Bama Girl In SoCal

Figuring out this "couple time" thing

2008-06-08T10:11:00.000-07:00

My husband was gone for a year. He's back now, and we've moved away from all my friends. I'm stuck here in Virginia with my daughter, who is very demanding of me physically, emotionally, and mentally, and with my husband.
So, I guess my problem is that I don't know how to have couple time anymore. I don't know what to do on the weekend. Nothing sounds fun to me, and we end up staying home all weekend until I am bored out of my mind.
I know I am at fault for this, but I blame everyone else around me. It's tough when you are used to having a circle of friends around you. When you are left with just the one person you swore to spend your life with it can get boring.
I guess people were not meant to lock themselves in a house together for entire weekends. We need our own lives, our own friends, common interests. How do I get there?

The Many Ways Virginia is NOT California

2008-05-19T10:56:00.000-07:00

Ahh, California! I miss that state!
Virginia is SO not California. Let me count the ways...
1. No Trader Joe's. Well, there is one an hour away, but who wants to drive an hour there and an hour back to get groceries?
2. Weather. Who knew? I hate rain. I hate humidity. I dislike cold. I dislike heat. I want my perfect San Diego weather back!
3. Slow drivers. The speed limit on the interstate (similar to CA's freeway) is 55! 55 is too slow for an 8 lane road. Also, the police are serious about speeding here, so you can't really go more than 5 over or you'll get a huge ticket. In CA I consistently did 80 on the freeway.
4. Different restaurants. No Chipotle, no Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, no taco shops, etc.
5. The zoo here is obviously not as good.
6. Preschools here have 4 year waiting lists. You are supposed to register for preschool when you go off the birth control pill.
7. No disneyland 90 miles away.
8. Not much of anything in a 90 mile radius.
9. Surprisingly, Virginia is not as military-friendly. Maybe they are sick of us or something. In San Diego, they gave you military discounts almost everywhere you went.
10. All the awesome people who are my friends do not reside in Virginia. That's the hardest one to bear.

A Year Gone By and I'm on the East Coast

2008-04-21T17:58:00.000-07:00

Opposite Coast. Bama Girl in Virginia. Doesn't have the same ring, does it?

Yes, I fought kicking and screaming to stay in California.
No, it's not horrible here on the East Coast, but it rains. A lot.
Today it rained all day long. My backyard looks like a muddy lake with some sprigs of grass poking through.
I don't know anyone yet. My husband goes to work all day, and I am left at home with the wildest terrible 2 year old (well, she's actually not even 2 yet, but don't tell her that) in the world. Wild=whining, crying, screaming, throwing things, hitting me, destroying the house, etc.
So, I'm looking into preschool...already.
Don't get me wrong. I love my daughter. I do. She's so funny and so cute. She's smart as a whip and really athletic (where did that come from?)
I'm just not the best mom in the world.
I don't like arts and crafts (too messy!) I don't like to cook healthy meals. I don't like to get down on the floor and play with toys.
I know you are judging me. I know you are rolling your eyes. (I say "you" like there is anyone reading this at all!) It's not something I'm proud of.
Are there some people who are just better mothers naturally? Am I just lazy? Is it wrong to want to be able to take a shower and stay clean for at least a few hours afterwards? Is it so strange to want to speak to an adult?
I think moving 3,000 miles away from all my support has brought on a lot of doubt and uncertainty. I know one thing. I need my friends, and I need my life back!

The Sweetest Times

2007-04-13T09:51:00.000-07:00

On Monday, my baby crawled into my lap, cuddled up against my chest ever-so-sweetly, and fell asleep.

I immediately knew something was wrong.

This is the child that won't stop moving for a second. This is the baby who I thought didn't know how to sit up until I realized she was crawling and pulling up to stand. She just never wanted to sit still. What's the point? This is the same munchkin who grabs her shirt and tries to strip in protest every time she is strapped into the high chair, stroller or carseat.

So, I was right. She had a fever of 102.7. After a trip to the Doctor's and some Motrin, we embarked on a fun week of VIRUS LOCKDOWN!

I hate it when my baby is sick because that means that I don't get to see daylight. I don't get to interact with adults, go shopping, go out to eat, go to playgroup, etc. In essence, I am punished because she is sick! It's absolutely miserable.

I don't have anyone else to turn to in times like this. My family all lives thousands of miles away. My husband is currently not home due to his job. My friends don't want to risk catching anything. I am a pariah!

It messes with your head, I tell you! I guess the worst side effect for me is the pity eating. I feel sorry for myself that all my plans were cancelled for the week, so I eat a whole bag of pretzels. I have watched all my Tivo'd shows so I randomly eat a whole frozen dinner that was supposed to be 3 servings. I'm wallowing in my misery and getting fat in the process!

My only outlet is the phone. I find it funny how boring I am, now that I'm a SAHM. My friends are like, "What's new in your life?" I hesitate. Do they want to hear how I conquered my daughter's month-long fight with constipation? Are they interested in the fact that my baby does the funniest thing involving pulling up using the dog as a prop? Do they want to know that I didn't get out of my pajamas all day, even though they have spit up and mashed avocado on them? So, I say, "Oh you know, the same old fun! How are YOU?"

My mom tells me that I need to hire a sitter and just get out. What would I even do? I don't look cute enough to get into any cool places. I don't think I would even be happy going out at night because I wouldn't be able to sleep in the next day. The worst is, after being away from my daughter for a measly hour, I am already insanely lonesome. I miss her. She's napping right now, and I miss her.

Hi, My Name is Bamagirl, and I'm a Bargain-Shopping Addict!

2007-03-02T14:23:00.000-08:00

Does anyone else have this problem?
75% off = must-have items

I went to Target today to get some baskets to organize some of the baby's things. I had measurements. I knew exactly what I wanted. Well, on my way to the basket section, I ran into a horde of women, crowding their carts into a corner of the store. What was going on? Then I saw the 75% off sign.

I dove right into the fray. I grabbed some window drapes--they were only $8! I then found a beautiful drapery rod for $8 as well--it was 112 inches long! I snagged a decorative pillow with real feather and down stuffing for only $6. So, now my cart was full, and I was excited. I wheeled through the baby section, saw a clearance rack, and I found a pink hoodie for $2. Score! Then I found some pink velour sweatpants for myself on another clearance rack.
Awesome!

Ok, so I finally made it to the section where the baskets are. Of course, they didn't have the right size. Oh well. So, I went and checked out. I spent $85 on junk I didn't need at all, just because it was on sale. And...I didn't even get what I came for. Ugh.

Sadly, this addiction to Target clearance goes way back. In college, I lived literally right next door to a Super Target. I went every day, and I knew when they marked things down. I bought stuff for every season after the holiday and saved big bucks. This is why my house is full of random crap that I can't get rid of!

I need some serious help. Is there a 12 step program for this? (I actually think there is Shopaholics Anonymous.) I need to start Barginistas Anonymous!

So, I haven't been posting much lately

2007-02-21T18:55:00.000-08:00

I guess I kinda suck at posting. It's just too much trouble. I'd rather waste half my life reading other people's blogs.
This mom thing is tough. I mean, when do I get a break? I think the answer is never. It's endless, sleepless drama.
I've become a shopping whore. I don't buy stuff for myself at all. It's all for the baby. She has more robeez (a baby shoe) than Imelda Marcos. The crazy thing is that she will outgrow all this stuff before she even wears most of it twice. I think I just love buying for her because she's so small and cute and stylish. (I am not small anymore, nor cute, nor stylish)
My dog is starting to show some signs of neglect. She's been stealing the baby's toys and taking them outside to chew them up and bury them. I get so mad at her, but I know she just wants attention. I just don't have any to give anyone else.
Today I was feeling like a rebel, so I wore a skull-and-crossbones T-shirt to mommy-and-me. (Yes, I will hyphenate whenever I choose!) I think the other moms were a little scared of me! Or, maybe they thought I was trying to look like a teeny-bopper! I'm not sure.
This whole mom world is new and interesting. It's like going to college--you have to figure out the new social mores for your new circle of friends. With the other moms, you have to have your baby dressed adorably, you have to own all kinds of baby crap, you have to have the "right" carseat, stroller, diaper bag. It's worse than my college sorority.
I guess life is always evolving, and we all have to figure out our social status over and over. I think this time around, I want to be myself more. We'll see...

Vote!!

2006-11-06T19:00:00.000-08:00

I was having a conversation with my friend the other day (yes, a real conversation, not a cyber-one,) and we were both astounded by how many people don't care about this election or the current issues in the world today.
My friend said that she read an article where a guy was saying you should have to pass a test before you would be allowed to vote. It's an interesting concept. It's kinda along the lines of people who say you should have to obtain a license to procreate. You sometimes have to agree.
So, here's to all of you who are going to go out tomorrow and vote! Make sure you are informed and have thought about why you are voting the way you are! Enjoy your freedom as a member of a democratic society!

Oh, Happy Day!

2006-11-02T20:17:00.000-08:00

Chick-Fil-A has finally come to San Diego!
The grand opening was today. Don't think I missed it! The baby and a friend and I made our way to the grand opening and received a free stuffed cow. It was marvelous to bite into my first steamy chick-fil-a sandwich while being in CA.
Oh, how I have waited for this day! California is finally coming to it's senses.
Alright, now where is Sonic?

