I'm really bad at this.

Wow. I am really failing at the NaBloPoMo thing. Would you mind it if I blamed it on work?

I was at work from noon until 10:30 last night and then again from noon until 5:30 today. It's really zapped my creative juices and given me a migraine to boot.

It was a successful weekend though.

My Samford Bulldogs won their Homecoming game over Georgia Southern, 31-10.

My volleyball Bulldogs won both of their matches this weekend and clinched a share of the division title. Let's all pray we can win next weekend and take that baby for our own.

My Mississippi State Bulldogs didn't lose this weekend. They didn't play this weekend but they didn't lose.

And the Mississippi State basketball team looks like it's going to give me something to smile about this year.

I'm off to eat some Moe's and watch The Amazing Race. Go Flight Time and Big Easy!

Improv Everywhere Does It Again

Here's your second post of the day.

Improv Everywhere just never disappoints.

My favorite lines from the video:

"Jeff, don't sing a song man."

"He does this every day."

NaBloPoMo Fail #1

So, it's only six days into NaBloPoMo and I've already failed. I know. I'm sorry.

However, I'll make up for it today with two posts and a free gift. Mkay?

Actually the free gift isn't from me. Because, well, I'm poor. And cheap. So there.

But I got Matt Wertz's new live album for free yesterday just for tweeting it and I'm listening to it today at work and I. am. in. love.

This is such a great album because it's not just Matt and Justin Rosolino singing a bunch of songs live. It includes all the funny banter in between the songs. Which, by the way, is pure gold. There are no three guys in the business that are better at inter-song banter than Dave Barnes, Matt Wertz and Justin Rosolino.

It's just good stuff.

So, go here, look at the top of the page and check out the ways that you can help Matt spread the word about his music and get the album for free at the same time.

It's totally worth it.

Blog-Linkity Goodness 11.4.09 and Random Dozen

Here are a few things I came across yesterday and today and I wanted to share the love. Also, as an added bonus, Lid's Random Dozen. As if you, didn't already know enough about me.

1. This video completely made my morning. My day was top-notch after viewing this. 252 yards of maroon and white goodness.



2. Boomama's post yesterday was one of my most favorite in a while. And she "wasn't even planning to write this post". Go read it now. It mentions Steven Curtis Chapman, if that helps at all.

3. Jon Acuff's post yesterday on Stuff Christians Like was all about "rooting for Tim Tebow". And if you know me, this is a cause I can get behind. Quarterback keep. Hut one. Hut two.

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1. It's early morning, about 2:00AM, and you're driving home. You come to a red light and sit there. There is no one in sight for miles around. Do you wait it out or run the light?
I used to do this all the time in Starkville. Well, not all the time. There was this one light though, between fraternity row and Bost Extension that never, EVER turned green late at night. Even when no one was coming the other way. I literally waited one night for 10 minutes for it to change in it never did, so I went. Sue me.

2. If you had the chance to re-do the last 24 hours, would you change anything?
I would have gotten more work done yesterday.

3. When you reply to someone's comment on your blog, do you reply in your comments or go to her blog and comment? (Or email her)
I usually go to the other person's blog to comment.

4. Your favorite Disney movie is:
Toss-up. Mary Poppins, The Lion King or The Santa Clause movies.

5. Do you recycle?
I used to at the place I lived at before I moved but they don't come and pick up recycling where I live now. However, I will recycle if there is a receptical nearby.

6. Games of strategy or games of chance?
Totally strategy. More opportunities to win. You can control stategy. You can't control chance. That's why I don't gamble. Plus I like to figure things out. I'm a puzzle nerd.

7. Do you have any recurring dreams?
I used to have a lot of them when I was little. There is one, though, now that tends to come back often. I'm at a water park. That's about all I can recall.

8. What did you learn from your first real job?
I learned how to make a mean sno-cone.

9. Do you buy or borrow most books?
I like to buy because I like to write in my books.

10. What fashion trend of the past did you say you'd never wear again but did?

I don't think I've wore anything again that I have before. I will never where sturrip pants again, though. Or roll my jeans. I did cave on the leggings thing though.

