Happy Halloween from the mountains

It's that time of year again and this year to celebrate the Halloween holiday, 16 of us went up to the mountains for a weekend away. The array of costumes were everything from Seinfeld characters to Santa Clause. My personal favorites were our friends Barton and Lindsey as Forrest Gump and Jenny. See for yourself.

People were really into character...The weekend was hilarious. It's nice to be sitting around on the couch doing nothing this afternoon, however, going from constantly being around great friends laughing 24-7 to sitting in your 1 bedroom home can seem suddenly really quiet. I need bodies, and another day to "recover". Somehow though, watching this video makes it all the better. Barton, like Forrest, just felt like running. Here's the rest of the crazy group...Cousin Eddie, Kramer and Elaine, Matadors, Lance Armstrong, a hot dog, Snooki, Santa, Ron Burgundy and Veronica Corningstone, Kat Von D, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson...

p.s. Thanks to my new iPhone5, I am now on Instagram....find me at Lhennessey2

6 Months & Dry Feet

Today marks the 6 month anniversary of the possible death of my favorite homeless man, "Soggy Shoes".....never did get his name. For the full, ridiculous story of his passing, click here. To learn about how I even became "friends" with this man in our one time encounter, click here. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't hope I see that man standing on his territory again on the overpass on Woodruff Road, or even another one down the block. I've seen new wanderers on each of his old corners, but none even close to the aging process that poor old Soggy Shoes was beginning to see. I really do think he's gone.....or maybe he just hasn't made it back over to this side of town since being taken to the hospital? Until then...

....Rest in Peace "Soggy Shoes".

I made People.com?

Last year I was Snooki for Halloween, as seen here. It was a blast, and for once I had a Halloween costume that was relevant. This year I will be in the great mountains of Gatlinburg, TN with some friends, which means I will probably sport the same idea.....only maybe adding a guido baby. I'm frugal, so if I can save a buck and re-wear this gem, it's a win-win. Everyone in my office knows just how much I enjoyed my costume, and being in a laid back, fun, entertaining place of work, the costume has come in handy more than once. Being that we have a top 40 radio station and the Jersey Shore makes for good pop culture comedy, I've broken it out on a few occasions.

As I was sitting at my computer this morning, I got a message from my friend Alan, who said his girlfriend Jenna found me on People Magazine. A while back People.com had a thing up about Halloween costumes. One thing led to another at the office and well, I guess they thought the same thing about my costume. I became 1 of 35 pictures to make it onto the site. Seen in the photo is @DJDramaJ, who I met that night who happened to be Pauly D. This is too much, but oh so real. Click the link for mine and others....

http://www.people.com/people/package/gallery/0,,20058392_20635695_21225775,00.html

Day 74 for Nick

I woke up to the most amazing news this morning, and wanted to share! Some of you who read my blog (Thanks for reading by the way) have asked me about Nick and how his family is doing. For that I am so grateful. If you follow his CaringBridge like I do, you had a huge smile on your face this morning learning that Nick, besides being the miracle that he is, is now able to get a prosthetic leg (something we were told earlier there might not be room for). He is doing incredible! Below is the most recent post from his sister, Courtney. If you would like to support Nick Collins and his family, please visit his site www.nacwins.com. It's got everything you need to know. Thanks again for thinking and praying for Nicks recovery!!

Day 74

Written Oct 15, 2012 9:39am by Courtney Collins Oberly

Nicholas continues to make great improvements. The surgery went really well last week and despite being in tremendous pain immediately after, Nicholas is making a great recovery. His pain is under control and he's sleeping great. The surgeons were able to use the muscle and it looks like there is enough room for a prosthetic, so we are thrilled and thankful that Nicholas will be able to be mobile after all his recovery!

He also had his neck brace removed and there is no need for neck surgery. He's going through physical therapy and is getting stronger each day. We are so thankful.

We are also thankful to everyone who planned and attended the fundraiser at Liberty yesterday, we are humbled with each fundraiser and donation that people give to our family, it means so much. The next fundraiser is a cut-a-thon on October 24th, details are at http://www.nacwins.com/.

And as always thanks for the guestbook messages, texts, emails, cards, etc. Nicholas is able to read them all now and is so uplifted by all the support yall are giving him. It means so much to him and to us.

Love to you all,
The Collins Family

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
Philippians 1:3-6

Really Stupid Answers

I love game shows (and Steve Harvey, but that's for another day). I would love to be on one. I think I would do well at most, perhaps Wheel of Fortune, Price is Right, definitely not Jeopardy, Double Dare (definitely Double Dare, and yes I'd take the physical challenge), Legends of the Hidden Temple from back in the day, and would even like to be on Family Feud. My family is hilarious and I think putting our minds together we would do well. If nothing else, we would make for an excellent YouTube video down the road. Have you ever watched some of these families? Hilarious. Some of them blow my mind with the answers they provide. For example, "Name a country other than the United States that you admire"... listen to the encouragement from the rest of the family, and then what Donald decides to go with...

You can't just watch one of these, so here is a montage I found of epically bad answers. I got a kick out of this. Do yourself a favor when you're bored, and YouTube Family Feud stupid answers. You'll be busy for, well, lots of minutes.

Kirk Fogg and Olmec

P.S. For you children of the 90's.....did anyone else get so irritated when those idiot kids couldn't put the silver monkey together on Legends of the Hidden Temple? They got so close, and then just couldn't deliver. What I'd give to have that opportunity for the Grand Prize.......to go to camp. Or to at least meet Host Kirk Fogg and the infamous Olmec. #NickelodeonPipeDreams

Wonder what they're up to these days. Olmec would be a major hit in a man cave of someone in my generation. Just sayin....BIG. PIMPIN.

