Just Darling...and various other drivel

*I've been hearing a song on my XM (the Highway channel) lately and am pretty hooked. I've never heard of Sarah Darling before this, but I love her voice. I hope she goes on to do something awesome!

*Today was Day 10 of my Whole30 adventure, and it went much, MUCH better than yesterday. Praise the Lord! I'll catch yall up tomorrow.

*I can safely say that this season of the Bachelorette was my all-time favorite. I didn't know if I'd like Emily at the beginning, but she was fabulous. It was nice to see a Bachelorette with morals, class, and good ol' common sense. I'm so excited she picked One F Jef!

*Yes, I'm also planning on watching Bachelor Pad. Yes, it's trash. No, I don't care :)

*I just finished reading Heaven Is for Real and LOVED it!! I remember the buzz when it came out a couple of years ago, but then I got busy and never got around to reading it. What an incredible story! I absolutely believe that little Colton went to Heaven, and his description made me even more excited about what's in store for us someday! I'm on the waiting list at the library for To Heaven and Back. I saw the author on the Today show the other day and am interested to read her account of her experience. Once I read it, I'll report back!

*My sweet friend Angie mentioned a blog on facebook at the beginning of the summer, and I started reading. And then I got hooked. And then I read four years' worth of posts, starting from his very first post in 2008. Yep. Four years. That's a lot of posts.  Matt Logelin and his wife Liz were excitedly expecting their first baby four years ago, and then Liz very suddenly died. Matt uses the blog as an outlet for his grief, and it was amazing seeing the life he;s made for himself and Madeline in the years since Liz died. He wrote a book not long ago, and it's on my birthday list. Check his blog out if you have several weeks to kill, 'cuz you'll probably be hooked.

*Seeing the Aurora movie theater shooter in court on TV today was a stop-me-in-my-tracks experience. Holy moly. There are some scary, scary people in our world.

*Do you consider 27 the end of the mid twenties or the beginning of the late twenties? I'll be there in a week, so this is need-to-know information. Please advise. Thanks.

A hodgepodge

Life has been really, really, super busy these days. I've been having the time of my life, but I'm not sad that I've got some wide-open, unscheduled days coming up. I love going and doing, but I also occasionally love not going anywhere and not doing anything!

*I finished my first jury duty adventure this week. My goal going in was to be the least desirable jury candidate ever, and I wasn't picked for a jury, so I consider that a success! I got called to go to a courtroom for jury selection on the first day and after sitting on a rock hard bench for a mind-numbing three hours, was among the 40 jury candidates not chosen. That was fine with me because the case was super boring. The next two days were spent sitting and waiting...and sitting...and waiting. I was in the group called to go to a criminal case Wednesday, but the defendant never showed up. He got a free trip to jail, and we got to go home :)

Overall, it wasn't a bad experience. If you've never served and one day get called, here's some advice. Bring a book (and a newspaper...and a magazine...and another book...and maybe a deck of cards or even Twister, to liven things up a bit). You will spend most (or maybe even all) of your time sitting and waiting. Along with a big bag of stuff to keep you busy, bring your patience. You'll need it, especially when the woman behind you talks on her cell phone for two hours without ceasing and then breathes her nasty peanut butter cracker breath over your shoulder. You'll really need your patience then.

*Have you watched Downton Abbey? I've heard lots of people talking about how great it is, so after being on the waiting list at the library for two months, I finally got my turn. It. Was. Awesome. I watched the entire first season in one day. I'm completely hooked and I dare say that you will be, too. I'm now #48 on the waiting list for Season 2, and I'm hoping that the 47 people in front of me watch it reallyreallyreally fast so that I can have my turn!

*I'm very excited about the Olympics. The opening ceremony is two weeks from today! I'm also really proud that my beloved alma mater, Auburn University, is sending 24 Olympians to London. It truly is great to be an Auburn Tiger!

*I've gotten kinda off track with my Whole30 this week. I didn't really set myself up for success with jury duty being this week. This plan is really tough to carry out while you're "on the go". Plus, there are only a few  food places near the courthouse downtown, and they're all sandwich/hamburger/hot dog kinda places. Not conducive to the Whole30! Bleh. So...I'm making myself restart my journey. I'm hoping that since I can be closer to home over the next few weeks, I'll be more successful. Think happy thoughts for me, and I'll keep ya posted!

Human Planet

I watched something last night that changed my life just a little bit.

(photo source)

"Human Planet" on Discovery...did you watch? Oh my heavens, incredible. It's very similar to "Planet Earth" from last year (or was it year before last?), but its focus is humans instead of animals.

I loved the whole concept of "Planet Earth", the breathtaking scenery, the creative videography...but I couldn't watch it. The reason? I don't like to watch animals kill and eat each other. I really don't like it. I know it's natural and I don't have any problems at all with it happening...I just don't want to see it.

