Auld Lang Syne

This is probably my favorite song...basically talking about friendship.

Should old friendships be forgot? Yes and no. This is something I struggle with. I hold onto old treasured friendships, even if they are toxic. Is it worth it?

So many wonderful things happened this year!

Here's to 2013 and all the highs and lows it will bring!

 I got my treasured Busy Love

I got to spend a LOT of time with my family watching Tucker play baseball. Here is my dad and his sister, my only aunt!

I ran another half marathon. Pictured with Jessica.

My cousin Travi married the beautiful and sweet Ellee! Here he is dancing with my aunt.

I traveled with Ole Miss football as much as possible for games!

We soaked up the sun on the boat every chance we got

I spent a good amount of time in Chicago for work!

Fun Chicago time for work!

Home is where the heart is...

After an exact 9 hour drive, we are home in shorewood for the holidays.

I'm off to Chicago for the weekend with my best friend Anne tonight, Brett & Kathleen's housewarming party tomorrow, and then game night w/ Anne, Sarah & William on Sunday.

Merry Christmas!

Where does my hope come from?

There are no words to describe the events of Friday, nothing to ease the pain of those suffering, to bring back the 20 children lost, or to comfort the witnesses. 

As someone who loves children and works daily in local elementary schools, all I wanted to do was run to one of my schools and hug my "babies".  That night, I babysat my friend's three year old.  I hugged him a little tighter, laughed a little harder and maybe (sorry Susan) read a few more books and sang a few more songs at bed time.  

President Obama quoted this passage tonight from the Bible.  Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Love him or hate him, Republic or Democratic, this event is something to bring our nation together and he was there to give comfort and peace to those hurting.  To me, he spoke as a father and not as our President.  Okaayyyy, off my soapbox.

Allie at Tales of a TwentySomething is giving away a $100 gift card (ending tonight).  The winner gets a gift card of their choosing.  If I win (doubtful).  I will choose Donor's Choose. And Donate to Sandy Hooks Elementary School.

Ann Curry tweeted a bunch today about #20acts or #26Acts.  Choosing to do 20 or 26 acts of good to honor those lost in this horrific event.  What will do you to honor the victims?

Follow me on twitter @SaSiebert to see how I will honor the victims.

UPDATE:  This is from a friend in Mississippi on how you can help!!

The PTA is collecting snowflakes---all different kinds, so that when the children go back to their new school, they will be greeted by a winter wonderland!

Here is the article on how you can donate: http://bedford.patch.com/articles/ptas-collecting-snowflakes-funds-for-sandy-hook-students-17771bcc

Busy Love is one!

My sweet puppy, Busy turned a year old today. I first saw her face as well on this day a year ago when Amie posted a picture of the litter of puppies Gracie surprised them with.

Busy got to celebrate her day with her sister, Mae Mobley, best friend Mandy & faithful companion Coley B. Molly brought Azzie and Livy over too.

Much to my surprise, I made a great cake to celebrate the occasion

Me and the Birthday Girl!

Trying to steal a lick from the birthday cake!

Tuckered out after a day of partying

Celebrating with her sister Mae Mobley (on the left)

Wearing her birthday crown

As I said, I made Busy a Birthday Cake. She really LOVED it (and so did MM, Coley and Mandy.  Aslan did not!).  Here is the recipe below! It took about 45 minutes from start to finish.

Doggy's Birthday Cake

Ingredients:

1 Cupe Whole Wheat Flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 cup natural peanut butter

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/3 cup honey

1 cup shredded carrots

1 egg

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8" round cake pan.

2. Whisk together the flour and baking soda.  Add the remaining ingredients. using a rubber spoon or spatula (I used the Kitchen Aid).. Pour batter into 30 minutes, or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.  I added a little more peanut butter on tip as "frosting".

Secret Straws and Sandwiches

Friendship....is not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything....Muhammad Ali

As I reflect upon this weekend with my friends celebrating Allie's wedding, there is nothing that could possibly describe my friendship with these girls better.  Especially because a few of them may or may not have failed out of school a few times.

Allie's wedding was a reunion of sorts...the kind that's good for your soul.  At 9:00 Autumn sent me a text saying how hungover she was and it literally was like we were back at the sorority house on the blue couches, trying to not wake Mama Reid.  Two seconds later with a replied text, Autumn was cuddled in my bed with me, with Ashley and Jordan in the next bed.  All was right in my world.