11. When do you start Christmas shopping?
I pretty much Christmas shop all year round. If I see something that I know someone would like, I'll get it then. If I have the money. But usually I'm buying presents like two weeks before.

12. Have you ever been so happy that you literally jumped up and down for a few seconds? If so, what was the occasion?
Yes. Most of them have had to do with the Mississippi State Bulldogs winning. You know, it's a big deal when we win these days in football. I do have to say that the most crazy I've ever gone after winning a game was after we beat Alabama at their place in 2004 to win the SEC outright.

A Boy And His Birthday

This little guy...

Turned two on Saturday...

Had big party...

With a really cool cake.

He got lots of cool presents including this...

This...

And this was the winner.

See...

He even gave his KK a ride.

Fun was had by all.

Happy Birthday Little Boo!

Home Sweet Home

No matter where I live for the remainder of my life, Jackson, Miss., will always be home to me. And not just Jackson, my parents house will always be home to me.

I won't be going to visit my parents. I'll be going home.

Because home is where you are who you are. All of the time.

Home is where you know you're loved, without even having to hear someone say it.

Home is where you're greeted at the door with a smile, a hug so tight it makes you dizzy and a wet, slobbery kiss from the dog that you swear is annoying one minute and is the cutest little puppy in the world the next.

Home is where every single member of your family is. It's where you mind is flooded with memories the minute you step in the door, no matter how far back they take you.

Anecdotes and stories are a staple in family conversation. And there's a song for each one of them too.

I remember when I first went off to college. Although I was only an hour and a half down the road, I cried every time I pulled out of the driveway to go back to school. Everytime. For the first year. A whole year.

Now, the crying seems to have subsided. I pull out of the driveway, of a completely different house no less, but I blow a kiss, smile real big and whisper to myself, "Man, I can't wait to come back home."

I think the main reason the tears have dried up over time is not because I'm older and more mature and wise in my years. I think it's because, everywhere I go, my family goes with me.

I take them with me.

They are in my heart.

Everyone I meet knows that my dad is the strongest (and wisest) man in the world. They know my mom's smile can light up a room and that she could coach the Mississippi State football team to a championship victory is they'd let her. They know that my sister is my best friend and that her voice puts even the most top-selling artists to shame in my book. They know that my brother-in-law is a coon-ass from 'Nawlins who uses the gift God has given him to lead everyone around him in glorifying the Father through song.

And they know, boy do they know, that my nephew rules my world.

I think I've just now figured out why I love The Wizard of Oz so much. It's such a representation of how home is where we are, not where we are.

To my favorite character,

"There's no place like home."

What month is it again?

Seriously? It's November already?

If you remember, last year I participated in something called NaBloPoMo, or National Blog Post Month. That's November.

I think I fared pretty well last year and I've been hesitant to do it again this year (and actually sign up) but I figure I like challenges (no I don't) and this might get my creative juices flowing (or kill me), so why not?

I know I'm already behind a day but will the excuse that I was in my car for half of the day yesterday suffice? No. Okay.

Then how about two posts today. Maybe? Okay.

Let the fun begin.

D'Ya Miss Me?

Well, hello there blog! It's officially been six days since I've updated. I know you feel neglected. I'm sorry. Work, laziness, exhaustion and DVR have been kicking my butt lately. You know that DVR. He's a real workhorse.

Anyhoo. I really have nothing to say at this point of the day because well volleyball and cross country advances as well as SAAC (Student Athlete-Advisory Committee) meetings have completely sucked the words right out of my head. Not to mention that concentration has completely run away from me and I can't for the life of me seem to get the little booger to come back. It's a tough world without concentration, folks.

So, as I usually do when I have nothing else to write about, I'm just going to post one of those blog listy-survey type things.

Enjoy reading about things that you probably would otherwise not care about. And feel free to walk away from the computer at anytime due to the feeling of utter boredom that might overcome you. It's symbolic really.

