Radioactive Snowfall

It's been a while

2011-12-26T22:47:00.000-06:00

I find that my life has been consumed of late by various things. The majority of which has been the birth and life of my great-nephew... who is beyond adorable. I know this is fact as all the pictures I take now have him in them. Here are a few to update you on his great progression:

Why yes... he will be a Kentucky fan when he grows up. We are seeing to it.

He even went to see his Uncle Joey play a little football. Here's Uncle Joey... who also completely rocks.

Halloween rolled around and we had the Incredible Hulk on our hands. Though I'm not sure the Hulk was ever this happy. It may have been the puppy... who has become a fast friend.

We started eating real food (well, real to a baby)

But still enjoyed using Great-Aunt Cathy as a teething tool.

I took a trek to Panama City Beach with my friends John & Lou Ann:

We enjoyed Pineapple Willy's a couple of times... my fave!

I even studied for school while on the beach. That's the kind of dedicated student that I am! :)

I came home early due to a personal tragedy. My dear friend Connie was rushed to the hospital because of a massive anneursym. I came home early and found there was nothing that could be done for her. The bleed was too massive. We removed her from life support on a Tuesday and she passed away on Thursday. Connie was a beautiful girl who had been trapped within her own body for more than 20 years due to an initial anneursym. It was such a difficult time for her family, but we rest assured that she can once again walk and talk without any impediment on streets of Gold. My best friend, Brent Gambrell, went far beyond the duties of friendship and stayed with the family and ministered to them during the last days of Connie's life. He had only met Connie and her mother once about ten years ago, but he was with her when she passed away and brought the message at the funeral. If you ever need a man of God to minister to your congregation, you need to go to http://www.brentgambrellministries.com/ and contact him. The work he does is God-breathed.

I thought that was going to be the hardest part of the year. But then, Dad was diagnosed with a heart condition: A-Fib. His heart is not beating in rhythm. We found this during a pre-op exam for a biopsy of his prostate. So, it was off to the cardiologist for him.

Before you jump on me for posting these pictures... you must know my father wanted them taken and wanted them posted. We're a funny kind of family. This was the heart monitor he wore for two days to confirm his heart was out of rhythm.

Whilst we were digesting this bit of news, we were preparing for Thanksgiving. What we didn't prepare for was my mother to have a stroke on Thanksgiving afternoon. So, a ride to the local ER and a transport to Centennial Hospital in Nashville later, and the mom and I spent Thanksgiving night in the ICU. By the time we arrived there, she was back to normal, for which we are supremely grateful.

Oh, and the stroke was caused by, are you ready for this, the fact that the Mom's heart is in A-fib. Yep. Same thing as the dad. (Don't think I don't plan to get checked out myself very soon) So, Mom jumped way ahead of Dad as far as treatment was concerned. She's had a cardioversion twice, but her heart does not like to stay in rhythm. So, she's on various medications and we continue to seek doctor care to get this under control.

She wouldn't let me take pictures. :)

So, I will show you pictures of the baby again... because he makes us smile. He's at that stage where EVERYthing goes in his mouth. Including fall foliage.

But I'm pretty sure he's the most handsome of little men.

Which brings us to the end of the fall semester for my school. I was tickled to learn that I had As in both my classes - which really is a miracle considering we were in and out of the hospital for the last few weeks of the semester. And then it was Christmas... so there should be more baby pictures. It's his first, you know...

He still likes to put stuff in his mouth.

He certainly brought smiles to all our faces this year.

Merry Christmas to you all and blessings for a wonderful New Year!

What a great celebration!

2011-08-07T20:57:00.000-05:00

So... it's my birthday today. I'm older today than I was yesterday. But on the bright side... I am younger than I will be tomorrow.

How's that for optimism?

I woke up this morning rather sick to my stomach. I worried that I didn't feel good because I was older. But then I realized that other family members were dealing with the same problem and I didn't feel so bad! :)

But, feeling under the weather did not stop us from celebrating the birth of Liam in such a sweet way. Today, Kristin and David dedicated Liam to the Lord at their church. What a wonderful way to start the day.

Liam and Pastor Ronnie Meeks

He was quite mesmerized!

Mom and Dad looking on.

Along with the rest of the clan!

This is a sweet moment! I love the interaction between father and son

Liam's great-grandmother got to hold him during the service.

What a cutie-patootie!

Hey! Did I tell you I'm a great aunt?

2011-08-06T11:51:00.000-05:00

No? Well... let me remedy that and just show off some pictures of the Cutest.Baby.Ever.

Liam discovering rattles for the first time

He's not that impressed!

It is so hard to believe this baby has had a baby!!

My goodness... but he is adorable!

His grandmother... we are calling her Nina... thinks so too.

Liam letting his Aunt KK how he really feels about the humidity in Tennessee

This child can almost get his entire fist in his mouth!

He has some of the best looks!

This look is my favorite!

But first... a break in the action

2011-07-09T13:29:00.005-05:00

I realized as I was going through some photos that I did not include the baby shower the family threw for Kristin about six weeks before the baby was born. So... I thought I would share some of the photos with little tidbits of the day, for those three people who happen upon my blog occasionally! :)

After realizing that the wedding shower we'd had a few years ago maxed our home out (too many bodies, not enough space) we held the shower at my mother's church, Stones River Baptist Church. It is a wonderful room that allowed everyone to spread out and visit/fellowship.

Our color scheme... fun boy colors

Kristin picked out a specific pattern from Party City for the decorations. The wonderful people at Julias' Homestyle Bakery in Murfreesboro took one of the napkins, and decorated the cake exactly the same. I love them there. They did Kristin's wedding shower cake and matched my specific colors and designs that time too. Double Score!!

Welcome Little Prince - Liam Alexander
Cake by Julia's Homestyle Bakery, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Gift table... there were lots of presents!

Candy pieces on the food table.
I didn't take enough pictures of the food table!

Mother-to-be, Kristin
A/K/A my baby

Mother-to-be with the soon-to-be grandmothers, Kim & Jean

I'm a little prejudiced to some of the gifts.
Liam's first little UK outfit from his great-grandmother

And blanket from his Aunt Karen

Bears and blankets

Aunt Sarah and another great-grandmother
Sarah handled the games

Kristin was rather surprised when she received a gift from her brother, Joey. He was not in attendance, but had a special little something he wanted to give to Kristin, for Kristin. Just from him.

Kristin is a little suspicious of a gift from her brother, Joey

When Kristin saw the gift for the first time. Well, let's just say, she threw her little head back and had a good laugh. She laughed hard enough to lose her mother-to-be tiara!

Giggle Box

What, pray tell, brought all this merriment and mirth? Diapers? Baby Wipes? Another Kentucky outfit?

Nope. It was (insert drum roll here)

A jump rope.

That's right. A jump rope.

Now, lest you think her brother is trying to suggest she get her grove on as she is approaching her eighth month. The answer is no. He wasn't. This was an inside joke.

Apparently, when they were much younger, Joey swiped a jump rope from Kristin and made her so mad, that she kicked a hole in the wall of her bedroom. As Kristin begins to enter the newest phase of her life... parenthood... her brother decided to make amends.

But, perhaps my favorite gift of all... The Pee Pee Teepee. It is a cover for when you are changing the diaper of your little boy to keep him from "christening" you. I have seen the Pee Pee Teepee in action. Let me tell you people, it works!

The Pee Pee Teepee

A good time was had by all. The mother received many wonderful gifts... and we loaded up and got everything to their home in preparation of our Little Prince.

Liam's First Days

2011-07-02T15:35:00.001-05:00

So... we finally got our boy here and we were all so excited! He was born here in Smyrna and mother, daddy and baby were all doing great. We got to watch him for about 45 minutes through the hospital nursery window while they measured and monitored and cleaned and swaddled and all those other things that nursing staffs do for babies right out of the womb.

Screaming HELLO to the world!

He put on quite a show for us! While this is going on, Kristin was being tended to in post-op for the C-section and being sent back to her room. They took Liam back to her to see if he could start nursing, and he apparently latched himself right on! Once the baby was here, a couple more people came to see their first great-grandchild!

Nana & Granddaddy

Because I know my place on the familial food chain, I went ahead and left the hospital. The grandparents (my little brother is a GRANDPARENT!) stayed to visit with Kristin, David and the baby and I drove across the street to see the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

I need to see that movie again. I think it was pretty good. However, I think I was coming off an adrenaline high... so I was so sleepy in that movie that I think I actually dozed a couple of times.

But, that afternoon was officially MY time.

Meeting Liam for the first time

Okay... it was not SOLELY my time. I took the great grandmother with me and so I shared some time with her. Unfortunately, we timed our visit just as they had given Kristin some meds for the pain. She did not feel comfortable nodding off and sleeping while there were people in the room, so we were really only there for about ten minutes.

But it was a GREAT ten minutes.

Nana and Liam

Kristin and David spent the weekend at the hospital. They had Liam on Friday and were able to go home on Monday. Which meant... another day of VISITATION for the family! How awesome.

Of course, I was doing my best NOT to overstay or call constantly. That was very difficult for me because I wanted to know how MY baby (who had just had a baby) was doing. I had to just be careful and text Katy or Kim or John in order to get updates. I know how tired new parents are and I did not want to be a bother.

So on Sunday, after being grateful to the Lord for His great blessings! The great-grandparents and I made an appointment to come up and visit the newest member of our family.

Liam and his Mommy- is there a sweeter picture than a mother and her child?

The new family: Kristin, David & Liam

Liam meeting his great-grandfather for the first time

Four generations

Liam and his great-grandmother

There is just nothing more precious than this little man.

He's Here!!

2011-07-02T00:24:00.047-05:00

It has been a while since I have stopped by here and commented on life. But, life has been busy and therefore I have not had time to comment. Isn't that the way it always works?!

But... I am VERY happy to say that the next generation of my family made his appearance in May.

Finally!

I can also say that now I feel like it is safe to breathe. I have not had children... but I had a couple of moments of complete FEAR. My baby (not birthed to me, but I refer to all my nieces and my nephew as my children, and often, my babies) was having a C-Section because she was percolating a rather big boy. (We grow 'em kinda big in our family) So, I was filled with worry. What if something goes wrong? What if there is something wrong with the baby? It was a time filled with angst and anxiety.

The Lord kindly reminded me that He was in charge of everything... and regardless of what man's purpose is, His purpose is greater and He will complete His work in whatever situation we are found in.

Oh. Okay. I'll just shut up and trust.

So... here's a little pictorial of our day:

I arrived at the hospital first. Mostly because I was told to be there at 7:00 and no one else got there until closer to 8:00. Oh well. I was there in time to take pictures of the soon-to-be parental units arrival.

Momma, Daddy & Aunt Katy arriving at the hospital

Mommy-to-be and Daddy-to-be. So cute!

See these scrubs David is wearing? I bought them. I have to give credit to my good friend, Carey Dean, who gave me the idea for them. I felt like much attention had been given to Kristin and the baby and I didn't want David to feel left out. So, I called my friend Carey, who is the father of triplets plus one, for an appropriate gift for the new father. He told me the best gift he received when the triplets were born, were a set of monogramed scrubs. So... I picked up some scrubs at a local uniform store and found a monogram place here in town and they did a great job!

The scrubs say "David Johnson, Daddy to Liam" and the birth date. Isn't that cool? AND... he looked like he was a doctor and worked at the hospital. As a matter of fact, a couple of the staff at the hospital thought he was a doctor.

So fun!!

We had a number of family members present for the big moment!

Aunt K-K

Katy is here waiting in the hospital lobby while Kristin gets herself checked in. We enjoyed people watching and laughing at each other. It was an enjoyable morning and the hospital staff got a big kick out of our antics.

The family members took up a good bit of the small waiting room at the hosital. As a matter of fact... we took up the entire waiting room. To our credit, the waiting room is rather small. But, we all had fun hanging around waiting for the sound of the lullaby to play over the intercom system (a sign that a baby is born) and tried to just have a good time.

Whilst I was waiting on Kristin to have her baby, I ran downstairs to have my first mammogram. I would like to take the time to smack all the women who told horror stories of how painful an experience this was going to be. It was not bad AT. ALL. The staff at Stone Crest were very friendly and courteous. The technician who did the mammogram was very nice and professional. The total amount of time I was there was probably about 30 minutes, and I was able to get up to the waiting room just about five minutes before the baby was born. Soooooo... no time to really worry for me!

And then finally... we were awarded with this:

Daddy and Liam!

Liam Alexander Johnson was born at more than 9 pounds and 21 1/2 inches long. Daddy David did a great job in the surgery room and so did Kristin!

Our first good look at Liam!

But, I think this is my favorite first glimpse picture:

The Look of Love

I'll share more soon. There is much more to tell.

Sunday afternoons...

2011-04-12T21:52:00.000-05:00

Sunday afternoons are usually a time for napping, watching a sporting event, napping, doing laundry, napping, doing homework and, well, napping.

However, our family has decided to create a family time on Sunday afternoons. We will gather here at the homestead and enjoy, tolerate, berate, love, castigate, smack on each other and have a meal together as well.

This past week was our first gathering. It was also the 58th wedding anniversary of my parental units.

58 years. Together.

Wow.

I thought I would throw down some photos of family time. These were not taken this week, but the previous week. It will be a good showing of times to come:

Look at that concentration! Fierce.

The Old Man still has some moves too.

Nana, Katy & Kristin - on the back porch

Katy talking to little Liam

Not sure that I like how big this one is getting

Momma to be

Like Father...

... Like Daughter

Why does it HURT so much??

2011-02-27T18:14:00.000-06:00

I had my gall bladder removed a few years ago. It was the first hospitalization I had ever personally had - and I was in my 40s. So, I thought that was pretty good.

The pain that led me to the doctor, which led me to the ER, which led to the x-ray and ultrasound and finally led to surgery was pretty bad.

I would have done it all again instead of the millisecond of a burn I sustained on my right thumb earlier this week.

I was getting a pan out of the oven and the oven towel slipped and for the most fraction of a second, my thumb made contact with a VERY hot pan.

But, I did not curse. I thought of curse words, but they did not come out.

And then... the pain.

Oh. The. Pain.

How could something that was such a short time inflict something that hurt so bad!?

So, I slammed it into a glass of ice water and the maternal unit told me I need to rub butter on it.

Then, I had a butter finger! Ha! Get it? OOOhh. I know. I'm too much.

Seriously, then I shoved it back in to the ice water and spent the next HOUR biting my lips and talking myself out of driving to the ER in order to have my thumb amputated, which I can assure you would NOT have hurt nearly as bad.

Grammy ReWind 2011

2011-02-14T15:32:00.000-06:00

I am officially an old person. I know this because I just sat through the entire 2011 Grammy show and wished for the days when the weirdest artist out there was Alannis Morrisette. An artist who I really like… but weird in her time.

I am also old because I was looking forward the most to Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger and Barbra Streisand. So… having issued that disclaimer, here are my thoughts on this rather lackluster evening:

Red Carpet:
I made the mistake of turning the channel just in time to see Lady Gaga being unloaded onto the shoulders of male models with nice pecs. Gaga is in an egg. An. Egg. She cannot be bothered to be interviewed because she is incubating.
Maybe the correct term should be incubus.

I stopped listening to this nonsense when I heard the words womb and dilating in reference to Gaga’s departure from said egg onstage. We must all wait patiently for what will be the great birthing of this legend…. Blah, blah, blah. We learn this is not entirely true as it appears that Gaga is clothed in black in said opaque egg and her emergence onstage is in something yellow. At some point G has left the birthing canal for a costume change. Now I just feel cheated. Okay, I don’t really feel cheated at all.

Oh look. Rhianna. Wearing a mesh dress of white Christmas garland. That’s a little past the season. Unless my friend Brent still has his Christmas décor up… then she is fine.

Look who else… Eva Longoria and Kim Kardashian(sp?) Because when I think of music awards, I immediately think of Eva and Kim. Riiiiight. Kim’s dress had to be refitted today because it did not fit over her booty.

Thanks for sharing Kim.

Let’s get to the show, shall we?

The opening performance is a tribute to Aretha Franklin featuring Yolanda Adams, Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride, Christina Aguilera, and Florence Welch. I love the music. I mean, who doesn’t love the soulful music of Aretha Franklin? I think individually these women all have strong pipes and make their own beautiful music. But having them all end on the same song and try to out do each other? Tacky. It was nice until the end.

And then Christina stumbles off her shoes.

Lady Gaga: Raise your hands if you are a fan of “This is Spinal Tap” and are holding your breath and hoping the pod/egg will not open? I see that hand!! I do! I really was wishing for a wonderfully bad timed pod/egg malfunction. But alas. I now get to hear Gaga sing different words to Madonna’s “Express Yourself”.

I say this because as G was singing her song, I was able to sing the lyrics to Express Yourself and it completely fits.

I am worried that I know the words to Express Yourself.

G has some pipes. She’s just so freakin’ weird. I am not saying she can’t sing, I am saying having that kind of ability and then wrapping it up in freakishness isn’t really as creative as it looks. Instead, it looks like you’re trying to hide a lack of talent.

Live and sing free Gaga! Don’t stay in that cocoon of awkwardness any longer.

Justin Biebers: Did I spell his name right? I don’t know. I’ll just refer to him as Beebs from this point on.

Why are there Ninja drummers and Ninja acrobats onstage with the Beebs? Does anyone know? Because when I think of the Grammys… I automatically think of Ninjas. Don’t you?

Oh. Wait. There’s a Will Smith child onstage. This song must have been from the Karate Kid movie. That explains the Ninjas. Kind of. At any rate, the Beebs has talent and moves, and a relationship with Usher, who has now joined the party.

Uh-oh. Usher’s shades went flying. He’s not nearly as cool as he was just a few seconds ago. I can’t remember a time I have seen Usher perform without shades. This may be a Grammy first! They really are doing a good job. But, I don’t get the whole Beebs fever thing.

Then again, I’m not a pre-pubescent girl.

Bob Dylan: A moment I have been waiting for. I’ve seen Dylan in concert a couple of times and he puts on a really good show.

Who are these people? Mumford & Sons? Is that like Sanford and Sons, only different? And then there’s this other band… Avert something? Where is Dylan? I thought it was going to be…

There he is! Bob!! Remember me from Nashville?

Bob? Clear your throat Bob. I’ve been rooting for you here Bob.

Wait just a minute. I sit through two songs PRE-Bob by two bands I don’t know and then Bob comes out and I get a verse and a chorus and three blows on the harmonica? I’m feeling a little cheated again here.

Lady Antebellum: I don’t know a lot about this group because they are a country group… but the one song they do that is so popular is pretty beautiful and I think they harmonize very well… and I know they are generous people.

