Conversations in the Car: Vol. VIII

The following took place yesterday morning... I watched my four-year-old niece for the day. We had just dropped Hannah and Michaela off at school and were headed back to my house.

Keep in mind I only live about a mile away from the girls' school.


Me: "Well, my little Ladybug, it's just you and me now. Whatchya wanna do?"

Her: "Can I have some gum 'member that juice I had when I was at your house the other night it was my favorite I want some more and I want it in the cup with the lid I watch Phineus and Ferb but it's for boys but I like when Candace says 'You are so busted' and when Isabella says 'Whatchya dooooin' I like Hannah Montana and Wizards and Selena Gomez and London Tipton and iCarly but Hannah Montana is my favorite 'member when we went to that place that had the yummy soup I'm hungry I didn't eat breakfast can I have some of that yummy soup can I have some gum now I like your new car Aunt Shannon where did you get it did you know Jacob is a werewolf my Daddy rented the movie and I saw it I have a kitty cat I need to buy some food for my cat I like cats my flip flops have diamonds on them I like my shoes I got my diamond shoes at the store where my Nana works I can play on the playground there but Brother can't 'cause he too big he can't play there anymore HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Me: {blink, blink}

My very adorable, but very talkative, niece. We don't call her Little Miss Chatterbox for nothin'.

Quick!

I need to borrow $4 billion so I can pay off MGM Studio's debt.

Why?

Because development of the next Bond movie has been suspended "indefinitely" due to the studio's financial problems.

Y'all, this is a tragedy. A blow to Daniel Craig James Bond fans everywhere. The world needs... no, deserves... another Bond movie!

Certainly, my motive for getting the studio back in business has nothing to do with this...

Or this...

Or...

Table Topics Tuesday: Ink Me

Ever so slowly, I'm marking items off my "101 Things in 1001 Days" list. (yay!)

But there is one item on the list my husband hopes I never cross off...

75. get a tattoo


Shane just isn't a fan of tattoos and doesn't understand why I would want one. And I don't know why I want one, either... I just do.

My sister has several (six, I think)... my brother has two... heck, even my mom has one!

I used to think about what tattoo I'd get...

a butterfly? ladybug? my zodiac sign?

Whatever the design, I wanted it to mean something. I didn't want it to be just a random tattoo that I might regret one day.

My sister, Heather, said when (and if) I ever decided to get inked, she'd go with me. That made me think about the two of us getting the same tattoo... but what should we get?

After awhile, it finally came to me. I showed the design to my sister and she loved it. Here's what our matching tatts will look like...

It's the Irish word for "sister" (in a Gaelic font). It pays homage to our Irish roots as well as being something that has meaning to both Heather and I.

Now, I just need to work up the courage to go under the needle...

---

Your turn to join the conversation!

if you were to get a tattoo right now, what would it be?

Answer the question in the comments... OR post on your own blog and come back here to link up! Either way, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic.

If you link up, be sure to link your TTT post and not your main blog URL. Don't forget to grab the button. And for good comment karma, be sure to visit the other TTT posts!


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"A good book...

has no ending."

~ R.D. Cumming


As if my "to read" pile wasn't already about to topple over, I made a trip to the bookstore this past week and added two new books to the stack...

Technically, neither one made it to the "to read" pile... I've been wanting to read both of these for some time and started on them right away!

If you haven't read either of these books, I highly recommend both. HIGHLY.

I started reading The Help on Wednesday night... I could hardly put the book down and finished it Saturday. I then gave it to my mom Sunday morning. She called me later that evening to say she was already on Chapter 12, that she couldn't put the book down, either! This book has earned a spot on my list of all-time favorites. The story is so good... funny at times, heartbreaking at others. I'd really like to get the audio version of this book... and it's supposedly going to be made into a movie. If so, I will definitely go see it.


I'm already about halfway through Shiver... this is another "can't-put-it-down" book. I'm telling y'all... Young Adult fiction is where all the good books are! This one has a great story, too... as well as strong characters. Only problem is now I have to wait until July to get the second book! And Book 3 won't come out until sometime next year!


Have you read either of these books? What are you currently reading? What's your favorite book you've recently read?

Get ready to discuss...

Here's the question for Tuesday...

if you were to get a tattoo right now, what would it be?

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If you'd like to play along with this meme, answer the question on your own blog tomorrow, Tuesday 4/27... then come over here and link your post!

Don't forget to grab the button!

Table Topics Tuesday: Shop 'til I drop!

Much to Shane's dismay, I love to shop. Love to shop. I even view grocery shopping as fun, not a chore.

