Social Media Break

Happy St. Patrick’s Day ! That means Lent is nearly over and I have to admit this Social Media Break has been a little tougher than in years past. I haven’t really missed it …. I’ve thought about keeping this break going through the election. I promised when we started this thing that I would avoid politics and I meant it. It does grind my gears that all these years later and we are back where we started and that just seems stupid on so many levels.

However during this break I have thought several times about specific people that I “check in” with on the various social media apps and wondered how they are doing. Golden has kept me informed of news events I need to know about and she has apparently created a TickyTock playlist for me assuming that we are all still allowed to use TickyTock by the time I get back.

So what have I been up to ?

I got to take a work trip in late Feb. as part of that trip I got to see Golden, walk around a bookstore and eat some good food. I also got to go watch my boss get inducted into the Engineering Hall of Fame which was really really cool. See he’s amazing. I helped prepare his application for induction even after he told us to stop. He said he wouldn’t win so I doubled down. I really wanted this for him. When we found out he won he looked me right in the eye and said I want you there. I said yes sir. I booked my hotel room and waited fro someone to steal my seat. Turns out he bought his OWN table for his family (brothers/sisters) and I had a seat at that table. I felt super important and got to meet many people who I’ve e-mailed many times over the years but never talked to in person. That was pretty cool.

My nephew and his wife just celebrated their one year anniversary. I think they had a good time, they are hoping to take a trip once the summer starts to really celebrate it. I hope they do. They have been through a lot this year but they are still standing, things are still moving forward. They are about to move from a cramped townhouse to a starter house (renting) with a yard for their big furbaby. My nephew is about to finish his college life and I think that’s sinking in some. The real world is waiting I’m not sure he’s ready but he’s going to figure it out quickly.

I just got a new phone …. I got the Samsung S24+ mine was ok … but it was starting to lag and kept telling me it had no storage even though I had removed everything I could off of it. I just got tired of fighting it and said I’m gonna get a new one.

My Auburn Tigers have just lit up the place in basketball and my gymnastics team is gearing up for the SEC tournament. My poor Gymnastics team they were doing so well and the last few meets seemed to have gone off the rails. The SEC Gymnastics championship are in Baton Rouge and I almost bought tickets but cooler heads prevailed. I mean I just bought a phone, taxes are coming up, and work is still moving pretty fast. I like to think they miss my peptalks.

Golden and I did secure out Dragon Con memberships the other … yippie something to look forward too! :D I am also hoping to get to her house for her birthday again this year. If nothing else we’ll be in the same room. We might both be sleeping through the movie of choice …there will also be laughter, fun, and good food.

So until I get back online … I hope you are all doing well, having a good week/day and I’ll see you all again soon!

 

Marcy

Wait … it’s Lent again?!

It's a random Tuesday and I am at home. That means it's Mardi Gras which means Lent starts tomorrow. Wait … what.... it’s Lent again ?! I'm not mentally prepared for Lent. Really like how in the world did that happen so fast. It feels like just yesterday I was logging back into all my social media accounts after last years Lent. While giving up social media is usually the way I go this year I have decided to do something different. Instead of giving up things I’m going to adopt things. Not like a puppy or a kid, but I’m going to do things that I don’t normally do instead of giving up things I like to do. I mean I can't give back a puppy or a kid in April .... That's not how that works ... right?! Like Social Media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc.) and Soda, or sweet tea. Tho I will admit my social media breaks these last few years have been nice and in the run up to an election year it would make sense to do so again. Maybe I should re think this ................... Mostly I don’t wanna give up social media this year cause … well I don’t want to. Also, I have some things coming up that will make Social Media necessary and fun. 

My boss and I are going to the SERC conference as part of SMPS down in Tampa. Last year when I went they had these Social Media challenges that I couldn’t participate in and I really wanted to. Also my older nephew tried out for something pretty awesome the other day at his school and the announcement of if he’s in or not will be on social media. My other nephew will be spending the weekend with us in a few weeks and I like to cause Jealousy with his brother on how much fun we are having. The Sussex family returns for what might be their last official engagements and say what you will about that couple I love and miss them. So I want to soak it all up while I can. I 100% get where they are coming from and am kind of proud of them for putting themselves first. Tho it does kind of crack me up that the Spare .... the what 6th in line for the throne .... has caused a meltdown in Buckingham Palace cause he wants to step back. He never said I don't want to be a Royal he said I don't want to be a SR Royal. There's tons of Royals around them that aren't SR royals but get to enjoy the perks. I wish the rest of the world would let them move on, and that includes the Royal family, media and their so called fans. My Auburn Gymnastics team has several really huge meets coming up in the lead up to the SEC Championships in late March with the regional championships in early April. So I just don’t feel like all that is stuff I want to skip. I’m also hoping there will be some more fun things that I am not aware of yet that might hit my radar. I like happy surprises.

