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Post About the Post (Mr. Sunshine)

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 04:34:00 +0200

I've found yet another way to be a TV whore.

Save Lids to Save Lives (Day in the Life of Grad Student's Wife)

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:06:00 +0200

If you're a Yoplait Yogurt fan, make sure to pick up the containers with the hot pink lids now thru December! The Yoplait Save Lids to Save Lives breast cancer awareness campaign is well underway, and you can read more about it here. I eat yogurt with a granola bar as soon as I get home from the gym - it's a good, quick way to get my energy back up. I've always eaten it on a regular basis because it's a great source of calcium, fights off the girly nasties a.k.a. yeast infections (you know what I'm talking about - and if you don't, you're lucky!), and also contains gut-regulating bacteria, which comes in handy when you're taking antibiotics.

My M.I.L. was diagnosed with Breast Cancer one year ago. Thankfully it was caught early and treatment went well, but having it hit close to home brings about a new perspective. When I hear about great campaigns such as this one, where anyone and everyone can get involved, I jump at the chance - something you do every day can help make a difference. So bust out those yogurt containers, girls!
Just a side note - I always eat Yoplait Light, and my fave flavors are Key Lime Pie, Strawberry Shortcake, and Banana Creme Pie. YUM! The pink lids are available on all types of Yoplait - so if you're a Thick & Creamy or Whipped Chocolate Mousse fan, you can still join in the cause!

I was tagged by Dana the WedDing JunkiE to answer some questions. She's just recently joined the blogosphere, so be sure to check out her lovely site and show her some love! I promise you'll love it - especially if you're a huge fan of all things wedding related, like me!

And now, the Q&A session:

1. What kind of hair(color/cut) have you always wanted but never had the nerve to do it?
The short, cropped cut with the long, sideswept bangs - like Rhianna post Chris Brown, or Pink. Yeah, I'll never be brave enough... but I love it!

2. If you haven't been/or could do it over, where would/did you go on your honeymoon?
I would love to relive my honeymoon in Vegas! There was so much life and excitement there - I loved every second of it. My husband and I are planning to go back for our 10 year anniversary, because so much has changed since we were there in '06!

3. What is your dream car?
I have no clue. I'm modest when it comes to cars. Something easy to park, classy, good on gas mileage, and preferably something that will never ever have mechanical issues. ha ha.

4. If you would move anywhere in the world where would you go?
This is a toughie, as I've mentally "readied" myself to adapt to any college city/town, depending on where my hubs gets to profess next year. I'd be most happy in a mid-sized city! I want to live in the center of it all, too.

5. What famous lady would you love to be or be bff with?
Ellen Degeneres! I love her free spirit and sense of humor! She eats super healthy, so maybe that would rub off on me.

6. What colors did you do or do you want to do for your wedding?
I chose Black & White as my wedding color combo. It was so hard to decide, because I love just about every color in the rainbow. I gave pink & green, and yellow & red serious consideration, but couldn't make a decision so i went simple, classy, and elegant with the B&W. My favorite wedding color trends right now are the muted greens and lavenders together, or the bright turquoise with orange! Love those!

7. What trashy reality show are you embarrassingly addicted to?
I can't resist Be Good Johnny Weir on the Sundance Channel. He's one of my favorite male figure skaters, and his reality show is so addictive - he's such a glamour-puss, he's fun, sassy, and such a crazy little guy! I would love to hang around him for a day. Of course, he'd probably have me wearing a feather boa and pointy little Russian style leprechaun shoes.

8. Do you you remember your first kiss? How old were you and how awkward was it?
Apparently it was such a horrible experience that I forced it out of my mind! I do not remember a thing about it!

Thanks for tagging me in the Questions, Dana!
And don't forget, readers - eat your yogurt and save your lids!

six feet under (Stacey, BSJ '89)

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:40:29 +0200

This October will mark the fifth anniversary of my dad’s death. That doesn’t seem possible. Babe-o’s was just a baby, Ham two and their brother just five…the age Babe-o’s is now! The kids still talk about him but I believe it’s the script they’re used to saying and not so much what they actually remember. My family finally interred his [...]

My family finally interred his ashes over Labor day weekend at a small historic chapel that he loved. We’ve had plenty of time to prepare yet I was not prepared to unearth the feelings that have been buried with the passing of time.

We took turns offering up what we treasure most about him. I wish I could remember word for word what was said. It was simple but precious. My nephew said, “he was my grandpa and he loved me.” Ham recalled the magic tricks he used to do. Then my ten-year-old got down on his stomach and lowered the ashes into the ground. The other kids tossed dirt on top and then as if for good measure, the girls threw in some silly bandz! It was a beautiful day.

Welcome to my Office and Friends You Love Guest Post! (Day in the Life of Grad Student's Wife)

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:00:00 +0200

I'm guest posting at Life According to Amanda, for Friends you Love blog hop today! It's just a little "about me" post - head over and say hi to Amanda for me!

I hope everyone is getting a little rest on this Labor Day. I'm going to be spending my extra day out of the office watching the Office marathon on TBS! And, oddly enough, ironing dress clothes for work. Wow, everything about my day off relates to my office job. Maybe I need to re-think my plans!

In honor of Labor Day, I thought I would share a little about my work life. Here are some shots of my office (taken with the phone, so please ignore the shoddiness):

{welcome}

{Forgive me, I graduated from MU 5 years ago but I still have a little school spirit!}

{When Marshall has a rough season, I like to look up and

remind myself of the past. It helps... a little.}

{My teams! Still debating about what I should do with that Cavs pennant...}

{The green filing cabinet... I'm hoping that

when I leave, they just give it to me.}

My office is pretty cool! I actually miss it when I'm away from it for any extended length of time, because I love all of my stuff! And now, for a little taste of how a typical day at my job is spent, check out one of my very first blog posts ever (no need to get too excited): A day @ the office.

Enjoy your day, friends!

I'm guest posting at Life According to Amanda, for Friends you Love blog hop today! It's just a little "about me" post - head over and say hi to Amanda for me!

In honor of Labor Day, I thought I would share a little about my work life. Here are some shots of my office (taken with the phone, so please ignore the shoddiness):

{welcome}

{Forgive me, I graduated from MU 5 years ago but I still have a little school spirit!}

{When Marshall has a rough season, I like to look up and

remind myself of the past. It helps... a little.}

{My teams! Still debating about what I should do with that Cavs pennant...}

{The green filing cabinet... I'm hoping that

when I leave, they just give it to me.}

Enjoy your day, friends!

This Is Your Life (Because I am a Woman...)

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 22:15:31 +0200

Simple, powerful, uplifting. via Holstee Love it!

new books + zines for the distro! (doris zine blog)

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 00:47:00 +0200

I have a bunch of new zines and some new books for the distro! at riot grrrr distro
Including SCAM! The First 4 Issues!

Also, I just looked at Mimi Distro, and it is so great! Check it out at mimidistro.wordpress.comI have a bunch of new zines and some new books for the distro! at riot grrrr distro
Including SCAM! The First 4 Issues!

Also, I just looked at Mimi Distro, and it is so great! Check it out at mimidistro.wordpress.com

Miss Sassy Glasses! (Day in the Life of Grad Student's Wife)

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:19:00 +0200

I love eyeglasses. I love cute frames, I actually like going to the eye dr., and I really don't mind wearing glasses at work all day. When Nicole Miller, Kate Spade, Coach, bebe, and Guess design frames, It's easy to make the most out of my increasingly-crappy-do-to-computer-use eyesight! I've been wearing bebe's Irresistible frames in turquoise for the past year, and I love them to death! At my appointment this past week, I found out that my prescription hasn't changed, but I went ahead and chose another rockin' pair of frames so I can switch back and forth. I picked out no less than a dozen frames to try on, and finally narrowed my choice down to two:

bebe "Caliente" in Chili

Nicole Miller "Bungalow" in Cocoa/Lime

Which one did I choose? Since my hairdresser is turning me into a fiery redhead later this fall, I went with CALIENTE, of course! It takes 7-10 business days to fit them w/my prescription, so I'm tapping my foot impatiently until mid-September!

I think eyeglasses are classy and cool. These celebrities think so, too:

Jennifer Love Hewitt, Megan Fox

Johnny Depp, Tina Fey

Miss Pray, Eat, Love, Wear Cute Glasses

Who could forget Gisele, in Devil Wears Prada?

Even Lil' Wayne sports eyeglasses! Call me crazy, but it softens his look up a lot.

And that sweater? i want one.

The award for "best looking male in eyeglasses" goes to:

Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver for the Arizona Cardinals!

Even my husband is a fan of his frames!

Eyeglasses are totally sexy and classy. Do you wear them?

Share your likes and dislikes - and if you're into designer frames, please - I'm all ears!

(or... eyes, since I won't be hearing what you say!)

bebe "Caliente" in Chili

Nicole Miller "Bungalow" in Cocoa/Lime

I think eyeglasses are classy and cool. These celebrities think so, too:

Jennifer Love Hewitt, Megan Fox

Johnny Depp, Tina Fey

Miss Pray, Eat, Love, Wear Cute Glasses

Who could forget Gisele, in Devil Wears Prada?

Even Lil' Wayne sports eyeglasses! Call me crazy, but it softens his look up a lot.

And that sweater? i want one.

The award for "best looking male in eyeglasses" goes to:

Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver for the Arizona Cardinals!

Even my husband is a fan of his frames!

Eyeglasses are totally sexy and classy. Do you wear them?

Share your likes and dislikes - and if you're into designer frames, please - I'm all ears!

(or... eyes, since I won't be hearing what you say!)

It's Friday! (Day in the Life of Grad Student's Wife)

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:30:00 +0200

Some good advice :)
{via}

First of all, Happy Friday!

So, I survived the night - my Herd got trampled by the #2 ranked college football team in the nation, and you know what? I think I'm ok. When the Buckeyes scored twice within the first 4 minutes of the game, I thought Marshall may very well go scoreless. I wondered, "is it possible to beat a team into a negative score? Like 50 to -20? Thankfully, the Herd scored - just once the entire game, but they scored a touchdown. I cried tears of joy. It would be really easy to just jump on the fan bandwagon of some super awesome amazing winning team, but I stick with my alma mater, and my husband's current school. Our education from Marshall and Ohio University help us to put food on the table - so Herd and Bobcats, it is! And it's a hard, heartbreaking football loving life sometimes! ha ha :) Anyway, I'm in good spirits. The Bobcats play tomorrow night here in Athens, and I'm ready to cheer them on!

I was tagged with a Q&A game by a fellow Chocoholic earlier this week - she asked some fabulous questions, and here are my fabulous answers. After I answer these, I get to come up with eight of my own questions and *tag* some of my readers with them!

My Questions to answer:

What is your favorite family tradition/ritual?

Thanksgiving - tons of food, naps, and football! My husband & I spend Thanksgiving Day with my in-laws, and the next day at my mom & step-dad's. We eat an early afternoon dinner, nap, and watch football all day at both houses. I usually get sugar drunk off of my mom's homemade desserts. It's about the only thing I keep going back to West Virginia for! ha ha :)

What do you like to watch on TV?

