car covers

In my mind, this is what I sound like when I sing in the car.

I'm certain it's slightly different in real life.

a challenge...or maybe not

Well, Pinterest sure has taken off like wildfire, yes?

I myself got sucked in months ago (all the blame rests on Laura Merrill), and I. Love. It. It's like shopping, but you don't have to actually pay for the stuff. And it's like hoarding. but cuter and you don't end up on TLC clutching old Target sacks and dented canned goods.

Always having been one of those people who had to be "in the mood" to get creative, Pinterest seems to do the trick most of the time. But how many times, myself included, have we pinned with the best intentions, only to do nothing with it? Is the road to shoulda/woulda/couldas paved with good pin-tentions?

So here you go, readers (all five of you). I'm taking part in the Pinterest Challenge that I spotted on Hi, Sugarplum! blog (that's where I got the banner, too). The rules are simple: find something you pinned, actually do it/make it, and blog about it! It can be a DIY, an outfit or a recipe; just do something! Oh, and don't forget to tell me about it, and I'll mention it here. Let's share some blogger luv!

Today I'm off to Gulfport to help host a baby shower for my dear friend, Morgan. What are your plans for the weekend? I hope it's pin-credible.

You like those pin puns. Don't lie.

for a friday giggle

I don't particularly care for Star Wars OR the Super Bowl, but I do love a dog AND a VW. Check out this ad scheduled to air during the game!



Have an epic weekend.

yowzaa!

Beyonce kills it again in maternity attire. Is there anything she can't do?

Photo from Suri's Burn Book - a hilarious blog that has been sucking the time from my work day. Check it out if you like to giggle.

just a funny doggy video for your thursday...

If you haven't seen this, you'll love it. If you have, just watch it again; it never gets old.

thriller

Tomorrow is Halloween, Harris’s favorite holiday. I like it myself – the candy is great, I love to ponder a costume, and the decorations are marvelous. And since I grew up in Mississippi, I have memories of both shivering and sweating in my costume – it’s just how we roll down here.

Kell and I don’t have (human) kids, so we won’t be doing the trick-or-treating thing, but this is our first Halloween in our new house! In fact, we closed on Halloween a year ago, so it’s an extra special day for us. Anywho, aside from dressing up and handing out candy, I don’t know a whole lot about this spooky holiday. Here are 13 fun facts about Halloween so you can impress your friends.

1. The term Halloween, originally spelled Hallowe’en, is shortened from All Hallows' Eve. It is now known as "Eve of" All Saints' Day, which is November 1st, historically a time of pagan festivities.

2. On All Hallows’ eve, many Irish and Scottish people have traditionally placed a candle on their western window sill to honor the departed.

3. A traditional Irish and Scottish form of divining one's future spouse is to carve an apple in one long strip, then toss the peel over one's shoulder. The peel is believed to land in the shape of the first letter of the future spouse's name.

4. Haunted attractions in the United States bring in an estimate $300–500 million each year.

5. The ancient Celts thought that spirits and ghosts roamed the countryside on Halloween night. They began wearing masks and costumes to avoid being recognized as human.

6. If you see a spider on Halloween, it is the spirit of a loved one watching over you.

7. Halloween candy sales average about 2 billion dollars annually in the United States.

8. Chocolate candy bars top the list as the most popular candy for trick-or-treaters with Snickers #1.

9. Halloween is the 2nd most commercially successful holiday, with Christmas being the first.

10. Over $1.5 billion is spent on costumes each year and more than $2.5 billion on other Halloween paraphernalia.

11. Over 10% of pet owners dress their pets in Halloween costumes

12. More than 35 million pounds of candy corn will be produced this year. That equates to nearly 9 billion pieces – enough to circle the moon nearly 4 times if laid end-to-end.

13. Many people think the pumpkin is a vegetable but in actuality it is a squash fruit related to cucumbers, gherkins, and melons.

Have a safe and delicious Halloween!

the ology of me

FOOD-OLOGY
What is your salad dressing of choice? Greek
What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? I am LOVING Ely’s in Ridgeland. If you’re in the Jackson area, you should give it a try. Great food and great people. The tabouli salad is perfect.
What food could you eat for 2 weeks straight and not get sick of it? I don’t know of anything I could eat that long and not get tired of.
What are your pizza toppings of choice? Pepperoni, onion, mushroom, bell pepper OR tomato, mozzarella and fresh basil
What do you like to put on your toast? The other day I had a piece of toast with a little peanut butter, marshmallows and chocolate chips. I zapped it in the microwave for a few seconds, and it was amazing. Don’t judge.