Cee Lo Green & Gwyneth Paltrow… and a few muppets – Oh My.

Confession time: I actually kinda really love this song.

Let me rephrase. I love the G rated version of this song. I am appalled at the X rated version (because I think it is worse than an R rating) But the G rated version has a great beat and so… there you have it.

Now… Cee Lo is looking a little George Clinton & Funkadelic and I have NO idea why there are muppets on the show… but I get the Gwyneth tie because she did this song when she appeared on Glee. If nothing else, I want Gwyn’s shoes and this is the most colorful event of the night.

Best New Artist Award: Getting ready for the Beebs’ fan base to being shrieking.

BUT NO!!! The award goes to Esperanza Spaulding! No one can believe it. Not even the Beebs can believe it!

Raise your hands if you know who Esperanza Spaulding is. (Crickets chirping)

I have a feeling Google is going to be overloaded for searches for her, since no one has heard of her. But… you Go Girl!

But… Esperanza apparently plays the upright bass. So, she’s pretty cool in my book.

The Beebs is watching her play upright bass from the audience and he is still in shock. He can’t even spell Esperanza.

Mick Jagger: Well Mick… you still got the moves and the pipes. You go on with your bad self. Classic.

Barbra Streisand: Ahhh… Evergreen. Babs is introduced by Kris Kristofferson who played opposite her in “A Star is Born”, which was the first R-rated movie I ever saw.

Sidenote: my mother took me to see A Star is Born. I think it may have been the first and last movie my mother took me to see. We went because we love music. We were not expecting curse words and nudity.

My mother announced that we were not expecting curse words and nudity to the entire movie audience at the time. I sank into my seat and tried to pretend I didn’t know her.

Back to Babs.

I love this song. It reminds me of the movie. I don’t agree with Babs on any number of political positions… but the sister can sing. AND… her performance actually has a melody and full orchestrations. Take that! Rhianna.

But for the LOVE, Grammy producers! What would make you think a great segueway would be to go from BABS to handing an award to Eminem for RAP? Were you smoking Crack when you put this show together? You go from BABS to a standing ovation to a commercial break you Jack Wagons!

Here’s John Cougar Mellencamp/Cougar/Mellencamp’s illegitimate love child P. Diddy… Diddy… or Sean Combs… or Sean John… or Puff Daddy… or Puff Pastry. Crap. I can’t keep up with this man’s name. And when did he go all GRILL on us? Seriously affecting your speech pattern there Diddy, er, Daddy, er… whatever.

More Rhianna. With Drake. I don’t know who Drake is… and I only know Rhianna because of her hair and her ability to make me want to stuff cotton balls in my ears. Not a fan of Rhianna. Its just the tone of her voice that grates on me. Others like her and that’s fine. I am not a fan of the bedazzled chastity belt she is wearing… but I like the color of her hair.

You know… I liked Empire State of Mind for about the first 150 times I heard it. I’m kinda over it now.

Arcade Fire: I have no idea who this group is… I am just grateful that I don’t suffer from epilepsy. I also don’t know why there are dirt bike riders on stage. Because when I think of the Grammys, I immediately think of dirt bike riders.

And pro football players… because Clay Matthews was there earlier. And I ALWAYS think of Pro Football players when I think of the Grammys.

And… Arcade Fire wins the big prize at the end.

And all the dirt bike riders in America rejoiced.

And I could finally stop watching and do my homework.

Just a Game??

2011-02-12T18:39:00.000-06:00

I have the best of friends. I really do. On Thursday, in the midst of the snow here in

Coach Calipari and Doron Lamb

Tennessee, I got a text from my friend Missy. She had two tickets for me if I wanted them - to go to the Kentucky/Vanderbilt basketball game in Nashville.

I'm a Kentucky fan. Did you know? Missy knew. She's a rock star in my book now. A Complete Rock. Star. So is her son Eli, who was the actual initial recipient of the tickets. I am just glad that he really did not want to go to that game.

So, I got to go. I took my older brother. This will undoubtedly cause problems with my younger brother. But I figure it is payback for the fact that he went to Lexington and was at the 2000th basketball win at Kentucky. Did I get an invite to that? No. No, I didn't.

Paybacks really do stink at times.

At any rate... the seats were GREAT! We were seated right next to the Vandy student section... and that was loud. But the people who were in our closest proximity were pretty nice to us. There were hecklers around that were a little hateful, but we just tried to ignore them.

I got to take my camera in, so I thought I would share a few with the three people who read this blog:

Terrence Jones - warming up

Really wish I had a faster shutter speed to get these shots a little clearer

Gotta love this team!!

Tip Off

Coach Cal - right after the technical was called on Liggins. I agree with Cal - it was a bad call

Brandon Knight (12) and Terrence Jones (3) bringing the ball up the court

Time to huddle up. It's too bad we lost this game. But, it is always great to see this team play!

Thoughts at One in the Morning.

2011-02-10T01:30:00.000-06:00

1. Why am I still awake at this time of night? Because it has snowed, which means I don't have to worry about getting to work on time. I will make it to work at some point, but I have no idea when. If tonight's traffic is any indication, I might get to work by Noon. I have friends who were stuck in traffic for more than four hours... just trying to travel 35 miles. Welcome to middle Tennessee.

2. I was not stuck in traffic. The snow started at my office at about 3:15. They were tiny flakes, and I did not think it was going to be a problem. Within 15 minutes, the ground was starting to get covered and so were the roads. So, I got on the road with the hopes that I could get in front of the storm and still travel the back roads. Why? Because I knew the main roads were going to be packed and I did not want to sit in my car for four hours.

3. I am grateful that I was able to beat the snow home. Which I did. My drive was about an hour, and I was very happy for that.

4. I rarely get lost. I get this from my father I think. If I get a little turned around, I will just keep driving until I see something familiar. It usually works out. And... I usually find another little side road or adventure.

5. Roads are adventurous. Food is not. I don't really want adventure in my food. I have never thought about octopus and wondered what it would taste like. The same thing with beef tongue. Or liver. Some parts of the animal just don't need to be eaten. And some animals just don't seem like they should be eaten either. Like octopus.

6. I love Kevin Kline. He is quirky and fun and a wonderful actor.

7. I saw a few minutes of a new television show tonight: Mr. Sunshine. I forgot that it was premiering tonight and so it had already started when I got around to turning to that channel. I really liked what I saw. F-U-N-N-Y. Seriously funny. I am going to go find it on ABC and see if I can get the entire episode.

8. I had homemade chili tonight. It was wonderful. It may be why I am still awake. Or I could still be awake because I am blogging right now.

9. My I-pod appears to have died. This makes me very, very sad. I hooked it up to my computer and I got nothing. Not. A. Thing.

10. I can't think of anything else to say, but I didn't want to end with number nine. Now, I can officially go to sleep.

Super Bowl XLV Commercial Recap

2011-02-06T21:36:00.000-06:00

5:22 – Lea Michelle sings America the Beautiful and apparently many believe it is the National Anthem. Exxcept for Aaron Rodgers who is looking around and wondering what all the fuss is about. He is apparently not a Glee fan.

5:23: Christina Aguilera. Did she mess up the words to the National anthem? Yes, yes she did. If there is ever a song to know all the words to, it would be the National Anthem. Heck… get a teleprompter if you have to. And did she really have to go there on that last note? Don’t try to go all Whitney Houston on us here Christina. I’m a fan of yours. Really I am. But when Lea Michelle is better than you… it’s just sad.

5:35 Kick off – and We’re off. Oh wait… that’s horse racing.

5:44 FIRST commercial break:

Bud Light kitchen make-over. You guys spent a lot of money for nothing. That’s a fail.

Doritos Pug attack. I think this may have been like a winner of a contest. You usually can’t go wrong with a cute dog, but: Blah.

Audi: This actually had some thought behind it. Clever.

5:50 SECOND commercial break:

Doritos: Wow. Did he just suck that man’s fingers? And sniff that other man’s pants? Okay. That was better than the pug, but I feel somewhat dirty now and it has nothing to do with nacho cheese residue.

Chevrolet Cruze: Chevy missed the mark with this one. Am I getting too cynical? I am expecting more and so far, epic fail on the commercial departments.

Pepsi: Ick. I say this probably because I HATE Pepsi. H-A-T-E it. Really. But this just wasn’t all that. Keeping my hopes up that they are saving the better ones for later.

5:56 THIRD commercial break:

Bud Lite spoof of Three Musketeers movie and product placement. That was better than the kitchen make-over, but that is not saying much.

8:44 FOURTH commercial break

Chevy Truck: Okay… the first commercial to make me laugh out loud. Nice throwback to the old Lassie days.

Movie: Faster & Furiouser? Oh. Five Fast. I guess I had to have seen the first four in order to appreciate the commercial. Or that Dwayne Johnson

Ashton Kutcher is behind Laura Bush. Hoping she doesn’t get punked

A-Rod apparently can’t feed himself. Nice that Cameron is there to help out.

Packers score first. Much to my dismay.

6:02 FOURTH commercial break:

Pepsi Max: Still no. I cannot think of a way that Pepsi could make a commercial that would make me want to buy and drink their product. Have I mentioned that I hate Pepsi? This was better than the last one, but what is it with Pepsi and hitting people?

Doritos- Dead fish. Who knew Doritos had the power to restore life? Bringing Grandpa back was rather epic.

Hyundai Elantra. That didn’t do much for me… and I own a Hyundai

I don’t count the Fox show commercials

6:05 FIFTH set of commercials:

Movie trailer for Cowboys & Aliens. You know, when I first saw this ad a few months ago, I thought it was a joke. It apparently is not a joke. It has Daniel Craig in it and I love Daniel Craig. But I’m not so sure about this movie. Probably a rental.

Kia’s one epic ride. That cost a lot of money. Good use of a tagline though.

6:08 Packers score again. And there’s a flag on the play? There was no reason for a flag. I don’t think that was excessive. My Steelers may be in trouble here.

6:09 SIXTH set of commercials:

Eminem for Brisk Ice Tea. Because Slim Shady doesn’t want to do a beer commercial? This may not be the best marketing of his brand. Ice Tea? Really? At any rate, claymation Eminem is not really any better than the real thing. But maybe a little cuter.

6:16 SEVENTH commercial break

Bridgestone Tire. That was pretty clever. It took me a while to get what the commercial was for, but clever.

Go Daddy. So far the best use of celebrity – and I’m not talking Danica Patrick or Jillian Michaels, but Joan Rivers. That was fun. Even though I really hate Go Daddy commercials.

Steelers finally on the board.

6:23 EIGHTH commercial break

Budweiser: It’s the CLYDESDALES! But not really. I am hoping for a better Clydesdale commercial coming up. However, the fact that this is using Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” is pretty classic.

Telaflora commercial with Faith Hill: Pretty good. Nice rack. Let’s us know where men’s minds really are. Not a surprise there.

Movie Trailer: Transformers again? Okay. I liked the others, so I’ll give it a chance. But probably as a rental.

Hey! John Travolta & Ron Howard are in the house. How did they get tickets, I wonder?

6:26 NINTH commercial break

BMW – Please buy our cars. We’re helping the economy here. We have plants all over the country. Okay… at least in the south and the west coast.

Motorola Xoom. Apparently better than the IPad, which is just a cookie cutter gadget. The Xoom makes you take the stairs. Buys flowers for girls and doesn’t listen to Ipods. The Xoom makes you an individual… and makes girls not listen to their Ipods either.

BMW (part Two) Smog is bad. Bad smog. Bad. The diesel Beemer is better for the environment. Of course, you still can’t afford one… but if you could, they’d have the car to buy.

6:31 TENTH commercial break

Coke commercial: Is it Lord of the Rings? No… its COKE. It vanquishes the Orcs and creates fireworks. It cost a lot of money and the only reason I am not completely slamming it is because it is Coke, which is better than Pepsi any day.

Movie trailer for Thor: Natalie Portman? Really?

VW mini Darth Vader: BEST. COMMERCIAL. EVER. At least, so far. Hilarious. How can you go wrong with a little kid in a Darth Vader costume?

6:39 ELEVENTH commercial break

Snickers: Richard Lewis & Roseanne Barr. Okay… I laughed here. Anything that knocks Roseanne on her keister.

Career Builder: Chimps make bad drivers… and bad commercials.

Movie trailer: Super 8. I have no idea what this movie will be about.

6:49 TWELTH commercial break:

Onstar: They can give you Facebook statuses now… because that is important when you are driving.

Movie trailer: Capt America: This makes me happy. I’d like to see more.

CarMax: That was cute. It was a little too fast to blog about, but clever.

6:57 FINALLY the Steelers get a TD. It only took them until 39 second left in the first half.

And now… HALF- TIME

Black Eyed Peas - Dropping from the ceiling is AWESOME. That may be the end of the awesomeness of this show though.

I Gotta Feeling. I Gotta Feeling the sound engineers should get the mics working. I am all about live performances and no lip synching… but it really means the sound guys get the mix right. How hard can this be? You’re playing a track and have four wireless mic units to run. Epic Fail on the sound guys. They shouldn’t get paid.

BOOM BOOM POW – It’s a Tron half time show. LED outfits are pretty cool. Not Winter Olympics cool, but cool nonetheless.

Really… get the freakin’ mics working.

SLASH!! But… why is Fergie singing Guns & Roses music? Why is she trying to dance around Slash? You don’t get your groove on with Slash! That’s sacrilegious.

USHER! His mic works. Sorta. He can get his grove on though.

And now… the floor says Love. And the sound issues are still there… and the show is over.

People either loved or hated that halftime show. The sound engineers should probably never be hired for a live event again.

7:36 Back to commercials- THIRTEENTH commercial break

Cars.com. Blah.

Etrade Baby. Love these commercials. Still like the Ipad one better, but this was worthy of a giggle. Who doesn’t love babies talking and getting measured for a suit by an Italian designer? Only Nazis.

Best Buy. Ozzie and the Biebers. Now this was fun. I hate that they want to put Ozzie out to pasture and let the Biebs take over, but a great commercial. And I hate the Biebs. Was that Justin Timberlake at the end?

I may have missed some commercials as the puppy had to be taken outside and there are just some things one should not delay. Puppy potty breaks are one of them.

7:50 FOURTEENTH commercial break

Elantra. Still not exciting. Still not going to buy that car. Will keep my Santa Fe.

Groupon. Tim Hutton? Really? That was the best you can do? I don’t think I even knew there was a Tibetan food group category.

Coke. We’ll bring peace to the world, if you’ll just let us. The border guards have nothing but love for each other now. Loved this commercial. But then again, I love Coke. Have I mentioned that?

7:53 FIFTEENTH commercial break

Stella Artois. Adrian Brody sings in a nightclub. Makes me want to snap my fingers over and over, smoke foreign herbal cigarettes and wear dramatically black clothing. And rhyme. Doesn’t make me want to buy a beer though.

Carmax. Thing of the past ad. That was great fun. Enjoyed the panicked feeling of this generation not understanding full service at a gas station. Dang. I’m old.

Simon Cowell is back? Why?

8:01 SIXTEENTH commercial break

What does Detroit know about luxury? I give up. They don’t have much in the way of a football team. Hey… it’s a Chrysler commercial. Do they even still make Chryslers? Apparently so. Is that Eminem? Driving a Chrysler? I really do not think he is all that bad@$$ any more if he drives a Chrysler and drinks Lipton Brisk tea.

8:22 SEVENTEETH commercial break

NFL. Best Fans Ever. May shoot to the top of Best. Commercial.

Jack in the Box. An American Jack Combo. This would be a great commercial except for the fact that all the Jack in the Box restaurants in middle TN have closed. Sad.

Arbys. They serve fish now? Fail. They only serve Pepsi products. I will order their roast beef and drive across to the McDonald’s for a Coke.

8:32 EIGHTEENTH commercial break

Movie trailer: Rango. Who isn’t going to love this? Johnny Depp playing a lizard. Not that far a cry from Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, if you think about it.

Cars.com Talking cars. I have yet to see an impressive car commercial.

Bud lite. Dogs as wait staff. This is awesome. Dogs playing poker… does it get any better than that?

8:35 NINETEENTH commercial break.

Sonata hybrid. Better than the other Hyundai commercials.

Pepsi commercial. Okay, this was funny and you know how I hate Pepsi. Another example of how men and women are truly different and think on different planes. Still won’t buy the product.

Movie Trailer: Rio. Cute animated film… with apparently a big booty involved.

8:44 TWENTIETH commercial break:

Bridgestone – so much better than the last Bridgestone commercial.

Go daddy. I hate these commercials. I always have.

VW Beetle. Oh Black Betty, Bam-a-Lam. Love it. It’s a bug and I like it. This is monumental because I hate bugs. The insects, not the car. I learned to drive a stick shift on a VW Beetle.

8:47 TWENTY-FIRST commercial break:

Mercedes Benz. With Janis Joplin? Classic. So why did you have to ruin it with P Diddy? This was an awesome ad, P Diddy appearance notwithstanding.

House Commercial. I said I wouldn’t include these… but that was CLASSIC!! Love the play off the old Mean Joe Green commercial.

8:57 TWENTY-SECOND commercial break

Camaro. I used to own a Camaro. I never looked like those women. But I sure drove it fast. Man, I loved that car!

Verizon guy is back!! Yay. We can still hear you too. The best decision I made was to change to Verizon. Have I ever mentioned that?

Movie Trailer:Limitless. De Niro. That may be worth it.

Skechers. With Kim Kar??? No thank you. If I had ever thought to buy those shoes, I have just made the decision to pass on them.

9:09 TWENTY-THIRD and final commercial break

Etrade Baby – flu shot with the cat. Awesome.

Okay… I’m going to move over to Hawaii 5-0 because my team lost and I will enjoy a H50 rerun better than these commercials.
No Clydesdales= Lame.

Snow Days

2011-01-26T09:42:00.000-06:00

FINALLY... I have my camera whilst there is snow. The last couple of snow storms we have had, my baby brother had my camera and was out of town. So now... I can share with you this:

Cardinal at our bird feeder

The Holly Tree in our front yard

Beautiful snow covered tree in our neighbor's backyard

I think this may be my favorite show of all... Daddy & Momma Cardinal

At the bird bath...

Momma chillin' in the snow...

Momma at the bird bath

The new puppy - Bella - enjoying the snow

As the snow was coming down

Just beautiful

Enjoy the day wherever you are!

Just Stuff

2011-01-19T22:43:00.000-06:00

1. I love Sonic ice. I don't know why I love it, but I do. I think it is because I can munch on it without breaking my teeth. I love Sonic ice so much that sometimes I get an extra large cup of ice that will last me almost through the workday. I may be a little weird.

