Spring has sprung at the Spann house

... and Jeremy has been workin' hard! We bought some beauuuuutiful azaleas for the front flower bed. They are the Encore kind, so that means they'll come back (hopefully) in the summer and fall. If the AR heat doesn't get them too bad... YAY!

Here's what we've got in the flower bed by the front door. Starting at 1:00: a plant called fireworks-something-or-other, then I don't know what the yellow and pink ones are (anyone?? I love them though!!), and some amethyst-something-or-other. Ok, so I'm not so good with plant names, but it sure is looking good! Way to go, hubby-o-mine!

GORGEOUS, aren't they??

Meet Gertrude

Meet our new friend, Gertrude! Jeremy and I were going to grill some shrimp Friday night (mmmmm)... and I noticed this little lady sitting in one of our potted plants on the deck. On the grill, to be more specific. It appears that she has built a nest and will be having babies quite soon, I believe.
We obviously couldn't leave her there, so Jeremy ducked down, picked her up (she didn't move!), and carried her oh-so-slowly to a new location, on the wine rack on the deck. She's still in the middle of the action, but not on top of the grill... She doesn't seem to be bothered by Pooty and Zoey running around the deck and barking. She didn't seem to be bothered by the days of rain over the weekend. She HAS been getting fatter... and seems quite content in her new home. Fingers crossed! Happy Earth Day!

I'm the Mary, and you're the Rhoda.

Michele: Did you lose weight?

Romy: Actually, I have been trying this new fat free diet I invented. All I've had to eat for the past six days are gummy bears, jelly beans, and candy corns.

Michele: God, I wish I had your discipline.

Apparently, 10 years somehow passed, and it's happening. Oh, Lord, that can't be right. Are we going? Let's discuss the pros and cons of high school reunions. Go.

Ch-check it out, yo

MTV Shows

I'm tellin' ya, our boy's going to be FAMOUS. Very soon. MTV- whoot! The show premieres May 1, supposedly. So keep your eyes (and your DVRs) out, and let me know if you hear anything. Go see the website here, and be sure to click on artists to read more.

Austin!

Hey kids-
The Spanns are officially back. In AR. And at work (boo). We had an awesome Spring Break '09 in Austin, packed with tons o' fun. Austin is a really really cool city- we never had a lack of things to do there.
On the way down, we camped at Inks Lake State Park, which is about an hour outside of Austin. It was a really neat campsite- really close to the water with a lot of rock and cacti all around (watch out for those man-eating jackrabbits and killer cacti.... heyyyy dude...).
The next day, we went to Longhorn Cavern, a cave really near the campground that you could tour. It's been a while since I took a tour of a cave, and I'm really glad we did. Saw a bat. Experienced total darkness (creeeeeeepy).
The rest of the trip was full of 6th Street, Mexican food, Mexican martinis (mmmm... who knew?), going to the Alamo Drafthouse to watch a movie, discussed later, shopping, doing homework (ick), and sightseeing. It was really nice to get away for a week. Enjoy the pics! Go see more here if you'd like!

Entrance to the cave...

The dome in the capitol building
Perhaps the best sushi I have ever had.... mmmmm

Rockafire EXPLOSION

Perhaps one of my favorite parts of the trip was our visit to the Alamo Drafthouse, a movie theater with a full bar and restaurant. They show all sorts of Indie flicks ("Dazed and Confused," with the director... "Empire Records," a quote-along with "Monty Python and the Holy Grail..."). It's laid out like a basic movie theater, but there are tables in front of the seats, and you order drinks and food throughout the movie. Basically, it's amazing. And I want to open one in Little Rock. Who's with me?

We went to go see a movie called "Rockafire Explosion," about the amazing band in the 80s. It was a documentary about one of the most influential bands of our time. The Showbiz Pizza animatronic band. With Fatz. And Mitzi Mozarella. And Billy Bob.
Please go see this youtube video and continue to amuse yourself while you watch all the others like it. It will make your day.

Apparently there is a whole underground movement to bring back Showbiz (people are pissed about Chuck E. Cheese...) and most importantly to bring back the Rockafire Explosion. I'm with them. It does bring back many happy memories. And just a touch of fear (those robots are a little creepshow, yes?). There are people who spend their life's earnings to own a piece of the Rockafire Explosion and put them in their own homes. Hence the youtube videos. Enjoy. ;)

Whoot whoot

This weekend, our dear friend Julie completed the Little Rock Marathon. The whole thing. That's 26.2 miles. Wow. Amazing. It was her first year to do it, so whilst she was running, we went over to her house and decorated it. And the boys mowed her lawn. It was lots o' fun. Way to go, Julie! ;)


Alright, here's the rest of the rundown for the me:
1. I'm the only one at work today. Seriously. The ONLY one. What??
2. I forgot a lunch. Subway it is.
3. We leave for Austin this weekend- Saturday or Sunday, not sure yet.
4. We're going to camp on the way down there. Not sure where yet, but it might be here.
5. We're going to barely miss SXSW, BUT our favorite Cory Branan will be there on Tuesday night, opening up for the South Memphis String Band, with members from North Mississippi Allstars and Squirrel Nut Zippers.
6. Oh, wait, another employee just walked in. Whew.
7. ANTM tonight!!! Hooody hoooooooo!
8. Adam Lambert should get a Johnny Cash-style whoopin' for defiling that song. Shudder. I watched in complete horror. Come on people, start hating him now, ok??
9. I'm not going to lie, Anoop was kinda awesome.
10. Kris Allen was too.
11. Allison is still my girl.

