You were no stranger to the rain.

Almost two years ago, my maternal grandfather died. He was (and is) the only grandparent I have lost. Papa was the picture of the strong, silent type, at least at family gatherings. With six kids and tons of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, holidays at the Gunter house were always madness. Papa always sat in his chair, taking in the chaos around him, calling people out as needed, and rolling his own (unfiltered) cigarettes on his little side table. One of my favorite Papa stories took place the first time Aaron made the drive to Greenville with us for a holiday. This was a huge step in our relationship, as the Greenville side is a little crazy. You don’t bring just anyone out there; they may never call you again. (Just kidding, Mom!) I think it was Thanksgiving, and we had just arrived at the house. We’re loaded down with casserole dishes and pies, and mom opened the tricky screen door and held it open for the rest of us to enter. Chelsea was first, then me, then Aaron. Papa’s chair was positioned next to the door, but facing into the room, so as people walked in he didn’t see them until they had passed him, and then only the backs of their heads. We all went straight to the kitchen to unload. When my mom came in, Papa grabbed her arm. Papa: That’s not Brandi’s boyfriend, it is? Mom: Well… yeah, dad. That’s Aaron. There are worse guys out there! Papa: Well I don’t know where. I’ve been thinking about Papa a lot lately. My friend Jessi’s aunt died on Sunday, and we had been praying for her for a few weeks. The whole situation just brought him to mind. Like me with Papa, Jessi doesn’t know what her aunt believed about God and Heaven. It’s an almost unbearable feeling. There’s no answer for it – you can pray for peace, but what does that mean? What does it look like? Because of that, I don’t let myself think about him too much. He lives in a part of my mind that I don’t often visit. The emotions there are just too intense most of the time. After a week of talking to Jessi and thinking about Papa, I was emotionally exhausted. Yesterday as I was driving back from lunch, I was skipping though the radio stations. As I passed one, I recognized Vince Gill’s “Go Rest High On That Mountain”. That was one of the songs played at Papa’s funeral. My first instinct was to keep on going like I hadn’t heard it, but instead I went back. I sat in my car and let the song fill my ears and my soul, and just cried. I had been running from those thoughts all week, and it had become too much. I’m not the type to think God speaks to me through my lunch or anything, but I do think he wanted me to hear that song and let myself go there. It was therapeutic and comforting, and for a couple of minutes I felt connected to him again.

A boy and his dog.

There is nothing cuter than a dog in a football jersey.

Sleepy Miles. Cheering for the 'Boys. BFF.

Muggles and wizards and house-elves, oh my!

So when I last posted about Harry Potter, I did not know the extent of what I was getting into. I didn’t know how these books were going to take over my life. I was not prepared for the magnetic pull they seem to have on me whenever I get a free second. I had no idea I’d be trying to figure out how to read at my desk without anyone noticing. I love these books. I am now about a quarter of the way through Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, which means I have read three books in less than two weeks. And I read Prisoner of Azkaban in it’s entirety over the weekend. I was thinking that I needed to get started, so I would have time to read the first four and see the first three movies before the movie version of Goblet of Fire comes out. Apparently I gave myself more than enough time. I don’t know why, but I was really surprised by how much I have enjoyed these books. The first two were fun, but the third really took me somewhere. I love watching the characters develop and become who they are… I think it’s pretty realistic to how those years of your life really are. I especially enjoy reading Hermione, probably because I see myself in her. It is fun to watch her become a teenager, and I hope that develops more as the books go on. I bumped the movies to the top of our Netflix, and I think I am excited to see them. I know I will enjoy them, but at the same time I don’t want the Hogwarts of my imagination to change. Once you put actual faces to the characters, it’s hard to go back to what you originally thought. For example, in my head Professor McGonagall is a plump old woman, almost like a fairy godmother. I know that Maggie Smith (who I love) plays her in the films, and while it will be fabulous, it won’t be the same for me reading the books after that. But I can’t wait to see Quidditch.

Oh, I am so in.

I did it. I gave in. I joined the cult. That’s right, folks. I’m reading Harry Potter. My dear friend Becka gave me the first five books for my birthday. She SAYS it’s because she knows I will love them, but I know the truth is that she needs someone to discuss them with. And CHELSEA! Finally I can know what she is always freaking out about. It will be much fun. So far I have read the first one, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. And can I just say? LOVED IT. I don’t know why I was holding out on these books! It was such a quick read, and I could not put it down. It’s so fun, and creative. I can’t wait to keep going. I stayed up all night Saturday finishing it, and close to the end actually yelled, “NO WAY”, waking up both Aaron and Miles. I did not see that coming. So yes. Love. As if I needed a new obsession. Even one I'm coming to eight years late. Thanks, Becka! (check out Aaron’s post about his trip to Mississippi.)