Dancing w/the Stars, re-runs of my favorite movies on TBS even though I have them on DVD (Legally Blond, Miss Congeniality), and sports. Sports, sports, sports. Reds baseball, NFL, College Football, and NBA - love just about all of it! I love having it on in the background at all times.

How many calendars do you have?

Four- A "Zen Cat" wall calendar in my kitchen, A Michael Jackson wall calendar in my office, and my planners for work - 2009-2010, and of course, my super organized self already has a 2011 day planner for work, too. Five calendars, if you count the one on my phone. The Michael Jackson one is my fave!

What is your favorite chocolate concoction?

Too many to choose just one!!! Starbucks hot chocolate, Starbucks Iced Mocha, and my mom's brownies are all winners. The richer, the better!

What's your favorite dinner to cook?

Anything homemade but simple and tastes good. My favorite dinner out is italian or seafood, or a combo of both (like a creamy shrimp alfredo)

What's the best place you've ever been?

My honeymoon in Vegas. It's the best place I've ever been b/c everyone is happy and having a great time, and you feel like a rockstar! Seriously! I love it - so much color, so much food, so much life :) Growing up in the mountains of WV, you can imagine how I felt when I caught my first glimpse of the strip from my window on the airplane!

What is your dream vacation?

A month-long European adventure! Culture, Art, Food, Photos... Italy, France, England, Germany... I would love it! I've never been overseas!

What is your talent?

Drawing. I love sketching - pen & ink is what I do best. I love sketching cartoons and creating special little projects for my friends and family!

I'm tagging Ashley, Aubrey, the Green Eyed Lady, Brittany, Jessica, Heather, and Rebekah!

Questions for my ladies:

1. If you had an extra $200 bucks, what would you do with it?

2. What color in the crayon box are you?

3. What's your favorite thing to daydream about?

4. If you had extra time and the desire to, where would you volunteer?

5. What's your favorite snack food?

6. What song(s) always puts you in a great mood?

7. What's your favorite scary movie (totally stole that line from Scream ha ha!)

8. What's your idea of the perfect day?

...so whenever you get time and need something to blog about, girls! :)

I hope everyone has a great Friday and a wonderfully long, enjoyable weekend! I've got some serious catching up to do with just about everything in my life, so my time off should be jam-packed full. Of course, I'll probably just spend most of it on the couch, staring at the tube with my hand shoved down a bag of Pretzel M&Ms! Now that's the Life.

Some good advice :)
{via}

First of all, Happy Friday!

My Questions to answer:

What is your favorite family tradition/ritual?

What do you like to watch on TV?

How many calendars do you have?

What is your favorite chocolate concoction?

Too many to choose just one!!! Starbucks hot chocolate, Starbucks Iced Mocha, and my mom's brownies are all winners. The richer, the better!

What's your favorite dinner to cook?

Anything homemade but simple and tastes good. My favorite dinner out is italian or seafood, or a combo of both (like a creamy shrimp alfredo)

What's the best place you've ever been?

What is your dream vacation?

A month-long European adventure! Culture, Art, Food, Photos... Italy, France, England, Germany... I would love it! I've never been overseas!

What is your talent?

Drawing. I love sketching - pen & ink is what I do best. I love sketching cartoons and creating special little projects for my friends and family!

I'm tagging Ashley, Aubrey, the Green Eyed Lady, Brittany, Jessica, Heather, and Rebekah!

Questions for my ladies:

1. If you had an extra $200 bucks, what would you do with it?

2. What color in the crayon box are you?

3. What's your favorite thing to daydream about?

4. If you had extra time and the desire to, where would you volunteer?

5. What's your favorite snack food?

6. What song(s) always puts you in a great mood?

7. What's your favorite scary movie (totally stole that line from Scream ha ha!)

8. What's your idea of the perfect day?

...so whenever you get time and need something to blog about, girls! :)

The First of Italy 2010 (Because I am a Woman...)

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:25:15 +0200

Hi all, As previously stated–I’m in Italy. I arrived August 2 with my mom and nonna (grandma) and we had a fabulous time traveling from Rome to Florence, Venice and finally to Milan, with day trips to Pisa, Viareggio and Murano. It was an amazing two weeks and I am very grateful for my good [...]

Hi all,

As previously stated–I’m in Italy. I arrived August 2 with my mom and nonna (grandma) and we had a fabulous time traveling from Rome to Florence, Venice and finally to Milan, with day trips to Pisa, Viareggio and Murano. It was an amazing two weeks and I am very grateful for my good fortune.

I made a video of our time here together which was just my first two weeks (there are many more weeks to come!) There are hundreds of pictures but I tried to narrow it down to some of the best. Hope you enjoy!

Probably the number one thing I’m thankful for is that I was able to go on my dream trip with not only my mom, but also my nonna. She is 78 years old but don’t let that fool you, she can practically run laps around me. One of the strongest women I know, she is who I give credit to for my mindset that created this blog. She had four daughters and it was in this atmosphere that I grew up, watching the women of the family plan events, cook amazing meals, have careers and families and keep our family together. I love family get-togethers and find myself admiring these women every time we have one.

Who are the women you admire? What have you noticed with the women in your family? If there are negative things don’t worry, there are in every family, including mine. The important thing is how we work around the tough stuff. How we help each other, react to situations beyond our control and learn from the women around us. I’ve learned a lot from the women in my life, and I’m glad I was able to learn from them in a totally new and amazing atmosphere.

Buona giornata!
~Gina

lunch bunch (Stacey, BSJ '89)

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:06:04 +0200

A highly organized mom from Ham’s 2nd grade class has put together a lunch bunch. All the girls who want to participate get randomly put into groups of three or four, which change weekly, and every Thursday they will go to someone’s house for lunch. It’s a great way for the girls to get to know eachother- especially if they aren’t in the same class, or are new to the school like Ham. And as a mom, you only have to host a lunch at your house once every five weeks. I think I should start this for grown-ups!

Cowboy Militia and The Barrel Racing Blog (The Barrel Racing Blog)

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:18:18 +0200

I’m pretty sure everyone loved our Cowboy Militia giveaway this spring, and I’m very sure I love Cowboy Militia. Always my go-to clothing company, CM is now trying to grow and gain a bigger following in the horse industry. Plus, CM is now working with ProRodeoOnline.com, a site where buying CM and other products allows you [...]

I’m pretty sure everyone loved our Cowboy Militia giveaway this spring, and I’m very sure I love Cowboy Militia. Always my go-to clothing company, CM is now trying to grow and gain a bigger following in the horse industry. Plus, CM is now working with ProRodeoOnline.com, a site where buying CM and other products allows you to donate to rodeo and barrel racing organizations with every purchase. The Barrel Racing Blog is registered with ProRodeoOnline.com, so if you head over there to order some of CM’s awesome clothes, be sure to start at this link so they know I sent you : )

Taking Stock (or Jesus Christ) (Michael Dibari)

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:37:48 +0200

… So it’s been over three years since I started this blog and I have been writing and photographing my life as a grad student at Ohio University. My boys have now spent most of their young lives here in this small college town. Today, I have taken the last four-hours of a total of twenty-hours of comprehensive testing. I still have to orally defend my answers but I feel this a landmark day. I can’t say the four years I have spent in grad school have whizzed by. They haven’t. It’s been an uphill climb since we started. But I have finished all my class work and am working on my dissertation proposal. I feel like I have done something. Now I just have to write a dissertation and find a decent job and …. life is good.

Sunflowers in the sky.

Christ on the Cross I

Christ on the Cross II

Christ not on the Cross I, St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas.

Walk Like a Penguin (Day in the Life of Grad Student's Wife)

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 04:29:00 +0200

"Hold my hand and I'll help you across the parking lot", my friend said to me as she gently grabbed hold of my forearm and tried to remain patient.

{via}

I was a teen. My teammates and I were leaving the junior high gymnasium, where I had just finished playing in a crappy basketball game. It was a damp, cold night, and the sky was full of freezing drizzle.

and I was STUCK!

Stuck, in the middle of the parking lot, which was covered with a half inch thick glistening layer of smooth, solid ice. My parents were waiting for me in the car, which was warming up on the other side of the lot. To get there, I had to walk across the ice, approximately 75 feet. My fingers were dug deep into a half rotten fence post I'd managed to cling to, and I wasn't planning to let go anytime soon. I felt sick to my stomach.

After 10 minutes of encouragement from my friend, I eventually made my way to my parents' car, half in tears, half crab-walking, pathetically scooting across the ice with my friend's help.

Flash forward 13 years later: I still whimper and feel like throwing up when I have to walk on a slick surface. I've considered keeping a bag of salt in my car for those wintry days when I pull into an icy parking lot at work or the grocery store - you know, so i could toss a few handfuls out in front of me, make a path. I invested in a pair of Ugg-like knockoff boots (which are black and totally ugg-ly!) to wear all winter long, which I change out of when I reach the safety of my office. There, I take my boots off, set them aside to dry, and apply high heels. (Why do I not mind walking in heels when I'm afraid of falling while walking on ice? I'm not sure; it's just another one of those great woman mysteries.)

Nothing ever happened to me to create this fear; I'm just terrified of walking on ice!

I cry, I squeal, I sob. Sometimes, I crawl on all fours to get across a patch of ice, which completely embarrasses the living daylights out of my husband when we're out in public.

One time (at the age of 21), I crab walked across 5th Avenue in Huntington, the highly traveled four lane that intersects with Hal Greer Boulevard and surrounds the Marshall University main campus. My husband (then fiance) probably second guessed our future wedding when that whole situation occurred.

With or without treaded boots, I will never feel safe walking on ice.

It's a little early for winter stories, but I can't resist a fun writing prompt! I'm linking up @Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop - head over and give one of her prompts a whirl!

"Hold my hand and I'll help you across the parking lot", my friend said to me as she gently grabbed hold of my forearm and tried to remain patient.

{via}

Bath & Body Works "Summer Isn't Over YET" Goodie Bag Giveaway! (Day in the Life of Grad Student's Wife)

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 02:52:00 +0200

It's time for a Bath & Body Works Addicts Anonymous meeting!

I'm going to share some of my favorite B&B Works summer products
with one of my lucky readers!

{because Fall doesn't officially

begin until September 23rd}

What's in the bag:

Wallflowers Pluggable Home Fragrance Starter in Berry

Wallflower Single Bulb in Forever Sunshine

C.O. Bigelow Lemon Lipbalm

Slatkin & Co. Room Spray in Summer Melon

Liplicious lip gloss in Saltwater Taffy

Pocketbac Anti-bacterial hand gel in Fresh Lemon

Handibac Moisturizing hand lotion in Nectarine Mint

Travel size body lotion in Summer Vanillas Lemon, Summer Vanillas Berry, and Cool Aqua

*all hand-picked by me, for my lovely readers!

