Finally, a new blog post

I wrote this in September.  I’ve been having difficulty publishing to the blog lately.  I just tried to publish it again on a whim today (January) and it worked.  I can’t believe it.  You can scroll down on the blog home page to read it or click the link below.  The post is about some ideas for storing jewelry.

Jewelry Storage Blog Post

So much has changed for us since my last post.  I can’t wait to catch you up now that things are working again.

Not So "Real" Estate

Look what I found this evening at the lot for sale next door to us.

The home on the lot burned to the ground just before we moved in our house.  All that is left is the front entry.

Several sweet little neighborhood girls use this facade as their imaginary everything space. We've witnessed it become a make believe house, school, and even a magazine/newspaper headquarters.  In fact, Judd and I bought two "subscriptions" for a quarter a piece a few weekends ago.

Yesterday a for sale sign was placed on the lot.  Apparently the children were very upset about this.  Look at the sign that they put up this afternoon.

I thought it was too cute not to share with you all.

I have such sympathy for our pint size neighbors.  My childhood neighbors and I were so much like them (Hi Carolyn and Rachel).  I think their little hearts are broken. I hope whoever buys the property will let them play in the yard from time to time.

 

New Blog Header

Look! The Langham Project got a new blog header.

Judd designed this for us the other day.

What do y'all think? We both have wide screens so we are not sure how it looks on other computers.

Can you see it? Is it centered? Any suggestions?

Pinecones, Dissertations, Parties, and Football

What do the things listed in the title of this post have in common?  Well, nothing.  This post is an attempt at a final recap of our summer.   It will be in mostly pictures.

We had a big storm one afternoon that knocked down several tree limbs in our neighborhood.  With the limbs came these beautiful green pinecones and sweet gum balls.  I once again walked up and down our street collecting them.  At this point, I know our neighbors think I am crazy.  But y’all, they were so pretty in vases and hurricane glasses with candles.  I placed them all around our house.  They lasted for a few weeks but eventually turned brown.  Aren’t they pretty?

 

Also, this summer, we helped decorate Judd’s studio for a 90th birthday party for Judd’s business partner’s mother.  Did you get that?  :)  The party was actually across the street from the studio.  It was held in a meeting room adjacent to the historic Alabama Theatre.  The studio was used for a pre-party cocktail hour for closest friends and relatives. 

   

   

And,  speaking of relatives, guess who just happens to be married to Bob’s nephew.

Yep, Melissa Joan Hart.

Also this summer we had a get together lunch with some of the Fab and Fab husbands.  While we were there we got to play with this cute little fella.

 

We also celebrated my 27th birthday.  Judd bought me a yummy cake from Publix and some beautiful spider mums.  They really went great with the green pinecones.  :)

 

No, we do not have a paw print rug in our living room.  That is Cole’s blanket.  He drools and sheds too much to let him lay down without something underneath him.

Speaking of dogs, Cole also had surgery over the summer.  He is doing fine.  Thanks for asking.  :)  We are terrible parents because we found his cone to be SO funny and photographed it at his expense.  I’ll admit, I cried the first night he had it on because he was so pitiful and was running into everything.  Eventually, he got used to it and we got a kick out of it.

Additionally, over the summer, 3 of my friends from my doctoral cohort and I decided to be accountability partners for each other to ensure we are on track with our dissertations.  Our professor (middle) referred to us as her dissertation divas.  Hence the title in the photo.  We started calling her Dr. Diva.  I know it seems silly but we are all so constantly stressed.  It is nice to have something to laugh about together.

Last but not least, it is now time for SEC college football.  Woo Woo.  I sure do love this time of year.  I have noticed several folks stumbling onto our blog looking for Auburn’s 2011 schedule.  So, here it is.  I thought this was so great.  It was a magnet that came in the mail with our season tickets.  They used jersey numbers to indicate the dates.  What a clever idea.

Well, that’s a rap on our summer.  We are wishing a happy fall to all of y’all. 

War Eagle!

