Really tired...

Because I stayed up super late last night reading the final book Hunger Games Trilogy, Mockinjay, by Suzanne Collins. It was such a great book, even though there were some part of the final book I didn't personally like, or thought could have been different. But who am I to second-guess an obviously talented writer like Collins (I mean, she's creative and successful and has, let's face it, made several million more dollars off her books than I've ever made off writing a book!)

Mockingjay follows Katniss Everdeen (yeah, awful name) as she volunteers herself in place of her younger sister, Prim, into the annual Hunger Games-- a Survivor-type game where 2 teens, a boy and a girl, from each District (12 in total) enter into a huge arena until only one is standing, and the other 23 are dead. Its chilling, if you think about it-- kill or be killed. Can you imagine? These young kids, some of whom trained their entire lives for this, some had the unlucky fortune to be picked from the entire population, some strong and clever, others young and weak, forced to kill each other. And to make it a sick satire on our reality-tv culture, these "games" are filmed and watched live on every television screen in the nation. The people in the Districts, who are the workers, watch because they have to while the people in the Capitol city, watch for entertainment. They even place bets and cheer on their favorites, apparently never fully understanding the humanity, or lackthereof, that's involved.

I thought theses books were really good and I'm sure there are more intelligent people than myself trying to parse the language and themes to produce anti-war, or wicked consumerism messages, but I just thought it was a great book with some very haunting thoughts. I mean, reality tv exists today so that people can watch "real people" suffer through challenges (Survivor), or have their heart broken (Bachelor), or live their mundane/exciting lives (Kardashians, Tori and Dean, Housewives, etc.). Its not really a huge stretch of the imagination to imagine a wealthy class of people getting their kicks by watching stronger children kill off the weaker ones; remember the Gladiators in the Coliseum. I'm very intrigued by the scary aspects of human nature-- what one would do to stay alive, in very inhumane circumstances. So, dystopia books like this one make me think of what I'd be willing to do, or what my people would do to stay alive, or what they might be willing to overlook for fear of standing out from the crowd.

Its not a stretch to me to think I'd be willing to step up for my sister, like Katniss. In fact, its a running joke in my family that I'd offer to go to prison for Betsy or Nicholas, if necessary (I've not extended this to any other members of my family!) Partly because I KNOW I would be okay in prison (mostly from my obsessive interest in all things prison-related but also because I'm an attorney and I'm sure I could just spend my time doing Post-Relief Petitions in exchange for, you know, protection, cigarettes, etc.) and partly because I'd just do anything I possibly could to protect them.

But these books really made me think, long after I'd finished with each of them (and isn't that the best indicator of a good book?). In the Capitol area, the privileged, soft residents spent most of their time planning parties and outfits and getting extreme plastic surgery to make themselves beautiful-- the District workers see these people are grotesque and frivolous to an extreme. The Capitol citizens see the Districts as wild animals, less than human, only useful to the extend they can provide for the Capitol. Neither group really considers the other to even be human, and thereby, has no problems killing them or watching them be killed. To me, its super scary how one can stop valuing human life just because someone's different, and how that is a slippery slope into mayhem.

My deep thoughts on this book are over now (and they aren't really that deep!) but its still a great series and is actually quite funny with a large amount of teen romance (which I think is for the birds really- I mean, all teenagers think their love is the greatest, no one else has ever loved before them, no one understands their love, etc. Its all so dramatic, and frankly, useless, as so few of those dramatic loves ever last). Its a good series, which, despite my rather wordy and possibly confusing "review" is a quick read. Go buy it!

In other news, tonight's the first week of GA's for the year and I'm super excited about seeing all my kiddos! I love them! Plus, I've actually reviewed the lesson prior to class, and organized my thoughts so this week should be good! Each year, when Missions starts, I vow to read the entire lesson for the month and decide what to do, what supplies I need, etc. I've never actually done that till this month, so hopefully my dedication will pay off!! On a sour note, the church supper for tonight is lasagna. I don't like lasagna, never have, which is surprising since I love pasta. I don't know, I'm weird.

