Warbleme

Ok, this time I mean it...

2011-03-05T15:23:00.001-08:00

I am no longer going to slack off on this blog. Seriously. So here we go...

Made a trip to Home Depot today to buy plantation blinds for 21 windows and doors in our new house. Lee has now installed one and is moving on to number two - this is going to be a long night, friends. But we're so glad to have a weekend to actually start tackling the projects we've known we wanted to do... since we moved in December 3rd, things have been NUTS. We were gone most of December, and then starting in January, we've either traveled or had houseguests almost every weekend. This weekend, we domesticate.

I have also found out about two people - one a good friend, and one a friend of a friend - who are going through some pregnancy scares. It always amazes me how strong people are during these scary times...but then I think back to when we were going through it, and people probably thought the same of us. It's not necessarily strength - or it wasn't for us - but more just that "peace that surpasses understanding." Scary times and whenever I'm introduced to a new story, my heart breaks and I remember all over again. But I'm glad I can give some empathy, hopefully some comfort - especially in looking at how amazing Annalee is doing now. Feisty, smart, precocious three year old... that doesn't have to go back to the cardiologist until NEXT spring. Ahhh... we are more than blessed.

Ok, I will leave you now - we ask for your prayers for our friends (old and new) and for us as we install millions of blinds this evening. ;) I'll be back soon!!

Heartbroken But Hopeful

2010-10-05T13:38:00.000-07:00

It saddens me to no end to have to type this - but Baby Ewan (whom I mentioned in my previous post) lost his battle and went to be with God. His mother is so incredibly brave in sharing her story and her thoughts and feelings - I became attached to their little family over the course of a few weeks, and my heart just breaks for them. Please keep them in your prayers.

As heartbroken as I am for Ewan, I am cheering and have great hope for Baby Jordan. He is at Egleston now awaiting the first of his three surgeries. He will have the same surgeon as Annalee, and their family has been on my heart and mind so much. Please also keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

I am humbled by these families and their willingness to share their stories and their fears, hopes and hurt. I have been holding Annalee a little tighter lately having become reacquainted with the heart baby world. We are so incredibly lucky to have our miracle baby, and although I've never taken that for granted... I am thankful to be reminded to count our blessings.

Sending up prayers...

2010-09-29T11:11:00.000-07:00

It took me a while to be able to follow other heart babies' stories... it was just a little too close to home. But soon after Annalee was almost a year old, I began to delve back in - one eye closed - to the world of heart babies and their precious, fearful, hopeful parents who dare to share their stories online.

Part of following these babies' stories is therapeutic - it makes me realize how much we have to be thankful for and how far Annalee has come. Another part of me wants to follow these stories because I almost have to... why should I be done with "that world" just because Annalee is healthy? Things could have gone down a completely different path, and I feel a real need to stay connected to that world. Almost a calling to pray for these tiny babies and their little broken hearts.

Right now I have two special heart babies on my mind - one is Baby Ewan. Little Ewan is barely a week old and has already had surgery, several cath lab visits and is such an inspiration. His parents are scared to death - as you can imagine - but their faith is amazing. The other little one I have on my heart and brain is Baby Jordan. Jordan is due in about six days - there is a lot of fear and anxiety about his heart as well... he has been diagnosed with HLHS (Annalee's original diagnosis), and I know it's such a scary time for his family. Please keep both of these amazingly brave families in your prayers... I have been where they are, and it's a dark and lonely place. Prayers can make all the difference in the world.

I'm going to leave it at that for now... nothing I can say after talking about these little ones seems very important. Just keep them in mind and send good vibes. Heart families are a special breed of people and heart babies are such fighters. I have my little fiery 3 year old heart baby to prove it. :)

New Beginnings...

2010-09-24T18:40:00.001-07:00

It has been almost a year and a half since I updated this Blog... sinful :) But I was inspired by two very special heart mommies to start writing again, and here we are.

A lot has changed - we are now in Greenville, South Carolina... Annalee is three years old... we are joining a new church and navigating this new state and home town - it's not where I thought I'd be a year ago, but I'm learning that it can be good.

So here we go... a new beginning brought about by empathy and concern for families who went through what we went through. What a special and confusing cycle...

Praying for Emma Kate...

2009-02-25T07:48:00.000-08:00

I have been following the progress and journey of little Emma Kate Keisler - she is an HLHS baby whose parents I connected to through little Sammy's mom, Erika.

She had surgery this morning and is stable and doing well - continue to think about this precious little girl, her parents and her sister. She has the same surgeon (super man) that Annalee had - Dr. Paul Kirshbom. He is a miracle worker, and I am hoping EK will be good to go after today.

You can follow Emma Kate's mommy's blog here.

She is a precious little girl...I know they can all use everyone's support.

Thanks!!

Two Years Ago Today...

2009-02-20T09:49:00.000-08:00

This is probably going to be a little tough for me to write - and I thought about NOT acknowledging this day, but something is making me want to do this. To put it on "paper." To remember and be thankful. So, here goes nothing...

Two years ago today - February 20, 2007 - Lee and I were on our way to see Dr. Edwards in Savannah for my 20-week ultrasound. We had so much going on - Lee was actually planning to leave straight from the appointment to go to Tifton...he had interviewed, gotten and accepted a job (the job he has now), and was starting that very day. He was going to be staying with my parents in Tifton until we sold our house in Savannah and we were able to buy something there...which I found kind of hilarious. I mean, who wants to live with their in-laws?? But he was totally fine with it, and (this really is true) my parents are the coolest...so I was happy about the arrangement.

Anyway, our appointment was at 8:50 that Tuesday morning - it was cold, foggy, and just kind of miserable outside. We took separate cars so that Lee could get on the road after the appointment and I could drive on to work. I was nervous, but that was to be expected. I was mostly just excited - and I was POSITIVE that we were going to find out that we were having a little boy. I just knew it. And Lee was just as positive that we were having a little girl... so we had a little friendly competition going on.

We made our way into the ultrasound room with our tech, Angie. She asked us if we wanted to know the sex of the baby - a resounding "YES!" to that question. Then she got me all settled, gell'd me up and got to work. We found out within seconds that we were having a little girl (Lee won), and she was showing us the head, arms, feet, toes, etc. etc. Then, Angie got really quiet. Too quiet. I immediately panicked and asked what was going on. That was the moment that changed our lives forever.

"Guys, I hate to tell you this...but something's not right with her heart."

To be honest, I don't remember too much after that. It's extremely blurry and comes in bits and pieces. I completely lost it - I do remember that - and Angie mentioned some things to Lee (I did catch something about "left side not developing" - that piece of information stuck), and then she shuffled us out the building and into the back door of my ob's office. This, I figured out later, was to keep us from upsetting the other patients. I get that - I do - no one who is pregnant wants to see another pregnant woman bawling about something she just saw on an ultrasound. You're talking contagious panic - coupled with hormones; that can't happen at an ob/gyn's office.

So, there we were, in tears, sitting in one of Dr. Edwards' patient rooms listening to him tell us that he "...wishes he could tell us it would be ok. blah blah blah blah..." It was excruciating. And I wanted to know what to do next. He called over to the Savannah Perinatologists' office to try to get us an appointment. No dice. He told us it might be a few days before they could see us. A few days?! How are you supposed to deal with that kind of information - which basically is NO information - for a few days? But, we had no choice.

Lee called his new boss and briefly explained the situation. I got into my car - called my mother first. One of the hardest phrases I've ever uttered was, "Mama, there's something wrong with her heart..." Then I fell apart. I was just so helpless. I called my best friend, Beth, next - said the same thing to her...fell apart again.

Lee and I both drove to our house in Savannah - we were panicked. I have never truly understood the meaning of having someone pull the rug out from under you until that moment. I was a wreck. I didn't have the strength to call work, so I sent an email. I just couldn't bear talking to them, even though many of them were close friends. Lee and I talked - trying to piece together what we could remember from the nightmare at Dr. Edwards' office...I thought I remembered the word "syndrome" - Lee was devastated at that because it meant the problem was probably not isolated. His devastation threw me into a deeper panic...it was a truly terrible few hours.

We called Dr. Edwards again - trying to clarify if we indeed heard "syndrome," trying to get more information, trying - in vain - to get some peace of mind. All we got was more confusion - and Dr. Edwards told me that whatever I did, do NOT get on the Internet and start searching for things. He said I would only make myself crazy. Yeah, right. Like I didn't jump right into that brier patch.

Our appointment with the perinatologist was not until about 3 days later - we could not just sit there. It was truly torture. So I decided that we should both go to Tifton - Lee could go ahead and start work the next day, and we could still be together, and I could get a little added support from my parents. It was a wonderful decision. I have never needed family so much in my life.

The next few days were pure, unadulterated Hell. The "why us" - the "what did I do wrong?" - the "what could I have done differently?"...the questions you ask yourself over and over and over that can never truly be answered.

Heading back to Savannah was tough. It was like going back to the belly of the beast and asking for more. My mom came back with us so that she could stay with me in Savannah when Lee had to go back to Tifton. The doctor's appointment was more stressful than anything I could have ever imagined - so many people told us (before that appointment and afterward) about similar experiences that just "fixed themselves" - it was so tempting to hope for an outcome like that...but so dangerous to lull yourself into that false place.

Anyway, the fetal echo cardiogram did show underdevelopment on the left side of the heart. When we went in to talk to the doctor about the "diagnosis," he brought up Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. I already knew. I had been on the computer constantly - unbeknownst to Lee - digging into every heart defect website I could find. That was the "syndrome" that I found that dealt with the left side of the heart...and it was, apparently, the most serious heart defect that an infant can have. It requires 3 surgeries - all open heart and all extremely complicated and dangerous. I even knew the year of the first successful three surgeries (1978)...I knew more than I should have known. And more than I wanted to know.

I spent a lot of time by myself those first few months - Lee was in Tifton working, and even though my parents tried to share time with me in Savannah, that was not an easy arrangement. I am not sure how I got through...I found strength I didn't know I had. I found something called "Heart Mommies" online, and I read voraciously about their plights and their ups and downs. I educated myself - prepared myself for the worst - prayed, cried, watched American Idol, went to work, ate, cried some more...it was a painful and frightening time.

We officially moved to Tifton on April 2nd, 2007. I had somewhat come to peace with our situation at that point...not totally, but I was trying. We moved into our new house, we ordered our crib and baby furniture; we did things that were very, very hard to do without knowing what lay ahead. But we did it - and that point in time made us a stronger couple (and family). On April 25, 2007, Lee, myself and my parents headed up to Atlanta for our first appointment with the doctors at Sibley Heart Center with the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

That was a very long day - we had several appointments. Met with the pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Nanci Stauffer, met with our perinatologist at Northside Hospital (where I gave birth), and my brand new OB, Dr. Richard Robbins.

To bring this chapter of our very long story to an end, we found out that day that our diagnosis was no longer HLHS...it had been officially changed to Coarctation of the Aorta. You would have thought someone gave us a winning Lotto ticket. By this point, I had read about every CHD there was, and I knew the significant difference between HLHS and CoA - and it was huge. There would still be surgery - that was almost guaranteed - but our little one was probably going to be ok.

Man, I could go on forever - and this is the first time I've actually written about all of this...wasn't sure how it would go or how much I had forgotten. Not much, apparently. How could I, really? Anyway, we are a very, very lucky family - with an amazing, beautiful, smart, healthy little girl. I will follow this entry up with her birth and surgery when the spirit moves me, but for now I will look back on this day - exactly two years ago - and be thankful for what I have and what we have been through.

Wow.

Brrrrr...

2009-02-04T07:49:00.001-08:00

It's a chilly morning here in South Georgia...and that is rare. It must be why I really like cold weather so much - for the simple fact that we don't get much!! It is supposed to be 19 degrees tonight - and that, my friends, is frigid. And I love it.

We had a good weekend - Friday night we left Annalee with my parents and hung out with friends at their house...I vowed that we would be home by 11, but we somehow pushed that until 1am. It was well worth it, though. They have two little ones, and I think the older we get, and the more responsibility we all have, the more we enjoy just having some wine and talking with other adults. It was great fun. And it was cold that night, too...heaven.

Saturday night was the LOLA event - Love of the Love Affair. Now the Love Affair is an arts festival that's held the first weekend of May in Tifton - has been going on as long as I remember. After moving back to Tifton, I was recruited to be on the Arts Council which is in charge of the dear old festival. Let me tell you, all of those years I attended it...I never, ever realized what kind of work goes into putting it on. It's incredible. So Saturday night we had a dinner and silent auction to help raise money - as everyone knows, the economy right now is not condusive to fundraising, but we did ok. And the event was lots of fun for everyone involved. It's just amazing to me that I never realized what a big production the Love Affair was...I will never take any sort of hometown event for granted ever again!

Beth is coming to visit this weekend - I am beyond excited. I haven't seen her in months which is rare for us...I am in desperate need of some good Beth Time - it's just what the doctor ordered.

Alright, back to work...and to secretly enjoying being chilly...

How Embarrassing...

2009-01-28T08:05:00.000-08:00

I used to be such a good blogger - I really did. I am going to blame my lack of entries on having an 18 month old and a part-time job. So there.

Just signed up for Twitter - am still not exactly sure what you get out of it, but since I am in marketing, I need to educate myself on all social media. And I think it will be fun when I get the swing of it. Along with slacking on my blog, I have quit following all of my favorite bloggers - I'm on a mission to find them all again and get caught up on their lives. Not sure if there are enough hours in the day for all of this, but I'm willing to give it a whirl.

So, like I said, Annalee is now 18 months old. She's such a blessing...and so funny and smart - and bad. I have been reading two blogs in particular lately about a little girl (Emma Kate) who has HLHS... This was the heart defect diagnosis originally given to Annalee in utero. Emma Kate just had her 2nd heart surgery and is in the hospital - I found her parents through Erika who is mommy to Samson. When I first heard the acronym "HLHS," I did what all Gen X'ers do...felt sorry for myself and then went straight to Google. I ran across Erika's blog, and I cannot tell you what comfort that gave me. Although Annalee's diagnosis changed from HLHS to Coarctation of the Aorta (much less serious), I still feel a kinship with the HLHS parents. Annalee still did have to have heart surgery, so in that I can relate...and because we were so very lucky, I feel like it is partly my duty to follow these other families and give them my support and prayers. Anyway, that said...Emma Kate's parents have inspired me to start this up again :)

I saw this poem on Emma Kate's mommy's site - made me cry:

Twas the night that you joined us...all eyes were on earth.
Awaiting with joy for a most special birth.
The angel's stood ready...for each need and care,
But all of them knew... that the Lord would be there,
And I labored on... and daddy was scared,
We waited...and wondered... and hoped we'd prepared.
We knew you were special...but so very sick,
Yet hope had grown in me... with every kick.
And soon it was time...into this world you came,
I heard a soft cry... then I called out your name....
And God held your hands...while the angels stood by,
Since I could not hold you...they hushed your soft cries.
One small angel looked to the father and smiled,
"Can you truly teach hope... through such a small child"?
"An infant so helpless...a baby so new...
"Oh please tell me Lord...is this what you will do"?
God looked from the angel...to the baby's sweet face,
"Through her my young charge... they will learn about grace".
"I penned this child's journey...quite a long time ago,
"And through her great courage...such true love will grow".
"Every hair on her head has been numbered you see.."
"It's my hope that through her... they will learn to see me.
"Oh my little one with a special heart... Great love will see you through.."
"See look that is your family.. They've been waiting for you.."
"I send you to their waiting arms...for a time we'll be apart.."
"But I'll always be with you...for I live within your heart."
And so we held you in our arms...And thanked our Lord above..
In you...we see the miracle, of His undying love.
So when it's Christmas morning, And I watch my children play,
I'll need no great reminders, For I see my gifts each day.

-Stephanie (Mommy to Braeden, HLHS)

Ok, enough for now...I'll be back later. :)

New Beginnings...

2008-09-10T18:06:00.001-07:00

Well, I was not quite finished copying/pasting all of my old entries into this brand new blog...when - lo and behold - my precious (!) husband decided to move all of "that clutter" off of the desktop and into some hidden (read: nonexistant) folder. Anyway...all gone. We were able to recover lots of my work documents - thank God - but warbleme from Spring of 2006 until Spring of 2007 is gone forever. Moment of silence.

Ok...so back to the present.

There is so much that happened between Spring of '06 and now that it overwhelms me to try and put in all down...I will bullet it for now. When I have time (and energy), I will go back and detail some of these significant events.

