iEllie

In Honor of Valentines Day

noreply@blogger.com (iellie) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:46:00 +0000

This is the video that I was watching 2 years ago the day after Valentines Day when Grant proposed. He claimed that the video distracted me enough for him to surprise me. He said he was going to wait until the St. Patricks Day Parade but couldn't wait another month.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The Dixie National Rodeo

noreply@blogger.com (iellie) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:22:00 +0000

I think these folks have been playing a lot of Oregon Trail.

Epic Meal Time

noreply@blogger.com (iellie) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:32:00 +0000

BACON!

One of my buddies from college came to visit Grant and I a week and a half ago and showed us this insane website called www.epicmealtime.com. The site features videos from some guys up in Canada eating ridiculous food concoctions. I am linking one of their videos called Fast Food Lasagna because I think it is a good intro video into the others.

These guys come up with some of the most unhealthy and insane dishes. Most of the time they end up in the fast food drive thru window line causing mayhem. If you haven't heard about these guys you really need to check them out.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention the best part...

THEY PUT BACON ON EVERYTHING!!!!!

(this post is for you bacon lovers)

*Warning* They normally bleep out the curse words but I have noticed on a few episodes they sometimes miss. Just a heads up to all the P's out there.

Keep It Real

iEllie.com

Happy Friday

noreply@blogger.com (iellie) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 11:43:00 +0000

Happy Friday!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Quick Vlog!

noreply@blogger.com (iellie) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 17:45:00 +0000

Just a Quick Hello Vlog!

Videos from Chicago

noreply@blogger.com (iellie) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 17:43:00 +0000

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Totally for
Totally forgot to post this when we went to Chicago. So I am posting it now! Enjoy.

What a Beautiful Morning

noreply@blogger.com (iellie) — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:26:00 +0000

"What a beautiful morning!" is what the man at the gas station said to me this morning. When I got out of my car at the gas station the man filling up on the other side popped his head around and said to me, "What a beautiful morning! It's finally cooled down and the weather is great." I agreed with him and then he said to me "Do you have a job?" I answered yes I do. He immediately said to me, "So do I! I just got a new job." I congratulated him and then he shook my hand and said "Thank you, thank you. I just got a job washing dishes. What a beautiful morning it is to wake up and go to work." I found this so inspiring. The man was older and he must have been out of work for awhile. The economy is still pretty rough for a lot of people and a lot of folks are still out of work. I wanted to share this moment with everyone because it reminds us that every morning is a beautiful morning to wake up. I know I will remember this moment every time I feel frustrated or when I'm working long hours and I just feel like throwing in the towel. Every time I feel this way I will remember the guy at the Kroger gas station who shook my hand and said to me "What a beautiful morning."
&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;slk

Last day in Chicago

noreply@blogger.com (iellie) — Sat, 07 May 2011 16:01:00 +0000

Grant and I have had a blast in Chicago this week. It's been a nice easy going vacation. we walked through Millennium Park, Grant Park, Navy Pier, The Shed Aquarium, Magnificent Mile, The Theater District, Northwestern Campus and all through The Loop.

We also ate at some amazing restaurants. Our first night we ate at a restaurant right next to out hotel called Eatt. This place was delicious! we both got the meatloaf. the meatloaf has a piece of Texas toast on the bottom a huge slice of meatloaf wrapped in bacon and on top of that a massive pile of shoe string onions. the meal looks like a heart attack waiting to happen but surprisingly not greasy and was the best meatloaf I've ever had (yes it competes with my moms).

On Wednesday we took it easy and wandered around the city. we made out way down to the Cloud Gate and then over to Millers Pub. This should be a stop on any trip. Millers has been known to serve all sorts of famous people and used in movies. The food is good and I highly recommend a burger.

When we walked through the theater district we noticed a lot of production trucks. Apparently they were filming a new movie with Kelsey Grammar called Boss.

On Wednesday night we saw Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes and Scott Mosier for the recording of Smodcast and Jay and Silentbob get old. On Thursday we took a boat tour around the city which I highly recommend if you ever visit Chicago.

On Thursday we took a boat tour around the city and enjoyed the beautiful city of Chicago. The tour talks about the different buildings and the History behind them. It took us by the spot where Mrs. O'Learys farm once stood. It also took us by the old post office where they filmed parts of Dark Knight.

