A new summer favorite...

Menchie's!

It's delicious. It's frozen yogurt. And it's in Knoxville.

This was my creation on Saturday evening...
cookies'n'cream/chocolate yogurt
waffle cone
chopped pecans
heath bar bits
fudge brownie bites
cheesecake bites
&
maraschino cherries of course!

A stormy evening and iTunes...

THINGS I LEARNED THIS WEEK

*A vacation with the girls never goes out of style.

*I should stop expecting everything in life to be so easy.

*Mrs. Garner is cooler than I give her credit for.

*I could get used to a summer schedule.

*I still like Sushi.

*I'm not too old to climb fences.

*Summer storms are still my favorite.

*I've really moved on...and for that I'm thankful.

*I miss my wonderfully enticing down comforter and pillowtop featherbed in Knoxville.

*I still have it...I never lost it...now I just need to rock it.

(click below to watch how this post came to life... )

Funny for Friday: Sushi Face by Amelia

This week while I was house/dogsitting in Franklin, I had the opportunity to visit one of my favorite Sushi places in Nashville, Ru Sans. I also had the pleasure of having Amelia Bedelia, J. Crowe, and Rachel Jernigan along for the experience. I was trying to take a picture of Amelia and J. Crowe together and Amelia couldn't seem to swallow her ginormous sushi roll...

Isn't she precious?

E.I.! E.I.! Uh-oh!!!!

(I just downloaded all the old-school rap songs from my early college years...
hence, the title by Nelly)

(and yes, I'm already talking about my birthday)

It's hard to believe that I'll be 28 in less than a month. A little scary too. You always know you'll get older. You always know these days will come, but to tell you the truth I still feel like I'm 23. That's not to say I'm immature, but I just don't feel like I'm living a life that's close to 30. Yikes, I like the sound of being on the other end of the 20-something spectrum. But either way, I'm turning 28 on July 18th, 2010, whether I'm excited about it or not.

When I was younger, summer time birthdays were like a death sentence. You didn't have a school party, there was no such thing as the Internet and Fbook to let everyone know it was your special day, and birthday parties were a little more modest. I always had a neighborhood or church friend over, but nothing big or fancy. My family always gave me a sweet party with ice cream and cake, and for that I'm grateful, but sometimes I wanted a big to-do about it.

And if you can believe it, I was pretty shy until age 16. When I turned 16, I invited about 5 friends over for a slumber party. My parents even did the noble thing and left for the evening so we could have fun in the house. Well, alot of fun it was...one person showed up. My good friend Kristen, and she couldn't even stay for more than a couple of hours. I sat in my parents' den, with the happy birthday banner in the background, all by my lonesome. Needless to say, it was a little depressing (are YOU depressed yet?).

After a breakout year of becoming more friendly, shedding that shy-girl image and making new friends I was looking forward to 17. I didn't expect much, but I knew it couldn't be as bad as the year before. That's when the birthday monster known as my month-long birthday party extravaganza came about. Amelia and Sunshine and various others in the youth at church decided to make my 17th birthday unforgettable. A surprise party,presents, pizza, a cruise around town, a huge banner, and the rest is history. I had a fabulous 17th birthday (which I kinda consider as my 'sweet sixteen') and every year since I've expected nothing less. That's not to be obnoxious (like celebrate my birthday or die), it just means that I want to have fun and party for a couple of days out of the year.

I think EVERYBODY should make a big deal about their birthday, and that they should have fun and no stress. I don't want anybody to feel like I did that day in July 1998. I've turned my birthday into a party for all my friends. A good time to be had by all. No presents necessary...just fun and laughter and smiles. I told my friend Lacey Jean that being single is awesome but sometimes it's the short end of the stick because you don't get a big deal about anything special in your life (like a wedding/showers/receptions). And that's ok too, but that's why I choose to make my birthday an event.

Anyways...if you've read through all that....it was just to say that this year I'm making a birthday wish list. Just for fun. I don't normally, but this is my first birthday to celebrate in Knoxville and I have high hopes for it. So here's to being 28...and a senior in college. That's hot! :)

I WISH....

*Amelia and Bridget could celebrate with me in Knoxville with a late night slumber party and Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream

*to have a birthday cheesecake with 28 candles

*that I would get lots and lots and lots of birthday cards in the mail

*to spend the day by the pool

*that my favorite Caramel Frappe from Poplar Perk'n in Memphis would magically makes it way onto my nightstand in Knoxville for me to wake up to

*to get flowers...Tulips to be exact, pink Tulips

*I could go shopping and eat a Godiva cappuccino truffle

*I would get a new mix CD from someone unexpected

*for a boy to sing to me outside my window

*to get lots of new Pink 'Pretty and Pure' from VS

*to drink a Cherry coke with the most real cherries in a Cherry coke ever...EVA!

*I could stay up til midnight and stargaze on top of the Smoky Mountains

*to have 28 people out to celebrate my 28th birthday

Summertime is Official!