TECHNOLOGY
How many televisions are in your house? Embarrassingly enough, 4. Yes, there are only 2 humans living in my house and we have twice the TVs.
What color cell phone do you have? black. And it is falling apart before my very eyes.
What does the first text message in your inbox say and who sent it? traffic alert from MDOT
Who was the last person to call you? Kell

BIOLOGY
Are you right-handed or left-handed? right
Have you ever had anything removed from your body? wisdom teeth and some weird cysts that had hair and teeth inside. Really. I am a Discovery Health special waiting to happen.
What is the last heavy item you lifted? Curtain rods

DUMB-OLOGY
If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? No way Jose.
If you could change your name, what would you change it to? I like my name.
Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? Absolutely. Bring it.
How many pairs of flip flops do you own? 2 – black and brown
Last time you had a run-in with the cops? Never. knock on wood.
Last person you talked to in person ? Whitney
Favorite Month? November

CURRENT-OLOGY
Missing someone? Yes
Mood? content
What are you listening to? people around me talking on the phone.
Watching? Nothing – I am in a cubicle with no windows. Like a lab rat.
Worrying about? Hanging my new curtains straight

RANDOM-OLOGY
What’s the last movie you watched? The Hangover. HYSTERICAL.
Do you smile often? I think so.
Do you always answer your phone? I HATE talking on the phone.
It’s four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it? MDOT.
If you could change your eye color what would it be? green
What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? Diet cherry
Do you own a digital camera? I do.
Have you ever had a pet fish? Yes, Ringo, named for my favorite Beatle. He died on my birthday.
Favorite Christmas song? “Carol of the Bells,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
What’s on your wish list for your birthday? whatever.
Can you do push-ups? Probably the girly kind
Can you do a chin up? Doubt it.
Does the future make you more nervous or excited? Both I suppose
Do you have any saved texts? nope
Ever been in a car wreck? no--THANK GOODNESS. knock on wood.
Do you have an accent? Southern
What is the last song to make you cry? Don’t recall.
Plans tonight? Work out, make fruit dip and a fruit tray
Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? yes
Name 2 things you bought yesterday. Movie tickets and popcorn
You ever been given roses? yes
Current hate right now? childish behavior from adults
Met someone who changed your life? yes
What song represents you? no idea.
What were you doing 12 AM last night? Snoozing. And a.m. by definition is not “night.”
What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? I have a dog paw in my face.

q and a

I love these things.



1. First thing you wash in the shower? hair

2. What color is your favorite hoodie? I don’t have a hoodie. What do I look like, Eminem? No offense to hoodie-wearers out there - you know i love you, just not the hood.

3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? Sure. He’s cute.

4. Do you plan outfits? All the time in my brain. The problem lies in when the outfits are not as cute on as they are in my imagination.

5. How are you feeling RIGHT now? surly.

6. Whats the closest thing to you that's red? My packing tape dispenser and red Precise pen are equidistant from me right now.

7. Tell me about the last dream you remember having? For some reason some high school friends of mine were going to the same trade show I’m getting ready for. Whatev.

8. Did you meet anybody new today? Only if the DHL guy counts.

9. What are you craving right now? A quiet room with a bed and sleepy puppies.

10. Do you floss? After being tarred and feathered by the dental hygienist at my last trip to the dentist, yes.

11. What comes to mind when I say cabbage? Cabbage rolls and a stinky house

12. Are you emotional? I prefer “passionate.”

13. Have you ever counted to 1,000? I hate numbers, unless they are very big in my checking account and/or very small on a price tag.

14. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it? lick.

15. Do you like your hair? I suppose so. Curly is way easier than straight. (thanks, MK)

16. Do you like yourself? Depends.

17. Would you go out to eat with George W. Bush? Of course. He would be a fascinating dinner guest.

18. What are you listening to right now? That song “Evil Woman” on my radio at work. It reminds me of Frau Farbissima on Austin Powers.

19. Are your parents strict? I guess so, but I was pretty strict on myself, too.

20. Would you go sky diving? No. Way. Jose’.

21. Do you like cottage cheese? No. Way. Jose’.

22. Have you ever met a celebrity? I met Shaq when he was still playing for LSU. I’ve also met Bo Jackson and BB King.

23. Do you rent movies often? When there’s something good on our OnDemand thingy.

24. Is there anything sparkly in the room you're in? not that I see.

25. How many countries have you visited? England, Japan and Canada. I highly recommend international travel – there is no better education.

