Fantasy Football Draft

While I consider myself a well-rounded girl, there are some things I simply am not. I'm not very athletic. I'm not a seafood lover. I'm not a short hair gal. I'm not a pro sports fan...

Or am I?

While my heart lies (and I feel will always lie) with college sports (Carolina football kicks off in t minus 11 days - be still my heart), pro football may be sneaking its way in my life. And as usual, we can thank TJ for this.

Y'all obviously know about my like love for T.J. Yates. I've said it once a million times and I'll say it again - T.J. Yates made me the college football fan that I am today. And now he's making me an NFL fan... sort of.

My allegiance is, of course, with college football and the most beautiful university in the country, BUT since T.J. is now in the NFL, I have the desire to follow pro sports. Enter "Yaters Gonna Yate."

Yaters Gonna Yate is the  name of the fantasy football team my dad and I drafted last night. The draft was incredibly fun/stressful! It went much faster than I thought and since I don't know a ton of NFL players, many decisions were made based upon "Oh, he's cute" or "Look at his smile! Let's draft him."

Well, the plan was to draft T.J. with the last pick in the draft (the other teams aren't exactly fighting over him), but somehow we miscounted and only had one pick left when we thought we had two!! We had to get a kicker because we hadn't gotten one yet, so this morning, as soon as we were allowed to add/drop players, I made this little change. 

Pending Add/Drops
Date & Time	Team	Add Player	Current Player	Status	Comment	Action
08/23/11 08:56 am ET	Yaters Gonna Yate	Yates, T.J QB HOU	Crabtree, Michael WR SF	Pending	Will be processed Wednesday morning (8/24)	Withdraw

Thank goodness. I don't think you understand the level of stress I had at our miscalculation last night.

So here is our team (substitute TJ for Crabtree). 

layer	Opp.	Weather	Bye	Avg	Proj	Own %	Start %	Status
Manning, Peyton QB IND	@HOU	Dome Sun 1:00pm	11	0.0	352.4	99	96	ActiveReserve
Green-Ellis, BenJarvus RB NE	@MIA	Dome Mon 7:00pm	7	0.0	149.0	97	72	ActiveReserve
Rice, Ray RB BAL	PIT	Sun 1:00pm	5	0.0	228.6	99	95	ActiveReserve
Harvin, Percy WR MIN	@SD	Dome Sun 4:15pm	9	0.0	126.8	96	38	ActiveReserve
Nicks, Hakeem WR NYG	@WAS	Sun 4:15pm	7	0.0	189.0	98	61	ActiveReserve
Rice, Sidney WR SEA	@SF	Sun 4:15pm	6	0.0	121.0	87	31	ActiveReserve
Olsen, Greg TE CAR	@ARI	Sun 4:15pm	9	0.0	82.0	59	26	ActiveReserve
Barth, Connor K TB	DET	Sun 1:00pm	8	0.0	108.1	7	3	ActiveReserve
Giants DST	@WAS	Sun 4:15pm	7	0.0	149.3	93	68	ActiveReserve
Addai, Joseph RB IND	@HOU	Dome Sun 1:00pm	11	0.0	140.2	89	20	ActiveReserve
Spiller, C.J. RB BUF	@KC	Sun 1:00pm	7	0.0	89.2	43	2	ActiveReserve
Amendola, Danny WR STL	PHI	Sun 1:00pm	5	0.0	103.2	59	21	ActiveReserve
Crabtree, Michael WR SF	SEA	Sun 4:15pm	7	0.0	102.8	89	41	ActiveReserve
Gonzalez, Tony TE ATL	@CHI	Sun 1:00pm	8	0.0	107.8	95	74	ActiveReserve
TOTALS

What do y'all think? I'd love to hear the opinion of someone who actually watches NFL games for more reason than a 3rd string quarterback crush.

California Loveee

Warning: This might be the most picture-filled post to date.

Sorry it's been a few days - I was off drinking wine in Napa, shopping in San Fran and turning 25 in the airport. No big deal!

Kidddddddding! It was the most amazing trip ever! Lauren and I got up bright and early for our 8 a.m. flight. We may or may not have started out our trip like this.

