Blast from the past

Does anyone else remember these?

I mean, we're going old school here. Like way back to elementary school. Well, Matt says that since I went to a private school for high school (and he believes that we had "gourmet" cafeteria food) that we didn't have these like he did at South Panola but I beg to differ. Matt also remembers having these at the Sigma Nu house at Ole Miss. Anyway, do you know what this is??? It's cafeteria pizza! Remember how it used to come in its own little plastic baggie? And the crust would be kind of soggy? Matt was super pumped to find these at Charlies (the meat market we go to) and had to bring some home. All that was missing were those little milk cartons. Or, if we were at my high school all I'd need to make this meal complete would be an undercooked (as in used a spoon to eat it) chocolate chip cookie. Perfection.

We're back!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I know we did! We had a great time being with our families. On December 23rd Buford had his third birthday and we celebrated by giving him a doggie cupcake cookie and a little taste of his first beer since he was 21 in dog years.

Around the house

I just love being around our house at Christmastime! Here's a little peek at some of our decorations. This idea I stole from one of my friends, Molly. It's perfect for showing off the Christmas cards that we get!
And, one of the only reasons I love cold weather: building a fire! Buford seems to love the fire too!

A rant...

I grew up in Jackson, MS where I was oblivious to the life of a train. I can recall train tracks but the only importance of them was whether you lived on the good side of them or the bad side of them. I really just don't remember any trains actually being on the tracks. Anyway, since moving to Memphis I have become completely aware of the trains. I consider them to be incredibly annoying. When we first moved into our house I would wake every night to the far away sounds of the train whistle. Annoying. Oh, and what about the traffic jam that results from a train coming through? So annoying. For the longest I had this hypothesis that the train was only annoying because I always seemed to get caught by it when I was in a hurry (for those of you who know me I always seem to be in a hurry).

However, last week my hypothesis was disproved. I was off the Wednesday before Thanksgiving with nothing to do but make a pie. I got caught by the train on my way home from the grocery and nearly blew my lid. For TWELVE minutes I sat stuck in my car. I was not in a hurry, I had no where to be but I was furious. I wanted to ram the train with my car but figured I'd lose that battle. During my twelve minutes of hell I came to the conclusion that I just hate the train in general. I realized that there are some circumstances in which I hate the train more than others:

1. The phantom train-this is when the arms come down and the lights go off but no train comes through

2. The snail train-this usually occurs when two trains are trying to connect (why they choose the heart of the city to do this in is beyond me) and the train literally creeps along the tracks causing an incredible backup of traffic

3. The stopped train-this usually occurs in conjunction with #2 and it makes my blood boil

4. The rush hour train-seriously I think the trains come through at noon and five o'clock just to be hateful

5. The back-to-back trains-what happens here is that one train has come and gone, and those of us stuck in traffic think that we're home free, traffic begins to flow again, and before you know it *WHAM* the arms come down again and another train comes through. Stuck again.

Now, think about this...a #2, #4, and #5 train combo and I'm in need of anger management classes. It's happened and unfortunately I've been a part of it. So while this may be a boring post to some, you other train-haters out there just might appreciate it!

Probably only funny to us

This is Buford's best rendition of what Matt and I look like after we've eaten entirely too much Thanksgiving food. Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

Baby, it's cold outside

Last weekend we ventured to Oxford yet again for the Ole Miss game. It was fa-reezing. I'm not a cold weather fan at all. Mostly it was the wind that made it so cold. Anyway, many of our friends decided to forgo this game so we had extra tickets and invited Matt's mom and his brother, sister-in-law, and their kids to the game. It was like Still Family Day in the Grove! Despite the cold we had a great time being together.

Matt and Kyle at the game

Busted...

You know the quote "dance like no one's watching"? Well, apparently people are watching. And they have cameras...

The birthday boy

Just wanted to give a shout out to Matt...he's having a birthday tomorrow!! He is the most amazing man and I feel so lucky to be married to him. He is extremely thoughtful and level-headed. He is compassionate and loving. When he gives, it is not contrite but from his heart. He is willing to try new things. He's got a great sense of humor and keeps me laughing. Ok, enough cheese...Matt, I hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow!!! I love you!

Best of the rest

Matt assures me that I used my "big word quota" in the last post so here's some pictures that have yet to make the blog until now!

Kathleen, Lindsay, me, Kate in New Orleans

My first EVER experience mowing

Me and Caroline at the Windjammer

Matt, me, Katy Rose, Ben at the Raconteurs concert

Dawn, me, Page, Kate, Jim, Lindsay

Conflicted

Many of you have asked how the couch weekend went and let me tell you it was FABULOUS. I did manage to start a new project with which I'm quite obsessed. I've gone through all my magazines (Cooking Light, Mississippi Magazine and Southern Living) and clipped out all the recipes I like. Now I'm working to create a book of all the recipes! I know, I'm neurotic, but I feel it's much more effective than flipping through stacks of magazines every time I feel like cooking something new!

