You know those days when you feel like Alexander in his “terrible rotten no good day”? Well yesterday was that day for me. And unfortunately, it caused me to spoil a “surprise” from my own real life Alexander. I assumed he was dead in a ditch somewhere when I didn’t hear from him for hours while he was “on the road.” When I answered the strange knock at the door to find him standing in front of me, we were both a little surprised: me at him standing there, and him at my expression. His excited smile quickly faded and he realized that I didn’t like his surprise (though I was happy to see him even if I wasn’t able to express it at the time). Morals of this story: Alex isn’t the best at surprises (but I appreciate the gesture nonetheless), it’s perfectly understandable why my mother always presumed me to be dead every time I failed to answer the phone, never try to surprise a girl that’s had a terrible rotten no good day, and above all, try to fix your horrible rotten no good days before they’re over.
So tonight I’m attempting to make chicken and dumplins to make up for my lack of making supper last night.
Have you heard about Titanic II? Its maiden voyage is set for 2016. Let’s all buy tickets…I mean, what could possibly go wrong?!
Scientists have now decided to assess Spider Mans true web strength by testing whether or not silky strands could actually stop an oncoming train. Seriously? Do we have nothing better to do than argue with comic strips? Let’s leave this stuff to the Myth Busters and put our research to things of a little more importance…like cancer treatments, for example.
Dylan Siegel is a 6 year old superstar. His friend Jonah was diagnosed with a rare liver condition and Dylan wanted to help Jonah out by raising money to help with doctor bills. His parents suggested that he put up a lemonade stand, but Dylan had a better idea. He wanted to write a book, and he did just that! The book coined the phrase “chocolate bar” in place of “cool” and has currently raised over $25,000 for Jonah. Dylan’s new goal is to reach $1 million. Dream big, y’all!
Speaking of dreaming big, Dylan Moses is a 6’2”, 215 lb. football player that has been recruited by several top schools including LSU and Bama. Here’s the catch- Dylan is in eighth grade. Whoa. After hearing these two stories, I think I’ll name my first child Dylan. Seems to be synonymous with awesome people.
Since it’s Wednesday here’s your food for the day:
Thought this was pretty cool…and fitting since I have recently learned that the correct pronunciation is “care-uh-mul”…not “car-mul” as in the car that you drive…also as in the way that I have said it since birth. My bad…
Caramel Apples
Also, here’s the secret family recipe for the best and easiest peanut butter cookies ever:
Mix 1 cup peanut butter, 1 cup sugar, and one egg. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges begin to brown on 350 degrees and voila! You can add oatmeal, honey, brown sugar, etc. But most times it’s easiest to stick with the basics.
If you’re in the Starkville area, stop by Rick’s tonight for the Josh Abbot concert. I have a feeling it will be well worth your time. I don’t think I will be attending, unfortunately thanks to low funds that are still being saved for the Gin Show this weekend. Only two more days!
Happy Hump Day!
Love always,
Addie
“Walk like you have three men walking behind you.” –Oscar de la Renta
I try not to get too involved in politics. Which is weird since policy was one of my favorite classes in college. Regardless, I have never been right or left, blue or red. I basically just listen to the public knowledge and go with my gut when voting. Probably not the most responsible thing to do as a citizen with an opinion that actually counts, but at least I make my stand one way or another. I have my views that I stand by regardless of where this country is headed and I hope that everyone else has their own as well. That’s what this country is about- being a “melting pot”. But I think that some values should be upheld by everyone- like being nice, for instance. Who could seriously come up with an argument against that? Instead of getting up on my soapbox and preaching all about my views and my values and me, me, me, I’d just like to share two clips from recent media that I thoroughly enjoyed and firmly stand by.
“I didn’t just grow up. I was taught to speak when I enter a room, say ‘please’ and ‘thank you,’ to have respect for my elders and to get up off my lazy butt and let the elder in the room have my chair. Say ‘yes sir’ and ‘no sir’, lend a helping hand to those in need. Hold the door for the person behind me, say ‘excuse me’ when it’s needed and to love people for who they are and not for what I can get from them. I was also taught to treat people he way I want to be treated.” -Unknown
I am proud that I too was “raised.” All too often people give excuses to the way we treat one another. “Chivalry is dead.” “It’s a Southern thing.” Well I am here to tell you- chivalry is not dead and it does NOT only exist in the South. I will claim to be a Southern girl until the day that I die but regardless of my own upbringing, I am still a Missouri native…And most people don’t considered Missouri to be a part of the South. Guess what? My dad holds doors open. My brother says “yes mam.” And Lord knows my momma tried her damnedest to teach me some manners. The truth is that is doesn’t matter where you’re from or what year it is, we should still all have respect for one another.
