The Hunger Games

So, you ask, what does one do without a kitchen for an extended period of time?

They turn their laundry room into one, duh!

I feel incredibly domestic now. As I wash, iron, and fold all The Mr.'s clothes (total lie), I can also make coffee, and a fresh, hot breakfast. In the same room. At the same time.

Bet you haven't seen that on Pinterest.

So here's the set-up.

Not too bad, if you ask me. I've brought out every small kitchen appliance we own for this event, and I even purchased this bad boy.

The card in the middle is inviting me to join their special club for Oster Double Burner owners so that I can get special recipes. Really?

And this is what the pantry looks like now, although slightly more organized than usual.

So, no, we aren't starving or eating out every night, but are instead doing some in-home camping for the time being. And honestly, it's not too bad. In fact, I can smell our Sunday pot roast cooking as we speak.

Let The Games Begin...

When we purchased our "big kid" house in November 2009, there were many reasons we fell in love. I wanted a separate formal space and The Mr. was fond of the manly wood-paneled office. We loved the neighborhood, the privacy, and the fact that there was still a lot to be done. Yes, we are gluttons for punishment.

We knew the biggest overhaul would be the kitchen, and now, almost three years later, we are tackling it. After months of planning, drafting and re-drafting of prints, and numerous calls and e-mails to our Construction Extraordinaire, aka my Dad, we started our project on Friday. To give you some background, this is what the kitchen looked like the day we bought the house:

And within four months, it looked like this. One can only handle so much bright red wood stain and unfortunate wallpaper for so long.

I loved our interim fix. The Mr. picked the cabinet color and was quick to remind everyone who complimented us that he chose the paint. I'll admit, he got it right.


And then I came home from work on Friday to find the kitchen looking like this:

With this in the garage:

And these two handsome dudes taking care of business:

If anyone can do it, they can. So, in the spirit of the Olympics, I say, "Let the games begin!"

Alabama

A lot has happened since the last time I blogged...

A series of major tornadoes hit the great State of Alabama last week, leaving thousands homeless. As it happened, I watched on TV, knowing that the storm was coming closer and that at any time I would lose power. As I watched it swirl above Tuscaloosa, my heart ached and for the first time in my life, I felt a little afraid of the weather. Keep in mind -- I grew up on the Gulf Coast, where hurricanes are a part of life -- but for some reason, this one really got my attention. Along with my Mother and the pets ( The Mr. was in Canada ) we took shelter in one of the guest bathrooms. I could hear the sounds outside and worried about what we would find when the door was opened. To my surprise...nothing more than a few limbs. We had escaped the worst of it, but I knew that we were indeed lucky.

In the days following the storm, I spent countless hours at the Junior League of Birmingham's Bargain Carousel ( my placement and something I am passionate about ). The stories of tragedy came from all walks of life, and on a number of occasions, I found myself slinking off into a corner to dry my eyes. One person after the next, all weekend long, recounted their tale. And amazingly, no matter the scale of their loss, they each ended by saying, "But we were lucky.".

And indeed they were, just as I was. For the storm had passed, left its mark, and moved on, leaving us among those who made it through alive. I realized over the past week that one's life can change in an instant - a split second - and for that, we should spend each moment treasuring our fortune of friends and family. I was, and am, moved to tears by what this state has endured, but I am reassured by the constant and abiding spirit of good hearted people, willing to lend a hand. For it must have been that same spirit that Julia Tutwiler spoke of when she wrote our state song so many years ago, adding these lyrics:

Little, little, can I give thee,
Alabama, mother mine;
But that little -- hand, brain, spirit,
All I have and am are thine.
Take, O take the gift and giver.
Take and serve thyself with me,
Alabama, Alabama,
I will aye be true to thee

What You Don't Know...

Aside from the updates about Charlie Sheen , my favorite part of US Weekly magazine is the section entitled "25 Things You Don't Know About ( Insert Celebrity Name Here )".

I really liked Martha Stewart's. She told us that she enjoys rap, but specifically Eminem. She also informed us that she carries fresh lemons with her when she travels - because who doesn't? Oh yeah, and she used to trap muskrats as a child.

That Martha is one well-rounded chick.

