Chatty Cathy

Time Flies When You're Having Fun?

2009-10-04T19:32:00.005-05:00

Ok, that might be stretching it a little bit, but it's certainly true in many ways.

Home Sweet Home - The DeSoto Parish courthouse

This Monday marks the one year anniversary of my starting my job as a bon-a-fide "Land Wo-Man". As many of you may know, the title of "Landman" covers many different roles in the oil and gas business, primarly describing those who actually go out and acquire leases. That is one aspect of the business I have yet to explore, as most of my days are spent entering information into a computer and fighting the crowds at the DeSoto Parish courthouse. I'm an "Abstractor" who basically follows the chain of title of any given piece of property. No one will tell you that the work is fun, it isn't. But, there is a lot to be said for having some great co-workers who never cease to keep me entertained, and a boss who really and truly cares for his employees.

Here are a few members of the "team" at a BBQ we held for our summer intern:

Yea I know, we all look too cool for school in our shades, but seriously. We ARE too cool for school. This also illustrates one of the many perks of our job. We can wear jeans every day of the week! Yahoo! We cannot, however, wear camouflage cargo shorts. Good thing Chris was working from home that day...

Over the course of the past 12 months, there have been significant ups and downs in this business. That is nothing new. However, I have managed to stay around for a year now, and I feel as though I've proven myself to be both a dependable and knowledgeable employee. That doesn't mean I'll be fortunate enough to stick around if times get really tough, but I'm at least in a better position than I was a year ago...a newbie with absolutely no knowledge of title research or abstracting.

One person I have to thank is my (now) good friend Elizabeth(that's her in the green shirt above). We were sorority sisters at LSU, and I happened to run into her at the Red River Revel last year. Somehow we started talking about jobs, and she mentioned that she would be happy to give my resume' to her boss. This was right about the time that the Landman business was booming as a result of the discovery of the Haynesville Shale. I went in for a quick interview, and the rest is history. I got the job, and I would start in two weeks. Elizabeth intimidated me a bit in college. She was two years older, and always the life of the party. If you told me 6 years ago that she would be one of my good friends today, I wouldn't have believed you. But, I am happy to say it's true, and I certainly wouldn't be in the position I'm in without her.

There are a few other characters at work who get me through the day, and I would be here all night if I talked about each of them. We love to laugh about the silly people we encounter from time to time, and hardly a day goes by when I don't have a good chuckle.

Don't get me wrong, there are days when I am stressed to the max because I have an urgent project due. And there are days when I come back from the courthouse ready to blow a gasket because of the ridiculous amount of people there. But, in the end, I have a job that I enjoy, a job that I'm good at doing, and a job that I hope I will have for many years to come. And, that's all that matters.

I know, I know...it's been a while.

2009-09-21T21:50:00.005-05:00

Sorry for taking so long to finally update you all on my life. I know you were just dying. Kidding...but really, I've just been so busy with work(which is a good thing) and life in general that I haven't had the chance to sit down, upload pics, and gather my thoughts. But, alas, I have managed to find a few minutes to do so tonight. And I promise, I have some ideas for upcoming blogs, so I won't keep you waiting so long next time!

Well, this weekend was one I have been looking forward to for quite a while now...oh yes, Britney came to town! When the tickets went on sale, I made sure to snatch the maximum of 8, thinking they would surely sell out. Well, that was a gamble I'm never taking again. The tickets didn't sell out until maybe the last day, and I was stuck scrambling to find just one more person who wanted to go. Luckily, we found someone and I wasn't out of 50 bucks. But, geeze, that was a stressful few days. Anyway, the group was a super fun one, and we had a blast. Here we are after the concert.

From the left, that's me, Elizabeth, Sabra, Aymes, Hillary(CeCe's sister), CeCe, and Cara. We are all just glistening from the toasty CenturyTel Center, I'm sure. The show was exactly that, a show. Britney definitely knows how to put on a good one. There were all kinds of "Circus" characters...clown, acrobats, "little people", etc. No bearded lady though...what the? I had to keep reminding myself that Britney is an entertainer, not necessarily a musician. Was it Paul McCartney? By no means...but it was certainly worth the 50 dollars.

No weekend of mine is complete without a little charity work...I'm kidding, but this Saturday morning, Amy, Schelly, and I rolled out of bed extra early for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. There was very little racing done on my part, but we did finish in a pretty decent time...after I stepped on a few heels and weaved in & out of folks for the first half. Schelly and I ran the last mile, so I felt like I at got a good little workout. And then I'm sure I blew it all with the delicious brunch we prepared post-race. Amy made oh-so-good garlic cheesy grits and I whipped up "Eggs Uncle Julian"(a family recipe). And Schelly brought a can of biscuits...but don't knock it. They were as good as homemade!

YUMMY!

After stuffing my face, I was ready for a good, long nap. And, boy did I get one...I slept for almost 4 hours. Yikes! I know it's terrible, but I just can't seem to drag myself out of my comfy bed on a lazy Saturday afternoon.

I'm looking forward to another busy Saturday this weekend, too. I'm heading to Texarkana for a wedding shower for one of my best college friends, Erica Karam, a.k.a. Neufatchel(I'll tell you the story behind that soon). I cannot wait to see her...I have laughed until I cried many a time with my little Neuy. I hope this weekend is no exception.

What Are You Doing Tonight?

2009-09-09T14:58:00.004-05:00

If you don't know, I have a suggestion. You should watch this girl.

If you haven't heard of her, you might be living under a rock. She is Melanie Oudin, a 17 year-old professional tennis player from the good ol' U S of A. She will be playing in her first Major quarterfinal tonight at the U.S. Open, and even if you aren't a tennis player or fan, she is an absolute joy to watch. I, along with thousands(maybe millions), of others will be rooting her on tonight as she faces a tough opponent from Denmark, the #9 seed. Although Oudin came into the tournament ranked 70th in the world, she has managed to beat a former #1, Maria Sharapova, and the 4th ranked player in the world. She may be young in age, but on the tennis court, you would never know it.

Join me tonight in cheering for Oudin...you won't regret it.

Mi Clock's Tales, 1st Edition

2009-09-08T10:16:00.004-05:00

Well, school has begun. And, with that comes the always entertaining tales of Mi Clock's(a.k.a. Miss Clark's) classroom. I received this little gem in my inbox this morning. As promised, I am sharing it with you. I guess I should also remind you that this is a 9th grade class, so hopefully by their Senior year, the students will have put to use some of the things they learn in her class. My personal favorites are always the Vocabulary Sentences.

Third day of school it was pouring down rain with some sun peaking through. I got, "Eww, teacher! Devil beatin' on his wife. (insert back hand twice) He smackin' the guh around like, 'Pap, pap, nappy!'"

We were talking about their favorite stuff on the first day of school off of their information sheets, and when I didn't know about the movie Paper Soldier, I got, "You know what rotel dip is, but you ain't know bout Paper Soldier."

