Almsot A Spoiled Christmas Part 2

Yesterday I told you how much I LOVE giving Christmas presents. I told you how I totally ruined Mom’s surprise; well…Dad’s was a close call.

My dad is fun to give Christmas presents too because he is pretty easy to buy for. He has hobbies. (Watch me eat my words when he already has what I bought him this year or he just doesn’t like it.)

Dad is funny on Christmas because unlike mom, he can’t wait to tear into his presents. He sits in his recliner (usually with his coat on, jeans and boots because he has already washed all three vehicles, mowed the lawn, trimmed the bushes, swept the garage, drank a cup of coffee and read the paper, paid a Christmas visit to the Harley Store, built a deck, wired ten new receptacles at Lynn’s house, changed out the light bulbs in the vaulted ceiling of the church sanctuary, ate a bowl of Corn Flakes, and deer hunted for three hours….all while the rest of us are still waking up and sitting down to our first cup of coffee.) Anyways, while Blair and I are just getting to our first gift from mom and dad, as mom watches us open, Dad already has his pocket knife out and about to cut into his presents. Yes, he does pull out his pocket knife to cut through the wrapping paper. Must make him feel a little manlier when opening gifts! Mom then yells “Scott…it’s not your turn, wait till the girls are finished!”
It makes me laugh; it’s dad and that’s why I love him more than he will ever know.

So…back to ruining Dad’s surprise present.

It’s Sunday December 6th and “Charleston” and I are on our way back from Raleigh to Greensboro from Ashley and Paul’s wedding. I had yet to get Dad a Christmas gift but I had something in mind that I wanted. Since I was in Greensboro for a couple hours and in the company of “Charleston” who loves the same outdoor activities as dad, I decided to capitalize on the opportunity. We headed the car straight for Gander Mountain. Sweet, I was about to check one more person off my list!

In the car I started telling “Charleston” how much my dad loves Gander Mountain and how I am guaranteed to find something there he will like. We pull into the store parking lot and since I take after my dad in more ways than one, I instruct “Charleston” to park the car in the back of the parking lot because I don’t want anyone to give me door dingys. (Ok maybe two things I take after dad, I park in the back of parking lots and I like to “instruct” others….hum) As “Charleston” was pulling the key out of the ignition, I said, “It would not surprise me if dad were here right now; I swear he comes here all the time.” I open my door, put both feet on the ground, step out of the car, and look up. Sure-as-sh*t, there dad stands on the other side of the parking lot with Glen, looking right at me and laughing. He totally did not expect me to be in Greensboro, let alone at Gander Mountain! Small little world. Mom said he had gotten kind of bored that afternoon so he called Glen to see if he wanted to run to Gander Mountain because he needed a new gun cleaning kit. That’s what I call perfect timing.

Now, dad was on his way out and I was on my way in…if only our encounter were several minutes one way or the other, either we would have totally missed each other or we would have been in Gander Mountain at the same time and he would have seen what I was picking out for him! Or . . . I could have just stood at the register with him and paid for the gun cleaning kit he was purchasing! That’s really the way to complete your holiday shopping! I mean who buys themselves presents around the holidays anyways??!!!

That surprise present disaster, avoided…barely.

Almost a Spoiled Christmas - Part One

My favorite thing ever at Christmas time is to give someone a present that is truly a surprise and I know 100%, without-a-shadow-of-a-doubt, kick-you-in-the-crotch, all-time positive that they are going to love it. I get giddy to go shopping for certain gifts that I cannot wait to give! My turn-around-time from the second a gift purchase enters the apartment to being wrapped and under the tree has been clocked at 2.5 minutes. I just can’t help it; I get so excited.

But this year…it was almost a complete “surprise” disaster.

I had three people to shop for: mom, dad, and “Charleston”

Mom, piece of cake. I love shopping for her – she is like playing with Barbie. Give her clothes, give her shoes, give her toys to play with, dress her up, dress her down and she is happy. She will sit in the floor Christmas morning on her knees and insist on being the last one to open her presents. When it finally comes her time she will have a grin on her face as if this is the only present she has ever gotten. She loves surprises. Well this year, my 7 ½ size foot went straight into my mouth.

