CoWorker's Cross Country Cruis Causes Coveting and Alliteration

My coworker, Kathi, has already discovered the wonders that is the Carolinas. She and her husband and toddler are planning a trip to the Asheville, Hendersonville, Greenville (I'm trying to convince them to hit up G-ville!). The toddler isn't planning per se but she is definately part of the details.

Kathi asked me about some places to see and stay in the area. So I put this out to you internets...any suggestions for Kathi.

She likes to hike (but not too hard with a three year old), she likes the cute towns of the Carolinas and she needs a place to stay. She wants to stay in a place that has cabins or something that has its own kitchen if possible.

I have suggested:
The Carl Sandburg House in Hendersonville (KW's fav)
Biltmore House....obviously
Sapphire Falls
Jones Gap Falls
Caeser's Head
Pretty Place
(this is wear GranolaGirl got married!)

Any suggestions that you might have, she would love to hear.

Doing some research for her, I got crazy jealous about her getting to go...but who wouldn't looking at these pics.

You know....?

Do you know what makes me want to write?

No, it is not the pleasure I get to putting words and ideas from my crazy head into some semblence of order...

No, it is not the time I get to spend in self reflection...

No, it is not my love of literary labels (thats right, I just popped out some alliteration in your face...booyeah!)

It is the comments.

The feedback that I get from people stopping by and saying..."hey that 10-30 min. that you spent today did not go to waste...unlike that piece about clandestine spying for lawyers that will ultimately go the way of electronic trash can."

And nothing gets me jazzed more than the double figures of comments....seriously.

Now I work hard for some of those comments...I scour the internet commenting on random peoples blogs...you know who you are....
but in the process, I have "met" some pretty cool people and some pretty cool blogs. This is why I have had so many "linky" posts.

So why don't you make these last few minutes worth something and leave a comment?!?!?!

Preferably about what makes you happy to blog...or what makes you happy...we can make it a veritable Sound of Music rip off....call me Sister Maria.

Make Me Laugh Monday-Lolcat edition

okay, I am not a cat person, but I am a Lolcat person. Go to Icanhascheezburger.com and check out some really funny pictures that people caption for fame and fortune...Okay well maybe just fortune...what no money is involved...SO it's just for weird internet pride. But if you are a blogger than you understand that.

Here is my contribution to MMLM:

Enter the ICHC online Poker Cats Contest!

Quick and Dirty

Leigh had asked for some photoshop hair advice...so here it is: what do you think she should do:


Her Now:

Meg Ryan



Lisa Rina



Martina



Mandy Moore




Okay these were quick and dirty, but hopefully they will give her a looksee. I think the Martina is the best!

What do you think!?!?!

Wordless Wednesday-My Best Friend's Wedding

I don't usually participate in Wordless Wednesday, this pic just seemed to fit.



wordless wednesday

Make me Laugh-a day late

Okay, I have been cruisin' the blogosphere and found Absolutely Bananas. It is absolutely hilarious.

She has started something to make me look forward to Mondays (even better than my short lived, More-than-less-Moot Monday). It is MAKE ME LAUGH MONDAY.

Now I don't have kiddos to laugh at, but I have youtube!



Here is a good Mom meets YouTube via Brooke Shields.

Happy Late Monday

The Cold Hard Truth

UPDATED: Erin's link corrected. Sorry!

So, as you probably can tell, I have not been in a chatty mood the past week or so. Why? For a number of reasons:

1.) Work has been crazy. Everyone I work with has decided that I look like just the person to pick up their slack. I do not say no easily, so here I am with a mound of work and 0 time.

2.) My house has been crazy. There are clothes EVERYWHERE! They are clean clothes mind you, but for some reason for a week and a half...I would take clean clothes, fold them...stack them...and then have to shuffle them into a closet or pile somwhere because "COMPANY STOPPED BY!" So I have to have to have to take care of this. We are down to wearing the same clothes over and over again because we can't figure out where our clothes are! Also, our light bulb in the closet burned out...so I can't see the clothes that are hanging up.

3.) My husband has been working crazy. KW has been wonderful for the first part of the semester. None of his usually crazy "I HAVE TO WORK 110% OF THE TIME!" All the sudden it hit again in full force. This is why I have had no help with the laundry or light bulb fixing. (However, he did take Penny in for her day of beauty without being asked!)

4.) My dog has been crazy. We went to the vet with what we thought was a cold and was told...NO, probably not but here is some medicine anyways (my doctor never gives me drugs "just in case" does yours?). Anyway, I started giving her the medicine and we noticed an odd change in her behavior, she would sleep all day and then bark all night. She has never done this EVER! On her first night with us, she slept like a champ in her crate. She is an early riser for food and busies (yes, that is what my family calles dog business: little busy-pee, big busy-poop. She is getting good at responding to them.) So for 3 nights in a row, we were up every 2 hours with a whiny dog. We thought it was for food, outside, boredom and we tried everything...finally it dawned on me that it was her medicine. So we took her off of it, played with her a little more before bed and she was gold (so far, I hope I didn't speak to soon!).

5.) I have been feeling crazy. My hormones are nuts (PMS anyone). I feel completely gross because I have caved in my New Years, Lent, Weight Watchers resolution. So I probably need to get to the gym. Urgh.

All this to say, I haven't been posting, but I have been reading. Here are some sites that I have really started to get into:

Mrs. Fussypants-she writes a lot of stuff about being good to your husband, which I could always use a reminder.

Kelly at Filtering Life...another one from Erin's blogroll. I just love her photography.

FanFiction for Jane Austin: this is where normal people write sequels, redos, and anything related to their favorite book. I love the Jane Austen section because I have become obsessed with retellings of Pride & Prejudice and I have read every one that is out in print. So this is a good fix, without the cost.

