Many apologizes for the delay in posting my favorites. Blame the lack of commutation on my landlords part to tell us he had changed internet companies. And then not understand what “just reset the router” means but interprets as call the internet guy to come out twice to the house. Poor internet guy. But I cant complain too much, the rent is too cheap. So, lets carry on with this fun little series.

Jon and Kate plus 8
TLC has brought many wonderful things into my life. I enjoy What Not to Wear (but it is very bad to watch that then go to a public place like the mall. Gosh does America dress awful.) and some of the home make over shows. But lately, all I turn TLC on for is to see if Jon and Kate Plus 8 are on. I just dont know what it is about this show but I cant get enough of it! Its almost that I couldnt believe that a women is alone all day with 8 children and her house looked so neat. Or that she didnt run away. I had to seen how they function in such a matter. I love the line at the end of their show “It may be a crazy life, but its our life.” They love their life and its not at all what they had planned. They are a delightful family who love each other. Sure, Kate can be mean to Jon but I wouldnt be so kind if I had 8 kids running around either! Id be too tired to be nice I think. Im amazed at her mad organization skills. I think also, its sharing their story, a story they didnt plan or expect. Us, the viewers get completely wrapped up in it and want to watch these kids grow up. We have made this connection through this TV show which is so weird to think of since I dont really consider myself a reality show watcher. I keep coming back, seeing how their doing. To hear more of their story. And I really cant completely explain why but I enjoy Jon and Kate plus 8 a lot.

This year has not been a good year for me and books. I dont know what it is, I really enjoy reading but its just been on the back burner. I think I read one, maybe two books this past year. That is shameful, maybe two books (that I cant even recall now) in four months? Im happy to report that I think Im back. What brought me back? Childhood. See, a lady named Robin Jones Gunn wrote this great teen series called “The Christy Miller Series”. I read these books as a teenage girl and got every book possible that was connected to my friends in Christy’s world. When Robin Jones Gunn said she was done with Christy and her friends my heart sank a little. Years of accepting the fact that I needed to be happy with the end of those stories I became so close to, I heard that Robin Jones Gunn wrote a series just for Christy’s best friend, Katie. On my way home from work I stopped at the bookstore just to get myself a copy and raced through it over the weekend. It was delightful to reconnect myself to these characters that I know so well after so many years. On my beside table I have a few books to get me out of my rut: “Shopaholic and Baby” (I cant believe this character has a baby! I had to get this book to complete the series and try and understand how this character HAS A BABY!), “Par for the Course” by Ray Blackstock (he writes male-lit and recently got married. Im curious to see how different his writing might be.), and Tara Leigh Cobble’s newest book “Crowded Skies”. Had to mix a little memoir in with all the fiction. We’ll see how this goes.

It was chance that I tuned into the sports radio station. I was actually flipping through the channels trying to find that catchy “Im Not Going to Write You A Love Song” tune that I cant help but like. Instead I found myself glued to the radio sitting in my driveway despite my very full bladder. I dont remember ever watching a college basketball game in my life. But tonight, after just two days ago filling out my very first NCAA bracket, I cared to see what this was all about. Basketball is quite exciting! A lot more points are made in a quicker amount of time than football. Educated or not, I wear the pretty Carolina blue color with pride even if Jason is a Duke fan. Tonight’s game with Belmont verses Duke made for an interesting evening with us. I, of course, as a good Carolina fan said that Duke would lose. And I love Nashville which is where Belmont is, so go Belmont! Boo Blue Devils. I sat in my drivers seat tapping my foot to distract my overly filled batter. I couldn’t believe how close it came, I really thought Belmont was going to win. It was quite a fun game to watch, and very exciting ending to listen to. Never mind that it completely ruined the bottom left of my bracket. Belmont played a very good game (Jason said they played dirty with all the fouls but hello Duke always plays dirty) and only lost by one, after seconds before being in the lead when it didn’t seem like they could win the game. You might catch me watching to listen to more sports than I ever have since my first years as an Alabama fan. March madness is so fun!

