Looking for Something New...how about some Sugary Sunglasses?

Something borrowed, something blue...

Something old, something new...

And some things are just a little bit sugary, too!

Okay, ask any of my English teachers in school, and they will quickly tell you I struggled when it came to poetry. One would've thought since my Dad has an English degree that I might be a little more proficient when it came to poetry, but ehhhhh....no! Honestly, I've never really enjoyed reading poetry, much less writing it. Something about poetry, while at times it can encapturing, just doesn't really do much for me in comparison to a short story where I can get real involved and even develop my own sub-plotlines. (Yes, at times, my imagine tends to get the best of me!)

Oh yeah, back to the topic at hand ... the Photo-a-Day Challenge ... sorry, see how my mind wanders!

Day Eight -- Sugary



Trying to lose weight and get in better shape really stinks, especially when all you are craving is something with some sugar in it. Of course, my most favorite things that is "sugary" are Krispy Kreme doughnuts. But, there is no way on earth, that I can get over to the KK and only get ONE doughnut. That is basically like giving a drunk just one drink. You can't just eat one Krispy Kreme! So, in the process of cutting back, I still managed to find some brownies. "Reduced Fat Brownies" just don't sound very appealling. Mom made them while I was working, and they were decent. I didn't eat very many because they had a unique taste and plenty of sweet sugary-ness. But, boy, oh boy, what I would do for a KK right now. When I lose 10 pounds, I will treat myself to a Krispy Kreme doughnut or two or three or fourteen, just kidding! (I still have two pounds to go!)

Day Nine -- Sunglasses



These past few weeks, there really hasn't been any reason to wear our sunglasses here in North Carolina. There have been times in the past week where I seriously pondered whether I had moved over to Seattle because we were constantly cloudy and rainy. Thankfully, in the past few days, the clouds dissipated and the sun evolved. What a beautiful sight it has been, even if the temperatures are soaring! I love the heat, so I am not going to complain. I have probably 15 pair of sunglasses (yes, they used to have to match each outfit), but I mainly stick with my one pair, which many of my friends often refer to as my "Terminator" shades and I do NOT like being compared to Arnold (I won't even dare get off on that rant) But, I am grateful for my shades because many times I have to wear them even if it's cloudy outside -- my vision is soooooo wonderful (sarcasm galore!) But I am so thankful for the sun shining bright so I have a reason to wear my sunglasses!

Day Ten -- Something New



Don't we all love getting something new? I know I surely do, but I have been trying to monitor my budget a little more closely thanks to having to pay some higher taxes this year. But such is life. Even then, I still want to get something new. Recently, Tracey and I stopped by Bath & Body Works on our lunch break and they had just debuted their new Italian line. Lord help me when it comes to things that are Italian :-) So we tried out a few samples and I ended up getting a few different kinds. My favorites by far are Venice Dolce Berry and Rome Honeysuckle Amore, which I find absolutely heavenly! I particularly like the Rome Amore and the spray I bought has the sparlkes in it -- so I feel like a glistening Italian when I spray it on me :-)

"Flashback" to 1932 & 1936

As most of you have seen, I have been doing a series on basketball and the coaches and their attire during the game. Of course, we all know that my love for basketball abounds. I've always ponderd why I really adored basketball so much, and if you happened to miss my prior blog about "Why Basketball Matters" (http://mescarlett414.blogspot.com/2013/02/why-basketball-matters.html), I tried to explain why I felt basketball had made a difference in my life. But even with that, where did my passion come from? Sure, a deep admiration for Coach Kay Yow, but prior to that, as with other things, I believe it was in my blood.

Day Seven -- Flashback



Basketball runs in my family. My Mom's brothers played basketball. But, even long before that, my Grandmother, Louise Sorrell (Foster) and her sister, my Great Aunt, Maydelle Sorrell (Williams) both played basketball on their girls high school team at Garner. My, oh my, how basketball has changed over the years. Who ever would have thought that there was a high school girl's basketball team back in the early to mid 1930s!!! That's almost unrealistic to think about. My Granny always wanted me to play basketball, but as you know from my previous blog entry, I was unable to play due to a shoulder surgery. But even then, their passion lived on throughout me. I only wish now that I could have more time to ask them about them playing. I know how my tough my Maydelle was -- to look at her, she as very stylish but she didn't take any junk from you. You make her mad, and you better run because you didn't push her around. And to think about her and Granny playing, wow, I wish we had video of those good 'ole days. But I will cherish these photos that I have found because that just inspires me to continue to support basketball and keep Maydelle & Louise's dream alive!

"Today", there is an "empty" bottle of "water" that is "on my desk!"

Well, I am a little bit behind in my May Photo-a-Day Challenge blog posts. So, I guess, those of you who care to read, will be caught up with Days 3, 4, 5 and 6!

Day Three -- Empty



When you think of the word "empty," what's the first thing that comes to mind? A lot of different things probably do -- your car "running on E", an empty drink/water bottle or sadly, even an empty wallet! For day three, I tried to capture a variety of "empty" things that I encountered throughout the day. Maggie's (the cat) empty food bowl -- it might've been eaten by the neighbor's critters or her, who knows!; an empty car that Mom & Dad had just evacuated from; an empty mailbox -- I sure was hoping for a special letter!; an empty rocking chair -- too cool out to be rocking around; an empty park bench along the my serene walking path; the exact mileage until my Explorer runs completely empty!; an empty Diet Coke bottle -- that has to be the saddest sight of all; an empty red box that adorns my London collection on my desk at work; and two empty cups of just plain nothing! In a way, it's rather sad how many "empty" things we encounter during our normal day. But, let's just hope none of us have empty hearts -- make sure they are filled with love for all!

