Happy Birthday Lindsay!

My awesome friend Lindsay turns 29 today! She is seriously one of the funniest, most interesting and lovely people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing! We have been friends since 8th grade and I'm still so proud to know her and call her a friend! Lindsay is living the high life in Paris and I know will be celebrating big time! Happy birthday Linz! Love u!

Happy Brithday! For Natalie's news this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

"Lucy"

Whenever Ben comes home, he kind of expects the world to stop and for our parents to wait on him hand and foot. I've even heard him say, (jokingly..kind of) "Hey chew up my food and then put it in my mouth so I won't have to move". Lucy and him have bonded over their love of lazy and have taken over the living room and everywhere else comfortable in my parent's house. Ben actually does help out a lot when he's at home but he likes to remind everyone of how much he has helped and thus should be rewarded with lazy time with Lucy.

In other news, Lucy might in fact be a boy. Still to be determined yet we think she maybe a he. Mom says she doesn't know if she can live the lie and continue to call "her" Lucy. I think he/she has already embraced the name Lucy so we should just go with it. As old William said, "What's in a name?"

Stay tuned to the possible name change.

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

Happy, happy birthday Dad!

Today is my sweet Dad's birthday. He is with out a doubt the nicest and most caring person anyone has ever had the pleasure of knowing. Don't get me wrong, he can take care of some business but deep down there is none finer! There are a few people in the world that are tests. Meaning, if you don't like him/her there is something wrong with you. My Dad is definitely a "test". Although I can imagine I'm just a tad bit bias, in all reality he is the nicest guy ever and would give you the shirt off his back.

In his typical selfless style, Dad cancelled his own celebration on Sunday. My Mom and Dad are going out of town this week and he decided Mom needed to rest and he needed to get things done before their trip. When we talked about dates to reschedule he said it really didn't matter and he didn't need any presents or party. He really is this kind and could probably go forever without a party or present but the promise of the birthday bakery cake might have gotten him.

This was at his birthday party last year. We will have to celebrate big when they return because he sure enough deserves it!

I love you, Daddy! Happy Birthday!

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

Veggies!

The inspiration for our next Christmas card.

The show doomsday preppers has caught on here in TN. This area contains the right amount of paranoia to really light a fire with the whole "we will save ourselves when the apocalypse comes with the right amount of beanie weenies" campaign. I hear people (some of whom I am related to) talk about having the necessary water, tools, food, bug out bags, etc. for when that fateful day finally arrives. I have to remind myself that this is insane and if the end does come (Mayans?) I don't believe having some canned goods is going to get us all too far. I have to believe this though because deep down I can easily get swept away in all the hysteria. Several years ago, my former roommate Ann Marie and I got a "little" (lot) obsessed with the bird flu scare and heard somewhere that in the worst case scenario, people would be quarantined in their houses for 3-6 months. We began stock piling food, water, books, and my favorite...soap and shampoo. We were not going to be dirty for 3-6 months. Eventually the bird flu did not kill off civilization and we lost interest in the hype. As I began packing 2 years later I was embarrassingly reminded of this crazy time by the bags and bags and bags of food underneath my bed.

Anyway, P has decided he wants a garden. He also has a bug out bag but swears this garden is not because he wants to be able to provide when the end comes but I have my doubts. He had big plans and deep down I thought they might sizzle but I was wrong.

The day began with P and help from his friend Christian. They went over to Noble Springs Dairy and got...goat manure. Ugh, it my backyard. I know. Maybe the apocalypse is coming. Luckily we were visited by Libby and Reese which made the poop invasion a little more tolerable.

The tiller that was borrowed from Noble Springs Dairy. It has very scary blades and I had visions of it growing wild with anger and taking off into some sort of horror movie, but rest assured nothing happened.

Almost done with the bed. As P was spreading around the "dirt" (we all know it's poop) he said, "if this all goes well we can eat of this for years" and that's when I knew for sure this was another plan is his "doomsday prep". Who cares though really. In all honestly he has been wanting to do this for years and even better...now I can act all pious because we grow our own vegetables and say things like "it is just so important to know where your produce is from because your body is your temple" and other annoying judgements because we are so green and hipster now.

Good Lord, I need to get off this computer and go to a thrift store to find some skinny jeans...ironically of course.

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

Signs of Spring

Over the weekend we (that's a generous we...mostly P but I helped a tad and was quick on the photog skills so that has to count for something, right?) worked out in the yard. While I was out "helping" I snapped many of these shots.



These were planted by a previous owner and I am glad they are back. Weeds were my enemy last year and one day I went super round up happy and drowned this bed of weeds. I thought if the flowers didn't come back it would be a small price to pay for dead weeds and literally hundreds (ehh?) saved in manicures. Luckily they are back and so are those pesky weeds.



We planted these this fall. Before my grandparents sold their house we dug up some from the front yard and they are coming up now. I guess there will always be a little bit of L'burg in our house forever.



It has rained so much there is actually water in the creek! For like half a second I thought about getting in and then I remembered I hate being dirty. Gross. P said he saw fish so totally no go.

Now, on to a big trip to Home Depot. The world of home ownership is just THRILLING.

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

Senior tea

This weekend I hosted my senior girls for an afternoon of tea sandwiches and bite sized goodies. I wanted to start a tradition that was just for girls, fun, and not too much for me to do. Luckily my Mom and our crafty savior Mrs. Alicia came to the rescue and helped me do everything!

Of course Mrs. Alicia did the flowers!

We placed the food all on the tables but had extra sandwiches etc and the petit fours on the small table in the bonus room close to us.

