January 21, 2010

Love 101.

Wow, this is post 101 for me! I never thought I'd have this much to say, or have as many followers.  In honor of this mini milestone I thought I'd post 101 things that I love and share them with you.

101 Things That I Love.
  1. M. 
  2. my father &  family.
  3. my mother, God rest her soul.
  4. M's family.
  5. my friends.
  6. my pets.
  7. saturday mornings.
  8. smoky and the bandit.
  9. children laughing.
  10. the smell of fresh cut grass.
  11. coca cola classic.
  12. diet a&w root beer.
  13. ginger ale.
  14. sushi.
  15. pizza.
  16. chinese food.
  17. chicken wings.
  18. buffalo sauce.
  19. coffee.
  20. long drives in warm weather. windows down, music turned up!
  21. weezer.
  22. the smell of hot asphalt after it's rained.
  23. swimming pools at night.
  24. fireworks.
  25. sand between my toes.
  26. the smell of the ocean air.
  27. my "nieces and nephews" through friendship.
  28. little people.
  29. children... just not my own, yet.
  30. puppies.
  31. kittens.
  32. baby animals period.
  33. art, of all forms.
  34. halloween.
  35. new years even.
  36. july 4th.
  37. ac/dc.
  38. pineapple.
  39. the word "douche".
  40. dick and fart jokes.
  41. dry humor.
  42. french bulldogs.
  43. pit bulls.
  44. mustangs.
  45. classic hot rods.
  46. jacked up jeep wranglers.
  47. canoeing.
  48. camping.
  49. star gazing.
  50. grilling out.
  51. celebrity gossip.
  52. manicures/pedicures.
  53. smokey eye make-up.
  54. freckles.
  55. jeans.
  56. flip-flops.
  57. huge sunglasses.
  58. mix CDs from the heart.
  59. music with a message.
  60. freedom.
  61. pearl jam.
  62. voting.
  63. being a woman.
  64. road trips.
  65. photography.
  66. blythe.
  67. finding old friends via facebook.
  68. marshmallows burnt to a crisp.
  69. carolina tarheel blue.
  70. crimson red.
  71. the pittsburgh steelers.
  72. sec football.
  73. the red hot chili peppers.
  74. the crimson tide.
  75. the state of maryland.
  76. my hometown.
  77. a delicious bottle of wine.
  78. sunsets at the end of a great day.
  79. sunrises at the end of a great night.
  80. home cooking.
  81. making new friends.
  82. laying on the beach.
  83. reading a good book, for the second time.
  84. a night out on the town.
  85. happy hours.
  86. full belly laughter.
  87. old bay seasoning.
  88. all you can eat crab feasts.
  89. seafood.
  90. cheesecake.
  91. the mountains.
  92. snowboarding.
  93. snow.
  94. autumn.
  95. history.
  96. antiques.
  97. holding hands.
  98. kissing.
  99. hugs.
  100. love in it's truest form.
  101. above all - life.
There are probably a million more things that I love but these were the first 101 things that came to my mind. Thank you for reading the whole list if you did! What do you love most?


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January 18, 2010

remembering a dream.

Today we remember, in my opinion, one of the greatest figures in American history. For as long as I can remember I've looked up to Martin Luther King, Jr. He was in my eyes an amazing man, with a dream, a wish and the drive to make these dreams happen. I hate that his life was ended too soon. A lot has changed in the world since his important speech, but in many ways I feel we have a long way to go. I hope you will take time to remember your freedoms, and remember those who have fought to give you even more of a voice in our nation. Living in the South has made me realize through my own eyes all the things I read about in history books growing up in Maryland. I've been through Birmingham, Alabama and the cities of Mississippi, and those of Tennessee - I've seen locations where horrible acts have taken place and heard the stories. They break my heart knowing that nation could be filled with so much hate. It breaks my heart still to know inside many Americans these fires of hate still burn. Every time I see a Confederate flag I'm reminded of three things, the Civil War, the hate and honestly, the Dukes of Hazzard. (When I was a child I had no idea the negative symbolism that flag held - it only reminded me of my two favorite crime fighters, Bo and Luke Duke. I'd give anything to have that innocence back).  I dream of a day, much like Martin Luther King, Jr. did that we can put out these fires and become one. Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of my ultimate heroes. Who is yours?

