Halloween.

Well I was going to try and be "balloon boy" for Halloween, but they didn't have any big silver helium balloons so I opted for a bat balloon. I dressed up girly, and had the bat balloon tied to my jeans, so I was "Bat Girl." Not the most creative, but cost-effective to get the job done!

Pictures from the party @ the CSC on Friday night.

Sara Jackson=Emo Kid. She even looks half awake like most emo kids.

Matt Kelley didn't dress up. I wasn't impressed.

Sashsa was a Black Widow. Me sportin' the pretty bat balloon.

Farcasin was the joker. Well I thought maybe he was a clown...I was wrong.

I heart Chad! And his tommy gun!

Beckie was an evil witch.

Dobbie & Farcasin = Indiana Jones gettin' shanked by the joker.

Tammy is that Calypso from 'Pirates of the Carribbean.'

Chad Phillips is one sexy gangsta!!!

It's the great pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

(Name that quote: 'Yes, I'm the popular social networking site known as BOOKface.')

I can't remember the last time I carved a pumpkin for Halloween.

Probably during my years on Marion Ave. Cousin Hannah and I were set to carve pumpkins last Friday night, but got too busy being bums and watching movies and decided to wait til closer to Halloween. Tonight she came to Knox and we enjoyed a night out and watching 'The Office' Halloween episode and carving our big orange pumpkins!

Hannah turned into the regular Martha Stewart with her pumpkin carving. She made hers a 'celestial' pumpkin, with white xmas lights and everything! It was adorable. You can learn how to do it HERE. We used a power drill to make the holes (alot easier than a screwdriver or cutting).


I didn't really have a technique in carving my masterpiece. She's cute and she even has eyelashes! She's a little lopsided, but that's just because she has mild scoliosis. What?! I'm an equal opportunity pumpkin carver...they can't all be perfect. She also needs a nose job, but funds are kinda tight.


I'm really not much of a costume person when it comes to Halloween. Partly because I don't want to feel stupid and partly because I don't want to have to spend funds on anything extravagant. But Hannah and I were watching the news about popular costumes this season and she said "I can't believe they don't have a _____ ___ costume." To which I replied "AH HA!" So I'll fill in the blanks tomorrow if I can perfect the look.

Kissing Cousins...Kissing Pumpkins!!!
(I don't really know what the term 'kissing cousins' means, but me and Hannah are just cousins.)

Stop yelling at my hand!

There are so many memorable moments that happen on Wednesdays at lunchtime.

That's when the CSC @ UTK has their home-cooked lunch. 2 hours of some of the funniest people hanging out, eating, and laughing uncontrollably. Every week there's a new game, story, quote, or event that rules the mealtime and we all laugh about it for a few days. Last week was a name-off between me and Daniel. I name a store or place or city or person and he had to name one right back (no real point or winning strategy--just fun). That continued for a good 20 mins. and turned into one of the most ridiculous games ever played. Needless to say, it's memorable. One of this week's scenario was me trying to high-five Brent, but him repeatedly yelling (or talking loudly as he does) at my hand that he's not gay (in response to my usual fake high-five "who's gay?" trick) and I finally yelled at him to 'stop yelling at my hand.' Not that funny in theory, but AnCharlene picked up on the quote and started laughing, and then I started laughing and then she laughed at me laughing and we made it one of those 'memorable Wednesday moments.' I love those days. I cherish the couple of hours I have to enjoy these people, their unique personalities, and humor in life.

I realized I still haven't written about my trip to Memphis or Bama. That's in store for tomorrow.

I'm listening to an acoustic version of Kris Kross' 'Jump, Jump' by the Macromantics. It's quite different.

The Garners are coming to Knox to visit me for the weekend. Well maybe it's more about the football game, but I'm an added bonus! :) We'll be attending the UT/South Carolina game Saturday night. I'm actually pretty excited for their visit. She's cute. Dave's pretty swell too.

Yada, Yada, Yada

It's official...I'm 12 years old!

I'm excited like a little girl with her first Barbie doll about the new Twilight: New Moon movie. I GOT MY TICKETS TODAY! Tiffany, Mary Beth, and I are going to the 12:30 a.m. showing on Friday, Nov. 20... that means 12:30 in the morning, as in after midnight. All 10 of the 12:01 shows were sold out, so we had to settle for a 30 min. delay.

Last year we got there an hour early for the midnight show and the parking lot was packed, girls were screaming and crying as they ran towards the theater, everyone was wearing a Twilight shirt, and girls were wooing when Edward walked on screen.

I don't expect any less this November.

To add to the fun, two of the stars, Taylor and Kristen (Jacob and Bella, respectively ,in the movie) will be in Knox just 3 days before to premiere the movie at the same theater. Maybe I'll be so lucky as to sit in the same seat they did (sense the sarcasm...). I mean, I love the movie, and I'm excited, but I wouldn't sell my right arm to see them in person. If Edward Cullen was here, that might be a different story.

Yes, I'm 27 and I love Twilight! I'm not ashamed.

