Weddings and Babies...My Friends Are At That Age...

One day I go from helping one friend pick out wedding color schemes and bridesmaids dresses to the next day helping Sister pick out baby girl names and crib bedding. Come on people, slow down! Aunt Blain can’t keep up!

Well several things have been decided: Sister and Sam, as of right now, have decided on the name Olivia Claire for my new little niece! I think “Charleston” summed it up the other day when he said, “Sam better watch out” and when I immediatly asked why he said “because, I have never met or seen an Olivia that is not absolutely smokin hot!” Yeap, that’s right, my niece will be gorgeous and follow along this trend of all Olivia’s being absolutely beautiful!

Anyway,
During my journey of helping friends pick out wedding and baby stuff, I did find several things that I love and hope helped inspire the brides and mothers to be!

Bridesmaids Dresses:
These bridesmaids dresses are cute and practical. I love the styles and the pop of color used in the shoes with the blue dresses. The dresses are not too crazy but definitly unforgetable; classy but also very sassy.

click all pictures to view larger

Wedding Table Settings and Center Pieces:
This table setting is to die for! I love the elegance and colors of everything from the tall centerpieces to the small flowers on each plate. And speaking of the plate…I have to have that china pattern!

Baby Gadgets:
This ZAZA hammock is perfect to hang anywhere in your house. If it were up to me, I would have one in every room! Including one to take outside while you are out in the yard; got two trees?

Find it here on Etsy: ZaZa Hammock

Description:

Reversible ZAZA hammock

- One side a gorgeous flowery, the other a solid navy blue.

-A wonderful hammock for babies, doubles as a play-hammock and swing for older kids. This hammock is a great daytime crib for babies who need to be rocked and cuddled a lot (don't they all?!). It is easily adjustable to suit your growing baby's needs

- hanging from one point makes a cozy crib that can rock in all directions, adding a pillow will make a comfy bed for bigger babies, slightly adjusting the ropes will make a great swinging seat for older children.

-Made of sturdy recycled cotton fabrics and heavy duty professional ropes and karabiners, the hammock comes with extra ropes for hanging from beams or branches when outdoors, a carry bag and instructions.

-The hammock can be easily hung from one or two points, it is very lightweight and comes with a handy carry bag so you can easily take it with you when you think your baby might want a nap outdoors.

-Machine washable.

The Move Is Complete

MOVING DAY HAS COME AND GONE....

I can’t imagine having to move a family and a house full of 30 years worth of memories.

I had a tiny apartment with only three years of “stuff” built up and I think I would have rather gone on vacation and paid someone to move me this past weekend.

I have never worked so hard in my entire life.

Down three floors and up four floors.

Sheeeeew, I can’t breathe even thinking about it.
I am mentally and physically exhausted. I did not know I had the capability of acquiring so much crap.

“Charleston” came Friday night and helped me move the rest of my boxes and “little” stuff that I did not complete over the week. The movers (Gentle Giant’s), which were fantastic and recommended to all, came Saturday morning and hauled mine and Anna’s bedroom furniture, dining room and living room furniture and washer and dryer to the new hot spot.

ALL DAY Saturday was spent unpacking. Mom and Sister helped me arrange furniture, put together my desk, clean, and fold clothes. “Charleston” was a lifesaver and went back to Eastover (the old apartment) and painted my room back to its pearly white color.

“Charleston” and I spent Sunday shopping for a new TV and desk chair and completing any open ended projects. We walked up to Rock Bottom last night for dinner and I think we walked slower than any stroll on the beach. I was so tired after dinner I don’t remember falling asleep last night.

But…in the end, the entire move was a success!

Here is a sneak peak of my new desk in my new room! I love it!!!

click images to view larger

Light Writing + A Proposal = Totally Smitten

Ok, so I stumbled across this video on a website and you tell me if this is not the coolest concept.
It is a proposal from Derick to Emily done with light writing, fast camera exposures and a little computer help to pull it all together into a video.
Watch the video, then if you don’t get how they did it, click the link below and read the explanation written by Derick himself….and then watch the video again because its better the second time around!
I think the cutest thing about this whole thing is the dedication and time it took into putting this together AND the fact that Derick's friends were so involved to help make one of the most special days in Emily’s life really unique and sweet. Totally smitten :)

http://www.derickandemily.com/Home/Proposal.html

Light Writing Proposal from Derick Childress on Vimeo.

Asian Noodle Salad

It's winter. It's cold. So lets be serious..... sitting down to a salad for dinner is just not as satisfying as a warm plate of spaghetti, chicken pie or cheesy potato soup.
But...it is 2010 and we are all trying are darnedest to stick with that haunting New Years resolution. (And don't lie to yourself, even though you didn't say this resolution out loud, you know in the back of your head you are trying to lose weight or maintain it this year. I bet no one said they wanted to gain weight :) )

Therefore, if you want to stay on the healthier side with some veggies and a salad, but still want to feel feel "complete" with your meal, please try this recipe from the Pioneer Woman.
It will do the job!

