I know that I've already expressed my problems with this specific holiday due to its scary nature, but I've really enjoyed this weekend despite not being able to tear myself away from the scary movie marathons (by the way, big mistake). I had a blast, though, with the carving contest, spending Saturday studying math with my mom and having fun with my playmate, Davis, and going to the church carnival with Elmo!!
Doesn't he look absolutely precious?!?
Anyway, I most enjoyed the fact that every kid at the carnival was digging into their candy right as they got it, but not Davis. Instead, he was munching on his apple. It was pretty adorable. And you wouldn't believe how many kids in other costumes were excited to see Elmo.
True story: I saw a little girl throwing a fit in her mom's arms and as we walked by she calmed down and said "Elmo?" like he was a celebrity character at Disney World. It was too cute.
So the events of this weekend and holiday were really nothing more than just hanging out with my family and gorging on way too much candy. It's still a great memory though because I love spending time with my family! And I'm more than incredibly excited to be seeing the rest of my family this weekend!! This is a MAJOR week coming up for me though, so I can't get ahead of myself...thoughts and prayers are appreciated. Thank you!
Now I can't help but feel like I've left something out of my weekend review...oh, that's right...WAR EAGLE!!! Yes, we beat Ole Miss this weekend, which takes us to 9-0!! Wow! I'm so excited by this season being my senior year! And being immersed every single day in the Auburn spirit in this town is truly remarkable! I'm very lucky and blessed to be where I am right now in life. :)
Yes friends this is another post about pumpkin carving!! Tonight was different though, I got to spend a wonderful Fall night with my family checkin out really cool pumpkins carved by the Auburn architecture students. It's a whole night of festivities with games for the children and food and even Aubie (who we unfortunately missed because he had to go to Ole Miss). Oh well, it was still a fun night and Davis had a great time! And I always love seein the pumpkins carved in the Auburn spirit...
If you can't tell, that's Cam Newton's face and it says 'Yes We Cam'!
So the pumpkins were fun and then we ate at Cock of the Walk (yes that's the second shout out to that restaurant that I've given, and no I don't even like to eat there!!) Now let me explain the phenomena that happens when a 2 year old gets to watch turtles swim and feed them, especially after that 2 year old spent the better part of the day downing his body weight in Halloween candy! The excitement was just overwhelming. He was talking to the turtles, he was laughing at them, but most importantly he was screaming "Oh my gosh!!" So funny! I have to say it was just a great night all around.
Sorry it's so dark, but that restaurant is a lot darker on film than it seems! But isn't he just a big ball of fun!! (And super cute with his little tin cup!)
Anyway, it was a great night and beginning of what I'm sure will be a great weekend and Halloween!! :)
Today, my day was made by Oprah. I know this is very unusual because I don't care for Oprah's show, but last week when I heard she was reuniting the cast of 'The Sound of Music' for their 45th anniversary I was thrilled! Though I don't like Oprah, 'The Sound of Music' is one of my favorite things. (yes today's post will be filled with references to the movie and the occasional pun.) I can't believe it's been so long since that movie came out, maybe because to me it is so timeless.
So today on Oprah they showed the whole cast who interacted as though they were still just a family, which is how they described their ongoing relationships with one another. This was so heartwarming for me to hear, because I so often get caught up in the personal lives of a cast of a movie or TV show. If they hate each other, it makes it impossible for me to watch! (ugh) This way, though, I can still enjoy my favorite movie with out having reality kill it for me.
One of the best parts of this reunion was the fans telling stories of how 'The Sound of Music' impacted their lives. One woman even shared that it inspired her to become a nun. I love the movie, but I'm not that inspired. Maybe I could be inspired to climb every mountain though. :)
The magic of this movie is really indescribable for me. Every time I see it, I laugh, I cry, and I feel afraid that they're going to be caught by the Nazis. (And I've seen this movie A LOT, so that's really saying something about how great it really is.) I can't explain how overjoyed I was to see this cast together again! And for the Von Trapp children (actors) to be brought on stage by the whistle just like they were introduced in the movie (this was priceless for me)! I also love that they all still look the same, even Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer! They both look fantastic, and I can't believe he's 80! All I see when I look at him is the scene when the Captain and Maria dance the laendler and how handsome he is in that suit. That is one of the best scenes in the movie. Although, really they're all great scenes which makes it a great movie! Duh!
All I can say is that 'The Sound of Music' still makes me feel today the way it did when I first saw it about 15 years ago. I have confidence in saying that this is one of the best movies of all time and in recommending it to anyone who hasn't experienced its greatness. So if you haven't seen it, get to it. And even if you have, you should watch it again because it's just that good.
