Die Die Die (not the song)

blue.
screen.
of.
death.

Due to the unfortunate death/crash of my computer, it seems like my posts will be postponed for a few days.  As of now, I have lost all pictures, school documents, and 3000+ songs on my itunes.  Luckily I have SOME things backed up on an external hard drive... but everything from the past year is gone :( 

HOPEFULLY some computer wiz will be able to save all of my documents before I put a new operating system on my computer... keeping FINGERS CROSSED!

I will say this could be worse...  I'm choosing to keep a positive spin on this until I find out I've lost everything!

I wanna wash my hands my face and hair with....

White Christmas is on AMC today... have I mentioned how I just LOVE Bing Crosby?  Oh to have lived in this day...

And can I PLEASE be her?  Vera-Ellen, can I have your moves?  AND your legs?

kidnapped.

My child (camera) has been kidnapped... actually, I was just irresponsible and left it in Memphis at a family Christmas... which is so sad because I have such fun pictures from last weekend.  Saturday was the Daddy-O's birthday so we ate big and of course made our annual stroll through the Rock City Christmas lights on Lookout.  I have some fun pictures buttttttt it looks like they'll just have to be posted at a later date along with my personal "gift wrapping" blog....

Until then, I shall entertain you with a song by none other than.... Paul. 


HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE EVE!!!

you're welcome MCK!

And I really meant it! (and my name).

Love,
Anonymous

huangness

**Before reading this post, I suggest you click HERE to fully understand mine and Carmen's friendship. 

This is my girl CRAE and me:

 

This is my girl CRAE and her new FIANCE:

This girl, for the very few of you who may not know her, is Carmen Rae Musgrove (soon to be Huang).  Carmen has been one of my very best friends since Freshman year of college.  I really don't know where to begin a post on her, nor do I think I can convey .000001% of her greatness, but I suppose I'll start at the beginning of our friendship...  I met Carmen Rae during Ole Miss Ambassador Tryouts.  Now, to be honest, I had always thought I was rather out-going... however, until the moment that I sat in a group interview with Carmen Rae Musgrove, I don't think I really knew what "out-going" really meant.  I was blown away at this girl... I had been around her for maybe 10 minutes and already considered her a great friend... I think that's how most people feel about Carmen Rae.. you meet her once and you've all of a sudden been friends with her for what seems all your life.  Perhaps that's why she is such a not-so-secret weapon in Ministry.

Well, it wasn't just a few weeks later that I received a call from Ellen Vaughan (now Balducci) telling me that she has a small group of girls that she would like to disciple, and invited me to be a part.  Next thing I know, I am meeting once a week with 4 of the most incredible women I've ever met, including Carmen Rae.  As you can imagine, you get pretty close with girls in which you share your spiritual walk with, but I'd have to say that Carmen Rae and I became the closest when we went on the Jackson Hole Summer Project with Crusade.  LIFE. CHANGING. SUMMER. for both of us.  It was that very summer sitting in our cabin that Carmen Rae decided to go through rush that next fall, which would be her Junior year.  Carmen had a heart for the Tri-Delt house and really felt the Lord calling her to begin a ministry there.. and well, if you go to Ole Miss, you know what happened next...  I can not even BEGIN to describe how the Lord has used her there...I'm not even a Tri-Delt, but I've heard some of the most  incredible stories.  Originally Carmen had dreamed about going to Med School as she's a rather smart cookie, but I don't think it took her long to realize that her REAL passion is giving her enthusiasm for life, her incredible people skills, her constant energy, time and entire SELF to be used by the Lord in full-time ministiry.  She is now on staff full-time with Campus Crusade for Christ, discipling younger girls, and rockin' the Ole Miss campus. 

As far as our friendship goes, Carmen Rae has continued to be a steadfast source of accountability, a wise counselor, a listening ear, and a genuine friend.  Gosh, we have gone through a lot together, whether it's making big decisions, changing life plans, surrendering life plans,  trying to humbly run a campaign, and now we are both getting married this summer!

If you don't know Carmen Rae Musgrove, all I've got to say is... MEET HER. BEFRIEND HER  KNOW HER. Actually, if you come within 2 feet of her, she'll meet YOU, befriend YOU and get to know YOU! Her attitude is contagious, her life is intentional, and her spirit is hidden in Christ.

Now, she will be marrying Mr. Ian Huang.  I've always wondered what the man who would marry Carmen Rae would be like... I've honestly never been able to fully imagine someone good enough for her... however, I can say that he has finally come along.  He's perfect for her... they fit together in a way that only the Lord could design- and I'll tell you now, Carmen gives Him all the credit.  So here's to my sweet new LUCKY friend, Mr. Ian Huang for choosing the most amazing woman!

WOO HOOOOO!! Who's ready for THAT dance floor? 

HART

marathon.

Needless to say, I AM BEYOND CONTENT. For starters, I am in my bed watching the Holiday (second night in a row... I just think that little old man is the sweetest thing in the entire world), Mom and I just got Starbucks and rode around town to look at Christmas lights, and we are currently making some punch for a retirement shower tomorrow... it's Mountain Dew punch- talk about an afternoon pick-me-up for the teachers at Rankin Elementary! 

I feel like I have run a Marathon lately... not literally, although my all-star friend Laura ran her first full marathon last weekend... all 26.2 miles!  WOO HOO LAU! You can check her out HERE!

My marathon, however, has lasted a few weeks.  The last sprint was finals (which were not too terrible), and a grand finish of throwing a shower with Parisa for our sweet friend Hallie!

It was a kitchen shower so, naturally, we wore aprons:)
 Perhaps the funniest thing about the day was that Hallie got not one, not two, but THREE of the same pitchers (which she has wanted oh-so-badly).  Her friends know her well :)

Also, I promised several of  you that I would post the spinach dip, fruit dip, and chocolate chip pound cake recipes, but I'll be honest and tell you that they are all Traci's (for those of you who haven't figured it out, Traci is my mom).  So... I will get those from her soon and share!

This weekend it's off to Chatty to visit the Daddy-O for his Birthday!  There's nothing like a Rock City Christmas... it's my family tradition every year.  I. LOVE. CHRISTMAS.

Oh, and this is in honor of my war-eagle friend Leah:

 We've given her a hard time about her unwavering love and devotion for Auburn and Cam.... but I do admit, if it were Ole Miss and [insert imaginary heisman-worthy candidate],  I'd be super stoked, too.  In fact, I AM super stoked... I don't mind Auburn one bit.. in fact, I like them a lot!  So this is for you, Lay :) 

HART

finals.

 ... caffiene, a hint of sarcasm, whatever, trusting the plan.