First Signs of Spring

This Week's Pins

2011-12-06T20:23:00.001-06:00

I adore the idea of this lampshade and would love to do it with all different buttons in the same color...

As I look toward the new year, I'm trying to keep this idea forefront in my mind. I too often fall guilty to looking forward, or sometimes backward, and missing things that are right in front of me.

Mint chocolate chip cookies... where do I sign up??

Is this fabulous, or what?? Who knew veggies could be so glamorous?

First, many of you know I love any and all blazers. This blazer, however, takes things to a whole other level. A level to which I, personally, am all for exploring.

Hmph... some days I wonder, but here's hoping!

Until next time,

Verrrrry Pinteresting

2011-11-29T19:40:00.001-06:00

Ok, so I'm jumping on the bandwagon and attempting to do a weekly post of some of my favorite Pins. Some weeks there may be a theme, but this week I'm all over the place.
So, let's get pinning...

I know it's time to think about winter clothes (I mean, this time last night it was snowing), but I adore this shirt. Supposedly some crafy person could make this from a man's old dress shirt, but I'm not much on the whole sewing thing. I'd be perfectly happy purchasing it from one of my local Gap locations...

I want to live in this cottage. Can you imagine having a boring day in a place like this? It's like a fairy tale and Lemony Snicket and the perfect woodsy hideaway all rolled into one divine little piece of land. This place is just made for comfy chairs and good books.

I am blessed to have this kind of parent. I want to tell so many parents who sit across the desk from me that this is what their children need. If I am a parent one day, these are the things I want to remember.

This will be in my child's room one day. Let's be honest, I really secretly wish it could be in mine.

These flowers take my breath away. This is such a cool concept with virtually limitless possibilities.

Just added to my (ever-growing) 'Must Read' list. What could be better than learning all the inside secrets behind one of my favorite things in this life? "If anyone's looking for any last minute gift ideas for me, I have one..."

I find myself saying something awfully similar to this pretty much every day, perhaps every hour. My seniors are just starting to freak out and panic and question themselves. They're wondering if they can make it to May; it's decision time, and they're weighing their options; they're terrified of the future. Keeping them calm is stressing me out!

Speaks for itself. Some people just don't know when to quit.

Happy Pinning, my friends. And Happy Holidays!!

Deep Impact

2011-10-31T21:28:00.000-05:00

Dear Self,
You're making a difference.

Quick Note

2011-10-30T22:43:00.000-05:00

Dear Self,
Your oven isn't something to be afraid of; keep trying!

Note to Self

2011-10-30T00:16:00.000-05:00

Like practically everyone else on the planet lately, I have gotten very into Pinterest. Although it's full of clothes I can't afford, food I'll never cook, houses I'll never build, projects I'll never finish, and workouts I'll never do, I love it anyway. I could just browse and browse for hours!
One of the things I love most about it is finding cool notes of inspiration, or "truths," as I call them. This is one I discovered tonight. When my blogging lacks direction or is wholly uninspired, perhaps I'll write a few of these myself.
Tonight, for example, I might say...

Dear Self,
Don't change into what you think they want.

Cool Runnings

2011-10-17T21:29:00.000-05:00

This vid makes me so happy on so many levels.

The obvious level? All those Phi Mu ladies, of course.
But it doesn't end there. This vid pumps me up for Mississippi State, and it makes my heart happy to see so many stellar Columbus folk (and a pretty good number of fellow Pats, as well) fanning the flame.
This little piece of work also makes me miss college something fierce, but I think that pretty much goes without saying.
Good luck, girls!
Phi Mu for life or die.

Weekend Update

2011-10-16T19:16:00.000-05:00

This was such a good weekend! Gorgeous weather, good friend, a little culture, a good movie and a lot of laughs. Who could ask for much more?
I spent Friday night vegging out on my TV watching old episodes of Saturday Night Live and laughing my head off. A little bit of her:

and a little bit of them:

and, well, a little more of her:

paired with a little bit of this:

made for a fun night, capped off by my favorite man in late night, of course.

Saturday I slept late then headed downtown for a delicious lunch al fresco (duck confit flatbread at The Majestic... I die) before going to see Memphis. Memphis was out-of-this-world awesome; I just couldn't stop grinning like a fool when it was over! One of my favorite things about moving to Olive Branch has been being so close to the Orpheum and getting to see so many great shows and concerts already. If you're anywhere near Memphis and can possibly get to the Orpheum over the next week, do yourself a favor, score some tickets and go see this show. It will knock your socks off. Fact.

After doing a little schoolwork this afternoon, I went to see this much-hyped flick:

...and I loved it!
To give you a little background, I've been a big Footloose fan for a pretty long while, so I knew this new movie was going to have a hard time winning me over. I loved the movie as a teenager and was even in our senior production of the play in high school. (Don't judge... it was awesome.) Anyway, all that to say, I was pretty set in my Footloose ways. This new one, however, did win me over. Mostly due to this guy:

(Let's be honest, Kevin Bacon was never much of a looker.)
I also loved this guy, though:

And the re-worked songs were awesome. What am I forgetting? Oh, yeah. The dancing, which was too legit. Duh.

Go see it. Whether you're already sold on it or you're a reluctant convert like myself, I know you'll love it.
Why can't the weekends last forever??

One Day

2011-09-11T20:44:00.001-05:00

Today is the ten year anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. I remember sitting in Mrs. Shelton's American History class watching the World Trade Center attacks play out live on television, ironically ignorant that American history was actually being made.
For about the past week, I have been glued to various television specials and news interviews highlighting the heros, families and survivors affected by that day. I am gripped by their stories, and I am always eager to learn more.
Having been to Ground Zero twice since the attacks, I can perfectly visualize the geography. I have sat on a pew in Trinity Church; I have seen the mangled sphere in Battery Park; I have stared into the gaping hole left where those two towers once stood. The power of that place brought me to tears, and these wonderful tributes have done so, as well.
At that time in my life, I didn't know anyone in New York, had never visited the city. It still gripped me somewhere deep inside, though, and hasn't ever quite let go. May we never forget the way we felt that day, the way America came together and the way we treasured each moment together.

God Bless America.

This Song

2011-06-30T22:03:00.000-05:00

Let's talk about Blake Shelton's Honey Bee. Am I the only girl who is in love with this song? The incorrect grammar doesn't even bother me, and we all know I'm nothing if not grammatically correct. If some boy threw a few lines of this chorus my way, I'm fairly positive I'd swoon right there on the spot.

Girl, I been thinkin' 'bout us

I know I ain't good at this stuff

These feelings pilin' up won't give me no rest

This might come out a little crazy

A little sideways, yeah maybe

I don't know how long it'll take but I'll do my best

If you'll be my soft and sweet

I'll be your strong and steady

You'll be my glass of wine

I'll be your shot of whiskey

You'll be my sunny day

I'll be your shade tree

You'll be my honeysuckle

I'll be your honey bee

Yeah, that came out a little country

But every word was right on the money

And I got you smilin' honey right back at me

Now hold on 'cause I ain't done

There's more where that came from

Well you know I'm just havin' fun, but seriously

If you'll be my Louisiana

I'll be your Mississippi

You'll be my little Loretta

I'll be your Conway Twitty

You'll be my sugar baby

I'll be your sweet iced tea

You'll be my honeysuckle

I'll be your honey bee

Your kiss just said it all

I'm glad we had this talk

Nothing left to do but fall in each other's arms

I coulda said I love you

Coulda wrote you a line or two

Baby, all I know to do is speak right from the heart

If you'll be my soft and sweet

I'll be your strong and steady

You'll be my glass of wine

I'll be your shot of whiskey

You'll be my sunny day

I'll be your shade tree

You'll be my honeysuckle

I'll be your honey bee

If you'll be my Louisiana

I'll be your Mississippi

You'll be my little Loretta

I'll be your Conway Twitty

You'll be my sugar baby

I'll be your sweet iced tea

You'll be my honeysuckle

I'll be your honey bee

I'll be your honey beeeeeeeeee

Oh, and if said boy was dressed like this (take special note of the Ray Bans, of course) while he sang it, well, that'd be it for me.

Happy Thursday, honey bees.

Fun in a Clothes Basket

2011-06-05T23:04:00.000-05:00

So, over the weekend, my mom asked me to help her clean out her old closet. Two summers ago, we added a new bedroom onto our house, and my mom moved into that room. She moved most of her clothes into the new closet, but there were some left that still needed to be moved to the new room or given away to the Salvation Army.
I must admit, I wasn't particularly psyched to help with this project (since it mostly involved me hauling the clothes out of the closet, down the stairs, and into the new closet or the car). I suppose I was to be the muscle of this operation, which means, in short, we were behind before we even started.
Anyway...
In the course of the cleaning out, I did get a few laughs from some of the clothes we came upon, and I just had to try on (and take a picture, of course!) some of the most hideous. I would love nothing better than to share these disasters with you now.
(Note: My mother's wardrobe is not terrible. Please don't hold these singularly heinous pieces against her, as she usually dresses just fine. We've all bought and worn things we later regret, right? And,if we're lucky, they end up on the internet somewhere. I just didn't want my mother to miss out on that experience.)
The first ensemble I discovered is this greenish monstrosity, complete with Chicago Bears linebacker-worthy shoulder pads and grossly tapered knit pants. Yuck. This little beauty of an outfit actually still had the receipt in the pocket of the jacket, and we were horrified/relieved to discover it was bought in October of 1990(!!).

Althought this next item is not so much an outfit and more of a terrible excuse for sleep/loungewear, I just had to feature it, as well. Housecoats, if you ask me, are never a good idea. I think the picture speaks for itself, yes?

My mother wore this black-and-blue pair in Disney World in 1995. Even though I've seen it in pictures, seeing it in person was a little unsettling, I must admit. And, yes, if you think you're seeing black-and-blue checks on those pants, you're correct. You're eyes are not, in fact, playing tricks on you; it's just that bad.

This next piece is just sad. This vest is not some leftover article from a costume or a cute little joke. It's a flowered denim vest that my mother loved. I had to get it out of the house quickly, honestly, in fear that she would paw through the bags and stash it in the back of her closet.

Finally, the piece de resistance, if you will. This little number was an outfit my mother defended all the way out the door, saying she had worn it to really nice events and recounting compliments she got on it more than twenty years ago. That's just it, Mom. More. Than. Twenty. Years. Ago. Today, it's just ugly. And funny. People say there's no such thing as "too much of a good thing." I say when that 'good thing' is neck-to-ankle floral print, there most certainly is.

Aren't parents always good for a laugh??

The State of Us

2011-05-18T23:26:00.000-05:00

So, almost three weeks ago now (how did 3 weeks pass already??) I graduated from Mississippi State for the second time. This time I've been deemed a Master, but, I must admit, I don't really feel like a master of anything! Sometimes it just seems that I know a little bit about a lot of different stuff, when isn't it supposed to be the other way around??
I was more emotional about graduation than I expected to be. Honestly, I was more emotional throughout the process of graduate school than I ever imagined I would be. As many of you have read/heard me say before, it was a bit of a three-year rollercoaster ride, filled with such highs and lows as, say, gaining a whopping 60 pounds and, to date, losing 20 of that; helping my mom through 2 knee replacements; moving out of my mom's house only to move back in two years later; making the best grades I've ever made; making great friends in my program, unlike my undergraduate degree where I flew solo throughout much of my schoolwork; and, finally, working toward an actual profession: school counselor (as opposed to an English major trying (often unsuccessfully) to rationalize how I fit into a certain role).
Although I remain wholly baffled by the oddity of the ~~costume~~ ~~outfit~~ ~~uniform~~ costume graduates are required to wear, here's a few pictures from graduation. I mean, seriously, why is it necessary to wear such a ridiculous get-up for such a meaningful and heavily-photographed day? And that hat? Don't get me started.