University of Alabama Law School - Tornado Relief Fund

The very serious and grim reality of the devastation felt from deadly tornadoes by the citizens of my home state of Alabama over the past week or so has prompted my last few posts to have a much more serious tone than the usual fluffy discussions on decorating, family, dogs, crafting, etc.  Over the past several days, Judd and I have been reminded time after time of how fortunate we were to have escaped the wrath of the storm and how in need so many in our state truly are at this time.  Please bare with us as we discuss topics that really matter and that may offer ways to help during this difficult time for so many.

This morning I received an email from a friend I’ve had since middle school.  She is one of the FAB.  This friend, Susan, is a law student at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa (a city that suffered widespread damage from a tornado with at least an EF4 rating on April 27, 2011).  Her email noted a relief fund set up by the students in the Law School at UA.  If you have been looking for a way to help, this is an option for you.

I cannot even attempt to articulate to you the situation in Tuscaloosa.  I have not seen it with my own eyes.  Susan, however, was there when it hit and has remained there to help with the clean up efforts.  Her boyfriend’s apartment was destroyed.  Thankfully neither Susan or her boyfriend, Charles, were harmed.

Since I cannot relay the message from my own account I will share Susan’s words with you instead.  See the message from her email below.

“My dearest girlfriends,

First of all, please know that I'm not asking any of you to donate to the following relief fund, as I know you have many other expenses to worry about.  I thought, however, that you might be able to forward to employers or others that have the means to contribute. I realize that disaster relief might not be getting much publicity, given the recent capture and killing of Bin Laden, but what you have heard and what I've told you is absolutely true--the devastation is widespread and total in many areas. We helped an old couple the other day who had been in their home for 58 years--and now its gone. Yet, our residents' spirits are high and almost everyone has a good attitude about rebuilding. The faith of these people is amazing and awesome.  But the fact is that these people need help. 

This fund we've set up at the law school has three purposes. First, the funds will be used to help our students and staff who have lost their homes, property, etc. And it will go only to those in true need. As I told some of you, Charles's apartment was destroyed, but he's just fine, and won't need assistance.  Rather, it's for those who have literally lost everything, and those who cannot access insurance payments either because they don't have it (lots of us students don't have renters insurance) or it will just take forever to come through.  Second, the funds will be used to support the law school's general volunteer efforts. We have been out everyday since the tornado hit helping each other and the community. The poorer areas of Tuscaloosa were not as fortunate as many of us were to have so much help and financial support. We have been buying garbage bags, boxes, tools, etc. to help people salvage their belongings, and food and water to sustain the volunteers and to pass out to victims, and even gift cards to give to people to buy the necessities. Finally, the residual cash will be donated to the Red Cross who will probably be here for the long-term recovery.

My friend, Will Booher, is Student Bar Association Treasurer, and he is in control of the money.  I vouch for his integrity, as I know misuse of funds is often a concern of donors.  Again, please don't feel like I'm asking you to give. I'm just trying to spread the word. I attached a picture, too, just to give you an idea as to what happened. That used to be homes, and that picture is what it's like in a lot of different places.  Remember in Twister when Helen Hunt says "You've never seen it skip that house and skip that house, and then come right after yours"? That's what happened. Some places just have a few branches in the yard, and other entire little communities have been literally wiped out.  And this is not to evoke sympathy or make you think that everyone is dead...most people are alive by the grace of God, and now they need our help to rebuild.

The link below is to a Paypal Account (UA Law SBA) where anyone can pay via credit card.  Having a Paypal account is not necessary to use this method of donation.  Here is the link:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=7PMDWKD3SQYUE

Thank y'all, in advance, for passing this link on!  And thank y'all for checking on me after the tornado hit.  I am so glad that all of y'all that were in the tornado's path are safe as well! 

Love,
Susan”

I hope that by posting this I am helping to aid in the relief effort by spreading the word about this organization.  Please continue to pray for the victims of this storm.

Raining Cats and Dogs???

Yesterday was the first day it has rained since the deadly tornadoes swept through Alabama.  As I mentioned in my last post, we found debris in our yard from the storms.  It was heart breaking to think about the fact that the insulation, shingles, plastic, foam, and wood we picked up were parts of someone’s home, business, or place of worship.  During the storm, our across-the-street neighbor actually saw a whole door floating past her house.  We are so fortunate.  So many in our state are suffering in a way that we cannot even grasp.

