Friday's Feast

Feast One Hundred & Twenty Four

Appetizer
How do you usually celebrate on New Year's Eve?
To me, New Year's Eve is the number one most depressing day of the entire year. I've never liked it much. It's always seemed kind of sad to have another year pass by. I always want to have plans but I never have a standard plan.

Soup
Name one thing unexpected that happened to you in 2006.
I got my heart broken.

Salad
Where was your favorite place that you visited in 2006?
I didn't go anywhere too off the beaten path this year but between work and seeing friends I made it to Chicago five times and went to Dallas.

Main Course
What resolution is your top priority for 2007?
I know it's kind of standard but I definitely need to eat better and exercise more. I would also like to read more.

Dessert
Using just three words, describe 2006.
Emotional. Stressful. Eventful.

We must be telepathic

Yesterday I sent Nichole a link to a pair of totally awesome earrings I found online. They were nostalgic and made me laugh. She emailed back asking if I'd received a package from UPS recently. The only package I'd received was a book I'd ordered last week from Amazon. Upon further investigation my package had been at UPS since Friday waiting for me to pick it up but I somehow missed the notice that I was supposed to do so. Anyway, I went to UPS and there in that brown box was the EXACT same pair of earrings that I emailed to Nichole yesterday. Do you love them? I do.

It's true. Nichole and I went to a Jordan Knight concert a couple years ago at The Blue Note. It was probably one of the most fun evenings of my entire life. He touched me (or did I touch him?) more than once. Nichole has some super awesome pictures to prove it, too.

Boone, Kate and Jackson

Kate, me and Taina
Kate and Boone at Flatbranch
Jackson at Bonkers

I'm not sure exactly how long it's been since I have seen Boone and Kate but I do know that the last time I saw them both Boone had not yet started school in Abilene to get his mater's degree and they did not have a child. Now Boone has completed that degree and is in his first year of medical school in Galveston and they have a toddler, Jackson. We spent the day together yesterday in Columbia with Taina, Bryndyn and the kiddos. It was really good to catch up and it was one of those times where it felt as if no time had really passed at all. Jackson was a total sweetie and at lunch kept trying to grab hold of my arm. I would like to tell you that he was trying to hold my hand but I think, in reality, my arm was just a new toy.

Merry Christmas!

I did a horrible job documenting Christmas. My camera was tucked away and when I finally realized I had not been taking pictures the battery went dead and I didn't have my charger. The weekend was filled with seeing friends and spending time with family. My parents and I continued our Christmas Day tradition of going to the movies and then I headed for home. The sign of age? Sleeping in my new flannel sheets was such a treat last night.

Alison and I enjoyed a Saturday night out and when we stopped by our friend, Toni's house I realized just how much I had in common with her four year old daughter, Madison. We can play dress up together.

Friday's Feast

Feast One Hundred & Twenty Three

Appetizer
What is one of your Christmas traditions?
Every year we have my uncle and cousins over on Christmas Eve. Also, on Christmas morning my dad, mom, sister and I (now my brother-in-law, too) take turns opening presents and we all open one at a time.

Soup
Who is the easiest person on your list to buy presents for?
My mom is pretty easy. She loves to read and I know which books she likes along with other things she needs and will enjoy.

Salad
What is your favorite Christmas scent?
Sugar cookies

Main Course
If you could give a fellow blogger a Christmas gift, who would it be and what would you give them?
I'm always seeing stuff for Nichole. Usually it's something cute at Poppy and then, of course, I'm always seeing cute little girl stuff for Piper.

Dessert
What's something on your Christmas wish list this year that you need (not just want)?
I asked for a new bath mat and new sheets for my bed.

Me the ballerina

Crafty Cristin has been at it again making cute gifts for other people's children. Today I was honored to model her latest creation -- her "fiona" tutu -- for our boss' niece. I don't know about you but I think this is a good look for me.

My altero ego

I love Nancy Drew; she has red hair and she solves mysteries. In fact, I long ago decided that she was my alter ego (which is probably while I like Veronica Mars so much because she is, to me, the modern-day Nancy Drew). Breanne gave me a Nancy Drew journal for Christmas. It looks like a real book of hers and after several pages into the story it's carved out to be a real journal. Also, I received The Nancy Drew Guide to Life which gives helpful pieces of advice from Nancy herself such as, "When bound and gagged, you can still tap out HELP in Morse code to attract attention" and it also explained that a stilleto heel could be used to break glass in an emergency. Thanks, Nancy.

