Damn! 8 degrees is cold!

So, no one has ever mistaken me for someone that loves the cold weather. My husband's family, God love them, live in Wisconsin. And boy, its cold there. They always laugh at me when I visit because I am dressed like I live at the North Pole. But they can jest all they want... I stay warm.

So last weekend we decided to visit Nash Vegas with some friends and their kids and purposefully go into a building where Charlie Brown was frozen. Now kids, don't get upset. It wasn't the real Charlie Brown, just one made out of ice. And boy, was it beautiful, and cold.

My husband, being the Peanuts aficionado that he is (the man can name characters that probably Charles Schultz forgot the names)had a smile on his frozen face the entire time. As did my son.

I have to admit, it was very cool. I was expecting ice sculptures, but didn't at all think about the cool colors.

It was a fun family trip and really helped get me in the holiday spirit (as much as i can, of course.) Now, if only I could get Charlie Brown and that darn Lucy to wrap my presents....

You know I am a Tigers fan, but not a Tiger (Woods) fan...

I'm not in shock at all.

I know everyone keeps going on and on about Tiger Woods and his "trangressions." I must admit, I've watch a few entertainment shows about it. (Plus, it's really hard not to keep up with the Tiger news when even ESPN has a special "Tiger Ticker" going across the bottom of its college basketball coverage.

Let's just say that I am not surprised in the least. Sure, he's a great golfer. Arguably the best, but he isn't a nice person. He really never has been. "Oh, but Dawn, he's been so good for the game by being a person of color." Uh, Tiger has never really claimed to be an African-American. He touts his diversity as "Cau-bl-in-asion" as in caucasian, black, indian, asian. Last time I checked, that wasn't African-American. Strike One.

"But Dawn, he gives so much money to St. Jude..." And? He has a ton of it. He should give money to St. Jude. It doesn't really make him a good person. It just means someone has advised him to give back. Besides, he's never played in the St. Jude Golf Tournament, even though he is a huge contributor to the hospital and to Target House here in Memphis. He knows how much more money it would bring, but he still has yet to play. (Some may think this is a weak argument...)

"But Dawn, he's been such a great role model for young, black athletes." Really? Let's see, he has a horrible temper, and curses when he doesn't make a shot. He is a bad sport and a big baby. He yells, he doesn't sign autographs, he isn't that nice to children or fans on the course. Yes, he is a great golfer, likely the best, but he ought to be. His father groomed him to play golf and be a pro golfer by the time he could walk. He was born to be one of the world's best golfers. He didn't really have much of a childhood, it was consumed by golf.

"Still, Dawn, it's a shame that something like this has happened to an American icon." I disagree. We all make choices. He married arguably one of the most beautiful women in the world. If he wasn't ready to stop f-ing around, then he shouldn't have married her. Obviously, Elin doesn't sit on the side lines, and good for her. If the rumors about her are true, then perhaps Nike Golf should replace Tiger as a spokesperson with her. Perhaps the LPGA now has a new player. Seems she can really swing a club!

I know that given the right circumstances, almost everyone can be tempted to commit "transgressions," but a 31-month "transgression?" I don't think so. (of course, that is if one of his alleged 3 mistresses is telling the truth.)

So, chalk Tiger Woods up to one of the many, many people who cheat on their spouses. And it's not just men. Women are guilty of indiscretion, as well.

As a PR person, it's funny to me that his ridiculous statement posted on his web site turned the tables on the media to place blame. The same media who have put him on this pedestal and have made him the icon that he is. Just goest to show you the type of society we live in, and that one bad move in life and in the media will tarnish your image forever. And yes, my professional PR opinion, is that his image is tarnished. Actually, I think his true image is just now shining through.

Perhaps a little late for Thanksgiving, but...

So hosting Thanksgiving while being pregnant isn't an easy task, but I did it. (with the help of my dear, sweet, very handy mother, of course.) I was especially proud this year because I made my first ever lemon meringue pie. I wanted it to be picture perfect, with a mile-high meringue. I didn't achieve that status, but I was pretty proud of it.

Might I add it also tasted quite yummy. It was a Paula Deen recipe, but I admit, I had trouble with the meringue. I envisioned the fluffy meringue to be 5 inches high, and I actually went through 3 different meringues before I got this one, but alas, I settled.