Airport Mimosas

A few hours, and two crazy plane rides full of characters later, we arrived in San Francisco. Our friend Justin picked us up and we immediately headed to Napa Valley to start sipping! We spent Friday afternoon, all day Saturday and most of the day Sunday indulging in wine tastings, buying bottles and wine and cheese for lunch and contemplating our move from Raleigh to Northern California. Some of my absolute favorite wineries included Franciscan, Sterling (complete with gondola ride), Castello di Amoroso, Chateau St. Jean, Mondavi, Sequoia Grove and Kenwood (champy!), but it's hard to narrow it down. They were all insanely beautiful with delicious wines. I learned so much and am looking forward to utilizing my knowledge at wine stores here! Here are a few of the sites from wine country (excuse the poor quality, these are phone pictures! I'll add more once I upload them from my camera)

Oak barrels used to store and age the wine.

Beautiful wine country.

Church in Castello di Amoroso

After several days of 100+ heat at home, this looks pretty nice!

Enjoying a bottle and snacks in gorgeous Sonoma

Castello di Amoroso

Sunday afternoon we headed to San Francisco. We spent most of our time there walking around and being huge tourists. I had to wear a sweater the whole time - it was in the 50s! We only had about a little over a day to enjoy San Francisco, so we took advantage of Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square near our hotel. Here are a few pictures from our time in San Francisco.

Sea lions at Pier 39. I wanted to bring one home!

One of the weirdest/coolest/proudest moments of the trip. We stopped in this random bar during Happy Hour and I immediately saw a He's Not bumper sticker. It turned out to be the official Alumni bar in San Fran. I proceeded to get really emotional and tell the Irish bartender (who'd never been to NC) all about beautiful Chapel Hill and the greatest school in the universe. (And of course, slipped in a Shammond and TJ reference!)

San Fran is a little different. We're friendly here in the South, but apparently in San Fran people think  you are automatic best friends. Later, this lovely fellow got kicked out of the restaurant and taunted everyone from the street window.

We had so much fun walking around Pier 39!

We left bright and early Tuesday morning (my birthday!) for the return trip. It was bittersweet - I absolutely adored California (especially wine country), but did miss the comforts and people of home. Most of my wonderful friends and family gave me money for my birthday to help fund the West Coast vacay (goodness gracious, California, you make Raleigh look like the dollar store), but there were a few surprises when I got home!

A Bailey Box from my too generous and amazing friends at Bailey's

The biggest surprise of them all: an Ippolita ring (now dubbed my official football ring) that I've been wanting since early in the year. Thanks Mom. :) Isn't it gorgeous?

South Carolina Peaches for a North Carolina Girl

My mom went down to my aunt's lake house near Clemson, S.C. over the weekend and returned with a basket full of fresh South Carolina peaches for me to enjoy.

Two of my aunts live in South Carolina and my grandmother lived there before she passed away about six years ago. I don't get down there as much as I used to since my grandmother's death, but I have really special memories of my time there.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm a Carolina girl all the way. See? Just by saying that I'm equating Carolina with North Carolina and I'm sure South Carolinians would argue their little Southern hearts out about it. But I love my state. I love that we are Southern enough without being over the top. I love that Chapel Hill is here. I love that shagging is the official dance of North Carolina, not South Carolina. I love Wrightsville more than I love Myrtle and absolutely nothing beats North Carolina barbecue.

But when I was younger, I used to go to my grandmother's house in Greenville, S.C. for a week or two each summer. My grandma was awesome. MaMa (pronounced MawMaw) was as Southern as they come. We used to always joke about her accent and made up a sentence that used all of the words she said extremely southern. "Let's dance (daaaantz) with Martha (Mahhhhhtha) in California (Caliphoneya) while Lindsay plays the yellow (yeller) piano (pianer)." For those of you that know me, it's really hard to justify me making fun of a Southern accent. My friends make fun of me all the time for the way I say my "own" words like "clown" and "downtown" and the way I say "chair." But MaMa's accent was perfectly Southern and when I made fun of it she said she was going to "snizzle snozzle" me which apparently means to "throw one on the ground, stop on you and spit on you." She adored her Clemson Tigers and knew more about ACC basketball than any person I've ever met. Some of my best memories are watching ACC games with her and everyone laughing at us both for knowing the names of the last players on the bench.

When I see one relative that I am most like, it is her. And that makes me smile. Southern to the core, stubborn as a mule, sports addict, fights hard and loves harder.

