The Matthew Man

Last night something REALLY exciting happened!

This fellow showed up on our doorstep.


This is my brother, Matthew. I call him The Prince because there is a certain woman in our family who has a pretty high affinity for the first born Tyson child.

Who can blame this woman (who could be called The Queen in this particular analogy) - The Prince is cute and funny. He makes good food, he knows about really good bands before anyone else, and he has no patience when it comes to faulty technology.

My brother, in a nut shell.

Matthew made an appearance at the Tyson abode yesterday evening, stayed the night, and will spend the day in the Boro today hanging out, spending some QT with Deb, and getting some stuff done around town.

He was at a food show in ATL for work and swung his truck this way afterwards, much to our joy.

When I heard him come in, I went downstairs and found not only the brother, but a Mexican feast being prepared by Big Al.

You never know what you will find in the Tyson Kitchen.

And you are never disappointed.


"You gonna have some of this?" Big Al asks his son, his clone.

"I mean I don't know, Daddy. I have been eating all day at the food show. I for real feel like I'm about to explode," the boy replies holding his stomach.

"So what you're saying is you'll probably have some," Senor Tyson replied predicting the future.

"Yeah, pretty much."

Big Al is keenly aware of Senor Tyson, Jr. and his inability to turn down good food (it is a genetic trait passed down from generation to generation).

Another thing you can always count on with Matthew is that he always has some new random band that he (and/or his BFF Jeffrey) have found. Then he makes us all gather around the computer to watch about 45 youtube videos showcasing the group.


Check out The Avett Brothers to get a taste of MT's new favorite boys.

They really are awesome and once we finally got my computer to actually cooperate (wouldn't be a True Tyson family fun night without something breaking or not working correctly), we jammed out.

I heart their song "I and Love and You."

So, in conclusion (and in the honor of The Avett Brothers and The Tyson Brother), there is only one thing left to say.

I and Love and My Family.

Complete Bedlam!

Productivity was the name of the game this weekend.

But it just wouldn't be right to get all that stuff done without a little fun before I got productive.

Friday night I went to a little dinner party at the home of one of my very favorite co-workers (and people in general). We had burgers and hash brown casserole (oh my lands - GOOD), pear salad, chips, and for dessert...Chocolate Pie.

There is a very quick way to get on my Top 10 List and it is a little thing called Chocolate Pie.

We also played some games. Taboo was up first, and our team smoked the opposition. If you've never played that game you are missing out. Hilarious. After Taboo, we played a friendly game of Spoons, in which I completely dominated.

I am quick on the draw, it seems.

And it was at that point that I began to consider becoming competitive due to the winning streak I have been on recently. A couple weekends ago it was bowling, and now Taboo and Spoons. Just think of how far I could go if I actually cared!

I could slowly take over the world.

Of course, one can't always be a winner, and this was evidenced by the fact that when asked if anyone wanted to play 52 Card Pick-up, I excitedly volunteered.

If you have never played 52 Card Pick-up, find someone who has and get them to play it with you. You will feel really cool afterwards.

After the party, I went over to The Hagan's because it came to my attention they were making cookies, and if there is anything better to top off Chocolate Pie - it's sugar cookies with royal icing.

I got home really late and immediately got in bed and took a moment of silence for my last night on my stack.


I'm kind of going to miss that little double-decker mattress sandwich.

On Saturday, I rose before the dawn, and Big Al and I loaded up to make our trip to Athens for some furniture pick-up.

We drove for a while and before too long, Al felt the call of the Golden Arches and got himself a little breakfast burrito.


He was going to need the fuel for what was to come. Moving furniture with only a wimpy 26 year-old female as your assistant takes some energy.

Get it, Al.


Although it is a 3 hour trip, it seemed to pass quickly and before we knew it....


That sign always gives me such a thrill!


We got to Meg's and got to work breaking down the bed, taking the drawers out of the dresser, and moving everything onto the porch.

I hugged on Megan for a few minutes before she had to go to work, and after she left, Alan and I commenced in trying to figure out the jigsaw puzzle that was fitting all my crap into The Hoss.

It was not as easy as I lead myself to believe.

We tried it a few different ways. We wrestled with mattresses and large pieces of wood and finally...