Boy: What yo type, Mi Clock? I bet you like dose wild men who sit at da bar drankin 40s, smokin weed, and beatin people up. (How did they know?)

Boy: Mi Clock, if you want, you can have your wedding in my backyard. We ain't got no grass, and there's dirt erewhere. But, you still can. But, if somebody get shot, dat ain't my fault. You cain't sue. You know how much your people like to sue.

They had to write an essay on the first day of school about what kind of animal they would want to be and list three reasons why for their three body paragraphs.

Boy: Finally, I would want to be a polar bear to be in soda shows. I could drink Coca Cola all day long.

Boy: Jagwars are so fast, they have a car named after them.

Girl: (My personal favorite thing I've read all year) The second reason I want to be a chipmuck is they're smart. They can read. They do math good. Chipmucks have a good voice. They can dress. In you can see they booty when they run. ("and" for those of you who don't know. It took me a few seconds to realize she was talking about the cartoon characters.)

We were brainstorming about the same essay, when somene said, "Ew! I wanna be a polar bear." Student #2 shouts, "Oh, boy! You know that means you must cain't swim in real life!"

Girl: Eww, boy! Your handwriting sexy! All dose sexy loops and stuff! I wish you'd write me a letter one day!"

Vocabulary sentences(Vocab words in bold):
My brother admonish me not to still out the store.
I look for the code an did I walk. (If you say it aloud, you hear it.)
I hailed the banister down the hole starcase.
I stole some gum, but I felt innocent for some reason.
Verizon be lyin. They say they the most reliable network.
I shot a snub nose 38 and consequently hit somebody.
Kin is innocent tell proven guilty.
Mexicans be clump in a car.
I used to let her imitation my paper.
Mr. Dude I buy shoes from is convenient.
My brother cling to his butt so his pants ain't fall.
She gnaw on her nails, because she need a cigarette.
My stratagem for Halloween is to be good said "Ashley."

For those of y'all who don't know Shreveport, our main high school stadium is Lee Hedges. Journal: Today we have a football game at Lee Headjest.

Here's an ending to the short story, "The Lady or the Tiger?" )If you're not familiar with it, the man has to choose a door with either a lady walking out or a tiger. Then, it just ends. You don't know which one he opens, so most teachers have their classes create their own ending after reading it. Hope y'all are all up to date on your Southern Rap culture. ) "When the door opened, Boosie came out on top of the tiger, yeah!! Den, Soulja Boi came out, den got on da man back and hit him wit a whip, and said yahh!! So den after dat, da woman came and beat him up. It was too funny. You shoulda seen it all in action. But look, the man ain't die thoe, he had to do sum time or apologize to his ole lady. But, she was a gangsta. She ain't want no fony apology, she wanted him to die. He start running from Boosie and Soulja! Then here cum the tiger, so Boosie was tired, he had to stop runnin, cuz yooh kno he ah diabetic. Soulja boi stop runnin and sat down next to Arab, the tiger, and got mad. Arab the tiger got mad and said, "Main, I ain't dat hungry to be chasin dis dude." So the woman ain't have no choice but to take him back." (That is word for word, letter for letter, by the way.)

Another ending to that story: When the man opened up the right door in hesitation, a big breeze of money flew in his face. When he opened his eyes, Plies was coming toward him singing, "I got plenty money. I got plenty money. I got plenty money. I got plenty money." (Plies is a rapper.)

Part of an ending: His heart pounded faster than a track meet.

Ending: So the priest was getting ready for the wedding, and three black escallaides pulled up. Barack Obama came out and gradulated he and his new wife to be. After that, Boosie and Webbie performed.

In another story, Katt Williams came out and gave the princess' lover a pimp makeover.

Girl Journal: I went into my 2nd hour class and did what I was supposed to do. I fell asleep and missed have of my notes. (She's not in my class.)

Creative Writing: I would be married to my awesome husband who has an awesome job. He cuts hair. Many people think that's dumb, but he loves it and so do I. He cuts hair for big people like Mario, Bow Wow, R-Kelly. You know, the famous ones. He doesn't charge much. That's why everyone loves him.

Before and After, Part Dos

2009-09-02T13:42:00.007-05:00

The newly re-upholstered chairs have arrived! And I think they are so chic. I'm pretty darn proud of myself for taking on the task of repainting them, and Mitch did an amazing job with the upholstery. If you ever need someone, please let me know. He was so sweet and fast(one week)!

The chairs belonged to my grandfather, which makes them extra special to me. However, the fabric was a little outdated so I decided to spruce them up a bit. Here is a before shot:

Salmon was such a hot color in the 80s. Not so much in the new millenium.

And, here is the "After".

Riley likes them too! When Jamie and I first met, I told him I wasn't wild about animal prints(Ha!). Oh yea, I went for the cheesy play on words. There's something sort of harsh and "in your face" about them to me. But, he showed me this and I LOVED it. It's definitely noticeable but not too much because of the neutral color. The fabric is linen, which makes it a little bit more casual.

I've got one more set of curtains to hang(after some serious issues with the hardware), and I'll be ready to show you the whole room!

Is It Friday Yet?

2009-08-31T15:59:00.005-05:00

What a weekend. I laughed until I cried not once, but twice. That's how you know it was a good one.

After a rough start to my Friday, Amy, Schelly, and I met up with some friends at Cantina Laredo for some much needed margaritas and bar food. Yep, that's right, Cantina Laredo has a bar menu, and it is fabulous! I had a nacho sampling for $3.99, which was plenty but not too much so as to avoid a tummy ache for the remainder of the evening. And to top it off, I didn't even have to pay for it! The bartender accidentally charged my friend Jon's buddy for my food, and he was kind enough to take care of it, although they did get a free shot because of her mistake. It was like a date without all the nervous small talk! Perfect! Afterwards, we met up with friends we haven't seen in quite a while, which was nice and led to quite an enjoyable evening.

I spent both Saturday and Sunday afternoons at the pool, my favorite place to be on the weekends. I'm trying to soak up the last of the summer sun before I revert back to my pasty white complexion. There's just nothing better than floating on a raft in a nice, cool pool with some of your best buds. Especially at a place where I know I'll avoid running into anyone I know as I'm waltzing around in my bathing suit. Yikes.

After spending a good portion of the day at the pool on Sunday, we decided to have "supper club" at Amy's house that night for her brother Bobby and his roomie Tucker. She decided that she was going to make homemade pizzas, and after I turned my nose up at her topping suggestions enough times, it became a "Pizza Off"! We each picked out our own toppings, and left it up to the boys to choose a winner. Here is my delicious creation:

Mmmm....sausage, olives, jalepenos, onions, and mushrooms. All of my favorites. Amy opted for chicken(which was fully cooked by the way, she's learned her lesson), bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, and cheddar cheese.

I will admit that her pizza was delish, and the boys just couldn't choose so we deemed it a tie....they know how to stay on our good side.