1. Tell something about your favorite teacher.
I've had a few favorite teachers in my life. A lot in high school and just a few in college (props to Karyn Brown). However there are two from high school that will always hold a special place in my heart -- Coach Rob(inson) and Mr. Avalon.

Coach Rob taught me 10th grade World History. This guy made me love history, and that's a feat in itself. His style of teaching was unlike any other style I've ever known and his love for Christ exuded every day. In a public school system, where prayer was not aloud, he was bold enough to give us a bible verse to memorize as a bonus question for each test. His enthusiam about teaching made me enthusiastic about learning and he genuinely cared about each one of his students.

Mr. Avalon taught me AP English but I was privileged enough to spend two full years with him in journalism. This guy sparked my love for writing and creativity in a way that I cannot explain and he singled-handedly made me the most sarcastic and boldest person that I've ever been. He taught me how to write 10-12 page paper with exstravegant wordy language in one class and then taught me how to be creative and interesting through clear and concise writing in another. He is the reason that I'm doing what I am doing right now -- writing. And he always started every one of his senior English classes (the first class of every year) telling his students that they had one get out of jail free card to use on him and that was it. And he meant it. I still haven't had to use mine. Yet.

2. Tell about one pivotal moment in your life.
Yikes. I feel like I've had several pivotal moments in my life. Of course, I could always play the God card and say that the day that I was saved was the extreme pivotal moment in my life and that would be exactly right. I could also talk about that one morning that I just woke up and realized that I didn't need a certain friend in my life anymore. But I will say that getting "the call" from my sister one day saying that I needed to come home because my dad was in the hospital had to have been one of the most pivotal moments in my life. That day, that weekend, I learned to lean not on my own understanding for what seemed like the first time in my life. The weird mix of peace and confusion that I had was surreal but at the end of the day, I knew that my God reigned and that this was just another battle that he had conquered on His own.

3. About favorite colors -- a lot of people will ask you what it is, but why. What feeling or memory does it evoke.
This may come as no surprise for most people that read this blog. And it's completely and genuinely true. Maroon is my favorite color. It evokes feelings of pride and excitement in me that really not a lot of things can. It recalls memories of great wins and awful losses, sitting through scortching temperatures and frigid ones, rain and tornadoes until the last second has run off the clock. It causes my heart and soul to swell up with pride that I had fallen in line of a great family legacy and become a MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOG!

4. What is a sure sign that you are getting older?
Lately, I would say forgetfulness because y'all, that has become my demon recently. But I would have to say worry. I'm not the worrying kind but I feel like I worry more now than I did when I was little. I know it's because I know more now than I did then.

5. Halloween -- it is a yes or a no for you (don't sermonize)?
Give or take with me. It's no Thanksgiving or Christmas or Easter or 4th of July (all coincide with athletic events or some kind of fancy parade), but it has its moments. To me, I'm not a big dress up and go party person (sometimes I am) but I L-O-V-E carving pumpkins. It's the creativity bug. And don't forget the candy.

6. What is your favorite musical?
Hands down, Wicked. I have no words to explain. I get misty-eyed just thinking about "Defying Gravity". And now I'm going to have to go lock myself in my car and sing it at the top of my lungs.

7. Are you more of city mouse or a country mouse?
I would love to say I'm a little of both but my trip to NYC this summer proved that I'm more city than I am country. Given the boldness to live in a place like the Big Apple for a while, I think I'd do just fine.

8. Did you know that it is possible, for a small fee, to name a real star after someone? (It's true! Google it!) If someone were to name a star foryou, would you appreciate it for its whimsy and romance, or would you say, "Are you kidding me? For $19.95, we could have gone to the movie and actually bought popcorn."
We first of all, I'd never actually say something like that to someone. I'd think it. But I wouldn't say it. After all, I am a Southern girl. Anyway, my best friend in high school had a guy do this for her and although I acted like it was sweet at the time, I thought it was kind of weird-o. However, I can appreciate the act and the thought that go into it. But I'm more of a tangible girl, stuff you can touch. Like food. Now there's a good gift.

