My Dreams are Coming True

Today Widespread Panic made an announcement, and it made me think I had died and gone to heaven.That's right! They are teaming up with the Allman Brothers for a 9 city tour. Here is a list of the shows.

We will be going to Nashville, for sure, and Chicago or Charlotte. Maybe my sweetest husband will surprise me and say we can go to Chicago and Charlotte.

I finally know what people mean when they say they feel high on life. Or maybe that's just anticipating being high.

Gap Dress and Invitation Etiquette

The dress I order from The Gap just got delivered, and I think it's pretty cute. I'm going to try it on for Greg later to get a second opinion. I'll report back what he thought, and if it had any bearing on my opinion of the dress. He says that I usually do the opposite of whatever his opinion is on fashion and decorating, and he's right. Not intentionally. It just happens that way:)

I haven't really talked about this yet, but I'm in my friend Jessica'a wedding in June. I've been waiting until she sign's up to follow, so I can introduce her and discuss her upcoming nuptials. She hasn't yet though, and something has come up in the planning that I would love to have some more opinions on.

I am planning her lingerie shower/bachelorette party for the end of May ( I'm very excited to be doing this since planing a fun night out is my forte and I'm so honored she asked me to be a bridesmaid). This week I got her guest list from her and finalized the details with her. I was planning to order the invitations this week so I could be sure to get them out at least five weeks before the party.

Today her maid of honor, who I don't know well at all, told her that was too early to send out the invites. She said she was sending out the invitations to the bridal shower brunch that she's throwing 2 weeks before hand.

I've always sent out invites at least four weeks before if all guests are in town, and six weeks if any guest are traveling in town. This girl works for a printing company so maybe I'm wrong, but to get an invite two weeks before an event would be strange to me. Or have I been showing poor etiquette by sending invites too early?

It's not my reputation if she's wrong, but a lot of Jess's fiance's family are going to be invited to the brunch. I don't want something that is out of her control to make a bad impression.

What do y'all think?

"You Tube Tuesday"

Manbabies - watch more funny videos

Music

I picked up the new Jason Mraz album We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. yesterday. I figured I should familiarize myself with some more of his music since he opening for Dave next month. I really already like the track "I'm Yours" off  of it ( obviously since it is on my blog play list). I thought the rest of his songs would be more like Jack Johnson ( singer, song writery), but his song writing skills are not nearly as strong as Jack's. I'm going to listen to it a few more times, and maybe it will grow on me.

Heads up! Dirty Dozen Brass Band  is playing at the High Tone this Thursday (4/2). They are a great band out of New Orleans. I can't make it out on a Thursday anymore, but those who still have some youth and/or energy  should go. Here's a video of them performing at Bonnoroo (2002):

Boom Box is going to be at Newby's this Saturday (4/4). I saw them the last time they were here, and they were pretty. The band consist of a DJ and a guitarist, but that is kind of an over simplified description. To me there music is a fusion of techno, jam, funk, and whatever. For just two guys there is all kinds of stuff going on all over the stage. It's entertaining  and something a little different. Here they are at Newby's in '07:

I hope someone goes to at least one of these shows and can report back to me how they were. I need to live vicariously through y'all since I'm not going out the next three weeks ( hopefully!). 

Weekend Ending

So I thought I would write a quick post about my low key weekend. 

I have been having allergy issues since Wednesday. I don't know if I've mentioned on here, but I try to avoid taking any western medication because of the funky chemicals and side affects ( but I'll smoke cigarettes when I drink? DUH!). My spiny nettles and MSM powder are not doing a very good job of keeping the sneezing, scratchy throat, and stuffy head at bay. It probably didn't help that my salon kept the front doors open all week to enjoy the nice weather. Maybe I should have asked them to close the doors when I saw a layer of yellow-green film on my station, but it was so nice and springy outside.

So due to allergy illness and the past two weekends being blow outs, we decided to not do much this weekend. 

Friday night we did go to my parents for some family time since my grandmother was in town from Jackson. This made my allergies worse since my mom and step-dad are the last people on the planet to smoke inside their house, but it was worth it to hang out with my cool Grandma Almeda.

Saturday I tried to keep the snot from dripping from my nose into my clients' hair. After work I came home and watched TV in bed. 

I've had an excuse to go directly to bed to do my TV watching because our three year old (warranty runs out after two) plasma in the living room  decided to turn half of the screen into a rainbow. I personally think rainbows are quite lovely, but Greg was not happy when he tried to turn the basketball tournament on to watch the UofM Tigers and saw the rainbow instead. He's suppose to be taking it in to see how many hundreds of dollars it will be to get it fixed, or if we're better of just buying a new one. It's perfectly reasonable to spend thousands on TVs every three years , right?

