Why Blog? Thoughts for today ...

I've been thinking a lot lately. About blogging. Why do we do it?

I've been blogging over a year, and I have to admit, I look at some people's blogs and think, "Wow. They have sooo many followers. WTH?" But at the same time, I read others' blogs that I used  to love, and I AM SICK OF SEEING GIVEAWAYS AND SPONSOR ADS. Where is the content?

Sometimes I have even wished that I had started blogging anonymously so I can say whatever the hell I want. I wanted my blog to be just that - whatever I wanted it to be. It's hard to do that when people know who you are. Everyday, I have considered deleting my "followers" gadget because I don't want to get to a point where I write just "for" the followers. It's like a seal of approval there on your page. People click on your page, and they are like, "Oh, she has 700 followers, she must be pretty good." or "She only has 35 followers? She must suck." It's easy to get lost in the mix.

I am realizing that I don't ever want to be a slave to my blog. I don't ever want to feel like it's something I HAVE to do. I want to only write when I feel like writing and I have something to share. Sometimes my posts are heartfelt novels ... sometimes they are bitchy rants ... sometimes they are something that I found to be funny. My blog is MY SPACE and to me, it's therapeutic - it's like freeing up some space in my brain. There are already SO MANY places in life where you are told exactly what to be, or at least are living under the expectations and consequences or rewards of others. Screw that.

But, the beauty is, reading someone's blog is a choice. There are some blogs that I used to love that I am just sick of now. Sometimes I go for weeks and I'm just not feelin' like writing anything. Sometimes I have so many ideas, I can write 5 posts in one day. Sometimes I feel like things suck, and I catch myself monitoring what I say because I don't want others to think I'm a pessimist bitch. But, this blog is mine. I want it to be just for me. And if people enjoy stopping by for whatever reason, then awesome.

To those of you who read, I am so glad you do. I am glad it brings a smile to your face, or makes you think. I have so many people tell me that they can hear me saying the words aloud as they read them, or that it makes them feel proud to be a real southern girl - not pearls and monograms and sororities and sweet tea and all the shit that non-southern people think a southern girl is. Those, to me, are the biggest compliments of all.

So, to other bloggers, and readers alike, what do you think? Do you feel like blogs get too swamped with trying to "make it"? Yuck.

week{end} in pics

(linked up with Jenni)

Here it is folks.

{attempted to start fire with skinny, wet wood .... a bit of a challenge}

{did my part to help the hubs by mutilating this oatmeal cookie candle using a cake server and a spoon so we could use the wax}

{cheered on the Pack in the comfort of our own hizzle. red/white/wolf-like fur items/prissy nc stizzle colored koozie did not help. ONE POINT. and a shot RIGHT AFTER THE BUZZER. changing the subject. feel blood pressure going up}

{beverages. cold brewed ones. hot decaf whipped creamy ones.}

{more beverages. this time, chocolate with whipped cream. we love whipped cream. big deal.}

{and chili. we also love chili. especially the kind Anj makes}

I love weekends where we stay holed up in the hizzle and only leave to buy more food and beverages.

DJ Shug Bone - Hits in '95

Whattup Middle School Dance?

{Gangsta's Paradise - Coolio}

{Creep - TLC}

{Don't Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days) - Monica}



{Dear Mama - Tupac}



{Every Little Thing I Do - Soul For Real}




These just brought back a flood of unpleasant memories.

FILA shoes (wth?)
Starter jackets. (Ralph.)
Chicks' obsession with Limited Too matching sweatshirts and scrunchies. (bleck.)
Skating rink lock ins. (Where SKANKASS peeps with stringy greasy hair would stand between video games and make out. Whuuuuuuufff!)

Never wanna go back to that place. Ever.
But the music was good.

Wolfpack is more better

So, my friend Sara, who is also a die-hard State fan, shared this over on her blog today, and I about died. 

It's hilarious whether you are a Pack fan or not. This could so be my kid. 

