What a game!

Hey there, Tennesseans!! I just got back home and settled after going to the Tennessee vs. Kentucky basketball game this afternoon in Thompson-Boling Arena!!! What a game! Kentucky was ranked #2, and we BEAT them!!! Talk about a victory... everybody in the arena was going nuts!! It sure makes me proud to be a Tennessee fan. I'll share some pictures of the game and a video of the final few seconds with you guys. Enjoy!!! :-) (The video is at the end of this post, but you can find a higher quality verson of it on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciKeUK7S3p8)

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!

Hey guys!!! Happy birthday to MEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! I'm 22 today! I am still very much Young & Free. ;-)

Today, I've uploaded my very first weekly campaign video! PLEASE take a minute to check it out on YouTube: http://bit.ly/bshKds

Hopefully, this video will give you a better idea of who I am.

Short post today, since I've been working on this video like craaaaazy! I'm gonna go enjoy my birthday. Downtown Knoxville, here I come!!!!

Bye guys! Remember to check out the video at http://bit.ly/bshKds !!!

- Marge

Big Day with Young & Free Tennessee!

Wow, what a day!!! It's only 1:40 p.m., but I've already accomplished a lot for the Young & Free Tennessee campaign today! First of all, I went to the "Show Me Your Stuff" portion of the campaign today. I had a blast! Everyone at ORNL Federal Credit Union is SO nice and accommodating. The day consisted of some Twittering, making a blog video on the fly, and an interview portion. I got to make the video with the ACTUAL camera the Young & Free TN Spokesperson gets... what a nice piece of equipment! I filmed and edited my video in under 30 minutes, and I think it was a decent vid. The also think the interview went pretty well. Everyone was so friendly and seemed so receptive to my ideas for the position. Overall, it was a great experience! People there asked to see my car and my earrings, so I know they're reading my blog. ;-) Hopefully I'll be getting to work with all of them. This is a DREAM job for me!!

Also, I FOUND the Nissan Cube!!! Unfortunately, it was about 30 minutes after my fellow running mate Jeffrey Cunningham found it. :-( Oh well!!! I shouldn't have stopped for lunch with my mom, but I wanted to tell her all about the interview.

It is a great looking vehicle... I'd love to be seen cruisin' around K-Town in it! Here's a picture of the car, next to the Marge Mobile! :-)



Well, that's all for today, folks. I'll catch you tomorrow!!! Who KNOWS what I'll come up with next!!

- Marge

Getting Geared up!

So, tomorrow morning is my "Show Me Your Stuff" interview for the Young & Free Tennessee campaign. I have picked out the perfect outfit for the interview, but I needed some jewelry. Hence, I am here to give you some GREAT tips AND instruction on how to curb your costs!!! First off, I only spent around $23 dollars on my outfit (the Clearance section of Kohl's is amazing!). The top is grey, black, red, and white. When it comes to jewelry, I had a few options. (1) I could not wear any. (2) I could buy some earrings for $10 from a department store or jewelry store. (3) I COULD MAKE MY OWN! ;-)

I have loved making my own jewelry for years now, and I wanted to share the process with you. I promise, it is VERY easy!

First off, you'll need the following supplies:

- Wire cutters

- Needle-nose pliers

- Straight earring pins

- Whatever beads you want to use (I have used 3 beads and 1 silver placeholder bead)

- Earrings with an open loop to place the earrings on

Here is a picture of all these supplies:

Locally, I like to buy my supplies from Lilly's Bead Box on Bearden Hill. However, you can also find these supplies at Wal-Mart or Hobby Lobby. The wire cutters and needle-nose pliers are on the pricer side, but the beads and pins cost next to NOTHING. Once you buy the cutters and pliers, you are looking at about $1 to make a new set of earrings. Think of how much you could save! Anyway, back to the process..

Next, you'll need to place your beads onto the straight earring pin (with actual earring on top), and place the needle-nose pliers on top of the stack. Here is a picture of what this will look like:

Then, bend the straight pin over the top of the needle-nose pliers. It will look like this:

Now, loop the straight pin around to the other side. A picture of this follows.