How to win:

Follow me! My blog is always a good time. (1 entry)

Tell me what your favorite B&B Works product is (1 entry)

Blog about Bath and Body Works! (doesn't even have to be about my giveaway - just profess your love for B&BW! (2 entries)

I will notify the winner on Monday, September 13th!

Can't wait to hear from all of my fellow B&BW addicts! :)

GOOD LUCK!

It's time for a Bath & Body Works Addicts Anonymous meeting!

I'm going to share some of my favorite B&B Works summer products
with one of my lucky readers!

{because Fall doesn't officially

begin until September 23rd}

What's in the bag:

Wallflowers Pluggable Home Fragrance Starter in Berry

Wallflower Single Bulb in Forever Sunshine

C.O. Bigelow Lemon Lipbalm

Slatkin & Co. Room Spray in Summer Melon

Liplicious lip gloss in Saltwater Taffy

Pocketbac Anti-bacterial hand gel in Fresh Lemon

Handibac Moisturizing hand lotion in Nectarine Mint

Travel size body lotion in Summer Vanillas Lemon, Summer Vanillas Berry, and Cool Aqua

*all hand-picked by me, for my lovely readers!

How to win:

Follow me! My blog is always a good time. (1 entry)

Tell me what your favorite B&B Works product is (1 entry)

Blog about Bath and Body Works! (doesn't even have to be about my giveaway - just profess your love for B&BW! (2 entries)

I will notify the winner on Monday, September 13th!

Can't wait to hear from all of my fellow B&BW addicts! :)

GOOD LUCK!

Weekend Review: Buckhorn Arena Barrel Race (The Barrel Racing Blog)

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:42:37 +0200

So, we’re off and rolling with a new contributor! Beth Penland of Stoneboro, Penn., will be sharing her takes on arenas for some additional Weekend Reviews. We’re thrilled to have both Beth and Dawn on our team, and we look forward to what more they’ve got to share! What show did you attend? (Who sanctioned, [...]

So, we’re off and rolling with a new contributor! Beth Penland of Stoneboro, Penn., will be sharing her takes on arenas for some additional Weekend Reviews. We’re thrilled to have both Beth and Dawn on our team, and we look forward to what more they’ve got to share!

What show did you attend? (Who sanctioned, etc.)

Buckhorn Arena located in West Sunbury, PA. Sanctioned by IBRA and Penn-Ohio Barrel Racing Association Aug. 28-29.

What was the competition like? Big names there?

There is always tough competition in this area. On any given day there are always 10 or more horses that can get the job done and done well in this area!

Tausha Schneider had two phenomenal runs on Saturday. She ran the only sub-fifteen second runs of the day with both of her horses. She took first place in the Open Class with her horse Ted and 2nd with her other horse, Tuff. After cleaning house, Tausha headed to a different show on Sunday.

My hat goes off to Macy Davidson. This talented youth rider was SMOKING, all weekend long, on her POA pony and had the fastest time of the weekend winning the Open Class on Sunday with a 15.7! She also won the Youth Class both days and placed third in the Open on Saturday!

How was the warm up pen?

Big, outdoor arena with lots of room. No problem warming up this weekend. The weather was sunny and gorgeous.

How was the alleyway?

Long alleyway with the other competitors, waiting to make their run, hanging out on the left and right sides.

How was the parking?

They opened up one of the pastures for this show. Parking did not seem to be a problem.

How was the ground?

The ground we ran on was sticky for the Open 4D’s. Had some clumps but most horses handled it okay. Saturday’s ground was drier than Sunday’s ground.

How did the show move along?

The show moved along well on Saturday. Had a later start on Sunday.

Your overall impression of the arena/conditions/vendors/food/etc.

Friendly folks and good brownies! For the most part, we cook at our trailer so I don’t sample a lot of food at the different arenas. But I do enjoy their soups during their winter shows!

How did you do?

Well, thank goodness my son, Mason pulled through for Team Penland! He got 2nd in the Youth with his horse, Sara on Saturday, and placed 4th in the Open Class and 3rd in the Youth Class with his horse Jory on Sunday. I ran in the rodeo there outdoors on Friday night and placed 5th with an okay run. After that, it was all about me cheering on Mason because I certainly wasn’t getting the job done this weekend!

It's September and a Shabby Apple Giveaway! (Day in the Life of Grad Student's Wife)

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:48:00 +0200

It's the first day of one of my favorite months - and even though it's still extremely hot in Athens, Ohio, I'm still loving September! And the shorter days. And cooler nights.

Another great thing about September is an awesome giveaway hosted by Leigh Ashley! She recently opened a new Etsy shop, the Shabby Apple, and I'm already a huge fan - last week, I blogged about the discover necklace I recently purchased from the Shabby Apple. Visit Leigh's Blog and enter the giveaway to win the "Lovebirds Necklace", one of her most popular pieces in the Shabby Apple shop - it's too sweet for words!

{See? Too sweet for words.}

Leigh decided to launch a blog for Shabby Apple separate from her personal blog, as posts about Shabby Apple shop updates needed a special place to belong! She is constantly adding new items, each one more sweet and unique than the last.

Visit and follow the Shabby Apple blog to stay up to date with the latest items, discounts, and more!

And now, some of my favorite items from the Shabby Apple:

{enter the giveaway here!}

I hope everyone has a fabulous first day of September! Enjoy those Starbucks Pumpkin Spice lattes!

It's the first day of one of my favorite months - and even though it's still extremely hot in Athens, Ohio, I'm still loving September! And the shorter days. And cooler nights.

{See? Too sweet for words.}

Visit and follow the Shabby Apple blog to stay up to date with the latest items, discounts, and more!

And now, some of my favorite items from the Shabby Apple:

{enter the giveaway here!}

I hope everyone has a fabulous first day of September! Enjoy those Starbucks Pumpkin Spice lattes!

Ohio State University Revokes PhD (Ohio University Plagiarism)

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:16:00 +0200

Last week I came across a very interesting article which states that Ohio State University (OSU)revoked the doctoral degree from a graduate because she plagiarized in her doctoral dissertation. You can read the Courthouse News Service article here. At the bottom of the article, you can click on the icon to see the complaint of copyright infringement filed against the student in U.S. District Court.

We already know that Ohio University's (OU's) record of dealing with plagiarism is riddled with blunders, inconsistencies, and lies; so, I think it is very interesting to note the disparity of how OSU dealt with their plagiarism case compared to OU's actions over the past 6 years.

Basically, OU handled their plagiarism problems by choosing one student and two professors to scapegoat. The rest of OU's cheating students (at least 38 at last count) were allowed to keep their degrees. As I reported in previous posts, OU even allowed at least one student to republish a thesis that still contains pages of blatant verbatim plagiarism; and for almost three years now, they have refused to hold accountable the student and the professors who approved the rewrite that contains plagiarism.

On the other hand, once the OSU Committee on Academic Misconduct found that the student violated the OSU Code of Student Conduct, it appears that they never considered offering the guilty student a chance to rewrite her dissertation. In fact, OSU dealt with their guilty student very harshly. One of the sanctions was to authorize the student's dissertation committee "to retroactively invalidate the approval form approving the written portion of Ms. Nixon's doctoral examination." Another sanction was to "direct Ms. Nixon to promptly return her doctoral diploma to the University Registrar."

Ohio University leaders need to learn from OSU's example, and they need to stop polluting our higher education system with unqualified professors who fraudulently obtained their teaching positions.Last week I came across a very interesting article which states that Ohio State University (OSU)revoked the doctoral degree from a graduate because she plagiarized in her doctoral dissertation. You can read the Courthouse News Service article here. At the bottom of the article, you can click on the icon to see the complaint of copyright infringement filed against the student in U.S. District Court.

We already know that Ohio University's (OU's) record of dealing with plagiarism is riddled with blunders, inconsistencies, and lies; so, I think it is very interesting to note the disparity of how OSU dealt with their plagiarism case compared to OU's actions over the past 6 years.

Basically, OU handled their plagiarism problems by choosing one student and two professors to scapegoat. The rest of OU's cheating students (at least 38 at last count) were allowed to keep their degrees. As I reported in previous posts, OU even allowed at least one student to republish a thesis that still contains pages of blatant verbatim plagiarism; and for almost three years now, they have refused to hold accountable the student and the professors who approved the rewrite that contains plagiarism.

On the other hand, once the OSU Committee on Academic Misconduct found that the student violated the OSU Code of Student Conduct, it appears that they never considered offering the guilty student a chance to rewrite her dissertation. In fact, OSU dealt with their guilty student very harshly. One of the sanctions was to authorize the student's dissertation committee "to retroactively invalidate the approval form approving the written portion of Ms. Nixon's doctoral examination." Another sanction was to "direct Ms. Nixon to promptly return her doctoral diploma to the University Registrar."

Ohio University leaders need to learn from OSU's example, and they need to stop polluting our higher education system with unqualified professors who fraudulently obtained their teaching positions.

When a Man Loves a Woman... (Day in the Life of Grad Student's Wife)

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:57:00 +0200

So, I watched the big Dancing with the Stars cast reveal on ABC last night. If you're reading this and you watched it because you can't wait to watch C & D list celebrities cut a major rug this fall, too, then you may have (ok - probably did) crack up when Michael Bolton's name was announced.

Well...
I squealed with delight!

Now it's time, fellow bloggers, that I reveal an embarrassing fact about myself - one of my very first musical loves. And believe me, I'm laughing with you (a little.) I just couldn't help myself at the age of 9!

Strangely, I still can't help myself at the age of 26.

I have Michael's entire music collection on my Ipod, including his Christmas songs, live albums, and Sinatra covers. I do not skip the Christmas songs when the Ipod's on shuffle.

My mom and I both love MB, and will be cheering and voting for him no matter how crappy he performs on DWTS - but something tells me that this classy dude of a man is going to knock 'em dead!

I mean, come ON -

how can you not vote for that?!?

One thing's for sure - I will be skipping a lot of Monday Night Football for this guy. Yep, that's right - when I'm not watching football, basketball, or baseball, I'm listening to MICHAEL! And I'm willing to ditch Tom Brady for him - that really says something! (Not sure what... but definitely something.)

Please - I beg you - be gentle with your comments! LOLLLL

Strangely, I still can't help myself at the age of 26.

I have Michael's entire music collection on my Ipod, including his Christmas songs, live albums, and Sinatra covers. I do not skip the Christmas songs when the Ipod's on shuffle.

My mom and I both love MB, and will be cheering and voting for him no matter how crappy he performs on DWTS - but something tells me that this classy dude of a man is going to knock 'em dead!

I mean, come ON -

how can you not vote for that?!?

Please - I beg you - be gentle with your comments! LOLLLL

Weekend Review: WB Ranch On the Road with Dawn and Clea (The Barrel Racing Blog)

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:12:34 +0200

Well it is Friday the 20th, a rushed week (the norm for most). Clea shoes a couple of the horses and we are getting ready for the weekend… We’ve got the truck loaded – feed/hay check – tack check - grill/food check - clothes/boots check – cooler/Coors check…horses…well uncheck. As we pulling out I say to Clea “Did [...]