In the three weeks since graduation, I've thought a lot about my time at Mississippi State and in Starkville and all that it means to me. Yesterday I went to campus to have some final paperwork signed, and, when I realized it was very likely my last piece of business as a Mississippi State student, I was really overcome with how much the university has meant to me over the past eight years. So, in my usual way, I've made a list of all the things I love most about Mississippi State and Starkville.
Here we go....
101 Things to Love about Mississippi State University and Starkville
1. Roadrunner tours
2. Having class in Lee Hall with the windows up
3. The Reveille
4. The view from the top of the stadium
5. The night route
6. Dancing with the band at Mugshots
7. The Reflector
8. Listening to the chimes at the Chapel of Memories
9. Cowbells
10. Taking a walk on campus
11.  Maroon bikes
12. Concerts at the amphitheater
13. Finding the perfect study nook at Mitchell Memorial Library
14. Bumping into your favorite professor at dinner or the bar
15. Reformed University Fellowship in Dorman Auditorium
16. The view from the M-Club
17. Basketball at the Hump
18. The smell of University Florist
19. University Drive
20. Celebrating in the Junction after a home game win
21.  "Energy bars" at City Bagel Cafe
22. Maroon Fridays
23. Daffodils blooming on campus in the spring
24. Drinking beer waiting to set up tailgates
25. Left Field Lounge
26. Buying McCarty pottery at University Florist
27. The Presiden't house
28. Being the only person walking across the Drill Field on a gorgeous afternoon
29. Watching the sunset on the Drill Field
30. Old Venice Pizza Company after a football game
31. Reading on the Drill Field
32. Sunday lunch at Perry Cafeteria
33.  Easter Egg Hunt at the President's house
34. The very beginning of a home football game
35. The winery
36. Watching the seasons change on campus
37. Tailgating in the Junction
38. Bulldog Bash
39. Super Bulldog Weekend
40. Sorority row at Christmas
41. Shipley's donut holes
42. The Drill Field
43. Studying at Barnes & Noble
44. The stories and legends of the university's history
45. The maroon and white game
46. Mississippi State birthday party
47.  "The only prescription is more cowbell."
48. Game day polos
49. Finals week at Mitchell Memorial Library
50. The Drill
51. Hail State
52. Crawfish at the fraternity houses on Super Bulldog Weekend
53. The Dawg Pound Rock
54. Drinking wine in the afternoon at Bin 612
55. Sorority row
56. Going to a play in McComas
57. Playing the piano at the Chapel of Memories
58. Senior Celebration
59. Who Let the Dogs Out?
60. Going to the movies on a Friday afternoon
61. The rose garden
62. Seeing a concert in Lee Hall
63. Sitting on my back porch and listening to bands playing in the Cotton District
64. "You guys ready to let the dogs out?"
65. The Jumbotron
66. Cotton District Arts Festival
67.  State Fountain Bakery
68. Spending the afternoon reading/studying at City Bagel Cafe
69. The Cotton District
70. Boys Bid Day
71. The Egg Bowl
72. The balcony at Mugshots
73. Starbucks in the Union
74. Brown bag pasta dinners at City Bagel Cafe
75. Pancake breakfasts on sorority row
76. MSU Choir Christmas concert
77.  Walking to campus on a home football Saturday
78. Brunch at Restaurant Tyler
79. Alumni Delegate maroon blazers
80. Sushi at Umi
81. Running to the sorority house on Bid Day
82. Maroon Alerts
83. Homecoming Parade
84. City Bagel Cafe
85. True Maroon
86. Finding the perfect gift at Aspen Bay
87. Rounding up maroon clothing from all over creation
88. Seeing Dan Mullen running on campus
89. The State spell-out
90. The Dawg Walk
91. Famous Maroon Band
92. The Christmas tree in the library
93. Game day stickers
94.  "From Dixon with love"
95. The real bulldogs
96. Maroon and white
97. Mississippi State choir
98. The Christmas tree in the Junction
99. Blue plate specials at The Veranda
100. Football at Davis Wade Stadium
101. Bully
Man, I love Mississippi State so much.
In other news, I'm hoping my favorite favorite American Idol contestant makes it into the finals tomorrow night... Come on, Scotty!!
Also, I'm off to Tuscumbia, AL, tomorrow to celebrate the nuptials of these two crazy kids:

I'm pumped to some of my most favorite people in the entire world (one of whom I haven't seen in a year-and-a-half), and I know it's going to be a great time. I'm sure we won't tell any embarrassing stories on each other, take a single picture, or laugh so hard we disturb other restaurant patrons/hotel guests/general bystanders.
Yeah... right.

Keeping the Faith

2011-04-28T09:23:00.001-05:00

As I'm sure almost everyone on the planet knows by now, massive tornadoes and storms ripped through the southeast yesterday. My hometown of Columbus was blessed enough to have been spared any real damage this time, but the same cannot be said for large parts of Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. The death toll now stands at close to two hundred and is expected to continue to rise; entire towns have been, for the most part, leveled; people have lost everything they own.
Perhaps suffering the most devastating or widespread damage is Tuscaloosa, Alabama, a city barely sixty miles from Columbus. I have gone shopping in Tuscaloosa for my whole life. I have friends who attend the University of Alabama. I have even submitted several applications for job openings in Tuscaloosa schools. This was (and, I believe, will be again) a wonderful city. Looking at the images and video today, though, I can't stop the tears from coming.

This is a before and after picture of a side street that intersects Fifteenth street in Tuscaloosa just before you arrive at the intersection of McFarland and Fifteenth, which is said to be one of the hardest hit areas of Tuscaloosa. It sounds cliche, but you would never know you were looking at the same place.

From what I can tell, this looks to be the back/side of Midtown Village, but I honestly cannot be sure.

This is what the Krispy Kreme on McFarland looked like yesterday morning...

This is what is looks like this morning.

Directly across McFarland Boulevard from that Krispy Kreme stood a shopping center with a Hobby Lobby, Big Lots, etc inside. You can now barely make out the Hobby Lobby letters in this structure's skeleton. Also, I believe there was a fast food restaurant that stood in front of the shopping center, which now appears to be little more than a mound of cement blocks.

Finally, this image appears to have been taken from the intersection of Fifteenth and McFarland, looking toward Northport. DCH Hospital is on the left, and that Krispy Kreme I showed above would have stood in the foreground of this picture. For some reason, this image hits me extra hard.

My love and my prayers go out to all of those throughout the southeast who are trying to begin to pick up the pieces this morning. I've survived a severe storm myself, but, although my house, car, and surrounding property suffered substantial damage, I can't begin to imagine what it must feel like to face devastation of this magnitude. Where do you start? How do you move from pile of debris to pile of debris, encountering memories and keepsakes and pieces of your life torn to shreds in every mound? Where do you find the strength to attack that kind of undertaking?
I know for myself, with the trials my life has endured, I would be nothing without my faith. All day yesterday when the threats of bad weather hung overhead and when, as the day turned to night, reports of the massive devastation began to be seen and heard, I could only take comfort in the fact that God, and our faith in Him, is a fortress that nothing, nothing can destroy. Thinking about that and listening to this wonderful old hymn, gave me a little comfort.

A might fortress is our God,

A bulwark never failing;

Our helper He amid the flood

Of mortal ills prevailing.

For still our ancient foe

Doth seek to work us woe;

His craft and power are great,

And armed with cruel hate,

On Earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strengths confide,

Our striving would be losing,

Were not the right man on our side,

The man of God's own choosing.

Dost ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is He;

Lord Sabaoth, His name,

From age to age the same,

And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,

Should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath willed

His truth to triumph through us.

The Prince of Darkness grim,

We tremble not for him;

His rage we an endure,

For lo, His doom is sure;

One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers,

No thanks to them, abideth;

The spirit and the gifts are ours,

Thru Him who with us sideth.

Let good and kindred go,

This mortal life also;

The body they may kill;

God's truth abideth still;

His kingdom is forever.

I continue to pray for strength for those effected by this sometimes difficult to accept and almost impossible to understand display of God's power. I pray for peace for those who are still missing loved ones, and I pray for determination for those who must begin today to rebuild their lives. For all of us, I pray for faith. Unending, unwavering, unconditional faith.

Hey Good Lookin'

2011-04-19T23:06:00.001-05:00

Happy 200th post to... well... me, I guess. But thanks to you for coming along for the ride! How fitting that the 200th post of this humble blog would be in tribute to a people who drive me crazy but I can't help but love, make me laugh and make me cry, baffle my mind and keep me hoping for something wonderful... that's right, MEN!!!
Last night I shared with you some of my picks for Most Beautiful, and tonight I'm focusing on the boys. Settle in, because this is the fun part!

Eddie Cibrian

Shemar Moore

George Clooney

Zac Efron

Mario Lopez

Paul Walker

Matthew McConaughey

Leonardo DiCaprio

Ryan Reynolds

Bradley Cooper

Patrick Dempsey

Matt Damon

Denzel Washington

Jesse Metcalfe

Gene Kelly

Brad Pitt

Robert Redford

Cary Grant

Doug Pickett

That is some mighty fine eye candy, if you ask me. Yummy. Who's the hunk you can't believe I left out?

The Most Beautiful

2011-04-18T21:59:00.001-05:00

Well, in an unexpected [insert sarcasm here] turn of events, Jennifer Lopez has been named the World's Most Beautiful Woman by People magazine.

This really comes as no surprise, seeing as, since taking on an American Idol judging position, Lopez's little-more-than mediocre career has skyrocketed. The woman is everywhere. She's on the radio; she's all over the television, advertising everything from razors to hair products to mascara; and, you can't open up a magazine without being greeted by her flawless face.

And don't get me wrong; it is a very pretty face. Okay, I'll say it. The woman is gorgeous.

Funny how no one's really mentioning this period of her life...

But... I digress...
This recent proclamation made me think about other gorgeous faces, both male and female. So, in the first of a 2-part post, I'll share with you a few of my own picks for Most Beautiful and Most Handsome. Tonight, I'll take on the women, and I'll turn to the men tomorrow for the real fun.
Although Lord knows the world is brimming over with beautiful people, I've narrowed my favorites down to these 15 ladies, in no particular order. Most of these are modern beauties, but there are a few timeless faces mixed in there, too.

Michelle Pfeiffer

Penelope Cruz

Gabrielle Union

Kate Beckinsale

Grace Kelly

Charlize Theron

Catherine Zeta-Jones

Eva Mendes

Rachel McAdams

Faith Hill

Halle Berry

Rosemary Clooney

Lisa Whelchel

Natalie Portman

I think these each of these women are majorly gorgeous in varying ways, but, you know, I think I once heard someone say something about beauty being in the eye of the beholder, or something like that? So, do you disagree with some of my picks? Or did I leave off one of your style/glamour/beauty icons?

Please feel free to share; you know I live for your feedback.

Bye Bye Love

2011-04-14T21:47:00.002-05:00

Dear Paul McDonald,

Although you were voted off ~~Let's See How Many Ways We Can Shamelessly Promote James Durbin~~ American Idol tonight, you're still my main squeeze. I love your pearly whites and your skinny-as-a-toothpick legs and your wild hair. I love your strange floral suits, your Rod Stewart rasp, and, oh yeah, your thousand gigawatt smile. I also don't mind that you're a true southerner, a true musician, and did I mention you have a great smile?
I can't imagine why you've been given the boot before Even-Though-I'll-Sing-A-New-Song-Next-Week-You-Won't-Be-Able-To-Differentiate-It-From-My-Previous-Performances Stefano or I'm-Not-Half-As-Cool-As-Janis-Joplin Haley. However, seeing as I imagine you to be this guy who was just walking down the street one day and said, "Hey, I think I'll audition for American Idol today," I feel like you'll bounce back from this just fine. Let's be honest, you're a pretty cool guy; I doubt you'll have any trouble drawing an audience (which will, of course, include me).
Even though I've never actually voted for American Idol (or any other reality show, for that matter... I can actively turn my brain to mush by watching them all day long, but, for some reason, I just can't bring myself to cast a vote. It's a line I just can't cross.), and I've never actually watched a full season before, you're my Idol, for sure.

Loving you like Randy Jackson loves a cardigan,

P.S. What kind of toothpaste do you use? Does it have some sort of special whitening aspect, or do you simply practice excellent dental hygiene?

A Little Life

2011-04-13T21:58:00.002-05:00

"Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life--well, valuable, but small--and sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I haven't been brave? So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around?"--Kathleen Kelly, You've Got Mail

I love this quote. Partly because, as you may know, I not-so-secretly dream of being Kathleen Kelly, but also because I wholeheartedly identify with what she's feeling. Do you ever feel like this? Like you've made all the safe, comfortable, path-of-least-resistance choices while other people have, with a few different decisions, happened upon existences that are almost larger than life itself? I must admit, I do wrestle with these feelings sometimes. I peruse Facebook or read blogs, and I marvel at peopl--many of them my same age or younger, mind you--whose lives are so grandiose and out-of-this-world that my mind almost can't comprehend what I'm reading. People who sell their houses and their belongings and set off around the world armed with little more than a camera and a passport. People who get engaged at the base of the Eiffel Tower on a cold winter's night. People who take jobs across the country--or the world!--without knowing a soul, merely packing their briefcases and carry-ons, bound for a life bigger than they ever imagined.

I used to believe I was a person who could do things like that--leave behind every relationship and possession I've ever known and strike out bound for something wholly new. I no longer believe myself to be that kind of person, but what I'm not sure of is why. What changed?

Like Kathleen Kelly, I too lead a small life--full, yes, but small. I long to go places and see things and have experiences, but I can't imagine leaving behind the comfort of my friends, my family, my past, my bookshelf, or the flowers I've planted in my yard. Does this make me a coward? Does this make me complacent? Or does this simply make me... normal?

It seems to me that the percentage of people in this world who lead these made-for-the-movies lives is probably rather small compared to those of us who lead average lives--go to work and the gym and the grocery store and fill our lives with the simple pleasures of our comfortable surroundings. Let me stop and say this: please know that I am not by any means criticizing that type of life. I love that type of life. I live that type of life. It's just that sometimes, when I read these blogs or see these pictures on Facebook, I start to feel something. Something I don't really care for. It's not jealousy. It's not awe. It's not even a desire to run out, buy a backpack and follow in their footsteps. I think it might actually be... inadequacy. As if my life isn't worth as much because I don't have a picture in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa or I've never ridden a bike through Bali. That's totally my issue, I know that.

