You might be a Southerner if...

I've been struggling to find things to write about lately. While there have been several things occur over the past few weeks that would make for interesting blog-fodder, I'd rather not shine the spotlight on them just now. There are too many thoughts bouncing around in this little head of mine to make much sense of anything. So, instead of updating you on my life (which is feeling a little surreal right now) I'll pass along a southern-fried meme. I don't remember where this came from, but I've been saving it for a rainy day.

1. Have you ever gone muddin'?
Of course! We used to go “muddin’ at sunrise” in my friend’s Jeep. Of course, that’s back when I could stay awake long enough to see the sun come up.

2. Have you ever lived on a dirt/gravel road?
Yep. And it gets even better. I lived at the very end of a dirt road… in a camper… all summer long! I couldn’t find a rental house last summer while I was doing my internship, so a friend of mine let me stay at his camper on the lake. It was actually a lot of fun. I had a GORGEOUS view.. and the camper wasn’t one of those really nasty, trashy ones. It was pretty nice, as far as campers go.

3. Ever been swimming in a lake or river?
Absolutely. Like I just said, I lived at the lake all summer. Of course I went swimming!!

4. Ever been to a bonfire party?
More than I can count. I’ve also seen a drunken frat boy try to pull an Evil Knievel and jump the fire on a dirt bike. Never a good idea.

5. Have you ever driven a tractor?
No, but I have sat on the hood of a tractor while someone else was driving – and I fear that’s much worse.

6. Have you ever been on a horse?
Sure have.

7. Ford or Chevy?
Chevy.

8. Kissed someone in a pick up?
Yep. In the cab, and on the tail-gate.

9. What’s your favorite country song?
Fishin’ in the Dark by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band… or Cross My Heart by George Strait… ooooooh OR Amos Moses by Jerry Reed. Yeah… definitely Amos Moses!!

10. Ever done 90 miles per hour down a dirt road?
No…never quite that fast.

11. Worked / Lived on a farm?
Dated a farmer – does that count?

12. Been to a rodeo?
Yep.

13. Do you own cowboy boots?
I actually don’t. But I do own steel-toe work boots.

14. Do you have a cowboy hat?
Nope.

15. Have you ever said git r done?
Only when joking.

16. Country skyline or a city skyline?
Country skyline –definitely. Nothing like it.

17. Can you name a rodeo star?
Not one that’s alive. I know Lane Frost, but only because of the movie 8 Seconds.

18. Do you think tractors are sexy?
Not the tractor – but the hard-working guy driving the tractor

19. Ever rode a 4-wheeler?
Yep. Click here to learn how I almost lost a leg…

20. Are you from the country?
Not really… but I’m not from the city either.

21. If so, are you proud of it?
I would be, I guess?

22. Gone hunting?
Nope. I’ve helped plant deer plots and set tree stands, but never actually been hunting.

23. Gone fishing?
Oh yeah! I love fishing. Another perk of living at the lake all summer.

24. Is your heart in Dixie?
I live in Alabama, formerly known as the “Heart of Dixie” before they took it off of our license plates… so I guess so.

25. Been on a hay ride?
Yep.

26. Have you ever line danced?
Not since grade school.

27. Camped under the stars?
No.. but I want to.

28. Have you ever been cow tippin?
Negative.

29. Do you drive a pick up truck?
Nope – an SUV.

30. Fell asleep in a hay stack?
Negative. It’s kind of itchy.

31. Own a pair of overalls?
Nope. Not since I was 12.

32. Drank Moonshine?
Can I plead the 5th?

33. Include the word "yonder" in your daily vocabulary?
Not normally. I do say “reckon” a lot. As in, “Well, I reckon…”

34. Ever shoveled manure?
No. And I’m grateful for it.

35. Milked a cow?
No, but I have fed cows plenty of times.

36. Plucked a chicken?
Yuck. No. I have been inside a chicken house, though.

37. Is sweet tea your favorite drink?
It’s right up there with Dr Pepper.

38. Been to a race?
Never been to NASCAR, but my high school boyfriend used to drag race.

39. Know all the words to at least one David Allen Coe song?
Yep. The perfect country and western song…
“Well, I was drunk the day my Mom got outta prison. And I went to pick her up in the rain. But, before I could get to the station in my pickup truck, she got runned over by a damned old train.”

40.Have you ever made out in a back of a pick-up?
I think you should probably mind your own business. Nosey much??

Music meme

Jenners over at Life With A Little One and More got super creative and invented her very own meme this week. And to make it even better - it's a music meme! So of course I had to do it.

I'm supposed to put my iPod on shuffle and list 5-10 songs as they're randomly played (and explain/defend why they're on my playlist.) I'm totally breaking the rules, though. I'm listing 13 songs. I don't think 10 is enough, but no one wants to sit here and read about 20 songs. So in honor of my favorite number, I give you my random 13.

