Spooky Halloween Cake

I'm not the biggest fan of Halloween...it has nothing to do with my beliefs...I think any "evil" meaning the holiday may have once had isn't what people have in mind when they dress their kids up to get candy. (That's just my opinion, and I'm not interested in debating/arguing it, by the way!)

I actually really like scary movies and I love fall. I'm mainly just cheap and think dressing up (or more specifically, spending money on a costume) is a waste.

Anyway...Halloween is like Mike's Christmas, so I didn't want to be a Hallow-scrooge. So I decided to get into the spooky spirit my own way. By baking a spooky chocolate graveyard cake...ooooo...ooooo...

There's a new show on the food network called Dessert First. Imagine my excitement! The host, Ann Thornton is adorable...and the show is all about...dessert! Last week on her first episode, she made a "Spooky Graveyard Cake." Since I knew I was going to my friend Jasmine's to watch scary movies this weekend, I said, "I want to make that cake!" It's basically all I've talked about all week. So after spending too much money on supplies, making a few of my own tweaks/adjustments to the recipe, 2 days in the kitchen, and only 1 crying episode...I am on my way to becoming a culinary diva! Here's how I did it:

Ann's recipe is here.
I didn't make the cake from scratch, though. I used Betty Crocker Milk Chocolate cake mix...with a few changes:
I used 1/3 cup of unsweetened apple sauce in place of the 1/3 cup of oil. This makes the cake super-moist, and I'm going to tell myself it's also a bit healthier.
The recipe on the box calls for 1 1/4 cups water. I used coffee for about half that amount. A trick I saw on Barefoot Contessa, another Food Network show.
And a box of chocolate pudding.
The cake goes into 2 9" rounds...350 for 25-ish minutes. I rotated them in the oven halfway through.
Tip: Flour is your BFF if you're making cakes that will need to come out of the pan!
I put the cakes in the fridge to cool overnight.

Then was the fun part...decorations! I did all this Friday night.
Decorations included:
Milano sandwich cookies...with scary messages written with melted chocolate and a toothpick,

Pretzel sticks with mini marshmallows...to cover with white chocolate so they look like bones. (More on the White chocolate later. Ugh.)
A chocolate tree that I made by melting a cup of milk chocolate chips and squeezing it out onto foil in the shape of a tree. I made a few sticks also.
I know...they look like poo.
I made a "pastry bag" out of a Ziplock bag with a tip cut in the corner. This is where my lack of patience hurt me...the first time I didn't wait for the chocolate to cool and it melted the plastic bag!

I also used little candy corn pumpkins and chocolate sandwich cookies ground in the food processor.
Side note: white chocolate is a b*tch! I used a double boiler method to melt my milk chocolate and it worked fine. White chocolate is different. (Technically it's not even really chocolate)
If you add anything to it, it seizes up and gets all clumpy and crystallized.
And it doesn't melt as well.

After 3 tries on Friday night (and some tears..."that was my FAVORITE PART of the cake...I can't do anything right!") I did some research and decided to try the microwave. 50% power, 15-20 seconds at a time, stirring in between each heating.

My handsome Mike actually ended up taking care of this for me Saturday afternoon! I love a man who can bake.

I used the microwave method to melt the rest of the chocolate I used for the recipe.

I was super-stoked to make my own buttercream frosting...this was my "wow" factor...and it went great! I think I strained my hand mixer quite a bit, though. I must have a deluxe Kitchen Aid stand mixer...must! Now that I am a morning news producer, getting one of these babies is my next goal in life.

Here's Ann's chocolate buttercream recipe:

• 5 sticks (2 1/2 cups) butter, cut into tablespoon pieces and softened
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 5 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 1/2 cups milk chocolate, melted and cooled
• 1/2 cup unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

In a standing mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, (OR a hand mixer...beware of flying sugar!) combine the butter, salt, and 2 cups of the confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Add the melted chocolate, vanilla, and remaining sugar. Whisk on medium-high until smooth and fluffy.

Spread about a cup of the frosting on the bottom layer of cake. Then add a layer of cookie crumbs.

Add the next layer of cake and ice all the way around. When I decorated, I wished I'd put more frosting on the sides, for the bones to stick in...
Doesn't that look sexy?

I covered the top of the cake with more "dirt." I tried to put in on the side, but just ended up making a mess!

It's helpful to cut slits where you want the gravestones and tree to stick in the cake.

I put the chocolate tree near the back, and stuck the Milano cookies halfway in.

Then I added the candy corn pumpkins. This brought some much-needed color to the cake!