Day Four -- Water



Many days, I wish I lived on the water -- whether it would be the ocean, river, lake, sound, bay, it would not matter. I just think the water has a calming and soothing affect upon you. I remember when we went up to Mystic, Connecticut, and toured the Mystic Seaport. That was such a unique experience and such a peaceful place. Listening to the sounds of the shipyard, the hum of the boats going up and down the Mystic River. I wouldn't mind living in Mystic or even down in Wilmington, North Carolina. Such beautiful abounds on the water. For day four, while I was trekking around the park, I came upon a little hidden trail that butted up along the backside of the mini "lake" that is the center of the park. I tried to snap a photo, but it didn't turn out quite like I had hoped. Either way, it was still such a beautiful walk along the water's edge.

Day Five -- On My Desk



When it comes to things on my desk, many of you know, I do NOT like clutter and junk all over my desk. Each day before I head home from work, I try to have my desk looking almost pristine. I don't like to come in the next morning and be faced with a pile of work. I want to get as much done as I possibly can each day. And much is the same for the computer work desk at home. I prefer it to be clean and empty. I need my space to be able to move the keyboard where I need it to be. The only desk space of mine that might be slightly cluttered would probably be my scrapbooking table. But even then, I try to keep it tidy and only leave out what I am currently working on or absolutely need. Maybe I am a little OCD at times!

Day Six -- Today



I wasn't really sure exactly what the topic "today" entailed, and I obviously, wasn't quite that creative when I came up with my "drawing." Initially, I was going to put all my calenders together and circle/highlight today's date, but even that, still wasn't very creative. So, I ended up just resorting to writing out today's date in a variety of colors. Sorry I couldn't come up with anything better! But here's hoping that everyone has a wonderful day today!

Day Two -- Off the Beaten Path

Day Two -- Path



Don't we all have those days where you just want to get out and explore? Lord knows, lately, I have had more of those days than I have cared for. But, many times, it is great to just get out and about and take the path less travelled. We never know where we may end up.

My cousin has made some wonderful paths/trails back in the woods behind the house. Sometimes, I just like to take Zoey and go for a walk through the woods. Not really looking for anything in particular or doing anything, but just to get out and about and enjoy some fresh air.

Often times, when we are on vacation in places that may not be as familiar to us as our hometown, we may take sideroads (or paths) and take an adventure to find something new. The spontaneity that brings can be quite enjoyable as many times when you are taking the path less travelled, you usually come upon something that you least expected. I can't tell you how many times when we have been up in the "hills of Tennessee" we have taken so many little side, tight-winding roads and have always found some unique place that we will go back and venture.

So, live life on the edge a little. Venture down a side road or take a walk down an unknown path (as long as it seems safe!) and see what adventure awaits you! Be open minded and ready for a new experience!

Photo-A-Day Challenge

Since I am taking a miniature hiatus from "The Coaches' Collection" series, I figured I would attempt do to the Photo-a-Day Challenge that I did back in December again. Of course, for May, we have different topics that we are supposed to capture on a daily basis. Those of you who know me know that I love to take pictures and many have often told me I am very creative, whereas I beg to differ. So, I will do my best to try to come up with some unique captures for my photos of the day! However, I don't intend to probably post a daily blog either. I will try my hardest to get a picture or so up, but they may be a day late and a dollar short, ha, as most of the photos I may take for that day are often captured after work hours.

But I have already taken a photo for day one and granted, I could have been much, much more creative and chosen to take some pictures of some of the lovely colorful azaleas displayed in my North Carolina home, but I opted for simplicity (and not to mention, I took it while I was driving to work this morning!)

Day One -- Colorful



We live in a brightly colorful world. Everywhere we look, we encounter a beautiful assortment of colors. The word "color" automatically makes me think of the song by Dolly Parton "God's Coloring Book". And in so many ways, this world is almost like a coloring book. It makes you wonder when God created our planet, did he have an assortment of Crayola markers coloring things here and there. Obviously, He did not, but it is an awesome image to think about. Either way, we are so blessed with color. If we lived in a black and white or grey world, that would just be dull and dreer. I am so glad we have been blessed with abundant color. So rather than choose some of this wonderful color to exhibit here today, I chose to take the easy route. I was driving to work and looking at all the colorful azaleas in bloom and spring flowers blossoming. Sure, I could have and actually did ponder stopping to take a picture, but Heaven forbid, I be late to work! So I glanced over in my passenger seat and there sits my bag of many colors, so once I pulled into my parking space at work, I had to take a snap. And there you have it, Day One's entry of "Colorful" -- my bag of many colors. Hey!, at least you can take it with nearly any outfit you wear (ha, reference "The Coaches' Collection!").

Try to bring a little color into someone's life each day -- it could be a compliment about their wardrobe or just a friendly hello. The world lately has been overcast with doom and gloom, so let's brighten it up a little and spread some color amongst our family, friends, neighbors and even those we do not know.