All of that debris makes one wonder.  What else landed in our neighborhood?  Could a cat have landed there?  Sadly, over the course of the last few days people have been found miles away from their original locations.  Therefore, it is highly likely that, indeed, a cat could have landed in our neighborhood too. 

You see, last night, the cat question became particularly pertinent.  As Judd and I walked towards our house from the driveway with groceries in our hands we spotted a little and very dirty calico cat sitting on our front porch trying to get out of the rain.  I am a sucker for animals.  Judd is too.  However, the last thing in the world we need is another pet.  Judd promptly said, “Don’t feed her” as he walked in the door.

I dropped off the grocery bags I was holding in our kitchen and immediately went outside to check on the kitty.  She very quickly started loving on me.  She was so sweet.  As soon as I stepped outside she started rubbing her soft head and boney body against my legs and hands.  She felt so thin.

When I sat down on our porch swing she jumped right into my lap.  I motioned through the window to tell Judd that she seemed hungry.

My husband, Judd Langham, who is allergic to cats and who also told me not to feed her, quickly came outside with some of Cole’s dog food for her and some water.  He brought the food out on a  Tupperware lid.  We crushed it up into smaller pieces.  Gosh, I sure do love that man and his compassionate heart.

As soon as he put the dish down the kitty frantically started eating.  She must have been starving.  It seemed to me that she was someone’s cat at one time and not just a wild stray.  She was not afraid of people and she knew how to “love” a human.  I wish I could have sat in that swing all night holding her.  She seemed so content to finally have a lap to sit on.

Sure, she could really be a local stray.  However, we’ve never seen a cat on our porch or in our yard until now.  She also really could be a storm victim.  We’ll probably never know.

She broke my heart when I finally went inside.  She sat outside of our front door all night meowing.  I took the photo below while looking through the window on the front door.

I know it is a long shot, but if anyone recognizes this cat please let us know.  We will do our best to return her to her owners.   

Prayers Needed For Tornado Victims

Hi all. I am just checking in with you.  Judd and I, as well as our families, are fine; however, so many in our state are not.  As you have probably heard by now, powerful storms rolled across Alabama yesterday.

We are so fortunate to have been spared from the storm’s wrath.  We did find debris in our backyard.  We think it was from the city of Tuscaloosa.  What we found was mostly housing insulation and chipped wood.  The same system that swept through Tuscaloosa wreaking havoc also came through Birmingham.  It was just a few miles north of where we live.

So many people in our state and throughout the southeast are hurting today.  Please keep them in your prayers.  The death toll continues to rise.  It is horrific.  The university where I work (UAB) is the only level I trauma center in the state.  The UAB hospital took 134 patients during the night.  As I sit here at my desk today I hear ambulance sirens every few minutes.  We know so many who were affected.  Please, please, please pray for the citizens of Alabama.

We are so thankful to our friends and family who continuously checked on us throughout the evening and who provided us with updated news.  We love you and appreciate your thoughtfulness and concern.

I have attached a news article from NPR on the devastation here in Birmingham.  Click here to read it.

Also attached is a video from CBS news of the devastation at first light this morning.  Click here for the video.

Currently the death toll for the city of Tuscaloosa alone is 36 dead.  600 others were injured.

The death toll for the entire state is so much worse and continues to rise.

Click here to see a list of ways you can help the tornado victims.

Super Bowl Sundae

Just a quick idea I had for your Super Bowl party. 

What about Super Bowl Sundaes for dessert??? 

You could use green and yellow m&m’s or sprinkles for a Green Bay Packers topping.  Or, for the Pittsburgh Steelers, you could do pineapple and chocolate chips, or crushed Oreos and yellow m&m’s, or gummy bears, or sprinkles.  The possibilities are endless. 

Set up an ice cream bar and let your guests pile on their favorite toppings.

Enjoy.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!!!

Whew, School’s Over. Let’s Catch Up.

