That's What She Said

Onward and Upward - May's Playlist

2010-05-09T22:16:00.002-05:00

I must say I'm super proud of my playlist for May. I listened to it multiple times on my drive to and from the Mississip this past weekend.

In Christ Alone - Page CXVI

I Know Where I'm Going - The Judds (a throwback)

A Whole Lot Better - Brandon Benson

The Fear - Lily Allen

Portions for Foxes - Rilo Kiley

Blow Away - A Fine Frenzy

Today Was a Fairytale - Taylor Swift

Highs and Lows - Mindy Smith

Dancing in the Dark - Mat Kearney

Crush - Glee Cast

Why Didn't You Call Me - Shelby Lynne

All I'm Thinking of - Tyrone Wells

Sex and Reruns - Jay Nash, Matt & Tony Lucca

Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of - The Avett Brothers

Help Yourself - Sad Brad Smith

Kings and Queens - 30 Seconds to Mars

Electric Feel - MGMT

The High Road - Broken Bells

Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap

Animal - Neon Trees

Ghost Town - Cary Brothers

If I Die Young - The Band Perry (This is my personal new favorite song.)

April, You're Here Too Soon

2010-03-31T22:31:00.002-05:00

Yes, I realize this is the name of my last post on 12 Months of Resolutions. It's also the name of this month's playlist. Ready? Set. Go!

40 Dogs (Like Romeo & Juliet) - Bob Schneider

Kandi - One Eskimo

Breakeven (Falling to Pieces) - The Script

Lisztomania - Phoenix

Kick Drum Heart - The Avett Brothers

Dog Days are Over - Florence + The Machine

1972 - Josh Rouse

Home - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Cousins - Vampire Weekend

Makin' Pies - Patty Griffin

Love this Pain - Lady Antebellum

Look So Easy - Dave Barnes

Enjoy each and every moment of these treasures.

Well, hello there.

2010-03-31T17:02:00.001-05:00

I promise, April is the month for blogging. I'll be back. But in the meantime, check out 12monthsofresolutions to see what April has in store.

Real World: Baton Rouge

2010-03-02T20:31:00.003-06:00

So Bob, Kay and I surprised John for his 8.5th birthday! We moseyed on down to Red Stick after Greg so graciously planned everything. A few notes of the weekend:

- On the drive down I-55 just outside of Jackson, I smelled a burning odor and asked Bob what he thought it might be. His response? Burning chicken feathers. What? You've smelled chicken feathers burning? He claims he has.

- Baton Rouge is surprisingly like Jackson, only with a really large college in the middle of the city.

- I ate crawfish at two meals on Saturday....once fried in a po'boy, once boiled in a huge tray all for the eating. And eat I did. My love for mudbugs was something unknown to my family. GET TO KNOW ME!

- Here's the kicker...You may see the McDonnell clan on next season of The Real World: New Orleans. Apparently, one of the Miss. State basketball players knows one of the girls on the new season. So she and another girl from the house (you know the lingo) sat in our section. We didn't know why these cameras were following these random girls. Somehow we find out that it's for MTV's The Real World. They are filming a second season in The Big Easy, this time after Katrina. Of course we have to explain what we're talking about. Kay claims she's never heard of this. She then proceeds to tell us that we shouldn't know what it is either and that she knows that we used to watch it in her house even though it wasn't allowed.

Of all the nerve! Truth be told, we did watch MTV even though we were forbidden to. One time I walked in on my dad watching Singled Out. I told him that I was going to tell Kay and he begged me not to since she'd have the cable taken out. Hilarious.

Back to the subject, you may want to watch the next season as there were multiple times one or two of us were on camera. Kay even strategically placed herself behind one of the girls for a while. She's "taking a picture of the scoreboard"...at least that's what she'd say.

- Story of the weekend: Bob is a trickster. He and Kay met in the early 70s when he still had dark hair and a spring in his step. Apparently, he convinced Kay that he was Jewish for the first few months of their relationship. He went to the trouble to drive her by the Jewish synagogue, talking of Jewish holidays and the such. So for months, she's believing he's of the Hebrew nation. Until one family dinner at her grandmother's house, Bob got asked what religion he was. He replied "Episcopalian". I guess he felt obligated to tell the truth to the elderly. What ethics he has!

The Cutest Emergency Ever

2010-02-25T22:11:00.000-06:00

Seriously...it's 6 minutes long but so precious.

How do you do that?

2010-02-16T20:31:00.004-06:00

As I've said before, I love listening to podcasts. My favorite one is The B.S. Report with Bill Simmons and I think the reason for this is the format of the podcast. Essentially, Bill just talks to his friends about topics. Sometimes it's about sports, sometimes it's about pop culture. I love that he calls up his friend who is a Yankee fan at work. The guy picks up the phone as if he's answering a business call and then they proceed to talk about how the Yankees are doing for the next 30 minutes. Or he calls up his friend Jacoby, the Czar of Reality TV and they discuss Jersey Shore for over an hour.

I think the biggest pull for this podcast is that I feel like I could do that. How do you get into something like this?

Handicapped Poser

2010-02-11T14:15:00.003-06:00

This is Amber posting not Sarah...I know you are all like who the heck. Promise I am the co-blogger to this account. Anyway I thought this msn messenger chat was pretty funny and should be posted. So I used to have a boot on my foot and had one of those handicap things you hang from your mirror. I took full advantage of the handicap luxuries when I wore the boot. I mean that boot was BIG...it was justified guys, I was even on crutches at one point if that helps my point. Anyway my co-worker was making fun of me only using the handicap bathroom stall at work and still using the handicap parking spot even tho I no longer have the boot. Sidenote there is not a handicapped person that works at my company.

Crystal says: is that way you insist on the first parking spot,t oo?
dude, you dont even have a sign on your car
we could totally report you.
Amber says: i'm not really insisting homie...who's parking there??? NO ONE. and i do still have the sign if i need to start using it again
Crystal says:when i go to the publix, and there is NO ONE using that spot, do you think it's acceptible for me to park there?
Amber says: NO
Crystal says: how is this different?
Amber says: this ain't publix
how many peeps you see walkin up in here handicapped
Crystal says: what if someone from American prinitng came and was injured, do you thinkthey should have to park out back?
injured. injured, baaad
Amber says: they should call ahead...just sayin
Crystal says: you're redic
i don't know what to do with you
you are soo an only child!!!!
Amber says: dude i can't help it the rents didn't have more
its like in my blood
Crystal says: i guess...

Life's Soundtrack

2010-02-10T18:14:00.001-06:00

Live music in Nashville on a Tuesday night. I don't take advantage of the fact that I live in Music City enough. So I'm going again Wednesday night to the Bluebird Cafe.

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A little reading

2010-02-10T18:13:00.000-06:00

I love magazines. As I opened the mailbox today I found these treasures inside. Yippy Skippy!!!

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What Most Don't Love

2010-02-08T19:56:00.001-06:00

I love Unexpected Snow!!!! I will keep a silly grin on my face until the last flake falls.

My Town: Full of Possibilities

2010-02-07T21:58:00.001-06:00

I love living in a town where I have so much left to discover. I went to Art Crawl Saturday downtown. And while I'm not a huge art fan, I loved the experience and the idea that I saw something new in my town. (This is The Arcade)

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Why don't you super bowl shuffle over here and bring me that bbq sauce

2010-02-05T19:54:00.000-06:00

You Ridin' With Me?

2010-02-04T19:49:00.003-06:00

Apparently it was for research for Taxi Driver. But wouldn't it have been cool for DeNiro to be your cab driver?

Via UnrealityMagazine

Day 4 - Images of Heritage

2010-02-04T19:21:00.002-06:00

Isn't that such a ridiculous title? Give me a break. I couldn't think of anything else.

These are photos that I keep of my family. That awesome couple in the back? Macky and Grandmother (I'm sure if John and I had known her we would have given her a rockin' grandma name.) those two love birds on the right? Why, that's none other than the infamous Kay and Bob. The cute kids in the front? Johnny Mac and me. And the dapper man on the left (with me)? That's Boppa.

12monthsofresolutions
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Day 3 - Hail State

2010-02-04T19:16:00.002-06:00

This is my Alma mater. Well, not Vanderbilt. The team on the bottom goal line is Mississippi State. So many memories are tied to that school and place. I'm glad I still get to see them play once in a while.

12monthsofresolutions
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These Kids - Day 2

2010-02-02T21:06:00.002-06:00

Nathan and Laura. Some of my best friends in Music City.

12monthsofresolutions
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Day 1- dinner with friends

2010-02-01T19:58:00.002-06:00

Friends eating at Blue Coast Burrito. 2/1/10

12monthsofresolutions.blogspot.com

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Another Fantastic Find

2010-01-30T11:31:00.000-06:00

Here's another great find for shopping. Much like IDeeli which I posted about last week (here.)

Man, I love a drum line

2010-01-29T10:50:00.004-06:00

When I was in high school, our band was...oh, how you say...lacking? Sure they played the fight song and even marched at halftime but they were very small and just okay.

The high school where most of my church friends went had a great band with an incredible drum line (I believe the honorable Chris Kinsley was a drum major for the MCHS band.) I loved to go to their games and watch the band, especially the drum line.

While they were good, I don't think they would hold a candle to these jokers. I guess this is what the Swiss are doing while they aren't engaged in combat, so always.

(via www.misscellania.com)

12monthsofresolutions.blogspot.com

Will it or won't it?

2010-01-28T19:26:00.001-06:00

I think that if I wake up and run to the window tomorrow morning and there is no snow, I shall shed a tear. This Mississippi girl needs to see some significant snow.

Don't think I won't pray for this tonight.

Are you afraid of the dark?

2010-01-27T22:16:00.006-06:00

Remember that show on Snick? Me too. And it scared me. Below is an article from MentalFloss.com about the strange phobias of celebrities. Do you think some of these phobias may be publicity stunts? Like Tyra's fear of dolphins? (Believe it. To think that she is going to be off the air. What a shame for journalism everywhere. It's truly a loss.)

The Quick 10: Weird Celebrity Phobias

by Stacy Conradt - January 27, 2010

Everyone has their weird phobias. Me, I hate clowns and people wearing costumes or masks that cover their faces (which is weird, considering how much I love Disney World). But compared to these 10 celebrity phobias, my fears are pretty normal.

1. Billy Bob Thornton hates antiques so much he refuses to stay in a room with furniture from before 1950. This might be a rare phobia, but he’s not alone – more than 250,000 people in the U.S. alone apparently suffer from this fear of antiques. “I’ve had friends tell me that maybe I was beaten to death with an antique chair in a former life,” Thornton has mused. Hmm.

2. Of all of the things that could traumatize Alfred Hitchcock – you know, showers, birds, mama’s boys –one of the things he hated most were eggs, specifically runny ones. You know what’s weird? My mom shares Hitchcock’s birthday (not birth year, mind you) and she also loathes eggs. Even cracking one into a cake mix can make her gag, and don’t even ask her to make you over easy eggs.

3. Christina Ricci cannot stand to be around house plants, which would be known as a form of botanophobia. She finds them dirty and shudders at the idea of watering one. “If I have to touch one, after already being repulsed by the fact that there is a plant indoors, then it just freaks me out.” I guess if a guy sends her flowers after a date, there won’t be a second one. Or maybe flowers are different? Do we have any botanophobics out there that can clarify?

4. Tyra Banks won’t be swimming with Flipper’s cousin at Sea World anytime soon – she says she’s been scared of the intelligent swimmers since she was about eight years old. “I have dreams that I am in a pool and there are dolphins bumping me and I’m frightened,” she has said.

If you’re really interested, here’s a video of Tyra bravely facing her nemesis for her talk show.