Martin Luther King, Jr. • via google

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."2

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:

My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.
Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,
From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.
And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.
Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.
Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.
Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.
But not only that:

Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.
From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

Free at last! Free at last!
Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

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January 16, 2010

just staying...

If this is the face of the new tooth fairy, I will totally pull out all my teeth so he'll visit me every night. OMG I have such a crush on Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and I have been since day one when he debuted on WWE and I've read his book too - yes I'm sickly in in love with him. Shhh don't tell M - even though I think he already knows.

The Tooth Fairy via google

The Brahma Bull
Oh yes... I smell what The Rock is cooking... and I like it!
via google

Side note: He was one of the WWE superstars that was able to write his own promos and lines whenever he was on screen which says a lot for a WWE superstar. Ok I need to stop you all will think I'm a weirdo but yes when the Rock was active on WWE I was a faithful watcher - I still watch with Mike from time to time (and YES I know it's fake!).

That is all.

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January 15, 2010

working for the weekend.

It's almost time for the weekend. I hope all of you have wonderful weekend plans! Be sure to enjoy yourselves!
via flickr mika-rin

I only have a few plans and I like it that way.
  • feel better.
  • enjoy the party I'm attending this evening. Happy Birthday J!
  • try not to to feel pouty because I'm too sick to sing Bon Scott lyrics and AC/DC all night with the band.
  • watch the big game on Saturday and root for the Colts - GO COLTS!!!
  • organize my closet... I hope.
  • relax and have a lazy sunday and hope my feeling better actually happens. And continue taking the best medicine on earth Mucinex D!
HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYONE! ox

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January 13, 2010

this means war!

Straw 1:
As some of you know for the past few days we've been dealing with and unwanted and very unwelcome visitor under our house. I'm convinced it is a cat. At first we thought it may be the one random raccoon we've seen galavanting around our neighborhood (and is he ever cute), but after further disturbance and noises we've determined that we do indeed have a cat under our house.

The weather here has started to warm up a bit (read: from the teens to the 20's and 30's) - in which case I would assume this cat would want to venture out and move on. Last night during dinner we heard the cat make a loud, violent noise again under the house. June, our dog, of course goes NUTS (her bark makes my ears ring). Why is that damn cat still under there... my guess is that all the violent noise is actually a momma cat giving birth to kittens. GREAT! If this is the case I feel for the mother and I want this to be handled as humanely as possible. Even if it wasn't a mother cat I'd feel the same way. Something has to be done. I fear it is either a mother cat or a cat that has gotten stuck and can't get out. I think that if the cat had no ties to the house he or she would have already moved on by now.  (Note: I started this post yesterday and this morning the cat sounded happy and friendly Meow, Meow, Meow - crap is she talking to her kittens now?!?!?)

Straw 2:
We've also been having issues with the heat in our home. Don't get me started... it's a rental and it seems like since we've moved in the house, while we love it, has been nothing but a thorn in our side, and we've been a thorn in our landlords side. I'm sorry, but if I'm paying to rent your house - your butt needs to be there to fix it. To his credit, he has, a lot and at all hours of day or night. We've had plumbing disasters, and other issues (we won't go into what I shoved down the garbage disposal - it's another blog entirely). I'm hoping that when we pass our 6 months of living here mark the kinks will be all worked out. The previous renters didn't take care of this place at all.

Now that I'm off topic I'll get back to business - the heat is messed up. Our maintenance man, I'll call him Schneider because I've always wanted a Schneider in my life. (If you've never watched One Day at a Time you're dead to me, seriously watch it). That was harsh and I apologize I have the crimson wave monster this week. Exhibit A below:

Schneider From One Day at a Time via google
OH how I wish our maintenance man Mike looked like this when he arrived!

