Rivalries...

 Ever since we were little we have had rivalries slammed into our brains.   Some of us have sibling rivalries, some sports related, drink related, music, those that we learn about in school, and on reality television.  Since, I am 100% football mindset I am going to be talking about the sport rivalries I have learned to live with growing up in the south and or have seen growing up since I was a child.   But since we were children we were always told to do better then the others we were playing against or with and that is where I think this rivalry mentality comes to us as a society.

I have always been a huge sports fan.  My whole family are huge sports fans.  I grew up in Chicago in what you would call a house divided.  My mom grew up being a Chicago White Sox fan and my dad a Chicago Cubs fan.  I remember hearing my dad’s family and mom’s family pick on each other every time they had a chance.  But in the end knowing that they were family they were always able to get along and I am sure that they all have a mutual hate for the Green Bay Packers when it comes to football season (once again another sports rivalry)! 

But when I think rivalry I am thinking and love good ole fashion hate.  Like a Lauren and Heidi rivalry on the Hills (yes I just compared the hills to football).  Knowing what I know and what I have talked to my friends about the one rivalry that always comes out of peoples mouth’s is Georgia vs Florida or Auburn vs Alabama.  Both games have been played for years against each other.  I have been able to go to each other these games, in Jacksonville for UGA vs UF and I have been to Tuscaloosa for AU vs Bama.  All I can say is that both of these games are intense and the good, bad, and ugly come out in their fans.  If you ever have a chance to ever go to either one of these games DO IT!  You will not forget the raw emotion you will see in the players, coaches and extreme fan’s eyes when the ball is intercepted on the other team’s goal line or the perfect touchdown pass is thrown.  It brings goose bumps just thinking about it.  

 

There are some people that take the rivalry thing way too far.  I know that people have a passion for their team and their sport and that is great.  But why does someone get mad when a “friend” wants to go watching another in state team play football or watch another team on the TV when your “team” is not playing or has finished up with their game.  These are the “fans” that I hope that I never become.  Yes, do not get me wrong if Georgia Southern is playing a home game at 1:00 on a Saturday and UGA is playing at 5, I do not have a problem watching or listening to the game.  I am going to cheer for UGA as long as they are not playing Georgia Southern it’s because they play and live in the state that I live in.  But some people cannot take remove football while watching their team to sitting down and watching a “good game”. 

 It blows my mind that people cannot separate their hate for another team to sit-down and watch another game. These are the same people that follow these late teen early 20-somethings players on twitter and wither praise them when they do good for their school and or bash the hell out of them when they miss a catch or drop a handoff.  They are college age men!  They do not deserve what some of these fans say to them!   

Tomorrow starts the final countdown to college football.  Many teams are in the “x amount of hours until their game starts,” me I am still 1 day and 4 hours.  But we have been celebrating and chatting about college football all day today.  I hope that everyone enjoys their teams game this week and can sit-down, relax and watch another “good game” that is not their teams and appreciate what these players, coached and staff all go through to get ready to entertain us.  

GATA EAGLES!!  CAN’T WAIT UNTIL 6pm Saturday!

Laura

Widespread Wednesday - 8.29.12

 Happy Mid-Week to everyone!  Not a lot going on in the Lake Country this week.  I was a nervous wreck that the hurricane Issac was going to rain out football for the first part of the week, because of the predicted path.  But I fortunately for us the storm missed Georgia but we are all thinking about the citizens of New Orleans.  Also, I have been watching a lot of the RNC.  I have never been a political person, but I guess this is my time to make a difference.  I will be voting in my first election (minus the primary) for President.  I LOVE America and I hope that watching the RNC it will all come together for me with what I feel that American needs int he next four years.  Oh and I do think that Mrs. Romney was an amazing speaker last night.  Her speech had me thinking a lot and I was glad that it was from the heart and not from the prompter.   

THE BIGGEST THING I AM WILD ABOUT IS!!!  COLLEGE FOOTBALL!!!