Social Saturday

Breanne, Monica and I celebrated Christmas together with a luncheon at Breanne's house. In case I haven't said it enough, I love my friends. And because we had to use the timer on my camera, this was only one of about 6 pictures that even came close to being suitable.
Cristin and I stirring up trouble at the work Christmas party at Mary's house. We are proud to be considered the "entertainment" for all parties and get-togethers.

Happy Birthday, Sharita!

Me with the guest of honor, Sharita
Taina and me
Dorian, Shunda, me and Taina

Taina, Bryndyn and I went to St. Louis to help Sharita celebrate her 40th birthday. I had a wonderful time with great friends and it was the perfect ocassion to celebrate someone who is so special and giving -- Happy Birthday, Sharita.

Friday's Feast

Feast One Hundred and Twenty Two

Appetizer
What was your very first job with a paycheck?
I used to babysit kids every day during the summer which provided me with a steady paycheck but my very first "real" job was working at a grocery store as a cashier. To date, this is one of my favorite jobs. I loved seeing the regular customers and even though the work was easy it always seemed fun but that was probably because all of my friends worked there, too.

Soup
Did you ever lose something really important to you?
In college, I had a really nice day planner which included my work schedule, important phone numbers, etc. I remember accidentally losing it and was distraught for weeks. I also remember once losing an earring that my dad had bought for me. I was really upset about it but later found the missing earring so all was well.

Salad
What is the best Christmas present you ever received?
One year after my dad had been in the hospital for two months he came home on Christmas Eve. That was probably the best Christmas present my family could have ever asked for.

Main Course
Tell about a favorite "hang out" place for you and your friends when you were in high school.
My friends and I used to cruise Main Street so we did a lot of hanging out in my car, a plum 1990 Dodge Shadow.

Dessert
Name something that always brings a smile to your face.
Spending time with my friends usually brings a smile to my face. Also good for the soul --music!

Eric's Christmas Party

Amy and Mason
Andrew and Eric
Becky
Heather and Taylor

My favorite time of year

It's my favorite time of year. Nope, not Christmas but "award season." First up is the Golden Globes. The nominations for the 64th Annual Golden Globes were announced today. I haven't seen all the movies yet but so far am really keen on The Departed winning as much as possible followed by Babel. For best comedy I'm going with Entourage. For drama, Grey's Anatomy or Big Love. What do you guys think?

Music for the season

What I'm listening to right now. Wintersong by Sarah McLachlan

Sexy, anyone?

My new shoes. My new favorite shoes. I am the proud owner in both black and blue.

Celebrating friendship

Meagan, Monica, Meggan, Kim and I went to Chris McD's last night for a little holiday celebration. Needless to say, we had a great time. This morning I am still stuffed with crab legs and creme brulee.

A and J

Taina and I had a pow-wow with J last night. It's true, I have nicknamed myself "The Baby Whisperer" and I am in love.

Ms. Kitty

This is my new mousepad - at work! I love Hello Kitty and I love looking at her sweet face every day.

A weekend for parties

Bonni and me - all smiles.
Tiffany knows how to throw a great party. Thanks, Tiffany!
I think Miss T cared more about the remote control in her

hand than posing for a picture with me.

Posing with my good friend, Dan.

Tia really does love the camera - most of the time! Taina with the newest addition, Baby "J".

There's a pain in my chest

My blog is filled with the happenings of my life. Some are humorous, some are serious and some are just plain mundane. I don't think I can ignore the sad. Right now there's a pain in my chest and, while I'm not sure how to truly express myself at this time, my dear little friend, Tia is going to go back to live with her biological mom tomorrow. Today after having lunch with my friends, I carried Tia to the van. I'm always saying, "I love you" and even though I know she loves me, too, those are words she's never been able to say to me. Today was different. I buckled her in and said the words; only this time, I heard them back. It was the perfect gift from a perfect little girl. I know we'll still be friends, even though I probably won't get to see her as much, and I keep reminding myself that while it might not be to my liking, God has a plan. And one thing is for sure, my life is better because Miss T has been a part of it. So thank you to Tia for loving me and thank you, Taina for letting your sweet little girl be a part of my life.

It's party time, excellent.

Tis the season for lots of holiday parties. Last night, was a get together with the ladies from church. The food was amazing and so was the fellowship.

Friday's Feast

Feast One Hundred & Twenty One

Appetizer
Which language would you like to learn and why?
I know a little bit of Spanish but would love to fully master the language. I also became interested in Italian after traveling.

Soup
What's the funniest thing you've heard or read so far this week?
Sadly, it was probably something about Britney Spears or Kevin Federline.

Salad
Which movie was so bad you couldn't watch the whole thing?
I believe that Dr. T and the Women is the worst movie of all time, however, I recently started watching Four Brothers and it was so bad that I had to turn it off before finishing.

