hiking

Two weeks ago both Mike and my brother were in town. My brother drove down on Tuesday morning and arrived by 1ish in time for us to drive north of Winston-Salem and go for a hike to Hanging Rock. It's a relatively easy hike, only a bit over a mile. It was a perfect day, mid 70s, clear sky, not humid. Just perfect. We enjoyed the great hike and goregous views.

on top of hanging rock.

we're sitting because i was scared.

would you believe...that he protested before Mike took this picture

it's a gorilla face. on the mountain.

ah, the Glory of God...so grateful for beauty and family

an update...what else do you people want?!

to hurriedly catch you up on my life as of late...

1. LOST...again, another heart attack tonight. they were a little boring there for a while, but man were things spiced up again. woo hoo! i can't give any details though, since there are some faithful readers who have not seen tonight's episode. (side note- episode, it's a word oft not used anymore. why people? why?)

2. Funeral in Blue was my second novel of choice and it was ok. it dragged for most of the book and finally became exciting in the last twenty pages. it's a 320 page book. yikes. i give it a C. mid-grade, but not failing. very detailed indeed (unlike my writing) yet bogged down by too much emotion and frivolous dialogue. I'm almost finished with Franny and Zooey and i don't know what to think of it. same prediciment, prolonged awkwardness and rambling. i've got about twenty pages left.

3. job search- daunting. must get started. help!

4. Mike and I have discussed and pretty much decided that next year we're going to begin applying for programs in the UK. He for a doctorate and me, a masters. We both are very eager to see where we might be taken (together). The next two years will be filled with much prayer and conversation about this. (I'm secretly hoping for Edinburgh)

5. in FIVE months we're getting married!!!!

6. I heart Old Navy again. Wasn't a big fan for a while, but now that they have adorable and affordable dresses again, I'm in LOVE!!! Bought a cute blue baby doll today. LOVE it. Watch out- not too much bending over please :O

7. Emily and Mike bought a house! a HOUSE!!! i'm visiting on Saturday. yay!

8. 70 friggin degrees today...AWESOME!!!

i think that's all i've got in me right now. brilliant...night :)

and then this gem...

Saturday I saw this man play with the UNCG Jazz Ensemble and (pardon me) DAMN he can play!! it was quite a night of wonderful music....

Max Weinberg!!!!!!!

Great Guinness Toast...Brilliant!

it is what it is...

The Guiness is flowing, and oh what a night!
We're here to thank you, and thought that we might
Take a minute to praise the folks we love the most,
So here's to us all, another great Guinness Toast!

a few delicious pictures...

and it begins...

ooh...yummy deliciousness

poor lonely Pete

i heart Sean

head wrestling...the wave of the future

classic look #1

classic look #2 (this is the one that obviously made lindsey almost pee herself)

i can't even explain it...this is Ryan's face, btw

so many pints!

birthday weekend spectacular

it's been a busy two weeks since i last posted. the 13th marked my 23rd birthday. to help me celebrate, my parents came up for the weekend prior. it's actually been pretty great having parents that will travel to make that one day extra special for you. i only hope i do my children justice. on friday night we went out to Logan's steakhouse, because that's where they like to eat and i couldn't complain. then we drove around and i showed them some of town. not too exciting since we were all tired. ooh, but i did introduce them to the Harris Teeter. For those of you not familiar with the great land of the South, Harris Teeter is a higher bracket grocery ala Wegmans or Whole Foods. The shopping selections are not always varied, but the extras are great. they have a brick over pizzaria, and hoagie station, an olive bar, a sushi bar, an entree bar, a salad bar, and pretty much any other food you could possibly want to eat. We purchsed my lovely ice cream cake there. It was the one thing i really wanted, and it was delicious! Of course we had candles and my mom took pictures- natch.

Now the next day was the day for "fun". We didn't know what the "fun" would be so we started the day with a hearty breakfast from Bob Evans. After enjoying some yummy eggs benedict we were on our way. Still having no clue where we going, east on 40 was our decided direction. Heading toward Raleigh we decided that the Zoo in Asheboro would be the best option. It was a lovely day, probably 50ish and it was bright and sunny. Before we made it to the NC Zoo we detoured at the Richard Petty museum in Randleman. It was AMAZING!! I'm not even kidding.