We used Mom's and my china and cake plates in the center for the food.

Ms. Alicia making the tables just perfect. Mom got pictures of her but somehow I only got her hands!

Really pretty girls! Unfortunately all the girls couldn't come but the ones who did had a great time! I kept wondering what they must be thinking. I imagine going to a teacher's house would be so weird because you actually see them as human! They were all very kind and one even offered to buy our house after she got out of college!  

And last but not least here is me and Mom. It's an awkward picture of me but I think it's good of Mom so I'm posting it anyway, which totally goes against my mantra of never posting anything but flattering loveliness. This lady helped me so much and basically came up with everything so Ina best be moving over!

It was a great day and special thanks to the party angels for helping me so much!

I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend!

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

Convo

"you don't have instagram?" Jenna
"no, I see it on fb all the time. What is so special about it?" me
"you take a pix and then can do all these special effects." Jenna
"is that how everyone's (confession: I said a name but I'm not gonna say it here... I know...rude) life looks so cool on Facebook? Me

Best watch out folks. Our lives are about to start looking way cool and blurry in that cool artsy way. Shout out to Jenna for finally getting the last souls on earth to join.

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

Some more fun ones

I was looking over some more pics from our epic trip to Radnor lake and decided to add just a couple of more.

Pretty typical of the goob.

So let's get real. I'm not all nature-y. I know many of you must be shocked but I was actually joking (kind of) that the animals were being very rude showing up on the walking trails where animals are clearly not allowed. But truth be told, I was amazed that animals were just everywhere and did not seem to care at all that we were there. I wish I had my other lens with me but I think Ben would have lost it w/ all my stopping and attempts to be artsy.

10 points if you can guess he's trying to be! ha.

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

Radnor lake

Today Mom and Ben invited me to go to radnor lake! It is getting warm so obviously this was a great time to get the photog back out! The first interaction this non-roughing-it type of girl's had in a long time!!

Happy weekend!!!

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

30 before 30 update

Okay, let's call it finals week. I've got 360 days until dooms day and I've got to get cracking. Omg... I am not even a 1/3 of a way there...Luckily book club is meeting this month so I'm back on the reading and I might be going to an awesome brunch this weekend.. but holy God, we've got to get on it my friends!!!

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.  Relay for Life...oh interested in donating and helping out my team and the American Cancer Society?!?!!

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. (I did get some advice on this from the football coach...he told me how to do some easier "moves" to get me ready. Please do not ask if I have attempted these "easier moves" yet though.

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. BAM!!!!

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

15. Read a book for pleasure at least once a month.

16. Grow tomatoes. (Philip wants to do this and I don't want to compete so I may replace this one...any suggestions?)

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.Can I use Relay for Life for both? No, but here is the link again!

24. Learn how to make crepes.

25. Go to Napa Valley. Jenna, Meagan, Sarah, basically...anyone... let's go..NOW!

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. WINNING!

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

29. Whiten my teeth.

30. Take a photography class.

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

Agh....help a girl out!!!!

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



Trophies!

What is so glorious about a trophy? Seriously, they are kind of cheesy. Obviously plastic with some hazy, psychedelic music notes. Whatever the kind of trophy... way, deep down, everyone wants one. Even when every single player got a small trophy for finishing a loosing season beams with the joy of getting a 6 inch gold trophy of an unauthentic looking girl holding a bat.

 We received superior ratings (umm...the best but who is bragging?) in all of our choirs at Regional choir festival this week. I was so nervous. We can be all honest now that we did so well but I have never competed like this before and the previous teacher always did really well.

In the dorky, choral world...this was an accomplishment! I am very proud of my wonderful students and their hard work.

Lastly, I leave you with a sweet student who made me a birthday cake! Since we had the musical all last weekend and Festival on Tuesday there has been very little time to celebrate. She was so sweet and realized how busy we were and waited until Wednesday so we could celebrate stress-free. Unfortunately I had to hide her face for privacy. Such a shame, she is really cute. But...how sweet is this? She made me a cake?!?!?

UGH I love my job!

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

Birthday weekend

 I'm still in the trenches of preparing for the Festival competition..tomorrow. (omg...seriously?!) This weekend was great but extremely busy with musical commitments. Thursday we opened with a good show and then Friday Dorthy threatened to come and bring the end of times.

Saturday I slept in and awoke to this sweet message from brother Ben. Unfortunately I was unable to celebrate on my actual birthday. Since the threats of crazy weather on Friday, school was dismissed at 11:15 and all after school events were cancelled too. Meaning...the musical. The biggest night of the show was cancelled and it barely rained. It was dangerous in other areas, I realize...and I won't lie, it was nice having a little break between shows but it made for a very long birthday.  

Since I worked 2 shows that day and had no time to celebrate. Sunday night after our last show I skipped the cast party and went to celebrate with my family. Of course, Mom always picks out the prettiest cake and she was no disappointment here! 

 I was a lucky girl with the presents this year and enjoyed a PERFECT meal of chicken salad, my great grandmother's recipe for cranberry salad, roasted potatoes, my favorite walnut, cranberry and pear salad, and of course...cake.

On top of the shows, we enjoyed a house full of guests. Music folks are all about staying together and I was happy to see my friends and relive our old glory days. 

Sunday morning Kelly awoke and cooked a full breakfast of omelets and pancakes!

Lucy loved playing with my wrapping paper!

This post started with a sweet message from Ben and will ends with Ben passed out on the couch "suffering from pleasure" and making himself all at home. Another year older but some things stay the same.

More posts with actual stories later. I'm still in the thick of crazy but I will return...some day!

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