attack and scare the dogs from yelling in the process. Then we went to dinner at PF Changs. Saturday, my mom and I decided to continue shopping and also get "crafty". I wanted to make an "Eddie Ross" wreath so we were on a mission to find some pretty, cheap and no-break balls for that project. We did. Even though I took a few pictures of the wreath-making process, I don't have one of the final project?! What was I thinking? I will get E to snap one for me and email it so I can post it for you guys! It turned out nothing short of gorgeous if I must say so myself! I used the extra balls to put into these really tall apothecary jars, along with some tinsel for the mantle. I also made stockings, but again, forgot to take a picture. Then Sunday, we spent it with my grandparents celebrating my cousins 4th birthday! E came home from hunting, we decorated the house just a little, cooked dinner, and then the exhaustion from the whirlwind weekend of traveling caught up with us. I drove back this morning! Now, I am trying to get caught up with the important things. Like you know, blogs, C's weekend/gossip, and the Cyber Monday deals. Good thing today is pay day huh? Hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving! I will be back tomorrow with a GIVEAWAY!!

Friday, November 27, 2009

Football Friday Part 13



Today is the last day of Football Friday (for the regular season). There will be at least one more, when we meet Florida in Atlanta for the SEC Championship game. HOWEVER, this football Friday is a big one. We play our in-state rival, Auburn. Now, in the past 7 years, Auburn won 6 games in a row, only to meet their fate last year in Tuscaloosa with a shutout of 36-0. What a way to end a streak huh? Let's hope Bama can keep it going this year with a win! The game is today (Friday) instead of the traditional Saturday game. Anyway, the video above is a "fan cam" of the crowd singing Rammer Jammer at the end of the game! This is probably one of my most favorite parts of the football games, to sing Rammer Jammer. It is not the nicest song, but it is tradition and oh so fun!! Here are the words (Note: We insert the mascot/team name of who we are playing to make the song relevant each game):

Hey Auburn! Hey Auburn!
We just beat the hell outta you!
Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer
Give 'Em Hell Alabama.
Hey Auburn! Hey Auburn!
We just beat the hell outta you!
Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer
Give 'Em Hell Alabama.

Happy Black Friday by the way! My mom and I are shopping and then home in time for the game! So, enjoy shopping and Roll Tide Roll!!! Beat Auburn!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving! I can honestly say that this year has FLOWN by for me! I always know that when I get to Thanksgiving, the rest of the year is going to be a blur! This year for Thanksgiving, I am spending it at E's family's house and then driving to Huntsville to get prepared with my mom for Black Friday Shopping! We had so much fun last year! There was nothing we just HAD to have but we had a few things in mind and had so much fun in all the craziness! It is our new tradition I think. How crazy is it to go shopping and be home in time for BREAKFAST? So, since this will be the first Thanksgiving that I am not with my family, I thought I would post a few things that I am thankful for.

1. Family that loves and supports me.
2. A job that provides the necessities (even if it comes with lots of stress).
3. Best Friends (J and E).
4. A roof over my head.
5. The fact that I can wake up everyday to hear my alarm clock of birds chirping (even though I complain about it).
6. Scout!
7. Being raised in the South with deep-rooted traditions.
8. Lessons learned that have made me a better person.
9. Just waking up knowing I have a lot to smile about.
10. Sonic ice and root beer.
11. An education from THE University of Alabama.
12. Freedoms (provided by people who give their lives daily).
13. Laughter and silliness.
14. Sunshine.

Of course, these are only a few things, the list could go on and on. But just wanted you to remember the little things that sometimes we take for granted. So, Happy Thanksgiving. But don't let it take a holiday to remember (and appreciate) what you are thankful for.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Thanksgiving


Well, since tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I obviously won't be around my computer much, I thought I would write today a little about Thanksgiving.

So here are some Thanksgiving facts taken from History.com:

1.Sarah Josepha Hale, the enormously influential magazine editor and author who waged a tireless campaign to make Thanksgiving a national holiday in the mid-19th century, was also the author of the classic nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb."

2.Though many competing claims exist, the most familiar story of the first Thanksgiving took place in Plymouth Colony, in present-day Massachusetts, in 1621. More than 200 years later, President Abraham Lincoln declared the final Thursday in November as a national day of thanksgiving. Congress finally made Thanksgiving Day an official national holiday in 1941.

3. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Minnesota is the top turkey-producing state in America, with a planned production total of 49 million in 2008. Just six states—Minnesota, North Carolina, Arkansas, Virginia, Missouri and Indiana—will probably produce two-thirds of the estimated 271 million birds that will be raised in the U.S. this year.

4. In a survey conducted by the National Turkey Federation, nearly 88 percent of Americans said they eat turkey at Thanksgiving. The average weight of turkeys purchased for Thanksgiving is 15 pounds, which means some 690 million pounds of turkey were consumed in the U.S. during Thanksgiving in 2007.

5. Originally known as Macy's Christmas Parade—to signify the launch of the Christmas shopping season—the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade took place in New York City in 1924. It was launched by Macy's employees and featured animals from the Central Park Zoo. Today, some 3 million people attend the annual parade and another 44 million watch it on television.

6. Snoopy has appeared as a giant balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade more times than any other character in history. As the Flying Ace, Snoopy made his sixth appearance in the 2006 parade. (This one is for my stepdad.)

Hope you all have a safe and happy holiday! Happy Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

It's the little things....

So, things have been so crazy stressful at work...working 12 plus hour days. Anyways..sometimes it is the little things that really keep me going. Here are two excerpts from the past week or so of things that have made me laugh and kept me a little grin at work....

