Asking Questions: Facebook

I know we’ve all had a conversation similar to this...

Person 1: “Hey, it’s been awhile...how are you?”

Person 2: “Oh, great...my sister just had a baby, so I’m an aunt for the first time--”

Person 1: “Oh, yeah, I saw that on facebook!”

Person 2: “Yeah...”

Or is it just me? I’ve been on both ends of exchanges like this. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it, and we could spend days discussing and debating how facebook is changing the way we interact with others...good or bad.

But I’m narrowing it down, to talk about the double edged sword the Social Network has become.

On one hand, it gives us the edge on keeping up with people we don’t get to see as often as we like because of distance or a crazy-busy life.

But on the other hand, I think the art of a good conversation may be getting dull.

Do we feel like we get our updates from the news feed, so we don’t schedule those “catch up” lunches with friends as often?

Since we know our friend’s wedding planning is going okay because of her status updates, does that keep us from (gasp) calling her and talking?


This article has some really interesting points as it profiles some people who don’t use facebook.

And, as in the example above, do we make people feel like we don’t want to hear about their lives...because in an effort to connect, we cut them off to say we already know what they’re going to tell us?

I’m not saying that facebook is bad. Social media has drastically changed our culture in just a few short years; in many instances for the better.

I’m just asking if we all, myself included, might bring a little cheer to our heart and soul by scheduling some face time.

Carrie-Okie

No, that’s not going to be my nickname if I ever move to the Sooner State.

I’m talking about Karaoke...that thing you absolutely love...or that thing that turns your Friday night bar trip into a living hell.

If you’re in the latter group, you might want to move along.

This is for those of you who enjoy karaoke-ing to the max. It’s a tribute, and some tips for making the most of the phenomenon that lets us all be rock stars. My only real qualification to dole out advice is my own love for singing and music...and the 9 or so months I spent DJ-ing karaoke in Springfield.

If you find a good venue to karaoke, it’s the best...a place where the audience is supportive, everyone claps and cheers...and the DJ’s know how to keep up a fast rotation of newbies and regulars is what I’d look for.

My friend Robert and I rocked the karaoke captain gig for awhile at what used to be the sushi bar next to what used to be Traffic on Walnut Street. We seriously had a magical little karaoke family that gathered every Friday night. 

We had a good bunch of MSU students, great singers, and fun characters. We would just get that whole place dancing. Every week we led a bar-wide sing along to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The word “epic” is grossly overused these days, but I think that would be the only way to describe that experience. I still get a little misty-eyed when I walk by that little bar.

Now that my karaoke cred has been established, I’ve got a few tips for those of you who enjoy rocking the mic:

Find a Good Place: I mentioned this above. I haven’t tried everywhere in town, so I hesitate to list some...maybe there’s a gem I haven’t discovered yet. But the key to having fun is to find a place with people who are there because they enjoy karaoke too. Cheap beer is also a plus.

Song Choice is Important: YOU may be super pumped that the song list includes a little known song by an obscure band you love. If it means a lot to you, by all means, SING IT. But don’t expect people to jump up and dance.

If love from the audience is important to you though, you’ll need to pick a popular tune. Feel out the room and figure out what’s getting a response. I did not know there was a U.S. Karaoke Alliance...but apparently there is, and they’ve got a list of the top 500 karaoke songs of all time.

Know Your Stuff: You don’t have to know all the words to the song you want to sing...that’s the point of the little screen! But you should at least know the flow, melody, and rhythm of the song. If you don’t, you’ll screw up and get embarrassed.

Many of us only know the first few lines or chorus of a song, but aren’t sure how the rest of it goes at all. I’ve seen this happen with the song, “Ice Ice Baby” so many times! Yeah, yeah...”STOP! Collaborate and listen...” However there’s about 3 minutes and 45 seconds of more rapping that few people know, and they end up standing up there and struggling through it.

Speaking of the Words on the Screen: If you’re so drunk, you can’t read them...just stay in your seat, please.

Do Unto Others: If you are there for the karaoke...and you want people to sing along with you and cheer you on...do the same for them!

And Finally, It Doesn’t Matter if you can Sing...Just Get Into It! I mean it! Yes, some chick with an amazing voice is going to go up there and sing “Black Velvet,” and it will make you jealous that you don’t have the pipes. But, hey, Know your Limits and pick something that doesn’t require Mariah Carey-like vocal prowess, and then don’t be shy. Get into it and belt it out! You’ll sound better if you’re less nervous, and you don’t know most of the people in the audience, so you’ve got nothing to lose! Pretend you’re singing in the car.

This is all coming from someone who adores music, and loves to sing. I, however, was not given the gift of a golden voice, but when I step up to the mic and sing “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” I’m a star for a few minutes.

Hope to hear you singin’ around town soon!

Dump!

Okay, I am brainstorming a whole new plan for the blog I mentioned in my last post...so I am going to be putting up some of the things I have been writing in the past few weeks.

Some of them might be a bit dated, but that's okay!

Why? Because it's my blog and I say so.

AND I feel like a mega jerk for not posting for awhile.

Update!

I haven't been on here in awhile!

But I have been writing...a lot. I just haven't been posting things here.