So this year here’s my plan of what I’m going to do instead of give up. 

• My mom and I are starting a workout program where we use our exercise equipment at least once a day together. It’s kind of a fun bonding thing. We started out wanting to do it once a day for a week, I’m going to extend it through Lent, I haven’t told her yet but hopefully she will be on board. 

• I’m going to set my phone for an alarm to go off twice a day I get up, leave my desk, walk around the building and come back to said desk on the 10th floor. I might even take the stairs a few times. I might not, I mean it’s 10 floors people, then again … how will you know. My job is one of those where I get to the office sit in my chair, log on to my PC and only get up to use the restroom, go to the printer or if a coworker calls and asks me to come help them with something. That's not healthy. 

• I’m going to write actual letters. I had meant to send out Christmas cards this year and it just didn’t happen. I gathered all the things several times to sit down and do it then never did. So, then I thought it would be kind of cool to just randomly send these people letters during the year so during lent I’m going to make some of those happen. I’m thinking at least a letter ever other week during Lent. 

This Lent I’m hoping to make about experiences not about giving things up. What are you giving up or adding to your lives for Lent this year?!

Marcy
@beaslma

Jumping onto my soap box

So I still owe everyone a post about the end of my North Carolina trip which consisted of family fun time and NASCAR shops with a friend before heading back home and back to the real world.

I'll get to it I promise. However, I need you guys to give me a minute cause there are some things happening out in the World that I feel needs my two cents added to the conversation. So here I go. 

Lent is stupid
So….I am not Catholic, yet I participate in Lent. It’s not just a Catholic thing but they are way more strict about it. However Lent is stupid. Not the actual process of Lent mind you, I still fully believe in giving up something for 40 days as a sacrifice and in an effort to better yourself even if it’s not for religious reasons. Golden for one has spent the last some odd 20 days or so giving back as her Lent acknowledgement. She has paid the bill of people behind her in fast food lines and in other ways and I commend her for that. As you know dear reader I gave up both Social Media and Soda for Lent and.... guys … it’s been hard. Thus Lent is stupid. I can live with the social media break, actually I enjoy it but since Lent started my AU Gymnastics team has had three meets, went to the SEC Championships and I have had to watch it all from the sidelines.  

However all of that aside one of my favorite Gymnasts Sam Cerio had a horrific accident during her Floor Routine during the first night of the Regional at LSU, in which my team advanced to night two thank you very much. She broke both her legs and dislocated BOTH her knees. It was a horrific thing to watch do yourself a favor and NEVER WATCH IT. I was watching live on the internet and almost threw up on my keyboard. The coolest thing is that the next day the President of LSU visited Sam in the hospital. I thought that was really cool and shows the support and love that the SEC has for each other off the playing field or Matts in this case. 

It’s been awful not being able to reach out to Sam and give her support at this time. She graduates in May and I understand is getting married in June. She has stated she plans to walk down the isle and if anyone can do it … SAM CAN! She’s amazing. I have a message board on my desk, that I try to update at least once a week, this was the board the week after the meet.  

In addition to all of that my beloved Auburn Tigers got to the freaking FINAL FOUR!!!!!!! That’s never ever ever in life happened and watching it from a far was super hard. Not checking in with the team or watching the various fan events that happened during the tournament but not being able to connect with anyone about it was really hard. Like for reals hard. It was also difficult to find scores and times when the games would be without seeing spoilers. It was a damn fun run to the Final Four and I couldn’t be more proud of those guys. I can’t wait until the 22^nd to hit up Bruce Pearl and thank him for leading these young men in such a positive wonderful way. They all made me very proud to be an Auburn Tiger. It also cracked me up that this team caused a TP shortage in the Auburn/Opelika area, if you don't know the ways of Toomer's Corner, well I'm sad for your very sheltered and horrible upbringing.  

However social media woes aside the hardest part has been the missing of SODA in my life. This year I decided a full ban on all things soda. If I NEVER drink another glass of sweet tea again it will be too soon. My plan is the Friday before Easter I’m going to buy a 6 pack of Wild Cherry Pepsi and I plan to drink all 6 on Easter Sunday. I have missed soda every time we went to lunch and they woud ask “what would you like to drink” all of me wanted to say a COKE give me a freaking COKE ASAP! I’m proud to say that as of the 10^th I’ve held strong but it’s not been easy. Not easy at all. My family keeps saying you aren’t Catholic just drink a coke (I’ve been a little cranky) already but I’ve come this far I can go another 14 or so days.

