Never Say Never: My Accent Vlog

I'm doing what I thought I'd never do: a vlog.

Y'all, I'm so awkward. But I'm biting the bullet and joining the accent vlog fun because I'm so fascinated by the way people talk. The quirky colloquialisms and especially the vowels (you can always tell where someone's from by their vowels) captivate me.

So here are mine. Namely, none. I wish I had more "shut the front door, dahlin'-ness" seeping out of me, but I just don't.

I used to take offense when people asked where I was from ("um, here?") but now I just appreciate the vast range of accents we've all got. Even a non-accent's an accent, I suppose. (See: British actors learning an "American accent" for a part.)

I'd love to hear your accent. I got the idea from Jenna's Journey and hope you'll tell me if you decide to participate!

One question: How exactly does one sign off of a vlog? The same way one says goodbye at the end of a phone conversation? Ok great, I'll go with that method...



The instructions are to say these words:
Aunt, Route, Wash, Oil, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water, Sure, Data, Ruin, Crayon, Toilet, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again, Probably, Spitting image, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Syrup, Pajamas, Caught

And answer these questions:
What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?
What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball?
What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?
What do you call gym shoes?
What do you say to address a group of people?
What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs?
What do you call your grandparents?
What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?
What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?
What is the thing you use to change the TV channel?

Wordless Wednesday: Cover of Preschool GQ

Is this REALLY a question?

Subtitle: Not a fair fight.

Evidently, while I was visiting family the other weekend there was a little ceremony in LA. An intimate affair otherwise known as Kim Kardashian's circus wedding.

Guests were asked to wear black or white, in keeping with the nuptial "theme," and each of the bride's sisters (and mother) wore white and carried white bouquets. Someone was taking this "our royal wedding" concept a little far.

I could rant about the wedding, the lack of a groom in 90% of her pictures (true love!) and the beyond excess of 31 carats on your ring finger and $65 million in borrowed jewels, but I won't. I won't even borrow pics from People, a publication that paid a hefty price to cover the event exclusively.

I will, however, question their sanity in posting this when rating wedding guest fashions:

PIPPA vs. LINDSAY

Really? Is this even a question, People?

In one corner, Prince William's sister-in-law wearing Temperley of London on the way to her sister's evening April reception. Regal, classic and relatively covered up for such a black-tie affair. Dressed to be in the presence of royals and family members alike.

In the other corner, an actress whose only credit that comes to mind is easily is a Hayley Mills remake - a far cry from her appearance these days. (Day Old News calls her "baby grandma;" now I see her as a prematurely aged twenty-something with a knitting needle and a rocker at home. No offense to pretty, sweet grandmas everywhere.)

Y'all, there's no question; this fight was fixed from the beginning. Pippa might be insulted that this is up for discussion.

Lindsay, find your natural hair color, a qualified therapist and a new manager. Then lie low for moment. If you want to emulate Pippa's style in the meantime, do so with a touch less peroxide and perhaps a pashmina. You're too young to look this desperate!

P.S. I miss your face. Your natural face. And especially your face circa your Hallie Parker/Annie James days:

Perfection

I was going to try some awkward "Adele-icate performance" play on words, but realized it's best not to try too hard, as evidenced by Adele herself below.

I haven't watched the VMAs start to finish in at least five years. I'm well past the age of their target audience and don't get as giddy about the over-the-top performance gimmicks or movie tie-ins anymore.

That doesn't mean I don't love a captivating performance, though, and Adele's was perfection. I adore this song, and she seems to be even better live than on my iPod.

My goosebumps had goosebumps.

Give Adele a piano, a microphone and a classic black dress and she'll let it rip. Lady Gaga, I realize this isn't your schtick, but do take note.

Get More: 2011 VMA, Music, Adele

In other "wow" news, Beyonce, just moments after announcing her first pregnancy, belted one out and danced across the stage in heels. Wonder if the sparkly tuxedo is a part of her House of Dereon's inevitable maternity line?

Even if her "Love on Top" isn't your thing, be sure to skip to the last 30 seconds and watch the adorable post-performance belly rub as she unbuttons her sequined jacket to show off a bump. (And how proud does dad-to-be Jay Z look? Cute!)

Now I get to compare my pregnant self to hers for the next six months. If she continues to look this fab, I may have to stop checking...

Get More: 2011 VMA, Music, Beyoncé

What I'm Learning

• I feel better about myself after even the easiest stroll than I do after a full, sweat-inducing workout surrounded by mirrors. And I'm not alone. Why should I see my thighs from every angle when I can be busy using and improving them?
  
  
• The older I get, the more I care about kitchen counters, paint chips and things I never blinked at a decade ago.
  
  
• On a full night's sleep, I can handle even the toughest day. Not always with a smile, but usually without tears.
  
  
• Teeth take their sweet time coming in. When can we invent baby dentures and bypass teething?
  
  
• There's a difference between exhausted, lazy and sleepy. I'm walking a fine line somewhere between the three.
  
  
• This pregnancy is flying by much more quickly than Mac's. I keep forgetting I'm pregnant, honestly; the queasiness is gone, baby kicks haven't come and a bump hasn't quite appeared yet. The problem? I'm constantly confused by how tired I am. Then I remember why, and it makes the sloth-like afternoons I've had lately a bit easier to excuse.
  
  
• I'll probably kick myself for writing that in five months when I feel (and look) mega pregnant. I promise: I'm thankful now and I'll be thankful then.
  
  
• Blogs can be a source of encouragement or a reason to feel bad about your life and your choices. Read (and follow) accordingly.
  
  
• Online deals are so tempting. Do I really need this, or am I just drawn to the 3000% off? Am I truly stocking up on Christmas gifts early? And for whom - me or someone else? So hard to tell!
  
  
• Pregnancy brain is real.
  
  
• Or I'm going plum crazy.
  

Smith Family, Party of Four!

Thank you so much for your well wishes yesterday! We're very, very excited to welcome baby #2 in February of next year.

I am just over 14 weeks and feel like I'm turning a corner on some of the first trimester less-than-delightful stuff. I'd love to be a little less sloth-like in coming months!

This baby has, as another blogger put it, really pulled out all the stops from day one. (We've known for ten weeks.) I have felt much more pregnant this time around.

I even thought it must be twins! Surely one little bean couldn't have such a powerful effect on its mama already, right? Wrong.

With Mac, I took pregnancy test after pregnancy test; I was practically symptom-free and in total awe. "Shouldn't I be feeling something?" This time around, that memory makes me laugh.

But there has never been a better reason to feel less than fabulous. We are thankful to have heard baby's heartbeat four (!!) times now and look forward to an ultrasound at our next appointment.

In the meantime, I am soaking up every last minute with our sweet, busy, growing, teething only child. I hope his grins stick around once his baby brother or sister arrives!

A few outtakes from yesterday's 90-second photo shoot:

This one's probably my favorite. I feel the same way, Mac. Yay!!

I haven't thought too much about how I'll balance working from home with baby, Mac, Bradley and Blue in 2012. Not to mention finding time for laundry, cooking, a shower or a walk around the block.

God has blessed us richly, and I just know He'll help me figure it all out. Or at least send friends to encourage me to bathe occasionally.

Thank you again, sweet friends! Feel free to share your words of wisdom for life with two. I'm taking notes!

A Little (Big) News