JSB in town!

John Sutton will be playing at Brookhaven Friday night!!!  Amazing band, I've raved about them before, so I won't repeat myself.  If you're in Memphis and looking for something fun to do Friday night you should check them out!  I know I'll be there and taking my parents with me!

Libby Lou

If you know me, then you know one of the loves of my life.  They always say a dog is a man’s best friend, but that doesn’t even say the half of it.  I’m pretty much obsessed.  I say all the time that it’s not fair that she’s so cute because she’s hogging all the cuteness from the other dogs of the world.  This post may only be enjoyed by myself, George and my Mom, but how can I not sure how cute she is?!

Watching Big Brother last night

 

Not even possible to say "no"



Two of her favorite things: a shoe and a toy

You think she's spoiled?

Picking out a treat and a toy...

Chasing water

Yep, I'm pretty much obsessed, but she likes it best that way and so do I!

Laughing Is Like Penicillin

I absolutely love to laugh, who doesn’t?  But seriously I LOVE it.  I wanted to include a couple of really funny you tubes maybe to brighten up your day.  I think I have seen most of these about 20 times each and laugh to the point of tears on a few of these each time!

All time favorite You Tube

Dizzzzzzzzay

Remind me NEVER to get my wisdom teeth out!

Did you honestly think I could post videos and not include some cute Westies?!

Also, if you ever need a BIG laugh in the middle of the work day, or any day really....check out Pinterest Humor.  It will get you every time and never lets you down.

It's Official....I'm a Nerd

You know it’s funny that I like to read now.  I absolutely HATED to read in school and probably because everything that they made us read I was completely uninterested in.  I didn’t read too much when I was in grad school, but now that I’m done…I’ve turned into a major nerd.  If you’re going through a nerd phase and in need of a good book, thought I would post some of the books I read this summer. 

             The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

      Ebody read it a long time ago, but I never jumped on the bandwagon.  I read it before the movie came out and I’m a little disturbed by it, but a fast and exciting read.

      The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson

 Part of the Girl With a Dragon Tattoo series.  I actually saw the first movie and was really interested in the story line so read the second book and it was fabulous.  I heard the first book was hard to get into and poorly written, but I really liked the second.  I    have the third and started it too, but it’s a little sleepy.  I’ll get through it eventually.

Guilty Wives by James Patterson

WOW!  Never read anything by James Patterson until this book and it was great!  I think I read it in about 2 days if that tells you anything.  An exciting and surprising read. 

Dreaming Out Loud by Bruce Feiler

 Loved this one…probably one of my favorites from this summer.  This is a book written back in the mid-nineties about the country music industry.  At the time, Wynona and Garth were at the height of their career and on the brink of a downfall.  It talks about the pressures of the old business and how country music was really gaining speed in the music industry.  Lots of references to Franklin and Nashville and some of the real players in the country music business.  Really interesting and highly suggest if you’re a country fan and love Nashville.

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

     Good book and has a great message.  It is very poetic and her one thought takes about 7 pages for her to spit it out, but a good book and an uplifting message.

       The Way We Were by Paul Burrell

 This book was written by Paul Burrell who was Princess Diana’s butler.  He wrote one before this and I think he got a lot of bad press about it.  Who knows if everything in this book is true and probably not, but very interesting about the last few years of her life. 

      Kris Jenner and All Things Kardashian by Kris Jenner

Yep, I read it.  She’s not a good writer, but let’s be honest…I didn’t buy this book because it was on the NY Times Best Seller list.  Interesting book.  The beginning is full of grammar errors and a lot of hopping around various subjects.  However, she discusses the OJ Simpson trial a great deal and that is what I found to be most interesting about this book.   

     

      The Beach House by James Patterson

       Quick read once again, his books are murder mystery fantastic exciting reads!

So I think that’s it.  I found this great used bookstore in Memphis (don’t even want to say the name because I don’t want you to raid it and take all the good stuff) and so I read whatever everyone else has already read.  Ok ok, its called BookTrader’s on Quince.  I buy all hardbacks and most are 3.95 or 6.96.  The best find ever!!  I love going in there and my goal is always to come out with an armful of books…and it hasn’t let me down yet.  

Straight Hair Minus the Heat

Have I mentioned I did this?