Happy first day of summer solstice! I've celebrated by lounging at the pool all afternoon, laying in a king-sized bed watching 90210, and I just noticed that there are fireflies dancing ALL OVER the back lawn towards the woods...so I'll give you two guesses as to what I'm doing next (and the first one doesn't count).

Hannah did text me today and said we have to start marking things off our summer list...so one down!

Watch fireflies dance.

I'm fixin to go lay out by the pool and do that, but wanted to give you a glimpse to the high life I'm livin' this week...and my new best friend.




The Infinity pool...with the drop off in the back. Sigh...I'm going to do nothing but smell like Hawaiian Tropic this week. Cheers!

When I'm Alone...

I lay on my bed and listen to new music.
It takes me back to the carefree days of being a teenager.
A wonderful way to spend a summertime Sunday late night.

I leave tomorrow morning for Franklin, Tennessee.
I'm excited to get back in the pool and do some summer reading.

p.s. I bet you can't guess what my favorite color is...

Summer Wish List

So Cousin Hannah and I went to my grampy's grave and sat one night during the week of my finals. I didn't have time for it really, but wanted to go and it turns out that I'm really glad we did. His grave is just outside of Maryville, with the Smoky Mountains in the background, and rolling hills by the airport on the other side. We sat there at sunset and watched the planes descend while the sun did the same. And somewhere amidst our hour of tears, laughs, and reminscing, we came up with a few things to start our summer lists. That night felt like our first night of summer, and later that week my journal was full of hopes and dreams to be fulfilled this summer.

We had originally said that we'd come up with around '15' things...well my hand kept writing and writing, and I think my total is over 30. Maybe this will give you some ideas for your own summer list, or just tell you how high my aspirations are for my own summer.

• Have a blowout birthday bash
• Watch fireflies dance
• Go on more picnics
• Go to high places and watch beautiful sunsets
• Drink honeysuckle
• Go tubing in the Smokies
• Hold hands with someone while watching fireworks
• Learn how to play a song on my guitar
• Play disc golf
• Go to the drive-in
• Have a pool party
• Take a daycation to Asheville
• Spend a weekend at the cabin in the mountains
• Go to an outdoor concert
• Take an overnight trip to an unexpected place
• Have a summer kiss
• Eat lots of watermelon
• Wade in a cold-watered creek
• Go to a bonfire with a few good friends and tunes
• Spend an afternoon on a quilt outside with a good book
• Canoe the Sequatchie
• Walk a new trail
• Wear summer dresses
• Scrapbook my life
• Drive a country road with all the windows down at Twilight
• Sit on a porch swing with a friend
• Go to a baseball game
• Act like a tourist in Knoxville
• Drive around Cades Cove
• Go camping and watch a sunrise
• Stargaze on a quilt for hours
• Host an outside dinner party

You may be my lucky star!

I am kinda lovin' 'Delilah!' (which I'm listening to on the outside speakers)

I am not kinda lovin' the dogs barking in the house.

It's 10:31 p.m. Memphis time and I'm sittin outside by the lit-up pool baskin in the starlight...there is nothing that screams summertime more than this! Tomorrow I'm done with my 11 day job of babysitting/cleaning/dog-herding/plant watering/chauffering/etc. I'm ready!

Hopefully this week will hold a trip to Searcy and possibly Sardis Lake camp to see old friends...like old times. Then one more babysitting job until I leave for Franklin, TN to housesit for the Dees. Endless pool here I come! A week of one dog, one big house, and lots of reading materials by the pool. Friends...come and visit! :)

I can't believe that it's still not officially summer...even though it's 97 degrees out. I'll be returning to Knox on the 25th, and I can't wait to start marking things off my summer list with Cousin Hannah. She was kinda worried we might not get them all accomplished since June is already booked, but I reminded her that since summer doesn't officially start until the 21st (right?), we'll only be 4 days behind schedule. False reassurance perhaps, but still it settled our worries.

It's too dark outside to try and read my summer list in order to type it, so look for that tomorrow! I promise! I know I've been behind, but it's not my fault their internet went out. Trying to see the screen in the blazing sun of day doesn't work out so well when you're outside to get the neighbor's internet.

So here's to a night of stars and swimming and Delilah's soothing voice. I know she's kind of annoying, but I like having the mellow tunes (and you can always be rest assured there will be at least ONE Celine Dion song every hour) to end my day and send me off the dream land. Maybe I'm turning into a grandma!

p.s. It's a little more than a month til my bday--woo hoo! I'll be posting a wish list for fun this week. I think everyone should celebrate their birthdays in style...and if you know me, you know I do it well!

Goodnight dear friends. I'm going for a dip....

Simply Stated

I picked up my kids from day camp today and when we got in the car somehow one of them started pretending like I was their other babysitter. I played along and said, 'Maybe I'm not Ms. Stephanie.'

Joey replied and said 'But if you weren't then your husband and kids would be here.'