And... it appears this post has gone to a place I didn't plan on it going.

That seems about right, though, with the way things are in my life at the moment. With graduation looming little more than two weeks away (yay!!) and, to date, no gainful employment or plan for the future beyond May 13 (yikes!!), my life is pretty up in the air. I'm filled with uncertainty and anxiety and excitement and second-guessing and, yep, inadequacy pretty much all the time.

"The odd thing about this form of communication is you're more likely to talk about nothing than something. But I just want to say that all this nothing has meant more to me than so many somethings. So, thanks."--Kathleen Kelly, You've Got Mail

The Letters

2011-03-27T15:09:00.001-05:00

My friend Jamie had this on her blog a few days ago, and I thought it was cute. So, here I am, on a cold, cloudy Sunday afternoon, passing it on to you...

AAAA: Age, 26
BBBB: Bed size, Queen
CCCC: Chore I dislike most: Toss-up between taking out the trash and watering the plants
DDDD: Dogs: Perhaps the only person in America who's never had one and doesn't particularly want one
EEEE: Essential start to my day: Great tunes and The Morning Mash-Up
FFFF: Favorite color: Green
GGGG: Gold or silver: Preferably both, woven together a la David Yurman
HHHH: Height: 5' 6.5"
IIII: Instruments I play: Piano and violin, and I played a mean trumpet in the 7th grade band
JJJJ: Job: Student
KKKK: Kids: Here's hoping I SOON have a job where I can have about 250 every day...
LLLL: Live: Columbus, MS
MMMM: Mom's name: Libby
NNNN: Nickname: Spring, Springsteen, Springmaid, Springback, Springtime... you get the idea
OOOO: Overnight hospital stays: Thankfully, none
PPPP: Pet peeves: People who, when asking for my signature, ask for my 'autograph'... give me a break.
QQQQ: Quote from a movie: Although movie quotes probably make up a good 58% of what comes out of my mouth, I'll have to go with "We're gonna hold things down..." from Father of the Bride
RRRR: Right/Left: Right
SSSS: Siblings:  Not a one
TTTT: Time I wake up:  Depends on how many times I hit snooze... but it should be 6:00 a.m.
UUUU: Underwear:  Present
VVVV: Vegetables I dislike:  Cabbage
WWWW: What makes me run late: The aforementioned hitting of the snooze
XXXX: X-rays I've had: Left wrist, Right knee, Chest
YYYY: Yummy food I make: My specialties in the kitchen are broccoli salad and corn dip (surprisingly, neither requre previous culinary training... weird?), but I do make a pretty great take-out order...
ZZZZ: Zoo animal:  Although I don't really understand this question (am I supposed to say one I like? Or one I look like? Or one I'd like to be? Or just the first one that pops into my head?), I'll go with lion... long live Sir Fidel.

The Song Remains the Same

2011-03-23T22:28:00.000-05:00

Just a few days ago, I finished reading Jodi Picoult's latest book, Sing You Home. I am a huge fan of Picoult's writing, and, while, for a number of different reasons you can read here, this wasn't my favorite of her books, it still got me to thinking. One of the central characters in the book is a music therapist, and, during one of her narratives, she writes, "The music we listen to may not define who we are. But it's a damn good start." She goes on to ask the reader, "What songs would be on a mix tape that describes you?"
I know this might come as a surprise to some of you--NOT--but I couldn't just read that and blaze on to the next page. I immediately had to stop and jot down the first few meaningful songs that came into my head, and, by the time I finished the book a few days later, I had my playlist finished, too. It's, admittedly, a little lengthier than I originally intended, but every song, every piece of music included in this list means something special to me. It might recreate a memory; it might plant a special person beside me; it might reignite a feeling buried deep inside; it might make me grab my hairbrush and ~~hideously attempt to~~ belt out the high notes; it might drive me straight out of my seat and straight onto the dancefloor. It might do a lot of things; but one thing's definite: something will happen for sure.
So, here lies the stuff I can play on repeat. Here lie the songs I know by heart. Here lies the music that brings me to life.

Billie Holiday: They Can't Take That Away from Me
Alan Silvestri: Annie's Theme from Father of the Bride
Pitbull: Hey Baby (Drop It to the Floor)
Queen Latifah: When You're Good to Mama from Chicago
Cat Stevens: Peace Train
Brandi Carlile: Dreams
Matchbox Twenty: Bright Lights
Sister Hazel: All for You
Crash Test Dummies: Mmh Mmh Mmh
Jerry Goldsmith: Tryouts from Rudy
Vitamin String Quartet: Hallelujah
Chris Rice: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Honestly Sincere from Bye, Bye Birdie
Sarah Maclachlan: Song for a Winter's Night
The Outfield: Your Love
John Mayer: Edge of Desire
The Beach Boys: Wouldn't It Be Nice
Robert Preston: You Got Trouble from The Music Man
The Hollies: Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)
Black Eyed Peas: Rock That Body
Pat Green: Wave on Wave
Phillip Keveren: A Might Fortress is Our God/Trumpet Voluntary
Judy Garland: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Lil Jon and LMFAO: Outta Your Mind
What You Own from Rent
Coldplay: Fix You
KC & The Sunshine Band: Boogie Shoes
R. Kelly: Ignition (Remix)
Stevie Wonder: Uptight (Everything's Alright)
Idina Menzel & Kristin Chenowith: Defying Gravity from Wicked
Girl Talk: Down for the Count
Otis Redding: Try a Little Tenderness
Sara Bareilles: Gravity
The Four Seasons: Let's Hang On
Train: Get to Me
The World Will Know from Newsies
Run D.M.C.: It's Tricky
Dave Barnes: Until You
John Mayer: Not Myself
Erin McCarley: Love, Save the Empty
Reliant K: Be My Escape
David Cook: I'm Alive
Haley Westenra & Conventus Choir: May It Be
Dario Marianelli: Briony from Atonement
Tim Myers: Brand New Day
Stevie Wonder: For Once in My Life
Black Eyed Peas: Alive
Mamas and the Papas: Creeque Alley
Nat King Cole: Smile
The Proclaimers: I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
Chris Rice: Great is Thy Faithfulness
Brooke White: Every Breath You Take
Billy Joel: Piano Man
Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor & Gene Kelley: Good Morning from Singin' in the Rain
Miranda Lambert: White Liar
Glee Cast: Happy Days are Here Again/Get Happy
MC Hammer: U Can't Touch This
All I Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera
All-American Rejects: Don't Leave Me
Miles Davis: It Never Entered My Mind
Kenny Chesney: The Good Stuff
Elvis Presley: Suspicious Minds
Consider Yourself from Oliver!
Nick Perito: The Green Leaves of Summer from Inglourious Basterds
Keith Urban: Somebody Like You
Fleetwood Mac: Go Your Own Way
Something There from Beauty and the Beast
Reliant K: The Best Thing
Train: When I Look to the Sky
Sonny & Cher: I Got You Babe
Fergie: Glamorous
Jay-Z/Linkin Park: Jigga What/Faint
Franz Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody
Lifehouse: Somewhere in Between
Black Eyed Peas: My Humps
Jim Sturgess: All My Lovin'
Out Tonight from Rent
Carly Smithson: Blackbird
Tag Team: Whoomp! There It Is
John Mayer: Heartbreak Warfare
Ray LaMontagne: You are the Best Thing
David Elder & Kate Levering: Young and Healthy from 42nd Street
Itzhak Perlman: Tango (Por Una Cabeza) from Scent of a Woman
Celine Dion: A New Day Has Come
Tchaikovsky: Op. 20/10-Scene from Swan Lake
Barbra Streisand: I'd Rather Be Blue Over You (Than Happy with Somebody Else) from Funny Girl

So, like I said, I know it's a bit lengthy, but... well, perhaps I got carried away and just couldn't stop. If you know me well, you probably realize this kind of activity is right up my alley, so my excess playlist shouldn't really come as a surprise. It was awfully fun, though. If you have a bit of extra time, try one for yourself. I'm not laying down a gauntlet or challenge or anything, so don't feel at all pressured to top my 80+ songs, either. Repeat: I. Got. Carried. Away.

How Time Flies

2011-03-22T21:55:00.002-05:00

I always think it's so weird how one minute you're in one place and, then, you turn around and, before you know what's happened, you're in a totally different place. (I guess that's sort of what has happened on this blog, huh? When last I wrote (2 unforgiveable months ago!) things in my life looked one way, and, now, things have shifted slightly. More about all that another night, though.) I always get that feeling really strongly when returning home from a trip. It's just tough for me to process that, say, in the morning I'm in Chicago, but, by nightfall, I'm getting gas in my car at the Shell station a mile from my house. How could such a transition come about so quickly? How it happen that I blinked, and the magical became the mundane? I felt that way Sunday when I arrived home from New Orleans, where I had been for Amanda's bachelorette party. It just didn't seem right when I pulled into my driveway that barely twelve hours before I had been dancing the night away on Bourbon Street.

Anyway, enough philosophizing, yes?

The weekend was great, and I had such a good time celebrating the upcoming wedding of one of my favorite friends. We spent Saturday walking around the French Quarter and soaking up the culture that belongs solely to The Crescent City. After a great lunch (shrimp po'boy, of course!) and some sightseeing, we laughed away several hours (and a few hurricanes) at Pat O's piano bar before catching the St. Paddy's Day parade coming through the Quarter.
After a great afternoon, we headed back to the hotel to don our fabulous (read: ridiculous) 80s paraphernalia and get ready to take on The Big Easy. After a long dinner at Cafe Degas, we headed for--where else?--Bourbon Street. I had so much fun laughing and dancing and people-watching with these fun girls, and our Madonna bride was definitely a hit (which is saying something for a city where everyday could be like Halloween!)!

I was sad to see the weekend (and my Spring Break) come to an end when we headed home Sunday. How could you not have a great time in a city where the group, including a pregnant girl, mind you, decked out in only the most hideous trends of the 80s is not even anywhere near the craziest thing you'll see?

In an aside before I close, please allow me to highly recommend a new restaurant I went to in Jackson Friday night--Babalu. The place was sooooo good!! Great atmosphere, great design, great, great food! (I'm all for a restaurant that makes a huge batch of fresh guacamole right at my table.) If you're in the Jackson area and haven't tried this place out yet, I highly recommend it.
Happy Tuesday!

The Globe Trotters

2011-01-17T18:25:00.000-06:00

Well, the 2011 Golden Globe Awards have come and gone and, while I had a lot of opinions (me? never!), I won't bore you to tears with all my "here here"s, criticisms, thoughts, "wonder why"s, loves, and "huh?"s. I'll just hit a few high points and touch on a few of my favorites/biggest questions.
First, let me say a big congratulations to Christian Bale. I first fell in love with this man waaaaay back in 1992 when Alicia and I would sing and dance along with he and the other turn-of-the-century paper boys in Newsies. He was probably my first celebrity crush, and he had an awfully nice singing voice, too.

As I grew up, I continued to pine for him through Little Women (in which he played Laurie, perhaps my most favorite of all my literary crushes),

Batman Begins (and, of course, subsequently The Dark Knight),

The Prestige,

3:10 to Yuma,

Public Enemies,

and, most recently, this year's The Fighter.

He's not only an incredibly talented actor, but also incredibly nice to look at, so it's a win-win. I must admit, though, that, until last night, I had no idea he was British. I'm not sure how I missed that, but, like I said, he's awfully nice to look at.
I also thought that the HBO television show Boardwalk Empire (of which I had never heard before last night) looks really, really cool. Atlantic City during the 1920s and the height of prohibition? Yes, please.

I was also super-pumped for another one of my favorite men, Mr. Colin Firth, last night. Like Christian Bale, I have a longstanding love for this gentleman. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was a sophomore in high school, and we were reading Pride & Prejudice in my English class. After we finished reading the book, we took an entire week of class to watch the BBC miniseries (starring Mr. Firth, himself, of course). I had already fallen in love with Darcy on the page, but I was instantly taken by him onscreen, as well.

After that, I only grew to love him more through Bridget Jones's Diary,

What a Girl Wants,

Love Actually,

A Single Man,

and, now, The King's Speech.

He is deliciously good at his craft and, what do you know?, delicious to look at, too.
Now, was it just me, or did many, many stars' hair look ghastly last night? I understand looking tousled and disheveled (I guess), but some of these hairstyles I just didn't get. Although I could produce many examples, I focused in on the following:
Helena Bonham Carter (looked like a bird had nested on top of her head)

Annette Bening (did she stick her finger in the electric socket just before walking out the door?)

Al Pacino (could have been electric-socket-finger-sticking before the show with A. Bening?)

It wasn't all bad on the red carpet, though, for there were some gorgeous, glamorous ladies, that's for sure. My picks for best dressed?
Eva Longoria (super sophisticated but still sexy)

Claire Danes (on her, it just worked)

Olivia Wilde (this dress is the definition of glamour)

Mila Kunis (stunning color choice and great lines on her)

Lea Michele (just the right points of interest and unique color, too)

In closing, what is it about Matt Damon? The boy ('cause he is kind of that all-American, fresh-faced, everybody's boy next door hunk, isn't he?) just gets better and better looking the older he grows. I thought it when I saw True Grit, and I knew it for sure last night. He's a doll, I say.

