Kick the Footlights Out

Annie read the book, then Emily read the book, so then it was Chasley’s turn to read the book. I would occasionally skip around to the chapters that I thought I would like the best, and Emily would tell on me. Annie did not like this. It’s quite common though because I think, I’ll probably never make it to those pages anyway. But this time, it was different. I read every single page, even the credits. The topic was “exploring the endless connections between sexuality and spirituality”, and the book was Sex God by Rob Bell. I was familiar with his work because I had completed a video study of his through my youth group in high school. Chapter 8 is titled Johnny and June. Walk the Line is one of my favorite movies; so naturally, this was my go to chapter.

“Whatever it is they had, it spread. It spilled over. It couldn’t be contained by just the two of them. It affected those around them. It inspired those around them.”

“Their marriage got better and better. They were more in love as the years went by.”

“A marriage is designed not to add to the brokenness of the world but to add to the “oneness” of the world. This man and this woman who have given themselves to each other are supposed to give the world a glimpse of hope, a display of what God is like, a bit of echad on earth.”

The book was such a blessing, and it taught me so much about my relationship with God and the design of a relationship between a man and a woman. Savannah and Chandler, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I consider the book a must read.

DJ Chaz

Hooray for Hollywood by Jared Lee: After months of waiting, it’s finally available on iTunes.

Nothing Ever Hurt Like You by James Morrison: He is one of my favorites; I think he’s a genius.

Girl Named Tennessee by Needtobreathe: The solo dancer in me wants to sit this one out and grab a boy.

Toy Soldier by Britney Spears: The Blackout album is Britney’s best work, “like them city boys from NEW YORK!”

January Wedding by The Avett Brothers: I love their style. I grew up listening to my dad play the banjo.

You and I by Ingrid Michaelson: “Lets get rich and give everybody nice sweaters and teach them how to dance.”

Portions for Foxes by Rilo Kiley: “and you’re bad news; my friends tell me to leave you.”

Madly by Tristan Prettyman: Karaoke.

Almost Lover by A Fine Frenzy: “good-bye my hopeless dream”

Inside Out by Kate Voegele: This is one of my best performances.

Pictures of You by The Last Goodnight: Picture me. Picture you. Picture this. Picture that. Picture perfect.

Anywhere But Here by Chris Cagle: The love and the passion are still right where she left it.

My Love is Your Love by Whitney Houston: Grand Central Station makes me think of Gossip Girl and traveling, two of my favorites.

Assassin by John Mayer: He finally met his match, and I want to know whom he wrote this about, but my guess is Jennifer Aniston.

Boy With a Coin by Iron and Wine: Annie Mo, thank Yo.

Makin’ Plans by Miranda Lambert: I love to make plans. Miranda and I are a lot alike.

I’d Rather Be with You by Joshua Radin: “I need to be bold. I need to jump in the cold water. I need to grow older with a girl like you.”

Replay by Iyaz: All the Above.

Always Yours...

A few of the girls this summer read the book, “Dear John” by Nicolas Sparks, and they told me that the main character, Savannah, reminded them of me. I will either find out what they were talking about when I finish the book or in February. But until then, “Two weeks together, that’s all it took. Two weeks for me to fall for you.” has provided inspiration.

It's Okay, You're Gonna Pump my Gas Someday

Amanda and I agree, gas stations are dirty, dangerous and full of lurking creepers. Allow me to elaborate. The gas station I normally choose was closed, so I was forced to travel down the street to the local Citco. I hate being thrown off track; it’s never a good thing. Gas stations always throw me for a loop with all those directions they give, “Swipe Quickly” “Select Grade” and “Lift and Begin Fueling”. It’s confusing, and the time between each command is crucial. Gas stations are so intimidating, and as I pulled in, I noticed that the gas pumps looked unfamiliar, so I knew my total attention would be required for the proper procedure. Of course, I thought I was following the instructions, but it was evident that an important action was missing. I just couldn’t figure out what it was, and I was swiping and swiping the credit card. I called my mother. This is quite common. She was sending someone downtown to help me. But before she could send them out the door, I saw a man and flagged him down. He walked over and immediately starting looking in my car, not trying to make any effort to be discreet. Maybe it was Kim Kardashian on the cover of my magazine that caught his eye, but whatever it was, he was interested. My thoughts were Bon Qui Qui’s words, “This dude needs to go”. I thanked him for his time and help even though he never made it to the gas pump. I went inside, and the cashier came out to help and solved all my problems.