My plan for Easter …. wake up, go to sunrise service and while there drink a 2 liter of coke by myself as the preacher talks then on the way home hit up Sam Cerio as my first tweet and my second tweet a picture of my nearly empty coke with a countdown of sodas to follow throughout the day. 


Harry and Megan, the Royal Baby and Rumors on top of Rumors
Ok let me start by saying STOP IT. Leave this damn couple alone. Granted they have squeezed in all the things into a single year, the marriage, the kid, all of it before the 1^st anniversary and so that’s on them but my goodnees they can’t do anything without it being a major controversary. I don’t blame them for not wanting to do the “photoshoot” on the stairs of the hospital like 7 hours after the kid pops out. The last two times Kate did that she got flack for it but now everyone is acting like Meghan is personally whipping her new kid's butt with the unwritten Royal Protocol. I mean from the moment this couple became a couple they have been scrutinized at every step. From how she dresses to how his face looks when they are together, to other media woes with her super stable and loving family. He has always been a very private person and it kind of cracks me up how the entire focus is now on her when they are together and it's almost like he is allowed to relax cause he is very conscious of that fact. He also seems to turn into her security officer when they are out and about which I think is adorable. You can very clearly see him scanning the crowd for trouble and mentally preparing a plan for should it arise. 

How dare they get an Instagram without me, not being able to follow or see their pictures. No before you ask, cause I know you will, I don't believe she is running it. Is she sending in captions to the person running it … maybe … but I don't believe she's sitting at Fogmore with phone on her giant belly deciding what to post on Instagram. Sigh …… that was so rude. I also think that this backlash where people are creating a KP VS the Sussex is just dumb. The “Fab 4” can and will do amazing things if people would just back off and let them have the space to breath and do it. If anything this might force William and Kate to step up their game as a solo unit now. I really hope the stories of the boys drifting apart are not true but more two busy people leading very busy lives. I mean my goodness William has three kids for Christ sakes, their lives are separating cause it's the natural order of how life  happens between normal family members. If I see one more headline about William missing the birth I'm going to scream. Last time I checked the brother didnt have to be there not to mention Harry was out of the country for all but Louis (and for that one he was in full wedding mode) so people just need to stop it already. Not to mention that their public life focus is very different and that's ok. That's what made the Royal Foundation work. I hope it stays in tact cause its definitely sheading light on some areas that deserve to be highlighted. The good that this 3 some did can only be better now with 4 voices and focus behind it. I look forward to watching. 

The truth is they can do it now or do it in a few years when Charles becomes King and everything HAS to shift. Do it now and it will allow the focus to stay on Charles when he becomes King, as it should be. Let's be honest they weren't going to be joined at the hip forever. People keep forgetting that William also took his little family out of the limelight moving away from KP for a while when George was little. Of course in my opinion that was during the time that William was still kind of running from this role.  This couple deserves the time and space to start their family and I pray that the media, the “fans” and the rest of the world allows them the space to do so. Everyone needs to back off and just let them be and I don’t want to hear that they knew what they were getting into when they walked into this party. May we all be so lucky to fall hard in love with another human being like they seem to have. She seems to make him really happy and if people would just back off I think they just might make it work. Tho maybe that's the issue there are those that dont want this couple to make it and that's just sad and pathetic.

Let me also add that I don't believe the Queen gives a flying Corgi if they raise this child vegan or vegetarian or feed it well Corgis every day for breakfast, ok in that instance she might step in. As long as the kid is taken care of she will likely let them do whatever they want with the kid, in reason of course. The kid is going to be so far away from the throne it really isnt as big a deal in that instance. I am not saying that the kid doesn't matter I'm simply stating that it's not quite as stressful for this kid as it would say George who will eventually,  God willing, reach the throne. Even Charlotte and Louis will just be sideline players, again assuming God takes care of this little family. If Harry and Meghan were smart they would be pushing for the kid to not have a title opening up the path that kid can take in the future. Sure it could take on private life or continue the works of Mum and Dad, or frankly both, but the bottom line is that Babby Sussex could have choices that Harry and Will never had dreams about having  However that's just my opinion, I have often though Harry had the better deal. All of the fun of Royal life with a fraction of the pressure. I also think that once he decided he could use this role given to him for good he jumped in with both feet. I often think William still just has a toe in the water but that his pool is much deeper so I kind of understand that.