Well it is Friday the 20^th, a rushed week (the norm for most). Clea shoes a couple of the horses and we are getting ready for the weekend… We’ve got the truck loaded – feed/hay check – tack check - grill/food check - clothes/boots check – cooler/Coors check…horses…well uncheck. As we pulling out I say to Clea “Did you hook Shawn?” She looks at me “I didn’t load her, you did!” I look back with a clear look of WTH ”Ummmmmmm no I didn’t, I was in the house when you loaded the horses.” As she looks back at me with the look of REALLY “Ummmmmm I did not load any of them.” Trailer in reverse ……….Horses loaded – check!! AND WE ARE OFF!

What show did you attend? (Who sanctioned, etc.)

WB Ranch NBHA 07 Money Maker

What was the competition like? Big names there?

Competition was FIERCE at the least………….. It was one tough weekend.

Shawna Wynlnn – Beth Penland – Mason Penland – Abi Ringer – Matt Boice – Paige Essert – Tausha Schneider – Frank Vandenine – The Myers Family – Cody Rodenhauser – Shayne Stratton – Taylor Henning – too many to list!!!!!!! It was a tough barrel race at WB Ranch! If you missed it you should plan on being there for the next one! However, bring you A Game everyone will need it!

Shawna Winland on Max and Ellen McKee’s big gray horse “Willie” ran the fastest time of the weekend (16.173) to get the show started on Friday!

Then on Saturday Beth Penland came in and smokes a run with Whirling FastCat that was something to scream about. It was flawless! Let me tell you, for anyone who has ever seen Beth run she screams from the time her horse starts til it stops… She started at the back forty (as the arena has an alley that is really really long) and she screamed for 3 minutes after when she saw she ran a 16.422! That got her 2nd in the Open on Saturday! Not to bad from a girl from little ol’ Stoneboro PA! Definitely something to scream about!! Great Job Beth!

Then enter Abi Ringer, again from the back 40! With Beth cheering her on at the 2nd Barrel as the Penland’s always do for everyone. Abi comes in and lays down an unbelievable run 16.408! Which won the class on Saturday! Way to ride Abi!

Sunday was another radical day of competition. As we all say it is not over until the last horse runs………especially in a 4D that last horse can change it all! I was draw 2 in the Open on Sunday. I ran a 16.581 ……….KC Jane ran her heart out she was working like a woman that needed the money! So Clea and I are sitting watching to see who is running to see if I will remain in 1st or………………..

As we watch here comes Abi Ringer in on Gunner to run a 16.467 and bump me to 2nd…no biggy, then Shawna Winland on Willie bumps us both down a notch then Natalie Davidison comes in on ol’ Jeter Bug and after running 16.8′s all weekend (as her and I were discussing in the warm up pen) she pulls out a 16.502 YEP another notch down! THEN ENTER Tausha Schineder with her great horse Ted! They were having some issues Fri and Sat but pulled it together on Sunday for a heck of a run 16.384 it was beautiful. OK Now I am sitting 5th OK I will take fifth out of 140 head OH BUT WAIT Abi Ringer rolls in AGAIN on Oodie! Oh that girl was whippin and a kickin 3 mins before she went up the shoot and did enough of that to run a 16.385. So I’m thinking ok another check for the weekend not in the warm up but the open I am cool with that…………………yeah well how about Paige Essert she rolled in there somewhere when we were not looking with a 16.557 of course just enough to drop this ol’ girl out of the money! So again lucky number 7!! Oh but what a great weekend and what a pleasure to see all those great riders and horses! GOTTA LOVE BARREL RACING!

Then Team Penland (Beth and Mason) showed us all how it was done as a team! Abi Ringer’s name was called in every class at least once and most of the time twice – that girl had some smokin runs - Frank VanDenEnyde had 2 smoking runs in the open on Hilda…….That man can ride. I love seeing that team rock and roll through the barrels! Frank ended up a couple out of the money in the 1D on Saturday and ended up winning the 2D on Sunday. Way to go Frank and Hilda!

Lexie Shipman the little girl on the Appaloosa I mentioned in the Vail Meadows writing was 3rd in the 2D! Way to go Lexie Again I am sure everyone will be seeing this little girl in the winners circle in the future.

In one word for the Youth and Open Classes: EXTRAORDINARY

Seniors were rockin’ and rollin’ as well!

Ellen McKee kicked some booty on her black horse “Horse” by winning the Seniors on Saturday with a 17.225 WAY TO GO ELLEN!

Max was right in on there on Sunday in 2nd place. Tom Snyder took 1st on Sunday and was just out of it on Saturday. Don Holden hit the dust once in the warm up class when his good mare Mia thought he needed to speed up – Don disagreed and stayed at the barrel BUT he came back to win the 2D both days in the seniors! Way to ride Don! Frank VanDenEnyde place with Hilda as well in the 2D!

How was the alleyway?

Awesome! It is a very long shoot that runs to the warm up pen and it is one of the best alleyways I have ever ran down!

How was the warm-up area?

There is an indoor attached to the arena and then Outdoor pen as well. Lots of grass riding too!

How was the parking?

Lots of it grass and driveway area.

How was the ground?

It is a sandy pen and always great. I have never been to that pen that the ground was bad. It can get deep at times but the footing is safe.

How did the show move along?

Petty good. They had a HUGE turn out. They had 30 plus pee wees on Saturday for poles and for barrels. Stacy Milbrodt-Hartman did a great job of organizing the show and making sure all was taken care of. She had one of my favorite announcers there Nancy Lajiti (the lady from Vail Meadows)

Your overall impression of the arena/conditions/vendors/food/etc.

It is a nice clean place. The run to the first barrel is exhilarating! Great place to watch, participate or just come for the camping. Fishing for the kids and lots of good food. The NBHA did their own food booth this past show. Good Job on all the good food!

The WB Kitchen is usually up and running. The food in the WBK is AWESOME and should be dined at when there!

AGAIN we would like to send out a big thank you to Stacy Milbrodt-Hartman for taking the time to organize this show. She has proven to be a great director! She did a wonderful job and as you all know it can seem like a thankless job when it comes to putting on barrel races but she should be very proud her hard work, how the show was ran and know that we all appreciate it very much! HUMMMMMMM Does this sound like a repeat!!! That is a complement Stacy!

Thanks!!!

How did you do?

All the horses do well there. Clea had beautiful runs on Shawnee was just out of the money on a couple and got in on a couple. Was a little frustrated with her runs on Chili but pulled it all together on Sunday for a beautiful run! KC well she was givin me all she had for the weekend and yellow too! He got in as well but that pen is a little big for that boy! He like the little pens! All in all made a little cash for entries and we were happy with horses and riders!

From “On the road with Clea & Dawn” over and out! Next stop Wooster perhaps and Country Estates ……………..who knows, somewhere there are 3 cans to turn!

Polyamory and Patriarchy Zine Questionnaire (doris zine blog)

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:46:00 +0200

This is a zine an amazing aquaintance of mine is putting together.
Please send your stories to: polypatriarchyzine@gmail.com, or mail them to 4951 Catharine St., Philadelphia, PA 19143.

Polyamory and Patriarchy Zine Questionnaire

These questions are for a zine I’m writing about polyamory and patriarchy. So often, people feel either that polyamory is the only revolutionary way to be intimate, or the worst way. I’d like to hear what you’ve learned from polyamory – ways it felt liberatory, and ways it may have felt like familiar oppressive gender roles dressed up in revolutionary language. My agenda isn’t to discredit polyamory, but to identify how much we have to learn about truly liberatory relationships.
These questions are fairly personal and ask you to revisit some painful memories, so please take your time, answer only what you feel comfortable answering, and let me know how you want your anonymity protected. Please use pseudonyms! Do give me contact info, though, if you want to review how I use your material before the zine is published.

1. Let’s start with gender. What gender roles did you learn from your family of origin? From the media? From your chosen community? How do you express gender now – is it different than how you were socialized to express gender?

2. What were your reasons for first trying polyamory? Was it your idea or a partner’s? Did you have any models in your community for successful polyamorous relationships?

3. What was the most empowering experience you’ve had in polyamory?

4. What was the hardest situation to handle in a polyamorous relationship? Looking back, what would you have done differently, if anything?

5. What kinds of insecurities did polyamory raise? Did they concern your gender or body image? How did you handle these insecurities?

6. How have you felt most empowered in polyamory? How has it felt expansive, liberatory, or healing?

7. Do you have a different kind of intimacy with lovers than with friends? Who are you more likely to turn to for emotional support?

8. How do your expectations change based on what kind of relationship you’re in? Do you have different standards of behavior for partners and lovers?

9. Has polyamory ever made you feel silenced, or unable to ask for what you needed?
What have your relationships with your lover’s other lovers been like? How have you handled feelings of jealousy and competition? How have you handled your partner’s jealousy?

10. Tell me a little about your best relationship, polyamorous or otherwise, and what made it work so well.

11. Today, what is your ideal relationship?

12. Do you want to see the zine before it’s published? Do you want a copy mailed to you? If so, let me know how to reach you.

Please send your stories to: polypatriarchyzine@gmail.com, or mail them to 4951 Catharine St., Philadelphia, PA 19143.

I also welcome your analysis and thoughts about sexual politics, polyamory, and this project – thanks!This is a zine an amazing aquaintance of mine is putting together.
Please send your stories to: polypatriarchyzine@gmail.com, or mail them to 4951 Catharine St., Philadelphia, PA 19143.

Polyamory and Patriarchy Zine Questionnaire

These questions are for a zine I’m writing about polyamory and patriarchy. So often, people feel either that polyamory is the only revolutionary way to be intimate, or the worst way. I’d like to hear what you’ve learned from polyamory – ways it felt liberatory, and ways it may have felt like familiar oppressive gender roles dressed up in revolutionary language. My agenda isn’t to discredit polyamory, but to identify how much we have to learn about truly liberatory relationships.
These questions are fairly personal and ask you to revisit some painful memories, so please take your time, answer only what you feel comfortable answering, and let me know how you want your anonymity protected. Please use pseudonyms! Do give me contact info, though, if you want to review how I use your material before the zine is published.

1. Let’s start with gender. What gender roles did you learn from your family of origin? From the media? From your chosen community? How do you express gender now – is it different than how you were socialized to express gender?

2. What were your reasons for first trying polyamory? Was it your idea or a partner’s? Did you have any models in your community for successful polyamorous relationships?

3. What was the most empowering experience you’ve had in polyamory?

4. What was the hardest situation to handle in a polyamorous relationship? Looking back, what would you have done differently, if anything?

5. What kinds of insecurities did polyamory raise? Did they concern your gender or body image? How did you handle these insecurities?

6. How have you felt most empowered in polyamory? How has it felt expansive, liberatory, or healing?

7. Do you have a different kind of intimacy with lovers than with friends? Who are you more likely to turn to for emotional support?