Spring '06 - we moved into our house in the 'burbs and settled in quite nicely among the vinyl siding and postage stamp yards

Summer '06 - the housewarming party to end all others...we had a BLAST. Guarantee you Stonebridge has not seen a party like that since (even the cops came...classic)

Fall '06 - I found out I was pregnant on 11/11...and proceeded to freak out. Took a shower, went back to bed, cried a bit. Eventually I got used to the idea and Lee I were ecstatic

Winter '07 - In February (the 20th, to be exact), we went in for our 20-week ultrasound to find out if Baby Huff was girl or boy...and found out that she had a heart problem. The weeks and months that followed were pretty horrendous...but we kept getting better and better news (this is one of the stories I will have to detail later)

Spring '07 - Lee and I moved to Tifton - into my old neighborhood! Such a strange turn of events, but Lee found a great accounting job here, and it was really important to us to be close to family...so here we are.

Summer '07 - Moved up to Atlanta in mid-June to await little one's arrival...Annalee Timbs Huff arrived via c-section (planned) on June 29, 2007. 6 lbs, 12 oz - 18.5 inches...Born on a Friday afternoon at 430pm (happy hour baby, I like to say)

Summer '07 - Annalee had heart surgery at Children's Hospital of Atlanta on July 5, 2007 to correct a Coarctation of the Aorta (again, I will detail this later). She was in the hospital only until July 9th...we brought her home to Tifton July 12th.

Fall '07 - I don't remember it - totally sleep deprived and hormonal.

Spring '08 - We found out at Annalee's cardiologist appt in April that her heart looks WONDERFUL...she won't go back to the cardiologist until April 2009 (good for mama's sanity), and she is such an adorable little angel...we cherish every day

Summer '08 - I began working parttime (3 days/week) at an advertising agency here in Tifton...I know, can you believe there IS one?? And it's GREAT...I even get to write some which I love.

That brings us pretty much up to speed. I will detail more later. Glad to be back, my friends...

Well, good... (2.24.06)

2008-06-03T07:49:00.000-07:00

I have been saying that a lot lately - mostly in a sarcastic tone. It makes me laugh. For example..."Molly, you're 10 days late on your car payment..." Molly: "Well, good...." hahahahah
So, I am leaving work in an hour and a half. Swinging by home, picking up Charlie and our luggage, picking up Lee at work, and heading off to Atlanta. I didn't ask for the time off - but my boss is in Tampa for the next week, and no one seems to need me in a huge way today...don't think it will be a big deal. Of course, I say that and some huge emergency will come up and everyone will be running around screaming, "Where the Hell is Molly??!?!!?!" Oh well, knock on wood. I have certainly put in enough overtime (unpaid, mind you) that I deserve a few hours off to avoid traffic. So there. :P
I am a little sad for one of my coworkers today... She's really young (barely 23) and is working in an administrative role with our company for now. Very bright - graduated from UGA and picks up on things so quickly - but that's just how advertising works. Have to pay your dues. Anyway, her boyfriend is in school, working to get into dental school, and she is here answering phones and feeling unfulfilled in her job...the boyfriend is constantly studying, and they're both living with their parents right now, and they're just frustrated. I can really understand it. And for some reason, at that age, it is really hard to see the big picture. It just feels like you're in a rut that you'll never get out of. She broke down in here a few minutes ago, and I just had to let her cry because honestly there wasn't anything I could say to make it better. I told her that it will eventually be fine...he will be out of school, she will move up in the company, they will have time together...but right now, she's just sad. And that makes me sad. But happy that she (and others) feel they can come to me about stuff. I hope I helped - even just by listening.
Watched a really bizarre/funny/interesting movie last night - "Pretty Persuasion." It reminds me of a cross between "Heathers," "Jawbreaker" and maybe "The Virgin Suicides" and "Election." Crazy movie - Evan Rachel Wood, James Woods, Ron Livingston, Selma Blair - lots of great actors. It's about a bunch of soulless, wealthy, fame-obsessed people - but so good. I recommend.
Ok, it has taken me forever to write this - many interruptions. Have a wonderful weekend!! We will be moshing and celebrating Loco's grand opening with the select few in Tifton. haha... :)

U-G-L-Y...I ain't got no alibi (3.1.06)

2008-06-03T07:41:00.000-07:00

I'm ugly, hey hey, I'm ugly! Hahahah... I just got back from the dreaded DMV (had to further the process of changing my name), and I swear, looking at the picture on my new driver's license, I might as well be a toad. Good Lord, it's bad! Ick ick ick. Had to get some Twizzler Bites to make me feel better. And to add insult to injury, I parked in an unmarked employee space and was blocked in by a government vehicle. Oh well, that's behind me now. It was actually a decent experience minus the small traffic inconvenience and hideous photograph that I will be carrying around for 5 years.
Tonight is our Young Professionals Happy Hour - yeeeee... And it\'s sunny about 80 degrees outdoors - perfect weather. There is even going to be live music there tonight, which I love. Good times! I have gotten through the day with no chocolate and no fried food - and the 3rd thing that both Lee and I are going to try to give up are cigarettes. I only smoke when drinking, but it's time to put them down. It's just a stupid gross habit. Wish us luck!! Won't be easy for him, definitely.
I had a really bizarre dream last night about being chased by a killer. It was awful. I ended up stabbing him in the neck with a fork, but I couldn't make myself really hit him hard. It was weird. He was chasing us through some sort of amusement park - so scary. At the end of the dream, it was just me, the park had closed and he was still lurking around looking for me. Yikes... pretty intense. He had on a red shirt.
Lee and I had a LONG talk last night about what we're going to when "Junior" comes along... my company doesn't offer maternity leave because they don't have to - we're too small. We get 4 weeks because that's the law, but that's it. I don't know what we're going to do when that time comes... I am watching a coworker go through it right now, and it's so hard. This just isn't a very parent-friendly place. Much too fast-paced and driven for "silly" things like children. I know we will be able to work it out - maybe our company will even have grown by then and HAVE to offer a real maternity leave, but it definitely was a grounding discussion. And kind of an exciting one because it means we're thinking toward family. I just really don't want to give up my career (or my salary!), but I want the birth and first few months of our baby's life to be wonderful...not stressful and laced with work. Well, we will cross that bridge later, I suppose. For now, just keep your fingers crossed that we hire about 5 more people. heh heh
Happy Hump Day!

Goetz's Caramel Creams are the Best Candy Ever (3.1.06)

2008-06-03T07:39:00.000-07:00

Just thought you should know.
Today has gone surprisingly well for a Tuesday - I got tons accomplished, the weather is gorgeous outside, I like what I'm wearing, and things generally seem to be going my way. That's a nice feeling. Yesterday I was so sluggish - couldn't get motivated to do anything at work, and then so tired when I got home that I was a zombie. Drank a glass of wine, made supper with my husband, watched Wife Swap and The Bachelor (I am torn about the outcome) and we went to bed. I had not even an iota of energy to do anything else. Today is a different story...yeeeeehaw.
Mardi Gras - Big Fat Tuesday...that's today, my friends. Which means tomorrow begins Lent. I am Methodist and have never given anything up for Lent before, but this year I am. I think I am going to either give up fried foods or chocolate. Either will be pretty tough for me, but I want to prove to myself that I can do it. Wish me luck...may just flip a coin. Both would be a big sacrifice...and I'm not big on self-control. haha
Happy Hour tomorrow - for the Young Professionals of Savannah. Sounds dorky but it's really a lot of fun - you don't feel like you're chasing the heels of the early-twenties crowd...more people our age in the same boat. I really enjoy them. We have SO much to do before we close next week that I shouldn't even be thinking about Happy Hours...should be thinking about packing...but I am going to allow myself this one little bitty night out. ;)
This is a complete stream of conciousness entry - forgive. I am going to work on my time sheets, play on myspace a little (so addicted - wah!) and go home to my sweet husband. May even have fried food AND chocolate tonight...it's my last chance!

Whirlwind (2.27.06)

2008-06-03T07:37:00.000-07:00

This weekend was absolutely perfect - so much fun!!! We did travel a little too much - 4 hours Friday, 3 hours Saturday, 3 more yesterday - but we had the best time.
The concert Friday night... remember that it was NoFx. We're talking punk, moshing, beer-throwing, Bush-bashing, angry band. But as much as I am not "in tune" with some of those things, it was SO MUCH FUN! The venue was incredible - huge and dark and felt like a castle. There were actually 3 other bands playing in the downstairs room...crazy big place. We had a blast. The hotel we stayed in was so neat - built at the turn of the century, very quaint, small rooms, but so much character. We loved it. And we could walk to the concert.
We got up early Saturday morning, packed up, and hit the road. It was raining so hard, but because I am a control freak, I insisted on driving. Ugh... I could barely see! I hate it when people think they need to speed on wet roads - the vapor/mist/crap coming off of their cars was blinding, and it was a really nervewracking drive. But after we hit Macon, it was smooth sailing. Got to Tifton around 2, had a late lunch with the family and just rested.
Saturday night was the Loco's Friends & Family Grand Opening - despite the weather, everyone had fun. How could you not have fun? The booze and food was free! hahah... My brother's best friend is the proprietor, and Tom had given him several pieces of Tift County High School football memorabilia to put on the walls. Well, when we first walked in, Tom pointed behind the hostesses' station, and what should be displayed on the bookshelf but MY megaphone from high school. Complete with my name on it (there aren't that many Molly's in Tifton...so this is obviously mine).
I was caught between feeling flattered and feeling like an old vintage relic. But it was funny, we laughed it off, and I drank three extra beers to numb the pain.
Came back to our little nest last night - it's hard to believe that it will no longer be ours in a couple of weeks. Yikes! I have loved that house so much... Times they are a changin
Happy Monday.

It's Official! (2.23.06)

2008-06-03T07:35:00.000-07:00

Just got back from the Social Security Office... I have now - in the eyes of the law and a nice lady whose nameplate read "L. Polite" - taken my husband's last name. I know, I know...we've been married for almost 5 months, but the process is a PAIN! The SS office is only open from 9am-4pm, M-F...that does not really work for those of us with the ol' jobby jobs. But I needed to do this before we close on the new house - apparently it can make the closing complicated, blah blah. I hate paperwork.
I actually do feel a little different now - that's kind of weird. I mean, I've been introducing myself with my new last name for awhile now, and I am using the towels with my married monogram, and all of those little things - but legally changing it - whew, whole different matter.
Which brings me to another point - I did not realize until the past year or so that keeping your maiden name as your middle name is, for the most part, a Southern tradition. Very interesting. I just thought everyone did that - or kept their maiden name. So interesting to me - I just cannot imagine dropping my maiden name altogether. I almost feel like it would be insulting to my parents. Does that make sense? It does leave me with rather a strange name now...it certainly does not roll off the tongue... but it's my past and present and future. All together.
Didn't mean to get philosophical.
Going to a punk concert tomorrow - will NOT be philosophical there. Will drink beer and try not to look my age. Maybe even MOSH! Sweet.

Strike that, life is good until you make a fool of yourself on a conference call (2.21.06)

2008-06-03T07:32:00.000-07:00

Why do I do things like that? I am on a conference call - with 8 other people (3 of them clients) and I am the first up. So instead of being a normal person and just getting right down to business, I practically scream "Good morning!" in a weird voice and then yell, "MEDIA!\" (which is my "subject")... Everyone sat there in silence, I turned purple, and one of my co-workers actually said, "Whoa." I think I thought it would be funny - who knows... With my friends, I do weird stuff all the time - I AM weird - but I need to remember that not everyone gets me. Especially when they can't even SEE my face to understand that I'm joking. Ugh... I hate that feeling. I will put it in my HUGE pile of Most Embarassing Moments. I think it was number 4,359,299...jeez.

Phooey.

In other news, we have two trips (count em) two trips this weekend. We are headed to Atlanta Friday night (4 hour drive) to see NoFx. This band is one of my husband's favorites... I will enjoy it, I'm sure (as I did Social Distortion), but I have this vision of me surrounded by eyeliner-wearing punks moshing all over one another and I stand awkwardly in my pea coat. hahah...It's actually a funny thought. Saturday we are driving to Tifton (another 3 hours) for the Friends & Family opening of Loco's down there. My brother's best friend is the owner, so we got these sought-after invitiations through him...should be a lot of fun. Free booze and food and a bunch of people we know. :) But, my God, we are going to be slap worn out by Sunday.

I watched a massive amount of television last night - old Laguna Beach episodes, Flip this House (AWESOME show), The Secret Life of a Serial Killer (extremely interesting...and creepy), The Bachelor (Allie G didn't show...I kind of feel bad for her crazy a$$), and then a show on a transexual about to have an operation. My brain is fried. But expanded. ha...

Happy Tooseyday - Math homework, green beans on the stove and Inspector Gadget on TV ... ah yeah

Here Goes Nothing! (2.7.06)

2008-06-03T07:31:00.001-07:00

The owners of the house we want accepted our offer. The guy that wants our house signed our counter-offer...we're ready to go! So crazy - this happened so incredibly fast!! I haven't had time to let any of it sink in. Bizarre! I looked at Lee last night and was like, "Yikes! Is this even a good idea?? We haven't had time to really even think about it!!" Which is not entirely true - we sat in our den about a week ago and made a HUGE list of pros v. cons about what we're doing. Then my accountant husband assigned values to all of our points, and the pros won 111 to 79. So, we DID think about it...even analyzed it as much as you can. It just seems so quick.
Soon we will be out of downtown (knock on wood that everything goes smoothly) and into a 2 year old house in a new neighborhood. Three bedrooms, a bonus room...a PATIO... a YARD... wow!! So excited...yet so anxious at the same time. Please keep your fingers crossed that this all works out.

Our House...in the Middle of the 'Burbs (2.6.06)

2008-06-03T07:27:00.000-07:00

So, we are in "negotiations" right now - we got a great offer on our house that we are countering (for timing reasons), and the people that own the house we want have accepted our offer (contingent on us selling our house). Stressful, fun, scary, exciting - all those things in one. Keep your fingers crossed - we could be moving into the burbs as early as March! Yikes!
My brother came into town this weekend at the last minute. It was such a nice surprise, and we had a really great time. He got in around 930 on Friday night, we had a few beers and headed downtown. I am so lucky to have such a great brother - and even luckier that he and my great husband get along. A few times during the weekend, I was upstairs doing this or that and would hear them having conversations downstairs. Totally comfortable with one another and like old friends. It made me so happy. Two of the most important people in my life - and they love each other. What a blessing. Fun, fun weekend.
This week is going to be a long one...I don't even know why I say that, but I feel it's true. Maybe because it's 11:12 am on Monday, and I feel like I've been here for at least 17 hours. Ugh... We do have a fun trip to look forward to - we're headed to Nashville, TN Friday - we're going to visit my friend, David (who sang at our wedding) and our friends Beth & Robert are going to. Will be a blast - these are my best friends...I wish everyone could make it (a true "Circus" reunion), but those times are few and far between these days. I'll take what I can get!
I will write more later - have a wonderful Monday.

Life is good (2.20.06)

2008-06-03T07:24:00.000-07:00

I think I have written posts with that title before, but if anything is worth repeating, it's that phrase. Life IS good. Sometimes it makes the world a better place to sit back and think of everything in your life that's going in the right direction. It's so easy to let the bad stuff take over...but taking even just 5 minutes to count the "pros" can make you feel downright silly for mulling over the crap.
I had a great weekend. Friday night, Lee and I did nothing - had a few beers, played Trivial Pursuit, ordered pizza and just talked. And it was so much fun. Saturday I hit the road for Atlanta - Melissa's birthday celebration. Got up there around 430, sat with her for awhile in her midtown loft, Beth arrived. Of course when Beth arrived, she immediately broke out the wine (I love her) and we all started getting festive. Shortly thereafter, Melissa's parents (who I've known almost my whole life), sister (whom I cheered with in high school) and brother-in-law got there. It was all hugs and laughter. Something about "home" folks, you know? Melissa's friend, Heather and her boyfriend, Rob, got there and we all headed out to dinner.
It was CHILLY in Atlanta, but we were all bundled up with our wine in our "travelers" (which is not legal in Atlanta - na na na boo boo...it is here), and we walked to the little Italian restaurant down the street. Baraonda is so charming - small, filled with good smells and laughter, great food. We all sat down, ordered drinks, and toasted Melissa. After a big, long, yummy meal (and several bottles of wine), Melissa's dad picked up the tab (so sweet) and we were on our way. M, B, myself, Heather and Rob headed out to "the club" - a place called Vision on Peachtree. This is just the kind of place 50 Cent is talking about when he sings "in da club..." But what an experience! Rob got us in for free and even got us VIP passes - so much fun. The place was HUGE and glitzy and cheesy and awesome. We had a blast.
We ended the night at this little joint called McCray's which shares a parking lot with Melissa's condo building. It was late, we were tired, tipsy and happy...and it was time to call it a night.
Went to lunch yesterday with Beth's baby, Andie (who is so adorable...I want to eat her). All in all, just a wonderful trip with good, old friends.
I got home and Lee had made beef stew and had written me a poem. I am a lucky girl. :)
Happy Monday - don't forget to count your blessings.

