My Favorite Things

1. Ghost Town. We saw this movie weeks ago and I have been meaning to post about it ever since. It might not even be in theatres anymore. However, it was really funny and cute. We ended up seeing it as a compromise decision (read: He wanted to see a boy movie and I wanted to see a cartoon so we compromised on something neither of us wanted to see) and it ended up being a great choice!
   
   
2. Ear Plugs. Life changing. I now sleep all night long. I was always aware I am a really light sleeper but never realized how much I wake up during the night because of little noises. I now fall asleep to the sound of my own breathing. Which by the way, is as relaxing as listening to the ocean.
   
   
3. Scotch Brite Dish Cleaning Wand. I use these not only on my dishes, but also on my bathtubs. I keep one in each bathroom so I can scrub the shower clean without messing up my manicure. These wands are magical!
   
   
   
   
   
4. Little Debbie Pumpkin Cakes. You can only find them this time of year so I stock up as much as possible. I have pretty much hit my quota for the year already.
   
   
5. Pureology. I am a firm believer in cheap shampoo - well cheap anything actually. But this stuff really is a great, so I allow myself to splurge from time to time. Last time I got my hair done I skipped the trim (trying to grow out my hair) and bought the hydrating shampoo and conditioner set instead. It tames my frizzies well!
   
   
6. Maroon 5 concert. This entry shows how far behind I am in blogging. We saw them a month ago. It was a great show. Might be my favorite concert so far and that is saying a lot. It was at the Oak Mountain Amphitheater and the weather was perfect. Combine that with Adam Levine and you have a perfect combination.
   
   
7. WWMM Live 100.5. Another entry I have been meaning to tell everyone about for some time now. Finally an alternative radio station in Birmingham!
   
   
8. New Church Cookbook. Are there better recipes found anywhere else? I don't think so.
   
   
9. Harry Potter. I totally used to be one of those people who made fun of Harry Potter readers that were over the age of 12. But I am now on the sixth book and can't get enough!
   
   
10. Halloween. My favorite holiday. Nuff said.
    

The King of the Dead

Elvis has still got it! Forbes.com just proved it (although there was never any doubt in my mind).

Presley's estate earned $52 million in the past year, again leading Forbes' annual list of top-earning departed celebrities. Heath Ledger and Paul Newman also had good years -- financially, anyway.

By Forbes.com

"Night of the Living Dead" may be a Halloween cult classic, but every October, Forbes.com turns it around and takes a look at how the dead make a living.

While things might be topsy-turvy in the financial markets above ground, there's still a bull market in the boneyard. The 13 famous people on our list of top-earning dead celebrities drew a combined $194 million over the past 12 months.

Topping the list for the second year running is the king of rock 'n' roll, Elvis Presley. Without so much as lifting a finger, the Memphis Flash earned a whopping $52 million in the past year. That's more than some of the music industry's biggest living acts command. For example, Justin Timberlake pulled in $44 million last year, and Madonna earned $40 million.

The 30th anniversary of Presley's death helped boost attendance and merchandise sales last year at Graceland, his home in Memphis, Tenn. New ventures such as an Elvis Sirius Satellite Radio show add to a long list of publishing and licensing deals.

Some new faces

Debuting on the list, in third place, is Australian actor Heath Ledger, most famous for his role as the Joker in "The Dark Knight," the latest installment in the Batman movie franchise. At the time of his overdose in January, the 28-year-old star seemed poised on the cusp of an extremely lucrative film career.

Ledger had reportedly secured a deal for his role in "Knight" that included merchandising (think Joker action figures) and a percentage of film revenue. With the film grossing $991 million in box-office revenue worldwide, we estimate his earnings at $20 million.

Also debuting on our list is Paul Newman, who died in September at age 83. His Newman's Own line of salad dressings, organic popcorn and spaghetti sauces had sales of more $120 million last year. When he was alive, Newman donated all of his profits from the venture to charity, and his estate plans to continue doing so. With the residuals from a lifetime of high-profile movie roles, and we calculate Newman earned $5 million last year.

Some ghoulish math

Adding up paychecks of dead celebrities can be a wicked task -- after all, the departed don't exactly sit for interviews. To get to the bottom line, we talked to experts and sources inside their estates and dug up gross earnings -- before taxes, management fees and other costs -- between October 2007 and October 2008.

Some celebrities, such as Charles Schulz and Albert Einstein, are staples on our list. They owe their spots to steady revenue streams from their artistic creations (planning to watch "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" again this Halloween?) and licensing of their names and images (the Baby Einstein brand is expanding to the young-adult market this year). But finding other big earners meant scouring the cemetery for posthumous one-hit wonders.