Last point I’m going to make on this …. If they have a girl if anyone on the planet is dumb enough to think Harry is going to name said girl Diana they haven’t been paying attention at all. I can’t imagine a world in which he will be able to physically say Diana for the rest of his life. I’m not saying one of the 7 names they give a kid might not be Diana but it will be buried deep into the name. I personally hope for a boy (tho I’m not 100% sure why I even care) cause I want them to name the boy Phillip and I'm sure they care what I think about that. 

College Scandal – LEAVE AUNT BECKY ALONE 
I am so sick of this story, this scandal, and the fact that of all the parents involved two “celebrity” parents are getting the brunt of it. I love how every story talks about Lori Laughlin like she’s personally responsible for this entire thing. Then in the second breath they mention the “Desperate Housewife” AKA Felicity Huffman (who in my world will always be Dana Whitaker - RIP Sports Night) as an oh yeah she’s also involved. Why the hell is that ? 

I feel Lori Lofton is being treated really unfairly in the stupid thing. Dont get me wrong what she and the other parents did was wrong on so many levels but they are just the tip of this. What about administrative people who looked the other way. Coaches who gave up scholarships to really talented kids why aren't they in trouble??? Its like prosecuting the drug pushers when the main dealer is sitting next to them at the table.

I mean honestly is this the biggest issue in the world?! Is it really necessary to ruin the careers of these two ladies and why aren’t their husbands being drug through the mud? Why isn’t William H Macy being black balled left and right? It all seems really stupid that these two ladies are looking at 20 years in prison OVER THIS?! I’ve seen people who have done far worse who have gotten far less. It’s just majorly stupid!

Politics … specifically Trump Vs Democrats

Ok guys I've talked about Trump on here before and while Golden and I said early on that we wouldn't get political, I think what I've said so far straddles that line, cause I gotta open that door one more time. I need the Democrats to move on. I typically vote Blue unless the Red race will affect my every day world and needs my attention. Living in a Red state that happens more than I'd like to be honest. However I need the Democrats to move on. There are like 75 people running on the Democratic ticket and while I know it's early in the game, I'm not sure any of them can beat Trump. The Dems have done exactly what they didn't want the Republicans to do from day one, not concede this election. I get it, he's not the President you wanted, he's not the guy you voted for, but suck it up buttercup he's who we have. Instead of fighting him every step of the way or continuing this collusion BS or think about impeachment proceedings how about you guys pull on your big boy and girl clothes and get to work. Force him out the right way, give people someone they can vote for instead of him. Right now I'm confident he'd get a second term and that's not ok. That's not acceptable and that's entirely on the Democrats head if he does. They talk so much about what he has not accomplished but they can't point to their own accomplishments either. It's a giant cluster either way you look at it and our Nation isn't in a great place right now so let's all be adults, the Mueller report is out, if you must … read it... learn from it.... then move on. 

One more thing about this Biden has give his time to this Country, he's made a very positive impact along with Obama and frankly needs to step aside. This is NOT his fight. I'm not saying he can't help whomever makes it through the pack of crap running but I just feel it shouldn't fall on his shoulders. He's an amazing man, a loving man, a man that cares about the Veterans and a man that deserves to do whatever he wants at this stage in his life. I'm not sure President is something he needs to add to his resume. However he can do whatever he wants … and likely will. 

Jessie Sommelet - Chicago PD 
Ok just no. Here's what happened. Some asshat actor made up some BS story to get his name in the papers and up his reputation and the social media community pounced on it before they even knew what happened. The public support was so great and he was so high profile that the Chicago PD jumped in with both feet too and put the full force of well the force on this case. They wasted a TON of money, time, efforts, and manhours on this case. The end result being that it was all crap and now they want him to pay for it … no. Good police work will show it's BS from the beginning. You don't throw money down a hole, which is what they did. When they saw it starting to go south you pull back, put less on it and move on. They also dropped all the charges about false statements so they couldn't even get that right. If dude isn't guilty then he shouldn't have to pay. That was on them for letting the public outcry dictate how they ran their department. It was fun to watch it play out while I could cause the wave of social media on this case proved just how messed up social media can be. The support was huge, then the disappointment after learning the "truth" was a dull roar followed by silence. The world moved on long before the Chicago PD did and now that dude can't catch a break yet he still pops up in my news feed from time to time. It's going to be interesting how this plays out to be honest. 5 years from now he'll pop up in some random movie and blow everyone away then he'll be the huge start he wanted to be when all this started. That's my guestimate but first he'll have to endure a Lifetime or BET movie about the entire situation in which they won't even allow him to play himself. 