So Schneider comes by yesterday and looks over our heating unit and talks with M. He informs us he has to talk with the heating and air guys that our landlord deals with and they'll get started. If they need M or I present he'll call. We get no call, when we get home we still have bobo (my word for generic) heat. (We've been using the floor unit to heat the whole house I'm going to vomit when I see our utility bill this month I know it!) Thank goodness we have the floor heater or we'd be frozen.  Schneider calls M and lets him know that they will be there today at 8:00 AM. (We left the house at 8:00 AM and we didn't see a peep of the repair men).

All this leads back to the cat under the house.  They will probably have to check under the house if the unit isn't the issue and the duct work is. They said they will call animal control if needed.  I should have just called already - I know this but I was hoping the little bugger would come out on his own. I have decided that if I hear the cat tonight and nothing has been done I am calling Animal Control first thing in the morning tomorrow. I want the cat out, I want to stop being woken up at 2:00 AM by my dog barking her head off due to hearing noises and I want the sanity of knowing the little bugger is safe and sound and not stuck dying under my house. (Not to mention if he/she dies I'll feel horrible and it will SMELL horrible!!!) My only saving grace right now is that it's winter, not steamy, hot, air thick as mayo summer here in the South.

FINAL STRAW:
All of this leads me to the WAR part of my post. This morning upon leaving for work I walk out the front door and notice M is dusting off the porch furniture. We have a nice little couch and chair set out there for enjoying the weather in the summer months (that is only a few months old). I ask him what it is, and he says fur. I had noticed some fur on the couch before and dismissed it - this morning there was more fur and a bit of a smell. (Note: I'm sick - I can't smell anything - not my shampoo in the AM, or my favorite perfume, again another blog entirely), I can't taste food but I could get a wiff of this mess and I was livid). Someone's freaking outdoor cat/stray has decided to take up residence at night on our porch and has decided that rubbing on the couch to claim it as his own is not enough, no he had to SPRAY the F**KING thing!!!  I'm a cat lover, I love my cat, I love my friend's cats - I however do not love WILD CATS, OUTDOOR CATS or STRAY CATS!!! (Ok - that's harsh I am ok with wild and stray and outdoor cats if they aren't on my property or my porch - ONLY CHILD SYNDROME WHAT?). In the words of Kourtney Kardashian, "This isn't cute" and it's not cool.

SIDE STORY:
We had a stray cat come to visit us at our old house. This kitten was the cutest thing ever and I would have kept him - but I found out quickly he was actually our neighbor's kitten, and there were two of them. Fluffy and sweet. Their names were Simba and Timba (it said so on their collars). They would actually greet M and I when we returned home. Hoping over to us and jumping over the tall grass that lined our walk way. Cutest. Things. Ever! One night we found the one kitten on our front porch. M quickly took him back to the neighbors porch and put him back up with his brother in the make shift cat corral they had made for them. Simba was determined to come hang with us, Timba, not so much. Finally after 3 tries I scooped him up and made him a small bed on our back porch. I gave him water but no food. I know that if you feed a cat once they are bound to come back. I was actually rather annoyed with my neighbors. If you're going to have a cat, especially a kitten it should be inside. We had a few outdoor cats in that little neighborhood that never came near our house - probably because June would have barked her ass off and freaked them out if they came near the circle or our jeeps. Unless you live on a farm and have lots of land the cat should be inside, all pets should be inside - like I said my opinion. I have no understanding of purchasing a dog or cat to keep them outdoors. Needless to say this sweet little cat stayed the night with us on our back porch. It was screened in and I went to check on him at 4 AM there he was just purring and meowing for me. Angus, our cat had been standing watch most of the night on the kitchen counter, probably cussing Simba up one side and down the other. Angus doesn't share well, at all. The next morning, we returned Simba to his front porch. Truth be told I should have kept him but I could tell by Angus' behavior he would not have been happy. Angus is hardcore, or TUFF as he likes to tell us.

A few months later we didn't see or hear from the kittens anymore. My hope is that they became inside pets and not road kill. We lived in a little circle away from traffic but cars still flew up our road. I'd be crushed to know that they didn't make it.

