To the newest Mr. & Mrs. Ellison

My baby cousin Will (or Young William as my Dad calls him) is getting married tomorrow to a wonderful girl, Allyse. They met in Hawaii where Will is stationed and Allyse is a student at Hawii Pacific. The wedding will be a small beach ceremony and I cannot wait to see the pictures of the beautiful bride, groom, and scenery.

We plan on celebrating their marriage with the whole family and a big party when Will returns from a tour in Afganistan next year. Until then, I wish you a wonderful wedding and a blessed marriage. I will be singing this song in my head tomorrow as I think of you:

The number of children on the porch steps has grown quite a bit since this picture was taken. Allyse, I hope you know how happy we are to have you in our family! Will, I hope you know how lucky you are to have Allyse :)

Congratulations and I can't wait to hug you both!

I and Love and The Avett Brothers

I was on the Avett Bros bandwagon when it was a biodiesel tractor in my freshman year at Shakori Hills. Their show in the torrential rain at Shakori, complete with head-banging, foot stomping, and steam rising from their jamming bodies, would live in my memory as the best show I've ever been to. Aside from their stage presence, which is a throwback to their days in a heavy metal band, I love the Avett brothers because of their sweet melodies and lyrics that are poignant to a flaw... (I think that is the exact reason that so many of my guy friends dislike the Avetts).

Above: Before the rain hit... Nothing like mud to make bluegrass stomping wayyy more fun.

But what makes them so lovable is that they are hometown boys. North Carolina born & bred, just like me. After shuffling themselves, potential band members, and band names around for several years, Chapel Hill was one of their platforms that launched them to local stardom in the bluegrass arena. They were even smart enough to add a Carolina alumnus to their band. They love this state and sing about it in their music. While they have lost some of their hard core bluegrass/rock anthems from their days of Four Thieves Gone, I too am maturing and love the sweet simplicity of their later years in Emotionalism and I and Love and You.

I have seen the Avetts live 5 times and have developed a mantra that always gets me to the front row: If you're not dancing, you deserve to be behind me. I even have a bouquet of those Dollar Store flowers from the stage that Seth threw out to the crowd on my dresser.

The past 4 years have brought them lots of acclaim and fame, slowly but surely moving up the bluegrass charts and making their way to the "main stream."

I was excited (not surprised) to see them play with Mumford & Sons (their Irish counterparts) and Bob Dylan at the Grammy's last week. Like a proud mama, I smiled and commented on how "I knew them when..."

I only hope that they stay true to their musical roots and never forget where they came from: North Carolina. Love.

I stand with Planned Parenthood

Did you hear? The House voted to bar Planned Parenthood from federal funding. They cut funding for HIV tests, cancer screenings, birth control, and more, putting millions of women and families at risk. We can't let it go unanswered. It's time for you and me to stand with Planned Parenthood. Sign the open letter to the reps who voted for this bill — and to the senators who still have a chance to stop it.
http://www.ppaction.org/IStandWithPP

This fight will continue as our legislators return to their home districts, and when the vote heads to the U.S. Senate. Your voice, your strength, and your unwavering support are absolutely critical, now and in the weeks ahead. Thank you for standing with us.

Don't just read it, SIGN it!

Thanks Meg for showing me this. Thanks Andy and EB for the work you've done there.

Kvetching board from Feb 18

The weather should eat some Activia so it will stay regular.

Amazing day in Chapel Hill.

For Jordan: Happy quarter century!

I met Jordan in my second week at Carolina since he lived with Adam & Andrew in Mo-town. We quickly added him to our Fan Club Family. I remember him before Vineyard Vines invaded his wardrobe, before the croakies hung from his neck like frat jewelery, and before his Sperry Topsiders stunk like an oyster bake the next day. I remember him in tie-dye and from Mo-town parties, from beach-side chats and theme dressing gone hickishly wrong. There is so much to love about Jordan:

A similar love of theme dressing (although Jordan forgot to dress up in this picture.)

He loves his family.

And all things pop culture. Read: twitter.

He's a Carolina boy, and he proved it with ink that lasts forever.

He is loyal to his friends.

He is chivalrous when there is a damsel in distress.

7 years of ridiculous friendship. Circa 2004.

Happy birthday Jordan!

School of Nursing cuts enrollment by 25 percent in light of budget cuts

When I pulled up The Daily Tar Heel this morning and saw School of Nursing on the first page, the last thing I thought I'd read about was cutting enrollment.

The undergraduates are the ones who will take the blow, losing 50 slots in a highly coveted and competitive program. Carolina accepts around 20% of applicants into one of two programs: the "traditional" 24 month program and the 14 month accelerated program for students who are seeking a second bachelor's degree. I was fortunate enough to have graduated from this fine institution.

I love being a nurse. I chose my path because I wanted to get as close to people as I possibly could. I've been at the bedside since I was 20 years old. Everyone that I went to school with feels the same way about impacting our world through helping its people. And now you're taking away 50 dreams, Carolina.