Anyway, I've also been harassed (Anna) about making a new post and I must say that with things being much slower it makes it hard to think of what to post! So here goes...I'm sure it's not what you were looking for but it's been weighing heavy on my heart.

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately (gasp) about something called The Truth Project. It's a DVD series that we've been doing in my Bible study and it compares the truth that is God-oriented to the lies that are society based. The most recent "episode" questioned: Who is man? It cited several theorists (many of whom I studied in graduate school) who believed in man's inherent goodness and emphasized our cultures tendency to "follow your inner being" and focus on self-actualization. It went on to question: if man is inherently good then from where does evil come? Some purport that evil and sick people come from an evil and sick society. Society focuses on man's need to save himself and create his own happiness. The truth is that man is fallen, sick, sinful, and in need of redemption.

One source of lies in the series, David Noebel, talks of an assumption that mental health and happiness come from self-actualization and getting in touch with your "good" self. Did someone say mental health?? Let me remind you that I work at a mental health center...enter my confliction. Day in, day out I counsel people about taking action to "save themselves" and encourage them to create a better future for themselves. I tell them that they are in charge of making things different, better. We talk about self-actualization. They work to "follow their inner being" and create their own happiness. You know, I would like to believe that people are inherently good. I would like to believe that they can make their own happiness. Eight hours out of a day I operate out of that school of thought. And then, WHAM. This comes along and gets me thinking. Am I spending my time believing in and encouraging others to believe in the lies and deceptions of this world??? Yikes. How is it possible for me to believe in God's truth but operate out of societies' lies?

So far, I have been able to ask myself these questions but I've been unable to come up with an answer. What I know is that I am human. Whew. This allows me to be conflicted but it also allows me the ability to discern between these truths and lies. For clarification, I am not conflicted about my Christian faith. Just conflicted about the possiblity that I can become so desensitized to societies' lies without even recognizing it! And fearful that (because I am human and prone to fall prey to these lies) I have been spreading these untruths along to others.

I am not writing this because I need some type of reassurance from others or confirmation of my right- or wrong-doing. I am simply writing it in an attempt to flesh out my thoughts (and to get people off my back about my lack of posting). It's a bit cathartic. It has become apparent to me that there are many incongruences in our lives and this just happenes to be one of mine. On live the confliction!!!

Do I know you?

This is my couch. We have not been friends in quite some time. In fact, we may have broken up. This weekend we shall reunite. And I am pumped. Matt and I haven't been home for a weekend in nine weeks. NINE weeks people!! I need some serious couch time. Our DVR is OOC. Now, those who know me know that I just cannot sit still. Something about all that nothingness and lack of planning is daunting to me. So, to counter that I have begun a long to-do list to occupy my time. So I ask you this, is the grass always greener? When I'm so, so busy all I want is some down time. Some nothingness. But, when I'm granted this longed after nothingness I feel the need to fill it. Am I afraid of nothingness? Boredom sets in, my thoughts run amuck and I simply must find something to do. I guess at least it's my something to do and not someone elses something to do. I'm not going here, driving there for someone else. At least this weekends to-do list is all about me. And my couch. And for that I can't wait!!

Fun times with friends!

While it was another weekend in Oxford for the Still's this one was a little different. Several of my college friends were in town and we had the best time getting to catch up. I love our little reunions! And...it just so happens that Friday was Lindsay's birthday and Saturday was Page's birthday so it was fun getting to celebrate with them!! We took off Friday and began our weekend with a wine lunch at City Grocery.

me, Lindsay, Dawn

Then we did some shopping, enjoyed the afternoon on the porch at Murff's, and then had dinner at 208. After dinner, we went to Lyric to listen to a fun brass band.

Page, Dawn, me

Sarah and me

Saturday we had a great time in the grove and then went to Proud Larry's so we could eat again. I need serious food detox after this weekend!!

Mary Beth, me, Angela

Mark, Craig, Matt, Wes
Dawn, Lindsay, me, Page, Colleen

Do you remember when...

This was the question of the weekend...my 10 year high school reunion weekend! There were many things I had forgotten and some I wish I could forget!! It was so fun getting to see everyone. For the most part, people looked the same! Here are some random pictures from the weekend...

Amy, Caroline, Molly, me, Kelly

Matt and me

Molly, Caroline's boyfriend (can't remember his name now), Caroline, me

Kimme, me, Molly

And...even though they weren't Prep graduates I was so excited to run into Dawn and Page Friday night!!