5. Megan Fox hates paper. I imagine this must make it very hard to read scripts, but what do I know? Technically, she clarifies that this isn’t a phobia –it’s more like people who get the chills when they hear fingernails on a chalkboard. She says that sometimes she even has to have a cup of water nearby so she can thoroughly wet her finger before turning a page if she’s doing a lot of reading at once. So, War and Peace is probably out?

6. Do you guys remember Frankie from The Real World: San Diego? If you do, you probably remember her for her battle with cystic fibrosis (which she sadly lost in 2007) and not for her strange phobia: big boats. Really. The cameras were rolling on the roommates just standing around chatting when Frankie bolted for the bathroom, white as a ghost and thisclose to throwing up. Why? Because someone said “cruise ship.”

7. Matthew McConaughey is scared of revolving doors. And maybe also personal hygiene, because he says he hasn’t worn deodorant in 20 years. He claims he feels anxious about even getting near revolving doors, and he’s also scared of tunnels. While actually being in a tunnel doesn’t bother him, the point where you have to go underground to enter the tunnel does.

8. Nicole Kidman is what is known as a lepidopterophobe – a person who is terrified of butterflies. “It’s so bizarre,” she told In Stylemagazine, “I’m not scared of snakes or spiders.” She said she once tried to overcome her fear of the colorful little guys by making herself go through the butterfly exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History, but just couldn’t make it through. As a little girl, she couldn’t even go in her yard when she got home from school if there was a butterfly sitting on the gate.

9. Childhood sure can mess a person up. “My grandmother used to save it [used gum] in little rows in the cabinet,” Oprah once said. “I’d be scared to touch it because it was so gross, so I have a thing about gum. One guest in my home sat at the dinner table, took out some gum from her mouth and put it on her plate — after she left, I threw the plate out.”

10. What does Madonna have in common with a dog? I’m sure there are lots of hilarious answers to that, actually, but the answer I have in mind is that they’re both afraid of thunder.

I think a fear of clowns is somewhat common, so I didn’t include Johnny Depp’s phobia, but I have to say that his thoughts on why he hates them sum up my own opinions pretty nicely: “There’s something about the painted face and the fake smile. There seems to be a darkness lurking under the surface, a potential for real evil”.

So you sat out a month...

2010-01-27T22:13:00.001-06:00

Check out 12monthsofresolutions - February edition to see what February has in store, challenge-wise.

Are you in?

Will you be there, Edward?

2010-01-26T22:35:00.004-06:00

They are converging on Music City, folks. The Official Twilight Fan Convention is going to be at Opryland this weekend. It's sure to be a blood-sucking good time. And by blood-sucking, I mean weird.

Devoted fans gather for the love of a vampire

This weekend, scores of fans will descend on Nashville to attend the Official Twilight Fan Convention atGaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.

If you're imagining throngs of screaming teens and gothed-out vampire wannabes, think again. Among the crowds will be a multitude of women — mothers, sisters and best friends — looking to escape their daily lives by indulging in their love of Twilight.

"The love story really is for everybody," says Crystal Bandurske, a 34-year-old mother of five from Louisville, Ky. "Whether you are a teenager or an older person, it attracts such a wide range of people."

Staying at the hotel, meeting actors from the movies (including Peter Facinelli who plays Dr. Carlisle Cullen) and mingling with like-minded fans is a far cry from the daily routine and the isolation that can come with being a stay-at-home mom.

"I'm 35 — this is my girls weekend!" says Lori Joffs, laughing. Joffs, who lives in Spring Hill, is the administrator of Twilight Lexicon, one of the most popular Twilight fan Web sites. She has attended Twilight conventions in Atlanta, New Jersey, Miami and Chicago (often as a presenter for Twilight Lexicon), and plans to attend about 10 this year. With so many conventions under her belt, Joffs has seen a lot of Twilight moms.

"There are a fair share number of teenage Twilight fans," Joffs says, "but generally speaking it's a rarity to find a teenage fan who's (at a convention) without her mother. And her mother says she's a fan, too."

"The last time I went somewhere with my girlfriends was August '01," says Debbie Smith, 33, from Nicholasville, Ky. "That was the last time I went anywhere without a kid or husband. I am always with a kid."

Smith plans to travel to Nashville with two friends, and the nearly four-hour ride is something they're all looking forward to, especially Angie Napier, the ringleader of the trip and possibly the biggest Twilight fan of the bunch.

"We will catch up and see what the other families are doing and just get out and enjoy life," Napier says. "We will just escape from reality and have a good time. I think that is most of what we are looking forward to."

'Everyone Likes Romance'

So what is it about Twilight specifically that inspires such passion? For the women we spoke to, at least, it's not so much the supernatural vampires-and-werewolves angle. Rather, they're drawn to the intense romance that develops between central characters Edward and Bella. That, and the character development at which author Stephenie Meyer excels.

"There are some mature aspects of mortality and family life and your soul," says Joffs. "It is a fun, escapist love story, and it's clean, so it's something a mother and daughter can do together, and a mother is not ashamed to share this with her daughter."

"Everyone likes romance," adds Napier, who says she relates to the strong-willed, feisty Alice character.

The husbands may not understand their wives' fascination with Twilight, but most can appreciate their need to get a break from the kids.

"(My husband) is actually OK with it," says Lindsey Morgan, 27, of Fayetteville, Ky. With three children under the age of 4 and a full-time job, the convention is something she's really looking forward to. "When I first told him I was going, he looked at me like I was crazy, but he loves to give me a hard time about it. He's glad it is something me and my friend can do together and he doesn't have to come with us."

Experiencing a giddiness and excitement that has been missing since high school, these women are unabashedly giving in to the rush fans have when they come close to their passion.

"I don't remember really being obsessed with something since Dirty Dancing came out," says Napier. "When I was a teenager we all had our hair cut like Baby and rolled up our denim shorts, and that's what I feel like now. I remember my grandfather making fun of my aunt, who was my age now when all of that happened. Now I can relate."

Another draw of the convention is having a direct connection to what has become one of the biggest franchises in history. "It is kind of neat how big it has gotten," says Morgan. "It's hard to fathom that those four books have caused this much interest in the world."

"I want to meet Dr. Carlisle," says Lexington mom April P. Merrill Bormes, 31. "But the one thing I am looking forward to is spending time with my sister doing something we both like."

via The Tennessean

12monthsofresolutions

The perfect way to shop

2010-01-25T18:51:00.003-06:00

I am a shopper. I'm also the person who looks in her closet and says, "I've got nothing to wear." I've found a great new website for someone like me.

Some of the stores they have on this site are really, really expensive. But they've also got some that are incredible. While I haven't purchased anything yet, I can feel a transaction in my near future.

For Posterity's Sake

2010-01-24T18:16:00.002-06:00

I've lived in Nashville for almost 3 years (in June) and one of the things this city has going for it is the chance to see famous people. Now, I've been to NYC and LA and have seen celebs out and about in both (I'm fine, Phillip Seymore Hoffman. How are you?) But in each of those places I've been visiting so I've had my eyes peeled. The times I've seen people in Nashville have been random and unexpected. So before I forget, here's the list of those I've seen. I'm not bragging...just remembering.

Darryl Waltrip (race car driver...not too exciting)

Nicole Kidman (Academy Award Winner)

Keith Urban (Grammy Winner)

Mat Kearney (Singer...not particularly famous worldwide but I love his music!)

Amy Grant (Singer...a childhood icon. Story to come.)

Patty Griffin (Singer...one of my favorite songwriters. Story to come.)

P.S. I did write "Posterior's Sake" first as the title. I knew it didn't look correct.

Fuhget Abou' Dit

2010-01-24T00:48:00.002-06:00

Listen, Montclaire, New Jersies. I loved watching the train wreck that is known as Jersey Shore (MTV) as much as the next girl. But I think it's hardly a reason to swarm a nightclub where these eight flash-in-the-pan Guidos/Guidettes are rumored to be. It's also not a reason to start fights. I mean, is that your solution for everything up there?

Here's what I'm talking about...via NJ.com.

"Disturbance" at Montclair club where Jersey Shore cast members were billed to attend

Far from the land of boardwalks and beaches, there was bedlam as members of the cast of "Jersey Shore" descended on a Montclair nightclub Friday night, forcing the closing of a stretch of the main business strip to disperse fans anxious to get inside, police said.

"They had crowds much larger than they could control," said David Sabagh, Montclair’s police chief. "They had 600 upstairs, 200 to 300 downstairs and 400 outside. ... There were fights inside and fights outside."

The crowds of fans responding to advertisements to "Meet the Jersey Shore Cast" spilled out into the street late Friday as they pressed against the doors of the 501 Lounge on busy Bloomfield Avenue.

Sometime after 10:30 p.m., police closed the thoroughfare between Park Street and North Fullerton Avenue for about 2 hours. A fire engine was parked in the middle of the road, along with police cruisers up and down the avenue.

By night’s end, four people were arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and drunken driving, Sabagh said.

At its height, about a dozen Montclair police were called to the scene, with backup from the Essex County Sheriff’s Department and police in neighboring Glen Ridge, he said.

"They failed to hire police for security," said Sabagh, who was called in while attending a retirement dinner and spent two hours on the scene. "We dispersed hundreds of people."

Injuries were minor. "There were some twisted ankles, but nothing life-threatening," Sabagh said.

Deputy Fire Chief John Herrmann, on his way up a stairway to speak to the club’s manager, briefly got caught in the crowd and slightly hurt his wrist.

"They were in the process of removing somebody," he said yesterday. "We just didn’t expect it coming."

The owner of the property and the liquor license in place there was identified as Richard "Dick" Grabowsky, a prominent downtown fixture who several years ago bought the block-long Hinck building at Montclair’s landmark "six corners."

"Too many people showed up," he said yesterday. "A lot of people were upset they couldn’t get in. The place had a capacity of 800, and apparently about 2,000 showed up."

Yesterday, Grabowsky said he has no relationship with the club’s operators. No one could be reached at the 501 Lounge. Rich DiFeo of partybody.com, whose name appears on a poster promoting the event, declined to comment.

The investigation, in conjunction with the state division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, is continuing.

"Jersey Shore" — featuring Vinny Guadagnino and Jenni "JWoww" Farley — is a hit MTV reality show about the exploits of eight summer roommates in Seaside Heights.

The show has drawn darts from the Italian-American service organization UNICO National, which asserts that its depiction of Italian-American beachgoers as the "hottest, tannest, craziest Guidos" is offensive. Yet the show’s season finale this month pulled in some 4.8 million viewers.

Little Known Fact

2010-01-23T01:04:00.000-06:00

You can tell how stressed I am by the messiness of my room. How about you?

Is this the movie about math?

2010-01-21T18:12:00.002-06:00

Wednesday night, Hales, Marky Mark and I scarfed down some Baja Burritos in the parking lot of Hollywood 27 Theatre. We hastily ate because A.) we were hungry and B.) we were in a hurry to see Nine (the movie.)

It's an all star cast filled with Academy Award winners and all-around awesomeness.

Daniel Day Lewis - The Italian Film-maker (You cannot go wrong with this kid. He is incredible!)

Nicole Kidman - The Muse

Marion Cotillard - The Wife

Penelope Cruz - The Mistress (blugh)

Kate Hudson - The Journalist

Judi Dench - The Friend

Fergie - The Duchess...I mean The Whore (really, that's what she is)

Sophia Loren - The Mother

You'd think with a cast like that, you have an instant hit on your hands. Well, I'm not going to say that I hated it. I didn't hate it. I enjoyed myself. I love a big movie.

But here are my qualms:

1. The music (sans 2 songs) was not very good. The lyrics were lacking originality. They used them too much to be narrative. And frankly, you're not going to catch me driving the Civic down Old Hickory Blvd singing "My Husband Makes Films".

2. I couldn't figure out what nationality people were supposed to be. Here you have all of these actors who are from all over speaking with accents that aren't their own. Frankly, it messed me up.

