Exciting weekend

I guess I'm kind of jumping the gun on calling my weekend exciting, but the thing is, I am uber-excited about it.

First, my most favorite ex-boyfriend and one of our bar buddies from way back when will be coming down tonight. Space has this grand idea that we will go to Five Guys to eat dinner. My vote is on Good Ole Boys (or Amsterdam ... that filet is melting in my mouth as I type).

Saturday morning, we're going to hang out, I'll cook us some breakast, and then get ready for gameday! A bunch of my old TC's coworkers (and friends) will be coming down this weekend and we are planning on throwing down in the parking lot! Wooooooo!

On the menu: black bean and corn dip, turkey wraps, meatballs (a TC's Friday Happy Hour tradition), a gourmet cheese tray with crackers, grapes, and miscellaneous spreads, hummus and pita, and a margherita pizza. Nomnomnom.

Then we shall head to the game to play Florida, which hasn't happened in a while.

And then I will go pass out because we have a night game.

And Sunday morning, my beloved Space and Calvin will leave.

And I will start cleaning like crazy to go back to the Ham Monday.

TV Update

I'm not digging any more on Charter than I was. In fact, the more I watch TV, the angrier I get. After getting a new box, my picture quality is still crappy. :( No worries, though. I caved and bought a Google TV attachment-thingy and that should be super cool. I'll let y'all know.

I've worked on broadening my TV horizons the past week or so and I have checked out "Revenge," "Up All Night," "The New Girl," "Pan Am," the Playboy bunny show and "Hart of Dixie."

"Revenge" is kind of hard to follow and I keep feeling like I missed something.

"Up All Night" is only 30 minutes, so, again, I'm feeling like I missed something.

"The New Girl" is stinkin' adorable! Just wish Fox had an On Demand channel so I could see it when I miss it.

"Pan Am" couldn't keep me through the latest episode. And it's a historical show!

The Playboy bunny show - I heard it got cancelled. I saw it coming the first episode. What is cool about it is the historical side. I especially love the Mattachine Society portrayal. I just don't like it when people will cover up an accidental death on movies and in TV, rather than go to the cops. Drives me nuts! It's kind of like "Love and Other Drugs" - I loved the Parkinson's and drug rep story lines more than all the getting it on that seemed to be the main "plot" of the movie.

And, finally, "Hart of Dixie." I think the writers are missing something! It's set in small-town Alabama, which is cool. What I find UNCOOL are all of the University of Alabama references. Come on, people. There is another major football team in this state! Hopefully, Dr. Hart will decide to be an Auburn fan (not likely, seeing as how the mayor, who is a former Alabama football player has befriended her). Also, the Belle thing has really frustrated me. I've always seen high school age girls be Belles, not women in their 20's or so. And the way they depicted a birth on the first episode. When the shoulders get stuck, it's called shoulder dystocia, and a change in positions and the Gaskin maneuver has been known to remedy that. Not an episiotomy. Really?!? I really can't stand childbirth scenes in TV and movies, anyway. I'm a huge advocate for accurate medical depiction. Does anyone remember how many reports of people doing CPR because they saw it on "Baywatch?" This would have been a prime opportunity to have a teachable moment in television, where the doctors realize the shoulder dystocia, and perform the Gaskin maneuver.

That being said, I'm going to stick with "The New Girl." All the others, I won't be sad if they disappear, which one already has.

Can't wait for "Bones!" Also, because I give credit where it is due, I have actually caught myself laughing at "The Office." Even when James Spader isn't being absolutely f-ilarious :)

Any other suggestions, people?

Havin' a good time ... or not?/Part 3

I wrapped up the details of my Knoxville trip the other day, but I want to do a compare between Birmingham and Knoxville Widespread Panic Shows.

If you check out this post from April about my Birmingham WP experience, you will notice I mentioned I cried during most of the first set.

What???????????????? How can anyone cry at a WP concert?

The day of the show, I was running my own errands, and then meeting up with people who were going to buy extra tickets and then didn't show up or return calls and texts. While all of this was going on, I was keeping an eye on the weather and tornado sirens, and getting texts and phone calls from people wanting to know where and what time to meet, what to wear, etc. I had been going over this with these people for weeks and they could not get it together.

The concert venue had changed the night before due to weather and I let everyone who was going know we were to meet at Nana Funks at 5:00 and we were to leave promptly at 5:45. Because the venue changed, the seating opened up for general admission. No one was ready to leave at 5:45, and I was about to flip out! That person I was supposed to meet earlier never showed up, no one wanted to pay face value for their ticket (I was getting offers for half and less!), I didn't even have time to get as ready as I wanted to, but everyone else could do whatever they wanted. Talk about entitled!