This cat on our porch could be as cute as these guys but honestly that little f**ker wore out his welcome when he pissed on my furniture!!! M intends to scrub the cushion but I don't think that's going to work. After the cat under the house has been handled I'm calling in the big guns. Critter Ridder. Yes, you read that right the name made me laugh when I heard M tell me about it. But it's real. (If you have ever used this stuff any insight you have on the product would be greatly appreciated).


I want to be sure this won't hurt June since she's outdoors in the backyard but I definitely want to use this around the perimeter of our fence (outside) and the front of our yard. I'm also sick and tired of people walking their dogs around the corner (we have a big corner lot) and allowing their animals to piss and poo in my yard!!! I might sound like an old woman but M and I have worked really hard to make the yard and home look nice and I don't need these animals messing it up. I also mind you moved from a townhouse development that had a rule if you didn't clean up your dogs doo doo you got fined. I wish I could enforce that in my neighborhood. It's bad enough we have to clean up June's poo in our back yard I'm not cleaning up Rover's crap in my front yard.

Needless to say - I don't wish harm on any animal so I want to read the label to this first etc. Bottom line is I want these animals OUT of my yard. This yard is for me, my boyfriend, our pets and our friends - END OF STORY!

UPDATE: The heating and air guys finally showed up this morning and they have figured out a source of our heat issues. We warned them about the cat under the house and hopefully they will be able to scare it out and or call Animal Control. If not we will call Animal Control in the AM. I hate missing work for this stuff but it must be done. I want to know this cat is safe and warm and if it did have kittens that they will have a fighting chance and get a loving home. We have a great no kill organization here in town and I believe they are the ones that get first dibs on these animals once they've been caught/analyzed and cleared for adoption. *FINGERS CROSSED*

Now as for the little f**ker on my porch... this is a to be continued tale.

I'm starting to feel a bit better - more energy but I'm still in a grumpy mood. Bitter party of one your table is now ready!

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January 11, 2010

choices for super bowl.

I want to see the Colts or the Chargers take on the Saints. There I said it. I really like watching both the Colts and the Chargers play. And the Chargers have really come alive here at the end of the season. After going to New Orleans and seeing all the love for the Saints I can't help but like them as well. We shall see. (Side note: Both Quarterbacks from the Chargers and the Colts are easy on the eyes so that's a bonus right there).


Colts QB • Peyton Manning via Google
I love. love. LOVE the Manning Brothers!


Chargers QB • Philip Rivers via Google

So there's my picks for Super Bowl hopefuls - who are your picks? Bottom line I really want to see the Colts take on someone in the Super Bowl, but the Chargers are my second choice in the division I follow. I can't stand the Cowboys and I don't want to see them anywhere near the big game.

I'm still disappointed the Steelers didn't make it but like I said I can relax now. I was pleased to see the ass beating the Ravens gave to the Patriots - they are the LAST team I wanted to see in the playoffs OR the big game. So for once you'll hear me say.... "Well done Ravens."

No worries Big Ben - I still love you and you are still my favorite QB in the league! Don't be jealous!


Steelers QB • Big Ben Roethlisberger via Google

For all my NON-FOOTBALL watching followers I promise to get back to "semi-normal" topics soon, I'm just a bit pumped about some of what's left this season to talk about. Besides I can't hide the fact that I love this game!

****************

In other news I'm still sick with the funk and I'm SO over it! Our heat isn't working properly in our house AND we have a cat stuck under our house as well - lovely? More bitching on that later when and if I feel up for it. Or at least a recap once all chaos has been settled. Oh yeah and if that wasn't enough mother nature decided to pay me a visit right now too! THANKS!

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January 08, 2010

the tide is high.

First off I have to say congratulations to the University of Alabama and Nick Saban. What a great year and what a wild ride! Last night's game had me on the edge of my seat, even if I was fighting sleep due to cold medication I took before the game was over. (Note: I think I feel like ass, if this is what ass feels like!)