Halloween Time Again!

2006-10-30T21:50:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween Friends!!

Here's a pic of my baby dressed as a lady bug. She's pretty cute if I do say so myself. I'm going as a mom. Ugh. I don't really like my costume, but I'm stuck with it! (hint...it's not really a costume! ahhh!)

I'm one of those people who eats the free candy that people leave out on their desk this time of year.
Sorry, I know that's random, but I did that today. I was at the Vet picking up some medicine for the world's most expensive dog, and there was this bowl of really good candy (not the cheap sugary kind--the good kind--chocolate!) So, I started eating it. Then, the receptionist gave me a bad look. I mean, if you don't want people to eat your candy, don't leave it out in a welcoming bowl. Maybe it was for kids or something...

Life is Precious

2006-10-05T20:31:00.000-07:00

I was going to write a post about things that bug me, but then I read my friend's webpage about her husband who recently died after having a bone marrow transplant. She is having a hard time getting on with her life . So, I decided to write a post about the things I hold dear in life.

My baby. (You knew this would be the first on my list, didn't you?) She is so amazingly perfect and pure. She is happy almost all of the time. Her skin is perfectly unblemished. She has never known disappointment or grief or betrayal or heartache. She is a blank slate. I feel like I never want anything bad to ever happen to her. I can't imagine my life without her, and I pray that I do her justice by raising her well.
My husband. I have him home with me for longer than most military wives do. He took a job that requires him to drive 3 hours every day, but he doesn't have to leave us for a while. My husband is a very good father. He was a trooper in the delivery room when I gave birth to our daughter. I don't know what I would do without his strength of conviction and constancy.
My family. I lost two grandparents this year. It's strange how fragile life is. My grandfather died in the room next to me on the night before Easter. We didn't find him until Easter morning when we were ready to go to Church. So, I need to be grateful for every moment with my family because you never know which hug will be your last.
My friends. I have moved more than most people, but that has allowed me to make wonderful friends all over the country. Companions are easy to find, but a true friend is a gem. Some people can see past your quirks and into your soul. I have some friends who can read me so fast it's scary. It's good to have friends who have known you through many stages in your life and can remind you who you really are.
My dog. The love of a dog is a reminder of perfect love. Your dog loves you no matter what. Your dog wants to hang out with you 24/7. Your dog is at the door to greet you when you get home. Your dog never dwells on the past or worries about the future. Your dog lives in the moment. I have an exceptionally loving and friendly dog who entertains me every day.

I notice as I made this list that none of the things I hold dear are things. None of them can be bought with money (except my dog, but she's priceless.) So, hug your baby or spouse or family or friend or dog, and don't delay. Life is precious.

Some things I'm obsessed with lately

2006-09-25T12:09:00.000-07:00

Do you get addicted to certain products or things like I do? I start using something and then get totally excited about it and have to watch/use/eat/drink it all the time every day for a while until I get sick of it. Here are my latest obsessions:

1. Reality TV. Here's what I TiVo:

Laguna Beach (even though it's not that good this season)
Two-A-Days ( I used to teach at the middle school that fed into Hoover High, so I feel a part of that show)
Amazing Race (there are 2 girls from Alabama on it this season, and they're still in it)
America's Next Top Model (even though Tyra Banks annoys me)

2. Frappacinos. I've already beaten this one to death. They are just soo good!

3. Pomegranate Juice. I make these drinks where I mix half pomegranate juice and half sparkling water. I got the idea from a drink called Izze, but I prefer to make my own.

4. California Pizza Kitchen 5 Cheese and Tomato Frozen Pizza. You can tell I'm a real health nut here. I eat one every other day! They are so good and found in your grocer's freezer for about $5.

5. Lavender scented products. I use lavender scented air freshener, lavender scented dishwashing soap, lavender scented baby wash, lavender scented baby lotion, lavender scented laundry detergent and fabric softener, and lavender sachets. I guess I'm a freak for its calming effects! (When you have a baby, you will take whatever help you can get!) So come to my house instead of spending your hard-earned money on a trip to Provence!

6. MySpace Yes, I know. I'm too old, and I'm not single. I have found a bunch of old friends on here lately, and it's really nice to be part of their life again. There is no other way I would have been reunited with some of these people. Very cool times we are living in!

What are some of your "obsessions" lately? I know you have some too!!

Why I miss teaching Middle School

2006-09-21T10:54:00.000-07:00

If you have time to make yourself laugh, check out this video of some middle schoolers. Hilarious!

Stay At Home Mommy 101

2006-09-20T21:28:00.000-07:00

What the heck do Stay At Home Moms do all day? (yes, 3 months has made me an expert!)

Stay in PJs until mid afternoon or 5 minutes before husband comes home
Forget to eat anything but chocolate or some other non-food
Buy way too much stuff online while baby is asleep
Bundle up baby in jog stroller to walk to Starbucks to get a Venti Decalf Java Chip Frappacino with no whipped cream. This is called exercise even though the Starbucks is only a 1/2 mile away and the frappacino has over 500 calories.
Take baby to lunch with other SAHM friends (where you compare every facet of your child with their child, making sure that your child seems better)
Take baby to grocery store during the weekday where you will see other SAHMs and geriatric people who move very slowly through the aisles. (The SAHMs move slowly because they are savoring their frappacinos and their one trip outside of the house all day)
Have crazy ideas to become a wonderful June Cleaver-type wife and make some big exciting dinner, but in the middle of preparations, baby pitches a fit causing you to abandon dinner and leave a huge mess for husband to clean up when he gets home
Type in ridiculous run on sentences because punctuation and grammar are just too difficult with a baby in your lap
Feel guilty for neglecting dog who used to be most spoiled animal on planet earth
Visit mommy message boards to find out all the new things you need to buy online to make your baby smarter than all the other babies that he or she will one day be in school with
Avoid mirrors (for obvious reasons--stretch marks, extra weight in weird places, spit-up on shirt, lack of any stylish clothes, hairstyle gone with the wind, roots growing out, etc.)
Call old friends and try to catch up, even though you slowly sense you're losing touch with the outside world
The other 23 hours are spent holding/nursing/rocking a screaming infant, who stops and smiles and coos and makes it all worthwhile!

I'm BACK!!

2006-09-19T15:39:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I know that most of my readers don't even remember reading my blog. It's been a long time. Sorry!
A few things have happened. I had a baby. Yes, that's right. I'm a mom. She's wonderful! Childbirth was hell--expect a post on that subject soon.
I also quit working to be a stay at home mom. I never really saw that one coming, but these things happen!
I also just turned 30! I'm old! I'm in my 30s now. I can't be young and crazy any longer.
So, that's where I am now--the mother of an adorable 3 month old baby girl!
I have 25 lbs to lose and I have a bad addiction to decalf java chip frappacinos to break.

It's so Popular to be Prego these days!

2006-03-04T19:10:00.000-08:00

I love how it seems like when you are experiencing something, the whole world is experiencing the same thing. When I got married, it was the same year that Jessica Simpson got married. I'm glad my husband and I made it, unlike our fair friends Jess and Nick. She was a much younger bride. I always say that's trouble. I thought I was old at the ripe ole age of 25. Now I think I was a child bride. There's just so much you need to do before you settle down!

So, now I'm pregnant and thrilled to see that it's become very trendy in Hollywood. I guess women have been having babies pretty steadily over the years, but it seems like a big time for famous babies right now. I must say that out of all the prego celebs, my favorite is Gwen Stefani. She makes maternity clothes actually look decent! I think Katie Holmes looks cute, even though she is under the mind-warping powers of Tom Cruise and his Scientology goons. Angelina Jolie looks a little too emaciated to be pregnant. Her arms are scary! She has veins popping out all over the place. It's ok to gain a few, Angie! Gweneth Paltrow looks glowing. She's a real mother-earth type who looks very comfortable carrying around baby Pear or Watermelon or whatever this one's name will be.

I guess I'm in good company. Maybe this will force stores to actually come out with some cuter maternity clothes. I just hope I can get back to my old body as fast as Heidi Klum did. Too bad I'll never get back to what her body looks like now! ;)

Above picture taken from www.pinkisthenewblog.com

I'm back kinda...

2006-02-27T18:20:00.000-08:00

Hi blogging friends!
I've missed you. I took a little hiatus. I actually got addicted to a message board for pregnant women due in June. Boring, right? Well, that's been my life lately.
Check out what's happened to my waistline. Yikes! I know! I'm huge!
My husband tells me every day that it looks like my belly has doubled in the past week. It's making falling asleep and staying asleep rather difficult. It feels like I have a 20 lb bowling ball hanging like a pendulum from a few tendons in my abdomen.
I still have 4 more months of this torture.
In the time I've been gone--2 months, I've been busy as a bee planning the baby's room and decorating. I've got 2 baby showers coming up in March and April, and I have to make it through the end of this school year. I have a mad case of senioritis, and I'm not graduating. I'm just moving on to motherhood!

Look What We Bought on Craig's List Yesterday!

2006-01-02T18:25:00.000-08:00

It's getting real, folks!

2006--What will it bring?