And that's because I'm staring a project experiment thing at work.

A "proj-speriment," if you will.

I'm going to have a "column" on kspr.com!

I'm going to keep this one up, but I will mostly be posting on my KSPR column.

We don't know exactly how it's going to work, if it will be a hit...if the public will be super mean to me...but myself, and our web guru at the station are going for it.

It should be up next week...I hope. I need to get a good picture to use for my default-profile. Apparently there are very few photos of me that do not include Mike, or me holding a beer. Hm.

So after my morning bike ride, I'm going to dye my hair and work it like Tyra and have Mike some pictures. I'm working on my model faces right now.

I hope to accomplish a few things with this:

• Selfish stuff first: I LOVE writing and it's something I think God's given me an ability to do fairly well. This column will give me more of a motivation to write more often and get better at it. Instead of thinking, "OH! I have a great blog idea!" And then just coming home and watching The Soup instead. Plus, if this goes well, opportunities could come and it will look good on a resume.
• I'm looking out for my employer...who I am faithful to...to a fault. I'm hoping to bring more eyes to my station's site.
• And, hey, it just sounds like fun.

Of course, I'm nervous and insecure about this...I'm not really an authority on anything at all...what if no one likes me? Facebook commenters can be mean! What if I run out of ideas!?

But I'm trying to get rid of those thoughts.

"I guess if you don't jump you never know if you can fly..."--Miranda Lambert

I'm A Sucker For A Pretty Face

And just look at that face!

I found this little guy last Saturday, right before I was supposed to meet my dad to go on a bike ride.

So, of course, Mike got to hear my best whiny 5 year old impression, "Pleeeaaase can we keep him? He's so sweet!"

I took him to the Humane Society  to see if he was microchipped. He isn't. I took him back home...but regretted my decision when I realized what a mess he was. His hair was patchy...no front teeth...and the little dude would not stop scratching himself frantically.

We decided that I'd take him to the vet and get him checked out. If nothing major was wrong with him, I'd get him fixed up and keep him.

My friends at Galloway Village Veterinary took excellent care of my stray pup and sent me home with a small pharmacy to make him better...all for pretty much the amount I was going to spend on a new tattoo.

Dangit.

But so worth it.

 Mike named him Rex. (I was too scared to name him until I found out he was going to be okay!)

He is an excellent addition to our family. Rex is older, so he mostly sleeps, and he loves me. My gosh, he follows me everywhere.

His hair is growing back, he's smelling better (thank God!), and he is eating.

He and Cash get along well. They mainly ignore each other.

Mike and I had been talking about getting another dog, and I had been thinking that another dog will find us.

My vet said that Rex probably came from a puppy mill situation. His legs are bent funny, like he was stuck in a cage and not allowed to walk around. He had to have been owned at some point. He's neutered and housetrained.

It makes me so very sad to wonder what his story is. Where was he born? how long had he been on his own? What has he seen or survived? If this little doggie could talk, I guarantee hearing about what he's been through would make me cry

This past week, it got really, really cold for the first time this fall. I am so glad Rex was here with us, in our warm house.

I'm so glad Mike and I decided to give an ugly little dog a chance.

I Want...

Well, don't we all want a lot of things.

 

But this one is clothes-related. I've recently...uh...all my skinny hipster jeans I bought when I worked at forever 21 have...shrunk in the dryer.

 

Yeah, that's it.

 

So, I just bought these high-rise flare jeans at Old Navy. Love them! It's amazing how much skinnier higher waisted jeans look as opposed to those low-rise pants that hit in that magical muffin top zone.

 

 

So, I'm going to buy more! More I say! The flair reminds me of the jeans that were popular when I was in high school.

 

Which makes me think of my favorite, favorite thing to wear between 6th grade and my freshman year of college:

 

Boots like these...

I LIVED in these for years. I think they were cool at one point.

Wide enough to accommodate my mutant feet. I remember them being very comfortable.

Bad ass.

 

I remember having a pair...wearing them until they literally fell apart...and doing the same with my second.

 

Though I love tucking my skinny jeans into knee high, slip on boots, I crave walking out the door with a feeling of accomplishment, knowing that I spent 10 minutes lacing up those mothers.

 

My go-to kicks were basically Walmart knockoffs of Doc Martens, but now I'm on the lookout for what is apparently now described as "lace up stacked heel grunge boots." Or something.

 

While we're bringing back things from the '90's/very early oughts, here are some other trivial, unimportant things I miss...

 

TRL hosted by Carson Daly

The fully-intact Backstreet Boys

Dawson's Creek

Nickelodeon shows like All That, Roundhouse, and Clarissa Explains it All

"Gangsta's Paradise"

Nirvana

President Bill Clinton

AOL CD's

Saturday Night Live with Molly Shannon, Will Ferrell,  Cheri Oteri, etc. I loved that cast!

 Cheaper Gas

Heath Ledger

 

Reunion?

I have a horrible sleep schedule... and waking up at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings...I find myself watching horrible movies on TBS, like Romy and Michelle's High School Reuinion. Ugh. 

Hey, it's either that or infomercials. Believe me, I get enough Tony Horton already.