Ah, I love awards season--definitely one of my favorite times of year! Happy Awards season to all of you, my friends!

What a Girl Wants

2011-01-01T22:53:00.000-06:00

I wrote yesterday about the things I had hoped to accomplish in 2010. As you may have seen, I came up a little short of completing everything I hoped to get done. That didn't stop me, however, from coming up with a few things I'd like to get done this year (11, in fact... 11 things for 2011... you know I love the cheese factor). This year, I'm trying to get back to basics and get some of the essentials taken care of once and for all.
Please allow me to clarify...
11 Things I Want in 2011:
(in no particular order. well, actually in alphabetical order... but no particular order of importance, I suppose)
11. Travel somewhere I've never been
10. Save some money
9. Move out of the Golden Triangle
8. Lose weight
7. Graduate
6. Go on a date (seriously, not looking for a marriage proposal, just maybe dinner and a movie?)
5. Get back to church regularly
4. Get a job
3. Find a cute house/apartment
2. Develop a personal style and wear great (and great fitting!) clothes
1. Buy a new car
So there you have it; I have high hopes for the year to come, and, if today was any indication, it's going to be a great year. I started off the day with a wonderful New Year's brunch, watched the Bulldogs demolish those pesky Wolverines, and saw a movie. Now, I'm stretched out blabbering to you fine people and listening to some great tunes. Shuffle has certainly not let me down tonight, as every song that's crossed my 'Pod has made me want to turn the volume up just a little higher. I think I like 2011.
Happy New Year, my friends!

This Time Last Year

2010-12-31T23:03:00.000-06:00

Sitting on the cusp of 2010 this time last year, I wasn't sure what to expect. I didn't know what the new year would bring, but I had high hopes and several goals I hoped to accomplish. 10, to be exact.
They were the following, in no particular order:
1. Get back to church
          While I did a little better, I wasn't satisfied with myself on this one.
2. Lose some weight
          ~~School kept my schedule totally insane. I couldn't find a good time to get to the gym. I totally ran out of time to cook and couldn't get things together. I was just so tired.~~ I can make every excuse in the book on this one, but, when it comes down to it, I don't have an excuse. It just didn't happen.
3. Get a haircut
          Done! And Locks of Love is 14" the better, I hope.
4. Kiss someone special
          Someone special? Nope... not even a peck. Next question.
5. Save some moolah
          After paying my recent Visa bill, I have realized just how badly I did on this one, too. (I'm starting to wonder why I even made this list...)
6. Reconnect with distant friendships
          This one I feel like I actually did better on. I have caught up with friends I had somewhat lost close touch with, and I feel like I'm not so out of the loop with some of my close friends. As always, though, this one is a work in progress, for I think I can always be a better friend.
7. Experiment with cooking
          Does corn dip or boxed cupcakes count? I still dream of culinary success, but I'm certainly not anywhere close.
8. Finally do my (high school) senior scrapbook
          Bought the supplies. Got the pictures copied. Separated everything into monthly folders. Haven't opened the bag since.
9. Take a photoshop class
          Um... no, again.
10. Travel to a new place
          Yes! This one I totally did! Dallas and Charleston, too! Whew, I was starting to feel like I hadn't accomplished anything I wanted to.

Although I may not have fulfilled ~~even half~~ every goal that I set for myself for this year, I still feel okay. It may or may not come as a surprise to you that, at this the year's end, my self-esteem is not at an all-time high. I've taken steps to get back on track, but I've definitely had times over the past year that I've been pretty down. I'm hopeful about what the new year has in store, though, and I know God has amazing things planned for me.
Even though I may not feel totally confident in myself right now, I'm trying to start the year off on a positive note. There are definitely parts of me that need work, but there are things about myself that make me happy, too. Will you allow me to indulge in a ~~totally~~ cheesy moment? I hope so.
10 Things I loved in 2010 (About me, that is!):
10. My creative spirit: I read, I write, I blog, I garden, I play music, I appreciate art. I'm no Pablo Picasso, mind you, but I can channel Martha Stewart sometimes and get carried away with my crafty creativity.
9. My being a good friend: As I said above, this is an area that I believe can always use more work, but, overall, I try hard to be a good friend. I try to listen, encourage, remember special days, and be the sort of friend I would like to have. I'm not perfect by any means, but I try to make an effort.
8. My honesty:  In particular with myself. It's tough to be honest with yourself, and it hurts sometimes. It's also hard to say things to people you love that you know will hurt them but have to be said anyway.
7. My sense of humor: I think we all know I think I'm hilarious. I mean, duh. Every once in a while, I get a laugh out of somebody else, too. Making other people laugh makes me really happy, and, without a sense of humor, some days would just be too heavy to bear.
6. My brain: I am a dork to the core. I love learning. I like board games. I like history and trivia and little-known facts. I just chose to read a book of historical fiction about ancient Rome, for Heaven's sake. I like my brain, though, and I thank God for giving me a true thirst for knowledge.
5. My leadership: I try to step forward when a leader is needed, and I have re-learned over these past few months how to work hard to accomplish a goal. Every team needs a leader, and, while I don't want to/have to be the leader every time, I am comfortable stepping up when I need to.
4. My strength: Before my mom's surgery and even more after it, I don't think I could have kept my wits about me without an inner strength that surely came straight from God. With His help, I was able to withstand things I never imagined I could sustain.
3. My perspective: I've learned the true meaning of this word. It's all about where you're coming from. For me, I work as hard as I can while I'm at work, and that's all I can do. I try to leave work at work, and I have realized how important it is to keep things in check. There is always someone worse-off than me, and lives can change in an instant.
2. My faith: Without faith, I don't really have much of anything. Although I have turned to prayer time and time again over the past year, my faith was really tested during the complications after my mom's surger last summer. If I hadn't had a place to turn, I would probably have lost my mind.
1. My hard work: Working hard isn't always fun, and it isn't always rewarding, but (most of the time) I do it anyway. That's how I was raised, and, in the end, it usually pays off. I had a tough schedule last spring, and I've worked super hard this fall in my internship. There were often days I would rather have done almost anything else, but I knew I had things I had to do, and I wanted to do them well.
Please don't think I'm trying to toot my own horn with anything I've written. As I said above, my self-esteem is a little deflated at the moment, and I just needed to take a look at myself in a positive light before I started off the new year in a place I didn't really want to be. I hope you've all had a wonderful holiday, and I wish you all the very best in 2011.

Date of Birth

2010-12-14T23:59:00.002-06:00

Today is my birthday. It was much like most other days, honestly. I went to work, did a few errands, came home, and went with my mom to see The Messiah (which was absolutely divine... I shed tears on more than one occasion). I had a low-key but good day, which, at the sound age of twenty-six, I suppose means I'm a grown-up. (?)
Twenty-five was, quite honestly, not my most favorite year on this earth, but I certainly had some great times. As I looked back over the past year, I happened to stumble upon (a list, imagine that):
25 Great Things that Happened While I was 25 (in no particular order):
1. I was taught not to pick through my food and eliminate everything I think I don't want or like. I know this sounds incredibly rude and childish, but I have always been one of those people who would dig through food with my fork and move things I didn't want to the side of my plate (or, if it was a rehearsal dinner and I happened to be six years old, put the unwanted items on my salad... in my napkin, but that's a story for another day). I did it with all kinds of things: pickles in chicken salad; celery in chicken salad; tomatoes in rotel; pickles in potato salad; onions in quesadillas; oranges in fruit salad; and so on and so on. However, this year I was taught by a very good friend (and foodie... thanks, Ben) of mine to just eat it how it was prepared. As Ben told me, it's immature and gross to pick things out of my food, and the flavors were meant to be eaten together, anway. So, when I was served a piece of pork loin with a slice of grapefruit resting on top of it (I loathe grapefruit), I ate it. And what do you know, Ben was right. Hmph.
2. I visited Charleston and had the most amazing time in a gorgeous city with one of my closest friends. Although it was hot as blue blazes, we saw so much of the city and soaked up more history than I ever imagined.

3. I discovered how life-changing listening to hymns can be. During my mom's knee surgery and recovery, I had some tough times where I was really, really scared and wasn't sure where to turn. Sometimes the only way I could fall asleep was listening to this one really great CD of hymns I had downloaded, and I can't describe to you the comfort that those old familiar tunes provided me.

4. I welcomed fro-yo back into my life. Since my visit to Dallas in March, I've eaten frozen yogurt all over the southeast, and I could not be more excited about it. I'm not sure where fro-yo went for awhile, but I sure am glad it's back.

5. I went to Merigold, Mississippi, and spent a day at McCarty. I'm not sure why, but I absolutely despised my mother dragging me over there when I was a child. I didn't like the food they served in the restaurant; there were breakable items everywhere, so I was constantly being told to be careful; it seemed like the trip took about a million years and we ended up in the middle of nowhere, just to look at pottery and turn around to go home. Fast-forward about fifteen or so years, however, and I love everything about it.
6. I went to Chicago with two of my closest friends and had one of the best trips of my life. We at amazing food at restaurants like North Pond and Topolobampo; we walked along the Chicago River; we watched over the city from the bar on the 96th floor of the Hancock Building. I fell in love with the city and absolutely cannot wait to go back.

7. I realized how much I love the force that is Jimmy Fallon. I haven't been able to watch him nearly as much since I started working this year, but last spring I couldn't have stopped watching Jimmy if my apartment had been burning down around me, I don't think. I love him (and all his silly, ridiculous antics) so very much, and I'm not sure why it took me so long to jump on this bandwagon.

8. I gambled (and won pretty big!!) for the first time. That's right... the first time ever. In fact, I had never even been in a casino before. I had a pretty great time at the roulette table, though, and I hope I won't wait twenty-five more years before I go back and try it again.

9. I attended some fun, fun friends' weddings. I mean, my friends know how to throw some seriously fun parties. I laughed, I danced, I sample the fare, I tossed rose petals and lit sparklers, and I wouldn't have missed a minute of it.

10. I joined my first grown-up, legitimate tailgate. All through college, post-college, and even my first two years of grad school, I was a migrant. A wanderer without a place to call my own. Until this football season, that is, when the Virtual Tailgate came into my life. It was so amazing to have a central location and a place to put all my stuff and a place to go when my phone wouldn't work and I couldn't get anyone on the phone. Wandering is fun for awhile, but sometimes it's nice to just chill out in your own space.

11. I got close with my hometown girlfriends again. It has been my honor over these past few years to spend time with so many of these friends I hadn't been as close to during college. A number of them live in Columbus or close by, so I've gotten to see them more often and keep a much closer tab on what's going on in their lives. I'm so thankful to have a wonderful group of friends who I've known and been close to for so long.
12. I cut 14" off of my hair for Locks of Love. I didn't cut my hair for about a year-and-a-half, and, before I knew it, it was ridiculously long and I could donate it to this wonderful cause. I never thought my hair would be long enough to donate, so I was thrilled to be able to be a part of such a special organization.
13. I saw John Mayer in concert again. I know this may not sound like much to some people, but I love John Mayer. And even more than I love John Mayer... I love John Mayer in concert. I had such a wonderful time listening to his chill music, and I was so glad Lindsey fell in love with his music, too. Say what you want about him personally, but the man can sing.

14. I got a pen pal. I had been wanting a pen pal for years but wasn't sure how to ever go about finding and keeping one (and making sure he or she wasn't some creepster). This year, however, I found one, and I am so glad. Getting letters in the mail is such a great feeling, and I have fun writing to someone who doesn't know every last detail of my life.
15. I saw Jerry Seinfeld's comedy show... and I laughed for an hour-and-a-half straight. The man is just as hilarious as you might imagine, and I hope sometime in my life I'll have the chance to see him again. He blew onto the stage like a hurricane and pretty much talked non-stop the entire time he was there. When it was over, he blew off the stage, and I wondered if he'd ever really been there at all. I think he had...
16. I read some literary classics, including The Secret Garden, A Little Princess, The Grapes of Wrath, Fahrenheit 451, Rebecca, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, 1984, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, and (currently) I, Claudius. I have to admit, I'm a little bit proud of my literary endeavors, but don't let these big titles fool you. I read my fair share of chick lit and senseless dribble, too.
17. I had an amazing trip to Dallas. I'm not sure if I've ever had so much fun, laughter, good food, insanity, and craziness as I had on that trip. It was seriously one for the record books, ending in driving home in about 6 or so inches of snow (which no one had brought appropriate clothes for, of course). This was one of those kind of random, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants trips that I'm usually too structured to endure, but I'm so glad I was able to chill out and go with the flow on this one.

