11.30.2008

Been a minute...

It has been forever since I have blogged... WOW! I was actually going pretty good keeping up with this... I failed in my mission. Most likely because I have been crazy because of lack of sleep! Serious lack of sleep... Lets see... where do i start.....

Well I made it back from Vegas in one piece... I turned 23 on Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I had an awesome birthday! I shopped all day, had dinner with Ryan (RD..sorry ...had to Shelley... I never call him Ryan anymore...) and Nicholas at Carrabas, then we went to Derby Junction to hear Lynam play... LOVE THEM!!... Shelley, Rachael, Jayme, Heidi and Britney met us there.. we had so much fun. I got home at like 3... had to be up at 7. 

The next day was Thanksgiving... I slept through most of it. And came home to climb into my big, comfy bed... and then Shelley called. She had this idea that we should go shopping... at 3:00 in the morning... And me... being such a sweet friend... thought it was a great idea and went over to have a slumber party. Needless to say I didnt hear my alarm on my phone and we were 30 minutes behind schedule... and Rachael was not happy with this... but we went shopping at 3:15. Really. We went to Anniston though so... it was WAY more calm than the Ham. We shopped until 9 or so and headed home. We then started decorating Shelley's house and watched football. And laughed and laughed and laughed and laughed... we had the best time... NOTE: I HAVE NOT BEEN TO BED YET.

Later that night I had plans with my friend Jayme... which turned into MASS confusion and me not getting home until 4 in the AM. I sleep until Shelley calls... at about 9.

We then spent the rest of the morning until the afternoon at the laundry mat in Childersburg washing her comforter that Mattson got dirty. We hung out in a laundry mat for 3 hours. haha... great times! Then it was time... ALABAMA WAS ABOUT TO PLAY AUBURN... did yall hear it was a shut out? Cause it was! ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!! 36 -0. Enough said.

I got home about 9 or so... and slept until 9 this morning! Can i just say I literally though I was in Heaven!!! Awesomeness... I went to church and then spent the day with RD. He even let me watch anything I wanted to watch on TV... this never happens... never. 

I had the best birthday and Thanksgiving break... ever. This is just the highlights in a nutshell... Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!!! :)

11.24.2008

Viva Las Vegas!!! ...i miss it already...

I am in love with Vegas! In love!!! It is a really interesting place. My favorite time was night time. The lights are amazing! I flew in during the day, so I didn't get the arial view of all the lights and I was pretty amazed when the sun was shining... but when they turned all those lights on.... WHOA! It is awesome! We went to several different casinos at night. We also hit up the club scene. I saw Nick Cannon, who ended up being the DJ at Pure Friday night, one of the clubs we went to. His wifey, Mariah Carey, showed up later on. It was kinda cool. We danced ALL night long. It was sooo much fun. I went to bed at like 6 Vegas time... 8 Bama time. Crazy.
We stayed at the Bellagio. We had a suite on the 33rd floor. There are only 35 at the hotel so we were waaay up there. Our suite was breath taking. Every single room, bathrooms included, had a plasma flat screen television. There were 3 bathroom. One was a 1/2 bath, one had a bath tub with jets, and one had a shower WITH A STEAMER!!! OMG... i want one. The entire hotel and casino was amazing. On the ground floor there was a mall... not like Old Navy, Express, ect... but Fendi, Dior, and CHANEL!!! I tried on every single bag in that room. I did not want to leave. 
We went to a nice dinner and then went to a night club called Blush... but something was missing. So 4 of us loaded into a taxi cab and went to ride roller coasters. Where else in the world can you leave a club, grab a cab and ride a roller coaster at 2 in the morning? This is pic of the Big Shot. It's the tallest point in Vegas. They shoot you up and let you drop down. Over and over... AWESOME!
This is my new purse... Also known as my favorite part of the trip... besides watching "O" by Cirque du Soleil. If you ever in your life get a chance to see this.. please do. It is so awesome I cannot even begin to describe it. Seriously. Anyways... I bought this super hot Juicy bag and clutch/wallet. It's not the Chanel I had picked out.. but it will do for now. The inside in black and white houndstooth... got to love it!
Vegas was awesome and I already want to go back. However, everything is really expensive out there... I am talking a Coke at dinner was $7... yeah crazy... I was glad to get home though. I hated the flight. People kneed the back of my chair the entire way there and people in front of me smelt bad. Real bad.  

