Friday Randomosity

A few thangs:

-Blog break to get caught up on life = Fail.

I have issues. I could list them all and all the reasons I did not really accomplish my goals this week but in reality it would just say, "I am a loser." It's been a good week, just not a To-Do List conquering week as previously planned. Oh well.

-No Big Al commercial this week. The Eagles are off.

Funny commercial related story: An App State fan got a hold of last week's video link and apparently passed it around to all of Boone, NC. The video now has over 1000 hits, and I have no less than 25 comments from App State fans in my inbox (I moderated comments on my youtube page, so they are just for us to enjoy, haha).

The comments are all along the lines of, "We smoked ya'll" or "GSU sucks" or some other more colorful message about how they dominated us and how they are God's gift to football or whatever.

We even had a couple calling Big Al a hillbilly and a moron, and we have laughed our little selves silly reading them all. We even called my brother and read them all the him.

Family bonding at it's finest.

And while this incident has made my disdain for Crap State all the more fierce, Big Al (the voice of reason in our crowd) did say as a response, "Well if we had beat them as bad as they beat us, I'd be talking like that too."

-This week is Red Ribbon Week so we have been able to wear jeans to work everyday! It has made me exponentially happy on many deep and meaningful levels. Mainly the level of not have to worry about figuring out what to wear. I will mourn the loss of this week come Monday.

-There was a flu shooting at my work yesterday and I was unexpectedly wounded. I had not planned on getting a flu shot, but that's the good thing about working at a hospital - the flu shots come to you and they are free.

I have never had a flu shot before, but all went well (i.e. no passing out) and the only weird moment was when they asked me if I was allergic to eggs??? I know there is a medical purpose to this question, but since I opted out of med school, I felt it was completely random.

In related news, I ate an egg sandwich for dinner last night.

-Marlee is hosting her annual Halloween party on Saturday and I am concerned that it is Friday and I still have no costume. I have had some suggestions, but none to my liking and I am afraid I am going to end up going as The Lame Girl with No Costume. Ideas are welcomed.

I want to go as a giant sub sandwich, as suggested by my friend Lin, but sadly there is no time to construct such an AMAZING costume idea.

I told Marsha I wanted to go to as that and she stated flatly, "You are weird." Maybe I could go as a Kettle and she could go as a Pot - and she could call me "black."

-I am thinking about making cake balls tonight for the party tomorrow. We'll see what my mental state is a 5 when I get off. I may not be able to emotionally handle a shopping trip - although I am sure no one will be at Walmart at 5 on the Friday before Halloween.

-Speaking of Friday, YAY.

-Happy Weekend and Happy Halloween!

The shot heard 'round the town

Well, that didn't take long!

So less than 24 hours after declaring my week-long blog retirement, I am back.

I am not shocked because, well, I know me - but I really am only doing it because something monumental happened, and I have no power to wait until next week to announce it.

And as those of us who blog about our lives know - our blogs are not ours alone.

They also, in a way, belong to those who make life worth writing about - and they serve as a way to also document the lives of those we love.

And a BIG thing happened to one I love, and he deserves to have it announced.

Jake "The Man" Hagan KILLED HIS FIRST DEER.


Now, I do not hunt because what about the phrase "give Jenna a gun" sounds safe to you? But Jake loves to hunt with his grandaddy, and he has been working tirelessly for some time in efforts to take out his first deer.

I got a call yesterday evening announcing that The Man had taken The Gun and shot The Deer. So I raced over to the house to capture the big moment.

He shot a 4-point buck white tail with a nice-sized body. I have no idea if that is correct deer-talk. Jake? Help a sista out.

Meanwhile, here is the proud hunter and his bounty. That thing was huge!


And here they are with Papa - the man who helped make it all possible.


Jake's dad, Greg, and sister, Phoebe, were anxiously waiting outside when Papa, Jake, and Bambi pulled up. Everyone was so excited and proud. Is that a tear I see in Phoebe's eye?