For all of us who are college football lovers T-minus 3 days until Saturday!!  This week has been all about football for me.  From the crafts that I have been working on at the house to planning my menu that we will be serving Saturday Afternoon. I didn't think that this weekend was ever going to make it.  We have all be talking about football season since January planning out who was going to park where and what times we were going to meet up.  Bryan and I are also extra excited because we will be attending a football game almost every weekend this fall, except the first weekend in October.  I guess that is what happens when you have season tickets to both of your "Schools".     We both have lots to do and get done before the season officially kicks into full gear and we are still planning on what away games we can attend this year for both Georgia Southern and UGA.

 

I am hoping that I do not get to burnt out this season with everything that will be going on.  I love tailgating with my GSU friends and sitting in cheering on the Eagles with 20,000 of my closest friends at the stadium for 6 Saturdays in Statesboro and a handful more in Athens. 

Football Season is my favorite time of year.  I love how our group has changed from 5 sorority girls parking in the rac and bring subway to eat with our fancy drinks to how our group has expanded with new friends we have met along the way to new boyfriends, husband, and children.  I look forward to many more years tailgating with my friends and family.

Now that you know how I cheer on my team, how do you cheer on your team!?!  Hope Wednesday treats everyone good!

Laura

Retirement... this one is dedicated to my mom

Retirement, it is what most of our parents have either reached or in just a few more years until they reach that status that they have been saving and working towards for 30-50 years of their life's.  My dad has been retired now for the past 2 to 3 years from a major cell phone provider.  But this past week my mother has finally retired after 45+ years at her job.

She has been working for the airlines as a flight attendant.  It is the only job she has ever had, besides some part-time jobs in high school and college.  She started with this one and only airline that she has worked for before she met my dad, almost quit because my dad asked her to marry him and back in the late 70's you could not be married and be a flight attendant, and I still remember her getting ready for her "weigh-in's" when I was younger.  She was able to work full time, commute to another city to start her trips all while raising 2 kids and having a social life. My mom did mostly international trips after we moved to Atlanta, which means she was gone for 2-4 days a week on her trip and then she would have to commute to and from Chicago to Atlanta.  (How many kids can say their parents take a airplane for their weekly commute). The two question everyone asks me when they find out what my mom does for a living was Do you get to fly for free (yes I did until I was 26 years old) or Where all have you been in the world? (all over the place, naming to locations would be a whole other post)

This past week she got to do her last trip to Beijing, China with two of her best friends that are also retiring this year.  She actually started training with these two women and they have remained friends since.  ** warning, this is probably the most romantic thing my dad has ever done since they have been married ** But this last time was special.  She did not know that my dad was going to be on the plane with her.  He surprised her by being a passenger on her last flight.  He had this planned for months with her friends.  They were able to spend time together in the city that he proposed to her in one last time, unless they decided to ever go over there on vacation.  I wish that I was able to be their on the flight with him and her.
My dad also bought her the SUV that she has wanted for years but with a family she was never able to get it because of the "space" issue.  He had it all wrapped up in the garage when she got home with a big fancy bow on top.  (I told him to pull out the Lexus Christmas commercial since that is what he bought for her) Exact same SUV, but in black, it does not snow in Atlanta and I am sure my mom wishes that my dad had that much dark hair on his head.  But my dad said she was more excited that he was on her flight then getting her new car.  I hope that she does enjoy the rest of her non-working years and has plenty of memories with my dad, brother, her friends and me and spends a lot of time on the golf course with my father!

All of this retirement talk has had me thinking about where I see myself in 30-40 years.... I still have no idea, but I hope it is with someone special, living in a nice house, on the outskirts of the city and with one child... two if that someone special wants a second and just enjoying life.

HAPPY RETIREMENT MOM!!! WE ALL LOVE YOU!!
-Laura

Widespread Wednesday 8.15.12

 

 Hey Y'all!

