Blog-Linkity Goodness 6.30.09

It's time for me to share some of the headlines I found interesting and a few new bloggers I've found to be quite entertaining.

First with the headlines:

1. Tide Takes Away Beach Cottages - I hope these folks have homeowner's insurance. And I really hope they were on vacation NOT in their cottages at the point of drop-off.

2. NY Motorist's Good Deed Proves Fatal - This is so sad. But somehow, somewhere, I hear Alanis Morissette writing a new verse to "Ironic."

3. Parents Won't Say If Tot Is Boy Or Girl - Raising the child to make up its own mind about gender. Commendable. Ultimately causing an identity crisis and hellacious teenage years. Not so much.

4. Jackson/Rowe Not The Biological Parents - And this surprises ANYONE? And since when did TMZ become a reputable source for news?

Now onto bloggers:

Most of you have seen me link to Jon Acuff's Stuff Christians Like. Today, he introduced me to three more hilariously entertaining bloggers, Tyler Stanton, Bryan Allain and Tripp Crosby.

Here are a few of my favorite and latest posts by the trio.

From Tyler:

This. Which I appreciate more than he'll ever know because this has become a common occurrence in our church and being one that has helped in the nursery many times before, we have an incredible childcare program and I don't understand how people don't take advantage of that. Or how my pastor continues without notice preaching the Word. With God all things are possible.

This. As a former daily public pool attendee and lifeguard, this is quite hilarious.

And this. Especially number one and the first link on number four. Hilarious and amazing, respectively.

From Bryan:

This. Not really hilarious through and through but I hope one day I have an equally cool story to tell.

This. There are no words.

And this. Never underestimate the wisdom of the elderly.

And from Tripp:

This.

This. I used to think about this all the time.

And this. One of three Nickelodeon game shows I really really really wanted to be one. The other two being GUTS and Wild & Crazy Kids.

Oh, and Legends Of The Hidden Temple. I always knew I'd be on the Orange Monkey team and win it all.

So, okay, four games shows.

Weekend Wrap-Up

It's late but I feel the need to wrap up the weekend on this here blog. So I'll do so quickly and efficiently with a numbered list.

1. Friday night I went to Easely Amused with Casey and her friend Nicole joined us. It was fun and great to get back to painting. I haven't painted anything in probably two years since I painted a Noah's Ark for William's nursery. It was a two canvas class called "Romeo and Juliet" we were her ginuea pigs on this project. Here's the finished product. 

2. Saturday, we had a good time with Taco Night with the fam. And homemade strawberry ice cream. Here's the latest documentation of the cuteness that is William Charles Johnson.

3. Sunday, we went to church of course and it was great as usual. We lunched at P.F. Chang's which was amazing then after Dad and I napped, we headed back to church for "Let Freedom Ring" and to watch Mom do her best impression of Kate Smith singing "God Bless America". And it was awesome, per usual. Her mother and father, I'm sure, were up in heaven going, "Yep, that's our Libby." There was also an awesome tribute to WWII where seven veterans from our church were interviewed about their time in the war. It was humbling, to say the least.

4. Tonight, I saw My Sister's Keeper and it was so good. And so sad. I held it together until about the middle and I lost it. I definitely had the ugly cry going on in the Vestavia Rave. Good thing it was dark.

5. And last but not least, I must comment on tonight's episode of The Bachelorette because there was much too much goodness to just leave things be. I'll take from a wall post I post on my Bachelorette buddy Bethany's wall tonight. 

1) Wes = D-bag. He makes me want to go buy steel-toed cowboy boots and learn Karate just so I roundhouse kick him in the face. 

2) Jake is killing me. He's totally THAT guy.

3) One word: Ed. And I add a few more words: did I tell you he was coming back or what?

4) P.S. He's precious. And if Jillian doesn't marry him, I will. No matter how old he is. But I won't move to ChicAHHHgo.

5) Jillian's yellow dress is clutch. And was it just me or does the necklace she has one look like it's lighting up?)

6). Ed is back! Woo! And see #1 for my thoughts on the last rose.

That is all.

Blog-Linkity Goodness 6.26.09

This post of BooMama's made me want to go out and get a subscription to Southern Living right away. 