And then the ever-contrary white chocolate pretzel bones.

You place one diagonal into the frosting on the side of the cake, then break one in half...placing the halves so it looks like the bones are crossed.
And...here's the finished product...

Mike was my "photographer" and he helped a ton!

By the way...the cake was de-friggin-licious!

Happy Halloween...however you decide to celebrate it!

Love, Carrie

Growing Up is Hard to Do

Yikes. That's 22 year old me right there.
4 years seems like centuries. Really. No one that I regularly see now, except my family and my friend Allison, knew me when this picture was taken.

Sometimes I think about my past and say, "Ugh. I was such a mess...I'm totally together now. I have it all figured out."

I've stopped fooling myself.

I was talking to one of my dearest gal pals last week about growing up. About looking around at laundry and cooking and groceries and bills and jobs and...reality...

Sometimes reality smacks you in the face. Sometimes it sneaks in slowly...

It's a hard place in life that not everyone gets to. Some people always know they're going to be domestic, 9 to 5ers who go to PTA meetings and never live too far away from mom and dad.

Some people move off to New York City, or L.A. to see their dreams come true.

And then there's those of us who thought we'd be rock stars, or at least work for them.
We come to a crossroads: bitterness or settling.

OR...we can chill out and appreciate what's good in our lives. We can find someone to go on the journey with us. We can find our place.
Maybe that place is closer to home than we thought it would be.

I don't have to give up who I am, or the person I thought I'd be, just because my life didn't take the direction I thought it would.
Growing up, getting "domestic" as I say, doesn't mean giving up everything that's good for a bunch of bad, lame, boring stuff.
But that's a hard realization to come to...it's a rough patch a lot of people go through.

Here are some things that make me happy about being here in Missouri:

My new job that I really like and I know will challenge me for a LONG time
Saturday bike rides with my dad
Karaoke
Mexican Villa
Cardinals games in the summer
Jasmine, Shannon, Sabra, and Hannah

My TV family

Cheap rent
My little brother
Lunches with my mom...


Lots of Love,
Carrie Anne

Cakes and Catering and Venue...Oh My!

I drug Mike to a wedding show Sunday. I think he enjoyed it more than I did...I got a little defensive when people assumed I wanted to spend 2 months worth of paychecks so I could have a certain type of chair at my reception...

I don't remember what they're called...but apparently there's a hot, new chair trend happening in the wedding world.

So anyway, I had to be reminded to not snap at people, "We're having a small wedding!" "We're on a budget!" "Do I look like I want to spend $2500 on photography?!?"

"They're just doing their job...just nod and smile and move along," Mike says.

When I first met him 3 years ago, I thought he was scary. Now he's the little angel on my shoulder. A very handsome and manly angel.

Anyway-sies...Sunday was productive. We tasted the most delicious cake ever...ever! It probably means that we may have a more traditional looking cake. The electric guitar confection may have to wait until Mike's 30th birthday or something.

Ugh. I'll turn 30 before he will.

Celebrations By Sonja is definitely who we want to make our cake. They use buttercream icing, no fondant, and real fruit filling. The one we sampled had strawberries! Since we are such food network geeks, I figure our cake has to taste out of this world. I hope we can find some way to make it our own and rock 'n roll.

I thought I wanted to have our short and simple ceremony and fun and loud reception/dinner at the Springfield Brewing Company. After the wedding show and seeing how these venues that usually host weddings want to accommodate the bride, I'm looking elsewhere. From talking to the BrewCo, I think I might be an afterthought to them.

So, we are going to go look at the Santa Maria Lounge at the Knights of Columbus Diamond Room. It's really affordable on a Friday. I talked to the caterer there. She's from Simply Delicious. Trying to decide what kind of food to serve will be hard! I think the spinach artichoke dip with the manicotti and a salad sounds good.

And $4 a bottle champagne.

I want to leave all this wedding talk with something fun. I have some really cute pictures of my puppy, Cash, sitting on the couch with the remote control in his paw, but haven't uploaded them yet.

So I'll encourage you to check out this blog my friend Heather showed me...speaking of cakes! Hilarious.

Loves!
The future Mrs. Winchel

My Spot

Minds out of the gutter.

I'm kidding.

Two posts in one day!
I'm off work in the morning, and in a great mood after a good time at a Pampered Chef Party. Yum! Let's just pretend I didn't spend $70.

Anyway...I'd like to use the phrase, "long story short." But I know myself too well so I'll just say I'll make a very long story only semi-long.

