We Are....Marshall!

"In the middle of Huntington, West Virginia, there's a river. Next to this river is a steel mill. And, next to this steel mill there is a school. In the middle of the school, there is a fountain. Each year on the exact same day, at the exact same hour, the water to this fountain is turned off. And in this moment, once every year through out the town, through out the school, time stands still". We Are Marshall

I grew up 2 hours south east of Huntington, West Virginia in Mingo County. Where I am from, you are either a Marshall football fan or a WVU football fan...except for one day...every November 14th, we are all Marshall fans.

It was always interesting in my family, as one of my uncles graduated from Marshall and my other uncle/grandfather are die hard WVU fans. (For those of you not familar, this rivalry can be pretty heated.) The Marshall football tragedy happened before I was born (1970) , but I have vivid memories of my grandfather talking about it, and my great aunt telling me the stories of looking from her front porch in Kenova, WV and seeing the hill on fire and feeling like the town would never be the same.

Had we this happened into today's time of technology/Facebook/Twitter, perhaps this would be a bigger story. But for those of us this has touched, we always remember the 75 lives that were lost on this day.

Many have seen the movie "We Are Marshall" and I can remember what chaos it caused when Matthew McConahey was in the area filming the movie.

It was so exciting to see WV on the big screen and to see this story done correctly. But walking away, and every time I have watched it since then, it jars me to remember, this really happened. This was not a Hollywood produced/created story. Please join me today, in remembering those lost November 14, 1970.

WE ARE MARSHALL!

If you would like to read more about the Marshall football tragedy, here are a few links:
http://www.marshall.edu/library/speccoll/virtual_museum/memorial/default.asp
http://www.wvculture.org/history/thisdayinwvhistory/1114.html
http://media.herald-dispatch.com/mucrash/index.php?p=4

It's All About Me

Today, I am linking up with Kasey over aDomesticated Hygienist for 'It's All About Me'. The idea is to share something that is 'all about you', be it photos, updates, stories, or like me, a random questions post, questions found over on Kasey's post from last week (although I did take a few liberties and changed some up). Since I am a 'baby blogger', I thought it would be a good getting to know me post!

Let's get to it....

1. If you had to do it all over again, what would you study in school?
Pharmacy

2. What would you like to add to your life?
Good health for my Momma, love and laughter.

3. What is your favorite thing about fall?
I love the colors of fall...they make me happy!

4. If you did not need the money, what would you do for work?
I would love to write a book, volunteer or start my own business.

5. What is your ringtone?
Everyone: Only Prettier by Miranda Lambert
Mom: The Middle by Jimmy Eat World

6. What is the furthest west you have traveled?
Montreal, Canada or Las Vegas....both seem pretty far and not sure which is further from Baltimore...I guess Vegas is, but Montreal feels like it since we drove.

7. What is the funniest thing you've heard a child say?
My cousin (11 year old boy) told me on my last birthday (31st) that if I wasn't getting married soon..I should just get some cats and call it a day!

8. If you could live in another country for 2 years, where would you live?
Greece

9. What is the worst physical pain you've ever been in?
Tearing up my ankle while cheer leading.

10. Who taught you to cook?
I wouldn't blame that on anyone.....I can't cook!


11. When have you felt bad for losing your temper?
Good question....I am not really a lose my temper kind of girl.


12. What is the nicest thing a friend has done for you?
Wow, I don't think I could narrow it down. My friends have been AHmazing the past few weeks! I would be lost without them! Love you girls!

13. What TV re-run do you sit down to watch whenever it's on?
Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Friends, 90210, King of Queens...I could go on and on....

14. What do you do when you cannot sleep?
Check FB or twitter on my phone.

15. What was your toughest accomplishment?
Getting my degree...I was on the long term plan

16. What in your life is more important than money?
Family..Friends...Health...Love...Happiness

17. E-book or traditional book?
I do have an e-reader that I love, but there are certain authors/book series that I have to have in paper.

18. Favorite football team (college or pro)
Baltimore Ravens
West Virginia Mountaineers

19. Favorite alcoholic beverage? Non alcoholic beverage?
Margaritas!
Pepsi or Strawberry-Lemonade flavored water from Target

20. Target or Walmart
Target!

That is a little about me.....share with me a little about you!

Mom

I have tried to write this blog several times over the past week....I just don't know how to do it, or even if I should. Let me go back...

I started this blog about a year ago as a way to express my love of pop culture, books, gossip and a place to write. I have loved writing since the 7th grade and have always wanted to write a book. As you can see from my limited posts, I haven't been very successful. Here I am, one year later, back in an attempt to re-focus on my blog....but for an entirely different reason. There is no easy way to say it...or even write it.....my Mom, the best person I know, my best friend, has Stage IV Lung Cancer.

My Mom raised me and growing up and even now...it has been me and her against the world. How do we battle this when I can't even think about the future without falling apart?? I am an only child and my 'biological donor' is not in the picture...so this feels so lonely. It sounds selfish, but I am so scared. Scared for me, scared for her, scared for the future, scared for the unknown. I don't even know how to begin to deal.

In some odd way...here I am again back at the blog in an attempt to deal, in an attempt to distract myself, in an attempt to create some new normal, because I feel like my life is forever changed and nothing will be ok again.

In searching for something....I found someone who has faced this evil demon, and says it all in a much better way than I can. Please visit my new bloggie friend Nikki over at Raindrops on Wednesday and read her story.

Target Tuesday!

Hi bloggie friends! I am linking up with the fabulous Tara over at Fabulous but Evil for Target Tuesday!