After a good night's rest last night, I'm ready to take on the week! And, I'm certainly looking forward to the upcoming 3-day weekend...the timing could not be better. This girl needs a vacation!

It Gets Me Every Time.

2009-08-25T13:49:00.005-05:00

Every 3 or 6 months or so, I get one of these bad boys in the mail. You know, for being such a loyal customer and all.

A $25 reward gift card to J. Crew. What a smart marketing technique. Stephanie, maybe you can use this in your new job if the target audience is SUCKERS, because that's what I am. Everyone knows that 25 bucks at J. Crew might get you a headband or a pair of socks(yes, that's right, they sell socks now), so I inevitably peruse the website for any items that I think I need, which I don't need, but, again, I think I need. And, I end up spending way more than I plan and certainly more than the alloted $25.

A few weeks ago, a pretty little pink card arrived in the mail along with the "New Arrivals" catalog for the fall. It was nearly burning a hole in my pocket before I finally caved and made a few purchases. My uniform for work usually consists of a J.Crew tee and jeans, so I figured it was time to add a couple to my wardrobe. And, I do love their slub cotton tees. I also live in my J.Crew gold strappy sandals, which are now a couple of years old and looking it. So, I decided to get a new pair(at least on sale, I might add), but these are brown leather with gold studs. I figure it's worth it if I know I'll wear them for at least another two years.

This all makes perfectly good sense, right? I get a few things that I need/want, and at a $25 discount? Wrong. I probably would have never even put an item in my shopping cart if it weren't for that little piece of plastic the marketing geniuses at J.Crew created to lure me in. And the next time I get one, the vicious cycle will once again repeat itself. Like I said, it gets me every time.

Coming Soon...(hopefully)

2009-08-21T09:58:00.002-05:00

Sir Paul rocked my socks off.

Annndd, I forgot my camera's memory card, so I'm waiting to steal my friend Haley's pictures from Facebook when she posts them before I blog about it. Hopefully, she'll do that today and I'll give you the full recap. See you then!

Say It Isn't So

2009-08-17T11:41:00.003-05:00

Happy Monday! I hope your weekend was fabulous...mine was rather uneventful, which is not necessarily a bad thing if you ask me. I did, however, come across a bit of news that could potentially make me a very sad girl if true. A Facebook friend of mine referenced a story on Perez Hilton that said that the "Arrested Development" movie may not happen! Whaaaat?? "Arrested" is and will always be one of my all-time favorite tv shows. It was cancelled after 3 delightful seasons, because I guess people need a laugh reel to think a show's funny. It's weird though, because the humor is somewhat similar to "The Office", which is still a highly successful show. Anyway, when the series was cancelled, it certainly left a void in my life that I hoped would one day be filled, at least partially, with "Arrested Development", the Movie. I do realize that movies based on TV shows almost always disappoint, a perfect example being "Sex and the City", (I still don't know how they all of a sudden became terrible actors in the movie). However, I had faith in this cast and the show's writers.

So, Perez Hilton is saying that there may not be a movie, but he doesn't reference anything except some hearsay so I hope it's just a dirty rumor. (And by the way, this was the first time I've been on that website since the whole Miss USA sna-fu...I think Perez is such a loser.) Entertainment Weekly has always been a huge Arrested Development supporter, and I didn't find anything on their website, so that's a good thing I guess.

And if you're reading this wondering "What is Arrested Development? Never heard of it...", then you can borrow the seasons from me. Here is a little clip from one of my favorite episodes.

A Reunion of Sorts

2009-08-11T13:26:00.009-05:00

My weekend was fairly eventful and busy...I think I was still recovering yesterday, so I apologize for the delay in my post. Most of the weekend was spent sanding, priming, and painting a couple of chairs for my living room. I'm having them re-upholstered, so I had to paint before the fabric came in. I made sure to take "before" pics because I can't wait to show you the finished product. I think they are going to turn out Fabulous! Hopefully, the fabric will come in soon, and I'll post pics of the "after" product of the living/dining room renovation! This was my first time to take on such an "arsty" thing, but I think they ended up looking pretty decent.

On Saturday, the much anticipated "Round Table" reunion of myself and two of my closest friends from college occurred. The last time we were all together was about a year ago, but it feels as though no time has passed. Ellen and Mallory are two of the funniest people I know, and when we get together, it's like we're living down the hall from one another in the Chi O house again. We've all changed, but then again, not really. Ellen is engaged to her high school sweetheart now, and Mallory is an up-and-coming artist and designer. It's so crazy to think that four years ago, we were skipping class to go play with puppies at the pet store and taunt our sorority sisters with Stubby, our pet(albeit fake) lizard. Yep, that's right...we even took him to our date parties.

Ellen, or as my parents refer to her, "The Munckin", is a 9th grade English teacher at C.E. Byrd, her alma mater. She doesn't exactly teach the "honors" students, so she always has some seriously funny stories to tell. Every few months, she compiles class stories and emails them to some of her closest buds. I've already asked permission to post them on here, so get ready.

Here is one of my favorite pictures, or series of pics, of Mallory and me. We were probably skipping class this day too, to go on a little trip to the mall photo booth.

You're probably wondering what the first pic is all about, so let me explain. Before Rush Week, every sorority has what we call Rush Workshop. We practice bouncing and clapping, singing, and rush "techniques", if you will. One topic that was discussed was what do if the girl you are rushing needs to go to the bathroom. So, I whisper to Mallory, "First, you ask her if it's #1 or #2. If it's #2, take her to the outside bathroom." Well, that was it, and #1 or #2? stuck with us all year. Gosh, it made the horrid week that is Rush Workshop all worth it. A close second was Mallory pants-ing me in front of everyone. Wow.

Needless to say, we laugh a lot when we get together and Saturday night was no exception. Mallory brought a box of all kinds of "memoirs" from college. Letters, posters we put all over the house when someone did something shady, and pics. And last but not least, she brought Stubby...what's left of him anyway, which is only his head. Shown here with Ellen, and that gorgeous rock on her ring finger.

Yeero! Yeero?

2009-08-05T13:14:00.008-05:00

Last night, as I do about every two weeks, I decided to treat myself to what I think is one of the most delicious meals found in Shreveport. It's the traditional gyro combo from Yeero Yeero, but my version is a little different. I don't particularly care for the tzatziki sauce(eww, cucumber), nor am I crazy about lettuce or tomatoes. So, I always get my gyro with "meat, onions, and hummus". I repeat this at least once every time I go there because they never understand me the first time. "You want a traditional gyro, with meat, hummus, and onions?" "Yes, I want a traditional gyro with meat, hummus, and onions."