Along with my TV watching I've also been reading this book:

I got this on the recommendation of another blogger, and because I normally love Southern humor writing from women authors. I though that it was going to be similar to " The Sweet Potato Queen" series, but it wasn't nearly as good. My opinion could also partly be because the last books I read were the literary crack series Twilight. What book could follow what is basically teenage, supernatural, romance novels? 

So now I'm reading  sTori Telling. I'm only a chapter in, but it already seems way more promising. I've always liked Tori Spelling even though she is the butt of many jokes.  I really liked her show on Oxygen about her little family and their inn, and the second season about her pregnancy and moving back to L.A. . I wonder if they are doing another season of it.

I also got book by the blogger Jen Lancaster, Bitter is the New Black. I decided after the first chapter that I didn't care for it at all. The Barnes and Nobel return policy states that they give refunds for unread books. Does it count if you just read one chapter? Oh well I'm going to try to return it anyway. I am after all my mothers daughter, a women who could get a refund for a used box of tissues and a discount on anything. {side note: She took Greg shopping one time at Outdoors and got a 15% BoyScout discount because she was once a GirlScout leader and surely they didn't want to be sexist. I hadn't warned Greg about her shopping tactics before hand. Sometimes it's a little embarrassing in the moment, but hey if it saves you some cash, so what!}

Today I got out to do little shopping. I went all the way out to Wolfchase Mall to go the Gap. I can practically see the Oak Court Mall form the end of my street, but their Gap is tiny and never has all the stuff I see online. I also like the big Old Navy out there. 

Old Navy had nothing to speak of, but the Gap trip was somewhat successful. This is the dress that I originally saw online and wanted to try on. They had it in my size in this color, and it fit pretty well. The color looked very different in person. Online it looked coral, but it actually is much more orange. This color may have looked alright once I had gotten some sun, but it looked not good right now. 

So I got them to order this cocoa color form another store. I did that instead of ordering it from online because I had 20% off coupon for doing one of those surveys you get with your receipt, and you can't use those with online purchases. My mom should be so proud of me. Also the shipping is a whole dollar cheaper than online (WOW).  I'm planning on wearing this to Greg's graduation in May. I might also wear it to one of the showers or the casual rehearsal dinner of my friend Jessica, whose wedding I will be in this June. Now I need to find the perfect pair of espadrilles for the outfit.

I also got these shorts the other day from the Gap, but they look way cuter on me than they do on this girl. On me they don't looked nearly as tight ( especially on the legs), high "mom waisted", or like at the right angle you could see camel toe. Bad photo shoot Gap!

I plan on being fairly boring the next few weeks. I'd like to not go out any until we go Dave Matthews in Nashville on the 25th. Like I mentioned earlier I smoke when I drink ( cough, cough; excuse me) and only when I drink, but I'm finally ready to totally quit for the first time. In the past I've just chalked it up to a vise I enjoy on occasion, but now I see it as the nasty, smelly, unhealthy, aging habit it is. So I thought a few weeks with no adult beverages will help break the habit. I swear sometimes that quitting smoking is easier for people with an addiction to than for people with a social habit of it, like me.

Also a few weeks of not going out will make it easier to get back to going to the gym and eating better again. I've had a tough time with it since my birthday weekend. Drinking like that makes me lazy and want to eat everything in site. 

I do plan on starting to plant some stuff hopefully soon. I'll post some pictures of what I plant as soon as I do. I vow to water all flowers better this year. I am after all almost 30, and if I don't start to become a better gardener they'll revoke my membership to Southern womanhood. By the time my mother was my age her rose garden produced enough blooms to keep our entire house in fresh flowers. I still have trouble keeping my impatients alive for the whole summer.

Well so much for a quick post. Sorry I seem to ramble a bit on here a lot!

Butt Dialing

I'm horrified that I will accidentally call someone from my cell now that I don't have a flip phone anymore. Anytime I'm having a "bless her/his heart conversation " I have to check that my phone is not communicating without my knowledge. By the way I would never say anything ill about anyone who is reading this.

Well this morning I awoke to a missed call from my hubby's friend. This is highly unusual so I immediately checked my voice mail.  Instantly I realized that his friend, who will remain nameless, had butt dialed me. I got to be privy to an all boy conversation without their knowing.

He was leaving dinner or a bar with several other boys. I could tell drinks were involved. They proceeded to rate an unsuspecting girl from the bar/restaurant. 

An unidentified boy said she was capable of going home with him even though she was "middle range".  He said " You never go for the top or the bottom."

My husband's friend then said that he'd "rather go home was his beautiful hand than anything but the top".

This is pretty much exactly how  I thought boys talked without a girl around to hear them.

The funny thing is that the "middle range" girl probably had no interest in or even noticed any of them!