Its Wednesday it has been kind of a slow week at work and in personal life.  I have made it to the gym 2x this week and one zumba class and I am kind of feeling Zumba again tonight... but we will see it is only noon-o'clock.  The next few weeks I will be preparing for the my favorite season, Football Season!!  The group of girls and I have been pintresting for ideas for food and decorations for the next 12 weeks!  (thank goodness for pintrest and slow days at work, I have more or less planned my entire food preparation for the tailgating season and also found some great other projects I would love to do)

I have been working on 3 different projects for tailgating and school spirit this week.  One is sliver-wear holders for when we tailgate at Georgia Southern and UGA games, and the other two are wreaths for Bryan and I's houses.

For the wreaths I have only painted the letters the base coat color, Black for the UGA one and Blue for my GSU one, and I will eventually put some decoration on the letter's so that they pop off the dark wicker wreath.   I am thinking that on Bryan's I will make sure that I use as much ribbon as possible on the wreath that will be going to his house (just kidding)! 

I guess I am on day 2 of my "soup" diet so I can have 3 cans to paint and decorate by labor day weekend and the opening weekend of college football.  I will have to upload some photos when I am done with the wreaths and sliver-wear holders.  Hopefully mine turn out as good as I have been envisioning the past week or so. 

16 more days until the craziness starts and I can not wait!!
Laura

Nothingness....

  Geeze!!  I have nothing interesting and or happening in my life or did anything exciting over the weekend to post about!  No good or trashy TV shows, no more Olympics coverage and summer is almost over! The past few weeks have been go-go-go and not I feel like I am in shut-down mode and as soon as I get comfortable with nothingness mode, it will be go go go again with Georgia and Georgia Southern football!
I know I am was super excited about having a few weekends to myself and getting some things done around my house and maybe laying out for a few hours each day.  The thought of having nothing to do sounds great, but I know when I wake up Saturday and Sunday Morning lay in bed for 30ish minutes, attempting to find something on TV or catch up on my DVR I am going to be bored or looking for something to do other then cleaning (which really needs to get done)!  

I/we have 17ish days until the start of college FOOTBALL SEASON gets into the full swing of things. And I am going to attempt my first walk/run/walk  5K.  Praying already that I do not die while attempting this! As for training I hope my cardio/strength training is what I am going to be needed because it is to hot to be outside in the heat!  Wishing that something good and or exciting happens in life so that I have something to write about!  Hope everyone is having a great Tuesday and that your life is not as boring as mine has been the past week!

-Laura

Friday's Letters and Questions 8.10.12

Happy Friday All!  Hope that everyone is having a great day and is ready to start their weekend!  Today I am doing a double link-up with  Ashley with her "Friday's Letters" and http://fivecrookedhalos.blogspot.com/ with her "Five Questions Friday" .  I hope that everyone enjoys and has a great weekend! 

Dear 3 day work week, I think every week should be only 3 work days and 5 fun play days!  Dear Work, I love you and love my job, but please slow down just a tad... I just want to catch up a little (and no its not because I was out for 2 days)  Dear 10 year reunion, I am not really that up-set that I am missing you.  I am sure it would be nice to see some people but the ones I want to see are the people I see at lease 3 times a month.   Dear Pandora, I am still in love with 90's pop and 90's alternative.  Dear Bryan, I can not wait to have a slow next few weekends with you until football season starts! Dear Georgia Tax Free Weekend, Thank you for coming on the day that I paid off my credit card.  (I'm sorry bank account)! 

1. Thunder storms- love them or hate them?  Love them, especially when I can sit out on the back deck and watch them come over the lake

2. Do your kids get back to school clothes - Kids... no kids, but Bryan and I get "back to work" clothes since it is tax free weekend this weekend!!

3. Do you golf? Do you watch it? - No, I do not golf... but I do enjoy watching the major events like the Masters

4. Showers or baths? Showers!

5. What's the strangest meal you ever ate? When my mom and I were in China we ate a a local restaurant that she eats at all the time when she is over there for work.  And just the whole atmosphere in the restaurant was odd, fish and sea creatures in the middle of table and pond in the restaurant, animals running around on the floor and it was only "American's" that were inside no "locals" and it was totally off the beaten path in Beijing.  

