List of Places I've Lived

Jacksonville, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Winter Springs, Florida
Clemson, South Carolina
Central, South Carolina
Carrboro, North Carolina
Durham, North Carolina
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I hope this list doubles before I die.

Lessons from a Buckley Christmas

You can fry anything: apples, potatoes, ham, toast. If it's food, it can be fried.

Family history creates the present family. Without Bryan's granddad's hard work and perseverance, Joann would have never gone to college. Without Bryan's dad's offer in Greenville, Joann would have never left Kentucky. And Bryan would have never attended Clemson for the in state tuition. And then, how would I have met the love of my life?

Generosity. Generosity. Generosity. Never before had I seen more presents, more food, more family in one small home. It was beautiful.

Men drive on road trips. Because men don't complain and will endure the hard job for their lady. And ladies choose the restaurant.

Santa sometimes watches his weight and puts the cookies back in the fridge!

Not really lesson learned but reiterated: being married is awesome. Being a Buckley is awesome.

One Year!

Time flies when you're in love. I'm taking this opportunity to wish myself and my husband Bryan a Happy 1 Year Anniversary!


We've had a crazy first year. It began with our awesome wedding in Florida, two week honeymoon in the warm, warm Caribbean, and then we moved into our North Carolina apartment. We rocked out some comedy at DSi for a little while longer, performing on teams together and separately, doing shows every week. Then, we celebrated Bryan's triumph over all high education and watched him get that doctorate degree he'd worked so very hard for. And then, by the wonderfully hard work of Bryan, he landed a great teaching job and we relocated our lives to Philadelphia. This summer, we started from scratch in the friend, work, comedy and family departments - and within six months time, we've landed in a happy place in each of the categories.

We've learned that marriage is better than being engaged and a lot like dating. We've learned that trading chores is the best way for Alyssa to get out of laundry, dishes and the trash (of course, Bryan gets out of cleaning the bathrooms, cooking and organizing healthy meals). We've learned that you can have lots of sex - even if you're married. We've learned you have to share pretty much everything, including your big box of chocolate your boss gave you. We've learned that Bryan enjoys being slightly irritating and Alyssa enjoys popping out and scaring Bryan. We've learned that a kiss before work is the best way to start your day. We've learned that you shouldn't eat ice cream every night. We've learned that shopping on low blood sugar is disastrous for each other and the store clerks. We've learned to share, to love more deeply, to be more honest, to sing in front of each other, to wrestle on the bed without breaking anything, to speak each other's love language, to appreciate the other, and, most importantly, to realize the impact of our vows.

Here's to forever! To infinity and beyond!

My Love

This was before we were dating. He loved me already.


We're dating. We already look different.


Our first Disney trip together. It was the two of us. Bryan says he knew then he wanted to marry me. I knew then I wanted to go to Disney lots more with Bryan.


Look at us. We went on trips. Bryan was the coolest boyfriend.


He invited me into his family. And I loved them.


My family took us on a cruise.


We went to Chicago.


We watched improv together/


We did some improv in NYC together.


We did some improv in Gainesville.


We did some improv in NC.


We couldn't handle dating anymore. We got engaged.


We said some vows.


Legally his.


We took pictures with the talented Erin Scott. This one's hanging up in our hallway.


We danced.


He carried me away. And we lived happily ever after.

Merry Christmas from the Buckleys!

Merry Christmas, you guys!
I'm happily spending it with my love and his family. The only thoughts in my lady brain are happy, thankful and in love. Merry, merry Christmas!

Tips for Winter Sex

Baby, t's cold outside. But that doesn't mean you can't get it on. Here are some tips for getting busy in the frigid winter:

1. Turn your heat up. Yes, turn that dial or push that button up to 70 something. It's hard to get naked enough to have sex when your house is as cold as it is outside. Crank the heat and believe me, you'll want outta those sweats and into tee shirts and underwear - which is the perfect attire for sex.

2. Have lots of foreplay. Make out, cuddle, touch each other, massage, slowly undress...under the covers. Let the heat underneath the covers build up. Once you've been under the covers awhile, it will get warm, and then getting naked is just the next logical step. And we all know that getting naked is the best prerequisite for sex.

3. Do it in the shower. Hot water and naked bodies? Perfect. Be careful not to slip, and use lube. It can be a little difficult, so no beginners, please. Also, shower sex should be quickie sex. No one wants a marathon as you clench the slippery walls with your soapy hands.

4. Drink up. Hot chocolate should get you feeling warm. Right after you finish a warm drink, hop into bed. If you aren't into hot drinks, take a shot. It won't really warm you up, but it will give the illusion of warmth and maybe the extra push you need to bump your partner.

5. Use the winter as a time to experiment. Never tried outdoor sex? Do it in the snow. Never done it in public? Do it at Macy's. Never fucked a reindeer? Now's your chance. Or, stick to the regular warm house bed sex. That'll make your Christmas a little bit more merry.

Final Exam Results

I'll give myself an A-.

PART ONE: A+ The guests woke, gathered their things and were in the car by 9:45. We ate at Chickfila with a bonus of having a Cow Santa mess with us as we ate chicken biscuits. By the time we drove into the city, not many cars were out and Bryan had a hard time navigating all the snow covered roads. I was encouraging and we all were impressed by his skills. We made it before the big snow fell.

PART TWO: A I cleaned like a madwoman. It was fairly easy because Ben and Bryan spent the morning picking up and putting bottles in the recycling. The trash hasn't been taken out, but hey, we've got a foot of snow out there!