Boo.ya.kah.

Welcome to the School Psych professional portfolio.... Here you will find pretty much every.single.paper. I have completed since August of last year. If you look at the second picture, you can really get a sense of the girth of that sucker.
Make you want to be in school....?
;)

Two weeks will Spring Break. Two months till FINISHED.

Things that are good

1. Nate at our wedding (I realized I never gave Kat this picture. It's awful sweet).
2. School has improved slightly.
3. I have improved, slightly, at school. (I kind of sucked it up the first month)
4. Spring Break is two weeks away.
5. The Spanns are going to Austin for Spring Break!! Whoooooooo! If you have been and have any suggestions for restaurants or activities, leave it in the comments section, please!
6. I am halfway done with my last semester (EVER) of school. Whoot.
7. Got to see friends last night!
8. ANTM. Makes me happy. Oh, and the Caesars-Cranfords-ANTM COMBO cannot be beaten.
9. Somebody gave me friendship bread today. That means I have to pass it on to 4 friends... who wants it?? It's delish.
10. I'm really enjoying practicum, which is basically like internship without a paycheck. I really am going to like my job.
11. I get to go home. Now.

Peace out, loves.

Congrats to my sweetie

Many many happy thoughts to Jeremy today, who is turning in his last paper, taking his last test, and giving his LAST presentation for his masters program tonight!! Some of you might not know that he has been kickin' booty on the weekends and some weeknights for the last 2 years. After tonight, he will be an official MASTER. Of the environment. That's right, my hubby's a smart one. He'll have his masters in Environmental Management. Take THAT, environment.
Congrats, baby. I'm so proud.

Find a two-step partner and a Cajun beat

This weekend, Jeremy, Baby Christy, Jonathan, and I all made the trek down to Baton Rouge to see our dear friends Chandle and David. Oh yeah, and to go to Mardi Gras, too. We had such a good time. We went to the big parade in Baton on Saturday afternoon.
Chandle and David graciously put us up for the whole weekend, and it was great getting to hang out with them for so long. I miss them in the LR.
Anyway, enjoy pics from the parade. We had so much fun.

The St. Valentine's Day Massacre

Once upon a time there was a dog named Zoey.

She was the sweeeeeetest dog ever. She always wanted to be held. She loved sitting in your lap. She always did the cutest little twirl dance for her dinner.

Then, one year for Valentines Day, her owners took her and her sister camping. It was their favorite spot to go camping (they even got engaged there).

See? Calm, serene. Lovely!

Everybody sure looks happy...!

Then, it happened. After an AWESOME dinner by the fire (a huge piece of Chilean sea bass from Fresh Market, grilled on the fire to perfection) and a chilly camping night, Jeremy and I were drinking our coffee and looking out over the gorgeous vista.

That's when I saw Zoey, staring at something with her back perfectly straight. "What's she doing?" I asked. No sooner had I uttered the words when she POUNCED. And she had something, ummmm.... a little furry-looking in her mouth.

Read no further if you're squeamish. ;)

I screamed, jumped up, and tried to figure out what in the world she had. She disappeared into some brush for just a second and emerged with a TAIL hanging out of her mouth.

"OHMYGODSHEHASAMOUSE!" I screamed.

She ran off. And ate it. As I gagged and freaked out.

Here's the kicker... the "furry-looking thing" I mentioned that she had in her mouth.... was the nest.

Now YOU'RE gagging, right?

Thought I had to share.

I truly love my dog.
But I couldn't look at her for a little while. NO KISSES, either. ;)

Going to see Chandle and David this weekend... many fun pics to come!

Random on a Tuesday

It's only like a month after my birthday... it's not too late to post, right? ;) I came across some random pictures on my camera today (that's what happens when you don't upload them every once in a while). So for your blogging pleasure:

My birthday surprise from my very thoughtful hubby. Mmmmm Baskin Robbins birthday cake. Sooooo delish. Want some more now, please.
Sometimes I hold Pooty like a baby. I got caught doing this. I think she looks more surprised than I did.
She likes it.
I swear.

She is not supposed to be on the table. Pooty wants cake.

Hooooooooooray!

This is very much BELATED, but....

CONGRATULATIONS to Katie and Holt, who got engaged last week! I am super excited and happy for both of them. This is going to be so much fun. I gave Katie approximately 100 bridal magazines that were given to ME in one form or another (Jaime gave me a bunch when we first got engaged, and I received several when my leg was broken and I was on the couch all of May/June). ;)
YAY! Congratulations, you guys.

Best.night.ever.

I have updated the wedding bloggity with some absolutely gorgeous wedding pictures, taken by our wonderful, talented friend Jonathan. Please go see (click on the link on the right side over there).
I am not finished yet with them... but it's a good start! Enjoy!