Happy Friday!
-Laura

Widespread Wednesday 8.8.12

 Hey Y'all... Its Widespread Wednesday for me and I am still in recovery mood from vacation and now a full day of work which I don't think I am every going to catch up since not a lot got done when I was gone Monday and Tuesday.  But this week's spotlight are on two things my friends and I can not stop talking about... Here Comes Honey Boo Boo on TLC and the app SONGPOP on apple ipad/iphone.

I know I should not be proud of this... and that is mentioning this little girl and her honey boo boo attitude but I am again for the second time today in a blog post.

I have recently been watching Toddlers and Tiaras this summer since there is nothing good on the boob tube and stumbled across this little girl, honey boo boo (as you can tell I have no idea what her real name is).  Well come to find out this little girl and her family live about 20-30 minutes away from the town I live in.  Well finding this out made me even more interested in what they are going to be showing on this show, when all I know is that they are going to be stereotyping people that live in the south (south/middle Georgia).  It just blows my mind that people (parents) want to put their own child on TV with out thinking about the harm they are doing to their  children
This poor little girl and her siblings will be the laughing stock of anyone who watches this show on TV, and I am sure by the late night shows and I am sure that she and her family will be on Talk Soup on E!.  By watching the previews of the show on TLC they show the Dublin, Georgia Summer Redneck Games which is exactly what they sound like.  (I will totally admit it, when I was in college we went, had a team, but it was more or less to see what it was all about.  Do not get me wrong, it was totally worth it because I am such a people watcher)... but still, I just feel so bad for these kids.  Almost as bad as I feel for the kids of the girls on Teen Mom on MTV.  I hope that the money that they are getting for this show will at lease go to the kids college and or savings so when they get older they can start a good life when they come to that age.  I hope that the show is as crazy as it seams and that every drinks their "GO-GO" juice and enjoys the show.


My next addiction this past few weeks has been the app SONGPOP.  I have been playing this game for the past few weeks and i am in love with it!!  It just proves to me that I listen to way to much music as a kid, teenager, and young adult.  I have been dominating on 90's alternative and 90's pop (which I would like to thank all the hours I have been listening to Pandora at work).  If you have an apple device you have to download this app.  It is free and it is so much fun especially if you love music, any kind of music.

I would normally be writing a weekend round-up but as the saying goes... what happen in Alabama... stays in Alabama!  Hope everyone had a great weekend and I am looking forward to a very relaxing weekend at the lake with just Bryan this weekend.

GO USA!
Laura

So What! Wednesday 8.8.12

Its Wednesday again and I am fresh off a great vacation with my best friend from high school Jen.  So I really do not have much to "so what" about this Wednesday or the past week because everything has been so relaxed! 

But Today I am saying SO WHAT IF...

• Jen and I pretended that we were 21 years old again.... no one knows who we are where we were in Alabama
• I now know why I am not 21 years old anymore... I am sorry liver and kidney
• I went by my alter-ego's name all weekend when we were out at some of the bars hanging out with "Alabama's Finest"
• I really do not want to be at work today and that I wish I had today off so that I can catch up with things in my personal life rather then my work life
• I am really not feeling like going to the gym today.... It can wait until tomorrow or maybe next Monday... right?
• We (Bryan and I) are already planning what we want to be for Halloween (Disney Princess)!
• I thought about B the whole trip, these past 5 days made me realize how much I miss being around him and talking to him all the time.
• I plan on watching "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" on TLC tonight.  I just love watching my fellow Georgian in their "redneck" ways! 

Hope everyone has a great Wednesday Afternoon... just 4.5 hours until I get to go home and clean up-house!
-Laura

Five Question Friday (Yes, Link-up #2 for the day)

Found this link-up with My Little Life while surfing the web and thought I'd take advantage of a new link up! 

1. What is a must in a hotel room?  Fridge.  I don't need one with the little frezer part on top, just something to keep some water, soda, adult beverages and or left over food in. 

2. Which Olympic event would you be best at?  Maybe Swimming (I love to be in the water and I use to do swim-team in high school) or something in the water; But if it was the Winter Olympics CURLING (I am obsessed with that sport)!! 