So thinking about today's question, I thought my answer would be a no-brainer:

Target.

If I won unlimited shopping for one store, I'd pick Target. After all, they carry pretty much every item I could ever need... clothes, shoes, handbags, jewelry, clothes, shoes (oh, wait... I already mentioned those)

Oh, yeah... they even have grocery items. And books, movies, CDs...

And if that wasn't all, my local Target has this:

I can shop and still enjoy my Starbucks!

But, then...

I read over the question again:

if you could win unlimited shopping from one store, which one would it be?

...and I realized it doesn't say I'm limited to only shopping at one store for the rest of my life. Just that I could choose one store to have an all-expenses-paid pass to!

Which store should I choose?

Old Navy? Sephora? My original pick, Target?

In the end, I think I'd most like to have unlimited shopping to Vera Bradley. I resisted buying one of these purses for the longest time! That is, until last fall when I fell in love with this beauty and had to have it:

I've already told Shane this is what he had better can get me for Mother's Day:

---

Join the conversation!

if you could win unlimited shopping from one store, which one would it be?

Answer the question in the comments... OR post on your own blog and come back here to link up! Either way, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic.

If you link up, be sure to link your TTT post and not your main blog URL. Don't forget to grab the button. And for good comment karma, be sure to visit the other TTT posts!


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why, why, why?

...do I have that Justin Bieber song stuck in my head?!


...did I buy a package of chocolate donuts at the grocery store yesterday?

Can we say, "temptation"?

...are there not more hours in the day? 24 is just not enough to get everything done.


...does a woodpecker insist on pecking a tree outside my window when I'm trying to take a nap?


...does Daniel Craig even bother to wear a shirt?

Have mercy.

All this pondering has made my head hurt.


what are you wondering "why" about today?

Get ready to discuss...

if you could win unlimited shopping from one store,
which one would it be?

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If you'd like to play along with this meme, answer the question on your own blog tomorrow, Tuesday 4/20... then come over here and link your post!

Don't forget to grab the button!

blah, blah, blah

I really don't have much on my mind today...


Y'all are watching Glee, right? I'm sooo glad it's back on! (although, I would like to have a few words with the people at FOX regarding their decision to move "Glee" to Tuesdays. Don't they know 9 p.m. on Tuesdays is reserved for "Lost"?!)

So far, this one still holds its place as my favorite "Glee" song:




One, because you can never go wrong with classic Queen (duh). And two, it's the first song all 12 members of New Directions performed together.

If you're not watching this show, you are missing out!

---

Speaking of TV...

tonight is the season finale of "Spartacus: Blood and Sand". Who's watching this show? It's definitely not for the squeamish, and I could do without a lot of the gore. But the story is good.

Oh, yeah... there's also this:

Holy smokin' abs, Batman!


What are your plans for this weekend? What's your favorite "Glee" song? How about "Spartacus: Blood and Sand"... are you watching?

How I Met Your Father

My first date with your father was 16 years ago today. April 15, 1994.

But we had actually met one afternoon a few weeks prior, in March. It was my senior year of high school. I was 17; he was almost 22.

I don't recall whether the day was sunny or cloudy. I don't even know what the exact day of the week it was, that day we first met.

I'd like to say it was "love at first sight" or that I felt something the first time I laid eyes on your dad. But the truth is, I don't remember much about that day. Other than saying "hi", we probably spoke no more than 10 words to each other that first time we met.

I wasn't looking for a boyfriend. In fact, I had just ended a relationship and was determined to wait awhile before I took another chance on love.

But over the next few weeks, your father and I began to see more of each other. Spend more time together.

And one day, he asked if I'd like to go on date with him.

On that April night, 16 years ago, your father took me out for dinner. We then drove downtown to the Riverpark and ended up sitting in the car, talking for a few hours.

And the rest, they say, is history...

nothing says "spring" like a field of tulips...

Picture taken by my hubby. He's got some mad photography skillz, doesn't he?

Table Topics Tuesday: Feed Me!

I may have mentioned before that I have a slight addiction to carbs.

Bread, potatoes, rice, pasta... I love them all.

So when I thought about what I'd choose if I could only have one meal for the rest of my life, I thought for sure that meal would be Carb Overload.

Pizza?

Chicken Parmigiana with pasta and garlic bread?

Just a big plate full of mashed potatoes, hashbrown casserole, roasted potatoes and a roll?

But I kept coming back to one meal...

A good ol' Southern feast of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, biscuits, fried okra and green beans.