Let me set the scene:
It’s a Tuesday morning around 8:00am and I am at the office doing the usual morning routine.

My phone rings and its mom. We begin to talk while at the same time I am listening in on several other conversations here at work and talking with a co-worker on IM. Besides work, I am a little stressed out because I just checked the tracking number on mom’s Christmas gift I ordered and the last update said: “LOST.” Ka-RAP, that’s never good.

Mom began asking questions and she could tell I was a little off-beat and distracted. The conversation proceeded as such:

Mom: “ Beana, you OK? You sound like you are busy or something.”

Blain: “I am fine, I just have stuff at work, I didn't have time to eat breakfast, I left clothes in the washer at home and I just checked the tracking on your coat and UPS said it was lost.”

(NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, I just untied the bag and out ran that damn cat!)

Mom: (a chuckle as if she just transformed into one of her kindergarten kids giggling like they just heard a grown-up say a bad word)

Blain: “did you hear that?”

Mom: (he he he) “hear what?”

Blain: “no, crap, sh*t, ugh, this is no fun, no fair….did your Alzheimer's’s by any chance just kick in?”

Mom: (on the other end of the phone smiling ear-to-ear) “Beans, you got me a coat?!!!” (giggle giggle giggle like a kid on Christmas)

Blain: “ugh no, I am sending it back now. Uggggh, you know what it is. Ughhh, I wanted it to be a surprise. Uuuuuuugh this sucks.”

Mom: “no beans, I NEED a new coat. I want a new coat. Please don’t send it back!!! I want it!!!!”

Blain: “fine, fine and fine”

And, there goes the fun in Christmas present giving to mom. Did someone just hit me over the head with a stupid stick? How in the world did I just do that?!! I am so mad at myself.

Well,
That’s today’s story…check back tomorrow with how I came three seconds away from ruining dads gift; and I mean literally three seconds.

TOO GOOD NOT TO SHARE! READ NOW!

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Favorite Christmas Carol

My Favorite Christmas Carol?

Easy.

Carol of the Bells; for many reasons hands down my fave.

First, Carol of the Bells was the song I played in my very first Christmas piano recital. I took piano for many years from Mrs. Jenny Lail (all-time the most amazing pianist. One word: inspiration). I LOVE playing the piano. Do you think it’s possible to get a baby grand up to the 4th floor of a 1500sq/ft apartment in downtown Charlotte? Ok, so maybe I will have to wait until I get my own house to buy a piano, but . . . when the funds are there it will be the first thing I do; I will take up piano again. (Think Mrs. Jenny will drive from Kernersville to Charlotte to give me lessons?...might have to work on that one a little more!)

Second, Carol of the Bells was my favorite Christmas carol to sing in Caprice during high-school. Caprice was an all-girls honors ensemble. Starting in 1964 when East Forsyth High School opened, Maxine Blackwell began and developed a highly successful choral music program with Caprice and Madrigals. (Madrigals being a co-ed group). Caprice and Madrigals still continue to this day and every year they do a holiday program at six elementary schools and are running on a 40 year tradition. This holiday program features songs as “Fruitcake,” “Carol of the Bells,” “The Twelve Days After Christmas,” and “Twas the Night before Christmas.” Caprice was absolute fun because I got in with my Sister and several other girlfriends. It was a little break during my high-school day and we all know I love to sing - all the time! (right Lee Lee Routh?!)

So…that’s why I love Carol of the Bells, it marks some special and fun points in my life.

What’s your favorite?

Here are three of my favorite songs we sang in Caprice (obviously not my Caprice group, but you get the idea....)

Fruitcake:


Twelve Days After Christmas:


Carol of the Bells:

Star-Powered College Roommates

Plenty of college students fret about their roommates, complaining about how they smell bad or steal Pop Tarts. But be careful – that person on the lower bunk may turn out to be powerful someday. Or maybe you both will. Here’s a look at twelve pairs of famous roommates.

1) Al Gore and Tommy Lee Jones
Actor Tommy Lee Jones and Former Vice President Al Gore (and eventually John Lithgow) shared a room at Harvard and, like plenty of college roomies, chased girls together, even joining a country music band to get girls. The unlikely duo also served as the inspiration for the character of Oliver in Love Story, written by fellow Harvard alum Erich Segal.

