One of my favorite ‘games’ to play during road trips–such as my drive yesterday from OCNJ back to Charlottesville– is something I like to call “Shuffle Surprise.” 
OK, fine. It’s really just a wandering down memory lane via your extensive (excessive?)–never pruned or pared (or other fruit-ed that also homophonically means ‘cut down’)–IPod library and coming to many realizations ranging from the decision that you were WAY too emo in college to the fact that Gavin DeGraw will never be better than his Chariot album (“Follow Through” anyone?) to the knowledge that “I Want It That Way” will NEVER be skipped. Ever.
So, it’s not a game. Whatever. It’s just like calling the “Alphabet Game” a game, when really that is just a way to get kids to look out the window for random letters instead of asking, “Are we there yet?”
Regardless, the theme of the day WAS surprises…both on the IPod…and in life.
Surprise! I stopped to visit Mama Smart on my way back home.
She, in turn, surprised ME with this cute owl necklace.
Suprise! This is NOT a Bloody Mary, but rather celery dipped in Chili Watermelon Vinaigrette, which seemed like the most appropriate post-driving hunger panic snack.
The recipe was posted on Breathe Magazine’s blog yesterday, and even more surprising than the fact that I did actually drink the remaining vinaigrette post dipping was that I actually wrote a concise, to-the-point, post. [One paragraph, what?!?!]
[Surprise! I actually took beautiful pictures of my food for once.]
Surprise! I am supposed to be moved out of my house by Friday, and, as of 3:30 this afternoon, I hadn’t started packing.
Surprise! I have to use clear packing tape for something besides Nutty Butter jars.
Speaking of Nutty Butter…I have to thank y’all SO much for your supportive comments (and orders!) in my attempt to start a little fun side business that will allow me to share my strange flavor concoctions with the world! And, SURPRISE! I have a winner of the jar of Cookie Dough Nutty Butter!
Congratulations Amy! [e-mail me your address: sarah.pember@gmail.com]
I hope your baby likes it, too. 
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh goodness, good luck with your move! We’re moving into our new house this weekend, as well. Thankfully most of our stuff is already in boxes in a storage unit … so we just have to get them from point A to point B!
moving week, eek!! you are gonna need some extra nutty jar for fuel!
Go AMY!!!!
haha yayyyyyyy im SO excited!! i never win anything. this is so awesome bc im currently out of all kinds of peanut butter..including flavored ones…yay
thanks!!
No peanutbutter?? Gasp!! Good thing you won!
Wow, you’re moving this coming weekend and you went to the shore this past weekend?!?! I would be obsessing about packing…I’m impressed, Sarah!
since i was a loser at the giveaway, it’s a good thing i’m a winner at ordering – just place my order for two of your nutty butters and i can’t wait!!!
yay Amy!
Super cute owl necklace – LOVE it! Good luck with the move!
Moving is terrible! Good luck.
Wow so many exciting things going on!! Good luck with the moving…new apartment or house??
New house…well, room in a house.
Good luck with the move!! I am still such a big Backstreet Boys fan that I wouldn’t be skipping I Want it That Way either!
Good luck with your move!!
PS Putting my iPod on shuffle could cause an aural seizure. Ke$ha, Megadeth, LMFAO, Michael Jackson, Metric, The Faint, Daft Punk, Slayer, Amon Amarth, Jimmy Eat World, Iron and Wine, Nine Inch Nails, Madonna, Muse, Slipknot … you get the picture.
Where are you moving friend?? I LOVE the Chariot album too… Chemical Party makes me giggle.
Luckily I’m only moving across town.