love this!

I promise I'm gonna post some pics of my house decorated for Christmas- it's quite cute, if I do say so myself.
But.
until then.

you can just know that I LOVE this wreath.

I feel like I should explain myself

See, it's Christmas. And I love it. And I want to come to your party.

And it's Christmas and I want to decorate.

And it's Christmas and I want to see your adorable dog wearing antlers (because it's funny EVERY TIME)

BUT.

I am allergic. I don't mean like runny nose and itchy eyes allergic. I mean like full-blown-going-to-the-hospital-because-my-at-home-nebulizer-isn't-stopping-this-asthma-attack. It's awesome. I have been in the hospital on Christmas Eve or Day more times than I've been in the hospital on regular days of the year. It's very cool.

And at Christmastime it makes me a little sad.
But. I'm allergic!!
Yes. to Christmas trees. and your Christmas-y potpurri. and your dog. and your house in general, but for some reason it's always worse during December.

And people talk all of this trash about fake trees. and it makes me a little sad. because it's not that I am just too lazy/cheap/godless/mean to go buy a real tree. It's that I would have to go to the hospital after being in my own home. And then be unable to return to my own home. Tragic indeed.

It's heartbreaking. I am a team player. But. I can't have a real tree.

My cute little fake tree wishes he were real. But he is not. But Christmas lives in your heart.
And in my heart, my tree is real and my lungs are clear. :)

who doesn't like Calvin???

an emotional week

I found out really sad news about a really good friend this week. She made some not so wise decisions and they're having huge repercussions. I am still in shock over it all.

But this is what I've decided this week.

You are my friend because you're my friend. Not because you do the right thing all the time.

Maybe I'm wrong in wanting to stand by her in all of this, but I am proud to do it.

It'll be an interesting journey- but she's made me laugh for years now, so I hope that won't stop!

yeah. I teach 7th grade. You're welcome.

Things I've actually told 7th graders today:
1. Writing on bathroom walls is creepy. and weird. and just totally bizarre. Please don't.
2. If you've only been going out for 2 days, you can send a break up text.
3. Boys like to win. They like the chase. And sometimes when they catch you, the fun is over and they're no longer interested.
4. Don't text girls. They just read into everything you say.
5. I'm proud of you for studying for your math test. You're gonna do great.
6. When you're older, you need to read "He's just not that into you".
7. I want to love you- PYT- pretty young thing.


Well, my work here is obviously done. You're welcome, future of America, I've done my part!

what have YOU done!?!?

What you done-- highlight/bold out the things you've done! Are you super cool, popular, and awesome? Yes. Done.