I soon realized that the big, tall meringues are probably made with about twice the amount of egg whites, and I only used 3 (so said Mother Deen's recipe.)

Oh well, it was tasty and everyone was stufed as Thanksgiving should be. I am thankful for my family and friends.

T-I-G-E-R-S......TIGERS!!!!!

Hello my name is Dawn, and I hold a grudge...

Before I officially begin my post this evening, you should know something about me. I am a Memphis Tigers fan, and yes, Iam still a bit bitter. Okay, a LOT bitter. I started to title this post Snake Oil Salesman (a nod to our former coach John "never implicated in any wrongdoing" Calipari) but I want to move beyond the bitterness. I really do. My husband says it's not healthy. I even have had dreams about confronting him. I know, I know, I should have better things to think and dream about, but what can I say?

I'm going to use this post to get it out of my system, as probably one of the biggest games in Tiger history is happening less than 2 hours from now -- Memphis vs. Kansas. I don't want to get my hopes up, but I just want us to play decently.

OUR COACH IS HOTTER THAN YOURS (AND WELL, ANYONE'S)

Mainly, I want the Tigers to shine and the spotlight our new (and very hot, might I add) coach Josh Pastner. He's a 32-year-old coaching phenom, the second youngest coach in the NCAA right now. I want this season to not be about Cal. I want it to be about our players and Coach Pastner. The players that have endured the disappointment that Memphis had in April when Calipari left for Kentucky. And let's face it, Coach Pastner played for and coached under one of the greats, Lute Olson of Arizona.

While in high school, Pastner played and coached AAU ball in Texas. Yep, coached, as a player. Anyway, he walked on at Arizona, and didn't play too much, but coached the players and Olson hired him on as an assistant right out of college. Oh, by the way, he's also really smart. Did I mention he was smokin' hot?

Anyway, I want this season to be about the TIGERS and our coach. Not one man hogging the spotlight, selling us snake oil and making us drink the kool aid. (I've often compared Calipari to Jim Jones -- the cult leader who made his followers commit mass suicide by drinking kool aid. However, at least Jim Jones drank his own kool aid. Calipari tool off for a big-A house in Lexington. But, I digress...

Anyway, here's to the Tigers, and our city. And to Coach Pastner. Play on.

The Grotto's Not Just a Place at the Playboy Mansion

So I knew it was a beautiful place-the grotto they call it. But let's face it, it is at the graveyard. When I think of grotto, my mind wanders to the Playboy mansion, with Playboy bunnies and Hef in his pajamas and smoking jacket, but I digress.

Anyway, we've been needing some new photos of our Toots McGee, and a friend of mine let me know about a photographer who is trying to get her business started-- Shannon Payne. Well, I am very pleased and I haven't even seen all of the photos yet.

http://shannonpaynephotography.blogspot.com

All in all, the session went great. He was dressed to the nines, looking like a Gap or Polo ad. Ridiculous. but so cute. Thanks, Shannon. We'll spread the word about your photos.

WTF w/ Lady GaGa?

I've been following this Lady Gaga fascination for some time, and I have to finally ask the question... WTF?

I mean seriously, the lady never wears pants. Doesn't she get cold? Some might think she is a fashion genius, but honestly, she wears so much weirdness on her face.

Her music is ok, i get tired of hearing it EVERYWHERE, but her choices in fashion are just weird. She wears bird's nests on her face, and this photo has her face covered in lace.

Perhaps I am getting old. Maybe I am a fuddy duddy, but gees, her choices are just weird.

Perez Hilton, one of my favorite celeb bloggers, seems to be in love with her. He dressed up as her for Halloween, and yikes, it was a bit scary. But she is always scary to look at, so....

Ode to Pellet Ice

Yes, you heard me, pellet ice. Recently, a very resourceful coworker of mine clued me in on the best ice machine on our campus--the pellet ice machine. Now, I know you are thinking that ice is ice is ice, but au contraire.

Pellet ice is like nectar of the gods (okay, perhaps a overstatement) but we truly love it 'round these parts. Trust me, the pellet ice is keeping me from eating everything in sight.

I wanted to pay tribute to this phenomenal ice creation, so here goes...

oh pellet ice
i love you so
crunchy texture
cold on my lips
a nice treat in the afternoon
wish you were in this building so i wouldn't have to walk to another

(so i never claimed to be a poet)