3. I cannot stand Penelope Cruz (as an actress.) This probably started with Vanilla Sky, which I hated. It's that voice. Ugh. And I don't think she sang her own song. And she plays a mistress. I mean I know someone had to play that part, but I wouldn't have automatically disliked the character if say, Kate Hudson had played the part. I would have disliked it automatically if Scarlett Johannsen had played the mistress. She and Penelope are both on my "do not watch" list.

4. I don't know where the name of the movie came from. I know it's based on a musical "8 and a Half" or "8&1/2" or "8.5" but I just don't get it.

What it has going for it:

1. DDL - He is one of my all time favorite actors. Ugh...so good.

2. It takes place in Italy which is beautiful, what with it's villages situated on mountainsides overlooking crystal blue waters.

3. Fergie is really good in it. I'm not even sure she speaks, only sings. And yes, she plays the Whore.

4. There were some really great performances. Judi Dench was good as always. Kate Hudson has a phenomenal voice. Nicki K. (I call her that because she sat by me at Whole Foods one Sunday lunch) was great in her very small role. Marion Cotillard was fantastic and believable.

Would I recommend this? Maybe. You should probably see it in the theatre. I don't think I would want to watch again. I especially won't get the soundtrack.

Here's a trailer for your viewing pleasure (not for innocent eyes,)

Is that a steak on your head?

2010-01-20T10:14:00.000-06:00

I think this shall always be one of my favorite YouTube clips.

The Baker, The Caterer, The Bridal Gown Maker

2010-01-19T18:45:00.000-06:00

So I'm the Cogginator's maid of honor and I am just thrilled. The wedding is in October, giving us plenty of time to make sure every detail is just so.

This weekend, Coggin and I went with the mothers of the bride and groom to the Nashville Bridal Show at the Convention Center. It's basically a million brides, a dozen grooms, a few thousand mothers and a bunch of friends all finding out way too much about weddings. You can purchase your cake, find your photographer, get your caterer, hire a DJ and schedule an appointment for nearly nude photos and liposuction all in one place. This place is for keeps.

So Laura so graciously asked me to go with her and the moms to the show. We knew it would be wedding overload but figured that we can make any situation fun, right? Well, about halfway through we hit our 5th bakery. This baker woman was hocking her wares left and right. I should have gone no where near the pamphlet to get more information because she beelined to me.

Our conversation went a little something like this:

Baker: "CAN I HELP YOU?"

Me: "Oh, not me. My friend here is the one getting married."

(Seeing the fear in my eyes, I pull Laura into the convo.)

Baker: "When are you getting married?"

Laura: "October 16th, so we have a while."

Baker: "Do you have your cake picked out yet?"

Laura: "Well, not ye..."

Baker: "Oh, you've got to try my cake. We use all real ingredients, real butter. It's the best."

Laura and I: "Oh, no thank you."

Baker to me (while looking at my stomach): "Well I know you're full."

Me: "EXCUSE ME?!?! WHAT DID YOU SAY?!?!? I KNOW YOU AREN'T IMPLYING THAT I'M...DID YOU REALLY?!?!?"

Me in actuality: "I am. I've eaten a lot today."

End of conversation.

If that baker keeps it up, someone is going to drop a 'bow on her head. I should have let her know that you can look at someone and assume they've eaten a lot that day but you shouldn't tell them you assume that.

For the Love of the Game

2010-01-17T18:31:00.005-06:00

I am pleased to inform you that the 2010 professional tennis year has begun. That's right, folks! Get ready. Amber and I will be talking tennis-ese for the next 10 months as we watch our favorite players chase the eternal summer.

There are many reasons I love tennis. Ask me sometime and I can tell you. Mostly, I love it because I can actually play. And while I'm not the best at it, I have my strengths (all forehands, never a backhand.) A goal of 2010 is to get on the court and play more.

How could you not love this?

I vow not to inundate you with tennis posts. I realize it could be very excluding.

12monthsofresolutions.blogspot.com

If I Could Turn Back Time

2010-01-15T22:16:00.004-06:00

It's been said that TV is the window to your soul. That's not true but it's a good intro into this blog post. Is there a TV show you've watched from the beginning? One that you could watch over and over again (and sometimes do on Hulu.com)? One that you hope they'll put on Lifetime, Oxygen or TBS syndication so you can watch it at every hour of the day?

Here are the 5 shows that I will always love:

1. Friday Night Lights (Doi, have you not seen the blog posts that I've penned (uh, typed) about this fabulous show?)

2. How I Met Your Mother (One of the best shows on TV.)

3. Sex and the City

4. Saved by the Bell

5. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (Gone too soon.)

Here are the 3 shows that I am currently loving:

1. Modern Family (Give this show a chance. You won't regret it.)

2. The Middle

3. 30 Rock

Is there a TV show that you have loved from the beginning and get envious when you hear someone is starting to watch it starting at Season 1 on DVD?

Life is a Game

2010-01-15T22:03:00.002-06:00

If my job was the game of Risk, I would have just lost my grip on the world. I had control of Asia, Australia and parts of the Middle East. I've had to relinquish my control on most of the Eastern Hemisphere and in turn I'm defending Europe. Rumor is that when playing Risk, Europe is hard to keep control of because there are so many ports of entry.

Good thing my job is nothing like Risk :)

Have you met Mariclaire?

2010-01-14T22:53:00.005-06:00

I'd be lying if I said it's been easy. Sometimes I think of taking the easy way out, saying it's my blog and my challenge and I'll do what I darn well please. But then again, that's the purpose of the 12 Months of Resolutions. You see, they say it takes 21 days to make a habit. I'll admit that I've started brushing my teeth and halfway through I stop because I've forgotten to floss. So it's not a habit yet. I get to about 10 o'clock and think about how tired I am and think It'll be okay if I blog tomorrow. But that's not the deal.

So I give you a seven fun facts about my best friend, Mariclaire.

1. Mariclaire is a Spanish teacher in Madison, Miss. She spent 1 summer in Peru, a semester in Spain and another month in Spain during her college years. She's quite the aficionado. However, as of right now she's only managed to teach me how to say Cuidado! (That means caution.)

2. Mariclaire's mother, Debbie, was my kindergarten teacher at Broadmoor. She tells the story about how I was going to write a book when I got older. If only she had known... I also was with dear WMU-heading Debbie when she drank mimosas thinking they were orange juice. Boy, they were good.

3. Mariclaire and I are great traveling buddies. We have driven many a southern highway and backroad. We've conquered the Superdome and New Orleans. We journeyed through the streets and avenues of New York City, drove the PCH on the coast of California, walked the Las Vegas Strip (losing only a few dollars) and sipped tea in London across the pond.

4. We had great plans to be on The Amazing Race. With her knowledge of Spanish and ability to drive a stick shift and my impeccable directional sense and 6 years of French, the Italian lessons on my iPod and my Scottish/Irish last name, we would have been an unstoppable force. Marian (as I call her) is an amazing pedestrian. She can weave through a crowd with the best of them. There was a moment in London where I thought she was not going to make it across the 6 lanes of traffic but, by golly, she did.

5. Mariclaire loves the band Boston. I think the reason is mostly because of More Than a

Feeling mentions "MaryAnn" but she thinks it is Marian, her given name (Marian Claire.)

6. Mariclaire has sensitive ears and on many occasions has called my handclap the Clap of Doom. If memory serves me correctly, I think it's the left ear that is super sensitive causing me to mostly sit on her right at sporting events.

7. Mariclaire wrote many of my student recruiting letters during college. As a Roadrunner, we had to write 25 letters a week (you wrote more if you were new) and she could churn those letters out. She also helped me learn the words to the Mississippi State alma mater. "In the heart of Mississippi, Made by none but God's own hands..."

Our Yeoman from the Tower of London

Tea Time in London

Wedding Weekend!

Love you, MCI!!!

12monthsofresolutions.blogspot.com

A Family Affair...

2010-01-13T18:50:00.006-06:00

As John and I were growing up we each seemed to favor a different side of the family...John the Bilbreys and I the McDonnells. However, as we've aged I'm not sure this is the same. You be the judge...

Who do I look like...Kay or Bob? I'll put some different shots of them on here to give you more to go from in case you don't know the fabulous Mr. & Mrs. McDonnell.

John (My brother) and Sarah (me!)

Kay (isn't she beautiful?)

Bob (not really but it is his face on someone else's head. I'm working to get a legit pic.)

Me (I would have rocked the 60s)

Bob and Me (2009)

So, who do we look like? Or could what John told me as a child be true...that I was adopted from the Salvation Army?

12monthsofresolutions.blogspot.com

What's on my mind...

2010-01-12T22:21:00.005-06:00

I usually keep it light on here. It's been Berge's and my motto from the beginning. I even gave her an earful when she wrote a post about something on the heavier side.

But since it's our blog, I'm going to take today to write about some precious people in my life who need a whole lot of prayer.

Sterling Davis is the 5 year old son of some sweet friends from Birmingham, Roger and Becca. Sterling has always been a cool kid from the moment he was born (even if Roger did dress him in orange.) A few months back he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and had surgery to remove 80%. He is still having seizures so they are testing different medicines to see if they'll stop what is going on in Sterling's head. There are lots of questions to be answered. I'm praying for wisdom, comfort and perspective for Becca and Roger. For smart, compassionate people to surround them who don't say ridiculous things. For doctors who are wise and helpful. For 3 sisters (Landry, Kinsley and Murray) to be protected from all of it but to bring smiles when there is pain. And for Sterling, to be healed and to be edified in his young faith. You can learn more about Sterling's journey here.

A few weeks back we celebrated Joshua Kelley's end of chemotherapy by living it up at Chick-Fil-A. We watched him take his final pills and then play on the playground for the first time in a few years. Joshua was diagnosed with leukemia a few years back. After 3 and a half years he is finished with it all. You can read about the Kelley's journey here. They've even added a new Kelley (Christian) to the crew. I am thankful that I know a kid like Joshua. I'm thankful that he can tell me every detail about StarWars even though, at 5, he has never seen all of the movies. I am thankful I can call Jana and Michael my friends. I am thankful that the Lord continued to be faithful throughout these past 3 years.

Wenderson Joseph is my Compassion child. He is 7 years old and loves to play soccer and loves school. He is an excellent artist and can draw a house like nobody's business. Wenderson lives in Haiti where a 7.0 earthquake hit today. Haiti is the Western Hemisphere's poorest nation. Please pray for Wenderson and his fellow Haitians. I honestly don't know the words to pray for but trust Holy Spirit does.

I've been involved with Compassion since 2004 through Student Life. After getting letters from my two sponsored children (Patrick lives in Kenya,) seeing the Compassion headquarters in Colorado Springs and hearing the heart of Compassion's president, I know that the Lord is doing incredible things by releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name. You can learn more about Compassion here. You can actually give money directly to the disaster relief fund on Compassion's home page.

12monthsofresolutions.blogspot.com

I thought milk did the body good...but apparently 'roids help out too!

2010-01-11T20:43:00.005-06:00

Tell me something I don't know...

Mark McGwire used Steroids? You mean he was on steroids when he hit like a million home runs in one season? You mean he was juiced up when his arms were as big as tree trunks and the veins in his head looked like earthworms (I couldn't think of something else to describe his veins)? You mean he lied before Congress?

I am shocked....just shocked.

(By the way, Marky Mark...the day to come forth with your little steroid problem probably should have been when you took an oath to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth....you think?)

These are two of my favorite things....

2010-01-10T03:19:00.001-06:00

12monthsofresolutions.blogspot.com

What's that on your neck?

2010-01-09T07:15:00.001-06:00

On Sunday, I noticed that I had a knot on my neck. Monday I thought, "I think this is a pimple." I started messing with it (admit it, you do the same thing.) I wore a turtleneck to hide it. It was still there on Tuesday which is where our story picks up.

