ugh...warning... we're going there

Okay. This awkward moment happened so many times at work in my life, but especially this week and I thought if this keeps happening to me, it happens everywhere. Where do you "go" at work? Are you on a schedule? Do you have a special, isolated place? Well, let me tell you about mine. There are roughly 100 adults who are employed and 4 (literally) toilets. There are student bathrooms everywhere but so many shady things go on in there I would need a space suit and that cool machine from Men In Black to erase my memories. So with the awful ratio of adults:toilets, this leads to a lot of awkward moments. Everything about the entire situation is so embarrassing. Not really so sure why, everyone goes and when folks don't go we spend all kind of money on prunes, medicines, canned pears, coffee, fiber bars, fiber pills, even more coffee, (not that I have experience in this problem) to succeed in this going goal. But yes although it is super necessary (required, I think we signed some kind of contract) we all pretend that when we hear the awful "ughhh...just a minute" that the person doing this mysterious and shameful act should not know that we are aware of their decision to commit this act. I have literally walked on the balls of my feet in order to avoid the person on the other side of the forbidden wall. Earlier this week I was making copies in the downstairs work room where one of the 4 bathrooms is located. As I was making the copies a male co-worker came out of the bathroom with the same shame someone would have if their grandmother caught them with a Playboy. I totally felt his projected embarrassment and avoided every sort of eye contact possible. My obsessive staring at the floor screamed "I am aware of what you just did but I will deny this knowledge until the grave". Although I spend 50+ hours in this building and mathematically this situation would occur but still...it just seems unnatural. I don't really know how to escape this potty dance. I do know that one should avoid a certain room from 2-3PM. If you've found this blog fellow co-worker, rest assured I will continue avoiding your "time" and most importantly your eyes after the dirty deed.

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

sweet nothings

Maybe I don't get paid a lot, maybe I am expected to do a lot of insane things that are nowhere even a tad bit close to my job description, perhaps my job might or might not be taken away because of some insane test that I don't teach any of the subjects on but I still get evaluated on, perhaps I want to take percocet on the hour, and it is true that I blame all my wrinkles on my job which makes me furrow my brow about 99% of the time, yes it is true that most people think I just sing all day and my job is "really fun" and I get to hear things like "I wish I could just stop working and start teaching...so fun!!!" etc but I don't think many people get unexpected surprises like this one. A sweet, thoughtful student brought this to me today. Unexpected, for nothing special, just because she likes me, flower. I mean, can you believe it? I was so surprised and excited you would have thought she brought me buckets of gold. Did you get an unexpected rose at your 6 figure job today? I didn't think so.

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

Happy Birthday Sam!!!

Happy, happy birthday for my wonderful, creative, funny cousin Sam! I hope you had a wonderful day :)

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

In the Heights

Another super illegal picture. You're welocme.

Being so cultured I recently attended "In the Heights" with my lovely friends John and Ryan. I have known John and Ryan for many years but recently become better friends with them a la Kelly. As strange as it is since I've moved back to Nashville the amount of shows should have increased but quite the opposite. When I was in a small college town surrounded by people who loved dorky music things as much as I did, I frequented shows constantly. Took them for granted. Went to great, awful, professional, amateur, awkward, beautiful, tragic... shows. I used to almost cringe when I had to go to shows, now I yearn for those quiet minutes of prepared glory. P would rather eat dirt than go to a musical with me...especially a musical with multiple ballads, dance numbers, and...Spanish (which someone might or might not have failed...) so I hate making us go, spend $100.00 on something I know he will hate. So thank God I have new friends who enjoy seeing people sing and dance at the same time. So yes, I went and saw "In the Heights" with John and Ryan and had a wonderful time. P said hands down this was his famous musical ever. After work we met at 3 Crow Bar in Green Hills. I arrived before my friends to a sea of...men... strait men, watching sports. Not that I was looking, but if someone was single in Nashville and looking for a fun happy hour, perhaps they should frequent 3 Crow Bar for the happening happy hour scene. Anyway, we met had half price drinks and appetizers and left for our swanky orchestra seats. Oh, did I forget to mention? Ryan works at Vanderbilt and got amazing, center, exclusive tickets. Whatever, we're kind of a big deal. So yeah, anyway, we saw the show. I really enjoyed the urban, hip, new plot line and music. I thought the show had perhaps a few too many ballads but overall, it was enjoyable and I was glad I went. The company was amazing and it provided an opportunity for me to act piously at other friends for my constant support of the performing arts. I also listen to NPR. I'm super cool...or an eternal nerd trying to fool you. Is it working?

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

Alyson's baby shower!

