teakettle-teakettle-teakettle

Remember those hanging flower baskets at Mike's place? Well, I was removing dead flowers, leaves, whatnot today. I started with the basket on the far left when a flutter rusty-brown feathers flew at me, freaking me out. I screamed an amusing little-girl scream. After a few seconds I tentatively peeked into the basket and then ran inside. "Mike! Come see!"

What did we see? A bird nest containing a few little white eggs with brown speckles. Then I heard the mama bird screaming at me.

So, I took care of the other three baskets and left that one alone before coming inside to read up on birds. I've determined that it's a Carolina Wren nest. How appropriate--the Carolina Wren is the SC state bird. ^_^ Also, I found out that Carolina Wrens may mate for life. Awwww...

Incubation lasts 12-14 days and the first of the babies take off within 12-14 days of hatching (says Wikipedia). So stay tuned for updates.

Lebron & Kobe. muppets. roommates.

I highly recommend watching the rest of the Lebron & Kobe commericals here. It's because of these commercials that I find myself really hoping that the Lakers & the Cavs both win each of their current series.

skunk brush

I am no makeup blogger or guru of any sort. When it comes to makeup, my favorite shade is neutral. Rust and copper or smokey colors come out only when I'm feeling really wild. I'm a drugstore-only gal (except when my makeup-artist roomie is feeling generous).

I like my makeup brushes, though, and the drugstore-only rule still applies. I don't think I could ever pay more for makeup brushes than I did for my Essence of Beauty brushes.

While I was at Walgreens today, I found something that I just had to get:

I don't like short brushes because they seem "travel brush" length to me (about 4.5"). I've been wanting to see what the stippling brush fuss is for quite some time. Just this morning I was thinking about buying one from Coastal Scents or checking out Ulta (for the first time ever). I popped into the drugstore to buy some body wash and holy cow, there it was--a stippling brush. I opened the package and ran my finger over the bristles of the four brushes. Soft and dense? Nice.

I'm pretty excited about trying out these brushes--particularly the duo fiber a.k.a. skunk brush. If I'm feeling particularly ambitious, I might even write a review.

The Mineral Makeup Brush Set is by Studio 35 Beauty. Available at Walgreens for $9.99.

zombies and video games. not bad, akshully

I'm going to do a blog on two things that are SO NOT ME. Zombies and video games. My love for video games died with highschool graduation. Since then, the games I've really taken to have been either the SIMS, Guitar Hero, or games that I can play on my Nintendo DS. Not exactly the kind of stuff that makes up a gamer. I'm okay with that and I don't particularly like play just about any other video games. As for zombies, don't even start. I don't like zombies. Did you know that? Yeah, I bet you did. I hate zombies. Ugh. Zombies give me the screaming heebie jeebies.

The other day, Mike something that combines zombies and video games.

Despite how much I really cannot stand zombies (or zombie like virus-infected beings), I agreed to try it out with him, as long as he understood that I would very much aspirate (thank you Anne Marie).

Here's the intro video to give you an idea of what I was getting myself into. (Hey mommies, this is probably not safe for kids). This shows some of the "bosses" of the game: the witch, the smoker, the hunter, and the tank. And, of course, the horde.



The result? I actually like the game. I like using the shotgun to blow the zombies apart. I can only play a little at a time because I can't really take the intensity of video games. Also, it's slow going for me because I'm hesitant to walk into dark rooms which there are plenty of.

I probably won't ever get addicted and play for hours, but I probably will continue to enjoy Left 4 Dead in low doses.

Flowers

Aren't these pretty? This is at Mike's new place in his patio area. There used to be only one hook and I mentioned how we should get a plant to hang on it. Well, the other day he mentioned how he had a little surprise for me and I came over and found this. ^_^

i ♥ ny

Have you seen this photo of a young soldier clad in pink boxers? Zachary Boyd, 19, was sleeping when his platoon was assaulted and didn't have time to get fully dressed. Luckily, he did get to his helmet and body armor. However, this happened to be on the same day that an AP photographer was there. The photos of the underdressed soldier ended up on the front page of the New York Times

Boyd called his mom to give her a heads up about his upcoming appearance. "I hear the Times is what they put on the President's desk," he said.

4th street live!