LT shared this today and I almost peed my pants laughing. Almost. Fans of The Office, this is a must watch.

This picture that Charity: Water tweeted today is probably one of my top 10 most favorite images. Ever. 

This Clarion Ledger article found me perplexed today. Hate the sin. Love the sinner. But don't let that trump what is ultimately right in God's eyes and what his Word says is right before God.

Togetherness, Separation and Crazies

Let me begin with this statement: Bachelorette, I'm hooked on you. It's a sick obsession that needs to be remedied immediately. But. I. can't. quit. you.

However, I would like to list the many annoyances that were found in last night's Bachelorette episode because I have nothing else to do right now.

1. The unending improper grammar of all parties involved. "Him and I." "Her and I". For. the. love. ABC, can we get a grammar specialist to the set STAT?

2. The relentless play on words. Last night crossed the line. "I think I can, I think I can, get a rose tonight." Please tell me these guys are being fed these lines. And that they get a wad of $20s after they've successfully completed the task. At least they kept this episode on the ground. I don't know what I would have done if they "soared to new heights" again this week. Frankly, I was starting to get a little concerned for their health. Doesn't the oxygen level get thin the higher you go?

3. Wes. And anything he said or did. I really just want to do this to him.



4. Bless his heart. Jake's SUPER DUPER nice attitude. Does the kid HAVE a flaw?

5. Tanner P's foot obsession. It had gotten out. of. control. And thankfully, he was booted.

And bonus: The "ice" furniture.

And that is all I will say about that.

This is amazing. I had no idea that you could vote on such a thing. Apparently, E! gave fans an opportunity to vote to ban the mention of Spencer and Heidi Pratt from their channel, barring anything major like death or dismemberment. Can we enable voting for more stuff like this? Like ED commercials and the ShamWow guy?

And lastly, I kept telling myself that I wasn't going to blog about Jon and Kate. And I'm really not. After my mom and I had commented all we could on the matter last night over the phone, I resigned that I would no longer comment on their personal life. Reality television or not, they are real people and they deserve to be treated with the same respect as I would expect myself to be treated with in any other situation (See: The Golden Rule).

This post and this post put my feelings in word form so much better than I ever could, so I'll just let you go read those.

I'm not going to point fingers or place blame because frankly, that's not what Christ did to me. He looked at me in all my dirtiness that the paparazzi of the sinful nature displayed and said, "You're forgiven. Slate wiped clean. Go and live for me."

And that's just what I'll do.

Weekend Wrap-Up

I had a pretty busy weekend, folks.

Friday was spent doing business as usual -- babysitting. I don't know if that's business as usual, but it sounded clever. And I walk away with a sizable amount of "foliage", so it was a successful Friday night.

I bonded with a four-year old over blueberries, told three fairy tales in less than five minutes, had one of the most successful attempts of putting a 10-month old to sleep that I've ever had, and played a really weird game of beauty shop. Y'all, I never really realized how none girly I am. Give me a little boy and a football all day, but ask me to play beauty shop for half an hour and you're probably going to get some resistance from this gal. I won't do just anything for $60, but I'll play beauty shop with a four-year old if you ask nicely.

I also watched Hotel Rwanda for the first time. It was the kids' parents' last Netflix pick and they offered it to me even though it was already sealed up and ready to go into the mail. I'm glad they offered because I've been dying to see it. I actually think I've seen it in the $5 bin at Walmart before and have been tempted to get it without previously viewing it but have resisted. (And I went back today to the Walmarts and it was nowhere to be found.)

Y'all, that movie broke my heart. Much like Blood Diamond, it struck the depths of my soul. I was just sitting there on their ever-so-comfortable couch, crying out to God in my heart, asking why this happened to people and what could I do. I felt so helpless. 

Awkward segue way to Saturday's fun...

I joined my friend Nicole Saturday evening out into the blistering heat for some good tunes and fried food at City Stages. She had been given free tickets and VIP passes for the weekend so we decided to take advantage and head on over. 

Our main goal was to see Matt Kearney. So we got there early enough to go to VIP and get some free food and a shot (seriously) of Coca-Cola. Good thing we were allowed two drinks because you bet I went back and got a jumbo-sized Vitamin Water after the three sips of Coca-Cola I was just afforded. 