Friday...Thankfully (2.17.06)

2008-06-03T07:21:00.000-07:00

I have been really bad about writing lately - just so much going on. This week alone, we had an inspection of our new house, a buyer back out on our old house, a new buyer come in and make an offer, talks with the new house owners, and finally setting a date of March 8th for the closing. All that and working fulltime too. Who has time for Valentine's Day??

It's been exciting, though, and I think (HOPE) we're all set. Our house is getting inspected on Wednesday, so please keep your fingers crossed. It's an old house, but it is in remarkably good shape. I just hope the inspector agrees with me.

Last weekend, Lee, me, Beth, and her husband, Robert, all went up to Nashville, TN to see our friend, David. We had a blast. It snowed, we drank, it snowed, we ate, it snowed, we slept. So much fun. David rented limos for us Friday and Saturday night to take us to and from town - so much fun - these limos are older, a little roughed up, and we had a blast. I had not been to Nashville in years (b/c the drive is horrendous), but it was so much fun. We'll have to do it again soon. And David has become quite the real estate mogul - so proud. :) Good times.

Tomorrow I am headed to Atlanta to help one of my best friends, Melissa, celebrate her 30th birthday. Beth is going, too, and I know it will be a blast. Going to have a date tonight with my sweet husband, and head up there in the morning.

Oh! I got a new desk today at work - I am quite professional now. I hope this doesn't mean I have to start wearing suits...although my office DOES smell of rich mahogheny. hahaha

Have a great weekend!!

Being a grown up... (2.1.06)

2008-06-03T07:18:00.000-07:00

is not all it's cracked up to be. We have decided to sell our house and move to the 'burbs - something I said I would never do. It's such a strange feeling to know what you need to do and to feel yourself wanting to do what's best for your "family" and not just yourself. I guess being single so long made me a bit (eh-ehm) selfish/independent. But, here we are, talking family and future and knowing we need to get out of downtown Savannah.
For that reason, I am going to list all my favorite things about Downtown Savannah - I have been living within a 1.5 square mile area for almost 6 years, so I've accumulated quite a few (bear with me):
1. Spanish Moss - so gorgeous and just everywhere (tourists play with it and get chiggers - heh heh)
2. Pinkie Masters - the best dive bar ever - I have lived 5 minutes from this place for so long...they even gave us a wedding gift
3. Forsyth Park - huge, smack dab in the middle of downtown, historic, perfect running path, WONDERFUL concerts and plays (where you can pack wine and food and have picnics...so much fun)
4. My Short Commute - I will go from a 2 minute commute to a 15-minute commute - not terrible, but I will miss the extra sleep (you and I both know that every minute counts)
5. Soho - the best lunch restaurant EVER - they have the most amazing tomato basil bisque I have ever tasted
6. Six Pence - where I met my husband... :)
7. Our church - this is the church I belong to and where we got married - it's beautiful and is so special to me...will be a bit of a drive, but we'll keep coming in for the services
8. Spur of the moment plans - it's so easy for us to pick up and go to restaurants/bars to meet friends right now...everything is within walking distance almost! So that will change
9. Squares - the Savannah squares...green and well-manicured and romantic
10. Crazy homeless people - that's kind of what we're getting away from - but they're so hilarious...will miss the characters
11. Sweet Leaf - best bbq restaurant in the WORLD
12. Mercury Lounge - love the bartenders and the ambience
13. Vinnie's Pizza - some of the best pizza you will ever put into your mouth - and located right in City Market...great joint
14. Beach Access - right now, we're only a short drive...we'll double that by moving out, and I am a BEACH GIRL in a serious way
15. Church Bells - you hear them all day every day...they have become part of my Savannah soundtrack - I will certainly miss those
That's all for now - making me too sad. Wish us luck - we're in Counter Offer Hell right now.

Too poor to paint, too proud to whitewash (1.19.06)

2008-06-03T07:12:00.000-07:00

Has anyone else ever heard that saying? I can remember the exact day I heard my mother say that to me - we were in Macon, Georgia, passing by a beautiful antebellum home that needed some work. The paint was peeling, and it just looked awful. Still majestic and an amazing architectural feat, but without any upkeep. And my mother said - more to herself than to me, "Too poor to paint, too proud to whitewash..." And I have never forgotten that. It wasn't something that my mother even probably thought twice about, and of all the wise things she has said to me, I have no idea why I remember that, but I do. And it is one of the millions of things people have said or done to me, with me and around me that have shaped who I am.
Now part of this is being Southern. Southern people - especially women - have a saying for everything. And sometimes they make absolutely no sense in the modern world...yet we perpetuate them anyway. It's part of that fabric that makes a certain region what it is. And the South (yes, I'm biased) is by far the most romantic and mystical region in the world. The soft seasons, the strong people, the molasses-thick accents, the hardcore religon, the even more hardcore drinking, the "bless your heart"s, the football, the food... I love it.
A friend asked me last night if I were to get a tattoo, what would I get. I think this was supposed to be a finger on the temple...let me see kind of question, but I knew immediately. I knew because I have toyed with the idea of getting a tattoo forever - just too chicken to do it. I would get a peach. A Georgia peach. My family has been here forever, and I seem not to be able to leave this great state...so a peach it would be.
This is a really random post - forgive my ramblings... Just some things I wanted to get down. Don't ever find yourself in a position where you're too poor to paint but too proud to whitewash.

My aching neck (1.6.06)

2008-06-02T12:47:00.000-07:00

This week has been a rough one. Work is absolutely insane right now - we're working long hours under really hardcore deadlines, and everyone's nerves are SHOT. Makes for a high-stress environment. I actually had a dream the other night that one of our Vice Presidents tagged along on my family's beach trip. And tried to make me work. I told her the story in hopes she would realize what she's been doing to us, but that was to no avail. Still cracking the whip.
I'm glad it's Friday, but there are rumblings about us working this weekend. And the worst kind of working - being "on call." It's one thing if you know you have to work on a Saturday and you plan to come in...a whole other thing if you're home, relaxing, getting into a cheesy Lifetime movie and some yummy junk food, when you get the dreaded call. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I won't be an important part of the process over the next couple of days. Sound ambitious, don't I?
I did make a little headway on my resolutions this week - completely cleaned and organized my office. It is like an entirely different world in here...I can actually FIND things and work efficiently!! What a great feeling! Totally changes my attitude about being here. I plan on doing the same thing at home this weekend...am in dire need of a closet-clean-out. I have things in there that I bought in college...and if you do the math, that was a LONG time ago. Clutter is my enemy in '06.
Watched "The Office" last night. Hilarious hilarious hilarious. I absolutely love that show. In fact, for Christmas, I bought my brother the dvd's of the British (original) version...which is even more uncomfortable to watch and even funnier. Check it out if you get a chance.
Ok, have a wonderful weekend..

2006...here we come! (1.3.06)

2008-06-02T12:44:00.000-07:00

Wow, sorry it has been so long since I updated! Christmas got away from me this year - work got hectic, I realized I was way behind on gift-buying, we traveled (as usual)... Whew. Now it's back to the old grind - working, planning dinner, walking dogs, doing laundry. In a weird way, I'm almost glad things are back to normal. It gives you a feeling of stability. I am a huge dork.
Christmas was fabulous. My parents had a party at their house Friday night (12/23) - so much fun. My friends, my brother's friends and my parents friends all came over. It was cold outside, all decorated inside, yummy snacks...and enough "Christmas Spirits" to go around. I enjoy being in my small hometown over the holidays - running around and doing last-minute shopping at the tiny mall, eating lunch at our favorite hole-in-the-wall pizza joint, running into old teachers and classmates in the grocery store. There's something really homey about it all. I am a sentimental fool - I know this - but it really is something I love.
My husband, brother and I gave my parents a trip to NYC for Christmas. It was a huge surprise and something we've been working on for months. They will stay at my in-laws' 5-story walk up in Manhattan for 5 nights in March. We got them tickets to see "Wicked" on Broadway and their flights are all set. It was the absolute most fun present I've ever given - it was the least I could do after everything they did for our wedding in October. But I think they are really excited about it.
I got Lee an MP3 player that we finally figured out yesterday...hahaha... Children of the 80's. But I think he's really going to enjoy it.
New Year's Eve was a blast - we went to a black tie party in an exclusive neighborhood here in Savannah. We were both a little wary at first...we only knew 2 of the hosts, and we were afraid that we might feel out of place. Like kids at an adult party. But it ended up being so much fun - we knew more people than we expected, the food was fabulous, open bar...GREAT party! And it was fun to feel a little more adult and dress up for the occasion. ;)
Last night was a heartbreaker for all UGA fans. I stayed up WAY past my bedtime to watch the Dawgs put up a hell of a fight against West Virginia. The game was a real nailbiter - one that went from us losing 28-0 in the first quarter, to us only trailing by 3 with a few seconds left. Our Dawgs did us proud by fighting, though. Next Sugar Bowl, we'll get em.
Back to work. Hope everyone had wonderful and meaningful holidays!!! I will be better about my updates. (at least that's one of my resolutions)

O Christmas Tree (12.12.05)

2008-06-02T12:42:00.000-07:00

I love December. I had thought that as I get older I would love it less - that the excitement of the holidays would fade...but it hasn't. Not even a little. I am just as in love with Christmas as I was when I was a child - I am more about decorating and having parties and giving presents than Santa Claus and stockings and jingle bells, but it's still so much fun just the same.
Our party Friday night was a success! We had plenty of food, everyone came (about 30-35 folks), candles everywhere, Christmas music... Lee had a chiminea all lit up in the courtyard, and he even went so far as to paint the screened in porch and clean up the yard. The inside was warm and smelled like apples, cinnamon and Christmas trees. It was just a really fun night. Our guests didn't leave until about 2 am, so I am considering that a really good sign that they had fun.
The rest of the weekend was pretty low-key. With our party responsibilities behind us, we just relaxed. Saturday night, I represented "us" at a welcome home party for our friend, Charlie, who has been in Iraq. That was such a great feeling - seeing someone come home to his friends and family who has been in a war for a year. Just in time for Christmas. It was wonderful.
Today I am back at work - but not totally. I have at least 30% of my heart and head in the Christmas spirit... and I'm loving every minute of it.

Tis the season! (12.6.05)

2008-06-02T12:39:00.000-07:00

We are having a Christmas party at our house this Friday. It's the first time I have ever hosted my own Christmas party...and it's more pressure than I thought it would be!! Probably because I adore the holiday season and want it to be "just right" - perfectly decorated, great Christmas music, yummy food, people laughing and having fun. At this point, we have a half-clean house, no idea of a menu, no Christmas tree, and very little funds. Oh well...I'm sure we will pull it off in one way or another!
Lee and I are actually getting our tree tonight - we wanted to clean the downstairs before we got it...and that was quite a task! I'm excited, though...I love to have a decorated house. When I was little, the very first thing I would do when I woke up on a December morning was turn on the Christmas tree - that is, if my Daddy hadn't done it already. He's a sucker for the holidays too.
If anyone has any suggestions on easy, cheap, yummy hors d'oerves, send them my way!! I intend on making this party a success...even if it kills me. That's the Christmas spirit, eh?? haha
I hope everyone is havng a wonderful December so far - I just love this time of year soooo much.

Be Weird...or Be Gone (12.1.05)

2008-06-02T12:36:00.000-07:00

I had a night out with one of my best buddies last evening...she and I together are a handful. In fact, when we are together without "supervision" the bartenders at Pinkie Master's give an audible sigh and "uh-oh..." We just have so much fun - and really feed off one another in the oddest of ways.
Last night, we met a group of virtual strangers (we knew the girl that set it up) for a Holiday Happy Hour. Tonya and I marched on up there, and our friend, Jason, joined us as well. The people at this particular bar were what you would classify as "young professionals" - all lawyers, or bankers, or in sales... Tonya and I work at an advertising agency, and Jason is an international rep for an art school. Needless to say, we don't always fit in. The problem (?) last night was that Tonya and I had started our giggle-fest in the car before we even arrived. That's never a good idea...especially when you're meeting new people, because you still have the urge to laugh and be silly, but you don't want your first impression to be that of a mindless gigglebox. So, in an effort to appear mature, you end up looking even worse - stifling laughs and catching each other's eye while trying to carry on chit-chatty conversations.
Suffice it to say, we didn't even really try last night. We were like, "Hey, we're weird...get into it!" In fact, after one particularly random comment, I apologized to our new "friends." Tonya piped up and said, "Don't apologize for being awesome!" hahahaah... I love her.
Well, I must direct you to T's blog today because she had the GRAND idea of documenting random comments that we heard from people throughout the night. You would just not believe what a night in Savannah can hold...seriously, it can be really bizarre. This town is FULL of artists...and crazy people. Anyway, check it out...hilarious...
www.inmyownblog.blogspot.com

I also love NYC (11.28.05)

2008-06-02T12:33:00.000-07:00

But... LA wins. NYC is its own magical, incredibly electric place...full of diversity and history and beautiful buildings and seedy neighborhoods and real estate that blows your mind...but I am a beach girl at heart that longs for quiet walks, cozy places to read good books, and weather that doesn't require layers. But how fortunate am I to have been able to visit both coasts - and both amazing cities - within a week of each other. And to think, I never even traveled until I was in college. :)

NYC was really a treat - especially during Thanksgiving. The Macy's Day Parade was so much fun...everyone standing around, all bundled up, drinking hot chocolate, and cheering for the floats...it really gets you in the holiday spirit. There was a slight mishap this year with the M&M balloon (hit a light fixture and injured two girls), but everything turned out ok and the parade was - unless you were those girls - a giant success. My favorite float was probably Sesame Street...just brought back so many memories!!

That night (Thanksgiving), I went with my husband, inlaws and kids to eat at a family-style restaurant called Carmine's. Carmine's is usually Italian, but for the holiday they served traditional T'giving fare. I use the term "traditional" lightly because not anywhere on that table did I spot cornbread dressing, giblet gravy, squash casserole, butter beans or green bean casserole. The turkey was wonderful, however, and I got a great perspective on how Yankee's celebrate Turkey Day.

Friday, we did the obligatory shopping that you HAVE to do the day after Thanksgiving. We went to Macy's (mob scene) and trekked all around midtown Manhattan. It was CRAZY! But really fun with so much energy in the air... That night, Lee, myself, his sister and brother-in-law went to dinner and then to see "Walk the Line" - AWESOME movie...and it was such good timing... All four of us felt so proud to be Southerners when that movie ended, and we returned to the sea of Yankees on the Manhattan streets.

Saturday, we went down to Rockefeller Center and watched the ice skaters while dining at The Sea Grill. This place had the most incredible crabcakes I have ever had, and this new (to me) appetizer...portobello fries!! Literally portebello mushrooms cut up and fried - so delicious. That night, we turned in early after walking all over Greenwich Village, Soho and Little Italy.

We returned home last night at about 7 - enough time to eat, shower and hit the sack. It was a spectacular trip - thanks to the in-laws for having us!!!!

Back to work. Blah.

I love L.A. (11.21.05)

2008-06-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

Being a self-proclaimed Georgia girl...completely in love with the South and its people, terrain and personality, it's hard for me to believe how much I love Southern California. This weekend was my second time out there, and I am just head over heels for that part of the country.

We stayed in Santa Monica with a view of the Pacific Ocean from our hotel room... Thursday night, after arriving at LAX and getting safely to the hotel, we set off to meet our friends at the Viceroy. It was walking distance from where we were staying, so we strolled on down. It was so much fun - a reunion of sorts for Lee and his buddies...we saw most of them our wedding weekend, but this was the first time we could all relax and really hang out. And boy did we make the most of it. The bar was really swanky...complete with a crystal clear pool and cabanas all around (you can rent the cabanas for the bargain price of $4k per night...NOT including alcohol). We even rubbed elbows with A-lister, Owen Wilson. And when I say "rub elbows" - I literally mean, he brushed past me...didn't speak...but did brush past. haha...