Tell Me Your Story, Tori

Violet Bickerstaff and Donna Martin are two blondes that I faithfully watched every day after school. So, this summer I decided to get to know the person behind the characters. I chose to read sTori Telling, Tori Spelling’s autobiography that explains the unanswered questions about her life and the craziness behind the tabloids. The reason I don’t have a “My Book Shelf” on the side of my blog is because I have no books to suggest. The only books I have are the decorative dust collectors that provide a pedestal for my lamps. I read the Bible, and that is mostly it. But by finishing the book, I learned the struggles of growing up in Hollywood, details behind her Great Gatsby inspired wedding and the admiration she had for her father. Now, I have made progress, and I have renewed my library card. I have made a personal goal to always have a book I am reading, and Tori’s latest, Mommywood, is on the list. I want to be a mom, so teach me Tori.

Hip Hip Hooray!

I have been reading through Proverbs, and there are several verses that encourage a cheerful spirit and relate to the positive outcomes of a happy heart. I once read a magazine article on Jennifer Love Hewitt. She told a story of a friend asking her if she was in love. She said she thought it was kind of strange, because these were the first words that she was greeted with. Her friend explained that she could tell by the way she looked; she had a glow about her. She was so confused, but she knew that is was the truth; she was in love. What was going on inside was shining through to the outside. My mom has always taught me that it is what is on the inside that counts, and she has always encouraged me to focus on my faith. Whatever is on the inside will be visible to those around you.

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” -1 Peter 3:3-4

“A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” – Proverbs 15:13

“All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.” –Proverbs 15:15

“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.” –Proverbs 16:30

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” –Proverbs 17:22

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” -Ephesians 4:2

"I believe that the happiest girls are the prettiest girls." -Audrey Hepburn

Home is Where the Heart is

The memories, the laughs, the birthday parties and the family holidays that my house has hosted are treasured. I love this house. We moved here when I was five; I remember when there was just a foundation, and I looked to the sky imagining my room in the clouds. Recently, my house has been getting a few modifications. I’m either waking up to a man swinging from scaffling outside of my window or standing in my room discussing options with my mother. I walk outside, and there they are, climbing ladders and cutting boards. I give them my best “good morning” as I get in my car. One said the other day, “You spending the night with your grandmother again?” Well my, my, I didn’t know they were keeping such close tabs on me. I appreciate their hard work. We’ve got to get this house ready for my wedding reception. When dad revealed that there would be some remodeling to our house, I made a pause for the cause as I put my hands in the stop position. Reminding him that we really needed to keep my wedding reception in mind. I asked him if he had thought about the flow of traffic and the location of the six tiered wedding cake. I can hear the bells.

Check Yes, No or Maybe

There are those people in your life that you will never forget, and those that have a special place in your heart. If you are lucky, those people have been with you since your childhood, and they are still with you today. I remember the first time a boy asked me to go out with him. I was in the third grade, and during our morning snack, I discovered a handwritten note in my backpack. The note goes as follows: “Will you go to the fair with me? Check yes, no or maybe.” I did not like this, and I quickly checked no before returning the note to the sender. I’m sure my immediate thoughts were, “how could I get back at this boy for asking me such a question”. My mind was churning and then, WAH-LA! I would tell on him for placing the note in my backpack. There was a strict rule against getting into others “personal items”. So at that moment I marched myself to my teacher’s desk, and I told on the boy who had asked me to the fair. This led to him pulling his yellow warning card, and not talking to me for the rest of the day. This gave me a feeling of accomplishment; revenge was on my side. Later that night after dinner, I was upstairs in my playroom, and I heard the phone ring. I heard my father’s voice coming from the living room, and then I heard him say “Chas” as he was entering the foyer and walking up the stairs. He came into the playroom, and asked, “Did you get a note asking you to go to the fair with someone today?” I was so embarrassed. As my dad explained to me that it would be acceptable if I went to the fair with a certain someone, I looked at him with my big blue eyes and said no. I remember wanting to run and hide. There was no way I was going to change my mind, so my dad returned the phone call, and made the announcement that I would not be going on the fair date. Several years later, the same boy is still in my life, and I didn’t know until he announced to Annie and Emily one night last summer that he had kept the note after all of these years.