Ok I’m climbing down now … thank you for letting me get some of this off my chest, I admit I feel better. 

Thanks 
Marcy 
@beaslma

AUBURN GYMNASTICS

Before I shut down my Social Media for Lent I have to give a shout out to my Auburn Gymnastics team and let them know that while I’m not going to be cheering them on online I’ll be thinking about them daily, sending them positive vibes, watching from the sidelines and wishing them the best SEC Championship ever cause this team deserves all of it.

It’s been a fantastic season for the Auburn Tigers …. 4-0 at home … 3-2 away … 7-2 overall. Their only losses in the SEC coming at the hands of Florida (the eventual SEC Champions) and Alabama, whom they came within like 3 toe point points and a stuck landing of taking down in Tuscaloosa. Read that again .. I’ll wait. As a matter of fact if Auburn had gotten the score they put up against Florida in Tuscaloosa they would have tied the meet with Alabama. It was their second highest road score of the season and gave them a 2^nd place finish in the SEC Regular Season. Just saying this team is capable of taking the entire tournament. 

This does not come as a surprise to me. I have seen this coming. As I think I have said before on this Blog, my dorm for all 4 years at Auburn was the closest dorm (at that time) to their practice facility so they would put the Freshman Gymnast in our dorm. In an effort to support these ladies we formed a group that would go to all the home meets and cheer the girls on. We'd put up things in their hallway with positive thoughts and encouragement for the weeks they had away meets. Heck I often drove them to practice so they wouldn't have to walk it. Gotta save those legs, they might have also been running late ha! During my 2nd or third year the group of girls in our dorm (cause I lived in the dorm all 4 years at Auburn (my last two years in a room by myself) since I had a job in the dorm that basically paid me to do my homework) came to the front desk one day while I was working and said that they really appreciated my support and loved that I came to the meets but politely asked that I go to get a drink or a snack during beam cause I could be distracting.  

Jeff Graba, pictured, and his staff have been building to this for years. He joined this program in 2010, I believe, and had a vision from his first day in the gym with these ladies. They have been planning for it, recruiting for it, and preparing these ladies for this shot, this chance and now they are going to grab it and hold it high. Graba has given them the tools, the coaches, the drive, the determination and the belief that they can win it all. Or completely fall on their faces … that’s how Gymnastics works. It’s not what you have done it’s what you are doing right this second that counts. No matter what happens this year has been so much fun to watch and this team can only build on this moving forward. I've said it before and will say it again. The FUTURE of Auburn Gymnastics is strong. 

There are 6 freshmen on this team, several that have already made their mark on the events this season including the amazing Derrian Gobourne who is so much fun to watch. If you haven’t seen her perform yet you really need to treat yourself and look her up, she’s won several all-around titles this year and I can’t wait to watch her evolve over the next few years. She can only get better which should scare the rest of the teams out there.  She’s powerful, talented and just a joy to watch work. Then you have 5 Sophomores on the team ready to take over leadership roles when asked including my home town favorite Allie Riddle an excellent Beam walker who does the other events pretty well too. I can't wait to watch her over the next few years too. She's from my hometown so I have a special place in my heart for her. GO UMS Bulldogs.  

Our Seniors include Sam Cerio (Engineering), Taylor Krippner (Human Sciences), A’Miracal Phillips (Science and Mathematics), and the always consistent Abby Milliet (business). I’m gonna miss these ladies but look forward to seeing what’s in store from them off the mats. Each of these ladies have served as leaders on this team and are a large reason why this team is in the place they are in right this second. They have helped build the foundation that the rest will build upon moving forward. 

Auburn has two more meets before the SEC Championships (in New Orleans March 23^rd BTW). One with Alabama, this weekend March 9^th in Birmingham and another with Air Force Academy in the Auburn Arena on the 15^th. Both events are great and fun events and allow Auburn to get that Bama monkey off their back before the SEC Championship which sets you up for the NCAA Championships which will be in Texas in April. I have no doubt in my mind that they can and will beat BAMA before this season ends. It's gonna happen. 

I tell you all of this because these young ladies deserve your love, support and respect. They put in the hours in the gym, more so during the off season. Their hard work is definitely paying off and it’s showing. Now we as fans need to continue to show up for them. 

War Eagle Ladies …. FINISH STONG!!!!!