Being killed really takes a lot out of a deer, so he decided to put his feet up and relax a while.


If you are squeamish, please disregard all that blood. Pretend it's ketchup. Also, repeating the phrase, "Be strong, be strong" can help someone not pass out while looking at such a scene. Not that I personally know anything about that.

"I lead a good life." -Bambi

Cute Phoebes was taking it all in. She had a worried look on her face, as if to say, "Will this happen to me if I keep using the bathroom on Marsha's new carpet?"


One more shot of the proud deer-killing Hagan men.

CONGRATS, JAKE!

Holla

I'm not really a planner, so to speak.

I mean don't get me wrong, I have a planner.

And I was really excited about it when I first got it.

And I'd be really excited again if I could just find it.

I have noticed that since I became employed last March, the number of things that would get crossed off a to-do list (if I had a planner to write them in) has drastically decreased.

There just seems to be more to do and less time to do it.

Thank you, adulthood. I appreciate all you are doing to make me crazy.

(And to think! I am just one little person only responsible for myself. The words "Learning Process" and "Prep for the Future" come to mind).

I have been burdened lately by my apparent inability to get things done in life. I have good intentions but between work, obligations throughout the week, and a good dose of procrastination at every turn - I am spiralling out of control. For example.

My car is a disaster area.

My living area would make your mama cry.

My very organized budgeting system peaced-out a while back.

There are things I need at Walmart, things I need to take back to Walmart (among other establishments - buyer's remorse, you haunt me).

My inbox is packed to the gill with messages that need to be replied to or erased.

(I am going to have to stop soon, this list is depressing me)

There are also so many things that I actually enjoy doing that are falling by the wayside, much to my dismay.

I have thank-you notes that are begging to be written.

I can't even talk about how many days I am behind on my Beth Moore Bible study. It pains me.

My "To Call" list is a mile long with the names of dear pals I need to catch up on life with.

And so on and so forth.

Sorry, Jenn - the phrase "transitional period" is not longer applicable to you. Move along.

So last night, I decided it was time to find my inner planner and get myself together.

And I am planning to use this week to get all caught up on life.

In order to do that, I am going to go on a little hiatus from a couple of things that zap my time.

The main thing being this little blog thing that I do heart so much.

It is going to be a crazy week in the workforce and a relatively slow week in the personal life, so it is a good time.

I'm not doing a big no-computer thing and I'm sure I'll still be reading, etc. (I am kind of a free spirit when it comes to blog breaks), but my plan is to not worry about posting and to keep the computer off when I get home.

Time to fill those hours whipping my little self back into shape.

Have a good week!

Go upside the head (plus an exclusive BACKSTAGE PASS)

It's that time of the week again!

Game time!

It's also time to hear what Big Al has to say about this week's Eagle match up.

Now, there is one game in particular each year that REALLY gets our blue blood boiling.

Appalachian State. (Boo and Hiss)

Eagle fans do not play when it comes to App State. Just the mention of their name can send any Eagle in a 100 mile radius into a trash-talking tailspin.

I could insert a story here about how one year in college, Lindsay and I drove to Boone for the big game with 2 of our other Eagle-lovin friends - just to be there in hopes of helping cheer on our boys to victory. And just to show you how crazed App State can make people - we actually left at like 9pm, arrived to a sleeping town in the middle of the night, and then slept on the side of a mountain in the freezing cold. We woke up to the band practicing on the field. Idiots. The boys made us do it.

But that is another story for another time.

For now I just have one thing to say - Ain't it GREAT to hate App State?!?

Here's what Al has to say about the whole thing. (And please note he has busted out his Adrian Peterson jersey for this occasion. I'm telling you people, this is big-time.)

Take it away, Al...

Oh yeah, baby! I am officially pumped.

In addition to this week's commercial, I have a little bonus for anyone interested.

It has come to my attention that I have never really explained in great detail exactly what this whole "Alan's GSU commercial" thing is all about.

So I decided to interview the man himself and let him share a behind-the-scenes look at the history of the commercials and a little about the makings of these special presentations.