Even though they weren't gossiping about a person they knew ( that would be much more an all girl conversation), this incident confirmed my fears of butt dialing. I will either be doubling up on checking my phone when I'm talking about someone, or maybe I should just pony up the money for a new flip phone.

Thanks Tay

My cousin Taylor finally decided to sign up as a follower. I know you've been reading over Agnes's shoulder for weeks. Thanks for signing up!

Taylor is about six months younger than me. That means that he is just enough younger to have gotten tortured by me growing up. I used to make him play Barbies with me every time he came over, but I at least let him be Ken, most of the time. I figure it evens out since I spent a good bit of time at his baseball games in the summers, even though I already had developed my dislike of all things sports.

Now he's married to a great girl, Agnes, and he has a year old little boy, Andrew ( see post " Andrew's 1st Birthday Party" ). It's really strange that he's aloud to be some body's Dad, but he is a great one. Every time I'm around Tay I remember how funny he is and think how we should hang out more often. Unfortunately we are all busy and time gets away from us.

Let's make a point to get together soon. Also give me a call because I lost y'all's numbers in the " drowned phone in bathtub" incident. I would love to give Andrew is first haircut soon.

Taylor and Agnes at our old house for Greg 70's themed surprise b-day party

Agnes and Taylor in normal clothing at Automatic Slims several years ago for my b-day

"You Tube Tuesday"

Thanks Megan

I just wanted to write a little something thanking Megan from Pretty in Pink Megan for signing up to follow my blog. Megan's blog is precious! She's a fellow Memphis blogger who talks about her life, upcoming nuptials, and fashion admiration. Check it out!

My First Tag!

Brenn from Where Preppy meets Hippie sent me a "tag". I have to list seven things I love and then tag seven blogs I love. In no particular order here goes:

1. Greg- I love Greg because he always what I need even if it's not what I want. He is supportive when I need him, but he also calls me on my bullshit when I'm being a B. All of us girls have dated guys that kiss our asses. That was great for me for about a week, but then it got kind of pathetic. Greg is my equal and challenges me. That might not be right for everyone, but I think we're matched pretty perfectly. Also we have common interest like music and stoner movies. And we laugh together more than we fight. Everyone whose been married a while knows that is happiness.
2. Daisy- I love Daisy because she is preparing me if I have a daughter. She is sassy, bratty, and stubborn, but she's so pretty you can't help love her. I imagine if I have a little girl that's about how she would be.
3. Mom- I love my mom because she is a very strong women and loves me completely unconditionally. She's there for me anytime I need her whether it's dog sitting, altering clothes last minute, or being my friend. She had me at a very young age but made sure that my experience growing up wasn't any different than any of the other kids around. I didn't even realize how unusual her age really was until about the last 5 years. I always remember that she was prettier than the other moms, but she would have been no matter her age. When she was my age she had a 14 year old. I could never do that, but she did it and made it look easy.
4. My Friends- I feel like so many of my friends are really different from each other. I'm glad that each of them are in my lives, and I need each of them in different ways. I hope that I can be as good a friend to them as they all are to me.
5. A Zoo Day- I love going to The Memphis Zoo on a sunny day. Many years ago when I was a teen they started renovating it to have more natural habitats for the animals. It really makes a big difference! There are still some projects left, but  I think it's one the best around. Greg knows if he wants to put a smile on my face, he can just take me to the zoo.
6. My Disco- I love my big, honkin' car! It's the second Discovery I've had so it has sort of become my signature vehicle. It gets terrible gas mileage, is bad for the environment, and is a fortune to maintain, but I love it! It is the perfect balance between luxury and utility. It has seat warmers and two sunroofs, but I can throw the dog in the back all muddy without being worried she''ll mess something up. It is a '04, the last year that Land Rover made them ( tear), so it's already five years old. I have no desire to get a new car. I'm going to drive it until I'm holding the steering wheel with the rest car on the ground smoking all cartoon style. I've surprisingly never named my car. I guess that's something people normally do with older cars. Maybe i should post some photos of it and have a contest to name it.
7. Memories- Nobody can take them from you! Times change, we change, other people change, but your memories are constant. I have been blessed with an incredible memory. When recalling someone, something, or sometime, I remember sights, sounds, smells, feelings. I can remember things from about the time I was just under two. I know that sounds crazy, but I've always been able to describe to my mom exactly things that happened around that time just as she remember them too. My husband now hates my long memory, but hopefully one day when we're old I be able to vividly describe a forgotten, special time from our past well enough that he'll be able to recall it too.

So now I tag:

1. Ashely - The Miskels
2. Pretty in Pink Megan
3. Shelby- Shelby Under The Turtle Moon
4. Emily- Life As I Know It From Memphis
5. Pink Julep
6. Kembree- Persian Pit Bull
7. Not the Jones Family ( hoping this will make Steph create her first post already)

Steph's Big Night out

As I mentioned in my last post, my friend Stephanie is in town from D.C. . She knew that she wanted to take advantage of having a night of child care from her mom, so we planned a night out for her.