Dinner was hotdogs, beans and cole slaw. Nicole and I realized how perfect we were for each other when she realized that I didn't eat beans and cole slaw and I remembered she was a vegetarian. So I had two hot dogs and she had two helpings of beans and coleslaw. And there was no judging.

After downing our food and Vitamin Waters, we headed over to see Matt Kearney. Let me just say, he precious. Sounds amazing and can play the piano for real.

After Matt (obviously, we are on a first name basis) finished, we walked over to see a favorite of mine, Jonny Lang. I loved him the first time I ever saw him on the Disney Channel playing his guitar (he was the first Joe Jonas, if you will), and I fell in love with his raspy soulful voice. Seriously, look him up on iTunes. Or MySpace. Or YouTube. He's amazing. He may look like he's ugly crying when he sings, but like John Mayer, that's where all the goodness comes from. 

That's Mr. Lang rockin' out. And see the dude in the dredlocks and the yellow shirt behind him? You don't? How can you miss him? He's like a defensive tackle. He sings some mean BGV's. Look up the song "Thankful". That non-raspy voice? That's him.

After a little of Jonny Lang, we went back over to check out Corey Smith. After asking everyone on the way there, who the heck Corey Smith was (the only Corey Smith I knew of was a Samford football player and knew that this Corey Smith couldn't possibly be the same person. Besides, the football player has no "e" in his name), Nicole finally figured out that he's from UGA and was actually a good friend of her brother and sister's. Or something like that. So we were game. Until we found out he was country. He sat for a while and tried to enjoy but we just weren't feeling it.

We decided to walk back over and check out the Neville Brothers. Yeah, Neville. As in, Aaron Neville. The guy with the crazy-interesting girly sounding voice. 

Before he hit the stage though, there it was, like an oasis in a dry land. The Penn's stand.  (Yes, they have a website). I think you can only be from Mississippi, and really, only Jackson, to appreciate what a sight for soar eyes this was. I leapt out of my skin and into line and grabbed me up some fried dill pickles and ranch sauce. Because you can't just walk by a Penn's stand. God might strike you dead. Because Penn's is THAT good. God knows. 

After I had secured the precious loot and Nicole had her sweet tea, we went and staked out a spot on the steps just outside the area of the Neville Brothers' stage. We could hear them, but couldn't see them. When he had finished, we decided we weren't feelin' the vibe and decided that maybe if we got closer, it would be better. We made it closer to the stage just in time to hear them sing "A Change Is Gonna Come", which was great. However, we couldn't handle the stickiness of the humidity anymore and decided to call it a night.

After church and a lazy afternoon, we headed back out on Sunday to catch two more acts. Guster (whom I had never heard of but are amazing) and Needtobreathe (my new favorite band).

Nicole and I decided to bypass the VIP hot dogs (well the security guy made the decision for us since I didn't have my ID) and we opted for bloomin' onions instead. We grabbed our delicacies and found a spot in the grass to set up our chairs and we enjoyed a little Guster.

Self-potrait, note the bloomin' onion. Yum.

After Guster, we headed over to see Needtobreathe, and made a stop by the snow cone stand. I got blueberry and Nicole got blueberry and watermelon. You can only imagine the result.

Mmm. Yeah.

But really, this is all you need to see. This is Needtobreathe. Again, iTunes them. Myspace them. Youtube them. Google them. You won't be sorry. 

We decided to skip out on En Vogue, the Doobie Brothers (who we would have stayed for had they not been at the same time as Needtobreathe) and, wait for it...hold your applause...Lynard Skynard. I know, I know. Shame on me. But the sheer volume of redneck-ness was making me twitch. 

And that was my weekend, everyone. I hope you had one of equal or greater fun value.

My Dad's The Cooooolest

Ever since I was little, I've proclaimed my dad the hero of my life. It's never been more true before than it is today.

In exactly nine minutes (as I type this sentence), it will be my daddy's 29th Father's Day. That's a lot of plaster hands and hideous ties. Ya know what I mean?