 

Is it just me or has this summer been exceptionally busy?  As you may have guessed from my blogging hiatus, things have been a little crazy for me lately…well since about May.  My full-time position at UAB, in addition to my two courses, have taken up just about every minute of every day for me all summer.  I have slept about half as much as usual.  I’ve eaten way worse than normal.  We are talking fast food, dinner from the vending machine in the School of Education building, or skipping a couple meals at a time.  And to add to my healthy and balanced lifestyle (note sarcasm), I’ve consumed considerably higher amounts of caffeine.  I might as well have just had an IV drip of the stuff attached at all times. 

I’m finally able to blog about all of this now because I’m FINISHED with the summer semester.  I officially turned in my last paper on Wednesday, August 4th!!!!!!  The last two weeks have been “H” “E” double hockey sticks.  I’ve had two final papers and one lengthy and time consuming final exam all due in the last two weeks.   One paper was for my EDL 704 - Educational law and policy development course.  It ended up being 67 pages!!!  The other paper was for EPR 692 - Educational Research.  This was a research methods course.  My final paper for this class consisted of a mini-literature review to give us a better understanding and (hopefully) a jumpstart on what will be chapter two of our dissertations.  When I say mini, please understand the context.  Mini makes things sound easy and manageable right?  WRONG.  This paper ended up being 31 pages!!!! 

Sorry for the rant.  I know we all have stresses in our lives.  I know I brought the stresses described above on myself when I decided to pursue my Ph.D. while working full-time.  Despite the constant pressure I am under I wouldn’t trade the opportunity to pursue this degree for anything.  I know it will be worth it in the long run. To stay focused, I visualize when I will become Dr. Langham on graduation day (3 years from now) .  I attended my mother’s doctoral graduation a few years ago.   Since I went to hers, I know all of the special pomp and circumstance that surrounds the hooding ceremony and graduation.  I CAN’T WAIT!!!!!  This blog is my outlet and as such, I wanted to shout from the rooftops that I made it!!!  I’m finished!!!!  I survived yet another semester!!!!  But since I am too tired from all of that work to climb up to a rooftop, I’ll just tell you all here.  :)

This post is an attempt to catch up on all of the things I wanted to blog about this summer but did not have the time to because of work and school.  I may follow up with some future posts about a few of these topics.

Here’s a recap of our summer:

• In the late spring, Judd and I went to my grandmother’s house.  She taught me how to make her delicious biscuits.  (I’ll definitely do a future post about this and put it in the “Southern Women How To’s Section.”)

 

• In early May, my brother got married.

Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Tull

 

  Judd and Me

My Parents

 

The groom’s cake.  Yeah, this cake probably deserves a post all its own.  This was an armadillo cake like the one in Steel Magnolias.  (Please note that they did have a normal bride’s cake and an additional groom’s cake).

• In mid May, Judd and I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary.

• In late May, Judd’s brother got married.  I hope to do a post about the wedding and about the bridesmaids’ luncheon I hosted for his wife, Brenna.  You’ve already seen a snippet about it here.  The photos below were taken by an amazing photographer and person in general, Julie Cottrell.  She also married a local Brewton man.  Julie did an outstanding job.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Colby Langham

 

Brenna, the beautiful bride

The gorgeous wedding cake.

• Shortly after Judd’s brother’s wedding we started a small business.  It all started when Judd made the wedding invitations, response cards, thank-you notes, and the wedding program for the happy couple, Brenna and Colby.  It all turned out so great we realized we might be on to something.  To read Brenna’s take on our invites click here.  We’ve had a busy summer taking orders and designing DIY printable cards, stationary, and invitations.   (I’ll certainly do a post about this in the future as well).  In the meantime, if you are interested in placing a custom order, just leave me a comment below.

• In early June, we went the wedding of two friends we made while living in Philadelphia, PA.  They were both originally from the south.  The wedding was in Mobile, AL.  Most of Judd’s firm from Philly came down for it.  For many of them, it was their first time in the south.  I think they enjoyed there time here.

• In mid-June we went to Atlanta, GA to visit with my FABulous friends.

The FAB in Atlanta

The FAB and significant others at an Atlanta Braves game.

• In late June, I accompanied Judd on a business trip to Memphis, TN.  We had a great time.