 Brazilian Blowout

This treatment is AAAAmazing!  My hair is seriously hard to deal with and especially in the summer.  Three weeks before I did this treatment, my hair was in a pony tail every day because the humidity had it out of control and not to mention it felt like straw.  I really struggled committing to one of these treatments for several reasons:

1.        I’ve heard a lot of scary accusations about the chemicals involved.  The rumor that it contains formaldehyde is not 100% true.  However, it does contain chemicals that if heated to a certain temperature, they can convert to formaldehyde.  There was a big stink (no pun intended) that came out about it and wanted to pull it off the market, but the company was able to prove that the amount of chemicals in the straightening product was miniscule.  They also provide that if used in a well-ventilated area, they would not be harmful.  Let’s be honest here though…did you really think a semi-permanent straightening treatment wasn’t going to have some chemicals in it?  When you get to the point that I was at…YOU DON’T CARE!

2.       It’s expensive…period.  The price depends on how long it actually takes on your hair.  Obviously if you have longer hair it will cost a bit more. 

3.       The Brazilian Blowout is product specific.  You cannot wash your hair with any products containing sulfate or sodium chloride.  Supposedly these are cleansing chemicals that most shampoos contain to give you all those suds.  However, if you have dry or damaged hair, they can add fuel to the fire.  A lot of companies have tried saying sulfate-free products are better for you and more organic.  Supposedly sulfate gives you cancer, but what doesn’t?  Sulfate-free products are pretty easy to find.  Right now I am just using the BB products, but found some sulfate-free products at Sally’s that were very inexpensive. 

With all that being said, my friend Lauren convinced me that her roommate had done it and had awesome results.  I hopped on You Tube to see the live action and couldn’t believe how it could work so well…even after a couple of months.  So I did it and check it out!

Dried Naturally

Straightened with low heat and just a few passes with an iron...crazy!!!!

Powerful Day

I admit.  I can be a bit self-centered at times.  I grew up an only child and not that it's an excuse, it’s just the name of the game.  So, I have a bit of a self-centered wish.  I witnessed one of the most amazing experiences today and I pray that it isn’t the last time I visit.  Living in Memphis certainly has its disadvantages.  The lack of nature and scenery, segregation and crime (have I mentioned there was a double homicide two blocks over in my neighborhood last week?).  Among all the bad there are some very special aspects of Memphis that I would put up against Time’s Square, the Washington Monument or the Grand Canyon any day. One of which I visited today. 

St. Jude Children’s Hospital.  It literally brings tears to my eyes to try and articulate some of the images I saw today.  My team at work went and took a two hour tour (which I demand anyone do that lives near Memphis) today.  Obviously I couldn’t take pictures to post on this blog, but I can tell you what I experienced.  Among many memorable images: multiple waiting rooms filled with patients under 18, barf bag holders, funny sayings everywhere, inspiring artwork covering the long hallways, a baby sister carrying her big sister on her back because she was too weak to walk, unimaginable hope and courage, parents pulling their toddlers in wagons with masks covering their tiny faces and a mother carrying her 10 year old like a baby after an intense round of chemo because he was too sick to walk. 

I found myself at that back of my group almost all morning.  Almost too much for me to take in.  I don’t remember everything our sweet tour guide unveiled to us because I was so busy watching all of the magic.  It’s incredible.  Living in Memphis you hear so much about St. Jude…everywhere you go they ask you to donate money to St. Jude…and you do because you’re a Memphian.  But until today I didn’t really know why it was so important for me to add on that extra dollar to my Fresh Market bill or even more importantly, give my time at Make-A-Wish to honor these sweet individuals. 

My self-centered wish is obviously to take a trip to this incredible hospital and give your money, time or talents to this sacred place.  Or, just find something that is important to you or that makes your spirit tick and donate your time or money to it.  Then go visit and see where your hard earned dollars go or what your time means to that organization.  I promise you this…it’s better than any vacation you will ever take, more encouraging that buying a house or a car and it makes going to work every day that much easier.  We’ve got it made….so be thankful.

Want to visit?

http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=181febc7a7319210VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD

Help Seth Wood!!

I posted a couple of month's ago about an amazing guy's music, Seth Wood.  He is working on funding the beginning of his new album (EP) and has created a crafty way to do so!!  Check him out:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1891225709/help-seth-make-his-new-ep

Not only is this clever, this is much needed to be able to create his incredible music.  I don't know about you, but I love me some Seth Wood and need you to donate for my listening pleasure.  Thank you.

Here is a link to some of his music: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/abraham/id306891655