Grammy's

Last year... I was in LA during Grammy's weekend. I presented the award for best male pop vocal. I wore a Dior gown and Manolo's, and everyone told me I should have won for best female pop vocal.

Ok, so I didn't present an award.

And, fine- I wasn't up for an award either. But I SHOULD have been.

I blame my bitterness on my failed attempt at stardom at the tender age of 3. Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo doesn't know what it missed out on.

But, I WAS in LA during the Grammy's weekend last year.

My company was broadcasting a Grammy's charity auction live on our website... giving people around the globe a chance to bid on hollywood memorabilia- from signed guitars to a Britney Spears costume.

See? There's me! In the background! I was there!

We worked on this auction for days, weeks, months- making sure the catalogs were correct, lining up talent and production crews. And in the days leading up to the event, we arrived in LA to set the stage. Turned out ok, eh?

Oh, and the auction was a success, too.

Too bad my award acceptance speech is still burning a hole in my pocket.

Snowed In: A Guide on Staying Warm, Happy, Dry & Sane

The ice storm was mostly a false alarm. But the snow... the snow warning was very real. Just look at it! We're several inches deep... and it's still coming down. There's potential we'll be stuck inside for a couple of days.


Soo... a girl's gotta stay warm, happy, dry and SANE, right? RIGHT?!

So here are a few things that are necessary to stay warm, happy, dry & sane when you're snowed in.


First up... these. Being unfashionable in snowy weather is unexceptable. These were $9 at a local shoe store. As a co-worker once put it, "Fifth Avenue meets the country." Invest in some snowy-weather foot apparel.


Just for kicks, venture outside. Give your fashionable footwear a test run. This is also extremely important for your sanity; trust me.


Now that you're back inside, safe and warm, light up your favorite candle. I stole this one from Bryan's grandma at Christmas.


Now, here's the important part: make sure you have plenty of liquids on hand. Hydration is key.

...and finally.....
....snuggle up to your favorite furry buddy.


He may want to walk around the snowy patio, just for a few minutes. And- he may initially think the snow is one giant litter box. He might also eat massive quantities of snow. However, he will NOT let you capture any of those cute moments on camera.


But he's not fooling anyone.

The Buried Life

I've started watching this show on MTV called The Buried Life. The show revolves around 4 guys who have what's essentially a "bucket list" of all of the things they would like to do before they die. They set out to make their dreams come true, traveling the country in a giant purple bus named Penelope. And at every stop, they find one stranger and ask them what they want to do before they die. Then... they make it happen.

Amazing, huh?! Of all of the superficial, dumb reality shows out there... this one seriously made me tear up and laugh hysterically... all in one episode.

So far, they've done #6- attend a party at the Playboy Mansion... and #42 (or #46?)- Make a toast at a stranger's wedding. And they've also provided a low-income school with a brand new computer, and reunited a man with his son- separated for 17 years.

And, of course, it got me thinking about my own list. The things I want to do before I die. I'm not scared of death; I know I where I still spend eternity. But I also want to live every moment on this Earth to the fullest. So here are a few things on my list....

1. Marry my best friend

2. Bungee jump

3. Learn how to fly a plane

4. Have a baby

5. Help someone know Christ

6. Travel to a remote, exotic place- and maybe get stranded there and be forced to survive. But only with the people I choose. And not forever.

7. Write something worthwhile

Those are the things that I immediately think of; I could probably think of dozens more things. And that's the great thing about it; the list never has to end. I hope I add to it all the days of my life.

What's on your list?

A Little Bird Told Me....

Happy Monday!  I hope all (7) of you had a wonderful weekend.  As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I am in full-out Spring Clean mode.  Yes, I realize snow is in the forecast this week... but it's never too early for a spring cleaning, right?  But part of this spring cleaning is a decoration overhaul at my apartment.  And the theme?

Drumroll, please.

Nature!  More specifically, birds.

There was a time this gem of a movie left a horrible scar on me.  I saw it at a church lock-in, middle school.  Petrifying.

But i've turned over a new leaf (no pun intended).  It's all about birds.

See this?  It's by Anthology.  I love it.  I want it.

And these?  Need 'em.  Need 'em for my kitchen table.

And these, to go inside the bird cages.

And, of course, these.  What's a cage, without birds?

Ah, Spring.  Hurry up.