So when my mom brought home these incredible fresh SC peaches, I immediately thought of MaMa. When I would visit during the summer we'd end each day with fresh South Carolina peaches, either milk or chocolate milk and a viewing of Nick at Nite. Those were some of the most peaceful times I remember having.

MaMa, you'd be happy to know I'm going to my first ever Carolina (North, of course) v. Clemson game in Clemson this year with the aunts. You know I can't bring myself to pull for your Tigers and I'll be decked out in my Carolina blue, but I'll be thinking of you the whole time. Love you to the moon and back. :)

Updates (Because I'm An Awful Blogger!)

Hey y'all! I'm so sorry I've been m.i.a. lately. I've found myself in a strange place - I have more personal goals and motivation than ever, but I haven't had the desire to write about them. Maybe it's because I'm guarding them close to my heart? I don't know, but that has got to stop. This blog is an outlet for me and I value your opinions and love your input on anything and everything. My heart is just so full of love, motivation, ideas, etc. right now that I have trouble putting it all into words. Operation ODL is working wonders and I am finding such a sense of self in all of this. It is one of the absolute best feelings in the world. Here are some of my thoughts, goals, ideas at the moment. I'd absolutely adoreeee your input, ideas, suggestions on any/all.

1) I want to tone up. I know my weight is at a healthy range, but I've definitely got some toning to do. I'm trying to do this by making healthier food choices and increasing my exercise (a lot!). I've always had issues with my body, but I am more focused now and want to make changes while I'm young (I'll be the big 2-5 in less than a month!)

2) I want to do the best job possible at work. I absolutely adore my job. I am so blessed to walk into a job everyday where I get to write (my number one love), where I have the freedom to show creativity and where I work with clients that I absolutely adore (and who have become dear friends). PR has become one of the loves of my life and I am positive this is what I want to do with my life.

3) More school? Ok, ok, I know y'all have heard me say this before, but I am seriously thinking about going back to school. But this time it would be a program for executives, so that I am able to continue working at this job that I love. Carolina just began it's first year of an MBA program online that is getting amazing reviews and gives you the same masters as you would get if you were sitting in Kenan-Flagler. It's pricey, but I figure I will at least apply and see if I get in. Then I can make more decisions.

4) I want to love and love on my own terms.

5) I want to further explore my faith and my relationship with God. I want to use his love to fill me so that I can fill others.

6) I want to learn a foreign language.

7) I want to save money.

8) I want to do more freelance writing.

9) I want to travel.

These are just a few of the things on my list because there is so much going through my head right now (which is a wonderful, amazing, beautiful thing.) Please please please y'all let me know your opinions and ideas. They mean the world to me and I can't wait to hear them.

McAdoo Trial

Today at 2:30 p.m. in the Dirty D Michael McAdoo stands trial as he fights for reinstatment from the NCAA and the right to wear that sweet Carolina blue on the gridiron this fall. McAdoo is accused of taking about 100 for a hotel from Marvin Austin and receiving an hour's worth of free tutoring. He has paid back the money to a charity. It seems like the NCAA is trying to make an example out of this one. I'll keep you updated!

Have a great weekend, kiddos!

Said in the style of Katy Perry, "Last Friday Night." Enjoy your time away from work. :)

ODL Update

Hey sweet, sweet readers! How is everyone? What have you been up to? Did you have a fabulous 4th of July?

I've been busy spending time with family and friends and getting re-motivated about life in general.

I must say I believe ODL  (Operation Do Lindsay) is working. My spirits are lifted and I am all sorts of inspired and thankful.

I adore this picture of my brother and I. It was taken a couple of weeks ago in Asheville and it's one of the few pictures where one of us (read: usually him) isn't making a silly face. J'adore!

My most recent ODL effort includes signing up for a home delivery service of locally grown produce! I'm so excited to get my first delivery next week. Cooking is a HUGE stress reliever for me and cooking yummy, healthy veggies will only make me feel better. (Especially after I decided it was a faaaaaaaabulous idea to participate in a little 4th of July hot dog eating contest and downed - 5 - count them - 5 hot dogs complete with buns. Greatttt idea, Linds!)

Do y'all have any delish recipes for fresh veggies??  Please, please, please do share!

UNC Sports Round Up

It's been WAYYYY too ridiculously long since I've written about my Heels!