All of this led me to think about what I would include in the column should they ask me about my 25 things. And just in case they do, here they are:

1. Most terrifying moment: Watching my mother "dance" with a grizzly bear on skates at a local skating rink. The things that journalists do to get their stories....
2. I hate the word "snack". Not when I say it, but when you do. And don't you dare tell me you're gonna "munch" on a "snack". Ugh.
3. I fiercely believe that people should not co-mingle grocery staples in a marriage. A girl who grows up on skim milk and wheat bread should marry a man of the same ilk. Should he favor whole milk and white bread....well, you're in trouble.
4. I love dance crazes. MC Hammer : Check. Roger Rabbit: Check. Soldier Boy: Check. Dougie: Check.
5. I hate alligators. I cannot emphasize this enough.
6. As a child, I wanted to be one of two things - A) an archaeologist and B) a marine biologist. Then I grew up, realized I hated school, I wanted enough money to pay my power bill, and that both required extensive time in the heat. Nevermind.
7. I've never admitted this outside my family and no offense to those of you who have them, but I really don't like black dogs. No reason. Just don't.
8. I once had a cat named Orangie In The Supermarket. Yes, you called him all four names.
9. I'm distrustful of people who don't eat mushrooms.
10. 7x8 still gets me every time. Here's looking at you, Dad!
11. I was in the Scripps Howard Alabama Spelling Bee in 1995. Losing word: languid.
12. I really enjoy Scrabble ( see #11 ).
13. I like asking the people at Taco Bell about the meat quality EVERY time I go. It evokes a classic response. And it makes my husband laugh until he cries, which is my real intent. Who cares about the meat!
14. I hate haunted houses, hayrides, and horror films.
15. I think chopsticks are useless in America. I believe in the addage of "when in Rome", and to me, Surin of Thailand is not REALLY in Thailand and therefore, I will use my fork, thank you very much.
16. I enjoy reading Shakespeare. It's good stuff.
17. I almost was arrested in Kindergarten for mail theft ( accomplice only...not actual perpetrator).
18. Adults who have obsessions with Mickey Mouse, or any character for that matter, freak me out.
19. I have two pair of glasses- one for "public" and one for "home". The "home" pair are so totally amazingly 1980's nerd that I just had to have them. I, for one, think I look smashing in them.
20. I roll my eyes a lot. Oh wait, you knew that?
21. Favorite Sandwich : Tomato with Mayonnaise, Salt, and Pepper!
22. I've already picked out where I'm retiring and I talk about it all the time, as if retirement is in the near future. Isle of Hope, Georgia, here I come!
23. I vehemently believe in the power of Karma.
24. Not once, but twice, I cut my bangs into spikes in the weeks leading up to Easter. Literal spikes. Nothing is more embarassing than taking communion and having the Priest look at you as if you are from another planet.
25. Some people like to be called "brilliant" or "beautiful". Me? I prefer "efficient".

Did you learn anything? Here's to hoping US Weekly gives me a call -- I'm ready!

Another Day In Paradise

Tonight I found myself "cyber-stalking" a friend of a friend on Facebook...yep, it's creepy, but you all do it.

I don't know this person and more than likely never will, but I couldn't help but admire her. Perfectly dressed with a dazzling smile and a "fun" job, her hair was flawless in every picture.
She had a bevy of Lilly Pulitzer dresses, and she even managed to have her husband dressed to match her more often than not. You may think that's strange, but I would just kill over in delight if The Mr. wore a pastel bow tie to match my Easter dress.

The perfection was over the top...her cat and dog even smiled in their Christmas card photo. Both of them...the cat and the dog.

I spent a few minutes perusing her pictures and becoming increasingly jealous of the perfection. Here I was, sitting in my less than glamourous pajamas, flanked by my two little dogs. Let me be perfectly clear...my two Maltese ( always white ) who for some reason appear more tan today and smell horrible. Since the Mr. is out of town, I ate a hot dog for dinner and while I have a pile of laundry facing me, I'm instead watching the Bachelor, a show I despise. Why? I can't find the remote. Did I mention that my Christmas tree is still up, my car is in desperate need of a wash, and I have dry cleaning that I haven't picked up in a month?

I wondered what people like that do...you know, the perfect ones...on Monday nights at 8:00. In my mind, they have just finished a three course meal made of only local, organic produce, and are settling in with a fantastic glass of wine. Their clothes are ready and ironed for tomorrow, the laundry is done, the bed is made, the white dogs are white, and they are just sitting around being perfect. One can become jaded with their own life pretty quickly with thoughts like these...let me tell you.

But as I looked around at the chaos, the formerly white dogs, and the kitchen towel I just added to the laundry pile, I realized that nothing is perfect. Try as I may, I'm not and my life is not, but I'm pretty darn lucky. Seeing the perfection has a lot to do with being thankful, and that, I am.

And I bet, if I looked really hard, that perfect girl probably has a giant zit in half those pictures.

It's a new year, so I figured I would take advantage of the snow day today by doing a little blogging. I'm not promising a new year full of daily blogs, but I really am going to try better in 2011...no, really, I am.
So where to begin?
Since I have been an absentee blogger for so many months, I thought a run-down of 2010 would be fun. Just to catch everyone up to date, I'll hit the high points.
You may recall a blog post in January about us going to Pasadena for the National Championship game. It was such a fun way to start the new year, and to think that tonight a new National Champion will be named blows my mind...my, oh my, how quickly 2010 came and went. I'll leave my commentary about tonight's game to myself.