Some of my tickets were VIP first tier seats, and if you had those tickets, you got a special armband and special seating. Well, you were supposed to. The ushers at the door gave Space (who was with me) the right armband, and I got the "wrong" one. It took nearly an hour to figure that out. I kept showing my ticket and asking why I wasn't allowed in the VIP or reserved section, and FINALLY some usher got me the right armband. Well, Charlie Daniels had started by then.

My friends that were supposed to sit with me had no problems at all and I was finally able to meet up with them and sit with them, but someone in the group had to ask me where someone else was THE WHOLE TIME. I finally was able to see a couple of Charlie Daniels songs. During "Devil Went Down to Georgia," between ignoring the annoying person and constantly having to show off my armband to the ushers, these other people come up and start shoving me, and yelling at me that I couldn't save seats.

Yes, Charlie Daniels was ruined for me.

Between bands, I was still having to show my armband to ushers, and I noticed a ga-zillion groups smoking pot around me (this is supposed to be a non-smoking venue) and letting their smoke go wherever it may, and those shovers from "Devil Went Down to Georgia" a few rows down without the appropriate armbands. They aren't getting bothered. The smokers aren't being stopped. But me, who is not smoking or drinking, has the apropriate armband, and is just minding my own business, trying to have a good time, I'm the one the ushers want to harass, and I'm the one being harassed by everyone else breaking the rules. WTF?!? THAT, my friends, is the whole problem with Birmingham. There is this sense of false entitlement that you can do whatever you want, take whatever you want, infringe on other people's rights and soveriegnty, and no one is going to stop you or bother you. Actually, I would venture to say that wherever there are inherent problems, that is the root of them.

I found my "point person," who had lost her cell phone, and tried to introduce myself. But she was too preoccupied with her lost cell phone.

When the band started back, Space and I found a couple of seats again, and we tried to sit back and enjoy the show. But those ushers just wouldn't let us sit anywhere we tried. We had to show armbands, we got kicked out of one seat, we had to find another, repeat, repeat, repeat. All the while, all these people are dancing in the aisles, without proper armbands, smoking their joints.

Here's the deal: That section was supposed to be marked off. It wasn't. It was up to the ushers to enforce it. They clearly weren't. Pot is illegal. The security, cops, and ushers clearly didn't seem to think so. Smoking is not allowed. Again, the people hired to maintain the rules and laws and help the patrons clearly did not have their job responsibilities in order. I had missed most of the concert to this point and had been walking all over the BJCC, trying to find where I should be.

Sick of it, I marched back into that VIP area, got my point person, and told her what was going on. She took me and Space to the handicapped row and told us to be there and if anyone had a problem with it, to say she put us there. So then the ushers tried to move us. When we straightened that out, I was told I couldn't dance, that I had to sit (I was dancing in place). At that point, I lost it. I started bawling. Y'all, there were people all over the aisles (i.e. the path to the exits), blocking the aisles, dancing away. Everyone but me and my friends were having a good time. Most of my group left because it was such a fudgecluster.

Someone gave me a glow stick, and then someone else was trying to grab it out of my hand. Again, really?!? We are supposed to be mature people. Just because the band is called Widespread Panic does not mean you need to create it.

During the intermission, I went to the restroom, and left Space to hold down the fort. While I was standing in the beer line, where people got to slide on up next to me and get served, then finally I was told they quit serving beer (again, say it with me, people, REALLY?!?), Space found me and said he got kicked out.

As the music started back, I marched Space and Alan right back up to that place we were sitting, explained to the ushers, again, that we were allowed there, and did my best to have a good time. Alan and I did our little jam dancing a bit, got a little bit harassed by ushers, and we made it to the end of the show.

Was that necessary? No. Do I feel entitled to something? At this point, yes, and rightfully so. I paid good money for those tickets, and I missed most of the concert and was constantly disctracted. I wasn't causing any trouble, and everything I did was done in safe parameters (i.e. I wasn't blocking any paths).

Saturday, I was able to chill a bit. We met up in the lot before heading in, and I got some cool lot tees and some feathers in my hair.

Saturday was much better and my only complaint was I had to defend my box a bit from some "entitled" Birmingham people.

Going into Knoxville, I was slightly apprehensive, but I didn't know I had as good of seats as I did. I thought I had seats on the balcony, a few rows back. As the ushers at the Tennessee Theatre (beautiful, by the way!) walked me closer and closer to my seats that first night, I started to get nervous. I was really close and I was not in the mood to defend my territory. (And I was on steroids and pseudo-ephedrine, so it was going to be a brawl if anyone crossed me! Haha!)

No need to worry in Knoxvegas, baby! Those people were so cool and laid back. Like I said, a few people actually came up to me and ASKED if I minded if they stood near me. Of course I didn't mind. They asked, nicely, first of all. They didn't push or shove me. They didn't yell at me. They weren't smoking pot that was blowing directly in my face. They didn't invade my personal space (except to hug me <3!). I "had a good time" in Knoxville and it's all because of the "good people" there. Thank you, Knoxville, you are awesome!