And of course, the house wine of the South: sweet tea.

Sweet tea served in a Mason jar? That's some good stuff right there.

I debated over my dessert choice, too... I was thisclose to choosing brownies. But in the end, the classic Libby's pumpkin roll won me over...

Mmmmm...

I think I know what I'm cooking for dinner tonight!

---

Join the conversation!

if you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life,
what would it be?

Answer the question in the commnets... OR post on your own blog and come back here to link up! Either way, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic.

If you link your post, don't forget to grab the button (please link your TTT post and not your main blog URL) And for good comment karma, be sure to visit the other TTT posts!



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101 Things in 1001 Days

I'm a list-maker. To Do lists, grocery lists, what-to-pack-for-vacation lists... you name it, I've written it. Even better than writing lists, is marking items off the list.

So it's no surprise when I saw my BFF, Angie, (who, in turn, was inspired by Julia) make a list of 101 things she wants to do in 1001 days, I had to jump on board.

Here's my very own list of 101 Things to Accomplish in 1001 Days (I have until 1/7/2013 to get all of these marked off!):

Home Improvement

1. re-do hall bathroom

2. convert playroom into office

3. paint master bedroom

4. paint stairwell

5. purchase new bookshelves for den

6. replace upstairs carpet with hardwood floors

7. create a manageable house cleaning schedule

8. have prints of Shane's photography framed

9. wall decal in hallway

10. organize my closet and keep it organized for three months

11. start a compost pile

12. remove wallpaper from master bath and re-paint

13. repair trim on fireplace mantle

14. gazebo and furniture for backyard

15. de-clutter master bedroom and keep it clutter free

Travel

16. vacation in Hilton Head

17. go on a cruise

18. visit 3 states I've never been to before

19. visit a winery

20. visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios

21. get my passport

22. travel outside of the U.S.

23. vacation/visit national parks out West

24. take another family vacation to Disney World

Hobbies

25. learn how to knit or crochet

26. learn how to use a sewing machine

27. join a book club

28. attend a book signing

29. read 10 books by authors I've never read before

1. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
2. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
3. The Radleys by Matt Haig
4. The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich
5. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
6. Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife and Darcy & Elizabeth by Linda Berdoll
7. Millie's Fling by Jill Manuel
8. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
9. The Other Mr. Darcy and The Darcy Cousins by Monica Fairview
10. Lydia Bennet's Story by Jane Odiwe
11. Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella
12. Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes by Denise Grover Swank
13. Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

30. attend at least one art exhibit

31. re-watch every episode of "Lost"

32. read 10 non-fiction books

1. The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich
   
2. My Fair Lazy by Jen Lancaster
   
3. Bossypants by Tina Fey
4. My Life in France by Julia Child

33. listen to 5 audio books

1. Emma by Jane Austen

34. complete a 365 day photo challenge

35. learn to salsa dance

36. make Christmas cards for friends and family one year

37. watch every Best Picture Oscar-winning film

38. host a dinner party
39. print my blog in book form
40. set up Etsy shop for Shane's photography
41. participate in NaBloPoMo
42. do an art project with the girls once a month
43. learn to play chess
44. get scrapbooks up-to-date
45. attend at least two theater events

• A Christmas Story (Chattanooga Theater Centre) - December 2010
  

46. attend at least 3 concerts

• Dave Matthews Band - July 2010
• Kings of Leon - September 2010
• Josh Groban - June 2011
• Kings of Leon - July 2011

47. start a collection of Depression glass


Cooking

48. try a new recipe once per month

49. make Julia Child's beef bourguignon

50. meal plan every week

51. bake bread without using the bread machine

52. go meatless for one week

53. bake a cake from scratch for someone's birthday

54. try a vegan recipe

55. make homemade ice cream from scratch

56. bake a pie from scratch

Health & Exercise

57. lose 10 lbs

58. lose 20 lbs

59. lose 30 lbs

60. lose 40 lb.

61. lose 50 lbs

62. treat myself to a massage after losing 30 lbs

63. treat myself to a massage after losing 50 lbs

64. start a skincare routine

65. get a facial

66. exercise 5 days a week for a month

67. go one month without any fast food

68. eat breakfast every morning for one month

69. use the Wii Fit every day for one month

70. floss daily for a month

71. get a yearly physical

72. participate in a charity walk

73. go to bed by 10 p.m. every night for a week

Personal/ Misc.

74. finish this list by 4/15/10

75. get a tattoo

76. grow my hair out

77. buy a smartphone

78. attend another a murder mystery dinner show (thanks, Mom!)

