Why I love living in Memphis....September edition

The Dalai Lama is in Memphis right now as a recipient of an International Freedom Award from the Civil Rights Musuem. During a ceremony down by the river earlier today, our Mayor Pro-Tem taught him the time honored "fist bump". That's not something you see every day, folks!

Family Photo Fun III

Hmmm, what pictures to post this week?

I know! In honor of it being the fall (which means my favorite holiday is getting close....Halloween), how about some pictures from the Corn Maze a few years ago?
This is Chris and me (and the corner of Deb's head) after we had been wandering around the maze for what felt like hours....oh yeah, it WAS hours! And thus - after being chased by such horrors as the girl from The Grudge or The Ring or some such movie that I have never seen because it would induce certain nightmares, a couple of people with chainsaws, and so forth - this is what we looked like:

Hint Hint...Chris is the one wearing the Memphis shirt! (HEEHEEHEE)


And finally...a picture truly worth screaming over....
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which really has nothing to do with Halloween or the Corn Maze....
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AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!


Create your own FACEinHOLE

Love you, mean it, Chris!!!

One more thing from the trip to Mississippi...

I saw a Harry Potter horse!!! Seriously! Look at the marking on this sweet little colt we saw...its a lightening bolt, just like Harry. Does JK Rowling know about this? LOL

Labor Day Weekend 2009 - Family Trip to Mississippi

The 2009 Labor Day Family Adventure began around 4:30 Friday afternoon, when we all piled into the minivan and set off for Mississippi. First exciting item on the itinerary? Passing the really cool boats on Prescott, just before getting on the interstate. I'm not sure why these are considered cool, other than Giant Brain says they are. Amazingly enough, you can actually SEE the boat in this photo, since it was taken after a)frantically digging for the camera after being informed that this should be a photographically captured memory, as it was the first exciting item on the itinerary (did I mention that already?) b) fumbling to get it out of the case, and then c) snapping a shot through the van window whilst moving at 50mph! Not too shabby.


Here are the goofy backseat passengers. Public service announcement....Ben does not actually have a bowl cut. We would not allow him out in public with such - its just the angle of the camera. More important is the expression on his face. Leslie and I laughed quite a bit, even though to do so was to risk the wrath of the Giant Brain, who was trying to merge onto the interstate at the time.


What happens when you try to take a picture of the moon at night from a moving vehicle with the flash on...not quite as successful as the earlier boat pictures.


What happens when you try to take a picture of the moon at night from a moving vehicle without the flash...better results. That little speck of light is actually a magnificent full moon...really! What do you mean, you can't tell???!?!?!?!?!


What happens when the oldest sister is stuck in the back seat of the minivan with the youngest brother...and youngest brother is suffering from...how do I put this delicately...the usual Mikell male affliction of excess gas? Her only hope of survival without permanent damage to her nasal membranes was to cover her face with a towel, which helped to filter out the worst of the fumes.


Saturday the girls (now with Aunt D) went on a nostalgic tour of southern Mississippi. Some of the highlights were cruising through Columbia to see the site of the old Walmart (where many a Saturday afternoon was spent with Mama) and the old LDS chapel that we attended back in the day (I was baptized there, Susie and Randy were married there. Oh - and it was also the site of my one and only spanking...because I was a model child and it only took once with me, unlike other family members). It took a little bit of winding and backtracking, but we finally found it! Its no longer an LDS chapel, but man did it bring back memories to see it again! (thankfully, NOT of the aforementioned buttwhippin')


We ended up the day by driving by the old homestead. A little melancholy inducing...but overall not so bad. Happily, the current owners are taking good care of it, and it looks to be a happy home.




That's about it for the pictures...but trust me, there was a lot of Wahoo played... And Shipley donuts....and Ward's french fries...and boiled peanuts...and did I mention Wahoo???

Fun Family Photo(s) of the Week II

Here we go - week two of fun with family photos!