For now, though, I have to say so long, farewell. :)
So I guess Halloween is officially here. I've been ignoring the scary commercials and fake spider webs so far, but it's time to face the holiday. Now I don't like scary movies or anything that may frighten me so I'm really no fan of Halloween or the month of October actually. The one part of the festivities I do enjoy, though, is pumpkin carving (even though I'm not trustworthy with a knife). I am, however, more than capable with a screwdriver. I can see you scratching your head now, allow me to explain.
Last year I joined Bubba and Carter for pumpkin carving, and I cooked the seeds while they carved. Well since the seeds really only tasted like popcorn with extra extra salt and ended up in the garbage I chose not to cook them this year. So last night we carved again! Kind of. You see, now there's these little pieces from the people who brought us Mr. Potato Head so you can just punch holes in a pumpkin and stick the pieces in to make a cute face. That may not be the best description...here's what Carter and I made.
See, it's a pirate!! The other pumpkin was carved into an AU by Bubba, which I don't have a picture of but it was super cute!
Although Halloween isn't really my thing, pumpkin carving really helped get my mind off of grad school applications (which I needed!) It also helped me get excited for Auburn's School of Architecture pumpkin carving contest! They are always awesome, and hey Aubie's gonna be there! What could be more fun? Except maybe trick or treating with my furry little nephew (that's the only costume hint I'm giving).
Anyway enjoy making your own Halloween traditions!!
Okay blog world I've been out for a couple of days, but it has been a very busy and very fun weekend! Here's the play-by-play...
First off, as I mentioned on Friday, that evening I got to have dinner with Lauren Burnham. We went to Cock of the Walk and it was wonderful (you just can't beat those fried pickles). We then visited the downtown block party where the Toomer's corner area is blocked off to traffic, the shops stay open later, and there's even live music! Lots of fun...even though Lauren did say she was overwhelmed by all of the tigers. What can I say? We have a lot of pride in our school here! As we were leaving we decided to call another old buddy of ours, Reed! Which brings me to my next point...I crossed off another item on my list!!
#17 'Reconnect with an old friend' DONE!!
For those who don't understand the Liz-Reed dynamic it's really something different special. :) We used to be inseperable, Lauren is still convinced that Reed and I had a secret relationship one summer (just to clarify, we did not). We just spent every waking moment together! What's wrong with that? There's quite a few Reed stories that I won't post publicly online, but if you ask me and my dad, we love to tell them. :) Anyway, I don't get to see Reed at all anymore because he went to school at Bama and still lives in that God-forsaken town. I also haven't talked to him in months, which makes this weekend a reconnection. Back to the story...
So Reed told us that he was very bored in T-town this weekend and wished he had come to Auburn to spend a little time. Well my wake up text Saturday morning was Reed telling me that he was coming down for the day. So after an AUsome victory over the LSU tigers (24-17) and continuing an undefeated season (8-0), I went to Skybar to meet up with Reed and meet his sweet friend Casey. I'll just leave it at that. We had a great night of catching up and hanging out. And I will have to visit him soon!!
Well Sunday I got to go home and spend the day with my beyond precious nephew Davis! We love to play and so play we did! I cannot wait for Halloween this weekend because he is going to be so darn cute!! I'm not giving away the costume or there won't be a point in posting pictures next week. ;)
All in all it was a great weekend! I got to see 2 friends that I've been missing and go home for some family time. Not to mention football...I can't believe the season we are having, I couldn't ask for a more thrilling season for my senior year! And I can't believe we're #1 in the BCS that was just the cherry on top of the weekend!!
That's Toomer's Corner after the win!! Very exciting times!
Anyway, happy Monday everyone...excuse me while I get my grad school applications prepared :) Like I said exciting times!!
Below on my list #13 says "learn to make organic products". Well good news, I'm marking it off already!! Two days and two items down, I'm feeling quite accomplished! Well, sort of. I guess I didn't realize that making an organic lotion wouldn't come out feeling or smelling like Bath & Body Works. (And that's putting it mildly.) Well, here's what happened...
I found a recipe online the other day to make organic vanilla body butter, and I was super excited about that! So today I took a trip to a couple of organic food stores here in town. At Earth Fare I found some good food items including baked snap peas (which sound gross but are really fantastic!), organic cream cheese (which I'm not brave enough to try yet), and the most delicious apples I've ever eaten!! If you have not purchased apples at an organic food store already, you must do this immediately, they are yummy!! So anyway I then went to Dayspring, which was much smaller, more personable, and cheaper than Earth Fare. (We have a winner!) So I bought the supplies for my lotion with the help of a sales assistant, who looked as though her name might be Rainbow or Wind, and she seemed to think my lotion recipe sounded awesome, which just made me even more excited.