Swam with wild dolphins
Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
Been inside a Pyramid
Held a tarantula
Taken a candle lit bath
Said I love you and meant it
Hugged a Tree
Bungee jumped
Visited Paris
Watched a lightening storm at sea
Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
Seen the Northern Lights
Gone to a huge sports game
Walked the stairs to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Grown and eaten your own vegetables
Touched an iceberg
Slept under the stars
Changed a baby’s diaper
Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
Watched a meteor shower
Gotten drunk on champagne
Given more than you can afford to charity
Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
Had a food fight
Bet on a winning horse
Asked out a stranger
Had a snowball fight
Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
Held a lamb
Seen a total eclipse
Ridden a rollercoaster
Hit a home run
Danced like a fool, not caring who watched
Adopted an accent for an entire day
Actually felt happy about your life, even for a moment
Had two hard drives for your computer
Visited all 50 states
Taken care of someone who was too drunk
Had amazing Friends
Danced with a Stranger in a foreign country
Watched wild whales
Stolen a sign
Hitchhiked in Europe
Taken a road-trip
Gone rock climbing
Midnight walk on the beach
Gone sky diving
Visited Ireland
Been heartbroken longer than you were in love
In a restaurant sat at a stranger’s table and ate with them
Milked a cow
Alphabetized your CDs
Pretended to be a superhero
Sung karaoke
Lounged around in bed all day
Posed nude in front of strangers
Gone scuba diving
Kissed in the rain
Played in the mud
Played in the rain
Gone to a drive-in theater
Visited the Great Wall of China
Started a business
Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
Toured ancient sites
Taken a martial arts class
Played a computer game for more than 6 hours straight
Gotten married
Been in a movie
Crashed a party
Gotten divorced
Gone without food for 5 days
Made cookies from scratch
Won first prize in a costume contest
Ridden a gondola in Venice
Gotten a tattoo
Rafted the Snake River
Been on television news program as an “expert”
Got flowers for no reason
Performed on a stage
Been to Las Vegas
Recorded Music
Eaten shark
Had a one-night stand
Gone to Thailand
Bought a house
Been in a combat zone
Buried one/both of your parents
Been on a cruise ship
Spoken more than one language fluently
Performed in Rocky Horror
Raised children
Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
Picked up and moved to another city
Walked on the Golden Gate Bridge
Sang loudly in the car and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
Had plastic surgery
Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have
Wrote articles for a large publication
Lost over 100 lbs
Held someone while they were having a flashback
Piloted an airplane
Petted a stingray
Broken someone’s heart
Helped an animal give birth
Won money on a TV game show
Broken a bone
Gone on an African safari
Had a body part below the neck pierced
Fired a rifle, shotgun or pistol
Eaten mushrooms gathered in the wild
Ridden a horse
Had major surgery
Had a snake as a pet
Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
Slept for more than 30 hours over 48 consecutive hours
Visited more foreign countries than US States
Visited all 7 continents
Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
Eaten Kangaroo meat
Eaten sushi
Had your picture in the paper
Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
Gone back to school
Parasailed
Petted a cockroach
Eaten fried green tomatoes
Read the Illiad
Selected one important author who you missed in school to read
Killed and prepared an animal for eating
Skipped all of your school reunions
Communicated with someone without sharing a common language
Been elected to public office
Written your own computer language
Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
Had to put someone you love in hospice care
Build your own PC from parts
Sold your own artwork to someone that didn’t know it was yours
Had a booth in a street fair
Dyed your hair
Been a DJ
Shaved your head
Caused a car accident
Saved someone’s life

but they were tears of joy

I cried for about 3 hours last night.

but, yall, they were tears of joy. and pride. and anticipation. and excitement.

I cried when the stations started to announce that Obama had won. But didn't REALLY start to cry until I saw it on Fox. Then I was done.

Pulled it together.

Then McCain gave his concession speech. I was impressed, humbled, and inspired by his words. He did a great job. I was annoyed with the disrespect coming from the crowd, but I loved that he graciously silenced them with his words, facial expressions, and gestures. I cried through the whole daggum thing. I love seeing unity when we're supposed to be apart. I LOVED that he said something about how sad it was that Obama's grandmother wasn't here for this- but because of THEIR (his and Obama's) beliefs, they knew she was in a better place, watching it going on. Loved that. Cried. and cried and cried. He is a hero. And our country is a better place because he helps lead and defend her.

Pulled it together.

Then my President-Elect Barack Obama gave his acceptance speech in Grant Park. And well, once again, I was inspired, challenged, and motivated to fight for the change I believe our country needs. I cried through the whole thing. I am ready. He is what I've been wanting. I don't want to be criticized for voting with a party; I want people to be excited about the way our nation leads our world. And I want to be proud to be proud. Today. I am. I am grinning. And tearing up. But proud. Of voters. Of our history. Of the history making events of yesterday. Of our leaders. Of our military. Of the different opinions. I am proud. So proud!

But I am excited. joyous. anticipating. proud.

things I love that you either love or HATE.

just ready for it all to be over

I love America. I love democracy. I love debates. I love elections. I love voting.

However.

I am SO ready for election day to come and, more importantly, GO.

In the last weeks, the election has turned. For the worse. It's gotten dirty. And I don't just mean the Presidential election- the Georgia Senate race is annoying me the most. But, I am OVER IT.

Are there really undecided people out there??? I mean, maybe. But, it's really hard for me to believe that you are slightly educated about either candidate if you are undecided. Obama and McCain are extreme opposites in their basic fundamentals, so how can you still be torn? Maybe I'm being judgemental since I've been decided for a year now- but still. It's hard for me to understand.

The most annoying part to me is that a lot of people's choices are defended by the negatives of the "other guy".

Really?