8. How do your expectations change based on what kind of relationship you’re in? Do you have different standards of behavior for partners and lovers?

9. Has polyamory ever made you feel silenced, or unable to ask for what you needed?
What have your relationships with your lover’s other lovers been like? How have you handled feelings of jealousy and competition? How have you handled your partner’s jealousy?

10. Tell me a little about your best relationship, polyamorous or otherwise, and what made it work so well.

11. Today, what is your ideal relationship?

12. Do you want to see the zine before it’s published? Do you want a copy mailed to you? If so, let me know how to reach you.

Please send your stories to: polypatriarchyzine@gmail.com, or mail them to 4951 Catharine St., Philadelphia, PA 19143.

I also welcome your analysis and thoughts about sexual politics, polyamory, and this project – thanks!

Play until the whistle blows! (Day in the Life of Grad Student's Wife)

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:50:00 +0200

3 days.
I will be excited - and nervous.
I will be wasting my agency's money by surfing the web for the latest college football stories during office hours.
I will be nervously toying with my green and white football charm bracelet.
I will be wearing a collegiate tee with a black blazer, black dress pants, and heels.
I will be holding on to some kind of hope that my team, the Marshall Thundering Herd, can "play until the whistle blows" and avoid the embarrassment that the opposing team could possibly serve them - but, I have a feeling, it's not going to be as big of a beating as some of my Ohio friends suspect.
I will hope that grandpa Lou Holtz has something nice to say about the Herd, a young team with a brand new coach and a brand new outlook.
I will be defending my team to no end, as Ohio State fans badger me with ignorant, bold and disrespectful comments at the office (I'm exaggerating here - really, they're nice people.)
I will hold my head up high, because even though the Buckeyes are one of the strongest powerhouses of this college football nation, my Herd has soul, respect, and gorgeous kelly green uniforms. And awesome fans, like me.

Thursday, September 2nd, 7:30 pm

vs.

Say a prayer for me on Thursday night, will you? (At least I will be noshing on good food.)

Thursday, September 2nd, 7:30 pm

vs.

Say a prayer for me on Thursday night, will you? (At least I will be noshing on good food.)

Bath and Body Works Addicts Anonymous (Meeting #3) (Day in the Life of Grad Student's Wife)

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:44:00 +0200

It's Friday afternoon. I leave work, my husband and I go to Applebees for a late lunch, and then he says "I'm not ready to go home yet - let's run around." I say, "if we're running around, then I'm running to Bath and Body Works - I've got a 20% off total purchase coupon (Coupin!) and a free travel-size product with any purchase offer, burning a hole right through my cheap kelly green vinyl wallet."

Next, Dark Kiss happens.

YUM. The newest BBW Signature Collection fragrance is super sweet, intense, a little musky, and super sexy. A mixture of Twilight Woods, Midnight Pomegranate, and Black Amethyst, it's the perfect recipe for cool fall days and date nights! The scent lingers, too - I can smell it on the couch throw pillows, blankets i've been curling up with in the evenings, and my bedding - and that's just from the trial size body lotion I used during the past two weeks!

I'm still using the remnants of Forever Sunshine which I completely still think is the best scent ever (along with Twilight Woods, of course), so I purchased the full size Dark Kiss shower gel, body lotion, and body spray for my "travel beauty booty" bag. It's a nice start to my travel beauty case, which is going to be an expensive task - as some of my readers may remember, I'm building a collection of all of my favorite health & beauty aid/makeup must-haves in full sizes for travel purposes only, because I have major problems forgetting items when I go somewhere, and I can't keep up with re-stocking too-small travel-sized products. Now that I have Dark Kiss waiting in the travel bag, I can't flipping wait to go somewhere! Let's go!

If you're looking for a new fall scent, this may be the one to try just because I said so. It definitely has nosehair-burning potential, so if you're not used to strong, spicy and sweet, I suggest starting gradual - like with a travel-size body spray, to see if you like it. The new scent is also sold in the form of small candles and Wallflower bulbs, so if it doesn't wear well on your skin (after all, everybody carries scents differently), then give it a try in the home! Or just buy some for the sake of spending $$$ (since we all have extra dough laying around, HA) and mail it to Stephanie Snyder in Athens, Ohio.

P.S. Bath & Body Works/Limited Brands does not compensate me in any way for writing these rockin' reviews - although, they totally should. So i can use the money to go buy more of their stuff. I've contacted them regarding this issue, but no word yet! They probably just think I'm a wishful thinking loser high on Japanese Cherry Blossom Anti-bac gel.

It's Friday afternoon. I leave work, my husband and I go to Applebees for a late lunch, and then he says "I'm not ready to go home yet - let's run around." I say, "if we're running around, then I'm running to Bath and Body Works - I've got a 20% off total purchase coupon (Coupin!) and a free travel-size product with any purchase offer, burning a hole right through my cheap kelly green vinyl wallet."

Next, Dark Kiss happens.

Radio Silence (Becoming a Painter)

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:29:00 +0200

I rarely listen to radio anymore. Once it was as automatic in the morning to turn on a radio as it was to make coffee. At night, the radio would be the second to last thing I’d turn off, just before the bedside lamp. I needed the noise. The yabber-jabber word play of disc jockeys was as important to me as phone conversation, maybe more. Unlike the recorded “Press one to hear this important message about your credit card,” a DJ’s voice sounded human.

In recent years my media use has dwindled to almost nothing. I cancelled television because the only thing I ever watched was Cartoon Network. To sit by a television felt more and more like doing nothing. People react to this revelation as if I am making some kind of arrogant boast or statement—political, moral, obnoxious, or otherwise. But I’m not. I don’t watch TV because I truly don’t want to.

My losing interest in television was odd enough, I suppose, even to me, but then interest in newspapers, magazines, and now radio have dwindled as well. I dutifully check up on world events through the Internet, but something that once was as routine as breathing is now a chore, like laundry. I have to make myself check the news.

I wasn’t aware of the extent of the change until I attended a music festival yesterday. It’s the first I’d been surrounded by raw manufactured sound in a long time. It was great music, but a relief to get home. As my illness progresses I think I need more and more silence, or at least a different kind of noise. Instead of rock beats, it’s cicadas I need to hear. Instead of DJ’s, I crave goldfinch chatter. Instead of weather reports, I consult the thrum of passing dragonfly wings.

I do not understand the change. I simply need more silence now. My body is declining; I have come to trust the food cravings it sends me. They are accurate for helping me adjust my relentless imbalances. Maybe my craving for silence is the same, a path for righting an imbalance. A raccoon coughs in the night; a coyote yelps; a deer stamps its feet. I hear nature’s music and can sing myself, not with my voice, but with the beating of my heart.

Above: Dragonfly, acrylic on tile, 12x12 inches. Copyright ptw 2006

a tricky case (Stacey, BSJ '89)

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 16:16:31 +0200

The day before school started found me and babe-o’s at Walmart for her kindergarten eye exam. It may be a state-o-illinois thing, but all are required to have one before entering school. I would have taken her to my handsome eye doctor but he was booking appointments in October. So, the nice Walmart eye doc comes in and we get started. After [...]

So, the nice Walmart eye doc comes in and we get started. After five minutes he tells me that he has done 200 kindergarten eye exams this summer and by far this is his most difficult case. That’s when I started to worry I would not make my hair appointment that I booked months ago. (My last haircut was in May and it was starting to look like Crystal Gale)

Neither the doc nor I could discern whether babe-o’s was a. unable to see the eye chart b. could see the chart but just doesn’t know her letters well enough and was getting mixed up, or scarier than that, c. was faking it to get glasses. Her acting was that good.

Long story even longer, he had to dilate her eyes and send us out to shop in the store for 30 minutes. There were no back-to-school essentials I had to buy and fortunately, it didn’t take her long to announce, “you know I was pretending in there, didn’t you?” She wanted glasses! I raced the cart back to the eye center, got him to sign the form and made it to my appointment by the skin of my teeth.

"Mary and Max" and "Little Nightmares, Little Dreams" (Appalachian Morning)

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 12:41:00 +0200

I often find myself writing about how seemingly unconnected things are connected... the winding way circumstances and deliberate acts join to make the most interesting of days...when least expected. In an attempt to tag a post, I can only enter "serendipity." And hope for the best.

This Wednesday was one such day. It was a funky day. Things were not going right and an atmosphere of gloom and doom seemed to hover over our field of dreams. How to fix it? Take the day off diettogo.com (food is delivered on Wed. and FedX was late and everything was frozen solid, really) and visit the Ohio University Inn, just down the hill, where they have the most delicious breads, salads, steak and coffee.

Not to mention our favorite waiter, Reid. It had only been a week earlier that we'd mused on whether or not Reid, having obtained his degree at OU, was now off in the world doing all the wonderful things we imagined would be found on the path he was working so earnestly to create. This guy has the kind of intelligence, charisma, and energy that a couple in his parents' generation can only consider wistfully.

"I need to go to a movie," I said.
"Dinner out would be nice," Mark said.
"Our food is frozen solid," I said.
"We got a new Netflix movie today."
"What is it?" I sighed.
"Mary and Max. It's claymation."
Rolling of eyes on my part. "Okay, do you want a burrito?"
"Let's go to OU Inn."
Now you're talkin'!

I threw on a dress, (ever notice how dresses are so great because you can throw one on, apply lipstick, and you're suddenly ready for anything?). (Here is the dress, which guy who checked out my books at library called "awesome dress" and I am just ancient enough to really have that make my day; though I wondered if he was doing a "play it forward" kind of thing, being nice to the motherly looking woman.)

At the restaurant, who was there but Reid. (I do not have a photo of Reid, but he kinda looks like this guy.) Already the cloud was moving to Parkersburg way.

"Reid, you're still here!"
"Tonight's my last night!"
Reid shared his story of post-graduate decision making and between his remembering Mark's Pelligrino and my love of real butter and the special bread, not rolls, and his making of the chop house salad (no bleu cheese for me because I am allergic to like everything), Reid informed us he was bound for Washington DC. Had chosen DC over NYC. And the pros and cons. Anyway....

He gave me a hug and I was getting choked up. "I won't wish you good luck," I said, "because I know you don't need it. Everything wonderful is already waiting for you there, you only need to go get it." (Was I talking to Reid or to my son, Jesse? Are all mothers always talking to their own children, well, that's another blog isn't it.)

Mark, good man, left a generous fare-thee-well tip and we returned home to watch the movie, thinking how glad we were we'd visited OU Inn on Reid's last night there. We would have missed not saying goodbye to him.

Now, about Mary and Max. I can't describe it as well as the website, or YouTube trailer. Or wikipedia.

If you are interested in any of the following, this is a movie you will not want to miss! It may become your next favorite movie. (Note: right click on the links and "open in new tab" for some surprising information. You might want to bookmark this blog post for later surfing.)

