Yay!

I know, I know... I have been bad about my blogs this week! But... I have been super busy! Busy Bee I say! Cannot wait to have a moment to breathe. But until look at my precious little dancers that were crowned Queen and Princess last night!!

Love you girls!!

The First Dance

Welcome to Wedding Wednesdays where I gush about every detail of planning my wedding! 

I am fascinated with the music people chose for their wedding. I think that it says a lot about them. Did they go with a standard? Something very independent? Or perhaps just personal? There are so many to choose from!! I just love it! 

Stud Muffin and I really didn’t have to search for our First Dance Song. We have known what it would be for a while. It is a song that we loved when we were first dating and it has always just sort of been “our song”. Not that it is the most perfect first dance song or that others will love it but we do and I think that is all that matters.

Am I going to tell you what it is? Nope. I will tell you this; it is by what some people would call a one hit wonder. Me? I have heard this person’s music forever so I know better. It is a love song of sorts but not really something you would expect to hear at a wedding. And… I am using the acoustic version. One more hint it was released in 2004. That is all ya get til June.

So what about you? What did you dance to on your “Big Day” or what do you think you would like to dance to? I would love to hear!!

How Does This Happen?

Taking a break today from my crazy ramblings about all things College Football. 

Today, what is happening to all our football players? Why the suicide? Why the sudden death? 

Last Friday Reggie Garrett, a 17 year old high school quarterback in Beaumont, Texas, collapsed after throwing a TD pass. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. The cause is still unknown. WHAT?!! 

How does this happen? Are these kids being worked too hard? Are they not being monitored closely enough after a hard hit? 

It was reported that Garrett had battled seizures but that it is uncommon to tell someone with seizures that they can't play football. Really??? Because it seems like a BIG RED FLAG to me! When did he begin having seizures? Could it be that they were caused by a blow to the head! And maybe they were not caused by football at all. I just think that we really need to watch these kids. Sure, I want to win just as much as the next guy (if not more!) but if you have to give up a W, a playoff game, a chance at the State or National Title to save a life... Can't we all agree that is more important? 

The NCAA took some precautions towards player safety this year but not enough if you ask me. 

*Players can no longer create the 3 man wedge on a kick off return. (This rule was used in the NFL last year and only called a few times.) The penalty is 15 yards. That's a biggie.
*No more toughing it out! Injured players must be cleared by a doctor before returning to play.
Now sure this rule sounds good but... I don't trust all those Doctors. How do you know they aren't thinking sure he can make it 2 more quarters and then we will deal with the injury?! Perhaps the kids should have Dr. and Mother approval before heading back out onto the field. 

Now, I won't harp too much on the next subject as I will just mention it because I think it is tragic. 

Studies are popping up linking head injury to suicide. Sadly, there are several suicides in the football community. While I hope and pray that my favorite Saturday activity is not what is causing these things, perhaps these findings will lead to a deeper look into the safety of those young men! 

Kenny McKinley, Denver Broncos. Apparent Suicide 9/20/2010

Owen Thomas, Penn State University, Suicide April 2010.

Let's hope that we each remember to thank God for each day and not take anything or anyone for granted.  

Packing Like A Pro

Because I live out of my suitcase most of the year, I have decided to share with you the things I find helpful while living on the road and in airports.

After reading that one of my dearest friends had 17 bags to travel with, I decided I should post about how to pack for travel on and off airplanes. (I realize I do not have children but... surely I could help in some way!) 

Today's lesson:  Packing for flight.

So... here is the deal. First thing first... you need a rolling duffel people. 

Why do I say you need a duffel and not a regular old suitcase? Weight. If your bag weighs over 50 pounds then it is going to cost ya. So, get a bag that weighs less to begin with and you will be off to a good start. 

My second favorite thing to use when packing:  Ziploc Bags!

And yes, I label them.

First of all, Ziploc makes so many different sizes it is fabulous! You can put all your little things together which is nice. All my socks in one bag. All my tanks in one bag. My dance shoes always get a bag because they are stinky. When traveling for a weekend to judge dance competitions, I normally put each outfit in a ziploc and the very best part... when you get them in there and no air is with it.... NO WRINKLES!!

You can fit so much more in your bag with the ziplocs. Plus, they stay organized. 

Notice that I labeled how many leotards where in the bag... That is so I come home with the same things I left with. I need to be kept in check sometimes. 

• Always check to see if you can do laundry where you are going because that saves TONS of space.
• When packing your shoes, keep to the basics unless absolutely necessary as they weigh the most. 
• If you are going to be gone for a long time buy your shampoo and things when you get there. 
• Read and understand the airport security rules. Nothing is more annoying than the guy that packs his toiletries in the carry on and then loses them all. 
• Write down everything you want to take versus what you NEED to take. 
• Try to limit yourself to one bag as a carry-on. Put your laptop inside another bag that can be used as a carry on so that you are walking around with less at the airport. 
• And for the LOVE... Please do not put your coat in the overhead until everyone has boarded the plane. Because if I need the space I WILL move your coat! 

25 Things Random About Me!

I have seen several blogs this week with this title! So… I decided to hop on the bandwagon!

25 Random Things about Me!

1. I have been to 49 of the 50 United States. I only lack Alaska.
2. On Thursday September 16^th I realized I had been at home for an entire month!
3. I have not been at home for more than 4 straight weeks since sometime in 2008.
4. My apartment is one room. That’s it. And it seems to be all I need.
5. In my first NYC apartment, the shower was in the kitchen.
6. In this apartment, I sleep next to the stove.
7. I love NYC and don’t mind my living situations being strange.
8. I HATE WINTER with a passion. HATE IT!
9. Snow makes me want to cry.
10. I love hot chocolate and could drink it every day.
11. I was a Yankee fan BEFORE I met Stud Muffin and BEFORE I moved to NYC.
12. I always laughed at girls who were consumed by wedding planning… then I got engaged!
13. I reserve the right to change my mind at any moment.
14. I never wanted to get married until I met Stud Muffin.
15. As of today, I still do not want to have children. I love my SCD Kids and that is good enough for me! I would jump in front of a bullet for them.
16. I am crazy clumsy. (I broke 3 things in 3 days time this week.)
17. I feel like something is missing when I go more than a day without speaking with My Mom.
18. Sitting in traffic does not bother me one bit if I am alone in the car.
19. If I had tons of money I would spend it to expand the arts programs in my hometown.
20. When women breast feed in public it makes me extremely uncomfortable. Not saying it’s wrong, it just makes me all jittery.  
21. I think the fact that my parents supported my crazy ideas and dreams my entire life is one of the greatest gifts they could ever give me!
22. I love being from Oklahoma!
23. If I couldn’t dance and sing for a living I would want to be a College Football Analyst.
24. One of the happiest days of my life is when I got my reduction! (more on that later, I promise!)
25. I was once told I would never make it in this business because I had a great childhood. If that is the case, I am okay with that. My Daddy and Mommy are the best & I am ultra fortunate to have the childhood I had!