Havin' a good time, part 2

Hey y'all

I'm getting back on schedule, here.

I posted the pictures from my Knoxville trip earlier, and I am actually following through and posting about my actual trip.

The back story: Back in April, when I was gearing up for Widespread Panic in Birmingham, I mentioned to some friends I would love to follow them around, maybe for a week or so. Since I didn't have it together enough in the spring, I said next time they came to the Southeast, I would do it. When they announced their fall tour, I checked the dates and locations. As I was exploring the logistics, I realized just going to Knoxville for three nights would be the most feasible. Not a whole week of Panic, but basically half a week. (I had already booked my trip for the Harvest Moon Festival at Callaway Gardens, and that was a week and a half after Knoxville, so I knew my early fall was booking up quickly.)

So, in July, I started trying to find someone to go with me. None of my loser friends would take time off work (with three months notice!) to do this trip with me. Guess what I did? I made that trip happen! I changed up my itinerary a bit to stay in Knoxville longer to visit the kids I used to babysit while I was in college.

A few days before I was scheduled to leave, I began getting the symptoms of an annoying sinus/upper respiratory infection. It seemed to get a little better, but on Saturday, two days before I was supposed to leave, it seemed worse. Worrying about the painful cough I was developing and flying with head congestion, I went to the doctor. Doctor hooked me up with some cough syrup and a steroid shot, and I was good to go! What I wish they had told me was I may not be able to sleep for a few days.

After five hours of sleep Saturday night, and another five Sunday night, I got myself out of bed at 5:00 to shower and catch my shuttle bus to Atlanta. Got on an airplane in Atlanta and landed in Knoxville before 11:00 Eastern time!

I was very strung out on lack of sleep and that damn steroid shot (and Sudafed).

I laid down for a bit that afternoon, but my phone kept blowing up with trying to figure out who would be attending the show with me that night. I decided to go ahead and check into my hotel. I laid down a bit longer, but with no sleep luck.

I went to the little cocktail/hors d'oeuvre reception at the hotel and met Savannah, who hooked me up with people to go to the show with me that night.

I went to a bar she recommended, where I met a fourth person to share my tickets with. This guy was a pilot and his sons are big Widespread fans. I talked him into going, at least just to get his kids a shirt, and he stayed for a few songs.

Savannah's friends, Oslo and Johnny, met me at the bar and hung out with me. Oslo introduced me to a great sandwich shop that gives you way too much food for a very reasonable price!

When I got to my seat, was I surprised! Y'all, I was eight rows from the stage! No joke!

Even more surprising, my fellow concert goers were very polite and asked if they could stand near me. I'm going to have to tell you about Widespread in Birmingham later, just so you know how strange this was to me.

On Tuesday, I went back to the house and got to see the kids for the first time. I still only got about six hours of sleep Monday night, so I was still a bit out of it, but getting used to the lack of sleep. (Seriously consider getting a steroid shot and use Sudafed wisely while on one. You probably won't sleep. Also, I am so thankful Knoxville people are NICE because I was also rather edgy and ready to kick any one's ass who crossed my path. Luckily, that Smoky Mountain high is contagious!)

Back to Tuesday ... Christy and I went to the bar from the night before for dinner and to get rid of my two extra tickets. We sold them to a girl who was offering more than face value (I sold them for face value, since that's they way I roll. Keep it just, people.) Christy got to hear her favorite, "Hatfield," and I got to hear "Little Lilly." We left during the (what seemed like) half-hour bongo solo in the second act. The lack of sleep, light show, and bongos were really getting to me. I'm kind of sad we did because we missed "Jack" and "Walkin' (For Your Love)."

I got about six hours of sleep again.

Wednesday, I went with Christy to get the kids and checked back into the hotel. This night I took the kids old number one Knoxville babysitter, her roommate, and his girlfriend.

Y'all, this was the night! I can't remember every song, but remember "Bust it Big," "Blackout Blues," "Imitation Leather Shoes" and "Travelin' Light."

They played a lot from "Dirty Side Down", which the more I hear it, the more I love it.

(I had great seats the last two nights, as well.)

The rest of the week, I hung out with Christy and the kids and did some cooking and sightseeing.

The vibe in Knoxville is great and the people are awesome. I'm not quite "in love" with it, like I am with Gainesville, but I am going back about three times between January and May/June, so that might change.



I'm even still on Eastern time!

"Z Bebes"

(I am having serious issues posting this, so bear with the weird layout.)