2006-01-01T10:37:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting here, wasting time, while my dog whines because I haven't taken her for her daily 4 mile walk yet. I went to bed at 11:00 last night. I didn't even care that it was New Year's. It didn't help that my husband was working all night. So, I thought I would write some of my goals for 2006 since everyone else seems to be doing it!

For most of my life my new year's resolutions have looked something like this:

Be healthier--eat less, exercise more, lose weight, etc.
Work on my relationship with God--spend more time in prayer, at church, etc.
Try to have a serious, meaningful romantic relationship (before I met my husband)

So, this year, I don't feel like making resolutions. I will make goals. My goals for 2006:

Have a healthy baby and be the best mom I can be
Lose all my baby weight before my husband comes home from his deployment in March/April '07 (I have to plan ahead on this one because right now I am gaining a ton!)
Learn how to cook healthy meals for my family and be a good housewife/stay-at-home mom
Start going to church and getting involved. (We haven't found a church we like yet in CA)

Usually I am actually pretty good at keeping my resolutions. For as many years as I can remember, I have given up sugar for New Years. I usually keep it up until about September. I usually spend the spring and summer losing weight and the fall and winter gaining it. Does everyone do that?

I hope you all have a great 2006! Enjoy your family and friends!! Thanks for being my blogging friends--your blogs put a smile on my face!

Back in SoCal with a Secret

2005-12-28T08:58:00.000-08:00

I'm back from my whirlwind Christmas tour of the southeast--Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama in just a week and a half. My husband and I saw both our families, including extended, tons of college friends, and even some high school friends. It was great! I'm glad to be back home though! It is so nice here!
My big news that I've been hiding is that I'm pregnant. I'm going to have a baby in late June. The first trimester was really, really tough. I barely made it out of bed and the bathroom long enough to go to work, let alone any blogging.
So, I'm feeling better now--thank goodness for the 2nd trimester. While I was home, I bought some maternity clothes because my normal clothes are getting too tight around the waist. It's fun, but scary to see your figure changing. I can't stop the feeling that I'm getting fat, not just growing a baby.
So, if you are any good at math, you would realize that I conceived like the minute my husband came home from over there. We didn't waste any time. That's good though because he'll be going back over there this fall. We timed it pretty perfectly.
So, now my blog might change to soccer mom in socal. Just kidding! I still drive a VW bug, so I have some big changes ahead!

Everyone's Busy, So I Don't Have a Real Excuse

2005-12-08T16:42:00.000-08:00

Actually I do have a pretty good excuse for my absence from blogging, but that will be another post for another day. Everyone is so busy this time of year.

For me, this has not seemed like Christmas yet. I put up my decorations, but I haven't bought any gifts. Every house on our street has light displays, but ours is the lone dark house. People probably think we are athiests or nazis or something. For some reason, I can't get into the spirit of the season this year.

I only have one more week of school. I can't believe that. How time flies! I'm looking forward to going home for the holidays. The saddest part is that we can't bring our dog with us. She has to stay here, all alone with the care of a petsitter.

I'm looking forward to spending Christmas in a place where it actually feels like winter. I'll be wearing sweaters and boots and drinking hot chocolate in front of the fire. I'll enjoy going to church and singing the familiar hymns of Christmas like "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" and "O, Little Town of Bethlehem" and "We three Kings" and "Silent Night." I'll be able to see family and friends who I miss desperately.

Isn't it funny how little gifts matter when you grow up? I really could care less what I get from anyone this Christmas. I just want to see people. It sure wasn't that way when you were a kid. Then you got your heart set on something, and you HAD to have it.

I remember one year when I was about 10 years old. I wanted one of those electricity plasma globes that you put your hand on, and it sends lightening to your hand. I told my mom a million times that I wanted one. I guess they were pretty expensive. So, Christmas morning comes. I ran downstairs. There was one gift that was about the right shape. I ripped it open first. My mom said, "are you sure you want to open that gift first?" and I was like, "oh yes!" I was sure I had my plasma globe. Unfortunately, it ended up being one of those plastic Hamster balls that they exercise in. That tells you a lot about the cheapness of my mother. Anyway, Merry Christmas to everyone!!

So Thankful!

2005-11-24T10:08:00.000-08:00

I am healthy. I have my husband home with me. I have my wonderful dog with me. My family is all alive and well, even all 4 grandparents. Everyone in my entire extended family is still married, no divorces. I have a job and a house to live in. I have more food than I can eat. I live in a free country. I have freedom of religion. I have friends. I live in the most perfect climate on earth. I am in the middle of Christmas decorations--my favorite!
Listing everything I'm thankful for puts my life in perspective. I have no reason not to be ridiculously happy. Thank you God for my blessings that I didn't do anything to deserve!

Feeling Sorry for Myself

2005-11-22T11:58:00.000-08:00

It's Thanksgiving week, and yet again, I won't be spending it with family. Sadly, my husband and I couldn't get home again this year because the flights were just too expensive. I have the whole week off from school, but he only gets Thursday and Friday off. So, it made no sense to spend $1200 to go home for 3 days.

I've pretty much decided not to cook. I'm just going to treat it like any other day (and that means we will eat frozen pizza unless my husband decides to cook.) I would love to be one of those Donna Reed types who would whip up a ten course meal even though it's just the two of us. My husband and I have never eaten off our fine china, and we've been married for 3 years. I'm just not domestic. I never manage to cook a square meal. It's a big deal around here if I cook spaghetti. Really, I can't even remember the last time I made that.

I could probably win awards for being the worst homemaker ever. The weird thing is that I grew up helping my mom in the kitchen. When I'm home in her kitchen, I love to cook. I think what I miss is having someone around to talk to while whipping up a fantastic meal. If I had a big family, I would love spending all day in the kitchen.

So, it's a sad thanksgiving at our house this year. Don't take family for granted! When you move far away and can't get home to see them, you will really miss it! Give yours a hug for me!

More football !

2005-11-18T20:04:00.000-08:00

In honor of tomorrow's big game: The IRON BOWL--Auburn vs. Alabama and some other games of note around the country, here's a delightful forward that my brother sent me. Enjoy!

How Many SEC Students Does It Take To Screw In a Lightbulb........
At VANDERBILT: it takes two, one to change the bulb and one more toexplain how they did it every bit as good as the bulbs changed at Harvard.
At GEORGIA: it takes two, one to change the bulb and one to phone anengineer at Georgia Tech for instructions.
At FLORIDA: it takes four, one to screw in the bulb and three to figureout how to get stoned off the old one.
At ALABAMA: it takes five, one to change it, three to reminisce abouthow The Bear would have done it, and one to throw the old bulb at anNCAA investigator.
At OLE MISS: it takes six, one to change it, two to mix the drinks andthree to find the perfect J. Crew outfit to wear for the occasion.
At LSU: it takes seven, and each one gets credit for five semester hours.
At KENTUCKY: it takes eight, one to screw it in and seven to discuss howmuch brighter it seems to shine during basketball season.
At TENNESSEE: it takes ten, two to figure out how to screw it in, two tobuy an orange lampshade, and six to phone a radio call-in show and talkabout how much they hate Alabama.
At MISSISSIPPI STATE: it takes fifteen, one to screw in the bulb, two tobuy the Skoal, and twelve to yell, "GO TO HELL, OLE MISS".
At AUBURN: it takes one hundred, one to change it, forty-nine to talkabout how they did it better than at Bama, and fifty to get drunk androll toomer's Corner when finished.
At SOUTH CAROLINA: it takes 80,000, one to screw it in and 79,999 todiscuss how this finally will be the year that they have a decentfootball team.
At ARKANSAS: None. There is no electricity in Arkansas.

Planning for the fall football season in the South is radically different than up North. For those who are planning a football trip South, here are some helpful hints.

Women's AccessoriesNORTH: ChapStick in back pocket and a $20 bill in the front pocket.SOUTH: Louis Vuitton duffel with two lipsticks, waterproof mascara, anda fifth of bourbon. Money not necessary - that's what dates are for.

Stadium SizeNORTH: College football stadiums hold 20,000 people.SOUTH: High school football stadiums hold 20,000 people.

FathersNORTH: Expect their daughters to understand Sylvia Plath.SOUTH: Expect their daughters to understand pass interference.

Campus DecorNORTH: Statues of founding fathers.SOUTH: Statues of Heisman trophy winners.

Homecoming QueenNORTH: Also a physics major.SOUTH: Also Miss America.

HeroesNORTH: Rudy GulianiSOUTH: Archie & Peyton Manning

Getting TicketsNORTH: 5 days before the game you walk into the ticket office on campusand purchase tickets.SOUTH: 5 months before the game you walk into the ticket office oncampus and put name on waiting list for tickets.

Friday Classes After a Thursday Night GameNORTH: Students and teachers not sure they're going to the game, becausethey have classes on Friday.SOUTH: Teachers cancel Friday classes because they don't want to see thefew hung over students that might actually make it to class.

ParkingNORTH: An hour before game time, the University opens the campus forgame parking.SOUTH: RVs sporting their school flags begin arriving on Wednesday forthe weekend festivities. The really faithful arrive on Tuesday.

Game Day:NORTH: A few students party in the dorm and watch ESPN on TV.SOUTH: Every student wakes up, has a beer for breakfast, and rushes overto where ESPN is broadcasting "Game Day Live" to get on camera and waveto the idiots up north who wonder why "Game Day Live" is never broadcastfrom their campus.

