Five Foods

I love food and I love to eat! It's amazing, because as a child, I was the pickiest eater ever. I survived my childhood by living on PB&J and cereal. And now as an adult, there isn't anything I won't try! Here are my top 5 most favorite foods!

ONE

Hands down, the best thing that I ever put in my mouth, was my MaMaw's fried chicken. She could fry a chicken like it was nobody's business. I have many fond memories of her in the kitchen with that big black, iron skillet frying up a chicken like only she knew how. And she would make a white gravy and homemade biscuits to go along with it. I remember she gave me some good advice once when she was teaching me how to make gravy. She said, "Don't forget. People Bitch when their gravy is runny". I still haven't forgot MaMaw! Her kitchen was filled with much more than food. It was full of laughter, stories, good times, and memories!

TWO

Sushi. It wasn't until I was in my 20s that I dared to even try sushi! Maybe it's because sushi has such a bad rap with people. However, I have learned in recent years that it's something I love. It goes to show that it is true, you don't know until you try it!

THREE

Ice cream! I mean, we all scream for it don't we?! Personally, I think there is no better treat in the world than ice cream. One of my favorite ice cream treats is a peanut butter milkshake made with chocolate ice cream! To this day, the best peanut butter milk shake that I have ever had was at United Dairy Farmers...a delicious ice cream place that I have only seen and experience in the Cincinnati area!

FOUR

Breakfast....but I don't really ever eat it in the A.M. I love breakfast food, but not when I wake up! I love a great brunch or breakfast for dinner!
FIVE

My momma's chicken and dumplings. It is my most favorite thing that she knows how to cook. My mom is a great cook, and I'm not just saying that. It is a very rare occasion that she makes something that is not very well received. Many times I hear people that chicken and dumplings are too hard to make, but not for my momma! They are slap ya momma good!

Six Places

Today the challenge is 6 places. I love to travel and see new places. There are many places that I have been and many places that I still want to go. I love traveling and experiencing different ways of life. Here are my top 6 places to visit. Each of them have significance to me, some I have already seen, some I am still dreaming!

ONE

New York City. In 2009, my sister Kellie and I had the opportunity to travel to NYC. It was something that I had always dreamed of and it took my breath away to finally have that dream come true (although I am still dreaming of going there with my Mom some day). I will never forget the feeling that I got when I got off that train in Grand Central Station, rode the escalator up, and landed on the streets of NYC. While we were there we ate in Little Italy, took a tour of Brooklyn, had an interesting experience at The Empire State Building (it is NOTHING like Sleepless in Seattle), saw Lady Liberty up close, and took a tour of Ellis Island. Now, I'm not one for the mellow dramatics, but I literally got chills walking through those halls knowing that my Great-Great Grandpa Murphy walked the same halls years ago when he came over from Ireland.

TWO

The Pacific Northwest. The past March, I had the unexpected opportunity to travel to Olympia, WA/Seattle, WA/Victoria, B.C. The scenery there was like traveling through a post card. Pine trees, snow capped mountains, sea planes going in and out of the water, and the Original Starbucks!

THREE

Chi Town! I love Chicago. I have had the chance to visit there twice and I loved it both times. It has such an old historical feel mixed with a modern and contemporary vibe! Although I am a life long St. Louis Cardinals fan, I had a blast going Wrigley Field and drinking an Old Style beer (which may be the cheapest and worst tasting beer I have ever put in my mouth). I also got to go to the top of the Sears Tower, see Navy peer, and eat some Chicago Style Pizza!

FOUR

Washington, D.C.. I believe that no matter what your traveling preferences are, every American should visit our capitol at least once in their life time. My sister Kellie and I went around 2006 for a day trip. While we were there I took my first subway ride, had a Capitol tour, saw Joe Lieberman on the floor, saw Dorothy's red slippers (bucket list check!), and learned that the Washington Monument is not as close to the Capitol as it looks and you should not attempt to walk the two miles to get there!

FIVE

Paducah, KY, AKA, my hometown. At first thought, you may think that there really isn't much in Paducah, but here are some fun facts for you. It is home to the National Quilting Museum and the Annual Quilt Show which attracts quilters from all over the world. Bruce Willis and Demi Moore's first baby Rumer was born there. It's annual telethon is the biggest small town telethon in the nation and attracts an array of celebrities annually. In addition, it is also the birth place of Vice-President Alben W. Barkley.

SIX

Australia. This is the one place in the world that I have never been and dream of going to. I have always been fascinated with the country, it's people, it's culture, it's animals. I honestly can say, had I been in the Oprah audience when she gave away the Australian adventure, I would have been one of those fools crying because I was so over joyed!

Seven Wants

Today was easy. There are many things in this world that I want. The challenging part of it all was narrowing it down to simply 7.

