Pink, Rested & Happy (7.5.05)

Boy do I love a long weekend. Especially one filled with friends and the beach and fireworks and parties...I had a blast over the 4th.

Friday night, best friend came into town with her 10-month-old daughter (unbelievably cute), and we put the munchkin to bed and stayed up on the back porch until the wee hours. It was therapeutic and comforting and so much fun.

Saturday morning - unlike our college and early-20's days - we got up early, put on exercise gear and strolled the baby all around downtown. I showed them our reception spot, my church and a few other notables. It was so nice...we then went to brunch at this really cute place downtown.

Mama and Baby left about 1, and I set up shop in the backyard and got some sun for a couple of hours. It was hot as blazes, and I swear I have never sweated that much in my life...but I liked it. I am a sun worshipper - I have a bit of a problem.

Saturday night, Lee and I got all dressed and ready for our friend's birthday/80's party - so much fun!! I wore an Italian Stallion (Rocky) shirt, complete with shiny yellow shorts, sweatband and wristbands, side ponytail and low-top Converse shoes. Lee wore a KISS shirt... kind of half-ass if you ask me, but so be it. ;) The party was great - we had Low Country Boil, lots of beer, fireworks...much fun.

Sunday was beach day - and I got fried!! It is mostly all brown by this point, but Sunday night was a bit of a pain. Especially the shower. After the beach, a group of us went to Uncle Bubba's to eat seafood outside on the deck, overlooking the marsh. Perfect. I loved it.

Yesterday I did NOTHING. Wonderful. The fireworks last night (which we didn't walk down to see) lasted a REALLY long time...and then the neighbors must have gotten inspired because THEIR fireworks lasted even longer (probably until about 130 or 2 am). Charlie (the dog) had 53 strokes - and therefore sleep was a bit fitful...but all is well, and I think everyone ended up sleeping well after the pyromaniacs went to bed.

This week - another short week! Yippee! Nothing planned for this weekend which is nice...so all we need to do is make it through until Friday.



Movie Recommendation: I have 2 actually... "A Love Song for Bobby Long" - amazing. Especially for those of you who (like me) are so intrigued with the self-destructive life of authors and other intellectuals. Great movie.



"This Boy's Life" - I don't know how I missed this one - came out in like 1993, I think - but so good. And based on a true story.

Weepy (6.30.05)

Sometimes being a girl really stinks. You have these crazy mood swings and you feel so needy - that's one minute...the next minute, you are on top of the world and smiling at everyone and enjoying life. Maybe it's not so much being a girl...maybe it's just being a weirdo. And I am - certifiably - both a girl and a weirdo.

I am in the needy mode right now. I hate the needy mode. I am a pretty independant person; I'm definitely not shy nor do I avoid opportunities to talk to people, but when I'm feeling this way I just want to go back to bed and have someone stroke my head and tell me that everything is ok. I guess - in a nutshell - I want my Mom. And I am 29 years old. Do you ever NOT just want your Mom?

There is a book called "Love You Forever" that is the most precious story of a mother and son. The son grows up during the course of the book and at the end, the roles have reversed and he is taking care of his mother. It makes me cry everytime. But when I think about that book, I think about the fact that your Mom is always your Mom...and somehow, even now, she can make things better with just a few words, a fried egg sandwich, and a smile. That's an amazing power.

So, here, in my weepy mode, I am paying tribute to my Mother. I am about to be married and will hopefully be a mother myself in the next few years, and I know it is time to let go a little bit of the apron strings. And that's ok...I'm ready for it. I just hope to take everything - the comfort and the strength and the confidence that my Mother has given me - and give the same to my family. It's a tall order, but she has given me the tools.

I'm a little less needy/weepy now...this was a therapeutic entry for me. And, for the first time in about 4 days, the sun is actually shining. And tomorrow is Friday. And my best friend and her baby are coming to stay with us this weekend. So all is right with the world. Off with the needy, on with the happy.

Thank you, Mama.

Oink! (6.28.05)

I have been so good lately - running, walking, eating well... all in an effort to drop a few pounds before the wedding day. But here's where I fall short - a friend at work just walked by my office and tossed me a bag of peanut M&M's. I groaned...and then opened them immediately and scarfed every single one down. :( Now I feel gross. I have absolutely NO self control - it's a sad state of affairs. The taste of chocolate is still in my mouth and I swear I can feel myself getting fatter.

Why is it that I couldn't take those M&M's upstairs to the kitchen and let everyone else scramble for them? Because I wanted them. Badly. Like a starving rat...what was the rat's name in Charlotte's web? TEMPLETON!! (thank God for Google) I am Templeton. Now I sit here, like T, with a full belly, spouting off pseudo-interesting prose to whomever would like to read...

Dammit. I'm really mad at myself. Grrrr...

Ok, enough of that. Ah! Good news! My brother called last night, and his offer on the house was accepted! Yah! I am so excited for him...and he sounded really excited too (in his classic Eeyore "Thanks for noticing" kind of way). What a big step...and such a grown-up move. Maybe he will adopt me. I am the proud big sister (and the envious one...wish I had my sh-- together that well at 24).

Also, I have been working super diligently on billing since I got here...as much as I dislike it, it makes me feel productive to see those green folders go from the "to do" stack to the "done" pile. Whew... The folders are all due to accounting by end of day on Thursday, so I'm on a mission. It's kind of fun (because I am a huge dork).

Other than that, not much is going on in my world. The friend that helped me set up this blog had a health scare with his dad - and that really threw me for a loop. I just saw his dad last weekend...and he looked young and healthy and happy. It turned out only to be an inner-ear infection, but it is so scary to realize the mortality of your parents. I hate it. Am pushing that out of my mind for now. And keeping all of them in my prayers.

