Nom Nom Thursday: St. Louis These Past few weeks--crazy!

It's been quite a while since I have written, so today, in lieu of "Nom Nom Thursday", I am going to share about Red's and my crazy past 2 weeks...

As the universe knows, the World Series was the past 2 weeks and the Cardinals won!!! Red and I were so excited to get to go to a couple of games---this was a huge blessing due to the fact that going to the World Series is extremely expensive. We were so happy to be blessed by friends! Here are some pictures:

We got to sit behind home-plate one of the nights-- It was awesome! Definitely a special way to experience the World Series.

At the end of our second game experience--we had an interesting finale.... A girl comes up to me as I am about to climb into Red's truck and says "Your friend is in the back of your truck, just wanted to let you know." I replied, "You get your friend out of the back of our truck, why is he back there?" She quickly says, "He's not my friend." I find this odd considering she was taking a picture of him in our truck...

Red and I walk back there and this is what we find:

I'm thinking he may have partied too hardy for the night---the Cards didn't even win that game!

Red and some other dude started to drag him out of the truck because he wouldn't respond to gentle shaking---he jumped up and announced that he would be back...he had to go pee. We said, no worries, we won't be here.

The week pressed on--we had Bible studies--dinner dates---and...... costume parties to prepare for!!!

Which brings me to the next exciting chapter of today--Red's and my kickin' Halloween costumes.

We had some trouble coming up with costumes that we both would be comfortable in--and that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg---and this is what we settled on:

Serious, I'll ge you gods

Yes his beard is real.

Who are we, you ask? Poseidon and Amphitrite his wife....or according to an adorable little sorceress at the party--Ariel in human form and her father Triton.

In the midst of all of these social engagements we also had our kitchen remodeled--and this weekend is Red's birthday--It has been a crazy end of the month--but well worth it.

I have some sweet finds to share with you guys--so stay tuned--

I hope this post gave you something to chew on--bahahahaha

Alone time at it's best

RESULTS!!


I am sorry to say that I do not have a picture to demonstrate the results of my labor--however, here is a list of the pros and cons of this concoction (after sitting on my head for 2.5 hours!)

CONS:

• After washing and conditioning my hair 2x---a distinct (funky) fish smell was flowing from my hair...all day.
• My hair seemed to get tangled more easily

PROS

• I allowed my hair to air dry--and it did dry smoother and shinier than normal.
• My hair did seem more moisturized...but nothing too special.

All in all, I think the process was more work then it was worth... Though it might save you money, I think the outcome might be worth that $10 treatment you buy from the store.

Karmin may be my new favorite.

Our dear friends Chrissy and Brandon have been in town the past couple of days...and so we went out to Chrissy's sis's house for a little fellowship and good food---and perhaps some killer games of Nerts...the best game ever..

So while enjoying our time together, Chrissy exposed me to the fabulousness of Karmin. A duo who specialize in some awesome covers--and have some sweet tunes of their own.

The gal is crazy talented...her rapping is amazing...and her voice is beautiful. Just take it in my friends.

A crazy cover:



An original song:




Go share this with your friends---Karmin needs to be on the charts...

Reelin' Reds with Red

So I have been traveling the South since that post in Texas and have thoroughly enjoyed visiting my old stomping grounds.

There is nothing like going back to your college town for a some friends' wedding and getting to see the people you survived college with.

Between Texas and Mississippi, we headed down to the beach in Alabama to visit Red's family. We thought this was going to be the "downtime" in our trip---little did we know...

The first day we got to sleep in and just piddle around. Then that was it.

The second day we took the boat out to Robinson's island for a day in the sun. The boys set up a tailgating tent and manned the grill while the gals floated on rafts (and as I reapplied sunscreen quite liberally over and over again...I refused to get a sunburn this year.)

Needless to say, it was awesome.