The McNulty Quads: I don't remember how I became "introduced to this blog." Maybe it was Erin, I don't know. But thier story about raising quadruplets is awesome. Both posters (you get mom and dad) are hilarious and have funny captions to their pictures. They also just love thier kids and love learning their different personalities. I also secretly think (when I get freaked out by the perfect parenting/birthing blogs)...well, if they can do it with four babies maybe I might be able to handle one baby.

Better than a Leg Lamp

ITS A MAJOR AWARD, AND I WON IT!
(sorry Leigh, I had to steal it...)

Leigh over at General Ramblings gave me this:


Not only does this awesome blogger make my day daily with her antics (she always has a great story to tell)...she has great taste in music and can take some kickin' photography (which for those of you who don't know, I'm trying to learn more about).

Thank you Leigh for giving me my first award! And like yourself, I have looked on at others awards in envy. Saddened that I was not cool enough, not witty enough, not popular enough to warrent an award...BUT NOW I AM! WOOT!

Part of the award is passing it on:
(I feel like the batchelor..."and I give a rose to _________, because she makes me laugh and brightens my day." Sadly, I don't watch the show, so this is the only thing I know from it!)

First up: Butcherfam...gotta give it up to my sister (soul and sole). She keeps me updated on her kids when I haven't seen (well, one of them...EVER!) in awhile.

Secondsies: Huckfam...She doesn't post a lot, but when she does, she'll make you wet yourself. She's just like that. And she continues to be a quiet, sweet, Christian influence on me.

Thirdly: Erin at Peach Livin in the Everglades...cause she is a transplant like me and has introduced me to some great blogs on her blogroll.

Fourths: Is Rachd over at Life with Hannah and Lily. One of the blogs from Erin's blogroll. This woman has a great spirit. Her story is touching, hard, unbelievable, and basically full of love. She doesn't know me...but I want to know that she makes my world a brighter place.

And I give my last rose to....can you feel the tension...I should give it to anyone who reads this post (cause, all 4 of you have either given me the award or are already given one....)...So I officially give the last rose to Katherine at Raising Five. I always look forward to reading her post. She talks about hard issues, is going through a big move right now, and seems to have this fun-indelible spirit. She is a big deal in the blogging world-cause she has gotten many very legit awards, but hopefully she can squeeze this one in the back of the pod.

I hope you all have had a great week, I am sorry that I haven't posted a lot. Work is going crizazy. But more on that later!

Some Insight to My Hubs

Now, KW is not going to like this, but I am going to expound on some of the virtues that is my husband. This is "important" for two reasons: the more you know of him, the more you know of me, and I had an awful dream last night where he had a blog (he hates blogs, fyi-i try not to hold it against him) and was saying all sorts of stuff about me (not bad, just stuff) and he didn't tell me!!!!. So dream payback is a b*tch. And I will tell him that I talked about him and this will be met with eye rolls and a groan.

Besides being a kind and thoughtful man, my hubs is usually pretty patient with me. And I test him. On Saturday, I was feeling pretty angsty and just wanted to groan and whine and kivetch like a toddler. No real reason. Just felt the need. When he wouldn't play along (like he usually does), he started to get irritated and then finally he figured out how to get me out of my upsetness funk. He danced. I have shown evidence to this before. I love that he makes me laugh.

Another thing about KW is that he loves his adventures. Now, I've alluded to this before. But he loves to find free stuff around town (or out of town) and go to it. This can be when it is raining, snowing, 110 degrees. He is the postal worker (and my postal worker is good so I will not say anything negative here) of adventurists. Now we do not climb things, we do not dive into mystical deep waters...we do silly things.

Like go to a little place called Hell, Michigan...when it snows...so we can get this picture:


A snowballs chance in hell.

You'll notice KW's eyes behind Penny in the Lil' Devil one. We took the Princess (we call her that and it fits!) with us for her first car ride that wasn't medical or drop off related (just for funsies)...and she enjoyed it.

He also dragged along the ever willing Montagninis to come visit the birthplace of Motown

It was actually really fun and our guide was awesome!!!! It was in a sketchy area of Detroit (sadly, a lot of Detroit). And I typically would not have let KW drag me downtown on an early cold Saturday morning, but I went with little protestation since the Montagnini's were coming.

This weekend, here were the options he gave me for entertainment:
Go look at Chinese water symbols, Irish clog dancing, or a poetry reading. I opted for none: it was -2 here!!!! I can't support going out in that weather!!!!

He has also recently taken me to UofM women's gymnastics meet (SO FUN!) and men's diving (also a good time!).

All of this to say, that he drags me to and fro but I always have fun and love him for wanting me to be next to him for all of life's significant and insignificant goings.

Lenten promises

Growing up I always gave up french fries and potato chips for Lent. I have really learned the benefit of doing something positive for Lent rather than just depriving myself. It doesn't help that I usually end up not sticking to my guns by the end.

So this year, I am going to go back on Weight Watchers (although, my anger at my quasi-boss is making it harder for me not to drink all my points) and work out every night for a minimum of 30 min. a day.

Also, KW and I are working to pray together more regularly together.

I am also praying a prayer that I made up every morning:


Dear Lord,
Bless my eyes to see your glory (open my eyes)
Bless my ears to hear your word
Bless my mouth to speak your goodness
Bless my hands to serve those in need and
Bless my feet to walk your path (put feet on floor)

Thank you Lord for this day, let me use it to your glory.


Thought I would keep myself accountable on my blog!