For lunch we ate at Ginos and finally got my first taste of a true Chicago Style Pizza. It was delicious!

Thursday night late after we were finally able to walk off the pizza we went wandering around and ended up finding Portillos which had sandwiches, burgers, ice cream hotdogs and pretty much every food imaginable. If you go here make sure to try the hotdogs. It's the best hotdog I've ever had!

Friday we went to the The Noodle Shop (I think that is what it's called). I hope one of these opens up in Jackson. They have every style noodle any way you want it. It is delicious!

After the noodles, we walked down through Millennium Park and Grant Park to the Shed Aquarium. On the way we past by The Buckingham Fountain you might know it as the fountain from Married With Children.

The Shed Aquarium was fun. I've never seen a Beluga Whale and it was really cool to see one up close.

Our last night we went to the Cheesecake Factory at the bottom of the John Hancock building. I've never eaten at one and it was cool to go. It was packed though!

We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott off of Hubbard which is centrally located and near a subway station. it was a great price and I would recommend you stay here if you ever visit.

I would definitely come back to Chicago. I think I could find something new here every time I visit.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:N Clark St,Chicago,United States

PSN FAIL!

noreply@blogger.com (iellie) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:34:00 +0000

I'm sure millions of people are blogging on this already but I feel the need to put my two cents in. Grant and I were already annoyed by the recent PSN outage but when we heard this week that are information might have been compromised we were furious (and still are). Yesterday Grant went ahead and canceled the card that was on the account which was a huge deal since we are about to leave for Chicago next week and will now have to wait on another card. Luckily we have my card while we are in Chicago. Grant also went ahead and changed all the passwords on our accounts. If you have not done these things yet I suggest you do. I have heard reports that no ones credit card information was compromised but I have also heard reports of people saying theirs was.

What really bothers me about the whole thing is how PSN has handled the situation. News was slow moving to get to PSN customers about the potential leak of information. They waited a week to release that information and then only released it on their blog. Luckily in the day of the internet we all read it on everything else. My problem with it all is they did not immediately let their customers know! In the end I think that is what is going to hurt them in the long run. I don't feel I can trust PSN to encrypt my data for one and two not tell me immediately if my information has been compromised. That is outrageous!

What are your feelings on the way this has been handled? Leave me a comment VENT YOUR FRUSTRATION!

kthxbai!

I Hate Trains

noreply@blogger.com (iellie) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 13:44:00 +0000

This morning for the 2nd time in a row the train blocked my way into work. This has happened many times in the past and I have changed the time when I leave for work and it doesn't seem to matter. It seems there is always a train! This morning the train crossed in the middle of the morning rush hour. I don't understand why there is a train running in the middle of Jackson and the Jackson area during this time. As I crossed the tracks I noticed that there was another train waiting to cross as well! 2 trains running during rush hour! That is insane!

Winter weather in Mississippi. Wasn't it just 80 degrees?

noreply@blogger.com (iellie) — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 22:29:00 +0000

Looks like crews are prepared for the ice. This was taken in the parking lot of MS braves stadium this morning around noon. Electric company trucks were lined up ready to dispatch and crews were setting up tents, bringing in generators and catering trucks. Thank you to the workers who go out in the weather to keep us warm and get us back up and running. There is a lot of ice on the roads and cars had a nice glaze of ice that have been sitting out in the weather this morning. In Flowood there was already some accumulation of ice and snow at dogwood festival. The sidewalks were also developing a glaze of ice. Here in Mississippi we aren't prepared for this kind of weather. Should be an interesting evening.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Google App Inventor

noreply@blogger.com (iellie) — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 01:56:00 +0000

Tonight I finally sat down and played with Google App Inventor. It's flipping awesome! The first thing I did was the tutorial which shows you how to create an app of a picture of a kitty that "meows"when you touch it. This was a pretty simple app and the instructions were easy to follow. I created and had the app up and running within an hour.

After I finished with my tutorial I decided to create an app that would play my stinger from Tuesday Night Tech. This was fairly simple. I had a few issues getting the sound to play but I got it working.

This is a really cool tool that google has created. I think it's going to take some time and a lot of trial and error to learn everything app inventor has to offer.

Check it out if you haven't yet!