Fiance and I cleaned our house from top to bottom on Sunday...what a great feeling to have a clean house. It is amazing what it can do for your psyche.

Ok, enough - I am rambling like a madman! Happy Green Beans, Gadget Tuesday!

Scars & Tattoos (6.27.05)

Have you ever wondered if you made as much of an impact on people as they did on you? I feel this way all of the time. I have dreams almost every night that involve at least one or two people from my past - my friend, Brandi, who I have not seen nor spoken to in over 10 years. I have tried to find her thousands of times (through friends, Google searches, phone calls...you name it) - and the sobering bottom line is that if she wanted to find ME, she could. My parents still live in Tifton, as do most of the families that she grew up around. It would take her about 10 minutes to find my phone number.

She was just such a HUGE part of my childhood and my formative years...I don't like to let those people go. In fact, the only bridesmaid I have that I have known less than 19 years is Lee's sister. Am I a hopeless nostalgic? I know some people would certainly say yes. Some people have said that to my face.

A guy that was very important to me for 5 very long years actually help me set this blog up...I don't find that weird, I find that comforting. Why should - just because of a break-up when you're too young to know where you're going or why - should you have to lose a friend who knows you so well? I don't think you should.

I have to face the facts, however, that most people don't feel this way. Most people see the past as the past and move on. But that's just not realistic to me. People leave marks on you - scars and tattoos. Scars are from painful moments...the wounds heal, but you can never forget what happened. Tattoos are things you CHOOSE to add to your past...sometimes you may regret them, but often they remind you of exciting and intense times in your life. I have so many emotional scars and tattoos - and I wouldn't trade one. I love the people and the experiences who have made me what I am. I love that the crazy, winding road filled with characters, elation, hatred, hurt, tears and laughter have brought me to such a rich, satisfying 29 years old. I love that it all has brought me to my fiance...who has had many scars and tattoos of his own. We wouldn't be so in love and so right for each other minus our bumpy, curvy pasts.

I just wonder...am I more of a scar or a tattoo to those in my past? Either way, I hope I've helped. Helped them see what they don't need in some cases... but at least, helped.

My Grown Up Little Brother (6.23.05)

Yesterday my brother put an offer in on a house. I am inconsolable. He is still supposed to be 10 years old, playing Nintendo and driving around the neighborhood in his "tricked out" golf cart. He is certainly not supposed to be working, buying houses and being an adult!

I am 5 years Tom's senior. This means he is 15. Kidding, he is 24...and isn't that awfully young to be mature and together enough to be able to buy a house? I mean, I have never bought a house. Maybe this means that I am immature...yes, I'm sure that's part of it. But still, 24 is quite young to be so "established." I am very proud of him, though - what a smart move. I threw money away on rent for the better part of my 20's and have nothing to show for it - Tom will be earning equity by his quarter-century birthday. Impressive.

My brother is a football coach and technology teacher, but he could easily double as a comedian. He's hilarious. His taste in movies is superb - all Will Farrell, most Adam Sandler and throw in some obscure titles from the 80's such as "Defending Your Life" and "Nobody's Perfect." He can quote them all - and do it amazingly better than the actors themselves. Tom is smart, understated, dependable, good hearted and can go for the jugular like no one I've ever seen. It's remarkable. And memorable.

My best memories of Little Tom are from as long ago as the early 80's and as recent as last weekend. Our relationship is ever-evolving and always fun...we genuinely like one another, and we can see a person/thing/situation and have the exact same reaction. We have the same values, morals and sense of humor...the same hands and love handles and teeth...we are family. And I can't wait to see all of the experiences we have left to share.

He still gets way too big for his britches sometimes...but I guess that's just the role that little brothers were meant to fill.

War, Politics, Calculus & Knitting (6.22.05)

Above are 4 things that I am admittedly somewhat ignorant about. Knitting and Calculus - I am not ashamed to not know about these two...I have no desire to learn about either one of them. War and Politics, however, intimidate me. I consider myself an intelligent person - I read and watch the news; I vote; I have a college degree; I can carry on conversations about art and culture and other cerebral subjects. Political discussions, however, scare the bejesus out of me. I have the tendency to bury my head in the sand whenever the subject comes up. I am not proud of this...in fact, I intend to do something about it. I actually think that I know as much or more than some of these idiots who drone on and on about their political stances in bars, on television and in the newspaper, but putting my ignorance on display isn't something I am willing to do.



I am a Conservative - to the degree that I think everyone should have to take responsibility for their own actions and I am not in favor of widespread hand-outs. The neighborhood I live in is a perfect example of welfare gone wrong - the more "help" these people get, the more content they are to sit on their asses and not even try to rise above their situations. There are, of course, exceptions, and I am by no means in favor of taking food out of people's mouths...but making things too easy for some is hurting them, not helping them.



I am also Pro-Choice. I don't think it is anyone's right to tell a woman (or a couple) what they can or cannot do with their bodies. I know that this is a very, very touchy subject - and I do see how the situation can be abused, but after much thought and research and soul searching, this is how I feel. So, in this sense, I could be labeled as "Liberal."



I am for capital punishment. I believe that if you take a life, you should have yours taken away from you. Period. This view takes me back to "Conservative."



Health Care - I have no idea what the answer is here. I know we have a long way to go, but I won't pretend to know how to approach this problem. Here I am back to "ignorant."



Social Security - why NOT be responsible for putting your own retirement away? I feel much more secure knowing that the money I put towards my retirement will actually be there than just hoping it will...and it coming out of my paycheck regardless. Volleyed back to the "Conservative" side of the court.