Picture from New Attitude 2008 in Louisville, KY. I took this picture specifically to try and fake a tilt shift photo. Tilt shift effect thanks to tiltshiftmaker.com

Mexico

Do you remember that rhyme: I don't wanna go to Mexico no more more more... The official rhyme's second line says there's a big fat policeman at my door door door, but I don't remember anything about a policeman. In Guam, I'm pretty sure we said some other word. Maybe the Chamorro word for policeman. Eh.


That song kept coming to mind with the whole Swine Flu pandemic scare. My boss, the doctor, is currently reading "The Great Influenza" which is about the 1918 flu pandemic which killed up to 100 million people in a two year period. Apparently, the particular strain of H1N1 known as swine flu is related to the strain of H1N1 known as the Spanish Flu that caused all those deaths. So that's why everyone was up in a raucous. After all, healthy adults in Mexico were dying--this could have been the next big one. It wasn't, but why did a hundred people in Mexico die? "Poor hygiene" my boss said.


Wash your hands, yah? Even the kiddos know that--though they have to be reminded pretty regularly...


Coinciding with the swine flu epidemic was a discovery of a Mexican restaurant so authentic and divey that Mike and I may as well have been in Mexico. The menu that's in English is rife with misspellings. "Unions? What's a union steak?" Mike grinned, "I think it's supposed to say onions." Our favorite dish so far (we've only been there twice) has been the Mexican Style Steak. It's essentially fajitas (which I have to say in my head fah-jee-taas to spell correctly) with steak, onions unions, and tomatoes sautéed in...deliciousness.


It's expensive for a dive, but the food is amazing. Plus, the portions are big enough that we have leftovers for lunch the next day. We're on a quest, though, to make our own delicious Mexican style steak. Our first try was this week. Result? Good but not great. We'll try again with less onions and more spices.

polka dots

This picture is from Sharon's wedding, or rather, on our way to Sharon's wedding. These are the flower girl's toes. ^_^ At the salon, she walked right up to some gal getting a pedicure and said, "Are you getting polka dots too?" When the girl said no, that she was just getting one color, the flower girl said, "Well, I didn't have to ask...but you might have too."

Ham

Another photo from That Spring Fling Swing Thing. This is me ruining someone's picture.

solo swingin'

Today's daily photo is a picture from TSFST's Saturday night dance. That's me doin' the Charleston. I found it from TSFST's online album. Maybe I'll post a few more later. ^_^

today's photos: bridesmaids' bouquets

How Girly Are You?

Copy paste somewhere and x the things that apply to you.
Below 40 = not girly.
Above 40 = girly.
Above 55 = you're Paris Hilton.

I'm 46 which apparently means I'm an idiot (Stargirl). Things I do/have done that Stargirl does/has not: dance a lot (understatement of the year), wear a shower cap, like kids. Also, I think Drew Barrymore is adorable. ^_^

[x] My toenails are almost always painted.
[x] During the summer pretty much the only shoes I wear are flip flops or go barefoot.
[ ] My favorite toy as a child were barbies.
[x] My favorite color is pink or purple.
[ ] I did Gymnastics.
[x] I love skirts/shorts
[ ] Hollister is my favorite place to shop.
[ ] Tight jeans are the only jeans I'll wear.
[x] I love chocolate.
TOTAL SO FAR: 5

[x] I straighten my hair.
[x] I have at least 8 face book pictures.
[ ] I usually go shopping once a week.
[x] I love to hang out with friends.
[x] I have a real diamond ring or diamond necklace.
[ ] I've gone to a tanning salon.
[ ] I've gone to the beach to tan - not to swim.
[x] I have at least 10 pairs of shoes.
[ ] I watch(ed) either The OC, Laguna Beach OR Desperate Housewives.
[ ] I change my profile weekly.
[x] I have worn a shower cap
TOTAL SO FAR: 11

[ ] I would NEVER step foot into Hot Topic.
[x] My cell phone might as well become a part of me.
[ ] I wear mascara every day.
[ ] I've been or am on a diet.
[x] Bathing suits are adorable.
[ ] I don't know the difference between a sheep and a goat.
[x] Big sunglasses are hot.
[x] I have gotten my nails done.
[ ] I own over 10 purses.
[ ] Music is my one of my favorite channels.
TOTAL SO FAR: 15