And finally, my friend Katherine, over at Its a Great Life..., are planning a big announcement soon. Its part of our attempt at "finding ourselves!". I'm sure no one will really be interested, but if you are reading this blog, you are exceeding my expectations already, so who knows!!!

My new neighbor...

is incredibly strange. His name is Evan. Evan lives in one of four apartments in a house two doors down from me on Hill, which is a dead-end street. I've seen Evan's truck parked outside the house for a while and I've even seen him coming outside a few times, but only recently did I have the pleasure of meeting Evan. Lucky me. First off, let me say that his truck has a small sign in the back window. Its obviously printed on a cheap printer and it indicates that all drivers should be aware that this vehicle is a US Census Worker's vehicle, and thus it will be making frequent stops. I don't know why I think its funny. Perhaps its the tacky, obviously homeade sign-- I mean, I am sure if the US Government could buy a SuperBowl commercial hyping the Census, then they could splurge for professionally printed signs to make drivers aware of the sudden and often stopping and starting dangers of their workers. Or maybe its the fact that I've never seen any other signs like this, or anything else similar, ever. Not even when Census reporting was in full swing. I'd like to think Evan uses this to impress people, or get a good parking spot at Logan's Steakhouse or somewhere.

Back to my meeting with Evan. Its middle of the afternoon and Nicholas has just left town to head back to Oxford. I am walking Parker, and as I usually try to do, I have guided her over to the empty house about 4 houses down from mine so she can do her business and then roll around in the grass (preferably not in the same area) and annoy me by wanting to stay outside when its ridiculously hot and I'm dressed for work.

Evan comes down the stairs and outside his house for a smoke break. Evan's probably early 20s and has shaggy, stringy hair and is wearing Jesus sandals. My dog Parker is a bit nosy and anytime anything happens anywhere near where she is, she has to stop, take in the situation (heh, "the situation") and watch until whatever is going on is over. She likes to know what's going on. We are similar in that respect. So, of course, Parker stops what she is doing and stares at Evan. She then decides she needs to sniff him and we walk over. We make introductions and he stops to pet Parker (which, I'll admit, is nice of him and I like it when people like my Parker. Because its like liking me! She's my best girl!!)

Below is what happened next, to my best recollection:

ME: Its nice to meet you. I live in the house on the corner. (Points to my house)

Evan: Yeah, I've seen you around. Do you live there? (points to empty house where, to be fair, is the direction I've come from, but is opposite the direction I just pointed when I said "I live there". Also, this house is entirely empty, and has been since I moved in over 2 years ago. The garage is empty and we can see directly into the garage.)

ME: No, I live there (points to my house. Again).

Evan: Oh did you just move in there? (points to EMPTY HOUSE. AGAIN).

ME: No, I live on the corner. There (points to my house). On the other side of your next door neighbor. The house with the fence.

Evan: Oh, okay. Yeah, I didn't think I knew you. I know lots of the other neighbors, including Mrs. Faye and the Cornell family. So, you live in the house with all the State stuff.

ME: The Ole Miss stuff?

Evan: Yeah, all the State stuff.

ME: Um, I live in the house with the Ole Miss stuff. We are big fans of OLE MISS (emphasis).

Evan: Yeah, yeah, I love State too. I'm going to law school there.

ME: To, um, (pause) Ole Miss? I went to law school there. I have an office here in Laurel. I work by myself.

Evan: Oh, you are an attorney. Who do you work for?

ME: I work by myself. I rent an office from a local attorney, but I'm a solo practitioner.

Evan: What firm do you work for?

ME: I, um, I work by myself. I don't work for anyone. I am solo.

Evan: That's awesome. I used to work for [insert name of local, liberal attorney that I don't know very well]. I'm going to law school. Well, I am planning on going-- I just took the LSAT and now I have to retake it soon and then apply. I made a 550 on the LSAT so hopefully I will do just as good this time. What did you make on the LSAT.