The picture(s) of the week....Ben's high school graduation day:







Remind me of the above picture if I ever talk about bangs again, lol....

Look at me, being all crafty!

It has been a while since I've done anything crafty...but my dear friend Maggie from work is having a baby, and the bedding she picked out for the little one is so darn cute, I got inspired!

Its called "Dancing Frog", and when I saw it, I thought, I could draw that! So I decided to make a customized wall hanging for the baby's room. At first I was going to use a plain old canvas, but then I saw a really cool framed cork board at Michael's, and decided to use it instead so it could be something useful instead of just a wall hanging.

First, here is the picture from Amazon:

And now, my effort:


And my wrapping (because I LOVE real ribbon):


I know, it isn't perfect. Poor Mr. Froggy's arms are way too long, but oh well. Paint on cork is NOT forgiving, LOL. I am rather proud of the gingham effect on the bib, although it doesn't show up that well on these pics.

Anyway....it felt good to be crafty again!

Fun Family Photo of the Week

Ahhh, family. Nothing like my family, especially nieces and nephews who love to have their picture taken!! I think I will start posting random family photos each week. Kind of like Randy's version of "80's Amy Picture Night"...but in cyberspace for all to see.


So, without further ado...the first random family photo is....drum roll......

ALLI WITH THE NAKED COWBOY! From June 2oo6, Times Square.

If I remember correctly, this was taken the day before we left NYC to come back to Memphis. This is probably one of my favorite pictures from that vacation, just because of the sheer glee (and surprise) on Alli's face. I don't think she expected him to grab her bootie quite like that! For those of you who may not recognize her photo partner, that is non other than the Naked Cowboy (if you couldn't read the writing on his tighty whities...and I know some of you were looking!), who has been a Times Square fixture for several years now. He literally stands in the middle of the median on Broadway, and women shove money at him to have their bootie grabbed- er - their picture taken with him. What a gig.

And, as an added bonus since this is just the beginning of much fabulous family photo fun, one more picture of Alli, from the same vacation, but with a different photo partner....

what is up with me and this new infatuation for all things birdy?

Ok. What the heck? When did I suddenly decide that I must have anything with a bird on it? I'm not a bird watcher, and I don't ever want a pet bird. But for some reason, all of my decorating strategies (whether the house or my blog or stuff I painted at Seize the Clay) now revolve around creatures of the feathered kind. So that is what I would like to know today. (I think I did warn everyone that this blog would be really random, right??)

New name!

I decided a new blog name was in order. I still love the Cubs, I still adore my cat Cubbie, and I'll be a Harry Potter fan for life, but....sometimes it was just too difficult to explain "CubbiePotter". Or maybe painful - after all, does everyone REALLY have to know what a nerd I am? In any case, after much thought and deliberation and begging of friends and family for suggestions (and Courtney S. takes the cake for some truly original ones), I came up with this one all on my own! Driving home from work today, I kept trying to brainstorm up a name. Here's something you may or may not know about me...as much as I want to think I am a creative soul....I STINK at brainstorming. Never could do it. My brain simply does not react to command performances of a creative nature. Anyway, miraculously, I had the thought of using something I often say for the blog name. After some trial and error (and gnashing of teeth - this was ALSO the first one that was available on blogspot),we have www.whatidliketoknow.blogspot.com!

So this is it! I promise to TRY to post more often,because I'm sure none of you get enough of my randomness and nerdiness and gooberness (not sure those last two are actually words) in your everyday dealings with me! :)

As Randy pointed out Sunday, it is about time for me to update my blog.
So, here goes. Since it is finally official that Coach Cal is leaving (in fact, has already left - on a charter plane no less) Memphis for the University of Kentucky - this would probably be a good time for me to post my list of things I love about Memphis.

