You gotta know when to fold 'em

We are certainly watching the news about the hurricane down here. All my family, with the exception of my dad and brother, live in Louisiana. They rebuilt after Katrina, but they left before the storm. I just read this article on cnn.com and it frustrates me. First off, the title is inaccurate. They can leave, they just choose not to. There are plenty of free ways to get out of the city. The guy who is a busboy? Um, I might be naive, but this is not exactly a New Orleans only job. The woman who doesn't want to sit in her car with her dogs is just ridiculous. How is she going to feel if her home is flooded and she can't keep them safe? My family is out and north and I hope these people make the wise decision to get out as well.

FYI

I bought tomatoes this morning from the farmer's market and they are the most beautiful, delicious, economical tomatoes that I have ever had. To accompany the fresh produce, I baked some bacon. Yes, baked. If you haven't done this then I suggest you do so. You lay it out on a cookie sheet and bake it for 15-20 min. at 400 degrees. It is just as crispy as traditionally cooked bacon without all the mess and risk of injury (from burning yourself from splatters). A little Dukes mayo, tomatoes and bacon and you have yourself THE perfect sandwich. Oh, and add a little salt and pepper. MMMMMMMMMMMMMM-mmmmmmmmm.

Financial Planning

How Depressing. It seems like the more I make the more I spend. Actually, it doesn't "seem" that way, it is that way. I just need to take my head out of the sand and do the things I need to do to make sure that I'm not living in a Kenmore box when I retire.

Born in the sticks

Today, I was watching Sunset Tan - a craptacular "reality" show - and made several observations. Let me set the scene for you: Apparently the Tan Convention '08 was held in Nashville and the gang from Sunset Tan took off in their private plane from L.A. to the boondocks of Nashville. I describe it as the boondocks because of all the bitching and moaning people were doing. They partied at one of the nicest hotels in Nashville and then headed to a ranch (we actually call them farms out this way, but whatever) outside of town. One girl hated it so much because of the bugs and woods and I guess lack of tanning equipment that she had to leave. Based on their assessment I have decided to include details about several things I must have done while I was in Nashville last week (based on the country living that is to be had there).

Once arriving at the homestead I greeted Ma and Pa with a hearty hug and a dinner of collards and homemade biscuits. After settin' a spell, I got to a'workin' on my chores and then got straight to bed at 5:30. I got myself out of bed at 4:30 and ....ok. Enough.

The more I listened to these spoiled people bitching and the banjo music playing in the background, the more irritated I got. I have to admit that I don't spend my time just a pickin and a grinnin at home. The funny thing is that I have always considered myself a city girl. I guess I was just raised in the country and didn't know it.

Details on Nashville

I was pretty tired when I got back from Nashville so it has taken me a couple of days to recover.

Let's see, what did I do over the five days?

Well, I got to see Sarah M. who I mentioned in the earlier post about Nashville. It had been about 5 or 6 years since I saw Sarah and it was great to hang out! The thing about Sarah and about several of my friends is that they are REALLY different from me. Sarah is quieter than me and nicer and more talented (she quilts, people!) and she's good at grammar. I like to think I bring a little humor to the relationship, but overall it is nice to be around people who think about things differently than you do. I think that is what makes us well-rounded people. All right, enough about Sarah :)

I went to a used book store with my friend Ashley's husband. I've known Daniel for about ten years, but this was the first time we have hung out by ourselves. It was different. He can be pretty funny, actually.

I had dinner with Sarah M. and another friend from college Sarah L. (I know many Sarahs) It was fun seeing people you haven't been around in years. It brings up old memories and you get to find out about how other people are doing.

Hmmm, I had lunch with Ashley and her two kids, Colin and Isabella (it is Colin and not Collin, right?). Isabella has me pegged and she is one of the cutest kids I know. She thinks I'm awesome and that means I will buy her stuff just because of this :)

I got my hair chopped off and I am quite pleased with the result.

Several friends and I went to a couple of bars Saturday night and it was fun because it was a group of ladies that I don't get a chance to party with very often. Erin (she is a close family friend who I consider like a sister), Sarah M., and Ashley all got to come out and let loose - well, a little loose. That is where the mechanical bull riding took place. Erin and I were the only ones that literally seized the bull and it was something I would do again. I think I got more loose than the others, but that's not really a surprise to anyone, is it?

Sunday I had dinner at a fantastic new place in Nashville called Miro District with my friend Jenny R. She and her husband used to live in Bham and moved about 6 months ago.

Later, I went to Ashley's and played with Colin and Isabella again. I love it when Isabella shows me her room and all her new toys. She is just too fun. It almost makes me want to have a kid, but then I would have to give it to Ashley to raise.

Got home and watched a little Olympics with Dad and went to bed.

Whoo. I'm tired just typing it!

Before

This is what it looked like starting out...and I threw in one of Teddy putting his head on my shoulder (sweet puppy)

After (it makes sense chronologically)

Well, I rode a mechanical bull during my trip to Nashville and this is the only picture I have of the new doo.