Marcy (@beaslma)

LENT - SOCIAL MEDIA BREAK – TIGER GIVING DAY

So, my social media break came at just the worst time. First my Auburn Gymnastics team beat Rutgers, very handily I might add, with some stuck landings and great performances (at least as far as I could tell on my phone since the Watch ESPN ap gave my lap top the middle finger) by my Tigers in pink for their 6^th win of the season. A little shout out to Drew Watson who picked up the All-Around Title. Auburn faces Alabama this Friday for Senior Night and I hope the momentum of the last few weeks carries them through. 

However, the awesomeness … or should I say AUsomeness ... of the Auburn Gymnastics team is not the focus of this post. This “social media break” also happens to fall in the middle of Auburn’s RISE campaign. Which is a 24-hour fundraising event known as “Tiger Giving Day” #TigerGivingDay

Basically, they choose 20+ worthy projects that deserve to be highlighted and supported and put them on the site for AU fans, family, alumni to throw their support behind. Some are very worthy causes, others are, in my opinion less worthy, but they all made the list. What I love most about this event is that you can do a LOT of good on campus with very little spent. Some organizations get more of my dollars while others get enough to help them get a percent closer to their goal.

After I donated to a few of these programs I was hit with the share with your friends and family to help support #TigerGivingDay and of course I can't do that but I can post about Tiger Giving Day which lasts until Feb. 21^st at Midnight and features tons of programs you can put your support behind, if you are interested.

Check out the site below …

https://rise.auburn.edu/

Questions about this event can be directed here : because@auburn.edu

WAR EAGLE!!!!

Marcy  

Auburn, a fun destination that still feels like home

My self imposed Social Media ban has been surprisingly easy, however I do admit I missed it so much this past weekend. I took last Friday off and one of my work friends and I took off to Auburn for a short but sweet trip. I got to eat at my favorite places, and watch the Auburn Gymnastics Team flip on Senior Night and marveled at how much the place had changed since I left it so many years ago. I probably do not get back to Auburn as much as other alumni and admit that it has been a while since I went for a sporting event.  Pulling off the interstate it was like stepping into another world of businesses, apartment complexes, restaurants, and so much more that now lines the streets of the town I used to call home. Where is the freaking grass I kept thinking to myself. However when we got into the heart of campus I felt this immediate calm wash over me as I was back where I belonged. The place that literally gave me the foundation that would shape me into the person I am today.

It was a fun trip and I hated not sharing it with my social media friends and family. Prior to the meet we ate a delicious cheese burger at Cheeburger Cheeburger (with fries and onion rings cause I'm an adult), yes they have bigger mason jars now and no I didn't steal one but I really wanted to do so. I'm grown now and I guess I know better. I knew better then too but let's not focus on that or the fact that there's at least one jar in my cabinet (maybe two). Then we walked up to the famous Toomer’s Drug Store for some shopping at J&M Bookstore, and Tree appreciation time before going to Tiger Rags, must stops for any Auburn fan. We also decided to catch a movie while we were in town since we had some time to kill and we love movies. I'll watch anything as long as I have popcorn. Too bad a. the popcorn was kinda stale, and b. I accidently dropped it before the previews were done and lost half of the popcorn on the floor. We went to see “The Shack” which I have to admit was better than I thought it would be even if there were things about it that I didn’t like and I'm sorry .... Tim McGraw was a distraction. I never fell into the movie enough to know that wasn't Tim McGraw and frankly he annoyed me during this movie.  It’s one of those movies that I’m glad to have experienced but not one that I’m going to rush to Amazon to buy the book, or get it on DVD so I can watch over and over again.

Last time I focused on my lack of negativity via social media and this time I was reminded of how much positivity I tend to throw out there too. This week’s Auburn Gymnastics meet celebrated “Senior Night” and to not take a moment to tell the Senior class what a joy it has been to watch them work was hard was really hard.

So I'll take the time now, MJ (Psychology), Lucia (Pre-Med), Kelsey (Mechanical Engineering), and Kullen (Aerospace Engineering) it has been an honor to watch each of you work and I'm sure whatever path you walk...tumble...down next you will be amazing at it if you only show HALF the dedication that you have shown to this Auburn Team. Thank you for your time, your dedication, and the memories, War Eagle and happy graduation! (side note, I included their respective majors cause I wanted to give a shout out to how smart my Tigers are as well as talented and strong!)