Elvis Presley’s grave at Graceland.

The entrance to the beautiful and historic Peabody Hotel.

The most delicious ribs I have ever had.  They were from Rendezvous.

• For the Fourth of July, we went down to Brewton, AL (Judd’s hometown).  We grilled out,   celebrated my birthday, went for air boat rides (on my brother-in-law’s super fun new boat), and spent a day on the river.

 

• In mid-July I hosted a “nesting” themed baby shower.  (There will definitely be a post to come about this).

We have had an eventful summer.  I’ve truly enjoyed the time with Judd, friends, and family.  I even enjoyed learning more about my field while in school; however, I am SO glad to have those two classes completed.  Grades will be posted this week.  I’m pretty sure I did well.  Keep your fingers crossed.  :)

Happy Fat Tuesday!!!!!!

We hope you are all having a fantastic Fat Tuesday. We certainly are because of our sweet and thoughtful friend, Tripp.

Below is a picture of Tripp as First Knight on the 2005 Mardi Gras court with his beautiful and dear friend, the First Lady in Waiting.

We didn't go down to Mobile for the Mardi Gras festivities this year. We did, however, decorate our house for carnival. We were in the spirit of things I guess.

This is a picture of us last year before the Mystics of Time ball.

Tripp knew that we were celebrating our own mini Mardi Gras with just the two of us up here in Birmingham. I came home from work the other day to find Judd grinning from ear to ear.

Here is Judd and Tripp at the Crewe of Columbus parade last year.

He said we received a surprise in the mail. I had no idea what it could have been. We weren't expecting anything.

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Below is Tripp and me after the parade with our throws on.

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Well guess what...Tripp mailed us the most delicious king cake from Atlanta Bread Company in Mobile, AL. It is our favorite! Tripp's family introduced them to us a few years ago. We love their king cakes. If you haven't had one you need to. YUMMY!!!!



Tripp doesn't know this but I had almost ordered one a few weeks ago because I was craving king cake. He somehow must have known just what I needed. :)

Thanks Tripp!!!! You made our Mardi Gras fun and delicious! The only thing that would have made it better was sharing it with you.


Judd hid the baby Jesus for me twice. He found it the first time and had to re-hide it for me. Ha. What a sweetheart. :)


Happy Mardi Gras and Happy Fat Tuesday!!!!!!

It's great to have special friends isn't it?

You can watch a video about the Atlanta Bread Company's king cakes by clicking HERE. We prefer the cakes with cream cheese filling and no raisens.



To order a king cake online click HERE. I think that the Mobile branch is the only one that sells king cakes but they ship them all year long.

Wanna Come Home With Me?

Here are some things every southern girl needs.


Oh wait, maybe these are just some things this southern girl wants (oops I mean needs).



And....she won't be getting any of them any time soon. Thanks car insurance, thanks student fees, thanks textbooks, thanks oil change, thanks $300 gas bill from our Arctic blast, thanks expired license plate and ticket to go with you...all of you are keeping me from what my little heart desires.


Judd, are you reading this???? If so, note two things. I am being so good and only e-window shopping. And....


I think I see a Valentines Day present down there somewhere (hint: go with the boots they're the cheapest!)




These little babies are such a great find. I can't justify paying for their name brand twin (Frye). I just don't go to places that require what my husband calls S**T kickers all that often. But when I do, I wanna be wearing these! They're from Target. Now for the price I think they'll do just fine the 3-5 times a year I'll wear them at the farm.

Guess how much they cost?




Can you guess?




You'll never believe it.





$49.99!!!





Here is a totally different end of the spectrum item I am eyeing. It is the Waterford Lismore ice bucket that is a part of our Waterford Lismore Tall pattern we chose for our wedding registry.


I want this.


I need this.



It is usually around $300 and is at Bed, Bath, and Beyond for around $149.

Now, if this isn't a true southern girl post than I don't know what it is.

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Boots and crystal. They're like bread and butter if you ask me.

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My two deepest desires at the moment.

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Gosh, this reminds me of the time I bought some earrings and a boat paddle at the Hourglass in Brewton. I thought that purchase went together perfectly. No?