A Night with The Civil Wars

About a year and a half ago, Sean came home and told me about a co-write he’d just had with a guy named John Paul White.  He described John Paul as being very nice, super talented, and a Johnny Depp look-a-like.  I listened to the song they wrote, flipped-out, and ooohed-and-awwwed over this man’s voice. A few months later Sean told me about The Civil Wars, a new duo featuring John Paul and a woman named Joy Williams.  At Sean’s prompting, I listened to some of their stuff and was immediately blown away.  At night I began falling asleep to their record and pretending I could sing harmonies like that in my head.  Within months, they were playing Jay Leno, touring around the world, and selling out every single show.

Monday night, Sean had the honor of opening for The Civil Wars and it. was. awesome.  If you're unfamiliar with their music, you should watch this video and send me a Thank You card in the morning.   

But, back to Monday…

We left town around noon and headed to Alabama.  The van was packed with five band members, three other friends, and me.   When we reached Florence, the girls and I decided to leave the guys at sound check and walk around town.  The downtown area was charming and quaint. 

I found this awesome ring for $12

and Jessica found her new calling… modeling hats.

She looked so good in them it kind of made me sick…

Anyhoo, back to The Civil Wars.

After shopping, dinner, and some time backstage, it was time for the show and we eagerly took our seats in the front section of the sold out Shoals Theatre. 

Sean took the stage at 7:00.  The guys put on an incredible show and the crowd loved it.  I especially loved listening to the women next to me discuss how they wanted to “put Sean in their pocket, take him home, and lock him in their house.”  When the set was over, Sean came and sat beside me and the looks on their faces were priceless.  All at once they realized I’d heard their entire conversation and they leaned over and admitted to Sean what they’d said.  It was hilarious and the entire row bonded.

By 8:15 The Civil Wars took the stage and I was amazed.  Their performance was flawless, organic, and arresting.  With just two voices and a guitar, they had the entire theater on the edge of their seats. Their harmonies, melodies, and stage presence were absolutely captivating.  My eyes never moved from the stage and I left even more obsessed than when I arrived.  AND to top it all off, John Paul and Joy are as nice as they are talented and it was a blast getting to speak with them after the show.

A few hours later we were back on the road again and making a sleepy, but very entertaining drive back to Nashvegas. 

Here is a picture of Sean, John Paul, and Joy.  Sean posted it on twitter and the caption was, “Looks like I’m in the middle of a civil war.”  Gosh, he’s clever.



Long story short, The Civil Wars are awesome and you should go see them live if you ever have the opportunity.

Until then, if you haven't already, go to their website, http://www.thecivilwars.com/ , download their FREE live show at Eddie's Attic, and prepare to have your face melt off.

Much Love,

Mae Mae

Auntie Ruth Needs Help...

One thing we love about our adoption agency is that it is first and foremost a humanitarian agency. If there is any way for a child to stay with their biological family, they work to get that child sponsored instead of adopted.  If a child is sponsored, the agency assists the biological family in providing food and education for the child. 

Since the beginning of our agency’s work in Ghana, they have had the honor of meeting and working with some very special people.  One such person is a woman named Auntie Ruth.  Auntie Ruth served as a caregiver at a Ghanaian orphanage and now runs a private foster home, where she takes great care of  children waiting for adoption.  Her home is in a small line of apartments and the entire complex sees Aunti Ruth’s as a gathering place for the tenants (which includes 6 other AAI sponsored children.)

When you first walk into Auntie Ruth’s apartment, there is one little room that contains the kitchen and bathroom.  Unfortunately,  authorities have decided the current bathroom setup is unacceptable, and have blocked the pipes to the toilets in the entire complex.   This means every tenant (including these precious children) do not have access to an indoor bathroom anymore.

In order to restore plumbing, Auntie Ruth must pay 1,500 cedis (roughly $1,000) of her own money to dig a hole, run a sewer line, and install a new toilet in the back of the home.  She cannot afford this expense and without toilets, the children are forced to walk 10 minutes to an unsanitary community toilet.  This is a scary walk for the kids and according to our coordinator, the community bathroom is simply “not a place for children.” 

