Two And Thru...

After weeks of whispers of my class, my teacher has announced that we will be having a final in his class. In case you're wondering this is the class that I've spent the last 3 months on my internet dating paper. One would think that if we've worked this hard, we don't deserve a final. Apparently we do. Bah humbug.

While watching my beloved Entertainment Tonight, they reported their 125 story on the Kardashians. What's the latest on them you ask? Khole and Lamar are filming season 2 of their spin-off, Kris Humphries is filing for separation and not divorce from Kim, and Kortney is pregnant with Baby number 2. I would love to see another baby Mason. 

I made a pan of brownies during the Victoria Secret Fashion show. 

As much as I'm not a fan of them, the UK Wildcats are the number one basketball team in Amuurica. 

This time next week, I will be hours away from being finished with my internet dating paper/speech. It's about time. 

After 26 loooooonnnnnnng years, the UK Football team beat the streak and beat the Tennessee Volunteers. The amazing thing about that? Something about a running back making a touchdown and winning the game? Shows just how much I pay attention to sports. 

Mom's homemade Chicken vegetable soup. Winter can officially commence. I have to somehow make this batch last until after finals since the last of the homemade noodles went into this batch. As she said, I can make you more chicken soup, but not with those noodles. 

In case you're looking for something new to try, hit up the Peppermint Oreos. Addicting. 

If any of you happened to catch NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams Tuesday night, I'm sure you got a good laugh out of it. For those of you who didn't, I'm sorry. Because it was kinda sorta halarious. The fire alarm sounded through most of the broadcast, and being the professional he is, he held his composure, and did the broadcast as if nothing happened. 

Fruit baskets galore at the PFM? Don't mind if I do. 

It's official. I can not drive in the dark, never the less pouring down rain. 

We have big news here at Sara Spills. On a cold, rainy and just plain gross Sunday afternoon, Sara ventured out to Orange Leaf frozen yogurt. Was it worth the gas? Yes. Would I go again? Yes. Am I glad that we don't have one near mi casa? Bingo. Although, I am glad I finally got to see what all the hype was about. At an outrage shocking (jokingly) cheap price of 45 cents an ounce, I got peanut butter and cheesecake, and topped with cookies, and Reeeses Cup. The only slight problem? The cup doesn't fit in my cup holder. 

UL football miraculously won their final regular season game against University of South Florida. What does that mean? One step closer to a BCS bowl. We need Cincinnati to lose Saturday and West Virginia to beat South Florida tomorrow night. This will be the one night that I cheer for them 'neers. 

I spent my first Saturday off since August sick. It's a sensitive subject, I'd rather not talk about it. 

I will be running the first of three races next weekend. It sounded like a great idea in September. So to clarify, I'll be running in 30°. Running foul number one of many. 

Embarassing fact of the night. Sara has 154 gLee songs in her iTunes library. After next week, I'll be adding 12 more. 

After 142 days, the NBA labor talks have come to a close and we can get back to our normal lives. 

Bob Seger's rendition of Little Drummer Boy? Wonderful. 

Can you tell I'm procrastinating? I have a speech outline due Thursday afternoon. I've yet to touch it. 

Sixteen days until Christmas Break. I can so do this. 

-Sara- 

I'm Thankful For...