18. I worked 648.75 hours toward my Master's internship. I don't graduate until April, and I have to keep working until May, but it feels so good to see that numer and know that, from now on, we're on the downhill slope. Don't get me wrong, I love my job and my schools and the people I work with, but it will surely be nice to be graduated and gainfully employed in the very near future. I need that money, honey!!
19. My mom successfully completed her second knee replacement. Knowing that both of these surgeries are behind us is a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, and I am so thankful God brought both my mom and I through these procedures with strength and dignity and compassion and faith. This time last year, I was petrified when I thought of the second surgery looming ahead, and I never could have made it through without God's unyielding strength.
20. I finally gave in and ate my veggies... and loved them. I have never been a big vegetable lover, but, over this past year, I made a conscious effort to try to give them a chance, and I am so glad I did. Squash, spinach, tomatoes, corn, green beans... I never would have touched them before, but now I'm a big fan. My mom kept saying I should give them a chance, and I guess she was right. Man, I hate when she's right.

21. I saw the Black Eyed Peas in concert in Dallas. I may sound silly when I say this, but if you've seen them then you understand... best concert ever. I mean, seriously... I was blown away. Ludicrous opened for them, the Peas shut the place down... it was INSANE. I'm hoping the release of a new album means they'll be going on tour again soon.

22. I saw some great (and some not so great) movies, both old and new. I love the movies. I don't like to go too long without seeing one in the theater, and I am always trying to watch old ones I've never seen before.
23. I fell in love with the Olympics. Seriously, I could not tear myself away from the Vancouver Winter Olympics. I have never been like that before, and I have no idea what came over me. I watched every event that came on; I knew the athletes names and their backstories; I basically sat on my couch and cried for two weeks straight. I don't think it was a fluke, either... I think I'm a newfound Olympic addict.

24. I saw some wonderful Broadway shows like Jersey Boys, South Pacific, Chicago, and Wicked. I am so glad to live so close to Memphis, where the Orpheum Theater gets such an amazing Broadway line-up every year. I've seen so many wonderful shows there.
25. Finally, I booked my NKOTBSB tickets (New Kids on the Block/Backstreet Boys... fyi) for Chicago this summer. I could not be more excited about this awesome, awesome concert in one of my favorite cities with some of my most favorite people. When I think long and hard about it, sometimes it's just too much... I just get too excited. I am so glad my friends put up with my crazy phone calls/texts/emails to frantically get these tickets booked in a matter of minutes.

So there you have it, my year in review. Like I said, twenty-five wasn't my favorite year of all time, but it certainly had its highlights. I'm ready and waiting to see what twenty-six has in store for me.

If Kids Ruled the World

2010-12-13T21:53:00.000-06:00

Y'all may or may not know this, but I don't always jive real well with little children. I'm not sure how to talk to them; I'm not ever clear on what I'm supposed to be doing; I just don't ever feel entirely comfortable. I don't say that to be harsh or cruel, for it's more a reflection of one of my own shortcomings than anything else.
There are a few selected children, however, that I really love. I adore being around them, and I just love them. Although I hope to one day find comfort in a broader range of kiddos, at the moment, most of these selected children belong to my immediate family.
Allow me to introduce you to three of my favorites:

Banks, Anne Melton, and Worth, who belong to my cousin Courtney and her husband Thomas.
Banks is four and is the cutest little frat boy-in-training I've ever seen. Look at that plaid button-down shirt and those corduroy pants, complete with his boots, of course (and that crossed leg, too). Up until a few weeks ago, he had this perfect "frat boy swoop" hair, but he must have grown tired of those locks 'cause he gave himself a new do. I, personally, love his new look, and I think he sports it awfully well. Banks will have you in stitches with the hilarious stuff he says, too (and in the greatest drawl you've ever heard!).
Anne Melton is two and, as you can see, is the ballerina princess our family had been missing. With a tutu like that (and the shoes, too!), I can't imagine there was any little lady who looked prettier. Anne Melton is seriously one of the sweetest children I've ever encountered. With those huge blue eyes and to-die-for dimples, she's gonna be a charmer, for sure!
Worth is seven, and his brain knocks my socks off all the time. He can read so well it boggles my mind, and he can remember pretty much everything you've ever said around him (which, as you can imagine, forces all of us adults to watch our mouths). Worth is also such a gentleman, and he has some of the best table manners I've ever seen. Seriously, the boy behaves better at the table than ~~men~~ boys my own age.
I was able to spend a lot of time with these three over Thanksgiving, and I had such a blast bowling, hanging out, scavenger hunting, eating, and travelling with this crew. True life: they kept me laughing for five days.
Rachel, I wish you could corral these three and go for a tea party in the woods or go throw the football on the beach or some other equally fabulous seemingly-fantastic activity of your own creation. You would love them, they would love you, and the world would get some stunning pictures out of the deal, I'm sure of it.
Wow... I love these munchkins.

The Big Chill

2010-12-06T10:34:00.000-06:00

I was in desperate need of a weekend where I did nothing. I got zero rest over Thanksgiving break, had a jam-packed week last week and was exhausted by the time I made it to Friday afternoon. I was invited to an out-of-town wedding and an out-of-town wedding party, but I just couldn't pull myself together to drive to either one. Is that horrible?
Yes, I know it is. I should be ashamed of myself.
But, like I said, I was desperately seeking a weekend filled with nothing but chill time, so I had to seize my opportunity.
Friday afternoon I downloaded this little wonder from one of my favorite groups, and I spent a good amount of time jumping on my bed and dancing around my room. If you think I'm kidding, well, you can think what you like.

Friday night I vegged out on the couch watching one of my holiday favorites. Does it really get any better than a movie featuring Tom Hanks in about a zillion parts and a song about hot chocolate, too? I think not.

Saturday I was able to sleep as late as I wanted to (how amazing is that feeling when you go to sleep and haven't had to set an alarm?!) and piddle around when I woke up. Early afternoon, I indulged in one of my favorite pasttimes, picking up lunch and heading to the movies. (Don't judge me for sneaking food into the movies; you know it's ridiculous to pay $3.75 for a small Dr. Pepper, too.) I saw Love and Other Drugs, which was so-so; I would definitely recommend waiting to rent it if you want to see it. You can check out my full review if you're interested, though.

Saturday night I went with my mom to see a local production of one of my favorite Christmas stories of all time. If you haven't ever read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, run out to get it right now. Young or old, you will laugh and come to love the Herdman's, I feel sure of it! Several of my mom's students were in the play, and I had such a great time seeing this favorite story brought to life.

Sunday morning mom and I went to church, and I was so thrilled with all of the wonderful Christmas carols we sang throughout the service. My pastor is doing a wonderful series of sermons on the roots of Christmas (looking at prophetic passages in the old testament that foretold the events of that first Christmas), and it was such a great and continued reminder of the real reason for the season.
Yesterday afternoon, after braving Wal-Mart (which was, of course, already a full-fledged holiday madhouse), I went to see Burlesque, which was full of glittery goodness. The singing, dancing, costuming, etc., were really awesome, and it was just a lot of fun. Again, you can check out my full review if you're interested.

I finished off a wonderful weekend by watching Amazing Race (do y'all love this show as much as I do?) followed by Holiday Inn, one of my all-time favorite Christmas classics. Bing Crosby singing, Fred Astaire dancing, huge musical productions--I was in heaven. Did you know the song White Christmas actually first appeared in this movie, not the movie White Christmas like most people think? I'm not sure where I picked up that trivia gem, but it's a good one to have in your back pocket if you're ever involved in an intense game of Trivial Pursuit. Stash it away, in case you ever need it.

My weekend was just what I needed, and, although I was one thousand percent lazy, I'm kind of glad I spent it this way. The holidays get sort of out of control sometimes it seems, and before I know it they're over. I'm glad I took this weekend to slow down, chill out, and soak up a little of the season's magic.

The Holiday

2010-12-01T22:33:00.001-06:00

Halloween to New Year's is my favorite time of year, and I spend the majority of the other ten months out of the year wishing it would come back around again. Now that the height of the season is finally here, I can share my longtime coming 101 Things to Love About the Holidays list. Am I getting a little carried away on the whole list/countdown concept? I hope not, because I sure do love it...

1. Turkey and dressing

2. Christmas wreaths

3. Poinsettias

4. Salvation Army bell ringers

5. Holly

6. Laying on the floor under the Christmas tree to look at the lights

7. Letters to Santa
8. Passing cars with Christmas trees tied on top
9. Christmas music
10. Hanging the stockings
11. Christmas ornaments
12. Watching families come together
13. The Radio City Rockettes

14. Drinking wine by the Christmas tree with friends
15. Beautifully decorated Christmas trees
16. The third verse of Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
17. Christmas lights

18. Nutcrackers
19. School Christmas programs
20. OPI holiday nail colors
21. Trans-Syberian Orchestra
22. Reading Christmas stories together
23. Holiday party invitations
24. Tacky Christmas parties
25. The nativity
26. Paperwhites

27. Leaving cookies for Santa
28. Auld Lang Syne
29. Quoting Christmas movies (namely, Christmas Vacation and Home Alone...)
30. Holiday weddings (is there anything more beautiful?)
31. Christmas tree farms
32. Pine garland
33. New Year's Eve parties
34. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
35. Judy Garland's Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
36. Christmas cards

37. The smell of a Christmas tree
38. Carving the turkey
39. Traditions
40. People sleeping all over the house so you can all wake up together on Christmas morning
41. Cheesy TV Christmas movies
42. Spending time with family
43. Jingle bells

44. Egg nog
45. Sugar cookies

46. Holiday baking
47. Hope for the year to come
48. No school
49. Bing Crosby
50. Tacky Christmas sweaters

51. Gingerbread houses
52. Apple cider
53. XM Holly
54. New Year's brunch
55. Riding around looking at Christmas decorations
56. Advent calendars
57. Gingerbread cookies
58. Hot chocolate
59. Holiday postage stamps

60. Champagne
61. The kids' table
62. The reason for the season
63. Christmas presents
64. Holiday food in all its glory
65. Peppermint pie
66. Sweet potato casserole
67. Taking a nap after Thanksgiving dinner
68. Twinkle lights
69. Wrapping Christmas presents

70. Frosted windows
71. Pictures with Santa
72. Smell of Christmas candles
73. Thanksgiving leftovers
74. Countdown to the new year
75. Paper chains
76. Bowl games
77. Red, green, and white plaid
78. Christmas movies
79. Christmas tree for the birds

80. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
81. Mistletoe
82. Stocking stuffers
83. Christmas carols
84. Christmas episodes of TV shows
85. Stringing popcorn and cranberries
86. Holiday commercials
87. Friends home
88. Christmas parties
89. The magical feeling in the air
90. Decorating the Christmas tree
91. New Year's resolutions
92. Peppermint ice cream
93. Dirty Santa
94. Reminiscing about past holiday memories
95. A Charlie Brown Christmas album

96. Singing Christmas hymns at church
97. Looking back over the past year
98. Salvation Army Angel Tree
99. Sarah McLachlan's Song for a Winter's Night
100. Traveling
101. Christmas Eve church service

I hope your holiday season is off to a wonderful start, and I wish each of you a Happy December!!

The Same but Different

2010-11-15T21:41:00.000-06:00

Today I am thankful for the ability to look at things from a different perspective. I'm pretty sure y'all know I sometimes take a ride on the negative side of the emotional rollercoaster. I get mad, lonely, sad, pissed off, furious, exasperated, confused, hurt, defeated, disgusted, frustrated, anxious, afraid, disappointed, irritated, envious, worrisome, guilty, doubtful, tense, and just plain unhappy sometimes. I think we all do, don't you? And, quite frankly, I think that's perfect fine as long as a) we're aware that we feel that way (and at least partially willing to explore why we feel that way) and b) those feelings are temporary. As I mentioned the other day, I haven't felt up to par lately, and today, more than anything, I wanted to stay curled up in bed and snooze the day away. Miserable as it was, though, I pushed through and went to work. The day was rainy and cold, and, honestly, I spent the large majority of the time I was at work wishing I had stayed in bed. When I left school, though, I found something I'd been looking for for about two weeks now... the Christmas music station on XM Radio. I know it sounds silly and trivial, but it turned my whole day around. I started to perk up and feel a little better, and would you believe that the sun actually peeked through the clouds a little bit? That little blessing in my life just served to remind me of how things can look completely different when you change your vantage point and allow yourself to see things differently. I had made up my mind that today was a down day, but God opened my eyes and showed me, once again, how things can turn around in an instant if I just change my perspective.

Land of the Free

2010-11-11T22:22:00.000-06:00

Tonight I am thankful for freedom. I won't pretend to understand and realize all the many ways that freedom makes my life what it is, for I have been blessed enough to be born and raised in a land where freedom there when I wake up in the morning and still there when I go to sleep at night. I have no idea what life would be like in a place where I wasn't granted freedom to live my life the way I wanted to. I am thankful tonight for the men and women who, for the centuries since this country was established, have fought to keep that freedom alive and continue to put their lives on the line for all of us here at home. Soldiers go, time after time, into dangerous, unknown lands to defend our freedom and our homeland against dangerous opponents, and I cannot thank those courageous, self-sacrificing souls enough for their commitment to this country and all that it stands for.