Here it is in all its glory:

If you've ever been to Yeero Yeero, you know that the owner is a little bit of a firecracker. I like to think of him as Shreveport's own "Soup Nazi". I'm always a little nervous if he's taking my order for fear that one day my special request will be denied. "No gyro for you!" One time, I was eating in the restaurant, and he went off on some poor kid in front of everyone. And while I was waiting for my food last night, I could see him screaming at one of the workers through the drive thru window. I felt sorry for the guy until...

I got home, sooo excited to dive into my meal and watch Big Brother. I open the sandwich and Noooooooo!!!!!! There are tomatoes, lettuce, and tzatziki sauce all over it! I seriously think my heart sank into my stomach. Now, normally, if there is mayo on a sandwich, I'll just scrap it off. No biggie. But there was no saving this gyro. The hummus is the best part! So, I hop back into the car, furious by the way, to fix the situation.

Of course, when I get to the window I say as nicely as I can that they messed up my order and I'm going to need my gyro the way I like it. I mean, this guy is hardcore and I cannot afford to tick him off. He politely says that he remembers me, takes the old gyro, closes the window, and as expected, explodes on the guy who took my order. "Dat's not hummus, onions, an' meat?" "Does it look like hummus, onions, and meat?" "I thought she said chicken?" "I think she would remember better than you!" All I'm hoping is that my order comes back right, and that I get home before my fries get cold. I'm also freaking out at the possibility that the order could be wrong again, and I might have to take a stand against Yeero Yeero. I think this would be nearly impossible because it's just that good. Needless to say, I come home with a perfect gyro and no hard feelings. Oh, and some seriously bad breath afterwards.

This. Infuriates. Me.

2009-08-03T22:05:00.003-05:00

About a month a ago, I walked out of Walgreens to this beautiful sight. And I thought my blood was going to boil.

Then, today, as I was walking to my car at Target, I saw it again. I decided against taking a picture of it because it was too disgusting to post.

Seriously?!? No wonder people from other countries think we're lazy sacks of you know what. There are probably 6 trash cans in front of Target, and at least a couple in front of Walgreens, where the walk from the parking lot to the entrance is maybe 10 feet. If you drop your gum wrapper in the parking lot or don't put your buggy in the little holding pen, I'm not going to flip my lid, but a freaking DIRTY diaper?? It honestly blows my mind that people think this is OK.

I've seen this too many times, and it gets me so worked up...heaven help the lazy, inconsiderate mom who I will inevitably one day see dumping her kid's diaper in the parking lot for someone else to clean up. The S is going to HTF.

Toga! Toga! Toga!

2009-07-28T10:37:00.010-05:00

Yesterday, the Princeton Review released its list of the 2009 "Top Party Schools". Sure, they also rate things like "Best Classroom Experience", "Best Career Services", and "Best Quality of Life". But, seriously, what 18 year old really gives a crap about career services? College is for partying and gaining the inevitable Freshman 15, 20, or 50, right? Being a graduate of a former "Top Party School", I can honestly say that college is what you make of it. Just because you go to a party school, doesn't necessarily mean you're going to flunk out and move back in with Mom and Dad...although I would say that the odds are probably a little bit better. LSU was a blast, but I can't say that I'm disappointed that we were not included in the list this year. Hopefully, that means we are earning a reputation of being more than just a party school and the "Flagship Agenda" is working.

So, according to the Princeton Review website, the judging of schools ranking from "Party Schools" to "Stone Cold Sober" is as follows:

"Both lists are based on students’ answers to survey questions concerning: the use of alcohol and drugs at their school, the number of hours they study each day outside of class time, and the popularity of fraternities/sororities at their school.

Schools on the “Party Schools” list are those at which surveyed students’ answers indicated: low personal daily study hours (outside of class), high usages of alcohol and drugs on campus, and high popularity on campus for frats/sororities.

Schools on the “Stone-Cold Sober Schools” list are those at which surveyed students’ answers indicated a combination of: high personal daily study hours (outside of class), low usages of alcohol and drugs on campus, and low popularity on campus for frats/sororities."

And here are the schools to which you may think twice about sending your children, unless of course, they loooooove to party.

1. Penn State University, State College, Pa.
2. University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.
3. University of Mississippi, Oxford, Miss.
4. University of Georgia, Athens, Ga.
5. Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
6. West Virginia University, Morgantown, W.Va.
7. University of Texas, Austin, Texas
8. University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis.
9. Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fla.
10. University of California-Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, Calif.
11. University of Colorado, Boulder, Colo.
12. University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
13. Union College, Schenectady, N.Y.
14. Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind.
15. DePauw University, Greencastle, Ind.
16. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn.
17. Sewanee: The University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn.
18. University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, N.D.
19. Tulane University, New Orleans, La.
20. Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz.

The SEC clearly dominates...what's new? We pretty much dominate everything, right? My second college choice comes in at #17. If you're not familiar with Sewanee, it's a small, liberal arts college atop a mountain outside of Nashville. Annnnd, it's owned by the Episcopal church. I told you we like to party.

I couldn't find the list of 2009 "Stone Cold Sober Schools", but I do know that Brigham Young topped the lists. Mormons, apparently, do NOT like to party.

And, in honor of the Top Party School of 2009, I would like to share with you this video. WOW. They love to booze it up, alright....and they're disgusting. (Excuse some of the language, but it's totally worth it).

You think he's single and looking???

Coming Soon...

2009-07-23T09:24:00.006-05:00

Over the course of the last few months, I have been in the process of redecorating my living and dining rooms. For some people, this may spell F-U-N. For me, it spells M-I-S-E-R-Y. Don't get me wrong, I love shopping, but the stress of matching curtains to rugs to upholstery stresses me out like no other. Nowadays, with clothes, you can put pretty much anything together and it doesn't look ridiculous. It's the whole boho-chic revolution. Furniture is different. You have to look at this stuff for years, so you need to really love it(and hopefully not get tired of it too soon).

The furniture that I previously had was from the college days. I'm a grown woman, dammit, I need some grown-up furniture. So, today I'm having(hopefully) my final meeting with Jamey Briggs, my(dare I say it?) interior decorator. Yes, I know, it may seem a little ridiculous for a 25 year old to hire an interior decorator, but, like I said, the stress he has saved me from having is well worth it. Not to mention the fact that it's just a service provided by him for free, with the purchase of a few pieces of furniture from his store, I'm sure. Which was fine, because I decided it was time for me to invest in some good quality pieces that I can keep for years to come. Most of the furniture has arrived, but there are a few tables that haven't been delivered yet. When everything is here(including curtains, rugs, art, etc.), I will give you the grand tour. I'm not sure when that will be, but I hope to show you the new digs in a month or so. So far, I LOVE it. In the meantime, I'll share with you a few "Before" pictures.

The dining room/home office "Before". My job allows me to work from home some days of the week, and I didn't really have a space to spread everything out before, other than my dining room table. The table and chairs were cute in my condo in Baton Rouge, but just didn't fit the "feel" of my 1940s bungalow. Oh, hey Baxter!