[x] I love to talk about boys
[x] I love to have other people do my hair.
[x] I like to give and receive hugs from all my friends.
[x] I hate bugs.
[ ] Carnivals are so fun!
[ ] Summer is THE best season.
[x] My swimsuit has 2 pieces
[x] I'm waiting for my knight in shining armor
[ ] Musicians are hot.
[ ] You write me a poem and tell me I'm beautiful and I'm all yours.
TOTAL SO FAR: 21

[x] I'm self-conscious.
[x] I cry often.
[ ] My room smells like vanilla.
[x] My dishes get washed more than once a week.
[x] I don't do sports
[x] I HATE to run.
[x] I squeal when I am surprised.
[x] I eat dried fruit as a snack.
[ ] I love romance novels.
[x] Drew Barrymore is so cute.
TOTAL SO FAR: 29

[x] I dance a lot.
[ ] I usually spend over an hour to get ready to leave my house.
[x] My hair is important.
[x] I love to get dressed up.
[ ] Every part of my outfit needs to match.
[ ] I talk on the phone at least once a day to my friends.
[x] I'd love to have a photo shoot of myself. (
[ ] The price on clothes hardly matters.
[x] chapstick is a form of lipgloss when it has color
[ ] I wish I looked like a model.
TOTAL SO FAR: 34

[ ] I wish I could meet Paris Hilton
[ ] R&B is the best music.
[ ] I pop my collar.
[ ] Guys with Mohawks are GROSS!
[x] Horses are beautiful
[ ] I never pay attention in school.
[x] Cats are adorable.
TOTAL SO FAR: 36

[ ]I write my own music.
[x] I would love to visit Hawaii
[x] Valentine's day is so cute!
[ ] White is better than black.
[ ] I wouldn't be caught dead in all black.
[x] My closet is STOCK FULL of clothes.
[ ] I hate the grunge look of a beard.
[x] I love to read magazines.
TOTAL SO FAR: 40

[ ] I love to gossip.
[ ] I love Celine Dion.
[ ] My baths are 2 hours long.
[ ] My wedding only needs a groom because it's already planned.
[ ] My friends and I are in a strict group. We mostly only hang out with each other.
[x] I like kids.
[ ] Diet drinks are the best.
[ ] I have been a vegetarian.
[ ] I refuse to eat at McDonald's.
TOTAL SO FAR: 41

[x] I check my facebook everyday.
[x] I have a lot of jewelry.
[x] Claires has cheap jewelry.
[ ] My screen name[s] has x's in them.
[ ] Either one of my msn names has/had <3/♥'s
[x] I would never want to be the opposite sex.
[x] I have more than 3 pillows on my bed
Total: 46

Bachelorette party fun

My very dear friend Sharon is getting married tomorrow! And when I haven't been working this week, I've been busy with wedding stuff. Tuesday, we went running around getting last minute stuff--her for the wedding, me for the bachelorette party. Today, the bride and all her maids went to get mani/pedis. Woo-hoo! I love that pampering.

We had the bachelorette party last night and had a blast. It was a great girls night in with fondue, games, and a lingerie shower. ^_^ One of the games we played was "She Said What?" What you do is write down what the bride says while she's opening her gifts--but don't let her know! After the bride has opened all her gifts, tell her about your secret game. Read what you wrote back to her under the context of what she'll be saying on her wedding night!

"Oh, wow! These are adorable!"

"Wanna smell it?"

"Awww, this is so cute!"

"This is kind of spicy!"

And my favorite? "Oh, wait---I found it!"

Last week summary

It's been a week since I blogged! Oops. Let's see...what was I up to last week?

Well, it was exam week. I had two papers due and three exams to take. My two hardest exams and both papers were due on Tuesday which was a ridiculously long day. My easiest exam was on Thursday. It took me just a hair under 30 minutes and then I was done with school for the semester! Yay ^_^

After I finished my exam, I headed up to Charlotte to go shopping with Stargirl. I found something for a bachelorette party/lingerie shower that I'm planning and a cute head scarf but not much else. But hanging out with my sis was fun, as always. :)

Saturday, Mike and I went up to my parents house to have dinner with them and my sister. Guess what type of yummy steak we had for dinner?

That's Baby. And, baby, was she delicious. 

Sunday was our church picnic. Instead of three different services, the whole family got together for one service outside! Afterwards was lunch, games, etc. 

Mike has been under the weather a lot of the week and so we left after lunch. We had a nice lazy day together. ^_^

And that pretty much gets me to today.