Documents that need to be proofed:
1. The word was supposed to be legalized...it was typed "Kegalized"
2. A simple email to tell me that there were baked goods in the kitchen..."Pasty in the kitchen."
3. A phone call asking "What is in the kitchen? We need to kegalize that." (Making fun of the previous typo combined with today's.)

Sad how the simplest little things can keep me going on stressful days....
Hope you are having a great week.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Football Friday Part 12 (The "Eyes" Have It) ---*Edited to include a New Moon Update**

Alabama is STILL undefeated and STILL going to the SEC Championship in Atlanta to face Florida! I can't wait!! Only 2 more weeks! This week, we are playing UT Chattanooga. Not really sure who this team is, but I am a little more than confident we will have a W at the end of this one. Next up, Auburn on Black Friday, then the SEC Championship in Atlanta. After that, we shall see. Roll Tide! Everyone have a GREAT weekend!! So, now I am going to leave you with a picture of my favorite Alabama quarterback, JAY BARKER (I mean, seriously, look at those eyes!!), he is with his wife, Sara Evans and her friend, Eva Longoria Parker. You may or may not have heard of them.....I bet they had a blast at the game and had an experience like never before..Roll Tide!! (The eyes people...the eyes!!)



**Edit: So, New Moon....I got to the theater at 10:15, the movie started at midnight. I was there with about 700 other people. It was madness I tell you!! The movie was great. The best part of the movie?? Taylor Lautner. Seriously, I am totally Team Edward, but it should be illegal for someone to look that dang good under the age of 21. I think I watched the movie with my mouth open for most of it. I mean I had no clue. I think everyone in the theater was in awe. The girls were swooning and the guys (yes, there were tons of guys) were jealous. I will have a little more to tell about the silliness of the company and the craziness at the theater. Some of which may or may not include girls dressed up like Alice, Rosalie, and Victoria, and the random middle-aged men that were there without a teenage daughter in tow. But for now, I will reserve the little energy I have for the actual work I have to do.

P.S. - I realize that this "Football Friday" Post has turned into talking about males who have a few awesome assets, but I just wanted to throw it out there that E is still my #1! ;)

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Tonight

Well, I said goodbye to E this morning. He had to make the trek back to Huntsville after his visit. Life is calling. Well, really just a duck blind in Arkansas and Opening Weekend, but you know, life. I'll see him again soon though.

Now, can I tell you how excited I am that I am going with C tonight at 11:59 pm to see that movie that everyone has been talking about? We have had our tickets and are just ready to go to the movie and see it. Hopefully we will not be the only ones who do not say the word "teen" when someone asks our age. We are excited. Now, ask me tomorrow when I drag myself into work not really knowing where I am if it was worth it or not and maybe it will be a different story. But for right now, I am going to revel in the excitement that is in me to go see the movie that everyone has talked about. If you missed out on tickets, for now, be jealous. Again, tomorrow it may be a different story. I will let you know...if I can keep my eyes open long enough to type anything. Just be glad that it is E in the duck blind with a gun and not me after a midnight movie.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Just one of those days......

Have you ever had one of those days where all you can do is bite your tongue to keep from either hurting people's feelings, getting in trouble, or saying something you are probably going to regret? Well, today is one of those days for me. (Well, I don't actually always bite my tongue, I usually say what is rolling off of it no matter what.) NEWAYZ.....(sorry, I reverted back to middle school drama days because that is what I feel like today is). Everything that could go wrong and stress me out has today (well, at work). It really stinks and makes for a bad day. Oh well, hopefully I can leave it all at the office, because I do have a cute dinner date tonight and some root beer floats waiting on me! Not much longer til I can get out of the office and go home and maybe try to breathe......

Here's to hoping that your Wednesdays are better than mine!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Slacker

Ok, I know it is Tuesday and I am totally slacking from Blogging lately, I have just been really busy with other things that have taken me away from sitting on my rear-end and reading all about your lives and telling you about mine. Anyway....an update on the weekend, since it is way past due.....
E came home!!! Finally! After 25 days away, E came home!! I got to pick him up from the airport and we spent the weekend talking about what he missed. This list may or may not have included a redecoration of his house that could include a new paint color on the walls. And it may have also included this from Pottery Barn:

I mean, I got bored while he was gone...LOL

Then, Saturday, Alabama beat Mississippi State. And my face was made to look like I was training to be a UFC fighter by the tile floor. What was that? Well, I guess I was just so excited that I finally got to see E that I fainted. That's right I fainted and ended up being up close and personal with the hard, cold tile floor. That encounter gave me a "broke face" look complete with a bruised cheek and black eye. But, I am fine, so nothing to worry about. E was panicking when I told him what happened and I of course am used to dramatic events, remember this, and I was cracking jokes about the whole thing! Don't know what happened, in case you are wondering, but I now have a nice new facial accessory called a black eye.

Now, I am back at work and E is taking a few days off to recoup from his trip and decided to come visit me for a few days. So, here's to a great week. Fingers crossed it stays uneventful!

Friday, November 13, 2009

Football Friday Part 11

Not much time to post, it is 2:35 am and I just got done working! Anyway, ROLL TIDE! Alabama plays Mississippi State this weekend! Let's hope we can hold on to our undefeated season and go into the SEC championship that way! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! I won't be around! I have a busy weekend! E comes home after being gone for 4 weeks!!!! Yay!! Have fun ladies and gentlemen, stay classy! Roll Tide!!!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Happy Veteran's Day!