Suck it Merriam-Webster Dictionary

This is a first for me. When I was done with my last post, I hit the spell check button (which I try to remember to do for everything) and nothing happened. I thought that blogger was not working. Something must be wrong, and now I can not post because all of the grammar freaks out there will laugh and mock if I mess up. So I pressed the button again and had a shocking realization. I DIDN'T MISS SPELL ANYTHING!

Look, I think I'm pretty smart but I will tell you laziness and carelessness get in my way of being a FANTASTIC speller. Until now! I should go on that ESPN spelling bee contest. I am a spelling genius. Watch out world.

Update...spoke too soon, spell check really isn't working. In my efforts to fact check after posting...like all good reporters. I copied and pasted my post to Word and got several angry underlined red underlined words. Oh well, it was good while it lasted.

Bucket Lists

So a lot of people I know now has been inspired by the movie, the Bucket List, to make their own list of things they want to do before they die.

I initially thought, "Wow, that's kinda fun...what would I do..."

Some people said they wanted to live to know their grandchildren as adults, see their kids fall in love...and while I hope I get to do all those things, I don't feel that is appropriate for this list because you can't really actively do those things. Their just wishes.

Some people listed that they wanted to write a great novel (sure, I'd love to do that), paint beautifully (eh, I can paint mediocrely and I'm okay with that), accomplish great things with their career.

Here is my problem...I don't care if I do anything!!!

With my life, with my day...

I'm not the kind of person that says, "I feel so useless, I didn't do anything with my day." KW is like this...he has to see new things, meet new people, go places, contribute to the world and his future all in 16-20 hours.

He also frequently asks me, "what do you want to do with your life?" "Are you doing what you always wanted to do?"

Big Clue To The Insight Of My Soul: I never had any goals or fixed plans for my life. I assumed I'd get married at some point, have kids after that, and live in the south. Well, I got married a little earlier than I thought, am going to have kids (God willing) later than I thought, and haven't moved back to the south yet...but I'm okay with all of that (but I miss the south constantly). I never aspired to do anything magnificant career wise. I just wanted to be happy and serve God and my family...however that came about.

All this to say that you will never see a bucket list from me. And if you forced me the only thing on that list would be:

Snuggle for 48 hours straight with my husband and dog.

maybe I'm just lazy

Rockin' It Since 2001

I love CBS's tv show How I Met Your Mother. Now my brother gave me the DVD of seasons 1 and 2 for Christmas (he is a great brother!)...and I watch them all the time. Simply hilarious. But CBS also has the some later episodes online. During this time of writer's strike, it can fill your non-primetime viewing.

A great episode is when two of the main characters get married. During their makeshift vows, Lily (played by Alyson Hannigan-cutie!) says to Marshall (who--as a character--is a law student at Columbia and has been with Lily since the first day of freshman year in college)...I love you because you made me a sweatshirt that said "lily and marshall rockin it since 1996." I loved the idea of a cheesemo shirt that I designed a logo for me a KW.

I told you I am ridi-que-LOS with the photoshopping.
Here (hopefully) is one of my favorite clips from How I Met Your Mother:
background--Robin is Canadian, hilarity ensues.

Another Victim to my Photoshop

Now, if this is weird, forgive me and tell me to stop.

I have been reading Leigh's blog, General Ramblings, and I have loved getting to know her spunky attitude (you should see the dance routine she is learning!) and her love of Loretta Lynn (who I happen to adore).

Since Leigh has a shiny happy picture of herself on her blog, I thought "Leigh likes Loretta Lynn so much, I should photoshop her into some big Loretta hair and dresses."

So that is what I did. Leigh, I am sorry that you can't meet Loretta today but you can play digital dress up as her!

Again, I know this is silly...I'm sorry. I like to challenge myself to see if I can do the silly ideas that come into my head.

Dinner tonight

Okay, confession time, people. I do my shopping daily. I go to the grocery store almost every day.

I know, I know, I know. I waste money, time, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah...

But I can't help it. With just two of us, we are driven by whims and tastes. We love to eat according to mood.
Often we will pair it with what is on t.v. Big game = sports night food: pizza/hot dogs and beer. Project Runway = fancy salad.

Second confession: both KW and I hate making decision. We both want the other to be happy, so we hate saying "I WANT THIS!" because that might make the other one less happy.

So I was shocked yesterday that KW wanted to get stuff to make Chicken Marsala for today (A DAY AHEAD!)

We were there getting food for dinner that night and we planned ahead. This went in vain because we went again after work to get more stuff (for surprise dinner guests--great to have you Montagninis and an emergency snow storm predicted for tomorrow).

I made Chicken Marsala, which is my little brother's favorite. He made me make it for him all summer (when we lived in ATL). It turned out well, but it was an easy meal to make with company sitting in our kitchen.

Here is the recipe:
Make 2 bowls:
1-Mix Italian flavored bread crumbs with 2 tbs of melted butter with fork
2-scramble 3 eggs in a bowl and salt and pepper

Filet and Flatten chicken boobs

dredge said boobs in the egg mixture and then bread crumbs

Saute (3-4 min on each side) the dredged boobs in a pan with 2 tbs of margarine/butter and 3-4 tbs of olive oil
I had a hot cookie sheet in the oven ready to keep the chicken warm and finish off the cooking if needed.

After chicken is cooked, use left over oil/butter to saute mushrooms (I had to add more margarine). After the sliced mushrooms are cooked down, I put 1 cup of marsala wine, italian seasoning, garlic salt, parsley flakes. After this has cooked down, I added a few tablespoons of flour to thicken.

it is so easy and yummy. And easy to manipulate with what you have. I served it with pasta and salad.

I know that most of you are going "yeah, Alex, this is chicken marsala...why are you posting this?" well, if you are wondering what to make for dinner, may I recommend Chicken Marsala.