The living room "Before". My living room a a very long, awkward shape, making it somewhat difficult to figure out the best place for furniture. There is another half of this room with the fireplace and mantle, but I don't have a picture just yet.

I'm looking forward to showing you the "After" result very soon!

My Favorite Go-To Recipe

2009-07-21T10:46:00.007-05:00

My friend Lindsey said this was a good way to get some folks to read my blog, and I'm a little self-conscious that hardly anyone does. So, here we go...

I don't have much of a sweet tooth, but every so often, it is required of me to make a dessert. I love to cook(and I think I'm pretty good at it), but I don't like to bake. The measurements are just too exact for my liking. Needless to say, I don't like having to clean more measuring spoons than absolutely necessary. And, that is why this is my favorite "Go-to" recipe in the event I am assigned the final course.

1 pkg. ice cream sandwiches
8 oz. container of whipped topping
1 bottle of caramel sauce
1 bag of Heath Bar pieces(with the chocolate)

All you do is layer the ice cream sandwiches in the bottom of a 9 x 13 casserole dish. Pour the caramel sauce on top. Then, I usually put mine back in the freezer to let the caramel harden a bit. Top it with the whipped cream and Heath Bar pieces. Put back in the freezer for a few hours, then it's ready to serve! It will keep for days in the fridge, which I like because I love to make things ahead of time to alleviate any last minute stress.

It is a no fail recipe, and can be altered to your liking. One of my friends used Reese's peanut butter sauce instead of caramel...which she said was a huge hit. Hope you enjoy!

Wowzer.

2009-07-14T11:52:00.004-05:00

So I came across a story on "8 Wonderfully Wierd Cakes" on my favorite website, Mental Floss, and I just had to share.

"Chidi Ogbuta of Allen, Texas told CNN that she always wanted a doll of herself, so she had one made for her wedding — out of cake. It took two bakers to make both the head and the body. In the picture at least, both husband and wife seem to be reconsidering their bizarre choice."

There are even more pictures of the work of art here: http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/01/07/cake.irpt/

I just hope, for his fiancee's sake, my friend Blake, a self-diagnosed narcissist, does not see this.

Jude Jude Juday Juday Juday Woooow!

2009-07-13T22:36:00.006-05:00

August 19th cannot come soon enough. That's right, folks, I am going to see the legend himself, Paul McCartney, in concert at the new Dallas Cowboys stadium. Paul is my second favorite Beatle, behind George Harrison, of course. We can get into why another day. Needless to say, Paul is a musical legend and possibly the greatest songwriter of all time. Any opportunity to see someone that big in concert is one I will take. There is a real possibilty that this will be the best one I have ever seen, although the gigantic venue may take a little away from the experience. I'm really looking forward to the trip because my whole family is going, along with a few of my parents' friends, whose company I thoroughly enjoy. That's what is so remarkable about the music of the Beatles and Paul McCartney...it is timeless. Although we may have differing favorite albums, mine being Abbey Road and Dad's The White Album, we can both agree that the Beatles are one of the most influential bands our world has ever seen.

I've already checked out Paul's setlist from his last concert in Halifax in January of this year, and I could not be more excited. Check it out:

Drive My Car

Jet

Only Mama Knows

Flaming Pie

Got To Get You Into My Life

Let Me Roll It / Foxy Lady

Highway

All My Loving

Long And Winding Road

My Love

Blackbird

Here Today

Dance Tonight

Calico Skies

Mrs Vanderbilt

Eleanor Rigby

Sing The Changes

Band On The Run

Back In The USSR

Something

I've Got A Feeling

Paperback Writer

A Day In The Life/ Give Peace A Chance

Let It Be

Live And Let Die

Hey Jude

Day Tripper

Lady Madonna

Mull of Kintyre (feat. 78th Highlanders Pipe Band from Halifax)

I Saw Her Standing There

Yesterday

Helter Skelter

Get Back

Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band / The End

I'm pretty excited because "The Long and Winding Road" is my Dad's favorite Beatles song and odds are good that he'll hear it. Of course, it looks like he'll play a few Wings tunes, too, which is cool by me...as long as I get to see this, my absolute favorite.

I may end up like one of the girls at the beginning of this video(starting at about 0:23):

One Grande El Presidente, Please.

2009-07-09T15:33:00.016-05:00

At this time last year, I was packing my suitcase with multiple sets of scrubs, heavy duty bug spray, and ponytail holders, among other things, for the annual North LA Episcopal Diocese mission trip to the Dominican Republic. I am so sad that I am not doing the same thing right now this year. Unfortunately, as a self-contracted landman I do not get vacation days, so the trip would have been a very costly one this year as I would be losing money I could potentially make during that time. But, hey, it's just the nature of the business and I hope to prepare far enough in advance in order to make next year's trip.

The Episcopal church in Barahaona

The mission team, consisting of a number of doctors, dentists, other health professionals, and volunteers, make the trip to Barahona, Dominican Republic each year to set up a week-long clinic for the members of the community. I initially went on the mission trip because, at the time, I thought I wanted to go to medical school, and it was a great opportunity to see a lot of interesting and unusual ailments in addition to getting to know some really amazing doctors from the Shreveport community. Last year, I had decided against medical school but that didn't change the fact that the mission trip had become a part of me. I couldn't imagine not going again. I even got to pull a tooth!

It is nearly unbearably hot...there is no A/C and barely fans because the electricity cuts out after about 30 minutes. The mosquitoes are a nightmare, and you definitely can't drink the water. This is normally not my idea of a relaxing and enjoyable vacation, but I wouldn't trade going on this trip for a week in Hawaii if given the chance. I know it may sound cheesy, but it is life-changing. There are so many happy, beautiful people, especially the children, who are eternally grateful for your service. But, I think I get more out of this trip than I could ever possibly give.

This is not your typical "mission trip", however. We're called "Whiskey-palians" for a reason, you know. After a long day at the clinic, nothing is better than a "grande" El Presidente, the cerveza of choice in the DR. It's a lot like Corona, except much cheaper because it's local.

No glass for me thank you. I prefer to drink it straight from the giant 22 oz. bottle.

In addition to the Presidente, the group of people who volunteer for the trip are top-notch. I laugh almost non-stop over the course of that week. Another reason that this type of mission trip is for me is that, while we are with the church and set up clinic there, we as members of an outside community do not "evangelize". Our goal is to bring attention and people to the church in the hopes that they will want to become a part of it. For one, it would be very difficult to communicate, as most of us know very little Spanish(some people in the DR even speak Haitian). Also, I belive that the most effective way of informing people about the church is through the local people of that church, not outsiders from another country. We do have a service with the members of the Episcopal church in Barahona at the end of the trip. It is so special and touching. They are very musical people, and I just love the songs and instruments they play. What is really special is that, although we speak different languages and sing different songs, the message is still the same.

This picture was actually taken on my first trip, during which some members of the team traveled to Jimani, DR, for two days of clinic. They were in the process of building a new church so we decided to have a service there the last night. The lady with the tambourine was AMAZING.