If Aunti Ruth receives a toilet, not only will the kids living in her unit be able to use it, but the sponsored kids next door will have access as well.

If you feel led to assist, click HERE  and select "AAI Ghana Program" and in Donation Designation type “Ghana- toilet.”

Here is a picture of Auntie Ruth and one of the neighborhood "babes"… (I have been given permission to post this.)

Wishing you a Merry Monday,
Mae Mae

It's Friday...

“It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, it’s what you do with your dancing shoes.”

Vince Fontaine- Grease, 1978

http://pinkwallpaper.blogspot.com

 Put on your dancin' shoes, get out there, and have a great weekend!

 Love,

Mae Mae



I Hereby Declare...

In light of  yesterday’s post, you should know that I stepped on the scale last night and discovered 15 blasts in two weeks really does make a difference... Who knew?

So, today’s topic?  Exercise.     

I hereby announce to blogo-world that I am going to become more active.  I will not, however, take part in boring exercise and have no intention of doing things that involve words like “reps” , “laps”, or “try.”  Just kidding. 

I plan will workout enjoy something fun and active 4 times a week.

It could be biking the greenway, taking a yoga class,  rolling around on my super-cool roller blades, pretending I’m a back-up dancer while watching Beyonce’s  “I AM” live concert DVD… There are a number of options.

Today I will load-up my i-pod and go people watching at the community center… while jogging. And since it’s 150 degrees outside, I will reward myself with a small blast on the way home.  Just kidding.

I leave with you visions of my future:



flickr.com

                                                                 



http://piccsy.com/



in5acts.com

http://www.google.com/

flickr.com

http://www.nydailynews.com/

Enjoy Your Thursday Everybody!!



A Love-Hate Relationship...

I am currently in the middle of a nasty love affair with the dessert menu at Sonic…

If you’ve ever had ice cream from Sonic you know what I’m talking about, and if you haven’t…don’t go, because you will become addicted. Immediately.

Two weeks ago, I decided to treat myself to some ice cream.  I pulled into Sonic, looked over their options and landed on a regular-sized Oreo Blast.  This cup of goodness offered a large portion of vanilla ice cream with oreo chunks mixed throughout and sprinkled on top.  Oh… and there was whip cream.

Since that fateful day, I have returned 8 times…all after 10 pm. This is embarrassing. 

Typically I would consider myself a healthy eater, but one taste of that bad sugar and I lost my conscience, all will-power, and the ability to fit into pants with a button. 

After my 4th consecutive night at Sonic, I looked down at myself and spotted sticky streams of melted oreo ice-cream running down my shirt, and when I looked in the rear-view mirror, there were major oreo stains in the crevices of my mouth.  I looked like a toddler.  This sight made me snap out of it and as I wiped up my mess I whispered, “You’re totally out of control.” 

At that moment I made a decision to take back my dignity and partake in only one tasty Sonic treat a week.  4 hours later, I was feeling good about my decision when a friend unknowingly suggested we go get a treat from Sonic.  I battled with my conscience for approximately ¾ of a second and then grabbed my keys.  On the way there she mentioned a Strawberry Banana Chocolate Milk Shake.  Say What?!??!? This option is not on the menu. (I would know.  I’m there every day. )

I was quickly informed that this “unlisted” option is possible if you ask nicely. They simply mix their other milk shake flavors together to create the mixture you desire.  Are you kidding me??!??

This knowledge opened a lot of doors I wasn’t prepared to close.

Since then, I’ve returned… I won’t say how many times, but let’s just say I’m Trying.

Long story short, I’m in a love/hate relationship with Sonic… and I’m addicted to the pain. 

I will not go more than three times once a week.

I will not go more than once a week.

I will not go more than once a week. 

City Life...

After eating lunch with my dad, stepmom, and sister today, I started thinking about when I used to share a house with the three of them... Here are some special memories that come to mind...