You're only voting for your person because they're better than the alternative? That sucks. Why would you be ok with that???

Last week I was watching Greek. This is a silly ABC Family show about sorority/fraternity life at a small college. It's super.

But.
The point.

One of the characters said this:
"Great politicians are supposed to inspire people, not just be better than the alternative."

That really made me think. A lot.
Why do we vote the way we do? Are we inspired and voting FOR someone? Or are we just voting AGAINST someone?
I really hope that, as a nation, we are FOR stuff. Not just against something.

Are YOU inspired?

a little poofy

So, my straightener broke.
it worked perfectly on Saturday afternoon while getting ready for my cousins' (that's right- two. in. one. night.) weddings.
sunday morning. about to go to church.

straightener will not even turn on. like the light won't even turn on. and it's as cold as ice. mainly because it's been that cold here. but that's not the point.

so, i kicked a ponytail for a few days. which is NOT my best look.... to say the least. the very least.

but today it's down. via the round brush. and it looks ok. most people probably won't even think twice about it.

but.

to me.

I look a little bit like I'm rocking the "Rachel" haircut from Friends. about 13 years too late.

my friend told me that atleast it was a cutting edge "do"..... in 1995.

a short notice decision

So, I'm doing a Breast Cancer walk this Saturday. I decided today. Kinda short notice! BUT, one of my best friend's mother has been fighting breast cancer for a few years now-- and starts treament again soon. My mom lost one of her best friends to breast cancer a few years ago. So, it's something that (like most of you) has personally effected me. So, I'm gonna walk.

And I'm gonna try to raise money.

I know times are tight. And I know extra cash is not readily available. but, if you could even give $10, I'd be SUPER excited.

Click the link. Help make a difference :)

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer - 2008-2009

cause I hate Auburn. and all other orange teams.

Spread Hate Pic comes from Roll Bama Roll
SI Cover comes from Gump For Heisman See the others- HILARIOUS.

RTR, baby!!

Hey Dawgs!

We just beat the hell outta you!

Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer

Give 'em hell, Alabama!

Soundtrack to Our Lives

My roommate and I always talk about the songs that would be on our life's soundtrack. Not necessarily songs that would tell our story, but songs we have always and will always love. No requirements outside of the fact that they make you happy. Easy as pie. We've also decided that it's like a hip-hop album, so it can have 18 songs on it. You're welcome. :)

Some of mine are:
1. Run Around Sue- Dion
2. Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay- Otis Redding
3. Cowboy Take Me Away- Dixie Chicks
4. Jessica- The Allman Brothers Band
5. Lonely Night in Georgia- Marc Broussard
6. Sweet Home Alabama- Lynyrd Skynyrd
7. Shifting Sand- Caedmon's Call
8. You Said- Shane & Shane



What's on your soundtrack?

Good News From Galveston

My aunt, uncle, and 2 cousins all live in Galveston, Texas. Obviously, they have been evacuated due to the hurricanes passing over them. They had bought a house only weeks before the hurricanes hit, so there was a lot of fear of destruction when they had to leave.

Just got word today that my cousin and uncle are back in Galveston-- and all is well. There is a little bit of damage to stuff in the garage, but their house and the majority of their possessions are fine!

so so so exciting!!!

I'm just telling you what he said.

You remember UGA's "BlackOut" against Auburn last year?Well, they're doing it again.

"The seniors asked if we could 'black out' the game," Coach Mark Richt said tonight. "We're going to ask our fans to go ahead and black out the stadium again. And our players will be wearing the black jerseys. I thought it was an outstanding success as far as the fans buying in to the requests of the seniors last year. I would think (fans) would get excited about the blackout. You wouldn't think it was big a deal, but it was."

This is Saban at the press conference on Monday evening. (Sorry for the crap pic- I had to steal it from a video stream.)

"Well, this is the only shirt I could find when I woke up this morning," Saban said, laughing, before growing serious. "Those kinds of things only means something if you let it. Like those old Notre Dame teams that wore green jerseys and that means you're not supposed to beat them. Or Joe Theismann talks to them Friday night, you're not supposed to win that game. If all that does mean something to you, I guess it's a problem. But they have good football players, that's what we're concerned about, not how they dress."