Please give me money.

I need to go shopping. My wardrobe is pathetic these days. If you do not want to give me money, please buy me one or more of the following:

1. Jeans that can be worn with flats. My only good jeans are 'heels' jeans, and cannot be worn with flats without cuffing. I am tired of cuffing.
2. A knee-length denim skirt with cool back pockets.
3. Tall boots.
4. Brown shoes that can be worn to work.
5. Cute, slim sweaters in bright colors.
6. A trench coat. In a fun color.
7. Multiple pairs of cords, particularly dark brown, olive green and red.
8. Cute t-shirts to go with my new cool sneakers.
9. A black skirt.
10. A cool brown or tan blazer or jacket.

Please. I am desperate.

Happy Birthday, MOM!

29 years ago today (and by 29 I mean 51), Nelda Jean Gunter came into the world. And for that I am eternally grateful. My mom is one of the coolest people I know. She’s never met a stranger. She laughs at my dad’s horrible jokes. She dances like a madwoman. She is a good friend. She really listens, and has never tried to force her opinions on me. She supports my choices and encourages me daily. She has worked hard all her life to provide the best she can for me and Chelsea. I am very lucky; I know most kids don’t get the great start in life that we did. And we owe all of that to our parents. She has been the life of the office every place I’ve known her to work. People enjoy her company. They want to be her friend. She makes them laugh. They respect the work she does. She can sing Carole King and Steve Wariner better then they do it themselves. Including the instrumental parts. She goes out of her way to make a big deal of out birthdays for everyone she knows. Aaron was getting birthday boxes when we were barely dating. The demise of the TCBY ice cream pie was a dark day in the life of Nelda’s Birthday Hooplas. She deserves a celebration twice the size of what she provides for others. And she used to have a rockin’ fro. It was HOT.

Look how far we've come, now baby...

I met Trisha about three years ago. I was temping after I moved to Nashville, and she worked in the office where I ended up. We hit it off pretty quickly, and she became my saving grace in that office of insanity. We only worked together for about six months, but she has been my friend ever since. Trisha is married to Jay, and they have three of my favorite kids on earth: Hudson, Gabe and Grace. These are my favorite recent stories about them. Hudson (8): Has decided he is a stand-up comedian. His routine consists of picking up various items and saying, “What’s the deal with this? I mean, what is this?” Regularly accuses Gabe of stealing his material. Gabe (5): Wants to be Elvis for Halloween. Will get your attention, turn his back to you, then spin around and point and say, “Thank you very much.” Grace (4): Trisha will ask, “Who’s pretty?” and Grace will raise her hand. Then she asks, “And why are you pretty?” and Grace says, “Because you’re pretty, mama.” Saturday was Jay’s 30th birthday, and Trisha planned the mother of all surprise parties for him. His family and friends live all over the country, and they all flew in. She took him to dinner at The Palm, and while they were there the babysitter called to tell them that Hudson was really sick and they needed to come home. (Before they left, Trisha paid Hudson a dollar to go to Jay and act like his stomach was upset and play sick until they left. Genius.) So they walk in the door, and 30 people yell “Surprise!” It was awesome. He had no idea. Then he started to see who was there, and how many people had traveled to be there with him, and he got overwhelmed and started crying. Then I did. I’m a sucker. It was great fun to be a part of something so special in our friends’ lives. Trisha was my first real friend in Nashville, and we have spent many an afternoon hanging out with them and their kids. She’d put together a DVD slideshow of pictures of Jay growing up and of their family, and I think everyone got a little teary. I know I did. It was so neat to see how his life turned out to be what it is. And looking at how special pictures of just a random day at home can cause you to get emotional years later. A testament to how it’s all about the little things, I guess. *embarrassing side note* During part of the slideshow, they played Shania Twain’s “You’re Still The One.” Now, Shania is on my Do Not Listen list. She really is. But hearing that song and watching pictures of them just getting married and the kids when they were so little… it got to me. I admit it. So I guess you can add that to the list of songs I shouldn’t like but do. Crap.

Yellow pants are TOO sexy.