So the first thing I did when I got home (after unloading groceries) was make this lotion!! Now remember that it was supposed to be vanilla body butter? Not. At. All. There was vanilla in the recipe, but it was no where to be found in the result. It smells something like what I imagine Rainbow's (or whatever her name is) apartment smells like. And the texture? One word...Crisco. I just need to rub down with this concoction before I go out to sunbathe and I'll have the best tan around!
Anyway I do feel accomplished that I made my own lotion even if it isn't what I imagined. Oh well some of the best things in life don't turn out as planned. :)
By the way, there's the picture of the final outcome. (Yes it's currently liquid, maybe hardening up in the fridge will help!) If anyone wants to give it a try on their own, let me know and I'll give you the instructions!
For now though, it's really beautiful outside and I'm super excited that I get to have dinner with my long lost friend Lauren Burnham tonight! So everyone enjoy the sunshine and have a happy Friday! :)
Okay so if you scroll down to see what #60 on my list is you'll find that it is 'meet someone famous'. I'll admit I didn't exactly meet George Clooney, but for me it's just as close! That's right, today I met Cam Newton!!! Yes, THE Cam Newton! The current front-runner for the Heisman, the Auburn quarterback, #2 on the field, and #1 in our hearts. So today's post will include a couple of stories...bear with me. First this experience takes me all the way back to freshman year.
[2006] One night I was standing outside of my duplex with my sorority "big sister", Danielle, and her boyfriend, CJ, a small time (bench warming) Auburn football player. So there we were taking in the night air on a Saturday night after a football game when a white car passes by and CJ waves and screams "CT!!" So the car kicks it into reverse and I ask Danielle who it is, her response (in the most nonchalant tone) was, "Oh it's Courtney Taylor".
Now for everyone who doesn't remember that far back, first of all shame on you, and second of all Courtney Taylor was the man back in the day. He was an incredible wide receiver, in fact I think he now plays for the Seattle Seahawks. Anyway, back to the story...
So at this point I need to make sure I heard Danielle correctly, I mean surely a football star wouldn't be driving down my street. So I say, "Courtney Taylor? As in the wide receiver? As in #86? As in the guy who scores all of those touchdowns? That Courtney Taylor?" To which she responds, "Yeah." WHAT!!! I was freaking out!! So we walked up to the car and CJ starts chatting with him and then he says hey to Danielle, and then to me. My response, "Holy crap, you're Courtney Taylor...hey." Doh! I felt like Ralphie on 'A Christmas Story' when he finally got to talk to Santa. :(
But all in all it was a good experience, and it was the first time I realized that these players I watch on Saturdays actually walk among us.
[2010] Well today I kind of forgot that lesson. I mean I do have a class with Kodi Burns this semester and I'll admit I had to will myself to sit on the other side of the room until I got used to seeing him so I wouldn't make the CT mistake again. I also didn't want to be the weird fan girl in class. But seeing Cam Newton today made me forget every lesson I learned about how to approach a football player.
So today I was passing out flyers on the Haley concourse for the upcoming Women's Health and Wellness Chocolate Festival when the two girls that were also passing them out got unusually giggly and quiet. I asked what was up and they said, "There's Cam Newton!" So I had them point him out and of course I freak out. I ask if they gave him a flyer and they said no and challenged me to do it...challenge accepted. So I chased him down, since he was a good way down the concourse, and I handed him a flyer.
Our exchange: Me: (handing him the flyer) Here you go. Cam: (taking the flyer) Thanks. [then he looked at me..full on eye contact! Awesome!] Me: (squealed) Oh my God! Cam: [giggles and smiles at me] Then I ran off.
So I guess it's safe to say that I haven't learned my way around meeting the major football players, but hey he's all over Heisman watch and ESPN! He's a huge celebrity to me!
My favorite part of it all was the reactions of the people I told this story to, especially my parents.
Dad's response: "You need to work on your social skills" (he also laughed at me)
Mom's response after I told her I chased him down: "And you caught him!" I guess she thought he was running from me. Needless to say if he was I wouldn't be able to catch him. haha
Anyway today made me happy and I hope you at least got a laugh from my football player faux pas. :)
Hello world!! I've been wanting to start a blog for a small while now and figured that today was the perfect day for my first entry!! As this is the case, I thought my first entry should reflect the thought of doing something you always wanted to do. Which brings me to the day zero project. This is the list of 101 things to do in 1,001 days! Hopefully as I complete the tasks I can update this list and keep you posted along the way! I also encourage you to make a list of your own. But for now just enjoy!