The next day was opening season of Red Snapper, and the boys were extremely excited about the prospect. Red's little sister and I decided we were going too, and then his mama jumped on board...in all sense of the word...and so we got up at 5am to head out to sea.

It was incredible. After returning in-land to drop off some landlubbers who couldn't quite get the hang of things, Red, his Dad, and I headed out.

It was gorgeous.

About 15 miles out, we found our sweet spot and started to reel them in. (I wish I could show you a video of my grace in motion...it turns out 10 lb fish can really give you a fight...I was sore in places I didn't think should be sore...for days!!)

I finally sat down with the rod in the holder because I wasn't as effective a man-handler as I needed to be.

Victory, fishes!

Here is Red in action:

We came home with 6 Red Snapper that day, all over 10 lb. It was an exciting experience and one I hope to do again sometime.

One warning to people...if you ever take Dramamine (which I did, just in case, though I had never been sea sick before...) be weary of the fact that it can and will (in my case) make you sleepy!!

I was so sleepy that at one point I thought I was going to fall out of the boat! I was nodding my head like I used to in class...miserable----but the fish made it worth it.

Mountain Love

I'm a sucker for magical places.

Any place that transports you away from your world...

My magical places are usually very green...very Secret Garden meets Lord of the Rings, know what I mean?

Red and I went trail running again last week and got to experience such a place. The same trail as normal...but it has grown up to be a special, beautiful, earthy, green place. (makes sense right?)

When I think about these places, certain music comes to mind...First Enya (best not be laughing, sir)...and then Mumford & Sons and Allison Krauss....

I could listen to them over and over and just enjoy sitting outside in a gorgeous green place.

Here is a taste of what I'm talking about:




Her voice takes you straight into the heart. You're pierced and moved.



For me, this music builds until I feel like I'm going to burst...it makes me want to dance with out inhibition and jump about like I live in a green field with flowers in my hair and grow my own food and wear pretty dresses.

I know thats what you got out these songs too....don't lie.

So perhaps you ought to go listen to this music and imagine being in a magical place.

Survival of the Fittest

I just returned from an epic trip to Memphis, TN...and will be sharing with you bits and pieces through out the week.

As you may know, I'm really enjoying having a pet bird who lives outside my window, named Aida.

(This relates, I promise)

Understandably, because of this new-founded relationship with Aida, I am a bit more sensitive to the going-ons of birds in general.

So I hit the road to Memphis around lunch on Friday and enjoyed a nice calm trip for a few hours...a couple hundred miles, and all was good.

As I got closer to Arkansas, I began to notice a black sky ahead of me (interestingly, it seemed to appear out of no-where)..

I figured, eh, it's a storm--I'll press through.

The next thing I know, it's hailing, the wind is going crazy, water is rushing over the roads (ie. the sandbags are not protecting me at this point) and I'm going 25 mph in a 70 mph zone.

People are pulling over, driving with their caution lights, stopping under bridges---but me, I decide to go forward with the trucks...I want to make good time, right?

The storm gets worse...and I begin to wonder if maybe I should pull over too...I decide, naah, and speed up a little.

Just as I step on the pedal, there is a huge crack, and a bolt of lightening hits the ground behind my car. I see the lightening hit the ground through my rearview mirror. It is mind-blowing.

Mind-blowing to the point that it brings tears to my eyes because I am so shocked (not physically, praise the Lord.)

As I work through my survival status, I continue to drive and reach the edge of the storm...

It begins to clear up and become less chaotic...I begin to relax.

I notice little birds gliding over the highway--peacefully...

Then, out of nowhere, a bird nearly runs into my driver's side window...I duck (no pun intended.)

It is so close...I can see the individual colors of the feathers on it's chest.

This is scarring when you have a pet bird named Aida, living outside your window. What if that had been her?

The trip to Memphis was insane.

I am happy to say that no animals or people were hurt during this trip---and that I not only survived, but thrived upon arrival...

BBQ fest was rejuvenating... and the bachelorette party invigorating.. More to come on that later.