All Grown Up

I know I know it's been a while since I've blogged, but I've been a little busy.  Unfortunately, my blog posts are going to be few and far between from now on.  I don't have "quite" as much free time with my new schedule as I used to.   

So what's new with me?  Oh, I don't know...I just started my first real job, moved to Enterprise, and started some online classes.  Between working 40 hours a week, unpacking, doing homework, and going to Tuscaloosa every home game weekend, my life has been a little crazy.

I'm pretty excited to be in my new apartment.  A 2 minute commute to work is so much better than 30 minutes.  I guess that won't really matter in a couple of weeks, since I will be on the road half of the time. Oh well, it's just nice to have a place of my own.  It's comforting to know that when I get home everything is exactly where I left it.  There's not a crazy lady (cough cough Mom) running around hiding my stuff.

Just when I thought I was done with school, here I am taking more classes so that I can sit for the CPA exam.  Luckily, I only need 4 more accounting class, so I don't have to actually get my Master's.  Oh, did I mention these classes I'm taking are through LSU.  Just to make it perfectly clear, I bleed crimson and white.  I will NEVER yell Geaux Tigers…my friends from Louisiana seem to believe otherwise.  At least they are all online, and I never have to even step on campus.

Speaking of football (you know it's my favorite topic this time of year), I'm pretty excited about this weekend.  The Tennessee game is my favorite.  I know that Tennessee isn't very good this year, and it won't be as good of a game as the LSU game.  But, there is nothing like 101,821 people with a common hatred of Tennessee singing:  "Rocky Top you'll never be home sweet home to me!"  (I won't finish the song since it has some ugly words in it)  :)

Roll Tide!
 

Best of "The Office"

The new season of "The Office" (aka the best tv show ever and my obsession) premiers tonight.  I'm not sure if it will ever be the same without Michael Scott, but I am trying to be optimistic.  As long and Jim and Dwight on there, I will keep watching.  To celebrate the new season, I've put together a list of my top 10 favorite moments from "The Office".  I hope you enjoy!  :)

Top 10 "The Office" Moments

10.  Michael's Flaws


Michael Scott:  Guess what?  I have flaws.  What are they?  Oh I dunno, I sing in the shower?  Sometimes I spend too much time volunteering.  Occasionally I'll hit somebody with my car.  So sue me-no, don't sue me.  That is opposite the point I'm trying to make.


This is one of my favorite Michael Scott quotes.  My mom was asking me some questions to help prepare me for a job interview a few months ago.  Every time she asked me "What do you consider to be your biggest flaws?", my mind would go blank, and I would respond "I sing in the shower, spend too much time volunteering, and sometimes hit somebody with my car."  Haha…I was terrified that I would accidentally say this in the real interview.

9.  Michael's Last Dundies

This almost made me cry the first time it aired.  Definitely a great moment.

8.  "Dwight, You Ignorant Slut"

Haha!  Another great Michael Scott quote.  Probably my sister's least favorite…I like to yell "Magen, you ignorant slut!" at her from time to time just for kicks and giggles.  She doesn't find it nearly as amusing as I do.

7.  "Computers Are About Murdering You In A Lake"

I'm not sure what's funnier…Michael actually driving his car into a lake,  Dwight trying to save him, or Michael's comments on computers trying to murder people in lakes.

6.  Jim & Pam's First Kiss

The moment we had all been waiting forever for!  Jim finally told Pam he loved her.  Of course, she rejected him…but it all worked out in the end.

5.  Jim Slaps Dwight

"Seven out of ten attacks are from the rear"!  Hahahaha!

4.  Michael Declares Bankruptcy

3.  That's What She Said

2.  Identity Theft

2.  Double Jeopardy  


My absolute favorite Michael Scott quote!  I couldn't find a good video for this one…sorry :(

Michael Scott:  So, I need a little treat for the gang.  Something to win their affections back.

Ryan:  Back?  Why is that, Michael?

Michael Scott:  Well, I ran down Meredith in my car.

Ryan:  Ohhhh.  Did you do this on purpose?

Michael Scott:  No.  I was being negligent.

