glorious

One of my 30 before 30 is to love my job. Today I really loved my job, but perhaps not for the right reasons. All weekend Lee poured much needed rain in onto our Labor Day weekend. Although I wasn't thrilled to be rained in on a long weekend, I did not complain because after an entire month rainless, my poor excuses of flowers left over from the insanely hot/dry summer really needed the rain. Because of my positive vibes/energy/(aka apathetic attitude because staying inside with P all weekend for a extremely rare and lazy weekend was pretty close to perfect) was definitely met with praise by the Karma/rain Gods because today... WE GOT OUT EARLY.

 The heavy rain knocked out some power lines and we were without power in part of the building and...air! I mean it's a whopping 75 degrees outside and the students were acting like we were wondering Moses style in the desert. In a mad dash to be able to count today as a full day, the lunch ladies whipped up some mean peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and everyone and their mother had an allergic reaction to it. Correction: I'm not sure if anyone actually had one but everyone had a friend who "will just die if she even smells, gets close to, thinks of, looks at, etc. a peanut". So anyway, after hours of near death experiences with the all dangerous peanut mixed with uncomfortable temperatures the students knew a make it or break it announcement must be on its way. Finally the principal interrupted class and everyone held their breath. I literally heard a child say, "Oh please God". The principal announced school would end today at 12 and all the students erupted in a "High School Musical"-esque dance and song that they magically all knew perfectly with out rehearsal. 

(Okay, maybe I exaggerate a little)

 Okay, 3 hours, why so great? Because it's unexpected. Getting a random weather related day off is a gift from God that no politician can take away. Yes, you may take my tenure, may paycheck, my sanity, and my fitness goals, but oh no. You cannot take away the random and glorious school closing due to weather. It's so phenomenal I feel that I will never be able to correctly articulate this happiness. So what to do with all this extra time? I actually have to do some work because we have open house tonight and since the Internet is not working I needed to finish stuff from home... while watching recorded RHWBH. I mean...life is hard, folks.

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

Happy fall, y'all!

In the last week our temperature dropped from literally highs in the 100s to 70 and below. Fall just came and dropped itself in our lap. While I'm no so sure how permanent these low temps will be, I am enjoying while it's here. Fall is my favorite season and as I took a trip down memory lane a la iphone pics, I can totally tell why!

Who couldn't love..

Pumpkins

Football

the only other football, or any sports picture for that matter that I have taken that does not feature the University of MS. Go Titans.

 Hotty Toddy!



Oktoberfest with phenomenal family and friends

 Oktoberfest in Germantown last year.

 Dad's world class beer for my parent's award winning Oktoberfest...(perhaps no real awards yet, but they are coming, I'm sure!)

church in Germantown

(better pics this year, I promise)

October Birthdays

...and finally, some weather that doesn't turn us into drowned rats from sweat. (glisten)

This fall is sure to be fun, fabulous, fancy, family and friend filled! Happy Fall, y'all!

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

30 before 30

Against the better judgement of my wonderful Uncle Ray, I'm beginning to accept that sometime in the near (uhummmm well over a year) future I will be 30...(Holy $*&+) I'm also realizing that I am a little late to the 30 before 30 bandwagon. Previously I've seen other people's 30 for 30 but since I've been in denial of hitting this new age bracket, I haven't given it much thought. But since I'm now 28 and 1/2, I think it is high time to make my list and get cracking!

1. Run a half-marathon.

2. Decorate our guestroom with items that are not college leftovers.

3. Find a bathing suit that I love and feel good wearing.

4. Find a charity that I like and donate some time/money/etc.

5. Go on a really fun weekend anywhere with my Mom.

6.Learn how to make 5 really good cocktails.

7. Learn to really, really, really love my Dad's beer.

8. Buy a nice piece of art.

9. Learn how to grill.

10. Do a pull up.

11. Learn how to make lemon icebox and lemon meringue pie...

12. Find a new brunch place with a great group of friends.

13. Enjoy the holidays.

14. Do one of those painting/drinking nights with friends.

15. Read a book for pleasure at least once a month. ( I used to be good at this but lately I have fallen way off the bandwagon)

16. Grow tomatoes.

17. Throw P a really fun/stylish/blog-worthy 30th bday party.

 18. Grow herbs (and cook with them!)

19. Love my job!

20. Visit Ray and Robin in Seattle.

21. Find a skin product routine that I like/can afford/will stick to.

22. Try some cheese and see if I still don't like them.

23. Join a new club/organization.

24. Learn how to make crepes.

25. Go to Napa Valley.

26. Own a wardrobe that I'm proud of.

27. Buy Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking and make something in it.

28. Recycle. (omg, shame...shame, shame!)

29. Whiten my teeth.

30. Take a photography class.

31. Watch Ben graduate and celebrate B-I-G.

(okay, 31 is really up to Ben, but it's one more than I have to do anyways, so I'm calling it legit).

Well...quite a list, kind of nervous that I won't get it all done but this list is stuff I should want to do, right? Perhaps I should get off my booty and begin...living?

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

Hotty Toddy

Hotty toddy! Go Rebs!

I'm really missing being in the Grove today!

I hope we beat those BYU Cougars!

Let's go Rebels!!!

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

"the" meal

After many times of claiming that I would run a half marathon, my friend Kate and I have actually signed up, paid and will run for sure in the first week in October.

(Kate is on the left)

This has been a goal of mine for quite some time and I'm really excited for complete something I've been claiming I would do for years. I really like to run and will feel proud after I'm finished. sprinting across the finish lines, beating everyone, including those inanely fast Kenyans. (why I think there will be competitive Kenyans in Nashville is yet another ridiculous story) Yes, that's all well and good, but can we get real honest about what my inner big girl is excited about?
Ready for it?

The post run meal.
Yes, sadly the contemplation of the perfect meal has been consuming my thoughts for a while and I think I've decided what I want.

As Kate and I victoriously sprint across the finish line I expect champagne to be waiting by our adoring fans and friends (aka husbands who will be required by law to be there). Now I can already hear some of your next comments "you won't feel like doing anything but collapsing". I'm not saying you're not maybe a tad bit right...but I'm choosing to live in denial and believe I will totally have my 2nd  14th wind and will want to par-tay.

So after a little victory champagne, I want a meal that is not usually my choice. After careful consideration I require a hot dog and a pile of onion rings. I mean what is NOT wrong with this meal? Tons of carbs, grease, foods that do not require utensils...perfect!

This meal would not be complete with another amazing beverage. A big beer. Usually I'm a wine fan but for some reason, beer seems to be the only acceptable post half marathon drink in my mind. In a perfect world I would partake in Pyramid Apricot Ale, but...

since it is no longer sent to our part of the country anymore I will have to settle for something else. Yet to be determined. Have to save something for our 8 mile run this Saturday. Please don't worry...the 8 mile/ Eminem reference was not lost on us and I'm preparing a gangster play list.

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

Hotty Toddy!

The University is respected, but Ole Miss is loved. The University gives a diploma and regretfully terminates tenure, but one never graduates from Ole Miss.

Recently my beloved Alma mater was voted Most Beautiful. Like I was at all surprised. With some of the most amazing people in the earth all residing in the same spot it is no wonder that Ole Miss has been in the news so much lately (for good reasons!). Look at all my beautiful people...yes for sure, the most beautiful people on earth!

Obviously I'm missing my Oxford a lot lately!

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