I was an English/writing superstar in high school. Everyone told me how good I was at writing poetry, papers, and movie and music reviews. But, as with most things in life there's always someone who's better. Stephanie Hunter.

She wrote this column for the school newspaper that was full of big words, deep, mature thoughts, and clever turns of phrase. In contrast, I wrote a movie review of "What Women Want" starring Mel Gibson that a lot of people liked. I have no clue what Stephanie is doing now, but she made me feel like I wasn't supposed to be a writer.

Almost 10 years later I'm just now figuring things out, becoming my own person, and getting to the place God wants me to be at work, at home, and in my mind and heart.

I say that to illustrate that I had no idea then...I had no idea at 18 when I went off to college...no idea when I kept changing my major...no idea when I planned to run off to Nashville.

My freshman year was spent at Mizzou. I started out as a Journalism major. Then I decided the J-school was too hard so I changed to general media studies. Sophomore year brought me back home to Missouri State University. English Education? Sure, why not.

Then I reunited with my high school dream. I had originally wanted to go to Belmont University in Nashville. I wanted to work in country or Christian music...on a tour...doing something. I'd eventually work up to A & R or marketing at a record company.

I blame this bug on Keith Urban's 2006 CD, "Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy Thing." Love it. One of my favorite CD's EVER. I don't remember why I abandoned my dream in the first place. I know I didn't go to Belmont partly for a relationship that ended when we left for college anyway. Lame.

I graduated from MSU with a Mass Media major/Marketing minor in '07. I still wanted to go to Music City. I'd work on music video sets...I wanted to organize things, call people, do some heavy lifting. I STILL want to work on a televised music awards show someday. I wanted to be a mover and shaker on the Nashville scene. I still want to be Miranda Lambert's BFF.

This was all before the economy went downhill.

But now I'm discovering what I really wanted was to do something that I was meant to do.

Was I meant to be someone's tour manager? Or a record company executive? I don't like where the sound of most country music is headed these days. (It's all the same sound really.) And I've had opportunities to get close to the industry a few times and I frankly don't think I'm enough of an ass to make it in that world.

I'm still here in Southwest Missouri and I think there's a reason. Mike or I would have to get a ridiculous raise that would make it worth a move and the cost of living to leave at this point. I leave that open ended, and will never say never, though!

My father always loved my writing and was always incredibly supportive. He was disappointed when I kinda left that behind. I HATE to say he was right, but...he was.

What I was always after was what I like to call my "Spot." My place...the thing I'm naturally good at without busting my butt trying. The thing that I can do for hours and be amazed that so much time has passed. The thing I look forward to doing.

Not everyone finds their spot. I always thought that I would. Not to say I'm more super-special than anyone else...I've just always wanted a career, not a job. 100% has gone into everything I've done, and I can't give any less. It's just the way I am.

I've been able to do more writing at work in the last couple of months, and I love it! I look forward to going in, the time flies by, and I have heard good things about my work.

The problem? It's not my job. I just do it during the time I used to be bored.

Now I'm pursuing an opportunity to get paid to write. The problem...I have no experience so I'm understandably being kept waiting.

I'd have experience if I had stayed with journalism in the beginning. And, yes, my dad HAS said, "I told you so."

I really want this job. I have so many ideas. I care so much about where I work. I know with some training I can do it. I'm tired of having the word "assistant" in front of my name. This would be MINE and I know I can handle it.

I have found something I'm good at. I'm confident about the things I want to do.

For now, my spot's still open...I just hope if I don't get it this time around, I'll get another chance.

I Miss Working at Forever 21

I have plenty of reasons to wax sentimental about my 2 and a half years spent working in retail management.

I, of course, miss my coworkers...a few of whom I formed what I hope are lifelong friendships with.

I miss the team environment there. I thrived on that and don't get as much of it at my current job.

Even though I know I wasn't the best in the world, I miss being a manager...I like working hard, leading a crew. Doing that really brought out a side of me I don't think I would have found otherwise.

I liked being super busy. I did like helping customers. Most of the time. Sometimes I want to go back, because I think I'd be even better at it now.

I miss the music. Yes, a lot of it was annoying, but it fit the mood of the store. I liked to do my runway walk to the beats when no one was looking.

But this post is not about all the sappy reasons I miss working at the mall. It's about how I want to wear gloves like this:

I want to pair that shirt with these pants and my denim jacket.

I guess this jones-ing for wardrobe experimentation came at me full force at the mall the other day when I was looking around at Claire's and tried on a headband like this:

So cute, right? And now my hair is long enough to wear things like this.

To my surprise, Mike actually liked this on me! I think I might buy it next time I'm at the mall.