* The movie, UP!
* Asperger's
* Lonliness
* Australia
* New York City
* Old Jewish men who live alone in a big city
* Young girls who don't feel pretty
* Claymation
* Wallace and Gromit
* Humor and angst
* Obsessive compulsive disorder
* Chocolate
* Mail art
* single people who live with pets
* dysfunctional, alcoholic mothers
* taxidermy
* birthmarks

Marveling at how said dark cloud had moved over our home after the ingestion of a delicious meal in a quiet restaurant... OH, I forgot to mention the piano player! At OU Inn on Wednesdays there is a guy who plays the piano and Mark, who knows these things, states he is right up there with the best guys who play piano in the best restaurants in NYC. I loved all the songs he played and I could name that tune because my parents had a big stereo in our living room and all these songs were played on the record player.

So, doggies settled in, couple with full stomach, and Mary and Max begins. We watched the whole movie... without any talking. It was mesmerizing, wonderful, sad, funny, creative, artistic, enlightening. Jeepers, you've got to see it!

Then, bedtime. On a day that started out so gloomy and progressed to several electronic things going awry, but then picked up with the promise of food, took a turn to teary with the leave-taking of Reid the Waiter... and then a wonderful, thought-provoking movie... well, what could be next! Perhaps the day should be done.

Nope, time to read before sleep. I picked up "Little Nightmares, Little Dreams" by Rachel Simon. This book is out of print (pshcurfurgl that big NYC publisher and it's business model). But, I bought a copy at that godsend of writers with long careers and readers with long attention spans, AbeBooks. I started in the middle of the book, because it's a book of short stories and I like that I can do that, just start where it strikes my fancy... so I started with "Twins."

W
O
W
!

"Twins" is the story of a sheltered workshop for folks with disabilities. One day two new clients join the workshop, and they are joined to each other; they are co-joined twins and the story is how they are perceived at the start by the other folks and how everyone figures out how to think about this. It's a great story and rings so true to my experiences with this community. I thought about how a few years ago when we would go to the MRDD (now it is just called DD, which sounds like "DeeDee" to me, and I wish they'd come up with a better handle, liked SNP, Special Needs People, or DAPs, Differently Abled Persons... or something, let's have a vote). Anyway....

...there was a guy there at the dance. He looked to be in his fifties, he was a small guy, not too tall, kinda thin. He was all face, a big smiling face. The biggest smile ever. He didn't dance, he'd start out at one end of the room. Raise his hands in the air, smile going all across his face, and he'd RUN as fast as he could past the girl with Downs Syndrome and a fake plastic guitar, past the old skinny lady with red lipstick and a pink purse, past the "player" guy who was kind of good looking and wanted to shake everyone's hands, and past the table with cookies and pop.... to the other side, where he'd stop abruptly, turn, hands in the air and smile at everyone. Then do it all again.

The dialogue and thoughts Rachel Simon portrays in "Twins" read true. Enlightened. Did the interesting job of portraying someone really different from many of us in such a way that we realize how much we all have in common. What art!

When I turned off the light, I sighed and realized the day had turned out pretty well indeed. When our own creativity let's us down, there are always others to point the way forward.

---Janice Phelps Williams
Please friend me on Facebook, so I can learn what interests you.

Here's what I listened to while writing this post.

Random Questions @ Friday Fives! (Day in the Life of Grad Student's Wife)

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:16:00 +0200

(Need I say more?)

Actually, yes - I do need to say more. Because it's time for some random Q&A, by Beth McC!

Something you're OCD about:

Making sure the door is locked when I leave the apartment! Before I walk away from my apartment, I check the knob several times. I'm not at the point where I actually need to count how many times i attempt to twist the knob and check if it's secure, but I'm getting there! It really makes going somewhere a major pain in the arse - seriously, if i could get over this, I would be out the door and in my car at least 2 minutes faster.

Your favorite quote:

Grandpa Lou Holtz all the way! "Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond to it." I blogged about it here!

What is the farthest you've been from home?

I have yet to venture across the big blue sea, so Las Vegas it is! I went on my honeymoon a few years ago. I was far from "home" physically, but I felt at home there - such an amazing place! No matter who you are, you feel like a rock star. Amazing!

Do you do a real or fake Christmas tree?

Fake for now - and probably forever. I have way too many ornaments to mess with trying to find a real tree with enough tips. Several of my ornaments are extremely heavy. Ornaments, ornaments, ornaments. I am a Christmas nut! As it gets closer to tissing the season, you will learn more about my Christmas decoration obsession! (Each year, I put my fake tree up the first weekend of November - a birthday present to myself!)

First blog you ever read?

Crazy Shenanigans! Jennifer's blog was my inspiration, my reason for starting a life in blog land. She and I both graduated from Marshall University in 2006 with degrees in criminal justice, so I knew her before well before I began blogging. She kind of held my hand, told me it would be OK, and helped me set up the whole she-bang.

Jmo blogs about her traveling adventures, good times with friends, movies and books, and the totally random crazy things that tend to occur in her life. Be sure to visit Crazy Shenanigans as you leave! (And thanks, Jennifer!)

{Check it out!}

Visit Beth @ Just Me and My Life to play along with her weekly Friday 5's!

Have a great Friday, friends!

(Need I say more?)

Actually, yes - I do need to say more. Because it's time for some random Q&A, by Beth McC!

Something you're OCD about:

Your favorite quote:

Grandpa Lou Holtz all the way! "Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond to it." I blogged about it here!

What is the farthest you've been from home?

Do you do a real or fake Christmas tree?

First blog you ever read?

{Check it out!}

Visit Beth @ Just Me and My Life to play along with her weekly Friday 5's!

Have a great Friday, friends!

Dress you up in my Love! (Day in the Life of Grad Student's Wife)

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:09:00 +0200

This is how I eat Dove Chocolates:
~I curl up on the couch.
~I get a good magazine or catalog to look at.
~I eat the chocolates one by one, reading the quotes inside the wrappers as I chew.
~I flatten the wrappers out and toss them into a pile on the coffee table.
~I save the really good quotes by tucking the little wrappers inside photo albums, catalogs, or notebooks that are laying onor inside the coffee table (they're extra fun to find and read later!)
~Sometimes, I find a great quote that is super inspiring and "hits the spot". When this happens, I blog about it!

Lately, I've had new fall clothes on the mind - more specifically, dresses and skirts. I'm typically not a "dress/skirt kinda girl", but rather a *cute-heels-with-jeans-and-a-blazer kind of woman*. This year, however, I am loving almost every fall dress I see.

As I was eating my Dove dark chocolates, I came across this quote:

So today, I'm sharing what my idea of a perfect dress is - for me, the dress/skirt newbie!
P.S. This is my first fashion-inspired post! Go me!

{tuxedo dress, J.Crew; ruffled plaid dress, Anthropologie}

I love Pam from the office and all, but her wardrobe for seasons 1-4 was just awful - awfully realistic - and reminded me of my own wear-to-work wardrobe. I would happily wear both of these dresses to work! I would feel slightly overdressed, because I work in the administrative department of an alcohol and drug treatment agency after all, but still - super professional and super stylish! These would guarantee the label "Office cutie", I'm pretty sure of it!

{khaki shirtdress, Old Navy; lace bodice dress, Buckle}

The functions of these cuties are completely opposite - one's clearly for play, while the other's for a more formal occasion. I dig the simplicity of both, in addition the comfort factor. I think both would look fab on a small busted girl like myself, which is always makes for a good time when trying to find the perfect dress Wouldn't the lighter plum number look great as a bridesmaid dress? (Here I go, replanning my wedding that already happened 4 years ago...)

{"love race dress", Francesca Collections; striped sweater dress, Gap}

STRIPES. You can go wrong with stripes, but not if you get the right width and direction according to your body type. I like stripes in neutral tones on myself - both of these dresses fit the bill. I would wear both just about anywhere, for any occasion. And I would keep the leggings under the Gap number, but skip those suede roll top booties and find some a little more chunky - and maybe add a huge necklace. As you can see, I'm already planning to own it!

{ruffle-front contrast dress, BCBG; purple tie waist dress, Banana Republic}

Finally, my favorites of the whole bunch: miss sassy on the left is screaming with confidence (and i completely believe it's coming from the dress - or maybe the awesome handbag - or both.) I'm really feeling purple this year - and I'm really in love with the B.R. dress because it's so classy, yet super simple. Once again -talking about boobs- these would look great on a small chested gal because they accentuate other areas of the body, like killer arms and shoulders, or a small waistline.

As you can probably tell, I'm small busted. I have long, gangly arms and toned chicken legs. My torso is like a half a centimeter long, and my waistline is small, but soft - from chocolate, you know. I kind of have the body type of a spider, which is why i've had next to no past with wearing dresses - I can't find any to fit! But now, I'm motivated - and this fall, I'm finding the perfect dress!

*Today, I'm linking up at Buzz on By Thursdays, hosted by Fashionably Organized and Two Savvy Sisters! Check it out and join in the fun!

As I was eating my Dove dark chocolates, I came across this quote:

So today, I'm sharing what my idea of a perfect dress is - for me, the dress/skirt newbie!
P.S. This is my first fashion-inspired post! Go me!

{tuxedo dress, J.Crew; ruffled plaid dress, Anthropologie}

{khaki shirtdress, Old Navy; lace bodice dress, Buckle}

{"love race dress", Francesca Collections; striped sweater dress, Gap}

{ruffle-front contrast dress, BCBG; purple tie waist dress, Banana Republic}

*Today, I'm linking up at Buzz on By Thursdays, hosted by Fashionably Organized and Two Savvy Sisters! Check it out and join in the fun!

Travel freedom and pain (How to Become a U.S. Citizen)

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 02:39:43 +0200

A neat graphic showing which citizens can travel to how many country without the cost and hassle of applying for a visa.

The Economist
August 25th, 2010

No Visa Required -- Who has most freedom to travel

URL:
http://www.economist.com/node/16885221?story_id=16885221&fsrc=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+economist/news_analysis_and_views+%28The+Economist:+News+analysis+and+views%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

back to school essentials (Stacey, BSJ '89)

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 01:25:49 +0200

My kids start school tomorrow. I’ve got the backpacks lined up by the door. I’ll try to go to bed early tonight and I will try not to cry in the morning when Babe-o’s goes into her kindergarten class! So do you have your back to school supplies yet? Not for the kids, silly, for you! I [...]

So do you have your back to school supplies yet? Not for the kids, silly, for you! I have my chocolate Hunter boots ready to go for our first rainy day. I also bought charcoal cable liners for when it gets chilly. If your school supply shopping went like mine, you deserve a treat. So what’s on your list??

Product Review: Seabuck Equine – Get 25% Off Using This Code! (The Barrel Racing Blog)

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:03:17 +0200

My 12-year-old Appendix Quarter Horse mare has been on Seabuck Equine for a little over a month now, and I’ve noticed enough of a difference to be able to write a review of the popular product. My mare has had signs of ulcers, and a vet confirmed my suspicions last month. She used to be [...]

My 12-year-old Appendix Quarter Horse mare has been on Seabuck Equine for a little over a month now, and I’ve noticed enough of a difference to be able to write a review of the popular product.

