Strands of DNA

Birthday fun…

Dustin and Amy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 05:49:50 +0000

So I was lucky enough to have great family and friends celebrate with this year as I turned 27. I thought a good way of showing that fun would be in the pictures we took.

This was at the fun winery, Long Hollow, where we sampled several good tasting things.

This was at the Sumner Crest winery where the infamous Blackberry wine….

And of course no one can forget the famous flying food trick. The best part is that we all took part in being a seal that day!!! It was all in good fun.

But of course, I must end with how much my husband, and Charlie/Sarah/Luke/Ben, did to make my birthday fun. We had a great time shopping the farmers market, chatting we good company, and eating fantastic food.

So to all of you out there thanks for making that day special….

My Mom

Dustin and Amy — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 20:13:49 +0000

I am sitting in a little cafe watching my mother work today. My mother has her day job (working with students of Upstate) and her weekend job (scrapbook demoer / teacher at a local scrapbook store). All my life my mother has been creative. In Texas she worked from a closet full of craft stuff to working from the loft at her home that looks like Michael’s threw up all over her craft desk. Either way craft projects always infest the house! She is always relentlessly trying to find the new project. In other words, Mom is to crafts like an addict is to drugs!
She has always been that free spirit, flight by the seat of her pants, right-brained, creative woman who constantly clashed heads with her stubborn, detail oriented, left-brained, and structured daughter. She most defiantly worked her hardest to rub her magic onto me. Always stressing not to sweat the small stuff and every success comes after some failure (or as she insensately quoted, “we all make mistakes thats the way we learn,”). When it comes to creating she always had the upper hand. We goto creative places a lot (i.e. pottery painting, scrapbook stores, fabric shops, and any place that might carry the precious crafty project we are dying to try) and every time we go to create there is a stranger that walk up to speak of her talents. It is always the same answer with her when complemented on her project,
” Oh, it’s ok, ” she will say.
” OMG, mother! Get a grip,” I want to say to her! She could crap and make it look like the Mona Lisa. We love to do things together, but we are so different in our process that we butt heads while we create together. My nickname is anal when we do projects together (sweet and kind of warm feeling huh?) and her nickname is obnoxious.
Let me just grace you with the highlights of her crafting career. My mother oil paints scenes more accurately than a picture, photographs some of the most beautiful flowers/locations in the world, creates any kind of clothing you would want, is a master at coming up with scratch meals from just whatever might be in the pantry, always makes her own homemade cards (sorry Hallmark no more business for you), throws together scrapbook pages in less than a few hours, has stenciled almost every room in my grandparent’s house, and makes homemade gifts; just literally, only to name a few.

That is just a small example of Mom’s painting abilities!
I feel like maybe I got a small part of her enormous talent, but it is defiantly something I work at more than her. Even though we are worlds different, we create together; some times in complete silence! It is therapeutic with all that is awful in the world to just take some idea in your head and plaster it to paper. I know as an adult I always try to recreate that childlike imagination I remember having, which seemed to fade as I got older. So, I have to take the time from the chaos that surrounds me to make sure that I find that outlet to imagine again.
I know it has always been the people in my life that are complete opposites of myself that have taught me the most about life. My relationship with my mother is no difference and I feel like at this point in my life that is a blessing to realize. So for today, I know that even when she is pulling my chain she ultimately made me who I am. Not to bad for a days work , huh mom?!

Girls just wanna have fun….

Dustin and Amy — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:12:49 +0000

Growing up is a topic I think about a lot. I guess when you get past the glamor of getting to write your own chapters, in this book of life, all you do is worry about how to make it the best book all together.I feel like I think about growing up more when I visit Crowley, TX where I spent my childhood. Just as much as there is no other feeling like turning off highway 1187 to goto Dustin’s childhood home, which is just less than a mile from my childhood home, there is also a profound sadness that comes with it too. A town doesn’t grow with you. Even as familier as this place is to me it hasn’t been part of some of the great and most disappointing moments of the last 8 years. I had so many great memories from this small town in TX that I worry if I can say that about my life since I moved away. When you make a choice to move so far away from your home it makes you very acutely aware that the world is a little bit harder to deal with without that pocket of security that you didn’t even know existed before.That discomfort began that day my Dad dropped me off at Harding and has lessened, but still will probably always be there for me. I had no worries about moving away. I was excited about having the opportunity to do things outside of the protection of my parents, but I don’t really think I had thought about how it would feel to be far away from them. I mean you think that I would of contimplated what that might feel like, but I hadn’t, I was more caught up being on my own. During college I couldn’t even stomach to revisit the last place I had eaten lunch with my father before he left me. Ironic huh? It was like a reminder of this large part of myself that wasn’t present anymore. The world was cruel without your parents; I learned more than I would of learned with them at my hip, but it was harder. I probably did more than I would have with them there and relayed more on myself, which was a good life lesson.All that to say, I feel like I lucked into some of my own life lessons. Growing up is something you do even before you know it happened. I had always felt like I could be the architect of my life, until I realized that most of my life happened without a lot of thought on my part. So more than anything I feel like I have learned to roll with what comes my way instead of worry about every little decision I have made or have yet to make.