GO EAGLES! Beat Crap State!

My hairs are happy

A few months ago, I was at Marsha's while her friend Patrick was out there doing her hair. I was really just an innocent bystander until all of a sudden I found myself here....


Which then lead to this...


And as for today....


Thanks, Patrick! You are my hero.

No, really.

Many, many thanks from me & my many beautifully highlighted, perfectly cut hairs.

Blog meet-ups are my fave

Something really exciting happened last week that I have YET to post about.

Which is so weird because procrastinating and not following through with things I want to get done (even GOOD things) is so unlike me.

Somewhere in Heaven God just looked over and gave me a narrow-eyed glance.

Anyways, a few weeks ago, my sweeeeeet blogging friend, Mandi, sent me an email saying that she and her darling little family were going to be taking a vacation and that they would driving through my area.

Then the clincher - Would I like to meet up for dinner?

Um, that was be a big YES.

Every experience I have had meeting a blog friend has been absolutely wonderful. I love it. I want to quit my job and meet every blogger in the world.

It really is a crazy little blog world we live in, and I know sometimes to the outside non-blogland people the thought of meeting and hanging out with people you only know through the Internet can sound creepy.

But the friendships that are formed really are just amazing!

And as the wise old sage Debbie once said, "All these people you have met over the blog are so awesome!"

Preach it, Deb. Pa-reach it.

So, needless to say, I was very excited to meet up with The Moseley's at the great establishment that is The Cracker Barrel last week.

I had heard that their Dillan could really put away some biscuits and macaroni and cheese and since this instantly forged an even deeper connection between D and me, I was very excited to see the boy in action.

Seriously, how cute is that little biscuit eater?? He is such a doll! Even cuter in person if that was even possible.


I met Mandi a while ago through blogging, and I just fell in love with her sweet spirit and darling family. Her blog about life and adoption and faith is so inspiring - it was honor to hug her neck!

And just like every other case of Blog Meet Up, I really felt like I had known her forever. She is just as kind and amazing as you would think, and I LOVED talking with her.


And talking we did.

We talked and talked and talked and laughed and laughed and laughed. It was awesome.

And speaking of awesome - a big, huge, special thanks goes to Mandi's wonderful husband, Howie, for entertaining the little man so the crazy blog girls could chat.

Once we looked out of the window and saw Dillan running by at the speed of light with Howie hot on his trail. It was hilarious. He is a good husband and daddy that is for sure!


Moseley's - I enjoyed meeting up with ya'll so much and I can't thank ya'll enough for stopping by and for for dinner! Let's do it again soon. :-)

And Mandi, two words. Girl's Weekend!!! (Or "Girl's Afternoon", right Howie??) Ha.

Now go forth, all you blog-people, and find a blog-friend to hug.

The Big 2-7

Today is a VERY special day.

27 years ago, a VERY special young woman was born.

A woman I happen love VERY much.


Here are 27 reasons I heart Birthday Girl Bri.....

-I have no recollection of the first time I met her - it just feels like I have always known her!

-she loves her family and loves her friends

-she is loyal, and you can ALWAYS count on her to do what she says

-she has a great sense of humor, can hang with a joke, and has great comebacks that always make me LOL

-she is a great person to talk with - randomness or deepness, she's right there with ya

-she recently joined the blog world! (hello, exciting)

-she will always compliment your new hair cut or your cute shirt

-she is hardworking and very giving

-she married a really good and funny boy from my hometown

-she is a great cook (girl makes a mean poppyseed chicken)

-she has planned some gooooood post-grad trips for our friends (bout time for another Bri)

-she has a knack for falling while getting ON ski lifts

-she is honest

-she is handy and crafty and very creative

-she is a GREAT hostess and she has a beautifully decorated house that I seriously heart

-she has an eye for antiques

-she has an abnormally keen sense of smell (we made a good team in college because I have a faulty smeller)