Anyway, the timing was right...since I was just included in a facebook group about my own high school reunion. Go Tigers?

Upon noticing the group, I tried to push away the "I'm OLD" feelings and think about how exciting it would be to see everyone. Reconnect with people...forge new friendships with classmates I have something in common with now...relive old times with the old crew...get all dressed up and laugh at how shocked people are when they see how many tattoos ole goody-goody Carrie Schroeder has...

Then stupid Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino had to go and remind me that I wasn't popular...and though I've turned out pretty decent, and have a super job that I think is super cool...I still feel like I'm in high school most of the time.

Am I ever going to feel like an adult? I can just imagine walking into my reunion and turning into an insecure nutjob. (one of the less charming of my many personalities)

Has anyone been to a reunion? How do these things work? 

I love meeting and talking to new people...or, new-ish since I haven't seen most of them in 10 years. Is it all one big happy family like I want it to be, or do the cliques come back?  

Because I was in the "I'm in this clique 'cuz I don't fit into any of the other cliques" clique.

All this thinking is really making me want to reconnect with my old, close buddies from high school. I lost touch with some of them naturally...one close girl friend and I haven't talked in forever and I think things ended cruddy but I'm not sure...oh, and I married and divorced one, so...yeah...

I think I've almost talked myself out of going. One reason? At the risk of sounding like the Wicked Witch of the West, someone suggested doing something they can bring kids to.

No thanks! 

 

 

Water Your Own Yard

I'm not one that should give relationship advice.

Married at 21...divorced by 25...married again at 27.

I said in my wedding vows--the second ones--that my relationship with Mike is "The perfect combination of chaos and comfort, of peace and passion." And that's really how I feel...I was not planning on getting married again so soon, but it was just right. Not boring, not easy, but I love him, and "we're better together than apart...it's you and me against the world, baby."

Ah. Wedding vows. So we go from that to reality.

Honestly, to think of 20, 30 years from now scares me.

Will we fall apart? Will we change? Are we still going to love each other? 

Not my whole world, but a part of it has been turned completely upside down, and I'm not sure if 2 people can really stay truly in love anymore. 

Maybe I should have just given into my hippie, liberal tendencies, "lived in sin," and shunned the institution of marriage.

But I am committed to NOT making the mistakes I see around me. Here's the plan...what we've committed to do so that things don't get so bad that we get to the point of hurting each other beyond what we can forgive:

• Talk before something is a problem. It may seem like we have a lot of "little talks," but those little talks get things out in the open, and let us fix problems before we end up having a big fight!
• Walk a mile I'm not always right, (don't tell Mike!) and he isn't either. It's easy to see things from only my perspective, but he's a different person...and I love that! Oh my gosh, I could not stand living with someone exactly like me! He's had different experiences, sees things differently, handles things differently than I do. So if we disagree, or he does something I don't understand, it's important that I try to see where he's coming from...and realize that his intentions were most likely coming from a good place.
• Act like he's still my boyfriend Let's get real. I'm not even going to pretend that I'm not wearing pajama pants, an old T-shirt, and my glasses with my hair all crazy right now. BUT, just because I'm married doesn't mean that I don't have to try to look nice for my husband. I want to keep myself healthy, fit, and try to take a little pride in my appearance most of the time.
• Take care of each other We tell each other when we need help, and we don't get bitter about giving help. I want Mike to know that I'm always there for him when he needs me.
• Commit to fight If we hit a rough patch (and I'm assuming we will) We're not going to give up. We'll sacrifice sleep, money...whatever it takes to fix our problems.

It comes down to what this song says: "Water your own yard...when the other man's grass looks greener, water your own yard."

I don't have all the answers, but I'm trying. I want to be the couple that makes it...even though we drive each other crazy...I want us to grow together, not apart.

I want us to learn from each other, to make each other better people.

I didn't try with my last marriage...I want to try with all my heart with this one. I don't want to give up. I want to do the work, every day.

And I hope he does too.

On a completely unrelated note...Cody Canada and the Departed...bad ass. IF you like the above.

LOVE,
Carrie

Big News!

Nope, not pregnant. HA!

Soon, we will no longer be apartment dwellers, we'll be moving into a house. Official "big stuff" moving day is August 20th, but we'll start moving little stuff this weekend.

We are able to get out of our lease, and I don't hate this apartment complex at all...it's really nice, and management is great. I'd recommend Quail Creek in Southwest Springfield any day.

But our little family of 3 is ready for a house, and ready to pay a little more a month to live in one.

Here are some things I'm looking forward to:
Backyard! Little Cash has to smell every single blade of grass before he decides where to do his business...now we'll be able to just toss him out the back door! (seriously, have you ever had a prissy dog...in an apartment...in the winter?)
Bigger kitchen that I'm so excited to cook in. Just call me Giada. Except I won't pronounce my Italian ingredients nearly as obnoxiously.
Actually being able to do my workout DVDs P90X requires a good amount of jumping, and we currently live on the second floor. Now I can get "super fit, X-style."
Just feeling at home, which I haven't really felt in a long time. To me, an apartment just feels like a perma-hotel.
Growin' herbs in the backyard I mean like basil.
More room! No more bill paying station/dining room table/random, yet important things/mail gathering corner.