ONE

To travel the country of Australia. I have always been fascinated with this country. I dream of going there and experiencing all that there is to experience in the Land Down Under.

TWO

To see my Kentucky Wildcats cut down the nets after winning the Final Four. Last year, I got to see them play in the Final Four, only to witness a heartbreaking loss to UCONN. However, my sister Kellie and I already have our tickets to the 2012 Final Four in NOLA this year. I'm ready to cross this off of my bucket list.

THREE

To have something I've written published. It is one thing to have your mother tell you that you are a good writer, but it is completely different when someone you don't know loves what you have written so much, that they think you should share it with others.

FOUR

A Lexus. As a teacher, you sort of come to accept it that you get summers off, but will never make enough to drive a luxury car.

FIVE

To visit NYC with my mom. It is something that I have always talked about and a dream that I know will come true one day.

SIX
To be on a game show. When I was in college, I auditioned for "Wheel of Fortune"...only to be cut in the final round. I plan to rectify this one day.

SEVEN

Be great at something. I have always wanted to be a "go to" person on a topic or subject for other people.

Eight Fears

Today's challenge is 8 fears. I think that fears are something that are difficult for us as human beings to face and admit to. When we admit to having a fear....it becomes real to both ourselves and to those around us.

ONE

Mice. And for those of you who want to say, "They are more afraid of you than you are of them"...you're wrong. Finding on in a washing machine after you have done a load of laundry really helps you to form an opinion on them.

TWO

Flying. Which is an interesting paradox considering I am a frequent traveler. However, to overcome this fear, I pop a Benadryl and sleep the entire flight.

THREE

The dark. No, I don't sleep with a night light or anything like that, but I'm also uneasy when I hear something and I can't see where it is coming from.

FOUR
Failure. The thought of not achieving all the goals I have set for myself or not being accomplished in my career terrify me.

FIVE

Death. It's not that I'm afraid of what comes after death, I'm afraid of leaving this world before I have done everything that I have wanted to do.

SIX

Over sleeping. As much as I hate getting up early, I hate being late even more. If for some reason I do oversleep, I go into a total panic. I'd rather show up to work with no make up than show up late.

SEVEN

Not getting A's and B's. I know it sounds like I'm an overachiever (which I am), but when I am taking a class, I don't settle for anything less than the best.

EIGHT

Not knowing who I am in old age. I've witnessed what it's like with my own eyes, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Nine Loves

There are many things in this world that I love and adore...it's very hard to narrow them down to just nine. But after thinking about the nine things I love the most, here they are:

ONE

Kentucky basketball. It is a sports tradition like no other. Unless you are a part of the Big Blue Nation, you will never fullly understand it.

TWO

Writing. It is a passion that I have had since I was a kid. I credit my 4th grade teacher Mrs. Bach for being the first person to give to me a love of writing.

THREE

Traveling. I love to travel and I start to get the itch to go somewhere if too much times lapses between my trips. I have to take at least one big trip a year, and I make sure that I have several road trips in between.

FOUR

Coffee. Although I do enjoy indulging in specialty drinks such as a pumpkin spice latte, I love a hot cup of black coffee. I'm a firm believer that if you put sugar and milk in it, it's not coffee anymore.

FIVE

Donnie Wahlberg. I loved him in the late 80s when he had a rat tail and I still love him today.

SIX

My job as an early childhood special education teacher. I get to finger paint and change lives all at the same time. I couldn't ask for better.

SEVEN
Laughter. I truly believe that laughter is the best medicine. Even on the worst days of my life, I have managed to find something to laugh about.

EIGHT

My grandparents. My MaMaw and PaPaw both had a tremendous influence on who I have become today.

NINE

My family. They have seen what my hair looks like in the morning and they still love me anyway!

Music Mondays! Fireworks!

Ten Day Challenge

Something that is trending right now in the blogging community is the 10 Day You Challenge. (Which should probably be called the 10 day ME challenge since it is in fact all about me). Today's challenge is to reveal 10 secrets about myself. Enjoy!

ONE

I'm a democrat. Not really a shameful secret...and certainly not a secret to everyone. I just don't think some people know this about me.

TWO

I can sometimes be forgetful about putting deodorant on in the morning. So I put some on at night just in case I forget.

THREE

I'm not a natural red head.

FOUR

If I don't wear my clothes long enough to get them dirty or sweaty, I will forgo washing them.

FIVE

I had a crush on Kirk Cameron in the 80s. FAIL.

SIX

I have always wished that I could have been a hippy of the 60s. I truly believe that if there is such a thing as past lives, that I was one.

SEVEN

In reference to number 6, if that is the case, I want to come back as an attorney in my next life

EIGHT

Sometimes when I'm bored or can't sleep, I'll play on the Internet and find random information or look up things I've always "wondered about".

