Tuesday, November 30, 2010

And the word is: Jeep

So we had just gotten back from one of the busiest Thanksgiving breaks I can remember. From Charlottesville to Chesapeake on Tuesday night. Then on Thursday, from Chesapeake to Winchester. Then Saturday, Winchester back to Charlottesville. That's not counting all the driving in the other cities too. All in all, it was probably just over 1,000 miles worth of driving.

So at about 2:15am on Saturday (well, I guess technically Sunday), we pull up to Home Sweet Home, grab just what can fit in our tired arms (i.e. dog, laptops, overnight bags, etc) and leave the rest (i.e. games, kennel, food, etc) until the morning.

Around 10:15am on Sunday, it was time to head to the airport to pick up a friend of mine. Just after leaving, I go to put something in the backseat. What came next? "STOP THE TRUCK! PULL OVER! SOMEONE BROKE INTO MY TRUCK!"

Yes, ladies and gents, someone broke into my Jeep. More accurately, they cut into my Jeep. My beautiful 2005 Jeep Wrangler Limited Edition has a new addition to her. There's a nice slash in the back window about 12" long and 6" high. I thought I was going to pass out.

We searched and searched, but nothing was gone. They must have been interupted or something. I got a visit from a lovely police officer who couldn't have cared le... umm... I mean who was deeply concerned and obviously loved her job. She even wrote down my claim number for me!! ......right on the registration to my truck.

Luckily, I'm in the process of getting a new one which State Farm has so kindly agreed to pay. So, hopefully, by this weekend, my truck will be back to complete.

You should already know pictures will be up soon!

I always liked driving with my windows out... not so much this time.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Photography: A Hobby

What is a blog without a few secrets?
Well, this one isn't a big one, but you better not complain
I promise I have more to come...

Even some people closest to me don't know that one of my hobbies is photography.
I may not be the best, but it is something I have always loved.
Maybe one day, I will be able to afford a really nice camera.
*Crosses Fingers*

All of these photos were shot with my Canon Powershot A710 IS.
Yes... a point and shoot.
She is as old as the hills and on her last leg, but she's snapped some of my best memories.
Oh my.... the things she has seen!
My only issue is that I can't get her to stop flashing people!
Okay... I said photography was a hobby, not stand-up.



Well, enough talking.
Take a look at my hobby, then go get happy with your own!












Don't forget to let me know what you think!
:]




Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Kentucky Derby? No. Kentucky Pie

So no horses, but tonight is still all about the gamble - not for me, but for whoever is brave enough to try my Kentucky Pie!


A couple weeks ago, I was visiting my Granny and Grandad. You don't know much about them, but for now, all you really need to get is that I love them both so much and as time goes on, their health continues to decline. (Congratulations. You've already got me ballin' my eyes out.) For some reason, probably because I hadn't eaten all day long, all our conversations revolved around food. Now, you need to understand that Granny isn't just another old lady. She's an old lady who knows how to cook!


For as far back as I can remember until just a year or two ago, Granny cooked a feast every single Saturday for each of her children (until 2004 it was 6, then 5 in 2007) and their kids and their kids. There would be so much food that there was no room for your dinner plate! Seriously. We would cram 7 or 8 people at the table and after they were done came "the next shift" of eaters. Every once in a while, there would even be THREE shifts! Anyways, my point is that even after all those people ate, there was still leftovers for every family. CRAZY!


So there's a quick trip down Memory Lane... have no fear, we'll be down that road again soon. But now, back to pie.


As I said, we were all talking about food and Granny started talking about one of her favorite desserts from when she was younger: Kentucky Pie. She went on and on about how she loved it. So, you know me, I decided to make it for her. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and even though we're going out to Golden Corral, I AM BAKING KENTUCKY PIE, BABY! Okay, maybe I should also clarify that I am taking it to the house after our dinner (or lunch or whatever you call a meal at 2:00pm).


One more story about this pie and then I'm done. I promise.


Today, as I pushed through the throngs of people in the grocery store on the day before FOOD.... er.. I mean, the day before we give thanks for the blessings in our life, I got a call from my mom. For some reason, it had completely slipped our minds that Granny can't eat nuts or seeds. Thank you, diverticulitis. I have never broken down in tears in Food Lion before today. So.... I left. Just.... left. Fast forward a few hours and thanks to some heart-felt encouragement, I have a Kentucky Pie. And guess what? Even if Granny can't eat it, I'm giving it to her. I'm giving it to her and it is going to be just as sweet as the pie itself. "Why do that?" you may ask.


Why not? This is what the holidays are all about! Truthfully, I couldn't care less about the way this pie tastes tomorrow. The important thing is that along with pecans, chocolate, and bourbon (shhhhh), it is packed full of love and spirit.


We hear it so often that the holidays are a time for love and giving and peace and harmony. Well let me tell you, don't knock it 'till you try it! Love. Giving. Peace. Harmony. Selflessness. Sincerity.


Like me, you may not be a betting man, but I can gaurantee you that this is one bet you won't regret. It is a gauranteed winner. So, bring on the Kentucky horses... but they can't touch my Kentucky Pie!






Oh! And if you're wondering how it turned out, feast your eyes on my first Kentucky Pie...



Monday, November 22, 2010

What? Another blogger?

Yes. Another blogger. Before you get your panties tied in a knot, give me a chance.


So I've always wanted to have a blog, but never quite knew where to start. To be honest, I still don't.... but I won't let that stop me. I finally decided to suck it up and set it up when it came to a blog because if I didn't, well, I would be letting fears get in the way of my dreams, and that's just not cool with me.


This blog (and its title) is an extension of something I have done on FaceBook for quite some time now: The Word of the Day. I'll pick just one word each day and tell why I picked that word or an idea behind it in just one sentence. Now, I do admit that I've fallen short of posting one every single day, but I always make them good to make up for it. Sometimes they are deep and thoughtful, introspective and philosophical. Somestimes they are sweet and simple, witty and wise. Sometimes, though, they're completely random and leave you puzzled. Same goes here.

I won't just be posting one word, though. This blog is a place for rants, raves, personal thoughts, raging battles, general foolishness, and so much more. Basically, you never know what is coming next, so you need to come back often just to see. You wouldn't believe the things that come through my mind...

I just want a place to talk and maybe make a difference. So hopefully, you will give me, the world's newest blogger, a chance. I promise, you won't regret it! :)