Free Association

I've been tagged twice today! It's my lucky day, for sure.

But since I've already done the "things you don't know about me" thing that Michelle tagged me for, I am choosing not to do it again. Sorry M. I still love you.

Kelley tagged me with this fill-in-the-blank thing, and her answers are way more inspiring and thought-provoking than mine. So go on over and read hers if you want something to think about. Read mine if you want to know the inner workings of my crazy mind.

* Maybe I should... get up earlier in the mornings so I can eat breakfast with my husband and help him with the dogs.
* I love the smell of... summer rain, freshly mowed grass, a clean husband, vanilla.
* People would say that I... am obsessively organized when they see my planner and/or checkbook.
* I don’t understand why... bad things happen to good people.
* When I wake up in the morning... I lay in bed until the last possible second.
* I lost my will power to…make exercise a routine. I was doing so well, and then I just quit.
* Life is wonderful with... purpose. And love.
* My past made me... grow and learn as an individual and woman.
* I get annoyed when... Justin is running late.
* Parties are not... for meeting new people. I prefer small groups.
* Dogs are...wonderful, loyal creatures with distinct personalities. I love my babies!
* Cats… are of the devil.
* Tomorrow I am going to… make a meal for a friend at church who had surgery then meet Amanda Andrews for coffee and chitchat.
* I have a low tolerance for... arrogance.
* I'm totally terrified of... something happening to Justin or my parents.
* I wonder why I thought my life would be... big business/corporate/all about “making deals.” I am so not a “deal maker.” I don’t have an ounce of corporate-ness in me.
* Never in my life... have I been so comfortable in my own skin.
* High school was something that... I would love to do all over (with some minor changes, of course).
* When I'm nervous...I sweat.
* Take my advice... don’t call your husband when he is at work to discuss the “financial situation.” He will not be pleased with the nature of your call.
* Making my bed is… not a priority to me.
* I'm almost always...carrying around a jug of water that I am supposed to be drinking.
* I'm addicted to… a million different TV shows (all ones that have "questionably inappropriate" content), blogs and Coke.
* I want someone… to send me $50,000. That’s all. I’m not asking for a million or anything…

I would like to tag everyone who sees this. That should cover it.

Cavewoman Update

I went back to Dr. ENT on Wednesday.

I was fully prepared to "introduce" some brownies and pizza into my diet.

No such luck.

He said that he could tell that my sinuses were much clearer, but since my ears have yet to drain he wants me to stay on the diet for THREE MORE WEEKS (making a 9-week total...the longest I have gone without anything in my life).

I have to admit that I am getting used to eating oddly, and I have really never felt better. If it weren't for the ear thing, I would be totally satisfied and willing to live like this (with some cheating, of course).

After the three weeks I will go back, and if they still haven't cleared up, I will most likely have to have sinus surgery due to my "narrow anatomy." He is worried that even if I start to introduce even small amounts of wheat, milk or eggs back into my diet that will cause enough inflammation to trigger another battle with chronic infection. Thus the "narrow anatomy."

And since I really don't see myself living the rest of my life without a slice of pizza, I say bring on the knife.

And I better be better by Lindsey's wedding, because she is having cake from Edgars. Which I am sure is full of wheat, eggs AND milk, and which I will be eating regardless of the consequences.

Yum-O!

I keep dreaming about Caroline's yummy sandwich, so I thought I should share, just in case you want to eat it for lunch tomorrow.

Toasted bread (C used white bread, I used millet and flax bread)
turkey
spinach leaves
sliced roma tomatoes
sliced avocado
colby-jack cheese
Feta cheese

Toast your bread, pile on ingredients and melt in the mircowave. YUMMY!! (even my no-cheese version was very tasty!)

If it wasn't Taco Tuesday, I would have this for dinner!

Memphis in May

I've had a girls' weekend!!