While sitting at my desk Tuesday afternoon, someone came in to chat with us. Before he said anything else, he says, "Is that a hickey on your neck?"

I explained that I think it is a bug bite (which I do since there is still a knot there) and he laughed. He then said, "Well, I just said what everybody was thinking."

Awesome. Just awesome.

Turtlenecks and scarves for the rest of the week.

12monthsofresolutions.blogspot.com

My Buddy....Erin.

2010-01-08T07:55:00.001-06:00

Have you met Erin E. H. Moon? That's a shame if you haven't. Erin is super creative, very witty, enduringly loyal and a fabulous mother (just ask Holland.)

I met Erin in 2003 probably at Student Life Training Week. We both moved to Birmingham that Fall and began working full time at SL. We were on the same team (Orange Team 04) the next Summer and have been buddies ever since.

I hear that she's had some ideas for incredible screenplays in the hopper. You should ask her how they are coming along.

Make sure you check out her blog MojoMable and tell her I sent you.

Oh, and here's a few snaps of The Famous Mrs. Moon.

Could this be a future Academy Award Winner?

Getting ready to watch Andy Roddick and Tommy Haas in Memphis.

She rubs shoulders with the famous...Hey Andy! You're Awesome!!

My beautiful friend and her sweet girl Holland.

12monthsofresolutions.blogspot.com

An Endorsement

2010-01-07T08:08:00.004-06:00

Are you plagued by wavy/curly/coarse hair? Are you sick of flat ironing said hair every morning only to have it re-inflate when you step out the door in the morning?

Maybe you're not SO excited when you have to straighten your hair like Jessie should have been....

Or you're sick of being the nerdy, girl with glasses and crazy hair who everybody thinks "why are they on this show again?" like Andrea (That's AAAHNdrea)...

Or an SNL character who wears wigs, like Gilly...

Get this....

The Vidal Sassoon Answers Hair Dryer for Normal to Coarse Hair.

It is awesome.

No money was exchanged for this endorsement but I would love to discuss something, VS. ;-)

12monthsofresolutions.blogspot.com

Latest Audio Obsession

2010-01-06T08:29:00.003-06:00

I cannot get enough of this album.

I have listened non-stop to Needtobreathe's latest album, The Outsiders, to the point that I think my iPod may only play that album from now on. I don't feel there is a lacking track in the bunch. Check Ch Ch Check it out.

12monthsofresolutions.blogspot.com

Super Cute Video from Ingrid and Sara

2010-01-05T09:56:00.002-06:00

Winter Songs from Crush Design on Vimeo.

Thanks, Heather Manning, for posting this on Facebook.

Cold Air in My Lungs

2010-01-04T09:43:00.001-06:00

Most people I know think I'm crazy, but I love cold weather. Haley tried to convince me that I was wrong yesterday when I said this. She told me I wouldn't love it if I had to work in it. Whatever.

I really do feel invigorated with it. And because of this, I've made a little mix of songs that you can hear in your head as you head out the door into the brisk, nose-reddening, lung-burning air in the morning. You're welcome.

Dreams - The Cranberries

Crazy - Seal

Stolen - Dashboard Confessional

Plasticities - Andrew Bird

Sometime Around Midnight - The Airborne Toxic Event

Sleep - Azure Ray

Straight Lines - Silverchair

Best Days - Matt White

With or Without You - U2

Hospital Food - David Gray

Carry Me - Patty Griffin

You Don't See It - The Duhks

The thing that drew me to these songs when making my playlist is the driving beat. Most of these are also on a driving mix or two of mine.

12monthsofresolutions.blogspot.com

Grease Meets the Tudors

2010-01-03T13:28:00.003-06:00

I never thought I'd see Danny Zuko and King Henry VIII together. Did you?

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it...Oh, it's melted.

2010-01-03T06:00:00.000-06:00

I know you Yankees don't understand. But when a Mississippi girl wakes up and looks outside seeing white flurries falling from the sky, she gets giddy.

This happened Saturday morning. I knew it was colder in the house than it had been before. So I peeked through the blinds to see swirling snowflakes on the roads and small piles of powder on the car windshields. That was at 8:45 AM. At 9:35 AM it was gone.

You need to know that I can count on my fingers and toes how many times I've been in snow. In Central Mississippi, you get ice, not snow. This is really all I've ever known.

You also need to know that I love cold weather. The colder, the better. I feel invigorated when I walk out and breathe in the crisp, cold air. You can keep that smothering hot mess called Summer. I don't want it.

12monthsofresolutions.blogspot.com

The Best Fortunes in Town

2010-01-02T10:48:00.001-06:00

I don't believe in fortune cookies. Let me be clear...I DON'T BELIEVE IN FORTUNE COOKIES.

Recently my meals featuring Chinese take-out have brought a surprise (I'm not talking about the Moo Goo Gai Pan.) I order at this place right around the corner. It's fairly cheap and super convenient. I order the #5 and #D1 (not just #1...that's just 1 egg roll.) China King has never led me astray.

But I digress...I have never been a fan of the actual fortune cookie. They are like stale Grandmother's cookies. You know, the kind that old people think are sweet but really taste like cardboard to those with the sense of taste.

Also, I've found that I've never really received an actual fortune. Just because you give me my lucky numbers and a Chinese word with pronounciation doesn't make you a fortune. Don't even get me started on the sayings disguised as fortunes. I've found that most fortune cookie fortune writers are just watching reruns of 80s sitcoms.

"Thank you for being a friend. Travel down the road and back again."

"As days go by, it's the bigger love of the family."

"Rain or Shine, all the time, we've got each other sharing the laughter and love."

Not those who sell their wares to China King in Nashville, Tennessee. My recent cookies cracked open to reveal very time specific aphorisms inside.

My last 3 fortunes read as follows:

1. Remember three months from this date! Your lucky star is shining.

2. Seek friendship and you will find someone special this month.

3. You will spend many years in comfort and material wealth. (Not so much time specific but still an actual "fortune."

How about that?

(One of my roomies, Haley, opened her fortune cookie last night from China King to find no fortune. 2010 does not look promising for B-Ragg.)

12monthsofresolutions.blogspot.com

The Evolution of my Snuggie Opinion

2010-01-01T15:16:00.002-06:00

1st Snuggie Commercial Viewing: "What in the world? A Snuggie? That's possibly the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Oh, it will never last."

2nd Viewing through 27th Viewing: "Seriously? Still showing this stupid commercial? It's a robe! Am I the only one who sees this? If I ever see Bob and Kay with one of these things, we will have words. Good thing Kay is so hot natured."

28th Viewing through 194th Viewing: "This Snuggie makes me angry. I can't explain it but the idea that they are selling millions of these backwards robes is appaling! What's wrong with humanity? No one I know will ever own one of these"

December 25th, 2008: "Are you kidding me?!?!? Am I seriously seeing my Facebook page correctly? Are my friends now owners of Snuggies? Surely they are just gag gifts."

1748th Viewing: "A DOG SNUGGIE?!?!?!?! NO MA'AM!!!!"

4893th Viewing: "Oh no, they've got NCAA, NBA, NFL and MLB officially licensed Snuggies. This is no good. And why are they raising the roof?"

December 25th, 2009: "What is this? So much tissue paper. Mom, you always wrap presents so beauti...I AM NOT OPENING THIS!!!! KAY!"

December 26th, 2009: "No, Dad. I'm not going to be wearing that thing. It's ridiculous and it makes me mad."

December 29th, 2009 [8:15 pm]: "Look at this (Haley, Sam and Gabriel)! Isn't it ridiculous? It's even got a pocket on the front. What? Am I going to put my remote control in that? Look at me! I look so stupid."

December 29th, 2009 [8:30 pm]: "I know! It's a walking hazard. I almost tripped 15 times walking from the kitchen to the table. They are going to get sued for so much money from everybody who trips over this ridiculous backwards robe."

December 29th, 2009 [9:00 pm]: "I don't know why I've still got this thing on. It really is pretty comfortable. And my cell phone fits so nicely in the pocket on the front."

December 31st, 2009 [8:30 pm]: "I know, Berge. I always said I'd never wear it but it is so comfortable. And it's long enough to cover my legs when I am watching TV. And see! I can put the remote in this pocket. Yeah, it could be a hazard when I go downstairs but I just throw it over my shoulder."

12 Months of Resolutions

I Resolve to Resolve

2009-12-30T20:34:00.004-06:00

I'm a project-starter. I'm not a project-finisher. So I'm resolving to solve this in 2010.

Add 12monthsofresolutions.blogspot.com to your blog reader and join me! Make sure you comment if you're in on the plan.

The question isn't who is, but who isn't in this movie?

2009-12-20T00:56:00.000-06:00

And the Dish Ran Away With the Spoon

2009-12-14T21:56:00.001-06:00

2009 has been an enlightening year on so many layers. Let's grab a bite to eat sometime and we'll talk about all that's gone on the past 365 days. I think you'll notice one thing during our meal together. I just learned how to hold my utensils correctly.

Like this...

And this...

Luckily, these aren't my hands. Mine aren't nearly as plasticy looking.

I told Bob and Kay that I recently learned this eating technique. They claim they tried to teach me but I just wouldn't do it. I don't believe this but really that's beside the point.

I'M COUTH! I'M FINALLY COUTH!!! (opposite of uncouth.)

I have to go Poddy(Cast)

2009-12-13T21:38:00.000-06:00

It got your attention. Admit it.

So I've been listening to a lot of podcasts at work lately. I think I may add to my things to do in life to have my own podcast. Here are some of the ones that I love...

Numero Uno - Bill Simmons' The B.S. Report. While Bill is a writer for ESPN, he is much much more. Hilarious doesn't describe his podcast and while the sports episodes are funny, my favorite are those that Bill spends talking to his friends about reality shows. He loves all of the Road Rules/Real World competitions and has started talking about Jersey Shore. I can only hope you will begin to listen to Bill so we can discuss.

#2 - What d'ya Know. This is the NPR show that I grew up listening to with my family. It's fun, and I think I will always love it. However, I was informed by Kay that the host is a liberal. I guess that means I shouldn't listen anymore.

C - PTI. I love sports. I like Tony and Michael.

IV - Fresh Air from NPR. I'm not going to say that this is my favorite. I just started listening to it and in one week I have figured out that the main host is one of the worst professional interviewers I've ever heard. She insulted the guy from The Carpenters by insisting their music is cheesy and then played Sonic Youth's version of "SuperStar" even though he said he did not like it. During her interview with Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman, she insisted on calling them by their whole names...the whole time. For instance, she said, "Morgan Freeman, what do you think about Clint Eastwood's choice to not say 'Action' while directing?" or "In 'Million Dollar Baby', Morgan Freeman, you narrated...." She also uses filler words way way way too much. I may be about to nix this one.

Do you listen to podcasts? What do you suggest?

Christmas Wish List for Her

2009-12-13T10:11:00.027-06:00

So I decided to pop in for a Christmas special...I'm pretty sure my New Year's resolution should be to blog more geez

Here are a couple of ideas for her for all of you last minute shoppers:

Seriously I die for this boot, so in love

Nine West Chiclet (who named that boot) in Tobacco, purchase here

how cute are these socks peeking out of the boots above

Free People Sweetheart Ruffle Over the Knee Socks, Purchase here

Lucky Brand Hope Necklace, purchase here

I loved this magazine, and you can have it all in a book!

Domino: the book of decorating, purchase here

Seriously I'm obsessed with this jewelry hook...perfect display and it holds everything

Filigree Jewelry Hook, purchase here

This Camera is great for vintage shots and its a mini! (you prob. want to buy the flash that goes with it)

Lomography Diana Mini 35MM Camera, Purchase here

If you want to get your 'old lady style' on and give to a good cause these are perfect

Gold Glitter TOMS, purchase here

Sephora has the holiday harajuku fragrances on sale for $15...I would pick fragrance G (great size for travel)

Harajuku Lovers Snow Bunnies G (.33 OZ), purchase here

Puma Oversized Knit Mits, Purchase here

Who doesn't want frozen hot chocolate?