The bball boys had a press conference yesterday. Nothing really big or new, but this made me smile.

Henson's reaction to LDII's repeat criticism of UNC: "I guess he didn’t have the view that I had, but I love this place and love this school."

That makes my heart so happy.

The baseball boys are in the college world series and play Vandy today. If they lose they are out, so I am pulling hard here from my desk.

The football boys received the notice of allegations yesterday which basically states everything the NCAA says we did wrong. We have 90 days to respond. 

Spin Wildly :)

“If you’re feeling frightened about what comes next, don’t be. Embrace the uncertainty. Allow it to lead you places. Be brave as it challenges you to exercise both your heart and your mind as you create your own path towards happiness, don’t waste time with regret. Spin wildly into your next action. Enjoy the present, each moment, as it comes; because you’ll never get another one quite like it.”

And relax...

Beach Bound Tomorrow :)

Currently Craving...

I'm having some weird cravings today. Normally I don't share my cravings because I feel like it makes me sound ungrateful. How can I want things when I have this ridiculously rich and amazing life? But these are silly things and I acknowledge how incredibly blessed I am, so why not?

A Turkey Club from Cafe Meridian. Seriously, this is the best thing about Durham. I could eat this sandwich every day of my life. Yummy turkey,  TONS of bacon, swiss, dijonaise on toasted bread...perfection. There are few things I miss about the Dirty D. This is definitely one of them. Too bad it would take me my whole lunch break to drive there and back.

A run. Now this is weird for me. I don't really like running. At least that's what I think. But I'm competitive. Super competitive. And I ran a 5k the other day and all I could think was, "I want to do this again immediately. I want to train and beat my time." Runs also make me feel detoxified and healthy which is something I need right now.

 Los Angeles (and surrounding areas). I read a blog this morning that included pictures of LA and I was immediately filled with nostalgia. It's funny. I've been so blessed to have a wonderful family that has allowed me to travel since I was young. They've taken me all over Europe and America, I've eaten at the best restaurants and had the best wines. But LA represents something completely different to me. I traveled to LA twice the summer after I graduated from college. My boyfriend at the time had moved there for an internship. I had no money, but I knew I had to get out there so I did odd jobs to get money. I babysat, I (gasp!) cleaned floors, I organized the pantry... anything I could do to get money. I was young and in love and counted down the days to see my best friend. Once there I barely had any money to do anything. But it didn't matter. We drove around and I immediately fell in love with the scenery - everything from the laid back beaches to the ridiculous night life. We didn't have money for fancy restaurants so we'd sit on the couch in our hotel room and eat cheese and crackers and sip rum and diet cokes. I have never been so poor or so happy.

Relaxation Station. Lucky for me I get to fill this craving in about 48 hours. The relaxation station is basically the greatest invention ever invented. You get to relax all day, drink beer (normally I'm not a beer drinker, but lake/ocean beers are totes a different story) and forget that you have a life other than that. Perfection.

Basketball. I played basketball for 13 years. I have never been particularly athletic and basketball was something I knew how to do. I was never great, but I was always an important part of my team. I miss the confidence that gave me. I miss the competitiveness of basketball. I miss hanging out with my teammates.

Literary Inspiration...

I have been reading a new book, Grace (Eventually) by Anne Lamott,  and have been touched by some of the quotes in it.

"See, sometimes, if you're lucky, you get to a point where you're sick of a problem, or worn down by tinkering with it, or clutching to it. And letting it go, maybe writing it down and sending it away, buys you some time and space, so maybe freedom and humor sneak in -- which is probably what you were praying for all along." 

Goodness gracious, how true and how powerful!

"These are the words I want on my gravestone: that I was a helper and that I danced."


I'd add one more: that I thought with my heart. It's one of my biggest strengths and biggest weaknesses, but it is who I am.

"Perhaps everything terrible is, in its deepest being, something that needs our love."


I believe this 2,000,000 percent.

I'm so grateful for the ability of other's words to touch my heart. Reading is such a gift!

What books/quotes from books have spoken to you? I'd love to hear them! 

Thanks Mom :)

I realize this is late, but I spent the weekend at the beach with my mom, so I think she'll forgive me if this post is a day tardy.