Cleaning Out The Closet

I am very much in "Spring Clean" mode. Today, I cleaned out the clothes portion of my closet- organized everything by color, and whether it was "work" or "casual." Ah, I love a clean closet. Next comes the dresser drawers. Shudder. But this is the easy part. I always have an easy time parting with the pants I know I'll never fit into again, or that sweater that just isn't my style anymore, because I know someone will get good use out of them. I'll be making a trip to http://www.goodwill.org/ in the near future. Although, I'm holding onto those skinny jeans. They are my motivation; mark my words, I will wear those again.

It's the "stuff" that's hard to part with- the boxes of pictures that didn't make frames or photo albums... but I still want. Christmas cards, wedding invitations... just stuff that piles up over time.

But, this year, I'm surprisingly ok with tossing out the old, and "ushering" in the new. Didn't that sound so therapeautic? I think it's because last year, I didn't have time for a "Spring Cleaning." I didn't have time for a cleaning of any kind. (For those of you disturbed by that sentence... I did manage to shower once or twice.) I worked a lot, and when I wasn't working, I was tired, or stressed. I didn't make time for what I wanted, or even what I needed- because I was too overwhelmed to even think about it. So there was no Spring Cleaning... and no soul-cleaning, either.

When I made my list of resolutions this year, I thought I was making "goals." But I now realize, if I had to sum my list into one sentence, it would be... to take care of me this year. And that means loving every minute of free time I have with my man, and making special trips to see my family, and working out, and starting a blog. Finding a church. Having a better attitude about work. Doing things that make me happy, and healthy, and moving forward into a new year a better version of myself than last year's me. I'm digging through boxes, and digging deep into me. I'm tossing out clothes, and saying goodbye to last year's worries. It's a new year... and a new me.

So, hello, closet of 2010. You're organized now; the pants are hanging just right, the Spring dresses in a row, ready to be worn. But it's ok if things get a little messy now and then. The photos and cards from the last year are tucked away. But they won't ever be out of reach- and new ones will take their place. The shoes are safely in their boxes. They took me a lot of places last year. But they're ready to walk me through a million miles of special memories this year, too.

See what a little Spring Cleaning can do?!

... by the way, any chance the rainbow-colored pancho will come back in style?

Still.

Sometimes, at night, I just love the quiet.  I crave it.  I love to walk around my apartment and look at pictures I pass a million times a day- while brushing my teeth, or hurrying out the door to work.  I like to look at the way I've decorated my apartment, what it says about me- what it would say to a stranger.  I look at my grandpa's leather chair, and think about how I never knew, 10 years ago, it would end up here, in my apartment.  I feel proud- that I can sit here, and look at everything I've worked for and earned.  Memories and adventures and pieces of my heart- on the mantles, on the walls.  And I feel humbled- that I even deserve any of it.  I like the sound of the dishwasher humming, of my cat purring.  I like those mundane noises you're forced to hear when it's quiet.

And, it's not that I need the quiet to think deep thoughts, or solve life's mysterious.  This quiet is different; it's stillness, and peace.

Hmm.  Blessed, and so so happy.  Still.

Psalm 46:10  "Be still and know that I am God."  

Girlfriend Loves to Travel

Happy Wednesday! I know it's been a few days, and you've all been holding your breath... :)

I'm feeling inspired tonight to write about traveling. Do you enjoy traveling? I sure do. I've gotten to see some amazing places in my 25 (almost 26) years of life. I like traveling with my friends. I like traveling with my family. I like traveling with my honey. I even like traveling with my co-workers. Usually. :) (kidding!!) (maybe!)

One of my New Year's Resolutions this year is to travel more for fun- So, in honor of that commitment, over the next week or so- I am going to post some of my favorite trips ever. And THEN... i'll tell you my "travel wish list" for 2010. :)

But right now, I ask you to channel Jay-Z and Alesha Keys... 'cause we're in New York... concrete jungle where dreams are made of....

.....there's nothing you can't do....

... now you're in New York....

... these streets will make you feel brand new...

... the lights will inspire you....

... lets hear it for New York, New York, New York...

*Credits: my seester, my mom, my cousins, Jay-Z and Alesha Keys*

I've been to New York 4 times, and it never gets old.

Happy Travels,

Breakfast For Dinner, and Other Important Matters

Tonight, BC & I are making breakfast for dinner. YUM. Doesn't that just sound amazing? I love breakfast for dinner. We used to do that when I was growing up- scrambled eggs and bacon. And since I rarely eat breakfast, it's always a nice treat.

Here is one thing I've been waiting to try: The Pioneer Woman's Sour Cream Pancakes. I have her cookbook, and they look delish.