Serendipity 3 Frrrozen Hot Chocolate Mix (3 pack), Purchase here

Southwest Giftcard, Purchase here

Joizee

2009-12-12T21:26:00.000-06:00

Have you seen Jersey Shore on MTV? I know, I know...the 2 hour series premiere last week was a little daunting but I'm sure you can catch it one of the 100 times they are replaying it.

You think I'm crazy, don't you? You think I must be addicted to New Jersey since I loved the Real Housewives of New Jersey (remember, Caroline? "We are az thik az theeves.") You think Jersey Shore can't be good? Think again. Here's the cast in all of their guido-glory.

Let me assure you, you don't know people like this. You might never meet people like these. I can only thank the folks at MTV for capturing these creatures for all of us to enjoy.

One of these things is just like the other...

2009-12-11T21:22:00.001-06:00

Loved the first. I think I'll love the second.

As if HS wasn't bad enough...

2009-12-11T18:02:00.005-06:00

So people say that High School is much harder now than it used to be. Not so based on the editor's comments in Eisenhower's yearbook. (Poor Lois.)

What would Jackson Prep's yearbook editors have said about me?

(via Mental Floss)

The Real Names of Products You Don't Know

2009-12-10T22:23:00.002-06:00

(via MentalFloss.com)

1. Jovny the Vlasic Stork.
2. Bibendum the Michelin Man.
3. Captain Horatio Magellan Crunch.
4. Martin the GEICO gecko
5. Mrs. Joy Butterworth.
6. Rastus the Cream of Wheat guy.
7. Sascha the Hamm’s Beer bear.
8. Gidget the Taco Bell Chihuahua.
9. Lorraine the Sun-Maid Raisin girl.
10. Mr. Six, the creepy Six Flags dancing guy.

It's a man's world

2009-12-10T21:08:00.002-06:00

So I love where I work. I am surrounded by great, fun people. Strangely, the past two places I've worked I've been one of the only girls.

At my current job, I hear a lot about guns and hunting. I don't mind since I have my TuneBuds that I just slip in my ears and turn up the iTunes. Sometimes I listen to super girly music like Taylor, Carrie and Reba just to drown out the testosterone.

The guys have really been great to me. They are all super nice and besides the occasional belch, are very polite. However, sometimes they prove true to their gender in their words.

I give you "Was that a Compliment?"

1. I really like grey hair. (I got my hair colored that very night.)

2. Can I borrow that life vest? (Twice I've worn my cute, green puffy vest and twice I've been told this.)

3. You look like a lumberjack. (Said at lunch the day I wore my new blue and yellow plaid flannel shirt.)

4. Your eyes look like you're getting sick. (Ugh...ugh.)

These are not exaggerations. And luckily I can blog about them and laugh them off. I know the guys mean well, even if their words could use some help.

PAM (Ewing) IN SPACE!!!

2009-12-08T19:15:00.004-06:00

(imagine the Pigs in Space theme from The Muppet Show)

So Victoria Principal, aka Pam Ewing from "Dallas", is going into space. I've said before and I'll say it again, you can keep space. I love to see pictures taken of space...just don't expect me to take said pictures or see the matter that the pictures show in person. I don't care anything about it.

It seems that space is going to be in our fairly near future, according to Davy Fisher. He mentioned something called a Space Elevator the other day. Granted I kind of spaced (pun intended) out while he was talking about it, I heard something about a really long wire and an elevator and orbit and atmosphere.

I think it's the idea of being so alone that turns me off of space. I had a hard enough time being a foreigner in England and I was surrounded by people all speaking my language. I cannot imagine being in space where you are all alone.

So while all of you conquer Mars, I'll be keeping things real down here on good ol' Mother Earth.

So this is how the first Thanksgiving happened...

2009-11-20T10:07:00.000-06:00

I don't care...Where do you want to eat?

2009-11-19T19:44:00.003-06:00

Yes, please!

Shoot for the (Circus of the) Stars

2009-11-18T21:14:00.004-06:00

I would honestly be okay with Glee just being a weekly hourlong show where the actors sing song after song without any storyline. You could even bring on special guest stars to sing with the Glee cast.

This brings me back to wishing that Circus of the Stars still came on. I vividly remember watching this after the Garfield Christmas Special. Brooke Shields, Mario Lopez, Jo from The Facts of Life...all braving the big top to entertain. Am I the only one who remembers this? I loved it.

Who would you cast for the roles on Circus of the Stars?

-Emcee

-Lion Tamer

-Clown

-Tight Rope Walker

-Trapeze Artist

-Seal Wrangler

-Human Rocket

-Dog Trainer

-Glass Walker

I've got my thoughts...what do you think?

What's that you say, Reba?

2009-11-12T21:14:00.004-06:00

I've always prided (is that a word?) myself in the fact that I know lyrics of songs. I'm pretty good at it and I might be good at Don't Forget the Lyrics but I'd never be chosen just because that's the way life goes. Country music is another story for me. It's not even that I don't know the lyrics...it's that I don't get the lyrics. There are quite a few songs that I've realized lately I just haven't understood. The most lyrically mystic is a certain Ms. Reba McEntire, the red-head herself. Below is a chat between friends concerning two of Ms. McEntire's finest.

(Please forgive me for the lack of capitalization and punctuation. This is how we do.)

Sarah: moon

Erin: yes?

Erin: hang on. i gotta get some tea before my throat explodes

Sarah: i've listened to Reba's "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" for the majority of my life and I still don't think I have the story down

Erin: wait what?

Erin: how?

Erin: ?

Sarah: i can't remember from the beginning to the end who the characters are

Sarah: i always thought it was that Enos' boy Seth who was killed at the end

Sarah: but apparently it was Andy, the friend at the bar

Sarah: i'm going to write a blog about it

Sarah: trying to work out the confusion that maybe others feel but have been too ashamed to admit

Sarah: (i put toot ashamed at first)

Erin: TOOT!!!

9:20 AM

Sarah: go get your tea

Erin: i already did

Sarah: enos boy?

Sarah: so quick

Sarah: isn't that what it says?

Erin: amos

Erin: amos boy

Sarah: amos boy seth?

Erin: his name is seth amos

Sarah: oh

Erin: LOL

Erin: this is great

Sarah: ok, so brother's been away, right?

Sarah: he stops by webbs to have a beer before he goes home to his wife.

Erin: right

Sarah: he meets his friend andy who tells him that his wife has been with seth amos

Erin: andy tells him that his wife's been seeing seth and andy has ALSO been with her.

Sarah: ok, so andy loses bro as a friend

Erin: right.

Erin: bro goes and gets his shotgun and goes to andy's house (is that right?)

yes

Erin: andy is dead (tracks too small for andy to make)

Erin: bros mistake was firing the shot just to flag them down

Erin: (georgia patrol)

Erin: then brother gets hung.

Erin: (in a dirty trial)

Erin: and reba was the one that killed andy

Erin: and also brothers cheating wife

Erin: you see?

9:25 AM

Erin: she delivers the punch (little sister don't miss when she aims her gun) or something

Erin: have i lost you?

Sarah: phone

Sarah: let's read the lyrics

Erin: you tell that person we are discussing IMPORTANT THINGS.

Sarah: yeah, customs and duties for an australian shipment

Erin: d-d-d-d-dang!

Sarah: right?

Erin: do you get it now?

Sarah: i used to think that the judge in the town had love stains on his hands

Sarah: how did the sister know?

Erin: i was always confused about 'Fancy' until I learned about prositution.

Sarah: reba is not afraid

Erin: i thought it was Glove Stains until i figured it out.

Erin: it doesn't matter how she knew.

Sarah: it's blood stains right?

Erin: yes.

Erin: i assume.

Erin: i can't imagine it would be anything else.

Sarah: and i guess he had been with her too?

Sarah: the judge?

9:30 AM

Erin: was there a video for this song?

Sarah: there was

Erin: maybe that will help.

Sarah: i don't think so

9:35 AM

Sarah: i've seen the video

Erin: would it help if i wrote it out as a short story?

Sarah: i just don't understand how reba knew

Sarah: yes

Erin: i'll do it. for you.

Sarah: are you doing this now?

Erin: not right now. but i will.

9:40 AM

Sarah: this won't be like the andy roddick story, will it?

Erin: ugh

Sarah: remember?

Erin: UGH

Sarah: fancy confused me too

Sarah: i thought she was getting adopted

Erin: hahahahaha

Erin: in a sense...

Sarah: yeah

Sarah: then i thought she was his maid

Sarah: is she still in the biz?

Erin: who?

Sarah: fancy

Erin: no. she got out.

Sarah: oh

Sarah: how did she make her money?

Sarah: that was quite the business suit she had on

Sarah: maybe she's the madam

9:45 AM

Erin: yeah i think she became a madam.

Sarah: so she still is in the biz

Erin: right but she's a lady

Sarah: ahahaha....she moved up in the business

Life in Technicolor

2009-11-06T23:26:00.003-06:00

When I look at photos from the early 20th century, I see black and white images of people who look totally different from you and me. The Library of Congress has decided to shed some color on the early 1900s with a Flickr account. I saw these on mentalfloss.com today and decided to share some with you.

Don't they look fake, like they dressed modern day people up?

Lady WaWa? (Walken does Poker Face)

2009-11-03T22:29:00.002-06:00

By the way, this comes from Friday Night with Johnathan Ross on BBC America, which I DVR each week. You maybe should check it out.

So it's not a knee?

2009-10-29T19:37:00.001-05:00

OH NO!!! MY DREAM CAME TRUE....(only it's the wrong body part.)

Meat Hand

Awesome Halloween Tradition

2009-10-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

From MentalFloss.com...(From "The 10 Quick: Halloween Traditions"

#3 If you’re dying to know who you’re going to marry someday, here’s an update on the apple stem twist we used to do as kids(or was that just me?). Unmarried women used to sit in a dark room on Halloween night and look into a mirror. Eventually, their husband’s face would appear in it. If a skull appeared instead, the woman would surely die before she could ever get married.

If this is like Bloody Mary then I'll never get married. I never saw her. Berge claims that she did, in fact, appear to her at midnight one night after she said "Bloody Mary" 3 times and turned. Likely.

On My Way to See the Bulldogs Playlist

2009-10-24T07:00:00.001-05:00

Saturday morning I'll be heading out to a place that holds so many memories...Mississippi State University. I've spent many a Saturday driving up Highway 25 from Jackson to watch the Dawgs play. I lived 4 fantastic years in Starkville. It's in my blood. I decided to make a playlist of songs that can take me back instantly to my college years. Hail State!