Added Fuel

2010-11-10T21:58:00.000-06:00

Tonight I am thankful for lemon-lime Gatorade. And I do specifically mean lemon-lime because, for me, that's really the only flavor there is. You see, I've been feeling a little under the weather these last few days, probably mostly to do with the recent drop in temperature or some such phenomenon like that. My throat is scratchy; my nose is running; I've got drainage running all down my throat (TMI?). All in all, I've just been feeling a little cruddy. For me, when I start to feel like this, it's time to go for the Gatorade. Lemon-lime Gatorade always reminds me of being sick when I was growing up because I guess it was one of the only times my mom bought it. It really did always make me feel better, and so now, whenever I get sick or feel under the weather, I head for that familiar remedy. Oddly enough, I don't even really love it that much when I'm feeling good, but, for some reason, it's what I feel like I need most when I'm not feeling my best. Maybe it just reminds me of being comforted and petted when I was young and sick; maybe it just tastes good. Who knows? All I know is the quicker somebody gets me some of that lemon-lime goodness, the quicker I'll be moving on down the road to recovery.

Hey Amigo

2010-11-09T22:04:00.000-06:00

Tonight I am thankful for my amazingly too-unbelievable-for-words friends. I'm pretty sure you've heard me go on and on about them before, but my friends are seriously phenomenal. At the wedding this weekend I was reminded over and over again of how blessed I am to have so many out-of-this-world people in my life, and, since I got back, I have continued to be reminded of that idea at every turn. Whether it be a long-awaited reunion at a wedding, a lengthy phone call full of laughter and crazy stories, or almost-daily text messages, I am so, so fortunate to have each and every one of them in my life. I was writing about these fabulous people in my journal today, and I was just overcome by how much they have changed and enriched my life in so many monumental and varying ways. I would not at all be the person I am without each and every one of them in my life. People would be lucky to have one or two great friends in their lifetimes, but I have been blessed enough to have a number of awe-inspiring friendships in my life. I don't pretend to know why God saw fit to bless me in this way, but I continuously humbled by their very presence in my life.

The Sound of Music

2010-11-08T21:42:00.000-06:00

Tonight I am thankful for music. Don't you think it's amazing how there's a song or piece of music to fit every situation in life absolutely perfectly? I love finding the perfect song, and I love when I can impeccably match my mood to a song. Music makes my life better, and I honestly can't imagine my life without it. I can't really imagine getting ready to go out on a Friday night without some great rap jams in the background; I can't imagine Christmas without the wonder of Christmas music; I can't imagine getting my heart broken without wallowing around in my bed crying and listening to sappy love songs. Seriously, music makes my life better. Right now I'm listening to the Walk the Line soundtrack, which is one of my favorite go-to selections, and it really never gets old. Music brings my emotions and feelings and experiences and memories to life, and it can instantly transport me back to another time or place. Personally, I think that's pretty cool. And, let's be honest, singing at the top of my lungs in my car or belting out an old favorite into my hairbrush is just plain fun.

Love Me True

2010-11-07T21:42:00.003-06:00

Tonight I am thankful for reminders that true love still exists. Lindsey and Ray, two of my favorite people in the world, got married last night, and watching them throughout the weekend served to remind me that true love is not a myth; though rare in this day and age, it's still out there. Lindsey and I have been very close friends for about six years now, and, from the minute I met Ray I knew he was the one for her. Lindsey is one of the most thoughtful, genuine, caring people I've ever met, and Ray is the perfect complement to her. Seeing them together reminds ~~occasionally bitter~~ self-deprecating cynics like me that real, honest love is not always a farce created by Hollywood and Hallmark; it actually exists, and it's written all over their faces. Every minute of the weekend was so "them," and it all came together so beautifully. I am so thankful to have these amazing people in my life individually as my friends, and I am even more blessed to have loving, caring couples like them around to serve as examples and remind me what I'm holding out for. I love you both sooooooo much, and I am so honored to have been a part of such a beautiful, wonderful celebration of your love for each other.

PS: I promise to share pictures of the wedding in the coming weeks when the photographer gets them all edited and posted. I can't even begin to do justice to this event in mere words, so I will hold out and let the pictures speak for themselves.

For the Want of a Nail

2010-11-04T23:00:00.000-05:00

Today I am thankful for OPI Nail Lacquer. How do they always get the colors (and those names?!) just right?? I don't know how they do it, but no matter what I have in mind, OPI always comes up with exactly what I want. Today I got a manicure and pedicure for Lindsey's wedding this weekend, and I had my color in mind long before I arrived for my appointment--a wonderful eggplant-ish purple. I suggested the color to Christina, and in no time at all she pulled the perfect shade out of her handy bucket. Lincoln Park After Dark? Don't mind if I do. I know it's a little thing, but there's something great about leaving with just what you came for and being wholly satisfied with the end result. The perfect nail polish is definitely one of life's frills, but tonight it serves as a reminder of how blessed I am and how much God cares about me and takes care of every little thing--even down to the tips of my fingers and the ends of my toes.

The Pajama Game

2010-11-03T22:43:00.002-05:00

Tonight I am thankful for warm pajamas and a messy ponytail. Somewhat similar to the way I feel about soup (see yesterday's post), pajamas make me feel safe and loved and comfortable, and at the end of some days that's what I so desperately need. (Note: I know I'm always saying how much I need comfort and warmth and relaxation at the end of every day, and I'm sure y'all may think I'm at the very least incredibly needy and at most certifiably insane. I'm really not either of those (I don't think...), but some days my job just leaves me ravaged and raw, and I look to my surroundings for comfort and love. As a counselor, it's party of the job description that people are projecting their issues onto me; as they talk through their problems and get things off their chests, they often spew all over me, and I have to sort through their stuff (as well as my own issues) for myself. ...And now I'm blabbering senselessly... maybe I am insane...?)
Anyway, pajamas.
There is something wholly refreshing and energizing about coming home from work, putting on comfortable pajamas or loungewear, twisting my hair around my head, and finally taking a deep breath. It makes me feel good, and it helps me to keep things in perspective. And quite frankly, by the time I get home and finally sit down for a minute, I'm often exhausted to my very core and frequently debate the idea of going to bed around 8 o'clock. I don't ~~usually~~ do it, but some days it sure is tempting.

In the Soup

2010-11-02T21:37:00.001-05:00

Tonight I am thankful for soup. Yep, soup. On these nights when the air is turning chilly and the dark is coming earlier and earlier, soup makes me happy. Soup makes me feel warm and full and loved and safe. Soup soothes what's ailing me and warms what's cold. Hearty meat or vegetable, broth, consumme, noodle soup, bisque, chowder, stock, miso, stew, or wonderfully rich cream--it doesn't really matter; they're all wonderful. Whether I'm having soup with a grilled cheese a five star meal or simply a piece of fresh bread, I can't help but love it.

"In November's gusty gale

I will flop my flippy tail

And spout hot soup--

I'll be a whale!

Spouting once, spouting twice

Spouting chicken soup with rice."

(Do y'all love that book as much as I do?)

Thanks a Million

2010-11-01T22:24:00.000-05:00

This November, I'm going to try to post everyday about something I'm thankful for. My life is so filled with blessings that I know I will have no trouble finding something wonderful in my life everyday!

Tonight I am thankful for laughter. There are few things I love more than unwinding at the end of a long workday, stretched out on the couch in my pajamas laughing at whatever hilarity I can find on television. Tonight it was the Women of SNL special, and I pretty much laughed for two hours straight, remembering some of my favorite characters and discovering some new favorites, too. It seems like all the dirt and grime of the long day slough off through a little bit of laughter, and some days it's all that keeps me sane, it seems. Be it a great book, hilarious movie, favorite television character, or, of course, one of my oh-so-humorous friends, laughter really is the best medicine, and it almost always seems to cure whatever's ailing me.

Dazed and Confused

2010-10-30T09:47:00.003-05:00

Ok, so I don't really get Halloween anymore.
I understood Halloween when it was like this:

And I understood Halloween when it was like this:

I still understood it when it was like this, too:

But somewhere between this:

and this:

I got lost. Baffled. Confounded. Muddled. Perplexed. Puzzled. I just don't get it.
When did Halloween become so inappropriate? So tasteless? So... slutty?

When did the goal of Halloween become to show as much skin as humanly possible without being naked? What happened to good old-fashioned creativity and a little homegrown ingenuity?

I haven't dressed up for Halloween since college, and, being that I was never a big Halloween fanatic anyway, I haven't really missed donning a thrown-together costume and swilling down hunch-punch at some equally thrown-together house party. Call me old-fashioned (or just old, if you like), but I've moved on. (Let's be quite honest, the part of Halloween that gets me is this:)

I don't mean to sound harsh, but I just don't understand. In all honesty, I just don't get it.
I mean, honestly, do nurses really dress like this:

Does a police officer go out in her cruiser dressed like this:

I work in a school. How often do I see anyone dressed like this:

And, seriously, could Pochahontas have canoed all over creation (not to mention painted with all the colors of the wind) wearing only this:

It baffles me.
And not to mention the message it's sending to younger kids, who want to look grown up and dress like they see older people dressing. (My job now creeps into every facet of my life... it's a knee-jerk reaction I have no control over.)

What's so wrong with dressing like this:

Or even this:

I know, I know... I'm 100 years old. I can't help it. It'd be fine with me if everyone created their Halloween costumes from objects lying around their houses--creating masterpieces out of cardboard boxes and pipe-cleaners, but I know (sadly) that's not the way of the world these days.

On a happier note, I'm so excited to see the Bulldogs play today! I can't wait to see them take on Kentucky tonight, and I cannot believe how pumped up everyone is. I'll leave you with this video someone put together in preparation for the game tonight. Go Dogs!!

Happy Halloween! (I'm not really sour, you know, just an old soul.)

Weekend Update

2010-10-25T20:43:00.001-05:00

So, before you say anything...
I know I've been slacking big time lately in the blog department.
Can I blame the insanity that is work and school 100%? I hope so... because I am.
Work is absolutely nuts most days and every day is a new adventure, but I really like what I'm doing, and I love the people I'm doing it with. I'm beyond blessed by all of the wonderful people who have entered my life during the past thirteen weeks (thirteen weeks... how nuts is that?!), and I'm so thankful for their guidance, wisdom, and influence.
This past Friday I took my master's comp exam. I'm not going to pretend I aced it; I'm not even going to pretend it was remotely easy. It was quite the opposite, actually. In other words, it was really, really hard. In fact, it might have been the hardest test I've ever taken to date, but, you know what? Lord willing I passed, and it's over.
Friday night Lindsey and I went to downtown Columbus' Ghosts & Legends tour. It was admittedly cheesy, but it was a good time and a new and different look at my hometown (which is not easy to come by in a place I've lived for almost twenty-six years). It was great to get to hang out with Lindsey and a fun night all around.

Saturday I spent the day/night in Starkville tailgating and cheering on the Bulldogs. Did I hear someone say bowl eligible?? I couldn't be more excited about our postseason possiblities, and, although Saturday night's game wasn't pretty, I'm always excited to add another 'W'. I had the greatest, most relaxing day, and it was so great to be able to enjoy such a leisurely Saturday in one of my most favorite places in the world.

I've got another busy week this week, but I'm excited to be back in Starkville Saturday to see the Bulldogs take on Kentucky. I'm hoping we can keep this winning streak going, and I'm excited to hang out with so many of my favorites again, too.
Oh, and how could I forget to mention my favorite new thing in my life...

Fro-yo has arrived in Starkville!! As you may know, I have been a little obsessed with the frozen yogurt phenom since my Spring Break trip to Dallas. Therefore, ever since I first heard of Starkville's very own yogurt store opening, I couldn't wait for that great day. And now it's come! Local Culture opened Thursday, I've already been twice, and I love it so much already. I'm so thrilled that fro-yo is making a comeback.