See how torturous it is for a child to grow up in a home with an unfit UNC parent? 

;)

Update: After a football win -

Tomorrow is Fridayyyy!!!

Newty pooty, Obama yo mamma - please pass the gravy

Today was a good day ....

because first of all, I actually got some stuff done at work which means the rest of my week/month will be a frog hair less stressful.

And - I came home and discovered that KFC fries (totally forgot they had fries) dipped in their fake arse gravy is mayjahly delicious:

but not gluten free, unfortunately for my knees, back, hair, blood sugars, etc.

Not fat and calorie free either. I made an honest effort and ran/walked to the end of the neighborhood and back with Sir Broham. Hey, gotta start somewhere, right? Dude - you people who run, Wow. More power to ya. No thanks.

And here's a tid bit, that I'd like to share because it's my blog. 

I HATE ELECTION TIME.

I HATE how suddenly, everyone gives a shiz about what's goin on in the world. They got ALLLLL the answers. A plan to save the world. Or, they stupidly believe that any one being is going to get elected and suddenly fix all the shiz that the last idiot screwed up. Hellllllllo. Did you fall off a turnip truck, shug? 

Y'all know the ones - The current president ain't doin enough. Or everything is the past president's fault and that's why this president sucks. Blah, blah, blah. 

Or ... people who think they, personally, know every politician's real agenda. Gimme a break, people. Politicians lie. Sure, some are better than others, but you are not an expert on what is truly going on inside their brains. So, SPARE THE REST OF US. Please - stop talking. In general. Thank you. Or start a blog, so if people give a shiz what you have to say they can read it by choice and not because you are plastering it everywhere or bringin it up at work and makin people SUFFAH through your political shizzzzzzzzzzz. What you are doing is pissing people off and making them vote against your candidate for spite. Do your candidate a favor and STOP. I'll tell you who's gonna help us - Jesus Christ himself. And that'll be about it, friends.

Thanks for comin out.

Have a lovely Tuesday.

Life ... with some pictures

First - Random bits of my week in pictures (great idea, Jenni!!!) ... followed by an epiphany.

{one}

A friend of mine has animals because she and her husband have a farm. I LOVE animals. I think they are so calming to be around and they just bring my heart joy. They don't bitch, gossip, complain, nag (except Brody and his tennis ball obsession). They don't have opinions. They don't judge you. They don't expect a lot. I think they are much cuter than human babies. I used to worry that this made me a weirdo. I don't care.

{two}

My doctor suggested adding rice cakes to my gluten-free lifestyle. I totally forgot about these. So, hubs bought some and I make them taste better by adding fattening ingredients such as peanut butter and cream cheese. (The plain-looking one is coated in an artificially-flavored powder that's supposed to be white cheddar. They are pretty good.)

{three}

I have also been adding cream cheese to these tasty gluten-free bunnies.

{four}

I love my dog. He keeps me sane on say, 6 out of the 7 days a week. See #1 for more explanation.

{five}

I broke out the crate again, thinking it would take me a good month to get Brody really trained on how to sleep in this thing without whining and crying. (He usually sleeps on the bed with me, but his ass is too big and he tries to hog it up by gettin right in the center. NO thanks.) So, I'm all prepared with treats and my speech, and, surprisingly, he just walks right in there. And, he is fine - all through the night {!!!!} - as long as I go ahead and turn the light off. Thank you, Lord.

{six}

I came across this verse on a post from A Day in the Life. It really spoke to me. I read the post on January 3, and I thought to myself, "Wow." It's amazing to me how all of a sudden, just a few words can mean so much.

"In his heart, a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."

