Friday Favorites: Hobbies

Lately, I've been feeling desperate to do something creative with my spare time. When I think about it, a million ideas come to mind. Literally. A million.

I need a hobby.

My problem: it's incredibly hard to choose just one hobby.

I want to do everything.

• Sew (I really, really, really want a sewing machine, so I can be just like my BFFL, Jenn Wade.)
  
• Craft
• Re-finish old furniture
• Learn how to use my fancy camera (i.e. photography)
  
• Make jewelry
• Plus, all of the DYI decorating/re-modeling projects I am dying to start
  

My "someday/somehow" list is a mile long. And it's a little overwhelming.

Often, I find that because I want to do so much, I am paralyzed by indecision. I can't choose one cool thing to do or create. I want to do it all. Right now.

A trip to Hobby Lobby seems like a good start, right? Not so much for me. My shopping trips always end with a weird anxiety attack. On many, many occasions, I've walked out of a craft store empty handed because I simply feel too overwhelmed. There are so many choices, and my little brain can't process all of the incoming information.

This week, I decided that I need a better way to approach my desire do do/make/create something. I'm making a list. Of everything. Every project, every idea, every little inspiration that comes to mind. Everything. Then, I'm going to choose one thing from my list to work on. Whether it takes a few minutes, a few days or even a few months; I'm going to do my very best to focus on one project at a time. Yes, it will absolutely be a challenge. Especially since I've diagnosed myself with adult ADHD.

Once I've completed a few projects, I hope I'll discover a new hobby or two. You know - just a couple of things I love to do, rather than a mile-long list of things I think I might want to try to do someday/somehow.

What hobbies inspire you?Anything I should add to my to-do list?

Lake Weekend with the Girls

Last weekend, I left my boys behind and headed to the lake to spend two sun-filled, fun-filled days with four of my favorite friends.

I first met Brittany D., Brittany C., Rachel and Sheryl (who doesn't have a blog, read her friends' blogs and may not even know what the word "blog" means) in college when we were all in ZTA together. These days, we're still the best of friends, but -wow- our lives are incredibly different than they were seven years ago when we all first met.

We spent the weekend sunning, swimming and talking. We discussed everything relevant. From men, marriage, relationships and children; there was never a dull moment. We drank a few beers, but couldn't quite "hang" like we used to. We spent the evenings playing card games and dominoes (Mexican Train). We were yawning before midnight and wanted to get to bed early so we could make the most of our outdoor time the next day. Yes, all signs point to OLD. But that's perfectly fine with me. There's no group of girls I'd rather grow old with!

We had such a fun weekend and left Sunday with a renewed sense of friendship and a renewed commitment to get together more often!

Here are a few photos to re-cap the weekend...


The name of the boat: Ring Tail Tooter

This is how the photo turns out when you put the camera on self timer and jump in the water.
Me, Brittany C., Brittany D., Rachel and Sheryl

The gorgeous Rachel

Swimming in earrings... So fashionable.


Cannon Ball!!!

Sheryl and me

Sheryl's Hollywood pose.

The Brittanys and me

Yes, we showered in the lake. It was just easier.

It was an interesting series of events.

We decided to wash each other's hair salon style.

Sheryl and Rachel "showering"

Old school bar of soap.

We clean up pretty nicely.

My lovely friends!

Britt and Rachel at dinner

Britt, me and Sheryl at dinner

A nice view too. What a fabulous weekend!

Friday Favorites: Famous People

As you know, I've been hanging out with quite a few famous people lately. By "quite a few" I really mean two. And by "hanging out" I really mean that little ol' me happened to be in the same place at the same time as someone famous.

So, after my casual and cool celebrity encounters with the country crooners Carrie Underwood and John Rich, Jonathan asked me if I would act as oh-so-smooth if I randomly bumped into one of my famous favs. (Sorry, Carrie and John. I'm just not much of a country music fan. We can still be friends though.)

And by the way - I officially classified my run-ins with Carrie and John as "casual and cool" and "oh-so-smooth" because I didn't tackle either of them, or ask for an autograph, or ask for a posed photo with me. I practically treated them like they were just regular people. Weird, I know.

Anyway... I have thought a lot about the question Jonathan posed. Would I act calm, cool and smooth if I encountered one of my favorite stars? The answer -frankly- is no.

So, here's my short list of the two famous people I love most (for now, at least). And if I ever see either of them running loose in the wild, I will probably tackle them, ask for an autograph and a posed photo with me. I might also grab them by their pretty little necks, pull out a lock of their hair and put it in a locket to wear around my neck. Only kidding, of course.

Chelsea Handler
I not only love this woman. I kind of want to be her. Or, just be her best friend. We're mean girls from another mother, and I think my life would be a lot more fun if Chelsea and I could be friends. Although, if I met her in person, I'd probably pee my pants 'cause she is one intimidating lady.