I have the privilege of knowing a few people who have been in in the military and who have served/are serving our country. They are being saluted today, and should be everyday. I am one of those very patriotic people. It irritates me when people move, talk, or don't remove their hat during the National Anthem. It used to bring tears to my eyes every time I heard it. It still makes me so proud. Living in Washington, DC, I walked the halls of our nation's capitol building daily. I drove past symbols of our nation daily. But my absolute favorite thing to do when I lived there was to visit Arlington National Cemetery. Wow. Talk about a place of honor, reverence, freedom, pride, sacrifice, and service. This place is absolutely wonderful it is solemn, quiet and humbling. If you ever get the opportunity to go here, go. And then go back again. It will humble you, and make you fully understand why you are proud to be an American. My roommate and I went every Tuesday after work on The Hill. We would get on the Metro and ride out to Arlington and see the Changing of the Guard, and then walk over to Iwo Jima to see the Marine Corps silent drill team. It is dead silent and all you hear is the clicking of the guns and their heels, the commands of the officers, the claps of their gloved hands on their legs. Then, the 21 gun salute. Then, silence. This always takes my breath away and I am so honored I got to take part in such a special ceremony each week. Thank you to all of our veterans for allowing us the freedoms we have. Go over to Keyona's site, tell her Thank you! She is one of the many men and women who are serving our military (and she has a great blog too)! Thanks Keyona!

It is the
Veteran,
not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion


It is the
Veteran,
not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the
Veteran,
not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech

It is the
Veteran,
not the community organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble


It is the
Veteran,
not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial

It is the
Veteran,
not the politician,
who has given us the right to vote.


It is the
Veteran who
salutes the flag


It is the
Veteran
who serves under the flag.
**Poem taken from here.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Somebody has to say it

Well, ladies and gentlemen, the time has come that I am writing my 100th post as we speak. Wow. 100 posts. Hope I have entertained you and continue to do so. For my 100th post, I was going to do the whole "100 things you don't know about me" but I don't think I can come up with 100 things, so I chose to go a different route. I Googled "Fun questions to ask friends" and came up with this list and decided I would post them and answer them, or some of them. So, in honor of my 100th post, I will open the floor to you guys as well, ask anything and I will answer it. And be looking for a giveaway soon......
And now for the questions:

1. If you could go back and change something about your high school days what would it be? -I don't think I would change anything. I had a blast in high school. I would probably go back and do it all over again.

2. Who did you have a crush on during high school? Did you express your feelings for that person? -I had a crush on a guy named Jonn. (He was a senior when I was a freshman and we had math together. We went Christmas shopping that year and I went and saw him in a play. Then, my brother dated his girlfriend and he came looking for her at my house at 6 am. (she wasn't there)) Then, we went to the same college and I ran into him a lot there. It was weird how it all came full circle. I lost the crush on him when I was around him in college.

3. Do you sing while having a bath? -I don't sing in the bath or shower usually. Now the car, that is a different story. Or while cooking and cleaning.

4. How often have you driven over the speed limit? -Daily.

5. When was the last time you indulged in binge drinking? - I don't remember. College. I guess.

6. If you could marry a cartoon character who would it be? Why? - Spiderman. (If he is a cartoon character and I have to choose) Because he can fly. And he is also a normal person. I don't like Superman because he has X-Ray vision, that is never good.

7. What did you most get into trouble for when you were younger? - Talking too much and being bossy.

8. What was your nickname in high school? -I never really had a nickname. My brother always called me Deenie. I have no idea why.

9. What was your favorite toy as a child? -A cabbage patch doll named Jessica. I took her everywhere. And she is still at my mom's house.

10. When you are alone what do you most enjoy doing? -I usually read, watch girlie movies or shows, cook and clean.

11. If you are not doing anything what are you most likely to think about? - I am a daydreamer. I like to think of events that are coming up and how they are going to go, or things in the future that I think will happen and how I think they will go.

12. Who was your first prom date? - My first prom date was Evan McGrath.

13. Who is the first person that you think about when you get up in the morning? - E and my family. Then I think about people at work and what I am going to be facing that day.

14. When did you first travel by airplane and where? - I went to San Francisco when I was about three. I am pretty sure that was the first time. You'd have to ask my mom, I don't remember.

15. Who was your first best friend? Are you still in touch with that person? If you parted ways why do you think that happened? - My first best friend that I can remember is Morgan. We lived next door to each other, went to church together, and were born 2 weeks apart. She moved and started going to a different church, so we lost touch. We are Facebook friends now though!

16. If you could be a politician who would it be? Why? - I would not be a politician ever. My major is Political Science and I work in politics and I see everything that goes on behind the scenes and I don't think I am willing to put myself and my family through what some of them go through. If you had asked me this question 5 years ago, I would have told you that I would run for office in a heartbeat.

17. What is the first thing you do when you get up every morning? - Snuggle with Scout and check my phone.

18. What was your first tattoo or piercing and where is it? What does it stand for? - My first (and only) piercing is my ears. My first tattoo was of a frog and it is on my foot. I have collected frogs for as long as I can remember. (my room growing up was inundated with frogs!!) I was driving down the road with my friend and said I should go get a tattoo since it is my birthday. He said, I'll hold your hand and pay for it if you get one right now. So, I did. My parents didn't see it till a few months later. My second one is on the inside of my wrist. My parents didn't see that one for TWO WHOLE YEARS!! Yeah, I'm good.

19. Who was the first person who broke your heart? - Taylor. In college. Until then, I was always the one who did the breaking of hearts.

20. If feathers tickle people, do they tickle birds? - No, because they are all facing the same direction and laying flat.

21. If sheep can’t sleep what do they count? - Shepherds. Or blades of grass.

22. If a bedroom has no bed in it then what do you call it? - Empty.

Hope you all enjoyed the Q and A. If you think of more questions....ask away! Have a great week! Thanks for reading 100 of my posts!
BTW...What a great day to have a 100th post.....it is 11-10-09! Ok, I am done.

Monday, November 9, 2009

It's Monday....Have a Ball.