The baby

It has happened. I mean I thought I was in love before. It took me awhile to really feel anything about her...but now it can't be helped.

She is the sweetest and funniest little thing. And the best thing is that she has finally captured KW under her spell.

The one downfall: she hates having her pictures taken. I know! It is so weird because we call her "the supermodel." She just gets scared because of the flash
I am going to have to try in daylight because she freaks out when she sees the camera. i have turned off the flash, no dice. Hopefully, I will have some better pics soon.

I am also going to start posting some training tips and questions.

Let me just say again, she is so much fun.

Flattery will get you everywhere

She asked for it...She got it.

This is not my best work, but as I should get some work done, I was in a hurry.
But Mimi and her toes are inspirational for this photoshopper. I may try my hand again.

While I Was At Work

I get bored every once in awhile at work and need to look at something other than the colors and graphics of the school. They are nice graphics but the gold kinda gets to ya.

So in my quest to build my photoshop skillz and to "be sweet" as my mom would say (this means to do something positive instead of being "mean"/making fun of something). I have taken to working on graphics for my "Net friends." These are people I come across in the blogosphere...maybe I like their blog name, maybe they are excellent writers, maybe they leave me wonderful comments...Anyways, to give them a warm fuzzy back, I am posting "doodles" for them.

My first victim: Life in the Northwest. I love that she is another southern girl transplant. She often has great posts and her blog roll has been very fun to get to know. So here you go, Peach, a doodle for you!

Back at Work

So I did it! A full day back at work with only 9 people asking me if I should be at home?!?!?

I feel okay despite two things: I have an awful cough and that awful cough kept me awake last night...so now I am very tired.

But I did it. I made it through a fullish day of work (I was a teensy bit late but that is more routine these days).

So hopefully this will be the start of better more productive days. I was not terribly productive today but I got some stuff done and HEY that is better than none.

Off to the homestead to play with the Penny and then to our Montagnini's to be fed. It is nice to have friends who will cook if you bring them dessert and booze.

Never Ever: Sick

I realized yesterday this is the first time since I was in elementary school that I was sick enough to miss 4.5 days of school/work. I felt awful but I didn't realize that first day of sickness that this would be an Alex Record (not quite as cool as Guinness World Record). And let me just say only .5 of those days was a "too tired from being sick before" recovery period.

Thought I'd share this Never Ever.

Have You Ever: Hair Dresser

Have You Ever: Gone to the Hair Dresser and Come Out Thinking "OH, NO This is Not What I Wanted" But Said Nothing.


I have had several of these moments mainly because I will often just say "Oh, do whatever" and because I hate to say "THIS SUCKS FIX IT!"

Once was the infamous Carol Brady Hair

I had to go to three different hairdressers after to get them to CUT THE MULLET!

The last time was at my friend Crouton's wedding. As Matron of Honor, I was priveledged to get my hair done with the bride. I had wanted to wear it down but the hairdresser said that my hair would look limp (which was probably true)...so she went ahead "doing whatever!"....and it looked AWFUL!

I complained to the other bridesmaids, I think she might have heard and asked to redo it. And then I felt bad about whining too loud. She redid the whole thing...and it was just moderately better.

So, I put this to the blogosphere: Have you ever said to your hairdresser "Um, this stinks...fix it." Did it work out okay? or did you get the equivelant of a sneezer (ie. when you ask a server to take your food back in a restaurant and they sneeze on it).

My first MeMe!

I can't believe it! I was tagged for a MeMe by that strong military wife and mama. Now I've never done one of these and I really don't love the name MeMe...I assume that they are called that because they are about Me...anyhoo. Here it goes!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE ? Yes, I was named after the "b*tch" as my parents say on General Hospital Alexandria Quartermaine and my aunt Leigh. My brothers were both named after grandfathers and priests...but me a women on a soap opera that slept, slapped and killed everyone.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? I have been sick for the past week and I have cried/leaked tears when i am coughing hard. For emotion: probably when I left my parents at Christmas.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? If I write neat, which is never. But if I am trying to write nice for crafts, I think it is okay.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Pepper turkey or honey baked ham

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Just a silly hairy husband and a silly hairy dog

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I think I really care about everyone...so I'll say yeah.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Um, no Captain Obvious, I don't.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes, and my Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor tells me they are very large.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No, i am all chicken

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? I hate cereal. If I eat any, it would be cinnamon toast crunch.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Never!

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yes, but I know I am not.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Mint chocolate chip and oreo OR Mint Oreo

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Height, Hair, then eyes

15. RED OR PINK? Red...pink looks good on me, but I hate how girly it is.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF? I am going to agree with Military Mama and hate on my laziness. I wish I was not some complacent and procrastinating.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My brothers and family besides. I really miss my college friends Pearce, Steph, and EB

18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Blue PJ pants with ladybugs and no shoes

19. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? delicious Mexican food: chalupa, chimichanga

20. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Psych

21. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Green and only green!

22. FAVORITE SMELLS? KW (after showers or with his cologne)...fresh laundry and linens (but that doesn't make me want to do laundry more)

23. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Josh M. to set up our couple date for mexican food

24. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? American Gladiators! no, SEC football

25. HAIR COLOR? Naturally...dirty blonde maybe right now...brunette

26. EYE COLOR? Green and blue. it really depends on what I am wearing

27. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No

28. FAVORITE FOOD? French Fries

29. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy Endings! I love romantic comedies, cartoon comedies and comedy comedies

30. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? the last half of Jersey girl. The full one: 27 Dresses

31. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Green (obviously!)

32. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer

33. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs...can't get enough of em.