Hollywood Hopeful

I wish for a relationship that is "Big Screen" worthy. I want to win a reward for having a love like no other. I've been told that love isn't like it is portrayed the movies, but I will not settle for anything less than an Oscar.

“I'm asking you to marry me. I love you. Now I know I said and done a lot of things, that I hurt you, but I promise, I'll never do that again. I only want to take care of you. I will not leave you like that Dutch boy with your finger in the dam. You're my best friend. Marry me.”-Johnny Cash

“So it's not gonna be easy. It's gonna be really hard. We're gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day.”-Noah Calhoun

“But I've seen what we could be like together, and I choose us.”-Jack Campbell

“I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts. I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it's not because I'm lonely, and it's not because it's New Year's Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”-Harry Burns

“Give me one more chance. I’ll do better, whatever it takes, the wooing and the spooning. I am all in. I promise you when you wake up in the morning, I’ll be there, every time.” –Connor Meade

Running with my Imagination

Representing the junior high B team in our freshman year of high school, Hannah and I were the stars of the track program. We were flying high over the hurdles and breaking records left and right. But fast-forward a few years, and the fans are missing, and I am no longer giving my autograph as I finish dead last. I’ve traded in my spikes for Asics, and the track for a sidewalk. It’s taken a little adjustment, but I have somehow managed to work through my loss of fame and recognition. My imagination keeps me going as I jog through the town of Scottsboro. When else can I be Kelly Clarkson or Beyonce? People mention they see me running, and most of them comment that I look in the zone. What a coincidence. Actually, I was probably performing one of Britney’s songs from her “In The Zone” album in front of thousands of people, and if I was looking towards the sky with a smile on my face, I was getting a standing ovation. I am an only child, so sometimes I let my imagination get the best of me. I’m use to entertaining myself. Growing up, I was always pretending to be Jonathan Taylor Thomas’ girlfriend or Shania on stage. Thankfully, I have never grown out of my ridiculousness. It has carried me into my twenties, and provided entertainment for my only child moments.

Pickles and Ice Cream

For the past several months, I have had a strong desire to be a mother, and I have expressed this desire to whoever will listen. My mother has encouraged dating, and knows that she is far from being a grandmother. Now, nothing of this sort has ever been possible, nor will it ever be possible until I am married, but I do crave to cradle a baby wrapped in a Little Giraffe blanket. I want to love someone and not hold back, invest my life into someone and teach him or her the lessons that God has taught me. I want to have sleepless nights and doctor’s appointments every week. I want to take a stroller on my runs and hold a small hand tight as we cross the street. I’m fully prepared that there could be unpleasant smells and not-so-solid textures. I’ll maintain composure when English peas from a Gerber jar stain my favorite dress. I want to show my family the love, gentleness, patience and compassion that God has shown me. I have studied and read Proverbs 31:10-31 multiple times. It’s a beautiful piece of scripture that displays the character of a Godly wife and mother.

The CMA Awards

Last night, the awards were given, and the performances were applauded. Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley had me laughing following the announcement of his award, Male Vocalist of the Year, “I would like to thank my wife. Oh, and I actually pointed at the wrong woman on that one.” But she handled it well, as she playfully looked behind her seat. In my mind, she will always be Annie Banks. The girl who said, “I’m at the airport. Our plane’s about to take off, but couldn’t leave without saying goodbye. Thank Mom for everything, okay? And Dad, I love you. I love you very much.” Taylor Swift had not one, but two performances, and she took home the awards for Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, Music Video of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. Other award-winners include:

Single of the Year: Lady Antebellum, “I Run to You”

Song of the Year: James Johnson and James Otto, “In Color”

Vocal Group of the Year: Lady Antebellum

New Artist of the Year: Darius Rucker

Vocal Duo of the Year: Sugarland

Sealed and Delivered

Happy Birthday, Anna Margaret!

This past weekend, I took a last minute trip to Auburn to celebrate Anna Margaret’s birthday with the rest of her family and friends. I just couldn’t imagine missing her 5th birthday party. It was complete with Aubie cupcakes and inflatable slides. The birthday girl was dressed to impress in her Auburn cheerleader outfit and matching bow. I love being with Anna Margaret. Maybe it’s because people stop us and say, “She looks just like you”, or maybe it’s because when I am with her there is never a dull moment. We attend Auburn gymnastic meets, feed the ducks at the park and sing, “Jesus Loves Me”. We’ve agreed on a new look, Converses. I have a purple pair to match her bubble gum pink high tops. Lately, she has been taking a ballet class, because she loves to dance. In my car, she dances like no one is watching, and her selection on my iPod is usually her favorite song, “boots with the fur”. Today, she is celebrating her birthday at American Girl in Atlanta and having lunch with her new doll, Ruthie. I love A.M. very, very much.