This post does not even begin to touch on what all I did this weekend. But I had an awesome time. Maybe I will post more pictures from the trip later on. For now.. I am going to bed. I still have the time all messed up... 









11.20.2008

the best early birthday present ever...

ok... so I get to work today at 7. I didn't realize that I had to be at work 7, because I usually get there at 8, until my dad walked in my room at 6 to get my truck keys because apparently I was blocking his truck in the driveway somehow and nonetheless WOKE ME UP! I never wake up when people try to get me to but when they are attempting to be quiet, I wake up. I didn't stay mad long though because it hit me I had to be at work at 7. By this point it was 6:37. Yeah... no shower, no make up, it was a miracle that my scrubs even matched. I get there and people are already lined up at the door with dying dogs or feeble cats... same ole story everyday. They were all fine for those animal lover readers out there :) I love them too but day after day their drama queen owners make out like it's cancer when really it's a cold. literally. Anyways as you can tell my morning was stressful and I didn't have time to stop at Jack's. About 8 or so Jayme comes into work carrying a big pink gift bag. She could no longer keep my birthday present from me. She had made me a quilt. I had no idea she was doing this. I am a huge Alabama fan and I am obsessed with elephants. Her and her mother made this entire thing. It is perfect for my queen size bed but of course I am too in love with it t actually use it. But is this not awesome!? Roll tide roll! :)

I had a full length shot but I forgot to flip it in iPhoto and basically I am too tired to wait for another image to upload. So just imagine the same image over and over until it's queen sized! 

11.19.2008

I need feedback....

Ok... In my VERY last advertising class I am ever going to take in college... we were split into groups and were told to do an entire campaign for Moe's Southwest Grill. (I think I have blogged about this previously...) Anyways 2 members of my group, including myself, live far away from Tuscaloosa, so we divided up what has to be done. I did not receive my list of duties until tonight. This is all due by Sunday so we can have it professionally printed and all that jazz. I have to make 2 newspaper ads, a coupon and a flyer. (And go to Vegas in between!!) The flyer has to include to promo were are going to do dealing with school children and college kids. You get an A and Moe's will give you a free taco. Below is the flyer I designed... let me know what you think. BE HONEST! (even if you 100% hate it... tell me. I would love to know! Seriously.) Since our group cannot work together on this we are really relying on peer evaluations. Thanks!!!! :)


Packing shoes...

I am sitting at school. I wish I was at home. I could be packing! I am leaving for Las Vegas and I have not even begin to think about what clothes I am going to take. (much less washed the clothes...) For those of you who do not know, I am a gigantic fan of shoes! I have shoes of every color, style and design. Picking out clothes is easy compared to what shoe is going to be worn with the clothes! On my drive to Tuscaloosa today, I pictured all my shoes in my head... the ones I could remember... and began to think which ones would qualify for a fun filled weekend in Vegas. (I know I am totally stupid but it made the time go by super fast.) I also thought about what fun I am going to have and how random this quick weekend trip is going to be. Then, I started thinking about how I hope I get some extra money soon to go blow on new shoes... then I remembered that I currently don't even have enough money to go on this trip much less buy Christmas presents when I return home... my idea of new shoes went out the window. Oh well... maybe later on...



Both of these are "Layla's" by Jessica Simpson. She has the most comfotable heels in the world. I have her "Henri" collection in about every color she made them in, including the boots. I am sorta in love with them. You can actually run in these. Trust me I have had to... waay too many times. They also cannot be broken when a UFC fighter steps on you. Your ankle might stay black and blue for 2 weeks but you heels will be wearable next time they are called upon. (This is a true story.) Anyways I really love both of these shoes...a great deal. Now I am depressed and must go sit through a boring History class. Ahhh...