PART THREE: A+ Everything fits, everything is cute, and there's room for presents! I'm pleased with all my outfits, and I'm excited about the opportunity to wear the new sweaters Bryan got me! Also, we got the tiny bottles of toiletries (in the ziplock bag), chargers for all electronics and the photo albums to show family.

BONUS QUESTION: D- I give myself props for watching the news and learning that flights at PHL were being cancelled. Despite a lack of contact via email or phone, our airline did not let us know that ours was cancelled! I had to find out on the departures website, which I imagine is a lot like finding out about an engagement in the family on facebook. It made me so mad. Bryan and I each called a different number to talk to a person and jumped online to wait in the queue to chat with someone live. So far, so good. About two hours into holding on the phones and an hour waiting to chat online, Bryan got in. But he was disconnected. Then, I got into the chat, the lady gave me a new number to call. So I called it. On that call, I was told to call THE SAME NUMBER I'D BEEN HOLDING FOR TWO HOURS FOR! I lost it. I cried and cried. I thought we'd never get home. After another three hours on hold, we got to talk to someone on my phone (Bryan's was STILL on hold). The guy was foreign, so I couldn't make that many requests beside as soon as possible and sit us next to each other! He got us a flight out Monday morning. Awesome, but this morning, there's no email in my inbox. I lost it again. I don't know what to do. Hopefully, we're flying out tomorrow.

Either way, I'm sure glad I have a good many years to polish my lady skills. I imagine this will not be the last time weather affects our plan or the last time we travel to so many places for the holidays. I have to remember that as long as we eventually make it, we'll be fine. Especially when we've got Nightmare Before Christmas and Beatles Rock Band to keep us entertained.

Lady Skills Assessment Test

This week is a test of my lady skills. I have single-handedly finished my last week of work, cleaned the whole place, planned and executed a Christmas party, picked up and entertained two guests in our home, cleaned out the fridge and prepared an itinerary for the trip. All the while, I made my professor of a husband lunches and welcomed him home with dinner each night after a long day of giving exams and submitting final grades.

Today is my final exam of my Lady Skills Assessment Test. It's a three part exam - with a layer of snow, for added difficulty.

PART ONE: Empty The Home of Guests (in the snow)
This morning, Bryan and I will take our two guests, whom we love and with whom we had a blast, out to breakfast (god forbid we dirty more dishes!). Then, in this twenty degree weather and falling snow, we'll take them into the city, so they can return to the warm South. And then, we'll have to make it back to our place before the snow becomes too dangerous.

PART TWO: Cleaning the After-Party/After-Guest Mess (in the snow)
Like a true lady with skills, I pride myself (and thoroughly enjoy) coming home to a clean place. The tough part is getting it done. Now, because it's a final exam, I'll have the extra of party mess and snow. I am hoping to recruit Bryan to take out the trash in the snow (hey, that's a pretty good lady skill anyway). But there's wrapping paper, wine bottles, bowls, serving dishes, cups, wine glasses, shot glasses and probably other things I'm forgetting lying about the place. In addition, there will be sheets to wash, pillows and blankets to stash away, towels to wash and another bathroom to cleanse. Whew. I'm exhausted and I haven't even completed any of these tasks.

PART THREE: Packing (in the snow)
Okay, the snow is not quite an added difficult here, but it's still there. They predict 10-20 inches in our area. I can't imagine what that looks like! Anyways, the packing is the part I dread the most. Partially because we're limited on space since we're flying), but mostly, because we'll be gone for 3 weeks, in four different locations (thankfully, all Southern). It will be tricky to find something to wear to Bryan's family's small Christmas day and to a Kentucky reunion and to my parents' church and to our anniversary dinner and to Bryan's economics conference. Oh, and the temperatures will vary from 70s to the teens over the course of our trip. Wonderfully challenging, I'd say.

If I can do this, all the powers of ladydom are mine!

Naked Ladies on Christmas?

It's that wonderful holiday time of year. We pull out trees from closets, attics and dusty boxes, trees from nurseries, the woods or the creepy tree dealer in the Wawa parking lot. We find comfort from the cold weather inside with blankets, fireplaces and hot chocolate that burns the tip of your tongue. We hit the malls looking for presents for other people, only to come home with some goodies for yourself. And you consider which of your far away friends you like enough to mail a piece of paper wishing holiday cheer.

One of my favorite ways to get in the mood for the holidays is with Christmas music. I'm a huge fan of the classics, your Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland sort. This year, Bryan gifted me early a holiday album I'd never have picked up for myself.



The Barenaked Ladies: Barenaked for the Holidays It's wonderful. It's got a classic feel with a fun, silly twist. I play it in the background in these freezing mornings, sipping my hot chocolate and looking out at our snowy backyard. And it feels like Christmas.

Blast From the Past

In my efforts to answer friend and fellow blogger Molly Buckley (no relation), I tried to answer her
QUESTION: Do you think that the battle that many women have had to face in comedy is similar to a battle women have had to face in business? Do you think the “male-dominated comedy business” and “male-dominated business-business” are changing? What progress have we made? Women in the United States STILL only make 78 cents to every man’s dollar for the same position and same work. I want to hear your thoughts.

In doing so, I remembered my senior project at Clemson where I explored comedy and the women in it. Part of my project included a short film in which I gave my friends and classmates two simple tasks: name 5 men in comedy and name 5 women in comedy. The results were more surprising than I'd anticipated. Here it is, two years later, and just as relevant: