Whoa whoa whoa.

After 70 years of playing the field, Arch?  Consider my universe shattered.

Wow, wow, wow.

I am losing my mind reading this young woman’s blog.

Her name is Katie Davis.  She’s a 20-year-old girl from Brentwood, TN living in Uganda with her 13 beautiful daughters.

Yes, I said 20-years-old… and 13 daughters.

Holy moly.

Katie traded in ordinary for radical, complacency for fierce passion, a normal 20-year-old life (college, boyfriend, car) for absolutely the most extreme reality I have ever heard of.   I dare you to try and make it through one of her posts without welling up with tears.  How is it possible that someone my age could be so effective?  The things she’s doing are so much more intense than I have ever imagined myself doing.  Gee whiz.  Propelled by the insane love that Jesus has for us, the immense care God has for his children, Katie is impacting Uganda in a wildly real way.

Please stop by her blog and consider praying for her or even taking it a step further and supporting her ministry, Amazima Ministries, financially.  There are so many ways to help.  Start with her blog, though.  It’s hard to remain complacent when hunger and sickness has a human face.

“…Wadies.”

Yes, we’re really that cute.

Little Kids In Comically Over-Sized Sunglasses.

I’m a nanny. I spend 10 hours a day, 5 days a week with 2 fabulous, hilarious, amazing little girls. In addition to many other things, this means that I have access to their funniest moments. Monday thru Friday, I live from laugh fest to laugh fest. It helps that these girls are not only cuter than cute, but they’re also incredibly intelligent. Things that are cute, miniature & smart are automatically funny. It’s an unwritten rule of the universe. Trust me, I’m a big kid. I know these things.

Take Addie, for example, and give her an over-sized pair of sunglasses.

Cue ZZ Top:

Next.

Take Jordyn and give her a pair of Mr. Potato Head glasses.

Gee whiz, I love my job.

True Story: I’m Alive.

Oh, my dear sweet blog. I’ve abandoned you again.

So, I’ve been absent for a while. Lots and lots going on, more than I could hope to communicate to you via blog, so I’ll give you the abridged version.

I have an incredible job with an amazing family in Germantown. That’s 8 minutes down the road for y’all non Colliervillains. Absolutely amazing. I nanny two small girls – Jordyn (4) and Addie (2) weekdays from 7:15AM to 5:30PM. In the past month I’ve worked for their family, these two have quite quickly become my favorite little girls in the whole world. They’re so smart, so obedient, so polite, sooo funny! Gee whiz. I love my job.

I’m still head over heels in love with Joe Sawyer. Nothing new and exciting there, at least for now.

I have a new found love for Bluebell Homemade Vanilla ice cream. By the pint.

That’s all for now. My job consumes most of my life, which I’m okay with — I’m just always tired, so any time I have on the Internet is limited according to how long I can manage to stay awake, lol.

Y’all be good… more content soon.

xxAimee

I’m Up In The Woods, I’m Down On My Mind.

New Bon Iver, yay. Just so you know, his latest contribution to the music universe, the Blood Bank EP, is satisfactory. I’m particularly fond of his track “Woods” – the Imogen Heap circa “Hide And Seek” sound of it is charming.

Watching Sex, Lies and Videotape for the first time in my life. How have I avoided this so far? I’m getting homesick already. Hello, Baton Rouge Garden District. Love and miss you. This film is so dated… a film with James Spader, Andie McDowell, anddd Peter Gallagher? Wow. Authentically 1989. The whole cicadas in the background thing is kinda cute, and watching James Spader drive across the Mississippi River bridge was sweet, but the fact that everyone is gleaming with beads of sweat in every scene is a bit much. I lived in Baton Rouge in ‘89. I don’t remember much, but I remember air conditioning.

“Being happy isn’t all that great. I mean… the last time I was… really happy… I got really fat.”

Ah. Amazing.

Speaking of fat… This week has been sick with culinary success. King cake midweek turned out brilliantly — could not have been more pleased with myself, family was stoked, mom’s got plans for cheesecake filling… I’m not so sure about it, but whatever makes her happy. I’m more interested in the Bourbon Roasted Pecan filling I found… Anyway. Last night was Duck Gumbo night, and that, too, was wildly successful. Also managed to throw together the most amazing spinach artichoke dip I have ever had in my short life. Holy moly.

Tonight I made my own pasta — tortellini, to be exact. I got the idea while I was watching Le Cirque: A Table in Heaven, an HBO documentary about famed NYC culinary institution, Le Cirque. Sirio’s wife was being interviewed in her kitchen while she meticulously created tiny tortellini by hand. Thus, I was inspired. Threw together some pasta dough in my mixer & got to work. Nowwww I have this desperate craving for a pasta machine. The tortellini were sooo cute. Dad and I had a proper little feast, it was magical. Go ahead and be jealous. If you’ve never made your own pasta, I really wish you would give it a go — the flavor and texture is beyond rewarding. Do itttttt.

That’s all I have for now.

xxAimeeCait

The Live Music Capital of the World.

It’s 2009, boys and girls. Happy new year. Smile pretty.

So it’s January 6, 2009.  I got this crazy idea about being an au pair on December 30, 2008.  17 or so emails, 6 phone calls, and 2 interviews later… and I’m flying to Austin, Texas this weekend to see if I’m the right fit for an amazing family. Crazy? Yes.

I’ve been job searching for 6 months now. I’ve got a few stipulations about what I will and won’t do… mostly, I’m not down with fast food, or any food, really. Waiting tables isn’t something that’s beneath me, don’t get me wrong, I love serving people. I just don’t want to work at a chain — you’re not gonna catch me with fifteen pieces of flair pinned to a miserably ill-fitting polyester vest, taking orders from snotty people for dishes with horribly cute names, wading through a crappy roach-infested kitchen where nothing is sanitary or even good… ugh. No way.

I’m not qualified for things I feel that I could easily handle, like secretarial work. I’ve got a GED, a 28 on my ACT, a typing speed of 70wpm, a firm handle on Microsoft Word, and a sparkling personality. But zero relevant job experience. All of that combined with the rubbish current job market puts me in the position I’m in. I’m qualified for jobs I don’t feel are worth the trouble, and I’m not qualified for the few jobs that are actually available… that’s rough, yeah?

I’ve been a babysitter since day one. I’ve got 5 brothers and sisters — 4 that are younger than me, 3 that I took a pretty active role in helping raise. I’ve been a one-off babysitter for countless families, and a regular babysitter for many. I’ve nannied for two wonderful families, had fantastic experiences with both of them — considered their children my own. I am a great babysitter. I’m brilliant with kids. This is something I know about myself — these are my skills. So I’ve been taking as many babysitting jobs as I’ve been able to get my hands on since moving back from England, but those are few and far between. I need something regular, something that pays well, with some great kids.

On a total whim, I decided to Google ‘au pair’. I came across a few different sites, but landed on one called GreatAuPair.com. It’s essentially eHarmony for nannies & families. An au pair/nanny posts a profile, families post their profiles, then the site allows them to search for each other. Within 2 hours of posting my profile, I saw an out of state area code on my caller ID — it was a prospective family calling to ask if I would be interested in working with them. I was shocked at how quickly everything seemed to be happening, but at the same time, hello ego boost! I went from underqualified to a hot commodity in less than 24 hours. Emails began to pour in as families added me to their ‘hot list’ — a list of nannies they were interested in learning more about. I received a couple of voicemails and personal emails from different families, all of which felt unreal. I still can’t believe how quickly this all materialized. What alternate universe did I step into? Suddenly, potential employers were flooding my inbox… and I hadn’t even talked to my parents or boyfriend about it. Talk about whiplash.

Got a call a few nights ago from a fantastic family in the heart of Texas. We clicked immediately (God is working overtime in my life) and after a long talk on the phone and another long talk with my dad, I’m flying to Austin this Saturday to meet them. I’m really looking forward to this weekend, you have no idea. A 4-year-old boy and 19-month-old twins… sounds like a dream, right? I’ve never worked with twins before, so I’m anticipating a challenge… but a really cute, cuddly challenge, y’know? I got the opportunity to chat with their former au pair, and she was so helpful in answering my questions. I still have yet to experience any real doubt or anxiety… it feels oddly like the month leading up to England. I’m running on the excitement of finding a job and potentially embarking on my next adventure… that allows me to casually ignore the worry that I should be consumed with and the unease I should be feeling about potentially moving 10 hours away for 6 months. I’m chalking this up to the peace that surpasses all understanding.

My parents are being incredibly supportive and Joe is being an angel. I’m so thankful for their flexibility and especially for their faith in me. I know that 6 months is a long time, but it’s not forever. There’s a concrete beginning and end. Long distance relationships are daunting, but not impossible, and I’m a firm believer in testing relationships. Time and distance are two major tests, and I know that Joe and I are ready for that kind of faith-building. Thank you, Joe Joe. You mean the world to me.

I’m excited about Austin. It’s the ‘Live Music Capital of the World’ — need I say more? I love adding cities to my list of ‘places I’ve lived and loved’. (I’ve got ‘Woke Up In A Car’ by Something Corporate stuck in my head now. Awesome.) I’m in love with picking up camp and starting over… this is an ideal way to do that. Hooray.

So there’s that. I’ll keep you filled in on how it’s going. This process is exhilarating, and so God-orchestrated. I love it.

In other news: I’ve received two letters from the University of Memphis.

Letter Number 1: CONGRATULATIONS – It is my privilege to inform you that you have been accepted to the University of Memphis for the Fall 2009 semester as an undergraduate student!

Letter Number 2: CONGRATULATIONS! I am pleased to inform you that because of your superior academic credentials the University of Memphis wishes to offer you the UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS PROVOST’S SCHOLARSHIP beginning in the 2009-2010 academic year. THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS PROVOST’S SCHOLARSHIP is a $5,500 per year award for four years. This award is in addition to any Tennessee HOPE Lottery Scholarship Award you may be eligible to receive.

How am I celebrating, you ask? Well, first, I’m laughing at my aforementioned ‘superior academic credentials‘. Wow. I mean, let’s be completely honest: there is NOTHING remotely ’superior’ about my academic credentials. Like… really. Dang.

Next, I’m crying, because I didn’t think I was going to be accepted to a 4-year university… but now I’m essentially being awarded a merit-based full ride? Whoa. To God be the glory, and y’all watch me as I show school who’s boss. Thank you, Jesus. This is insane.

So there’s my life for the past few weeks, minus my trip to Baton Rouge, which I’ll account for in a subsequent post.

For now, be good, smile pretty, and when you ask in earnest, be prepared to receive.

xxAimeeCait

All I Want For Christmas Is Real White Teeth In My Family Christmas Picture.

I love being called upon as the official family Photoshopper. Family photos with 6 kids is difficult, naturally, as are most things with 6 kids. But pictures are especially fun. It’s like Yahtzee. Sheer chance as to whether everybody’s going to cooperate simultaneously. I can finally sit still, thankfully, but I haven’t mastered a convincingly sincere smile just yet. Working on it. In every picture, one or two of us were yawning/scratching/smirking/blinking, etc. Mom was faced with a difficult decision: settle for a less than perfect but fairly accurate photo of her children… or call in her computer nerd. I love Photoshopping, but all I ever really do is play around. I’m not all that well-versed in the software at all, I dabble. I was really hesitant to play around with these pictures, but fortunately, they were high res so I had a little room to wiggle. Soooo… yay for Christmas Miracles in the form of whiter teeth, brighter eyes, lightened shadows, and warmer colors in general. Merry Christmas to everyone.

I’m not gonna be bashful here… I have suuuch a good looking bunch of siblings. I mean, look at Gray Boy. That kid is a STUD. I can’t believe he’s 10. Breaks my heart in five different places.

I’m off to conquer the rest of my weekend. Y’all be good and stay warm.

xxAimeeCait

I Feel It In My Fingers, I Feel It In My Toes (Feel It In My To-o-oes).

“…Christmas is all around us, it’s everywhere I go…”

Bill Nighy is SUCH a legend in Love, Actually. (It’s in my top 3 Christmas films of all time, easy. It’s also probably in my Top 10 favorite films, period. Love it.)

Anyway. You’ve all been waiting for it, and yes, the time has come… I’m releasing The Official Riverside Christmas Playlist of 2k8. Please hold back the tears of joy, if you can manage.