Also, I couldn’t ask for better friends. Annie, Jordon, Judd and Amanda, thanks for attending the party. I really tried to express how much it meant to me that each one of you were there, and I hope you understand how thankful I am that you are my friends. Thank you.

"Chuck and Blair, Blair and Chuck"

XOXO, Anne and Em

Lately, people have been expressing that I really need to be dating a doctor or a lawyer. I tell them that this really isn’t my style. I’m more into the writer and poet type. I tell them that I want someone to write me love letters that are just out of control. See, this summer I really wanted to have someone back in the States waiting for me. Someone who would send me love letters, and lead me on a whirlwind of a romance from far, far away. I wanted someone who would “give ole’ Mr. Shakespeare a run for his money”. Well, that didn’t happen, but I did have two amazing friends in Auburn that were exactly what I needed. I love looking back to see what I think I need versus what God knows I need. They are the most incredible, Christian girls I have ever met. If you know much about me, you know my obsession for them. I am so blessed to have these girls in my life, and I thank God daily for placing them in my life. I talk to them everyday, and me being in Italy was no exception. God taught me so much this summer, so in my e-mails I would express His patience and love that I was experiencing. I would also hear about what they were learning and their daily walks with the Lord. We talked about relationships, love, our plans for the day and details about the night before. There were no boundaries, and nothing was left unsaid.

Subject: Fishing in the Dark
From: harmoem@auburn.edu

And swimming with the fish in the dark. That was me last night...I fell into the lake while jug fishing. You know when the radio is playing and you just gotta dance? A good song comes on, I hop up on the back of the boat and I'm a swaying. Just a swaying. I get to teetering and SPLASH. Yes, my a*# is hanging in the water. I'm laughing and you know how when you're laughing you get weak. I'm just dead weight hanging off the side of the boat. Moral of the story..I've got to practice my dancing on moving surfaces. I think it's all about balance. Chas, thank you so much for your last email! Just what I needed to hear. God is reminding me that I receive all my joy and satisfaction in Him. No person can ever make me happy. People disappoint. I disappoint people. But God is a steady rock that never fails. Never. I desperately need Him. In the book I'm reading "Crazy Love" Francis Chan says "I wrote this book because much of our talk doesn't match our lives. We say things like, 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,' and 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart.' Then we live and plan like we don't believe God even exists. We try to set our lives up so everything will be fine even if God doesn't come through. But true faith means holding nothing back. It means putting every hope in God's fidelity to his promises." Chas, what would it look like if I totally trusted God with EVERYTHING? I already know the answer; my life would look really different than it does now. I don't want my life to be characterized by comfort. My parents are always talking about planning for this and that but I don't want to plan out my life. It’s not about me. It’s not about my hopes, my dreams. Where does God want me for my preceptorship? When I graduate? I don't know, but it's not for me to decide. If I trust God with my eternity, shouldn't I trust Him with my everyday life here on this earth? I want to 'hold nothing back.' I CAN'T WAIT TO COME TO SCOTTSBORO. Reunited...so soon. Love.
Emi

Subject: Lovey Dovey
From: montgae@auburn.edu

Yes, you do have to get married eventually because I want to babysit your baby girls, and I expect your wedding to be amazing! I always tell people that you will plan mine. Lately though I have just had a peace about being single.
I was listening to a podcast about how women simply need to put their hope in God, but instead we find ourselves thinking that a guy or marriage will make us happy forever; that we will find contentment in a person. It scared me to think that if I ever put all my hope in another person, one day I would see how unfulfilling that was. How unhappy I would be when I woke up to the realization that I put my hope in a non-perfect human instead of God. Psalms 33:15 says "He made our hearts, so he understands everything they do" I love that. It gave me peace. He knows that one day I want to get married and have that kind of relationship with someone; he knows I want to have kids. Well, He made my heart so he knows my heart inside and out. God knows what I want and he understands my desires and so he understands me. He of all people understands. So I trust that He will carry out his plans for my life and knowing my desires that he will bring me into a relationship eventually, and now I just have to be patient. That is why I'm at peace about it. I know that when we all really end up with the right guy we will laugh at all the times we tried to settle for less.
Later Gator, Annie