Looking forward to a good game Saturday! Roll Tide, Roll!

Just another Manic Monday

Things Wrong with Today:
- I feel like death. Sore throat. Aches. Congestion. Voice is man-ish. Ugh.
- I didn't straighten my hair. It's a little poofy.
- It took me 25 minutes to get to work. It normally takes 8. Traffic is a beast.
- There is no AC in my classroom. WTF.

Things Good About Today:
- My god-brother sent me a text today about furthering his relationship with the Lord. EXCITING.
- I have on a very "Georgia Fall" outfit- khakis, blue 3/4 sleeve shirt, brown flips.
- Someone brought me a fan to cool off my very warm room.
- I ate whoppers. Delish.
- I accomplished little menial tasks while my kids worked quietly. It was UH-mazing.
- We had a CHILL playlist running all during class- I am so calm right now.

More good than bad. Definite victory.
Only 4 days until the UGA/Alabama game. I might throw up. RTR.

RIP: Quentin Fields

One Tree Hill.

Q.

Funeral last night.

Cried like it was an actual friend's funeral.

Couldn't handle little brother with the jersey.

Couldn't handle Jamie with the cape.
Bawled like actual baby.

Priceless.

watching someone grow up

You have all read about my sister before and how awesome she is, but let me tell you how she's DEF one of those people who THRIVE in college. She's a freshman at the University of Alabama- and she fits.

She's one of those free spirit type people- who isn't trying to rebel, but just IS different. She thinks differently from me, but is so like me in so many ways.

She's brave.

She's a good friend.

She's a winner.

She's devoted.

She's passionate.

She's smart.

She's my sister.

me, AT, and mom at Bid Day in T-town :)

Reason #7583645 to Live Alone

If you live alone, you don't run the risk of being woken up at 4:30 in the morning by your roommate talking LOUDLY on the phone to a boy.

an answer

This was a response I sent to a "friend" who was trying to talk trash about my political views.... Another real friend thought I should publish it-- so you're the lucky audience.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I think you need to be careful of attacking someone's relationship with our gracious God because of the way they choose to vote. You say questioning, but your words attacked me. You made me feel as if i'm supposed to be following some rules so I can be Christian enough. Jesus wasn't a republican. Or a democrat. He lived in a dictatorship. But he submitted to one authority. And it wasn't Rome.

Morals matter. But having a republican in the white house for the past 8 years hasn't changed anything in the way of abortion or same-sex marriage. Yes. They are both wrong. Yes. I am against them both. But that doesn't change the fact that the law isn't changing. People get so upset about those two topics and never stop to think that maybe they're NOT the most important issues. Our greatest commandment is to love God- and because of his love for us, love others. Are you really doing that by questioning my relationship with Jesus based on how I vote? No. You're not.

You want to get mad about something? Get mad about the fact that Jesus commanded us to care for the orphans and widows- but we don't protest our country's neglect of it's own people.

Get mad that there are THOUSANDS of girls that are searching for love so badly that they turn to sex and end up with unwanted pregnancies. Outlawing abortion isn't going to change that girl's need for love. People loving her is the only thing that can change that.

We'll probably not the vote the same way. And probably not agree on the issues at hand.But the fact that we disagree doesn't make one of us bad and one of us good. It doesn't make one of us right and the other wrong. And it certainly doesn't make one of us a Christian and the other not.

It just means we disagree. Which is ok. That's what makes this country great. We can disagree and it not be the end of the world.

Don't buy into the bipartisan lie that you have to hate your opponent. Jesus called us to love our enemies as ourselves. You really want to be a radical? Love the person that your disagre with- neither party will know how to handle that.

weird?

my roommate and bestfriend is sitting in front of me picking boogers out of her nose, eating carb smart icecream out of the carton with a fork, all the while pretending to be pregnant to point of false labor pains.

and earlier we had our afternoon embrace while sitting on the ottoman.

killer music you should know

Sometimes there are songs that you just love, but they're not really songs one would hear on the radio-- so unless you open your big mouth and tell other people, no one will ever know about it.
So, today I'm doing my part!