3. What's your stance on the Chick-fil-A subject?  I was raised in the South, grew up in the Catholic Church, ate Chick-fil-a at lease 2x a week in college (accepted meal plan where I went), and I do support gay-marriage (I believe that if you love someone that much and want to spend the rest of your lives together you should be able to, no matter your sex, race and or religion)  But I believe in free speech.  I do think that if you are a private company you are able to run and open your company how you want to.  That is a reason you are private.  Those who do not agree with Chick-fil-a can just stop eating their delicious chicken sandwiches and nuggets and also stop shopping at Hobby Lobby and eating Tyson Chicken at their house because those companies also are closed on Sundays and have traditional christian values. 

4. One thing you said you'd never do as a parent, but totally have?  Not a parent to a human and or fur-baby...  But I am seriously thinking about getting a fish and letting it swim havoc, stay up late talking to Scuba Steve, and eating flakes all day... I know I am a crazy lady!!

5. What's the weirdest thing you've ever found at a yard sale?  I am not a yard sale person, but I would think that finding someones used under garments would be odd... Even thinking about sending your old under garments to goodwill gives me the willies!

ONE more hour until I am off and on my way to Alabama until Tuesday!  
-Laura

Friday's Letters 8.3.12

Once Again I am linking up with Ashley with her Friday Letters.  Hope everyone is having a Great Friday and a smooth transition into the weekend!

Dear Olympics, Thank you for keeping me intrested the past week and giving me something to watch while I am at work.  Even thought I know the outcome of the events I watch in the evening I am still cheering as loud as I can for Team USA!  Dear Friday traffic in Atlanta, Please be kind to me.  I want to get to Pell City, Alabama in one piece and with out pulling out my hair.  Dear Pell City Alabama, You have no idea what your town is getting into for the next four days.  I am sorry in advance.   Dear Kelly, We really need to hang out more and thank you for letting Bryan stay at your house last week before his appointment.  Dear Jen, Is it 5'O'clock yet!  I am ready for our 4 day weekend of pretending to be 18 again! Dear The Pandora, I am in love with 90's pop this month.  But can you please play a little more N*SYNC then Backstreet Boys.  I was totally a Justin girl!  Dear Football Season, Less then 30 days away!  I remember counting down from 100+ days!  The month of August can not move faster.  Dear Summer, I have enjoyed you.  We have had a lot of fun the last few weeks.  Dear Ellen, I am so happy that you got your new teaching job.  I can not wait to hear about all the kids and maybe help you grade homework!  Dear Blog Readers, I'll be on vacation for the next 5 days!  Enjoy the break of my writing ramblings!  Dear Bryan, I love you and I will miss you while I am in Bama the next few days!  See you on Tuesday!

 

-Laura

Widespread Wednesday 8.1.12

Happy Hump Day Y'all.  Hope everyone is having a good day so far.  Lets be honest here the morning was a lot more stressful then the afternoon, hence my post around lunch time.  I feel like this week has been as wild as I need it to be so some of my favorite things this week are kind of out there.  Please bare with me my ADD has totally kicked in while thinking about this post.  

It is back to school time.  I do not have any kids that I am going out buying new school clothing and supplies but it feels like a lot of my friends are.  This morning I woke up to at lease 4 of my friends on face book posting photos of their kids first day of **insert grade here **.  It blows my mind thinking that some of my friends have kids in 1st grade.  Holy Crap!  Am I the only late 20-something left that is not married, has a child and or did not do it in that order!! Since I live in a college town I can tell the student's ares starting to come back into town and I am sure the grocery stores and walmart will start being packed.  Now that the sales are starting to come in I have found not that it is back to season I have gotten some killer deals on some personal art supplies, new shoes and also clothing!  

But also with it being so hot outside we have been watching a lot of TV, and Target is killing it with the back to school commercials.  From the teachers singing (which makes me giggle every time) to the students getting their acceptance letters to college their commercials have been tugging at my heart stings.  I wonder if all teachers are like that before starting school, because I do not think any of my friends write songs about school supplies.  I can not wait to see what Target has up their selves for Christmas commercials, because that one lady is killer who they casted.  