At one point, I had twelve animals living in my house. No, I do not hoard animals. I just had a boyfriend who would rescue every stray cat. It's a really crazy, long story that I will definitely share sometime, but for now, I really want to share my greatest loves, the three animals who still live with me.

First up is Boston Go-Go. Boston is a four year old black and orange tortoiseshell cat, with an extra thumb on one of her paws (poly dactyl, better known as Hemingway cats). She is very talkative and loving, and probably my most social cat.

Her mother did not properly wean her, so she has always loved to try to nurse my hand. When she isn't "nursing" me, she is holding my hand. (Love!)

Boston is pretty and she knows it and she loves to have her picture made! (She will even pose for pictures, as y'all can see in her first picture. LOL.)

She is definitely a mama's girl, which poses quite the competition for Tux, who we'll get to later.

Next up is Prudence. Pru is my "special" cat. Pru is very skittish and runs away from anyone coming near her, any sudden movement, and any loud noise. She got her name from the Beatles song, "Dear Prudence," because the Beatles were playing the first time I saw her come out to play. The second picture of her used to be typical Prudence, thinking she was hiding since she couldn't see anything. Now, she's more social, but still so skittish it's hard to get a picture of her.

Finally, there is Tux, who is the BIGGEST mama's boy I have ever encountered! The Space-man talked me into taking in his momma and she birthed him in my guest bedroom, which served as a kitten nursery two years in a row. He was always the sleepiest, slowest moving, whiniest kitten of the bunch. I didn't intend to keep him, but while we were waiting on him to get adopted, all of his other siblings got moved out. So, little Tux, only knowing me and Space at that point, got thrust into the Fur-galicious household and attached himself to me. At first it was very sweet and fun to have my little buddy, but as Space got his cats out and Tux got older, he got more aggressive, despite being fixed at the early age of five months. (Sometimes, I think he has a bit of an Oedipus complex, the way he pushes Boston and Pru away from me ...) He is a very snuggly cat at night, when I go to bed. And he is still the whiniest cat I have ever encountered! (For some reason, though, I still love my little buddy.)

Boston and Tux in a good "getting along" moment

I woke up Easter morning to find this in their food bowl. I think they wanted in on the fancy meal action, too.

Tux feet!

Tux and Boston after they've settled their battle for who gets a piece of Mommy, a nightly occurrence.

Havin' a good time, Part 1

Here are my pictures from Widespread in Knoxville. They're crazy out of order, so mind the captions. Check for another post about the whole trip!

Night 2 - My favorite shirt ("Walkin")

Night 3 - Me and "Santa Hippie." Nearly every guy in Knoxville has facial hair and he was my favorite!

Day 3 - Shopping center with the initials "WP"

Night 2 - Christy's favorite shirt (back)

Night 2 - Christy's favorite shirt (front)

Night 2? - Crowd in the balcony

Night 1 - Eight rows from the stage!

Night 1

Night 1

Night 1

Night 1

Night 1

Quick Updates

I've been super slammed the past few weeks and I can hardly think.

I've been suspecting for a while my thyroid cured itself. People laughed at me when I told them. So guess who was laughing a few weeks ago when I found out my suspicions were true? I am still laughing.Third endocrinologist is the charm :) My thyroid didn't actually cure itself. This third endocrinologist is awesome and her first step was to determine what kind of hyperthyroidism I have. She did bloodwork and she had me do another thyroid uptake (and she told me to "do myself a favor and take a benadryl before" the test to counteract the side effects of the iodine pill I had to take - that alone makes her my favorite doctor, the fact she actually acknowledged the fact I know my body and know I don't react well to iodine). The results were ... I have Graves disease, which is an autoimmune disease. Sounds sucky, right? Wrong. The blessing in autoimmune diseases is they go into remission. My lupus symptoms are much improved as well, so she is guessing the hyperthyroidism and borderline lupus go hand-in-hand. Right now, I am in remission, and I go back in three months for more bloodwork and if that's good, then I go back in six. We'll take things as they come and my orders are to just keep doing what I'm doing (i.e. having a good time).

Speaking of "having a good time" ... I'm going to Knoxville, TN to see Widespread Panic for THREE days and visit the little ones I used to babysit for back when I was in college. This is Panic's last tour for a while, so I am really looking forward to this. There are a few songs I have never heard them play, and I am really hoping to hear "Bear's Gone Fishing", "Sparks Fly", "Climb to Safety" and "Little Lilly." I've also always heard "Porch Song" and "Ain't Life Grand", so it would be nice to hear them this week, too. I have discovered a bunch of new favorites lately, and I would love to hear "Jack", "Heroes", "Can't Get High", "Don't Tell the Band", "Imitation Leather Shoes" and "Big Wooly Mammoth." Additional old favorites and covers include, but are not limited to: "Superstition", "Coconuts", "No Sugar Tonight", and "Feelin' Alright."

