Almost Wordless Wednesday - In Honor of Mrs. Smith

In honor of Mrs. Smith, who is currently in labor with a sweet baby boy, thought I would share these strawberries that I think were grown outside the Japanese nuclear plant.

Don't worry, Harrison. You can always come to our house to get strawberries if your Mom won't give you any.

Happy Birthday!

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!

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,

Here We Go Again

It's that time of year again...getting geared up for numerous weddings with showers, bachelor/bachelorette weekends and everything else that goes into the big day. We kicked this season off with an Around the House shower for our friends Cal and Laura. Conveniently hosted downstairs at our complex.

I also got my hair cut Saturday. Does the bang length scenario stress anyone else out? They always turn out too short, are the right length for about 10 days, and then just get mixed in with all the other layers. I digress...

Me and MS

Most of the guys stayed outside. Also the location of the keg.



One of the hostesses was kind enough to make a wine run at Trader Joe's before she left Atlanta . I've been wanting to try this wine for years and it didn't dissapoint. Now wishing we had a Trader Joe's. And H&M.

I don't think you can go wrong with a good Southern mix of BBQ, beer and red velvet cupcakes.

If it weren't for my trusty foam roller (seriously, if you run at ALL, I highly recommend. Unless you can afford frequent sports massages. In that case, we should be better friends) and the handicap stall at work, I'm not sure how I would have made it the past two days.

Put some polka dot pj pants and a tshirt on this girl, and this was how I've spent a good bit of time since Sunday.

On that note, I'm signing out.

The Mrs.

Today is Mrs. Smith's day-of-birth. Let's celebrate, shall we?

Since Mrs. Smith is about to have a birth day of a whole different sorts, this year's celebration will be a bit different. But I will go to the karaoke bar if you really want to. And I will gladly drink your Dos Equis.

Mrs. Smith and I were pledge sisters in college, but we didnt become close friends until we left the sorority house and went from being seperated by some thin walls to just a few city blocks. Being 22 years old and working for companies that have been around for about 122 years makes you grasp for anything familiar and young. (It sounds totally ridiculous now, and I'm laughing as I type this). The emails we swapped were priceless as we tried to figure out life outside these four white walls.

Luckily, there was a central meeting place, a border, if you will, that we would often make a run to.

Yes, we ate the Taco Bell meat and it was delicious. These Border Talks were often the highlight of the work week.

Mrs. Smith was the MOST laid back bride. It was a pleasure to travel back to our college town and stand by her side on the day she became Mrs. Smith.

Who doesn't love a bride who drinks beer on their wedding day? 1000 cool points. I told you she was laid back.

Somewhere along the way, we both got on the budget train together and regularly emailed our latest find or accomplishment. It was SO nice to have someone on the same page as we were getting on our feet and planning for the future. Thanks Budget Buddy:)

Mere months ago, she stood by my side on my wedding day. She was a fantastic bridesmaid and went above and beyond to make planning easier - and budget friendly, of course.

Mrs. Smith is the type of friend who I know - from experience - will drop everything when you need help. I love the spirit of service and loyalty she posseses. She is a rock - not much can get her down or keep her down. I know she will make a wonderful mother in just 3 months (?!)

Happy Birthday, Mrs. Smith! I will bring you and baby Smith all the Taco Bell you want!

Sweet Melissa

Happy Birthday today to one of my oldest (length, not age) friends. It seems like just yesterday we were roaming the halls of K-4 in our smocked dresses, yet here we both are, roaming the halls of corporate America in suits and heels.

I so admire your patience and your wisdom. I know I can always get good advice from you - everything from relationships to hair dressers. You are incredibly analytical and understanding.

You are also one of the funniest people I know. You are such a gifted writer, right down to the emails that often make me actually lol in my cube.

You also share my love for cheese, Lifetime movies and a various assortment of frostings and doughs.

It has been such a blessing not only to have you as a friend, but to have you as a friend for as long as I can remember. You have been there in the best and the worst times of my life and I could not ask for a better friend during each.

May this year be filled with joy and all the good things life has to offer. Happy Birthday!

Champagne and Cheese, the Finest of Things

I'm the first to admit New Year's Eve is incredibly overrated. Last year, I self tanned, teased and rolled my hair, got a mani/pedi, found a sequined dress (that I'm still looking for an excuse to wear again) and I would venture to say getting ready might have been the most exciting part of the evening. We had fun, yes, but the whole evening often seems really anti-climatic.

Now let Debbie Downer get to the point - we had such a good time this New Year's Eve! We went much more casual and started with dinner at an Italian restaurant. We split a medium pizza with jalapenos, sausage and ricotta. Bonus points: bottles of wine were half price.

 What to order???

The whole group.

The girls.