So, a little update on my weekend....I will have to make this quick because I am a little busy at work today, but I promise I will devote more attention when I can get away from that little thing that pays my bills (also known as a job)!

So, the weekend went like this...
Friday, drove to Huntsville and got my mom. She and I went to the book store to get well, books and a coffee. We stayed up and watched A Cinderella Story til after midnight!!
Saturday my mom and I got up, ran a few errands and then quickly did somethings over at someone's house (details are withheld until this person sees the surprise), sorry but they happen to read the blog...Then, we went home in time to watch the Alabama game. I think Alabama football was designed to 1. Make me bite all of my fingernails off, 2. Say as many cuss words as possible, 3. Put me into cardiac arrest only to revive me every time in the 4th quarter, or 4. to entertain the people that watch the game with me. After Alabama BEAT LSU and WON THE SEC WEST, I had to take it a little easy because I was lightheaded and had a headache from the excitement of the game. I finished what I started at someone's house.
Sunday I went to church with my parents, had lunch, did laundry and made cake balls to bring to work. I also visited with my grandparents, then went to bed.
Today I got up at 3:30 and drove back to Montgomery to work and to bring said cake balls. My co-worker C and I decided to bake some treats for the office to brighten up a busy Monday at the office. She made Sausage Balls and I of course made Cake Balls. We put them in the kitchen with a sign that says: "It's Monday, have a Ball." We started to say "If you need some balls, they are in the kitchen." Then, we decided that would be either 1. inappropriate or 2. Too many people would come to the kitchen at once. HAHA, sorry that was ugly, I apologize! Hope you have a Happy Monday!! Who else is ready for FRIDAY?? (I am especially ready because E comes home after being half-way across the world for 4 WEEKS, yes, 4!) Hope you all had a great weekend!

BTW....Be looking for a giveaway...this is my 99th post! So, there will be something good up my sleeve for 100.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Football Friday Part 10



Well, today is FRIDAY!! And that means football is baaaccckkkk! Since Alabama's off week last week, I hope the Tide is well rested to take on the Bayou Bengals of LS Who? tomorrow. That's right ladies and gentlemen, tomorrow is a big game for The Tide. So, fingers and toes crossed that we can keep the streak alive and send the tigers home without a win. RRROOOOLLLLL TIDE ROLL!!! Have a great weekend people. Keep it classy.



**Image from the University of Alabama Supe Store.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Tailor Made

Tailor Made - Colbie Caillat
Twenty-five,
All of these mixed emotions,
Tangled up in pure confusion,
It’s hard to let go of the past, but it seems,
Easier as time is moving,
Well you said he makes you laugh,
And he makes you happy,
He sees you smiling back,
It is everlasting,
And so he’s tailor made for you,
With stunning golden hues,
And one sweet tone to soothe,
Your persistent beating heart it’s just a start,
And I, have seen you everyday,
You’ve never been like this before,
He’s tailor made, tailor, tailor made,
So let go all of these mixed emotions,
Forget all your hesitations,
Together entwined inside this feeling,
Feet off the ground, head hits ceiling,
Then he whispered in your ear,
He’s absolutely falling,
The words he said are clear,
So don’t insist on stalling
Because he’s tailor made for you,
With stunning golden hues,
And one sweet tone to soothe,
Your persistent beating heart it’s just a start,
And I, have seen you everyday,
You’ve never been like this before,
He’s tailor made,
Oh sister, don’t be troubled,
Oh sister, please be calm,
Cause this isn’t, what you’re used to, at all,
He’s tailor made for you,
With stunning golden hues,
And one sweet tone to soothe,
Your persistent beating heart it’s just a start,
And I, have seen you everyday,
You’ve never been like this before,
He’s tailor made, tailor, tailor made


This song was so fitting for my post today, I couldn't help but post all the lyrics for you to read. It is a great song, so if you have a chance, you should go look it up! So, I was reading Twitter this morning and I came across a link from Myra to this blog. And there I found this story that caught my eye. Well, the whole front page on her blog was about marriage and how you are made for someone just like Eve was for Adam.
“But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him…And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man…” Genesis 2:20,22
The other day I was talking to E about how I really do think that there is one person made for you. One man made for one woman intentionally. I mentioned how I thought that this was how God intended it to be. We talked about how when you find that one person for whom you were made, you know, it is like everyone says. There is no compromise, no sacrifice, they were made for you (from you, like Eve from Adam), and the stars align and all is well. And when we aren't with the one we are supposed to be with, it is done by the choices we make. But I also believe some of these relationships are meant to happen to learn from. Now, I am not married nor an expert on relationships, I just had this epiphany the other day. I thought that since I read that on someone else's blog, I too would write about it and get your opinions. I know most people are married that read this, and if you aren't, I know everyone has an opinion. What is your take on the whole thing? Do you believe that there is one person made for everyone and you just know? If you are one of those who "just knew" how soon did you know? My favorite is Mat and Whitney's story! Go check them out! And tell me your opinions....and Go!

Monday, November 2, 2009

Whirlwind Weekend

So, just a quick post to update on the weekend....I have been really busy today, and probably will be most of the week, so I wanted to post an update from the weekend while I had a chance. We (my mom and I) finished our first 5k. It was cold and rainy. It went really well. I ran the whole thing and my mom ran/walked. We are so glad we did and I personally can't wait to do another one. In other news for the weekend, we shopped and hung out with my grandparents a little. No football really because Alabama wasn't playing. I did a few other things, but I can't write about them because they are a surprise for someone and that someone reads this blog! Sorry! I will post about it when they find out in a couple of weeks! Anyway, sorry so short! I will leave you with a couple of pictures. 1. After I finished the race, I met my mom and ran with her across the finish line. 2. My mom and I after the race. 3. The leaves changing and the rocket at the Space and Rocket Center. (We were driving down the road and I made my mom pull over so I could take this picture just to share with you guys.)