Songs I Love that you may not have heard of:

1. Windfall by SunVolt-- May the wind sweep your troubles away- both feet on the floor, two hands on the wheel- may the wind sweep your troubles away.

2. Baby You're Right by Derek Trucks Band featuring Susan Tedeschi-- I just love this song. Love her voice. Great song to dance to :)

3. You Said by Shane & Shane- This isn't a new song by any stretch, but it's one of those songs that puts the Word of God to melody- and well, it's amazing. Ask and I'll give the nations to you!

4. January by Micah Dalton- I've known Micah since before he played guitar-- and he's turned out to be a pretty good musician. I blame by problems on January.

5. Great Things Take Time by Ed Cash-- I can tell you where I was the first time I heard this song (Mobley Hall at FFA/FHA) and it changed my life. If your destiny is to be carved into a perfect thing, life does not begin until you die to the way you live.

6. On a Night Like This by Dave Barnes- I love this boy. And his voice. He's amazing. New album out. But this song will change your life.

7. Lonely Long Enough by James David Carter- oooohh, Lawd, this boy's voice is ridiculous. this song may make you faint.

8. Brown Eyes by Andy Davis- Saw this guy in concert when he opened for Dave Barnes- so good. This song is supposedly about my roommate (well, she thinks it is)-- you'll like it!

9. Girl America by Mat Kearney- I love everything that Mat Kearney does. Such a jam. Love it.

10. Stars by David Crowder Band- I love this song. I love the words. It's an older jam. But man, oh man- the words bless me every single day.

Marandy

One of my best friends has been serving as a missionary in East Asia for the past year. She just got home this week, so we've been talking about it a lot.

If you don't know much about the state of affairs on the other side of the world, it is an interesting place. Due to government controls, it is illegal to share the Gospel or start a church or talk about Jesus without being suspected of being some sort of criminal.

Christians are questioned, persecuted and killed for believing Truth.

But God is bigger than any man's government. Despite all of the controls, the Christian church there is massive. By church, I am not referring to any building. I am talking about people who love God and believe Jesus is the WAY to get to Him. They are the church. And in East Asia, it's exploding. God is faithful.

Maranda has been working with a Christian organization on a college campus to share the Gospel with students. They don't stand on street corners and preach. They don't start churches with awesome bands, lighting and programs. They don't stiff their waitress of a decent tip by leaving a copy of "The Four Spiritual Laws" (not that there's anything wrong w/ TFSL- but seriously, that's their INCOME-- can you imagine if you opened your paycheck and there was an outline of Romans Road- please-- leave a tip!!!!)

They don't do that stuff.
They just go make friends.

Maranda has spent the last year making friends with college students. And using the bridges she builds with them to share the Truth of God.

In a place with no hope and little truth, she shows them real truth and points them towards eternal hope.

The coolest thing about the ministry this ministry is that they don't want it to be about "Americans coming in to save the day"-- the goal of the entire ministry is to leave.
And let the nationals take over. Let them be the ones to shine the Love of God in their own country.

Even bigger, the nationals desire to be the largest (missionary) sending nation in the world by the year 2020. And they want the Middle East. A place where Americans are NOT welcome, but (because God is really smart and cool) Asians are welcomed and embraced by the people of the Middle East.

So Maranda has spent a year investing in the lives of people in Asia. And by the mighty work of God, people in the Middle East will come to know the True God.

If you pray, include East Asia in your conversations with God. There are Americans there working and laboring along side of National believers. If you want some names of people to pray for, you're welcome to pray for my friends-- D (who has been there for 5 years), Matt and Kelly (who are on years 6 and 4), Teddy (who will be leading a brand new team in his city), and Courtney (who is going for her first year in the fall).

Look at the nations and watch—
and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe,
even if you were told.
-Habakkuk 1:5

Happy 4th of July!

I love the Fourth of July. Because I love America.