So while I will miss the adorable old man downstairs, and the sweet neighbor dog who we refer to as Cash's girlfriend, I think this will be a good move for us!

After moving comes the fun part: decorating...rock n roll style!

Biiicycle!

After several weeks of "training," I guess you could call it, I finally got to do my first big group bike ride, the Tour de Cox.

We started in Springfield, at Cox South, and rode to Willard, Republic, by Wilson's Creek Battlefield, and back to South Springfield. 43 miles in all! It was pretty easy this time, since I'd rode it the last 2 weeks, and the weather was much nicer this week...not nearly as hot.

One of my favorite parts of the ride: this adorable bulldog puppy! He was at the first and last rest stops, and I wanted to bring him home!

There was also a 62 mile option, which I probably could have done, but I might still be riding right now!

Here's me and dad! He may not look super fit, but he definitely has biker legs!

I am wondering when I will get mine...

Happy trails! I'm going to take a nap.

Heart Like Mine

"I heard Jesus, He drank wine
And I bet we’d get along just fine
He could calm a storm and heal the blind
And I bet He’d understand a heart like mine"

I love me some Miranda!

And I love this song!

It has been a crazy week with a lot going on...hard work...some good things, and a few bad have kept me busy.

And I'm trying to remember that through any situation...even those that we may not find exactly referenced in the Bible, God still understands our hearts.

And I REALLY hope he understands an occasional beer-drinking, rock n roll loving, tattoo getting, sometimes potty-mouthed, Left-Wing leaning heart like mine.

I think he would.

My Country Song

There’s an wild, wild party down that old dirt road
In my hometown, I could get there with my eyes closed
Got an old coon dog in the back of my Ford
Or it can be a Chevy if they’ll pay me more

Chorus:
Cuz we like out country itemized
Like a pair of jeans that fit just right
And a farmer’s daughter on a Friday night
That’s how a country boy can survive

We got Hank and Waylon Johnny and June
And I brought some Nickleback, I like them too
Hey them boys are outlaws, they gotta be
I saw them once on CMT

Chorus:
We like our cliches one by one
Like workin' hard till the day is done
And wakin' up with the risin' sun
Just to grab some cornbread on the run

Why don’t ya pass me an ice cold beer
You know we only drink domestic round here
And we’ll get down in that Georgia clay
Don’t worry bout what your daddy’d say

Chorus:
Girl you got it goin' on
Gettin down with you just cain’t be wrong
Does it sound like I’m playin’ a hip hop song?
Can ya hear the crickets singing along?

Tractor, tractor, did I say tractor...

The record company likes it when I say tractor...

Saturday Update

I am so bad at taking pictures! I need to take some pictures during my new Saturday Summer Tradition...

Long, ridiculous, hilly bike rides with my dad.

I think when I left for college my dad wanted to buy a motorcycle and mom wouldn't let him, so dad decided to take up biking.

He really knows a lot about it, and I'm learning too. I didn't realize there was so much to riding a bike: when to shift gears...how to climb hills...when to not whine.

We've been going about 30 miles every Saturday for the last 3 weeks. The first week I thought that I was going to die, then I got better at it, and today I'm not even tired! It's very cool to watch myself improve at something.

We start at the Finley River Park in Ozark, and ride almost to Rogersville and near Sparta on back county roads.

Dad would like me to do the MS150. I'm not sure I could make it this year, but I'd definitely like to try next year.

Not only am I glad I get to spend time with my dad, but the exercise is great for both of us, and I think it makes him happy that I want to share one of his favorite hobbies with him.

In other news...we've just been going B's to the W at work. as stressful as my job can be sometimes, I love it and can't imagine doing anything else.

Mike and I are also brainstorming what to do for our upcoming "stay-cation" the first week of August.

On the table: Ozark Empire Fair, taking Cash to the river, hitting up Moonshine Beach, and maybe a trip to Eureka Springs!

But currently, we are watching Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and talking about chicken fried steak.

This is where the cowgirl rides away,
Carrie

Lyrics I'm Loving

"Without you I’d survive
But I’d have to have the notion
That I could live this life
Just going through the motions"

Those lines are from Keith Urban's "Without You."

They really struck me the first time I heard them. I think it's a great way to describe a healthy, true, real love. There's a lot there.

To say "without you I'd survive" pretty much goes against what a lot of song lyrics, movies, and fantasies say. That's why I like it.

It's a refreshing counterweight to the usual, "you're the air I breathe..." "you're the milk in my cereal..." "You're the reason I wake up" crap.

Though it makes for a nice sentiment, and melodrama has it's place, (God knows I can be melodramatic!) that's not love that works in the real world. In the real world, even if you've found your soul mate, you still need a sense of self. I can call my husband "my other half," but I'm still a whole person.

(let's pretend that makes sense, I was never good at math.)

An attitude that you need someone else to survive equals bad self esteem...which equals an unhealthy relationship.

"I'd have to have the notion that I could live this life going through the motions" is another gem. I love it, and I totally agree.