Ingredients

SALAD INGREDIENTS:
1 package Linguine Noodles, Cooked, Rinsed, And Cooled (I use whole grain or whole wheat)
½ heads Sliced Napa Cabbage, Or More To Taste
½ heads Sliced Purple Cabbage, Or More To Taste
½ bags Baby Spinach, Or More To Taste
1 whole Red Bell Pepper, Sliced Thin
1 whole Yellow Bell Pepper, Sliced Thin
1 whole Orange Bell Pepper, Thinly Sliced
1 bag Bean Sprouts (also Called Mung Bean Sprouts)
Chopped Cilantro, Up To 1 Bunch, To Taste
3 whole Scallions, Sliced
3 whole Cucumbers Peeled And Sliced
1 can (about 10 Oz.) Whole Cashews, Lightly Toasted In Skillet
_____
FOR THE DRESSING:
1 whole Lime, Juiced
8 Tablespoons Olive Oil
8 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
2 Tablespoons (up To 3 Tablespoons) Sesame Oil
⅓ cups Brown Sugar
3 Tablespoons Fresh Ginger Chopped
2 cloves Garlic Chopped
2 whole Hot Peppers Or Jalapenos, Chopped
Chopped Cilantro

Preparation Instructions
Mix salad ingredients together. Whisk dressing ingredients together and pour over salad. Mix with tongs or hands and serve on a platter.

Note: dressing keeps for up to three days before serving, without cilantro.

Its what every girl loves...

Gary: “You said you didn’t like flowers.”
Brooke: “Every girl loves flowers Gary.”
- The Break Up (2006)

Yes, it’s true. No matter how much we say we don’t like flowers. We do.

It doesn’t matter what kind, how they come, or when we get them. We like flowers. We like the surprise.

We like the colors, the smells, the textures and especially the thought behind them.
We like flowers because it reminds us that you are thinking of us when we are not around, just as much as we think about you.

Guys think a dude walking out of Harris Teeter with a fresh bundle of Dalia’s is a wimp, all the while we immediately think, “ahh, how sweet. She is so lucky. She will be so surprised. I wonder what her reaction will be when she gets them.”
I pesonally catch myself making a mental picture of the moment and I get totally zoned out to the fact the cashier has asked me five times if I found everything ok.

Well this weekend I will give “Charleston” a 10 on the boyfriend scale.

I woke up to a breakfast of fresh bagels and cream cheese and….
...
...
...
...

These sitting on the coffee table….

click to view larger

What a way to start a girl's morning.
To a guy they might just be something that dies in a matter of days but to us…they silently melt our heart.


Thanks "Charleston"!

Neat Freak or Crazy Person?

I am an organizational neat freak. I even think that might be an understatement.
The inside of my car always looks new. It is cleaned out every day and every compartment is filled with the appropriate materials and nothing more.
My closet is organized by season and then by color. It honestly looks like a rainbow. Shannon, my roommate in college, rubbed off on me and has got me obsessed with having to need all plastic hangers so that every piece of clothing hangs uniformly from the rack.

If I didn’t know myself better I would diagnose myself with an OCD.

I don’t keep junk and I always have lists. I have an excel spreadsheets that I utilize for budgeting and tracking and I even have a calendar to track my workout schedule. My T-shirts are organized in my dresser by “event/organization” (ADPi, NC State, volunteer, workout). They are then sorted by short-sleeve or long-sleeve and then by color.
When I leave a room, I have to leave it clean and neat. I am constantly picking up and straightning up if things are out of order. Besides my OCD, I think this has to do with having roommates for the past 8 years. When it is not just YOUR personal space, I feel obligated to keep it tidy.

For me, it just makes life easier.

Therefore, when I saw this, I just about had to sit down before passing out.

click to view larger

AHHHHHHH, a bright light is shining all over this organizational system and it is screaming: “Buy me, buy me, use me, and hang me on your wall.”

I saw this organizational system in the Pottery Barn catalog yesterday and I fell in love. We are moving into our new apartment this week and I HAVE to have this over my new desk in my new room.
There is just one problem: Pottery Barn is taking me to the cleaners with this thing!
To build a daily system just like the one in the picture above it takes:

1 Linen Pin board ($54)
2 Cork Boards ($34 each)
1 Office Organizer ($54)
1 Letter Bin ($54)
3 Magnetic White Board Calendars ($54 each)
6 Top Display Rods 24” long ($20 each)
All of this coming to a grand total of: $512.00

That is ludicrous! RIP OFF!
Therefore, my new “art and craft” for the next two weeks – build my own “daily system” to go over my desk that looks just like this but at a cheaper price…

Ready. Set. Go

Whiskey Warehouse

This past weekend “Charleston” and I went to Whiskey Warehouse with one of his buddies and his wife.
Whiskey Warehouse is a new establishment that took over what used to be Creation in Plaza Midwood. Whiskey Warehouse is owned by the same guys that own the popular Brazwells on Montford Drive.