Start: October 20, 2010 End: July 17, 2013
1. Take a cross country road trip (January 2011) 2. Graduate from college (5/9/11) 3. Become a dedicated runner 4. Perform 5 random acts of kindness 5. See Auburn football in every SEC stadium (10/12) 6. Witness an undefeated season (again) (11/26/10) & (1/10/11) WDE!!! 7. Witness Auburn win another Iron Bowl (11/26/10) 8.Take the GRE (11/20/10) Whew!! 9. Pass with flying colors (11/20/10) 10. Inspire someone to better their self 11. Attend a Take Back the Night rally 12. Live a week without plastic 13. Learn to make organic products(10/22/10) 14. Visit New Orleans 15. Learn to needlepoint 16. Crochet something without it unraveling 17. Reconnect with an old friend(10/23/10) 18. Watch every movie on the AFI top 100 list (18/100) 19. Read every book by John Steinbeck 20. Visit Europe for an extended stay 21. Make a snowman with Davis 22. Spend a real amount of time with my niece, Rachel 23. Be the world's best aunt to them both 24. Visit 15 restaurants featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, also eat what Guy ate (2/15) 25. Convert an Alabama fan 26. Send a care package to the U.S. troops 27. Apply to graduate school (12/28/10) 28. Attend graduate school (8/11 and still going) 29. Graduate from graduate school 30. Write a book 31. Help a friend accomplish a dream 32. Attend an on-campus exercise class (11/11) 33. Thank the people who made a difference for me 34. Stop using an abnormal amount of post-its 35. Start going to the grown-up dentist (1/12) 36. Read the WHOLE Bible 37. Meet a hero of mine 38. Become more eco-friendly 39. Eat organic food for one week 40. Make a new friend a best friend 41. Participate in a karaoke contest (eek) 42. Buy a bottle of wine worth more than $5 (3/12) 43. Go a full week with no negative comments 44. Become an advocate/activist for the HRC 45. Learn to play the guitar (beginner level) 46. Follow through with a full Jillian Michaels exercise plan 47. Take a road trip up the east coast to the Biltmore Estate with my mom 48. See Washington, D.C. with my family 49. Get a dog, train it, and keep it 50. Learn to breathe in stressful situations 51. Eat a 7 course dinner at a fine dining restaurant 52. Get a nickname that sticks 53. Give someone a nickname that sticks (Cookie!!) 54. Go camping in the woods...in a tent 55. Take a self-defense class 56. Take a random road trip to Unclaimed Baggage 57. Go to Bonnaroo 58. Volunteer for Make a Wish 59. Give up soft drinks 60. Meet someone famous(10/21/10) 61. Find my own personal style (that doesn't include flip flops) 62. Learn to get along with someone I don't agree with 63. Run a 5k for a good cause 64. Successfully mediate a situation 65. Volunteer for a campus organization (11/10/10) 66. See the Grand Canyon 67. Pet a tiger 68. See Elton John in concert 69. Introduce a pop music junkie to the classics my dad taught to me 70. Learn to surf 71. Get my mom to fly somewhere 72. Sleep in a hammock overnight 73. Visit New York City...again 74. Take the Sex and the City Tour while there 75. See a tennis match at every grand slam tournament 76. Try on wedding dresses at Kleinfeld's (engaged or not) 77. Create my own new recipe for a baked good 78. Volunteer at a domestic violence center 79. Submit a postcard to postsecret 80. Help the poverty in America 81. Plant a tree 82. Compete in a trivia night 83. Make a painting at sips n' strokes (4/29/11) 84. Go to a Sound of Music sing-along in costume 85. Go to a Harry Potter movie in costume (7/15/11) 86. Visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter 87. Eat a deep dish pizza in Chicago 88. Go to a Red Sox game 89. Visit the 10 largest college football stadiums 90. See a Duke basketball game 91. Take a photography class 92. Get 20 people to follow my blog 93. Take an all girls road trip weekend 94. Learn to cook a dinner, instead of just dessert (2/14/11) 95. Spend an entire day on a beach with no break 96. Go to one sporting event for each of Auburn's major teams 97. Make my own perfume at a scent store 98. Learn to make candles 99. Go to a rodeo 100. Inspire someone else to make a list of their own 101. Make a new list!!