34. FAVORITE DESSERT? Apple Pie and anything with a cobbler or pie crust

35. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? I just finished The Boleyn Inheritance, and starting both my Canon camera guide and Free Food for Millionares

36. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? No mouse pad...work forgets to give me one :-( I'm sooooo pitiful

37. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? CHUCK! brand new glorious episodes of Chuck. If you have not watched this show, please do. It is stellar!

38. FAVORITE SOUNDS? KW smiling.

39. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? I hate both...Shoot me, but I just don't have anything nice to say

40. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Living-Ann Arbor Vacationing-Hawaii

41. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I can roll my eyes indepentally of each other. I have been working on it since I was 6

42. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Atlanta, GA. Lovin' the ATL!

Now I get to tag people: Robin at Pensieve
Pea at Butcherfam
Kells at Huckfam
Erin at Peach livin' in the Evergreens

Square Pegs and Self Realization

Ah! So the blogging dialogue starts: My favorite city singleton blogger has now called me out of my foxhole, called me out Red Rover style to respond to her blog of coolness. Not really. But she has called me out on my sh*t.

She has seen through my bull and drawn the lines acurately: when I said my blog doesn't fit in, I am saying that I don't fit in, and I really have never fit in...and maybe that bothers me.

In short, it bothers/ed me some but not enough to change my ways. Like Lea, I feel that I am too nerdy for the cool kids, not quick enough for the smart kids (somehow, I always felt inferior in both ways to Lea--who is truly the only person I know who can be over intellectual and a "cool kid" (fashion, going out, clever sayings, tv) in the same minute). I am not particularly athletic but enjoy sports enough because I get to hang out with boys. I like makeup and fashion but pretty lazy about putting it into practice when it means 30 minutes of sleep. I also always had a fixed set of right and wrong...maybe it is the Catholic guilt or parental dogma/strong moral compass that just let me know that when I wasn't smoking, wasn't underage drinking, or defending the fact that I'm married at a youngish age that I wasn't doing something wrong or missing out.

This is all to say maybe I am a square peg in a round hole as Lea suggests (sometimes I embrace it, sometimes I try to act like my square has rounded edges) but maybe I am in good company.

*A note on Lea: we met when she came to work at my old office in DC. While I had a whole 6 months seniority and years of wisdom, she outshined me quickly with her sparkling hair, shoes, writing, and wit (and our boss is always impressed by sparkles). I always kinda equate Lea with the younger sister that is always way cooler than you, makes you feel inferior, hang on to the inches of height that you can lord over her, and constitently be amazed at what she does.

Yes, you are right Mrs. Huckaby

My good friend and sorority sister from old FU mentioned this about my last post:

Does it make you feel better that even though I am a mommy blogger, in my real life I have never felt like I really quite fit anywhere? I don't feel badly about not fitting neatly into compartments though. In fact, I sort of like that about myself. I feel like it allows me to relate a little bit better to all sorts of people. I bet this is true of you too.

And she is right, I do feel that way. My whole reason for saying that was to sort of apologize for the three of you who check on me sometimes that I don't have a funny silly posts about adorable mini-mes nor do I write clever and witty exposes about what is going on in the world. But what you do get: me and some random musings for a pretty good price...free.

*and that is Huckaby with a Y not two Es to confuse you politically up to date readers

Blog Types

So in my sickness, I have noticed that they are mainly two types of blogs (or blogs that I read, which are really the only ones that matter). And they break down into the following categories:

1.) A blog about a person's family: this blog has a majority of posts about the development about people's kids, pets, moving, etc. There is a progression, a news update, and LOTS of personal pictures.

2.) A blog about a person's thoughts: this blog is mainly the recounting of things that the blogger thinks or sees. The majority of posts are about what goes on in their day but centered around a greater theme: traveling, news updates, "have you heard about ______."


"Now what type of blog are you?" you ask, dear reader. Well I don't know! I do put some fun updates on the growing and goings on of my little family. But I also throw in a lot of color commentary and random musings.

What does all of this say or mean? Well, nothing. I just feel that my blog is not like my friends-that-are-mom blogs or my intellectual-friends-that-are-cool-and-live-city-slicker-lives blogs. I am stuck in the middle...as I frequently am. The end of the going out singles group, but not quite staying at home watching my funny children group. Just hanging out with the KW, while he looks for adventure and drags me along behind him like a little boy and his security blanket turned cape.

Excellent News--a new addition

So once more I am announcing a new addition to our extended family.

No it is not a baby, no it is not another puppy...it is a soon to be sister in law.


yup, that's her: I think she is just goofy enough to fit in with us!

So my middle brother popped the question last night, and I am really excited for them!
And KW is excited to not be the only in law! Someone else to deal with the Embry craziness!

John trying to catch her!


CONGRATS YOU TWO!

Infected

So I have gotten the plague. I'm not sure if I contracted it through the internet from one of my fav blogs or from one of my co workers back from Italy.

I have missed 3 days of work, which usually doesn't make me upset but I feel so bad I would rather be at work. Now that says something.

I finally got to go to the doctor today (after much haranging with my insurance company, HR representative, and screaming at receptionists, "YES I AM A NEW PATIENT!!! BUT I NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR NOW! I HAVE THE PLAGUE!"

They finally saw me and said that I have an agressive virus, which really means I get to wait to feel better...awesome.

Just thought I'd let you know what I've been doing the last few days: trying not to succomb to a viral coma.

No More Live Blogging

I don't think I will do Live blogging anymore. It is definately too long on my page. My puppy was dying for her usual snuggle time during her favorite show--KW does refer to her as the other German supermodel. And I totally missed enjoying the show. I don't know how people do it, and I expanded myself into new territory, only to realize that I am safe and happy inside my box. Don't worry, I'll draw outside the lines later...maybe.