Texas put up one hell of a fight! I felt absolutely horrible when Colt McCoy (Texas QB) was taken out in the beginning of the game. My heart actually ached for him - here it is his senior year, his last game as the Texas QB and he's in a championship game. Due to a shoulder injury he was benched for the rest of the game. Which I think was smart, he has a future in the NFL, a very bright future and better to sit it out and risk this Championship than to risk his career after college is over. That being said I really wish he would have been able to play the entire game vs. being forced to sit there and watch it. I could see the pain in his eyes, it was emotional, not physical. Once out they brought in Gilbert, his back up QB and I must say for a "TRUE FRESHMAN" this kid has spunk and a great arm. I expect great things from him next year.

I am extremely proud of my favorite SEC Team The ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE! SEC stands for South East Conference for those of you that were wondering (Monique & Salt) - and even though I'm a East Coast girl by birth and at heart, I'm truly a believer that the SEC is the best college conference in the USA.

If anyone had a doubt in their mind as to why Mark Ingram #22 (Alabama) won the Heisman Trophy Award this year - I think you got your answer during this game - INGRAM WAS ON FIRE! He truly was MVP! I'm happy to see that when he's out though that we have one hell of a guy to pick up his slack Richardson rocked that field as well last night. Go #3!

I really thought we had screwed ourselves in the third quarter - Texas made an amazing come back and didn't look like they would be slowing down. Thankfully we capitalized on a few of Texas' mistakes (like they capitalized on ours) and were able to get the lead back, and quickly in the 4th quarter!

Both teams put up a tremendous fight and I'm proud of all of them! Well done Alabama. Thank you for bring home a 13th College Championship Title and Trophy to UA! I can only imagine the mayhem around the Tuscaloosa, AL campus last night - from what I hear it was CRAZY! It's been a long time coming from what everyone here tells me. A tradition and legacy that can feel like they are on top of the world again. So thank you Mr. Saban and thank you to the entire team for an awesome year! And for an awesome 2 seasons. I hope to be there this fall to witness the magic that is the Crimson Tide!

Bottom line - I adore football but I'm actually REALLY happy the season is over. My nerves can't take any more of this stress. Seriously I have a football induced ulcer I'm convinced of this (or maybe it's just from all the buffalo sauce I've ingested this year). I get WAY too passionate for my own good. For the rest of the season I will root for the Colts to make it into the Super Bowl (since my Steelers are out of the running) but I won't lose sleep if they don't.

Now I can focus on to getting better and feeling better (I have the funk right now) and using my weekends to the fullest. Since fall I've been spending lots of time watching football games and not being as active but it was worth it! Now I just have to make up for lost time.

I leave you with a final... ROLL TIDE ROLL!

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January 07, 2010

crimson & clover... SEC over & over!

I'm feeling the love for crimson all over the blog universe today. I love seeing all the fans of the SEC come together as one. Even if you aren't an Alabama fan, chances are if you're a fan of a SEC team you're most likely rooting for Alabama tonight (or you should be.. if AL looks good we all look good).

I'm so excited for tonight - I'm feeling REALLY under the weather so I won't be doing a big deal tailgating type meal tonight as originally planned. Instead I'm keeping it plain and simple. We're having Beer Brats, Fries (or at least M is, I'm not) and My Momma's Mac n' Cheese. Simple, old school and down home!

I just wanted to spread the love... here, here, and  here (with the cutest necklaces I want to have NOW!) .  I am sure there are more posts about my beloved Crimson Tide but for how I wanted to thank you ladies for your enthusiasm and support! GO SEC!!! I love all of the blogs featured above they are all awesome reads. And I adore their love for the SEC!

I've seen a ton of Texas fans posting as well! Two notable posts here and here (this one is so awesome can you believe in her junior year Lindsay was the Mascot for Texas University - SO RAD! She's crafty and a show woman too - GO LINDSAY!)

MAY THE BEST TEAM WIN!!!!

AND I LEAVE YOU WITH 
A LOUD & PROUD
ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!




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January 05, 2010

getting ready for game day.

The lovely Melisa at the Feather Report has put together a fabulous outfit for one of her readers, Sarah. Lucky Miss Sarah is heading to the Championship NCAA Football Game in beautiful Pasadena, CA! Not only is the outfit awesome (as they always are Melisa) everything is under $100 - TOUCH DOWN FEATHER REPORT!!!