"Going through the motions" is what I felt I'd been doing before I met Mike. It's why I ran away from the life I started when I was too young to know what I wanted. Whether or not my decisions up to this point have been right or wrong, I know that I'm in the RIGHT place now.

This line, to me, says, "yeah, I could make it, but with you I'm really living...truly enjoying life! It's an adventure, it's exciting with you." It would be nothing...without you.

Personally, I think it's much more flattering to be wanted than to be needed.

That's what love is.

Carrie

My Heart is Full

My heart is full of happy!

My sweet friends Jasmine and Derek are getting married today! I am so glad Jasmine is letting my help with the wedding and I am praying that it's everything her and Derek want it to be.

I have stocked up on kleenex's because I know there will be tears! Jasmine just has the sweetest, most gentle spirit of anyone I've ever met...it's very obvious that she and Derek absolutely adore each other.

It's going to be a great wedding!

AND yesterday....3 weeks early...my friends Kevin and Kim welcomed their new baby girl into the world!
Palmer Isabella is absolutely beautiful! Her little face is just so precious and she has such pretty dark blue eyes.
We were able to see her through the nursery glass and she was just stretching and making faces...so cute!

If it crosses your mind to pray for this new family...they have a lot to deal with as far as adoption paperwork and rules.
The amount of red tape and money it's taking for these great Christian people who want to be parents so bad amazes me, but I guess in the end it's to protect everyone involved.

And, I'll say it once more: the baby is so friggin cute! I can't wait to see her in the Johnny Cash onsie Mike and I bought her!!

And I asked my sweet husband if he felt a little tickle wherever men should feel a tickle telling them to have a baby when he saw Kev and Kim's little bundle of joy.

He said no, and my baby-carrying parts were silent too...so...yeah...I'll just borrow Palmer and give her to Kevin when she poops.

I woke up at 4:30 this morning. Ugh. Now, I'm off to meet Jasmine and help her decorate for her outdoor/barn wedding before it gets too hot.

No pictures, please...I don't sweat well.

Memory Lane...A Look Through My Senior Scrapbook

OK, so when I was looking through things I needed to get my name changed and such, I found my senior scrapbook from 2002. I got a big kick out of what a massive dork I was almost 10 years ago, so I thought I'd share some highlights.

Why? Because I don't have any better blog ideas right now. Those of you who knew me back then will probably be amused, those of you who didn't will probably make fun of me...

Here Goes...

Favorite teachers:
Mrs. Cline-English; Ms. Lambert-Creative Writing; Mr. Williams-Spanish; Mrs. Harris-Algebra; Ms. Hanlen-Drama

Who I most admired:
Steven Curtis Chapman
My Parents
Pastor Bob

Who I wanted to meet:
Steven Curtis Chapman (can anyone guess who my favorite singer was...good grief!)
Oprah (???)

Favorite movies:
10 Things I Hate About You...when I fell in love with the late, great Heath Ledger
Road Trip...watched it pretty much every day after school at my friend Ben's house. Was it that good of a movie? Probably not. Did we laugh every time? Yes.

This one is very embarrassing...
What I like to wear:
Long jackets and sweaters
Black
Leather pants (what?!?)
Dark lipstick
Jeans

My dreams:
"to marry my true love that God has chosen for me, graduate college, have a stable career, stay a good Christian, direct theatre, have my own radio show."

Family:
We had a tiny white poodle named Ditto. He passed away the day before I left for college (awww...)

My sweet little brother was a freshman my senior year. He was much more popular than me.

Apparently, "me and dad (were) kinda having problems because of me growing up and having a boyfriend." Oy.

This makes me feel old...
Price of:
Movie ticket: $7.50
Pair of jeans: $30
My car: $924.00 (why I was so specific, I'm not sure. I can't remember if this was the giant old white Oldsmobile or the giant old navy blue Buick)
Tank of gas: $13.00 (really? I don't think I ever had to pay for my own gas, so I probably pulled that out of my butt)

"What's Hot":
Song: "Fallin'" by Alicia Keys; "How You Remind Me" by Nickleback (ugh)
Music group: Nickleback; Staind; Lincoln Park; Lifehouse
Movies: Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Star Wars prequels (you can tell that I hung out with mostly guys and tomboys, no?)
Favorite Shows: Friends, That '70's Show (both of which I still watch!)

Apparently I though myself and my boyfriend at the time (Shea Langner) was the cutest couple in our class.

I thought Jason McConnell and Robert Bailey were the funniest people in our class.

I thought Emily Gibson (fellow blogger shout out!), Amelia Edwards, and my friend Jason were most likely to succeed.

I wrote about a battle of the bands that my friend Robert and his family organized, called "OBOB" (Ozark Battle of the Bands)...

I wrote about a game of charades my friends and I played...which was apparently hilarious.

I wrote down some classic quotes from "The Group" (the super-creative way my friends and I referred to each other) but they are mostly inappropriate and/or really dumb so I won't share. OK, just one, "That was the naughty pirate's punishment." I have no explanation, but apparently I though I needed to remember that one of my friends said it.

My favorite weekend of senior year was when we had a huge snow, no school, and my friends and I all spend the day sledding.


Here's how cool I was:
In the "Sports I Played" section, I wrote about drama class!!