These ladies give up so much to wear that Leotard from time with family, with friends and with loved ones to the amount of time they train, study and support each other it seemed wrong to not acknowledge it. The meet we went to was between Auburn and Pittsburg, not exactly an SEC clash of the titans meet but Pittsburg had a great meet. The Pittsburg team was staying our hotel and while we only saw them for a few minutes the interaction I had with them was very positive. They looked like a great group of young ladies and they definitely put on a show for the Auburn fans Friday night. I would have liked to have tweeted to the team’s twitter handle to tell them how much I enjoyed their performance. They definitely came to play as did the Auburn Seniors in their final night before friends, family, and fans in an Auburn leotard in a home setting.

The season is not over but for those Seniors that’s a night they will always cherish. I also loved how the entire team came out to each of the exits to talk with fans, take pictures and sign autographs (let’s see the football, basketball, baseball teams do that and I know their tickets are more expensive). Watching these ladies with their fans was fun, watching little boys and girls afraid to approach but then be welcomed with a hug and a picture was heartwarming, you got a sense that they appreciated us being there as much as we appreciated what they do. Those ladies are pretty amazing! Next up for the Tigers is the SEC Championships in Jacksonville. This young team has the opportunity to do well at the championships, they have been knocking on the door all season with great scores they just need solid scores, hitting their routines and they could have a great night. Don’t get me wrong I don’t harbor this insane idea that Auburn will win it all, that’s between LSU and FL (my money is on LSU) and you can never rule out Alabama but I think Auburn could be the dark horse no one is watching to come in and finish 5th. This team is building and with a young team they have a bright future ahead of them.

After the meet we went to one of my favorite places in the world to eat “Willie’s Wings.” It was a mainstay in my student life and they deliver! They are only open from 5PM until about 1AM so it was the perfect late night place to go for some good hot food that wasn’t pizza. A college kid can only eat so much pizza. I was so excited to walk into the Resturant and was immediately transported back by the smell. I couldn’t wait to get that sandwich in my belly. Western Sub with Tots, I’ve tried to recreate it at home and I come close but NOTHING compares to Willie’s Western Sub with Tots. With a fully belly I slept like a baby.

On Saturday we got up frolicked around campus some more, sent Golden a note from Biggin Hall (her home away from home while at Auburn) and hit the road to head back home. It was a great weekend of conversation, fun, food, and laughter. I can’t wait to go back. I wonder if my boss would let me take every Friday off to spent 24 hours in Auburn, better yet I wonder if they want to open an “Auburn branch” with me as their first employee. I could move back there in a heartbeat. In a few years my nephew, Lord willing, will be at Auburn and I just might have to make more of a point to get up there and make sure he’s not making the same mistakes I did while in school. Auburn will always have a special place in my heart and I hope he’ll feel the same way after he gets his degree. It’s so much more than a place or a school it’s the atmosphere, the people, the area itself and until you experience it I can’t explain it to you. So I’ll leave you with this …

WAR EAGLE!

Marcy (C/O 01)

SEC Gymnastic Championship starts TODAY

It's time for the SEC Gymnastic Championship!!!!! One of my favorite times of the year because you get to see so many amazing athletes in one location and it makes me so happy!

OK People get your chores done and get in front of the TV these ladies are talented and need your support!!!

2016 SEC Gymnastics Championship March 19 Afternoon session 2p.m Eastern on ESPNU​ and the evening session 6 p.m. on the SEC Network

• Afternoon Session features Georgia Gymnastics​ Arkansas Razorback Gymnastics​ University of Missouri Gymnastics​ and Kentucky :D
• Evening Session features Auburn Gymnastics​ Alabama Gymnastics​ Florida Gators Gymnastics​ and LSU Gymnastics​

​This is the first time the tournament is live in its entirety on national television. Let's all support it so it won't be the last! These ladies work so hard throughout the year that they deserve the recognition and the support.

If you don't follow NCAA Gymnastics, and you totally should, the field is stacked this year and it's really going to come down to who makes the fewest mistakes. Ok most gymnastic meets come down to that but in this case a stick landing here or there isn't going to cut it. These ladies have to be perfect, the pressure is enormous and pride is at stake. The evening session alone is going to be really tough.

I really believe LSU is the team to beat this year and yet Florida, the returning champions might just take it again this year. Then again you can never count Alabama out of it as they are the king.... sorry ... Queens of stuck landings and that's how you get points people. For the 2nd year in a row my Auburn Gymnastics team is peaking at just the right time and could be the dark horse that surprises every, well everyone but me. It's only a matter of time before Auburn takes this field by storm. It's been building for years and their time is coming. With some impressive wins tucked into those Leos they are ready to take their place among the SEC Elite! Those stuck landings and a young team will make it difficult but not impossible. Coach Graba has given them the tools, now it's time for them to get out of their heads and let their bodies do what they do! Graba's Gladiators are ready.