This was written in response to a request for people to send in their list of 10 good things about Memphis from a local blog. (http://smartcitymemphis.blogspot.com)

And so on to my rather wordy response:

There are so many things already mentioned that I emphatically agree with…like the rich musical history and legacy we have, and the way the city can rally together and become one united in a purpose – from providing help for Hurricane Katrina victims to supporting the Memphis Tigers. I am not a native Memphian, but I am proud to call it home. And while I admit that there are times I get scared, angry, discouraged, critical and even embarrassed about what goes on in this city – it is still my home, it is where I voluntarily chose to move and to live, and therefore it is my duty (and right) to defend it and do what I can to make it a better place for all. So, for my list:

1) The sheer number of churches - there's something for everyone, regardless of who/what/why you choose to worship (or not worship). AND the open mindedness of most people, which makes this possible.

2) The Mississippi River in all its majesty. I'm lucky enough to see it almost every day because I work downtown, and it never ceases to take my breath away. Speaking of the river, the fireworks show on the 4th of July.

3) Trees, trees, trees, and more trees. In all seasons, they are beautiful, from first buds in spring to the starkness of the bare branches in winter. I'm excited now for all the green to start poking through - but I love being able to actually see all of the bird nests tucked away in the branches right now, before the leaves hide them.

4) The fact that you can get anywhere - be it Millington to Southaven, downtown to Collierville - in about thirty minutes. For that matter, the fact that you could actually hit three STATES in less than thirty minutes.

5) The Farmer's Markets - both the one downtown at the train station, and the one out east at the Agri-center.

6) All the open, green areas, right in the middle of urban development. Shelby Farms, Audubon Park, Overton Park, etc.

7) The fact that I-40 doesn't go straight through Memphis, but around - because of the zoo! (Some people might not think this is a good thing, but I do - the beauty of the zoo and the surrounding area more than makes up for the minor inconvenience of having to switch to 240 temporarily. I once heard that this is the only place in the nation where I-40 doesn’t go straight through. I don’t know if that is actually true or not, but I get a kick out of it anyway.)

8) The medical facilities, such as the Med, Baptist East, Le Bonheur, and St. Jude's. While I pray that neither my family or yours will ever need them - I'm thankful to know they are here and available for those inevitable times when we do.

9) The opportunity to further your education at any number of institutions, from Crichton to Southwest to Memphis to Rhodes.

10) Fed-Ex and AutoZone! Two world class organizations that make their home here, and do great things for the community.

And there you have it. I actually had several more on the list, but cut them off.

So, even on this sad, sad day**, I still love Memphis. I will still cheer for Memphis basketball (except against Southern Miss), even if they lose every game next year. I may or may not cheer for Kentucky, though - that will depend on how many recruits and current players Cal takes.

**sad, sad day only as it applies to basketball - lol - we'll all get over it. Ain't like nobody died, you know. Except maybe Chris' dreams for his 2009/2010 season ticket profits on eBay.

hahaha...I just saw that my blog is still decorated for Christmas, just like my house! I need to change that, but am too sleepy tonight...

Anyway, I was tagged on facebook by several friends for the 25 random things about yourself list...and I thought I would post it here for my friends/family that are not on facebook!