Proverbs 16:9

Then, a few weeks after that, I just felt like God had answered a prayer that I've been praying for over 3 years. I felt like a zillion tons were on my chest and constantly wondered if my decisions were the right ones. I analyzed those decisions every single day. But, the thing about God is, He will answer in His time. He works through many different means - our hearts, our minds, our instincts, our situations, including pain, tears, fear, road blocks. Although, the fear is a result of a lack of trust in Him. But, I knew He would answer. Sometimes that answer might come in a series of hurdles and "what ifs". But one day, after over three and a half years. I just knew what to do. I still don't know exactly what the future holds, obviously. But, I can say that I feel more at peace about it than I ever have before. And I feel like it's what's best. Not just that - I feel EXCITED! The situation did not change. But my heart did.

I'm not really ready to share the whole story with the world wide web, but maybe someday. And, I wanted to tell you all out there, that He will answer. Just never stop believing. And be careful when you pray for patience. ;) I am really excited and eager for something that used to cause me anxiety and dread. Isn't it amazing? And the thing is, I'm glad I went through all the yuck, because I know that if I hadn't have gone through all the yuck, I wouldn't appreciate this good part. I wouldn't see it for the gift that it is. 

Praying for God to give me the desires of my heart is one of the best things I've ever done. This doesn't mean, "God, give me what I want." Instead, it means, "God, please have me want what you want (and know is best anyway) for me. Make me want for myself what you already want and know is good for me." I feel so grateful. And ready. I've said it a million times, but thank God that I'm not really in charge.

I kind of feel like a whole new me. Or, actually, more like I've found myself - the self that I used to be before I let worry take over my life. It's easy to get caught up in what you are "supposed" to be. According to your family, your friends, your boss, your church, your co-workers, your spouse, your kids, whatever. And, it may not even be that they are telling you what you are supposed to be, but it's kind of a self-imposed pressure. It's like that for me anyway. I think women especially, feel guilty for being who they want to be. It's confusing. That's why I pray for God to show me who He wants me to be. And, ironically, after praying on that for months and months and months and months ... I feel more like myself, and comfortable in my own skin than I ever have. And I wake up each day, feeling like I am twice as in love with my husband than I was the day before. And I see how much I have to be grateful for.

What a beautiful thing.

five.

Ever have those days when you really wanna blog? Your fingertips are just itching to type. But you got nothin?

So, I just gave in. Hell, let's just call it a pinterest day.



{1}

This is so me. Do not TRY and play around with me when I'm hungry or my blood's low.

{2}

EXCELLENT parenting advice.

{3}

I need this in my life.

{4}

Is it weird that this reminds me of Anj Davis?

{5}

You know it's funny.

Now, go do somethin productive.

I Confess.

Seems like a silly title ... everyone's doing it. More like, "A list of Random Stuff I do/like/think that's weird and pointless, but I feel like blogging, so I'll type this out". Doesn't that sound better? But it's cool, because this girl here loves a good reason to write a random list. So, here we go ...


1) In the last couple weeks, I have eaten a totally unhealthy amount of peanut butter. Most recently, I've become obsessed with getting a whopping spoonful of peanut butter and dipping it in some apple sauce ... nice, COLD applesauce, and slowly eating a little of the peanut butter with each spoon-lick of applesauce ... so that, maybe after say, five dips of applesauce, all the peanut butter from the spoon has been eaten. True story.

2) Riesling is better in this here margarita glass because our wine glasses are dainty and I hate them don't wanna hold or break that shiz. Good call, Boeger.



3) I haven't worked in several weeks = night night pants, hoodies, no makeup, knitting, blog stalking, playin with the Nikon, occasional drives to Wendy's for free Jr. Frosties.

4) I wish yoga pants were appropriate work attire.

5) I am SICK to death of hearing people say "adorbs" and "loves" and "brillz" ... wth?  It felt good to get that out.

6)  If I had a clone who could do anything for me, I'd hire her to deal with my diabetes ... count the carbs, change the site, change the sensor, calibrate the sensor, think ahead about bolusing 20 minutes before I eat, decode random spikes and drops that change day to day for no apparent reason, DEAL WITH INSURANCE COMPANIES AND MAIL ORDER PHARMACIES.

7) I dreamed Brody was a black wolf and didn't want any of us to leave our "yard" in the village we lived in. ?????