We had such a great weekend.  I loved getting a little one on one time and being Allie's "calm person" as she called me.  Allie is SO lucky to marry into the family that she is marrying into.  Eric's family is amazing.  It's filled with cousins, and grandparents and aunts and uncles that are intertwined into each other's lives.  I know Allie loves it too.  Allie's family is just a quirky.  I loved getting to be with her Aunt Sharon (who I got to know in college).  Allie's parents are two of the most selfless people I know--they literally made Allie's wedding a dream come true.  I know that's what parents do, but this was AH. MAZING.

After a wonderful honeymoon in St. Barts, Allie & Eric are going to be living on his family's farm. I am begging Allie to start a blog. #Liveofftheland

Me and Allie before the ceremony! So pretty!

AOII Bridemaids.  Doing some good ole Panda Ears

Allie, Jarnie and Sami, her sister

Cagle Family!

Allie, Ogi (Eric's mom) and Jenny (Eric's sister)

Bon, Den and I. Love them!

There was a Colonel Ice Sculpture.  And yes, Amber and I licked it!

Cutting the cake!

Sweet Allie and the Loving cup!!

Big Sis Best Friends

Love Them!

Parker tweeting and Amber posing. Get married

I also got to hang out with these two. 

Allie's getting married

My dearest friend Allie is getting married this weekend. I can't believe it.

I became friends w Allie sophomore year when we lived across the hall from each other. She was hungover and needed water and Advil and I was able to supply that. We've been friends ever since.

Allie made me have fun in college. She brought me out of my homesickness and was my first "Facebook relationship".  Every day Fall Semester, I could expect to come back to my room to Allie laying in my bed watching a movie (anything from the 90's).  Allie and I bonded over many things, my Yankee accent (especially how I pronounce Barettes), Mama Reid, crazy grandma (Grambee and Roro), making up words to songs, bathrobes (preferably Blue), monopoly McDonalds, and minced onions late night.

Please excuse me while I go down memory lane...

Allie, You have been such a ray of sunshine in my life in Oxford.  From tormenting Mama Reid to fun bachelorette parties---you've always made me have fun (even when I didn't want to).  I am so happy for you and Eric and can't wait to see you #LIVE OFF THE LAND.  My sweet Dot--I am so incredibly happy for you!

xoxo--Cbeeeeee

Amy, Jordan, Allie and I at Theta Encore

J.Ray, me, Autumn and Allie on Autumn's 21st birthday on Beale St.

Me and Dot at Emmy's wedding.

Pledge Class Happy Hour at "the Hat" (RIP)

Allie and I at the AOPIE sale, before rush, in my ruined car and the day after her engagement.

before rush

At Parrish's---nice Amber.

Love you Allie.

Holiday CD Swap Link Up

Hello Everyone!
I am so excited that I was able to participate in my FIRST EVER Blog Swap!!  I found out about this swap because I am an avid follower of Meghan's Blog (Shine On).  Meghan and I met when she was working for AOII and visited for Recruitment (I am an AOII adviser).  Our lovely other hosts (Sara and Meagan) set up this awesome swap--- who doesn't love Christmas songs?

I was paired up with the lovely Kim over at Not Too Shabby.  We had so much fun emailing back and forth and found out that we had a lot in common with music!  Her play list was RIGHT ON THE MONEY.  Michael Buble, Glee (I'm now a believer in the album), Colbie Caillat, Dean Martin and my FAVORITE version of the Little Drummer Boy (which I put on my album too!!) by Jessica and Ashlee Simpson.

 

Jessica and I listened to the CD the entire trip to Memphis on Friday.  Here is the play list!

 All I Want For Christmas is You- Michael Buble

 The Christmas Song- She & Him

Extraordinary Merry Christmas- Glee Cast

 Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas- Frank Sinatra

 I'll Be Home For Christmas-She & Him

 It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year- Andy Williams7

 Mistletoe- Colby Caillet

 Silent Night- Michael Buble

 Winter Wonderland- Dean Martin

 Little Drummer Boy-Ashlee Simpson and Jessica Simpson

 Baby It's Cold Outside- Dean Martin

 The Chipmunk Song- Alvin and the Chipmunks

 Blue Christmas- Glee Cast

  Do They Know It's Christmas- Band Aid

 Happy Christmas(War is Over)- Maroon 5

 

I was so excited to meet Kim and now I have a new bloggy friend!

 

Post Race Blues

Now I am NOT a runner, in fact I hate running, but there is something about doing a Half-Marathon, or any race in particular that brings out the competitor in me.  Last year, we saw a lady with a special race shirt (50+ Club) which meant she ran a marathon in EVERY state.  Talk about amazing.  Yesterday I saw a man (had to be about 75+) and he had a sign on him that this was his 80th marathon. And before the year ended (aka 4 weeks) he will run 4 more--talk about IMPRESSIVE.