We met up at Old Venice Pizza Company for dinner and drinks. Then we came back to my house for a Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka drink. After we finished our cocktail my super sweet husband dropped us off downtown so we didn't have to pay cab fare. He indured our loud singing of Fergie and Pussycat Dolls ( Thanks Greg). 

Downtown we went to Silly Goose , where Jamie ( one of my followers) and her husband Chris met up with us, for a few more pre-dancing drinks. Second weekend in a row that I've been there. For those of in Memphis that haven't been, go. Everyone there is super nice! Anyplace that gives me free shots is great in my book.

Jamie and Chris at Silly Goose

By then we were ready to head over to Raiford's. I must explain what Raiford's is for those of you that have never been. It's a "Hollywood Disco" that consists of a shotgun shack house that  has been converted into a club. It's owned by a real life ex-pimp. There is shag green carpet, some mirrored walls, some walls with glow-in-the-dark hand prints, smoke machines, disco balls, black lights, and a light up Michael Jackson "Billy Jean" dance floor. They only serve forty's of beer to drink. They play a lot of Prince, old school Michael Jackson, and some new fun dance music, with sound effects mixed in. It's a one of a kind place. 

After a little dancing the girls were fading. I on the other hand had been drinking Red Bull and vodkas and was super hyper. After I threw a bit of a bitch fit they got me into the cab. SORRY GIRLS! I'm pretty bratty sometimes, and my friend Steph has such paitence with me. 

I had such I fun night, and I wish Stephanie still lived here so I could see her more often and watch Jaymeson grow up. Unfortunately though, the older I'm getting the more life is changing and the harder it is to spend the time you want with the people you care about. 

Stephanie and Me

Step I can't wait until May to see you guys again!

Can't Wait To Meet Jaymeson

My friend Stephanie is coming in town from DC tomorrow, and I finally get to meet her little girl Jaymeson. I'm sad that I'm just now getting to meet her for the first time because she's already 3 months old, and Steph says that she's already changed so much. Better at 3 months than 6 or a year though. 

I actually am doing Steph's hair tomorrow, so I'm also glad I'll have her to myself for a whole tow hours! I hate how when people have babies everyone forgets about the parents. I promise, Steph,  I'm going to give you the attention you deserve, but it's going to be hard with this little cutie around!

Dinstuhl's Chocolate Covered Strawberries

I almost forgot to mention another wonderful birthday treat Greg got for me on Saturday. The best sweet thing  on this planet, chocolate covered strawberries from Dinstuhl's!

If you don't know, Dinstuhl's is a local candy company/ chocolate maker. They make delights such as mallo hash, divinity, and pecan (pee - can) fudge. But the most delightful concoction comes in the spring.

 As soon as our strawberries become ripe, sweet, and juicy they cover them in fondant and dip them in milk chocolate. This makes the juiciest sweet thing you'll ever put in your mouth. It's kinda like a chocolate covered cherry with all the syrup inside, but instead of cheap syrup it's the perfect blend of sugar and the strawberry's own juices. They must be eaten standing over the sink, and within a short amount of time due to expiration date ( DARN!).

If you can get to a Dinstuhl's while they are in season , then do! Go now and go often! If you can't, then just drool over this picture and that's more for me.

Here's the website info: http://www.dinstuhls.com/

Thanks Brenn

So at this point I'm sure everyone can tell how excited I get when I log onto my blog, and I see that I have a new follower. Since this brings me so much joy it's only fair that I thank those who make my days a little more special.

Brenn from Boston just signed up. YAY! Her blog " Where Preppy meets Hippie" is super cute! Any of my friends could tell, just by the title, that I of course would love it because that pretty much sums up my personal style and life philosophy in general. She also has a fiance that loves jam bands and the Republican party ( I might need to check if  my Greg is actually trying to start another family in Bean town). From reading her blog so far I'm getting an eerie " Parent Trap" feeling that I may have been a twin separated at birth.

Anyways, check out her blog when you get a chance: http://preppyblackgirlmeetshippiewhiteboy.blogspot.com/

Thanks, Brenn, for signing up for my blog! I hope you enjoy what you see, and I look forward to reading yours.

HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY

May good luck

 be with you

wherever you go,

and your blessings

outnumber the

Shamrocks that grow

"You Tube'" Tuesday

Evan & Gareth - Evan Meets a Leprechaun - watch more funny videos

The State I Was In During The Wee Hours Of Sunday Morning

This is pretty much exactly the conversation Greg and our friend Shane had to have with me on the way home from downtown Sunday morning.