The song “Falling Slowly” from the movie Once, which I love, won an Academy Award! Can you believe two indy people who kept looking at each other with these I-cant-believe-we-are-here! looks won an Academy Award! I was a bit giddy. And okay I know the Academy Awards were so two weekends ago, but I didnt see them till last night. Im a little behind with life it seems, but Im okay with that.

A lot of my friends or people around me are having babies. Maybe its because Im not married, but I just love it. I have baby fever, but not in a I-want-a-baby fever but just a I-love-holding-this-sweet-child-ohhhh-yeah-she-needs-diaper-change-here-you-go, fever. My roommate and I were in Target in the baby section and I was completely out of my element. Their registry was so picked over and crib sheets just didnt excite me. I have this thing if I dont really like the gift or its simply not exciting (like crib sheets) I wont get it. Even if they registered for it. So sue me, I went off the registry and got them some adorable oneies. You can never have enough oneies right? Did I mention they were adorable? They were.

Its been quite lovely around these parts lately. Jason and I both have been wearing sandals (or as my Dad called them the other day slippers. Slippers? Someone from southern California does not call sandals, slippers. Its like the southerners with toboggan.) as often as possible and its been so great. Was it not two weeks ago we got a couple inches of snow and now the flowers are starting to bloom? Im ready for Spring as much as I love snowy days. My pink toe nails like seeing the sunshine than the inside of my Docs. But part of me fears Spring because that means Summer is approaching and I really dislike summer here. Humidity, which means sweaty Alisa for months. I will try not to think about that too much and just enjoy the daffodils and freshly blooming pink trees.

Is the strike actually over? Are the rumors true? Will The Office and How I Met Your Mother return to my regular schedule life?

For those of you who didnt hear, The Office won the SAG award for Best Comedy Ensemble. Yay The Office! (I have a new coworker who just got into The Office and she keeps talking about parts she has just seen. I love being excited with her over it too. She thinks Im getting sick of talking about it. Ha!) Heres the deal, I love Jenna Fisher for a lot of reason that I will not go into right now. But I will say that I really loved her dress that she wore to the SAGs. I can totally see it being trashed by the fashion police, but I love it so very much. Usually I dont say that about Hollywood dresses, but its different.

Just look at it (okay boys you are more than welcome to check out at this point, I understand. Then again surely there are many of you who have a crush on Jenna. So maybe I wont lose your readership). Its vintage looking. Its got some shiny silver at the top but not annoying at all. The straps, OH THE STRAPS. They are different than a formal dress normally has, and I love how its cut. I cant tell what the color is, ether a navy or a greenish blueish color, but both are great. Just think its so formal yet vintage fun, which Id love in a formal dress (if I ever had a need for one). Wonder if she’d let me borrow it? You know, to wear to youth group one night?

The middle school has a couple of new folks coming on staff. I met one of them last week, and he saw this photo on my desktop at work. He asked if it was me and my husband. I giggled a little and said no, it that its Jim and Pam from the TV show, The Office. I take the compliment that he thought I looked like Pam though. Jason commented later when I told him the story that I wish I was married to Jim. But then where would that leave Pam? I love Pam too much to do that to her (and Jason). I keep my office at work decked out in Office fashion, just waiting for my beloved show to return. I found this great Office video on YouTube for you Office fans out there who miss it just as much as I do. Enjoy.

I love time period pieces. I like movies that are based from books. I enjoy a truely interesting story. If you are with me on those things, then I think you will throughly enjoy Atonement. I havnt read the book, I have it on good word from some who has that the movie did the book well. I enjoyed the the arty camera angles. How well the movie was made. I wont even try to review the story, which I dont think I need to say make sure you see this movie. I went into it knowing very very little about the movie. Its totally different from my recently new movie favorite, Juno, which had an indy feel to it. Atoement is a big blockbuster classic movie. Its almost as if Jane Austin mets a war movie. There, did I grab the attention of both the men and women out there? Go see it and love it.

Ive been missing the Office a lot lately. A lot. Youtube videos dont ease they pain they just increase it. But these Office LOLcats are great. Apparently they’ve been reading my mind and my blog. Here are some of my favorites, the rest can be found on Office Talley.