I drove to Birmingham on Thursday to pick up Taylor and Lindsey, and off we went to Memphis to visit Caroline. We decided after our last weekend together (in Fairhope) that we needed to make it at least a semi-annual event. It was Caroline's turn to host us, and we had the most fun!

{This is going to be a long post...just a warning.}

Our first order of business when we arrived on Friday was lunch. Imagine that. We went to this very cool sushi restaurant with the most terrible service. I asked the waitress what was in the veggie roll and she said, "You know...vegetables." REALLY? And she never brought Caroline her beans. She did however, bring her the wrong roll and argued with her that she had ordered it. We were not impressed. Our next stop was the Orpheum theatre. I am pretty sure it is famous for reasons I do not know. They are having GREAT shows there this season, and I am very jealous that Caroline will get to see them all. We don't have a Broadway series in my tiny town. After the Orpheum we headed to Beale Street. I think Beale Street, as a whole, feels its sole purpose is to pay homage to the late Elvis Presley. There was Elvis stuff everywhere. I had never been to Memphis, and I didn't realize the severity of the city's obsession. I should have been more prepared.

We saw an Elvis statue and thought it would be fun to have a "do your best pose" contest.

Here is Lindsey (valiant effort):and Caroline (who got Elvis Presley confused with John Travolta):and Taylor (who didn't try very hard, obviously):and me:Who do you think should have won? You better say me, because I did. It was a unanimous decision.

We then went to Wet Willy's to purchase a little frozen refreshment. All that walking and posing can make a girl tired and thirsty. Some of the people in this picture ordered themselves a little something named "Call a Cab." And it wasn't me. I'm just saying...We took our drinks and walked around, because that is perfectly legal on Beale Street. We passed a store that Caroline mentioned was the weirdest store ever. We went inside. We found these: I have never seen such large pants in my entire life. And it WAS the weirdest store ever. Lots o' junk.

We decided to walk to the Civil Rights Museum. Memphis is also obsessed with MLK. Here is the hotel where he was shot and killed. We could have paid $14 to see his actual room (preserved), but decided against it. I thought that might be a little creepy.And as if all that weren't enough, we decided to check out the ducks at the Peabody Hotel. We were a little let down by their performance. Lindsey really thought they would do a little dance routine, but then Caroline reminded us that we aren't exactly in possession of any ducks that are smart enough to walk to an elevator, much less perform.Friday night Caroline took us to the Memphis in May Barbecue Fest. It was insane. I have never seen such massive amounts of barbecue (and I worked for a food magazine!). And beans. And alcohol. She got us the hook up to go to one of the tents (because you don't get to actually eat the BBQ if you don't get invited to a tent). The food was yummy. And every tent had a band or DJ. It was like a frat party that went on for miles.

Of course to get to the front gate, you have to walk down a very steep hill/small mountain. I did not fare so well, as I refused to take off my shoes.This picture was taken by a random man who told us he was a professional photographer. He sure had us fooled with his talk of "lighting" and "positioning." I do believe he was lying.Afterwards we went to this really dark and smoky place called Ernestine and Hazel's. It used to be a real live brothel, and there were still some rooms set up on the second floor. We weren't there long, so I don't have a picture of that. But it was interesting anyway, and now I can check "See a brothel" off my life aspirations list.

Saturday morning we slept in, and Caroline made us breakfast. After a little walk by the river, a yummy sandwich and a little nap, we went to get pedicures. It was hands down the WORST pedicure of my entire life. No filing, no cutting, no scrubbing. I got one coat of polish. No top coat. And I still had to pay for it! This picture was obviously before they got started. If you live in the Memphis area, stay away from Rose's on Union. I also should apologize for wearing the blue tank top again. Sorry.We got home just in time to get ready for dinner. Caroline cooked us a fancy fiesta complete with mango margaritas. We took our time getting dressed and just enjoyed being together. When it was my turn for the shower I found this:How rude! Back in college when Caroline and Lindsey were my suite mates I would get mad at them for "using" my shampoo. So of course when I saw this, the first thing I did was lather, rinse and repeat. I used her conditioner, too.