Especially the lines: " I don't feel tired" and " Why is this happening to me?"

Thanks guys for baby sitting me!

Birthday Weekend Over, Thank God!

Sorry I'm just now posting about the birthday weekend, It almost killed me!

Friday night we had a great time with my dad and step-mom. We ate dinner at Pearl's Oyster house downtown. We had some of the best raw oysters I've ever had, including the many times I've eaten them in New Orleans. They were the perfect size and silky and creamy. I love Pearl's!

Then we all went down to the Silly Goose ( the new bar where Swig used to be). It was pretty cool. Apparently they are a scotch bar, but I stuck to my Hanger One lime/water. 

Then we stumbled down to The Flying Saucer. That is Dad and Cassie's place. They each have a "Ring of Honor" plate at the location by their house out east, and they're working on their second way through the beers. We stayed for bit doing some very interesting people watching and then came home about midnight.

Here's a photo of Dad and Cassie at The Saucer. Thanks for the great night out! ( Funny side note: My dad's name is Greg like my husbands. Since I kept my last name when I married people are constantly assuming that my husband's last name in Mangrum. So they call my husband Greg Mangrum, my dad's name. It creeps me out every time!)

Saturday I woke up feeling less than tip top because I had more fun than I had planned to on Friday night. I had to skip the gym to keep from yacking, but made it through the rest of my previously posted schedule. 

Saturday night was super fun. We meet up at Grisanti's for drinks. They brought me out some delicious gelato with a candle in it. Heres a shot of Ashley, her husband Mike and I at the bar.

 Then we went down to Club Shadows. They were so great! They gave us the VIP section even though it was last minute. Thanks Thang ( DJ, coordinator)! We danced and had great time. I'm not posting anymore photos from the rest of the evening because I start to look increasingly worse and worse as the night went on. The next morning I woke up with a twisted ankle and faux lashes on only one eye.

Thanks everyone who came out to celebrate my b-day. I had a great time and appreciate everyone who made it so special! 

Having said that, I'm glad it's over! Tomorrow I'm getting back to the gym and eating good again ( I've had pizza, chocolate, cookies, a entire Perkin's tremendous twelve, chips, and too much alcohol to count over the last 3 days).

It's funny how when I haven't done anything fun and wild in a while I start to feel like my life is boring. Then I have a weekend like this and I start to appreciate the peacefulness and routine of my normal life.

Thanks Tres

My cousin Tres is now following the blog. Thanks for signing up!

Growing up I spent a good bit of time in the summers with Tres and his younger brother Taylor. We all went to summer camp together every year, hung out skiing and playing at our Grandparents' cabin on Pickwick Lake, and building Lego worlds at our their house in town. Not having older siblings Tres was as close as I had to a big brother. He would tease me when I had a crush on a boy at camp, and was protective a few years later when boys started having crushes on me at camp.

He's also always been super smart. He would actually sit down read a whole volumes of the encyclpoedia when we were kids. He taught himself to play guitar just by listening to songs. And though our musical taste differed way back when ( he liked metal, I liked NKOTB and Vanilla Ice), we actually both ended up loving the The Allman Brothers and The Beatles.

Now he's all grown up with a sweet wife, Stephanie, and two cute, little boys, Brooks and Brady. I can't believe that we're all adults now. I have some really great childhood memories with Tres and Tay and want to say thanks for putting up with your annoying, prissy, spoiled brat cousin. I know it couldn't have been easy!


Here's a shot of Tres sometime in the 80's featuring one of his now infamous mullets. This one even has the sides shaved.

Though you may have had some scary hair, you've always been one of the kindest hearted people I've ever known!

Thanks Chris J

I've been meaning to write a post for a week to thank Chris J for signing up to follow the blog. Chris, Greg, and I started a little club a few years ago for people afflicted with the condition of lacking a posterior. We called it the N.A.C. ( No Asses Club). We had to disband the club because there was fitting amongst the group. We could not peacefully decide who should hold what office. Anyone who has ever seen me from behind would agree that I definitely should have been president! Chris if you're ready to concede that I truly have the least amount of ass than I will be willing to reinstate your membership. You will also have to do a minimum of ten hours community service with our new side organization Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Little Asses of America.

I Lost All My Phone Numbers

This post is for my IRL friends and family.

Yesterday I drowned my phone in the bathtub. All my numbers were saved to my phone instead of the sim card, so I don't have anyone's number. Please text me your number when you get a chance. Thanks!

"You'd Be Surprised How Much It Cost To Look This Cheap"

That line is a quote from the amazing Dolly Parton.  She has always been one of my favorite celebrities. I have loved the movie "9 to 5" since I was a little girl, and then after I grew up  I felt a connection to her on account of us both being quite busty. That line came to mind when I decided to write a post about how much goes into getting ready for a big night out for me.