I could go on and on about this mission trip. It is not only rewarding, but it is such an enjoyable experience. It puts so many things into perspective for me personally. The patients never once complain about a long wait or pain or the heat. They are just happy to have the care they need, and often times will give you a big hug after you've just extracted a tooth! I just hope that at this time next year, I will be again, packing my suitcase with scrubs, OFF, and ponytail holders in preparation for this wonderful vacation. Here are a few more pics from last year:

The kids LOVE Dum-Dums.

Dr. McConnell, a dentist from Minden and my childhood church, extracting a tooth. Dr. John keeps me laughing all week long!

Sweet little girls in their best dresses. You see this a lot, as coming to the clinic is a very big deal and the parents often dress the children in the nicest clothes they have.

Dr. Bill Webb, an orthopedic surgeon from Shreveport, seeing a precious little patient.

Useless Knowledge

2009-07-07T12:37:00.002-05:00

If you know anything about me, you know that I LOVE magazines. I subscribe to entirely too many, but I just can't seem to get enough. A couple of my favorites are Southern Living and Real Simple, but my top seed is definitely "Mental Floss." My brother somehow stumbled across this magazine, and I have been hooked ever since. We both love what some people refer to as "useless knowledge." We come by it fairly naturally, as both of my parents are pretty much unstoppable at Trivial Pursuit. Marshall and I have yet to beat them in a single game.

Just as entertaining as the magazine itself is the "Mental Floss" website. There are tons of interesting articles to read if you're looking for something to do on your lunch break(after you read my blog of course!). Here is one of my recent favorites written by Mario Maraciano titled "Cheetos Lip Balm and More Bizarre Brand Extensions": (There are pictures on the actual website if you really want to get the full experience. Here's the link http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/26473)

"When I heard about the new Burger King Whopper Bar, my immediate thought was that it wouldn’t be the first place I’d go for a cocktail. Then I read they won’t be serving alcohol, and I knew I wouldn’t be going to a Whopper Bar any time soon. This also reminded me of Burger King’s other recent brand extension – a new fragrance called Flame by BK. This meat perfume was obviously a promotional stunt designed to sell more burgers, but in general, corporate brand extensions are serious attempts to grow a brand beyond its initial range of products. Sometimes the tactic works, and other times it just leads to some good comedy.

1. Bic Underwear
We first knew them as the company that made very reliable writing instruments. Then Bic got into the disposable lighter and razor market, and we still bought their products. But we had to draw the line somewhere (get it?!), and the idea of disposable underwear just wasn’t that appealing.

2. Cheetos Lip Balm
Several brands have dipped into the lip balm product category. The basic rule is, ‘if it tastes good, why not smear it on your face?’ But I don’t think works with cheese products. Frito-Lay got in the game in 2005 when they launched Cheetos lip balm. Now maybe it was a great way to experience the delicious joy that is Cheetos, with only a fraction of the calories, but the dozens of negative reviews have convinced me that it was an idea ahead of its time. One thing is certain — I really want some Cheetos right now.

3. Lifesavers Soda
Lifesavers Soda was introduced back in the 80s, and was off the shelves not too long after that. It came in five flavors, and apparently did well in taste tests before the launch. But the name just didn’t work with the product, as consumers just weren’t looking for a candy they could drink.

4. Colgate Kitchen Entrees
Maybe it’s me, but thinking of the taste of toothpaste while enjoying my veal scallopini just doesn’t seem appetizing. It’s no wonder this brand of microwavable dinner entrees didn’t last very long. Not even the potential for a dazzling white smile was enough to drive sales.

5. NASCAR romance novels
Speed Bumps, In the Groove, Hearts Under Caution – they should sell millions of copies based on the titles alone. It was November of 2005 when NASCAR signed a licensing deal with Harlequin Enterprises to put out a series of romance novels. The racing organization was growing their female fan base, and romance novels seemed like a good way to continue the trend. The books are still being sold today, so it seems like this brand extension has been fairly successful. And the pit crews always did need something to do while the drivers are on the track, so I guess it makes sense.

6. Hooters MasterCard
And this has to be my favorite. I could’ve gone with Hooters Air, which closed up shop back in 2006, or used the Hooters energy drink for this list. But I went with the Hooters MasterCard for one main reason: I cannot imagine the stones it takes to whip this baby out when making a purchase. Having a business lunch? Let me pay for that with my Hooters Business Card. Taking the family to Great Adventure? No problem, put all four tickets on the Hooters Gold. There should be a website just for the expressions of the people taking the card as payment. Their website says the card is issued by Merrick Bank, so I don’t think it’s a joke. Who knows, maybe I’ll apply for my own. I’ve always wanted to see how the other half lives.
These last two were covered by former _flosser Ben Smith last summer…

7. Gerber Singles
Sounds like something out of an April Fool’s Day press release—a baby food company releasing a version of its product for adults. Gerber Singles were no joke, though, and small jars containing fruits, vegetables, starters, and desserts appeared on store shelves in 1974. Clearly it wasn’t a good idea. Customers had no interest in eating Creamed Beef out of a baby food jar, and the name of the product, “Singles” couldn’t have helped either. As Business 2.0’s Susan Casey said, “they might as well have called it ‘I Live Alone and Eat My Meals From a Jar.’”

8. Smith & Wesson Mountain Bikes
Smith & Wesson is the largest handgun manufacturer in the United States, and have even made “this home protected by a Smith & Wesson security system” claims true with the release of a security system of sorts. Smart move. A less savvy extension? Introducing a mountain bike. First marketed to police officers, the bikes are now available to all consumers anxious to get their hands on a bike bearing the name of their favorite gun company. And the company is offering a big incentive: customers who add a handgun or set of handcuffs onto their bike purchase won’t get charged for shipping and handling."

1st Annual Fourth of July Camping Trip

2009-07-05T21:15:00.014-05:00

Well, I survived. I consider myself to be a middle-0f-the-road type of gal when it comes to the outdoors. I don't squeal at the sight of a bug, nor do I cringe at the thought of being seen without makeup. But, I'm not the type to, say, build my own shelter out of twigs and leaves or kill my own dinner. So, needless to say, our camping trip at Lake Ouachita this weekend was just right-minus the rain. It stormed for a good hour Saturday night, but I managed to stay dry thanks to a great borrowed tent and the fact that I had it all to myself(yippee!). The crew consisted of myself, Marshall, Marie, Marie's friend Maureen, Jason Calligas and his girlfriend Stacy, and Pat & his ladyfriend Georgia.

We rented a couple of campsites at Lake Ouachita State Park which were great, although a little rocky and hilly. Check it out:

We had a couple more tents but you can't see them in this pic...I was on the other side of the blue one

Pat, Georgia, and I came in a little later on Friday because Pat and I had to work, so we didn't get a chance to go out on the lake that night. When the rest of the crew came off the lake, we had some seriously delicious fajitas that Marie had prepped and grillmaster Jason(the chef for the weekend) cooked. I never imagined we could eat so well while camping, but all of the food was amazing. Breakfast burritos, bagel sandwiches, and burgers were on the menu for Saturday. Yum yum!