Anyhoo, I know that anyone who knows me gets so sick of hearing me talk about my dad. Because I do it all. the. time. Whether it's something that he's taught me, a funny story or what he thought about the last movie he saw, I'm going to gladly share it with anyone I know. Or don't know, for that matter. 

Y'all, I can't get enough of my daddy. He's the bestest friend a 25-almost-26-year old girl can have. It's true. My dad has undoubtedly become (and always been) my most favorite person, my best friend and my confidant. 

He's the one I go to when I just need to bounce some ideas off of someone and he's definitely the one that I go to when I need some major life advice. Back when I went through the "quarter-life crisis", Big Bob was the one who heard me out and offered sound advice and made me really think about what I was doing. 

My most favorite memories of my dad from when I was little were our fishing trips, the back scratches (of which I'm pretty sure I still owe him approximately 10, 572), and sitting on the second pew in church cuddled up to him. My most favorite memories lately are our theological discussions, uninterrupted talks about nothing on the phone and our "two-for-one" movie outings.

My dad's been through a lot in his life, more than anyone like him should have to. But I strongly believe that all of that has made him the man he is today. A man who serves his God with everything that's in him, makes no excuses, and loves those in his life in spite of himself and with a love that only comes from God himself. 

He's my hero.

He's taught me what desperation for God is and has displayed that in so many ways. He's taught me what sacrifice is and what standing up for what is right looks like in all aspects of life. He makes no excuses. He loves my mom and has never done anything to make her, my sister, me or anyone else think otherwise.

He's my hero.

He always tells me he is proud of me. He was so proud to say that he was a "cheer dad" and he loves telling people what I do (even though most people think that I run the whole athletic department at Samford and am best friends with Pat Sullivan). He has often introduced himself as "Katie's dad" or "Anna's dad" and loves it (I think) when he's referred to as Libby's husband.

He's my hero.

I love the way he wells up with pride when he watches my mom sing, when he gets tears in his eyes (who doesn't) when my sister sings and the way his faces lights up with a smile anytime I'm trying to make a joke. 

He's my hero.

I love love love to tell people that he played football at Mississippi State. And that he held the state record for shot put until a few years ago. And that he lead the Peeple's Junior High soccer team to a district title. 

He's my hero.

I love telling people how the place he works is his mission field. I know what a strain it puts on him but I know that he puts everything he has into making a difference in those kids' lives. I know how his heart breaks for those kids and believe that he's passed on a just a little bit of that compassion to me. I pray for him and those kids everyday. 

He's my hero.

I made a list a while back in my journal of the things that I love about my dad. I did a list back on Mother's Day for my mom, and I thought it only appropriate to do the same for my dad.

Things I Love About My Dad:

- The way he fueled my love of forehead kisses.

- The way I get dizzy when he hugs me.

- Our very random talks about sports, politics, technology and religion.

- The way he always says, "Don't you worry about it. I'll take care of it."

- When he told the guy I went on my first date with: "Be careful with her. She's the child of a King...and me.

- His consistent reminding me of "who I am and Whose I am."

- His humility and his faith.

- That he played football at MSU.

- The way he recounts, so detailed, the day he became a Christian.

- How fondly he speak of his most special friends. 

- The way he loves my mom.

- His thoughtful secret gifts.

- His smile and his laugh.

- The way he cared for Papaw until the end, and the way he cares for Grandma.

- The way he cared for my cousin in a troubled time.

- His sincere interest in every one of my Stone cousin's lives.

- His love for his dogs.

- The way he makes sure every guy in the room knows I'm single. He's been know to start Sunday School lessons with the line: "Have you met my daughter Katie? She's the pretty one in the second row. And she's single, guys."

- The way he embarrasses me with that line.

- "Cheer dad"

- The fact that we are Facebook friends.

- His jokes.

- His daily email devotional and the long list of people that receive it.

I'm sure I could name more but at the risk of this becoming the marathon blog post, I'll cut it off at that.

Dad, I know that you know how much I love you because you've taught me through the years that you can never tell someone you love them enough. I'm so proud of you and I don't know what I would do without you. 

Happy Father's Day!

The Chlorine Got To My Brain

Today I started a two-week (four days a week) span of life-guarding for Samford's soccer camp.