Sarah is a lucky, lucky girl to be going to this game. I'm jealous! I'd love to be there to watch the mayhem unfold. #1 University of Alabama (ROLL TIDE) vs. #2 University of Texas Longhorns. As you all know I'm a fan of the University of Alabama but I bet this is going to be a game for the masses. There is so much hype around this game that a local car dealership is actually offering a chance to get a car for FREE through the outcome of this game. If Alabama holds Texas to scoring ZERO points in the game - you get your car for free!!! I wonder how many yahoos will take this chance - I bet there is no "return" policy on this. I for one am not a gambling woman so I would NOT take this chance. We shall see. I don't know if we can hold TX to zero points, Colt McCoy and his Longhorns are a really good team, but I hope we have what it takes to make a win happen for Alabama. We have a great, great legacy to uphold. Let's hope Coach Paul Bear Bryant is up there pushing us along!

In similar news... Hold on to your seats this is going to be a Jerry Springer explanation: M's brother's girlfriend's parents are heading to the Championship Game (told you) - we were all so jealous to hear this. Not only are they hitting up the game but they also took a week to go to Vegas and other spots along the way. His girlfriend currently attends the University of Alabama and they have gone to many games this year, again LUCKY!  I should have added this to my list of goals for 2010 - that I WANT TO ATTEND AN ALABAMA HOME GAME THIS YEAR! We have been discussing going to their first home game which I believe is against Penn State. I would be so excited to witness this. And take it all in.

I guess it's time for me to start thinking about what Tailgate treat I want to make for the game Thursday night. Not sure what it will be, but it will be good! Maybe some Mac N' Cheese with a fun something on the grill - then again the weather here has been FREEZING so I don't know that I want to do that to M. He's the grill master.

So if you're into the NCAA who are you rooting for in the National Championship?? Texas or Alabama? I'm a huge fan of the SEC and happy to see most of the teams did well this year! It makes us all look great!

So here's to the Championship game - all I can say is ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!!!!



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January 04, 2010

feeling like it's lent, only I'm not catholic.

In an effort to get a bit more healthy and lose weight (part of my goals in 2010) I've had to give up a few things. The first biggest hurdle for me is soda. Not all soda mind you but one type in particular... Coca Cola Classic. This bubbly drink and I have had a love affair for as long as I can remember. He's been there through good times and bad as well as many times I don't remember. Trust me when CC and Captain Morgan get together it's a wild ride sometimes. I couldn't tell you the first Coca Cola that I ever had I'm sure I was young - maybe not as young as Brittany's kids, I can't recall drinking CC out of a sippy cup, then again I don't think my parents ever owned sippy cups I was too hard core for that baby shit.  Needless to say I know the CC and I go back far enough to remember getting a CC in a can and an orange every year before Christmas from my bus driver, Mrs. Hobbes. Yes I remember her name, she rocked. I bet it was at least kindergarten that I got my first CC from her. To this day nothing beats the flavor of CC and fresh orange together - my teeth love me for this by the way!

Since my teens I've scaled back my CC usage. Literally I drank that stuff like water all through HS. I will state that it is my drug of choice. Forget alcohol, forget weed, forget narcotics I'm all about Coca Cola Classic! I fiend for this stuff. I wish I was lying, but I digress. Like I said I've scaled back. I drink mostly water all day long, and usually drink a CC when I get fast food (lovely combo again) or sometimes a CC will replace my weekend coffee. I will say to date I probably have about 4 CC's max a week.

I'm not sure how I will drop this habit of mine. I really don't see how it can be that bad... 4 a week.. seriously I know people that drink 20 Mountain Dews a week or more and they are skinnier than I could be. I can't drink CC as much as I used to - and most times I don't even finish a can. For the record it's 100 times better out of a can than in a plastic bottle. It's 100 times better in a glass bottle than in a can. I've studied this stuff people - I have a PhD in CC!