At breakfast on Saturday...probably my favorite pic from the trip.

We woke up bright and early Saturday and headed out to the lake. We found a little beach on one of the islands and posted up there for the day--it was perfect, after Pat saved the day and removed the DISGUSTING dead fish from the water. Seriously, it was so nasty that I couldn't even take a picture of it. We all agreed that next year, we're going to camp out on one of the islands for the weekend...Survivor Style...maybe with evictions and everything. I should start working on my alliances now.

The crew, minus Marie(and the pups) :(...she was taking the pic

The nephews came, too, and had the time of their lives. The LOVED the beach because they could get in and out of the water whenever they wanted. Malcolm was a little obsessed with "biting" the waves, and he would run up and down the shore trying to catch them.

We did have a little visitor at our campsite when we returned from the lake, which made me a little uneasy but I think the group next to us ran him off.

Yowza!!

All in all it was a wonderful, relaxing weekend. Nothing beats a day on the lake with plenty of Miller Lite, good food, and lots of great company!

You Call That Ugly?

2009-06-29T13:45:00.011-05:00

My brother sent me a link this morning to a story about the "World's Ugliest Dog" contest titled "Underbite helps Pabst become World's Ugliest Dog", with the accompanying message:

"Frankly, I'm offended by the assumption that underbite=ugly, and I think our dogs and our friends would agree."

Let me introduce you to my precious nephew, Malcom.

Poor buddy, he can't help that his previous owners never got him the braces he so desperately needed. That's next on Marshall's list behind a swimming pool for Bentley. Ok, I'm joking about the braces, but not about the swimming pool. And this is how I know my brother is going to be an excellent father.

Now, here's the big winner, Pabst.

Check out those chompers.

I don't think that many pet owners would ever acknowledge that their loving companion is the ugliest in the world. Odds are, they think they are the cutest, and rightfully so. Their "flaws" are what give them character. Malcolm just wouldn't be the same without his protruding underbite or his obsession with reflections and belly rubs(this is no joke). So, here are a few of the other contestants:

"Miss Ellie"

"Pee Wee Martini"

When I decided to get a dog, I did a lot a research to find the breed that perfectly suited me. I succeeded in doing so, as Riley needs very little exercise and only wants to sleep in my lap all day long. I love Riley dearly, and I couldn't imagine life without her. However, Marshall and Marie's two pups, Bentley and Malcolm, both of whom are rescue dogs, have given me such an appreciation for "pound puppies". As a child, my family always had a least one stray running around in the backyard. My dad is such a sucker for animals that would hang around the dealership, he would eventually bring them home.

Now, Malcolm and Bentley are so adorable that I don't think there would have ever been a problem with someone adopting them had Marshall and Marie not done so, but some of these pups in this competition may not have been so fortunate. I commend their owners for adopting a dog that had a very good chance of not making it, and hey, they've actually made money doing it. When the time comes for me to get another dog(which may be a while from now), I will definitely consider adopting one from a rescue organization...it may not be the "World's Ugliest", but it doesn't have to be perfect.

2009-06-26T08:55:00.002-05:00

So, in memory of MJ, just thought I would share my favorite video with you. Only Michael Jackson could put together this many stars. What a classic...love the random folks like Dan Akyroyd just standing and swaying and my main man, the Boss. What a sexy beast...

Best Billboard in Shreveport

2009-06-25T10:46:00.004-05:00

For some reason, this sign cracks me up every time I pass it. I don't know what it is...Cedric looks like a cartoon character or something. Or maybe it's that I think he very well may be that large in real life. Whatever the case may be, it certainly puts a smile on my face.

Watch The Game Here Tonight

2009-06-23T12:07:00.004-05:00

Last night, the Robinson Film Center played the LSU baseball game on all three projection screens in the "meeting room" upstairs....and we had the whole place all to ourselves. I guess the word didn't get out soon enough, because it was D-E-D, dead. That didn't bother me much. There were giant couches and I had some pretty good company. We ate a delicious dinner, had a few toddies, and even got a free round of shots courtesy of the bartender. Watching the game is totally free--the only other place in town with a screen that big is probably Buffalo Wild Wings, which, if you ask me, has the worst service of any restaurant in town. So, gather some friends and head up there tonight. Oh, and save me a seat.

My Father, the Hero

2009-06-21T20:47:00.010-05:00

Well, he's my hero anyway. My mom, brother, and I decided to really go all out for Father's Day this year...so this is what we gave my dad.

Yep, that's right...it's a machine gun, an M-60 to be exact. This is a replica of the weapon he primarily carried when he was serving in Vietnam, and it was the largest one an infantryman carried in the war. I am certainly my mother's child because neither of us could wait to give it to him on Sunday, so we made him open it Friday when I arrived at the lake. My dad doesn't really wear his emotions on his sleeve, but both of us could tell just how excited he was to add this gun to his collection. When I was younger, my dad didn't really talk about Vietnam very much, but as I've gotten older, he has opened up more about the war. I find it fascinating to think that my dad was out there in the wilderness fighting for our country when he was younger than I am right now. When he received his draft card, he was lucky #13 and immediately knew that he would be chosen. He was there for nearly a year, and eventually served as "point-man" for his group, meaning he walked in the front. My dad's CIB (Combat Infantryman Badge) is one of his most prized possessions, as only about 1 out of 7 men in the Army actually served in battle in Vietnam. Dad keeps his pictures from Vietnam at the lakehouse, so I borrowed a few to share.

If you see me fairly regularly and wonder why I wear a men's watch, now you know. As you can see in this pic, the watch I wear is my dad's that he wore throughout his time in Vietnam.

Pops in his bed.

This picture was taken towards the end of his tour. There are about 20 pictures of Dad and his fellow soldiers making this gesture, which meant that they only had "a little" time left before they would return home.

I glance at these pictures every time I am down at the lake, and each time I look at them I am reminded of the sacrifices so many people have made and are still making to defend and protect our country. I am also reminded of how fortunate I am to have such a wonderful, loving father who is braver and stronger than I could ever imagine being. I know you're probably going to read this, Dad, and I hope you know how much I love you and how proud I am to be your daughter.

Happy Father's Day

It Has Arrived

2009-06-19T11:57:00.006-05:00

I'll admit it. I'm somewhat of a technology snob. I love new toys, especially if they're faster, sleeker, and just plain better than anything else on the market. When the tiny little Nokias came out when I was in high school, I had to have one. And you can bet your bottom dollar that when the Motorola Razr was introduced, I couldn't resist(of course this was after the price went waaay down). I never realized the impact that a little gadget would have on my life until I became the proud owner of this, the original Apple iPhone.