2. In my perfect dream house, I will have an automatic ice maker. It will make Sonic ice. I may be a little obsessed.

3. I just heard Little Jimmy Dickens sing these words: "May the Bird of Paradise fly up your nose." He turned 90 and had a birthday celebration. He used to come into the Sears store where I worked as a teenager and bought things from me. He is very short. He would have been about 60 years old then. I have just aged myself.

4. I cannot believe I worked at Sears 30 years ago. I may need to cry for a minute.

5. I also worked at the Opryland theme park. I miss Opryland. I really, really do.

6. My boss totally rocked today. Why? Because he had a deposition in Goodlettsville yesterday and I told him about Chef's Market... which is one of the best eating establishments in the middle Tennessee area... and he went there and spent a LOT of money buying a wonderful lemon cake and bringing it into the office. I ate some today after lunch. I promptly fell into a sugar coma and I may never come out of it.

7. I love Hawaii 5-0. The old show was great but the new show is wonderfully written and shot in a great nitty-gritty kind of way. I would move to Hawaii to work on that production team. I would probably move to Hawaii for other reasons too.

8. Item number 7 may interfere with my plans to move to Montana. I have never been to Montana, but I want to live there. The pictures are beautiful.

9. I have never broken a bone in my body. I am now frantically looking for some wood to knock on. I would be happy to live my entire life without breaking a bone in my body.

10. This semester's classes already feel better than the last semester. It has only been a week since I started class, but I don't feel the need to crawl into a cave and cease to exist like I did last semester.

I think ten items is enough for now.

Yep... it's been a while

2011-01-14T20:03:00.003-06:00

The past few months may have been some of the most difficult months I have endured in a while. I was so overwhelmed with school that I really imploded. I took nine hours of classes on top of starting a new job with a new law firm.

It was beyond taxing. I found that I got up in the morning at 5:30a to get to work by 7:00a and work until 4:00p. Then I would get home by 4:45p, eat a quick bite for dinner and begin schoolwork/homework, etc by 6:00p. That would typically go into about 1:00a and the cycle would start all over again. Unless it was the weekend... in which I hit the turbo thrusters and stayed up until 3 or 4a, sleep until about 9a and start the process all over again.

Insane. It was completely insane. It was so insane that I am not sure what occurred during the last semester as far as anything else in the world was concerned.

Have I learned my lesson? Yes. I've learned a few. The first being that I will not take nine hours and work full-time. Sorry... I'm just not the young girl who has the ability to do that sort of thing anymore.

Second... I have to keep a balance in my life. I only see my friends through Facebook. Seriously. Therefore, I will make a concerted effort to get out of the house and see actual live, breathing people this semester.

Third... no procrastinating the homework this semester. This happened last semester mostly because I was always working on some project or another and I really spent the semester putting out the fire that was close enough to burn me.

This semester I will be taking two classes. I already feel like I can breathe easier.

Our family did lose and gain a member during the semester. On the Saturday before Thanksgiving, our 10 year old toy poodle developed a heart condition that was going to be a chronic problem and we chose to put him down. This was especially difficult for my father, who really adored that dog.

So, two weeks later, I searched for a replacement dog. I tried a few rescue places and found other poodles, but they were all aged and we just did not want to get too attached to another dog that might not be around that long.

Off to Craigslist I went and found a wonderful little miniature pinscher puppy down in Chattanooga, Tennessee. We contacted the owner, made the arrangements and the next day I drove to Chattanooga and picked up Bella.

She's captured our hearts. And most importantly... we ALL love this dog. The last one was not as thoroughly loved by all members of the family. Here is Bella with Dad...

So... we have enjoyed getting Bella accustomed to our home life and she has made the transition really well.

And now... back to the books.

Automatic Toilets are of the Devil

2010-09-16T21:08:00.003-05:00

So… I’m living in a crazy time of my life right now. I started a new job and I am taking three classes this semester.

I may have lost my mind.

Seriously.

I did this all at the same time. I started the new job on a Monday and started college classes the next Monday. It is a good thing I went to Arkansas between the two jobs. I am not sure when I will be able to travel again. Hopefully, mid-December after finals.

So, my new job is, of course, in a new office. The funny part is that my new office is about 1.3 miles from my old one.

Apparently, the building owners at my new office are passionate about automatic bathroom features. Everything is operated by motion detectors… the soap dispenser, the paper towel dispenser, and the toilets. These features eliminate the need for hundreds of hands (with millions of germs) to touch the same fixtures.

I get the point of automatic features. However, the toilets are freaking me out a little bit. They randomly flush with no warning. Let’s say you sneeze… the toilet will flush. You reach over to the toilet paper roll, the toilet flushes. You can turn your head and the toilet will flush.

Then… when you stand up… which is when the toilet SHOULD flush. Nothing.

You can turn around and wave your arms and nothing happens.

I could dance a jig in front of the toilet and it would not flush.

I think there is a conspiracy here somewhere, but I’m not looking for it. It may be germy.

Yes... I'm a Proud Aunt.

2010-09-03T22:11:00.005-05:00

I am proud of all my nieces and nephew. They are all individually wonderful people. But tonight... tonight we will focus on Joey.

He's the only boy. He's taller than I am now. That makes me a little sad. He and I went to see the A-Team movie for his 15th birthday and I let him drive my car back from Mt. Juliet to Smyrna.

That made me a little sad too. But, he did a great job.

He made the football team at Blackman High School. He's a Blaze. (That's the mascot)

I went to and graduated from Smyrna High School. Many, oh so many years ago. I am a Bulldog.

Blackman and Smyrna played each other tonight. It is a big rivalry. They were playing to see who would get the number one slot in the state. I decided I would wear a purple shirt, but an orange overshirt. The purple representing Smyrna (Purple & Gold) and the orange for Blackman (Navy and Orange).

However... in comparison with the other oranges in the crowd, my shirt was not orange enough. I promise I tried to represent both teams somewhat equally. I was told by two of my nieces that I failed horribly.

Oh well.

The Blaze kids know how to have a lot of fun. Here are some of the students pre-game.

They were full of spirit.

The Smyrna kids were too. But I wasn't close enough to get pictures of them. They pulled off a pretty cool effect: when the football team hit the field, the SHS kids all threw baby powder up in the air. It looked like smoke (as if they were putting out the Blaze... get it?)

Clever.

But this... this is what I came here for: my boy Joey!!

(He'd probably want me to say, my Man Joey. But, I can't do that yet.)

Number 99!!!

You can see my Alma Mater represented on the other side there.

(Insert a quiet Go Dawgs here)

Smyrna won 24-7!! Oh. Sorry Joey. I mean... Blackman was ROBBED!!

It Has Been A Month

2010-08-29T21:44:00.008-05:00

Since the last post, I have vacationed and taken a new job and made it to World Six on the Super Mario Brothers – Wii version.

I know you’ve been most anxious to hear that last bit of truth. Let me just say... I have done this on my own. No additional help from the younger generation.

I hear you applauding. Thank you. Thank you so much.

I left my old job for a job with a few less dollars, but with more stability and secured benefits. I traveled to Macon, Georgia to train for this job and found that a past co-worker from our Memphis office was going to be working for this new firm as well. We were able to go through training together and have dinner together. It was wonderful to get there and know somebody!!

I got back home and started working at my new office… but I arrived there before my desk did. So… for the first two weeks, I have worked from a computer sitting atop a card table. It’s a little wobbly… but that’s okay. It is a little like working on a cruise ship. The good news is that my desk arrives tomorrow (Yay!!) and it will hopefully allow me to not face the back wall (I feel like I’ve been in time out for a couple of weeks) and will let me get a little more organized. I am so looking forward to it.

The people I work with have been great! They are very easy to get along with a very helpful in showing me how to use their system. I am waiting to that first paycheck to arrive, and it really could not get here quicker. Because I took a week off between my two jobs, it has been awhile since I have seen any money and I have had to purchase college textbooks (never cheap) and dip into my savings account.

I am just glad that I had a savings account to dip into!

That brings me to the quick jaunt over to Arkansas to visit my favorite aunt and uncle. Okay, okay… they are my ONLY aunt and uncle… but are my faves anyway! They were in the process of purchasing a new home in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas and I am so glad I got to go see it. It is a beautiful home set on a golf course. I cannot wait to make that trip now that they have finalized the paperwork and are starting to move in!! I will post pictures when Blogger lets me. For some reason, it is taking a very long time to download. I'm not patient enough to wait.

Finally, I am starting back to college again. My classes start tomorrow and I am taking three courses this year… Intro to Non-profit Management, Public Relations and Technical Writing. I am hoping that the three courses don’t just completely wig me out. However, if I am not on here too much, that will certainly be the reason why!!

I have to go now… I need to get back to Super Mario Brothers!!

Playing a Little Catch Up!!

2010-07-26T15:47:00.001-05:00

The last time I blogged, I took you on a small tour of the various items in my backyard. I am happy to say, we have not added anything since the last shopping spree. However… my aunt and uncle will be here for an overnight visit on Wednesday. I am hoping to use my new Wii to keep them so busy there will be no time for shopping and seeing what else can be added to the collection.

There have been some new things going on in my little world, so here I am to update you on life in general:

1. PROBLEM: Not long after the yard ornament take-over occurred, we began seeing quite a bit of squirrel activity on the bird feeders in our yard. Now, before you admonish me about how squirrels need food too… let me explain that we have plenty of acorns and other tree bits of sustenance for the squirrels. But, we love our birds. That’s why we have feeders. The squirrels are no respecter of bird feeders and they have taken to scattering the birds away and feasting on the feeders themselves.

SOLUTION: BB/pellet gun. The maternal unit and I spend a goodly amount of time on the back porch with said implement of destruction within reach and… well… we pop those little suckers of with great regularity. The birds love us for it. The squirrels… not so much. The maternal unit and I could be considered in some circles as Annie Oakley. We get our squirrels every time! It is actually pretty fun. Again… before you alert PETA… be aware that the BBs/pellets do not kill the animals, but instead run them off. AND… they are wary enough that when we step out the back door, they scamper away. Typically before we reach the gun.

2. NEW JOB: I went on my first job interview in about 12 years a few weeks ago. I was not as nervous as I thought I would be. The great part is that I got the job!! Things at my office had been a little difficult in the past couple of years and business has dropped off a good bit. I just felt like I needed some stability. So, as of August 16 I will be an employee with the staff counsel’s office for GEICO insurance in Brentwood, Tennessee. Very excited about this new chapter in my life. Plus, I get to spend a couple of days in Macon, Georgia at the GEICO office learning the ins and outs of the company. Good times!! It will be really hard to leave my friends here at White & Rhodes, but I think this is the best decision for me.

3. The Fauna are Taunting Me with their Sexual Escapades. Take a look back up to number one and our issue with the squirrels. I have found there is one reason not to shoot the squirrels. I cannot seem to make myself pull the trigger if the little nymphos are “doing it”. Apparently, word has gotten out in the squirrel community… as the little buggers seem to enjoy “doing it” in the very tree with our main bird feeder.

And… it isn’t just the squirrels that are taunting me. On Friday, I left my office to go home from work. As I approached my car, I saw what I thought was a very large butterfly on my driver’s side window. I figured it would float away as soon as I came near, or at least opened the door. Alas. It did not. More alas… it was not a single butterfly, but apparently a male/female butterfly.

Guess what they were doing? YES! Taunting me with their sexual nature. They didn’t move off the window either. I hated to interrupt them… but I had somewhere to be. I moved my car slowly out of the parking lot and they finally realized a white Hyundai Santa Fe was not the most conducive spot to make whoopee.

I just said make whoopee. I feel like I’m on the Newlywed Game!!

4. Wii. I bought a Wii. Yes. Yes I did. I bought a Wii and a Wii Fit Plus board and I am a MASTER at Rhythm Kung Fu. I’m just saying! I love this Wii. It is great fun. The maternal unit and I are using this to exercise and we are enjoying it. The maternal unit apparently has little hula-hoop experience – as she almost threw her hips out of line with that game – but she can Kick. Butt on the bowling game. Seriously. I have YET to win a game against her… and that is a really sad thing to admit.

However… she apparently has no concept of the fact that the Wii bowling game is played in the confines of our very own living room. I say this because every time she plays… she “throws” the ball and then she takes three steps out and away from the lane. Next thing I’m going to do is buy her a bowling shirt and shoes to make her experience complete.

Lest you think I’m a complete wuss… I kill her in tennis!!!

I also reverted to the old days and purchased the Super Mario Brothers game. Don’t ask me which incarnation… I can’t remember. I just know that I can spend HOURS on that thing. Literally. I cannot stand it to not reach my goal. So… after a few days of desperation… I called in my backup – namely my 15-year-old nephew, Joey, who got me through the second castle and onto level 2, where we made it to that second castle before our eyes completely crossed and our thumbs were numb!

I love my nephew. He rocks. Plus, he’s taller than me now, which makes me feel small and old. But that’s another topic for another day.

Stay tuned for all the fun that is the fun!!

Just More Stuff

2010-06-23T21:21:00.014-05:00

Last week, the maternal unit went to Arkansas to visit her sister. Every time we called, we were interrupting them from the same thing.

Shopping.

Shopping, shopping, shopping.

The maternal unit and the aunt are consummate shoppers. They look for and find wonderful bargains. These few days were no different.

What did they find, you ask? Stuff.

Just. More. Stuff.

More. Stuff. that would go in the yard.

More. Stuff. that would one day fill a garage sale.

More. Stuff. that we would have to move around to mow. Except the maternal unit actually has placed all the More. Stuff. around the fence, so it won't interfere with the mowing.

Of course, all the More. Stuff. has been relocated four or five times this week.

Now... I give you...

More. Stuff. (In no particular order)

This is some sort of iron butterfly. (Not the 70s rock group... they are a completely different topic for a completely different time) I am not sure what the purpose is for the iron butterfly sculpture thingy... except that it makes the maternal unit happy.

See that bird feeder in the background? That is another item. It has been relocated many a time and many a different height. The evil squirrels in my yard love it too. But again... another story for another time.

Look here. These are solar paneled lights. They come on after dark. They glow. They are all over the yard.

This is what they look like when they are glowing...

This is a gazing ball. It's green and made of glass.

It bears only slight resemblance to this gazing ball, which is silver. At least they are both round. They are not located in the same place in the yard.

This is a pretty and colorful banner. I don't mind it so much because I love cardinals (the bird... not the sports team from Kentucky... there is only one sports team from Kentucky, and it is more fearsome than a cardinal. But that is another story for another time.)

Cardinals remind me of my maternal grandfather. He used to paint pictures of them. He painted pictures of robins and blue jays too... but the cardinals were his best and my favorite.

Look!! A birdbath. We have like three or four of them throughout the yard.

Look... another one. There is one in the front yard too. I don't mind birdbaths so much. Mostly because I enjoy watching the birds frolick in the water. They are cute when they are flapping around in there.

The maternal unit paid a dollar for this piece of art. Why? Because it is broken. She probably hot glued that thing back together.

Iron bird house.

Look here... it's another sculpture. Isn't it precious? (Not to be mistaken for the Lord of the Rings reference to The Ring - although Golum might be lurking about the yard and we'd never see him. He's probably hiding in that concrete Japanese temple/house thing we have.)

Here's a cardinal. It is red. It did not come to us red. It came to us in its basest concrete form. However, the maternal unit hit it with a can of red spray paint.

And then, there was this little fellow... No yard would be complete without a frog on a mushroom. Or is this a toad on a toadstool? I cannot tell.

One little frog/toad would be lonely. So, apparently, he needed a friend. Apparently his friend needed a hat. Maybe this frog/toad is a girl. I kinda hope so. I would hate to see a boy frog/toad hanging out in the yard in this get up without any reason for it.

No yard would be complete without a planter in the shape of the female form.

Or a male one...

We are a patriotic family. We have the solar powered lights to prove it.

See... they glow after dark too.

I actually like these wire artsy things. We have three of them. This is elongated...

And this is more rounded.

You'd think we were a "green" family for all the solar operated stuff we now have in the yard. We aren't though. We just throw our garbage out with little heed to where it ends up. However, we do have this solar paneled flower. We have three or four of them. This is what they look like in the daylight.

This is the evening look. Everyone ooh and ahh or there may be heck to pay!!

Birds. Birds who are seeing no evil, hearing no evil and speaking no evil. I always thought it was monkeys who did that, but what do I know?

Forget welcome mats! We just go for welcome rocks!! (Complete with butterfly)

The final solar powered item... acrylic butterflies. We have three of them. They are not JUST solar powered... they are LED and change colors. I am not posting the different colors here... you will just have to trust me on that one.

Well. That's it for now. I'm sure I will be adding additional gems as they come about.

Scrubbing Bubbles

2010-06-18T09:57:00.002-05:00

I don’t usually endorse products, but for the sake of a fun story, I will endorse this one. I am a fan of the Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Cleaning Gel.

Okay. Actually, I am a fan of anything Scrubbing Bubbles. It started with the commercials first came out on television and I wanted my very own happy bubbles scurrying around my bathtub, toilet and bath sink. Those bubbles were just so darned cute!

Much better than thinking there was a little man in a rowboat hanging out in my toilet tank. Ick.

Anyway, I have been using the Scrubbing Bubbles for years now to clean my bathroom. So, when their new product came out, toilet cleaning gel, I was intrigued. On one of my forays to Wal-Mart to purchase household items, I grabbed one of these to try it out.

I loved it.

Not so much because it was really keeping my toilet bowl any cleaner than normal, but it did leave a wonderfully fresh and clean smell in my bathroom.

I think clean smelling bathrooms are essential.

I just bought my second gel stick and applied it to the toilet bowl… and learned a great lesson.

If one applies said gel mixture too close to the rim where the water flows into the toilet bowl when one flushes… one will be treated to dancing waters that would make the Bellagio in Vegas proud.

Or perhaps, one would have a custom made bidet.

Regardless… water will spurt right up out of the toilet bowl. I am happy to say I did not learn about this until after standing up… or I would have had quite the surprise!!

Thank you Scrubbing Bubbles. I feel so European now!

Have I ever mentioned....

2010-06-13T14:55:00.004-05:00

... the close resemblance my family has to the Clampett family from the Beverly Hillbilles? No?

Well, okay. We don't have millions in the bank. We haven't struck oil on any property we own. We don't even live in Beverly Hills.

So, I don't know exactly what we are.

Perhaps we are just ingenious. I think that is what my mother thinks more times than not.