11.18.2008

3 sweet pumpkins...

I have been meaning to get these pictures from Shelley for a while now. But every time I go over there I never remember. Anyways.. I remembered tonight! I played with a few of the shots from Baker Farm on photoshop. Shelley has not even seen these yet! ( I hope you like them!! )



These 3 children are truly little angels. They never fail to make me laugh so hard every time I am around them. They can make your worst day become your best day. Love them! :)

11.17.2008

1 gift down! Waaay too many to go....

I started my Christmas shopping! This is not actually the first thing I have purchased but it's the only one that has arrived. (Besides the DVD box set of the PBR World Finals but I figured that would not be an interesting post....) It's a picture of my friend Jayme's little her and her dog. She has been talking about how she wanted to get the picture enlarged, matted and framed. She already has a place picked out in her living room. I decided this would be the perfect gift. I also got a deal at Hobby Lobby! They have some awesome sales. If you catch them, you are sure to save some major dollars! I was able to get the frame custom made, matted and all put together for $50. Yes... just $50. That is amazing. Truly. 

11.16.2008

Not yet...I'm workin' on it...

I know it is 2:03 in AM. I understand that I have to be up in the morning and get to church on time. I know this. I just can't sleep. I am oh so tired though. My day started VERY early for a Saturday....

At 7:30 my phone rang. It was Shelley. She was giving my friendly wake up call. I was going to keep the boys while she and Matt went and got a few things for his new job. (I am so happy and proud for them about that...) I had so much fun with Mattson and Payson. Those little boys are truly Heaven sent. Mattson never fails to make me smile. ...Even when I do have to bust out the carpet cleaner to get the red kool aid up from the hallway. He always says the most random and cute things. I asked him if he had poopied and he responded with  "Not yet, I'm workin on it..." And sweet Payson.. that child is just precious. He just eats sleeps... and loves to rock in between. He just blushes all the time too. Like a sweet old man.. So cute. In between Payson's naps we all played in the floor together and watched football. We had a really good time. We grilled out and watched Alabama beat Mississippi State. It was awesome! Then me and Rachael went out for a minute.. the guy tat owned the place gave me the shirt off his back. Literally. Random but fun.

Here lately, I have began to realize what growing up feels like. I don't know if it's the fact that I am about to be 23 or that everyone is going their own direction, but I know that God has a plan. And I need to be patient. Sometimes it just feels like the entire world is moving forward and I am just watching it all take place. I try to savor every moment now. When I used to just go 90 to nothing. I realize also that different people move at different paces. And sometimes you might have to let go for them to realize they need to catch up. And sometimes they might not catch up. But maybe there will be something else there to fill their running place. I find myself paying a lot. About everything. Which I know this is a good thing but I mean I pray for random people I pass on the interstate now. Even if it's just a quick "Lord bless 'em". 

I cannot wait until May 9, 2009. I will be graduating. For some reason I feel that after this date things will start to pick up. I may have to give up on some old dreams in order to make others happen. But you know what... you gotta let go and let God. I am going to try and stop worrying about things I have no control over. Because like I said... I have not an ounce of control over something I cannot control. None. 

It's just a tough situation. You have this vision of how things are supposed to be. You have had it for as long as you can remember. And it's not playing out right. And the worst part of it all, is that you know it could play out. Perfectly. Even down to the minor details. The details so tiny that no one but you would notice, but nonetheless you know they could play out as well. 

It's just hard to completely give up on something, when sometimes you feel you're the only one that is going to be getting the raw end of the deal. It's not all worked out yet... but I'm workin' on it. 

11.13.2008

Where to begin...