ME: [thinking-- the LSAT only goes up to 180. What is this guy talking about? What did I make on the LSAT? Am I crazy? I don't think I did very well, but I know I didn't take any test that goes to 550 or above. Am I losing my mind?] I made a 149.

Evan: Oh yeah, that's not very good.

ME: Yeah, it wasn't really good. It was on the low end of the average, but obviously it wasn't the LOWEST. I mean, cause I did GET IN (defensively) (thinking-- and you haven't gotten in, loser).

Evan: Oh, I took the practice LSAT! I made a 550 on the practice LSAT!! That's right! I've got to take the LSAT soon. Do you know so and so?

ME: No.

Evan: He is in law school right now. I met him when I became president of the USM Young Democrats after he was president.

ME: Huh. Yeah, I don't know him.

Evan: Well, its nice to meet you! Bye! (Waves brightly, throws his half-used cigarette down and goes back inside)

ME: (bewildered) Parker, let's go home right this minute. That guy is crazy.


I've seen Evan a couple times since then. He always waves brightly. I'm not really sure if our conversation was real or perhaps some liberal conspiracy plot to make me think I was going crazy. It kinda worked. I'm staying away from Evan. He gets me all confused.

Rain, rain, go away...

Despite the fact that its raining horribly outside, and it seems as though its rained and stormed the majority of the days in the last couple weeks, I am thinking of porch makeovers! I am ready to redo my porch and I've finally started thinking about exactly what I want. I'm thinking red/white/blue for a variety of reasons:

1) Its classic.

2) The majority of the celebrations you would have outside would involve a patriotic theme-- Independence Day, Labor Day, Memorial Day, etc. So, most of the decorating I would do for a party would be in these colors already.

3) I already have lots of red/white/blue stuff as a necessity for the Grove, so a lot of my cute decorations/linens/tablescapes/flatware would look really good with it. And save money.

Here are some of the cute porch inspirations I've found on the internet.

Ready for Fall...

Anyone who knows me well would probably know that I LOVE Fall. I love football, cooler weather, school supplies, fall colors, autumn smells, and everything leading up to Christmas. Any anyone who has been around me much this summer knows I am EXTREMELY ready for this particular summer to be over with. For some reason, I'm not handling the heat and the summer very well this year. I realize that every year its just as hot and every year, its just as humid, but for some reason, this year, I'm handling it poorly. Plus, personally, its been a tough summer. Lots of changes, and you all know it takes me a long time to get used to change. So, I'm super happy about school starting, and football season and fall decorations.

Yesterday, I got a wild hair and decided that if I didn't get a couch cover for my living room couch that every day, then life would not be living and it had to be done IMMEDIATELY. Again, those of you who know me well know I get things in my head and I can't let go. I'm a tad bit impatient.

So, I've got a new couch cover. I had bought a loveseat cover several years ago from Target which never fit my loveseat, so I found it, and returned it, without the receipt, hoping that I'd at least get some of my money back. It was a great surprise when I got all of my money back! Emilee and I went to look for couch covers, and even though they had a paltry selection, I was paralyzed by indecision. Finally Em helped me get one and I think I like it. Its lighter than I originally wanted, but right now the walls are a yucky orangey-neutral color (my mom and aunt think its fine, but I liken the color to a bad Clinque makeup line on a chin-- not blended it and way too orange. Its hideous.) so the lighter color looks okay with the awful walls and will (hopefully) look okay with the new paint color (when I decide what color to paint and actually paint it).

Here are some pictures:

BEFORE



AFTER




Also, here are pictures of my sweet Parker's new "couch bed!"




Isn't she just the prettiest girl!!

Perfectionist...

Frequent readers and fans will notice that this is a new background, and I hope you like it! I've spent WAY too many hours trying to find the perfect background and banner. Its not really that important but I'm obsessed with it being perfect, which is often a problem in my life! But I really like this one and am looking forward to Halloween cause there are some really cute backgrounds for that.