My preparations for Saturday night have already begun. Weeks ago I had already decided what I was wearing. Then something happened to my dress which meant last Saturday I had to go shopping for something new. That caused me great stress because trying to find something only a week ahead of time seemed very last minute to me. Luckily I found a great replacement outfit that ended up not costing me a fortune ( usually last minute outfits are expensive), and the pieces are very versatile on their own. 

Then of course we know about my diet and exercise goal I set to look svelte tomorrow night. I just weighed myself, and I'm glad to report that as of a few minute ago I actually lost eight pounds since that post on March 2nd. I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand I'm super excited I can still drop some weight easily and fast at 29, but on the other hand that makes my normal behavior of pigging out on 3,000 calories in day, eating sweets daily, and then whining about not looking like I used to seem really pathetic and lazy. So I'm going to continue my recent, productive behavior ( with the exception of a few previously planned drinking nights) and see what happens. Who knows, maybe by Dave next month I'll have vanished completely. One could only hope!

Yesterday the preparation continued with the lovely Shelby doing a beautiful job coloring my hair. I must at all times keep up the illusion that I have stayed as blonde as I was at three. If anyone challenges this fact I can just say something dumb and their doubts that I'm truly blonde subside. So if you ever hear something less than genius come from my lips, just know it's all part of the deception. This also should explain all misspelled words, poor punctuation, and improper grammar present in any of my post.

This afternoon I have an appointment to see Brandy at Estetiques for my spray tan. I recently have started to enjoy my paler winter skin, but when it comes to exposing a lot of leg tan wins out. In the color formula she uses on me there is a dark, temporary bronzer, and I can't shower it off for 12 hours. This should explain any pictures posted from dinner this evening of me looking Latin.

Tomorrow things really get hectic. This is about how my day should go:

• wake up, go to the gym for final calorie burn session
• home for a quick bath
• 11 am colonic in G' Town ( removal of Pearl's Oyster House meal)
• manicure only appointment ( no pedicure required since Arctic weather prohibits showing toes)
• mess up at least one nail when getting into car, go back for re-touch
• come home to hopefully rest for about an hour ( more likely 15 minutes after picking up around the house for 45)
• pop in teeth bleaching trays
•  bath, apply hair gloss treatment,  shave, dry my hair, partially apply make-up
  
• don snow suit to keep just shaved legs warm
• remove bleaching trays
• go to Oak Court Mac counter for faux eyelash application
• get in argument with Mac make-up artist because I don't want their clown make-up technique make over
• come home re-shave legs ( due to unavoidable 2" hair growth in Arctic weather), flat iron hair, finish make-up
• get dressed in smokin' hot outfit ( when I tried it on for my husband last week he propositioned me)
• accessorize, change mind, re-accessorize, change mind, re-accessorize
• transfer handbag items, cram too much stuff into tiny going-out handbag
• make drink ( Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka to get back to my Southern roots)
• Rush out the door

The whole time fielding calls and text about final plans, what I'm wearing, friends wardrobe crises, last minute cancellations excuses, etc.

I'm curious if other girls have this same regime for preparing for a night out. This is not just because the evening is about me either. If this was a friends birthday, bachelorette party, or whatever I would be doing the same thing. I know my friend Ashley has the same ridiculous routine, but do any of the rest of participate in this kind of craziness?

I know no boys do because I live with one. This is how tomorrow will go for Greg:

• wake up sit around watching TV and messing around on the computer ( he does deserve it though while he's on Spring Break)
• leave dishes, used tissues ( he has terrible allergies), and all kinds of crap laying around the just cleaned house
• start drinking beer about 2 hours before we leave ( causing me a heart attack thinking he's going to be drunk and sleepy by 11pm)
• getting in argument with me that he won't be drunk and sleepy by 11pm
• falling asleep on the couch because while he may not have gotten drunk, he consumed enough alcohol to get sleepy
• getting up to get ready about 15 minutes before we're suppose to leave
• coming into my bathroom about 10-15 times to ask me annoying questions like: what to wear, who all is coming, when are they coming, when did I talk to them, now what exactly are we doing, why are we doing that, when are we doing that, why are you getting mad at me, etc..... All while I'm in a mad dash running around with one shoe on  looking for a lost earring and lost mind
• And then stand around staring at me with the "we're late look" like I've been sitting around with my thumb up my ass ( pardon my french)  instead what of actually been doing, getting ready FOR SEVEN DAYS!

So when you see me Saturday night or see the photos on my blog from Saturday night remember to complement me. Like Dolly says it does cost a lot to look this cheap, but it also takes A LOT of time and energy.

 Now do you see why birthdays always make us sick?

How My Birthday Went

Yesterday was pretty fun. I actually enjoyed working on my birthday. I didn't relieve all the extra attention I would get. When I got there everyone had put a pretty hydrangea and yellow bell on my station, and a card they had all signed. It was really sweet.