It has a been a hot minute since we last spoke.. or I blogged rather... so much has happened. So much. For starters I had an awesome weekend. I spent Friday night eating chili and playing DVD trivial pursuit with Shelley, Nana, Anna, and Mattson. It was kinda hard considering it was a game designed for children. I don't remember who won but nonetheless it was fun. Anna loves to play games. I was just excited she didn't have us playing Uno. I am so over Uno. 

Saturday I went to work until 12. It was an awful day. It was sooo packed and busy. Double booked does not even begin to describe the schedule... try like double double + 4 booked. That's closer. Then I journeyed to Hayden, Alabama to watch football with my entire family. It was my grandmother's 80th birthday. She wanted a football party! Alabama was playing LSU... after many split sweet teas, me jumping like an idiot, scaring my uncles because I was more into the game than they ever though about being, and holding back curse words... we won!!! It was awesome! After the game, I came back to Vincent, got ready, and went out with my friend Jayme. We first went to some sketchy place in Riverside only to leave and go to an even more sketchy place in Leeds. Nonetheless, we danced for hours, drank nothing but water, and had a blast. Sure there was the un-called for drama that always accompanies a good time, but we just kept dancing...until the a.m.

Sunday is always a good day. I got up, took a shower, got ready and ventured off to Church. After church, RD and I went to Chelsea to grab a quick bite to eat at Uncle Monk's, stopped by Walmart to get some supplies for an art project, and came back to Vincent. We watched the PBR finals and took a nap. While napping on Ryan's couch, I heard this little voice saying Coco...over and over and over again. "Coco wake up! Ryan wake up!" It was Mattson. I woke up no problem but he had to slap ole uncle Ryan a few times to get him to wake up. We played with Mattson and Payson. Ryan almost died when Philip changed Payson's diaper. He decided at that moment he was not ever having children. That thought lasted about 3 seconds.... and he was over it. After the boys left, we went to grab a  bite at KFC, watched more TV, and I went home.

Monday was Monday.... I went to class. Came home. Went to sleep.

Tuesday was work. I went to work...all day. Came home. Ate supper. RD stopped by. Went to sleep. 

Wednesday started off swell. I got up late. Got ready in a fast, quick hurry. Went to class. Actually I ran to class from the car. Took a spanish vocabulary quiz. Actually passed it. (I didn't study because I forgot about it.) Left that class and drove to Tuscaloosa. Went to HY 417 and then off to photography. Learned what my last assignment was going to involve and started my walk to the parking deck. I called Shelley and told her I was getting out of class early and that I was coming to visit. I got in my car. Spent my LAST $10 I HAD TO MY NAME in gas. And started my drive home. I made it all the way to Dairy Queen / Lowe's on 280. I was sitting still. Minding my own business. And suddenly... the next thing I know I am breathing air bag dust, thinking about that stupid commercial where the chick has the wreck and puts the car in park and applies the emergency brake...thinking I should probably do that too, and trying to figure out how in the world to open my door. I was rear ended. I was pushed into the guy in front of me, who was pushed into the guy in front of him. 

Luckily, Matt had just went by so he came back until my Dad got there. From there I went to emergency room. After 4 hours there.. My neck is killing me. I can't walk on my right knee. I have been straight chilling in my bed since Wednesday night. I hate being stuck in the same place. My car is totaled and my truck is currently broke down. Blogging this is like lifting a burden I think. I know everyone is tired of hearing me complain. Especially RD... he might snap soon. oops... anyways blogging is officially a stress reliever. Love it. 

Anyways I am going to go back to sleep now. Avoid 280. :)

11.06.2008

Sunshine...

My friend's little girl has about a million hair bows. They are currently all piled into one basket and it is always a job to find the one you're looking for. We tried to come up with a cute way to organize her hair bow collection. Her room is purple, very fun and happy... so I wanted to think of something really sweet that would really add to Harper's room. I told her I would keep thinking about it. She has not idea I worked on this today... I hope she likes it! :)

11.05.2008

Tea and rotten eggs...