26. Have you made a prank phone call? Probably. I’m sure I wasn’t very funny or convincing, though.

27. Ever been on a train? Yes. I would love to ride the Hogwarts Express one day.

28. Brown or white eggs? There’s something I really like about brown eggs, but I think they all taste the same.

29. Do you have a cell-phone? Yes. iPhone in September!

30. Do you use chap stick? Yes.

31. Do you own a gun? No

32. Can you use chop sticks? I sure can. I am a chopstick superstar.

33. Who are you going to be with tonight? My hubs and the twins.

34. Are you too forgiving? I probably should be more so.

35. Ever been in love? Sure.

36. What is your best friend(s) doing tomorrow? Working

37. Ever have cream puffs? Yes. Martha Foose’s cannot be beat.

38. Last time you cried? can’t remember

39. What was the last question you asked? "Is it cute?"

40. Favorite time of the year? Fallish.

41. Do you have any tattoos? Wouldn't you like to know?

42. Are you sarcastic? Yes.

43. Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect? No. sounds stupid.

44. Ever walked into a wall? Probably during a bout of vertigo – walls, chairs, cars, doors…

45. Favorite color? green

46. Have you ever slapped someone? Not that I recall

47. Is your hair curly? Yes. And big.

48. What was the last CD you bought? I recently replaced my Abbey Road CD.

49. Do looks matter? Of course. Anyone who says they don’t is mistaken.
50. Are your nails painted? I just took off my fingernail polish, but my toenails are white – “Picket Fence” to be exact.

51. Is your phone bill sky high? No. Last month I only used 98 minutes.

52. Do you like your life right now? Sure.

53. Do you sleep with the TV on? Nope. I like it pitch black and silent.

54. Can you handle the truth? Sometimes.

55. Do you have good vision? No – I wear contacts.

56. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people? I could probably come up with 3+ if I thought about it, but who wants to think about people you hate?

57. How often do you talk on the phone? Not often if I can help it. I don't really like to talk on the phone.

58. Who was the last person you held hands with? Kell.

59. What are you wearing? Work clothes.

60. What is your favorite animal? Dogs! Specifically MY dogs.

61. Where was your default picture taken at? Between the "a" and the "t." What the devil is a default picture anyway?

62. Can you hula hoop? You know I can.

63. Do you have a job? I do – a darn good one.

64. What was the most recent thing you bought? Mushrooms, a bell pepper and some grapes.

65. Have you ever crawled through a window? Yes.

I just got an email about my 10-year class reunion. Does that disturb anyone else besides me?

home is where your style is

This will be fun for all you fans of home decorating out there. Take this quiz I found on How About Orange to find out your decorating style. Turns out, I'm a mix between Modern Elegance and French Eclectic. What are you?

are you a balla?

An eyeballa, that is. As for myself? Guilty as charged. Take this quiz and see how good your eye is.

My average was 4.27 out of 25, with my lowest being 0.5. Not too shabby if I do say so myself.

monday fun

Stolen from yaya’s blog…

1. Who was your FIRST prom date? his name is Jeff
2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love? Frankly, I can’t remember who my first love was. I’m sure it was some ridiculous crush that I thought was true love. It obviously was not because I don’t even remember. Plus, Kell is cooler than whoever that guy was.
3. What was your 1st alcoholic drink? Can’t remember for sure – either white zin or an amaretto sour. Again, ridiculous.
4. What was your FIRST job? I worked at Giggleswick Fine Gifts and Interiors for like 2 years in high school. Taught me everything I know about fine china and gift wrap.
5. What was your FIRST car? 1989 BMW 525. I adored that car.
6. Who was the FIRST person to text you today? MDOT. I have tried desperately to unsubscribe to their traffic alerts, but alas, I have been unsuccessful.
7. Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning? My doggy, Charlie – not really a person, but he was wedged up next to me in the bed.
8. Who was your FIRST grade teacher? Mrs. Williams – she was also my kindergarten teacher as well.
9. Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane? I visited Kell in Vail, CO when he worked there one summer.
10. Who was your FIRST best friend & do you still talk? Yaya my friend. Yes, we talk AND text.
11. Where was your FIRST sleep over? I'm sure this was yaya as well.
12. Who was the FIRST person you talked to today? Kell
13. Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time? I was in Marie Bailey’s wedding when I was a junior in high school.
14. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning? Turned the heat on in our house. It was 58 degrees in our bedroom. brrrrrr
15. What was the FIRST concert you ever went to? Garth Brooks, I think.
16. FIRST tattoo? There is none
17. First piercing? Ears. It was a huge deal for us to get our ears pierced – our 12th birthday gift.
18. First foreign country you've been to? England in 2007. I love it there.
19. FIRST movie you remember seeing? Not sure. I remember watching the original Winnie the Pooh cartoon movie quite a bit. I bet it would make me sad to see it now.
20. When was your FIRST detention? Don’t remember. I’m sure it was for something like forgetting to get my assignment pad or stapled papers signed
21. What was the first state you lived in? Mississippi
22. Who was your FIRST roommate? My dear friend Ashley. We were roomies our first year at State in Rice Hall. Such great memories…even though she did not want me to hang up my Beatles poster. However, since I allowed her to put the Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff magnet on our fridge, she obliged. Don’t ask me how I remember that.
23. If you had one wish what would it be? For my family and me to be healthy for the rest of our lives.
24. What is something you would learn if you had the chance? To sing well. And to be a great photographer.
25. Who was your first kiss? My high school boyfriend.