I really wish I was a pre-teen again so I could attend this camp. They get to be in cool country groups (i.e. Spain, England, Italy, etc.) and they get to swim for 45 minutes before lunch and slide down an enormous water slide on the football field before the day is over with.

It's like a dream come true. Only a snow cone could make it better.

Anyway, so I get to spend an hour and a half away from my desk everyday (minus Fridays) for the next two weeks making sure these kiddos practice appropriate water safety. In an indoor pool. That has like 200 percent humidity. I'm still in a cloud of chlorinated fuzziness.

But I digress...

I tell you that, to tell you this: too much chlorine makes my brain not want to think of clever blog post titles.

Sue me.

I did run across two things today that I just had to comment on. The chlorine may have had an effect on my ability to come up with clever blog post titles but it did nothing to stunt my ever-flowing fountain sarcastic commentary.

So here goes...

This, as Dave Barnes tweeted this morning, is "my nightmare realized". This kid woke up yesterday to a snake in his bed. Not just any snake. A three-foot boa constrictor. Seriously. Um. Yikes. Like want to run screaming into the ocean yikes.

The article said: "I started to panic when he started to slither at me," said (Kareem) Lewis (18), whose mom was at church.

No kidding.

It was probably God trying to tell you to get your butt out of bed and go to church, Kareem.

I bet Kareem will be sitting on the front pew next week.

(Warning: I'm about to blog about Taylor Swift and the Jonas Brothers. Seriously. I'll do anything to procrastinate.)

This craziness is killing me. Hell hath no furry like a teeny-bopper scorned, right? It's like the lyric wars have shifted from the realms of hardcore "gangsta" rap to the supposed harmless mouths of babes.

Taylor Swift and Joe Jonas will not give up. It's like being in the 10th grade hall of the high school of the music world. Which I guess is not that much of a stretch, considering they are still old enough to be in high school. Well, at least where I come from they are. Twenty-one and still in the 12th grade? Only in JPS. But again, I digress.

Sources say (hear that? It's like I'm hosting my own gossip show on the E! channel), that the two star-crossed lovers are taking stabs at each other with every new lyric they write.

Swift's new song "Forever and Always" seems to take a shot a the eldest JoBro stating: "Was I out of line? / Did I say something way too honest? / That made you run and hide like a scared little boy?"

Newflash Taylor. You're not the first girl who has written these lyrics or even had hoo-has to say something of this sort. And you won't be the last. He's a boy. It's nature.

The JoBros new song, "Paranoid", retaliates saying: "Caught in a nightmare / Can't wake up/ That's why my ex is still my ex / I never trust a word she says / I'm running all the background checks / And she's freaking out."

Just like a boy to make the girl look like a nutbag.

I'm just finding this all too funny. It's seriously like playground chatter.

"Nanny nanny boo boo."

What used to be reserved for the likes of 50 Cent and Eminem, has filtered down to the purest of all art forms -- the teeny boppers.

Lord, help us all.

At least they can still wear their purity rings with pride.

I hope.

Birthday List

A month from to today (July 26, for those of you who don't feel like doing the math), the author of this here blog (me, again for those of you who need a clue) will turn 26. I will turn 26 on July 26. Ha. I never actually realized that. This may call for an outlandish spectacle of birthday celebration complete with water slides and bouncy houses and disco mixes and all-you-can-eat cookie cake.

Anyhoo.

For those of you (all 4 of you, who are mostly family) who are finding it hard to find the perfect gift for your favorite blogger (or family member) who brings plenty of sunshine and entertainment to your lives on a daily/weekly basis, have I got the solution for you.

I give you.

The List Of Ten Perfect Birthday Gift Ideas For Katie:

1. A flip video camcorder. I could do some serious damage with this in NYC. Or just on a regular day.

2. The Oceans Trilogy. Nothin' says romantic comedy like stealing a bunch of stuff.

3. Tony Dungy's new book, Uncommon.

4. Any of the remaining seasons of That 70's Show on DVD. That would be seasons 2-8 for those who are taking notes.

5. This bedding set from this outrageously-priced delight.

6. A ticket or two to the Mississippi State home games against Florida and/or Alabama.

7. A subscription to Sports Illustrated.

8. iTunes gift cards are always good.