After you continue looping the straight pin around itself (so the beads won't fall off), snip off your extra straight pin wire with the wire cutters. Like so:

Here's the finished product!

If you're willing to be a little patient at first, ANYONE can do this! I made these earrings for about a dollar. Just think of the possibilities! You can make earrings to match any outfit... and it makes a GREAT (and CHEAP!) gift for friends. Enjoy, and happy beading!

- Marge

Takin' it to the streets!!!

Hey guys! It's Marge here, updating ya'll with my campaign idea of the day: TAKIN' IT TO THE STREETS! That's right - keep an eye peeled ALL over Knoxville for the Marge Mobile!!!

The applications keep on coming in for the Young & Free Tennessee search... the number of applicants is now up to 13! All the videos are looking great. Speaking of videos, check back tomorrow for my newest campaign idea! Trust me, this one is gonna be a biggie!!! ;-)

While you're at it, check out my blog post and video at www.youngfreetennessee.com. Have a GREAT day!

- Marge

Nothing Says Under 25 Like PUFFY PAINT!

Hey guys!!! Hope you're not having a case of the Mondays today. Just wanted to let you know that there are now TEN applicants for Young & Free Tennessee!!! The competition is getting pretty dang tough, so I'm stepping up my game! I made this totally awesome t-shirt last night! I may not be the best puffy paint artist ever, but the effort is there! haha!

I've already got my idea for tomorrow laid out.. so check back tomorrow to see something pretty interesting! While you're anxiously awaiting my next update, take a minute to check out my video at www.youngfreetennessee.com or join my Facebook group at http://bit.ly/btEG4p.

My Mondays are usually pretty hectic, so I'll sign off for now. Check back tomorrow for another sweet pic!! Have an awesome day... make someone smile today!

- Marge

Back in K-Town!

Hey guys! I'm back in K-Town after an AMAZING weekend at Camp Easter Seals in Lebanon, TN! I had an absolutely amazing time... big shout out to the men of Pi Kappa Phi at MTSU for coming in and showing us all a great time on Saturday night! I'm talking finger painted pillowcases and a full-blown dance, here! It was a truly incredible weekend.

But now, I'm back to business!! Hitting the campaign trail hard this week with this blog, a Facebook group (http://bit.ly/btEG4p), and a few other plans! I'll unveil one new campaign idea every day until my interview on Thursday. Speaking of, I am VERY excited for the "Show Me Your Stuff" portion of this search! I've been brainstorming new ideas for ways to reach the under 25 crowd... can anyone say financial advice set to music?! But, I won't give it all away yet. ;-)

Well, I'm gonna go catch the new episode of Big Love on HBO - I think I'm truly obsessed!!! Catch ya'll tomorrow.... complete with some sweet new pics of my latest idea! See ya on the flip side.

- Marge

First Post!

Hey guys!!! I've started this campaign blog to document my journey towards the Young & Free Tennessee gold!! Hmm.. gold.. think I've been watching the Olympics too much? ;-)

If you're confused about what I'm talking about - here's the deal: ORNL Federal Credit Union is teaming up with the Young & Free campaign to bring it to the Volunteer State! young & Free is a campaign to empower young adults to make the MOST of their money - and start their financial life on the right track.

Young & Free Tennessee is looking for their FIRST EVER rep in this great state! Yours truly is running and up on the website... check it out at www.youngfreetennessee.com

Before you can ACTUALLY vote for me, I have to make it through the interview round and be chosen as a finalist. But, as the consummate optimist, I'm letting you all know that I'm in the running so I can start raising support! Voting will begin on March 12th and continue until the 28th. Until then, check out my video at www.youngfreetennessee.com!

Unfortunately for you guys, I won't be blogging anything tomorrow. I'm working at Camp Easter Seals in Lebanon, TN this weekend! Camp Easter Seals is a great non-profit organization which provides respites and summer camp for individuals with physical disabilities. Check out their website here: http://bit.ly/bSvodX - No worries, I'll be back to blogging on Sunday night!