Keith Cracks the Whip (and it's not Britney style)

“When I crack that whip, everybody gon’ trip…”, “I’m like a firecracker, I make it hot…” and “I run a tight ship, so beware...” are just a few of my favorite lines from Britney Spear’s chart topping jingle. But when my phone bill arrives and the whip is cracked, it doesn’t include Bvlgari diamonds and a show-stopping dance routine. For the second month in a row, my phone bill was $150 over the normal fees. My dad explained, “If you keep it up, that’s $1800 a year.” He was generous to pay it the first time, but the second time, he decided I could pick up the tab. So therefore I have been more careful with my chitchat. For non-Verizon customers, I have to talk on the phone after nine, and if I want to talk before that time, I must resort to the landline. My friend’s have now saved my home phone into their cellular’s. My cordless phone that I used in middle school has been quite popular lately. My grandfather asked me the other day how tips were at the Café. I told him not enough to pay my bills. He said, “Well Chas, I guess you are just going to have to slow down.” In response to my concerned grandfather’s advice, I said, “I don’t think it’s slowing down, I think it’s shutting up.” I always knew I talked a lot, and that I told people too much information about myself, but I never knew that it would lead to financial trouble. My parents have always tried to emphasize the importance of financial decisions. I think they have succeeded quite well. It’s not like I failed finance at Auburn the SECOND time around.

Glow Fish

My parent’s have never been the type to bribe me with gifts so that I would do my best. I was never offered new rollerblades for making all A’s or the beauty salon Polly Pocket for cleaning my room. At age six, I was scrubbing toilets without a prize waiting for me as I finished the guest bathroom. My Mom has never been the type to mess around, and until I went to college, she had never had a cleaning lady. Why have a cleaning lady when you have June Cleaver for a daughter. These were Lynette’s thoughts exactly. So when my parent’s took me to Wal-Mart and told me to pick out an item or two that I wanted, I didn’t think there would be an if, and or but attached. So the Ariel lover in me came out as I chose a nightgown that had glitter, neon, glow in the dark fish and a blue and red Snoopy fishing rod. After the purchase, I soon learned that I would only be receiving these gifts if I acted right as I took my first trip down the aisle. I was the flower girl in my cousin’s wedding. Looking back I wonder why my parent’s were so worried that I wouldn’t act right. I was always the child that acted mostly right. I had been chased around the house a time or two with a belt. I knew what leather felt like on bare legs. It was my first time as a flower girl, and I had not known much about weddings. One could say this is when my obsession began. I loved the cake, the flowers and the dresses. The same things I loved at four I still love at 21. I remember thinking that I had never seen anyone prettier. My cousin was marrying the most beautiful girl who was dressed in an ivory, off the shoulder, lace gown. Still to this day I think she is the prettiest bride I have ever seen. All the ladies and bridesmaids were coming up and pampering me. They told me what to do, how to smile, where to stand and the proper way to throw the petals. It was an important task for a little girl. I was preceding the bride down the aisle. Needless to say I nailed it, and my parents never found out how mean I was to the ring bearer. I received my nightgown and rod.

1, 2 Buckle my Shoe

It was the classic look, a smocked dress with lace and ribbon, white or black stockings depending on the season and shoes with a strap across the top of my foot that had a buckle on each side. I miss the days when my Dad would strategically buckle my shoes. If I still wore Mary Jane’s, I would definitely make him go back to the days that I sat on the bench at the end of my parent’s bed before Sunday morning church. I would prop my leg up, and he would secure the shoe to the perfect fit. Maybe it made me think I was Cinderella and my Prince Charming was just around the corner waiting to see if the slipper fit, or maybe it was tradition, but it never failed because this was our routine. After he would put on my shoes, he would hand me a dollar bill that I would place in the offering plate at the eleven o’clock service at The First Baptist Church. I still go back to tradition when I can. My dad and I still have games of H-O-R-S-E in our driveway, and he still spreads butter on my Club crackers in restaurants. Lets face it, when Mary Jane shoes come back in style for 20-year-old daughters, he’ll be buckling.