The next day we walked to breakfast at a little cafe and ate with my inlaws. Gorgeous weather, good food, great company. Lee and I ventured down to the Santa Monica Pier...played the tourist role and rode the ferris wheel (which was amazing), then shopped until time for the rehearsal.

Rehearsal Dinner took place at a small private club right on the ocean...it was intimate and comfortable and the food was great. The bride and groom didn't stop smiling all weekend - I swear. Saturday we had yet another yummy breakfast, followed by some college football down at the Promenade...then the wedding. Ceremony was perfect - even had a bagpipe! - and the reception (held at the Beach Club on Pacific Coast Highway) was one of the nicest parties I've ever been to. Sushi and goat cheese appetizers, champagne being passed around, full open bar, toe-tapping band, seated dinner...and all right on the Pacific Ocean.

I know, I know...it sounds made up. But it really was a perfect wedding weekend - and thank goodness...it WASN'T ours which meant we got to enjoy it even more!!

Thanks, Thomas & Lisa...good luck and congratulations. :)

Working Woman Blues (11.14.05)

2008-06-02T12:28:00.000-07:00

Back from a fantastic weekend of football, friends, family and laughing until I cried... back to work. Blugh!! Today is one of those days where I sit and wonder how I am going to be able to continue working for the rest of my days (or until I am old enough to retire). I worked hard this morning and right after lunch...but since about 330, I have almost literally been in pain...just wanting the day to end. I am that kind of "busy" where I know what I need to be doing, but no one is really depending on any of it...so I find myself being lazy and not getting very much done. That's awful...but I just have no motivation on this stinking Monday!!

The Bulldogs did lose the game...it's true. By one point...in the final 8 seconds of the game. But it was a great game to watch, a long and fun day of tailgating, and we had an absolute blast regardless of the score. My best friend's baby might be the cutest creature to ever walk the earth - and she's at that precious toddling stage...dancing a little and laughing at faces we make. So cute. And it was wonderful seeing friends and hanging out in a relaxed setting (NOT our wedding)... I'm so glad we made the trip.

We are leaving this Thursday for L.A. My better half is in a wedding in Santa Monica - should be a great time. I absolutely love California...which I didn't think would be the case until I went to L.A. last January...but I love it out there. The weather, the hills, the shopping. Heaven.

So a short week awaits - maybe I can light a fire under my own rear end tomorrow morning so that I can get some things accomplished before we leave. BECAUSE THEN NEXT WEEK IS THANKSGIVING - YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! I am a holiday addict. Period.

Happy Monday...

What's that comin' down the track? (11.11.05)

2008-06-02T12:26:00.000-07:00

We are headed to Athens this afternoon. We will be staying with my best friend and her husband who live there, and one of my best guy friends is heading down from Nashville to stay with us, too. I could not be more excited!!! It's been a really long time since we have been able to have a weekend that is nothing but old friends, football, and playing. I am actually going to try to leave work early - probably 230-ish - so that we won't be driving into the night.
Tomorrow the Dawgs take on Auburn - it's going to be a night game which spells debauchery for UGA fans, but also means it's a huge game. There will be a chill in the air...beer, bourbon and fried chicken smells throughout campus...red and black as far as the eye can see...and the UGA fight song coming from every car radio, boom box, and voice within earshot. I cannot wait. We are meeting my parents and brother for tailgating and have actually scored tickets for the game, so we are, as my guy friend said..."golden." This morning as I was packing my red and black, I got that surge of excitement that I always get before a trip to my alma mater.
My time in Athens was absolutely amazing. From the moment I got there, scared and 18 years old and without love handles, in September of 1994 until I graduated - happy, not wanting to leave, about 10 lbs heavier and 22 years old, in June of 1998 - those were the best four years I could ever have asked for. I learned so much - not just in the classroom...but about life. About friends, and fairweather friends. About heartbreak and healing. About the fact that I was a very small fish in a very big pond for the first time in my life. College is such a crazy and enlightening time. So glad I did it...and glad I did it the way that I did.
Ahh...ok, enough reminiscing. I am told I do that a lot. In fact, an exboyfriend once said that I should name my first child "Nostalgia." There's a reason why he's an "ex" - hahaahah...
Have a wonderful weekend - and goooooooooooooooooooooooooo dawgs! Sic 'em! woof woof woof woof!

Real world...already (10.26.05)

2008-06-02T12:24:00.000-07:00

I just found out that I am probably going to have to input about 35 invoices line by line (each invoice having over 100 lines) into our computer system at work. That is complete and total bullsh-- and the exact reason WHY I went to college...so I wouldn't HAVE to be a data processor. Oooooh, this makes me really angry... And if you knew me, you would know that I don't get angry all that often. Certain things, though, really push me over the edge. Like this. The upper part of my cheeks (where my cheekbones are highest) get hot and red, and I get these little flutters in my stomach and my eyesight literally wavers for a bit. You know the term "so mad I couldn't see straight?" - it really happens to my brother and me. And, to be honest, I should probably not let this get to me...but it's just that feeling of having worked in the agency world for over 7 years, being a professional, climbing the stupid ladder...and then still being made to do mundane sh-- like enter invoices.
Now honestly, I would take out the trash at work - it doesn't have anything to do with me feeling "above" this - it's just that OTHERS feel above doing it, so I am the one that gets thrown under the bus. This post probably makes no sense unless you have been in this position, and I am being passive aggressive by writing about it instead of SAYING something...but whatever. In reality, if I said something about it then I wouldn't be a "team player" - so it's better to bitch in anonymity.
On the other side of the coin, I just sent a coworker a picture of Vanilla Ice because he slipped and told another coworker of ours that he used to cruise around and listen to him. So that was fun and my mood is slightly better.
We are headed to Jacksonville this weekend for the UGA/FL game...the "Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party in the World" - should be a good time. Staying in St. Simons, taking a bus down to Jax, full bar and catering...even a dj included... This is my 7th year running - and we always have a blast. I just hope the Dawgs can pull it out without Shockley. Hunker Down!!
Ok, random post is ending in 5, 4, 3, 2.....

I frighten young children. (11.3.05)

2008-06-02T12:22:00.000-07:00

We got our wedding video back. Man, what a double-edged sword! I love having it because it's so hard to remember that blur of a day, and it's so much fun to see the people you didn't get to talk to, and great to have it captured in this little dvd - all the sounds, the colors, the sights, the music. But good Lord, why has no one ever told me that I literally have the face of a cartoon character?? I make expressions that would scare crows away. When I am surprised, people in South Dakota probably know it.

I mean, I've always known that I have big features, and in pictures, I see that. But to WATCH myself talking and dancing and laughing in "real time" - holy nightmare. How have I ever gotten a date? Why do babies not automatically start bawling when I get close? Is Lee blind?

Anyway, I have finally just come to the realization that all my friends and family are actually now accustomed to having a cartoon character around, so they barely notice anymore. Thank goodness.

I would put a little Quicktime video up here but I wouldn't want those of you who AREN'T familiar with elastic-face me to run from your screens, screaming in terror.

Other than this little discovery, life is good. I am loving married life - I had no idea that it would be different...but it is! And in such a good way! We are now more of a team than ever...and that's fun. And thank God Lee actually LIKES cartoons because if I was that crazy-looking in my wedding dress, imagine me in the morning!

Exhale... (10.25.05)

2008-06-02T12:20:00.000-07:00

Well, there we are...all the planning and worrying and anticipation...all done. Time to breathe, clean up the wrapping paper and move on. We had a wonderful wedding - the weather was beautiful, we had so many friends and family travel to be there, Lee and I danced and drank the night away. We couldn't have asked for anything more. And that feeling that everyone kept telling me about - the disappointment of everything being over - I am just not experiencing it! The honeymoon was absolutely amazing - a whole week of gorgeous weather, lying in the sun, eating scrumptious food, snorkeling, walking on the beach, sleeping in...and how can you feel anything but happy after that? I have a tan going into November - I love it.
I came back to work this morning to find that my harddrive had blown up. Almost literally...there is a charred, black grill on the back of my cpu (is that the right term these days?). So I am going from empty desk to empty desk, trying to at least check my multitude of emails. Kind of nice actually - keeping me from the reality of WORK for at least a day, right?
Being married is such a fun/different/crazy feeling...the realization that I have a husband - wow, it just blows my mind! In a good way, though. I went yesterday to have lunch with Lee, and while I was driving, I was thinking, "I am going to have lunch with my husband." HAHAHA... cracked me up since I feel like I am about 10 years old at most.
Thanks for all the well wishes!!! I will be back with more once my computer gets out of surgery.

Nine times... (10.6.05)

2008-06-02T12:17:00.000-07:00

There's something about our generation of young adults...anytime anyone says the number "9" I think that we all immediately think of Edward Rooney, sitting at his desk in the principal's office at Ferris Bueller's high school, telling Bueller's mom about Ferris' abundant absences. Anyway, that subject came to be because we are 9 days out from the wedding...and all I could think of was Matthew Broderick and that bizarre brown and black sweater vest he wore during the movie.
9 days...
Let's think of all the things that are about to change for me:
1. No more "Seward" - as much as this last name has plagued me (you would be amazed how many people can't spell or pronounce it), I love it. It represents such an amazing family and one that I am proud to be a part of. I am keeping "Seward" as a middle name, though, so I'm not losing it altogether.
2. No more "my boyfriend" or "my fiance" - I'm going to have a husband. Breathe...
3. Lee and I will share a bedroom at our parents' houses when we go to visit. Weird.
4. My family will have a son-in-law
5. My brother will have a brother for the very first time
6. I will be someone's wife
There are 3,000 more changes, but I feel I am boring the masses.
My checklist is getting smaller and smaller. At this point, most of the things left to do are getting myself ready. Manicure, pedicure, haircut, etc. etc. I still haven't bought a dress for the rehearsal dinner or the bridesmaid luncheon, but I can do that sometime in the next few days (the next few days are filling up mighty fast). I am finally getting really excited, though. This is such a process and takes so much planning, but in the end, we will have 200 people there who mean the world to us...and hopefully we will throw one heck of a party that everyone will enjoy. And we're getting MARRIED! yeeeee...

Bon anniversaire (10.3.05)

2008-06-02T12:15:00.000-07:00

Today, 30 years ago, I came into this world. I cannot believe that I have been on this planet for three decades. I still feel like a child most of the time. But all in all, I am really pleased with the way I've lived my life thus far. I haven't shied away from opportunities, I have made so many friends, I have had my heart broken (and broken a heart or two), I have tried to be kind to others, I have laughed and cried and sung and danced my heart out, read books, gotten a college degree, raised a puppy...and now, I'm getting married. Pretty good for 30 years, I think.
My bachelorette party was an absolute blast - I loved that everyone came down here...it was so calming having all of my friends around me. The condo we stayed in was amazing...so nice of Cindy...we had bar time, beach time, nice dinner time and plenty of laughter. I couldn't have asked for a better weekend.
12 days until the wedding.
Tonight Lee is taking me to dinner at one of the only places in Savannah that I've never eaten. The Olde Pink House - I cannot wait. I know it will be wonderful, and it will be such a nice break for Lee and me as a couple...to slow down, eat a nice meal, drink a glass of wine and TALK. We haven't done much of that in a while. haha...
Yesterday afternoon, after everyone had packed up and gone home, I decided to have a Molly night. Lee was napping, so I wrote him a note and just snuk away. It was therapeutic. I drove around for a long time, talked to my mom on the phone for almost an hour, and then decided to go to a movie. I have only done the solo movie thing one other time, but I really like it. You just feel so anonymous for 2 hours...it's wonderful. Saw "Flight Plan" which was pretty good...suspenseful enough to get my mind off of the millions of other things I have going on. I got home about 9. Got some good sleep and feel great today.
Lee sent me flowers today - they're beautiful. :) Getting flowers is one of those special things that never loses its charm. And some of my coworkers put balloons in my office...so sweet. Birthdays are fun to me.

Oh, what a nigh-igh-ight... (9.30.05)

2008-06-02T12:13:00.000-07:00

First things first: we get to pick Joey up today. I have a crate all set up (compliments of Elizabeth, Dog Lover Extraordinaire)...and can't wait to have him home again. I know that Charlie will be shocked - he thought he was rid of that hound dog - but I know they'll be glad to see each other.
On to other news - tonight begins my bachelorette party! A weekend of friends, laughter and straight-up debauchery. Woo hoo! I am really touched by everyone who is traveling to be here. Old friends, new friends, best friends...cannot wait to see them and toast to every single one! We are staying at one of the new friend's parents' condo on Tybee - it sleeps tons of folks - so we will take cabs to and fro downtown. Much fun ahead.
Work is about the last thing on my mind right now, but I have so much to do. Such a struggle. I have a huge list of things to finish before I leave the week of the wedding. Which gives me exactly 7 work days (holy sh!t! I didn't realize that).
Ok, enough blogging for today.

The Joseph (9.29.05)

2008-06-02T12:11:00.000-07:00

This is what we call Joey, the Basset, most of the time. It just seems odd and funny - which is Joey in a nutshell. Thanks to everyone who has prayed for him and thought about us the past week - it's been trying with him hurt and at the vet. Lee and I got to see him yesterday - and he looks 10 times better than I thought he would. He had his surgery on Tuesday, and by the time we saw him on Wednesday, he was up and around (limping...but up). His scar is a bit daunting - probably close to 10 inches long - and he has a huge pin in his hip and right leg. But he's alive...and seemingly happy, and that's what counts.
We get to take him home tomorrow. It has been hard (the two times I've gone to see him) to leave him at the vet. When he sees Lee or me, he thinks he's going home. The little look in his eyes just about does me in. But I have been so impressed (and thankful) to the vets and their staff...they've been amazing.
Now we have the challenge of keeping Joey from putting any pressure on that leg for 2-3 months. You can't exactly reason with a dog (especially Joey), so this is going to take some work on our part. He'll have to be crated which he will hate...and not allowed to run free which he will also hate...but we'll work it out. (Hey! It has taken our minds off of the wedding a little bit!) :)Anyway, that's my Joey update. More later.

Un-dah pressure (9.26.05)

2008-06-02T12:08:00.000-07:00

People tell you that the last few weeks before your wedding are so ridiculously hectic and stressful that you wish you would have eloped. I am not quite there, but I am damn close. I know that I would always regret it if I didn't have the church ceremony, friends and family, reception, band, bar...I know that I would. So that is how I'm hanging onto my sanity...but holy mother of matrimony, this thing has taken on a life of its own.
I spent yesterday buying a guest book, serving pieces for the cake, and yards of tulle and ribbon. For those of you who know me in Real Life (B.W. - before wedding)...I am NOT the type to stroll around Michael's looking at spools of string. At all. This is a whole new world. It is fun...but also very foreign to me. Last night, I sat at our dining room table and tied pink tulle and chocolate brown ribbon around mints for 3 hours. Who am I?? I know deep down, though, that all of this "stuff" is going to make the actual day and the honeymoon so amazing - I cannot wait.
Southern Living Cook-Off - what a fantastic experience. Since I am technically one of their clients (even though MY client was there, too), I was pretty much pampered. The resort where we stayed was AMAZING... only a month old. The Ross Bridge Resort was the name, and it looked like a mountain chalet. Golf course, spa, wonderful restaurants and bars, an enormous pool, those heavenly beds, robes, the works. And not only were the accomodations great, we had entertainment to boot. Wednesday night, after dinner, we had a songwriters round - Allen Shamblin and Rob Crosby (who have written songs for Bonnie Rait, Mark Wills, the list goes on and on...) sang their songs and told the stories behind them. Amazing.
Thursday, we all relaxed, had pedicures, walked the golf course, read a bit... wonderful. Then that evening was the actual Cook-Off. This thing is big, people. Not being a chef or very domestic at all, I didn't realize what a huge deal this thing is...we got to tour the Southern Living test kitchens (which was so cool), then we were off to the cook-off (hosted by Tyler Florence of the Food Network) where we got to watch 15 contestants (who are readers) compete for $100,000 by cooking their best recipes. It was so much fun.
I was exhausted by the time I got home on Friday...but managed to go to Forsyth Park with some buds for the Jazz Festival. It was a good time...but had to get up early Saturday for another shower. This one was in Macon - given by a lady I used to work with who might be the funniest and most charming woman on earth, and her daughter, who I adore. I got to see friends that I don't see often and family that I don't see enough. It was so much fun.
Then there was the bad news...our basset hound, Joey, escaped the back yard on Friday. Lee and I walked around looking for him until dark, then let the Humane Society and Animal Control know that he was out there somewhere. When I left Saturday morning, we didn't have a clue where he was or if we'd see him again. Lee called me right after the shower and let me know that someone had found Joey - he had been hit by a car, and was alive but his leg is broken in about 10 places. He is undergoing surgery tomorrow morning. It's such a blessing that he's going to be ok...but so very sad at the same time. I hate to think of either one of my babies being in pain. So please say a prayer...
All in all, there are huge silver linings all over the place. I can't and won't complain. Life is pretty damn good - I had one of "those moments" while in Birmingham...I had just walked the golf course and was having breakfast by myself in the dining room...overlooking the pool and distant mountains...and it just hit me, "I love my life." It was a strange and rare moment of peace and clarity...and I'm hanging onto it, friends.