I'm killing time before heading to Newton for a few days. I have a trial Tuesday-- my first trial all on my own so I'm a bit nervous. I'm also heading to Newton County tonight for a Sweet 16 party for my friend Sonji's niece, Gabby. It didn't seem like that long ago when Gabby was born so its depressing to think she's now 16. Its a Mardi Gras themed party! Gabby's totally cool-- just like her Aunt Sonji!

Spent a lot of this morning making my mom look at blog backgrounds. She's tired of looking and, frankly, not a lot of help. I did cook her some yummy sweet and sour chicken with rice-- it was a frozen meal that comes with all the ingredients! My kind of cooking!!!

Nick just got home so now I have to go talk to him. I will post pictures of Parker's new bed soon!!!

How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were??

The above quote is by Satchel Paige and its something I've been thinking about since yesterday, when I discussed my dad turning into my Pop and myself turning into my dad. I don't think anyone who knows me well would think I'm not sorta an old person already-- I like to go to bed early, if possible, I love my heating pad, and I don't like loud music.

I've been thinking of time when I realized I was officially an adult and, kinda old.

1. When my friends and I spent an entire hour discussing health insurance, lack thereof, deductibles, and policies. And we weren't even doing this ironically.

2. When I started fussing about turning the lights off and the air up. I started this a long time ago (see, yesterday's post) but I really started pushing the issue a few months ago after getting our latest electricity bill. Of course, I rarely fuss about the gas bill in the winter because I HATE being cold, but I don't mind it being warm. In fact, my upstairs air stays on about 78 throughout the summer.

3. When I started driving past older men in the community I knew, waving and saying "Old-Timer". My dad used to do this.

4. When I started viewing my parents as less of parents and more of friends, peers.

5. When I started paying for my sister and brother's lunches sometimes, or I tried to slip them a ten dollar bill. Note: This used to happen much more than it does now. I'm self-employed.

6. When I started shaking people's hands a lot.

7. When I stopped going to my friend's baby showers and started going to their kid's birthday parties. And then started going to their school events.

8. When people started calling me "ma'am."

9. When I started carrying my reading glasses around-- putting them on while reading something, taking them off as soon as I am done, using them to make a point in conversation.

10. When I realized how much I love Office Depot. Its like Candyland for adults who work in offices.

They're dreamy...

So, this morning, in anticipation of my dad coming home from the hospital (he's fine!), I put clean sheets on his bed. However, I had trouble finding suitable pillowcases for his three pillows (like me, my dad has several pillows at any given time. Course they are all old and flat). Luckily, I was able to find this gem in the back of the linen closet. I sprayed it with some linen water and it smelled suitable-- of course, it probably hadn't been used in many years. (Oh who I am kidding, I am SURE Nicholas uses it all the time).

This New Kids on the Block pillowcase is a leftover remnant of a simpler time-- it is part of my sister's sheet set. I hate to think of what happened to the actual twin sheets. Betsy LOVED NKOTB. I remember her being obsessed with them (much like, back at Catholic school, her four-year old gang used to chase a five-year old Chad something-or-other around during recess. I mean, absolutely harassed the poor kid from the minute he came outside. Every day, he raced to the boys bathroom where he spent the entire recess, sitting in fear of what would happen if he went outside and they actually caught him. This went on the entire year. I'm sure that Chad, wherever he is today, has some serious women issues. Betsy was, and still is, quite bold.)

I liked New Kids, but not to the extent that Betsy, or even other girls in my class, did. I very clearly remember all the girls in my class picking their "favorite" and I felt sorry for Jon since no one else picked him. So, I picked him. I didn't really care, I just didn't want him to be sad that those 5th grade ICS girls didn't like him as much as Jordan or Joey. I'm sure my concern meant a lot to him.

Anyway, I'd like to think dad will be happy when he gets home from the hospital and sees this on his bed. Its not a great picture, but you get the idea. On the other hand, I doubt he will even notice. He's not known for details.