I Heart Carolina!

So, many months ago my coworker decided that I NEEDED to see a Carolina game. She is a HUGE fan and insisted that I attend a game with her. We went online and found tickets to a game of some little Indiana team, Evansville. Little did I know, that it would turn into the biggest night as Tyler Hansbrough broke the all time scoring record of UNC great, Phil Ford (who played under Andy Neyer's beloved Dean Smith). Not only was it SUPER fun but the inside of that place is AMAZING! I took some pics as you can see below:

The inside of the Dean Dome (when southerners say it fast, it sounds like ding-dong)

Tyler, Phil Ford and Coach Roy Williams (during the game...they actually stopped playing and all these photographers ran onto the court)

Tyler thanking everyone after the game

Me and Ramses

Some other interesting facts about this game:

• UNC provides a fabulous shuttle service that delivers you via Tar Heel Express to and from the arena


• I had a delightful hot dog ...not quite a Cubs hot dog, but good nonetheless.


• Two of the managers who clean the floor during the game/time-outs are women and not only were they wearing dresses but HEELS! It takes a strong woman to mop the floor in heels!!!


• Before the game, they showed videos of the players singing Christmas songs...priceless!!!


• When you buy a drink, you get a free plastic take-home cup and the prices weren't ridiculous!

Overall (if you can't tell) I had a BLAST!!! So, despite working at Duke, I have learned that I look GOOD in Carolina Blue.

Go Heels!!

70...what??

So this morning as I was eating my Special K with redberries and almond milk, I heard something crazy on the news. Today's high is expected to be 70 degrees...what?? Three days ago I had on my winter coat and gloves and today I didn't even wear a coat to work.

I have decided the south is a bit schizophrenic.

30 Years!

Just want to give a little shout out to Deb D who is celebrating her 30th birthday today!! Can't wait to party with you this weekend!!! Here are some random pics of Deb having fun!!

Fi-Fi-Fo-Plum

As many of you may know, I love getting pedicures. In the summer I am rarely without painted toes. Since I am a new homeowner and need to be fiscally responsible, I have had to forgo some unnecessary expenses...pedicures. Well, Deb came in town for Thanksgiving so as a special treat we decided to treat our feet to some pampering. I found my new favorite holiday color, Fi-Fi-Fo Plum by OPI. So cute but I haven't been able to find the actual color and the salon didn't have a bottle to sell. Boo! I do have cute toes though!

Besides a pedicure, Deb and I hung out with Jake and Brian at my new pad! We drank wine and played cards while Brian kept the fireplace going...it was so cozy! We spent thanksgiving dinner at Jake's aunt and uncles house in Raleigh. It was very fun but I was SO FULL. Jake made some homemade macaroni and cheese that was to die for. I think it had about a pound of cheese in it! I made Stacey's yummy scalloped corn which was fabulous!

The rest of the weekend was uneventful until I bought my Christmas tree!!! It is so cute and my house smells so lovely. It is a tradition in the Range family that every year we each get a new ornament. When we lived at home, my mom would give them to us when we put up the tree. Our tree would be full of all the ornaments from Christmas' past. Well, about 10 years ago my ornament box was misplaced and assumed lost so the only ornaments I had were the ones form the last 10 years. Well, when my parents came up for my birthday they surprised me with my lost ornament box. My dad cleaned out their storage unit and found them. It was such a treat to not only put up my tree but fill it with ornaments from my childhood. I have decided to share a few highlighted selections of my favorite or most interesting ornaments:

One of my oldest and obviously made with a pipe cleaner, glitter and part of an egg container. Very artistic!

This was purchased for me during my unicorn phase.

Another classic...gold spray paint and noodles...this beauty could be yours!

This Santa is actually an ornament of my mom's when she was a little girl. It's a bell, too!

Probably my most favorite ornament. I love my Paddington Bear! (He was in the "lost" box)

These next few illustrate that my parents think I enjoy the taste of alcohol.

One more "homemade" ornament. Noodles, fabric and a pantyhose egg!

Finally, my 2008 Christmas tree!!! It looks a little crooked...oops!

Always a bridesmaid...