We met some of Caroline's friends at "The Flying Saucer." They were all very nice to us, but did make fun when we got tired and had to leave . We are all getting old.{I'm almost done, I promise!}

We ended the weekend with breakfast at the Arcade. It is another historical place in Memphis, and we met another "professional photographer" whose advice was to "get close like you are gay."What is it with Memphis and the professional photographers?

I cannot say enough "thank yous" to Caroline for being such a wonderful hostess. We had the best time just being together talking about crazy things, re-enacting moments from college, playing Would You Rather and eating. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these girls, and am so thankful that we make an effort to stay in touch.

Tata!

What to do?

I need some advice from all my friends...

My dear, sweet, precious, schedule-oblivious husband told me last night that he had invited so-and-so and his wife over for dinner tonight. I have met so-and-so briefly. I have never met his wife, nor do I know her name. I am not quite sure of so-and so's name, thus "so-and-so."

Today is Wednesday.

Tomorrow is Thursday. I clean my house on Thursdays. I wash the clothes on Thursdays. I bathe the pups on....you guessed it... Thursdays. I am also leaving for my girls weekend bright and early tomorrow morning, so none of the above will get done this week!!!

Do you think Justin thought through any of this before asking people I don't know over to my dirty house with smelly dogs on the night when I should be packing?

He didn't think it would be "a big deal."

I should say that I am not an overly clean person, so the dirty house doesn't really bother me. I will straighten up so the house will have the appearance of being clean when it really isn't.

My main concern is what is one supposed to wear when having unknown guests over to one's house for the first time? Should I try to look really cute? Or laid back and casual?

I can't go barefoot because of the dirty floors...

This is greatly perplexing me.

Especially since the sun is out and I am sure I will be spending a portion of time in my bathing suit this afternoon and not thinking about the what-is-sure-to-be-awkward dinner.

I must be ready for the girls weekend.

I have priorities.

Please leave comments. Please.

Potpourri of Pictures

I'm having a bit of writer's block.

Words usually come easily to me, but I haven't had any way exciting happenings to discuss or stories to tell, and since my goal for this blog is primarily to entertain, I am at a loss...

But I am also tired of seeing my senior portriat stare at me when I sign on... Oh the hair!

So, therefore, I am resorting to Alex Trebec's trick for when he runs out of categories.

Assuming that anyone is still reading this after my reference to Alex Trebec...I present to you a potpourri of pictures.

1. I forgot that I never posted any pics of my new lamp! And my (finally) re-upholstered couch! Aren't they lovely?! The pups are very glad to have their couch back. They like to sleep on the top so they can see out the windows. See Ollie's little fluffy behind? He is on his way to sweet dreams.

2. Ethan's first birthday party was last weekend. I painted him a plate, because that is what all good fairy godmothers do... But he didn't really care about the plate. Or the cake. Or me, for that matter... Fickle man.

3. I have been craving pizza like you wouldn't believe... Every time I see that Pizza Hut Pizza Mia commercial I have to remind myself how terrible it feels to have a sinus infection. So I decided to make my own very healthy version...gluten-free crust, vegan cheese... This is what it looked like.I so had my hopes up.

And they were quickly dashed...

I am still deciding which tasted the worst...the gummy crust which refused to get crunchy even under the broiler OR the tofu cheese with the consistency of scrambled eggs that tasted like nothing and salt.

I should also mention that it cost nearly $20 to make, and I can get a Pizza Mia for just $5 EVERYDAY!

Lesson learned.

Movie Star

We were in Dothan all weekend, and I have no pictures to show for it. Nor do I have a whole lot to say.

So I decided to try to upload a movie of my babies fighting over a stick. If this video thing works it is going to open many doors for my blogging career, I tell you what.

I lead a very exciting life. Two furry babies + stick from the yard = major excitement.

Happy Taco Tuesday.