No Hoss space was left untouched. In the back seat we had my bedside table and all the drawers from my dresser. Also making the cut was a wayward pillow and a full length mirror I didn't know I had.


Good thing we didn't bring Deb along with us or we would have had to strap her to the top.

Daddy was really happy it all fit.


And I was too because once we got home, things started getting really pretty!


My beautiful dresser! I forgot what it was like to have drawers. You mean I do not have to stack stuff in my closet?

I feel so fancy!

And please excuse that one missing drawer handle. I wouldn't want to get too classy all at once. I still have a little mattress stack left in me.

And the grand finale....


My life (and my bedroom) is now complete.

This post brought to you by:

Megaroni, Furniture Keeper of 2 years
McDonald's Breakfast burritos
Big Al and his mad packin' skillz
The Hoss for not breaking down like last time this was attempted
JT's little muscles that pumped up the jam
Deb "drawer bringer in-er" Tyson
The mattress stack for all it's support over the past yr
The best sleep of my life (3/27/10)

Moving on up

When I graduated from my Masters program in May of '08, I had no idea what I was doing.

I would definitely have said that this particular period - along with the 10 month stint of no job, no real direction, and no money that followed - was one of the most stressful times of my life.

Of course now I have been at my current job for a year, and I realize the only thing more stressful than NOT having a job is, you know, having one.

But at that time, I was trying to figure it all out - and for several months following my walk across the graduation stage, I was seriously considering staying and working in my beloved Athens.

By that point I had established a life there. I had friends. I had routine. I had Target.

I didn't know if I could give it all up.

Going back home didn't feel right. Going somewhere else didn't feel right. Social work didn't quite feel right.

I'm telling you. Turmoil within the brain region.

Thankfully there was one issue that I did not have to worry about and that was somewhere to live. I had not resigned my lease for my apartment, but it just so happened I had a friend named Megan (alias: Megaroni) who offered to put me up in the guest bedroom of her cute house.

This gave me a roof over my head while I contemplated my options, job searched, and investigated the meaning of life.

Here's Meg.


I heart her a great deal. And I love this picture of her. It is from that summer of 08, and I always use it when referring to her because it is such a cute pic and it makes me happy.

Anyways, Megan not only had an extra bedroom - she had an extra empty bedroom. So not only did I shack up there, so did my furniture!


I was back and forth to Athens that summer and as we all know, I ended up staying in my hometown, getting my job in March 09, and remain here to this day.

But, interestingly enough, my furniture is STILL in Athens.

I know it's wrong to be jealous of furniture, but it lives the charmed life I once knew in The Classic City and that kind of hurts.

In the first year of living back at Casa de Tyson, I didn't really have a need for my bedroom suit. And it worked out for Meg to keep it because it could serve as her guest room furniture.

Yes, I missed it, but I just slept on the bed in my room at home. It was the antique double bed I had had since I was 2, and it did the job quite well.

That is until one day I was sitting on it and it unexpectedly crashed to the ground.

Side note: Having a bed break while you are sitting on it does little for one's self esteem.

For a while after that I slept on my mattresses on the floor (25, single, lives with parents, sleeps on mattresses on the floor....it was a special time.)

But eventually I came up with a plan to bring things up a notch.


I mean, obviously the answer to a broken bed is to find as many mattresses as you can around the house and stack them up against your broken headboard.

Tis a life of luxury I am leading.

Anyways, the whole point of this story (Lord help me find one) is that tomorrow, I will be moving up in the world once again.

Because this guy...


...is taking me in this thing...


...to get this stuff.



And rumor has it that he wants to leave at 6:30am.

I foresee a nap in my beautiful (not broken) bed immediately following it being reassembled in place of my current mattress stack.

Each moment

I am involved in each moment of your life.

I have carefully mapped out every inch of your journey through this day...

...even though much of it may feel haphazard.

Because the world is in a fallen condition, things always seem to be unraveling around the edges.

Expect to find trouble in this day.

At the same time, trust that My way is perfect, even in the midst of such messy imperfection.

Stay conscious of Me as you got through this day...

...remember that I never leave your side.

Let the Holy Spirit guide you step by step...