Maybe I'll do a fantasy Widespread show blog post someday. Maybe I'll get a tattoo this week to commemorate my big trip. And MAYBE, if I have time tomorrow, I will set up the Twitter and chronicle the concert via tweets (if that makes any sense ... clearly I am way behind on the Twitter bandwagon). I'll let y'all know.

And Warrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Eagle! Hey!

Bible Studies and Devotionals

In the past, I've linked up with Kelly's Korner for her Show Us Your Life Fridays. I haven't done it in a while, but this week the topic is favorite Bible studies and devotionals.

Back in the college days, I did Paula Rhinehart's Strong Women, Soft Hearts. Y'all, I love this book! I go to it when I'm feeling out of sorts and pick a chapter that sticks out to me and just read it. It's kind of hard to explain what it means to me, but as someone who listens to my body, it is also God speaking to me through myself. I'm not sure that makes any sense to y'all.

Maybe a better example is when I was in junior high, my friends would tell me to "get over it." Meaning, something really devastating to me happened and I just needed to get over it. What they probably meant was "we're sick of hearing about this," and that was their nicest way of saying it was time to move on, but for me to hear those words, I was more than hurt. What my friends didn't know, because I barely understood, was I was going through way more than they knew and all those other things (that were pretty big, but also facts of life), did not help the biggest of things going on. Anyway ... what I got from SWSH was I wasn't supposed to get over it, but to acknowledge it, because it happened to me as a way to shape who I am. The emotions I feel I shouldn't shove deep down in my metaphorical closet and ignore them because God created me to be this way.

Basically, it's all about accepting yourself and honing your traits so that you may serve God better. It gave me permission to be myself.

I also love Paula Rhinehart's Better than My Dreams. I've never read the entire book or done a Bible study on it, but from what I have read, it's about trusting God to provide for you. You pray and pray and pray and you get a hint of what you're praying for, but then, poof!, there it goes. That wasn't your time for it. The stories she uses in this book all start off, where people think their prayers are being answered and they are so overjoyed, but then it turns out their prayers aren't being answered quite yet and they are devastated, and maybe they lose some faith, but on down the road, their prayer does get answered and they get more than they could ever imagine. This is a great book when you're having trouble with faith.

A few years ago, I was blessed to be able to hear Paula Rhinehart speak at a women's retreat. What a great weekend and it was so exciting to be able to speak with her in person. I just hope she knows how much she helped strengthen my relationship with God.

Television these days

New TV shows started back last night, and I missed it :( I still have some kinks to work out in my DVD-R. See, if I had it my way, I wouldn't have cable. I just got sick of spending all day Friday catching up on my shows from the night before. In Birmingham, the price of cable with BrightHouse isn't so bad. I even splurged on the DVR with them :) In Auburn, though, Charter is through the roof. And the quality sucks. AND I HAVE to get digital cable so I can get my "A Different World" and, you won't believe this, the CW, which is how I watch "90210." Once I get used to my DVD-Rs (I have two so far and might need to get one more), I should be set for Thursday nights.

Why might I need three DVD-Rs for Thursday nights you wonder? "Grey's Anatomy," "The Office," and "Bones." "Bones" won't come on until November, so we'll see how things go. "The Office" has James Spader, and that's the only reason I plan on watching. If I decide I still don't like the characters talking to me, I will gladly go without my Spader fix.

What bugs me is the lack of awesome programming.

I watch "Desperate Housewives" and I am not the least bit sad this will be its last season. "Brothers and Sisters," though? Ohmigosh I was devastated when I found out it was cancelled. I love that show! And I had no time to prepare myself the last few episodes, thinking how nice it was everything just worked out. Devastated, y'all.

Speaking of cancelled series ... I wouldn't even be bothering with "The Office" if "Boston Legal" hadn't been cancelled in the first place. That show is how I made it through the week. Whatever day it came on.

And let's go way back to 2005 and that show with Geena Davis ... "Commander in Chief." Loved it! Okay, as a political science major, I couldn't stand the whole major crisis gets resolved in one hour, yet the backstabbing goes on for the whole season crap. I loved that an INDEPENDANT became President. I guess the show was a little too much of a threat to the Democrats and Republicans that the show had to be pulled. God forbid our people have a choice besides a Democrat or Republican for President.

Because it's not very nice to complain about the way things are and not offer a solution, let me say this: since all these old shows and movies are being re-made, can we bring back "A Different World?" Only, I want Jasmine Guy and Kadeem Hardison reprising their roles.

To sum it up, I will be watching "Desperate Houswives," "90210," "Grey's Anatomy," "The Office," and "Bones" this year. Assuming my shows make it, next year I will be down to probably two shows. Not to be negative, I just don't see "The Office" working out with me. (Sorry, James. I still heart you.)