THE CLASSICS
White Christmas – Bing Crosby
Frosty The Snowman – Jimmy Durante
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Judy Garland
Jingle Bells – Frank Sinatra
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer – Gene Autry
All I Want For Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth) – The Nat King Cole Trio
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! – Dean Martin
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear – Frank Sinatra
Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) – Doris Day
Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town – Perry Como
Blue Christmas – Elvis Presley
Christmas In New Orleans – Louis Armstrong
Mele Kelikimaka – Bing Crosby
Holly Jolly Christmas – Burl Ives
‘Zat You, Santa Claus? – Louis Armstrong
Sleigh Ride – Ella Fitzgerald
The Christmas Song – Nat King Cole
Santa Baby – Eartha Kitt
Silver Bells – Bing Crosby

MODERN CLASSICS
Merry Christmas, Baby – Otis Redding
Please Come Home For Christmas – The Eagles
I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas - Gayla Peevey
Step Into Christmas – Elton John
Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee
What Child Is This? – Vince Guaraldi Trio
Please Come Home For Christmas – Aaron Neville
You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch – Dr. Seuss
It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas – Johnny Mathis
Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town – The Jackson 5
What Christmas Means To Me – Stevie Wonder
Skating – Vince Guaraldi Trio
Little St. Nick – The Beach Boys
Father Christmas – The Kinks
The Chipmunk Song (Christmas, Don’t Be Late) – Alvin & The Chipmunks
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Darlene Love
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Vince Guaraldi Trio
Christmas – The Who
All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
River – Joni Mitchell
Do You Hear What I Hear? – The Carpenters
Christmastime Is Here – Vince Guaraldi Trio
Merry Christmas, Darling – The Carpenters
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – Bruce Springsteen

NEW CHRISTMAS FAVORITES
Christmas Is All Around – Billy Mack (Bill Nighy)
Joy To The World – Sufjan Stevens
Christmas Is Going To The Dogs – The Eels
Must’ve Been Ol’ Santa Claus – Harry Connick, Jr.
White Winter Hymnal – Fleet Foxes
I’ll Be Home For Christmas – Josh Groban
Mary’s Little Boy Child – Harry Connick, Jr.
O Come, O Come Emmanuel – Sufjan Stevens
Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses
Christmas In Hollis – Run DMC
The Heartache Can Wait – Brandi Carlile
That Was The Worst Christmas Ever! – Sufjan Stevens
Winter – Joshua Radin
Little Drummer Boy (Black Forest Version) – Iain Archer
Christmas Is Coming Soon – Blitzen Trapper
Hey Guys! It’s Christmas Time – Sufjan Stevens
No Christmas For Me – Zee Avi
Christmas – Rogue Wave
All That I Want – The Weepies
December – Regina Spektor
Come On! Let’s Boogey To The Elf Dance! – Sufjan Stevens
Cold White Christmas – Casiotone For The Painfully Alone
The Winter Song – Eisley
Frosty The Snowman – Fiona Apple
Mele Kelikimaka – Luke
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – The Thrills
Santa Baby – Everclear
Little Drummer Boy – The Dandy Warhols
Have Yourself A Bitter Little Christmas – David Ford
White Christmas - Amazing Pilots
Christmas In Prison – Emmy The Great featuring Lightspeed Champion
Ding! Dong! – Sufjan Stevens

If this doesn’t put you in the Christmas mood… you’re a lost cause. Merry Christmas, darling(s).

xxAimeeCait

Like A Moth To A Flame.

Things that are favorite at this very moment:

1. The Moth podcasts, especially Joe Lockhart’s story about his experiences as Bill Clinton’s press secretary in the aftermath of MonicaGate. I love havin’ MothCasts on while I’m running errands. They’re usually 15 minutes long and keep me entertained whilst performing the more mundane tasks of my day. Go subscribe to their FREE podcast and listen to ordinary people tell their stories. It’s basically immense.
2. Perpetual Kid & Uncommon Goods – these are my two new favorite go-to gift sites. Where else can you find denture ice cube trays, messenger bags made from recycled billboards & sterling silver Lego necklaces? If you’re still searching for those last few stocking stuffers, check these sites out, they’re bound to make you smile.
3. Alexi Murdoch, because he’s an absolute legend. Give him a listen. Wildly similar to Jose Gonzalez.
4. Episode #368 of This American Life: “Who Do You Think You Are“. The Great Depression interviews are incredibly interesting, particularly considering the current state of the economy… you owe it to yourself to listen. The episode makes my TAL Top 10, easy. Check it outtt. 
5. Figs & Ginger – I’ve long been an admirer of Rhonda Wyman’s jewelry (which is all handcrafted by Rhonda & her husband Elijah), but this necklace in particular takes my silver lust to a new (potentially unhealthy) level. It’s just so sweet, and distressed silver is my favorite. Gorgeous.

So there you have it. My favorites.

xxAimeeCait