Countdown... (9.19.05)

2008-06-02T12:06:00.001-07:00

We are exactly 25 days out from the wedding...that is not enough time to lose the 15-20 lbs I was hoping, grow out my fingernails, sculpt my arms, or do the 14 tons of laundry that have piled up at our house. It is probably only time enough to try and tie up some loose ends at work and finalize details with all of our vendors. Crazy - I can't believe we're this close! Where has the time gone?? Yikes.
This weekend alone, we had 3 parties. One Thursday night (Stock the Bar), one Saturday night (BBQ) and a shower on Sunday afternoon. Thursday: Savannah...Saturday: Tifton....Sunday: Macon. Talk about exhausted. It's been a whirlwind for the past few weeks, and it will continue right up until the big day. I'm trying to take everyone's advice and "slow down...enjoy it..." - that's not easy, though.
I am leaving Wednesday morning (6 am flight - ouch) for Birmingham - I am attending the Southern Living Cook-Off event...and cannot wait. We advertise in Southern Living with one of our clients, so that is how this came about...but it should be a really good time. I have no direct bosses going - just me, the client and his wife. I think it will be much fun. Coming back Friday afternoon to Savannah and then heading to Macon Saturday morning (for another party). Busy, busy, busy...
Few things I have not gotten done yet:
- Track down the *&@#%)@& trumpet player
- Track down my hairdresser
- Put together the goody bags
- Get everyone all paid up (vendors)
- Get the Bride's Book
... there are more, but this is stressing me out.
Going to work for a bit now - and desperately try to leave my fingernails alone. Happy Monday...

Dreamweaver (9.13.05)

2008-06-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, so my dreams lately have been a little (LOT) strange... I happen to have a fine example since I dreamt of crazy weirdness just last night.
Dream: We were at a water/amusement park (and not exactly sure who "we" is)...and we kept going back and forth between rides that were free, and rides that we paid for in cash.
In order to get from one park to the other, we had to ride in a school bus. This particular school bus was actually a ride in itself - there were 3 drivers that kept rotating, and I think two were brothers...and the buses went SO fast and up and down lots of hills. It was really scary - but exciting. So, a few of us ended up in this little compartment (I think it was like the bus stop...?), and I remember looking around and thinking how cool everyone was, and how lucky I was to be with them instead of the dorks that we left behind.
I literally said (in dream), "Hey, is this where the in-crowd hangs out?" I said this in a tone that meant, "I know that I'M cool and I know that Y'ALL are cool...so look how cool we are and love it..." So bizarre. And horribly obnoxious.
So then, we get to the other park - this is the one where we have to pay - and we all get ready to ride. Then I remember - and here's where the dream resembles real life - that I don't have any money. So I go to this ATM that happens to back up to the bathrooms. Well, I soon discover that the ATM talks...yessireee, it talks. And my friends (cool friends, remember) are in the bathroom as the ATM screams, "YOU ONLY HAVE FOURTEEN DOLLARS IN YOUR ACCOUNT!" I remember trying to cover up the speaker, knowing that the cool ones could hear it. And then, the ATM starts doing crazy math saying something like, "WE WILL HAVE TO TAKE 5 DOLLARS FOR THIS TRANSACTION AND THEREFORE YOU WILL ONLY HAVE 9 DOLLARS. DO YOU STILL WANT THIS TRANSACTION?" And the ride was $5... So, of course, I couldn't back out of the ride - I mean, the cool people were there!!! So I took the money, rode the stupid ride, and woke up.
What the HELL does that mean???

Gus Chiggins, Coldplay & Meer cats (9.12.05)

2008-06-02T07:21:00.000-07:00

What a weekend...such a blur but so much fun. Friday night, our Savannah buddies had a shower for us at Tonya's house. We had a blast - very good crowd - lots of beer - bbq - presents...and it has finally cooled down a little. It is so humbling for your friends to show up and literally shower you with presents - I have still not quite gotten used to it. Feels a little awkward but so special at the same time. And being there with Lee is a huge help - he's such my partner. So, after lots of beer and some obligatory tequila, Tonya and I snuk off for our Will Farrel ritual. We seem to always do this in the midst of a party - we go back and watch the Will Farrel "Old Prospector" clip and roll around on her bedroom floor laughing our a--es off. This time we kidnapped our friend, Jason, and made him watch too. Not sure if he found it as hilarious as we did, but we really weren't that concerned. ;)
At midnight, Lee and I resigned ourselves to the fact that we needed to go. Saturday, we rose fairly early and hit the road to Raleigh. We have had Coldplay tickets for several months now, and it was finally time! The venue is fabulous (we saw Fleetwood Mac there last summer, and this was Lee's 5th show there) - it's the Alltel Pavilion in Raleigh...seats about 20,000...mostly lawn seats...the cleanest, best, venue ever. And the concert was simply amazing - Chris Martin is fantastic. The vocals were great...and even when he coughed through part of "The Scientist" - he handled it with a funny, humble grace that made it even better the 2nd time around. He sent out a song to Gwyneth and even sang into his cell phone (which I'm sure was on a call to his wife) towards the end. Just unreal. I would see them again in a hearbeat.
(nice review of the show: http://www.newsobserver.com/lifestyles/story/2793869p-9234343c.html)
Sunday, we made our way back to Savannah. Book on tape, beef jerky, Diet Cokes...ready to go. We had some small problems with our books on tape - had to return a few along the way at various and sundry Cracker Barrels for some CD malfunctions, but eventually we got one that we liked and that worked. Got home around 5 or so, went to the grocery store (we are on a new diet - we're not eating crap anymore), and settled in for the evening.
There was a show on GPB (PBS) last night about animal behaviors and emotions. Dogs feeling grief, elephants feeling loss...and a special segment on meer cats. It hit me so hard for some reason! The piece about the meer cats showed one of the females that had been mauled by a jackal. She wasn't dead, but she was hurt very badly. Apparently, meer cats travel all the time - for food, for shelter...they are always moving. But when this one cat was so badly injured, she couldn't go any further. Her family stayed with her - her mother rested her head on the injured meer cat's head, and they all stayed close. They would not leave her. Eventually she succumbed to her injuries and died, and only then did the family move on. I cried like a baby. I mean, SOBBED... it just really touched me to watch these animals behave like we humans only sometimes think that we react. Was just amazing. My eyes are swollen today. Because of meer cats. Go figure.
Ok, off to work - I have so much to do...and have done pretty much nothing today. Talk soon.

Home again, home again...jigadijig (9.7.05)

2008-06-02T07:18:00.000-07:00

Not yet...but will be on my way in the morning. A day of looong meetings and one left to go...I'm ready to be there already. I have to say, though, being away every couple of weeks really makes me love going home. To my house, to the dogs, to Lee. I think these mini-breaks are actually good for us. And they're good for my career, too...I have been more involved than ever in client meetings and management talks. All good things.
I am going to spend the night with my brother in his new house tonight. I can't wait to see it...my Mother said that it looks really cute. I am still having a hard time digesting the fact that my little brother has a mortgage, but I am so proud of him. Maybe I can talk him into a couple of beers this evening. Would be fun for us both.
I am looking at my thumbs right now - I have destroyed them. Bitten at the skin and picked at my cuticles...they look horrible. I need to stop, but I get into these meetings and I'm nervous and I don't even think about what I'm doing to my poor hands. wow...total stream of consciousness...sorry about that.
Off to the 3rd meeting of the day - this one is actually over drinks, though, which should make it a lot less painful.
Until tomorrow.

I Love Livin' in the City (9.6.05)

2008-06-02T07:17:00.000-07:00

Not really true, but Lee sings that song constantly, and I am in Atlanta right now, so I figured it was appropriate for a title.
Drove in last night and was expecting horrible traffic, but I was pleasantly surprised. Not so much as a tapped brake as I came into downtown...ahhh... Checked into the hotel around 745, showered, got room service, watched a little tv, read and slept. Very nice evening. Am in the office now and have yet to see my boss - he's here but busy - so I'm taking full advantage of the down time.
I am on the 17th floor of my hotel - the view is fantastic. And sometimes I do miss living in Atlanta and being right in the middle of the hustle and bustle...but Savannah is so much more my speed. And everytime I go back there from being on a trip, I remember why I love it. The Spanish moss, the lazy afternoons, the easy nights... ahhh... I would take it any day over the concrete jungles of the world.
Went to a wedding this weekend in Asheville, NC. Two friends of ours got married, and the ceremony was so unbelievably beautiful that I'm not sure there was one person there that didn't get choked up. They had the wedding outside, in a valley of sorts...the backdrop consisted of the Appalachian mountains, a small lake, and horses grazing beyond the water. The weather was about 75 degrees, blue skies with no clouds, and breezy. Both the bride and the groom have been through a lot of ups and downs - some drug problems, alcohol, family issues - more than most 30 year olds - but on Saturday, both families were accounted for, everyone was calm and happy, and the day was perfect. Just one of those love stories that inspires you. We had an absolute blast.
Well, I better earn my keep...talk soon. Hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day.

Shame on me... (9.1.05)

2008-06-02T07:14:00.000-07:00

I got called out by someone for pontificating on my wedding woes and being excited for Lee's new job while all of the folks in Louisiana and Mississippi are facing the fight of their lives. I decided not to post said person's comment because this is MY blog and I can talk about whatever I feel like...but in light of his comment, I will say that I have been decidedly self-centered lately. I don't apologize for it...but I do feel guilty about it.
That said, I pray a lot, and lately I have been praying several times a day for the folks left in Katrina's wake. Lee went to college at Tulane, so he feels especially close to the devastation, and we have been watching the news like addicts. Living in a coastal town, we know that this could just as easily happen to us - no one living on the ocean is exempt from hurricanes. In fact, my parents' beach house needs $50k in repairs due to Dennis.
So I suppose my point is that I do care about things going on outside of my little world...I am aware that I am not the center of the universe...I am actually more compassionate than most...
I am updating this about 4 hours after I wrote it...I have been reading a lot of articles online about Katrina and about New Orleans. This is such a scary time. I was telling someone yesterday that the fact that people here are in line at the gas station and all harried and weird makes me think of nuclear war and aliens and the like. Which sounds like a wierd statement, but it makes sense to me. It's that feeling of uncertainty...fear of the unknown. And that's what's happening in New Orleans too - people are losing their minds down there. Shooting at military helicopters, fighting in the superdome, looting stereos (????)...it gives me a horribly uneasy feeling. Disasters usually bring out the best in most people, but they can bring out the worst, too, apparently. And I know the people down there are feeling so helpless and scared. And of course the big question is, What can I do? Give, give, give and give... that's all we can do.
My mother forwarded me an email this morning about a teacher at her school who took a borrowed van down to New Orleans and is actually transporting people to Houston himself. Now THAT is admirable. He is taking strangers 350 miles to safety just because.
So, yeah, my wedding is not even a blip on the grand radar screen. Not even the corner of the edge of a blip. But Katrina has made me even more thankful for all the wonderful things in my life. That's what we do, right? Take stock of our blessings and try to help those less fortunate. Humbling to say the very least.

Cause for celebration! (8.30.05)

2008-06-02T07:12:00.000-07:00

My day just got about 300% better. Lee called and let me know that he got the job that he interviewed for - it's with the same company (so he won't have to completely change everything...), but it's in a whole new department, and it's something that he is so excited about AND will make more money doing! He has been feeling a little bored and dissatisfied with work lately, so this is a HUGELY great thing for both of us. A happier, more challenged, better paid Lee. Yah! Can't tell you how great this is for us.
Also, I met with my wedding director today...she's precious. I would say around 72 years old and just storybook classic. Sweet lady with a tinge of Southern attitude...my favorite. She really knows what she's talking about and had me all up to speed and calmed down in a matter of about 20 minutes. My organist is ready to go (my mother nailed that down today), I got an email about stuff for our goody bags, the table/chairs/table cloth people are set...we are getting there, my friends!
Ahhhhhhh...
I may write more later - just had to share this.

Faster than the speed of light (8.29.05)

2008-05-29T12:52:00.000-07:00

That line from a Steppenwolf song is exactly how I feel my life is going right now. I can't get caught up on anything right now...work, wedding, house, you name it. I have about 183,000 things started that I have no idea how I am going to finish. And, of course, work has to come first so that I can continue to pay bills, eat, and have a roof over my head. But then comes the wedding - which is nipping at our heels by the way - and there are so many details...it's hard to even think about getting them all wrapped up in the 6 weeks we have left. Beyond that, my house needs a really good top-to-bottom cleaning - I'm talking baseboard scrubbing, mopping, furniture dusting...the works. The problem? Time. Wah wah wah-y wah wah.
However, I am back on track to getting my life back. Lee was in D.C. this weekend, so I had a chance on Saturday and Sunday to kind of regroup...I cleaned, shopped, rested, went to church, went to work for a bit (ugh), and just tried to get my head back on straight. Not an easy task these days. But again this morning, work got all crazy and I have been going 100 mph since 830 am. The muscles in my shoulders and neck feel like someone mauled them up like a French twist from Mi-Lady Bakery. I am a nervous ball of energy right now...am almost giddy with adrenaline - trying to finish up buys for one client, media schedules for another, emailing aunts about having my cousins be ushers (and my youngest cousins pass out programs...they're so young, though, that they will probably end up running around with the programs on their heads - hell, by that point I may join them).
Craziness.
Good things: I am getting along famously for my boss...even asked for a raise last week (after a glass or two of wine) and I think I may get it!! Things are good on the work front...busy, but very very good.
The wedding plans are coming along - even though there is much to do, we have much behind us, and I am excited about the big day.
Can I even explain how excited I am about the honeymoon??? 7 days of doing nothing in Aruba. Hell yes!
Presents - wedding presents are the most fun thing ever...and I never knew that I would be this excited about plates and forks.
Ok, leaving for now - time to unclench my jaw and try to relax for the evening.
Au revoir.

There's no place like home (8.22.05)

2008-05-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

Although being back after a week can smart, too. I was in Atlanta from Sunday until Friday, working in our office up there, and as busy as I was, I am so behind on our Savannah office work. Today has been crazy. I have not stopped since I got here, and I have a feeling that the rest of the week will follow suit. So if my entries aren't as regular as usual, you'll know why.
Along with that, the wedding plans are making me nuts. We are up to over 400 folks on our guest list (we had originally planned for no more than 200) which means that the expense of it all on top of the everything else has got my head spinning. And Lee's... I am trying to enjoy the process, and I actually have until now, but I have been waking up in the middle of the night with my shoulders in knots thinking about the organist and programs. I need a glass (magnum) of wine.
But, like I said a few posts ago, I need to focus on the fact that all of these so-called stresses are actually indicative of good things going on in my life. I am busy at work - that means I am needed and valuable. I am getting married to a great guy - that means I am loved and should look forward to not only a great party but a really fantastic marriage. I just need to take a few deep breaths and remember what is important. I just cannot wait until I'm sitting on the beach in Aruba having someone bring me frozen drinks and lying in the sun with Lee...ahhhh...
Until then, we plan, we plan, we plan.
And we take our anti-depressants.

NYC or bust (8.9.05)

2008-05-29T12:48:00.000-07:00

This week, 7 people from my office are in New York City doing an event for one of our clients. Everyone on my hall except for me. And I can't help but feel jealous/angry/dejected about being left behind because I have worked just as hard (and harder in some cases) than everyone that is having a 3-day adventure in Manhattan right now.

However, instead of partying in the East Village, having drinks on the penthouse patio across from the Empire State Building or shopping in Soho (yep, they've done all these things)...I am helping answer phones (lack of manpower) and still trying to keep up with everything else I've got going on. Makes me furious. I'm sure that part of this is just immature envy...but another part has to do with the fact that I have worked my ass off for this client...and there are people at the event who have barely been with our company for 3 months. I have been here for 4 long years. And it's not just being in NYC...it's being that close to the client and having that experience - I want that. I deserve that. And, instead, I am left behind to do my "catch up" work.