Ryan:  Did this happen on company property?


Michael Scott:  It was on company property, with company property.  So, double jeopardy, we're fine.

Ryan:  I don't think - I don't think you understand how jeopardy works.

Michael Scott:  Oh, I'm sorry.  What is, 'we're fine'?

1.  Jim & Pam's Wedding

Ahhh…so sweet!  My favorite part is actually not in this video.  Right after they are married Jim tells the camera crew:  "I bought the boat tickets the day I saw that YouTube video.  I knew we'd need a backup plan.  The boat was actually plan C.  The church was plan B.  And plan A was marrying her a long, long time ago.  Pretty much the day I met her."

Trick or Treat

I realize that it's not Halloween yet…..but I wanted to show off these really cute trick or treat buckets I made.

These are 5 qt. painted metal buckets personalized however you want. The buckets are $15 each.  Please email me at jjfoley4ua@gmail.com if you would like to purchase one.

Subway Art Tutorial

After my post yesterday, I've had several people ask me how I make these.  So, here is a tutorial.  I'm not going to lie, these are a headache to make, but definitely worth it.

Supplies:
canvas (I used 18" x 24")
2 cans of spray paint (different colors)
contact paper
scissors
painter's tape
old newspapers or sheet (to paint on)
ruler

Step 1:

Design your canvas layout.  I use the Silhouette Studio software to do this.  I set the page dimensions to whatever size my canvas is.  That way all of your words will be in the correct proportions.   

Step 2:

Cut your words.  I used contact paper to cut the words on because it is much cheaper than vinyl.  I cut the words using my Silhouette.  Make sure you adjust your settings when cutting on the contact paper (it is much thinner than vinyl.)  I set speed on 7 and thickness on 1.  It took a lot of trial and error to discover the correct settings, but these seem to be the magic numbers.

Tip:  Use colored contact paper instead of clear.  It is much easier to do this when you can actually see the words.  I learned this the hard way.  

Step 3:

Spray paint the canvas whatever color you want the words to be.  I'm making an Ohio State canvas, and I want the background to be red with silver letters.  So, I painted my canvas silver.

Step 4:

Measure off your canvas.  Figure out exactly where you want each line to be on the canvas and make marks on each side.  It is really easy to do this if you set your page dimensions to your canvas size.  

As you can see in the picture, I add a box to find the exact measurements of each line.  Make the bottom of the box flush with the bottom of the page and raise the top of the box to the bottom of whatever line you are measuring.  Then, however tall the box is, is how far up from the bottom of the canvas you need to measure.  (If you aren't OCD about the lines being straight like I am, then you can skip this step).

Step 5:

Use painter's tape to mark off where you want the first line to be (you should have marks from the previous step).  Then, add the words.  I use transfer tape, so that I can add the whole line at one time and not have to try to stick each letter on.  Repeat until you have all the words stuck on.  Be sure to press the letters on good.  You don't want them peeling off!

Step 6:

Spray paint the canvas whatever color you want the background to be.  Like I said earlier, I want my background to be red.

Paint one coat and wait a couple of minutes.  Then paint a second coat.  Make sure that it looks pretty even, but don't go overboard with the paint.  The letters will start peeling off, and they you have a mess.

Let dry for at least 10 minutes.

Step 7:

Peel off letters.  It's easier if you use tweezers.

Step 8:

Touch up letters.  No matter how hard you try, some letters are going to have red paint on them.  Just use a paint pen or brush to touch up the letters with the correct color.

Step 9:

Admire your creation! :)

Can't Get It Out Of My Head

I lied…this is another post about football.  At least this time it's about subway art.  :)

A few weeks ago I posted the Alabama Fight Song Subway Art I made on Etsy.  Someone pinned my sign on Pinterest (thanks by the way to whoever it was), and tons of people started viewing my listing.  At first I had just intended on making Alabama and maybe Auburn ones, but everyone wanted one.  I had people asking if I could make canvases for Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Kentucky, Ohio State, and Penn State.  I'm certainly not complaining about the success of this item, I just wish it didn't take so long to make them.  I have been working like crazy trying to get all of these made and shipped.