As I wait for my new Adobe Creative Suite 4 to upload on my computer... (my early birthday present... i am so excited words cannot even begin to express my feelings about this!!!) ...I am going to blog....
 
I am not going to go all political on this post. (even though I so could.. I will reframe myself from doing so...) The decision has been made. It's in the good Lord's hands now. May he guide Obama to lead this country into better days without things getting out of control... enough about that.

Anyways... Today in class I learned how to tone images. It was really quite interesting! I had no idea what was going on at first because we all walked into the dark room and for one the lights were on and two... it smelt like rotten eggs. This was because we were about to get a demo on toning. (The rotten egg smell was from the sepia toning chemicals... it smelt horrid.)  Anyways we got a quick and lesson and then we got to play... I am going to post a couple of them on here. They are not very good because I only was able to use images that I already had printed off.... because they forgot to tell us ahead of time that we were going to be able to do this today...  anyways... here they are!

Ok... blogger will not let me type under the images so I am explaining them above them....

The first one is sepia toned. I like this image because it really looks old. (RD would prolly kill me if he knew this was on here... oh well.) The second image was toned using tea. I think this is so cool... it's actually the tea we drink. The next image was first bleached, then toned in blue and was then sealed with copper tone. And the last image was already solarized (which makes it black and sorta glow) and then I toned it in blue.  
 

11.04.2008

Hot dog hot dog...



Mickey Mouse for President :) ... that's a fun thought! 

I thought I would stop by for a moment and let everyone know how excited I am that election day has come... and IS ALMOST GONE!!! It's 7:12 and I am going to bed. I really hope no one calls me and tells me who got President. At this point I think it should be Mickey Mouse. It would be fun I think. Our flag could be a plain red background with Mickey's Silhouette in the middle in blue with white stars. And our national anthem could be Hot Dog Hot Dog Hot Diggity Dog!!! We could all wear ears... it would be grand! I am really looking forward to watching TV without it being election related. 

Anyways... I hope everyone had a great day. I was sleepy all day. But I learned something today. I know that the Bible teaches us not to judge. But in today's world it is hard not to judge. I will be the first to admit that I judge people.. often times without even realizing that I am judging people. When I know good and well I have NO RIGHT to judge people... at all!!! A dear friend of mine is in an odd situation and I was quick to judge and state my opinion. I did so without realizing all the details and without considering what I would do in her situation. After I understood what was going on completely I realized that I had jumped the gun and decided things without knowing the whole story. After I was filled in on all the details, I understood. I might not have agreed, but I understood. 

So tomorrow when you go out and face the world and all the strange people around us we call friends, family, and strangers ... don't be quick to judge. Try and put yourself in their shoes. What would you do then? Think about what the Bible tells us and how we can apply these teachings to our lives. And most of all pray. Pray everyday. Pray for everyone you know and even those you don't. Seriously... prayer works. 

Anyways... I have been thinking about this all day. So now that I have it off my shoulders... I leave you with this.... Click here. (Shelley go grab Mattson.. he is going to love this! )

11.03.2008

oh Monday...

Oh today.. was a crazy day!!! ( ...and flippin' blogger will not let me put my pictures where i want them...so ahhhh!!) As you read earlier I totally missed my first class. (if you didn't read the post about the time change... reading it will so catch you up on what I am talking about)... I then drove to Tuscaloosa and prepared for another day of classes back to back to back to back....