My personal rating of the new hot spot: 10

The interior is gorgeous with hardwood floors, exposed bring walls, high beamed ceilings and a polished bar running the length of the space. There is a sitting area near the front with leather chairs and two flat screens. Throughout the space there are approximately 10 televisions for your overall viewing pleasure. Whiskey Warehouse offers forty-five different beers and sixty different whiskeys.

I checked out the menu and it includes a pretty decent spread at a reasonable price.

Some of the appetizers and entrees included:
Prime Rib Sliders: $8
Wings (buffalo, Jack Daniels BBQ, Cayenne Ranch, etc): $8
Buffalo Shrimp: $8
Spinach Dip and tortilla chips: $8

Whiskey Glazed Salmon salad: $9
Plaza Salad: $7
Fried Green Tomato Burger with creamy Pimento Cheese: $8
Fish and Chips: $12
Whiskey Ribs: $16 for a full rack
Bourbon Butter Salmon: $13
BBQ Pork Chop: $12
And a huge selection of Burgers and Sandwiches.

Not only was the menu and cocktail list impressive but the bartenders were friendly, the bar was busy but not overcrowded and the atmosphere was laid back with good music. Me, I would definitely go again; no doubt. I could get used to replacing some of the usual Saturday evenings at Andrew Blair’s, Blackfinn or Brazwells with a laid back night at Whiskey Warehouse. Go try it for yourself. You will enjoy.

Did I Read That Right?

I am a sophisticated individual; at least I try to be. Guys are the ones that joke about stupid, vulgar stuff and still giggle at the word “boobies” when said in public.

Yesterday I was at the gym, minding my own business, hauling ass on my treadmill while watching out the window at young professionals fleeing the uptown Charlotte area after work as if there was a massive fire drill. (I am totally a people watcher…but let’s save that for another post!)

Out of the side of my eye I notice someone hop on the treadmill beside me. As I glance over, I notice some sort of medical/health show on the TV between us. At my gym (Sports & Fitness) most of the TV’s are set to silent so that the TV then produces subtitles. As I am looking over, I notice the subtitles were reading something like this:

“An allergic reaction to penis can range from a minor irritation to a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. Even a tiny amount of penis may trigger a serious allergic reaction. An allergic response to penis usually occurs within minutes after exposure. The most common cause of penis allergy is eating penis. Sometimes direct skin contact with penis can trigger an allergic reaction. Not all adverse reactions to penis are caused by an allergic reaction. It can be difficult to know whether you are allergic or intolerant to penis. If you have penis intolerance, you usually can have small amounts of penis with only mild symptoms. Talk to your doctor if you think you are allergic to penis.”

Half-way through this announcement I was laughing hysterically. HOW EMBARRASSING! I felt so immature for laughing at a conversation about penises but seriously…. A penis allergy? Eating penis (can we be any more explicit?) And being “intolerant to penis?” What the hell was this woman talking about? I pulled off my headphones and at the same time the guy on the treadmill beside me took his off; I noticed him kind of chuckling. (Thank goodness I wasn’t the only one!) We both kind of looked at each other and he reached over to the TV to turn the sound up. The next thing out of the ladies mouth was:
Peanut Allergy

Thank you TV subtitles for the shitty translation and for making me look like an immature FOOL (along with the dude beside me).

Did You Know ? ? ?

What is one of my favorite shows to watch while I workout at the gym?

Jeopardy

Call me a nerd, dork, whatever floats your boat, but...something about that show makes 30 minutes on the treadmill go by like a much needed power nap. I absolutely love random trivia. Even though I learn some of the most useless knowledge, I walk away feeling more intelligent then going to college for five years.
I have a random trivia generator saved on one of my favorite websites that I visit everyday to "better improve my skills" for the next Trivial Pursuit game.

What did I learn today?

* Built in 1889, the Eiffel Tower was lambasted by Parisians for its industrial ugliness. The only thing that saved it from being demolished in 1909 was it potential use as a radio tower during World War I. Luckily, by the end of the War, it had won over enough hearts to stay.
*Rene Lacoste, a professional tennis player, invented the worlds first good tennis shirt. Known as “Le Crocodile” for his on-court tenacity, Lacoste added the crocodile to his clothes in the 1930s – the first time a logo is known to have appeared on the outside of a shirt.

* Technically speaking, Alaska is the northernmost, westernmost, and easternmost state in the United States. Parts of the Aleutian Islands cross over the 180th meridian.