1. Life Got in the Way – Sister Hazel: I'm not surprised that Sister Hazel showed up first. I think every song they've ever recorded is stored on my iPod. LOVE THEM. This song is great - and so true. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to work things out, life just gets in the way.


2. Ghost in You – Counting Crows: Despite lead singer, Adam Duritz's crazy hair, I've always been a huge Counting Crows fan. This isn't my all-time favorite song of theirs, but it's still pretty dang good.


3. In the Street – Cheap Trick: I got to see Cheap Trick live last summer when they opened for Journey. The highlight of the night was watching a group of drunken idiots run up and down the aisles in bad wigs, spandex and gobs of blue eye shadow.
   
4. Fake Plastic Trees – Radiohead: No particular reason for this song, just love, love, LOVE Radiohead.
   
5. 4 a.m. (Loved You All Along) – Our Lady Peace: Again, no surprise. As with Sister Hazel, I think every song Our Lady Peace ever recorded is on my iPod.
   
6. Shake Your Money Maker – Ludacris: Dear Lord. I was wondering when something completely ridiculous would pop up! And here it is. I'm not a huge Ludacris fan, but he was at City Stages in Birmingham a couple of years ago. He happened to go on between two bands I really like - so a group of friends and I walked over to his stage to listen for awhile. My friends joke that I have no rhythm and tell me I dance like the whitest of white girls, so I made up a really embarrassing little dance, where I was literally shaking my money maker. Every time I hear this song, I bust out laughing.
   


7. Peace Frog – The Doors: Oh, thank goodness. I've been redeemed! I've said over and over that I was born in the wrong decade. I am such a big Doors fan - no matter how screwed up Jim Morrison might have been.
   
8. Indiana – Jon McLaughlin: Great song. Jon McLaughlin is an amazing singer/songwriter (and girls, he's HOT just to top it all off.)
   


9. All My Lovin’ – Jim Sturgess (Across the Universe Soundtrack): Love the Beatles, so it should be no surprise that Across the Universe is one of my all-time favorite movies. Jim Sturgess did an awesome job with the songs - which might be why he's at the top of my favorite actors list.
   
10. Each Little Mystery – Seven Mary Three: I don't love all Seven Mary Three songs (Cumbersome especially grates on my nerves) but I have always liked this one.
    
11. Geek in the Pink – Jason Mraz: Oh, this song is fun! I know a lot of people say Jason Mraz's second album was a flop, but I loved it. I know, I'm hopeless - but he's just so dern lovable. I can't help it.
    



12. Forever Love – Reba McIntire: Okay, so it's a sappy old country song, but I love it! I don't care how cheesy it is. I really like singing this one at the top of lungs and pretending I'm not tone deaf.
    
13. True Love’s Kiss – Amy Adams (Enchanted Soundtrack): Ha! Great movie! My old roommate and I used to watch it over and over. I'm such a little kid when it comes to Disney movies. What a nerd, right? Anyway, we'd randomly bust out in Enchanted songs whenever possible. This was one of our favorites.

Well, there you have it. Hope I didn't bore you too much! If you'd like to play, here are the official rules, per Jenners:


Rules for The iPod Shuffle Meme
Using the shuffle feature on your iPod (or other MP3 player), write down the first 5 or 10 songs that play.

Justify, defend or explain why those songs are on your iPod.

Tag someone else to complete the meme.

Include these rules--and the phrase "The iPod Shuffle Meme was created by Jenners at Life with A Little One and More.

**Note** I tried to make a little playlist of these songs so you could listen, but playlist.com is lame and doesn't have a few of them. And as I'm tired and ready for supper, I'm giving up and leaving you to find them on your own. Sorry.

Oh, and I'm not tagging anyone. If you want to do it, feel free! Just let me know so I can check out your songs!

Six of many

The wonderful Jenners tagged me for a bookshelf meme earlier this week and I have been waiting for the perfect moment to sit down and write it out. I loved reading about her books and now I'm excited to share mine with you!

Tell me about the book that has been on your shelves the longest:
That would be my old, faithful copy of Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. The edges of the book are worn and the pages are yellowed with age. I honestly read this book more times than I can count growing up. The touching story of Billy and his two dogs, Old Dan and Little Ann, probably helped shape and nurture my own love for our four-legged, slobbery friends. This book will forever hold its spot at the top of my "favorite reads" list. Even though I know how it ends, I cry every time I get to the end. The pain of losing a pet - a friend - is heart-wrenching. My heart always breaks for Billy. Of course, if it comes as a surprise to any of you, Old Yeller was my favorite movie as a child. Another sad story of a boy losing his best friend. Why do they do that to children? "That's the real world, kid. Pets die. Sorry."