This weekend I hosted a baby shower with my Mom, Mrs. Alicia and Kelly for our dear Princess Alyson. It does not seem real that Alyson is having a baby because I remember going to Universal Studios with Alyson when she as in fifth grade and she still wore a hair bow and wanted to hold hands (not cool for an 8th grader). Now she is all grown up, married and expecting a baby girl on May 19th. We had a huge shower for friends and family. Everything went very well and I think everyone had a lot of fun! I have to say the preparation kind of took over my life and I got more in touch with my domestic side than I would ever like to know. For all of my loyal readers please know that she has been stowed away...far, far away and will not return for sometime. She is tired. Sore. It's like when you never work out and then you go and try to run 12 miles. The next day your body is in shock. What have you done to me? How and why does this hurt? But this time it's not my quads who are screaming... it's my domestic inner goddess (egh let's go with dutchess). She is rarely used and all the sudden I expected her to run a marathon. She is not happy. I'm sorry domestic Natalie, you have earned a vacation and lean cuisines will once again consume our lives. Okay enough with the Sybil personalities and back to the shower. Friday night we started the marathon by working all night on the arrangements, decorations, and food (Alicia pictured right creating the beautiful flower masterpieces). P said the boa made our house look rather burlesque but I thought our late night preparations were rather adorable. Alyson looks amazing and continues to do boot camp while expecting. Amazing. Probably one of the sweetest parts of the entire day was my Dad and Mr. Ron parking and moving cars so that all 35 guests could be in our house! They worked the entire shower and moved cars in the nasty rain! As always, I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful family; I guess it really does take a village. Below are pictures of my house engulfed in pink. Right out of Southern Living, right?

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

lost and found

The weather has been AMAZING lately and I have been riding my bike Lance Armstrong style... except not on main roads because that is so annoying, and with out spandex because that is gross, and I don't wear a helmet or have a crew that rides with me, but other than yes me and Lance are twinkies. I've been finding a lot of fun trails in suburbia and decided to use my ancient iphone to chronicle my adventures.

Found: Historic school where Davy Crockett went to school. Lots of years later my Mom was in the Davy Crockett pageant, I think.

Found: The train. Who rides the train anymore?

Found: Indian mound. When I was little I thought they were so spooky. Kind of still do.

Found: Pretty stream where teenage kids get their kiss on. Totally should have tried to stalk them and take pics but I chickened out!

Lost: Well perhaps not lost... let's go with eternally searching for the inner skinny.

For Natalie's News this has been a somewhat sore, Natalie-Corinne.

taco truck success

Saturday night was so much fun! We all really enjoyed being autenticos (cannot figure out how to add accent marks) hipsters for a night. You know the really annoying types of gringo who will attempt to tell you more about your culture than you already know... oh we are so in like flin. Anyway we started the night in Nolensville and enjoyed a dip, some pics and some visiting. Quickly we packed our grove chairs and coolers and began our journey with our first stop on Nolensville road at Taqueria Ino Taco. We all really enjoyed this location because the service was great and there was a nice picnic table we were all able to sit at. The only con here was the prices were a bit steep ringing in at $1.50 a taco. (we should have never done this because I have a sneaking suspicion after such a cheap date night P will want to do this more and more). The second stop was Taqueria el Recodo which is located in the BP parking lot. This place was probably the fan favorite. Although there was no seating the food was fantastic and at the cheap price of .99 cents a taco, how can you go wrong? While everyone was enjoying their food I tasted some delicious mystery meat and was floored by the flavor explosion in my mouth. I was later told that I was drooling over barbacoa or cow head. Although I was pretty grossed out that I was eating head I decided to go native and ordered another and ate like I was mad at it. We went to a third location but I honestly can't remember the name. Rest assured it was good too and even had special coconut drinks (sans rum) that tasted like Christmas. After the food binge we decided against going to La Hacienda for more gluttony and went back home to Nolensville for some cake and birthday wishes. I think we all really enjoyed ourselves and doing something so fun and different for Dad's special day!
I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend like we did! For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

Feliz Cumpleanos Pedro

Happy, happy birthday to the best Dad in the ENTIRE world :) I am so excited to be celebrating my Dad's special day in full fiesta glory. We are meeting at their house and then traveling up Nolensville road for a "taco trek" where we partake sampling all the taco trucks. Then we will celebrate in big style at La Hacienda where a surprise sombrero cake will be waiting. Dad is so sweet, giving, and loving to everyone he meets and he really deserves the best! I love you, Dad! Happy Birthday!