Case in point, this:

This is what happens to wrought iron after years and years and YEARS of dog pee. Do you notice how there should be three legs to the post? There are only two. One entire leg has rotted away.

Makes everyone say ick. GO ahead. Say it. I don't mind.

The cost to replace the five separate wrought iron posts is more than we want to spend at this time. However, we also don't want the carport fiberglass roof to fall down and smack us in the noggins. So, my ever inventive maternal unit came up with this idea:

It's concrete. Its a concrete footing for the post. This particular post is actually the railing leading into the house. That is the main entrance for everyone... so it HAD to be fixed.

Thank you, makers of Quik-rete. You have saved the day.

Well... you and the maternal unit and apparently a plastic Solo cup.

Fear not, dear readers... take a look back at that first picture, and you will notice that once the concrete dries up, we'll paint it green to match the decor.

We do have our standards, you know.

Just Catching Up...

2010-06-12T23:41:00.007-05:00

Life is just peachy here in middle Tennessee. Well, not really peachy. More like hot. Extremely hot. HELL hot. The humidity is so high that when I walk out the back door to get in my car to go to work (all of about ten feet) I am sweating by the time I arrive to the car.

Ick.

Hot and sticky. Two things that I am not excited about. Especially since it is only June. There is still July and August to get through.

Ick again.

Then, out of the blue, my nephew turned 15. Okay, it wasn't completely out of the blue. We've seen it coming for a while. He's been counting down the days. He is taller than I am now. That is slightly humiliating. He shaves too. What is that about? This baby to whom I fed his Very. First. Bottle. Ever while the sister-in-law was recovering from C section number three, now shaves and has a driver's permit.

I am looking for a nice walker.

Here is a picture of the 15 year old when he was only 14 (last week) playing ball.

This is him talking with the first base coach

And this is him batting.

For his birthday, I got him a commemorative UK2K basketball and took him to see the movie The A-Team. It was a great movie. Really! From beginning to end, it did not disappoint. Afterwards, I let him drive my car. Yes. I am the best aunt ever!!

The other thing I did last week was take my eldest brother (he really is an elder!!) out to Lantern Lane Farm in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. He wanted to meet the owners and the horses too. Here is Earl with Dolly, the walking horse.

Dolly is not in some sort of undercover secret op group. She's just recovering from an eye infection. She wears this mesh "mask" to keep the dirt and flies out while she is in treatment. She's getting eye drops to clear up the infection.

Now... this week? I will be working out at Lantern Lane Farm getting things a little more organized. Fun, fun, fun!!!

Random Thoughts - 5-25-10

2010-05-25T11:02:00.001-05:00

I love music from all genres. On my Ipod I have all kinds of music from Hard Rock to Worship music and all areas in between. I have Kevin Spacey crooning Mack the Knife and David Bowie’s Space Oddity. I just finished listening to the soundtrack from the musical Chicago and now I am listening to David Bowie’s Young Americans. This morning I bopped into work with Beyonce. Who knows what I will be listening to in 30 minutes?

When I eat a Reese’s peanut butter cup and there is a little bit of chocolaty goodness stuck to the bottom of the wrapper… I lick that goodness right off the paper. I don’t care who sees me.

My “earthy” self wants to get back to the basics. I want to use paper and glass and not so much plastic. However, plastic is more convenient. My “convenient” self likes plastic. It is a war within me that make little sense. I should stop trying to figure that out now.

I actually like being a college student now. This is diametrically opposed to my college experience the first time around. Not that I didn’t have a good time then… but I was a poor student, because I was not serious about it. I am serious about it now. My grades reflect that. I wish I could afford to go back and have a complete Mulligan with the bad grades still abiding on my transcript. Alas… they are not to be erased. If I win the lottery, I will go back and take those classes over and graduate with a 4.0!!

I don’t buy lottery tickets. Pretty sure that will negate that last sentence I just wrote.

Here’s a conversation I had with my friend Requelle (who has lost all her worldly possessions – and house – in the Great Nashville Flood of 2010) after she was gifted with some money from a group of believers in Florida.

Me: So… they gave you some money? That’s great. Let’s go to a movie!! You can pay.

Req: What part of “homeless” do you not understand?

Me: It’s been all about YOU lately!!

Req: If you had called me yesterday, you could probably have talked me into going to Tahiti (Req had a bad day of insurance people/meetings yesterday)

Me: Tahiti? Nah. Montana!!

Req: The beaches in Tahiti would be great

Me: The cowboys in Montana would be better.

Req: Surf… sun… beach…

Me: Bugs.

Req: Hello!!? Montana! Huge bears up there and you are worried about bugs?

Me: Yeah, but you can see bears coming at you. Its not like you are going to wake up in the middle of the night and say, Oh… a got a bear bite!

Req: You are the most random person.

Me: Yes. Yes I am. I will blog about that now.

At it Again...

2010-04-26T11:18:00.003-05:00

For those three of you who read my blog, I apologize for not writing sooner about the status of the front lawn, a/k/a devastated disaster site with no trees.

Is devastated disaster an oxymoron? Or am I? Things to ponder.

Instead... I have been pushing hard to get to the end of this semester of college. It is only about a week away now. That's a light at the end of yet another tunnel.

I also decided I had to do something to get myself some physical activity. Mucking out Aurora's stall on Wednesdays at Lantern Lane Farm (www.lanternlanefarmtn.net) is not quite enough. Hitting the Y with every. single. person. in. Rutherford. County. isn't working for my schedule right now either.

So, I walk. I walked two days last week before my schedule came to a screeching halt because of school work. I put in two solid hours. That wasn't too bad. My feet were screaming at me just a little afterwards. But nothing too horrible. This week's prospects are a bit slim. Depending on weather and progress on my final project at school will determine if I make it to the track or not.

I'm hopeful.

Oh... by the way. I was able to plant three trees in the front yard to replace the three beautiful and VERY ALIVE trees that were ripped to pieces by the electric company. I will get pictures on here in the near future. Should only take another 20-30 years for them to be big and beautiful again.

It was One of Those Days

2010-04-02T06:29:00.003-05:00

Wednesday was just one of those days. It was a bad day at work. My stress level was pretty high from the minute I sat down at my desk. I have a paper due this weekend that is just not coming together and then I got a phone call from the parental units telling me the electric company was cutting down the trees in our front yard.

Not trimming them. Cutting them down.

This is what I came home to at the end of that very bad day:

I would say it looks like a war zone, but that is probably an overstatement. Not much of one though...

I never considered myself much of a tree hugger. I mean, I have seen the hysterical videos on YouTube. I am not one of those people. But I was still sad.

Thursday morning when I went out to get the paper, I found hundreds of birds staring down at me from the power lines. It was if they were saying, "What the hell happened? We had HOMES here." Then, I apparently lost my mind. I began talking to them. Out. Loud.

"I'm sorry."

"This wasn't my idea."

"It's not my fault."

"Make sure to poop on the heads of the old people living here. They are responsible."

I realized I was talking Out. Loud. It was a magical and terrifying moment.

Spring? Okay, fine.

2010-03-23T21:21:00.003-05:00

I am not a proponent of spring. I'll admit it. It is one of those things that make me not like other people I am around.

Like the fact that I don't want to have children of my own.

Or the fact that I hate Pot Roast.

I have covered these areas before. This just goes onto a long list of issues that make me Who. I. Am. You, my three readers, will need to deal with it.

Why am I not a proponent of spring? Because somewhere in my 30s I began to develop spring-time allergies. I never had these as a child. There was never an issue of not playing outside in the yard. Heck! I played outside in the woods!! There was a great thicket behind my house when I was growing up. There were well-worn bike trails and a small cut-out cave that had been created by children before me. It was a wonderful place to play.

My little brother and I would play outside all day/night long. There was no cable television. With the exception of Laugh-In, Carol Burnett or the Smothers Brothers, there wasn't much to watch on television.

Oh wait. There was Dark Shadows... but it was a 30 minute show, so it doesn't really count.

We played outside. We played in the woods. We played in the back yard. We rode our bikes to the top of the hill on our cul-de-sac (which we called a Dead End... because no one heard of a cul-de-sac back in the day) and we RACED our bikes down the hill as fast as we could and SLAMMED on the brakes to see who could leave a longer tire track.

We wiped out a lot too. Our driveway was gravel. There were plenty of boo-boos to be fussed over when we were growing up.

All that to say... I never came into the house with sneezing fits or teary eyes or a runny nose.

But now... now the first sign of spring bursts forth and I cannot see through the tears or stop sneezing. My head truly wishes to explode - I know, because it tells me All. Day. Long.

What has happened? If any of you have any insight to this... please fill me in.

Otherwise, I will simply return back to my American History homework and swallow another Zyrtec D.

Thank you, and good night.

Spring Cleaning at Lantern Lane Farm

2010-03-10T22:22:00.006-06:00

I've talked about Lantern Lane Farm a few times on this blog. I wanted to share with you a great opportunity to help us out.

On April 10, 2010 starting at 9:00 a.m. we will be having a volunteer work day. That means we need your help.

You. The Volunteer. We need your help. I'll even keep my comments to myself if you wear orange.

We are going to do some work around the farm. We will be working both indoors and out. We need to clean and organize the barn. We need to wash the fencing. We need to spray weed killer around the fencing as well.

We will also work on the Selah House. There is some staining that needs to happen there as well as a good "spring cleaning". We are also going to work on some of the flower beds and mulch, etc.

If you work with a scout troop that needs to work on their badges, we would love to have the help! Please come out! It will be hard work, but so much fun too!

Please go to www.lanternlanefarmtn.net and click on the Get Involved Tab - and then the calendar tab. If you go to the April calendar, you will see a place where you can sign up to help. We'd love to see you there!

It was a West Wing Kinda weekend...

2010-03-08T19:36:00.008-06:00

I had a friend that spent a few days with me this weekend. We hung out and laughed on occasion. My friend got to experience life at my house with the parentals and the blind dog.

But that's okay. We watched the West Wing.

Have I ever mentioned my absolute love and obsession for the television series that was The West Wing? I love this series. LOVE it. As far as I can tell... it was the very best written television show OF. ALL. TIME.

AND... there were more than just 12 episodes in a season.

My friend and I watched the entire First Season and most of the Second one.

At some point, I headed over to Lantern Lane Farm and did something I have never done before...

I cleaned out a miniature horse's stall.

I believe the correct term is muck. I had to actually look up that word because it just sounds dirty. There's a reason for that... it IS dirty. It derives from a middle English word from the 13th Century, pretty much meaning manure.

I guess it would sound silly to say that I manured out a stall. So, muck it is.

Now, I see the three of you who read this post, and I know you are saying to yourself... "It's a minature horse. How bad could it be?" Well... let me just tell you, little Aurora - that's her name - leaves PLENTY of jewels for her friends.

I was her friend last week.

She left me a wheelbarrow full of muck. Or, manure. Or poop. Maybe I should say I pooped out the stall.

Oh. No. That doesn't sound good at all.

So, I spent time with my friend. I did not take any pictures of her, even though there were opportunities to do so. I am trying to make up for something I did last week. And I mucked out a stall and fed a bunch of beautiful horses - and a couple of donkeys, can't forget them.

Oh... and I attended my nephew's championship basketball game. They won. They are undefeated. THAT I took pictures of. Enjoy.

I Heart Faces - Hilarious Outtakes

2010-02-28T17:18:00.004-06:00

The contest on the I Heart Faces blogsite this week is for Hilarious Outtakes.

Here are a few of my favorites.

I'm pretty sure she's going to smack me for this one.

But maybe not.

I am calling this one Nanas Gone Wild!

And this one is titled:

She who smelt it, dealt it

(Though I really don't know if that was the case or not)

This is, quite frankly, not that unusal a shot for my brother's family

As you can plainly see by this shot taken two years later:

Paying it Forward

2010-02-25T08:30:00.002-06:00

Before you do anything else, I need to tell you about a blogger that I have been reading for about eight years now. Maybe longer. I’m not sure. I found her when I was reading some sort of article on MSNBC.com that left me giggling.

I never giggle.

Oh, okay. I sometimes giggle. I mostly laugh right out loud. I don’t want the three people who read this blog to think I’m hard-hearted or anything.

Anyway, back to our regularly scheduled program. Go here:

http://blondechampagne.wordpress.com/

I LOVE to read this blog. Love it. LOVE it. L-O-V-E it!! The author writes the way I think. Are you afraid? You probably should be.

I read all about her relationship with her boyfriend-turned fiancé-turned husband. I read about her desire to not become a parent.

I swear… twins separated by birth. And biologically. And I’m a lot older. But still. I don’t want kids either. It is SOOO okay to be a woman and not want to reproduce. I promise.

At any rate, I added her as a tweet friend and low and behold, her hubby added me as a friend (and I added him… it is a perpetual cycle, isn’t it?) and even though we have never ever met… I knew he was in the airline industry. When the earthquake in Haiti occurred last month, we were frantically looking for planes, etc. I tweeted to him and low and behold if he didn’t respond. He doesn’t know me from Adam… but he might have an option.

We already had a plan in place by the time I heard from him (things moved very, very fast in that first 24 hours), so I was unable to utilize Josh the Pilot’s contacts. BUT it was the fact that he would help! Without having a clue as to my identity… other than the fact that I read his wife’s blog.

So I was more than happy to return the favor when they had a need arise. I wish I could have done a greater favor… but I haven’t won the lottery yet.

Probably cuz I haven’t bought a ticket yet. But that is neither here nor there.

When I woke up this morning, I checked the blog (as I normally do) and my heart stopped beating. Because, because, because!!!! Because of the wonderful things she does! (Wow… I just broke right into song. How did that happen!)

The blogger friend I have never met said a sweet, kind, and rather inaccurate thing about me. But that’s okay. I’m going to let her believe what she will!

All that to say… pay a favor forward or back today. It will bless you beyond measure. It is an essential part of who we are in this world.

Re-cap of the Winter 2010 Olympic Opening Ceremonies

2010-02-12T23:35:00.003-06:00

7:05 – Why does Shawn White have better hair than me? That is so irritating.

7:20 – Our uniforms are turtleneck sweaters. Really? And knit caps? I think I can get those at Wal-Mart. I really was expecting a little more. We’ll see which country’s team gets the gold for costuming.

7:23 – Visa commercial. “Right at this moment everyone is tied”. Way to be PC Visa.

7:25 – Ahnold passed off the torch? Who’s running California right now?

7:29 – Mary Carillo carried the torch in Iqaluit. Don’t the Canadians know there should be a “U” after the “Q”?

7:33 – Apollo Ohno’s hair – not quite as impressive as Shawn White’s. Just sayin’.

7:38 - Lindsey Jacobellis – might want to use lip liner with that bright pinkish red lipstick.

7:45 – British Columbian Canadian commercial. Actually may entice me to go there.

7:48 – We are the World 25. One month after the earthquake in Haiti. New and Improved. I don’t know half of these artists. Wait! I see Santana. And Vince Vaughn. When did he become a vocalist? Gads, I’m old. This did not impress.

7:52 – Reflecting on what I was doing a month ago with Brent Gambrell Ministries while we were trying desperately to get news of Katie Erie’s well-being. She was in Haiti at the epicenter of the quake. We got her and Tia and Naika home. A month later, we are still collecting supplies. We just sent 42,000 pounds of supplies, food and water to Haiti. We will continue to work in that country.

7:57 – Movie commercial for Gerard Butler in The Bounty Hunter. Oh yeah. I will be seeing that movie on opening day. Yum. Can I tase him too? Just wondering.

7:59 – They will dedicate the ceremony to Georgian luger, Nodar Kumaritashvili, who was killed in a training run this morning.

8:00 – Audience participation and fireworks start the show as the countdown begins.

8:04 – Okay… the snowboarder was pretty cool. Loved the Maple Leaf.

8:06 – Dear girlfriend of foreign dignitaries. Please refrain from jumping up and down in excitement while the ICO President is entering and taking his seat. It is a little distracting. Thank you.

8:07 – Look! Dudley Do Right. I love him. The Royal Canadian Mounties are entering. My friend Req is probably having an issue with the fact that their arm movements are NOT in synch.

8:09 – Make that Dudlette. The Mounties have girls. I wonder if this will send Snidely Whiplash into a tailspin.

8:10 – Oh Canada. Pretty. But halfway through, I couldn’t figure out the words. Probably because the only French I remember from high school had to do with opening a door. Kickin’ shoes, though.

8:12 – Everyone is wearing a white smock. Why is that? Is there a finger painting competition I don’t know about?

8:14 – Oh look! Native Americans! Oh. Wait. Those are tribal Canadians. Is that one guy listening to an Ipod? Very cool totems.

8:16 – Yay! The Aboriginal people are honored.

8:21 – Bring in the athletes!! They get to come in early so they can watch the show!

8:22 – Albania has one athlete. And about 15 handlers. Same with Algeria

8:25 – Two Flag bearers for Austria. They’re brothers! These guys have nice suits on. So far… classiest outfits.

8:26 – Azerbaijan – WHAT THE HECK? Those pants go on the worst dressed list. Yikes!

8:28 – Bermuda shorts. Really? You realize this is the Winter Olympics. Right?

8:30 – pretty sure if one of these athletes falls down while they are walking and videotaping at the same time… I’m gonna laugh right out loud.

8:31 – The Chinese are carrying two flags. I fear for their families back home.

8:30 - Emotional entrance for Georgia. Cool that they get an ovation. I love that athletes can set aside politics for a few weeks. But that the rest of the world could do the same… and for a longer length of time.

8:42 – The British are Coming! The British are Coming! LOVE the outfits. Might beat out the Austrians.

8:47 – Italy. Hot men. Great outfits. Good food. I need to get my passport updated.

9:03 – The Russian jackets are pretty cool.

9:06 – Green looks really good on the Slovenias. Best dressed list.

9:11 – Turkey. Is it Istanbul or Constantinople? Just wondering.

9:12 - U.S.A.!!!! Okay… the outfits aren’t as bad as I thought. But, I think Ralph Lauren could have done much better. Oh look! The Bidens are here. I wonder if the Obamas are boycotting because Chicago lost the Olympic bid? Hmm.

9:14 – Yay. The Canadians are here. It should be time to get on with the show now.

9:19 – The tribal people have been dancing for about an hour now. Talk about athletic!

9:20 – Hasn’t anyone told Bryan Adams that the skinny tie went out in… oh… say the year of his last number one single? And while I have an affinity for really cool shoes… I’m not sure about Nelly’s.

9:24 – Awesome Coke commercial. Snowball fight in Olympic village.

9:27 – The journey begins. With fake snow.