Any suggestions to add to my schedule?

Gameday on the Plains

Well, it finally arrived. Gameday was here. Y'all, it's almost like Christmas down here. The past couple of years, I've had a Gameday Eve "Tailgate" at my apartment on Friday (hence, Gameday Eve). It's very casual, just swing by, hang out as long as you like, eat, whatever. This year, I so did not get it together enough to invite all my neighbors. Oops. :/

I would like to note that one of my Junior League friends came by and brought her three-year-old son. I had fun catching up with her and playing with her son. He fell asleep in the car on the way home. (So, I debate adding this part, since all my college age neighbors thought this sounded terrible, but as a post-college adult who has taken care of a lot of children, I use the "offensive" phrase all the time in this sense, but here goes: I say it isn't a party unless someone passes out. So, little one didn't pass out from drinking - there was no alcohol served until way after he left - but he was so worn out from a long day and all that playing at my place he "passed out." Party success!)

Andy finally got here around 8:30 and we hung out, drank, ate, watched the end of Little Miss Sunshine, and went to bed around 11:00.

The next morning was GAMEDAY!!! I've been waiting on this day since June. We got up bright and early at 7:00, I made breakfast, he cleaned up a little, and we got going. Andy's friend, Johnathan, from college came down and my friend James and some of his friends came down. I had met Johnathan years ago, before I got my first apartment down here, but we never crossed paths again until this weekend.

Johnathan, Me, and Andy before leaving for the game

We got to our seats, and, y'all, it was so exciting!!! Look at all that orange!

 

As part of some pre-game activities, we saw the final installment of where Aubie has been with the crystal football. Of course, he ended up on the field! You better believe I was screaming and about to cry like a girl at a Beatles concert back in the day. You can't see it in the picture, but Aubie's running around the field with the crystal football. I was too excited to remember to zoom.

I don't know how many Auburn fans are going to agree with me about this, but I had total confidence we were going to win the whole time (except for when we had about three minutes left, I got a bit panicked). So what if it was a close game and we trailed at times? Y'all, I love - LOVE - Gene Chizik. He has got that team under control and I have total faith in him. Had Tommy Tubberville been our coach, I feel like we definitely would have lost that game. To me, the game seemed to be evenly matched (just because we're playing a team we're supposed to beat doesn't mean they are a bad team), and I am really pleased with the way it panned out. We never got so far behind we couldn't catch up and at the very end, when it seemed like there was a chance we might actually lose, we got two touchdowns back to back and pulled out the win. If we had done that earlier, there's a good chance the other team would have scored on us again. We had to let them think they had the game, and then get 'em at the very end, when they didn't have time to beat us. Loved it!

While I'm on the subject, I have got to say how disgusted I am with some of the Auburn fans sitting around me. I think they must be converts because the way they talk about our team disgusts me. Saying things like, "Come on, Tigers, wake up," and exchanging looks that could easily say, "What a bunch of losers out there. I am so disgusted." That, y'all, is NOT being a good Auburn fan. Support your team!

Back to the weekend, after I got my shower, and we rested up a bit, we went to Amsterdam Cafe for dinner. A girl was selling feather hair extensions, so I got some more feathers in my hair. (Yay!) Dinner was heavenly. Filet, broccolini, Malbec. Nomnomnom. And for dessert, I had the chocolate cheesecake. More nomnomnom.

Johnathan headed back to the ATL and I went to bed early. Apparently, Andy stayed up and watched TV. When we got up the next morning, we had a little breakfast, got ready, went to Target and Kroger, and went to Amsterdam again, where else? I've been craving a turkey wrap for months, y'all. (Andy and I usually order a turkey wrap to go when we eat dinner there, but we were so stuffed we couldn't think of any more food on Saturday. The next morning all we could talk about was how I should have texted Levi, my old neighbor from back in the day, to send a couple of turkey wraps home with my new next door neighbor. Yes, nearly everyone in my Auburn life is connected to Amsterdam.)

It was a great weekend and I now have to get back to reality and prepare to work some today and tomorrow.



Why do I doula?

Towards the end of my blog hiatus, I began posting a series about my personal health care journey. I did it partly for me, to put all the pieces together, but I also did it because I've been nauseated for over four years and my doctors have no idea why. I'm not the only one this has ever happened to ... I googled it one night and found a discussion board about all these people who have been/are going through it too. I was doing it as a way to reach out to those who might have the same problem, and also as a hopeful thing, hoping someone had been through it too and got an answer that may be the answer for me.

Two years ago, I had surgery. My symptoms to that point were fatigue, nausea, malaise, and tenderness in random places all over my trunk. It affected my work so much I ended up quitting my jobs. I just couldn't fight it any more. I had also developed a rather distended upper abdomen. I couldn't wear a bra, I occasionally had difficulty breathing (due to the pressure), and I looked pregnant. I figured surgery couldn't hurt anything. I was so wrong.

