Reasons Kentucky is at the top of my list......

Winter in the bluegrass.

Beautiful but deadly when inhaled.

The first foal of Smarty Jones.

Typical after school chore, plowing out tobacco.

The fishing is good.

The Dalai Lama visits the Abbey of Gethsemani to visit Thomas Merton's grave.

Photos courtesy of the Lexington Herald Leader.

the neighborhood sheltie has made it to my black list

Look at Lucky, saddened from the attack.

I am becoming increasingly annoyed by my neighbors. Don't get me wrong, I live in a fantastically quiet, serene, neighborhood. HOWEVER, offleash dogs need to be addressed. Lucky has now been chased by an off leash sheltie twice (this includes being nipped at), 2 loose poodles that just have bad attitudes (also nippers) , 2 off leash twin corgies, and 1 mini schnauzer looking for his owner. Now this would be acceptable if the dogs merely just "get away" from their owners. That happens to me sometimes and it is no fun when your dog gets loose. That is not the case here, these dogs are intentionally left off leash because they are so "well trained" that they should obey their owner's commands under normal circumstances. With 100 dogs in the neighborhood walking at various times of the day, is it ever okay to let your pesky, overpriced, pedigree, snobby dog off leash.

I am angry ! Fiercely mad! Enraged! Downright pissed!

The worst part of all, when my neighbors with the sheltie first met Lucky earlier this year, when she barked, they responded with "you never know about those rescue shelter dogs, they are so unpredictable......." So who is with me? What are my rights as a pet owner? The next time that sheltie charges at my dog who is obeying the rules perfectly, he is going to get a swift kick in the behind....

Old people with mean dogs suck!

Little Miss Sunshine

The funniest movie I have seen since in years.

results of tea cup swap 5

Thank you "carolina herrera" from chile. I love it!

mission organization

the result of $45 worth of shelves and a few hours of my precious time (and my husband's). i finally have an office space worthy of the most ambitious blogger / graduate student.

selfish smellfish

I am selfish, I am watching a TLC documentary on children who are born with a rare disease which causes very rapid aging. They lose their hair, vision, muscle mass, etc usually before the age of 7 or 8 and only live to the age of 9.

So maybe my life isn't that bad... yes -the yoga would be a good idea.

my brain is mush

When you work at a university of almost 50,000 students, the summers will spoil you. I have come to the realization that at any given point in my life, things will never be just the way I want them. My expectations are just downright unrealistic.

For instance, the summer term is over, and at some point in the next few months, the florida heat that I hate will relent. However, at the hottest points in Gainesville, life is at it's most peaceful. The number of motorized scooters in town are halved. You can go to Walmart or Target and not have to fight for a cart or parking spot. You can walk across campus without being run over by a 19 year old on a bike. When fall comes, the swarms arrive and it will not cease until December. I shouldn't complain, the 19 year old crazies on bikes, giggling groups of sorority girls, hormone driven boys, and ambitious over achievers pay my bills.

Given all that, this week (it's only wed-wow) has turned my brain into mush. Yes- mush. (you are not alone rob). All of the buzzing, strategic plans of my route to and from work, loud students, travels to and from various campus locations, emails, phone calls, stupid people, people that are too smart for their own good, good ole boys..... ALL OF IT is beginning to rob me of what sanity I had to begin with. Maybe I am just a country girl that can't keep up with the chaos.

I am coming clean, I have perused the UF mental health webpage more then once. I think it maybe time for professional help, or altleast a good yoga class.

Took a blogger mini-vacation

I took a little vacation from blogging. If you are not already aware, classes are starting at UF, which leaves me busy, busy, busy and counting down the days until the student swarms cease.

Updates are coming... tonight. Check back tomorrow for the ten on tuesday topic and more great stuff.

tea cups in bloom

Found these beauties at wrapables...

Just My Cup of Tea

I love love love to read this blog every day.
This is how I became fascinated with the tea cup swap.

http://www.justmycupoftea.typepad.com/
Check it out, you will love Beth, she is a hoot.

I know someone who should start a teaspoon swap.... gg, are you reading?

my must haves for fall 2006

I have been keeping a mental list of all of the things I really want for this fall. I probably won't be able to afford half of the lot, but if I don't start writing them down eventually I will forget.
So here are a few things I really, really, want. In true Amanda style, I will start with the purses.
I found both of these on BlueFly, the first is made by BCB Girls and is currently clearanced. The second bag is a new fall bag by Hype.

Next on the list, shoes- casual but fun semi athletic shoes from Keds. I am obsessed with the owls. Found at zappos.com

The scarf- as seen earlier in the blog, from imogene.