"Human Planet", though, is a mostly different ballgame. Only minor animal killage...I can handle that.

Two episodes aired last night. One featured people who live near water, and the other profiled mountain cultures. What I found most striking was the struggles of daily life. Gathering food, transportation, making a living, literally journeying to school...amazing. Humbling. Sobering.

I felt so spoiled as I watched this. I have so many conveniences at my disposal, and I still find myself complaining about life on an embarrassingly regular basis. For many of these people, life is hard...like, really, really hard. Every day. I often need to be reminded just how good I've actually got it.

This show is great for a reality check. If you're not in need of that (lucky you!), watch for the scenery. Isn't our Earth a glorious creation???

Sick and twisted

Remember that time Emily's racecar driver/owner fiance was killed in a private plane crash, leaving her heartbroken and pregnant and alone? And then the producers of The Bachelor made her fly on a private plane to Napa? And then they made her drive a racecar? On the exact same track on which her now-deceased fiance had his career-ending crash?

Ick. Of all the people to pick on . . . she's sweeter than 92.4% of the world's population! I don't know why on God's green earth the producers would put her through this. Sick and twisted.

Gotta get back to the show. Am I sick and twisted for watching? I'll ponder that...while I, you know, keep watching. Glued to the TV.

Whoooosh!

Did you hear that? It's the sound of my brain cells taking their leave for the evening. Oh yes. It's time for The Bachelor. I'm not ashamed to say that I've been awaiting this day for months. I never even used to like this stupid show. My interests have changed in my old age, I guess. Here's hoping that this season is deliciously trainwrecky!

PS--I've been sugar-free for 4 whole days now. Today was the first day I've started to feel a bit like a junkie in need of a fix...stat. Hopefully this will pass soon!

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Edited to add post-show: That girl...the one with the vampire teeth? She fills the requisite not-quite-stable girl role quite nicely. This should be good.

Utter trash

The only people who knew this about me before today were family members. They have no choice but to love me, no matter what weird stuff I get tied up in. After admitting this to two friends at work today, I'm ready to come totally clean. I look forward to something every week that is best described as complete and utter garbage:

Jersey Shore. It's such a pointless show, and certainly does not contribute to my "betterment" as a human being. Doesn't matter though, because not only do I not change the channel, I seek it out! Since the trainwreck airs on Thursdays, tonight (unfortunately) is not the night. I think I may sew instead to fill up my time, you know, after I complete my GTL routine. You think the guidettes from Jersey Shore have spent much time with a sewing machine? I'm gonna go with a resounding NO.

I want to guard and protect your heart.

I've been debating whether I need to devote a post to this, and I've decided yes...yes I do. I've been watching "The Bachelorette" and I'm no longer ashamed. It's just too good to not watch. I'm sure it's edited, scripted, whatever to make it more entertaining...that doesn't bother me. Last night's episode was a glorious, cringe-worthy train wreck. I loved it! Some highlights:

• Weatherman: Homeboy needs some serious self-esteem work. All I kept thinking while he called himself a schmuck, more than once, and cried (wept!) on camera was, "You're going to want someone to date you in the future. She's probably watching right now. Stop this. Stop this immediately." He was also giddy about getting to audition for "The Lion King" on Broadway. It was sweet...very sweet. Get my drift?
• Kasey: Oh wow. Kasey really hopped onboard the crazy train last night. Ali is a better woman than I am. She kept a straight face through not one, not two, but three impromptu serenades by Krazy Kasey and his Kermit the Frog voice. (At the beginning of the season I was hesitant to think unkindly about his voice because I thought he might be kinda deaf. Not so much. That's just his actual, real, non-deaf voice.) If that had been me, you would have seen a Julie-shaped cloud of dust as I vacated the premises. I don't do crazy. Ali doubted his sincerity, so Krazy Kasey decided to get a tattoo to prove her wrong. Because, you know, what's more sincere than a tattoo you got to impress a girl you've known for like 2 weeks? He got a shield in front of a heart because, as he mentioned about 37 times last night, he wants to guard and protect Ali's heart. He also got 11 studs in the shield to represent the 11 guys left standing; they're all like brothers to Krazy Kasey. That was news to all of them since none of them like him, but whatever. The funny part: Krazy Kasey never got to show Ali his sweet tat. She gave him a rose because, after he took her advice and finally stopped singing, she appreciated that he was more normal and less over-the-top. Yeeaaah. Surely she'll send him home upon seeing his shield of love and protection, and Krazy Kasey will be walking amongst us again. Watch out, ladies!

I'm glad to get this off my chest. Now I can gather my few remaining brain cells and (maybe) accomplish something productive today! No promises, though.