Speaking of movies, I'm home alone right now and watching the original Halloween on AMC. That creepy piano music theme is playing throughout my apartment and it couldn't feel more like Halloween. When I lived at the house on Marion, I would have a Halloween shindig and the 8 or so of us would dress up, eat crescent roll hotdog mummies, and watch scary movies. I wish those people were here right now. I miss celebrating Halloween at my place.

Music Monday

I first heard MoZella on 'One Tree Hill' with her version of Weezer's 'Say It Ain't So.' I loved her unique voice and couldn't wait to find her songs. I downloaded both her new(Belle Isle) and old (I Will) albums, and I love them. Her songs are featured on lots of commercials, shows, etc. She's precious. Enjoy.

Don't forget Jack Johnson's new live album comes out tomorrow! I pre-ordered mine and got to download it digitally already! Amazing. It's on sale at Target for $9.98 on Tuesday. I suggest you pick it up!

Halloween Recipes

Tomorrow is our Fall Festival at Greenback and I signed up to bring a dessert (see below).

Halloween Cheesecake Brownies recipe at Kraftfoods.com
PHILADELPHIA® Pumpkin Dessert Dip recipe at Kraftfoods.com
Halloween Spook Cookies at Kraftfoods.com

Kraft had some really cute Halloween ideas for desserts, check them out.

Tonight Cousin Hannah and I are going to celebrate the Halloween season by watching scary movies, making my scary dessert, and carving Pumpkins. I'm kinda excited. I love freaking myself out with scary (not gory) movies. We're even thinking about driving past the old scary 'haunted' plantation house near Gran's old house...too bad you can't come Bridget! :)

The rest of the weekend consists of Fall Festival, watching UT/Bama, and church. I'm finally starting to feel better and look forward to a relaxing Fall weekend. I hope all of you have one too!

Today

Today is the day to get stuff done.
To do the folding I never like.
To organize the junk paper pile.
To straighten my shelves.
To print off school notes.
To take the trash out.
To make my bed properly.
To vacuum.
To wash the bathroom rugs.
To dust.
To finish a photo album.
To delete old emails.
To defrag my computer.
To organize my closet, and get rid of the clothes I never wear.

I gotta feeling, that tonight's gonna be a good night.

The Daily 10

1. Why is there a new SAW movie? Really? I haven't seen the other 5, but I imagine it's the same plot and storyline...really America?

2. I woke up early, or rather late, depending on how you look at it. Early in the sense that I normally sleep til 8ish on Tuesday/Thursday, late as in the sense that I set my alarm for 6:00 and woke up at 7:20 a.m. I went to my Dr. appt. at 8 (in my pjs) and learned that what I thought was bronchitis is nothing more than a cold. I was "that" person who went to the doctor for a cold. I told her I thought colds consisted of sneezing, sniffling, and runny eyes. This has just been sore throat, a little nasal congestion, some gunky green stuff, and a whooping cough. Also come to find out, green stuff does not mean infection. Hence, the cold. $80 later and I'm set up with Flonase and some pearl stuff to help my OTC cough suppresant. Apparently it has to run it's course. Next time I'll save my $80 and let it take it's time.

3. DVR might possibly be one of the best things ever invented.

4. I'm playing McD's Monopoly game, along with the other billion people in America. Keep your fingers crossed! Also, if you get game pieces and don't want them, you know who does...me!

5. I am going to call about changing my major tomorrow...let's just say that after 2 months of class, I've learned that Speech Language Pathology is NOT for this girl.

6. I asked the little boy I nanny, Drew, if we were friends today. He said "no, Ms. Nephnie, we're not fwiends...we're VEGGIETALES!" Than he began to shake his booty and sing the Veggie Tales song. Needless to say I joined in. Not the best dueter, but I can work with it.

7. I've started washing my hair every other day for the most part. Yes, that is SHOCK AND AWE for anyone who knows me well. It still kinda shocks me too. Part of the joy in having longer hair. I never knew...

8. I deleted my Twitter yesterday. That was a bore...and hard to figure out.

9. J. Crowe has inspired me to burn more fall candles in my home...I love the smell of autumn.

10. College Football season is half over, and I'm really kinda down about that.

Music Monday & more...

Updates

1. Still coughing my head off, headed to the doctor at 8 a.m. tomorrow morning.
2. Also tomorrow, is the 1st Annual National Day on Writing...celebrate by reading, writing in your journal, or even writing a card! Read more about it HERE.
3. It's Music Monday. Even though I like to try and share links to legit artists I like or think you'll enjoy, this made me laugh for the day. If you like cheesy singing, cheesy skits, and overall cheesiness, enjoy this clip from Britain's version of "American Idol." WATCH!

Weekends with Friends.

I just returned home to Knox after a fall break trip to Alabama. The weekend before that I had an extended weekend back home in Memphis. Here's a few pics of those trips, I'll write more on my experiences later this week! Right now, I'm tired and I've got to get back in the groove of my Knox/School life. Have I mentioned that I'm sick as well? Consider yourself informed :). At least I have my voice back. NyQuil here I come!!!

Taubken and I having fun with the poker and J. Phil.

The next picture shows what happens when you let the wrong people handle the poker.
They hit you in the head with it. Ouch!

Ms. Debbie and Ms. Annette watching us act like we're 5.