We did "Into the Woods" for the fall musical, and I think that was when I fell in love with behind the scenes work. I was the teacher's "assistant," I guess you could say.

Any of my karaoke buddies will most likely not be surprised that I didn't get a lead role in the musical. Mariah Carey I am not. Besides, "Talk Dirty to Me" is not featured in "Into the Woods."

Anyway, I wrote that I sacrificed a lot, including a concert by Avalon, a Christian group I really liked at the time.

But, "It was all worth it when I heard the opening music on Thursday...I got chills. And when Ms. Hanlen say me in the hall and said, 'good job, Carrie.'"

No, I do not get chills every morning when the opening music to my newscast plays.

And I played Annelle in "Steel Magnolias" for the Spring play. No, I will not do the voice.

My Stuff:
In my locker: gym clothes; books; posters (I'm going to guess Backstreet Boys and/or 98 Degrees)
In my backseat: backpack, Baby Moses (I have no idea...I'm going to assume it was a baby doll for a church play...but, really...I don't know)

Apparently, if my house was burning down, I would first grab my CD's, pictures, and clothes. Grabbing my pet was ranked at the bottom. My priorities would be different now.

My First Job:
I really did write this: producer/director for a news show. (HA!)
OR radio DJ

In:
New York City, Nashville, or Springfield

Oh and then there's some fantastically embarrassing pictures of me wearing my dark lipstick and such.

I encourage everyone else to share their senior year memories as well.

More Thoughts on the No-Kids Thing

I'm just sayin'
Look at the comments and you'll see that I'm in the minority. I just enjoy advocating for the not-so-popular opinion...especially when I agree with the not-so-popular opinion.
The No-Baby Boom Critical Eye: Details.com

The Way to Be?

"Childfree"

It's a word!

I've been doing my research!

Now that Mike has made an honest woman out of me, of course, there's the kid question.

And right now we're thinking about it. As we get ready to build our life and our dreams...buy a house...plan careers...

I know people say, "if you wait until you're ready to have kids, you'll never be ready." But I don't want to buy a pricey house only to realize we can't afford it when Little Mike or Little Carrie comes along.

We're leaning toward NOT. That's right...NOT. I'm already an outcast in Sunday school, so being the only woman who hasn't brought forth life from my womb won't bother me.

I can't speak for my hubby as to why he feels the way he does.

I can just say that I have never had that maternal desire or instinct. It's not that I hate kids, I just don't think I want to be around one all the time. I am always stressed out, always worrying, and always high strung. I don't want to bring up a kid in that...they'd turn out like...uh, me.

I like my time alone, I like to eat my food when it's hot, and I LOVE sleep.

But, aside from the "practical" reasons I could list for not having kids that people would try to argue with me about, or give me a parent's 3 favorite words, "it's worth it," it's really just that I don't really, REALLY want any. In my opinion, that's the only reason people should have kids.

Not because it's just something you do, not because you think it will save your marriage or make your spouse grow up, not because you want someone to love you.

I get annoyed when I see people who just have kids. Just because the ole biological clock is ticking. Then the child doesn't feel really welcome and loved and a part of the family. Babies are cute...angsty teenagers are not.

I have concerns, my plan isn't flawless. Who will take care of me when I'm old? But I shouldn't bring a baby into the world and already give him a job! Who am I going to spend the holidays with? Okay, friends, I can cook, so...I should have somewhere to go for Thanksgiving!

I've told people I feel this way, and I get the "WHY NOT? Why would you not want kids?!"

Why am I the one that has to justify my decision?

I will never say never. I am still young, and could totally change my mind. I found that word "childfree" and realized there's a community of people who seem pretty grumpy and have an "us against them" mentality toward people who DO have kids. I don't want to be like that!

I just want to be me. And I want it to be accepted that I am still a whole person who loves life and has a great marriage, whether I have kids or not.

I could write so much more...but I won't. All the parents I know are great; I have so much respect for them.

I just don't want the burden of proof that I'm worth something to be on me...just because I don't think the world needs a mini me.

Besides, I have this:

Okay...Fine!

I really like this song.

As with most phases we go through (do almost-30-year-olds still go through phases?) I think this one is over.

I have been acting like a country music elitist...but the TRL-watching high school sophomore in me still loves a good, catchy song. I can't help it. And everything I've heard from Taylor Swift's latest album makes me want to go on a windows-down road trip.

What got my 'tude all revved up about current country sucking:

generic laundry lists songs that mention tractors, Jack Daniels, cut-off jeans, and Johnny Cash.

blatant product placement.

and my former Aussie obsession, Keith Urban's last new CD's, which sound like watered down adult contemporary pop instead of the groovy country rock I know he's capable of.

to name a few.

But I think there ARE still some awesome country artists still making music and writing songs from their hearts and life experiences.

Regardless of genre, I think Taylor Swift is one of those artists.

And Brad Paisley...WOW! This guy is super talented. Original...funny and amusing while writing songs you can listen to over and over...and respectful of the classics while doing his own thing. I absolutely love his new song "Old Alabama"

Side Note: I had 4 tapes that I listened to when I was a young kid: Ricky Skaggs, Alabama, Hank Williams Jr. and Mel McDaniel. That, and watching CMT with my Grandma Schroeder and Uncle Gary made me the music lover I am today.