I'm With You - Avril Lavigne

Something To Talk About - Badly Drawn Boy

Selwood Farm - Bebo Norman

The Downeaster "Alexa" - Billy Joel

End Of The Road - Boyz II Men

I Wanna Love You Forever - Jessica Simpson

Black Eyes, Blue Tears - Shania Twain

3x5 - John Mayer

Killin' Kind - Shelby Lynne

Kiss Me - Shelly Fairchild

A Thousand Miles - Vanessa Carlton

Never Been Kissed - Sherie Austin

Little Goodbyes - SHeDAISY

Mean to Me - Sugar Tonic

Stronger - Britney Spears

Everything You Want - Vertical Horizon

40 Acres - Caedmon's Call

Champagne High - Sister Hazel

Banditos - The Refreshments

We've Come To Declare - Shane Barnard

Wherever You Will Go - The Calling

Welcome to Delaware - Watermark

Every Little Thing She Does is Magic - The Police

Tonight - New Kids on the Block

Always Be My Baby - Mariah Carey

Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond

When The Stars Go Blue - Ryan Adams

Walk On - U2

Gratitude - Nichole Nordeman

Figured You Out - Nickelback

Yellow - Coldplay

Mrs. Potter's Lullaby - Counting Crows

Babylon - David Gray

Any Way You Want It - Journey

Someday We'll Know - New Radicals

Who I Am - Jessica Andrews

Leaving Town - Dexter Freebish

Amarillo by Morning - George Strait

Strawberry Wine - Deana Carter

3 AM - Matchbox Twenty

Starkville City Jail - Johnny Cash

Your Wildest Dreams - Moody Blues

Rhiannon - Fleetwood Mac

Tuesday Morning - Michelle Branch

Special - Garbage

On a Bad Day - Kasey Chambers

Say My Name - Destiny's Child

Meet in the Middle - Diamond Rio

Travelin' Soldier - Dixie Chicks

Don't Go Breaking My Heart - Elton John

At Last - Etta James

17 Again - Eurythmics

Till We Run Out Of Road - Jewel

When The Lights Go Down - Faith Hill

The Sound - Further Seems Forever

I Will Buy You a New Life - Everclear

At Your Feet - Natalie Grant

Little Black BackPack - Stroke 9

Who's that Girl?

2009-10-22T21:08:00.006-05:00

It's the birthday girl!!!!

A happy happy happy birthday to the one and only Laura Coggin.

She hangs with pretty great people...

Like Morgan Freeman

And Me

She is educated...

She is cultured...

She loves good food...

She's pretty and great....she's pretty great!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COG DOG!!!

A Tebow/McDonnell Match Made in Heaven

2009-10-21T21:23:00.003-05:00

Maybe you remember the story of Kay taking it up a notch (see here) from a few weeks back. This weekend as she and Bob were visiting their beloved youngest child, she let it slip that she's been talking up my love life to people in high places...namely the head coach of the MSU football team.

After discussing this topic with Haley extensively, we decided that we didn't know if this was a slip or if it was just a slight mention as to affirm my fear that she is still on the job. Either way, here's my question...

Coach Dan Mullen is just precious. He's brought energy and life to my beloved alma mater. He is also the mentor, friend and former coach of a certain Heisman trophy winner...Tim Tebow. HELLO?!?!?! Am I right, ladies?

That's right. While Kay is trying to fix me up with assistant coaches, there is an eligible bachelor just waiting to meet me. (You can sense my sarcasm, right?) Come on, Kay. If you're on this, you've got to shoot for the moon.

Because Bob thinks this whole ordeal is just a ticket boon for you, think of the amazing things you could have with Tim Tebow on the McDonnell team. The sky really is the limit for you (and me.) We're talking Super Bowls, National Championships, The ESPYs...you name it, we're there.

It's too bad you missed your chance. We could have been HUGE!!!!

I love you for trying.

Oh, and he's a Christian! Perf!

Do It!

2009-10-20T23:22:00.004-05:00

Let me give you a piece of advice. I know, I know....it's unsolicited and you'll probably just write it off as another know-it-all telling you what to do. But don't...seriously.

You have a few months now of down time before the 4th season of one of the greatest shows I've ever watched comes back on. Friday Night Lights is more of an experience in TV than just an hour-long drama. It has changed the way I watch television and has raised the bar of what I consider good TV.

Here are a few thoughts that are probably running through your head:

1. I didn't like the movie.

2. I don't like football.

3. I hated high school.

4. I don't like Texas.

5. Isn't that the guy from Early Edition? Why would I want to watch him?

6. How can they keep the show interesting?

7. What do they do when seniors graduate and go off to college?

8. Won't people make fun of me for being the only person in America who watches this show?

9. It's 3 seasons in. I can't catch up.

10. I go out on Friday nights.

Here are my answers to you.

1. It's not like the movie. I fell asleep in the movie; I cry, laugh, sigh, yell and smile during the show.

2. I love football so I don't know where you're coming from. It's not really about football that much.

3. I hated high school. Strangely, this show will make you wish you had those days back. But then you'll remember that time you sat on a brownie and you won't want to go back.

4. I don't really like Texas either. But I do know a good amount of Texans and have spent time there. That's not really an answer. Just my thought.

5. Kyle Chandler is the guy from Early Edition, as well as HomeFront. You will absolutely fall in love with his character and his wife, Tammy (played by the underrated Connie Britton.) They are effortless.

6. In essence, FNL feels like I'm watching the lives of real people in small town USA. The situations and experiences feel very organic and real. Granted, there are a few dramatic occurances that take place. These are pretty few and far between.

7. When seniors graduate, they move on. The show helps you to let them move on.

8. You're not the only person in America watching this show. Chelsea Handler does and I do too. Maybe we can watch together.

9. The 2nd and 3rd seasons are short. You have plenty of time. When you watch, you will find yourself watching 7 episodes in a row. Trust me.

10. DVR, dude. DVR.

Oh, and reason 11 that you will want to watch this show (#1 in my opinion)...Tim Riggins!

Where I've Been...

2009-10-19T21:43:00.003-05:00

Greetings from 1980s and early 1990s Sarah. Here's what I'm spinning on my tables. Some is old, some is really old. Some is pretty new. All is awesome. Enjoy!

(BTW, I'm ready for some ridicule. I've accepted the random variety of this playlist, but it's what I'm listening to.)

He Stopped Loving Her Today - George Jones

The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia - Reba McEntire

Little Bribes - Death Cab for Cutie

Sometime Around Midnight - The Airborne Toxic Event

All the Right Moves - OneRepublic

Need You Now - Lady Antebellum

Haven't Met You Yet - Michael Bublé

Knocked Up - Kings of Leon

Full Steam - David Gray

Swoon - Imogen Heap

Party In the USA - Miley Cyrus

Electrify - MUTEMATH

Resistance - Muse

Oh No - Andrew Bird

Dance Anthem Of The 80's - Regina Spektor

Fireflies - Owl City

Falling - The Civil Wars

New York to California - Mat Kearney

Glass Of Water - Coldplay

Dance On Our Graves - Paper Route

I'm Coming Over - Ashley Monroe and Trent Dabbs

Happy Fall!

Let's discuss...Balloon Boy

2009-10-19T20:30:00.002-05:00

If you haven't heard of the kid who possibly flew in a ballon, you have been living under a rock, or maybe up in a balloon. It captured the attention of the nation late last week. Recap: A Colorado boy was thought to have climbed into the "weather" balloon he and his father had been working on and flown away. Helicopters and other law enforcement followed the floating balloon until it landed and Lo! and Behold! nothing was in it but a bunch of hot air...the same thing that was in this story from the beginning.

It's now come out that it was a hoax, a stupid ploy some dumb father used to get on TV. Well he succeeded. My thought is...We know that he did it for the publicity so shouldn't we not give him what he wants? Why are we still talking about it? Hasn't he won? I think the obvious choice for punishment is to send this joker up in a weather balloon over the Colorado mountains and see what happens. Then make him so nervous that he throws up on national TV.

Listen, balloon boy dad. You really sucked this one up. You could have told everybody that you climbed into the balloon but instead you had the whole country worried about your little boy. Now we worry for him because we think you are incompetant in your parenting skills and possibly abusive....not to mention the fact that this poor kid will always be known as the kid who threw up on national TV and all for nothing....he didn't even really ride in the balloon. You've really screwed the pooch on this one.

Your friend,

Sarah

Thoughts on It

2009-10-18T22:44:00.002-05:00

Well, it has been a cool half month since last post on TWSS. I think I can speak for The Berge when I say I'm sorry. I can say that it's been a busy October so let's get started.

October is a fantastic month in general. It's been said it's the best month of all and I'd agree, mostly because of my birthday being on the 14th and the general awesomeness that comes along when September ends (insert GreenDay song here.)

Growing up, we had the Mississippi State Fair during October. What is my favorite thing about the fair? The taffy. Hands down. I got my parents to bring me up a box this past weekend and we got into the discussion of how to keep this delectable delight from pulling your teeth out. My solution? Sit on it. I do this for Now-N-Laters too. Apparently, telling people this obvious solution is not so good. I get strange looks. But I found out this weekend that my dad puts it in his pocket so I figure it must be hereditary.

As stated, Kay and Bob came up to visit this weekend. Actually they came up for a football game and I just happen to live here. It's the 2nd time in a month they've visited and I love it. (Side note...Isn't it funny how your relationship changes with your parents as you get older?) Friday night they took me and the Roomies out to dinner at a Nashville fave...Copper Kettle. This is the point that I got the box of taffy. The dinner was topped off with Bob giving each of us a piece of taffy and saying, "Here girls, put these in your pants." Laughter ensued, as it usually does. That Bob, so funny.

The Roomies and I then ventured over to The Sommet Center to see Kings of Leon, one of my personal faves. A huge thank you is in order to Haley and Lindsay who bought me these tickets for my birthday. Great seats, great music, so fun. I got a text from my mom as we left for the concert that said, "Have fun and don't get high." I had every intention of getting high that night but since Kay asked me not to, I didn't. Tonight someone told me that you can't get second-hand high if you've never been high. But this is from the same girl who refuted my claim that you can get mono from a toilet seat so I don't really believe her.

We went to the MSU/MTSU game Saturday where the Dawgs won...HAIL STATE! We froze and we won so that makes it fun. Losing would have totally changed the experience. Afterward, Kay, Bob, Haley and I went to J. Alexanders for dinner, then Baskin Robbins for dessert. While eating her chocolate chip ice cream cone, Kay asked, "This ice cream is good. What's the name of this place?" Yes, we do have Baskin Robbins in Mississippi. And for those of you who care, apparently bubble gum ice cream is in season now. I went a month ago and was told it was seasonal. See? That's what makes October so great!

We had houseguests this weekend from Birmingham. Wes (see posts here and here) and his friend Dayton came up to Music City for a few days. When I told Wes that I don't have any inspiration to blog, he told me my first blogging piece (isn't that what you called it, Wes?) was to be about them visiting. So here you go. I'm pretty sure these two know more about Broadway in downtown Nashville than I could ever know. I did hear mentions of 4 am, bachelorette party and Johnny Cash although I'm not sure how they all fit together. Glad you guys could stay.

Berge and Ish (FIRST MENTION ON TWSS!!!) came by for lunch today. This is a challenge to Amber to blog once a day everyday this week. I'll do it too.

So really you just got a play-by-play of the weekend. See? I'm lacking. OH!!!! I GOT STREP THROAT! For the first time in my 29 years, I succumbed to the childhood ailment that kept all of my friends home from school in elementary school. Now I know! But missing school was so much better than missing work. Probably because you couldn't get fired from school.

Talk to you tomorrow.

Your friend,

Sarah

I'm a Single Lady

2009-09-30T21:58:00.000-05:00

A conversation between roomies who apparently have MDs

2009-09-29T21:50:00.003-05:00

Sarah: linds, my throat is killing me
Lindsay: MINE TOO
so bad :(
Sarah: what's wrong with us?
do we have strep?
Lindsay: i don't know...i don't really feel that bad everywhere else. well my head hurts and i keep getting chills....but it's not unbearable
Sarah: yeah
Lindsay: but my throat...ouch!
Sarah: my ear hurts but it's hard to swallow
this is not good
Lindsay: no!
10:05 AM
Sarah: i watched the amazing race last night
going to be good
10:54 AM
Lindsay: i think so too!
Sarah: did you watch? i need to set it up to tape and make sure it is extended because of football
Lindsay: yes on sunday
11:00 AM
Lindsay: i just put our symptoms into webmd and we have 20 possible diagnosis
11:34 AM
Sarah: what do we have??? (sorry, i was away from my computer)
Lindsay: well anything from strep, to an ear infection, to throat cancer
Sarah: CRAP!!! WE BOTH GOT THROAT CANCER AT THE SAME TIME!
Lindsay: i know!!!!
Sarah: What are the odds?
Lindsay: slim i'm sure
i bet we could get some attention for that
Sarah: OPRAH!
Lindsay: yes!
Sarah: We are medical marvels.