Keep it real!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Wedding Ants!

noreply@blogger.com (iellie) — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 13:36:00 +0000

So last night Grant and I ended up enjoying a pleasant evening on our couch. We watched UP! and I messed around on Facebook a bit. Near the end of the night I decided to go through my suitcase for the honeymoon. I was going to wait till morning but I was to excited about leaving and wanted to go through my stuff. I went to pick up my suitcase, moved it into the bedroom and ended up getting bit by fire ants! Ants had made a home out of the top (and only the top) of my suitcase. All the clothes I had sitting on top of the suitcase were covered in ants as well as the suitcase. Luckily I had put my mid sized suitcase inside my gigantic suitcase so my clothes were ok this time.

On Friday we had noticed some ants and Anna came by and helped me try to find the source. We searched the house and could not find it. Last night when the ants arrived we searched the house and again we were still unable to find the source. We ended up going over to my apartment (Which I have never ever seen one bug in that place) and searched through it. We thought maybe the ants came over when I brought my suitcase. NADA! Not one ant in my apartment (thank goodness). Unfortunately we have ghost ants that have appeared out of no where.

And that was our wedding night. Battling the evil red ants that haunt our house.

Married Life

noreply@blogger.com (iellie) — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 03:20:00 +0000

It's epic! The wedding was epic! and I'M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!

How Google Planned My Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (iellie) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 03:40:00 +0000

I know this may sound strange but Google has played a major part in planning the wedding. Between all the lists, invitations, gifts, thank you notes, and events I have been able to keep up with and share every aspect of the wedding with Grant and anyone else using Google services. Below are some of the tools Google has to offer that I am using. These can work for any kind of planning not just wedding.

Google Documents:

I LOVE GOOGLE DOC! Google Doc was great way to share and edit the invitation list. Using Excel and then importing the file to Google Docs I was able to share this to multiple people so addresses could be edited and added. This has also been a great way to keep up with who has given us gifts, who is attending, and Thank You notes.

Google Calendar:

With the ability to sync Google calendar with my phone, Macbook, and online I have been able to keep up with dates and appointments. I can share any events with Grant so he knows what is going on and he can add it to his calendar.

New Priority Mail and Labels for Gmail:

The New Priority Mail system on Google has been a huge help. I'm not searching through e-mails daily trying to find the important ones.

Using Labels has been a lifesaver. I'm able to sort through all of my important wedding e-mails such as receipts, invitations, the honeymoon, vendor information, and so much more. It's a great way to keep me organized.

Google Voice:

Google voice has made it easy for me to use my computer to make phone calls. Instead of having to be on my phone I can just quickly make a call straight from my browser by clicking on the phone number. I can also add any important contacts to my phone straight from my gmail account since I have an android phone. I can manage everything straight from my google account from any computer or mobile device.

If you are planning or Fixin to (yeah I said Fixin) plan anything in the future, I highly recommend getting a google account (if you don't have one yet) and using the awesome services google has to offer.

Google runs my life on my phone, my computer, and my dreams. Hmmm maybe they are trying to take over the world.

"I gladly succumb to our google overlords."-Grant

Keep It Real

The Engagement Shoot

noreply@blogger.com (iellie) — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 03:11:00 +0000

Sheryl (@shotsbysheryl on Twitter) is our photographer for our wedding. Today we did our Engagement photo shoot. Sheryl did a great job and it was a total blast. She is a great photographer and I highly recommend her to anyone. The shoot was a great chance for her to get to know us and vice versa.

These are just two of the pictures she took today. She is such a blast to work with and we had so much fun.

Be sure to check out Sheryls' site sbsphotography.net, or her Facebook Page.

Grant busted his thumb yesterday and has been on hardcore pain killers all day. It was entertaining for me because he was so loopy. But you can't tell in the pictures. :)

We are 31 days away. I'm getting more and more excited every day. I'm ready for Oct. 9th to be here!

We unfortunately won't be able to stream the wedding. But I am working on some how streaming the reception :)

Keep it Real

45 Days Away!

noreply@blogger.com (iellie) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:04:00 +0000

We are 45 days away from the BIG DAY! I'm starting to finalize everything and adding the finishing touches to everything. I'm so ready for Oct. 9th to be here!

I finally got my bridesmaid gifts and I'm starting to put them together. One of the gifts is a silver jewlery box in the shape of a fortune cookie. Inside I'm going to put a fortune.