9. What is the craziest thing you've ever been doing and texted during it?
I've texted while on the elliptical before. That's a crazy as it gets for me, folks.

10. It's not a party unless ____________________."
It's not a party unless you have Lisa Hart there playing Mad Gab. That's when things get rowdy, people.

11. When you are stuck in traffic or a waiting room, what do you do to pass the time? (P.S. There are no magazines available.)
True story from the three-hour roadside wait: I pull out my iTouch and start playing games or a pull out the camera and document the occassion, thinking this will make such a great blog post later.

12. If you weren't yourself, would you be friends with you?
Seriously? Why wouldn't I want to be friends with me. I'm my own friend now.

What is your field of play?

I know people are so sick of my love fest with Tim Tebow; well actually, I know people are probably sick of the world's love fest with Tim Tebow. But when you've got stories like this one that appear every time you turn around, it's hard to ignore it. This isn't just some kid who is an extraordinary quarterback. This is a guy who knows what his purpose is in life and lives it out daily, no matter what people say about him. He's using the talent that God has given him to spread the gospel and he's pointing all the glory back to the Giver. How can you not love that? To me, that's a subject worth wearing out.

The Gospel on Offense - The Faith of Tim Tebow
by Mark Earley

America 's largest church has a capacity to hold 16,000. But while Tim Tebow may not be a preacher, when he runs into the University of Florida 's football Stadium-affectionately known as "The Swamp" -his congregation numbers just over 90,000. And you can bet they're hearing Tim's message.

It's not just that this University of Florida quarterback wears Bible verses etched into his "eye-black" on game days. Tim Tebow has been making headlines for more than simply his Heisman Trophy win as a sophomore and his two national championships. This summer the New York Times, GQ, and Sports Illustrated, all covered the quarterback's strong Christian faith.

Last year, when the Florida Gators won the national championship, the pre-game show followed Tim into a local Florida prison where he can regularly be found sharing his testimony and preaching the Gospel.

And this top-notch athlete, who spends his spring breaks and summers ministering to orphans in the Philippines has actually helped change the culture of the University of Florida . According to Sports Illustrated , "Since Tebow's arrival on campus, and in large part because of him, the University has launched a series of community-service initiatives." Even coach Urban Meyer has taken his family on a "Tebow-inspired mission trip to the Dominican Republic ."

The press seems to be fascinated with outspoken Christian quarterbacks like Tim Tebow; Sam Bradford, the 2008 Heisman winner; and now USC's Matt Barkley. Only a few decades ago, it would have been taken for granted that these would be the kinds of fellows any father would want his daughter to marry. Now they are put under the microscope as some kind of curious anomaly-well-known athletes who actually exhibit character.

In our doped-up, mug-shot celebrity culture, sadly these young men do look a little out of step. And that's to our culture's shame. Perhaps that is why last year when the press asked Tim Tebow a rather impertinent question-they were more embarrassed by the response than he was. It was at a Southeastern Conference news media event where one reporter asked in front of the crowded room, "Are you a virgin?" Tim answered with an unequivocal yes and had yet another platform to explain how his faith impacts every area of his life.

That platform for sharing the Gospel is exactly what Tim's parents prayed for before he was born. Tim's father, Bob, a missionary in the Philippines, had been weeping over the millions of babies aborted in America . It was then that he prayed, "God, if you give me a son, if you give me Timmy, I'll raise him to be a preacher."

Soon after, when Pam Tebow learned she was expecting, the parents' faith was put to the test. After a series of grave complications, doctors encouraged them to abort the child. They refused. Born small and weak, Timmy struggled from the beginning. But his dad continued to tell him, "God's got a purpose for you, and at some point, He's going to call you to preach."

Dad was right. God's message would come through the roar of the crowd, beamed to millions via satellite. But little did they know, Tim would don a jersey, not robes, and use a stadium for his pulpit.

Tim's a great example of an opportunity every believer has-to put our faith to work on the field of play where God has gifted us and called us.

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