You know those things you don't realize until your older? Like the fact that bangs are generally a bad idea, middle parts only work if you have a professional hair stylist, cheap liquor is not your friend and nothing beats a quiet night at home with your head in a book and your face covered in a thick, night cream? Well, I think how great moms are is another one of those things.

Sure you love your mom and depend on her for everything (literally) when you're young, but there are just some things that you learn to appreciate as an adult.

My mom sacrificed a lot for me when I was young, but I had no idea. She never complained, I never went without and she always had a smile on her face. She let me make "cakes" (concoctions of whatever I wanted to mix together from the spice cabinet, refrigerator and pantry) when money was tight, she played with me every afternoon after a long tiring day in the office and she made me the center of her universe day in and day out. That is an amazing mom.

My mom is everything I want to be when I grow up (I've pushed my official grown-up start date back to 30...). She is beautiful. She is smart (so incredibly smart). She is kind. She is gracious. She is fun. I hope one day I'm half the mom to little Leighton and Campbell (my latest future kids' names - unisex) that she has been and continues to be to me.

Even as an adult, I've relied on my mom. I've probably relied on her more as an adult. I seek her wisdom and counsel and know I can go to her without fear of judgment. She is amazing.

Thank you mom for being my guiding light, my role model, my inspiration and my best friend. I love you very much. :)

I'm TJ Yates and I'm a ... Houston Texan

The NFL Draft wrapped up over the weekend and the Tar Heels had a record-setting 9 players picked, including, sweet baby Teej. TJ went in the fifth round to the Houston Texans and I could not be more excited. It seems to be a good situation for him and Houston plays an offence almost identical to ours.

Obviously, I'm now the world's biggest Houston Texans fan! I'm so grateful he didn't go somewhere gross like New York or New England. Let's keep Teej in the South where he belongs. Next unnecessary purchase: A "Yates" Houston Texans jersey, obv. :)

TGIF y'all!

Happy Friday, kiddos! It's been a good week and I thought I'd express some thanks on this beautiful, sunny Friday.

Today I'm thankful for:

• sunshine
• lunch with mom and the rooms
• thursday funday
• my 5k tomorrow
• heartfelt e-mails from new friends
• my car
• surprising good news
• panera's breakfast sandwiches (whoa! had my first one today and it was absolutely amazing!)
• the windows in my office
• green tea
• my new shoes that were 40 percent off (aren't they both presh?)

10 Questions

1. What is your favorite word? Love. There is nothing better than the moment when someone says that word to you and truly means it with every ounce of his being.

2. What is your least favorite word? Divorce.

3. What turns you on? Perfect moments. I guess that's obvious, but I love those moments where you say, "Wow. This is my life. I am so incredibly blessed. Let's take it in for a minute." Mine usually involve my best friends, wine and music; Cute boys who play sports.


4. What turns you off? Meanness. Jealousy. Judgement (I need to work on this!)

5. What sound do you love? The ocean; the sound a basketball makes when it echoes in a gym

6. What sound do you hate? Yelling. Too much talking (Again, guilty! Something to work on)

7. What is your favorite curse word? D-it.

8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt? I wish I was artistic.

9. What profession would you not like to do? Anything involving math.

10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? "You've been a good person, Lindsay. Your heart is in the right place. I wish you hadn't worried so much. I am especially fond of you." :) 

One Month Challenge: Be Present

In reading another blog, I came across the idea to challenge myself to live in the present, all the time, at every moment, for one month.

This will be hard for me. This will be hard for me not because I do a terrible job of living in the present, in fact, I'm pretty good at it. This will be hard for me because I am pretty good at living in the past, present and future. Let me clarify.

I think I have moments where I am awesome at living in the present. Seriously. I can't count the number of times I have told everyone around me to be quiet because this is the kind of moment that I love. I'm pretty good at that. Those moments often include wine and music, sometimes include basketball and sleep, but always include good people.

I also am awesome at living in the past and the future. I constantly dwell on the past, how much I miss college, how much I miss my relationship, etc. I also am always planning for the future imagining how I'll have a big house  with columns and hydrangeas and worrying that I'll have no one to share it with.

During this month I want to take the emphasis from the past and future and place them on the present. Help keep me accountable, readers?

Monday Morning Review: ECSTATIC Style

He's baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacccckkkkkk.