I always loved staying up late and watching episodes of the Twilight Zone...
It was creepy, but not too creepy, and the endings always left me stunned.
 "Dididoodoo-Dididoodoo"

My dad surprised me with a box of Cheeze-Its everytime I came to visit.  (Which in hindsight shouldn't have surprised me... if it was there every time.  You can see, now, how Twilight Zone blew my mind.)

Cheeze-its + Twilight Zone =  One gooood night

Courtesy of www.book-by-its-cover.com

I always enjoyed endless games of Thumb War... first with my dad, then with my sister.

Despite my double jointed thumbs and impressive left-hook, my sister still beats me now.  

Courtesy of everythingfab.com

I loved long conversations over coffee at the kitchen table.  I LOVE that kitchen, I LOVE that coffee... 

My step-mom even steamed the milk... Yummmmm

Courtesy of http://followstudio.blogspot.com

Everytime I visited, my favorite type of ice cream magically appeared after dinner.

Then, money for a cone at Maggie Moo's magically appeared on my dresser the next day :)

Thanks Daddy!

Courtsey of eastmanimages.com

A visit to the big city meant a visit to the movie theater.  

One memory that stands out was when I put a Reese's cup on my lap and then got so engrossed in the film that I crossed my legs and forgot.  On my way out of the theater, I hopped on the escalator and as I slid up the 50 foot incline (with a hundred movie-goers behind me) the case of the missing Reese's dawned on me, and I looked down to discover a massive amount of melted chocolate covering the rear and legs of my light-colored khakis.  As I realized the large crowd behind me must be looking up and drawing their own conclusions regarding this mysterious brown stain, I froze.  When my girlfriend turned around to see what was holding me up, she immediately noticed the giant issue at hand, and looked at me with wide eyes. "It's chocolate... it melted." I said quietly... to which she gasped and died laughing.  I, of course, was horrified.  

But somehow, (with nothing less than a miracle) I managed to climb out of my teenage-egocentric tunnel vision and realize that, yes, the situation was quite humorous.  And by the time we reached the house, we were both laughing hysterically. This is now one of my favorite memories, although I have not bought chocolate at a theater since, and never intend to ever. again. 

Courtesy of inchmark.squarespace.com

This is the Memory Game.  Some call it Concentration.  

I loved playing this game with my sister. 

 I loved it so much that I bought a version for my phone last year and play myself 2 or 3 times every week.

9 times out of 10 I score "Genius." 

It's like what-evs.

Courtsey of emmas.blogg.se

Lastly, one of the best things about this house was my room.  The bed was super comfortable and the room was dark and cold and quiet, and if it weren't for the sweet pitter-patter of my little sister coming to wake me up, I would probably still be sleeping.  

Thanks family for the great memories!  Love you!

Oh, Mr. Library...

abcreads.blogspot.com

There are few things I love more than searching through an old library.  The smell of aged books, the camaraderie of a large group of people all trying to stay quiet for one another, and the endless supply of free material makes a library visit  heavenly.

Luckily, our city library has over 20 branches, one of which is smack dab in the middle of our neighborhood.  Within 10 minutes, I can walk to the library and eagerly enter my “happy place.” 

Last week, somewhere between running errands and an ice-cold Cherry Limeade from Sonic, I swung  into the library parking lot and ran in.  I browsed the brochures and community advertisements, stared at the Summer Reading section for a while, and then slowly began walking through the aisles. I examined hundreds of books, picking up at least one per every dozen.  Eventually I left with more than I had anticipated, but that’s the joy of a library.  You can go overboard, take risks, and never pay a penny...

Here’s what I got:

These suckers aren’t due for 3 weeks and I’m in heaven.  Every free second I get, I run to The Bean Trees and read, read, read.  The faster I read, the sooner I find out what happens to Taylor Greer, (the story’s awesome protagonist), the sooner I get to begin and finish the next two, and the sooner I get to go back and start over.

Oh Mr. Library, you have my heart. 

www.flickr.com

Happy Monday, 

Mae Mae