I probably should have voiced at least a little of this before the event, but I didn't realize how incensed I was until now. I just feel slighted.

Is it me, I wonder? Do they not think that I can handle myself in that situation? Do they not think that I am at that level? Who knows... Although, I really DON'T think it's any of those things...I think I just got overlooked. And that really sucks. We're a small agency...opportunities like this don't come along all that often. And I wanted this one.

So, what does this teach me? I guess to speak up next time...even if it doesn't turn out the way I want. At least I will have stood up for myself. Wonder why at 29 that can still sometimes be hard to do?

You're not dealing with a human....you're dealing with a bride (8.8.05)

2008-05-19T08:07:00.000-07:00

My friend and coworker, Adam, who is helping me with my invitations just said this to me. About me. And I swear, I am not normally a high-maintenance person...I don't know what's happened to me. I really have become that horrible creature known as Bridezilla.

Adam and Geoff (another coworker) have been working together on my invitations for awhile now...well, everything I've seen has been online. Files, pdf's etc. So today everything comes back from the printer - I was so excited!! However, there is an extra "s" on my reply cards (they say "Declines with regrets" instead of "Declines with regret")...and my inner envelopes aren't lined. When I brought these things up to Adam, he looked at me like I was crazy. Which, I think I actually may be.

That's when he said, "You know, I should have told Geoff...you're not dealing with a human...you're dealing with a bride."

Made me laugh...but it's true, and I can't deny it. It's that one time in your life where everything HAS to be perfect...and as easy-going as I am, I cannot seem to stop at "ok" these days...everything has to be absolutely flawless. The problem with everything being perfect, is that "everything" encompasses about 1 million little details. I swear, you could lose your mind planning a wedding.

So...here I sit with 3 boxes of "flawed" invitations...and work that I haven't even THOUGHT about doing. So before I get fired...let me say bye for now.

The Bride

Sarcasm is the Language of the Devil (8.4.05)

2008-05-15T08:03:00.000-07:00

My mother used to say this to me when I was growing up...she denies that now. But I seriously doubt that I made that saying up. Whenever my brother or I would throw out obnoxiously facetious comments, our mom would give us the eye. You know...THE eye.

I had someone tell me today that my blog entries do not reflect my biting sarcastic side. Probably because I would rather not look like a total bitch - I mean, I know how to BE a total bitch, but that's not really my nature. Certain people bring out the sarcasm and not-so-nice comments...but in general, I am a pretty friendly and sensitive person.

But, ok, I will humor that sicko.

Things I Feel Perfectly OK About Smearing With Sarcasm

1. Angelina Jolie - Wow, what an amazing role model...having sex with Billy Bob Thornton in a limo, wearing vials of blood, sleeping with someone else's husband...and all the while posing as the poster child for "I Love Africa." I'm sure the kids will turn out normal. Probably a doctor and a school teacher...or serial killer and stripper.

2. SEC Graduates who can't seem to stop "Going to School..." - These guys - who are definitely in a category all their own - went to Southeastern Conference schools...they have graduated but can't seem to shake the croakies, polo golf shirts, Patagonia short shorts, Rainbow flip flops and all-around "I am so much better than you" sneer. These guys are the epitome of what all women want...I mean, who doesn't want to marry someone that will inevitably cheat on you, poke at your love handles with disgust, get completely wasted at football games on Jim Beam, and blatantly ignore people that he knows because they don't drive the right car. I love those guys...my Lord, talk about smoking hot.

3. Tom Cruise - I'm not even sure I can do this one with a straight face. What a psycho (that is not sarcasm). Tom, you have renewed my faith in movie stars...that elite group that I once thought so self-important they would attempt to make up their own religons...now I understand that actually, they ARE that important. If you're a movie star, you automatically know the history of psychology and more about the existance of a higher power than any priest, PHD, rabbi, or anyone who has actually studied these things. I mean, if you have played both Maverick and Cole Trickle in your life, you basically ARE God...right?

4. Monday Morning Quarterbacks - Again...the utmost respect for anyone who, with the advantage of hindsight, can drone on and on about what an athlete/coach SHOULD have done during the heat of the moment. That takes major skill and unparalleled knowledge - my only question is why these men aren't more celebrated in the world of sports? And, another amazing point to make about these men...most never even PLAYED sports. Incredible.

Ok, enough for today. I'm making myself angry. Hope this was entertaining.

Today is a new day! (8.2.05)

2008-05-15T08:01:00.000-07:00

Well, in a little over 24 hours, our company raised $900 for Elizabeth. That is really amazing considering we only have about 12 people that work here. Our Atlanta office (which consists of about 15 more people) raised $80, and we did the rest. I am so unbelievably touched that everyone stepped up like that - it amazes me. And restores my faith in people. I cannot wait to give this "love fund" to Elizabeth...she is going to be blown away.

I went during lunch and got her goodies for her road trip - cookies, crackers, water, candy, gum...and treats for her babies, too. I am going to give her that tonight with a card - inside the card will be the check for $900. That should help her...at least a little. She can either use it for Toby's treatments, or for traveling, or for anything in the world she wants. :)

This fundraising has made me incredibly happy...I just feel so good that we could actually do something this substantial for Elizabeth. I am restored and refreshed and amazed and impressed. It's a great feeling. I know that what we've done won't take any of her pain away, but she will at least know how much we all care.

Thanks for everyone who has prayed for her - every little bit counts.

Tonight, on a totally different subject, a friend of Lee's is coming into town to stay with us for 2-3 nights. He is a groomsman and Lee has known him forever, but I've never met him. A vegetarian (which completely threw off my meal planning) and a non-drinker (which completely threw off my entertainment itinerary) - this should be interesting. Lee loves him, though, and I'm sure I will too... wish me luck. O'Douls and, um, whatever vegetarians eat!! ahah...

Have a great Tuesday - and do something sweet for someone...it does amazing things for your soul. LOVE!!!

Why... (8.1.05)

2008-05-15T07:58:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen someone go through a really awful ordeal and wondered "why." And you can't help but question ALL the why's..."Why them?" "Why not me?" "Why would God put so much on them?" "Why can't I figure out how to help?" "Why is everything in my life going so well and everything in their life going so wrong?"

I am playing the "why" game today. A friend and coworker of mine is going through a horrible time right now - her husband is in Iraq, her mother is battling cancer (seems to be in the last stages), one of her dogs has been diagnosed with cancer, too, and they are like her babies since she doesn't have any children. She just found out (literally in the last 15 minutes) that a funeral director has met with her parents. She is from Philadelphia, so she's not close to home; she has no brothers or sisters...she is relatively alone besides her friends and coworkers. And it breaks my heart.

This morning when her vet called to tell her that the pathology report had come back positive, she called me upstairs. That was totally out of character - she is usually so very stubborn and strong. She bawled on the fire escape and let me comfort her (as best I could) while she just unraveled. And then, to get the phone call about her mother this afternoon - isn't that too much for a person to handle? Why would God give someone so much to take at one time? And no one to help her share the burden? I just don't understand.

And I know that it is beyond human comprehension and not for us to understand...but it just seems so cruel. So positively unbearable. And I have no idea what to do, what to say, or how to handle it.

I started a little "fund" this morning (within our company) for her doggy...a Foundation for his radiation treatment. It seems like such a trite little thing - I wish I could do more. I'm awful in these situations - they scare me and I don't know what to do or say. At this point, I am just praying for her and for her family and her babies. It's heartbreaking.

So, now the only other thing I can think of to do is to ask y'all to pray too. Her name is Elizabeth, and her dog's name is Toby. She is one of the sweetest people on this planet and would do anything for anyone. I only hope I can somehow show her how much we all care.

Thanks...

On the Edge of the Weekend! (7.29.05)

2008-05-15T07:52:00.000-07:00

And thank goodness for that! It is 230 on Friday afternoon...it doesn't get any better than this. Your whole weekend is just waiting for you to come and join the fun...and you have no obligations or responsibilities for two whole days. This is the last weekend of that variety, though, until the wedding. So I plan to enjoy the ever living stuffing out of it.

I looked at my calendar today and realized that between now and October 15th, I have someone else's wedding to attend, another's engagement party to attend, 5 luncheon/showers, 3 nighttime parties and 1 big ol' bachelorette weekend. I am going to be completely exhausted by the time I walk (crawl) down the aisle!! But it should also be a lot of fun. And the 30 lbs I was planning to drop before the wedding...well, I don't think that's going to happen. Seeing as the wedding is now only about 2.5 months away. I also was supposed to be really organized at work by this point, which has also not happened. Where does the time go??

I have yet to decide on the ceremony music...that's weighing on me. My invitations are in limbo because the designer (a friend) used some format that the printer can't "read." We haven't gone and picked out the tuxes. I don't have ANY clue what we're going to do about wedding favors. I hope the band doesn't suck. We still have to send money in to rent the square...and get cops so the bums won't go ape shit and mess with the guests. Lots, lots, lots to do... it's stressful.

So, to decompress this weekend is actually going to be a challenge. Tonya and I are trying to convince our significant dorks to go to La Boheme - which is an underground wine bar. I think that sounds heavenly... And then to the beach tomorrow to get sun and read and do nothing. Sounds perfect. If I can just keep all the wedding stuff pushed down out of my consciousness until Monday. Wish me luck.

For now, I am sittting in my office, shoes off, blogging away. My job allows me little freedoms like this one, and I am so glad. I would go crazy if I had to be "on" all day long.

Ok, off to search the internet and write emails until 530... have a wonderful weekend!!

Dreams (7.28.05)

2008-05-15T07:50:00.000-07:00

Last night I slept so hard and so deep...it was physically difficult for me to get up this morning. And I think part of that was the clarity and vividness of my dreams. They were amazingly real...very bizarre to wake up from that.

I was moving back to Athens to start another year of college. Although nothing LOOKED like Athens, I knew that's where I was, and I had a truck full of things to unpack into my room. I was living at the sorority house (which I did for 2 years) and living with Beth (which I did for 3 years). She had picked out our room and told me it was Room 13 but not to get freaked out because it was a GREAT space. So I began unloading all of my stuff...which included suitcases, cardboard boxes, a grill (??), and my dog. For some reason, in order to unpack, I had to cross a 4 lane, divided street. Cars were flying. At one point, I was on the median trying to cross the remainder of the road, when a guy in a black car that resembled a lawn mower came tearing towards me. He ran up into a yard, barely missed a tree, turned back towards me and was headed right for me. Somehow I jumped out of his way, but I clearly remember thinking, "Wow, he is wasted and it's the middle of the day!"

I had on a bright pink golf shirt, white shorts, flip flops, hair in a ponytail. After I finished unpacking, someone suggested we all go downtown. I said that would be fine, I just needed to apply some mascara. While I was putting on the said mascara, I noticed that my eyelashes were about 1.5 feet long. But I wasn't upset or shocked, just mildly amused.

We went downtown to the club and listened to a band, had beers, and had a great time. It was so real...but also surreal. Dreams are always that way.

This morning, Matt Lauer's voice brought me back to reality. Stories of Iraq, Natalie Holloway, a missing newlywed who apparently fell from a cruise ship... I think I would have rather stayed in my dream.

The Sweetest Day (7.27.05)

2008-05-15T07:47:00.000-07:00

I got an email from Lee earlier today that said, "Did you know that we're getting married on the sweetest day?" I was so confused...so I called him. He said that, yes, October 15th is actually The Sweetest Day. It's on Hallmark's calendar. Of course he didn't come up with this on his own...someone at work told him. But I thought that was really cute...and suspect, so of course I looked it up myself.

A whole article dedicated to The Sweetest Day (which is the 3rd Saturday in October)

http://pressroom.hallmark.com/sweetest_day.html

Ok, I'm bored with that now...althought I am glad we're getting married on a "sweet" day instead of, oh say... meanest day. You know?

Other than that... the heat index today in Savannah ranges between 110-120 degrees. It is incredibly, horribly, sickeningly hot outside. And hazy. I went out at lunch to get my Grandma a birthday card, and I literally thought I might just pass out on the sidewalk. It's not safe out there. Which is why I am not allowing myself to feel guilty about not running this week. I mean, I could die out there! (hahahaha)

So tonight (instead of exercising) I think that we are going to cook a nice dinner at home, crank the AC, watch some television and relax. Doesn't burn as many calories, but it also doesn't give you a heat stroke.

Stay cool.

Preacher Man (7.26.05)

2008-05-15T07:44:00.000-07:00

Today at 515, Lee and I have our second meeting with the Methodist preacher at my church. The first (which I blogged about) went very well, and was more about us all talking and the preacher getting to know us than anything else. Today, he told us, will be about our fights and how we resolve them.

I am so nervous...I almost feel sick.

I guess my main fear is that he's going to tell us something like, "You know, after talking to you guys, I really don't think you're right for each other." Not that he ever would - because, besides the fact that we are SO right for each other, I don't think that preachers do that during pre-nuptial meetings. But there is still that fear...you know? That he is going to uncover some horrible truth about us and we will have to face the music. I think all of these feelings are normal...because when it comes down to it, I don't have any doubts about Lee. None. I mean, he does stuff like leaves his shoes everywhere and he tip-taps the Tony Chachere's container in a way that drives me INSANE, but I have no substantial problems with anything he is about or anything he does. He's wonderful.

So why am I scared of the preacher? Maybe it goes back to childhood and the notion of "All Seeing God" - I have always thought of preachers as also knowing a lot about you. Just by looking at you. Sort of a scary concept...to think that they could look at you and know that you cheated on your history test that day. Anyway, all irrational...but unnerving just the same.

We will go and sit in his cold office while he asks us questions about our relationship...I am sure I will pick and pull at my cuticles and Lee will bite his fingernails. But it will soon be over...and good for us in the end. ;)

Wish me luck! (at least I haven't cheated on any tests in a while...)

UPDATE: The meeting went very well...actually, it went way better than expected. The preacher is such a dear man - I actually enjoyed myself. And I think Lee did, too. Whew

Holy Mother of Mondays (7.25.05)

2008-05-15T07:38:00.000-07:00

Wow, today has been hectic. I don't think I've been in the sanctity of my office for more than 45 minutes total all day. Had a meeting at a client's office at 10...lunch with Lee out at his work...client meeting upstairs at 2...and now my parents are in town, and I'm meeting them in about 45 minutes. How, you may ask, do I have time to blog today? I don't...but I also don't have time to finish anything that I might start at work, so :P

Today is my dad's 60th birthday. At his request, we are going to visit Pinkie Master's. It's a little dive bar downtown that we adore - and he is the only immediate family member that hasn't been. I am very much in love with this tiny watering hole - the bartenders are wonderful, the juke box is fantastic (and actually hosts one of my own mix cd's), the beer is cold, and the clientele are ALWAYS interesting.

Good time for a Pinkie's story from long ago...

It was April of 2003, and I was having a beer at the bar with some of my buddies. It was a Tuesday and pretty dead, so Pinkie's was quiet and calm. All of a sudden a guy approached me - came up on my left side - and asked my name. I told him, and he asked if he could buy my friend and I a drink. My friend was a guy, and he said "yes" before I could (ahaha)...so we smiled, took the drinks and said goodbye. He introduced himself as Josh, but I didn't think anything about it.

After he sat back down at his booth (with friends), another guy sitting up at the bar asked if Charly (friend) and I knew who that guy was. We said, "no" but that we sure were glad he was there...everyone likes free beer. Well, the informed bar-goer proceeded to tell us that this guy was Josh Lucas...the "hometown boy" from "Sweet Home Alabama," the friend in "A Beautiful Mind," one of the sleaze bag preppies in "American Psycho"... we were stunned. But sure enough, after another evaluation, he was indeed Josh Lucas. I was so excited...I literally started thinking about things like "What if he falls in love with me...? What if he asks me to the Oscars and we go to an after party with Nicholas Cage and Jack Nicholson? ... What if we get married, have our wedding catered by Spago, build a house in Malibu...?" I know, a bit over the top, but he IS a star!!

Anyway, about 30 minutes later, he comes back up to us at the bar. I was so excited...thinking "This is it!! This is my moment!!!" He mumbled something...and then bit me. Yep, you read correctly - he BIT my left ear. And I'm not talking nibble to be sexy...BIT my ear. Hard. It brought tears to my eyes. So I'm holding my ear, all of my Hollywood dreams shattered (as well as possibly the cartilage in my ear) and I'm looking at Charly like, "What in the world just happened???" He asked, "Did he bite you?" And I nodded. He then asked, "Did it hurt?" And, with tears in my eyes, I nodded again.