I am always honored to be asked to stand up for my friends in their wedding. I love the planning and the showers and the parties...I just don't like the dress buying. This will be wedding number 7 for me...I am giving Katherine Heigl a run for her money.


I have been in every style and color you can imagine. From teal green with puffy sleeves (thanks sis) to a simple, re-wearable black (thanks Angie...your dress worked for two weddings). I've been in a short, strapless periwinkle number (this person will remain nameless*) and a long midnight evening gown (NY wedding...go figure!) Well, now I have been asked by a college roommate to be in her wedding. I am so excited! She is fun and hip and just a blast to be around. She is allowing us to pick our dress from four different styles. The only problem I have encountered is that I think she believes I belong in "Sex in the City". I wish I did, and I wish I could pull them off but...no way!

My options can be viewed below:

MS 128

MS 215

PB217

PB104

Feel free to vote and let me know which one you think is best!!!


Since I have some "being a wedding attendant" experience, I have also learned that designers want you to feel horrible about yourself. They not only size dresses way higher than your normal size but if you are over a size 12, they like to charge you more...all those extra bolts of fabric, you know. Well, I phoned a salon today to talk to someone about my measurements for ordering purposes, extra charge, etc.


Melissa Sweet (I chose MS 128) actually runs close to one's actual size compared to other designers. The girl on the phone told me that she is a size zero (of course she is) and with another designer she had to order a size 8 (gasp). Given my current measurements, I am one size in my bust and TWO sizes larger in my hips..UGH. Of course, I have to order the larger size...grrr. The two saving graces were 1) they only charge $10 if you are over a certain size and 2) the dress I picked tailors easily due to the side seams :) Bonus!


Now that changes in my life are coming to a close (I think changing jobs, moving and buying a home are enough for this year) this wedding is excellent motivation for me to get moving. Isn't life grand!

* A special thank you to Jessica for going with me to the salon run by 16 year olds to check out these dresses AND for trying them on. You are the best!

A Homeowner's First

So as you may have heard, NC has had some chilly weather...for this time of year. From what I am told, we usually do not get this chilly weather until January. So, due to this weather I was able to experience a homeowner first...a fire in my fireplace.

It was so warm and cozy!!!

Reflections

So this is very belated in coming but its been a bit of a crazy week at work. Lots of referrals, lots of people without insurance, etc. As this weekend approaches (or is here) I started thinking of last weekend in Cincinnati. I instantly started laughing and here are some highlights:

And last but certainly not least....

Medical Dictionary

So, I learned a new word today. A coworker told me that at 'rounds' this morning(when the doctors, nurses, social workers, etc. report on patients), a patient was referred to as a "tackle box." I do not condone using such slang terms to define a patient but I thought this one was pretty creative.


A tackle box is not this...

but this....

It refers to a person (in this case a woman) with multiple piercings. I thought that was pretty creative. Apparently, it is a pretty common slang term but I am old and out of the loop!!

A New Day!

I don't think I have words for the overwhelming emotions I am feeling right now. All I know is that I am excited for our future. Thank you for all of those who worked, donated, and volunteered to support our new President.

Change is here.

Election Day 2008

My top 5 favorite Obama buttons:

Birthday Weekend

So, I worked on Friday but my co-workers made my birthday very special. One brought me breakfast, one made me cookie cake (I don't like most real cakes) and of course, everyone was dressed up for Halloween. My parents came in for a visit and although it wasn't the normal intoxicated birthday I am used to, it was very fun.

My parents, co-worker Elizabeth and I went to my favorite Mexican place for dinner. Unbeknownst to me, a neighbor was at the restaurant and told them it was my birthday so I was forced to wear a giant sombrero as I was treated to fried ice cream...YUM!

The rest of the weekend was spent doing home improvements with my pops. My birthday present was a new ceiling fan and my handy dad installed it for me. I don't think he realized it was going to be a 8 hour project since we had some minor issues finding and installing the power switch. Poor dad spent most of the weekend in my attic and crawlspace above my room. The end result was a beautiful fan, although I don't think dad wants to come back for an home improvements anytime soon. I spent most of the weekend running tools back and forth from one crawl space to the other. I also schooled my mom in about 6 games of Scrabble which was fun too!!