Friday, October 30, 2009

Football Friday Part 9

Well, Alabama has an off week this week, thank goodness. We really need it. However, with only a few games of the season left, I can't forget about the tide here on the blog, so I thought I would share a picture that was emailed to me that was the game-changing play of the game last week against Tennessee!

Have a great weekend and don't forget about me running in the 5k tomorrow! Fingers crossed it isn't cold and rainy!! Oh and Roll Tide and Happy Halloween!!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Creepy Crawlies

Since we are so close to Halloween (and because I read this beetle story by Justine over at Almost There) I decided that it is only appropriate to mention somethings that give us the creepy crawlies!! I am an animal fan! I like lots of different types of (most) animals and there isn't much that grosses me out (except snakes slithering and the next thing I am about to tell you about). I even have a tattoo of a frog (my favorite) on my foot. Now, living in the heat in the South, we have LOTS of bugs and well, critters. We have lizards. Now, they are just your regular old salamanders (except to me, they might as well be Dragons that can kill). They can change colors too (sometimes). Well, whenever I see one of these creatures, my natural reaction is usually to shriek, yell, or squeal and do a little dance and run as far away from them as I can get as fast as I can.

So here are my two most memorable and funniest experience with these lizards:
(Be aware that the rest of this is long, but entertaining.)

1. When I first moved into my apartment in a new town I didn't know anyone! I mean, I met a couple of my neighbors, but mostly they were all girls. Well I was showering and getting ready for work and I caught a glimpse of something moving out of the corner of my eye. I was in the middle of a big shampoo lather so I decided to rinse my hair and then see what it was. Well, when I opened my eyes, I see a lizard squirming up the shower wall. I mean the thing was as big as my arm (ok, maybe just as big as my finger, but still, MY ARM)! So I squealed and hurried and got out of the shower and shut the curtain thinking I could make it go away and it wouldn't get out of the bathtub. Then, It kept squirming and I was about to die of a heart attack. I couldn't do that because I didn't want someone to find me a few days later, dead on the bathroom floor, in a towel, with half-way rinsed hair surrounded by lizards without my pearls on! Come on! So I did what every girl would do and I washed it with water into the tub (where I knew it was slick and it couldn't come out and get me)while squealing and doing the dance. I got ready for work satisfied that it wasn't going anywhere. When I got ready for work, I decided that I would give it some water (scalding hot might I add thinking maybe it would die of a heat stroke and not roam my apartment while I was gone and crawl on my pillow). I went to work and quickly forgot about the monster intruding my apartment. But as soon as I got home, I remembered the creepy thing that I had left in my bathtub that morning. As soon as I got home, I checked, and sure enough he was still there swimming in my bathtub. Well, I had to get him out! I couldn't go unshowered! So I called a guy friend of mine (who was halfway across the country) and told him the story in a panic figuring he would be nice and come get it for me or something, or at least work some magic and make it go away. Instead, I hear him laughing as hard as he can. He then asks me to repeat the story. I did, almost screeching/yelling at this point only to hear more people laughing! He had put me on speaker phone so his friends could hear my story! He said just scoop it with a cup since it was in water and throw it outside. well, this was a good plan, except I wasn't going to get close to it. So, since he was no help, I decided to go see if any of my neighbors were home and their husbands could help me out. I finally found a neighbor and she said her husband was on his way home. He didn't even get out of his car before she had him in my apartment getting the stupid lizard out of the bathtub! He took it outside and released it. Crisis averted. I didn't have to have my obituary say anything about me and lizards and no pearls. I thanked him for saving my life by baking them some cookies. I then went and cleaned my shower with Clorox to clean away the lizard cooties.

2. About a year after the first incident, I had a heightened awareness for lizards. I always looked on doors, walls and the ground for them. They seemed to be the worst at night, they would gather near lights. I think really they just liked to see how fast I could move from point A to point B while they laughed at me. Well, one night I was going out the door and was talking and forgot to check for attackers. As soon as I opened the door, ONE JUMPED ON ME!! I SCREAMED. It slithered down my body. I was doing a crazy dance trying to get it off. I even jumped ON TOP OF THE DRYER to get away from it (duh, these suckers can climb). Anyway, he got off of me and was injured from the impact of my shoe meeting his body a gazillion times during my "Lizards give me the creeps and I have to move as fast as I can" dance.I proceeded to injure a lizard, stab one of my friends with a key, elevate my heart rate times ten, and be laughed at by everyone who saw the fiasco. I was mortified even more after that experience.

Needless to say, LIZARDS GIVE ME THE CREEPS (and induce heart attack symptoms, cause bodily harm, make me move as fast as I can, and have caused me to walk on high alert during warm months). What are some of your Creepy Crawlie stories or things that just give you the creeps??

Happy Thursday! That is Friday eve for those of us who like that day the most! Have a great rest of the week!

P.S. - I was going to post a picture of a lizard on this post, but I can't bring myself to do it. So, just imagine one. As big as your arm.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Rain, rain go away!