Which brings me to answer the obvious question, "why can't you still dress up?

First of all, I go to work at 2 in the morning. I sleep in as late as possible. Show me someone who wants to spend a ton of time getting ready at 1:30 am and I'll show you an 80-year-old who knows who Snooki is.

Second of all, a woman dressed to impress a man, and a woman dressed to impress other women are 2 completely different things. I would assert that we females do the latter much more often than we realize.

My man (and I'm going to assume most guys are this way) seems to prefer me in simpler, more classic clothes. Minimal accessories, hair down, good jeans, and a well-fitting t-shirt or nice top. Dressing slutty seems to go over well too. I took him in New York and Company and it was all, "you'd look nice in that...I like that..."

I like that stuff too, don't get me wrong. That's probably the direction my wardrobe will be moving in considering my current career path.

Getting dressed for work at the ol' F21 every day made me feel like a rock star. I wanted to represent the store well; the company is very fashion forward. I could experiment...That was dressing...mainly for myself...but for other women. That's who I was trying to sell clothes to.

And my favorite girls loved to experiment with their style too. There were days I'd look like one of our crazy-lookin' mannequins and feel perfectly comfortable in the store...then as I was walking to the food court I'd feel all eyes staring at me.

"I'll be honest...there were days you'd get ready for work and I had to try not to laugh," Mike has said.

He's a dude...he doesn't get it.

I loved to mix really girlie pieces with rock-n-roll or tomboy style things: Ripped jeans with a dressy top; a nice dress with a leather jacket; a graphic t-shirt with a cardigan.

I was always trying to find new ways to wear my cowboy boots.

I loved big earrings, chunky necklaces and rings.

Layering...plaid shirts, vests, sweaters.

Fun patterned tights.

Scarves...I freaking LOVE scarves...turns anything into an outfit...I feel like celebrity when I wear a scarf!

I like winter clothes much better than summer duds (layering obsession? Finally relevant again.) So maybe I'll start sprucing it up again.

I'd be much more motivated to do so if I worked during the day, though.

I'm definitely buying that feather headband.

"Horse Motor Wheelie Trick" and Other Weekly Highlights

SO I'm super cool on a Saturday night. Just bloggin' and waitin' around for something to do.

My first week back to work after vacation was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. It actually went by pretty fast.

Rewind to the week before last. We got our engagement picture taken! My mom took them, and Mike photo shopped them. It was free, they turned out great, and we had a great time roaming around downtown Ozark. I will try to get a slideshow set up on here. My Mike is so very handsome!

This weekend is my parent's wedding anniversary. They've been married for 30 years! Congrats Robyn and Harold!

Mike and I are looking after of my little brother while mom and dad are in Northern Missouri for a little anniversary getaway.

My baby bro, John is 23...so, as he reminds me quite frequently, is not really a "baby." But I practically raised him along with my parents, so I feel like I have to take care of him. He's mildly autistic; pretty much self sufficient. He doesn't drive or keep track of his own money, but he cooks and has a job.

And he's the most hilarious person I've ever met in my life.

When we were growing up, John didn't learn to talk until he was about 4...and even then communication was very difficult. He lived in his own little world. (pretty much all autistic kids do) That world was one made up of television, movies, music, and wrestling...he loved to watch professional wrestling. It was hard to get him to talk to us in his own words. He'd mutter to himself constantly and speak to us in quotes from shows he'd seen. That's the best way to explain it, but I feel like it's hard to give a picture of what he was like as a child.

God blessed he and my family with great teachers all through John's time in school. He graduated in 2006. He even received the "Character" award at senior award night!

Now, my brother has grown up...and opened up. I can't really get anyone to fully appreciate how much it means when he actually holds a conversation with me! His own words and thoughts are so great to hear after years and years of frustration from being talked to in lines from Nickelodeon shows. The way he says things is so...interesting and unique...

Mike was trying to show off the Mustang last night...which, of course, John thinks is cool. Today John told my grandma that Mike's car did a "horse-motor-wheelie thing." Or something like that.

And he wants to talk to me about country music, and the TV station I work at, and tell me about how he, "is just trying to stay fit," and exercise.

Sometimes when he gets nervous he still talks to himself. He's having a hard time at work with that. I don't envy my parents...trying to find that balance of when he's capable of controlling his behavior and when people need to be understanding.

I feel like I don't spend enough time with the little dude sometimes. Our schedules are completely opposite. I wish Mike and I could take him out to do things more. What 23 year old wants to spend all his time with his parents? (Sorry mom and dad!)