In her own hands

2009-09-24T23:01:00.002-05:00

Kay makes no bones about it...she wants grandchildren. This has been her goal, I'd say since before she had children. Apparently, grandkids are the cat's meow. I've heard about this desire for years. She bought books for her unborn grandbabies whenI was in elementary school. She has names picked out for her and Bob.

It doesn't help matters that her daughter is not much of a dater. Her biggest fear is that I won't settle down and have children so she can be called Nanny...that's right. After an encounter with a disobedient child and his unobservant and ignorant parents, I was asked, "You don't like children, do you?" YES I LIKE CHILDREN! JUST NOT BAD ONES!!!

So on to the tipping point and where Kay took it over the line.

She has decided that there is a coach at MSU who is just so cute and sweet and SINGLE! GET IT, SARAH! She's mentioned him multiple times to me as if we've run into each other and decided not to date. (I live 5 hours away, what the crap?!?!?)

Kay and Bob came to visit their baby (me) this past weekend and we all hustled on down to West End and Vanderbilt Stadium to see the Bulldogs take on the Commodores. As we are walking to the alumni tailgate, Kay realizes that the team is going to be getting off the bus and walking in exactly where we are standing. So we huddle along other Bulldogs waiting for this. I begin to take pictures as the players and coaches descend from the bus. With camera to eye, I feel a tug at my shirt and hear a call of my name...."Sarah!" I pull the camera down and see a man who I've never met standing there with his hand out to meet me. "Sarah, this is xxxx." (Names are removed to protect the innocent.) "Hi, xxxx." I say, with an "I'm Sorry" look on my face. We are all laughing and then I realize, Kay planned this.

She knew exactly what she was doing. And I've honestly got to give her props for this. It wasn't a long, drawn-out conniving but it was a good effort.

It wasn't for a few minutes that I could formulate into words my thoughts. I do remember saying to her once we got to the tailgate, "How about you not do that anymore?"

Do I think she'll listen? No. Her desire is too strong. Do I think she means well? Yes, of course. This does put me in overdrive though...I have to find a boyfriend/husband before my mother does.

(I realize that I have created elaborate characterizations of Kay and Bob. They really are awesome people and I hope you have the distinct honor of meeting them and calling them your friends. They love their family more than life itself and I love them. I hope that fact is never lost in the stories I tell about them.)

More Looks Back

2009-09-19T23:23:00.004-05:00

Let me take you back to junior high for a few paragraphs. Study hall, eighth grade. I went to a private school so it was not strange for a junior higher to have a class with high schoolers. Let me remind you about my previous post and how shy I was in school, especially junior high.

I was sitting in study hall with my friends around me except some random 11th grade boy was sitting by me. Rumors flew that he was a druggie or a drunk or some other horrible, probably not-true thing. For some reason there was an oscillating fan right by his desk. This joker decides to chew up a peppermint and drool his red, minty spit into the fan which in turn slings onto my cheek. What did I do? Wiped it off and didn't do a damn thing.

If only this had happened to 28 year old Sarah. He would have gotten an earful...I believe in a spit for a spit.

Heard in the Pilot After Dinner

2009-09-18T23:33:00.002-05:00

Kay: I think there was a transvestite in the bathroom at the restaurant.
Bob: Did you check to see his googler?
Kay: Well, I wasn't in the stall with him.
Bob and Sarah: AHAHAHAHAHAAH!!!!!
Bob: His Adam's Apple!!!!
Sarah: Mom, you have a dirty mind.

August Playlist

2009-09-11T23:26:00.002-05:00

All Around Me - Flyleaf
Let the Drummer Kick - Citizen Cope
Already Gone - Kelly Clarkson
All I want - Ahn Trio
Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
Spinning - Jack's Mannequin
Fallin' For You - Colbie Caillat
Sooner or Later - Michelle Branch
Something Beautiful - Needtobreathe
The Resolution - Jack's Mannequin
Beautiful Inside - Katie Herzig
Hey Na Na - Katie Herzig
Chase Me - Katie Herzig
Jenny Lynn - Katie Herzig
Until you Try - Katie Herzig
Little Pieces - Gomez
California Waiting - Kings of Leon
Fugitive - David Gray (new album comes out in like two weeks!!!)
If It Kills Me (From the Casa Nova Sessions) - Jason Mraz
First Train Home - Imogen Heap
Fly One Time - Ben Harper and Relentless7
1901 - Phoenix
Whole Life Through - Oceanship
Kandi (Ash Howes Mix) - One eskimO

A Journey to My Past

2009-08-28T23:30:00.002-05:00

Picture it...Madison, Mississippi...1994...Time of Day: Lunchtime at Madison-Ridgeland Academy

Seventh grade Sarah is eating her sack lunch on the new deck on MRA's campus with all of her little seventh grade Sarah-like friends. The bell rings and we all hurriedly gather our trash into our brown paper bags, chug the last sip of Coke (remember, no matter what brand of soft drink you are drinking, it is called Coke) and begin to put our bookbags on our shoulders.

As seventh grade Sarah stands up she notices her pants are sticking to the new wooden bench...yes, her country pink stirrup pants are sticking to the seat. Why would this be happening? Because seventh grade Sarah sat on her dessert, a perfectly delicious, Kay-made brownie. Seventh grade Sarah had a big, brown, chocolately spot on her rear.

This would be embarrassing to most people, but for a middle-schooler it is life-changing. Looking back, twenty-eight year old Sarah would tell thirteen year old Sarah her first mistake was the pink stirrup pants. See, Sarah wasn't the cool kid. She wasn't a dork, just not popular. She had lots of friends, but they were all alike...smart, sweet, conscientious, you knew girls like this. She might have even been wearing her coke-bottle glasses this particular day.

So she heads back, heavy hearted and uber-apprehensive, to pre-algebra class. Miss Edwards decides to assign each student in class one of the previous night's homework problems to write on the board. So seventh grade Sarah walks up in her country-pink stirrup pants to the white board, quickly writing her assigned problem and solution on the board and returning to her seat. No one really notices the brown mark.

While the others are finishing their board work, Miss Edwards lets seventh grade Sarah go to the bathroom where the young ingenue decides to turn her country pink stirrup pants around so the large brown mark is in the front. She then finishes the day's remaining classes proud of her genius idea and convertible wardrobe.

Lessons from seventh grade Sarah
1. Don't wear stirrup pants.
2. Contradictory lesson: Elastic waisted stirrup pants may save you.
3. People really don't notice you nearly as much as you do.
4. One of the reasons for middle school is to provide hilarious stories to tell the rest of your life.

Aussie you are on my bad list...

2009-08-23T15:45:00.002-05:00

So I use Aussie Sprunch Spray right. Let me tell you having curly hair is fun yes but we are very limited with our products. This sprunch spray is not really hair spray but it sort of is, like my hair just takes shape when I spray it and then scrunch...as far as I'm concerned there is nothing out there like it, enlighten me if I'm wrong. So Aussie has decided to change my beloved sprunch spray. I don't know what they added or took out but my hair has never been so dry. DEVASTATING. So I of course went on a search to see if I could find some of the old bottles since they had just changed the product. So I am good for a month or two. Well my boyf knows that this is stressing me and decides to help. Side note: He has the same hair I do, except you know its shorter and the curls are tighter. So he goes to Target and finds a couple of the old bottles and purchases them with the rest of his goods. Then he goes to Walgreens and that is the only thing that he is going in to buy. So he walks up to the counter with who knows how many bottles and he said Amber I had no excuse it wasn't like I could say I'm getting these for my girlfriend, I knew the people around me would be like yeah right dude they are totally for your hair. The mental picture of that in my head is hilar...its also hilar to me that we have the same hair, what are the chances. Twu wuv people, twu wuv.

JULY...I didn't forget you

2009-08-23T15:37:00.002-05:00

Sorry blog world there have been many things taking up my time lately and I keep neglecting you. I would love to promise that things will change, but I just can't. I'm not leaving you just not making promises just yet ;)

here is some musak

Move on Up - Curtis Mayfield
The First Single (You Know Me) - The Format (I'm going to put it out there that this is mine and the Sass's all time fav)
Ruby Blue - Roisin Murphy
Sedated - Mikky Ekko
Chocolate - Snow Patrol
Poison & Wine - The Civil Wars (gets me every time)
Show Me Heaven - Tina Arena
Gravity - Sara Bareilles
I Love You ( I Always Have) - Mikky Ekko (love this one)
No Ordinary Love - The Civil Wars
Shiver - Coldplay
Stolen - Dashboard Confessional
You Get What You Give - New Radicals (best line in the song 'we've got the dreamers disease)
Float On - Modest Mouse
What Ever Happened - The Strokes
Airstream Driver - Gomez
Be There - Howie Day
Hold On - KT Tunstall
Maybe - Ingrid Michaelson
Mykonos - Fleet Foxes
Ten Dead Dogs - Wild Sweet Orange
Little Secrets - Passion Pit (i love this group...love them)
Moth's Wings - Passion Pit

Summer Still?

2009-08-07T23:11:00.002-05:00

To get you through the end of this hot summer I've created a popsicle for your ears.

1. I Do Not Hook Up - Kelly Clarkson...Because face it, I don't.
2. Hold It In - Jukebox the Ghost...I stole this from B-ragg, the credit is not my own.
3. Battlefield - Jordin Sparks...Berge said this would be the song of the summer. She was right.
4. Nine in the Afternoon - Panic at the Disco...another steal from B-ragg. I like the sound.
5. Better - Regina Spektor...I downloaded a lot of Regina on lala.com (which I recommend) and this is my favorite of hers.
6. Hit the Spot - Leslie Mendelson...I have no idea where this song came from. It was possibly the iTunes free download
7. Poison & Wine - The Civil Wars...If Joy and John Paul come to a town near you, go see them.
8. California Waiting - Kings of Leon...I don't think you'd hear this song on one of their new albums. It's a totally different sound but I love it.
9. That's Not My Name - The Ting Tings...Berge and I love this one apparently. It may be the new "Easy Like a Sunday Morning" which I used to put on every playlist.
10. Bestia - Hello Seahorse!...Another free download on iTunes. This may sound lame but I've found some great finds.
11. Buttons - The Weeks...This is only song I know from The Weeks. I heard it on the Kings of Leon Pandora station, which is AWESOME. I love this song.

So to recap, go to Lala.com, listen to the Kings of Leon station on Pandora.com and keep rockin' in the free world.

Like my new sunnies? Kidding, this was what I wore for my Harry Potter nap.

Could Paper-hanging be in my future?

2009-07-23T18:19:00.002-05:00

This morning around 5:45 I woke up in a panic. Where was my arm? I was laying on my stomach and as I pulled up to look for it, it dragged out from under the pillow. Seriously, not where I thought it was. You know that feeling.

Now my arms and legs fall asleep a good bit, especially in my sleep. However, I thought Ole' Righty was a goner. What was I going to do? I am right-handed! I pitch right-handed...wait, nevermind. I had no feeling in it whatsoever.

So I used the trusty one, Lefty, to shake the dead one back to life. It took a good minute of shaking before it was back to "normal" and even then it wanted to return to its lifeless state multiple times during the day.

So could I become the next great One Armed Paper-Hanger? I hope not.

I love puppets and Coldplay.

2009-07-20T22:50:00.001-05:00

This video has been out a while, but I was just reminded of it. Makes me want to go be a Muppeteer. (Yes, I know these aren't puppets, but they sort of are.)