-she has an awesome sense of style and always looks cute

-she's a tiny little thing, but don't be fooled because she is freakishly strong (she'll throw you up against a wall if you aren't careful)

-she can't spell and she lets me proofread any papers, etc

-she is an AMAZING teacher to some very lucky little 4th graders and she always shares her funny kid stories with me (again, LOL)

-she is super smart. (she's only 27 and already has her Masters in Education and is now working on another graduate degree for Administration - STAR STUDENT)

-she is one of those people who will succeed in anything they do

-she likes when I call and leave her rap songs on her voicemail (and she responds with her own rap song on a subsequent voicemail)

-she is a great role model for the kind of wife I want to be one day

-she loves Mexican food, chocolate, a nice glass of wine, The GSU Eagles, and Lifetime movies.

-she has a signature dance move all her own - I call it "The Brittany"

-she is a great planner, very organized, and can wear many hats - all while keeping her cool and being a genuinely delightful little lady despite any stress she may be experiencing

-she's easy-going and easy to please

-she had the most amazing wedding of all time, and she let me stand up there with her (will always be one of the greatest honors of my life!)

-she was a PERFECT roommate (shared food, left sweet notes, would come lay on my bed for hours talking about nothing and watching TLC)

-she is has a thankful spirit and does not take for granted all the many blessings God has entrusted to her

-she is a "lifer" friend (we'll be chasing our kids down the beach together one day, as we say)

-she is a beautiful, amazing, Godly woman whom I am proud to call one of my very favorite friends!


Happy Birthday, Bri!

Your Friend,
JT aka Leona :-)

Chicken Cups: You asked, Connie delivered

They have often been called the "star of the tailgate spread."

A well-earned name, say the ones lucky enough to have consumed them.

They are The Chicken Cups.

And they bring the party to your mouth.

Here they are featured at one of last year's tailgates.


Takes me back to some good Chicken Cup times, let me tell ya.

After I posted their picture the other day, many requested the recipe. I could not deliver on that because I actually just eat the things, as opposed to having a part in their creation.

But I sent out a recipe SOS to the Conster, and she graciously supplied me with the goods.

Thanks Connie! (Picture here in between her lovely daughters)


Tex-Mex Chicken Cups

Ingredients:

2 – 2/1-2 pounds cooked chicken, chopped
Ranch dressing
Package of Wonton Wrappers (generally located in produce section)
Finely shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese
Chopped scallions - optional
Sliced black olives– optional
Chopped bellpepper – optional
Salsa
Sour Cream

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the cooked chicken with enough ranch dressing to coat the chicken but not to be soupy. Lightly spray muffin tin with cooking spray. Press two wonton wrappers in the bottom of each tin, alternating points. Bake for about 2 -3 minutes until lightly browned. Cool and place wonton cups on a baking sheet. Fill each cup with the chicken/ranch mixture. Top with cheese and whatever other toppings you like (scallions, black olives, bellpepper, etc). Can press down lightly to “pack” cheese and toppings. Bake until golden brown (can broil for a minute or two to get cheese bubbly if desired). Serve with salsa and sour cream and enjoy! Makes about 24 chicken cups.

This post brought to you by:

Connie's Kitchen

With special thanks to:

Erk Russell for saving our football program in the 80's
All the tailgaters who still benefit from his decision here in the 2000's
Kathy, the recipe originator
Chickens everywhere
Cups everywhere
Black olives (which are not optional in my life)
Hungry people wearing blue and white
Diet Coke (never miss an opportunity to thank DC)

Sunday was a good day

Several months ago a plan was formed.

This plan involved a small road trip.

And this road trip involved a car full of these crazy people.


What do these 5 women have in common?

Well a scary amount of things actually, but for the purposes of the fun Sunday recently gone by - their most notable similarity is their deep-seated love for a certain American Idol winner turned hott rock star turned Jenna's future husband.


Yes, many months ago, we found out that David Cook was going to be in Perry, GA for the state fair.

Or it's technical name, The Georgia National Fair of Perry (aka Ol' PeREE), GA.