Well, while normally I love a rainy day and sometimes it can be fun, I am ready for the rain to hold off a bit. It started raining here yesterday afternoon before work was out and HAS NOT STOPPED. In fact, it has even gotten progressively worse! Now, as I mentioned yesterday, I am running a 5k in 4 days and finishing my training this week is crucial! I am not a fan of running in the rain.If it is hot, and it is a light drizzle I may not mind, but it is cold and it is pouring! It kinda hurts. Kinda like riding a motorcycle in the rain and the drops hitting you in the face while driving 60 mph. Ok, except not like that at all because I am running. With two feet being my horsepower, not an engine, and not at 60 mph, it just sounded good. Anyway, so that is one reason I want the rain to hold off. Secondly, people in my town do not know how to drive in the sunshine, add in rain and you are going to have wrecks. At every exit on the interstate. And having a dog who is scared of the rain and thunder is funny. He weighs as much as I do and still thinks he needs to be in my lap when he gets scared. Or if I am laying in bed, he thinks he wants to be right on top of me. Then, I guess he notices I am turning blue because he is crushing me and moves over. He needs his mom to make him feel safe, so he decides to lay beside me and not on me. How about the fact that it is already dark when I get ready in the mornings and go to work, add the rain and it is even worse. Oh well, I guess I will make the best of it and just be glad I don't have to sit out in it all day. Just part of it when I have to run. Hope you all are enjoying your Tuesday, rain or shine. Oh, and I have been reading a lot about people being sick. Hope you all get better! Maybe you would like this rain, I'll try to send it your way.

*Image from Google.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Weekend Update

So, it is Monday again....I actually did very little this weekend! No traveling, no company, no plans! I was all by myself! I took the time to watch all things TLC, eat not-meal-worthy foods, and clean (just a little). I also got to enjoy the nice fall weather and not wear much of anything but pjs. I mean, I did shower and change said pjs, but still no "real" clothes were worn!

Saturday, I thought I was going to meet my early death from watching the Crimson Tide pull out a win against the Tennessee Vols! I was on.the.edge.of.my.seat. and I was p a c i n g all over my house! It was INSANE! I did not like the closeness of the outcome, but again, a win is a win. UA has an off week coming up and we definitely need it!

Next weekend, I am running my very 1st 5k! I am super excited, but also kind of nervous! I am finishing my training by Thursday so I can have Friday off before the run on Saturday! I can't wait to tell you all how it went! We'll see! Fingers crossed it isn't too cold and I don't feel like I am breathing ice!

I am coming up on my 100th post. This is exciting and I feel like it is giveaway-worthy! So, when I think of something clever, I will have my very first giveaway! Get excited and be looking for it!

So, who else is ready for the time to change? I mean seriously, I can't take this waking up and going to work in the dark thing anymore!

Dear Sunshine,

I miss your face when I am getting ready in the mornings. Won't you please come out a little sooner? It makes it so hard to get out of bed when even you aren't up yet. I desperately need your help to make my feet touch the floor! k? Thanks for listening, hope to see you bright and early again soon!

Love,
Me

Friday, October 23, 2009

Football Friday Part 8


So, I missed football Friday last week because I was not at a computer and I completely forgot to schedule a post about it. Anyway, this week is a big week for The Crimson Tide, probably bigger for us than the Iron Bowl. We play Tennessee. Now, Tennessee is a bigger rival for us than Auburn. It is BAD. I don't know one Alabama fan who doesn't literally hate Tennessee. So, here's to hoping I can report back to you on Monday with Alabama still being undefeated and beating TN! We play in Tuscaloosa, so it should be a good one. See how this student feels about Tennessee. I think it pretty much speaks for the rest of the community of Bama fans....Ha!


ROLL TIDE ROLL!!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Last time today....


...well, maybe. I am a little bit bored, can you tell? I was just sitting here thinking that I was so hungry. Now, here in Alabama, as I type this, it is only 9:58 am. Not time for lunch, after breakfast. So, that means it is time for a snack. Right? At least that is what I am telling myself. We have a few snacks here at the office, lets see, peanut butter crackers, popcorn and Cheez-its. Now, my hands-down favorite choice is ALWAYS Cheez-its. I mean WHOA! (yes, channeling my inner Joey Lawrence from Blossom) They are my favorite! So, let's hear from you..what are some of your favorite go-to snacks? (especially mid-morning, mid-afternoon)

Follow-up

Well, I guess some of you probably think I am crazy for that last blog post, but I think I was just irritated yesterday and it all came out in one long, rambling, didn't-make-sense blog. Sorry for that. Here is a little explanation.....
I hate when people automatically discredit you based on stereotypes. I get it often and I guess I have a lot against me. I am a girl. From the South. I was in a sorority. And I work in a man's world...politics. Now, I don't claim to be the smartest person in the world because I'm not by any means whatsoever. But, I am not an idiot. And I hate it when people assume that because they are stereotyping me! My knowledge is like an iceberg. You can only see about 10% of it and the rest is under the surface. Seriously, if you look under the water you'll see it, or if your dumb enough to crash into it, you'll know it! Now, like I said in my last post, I like to watch people and guess their stories, but only for fun. I talk about people just like everyone else, but purely just because. I don't make assumptions that cause me to form an opinion of someone, I know everyone has a story that has been edited my many different things. It is just important to observe, but let people reserve the right to tell their own story. And that is all I have for this soapbox, come back another day and I will probably have another one. I promise since tomorrow is Friday, it will be fun and lighthearted. Because it is FOOTBALL FRIDAY and ALABAMA is #1 in the AP Poll!