This your opportunity to go crazy on target.com and highlight what you are loving at Target this week! I actually worked at Target for years...so I like to think I am a pro!!

This week I am loving new bedding and jewelry armoires! I am always obsessed with changing up my bedroom or bathroom.


Puckering Duvet Set.....I long for the a comfy,overstuffed bed....

Egyptian Cotton Sheets? Yes, please!.....

Pretty pillow....doesn't go with my 'look' really, but this is my wish list, so whatev.....

And a little something from my 'grandma' side....

I have always wanted a jewelry armoire.....can't decide between the white or darker wood.

And, a flamingo just 'cause I loooooove them!....

What are you loving at Target this week?

It's Ok....

It is Thursday....and that means time to link up (my first!!) with Amber and Neely for....




For me this week, It's Ok....

*To punctuate every thought/sentence/run-on sentence with ........... I obsessively use the ........

*To check your phone religiously for FB/tweets....even in the middle of the night when you just get up to go to the bathroom, but must check to see if there is any breaking gossip news

*To follow way too many fabulous blogs, and just be a loser and 'lurk'

*To not be a 'Gleek'....I just don't get Glee

*To not get Lady Gaga....I like her songs, but from the performance perspective, I just don't get it

*To obviously not get a lot of things...see above

*To not be looking forward to the holidays this year....there is a lot going on with my family right now, and I am just not feeling it

*To be excited to sit down with the dvr to watch 'Top Chef: Texas' from last night!

*To be cautiously excited about my team, WVU, jumping from the Big East to the Big 12

*To be over the moon excited that The Limited now has a Plus Size section!! Say what???!!! http://www.eloquii.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-eloquii-Site/default/Default-Start


What's' OK with you today?

Nail Polish Swap!

Hey ya'll...I am back from lurking....again! I have been dealing with a lot in my personal life (more on that in another post) and looking for an outlet. I read so many blogs and am inspired by all of you. I am hoping that by focusing a bit on my blog, it will be a good creative outlet for me and a distraction from what is going on.

That being said, I am excited to participate in my first blog swap evahhh!!! What better way than to link up to a swap about nail polish! I do love me some nail polish and keep up (ahem, attempt) with the newest styles/crazes. I am admittedly loving the gel polish manicures, I have heard others who haven't had the best experiences, but I LOVE it! It is awesome for my crazy lifestyle and my nail tech rocks too! Definitely tried the beige nail that was so popular last season...it is so pretty and goes with everything...everything except my skin tone, totally sad :(

Anyway, if you love nail polish as much as I do.....join Celia from ....just trying to find my way and Tara from Fabulous but Evil !!

Hi, my name is Cara and I have a problem....

Hey Bloggie Friends! Long time no talk! Which is totally my fault....working 2 jobs and juggling my crazy life leaves only time for blog lurking and no time for blog posting! Working the 2 jobs has left a lot of things in my life neglected, including my DVR. The poor thing is sitting at 98% capacity because I have no time to watch tv anymore, which used to be my guiltiest pleasure! I took inventory of what I was watching/dvr'ing this week and realized, I have a MAH-JOR tv problem! I can admit it, but don't want to change it!



I am sure that you think I am just exaggerating......as proof, here is what I am watching this week...



Monday

8pm ABC bachelor pad: episode 202

8pm Secret Life of the American Teenager
8pm Giuliana & Bill: where to next, bill?
9pm Bad Girls Club : A tale of 2 clicks (on demand catch up)
9pm HGTV Design Start: Designers have 24 hours…
9/8c Deadly Sibling Rivalry (movie)
9 pm The Lying Game: Pilot
9 pm The Closer (TNT)
10 pm Weeds (Showtime) (on demand catch up)
10 pm Rizzoli & Isles: Rebel Without a Pause
10pm Dina’s Party
10pm Most Eligible Dallas: Plenty of fish in the Big D
11pm The Protector: Affairs


Tuesday
8 pm MasterChef: Season finale
9 pm What Not to Wear :Becky
9pm Downsized: A house Divided
9pm Flipping Out: Showdown at Sunshine Terrace
10 pm HawthoRNe (TNT) Season finale
10pm Teen Mom: Without You
10:30pm Family Restaurant: Mother’s Love knows no boundaries


Wednesday
8 pm Melissa & Joey
8pm Big Brother
8:30pm Melissa & Joey
9 pm Royal Pains
10 pm The Challenge: The storm before the storm
10pm Rocco’s Dinner Party
10pm Storage Wars: Tanks for the Memories
10pm Storage Wars

Thursday
9pm Big Brother
9pm Project Runway: All About Nina
10pm Jersey Shore: Twinning
10pm Texas Women: 106

Friday
10pm Four Weddings: and a bouncy house

Sunday
8pm Big Brother
8pm Jerseylicious: Who’s Jealous Now
10pm Against the Wall
10pm Keeping up with Kardashians: The Family Vacation
1030pm Entourage
11pm Thicker than Water (Bravo)

On Demand catch up
Happy Endings (ABC)
Hawthorne (TNT)
Necessary Roughness (USA)
Covert Affairs (USA)
Necessary Roughness (USA)
Suites (USA)
Drop Dead Diva (Lifetime)
Famous Food (VH1)
Dance Moms (Lifetime)
Hot in Cleveland (TVLand)
Happily Divorced (TVLand)
Burn Notice (USA)
Rookie Blue (ABC)
Food Truck Race (FOOD)

What's your addiction???