The cold, gloomy day was a bit of a bummer, but it didn't bother me as much as I thought it was going to. At least the rain held off until today.

Last night Greg took me to Mexicana Deli for fish tacos. I'm obviously a cheap date, but their fish tacos are out this world and some what healthy. It was delicious and a fun, laid back night night.

Thank you to everyone who commented with happy birthday wishes. Those really helped to make my day special. So did all texts, phone calls, voice mails, and cards. I really appreciate all my friends and family. Last year I kind of ignored my birthday, but this year I remembered how much I love March 11th with everyone being so great.

So I was going to show everyone what gifts I got so far:

1. A beautiful bouquet of flowers from my friend Shelby. They made inside look colorful and springy, even if it didn't outside.
    
2. A fun, summer weight, tie dyed scarf from the Flemings. They are a family of some of my favorite people who are also my clients.
   
3. A cool fringy bag from my Mom and Jay. It's a cross body strap that will be perfect for concerts, festivals, or anywhere else this spring and summer. It is real suede, but I promise I only allow myself a few animal skin pieces a year ( never fur). This is the first time they're seeing it because my Mom always gives me cash to get something I want. That way she always gets me the perfect gift. 
   
4. From Greg I got the ray-ban, aviator sunglasses from my "Things I want cont..." post. I love them! 
   And the best gift of all Dave Matthews Band tickets for April 25th at Vanderbilt Stadium. I can't wait!
   The clues were obviously irrelevant and just to throw me off. He knows me so well. I always think I want to know the surprise but always get disappointed when I ruin it. Thanks Greg! They're perfect gifts. 

Thank you everyone for my gifts so far!

Also yesterday the J Crew shorts from my "Things I Want" post arrived. They're are even better than pictured. I wonder if J Crew and UPS made it a point to deliver them on my b-day.

There will be more to come on the subject of my b-day since my birthweek is not yet over. Tomorrow my Dad and Cassie are taking us to Pearl's Oyster House ( the alcohol ban ends). And of course the big night out Saturday night. 

Thanks again to everyone who helped to make my special day so special!

Happy Birthday To Me!

My birthday is finally here. I'm so ditsy that for the last week I've been walking around thinking I'm turning 30 instead of 29. I forgot how old I am! Duh!

It's almost like today is not really my birthday because I'm going to work. I usually don't work on my b-day, but this year I decided to take of Saturday instead. That way I can spend all day Saturday getting ready so I can look uber hot when we go out that night.

Also it hardly ever rains on my birthday, but this year it is obviously going to be a ugly day. YUCK!

Here's a video I think is funny to cheer us all up a little on this dreary day:

Take on Me: Literal Video Version - watch more funny videos

I'll report back later how my day was.

Thanks Ashley

We have another Ashley following now. This Ashley was my inspiration for starting my blog. We graduated together and recently had our high school reunion. On the reunion site, with her updated information, was a link to her blog. I clicked on it and was instantly hooked. I thought it was so cute and a great way to document your life and thoughts.

Ashley actually has three blogs. One is about her family, one to promote her party concept business, and a new one about shopping. Check 'em out!

Thanks Ashley for singing up to follow and for having such a cute blog that it inspired me to do something I'm really enjoying.
Also your son is adorable!

"You Tube" Tuesday

Congratulations Greg

Greg got his grades yesterday from his last mini semester ( he does accelerated 8 week semesters), and he got all A's again. He thinks now he will graduate from CBU in May with a 4.0,  no problem. I'm so proud of you! I can't wait until May when we can have a normal life again and no longer be poor. It's really expensive to have a kid a college when you're in your 20's and 30's!

The Allman Brothers Band For Shelby

My friend Shelby told me "all the music on my on my player sucked", so I've added a The Allman Bothers' song "Soulshine" for her. Your welcome Shelb! 

Listening to The Allman Brothers' songs reminded me how much I think the intro to their song "Jessica" sounds like a sped up, twangy version of the Peanuts song. Listen for yourself and decide.

Maybe I just decided that one day in an altered state of mind, but now I hear it every time I listen to that song.

Shelby also was asking if she could get an e-mail update when I make a new post. I looked to see that there is a setting to do that. I went ahead and signed some you up for this. If you would rather not get e-mail updates let me know, and I'll remove your e-mail. Anyone who wants to be added let me know. Your e-mail is kept private!

My Birthday Gift From Greg

Greg told me the Sunday that he already bought my birthday gift. This was a surprise to me since we don't usually exchange gifts for our b-days. Normally we just give another a fun night out, or Greg took me to New Orleans for my 25th, my favorite gift so far. 