Speaking of watching a lot of TV... It is finally Olympic time!  I have been so excited about the Olympics the past few weeks.  I really think that the United States should shut down during the games so that we can all watch and cheer on our athletics.  I mean, its I really am working when the games are on.  Especially when I am watching it live on TV.  I think the Today show had a stat that employers will lose 10 hours or production time a week while the games are on.  The best part of the Olympics are being able to watch sports that I never get to see and learn about all the rules.  I really think that after watching fencing the other night I could do a great job either being a fencer or an announcer.  Knowing all of the terms and moves... Watch out Rio 2016 Laura is will be on the top of her game in the fencing competition.

 Now that football season is 30 days away (at lease today) we have been trying to figure out some new games for tailgating.  Their has been a few of us that want to make a life size Jenga set for our tailgating spot.  (if any one has made one and have a few tips please let me know)  A few of us saw one when we went to an away game at Wofford a few years ago but we have not had enough room the past few years to build one, but this year may be the time!  Hopefully in 30 days a few of us can make 50 pieces to have a good set!  I am sure this is not going to be the best game to have around the kids but the will learn how to play at a young age!  Maybe we can teach the kids out to set it up after we are done playing!  I will totally keep you all updated on the process of building the set.

Sorry for the ADD!  Hope everyone is enjoying the Olympics as much as I am!
2 more days until Alabama!!
-Laura

So What Wednesday!

This Wednesday I am linking up with Shannon with her "So What Wednesday".  I like to think of this link-up as a release for how I am feeling and the people and things that are bothering me.  Hope not to offend anyone like I did the last time I link-ed up on Wednesday.   This week, I am "SO WHAT IF..."   * If every Saturday from Labor Day until the Saturday after Thanksgiving is booked with a football game.  I can not wait and so excited about it!   * I love going to the dentist and ready to get my cap put on my "fake" tooth.  I know I complained about a few days ago, but I find it to be very relaxing.  
*  I am not going to my 10 year class reunion.  I really do not have much in common with any of those people anyways.  And the ones I do I talk to or see a few times a month!   * I really want someone to plan something nice for my birthday.  I know I am getting older and birthdays are not something that should be a big deal, but I would (just once) like to be the center of attention.  If you all knew how many bridal showers, bachlorette parties, baby showers, engagement parties and or birthday parties I have thrown the past 3 years you would understand.  I also don't think I will ever have my turn with any of those types of gathering with friends, so a birthday party is all I ever will get to look forward to.      * I planned my lunch rotation this week around Chick-fil-a Appreciation day... Get over it that a privately held company has beliefs and values that are different then yours.  If you do not like it they just don't eat there!  If you knew about all the money that company has put into Georgia Colleges (UGA, GA State, Kennesaw and GA Southern; yes I did take a few business classes in the Chick-fil-a classroom in college and ate there like every student that went to a Georgia College with my meal plan, because it was the only "non cafeteria" food we had!).  Oh and by the way you may also not want to shop at Hobby Lobby they have the same believes that Chick-fil-a has, and they play Christmas Music during the Holiday season and are not open on Sunday!    * I really really don't care what you think of me.  Low and Behold, I won.  So keep tweeting and facebooking me the nasty things. Karam will end up biting you in the ass.  If I really wanted to I could probably take your butt to jail for harassment. 
* I am already coasting to the weekend.  I had a short week last week and next week I will be at work for three days!  BAMA HERE I COME!
* I am glad that I have a wonderful support system that loves me and has my back for everything.  Your just jealous that I have a good people around me at all time and you don't have anyone. 
* My Alter-Ego comes out while I am in Alabama.  And If anyone see's that a Hannah Montana imposter gets arrested this weekend please start a bail fund for me.

Well I think that is all I have for a Wednesday Afternoon.  I am sure as the day goes on more frustration will build up and I can have a So What Wednesday Part Duex! 
 Happy Wednesday Y'all!  Enjoy It!
-Laura