Monday, September 26, 2011

Two Books

I hate not finishing things. Seriously, hate it. And I don't quit things. I think I got this from my father. Need some examples?

I love having my toes popped...weird I know but it is one of my favorite feelings in the world. I like even more having them popped by other people. Kind of like how a salad I make never tastes as good as a salad my mom makes (even if the same exact ingredients are used). Many loving people in my life have popped my toes. My mom, Stacey (only with something covering her hands though because feet freak her out) and now my adorable husband. Every evening when we are sitting on the couch watching TV, chatting, or playing games it is expected that he will pop my toes, it just goes with the territory. The other night he refused to pop them and I told them I was not going to bed until they were popped...so I sat on the couch for 30 mins while he was upstairs in bed just because I did not want to "quit" my protest. I would have stayed there for hours but Luke came downstairs and said he was going to surprise me and pop them in bed. So, I went up there. haha.

Another example: I love washing the dishes. Why? I can see something from start to finish. Unlike my job and previous job, nothing is ever fully finished...but washing the dishes is one thing that brings me joy because I see a dirty dish become clean right before my eyes.

All of this brings me to my current problem: There are two books that I just can't seem to finish. The first was the last Twilight book. It was god awful. I loved the first three...but the third was simply driving me crazy with its lack of plot line and dragging on. So a couple years ago I had my friend Linds summarize the last half of the book to me (she did a great job!) so I would feel like I had the full story. I still think back on that and think that I should have just finished it. It drives me crazy sometimes even thinking about it.

Oh, and don't worry, just because I hated the last book does not mean I won't continue my streak of going to the midnight showing of every Twilight movie...

The biggest of my worries right now is finishing the book Wicked. When I was younger I was OBSESSED with Wizard of Oz, I watched it over and over again and even had collectible figurines all over my room. As I got older, my obsession decreased until I began hearing the songs of Wicked on Glee and then listened to my roommates playing them over and over again on their computers. I have had a lot of friends go and see the play and they just RAVE about it every time. So then I became fixated on the idea of seeing the play.

Since a Broadway in NYC is not exactly in our budget right now (crossing my fingers for this summer) I decided to start reading the book when I was in St. Kitts last spring break for my cousin's wedding. It was DREADFUL, WEIRD, and lame. Oh wait, it still is. I got through about a quarter of it and put it down, picked it back up for our family beach trip but The Hunger Games won out (duh) and more recently tried again. I just can't do it...and it kills me. I have heard other people say they hated the book who love the play...but that is not the problem. I just hate seeing a half read book on my bedside table every night. If I don't finish it I feel like I will always hate myself for it, especially if I am trying to go the play soon!


So a few questions:

1. Have you read Wicked? What are your thoughts?
2. Is the play anything like the book?
3. Anyone agree that leaving a book unfinished is difficult?
4. Any advice or motivation to finish it?

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Logans in the (town)house!

The Logans came to visit!!! Luke and I had a blast last weekend opening our home to the Logan family clan. It was Evan and Matt's first trip up, so it was fun having them see our world up here. They came up Friday night and Connie came on Saturday morning.

We started out our weekend with a couple of our new fave recipes: Caribbean Jerk Ribs and Bean Salad (recipe at the end of this post). Everything was delicious, but of course our meal was not complete without KLINES, the local dairy bar.

Lila could not stop talking about ice cream....and neither could my husband.


We finished up the night by playing Spades...somehow Matt and Luke won even though Evan and I definitely outplayed them. I am looking forward to a re-match next time we are in town, not that I am competitive or anything.

Saturday morning we woke up to Mr. Jays (great bagel place here in town) and then headed to the one and only KIDS CASTLE. Luke and I have been looking for a kid to take here for the past 3 years. I run in this park all the time, and every time I pass by the castle, I want to have a kid (more specifically two twin girls that I may or may not have named already) to play with. So, having Lila here was the perfect excuse to head to the park and get our play on.



I am pretty sure the grown ups had just as much fun as Lila did! By the way, Luke is going to be a great dad. It was fun watching him play with her and get excited about things like coloring, puzzles, swinging, etc.


After the park, we headed to the Farmer's Market, had lunch out and then the girls went shopping in Dayton. Later that evening, we got a babysitter and we went out for an amazing meal at The Local Chop House. Wonderful music, drinks, food, and company of course!

One thing I really enjoy about the Logan family women are the fact that we can relate on dealing with the strangeness that is Logan men. For instance, Matt suggested that we have a poop-sit off to see who could poop in their pants and sit in it the longest. It was great to see that it was not just my husband who brings up weird CRAP (get it?) like that all the time, but his brothers as well. HAHA.

Sadly, Sunday morning came and the Logans had to head back to the boro (why is that VA has lots of burgs and NC has lots of boros?) but not before Lila got ready for the day. She was dressed to the nines in her romper and purse over her shoulder...


Once again, Luke and I had an awesome weekend with friends and family and we are always looking forward to the next time we can host people we love. So, come visit soon!