...protecting you from unnecessary trials and equipping you to get through whatever must be endured.

As you trudge through the sludge of this fallen world...

...keep your mind in heavenly places with Me.

Thus the light of My Presence shines on you...

...giving you Peace and Joy that circumstances cannot touch.

{Jesus Calling, pg. 160}

When bad hair happens to good dogs

Last night I went over to the Hagans to hang for a bit. Marlee had sent a "Come see me!!" text and how can one say no to that?

She also added, "And Mom says to come because you can do Phoebe's hair."

Phoebe's hair = my second full time job.

The dog has hair issues.

When I arrived we chatted for a while, watched TV, saw my friend Katie on a random commercial and called to harass her (Hey Katiebate!), and then Marsha informed me Phebes was not the only one whose hair was getting reigned in that night.

She was having some hair issues of her own.

So we started there.

Marsha had gotten some tips from Patrick the Hair Wizard and started trying to mix up the color.


She made the mistake of thinking I could help her with any type of mathematical exercise such as adding.

At one point I was reading off the amounts at each of the little tick marks. You know, trying to be helpful to people who can't read without reading glasses.

"Ok on the bottle it goes up 1oz, 1.5oz, 2oz...."

And Marsha (mainly talking to herself) said, "Well I'm supposed to put in 3/4 oz of the first stuff."

Which I then added very seriously and informatively, "Ok well 3/4 is, like, LESS than 1 oz."

I'm thinking about going back for my masters in Mathematics.

"Wow, thank goodness you're here." Marsha stated flatly.


After she got it all mixed up she tossed me an old shirt and some gloves and had me rub the color all over her head....10 minutes later she washed it out and voila!

Quick, painless, and ended in beauty.

Once Moesha was situated, it was time for the REAL battle.


As you can see, Phebes was looking a little ragged. The main issue was the visual impairment she is facing due to a very unfortunate bang situation.

A couple months ago she went to the groomers and while we like the way they cut her very much, they cut her little hairs in the front - and from that point on they have hung in her face, won't go up in a ponytail, and have successfully become the bane of my existence.

Or the BANG of my existence, as I said last night.

(No one laughed, but I thought it was funny.)

The first step into helping Phoebe and her mane is to get the hair bow out.

You just about need a stiff drink to deal with this process, but I usually just take a big swig of DC and jump on in.

Be aware, this post-bow stage is not pretty.


Ugh. The bangs. Can't handle it.

Phoebe hates them too. In this picture she seems so defeated and hopeless about her hair. It's like she's pleading, "Please still love me."


We do Phoebe. We do.

I would like to add that while waiting for your canine at Jenna's Beauty Pawlor, feel free to enjoy our comfortable and inviting lounge.


Our free wifi service is great for all your Farmville needs.

Finally, after an hour wrestle session with that dang dog (think, "Phoebe, sit. SIT. Staaaaaay. PHOEBE. SIT. DOWN") it was time to unveil Phoebe's new look.

(Note she got a full make-over including a gorgeous pink sweater).


Yes, I know I put bobby pins in a dog's hair, but allow me to remind you about THE BANGS.

I was out of options, people.

I took her in to show Marlee, and upon seeing her Marls proclaimed, "Wow. Phoebe you are officially white trash."

Come on, Marlee. Words hurt.


Sticks and stones, Phebes!! Keep your head up!

I promise your bangs will grow out soon.

And just remember, we've all been there.


Uni-bang. Circa 1989.

The End.

Lots of words and a few pics - to mark Day One of 26!

I had a great weekend!

My bday celebration started early with this little number by the Hughes fam. SO priceless and so sweet. What a way to kickstart 26!

Friday night I went with Marsha & Co. to the ever beloved Longhorn. It was kind of a long wait, but once that free bread and honey butter hit the table - it was on.

We all had a moment.

The night was lots of fun, and I even managed to get out without being serenaded that Fried Chicken/Country Hog birthday day song they sing at LH.

There were threats of such, and I did offer to sacrifice my dignity to get a free dessert, but by the time it was all over - we were all too stuffed.