NINE

I'm not the best housekeeper in the world. My house is by no means filthy, but there have been occasions where I have been afraid for people to stop by.

TEN

I still listen to boy bands!

Fill in the Blank Friday! (A Day Late)

1. The best thing I did all week was ended it. Certainly was not my best week ever.

2. Traveling to new places make me super happy.

3. Pets are something I miss and have been thinking of getting.

4. My family is the best thing about my life.

5. With the cooler weather I am looking forward to not baking in the heat and humidity every single day.

6. Something that's on my "wish list" right now is a new iPHone...I'm hoping the one I have holds up until the 5 comes out.

7. This weekend I am going to to absolutely nothing for the first weekend in a very long time.

Music Mondays! Go Big Blue!

In honor of my anticipation for the 2011-12 Road to the Final Four in the Big Easy! I'm ready for #8!

Fill in the Blank Friday!

1. You should always take time to to find the humor in a bad situation. There is always something to laugh about.

2. The unique differences of many people make(s) the world a happier place to be.

3. I can hardly wait for college basketball season to start! GO CATS!!!

4. Saturday is my favorite day of the week.

5. Something totally dumb and ridiculous that I love is "Sister Wives", "Strange Sex", "Extreme Couponing, etc. Other peoples dysfunction is my guilty pleasure.

6. If I could I would pack my bags tomorrow and head off the NYC and live for a year.

7. I rather like a big cup of hot black coffee .

My favorite river front....where the Ohio meets the Tennesse

Paducah, KY

2007

Music Mondays!

Fill in the Blank Friday!

NKOTB NOLA 2008

1. Somewhere someone is indulging in a guilty pleasure .

2. Writing is my muse.

3. It would suck if pumpkin spice lattes were no more because, I would have to find a new fall time hot beverage.

4. See my students learn and grown is my favorite thing about today.

5. Life is kind of like a carnival. There are all kinds of rides. Scary ones, fast ones, slow ones. There are some you love, some you are afraid to try, and others that you like a little more than you expected .

6. If I could have anything I wanted I would want a month long vacation to Australia .

7. A funny thing happened the other day... when someone asked me if I was a dancer after seeing my DMB Firedancer sticker on my car. I can barely walk two steps without tripping, much less dance….

Music Mondays...Living the Good Life!

College Colors Day

So, today is know to many college sports fans as "College Colors Day". It is an annual event held the first Friday before college football season kicks off. It is the day when sports fans, both crazy and sane, adorn the colors of THEIR team.

However, today, I was unable to wear my KY blue to work and had to wear my UL (University of Louisiana NOT the University of Louisville) red, which was perfectly fine because I got both my undergrad and graduate degrees from the Home of the Ragin' Cajuns! UL also holds some extremely fond memories for me. Late nights followed by early mornings, sorority meetings and parties, and forming friendships that will span a lifetime!



But days like today, always make me long for the Bluegrass State. The place where basketball is everything, and the rest is just the details. I say this a lot, but others just don't get it. In KY, the Wildcats are more than a just a team, they are a dynasty. Fans are not just fans, it's practically a subculture. I have seen grown me cry and little old ladies cuss out referees at games and no one bats an eye.

I think that most everyone has a team that they are die hard for. They don't miss a game, take a loss personally, know the history, and dream of the future. On days like today, I miss "my people". Sure, I have met a few random UK fans along the journey, but it's not the same. Sometimes, I long to be in a pub, drinking blue beer, and screaming C-A-T-S at the top of my lungs. But until then, I will just have to remember that on days like today, I'm wearing my Blue on my heart!

Fill in the Blank Friday!

1. One thing that is completely superfluous, but that I could never give up is Donnie Wahlberg. True, if he had never risen to fame, I would still have lived and breathed. But through the ups and downs, changes, and seasons of my life, my crush and fantasy world of him has been a constant. I think that no matter how old we get, we need something that allows us to retreat from reality in order to maintain sanity. I look forward to the watching "Blue Bloods", finding sexy YouTube clips, and the next New Kids concert tour!

2. Hugs from people I don't know make me feel awkward.

3. I can't imagine my life without my family to be there to support me. No matter where our differences my lie, I always look forward to our laughter and good times together!

4. Ice cream is my favorite snack.

5. Lately I've been thinking about going back to school (again). When I first embarked on my journey in to education, I never thought I would want to be an administrator. But now, the wheels are turning in my head!

6. If at first you don't succeed stop, calm down, and remind yourself that Rome wasn't built in a day!

7. Fall is my favorite time of year. But not the fall in the south. Every year when fall arrives, I get nostalgic for my home state of KY. I look back on fond memories of jumping in leaves, getting excited for "The Road to the Final Four", and reminisce about the Fall Festival at my elementary school.