9:30 – Ooh… is that supposed to be the northern lights? WOW. Huge bear. I mean, H.U.G.E. And all the peoples are strung with Christmas lights.

9:33 – Okay… breaking up the floor w graphics. Ultra cool.

9:34 – Cooler still… the Orca whale graphics. Complete with blow holes. Awesome.

9:35 – This is really spectacular. Salmon to totems to trees. Amazing.

9:44 – Witched canoe, Maple leafs and mohawked fiddlers, oh my.

9:51 – Kinda like Stomp. But not.

9:53 – Toyota commercial. Please don’t stop buying our cars.

9:55 – Nissan commercial. Our cars are better

9:57 – Prairie and Joni Mitchell. “It’s clouds illusions I recall…” I never got that song.

10:00 – I get why everyone is wearing white smocks. It makes a great canvas for all the lighting and visual effects. HORSES!

10:03 – Ooh. Storms. Those are cool effects. Morphed into mountains. Oh. Look! Skiers and snowboarders. And Shawn White loves it. All is well.

10:11 – A Beatnik? Really? Oh-kay. I need him to push his glasses up. I can say that because I wear glasses and I am constantly pushing them up on my nose.

10:16 – Recognizing Nodar Kumaritashvili. Classy.

10:17 – Furlong welcomes us to Vancouver. Thanks. Ok. Three minutes later, he can stop talking now. Where’s the torch?

10:26 – Turned it over to Jacques Rogge. Are we there yet?

10:31 – Governor General Michaelle Jean opens the Olympic Games! Whoo Hoo!

10:32 – K.D. Lang.

10:39 – Olympic flag enters. Donald Sutherland. LOVE. Him.

10:40 – Anne Murray and Bobby Orr.

10:42 – Olympic hymn sung by operatic singer with HUGE hair. Seriously huge. Like Mall Hair huge. I think Donna Summer had that hair back in the day.

10:43 – Fan on the Olympic and Canadian flags are not quite working.

10:45 – Anne Murray is frightened of the hair. So is Bobby Orr. Donald Sutherland doesn’t look scared. But, he’s an actor. He can fake it through the fear. Heck… I’m in Nashville and I am afraid of the hair.

10:46 – Moment of silence for Nodar Kumaritashvili. Lowering the flags to half mast. Wonderfully appropriate.

10:48 – Oath given. No doping and no drugs. Okay. Judge Oath. They promise to be fair and just.

10:50 – Nissan commercial. Our cars are better because they are 100% electric.

10:53 – The flame comes in with Rick Hansen – paralympian. Passes it off to Catriona Lemay Don, speed skater. Passes it off to basketball player Steve Nash. Passes it off to Nancy Greene, the most successful Canadian woman athlete. Then on to Wayne Gretsky. Not a huge surprise.

10:57 – Wayne is waiting to light something. But there isn’t anything to light just yet.

10:58 – Thinking there is a mechanical failure. Wouldn’t that really SUCK?! Everyone is looking at each other with confused faces. Gotta admit… this makes me giggle. Just a little. Reminds me of a few technical problems I have had before.

10:59 – Something is rising. But not quite the cauldron.

11:00 – Ahh… something is rising from out of the ground. Maybe this is it? Kinda reminds me of the Superman set. Hoping no one falls in the big hole in the ground.

11:01 – Torch is lit!

11:02 – Ceremony is concluded. Wayne is heading outside to light the real cauldron.

11:07 – The Bidens: Joe- “It takes a lotta guts man, a lotta guts.” He wants to see the downhill skiers, she wants to see the women’s hockey and bobsledders.

11:09 – The Great One is in a truck heading across town.

11:12 – Switching out torches. Gretsky’s arm is getting tired too.

11:14 – Gretsky heading to the outdoor cauldron. Look… it still looks like Superman’s home!

11:15 – Ahh. Finally. All the lights are burning bright.

Snow in Middle Tennessee

2010-02-03T20:36:00.009-06:00

So... we don't get much of the white stuff typically here in the middle Tennessee area. Soooo... when we were forecast to really get hit over the weekend, well, the salt trucks got out early and brined the roads in preparation for it. Everybody and their dog went to the local grocery stores and cleared the shelves of milk, bread, eggs and toilet paper.

Because, apparently, that is all that one needs to survive the apocolypse that is snow in Middle Tennessee!

The weatherman/women/people (what is the PC term for that?) were right this time. We got about four inches of snow...

It stayed around for awhile. The temperatures never really got much over freezing for the weekend. Many county school systems are still out too. Of course, we are not very well equipped here to deal with such things. So... from Friday until Monday, I stayed nice and cozy warm in my house.

Eating bread and eggs and drinking milk.

Heh.

... and then on top of the snow, we got ice! About a 1/4 inch.

Ice - Ice - Baby!!!

This would be why we all ran to the grocery store on Thursday night!

But nothing can explain this:

So, I won't even try.

BGM Haiti Relief Concert

2010-01-30T14:06:00.008-06:00

On Thursday night, before the snow fell here in the middle Tennessee area, Brent Gambrell Ministries put together a benefit concert to raise funds to help with the continuing relief it is providing to the country of Haiti.

The People's Church in Franklin, Tennessee was kind enough to allow us to use their facility to host the concert. Gloria Green, of Gloria Green Entertainment (and who also serves on the BGM Board of Directors) put together quite an impressive line up.

I need to be studying right now. So, these pictures are really in no order, whatsoever.

Which is closely resembling my study pattern right now.

Here is Brent, speaking to the congregation.

JoDee Messina did a fabulous job.

Zach Johnson and his wife, Kim spoke for a few minutes. They are such a nice couple and they have supported BGM for a number of years. They were instrumental in helping get Brent and Mike into Haiti the day after the earthquake hit.

Ben Tankard was such a wonderfully nice man. He plays piano beautifully. This is a young artist he is helping to promote and she had just a beautiful voice.

Ben was, at one point, a professional basketball player. An injury cut his career short. However, the Lord is certainly using his talent in new ways.

Mike Wilson came out with his new daughter, Tia. She just turned five years old.. and she is quite a handful!!

Then Missy joined him onstage with their second daughter, Naika, who is seven years old. She and Tia were best friends at the orphanage in Haiti. Now, they will be sisters.

Here is the entire Wilson Family. They have three biological children: Dyllan, Lane and Eli, and two adopted daughters: Naika and Tia (just here from Haiti).

Here are Tia and Naika back stage with Uncle Chad. Naika is spelling her name and doing a very good job!

Brandon Heath (sporting a full beard) performed.

As did Southern Gospel artists, Legacy Five (but the piano player wasn't there... so it was just four of them)

Jared Anderson dedicated one of his songs to Katie Erie, who was in Haiti and interning at the orphanage where Tia and Naika lived.

Rick Loy, who was the host for the concert, interviewed Katie about the earthquake and the hours immediately following it.

Jaci Velasquez and her husband performed a couple of numbers.

Melissa Greene sang so beautifully. She really led out in worship. Aaron Loy and the 1101 Band played for her and it was a wonderful combination.

Aaron Loy and the 1101 Band began the night.

Brent was interviewed by local media (NewsChannel5) prior to the concert beginning.

In the Green Room with Mike Wilson, JoDee Messina and Brent Gambrell

Talking with Jaci and Steve Forrest (bass player extraordinaire)

He's my best friend.

I really am not sure that ANYONE was more excited than Steven Boo that Zach Johnson made an appearance at the concert.

Andrea Rial, Pam Case and Whitney King at the merchandise table.

At the beginning of the evening, we got a shot of the BGM staff with Zach and Kim Johnson.

Haiti Update: Mike and Tia's homecoming

2010-01-24T12:47:00.010-06:00

So... after we learned that Mike and Tia were able to get seats on a private plane that was headed back to the states from Port Au Prince, there was much rejoicing in Hooville... and media contacts to make... and the realization that just because Mike and Tia were back on US soil, did not mean our relief efforts for Haiti would end.

They were just beginning.

We all went home and got a couple of quick hours of sleep in before waking up at about 4:00 a.m. to meet Mike, Brent and Tia at the airport. (Brent flew down in a private plane from Nashville that would pick up Mike and Tia and return with them... the plane was donated. God blesses the weary!) The local media was there in force as well as some 75 people or so.

Boy... is it dark at 4:30 a.m.!!!

Who are all these people?! They are the same crazies who would get up at the crack of dawn to show Mike and Missy some love! And to meet Tia.

Some of the local media interviewed Missy prior to the plane landing. I cannot imagine how early this people got up in order to be so put together at this time of morning. It makes my head hurt to think about it.

And then, they set up outside to be ready for when the plane landed

We pre-determined that only family members would meet the plane on the tarmac. The rest of the friends and family would stay inside the building. I wish I could have gotten closer... but no luck. Then I wished I had a zoom lens. That is next on my list of things to purchase.

After hugs with family on the tarmac... the Wilson family brought Tia inside where it was warm. (She's not quite prepared for 40 degree weather!)

Probably a little overwhelming to meet the brothers amongst the throng of well wishers. To our credit... we refrained from screaming and clapping. We let her enter the room in a hushed expectation.

She enjoyed her peppermint candy...

Brent talked with the media for a moment before praying over the Wilson family

Then we made it back outside to get Tia secured in her new carseat (a first for her) and Mike answered just a few questions from the media. After that, the crowd disbursed and the Wilson family spent the day reunited and getting to know each other.

Will continue to post and keep you updated. Go here to help:

www.brentgambrell.com

Haiti Update: Jan 22

2010-01-22T19:25:00.015-06:00

I know it has been some time since I posted. Sorry about that. Between all the activity in helping BGM (http://www.brentgambrell.com/) and then realizing I was a week into college classes and had YET to crack a textbook open... and working... well... I'm just sorry. Here's what has happened since the last post:

Brent and Katie did make it back to Nashville safe and sound. They were met at the Nashville International Airport at about 10:00 p.m. with a crowd of family and friends and the media. I wish I had pictures... but I went straight from the BGM office to the airport, so no camera for me! That's okay though. It was just good to see them.

After many hugs and kisses and interviews with local TV news stations, we went straight back to the BGM office and brainstormed ideas of getting food to the babies still there, as their rations would be depleted by the following evening. We were able to update Brent on all the hard work the staff had done... we had food ready for delivery. We had helicopters that had agreed to drop the food at a specific place. We just needed to make sure it was going to reach the babies and not be mobbed before it could get there.

Sunday was another long day spent on the phones and collecting monetary donations as well as donations that people were bringing by the office. There were a couple of churches in the area that did blanket drives and we found ourselves with LOTS of blankets. We are VERY grateful.

I did remember to take my camera on Sunday. Here are some of the shots:

Here's what I call the Situation Room:

Everybody works their laptop and we keep CNN on in the background... I think the little computer server was not quite ready for us. It would start to drop us after a while.

This is the blackboard that holds the various phone numbers of friends who live in Haiti. On the night of the earthquake, everyone was doing their best to get through to any of the numbers.

This is just a glimpse at the number of volunteers who came out on Sunday to help us...

Here's Katie. Safe and sound back in the states after surviving the earthquake. It didn't matter how tired she was... she was going to be here and working to do what she could to get food to the babies... and to get Mike and Tia out of Haiti.

Here's some shots of the first day of supplies that have come in:

BLANKETS!!!

Then it was Monday. The BGM staff had been working diligently to get food to the babies. By our calculations, the situation would be critical. We had food on the ground, but we found the roads were no longer viable.

On top of all that, Mike still could not get Tia out of the country. He simply could not leave his daughter there. If he did... who knows when they could get her out of the country? They were just in front of a Haitian judge the week before the earthquake to finalize papers. But now, the US Embassy and State Department needed to get a plan in place to process these children. The frustrations were in how long it was taking them to get that plan in place.

Impromptu meetings would occur at any given time, and in any given place. At this point, we were learning that Mike and Tia were at the Embassy and it was looking good for them to get to leave the country. We were getting warily excited about the prospect of their return. We weren't quite jumping up and down at this point, but we were ready to.

See the pictures on the wall? From previous trips to Haiti. They go there about 8-10 times a year.

And yes... that is Brent with two phones. One at each ear. Missy is on her IPhone too. While I am a diehard Verizon girl, I will tell you the IPhone was the only way we could communicate with Mike while he was in Haiti. We were able to Skype him a couple of times, and some news organizations Skyped with Mike for interviews.

Mike has been given the green light to leave Haiti with Tia. They are on a shuttle from the Embassy that will take them to the airport where they will wait with a few hundred of their closest friends (they have never met) to board a military transport to return to the US.

And then... we learn... and it truly was only by the grace of God... that we know someone who knows someone (that happens alot) who is the pilot of a private plane that is on the runway in Port Au Prince ready to return to the states. He just happens to have a few seats available and if Mike can make his way to the plane, he can catch a ride.

Which is why Brent has two phones to his ears. One with the person in contact with the pilot in Haiti, and another with a contact in Florida/Nashville that can get Mike and Tia from Florida to Nashville. Missy is texting Mike in Haiti to tell him what plane to look for, etc.

So... more impromptu meetings occur, and phones calls get made...

(By the way... let's just say that when you answer the phone and it is the State Department calling... it is a little surreal)

All the while... Brent is still working the phone:

And finally, we get the news that they are on the plane and Missy can call her family members to let them know Mike and their new granddaughter are on the way home!!!

I will post soon the wonderful reunion. Keep checking http://www.brentgambrell.com/ for updates and how you can help!

HAITI UPDATE: Saturday Night

2010-01-16T19:35:00.002-06:00

We have good news and not-so-good news. The good news is that Brent and Katie were able to get on a military transport plane and get back to the states. They should be landing here in Nashville tonight at 9:00. The media will be present as well as our friends and family who just want to shower love on them both.

The not-so-good news is that Mike and Tia are still in Haiti. They were told to make their way to the US Embassy to get the paperwork to hopefully leave the country. By the time they got in the building, the office closed. However, they were told that Mike would not be able to leave with Tia. By this time, it was getting dark outside and they told him he would have to leave the building, because they could not allow a Haitian (5 year old Tia) to stay in the building.

In case you haven't noticed, Embassy official... Haiti after dark is not a safe place to be. Especially if you are a five year old girl traveling with an American man.

Finally, someone there allowed them to stay inside. Tia spent the night on a conveyer belt (the kind that you would see at an airport baggage claim) and Mike slept on the floor next to it. They were awakened at 4:30 this morning and told they had to leave the building.

They were able to get back in touch with Dr. Bernard, the man who runs the orphanage, and were able to finally get back to the Guest House, where the rest of the orphans are staying.

NBC Nightly News did a segment on their plight tonight. You can see it here:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#34898599

The babies at the orphanage will be out of food by morning. We MUST have help! Please... please... try to contact your state senators/congressmen/anyone you happen to know in the State Department that can help us help these orphans. 75 percent of them are well into the adoption process. We just need to feed these babies (4 months to five years) and get them to safety.

Continue praying for Haiti and if you want to send support (100 percent of proceeds go to Haiti) please visit our site at:

www.brentgambrell.com

or donate through any Regions Bank and use the BGM Haiti Relief Fund.

Thanks!

Haiti Update

2010-01-14T23:37:00.004-06:00

It has been a long couple of days, but we are happily exhausted after learning that Brent and Mike were able to transport all the babies from the orphanage to a safe location. They have some supplies (one of the staffers crawled back into the Creche and retrieved some food supplies and a matress for the little ones to sleep on) and have shelter for the first time in a couple of days.

Mike has posted his thoughts on their adoption website at: www.mikeandmissy.wordpress.com

The Lord continues to do a great work in the midst of chaos and destruction. He used our ministry - and ABC News - to bring peace and joy to a family from Oregon who are adopting some of the children from the Creche. ABC was able to Skype Brent and the children to the family in Oregon, so they could see them and know they were alive and well. We were thrilled to see Brent. Here's the story:

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=9567433

We were able to actually skype for a few minutes with Katie and Tia as well. There were smiles all around the office.

Thank you to all the organizations who are lending assistance to this ravaged country. We are still accepting donations of medical supplies, etc. to be shipped down there. You can find a list of items we are collecting by going to the website: http://www.brentgambrell.com/

You can also make donations through any Regions Bank. Simply ask to donate to the BGM Haiti Relief Fund. Be assured that 100 percent of every dime received will be going to relief efforts. BGM will not keep a dime for itself!!

There are a couple of bloggers out there who are helping raise awareness and funds in their own special ways. Let me encourage you to head over to The Pioneer Woman's website at http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/ as well as Savory Sweet Life at http://www.savorysweetlife.com/

Thank you again! Now... let's keep them covered and bathed in prayer and get them the help they need!

UPDATE on Haiti news!!

2010-01-13T08:26:00.003-06:00

We are SOOOOO happy to report that we were finally able to talk to Katie this morning! The orphanage has had some damage, but the Lord has kept both Katie and Tia safe! We are continuing to work to get relief to the orphanage. Please go to www.brentgambrell.com to help!

Help Needed for Haiti!!

2010-01-13T00:44:00.002-06:00

Please be in prayer for the country of Haiti and the work that Brent Gambrell Ministries has been doing there for many years. As you know, a 7.0 earthquake struck near the city of Carrefour, which is close to Port Au Prince.

What you may not know, is that Mike and Missy Wilson's "daughter", Katie Erie, left last Monday for Carrefour, to do a six month internship at the orphanage where Mike and Missy are adopting a five year old girl named Tia. As of 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday, we have not been able to contact Katie or the orphanage where Tia is staying. You can only imagine how these parents are feeling knowing that their children are possibly in harm's way. But, we are trusting the Lord to be our Hope and Peace and give us the grace to move through the steps required to locate Katie and Tia.

We do know that the New Missions Team that is currently in Haiti is safe. We have received an email from Dr. Bernard, who runs the orphanage. He was slightly injured but is safe. He does not know the state of the orphanage at this time, but plans to set out at morning light to travel from Port Au Prince to Carrefour to see if there is any damage/injuries there. We are praying the Lord will give Dr. Bernard strength and wisdom and that God's little angels at the Creche are in good health and good spirits.

For the BGM staff, please be in continued prayer for them. Brent and Mike will leave for Miami tomorrow afternoon with hopes of getting into Haiti as soon as possible. We are still not certain of the condition of the airport in Port Au Prince. They are willing to go through the Dominican Republic or even get there by boat if possible! (Anyone out there with a private plane that can get them there?)

Please go to www.brentgambrell.com to see how you can assist us in getting relief materials to Haiti. You can make monetary donations through any Regions Bank. Simply make deposits into the BGM Haiti Relief Fund.