* There is actually a specific area of the brain known as the bilateral vomitation center. It notes when our tummy is upset and queasy, and it makes the final decision whether to barf or not to barf.

* Despite the horrific display, nearly two-thirds of those who were on board the Hindenburg survived its 1937 mishap.

*Only 17 existing paintings are attributed to famed artist Leonardo da Vinci.
The first VCR, developed by the Ampex Corporation in 1956, weighed nearly 1,500 lbs. It took another 15 years before a version small and light enough for home use hit the scene.

* Diamonds are close, but they aren’t forever. Diamonds are actually unstable at our comfortable temperature and pressure. Every diamond above ground is very, very slowly altering into graphite, another form of pure carbon.

* Braces go all the way back to ancient Egypt. In fact, archeologist's have found several mummies with crude metal bands wrapped around their teeth.

* The former Rolling Stones’ bassist, Bill Wyman, began a relationship with thirteen-year-old Mandy Smith, when he was forty-seven. They married six years later in 1989, but divorced after less than two years. Not long after the divorce, Bill’s thirty-year-old son, Stephen, married Mandy Smith’s mother, Patsy, age forty-six

*Bikini wax has been around for hundreds of years. Muslim brides-to-be in the Middle East and North Africa remove all their body hair before their wedding night.

*Under federal law, garment tags that contain the use-and-care instructions must last the lifetime of the garment, which is why most of those tags are so stiff and scratchy.

*Even though he hated their taste, Mel Blanc insisted on chewing real carrots to provide the chomping sounds when he voiced the cartoon character Bugs Bunny.

Its A New Year...Let The Fun Begin!

This is my 10th attempt at trying to reflect on 2009 and I honestly am at a loss for words. I have started this paragraph and erased it over and over again.

It was a year. A long and learning year.

I turned 25; a quarter century. I went from being in one relationship, almost moving in with that person…to ending the relationship; finding what makes me happy; beginning a journey towards my dream career and meeting someone very special that makes my heart and face glow. I spent some of the best time with my family and friends celebrating holidays, weddings and engagements.

All of that in 365 days.

It can be done.

I did it.

I look back and wonder how I accomplished and survived so many big decisions and there is one thing to credit – a positive attitude and outlook.

It sounds cliché but it’s the truth.

I kept my heart open, my eyes and ears open, and simply let life happen.

In 2009:

I wanted to meet someone that I truly cared about and that cared about me just as much. I wanted to meet someone that stole my every bit of attention but allowed me my own space and respect to live my life the way I wanted. I wanted someone that I enjoyed and yearned to be around every minute but could still survive if we were forced to be apart. I never went out on a Saturday night seeking this person. I didn’t plan my weekends around trying to meet a guy or only going to events where I thought I would meet Mr. Right. I lived life doing what I wanted to do with my friends and one day, without expectation, I found someone that brings something to me I have never felt before. I truly feel like I meet him for a reason. I didn’t force it. I just believed in it.
Do you ever feel like if you talk about something too much you will jinx it? I do. Therefore, I try not to analyze mine and “Charleston’s” relationship but I know one thing ... He makes me happy and that’s all I can ask for right now.

In 2009:
I wanted to take control of my future. I have a wonderful job but I know that in my heart it is not what I picture myself doing as a career. My boss at GE, Jay Combs, once gave me the most influential lecture I will ever hear and he preached it to me every day. A job and a career are not the same. A career is something you have a passion for; something you strive to do and want to do. A career is something you make a life out of and build your life on. If you consider what you do 9 hours a day, 5 days a week, a “job”… you are not done. Keep searching. Don’t stop until you find your career. Do not get complacent. Keep moving until you wake up every morning excited to start your work-day. Following his advice, a career is not going to fall into my hands. I took certain steps in 2009 that have prepared me for going after my dream. I can’t wait for this dream to play out.

2009 was a wonderful year and I can’t wait to build on it in 2010.

I learned a lot. I was blessed beyond belief and am excited for all the exciting things to happen in 2010! I will become an aunt to a beautiful niece who I will spoil rotten. I am moving to a new apartment in the city with two of the most amazing roommates and I vow to live each day with a positive outlook with my heart, mind, eyes and ears all open.

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!

Today through 12/25, using code SANTA you can get 80% off your entire purchase on Restaurant.com.

"Charleston" and I are having dinner with Sister and Sam next week at The Cotton Mill in Winston-Salem and I found a $50.00 gift certificate for $20.00 on Restaurant.com....but then with the 80% off I got it for only $4.00!

I also love 1900 Mexican Grill. So...I found a $25.00 gift certificate for only $10.00, but, with the $80% off it was only $2.00!

Final outcome....

$75.00 worth of resturant gift certificates for only $6.00!

I love bargin shopping!

Now its your turn....type in your zip code and find out the savings near you!

(or finish your last minute Christmas shopping!)

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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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