8) I am completely hooked on words with friends, WWF for short. sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night to pee, and if I don't fall back asleep immediately, I may or may not creep over to my phone and see if it's my turn to make a move. Could be worse. Right?



9) My goal to cut back (much less quit) consuming loads of diet drinks and caffeine? Failed. Miserably. Well, kinda. I have been off caffeine for 4 days {!!!!!!} and it's really not tooo bad until right about now ... right after supper, I wanna GO. TO. SLEEP.

10) I wonder how much time people invest in making up a "facebook middle names". I made these names up ... if one of them happens to be yours, lo siento, Shugpie.
Darryl Pimpinainteasy Honeycutt
Tammy Blowyamind Rogers
D'Marcus Lemmebeyobabydaddy Johnson
Everett Howyouspellflagship Withers
... you get the idea

11) I may have fulfilled a craving for bbq chips by having spoonfuls of regular, smashed ruffles dipped in a nice cold packet of Mcdonald's bbq sauce from the fridge. and a side of cheese.



12) I told the precious little guy at Discount Tire that I wasn't ready to get Anj's truck back after the tires had been rotated because I had dropped a stitch in my knitting, and I had to undo several rows, and if I transported the unfinished scarf in such a condition the entire thing would come unraveled, and could he kindly just leave the truck randomly sitting at the door until I got a grip on things? ... Luckily, I got it under control by the time he brought it around. He even apologized for turning the truck off ... "I'm sorry. I would've left it runnin if I'd known you'd be ready.' Precious. Just precious.
 
12b) I am a total rule breaker when it comes to knitting. For some (unbeknownst to me, but I'll prolly find out later the hard way) reason, "double knotting in knitting is a huge no-no" ... when you have to add another skein of yarn, you are supposed to just pick it up and then weave the tail end of the yarn that's exposed into the work. Well, screw that, sugars. Why? I just knot them thangs together in a double knot, pull it as hard as I can and snip, snip. I can't even find it after I do it. So, who cares? Makes ma life easier. Such a rebel, I know.

13) I am so exhausted. Wonder if I go to bed at 7:35 pm, I might wake up at 3:30 am? I'm thinkin prolly not. 

Pretty Little Liars

Remember forever ago when I posted about my new found love of PLL?

Well, I totally failed on the whole, "I can't wait til January so I can start watching new episodes" thing. But, I realized it, and guess what? THERE WAS A FRIGGIN 7-EPISODE MARATHON today to help me catch up on whatever I missed! Holla! Hubs and I both were home, and although "he didn't watch", he sure did ask 1.25 million questions. (He loves it too).

Bad part? When you watch for 7 hours straight, and then, there is no more ... ? SUCKS! Waiting til next Monday night is gonna be rough!

I have never been hooked on TV. I can be home by myself all day for weeeeeeks and I don't even turn the TV on. That is, until I discovered this show.

Kind of hard to catch back up when you came in way after the show first aired though, because you have to rely on google, and then there is the book (s?) ... and the stories aren't the same. People be sayin all kinds of random stuff, y'all. And I'm like whaaaaaaaaaaat? This is awful! Torture!

It says a lot too, that I don't want to strangle all the girls after watching them this long, because it usually doesn't take long. But - instead, I am like, man, I wanna grow my hair out so I can attempt (and fail) to get my hair to wave like that. Or .... hmmm, I really like her eye makeup. 

And you know where I inevitably end up after I watch? --------> the abc family pll website or Pretty Little Liars - The "Official" Site. 

I need answers!!! I need to be in some legit weekly chat session so I can ask questions because these peeps on the website in the "blog party" just keep saying, "Ooooh, he's cute!" or "I loooooove this show!" I mean, GYAH, they act like this show is geared toward teenaged girls or something. Sirrusly.

Anybody else hooked?

Oh - and can anyone confirm this? (The TV show version of the story!) What happened with Jenna goin blind? This seems to explain it the best, I think ... again, the TV VERSION.