We also need medical supplies. Those can be sent to us at Brent Gambrell Ministries, 501 Metroplex Drive, Suite 112, Nashville, Tennessee 37211. A list of items needed can be found on the website.

Please also share this page or the Brent Gambrell website with your friends through Facebook, Myspace or Twitter. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much!

I Heart Faces - Happy Birthday

2010-01-11T14:12:00.005-06:00

They are celebrating their first birthday at the I Heart Faces website. I am just celebrating my second post to their site! Happy Birthday to all at I Heart Faces.

This was taken on Christmas Eve. My older brother found this in his stocking. It was quite the conversation starter!

Take a look at the other entries at I Heart Faces:

Snow Day in Middle Tennessee

2010-01-07T22:29:00.005-06:00

Yep. They predicted snow yesterday. It went from a forecast of 4-8 inches to 1-3 inches, which meant we only got a dusting.

But it was enough to close schools in the ENTIRE middle Tennessee area.

So, I thought I should record the MASSIVE amount of snow dust that was in the yard, before it all went away.

Hope you enjoy.

i heart faces - a contest

2010-01-04T21:11:00.005-06:00

So... I came across this blog site through The Pioneer Woman blog site and thought it was just really neat. So, I will attempt to submit pictures for review. I hope I do this right.

i heart faces needs the following to appear on this site, so here it is:

I am submitting these photos into the I Heart Faces logo photo contest. By entering, I am granting I Heart Faces LLC permission to consider my photo for use in the marketing and promotion of their website.

Here are my mother and aunt trying to figure out what went so horribly wrong with the sweet potato casserole!

My niece celebrating her first Christmas as a married woman.

My cousin's youngest son at Thanksgiving:

And my friend Mike, giving me his best Clint Eastwood impersonation:

A Little Mortified...

2009-12-29T12:27:00.001-06:00

There has been a good bit of activity in life since I posted.

First, you will remember my car battery dying on me at the gas pump and how I replaced the battery. What I failed to mention was that from the moment the new battery was installed, my car developed a little hiccup. When moving out of first into second gear, it gave a little jump. I didn’t think much about it, but when it kept it up, I thought it best that I maybe didn’t drive it.

So, my dad allowed me the use of his little red pickup truck and my car sat. I was letting it sit until the 15th of December, because I was holding out all sorts of hope of receiving a Christmas bonus.

Didn’t happen. Not even a Jelly of the Month Club membership (name that movie)

So, after the 15th, I took my car to a very reputable repair guy in Hermitage, Tennessee who took a look at it and told me he was afraid it might be my transmission.

Ick.

So, I drove it over to Transmission Masters in LaVergne and left it overnight for them to take a look at it too. I stressed to them that this was a problem that had not occurred until AFTER the new battery was replaced. They had worked on a couple of different cars that my little brother had and I made sure that they knew how much he BRAGGED about the great work they did for him.

They called me the next morning with the news that it was NOT my transmission. As far as they could tell, it had something to do with the electrical system and/or car computer. AND, they were such stand up kinda fellows (and I BRAGGED about them so much) that they didn’t charge me anything to test out my car.

On a side note: where the heck is the computer in my car? Is there just a reboot button somewhere that I can find and save myself the trouble?

Since I had been waiting to purchase Christmas gifts to see if there would be a bonus, and that had not come through, I was faced with the notion that I would have to either (1) take my car to the dealer and not purchase Christmas gifts for anyone, or (2) keep driving the little red truck, purchase fewer Christmas gifts than in years past and take my car in after the first of the year.

I went with option two.

I am very, very grateful that my father has allowed me the use of the truck. What I forgot to realize was that there is a little magnetic side on the driver door of Dad’s pickup. It’s got a picture of a poodle and it has the words: I “heart” my Poodle on it.

I’ve been driving around town with this little signage for all the world to see. I don’t really heart my Dad’s poodle. I tolerate him. My father LOVES him though… and that is the most important part.

I hit the drive thru for breakfast this morning. When I pulled up to the window, the lady there started oooooing and ahhhhing over the decal on the door. I had to explain I was in my father’s truck because, well, I am just not one for car décor (UK allegiance does not count) and I’m not really hearting the poodle.

But, I am grateful. I will remain grateful whilst driving the red pickup around town.

Happy New Year.

I Made Pie!!!

2009-12-24T10:35:00.006-06:00

I made apple pie last night. I made it myself. I made it from scratch. I want to eat it. Now.

But I have to wait. If it is a success... I will make more. But for now, here's the fun stuff:

First: Start with a cookbook that was your mother's when she was first married. It will be more than 56 years old by the time you get your grubby hands on it. But that's okay... by the look of it, grubby hands have been on it for, well, 56 years!

Make your pie crust. It is fun! You will learn you really want a pastry cutter while you are making the pie crust. But you don't have one. So, you will use a potato masher instead. It will work almost as well. I could have done the whole "use a couple knives" trick... but this seemed less headachy.

Stick that crust in the fridge to let it set and it will be easier to work with.

When you roll the crust out here at Casa de Bell... you will quickly learn two things:

1. You will want a bigger cutting board to work with...

2. You will want a larger rolling pin. It is hard to use a seven inch rolling pin to spread out a 10 inch pie crust. Just sayin...

But Loooook.... see how pretty it turns out? It ALMOST reaches the edge of the pie plate. Almost. I didn't let it get to the edge on purpose. I didn't want to appear snooty and perfect or anything. That would just make my doorbell constantly buzz with all the men who will want me forever. Who wants that kind of headache?

Oh wait. That might be me. Nevermind.

This is what the apples look like when they are all cut up and covered in goodness. I know some of you out there (the three people who read my blog) are surprised and perhaps dismayed that the apples are not cut into perfect slices. Let me refer you to the note above about my need to distance myself from perfection for the sake of all mankind.

Then, let me explain that I really prefer the smaller bites of apple in my pie. I want to fork it up... I don't want to have to cut into a piece of pie. It's just my way of doing things. Hope you don't mind.

The wonderful goodness covering the apples? Well, that would be sugar, flour, cinnamom and nutmeg.

One word: Yum. With a capital Y!!!

It really works best if you get your hands in the mix. Seriously. Because you know the apples are fully coated with goodness.

Please pay no attention to my lack of manicure. I completely FORGOT about a nail appointment this week. Let's blame that on the fact that I comPLETEly didn't start my Christmas shopping until Monday.

Before it goes into the oven... it looks a little like this:

This is what the pie looks like at about 30 minutes into the baking process. I know... I KNOW... I am NOT supposed to open the oven door upon pain of DEATH. But I had to sneak a peek... it's Christmas for goodness' sake!!

This is what it looks like after it is out of the oven...

This is what will make you drool. If I make it to Christmas Eve dinner without slicing into this... it will be the new miracle of Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!!

The Pioneer Woman in NashVegas!!

2009-12-08T21:56:00.010-06:00

So, my friend Mary and I pre-determined that we would attend the booksigning when Ree Drummond came to Nashville on her book tour for The Pioneer Woman Cooks. We went to Davis-Kidd Bookstore with a few hundred of our closest friends (that we've never met). Having read past accounts of the amount of wait time, we planned ahead and were prepared.

Comfy shoes? Check.

Early arrival? Check.

Turkey and cheese sandwiches? Check.

We had it all!

We pre-purchased the book and were located in Group 8. There were tickets that were given out and they were bunched in groups of 25 people. We knew we would have quite the wait. But, that was okay. It gave Mary and I a chance to catch up, so that was a wonderful blessing.

We covered a wide range of topics before the hum of hundreds of voices around us grew. Then we were instructed to get in line.

We made new friends around us. Martha was a lovely lady who was just a bright and cheerful mother. She looks GREAT in purple too! Her husband was wandering around the mall and would check in with her every so often. He was a nice fella.

There was a guy in line with us who wins Best Brother Award hands down. His sister is a big fan, but lives in North Carolina. The brother stood in line with us for a couple of hours to get a book for his sister. We're thinking she's gonna owe him big time for a while!

There was another lady there who was passing out free fabric bags as part of a study and to encourage people to use the bags instead of plastic or paper. So, I got a bag out of the deal, and I think its rather pretty.

Finally, PW appeared and spoke a few brief words to the crowd, and then the signing began. Here are a few pictures of the evening:

Here's the Pioneer Woman addressing the crowd. See that lady in the background with the camera? That is Betsy, Pioneer Woman's sister. She was snapping pictures... and so I got one of her!!

Here is a closer picture of Betsy and Hyacinth, good friend of PW... and bearer of a great name.

I took this picture because I was secretly coveting PW's boots. (I was secretly coveting her camera too... but I thought I would expound only on one vice at a time). I wanted to wear my boots, but I knew they did not fall into the comfy shoe category.

Look! We're getting closer!

This girl was cute. She had a shirt on that said "Look Mom! It's PW" with an arrow pointing to Ree. Fun!

Here's the recipient of the Best Brother Award:

Here is a picture of sweet Martha:

Finally... it was out turn. Here's me:

Here's Mary.

Thanks Mary! It was a great time and the sandwiches hit the spot at just the right time!

The line started off a little slow, but we really only had to stand for two hours... so that wasn't too bad.

Merry Christmas!

Paying It Forward

2009-12-06T13:58:00.005-06:00

Apparently, this week's postings will be all about automotive issues, traffic, cars, silly people in my hometown. The usual.

I got up this morning and was heading to church. I started my car so it would warm up, because it was like 28 degrees or so, and I wanted a nice and toasty warm car in which to travel.

The problem was, I had very little gas. Very little. The needle was just barely above the empty line.

But, no problem. I had plenty of time to stop and get gas before getting to church. So, I bopped on over to the gas station and filled my happy little car right up. Then, I put the key back in the car aannnnnddd... nothing.

It wouldn't start.

It wouldn't even try very hard.

Uh-oh. This can't be good. PLUS... I am stuck at the gas pump.

About this time, I was reminded that approximately eight months ago the dealership that did my oil changes told me I needed a new battery. I didn't believe him. Mostly because they always liked to get me to give them more money than I wanted to every time I came in... and also because I never had any problem starting my car.

About a month ago, I took my car to the Valvoline Instant Oil Change in Smyrna on Sam Ridley Parkway. I did this because I didn't want to drive all the way to the Boro... and since my car was past the warranty, I was going to have to pay for the oil change any way.

The guys at the Valvoline place were really nice. I needed new wiper blades and they took care of that for me. They chatted with me and my time there went by very well. I asked them to check my battery... just to validate my opinion that the dealership was trying to get my money. They told me that it was a little low, but that it should last me for a good while longer. So... I drove my happy self on away and thought that this would be a place I would have no problem taking my car back to for general maintenance sort of things.

Nice, competent people/businesses will get my business every time.

The good thing for me was that I was just a building away from the Valvoline Oil Change place. I told the attendant what had happened and that I was going to walk across the parking lot to see if someone could help me.

When I got there, I realized they were not open yet. However, the guy that helped me before was sitting in his car in the parking lot. He was waiting on the manager to come and open the store at 11. (It was about 10:35). I told him what the problem was and that he had helped me before. I asked if he had any jumper cables and he did. So, he drove his car over and jumped my car off.

He was so nice. I told him I didn't have any cash with me, but I was going to run by the bank and bring him something for going to the trouble of helping me. He refused and said that he was happy to do it and maybe sometime I could bring a box of doughnuts or something. That would be sufficient.

I called my brother who told me to take the car to AutoZone and they would change out the battery for me. They did and my car is running really nicely right now.

But I wanted to do something for the guys who had been so nice. I thought doughnuts were a little puny for a bunch of big mechanic kind of guys... so I went to Bar B Cutie and told them how many people I needed to feed. Then I drove my happy car that now smelled of BBQ back to the Valvoline place and got out of my car.

My helper (who I am embarassed to say, I did not get his name) came out of the bay with another fellow and I said, "I decided against doughnuts, I hope you don't mind".

He was like... what have you got?

BBQ

You really didn't have to do that.

Yes, I did. Merry Christmas.

The look on his face was priceless.

I don't have a lot of money this Christmas... and I have less now that I have a new car battery. But some things are worth more than the money. Paying a kindness with a blessing works for me.

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!!

Seriously?...

2009-12-05T20:50:00.006-06:00

As I continue on my little rant from the other day (the day I was a first responder after a not-so-intelligent fellow flipped his motorcycle) let me first preface this rant by saying I am guilty of this offense.

Sometimes I apply makeup whilst I'm driving.

I know.

It is bad. It is not good. It is something I should never do.

Ever.

But, I still do it sometimes. I really try to wait until I am in a traffic jam (which can occur at any given time here in the middle TN area) or when I am at a traffic light. But that is not always the case. Sometimes I will apply makeup when I am on a long stretch of straight road.

I try to keep one hand on the wheel.

However, I have never been quite as precise as the lady in front of my car today. She spent the ENTIRE LENGTH of a very long red light applying mascara.

To. One. Eye.

More that 45 seconds.

One. Eye.

Now, take just a minute (okay, really just 45 seconds) and see how long that really is.

It's okay. I'll wait.

(Jeopardy tune humming)

Now imagine applying mascara to ONE EYE for that length of time.

The girl could have waxed BOTH eyebrows in that amount of time.

Or her upper lip.

Or her legs.

I sat in stunned amazement. Was she applying mascara to each individual lash? Was she OCD?

We'll just never know.

Here I Come to Save the Day!!!

2009-12-04T18:17:00.002-06:00

So.... I was minding my own business on my drive home yesterday when I topped the hill on I-24 right before the Sam Ridley Pkway exit. I noticed that there were blue lights on the overpass and that meant the traffic exiting the interstate was backed up quite a bit.

Because I'm such a good girl, I took my foot off the gas pedal and tried to determine if I wanted to pass this exit and go to the next, or if it was moving enough to head off at the correct location. It looked to be moving... just slowly. So, I planned to make the exit.

UNTIL.

Mr. Speedy Gonzalez on a Yamaha motorcycle FLEW past me on my left and cut in front of my car. The problem was that Mr. G was not paying attention and was moving FAST upon that long line of stopped traffic. I was on the phone with a friend and hung up on her in order to dial 911.

Why? Because Mr. G slammed on the front brakes of his bike and immediately flew himself up in the air, flipping a couple of times before landing in a grassy patch on the side of the road. Where he lay. Motionless.

I pulled over immediately, as did a nurse and a couple other women to see if this man were injured and/or dead.

He finally stood up and was rather shaken up. He wanted to just get back on his bike and drive away, but he could not pick the bike up. We Three Women assisted him and after a number of tries, he was able to get the bike started again. However, he was pretty disoriented and the nurse and I really did our best to help him out. She got his cell phone out and helped him place a call to a family friend while I watched the ambulance and State Troopers arrive on the scene.

As I was the only actual eyewitness, I spoke for a minute or two to the Troopers who thought it would be a great idea for Mr. G to step into the ambulance and get checked out. He did, and they worked to move the bike. I was released to leave and I did. Here are some ideas:

1. Be aware of your surroundings when you are driving.

2. Look ahead and see what is going on around you and when the Speedies of the world pass and get in your lane... take your foot off the gas and prepare to slow down/stop.

3. Try NOT to be that Speedy guy.

4. Be VERY aware of motorcyclists.

5. Be very aware of where you are so you can give accurate directions to emergency personnel should you need to contact them.

6. Be careful out there. Buckle up those seat belts. (Requelle...that means you!!!)

Mary Mary Stationary

2009-12-01T17:08:00.004-06:00

Remember me telling you about my friend Mary? She's wonderful. She's crafty. She's artistic. She's a creator.

Sometimes I hate her. (not really)

Mostly I love her.

Okay. I always love her.

She's my friend who introduced me to the Pioneer Woman website. So, she's the reason for hundreds of hours spent reading that blog... and other blogs that are linked to that one. It is almost like Lay's Potato Chips. You don't stop at just one.

ANNNNY way...

She does great things. If you are looking for WONDERFUL and UNIQUE Christmas cards... go here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MaryMaryStationery?section_id=6606057

Do it now. Order now. You will be glad you did.

Here are the Pictures that go with my last Post

2009-11-25T18:07:00.004-06:00

Remember how I told you about my aunt and uncle going to get a cookbook for me from the Pioneer Woman when she did a book signing in Little Rock Arkansas? Well... they took some pictures and I thought I would post them here:

This is my uncle. I don't know why the picture is smaller. We'll have to ask KatyBell(all one word)

My aunt and uncle stood in line for four hours to get this book signed for me. Cause they loved me that much and I'm their favorite niece.

Okay... I'm their ONLY niece. But that has nothing to do with it!

And Marlboro Man was there too! As a matter of fact, he signed my book in two places. One on the picture of his face... but then my uncle made him sign the picture of his booty on the last page.

I might blush if I meet MM in person in Nashville... cuz he told my uncle that he had not signed across the booty for anyone before.

Oh well. It wasn't my fault, but I'm not complaining! :)

BUSTED!!!

2009-11-13T10:37:00.003-06:00

I should lay the blame for spending as much time as I do on the Pioneer Woman’s blogsite at the feet of my friend Mary. Mary has a blogsite too.

http://www.kelsofamily.net/blogs/index.php/Mary/

Mary is one of three people who read my blog and typically leaves me a message.

I love Mary.

I don’t know how Mary found the Pioneer Woman, but she passed me the website address and after about five minutes, I was HOOKED. It is a great site. It is funny and pretty and there are WONDERFUL photographs (and I had just purchased my Big Girl Camera) so it is very informative.

And she gives stuff away too.

I haven’t won anything yet, but I’m still trying.

At any rate… I read PW’s website daily. If she is late posting a blog for the day, I will check it a few times to see when it is updated. I will at least smile over something she has written and sometimes I will laugh right out loud.

The Pioneer Woman has now published her first cookbook. How fun! How exciting! I stopped by my local bookstore the other day to pick one up and couldn’t find it.

Hmm. How strange.

So, the next time I was in the location of a bookstore, I stopped over to see if the book was there. Nothing. I was starting to think we were in some sort of parallel-planed universe here in middle Tennessee. I was at a third bookstore (wasting time on my lunch hour) and thought to look there. Didn’t find it. I actually asked one of the college students who worked there if they had the book and she said, “I think we have one left. Don’t you just LOVE her blog?!” I was happy to talk with her and she explained that she told the store managers when their shipment came in, that it would not be nearly enough. She was right. Management was wrong. They have placed their second order with the publisher.

Finally, I located the LAST copy at the B&N at The Avenue in Murfreesboro where I was meeting my college project partner for a study time. I went ahead and made my purchase and then found out PW had added a book signing date in Little Rock, where I have family.

So… I texted my cousin and aunt and told them they should go. They were busy and they are not as interested as I am. But they indulge me anyway.