9. A date.

10. World peace.

I think that about does it. Now get to shoppin' folks.

*** Disclaimer: All parental units of the author of this blog are hereby exempt from inclusion in this mandate. Unless the really feel like being overly generous. I mean, a trip to NYC and payment for parasailing at the beach are perfectly fine birthday presents if you ask me. All siblings of said blogger must think long and hard though about NOT abiding by the list. ***

A Little Pre-Midnight Delight

Thanks to Ashton Kutcher for tweeting this. 

I love the emotion on these kids faces. And the kid with the solo? There. Are. No. Words.

Enjoy.

If that doesn't just put a smile on your face I don't know what will.

This guy is incredible with these kids. I wonder if I could track them 

down when I'm in NYC. Probably not. So many things! Too little time!

*** I had to come back and add these too. Check out their blog!

Highland Manor

Some people have heard me talk about when I go to Highland Manor every other Tuesday night. 

Some people wonder what it is. 

I'm here to explain.

Highland Manor is a somewhat assisted living facility in downtown Birmingham that houses a lot of Lakeshore Foundation members. 

(Sidenote: It's an old hotel or apartment building, we think, and the top floor used to be a club/bar back in the day called "Top 21". We gather this from the fact that it is in fact the 16th floor but the elevator button is labeled "Top 21" and the layout of the space is quasi-old timey clubish.)

But I digress...

This bi-monthly meeting was born out of our desire to bring a good meal every other Tuesday to a few of our favorite Lakeshore members. Since most of the people we meet with aren't very mobile (i.e. cerebral palsy and other phyisal handicaps), they aren't really able to fix a very good meal for themselves every day. Usually, they just fix one meal and have leftovers or order out or whatever. 

So in my old bible study that I used to do with a group of girls from church, we decided (with the guidance and suggestion of my roommate Kelly, who actually works with these people every day) to start doing this every other week about two years ago. It has quickly spread to our other small group that meets on Thursday at our house and has become more of a fun night with friends now than a service opportunity.

I wasn't able to go for a couple of months because of spring sports and I had forgotten how much I love going. For two reasons...well three...okay, four.

1 and 2. These two precious people:

This is a picture of Randall and Kisha. I guess you could call them my favorites. They both have CP (cerebral palsy) and are two precious souls. I met Kisha first when I voluteered at the Lakeshore Triathlon. As I stood out in the parking lot waiting to help people who were hand-cycling up the daunting hill if they needed help, Kish came and kept me company. She talked to Emily and I the whole time we were out there and when our time was up, Emily and I just craved more time with her. 

After we planned to start doing dinner, we met Randall and he became my second favorite. He's so funny. I can't stand it. I leave with half of my makeup off because I've been crying from laughing so hard. 

3. This...

This view. Highland Manor sits right above Five Points in downtown Birmingham and it "Top 21" (heehee) has a sweet little patio that covers a whole two sides of the building. And the above picture is the view of Birmingham from it. I'm telling you, if there is one great thing about Birmingham, it's the views. There are some amazing mountain top/building aerial views here.

Anyway, it's just so calming to look out onto the city and see what's out there. And then to pray over that city and seek God's work in it. Amazing.

3. The fellowship. There might be days that I don't feel like going to Highland Manor but there is never a day when I leave that place wishing I hadn't gone. I'm always filled with joy and thankfulness for each person in that place. It's just such an amazing experience to share life with some many different people. To love on each other. Share our triumphs and our low points and know that everyone is rejoicing or fighting or grieving with you.

We used to just go and have dinner and talk and then leave. One day, one of the guys that goes with us felt lead to start doing a devotion. And y'all, it's been amazing to see the response to that devotion. Just a little 5-10 minute devotion has changed that bi-weekly meeting from a time to just come a get a free meal, to a time to come and share life with 12 or 15 or 20 other people. 

God, thank you so much for placing me here in Birmingham for such a time as this. Everywhere I go and in every person I met, I see you. I see your love and I feel just a tiny bit more of your compassion for the people that you have created in your own image. I am constantly in awesome wonder of the ways that you show yourself real to through so many people and situations. And by your faithfulness to take care of every need and every situation that I or anyone else may have. 