Here's why:
1. People volunteer to fight to defend our honor.
2. We DECLARED our independence. Like, excuse us, you no longer control us. Burn.
3.We celebrate our nation's birthday by blowing stuff up.
4. People from our nation don't look alike. At all. Like opposites. But we're all from here.
5. People still come here for something better. We may not be perfect, but we're better.
6. You're allowed to complain.
7. We may know more about the antics of pop stars than world affairs- but at least we're embarassed by it.
8. Ok, so the Beatles didn't come from here- but we did show up with The Allman Brothers AND Steely Dan AND Tom Petty. Not too shabby if I do say so myself.
9. We're still idealists. We REALLY want people to have that life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.
10. At the end of the day (and the song), the Star Spangled Banner DOES fly- over the land of the free, and the home of the brave.

Here's an annoyance of mine.

When you ask someone to do something for you and they don't do it. Then procede to give you some "SPIRITUAL" reason as to why they did not do it.

But we all know that it's because they were just too lazy.

I enjoy calling people out on stuff like that.
Don't blame God for your laziness.
Please. Good grief.

don't play hard to get- you might miss something..

the greatest movie. EVER.

catching up on my correspondence

so, I've been going to town on writing letters/cards/thank you notes. 

seriously, just call me Letter-writing Louise. (or Long Legs Louise-- but that's for other things....)

today, I sent mail to:

-thank you note to friends who had me over for a dinner party

-my fav cousin Kaki (but I do have many favs....)

-my friend who's working at a camp all summer.

-4 small group girls

-pal MB who's in summer school in M'vegas

but I love sending mail! mainly because I love receiving mail. And I'm just spreading the love.

so, follow my lead! 

log off the comp- go find a notecard, postcard, piece of notebook paper, whatev-- and send some mail. it make people happy.

P.S.- email doesn't count. sorry. must involve a stamp. which is $0.42 now, btw.

spin me right round, baby, right round

I believe I have an ear infection.

mainly because I am SO DIZZY. 

I almost threw up earlier. from dizziness. and no, there have been no adult beverages involved in this situation.

and even worse, when I get all dizzy, it makes me look all washed out. so, I'm dizzy-- and I'm WHITER!?!?! what in the world? talk about annoying illnesses!

a wild and crazy weekend

Thursday (because we're pretending we're in college and the weekend starts on Thursday...)- saw Mac Powell and Mark Lee of Third Day in a benefit concert to help help a couple at my church adopt. So precious. And a killer show!

Friday- Drove to Milledgeville for a friend's wedding. Precious. Went to dinner afterwards at my favorite place in the world, The Brick. Marveled at how Milledgeville has changed so much and so little. Got to see my pal MaryBeth in her new college digs- very swank. (very UN-like my college digs which were tiny and depressing.) saw my fav pal Chachi. good times.

Saturday- drove home. slept. wedding shower for precious friends Andrew and Ellen. a LOVELY dinner party/shower- very nice. Great food. Great friends.

Sunday- sang at church. good times. Target. (duh). baby shower for my BFF Jill who is having a baby boy in a few weeks. had DELICIOUS treats- at my friend Kelly's home- very nice! home again. nap. funeral home- a former student's dad passed away after a long battle with cancer. love this kid. dad was obviously incredible. walk/run. props to me. got blister on right heel. arg.

Monday- slept for a minute. went to funeral for student's dad. very sweet. a family friend of mine gave the eulogy-- so sweet. came home. sat. watched "The Fast and the Furious". tried to run/walk. heels was bleeding. stopped. napped. Laredo's. parent's to help mom with the taxes. home again.
BONUS on Monday night- was flipping channels, saw that Drive-By Truckers were on Conan! Score! Love DBT! You should too!!

un-freaking-believable

and then people have the audacity to wonder why people hate Christians.

I'd hate me too.

Kindle

I want a Kindle.
Are you cool enough to know about this little wireless reading device? It's pricey- BUT you can download books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs to your reader from anywhere. And it's booksized so you don't look like a doofus when using it.

If you want to buy one for me, I will graciously accept it. And send you a thank you card. And maybe let you borrow sometimes when I'm not using it.

well, I was going to show you a picture, but blogger's throwing a tantrum.

Father's Day

My dad is awesome.