I have to apologize to the people who have heard me vent after a day of work recently. You see, we're severely understaffed. Acuity is high, nurses are short, and the kids keep getting sick. So now that a state institution (The University of the People) is taking away the best and most affordable means of being a nurse, who will suffer?

What's more is that I am seeing the impact of the economy from an advanced practice nursing perspective now. Theoretically, a mid-level provider (nurse practitioner or physician's assistant) is a great way to see more patients for a more reasonable price. But the squeeze in budgets has the same effect that it does at my work: No new staff, just pick up the pace.

"Liz Stocksdale, a junior in the BSN program, said she does not understand the cuts. “Out of all the things you could cut — nurses?” she said."

Distinctive and distinguished

Thanks Meg for posting this.

MSNBC names Chapel Hill one of the top vacations spots according to the National Trust for Historic Preservation:

History buffs, art lovers, architecture nerds, foodies, outdoor enthusiasts, and even the well-traveled may be pleasantly surprised by this year’s list of America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations, unveiled Tuesday by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Chapel Hill, N.C.
Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Association
Nicknamed the “Southern Part of Heaven,” this small city was selected for its stately charm, quiet winding streets, dynamic cultural offerings, and well-preserved historic districts.
“Tree-lined streets shade an architectural heritage spanning four centuries,” the National Trust wrote. Home to the University of North Carolina, known for its high-profile basketball, the campus is a draw.
Other highlights cited include a bustling downtown, featuring eclectic shops and a vibrant nightlife, with music clubs along historic Franklin Street that have launched many careers (James Taylor, Ben Folds Five), the North Carolina Botanical Garden, Carolina Basketball Museum, Morehead Planetarium & Science Center, and Ackland Art Museum.

By the way, notice anyone you know in that picture?!?! I was an Admissions Ambassador for the Office of Admissions back in the day and they recruited me for a photoshoot... which makes me a professional model?

Flashback Valentine's

My family celebrates Valentine's Day a little differently (more on that later). But February 14 is still a very special day because it was my Granddaddy's birthday.

He was well known for a gregarious and charismatic nature and he could talk the ear off of an elephant. I know I had a special place in his heart because I was his only granddaughter.

He and my Grandmother owned a small hardware store in Clyde, NC (right next to Grouch's and The Big Gun). I love wearing my overalls because they remind me of him.

I always think of him on Valentine's. Love.

Today also happens to be the birthday of one of my dearest friends, Andrew.

In my first week at school I met Andrew, Adam, and Alicia who would be the start to what we call "The Fan Club" and my best friends at Carolina.

Our love of theme dressing came out at its finest for birthdays, and Andrew's was no exception. No Pants Allowed was the rule at his birthday celebrations, but before you let your mind wander, let me explain. Simply put, no pants are allowed. You can wear anything BUT pants... like a toga... or a tutu (my outfits for his birthdays)... but I believe we also saw jorts (jeans + shorts), trash bags, saran wrap, shower curtains, and bath robes.

Happy birthday Big Nast! And Happy Valentine's Day!

2 for 1!

Although I've never been a fan of sausage biscuits, I always get really excited when Carolina scores 100 points and we locals get 2 for 1 sausage biscuits at Bojangle's the next day.

Finally, something to get excited about!

NC Loves Mountains

Big Fat Gap, Matrimony, & Dewi Sant played at the Local 506 last night in an event sponsored by Appalachian Voices. My dear friend Parker works for them in Boone and she is a dedicated supporter of stopping the mountain top removal that is happening all over the Southeast.

Mountaintop removal is a form of extracting coal that uses heavy explosives to remove hundreds of vertical feet of a mountain to access thin seams of coal underneath. This “overburden” is then dumped directly into adjacent valleys, burying headwater streams and turning freshwater into brown muck.

You can help support the efforts of ending mountaintop removal in the Appalachian mountains by writing your congressman or senator and signing the petition to keep our water clean. I did.

Buy a bumpersticker, tattoo, or pin if you heart mountains too.

Chapel Hill townies playing at Jessee's Friday night

A note from one of my good friends, Rob, on upcoming music in town this weekend. He is incredibly talented, as is our friend Dave, and you would be lucky to hear the melodious plucking of strings in their presence. I will be out of town, so that's all the more reason for you to head out and listen to these Chapel Hill boys.

Dear friends,
I hope you are all well and warm these days. Just in case you haven't seen the fliers or read the front-page articles about this in the Independent and New York Times, I wanted to let you know I'll be sharing some music this Friday (February 4th) at Jessee's Coffee and Bar in Carrboro... I think things will start 8:30-9 pm...
Time to go..
Much love,
Rob

Who: Rob Meeker and David Hamilton
What: playing banjo and mandolin
When: Friday Feb 4, 8:30 pm
Where: Jessee's in Carrboro
Why: because they are incredibly talented
How: by foot, by car, by bus, by bike... however you can get there!