There is also another downfall of making these.  I now know the words to all of these schools' fight songs.  After I made the Auburn one, I walked around the house singing "War Eagle…Fly Down the Field" over and over again.  I could not get that dang song out of my head for days (hence the title).  Obviously, Alabama's is the best (my vote may be a little biased), but I have to give Auburn credit.  Their fight song is MUCH better than a lot of other schools.  Notre Dame's is probably the worst I've seen so far.  No offense to the Fighting Irish, but "send a volley cheer on high"…what does that even mean?

Here are some of the signs I've made so far.

The University of Alabama

Penn State University

University of Oklahoma

Ohio State University

Auburn University
(I accidentally messed this one up, but you get the idea of how it would look)

Ohio University

University of Kentucky

If you are interested in purchasing a canvas, please email me at jjfoley4ua@gmail.com or visit my Etsy shop.  Don't worry if you don't see the school you want pictured.  I can make these for pretty much any school.  Just send me the fight song lyrics.

Tailgating Recipes

This is the last of my posts about football…for a while.  This article from Southern Living is probably my favorite.  Who doesn't love food???

14 Team-Inspired Tailgating Dishes

Make a big play toward winning your tailgate division with 

these favorites. From grilled spicy hot dogs to a simmered 

pot of gumbo, there’s something for everyone’s time, tastes, 

and team.

"Woo Pig!" Baby Back Ribs

University of Arkansas

Calling all Razorback fans! These tender ribs are cooked by a unique stack-and-grill method that’s easy enough for freshman pit masters.

Recipe: Grilled Baby Back Ribs

"Welcome Will" Cocktail

University of Florida
Toast the new coach with a refreshing orange juice cocktail.

Recipe: Black-eyed Susan Cocktail

Best of the Grove Gooey Brownies

Ole Miss
Pass a silver platter filled with Mississippi Mud Brownies around and score big with your fellow Ole Miss fans.

Recipe: Mississippi Mud Brownies

Texas Tackler-size Burgers

University of Texas
Grill up this beefy burger, pile it high with pimiento cheese and bacon, and kick back until kickoff.

Recipe: Pimiento Cheese Bacon Burgers

Miles and Miles of Gumbo with Hoppin’ John

LSU
With Coach Les around and our chicken-and-andouille gumbo in your bowl, game day is a win-win.

Recipe: "Big Easy' Gumbo

Recipe: Hoppin' John

Cheer-for-Blue Potato Salad

UNC
Big Daddy’s Grilled Blue Cheese-and-Bacon Potato Salad scores big as a side dish to vinegary Carolina barbecue, deli-fried chicken, or steak.

Recipe: Big Daddy's Grilled Blue Cheese-and-Bacon Potato Salad

Frogs-On-Fire Salsa

Texas Christian University
Make this super easy salsa as hot as the TCU football team with a double dose of jalapeños and crushed red pepper.

Recipe: Southwest Salsa

Roll Tide Trifle

University of Alabama
Don’t judge a dessert by its serving dish! You can assemble our Nutter Butter®-Banana Pudding in a big bowl or 13- x 9-inch casserole dish. Guaranteed to be #1 with fellow tailgaters.

Recipe: Nutter Butter Banana Pudding

The Sooner-the-Better Pecans

University of Oklahoma
In minutes you can season, bake, and cool Chili-Lime Pecans. Great with a cold one!

Recipe: Chili-Lime Pecans

War Eagle Dip-and-Chips

Auburn
Serve Loaded Baked Potato Dip with crisp waffle fries for at-home watch parties or with kettle chips when your party’s at Jordan-Hare.

Recipe: Loaded Baked Potato Dip

Stadium Sandwiches

University of Tennessee
Volunteer to bring giant-sized, Turkey, Bacon, and Havarti Sandwiches to the next UT gathering. Purchased deli ingredients make ’em easy to assemble.

Recipe: Turkey Bacon Havarti Sandwich

The Twelfth Man’s “Wings”

Texas A&M
Here’s a really good hot wing recipe to start a game day tradition. Fry chickens wings as directed, or skip the flour coating, grill, and then toss in the sauce.