This is where I need your help. Tell me your best and or worst fortune you have ever gotten.

I'll continue to keep ya'll up to date with all the wedding stuff.

Keep it real!

Morning Vlog

noreply@blogger.com (iellie) — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:42:00 +0000

Not quite awake yet. Still drinking coffee. Blah!

Wedding, Book, Netbook, and NO AIR!

noreply@blogger.com (iellie) — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 20:29:00 +0000

The air conditioner broke at Grants. BLAH! A quick wedding update. I bought a Netbook, and Chris Brogans blog got published into a book and I'm in it!

Keep it Real

Wedding Update!

noreply@blogger.com (iellie) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:09:00 +0000

We are less than 3 months away from the wedding and we are starting to get down to the wire. So far we have planned the Honey moon, booked our photographer, caterer, cake, and florist. No, we have not sent out invitations YET!

For our cake we are using For Heaves Cake. We went to the cake tasting and it was delicious! I didn't have to taste anymore cake. It was heavenly! And we got our cake topper which is Carl and Ellie from UP(I swear Pixar was stalking us)! We found it on Etsy.

For our photographer we went with Shots by Sheryl and she is awesome! You have to check out her website and Facebook page.

As for our caterer and florist I don't know the names of those off the top of my head my Mom is the one really dealing with all this for me. I haven't had much time to plan but I've gotten to do a little bit.

The colors for the wedding are a deep purple and a light yellow. We are going to Disney World and Universal for the honey moon. I can't wait to go to the new Harry Potter theme park!

The date of the wedding is October 9th. I'm still trying to figure out a way to stream it but I doubt that is going to happen :( But I promise to tweet!

Tonight I'm going to a bridal show with Anna who is my maid of Honor. Should be a blast. If ya'll have any suggestions for me on the wedding shell them out!

And yes I got my dress! It's perfect! :)

Keep it Real!

Attack of the Heat!

noreply@blogger.com (iellie) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:52:00 +0000

This summer has been the hottest summer on record here in Mississippi. How hot has it been where you are? Do you have a crazy heat story? Have you fried an egg on your sidewalk yet?

Tell me about it!

Blogging

noreply@blogger.com (iellie) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 18:26:00 +0000

Argh! Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know! It's been awhile since I've posted. I am in full on wedding planning mode. I've even made appointments! This week we are cake tasting! Next week I pick up my dress, and soon we hope to finish registering at Belk, and William-Sonoma.

Yesterday I went to PubcampMS at Mississippi Public Broadcasting and got to meet some awesome people I've been following for awhile. It was great to meet everyone! I thought PubcampMS was a huge success and I hope there will be more in the future. I've did record some video during the Social Media 101 intro and I hope to get it up soon.

The wedding is 4 months away. I still don't have a Photographer, a Florist, a Caterer. Apparently I'm pretty behind. If anyone has suggestions for people around the Jackson, MS area that would rock!

And if you don't get an invite it's not that we didn't want to invite you it's just we want to keep it small or as small as possible. I would love to stream the wedding but in the end it just depends on if the church will allow it. I'm not sure if it will be possible :(

I went Wedding Dress shopping!

noreply@blogger.com (iellie) — Wed, 05 May 2010 23:25:00 +0000

I went wedding dress shopping and I found a dress! BUT it's $2000. I can't see myself spending $2000 on a dress I'm going to wear once.

How much would you or have you spent on something like a wedding dress?

Leave a comment!

Why Foursquare sucks!

noreply@blogger.com (iellie) — Sat, 01 May 2010 03:50:00 +0000

A few months ago I joined foursquare after Grant encouraged me to try it out. I enjoyed it for the first few weeks, but then I noticed there were duplicate venues for one place. Normally most of the duplicates had the wrong address or the name of the venue was not spelled properly. With foursquare you can't change things on a venue unless you are high super user and it has to be granted by foursquare. Unfortunately, there aren't many super users so this does not help solve the problem.

I've slowly started noticing people adding a new venue even when they've checked in at the venue before. They do this just so they can become mayor of a place. Now I can understand mis-checking-in I've done this before and it can be an easy thing to do if you don't pay attention but to create a duplicate venue with the wrong address and the venue name completely misspelled is just plain annoying and stupid. And why do the venues that I create with the proper name and address just disappear off Foursquare?! And why would they be deleted or disappear and then replaced with a venue that isn't filled out properly?