Semi-live blogging about Project Runway

We have the scenes from last week and can I just say...I thought Kevin would go farther. I really liked him...I'm not going to say his prom dress was good. It was a non-hot mess. It was cold cream of wheat (the b*stard cousin of grits and oatmeal)

Here we go:

10:02--So Chris is straightening his crazy hair...and bitching about his last client..shock!!! Preening and b*tching from Christian. Really this is such a departure...I'm lacking oxygen from my deep gasps of disbelief.
10:03--Out come the models...they are, well hairy. The designers must make avant garde dresses to go with the crizasy hairstyles the models are sporting. All the way from: fauxhawks, dreads, weird curls, Dolly Parton hair. Shock the dreads are not picked! I thought someone would think it was fierce. That makes me feel that I may be less traditional than I thought...at least we all know that dreads does not equal high fashion.
10:04--TIM!!! the best time of Project Runway.

avant garde: does not have to be wearable or realistic (cause all of the designs all the time are?)

AND now it is team time. They are just totally going for drama.

So how many times will Ricki cry? I think it will be 3 times.

10:07--Chris and Christian=best team ever!
Rami is crazy artistic. I may not like everything he does, but he has ideas!

10:08--I want to live in Mood fabric. I also want to learn to sew on a machine. I can only hand sew. People keep telling me that I can learn to use a sewing machine and drive a stick but each time someone lends me their "machine" to use...I always break it.

Christian "if i was diva my name would be Feroush"

10:09: Chris is making a cell phone tower from the shoulders up and just said he is calling into Alysa's planet. So true: She was crazy and a great "show" = spitting on fabric, sewing on herself, but I think this would have been her challenge. All of her stuff was avant garde lite (that is like Miller lite but less delicious or as Christian would say deloush)

10:10--Rami just foreshadowed his down fall: "Sweet Pea said she can make trousers"...well that means she can't!
Sweet Pea does see right, he is a bit of a dragon lady boss!

---commercial break---phone call from brother in law

10:16--Sweet Pea claims dyslexia, which I claim as well, which makes me like her!
Rami is totally running roughshod over her. Wonder if that will bight one of them on the toucas

10:17--Surprise from Tim
"another look on the runway"--now they must make a ready to wear look that has the essence of the avant garde piece

Holy peet! that is a big and tall order

10:18--caucusing and maniacal laughing from Chris and fretting from the anal type-A girl's group of Victorya and whats-her-face-curly-hair.

10:19--Once again: Sweet Pea badgered!

10:20--curly hair girl is named Jillian...whoops

10:20--KW is commenting on Sweet Pea's hardcore cross tat on her shoulder. I told him, "no way, Jose." He has been talking about that for awhile. I always think that it will be a misshapen horror in 20-30 years.

10:21--So Rami is the new Santino: too much stuff!

10:21--the apron-little house on the prairie dress looks kinda pretty!
Type-A girl squad: fretting about Victorya having immunity (yeah, I'd worry about that too--however, I think that Jillian aka. curly hair type A, has always reminded me of Season 3 finalist Laura. She is KW's fav. Yeah, I have totally indoctrinated him.

10:22--Christian showing how to walk. He reminds me of a 13 year old girl I used to babysit...KW: "what a little b*tch."

10:23--Rami v. Sweet Pea; I'm totally team Sweet Pea. She is so sensitive and sweet (as her name implies)...I get her!

I think live blogging is giving me carpel tunnel (How, do you do this Lea!)

---commercial break---

10;28--New guest: Nathaniel Hawkins--Tresemee hairstylist! Now they are making the crazy hair more every day
New reward: The winning looks will be in Elle magazine!

FYI those models are so tall and thin: SHOCK! but still

10:30--Tim is dubious about Christian and Chris' design. I am excited to see it!

10:31--Tim is telling the non-crying Ricki and Kit to make it more and etc.

10:32--Rami is fighting with Tim and Sweet Pea (Tim is saying that Rami's idea isn't avant garde enough!!!)
Type A group: The coat looks good to Tim...but it looks semi Janet Jackson...KW thinks it looks like a vampire coat!

10:33--THEIR SECOND LOOK ISN'T STARTED! Ruroh Type A Team
Christian looks like an emo waiter-flock o' seagulls-INXS preteen! OMG!

10:34--Here goes the frantic--making it work!
Product placement ****tresemee**** Tresemee****TRESEMEE****

10:35--FYI. Christian always prophesizes his victory. LIKE EVERY WEEK BEFORE!
Type A Team is calling themselves Team Last Minute! That is like calling me Princess Sarcasm

--Commercial break--*looks like Ricki cries on the runway!!! YES!

10:41--Here comes the runway:
Heidi's dress is not my fav. It looks like Alysa's Hersey dress, aka "sad brown sack."

10:42--Runway Time: Rami---looks like something a two year wears in dress up
Love the every day look of Sweet Pea!!! Yea!

Chris/tian: LOVE IT! So crazy! and the every day look is really really nice. I am happy

Kit/Ricki: I like the dress but it looks a little plantation. The every day is cute but nothing special

Team Type A: The Jacket is crazy awesome! I love the lining. The ready to wear is fine but blah in comparison

10:45--Teams that are low--Kit and Ricki and Rami and Sweet Pea

Teams that are high--Type A and Team Fabuloush

10:46--45 yards of fabric!!! That is NUTS! on Christian/chris' dress

swanyee? What does that mean? micheal kors you don't make sense 50% of the time

Type A looks good....blugh! those are the girls I hated in school. They were so high strung and no fun and mean but still did great

10:48--The LOSERS:
Rami/Sweet Pea: THEY LOVE SWEET PEA'S DRESS!!!! Woo HOO!