So now I'm trying to figure out what he got me. I asked some questions to try to figure it out. Here's what i know so far:

1. It's not for the house
2. It's not something I would wear
3. It's not an Ipod ( I lost mine at the gym but don't really miss it too much)
4. It's not something to do, an activity
5. It's not expensive ( at or under $200)
   

I get a hint a day for the next two days. I'm stumped on what else to ask. Help me by posting what other questions to ask. I'll ask whatever question I think will get me the best hint, then   I'll post the question, answer, and who's question it was. Thanks for your help!

Meet Ashley

Finally Ashley, one of my besties, signed up to follow. Thanks Ash. We have been friends since about the 10th grade. We've been through some times together, good and bad. I'm glad to know we're in each other's corner.

This is us at Ashley's wedding reception. She had a beautiful, fancy wedding, and her dress with its sweetheart neckline was breath taking.

This is us in New Orleans being silly. (I do have on a top, promise)

We may not get to talk or see each other as often as we'd like, but I still luv ya bitch!

Who Was Your Favorite New Kid?

That last post got me thinking of how much I loved Joey and Jordan from The New Kids on the Block. I switched back and forth between which one was my favorite. Which New Kid was your favorite? What New Kids items and memorabilia did you have? Please fell free to share any other New Kids stories with us.

Thanks Ang

Just wanted to tell my Aunt Angie thanks for signing up to follow. She was my cool aunt that would have my friend and me over to watch New Kid on the Block concerts she ordered for us on pay per view. She also got me a huge N.K.O.T.B memorabilia book with photos, interviews, and facts about the boys. Luckily I grew out of my love for them, but still love those memories. Thanks for that Ang!
Here is a photo of Angie from the 80's taken Christmas Eve at Granny and Grandaddy Bate's house.

First Birthday Gift

Yesterday was the beginning of my birthweek, and today I received my first gift, new TV shows. I looked on the guide to see it lit up in red (  red highlighted shows are the ones I have set to record). The Monday shows I watch that are new tonight are: Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, Rules of Engagement , CSI:Miami, House, Heroes, Medium, The City. Can you believe those are just my Monday shows? Did I mention that I have a television addiction? 

COMMENT!

OK  I just wanted to convey that it's not very fun to post when no one comments! So I've decided to take measures to insure I get more comments.

Leave a comment or the kitty will get it!

Andrew's 1st Birthday Party

Today went went to my cousins Taylor and Agnes's house for their son Andrew's 1st birthday party. They used a cute March Madness basketball theme for the invitations and decorations. Taylor grilled some hamburgers and hot dogs and also a few veggie burgers (THANKS!). Here are some shots of Andrew eating his personal cake.




Agnes is a great mom that really values healthy eating, so she made Andrew's cake with whole wheat flour, carrots, raisins, and apple juice to sweeten it. If your kids don't get artificial flavoring and sugar loaded foods they actually enjoy healthier foods. I will definitely be calling her for ideas when we have a little one.

Here is Andrew opening his gifts. Brady, my cousins Tres and Stephanie's youngest, is graciously helping him. It really is true that all parents think their kids are the smartest ( Andrew does seem very bright) because Taylor is actually offering the card to Andrew to read it at one.

Thanks you Agnes and Tay for including us. We had a great time and really enjoyed seeing you guys.

In the interest of full disclosure, I must reveal that I cheated on my goal a little and had a white bread bun and cheese with my veggie burger and a small sliver of cake. Sorry self!

Thanks Aunt Jamie

Thank you Aunt Jamie for signing up to follow! She , my Mom, and I lived in a little apartment together when I was little ( my Mom was a single mom until I was about four), and we had so much fun. Jamie lives in California now, and we miss her so much. She is going to be getting married soon to a great guy who happens to be a FedEx pilot, so I'm hoping she'll end up back in Memphis someday. Everyone give her your best wishes on her upcoming nuptials.
This was taken about the time we lived together (1983). We were really a happy, little, nontraditional family. 

Here is Jamie and Mick at my parents house over the summer. She looks just as, if not more, beautiful now as in 1983. I swear people in California stay healthier and stay looking better longer than any other part of the country. You can't see in the photo, but she also has a sick body Mom and me are way jealous of.

Birthday Plans

I've changed my b-day plans to be a little more inclusive. We're still going out on 3/14, but instead of Backstreet we're going to do drinks at Grisanti's and then The Shadows ( the club on the third floor of 152) for booty shakin'. This way some the boyfriends, husbands, and my guy friends that didn't want to go to Backstreet can come. I'll call or text everyone with the time and specifics. Mark your calendars because remember I can hold a grudge like no other!

Just When You Need a Laugh

My friend Ashley emailed this to me. It's pretty funny. Thanks Ash!





















YES , THAT IS A POWER CORD ..FLOATING ON FLIP FLOPS