2) Tony Dungy and Flip Saunders
When rooming together at the University of Minnesota, Tony Dungy and Flip Saunders dreamed of capturing a national championship for the school, Dungy on the football field and Saunders on the basketball court. Both went on to make their mark as coaches. Dungy led the Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl victory, and Saunders took the Detroit Pistons to three straight Eastern Conference Finals.

3) Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson

Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson have had great success collaborating on films from Rushmore to The Royal Tenebaums. And it all started when they were roommates at University of Texas, where they co-wrote Anderson’s directoral debut Bottle Rocket. That’s not the only writing Anderson did with Wilson, though; he wrote a paper about Edgar Allen Poe for him in order to score the better bedroom in their apartment.

4) Joe Montana and Charlie Weis

Charlie Weis may run a pretty no-nonsense football program at Notre Dame, but back when he was a student there, he was fond of playing pranks on roommate (and quarterback) Joe Montana.

5) Ving Rhames and Stanley Tucci
Actor Ving Rhames probably wouldn’t have carved out his successful career if it weren’t for roommate Stanley Tucci. While at SUNY Purchase, Tucci convinced Rhames to shorten his name from Irving. And let’s face it, that was probably a good career move; Marsellus Wallace just wouldn’t be the same played by someone named Irving.

6) Bill Clinton and Strobe Talbot

When you’ve got two Rhodes scholars rooming together at Oxford, you know there’s bound to be some brainpower. But the pairing of future president Bill Clinton and Time editor/U.S. diplomat Strobe Talbot just seems excessive

7) Hillary Clinton and Janet Hill
Bill Clinton may have had a high-powered roommate, but his wife’s roomie was no slouch either. At Wellesley, Hillary Clinton roomed with Janet Hill, a future attorney. But you may know Hill more for her son, NBA star Grant Hill. The ties between the families continued past college; Grant has been a public supporter of the Democratic Party and on the night he was drafted, he got a congratulatory call from then-president Bill.

8) David Lynch and Peter Wolf

While attending the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Peter Wolf, lead vocalist for the J. Giels Band, ended up rooming with surrealist director David Lynch. The kicker, though, is that Lynch ended up kicking Wolf out of the apartment, saying that he was “too weird.” As if anything could be too weird for David Lynch.

9) Edward Gorey and Frank O’Hara
If any roommate on this list would be too weird, I would have thought it would have been creepy illustrator Edward Gorey. But apparently poet Frank O’Hara didn’t mind when the two roomed together at Harvard.

10) Christopher Reeve and Robin Williams

At Julliard, roomies Robin Williams and Christopher Reeve vowed to always be friends and help each other throughout life. Both held true to the promise, as they remained close. Williams even covered some of Reeve’s medical expenses after he was paralyzed. Of course, being Robin Williams, he couldn’t stop there; after Reeve found out he couldn’t walk again, Williams visited him dressed as a doctor and pretending to be his proctologist, reportedly causing Reeve to smile for the first time since the accident.

11) Tom Izzo and Steve Mariucci
This is one of those anecdotes you just can’t make up. When they were friends in Michigan, Steve Mariucci and Tom Izzo would race up the steps of a man-made ski jump to see who would be successful. If Izzo won, he’d become head basketball coach at Notre Dame, but if Mariucci won, he’d be the school’s football coach. The two roomed together at Northern Michigan University and then went on to live their childhood dreams. Izzo became head basketball coach at Michigan State University, while Mariucci went on to coach the San Francisco ‘49ers.

12) Michael Ignatieff and Bob Rae

Finally, from north of the border, Canadian politicians Bob Rae and Michael Ignatieff roomed together at the University of Toronto. The two were close friends, coming from similar backgrounds, and spent a lot of time together. They remained close, even in 2006 when they ran against each other for leadership of the Liberal Party.

TED

I want a duck.
End of story.
I have asked for years
and years
and years.
I used to ask so much when I was younger that Joan and Mom bought me a fake one so I would hopefully shut up . . . it was such a tease that it made me want one even more. (The thing actually looked possessed and it still sits on my bookshelf at home. why mom, seriously? Take it down, that thing is scary!)
I want him white with orange feet and I want to call him Ted.

I will train Ted.