I praise you for the sight that I have in my eyes so that I can see your glorious creation and the smiles on each person's face that I gather with. I praise you for the legs that carry me to my car that carries me to the place where I am able to fellowship with your children. 

Please continue to bless our time with the people at Highland Manor so that you receive the glory in everything that we do. 

And that's Highland Manor. Now you know.

Blog-Linkity Goodness 6.11.09

A few things to note that I ran across today on the "interweb".

1. Remember the "Fred Smoot for Heisman" campaign several years ago? Well, soon there might be a "Fred Smoot for the PBA" campaign launching. Confused? Read more here.

2. The Alabama Crimson Tide might have to surrender up to 21 wins soon. ESPN.com said today that the NCAA will reveal later today (Thursday) that the Tide "must vacate victories from 2005 through 2007 that included player who improperly got free textbooks for other students". Read more here.

Considering we won in '06 and '07, that would only leave question for the 17-0 loss in Starkville in 2005. Keep your fingers crossed, Bulldog fans.

3. Another beauty queen bites the dust. Miss California USA Carrie Prejean heard two infamous words from "The Donald" trump yesterday: "You're fired". It probably sounded more like, "Yuh fyahed", but I digress. Supposedly, she was de-throned "based solely on contract violations, including Ms. Prejean's unwillingness to make appearances of behalf of the Miss California USA organization."

Ms. Prejean thinks differently: "I've tried to reach out to them and I've done several appearances and I'm going to be presenting at the Special Olympics this weekend as an honorary guest. I mean, I've been cooperating with them. I don't see why this is happening. It's just because of my answer, I think. None of this would be happening right now if I just said, 'Yeah, gays should get married'."

It seems like the "Bad Beauty Queen" issue only comes around once in a blue moon but the media always seems to annoy the blazes out of people talking about it all. the. freaking. time.

I hope that since they got past the comment and the pictures and she still retained her crown, that now that they've done enough digging and had determined that she wasn't doing her job enough to fire her, that they will let. it. go. already. Fortheloveplease!

4. THIS is awesome! Too bad the brother-in-law didn't think about this for a groom's cake seven years ago (seven years? really?) when he married my sister.

5. And lastly, I saw this on Hoodrat Stuff (great fun. check it out. shout out AGL!), shared it on Twitter and Facebook but I feel I must share on the el bloggo for those Bulldog friends that haven't seen it yet. Enjoy. I hope you laugh as hard as I did.

The Ology Post

...because everyone else is doing it. Blasted peer pressure.

FOOD-OLOGY

What is your salad dressing of choice? Ranch. The most fattening. Of course. I also like a good vinegarette, though.

What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? Tough question. I love some Cheesecake Factory. But P.F. Chang's is oh, so good. But my heart always belongs to O'Charleys. Those rolls are like crack.

What food could you eat for two weeks straight and not get sick of it? Shrimp. No question.

What are you pizza toppings of choice? Black olives and mushrooms. No meat.

What do you like to put on your toast? Peach jelly

TECHNOLOGY

How many televisions are in your house? Four. Three work.

What color cell phone do you have? Black

What does the first text message in your inbox say and who sent it? Please pray. Tonight I meet a prospective adoptive family. From a sweet and special friend.

Who was the last person to call you? Ann Weisman to ask me to babysit next Friday.

BIOLOGY

Are you right-handed or left-handed? Lefty.

Have you ever had anything removed from your body? I think only wisdom teeth.

What is the last heavy item you lifted? Probably my nephew. Kid is a chunk.

CRAP-OLOGY

If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? No way.

If you could change your name, what would you change it to? I really wouldn't change my name. I have a good name.

Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? Seriously?!?! No. But I know a few guys who probably would.

DUMB-OLOGY

How many pairs of flip-flops do you own? Maybe 7?

Last time you had a run-in with the cops? Probably two years ago. The last time I got a ticket.

Last person you talked to in person? Hollie, of course.

Favorite Month? July

CURRENT-OLOGY

Missing someone? Yes, all of my family.

Mood? Is there such a thing as longing for a pool?