**Thanks for sharing this article with me, Amanda Brooke!

The Paper Nest Blog

I'm working on a blog just for my creations. Hopefully, this blog will grow into much more as I consider making this more of a business venture than a hobby. Keep checking back for more details.

Click on link below to get a peak...

The Paper Nest

Half Man, Half Tree

Has anyone seen this? It is tragic. We watched a special on this man on TLC the other night. He has a rare disease that is causing enormous warts to take over his body. And I complain about my headaches...I can't even imagine!

WARNING: Not for weak stomachs.

The Paper Nest - Invites

Having lots of fun designing invitations and the like...

I've Been Tagged

Shannon tagged me, so I guess it's my turn to answer some questions and pass on the fun...

10 years ago I:

1. had just gotten my driver's license.
2. didn't know the Lord.
3. had no idea that I would end up in Birmingham, AL.
4. wanted to be a psychologist.
5. like most teenagers, didn't appreciate my family.

5 things on today's "to do" list:

1. Go to dinner with some girlfriends.
2. Order Christmas tickets for the Sonshiners to see White Christmas.
3. Fold the 2 loads of laundry that are sitting on top of my washer and dryer.
4. Buy a 3 baby presents - all for boys.
5. Plan my Supper Club Halloween Party menu.

5 snacks I enjoy:

1. Chips and Salsa (not from a jar)
2. Cream cheese and olives.
3. Little Debbie Pumpkin cakes.
4. Hot chocolate.
5. Candy Corn flavor Kisses. Sounds gross, but they are so good!

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:

1. Move to the mountains.

2. Buy Ben a new car.

3. Donate to church/charity.
4. Adopt a slew of kids.

5. Quit job and raise as many children as I could house.

5 places I have lived:

1. Gallipolis, OH
2. Proctorville, OH
3. Barboursville, WV

4. Lancaster, OH
5. Birmingham, AL

5 jobs I have had:

1. Babysitter
2. Pharmaceutical Technician
3. Doctor's Assistant
4. Nanny
5. Ministry Assistant

I tag: anyone that reads this and wants to do one of their own!

My Favorite Things - Birmingham Restaurant Edition

Birmingham is a great city for a foodie like me. I love all the little restaurants around town that are reasonably priced, have delicious food and great atmosphere. Here are my top 10 favorite places to eat on any given date night:

1. Bottega's Cafe. Pretty much any Frank Stitt eatery will do the trick for me, but this one is extra special to me as it is the Official Restaurant of Supper Club. Must try: Chicken Scallopine.
2. Leonardo's. I am generally not a fan of Italian fare, but this place is superb. Good food and a piano bar! Must try: Lobster Ravioli
3. Surin. Any of their locations will do. Best sushi in town. Pretty good martinis too! Must try: Spicy Coconut Soup & Super Crunch.
4. Iguanas. Anyone who knows me at all knows that Mexican food is my all time favorite comfort food. It is not hard to please me when it comes to this type of cuisine. But the atmosphere at this place is incredible and the prices are great. Must try: Burrito al carbon.
5. Chez Fonfon. Another Frank Stitt restaurant. This is where Ben and I had our first date and where he took me the night he proposed a mere 9 months later. Must try: Croque Monsieur & Coconut cake.
6. O' Carr's. Fantastic little place with a real cafe feel. Best chicken salad in town. Must try: the chicken salad, obviously!
7. Davenport's. A Birmingham landmark. No better pizza can be found and their salad is just as good. Must try: Pizza and their homemade Italian dressing.
   
8. Rojo. A funky little joint on the Southside. Must try: Quesadillas and guacamole.
9. Taco Casa. If I am honestly trying to represent all sorts of fares and atmospheres fast food must be included. Actually, even if I didn't include fast food I couldn't make a favorite restaurant list with out listing the Casa. Must try: Combination burrito (mild) add jalapenos and sour cream. Also, best ice in town.
10. Momma Goldberg's. Our friends Maghan & Hal Craig are actually part owner of this place. A great place to go for lunch! Must try: Nachos.

Honorable Mentions:
Jim 'N Nick's. Not a fan of chains, but this one is local so I don't think that counts. Must try: Pimiento Cheese Sandwich.
Jackson's. In Soho. I don't think there is a bad choice on the menu. Must try: Pasta Alredeaux

Sista, Sista!

My Sister is a blogger now too!