My nephews….

Dustin and Amy — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:52:37 +0000

Boy we have been busy. For those of you who have missed the memo, Dustin and I had a new beautiful/healthy nephew this last week. Benjamin Dean graced us with his presence at 815pm on 03/12/08. It was exciting being an aunt again, but this time by far was much more meaningful for Dustin and I. We literally got to be a part of this welcome party, being the next family members to hold Ben besides Charlie, Sarah, and Luke. I came home thinking how much one little guy can change things for the better. Luke did, so this little guy is going to be no different. Just another boy to help get dirty, watch explore his world, and teach him new fascinating things. So I got creative and felt the need to write a short little poem. I don’t usually feel inclined to write poetry, but well I did this. So, it may stink, but it is for the young loves of my life. So I hope you enjoy.

To Luke and Ben-because even before you were born we loved you.

I know you will….

invent your own bedtime stories,

learn why coloring outside the lines isn’t bad, and

feel better after a kiss and a bandaid.

I hope you ….

will give when you know the favor won’t be returned,

take risks, when others would tell you to play it safe, and

explore more than your own backyard.

I expect that you will…

say please and thank you,

not always know the right answer, and

have the best pillow fights.

I wish you to experience….

the joy of love,

the sweet success after many failed attempts, and

the pride of doing a good job, even when no one is looking.

I want you to know….

forgiveness when you are wrong,

passion that drives you to reach for the stars, and

how love overcomes the deepest sadness.

I dream for you to….

laugh so hard your tummy hurts,

play until your imagination can go no further, and

make the world a better place because your in it.

Nashville Skyline

Dustin and Amy — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:14:33 +0000

Ash nazg durbatulûk! Ash nazg gimbatul! Ash nazg thrakatulûk! Agh burzum-ishi krimpatul! HOLY SHIT!

Your life, your dreams, your home?

Dustin and Amy — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 05:53:31 +0000

Since we moved to Knollwood about a year ago – now renamed 865 Bellevue Rd., probably because the writers were on strike – we had high expectations. That’s mainly because we had an awesome apartment in Little Rock dealing with the same company, but shortly after we moved in, it was obvious that our days of non-hassle renting were a thing of the past. Hearing hammering, loud Spanish music, saws forever buzzing, constant issues with having the water shut off for hours to all day, and the incessant ice cream truck that comes by to sell Rainbow Pops to the damn construction workers (even during the winter) is just a small sampling of the everyday life at 865 freakin’ Bellevue Rd.
What makes it worse is when you get on their website and you see these pictures of a nice and clean, tranquil place. Take a look for yourself …

Well this is how it really looks …

“ONE OF THESE THINGS IS NOT LIKE THE OTHER!”

You might think, well it’s winter and maybe that’s why there’s no grass. Well, you’d be wrong. That is dirt that turns to juicy mud every time it rains. Along with new shrubs that are either dead or dying, the high quality mulch in which they were planted was piled so high that, when it rains, our porch becomes a mini reservoir for runoff with no way to drain it. What you can’t get from this picture is the mulch’s pervading smell of cow shit/rotten fruit surrounding our so-called porch and a peppering of screws, lumber shards and lumps of broken concrete. One of the other things you’ll notice is the knocked over handicap sign, which was put up when a handicapable guy moved into our complex and came down when the construction guys decided they weren’t going to waste that prime parking spot. Poor guy had to park wherever he could find. And take a look at this …

Nope, that’s not an early morning frost covering the grass. As you can tell, it’s a pile of broken glass that’s been sitting there for close to nine months, incidentally in the same spot where I walk Toby several times a day. And yet management wonders why residents don’t carry little plastic baggies with them to pick up after their pets. Maybe it’s because the spot designated for dog turds is laced with construction rubbish. That is, of course, until corporate is visiting.