I went to History 417 which is probably the most interesting a history class can be and I still was fighting sleep. I used to like history but I have taken 7 history classes... seriously what more history does one need to know... I actually could take 3 more and be a double major... but I am not going to that... no way. I then ventured over to Woods Hall to Art 218. This is my photography class... I made some really cool prints today. The assignment I am currently working on is called "Experimental". Basically, I get to take prints and negatives I have already used and develop them in new, slightly more exciting fashions. Like solarization and diffusion... and making them be negative and opposite from the original. It's really quite interesting. I will try and post a few on here... my favorite ones are still in Tuscaloosa though. And then after that... I walked over to Reese Phifer Hall. This is my favorite building on campus. It's my college! There I had a group meeting with my APR 422 partners. I am really loving this class. We are getting to make an entire advertising campaign from scratch about Moe's Southwest Grill. (too bad i HATE Moe's... i always get sick ... i just hate it...anyways...) We are on the final portion. Before we actually get to start making ad layouts and designing new products... hopefully one day they will be using my group's ads... keep your fingers crossed! I get some gift card or something for life if we win... my brother pretty much can't wait for this. He is in love with some Moe's.... eww. After my meeting, I then departed for my long journey home.. i swear I think the road home is longer than the road to Tuscaloosa. Seriously. 

When I am driving I think. When I say I think ... I mean I think a lot. Really random things... one day I am going to think out loud and record myself so people will actually understand that I really am "that random". I was thinking about how I am graduating in May.. but I have not even started to seriously look for a job! Christmas is less than 2 months away.. and I have not a dollar to my name! I will be 23 in 23 days... and that blows my mind! 23...eww it does not even sound fun at all.... I think 23 is a nicer way of saying OLD... without just putting it out there! I listened to a cd the entire trip because all that was on the radio had either to do with McCain or Obama or both of em or their running mates or taxes or abortion or whether or not God made the sky blue or was it really a more lavender tint... seriously I am OVER the election. Over it. I cannot wait to march my happy tail down to city hall tomorrow on my lunch break...vote... go back to work and wait to hear who wins. And celebrate (regardless who actually winds just for the pure fact I won't have to hear about the election anymore!!!) At this point, I just want it to be over. OVER... I know I sound irritated. I am. I can no longer hide it. I mean I couldn't even walk across campus today without someone handing me a flyer or attempting to stick a sticker on me. I slapped at one dude. He did not fully understand what I meant when I said "no thank you" to his offering of an Obama over McCain sticker. No means no. Even when it comes to random stickers that end up on the ground all over campus that the poor yard guys have to peel up off the cracking sidewalks. They should really outlaw stickers unless they are in the form of a houndstooth hat, support an university or team, and ultimately end up on a vehicle. That's my thought about stickers. Anyways then I get home, after stopping by Shelley's to eat Thanksgiving dinner. (It as seriously like Thanksgiving on a random Monday....thanks again!!!) And I am now bloggin' cause the time change is killing me....

Anyways the whole point of this rambling was to tell you I am excited about my Moe's campaign (even though I hate Moe's), I wanted to share some of my new photography experiments, stress the fact I am over the election, and that i think stickers are stupid. :)

The first image is solarization. It takes a lot of prints to finally get it right. This one is still not right but I gave up on it and moved on... it turned out kinda cool.

The second image is a negative print of my original print.

The third is diffusion. I placed a wet paper towel over the paper when it was under the enlarger.

And the last print is a double print. It took FOREVER to do this. But I like how it turned out. RD (Ryan) has no seen it yet. He is obsessed with the picture of his gate so I think he will like this one too. 

I want the old time back...

Ok so... I am totally against time changes... I was just fine with the time before.... not so much cool with it now. I got up Sunday and went to church. I went to Ryan's and attempted to take our usually nap... but I could not sleep... so I came home. Ryan came over and we watched the PBR finals and ended up fallin asleep for a short nap... we wake up and decide it's time for us to both go to bed... he goes home and as I begin to get ready for bed... I called Shelley in the midst of all this to tell her about the day... I tell her I am going to bed and she informs me that it is only 7:22... WHAT!!! I was so sad. I knew my day would be all messed up tomorrow had I gone to bed that early so I went over to Shelley's to play on the computer and burn cd's. I get home about 10 or so... and fall right to sleep. And what do you know.... I slept right through Spanish class! Seriously I want the old time back... 

I just figured I would drop a line before I headed to Tuscaloosa for the day...
oh and p.s. WE ARE #1!!! yes sir... and Phil Fulmer got fired... life is good!!! :)