Actually telling about my whole recovery is painful. Within the first two weeks, I had changed to a stronger pain medicine, gotten into a huge fight with my boyfriend (at the time), cried a ga-zillion times, been to the emergency room, had DISSOLVABLE stitches RIPPED from my body, found out my after care instructions were complete bullshit, got passed off between doctors, discovered I had a hole. In. My. Abdomen. Went for an emergency therapy appointment. Got the white gunk dug out of aforementioned hole, and was on my way to recovery.

Or so I thought. Within a couple of weeks, I started waking up between four and six in the morning about once a week with excruciating back pain. It feels like my muscles are contracting, they pull tighter and tighter inwards until after they can't get any tighter and they finally begin to release. There is tons of pressure with this, too. (Just out of curiosity, I timed it one time and it took 20 minutes.) This still happens from time to time. Now, when I wake up with the pressure, kind of uncomfortable feeling, I take a deep breath and brace myself mentally. Usually by relaxing the best I can when it starts, I can keep the pain from getting as bad as it can.

I also just haven't been "the same" since my surgery. I am even more fatigued, more tender, and now I have muscle and joint (and tendon) issues. I've noticed lately I've been a little better, but my stamina is nothing! Once the weather cools down, I'll know a lot more.

And, of course, I'm still nauseous. But, I can breathe. And wear a bra. The breathing part is wonderful, the bra part ... I was getting used to shelf bra camis and they were oh so comfy.

So, what does this have to do with becoming a doula? Giving birth has such a wonderful outcome (assuming everything goes well), why should a woman have to just go with whatever the doctors and nurses say and hope she doesn't have a bad experience? I'm not saying this happens in every case without a doula, and I'm not saying every case with a doula is all roses. I just think having an advocate and support person to help you during this journey can help the outcome be as best as possible. Like I said in doula training, I think everyone should have a "doula" for every medical experience.

What can I say?

It's been a while, y'all. Lots of changes are taking place :)

I guess I should start off with some 'splainin' as to why I took down all my old posts ... see, what had happened was I thought I was going to start a "lifestyle consulting" business, where I teach etiquette and advise on wardrobe, homemaking, and other lifestyle kinds of things. I'll admit I'm not the best at any of that, but I know what is appropriate and I'm a fountain of advice. What better name that Southern Like That for the business? So, I figured I would take down all my posts and start the lifestyle blog. That didn't happen. Not that it ever won't happen, it's just, well, kind of overwhelming. And I have had this other little project going on.

Last year, I spent the summer suffering from hyperthyroidism and tendinitis. My plan was to go to massage school, get my license, and start my massage therapy practice in Auburn. Well, my tendinitis didn't heal in time to start school and I desperately needed something to do. I considered going to cosmetology school because I love doing makeup, but that's a lot of money to spend to just do makeup. Don't get me wrong, I will cut and color your hair for you if you are a very dear friend, but I don't love doing it. What else do I love, know, and can feasibly do for work? Become an artist. I'm no fine artist by any means, but I'm rather crafty.

It got put on the back burner as life got complicated the past year, but, fortunately, I did do enough work on it here and there to have a (hopefully) fairly good plan in place. As of last week, I am the proud owner of my very own business, Queen B, named for my beloved cat, Boston GoGo. I plan on launching in the next few weeks, so stay tuned.

With the business, I began exploring what social networking sites I wanted to utilize to help me promote Queen B. I've been hearing a lot about Pinterest, and really wanted an account, but it didn't seem like the right thing to do with Queen B. It is a great way to promote my other favorite hobby, lifestyle. So, you can now follow me on Pinterest, SoLikeThat. (Southern Like That was too long. Boo!)

Another little thing that happened this summer was I finally began my doula certification. Why would a woman who has no desire to put her own self through pregnancy and who desperately wants to be a mother become a doula? That's a long story you can read on my doula blog (when I get it up and running). I'll probably do a post on it here, just because I also have a passion for health care advocacy.

So, y'all, that's what I have to say. It's been a long, hot summer, and I am ready for the greatest Southern pastime - FOOTBALL. War Eagle, y'all.

P.S. Maybe I'll get around to putting the old posts back up :)

Pirates, parrots, and a bar baby shower, oh my!

One of my favorite bartenders is having his first son and I was appointed to plan his baby shower. Scott is so excited about becoming a father and his new family that we thought he deserved a shower. Also, none of his co-workers were able to attend a traditionally-timed shower (weekend afternoon) because they work like crazy all weekend.

With about one week to plan, I had to work fast! Step 1: pick a theme. I chose pirate. It's cool. It's Jimmy Buffett-ish. It's good for a boy. We had a good time!