Tagged

So, Libby tagged me on her blog and to tell the truth, I'm kind of excited about it!! I'm usually not one to do these kinds of things but here goes nothin'!

Here are the rules:
1. Link back to the person who tagged you (I don't know how to do this but if you click on The Rhetts you can get to her page)
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. Tell 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
4. Tag 6 fellow bloggers by linking to them
5. Leave a comment for each tagged blogger letting them know they have been tagged

Six quirks about me:

1. ChapStick
I am a freak for ChapStick. A freak, you hear me?? Seriously, we should buy stock in it. And I only like the classic cherry or strawberry flavors. I keep at least one in my purse at all times, one by the bed, one in my drawer at work and I used to keep one in the car until it melted and spilled all over my pants. I apply and reapply several times an hour. When I'm digging in my purse and it takes me a while to find it panic starts to set in. There's just something about it...it's not too greasy but just the right amount of balmy-ness. I'm pretty sure I've only worn lipstick a few times in my life (when my mom would make me and at my wedding). I hate lip gloss because my hair always gets stuck in it. I usually get several sticks each year for Christmas. My mom recently went on a trip to Florida and guess what...she brought me back a stick of ChapStick. That's right. Many a boyfriend in the past has gifted me with ChapStick. I have a secret stash of ChapStick in a special container in my closet so I know I can always go pull one out when my current stick is running low. What can I say?? Gotta love me some ChapStick!

2. Wine
Most of you know that I love me some wine. However, I do not like old wine...wine that has been open and breathing for too long. It starts to taste like vinegar to me. I have even gotten so particular as to ask wait staff how long a bottle has been open before I'm willing to order it by the glass. Matt used to get so mad about wasting wine at home so we bought this little air suction thingy that helps to preserve your wine. Even with that I think wine gets a little ify after a few days. Good thing Matt's not scared to put down some old wine!!

3. Food touching
I DO NOT like for my food to touch on my plate. Not even a little bit. Nor do I like for the sauce of one food to touch the other foods. If for any reason two foods have intermingled then I will not eat them. Like if a lima bean gets a little mashed potato on it then you can just forget it. For that reason, I love places that bring out your veggies in their own little bowls.

4. Throat clearing
For some reason, I am an obsessive throat clearer. This little quirk gets on my nerves and I'm fairly certain it gets on Matt's nerves too. I just can't help it. I feel like there's something stuck in my throat and so I clear and clear and clear until my throat gets sore. Sometimes after a few throat clearings I'll toss in a cough to break up the cycle but mostly it's just clearing.

5. Fingernails
Nothing makes my skin crawl more than the sound of someones fingernails scratching across a textured fabric. Jeans are the worst. You know what I'm talking about?? Some lady sitting next to you scratches her jeans with her long fingernails and it makes that horrific scratching noise??? AAHHHH!!!! Oh, and I also hate the noise fingernails make when they're long and someone scratches their skin. Gross. Even babies with their long flimsy nails are capable of making the gross scratchy noise.

6. Pillows
It is a necessity for me to have two pillows when I'm going to bed. One for my head and one for in between my knees. Usually I'll bring a pillow of my own when traveling to ensure that I'll have two but if for some reason I'm stuck with only one pillow I must improvise and find something to substitute. Like folding up a towel or something. I just don't like for my knees to touch when I'm sleeping. Plus, if the pillow is long enough I can prop my arm on it too and that's just an added bonus.

I tag:
Jeri Anne (The Darby's)
Holly (The Smith's)
Ginnie (The Durr's)
(I'm only tagging three because I'm not that popular in blog-land)

It's not a tailgate until...

We were in Oxford again this weekend and had a blast (except for losing to Vandy). Molly bought us some cups for the Grove that said "It's not a tailgate until___________!" and they were too cute. Everyone had fun filling in the blank...I intended to get a picture of everyone once they filled in their blanks but people got really "creative" once the day went on so I decided to spare them from humiliation!! I promise Matt was there this weekend he just didn't make any of the pics...

Garner, Molly, me, Lauren, Wes, Jennifer, John at Roosters on Friday night

Jennifer, Lauren, me, Molly

Molly, me, Lauren in the Grove

Redneck Buford

Thought I'd give you a little dose of Buford since it's been a while since he was mentioned in a post! Our friend Lauren gave Buford this mullet wig and we thought it was too funny not to share!

While the cat's away...