My mare has had signs of ulcers, and a vet confirmed my suspicions last month. She used to be difficult to get into the pen, until I started her on Oxy-Gen’s JailBreak and Oxy-Gen Xtreme GI Care in April. I gave the GI Care a few weeks off, then started her on the Seabuck Equine. It picked up right where the Oxy-Gen Xtreme GI Care left off, and I continued to not have any problems with my mare’s ulcers. She’s been controlled and she’s been schooling barrels very well and running great, so I’ve been very excited with the product.

One major difference I’ve noticed in my mare while using Seabuck is her hair growth. At 12, you’d think her mane would be as long as it was ever goi

ng to be. That’s not the case, though, as she’s grown two to three extra inches of mane in the last month. Her hair coat has been exceptional, and her mane and tail look great. If you know my mare, you know she’s got a funky head, so any extra mane and forelock growth helps her out ; )

If you’d like to give Seabuck a try, go to www.seabuck.com and type in the coupon code SBCS2010 at checkout, and you’ll get 25 percent off your purchase.

Also, if you want to pick up Seabuck locally, talk to Nikki Cowden of Bar~N~LLC., and she can tell you more about the product and sell you jugs of it as well!

Post It Note Tuesday: Peanut Butter & Chocolate! (Day in the Life of Grad Student's Wife)

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:58:00 +0200

Shabby Apple review & more Etsy finds! (Day in the Life of Grad Student's Wife)

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 02:49:00 +0200

community accountability zine call for submissions (doris zine blog)

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 02:16:00 +0200

I am so glad someone is doing this zine! I have been trying to find time to try and put together this exact thing!
Please submit!!!
It's Down to This

For info and submissions contact: responsezine@gmail.com

“It’s Down to This” is a new zine compilation that aims to give space to step back, take a deep breath and reflect on where we’re at.

Reflecting on our experiences with community accountability processes, survivor support, or general efforts to cultivate community response to sexual violence- this is a space to talk about our experiences with this work, what we have learned, where we want to go from here, what we feel, what we want others to be able to hear, see, think about, engage with.

It is an attempt to further give voice to our efforts and experiences in doing this work, to give space and voice to silence. To know and hear how we have survived in this work, how we have sustained this work, or why we burned out. To further document our attempts at figuring out what community accountability looks like, or what it even is. To be able to reflect and grow from our mistakes and epiphanies.

SEEKING: stories, essays, interviews, comics, artwork and thoughts reflecting on working around accountability and community response to sexual violence:

What has it looked like? What has it entailed? What could it look like? Who does it involve? In what ways? How is a community responsible? How is a community involved? What can an accountability process look like? What has it looked like? What works? What doesn’t? What were the fuck-ups, the successes?

*These questions are asked with the assumption that confidentiality will be respected and that stories will not be shared if they are not yours to share.

*The word ‘community’ is used with the awareness that it is often used problematically.

Looking for submissions that:

- explore the importance of accountability and support work as an act of community building and collective liberation, that express the importance of this work within social justice movements.

-reflect on the support, empowerment, recovery and growth that have come out of this work

-reflect on the pain, trauma and frustration of this work or which is inherent in this work.

-develop ideas and methods of sustainability around this work

-look at the social and political contexts in which community accountability and response to sexual violence and partner abuse grows and exists.

-share our stories

Anonymity and confidentiality will be respected.

DEADLINE: October 22nd, 2010

For info and submissions contact: responsezine@gmail.com

Feel free to send in ideas/proposals and ask for feedback!I am so glad someone is doing this zine! I have been trying to find time to try and put together this exact thing!
Please submit!!!
It's Down to This

For info and submissions contact: responsezine@gmail.com

“It’s Down to This” is a new zine compilation that aims to give space to step back, take a deep breath and reflect on where we’re at.

Reflecting on our experiences with community accountability processes, survivor support, or general efforts to cultivate community response to sexual violence- this is a space to talk about our experiences with this work, what we have learned, where we want to go from here, what we feel, what we want others to be able to hear, see, think about, engage with.

It is an attempt to further give voice to our efforts and experiences in doing this work, to give space and voice to silence. To know and hear how we have survived in this work, how we have sustained this work, or why we burned out. To further document our attempts at figuring out what community accountability looks like, or what it even is. To be able to reflect and grow from our mistakes and epiphanies.

SEEKING: stories, essays, interviews, comics, artwork and thoughts reflecting on working around accountability and community response to sexual violence:

What has it looked like? What has it entailed? What could it look like? Who does it involve? In what ways? How is a community responsible? How is a community involved? What can an accountability process look like? What has it looked like? What works? What doesn’t? What were the fuck-ups, the successes?

*These questions are asked with the assumption that confidentiality will be respected and that stories will not be shared if they are not yours to share.

*The word ‘community’ is used with the awareness that it is often used problematically.

Looking for submissions that:

- explore the importance of accountability and support work as an act of community building and collective liberation, that express the importance of this work within social justice movements.

-reflect on the support, empowerment, recovery and growth that have come out of this work

-reflect on the pain, trauma and frustration of this work or which is inherent in this work.

-develop ideas and methods of sustainability around this work

-look at the social and political contexts in which community accountability and response to sexual violence and partner abuse grows and exists.

-share our stories

Anonymity and confidentiality will be respected.

DEADLINE: October 22nd, 2010

For info and submissions contact: responsezine@gmail.com

Feel free to send in ideas/proposals and ask for feedback!

Underrated Singers that can top Lady Gaga (Blog of Duty)

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 23:09:32 +0200

Well, it’s about time to send all the Lady Gaga fans into a frenzy once again. So today, we will be looking at a few underrated artists who could out-sing Gaga on their worst days (in my opinion). So let’s start. 1. Mya: Mya release her first album M’ya in 1998. Since then she has [...]

1. Mya: Mya release her first album M’ya in 1998. Since then she has produced four other albums and a few mixtapes. You might know her from her work on the song Lady Marmalade.

I like Mya for a couple of reasons. For one, she is versatile. She can give you straight r&b, soul, or straight ‘club bangers’ if she feels like it. She also uses her sexiness to sell her music, which I can’t be mad at. Also, a lot of people don’t know, but she has gone gold and platinum on a lot of her songs.

2. Jay Sean: I made a post about Jay a while back. But that guy is still good. I like his progress. he really steps it up from album to album (which a lot of singers don’t do). Also, Jay has a good singing voice. The man also seems very humble.

3. Monica: Monica is great. She has a great range. Currently, she is six albums deep. She reminds me a lot of Mary J., but more humble and listenable. Out of all the artist’s I’ve listed, she is probably one of the best, if not the best.

And, unrelated, she is quite a looker as well.

4.Amerie: Amerie is probably most known for her song Why Don’t We Fall In Love. Since then, she has produced four album with another one on the way. She also has released a couple of mixtapes. Amerie has an excellent voice, which makes her music so much better.

So, those my thoughts. I know I’ve said this before, but, at least to me, Gaga only has average singing ability. And all four of theses artists top her in pure singing ability.

DaVinci Bead Drop Necklace Winner! (Day in the Life of Grad Student's Wife)

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:50:00 +0200

Lovely Sunday Morning in Athens, Ohio (Appalachian Morning)

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 16:55:00 +0200

Going outside to retrieve the Sunday newspaper can bring a scene so sweet that the news of the day fades away as I grab my camera and with a small dog following behind, try to capture the loveliness.

Last day for Giveaway!, Nicholas Sparks and GTKYS (Day in the Life of Grad Student's Wife)

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 14:48:00 +0200

Launch of MacklerMedia (Visual Musings)

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 00:48:06 +0200

Kristin and I recently launched our freelance website, MacklerMedia.com. You should check it out. About MacklerMedia: MacklerMedia is a partnership between photojournalists Chris Mackler and Kristin Eberts. Both have recently graduated from Ohio University, earning Bachelor of Science degrees in Visual Communication, majoring in photojournalism. Chris is a freelance photographer in the Southeast Missouri area; Kristin is a [...]

Kristin and I recently launched our freelance website, MacklerMedia.com. You should check it out.

About MacklerMedia:

MacklerMedia is a partnership between photojournalists Chris Mackler and Kristin Eberts. Both have recently graduated from Ohio University, earning Bachelor of Science degrees in Visual Communication, majoring in photojournalism.

Chris is a freelance photographer in the Southeast Missouri area; Kristin is a Staff Photographer for the Southeast Missourian. Chris and Kristin’s work has been published in The Post (Athens, Ohio), College 101 magazine, The Elkhart Truth (Elkhart, Ind.), the South Bend Tribune (South Bend, Ind.), The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), The Muskegon Chronicle (Muskegon, Mich.), The Associated Press, Roady’s Hometown Truck Stop Magazine, and the Southeast Missourian (Cape Girardeau, Mo.)

We are currently accepting work in the Southern Illinois and Southeastern Missouri region and beyond. We specialize in photographing weddings, portraits, sports, events, and music/bands. If you have a photographic need we look forward to hearing from you!

5 Sexy Black Women (Blog of Duty)

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:33:20 +0200

So, in this post, I’m going to talk about 5 Black female celebrities that I find attractive. So, let’s not waste time. Also, the order listed is not important what so ever. 1. Lauren London: Lauren is one of my favorites. I first heard of her when I was reading a hip hop magazine in [...]

So, in this post, I’m going to talk about 5 Black female celebrities that I find attractive. So, let’s not waste time. Also, the order listed is not important what so ever.

1. Lauren London: Lauren is one of my favorites. I first heard of her when I was reading a hip hop magazine in the library. She is beautiful woman and for the most part, she stays out of trouble. She did have a baby with Weezy however. But, for the most part, she stay out of the negative light. She also played in ATL along side T.I.

2. Cassie: Cassie is a beautiful woman. She did a lot of modeling for P. Diddy and worked alongside Lauren London. Cassie is also a singer. Her singing ability isn’t too great, but, she does what she can. She also stays out of the negative light (except for the haircut).

3. Kyla Pratt: Kyla used to be one of my favorite actors when I was younger. Again, she stayed out of the negative light. She did a lot of acting, but has slowed down in recent years. It’s a shame though, because she brought a lot of comedy to whatever role is played.

4. Lisa Raye McCoy: I first saw Lisa when she played on the TV show This Is all of Us. You might also know her from Gang of Roses and The Players Club. Lisa was also married to a King for a little while.

5. Taraji P Henson: Taraji stared in films such as Baby Boy, Hustle and Flow, and the new Karate Kid. Taraji is a bit older, but her age doesn’t really matter. She has also stayed out of the negative light for the most part.

Jersey Shore Gripe: Ron and Sam (Blog of Duty)

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:45:45 +0200

Jersey Shore is one of my favorite reality shows. Why not? I mean, there is drama, fighting, and comedy (and that’s just in the first 15 minutes). But one thing I don’t like is the constant fighting between Ron and Sam. Aite, for one, Ron is a dumb as heck. Did he really think that [...]