BUT, my night did not go without a serenade. After we ate, we all went back to the Hagans and after the clock struck midnight, the gang sang Happy Birthday - 2 members of the group (Marlee and her friend Carlos) spiced it up with a beautiful rendition Feliz Cumpleanos.

It was a moment to remember.

Saturday I slept late and when I got up, Deb informed me that she was about to go get us lunch and she was in the process of checking the movie schedule if my heart desired such.

I told her she was like my own little birthday tour guide.

I opted yes on the lunch.


And I would later opt yes on the movie.

But first - some sweet cards and $26 cash money (that tradition only gets better over time).

Then just in case I wondered if I was in Deb's every waking moment that day, she randomly picked up a little bonus for me - a People mag and big drink from the Country Store.


It's like she knows me or something.

About 1:30 we headed out to see Remember Me. I had been wanting to see if since long before it came out, and I thought it was great - despite the fact that I yelled I HATE THIS MOVIE during one particular part at the end.

It was a small moment of hatred due to some unexpected circumstances. But I seriously loved the film.

It was also an extra special movie experience because one of my very favorite people - my hilarious coworker Linda - met us at the movies to see it!

I LOVE LINDA.

I walked in and she was at the concessions. After we hugged she said, "C'mon up here and get you a diet coke and some popcorn, Baby. Happy Birthday."

I can think of no better present than that of movie food.

After the movie, it was back home for some downtime before getting ready for an engagement party for my best friend from growing up.

I took that in between time to check the many precious voicemails and facebook/twitter/blog/text messages from a bunch of sweet people I get to call friends. SO thankful.

Pretty soon it was party time, and we loaded up in the Hoss. While we were riding, I noticed the clock - it was 6:21pm.

"Aww look ya'll! I was just born!"

(Then I started making crying noises - "Waaaah waaaaaah waaah" - to help really take them back to that moment. This was followed by a 10 minute discussion about all the drugs they put Deb on as she tried to push out that 3 week old baby in her stomach. Bless her heart.)

Soon we arrived at the very neat lakehouse where the party was being hosted. It was perfect weather and a perfect spot for a nice, relaxed night of celebration.


Here I am with Kasey, the bride, and our mamas.


Poor Deb and Judy (JuJu) - we put those women through a lot over the years. There is no telling how many hours this group of people spent together in those good ole days.

When we were little, I had white blonde hair and Kasey's was jet black. And we were always together! Because of this, we were dubbed "Salt and Pepper".


I can't tell you how many people there (most were adults who watched us grow up over the years) kept saying - "Salt and Pepper!!!" It was funny.

Smalltown, USA...I'm telling you, it's the way to go.

Here is Deb with the big ole baby she risked her life and um, other things, to have 26 years ago that night.


Girl in the middle = All because two people fell in love.


I almost got out of there without anyone making a fuss over the bday, but of course the bride's daddy drug me up to front and announced to the whole party that it was my 13th birthday. Ha!

(Thank goodness that is not true. 26 is scary, but 13 is way scarier.)

THANKFULLY, we found out it was someone else's bday in the crowd so I did not go down alone. :-)

It was a fun way to spend the night!


When we left the party, Deb and I made the executive decision to go to Walmart to get some CAKE.

It was still my birthday afterall, and really Deb will use any reason in the book to get cake.

Deb's Love List in order of importance:
God
Alan
Matthew & Jenna
Birthday cake

Not even kidding.

I found the perfect one right away!


"Look Mama, it is the perfect size. We can half it."

"Um, no. I don't do chocolate birthday cake. I only like the good old fashioned white with white icing. Here I will get these cupcakes."


The woman does not play. She knows what she likes.

And Lord help the fool who dares to stand in her way.

Plus, I can't really say I was sad to have a whole cake to myself.


Seriously, isn't it so cute? I kind of felt bad for it in this moment because I knew what was about to happen to it. (Complete massacre).


Here are Deb's cupcakes. So special to have Batman and Leonardo with us to celebrate my special day.


Going for it!


It was literally the best cake I think I've ever had. And to honor that moment of cake greatness, I decided I should try to eat the whole thing.


I gave it my best shot, but I had to wave the silver fork of surrender at 75%.

Despite my failure at complete cake consumption, it was a VERY Happy Birthday!