This cool sweater from Old Navy

Lots of henly tunic/ tee shirts, a basic short black blazer good for layering with jeans, jeans, basic khakis, boots, new trousers for work, camis for layering, a couple of new headbands/scarves, a charm necklace, right hand ring, bracelets, denim skirt.... wow that is a long list.

Hopefully, I can find some of this stuff on a thrifting adventure. Look out goodwill...

what's in a paint can?

I like the looks of paint cans. Everytime i go into Home Depot, I admire the empty, shiny, monochromatic, purposeful looking containers. I recently brainstormed and tried to make a list of some cool uses for them. Add your ideas into my comments section.

Uses for empty paint cans..

1- Pots for plants, make sure to poke drainage holes first.
2- Wrap the containers in fabric or paper for an interesting way to present gifts.
3- Small cans make perfect holders for crayons or small kid stuff.
4- Big cans make purrfect holders for cat food.
5- Nail the bottoms of the cans against the wall in your garage for storage of nuts and bolts.
6- Punch holes in them with a metal punch and add an inch or so of sand, make great christmas luminaries.
7- Contain stuff (cosmetics etc) under a sink.
8- Cheap and funky alternative to ice buckets!
9- Storage for random golf balls your dog finds on her morning walks...
10- Cut a slit in the lid and decorate for a cool piggy bank.
11- Small cans lined up on a shelf above your desk can hold pencils, pens, markers and other random desk supplies.

been slow to blog

Sorry I have been slow to blog lately, keep checking back...more good stuff to come.

For now- here is Today's Ten on Tuesday list.
Make sure you leave your ten in the comments section!

Ten Things I Hate Doing.
1. Going to the doctor.
2. Blowing my nose.
3. Using public restrooms.
4. Watching professional football.
5. being fitted for bridesmaid dresses... this one has to be the worst.
6. getting shots
7. cleaning windows.
8. fighting with good friends.
9. riding in the back seat when the drivers clearly don't know where they are going.
10. taxes.

Provoking Thought

"One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one’s work is terribly important."- Bertrand Russell (1872-1970)

Can it stop you from going for seconds?

These cute bowls are designed to keep portion control in mind. Great for the weight watcher who watches the points. Get them here http://www.studiopanepinto.com/

Would you pass up your warm cup of coffee for this?

This vegetable based glycerin soap is infused with peppermint and caffeine anhydrous. It yields appoximately 12 showers and each shower should serve up 200 milligrams of the good stuff right through your skin.

a surprising new movement

If you like animals you will love this page of "Farm Peace Movement" goodies.
I laughed and laughed and laughed, the highlight of my lunch hour.

Ten on Tuesday Topic - Ten Feel Good Songs

1- Rock the Casbah- The Clash (although, the shareef don't like it)
2- Criminal - Fiona Apple
3- Poncho and Lefty - Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard
4-American Pie- Don McClean
5-Under the Bridge- Red Hot Chili Peppers
6- Brown Eyed Girl- Van Morrison
7- The Man in Me- Bob Dylan
8- Big Yellow Taxi- Joni Mitchell
9- Thriller- Michael Jackson
10- Do It Again- Stroke 9

(and a random collection of country I can remember from childhood)

What's Your Top Ten? Please Comment!

The grass is green in florida but you can't walk on it with your bare feet

For the longest time I was one of those people who always thought the grass was greener on the other side. In most cases I was wrong. After leaving a great teaching job for a crappy private sector position and then getting laid off , I have often times tried to shrug off the "I want to be somewhere different" thoughts. That kind of thinking has gotten me into trouble on more then one occasion. As of late, I have been maintaining a much more positive outlook on things. However, there is one "grass is greener" thought that I just can't shake, I don't like Florida. I tell myself every day that things are good, and they really are. But I am not sure how many more 85 degree halloweens I can take. And most of all, being a pale face in florida really really bites. It is so hot right now, all I can think about is the cool weather that shows up in November.

I miss the snow, I miss the cool springs, and most of all I miss the color of fall. I miss wearing scarves and hats and gloves. I miss being cold at night and covering up with a thick duvet and not waking up in a sweat. I miss home, and I miss the pumpkins that will last on the porch for almost a month. I miss going to night football games and drinking hot chocolate to stay warm. okay enough, complaining.