So I suppose this post is me coming clean. Good music is good music, and no matter what it is classified as, it can still be appreciated and respected.

I've been around more elitist hipsters than I care to mention and I DON'T want to be like that.

Now I guess all that's left to do is drive my old pickup down a dirt road, crank up the Hank, and pop open a cold beer.

If I could only find my cut-off jeans...

My New Name!

Carrie Anne Schroeder Winchel.

I suppose it's not a huge deal...I've changed my name before, after all.

But I still think it's exciting, and I'm glad that this time I've got the Schroeder in there. I had that name for 21 years, and it's my parent's name...a big part of who I am. Plus, my brother probably won't have kids and all my cousins are girls, so I feel like I want to keep it going a little longer.

And IF (BIG IF) I have a kid I'll probably make their middle name Schroeder.

Carrie Winchel. I'm going to have to get used to that. It's so funny to think that I have Mike's last name. We were both with other people when we met, and were friends for years before we dated, so for a long time, I never even thought about having his name!

I see changing my name as a way to tell the world that we're on the same team. We're the Winchels Dammit! It doesn't feel like I'm losing my identity or giving up anything.

I've even made sure our "kid" shares our surname, so he's not a little bastard puppy anymore. Cash Waylon Winchel. I only call him that when he's in trouble.

When someone refers to us as "The WInchels," though, I kind of feel like we should be starring in a 50's inspired sitcom.

That would be a really weird show.

My Name is Carrie and I Watch "Real Housewives" Shows

Oh, Bravo...you're so sneaky.

As I'm flipping through the channels when Full House reruns are on commercials, you suck me in with the nice shots of New York City, or a fancy dress, or a cute little accessory dog chilling by a pool.

I like to think of myself as a progressive, intelligent woman, so why do I like to watch this drama fest?

Here's what Mike sees when I watch these shows, "Is all these b#tches do throw parties and fight?"

Yeees....(embarrassed face)

Whatever.

I think there must be some part of us that enjoys drama. Some people thrive on having it in their own lives...while others like to watch it on TV. I certainly don't fight like that with my girlfriends...maybe it's because we're too busy working and/or mothering our own children to throw mixed drinks at each other.

But I'm not going to try to justify this guilty pleasure.

I'll just dish...full on disclosure.

My favorite H-wives are Orange County and New York.

I also enjoyed the first season of Beverly Hills. New Jersey is what sucked me into the franchise, but now that Danielle is gone, it's not as much fun, and I'm not particularly enjoying the Teresa-fest.

I think my favorite part of the Housewives shows are not the insane fights, but the little peeks into their lives and their quirks. I'm pretty sure Bravo can edit the high school drama however they want...

But hearing Alexis get Biblical when I don't think she knows what she's talking about...watching Teresa say she's "not a stage mom" as she puts makeup on her 8 year old before a dance recital...OH! And Dina bathing her hairless cat, Grandma Wrinkles, in the sink...those things you can't edit! These gals are hilarious.

So I'm telling myself it's okay to watch as long as I don't start acting like a Real Housewife...which makes me wonder what a Springfield, MO version of the show would look like?

Back to the Grind

We had SO much fun in Myrtle Beach!

It was seriously the most relaxing, stress free vacation I've ever been on. Mike and I make a good team...we dealt with cancelled flights and getting lost without fighting!

We are headed back to work tonight. I expected to be sad (like I was the day after the wedding) but I'm ready to be home.

Every other vacation I've taken I DREADED coming home...but now things are different. I am super pumped to come back to my life. I finally feel comfortable in my world.

I am looking forward to summer: Cardinals games, pool time, cooking, taking Cash to the park...

I enjoy my job, I am ready to go back to work.

I have several friends who are expecting babies soon, so I look forward to being a part of their lives. Ya'll HAVE to let me be Crazy Aunt Carrie!

Aaaand we are looking to buy a house next fall. That will be challenging and fun. I can't wait to paint and decorate!

I have so much to look forward to...I'm hoping to stay connected to all of the great people who made my wedding day so much fun (everyone!) I want to keep "working on my fitness," as Fergie would say. (the pop star...not the Duchess) And I am hoping to be more crafty. I think shopping at Hobby Lobby does that to people.

Oh, and I need to get a library card! I miss reading. Not planning a wedding leaves one with much free time.

More fantastically written posts are coming, but I did take a sleeping pill so I could go to bed at 3 pm...back to my old lady schedule...so I'll say "good night."

Off to the Beach!

We are headed for Myrtle Beach, South Carolina this morning!

I am super excited, since this will be mine and Mike's first real vacation together...which I think is great. I know we didn't really do things the "traditional" way, as in we lived together before we got married, etc. but I think this is a great way to start things.

Mike's never been to the ocean but he loves to swim, so I think I'm incredibly lucky to be with him when he discovers the beach. I just know he'll love it!

That's one of my big goals for our life together...I want to keep things exciting, see each other's dreams come true, and truly LIVE life.