TailgatingNORTH: Raw meat on a grill, beer with lime in it, listening to localradio station with truck tailgate down.SOUTH: 30-foot custom pig-shaped smoker fires up at dawn. Cookingaccompanied by live performance by "Dave Matthews' Band," who come overduring breaks and ask for a hit off bottle of bourbon.Getting to the

StadiumNORTH: You ask "Where's the stadium?" When you find it, you walk right in.SOUTH: When you're near it, you'll hear it. On game day it becomes thestate's third largest city.

ConcessionsNORTH: Drinks served in a paper cup, filled to the top with soda.SOUTH: Drinks served in a plastic cup, with the home team's mascot onit, filled less than half way with soda, to ensure enough room for bourbon.

When National Anthem is PlayedNORTH! : Stands are less than half full, and less than half of themstand up.SOUTH: 100,000 fans, all standing, sing along in perfect four-part harmony.

The Smell in the Air After the First ScoreNORTH: Nothing changes.SOUTH: Fireworks, with a touch of bourbon.

Commentary (Male)NORTH: "Nice play."SOUTH: "Dammit, you slow sumbitch - tackle him and break his legs."

Commentary (Female)NORTH: "My, this certainly is a violent sport."SOUTH: "Dammit, you slow sumbitch - tackle him and break his legs."

AnnouncersNORTH: Neutral and paid.SOUTH: Announcer harmonizes with the crowd in the fight song, with atear in his eye because he is so proud of his team.

After the GameNORTH: The stadium is empty way before the game ends.SOUTH: Another rack of ribs goes on the smoker, while somebody goes tothe nearest package store for more bourbon, and planning begins for nextweek's game.

Alabama Football

2005-11-11T18:16:00.000-08:00

Being an SEC football fan is a little tough when you live in San Diego. No one out here seems to understand that Saturdays in the fall are meant to be spent watching football.
Here's the schedule:

Wake up and turn on ESPN gameday to watch Kirk Herbstreet and Lee Courso make thier picks.
Start watching your first game either on ESPN or CBS or some other channel.
Flip around to the other channels to check out the other games.
Then you watch your team's game. This is a very serious time. You can't go to the bathroom or take phone calls until halftime. I usually turn on every TV in the house to the game, so if I am forced to leave the room, I can still hear the game in surround-sound wherever I go in the house.
After your team wins or loses, you watch other important games, and you cheer against your team's rivals.
At the end of the night, you watch the recap shows on ESPN and think about that one play that would have changed the outcome of the game if your team lost. If your team won, you call all of your friends and talk about what a great game it was.
On Sunday, you go to church and talk smack about your team, unless they lost, when you act very contrite.

Now, of course, this shedule is slightly different if you are actually going to a game. If you are in that lucky position, then you wake up at the crack of dawn to go to campus and find a parking spot. You find your tailgate or move around to various tailgates and socialize until it's about an hour before the game. Then you make your way to the stadium. You buy a shaker (pom-pom) to use during the game to emphasize all the chants and cheers that you will be singing along with every other person in the 85,000-capacity-crowded-stadium.

Ok, so yesterday was a bad, bad day for me. Alabama, who was ranked #3 in some polls, #4 in others, lost thier first game yesterday to LSU. I had a bad feeling all week. I knew they were looking tired, and they had lost 2 key players to broken bones. I was predicting a loss, but hoping for a win. The first half made me believe that maybe they could do it. They went into the locker rooms 10-0. LSU must have had a come-to-Jesus halftime speech because they came out a different team. The game went into overtime, and Alabama lost. So depressing.

Then, to top it all off as a horrible night, Auburn beat Georgia. Alabama fans don't just hate Auburn, they want Auburn to suffer. They will cheer for any team against Auburn. Auburn feels the same way about Alabama. If you live in the state of Alabama, you must take sides. You will have friends who like the other team, but you won't watch football with them. Some people marry a fan of the other school, but usually one or the other isn't die-hard about it. In Alabama we call this a mixed marriage.

So, I went to bed feeling miserable. My husband reminded me that this is how he feels every Saturday. He's a Mississippi State fan. They always lose. A true fan stays with their team through rain and sunshine. So, roll tide, roll!!

Why am I so obsessed with Laguna Beach?

2005-11-03T20:19:00.000-08:00

There's nothing I love more than watching other people's lives. Why is that? Why am I so fascinated by the trials and tribulations of people that I don't know? I think that's becoming the problem. I'm starting to believe I do know them. Ahh, the allure of reality TV.

Everyone can remember the super-popular-yet-a-total-bitch-girl from their high school. Laguna pegged this girl perfectly with Kristin. I just happened to be that girl's sidekick. I was the Alex H of my high school. I was this girl's tag-a-long. I used her to get to the popular table in the lunchroom, to get invited to some popular events, to be able to talk to the cute guys vying to get next to her. She used me for those times when you have to hang out with other girls.

No other girl in her right mind would have put up with the constant narcissism, the put-downs, the evil, the embarrassment that came along with being her sidekick. She constantly put me down, and I would bounce right back like a boxing bag to be her friend.

Of course we didn't stay in touch after high school. I'm sure she found someone else to use in college. I continued my sidekick ways in college, but the girls never had quite the evil bitchiness of my high school worst enemy/best friend.

One time when I was back home for the summer, I ran into this girl. She told me that she was dating one of the only guys she hadn't noticed (landed) in high school. This guy happened to be my huge senior year crush. She made sure to rub it in that I used to be obsessed with him and now she was dating him.

Time went by, and then I received the wedding invitation. Somehow she had tricked this guy into marrying her. Like a masochist, I went to the wedding. I went armed with a true friend from high school. It was a veritable high school reunion. I really felt sad for the groom. I don't think he knew what he was getting himself into.

Something good did come of my attending this blessed event though. It was at that wedding that my true friend from high school decided she should set me up with her boyfriend's best friend from high school. The rest is history--we're married.

I'd like to think that I've outgrown my sidekick ways. I think I choose friends wisely now. But, I still love to watch Laguna Beach and think about all the small characters--the ones whose names come on the screen with a qualifier, like, "Alex H. --Kristin's friend" That was me in high school. Maybe if I could go back and have a talk with myself I would say, "Be your own person, not a sidekick." I'd be an LC!!

Our costumes

2005-10-30T01:09:00.000-08:00

I ended up going to the party as an angel. It was pretty generic. My 2 friends were really cute though. One went as a witch and the other as Minnie Mouse. Minnie Mouse went out and bought white shoes and spray-painted them yellow. She also sewed felt circles on her dress to look like Minnie. It was very cute!

Sorry about the whited out faces! I wanted to protect the identity of the innocent! haha.

Don't you love Halloween?

What are you going to be for Halloween?

2005-10-28T17:47:00.000-07:00

I have 2 parties to go to this weekend, and I have no costume! What should I be? In years past I've been a french maid, a Greek goddess, and a swimmer (lacking creativity.) What are you going to be this year? Do you have any suggestions for me?

Headed to San Fran for the weekend

2005-10-21T19:33:00.000-07:00

My husband and I are heading to San Francisco for the weekend. We decided against Cabo. We're excited because neither of us has been to San Fran before. We are going to look like total tourists with our map and camera, but who cares?
Any last minute must-see's?

Life is full of distractions

2005-10-12T20:41:00.000-07:00

My blogging has taken a backseat to my other intrests lately.
I had forgotten how different it is to live with someone. I haven't been able to get on my computer in the last couple of days because my husband always seems to be on it. I know there is a lot to catch up on after being away for 7 months; I'm sure I'd be an internet junkie too.
My house looks like a tornado hit it--clothes, drinks, stuff everywhere! I can hardly remember the clean oasis that I had a mere week ago.
My fridge that was so stocked when he came home is now barren of all edible food and beverage. It's amazing how long I used to go in between grocery visits. No longer!
It's been a week since my husband came home. Despite all the inconveniences of living with someone, I would choose this life over my solitary one any day because of all the benifits.
Some of these benefits include:

having someone to cuddle with in bed
having someone to talk to over dinner
being able to discuss Gilmore Girls without making a phone call to a friend
having an excuse to order pizza or eat junk food
waking up in the middle of the night from a bad dream and rolling over to see him and feeling safe
having someone who actually knows how to hang up a hammock
having someone to share said hammock
being able to talk about my day at school to someone who always backs me up
getting a hug every morning and night and a few times in between
hiking with a person instead of just a dog
being able to go out to dinner or a baseball game
feeling content to just hang out because you are hanging out together

He's finally home!

2005-10-06T19:35:00.000-07:00

My husband came home this morning from a 7 month deployment. Oh, what a glorious day! I told him that today has been one of the happiest days of my life. I have laughed all day long as he told me funny stories from his time over there. I've enjoyed every minute I've been able to hold his hand or look into his eyes. I've been sneaking hugs and kisses all day! It's great! We had a romantic dinner at Georges at the Cove in La Jolla to top off our perfect day together. We watched the sunset and toasted our life together. It felt like a second wedding day. I'm on a total high! He just gave in to exhaustion and fell asleep. I'm so happy!!