See? There is not a cut and dried version of politics. Not in my opinion. I think there are so many valid points on EVERY side of EVERY issue. I refuse to pretend that I know better than someone else. I can only believe what I believe and try to learn as much as possible.



Oh, the issues... Come on, people...I don't have time for this. I have a wedding to plan. ahahahaa... kidding. ;)

Summer Solstice (6.21.05)

Today is the first day of summer...and the longest day of the year. Why is that depressing to me? I guess because after today, the sun will gradually begin to go down a little earlier each night. I need to shake this "glass half empty" mentality - I should be excited - first day of summer! Longest day of the year! July 4th is yet to come! Woo hoo! But, still, I can only think that this is the beginning of the end of summer. How morose.



On the other hand, I am in a great mood. Walked/ran yesterday afternoon, went to the grocery store and got all kinds of healthy food, finished up my Save the Date cards last night, read some of my book, and had a good night's sleep. I feel fantastic. Am going to really try to shed about 15 pounds before the wedding - I have never in my life been able to lose weight consciously. It always just happens. I'm not much of a dieter - love food entirely too much...and beer. But I am determined not to be a fat ass in my wedding dress, so maybe that vision of cellulite surrounded by satin will keep me out of the fridge. I actually put together a meal this morning that is in the crockpot as I speak...chicken with wild rice, lemon, garlic, kosher salt and seasoned pepper. I hope it's good. I went a little crazy with the salt.



I have so much to do today (workwise). But feeling good makes a huge difference...I think I may actually be MOTIVATED! (gasp!) For a Tuesday, I am in a shockingly good mood. Ever since I was in elementary school, Tuesdays usually remind me of math homework, Inspector Gadget on tv, and green beens on the stove - all in all, depressing. But today is different. Am on a mission to feel good. I may even be able to overcome my Solstice Sadness. ;)



Off to Media Madness!

Slacks on the Boulevard (6.20.05)

I was having a hard time coming up with a title, so I stole a line from Will Farrell when he was on SNL. This skit was part of his "Best of..." collection when he played the Devil that Garth Brooks sells his soul to in exchange for a hit song. The Devil, though, actually really sucks at songwriting. Hilarious. Mondays...I hate Mondays...they make me-e so steamed...Weekends! I prefer the Weekends! ahahahahaha... (another of his attempts at writing music)

I had a great weekend. Drove home Friday after work, got there in time for a few beers with my family on our back deck before the sun went down, ribs on the grill, corn on the cob...perfect. We ate dinner, then my brother and I went to the movies. We saw "The Longest Yard" - it was surprisingly good. Lately, my test for movies is if I can stay awake...either at home OR in the theatre. I have inherited my father's tendency to fall asleep if sitting down anytime after 8pm. It sucks. My brother is a great judge of movies, though, so I figured it would be good. It was nice seeing him and spending time with him - he is one of the funniest people I know. I absolutely think he's hilarious. We argue some (don't all siblings?), but I would rather hang out with him than pretty much anyone in the world.

Saturday, he and I went to Lowe's to buy Daddy's Father's Day gift. He wanted a paint sprayer. Good Lord...how boring. But we bought one and then went to lunch at one of the oldest little dives in Tifton - Chicago's Pizza. They have wonderful pizzarolis (which are calzones), but they have jacked up their prices since I was small. I guess that's what it takes to survive in T-town these days. Lee drove down Saturday afternoon - after pulling an almost-all-nighter with those friends I mentioned in my last post. I got pissy and then decided I was being a baby...so I did my best to keep my mouth shut.

The wedding Saturday night was really beautiful...and PACKED! The bride was gorgeous, her sister (one of my best friends) looked amazing...the mother was drop dead... All as I had imagined actually. The reception was lots of fun - saw people I haven't seen in years. Some I was thrilled to see!! Some I avoided. I guess that's the way it goes. I'm sure someone in that room was probably avoiding me too. Regardless, had a great time.

Lee and I stayed in Tifton last night - which meant an early morning this morning and a long day today. But we have gotten past noon, so I will consider that in itself a feat.


Still working on wedding details - it is insane how much there is to do. I love it, though, and I get to indulge my inner control freak. muahahaha...

In the words of Will Farrell "...all my homies and my bitches say 'ho-hoe"

I feel the need, the need for a lobotomy... (6.17.05)

Tom Cruise has completely lost his mind. I mean, I'm all for love at first sight and shouting things from mountain tops...but my God. He is making a complete fool of himself. And of Katie Holmes. Obviously, this is just my opinion (this IS my blog/soap box, after all), but I just feel so differently about TC now than I used to.

And here's the thing about Katie - I mean, if one of my childhood celebrity crushes all of a sudden took an extreme interest in me, I would probably be swept off my feet as well. It would be hard not to get caught up in that rush of emotion. But it is all way too fast...and weird. And the whole scientology spin? What in the Hell is that all about?? Now KH has fired her rep and is hanging out with this Scientology chick around the clock. So "off" to me. Now, you may ask...why do I even care? I'm not sure, honestly...because it's more fun than working on insertion orders and leafing through media kits.

You do have to wonder what Chris Klein is thinking right now. I mean, is he laughing? Is he just watching television with his mouth agape? Is he burning pictures of the former Chris/Katie union ceremoniously while screaming "I HATE MAVERICK!" over and over? And what about Nicole Kidman? Good Lord, she has to be glad to be out of that circus. On to bigger/taller (hahahaha) and better things.

On another note - look at this Rant & Rave from my hometown newspaper:
If you do not have a driver's license to show when you go to vote, you will need a picture ID. You can get one at the old state patrol station on Fulwood Boulevard. Question: How do you get to the patrol station if you do not have a driver's license?