Harrison announced today that he will return to UNC for his sophomore season, joining Tyler Zeller and John Henson in their earlier decisions.

I loved his statement.

"As an 18-year old, I'm in the early stages of my life journey," Barnes says. "I'm honored and blessed for the chance to play in the NBA. And because of my family, teachers, passion, and work, I have the ultimate dream of one day playing and experiencing a fulfilling career in the NBA.

"Opportunities, both beneficial and life changing, can seem to make the next phase of my journey an easy decision. But I am a student-athlete at the University of North Carolina. I'm here to experience college life, grow as a person, receive a quality education, and be part of the greatest basketball family in college sports.

"The experiences I've enjoyed on and off the court will be invaluable. These experiences will help fuel my journey in the NBA and beyond.

"I look forward to meeting the challenging journey in the NBA, but my decision on November 13, 2009, still holds true. I'm focused on being a student-athlete. And my decision is to continue this part of my journey at the University of North Carolina.

"As a team, we're preparing for a special season. My off-season plans are to diligently work on honing my basketball skills in all areas with one team-goal in mind -- to bring the 2012 national championship home to UNC."

The great thing is, as much talent as next year's team will have, I think they have equally, if not more, heart. Those are some loveable boys and I cannot wait to watch them play. Let's go Heels!

Fashion Fix: New Football Dress

Eeeeek, y'all! Most of you know that not only do I love a good football dress, but that I also think a good football dress plays a crucial role in what kind of season your football team will have. Last year, I had the perfect football dress. It got us to a bowl game, which we won, despite losing 13 players. I'll take it. 

In all honesty, I was perfectly content to keep the same football dress this year. It did well last season, it's the perfect shade of Carolina blue and it fits like a glove. Yes, I was perfectly content until I was pajama shopping at Needham Lane and found this little baby.

Are you in love? The picture does not do it justice. I quickly ordered one (thanks Mom, for the Easter present!) and it arrived yesterday. It is fabulous. I tried it on and danced around the house pretending I was sipping champy at a tailgate and listening to "Carolina Girls" before walking into Kenan and watching TJ throw for a touchdown. Only four months to wait...

Big Z and Sweet Baby Henson...

...announced yesterday they are returning for next season. We have yet to hear from Harrison. Here's hoping...

New Perspective

I woke up this morning grateful and renewed.

My favorite days are when I wake up and read my devotional and it speaks to what I am feeling. It could be that I'm feeling sad and need comfort or it could be that I'm feeling great and the devotion just reinforces that. Today was a case of the latter.

Today's devotion spoke of not worring so much about the things that are wrong or the things that need to be "fixed," because when we focus on those, we take away our ability to enjoy everything around us. We need to focus on the good things and all the beauty in this world. Once we do that and enjoy every minute, the things that we thought needed to be "fixed" will fall into place.

Perfect.

Love letters

Below is a letter from Zelda Fitzgerald to her husband, the famous F. Scott. Now most of y'all know I have a huge literary crush on F. Scott. I'm madly in love with his writing and the picture he is able to paint with words. And, I'm equally in love with this love letter. I adore this letter, in fact. I adore this letter because it is so imperfect. It shows that there can be some madness in love and that things aren't always fairy tale. (Let's ignore the fact that Zelda spent many years suffering from mental illness). This.is.real.love. Gatsby and Daisy love. Here's to real love, however mad it may be. :)

Spring 1919

Sweetheart,

Please, please don't be so depressed -- We'll be married soon, and then these lonesome nights will be over forever -- and until we are, I am loving, loving every tiny minute of the day and night -- Maybe you won't understand this, but sometimes when I miss you most, it's hardest to write -- and you always know when I make myself -- Just the ache of it all -- and I can't tell you. If we were together, you'd feel how strong it is -- you're so sweet when you're melancholy. I love your sad tenderness -- when I've hurt you -- That's one of the reasons I could never be sorry for our quarrels -- and they bothered you so -- Those dear, dear little fusses, when I always tried so hard to make you kiss and forget --

Scott -- there's nothing in all the world I want but you -- and your precious love -- All the material things are nothing. I'd just hate to live a sordid, colorless existence -- because you'd soon love me less -- and less -- and I'd do anything -- anything -- to keep your heart for my own -- I don't want to live -- I want to love first, and live incidentally -- Why don't you feel that I'm waiting -- I'll come to you, Lover, when you're ready -- Don't don't ever think of the things you can't give me -- You've trusted me with the dearest heart of all -- and it's so damn much more than anybody else in all the world has ever had --