Main Course
If there were a holiday in your honor that didn't use your actual name, what would the day be called?
The Academy Awards. It's my favorite day of the year, so I'm choosing that as my holiday.

Dessert
Name one movie which is coming out soon that you would like to see.
The Holiday with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet comes out today and I'd really like to see it.

Is bigger really better?

I live in a small apartment but mostly it suits me. It's cozy and I've been rather accustomed to it for five years. I keep thinking I'm going to move into something bigger. A larger apartment or buy something. I just get comfortable in my little apartment and continue on. Mostly I like the location; it's perfect. I can walk downtown or am just a short drive from everywhere because I live in such a central location. And then there's my awesome neighbors. Yesterday I received notice that the University is buying my apartment complex for student housing. I never saw it coming. It just forces me to get a bigger place sooner, something I've been thinking about. I realized last night how ridiculous my tiny, "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree will probably look in a bigger, larger place. Technically, I'm grandfathered in so even though non-students are not allowed to move in, I can still stay. I'll stay until my lease is up and then I'll get something else. Something fit for a 30 year old princess.

I have...

some of the best friends in the world
a small family
one sibling; a sister, Cathy
a love for John Mayer
the ability to twist my arms almost 360 degrees
a shopping "problem"
a desire to travel
seen lots of musicals
an insane amount of shoes
read most of James Patterson's books
regular house-sitting gigs
had five massages this year
an awesome church family
a family who is obsessed with tv shopping networks
a love for kitties
a challenging and rewarding job
a passion for health care
a love for Starbucks
an urge to read the newspaper regularly
many nicknames
no need to ever go camping
too much clutter
fun neighbors
a subscription to Rolling Stone
2 favorite rings made out of antique buttons
many close friends who live out of state
a subscription to Netflix
no food in my refridgerator
an obsession with Coke Zero
amazing parents who would do anything for me
a collection of magnets and photos covering most of my refridgerator
a love for antiques
gone to a lot of art museums
never met a piece of chocolate I didn't like
a curvy body
a love for celebrity gossip
the fairest skin
no pink clothes
grey hairs
an aunt who is 103
the most comfortable bed ever
dial up internet at home
a bath every night before bed
ill parents
a strong faith
a very sensitive side
a hard time letting people go
a busy social schedule
the desire to laugh, laugh, laugh
a collection of Barbie Christmas ornaments

Solo cookie bake

Every year for at least a decade, Amber, Sara and I have been baking cookies together before Christmas. Our cookie bake was scheduled for yesterday but due to the inclement weather the girls decided not to make the trip. I decided to plunge forward with baking solo yesterday. Here are my results. (These are reindeer cookies in case you can't tell.)

Friday's Feast

Feast One Hundred & Twenty
Appetizer
Have you ever flown in a helicopter?
No, and small planes make me nervous.

Soup
What color is your warmest coat or jacket?
black and white

Salad
What is your favorite rainy day activity?
Curling up on the couch in front of movies or sleeping in. There's nothing better than sleep on a rainy day.

Main Course
Describe your hands.
I have incredibly short finger nails. It's a habit dating back to childhood that I can't quite kick for good. Otherwise my hands are okay, with long fingers and soft skin.

Dessert
If you could eat only one nut for the rest of your life, what nut
would you pick?
I'm not big into nuts but I do like macadamia nuts.

Snowed in

I woke up today to 14 inches of snow. Supposedly, this is the most snow we've had since 1995 and there are drifts 3 to 4 feet high. It's safe to say, even though I only live 4 miles from the office, I'm not working today. It's also the first time I've heard the phrase "thunder snow." It's a good thing that Meagan and I braved the weather last night to pick up Chinese so that I actually have food to eat.

My protege

I babysat for Tia tonight for two hours. By the time she left she was wearing perfume, had her fingernails painted red and was saying, "No deal!"

Sad. Very sad.

Sadly, this is how I've spent much of the past 48 hours.

Mario & Luigi

My neighbors came home from Thanksgiving yesterday with an old school Nintendo in tow. Yes, Josh decided to bring it home and see if it even worked. I had a blast playing Mario Bros and was suddenly transformed back to junior high. On my agenda today? I have an old school Game Boy to uncover.

Friday's Feast

Feast One Hundred and Nineteen

Appetizer Have you ever changed a flat tire by yourself?
No, when I have a flat tire that requires me calling someone and paying them to change it. It's one of those things I should have learned but never have.

Soup Do you have an "innie" or "outie" belly button?
Innie

Salad
Name a new paint color and describe it.
All of my walls in my apartment are off-white and I'm not allowed to paint, therefore, I have no idea what new paint colors are named.