My goal for the week is to be the stress-free, fun, laughing, easygoing, crazy Carrie that I know Mike wants me to be. No worrying about work, no freaking out if things don't go as planned. Which shouldn't be a problem since we literally have no plans. None!

The airport should be interesting...I've only flown once and Mike never has, so I'll have to wait and see how that goes.

And everyone has been telling us to "take lots of pictures!" I'm SO bad at remembering to take pictures!

I DID start a Flickr account. Not sure what to do with it yet, but I'll figure it out.

I hope everyone has an amazing week! I am sure I will!!! ;)
Hey, we work hard, so I think we deserve it!

The Hangover

Married!!

Aside from the beginning of the ceremony getting completely screwed up, my wedding was better than I could have ever expected.

It was amazing spending time with my friends Hannah, (who made my hair absolutely beautiful. OMG I looooved my hair!) Sabra, (who was so much help it's not even funny and now my mom wants to adopt her) Allison, (who helped me decorate and kept me from being too mean to Mike while we decorated) Jasmine, Shannon, and Heather kept me laughing and calm!

I also loved spending time with Mike's friends and with people from work I don't get to see often enough. Our wedding was exactly what I wanted it to be...an amazing rock n roll party with all of our favorite people.

And now it's over. I cried when Mike read me the vows he wrote last night...but I've cried 4 or 5 times today! I had SO much fun last night, I felt so loved, and honestly, proud that we pulled it off. I was overwhelmed that so many of our friends pitched in to help, even though we didn't give anyone a title of "bridesmaid" or "groomsdude."

Anyway, I really feel sad that this night we worked so hard to make happen is just a memory. It was over too fast.

I'll feel better tomorrow...when we leave for Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I am just having a kid-after-Christmas moment. I really and truly am looking forward to spending my life with Mike.

Now that we aren't practicing our first dance and I'm not stalking wedding websites like a crazy lady, I will hopefully get back to blogging more!

I will share how thrilled I am that I heard the best thing any of our guests could have said so many times: "I love the music!" We worked so hard on the playlist and it made my WEEK that people enjoyed it! (There was, like, 6 hours of music that didn't even get played!)

I feel the tears coming again, so I'm going to watch TV on the couch with my...husband!!!

--Carrie Anne Schroeder Winchel

Heard it in a Love Song...

So happy to report progress on the wedding front.

We are writing our own ceremony, and after a few waaaaay to cheesy attempts, I think we've got a short ceremony that is different, fun, rock 'n roll and "us." Oh, and multimedia...and hopefully hilarious.

The only thing left to do for that is I want to come up with some great things for us to promise during the ring exchange. By great I mean funny, and maybe slightly inappropriate.

I am also working on our play list today, which we are doing ourselves with our own music. We are hiring a DJ to monitor, play and operate things. I am SO glad we can make our own play list. I feel bad because a lot of the music Mike likes wouldn't really work for a wedding situation...at all. (he's aware of this and not offended.)

Anyway, I used to work for a wedding DJ company and I know they basically use the same music for any wedding and I don't want that. At all. Ugh.

So I have pretty much perfected the pre-ceremony tracks...to set the mood. We know what will be playing during the ceremony; and my dinner play list...a.k.a "ambiance for an elegant meal" a.k.a. "let's watch while the bride tries not to spill spaghetti or wine on herself" needs some more songs, and I plan on raiding my mom's pretty solid music collection this week for those.

The main list, "Dance Play List" will be tricky, but I can do it:

I have to figure out how to flow...and flow back again between: outlaw/underground county, '80's hair rock, '90's hard rock and pop, classic rock, regular country, love songs...deep breath* Oh, and I an desperately trying to find a way to work in the Stephen Colbert/Jimmy Fallon/Taylor Hicks version of Rebecca Black's "Friday." I would love a flash mob choreographed dance.

It'll work. I just hope people have FUN. I hope people aren't "too cool" to dance and get crazy with us. That's what I want more than anything.

Okay, I'm done. Thanks for reading. Occasionally I feel the need to vomit out all of my ideas so my head doesn't explode...which is why a decoration post is probably coming soon.

Garland made out of Bud Light cans that happen to be my Wedding Royal Blue? Maaaaybe!

WEDDING UPDATE: What No Bride-to-be Wants to Hear

"It doesn't fit."

Whhhhaaaaat?

Yep, that's what the adorable little alterations gal at Davids Bridal told me Saturday at my fitting.

Here is my dress. Keep in mind I'm not a waify wedding dress model who's being paid to look angelic and virginal and full of wonder.

Anyway...I bought the dress a year ago, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. But, yeah, the zipper only went about halfway up my back, and I spent all my boob job money on the honeymoon, so that's not the problem.

My mom said it's probably because I have been working out and spending lots of time with p90X Tony, so I am just more muscly.

Muscly and brawny. Like Xena: Warrior Princess.

BUT my story does have a happy ending. The lady in charge of my alterations suggested we make my dress have a corset back!

So that makes my dress a) one of a kind and b) sexier.

And you lucky people will get to look at something like this:





I kid...

I'm hoping for something more like that.

Here's to drinking a Guinness at 10 am on St. Patrick's Day!