Assumptions

Do you ever wonder what people think of you? Why people look at you and automatically make assumptions about you. Not that anyone has of me lately, but then again, I am sure someone does daily. I think it is funny when people think they know you just by looking at you and you could be far, far from that. Sometimes, I too think people-watching is fun. Trying to write someone's story by looking at them and reading what you think is written on their face. Or in their step. Or in the way they carry themselves. Or even what you hear them say. But in reality, this isn't fair. This could be a stretch from the truth and you could be missing out on something truly remarkable. I often wonder what people would think of me by looking at me. Let's see, I wear pearls daily (what can I say, I am a true Southern Belle). I must be sweet and charming or some may think snotty. When in fact I can be all of those things, but I can also be rude, sassy, sarcastic, and blunt. I bet you wouldn't think that? I bet you didn't think I was judgmental either. I am. But I also find the good in everyone I meet. I am quick to give an opinion and I am always up for a good debate. I like to play devil's advocate. But I will also listen all day and all night without saying a word. Bet you didn't see that one coming. I smile all the time. I wonder what that makes you think. Probably that she is sweet, or some may say, she has no clue. When most of the time, I smile because I am thinking of something, scheming if you will. Sometimes it is because I am just not interested. Sometimes, it is because I really do care, or because it looks like you need a smile. I am sweet too, sometimes. I bet you wouldn't think that I love kids, however some kids REALLY get on my nerves. I have a great deal of patience but there are some things that cause me to be very impatient. I am definitely flawed. But then again, who isn't? We just have to learn to overlook imperfections to truly appreciate that which is before us. I read a poem today and it really made me think of how trying to write someone's story that I haven't yet tried to read, may be making me miss out. I have always had this idea of just exactly what I was looking for and I thought I knew just exactly what it looked like and where to find it. When in fact, I feel like I was really walking around with my eyes closed, even making assumptions. When I let my guard down, open my eyes, and see things for how they really are, not how I think they are, or how I assume they are, it is a great thing. And may bring great things or people into my life that I may have otherwise missed. Have you ever thought of what you were missing? People tell you all the time to take things for what they are, realize what makes you happy. And don't assume things that you don't already know. This poem made me rather aware of the reality of opening my eyes and thinking about what/who I really wanted in my life. And what great things I could be missing. My past is already written, my present is a work in progress, and there is only one person who knows the path of my future. I don't wanna walk down it with my eyes closed, I wanna see what is gonna happen, what has already been planned for me.....and I certainly don't wanna miss a thing because of my own assumptions.

John Ashbery - At North Farm

Somewhere someone is traveling furiously toward you,
At incredible speed, traveling day and night,
Through blizzards and desert heat, across torrents,
through narrow passes.
But will he know where to find you,
Recognize you when he sees you,
Give you the thing he has for you?

Hardly anything grows here,
Yet the granaries are bursting with meal,
The sacks of meal piled to the rafters.
The streams run with sweetness, fattening fish;
Birds darken the sky. Is it enough
That the dish of milk is set out at night,
That we think of him sometimes,
Sometimes and always, with mixed feelings?

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Sleep Deprived

So, I am surprised I have not fallen asleep at work yet! It is 10:30 and I have had 2 cups of coffee and I have been ok for now. Why am I so tired? Well, I slept like I was 5 last night. I don't mean that I slept well, like a baby, I mean I slept like I was 5 and had nightmares about the witch. Anyway, I don't know what got into me last night! I went to sleep at a normal time (between 9:30 and 10). I didn't eat a late dinner and I watched the normal things before bed, last night was Biggest Loser. So why on earth did I dream about 1. a hooded intruder standing over my bed 2. the Nashville courthouse being bombed (and me calling my friends and brother there to make sure they are ok) and 3. My mom and I being lost in a parking garage looking for her car only to witness a fight and someone getting stabbed and arrested?! It was CRAZY! I guess I am missing my goodnight phone call. And maybe since I haven't been running in the mornings since I have suddenly become scared of the dark outside that has something to do with it! Seriously, I have always gotten up and ran at 5 am, it has always been dark, but now, I am scared? Who knows! I have to now change my routine and run in the evenings when I get off work. Maybe I will also stop watching and reading the news. That may help. Maybe the crazy dreams will stop. I know, it was only one night of them and they probably only totaled about 10 minutes of my actual sleep time, but I feel like I have been run over by a truck and am super tired today. Scout thinks I am crazy as well because when I dreamed about the hooded guy standing over my bed I woke up and sat straight up in a panic and scared the mess out of him. I think he hated me for scaring him and waking him up. Anyway...do any of you ever have weird/bad dreams? If so, what do you do to prevent them?? I am going to go fix myself another cup of coffee now and hopefully have a good rest of the day.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Weekend wrap-up


So...I haven't been on in a while! Almost a week! Yikes! I guess I have been pretty darn busy! The last you heard from me, it was Wednesday and my bro turned 30. Well, Thursday, I only worked a half day and then headed to Huntsville, and was off on Friday! The half day that I did work wasn't totally uneventful, I was kinda busy before I became totally useless and left! I headed to the ville for 2 specific reasons: One was to ship E off half way across the world for a MONTH! Boooo! The second was to go to my high school and accept my "Alumni of the Year" award and "get inducted" into the "Alumni Hall of Fame." Another thing that happened while I was there was I froze my butt off. Seriously, that was not an intended purpose for the trip, but it happened, and I definitely left it somewhere in the bleachers at Sparkman High School. It. Was. So. Cold. But, I do love this time of year (when I don't have to be outside dressed up in it) because it is a reason to wear sweatshirts, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, boots, build fires, drink cider and hot chocolate, snuggle, watch the leaves change and decorate for the seasons. Oh, and if I hadn't frozen my butt off in Huntsville, I would totally be enjoying those heated seats in my car (ok, I am still enjoying them, I was just going with the theme). Anyway, my mom and I did what we do best and went shopping a little and we all went to church and ate a totally unhealthy meal after with my grandmother. Oh, Saturday night, I made homemade chicken pot pies for my family and my grandparents, that was good. I also watched the Crimson Tide beat South Carolina. It wasn't a pretty win, but a win is a win no matter how you get there! So, now, I am back at work, enjoying the still fall-like, but slightly warmer weather a little further south. Here's to a great week! Hope you all make the best of it!

*image from here.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Thirty. It's half-way to Sixty.