Since the Nana's crew is a fun-loving bunch of people, I went all out! We had pirate hats, crowns, inflatable swords, and a treasure chest, just to name a few things.

We had the shower on a Monday night while Scott was working so we could help him earn some extra tip money! (It was also the best night to get everyone to come.)

Shannon and I went to set up way before Scott got there so he would be surprised with the decorations and so we wouldn't have to work around customers later on.

I'm so embarrassed to admit this, but I must give credit where it is due: I let Scott's mother to do the food. I got the cake, but she offered to cook for the shindig, and I let her. Emily Post might be rolling over in her grave for that one, but I am eternally grateful! The spread was awesome and it allowed me and Shannon to pay closer attention to the other details.

Booty (gifts, for you non-pirate speakers)

Shannon and I left a note for Scott and stuck it to the bar mat with a knife.

Clearly, we were really into the pirate theme :)

Invitation

Instead of a guest book, I had treasure maps for everyone to write a message to the new family

Directions for "guest book"

Guest Chef at Rags'

Unlike so many people my age, I am skipping the 30x30. Instead, I am jumping on opportunities to do things I've always wanted to or just sound really cool.

Last fall, I was introduced to this little restaurant and bar in Lakeview (Birmingham). They do guest chef night from time to time and I finally got around to signing up in April.

Back in high school, I used to want to be a chef. Then I spent an entire day cooking for my friends and changed my mind. (LOL!) This was all about getting in an industrial kitchen and cooking for more people than I am comfortable with. I also got to do a little fundraiser for my favorite local charity, the 1917 Clinic.

I chose to make my go-to recipe of apple roasted pork tenderloin. Rags' donates a portion of the profits to a charity of the chef's choice, and I decided to donate $5 per plate served to the 1917 Clinic, as well.

Here, I have to thank everyone who supported me and the 1917 Clinic that night. Alan, who donated his own $5 because he wouldn't be able to attend, my mother, Gamma, Mrs. Graham, James, Michael,Debbie, William, Margaret, Meredith, Shannon, Dana, Melissa (who is a vegetarian and just skipped the pork), Laura, Ryke, Space, John Paul, Jordan (my brother, who came all the way from Montevallo), and everyone else I don't know who ordered the plate.

I'm really glad I decided not to pursue that career path, but I think a couple of times a year doing guest chef will satisfy me just fine!

28th Birthday Party!



On April 7, I turned 22 for the second time. (I actually turned 28 ... heehee). I celebrated with my friends on April 8, at Nana Funks, of course. I racked up on the wine (thank you, everyone!). It was such a special night and I am so thankful I got to visit with friends from many seasons of my life. Shannon did such a great job decorating. That part was so unexpected, and she went above and beyond!

I'm one of those people who likes to eat around 7 or 8, but Happy Hour (specifically, Friday Happy Hour) tends to get in the way of that. We have this group we call the "Friday Friends," so Fridays are THE social event of the week. All I wanted was to be able to eat dinner at Happy Hour, so I got a small catering order and a cake and we partied!

Before I go any further, I want to thank the Nana Funks staff! I hopped in real quick on my actual birthday and Ryke had bought me a glass of wine, and Ricky wished me a happy birthday as he was leaving and I was coming in. Like I said, Shannon did a great job of decorating. (She even got me a special balloon with a sweet dog on it because I have been wanting a dog.) Melissa and Stephanie actually took time away from their evening (when I assume they are getting in a good nap before they have to be at work later on to work all night) to make appearances. And Troy and Dustin also made a point to wish me a happy birthday. It was very special that everyone acknowledged my special day and I hope to never forget it! After all, how many times does a girl turn 22? We'll find out ... (LOL). Also, Scott gave me some glasses of wine the next Monday when I saw him. If you're looking for a bar in Birmingham, make friends with Nana Funks! They are a great group of people!

One more highlight I don't want to forget is dancing with the Space-man to "No Sugar Tonight." Time of my life!

Now, on to the pictures. Please excuse my purple lips (and probably teeth!). I was having too much fun to bother with keeping that under control :)

Shannon wrote this sweet sign for me

Me and Brother (Jordan)

Me and Melissa - best girlfriend from high school! We have very few pictures together and rarely get to hang out.

The Cake - I decided to turn 22 again!

Full view of The Cake - from Savage's, of course!

Me, Laura, and Melissa

Me and someone who probably wishes to remain anonymous

Me and The Debbie - my best bar friend!

Jessica, Me, Keri D., and Sara

Me and Space - my favorite ex-boyfriend

Meredith, Me, and Margaret - my favorite Auburn fans!

Me and Stephanie

Food!

Decorations - Shannon did such a great job :)

A wonderful bottle of wine from my anonymous (Alabama fan) friend. I love how he wraps a present!