As we began our wonderful and delicious Thanksgiving brunch of Panera bagels, grits, ham and mimosas with the PFM's freshly squeezed orange juice and my last can (yes, I said can) of champagne, I was approached with the question, Sara, what are you thankful for? "The Pilgrims and Native Americans that became friends, ate a meal together and gave me the day off." I wasn't kidding either. I love me a day off. I would now like to present you tales of Thanksgiving 2011, Sara Spills style.
    Knowing that I had Thursday off, and hoping to maybe sleep in till at least 10:00, I hunkered down in our dark, and cozy basement Wednesday night where I would fall asleep to the background noise of an all night FRIENDS marathon on Nick-At-Nite. I had set myself up for success. A warm blanket, a dark room, and my cell phone alarm on silent. Promptly at 8:30, I awoke to the excitement of the TODAY Show staff getting ready to anchor the 85th annual Macy's Thanksgiving day Parade. Maybe, just maybe, I could convince myself to go back to sleep until 10:55 where I was due to make an appearance for our 11:00 brunch. Epic fail. At 8:30, I was officially up for the day.
     After a wonderful and intimate brunch with Mom and Dad, it was time to hang around and watch Lauren Alaina of American Idol fame flub the National Anthem at the Detroit Lions versus the Green Bay Packers football game. Totes Awk. The Packers did their work, and maintained their perfect season. Miami Dolphins for life.
   Promptly at 2:30 I began to get ready for the Thanksgiving we had all been waiting for. With the bus leaving the station at 4:15, I figured 90 minutes to get ready outta do it. Impeccable timing if I say so myself. By now I'm sure you're saying, "Man, she sounds high maintenance".First off, I'm not. Second of all, I don't like to be rushed as I actually enjoy getting all gussied up. And for a holiday like this, I had to build in extra time to look my best. Needless to say those 90 minutes paid off. Don't worry, you'll see a picture later. Just hold your horses.
    Finally! The moment we had all been waiting for had arrived and it was time to sit back, mingle, and take some serious blog notes. We had been told to arrive promptly at 5:00. Did that mean 5:00 for a thirty minute happy hour or 5:00 to introduce ourselves, and then sit down and eat. I was really hoping for option two, but I was okay with option one. I'll take option one for 1,000 Alex. Wait. Did I say a 30 minute happy hour? What I really meant to say was a 90 minute happy hour. That could be another blog in itself. But I'll give you some highlights. Open the door, and BAM! Within ten seconds of my arrival, I was greeted by two well known PFM customers. This honestly made me want to cry. I can't have a simple holiday meal with my family without any customers? Thank goodness for Christmas. Among the family, one of Mom and Dad's college buddies happened to be dining with us. Of course I "just happened to be walking by" and I was introduced to the individual as the youngest daughter. His response? "Oh wow, so you must be what? 19?" Uh no.  I just turned 23 two weeks ago. Nice try though. But the real highlight of the happy hour or should I say night, was this story I'm about to tell you.
     Earlier in the week, I had seen this "cousin" of mine come into Paul's to do his weekly shopping. This shopping trip is where I would discover what was on the menu for Thursday night. Both of my bosses had become rather invested with my cousin in helping him trying to figure out what would be good on a meat and cheese tray, what the best tomatoes were to serve in salad, and helping him get bushels of green beans that would serve 48 people. If there's one thing we fight for at work, its the large orders. I know it's odd, but maybe it's the adrenaline rush of so many items. Who knows. As the shopping trip came to a close, it was time to check out, and of course, I was the one available while the other girls were busy. With a big order like this, and my boss being invested, she would come and help me bag. Making conversation, she said, I wanna come to his house. The relative promptly replied, come on over. What's one more person when I'm cooking for 48? Let's just go ahead and make things even more awkward when I jumped in and said, "I'll be there!" He quickly laughed, but little did he realize I wasn't joking. Back at Thanksgiving happy hour, mom was making her rounds, and one of her stops was the cousin who I had checked out. "Sara, come here, I want you to meet someone." Please I beg of you, please don't tell the story. It's already weird enough that I checked out Thanksgiving dinner.  Insert face palm number one. "Oh, now I see how this is all coming together. You certainly were bold to say you were coming. And now you really are here."
     After the awkward run in, it was time to go preview dinner, and there were three things that caught my eye: A REAL TURKEY, signs that said "watch for steel shots" (meaning someone went out and shot the dove,venison, and quail) and homemade Macaroni and cheese. "Sara writes a blog so she is taking notes for it." Insert face palm number 2. It would be the cherry on top if he had asked for my blog address. Crisis averted. That was a close one.
     Following 90 minutes of "and you belong to... or how do I know you" introductions, dinner had been presented and it was time to get my grub on. On the menu? Turdunken, Dove, Venison, duck, quail, Turkey, Ham, Green Beans, Greek salad, macaroni and cheese, broccoli, wild rice, sweet potatoes with apples, mashed potatoes, and bread. I'm sure I'm missing something, but you get the gist of it.
     In an attempt to keep families together, they placed our family at one table. Yay for semi normalcy. Of course, it can't be a holiday without ridiculous conversations, and a rousing rendition of "He's A Jolly Good Fellow".  