AHAHAAHAHAHAHA... Yes, that does pose a problem. Unless you have ANY relatives or friends that could possibly drop you off. WHAT??? So butt crazy and awesome. You have to love small town newspapers and all of their insight and issues.

Am headed to that very hometown today - looking forward to it. I love being home - it\\'s a good thing I'm getting married or I might just move back in. Is that weird?

Happy Friday!!

Sleepy-Do (6.16.05)

I know that I dedicated an entire entry to commercials a while back - well, another commercial that cracks me up is the AARP one with Ping. He can't do enough to help out society, so he clones himself. It's weird and hysterical. The best part is when he surprises his wife with breakfast in bed...she is pleased but then looks over to see a clone of Ping still asleep in the bed. She totally freaks out while Ping (or a clone of Ping) is saying, "Morning, sleepy do... Sleepy do?" Kills me every time.

My actual reason for the title is simply that I am tired. Sleepy sleepy sleepy. I have no good reason for it either - I went to Bunco last night (that was my first time...I was pleasantly surprised by the non-Stepford Wife vibe that I got), and I was home by midnight. Ate a little dinner, went to bed. But I tossed and turned all night - woke up at 3 and watch Greta Von Susteran interview poor Natalee Holloway's mother for about an hour (that case is haunting me...I just don't understand where the girl could be??).

So this morning when I woke up, I felt like I had an entire sand box in my eyes and that I needed at least 2 or 3 more hours of sleep. What a miserable feeling. And I've been fighting it all day! Even with coffee and Diet Coke. Oh well...enough bitching.

One of our friends who is Greek Orthodox is making dinner for a group tonight. It should be great - she's an amazing cook. So we will drink wine and eat well and be happy knowing that tomorrow is Friday. I am actually headed home again this weekend for the nuptials of a good friend's sister. This wedding is going to be an event - I cannot wait to see it. The bride is gorgeous, her sister is statuesque, her mother is ageless...and they all have great taste. I can't wait. I will take notes (but never hope to duplicate I'm afraid...these people are out of my league). ahah... Lee will join me in T-town on Saturday - one of his friends from Mississippi is coming into town tomorrow, so I gave him the night off. I am such an understanding and "cool" fiance. HA!

We had our first meeting with our preacher on Tuesday. I was scared to death going in...I mean, the man is so super nice, and I joined the church in February, so I've had to talk to him one-on-one before...but the whole thought of being "counseled" on marriage just gave me a panic attack. As usual, Lee was perfectly fine and unnerved...and he ended up having the right approach. The preacher was so perfect - caring and sweet and understanding and encouraging. I had a great time actually. We have two more meetings with him, and now I'm actually looking forward to them. A really touching coincidence: his first preacher as a young boy was MY first preacher growing up...the one that lead my confirmation classes and that I will always remember as my introduction into the church. That really felt like a sign to me. Brother Ben, thanks for looking down on us... :)

Well, off I go to do some work...I did so much billing yesterday that I thought, at one point, my brain was starting to spill out of my ears. False alarm.

Happy Thursday...another week, another blink of an eye.

New Leaf (6.15.05)

I am notoriously bad with money. This is not a secret to my family, my friends or my fiance. I have, yet again, miscalculated and ended up with far less money in my checking account than I should have. And that is so disheartening and depressing to me. In fact, this morning when I logged onto my bank account online, I actually put my hands over my eyes as if I were watching a horror movie. This has to stop - and I am deciding right this very second - that I am no longer going to put myself in this position.

Now, easier said than done...I know. And I have actually turned over this particular leaf several times...but now, with an impending marriage and "merger" of habits, bank accounts, and property, this is more important than ever. How nice would it be to actually be able to BREATHE toward the end of a pay cycle? I am going to start this Friday (day after payday), and make a penny-by-penny budget of where the money is going. Lee's dad suggested that we both do that just to see where our weaknesses lie. I am almost afraid of the truth (I can't handle the truth!), but you have to start somewhere. And pre-wedding, pre-babies is a good place to begin.

That said, I hate money. I hate how it has such an impact on our happiness and comfort level - I am not a materialistic person. Not in the least. But money affects me every single day - it can make or break my mood even. That makes me crazy. So that's why I am vowing to change my ways. I am tired of being ruled by my balance.

So there, currency!! Be gone! (no, I don't mean that...don't go...just don't be mean to me)

Michael Jackson, Star Wars, Tiffany (6.14.05)

All three of these are icons from my childhood. Michael Jackson's "Beat It" came out when I was 7 years old; Star Wars premiered when I was barely 2; Tiffany was the soundtrack of my 5th grade year... Now they are all back in the news and with a loss of innocence and lack of magic from what they once were.

Yesterday Michael Jackson was acquitted of all counts on a child molestation case. Saturday night I went to the movies and sat through almost three hours of a young Darth Vader fighting the urge to go to the dark side. Yesterday I saw a commercial for a show on NBC that is bringing back all washed up stars like Tiffany, Debbie Gibson and Vanilla Ice. It's just so bizarre. It doesn't seem that long ago that those washed up stars were on top of the world.

Now you may say that it's not fair to compare Star Wars to the likes of Michael Jackson and Tiffany, and that may be true. Its success is uncanny, actually. But in my eyes, it has become overdone and much less special than it was. It used to be a true event to go to a Star Wars movie. My Daddy and I would go to Eckerd's and buy Snickers (then pocketing them so we wouldn't have to get them triple-priced at the movie theatre), buy popcorn, cokes and settle in for an adventure. Saturday night, I probably looked at my watch 15 times during the movie. The acting seemed sub-par, the effects were cool...but kind of dumb. Anakin was moody and annoying. I don't know...it was disappointing.P

robably this all boils down to me approaching my 30th birthday and wanting to hold onto my youth. I hate for things to change so drastically - for someone who was such an idol for my generation (Jackson) to now be an almost-convicted child molester. For others who were probably on the VIP list at the Viper Room and Spago (Tiffany, Vanilla Ice, Debbie Gibson) to now be on an embarassing "second chance at fame" show on network television.