Skinny Perfect Girls

2005-10-02T10:22:00.000-07:00

These are the skinny perfect girls and this is the host and me

Do you ever go to a party, walk in the door, and think, "uhoh, I'm not going to fit in here"?

That happened to me last night. I went to a costume party--cowboys and indians. I knew I would only know a couple of people there, but I figured, hey, I'm social, no problem! What I didn't account for was the fact that I would be in the company of the most unbelievably perfect bodies this side of the silver screen. I lost all self-esteem the moment I saw them--the skinny perfect girls.

I had put thought into my outfit. I braided my hair like an Indian, wore tourquoise and beads. I thought I looked pretty cute. That is until I saw the skinny girls who had made thier own outfits (and they looked like Indians out of the Fredricks of Hollywood catalogue). I kept watching this one girl's stomach all night--transfixed. It didn't move. She sat down; she danced; she leaned over--it stayed taught. That's not normal!

Another thing...I didn't have the right footwear. Every girl at this party had the shoe of the season--boots. You know the boots I'm talking about--boots that are tight and suede with strings tying around the leg, meant to be worn over skinny jeans. Well, these girls were all wearing the boots with miniskirts or daisy dukes, and it was hot. I was wearing flip flops and jeans.

I ended up talking to people I knew and meeting some new people. The host was his usual friendly master-of-ceremonies self, which made everyone comfortable. One of the skinny girls was actually really nice and tried to get everyone at the party involved in the fun.

I learned from this experience that if I get invited to another costume party I need to go all out! Where's my sewing machine? Next time I'll be prepared!

It's less than a week away!

2005-09-30T21:34:00.000-07:00

He's coming home. He's been gone for so long. I can't remember his smell. I forget what he looks like in the morning. It's all about to come back.
There is so much I can't wait to experience with him. I think if he falls asleep I will just stare at him for hours.
Those of you who are in or have been in long distance relationships know a little of what I'm talking about. You have the longing to touch them, to see them, to be able to feel them next to you at night. Imagine that feeling lasting for 7 months. I'm really excited (understatement).
Here's a pic of the view from one of my favorite restaurants that I might take him to when he gets home. This is the sunset from Pacifica in Del Mar.

I'm back!

2005-09-29T22:07:00.000-07:00

Moving is tough stuff!! Okay, so I had movers, and my mom and aunt came to help, and I had friends helping me with everything, but still--it disrupted my life!
I love my new house--everything is new and clean and nice! My backyard is lush green grass, and my dog can run around like a crazy dog.
I've already found an entrance to the canyon so I take my dog on walks every day.
Today I got the cable guy to come out and hook up my cable high speed, so I'm back in business!
It's funny how much you miss your blogging outlet when you don't have it. Not to mention missing email. When email is your only link to your husband who is thousands of miles away, you get a little freaked!
I'm looking forward to reading up on everyone's blogs. I've missed you guys!
Can I just tell you one exciting tidbit of news?
My husband is coming home in the next 7-14 days!! I'm so excited to see him!!!!

I've been a bad blogger lately

2005-09-14T21:07:00.000-07:00

I know, I know. I'm letting my blog audience down! Sorry! I've got a few things going on.

First of all, this weekend, I'm moving! Talk about stress! The thought of moving all my possessions across town is scaring the you-know-what out of me!

Secondly, my husband will be coming home in a few weeks, so that is exciting! It adds to my moving stress because I want the new house to be perfect when he arrives!

This past weekend I got the opportunity to talk to my husband on a video teleconference. SBC and the Chargers did this for 11 military families. It was awesome! I got to see him on a little monitor, and he could see me. I wanted to just jerk him right through the screen into my life! It was the best thing that has happened to us during this deployment. We both just sat there and stared at each other for a few moments before we could speak. It was like, is this really happening?

I got this amazing opportunity through the Chargers. They hosted the videoteleconference. The VTC was on Saturday, and then they gave us tickets to the Chargers/Cowboys game on Sunday. Our seats were great--first row on the 40 yard line. We got to go out on the field at halftime and were introduced. They showed a clip of each of us talking to our husbands on the jumbotron. It was such a nice thing to do to honor the military. I felt so grateful!

Here's a pic I took during the game as I was walking onto the field before halftime. Pretty cool vantage point, right?

Never Have I Ever...

2005-09-09T20:09:00.000-07:00

This reminds me of a drinking game we used to play in college called Never Have I Ever...
I stole this idea from Sunshine State of Mind

Have you ever…..??
( ) Smoked a joint
( ) Done cocaine
(X) Been in love ---I am right now!
( ) Had a threesome
( ) Been dumped
( ) Shoplifted
( ) Been fired
(X) Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back --for sure in high school.
( ) Been arrested
( ) Made out with a stranger
(X) Gone on a blind date--that's how I met my husband!
(X) Lied to a friend (…white lies mostly)
( ) Had a crush on a teacher
(X) Been to Europe --just London
( ) Seen someone die
(X) Been to Canada --beautiful british columbia!
( ) Been to Mexico --I live a few miles from Mexico, but I've never been over the border
(X) Thrown up in a bar --not my finest college moment!
(X) Seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show --not a favorite!
( ) Purposely set a part of yourself on fire
( ) Been snowboarding
(X) Met a celebrity--Jessica Simpson recently and Matthew Perry a few years ago
(X) Met someone from the internet in person--I met Dating Dummy and his ICG
( ) Been moshing at a concert
( ) Gone backstage at a concert
(X) Laid outside in the grass and watched cloud shapes go by--college on the quad
(X) Made a snow angel--we actually had snow when I was a kid
(X) Flown a kite
(X) Cheated while playing a game--I do anything to win at games!
(X) Been lonely--moving to a new place with no friends is hard at first
( ) Fallen asleep at work
(X) Fallen asleep at school --in college I was one of those people who kept jerking awake
(X) Used a fake ID--freshman year of college
( ) Been kicked out of a bar
(X) Felt an earthquake--felt 2 since moving to CA
(X) Touched a snake--I'm a biology major, so yes
( ) Read “War and Peace”
( ) Slept beneath the stars
( ) Been robbed
(X)Won a contest--do door prizes count?
(X) Run a red light--just barely!
( ) Been suspended from school
(X) Had braces--for 5 years!
(X) Felt like an outcast--junior high
(X) Eaten a whole pint of ice cream in one night --sadly yes.
(X) Had deja vu
(X) Totaled a car--my geo prism got totalled, but it wasn't my fault!
( ) Stolen a car
(X) Hated the way you look
( ) Witnessed a crime
( ) Been to a strip club
( ) Been to the opposite side of the world
(X) Swam in the ocean--I did a 5K open water swim in Panama City
(X) Felt like dying--when I had the flu
(X) Cried yourself to sleep--it gives you a killer headache when you wake up
(X) Sung karaoke--Islands in the Stream with my sorority sisters
( ) Paid for a meal with only coins
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't --drink before I was 21
(X) Made prank phone calls --before caller ID in college we had some good times
(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe
( ) Had a bonfire on the beach
(X) Crashed a party
(X) Seen a tornado--Birmingham is basically tornado alley east
(X) Had a wish come true--I found my husband
( ) Gone bungee jumping
( ) Gone parasailing
(X) Screamed in public --on a roller coaster
( ) Told a complete stranger you loved them
( ) Had a one night stand
( ) Kissed a mirror
( ) Had a dream that you married someone
(X) Gotten your fingers stuck together with super glue--sadly yes
(X) Been a cheerleader--does 5th grade count?
(X) Sat on a roof top -- in college we tanned on the roof of our dorm
( ) Talked on the phone for more than 6 hours straight
(X) Stayed up all night--in college we drove to New Orleans and back in one night
( ) Not taken a shower for three days
( ) Made contact with a ghost while playing a Ouija board
(X) Had more than 30 pairs of shoes at a time--I'm sure I have way more than that now
( ) Gone streaking
(X) Been skinny dipping--not really in public
(X) Been pushed into a pool/lake with all your clothes on--I fell in a freezing cold lake on Christmas, does that count?
( ) Had sex in a public or semi-public place
( ) Been kissed by a complete stranger
(X) Broken a bone--my arm when I was 5. I was so bummed that I couldn't swim that summer
(X) Caught a butterfly--I used to have a bug box when I was a kid
( ) Mooned/flashed someone
(X) Had someone moon/flash you--dorky boys
( ) Cheated on a test
(X) Forgotten someone's name--unfortunately I do it all the time with students
(X) Slept naked
(X) Gone white water rafting--on family vacations
(X) Seen the Grand Canyon--just this year on the way out to San Diego

Feel free to send me your responses to this survey!

I need a little advice

2005-09-08T21:40:00.000-07:00

When my husband gets home, we are going to take a little vacay. I'm thinking Cabo. Does anyone have any advice or helpful hints? I want to go somewhere with a swim-up bar, lots of privacy, and a very romantic room. Thanks for your help!