Kors got it right: they were arm wrestling the whole time and it showed (in Rami's case)

10:49--They saw the Scarlett O'Hara thing too. They think it looks not well made...Okay I can see it. It is less wowing than I thought. I'm disappointed. And the everyday looks like a cut out of a pillowcase.

10:51--sad they thought it looked ametuer...I hope that it isn't Kit

--commercial and Penny lovin' break--

10:58--YEAH Christian and Chris WON!!! Christian gets immunity, but Chris can rise from the dead (so to speak)
Kdubs is peeved.

RICKI is IN!?!?!?! WTF!?! He designed the worst part. Sweet Pea is safe though. WHew

I think it will be Kit, she hasn't done anything great. Rami has won several in the past.

10:59--I hope it isn't kit....but of course she is! That blows! Should have been the crier, Ricki!!

11:00--I like her but she wasn't anything fabulous. She was just nice and decent.

Oh well, next week: Are they doing trash again!!?!!?! I doubt it cause Christian says "awesome." Ricki cries again. See you then

***sorry, for the long post. It was my first foray into on-time bloggin*** I'm no Killa, but I can always try.

Blogs I Read and I Don't Know Why

I like to read and comment on a lot of different blogs, but I find that I read a lot of "mom" blogs.
I am not sure why I am so drawn to reading about birthing stories, breast feeding tips, discipling styles...
I don't have kids (as you should know), I am not pregnant, and I am not "planning" on being so in the near future...but I find it all fascinating.

Maybe it also that really only one of my friends that blogs is not a mom and linking to other moms.

But this also hinders my posts. I read all these adorable posts ala. "kids say the darndest things...do the darndest things...etc." I just don't have anything to compete with that! KW says some funny things and Penny makes me laugh (and my coworkers say some pretty remarkable things), but they aren't real story machines.

So I'm sorry that my posts are not incredibly entertaining, but I am working on my writing...I swear.

UPDATED**You know a coworker is mean when she says...

"I hate it when people don't jump at my command. They should obey me and obey me quickly."

***Updated: I should point out that this is part of my campaign to prove that one of my best friends and co-workers is not as sugary sweet nice as her smile would portray. She is very nice and sweet to everyone that she meets, but the ones that she claims her nearest (me) and her dearest (her husband) get to see her for her true, fun loving, snarky, crazy commenting self. If she is mean and sarcastic to you, then you know that she thinks of you as a good friend.

No one crys in my presence alone

"No one Crys in my presence alone "

This is one of my favorite quotes from one of my most quoted movies. Steel Magnolias has given me such memorable and well used quotes as:

"I love you more than my match luggage"
"Well, it takes some effort to look this good"
"Oh, I was just yellin' at my husband. I'm married, so I get to do that."
"How is it the older you get, the meaner you get" reply: "how is it the older I get, the uglier you get!"

There is many more but none hold more true to my life than when Dolly says to Julia Roberts' character: "Don't cry, no one crys in my presence alone." Now at the tender age of 12, when I first saw the movie, I did not get that phrase. But now, whenever I am watching a movie, reading a book, or with a friend and someone somewhere is crying for something...I tear up too. And for the most part, I don't shed that beautiful single teardrop...no I release the Hoover Dam of waterworks to commiserate.

This is why I do not like (nor really allowed to) see movies that are sad or meant to tug at your heart. Because my heart doesn't just move a little it slides right across that string your tuggin', smacks you in the face, and then comes back and smacks me in mine.

So if you ever wanna have someone cry with you, just come on over and sit by me.

Also true and a quote from Steel Magnolias: "If you can't think of anything nice to say about someone, come sit by me!"

Funny or Fly?

For your enjoyment, may I submit something from LOLCATS

Also, thought you would get a kick out of this:

To keep warm in her Midwestern-yankee office, this southern uses the one resource at her disposal when space heaters aren't allowed...yup, thats right...a heating pad!

And a bright pink fleece blanket.

Both are a great source of portable heat (warms hands, feet, body, head) and elliciting sympathy from your cube mates AND make my husband roll his eyes.

How do you keep descretely warm (without looking like something the Michelin Man and an eskimo made one cold winters night?)

Grumpacious

Grumpacious (GruhmP AY Shus) adv. 1.) to be grumpy with an attitude. 2.) to be upset but not malaciously mean with extra meladrama.

Use in a sentence: I am very grumpacious today because I live very far away from the south and therefore had to miss a good friend's wedding this weeekend and missed seeing some of the best people in the world.


*all of these girls (except for the girl on the far left, who I am not sure who she is!) were on my freshman hall at Furman. We had the best and most fun hall, and each of these girls made it one of the best years of my life!
***also note that the bride is gorgeous, as all brides are but the former Ms. P even moreso!

Challenge: Mexican Food

So here is your challenge, please accept it!!! I am jonesing for some Mexican food. My recipes in this genre are limited, and I would love some more! So please let me know of any that you have and love. And if you have any that can be done for those who can't handle the spicy milk (aka. lactose intolerant), people would be internally (yeah I meant that) grateful.

Updated*** Missin' a Bestie

So Pea sent me a pic of the both of us in college to commemorate the post.



This is from Pea's senior year sorority formal (my junior). Note my kick butt candy necklace. After my freshman year formal, at Pea's encouragment, I have always worn something silly and/or edible. Freshman year: green chuck taylors (with that dress in the pic) Sophmore year: bedazzled flip flops Junior year: Ring Pop Senior Year: candy necklace (and matching bracelet--I was all about sophistication).

Missin' a Bestie

I have made some amazing friends throughout my life: high school, college, DC, and here. And I am sure that many of you will understand that every once in awhile you just miss someone. And I am having that.