I am a little cynical today. My apologies. I just hope that my journey into adulthood doesn't end with me in court, boring people at the movies, or selling my soul to NBC.

Friday...At Long Last (6.10.05)

I can't believe we finally made it to the weekend. Fridays are, by far, the absolute best day of the week. You are right on the cusp of the weekend - looking at two days of sleeping in and doing whatever you damn well please. I have always loved Fridays - I remember being in elementary school and having my turquoise overnight bag with me at school all ready to go home with one of my friends.

I especially remember the days I was staying with one of my Beth's - I would ride the bus home with her, we would immediately take to the trampoline and play "Olympics" where we would make China and Russia do very poorly but America would score 10.0\'s. After the sun went down, we'd go in and order pizza...and settle into her stepdad's study to watch scary movies. Our favorite was "Don't Open the Door" - it was horrible and really poor quality, but we loved it as we snacked on Skittles and screamed and intermittently talked about what we were planning for Saturday.

There was one Saturday that we were especially motivated - we set up a lemonade stand on the golf course near Beth's house, and we were quite the success. We made $30 - which at the time might as well have been $1,000. We were thrilled! One of the golfers told us we should also sell beer...so we asked Beth's mom if we could. She said no. ahaha...

Beth and I also used to lie in her hammock - this was when we got a little older and were completely obsessed with boys. We also were obsessed with the modeling contests in Seventeen and YM magazines, so we took pictures of each other to send in. Looking back on all of that makes me smile - I had such great times in my childhood.

Beth and I lived together for 3 years in college, we were sorority sisters, I was in her wedding, and she is in mine this October. Such an amazing friend...and what a history we have!

I actually didn't mean for this entry to be a walk down memory lane, but it did my heart good. So I guess that is mission accomplished.

Lee and I have no plans for the weekend - except to cut the grass (which reminds me of the yard in "Honey, I shrunk the kids" when the children are surrounded by huge blades of grass) and to attempt to redo our Save the Date cards. Lord help us.

I am a little sleepy today - we had much fun last night celebrating Tonya's 30th birthday. Girly dinner, wine, and then later Pinkie's. Made for an early morning, but I actually think I may be becoming an adult. I was home by midnight.

Well, off to do some work. I am happier now than I was when I sat down at my desk this morning - was therapeutic to remember the good ol' days.

Beth...want to rent scary movies and order pizza????

Loopy (6.9.05)

That describes me right now - to a "t" - I just finished a really big project for the president (of the company...not of the U.S.), and I think I may have done a pretty good job. Tomorrow is Friday. I am going out tonight with girlfriends for one's 30th birthday to a fun, girly restaurant and then to our favorite "haunt" Pinkie Masters... AND, I got TONS done today for the wedding.

Yippee! Hoorah! IMAWE!

I am also not going to lose sight of yesterday's revelation and, by doing that, I am realizing that the small accomplishments are small (but still very much fun and make for a great mood at the end of a Thursday).

Oh, I am also completely caught up on Thank You notes - what a great feeling. AND...I ran/walked yesterday. I'm so on top of things right now - I'm sure it will take at least 24 hours for me to get back down to the bottom of things. ;)

Observation of the Day: Bark is extremely resilient. There is a piece of pine bark that has been propping open one of the doors in our parking garage for 4 days now. Impressive.

Relativity (6.8.05)

All of my personal "planning snafoos" lately have really gotten to me. I had a bit of a breakdown yesterday afternoon, after my florist called to make sure I knew that the reception hall is going through an identity crisis. I just started feeling like I was the only one with anything invested in this whole wedding - which is silly, and all I ever had to do was ask for help.

Lee immediately got on the phone and called the owner of the reception hall at home (oops), and we talked with him until our nerves were calmed. He is absolutely going to honor the contract we signed with his original lessee, and he has already hired a replacement (we got his name this morning). I have a new concierge now who has saved my life (her name is Jill Smith and if you ever need ANYTHING as far as reservations or any travel-related services...call her!! Her website is www.desinationssouthernstyle.com ), and she has really been working hard to make sure we have enough rooms blocked off. She's also working on our transportation from the ceremony to the reception etc etc.

Ok, all of this self-absorbed crap just to explain that last weekend, I got a real dose of humble pie. I had two extremely special guests at my party last Saturday...my best childhood friend, and another friend of mine from high school (and beyond). My earliest friend is recovering from Hodgkins disease (has the Sinead O'Connor 'do right now), is raising two little boys who are 3 and almost 6, working on her PhD at the University of Alabama, and is doing all of this sans partner. She's only 30 years old.

The second of my friends is raising a child who has down syndrome. I went Sunday to visit the little family - it's her, her husband and their precious little girl. I just kept thinking, "How in the world have I been so narrow minded and selfish not to think about other people and the struggles they're going through..." I mean, I wrote one a letter and called her a few times, and I sent a present to the baby when she was born...but I have not done all I could have done. It was extremely humbling.

So, my mission now is to really think about things before I get worked up. I need to count my blessings, and thank God for all of the wonderful people in my life and all of the things that have gone right for me. It is such a struggle to do this...I wonder why.

Reception: Take Two (6.7.05)

I was telling Lee's mother last night that planning this wedding could be my full-time job. It is that time-consuming and that stressful. But, honestly, I have enjoyed every minute of it - until this latest debacle.

