Thank You for Being a Friend

Happy, happy birthday to my former roomie! I'm really sad we can't celebrate on the lanai. She's moved off to a new city - but wisely, stayed within the southeast. Smart girl. I've already booked my trip to visit and do some summer shopping. She is a great combo of levelheaded and responsible, but is also so much fun. Getting emails from her always make my day better, because they are hilarious. She has a great way of giving it to you straight while keeping a great sense of humor. I can remember several times emailing her for advice, near in tears upset about someone something, and her response always answered my question while making me laugh. She is a wonderful host - I think our Iron Bowl 2009 party is one for the books. Maybe we should have repeated it for better luck in 2010. I know whenever she throws a party, the food and drinks will be ah-mazing. I've blown my diet many times on her cooking and it was always worth it. She's an awesome aunt to her niece and nephews. They are so lucky to have fun Aunt L! She plans everything from campouts to outings to the zoo. She makes friends wherever she goes, so I know her new home will be just that - a home - very soon. But, she will be missed in Birmingham. Who is going to take the our family glamour shots now?!

She is such a gifted photographer and I can't wait to see where her skills take her. Hopefully taking pictures of her beach house in the not too distant future.

I remember at our rehearsal dinner, her speaking about how happy she is when good things happen to good people. I feel the same way about this move - such a good thing for someone who so deserves it.

I'm so excited for you as you start a new chapter in your life and hope this birthday was one you'll always remember!

Fun in the Sun

I've been crossing my fingers for spring to get here. I must be living right, because it was a warm 88 degrees Saturday and Sunday and I got to enjoy this view.

I cut my day short to pick MS up from the airport. Sacrifice is the foundation of a good marriage. Also, I needed someone to rub sunscreen on my back.

We immediately headed down further south for a wedding so I could show off my sunburn and attempt to bring back the windblown look.

After completing my lofty to do list on Friday, I went for my third gold star of the weekend and went to early church with MS on Sunday. It freed up the afternoon to do a little grooming.

Color him unimpressed and color me bright red. It almost makes me enjoy my shaded cube.

Case of the Mondays

Well, this weekend flew by at breakneck speed. Coupled with last night’s thunderstorms that nearly made me need to change the sheets, I think I spent the majority of my morning shower under the water wondering where I was.

Fortunately, the grey cube walls have jolted me back to reality just in time for me to recap the weekend. Go ahead and breathe a sigh of relief.

I met my favorite Birmingham twins for some patio drinking after work on Friday. They dragged me kicking and screaming into the world of Twitter. Let’s be honest, after last week and two drinks, there was no kicking and very little screaming. But you can go ahead and congratulate me for bravely stepping into 2009.

After being assured a 90% chance of rain Saturday I had resigned myself to 6 miles on the dreadmill. Lest I forget accuracy isn’t a critical component of weather prediction, it had dropped to 10% on Saturday morning, so I headed out for an easy 10 miler. Easy long runs are kind of new to me. I’m not fast by anyone’s standards, but the concept that not every run has to be done at near race pace has made running a lot more enjoyable – if you don’t count last Saturday. (ETA – runs over 5 miles are never “easy”, I believe this is terminology used by running magazines to make you feel bad when you’re thinking about bumming a ride home at mile 8).

not my hand

I’m not used to running alone, so it didn’t hit me until I was deep into north Birmingham that maybe I should have at least tucked my license in my shorts. You know, to make it easier to identify my body. No need to have to pull out my dental records. Though they are stellar.

not my teeth

Afterwards, I headed to a baby shower for Mrs. Smith. I have no pictures, as I was busy ,eating sausage cheese puffs hosting, but momma to be got some cute stuff. She’ll be set even if she has surprise twins. Wouldn’t that be fun, Christina?!

Saturday night, in order to one up my brother-in-law for favorite, I went solo with the in-laws to a family friends 60th birthday. I usually hang back and let the Mayor do his shaking hands and kissing babies thing - so it was nice to get a little out of my comfort zone. Whenever I got nervous, I just hit the buffet. I recommend this plan. I had some ham and cheese sandwiches that changed my life. I mean for real – I don’t even like ham. Since I made it out of the north Birmingham alive - I just might share that recipe later this week.

Epic

This weekend, after the worst long run of my life, we headed to Huntsville for a wedding 10 years in the making. Impressive stats for a couple of 20-somethings.

After the mornings disastrous run, I decided to brush up on my running literature. Did you know there was such a thing? Unfortunately, I never could find the rule justifying four Krystal Chiks after a bad run. Good thing I make my own rules. I digress.

It was much hotter unseasonably warm Saturday, so I was rocking some nice singlet tan lines with my cocktail dress. Thank God the iPod tan line dissapearred.

Me and the bride - before her costume change.

I didn't get the memo about the pearl necklace. Maybe next time.

Did you know Saturday was the largest moon in 18 years? My camera is making a liar out of me, but it was pretty big.

Don't think I joined a gang over the weekend, so not sure what this hand sign is all about.

Now back to the longest Monday of my working life,

Feeling Lucky

In honor of my second favorite holiday.

Namath was none too pleased. Read: he nearly broke the coffee table attempting to free himself from the horrors of a t-shirt.

The stretched-to-capacity-t-shirt was less than thrilled as well.

Speaking of lucky, I have the best in-laws ever.

Happy St. Patricks!

Go Shorty, It's Your Birthday

This past weekend we celebrated the nieces 2nd birthday. I'm not sure who had more fun, the birthday girl or the big sister.

It was all about the cake and presents. And who doesn't love cake and presents?




She explored...

She tried....

Approved.


Big Sister was there to help open presents and keep her on task. Thank goodness.

Because it's so easy to become distracted.

Especially when there are clothes involved that have to be tried on immediately.

We had a great time watching her enjoy the day. The end.

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

Cannot believe we'll be celebrating the 2nd birthday of this sweet girl this weekend.

It seems like we were just celebrating the big first birthday.

We laugh that she is SO different from her older sister. Very Type B to big sisters Type A. But she can hold her own when big sister gets a little too bossy.

This girl loves to eat and loves some sweets. I can't wait to see her dig into that cake this weekend. Let's face it, I can't wait to dig in either.

Happy Birthday sweet girl! We are so glad you are a part of our family!

The Day of My Birth - Anniversary Edition

A brief birthday recap.

Started the day here.

With a couple hours wading through this (and a lot of tripadvisor.com). PS - there are a billion hotels and restaurants.

Friday, MS took me to a new (to Birmingham) restaurant that opened recently - Mugshots. The best sandwiches and burgers! The wait was long, but we sat at the bar and relaxed with a drink (or two) after a long week. Sometimes a little bit of a wait with a good drink makes it seem more like an evening out. Probably not a great pre-10k plan, but birthdays are much more important than 10ks anyway. Right?

Look at what my sweet dog got me for my birthday! A vacuum to clean up all his hair. He's nothing if not sacrificial.

All in all, a great start to my 28th (!) year.