Keith will always be one of the teens! He's such a diva.

Amelia's message on J. Crowe's white board.

Blog Award!

My good friend Kristen Jenkins gave me a blog award. Two in fact! Thanks Kristen! You should check out her blog, Bringing Up Benjamin.

Apparently, according to some unenforceable internet rule, I am supposed to post my award, and nominate other blogs.

"Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. Pass the award to other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award."

Here goes...

1. My most recent blogging friend, J-Fred! I'm so excited to read about her adventures in South Africa @ WayDownSouth(africa)

2. On to J-Phil! She kept a blog this summer about her time in Costa Rica, but has recently started writing about her life @ Jess-

3. Keeping with the theme, my third award goes to J. Crowe! She is one of the most insightful people I know. Read her thoughts @ notwithstanding

4. I love reading about mommy time at my friend J's blog, The Davis'

5. For the only award winner not named J, I love keeping up with my friend Rachel and her sweet life @ The Dunaway's

Music Monday

WOO HOO for a new Jack Johnson live album. You can read about it here.

I love this song...and I know you do (or will) too!

Nie Nie

To remember how blessed we are, watch this.

Tweet This.

I joined Twitter.

I succumbed.

Reasoning:

• It's a great way to keep up with my favorite music artists in one place.
• I can find people who love music.
• It's not addictive like fbook...I think.
• I just want to see what all this is about.
• It all started when I wanted to share my Jack Johnson link...and it didn't have a 'blogger' option, however, it did have a 'twit this' option so I joined Twitter just to share a link. (Yes, I know I could have copied, pasted, whatnot, but it defeated the purpose of being able to easily link. That sounded like a good reason in my head.)

We'll see how long my Tweeting lasts. I'm not completely ashamed of myself for joining. I just don't want to be addicted to anything on the computer.

Here's to happy tweeting.

If you're on Twitter you can follow me here.

I said it's great...to be...a Tennessee Vol!

It's Monday night and my voice is starting to return to normal.

I spent my Saturday night at Neyland stadium with 102,000+ of my dearest friends.

UT vs. Auburn.

It would be nice to say we won, but most of my voice was lost on screaming for our defense to "GET HIM! GET HIM!" Unfortunately, my boys could not rally at the end and save the day. Congrats to Ms. Kathy and her Auburn Tigers! :)

I had a blast going to my first home game this season. I just love college football. There's nothing like hearing 100,000 people sing Rocky Top, seeing a sea of Orange on their feet cheering for the Vols. My favorite part of UT games has always been watching the team run out through the traditional Power T. It seems like everyone is at their loudest, a collective deafening roar throughout the stadium as we watch the Tennessee flag flying through the air leading the way for those orange jerseys. It's electrifying. Everyone is on fire for the same reason. Everyone is pumped, and it always seems like this game is going to be the biggest one yet.

My least favorite part is watching people leave with 5 minutes left in the game because they know we have no chance in winning.

Even though we lost, it was such a fun experience. I went with friends from the CSC, about 12 in all, and we had a blast cheering our team on together.

I'm sad I won't be here this weekend to go to UT vs. Georgia (don't worry Kristen Jenkins...we'll beat your dawgs!), but I'm looking forward to UT vs. South Carolina at the end of the month. Yay! GO VOLS!

Gotta love Neyland! That checkered endzone is my fave.



Team huddle during one of our down times...Didn't work.



Just for you Mrs. Kathy. :)

The ESPN announcers were in the skybox with the green screen.


Matt Kelley and Daniel and I with our game faces.


That is lotsa boys and lotsa stretching. :)


Yes, I sat by these people. Let's just say they have a lot of school spirit.

Music Monday

Kait Lawson. I love her music. She is friends with my homegirl Jules, and I saw her in concert in Nashvegas in April. She's really fun. I also love the fact that she throws some old school Memphis rap in the mix acoustically. Enjoy.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

No, not Christmas. Or Kers-mas...as some of my fellow Memphians say.

OCTOBER! The official start of the fall season.

I mean, truly, does fall really start in September? Easy no. October is where it's at.

I love October. It just screams FALL! FESTIVALS! FUN!

I can now decorate my home with pumpkins. And leaves. And gourds.

I had the perfect fall house when I lived on Marion in Memphis. It was so cozy and homey. I loved sitting in the big picture window and watching the leaves fall from the two big Oak trees in the front yard. It even smelled of spice and wood (and sometimes dog). My pumpkin on the front porch looked right at home. My first fall there, I even spent $40 on gourds and pumpkins to place around the house as decor. I'm a sucker for fall decorations.

This afternoon I'm going to open up my big box labeled "Halloween" and try to recreate that feel here in my new apartment. I've been a big slacker on pictures of my new home, but I promise, they're coming. Perhaps, once the pumpkins are out!

I'm listening to Nickelcreek and I'm going to light my pumpkin spice candle, open up our blinds across the sliding door looking at the trees and leaves under the clear blue October sky, and immerse myself in all things fall. I might even wear a sweater while donning decorations :).

I can't describe how happy I am that it's October. September is good, but I spend most of it longing for what's to come--everything that October has to offer.