A whole new way to waste my time...

So, Jessica kindly "tagged" me. No there was no running involved but nevertheless, I am going to play along.

The first part of the tag is to post the 6th picture from the 6th picture folder on your computers.

My computer is from work so I only have a minimum number of pics. This is my bedroom. It still looks pretty plain but I am working on hanging some photos. The other side of my room is actually very cool. The previous owners put in a wall of cedar built-ins. It is a whole wall of drawers and cabinets and it eliminates the need for a dresser. I LOVE THEM!

The second part of the tag is as follows:
1. Link the tagger and provide the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself.

3. tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving names and links to their blogs

4. let them know they have been tagged by leaving a note on their blog

Seven facts about me:

1) I am the youngest child of three. My older sibs are 6 and 10 years older so most people I grew up with thought I was an only child.

2) I recently moved to NC and it has been one of the scariest decisions I have ever made. The past 6 months have been full of constant growth and it has been exhausting but I do LOVE my new home.

3) I love and hate to admit that I watch teen shows. Dawson's Creek, 90210 (new and old version), One tree Hill...you name it. If the show is set in high school, I have probably watched one episode minimum. I actually had a great experience in high school and maybe it is because I did not have much drama then, that I need to fill my "older" life with teen angst. (I am actually watching OTH right now!)

4) I LOVE paper and pens. Seriously. Do not bring me to a Papyrus store or anywhere that sells school supplies because I could stay there for DAYS.

5) I have been to all 50 states minus Washington, Oregon, North Dakota, and Alaska. My parents were big into road trips so I had most of the east coast covered by the time I was 10. My brother helped with the west coast when we spent two weeks on a road trip after college. It was my graduation gift and surprisingly we didn't kill each other.

6) I have strange food issues: I like cherries but hate everything cherry flavored. I like ketchup and salsa but I cannot eat tomatoes by themselves. Oh, and I like milk with my pizza.

7) I secretly want to star in a movie. Not to be famous (paparazzi? No thanks!) but to experience seeing myself on the big screen. I think that must be so surreal.

I will not be tagging since most of us all link to each other so you gals took care of it :)

Busy trip...

So, I have returned from my chicago trip. It was FABULOUS. I packed a TON of stuff into one long weekend. Here's a brief recap with photos...

Thursday: Arrive 7:15am, take train and bus to old homestead, breakfast with Andrew, Chinatown with Deb, Dinner with Jake and Brian, out with the ladies to the Greek! (uh-oh...very fun!)

Friday: Lunch with Malin and visit to my old office, Lisa's house for Indian food and henna evening.

Saturday: Hair appointment, prep for Kelly's birthday party, celebrate with Kelly to bring in her 39th year! Highlights include Kelly walking around and asking everyone to "touch her cupcake"...a cupcake pin that she was wearing!

Sunday: Recover. I was fine but others needed liquid recovery help! Happy Birthday Kelly!

Good Mood...

So, over the past month or so I may no have been the happiest camper in the world. It's been a big adjustment (which I expected) but slowly I am settling in and making this my home. This weekend was full of many exciting things:

• I attended the state fair and had my FIRST and LAST deep fried Twinkie. It tasted good but I don't think the Bob or Jillian would promote eating these to get in shape.


• I hung pictures and unpacked my last box...SO EXCITING! My home is really starting to feel like MY HOME!


• I am officially a NC resident...I passed my Driver's Test!!


• Obama pulled one point ahead in NC...cross your fingers that we go BLUE this year!!!

I also have my upcoming Chicago trip and Cincinnati trip to look forward to and then after that is Thanksgiving when Jake, Brian and Deb are in town....oh, and I think I have a 33rd birthday in there somewhere. Anyway, since I was so productive this weekend, I can finally post some photos of the homestead...first is my kitchen from the door and then through the little cutout that looks out into my living room. I plan on painting soom cuz the walls are so drab.

Here's my fire place...

My bedroom (no pics on the wall yet!). This is looking in my room from my bathroom.

Here's the spare room...guests are welcome!!!

Sorry, no pics of the bathrooms, living room, laundry room or dining area yet. I thought this was a good start.