So, you can only imagine my SURPRISE when I was looking at the PW website this morning and Lo and Behold… there’s a PICTURE of my Aunt standing in line for the book signing. A closer look shows my Uncle with her (but he is blocked) I laughed WAY out loud and picked up the phone.

My aunt is in the jogging outfit wearing the glasses behind the two girls getting their picture made. http://thepioneerwoman.com/confessions/

My sweet Aunt and Uncle stood in line for FOUR HOURS to get this book signed by Ree Drummond AND her husband (Marlboro Man) to give ME as a Christmas gift! They thought it was hysterical that they made the website and told Marlboro Man, who was taking the pictures, that if they were posted, they’d be BUSTED! And they were.

They were even famous enough to make it onto another blog site:

http://www.nonsensicalgibberish.com/?p=265

Goodness but I love my family!

Sunday afternoon...

2009-11-08T13:55:00.007-06:00

I should be working on a class project. But it's pretty outside. So, instead of working... I decided to take my camera to the backyard and play with the manual focus... zooming in on one object and letting the background go blurry.

Why? Because I can.

Bird Feeder:

Tree Bark:

Garden Hose:

Gate:

Cruise control:

I promise to work on my paper. Really, really soon.

She's All That... and a Bag of Oats!

2009-11-07T20:11:00.005-06:00

She's got style... she's got grace... she's big and dark and beautiful... and she took it to the big boys and beat the whole lot of 'em.

Zenyatta absolutely should be named Horse of the Year. There will be debate with supporters of Rachel Alexandra. But, let's face it... Rachel didn't show up for the big dance that is the Breeder's Cup Classic.

Zenyatta did. She didn't just show up, but she started out flat last and made her way through the trenches to overtake all those macho boys and won! She is undefeated in 14 starts.

And... she has a signature walk! (Tyra Banks would be proud) She likes to strut before taking her place in the gates. She likes to paw the ground and she loves the attention from the crowd. Her jockey said at one point in the race it felt as if she were slowing down to pose for the throngs of people... but she picked right back up and made her way across the finish line first.

This all coming after a very dramatic moment while loading the gates. One of the boys, Quality Road, was having no part of being loaded into the gate today. He bucked and reared and the handlers finally thought to throw blinders over his eyes to get him in the gate. This is not an uncommon tactic in horseracing. But Quality Road was having no part of it. Once in the gate, he began to kick so violently he was led out and examined by the veterinarian. They determined to scratch him (a first in Breeder's Classic history) because he developed a scratch on one of his hind legs. That's not good in a racehorse and I applaud those in charge for erring on the side of caution.

So, they had to unload all the other horses (who had been standing in the gates for all this time) and reload them. When the gates opened, they were off... with Zenyatta bringing up the rear and biding her sweet time.

When she made her move, there would be no stopping her. She ran a powerful and beautiful race and deserves all the accolades due her.

... and probably some extra grain too!

Lantern Lane Farm

2009-10-31T07:44:00.011-05:00

I know... you've seen the pictures, but let me explain a little bit about Lantern Lane Farm.

This is a great non-profit organization out in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. My friends Ralph and Joni Cook own and operate it. There is a log house on the property that has just been named The Selah House at Lantern Lane. It is a place for rest and renewal of the body, soul and mind. We are working on the brochure for the house as well as the counseling services that Ralph provides (he is a licensed counselor).

Here are a few shots of the photo shoot I took on Friday before the rains came:

Here's Riley and Cindy, the two cutest boxers around.

This is Lindsey. She is one of our volunteers. She comes out on Fridays and works with the horses and helps with the feeding/grooming, etc. Lantern Lane would be nowhere without the help of all the volunteers! There are six full-size horses, three minis and a couple of donkeys. It is a lot of work, which is why the volunteers are soooo appreciated and loved!

Here, we are showing how the counseling/therapy sessions go. The counselor and the client (Lindsey is playing the part for the photo's sake... she's not a client. I wouldn't put a client picture up without their approval first) work together to set up an obstacle course for the horse. Each object represents an obstacle in the person's life. Once the course is set, the client walks the horse through the course...

After leading the horse, the client would spend some time talking with Ralph about what those obstacles in their course represented and how to overcome those obstacles.

The other part of Lantern Lane Farm is the Selah House at Lantern Lane. It is a log house at the back of the property that is available for rental. It is really designed as a retreat for those people who need to get away. It has been rented for families who are vacationing in the area. But there are small groups that have used it as well. I know of a ladies' Bible study group that spent a weekend there and there have been a number of pastors and their families who have utilized it to recharge their spiritual batteries. That is the true purpose behind Selah House.

There was just a Board of Directors meeting this morning and are planning the first event for Lantern Lane Farm. On December 19 from 2-4pm, we will have Christmas at Lantern Lane Farm. There will be an area for people to have family photos made as well as hot chocolate and an hourly rendition of the Christmas story. There were be some live acoustical music and a bonfire.

So... mark your calendars now and plan to join us on December 19!

Just doing the stuff...

2009-10-24T20:59:00.009-05:00

So... it has been a good week this week. I should be writing a paper right now, but... I'm posting a blog instead.

I really need to finish the paper. And other homework too. But, it has been such a pretty day... and I've had a lot going on. So, I PROMISE... I will get that stuff done soon.

I swear.

This is where I am really hopeful that neither of my professors reads my blog...

But today was a little bit busy. My friend Requelle and I attended the funeral of a very kind and special man... Curtis Poteete. Curtis attended Two Rivers Baptist Church with me and for many years he helped with the animals when we produced the Passion Play. He was such a character and so much fun to be around. I always loved to see Passion Play roll around because I knew I would be working with Curtis Poteete and Don Roney. Curtis was great with the camels... but he also always led in the white horse at the end of the production.

Curtis has been having problems with his heart and I am told was on a list for a transplant. Unfortunately, his heart transplant did not occur... but Curtis has been transported from this world into glory. The service today was a sweet time. I thought at one point that it would have been fitting to have a white horse hanging out in the lobby. I have a feeling Curtis has stepped right up to the Lord's stables and is giving those magnificent creatures a good rub down.

Speaking of horses... I left the funeral and found it fitting to go out to Lantern Lane Farms and help set up for their annual fall festival. Of course, Requelle came out and helped as well. There was plenty of food and horrible bluegrass music from Ralph's Iphone (thanks Ralph!) and they were planning a hay ride for later in the evening. (I had to leave in order to finish this paper that I haven't finished yet!)

Here are some shots of the festivities:

This is Scooter and Apostrophe. They are BFFs.

Here's Requelle getting the food organized...

Here is the cook fire! We roasted dogs and marshmallows here. And kept warm since it's getting a mite chilly in the evenings.

Mite chilly. I'm talkin' like a girl who likes bluegrass.

'Cept I don't.

Heh.

There was a friendly game of horseshoes going on...

And I thought this tree was really pretty. So I took a picture of it.

Then I wanted to take a close-up picture of Requelle... and it took about three minutes because she kept laughing!!! Seriously.

And she should thank me for NOT posting the picture I WANTED to post.

Yeah... who's your friend, Requelle? I am.

After all that time... I finally got this shot:

And this is a great way to end a fine evening... with a horse grazing in front of a cabin!

Ahh... you know its fall when you come home smelling like you've been standing in front of a campfire.

The First Weekend - Post Wedding!

2009-10-19T19:48:00.014-05:00

So... this weekend was a huge amount of fun! I started out working with my friends at Lantern Lane Farm (I get credit for my class on that). There is nothing like volunteering for friends who are getting their non-profit organization off the ground, getting class credit and then having them fix you breakfast!

Thanks Ralph and Joni!

Then went back home to await the arrival of my aunt and uncle (spending the night before heading to NC) and my niece and new nephew-in-law (fresh from the honeymoon). I should have done some studying... but there were so many people around and Gerard Butler was hosting Saturday Night Live.

I just HAD to stay awake.

Kristin & David brought over their wedding pictures that were taken by the lovely and talented Carla Lynn of Carla Lynn Photography. Here are a few.

On Sunday I went to brunch/lunch with Heidi and Lou Ann. KatyBell (all one word) came along and we just had a great time hanging out and eating too much food and celebrating Heidi's 33rd birthday.

Again.

Then, I made Katy come and pose for some pictures for me. Why? Because I was going to be taking engagement pictures of some people I had never met before.

Katy was a pro:

Then, I met Kathryn and Chett. Kathryn spells her name like me, but with a K. That makes her even more special! Here are a few of those pictures:

These would never have happened without Wanda Dulaney (the director) and Kaylie Dulaney (the self-proclaimed Fashionista). They rocked!!!

I just took the pictures. But it was a great weekend!

The Wedding Day!!!

2009-10-17T19:24:00.022-05:00

Well... the day finally arrived. I slept in for a little bit in order to be ready for the day. Kristin and Katy, Kim, Allison and some of the bridesmaids came over for a wedding breakfast of bagels and cream cheese and doughnuts. I ended up following the bride around until I had to get ready myself. So... I'll just let the pictures speak for the day.

(By the way... I took over 350 pictures.)

This was the prayer that Nana held over the bridal party that was present for breakfast.

Then... we headed to our favorite hairstylist, Alissa Kalish, from Tease Me Salon. Alissa is the BEST!!! She did the makeup and hair for Kristin and Katy and did my hair too! We love her! More about how fabulous she is later...

After the girls left and I was being "glamourfied"... I took their luggage and checked them into their honeymoon room for the night.

Let's talk about how much luggage my niece can pack for a weeklong stay in Florida. Well... let's just say it took me about 30 minutes to get them into the hotel... and that was using a CART!!

Seriously.

But here is the ante-room of their suite. I'm not showing the bedroom. Just cause that's a little too intimate.

By the time I got changed and over to the church, the wedding party was having their pictures made outside. We were very lucky in that the Lord held off the rain in order for the pictures to be taken in the garden that was on the church property. I can't wait to see them.

As for the family of the bride... let's just say... we like to have a good time. Can you tell?

Here are the girl cousins: Allison, Kristin and Katy

Here's Uncle Earl giving last minute advice. It must have been good!!

I was threatening to plant a big smooch right on Kristin's lips... like I did when she was a baby. She always wanted me to kiss her when I wore bright lipstick so she could have lipstick too. I did that with all my babies (that I have not birthed). She wasn't so excited about me planting one on her on her wedding day. I can't for the life of me figure out why...

So... we touched noses instead. It made my day.

So... let's talk for a minute about Alissa Kalish and how FABULOUS she is! Not ONLY did she work on the bride, maid of honor and crazy aunt in her salon that morning... she packed up all her stuff and came to the church JUST to do touch-ups and make sure everyone had great hair for the big event.

Oh. My. Word. With as humid and rainy as the day was, Alissa was INVALUABLE. Let me encourage ANYONE in the middle Tennessee area who needs a fabulous stylist... who is an absolutely wonderful person... contact Alissa at Tease Me Salon in Smyrna. Her phone number is 615-625-3472. Tell her the Bell girls recommended you. You will just LOVE her. I'm telling you. She's great!

Okay. Shameless plug is over (and she doesn't even know I'm doing this) Back to the day in pictures:

Here's the LARGEST. WEDDING. PARTY. EVER. lining up. That lady in the pink is my friend Heidi. She coordinated the efforts. We were very grateful for her.

Whilst they are congregating... we get a glimpse of a little father/daughter time. I have to thank my friend Requelle for taking this shot. I left my camera with her (I KNOW!!! I let someone else have my camera!) so I could go sit down in the worship center and shed a tear or two.

Oh, alright. It was probably five!

Requelle also snapped this picture, which is just darling...

And before you knew it... my baby was married! She has a new last name now. I have a new nephew-in-law, so it's all good.

This is my GQ nephew and his cousin Allison. He was quite the stud and she is always so pretty!

Time to cut the cake and toast the couple. KatyBell (all one word) did a great job of the toast! It was fun and sweet all at the same time. Kinda like KatyBell!

Then came the dancing... First with the new husband David:

Wait just one second! That's more kissin' than dancing! Oh well. They really get to do that sort of thing now!

Then came the dance with the Daddy:

Pause a moment to wipe the eye...

Okay, now it's line dancing time!

And one more plug for great friends! Here's Heidi and Requelle, without whom I would have surely lost my mind. They are great! And fun! Which makes them great fun!

And then there is Brent Gambrell. All around best friend and officiate of the wedding.

I like to call him different names at any given time. Brandt Dantranbrell is a favorite of mine. He got that moniker after receiving a piece of junk mail addressed to him as such. He and I were going to lose a lot of weight together before the wedding. Didn't happen. I'll blame him. It is much easier than realizing my own inefficiencies in that department.

And since they forgot to throw the bouquet and garter before changing clothes... we did this as they were going away. Silly kids!

And now, it begins...

All my love and then some to the new Mr. and Mrs. David Johnson!

One Day to Go...

2009-10-13T21:43:00.011-05:00

Yes, I know. You have been waiting with baited breath to read about the wedding. I slacked off and did not post before now.

It wasn’t so much that I was a slacker as it was that I was WORN OUT!!!

The night before the rehearsal day, I realized I forgot two VERY important pieces I needed from my church. This threw me into frenzy as I realized that in order to form a more perfect union… oh, wait a minute. That’s the Constitution… I got knocked off track there.

I realized that in order to get to the church and pick up the pieces I needed and then get back to the Boro to the church where the wedding was to be held AND… to miss rush hour traffic (no easy feat in Nash Vegas) I would have to leave my home at the crack o’ dawn.

Which I did. Because I’m smart like that.

Then I got back to Wedding Central and packed up the truck. And the mini-van. And the SUV with all the things to make this wedding come together. All the gossamer and stanchions and poles and bases and fabric and flowers and banners were loaded up and we hit the Boro and unloaded. The van. And the truck. And the SUV. And proceeded to spend the next five hours or so creating a backdrop and draping material and laughing and eating and generally making a fun mess out of things.

However, the mess was a good one and the Bride was happy and the Groom was satisfied (because do Grooms really CARE what the décor of their wedding is?) and it was time for the rehearsal.

But first: let’s talk about friends.

Let’s talk about friends who take a day off from their own busy work week and meet you at the venue (over an hour from their home) and how they work diligently (and anally, by the way) and help create the backdrop and a dance floor for the Bride & Groom to get their groove on the next night.

Such is my friend Requelle (pictured here with my cousin Dawn). She is awesome. I don’t even have to say anything else.

Back to the adventure…

The Right Reverend Brent Gambrell appeared along with friend Heidi, who helped organize the Largest. Wedding. Party. Ever. and got the party started. Each member took their places and marked their spots. Then they marched in. Then they marched out. They did this a couple of times until everyone felt good about themselves and then it was time for FOOD!!!

Blue Coast Burrito. Yum!!!

The groom’s family had them cater the dinner and they brought a buffet and made burritos for you whilst you stood there with your mouth watering. Then the grooms’ stepfather opened the floor for anyone to give good wishes to the Bride & Groom. Those were fun. Specifically when the Father of the Bride admitted to one and all that he never ACTUALLY gave permission for the marriage and he would need to speak with the groom before the end of the night.

Good Times!

All went well and we took off the rehearsal dinner décor and reset the room for the reception (the following night). It was well after 11 p.m. by the time I got home and I gotta tell ya’ my feet were killing me! It has been a long time since I have put in a 17-hour day! Whew!

More to come…

Two Days to Go...

2009-10-07T20:38:00.007-05:00

Well, things are moving right along here at Wedding Central. The Bride is on her way to recovery and today was a day for relaxing and pre-planning and making lists.

Oh My!

Lucy and Ethel made a run into the Boro to purchase music for a piano student of my aunt's. They had a few other errands to run while they were there and had a fine time with each other.

The cousin and I sat in the sun on the front steps and... wait for it... painted our toenails.

That's right, ladies and gents... painting toenails! It was great fun and the fact we did this whilst sitting on the front step in our PJs and before taking a shower.

The neighbors loved us.

So did the little old ladies from the Senior Citizens house down the street.

... And the people walking around the track. Especially when the cousin had a cramp in her thigh and screamed like she was being murdered. We were quite the entertainment!

Afterwards, the cousin and I sat down and made a semi-game plan for the decorations that we will set up on Thursday. We are the kind of people who will really get things together after we arrive at the venue.

We're fun like that.

More to come...

Here's Your Sign

2009-10-06T09:47:00.002-05:00

We are in the midst of Wedding Week and the bride has come down with a nasty cold/sinus problem. Great. She is going to head to the doctor today and get a cure for what ails her that will get her back on the mend WAY before Thursday/Friday.

We hope. And pray.

The reinforcements have arrived safe and sound at Wedding Central. There is a sense of tug-a-war at times between the generations. The elders (you remember Lucy & Ethel, right?) like to pre-plan to the smallest detail whilst the cousins know that once they get to the venue, they will put together something that is FABulous and all will be well.

It should be fun to see who is alive at the end of the week!

On a completely different note… I have to post the following picture to prove a point:

If you want to be taken seriously, Mr. Gosselin, I would suggest NOT posting a sign on the front gate of your manse if you cannot spell. Does anyone see the improper spelling? Anyone? Bueller?

Penalty.

Spell it with an A and people like me won’t ridicule you for you inability to spell.

Was the spellcheck program at the printers not functioning, or were they simply following your phrasing to a T?

Wake up young America and pay attention to your English teachers now! You will be so glad you did.

Saturday/Sunday Before the Wedding

2009-10-04T16:54:00.007-05:00

Saturday started off very well. The maternal unit and I had to head to the Boro in order to purchase a gift for Kristin's final shower... lingerie... that was that afternoon.

But first... we needed to stop off at Macaroni Grill with my camera so we could snap a quick picture of the bridesmaid's luncheon. Not everyone could be there, but it appeared that they were having a grand old time!

So, the maternal unit and I finished our purchases and ran a few more errands and returned to the homestead where I found I had made an A on my mythology paper.

Yeah me!

Oh wait. This is a blog about the bride-to-be and the countdown to the big day! Back to her.

We headed to the bridal shower and found that we got there WAY early and sat and visited with the other young ladies who were there early as well. There was some discrepancy in the actual time... but that is probably what happens when you put together a shower, but never actually send out invitations! It was a lingerie shower... can you tell?

There were games to be played and laughter and food and just generally a lot of good times! Then the bridal party headed out to Nashville to dance away for a bachelorette party. I am told there was much fun there as well. I will have to believe it, since I KNOW better than to head downtown with a bunch of girls in their 20s!

That, plus I knew I had to get up on Sunday and go to church and borrow some things from the costume room in order to pull of the reception area, which I am decorating!