They can be found in this little gem of a cookbook, also known as my culinary bible. Do you own it? You should.

I've been thinking about food a lot lately. Spinach artichoke dip; chips and queso; STEAK; cupcakes. WINE. COKE. SWEET TEA. I think it's because I went from working out 3 times a month to working out nearly every day- and my appetite has increased! GREATLY.

I also have low blood sugar and become extremely irritable if I don't eat when I need to. People who love me, and even those who don't, can attest to this.

I'm not alone; my sister suffers from low blood sugar, too. Not in this picture, obviously.

Speaking of cupcakes....

Sprinkes Cupcakes. Have you ever been? There's one in my hometown- and probably more places- but BOY, are they good. Little pieces of heaven.

Does anyone else find these as addicting as I do??

(Grumble, grumble.) I'm reaady for pancakes, eggs and bacon.

Blood Sugar Dropping Dangerously Low,

Help For Haiti

I was going to post several times this week, but in light of the earthquake in Haiti- I just couldn't think of anything worth saying. All of my complaints and worries seemed petty; all of my laughs and silliness seemed out of place. I followed a story on twitter the past couple of days of a man who was doing missionary work in Haiti, and couldn't be found after the earthquake. Today, he was found- alive. I know miracles are happening- but I know there are still SO many problems. Destruction at the airport and along major roads is making transportation difficult; and all of the help we're sending their way is taking it's sweet time getting there, due to all of these problems.

I don't want this blog to be a platform for issues and causes. But, as a fellow human, I do ask that you consider what you can give to help. You can easily text 90999 with the message "Haiti" to the Red Cross; you can also text 501501 with the message "Yele" to support Wyclef Jean's foundation in Haiti. I did both today, and you get a message in reply, confirming that you want to donate. It's very easy- almost too easy. I hope that small amount makes a difference.

Thanks for reading. :)

Exercise & Deprivation: A Perfect Pair

Like everyone else in the world, one of my New Year's Resolutions is to get back in shape. And for me, that means.... hit the pavement. Or, the treadmill... until the weather is consistently sunny and relatively warm. I have strict requirements for outside running.


Look at that happy, smiling, triumphant face. This is me, after the Tulsa Run in 2008. I think I was in my best shape ever! I ran 9.3 miles without breaking a sweat, without a sip of water, without even blinking. I came in first place.

Ok, none of that is true- except the running of the 9.3 miles. And I did run that- without stopping!

The problem is, once I stopped.... I stopped. SO- time to start running again. When I started training for the Tulsa Run, I used this Couch to 5k program; then, I moved onto the 15k training program. I'm doing that all over again. I'm already on week two... so I just have to keep going! Here's the program, in case you're interested.

http://www.coolrunning.com/

Tulsa Run 2010, here I come!

So, since I'm trying to eat better, I've cut out SOME liquid calories Monday through Friday. Here are two of the victims:

Sorry, sweet tea and wine. (And soda.) See you on Saturday & Sunday.

Loungin' Around

Welcome to Lindsay's Lounge! I've decided to start this blog to not only share pictures, stories, and my day-to-day life with you... but because I love the idea of a "lounge".. a place to just chill, and write down what I feel. Sometimes it may be serious, sometimes it may make no sense... but nonetheless, it's my space to just be myself. So, welcome readers! Sit back, grab a glass of wine, and welcome to my world!

For my first post, I thought I would give you a glimpse into my life in pictures... so here we go...

My family! Mom & Dad, sister, brothers. They are the root and heart of who I am. They drive me crazy, make me worry, and make me laugh more than any 5 people i've ever known.

My love, BC. We've dated for almost 2 years! We couldn't be more different- city girl, country boy; loud and crazy, silent and steady. But I couldn't have asked for a better guy; my prayers were truly answered.

My friends. This is the fab five; we've been friends since middle school. I love these girls! They hold the key to my past and know a LOT of secrets. :) J just got married in this picture; N is getting married this summer.

My college girls. B & H were sorority sisters, college roommates... and now, lifelong friends. This is a picture of us with baby C, who turns 1 this week! How time flies.

My post-college friend, L. I'm not sure I would have made it through the long overnight shift I worked when I first moved to Tulsa without her. L is funny, fun, and full of life. She is getting married this summer, and I get to be her maid-of-honor!

And finally, this guy- Toby, the cat. He's my buddy, and my baby. He is furry, mischevious, and loves tortilla chips.

That's a quick look at me! So much more to come...