We headed downtown to a strip of bars that was hosting a NYE party. Look who we ran into!

I thought I had license on the eye roll.

I was a little sad to see 2010 go. I can't imagine a much better year, but feel free to surprise me 2011!

A Weekend Full of Christmas Cheer - Old and New

There is something about tradition that makes the Christmas season come alive. We love the family traditions our families have set and as each Christmas passes, we are trying to begin traditions of our own. This weekend was a great mix of both- a little something for everyone, if you will.

Last year, Matt's friends hosted a Christmas party that turned into a dance party (for some of us). Hence the birth of the Christmas Dance Party.

I think the haircut was a nice compromise between trim and chop. I tend to get carried away in the chair. Blonder! Shorter! But, I digress...

While there wasn't as much dancing, this year's party provided fun with a taser gun and my first experience with deer sausage. In no particular order.

After a full day of baking Sunday (more on that later), we headed to Matt's sister and brother-in-laws for the Bowman/Searson Christmas. These two families have gotten together for dinner and gift swaps every Christmas since they were little. Now that all the kids are married, there are six families at our annual get together. I'm sure there's a country song that would describe this perfectly.

Sister did a wonderful job hosting. I love seeing everyone's serving pieces and trying new dishes. If Matt didn't hate olives, this dirty martini dip would be a staple. Olives and cream cheese? Yes, please!

Matt's sister married into an Italian family, so we were excited she was making their lasagna recipe! Fun fact - did you know Italians put a hard boiled egg in their sauce? Brother-in-law didn't know any different until he went to the Olive Garden at the age of 15 and asked where the egg was.

The hosts!

All the cheer made 5:45 come too early. Luckily, we had the foresight to snatch up the gingerbread latte creamer at Publix Friday night (yes-we are that exciting). Let the cheer continue!

HB

Let's do a little math, shall we? There are 168 hours in a week. I spend 56 of those sleeping. (I'm an 8 hour gal) 40 at work. That's a close second runner to where I spend most of my hours and definitely first place to where I spend the majority of my waking hours. The people you work with day in, day out, year in, year out, inevitably become intertwined in your life.

Today, on HB's birthday, I'm so glad she's my work neighbor!

When they first brought her to my cube on Main to introduce us, I'm pretty sure there was an eyeroll involved. I thought she was SUPER sweet and would have no appreciation for my sarcastic humor. Can't judge a book by its cover.

The past 5 years, we've seen a lot pass in front of our cubes on what we lovingly dubbed "Main Street". We've also lived a little bit of life. I'll never forget the morning I got brave and told her that I was probably heading towards divorce, being as caring as she is, she of course knew something wasn't right and had been concerned. Or the morning she got brave and told me about her new addition. She watched as I met and fell in love and married Matt. Her happiness when we got engaged is something I'll always remember. I even walked down the aisle in her wedding dress. It seemed things had come full circle and I'm so glad she was among the people that walked with me on that journey.

I so admire how she invests in other people's lives and have seen how excited she gets for the good things that happen to others. What a wonderful trait! She is a wonderful mother, an incredibly hard worker and so sensitive to other people's needs.

We share a mutual love for McDonalds, Greys and blogs. It's not a Thursday night if we arent emailing about the drama as it unfolds on ABC. (Much like we watch it unfold on Main Street, now that I think about it.)

We've moved cubes now, and Main Street is no longer "home". But HB does make work feel a little more like home, no matter the street.

Here's to you HB! Wishing you a birthday full of cheese dip and butter biscuits.

MIA

Wow, I feel behind. Last week just got away from me. I was out of town for work, we moved offices and I finished just about all of our Christmas shopping. This week is even busier, so we were glad to get that checked off our list.

While I was out of town, my thoughtful husband, who knows my weird obsession with all things dental, got me a prize.

My teeth have never felt cleaner after a brush. Merry Christmas to my gums! It even has its own little tanning bed for the brush heads that kills all the germs.

My Publix totals are getting better. I'm breaking even, so I don't think its too much longer until my saving outweighs my spending. I may or may not have bought 14 pounds of chicken Saturday. It was a great deal! I spent $80 this week and saved $80. And with all that chicken...I hope to report some lower totals the next few weeks.

Do you see what I see? Cake ball ingredients? The 14 lbs of poultry?

Finales have to have theme wine. I think we did pretty good for the Dexter finale. Notice her watch. I die.

We spent a lot of time with family this weekend, and it made it feel like the holidays. Yesterday was the Searson's Christmas cantata. Listening to them sing makes it feel like the holidays. One of the first memories I have with Matt was watching him perform in his parents cantata and its something special we enjoy each year.

It's even snowing a bit here in Alabama, which does great things for the Christmas spirit! Merry, merry, friends!