I worry about him being lonely. Does he know he's different than other people his age? Does he want to get married? Is it possible God has someone for him? I think maybe John could be in a relationship.

Someday, John will live with Mike and I. I worry about who will take care of him if something happened to all of us. He has plenty of people at church who love him. Could he adjust to a different life it he had to?

I hope he stays healthy. He informed me that he now only gets one breakfast sandwich from Sonic on Saturday mornings. That's a start, I suppose.

For the most part, John seems happy. He asked Jesus into his heart at church camp when he was in high school.

I know God will take care of my brother. I just hope I do my part, and that I'm the big sister I should be when he needs me.

That's what's on my mind tonight.

The weather is absolutely georgeous this evening by the way. I love fall. It's my absolute favorite time of year. That crisp air makes me feel nostalgic and excited for what's ahead at the same time.

There's a lot more I'm thinking about...but it's for another post.

Thanks for reading!

No Such Thing

If I ever have kids, I'm going to be a weird parent. Aside from the fact that my kids will have a mom with a Johnny Cash tattoo who works at a TV station, I have decided I'm going to ask my children some weird questions after we watch a movie.

Do you think Cinderella had trouble fitting in with Prince Charming's family?

Does being fairy-tale royalty come with health insurance? What do you think happened when Prince Jr. needed braces?

After snagging her dream guy at the age of 16, do you think they stayed together after she went to college?

What did they do when she wanted to go out with her friends and he wanted to stay home and watch TV?

Did they change as they grew up and realize they wanted different things?





It's great he realized he was in love with her instead of the woman he stayed with out of convenience for all those years...

But do you think the ex harassed the new gal with threatening phone calls? Or let the air out of her tires at work?

What kind of strain did that put on their relationship?

Contrary to what pretty much any romantic comedy or television series finale would have us believe, there's no such thing as a happy ending.

I don't mean that in a cynical, emo, "my soul is black and so is the world" way. Just that the idea of an "ending" to anything at all in life is kinda silly.

Maybe I was just an anti-social child who spent too much time at the video rental store or in my room watching TV. I'm probably too old to just now be adopting this outlook, and it's possible everyone else learned this lesson a long time ago. But I think unrealistic expectations have been a big source of stress and disappointment in my life, and I'd suspect it's to blame for a lot of other people's bad attitudes too.

Not that I thought that I was Cher from "Clueless" or Kelly from "Saved by the Bell." But I always thought if were prettier, everything would be great. If I had a Tommy Hilfiger T-shirt, I'd fit in with the popular girls and high school would be awesome. When I find a boyfriend we'll ride off into the sunset together and life will look like a montage from a Taylor Swift music video...

When I graduate college and get a "real job," it'll be smooth sailing. If we can get through this disagreement, our relationship will be nothing but kisses and hugs and laughs and wine.

But life is always one more thing...one more problem, one more stress, one more bill. The way things are at any moment is never how they're going to be forever. That fact is a comfort when you're crying, and a dull ache when you're on top of the world.

My fiance and I will never be "done" making our relationship the best it can be. Even when we've been together for 30 years. I'll never be done looking for challenges at work, or ways to make myself better at whatever it is I'm doing. There's always going to be a future that will bring expenses, sickness, or people who make me want to cry.

And it's these things that make us who we are. A mistake hurts my pride at the time...but I won't slip up in that area next time. A hard week waiting for the next paycheck forces me to look for ways to be smarter with my money.


Being healthy and fit is a journey, not a destination. (Unfortunately!) Everything in life is the same way. Thinking otherwise will make a person disappointed at every turn. We would all be pretty bored if there came a point in life where we were all "done." Done like a delicious chocolate cake with chocolate frosting...mmmmmm...

So, when I say I don't believe in happy endings, I don't mean I don't believe in love or happiness or cute little babies or America or all that stuff.
And I'm not delusional. I know movies and TV shows are just entertainment. A way to escape...and viewers need closure and happy endings.

On that note, I will close by saying, "roll the credits and cue the upbeat '80s radio hit of your choice!"
Hope you enjoyed the show.

Nothin' But a Good Time...

If you are a musician, or a music lover, you have to appreciate a good performer, even if you're not a huge fan of that person's particular genre of music.

Bret Michaels gets a lot of crap for...a lot of things: the show Rock of Love, his fake hair, wearing eyeliner, sporting his own T-shirts, being in Poison...

The list goes on.

I dragged my heavy-metal-loving fiance to see Bret Michaels at the Shrine Mosque on Thursday. Awww...Mike really loves me. But I sat through GWAR when they opened for Lamb of God in November, so...we're still not even.