Another embarassing tidbit I shouldn't share

Fabby, the kitty, will sometimes come into my room and try to hide from Teddy so she can pounce on him. Do you know what she uses to hide behind? My bra. It is an undergarment that has some shaping to it so the cups stand up - if tossed on the floor in the right way. The sad part is that it does a pretty good job of hiding her. I guess I should look and see if they have camo versions available in some sort of grey color.

I am greatly saddened

by the news that HP and the Half-Blood Prince has been pushed until July 17th!. WTF? I have to wait almost a year?????!!! I am truly unhappy with the studio. Boo.

Live from Nashville

I'm on a mini vacation for the next few days. I haven't been "home" since February so I am getting a lot of visiting in. I am going to be visiting Sarah M. formerly of Belle of Madison and now of The Nashville Diaries. I want to show her around some of my old stomping grounds and just to hang out. I am also going to try and hang out with a friend from Birmingham who moved up here named Jenny. I'm also going to see Ashley and her babies (one of which is not a baby anymore, but I don't care - she will always be a baby to me). I think we are all going out Saturday night which should be fun since I haven't been out in Nashville in quite a while.

Oooh, and I am also getting my hair cut. I think I might get Sarah to take a before picture because I am so bad at pictures and then I can get an after and show you the (hopefully) awesome and dramatic change!!!!!!!!! BTW, I think I will be donating my hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths because I heard some not so positive things about other options from my friend Susie.

Can you tell I got a little link happy??? I just want to give credit where credit is due!

I thought you knew me

If one more person sends me emails containing false information about Barack Obama I am going to block each and every sender. Do I look like an idiot? Why would people blindly believe this propaganda any more than they believe that Bill Gates is going to give them 1000s of dollars? If you want to learn more about a candidate then try doing a little research on your own and quit relying on emails that have orginated from NO ONE YOU KNOW. And if you are one of the people that is spreading this information...then shame on you.

Once again

A little side note - yesterday 8.08.08 was my three year blogiversary. I've made almost 600 posts in that time. Goodness.

Baking and the Olympics

I'm having a quiet evening at home. I'm baking cupcakes...which I never do and I am watching my tivo'd Olympics! I love it! I can watch all the fun stuff and fast forward through the commercials. I am such a fan of the Olympics. Everytime the national anthem plays I get chill bumps and, dare I say, I'm proud to be an American! I also like the hotties that compete in the games. Hot bodies and national pride, it just doesn't get better than that! I will stop use exclamation marks now!

P.S.

Here is a picture of me with the new glasses. All I need is the bun and I will complete the library look...check out the long hair. One more week and it will be gone!!

Oh, and this picture is just funny. It's from Jenny's engagement party. That's the roommie on the left...you're welcome Sara....

Considering the life of a hobo

The more you make the more you spend. I shelled out $350 for stuff I needed, but really can't afford. New contacts, glasses and windshield wipers (the wipers cost $63 b/c of a mistake on my part...). The contacts and glasses were needed because I needed to update my prescription and looking at everything in a fuzzy glow isn't a good idea. Blah. I'm not going to discuss money anymore, though.

Speaking of fuzzy

I was watching a tivo'd episode of 20/20 and noticed something quite amusing. When Elizabeth Vargas (anchor of the show) introduced a piece by Barbara Walters the picture on the t.v. was crystal clear. When they panned to Barbara there was a fuzzy glow all around her. I know that it is probably part of her contract that she is seen in the fuzzy glow, but it was a little ridiculous. Everyone knows that Barbara is 113 years old and no amount of fuzzy glow is going to hide that.

Tiny pieces of plastic from nowhere

As any regular reader knows, I have trouble sleeping. Sometimes it is just a problem getting to sleep, sometimes staying asleep, or just being disturbed by things while trying to sleep. Teddy and Fabby do their part in keeping me up, but Fabby has a particular ability to annoy the sh*t out of me in the wee hours of the morn.

Usually it is around 6:30 or 7:30 am and I am sleeping and I become aware of a crinkling noise. It usually takes me a minute or two to figure out that it is Fabby sitting on top of or batting about a piece of plastic. Maybe it is the wrapper off of my water bottle or a bag from Books-A-Million. Regardless of its origin, Fabby thinks it's fabulous. My reaction is varied. Sometimes I just say "quit, Fabby!" which if you have a cat you know has absolutely no effect. If she is within sight, I throw something near her. She usually runs off and returns within moments. Other times I shoo her out of the room and close the door. This does not make her happy and she usually yowls at the door - I am thinking "yowl" is the best word for what sounds come from her mouth. Either way, my sleep is disturbed and I probably lose a good 30 minutes to an hour to this spectacle each time.

My question is where is the plastic comeing from? Sometimes I think she has a stash of plastic hidden and just pulls it out piece by piece just to f*ck with me. You know what the ironic thing is? It's working. She is playing me like a fiddle. I am just a puppet in her plastic filled world.

I cannot contain my excitement!!