I will walk Ted.

We will be best buds.

This year is no exception…Ted will be at the top of my Christmas list AGAIN.

Alice In Wonderland

**no judging me beyond this p0int..
As a kid, it happened at least several nights a week. I would lie in bed and right as I was falling asleep I became terrified. I would become "small;" everything else surrounding me engulfed me.

I would see myself as if I was at the “bottom” of a room. The walls would get tall and everything around me would get bigger. I remember waking up in tears crying to mom or dad that “I am small; everything is big; everything is so much bigger.” In my mind I would stand at the door in the kitchen and when I tried to look out into garage it just went on and on and there was no escaping the noises, like a heard of animals, coming after me but I couldn't get out. I was so small and when I looked up, everything was closing in on me.

There was no “waking me up” from these visions. When my eyes were open they went away, but the second I closed them, I was back in this “hole.” It had to go away itself.

Several years ago, mom was watching Oprah and she was interviewing a girl who had been diagnosed with Alice In Wonderland syndrome. Mom called and told me to turn it on and I did. As I sat and watched this girl recap a night in her life, she was explaining EXACTLY what I used to see.

Now, when I was younger, after being sick for a week or so with a cold and strep, I overhead my mom tell my dad that I just had a weak immune system. Therefore I brought it upon myself to diagnose my problem and figure out why I could not get better. I got onto our massive tan desktop computer and looked up “weak immune system.” The very first thing that came up was a link to HIV/AIDS. A week immune system was a symptom of AIDS. I immediately became convinced...this was my problem – I had AIDS. I proceeded to tell everyone that the reason I was sick was because I had AIDS. I know I was a very smart child. :)
So this time, I am not going to branch out on a limb and at age 25, with an Oprah episode and a couple hits on WebMD, diagnose myself with Alice In Wonderland syndrome like I did with AIDS, but . . . after doing a little research I found it to be a pretty mysterious disease.

Alice In Wonderland syndrome (AWS) is a severely disorienting neurological condition that affects human perception. Sufferers report visual distortions relating to shape, size, color and relationships of objects. It can be like looking through a “fisheye lens.” AWS is often caused by or associated with migraines, brain tumors and the use of psychoactive drugs. AWS is common in childhood, with many people growing out of it in their teens. It is a common experience at sleep onset.

Google it and find out more for yourself…

And speaking of Alice in Wonderland…that was a creepy kids movie, don't ya think?

Friday Funny

I will give all credit to my younger cousins Addie and Landon for introducing me to JibJab. I think it is so cute! Landon sent me one yesterday of Dad and Addie...I cracked up. Therefore I went ahead and inserted mine and "Charleston's" heads to give you a funny example of what JibJab does! A nice little two second chuckle!
Happy Friday!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

The Male vs. Female Brain

I read this little excert today from a health magazine and thought it was funny and slightly informative!

It explains so much...

The Opposite Sex's Brain: What You Need To Know

Yeah, you knew there were differences. Especially during football season. But a brief tour of how men's and women's brains develop may help you understand where the other sex is coming from, especially when it feels like it's another planet.
Seems men and women didn't start out differently at all: Until 10 weeks of fetal development, every brain is female. Then, in boys, a huge surge of testosterone hits the brain, killing cells in the communication center (you noticed, eh?) and growing cells in the sex and aggression center.

Neurologically, because of the testosterone, the male fetus typically lags 3 weeks behind the female at birth. (This early testosterone poisoning does come in handy later because it helps some coordination neurons develop better, making males more adept at catching moving objects, such as animal prey and baseballs.) So when babies are premature, females are usually much better off neurologically. The evolutionary reason? Females are more precious to a society because of their childbearing potential, but men are expendable, since one man can impregnate multiple women (though we're not recommending that).

Because of this, brain development is built more precisely in females, meaning there's less variation in how girls' brains develop. On the other hand, nature doesn't have to be so meticulous when making the male brain, so there's a wider variety of ups and downs -- a variability that manifests in more autism and a broader intellectual curve. Nature, in effect, can roll the dice more during male brain development; the results are sometimes better, sometimes worse.

Movin' On Up

"Well we're movin on up,

To the east side.

To a deluxe apartment in the sky.

Movin on up,

To the east side.