What day is it? The days have been long and I had to confirm three different times that it is now in fact Friday. Im still adjusting to the fact that I do have weekends to look forward to as off times. Ive worked lots of hours in preparation for having two weeks in less than a week. Lets hope Im still in one peice when that day does come! I dont have a packing list written up on an index card nor my suitcase out to help me prepack. So unlike me, just goes to show how much I havnt been at my house this week.I have a full weekend planned again, very much looking forward to that. Packing will just have to wait. And for the delight, here is the trailer for the new Narnia movie. You know you are excited. Maybe Prince Caspian would be a good airplane book if I can find myself a copy.

I dont think Ive shared this website before, its a blog devoted to free iTunes. How awesome is that? Its getting free music, without the work of finding it. To help get us into the holiday spirit (for those of you waiting till December kicks in, I understand but the downloads are usually only good for a week. So download now and listen later.) there is a free download from Mannheim Steamroller and also, Carol of the Bells . You can listen to it while you put up more twinkle lights.

There are three girls and myself who got to know each other at work. We got a long really well and between our crazy schedules never see each other. Even when we work. So we try to get together once a month to grab dinner at somewhere a little fancier for a girls night out. This night has been a long time coming since we planned it a month in advance and then one of them got sick so it got prolonged a week. Sadly, even after all that, one of them had to bail at the last minute. It was sad without her, but the amazing food we had helped ease our pain. I didnt plan on getting dinner, just a drink and a treat. But I planned poorly with my meal choices and needed something besides alcohol and sugar. Dana and I both got a bowl of Chicken Curry Sweet Potato soup. Oh my damn. It was really really good soup. So good that I even thought about licking my bowl. Dana didnt finish her so she handed her bowl over to me. This place is within walking distance from me, its dangerously close for another bowl to be my future.

Karen and I spilt a Flirtini, which made me feel a little bit like JD on Srubs who loves ordering his Appletinis. Its a silly drink with a silly name but man it was good. What a Flirtini is made up of is pineapple juice, volka 9(flavored maybe), champagne. Thing is, when it was brought out to us, the cocktail part of it was in a highball glass and the champagne in a champagne glass. No instrutions where given. We checked the menu for some. Nothing. We werent sure what to do. Do you drink it one sip from each? Do we mix it ourselves? They both were good enough to drink alone, I could of had 10 of the cocktail part no problem (it was sweet). So I poured some champagne into the cocktail. I have no idea if that was the correct way to drink a Flirtini or not.

For desert we decided to order something very different each so we could take bits of each others. Dana got a Italian Cream Cake which is a rich yellow cake layered with coconuts and pecans with cream cheese. Karen got a Turtle Cheesecake, which is a simple turtle mix of caramel, pecans and iced with fudge. I went for the fruit route to balance it all out with a Cherry Crumb Pie, a classic pie with a semolina crumb topping. Im having the rest of that yummy pie for breakfast this morning. Best part about our deserts? They were free. When the waiter brought us our checks he told us he took care of the deserts because he felt he ignored our table due to a large party downstairs. We did not feel ignored, but were very thankful for the free treats!

I love how some friends it doesnt matter that time has gotten away from us and our relationship is built again on a one night conversation over yummy dinner. We share our struggles and our praises in our current life. Talk about topics that make you think deeper and encourage you. Those are the girls nights out I wish I had more often.

First night at my new youth group. Well, technically, its my third, but this time I went for me. Once I went when Jason was a volunteer there. Second when my friend, now boss, John was interviewing to be the youth pastor. Tonight was a whole new experience. I shadowed a wonderful gal who was showing me the ropes and more. The student leaders wanted to play a game I know well since the Jr High group back in Cali couldn’t get enough of it. Shuffle your buns. Its a simple game really, put some chairs in a circle, take away one and there is one person in the middle. That person has to grab an empty seat while the folks in the circle of chairs, well, shuffles their buns to keep the empty seat always moving. Im used to playing with this game with maybe 30 kids. Yeah, try 200 kids. It was so awesome, its hard to explain why but it so was. Thats how really I have to look at things from now on with planning the night. Im used to a smaller group, so things will be dramatically different. And it could be more awesome than I ever thought, like seeing 200 kids, shuffle their buns. The impact is just so different. I got to know a little bit more of some of the senior girls who I met on Thursday. One (and of course I cant remember her name! I didnt realize I was so bad with names until Im on new people overload like I have been this week) who I come to find out is from San Diego! Though we only lived 20 minutes apart for about a year before she moved, it was a nice connection. I learned a lot and know I still have tons to learn. Im have lots to apply for next week and a challenge of trying to build relationships while learning this new role.