I hope that you guys don’t run into irritating issues when renting apartments, but my honest guess is that you do. So for now, we will just have to dream of a world in which a night-shifter could get sleep during the day and not have to argue with rude people in the office that sleeping is a right I buy monthly through my rent.

I’ll give you a winter prediction

Dustin and Amy — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 07:50:06 +0000

Maybe it’s kinda lame that my first official post on my new blog has to do with the Oscars, but I consider it my duty to stand up for good taste against the flashy red carpet that has become muddied over the years under the soles of a panel of misguided judges. Of course, we’ve all known this for years since they voted for such tripe as Shakespeare in Love over Private Ryan and Thin Red Line, and Million Dollar Baby over Brokeback Mountain and Sideways, and yet we still watch. Even so, it seems that most of the nominations this year are more than deserving, from several nods to There Will Be Blood – though Johnny was robbed on a technicality, despite having the year’s best score – and No Country For Old Men – though I’m expecting it not to win much – and even what feels vaguely like a sympathy nomination for Juno, which they see as another Little Miss Sunshine.

But all my misgivings about years past and helpless hopes aside for ’07 picks, here’s what I think should take home the gold and what probably will.

Best Actor: I can’t imagine any other than Daniel Day-Lewis and, surprisingly, I actually think he will win.

Supporting Actor: I’m betting Casey Affleck will be delivering the speech when Javier Bardem really should.

Best Actress: Away From Her was an amazing film and Julie Christie did a fantastic job. Wouldn’t be surprised if the judges agree too.

Supporting Actress: I have yet to see I’m Not There, but Cate Blanchett is undoubtedly the best actress working today and for her to play a man, a man who is Dylan, is such a ballsy, brilliant move. Still, I’m thinking Saoirse Ronan might take the stage because I’m expecting a lot of love for Atonement, another film I haven’t seen, sadly.

Animated Film: If Ratatouille doesn’t take it, I’m throwing my remote.

Cinematography: Since Roger Deakins, one of the great eyes behind a camera, is up for two films – Jesse James and No Country – he’s got an edge, though the latter should trump all else. But because they’re sly bastards, I wouldn’t be surprised to see their love for Atonement and Diving Bell & the Butterfly show up here.

Best Director: Now that they’ve pulled their head out of their ass by giving the Oscar to Scorsese last year, it’s possible the Coen Brothers could win, as they should. But I’m expecting a twist here, like Michael Clayton.

Best Documentary: How King of Kong didn’t at least get a nomination is beyond me. Just because we’re dealing with non-fiction doesn’t mean it has to be a film about Iraq for Christ’s sake! That said, it’s between No End In Sight and Taxi to the Dark Side.

Score: Who cares now? This thing is rigged, I swear.

Best Song: Due to last year’s rap fiasco when Three Six Mafia single-handedly ridiculed a room full of lilly-faced arses by winning the Oscar – remember Jon Stewart’s smart ass remark about that one? that was great – I shouldn’t be surprised the Jay Z didn’t get some nomination for his work on American Gangster. But with Enchanted having three up for grabs, I can’t see how it won’t win, though anything that came out of Once should theoretically be untouchable.

Best Picture: As anyone who knows me could guess, I think No Country should win, though Blood runs a close second. Since I can’t expect my favs to win, I’m betting Atonement will take the cake.

Now, whether I’m right or not doesn’t matter, I guess. But on the off chance that I was on target, I just wanted to say I told you so.

Valentine’s Feast

Dustin and Amy — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 03:15:13 +0000

And now we invite you to relax, let us pull up a chair as the dining room proudly presents YOUR DINNER!

Maybe one of the best dinners I’ve ever had, Amy created a “surf and turf” of ribeye topped with a bleu cheese butter, and poached lobster with garlic asparagus and homemade fettuccine alfredo. Then to top it all off …

… with Ballatore champagne, which Toby thought it his business to try as well. He’s now tipsy and cuddly as we ready to watch Elizabeth. All in all, a more than decent night.

Tobias the gentle

Dustin and Amy — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 02:58:58 +0000

These are probably my favorites of Toblerone and I think they make me remember what a good shot really can look like sometimes. If only that damn fan wasn’t in the way!

What is that?

Dustin and Amy — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 14:54:12 +0000

Yes, that was a picture of our cars after I got home from work this morning. I was driving home and there wasn’t much snow. As I was walking out of Publix with my OJ it was like a winter wonderland. Even as I write I can see it falling and sticking to the lawn.