Charly walked over to Josh Lucas, in his booth, and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Did you just bite her?" Charly asked.

"Yeah...ahahaha" says Josh.

"You hurt her!" Charly told him.

"ahahahahaah..." laughs Josh.

"CHOMP!!!!" Charly bit him back.

HILARIOUS...and perfect. Well, Josh was in Savannah filming "Undertow" and was here for about 6 weeks...he continued coming to Pinkie's after that incident, but never without speaking to Charly and me first and buying us a drink. That, my friends, is my brush with fame.

I've been tagged! (7.22.05)

2008-05-15T07:34:00.000-07:00

I just did this entire post and lost it...grrrrrrrrr... but, I am a dedicated new blogger, and I will do it again!! Thanks for tagging me, Allison!! (I even am getting the lingo down) Happy Friday!

10 Years Ago Today: Good Lord, I'm old. I was 19, home from freshman year at UGA, working for the Experiment Station in the peanut fields...exhausted but soooo tan.

5 Years Ago Today: I had just moved to Macon and taken a sales job with Macon Magazine. Was living with my parents for the first time since I left for college and was on the cusp of breaking up with a long-time boyfriend. I was basically just trying to figure out which way was up.

1 Year Ago Today: I was here in this very office...in this very chair... Happy in love, and had just gotten a new boss who has ended up being a lifesaver!!

Yesterday: Celebrated a friend's engagement at our favorite watering hole.

Tomorrow: I hope to go to the beach, but Lee and I have too much to do around the house. Bummer.

5 Snacks I enjoy: Clausen dill pickles, Zapps Salt & Vinegar potato chips, Combos, carrots with veggie dip, beef jerky

5 Adult Beverages I enjoy: Amstel Light, chardonnay, champagne, Crown & ginger ale, strawberry dacquiris

5 Bands That I Know the Lyrics to Most of Their Songs: Commodores, The Police, Frank Sinatra, Otis Redding, Snoop Dogg (old school...not the new stuff)

5 Things I Would Do with a $100,000,000: Send my parents on a fabulous overseas trip, repair the damage that stupid Dennis did to our beach house, pay off my debts, buy Lee a new car...possibly a police cruiser...hmmm?, invest

5 Locations I Would Like to Run Away to: Cannes, Italy, Turks & Caicos, Hawaii, Fiji

5 Bad Habits I Have: Procrastinating at work, biting/chewing my cuticles, not balancing my checkbook, not answering my cell phone, eating late

5 Things I Like Doing: going to the beach, reading, watching movies, running, hanging out with Lee, traveling

5 Things I would Never Wear: micro mini skirt, polyester leisure suit, socks to bed, midriff-baring top, assless chaps (ahahhahhaahah)

5 TV Shows I Like: Felicity, Law & Order, Bridezilla, Real World, Laguna Beach (I know...I'm much too old)

5 Movies I Like: Annie Hall, The Shining, Pretty In Pink, Wizard of Oz, A Love Song for Bobby Long

5 Famous People I would Like to Meet: John Cusack, Katie Couric, Tom Brokaw, Tom Selleck, Tom Cruise (so I could punch him)

5 Biggest Joys at the Moment: planning my wedding, looking forward to the weekend with Lee, my cold Diet Coke, knowing it's Friday, being happy for my brother that he got his house (yah!)

5 favorite toys: my wedding notebook, my dogs, my car, the On-Demand feature on our cable box, Netflix

5 People to Tag: Mere, Allison (thanks for the tag!!!), Girl From Florida, JC, Huge Soul

Ok, I would try to link those names, but that's how I lost this the first time. ;) One day I'll figure it out...

51 More Things to Note... (7.21.05)

2008-05-15T07:27:00.000-07:00

It was brought to my attention that most people in Blogland note 100 or 101 things about themselves....since I only listed 50 the other day, I will attempt to get to 100. If I have it in me, I will try for 101. If this is boring any of you, you have my permission (and the power) to close this window.

51. I have been to Las Vegas - I gambled for about three days (we were there on a 7 day trip) but then lost at the Roulette table, and I didn't gamble for the remainder of the trip. I did however, bash my head into a marble chair rail at the MGM Grand on New Year's Eve and I think I had a mild concussion.

52. My fiance and I have our own language - we probably are up to about 25-30 words that no one uses but us.

53. I was cut from Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority during rush at UGA in 1994 - and it really pissed me off.

54. I don't like spicy food.

55. My first pets were poodles - Louie & Mimi - that were my Mom's babies before I was born.

56. My left ear is double pierced - I did that in rebellion on a Choir Tour when I was 14. My best friends did it with me...

57. I hate sweeping - I would rather clean toilets than sweep.

58. I love the show "Felicity" - it is probably my favorite show that has ever aired.

59. I didn't understand that the cereal tagline "Nut'n Honey" was supposed to have the double meaning of "Nothing, Honey" in the commercial until about 3 years after it had been on the air

60. My fiance's favorite ice cream is Mint Chocolate Chip - it is pretty much the only flavor of ice cream that I don't like

61. I am a Libra

62. I love football

63. I hate mayonnaise

64. My friend Beth and I used to have beauty pageants with her Madame Alexander dolls and tape record them. We even had musical interludes...sang "America the Beautiful" once

65. I used to prank call people and ask for Ghandi - I thought that was hilarious

66. I was hit by a car when I was riding my bike - I think I was about 9 years old

67. I have never broken a bone or even had a sprain

68. I have had an MRI, a Cat Scan, an endoscopy, and several other procedures that you don't want to know about

69. I went to Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta during the 1996 Olympics...but I didn't go to any events

70. I also went to the World's Fair in 1980 and still remember riding the "ski lift" thing in Knoxville, TN

71. My uncle and my dad played college football - uncle at Georgia Tech and dad at University of South Carolina

72. My fiance's feet look like a warlock's (or what I would imagine that a warlock's feet look like)

73. I wear a size 7 ring (that's kind of big)

74. I have had about 11 speeding tickets - I have never gotten out of a single one

75. I prefer driving a 5-speed car to an automatic car

76. I am really, really silly at heart

77. I was voted "Best Legs" my senior year of high school

78. My first kiss was Josh Mason in the 6th grade at a party at April C's house

79. I have a Sheltie named Charlie - I think he is the greatest dog in the world

80. The only play I was ever in was a Christmas play at church - I was one of the Star of Bethlehem's sidekicks - I wore a big cardboard star around my head and had several lines. It was scary. I think I was about 6

81. That's a lie - I just remembered that I was in a play in preschool and played "Harriet Honeybee" (I can't believe I remember that...I was only 4 years old)

82. We used to reenact Dukes of Hazzard on the playground of my preschool, and everyone wanted to be Daisy Duke. I was usually one of the Hazzard boys or Roscoe P. Coltraine

83. I like food from places like Morrison's and Picadilly Cafeterias

84. I love to sleep - I can easily sleep 12 hours a night, but I try not to do that

85. I can't wear socks to bed because I am really hot natured

86. I went to three funerals in high school for classmates that died in car accidents

87. I love to buy clothes - it really gives me an incredible high

88. I want to lose about 12 lbs

89. I strive to be more like my mother - she is much more reserved than I am and an amazingly strong person

90. I also strive to be like my father - he's a role model and well-respected and funny and a very hard worker

91. I think that being weird is a very attractive quality

92. The first time I ever got tipsy was on Choir Tour when I was 14 years old...we were in New Orleans (our choir director later got in trouble)

93. I love amusement parks - way more than your average person. I have a hard time sleeping the night before I go to one.

94. Christmas Eve is the best day of the year. Period.

95. I dressed my brother up like a girl once - put him in a tutu, a wig, the whole nine yards. No wonder he hates me.

96. One of the happiest days of my life was when I made the cheerleading squad in high school - we had 5 different uniforms, and I tried every one of them on that night and did cheers in front of the mirror

97. One of the scariest days of my life was when I was dropped off at college - I begged my parents and my boyfriend not to leave me

98. I love french dip sandwiches

99. I don't know how to water ski - I have tried, but I can't stay up for longer than about 100 yards

100. I wrecked a Honda scooter when I was 15 and chipped four teeth

101. This is for Meredith: I am still a movie fanatic and can quote lines from probably over 100 movies

Whew.

A Christmas Story in July (7.21.05)

2008-05-14T09:04:00.000-07:00

This is another of my stories from the past that I don't want to forget...the story of mine and Lee's engagement. Thought I'd post so that I'll have it. :)

Feel free to read at your leisure - this is a long, long story...but pretty entertaining. And true! As you may or may not know, the Sewards went on a cruise this year - from December 18th to December 23rd, and this is where the story begins...

The cruise was wonderful - so relaxing and so much fun and I think I gained 1700 lbs. It was actually a little chilly some days, but still warm enough to lay out some and relax and read in the sun. Ahhh... Key West was great and the Bahamas were so beautiful. Got back to Jacksonville (with no horrible hurricane-like winds or Tsunamis) Thursday morning. I cried all the way back to Savannah because this was the first Christmas without my family, but by the time I got home I was ok. I'm a huge baby. hahaha...

Packed and did laundry and relaxed a little bit at home here in the 'vannah before my 6:05 PM flight to Memphis. Got to the airport and found that my flight was delayed by 30 minutes...no biggie. But, when we got to Atlanta, my flight there was delayed 2 HOURS! And the Atlanta airport literally looked like Wal-Mart on Christmas Eve. People EVERYWHERE!! So I was a little perturbed and called Lee to let him know that I would not be to Memphis by 9.

Well, when I got him on the phone, I could tell something was wrong...he was breaking up, and all I heard was "Mary Emma...hospital...not good..." Mary Emma is Lee's 2-year-old niece. The phone completely cut off, and I hysterically called back. This time, Mrs. Huff answered and told me that Mary Emma had fallen and hit her head - she quit breathing, had a seizure and was in the hospital. Lee had driven her, his sister, and his nephew, William, in the ice to the hospital - thankfully seeing an ambulance on the way and flagging them down. In the process, he knocked his passenger side mirror off of his car and his driver side window blew a fuse and wouldn't roll up (mind you, it was 11 degrees). So, when I talked to Mrs. Huff, Mary Emma was in ICU and they didn't know if she would suffer brain damage or not. So, so, so, so scary. They were just a mess!

My flight (of course) got delayed 4 more times, and by the time I finally left for Memphis (1240 AM), Mary Emma was doing fine, her Cat Scan came back normal and she was going to stay in the hospital for observation. Whew... I got to Memphis at about 130 AM, and Lee picked me up at the airport. By this time everyone was exhausted - emotionally and physically.

Mary Nell (Lee's sister) stayed at the hospital while her husband, Patrick, had to move mountains to get to Memphis from Paducah (where they live) because of the 14 inches of snow that fell. Finally, a neighbor drove Patrick to the hospital (took them almost 5 hours), and the little family was reunited. In the meantime, Lee's dad fell and broke his arm while walking the dog on the ice. The hits just kept on coming...

SO...by the time Christmas Eve rolled around, everyone was pretty much patched up, and we were all just happy that things turned out as well as they did. Such a roller coaster of emotions! Mary Emma got to come home around 3 or so, and she was as good as new, thank goodness. Mr. Huff got a cast, and was just thankful that his left arm was impaired and not his right.

Lee told me that Christmas Eve would be our night, so we packed a little bag, got ready and headed out into the snow and ice. We went to the Peabody Hotel to have a drink and dinner at the Italian restaurant there. Before dinner, we checked into our room - which was so fabulous and QUIET which was a nice change - and then went down to eat. Dinner was so delicious, and it was so nice to just be able to talk and unwind. After that, we went to a little blues bar in the hotel and had a drink. Lee was dead-set on getting up to the roof (I had no idea why), so we went up to the room to get our coats. While we were in the room, he said he wanted to get some champagne to take up to the roof... as he was calling the lobby, I looked on the table in the room, and there was champagne already there. Lee looked so confused - it was hilarious... Anyway, he said that he must've ordered that when he reserved the room, so we poured a glass and began our venture to the roof.

Since it was now 5 degrees and completely iced over, they wouldn't let us up to the Skyway. Foiled! Lee went down and begged the concierge, but it didn't help. He was a bit crestfallen, and I didn't know why...but we decided to just have our champagne in the warm room (which was FINE by me!! haha). When we got there and sat down, Lee told me he loved me...then he said, "Do you know how much I love you?" And, honestly, after that, it becomes a blur! It was so romantic, and he told me that he wanted me to be his wife and that he loves me more than anything in the world...and then he got on his knee and proposed. Such an amazing moment. Actually, he said, "You didn't say yes!" To which I responded, "You didn't ask!" He had only said "I want you to be my wife..." So, then he said, "Will you marry me?" And I said "yes" and we laughed and cried and had more champagne. :)

So, there you go! A really memorable Christmas indeed. Haven't set the date yet, but we're thinking maybe October...

Forgive...still officeless (7.19.05)

2008-05-14T08:58:00.000-07:00

I swear, I think that being officeless is worse than being on a serious deadline. I am bored to tears AND antsy about all of the work I haven't been able to do. In order to keep myself from stressing out, I have decided to make a list - 50 Things About Molly... I've seen it on other blogs, and it's kind of interesting. Let's see if I can get to 50.

1. I am left handed - I eat and write with my left hand...but throw with my right.

2. I have green eyes that can sometimes look blue in the sunlight and with the right color shirt on.

3. I am a dog person - cats are ok, but I adore the canines.

4. I don't like bananas, grapes, canteloupe, watermelon, honeydew, or kiwi.

5. I do like liver & onions, spinach, cooked carrots, rutabegas (sp?) and can eat bbq for breakfast.

6. I was a big baby - 9 lbs, 15 oz's at birth

7. I wrote plays in the 2nd grade and cast kids from my class to be in them. I would even bring them costumes to wear and rewrite all the copies of the script.

8. I am horribly scared of alligators - I have nightmares about them.

9. I am very self conscious about my body - especially my love handles.

10. I am named after a friend of my mother's in college - a ZTA friend at UGA

11. I have always found English classes easy...and math classes impossible.

12. I don't love poetry - except for limericks. Love limericks.

13. I love to read - mostly fiction although a good biography can suck me in, too.

14. I think that listening to Braves games on the radio is really fun and it makes me feel happy.

15. I adore the smell of fresh cut grass - it reminds me of summertime and of football games on Friday nights.

16. I could eat an entire jar of dill pickles in one sitting.

17. I own close to 50 pairs of shoes.

18. My Seven jeans that I bought in LA are one of my favorite possessions.

19. I have never been out of the country besides going to the Bahamas.

20. I was a gymnast for 8 years, but I was always scared of the parallel bars.

21. I won a writing fair in 4th grade for a poem I wrote about school. I won again in the 9th grade for a story I wrote from the point of view of a soldier in Desert Storm.

22. I won 3rd place in an On the Spot writing contest at a Journalism Convention held at UGA when I was in 12th grade.

23. I lost the student council election in 12th grade, as well as the Beta Club Officer election, and I didn't get chosen as captain of our cheerleading squad or voted onto the Homecoming Court.

24. I have never been late on my taxes.

25. I have been late on my car payment.\r\n26. I have bounced a check.

27. I have never pawned anything.

28. I have called in sick when I was not really sick.

29. I have gone to work when I probably should have stayed home.

30. I have written letters and emails to people who haven't written me back, and it hurts my feelings.\r\n31. I think my brother is amazing.

32. I have flat feet.

33. I don't have contacts and never had braces.

34. I only quit biting my fingernails about 2 years ago.

35. I have had my heart broken - at least twice.

36. I have broken someone's heart.

37. I got an award in 5th grade for not missing a single day of school - that same year, I also got an award for the highest academic average in my grade. Going to school DOES help you to do better. ha

38. I have called someone by the wrong name - recently - and it was a family member.

39. I wanted to be a grocery store clerk when I was a little girl.

40. I used to make up songs on my front porch and when I was riding my bike, and it would make my eyes water.

41. I think that Riesen candies are the most delicious thing on the planet.

42. I like beer more than wine.

43. I love Lionel Richie, Phil Collins, Hall & Oates and tons of other cheesy music.

44. I have tripped and fallen while running in my neighborhood.

45. I have been caught talking about a friend.

46. I love collard greens - can eat 2 or 3 helpings without getting full.

47. My first name and my last name both mean the same thing: "Guardian of the Sea"

48. I love to write, talk, look at pictures, and watch old movies - I am extremely nostalgic

49. I was a C-section baby - therefore I have a "perfect" head

50. I am much too sensitive and can dish out a lot more than I can take.

Whew - there you go. And guess what!! I get my office back!