I'm dreaming of another long weekend

2005-09-07T22:16:00.000-07:00

Labor Day weekend was just what the doctor ordered!
Can't we have Monday off every week?
I had so much fun on Labor Day, thanks to my friend who DD aptly named Goofy Gal Pal. GGP has been bugging one of her guy friends, Captain Big Hands, to take her out on his jet skis forever. So, he finally caved and had a cookout/jetski riding/beach bash on Monday. We all converged on Mission Bay at about noon with a gas grill, 2 jetskis, tons of food, even more beer, cool people, and a game called catchphrase.
We cooked out carnitas, hot dogs, sausages, corn on the cob. We sliced watermelon and drank Bacardi Silver. We rode jetskis and got towed on tubes behind them. We even capped off the day by playing a rowdy game of catchphrase with our lawn chairs in a circle on the grass. As the sun went down over mission bay, we packed up the vehicles and headed home.
For the first time in a long time, I felt like I had used a day wisely. I combined many different good things into one afternoon--relaxation, exercise, meeting new people, trying new foods, playing new games, and getting a tan. It was so fun!

Dinner with Dating Dummy and his ICG

2005-09-03T21:57:00.000-07:00

I feel so priveledged!
Tonight I went to dinner with Dating Dummy and his ICG! I can report that she is very nice and funny! They seem very into each other; it's so cute! They were constantly touching--holding hands or just standing close. They make a totally cute couple.
We went to Ichiban in Pacific Beach for Sushi. That's a great place for all my San Diegan readers. It's cheap yet tasty sushi! It's on Garnet and the street that starts with an H.
DD and ICG even convinced me to get a milkshake at Mr. Frosty afterwards. It was chocolate peanut butter--yum! I told them that I had a chocolate peanut butter milkshake the night I got engaged. This one was to celebrate my birthday.
It's fun to meet people you've only read about. You always have an idea in your head of what they will be like, but when you meet them in person, there are a lot of differences. I pictured ICG pretty much the way she is. What a cute couple! It should give all the single people out there a little hope!

I have to choose to love

2005-09-03T10:58:00.000-07:00

I have turned my TV off. I can't watch it anymore. I don't want to hear how bad it is when there is nothing I can do. I donated money to the Red Cross. I'm in southern California. There is nothing else for me to do.

Even with my TV off, snippets of news get to me. I hear it from a friend who is watching news coverage. I read it on my yahoo home page. I get furious! I am mad at ignorant comments made by Kanye West. I am mad that people are too busy blaming and not busy enough helping. I am mad that police and national guard helicoptors are getting shot.

I choose love. I choose to look at those people with love. I can't be angry--it won't help. "Beloved, let us love one another for love is of God and anyone who loveth is born of God and knoweth God. He who loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love. So beloved, let us love one another." 1 John 4:7-8

Let's help victims of Katrina

2005-08-30T21:21:00.000-07:00

I went online to www.redcross.org and donated. I feel like it's all I can do. I was just sitting in front of the TV crying, watching people's lives ruined.

I feel like this can't be really happening. The scenes on TV look like something out of one of those end-of-the-world disaster movies. I can't believe they are talking about setting up refugee camps. I can't believe police are getting shot trying to stop looters. It's so sad.

Pray for all the people in Gulfport, Biloxi, Pascagulah, Pass Christian, New Orleans. I know I am.

Some things you might not know about me

2005-08-29T22:48:00.000-07:00

I stole this idea from Brooke of Babbling Brooke.

I love to eat chips and salsa for breakfast.
I drive a VW beetle--the new kind.
I used to have my belly-button pierced, but I took it out as an engagement gift to my husband (he never liked it).
I'm a freak for well-manicured nails. I hate it when I have a hangnail.
I don't know anything about babies, but I want to have one ASAP!
I have one sibling--a little brother.
I've only traveled abroad to London.
I really want to go to Italy.
I'm a Christian--grew up Methodist.
I used to be a swimmer, but now I prefer yoga.
I never eat at the table.
I haven't ironed anything since moving to California.
My husband and I danced our first song to "I can't help falling in love with you" by Elvis.
We were married in Memphis.
I don't allow myself to eat sugar.
I can't decide if my home decor should be modern or french provencal, so my house looks confused.
I love all things asian, and I have had this obsession for years.
I was a total goody two-shoes in high school.
My favorite drink is a frozen margarita with salt.
When I was a kid, my mom would take us to Sonic every day after school for 1/2 priced slushes. I always got cherry.
My favorite ice cream is chubby hubby by Ben and Jerry's, but I don't let myself eat it. See #15.
The best chocolate is Ritter Sport.
The best food in london was chocolate hobnobs.
I love Indian food!!
I am thinking about food a lot here, aren't I?
When I was little, I used to fantasize about growing gills and becoming a mermaid. Seriously.
When I was in 3rd grade I had a HUGE crush on this guy named Chad Smith--he had red hair and freckles.
In college I worked at Abercrombie and Fitch.
I've had many many crazy times in New Orleans. I hope they survive Katrina.
My husband made me sane. Before him I was all over the place.

Dreams

2005-08-27T22:01:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been dreaming about my husband, who is out of er, town.

I've had a dream about him every night for the last 3 nights. In each dream, he comes home to me, and I'm so excited he's home, but we don't get to spend any time together. In the last one, there were all kinds of people around, and we kept trying to get away from everyone, but we couldn't find a place to be alone.

What do you think this means?

Does anyone have fun plans for labor day?

2005-08-25T19:44:00.000-07:00

I've been working my butt off at school this week, getting ready for the kids to come Monday. The good news is...Labor Day is coming up in a week! Anyone have some fun plans? I don't!

My Husband--the International Man of Mystery

2005-08-23T22:52:00.000-07:00

This is my husband--the mysterious person I never talk about! As you can see, he's a pilot. He's not here in San Diego at the moment. (yes, that's a real picture of him. I didn't steal some clip art!)

Yes, it's a hard life we lead. I miss him. He's a great guy. He'll be back soon.

So, how did it all begin?

My friend from high school, G, and I went to a wedding of another friend from high school, B. I'm calling her B b/c she was a real B if you know what I mean. At the wedding, G told me that her boyfriend had a friend she wanted me to meet. I was like, whatever. G and I were always VERY different. I figured any guy she would set me up with would be weird or something.

So, the next weekend I went on this blind date. Mystery Man walked through the door and I thought, he's cute! We got along great, and at the end of the night he asked for my phone number. He called me and we went out a few more times, and then we began a long-distance relationship. He was in college in Mississippi, and I was teaching in Birmingham.

We dated for a year and he moved to Virginia. I thought it might be the end of our relationship b/c he was never able to see me. But, he had other ideas in mind. He asked me to marry him. We were engaged for 6 months, and then we got married and moved to Florida.

Moving away from my friends and family was hard. I thought it would be fine b/c I have always been one to make friends easily. It was hard being a newlywed, new to a city, new to a job, new to this lifestyle of a military wife. These are all things I can post about another day.

So, here's my husband. He's great. I could go on and on! I will save it for another post. I hope this cleared up some of the mystery!

Went to a Wedding this weekend

2005-08-22T21:40:00.000-07:00

On Saturday I went to a wedding of a friend here in San Diego. They got married in a church and then had the reception on a boat out on the bay. It was very nice.

Ok, here's the interesting part. My husband is out of town. (he's been out of town for a while--maybe you can guess his occupation) I only know the bride and groom and the matron of honor. The matron of honor cancels at the last minute b/c of a family emergency. I still went to the wedding BY MYSELF.

Alright, this is a big deal for me. This is brave! I went to a wedding where I didn't know anyone but the busiest people in the room, and I survived. I didn't just survive, I thrived! I picked out the coolest group there, and I just went up and made myself at home. I ended up hanging out with these 2 couples all night. They totally adopted me. We even exchanged numbers at the end of the night.

I'm really proud of myself. I'm usually the type who doesn't go outside my comfort zone. I won't even go to Taco Tuesday to meet up with people by myself. So, I'm proud of my bravery. It taught me a good lesson. I can make cool new friends if I take a step outside of comfy.

Question of the Day

2005-08-19T20:20:00.000-07:00

If you could only keep one channel on your cable, which would it be and why?

School Stress!!

2005-08-17T21:25:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again...

Time to have nightmares of being in front of a class of teenagers and realizing you are naked.

Time to wake up in cold sweats thinking that you overslept and your principal is calling to tell you that the kids are tearing up your classroom.

Time to make lesson plans, meet new students, schmooze parents, create bulletin boards.

Oh summer, where did you go?

Beautiful Day!

2005-08-15T19:28:00.000-07:00

Today was my last day with my friends in town. We took my dog for a walk to get breakfast at this bagel shop in my neighborhood. A dad and his 3 cute sons came in for some bagels. The boys were very interested in Bella, my dog. They crowded around her, petting her. After the man and his boys left, another customer walked up to me and said, you know that was Trevor Hoffman, don't you? I said, no, I didn't realize. Trevor Hoffman is the closer for the Padres. He's a really good pitcher. Well, I guess my dog is celebrity bait! She's so cute!
We spent the rest of the day having a picnic in La Jolla. We couldn't have ordered a more beautiful day! The sun was shining and it was a perfect temperature for laying out and playing frisbee. We went to Trader Joes and loaded up the goods for a picnic and enjoyed ourselves on the grass. Check out this pic of Bella having fun!

Horse Racing at Del Mar

2005-08-13T22:52:00.000-07:00

Today I took my friends from Alabama to Del Mar for the Horse Races. We bet on 3 races, but never won. It was really fun, and we learned something new. I recommend it!