So we decided that life just wouldn't be complete if DCook was 2 hours away and we did not get to properly yell and scream and profess our love to him.

So on Sunday we headed to the Fair.

Sufficed to say, we had more than a show dog could jump over - and that was before we ever even pulled out of Statesboro.

And it was really all over but the laughing when we finally made it to our destination.

Here we have Kathy, Connie, and Anna on the Trolley that takes lazy people to the entrance.


We would not want to expend too much energy walking - that might leave us too tired to eat fair food.

Those funnel cakes were not going to lift themselves.

JBabe, her sunglasses, and Deb enjoying the trolley ride.


It was such a beautiful day! Clear blue skies, sunny, with a brisk breeze floating through the air. It was perfect weather for walking around and seeing the sights.








We had planned to get to the Fair about 2 and walk around until the concert started at 4. But due to some time issues, once we got into the fair we only had time to grab quick bite (chicken pitas and steak gyros - we love you, you gave us the strength we needed to scream like idiots).

We were a little on the pumped side.


After we stuffed our faces at an even more accelerated speed than normal, it was time to get the arena.

The fair had been in town for 2 weeks and many other singers had performed. They wrote all of their names on the doors, but we really only cared about one.


Walking into the arena really got our hearts pumping. I really wanted to bust out right then with "Always Be My Baby" DCook style. When he sang that on AI, it pretty much sealed our love.


Anna and Deb shared in the excitement as we made our way to the front to take our seats.


But, my friends, we weren't sitting for long!


The moment he came out, we were all on our feet and as I looked down the row it made me feel so happy to see Deb, Anna, Kathy, and Connie raising their hands in the air and screaming like little school girls.

I've never loved them more than in that moment.

I really have no words to portray how awesome David was. That boy can sang sang sang.

And I know this is a family friendly blog, but I just have to say, Dave is not too bad on the eyes.

Hott + Can sing and play the guitar = Jenna Tyson Cook.

Apparently some other people in the crowd had some wedding plans for Dave. This was never more clear then when a lady a couple rows behind us took the opportunity in between songs to yell, "MARRY MY DAUGHTER!"

Just when I thought my chances were over, Deb threw her hands up in the air and yelled at the top of her lungs, "MINE TOO!!!!"

And we were back in the game!

Thanks, Mama.

This is where I wanted to post the video I shot of David singing the song "Lies" off of his album, but YouTube decided it wanted to revoke our friendship last night, so that video will have to be forthcoming.

Here is Anna taking the opportunity to grab some awesome shots.


And before we knew it, Dave was finishing up. It was bittersweet. I was really sad for him to stop playing, but I was happy for him to get off stage so that we could finally start our life together.

Thanks for a great show, David! Call me.


After the concert it was off to explore the Fair a little bit, and where else is there to go first except to see some livestock?

Anna and I with our friend Old Bessie. Bessie was obviously thrilled.


We visited some other cow friends, too.


Now, I am no cow farmer, but it seems Daisy over there might be in the need of a little assistance in the hind area. Somebody get that girl a milkmaid!

Always wanted to help, I hurried off to find assistance for the distressed animal. And luckily I came across these farm people and their cows. Surely they could be of service.


I explained the dire situation a couple stalls over, but they didn't move. Just smiled. It was awkward. But their cows sure were cute.

We walked around the Fair for a little bit longer, but since the entire state of GA seemed to be there, we didn't get to do much.


It was still fun though - how could it not be when you are hanging with these pretty ladies?


After we walked around a little bit, it was time to head back. But not without one last special treat - meeting up with Linnie!


Linds and her friend Derek were at the Fair, too!


We caught up with them for a minute, grabbed some Diet Cokes from Connie's cooler in the back (Connie, I got nothin but love for ya), and hit the road.

In conclusion to this recap of our amazing Sunday, I would like to leave you with one last image.


I lovingly entitle it: Dave, his guitar, and his biceps

Sunday.

Will live.

In our hearts.

Forever.