What are you listening to? What I Like About You on ABC Family

Worrying about? Nothing.

RANDOM-OLOGY

What's the last movie you watched? Inside Man, last night at movie night

Do you smile often? More often than not.

Do you always answer your phone? Not always. I don't answer when I'm not around it or when I don't hear it or when I don't know the number.

It's four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it? Three years ago, I would've said Jason. Now? There aren't many people who would text me at 4 a.m. Maybe Casey or Bethany or Hollie in an emergency.

If you could change you eye color what would it be? More blue.

What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? Cherry. Always cherry.

Do you own a digital camera? I own two.

Have you ever had a pet fish? Not really. My mom did. Some of her students gave her one of those Beta fish thingies.

Favorite Christmas song? Three way tie: O Holy Night!, Up On The Housetop, and Children Go Where I Send Thee

What's on your wish list for your birthday? This requires a whole post. Stay tuned.

Can you do push-ups? Push-ups. Meaning more than one. Yes. I can do two.

Can you do a chin up? Maybe.

Does the future make you more nervous or excited? Considering that God is in control of my future...excited

Do you have any saved texts? My phone saves my texts until I choose to delete them.

Even been in a car wreck? Five, I think.

Do you have an accent? A Southern one, I suppose.

What is the last song to make you cry? God Of This City. See below post.

Plans tonight? Take KFC to Highland Manor and hang out with Randall and Kisha and the small group folks.

Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? Definitely, earlier this year. God brought me out though.

Name two things you bought yesterday? Gas and...that's all I bought yesterday.

You ever been given roses? Yes.

Current hate right now? This article about Adam Lambert. I guess it's more of a disgust than a hatred.

Met someone who changed your life? Definitely.

What song represents you? Right now, I'd say Coldplay's "Fix You"

What were you doing at 12 a.m. last night? Slipping into a sweet slumber where I dreamed that Hollie and I robbed a bank, then I ran out of makeup and then our oven got an upgrade, "You know, like the computer gets an upgrade? That's what they did to our oven!", said the roommate.

What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? I loved the fellowship last night but I wish they would've left earlier.

God Of This City

If you've heard of Chris Tomlin, the you've heard of the song "God Of This City". And if you've heard of this song, lately you've heard of Bluetree, the band that actually wrote this song that Chris Tomlin made so famous. Now Bluetree has come out with their version of the song.

My brother-in-law used this song in his church's worship service Sunday and told us the story of how it was written at lunch. He told us about a video in which the lead singer of Bluetree tells the story of this song's inception in his own words.

So much goodness, I needed share.

And because I love Kris (with a K) Allen, I wanted to show you this video that I found of the American Idol singing this song, giving God all the glory and honor and praise with the talent that He gifted him with.

We've been singing this at my church for a while now and every time I sing it, it hits a different part of my heart.

Of course whenever we sing it, it is my prayer over Birmingham. Although we in the heart of the "Bible Belt", I know there are so many souls here in Birmingham that crave the unfailing love of Jesus Christ. Souls that I come in contact with everyday but I'm not tuned in enough to what God is doing around me to be aware of it. It's my prayer everyday that God makes me aware of those people and those opportunities to be his hands and feet and his voice to those around me in a way that only He gets the glory.

Lately when I hear this song though, I think of New York City. I've got the opportunity to with my parents' church/choir to the Big Apple in mid-July for a concert tour/mission trip.

As most people know, I love all things New York City. It's such a big place with a small world feel. I love Broadway. I love the sights. I love the sounds. I even love the subway. It's' just such a neat place.

I've had to check myself several times, though, since I committed to going on this trip. I find myself getting caught up in the touristy distractions of this trip, wondering what shows we will go to and if I'll have time to find the Cash Cab.

But God whispers gently in my ear with a reminder that I'm not going for me. I'm going for His people. For His glory. Not for me.

In the next month and a half, my prayer is that God will show NYC through every person on that trip that they are His children too. I may be cursing myself when I say this, but I'm just going to go ahead and put it out there. Even if everything else fades away, even if all of my plans get flushed down the preverbial toilet, my prayer is that God is glorified in it all and my reminder is that God has a purpose in everything.

And his purpose for me is to love his people.