This is why I'm quitting Foursquare. I have no use for an app or social network that does not work properly. The fun is gone for me on foursquare and I'm moving on to something different.

My Top Must Have Apps for Android Phones

noreply@blogger.com (iellie) — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 20:41:00 +0000

As most of you know I recently purchased the HTC Hero Android phone. It's an awesome phone! It works great and the Market has so many applications! Many of the apps are free but the few you have to pay for are reasonably priced. Oh and Google did right by it's users by giving you 24 hours to test an app and if you don't like it you can get a refund! Bet you can't do that on your iPhone.

So far I've been able to find almost every application I have on my iPod Touch or something similar to it.

A list below are some must have applications that I think everyone should have on their Android phone.

1. Advanced Task Killer
This is a must have application! If you haven't figured it out yet most applications and all the widgets do not close on their own after you open them. You actually have to turn them off with an application like this one. Advanced task killer is a free user friendly application that allows you to select what apps and widgets you want to keep running in the background and helps you manage your battery life and memory better. With one easy click you can close all applications and widgets running on your phone. And by unchecking an app it will stay running. You can even uncheck and hold down on an app and select ignore to keep that application always running in the background which is great for e-mail and virus scanners.

2. Lookout Mobile Security
Lookout is a free virus scanner for Android. Just like your computer your phone is subject to viruses. Since almost anyone can submit an application to the market and Google does not always catch applications that could be harmful to your phone and information it's a good idea to download this app or a virus scanner of some sort. If you sign up the application will even back up your information for you.

3. ChompSMS
Threaded messaging is always nice especially when it's in Bubble Chat form and everything is customizable. ChompSMS gives the user the ability to customize the text size, font, color, and even the bubbles, and notification sound. Oh and did I mention it's FREE! If you do download this app remember to go into the messaging application that comes on the phone and go into settings to block it from notifying you. This way it will not notify you twice every time you get a message.

4. Seesmic
I've downloaded a few Twitter applications but so far Seesmic is a good free application that allows you to have several different accounts connected to it. The application is user friendly and functions great and does not wear down the battery like other twitter applications I have tried.

5. Phonebook
This application unfortunately has been pulled from the market. Why? I do not know. It is a great application and the dialpad alone is worth it if you can find it. It was a free app and the 2.0 version has been announced but no word on when or if it will be released anytime soon on the market or elsewhere.

6. Abduction
A simple game with aliens, jumping cows, falling bombs, and gifts. The game is like doodle jump for the iPhone and is as addicting and it is entertaining. The goal of the game is to jump from platform to platform trying to save the falling cows and avoid the bombs to get to the flying saucer in space. Definitely a must have!

7. Astro File Manager
This is a free application that lets you easily manage your files on your android. It's also a must have if you plan on installing applications that you find on your computer for the android.

8. Tone Picker
This application is a must have for the people that love customizing every type of notification on the phone. The application gives the user the option to use ringtones that they upload onto their phone or even full songs. Oh yeah and it's also FREE!

9. Barcode Scanner

This application is great for if your out and about and want to compare the item of a price online or even get a link to an application in the Market. The app allows the user to scan a barcode with the camera. It then will either open reviews or price comparisons. The application can also be used while surfing the internet for apps. When you see a barcode like the one in the picture you can scan it and it will take you to the application in the app store without you having to search for it. Again this is a free app!

10. Aldiko Book Reader
This app has a great library of free books and purchasable books. It runs pretty well and if you are on the go a lot and want a way to read some great classics this is a must have app. It is free but some of the books might not be and you can even import your own ePub files.

Other applications to check out include:

Toddler Lock which is a great app if you have young children. The application locks your phone and can even put it in airplane mode so while your children are drawing pictures and making music they can't dial or text or destroy the functions of the phone. As for the actual hardware of the phone you might want to invest in an Otterbox.

Newsrob is a decent Google Reader application but I have yet to find one that I really like. It does get the job done.

Foursquare is not only a great app but a fun location based social network which if you haven't signed up for it yet you need to.

Light Racer a fun Tron like game that is free.

Air Control is the Flight Control for Android

Listen is an awesome app that will allow you to find Podcasts and stream them to the phone instead of having to worry about downloading and syncing.

There are so many more and if you know of some great ones leave a comment and let me know!

Keep It Real