I have now talked to the owner of the reception hall twice, my caterer 4 times, a new hotel concierge 3 times, my mother 237 times, and have left about 5 messages for the Ex wedding coordinator. This is exhausting! I still am not positive that we have the reception hall (although we have paid a $1,500 deposit). We also are trying to book rooms with our new concierge, and I'm finding out that all the rooms that I thought our old wedding coordinator had put on hold...are not on hold. So basically we are starting from scratch. And, of course, October is peak tourist season here in Savannah, so getting blocks of rooms is close to impossible.

Breathe...

If we don't have the reception hall, we will need to try to book something else right away. Since we already have a caterer, florist, bartender and booze, and band, it will have to be someplace that you needn't use their food nor bar. So much to think about right now... I just pray that it all works out.

I know that there are much bigger and more serious problems out there, and I am trying not to be completely self-centered about all of this...but it has thrown me for a bit of a loop. And you, my blog, are having to take the brunt of it. Sorry about that.

On a happy note, we have no plans this weekend. That is amazing. And I'm looking so forward to some down time. I guess I will also need to use part of that time to figure out some of the wedding stuff.

Sorry for the less-than-entertaining entry...I guess not everyday can be pulitzer quality, right?

New York Minute (6.7.05)

I'm posting this so I won't forget and/or lose this email - it's a chronicle of mine and Lee's NYC trip back in January 2004.

This trip was almost the vacation that never was...Lee and I planned (and booked) it way back in October, and we were supposed to be spending a week in the city that never sleeps during the latter part of December. Unfortunately, because we are a work-driven, no-rest-for-the-weary society, our jobs got in the way a bit and we had to postpone. After a teency emotional and dramatic outburst on my part, Lee rescheduled for January. heh heh heh...

We arrived on Sunday, January 18th to a sludgy, snowy, freezing La Guardia. Spent six years at baggage claim and seventeen more waiting for a taxi, then we were on our way. Luckily Lee and I both have good (and generous) friends in Manhattan, so we were able to crash at their houses. First on the list - Lisa Lawrence. Lisa lives in Murray Hill (upper East Side) - precious place - doorman and everything. We had a few beers, invited Lee's friends, Seth & Jen, over...and proceeded to our first bar of the trip.

Cute little place - actually very casual and Athens-esque. The tables were barrels, they were playing excellent music...felt right at home. After a few drinks there, we went to Mexican Radio - great restaurant. Oh yeah...we saw an aging soap star macking on a 20-year-old...they were a table away. ha ha... Oh, and comic relief: I laughed at a girl that slipped on the ice outside of the restaurant and then fell myself. Have a hematoma. Nice, eh? That's karma for you.

The next morning, Lisa the Shopping Guru, took Lee and I down to Soho, Canal Street and the West Village. We shopped until we dropped (ie: until Lee started yawning), and then he went and met up with Seth at ESPN zone where they challenged little boys to basketball games and laughed evilly when they beat them. Lisa and I went over to Bloomingdale's (hell yes) and then went and had a manicure and mini-massage (very reasonable! less than three beers at a bar...). I then met up with Lee & Seth at an Irish bar where they had made friends with an eccentric and generous bartender who was carrying around a Nelson record. Only in NYC.

Tuesday morning, Lee and I set out to explore the touristy aspects of Manhattan. We dropped our million suitcases off at Seth's (five-story walk-up...I nearly died)...and then rode the train down to the Financial District. Right when we came up out of the subway (yes, I am a pro at the N, R and 1, 2, 3 trains...) we were at the site of the WTC. It was really an incredible sight - the "footprint" is huge...bigger than I would've thought. And it was just so mind-boggling to think that there were such awesome buildings there at one time...with so many people in them. Really takes your breath away.

It was such a clear, sunny day - but FREEZING cold. We ventured across the street to Century 21 - an extremely overwhelming department store. So overwhelming in fact, that I had a terrible nose-bleed in the shoe section. Actually I think that was due to the temperature change from outside to inside...but regardless, it was embarrassing and gross. So, we decided that store wasn't for us...

We then froze our asses off going to see the Statue of Liberty - worth the trip, but my God, was it ever freezing. I'm talking about painful wind and frozen noses... you can take the girl out of Georgia... Finally we headed back to the warmth of Seth and Jen's. Ahhh... long day but a really touching one. Tuesday night, the gracious couple took us to a bar near their house (Cleopatra's needle) and then to a family-style Italian restaurant called Carmine's. So much fun...good company and lots of meatballs.

Wednesday was Lee's birthday and our designated Museum Day. Again the weather was clear and deceptively sunny...with a high in the low 20's. Damn cold in other words. We took a cab across Central Park to Museum Mile...where we hailed the absolute worst cabdriver in the history of taxis. He didn't know where the Guggenheim was (which, as it turned out, was 8 blocks North of where we were standing...). Finally, we got him an address and we decided that to punish him, we would burp in tandem all the way to our destination. Lee and I were crying with laughter by the time we arrived, and then the cabby said, "Where is the museum?" Lee laughed and said, "Um, it's that HUGE white building to your left..." Hilarious. Anyway, as we were getting out, Robert Klein (comedian) comes to take over our cab. I impressed him with my eloquence by telling him that the cabdriver "sucked." Robert (first-name basis, you see)...said, "Hey...you got here alive!" Our only celebrity tete a tete.

The Guggenheim was fantastic - I loved it...could've stayed there all day. Then we went to the Museum of Natural History where we seemed to gravitate time and again to the monkeys. What is it about monkeys that is so funny?

