The Re-Post About Aunt Flow Apologies

Today we're at the Grand Canyon. This means I'm in a photography coma trying to navigate things like white balance and aperture. And I'm probably acting like a putz.

This post was originally posted on March 23, 2009.
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As I've mentioned before, we're walking through the book of Genesis in my weekly Bible study (31 chapters in...) I thought I would do a recap of some things we've learned so far:

1. Women were very attractive even into their 80's and later. This is why their husbands would pretend the women were their sisters. This prevented the "other" men who clearly couldn't control themselves around these hot mamas from killing the "man of the house." In reality, they weren't brother and sister - more like, half-brother and sister or cousins. That's much better.

2. Babies were often named after something significant related to the circumstance of their birth. For example, Jacob (son of Isaac and Rebekah) has a name similar to the Hebrew word for "heel" because he was holding his twin brother's foot upon exiting the womb. If my parents had employed this method, I would have been named Melonheada.

3. Stealing something from a family member never works out well. If you did attempt this, you needed to leave home immediately and only return when you could provide 100 sheep or a water well named in their honor as a peace offering. The exception to this rule was Rachel (wife to Jacob). She stole her father's household idols and hid them in her riding saddle. When he began the search, she apologized for not being able to rise from the camel because she was "in a woman way." It's good to know this special monthly arrival has been a go-to excuse for women for thousands of years. I knew it.

I've also been reminded that God is slow to anger when His children are putzes. I'm a regular recipient of this mercy.

The Post About High Maintenance Traveling

In less than 12 hours, I'll be on vacation with my parents.

And surprisingly, no impending anxiety attack.

I actually adore my Mom and Dad and I anticipate those feelings will be intact after a week in the Southwest.

Of course, sometimes life lets me down.

"Feelings" re-evaluation posted next week.

As a sidebar...

I'm packing several things just for my parents.
1. Soft headphones.
2. Sugarfree candy.
3. Movie rentals.
4. First aid kit.
5. Age appropriate music playlists and audiobooks.
6. Peanut butter crackers.
7. Magazines.

Note: This list can easily be substituted for a toddler.

{image: nhanusek}

The Post About The Rabbit Recommends v.80

Each weekend, I post a readable, a watchable, and a listenable of which I'm fond. You can choose what happens next. Earlier volumes can be found here.

Read

I got Konrad my Nikon D40 SLR camera over a year ago and I still feel like I'm learning to drive a stickshift with no feet. I've tried to read so many sites and every explanation comes up a little short. I know I should take a class, but I like to spend my money at Redbox and Chick-Fil-A. Luckily, Kevin and Amanda saved this day with this top-notch tutorial.

Watch

I love award shows. Fancy clothes, awkward red carpet questions, and losers who aren't me. The Emmys were last week and I thought they were the best yet (based on my measly 15 year streak of watching - nerd). My recommendation is largely due to this phenomenal opening number.

Listen

A recent concert excursion to see Dave Barnes led me to Steve Moakler. He's got that John Mayer vibe without being the occasional tool. Of course, he's probably a tool at times too, because who of us isn't? I digress. Steve's latest album is All The Faint Lights which is worthy of some loose change.

The Post About Cupcakes and Nashvegas

I recently popped up to Nashville to visit my friend Caryann.

In theory.

It was really a veiled attempt to eat my way across yet another city.


(l to r - Scott, Josie, Gresham, Caryann).

These are people I enjoy standing under a sign I will now give similar affection.

Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant has 2 locations in the metro Nashville area and we graced the Franklin store. A great "country" feel with a breakfast buffet I love so much that I'm considering shacking up with it.


While in Franklin, we verified that Carrie Underwood made a good choice by choosing Ivey Cake to create her recent wedding cupcake tower.


We tried the "I Do" and the "Hot Mess" and "The Breakup" and the "Crazy Ex."

Devouring the "I Do" which is vanilla cake with white vanilla buttercream icing, is a moment I will always cherish.

And try to replicate.


On the same block was this delightful refuge of sugar and all things pleasant. Naticakes.


Cookies and Cream, Chocolate Salted Caramel, Pretty Princess, and Tuxedo.

Oh my.

That salted caramel haunts my dreams.

My suggestion? Get the "I Do" from Ivey Cake and then walk one block and buy as much as your hands can hold at Naticakes.

And feel good about it since 10% of the profits support the Natalie Wynn Carter Foundation to help children around the world.

Who cares about a measly inch or two added to the thighs when it's for the children?

{images: Jamie}