25 Random thoughts/facts/goals/etc about Amy, by Amy:
1. I have sat in front of my washing machine (front load) and watched it go through a whole cycle, completely fascinated.
2. I didn't get my driver's license until the Christmas break of my senior year in college.
3. My first "crush" was the school bus driver my first grade year...I think he was a senior in high school...and I would say his name but there are people from Prentiss on here who probably knew him :)
4. I am the "baby" in my family by 10 years. My dad just knew that I would be a boy, since he already had three girls. When I was born, he sent my mom a dozen roses and a card that said "Thanks anyway". Haha - I always thought it was just a family joke, until I actually found the card a few years ago!! (But my daddy still loved me....I was always known in the fam as "Daddy's Darling Daughter")
5. I was almost killed by a cow when I was around eight. Yes, a cow. The mooooo kind. I was telling this story a few months ago when it really hit me that I could...have...been...KILLED. By a cow. How embarrassing would that be?
6. The first money I ever made was from selling a pig to one of my teachers. (Did I mention I grew up a) in south Mississippi on b) a farm?? in case you didn't pick up on that from #5...
7. My earliest memory is my grandmother putting a diaper on me before I went to bed... probably around the age of 3. (Yes I was potty trained, but that was a LONG time ago, and they didn't have things like pullups and such back then for night time)
8. I'm scared of the dark, even at the age of 38. Sigh, some things you just never outgrow.
9. I've always wanted to be the type of gracious southern woman who sends handwritten thank you notes, etc. Unfortunately, I'm not. But the intentions are there, people...so if you ever give me a gift know I really INTENDED to get that thank you in the mail!!
10. The older I get, the more I realize how much of an obnoxious little thing I was as a kid. And a young adult. LOL... I think I liked it better when I just thought I was the perfect little angel.
11. I LOVE the happy cow commercials .... you know, great cheese comes from happy cows, happy cows come from california...those things are GREAT!
12. I am easily infatuated with things....if it is something I like, I will watch/listen/read OVER and OVER and OVER...examples...Harry Potter, Twilight series, Phantom of the Opera movie, Wicked soundtrack, and so forth.
13. I'll also go ahead and admit that I am somewhat of a nerd...yes, I actually own a Harry Potter wand. Yes, I know it won't really work, but sometimes wouldn't it be nice??
14. Something that always makes me happy - brand new windshield wipers!!!
15. I am a cryer. Who else do you know that cries at those Super Bowl Commercials with the Clydesdale horses? And let's not even talk about the Star Wars episode III (shut up Kevin. I just really didn't want Anakin to go over to the Dark Side. Didn't he know what a mistake he was making???)
16. One of my proudest accomplishments was actually riding the subway by myself in NYC. Did I mention I grew up on a farm in southern Mississippi??? lol...talk about being way out of your comfort zone... but I did it, and survived to tell the tale...I LOVE New York.
17. Seventeen is my favorite number. Because that was Mark Grace's number on the Cubs, and I loved me some Mark Grace. Plus, I became a Cubs fan during a very influential time in my life (freshman year of college) and some things just stick with you.
18. My not-so-secret ambition is to be a writer one day. Just to prove to myself that I can. Not necessarily to be published, because I don't kid myself to be that talented. But darn it, there's a story in me somewhere, and it really must come out!
19. Speaking of writing, in high school I had a thing about writing lyrics to songs. Really, really, bad, angsty, change the world lyrics. I recently shared some of these works of magnificence with my family, and as expected, they were most amused. Now, I know you are all thinking...gee, I wish I could read some of those marvelous lyrics... and because I love you all, I will share the chorus of my ode to social consciousness, circa August 1985... FIGHT THE FIRE:

Come on world let's join together
like a ship in stormy weather
we will battle against the odds
not dismiss them with a nod
We can do it if we try
Fight the fire don't let them die!

Of course, the family had the benefit of the full dramatic reading. If only you ALL could be so lucky.

20. After #19, #18 might not be such a good idea.
21. I sometimes have problems dressing myself...Within the past week and a half, I have on two separate occasions worn a piece of clothing inside-out to work. (I have also worn different color shoes multiple times.)
22. I thought of the perfect thing to write on here up around #3, but didn't type it in, and of course now cannot remember it. I thought of it again around #17, and promptly forgot it again. This all leads into...
23. Somedays I am convinced I have a tapeworm in my brain, just munching away.
24. I realize that I am one of those people who have a deep, innate need to be needed.
25. I am a major reader, to the point that if I don't have at least one book in the queue to read, I have physical withdrawal symptoms.

A new year, a new chance.....

To actually keep up with the blog!!! And I'm only 13 days late, go me!

More to come later.