And know what else, these chicks always talkin bout grabbin some coffee ... or they're always walkin around with some coffee. And, duhhh, you know I want some after I see them all with it = not good at 8:00 pm = me up all night long.

The moral of this blog post is .... TV is bad. 

Now, I have to go wind down so I can go to sleep.

Sad, I know.

 

FxCamera for Droid, you've changed my life

I was reading Daina's post, If Fish Had Feet over at New York State of Mind, and was like, "Wowwwww. I wish there was a magical app for Droid users."

So, I googled that shhh. Guess whaaaaaaaat? There IS. Found this handy lil article Top 10 Free Photo Apps for Android. I decided to download FxCamera.

I have fallen in love with my phone all over again. I am a bit of a photo freak (you know if you blog, you feel compulsions to take pics of nearly everything). SO excited about this, y'all.

There are choices within choices ... say I choose Toy Camera for example, I can choose the variation in color of the shot. Or, say I choose Polaroid, I can choose square pic or rectangle pic, old, vintage, mono, etc. You can change the strength of the vignette (if you choose to have one). You could play with this thing for hours and hours on end. TOO MUCH FUN.

Daina's pics on her post are way more mag because she lives in NYC and all. Mine ... are of life at the Davis hizzle on a lazy Sunday, so brace yaself for the lack of creativity. But, I was so excited I wanted to blog RIGHT NOW. (If you already knew about this, humor me and just pretend to share in my excitement).

Yep. 

In love. 

I got the hiccups, holla if you hear me

yuck. and I get the kind that are LOUD. and HURT. uncontrollable.
holdin breath? nope. 
somebody scarin me? nope.
ignore them, they'll go away on their own. nope.

liezzzzzzzz.

well, my loves, I'm bout to tell you how to get rid of 'em. have no fear.

you gone think I'm crazy. but I am not. I am fo realz.

try it.

1) get you a glass of water (gotta be water)

2) bend over and drink it from the "wrong" side of the glass. pretty much have to, or you will be pourin water all over the floor ;) drink the whole glass, one swallow after another ... don't stand back up until you've drunk it all.






you know I wouldn't put pictures like this of myself on the internet if I didn't stand behind it 100%.

Happy Saturday shugpies.

xo,

copycat linkup - scarf edition

I think it is safe to say I am developing a sliiiiiiiiiiiight scarf/cowl/neck-decorating obsession. I think Pinterest is partially to blame.

Anyhooz, I came across this fabulous link-up hosted by Sarah at Frills for Thrills. What a great idea! We all hoard up ideas from Pinterest ... so why not share when we try them out? Fashion ones specifically.

Here are a few I tried, with instructions for each:

_____________________________________________________fringe tshirt scarf

pinned here

instructions found here

_____________________________________________________multi-strand tshirt scarf

pinned  here

instructions found here

infinity tshirt (pillowcase) scarf:

Once I was on the tshirt cutting kick, I was kind of led into this idea, although I didn't get it from a specific pin.

"Hmm. What is tubular shaped that I could easily make an infinity scarf out of?"
"Heeeeeey! How bout one of them pillowcases from the tshirt sheets we don't use anymore?"
"Great idea, Shug!"

* you could also use the lower half of a tshirt like you do for the others, but I feel like it'd have to be a large/tall one in order for you to have enough to wrap around more than once since you can't quite stretch one big piece of fabric as well as you can individually cut pieces like you do with the first two scarves above.

{1}

take an old jersey "t-shirt sheets" pillowcase (clearly they don't hold shape very well and seem to stretch rather easily) and cut the seam off of the open end (on the left in this picture) and cut a slit to open up the closed end of the pillowcase (on the right in this picture):

{2}

streeeetch the remaining "tube" ... or have someone else, like a dude, do it (wasn't as stretchy as I hoped ... or maybe I just need to workout, but whatev)

{3}

twist it up and rock it out.

the end.

Happy Scarving!!