You must think that is the craziest blog title EVER! Ha! Well, today, I am writing a post because it is my brother, Chris's 30th birthday!! Yikes! We are getting old! He was born 6 years before me, so I have only known him 24 of those 30 years. He is a dreamer of dreams, a singer of songs, a performer, a constant source of laughter, a player of the guitar (and any other musical instrument he wants), a spitting image of our mama, a protector of his sister, a friend, and one, if you meet, you'll never forget! Be looking out for him, he will be famous one day if he has it his way!! Here are some photos to celebrate the birthday boy!!
Chris and our cousin Gracie


Doing what he does best


With his favorite sister


So, if you Twitter (Tweet?) follow him: @telechristopher and wish him a Happy Birthday!!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Not Me Monday



So, I guess since MckMama is giving away a cool prize, I will do a "Not Me Monday post that I haven't done in a while, even though I don't really have much that I can remember.

...I DID NOT get up at 3:30 am to drive back home (in the rain)because I REALLY don't wanna come back to this city. Nope, not me, I LOVE it here and I LOVE my job.
...I DID NOT change clothes in the car when I got to work because I was slowed by said rain and got to the parking lot just in time and didn't have time to go home and change. (It IS a 3.5 hour drive, I HAD to do it in pjs)
...I DID NOT talk trash on Gameday Saturday because Auburn lost BAD to Arkansas.
...C (co-worker) and I WERE NOT so lazy to go home for lunch today that we didn't walk down the street to the new oyster house. This isn't the same one we were at the last time we were at work. We would never eat out this much.
...We DID NOT leave from said restaurant early (before our meals were finished) because our waiter creeped us out (while shucking oysters with a knife) talking about blood in the oysters and killing himself with the knife. Yeah, it wasn't weird at all.

That is about all I can think of for now....Hope you all have a great Monday!

Friday, October 9, 2009

Football Friday Part 6



Tomorrow Alabama travels to Ole Miss for game six. I will be watching it on tv with E, even though I miss watching it from the South end-zone from Bryant Denny (pictured above) with 92,000 plus. Ole Miss is the Alabama of Mississippi, in regards to traditions, Greek life, etc. I ALWAYS wanted to go to Ole Miss growing up for two reasons. 1. William Faulkner 2. Eli Manning. So, this is a fun game for me. I still bleed Crimson and White, but it is always fun to wonder what it would be like were I to be singing "Hotty Toddy" instead of "Rammer Jammer". I am definitely glad of my decision and will be yelling "Roll Tide Roll" (and probably a few other things) tomorrow! Here's to a great weekend! I know I can't get mine started fast enough!! I will catch up with you Monday.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Decorated

Well, it is finally fall (even though it doesn't really feel like it all the time). I feel like I need to pull out some fall-ish decorations or something. My mom decorated her house last weekend, complete with this painted shovel thing on the fire place. My dad and I made fun of it. Oh well, at least she is in the spirit. I guess I will get there when it stops being above 80 degrees. (The rate we're going, I will not have fall decorations til Christmas and Christmas decorations until after the New Year.) Anyway, I did receive some blog decoration from Keyona over at The New Norm. Here are the rules for that one:




1. Each Superior Scribbler I name today must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving bloggy friends.

2. Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.

3. Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to THIS POST, which explains The Award.

4. Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

Here are my nominees:
Jessica
Alyse
Jennifer
Stephanie
Lindsey

Hope you all have a fabulous week! It is FINALLY Thursday! I am SO ready for the weekend it isn't even funny I feel like this has been the longest week of my life! Wow, I am so excited that I just made a huge run-on sentence right there! Ha! Hope this doesn't take away from my "Superior Scribbler" status!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Road Rage Much?


Ok, so I try to be pretty sweet, calm and mild-mannered. To me, there is no sense in getting all worked up about things that are beyond my control. It may be me trying to be a better person, or the fact that I am terrified of getting high blood pressure and having a heart attack (what? I am healthy and only 24? Yeah, it could happen.) Anyway, the only time I am easily angered and my face turns red is when I am in the car. I have the hardest time keeping my cool. No, I am not the best driver in the world, but I do try to respect other drivers and adhere to the rules of the road. I guess some people weren't taught that back when they were 15 from their driver's ed teacher. With three other teenage distractions in the car. In the parking lot of the drag strip. Driving through lanes made with orange cones. I mean, not that I was either, I'm Just saying, that may be a good way to learn. Why am I bringing this up? Well, I thought you'd never ask. Yesterday driving home from work at 5:15, I was singing and glad to be off work, then a driver decided that he wanted to drive down the middle of two lanes of the four available to him. Other people were stopping and yielding to him, no one letting him know his mistake. Well, it frustrated me so I kind of blew my horn, and may have mentioned to him what those lines on the road were for. My windows weren't down, and I still had a smile on my face, so I'm sure he didn't hear me and had no clue I was highly irritated at his lack of respect for my lane. He promptly chose his lane leaving me to go about my merry way and get home without incident. Then again, this morning, Scout and I are on our way into work and ANOTHER car does the SAME thing. Seriously people? I repeated the actions from yesterday and he moved over, I went on about my business and got to work safe and sound, but not before I explained to him too that those lines weren't for decoration. Then, when I got to work, I even twittered about it. Nothing frustrates me like people with driver's licenses who don't know the rules and responsibilities behind them. I will however remind them of those whether they know it or not. So, now that I am no longer in the car, I am cool, calm and collected. And as sweet as pure sugar! HA! Have a great day. And never judge me by the way I ride/drive/yell/instruct in the car. I mean, if I were one of the ones to learn to drive in the parking lot of a drag-strip it would probably bring out aggression. I wouldn't know....again, just sayin....