The Winds of Autumn

2010-09-22T22:04:00.001-05:00

Today is the first day of fall. Although it doesn't feel like it here (according to my car, it was a ~~sweltering~~ steamy 98 degrees when I left work this afternoon), it's starting to look a little bit like autumn, and there's a tease of the changing season in the morning air. In tribute to all the good things that come along with this my favorite time of the year, I thought I'd kick off the season with, of course, a list. (Y'all know they're my favorite.)
101 Things to Love about Fall

"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house, so I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air."--Nathaniel Hawthorne

1. Cardigans
2. Scarecrows
3. Flannel sheets
4. Reese's peanut butter pumpkins
5. Apple cider
6. Bales of hay
7. Class reunions
8. Trick-or-treating
9. Pumpkins

10. Cinnamon

11. Chili

12. Indian summer

13. Pumpkin patches

14. Your favorite old worn blanket

15. Turtlenecks

16. Caramel apples

17. Carving pumpkins

18. Beautiful sunsets

19. Passing houses decorated with pumpkins and mums

20. Suede

21. Halloween
22. Harvest moon

23. Halloween parties

24. Pretty fields ready to be harvested

25. Cornfield mazes

"Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile."--William Cullen Bryant

26. College football

27. Huddling under a blanket at football games

28. Candy corn

29. Tailgating

30. Ghost stories

31. Haunted houses

32. Cool weather

33. Halloween candy

34. The warmth and comfort of home

35. New fall TV

36. Tailgate food

37. Rosy cheeks

38. Leaves changing

39. Sweaters

40. Rainy afternoons

41. Smell of burning leaves

42. Corduroy

43. Raking leaves

44. Bonfires
45. Boots
46. Fall weddings

47. High school football

48. Scarves

49. Cozy socks

50. Fall mums

"Change is a measure of time and, in the autumn, time seems speeded up. What was is not and never again will be; what is, is change."--Edwin Way Teale

51. Warm pajamas

52. Wind blowing the leaves

53. Jumping into a big pile of leaves

54. Bourbon

55. Neil Diamond's September Morn

56. Building the first fire

57. Driving with the windows down

58. James Taylor's October Road

59. Hot chocolate

60. Sleeping with the windows up

61. Rosemary Clooney's Shine on Harvest Moon

62. Burning candles that just smell like fall

63. Argyle

64. The juxtaposition of life and death

65. Cowboy boots

66. Dark nail polish

67. Hearty foods

68. Hayrides

69. Cool mornings turning to warm afternoons

70. Decorating for Halloween

71. New school supplies

72. Apples

73. Cold fingers and noses

74. Fall colors: orange, red, rellow, and brown

75. Walking through crunching leaves

"Deep inside, we're still the boys of autumn, that magic time of the year that once swept us onto America's fields."--Archie Manning

76. Nutmeg

77. Shorter days

78. Letter jackets

79. Bobbing for apples

80. Thanksgiving

81. Pep rallies

82. Mini pumpkins

83. Gourds

84. Scary movies

85. Wool coats

86. Indian corn

87. Fall festivals

88. New fall clothes

89. Homecoming

90. It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

91. Remember the Titans

92. Pumpkin pie

93. Hocus Pocus

94. Walks in the woods

95. Tomato soup and grilled cheese

96. Reading outside on a fall afternoon

97. Holidays

98. Long-sleeved t-shirts

99. Harvest

100. Apple pie

101. Rogue cotton on the side of the road

"The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air."--Eric Sloane

Happy first day of fall!!

Family Ties

2010-09-21T20:02:00.000-05:00

"Love is stronger than death, even though it can't stop death from happening. No matter how hard death tries it can't separate people from love. It can't take away our memories, either. In the end, life is stronger than death."--Author unknown
Tonight I am lifting up the Perkins family. Since Spencer's tragic accident ten days ago, they have been forefront in my mind, and tonight is no different. I am certainly not alone in sending up prayer after prayer for this family, for our entire community--and especially the Heritage Academy family--have been lifting them up together.
I can personally attest to the support, power, love, and strength of the Heritage family. This group of people has been there for me and my own family time and time again. After my dad's death; before, during, and after both of my mom's knee replacements and the complications that followed; and, at other times throughout my life--they've always been there. Through my own highs and lows, successes and failures, they've been there every time. Without their support and strength, I'm not sure I would have been able to withstand what was happening around me.
Once you're a member of the Heritage family, you're a member forever. I started kindergarten at Heritage in the fall of 1990, and I've been a member of the Heritage family ever since. Just because you graduate or move or leave for some reason doesn't mean you have to turn in your key; you're a part of this group forever. I spent 13 years of my life walking those halls and formed lifelong friendships and connections there. When I think of coming home to Columbus, the people I'm eager to see and catch up with are people that Heritage brought into my life. Good or bad, for better or worse, I have a connection to the other members of my Heritage family, and it's a tie that cannot be severed. Because we're small, we can't help but feel close-knit, and, when one of us is in trouble, we rally together in support. Tonight the Perkins family needs our love and our support, our strength and our comfort, our thoughts and our prayers.
I know the coming days will be difficult for the Perkins, and I pray the intricacies of our daily life will not distract us from remembering how much they still need us. Although Spencer was young, he made a huge impact on the people and the world around him, and there now exists an unfillable hole in the lives of many. In unexpected tragedies such as this one, there is obviously no time to prepare for what is to come, which is, I think, both a blessing and a curse. A blessing in that every moment of life up to the tragedy is lived fully; a curse in the sheer cruelty of unexpectedness. Having endured this same type of unexpected tragedy myself, I can imagine some of the pain this family will face in the coming days, and I pray we will stay with them. Love them, comfort them, and support them through our words, our touch, our presence, and, of course, our prayers.
To Mr. Tim, Mrs. Paula, Sparks, Sophie, and Sawyer: know that we are with you. We love and cherish you as if you are members of our own family, for that is really what you are. You are treasured members of the Heritage Academy family, and we wouldn't be the same without you. We'll hold you up until you regain your strength, and we'll keep Spencer's memory alive in our hearts. Keep him alive in yours, too. Talk about him, laugh about him, cry about him, remember him. His time on Earth is through, but the impact he made can never be erased. We love you; we're here for you; we're praying for you.
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."--Psalm 34:18

Come September

2010-09-02T20:36:00.001-05:00

I know I've been away forever, but things have just been too too busy. Between work and class and work for class, life has been pretty full. I have really started to enjoy my internship, but that's another post for another day. Today is all about the fact that September is here, and I couldn't be happier about it.
Top 10 Things I'm Looking Forward to This September:
10. Wedding parties and celebrations for several of my closest friends.
9. This weekend's beach trip to Destin.
8. The premier of Joaquin Phoenix's new documentary, I'm Still Here, detailing his decision to give up acting and pursue a career in rap. Kidding... sort of.
7. The autumnal equinox... fall's official arrival!
6. New fall TV. I couldn't be more ready for some new Glee in my life.
5. International Chocolate Day, September 13. It's a for real holiday; look it up.
4. College football. And by that I mean tailgating. Oh, and seeing all my favorites, of course.
3. Labor Day holiday... no school!
2. Cooler weather. Did someone say 'cardigan'?
1. Seeing Jerry Seinfeld's comedy show in Memphis with Katie. I can't even make sense enough to express how excited I am about this.... eeeeeeeeeeee, I can't wait!!

Big Time or Bust

2010-08-04T22:45:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow I start my internship.
I don't really know what I'm doing; I have no idea what I'm wearing; I'm not even sure what time I'm supposed to be there in the morning. I'm flying by the seat of my pants, and that's a way I've never flown before, believe me. I would much prefer coach, where I can make my own rules, decisions, and beverage choices, but God gave me this boarding pass, and I think He's pretty particular about sticking to the seat to which you were assigned.
I am really, really nervous and excited and scared and intimidated and freaking out all at once, and I know that tomorrow morning I'm going to enter a different world that will consume my life for the next ten months. I feel the winds of change blowing in, and I feel like this year is going to be big. In a lot of ways. In a lot of great ways.
As said best by the Black Eyed Peas... let's get it started!
'Cause, let's be honest, I'm as ready as I'll ever be.
I found this little blurb in a random magazine today and thought it was sort of appropriate for the attitude I'm trying to adopt for the year. A sort of This Is The Time lifestyle. Here goes:

"Hey, it's ok!
... to laugh so loudly that everybody stares.
... to spend a whole happy hour making up names for that band you all are totally going to start one day.
... if the erotic appeal of toe-sucking utterly baffles you.
... to not have the kind of dad who plays golf, wears ties and serves as your personal ATM. (Hear that, greeting card people?)
... if you have a 'type.' The heart wants what it wants. Also, the loins. They want what they want, too.
... to tell him you'll need more than a drawer at his place. Please: counter space in the bathroom, room in the closet and a spot for your soy milk. Let's be real.
... to have a couple of holdover phrases from high school that you just can't get rid of. Sweet!"

Some of those do not apply to me at all, and if you know me at all you will quickly see which ones I could leave off. You get the drift, though... it's okay to be who you are. I know that may sound elementary to some, but, on this night before I begin a year of working with hundreds of students from kindergarten to twelfth grade (who could say or do God only knows what at any moment, mind you), it was a point of which I was glad to be reminded. It's okay to be who I am... today, tomorrow, and the day after that.
Wish me luck tomorrow, friends. Let's just hope I don't immediately get off on the wrong foot by saying something wholly uncool or walking out of the bathroom with t.p. trailing from my shoe or spilling chocolate milk on my white jeans (a la Never Been Kissed, of course).
True life: I'm twenty-five years old, and the first day of school still terrifies me.

The Charleston Queen

2010-07-28T23:16:00.000-05:00

Charleston was so seriously cool. I mean, it wasn't seriously cool because the heat index was at about 116 degrees while we were there, but it was such a great trip. We saw tons of incredible things, ate wonderful food, and really explored the city. I took more pictures than I can even count at the moment, and I imagine it'll take me a little while to get them all edited. In the meantime, here's a summation of the trip for you to munch on:
Top 10 Seriously Cool Things About Charleston:
10. Outlying land/islands with tons of charm, character, and personality all their own. Whether it's hip, cool Folly Beach or beautiful Mt. Pleasant, there really was something for everyone. I wish I had had more time to give each of these precious places the attention they deserved.
9. Some of the freshest, best-tasting seafood I've ever eaten. I've been eating fresh Gulf seafood my entire life, but there was just something different about the crab, seafood, scallops, crawfish, etc. I ate in Charleston.
8. Eye candy. There was a surplus of incredibly attractive young men in the Charleston area, and many were out and about sans girlfriends or wedding rings, which is always a plus in my book these days. Plus, they were the kinds of Southern cuties I love to catch a glimpse of:  khaki shorts, polo shirt, topsiders, and a great summer tan... yum.
7. Farmers markets and groceries that served food freshly picked/harvested from local still-working plantations. I have never had such wonderfully fresh vegetables and tasty homemade treats like you could find at these places all over Charleston. It didn't take long to get spoiled by that, and coming home to my local grocery store was a bit of rude awakening.
6. Tour guides who really know their stuff and make sure you have an incomparable experience. Whether it be on a walking or carriage tour, our guides were fantastic and made us feel like they really wanted us to know, understand, and love Charleston as much as they do.
5. Architecture that would seriously take your breath away... over and over and over again. This place is a photographer's (professional or, ahem, amateur) dream, and I just couldn't click away fast enough. I passed the same places over and over again and was ~~obnoxiously whipping out my camera~~ bowled over by the beauty everytime.
4. History books come to life in the coolest of ways. There's no drooling on your notebook or making paper airplanes during this history lesson, for it's just too interesting and too neat for that. The wit, enthusiasm, and passion with which the information was presented by everyone we encountered made boredom impossible and immediately sucked us into Charleston's past, present, and future.
3. My Kathleen Kelly moment. In the movie You've Got Mail (one of my all-time favorites), Kathleen Kelly [Meg Ryan] overhears someone in a bookstore ask a clerk the author of a certain book. The clerk doesn't know, but Kathleen does, so she speaks up and gives the customer the information she's looking for.  I don't know why I think this is cool; call it a book lover's geeky fantasy, I guess. I had my very own Kathleen Kelly moment in the most amazing of bookstores in Charleston--Blue Bicycle Books. A girl was looking for the author of a somewhat obscure book I happen to have read, and I overheard her ask the girl working in the store if she knew the author.  The clerk was looking it up on the computer, but I knew who it was. So, I offered the answer to the other customer, and I was, for that second, totally Kathleen Kelly.  Sounds totally lame, right? I know. I thought it was so cool, though; I hope we can still be friends.
2. Windows into another time and another world: horse-drawn carriages; centuries-old graveyards; handwritten letters; tour guides in period costume (be it pirate or Revolutionary War); working plantations; and, churches unlike any seen today. I already feel like I'm born into the wrong generation most of the time (seeing as I would be more than happy to chuck my cell phone off a bridge and all), but this place made me truly long for a time when life moved at a slower pace and the world was a little cozier.
1. Streets where pirates, signers of the Declaration of Independence, soldiers in the Civil War, and the cast of The Notebook all walked.  Talk about diversity, huh?
The trip was phenomenal, and I hope to get back to Charleston someday. I see now why everyone swoons when they talk about it; there's just something about that city. I can't describe it, but it's very, very cool.
And now I've said cool about seventy-four times.

Hit the Road

2010-07-22T01:10:00.000-05:00

Seeing as I will be picking up Day in less than 5 hours to start our great American adventure of a road trip to Charleston, I should undoubtedly be catching some zzzzzzzzz.

I, however, am burning cds (yes, cds still exist... you can find them next to VHS tapes, casette tapes, and other such archaic tools) and ~~blabbering~~ blogging.
I'm too excited to sleep, though.
I can't wait to get there. I'm excited about seeing tons of these...

and even more of these...

and I am super excited about eating lots of this...

Good tunes, good place, good food, good friend... does it get any better??

I know, I know...we're not quite Thelma and Louise (seeing as, among other things, we're not driving a convertible, we're not planning to shoot anyone, and we're going to refrain from driving any sort of vehicle off a cliff), but, really, when you think of two ladies on a road trip, who else comes to mind??

