Oh, Carolina

Our 3rd generation UNC fan. He can already box me out and post me up. I mean, look at those muscles. See you in a few years, Roy!

I'm not Tar Heel born or bred, but I have become an adopted member of the Carolina Tar Heels Fan Club. I married into a team of UNC fans, and I must say that I love it. Their enthusiasm for Tar Heel basketball is contagious, even to the point of my parents making the 8 hour drive from their vacation in South Carolina to the UNC campus store to get authentic Tar Heel gear for us. I even found myself at the Dr.'s office boxing out soon-to-be-dads for the latest Sports Illustrated, featuring a full length article on Tyler Hansbrough. Don't mess with a pregnant lady who played post for 6 years. I'm still trying to figure out how I can get Travis or me to UNC to get a PhD just so we can cheer on the Tar Heels from the Dean Dome. Maybe then I could tell such legendary stories as Phil when he literally bumped in to Michael Jordan, or dress my kids in Carolina Blue "numbered shirts." I'm sure all the excitement would get me through the statistics classes and dreaded dissertation.

So, needless to say, I was pretty bummed about the game on Saturday. I thought all the cards were aligned: Hamilton in his good luck onesie, Luke in his UNC basketball outfit, Travis willingly going to Priesthood during the game (it helped that he got updates on his phone, I'm just glad he didn't pull a Homer Simpson), and an allstar lineup is always good. But there's always next year, which now seems more likely to include my favorite, Psycho-T. For you other Carolina fans who are also a little sad about the NCAA tournament this year, I have posted some "Carolina songs" to get you through this hard time.

PS - Travis showed me this link to the "Danny Dance" and it's worth the watch. Who needs starters when you have a 6th man that can move like that?

Favorite Things

So, every so often Oprah puts out a list of her favorite things and does the famous "Favorite Things" episode.

http://www.jibjab.com/view/175411#login_popup

Although there will be no cashmere sweaters or exploding heads (see above link) I thought I would share a few of my favorite things.

1. The Road by Cormac McCarthy - This really is the best book I have read. I won't say too much about it because it just won't come out right, but I linked an article from THE Dr. Phillip Snyder.(side note: Phil, aka Grandpa Phillip, is responsible for introducing favorites years before they become popular, such as Cormac McCarthy, Dave Matthews Band, and his classic BBQ baked beans - maybe he should post some of his favorite things...)

2. NPR - So many amazing programs: Wait wait ... don't tell me, Science Friday (yes, I am a science geek and proud of it), Fresh Air, Morning Edition, the list goes on and on. npr.org

3. Rimmel Mascara - It is probably one of the cheapest mascaras, but I love it more than MAC, Estee Lauder (sorry Gwyneth), Clinique, or any of those $25 mascaras. And now I have my sisters hooked on it, too. And it totally makes you look like Kate Moss (minus the drugs).

4. Iron & Wine, The Trapeze Swinger - This quite possibly could be my favorite song ever. I know, a bold statement. Just a warning, if you listen to it, listen to the "clean" version as there is an "artistic expression" in the song (but somehow his mellow voice doesn't make it sound bad).

5. Granite Cleaner - I love the Method Brand granite cleaner. It smells amazing, and won't ruin your granite like other cleaners. You can get it at Target or Lowes.

6. Electric toothbrush - So, we got electric toothbrushes for Christmas, and let me tell you, it's the gift that keeps on giving. It even gives you a picture of a smiley face when you have brushed the Dentist recommended 2 minutes.

7. Mizuno running shoes - I tried lots of other brands, and they gave me foot problems. Since my first pair of Mizunos a few years ago, I have never gone back, and have never had a single foot problem.

8. My Grandmother's Strawberry Shortcake - Every year for my birthday my Grandmother would make us any cake we wanted. I (like Kristin) always picked strawberry shortcake. A year or two before my Grandpa died, I got him to mail me the secret recipe. I love looking at his handwriting each time I make it.

9. The extra flavored chips at the bottom of the bag. Simply amazing.

10. Shopping with my mom - she has a gift for finding amazing things at amazing prices - don't ever pass up the chance to go with her to Macy's.

11. Cupcake containers - At Walmart (not one of my favorite things) if you go to the bakery department, you can buy the plastic cupcake containers, 5 for $1. That way when you bring them to people, they look super cute and don't move all over the place.

PS - Luke does an amazing impersonation of Oprah. Just ask him to say "George Clooney" and you will be blown away. Scary, especially since he has never seen Oprah.