      To help contribute with dinner, our family was asked to bring two pies. Derby pie and a pecan pie. Don't get me wrong, I love Derby Pie. It's delicious, and something totally different from the Pumpkin pie, but while surveying what was for dessert, the heavens must have opened up, and some genius had brought a dozen of Panera Mint Krinkle cookies. You don't understand how good these things are. Just around for the holidays, these are filled with chocolate chips, mint flavoring and powdered sugar. Whoever brought these, I thank you. 

      Don't think I forgot about my picture. Because I didn't.

Thankgiving 2011. 

-Sara-

Are You Busy?...

Hahahahahaha. Best joke I've heard all day. It's that time of year, and we all know what that means; ol' girl survived another Thanksgiving week at the PFM. You know how much I love and adore my job, but when someone calls and asks if we're busy, that's when I want to reply to them and say, no, we're not busy. It's not like it's the DAY BEFORE THE NUMBER ONE FOOD HOLIDAY. Let me drop what I'm doing and cater to your needs.

If I see another sprig of Rosemary, Thyme, and Sage, I might scream.

Same goes for corn, potatoes, and asparagus.

My cookie oreo brownie surprise does a world of good come lunch time.

Today, our boss told me the greatest seven words I will hear all year. It's time to turn on the CHRISTMAS music. And of course, what's the first song that pops on, the Bieb's "Mistletoe".  I know this is supposed to be the season of thanks, but as a customer witnessed, and as I promptly announced, I can't stand him or his music. I know. It's mean, and not nice. Her reply? "You're funny." Uh, I wasn't kidding.

The one thing I like about our Christmas music? No commercials. Love me some satellite radio.

I was fortunate enough to find out what's on the menu for Thursday's dinner. A meat and cheese tray for happy hour, green beans, stuffing, and a turducken. What happened to the simple all American Thanksgiving staple called Turkey? Oh thats right... A turkey can't feed 48 people. Yeesh.

To the four people that called and asked if we were open Thanksgiving? No. We're not. This is one of four days a year that we are closed, and get to spend time with our families. Sorry if you're bummed that we can't serve you, but we re-open Friday morning at 8:00.

During the first part of the month, I wrote down my schedule for days that I would not be able to work/close. Included in those days, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I figured that if I had Saturday off, I would be working Sunday morning. Guess who has the entire weekend off starting at noon Friday? I don't know what to do with myself.

As much as I don't support the Black Friday sales starting at midnight Thanksgiving night, I'm seriously considering going and standing in line just to say I was one of those freaks. And yes, I know I talk a really, really, really, really, good story.

I'm 90% finished with my Christmas shopping. This might be a first for me.

In other related news, there's a slight chance, and I mean slight, that the UL Football team could be headed back to the Orange Bowl of the BCS. This is pretty big and exciting news considering where we were this time two years ago. And on the basketball front, the Butler University Basketball Coach, also one of my boyfriaaaaands Brad Stevens, recently said, that if UL can get our team back to health (we have at least 4 players out with injuries) he said we could be an "April" team. #winning.

Paper updates: Halfway through my PTSD paper, have yet to touch my internet dating paper, and oh yea, totes forgot that I have a 250 point speech to plan and execute. no biggie. It's not like I'm superwoman or anything.

-Sara-

The Animal Kingdom...

 According to Mr. Webster himself, he defines the word obsessed as the following: "to think about something unceasingly or persistently; dwell obsessively upon something." Care to see my latest obsession? I know you love looking at my amazing talent of taking picture of inanimate objects. The following pictures I'm about to share will not do justice until you go see this local gem for yourself. 

Breathtakingly GORGEOUS. 