Yesterday, Jessica and I ate post race with a couple (maybe?! We don't know their connection), that run marathons internationally.  They ran in Russia, they are going to the Netherlands in the Spring and their favorite is one in Orlando (crazy).


Since the end of the race, I have gotten texts from HS friends, sorority sisters, childhood classmates and post college friends saying "hey we need to run one together".  It's crazy how a little thing can bond people.  Jessica is my go to race person.  We travel well together, like to eat at the same places and also like to celebrate with a trip to Target (cue the angels singing).


But it made we want to come up with my WISH LIST or Runner's List of fun places to do a Half- I don't think I could EVER do the FULL--too tempting to turn off and just finish!

So here is my WISH LIST:  For those two people that read my blog (hey Jessica and Lindsey!), let me know what you think. St. Jude is a standard.  Like I said, Jessica and I made a vow to go every year (expect when Ole Miss is in the SEC Championship game).

Livestrong Half Marathon:  This is the one I.MUST.DO!  My aunt is a non-smoking lung cancer FIGHTER and I want to do this one to honor her.  Ever since she was diagnosed, we've all worn Livestrong bracelets. 

Divas Half Marathon: Preferably in Wine Country.  My sweet Chelsea Belle commented on my FB picture and I looked it up and NOW need to do it. "Bling"ed out medals, dance party afterwards.  Must. Have.

Disney Princess Half Marathon: I don't think it's much to ask that when I cross the finish line, that someone sprinkles me with fairy dust.  And then you get to celebrate with DISNEY.  AMAZING.

500 Festival Mini Marathon: It's the Nation's LARGEST half marathon.  That alone would be awesome to participate in.

Naples Daily News Half Marathon: Naples/Ft. Myers is one of my favorite places and hold great memories for me growing up on Spring Break. Plus there is a beach--what better way to unwind afterwards.

Chicago Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon: Chicago being my hometown, I've always wanted to do a half with "my people".  We'd have free places to stay. Plus Chicago in July is HOT, but cool with wind off the lake.

Austin 3M half Marathon: It's mostly downhill so you've got a good shot on a PR.  Plus it's Austin so lots of fun places to celebrate!!
This will be an ongoing list..dream, so stay tuned

St. Jude Half Marathon part two

Jessica and I did the St. Jude half marathon again this year and we PROMISED each other that it would be a yearly tradition.

This year we got to stay in Memphis with my friend Malerie who lives about 3 blocks from the start of the race. It was so nice. So we enjoyed Mal's cute neighborhood, her roommate's dog (Rufus) Central BBQ and a quick drink at Earnestine & Hazel's to calm our pre-race nerves.

I LOVE anything that says St. Jude (my alma mater for Grade School).

Mal's friends were playing at E & H's.  They consisted of a banjo, accordion and a clarinet. They even played Material Girl. They were so fun!

Jessica and I pre-race (I lost my "fanny pack" and had to race with my SJ bag--DO NOT RECOMMEND)

Had to remember this---we are running for their lives.  Honestly the stories alone are worth EVERY OUNCE of pain I'm in.

Our Race #'s

PANDA at the ZOO.  Made me think of my AOII girls doing the Jingle Bell Run in Oxford!

VICTORY Never felt so good.  Jessica ROCKED it and beat her time by over 30 minutes. I beat mine by about 24 minutes.

Post Race Fuel up-- that BEER was AMAZING.

Rufus also was proud of us!

Had to get a shot of the medal with my bib and some VitaC. I love that stuff

Overall, this race was SO different than last year's.  Jessica and I made that comment multiple times.  We weren't as nervous, yet we forgot tons of things.  I lost Jessica around mile 4 and thought I would catch up but had a MASSIVE collision with a lady during the St. Jude portion. I wasn't paying attention and she was stopped taking pictures.  I also felt super sick around mile 9 and took an extra long water break (which if I hadn't, I probably would've beat 3:00 mark)

I also need to remember to get new shoes.  My FEET were killing me and I have the massive blisters to prove it.

And I just heard on the news that this Marathon weekend, 18,500 runners participated in and they raised over 5.7 million dollars towards research.  That may sound AMAZING (I was like WOAH!)  but it costs 1.8 million a day to provide the research and treatment so that NO FAMILY pays anything.

This year I dedicated my race to Lane Goodwin & Noah Hoskins strength and courage during their fight with cancer (both lost their battle on Earth this year).  Lane is the cousin of a sorority sister and Noah is the brother of a sorority sister.  Both made HUGE impacts on their community and brought such awareness to the disease.