Nope, still not kidding. I grew up on old school NASCAR. This stuff today is all about money and sooo not about racing. Needless to say it was one of the coolest things i've done here. and no, i'm not lame. Richard Petty is "as American as baseball, hotdogs, and mom's apple pie." The man helped build racing to what it is today and he is a fantastic man to boot. The museum was small, considering it was THE main attraction for Randleman, but it boasted an array of seemingly endless ...stuff. All great stuff by the way. Every championship-winning car was dispalyed, his final-race car (that totally burst into flames on the last lap), a large gun collection, every trophy, jacket, endorsemnt product, trinket, die-cast car, just EVERYTHING. He's won 7 championships and 200 races. This is a record that has yet to be touched. Only Dale Earnhardt tied the number of championship wins. His dad, Lee Petty was a racer, as is his son Kyle. Even Kyle's son, Adam, got into racing but tragically lost his life at the New Hampshire Interational Speedway in 2000. His #45 Sprint Chevy sits in the museum under a three generation picture as tribute.

They have some of the wildest stuff and I loved it...

after that delight we went to the zoo. it's actually a decent zoo. who knew it was only 25 miles away from where i live?! a lot of construction was being done, but we did get to see most of the animals. the polar bears were fun and there was a 16 point elk- yikes! i don't even want to talk about the baboons. (shudder)

for my actual birthday some of us gathered at the local Steak n' Shake. I actually got a free sundae- that hasn't happened for many years!

Katie got me tulips (my fav!) but delivered them in just her coat. It was a good birthday.

Whataburger

A few folks have asked me what in the world my profile pic is. Why on earth am i stuffing my face with a burger? Well, it's not just a burger. No, it is "yummy goodness"! From our trip to El Paso we experienced the magic of several Texas treasures. None so glorious as Whataburger. Now, Whataburger is a chain of burger joints begun in 1950 by the Dobson family of Corpus Christi. According to the website there are over 600 locations throughout the South and Mexico. In 2001 the Texas State Legislature passed a resolution that named every Whataburger a Texas State Treasure. Go figure. Mike loves the place and even bought a shirt from a salvo or something with the logo on it. Before I departed for civilization we stopped to grab some food. I didn't need anything big, and i had never had it- so Whataburger it was! I have not had a more delicious fast food burger- EVER. Anywho, that's the short and sweet of it...Whataburger!!

a few ramblings

1. LOST is back and in the words of Frank Barone, "HOLY CRAP". I think I almost had a heart attack Wednesday night. 16 straight weeks of this?! I don't think i can handle it! (OK, so maybe i can)

2. I finished my first book in years. The Devil Wears Prada. I give it a B-. I have higher hopes for the movie. Now reading Funeral In Blue- it's going slow, hopefully I'll finish it in the next few days. Then I'll finish Franny and Zooey. See, I start books and get distracted. I have four books on my shelf that I've started- some several years ago. Not to mention the several at home. Argh, I will beat this, and enjoy reading again.

3. I sang alto last Sunday. Crazy i know. It went well- and it was with youth, so my voice stuck out, but apparently not my fresh-looking face. Score!

4. I get a commission now on the audits we finish. Awesome!

5. Shoes. Shoes. Shoes. Lets get some shoes.

6. Schools actually closed last week because we had less than an hour of snow. I still had to work. Boo.

7. My birth control is making me go CRAZY!! I talk to people in the morning. I talk constantly. Too many hormones!!

8. My hair is now at that inappropriate length where it just does not do much for my face. Soon it will grow out and all will be right in my hair-world. It has however, grown three inches in two months. I rule.

9. my milk expires on my birthday. yay birthday! the big 2-3. not as much of a milestone as 26 though. go figure.

and that's the story of my life right now.

Morning Commutes

Some people enjoy Opie and Eliot on XM radio, some people enjoy Stern. Others still prefer Eliot in the Morning on DC 101. I, however, enjoy the likes of Bob and the Showgram on G105 in the mornings. They broadcast out of Raleigh and are SO much better than Eliot in the morning. On my short 6 minute commute to work i laugh at the hilarity that is this crazy program. They're on from 5am to 10am every weekday, with highlights being reaired Saturday mornings. They do crazy stuff ALL the time.


Today was Bob's 40th birthday and they had money to give away and all of these weird surprises. The theme was a "white trash birthday." It was spectacular! To coincide with the themed birthday show they thought it would be a good idea to give him a little piglet. Yes, they had a live piglet in the studio. He opened a box on air and out came this squealing little porker. The funniest part wasn't his squealing, it was the fact that he had fleas. Commentated on air was "I can feel them crawling on my arm!" "Ooh, yeah, I see one on your leg." "I washed him like three times!" (This last one was Kentucky Kristen). To make light of the situation, because lets face it that's what you do when given a pig, he names the little guy Flea Biscuit. His real name is Bubba Earnhardt Dumas. Though I personally think Flea Biscuit better. I haven't laughed so hard in the morning for a while. It was the best moment of the day.

This was the best way to start the morning.

take a look...

I am home on my lunch break and usually that means a little bit of food with some relaxation in front of the t.v. Well, i was flipping channels as my food was being warmed, and what should i come across but READING RAINBOW!! who knew that show was still on? honestly, i didn't. The theme song is similar but modified to fit the modern crowd it now serves. wow- Levar Burton eveyone!!! ...it's in a book. it's reading rainowwwwww!