I knew I would have a good time. After an opening band that did a rock-n-roll version of "Sweet Caroline" (Yikes!) Mr. Rock of Love ran out on stage to the opening chords of "Talk Dirty to Me."

I can karaoke the buttah out of that song, by the way...

Bret (I don't think he'd mind if I called him Bret) put on a great, high energy show for the next hour and a half. For a guy that had been in the hospital and near death just a few months ago, he gave 110%.

I've been to a lot of concerts in my day, some I'd be embarrassed to admit to. It's always great to see an artist who truly enjoys what they're doing, and really appreciates the audience. You know, when they just have that thing that pulls you in. Makes you forget your feet hurt, that you're getting beer spilled on your shoes, or that the time and hairspray you put into your hair was for nothing because you're at an indoor concert with no air conditioning. In August.

Bret is that kind of performer, and he truly seemed sincerely happy to be playing for us.

Plus, the dude knows why he's famous to anyone under the age of 35. He mentioned "Rock of Love" and thanked VH1...he doesn't try to pretend the reality show involving stripping contests didn't happen. I think that's cool.

The concert was also FUN because Bret knows what people want to hear. He sang some Poison hits ("Fallen Angel," "Unskinny Bop"), a few of his solo songs ("Go That Far"), and did some covers ("Sweet Home Alabama," "Drift Away," "What I Got.")

The audience could sing along with basically everything...isn't that why we go to concerts? So, I'm pretty much going to tell everyone that I partied with Bret Michaels, because last night's concert felt like one big bash. A bash I paid $30 to attend.

I love my share of underground music, and generally tend to rebel against anything "popular." (Current popular country music? No, sir, I don't like it.)
But being a music snob can really keep a person from having a lot of good times. I like a lot of "cheesy" music from the decade I was born in because it's fun!

Even Mike enjoyed the concert. When someone is sincere and passionate about what they're doing and the music they play, it shows...and if you can't jump up and down, clap along with the beat, and sing along, then you're taking life too seriously!

More Like House

One of my guilty pleasure TV shows is "Bridezillas" on WE. Maybe I like it because I can turn to Mike and say, "see...I could be like these beyotches!"

Anyway, my favorite morsel of wisdom from that train wreck-fest comes from an episode where some ghetto-fabulous bride was talking (--screeching--) to a bridesmaid who was freaking out about ...something...something important I'm sure. The bride sasses,

"You at a ten and ya need ta take it down to about a fo' and a half!"

My default is set at about an 8.5. I wish I could be a "fo' and a half." Ever. Anyone who knows me knows I'm super high-strung and quick to freak out. I'm actually better than I used to be, believe it or not.

Which brings me to one of my favorite legitimate television shows. House, M.D. Brilliant. Though I liked the show better with Dr. Cameron, Dr. Foreman, and Dr. Chase.

I was watching a re-run of House on USA this week...I think it was from season 2. Cuddy had forced Dr. House to work in the clinic, and he walked out in the waiting room to offer $50 to any patient who would leave. HA!

All of a sudden a man springs out of his seat, and makes laps around the waiting room...screaming, knocking things over, and holding his head in his hands. Like a 4-year old who's parents wouldn't buy her an Easy Bake Oven or whatever the kids play with these days.

So this dude is going nuts. Just nuts. And Dr. House is just standing there. Watching. Even when the man nearly knocks him over.

Turns out the guy had had a cockroach crawl in his ear. It had started to eat his brain or something. Eeeewwww.

So, would anything have changed if the sexay-est M.D. on TV would have been like, "OMG CALM DOWN...this guy is going crazy...whaddo I dooooooo?!?" No.

The image of Dr. House just standing there, dodging this maniac with a curious, but calm expression on his face just hit me for some reason.

The most random things on TV will speak to me sometimes. I want to be more like Dr. House. I want to be calm. I want to be the one who can think clearly when chaos is going on around me. Losing your cool doesn't change anything. It makes things worse because no one's mind works well when they're frantic.

People have been telling me their own versions of this since I was old enough to worry about when my last "big girl tooth" would grow in. But I think most people have to realize things in their own time, in their own way, so it can make sense and mean something to them.

I obviously prefer to come to life-altering revelations through basic cable re-runs.

Figuring it Out...Keeping it Simple...

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah. SO the initial excitement of getting engaged put me in a state of mind where my eyes were bigger than my wallet. There will still be a wedding, but I haven't quite figured anything out yet.