I said 'I know...so since I don't have a husband and kids you know it's me.'

Then Joey told me 'You need some romance in your life. You need a man.'

I laughed out loud and then said...'Amen! I DO need romance!'

Then we all three had a discussion about my past loves and that I'm not too old to get married (he begged to differ). It was quite enjoyable.

I just think it's funny how perceptive kids are, and then the subjects they decide to bring up.

Other than that, I had a pretty boring Thursday. I know I'm behind on my summer list posting...I am bumming free internet right now by the pool so I'll have to post later when I can plug up my computer (which doesn't stay charged very long anymore-boo!).

Here's to more romance and Thursday!

Some Mad Hope

I am babysitting until the 14th for a family that's in Spain/Italy. Yes, yes, I know. I need to start demanding they take me and the kids with them. Last year it was Greece, this year it's Spain. I could have gotten some stamps on my passport already. Oh well, at least I get a pool.

The poor Honda isn't as reliable as she used to be, so I'm driving their Tahoe with the kids. I feel like I'm big pimpin' indeed. And that when people pull out in front of me, my big SUV is more intimidating in their rearview mirror than the Honda. It's kinda nice.

Driving a new car for the past 4 days has led me to draw a few conclusions.

1. I think my life is a little incomplete with satellite radio. With satellite radio, you can get the BBC Radio 1 broadcast! British boys with their accents and good music...be still my beating heart.

2. I think I look hotter in a SUV. I think the firefighters I honk at agree so too.

3. I like pressing down on the accelerator without the transmission jerking. It brings back memories of old from the Honda glory days. And all the work my v6 used to get.

4. A cream colored car makes my tan look better.

5. People at Sonic are eye level when you're in a SUV. It's nice to see the whites of their eyes when I tip them!

6. My new mix cd sounds better in a car with Bose speakers.

All of that to say, if anyone wants me to buy a new Tahoe, with a sunroof, satellite radio, and no kid seats, I'll take it. I mean, just sayin.

I'm still workin' on my tan. Still enjoyin' this life in Memphis for the month. I'm a VBS leader this week and we had 23 kids today (all 4/5/K). That was a little busy, but it was good and fun and they were cute. Especially the one who didn't want to go to the restroom because he wanted to 'tee-tee in the grass!' instead. He was cute, I told him I wouldn't mind minus the fact we were at church, so he had to use the conventional method. Bless it.

A new summer fave is the Sonic Lemon-Berry slush, with extra Berry. It kinda drowns out the lemon flavor...I think common folk would just order a Strawberry slush for the taste I desire, but saying Lemon-Berry with extra Berry makes me feel good. That's just how I am.

Also, there's a boy that peaks my interest. This is weird. It's been a while...and I don't know how I feel about it. But I'm going to put that out there. He's not what I'm normally attracted to, but I'm just being nice right now. Nothing will come from it but it's nice to have someone who makes you feel like you want to dress up. Ew. I'm being girly.

Oooook.

Tomorrow, summertime list!

Love!

p.s. Listen to Cary Brothers 'Ride.' He is coming to Knox for like 12.50$ and I'm excited. It's during my birthday week! Exciting!

I'm listening to Justin Bieber as I write this. Guilty!

It's been almost 2 weeks since the last time I blogged. I've found myself back in Memphis for a month, working and swimming and catching up with old friends.

Plans today include:

Babysitting...
Laying out by the pool...
Reading...
Maybe a visit from J. Fred...

Hi summertime. I've missed you. Well, minus the heat.

It's been good to see my family, to lay on the couch with no plans for hours on end (but I can only take one or two days of being that lazy), to go to the movies & Sheridan's with Jules like old times, to get lots and lots of hugs from FH folk.

Of course it's not the same. My life is in Knox now. It's nice to visit, but at the end of the month I'm going to be more than ready for my own bed and the familiar view of the mountains.

Due to summer school, rent to pay, and other factors, I haven't planned much in the way of Vacation this summer. Kind of a bummer after such a fab summer around the South last year. However, a low-key girl's weekend in the form of a trip to Searcy is in the works for late June and for that I'm thankful. Ames, J. Fred, and hopefully Mrs. Lauren Martin are planning a stay-cation at Ames' house in Searcy in honor of J. Fred's birthday. I'm so ready for a vacation that I'll even take a trip to Arkansas. jk:)

I hope everyone's June is turning into something beautiful and relaxing. And kind...

I'll catch up on my Summer reading list next week...thoughts, reviews, reports. And I think I'll post my summer to-do list (inspired by Cousin Hannah time).

Holla....homeslice.

p.s. Amelia...making my VBS pew poster is still not the same without your face and a boombox...and of course convenient trips to the snackroom at MSOP break times :)

p.p.s. The Justin Bieber song I'm listening to is Eenie Meenie (which I've only heard one time before) and when the Bieb started singing I really thought it was a girl at first. Sad.