So I've been sitting here all day, thinking about how I need to post something because it's been almost a week. But I didn't really have time to write anything long. Then I saw something out my window that just had to be shared. Across the alleyway from our building is a recording studio. All kinds of random people come in and out, and today was no exception. Not five minutes ago, a man in the sweetest outfit I have ever seen on a non-joking person came out. White shirt. Pale yellow pants. Loafers with no socks. HOT.

Luckily, I had my camera with me today:

Things About Chelsea.

For the last day of the list challenge, Chelsea and I are writing 25 things about each other. So here is my list about her, and you can click here for the last 25 things about me.

25 THINGS ABOUT CHELSEA

1. She does a mean high kick.
2. She has fabulous hair.
3. When we were little and would get in the car to go somewhere, she would always pat the seat between us and tell our parents it was the perfect place for a little brother to sit. That never happened, but when Aaron and I got married she said told that story in her maid of honor speech, how he may not be little and he may not fit between us in the back seat, but she finally got her brother and she was really glad it was him. That was the sweetest thing ever.
4. She knows way too much about Gilmore Girls, Friends and Lord of the Rings. And Harry Potter.
5. After she hurt her knee in high school, she joined the flag corp. Neither of us had ever been involved in something like that, and it was so cool. They were fabulous, and I would get chills every time I saw them perform.
6. Her first pair of glasses had pink plastic frames. I was jealous.
7. She takes really interesting photographs. She has a great eye and catches details that other people would certainly miss. Like a giant armadillo overtaking an army.
8. She is strong. She’s dealt with some crazy things in her life, and always manages to come out on top.
9. There is documented video of the kind of fit this girl is capable of throwing. It would be sad if it weren’t so darn funny.
10. There is also evidence of her and an unnamed sister wearing matching red ruffled shorts.
11. We used to play a game called cruise ship. This game basically consisted of us getting all of our toys and clothes that we would want to take on the trip, packing them up, loading up the ship (my bed) and getting on board. Then we would quit, abandoning the ship full of stuff to float away into oblivion. Or at least until Mom made us put everything back.
12. She is very loyal and caring. I take comfort in knowing that if I needed her she would hop the first plane and get here as fast as possible.
13. She looks great with a side French braid and big bangs.
14. Put her on a pool table, give her a glittery baton and put on some Bon Jovi and you are in for a show. Maybe we shouldn’t have been surprised that she was so great at flags!
15. She has great fashion sense. Every time we get together, I am impressed by the things she puts together and the style she has developed.
16. Her adorable dimple on one side is due to a trampoline accident when she was little. Our next door neighbors had a trampoline, but it was a mess – no pads, missing springs, I think it even had a hole in the middle. I don’t think we were allowed to jump on it. One day Chelsea was on there, and after a particularly high bounce she landed in the springs and pads and hit her face. It was a big mess, and as a result her smile is super cute. (I might be a little fuzzy on some of the details of that story.)
17. She is so getting the Christmas village. I am so getting Brenda Lee Christmas.
18. She talks in her sleep.
19. She played on a competitive softball team called the Grand Slam. They were really good. Chelsea ruled at softball.
20. She had a Jem and the Holograms nightgown. (So did I.)
21. She and my dad had the same fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Tribble. She was scary.
22. She has a TV and a DVD player in her room. Video games too, I think. I know she’s an adult, but I’m still jealous. I never got to have that stuff!
23. She also got to pierce her ears earlier than she was supposed to. And she got a perm! Little sisters get everything.
24. She is totally jealous of Miles the Wonder Dog.
25. I can kick her butt in Dance Dance Revolution.