The afternoon session will be just as exciting to watch. Georgia Gymnastics is powerful and fun to watch every single time they step on a mat, Arkansas has the home filed advantage and will want to perform well in front of a semi home crowd. Missouri is a young team but has a lot of heart and is putting up impressive numbers at every meet. Kentucky just beat their Big 12 foe Iowa State with a score of 196 and is building momentum.

As stated, the meet is in Arkansas this year, if you live there you should be attending, there's still tickets left after all...go support these athletes!!
Remember!

“If gymnastics were easy, they would call it football.”

“Football – 4 downs, 4 quarters.
Baseball – 9 innings, 3 outs, 3 strikes.
Tennis – multiple games, tiebreakers, 2 serves.
Gymnastics – 1 chance”

Good luck to all the ladies competing today! I'll be watching and cheering you all on cause let's face it you are all amazing to me and there are no second or third chances. Gymnasts are superheroes without the capes!

Whose taking home this hardware this weekend?! 

My hope is the Auburn Tigers!!!! However who wins the journey has been a blast to watch !

WAR EAGLE! 

Wonderful Week

Hey readers!!!! Listen carefully ….. cause I don’t say this often ….. but I had a WONDERFUL WEEK!!!!! Work went well, it was my birthday, and I’m learning a new program at work that is frankly turning out more “fun” and challenging than I thought it would be.

I realized this week, even with some new co-worker drama that it’s been a long time since I dreaded going to work. That was a nice thing to realize. I have a new boss who appreciates my talents, sees that I’m a hard worker, and who values my input. I really feel like I don’t work FOR him as much as I work with him, tho I do admit I enjoy letting him take the lead on the co-worker drama then again that's why he makes the big bucks. I won’t get into the coworker drama cause frankly you wouldn’t believe some of it even if I told you cause I’ve lived it and can’t believe some of it.

This past week I turned 30-something …. I’m closer to 40 something than say 20 something but I won’t share with you my age just yet. Not that I really care about my age but people tend to write people off based on their age. You are too young, you are too old, you are lacking experience, or you are out of touch and your experience no longer counts. It’s a pretty lame thing to judge someone by but that’s the world we live in. So for now just know I’m older than a college kid but act like an elementary school kid sometimes and others I act like the old lady who lives in a shoe, sans children of course.

This year’s Birthday is going to rank as one of the top Birthday’s of my life. Not because I did anything all that interesting but the people in my life made me feel ridiculously special. Some co-workers forced me to go to lunch (I was working on a deadline and thinking I might work through it) they took no for an answer and I had a fantastic time. I haven’t laughed that hard in years. The conversation was fun, the company was fantastic, and it was just the break I needed to get through the rest of the day. A dear friend sent me a cookie bouquet, my office got me a cookie cake (when I was younger I enjoyed those more than cake so mom would make me one every year, I told a coworker that and she remembered), and mom and dad grilled me a hamburger. Mom put extra bacon on it, which is the definition of love I think. As with anyone else in the social media age I heard from a lot of Facebook friends and even more Twitter friends wishing me a good day. My phone always has a heart attack on my birthday but it’s always worth it seeing friends who took the time out of their day to remember me even if it was just cause Facebook reminded them to.

At work we implemented a new program today, a program most of the world have been using for a while but it’s new to us. When it was first introduced about a month or so ago I was skeptical about it, it feels like taking an already stressful job and making it even more so for no reason. Between project managers who don’t get into the game until late, to subconsultants sending their information in a variety of formats, it just seems we are adding unnecessary work to the process all because someone thinks it will look “better.” Frankly I think we could do a lot of the same stuff with our old programs but after using it today I have to admit, I’m enjoying this new process. Yes it’s going to add a learning curve and make the process a little longer at first but what I created today looked good and was kind of fun. I didn’t feel like a copy and paste monkey so that was fun. I’m sure in a few weeks I’ll be ranting about how crazy all this is or how frustrating life has become with insane deadlines and recreating these documents from scratch every time.

Oh! And if that weren’t enough my Auburn Tigers Gymnastic team has been kicking butt and taking names. Next week they will be live on SEC Network so I’ll get to watch them take on one of the best Gymnastics programs in the NCAA. This team has so much promise and is filled with so talent it’s sick. These girls are amazing!!!! WAR EAGLE!

I don't have weeks like this often so I wanted to document it. Sorry to brag. Overall it’s been a great week, so I hope you guys had a good one as well and if not maybe next week will be your week.

-Marcy