Good Night, and Good Luck

2010-07-19T23:06:00.000-05:00

Today was moving day.
Everything was packed into boxes and hauled away in the moving truck... only to be unloaded 25 miles away in my storage unit--home to my belongings for the next year. In all honesty, I am a mix of emotions leaving my apartment behind. I know it wasn't much, but it was the first place in this world that was wholly mine, and I am going to miss being there. I will miss sitting on my back porch and looking at the stars; I will miss sprawling diagonally across my bed with a good book; I will miss my pictures on the wall; I will miss lounging on the couch storytelling and drinking wine with friends; I will miss decorating for Christmas; I will miss my flowers. I can do all of these things at my mother's house, of course, but it won't be quite the same. I will not miss, however, sweating to death in the kitchen and/or bathroom no matter what the time of year or the temperature; I will not miss the overly sensitive smoke alarm; I will not miss a closet the size of a postage stamp.
Today I laughed to keep from crying, and looked forward instead of glancing back in the rearview mirror. Just when I think I have everything figured out and compartmentalized perfectly, life, inevitably, changes again. It's funny like that, isn't it?

In the little taupe room

There was a television

And a few spots of maroon

And a picture of...

Three friends standing under a beautiful moon

And there were teddy bears and black and white chairs

And a number of candles and a pair of sandals

And a cabinet of red and a wrought-iron bed

And a book and a brush and a note from a crush

And a quiet young lady who was whispering "hush"

Goodnight room

Goodnight friends standing under the moon

Goodnight light and the spots of maroon

Goodnight bears

Goodnight chairs

Goodnight candles and goodnight sandals

Goodnight clocks and goodnight socks

Goodnight cabinet of red and goodnight bed

Goodnight book and goodnight brush

Goodnight nobody

Goodnight crush

And goodnight to the young lady whispering "hush"

Goodnight stars

Goodnight air

Goodnight noises everywhere

Down the Rabbit Hole

2010-07-16T00:44:00.000-05:00

Pretty often it happens that I find myself absolutely lost in cyberspace, wholly unsure of how I've come to be where I am. (This is why I cannot allow myself to join Twitter, for I just simply have enough world wide web vices as it is. That is a whole other topic for another day, though.) Through one social network, website, blog or another, I've wound up ~~somewhere I have no business being~~ God only knows where, filing away the intricate details of the lives of people I barely (if that) know. I feel like Alice, having fallen down some unexpected hole and landed in unfamiliar territory. I strongly desire to leave this foreign place and return to that from which I came, but, still, I'm inexplicably fascinated by my new surroundings.
Does this happen to y'all?
Should I be admitting that I do such things?
Don't answer that.
Anyway, last night I fell down one of those rabbit holes and started reading an acquaintance's blog and, from there, read several blogs of people whom, twenty-four hours ago, I couldn't have picked out of a line-up. I know, I know... I still don't technically know them, but we're all friends here in the blogosphere, right? Right? Er... is this thing on?
Ahem, anyway.
I have a point, I promise.
Most of these blogs I read were written by people who were doing internships this summer in Washington, DC. I, too, did an internship in the capital city four (horrors!) years ago, and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. So many of the events these bloggers were describing attending or participating in were events I so fondly remember attending during my time there. It really took me back and made me wish I could do the whole thing over again.
Living in DC for the summer when you're twenty-one years old feels like you have the entire world at your finger tips, and there just aren't enough hours in the day to fit in everything you want to do and see. Going out, working, exploring, and living in the city is such an amazing experience, you almost feel like you've received an unbelievable gift by mistake and someone will surely realize the error and send you home at any moment. In other words, you're packing as many people, places, things, sights, sounds, and ideas as you possibly can into a summer that flies by at warp speed and is over before you really feel you've even begun.
I certainly feel like I left my mark on the city while I was there, and, let's be honest, the city left a very distinct mark on me. I met and worked with some of the coolest people I've ever met with whom I am fortunate enough to still share friendships; I walked around without having a destination in mind, just seeing what I could see; I experienced the diverse cultures of the distinctly different neighborhoods of the city; I was able to share the beauty and history of the nation's capitol with visitors every single day; I made a number of, shall we say, bad decisions, and would make them all over again if I had the chance, for they definitely make the best stories; I saw and experienced so much of what makes America America; I took time to watch the sun set over the Tidal Basin; I marveled over and over at the fact that I was blessed enough to have such an experience; with my face pressed against the glass, I cried when my plane banked away from the Washington Monument, for I knew I would never again have such a summer.
I feel like I could cry now, actually.
Sheesh.
You see, last night I fell down a rabbit hole, wandered around disoriented for awhile, and, before long, I started to see some familiar sights. It turns out I knew where I was all along, just taking a stroll down one of my favorite streets--Memory Lane.
I hope those kids (when did I start referring to people a mere four years younger than me as if they are from a wholly different generation?) are having the best summer of their lives.
I bet they are, but they may not know it yet.

I didn't when I was their age, but we rarely do, do we?

A Taste of Excitement

2010-07-08T18:44:00.000-05:00

Although my life over the past few weeks has been primarily consumed by my mom's surgery and recovery, there have been a number of hugely exciting developments in the lives of some of my closest friends.
Have I ever told y'all what great friends I have?
Yes? Several times, you say?
Oh... well... I'm going to do it again. Tune out if you wish.
First, over Memorial Day weekend, Summer and Rob got engaged! They are a really fun couple to be around, and I have never seen Summer so happy. I missed the initial celebration on their engagement weekend, but I am so excited to start celebrating with several fun parties coming up over the next few months. Big congrats, my friends!

Next, Day and Kate headed to Brazil on a mission trip. They both had such an amazing experience, and I have enjoyed hearing about all that they did and everything they saw. I am so proud of these two wonderful ladies for taking such a big step for the Lord, and I believe many people's lives were changed because of the impact of this trip and the people on it.

Next up, Wex got married! I was so honored to be a bridesmaid in her wedding, and I had a great time celebrating with the happy couple and catching up with so many of my friends from college who I hadn't seen in too too long. Wex was a gorgeous bride, and it was a much-needed weekend away for me. A win-win for everyone, I say! Big congrats again to Wex and Kyle!

The next bit of exciting news was the teeniest bit bittersweet, too, but only for selfish reasons. Nick got hired at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and he packed up and moved from Starkville. I am so, so proud of all that he has accomplished and how hard he has worked to finish his graduate degree. All his hard work is paying off for sure! I must admit, though... I'm super sad he won't be right down the road, and I'm going to miss him like crazy! I am secretly very excited about coming to visit Knoxville, though, so this move has many upsides.

Just days later, I found out that Mary Beth and Michael are having a baby! Mary Beth is that friend who has always wanted to be a mom and has forever dreamt of the day she will have a baby of her own. God has blessed she and Michael with a wonderful marriage and, come February, will bless them with a baby, as well. They are planning to move back to this area after she finishes her Master's in May, so I know MS will be so glad to welcome the three Ketchums back next spring!

Finally, a bit of exciting news of my own. Two weeks from today, Day and I are heading to Charleston on a little road trip/vacay/last-ditch-getaway-before-the-misery-of-higher-education-kicks-in trip. No, it's not a ring, a mission trip, a white dress, a new job, or a baby, but, believe me, that isn't curbing my enthusiasm in the least. I am so excited to go to this gorgeous city, eat some amazing seafood, and spend some quality time with one of my best friends. The perfect relaxing end to a rather un-relaxing summer. I seriously cannot wait!

L.O.V.E.

2010-07-04T19:57:00.004-05:00

I love America.
I love the people and the places and the things that make up America.
I am proud to be an American, and today I celebrate everything that makes America the place that it is.
What's coming next is a list of so many of the things I love to love about America and all that it encompasses. Some of these things may not in, fact, be exclusively American, but, for me, they make me feel American. So, on this America's birthday, perhaps you'll allow me to take a few liberties.
So, without further ado, here are:
104 Things I Love to Love about America

1. Broadway

2. Rock & roll

3. Boardwalks

4. Converse sneakers

5. Bandanas

6. Oreos

7. Central Park

8. Country music

9. The Real World

10. Brooks Brothers

11. Sunflowers

12. Front porch swings

13. Cheeseburgers

14. New York City

15. Gingham

16. Cutoff jeans

17. Freedom of the press

18. Chocolate chip cookies

19. The Smithsonian

20. Memphis

21. MTV

22. Cowboy boots

23. Fried chicken

24. Corn flakes

25. Fresh produce

26. Water parks

27. The Gap

28. John Steinbeck

29. Democracy

30. Soldiers

31. World War II veterans

32. Casseroles

33. United States Postal Service
34. The Statue of Liberty

35. Target

36. Amusement parks

37. Malls

38. Louisa Mae Alcott

39. Yellow taxis

40. Hershey's

41. The Boston Pops

42. American Film Institute

43. Alexandria, Virginia

44. Atlanta

45. Ralph Lauren

46. Corn dogs

47. Chicken salad

48. Sharpies
49. Christmas traditions

50. Opportunity

51. Thanksgiving dinner

52. Road trips

53. Nashville

54. Gas-guzzling SUVs

55. The Today show

56. New Orleans

57. Ritz crackers

58. Saturday Night Live

59. Rainbow flip-flops

60. Route 66

61. Christmas Vacation

62. Afternoon talk-shows

63. Freedom of speech

64. Cornbread

65. Meat & potatoes

66. Jimmy Fallon

67. Sundresses

68. Toms shoes

69. Miller Lite

70. Lemonade

71. The Star Spangled Banner

72. Blue jeans

73. Father of the Bride

74. Nighly News with Brian Williams

75. National parks

76. Nike

77. Dr. Pepper

78. Macaroni & cheese

79. Judy Garland

80. Betty White

81. Crayola

82. Dallas

83. Red, white & blue
84. Seaside, Florida
85. Brooklyn Bridge
86. John Mayer
87. Walt Disney World
88. Jerry Seinfeld
89. Breakfast at Tiffany's
90. Apple pie
91. Yearbooks
92. Frank Sinatra
93. Backyard BBQs
94. Chicago
95. Destin, Florida
96. College football
97. The Oscars
98. Uncle Sam
99. Johnny Cash
100. Motown
101. The Gulf Coast
102. Washington, DC
103. Elvis
104. Homemade ice cream
I also found this great column in the latest issue of Reader's Digest (yes, I read Reader's Digest sometimes... yuk it up) that I loved so much I wanted to share it with y'all. America's Best Town Names:

"I was holed up in Boring, Oregon, wondering whether I should try someplace different. So I hopped in my car and drove to Why, Arizona, to figure things out. After a few days I found my answer in Whynot, Mississippi: I needed a town with some life to it. I made a beeline for Disco, Tennessee, where I danced so much, I wore out my shoes. The next day, I headed to Loafers Glory, North Carolina, for a new pair. Afterward I looked sharp enough to take a break, in Handsome Eddy, New York. Eddy wasn't around, but I knew where to find him--in Loveladies, New Jersey, where it seemed that all the women were trying to get to Husband, Pennsylvania. It was a tough town. One gal told me my romancing needed work and sent me to Sweet Lips, Tennessee. Heartbroken, I put the car on cruise control and drove to Lonelyville, New York, for a stiff drink. I made a pit stop in The Bottle, Alabama, and finally hit rock bottom in Condemned Bar, California. Not surprisingly, I woke up the next morning in Cranky Corner, Louisiana. I knew that if I continued like this, I'd be headed straight to Hell, Michigan. Pulling myself together, I grabbed breakfast in Oatmeal, Texas, lunch in Sandwich, Massachusetts, and dessert in Pie Town, New Mexico. I should've stopped eating after Greasy, Oklahoma, because I was feeling pretty sick by the time I left Lick Skillet, Tennessee. In Brilliant, Ohio, it finally dawned on me--I had to cease my wandering ways. I parked in Do Stop, Kentucky, took out the map, and chose my new home. I didn't need Wealthy, Texas, or Fame, West Virginia. I found everything I needed in Happyland, Oklahoma."--Andy Simmons, Reader's Digest Humor Editor

With all that and so much more, how could you not fall in love with America every day, over and over again??

Happy Birthday to the U.S. of A... hope you've all had a wonderful holiday!!

Catching Up

2010-06-12T16:48:00.000-05:00

Hey, friends.
I'm still here; I'm just crazy busy these days taking care of my mom.
I just wanted to share a quick update on my mom's post-surgery progress and ask for a very specific prayer request.
Monday will mark the four-week mark since her surgery, and in those four weeks we have been riding one wild coaster. During these weeks, we've made a middle-of-the-night trip to the emergency room, battled excessive swelling, fought down a fever, and dealt with some other bumps in the road. We have been to the doctor's office several times, and many tears have been shed between the two of us.
We are still fighting one battle, though, and for that I ask your very specific prayers. Forgive my somewhat graphic request, but here goes. She is still having tiny pinpricks of blood from her incision, and, until those stop, we cannot continue with physical therapy and her recovery. I know it might sound minimal or silly, but we have been stopped from progressing for six days now due to this bleeding, and we are both fighting frustration and discouragement at every turn.
Some days it seems like we take two steps forward and three steps back, and it just almost seems to be too much sometimes.
She's so strong and wants so badly to be invested in physical therapy and getting back to the routine of her life, but, for some reason, that's not the plan God is following at the moment. I ask you to pray for not only the stopping of this tiny bit of bleeding but also our patience and acceptance for God's timetable instead of our own.
Your prayers keep me strong, and your friendship means the world.
All my love,