Things About Me - Part 3

ANOTHER 25 THINGS ABOUT BRANDI

1. I have never worn braces or glasses.
2. I want to travel to Europe before I have a child.
3. Somehow I manage to look at the clock at 10:11 every morning.
4. When I was little, I loved to climb trees but was terrified of climbing down. We had a big weeping willow in our front yard, and I would climb way up to the top and then scream at the top of my lungs for my dad to rescue me.
5. I was never a big fan of chips and salsa until I started dating Aaron. I would eat it, but it was not nearly as important to me as other foods. But his family has salsa instead of blood, and I got used to it pretty quick. Now I love it and would choose it over almost any snack.
6. Cooking makes me really needy. I love to cook and try new things, but I so badly need validation of the things I make that I think I get annoying. I have a complex about being bad in the kitchen, so if I make something new I ask excessive questions. “Do you like it? Are you lying? Is it just okay? You can tell me.” But you better not actually tell me or I will be crushed.
7. I started college at a large state school, and transferred to a small private school after my first year. I gave in to the idea that it would be better somehow. Ironically, the friends I consider my ‘college friends’ are the girls I met at the big bad state school.
8. I hate the sound of a fork scraping a plate. It sends chills up and down my spine.
9. When I eat, I try to eat all my food evenly so I will end up with one bite of each food. At the end, I make an executive decision about which food was my favorite, and save that bite for last. If someone steals one of my last bites (AARON!) it is not pretty.
10. I moved to Nashville from Dallas in the summer of 2002. It took me a good 6-8 months to get used to this place and be able to say I like it. Now I love it and can’t imagine moving back. We have really made a home here and have friends that I would consider family. It’s hard to live so far away from relatives, but I love that our life here is truly ours and no one else’s.
11. I had four living grandparents and one living great grandparent until I was 22. I feel extremely lucky to have had them for so long, and to have lost them when I was old enough to understand. I don’t know how well I would have handled it if I’d been younger. I still have both grandmothers and a grandfather, and while this entry seems to be bragging on my ability to deal with their death, I know it will crush me when it happens, just like it did when we lost Granny and Pawpaw.
12. My name is Brandi An. I still have not quite forgiven my parents for giving me an airhead first name and a useless middle name. An with one N? You would think it would have tipped them off when the nurse wrote “(correct)” next to my middle name on my birth certificate because so many people tried to change it. But no.
13. I have had the honor of being a bridesmaid three times, in Kelley, Melanie and Angie’s weddings. I am way too excited about being in Steffanie’s wedding this coming April. I really love being in weddings and getting to stand with my friend on one of the biggest days of her life. I look forward to the other weddings I will be in, especially Chelsea’s, where I will get to choose my own dress and everyone else’s as well. My wedding wasn’t enough, people. I need to control everything.
14. In seventh grade, my best friends were Amanda, Shera and Jennifer. We wrote multi-colored notes to each other and had extensive code names for everything. I have since tried to read some of those notes and I have no idea what we are talking about.
15. In sixth grade, my teacher (Mr. Houser – boo!) called me out into the hallway. He asked me if I wanted to be enrolled in advanced placement classes in junior high. I told him no, because I wanted to be cool and honors classes were not cool. He never did anything else about it (like call my parents!) and I was in regular classes throughout high school. I feel like I really missed out and I’m still kind of bummed about that. I know I should have said yes, but he should have realized that an 11 year old girl should not have final say on her educational decisions.
16. I have been recognized as my mother’s daughter by my smile. People who know my mom but have never met me have approached me in public to ask if I’m Nelda’s daughter. This makes me happy and proud.
17. A jellyfish stung me at South Padre Island when I was 10.
18. When listening to music, I absentmindedly sign the first letter of each syllable in the lyrics. It’s a challenge when the song is really fast, but I’ve gotten pretty good at it.
19. I love to make lists. I love those lined pads that have a magnet on the back for the fridge. I make my list on that paper with an ultra fine point sharpie. If I am halfway through the list and I make a mistake, I start over rather than have a scratch out on my list.
20. Someday I would like to have a really great home office. I want really modern and funky supplies, personalized stationery, great furniture. I love post-its too much to use plain yellow ones forever! (“Actually, I invented a special kind of glue…”)
21. I love to dance but rarely dance in public. I would much rather watch and make fun of other people. This is why I don’t dance in public – I know what I would say about me if I saw myself.
22. I can quote almost any episode of Friends. Since my marriage, I am also able to quote Seinfeld with ease.
23. I have an unnatural love of magazines. Especially the September issues – they are the thickest and have great shopping information. I read them straight through, cover to cover. I don’t even jump with a story, I’ll just pick back up with I get to the designated ‘continued on…’ page.
24. I was never an animal person until Miles the Wonder Dog. The only other animal I ever liked was Mel’s dog Chelsea.
25. At North Texas I had a roommate named Lori. Lori played the harp. There was a big harp in our dorm room, right in your line of vision when you opened the door. People would come in and say, “Oh cool! Who plays the harp?” And Lori would act all shy and say it was her. They would ask her to play, so she would play them a song. Except it was always the same song. I never once heard her practice anything else, ever. The girl knew ONE SONG, and used it to make everyone thing she was funky and exotic for playing the harp.

Don't forget to check out Chelsea. Tomorrow's installment of my list will be written by her, and her's by me. It will be interesting to see what 25 things about me she comes up with!