Happy New Year!

I just looked and saw that it has been 10 days since I've written a new blog. Is my life that boring? Anyway, its New Years Eve and I'm pretty excited about that. Not as much about getting to celebrate tonight, but more b/c I am off work tomorrow. I think thats a sign of my age. We are going over to friends' houses to celebrate. Several of our theatre friends have condos in the same complex and are all opening their houses for the festivities.
On a grander note, my good friend and former roomate Katie just found out she is pregnant! Yes, there is a bun in the oven! I'm excited for her. He/she will be very cute and very tan. hahaha. Congrats Katie and Brett! So now, I have 4 babies on the way...if I am leaving your baby out I'm sorry! Lenzie, Haley, Katie, and Glenn's gf Beth!

Blog of Blessings!

Its the merriest time of year and with everything going on around me I just feel the need to thank God and recognize how blessed I am. My family are here and healthy. My fiancee is wonderful. There arent money problems or illnesses. I seem to take life for granted and how blessed I have been. Its time to stop and praise Jesus for giving me all that I don't deserve. By the grace of God I am still here and I will be thankful! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!

Sips N Strokes

So lately I have been really into Sips N Strokes. For those who aren't familiar, there is a local artist in Birmingham, Wendy Lovoy, that came up with this stroke of genius (no pun intended). She posts a calendar of paintings for every single night. You can sign up for whatever painting you like and for $25.00 you get the lesson, canvas, and all the paints. She basically teaches you step by step how to paint it all the while you are "sipping" your preferred beverage. This is usually wine, but I've seen a few beers slip in the mix. Brent went one time as 1 of 2 guys amongst 50 women. His was better than mine, no lie. Me gusta Sips N Strokes! Here are some of my masterpieces.

Germaphobe

Some of you might not know the extent of my germaphobness, but it was just pointed out to me that I am a little over the top about germs. For example, when I use the restroom at work I immediately wash my hands with soap and water and grab a paper towel, then I grab an extra paper towel to open the door with. I keep that same paper towel to open the door to our office so that I have basically skipped all virus zones on my way from the bathroom. I can't stand for food to touch my hands at all. If I'm in the kitchen cooking (which really doenst happen so Im not sure why this is an example) but I end up washing my hands about 10-15 times. It even bothers me to turn off the shower b/c my hands have to touch the shower knobs AFTER I'm clean. I dont trust knobs or handles in any sense. The worst thing that could happen would be to have to shake a strangers hand and then pump gas. This is why I carry Germ X with me at all times. You just never know what is out there on things that you touch daily. I truly believe that b/c of my caution I have not gotten sick this year, while everyone else in my office has been hacking up lungs. Hmmm,what do you think?

Wii are so excited!!!

It all started this time last year when Brent played our friend Holly's Wii. He was obsessed with it! I think he kept waiting for the price to go down to buy one, but instead they are impossible to find at ALL for any price. The only option for Christmas is to go on EBAY and pay an incredibly inflated amount just to have one by Christmas. So, the retail price on these gems is $250.00. I decided to make it my mission to bid on one on Ebay and win at that price. Really? No, this did not happen. Brent kept upping his MAX price b/c he wants really wants that to be the BIG Christmas gift for the girls this year. FINALLY, it happened. I bid on a "slightly used" Wii with several games included for the grand totol (with shipping) of .........$378.00! Can you believe that? The new ones are all up to about $475-$500. So, in a sense we got a cheaper one. Its all relative though. I feel like I shoudlnt be this happy since they retail at $250 and we are paying $100 more for a used one. However, we got one and now everyone's Christmas will be Merry! Hahaa (I'm not really that materialistic, I promise)

"A Christmas Carol" and Chocolate!

The show Brent is directing and I am choreographing opens today for the first school show! They will have 6 school shows and then Friday opens up the public performances. It was 100% better last night than Monday, but there are still several kinks to be worked out. The kids I've taught are really great kids and I am very proud of what they have done. This experience has been a very new, fresh and exciting thing for me. I can't wait to see how they have improved on Friday night.
On a different note, Meg told me that she went online to TMobil and got a free phone upgrade, so I decided to look on Verizon and do the same. Just as I'd hoped they too were offering a free upgrade. So, I ordered the LG Chocolate in Black Cherry. It was too good to be true b/c it truly was free (even shipping) and the phone is awesome. It has touch sensitive keys and when you press CLEAR or SPK it vibrates a little. I am not very advanced in the technology world. I don't own a laptop or have an IPOD. I just recently bought a digital camera. Anywho, point is, this phone is way more advanced than I am. You should go online to your cell phone provider and see if they are offering new phones!

Jib Jab/Elf Yourself

The latest craze seems to be the Jib Jab Movies and during the holiday season "Elf Yourself" I can't imagine anyone NOT knowing what I'm talking about since I have recieved about 65 from people who have elfed themselves. For me it all started with Jib Jab because someone at work sent a mass "jab" with two guys from work and their heads on hula girls bodies. It was hilarious and from there I spent the rest of the day "making movies". So, this is my favorite one of me and Brent.
http://www.jibjab.com/starring_you/receipt/2977561

Next up....

INTO THE WOODS! Well, at least auditions. I am definately auditioning this weekend and Brent might. He is still on the fence. The thing is I only really want one part that is going to be really hard to get, which is Little Red Riding Hood. If you don't know the show it is basically a mix of several fairytales with lots of depressing twists, but alot of cleverness as well. It Sondheim music which is very "different", but good. Anyway, its just a great show and I would love to be in it. If I dont get cast, it will be fine b/c I really need to do several other things with my free time, but I haven't been IN a show since June. Anywho, I'll keep you posted.