I am missing one of my best friends from college, my cosmic big sister, and always a friend of honor:


Pea is a great friend and mother of two awesome kiddos (and I'm sure her husband isn't going to complain!)...so here is some fun stories about my bestie:

*We met at Furman while playing on the Ultimate Frisbee Team (She was there as a serious athlete, I was there to meet cute boys)
*She is the sole reason I got in and wanted to stay in our sorority
*The minute we met I thought, "Wow, she is awesome. I need to be her friend." She had no choice
*I was there when she started dating her husband and watched him woo her head over heals
*She was the one to put my hair in a ponytail when I was in a cast. No one else will do
*She runs like a double flagalated cell. And that is fast so don't mess with her
*She is my role model and I truly think she was the oldest sister I was always meant to have.
*One of my worst memories of her is almost screaming when she was swing dancing with her hubs and she looked like she was going to hit her head on the floor. (I still cringe)
There are so many memories that I could put on here. But I just wanted to let her know that though we do not get to talk as much, see each other hardly at all...we have a bond, a connection...and I am lucky to have it and her!

Memory Making: 4th Anniversary *Updated

So we made it to our 4th Anniversary, and I am not going to kid everybody and say that married life is effortless and blissful. No, fortunately, KW is a huge pain in the rear, but a good kind of pain like good work out sore.
***Updated: I forgot this sentence--But I love him very much and would hate for that pain from growing and learning together to ever go away***
We have done a lot this year, and we both realized last night that we don't remember everything. Mostly because we don't have the blog to reference. So this is at least a good run down of our 4th anniversary.

We went to a kick butt wine bar and restraunt downtown: Vinology.

Although downtown is only a few miles away, we never go down there because parking is not super convenient, there is no Metro to take us there, and it is butt freezing cold. So it was a big deal for us to go.

Recently, KW and I have been getting into trying different wine. We used to just pick up the cheapest there was. Now we pick up the cheapest but something we haven't tried. I also took a wine tasting class over Christmas with my parents and found it really interesting. KW has had this interest before because of his old boss. He also has a new subscription to Wine Spectator Magazine to help us along.

Needless to say, we were excited to try wine that was already okayed by the restraunt and served by the glass.

We started out with a viognier (white wine, lighter than chardonnay but not as green as a pinot). It was delicious. I am a devoted chardonnay girl, but this was much better. I may be a convert.

We then had a cabernet sauvignon, which wasn't spectacular. KW thought it was equivical to the cheap stuff we get on sale.

Next was a red whose name I couldn't remember but it was good, and a white wine called a Pecorino. Now I thought that was a cheese, but it was one of the best wines I have ever had.

Finally we got a mini bottle of champagne that Ken didn't like but I did (so I got to drink it all!).

Over all it was really fun, the wine menu had a lot of fun facts and quizzes about wine and wine making, and at the end Ken suprised me with a wine tasting class at Vinology in March!

I know this is probably making me seem like a wine snob...I promise I'm not. I will never be the type to drink $40-400 bottles of wine, I just can't do it. But maybe I'll step up from $5 to $9...hey and I think 3 Buck Chuck is mighty tasty.

The New Job

After my last post, some of you may be wondering what is this new job of yours? Well I'll tell ya!

After the debacle at my job last year, which is still so horrid I dare not share it with the world--it is like a war flashback...the trauma is too great, I volunteered at KW's law school in the development department just to get some university experience. Because there is a lovely Catch 22 situation involved in university hiring: you can't get a job at a university unless you have had a job at a university. And I really wanted to start working at a university because (for the most part) wherever KW drags me to next there will probably be a university around that is hiring.

During the spring I worked odd jobs that I didn't get paid for (interning, volunteering, unbenownst-to-me-free-babysitting) and then I lived at my parents house in the summer while KW was working in the ATL (more about my summer in the south to come which included a lot of ).

The nice director of development here at Ave was passing my resume along to all of other deans trying to get me a legit job in house. After weeks of interviews and updates by the Dean of Admissions, I finally got the job as Admissions and External Affairs Officer. Here is what the job includes:
*Traveling around the country for recruitment in the fall.
*writing news stories and press releases
*editing stories and publications
*developing communications between prospects,
admitted, and enrolled students
*some web design
*in house photographer
*and picking up the slack between the two departments

Now that might seem like a lot of different tasks, and they are and there are more. But here are some GREAT things about my job.

*I am learning a TON of new things I never would have dreamed
*My boss is super nice, the opposite of my last one
*I get to work with one of my best friends
*My office is a mile away from our apartment
*Ken and I commute together
*AND I get to see him whenever I want (when he's not in class!)

There is a lot more, but I really like this job. It is not perfect but it is close.

Oh and I forgot one of the best things: I get the summers off to be travel with KW!

To see some of my work you can click here

Coming back, once again

All right people. I am up and writing again. I know that I have lost what little following I had by this time, but so it goes.

I could give you the usual excuses of moving, starting a new job, traveling for said new job, and getting a new dog.

Yes that is right. With all the excitement of the last few months that have gone on in my life, one of the best things is the gift of our new addition.
Let me introduce you to Penelope Ann or as we call her at home Penny!



She is hairier than I thought my first little one would be, but she is great. Full of personality and loves to make me laugh. I'm sure I will post about her often. So get ready for some gushing.

To get serious though, I had stopped blogging because I didn't think that what was going on with me was worth sharing. It is not like I have kiddos to document or such, but I had a realization last night at dinner (Our 4th Anniversary Dinner) that I should document our memories as well. They are no less important, just a little less cute than a kid.

So with my new christmas present of a really sweet Canon Rebel Xti and this new determination to share with y'all, the world, what we are doing and what we have done (there will be some flashbacks), I am starting back up. so if anyone is still checking this old blog of mine, please leave a message! I like hearing from ya!