Main Course
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
When I was a little girl, I would sleep in my sister's bed on Christmas Eve and we'd both sneak out in the middle of the night to see what Santa had left for us. Now, we continue the tradition of opening presents on Christmas morning, one at a time, while everyone watches. In recent years, my parents and I like to go to the movies on Christmas Day.

Dessert
If you were a cookie, what kind of cookie would you be, and why?
Growing up my grandma always made Snickerdoodle cookies so they will always have a special place in my heart and remind me of a time of innocence and comfort. If I am going strictly by taste, I'd be a white chocolate macadamia nut cookie. Yum!

Just because...

Carrie Bradshaw: Later that day I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous.

Happy Thanksgiving

I'm most thankful for my family and friends. This is a picture of my mother and me just before it was turkey-time. She is both beautiful on the inside and out. I hope I'm able to age as gracefully as she has.

Vacation Rewind

Things I loved most about my vacation.

1. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

2. Fat Pig

3. A taping of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Julia Roberts, Cedric the Entertainer and Dakota Fanning were on to discuss Charlotte's Web which opens Dec. 15. Sarah McLachlan was also on to sing a song from the movie. Fantastic!!

Oprah gave everyone in the audience a cashmere Charlotte's Web track suit. I had to model mine. We also received four books and the soundtrack from the movie.

Windy City, here I come!

It's a 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes; it's dark and we're wearing sun glasses. Hit it!
- - - The Blues Brothers

Tomorrow, I'll be in Chicago. My vacation is long overdue. My suitcase is bursting at the seams and I can't wait to see friends and soak up the city that I love so much.

I heart friends

I love my friends. It's the one area of my life I'm most proud of and know couldn't be any better. Even when I'm being ridiculous, there they are standing behind me and, while they may not always agree with me, they are always loving me 100%. My friends always seem to have my best interest at heart. Even when I'm down on life, I know this is the epitome of true love. My friends are my surrogate family and I am so often reminded of how much I am blessed. I was again reminded of that last night as I laughed with Taina and Rachel. There they were, loving me and laughing with me. I must be the luckiest girl in the world.

School of Rock

Tonight I saw Pete Yorn at the Blue Note. Pete, if I were grading you on enthusiasm, wardrobe or appearance you would have barely passed my class. Good thing I'm grading on your ability to totally rock out.

Stranger Than Fiction

I am a movie fanatic so it's not uncommon for me to see several movies in a week. Maybe one or two at the theatre and one or two on DVD. Since starting this blog, I've watched many; only one has been mentioned. Last night, I saw Stranger Than Fiction. It was wonderful. I left the theatre feeling totally in awe about how great the movie was - writing, acting, everying. I would have never picked Maggie Gyllenhaal and Will Ferrell as romantic love interests but, ironically enough, that's why it worked. I do believe this just made my list of favorites this year.

Immersed

I'll bet you didn't know I love guys who play the guitar. Wait...who am I kidding? Of course, you know I love guys who play guitar. I can't quite explain it. The music makes my heart beat a little faster. I become immersed in what I'm hearing, in who is playing. Last night, at The Blue Note, I was immersed in Marc Broussard. He didn't disappoint.

My Sesame Street Personality

You Are Big Bird

Talented, smart, and friendly... you're also one of the sanest people around. You are usually feeling: Happy. From riding a unicycle to writing poetry, you have plenty of hobbies to keep you busy. You are famous for: Being a friend to everyone. Even the grumpiest person gets along with you. How you life your life: Joyfully. "Super. Duper. Flooper."

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

I stole this one from Nichole. I think it's actually fairly accurate except for maybe the sane part. :-)

No surprises here

Just a little over a week ago I wrote about Reece Witherspoon and her husband, Ryan Phillippe spliting up. Now Brittany Spears is filing for divorce from Kevin Federline. No surprises here. If she would have stayed with him I would have thought something was wrong with her (and I still do considering she married him). Brittany, Brittany, Brittany...alas, my interest in celebrity gossip will never cease.

Butterscotch Adendum

Courtesy of my coworkers. I told them at lunch today about Butterscotch and how much I want her.

Lost Treasure

I absolutely love stumbling across forgotten treasures. It might be an old book, perhaps something I read in elementary school, a movie I haven't seen for years or even a song on the radio that reminds me of another time in my life. Recently, I stumbled upon a cd that was still sitting in an old discman that hadn't been used in years. The cd was Heather Nova Siren. Since I stumbled across my lost treasure I've been playing it almost nonstop. I remember when I bought the cd. I was in college and listened to it during my daily commute to and from class. I was a lot younger and things were a lot different. Even though my music taste has changed and evolved I still love this cd. I still love remembering my life at that time and love that one day I will think back and remember my life now as I've been listening to Siren in heavy rotation.