Fall for Greenville

One of my favorite weekends in Greenville is here. Over 38 food vendors, beer and wine gardens, carnival rides, and stages with live music line the streets of Main Street in downtown for an entire weekend. This Friday thru Sunday you can find me enjoying the fall weather that has finally arrived, while indulging in adult beverages with hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city. With over 55 musical acts performing on multiple stages, bartender mix offs, eating contests, and street performers, there is plenty for everyone. Not to mention the people watching is quite entertaining. All walks of life come out of the wood work for Fall for Greenville. Get a couple beers in you and you don't need much more to be entertained. So with everything else going on around you, you won't be disappointed. It's a totally free event, but then of course you pay for tickets to get food and drinks. I get lucky every year by knowing some good people, in great places, who know I like to entertain myself, along with some friends, and get bonused with some drink tickets. This year is no different. FFG kicks off Friday at 5 pm and runs perfectly into the dance party hours of 11 pm, most likely at one of our favorite bars. Saturday the streets open back up at 11 am and stay open till 9 pm, finishing with Sunday from Noon to 7 for the perfect hangover mid afternoon lunch. In college I did an internship with the folks that put on this glorious event, so not only do I get to enjoy it, but I get how it all works. Lots and lots of time, effort, and volunteers go into putting on this show, so why not come out and support this annual Greenville tradition. I know plenty of great stories about my friends that start with, "last year at Fall for Greenville...", myself included. Never a let down, and normally shambletown. I can't wait!

Season Highlights



Coley and I love the Biebs



I did it. I caught the bouquet. For the first time, my midget height mixed with front row excitement, and I did it. It was mine. The odds were most likely in my favor since I've been to several weddings and never came remotely close. There seems to be such significance to catching the bouquet, too- something like, you are next in line to get married? Or something like that. Now of course, looking back I felt bad taking that experience away from the girls around me or who all have serious boyfriends, or well....a boyfriend at all, but at this wedding, Carolyn the bride, pretty much threw it right towards me. You can probably tell by my facial expression, that even I was shocked! Nay, thrilled! Especially if you saw the photo shoot Andrew and I (my friend who caught the garter) took on the dance floor. We thought we were on "So You Think You can Dance", or some other reality show battling it out. How embarrassing.....or not. We killed it...right. I am sure this was the first and last catch of the "season", wedding season that is. I have one more wedding on the fridge for this year and it's approaching quickly. My dear friends Coley and Evan. On October 20th they will tie the knot and will formally be known as Mr. and Mrs. Gault. Looking forward to next years weddings already, too! Nothing makes me happier than fun friends celebrating together. Especially when there is music and dancing involved. Which apparently when joined together leads me to stick out in a crowd. My friends Lauren and Meredith had the same photographer and as I'm dancing at Mers wedding, Lauren informed me that the photographer came up to her and said, "Is that the same girl from your wedding?". I guess I'm a real entertainer. I asked Lauren if I needed to tone it down a notch, and she said no. And I believe her. I guess when this body hears music, I just can't be tamed (Don't worry people my moves are conservative). Can't wait for nuptials and receptions to follow! Here's what I missed from this years.... Meredith & Andrew, Taylor & David, and Allison & Frankie's. What. A blast!

Clemson & Nick Collins...

... 2 Things I am incredibly proud of. Most of us get on Facebook every day, and for me, today was no different. The moment I got on I saw my news feed filled with pictures of people's babies, their dogs, their recent engagement, the football game this weekend, and more. Then I scrolled down a notch or two and found this - - copy and pasted by a good friend of mine from college, boasting about the extroadinary progress made by our friend Nick Collins. Being a member of the Clemson family never ends. I think this speaks for itself.

GO TIGERS!

"I need to take a moment to brag about the Clemson Football Coaching staff. Maybe brag is not the right word, but show that its more than just football. I am sure these types of things happen all the time, but i can only speak of what I know. I know Clemson people know how good of a person Coach Swinney is, but other fans may not.

I was at MUSC tonight with a friend who was visiting a sick relative. As I was walking towards the room, I heard someone call my name. When I looked, it was Nick Collins, the father of Nick Collins, the young man who almost lost his life in the awful accident.

The elder Collins and I talked briefly and then he invited me to Nick's room to visit with him. As I talked to the younger Nick, who oh by the way is looking good, I looked around his room which was covered in get well cards and banners. I also noticed that he had a Clemson jersey hanging in his room covered in autographs for this year's team. He was proud of his jersey and loves his Tigers.

So upon finding out that, I immediately called Tony Elliott, who is the running back coach at Clemson and hails from James Island. I didnt get Tony, but left him a message explaining Nick's situation and also that he was going to have major surgery on tomorrow (everyone pray for him) and that it would be neat if Coach Swinney could call him with some words of encouragement.

Not 30 mins later did I get a call from Tony saying that he would relay the message to Coach and that he would attempt to get coach to call him tonight. Well happy and proud to say that Coach Swinney did make that call, talked to Nick and absolutely made his night.

So I want to publicly say thank you to Coach Swinney and Elliot for what they did tonight for making Nick's night! Its little things like that make the difference and make coaches stand out. GO TIGERS!"

You can continue to help Nick and his recovery by visiting www.NACWins.com!