Hope everyone had a great weekend. A few points on the Oscars, even though I’m not finished watching:
1. Hugh Jackman is amazing.
2. Anne Hathaway was a great “Nixon.” Who knew she could sing? And her dress was my fave.
3. I’m really glad for Kate Winslet. She’s deserved an Oscar way before now.
4. I felt sorry for the men nominated for Best Supporting Actor who weren’t Heath Ledger. They had no chance.
5. Did anyone notice Mickey Rourke had his dog’s picture on a necklace he was wearing?
6. Can someone please tell me why the High School Musical kids were there?
7. Did anyone hear Miley Cyrus say she hoped to win an Oscar for the Hannah Montana movie? Seriously, she said that. And with a straight face.
8. Sean Penn? Really?
9. Did people actually think Angelina and Jennifer would get into a cat fight on the red carpet? They are adults, people.
10. I still want to see Slumdog Millionaire.

i am the walrus

Ooo, this was fun. Borrowed from Claire and Yaya…

What to do: Pick one singer/artist and use only one song title to answer each question

The band/artist: The Beatles

1. Are you a male or female: “Girl”

2. Describe yourself: “Everybody’s Trying to be My Baby”

3. How do you feel about yourself: “I’ll Follow the Sun”

4. Describe your ex boyfriend/girlfriend: “Don’t Bother Me”

5. Describe your current boy/girl situation: “Two of Us”

6. Describe your current location: “Penny Lane”

7. Describe where you want to be: “Octopus’s Garden”

8. Your best friend is: “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”

9. Your favorite color is: “Mean Mr. Mustard”

10. You know that: “We Can Work It Out”

11. What’s the weather like: “Good Day Sunshine”

12. If your life was a television show what would it be called? “A Day in the Life”

13. What is life to you: “Free As a Bird”

14. If you could change your name what would you change it to: “Eleanor Rigby”

15. What is the best advice you have to give: “All You Need Is Love”

Your turn.

write it right

How fun does this look? Get your handwriting as a computer font! And it’s free!

it's alright, 'cause I'm...

If you loved Saved by the Bell like I did (and still do), you'll love this great quiz from one of my favorite websites. I got a 9 out of 15 - can you beat that?

Embarrassingly enough, Kell only missed 2.

ask the candidates...

Look what I found on my new favorite website How About Orange!



Get your own fold-a-candidate for your home or office. Then you can talk to Sarah Palin all day about hunting, tell Cindy McCain to tone down the blonde, and ask Barack if 95% of American households really will receive a tax break and who will pay for all the programs he wants to start. Let me know what he says.

word up

Yaya says you can only answer with one word…

1. Where is your cell phone? desk
2. Where is your significant other? work
3. Your hair? wild
4. Your mother? Queen
5. Your father? genuine
6. Your favorite thing? snacks
7. Your dream last night? none
8. Your dream/goal? comfort
9. The room you're in? cubicle
10. Your hobby? shopping
11. Your fear? mistakes
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? house
13. Where were you last night? home
14. What you're not? tall
15. One of your wish list items? house
16. Where you grew up? Starkville
17. The last thing you did? snack
18. What are you wearing? dress
19. Your TV? on
20.Your pet? twins
21. Your computer? slow
22. Your mood? disappointed
23. Missing someone? yes
24. Your car? honda
25. Something you're not wearing? lipstick
26. Favorite store? anthropologie
27. Love someone? Kell
28. Your favorite color/shade? green
29. Last thing you ate? popcorn
30. When is the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? Yesterday

* Editor's Note: My hobby is not jogging, and I haven't set foot in a classroom since college.

It's been a while since I submitted a Delicious Dish. Harris just brought this one back to my attention - sure would be great for a Labor Day munchie!

Mississippi Caviar

1 can field peas w/ snaps
1 can shoepeg corn
1 can rotel tomatoes
1 can small green beans
Small bottle of Italian dressing
1 bell pepper, chopped
7 green onions, diced

Chop snaps and green beans. Drain each item and mix together. Delicious with Fritos or tortilla scoops.