Also, here is the bean salad recipe I promised. This comes from the home from our friend Mercy's mother. We had it at their house one time and Luke and I licked our plates....so try it out!


1/2 cup cooked pearl barley
1/2 cup long grain or brown rice
1 cup drained and rinsed black beans
1 cup drained and rinsed kidney beans
1 cup shaved (or canned) corn
1/2 cup chopped green ( I prefer red) onion
1 medium red bell pepper
1/4 cupped chopped cilantro

Combine ingredients and mix with dressing

Dressing:
1/8 cup red wine vinegar
1/8 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 crushed garlic clove
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
shake of red pepper flakes

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Two Burgs in One weekend

Two weeks ago, my parents came to town for what we hoped to be an amazing weekend of football. Turns out the weekend was amazing, but the football was not so hot...

Friday night we hit up my favorite restaurant Clementines (whose surprised there?) for a lovely dinner and drinks. Luke and I were excited to order entrees and skip out on our usual burger or sandwich (thanks dad). After dinner, we headed home to prepare dips and brownies for the big game!

We got up at 6am the next morning (loyal fans) to leave one burg and head to another. That's right Appalachian State was playing Virginia Tech in Blacksburg! I had been looking forward to this game for months, so we were really excited to wake up early that morning and get on the road.

If I learned one thing from our weekend at VA Tech, I learned that Hokie fans are INTENSE. I mean, I have never seen so many magnets,flags, car decals, license plates, etc. with school pride. I am pretty sure I saw more maroon cars in Blacksburg than any other color (I'm down with the car decals, but really you are picking your car color based on your fave team?).

As Luke and I were driving down, we felt a little sad that we only had 1 sticker to represent our App State pride. So, Luke took matters in his own hands and took off his App shirt which I preceded to hang out our window. A little red-neck? Yes. But, we got a lot of people to check out our "flag" as Luke honked his horn at Tech fans. Most of them saw our pride and just laughed! We were hoping for at least one bird to fly our way...but that leads to the 2nd thing I learned this weekend...


another form of Tech's Intensity

VA tech fans are really nice. Now maybe it is because they knew we were going to loose, but their "good luck" and "glad to have you here" comments seemed really genuine. I was very impressed! I also think they really respect our football team for all our national championships and victory over Michigan, as well as the fact that we are both a bunch of hicks that live in the mountains.

This was very different from the horrible, no good, very bad game 3 years ago when JMU got lucky and beat App State in Harrisonburg. JMU fans were SO RUDE. Seriously, the meanest fans I have ever seen. Us Mountaineers and Hokies WELCOME people to our town...not try to run them out. OK, I'm done ranting.

Anyway, back to the game. We had a fabulous time tailgating with the rents. Houston and his girlfriend even made it up for the game and we had fun hanging out with them, as always. And then came the bad part...the actual game. I am pretty sure within the first 30 seconds App fumbled and Tech scored a touchdown, and from there it just kept getting worse. I knew we would loose, but really, by 40 (or something like that?!)???

App running out on the field..when there was still hope

See, loosing is hard for me. This was only the second time I have ever seen App lose in football! I may or may not have gotten a little teary eyed during halftime...but at least the band was great which helped...so the game was semi-entertaining!



My theory: Had JMU lost last to Tech then we would have won this year. Because JMU's football team isn't that good (despite their new stadium) Tech did not prepare at all for the game last year. So, this year, Tech was making a statement. They were not going to let what happened last year happen to them again, which I respect. I just wish the years would have been reversed...

In conclusion, we had a great weekend and I am looking forward to a great football season this fall! And, just so you know I don't hate JMU football for all of you die hard fans out there, I just feel the need to make my allegiance to ASU known :)

Friday, September 9, 2011

I am from...


I am from a unique house in an average neighborhood, from cheez whiz on ritz crackers and Smithfield’s barbeque.

I am from a piece of new furniture made to look old, the smells of things aged by other families and a deck with a hot tub filled with people I love the most.

I am from moss, the green filler that overlays rocks and running water features.

I am from beach trips filled with bocce ball and stubbornness, from Becky and John, George and Sadie.

I am from the family who travels as if we are skinny and rich and is never hesitant to have an open home.

From there is nothing you can do to make me not love you and it’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed…and GO TO HELL CAROLINA!

I am from a family who was in and out of church growing up, but later in life we each found God in a personal way, a God who brings light into darkness. And a Grandmother who was always praying for us to find him.

I’m from Columbia, South Carolina and we are southern as far back as we know, spaghetti nights and sweet tea.

From the father who proposed without a ring and no money, who works hard for his family, and my mother who makes you feel special even on days when you feel unlovable.

I am from an old shelf full of scrapbooks with pictures of cheerleading competitions, too many friends to name, and a family who has always supported me. I am from a firm foundation, which is more precious than gold.