Now for a more political stand point from the one and only, Bill Cosby:
“I’m 83. Except for brief period in the 50’s when I was doing my National
Service, I’ve worked hard since I was 17. Except for some serious
health challenges, I put in 50-hour weeks, and didn’t call in sick in nearly
40 years. I made a reasonable salary, but I didn’t inherit my job or my
income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, it looks as
though retirement was a bad idea, and I’m tired. Very tired.
I’m tired of being told that I have to “spread the wealth” to people who
don’t have my work ethic. I’m tired of being told the government will take
the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy
to earn it.
I’m tired of being told that Islam is a “Religion of Peace,” when every day I
can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and
daughters for their family “honor”; of Muslims rioting over some slight
offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren’t
“believers”; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning
teenage rape victims to death for “adultery”; of Muslims mutilating the
genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur’an and
Shari’a law tells them to.
I’m tired of being told that out of “tolerance for other cultures” we must let
Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries use our oil money to fund mosques
and Madrasa Islamic schools to preach hate in Australia , New Zealand ,
UK, America and Canada , while no one from these countries are allowed to
fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia or any other
Arab country to teach love and tolerance..
I’m tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global
warming, which no one is allowed to debate.
I’m tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help
support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ
rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses
or stick a needle in their arm while they tried to fight it off?
I’m tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of all
parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful
mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting
caught. I’m tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor.
I’m really tired of people who don’t take responsibility for their lives and
actions. I’m tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination
or big-whatever for their problems.
I’m also tired and fed up with seeing young men and women in their teens and
early 20’s be-deck themselves in tattoos and face studs, thereby making
themselves unemployable and claiming money from the Government.
Yes, I’m damn tired. But I’m also glad to be 83.. Because, mostly, I’m not
going to have to see the world these people are making. I’m just sorry for
my granddaughters and their children. Thank God I’m on the way out and not
on the way in.”
I think this impacted me more because the topics I generally associate with Bill Cosby are funny…or Jello. I didn’t find anything about this funny, but rather saddening. Nevertheless, he covered it all pretty darn well.
Speaking of media, did anyone happen to see the football game that interrupted Beyonce’s concert on Sunday night?! Clearly New Orleans was in fact, not “ready for this jelly” cause Queen B shot out the lights. Whoa.
Favorite commercials? I will admit that I was a little busy stuffing my face and socializing to watch the entirety of the Super Bowl coverage but I do have two favorites. And you along with 15 million other Americans can probably guess which ones they are.
Drum roll please…..
Of course I would have to pick the horse one. It made me cry. Literally cry during one of the most testosterone-filled events of the year. And I loved it.
And of course I’m a sucker for anything agriculture related, given that it’s made my entire life revolve for the last (almost) 23 years. The 30-second commercial took my heart home to my family and made me proud…also made me pat dear ole Alex on the back to remind him of how proud I am of all that he does. May we know them, may we raise them, may we be them- God bless the farmers. And God bless Dodge for having the guts to proclaim their faith by repeating the word “God” in their paramount moment.
Dad, Spence, Alex and I had the pleasure of going on a luxe duck hunt two weekends ago thanks to HBK seed and Bayer Crop Science. It was a lot of cold an early, both of which I don’t typically fair well, but we had a great time at Wildlife Farms and would all highly recommend it to anyone. Because it was the end of the season, the ducks had gotten smart and were few and far between, but we did get a few kills. On the second morning out, while sitting in the blind, I realized something that I have heard before but never paid much attention to: silence. When you first get settled into the blind everything seems silent. Not a sound. But once your ears get adjusted to the quiet after the short boat ride and clatter of climbing into the floating lair, you begin to hear everything. Birds chirping, squirrels doing what I can only deem as screaming at one another, trees crackling, water lapping against the shore and rippling under the wind, the wind…things that I wasn’t initially paying attention to and had forgotten to notice. Once I was still enough, they made their presence known and it became almost loud again. It reminded me of Psalm 46:10, “be still and know that I am God.” Often we are moving so much in our lives and forget what’s really important. But if we sit still long enough and just listen, we can hear God through it all.
Everyone please say a quick prayer for Nan and Papa as they travel to Washington to visit Nan’s sister and her family. Fortunately, if they get lost we’ll know where to find them….
Nan and Papa do Mardi Gras!
Also, I have a Barron’s GRE study book if anyone is interested in buying it…message me for details. Just sayin.
Love always,
Addie
“I believe that Paul admonishes wives to respect their husbands because he knew that after years of mistakes, poor choices, wrong decisions, and smelly socks, respect may not come naturally for a wife. It may well take an act of obedience empowered by the Holy Spirit within.”- Girlfriends in God daily devotional (….was too funny not to share!)