After Lee declared himself "Museum'd Out" we went to the Oak Room at the Plaza for a birthday glass of champagne. What a great bar...expensive but great. Wednesday night, Seth and Jen took us to this tiny little Mexican restaurant called Tortilla Flats - they have hula hoop contests (no, we didn't participate...dammit) and all kinds of distractions. It was awesome. After dinner, we visited Hogs & Heifer's (appropriate after a Mexican meal)...the bartenders were terrible bitches with bullhorns, but after I danced on the bar, they shut their traps. heh heh heh...

Thursday was by far mine and Lee's favorite - we took a taxi down to Carnegie Deli and split the biggest sandwich I've ever seen... From there, we went down to Rosie O' Grady's and had a few drinks...then to Rockefeller Center. So very cool...especially the freaks on the ice that we laughed at until we almost wet ourselves. We took another taxi to Tavern on the Green...such a beautiful spot. The interior was about as gauche and gaudy as you can get, but it was still a great place to see. We had two glasses of wine much to the chagrin of the waitstaff (who were between lunch and dinner shifts)...and then took a really wonderful rickshaw through snowy Central Park. It was perfect, and our little "driver" Peter was phenomenal. He was the perfect tour guide.

Thursday night, Lee spent with Seth and Jen, and I had a "girls' night" with Lisa and her friend, Nancy. We went to Da Silvano's where we saw millions of beautiful people who I'm sure were famous in their own right, but we couldn't place them... ate a delicious meal and then went to Serendipity for the biggest sundaes in the history of all things sweet and yummy. Incredible.

Friday, after a slight mishap with my license (ended up finding it - not worth getting into)...Lee and I traveled down to Times Square. We had drinks atop the Marriott Marquis in their dining room/bar "The View" that rotates a full 360 degrees. It was sunset and sooo gorgeous - perfect last evening. We then had dinner at an Asian fusion restaurant called Ruby Foo's in Times Square...phenomenal food. Lee and I had to roll ourselves out of there.

So, there ends our trip - we left Saturday with empty pockets and huge, goofy smiles... it was the absolute best trip. Cold but so much fun, and we saw everything that we possibly could. If any of you made it to the end of this email...you are either very bored or you must really like me. heh heh...

Ahhhh... the end. Start spreading the news...

Fiesta! (6.6.05)

Work is such a let down after a weekend like I had... I could not have ASKED for the "parents meeting parents" to go better - it was perfect. We got to Tifton Friday afternoon, everyone freshened up, and then Lee and I picked up his parents from their hotel. I think the nerves ended the minute we all got to my parents' house. We had champagne (with strawberries in the actual flutes...my mom is incredible) and we all chatted for awhile, then we headed to dinner.

Dinner lasted a long time - which I took as a good sign - everyone had a little story to tell, and we all laughed a lot. Very enjoyable evening. Saturday morning, my aunts and Grandma came in droves to our house to set up for the party...and I had my first fitting for my wedding dress. I had asked Lee's mother if she would like to come (and Beth - matron of honor - was meeting me there), so I was off!

If you've never been to one of these"fittings", let me tell you...it is exhausting! I probably would not have believed that either, but I'm not being a brat. You have to stand up (in HEELS) for over an hour while people stick pins in the dress, make you walk, tell you to turn this way and that...and generally treat you like a mannequin. But after it was all over, I was thrilled to have gone and to have had both my future mother-in-law and one of my best friends there with me.

The actual party - wow! We had an incredible time! It rained on and off during the day, and we were really holding our breath about the weather...but it turned out to be a very nice night (dry and almost no mosquitos - unheard of for June in Tifton). The beer was flowing like wine...and I didn't even take my pants off! ahahaha... It was great -to those of you who were there...you have no idea how much it meant to us that everyone came. The last guests left at 3am - we had the absolute best time. I am still smiling.

Well, I WAS still smiling until I just thought about my ex wedding planner - apparently, she was fired from her position at the reception hall. But she decided not to let anyone know. (????) We are going to have to redo all of our Save the Date cards (which I just finished last week), and we have to find a new wedding coordinator. But I do think we still have the venue, so I am counting my blessings at this point.

I will continue to keep the blog posted about this"hiccup" in our planning. I am starting to understand the Bridezilla concept...I have never been this willing to pick up the phone and cuss someone out. Something takes over your body. I think it has to do with the fitting - they sqeeze all the air out of you. It's maddening.

Pedicures, Pedi-Cabs & Petty Crimes (6.3.05)

In the past week, I have experienced all three of these. The pedicure and pedicab were quite enjoyable (only my second pedicure ever...and this was a treat from my friend, Tonya, who is also a born-again girly-girl...the color of my toes is "Cajun Shrimp" - shellfish on my feet).

Anyway, the pedicab was kind of a fluke - last Sunday we were all on River Street watching a band - since we had Monday off - and it was getting late. I told Tonya that I needed to call a cab...and lo and behold, she whips out her cell phone and has "Pedicab" programmed and ready! ahaha... So, I called the pedicab, and he came and delivered me from sin. Very enjoyable way to ride home and see the sights.

Here lies the parallel in the two: although I enjoyed both of these experiences, I felt incredibly uncomfortable. It was a really bad feeling having someone wait on me and cart me around and scrub the rough parts off of my heels...ugh! I just felt like fake royalty. I even asked the pedicab guy (his name was Rusty) if I could pedal us at least halfway. I just felt so guilty with him sweating and tired lugging my tipsy self home. And same with the little pedicurist...who am I to sit up in some elevated seat, reading an In-Touch magazine, and making another person push down my cuticles?
Commerce is commerce...but some things just border on servitude. Anyway, my feet look great and I didn't have to get into a nasty cab, so I guess all is right with the world...just an observation.

The Petty Crime I mentioned has to do with my EX wedding coordinator and the 17 heart attacks I had last night as we rode by our reception hall and saw it PADLOCKED and with a "For Rent" sign in the window. More on that later...