So, the mother of the bride and the groom to be came out and we loaded up some materials and drove through the rain back to Wedding Central (the name I have given Casa de Bell) and unloaded everything back out.

At least I don't have to explain myself like this:

Ahhh... bridal shower games! There's nothing like 'em.

Just a Week Away

2009-10-02T16:32:00.005-05:00

We are officially one week from The Wedding! I thought I would start some sort of countdown here. There are many things to do and all those last minute details to finish. We have LOADS of stuff still heaped up in the music room here (yes, I have a room in my house that is "the music room"). Bride's gown, Maid of Honor Gown, flower girl dresses and shoes, hot glue gun, silk flowers, bubbles, communion supplies, lions and tigers and bears, Oh My!

Okay. Not really on the Lions and Tigers and Bears. That was just me being funny.

Did you laugh?

On my agenda for today... decorate the flower girl baskets and study/take a test for my ORCO class. The test is due next weekend. But, let's face it. That would just be CRAZINESS. So, I will study the text and take the test tonight, whilst it is still fresh in my noggin'.

I hope I retain something for the final.

I have added pearls onto the flower girl baskets. I'm trying to decide if it needs ribbon as well. I will confer with the bride and get back with you. The gossamer that we will be using to decorate for the reception arrived yesterday. Brown and green. I am tres excited about that.

More supplies arrive on Monday. Along with the Aunt and Cousin.

The photographer that is doing the engagement/wedding pictures is Carla Lynn. She's fabulous. She took the picture that is at the top of the page. For more information on her work, check out http://www.carlalynnphotography.com/

More later...

Pork Tasting...

2009-09-26T21:44:00.003-05:00

Yes. You read that right. Last night I went to my very first Pork Tasting event.

I know what you are thinking! Most people opt to attend a wine tasting event. That sounds so much classier than a pork tasting doesn't it?

Again. I live in the south.

But, here's the scoop on the pork tasting. It was fabulous.

Fab-U-Lous!

Mmmm... pork.

The owners of the Red Hill Farm out of Lafayette brought many delicious versions of pork to be sampled. Everything from mild and hot sausage to ham steaks and baby back ribs.

The hostess had tables out on her closed in back porch, so we were able to enjoy each other's company and listen to the rain go pitter-pat on the roof. It made for a wonderful evening of fellowship and... well... pork.

The eldest patriarch manned the grill... out in the rain, mind you... and served up some very nice samples. Have you ever had a pork burger? No? If you do... you may not go back to beef.

Being the carnivore I am, this was an enjoyable evening. AND... when I left, I was given my very own pound of mild sausage. Everyone got to take some home, whether you placed an order or not.

How awesome was that?!

This was the second pork tasting in the area and there are more to come. If you are interested in hosting one... let me know and I will see if we can't hook you up with the folks who put this together. Then all the people who were at this last pork tasting will show up for more great food and fellowship.

Hello Dalai?

2009-09-23T13:10:00.001-05:00

I have lived my life in the south. I have grimaced at the people who surround me when they say less-than-intelligent things. I myself, have said less-than-intelligent things. It always amazes me that in a time of crisis a news station truck will locate the most unappealing southern person to put on the air and give an explanation of a news event. That person may be wearing a stained tank top and missing a tooth or two.

But now… we’ve brought the Dalai Lama to the south. Memphis to be exact. What did the mayor of Memphis do to welcome him?

Fist bump.

Who knew that when Mr. and Mrs. Obama greeted each other this way that the ramifications would be so far-reaching?

The only thing that could top the fist bump is if you greet him in some less-than-noble way. But, this is a mayor… he won’t succumb to that pressure, right? What did he say to welcome the Tibetan spiritual leader?

“Hello Dalai”.

Riiiiight.

Thanks Mayor Lowery.

Terrapins... the other white meat

2009-09-22T14:33:00.004-05:00

... and then, there is my friend Requelle. She has berated me on my previous post. She apparently lives with the horrible idea that I should beware of turtles.

Beware.

Of Turtles.

She says this because she hails from Maryland. The University of Maryland has a mascot that is... wait for it.

A turtle.

Seriously.

Because NOTHING puts fear into the hearts of man like that of the fighting Turtle.

I think I'll name him Myrtle.

It fits.

Turtles and Dancing Men!

2009-09-22T11:20:00.004-05:00

There are any numbers of reasons for traffic problems in the middle Tennessee area. Car accidents. Stalled cars. Police cruisers waiting patiently for that speeding bullet that just passed you. Construction. Country Music stars. The President of the United States dropping by on his way to the White House. Rain. Snow. The threat of snow. The very idea that some precipitation other than sunshine will fall to the earth. Any number of reasons. Let’s add one more…

Turtles.

That’s right. I said it. Turtles. Those happy little cartoon characters that slowly move across the roadways of life. The Victor over the mad cap rabbit! The aged character that led the young man to Mr. Owl to determine how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop!

You with me now?

You can now add to the long list of turtle accomplishments… stopping traffic.

The nature-loving idiot I came upon had blocked traffic on a two lane road in order to allow the turtle to get from one side to the other. Yes. Blocked traffic. Both ways. The stopped cars sat idle whilst their drivers (I am one of those) stared in amazement at the spectacle.

Oh, I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking what a great guy he is. What a nature lover. What an earthy fellow. Don’t be fooled. This man could EASILY pick up said turtle and place him in the tall grassy field. It’s not like he couldn’t catch him. It’s not like he was greased up from some sort of pig wrastlin’ competition.

But no. Instead, our turtle’s hero gently nudged him along. He was probably worried about affecting the turtle’s Zen or something.

I wanted to go out and shoot something. But I held off.

The next sight I saw warmed my now cold and frosty heart. I was sitting at a red light this morning when a movement from the corner of my eye caught my attention. In the BMW to my left was an adult man, in his early 40s with a little boy in a car seat. The two of these men were just singing away with each other. I don’t know what the song was… but there were hand motions and Father and Son were having a great time! It was a wonderful moment to see.

It restored my faith that man was not a bumbling idiot bent upon causing traffic accidents to watch a turtle cross the road.

Clowns in Space? Ew.

2009-09-17T14:29:00.002-05:00

Here’s something you never really want to read in a newspaper article:

Space Tourist Plans to Tickle His Colleagues.

Yes, it is true. The newest celebrity/billionaire to make his trek into the Great Unknown is none other than Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte. I have to admit I am somewhat jealous. Who wouldn’t want to jaunt off on a mission to the space station? I would consider it. But I don’t have billions of dollars to throw away on a once-in-a-lifetime trek. I have to pay for college books and tuition for goodness sakes!

I have to admit I am just not a fan of Cirque. It is creative and imaginative. The costuming is spectacular. But there are only so many times I want to watch a petite flower bend herself into a pretzel. Once you have witnessed a behemoth balance five people on his head whilst riding a unicycle, you really don’t have to witness that again.

But now the leader is heading into space. And what does he plan to do there? Tickle the astronauts in their sleep.

He would do well to stay in space before “tickling” me in my sleep, lest I wake up swinging and fling the poor guy into an orbit all his own.

He’s going to pass out red clown noses too. Because the one thing the space station needs are clown noses floating about.

Makes you wonder if, once the space ship is docked to the station, Mr. Laliberte rings the doorbell and the cosmonauts treat him like a Jehovah’s Witness and just refuse to answer the door, hoping he will take his clown nose and tickling apparatuses and simply return to Mother Earth.

I just bet we will hear them laughing from here!

Exaggeration

2009-09-12T15:00:00.003-05:00

It is always something, isn't it?

So a couple of weeks ago my maternal unit woke up WAY before her normal time and made her way to the kitchen and the brewed pot of coffee. Her morning ritual is to drink said coffee and take her blood pressure medication. This morning was no different.

After her morning meds, she ambled off to the computer to check her email, etc. After about 30 minutes, she realized she would rather be asleep, and being the retired person she is, headed back to bed and dreamed a little dream of me.

Okay, she probably didn't dream. But that was a pretty clever way to end the previous paragraph.

Fast forward an hour or so and you will find the maternal unit making herself a bowl of cereal for breakfast and, having no memory of the early waking experience, took herself another blood pressure pill.

She realized the mistake after she swallowed.

Oops.

As I enter the house at the end of the work day, my paternal unit says the following words to me: Your Mother has had a bad day.

What does that mean? Does it mean she read a disturbing email. Did she shatter another bottle of fingernail polish on the bathroom floor? Did she slip and fall? All sorts of things run through the brain when trying to decipher my paternal unit's phrase. Unfortunately, I have to bite.

Me: What happened?

Dad: Your mother overdosed on blood pressure medicine.

Now, when one thinks of an overdose, one typically believes the person has determined to take vast quantities of a drug. My paternal unit goes on to explain what happened ending with this phrase:

So, we sat around all day and waited to see if your mother was going to die.

Seriously?

Me: Did you call her doctor?

PU: Yes. He said she would probably just have a headache or feel dizzy or maybe faint.

Me: So at no time did he mention the ability of the maternal unit to keel over and kick the proverbial bucket, right?

PU: Well.... no.

Okay. Listen up you senior adults out there... you can elongate the years of your offspring's life if you don't announce that you have spent the day staring at each other waiting for one of you to die.

Seriously. (This is my new favorite word)

I need some ice cream to make me feel better.

WICKED!!!!

2009-09-10T23:27:00.003-05:00

There are not a lot of Broadway musicals that I have not seen. Wicked was one of them.

Was. Past tense.

Tonight I experienced Wicked. I did not simply view it or watch it or even go to it. I experienced it.

From the beginning of tonight's performance at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center to the cast's final bow, I was enthralled with this production. Each element of the experience is one to be shared with your friends and family. Okay, fine. Share it with strangers! Just Go.

The vocal abilities of every single actor was strong. I cannot remember the last time I saw and heard a show where there wasn't at least one vocalist you could find fault with. That was not the case in tonight's performance. From Ga-linda (with a Guh) to Elphaba and even the smaller role of Nessa... the vocal strength and range was more than impressive. It was astounding. I found myself wondering how the cast would cope with middle Tennessee pollen, but there was seemingly no problem.

The costuming was timely and appropriate for the cast. The set moved smooth as silk. It was effortless.

I was a complete newcomer to Wicked. While I had read the book, I had not seen the musical nor did I know any of the music. I worried that it may become tedious. That was far from the case. The music was beautifully complex and well-written. The harmonies were perfection. The only possible negative aspect was a problem with mixing the vocals during some of the bigger, full cast numbers.

For all that... I am sold on Wicked. Find a way to see this show. Go now. Pay the money. You will be so glad you did!

Great Friends!!

2009-09-08T23:52:00.005-05:00

I love having those people in my life that I can go without speaking to one-on-one for a year and then pick right back up and catch right back up with over great food in a great restaurant.

I did that tonight. I had dinner with my friend, Pam Case. (shown below)

I conned Pam into dinner in an effort to help me out with a paper I have to write in my Organizational Communication class. I have to interview two people in management and Pam was the first person I called.

Okay, I texted. The sad thing was that I had not talked with Pam in some time and so I texted to her old phone number. I have no idea who has that number now, but they didn't respond. Probably because they had no idea who I was. Then I tried to Twitter Pam. I did this because she is the Twitter Queen! But I didn't hear from her on that end. So, I finally emailed her through Facebook and she let me know that she had a new number and we worked out the details for dinner tonight.

We met at Amerigo in Nashville at 6:00. I love Amerigo. It is one of my favorite places to eat. Did my dinner meet with my diet restrictions? HECK NO!!! But, I did pass on the dessert, though it pained me to do so.

Pam and I had a great time catching back up with each other. Then I pulled out a tape recorder and interviewed her for my paper. That took about 30 minutes. Then I turned my tape recorder off and we talked some more.

We left the restaurant at a little after 10:00. Our waitress was tired of refiling out tea glasses, so she took off at about 9:30. It was also a little after Pam's husband texted her to make sure she was still alive and kickin'! Surely to goodness she hadn't been sitting in a restaurant for four hours.

Hey... at least we stopped eating by about 7:00! We did pretty good.

Good Friends + Good Food = Good Times!!!

And hopefully a Good Grade!

A Day On the Farm

2009-09-06T14:31:00.009-05:00

Last Wednesday evening the members of the digital photography class I am taking had a field trip. We went out to Lantern Lane Farm.

Lantern Lane is a great horse farm in Rutherford County (even though you think you are in Mt. Juliet... you aren't). I know the owners. I knew them before they purchased the farm. They are great people! Joni is a real estate agent and one of the sweetest people I have ever met. She loves people... but she loves the Lord more. The best thing about her is that she lets the Lord love people through her. She is an amazing woman. AMAZING. Makes me wonder why she hooked up with Ralph all those years ago.

Ralph. What can I say about Ralph? Probably not much that is printable. :)

Oh, I'm kidding. I love Ralph. He's a fun guy. He tells it like it is and doesn't really let you throw a pity party. I worked with him when I was on staff at Two Rivers. He was the children's choir director. Those kids just did not mess with Mr. Ralph. He wasn't a Nazi about it, but he was firm with them and they respected him for it.

I don't really respect him. Just ask him and he will tell you. Kinda hard to respect a man who cheats at cards.

Seriously. He cheats. He will tell you he cheats. Again... he tells it like it is.

At any rate, they have a great place and they have horses. I love horses. I love taking pictures and I was very excited that our first field trip was going to be at Lantern Lane.

By the way... if you want more info about Lantern Lane, check out the website here:

http://www.lanternlanefarmtn.net/

The website is going to be updated soon, but that will give you an idea of where we were. If you are interested in volunteering with the animals, you can contact the Cooks through that website. Or, if you need a weekend away or have family that is coming into town and need a place to stay, the cabin in the perfect place! (Yes, that was a shameless plug for Lantern Lane Farm)

These are some of the pictures I took whilst I was there:

This is a picture of Dolly. She is a beautiful walking horse that was in foal with Apostrophe when the Cooks bought her. She was very patient with me and let me get in pretty close in order to take this shot...

This is Scooter. He is a precious guy who was really, really good with all the children that accompanied their parents to the farm for the photo shoot. Every so often Scooter would get a little nervous. So, he and I bonded that evening. I hung around Scooter and let him know what a great horse he was. He enjoyed the attention and snuffled the hands and shoulders of the little children who thought he was just as great as he is!

I also took some odd pictures. Because I like to take odd pictures. I loved the texture of the wood on the barn.

And here is the barn itself. It is a lovely shot of a lovely barn on a lovely farm. A lovely barn on a lovely farm owned by lovely people. Well... at least Joni is!

Oh, okay Ralph. You are lovely too!

These Boots Are Made For Walkin'...

2009-09-05T13:03:00.003-05:00

I own a pair of lace-up ropers. Did you know that about me? It does not really fit my typical shoe mold. I purchased them for a specific reason and I made a friend of mine who had lots of years of horseback riding/working cattle help me pick them out.

See, I wanted to take horseback riding lessons. I have always loved horses. ALWAYS. I never owned one because when I was little we moved from base to base because my father was in the military. When we finally settled, we really did not have the means or the acreage to host a horse. But that did not mean I gave up my love of these magnificent animals.

Finally, I determined that I would take horseback riding lessons. My first instruction was to purchase a pair of boots that had a heel on them. I was pretty sure my four inch black knee boots were not going to work. So... I hit my very first country and western gear store to find a pair of cowboy boots.

I apparently do not have the ability to wear cowboy boots. I have pretty large feet for a girl and I just could not cram them into pull on cowboy boots. My friend then introduced me to ropers. These boots were great! I could cram my feet in them and then lace them right up as tight or loose as I wanted.

I survived all my horseback riding lessons. I survived a six hour bona fide trail ride (even thought my jeans did not) and when all was said and done... I retained my ropers.

I have not had a need of them over much these past few years. I will pull them out occasionally and wear them. I have friends with horses that I have been able to visit more lately. I have really enjoyed going out and petting the babies and spending time with my friends.

The other night, I was there with a group of people who I am taking a digital photography class with. I knew there would be much walking about. Therefore, I decided that it would be a good time to pull the ropers out of my closet and wear them for the day. I discovered something rather odd.

I walk differently when I am wearing ropers.

I am wondering if it is my inner cowgirl trying to come forth.

I would think this... except that I am not a cowgirl. Really. Not. One.

But I do walk differently. My stride is longer. It is almost a more confident stride. It borders upon a swagger.

I have never swaggered in my life. Unless you consider a few parties I attended, okay... hosted, in college.

No... that wasn't so much a swagger as stumbling.

So. I'm thinkin' I'll be wearing those ropers a little more often.

Maybe I'll catch me a cowboy! :)

... And Then I Woke Up.

2009-08-31T11:53:00.001-05:00

I have apparently developed very bad sleeping habits. As you will recall from a few posts back… I have awakened in the morning with the mouth guard I occasionally wear in varying locations in my bed or on the floor.

Let me back track by stating that I am a night person. I really do not enjoy mornings at all. I would never have survived in the wild days of yore when womenfolk woke at the crack o’dawn to work the fields, birth the babies and fight off outlaws. (Okay, I might have been able to fight the outlaws, assuming they were not morning people either!) I understand they went to bed at sunset and were therefore awake and fresh as daisies by the time the sun rose. That still would not be me. I could still sleep until 9 or 10.

But, I live in the modern era of alarm clocks and all night cable television/internet access. Because I am susceptible to hitting the snooze button for an hour or so, I have devised a second alarm. My cell phone will put forth a hideous sound about 15 minutes after the alarm clock. The problem is there is a snooze option on the phone two. I essentially spend about 30 minutes rolling from alarm clock to cell phone (each on opposite sides of the bed).

Now, in order to GO to sleep, I set my television on a timer. I will set it for about 30 minutes and I am usually asleep within 5-10 minutes. I never hear the TV click off. EVER. I do not have bedside tables. Instead, I have two short pillars on either side of the bed that serve as tables. There is really only enough room on one for a very small lap, my TV and cable remotes and my cell phone. The other side only has the alarm clock. Nothing else will fit there.

Side Note: My TV is old enough that it has to have a separate cable box. The option for the time is on the TV remote but I can use the cable remote to change channels and monitor the volume.

The alarms started going off this morning. I started my morning practice of rolling from one side of the bed to the other and hitting various snooze buttons. At whatever point I actually “woke up” I found myself in bed with various devices. (Oh. That doesn’t sound good). I not only had dragged the electrical CD/Radio/Alarm clock into the bed with me, but I also had my cell phone and BOTH television remotes.

Amazing. I hate to think what would happen if I were actually married. I mean, er…

Wow. That didn’t sound right either.