How can you think deliberately of life without me -- If you should die -- O Darling -- darling Scott -- It'd be like going blind. I know I would, too, -- I'd have no purpose in life -- just a pretty -- decoration. Don't you think I was made for you? I feel like you had me ordered -- and I was delivered to you -- to be worn -- I want you to wear me, like a watch -- charm or a button hole boquet -- to the world. And then, when we're alone, I want to help -- to know that you can't do anything without me.

I'm glad you wrote Mamma. It was such a nice sincere letter -- and mine to St. Paul was very evasive and rambling. I've never, in all my life, been able to say anything to people older than me -- Somehow I just instinctively avoid personal things with them -- even my family. Kids are so much nicer.

J'Adore

Going Away Party

Warning: This post is to share a party menu with you, but it may get a little emotional first.

Saturday I'm hosting a going away party for one of my friends. One of my best friends in the whole entire world is going to the Coast Guard. C is one of those friends who has the ability to make anyone feel better about anything. I ALWAYS have fun when I'm with him and he's served the role of both big brother and partner-in-crime. He's not the friend that I see everyday, but he's the friend that I could count on everyday. And he's leaving for the coast guard. Sighhh.

That being said, there is a party to be had. C's mom and I are doing all the cooking and I must say the menu is a pretty fantastic one. We decided to with lots of appetizers and just let everyone munch and drink all night.

Here is our menu:

• spinach dip
• mexican dip
• corn salsa
• buffalo chicken dip
• jalapeno popper dip
• meatballs
• deviled eggs
• pigs in a blanket
• ham rollups
• sausage balls
• sausage dip
• cheesecake stuffed chocolate cake
• some cookies yet to be determined.

Delish right? Think everyone will have their fill of dips when it's over? I'm thinking of setting it up like a dip bar with several different things (potato chips, tortilla chips, pita chips, veggies) to dip. Cute?

Catching Up...

Oh, y'all. I am all kinds of awful and have not updated in way too long. Please, please forgive me! I guess this post will be a mash-up of many things.

First and most importantly, my Heels tourney run is over. They did an amazing job and lost in the Elite 8 to Kentucky. Nobody expected this team to go as far as they did and I am so incredibly proud of them. I usually have this awful, sick-to-my stomach feeling after losing the NCAA, but this year all I felt was pride. This team is one of the most likeable teams I can remember and I'm so proud of them. I mean, just look at the picture above. How can you NOT love those faces? I'm hoping the fact that we didn't win it all means HB, Z and Henson will all be back next year. Can you imagine? If they all come back, we are probably pre-season favorites to win it all. Boys, thank you for an amazing season. I love each and every one of you.

On another basketball note, last Saturday was Dave Telep's Carolina Challenge. I've worked at the Challenge for about the past five years and it is always one of my favorite days of the year. While this year didn't have a John Wall (though many underclassmen seriously impressed me), this year's Challenge was one of my favorites yet. I saw kids with great character and that makes me smile.

Now that bball season is over (okay, I guess there is still that business of a National Championship, but with us and all other ACC teams out of it, I don't care tooooo much), it's time for football. In a week and a half, we'll be heading over to Craige to tailgate for Spring Football. I can't wait. I know it's going to be bittersweet without Teej, but I'm sure I'll manage. Now, here is the big question. Old football dress or new football dress. I really like my old football dress better, but should I freshen things up for a new season. Thoughts?

Well, I've Been Blessed by the Grace of Southern Charm...

I have lived in two cities my entire life, each a mere 25 miles from the other. I was born in Raleigh, NC and have lived here for all of my 24 years on this earth with the exception of four in college when I lived in Chapel Hill, NC. For those of you who aren't local, let me tell you a little about each.

Raleigh is the capitol of North Carolina and is the second largest city in the state (behind Charlotte). In recent years, Raleigh has grown like crazy. I've always thought Raleigh was the best of both worlds - not giant enough to be considered "city life," but still big enough where there is plenty to do and see. It's a nice Southern city, but not too country (in fact, I recently read where we are among the top cities in the country for the number of college educated people).