...the mouse will be a chicken. Ok, ok, way too many barnyard animal references between this post and the last one. So, Matt was out of town this weekend on a bachelor party. I was so excited for him to be gone. I know that sounds terrible but a girls gotta have her alone time! I was pumped to do all the things I wanted to do. I think I remember a Sex and the City episode where Carrie talks about "single girl behavior" (hereafter referred to as SGB). You know, the things that a girl will only do when in absence of her significant other? What was my SGB you ask? Well, I cleaned my house, went to bed early, and went to the grocery store. Is this sad to anyone else? There was no one thing that I really wanted to do while he was gone. Not one. Except stay in my pj's for an extended length of time and I do that when he's around. I guess the silver lining of my boring behavior is that Matt and I are so comfortable around one another that I can do my SGB while he's at home! He might wish it were different but he's not home yet to defend himself.

Oh, and back to me being a mousy chicken. While he was gone I realized that I do not like to spend the night at my house by myself. But, I am too prideful to call anyone to ask if I can stay the night. Ridiculous, I know. Really I'm fine during the day but once I start turning off the lights to go to bed I start psyching myself out that someone is trying to break in. So, I'm a chicken. And I probably need a therapist! I slept with a light on. And with my dog in the bed for protection. But really he did more to freak me out than help me out with all his growling and head tilting like he just heard a noise. Thankfully, Matt will be home tonight and I can rest easy. So much for my SGB while he was away!

Oxford Town

So, when you think of Oxford you most likely think of the Grove, the Square and Ole Miss. I bet you would never think this...or this...

However, the house we rented for football season this year has its own little petting zoo! Ok, not really but there are like five donkeys, two horses, and a goat. It was too funny!

We had a blast being back in the Grove and getting to see all our friends:

Kyle and Sarah

Wes, Matt, Chewy and Garner

We decided to stay in Oxford Sunday night and went to eat at Yocona. It is my favorite place ever!

Lauren, Kyle and Matt

Shout out

Two of my very best friends recently told me they were expecting and they are due four weeks apart!!!! I am so excited for ya'll!

Congratulations Kate!!

Congratulations Lauren!!

Gulf Shores

What do you do when a tropical storm threatens to ruin your time at the beach?

You play in the rain

Molly and Kyle

You have a dance party

Matt and Meredith

You play cards

Wes, Preston, Garner

You eat (a lot)

Garner and Kyle

Despite one rainy day we really had a blast! Meredith and Preston are so nice to invite us to their beach house every year. Here are a few other pics from the trip...

Molly, Meredith, Kyle

Wes and Lauren

Matt and Garner

Molly, Meredith, Kyle, Lauren

We're off...

Matt and I are leaving today for some much needed R & R!! We're going to Gulf Shores with three other couples and we can't wait! I'll definately post pics once we get back. Unfortunately, someone invited Fay and I've called her some choice words this week but I know we'll have fun rain and all!

A decade ago...

...I was beginning my freshman year at Ole Miss. A decade ago my freshman roommate, Molly, and I were worrying over if we got into Martin and what floor we were on. Here we are in our dorm room...seriously, someone should have taught me about eyebrow management before then. Did I not know tweezers existed???? Sheesh.Wow. And, my TEN year high school reunion is coming up in a few months and I really can't believe it. It seems like when I was younger I was always in a hurry to get to the next phase: leave high school to go to college, leave college to live on my own, leave boyfriends to find a husband, and so on. However, now looking back it seems like I wish I could turn back the hands of time (think Cher's If I Could Turn Back Time). Last week, a co-worker asked me to talk to her daughter, who is beginning her freshman year in college, about my "college experience." I found myself getting teary-eyed just thinking about it...moving into our dorm, wondering if I'd make new friends, making new friends, fake ID's (sorry mom), The Gin, and worrying about rush. Everything was so new and fun. And here it is...10 years later. I feel old and a bit depressed about it. However, I am working to accept the past for what it is...something that molded me into who I am today. I'm working to appreciate each phase I'm in for what it is and not wish it away for the next. And for that I am grateful. At least my eyebrows have seen some improvement in the last 10 years!!

The 'rents come to town...

Last weekend my parents came into town and we had the best time being with them. It's been since Christmas that they were both here! We shopped, ate too many calories, and had lots of laughs.

Pictured above: me, Carol (my aunt), Philip (my uncle), Matt, Big Mike (dad), and Betsy (my mom)

Saturday night we met my Aunt and Uncle downtown for dinner at Pearl's Oyster House. Matt was so excited to order some raw oysters (despite the superstition that eating raw oysters is a no-no in months that don't have an "r" in the name). This is a big accomplishment seeing as Matt didn't have his first banana or salad until college!! After dinner we went to Beale St. to have some drinks. The picture above is what my dad thought about the band that was playing...