And since I have been kinda quite about the Office lately, here is a nice youtube video of Jim and Pam through the season. So glad we are done with Roy.

I dont listen to NPR nearly as often as I once did. My commute to pretty much everywhere these days is not as long as when I first moved to North Carolina. Only reason I miss the driving is spending more time with NPR. The day I love NPR the most is on Sundays. I have Car Talk in the mornings, then Wait Wait Don Tell Me, then A Prairie Home Companion in the afternoon. This evening I discovered a delightful program that played Irish music. Kinda wishing I didnt sell my Titanic soundtrack. Never thought I would say that!

Okay so you will have to bare with me. I have been without the Office (and have many of you) all summer. Its been a long, long wait. Finally it returned last night and we all laughed and squealed. Now I must talk about it, and post many silly Office things to get this Office overload somewhat out of my system. Im not going to talk about the season premier just yet. I need another viewing first, as I always do with an hour show before I truly process it.

Jason and I threw an Office party, packing his house to almost the brim. I think it went over well, how could you not like a party with a stapler in Jello? Photos will follow soon. One thing I loved about the party was when something was funny, everyone laughed and that just a neat experience to share with friends. (Even it was hard to hear what the next line was after that. Thats what watching it again is for.) I did make a little mix CD because well, I wanted one. It was fun making it and it makes me giggle every time I listen to it.

The Office Mix CD:

1)”Dunder Mifflin, this is Pam”

2) THe Office Theme Song by Scrantones

3) Pam Season 1: “Diversity Day” “I like it with the cards go pftttt.”

4) Jim Season 1: “Diversity Day”Jim Season 1: “Diversity Day” “Not a bad day”

5) Jim Season 1: “The Alliance “Jim Season 1: “The Alliance ” “Absolutely I do.”

6) Michael changes lyrics to Mambo #5: Season 2 “The Dundies”

7) Mambo #5 by Lou Bega: Season 2 “The Dundies” (Michael sings it at the Dundie awards, with different lyrics.)

Pam Season 2: “The Dundies” “Second Drink”

9) Michael changes lyrics to Tiny Dancer: Season 2 “The Dundies”

10)Tiny Dancer by Elton John: Season 2 “The Dundies” (Michael sings it at the Dundie awards, with different lyrics.)

11) Pam Season 2: “The Dundies” “I have so many people to thank for this award.”

12) Pam Season 2: “The Dunies” “I feel God in this Chilis tonight”

13) Pam Season 2: ‘The Fire” “Ryan thinks to himself…”

14) Everybody Hurts by REM: Season 2 “The Fire” (Dwight listens to this song in his car when he feels Michael likes Ryan more.)

15) Dwight and Micahel singing Season 2: “The Fire”

16) We Didn’t Start The Fire by Billy Joel: Season 2 “The Fire” (Dwight and Michael sing this song about Ryan.)

17) Ryan Season 2: “The Fire” “I cant believe I started the fire.”

18) Jim Season 2: “The Client” “My famous…”

19) Sing by Travis: Season 2 “The Client” (Jim and Pam listen to it on Jim’s iPod)

20) Michael and Jim karaoke Season 2 “Email Surveillance”

21) Island in the Stream by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton: Seaon 2

“Email Surveillance” (Jim and Michael sing this at Jim’s party.)

22) Dwight singing “Drunken Sailor” Season 2: “Booze Cruise”

23) Jim Season 2: “Booze Cruise” “I would save the receptionist”

24) Dwight Season 2: “Take Your Daughter to Work Day” “Hello tiny one.”