TOP 5

I don't know about you, but I heart Christmas music. I love everything about it. My radio here in B'ham stays on 96.5 which is all Christmas music during the season. So, I wanted to create my top 5 list of Christmas Albums IN order and feel free to give me your own list. I would love to get new ideas and just see what you think too...

1. Alabama Christmas- all time favorite
2. Kenny and Dolly- (ex. Greatest Give of All)
3. Harry Connick Jr- New fave this year
4. Martina McBride
5. Kenny Chesney- odd yes

Ok, now that I've finished I see that 4 of the 5 are country singers, which is kind of weird since I dont really listen to country that much anymore. Hmm, interesting.

Maggie Lee

This is my baby! JK...this is a 4D pic of Lillie Margaret Letcher (Maggie Lee), baby of my good friend Haley Letcher. She is due in January and quite a little kicker. You can already tell she is going to be sooo cute! I can't wait for her to get here Haley!

There is nothing wrong with me...

Ok, so I was looking through the blogs I've written and I just dont find them interesting....So, I thought I'd write one with a little more insight or at least something that wasn't what I'VE been doing, but something to ponder. First off, Thanks to Kristen for showing me a website to go to everyday with a daily devotional to read. It keeps me focused b/c I will be the first to admit that I get distracted from God at times. Its called "Girlfriends in God" and I read it everyday in downtime at work. http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/girlfriends/ So, after reading several uplifting blogs over and over I find myself comparing my life with the lives of total strangers. It wasn't enough that I did this while everyone was getting married and I wondered when I would get married, but now I read about kids, dogs, houses, furniture, families and constantly compare what is going on in their lives, with what is going on in mine. Today's truth on the devotional is:“The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 NIV So, I know everyone translates scripture differently and perhaps this might change from day to day. I took from this today that I am where I am supposed to be whether this was my original plan or not. Once I let go of this "why I am here and everyone else is there" attitude, I will be able to see what I'm supposed to see in my own life...which is alot of happiness!!

Thanksgiving, Iron Bowl and Birthdays!!

It has been a great week! My work let us out at 4:00 last Wednesday so that started it all off on the right foot. Brent and I headed to Dothan for Thanksgiving. We had great food and spend great quality time with my family. Brent, Greg and I played some football in the yard on Friday as well as helped my mom with Christmas decorations. I learned how to play Rook and there were several tournaments involved. Saturday morning we woke up pretty early to get to Auburn for the Iron Bowl. I was super excited about the game this year for some reason! This was the first time Brent and I had been to the site of the Iron Bowl together. It was a scary situation and one that require much discussion beforehand. We decided not to rub it in the other ones' face and it all would be fine...which it was. He was a great sport. We ended up driving back to B'ham after the game though. That part sucked bad. We went to Tuscaloosa on Sunday morning to spend the day there and check on his animals. Sunday night he took me to Cypress Inn for my b'day dinner. I love that place!! He got us a couples massage for my b-day as well! Monday was my b-day and we had both taken off work to celebrate. It was such a fun and relaxing day. Then, he brought me back to B'ham for my party with friends. We went to PF Changs! Good times all around. I have really enjoyed this vacation. I miss Brent already! P.S. I cried when he dropped me off in B'ham. He's so sweet.

House Divided Part 2

Katie's wedding

Although very late, I wanted to write a blog about Katies wedding on Oct 27th. It was a great wedding with great food (yum shrimp and grits) and lots of people. I have to say that all the guests were very participatory, but her friends took it a step up. Below are 2 pictures. The first is right when we got to the reception (calm) and the second is right before Katie and Brett left (not so calm). Look at Brent's face! haha.

Monkey Handshaker

Lenz, I saw your post for the National Peanut Festival and wanted to follow-up with my favorite part..The Monkey, Leroy, who would shake your hand for a quarter. If you wanted to give him $1, he would give you an autographed picture of himself. If you want your picture made with him, it was $5. Nothing would have made me happier than to get a picture made with him, but since the others were ages 3-5 I felt stupid. I I think I was more excited about this tiny monkey than any child at the fair (including Carly and Zoe, who were very excited) Leroy comes complete with tiny monkey outfit and chain around his neck. (sad, yes). I have included a picture b/c he is so dang cute.

House Divided

Ok, so most of us know that Brent and I have a major issue in our relationship. For whatever reason he goes for Bammer and of course I go for Auburn. He already made it clear that we will have no Auburn memorabilia in the house ever, nor will we have and Tide crap. We had already decided not to spend game day this weekend together b/c it isn't going to be pretty either way. However, this weekend we were told we could get 2 tickets for face value if we wanted them. So, we decided we were being silly and that we would go to the game together. Wish us LUCK!

Firetruck!

This is EmilyChappell and myself in front of my uncle's orange and blue firetruck. This lovely machine is used to ride around Auburn on game Day and spread the War Eagle spirit. As you know, Brent is a huge Alabama fan so he says he would never ride this, but he does not have to. I would guess he wished his uncled had a Bama vehicle he could ride around in, but until next time..WAR EAGLE!

A Christmas Carol

The newest event in our lives is A Christmas Carol with Tuscaloosa Children's Theatre. Brent was asked to direct it a while back and about 1 week before auditions Brent asked me to choreograph. Although he was a bit desperate to find someone and I was perhaps the last choice, I am adding "Choregrapher" to my resume. It has been a great experience though. The dancers are middle school/high school kids so they are very "teachable". Its a great show to choreograph first b/c its very simple dance moves. However, on the day of auditions one of the younger auditioners asked me if I had much experience. I guess he wanted to make sure I was qualified for the job. It was sadly intimidating. He is 8. It opens Dec 14th- 16th at the BAMA theatre.