In order to stick to less soda I've switched all other sodas I occasionally drink to diet choices. I can't tell you how much I HATE diet soda, especially Diet Coke, she's such a posser! Don't get me started on Coke Zero, he needs to get a clue he doesn't taste anywhere near as good as CC. CC is King in my book! And Pepsi, ZOMG - so f-ing sick! Seriously while home a few weeks ago I went to a bar and ordered a Captain & Diet. They fixed it with Diet Pepsi and I couldn't for the life of me figure out what was wrong with my drink. I re-ordered it 3 times - making all my friends sip it. We were all convinced that the Morgan had gone skunky. We being the 3 drunken sailors that swear by Captain Morgan. We have a 4th member to our crew but she's smitten with José and won't drink dark liquor. We make her swab the deck on a regular basis.  I didn't figure out the issue with my drink until I got my bill... there it was plain as day... DIET PEPSI! WTF? What kind of bar is this? It's not called a Rum and Pepsi it's a RUM AND COKE!!! Mystery solved - I lived to fight another day because I switched to Mich Ultra to cleanse my palette.  Lesson here - I will not drink Pepsi.

Pepsi and I have never gotten along - unless you count Pepsi Wild Cherry - now THAT was some good soda. If I'm ever asked what I'd like to drink and I say "Coke" the waitress will say "Is Pepsi OK?" you will always hear my say "No. Do you have Dr. Pepper?" (In my mind I'm actually saying "HELL NO ARE YOU INSANE!!!").  My love runs deep, what can I say.

In an effort to shed some pounds, and feel better in general I have started only to order diet options of soda or water at fast food joints or places I go to eat in general. Usually water wins out. I like it way better than any diet soda. I often will go for the unsweetened tea option as well - I'm a yankee after all and that's how we drink it. I won't lie... sweet tea is my bitch lover sometimes. Mix her with some lemonade and you've got a full rocking party in my mouth! I can usually stand diet soda when I'm eating. You don't taste the artificial sweetener as badly. Truth be told I don't usually take my left over soda with me, OR refill my cup. I usually toss it - unless I'm feeling tired and need some caffeine to get me through the day.

Add to this I've started mixing my mixed drinks with diet soda. I've done well all together with this and truth be told I don't need to drink as much to feel a buzz. I've read that alcohol enters your system quicker with diet sodas since there are no calories and little for your body to metabolize other than the alcohol itself.

Most of this is little changes - I've told myself I can have one CC a week for a treat and the only other thing I can have them for is headaches. Call me crazy but nothing cures my headache quicker than sipping on a CC and taking some medicine for my headache/migraines.  It's probably just a mind over matter thing but I figure if it works why break a good thing.

In the meantime I've done OK with this. If I had tried this years ago it would have NEVER worked. I've given up Coffee in my past but NEVER CC.

Add to this I'm also trying to give up making my cup of coffee with straight sugar. For years I've been a three scoop of sugar, 2 scoop of creamer kind of girl. Basically I should just drink Hot Chocolate! I would love to be a black coffee drinker or a person that just uses a little sweetener, but that's doubtful.  This morning I mixed my coffee up with 2 scoops of creamer (and by scoops I mean spoons) and three packets of Splenda Hazelnut - and I must say while it isn't my cavity inducing regular coffee it isn't half bad.

I'm trying to be realistic with all my changes in this coming year. Eat less, eat better, drink better. Learn balance and portion control as well.

I've always gotten lots of water in my diet, I thank my mother for always insisting I drink either milk or water at dinner - she was a smart cookie! To this day I drink milk with odd things and would prefer water to other drinks at dinner. I can tell physically when I haven't had enough water as well. So it's a good thing.

I guess my main issue with my diet is the mass amounts of sugar, corn syrup etc. I want to lesson that. And eventually I'd like to be done with soda all together. There's no nutritional value in it what so ever. If I can treat it as more of a treat, and less of a crutch I'll be good to go.

For the record I can stomach Diet Sprite, Diet Dr. Pepper, and sometimes Diet Coke, but these skinny bitches will never be my Coca Cola Classic.



CC - I love you. You know this but it's time to make a change. I know many Americans still love you and will drink you on a regular basis but for now we'll have to keep our relationship on the DL.

One step closer to feeling better about me and making my body a healthier place inside and out!

What's your vice? What monkey can't you shake no matter how hard you try?

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