A Moment for Wedding Plans

We're getting married exactly six months from yesterday! That may still seem like this huge span of time (which it is) but seeing as it's already February, it's really now. I'm to that point where the impact of time frame is really hitting me. I have so much to do. I'm not just talking wedding either, i'm talking my two classes this semester. I know, wah wah for two whole classes. One is cake, and the other actually does require lots of reading and outside school activities (but hey, i'm going to go to a skate night- woo-hoo!) So i've got this class that requires actual work from me this semester and then planning a wedding in a location from which i live eight or nine hours from. Though I am happy with my progress thus far, there is so much more i need to do- all little things- YIKES!!! :)

This is not our cake, but man it's kind of cool in a "i'd-look-but-never-have-at-my-wedding" way.

Progress:
Chapel - check
Farm- check
Organist- check
Wedding dress- check
Cake- check
Flowers- check
Photographer- check
Rehearsal dinner space- check
Wine- check


Things I need to get on:
FOOD
Music?? to DJ or not to DJ? truly the question of the moment.
Every small detail for the wedding



it's going well, and time is flying by. thanks for enduring this moment for wedding plans.

mmm...athletes and rain

so, Super Bowl 41 is here and i'm excited. Go Colts! I just got back from babysitting some kids- yes, during the Super Bowl. At least I was able to watch the half time show in peace. I was pleasantly surprised. I now really heart Prince :) Back to the game! GO COLTS!!!!

Happy Birthday JT

This after a comment on the radio, that goes a little something like this...

"Tomorrow is JT's birthday. Happy Birthday! He turns 26 tomorrow. That's a milestone."

--retarded female DJ on G105

Just ponder that statement for a minute. That's all

Not for men

HHOK, can I talk frankly for one second. Not like that doesn't happen on a frequent basis, but at this time I feel a great need to comment on some absurdity in the universe. I literally mean "universe" and you'll understand why in a moment.

has anyone seen this yet??!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfskwS_mnmg

Clearblue Easy is a well known brand, and for many of us not a tool we need just yet. They have sold their product with the guarantee of reliability for years with some semblence of discretion and decency; But a stream of pee shooting through outer space (OUTER SPACE), dubbed by the "voice guy" (who does every movie ad in THE WORLD), is a little much! Though I am somehow intrigued by this ad. It's short, it's simple, it captures your attention, and it gets to the point. Peeing on a stick!! How much more straight forward can they get. I am still shocked by the stream of pee every time I happen to pass it while channel surfing. Wow. i mean, come on people! Is this really how far we've come? I enjoy my television programming just as much as the next person, but i think this is really beyond taste. What do you think? Thank goodness it seems to be restricted to Oxygen and We. Let's hope it stays there.


**please note a heaping hint of sarcasm when you read this. do i need to add some 'hehes' or smiley faces? that is all.

Photo's from "break"

we registered at Target. Mike got to "play" with the scanner and give me "brain cancer" whenever I was being ridiculous or over-excited about kitchen gadgets.

THIS is what happened to my poor little SUV after four days in Erie...boo dirt roads, snow, and rain. Reason #524 why I hate PA.

this FANTASTIC group you see before you spent the New Year at my house. It was a great New Year. Mike met my friends and they loved him. Perfection.

the insanity began right after this shot...

i think my picture speaks for itself...i am most proud of the fruit. you thought i would say shuttle cock, didn't you?

there was a bit of Wii playing as well! (we even registered for it- we're awesome)

another one that speaks for itself. Artist: M. Glenn Lyle

it's a giant apple...

and a giant pear and oversized olive. WHAT?!?

this pony is just downright SCARY

this bottle came up above my KNEE...my KNEE!! oh the absurdity!!

e.e. cummings

i carry your heart with me

(i carry it in my heart)

i am never without it

(anywhere i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear no fate

(for you are my fate, my sweet)

i want no world

(for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart

(i carry it in my heart)

Things that make you go- AHAHAHAHA

just a little of the funny for you...

Some all-time picks

I highly recommend these books. That might not mean much to you but, you have to admit, I have taste.

Historically based during the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago.

probably THE best childrens author. He started out working for Disney- you may have seen some of the movies he animated for- Snow White, Sleeping Beauty...heard of em?


The reason we have a USDA today...also set in Chicago.



The Congolese people were turned upside down by this Belgian king.

controversial and thought provoking. Menzies argues that the Chinese did in fact have the means to travel to America. It's along the same line as the Norse in North America. Valid. Maybe, maybe not. You should read to determine that.

a name we should ALLLLL be familiar with.