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

Lawrenceburg Lady

Yesterday my Mom and I got back to our roots and spent the entire day in Lawrenceburg, TN. (home of the wildcats and the big gold machine, obvi and very needless to type duh) We started the day going to see my Mamaw and bringing her a word processor (that is a typewriter kids..way back before electricity, plumbing, reality television and computers, people would use a typewriter to type letters, papers, and other important documents. Not really used for updating status updates on facebook or gchat but still important) and she was really doing very well. Then we trekked down into the holler (not really but I love me some country stereotypes) to visit the sweetest lady in L'burg, my great aunt :) We visited with her at her house then went to place to see and be seen...the Brass Lantern. I had the special. Our cousins were able to join us including Beth were her new little girl Lila. We really had a wonderful time. After lunch we took aunt Pansey back to her house and I was able to play with my fancy camera and take pictures of the farm. I had a lot of fun but the 3 inch boots were probably not the best wardrobe decision but whatever. I have to stay true to my roots too, and those roots include heals at all times. After saying goodbye to her we visited my Dad and then my Papaw. He was happy to see us and we enjoyed the wonderful weather outside! Here are some pics from the big day! I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

green or perhaps black thumbs

Yesterday my wild and crazy spring break started with a glorious facial in the uber swanky belle meade thanks to my gracious Uncle Ray. The"experience" (that's what they call it) began with me going in to a locker room Woodland Warriors style and getting changed into a robe and comfy shoes. I had a brief moment of hesitation when I thought of having to put my feet into used shoes but these were rubber so they wash them...right? Anyway, I walked out of the bathroom and everyone attempts to force feed you organic gingerbread, hot tea, and flavored water. I just had water because I decided if I was pretending to have my rich housewife day I would of course not eat. Duh. Then you sit in these relaxation rooms with a fake sky and it reminded me so much of the Cumberland Science Museum's planet show back in the day. Finally I was lead into the facial room and got the most incredible pampering ever. She used steam, hot stones, scrubber machine things, etc. It was so wonderful. I was so lost in my character that when asked, "do you have any more treatments today?" I almost answered in character "Oh, yes, let's just do what you think I should have and bring me a mimosa" but luckily I snapped out of it. Just in time too because then she gave me a $400.00 list of product I just had to purchase right then or my face would fall off. My favorite part of this is how she wrote it on paper that looks just like a prescription pad and then gave me a follow up appointment. That is a doctor I could get on board with seeing all the time :)

Then my fantasy totally ended and I guess you could argue hell froze over and I went to Home Depot. Or maybe I just went to hell. Who knows, but yes I went to home depot and looked at...dirt. Why are there 2,000 kinds? I can understand all different kinds of lipstick, candles, curtains, furniture the list goes on and on but dirt? I walked aimlessly for 30 minutes reading all the different types of promises this amazing dirt would do for my yard. So I ask the two guys working in the garden center for help and realize my right foot knew more about gardening than the both of them combined. Finally I had to pull out the big guns and call my friend Jenna who helped this girl out. I got some Miracle Grow for the front yard and will have to mulch later. Anyway, almost 6 hours later (yes 6 hours working outside... isn't there some kind of award or tax credit I should receive?) I cleared 7 huge bags of pine needles and leaves. The street we live on is kind of busy and I spent most of the day bent over showing my best side to the multiple neighbors so, you're welcome. Things went well or the most part. My wise Mom told me to wait to plant flowers until April 15th and I should put some greenery in my flower boxes to keep them looking good all year which I was so on board with until I was at home depot all Jo Jo circus clown about the dirt and impulsively bought petunias to go into my flower boxes. Things started well and I planted my first ever flower by myself. Then I got a little too confident and attempted to empty the second flower box and...broke it. Nice. I guess it's important to remember not everything is made IKEA style and cannot bend conveniently every way.

RIP flower flower box pictured above. You can see where it used to sit right underneath the window and now looks earily like a coffin just chilling in the front yard. The neighbors love us.

Anyway I think it can be fixed so 2 out of 3 is not so bad right? I for sure won't be quitting my day job to garden anytime soon or ever in a million years but I did have a pleasant time just being outside which I've never ever thought or said in my life. Perhaps after some more of this "sunshine" people speak so fondly of I will begin growing all of our food and we will become a hippie commune kind of house. Seriously if this ever happens I'm charging you all responsible of coming over and hitting be over the head with a board. Promise?

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

spring break memory lane

I know I just bragged about my wonderful stay cation but then I started thinking of all wonderful real, young person, beach vacations, Manhattan getaways etc that I had in the past...memories....

Family Spring break to see Ray and Ben play baseball in Atlanta.

One of the best trips of my life! Visiting St. Marco island was so amazing and beautiful and gave me more respect for retired snow birds.

Miami...South Beach... will never be the same.

I guess I had another stay cation back in the day. Most likely too poor to travel. Friends came to Nashville and we roamed the city.

Spring Break blizzard? 17 inches, 3 extra days, 0 tans.

Visiting Meagan in San Fransisco! Loved this city and Meagan was the ultimate hostess taking me to the cheapest places in San Fransisco. Because I was there for an entire weekend and barely spent any money when I hear people talk about how expensive the city is, I piously know they are just lame tourists.

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.