Recipe: Sweet-and-Spicy Chipotle Chicken Wings

Hokie Pride Sausage Dip

Virginia Tech
Including this dip on a VT tailgate spread will be a key play in impressing your friends.

Recipe: Sausage, Bean, and Spinach Dip

Dawg’s Dogs

University of Georgia
Sweet Heat Hot Dogs are predicted to score big with guests! Just brush your favorite brand of hot dog with fiery Sriracha hot sauce, grill, and top. 

Recipe: Sweet Heat Hot Dogs

Only In The South

Another article from Southern Living.  I hope you aren't getting tired of these…we have one more tomorrow.  It's about tailgating food…yum :)

Only in the South: Football Moments
Only in the South does Game Day trump any and all events. 
Andrew Lawrence, Sports Illustrated writer-reporter, shares 

10 more reasons we're in a league of our own.

Nowhere Else Do Football Games Register on the Richter Scale

On Oct. 8, 1988, LSU trailed Auburn at home 6-0 with less than 2 minutes left when LSU quarterback Tommy Hodson found tailback Eddie Fuller in the end zone for the winning touchdown. The score whipped the crowd of 79,431 at Tiger Stadium into a frenzy that reverberated in Baton Rouge. A day later the stunned campus geologists discovered the moment had registered on the Richter scale. Tiger stadium hasn't played host to any official seismic events since, but its crowds have produced enough intimidating ones to keep opponents quaking in their cleats.


Nowhere Else Are Animal Mascots Part of the Family

Texas has Bevo the longhorn, Oklahoma has twin ponies Boomer and Sooner, and Arkansas has Tusk the razorback. Beware of Tusk, as great escapes run in his family. One predecessor was captured after killing a coyote, a 450-pound domestic pig, and seven rattlesnakes.

Nowhere Else Can Bitter Rivals Mend Fences in Trying Times

When one deranged Crimson Tide fan poisoned Auburn's landmark Toomer's Oaks, Bama Nation raised $50,000 through Tide for Toomer's, a Facebook group. When tornados sacked Tuscaloosa two months later, the Auburn Family reciprocated with more than $175,000 in relief funds.

Nowhere Else Do Rivalry Games Not Mean a Thing if They Ain't Got That Bling

The truest satisfaction comes from denying your rivals the kind of oversize bauble that transforms trophy cases into china cabinets. Louisville and Kentucky vie for a brass chalice (the Governor's Cup, pictured); Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, a crystal dinner chime (the Bedlam Bell); Rice and Houston, a copper ice pail (the Bayou Bucket).

Nowhere Else Is Football an Excuse to Play Dress-up

Just as the players have their attire guidelines, so too do Southern fans–it's a sport coat and sundress affair. And the formalwear extends to the tailgate table: sterling silver, bone china, and candelabra are common trimmings.

Nowhere Else Do Single Guys Flock to Football Games in Search of a Wife

In addition to being exceedingly good-looking, the Southern female football fancier knows how to dress, how to drink, and how Coach is going to adjust for the second half. That's the kind of girl you take home to Mama.

Nowhere Else Is Tailgating a Military Exercise

Alabama has its RV army, whose troops converge by the hundreds on Crimson Tide games. And Tennessee has its Volunteer Navy, a fleet of various vessels that collects in equally impressive numbers around Neyland Stadium–one of only two college football venues accessible by water.

Nowhere Else does Football Now Feature More Cowbell!

After a 36-year ban for being too noisy, Mississippi State's official noisemaker is back–before games, between quarters, during time-outs, after scores, and during possession changes. Chime in any other time, though, and the Bulldogs could get rung up for $5,000.

Nowhere Else Is Football and Winning One and the Same

Ok….I may have altered the image a little.  The article features a picture of Aubie, but I think Big Al looks so much better on my blog.  :)

Since the advent of the Bowl Championship Series in 1998, Southern teams have won 11 of 13 national championships. Which is just another way of saying: Only in the South do you get real bragging rights.