In the picture here, you can barely see the horses leaving the gate. If you look between the guy in brown's head and the head of the guy in the hawaiian shirt, you can barely see the horses and jockeys leaving the gate. It was fun!!

Then, for dinner, I took them to a Mongolian Grill restaurant. They said it was a new cultural experience. I think they really liked the food! I love mongolian grill!! yummy!!

Sorry my photography is so lacking! I'm just having fun chronicling their trip for them because my friends don't have a digital camera. Can you imagine?

I did decide to move

2005-08-12T23:31:00.000-07:00

An update for those of you who read my blog...
I did finally decide to move into the new house that is closer to downtown. Now I am having remorse. I think I will like it once I am there and settled. I will be a LOT closer to my new teaching job. I will also have 2 good friends in the neighborhood. That's always nice!! I'm excited!! Now, I just need to start thinking about packing! Yikes! This is my new house. It's nothing that exciting, but I'll make it home! (by the way, that's not my truck there in the driveway)

Wild Animal Park

2005-08-11T23:23:00.000-07:00

Instead of going to the zoo, I convinced my friends to go to the wild animal park. When in San Diego, I strongly recommend it! The W.A.P. is the way zoos should be. All the animals are in huge habitats that really resemble the wild. You take a safari train ride around the park for an hour, looking at all the animals. It's very cool. We saw lions, deer, antelope, rhinos, zeebra, okapi (see picture to the left --it's a funny mix of everything, but it's closest relative is the giraffe), giraffes, apes, etc!

What do I do with my friends??

2005-08-10T15:49:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, I need your help!
I have a couple of friends (a married couple) coming in town today and staying a week. We are planning to do the zoo, the Padres, and a day trip to LA or Orange County beaches. Any other ideas? Any local San Diegans with recommendations on restaurants or things to do? They are on a tight budget, so I can't do anything too extravagant.

Things I want to do before I turn 30

2005-08-06T15:42:00.000-07:00

Do you have one of those running mental lists in your head? I have one, and it's entitled, "Things I want to do before I turn 30." I was reminded of my list by Dating Dummy's latest post about a birthday card he got when he turned 30.

I remember being in my early 20's in college, thinking I had ages to accomplish everything I wanted in life. I actually cried on my 20th birthday because I realized that I was now in my 20's--the decade when a lot of people get their first real job, get married, and start having kids. That seemed very foreign and scary to me!

Awhile back I did a 5 year plan which included getting married, living in a real house, and getting a dog. I've somehow managed to accomplish those goals. I really thought I'd be the last of all my friends to get married. I was so independent, but somehow everything just fell into place when I met my husband.

So now, yes, you guessed it--I have one more thing left on the list for when I am 30. I always said I wouldn't want to have kids until I was 30 (like that was middle-aged or something.) So, now that 30 is just one year away, I guess it's time to think about that one a little more.

I've never been one of those girls who wanted to get married and pop out some kids right away. I don't fawn over every baby I see. (You can ask my friends about that one. They think I hate small children.) I've always been more comfortable around teenagers than little babies.

But, the nearer I get to 30, the more loudly the proverbial Biological Clock is chiming away! It's starting to seem like something I want to do. I feel like it's now or never, and I don't like the idea of never. I'm starting to see the charm in screaming babies. I am starting to think that Pottery Barn kids has some cute stuff. I'm starting to check out the patterns on baby strollers and crib bumpers, etc. I was never like this!!

So, as I turn 29 this year, who knows? This might be the year I experience morning sickness and other horrible maladies. I'll keep you posted.

(By the way, the picture above is of one of my friend's babies, who was a week old yesterday. I personally think she's the cutest baby I've ever seen. )

Star sightings!!!

2005-07-29T23:38:00.000-07:00

Tonight I had the great opportunity to meet Jessica Simpson, Willie Nelson, and Johnny Knoxville. They were doing a meet and greet before the premiere of Dukes of Hazard.

I was so excited to see Jessica Simpson up close. Is she really beautiful? Is she nice and unassuming like she seems on TV? Is she tiny now that she lost weight for the movie? YES, YES, and YES!
Jessica was so demure and sweet. She seemed like she didn't understand what all the commotion was about. She never took her eyes off the speaker who was introducing everyone, and when I met her she looked me right in the eyes and said, "thanks for coming." She is so beautiful up close. She almost seems fragile. She is very small, with perfect skin, the whitest teeth, and great hair. She had a lot of expression in her eyes. She seemed to really care about meeting everyone.

Willie Nelson is a sweet old man with a gentle spirit. I told him that my husband was a huge fan, and he said thanks. When we shook hands he covered my hand with his other hand.

Jonny Knoxville was having a great time meeting everyone. He seemed the least jaded by fame, perhaps because he is newer to it than the other two. He posed for a picture with just about everyone. He just seemed like a normal guy you might hang out with.

Padres Game

2005-07-27T23:48:00.000-07:00

Tonight I went to my first game at Petco Park to see the Padres beat the Cardinals. It was an exciting game, and the Padres won it in the bottom of the 9th.

I love Petco Park because it is downtown. You get a cool party feeling when you are there. The people at the game seemed like a fun crowd too. It is definitely a new must for my summer visitors to add to their agendas.

I'm not really a baseball fan, but it sure was fun to see them win it in the last inning! Go Padres!!

Quandry of the week--what do I do?

2005-07-26T21:19:00.000-07:00

Ok, I've been a very bad blogger lately, but here's why...

I got a new job--yea!!! I am going to be teaching 1/2 day at a great school, which is just perfect for my schedule. But, here's the catch--it's far, far away!

So, my little quandry--do I move closer or stay where I am and commute? I've actually been grappling with this problem for far longer than I've known about this job. I have an opportunity to move 10 miles closer to my job and live in a slightly bigger house for about the same rent I'm paying now. No, it still doesn't have AC, but it does have ceiling fans in every room. Another benefit of this house is it is in the neighborhood where my 2 best friends in San Diego live. That's a big bonus! I would love to be able to walk over to their houses.

I guess the biggest drawback is just the thought of moving. I hate unpacking. I hate putting my clothes away in the closet. I hate figuring out which picture looks good where.

So, is it worth the trouble of a move to be near friends, near my job, and in a slightly larger house? What do you think fellow bloggers? Make my decision easier for me!!! Help!!!

It is too freaking hot to have no AC

2005-07-21T15:13:00.000-07:00

San Diego, CA
92 °FSunny
Feels Like: 93°FHumidity: 38%Wind: WNW at 12 mph

Once again, I was deceived!!! Everyone told me that San Diego's weather is perfect all the time. Today, it's not perfect! It's too freaking hot! As I unpeel my leg from the faux-leather office chair I am sitting in, I'm reminded of all the encouragement I recieved when concerned about living in a house with no air-conditioning.

"I lived here a whole year, and only turned on my AC when my inlaws came in town"

"I don't know anyone in San Diego with airconditioning--you just don't need it"

"The high is 75 every day"

Ok, maybe all this is true if you are one of the lucky ones who lives ON the beach. Those of you spoiled brats who can walk to the beach, I hate you! I know how weather works here. It's at least 10 degrees cooler on the beach than it is at my house, a measly 8 miles inland.

What I had to give up so I could afford a house with a backyard for Bella (my adorable dog, who is right this moment laying on the kitchen linoleum panting for her life.)

We don't even have ceiling fans! Ugh. All my years of training, growing up in the south, did not prepare me for this. That is because in the south we have AC! You wouldn't DREAM of living in a house without AC. I don't even think homeless people in the deep south would live in a house with no AC if it was a gift.

Ok, I know that this is just temporary. Next week I will be back to extolling the virtues of southern california weather, once the mercury has dropped to a nice doable 78.

Until then, I'll be the girl tooling around town in my car with the AC blasting, just to get some relief from my house.

ps...anyone have a pool I can come hang out in???

A Few of My Favorite Things

2005-07-19T11:27:00.000-07:00

There are those products you use that you can't live life without (or so you think, until you find some new thing!) Here are a couple of mine. Please post a comment and share some of yours.

First of all, first thing in the morning, I need my green tea. I used to drink coffee--strong Starbucks espresso roast with about 2 inches of hazelnut creamer. It was so strong that my hands would shake all morning. It also probably had about 600 calories due to my love of creamer. So, to be a healthier person, I started drinking Green Tea, which is supposed to have antioxidants that help your body fight off free radicals that cause mutations in your cells that can lead to cancer. (Any guesses on what kind of teacher I am?) Instead of cream and sugar, I like it with lemon. I've always been a sucker for sour--I used to have a freakish addiction to sour patch kids candy. So, my brand of choice is Trader Joe's Green Tea with Jasmine. It's good, people! http://www.traderjoes.com/products/coffee.pdf

Another product I love is Noevir skin care products. My cousin in Seattle has been selling this stuff for years. It is from Japan, and it works miracles! It makes your skin feel so smooth and look perfect. I used it the month before my wedding and had perfect skin. Now I just use it occasionally b/c it is expensive. I'm thinking about using it all the time though and just paying for it! I'm also thinking about becoming a Noevir representative. http://www.noevirusa.com/web/main.html

Burt's Bees chapstick is the bomb! It makes your lips soft and tingly, without that vasoline feeling, and it is cheap! It's all I wear--no lipstick for me. http://www1.burtsbees.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=10126&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=10001

So, what would you add to the list of products you love? I got this idea from Farah, who's blog is totally cool. Check it out: http://farahzlife.blogspot.com/

One of Those Weekends

2005-07-17T21:24:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I had 2 fun college friends in town to visit. The weekend before that I was out of town, visiting friends and family. This weekend.....nada.
Why do weekends like that make me feel bad about myself? Is that a left-over-from-college anxiety? I remember in college I would never go to the Cafeteria (we called it "the caf") by myself. I would die before I had an opening in my social calendar on a Friday or Saturday night. I didn't even like to study solo. I was always surrounded by a gaggle of girls. That's the best thing about living in a sorority house!
So, why does this still haunt me? I'm always telling my husband that it isn't ok to just spend a quiet evening at home on a Saturday night. We must have PLANS. By plans, I mean we need to be going somewhere cool to eat or hanging out with some fun people or doing something else more exciting than staying home and surfing the net on our respective computers. (I know that sounds geeky, but that is what we do--he's in one room on his laptop, and I'm in another on my desktop.)