Writing this poem was one of the first assignments I had to do for graduate school. They gave us template of different things to talk about (old stories, traditions, smells, food, religious experience, etc). It was an awesome exercise and made me so proud to be a part of my family!


Tuesday, September 6, 2011

The Love Layer

Disclaimer before reading: By no means am I saying I am fat in this post, I am simply saying I have an extra layer this year than the years prior.

OK here we go:

Freshman 15 was not a problem for me. I was on the cheerleading squad at Elon and I think loosing too much weight was more of the problem. While others were putting on some extra lbs I was wearing a uniform that showed my entire stomach... I also lived with a roommate who introduced me to diet coke and healthy snacks. Life was good.


Then I studied abroad. A year after transferring and ending my cheerleading career I went to Australia with my best friend Stacey to study abroad for a summer. This was the first time I discovered that I loved fried fish and chips (aussie style), McDonald's (right across our dorm in Sydney) and lets be honest...beer (I was legal there and didn't drink at school). On some nights I remember eating an entire pizza by myself, and ordering one meal but still wanting another (Stace and I may or may not have order two meals a few nights). Not only did I discover good food and drinks, but also "love handles." Haha, I know you are laughing, but I really did have them!

It was so monumental I had to take a picture.

The first night we were in Australia I bought a pair of cheap 7 jeans at a market that fit perfectly (pictured above). They were the cutest jeans EVER and I was so excited to rock them in America. Too bad by the end of the trip I could not button them and shortly after had to give them away because they just never felt the same. Instead of the Freshman 15, I had the 2 Month Aussie 20. Yeah thats right, 20 pounds in 2 months.

Fast forward through the years and I lost it and was back to my normal self. Running, working out and the peak of it all...getting married and embracing the LGN Diet (look good naked) followed shortly by a half marathon! Go me.


And then, ladies and gents, what others warned me about but I thought I was immune to: THE LOVE LAYER. I shall define it for you. The Love Layer is the result of two people getting married and falling more and more in love to the point where they ignore working out and eating healthy because they just can't seem to get their hands off each other long enough to hit the gym. Haha, OK so that is exaggerating. But really, a lot of people tend to say they gain some weight after getting married...

I knew I was gaining some weight, but with my work schedule being so crazy I was having to eat at the dining halls and had zero time or energy to run. If I did work out, Luke and I were riding our bikes to the local ice cream joint, which meant me walking my bike back because it is all up hill and I had a Kline's coma! But I was shocked when I realized ho much weight I had gained....

my birthday was a few weeks ago and my lovely new family (Evan, Matt and Lila) sent me an awesome birthday package. Evan knows my style, and had 2 vintagey (is that a word) surprises for me: an awesome barrette along with a cute tube top shirt. I was excited to wear these items and thought about wearing the shirt for my first day of school (big deal). But, as always you have to give your first day outfit a trial run and I decided to do that before heading to dinner with the girls I supervise at work...

it is a size small, no big deal, I have some XS shirts laying around (gathering dust at this moment). I try to get it on with a bra, and yeah that was not happening. So, I try again without one thinking it would just slip right on. After a few minutes of tugging it over my body (zipper on the side) I finally get the shirt on but not zipped. That is where having a husband around is great. "Luke, come help me zip my shirt," I scream down to him (here's to having 2 floors now), and he hops up and comes to the rescue. He tried to zip that thing for a good 10 minutes. It just was not going.

So, I decide, its OK I will just try it later, thinking to myself I should have ran today instead of watching Dance Moms. Well, we go to try to take it off and it just won't budge. Literally, the shirt won't move an inch on my body. I am stuck and I have somewhere to be in 15 minutes. Luke and I pulled and I sucked in and we gave it a valiant effort, but the shirt was just too small. And this time I could not blame it on my ribs...The clock was ticking and I had to get out of the house. And then we had to do what no girl ever wants to see happen...Luke had to cut my shirt off of me, it was just too small. I didn't know if I should laugh or cry, so I laughed and kicked "The Trail of Tears" in the face. I cracked up actually...Luke and I both laughed so freaking hard.


But as I looked at my new shirt that was cut on my bed...I then realized the loss that was before me. A new shirt gone bad, a birthday present ruined. Hopefully I can get it fixed at the tailor's...but we shall see.

Fast forward to the next day when I decide it is time to start burning the calories again, with my new (ruined) shirt as my inspiration. I made Luke go with me to the park to run and to call the work out rough would be an understatement. I literally could not do it. It was like I was on the biggest loser and hadn't worked out in 20 years.

I am taking it slow, but finally figuring out when I can add going to the gym to my new schedule and life in grad school. It is going to be hard, but I have my shirt as my inspiration. But honestly, even more so than fitting in the shirt, I just feel better when I am working out. It is a great way for me to relieve stress, gain energy, and just have fun challenging myself.

So although I am thankful for the ways that being married has blessed me, I am ready to say farewell to laziness and excuses. Love layer or not, working out and staying healthy is a good thing! So cheers to that!