Back to My Post (7.19.05)

2008-05-14T08:54:00.000-07:00

I have been momentarily displaced out of my office - my computer has some strange corrupt "thing" going on, and our IT person had to copy ALL of my files onto a 3rd party hard drive, clean out the computer, and then copy it all back. I have, as a result, lost a day and a half of work AND of blogging. Woe is me.

The weekend was great - my fitting went well, and there are only a couple of minor things they have to do to the dress before the wedding. Yikes. Even my shoes were ready this time. It is such a good feeling to put on your wedding dress and have other patrons in the store tell you how much they like it...validation that you chose well, I suppose. I am happy with the dress - it's gorgeous. And I really wish that I could wear it more than once, but that would be severely inappropriate and a little mentally unstable.

Saturday evening the whole family went to a wedding. It was an Episcopal wedding, so it lasted a really long time (for us Methodist folks, anyway). So beautiful, though...and really sweet. The couple seem perfect together, and I've known them both for ages. Especially the groom - I've known him since he was born. The reception was SO much fun!! And I wasn't expecting that... I think that may have been what made it even better. The band was great, the beer and wine were abundant, and there were tons of people there that I knew. We even ended up at the country club bar after the bride and groom left - no one was ready to go home. I love those nights - you feel like you are smiling for hours upon hours.

Sunday, while Lee was still camping, my mother and I went shopping. During the course of the weekend, I scored three new pairs of shoes and two dresses. My mother also found my bridesmaids' jewelry yesterday, so we are one step closer to having everything done. What a great feeling. I ended up staying in Tifton Sunday night and driving back yesterday morning. That was a fine idea except that by yesterday afternoon, I was an exhausted wreck. At one point, I cried because the clean dishes had not been unloaded out of the dishwasher. It was time to lie down.

Lee was a sweetheart and let me be pitiful - he made dinner and even brought me dessert. :) I needed that...I think the stress of the wedding on top of working and just being tired all got to me. Bottom line: I need a vacation.

This weekend - NO PLANS!! I can't believe it...and am so excited. I hope I get at least one good beach day out of it, too. My mother gave me a JFK, Jr. biography this weekend that I am flying through - he was my ideal growing up. I loved everything about that man. This book is fascinating.

Off to check on the status of my computer - happy green beans and Gadget!

Brain Dead (7.15.05)

2008-05-14T08:53:00.001-07:00

I am officially the most useless person here today. I can't bring myself to do even a morsel of anything resembling work...it's pitiful. I just was asked if I had finished revising a schedule that I was given early this morning. Of course I had not finished...I haven't finished ANYTHING today. So I felt a little guilty and took the 10 minutes necessary to revise the schedule. If possible, I am even MORE worthless after that little bit of effort.

I'm driving home to Tifton this afternoon, and I think that's my problem. I'm just so ready to get out of here and get on the road. That drive is quite possibly one of the most boring trips there is - 3 hours of flat landscape and tiny speed-trap towns. But, I was informed by my Mother that there will be a steak there with my name on it when I arrive. Yippee...

I have my second wedding dress fitting in the morning. The last time we did this, I almost passed out from standing for so long. Of course I didn't eat because I didn't want to be chubby for the fitting - that was beyond brilliant. I was light headed and almost sick by the time it was over. I am vowing to have at least a piece of toast tomorrow.

Tomorrow evening I have a wedding to attend - I'm so excited about it. It's weird...now that I have my own wedding in the works, going to other folks' nuptials is fascinating! Lee is off doing the camping thing this weekend (remember? I'm the cool fiance), so it will just be me and the fam. Looking forward to it.

Ok, short post today because, as I've stated, I am a mere shell of a human today. Happy weekend!

Do You Love As Good As You Look? (7.14.05)

2008-05-14T08:49:00.000-07:00

Just a little tribute to the Bellamy Brothers. Last night while it was storming, Lee and I sat on the screen porch having some wine...and I decided that I was in the mood for some music from my childhood. Bellamy Brothers won.

When I was a little girl, I used to love to tag along with my Daddy. He was a football and baseball coach, so he spent lots of time outdoors. On the weekends, he was always at one field or the other...mowing the grass, dragging the infield, irrigating, putting up fences, you name it. I begged to be able to go with him - it was so much fun for me. Everytime I would ask, he would say (in his timeless Southern drawl), "Now, it's gon' be a little while..." Meaning: This is an all day event and I don't want to hear any whining or complaining. I was always ready and willing, though. Even in the 100 degree heat and suffocating humidity of South Georgia in August.

So off we went! I would crawl up into his pick up truck, he would roll down his window, usually put in a plug of chewing tobacco, turn on the radio, and we'd be on our way. The smells and sounds of those days come back to me so vividly - it's amazing. Fresh cut grass, gasoline for the mower, the crickets and tree frogs that lived near the fields, the sweet smell of tobacco, the hollow sounds of the aluminum bats in the dugout, honeysuckle plants, and most of all the music. Otis Redding, Hall & Oats, Steppenwolf, Dire Straits and, of course, The Bellamy Brothers.

After our long day of working (Daddy working, me staying out of the way and practicing my gymnastics floor routine), we would swing by the quickie store. This was the one time that I got to have a "bad for me" snack - away from the watchful eyes of my mother who preferred we eat healthy. My favorites: YooHoo to drink, fried pork rinds and beef jerky. Oh how I loved those trips to the store. I felt so deliciously sinful...eating "junk" with my Daddy. During the ride home, I would take my shoes off, devour my snacks and sing along to the radio. All of these memories take place when I was between the ages of about 5 and 9.

I am the only girl...and the oldest child. When we would get home to my Mother and baby brother, I looked like anything but the good mannered little lady she was trying to raise. Shoeless, dirty, eating horrible redneck-y snacks and singing Bellamy Brothers songs - with all their double meanings and suggestive innuendo - as loud as I could. "If I said you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?" "Do you love as good as you look?" These were my two favorites...I didn't even understand them until about the 9th grade.

My Mother was understanding, though, and knew it was important for me to bond with my Daddy. And my Father was so patient to let me tag along while he worked. These are some of the best (and oldest) memories I have.

Long live unhealthy snacks, Daddy's and daughters, and the music that is the soundtrack of our youth.

Good Samaritan versus Idiot (7.13.05)

2008-05-14T08:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went running in the park...was minding my own business on my way back home when I was confronted by a man. He was very nonthreatening, but still a stranger...and he told me this long story about having run out of gas, having been robbed, not being a Chatham County resident (lives in Pooler...about 20 minutes away) which means that the local authorities wouldn't help him. I still don't know what was true and what was made up about his tale, but I just am not the kind of person that can walk away from that.

I told him that I didn't have anything on me (obviously...I was running, for God's sake), and he asked if he could just walk with me to my house and maybe I could just give him a cup of water and $5. I know...and if anyone else told me this, I would have told them they were crazy. But this guy was shorter than I was, very obviously gay (and he even told me), not armed in any form or fashion...so I complied.

When I got home, he stayed outside, and I went in and told Lee the situation. He was (as expected) not pleased that I had brought some strange man to our doorstep. I felt like a kid in need of a spanking. I told Lee that there was a man outside who just needed $5 and a cup of water...Lee looked at me like my IQ was about 23 and waited while I put some ice and water in a plastic cup. He went outside to talk to the man (Alex was his name).

He was out there for a good 10 minutes - while I was, of course, peeking through the blinds. When Lee finally came back in, he said, "Ok, I'm taking this guy to his car...you're right, he doesn't mean any harm..." Lee took Alex to where his car was, and it was gone. ??? Now, who knows if he actually ever even had a car there or what the story was, but then Lee took him to one of his friend's houses who had earlier been at work. She was home at this point and agreed to take him back to Pooler.

After about an hour of dealing with Alex, Lee and I were back home, in our kitchen, making dinner. Such a strange afternoon...and we will probably never know if we were actually good samaritans or if we just helped a bum get another 40 oz. of malt liquor. But I hate to think of a world where someone can't get help from people if they really need it. Alex, if you're reading this, you owe us...HUGE.

Not a Happy Camper (7.12.2005)

2008-05-14T08:40:00.000-07:00

This weekend several of my friends (including my fiance) are going camping on Cumberland Island. They have to take a ferry over to the uninhabited island - which means they can't leave at will. They are taking everything they'll need for the weekend with them - tents, sleeping bags, food, bugspray, etc. etc. etc.

I am not going.

Don't get me wrong - I love the outdoors. I can stay on the beach all day long; I love to run outdoors; hiking is so much fun to me... but sleeping outside is just miserable. I have tried to understand the appeal - in fact, I went camping a couple of months ago with this same group of friends. I stayed one night and then left them all to their own devices as I drove home in search of a bath and clean sheets. I don't know what this says about me...am I a priss pot? I don't think so. I just like to be comfortable, and it seems to defy logic to make yourself UNcomfortable when you are within driving distance of your own bed.

Now I did go camping once in college - and that I really enjoyed. We hiked over mountains (literally) and the view was absolutely amazing. We camped on Flower Gap which was like a saddle in between two mountains - it was so peaceful and gorgeous. I still longed for a hot shower and my own comforter, but in that case, the reward was greater than the task. But even then, I remember thinking (and probably saying) that we could have taken all the money we spent on camping gear and stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Atlanta. Am I missing the point?

Between the bugs (that LOVE me), that damp dewey ick in the morning that seems to be on everything including your sleeping bag and your FACE, the absence of bathrooms and showers, the dirt that gets in your food, and the campfire smell that is so hard to get out of your clothes and hair... I can do without camping. I think that the next time everyone gets the "itch" to camp out, I am going to propose having a slumber party in my den. Complete with S'mores and scary movies and - of course - sleeping bags.

That's MY idea of roughing it.

Storm Ready (7.11.05)

2008-04-01T07:30:00.000-07:00

Hurricane season is upon us...those on the coast know what that means. We all have The Weather Channel's dial position memorized and watch the tropical depressions out in the Carribbean, flipping coins on which way they'll go and if they'll make it to hurricane status.

Dennis just pounded Navarre Beach. "It could've been much worse..." - that's what all the natives and weather folks are saying, but it's still horribly depressing to see those beach houses ripped apart. Mother Nature does not kid around. It's especially sad to me because Navarre Beach is where we vacationed every summer of my early childhood. Before we built our beach house, we went to Navarre for a week in July with my Aunt, Uncle and cousin. I loved it. I have so many good memories from those trips - buying floats and sunscreen at the little beach novelty stores; shrimp boiling while the "grown-ups" were having drinks on the deck; building sand castles with my Grandaddy; running up and down the beach in my Wonder Woman bathing suit... (I know, I know...the nostalgia is uncanny) Anyway, it hits a little closer to home when you are familiar with the hurricane's point of casualty.

Last hurricane season was really devastating. Savannah has been so lucky (knock on wood) - we've been spared several times. Florida took the brunt of the storms last year, and so far this year as well. I hope and pray that the storms don't make the kind of impact that they did in 2004...so many are still restoring and recovering.

Emily (tropical depression at this point) is stirring up out in the ocean right now. I hope she behaves and dies down before landfall.

Ok, I was just reminded of the huge stack of invoices that I have to process - storms or no storms. Until tomorrow...

9/11 and 7/7 (7.7.05)

2008-04-01T07:27:00.000-07:00

London was the victim of terrorism this morning. A well-choreographed attack on the city came in the form of 4 simultaneous explosions of public transportation trains and buses. Thus far, 37 people are dead and hundreds are injured.

Hearing the news, I couldn't help but think back to the morning of September 11, 2001. I had just moved to Savannah (my first day of work was August 23rd). I lived by myself in an apartment out on Wilmington Island; I had not made any friends yet; I was more than a little lonely and second guessing myself about moving here. I was on the phone with a rep in Charleston and, all of a sudden, he said, "A plane crashed into the World Trade Center."

Just like everyone else, I thought, "Wow, what a terrible accident!" But only when the second plane crashed into the WTC and the two massive towers came crashing down, did I actually feel the impact of what was happening. We were all upstairs in the conference room, watching everything unfold, all open-mouthed and scared to death. I went into the bathroom and put my head in my hands and just lost it. I couldn't stop thinking about everyone I loved and where they were and if this was about to become a string of widespread attacks across the entire country.

Our boss announced that everyone was free to go home and be with their families. So, as everyone filed out, so did I. I drove out to my empty apartment, got my stuffed dog, Freddy, and sat on the couch, watching the news. I called my mom and talked to my boyfriend - both more than a few hours away - and tried to calm my fears...but the more I watched, the more worried I got, and the harder it was to turn off the television. All of these lives were lost. In a matter of minutes. It went from a sunny, crisp, Fall Tuesday morning in NYC to a day overcast with ashes and death. It was hard to believe. And even harder to deal with.

I think I grew up a lot that day. And that week, month, year... Maybe we all did. Being in a new town with no one to turn to for comfort was a different feeling than I had ever felt. And then having something as devastating as 9/11 to try and deal with - alone - it was a true test of my faith and my strength. I thought very seriously about just moving to Tifton for awhile. Living with my parents while I "figured things out..." But that would have been cowardice of me, and I would have been using the 9/11 loss as an excuse to regress. I'm so glad I didn't. I'm thankful that I stayed and stood on my own two feet and prayed and spent lots of time reflecting. I am a better person for that.

This morning's tragedy in London will, no doubt, have a lasting effect on its people. One of those "Where were you when..." moments that you never can shake. A senseless waste of human life. I hope that they can persevere, as America did, and find strength in their patriotism, their leaders, and in each other.

Clutter...Upstairs and on the Main Floor (7.6.05)

2008-04-01T07:24:00.000-07:00

I know that I can be classified as "obsessive compulsive" - not on a severe, debilitating level - but obsessive compulsive nonetheless. I love order. I crave symmetry and cleanliness and hospital corners and vacuumed carpets and fresh towels and swept floors... It's a little sick, but it's my reality.

Last week, I finally reached a breaking point in my office. This little space that I spend the majority of my time in was starting to feel like it was literally about to come down on top of me. Something snapped on Thursday afternoon, and I purged my space. Completely. I threw away any and everything that I had not touched in more than 2 weeks. It took me all afternoon, but it looks amazing in here! I am so proud...and, beyond that, so much calmer. The clutter that was on my "main floor" was affecting me "upstairs." So now that the tangible junk is gone, my mind is clearer. Amazing.

I don't know how people live in disarray. It would drive me clinically insane. Not that my house is always spotless and uncluttered - that's not true at all - but when it IS messy, it weighs on me. I wonder how many people feel this way... 1 out of 3... 1 out of 50? Who knows...

Right now my closet is completely destroyed. Things are thrown in there, shoes and bags are all over the floor, t-shirts are mixed in with sweatshirts and towels...it's disgusting. And it has been on my mind for months. Maybe this weekend I will get motivated and get that all settled... then, I suppose, I could always take on Lee's closets...good Lord, that would certainly keep me busy (and furious).

But, in a strange and somewhat reassuring way, it's nice to know that I can gain comfort in the organization of a space. My office, my closet, my car... getting any of those in order brings a clarity and peace of mind that is sometimes hard to come by for me.

Yes, you're right - I am a sad, sad human being. Put whatever you deem necessary on my tombstone, but please make sure that it is mowed regularly and the words are centered. hahaha...

Pink, Rested & Happy (7.5.05)

2008-03-24T07:01:00.000-07:00

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)

2008-03-24T06:58:00.000-07:00

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)

2008-03-24T06:56:00.000-07:00

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)

2008-03-24T06:54:00.000-07:00

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)

2008-03-24T06:51:00.000-07:00

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)

2008-03-24T06:48:00.000-07:00

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)

2008-03-24T06:45:00.000-07:00

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)

2008-03-20T13:39:00.000-07:00

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)

2008-03-20T13:36:00.000-07:00

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)

2008-03-20T13:33:00.000-07:00

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)

2008-03-20T13:31:00.000-07:00

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)

2008-03-20T13:27:00.000-07:00

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)

2008-03-20T07:58:00.000-07:00

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)

2008-03-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

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)

2008-03-20T07:54:00.000-07:00

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)

2008-03-20T07:52:00.000-07:00

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)

2008-03-20T07:45:00.000-07:00

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)

2008-03-20T07:42:00.000-07:00

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)

2008-03-20T07:40:00.000-07:00

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)

2008-03-20T07:36:00.000-07:00

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)

2008-03-20T07:31:00.000-07:00

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)

2008-03-20T07:29:00.000-07:00

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...

2008-03-20T07:27:00.000-07:00

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!!