So, my husband is out of town. My good friend who I always hang out with is out of town. I am doing nothing. At least I have my dog.

Here's what I did today--
woke up at 10am, thought about going to church solo and nixed that idea, piddled around while watching the marathon of Laguna Beach on MTV (yes, I love that show), took Bella (my cute dog) for a walk at noon (bad idea for Bella--she got a little overheated trying to keep up with the rabbits in the canyon), while I was already sweaty I went to the gym and ran on treadmill, then went swimming (laps) for a while. Then I came home and did laundry. Am I the queen of boring or what?
Does anyone else out there have trouble with alone time? What do you do to combat boredom?

Flip-flops

2005-07-15T22:21:00.000-07:00

Yes, flip-flops are the number one thing I can already tell I will miss about Southern California if I ever have to move somewhere else.
I've always loved flip flops. I wear them all summer. I am one of those girls who has at least 100 pairs of shoes in my closet, but what do I wear? Flip flops every day.
And not just any flip flops, mind you! I wear only one pair of flip flops, even though I own at least 5. This pair is actually men's flip flops that I got from the GAP on clearance in 2002. They are sooooo comfortable.
Yes, I have the white V formation on my feet. My toes are tan, then there is the white V, and then my feet and legs are tan. It's comical.
The cool thing about SoCal is that you can wear flip flops anywhere--grocery store, bars, church, school, you name it! You can also wear flip flops year-round. No longer are they just a summer addiction.
So, I know you are thinking...why does she own 100 pairs of shoes? Retail therapy. My friends say I have a problem. I say, I have a secret. Shoes always fit. I always wear the same size in shoes. No matter how fat I feel, my feet are still the same size. I can go into any store and buy the cutest shoes, knowing they will fit and look good on me. I can't say the same about clothes.
Therefore, until I find an occasion to wear my other 99 pairs of shoes, I'll be the girl in the men's GAP flip flops!

What People in Cali don't know about Bama

2005-07-15T09:09:00.000-07:00

First of all, most Californians couldn't locate Alabama on a map. Of course, they probably couldn't locate any other southern states besides Florida either. They might have trouble with the midwest too.
To Californians, the rest of the country is just a mindless wasteland of towns with no beaches. I heard some really mean comments about the "red states" from some of my co-workers here in California. I happen to love the "red states." So, naturally, I see this holier-than-thou attitude of many Californians to be what it really is--ignorance.
I tell people out here that I'm from Alabama and they look at me like, "oh, but you seem so normal!" They are envisioning something out of the movie Deliverance. The city in Alabama that I lived in is Birmingham.
Birmingham still ranks as #1 on my list of towns I'd like to end up living in. It's got everything you'd need from a big city--shopping, entertainment, excellent medical care, great schools, recreation. It's also got all the benefits of a small town--people know you, you can go to your favorite restaurant and order "the usual", your neighbors are nice and help you out.
Then there is also the aforementioned addiction to college football. Last year my husband flew me down to an Alabama football game for my birthday. There is nothing like sitting in a packed stadium with about 80,000 crazy fans whose happiness depends on the success or failure of a bunch of 18-22 year-olds. I do literally mean that their happiness depends on it. Don't ever try to talk to my husband when Mississippi State loses a game (which they often do) or to my brother during a game that Ole Miss is losing when they were supposed to win. Yikes!
Of course, the south knows how to tailgate too. In Oxford, you go to the grove for a fashion show/drink-a-thon/networking/reminiscing/nicer-than-most-wedding-receptions tailgate. In Tuscaloosa you walk up and down the quad on your way to Bryant Denny saying "Roll Tide" and getting offered food and beverages from complete strangers just because you cheer for their team.
Every SEC college town has their own traditions, and these usually include the sorority girls wearing sundresses, the frat pledges sweltering in suits and ties, the moms and dads who are alums reliving their college experiences year after year, and a bunch of fans who didn't even go to school there, but pledge their undying allegance to the school.
But I digress. As you can imagine, as summer turns to fall, a southerners thoughts turn to football. Oh, who am I kidding, they were already thinking about it.
I guess Red-state-ignorance is a real problem, but I'm sure the red states don't mind. They like the people that do know that a red state is a great place to live. The people that live in red states are well-traveled. They vacation in all parts of the US and beyond, but they always come home to the red states with a smile.
I remember a trip I took to London right after college. I had such a great time and my eyes were really opened to the European way of life. I had fun on the tube, in the city, in pubs. When I got back to Birmingham I was overwhelmed with the beauty of home. The curving streets with trees hanging over the top, making a tunnel of foliage, the country clubs with the hilly golf courses, the houses with aged brick and perfectly manicured lawns--these are the things that still make me tear up when I go back to visit.
So, Californians, when you imagine a place like Alabama or Tennessee, I hope you can imagine something besides a scene out of a movie. I hope you can imagine the beauty and traditon I've described. That's home to me!

There's a lot to like about California

2005-07-14T21:04:00.000-07:00

How can you not love living in Southern California? To top that, how can you not love San Diego? I think San Diego has the best weather of anywhere in the country--hands down.
I laugh every day when my mom calls and asks me what the weather's like. I say, "It's the usual--75 degrees and sunny!" That always makes my mom mad because she lives in Memphis, TN which is right up there with New Orleans as one of the most humid places on earth! In the south right now it is so hot and humid that your sweat doesn't even evaporate, so you spend all your time outside with a layer of slime on your skin that won't ever go away!
Another great thing about San Diego is the cool geographic diversity. You have the beach right there, and then you drive 2 hours and you have skiing. My brother and his girlfriend came for a weekend and managed to do Vegas, the beach and skiing in 3 days. Where else in the country can you claim that?
For a girl who grew up a day's drive from the beach, having one in your backyard is nice. I love to go walk in La Jolla with the surf crashing and the seals barking--it's the perfect way to exercise!
I'm also loving the shopping out here. You really can't beat Fashion Valley! After living in Jacksonville, NC (look it up on a map, folks--it's just north of Wilmington on the coast--the east coast!) I know what a privelege it is to have a mall nearby! I used to have to drive to Raleigh 2 hours away just to shop somewhere besides Target or the Gap. Now I have Neiman Marcus in my backyard! (Like I can afford anything there, but hey, it's still fun to look!)
Let's come back to the weather again! I can't get over how it can be sunny every day and yet, I'm not hot. I walk my dog at noon, and it feels great!
That's my dog Bella in the picture above, by the way. Yes, I know, she's the cutest dog you've ever seen! I have to agree! She's a great companion to my husband and me! We are lucky that she came into our lives!

Blogging...should I try it?

2005-07-14T17:23:00.000-07:00

I've lived all over the southeast--Memphis, TN, Birmingham, AL, Pensacola, FL, Jacksonville, NC. (never heard of that last one, have you?) I love the south--the people, the food, the friendliness, the trees! There are some things that stink--the heat, the humidity, the hurricanes, the tornados.
I guess wherever you grew up will always feel like home. Home for me is the South, but right now I am living in San Diego, CA. So, obviously I have some adjusting to do.
When I first got here, I learned really quickly not to say "Y'all" anymore. I was substitute teaching one day and I said, "Y'all get out your books and turn to page 113." The class erupted in laughter. One girl even started making fun of me. Wow, where's that southern hospitality when you need it?
Another big thing I had to get used to was not being in the Bible Belt anymore. Back in the south, pretty much everyone I knew had grown up in the church. Here in soCal, you meet Christians, as well as people of other religions, but mostly you meet people who have no religious leanings. People here think that religion is like an optional recrational activity. In the south, your religion is almost as important as what SEC football team you cheer for.
That brings me to my next topic...no one in soCal cares about college football!!! I mean, USC were the national champs last year, and I'm not sure that even made the front page of the paper. In Alabama, a national championship gets talked about for years, lifetimes. By the way, I lean towards BAMA, roll tide!
So, if everyone in soCal is from somewhere else, is there anyone else here like me? A transplanted southerner, a girl with morals and my etiquitte book (no white after labor day for me, no matter what Cosmo says), someone who just wants that white picket fence life. If so, read my blog and maybe we can share stories. I'm worried that pretty soon I will be so acclimated to Cali that I will forget my roots. It's easy to blend in here--I've already got blonde highlights and an iPod.