The late winter and early spring months passed without much excitement. We spent a lot of time working on our house, which was fun. On a day like today, it makes me happy to think that the azaleas will bloom again soon, and that there is actually green grass underneath the layers of ice.

In June, we went to Memphis for a family wedding, but I couldn't let my extended visit pass without a trip to Graceland. Yes, Graceland. It was amazing and I am still intrigued and slightly jealous that I wasn't a personal friend of Elvis'.

One of my best friends had a baby this year and in August we celebrated with a baby shower at my house, and before long, baby James Bradford was here in September.

The Mr. and I are pretty fond of him already.

August also took us to Savannah and Hilton Head for a much needed vacation and a special treat ...dining at Paula Deen's! The food was good, but I could've left the Yankees at home. Listening to people ask questions about okra made my stomach turn.

There seemed to be one wedding after another this past year, and I'm pretty sure those are coming to a quick end, as babies seem to be stealing the spotlight. One of my friends from college, Lisa, and her sweet husband Chris, were married in September. What a beautiful bride and wedding!

October brought a trip to Mobile and my ten year class reunion. While the turnout was a little disappointing, it was a lot of fun to see old friends and to visit my alma mater. Since the Mr. and I graduated together, it was a really fun thing to share. In fact, this picture of us was taken at the very place we first met...as high school juniors. But that's another story for another day.

Of course the fall meant football, and since the tailgating train came to a brief stop in 2010, we spent lots of time at home watching the Tide. Let me correct...The Mr. spent lots of time watching the Tide...I spent my time doing other things around the house.
All of this brought us to December and one of the most joyous holiday seasons we have ever had. It started with my office party at our house the first weekend of the month and continued into the new year. We had just about EVERYONE we love in our home and well, I'll just let that be another post, because that's just too much fun for one day! Happy New Year!

Get On The Bus...

It’s been almost three months since my last post, and while I said I was fully and totally committing myself to blogging, I lied. I kind of have a real job and a house to clean, a dog to walk, and a husband to entertain. Who am I kidding…I don’t walk the dog and I doubt the Mr. finds my “musings" entertaining.

However, I could not let today pass without a post. It’s a Monday, yes, but not just any Monday. For many children, as I have learned from Facebook ( my source on children ), it’s also the first day of school, which brings me to share this sad, yet entirely true tale with you.

It’s 1988 and I’m pretty damn cute. But it was on this very day in that year that I learned being “cute” gets you absolutely nowhere in life, and it certainly doesn’t get you to school on time.

My Mother had put my hair in a side ponytail job and I was wearing a bright green shirt with a Coca Cola logo. I think I had on white shorts, but I know I was carrying a baby blue book satchel and I was some kind of excited as that yellow school bus rounded the corner to pick me up for school. I waited patiently...well, half patiently really.. as my family gathered on the porch to waive me off. I have always been fiercely independent ( thank God), but perhaps my parents often judged my independence for intelligence beyond my years. Who knows.

What I do know is that no one really took the time to discuss riding the bus with me. Ever.

So, as the bus pulled up to the big brick front of Daphne Elementary School and all of the other pint-sized monsters disembarked, I stayed behind. And since I was small, no one noticed. Not even the junior high kids who were still on the bus awaiting their turn to be dropped off down the street. Nope. No one said a word, and there I sat, pretty as a peach, in my own little world just waiting to go to school….when I damn well felt like it.

We get to the junior high and the remaining children disembark, leaving satchel-toting, side-ponytail wearing Emily behind. Just me and the yellow bus and no one else….not even the driver who scurried off to teach Algebra.

When they found me, they escorted me to the principal, whereby some strange fate I found my older stepsister who was starting junior high the same day. I sat on a barstool behind the school desk and when she walked in, wearing a blue sailor style dress, I balled.
I just thought you could ride until you felt like it and then ask them politely to take you to school. But, as I rode back to the elementary school in the junior high principal’s Cadillac, I realized I was wrong. And I felt as stupid as a kindergartner can feel.

I know now that the “Oh, Bless Her Hearts” must have abounded, and that surely my teacher thought I was certain to be the classroom village idiot. I know they called my Mama, who surely must’ve wondered herself why I would do such a thing. What she didn’t know is that that call would become the first of many she’d get about me

Moral? There’s not one really, except this.

Just because another school year had begun and another year has passed, don’t ever forget what it feels like to be a child on the first day of school. It’s magical and sweet, no matter where you end up.