25) Dwight playing on his record ‘Green sleeves’ Season 2: “Take Your Daughter to Work Day”

26) Michael and Dwight singing “Teach Your Children Well” Season 2: “Tale Your Daughter to Work Day”

27) Michael Season 2: “Michael’s Birthday” “Kevin, respect the birthday.”

28) My Humps by Black Eye Peas: Season 2 “The Convention” (Michael’s ringtone)

29) Pam Season 2: “Michael’s Birthday” “Price check…”

30) Michael Season 2: “Casino Night” “I hate so much about…”

31) Michael, Jim, Phyllis, Pam and Dwight Season 2: “Casino Night” “Afganistanis with aids”

32) Jim and Pam Season 2: “Casino Night” “Im in love with you…”

33) Stars by Lamar (This was played during the promos all summer as we waited to see what would come of Jim and Pam.)

34) Jim (and Andy) singing Love Fool Season 3: “The Initiation”

35)Love Fool by The Cardigans: Season 3 “The Initiation” (Jim sings it to the squeaking of Karen’s chair.)

36) Ryan Season 3: “The Initiation” “Abandon you in a beet field…”

37) Jim Season 3: “The Initiation” “Fancy New Beesly”

38)On the Wings of Love by Jeffery Osborne: Season 3 “Grief Counseling” (Pam sings this song for the birds service while Dwight plays the music on his recorder.)

39) Jim and Andy sing Close to Fine Season 3: “Diwali”

40)Closer to Fine by The Indigo Girls: Season 3 “Diwali” (Andy and Jim sing this song while working late and drinking shots.)

41) Andy Season 3: “Diwali” “Tuna! Are you kidding me?”

42) Prison Mike Season 3: The Convict”

43) Andy hitting on Pam Season 3: “The Convict”

44)Rainbow Connection by Kermit the Frog: Season 3 “The Convit” (Andy sings this to Pam thanks to Jims encouragement)

45) Michael Season 3: “Benihana Christmas” “Christmas is cancelled”

46)Goodbye My Lover by James Blunt: Season 3 “Benihana Christmas” (Michael listens to the first 30 seconds of this over and over after his brake up with Carol)

47)You Ought to Know by Alanis Morissette: Season 3 “Benihana Christmas” (Kevin sings it at Karen and Pams Karaoke Christmas party)

48)Your Body is a Wonderland by John Mayer: Season 3 “Benihana Christmas” (Michael sings it to his new “girlfriend”)

49) Jim Season 3: “Traveling Salesman” “Ah, young Jim”

50) Jim Season 3: “Product Recall” “Lord, beer me strength”

51) Andy singing ‘Driftaway’ Season 3: “Product Recall”

52) Jim and Andy singing Season 3: “Product Recall”

53) Phyllis Season 3: “The Return” “Big personalities…”

54) Ryan Season 3: “The Return” “Ask me again 10 years ago…”

55) Andy and Jim Season 3: “The Return” Andys ringtone

56) Kevin and Scrantoncity Season 3: “Phyllis Wedding” “Fields of Gold”

57) Jim and Dwight Season 3: “Product Recall” Jim as Dwight

58) Jim and Dwight Season 3: “Women’s Appreciation” Demerit

59) Michael Season 3: “Business School” “Unless you had a camera…”

60) End music from Season 1: “The Pilot”

How is everyone doing? Excited? Yeah? Me too. If you havn’t already, go to: Dunder Mifflin Infinity and apply to be apart of your own Dunder Mifflin branch. Im currently watching Ed Homles (Andy) on the Today Show, which was a pleasant surprise. Im going to try and not watch my favorite Jim and Pam video too many times today. That shouldnt stop you though, you dont have many Office things to do before tonight. So Im off to stick a stapler in jell-o. Hope you a great Office day.