Freedom is not free

I took this picture at the Korean War Memorial in DC, and the more I think about it, the more it moves me. Today I am thankful to the men and women who have sacrificed time with their families, their health, their dreams, their well-being, even their own lives, so that I can live in freedom. I can't imagine having that kind of selflessness. I take my freedom for granted every single day, and I want to be more mindful about not doing that. I spent my day enjoying family and food, and it makes me feel a little guilty that I'm only able to do that because a soldier somewhere isn't able to. Something to think about.

*Side note: "WWII in HD" was on History Channel in its entirety Saturday. I planned to watch parts of it because I love learning about that time period. I emerged from my WWII coma 10 hours later. That's right; I watched all. ten. episodes. I sprinkled in a few chores and errands so I could say I didn't spend 10 hours on the couch watching TV. Actual couch time was only about 9 hours...so much better than 10. I know so much about WWII now it's not even funny. Try me :)

A scattered Saturday morning

I'm in love. With a gum...Ice Breakers Ice Cubes: Cool Lemon. This gum is like chewable Toomer's lemonade; how can you go wrong with that? I bought a new pack the other day and was upset when I reached into my purse after lunch yesterday and found it empty. I dug around in there thinking it had spilled out into my purse. Nope. I chewed it all. In two days.

I saw something outside last night that made me desperately unhappy. It was one of those vile creatures whose name starts with an "r" and rhymes with "coach". I almost looked up a picture to put in this post, but then I wouldn't be able to come back here anymore. And that would be a tragedy. Do these nasty things serve a purpose? And if they do, isn't there anything else that can do whatever it is they do, just without the grossness? Thankfully, the thing was outside and not inside...that gives me the heebs like just about nothing else. My chivalrous neighbor kindly squished it for me and said he would leave it there as a warning to all the others. I hope they see their fallen comrade out there on the sidewalk and go hang out somewhere else for the summer.

I want to sew something today. It's been a while since I've had the time (or honestly, desire) to sew, so I'm going to take advantage of this. I don't know yet what I'm sewing...I'll get there when I get there. But I'm sewing something.

I made something really good the other night. It sounds weird, but it tasted amazing. Chicken+Amy's Chunky Tomato Bisque+Frank's Red Hot+sauteed onion+kidney beans+whole wheat rotini+a little shredded cheddar on top=seriously tasty.

I've finally given in and started watching "Friday Night Lights". When it first premiered, I remember thinking that it looked like a show I would enjoy. I made a concerted effort not to watch it, because I don't like being a slave to the TV. The new season started a couple of weeks ago and I watched it. And I'm hooked, just as I knew I would be. Not only am I now a slave to my TV, I'm going to have to spend my summer renting the previous seasons so I can get caught up. Sigh.

I heard this song on my drive home from Mobile last weekend. It made me laugh. Not that there's anyone I feel this way about (hmm), but if there was, I'm sure this would sum it up nicely :) Jaron and the Long Road to Love, "I Pray for You": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFJu8DCH_b0

Thursday is the last day of school. This year has flown by; of course, there were times when it seemed to drag but overall? Poof! Flown by. The kiddos are so excited about moving up to 6th grade, and I'm excited for them. I'm more sad about this year being over than past years...I think because I'm not going to see them next year. I've loved this class and even though we've had some less-than-perfect moments, I'm going to miss them a lot. Whether they know it or not, they've taught me so much. I've put my heart and soul into teaching this year, and I hope my darlings are just a tiny little bit better for being in my class.

I don't know if I've ever been so excited about summer break. I've got places to go, sights to see, friends to visit, weddings to attend, books to read, movies to watch, things to sew, a life to live...can't wait to get on it!

I want to be a crab fisherman

Just kidding. I think it would be fun for a day. Ha, kidding again! I think it would be fun for an hour...tops. I don't like being cold or wet, and while I always enjoy a good boat ride, giant scary waves aren't my thing. I don't smoke, I hate coffee, I don't speak in a way that requires copious bleeps, and I'm not fond of staying up for days on end; I'm pretty sure all of those are job requirements. Despite all that, I'm hooked on "Deadliest Catch". I'm not an avid TV watcher, but I'm willing to get in touch with my inner couch potato for the night.


I've watched it since college, and feel like the guys on the show are family friends. Does that make me a weirdo? I'll ponder that. I'm especially interested in watching this season because it'll be Captain Phil's last season. He died a few months ago and will definitely be missed on the show; he was one of my favorites. Tonight's agenda: couch, "Deadliest Catch", and a plate full of crabby goodness (if I liked seafood...and I don't...soooo, scratch that). Couch, "Deadliest Catch", and something decidedly non-crabby...happy Tuesday :)