Off to my weekend of parents meeting parents and friends drinking beer - yah!

Have a Tropicana morning... (6.2.05)

Are there commercials that make you happy? I know, for the most part, commercials are aggravating and can really get under your skin...but are there any that make you inherently gleeful? I think I am a weirdo (well, I know that I am)...but there are several commercials that can just make my day. Maybe it's because I work in advertising - but I really don't think so - I think I am just odd.

The commercial that has inspired me this 2nd day of June is the Tropicana commercial...there are a couple of different varieties, but they all have this great jingle where this soothing voice is singing, "Good morning...good morning...have a - Tropicana morning..." I just love it. Lee knows - he's seen me dancing and jigging to it during the Today Show. Amazing how something so small can help your morning. Oh, and the best part is...I bought a carton of Tropicana the other day! BECAUSE it had the tagline (Have a Tropicana morning) ON the carton! And I can't even really drink orange juice! Because of my mauled up tummy, it gives me searing pains the minute I take a sip...but I bought it anyway. Therein lies the power of advertising. Long live this assy industry.

Tonight my future in-laws arrive in Savannah to take us out to dinner. I'm so lucky...they are the easiest and most pleasant couple to be around (and I'm not just saying that because my fiance has access to this blog). They're fun and cool and love to have a good time, but they are solid and compassionate and down to earth, too. I am actually getting excited for them to meet my parents (which happens tomorrow - YIKERS!) - I adore my parents, and I adore Lee's parents...so we will have a great time. As long as I can keep from nervously chatting to fill up space and making everyone uncomfortable.

Yesterday, I went to Toys R Us to buy my future nephew (Lee's sister's child) a birthday present. We were getting him a gift card, so that was the easy part. The hard part was picking out a birthday card - my God, there are so many "characters" - SpongeBob, Dora, RugRats, Pokemon, Yu Gi Oh, Sesame Street, Looney Tunes...I didn't know who was "in" and who was "out"! It was stressful (on top of my stressful morning, where I let loose at work and accidentally let the f-word fly...oops). I settled on a Yu-Gi-Oh card (which I know future nephew liked at Christmas...who knows if that still holds), and went up to the checkout counter.

The checkout girl asked for my area code and phone number (what is that about?), and I gave her my zip code. :( Felt stupid. Then I corrected myself, and for some reason gave the obligatory, "Oh! I thought you meant zip code..." To which she gave me a look like, "No shit." Anyway, after this whole debacle, I was walking to my car and looked at my receipt...the checkout girl's name was Tequila! At Toys R Us! What's next?? Customer service manager, Jack Daniels! ahahahahahaa... I loved it.

Ok, off to work on the impossible task of invoice reconciliation. I need a Diet Coke...must find quarters...

Rain, Rain, Go Away (6.1.05)

Rainy weather has a way of seeping into that space behind your eyes and making you long for good books and clean sheets and hours upon hours of sleep. That is what I'm fighting right now as I face a to-do list filled with billing and filing and talking to faceless, slimy reps... God help me.

Other than that small complaint, the week is looking pretty good. First of all, it\'s already Wednesday! Hallelujah for short weeks! Lee's parents are coming in tomorrow and taking us to dinner, which will be a real treat since we've been living on ramen noodles and eggs (we have no idea where our money goes...we need to hire an investigator - except we can't pay him). Friday, we all head down to Tifton - it's time for the Parents to "Meet the Parents" - eeeek! I know it will all go smoothly, but there is that tiny nagging fear that something weird will happen (a la Steve Martin in "Father of the Bride" hanging from a ledge outside the window of his soon-to-be inlaws' home). I will keep my fingers crossed, though, and take solace in the fact that neither of our dads are as curious (or as funny) as Steve Martin.

Saturday is our first actual party as the engaged couple. It's a "fiesta" thrown by my aunts and uncles at my parents' house. It seems like we're going to have a great turnout...and believe it or not, I think the weather is going to hold out! Again...fingers crossed. I told my brother that I was thinking of shooting tequila and taking my pants off. That would certainly prove entertaining and memorable.

**Note to reader: I am a sarcastic and off-the-wall girl...I would not take my pants off at a party (especially one in which my Grandma will be present), but I love shock effect...and Will Farrell.

Well, if I can make it through the morning (and the GRAND temptation to fall asleep to the rain), then I'll be home free. So, off to my media world of ring binders, invoices, excel charts and murder.

Adios! (getting in the mood for our "fiesta")

My first entry - "Here we go!" (5.26.05)

Wow...my first blog. I have the distinct feeling that having this portal is going to greatly affect my work, but hopefully it will also affect the part of me that never gets to write. I think that's the most important thing.
About me - hmmm...is there a place to post my "biography" or do I do it here...? Ok, a brief glimpse: I'm a 29 year old girl (woman?) living in Savannah, Georgia. I work at an advertising agency - had big plans to be a writer but am now a media planner and buyer (which I really do like...thank goodness). I am getting married in October...I have a sheltie named Charlie...I have lived in Georgia my entire life. Does that make me seem sheltered? Probably. But I am actually very open-minded and adventurous. I just love Georgia.
This is it for the moment...I am going to do a little studying up on what this Blog entails and what it has to offer, and I will be back.

From the beginning...

Well, I had a blog for a couple of years at warbleme.com...when the site went defunct (not sure why exactly), I just simply quit blogging. Bad idea - it's good for the soul. Anyway, a dear friend of mine was able to salvage all of my old entries, so I will start by posting them from oldest to newest. We will go from there... SO glad to be back - I hope I can find all of my old blogging buddies.
Yeeeeeeeee...and away we go!!