Today the Office Season 3 came out on DVD. I follow a couple of office blogs that did the hard work for me: where do purchase. When Season 2 came out, there was a box deal that came with some awesome Dunder Mufflin paper goods (and season one which I gave as a Christmas present). This year, Best Buy wasn’t the only one offering Office goodies with the purchase of Season 3. Target has “Nifty Gifty” cover with some other extra features. Amazon.com sends a t-shirt when you buy the DVD. I’m not a huge Michael Scott fan, and nifty gifty is when Karen came to town, so that wasn’t my first choice. Amazon.com and I are on the rocks right now, being the last two purchases I have made them from take a really long time to ship. Plus the t-shirt you get with Season 3 I have already purchased at Kohl’s. It is blue and reads: Dunder Mufflin Paper Company. I thought about wearing it today, in celebration of the new season but chickened out becasue I didn’t want to be “that girl” at Best Buy at open with the fan t-shirt on. Oh I didn’t mention I got there at open? Okay so I lie, I got there quarter till open. I pulled out my Gilmore Girls book I’m currently reading (its all around TV day for me isn’t it?) as I wait for the time to pass. The reason I got Season 3 at Best Buy is becasue it comes with a mini bobblehead Dwight (even though I will be asking for regular size bobblehead Dwight for Christmas) and the cherry on top for me, a dundie award. That is one of my favorite episodes, so for me to have my very own dundie, I’m just one happy girl. And an Office dork becasue I took photos of the set today. I’m sure some of you will enjoy them (and not mock me).

Oh, and I dont know why two blog posts today. Maybe to make up for lack of posting lately. And its my day off so there’s a little more time on my hands. And I’m waiting to watch all the extra features when Jason gets off work, so I don’t have that to distract me.

Happy Labor Day Weekend! I’m working today, but time and half makes it not so bad (and I don’t have to close!). This past weekend I got a new lens. His name is Q and he is a wide angle lens and takes some pretty photos. Cant wait to try it out on some portraits. Whos first?

Its been a full weekend of events between some closing shifts. Jason has been moving and Ive been trying as I can (big heavy boxes and furniture Im not so good with). Unpacking is the main task now, which is slowly coming along, the new lens has sorta been distracting. We did catch up on Feasting on Asphalt too. I love Alton Brown and do enjoy Good Eats, but Feasting on Asphalt is the best. It may have something to do with the cameras and amazing photos they take. I love it for the characters that make you just want to get on a bike and join their crazy adventure becasue they feel like friends. I added the first season (its currently on the second season) to my Christmas Wish list. There is going to be a marathon of this season before the last show soon, so you should catch that. Also, hes going be in the state on the 29th. You know Im going to do everything within my power to go to that.
My love for Alton just sorta took over there for a moment. What else happened this weekend is that friends of mine had twin girls who Ive been waiting and praying for since, well the beginning of it all. So excited that they are here for Jeff and Adriene, I cant wait to met them. Also an old coworker of mine got engaged the same day the girls where born, so it was just pretty exciting Sunday.
The weather was lovely this weekend, I even pulled on my favorite cotton 3/4s tee. September is officially here, time to get chilly! I will even start walking again with the weather cooler, which Im looking forward to. Bring on fall, so all the other great things can follow; pumpkin spice lattes (Starbucks already has these but its too warm still for me to consume one), falling leaves, doc martins, and soups.

I will never look at this song the same way again.

Last night was the last episode of The Office until the fall. Sadly, I had to close last night so I drove over to Jason’s at 10:30pm to watch it on his TiVo. I had to put my hand (I do believe Jason’s hand too at some point) over my mouth to keep from squealing. Jason reminded me of the late hour and it would not be okay to scream no matter how excited I was. JIM! PAM! TOGETHER! Well a date, which we don’t get to hear about till after summer is over. Oh how long summer will be! YouTube and I will become fast friends again, finding Office jems that are neglected while the show is current.

I have to say how much I really loved Pam this season. Last season I fell in love with Jim, this season its Pam. Its not as though I didn’t like her before now but she has grown so much this past year. It was hard not to rout for her every week. Not in getting her together with Jim, but just in her own strengthen and bravery. Maybe its all the girl power that I love the most. I think women have a hard time being brave (myself including, I am learning) but that is a whole post for another time.