When I came home for Christmas break I never had any intentions of taking a break from this blog…however the negligence is obvious in fact that I only have one blog for the entire month of December as well as the comment made by Aunt Laurie last weekend: “Everytime I go to your blog it’s the same hair flipping one.” That said, it’s time to get back to business…
I could bore you with my endeavors over this seemingly endless break, or tell you all about my Christmas presents, but I would rather skip the junk talk. I don’t figure anyone really cares that much anyways. But I do have to give a shout out to a very reminiscent Christmas Eve dinner with the cousins at the “kids table”: we all laughed for about an hour over the goofy things we used to all do as kids. A few of the notable memories were the ridiculous games we used to make up and the extent of the holiday madness that fell upon Nan’s house with 12 grandchildren all under the age of 10. “Spence is the Monster”, “Around the House Tag”, “Lego Wars”, “Hide and Seek in the Basement”, “Yahtzee Pool”, and “Disappear” were among the favorite games we coined (aren’t the names so original!?). As for the holidays that we experienced growing up in my family, I cannot simply explain them in one sentence. Instead, let me paint a picture for you:
Christmas Eve night at Nans approximately 1998: KIDS EVERYWHERE. Presents stacked as tall as the giant Christmas tree in the tiny living room that was bursting at the seams with stressed out parents, hormonal teenagers, groups of little heathens in a panic over the excitement of the presents, and one set of overly active grandparents (Nan and Papa). The energy in the room was indescribably amped and the parents forced each child to sit in their “designated area” on the floor and wait patiently while the gifts were dispersed. There was always a little dispute when one kid got to climb under the tree to get the presents in the very back…of course that was always the “favorite kid” which tended to cause a bit of hostility among the overly stimulated youngsters. Then all at once, the paper shredding began. Sparkly bows, pretty paper, and nametags were flying through the air while screams of joy and well-practiced “oohs” and “ahhs” rang throughout the room. Parents pretended to be excited about the noisy new toy that their child just opened, while figuring out to do with yet another tractor (or in my case, Barbie doll) that will obviously not fit into the already overflowing toy box. After all the toys were open we were all forced to be silent while Papa called “Santa’s secret phone line” and one by one we all took turns listening to Santa. Eventually we would all make our way home where Aunt Laurie would call with an update on Santa’s whereabouts according to the radar and we would all tuck into bed, secretly scheming ways to catch the fat man, until sleep overtook us and ruined the plan.
This was the typical Christmas for us for many years until we finally moved the holiday festivities to Aunt Sandy and Uncle Marks (at the time) new house. By this point, the heathens were all a little bit older, however no more mature- meaning that they now fought over who got the privilege of passing out presents. After opening the gifts, instead of calling Santa we played one of the most infamous original “cousin games”- Around the House Tag. It actually began as a game we played inside the house, which was absurd considering the number of people that filled the house, leading to multiple collisions and accidents. Needless to say, we were forced outside in the freezing cold, but everyone knows the resiliency of a kid is out of this world so the temperature was no threat to us. We would run as far and fast as we could for hours on end, eventually having to create very specific rules and guidelines because homemade games always present those tricky “gray areas” where no one really knows who is “it” anymore.
I know that was a little much to take in, but I thoroughly enjoyed our reminiscent moment and just wanted to share just one of the many crazy experiences that I had growing up as a child in an over populated family.
I will throw this out there one last time: sitting at home in Sikeston while everyone else has already returned to Stark really makes me sad. But in the end, I know that I only have one more semester at dear ole’ Murray, so I better get excited and soak it all up while I still can. (I promise I’ll eventually stop complaining about this….a surprise visit from Kelly last week helped get me excited for the return as we considered all the trouble we can get into our last semester in the MKY!)
Martin Luther King’s birthday is coming up so get excited….whoot whoot…
“Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace” and “When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.” Look them up…love them both.
Ok, now that I got all the BS out of the way, it is time for the list of the memorable moments of 2010:
SEC brought home the national championship
Alice in Wonderland, Twilight Eclipse, Inception, Toy Story 3, and Facebook finally gets a movie!
Antione Dodson- “Hide ya kids, hide ya wife”
All of Katie Perry’s songs and Jason’s new album
Rescuing the Chilean coal miners
H1N1 epidemic is declared over! (or at least back to normal)
The International Space Station surpasses the record for the longest human occupation in space
Lady Gaga’s outfits
CERN scientists actually trap antimatter…Angels and Demons flash back
BP oil spill
Earthquake in Hati
Bret Michaels and Hugh Hefner get engaged (not to eachother, of course)
Oprah’s last show…
WAYNE IS REALEASED FROM JAIL
Lynard Skynard came to the rodeo…yeah, I said it
Murray is a buzzer-shot away from the Sweet 16
State makes it to the Gator Bowl
Prince William popped the question…finally, a royal wedding in my lifetime!
I’m sure there were many more noteworthy events that I am overlooking, but I am drawing this blog to an end. Sleep is creeping its way into my body and is quickly taking over. I promise to write again soon!
Love always,
Addie
“You know that place between sleep and awake, the place where you can still remember dreaming? That’s where I’ll always love you, Peter Pan. That’s where I’ll be waiting.” -Tinkerbell
Breaking out of the Bootheel 