We're either going to have a par-tay at Springfield Brewing Company or elope. I have bought a dress and would, of course, like as many people to see me in it as possible, so the party is sounding like a good idea.

I discovered I don't think I care enough about the wedding after the initial "WOW" faded to dedicate a whole blog to it, so I'm basically going to make this just my personal blog. Not that I don't care about getting married...but it's frakkin' expensive! And on some level the insanity surrounding them(even on the non-trad wedding sites I follow) seems silly.

Plus, I have recently reunited with my affection for writing. I've been doing more of it at work, so I plan on letting out some creative energy/opinions/etc. on here. Especially things I can't write about at work. Does my morning news show's viewing audience want an in-depth review of next Thursday's Bret Michaels concert...probably not. Do I want to write one? Maybe.

Anyway, it's not going to be a wedding-fest on here because I'm just not a wedding-fest type of girl. But there's a lot of other things I want to write about...and I'm gonna.

You're the Inspiration!

I have also been pretty busy for the last month or so because I was blessed with the duty of being my friend Allison's maid of honor in her wedding this past weekend.

I have actually been pretty nervous about being involved in this big day! I've never been in a wedding, let alone been an honor attendant...and though we have remained close throughout the years, Allison and I are pretty different. I knew the wedding would be pretty traditional, and I don't keep up with those things...would my tattoos scare everyone? What if her parents didn't like me? I was sure there'd be things I was supposed to do that I wasn't even aware of. And I have to give a speech?! Whaaat? But, ultimately I figured out that all I really had to do was support my friend and try to be a ray of sunshine so Allison could have the wedding of her dreams.

And I'm pretty sure she did! There she is with Matt, her new husband. The ceremony at Summit Woods Baptist Church was very nice, included a message on marriage, traditional vows, and unity candle lighting. They were so cute talking to each other and praying while the unity candle song played!

Then it was time to eat and...dance! And yes, my silly friends: a reception without alcohol can still be fun! Allison's friend Abigail tried somewhat successfully to teach me the hustle and I got to dance with the handsome ring bearer, Tim (Allison's nephew and the energizer bunny of wedding reception boogy-ing) I also got to catch up with some really great gals I met in February at the Bridal Shower.

The bride and groom's first dance was "You're the Inspiration" by Chicago. Sweet!

When everything wound down, we sent Allison and Matt off to Chateau Avalon (<3<3<3)>

I was really and truly blessed to be a part of this wedding. Everything was just perfect: The sunshine that showed up around 2:30 on the wedding day when we'd had a week of rainy forecasts, the lack of wedding day disasters...The obvious love between the families for their children and especially between the bride and groom would have warmed up the room if it had been 20 degrees in there! This is an experience I will always treasure.

Heather (Allison's friend from college) and Allyson (her sister-in-law) were SO great to get to know. I am going to miss those girls and the hundreds of e-mails we've sent each other in the last few months! They are both so sweet and positive and seriously inspire me. I'm hoping we can all stay in touch!

It seems like every time I get really cynical and try to be all bad-ass and hard, God shows me that I can still be myself in any situation. My experiences have been different than a lot of people who grew up the way I did, and I look at some things differently, but that's okay. Everyone was so sweet and thankful for everything I tried to help with this weekend.

I can't imagine a better way to kick off Allison and Matt's life together...I hope it was everything you dreamed it would be darlin'!

Catching Up...

Ah! I haven't posted on my blog in FOREVER! Almost a month! I have had a few things keeping me busy...Mike and I got a puppy! He is a cocker spaniel and his name is Cash. Surprise, right? Hey, I got my "naming things after Johnny Cash" energy out of my system before having to name an actual kid!

Isn't he cute? He is growing so fast. Puppies are a lot of work. Mike says I make him more work that he actually is because I worry too much. But he is already (mostly) house trained and is super mellow. We're looking forward to taking him to the park, creek, and to hang with our friend's dogs.

My friend Chelsea came up with the perfect adjective for my floppy little baby: "Schmoopy." I like it.

Requirements For A Most Splendid Rockin Time

I have SO many ideas in my head for posts! Colors, dress, place, cake, bridesmaids, music, invitations, what Mr. Handsome Groom will wear...but I am trying to keep this somewhat organized. One idea per post!

So here I have a list of musts that will have us saying "I do." Wedding humor!!! Ugh. I promise not to do that anymore.