Tell me about a book that reminds you of something specific in your life (i.e., a person, a place, a time, etc.):
When I was in high school, I knew this guy who defied every stereotype of a male athlete. He played football, rugby and wrestled, yet he also played the piccolo and was fluent in Latin. Academically, he was the top of his class, and physically - he resembled a Greek god. Tan, rugged and smoldering hot (if we're being honest) he was pretty much the ideal guy. (And he was nice, just to top it all off.) Well, we were talking books one day and he mentioned A Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. He said it was philosophical, and talked about the symbolism, going in to deep character analysis and making me feel like a dummy for never reading it. So, that weekend, I rushed out the store and found the book. I spent the next two days reading it cover-to-cover so I could tell Mr. Athlete how much I loved it. And you know, I actually did love it. I've re-read it several time since then, and though it's been years since I've talked to Mr. Athlete, I think of him each time I glance at the book.

Tell me about the most recent addition to your shelves:
My most recent addition is not really a book at all, not in the paper sense. I got a Kindle this Christmas and LOVE IT. I was a little worried that it would be weird reading an entire book from a screen, but it is absolutely amazing. We don't have a bookstore in the little town I live in, so it's really convenient to be able to browse 100,000s of titles and instantly download whatever interests me. And it definitely saves gas money, since the closest town with a bookstore is 45 minutes away.

Tell me about a book you acquired in some interesting way (gift, serendipity in a used book store, prize, etc.):
When I turned 21, my mom and step-dad gave me very practical, "Welcome to adulthood" gifts. I was given a power drill and Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover: A proven plan for financial fitness. This book teaches the importance of saying no to credit cards, building a nest egg and not living above your means - all very important lessons for an amateur adult.
The dedication from mom reads: Heather, Happy 21st baby. You're an adult now - legally, anyway. I hope you will read this book, follow the plan and stay away from debt! Credit cards, car notes, personal loans - they will all suck the life out of you and I want you to have a great, joyous life. I love you always! Mom

Tell me about a book that has been with you to the most places:
I've always had really vivid, movie-quality dreams. So when I came across The Dream Sourcebook and Journal, I knew I had to buy it. It delves into the realm of dream psychology, explaining (or hypothesizing) what different aspects could mean in your daily life - interpreting the subconscious. I used to be really intrigued by that kind of thing, and I still am to an extent. Anyway, I used to take this with me when I traveled, just in case I had any strange or recurring dreams I wanted to look up.

Tell me about a bonus book that doesn't fit any of the above questions:
One of my favorite, quirky, darkly-humorous books is Dogrun by Arthur Nersesian. In the book, Mary comes home from work to discover her live-in boyfriend, Primo, dead in front of the TV. She realizes that she knew very little about Primo, so she hunts down all of his ex-girlfriends in an attempt to learn more about the man she'd been living with.

So, now for the rules:

1. Tag 3-5 people, so the fun keeps going!


2. Leave a comment at the original post at A Striped Armchair so that Eva can collect everyone’s answers.


3. If you leave a comment and link back to Eva as the meme’s creator, she will enter you in a book giveaway contest! She has a whole shelf devoted to giveaway books that you’ll be able to choose from, or a bookmooch point if you prefer.


4. Remember that this is all about enjoying books as physical objects, so feel free to describe the exact book you’re talking about, down to that warping from being dropped in the bath water…


5. Make the meme more fun with visuals! Covers of the specific edition you’re talking about, photos of your bookshelves, etc.

Okay, I tag Jen, Jessica and anyone else who wants to attempt it! I know some of you have already been tagged.

Short, sweet and to the point

I saw this meme on Mel's post and thought it was interesting. You have to answer each question with just ONE word. You all know I am a talker. Or in the blog world, a writer. Whatever — I tend to ramble. That's the point I'm trying to make! See, I'm doing it right now. BUT, as difficult as this may be, I will try to follow the rules! :)

1 - Where is your cell phone? — desk
2 - Where is your significant other? — sleeping
3 - Your hair color? — brown
4 - Your mother? — strong
5 - Your father? — compassionate
6 - Your favorite thing? — laughter
7 - Your dream last night? — sad
8 - Your dream/goal? — happiness (cliché, right?)
9 - The room you’re in? — cube-land
10- Your hobby? — reading
11- Your fear? — alone
12- Where do you want to be in 6 years? — writing
13- Where were you last night? — home
14- What you’re not? — athletic
15- One of your wish-list items? — guitar
16- Where you grew up? — Alabama
17- The last thing you did? — feature article (I know, two words. Sorry.)
18- What are you wearing? — sweater
19- Your TV? — off
20- Your pet? — hyperactive
21- Your computer? — busy
22- Your mood? — eh…
23- Missing someone? — monumentally
24- Your car? — silver
25- Something you’re not wearing? — socks
26- Favorite store? — bookstore
27- Your summer? — intern
28- Love someone? — yep
29- Your favorite color? — blue
30- When is the last time you laughed? — today
31- Last time you cried? — dream (remember, it was sad.)