Everybody's workin for the weekend

Amy, Micah and Ellen at Micah's baby shower. (Yes, that's me with a new do.)


Amy, Ellen, Amber and Sara at The Abbey.

I really did have a great weekend. I was fortunate enough to hang out with the Palmyra gals on Friday night at my old stomping ground, The Abbey. I also went to Micah's baby shower on Saturday and then my mom, sister and I went to see Dracula at Quincy University.

One thing I love about my parents. They don't drink. They don't smoke. They do watch a lot of QVC and HSN. Mama Linda proudly showcased a couple new necklaces for me to admire, a new vaccuum and even purchased a microwave/convection oven while I was there over the weekend. I can't wait to see what is under the Christmas tree for me!!

Outta my way kids, I gotta pony to play with

Have you seen this? I want it! I want Butterscotch in a picket fence in my living room so I can brush her hair, feed her a carrot and love her. It's true, I make special trips past the toy aisle at Target to play. I think Meagan and I even scared some kiddos away yesterday with our enthusiasm.

How quirky are you?

Your Quirk Factor: 53%

You're a pretty quirky person, but you're just normal enough to hide it. Congratulations - you've fooled other people into thinking you're just like them!

How Quirky Are You?

The evils of Ritter Sport

When I was in Italy, Monica introducted me to the most decadent chocolate on earth - Ritter Sport. There were days in Italy where the only nutrients that I received were from gellato, Coke Light (Diet Coke) and Ritter Sport. Our favorite bar? Milk Chocolate with Butter Biscuit. It was a hot commodity and if we were lucky enough to score the bar with the brown package it was as good a treasure as any. I haven't seen that package in nearly two years so you can imagine my surprise when I'm checking out at Target last night and that same brown package was staring back at me. Ritter Sport is now available at Target - my favorite store. That is one bittersweet chocolate. Ritter Sport has gone global and it's available at my every whim. My waistline will surely suffer.

Happy November

Meagan reminded me last night of how quickly the past few months have gone when it seems we were just jumping off the diving board and enjoying the pool. Fall is my favorite season. Below are all the reasons why.

-apple cider (hot or cold)
-carmel apples
-anything pumpkin
-brisk air
-turtleneck sweaters
-leaves changing colors
-drinking something hot just to stay warm
-snuggling under the covers on a particularly cold day
-the first snowfall
-all of my favorite tv shows are on again
-memories from long ago of hayrides, homecoming dances and Halloween parties

Two of my favorite pumpkins

Last night I carved pumpkins with Taina, Bryndyn and the kids. Let me tell you, this is hard work! I thought I might have to take the day off from work today because I would be having carpel tunnel surgery or would be in bed suffering from all sorts of aches and pains. My pumpkin was the worst looking pumpkin that I've ever seen. It didn't have a nose and it suffered from a lopsided mouth and eyes. The best part about pumpkin carving? Watching the kiddos have fun. For some reason Caelleb and Tia were both scared of touching the pumpkin "guts" and Miss. T even cried when the "lid" of her pumpkin was cut off.

Dear Prince Lorenzo

Dear Prince Lorenzo,
Because I have your best interest at heart I've decided to let you know my thoughts.
Sadie - pick her. What's not to like?
Lisa - I smell a crazy. I was in awe that you kept her. Not only did her best friend actually have the audacity to bring her a wedding dress but she actually tried it on...in FRONT of you. And did you see the bridal magazines on her end tables? Who does that? Lisa, that's who.
Jennifer - Umm...you might not want to pick the girl whose father cocks a massive gun in your face and threatens you. Just my two cents.
Agnese - This is where you really let me down. Never before in Bachelor-history have I ever witnessed a more heartfelt goodbye. Sure there was a language barrier. Sure you both live on different continents but other than that I actually started to feel the magic and started to get excited that Agnese would be at the end with Sadie. You let me down. Real bad.

Your faithful follower,
Amy

Say it isn't so

Reece Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe have formally seperated. Say it isn't so. I know Hollywood marriages aren't usually built to last but I will admit, I thought these two were different, especially after seven years together. They seemed anti-Hollywood. How sad.

A-mazing.

Each fall, for the past six years that I've lived in Columbia, I've always wanted to visit Shyrock's Corn Maze. I never have; until now. Josh, Meagan, Chesney, Brad and I set out on an adventure through 13 acres of corn armed with flashlights and too much energy. This might have to be an annual tradition.