With that said, my favorite thing in the world right now to daydream about is the lovely hues of Autumn. Often times I will close my eyes and vividly remember a college camping trip to the gorge with my brother and some friends, drinking way too much beer, and then a long hike through the woods. I remember the sounds of the woods and the brilliant colors of the leaves. I can also imagine the 10 hour drive back home, that is a real pain in the ass to drive but surprisingly pleasant when your are driving through a scene like that of a postcard.

The picture above is of Red River Gorge, KY and I am not sure who the girl is but she looks like she is having fun.

Curls Curls Curls

Gainesville, Florida is the most humid place on earth. (well probably not but in my little world it is as bad as can be). I have curly, curly hair. This makes for many bad hair days. I have tried everything and of course, the best products I have found to tame my mane can only be bought from my hair dresser and per month, they cost more then my high speed internet and cable tv.

For the past 15 years of my life, I have been on a personal mission to find the perfect (and cheapest) combination of shampoo/ conditioner/ styling product for my mop of hair. My stylist suggested staying a away from "waxy" shampoos and conditionters that leave a film on your scalp and going for something very basic. For me the worst ones are pantene, herbal essences, sun-silk and all the over the counter trends that promise they can ward off the frizz. The best ones- Dove, some John Frieda, and SUAVE. Yes, I said it, SUAVE. Today, I used Suave Lavender Shampoo and Conditioner and followed up with Pantene Scrunching Mousse for Curls. My hair looked better then it has in two months. The three products combined cost me $6.

Other great Curly Hair products (both were designed with climate in mind)

Paul Brown Hawaii - Stay Straight Anti Frizz Shampoo and Conditioner
Profound Arctic Atmosphere Chill - Gel / Mousse

Constant Comments...

I love the comments that people have been putting on my blog. I am so glad that people are reading. If you are an anonymous reader, leave your initials or nickname so i will know who you are. Thanks everyone and enjoy your the weekend!

I can't wait to report the results of the tea cup swap.

Lavender in my linens...

I love lavender. I love linens. What could be better then lavender scented pillows? The brainchild of designer Lena Lindeholm, this fabric's dye contains lavender fragrance that will last up to 10 washes. Upholster your headboard or sew up a cute little eyepillow, this fabric brings a whole new meaning to aromatherapy. Now if I could just master sewing and upholstering.....

Airstream travel trailer goes to Paris

As a kid, I spent a lot of my free time trying to find my own space. I was the last of 5 children so I frequently wondered off to a barn or the woods to try and find a place to chill out. I even remember hanging out in my parents car just to get away.

At 13 I dreamed of the one day when I would have my own apartment. I also remember having some very vague but real fascination with recreational vehicles. There was something so intriquing about having a small home you could park anywhere.

So with that said, I am in love with this vintage AirStream trailer that has been renovated into a Parisian lounge. I am not a big fan of animal prints but there is something surprisingly appropriate about it when you partner it with black. white, and aluminum. It features a full kitchen, shower, full sized bed and loads of storage.
LOVE IT. I want one .... real bad.

Designed by Barclay Butera. As seen on HGTV, Small Space Big Style.

red poppies make for a cool bed

When it gets hot in Florida, you put away the heavy comforter and go for something lighter. I was on the hunt for a pretty bed spread or coverlet and ran across The Saffron Marigold. Read all about them online. They specialize in Indian textiles. I have found the typical block printed wall hangings and bed covers (tapestries) in many a hippie store, but these are actually very pretty and saturated in color. The Red Poppy print was my favorite.

They make more then bedspreads by the way, you can also find duvets, pillows, drapes, tablecloths, and shower curtains. A great spot to find unique bedding and linens. It also gives a good history on the art of hand block printing.

well, I still like the owl

I stopped by Target to get a look at the new Paul & Joe line. I was a little disappointed. There were a few cute pieces but overall most of it looked loosely constructed of sub-par materials.
My Target did not have any of the accessories yet but the owl is still on my list of things to buy. I am quasi-retracting my post from earlier.

Furthermore, most if it looked like it was designed for the high school sized crowd.

Do you know Paul & Joe?

If you don't know Paul and Joe, you should. Paul & Joe is a clothing, cosmetics, and accessories line by designer Sophie Albou. Her new line for Target is neat, nice, and reasonably priced. The owl pin is my absolute favorite for 6.99. I think it is great, I love it . Thanks to my friend Ranger Nick I have a new appreciation for owls and now I can wear one on my lapel.

Lovely Scarf

I love this scarf. Too bad for me, scarf season only lasts 2 weeks here. You can get it at imogene.

Gotta take notes?

Gotta get this Black n' Red notebook.
Great for meetings. I love the heavy paper and elastric straps on the Polypropylene (plastic) covered version.