John Mayer
Y'all already know how I feel about Mr. Mayer. If I ever meet him in person I will scold him for being such a womanizing asshole (I've got your back J-Aniston), and then I'll ask him to sing a duet with me, and then I'll ask him to tweet about meeting me and how cool it is to have such a fabulous new friend.

The funny part about my short list: Chelsea hates John Mayer. Like, hates. She makes fun of him hard core because he's always trying to be a comedian. I have to agree with my girl, Chels, on this one. Stick to music, Mr. Mayer.

Is there a celebrity you'd just love to meet?

Celebrity Sightings

Have I mentioned that Carrie Underwood and I are officially B.F.F.? No? I must have forgotten to tell you all about it in my Las Vegas re-cap post.

Here's the skinny:

It was our last night in Vegas, and the wolfpack was partaking in a little blackjack and slots at the Bellagio. I still needed to place my mom's roulette bet, so Jonathan and I left the blackjack table to look for a relatively inexpensive roulette table. We're standing at a $25 table, when I noticed the table beside us was only a $15 table. The table was packed though, with a group of 10 or so gals around it squealing every time the dealer spun the wheel. I considered moving in to take a spot, but let's face it, ladies, a group of 10 or so gal pals can be quite intimidating to an outsider.

So, Jonathan and I continued watching from afar.

We watched the girls win bet after bet at the $15 table.

"Is it just me or does the girl in the middle look just like Carrie Underwood?" I asked Jonathan.

He stared for a minute.

"Yea, that is definitely Carrie Underwood," he said.

I dissected the scene.

Carrie was wearing a simple black dress with a little white pin on it that read "Bride to Be." She was clearly in Vegas to celebrate her impending marriage to that Nashville Predator boy.

Oh, and she had a body guard too. Not the typical, big, black, bouncer-type. He was the kind of body guard that looked pretty normal, but probably has mad karate skills. After examining his exterior, Jonathan and I determined that he was definitely Russian.

After I realized that we were standing a mere 10 feet away from a super star, I decided to let my friends in on the intel.

I gathered them around to explain that Carrie-friggin'-Underwood was standing right behind us.

"Please don't freak out or act like a crazed fan," I warned them.

"And do not -I repeat do not- approach her for a photo-op."

As a quasi-Nashvillian (sort of, kind of), I have learned that photographing celebrities in the wild is a big no-no. Unless they are on the red carpet, or they are practically asking for attention, it's best to just leave them alone.

Carrie was clearly trying to keep a low profile, and I respect that. She wasn't wearing an outfit that screamed "I'm a celebrity, take my picture." Just a simple black dress. Her body guard was a normal-sized, white, Russian fellow. Not the type that screams "I'm protecting a celebrity. Approach me, and I'll tackle you." And she was at a $15 roulette table for God's sake. Not exactly a high roller. It was obvious that she just wanted to have a fun night in Vegas with her girls before getting hitched. She wasn't there to have her picture taken or be approached by commoners like me.

So, we left her alone.

When we returned from Vegas, my friend Brittany sends a related email to the group.

Subject: Vegas - Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood gets wild in Vegas for her bachellorette party!

Yep, it was definitely her. And the paparazzi didn't get a single shot of her "getting wild" in Vegas. Too bad I was so respectful. I could have sold a photo or two to TMZ.

Fast forward to Monday, June 28.

My brain was still fried after the Las Vegas adventure. After sleeping until 2:00 p.m. on Monday, I woke up and decided to check my email. My fabulous friend, Mackenzie, emailed me to invite Jonathan and me to a fundraising event for Zach Wamp (one of the Tennessee gubernatorial candidates). And, oh, by the way, it was at John Rich's house (a.k.a. Mount Richmore).

I had just established a long-lasting friendship with country cutie-pie, Carrie Underwood, so I was ready to expand my circle of celebrity of friends. And, it sounded like a cool event, so Jonathan and I decided to attend.

OK, maybe I am slightly delusional (and slightly sarcastic).

Here are a few photos from the event at Mt. Richmore. They're blurry because I turned off my flash. I certainly didn't want to be "that girl" taking pictures at a celeb's house.


A little singin'

The incredible view from the roof of Mr. Rich's house. Pretty amazing.

Ran into a few familiar faces, including my blog buddy Jenn!

The husband and me.

Mackenzie and I tried to get a night shot of the amazing view, but it didn't really work.

Breaking: Lone Wolf Survives, Thrives in Sin City

I finally heard from William (the one-man wolfpack). He stayed at Caesar's Palace last weekend, which leads me to believe he wasn't getting a sig' on his beeper (hence, his lack of communication).

Anyway, William tells me that he made it home safely after spending 10 days on the Vegas strip. And, based on the photo text he sent to my husband Saturday night, he not only survived... but Mr. Blackburn thrived in Sin City.

Yes, that is what you think it is. And, yes, he bought this shirt off the back of one of those Las Vegas Blvd. handbillers. Classy, San Diego.