Aite, for one, Ron is a dumb as heck. Did he really think that it was ok to go mess with 20,000 women and still come home and sleep with Sam. That just being an idiot. But, Sam is foolish too. How could she not see it happening right in front of her face? And then she does the whole “I’m over up/I love you” two step.

In all honesty, there fighting kind of brings down the show. Maybe one of them should be kicked off.

swimsuit mishaps (Stacey, BSJ '89)

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:22:48 +0200

My friend Robin and I got our kids together at the pool this week and while we never left our lounge chairs, we had just as much fun talking about our summer swimsuit mishaps. I told her about the time I was swimming with Ham and Babe-o’s in the deep end and they talked me into doing [...]

My friend Robin and I got our kids together at the pool this week and while we never left our lounge chairs, we had just as much fun talking about our summer swimsuit mishaps.

I told her about the time I was swimming with Ham and Babe-o’s in the deep end and they talked me into doing a dive off the side of the pool while they watched under the water with their goggles on. Not a good idea when you are wearing a strapless swimsuit. I dove in and my suit went down to my waist. That could have been manageable…but then Babe-o’s came up for air and said, “I’ve got your boobie, mommy,” which was the fake foam one you stuff inside the suit. The other “boobie” was floating on the water. Thankfully, the lifeguard watching this whole fiasco was a college girl…and she was having a good laugh.

Five Things about my Dream Home (Day in the Life of Grad Student's Wife)

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:37:00 +0200

BREAKING NEWS: I’M BACK! (Ryan Lytle)

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 22:43:37 +0200

After what has probably felt like a lifetime for all of you, I’m here to announce that I am finally getting back to the thing (well, one of the things) that I love most: blogging. This summer has been one of the fastest, craziest, most surreal summers of my life, but I’m not here to [...]After what has probably felt like a lifetime for all of you, I’m here to announce that I am finally getting back to the thing (well, one of the things) that I love most: blogging. This summer has been one of the fastest, craziest, most surreal summers of my life, but I’m not here to [...]

Confidence and Junk pt.1 (Blog of Duty)

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:24:38 +0200

Here is an answer about confidence I found on Yahoo Answers. It can be found here. You don’t need to have confidence to get someone of the opposite sex to love you… you can be insecure and still have someone love you. The problem is, you might be so insecure in yourself that you can’t [...]

Here is an answer about confidence I found on Yahoo Answers. It can be found here.

You don’t need to have confidence to get someone of the opposite sex to love you… you can be insecure and still have someone love you. The problem is, you might be so insecure in yourself that you can’t love them, because you don’t love yourself (deep, huh?)

You’re a guy… you do the chasing. Girls LOVE to be desired and chased after (they might act like they don’t but they do – trust me, I’m a girl). I recommend you go up to the girl you like and strike up a conversation & get to know her. From there, you can add her to msn / call her and ask her to go out for coffee. I think if you treat a girl like she is special, and if you are really sweet to her, and she sees how awesome you really are, she will definitely like you! Love takes a bit longer to blossom, but it will happen someday.. just be patient.

Pick up lines? (Blog of Duty)

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:54:58 +0200

While on the internet today, I found some interesting pick up lines. I want to talk about a couple of them. “Do you like Bacon? Wanna strip?” Now, what kind of woman falls for a line like this? Personally, i don’t know any that would. Also, that line is semi-disrespectful. “The only thing your eyes [...]

While on the internet today, I found some interesting pick up lines. I want to talk about a couple of them.

“Do you like Bacon? Wanna strip?”

Now, what kind of woman falls for a line like this? Personally, i don’t know any that would. Also, that line is semi-disrespectful.

“The only thing your eyes haven’t told me is your name”

Now, I could actually see this line working, if used by the right guy and said to the right woman.

“Want to make a porno? We don’t have to tape it.”

So, are you trying actually meet the woman or get beat down?

“It’s not my fault I fell in love, you’re the one who tripped me!”

Meh, it’s a little corny, but, this one could work as well.

My childhood obsessions (Day in the Life of Grad Student's Wife)

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 13:00:00 +0200

Love: it takes more than words (Thus Far)

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 05:28:00 +0200

Sometimes I feel unloved. It is a weird feeling because I know it is a false feeling, but it still hurts. It makes me wonder though: How many other people feel like this? How many people were counting on your smile and love for them and you didn't show it? My friend Dave had a sermon about the fact that it is more blessed to give than to receive and he talked about the church! He wasn't talking about money, but about our duty to love each other. It is so easy to say "I love you" and while that is nice to hear, it isn't all that matters. When someone walks into a room, they sometimes need to see that I am glad that they are there. When someone tells me something about their life-however trivial it may seem to me-they sometimes need to know that I care. When someone is sitting by themselves, they sometimes need someone to talk to. Asking how they are doing is great! but only if that person can see that you truly care about them, otherwise you will only force them into lying to you because they will just say that they are ok, even if they are really broken inside.

I'm looking at this mainly from my own hurt, but I'm also seeing it from the view of others I have hurt. I am sorry if I've ever hurt anyone through this thoughtlessness and insincerity. As a resolution, I'm going to make a point of truly loving others. I leave you with a verse:

"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:18Sometimes I feel unloved. It is a weird feeling because I know it is a false feeling, but it still hurts. It makes me wonder though: How many other people feel like this? How many people were counting on your smile and love for them and you didn't show it? My friend Dave had a sermon about the fact that it is more blessed to give than to receive and he talked about the church! He wasn't talking about money, but about our duty to love each other. It is so easy to say "I love you" and while that is nice to hear, it isn't all that matters. When someone walks into a room, they sometimes need to see that I am glad that they are there. When someone tells me something about their life-however trivial it may seem to me-they sometimes need to know that I care. When someone is sitting by themselves, they sometimes need someone to talk to. Asking how they are doing is great! but only if that person can see that you truly care about them, otherwise you will only force them into lying to you because they will just say that they are ok, even if they are really broken inside.

I'm looking at this mainly from my own hurt, but I'm also seeing it from the view of others I have hurt. I am sorry if I've ever hurt anyone through this thoughtlessness and insincerity. As a resolution, I'm going to make a point of truly loving others. I leave you with a verse:

"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:18

Weekend Review: Vail Meadows Maumee Bay Buckle Series (The Barrel Racing Blog)

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:34:23 +0200

Another Weekend Review courtesy of Dawn! What show did you attend? (Who sanctioned, etc.) Vail Meadows Ohio Maumee Bay Buckle Series (no sanctions) What was the competition like? Big names there? Kelly B and Matt B were at the first one and third one. The Myers Family. There was a little girl at the show her name was [...]

Another Weekend Review courtesy of Dawn!

What show did you attend? (Who sanctioned, etc.)

1D buckle given out at the Vail Meadows summer series

Vail Meadows Ohio Maumee Bay Buckle Series (no sanctions)

What was the competition like? Big names there?

Kelly B and Matt B were at the first one and third one. The Myers Family. There was a little girl at the show her name was Lexi, she rode an Appaloosa and she kicked every ones butt! She will be at WB and will be someone to watch in the future. Then of course Clea and myself (LMBO Just kidding) Actually the series is put together by Stacey Hartman and it is a wonderfully put together series. Very simple and only 4 shows. The first show was a huge show (it was a benefit show) but the last three did not draw as many people.

How was the alleyway?

In the building, good, it is open to outside and goes through an alley way and runs into the outdoor pen. A tad rocky but I have seen worse.

How was the warm-up area?

Outdoor pen was dug up for warm-up and is a large pen.

How was the parking?

Lots of it grass and driveway area.

How was the ground?

Well Chels, you know how I always say “Don’t expect anything and you won’t be disappointed?” ………. It is not your normal ground, but I will tell you I have not seen a horse fall or slip there. It is a lot drier than most but it holds. It is a little dusty but they usually water it a tad a couple times during the show. Some people will like it, some will not. Some horses will like it, some will not. (KC Jane loves it and she is picky.) All in all it is safer than a lot of other pens I have seen. And again my thought on ground is, “If you don’t like it, don’t run.”

How did the show move along?

They ALWAYS start on time and move the show along. When the first show of the series (large show) was going on (my first time there) it was smoothly run, as were all the others (smaller shows) I have been to. I do not know the announcer’s name but she is absolutely a doll. She is very clear and always great to the kids! THANK YOU MS. ANNOUNCER LADY!

Your overall impression of the arena/conditions/vendors/food/etc.

It is a nice clean place. They do therapeutic riding and other shows as well. They put 100 percent into the barrel shows they have, and you could not ask for nicer people. They all work together to make it as nice as it can be for everyone. To the lady at the sign up desk: THANK YOU for always putting up with us being the last to sign up. THANK YOU AGAIN!

Food is homemade and good. Lots of places to ride outside warm up pen.

I would like to send out a big thank you to Stacy Milbrodt-Hartman for taking the time to organize the Buckle Series. She did a wonderful job and as you all know it can seem like a thankless job when it comes to putting on barrel races, but she should be very proud of the awards, her hard work, how the show was ran and know that we all appreciate it very much!

Thanks!!!

How did you do?

All the horses do well there. We won a 1D Buckle for the series and a halter (2nd Place 2D)

A week without makeup (Day in the Life of Grad Student's Wife)

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:24:00 +0200

Why we Do It? (Blog of Duty)

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:47:08 +0200

I found this question on Yahoo Answers. It basically asks why Black Men Like White Women (which seems to be my theme for today). Why do black men like white women? like i dont understand when black people (especially black men) talk about black power nd oohh im black nd all dis but u go [...]

I found this question on Yahoo Answers. It basically asks why Black Men Like White Women (which seems to be my theme for today).

Why do black men like white women?

like i dont understand when black people (especially black men) talk about black power nd oohh im black nd all dis but u go nd date white women?? that doesnt make any sense to me nd not to be racist or nuthin but it kinda gets on my nerves imean to me if black people say all this nd go get with a white people or any other race its kinda contradictiing what u stand for..is dat jus me?

Ok, lets get into this. “Black Power”, at least in my opinion deals with uniting Black People. That does not mean that we can not interact, talk to, or date people of other cultures.

Next, the person says that they are not racist. Oh, is that so? So it bothers you that we try to reach other and meet people of other cultures?

Now, there was a particular response that I’d like to post as well.

I agree, I don’t get it either. Maybe they have low self esteem? Maybe deep down they hate themselves, so they rather live the fantasy world and date outside their race. Maybe they are afraid of a strong black women? Maybe they can’t handle all it takes to be with a black woman? Maybe the are not willing to deal with a woman that won’t take any mess?

Hold on! So, if a Black Man dates a woman of another race, then he has low-esteem and secretly hates himself? Maybe the two just fell in love? That can’t happen.

Oh another people also gave the answer that Black Men date White Women so that they can abuse them. Well, I’m here to tell you this; if a man wants to abuse a women, then he will. If a man wants to abuse a women, he doesn’t care about race.

But here, that’s my take. Here’s the full thread.