We finally got a piece of the pie."

That's right. The time is getting near. Later Eastover Ridge and welcome to uptown Charlotte!

With that being said...

We need a mover to help us three little girls transfer our belongings!

Anyone have any suggestions of good movers in the Charlotte area?

Holler at your girl and let me know!!!

This Will Be...An Everlasting Love

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR LITTLE ASHLEY BULLARD!

She is now "THE" Mrs. Lackey!

The wedding was gorgeous and simple.

The church was already decorated for Christmas so Ash incorporated the red from the poinsettias in her bridesmaids bouquets with red roses and a mix of white flowers.

The bridesmaids dresses were a pewter color and floor length.

The wedding was personal.

The minister spoke, Lee Ann and one of Ash's friends from high school read several scripture passages.

Ashley's brother's roommate at NC State sang several songs and Paul and Ashley walked out as Mr. and Mrs. Lackey to "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" by Natalie Cole.

Right as the newlywed couple turned to face their family and friends, Ashley dropped her bouquet and it fell apart as it hit the floor.

Paul picked it up, family and friends laughed and Ashley simply shrugged her shoulders.

It was comical.

The reception was at the Grand Marquies Ballroom in Garner with a cocktail hour before.

Ashley and Paul both come from amazing families and it was an honor to share this day with them and their closest friends.

It was a fabulous night!

Best Wishes to the new Lackey family!

(a little sneak of "Charleston" and I during the reception)

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Gotta Keep Rollin' On

It's Friday and I am exhausted.
Last night was the Second String Santa event here in the Queen City and even though I had the best time…getting home at 11:30pm, going to bed at 12:00am and waking up at 4:15am really puts a damper on my mood today. I have to snap out of it. The fun doesn’t stop. It’s the weekend!!!
Tonight I am headed to Greensboro to stay with “Charleston” and tomorrow we are off to Raleigh for Ashley and Paul’s wedding. I am excited to spend the weekend with my girls and “Charleston” and always LOVE LOVE LOVE going back to Raleigh to visit!!! The wedding is going to be gorgeous (Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Lackey!) and I can’t wait to share some pictures when I get back!
Enjoy your weekend friends!

I shall return on Monday!

I leave you with the shoes I am wearing to the wedding… aaahhhhh…they are my fave!!!

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"Every Kiss Begins with Blain"

"Look at this stuff, isn't it neat?

Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?

Wouldn't you think I'm the girl

The girl who has everything?

I've got braclets and earings a-plenty

Ive got rings and necklaces galore

You want silver bangles?

I've got twenty.

But who cares? No big deal. I want more." - The Little Mermaid with a twist of "Blain"

"Charleston" pointed out the other day that one of the first things he noticed about me was that I loved to accesorize.

I do.

He wasn't lying.

I will take the same black shirt and skinny jeans and add new earings, a necklace and braclets to it and I have an entirly new outfit.

I don't buy jewerly to go with clothes; I buy clothes to go with jewerly.

The best part of my bad habit - I am a bargin jewerly shopper.

I don't buy expensive jewerly. (There isn't a single diamond in my collection.)

I buy jewerly when I see it on sale.

Why do I do this?

Because, for instance, as soon as you really need a specific color necklace (like red for a WOLFPACK football game) you can never find one that you like in the stores.

It's always my luck.

So if I see something on sale, I buy it.

It will get worn.

I promise you.

At some point I will make it a staple with my attire.

Below is my collection.

I keep in my closet in these cute hanging organizers I found at Stein Mart.

Yes, there is a front and a back to these organizers and almost all pockets are full.

I might have a slight issue.

Who fuels my jewerly fire?: Handpicked, Express, Aldo and a couple more I will keep as my personal secrets.

Front Side

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Back Side

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"Cause Baby It's Cold Outside"

I have a new found love: Coats and Jackets
They are like cheese crackers - simply addicting
I want them; I need them; I HAVE to have them.
I feel like the prettiest girl in the world when I have on a pretty coat!
They make me grin from ear to ear!
I tried to narrow down some of my favorites and this is as short as I could get the list....
Ahhhh, come to momma precious wool/cotton/polyester/cashmere....

" Santa won't you bring me the one I really need, want you please bring my Coat to me!"

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