Erin, I need Holland to be in the next commercial for Evian

2009-07-15T22:59:00.000-05:00

I blew it...JUNE PLAYLIST

2009-07-14T16:43:00.003-05:00

Big Jumps - Emiliana Torrini
Battlefield - Jordin Sparks
Make Me Believe - Angel Taylor
Run - Amy MacDonald
Skeleton Boy - Friendly Fires
That's Not My Name - the Ting Tings
GO ON - Jack Johnson
Hometown Glory - ADELE
Belief (live) 0 Gavin DeGraw
Last Request - Paolo Nutini
Hotblack - Oceanship
Circles - the Enemy Lovers
Fine China - Andy Davis
Believable Doubt - Andy Davis
Let the Woman - Andy Davis
Stay - SafetySuit
I Love You (I Always Have) - Mikky Ekko
Charmed Life (Olaj Remix) - Joy Williams
Kids - MGMT
We Could Run Away - Needtobreathe

Is that a monster under my bed?

2009-07-12T21:15:00.003-05:00

So I have never really been a scardy-cat (sp?) except for the times I watched Silence of the Lambs and The Exorcism of Emily Rose...I could not sleep for days.

But I'm starting to wonder if I should be afraid when I go to sleep...You may be asking me the same question after you read the two experiences I've had.

1. When I moved out of my first 1 bedroom in Birmingham in October of 2004, Kinsley and I took my mattresses off my bed frame to take it apart. What did we find? A Holy Bible with satanic symbols and curse words written on it. I had not been able to sleep well for the two months I had been back from camp. Coincidence? I think not.

See, I had sub-let my apartment to a guy over the summer while I was on the road at camp. He was a Christian speaker and come to find out he had found this Bible and used it in an illustration during his sermons. When he moved out, he forgot to take it with him. Instead, he put a curse on my sleep. In return, I cursed him out. (not really...only in my head.)

2. This weekend I was back in Birmingham to help celebrate Ben and Erin Moon's upcoming baby and subsequent parenthood. Liza so kindly offered me a bed at her house to sleep in during my visit. This morning I was stripping the bed so Liza could wash the sheets (I'm a good houseguest) and as I'm taking off the fitted sheet, guess what sticks out between the mattress and box springs...No really, guess. A STEAK KNIFE!!!! I'm assuming that it was put there by someone who was possibly house sitting and maybe got scared. But really? A steak knife?!? How about a butcher knife? I've got news for you...gun beats knife, everytime.

I'm starting to think that monsters might be my better option.

Flash Mobs Scare Me but I Can't Look Away

2009-07-10T23:02:00.001-05:00

Fire your Ad Agent.

2009-07-08T20:56:00.001-05:00

Creepy Old Ads...Really? Who thought these were a good idea?

Here's a taste of what you'll see...pun intended.

Keeping up with the McDonnells

2009-07-06T20:49:00.003-05:00

Forget the Joneses, the new people to keep up with are the McDonnells. Specifically I'm talking Kay. While visiting this past weekend she mentioned getting an iPhone numerous times and then by Sunday decided she was going to get an iMac. For years she talked about how stupid Apples were all the while Facebooking on Bob's MacBook. After being confronted with her hypocrisy she shrugged and said she didn't care.

Kay and Bob travelled to the Apple Store today and she informed me that she will be getting these two items very soon. So cool. I predict there will be many phone calls to tell her what something on the iPhone screen means.

So there's that.

One other moment of hilarity happened while discussing older women wearing younger clothes. When her cousin Charlotte said that her sisters told her she needed to wear clothes more her age, Kay replied "They are just trying to protect you. They don't want someone jumping your bones."

Greg and I looked at each other and I informed Kay that that phrase better never come out of her mouth again.

She was shocked and said, "You must mean something different than what I mean."

When we told her what we meant, she said, "No, that's what I thought it meant."

Meet the new Joneses

Bob & Kay

Tennis doesn't get much better than this...unless Nadal is involved.

2009-07-01T23:02:00.005-05:00

What a Final Four!

Roger Federer: If Roger wins, he will have 15 Grand Slam Titles, beating Pete Sampras.

Andy Murray: If Andy Murray wins, all of the UK will go hysterical. He's their best hope of a title since Tim Henman and he is only getting better.

Tommy Haas: My favorite player, Tommy, is 31 which is considered ancient in tennis years. If he wins the title he will have fought back from so much to win his first Grand Slam title.

Andy Roddick: Andy was the last American male to win a Grand Slam title in 2004 at the US Open. If he wins Wimbledon, he might put a spark back in American tennis.

Tickets for Sunday's Wimbledon final are going for a reported 20,000 pounds. THAT'S ALMOST $40,000!!!!

And I'd like to introduce you to Devin Britton, from the great state of Mississippi whose future looks great in professional tennis. He signed with an agent today and hopes to win the Junior Wimbledon tournament. He'll also be traveling with Blake, Roddick and the Bryan brothers on the US Davis Cup team as a practice partner. If Devin is the future of tennis, I'm liking it.

Blugh...I'm Sthick...

2009-06-30T23:08:00.004-05:00

I have a sinus infection. That's not awesome or funny. However, I decided to traipse over to the sinus aisle at CVS and check out the meds and other fun things that people use to clear up these pesky ailments. I'm also a sucker for a new deal. I've tried the ear candle, if that is any indication.

For a while I have thought about the neti pot and wondered about its wonders. So while on the CVS aisle, my eyes went straight to the nasal rinses. Gross, right? No...awesome. My good buddy, Joshua, uses one of these every night and he's only 5 (well, almost in July.) If he can do it, so can I.

So I buy this kit that includes a bottle with a straw in it and salt packets. I'm over-simplifying but essentially that is what they are selling. Once home I wanted to try this out immediately because at this point I'm only breathing out of my left nostril. I read the instructions thoroughly as all good McDonnells do, then proceed to boil 6 oz. of water then wait for it to cool down. I pour in my salt packet and shake vigorously. Then I walk to the bathroom, lean my head over the sink and proceed to shoot water up my nose. I believe you're supposed to open your mouth to let the water that is not going out of your other nostril out, but I must have skipped that part. I also probably should have let the water cool down a bit more...I think my back sinus cavity has 3rd degree burns. This morning I upped the saline amount and thought my eyes were going to pop out of my head. I'm told by the directions that I'll get used to that feeling.

What is my final recommendation of the Nasal Rinse? Do it. I'm getting used to it and my sinuses feel clean as a whistle. Now my right nostril still gets clogged up but not as quickly as normally. Also, I'm not going to lie and say it isn't cool that you can shoot water up one nostril and have it come out the other (along with other stuff.)

A Grammar Lesson from Mrs. Kay

2009-06-29T21:22:00.003-05:00

This was my Facebook status tonight. The rest, as they say, is history.

Sarah McDonnell sometimes I say "getting my hair did" and I don't think twice about it. I need to get out of that habit.

Kay Bilbrey McDonnell at 8:50pm June 29
Yes, you do! Remember to use proper grammar all the time and it won't matter where you are or who you are with, you'll get it right. (Just another thing I'm sure you will thank me for one day!)

Catherine Hartman at 8:51pm June 29
Hahahahahahaha...

Vicki Watson at 8:58pm June 29
Not today Kay!

Drew Francis at 8:58pm June 29
do what you want

Sarah McDonnell at 8:59pm June 29
HAHHA!

Kay Bilbrey McDonnell at 9:00pm June 29
Watch it, you ole ______, Vicki! You know I have to keep that girl in line. ;>)

Sarah McDonnell at 9:21pm June 29
Kay, this is a curse free zone. Keep it clean.

Strawberries and Cream?

2009-06-27T17:40:00.016-05:00

It's about time I do another look at fashion in sport. (Click here to see the Olympic fashion run-down.) Let's turn our eyes to Ye Olde Londontown where the people speak awesomer and the tennis players wear all white...Wimbledon. Just the thought of it takes me back to the summer of 1991. (Before I have any comments about the players' faces, let me say there are never any good action shots of tennis players. They all look constipated.)

We can't begin our look at this treasured event without looking to the King of Wimby...Roger Federer. Now Roger is obviously sponsored by Nike. Looks like they pretty much just give him the leftovers from the warehouse floor. Kidding...kidding. I mean look at him! Such a class act and a great dresser. I mean he is wearing a vest! HE IS AWESOME!!!!

I'll also let you see this awesome photo shoot from a few years back. Looking great on and off the court and let's be honest, isn't that what life's all about? (hmmm....ok.)

Next we will check out the top American man in the Open, also the lone American man left at this point. (Come on Americans...start winning!) Andy Roddick is dreamy (Dreamy: attractive, good-looking. most likely used by your mom in 1965 to describe Elvis or by Haley)

Dinara Safina is ranked high in the Women's rankings and I'm a fan. However, I'm not a fan of her outfit or her new hair color. Yikes.

This is Daniela Hantuchova who looks great. But she's not my main interest. Check out the line judge. Those Brits do it right. This guy could go straight from the court to the pub for a pint. G'day! (Wait, I mean "Cheerio!")

Now I have never heard of Anne Keothavong (deal-breaker name) but I have heard of the rules at Wimbledon and I know she's not following them.

The Great Brit Hope...Andy Murray. Dapper. Berge and I saw him play in Memphis a few years back. This Scottish chap had a huge fro and mangled teeth. The fro is gone.

I always love Ana Ivanovic's choices of attire. She's classy and practical. Props!

Novak Djokovic is a character. I don't really like him but I think he usually looks pretty good on the court. He does, however, need to watch out for that ankle. Yowser.

I included this photo of Mikhail Youzhny not because of his attire but because of his leg. But before you feel sorry for him, watch this. He's felt pain before.

California Dreams called and they need you back on the set, Lleyton Hewitt.

It don't matter if you're (wearing) black or white...Jo-Wilfied Tsonga. J-Dub is really up and coming and his choice of clothing is up and coming as well. Well done, my good sir.

I don't know who Gisela Dulko is...I do however know that she is paying less than you are for her car insurance. And with all of that money she's saving she should buy a different headband.

My favorite player...Tommy Haas. Poor guy never looks good in photos taken on the court but DAAAAYYYYYMMMMMNNNN...you get my drift.

Am I right? (I'll forgive him the hat...he's German.)

Roger bids you "Cheers!"

You need to look at this...

2009-06-27T17:21:00.002-05:00

http://petswhowanttokillthemselves.com/

Hilarious.

L'ete

2009-06-25T22:17:00.002-05:00

Summertime playlist.

Lifeline - Mat Kearney
Molly Chambers - Kings of Leon
Just Ain't Gonna Work Out - Mayer Hawthorne (iTunes free download)
Waking Up In Vegas - Katy Perry
Don't Stop Believing - Glee
Tiger Teeth - Paper Route
Beat It - Michael Jackson RIP
What Can I Do (But Love You) - Joy Williams
Fix You - Coldplay (LeftRightLeftRightLeft)
Love Will Keep Us Together - Captain & Tennille (for all the lovers out there.)
Breakin' Me - Jonny Lang
I Run to You - Lady Antebellum

Enjoy the sounds of Summer 09

Nanny Update

2009-06-24T15:19:00.002-05:00

For those of you that are not friends with me on Facebook...first of all whatev and second of all you probably didn't see the latest on Nanny. Peeps she is on Facebook...thats right she's on the book. I about fell out of my chair when I got the friend request from her. I'm keeping tabs on that profile, she's so looking for mens.

So I told my mom to ask her about it, because we're like there is no way nanny set that up for herself. So mom says 'Amber says your on Facebook', Nannys response 'Yep and I'm on Twitter too'. What in the world. Mom said 'and who are you tweeting', nanny 'i follow the weather'. My response 'mmm hmmm'

Buy You a Kool-Aid (T-Pain and Taylor)

2009-06-18T23:27:00.000-05:00