Stunning.

Finish Line Under The Lights.

Thanks Dad. 

In case you're wondering what I was up to this weekend, Churchill Downs has made one of their best investments and installing lights to provide night racing. In fact, the World Championship Breeders Cup Race was held under the lights and absolutely stunning to watch on television. While Down's After Dark is the social event of the summer, it has become something different to do during the Fall meet. What an amazing way to end Christmas Week.

     Christmas Week: 1 Sara: 0

-Sara- 

Happiness Is...

 Ladies and gentlemen, need I say more? 

We I have officially made it to Thanksgiving break. Why is it that I post this picture and not a picture of me crying tears of joy? Because this is the picture that has turned UL Football around, and was taken in the locker room after beating West Virginia, in which we were expected to lose, 70-0. They were that good. And remember how I told you about my Christmas week? We'll just go ahead and call this Christmas day. It's. Just. That. Good. 

-Sara- 

Hollywood Or Bust...

"Make sure you wear your green polo shirts." For what? I'm never specifically told to wear my green I couldn't tell you the last time I wore it work shirt. I had always sported the classic limited edition PFM t-shirts. Yes, t-shirts. They are insanely comfortable, and while they are made of cheap cotton, I will wear them until they are unwearable. Why was I asked to wear the old school green polo? Because I had to look my best for my modeling debut. Okay, so maybe it wasn't exactly the beginning of my modeling career, but I had to look sharp for the yet to be but, I'll let you know when it does air COMMERCIAL. Yes. A commercial about Paul's Fruit Market. Filming and taking pictures of inanimate objects? That sounds something Sara would do. But oh no, this is something we leave up to the professionals. So much as to I had to sign an official waiver to make sure it was okay that my backside be filmed. So much for my discovery by a talent scout.
     While the camera crew arrived at 8, and I arrived at 9, it was time to sit and watch some fellow co-workers have their fifteen minutes of fame. What better way to do that than to photograph a day in the life of filming a commercial.

Paparazzi At It's Finest. 

While I know this picture looks absolutely boring, and may I say pointless, it's the best photog skills I had.

Sneaky Sneaky... 

While this post may be somewhat boring and pointless, remember it's just another typical day in the life of Sara. 

      Oh, and happy one year anniversary of the day my life was ruined forever; the day I found out that Prince William was indeed marrying Catherine Middleton. 

-Sara- 

I Wouldn't Start With A Salad...

There have been some inquires as to what this so called Christmas week is all about. So to put racing minds to rest, let me give you a run down on this super fab week.

Saturday: A night out on a relatives farm with delicious bar-be-que, and one heck of a fire, and of course, lots of catching up with great people. Then came the Saturday Night Live I had been waiting for since last week. Emma Stone as host, with musical guest Coldplay. Guess who missed it?

Sunday: Preparing for Wednesday night, and mom's home made curry chicken, and email the moderator of one the local sports blogs to figure out just what one of UK's basketball stars was doing out at 2:30, that caused him to be hit by a drunk driver.

Monday: Monday was supposed to be a quiet day with a day at the PFM, but while watching ESPN, I discovered that the Tip Off Marathon of basketball starts at midnight!

Tuesday: School where I will be turning in my second to final copy of my Internet Dating paper, work, and then gLee: The Christmas Album: Volume 2 will be arriving at my doorstep.

Wednesday: More work, playing hostess the neighborhood dinner club, debuting a super cute outfit, and then finally having everyone home right where they belong. It's about time.

Thursday: Oh. Em. Gee. Things might get a little crazy up in this joint. Just a lil bit. Today, I will be attending school to just get attendance points, and then promptly at 2:30, I will officially be on my much needed Thanksgiving break. While I realize that I do have a paper on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to write, I'm not going to let that ruin my mood.

Friday: Typical day at the Fruit market until 2 where I will then go get my haircut before the Thanksgiving Holiday. And a night out at the race track for November Birthday Celebrations.

Saturday: More work, and an afternoon of recovery from an amazing week.

I. Can. Hardly. Wait.

-Sara-