The main thing I want is for people to stick around and not leave immediately after the ceremony
I want the ceremony and reception in the same place
Short/uncomplicated ceremony
I want a venue that is pretty/great looking on it's own. There are things I'd rather spend $$$ on than decorations. Like:
Great, photojournalist-style photography
Perfect shade of red lipstick
A delicious meal
Drinks
Dancing!
Some things to keep people entertained (makeshift photobooth/photo corner, karaoke, rock band, cool alternative to a guestbook, candy bar...this is a whole post in itself)
Our very favorite music all night long
For all our guests to have a great, relaxing, amazing time
For US to do the same
I'm sure there's more, but that's all for now.

And the one thing Mike has asked for: an super badass electric guitar cake! I love it! So we're going to do the reverse thing and have his choice of cake be the main deal, and I will have a little Bride's cake. That cake will be a chocolate-fest for sure.

Not gonna happen:
The YMCA, Chicken Dance, Cha-cha Slide, Butterfly Kisses and the like.
Unity candle
Flower girl or Ring bearer
Anyone (my dad) wearing a tie if they don't want to

I'm not counting much out at this point, really.
Love and hugs,
Carrie

Websites I Am Loving

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a great easter weekend! I definitely did...BBQ on Friday night that turned into a surprise double date when we ran into a coworker and his super sweet fiance. Then on Saturday Mike and I took a nice walk downtown and had lunch at Maria's. Sunday was busy: Church with my parents followed by lunch times 2; my family first, and then with his.



Even though I am impatient and want to get married NOW...and wear my dress now, I am glad to not be rushed and am enjoying just looking around and getting ideas. Here are some sites/blogs that I am enjoying looking at and aren't stressing me out:



One website that I am checking every day and loving is http://www.offbeatbride.com/. This site features all kinds of different weddings on all kinds of budgets. The weddings featured are all very different and inspiring. There are also articles about different aspects of wedding planning. Totally my favorite!



This morning I just found http://www.apracticalwedding.com/. I haven't had too much time to look through the posts, but some of the things I read are great. The author of this blog acknowledges that a wedding is just a party to celebrate the beginning of a marriage! I'm looking forward to exploring the advice and articles on this blog.



On the more traditional side, I also like Glamour's wedding site, www.glamour.com/weddings.



http://www.hifiweddings.com/ is pretty cool too; this blog features brides' wedding playlists and music themed weddings. It makes me happy there are other people who are very intentional/borderline obsessive about the music played at their weddings. This blogger also features music themed enagement shoots...which is super as I'm looking forward to my own!



One site I'm not using as a resource/inspiration is the knot. It hasn't changed in five years, and basically stresses me out. We don't have to take out a $10,000 loan to throw an awesome party.



I'll be posting some of my own ideas soon! This week I think we are going to be looking at venues.

Carrie

The Ring

Here's a pic of my fabulous ring! I've never really been a jewelry person, and am obviously biased, but I think it's the most beautiful engagement ring ever. We got it at Kay Jewelers in the Battlefield Mall.

I'm not sure if I'll get a band to go with it yet. It's not really shaped well to go with a band, and, as I found through a 5-minute Google search, wedding/engagement ring traditions have changed over time. Colonial women received "engagement thimbles." Whoopee! And in some cultures, the ring is worn on the right hand, in some, the man also receives an engagement ring.

I'm just as married if I don't have a band...that's my idea behind this whole wedding planning process. There's so many things culture/tradition/wedding magazines seem to require for a wedding celebration. The fun thing is: we don't have to do those things! Mike and I are going to plan a ceremony and party that is completely and totally US! We're not going to stress over things we see as a hassle because we "have" to do it. (Well, if you know me, I'll stress anyway!) I'd rather celebrate the people who've supported our lives and relationship and focus on planning for a great life together.

April Fools Day, the Perfect Day to Begin a Blog

Good Morning, everyone...well, it's morning to me! I'm starting this blog because I think it will be fun to meet new people, network, share ideas, and keep me motivated to lead the somewhat exciting, rock n roll life I aspire to live here in good ole Springfield, Missouri.

98% of the ideas floating around in my head right now are...dum dum da dum...wedding ideas! I'm hoping to meet other brides, future and former, to go with me on this journey that will end on May 20th, 2011 when I marry the man of my dreams.

I've found some great sites for non-traditional brides (that's me!) and have some ideas of my own to treat our friends and families to the best party/celebration of love and music and food ever and am excited to have a place to share it all!

Plus, I plan on, you know, having a life while planning my wedding. (WHAT!?!) Coming up: Carrie and Mike attend a wine tasting class and get new tattoos, shopping trip to Branson (yee haw), 48 Hour Film Festival, engagement photo shoot, Rock Star Mayhem tour this summer...oh, and baked potatoes for dinner tonight.