Here are the kick ass things he's taught me:

1. The Allman Brothers are the best band ever.
2. Steely Dan's "Can't Buy a Thrill" makes everything better.
3. Reading makes you smarter.
4. Speaking calmly with authority will get you what you want.
5. Turn the bass up in the mix.
6. Words to songs are less important than melody.
7. Hiphop music is not, in fact, music.
8. Your spouse should be your favorite. Kids are second.
9. Fake German accents are funny.
10. Driving a stick is better.
11. If you don't know how to do it, pay someone who does.
12. Topsiders are always in style.
13. Bear Bryant is the best there ever was.
14. Yelling at athletes on TV is totally normal and acceptable.
15. Rock-n-Roll never dies.
16. Make your own decisions about politics.
17. Rolling your eyes will get you in trouble.
18. The best word in the English language is "unfortunat;y".
19. North Carolina BBQ is not good.
20. Waffle House is a timeless restaurant.
21. Always tip breakfast servers more than normal.
22. People who say silly things like, "I haven't read a book since highschool" are probably not very smart. For 2 reasons: 1. They haven't read a book since high school. 2. They said that outloud without being embarassed.
23. Words matter.
24. If there's a patio, you should sit on it.
25. Eating dinner at 6pm is not cool.
26. Boys like ponytails.

I would have 27- for all of the Father's Days I've celebrated, but my dad told me recently that I'm excused from my first since I was only 6 months old.

Love you, D!

Happy Birthday Boots!

So, my baby sister turned 18 on Friday- pretty crazy. We're almost 10 years apart- and we have the coolest relationship. We're super tight, and incredible friends. And we look VERY MUCH alike- and talk alike. To the point where a I walked into a room where my friend was laying down, and I said something- and she had to sit up and look to see if it was me or my sister.

For her bday, I made her the cutest cupcakes EVER- funfetti cake and strawberry icing with pink sprinkles- precious. And they were delivered on my NEW FAV platter from Cynthia Rowley's Whim line at Target- LOVE IT!


My 18 Favorite things about my sister:
1. She's honest. Sometimes to a fault. But honest.
2. She's a great friend to her friends. Even to the ones who suck. It's never her being a jerk.
3. She acts tough, but she is actually the biggest cry baby in the world. When she gets upset about something, she is sad pants.
4. She laughs really loudly. Sometimes embarassing, but still funny.
5. She's decided to become a vegetarian- and that's been super hard for her- but she's doing SO good at it!
6. In her heart, she's about 12. She loves things that 12 year olds like. As in "Fairly Odd Parents".
7. She reads. Lots. My entire family does- and she's as much of a freak about reading as the rest of us. My entire family would rather read a book than talk to you.
8. When people meet us together, they just stare in awe at how similar we are. One of her friends loves to watch us talk because he says it's like watching someone talk to themselves in a secret language.
9. She speaks in absolutes, but lives in areas of gray. Love that contradiction.
10. She has country tendancies. Drives with windows down, rides in the passenger seat with her feet out of the window, eats sunflower seeds by the gallon, swears at football on TV.
11. As she's gotten older, she's gone through this hippie phase- which can be annoying- but the cool thing about that is that she has developed a kick ass taste in music. She listens to things one should listen to. Love it.
12. Even though she's always rebelled against the traditional preppy fashion sense that I embrace, she has started to learn the love of the monogram. She's still her individual self, but she has learned that the preppy thing is always cute.
13. One of her biggest pet peeves in life is matching someone. Love that she's an individual that way.
14. She'll dance around the pool by herself.
15. She has freakishly small hands, feet, and ears. Like a munchkin.
16. She sleeps with Duckie. A stuffed animal she was given as an infant. If Duckie is missing, we have a small crisis in our home.
17. When she gets an idea, she sticks with it until she completes it.
18. She wears her emotions on her face. You know exactly what she's thinking and feeling just by looking at her.

Love you, AnnieT!

this picture summarizes my day pretty well...

blessed redeemer- it was a great day. 

I LOVE SUMMER!

UN-be-liev-ABLE

I waited in breathless anticipation for the Season 2 premier of Army Wives-- and it DID NOT disappoint me AT ALL. It was amazing!! Totally made me think that one thing was happening-- and then it was NOTHING I EXPECTED! It was amazing! SO SO SO good.

You should  TOTALLY watch this show- it's so good.  Sunday nights. 10pm. Lifetime. Do it.