79. visit 10 restaurants I've never been to before

1. Sweet Peppers - Downtown Chattanooga
2. Rio Picante - Downtown Chattanooga
3. The Sea Shack - Hilton Head Island, SC
4. The Melting Pot - Chattanooga
5. Urban Stack - Downtown Chattanooga

80. keep a diary and write in it every day for a month

81. write a letter to each of my girls, for them to open on their 18th birthdays

82. pay for a stranger's coffee

83. create a will

84. create a living will

85. learn CPR

86. volunteer in my community

87. hold a "comments for cans" food drive at least once per year

• 2010
• 2011

88. learn how to do a "smoky eye" makeup

89. create a household budget

90. read the newspaper from front page to last

91. complete a New York Times crossword puzzle without any help

92. buy myself a purse from Coach, Dooney & Burke, or Kate Spade

93. volunteer at an animal shelter

94. send family member a card once a week

95. have professional family portraits taken once a year

96. go 3 days without getting online

97. schedule GNO at least once a month

98. go one day a month without watching any TV

99. give a compliment to a complete stranger

100. save $5 for every task I complete

101. make a new list of "101 Things in 1001 Days" when this project ends

Let me know if you decide to do this project... I'd love to check out your list!

Get ready to discuss...

the topic for this Tuesday is:

if you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life,
what would it be?

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If you'd like to play along with this meme, answer the question on your own blog this coming Tuesday 4/13... then come over here and link your post!

Don't forget to grab the button!

Spring Break!

Ever since Hannah and Michaela were ages 4 and 2, my sister has been taking a week off work and letting the girls stay with her in Nashville. These last few years they've been doing it on Spring Break. While the girls are at her house for the week, Heather will take them horseback riding, ice skating, to the children's museum... or just to the park or a movie.

This past week was Spring Break... but unfortunately things didn't work out for my girls to go to their aunt's house this year. Instead, my sister came home for a few days to spend time with the family and do some activities with her nieces.

They even let me tag along a few times.

One day we took the girls to BabyLand General Hospital... aka, home of the Cabbage Patch Kids. The girls each adopted a baby, fresh from the patch:

Hannah with "Annabeth Elise" and Michaela with "Kayla Rae"

(Don't even get Shane started on those names...)


We also took in a matinee of "How to Train Your Dragon":

(It's times like this that I hate wearing glasses... 'cause wearing 3-D ones over your regular glasses isn't all that comfortable)

Very good movie... we all give it a solid "two thumbs up!". Although, I did spend most of the movie wondering why all the adults in the film spoke with a Scottish accent while none of the kids did...



Have you had Spring Break yet? What'd you do? If not, what are your plans?

Table Topics Tuesday: the gloves are off!

Shane and I rarely argue... when we do, it's usually about money (or, rather... my spending habits.)

But the silliest arguments we have go something like this:

• Shane makes a wisecrack at my expense, usually regarding the housework or my cooking
  

• I take offense, but instead of telling Shane he's hurt my feelings or just ignoring his remark, I get all huffy
  

• Then Shane becomes irritated because I "can't take a joke"

So, yeah... silly reasons to argue with each other.

Whether it's about money or something silly, I don't like arguing with my husband.

But at least the making up can be fun, right?

---

Join the conversation!

what's the dumbest argument you've ever had?

Answer the question in the comments... OR post on your own blog and come back here to link up! Either way, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic.

If you link your post, don't forget to grab the button (be sure to link your TTT post and not just your main blog URL). And for good comment karma, be sure to visit the other TTT posts!


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The topic for tomorrow is...

what's the dumbest argument

you've ever had?

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If you'd like to play along, post the answer on your blog tomorrow (4/6)... then come back here to link up! Don't forget to grab the button!

Finally!

The downstairs closet is finished!

Baseboards have been replaced, the whole room has been painted, and shelves have gone in the closet. Now I have somewhere to store my scrapbooking supplies (instead of shoving them in a corner of the dining room!)

There's even room to store all of our board games neatly and in one place...

(Yes... that is a "Star Wars" Monopoly game you see. And a "Lord of the Rings" Trivial Pursuit. Among others.)

(Yes... my husband is a big nerd.)

One of these days... hopefully soon... I'm going to claim this room as my own. It's been the girls' playroom since we moved into this house. Now that they're older, I'm trying to convince Hannah and Michaela they no longer need a playroom... that it's time Mommy had a space of her own where she can scrapbook, blog, whatever.

So far, the girls are not too keen on this idea.