Chapel Hill is about 25 miles west of Raleigh and is, in my mind, heaven. It's a small town that houses the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - one of the best public universities in the nation. It's a very eclectic town with people from all different types of backgrounds. The campus (which takes up a good chunk of the town) is gorgeous. Through the middle of Chapel Hill runs Franklin Street. Franklin Street is full of some of the best restaurants in America and fun bars. I.love.Chapel Hill.

The two are very different cities, but I've been blessed to live in both. I'm so grateful to be from the South. When I was younger I used to think I wanted to live in New York City, that's what writers are supposed to do, after all. Now I can't imagine it. I know every Southerner thinks this and every Northerner scoffs, but there is something so amazing about the South. A few of my favorites.

• Accents. My accent is one of my absolute favorite things about myself. It's Southern and cute, while not being over-the-top - at least not for Raleigh. When I go out of the South people seem to notice it immediately.
• Hydrangeas. Do they have these in the North? I don't think so. Even if they do, there is something quintessentially Southern about them. I'm going to have Carolina blue hydrangeas at my wedding and a bed of them in my yard.
• Family. Family reigns supreme in the South. I live a mile from each of my parents.
• Food. Southern cuisine is amazing. Especially now with award-winning chefs taking modern twists on it. HEAVEN.
• College sports. College sports are huge here. As March Madness gets started today, I know more than a few people who have taken off work. While Carolina and  Duke reign supreme in basketball, football is just as popular. Y'all know I have a love affair with tailgates and wearing pretty dresses to games. I don't think they wear dresses to games up North.
• Barbeque. Eastern style. Enough said.
• Beach music. That beer-drinking music. That shagging music. Nothing warms my heart like beach music.
• The beach. And the mountains. Raleigh is two hours from each. Perfection.
• Dogwood trees.

ACC Tourney Madness (to be followed by March Madness)

My apologies for being extremely late on this post! Things have been crazy with work, roomies' bday, coaching the boys' bball team, etc. But excuses are good for nothing and so I will begin.

Friday, the bball boys took on Miami in the ACC Tournament. We were not playing well at all. We were down 19 at one point. We never lead the game....until the final buzzer. Yep, that's right kids. Z hit a basket at the buzzer to win the game. HB went off near the end of the game to get us back in it and we closed it with the Z basket on a crucial Kendall Marshall assist.

Saturday, the Heels started off slow again, digging themselves a 16 point hole against Clemson. Really Heels? Like to give me heart attacks much? At least Harrison feels bad for my  heart and went on a scoring rampage to bring us back within single digits. We took the game to overtime and won. Harrison finished with 40. Yes 4-0.

That leads us to Sunday where an epic matchup was set for the title game - UNC v. Dook. Andddd the matchup was about the only thing epic about it. We did not play well at all. Y'all know I don't like to talk about the sad games so that will be it for that game description. Hopefully it was a wake up call for the Heels.

We got a #2 seed in the East region of the NCAA Tourney. I like the region because we get to play our first couple games in CharChar, but I dislike the region because it is loaded. #1 Ohio State is the best team in the nation and Kentucky and Syracuse are the #3 and #4 seeds, respectively. It will take some work to get out of that braket alive. But who knows, this team might just be crazy enough to do it. GO HEELS!

(Close to) Monday Morning Review

Happy Tuesday kiddos! And a very happy one indeed as the bball boys handled Dook on Saturday at the Dean Dome. Yes my friends, it was a magical day that started with Daddy and I scoring a front porch table at the Inn. I should have known then things were going our way. A front porch table at the Inn on a pretty Saturday in March is unheard of... add Dook game to the mix and it's impossible.

We enjoyed two or three hours of beer, wine and truffle oil french fries (yum!) and then headed to the game. The Heels lead the whole way and we won by 14. I have never heard the Dean Dome so loud! It was one of those perfect days.

The win clinched the ACC title for us. We head into the ACC tournament this weekend as the 1 seed and will play the winner of Miami v. Virginia.

I am really proud of this team. They are incredibly resilient. They could have folded when they lost a few unexpected games early. They could have imploded when Larry Drew II decided he was too good for us. Not to mention, we just found out Reggie Bullock is out for the season with a knee injury. This team just keeps pushing and pushing. I love it. Cannot wait for the tourney this weekend!!