You won't regret it!!

you know it's summer when...

I spend THE WHOLE DAY watching TV- there has been an "Army Wives" marathon on all day on Lifetime- to get us all excited for the Season Two Premiere- which comes on tomorrow night at 10 on Lifetime.

I love this show. I got addicted last season-- and it ended about a year ago-- AND IS JUST NOW COMING BACK. It's been a rough year for me.... (thank goodness for OTH!). 

But it's back. Someone's dead. Gonna find out what happened!!

Join me on the Army Wives train-- it's SO good!!

things I love RIGHT NOW

LOVE this sunscreen- love ALL continuous spray sunscreens. Yes- they do run out more quickly than traditional sunscreen and it's a little pricey. BUT, I feel that the even coverage and the ability to reach those "hard to reach places" makes it TOTALLY worth it

 This blistex is SUPER- I especially love the yellow "Uplifting" one-- it's amazing how silking and smooth my lips feel when I use it! uh-MAZ-ing!Andy Davis is the bomb dot com. His music is a JAM. Check him out at www.myspace.com/andydavis  or www.andydavisonline.com ! Be a fan!

Just read this book. INCREDIBLY eye opening for me-- I'm not becoming vegan, but it def made me think about the things I eat.

LOVE my new Blackberry pearl- I don't know how I've survived this long without it. It's changed my life. Love it!!!

spontaneous beach trip

so my friend Jill called me last weekend and asked if I wanted to go to the beach this week- and OF COURSE I said yes!!

We went to Panama City Beach- which is super fun! It has major "SPRING BREAK OH-EIGHT" connotations to it, but we had a blast-- and really just got to lay out A LOT. and just chill! 

Just chilled.

And tanned.

And didn't take ONE PICTURE.

not at all.

So, you'll just have to take my word for it!

um. weird?

So, while continuing in my facination of Chris Noth, I discovered today that he is older than my dad.
um. I don't think I care.

a busy girl

I have been SUPER busy the last week- finished school last Friday- had two days of post planning this week- and in the mean time managed to see 4 movies and 2 concerts. Jealous? I know. I would be jealous of me, too.

I saw Steve Miller Band and Joe Cocker at the new Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Alpharetta-- it's really nice- it's very comparable to Lakewood/HiFiBuys in size but just a newer, slightly classier version. But it was a GREAT show-- Joe Cocker impressed me- Steve Miller Band was as awesome as I could have ever imagined.

And I saw it with some amazing girls!I also saw Natasha Bedingfield, Kate Voegle and The Veronicas at Variety Playhouse this week- SO SO SO SO great-- I love Kate Voegle-- she was uh-MAZ-ing. Can't handle how great she is!
But the whole show was super!!



And I've seen Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (amazing), Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford is still hot as ever), What Happens and Vegas (Kutcher and Cameron at their bests), Forgetting Sarah Marshall (HILARIOUS), and Sex and the City (still love Big- he's my #1). Check them out!!

words to live by

This was on a cute little sign I saw at Target- can't find the link. Sorry-- but it's super cute!! AND SO TRUE!

these are a few of my favorite things....

Car monogram! I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT IT!!! Ordered from my pals over at The Pink Monogram-- a-DOR-able!



AND- I got this uh-MAZ-ing clip board from The Pink Azalea-- precious.

AND- the BEST part of teaching- end of the year presents! SO excited about using this at The White Rabbit- an ADORABLE store in Kennesaw- LOVE it!!

Yay for AnnieT!

The baby sister graduated yesterday! Hooray!! High school is over for everyone in my family. Well, except for the Neph. But I guess I mean the immediate family. Hooray!

Wordless Wednesday

Big is ALWAYS better

So, I LOVE Chris Noth-- the love for him started when he was on Law&Order- as Detective Mike Logan-- I loved how crass and cynical he was. (And he was with Jerry Orbach and Jesse Martin which I did NOT hate either...)

And then he went away. AND THEN HE CAME BACK- even better as Mr. Big on Sex & The City-- life changing. I always liked him most- even over the sweet guys in Carrie's life- I ALWAYS wanted her to choose Big. So when she picked him- my life was complete.

And now he's back.
And the world is good again.
Love Chris!