For the record, I do not have "man hands"...I just pulled this from the internet(probably illegally)

People think I'm joking when I say that the iPhone has changed my life. I'm not, and I speak for many of my friends when I say this. I hear people say, "Oh, I've got all I need in my little flip phone...texting and making/receiving calls". To me, that's like saying, "Oh I don't need cable tv, 3, 6, and 12 are just fine for me"...or "Oh, I don't need the Internet, everything I want to know is on the 10 o'clock news". What's great about the iPhone is that everything you could ever want to know is at your fingertips. A regular flip phone can't tell you how to get to Destin, nor can it give you the schedule for the local pub crawl, as mine did last night. I know that there is such a thing as being too connected, and maybe I am. But I couldn't imagine ever going back to a regular phone with no Internet, email, camera, etc.

I am proud to admit, however, that when the iPhone 3G was introduced, I was not the first in line to get one. I was happy with my phone, and the only difference was speed...so I stuck with my, as I liked to call it, "vintage" iPhone when everyone else upgraded. I always said that I was holding out for the 3rd generation and would say goodbye to my retro iPhone when it came out. Needless to say, I marched right in to the AT&T store today to treat myself to the latest and greatest--the iPhone 3G S. It's too soon to tell the difference in speed, especially since I'm in Mansfield which is clearly not in a 3G network. The phone is definitely lighter and sleeker than the original, and there is now a video camera function, among other new additions. I'm excited to have my new toy...I just hope it lives up to my expectations.

Time's Up!

2009-06-17T22:30:00.006-05:00

Every Wednesday night starts out about like this:

This is the studio, a.k.a. the dining room. That's Alan on the drums, Adam on the guitar, and Blake, the lead singer. Normally they'll play some pretty obscure songs, but decided to break out "Tears in Heaven" last night. After I started taking pictures of them, they threatened to take my camera so I only have, like, one more from the night. I told them it could be their big break!

After the jam session, we eat some yummy grub, and play a board game chosen by the cook for the evening. This week was my turn to cook. On the menu: Spring Mix salad with strawberries, chicken & dumplings, and a dessert with no name...let's just call it "heaven". We all alternate cooking, so I really only have to do dinner every 2 months or so. I'm hosting Bunco at my house in July, and I am very nervous about everything being just right. So, I decided to do a "test run" of the dinner I'll be serving there last night at game night. I think the consensus was that dinner was delicious so looks like we'll be having this meal at Bunco, ladies!

We have a pretty good rotation of games from which to choose....Scattegories, Loaded Questions, Compatibility, Cranium, and my choice for the night, our newest game, Time's Up. If you have never played this game, go out and get it...it is so much fun! At one point in the game, you have to act out the name on the card with no speaking. I only wish I had a picture of Alan acting out Shakira or Blake doing Madonna--HILARIOUS! Wednesday is always a fun night, even if I do get home past my bedtime!

Here's my only other picture of the night:

Alan, Blake, and a first-time participant, Marie's classmate Steven intently watching Austin act out the clues.

Good Reads

2009-06-15T21:31:00.015-05:00

I don't read as much as I should. Maybe it's because my job mostly consists of reading documents all day long. Or maybe it's a sort of rebellion against the mandatory summer reading that was forced upon me in high school. I'm not sure...either way, I rarely just stroll into Barnes & Noble and pick up a book based solely on the description in the inside flap.

I came across this particular read via the radio show I listen to in the mornings. The show itself is hilarious....basically just four guys sitting around talking about mostly random things. It does keep me up-to-date with sports, which is always good info to have when talking with the "mens", as Miss Jaw-n-son, the Byrd sex-ed teacher, would say. So, one day on the show, they had the author of the book in the studio for an interview. Unfortunately, the men digressed from discussing this particular book and instead talked mostly about another one written by the author called, "The Game", which is basically a manual for picking up women (that show, "The Pick Up Artist" on VH1 is based on it). However, based on what I did hear about "Emergency", it sounded like something I may enjoy so I promptly logged onto Amazon and bought the bad boy. I managed to read nearly the entire book over the course of 3 days thanks to a couple of 2 hour flights.

I will say that the title is a little mis-leading, as the book will not save your life. It is, however, a very entertaining and engaging read. There are some survival tips in the book, but it mostly centers around the author's sort of obsession with having a back-up plan when, as he refers to it in the book, TSHTF(the s*** hits the fan). It was not necessarily what I expected, but I definitely enjoyed it and found myself being forced to put it down so as to avoid staying up all night to finish it. And, you never know, the survival tips may come in handy one day. Here are a couple of my favorites:

1. Say you're at the mall, and some lunatic starts shooting...lay on your stomach with your feet facing the gunman and your hands covering your head. According to the author, it is highly unlikely that he can hit a vital organ.

2. In the event of a chemical attack, don't run for the door. It will be absolute chaos and the most important thing is to de-contaminate yourself. Run to the bathroom and bust the showerhead(you know, the one that goes off when there's a fire) to de-contaminate...also, don't pull your clothes over your head(you'll just expose yourself even more). Rip them off a la Hulk Hogan in 1989.

Hopefully you won't run into a situation like this, but hey, better safe than sorry right? So, the moral of the story is, if you're looking for a summer read that's a little bit more substantial than, say, a Danielle Steele novel, pick up this book. Or better yet, just borrow it from me.

Let's Do This Thing(or at least try)

2009-06-15T12:45:00.013-05:00

Soooo....after much deliberation, I've decided to start a blog. I have never been much of a writer, and that is certainly supported by the fact that my degree is in Biology. I have a tendency to type, delete, and re-type about 20 times. The good news is that my roomie is in the biz, so she may offer some much needed tips. I love reading blogs so I decided to take a stab at it myself--we'll see where this goes.

I guess I'll start with a little background info about myself: I'm a small town girl from Minden, a graduate of LSU, and proud mom to Riley, the cutest Cavalier King Charles Spaniel on the block.

Riley Girl, a.k.a., Lil Bit

I love my family, and enjoy every minute I can spend with them.

Marshall, Pops, Mom, and Me

My brother was not my favorite person growing up, but I have come to appreciate our relationship as we've gotten older. He is getting married next year, and I am so excited about the newest addition to the family. Marie and I have become very good friends, and I can't wait until she is my sister!

Family Photo Christmas 2008-Marie & Marshall with my two nephews Malcom and Bentley

Geeze, these pictures take forever to get just right. Hopefully I'll get the hang of it.

On that note, I think I'm going to stop here with the intro. I'm not sure exactly what this blog's content will include, most likely just random things that I find interesting and hopefully you will, too! I'm a pretty easy-going, laid back type of gal, so I doubt that I will delve into many serious subjects. If you want my opinion on politics or religion, you can ask me the next time you see me. Otherwise, I tend to keep those thoughts to myself. So, I hope you stay tuned...it could get interesting.