Weekend Recap

Well, another weekend has come and gone. This was a pretty well, I guess I will say, unique weekend! I spent the majority of the weekend in Huntsville. I was off on Friday and was able to go up early and visit with my grandfather who is in the hospital. Then my mom and I went out to eat and shop a little. I then got to hang out with a new friend and reminisce about college. Saturday, after a quick trip to the hospital, we got up and went to Nashville and went shopping and my parents, brother and I had dinner at Joe's Crab Shack. There were so many girls out for their bachelorette parties it wasn't even funny! Seriously I have never seen so much penis paraphernalia in my life, not even in New Orleans!



Speaking of bachelorette parties, we are in the car on the way home after dinner and I got an urgent call and message from my best friend Jenn and she called to tell me that she is ENGAGED! Yay! I was over the moon! They have been dating for a while and he totally surprised her with a proposal at Disney World during the fireworks! So special! And I am SO excited for them! Sunday, was spent taking my grandmother to visit my grandfather in the hospital (because my mom was sick and couldn't go) and then driving back to Montgomery. Nothing too exciting, except that my BFF is getting MARRIED!! :) It is Monday, so now it is time to get back in the swing of things! Here's to hoping for a great week! Football starts this weekend and I am SO excited!!

Pictures: 1. Jenn and I at a Braves game last year. 2. The group in the suite. Josh, her fiancee is the one in the blue.

24

My cry.
Sitting up.
My first steps.
My green eyes.
My sassy attitude.
My independent nature.
My first day of school.
Learning to drive.
Graduation speech.
Moving me to college.
Graduation from college.
My first job.

All things that my parents weren't sure they were going to get to enjoy on this day 24 years ago.
They were expecting a baby sometime in November of 1985, a daughter and a sister who would join a brother six years her senior. But, that was not the plan. I was born in August. A full three months before I was expected to arrive. Not only was it unexpected, it wasn't easy. That day or for a while after. I was tiny. I stayed in the protection of the hospital until my due date three months later. I couldn't wear normal clothes, only those made for what would become my favorite accessory: a cabbage patch doll. I had to take growth hormone shots until I turned 15. I had to visit a hospital in a town 2 hours away every 3-6 months. However, this didn't slow me down, didn't keep me from learning to be a fighter, appreciate life, enjoy things, make friends, endure heartaches, and develop an independent attitude. Nope, here I am, 24 years later still going strong and you would never know where I had come from and that I almost didn't make it here. So, today at 2:10 pm, I will welcome the start of my 24th year, and be thankful. Thankful for God giving me a purpose and letting me begin on the journey we call life, thankful to my mom for letting me share her for those 6 months. As she always said, I came into the world fighting and I haven't quit. I fight for what I believe is right, fight for what I want, and sometimes fight to be heard. But, I am me, here I am, closing the door on 23 and opening the door to 24. Happy Birthday to me! Here's to many more.

We shall be called Goose and Maverick

So, I really don't get guys. Really really don't. Last night, C and I went to a new (relatively) bar in town because she had never been. I swear I think we had a sign flashing over our heads that said "Hello, if you are married, or old enough to be our fathers, PLEASE come talk to us."

Dear married/un-single men at the bar,

If you are married, you need to NOT try to pick up girls at a bar, nor, do you need to send your old, old, old co-worker over to a girl and ask her if she would like it if you came and talked to her. Her reply will be: "I don't care, but I am VERY sure that his wife would NOT appreciate it." (I mean these men were not even trying to hide the fact that they were married. But me, being the person that I am, reminded them if they were trying to in any way flirt.) Yes, I know I am from the South and you are not. Yes, I know I am wearing a skirt, heels and pearls, which you may not see everyday. Yes, I am aware that I have a nice smile (my parents paid enough for braces that this is kind of a given) and I have heard it before. You do not impress me one bit. Yes, I know I look bored, you don't have to tell me. I look that way because I AM, and I DON'T WANT TO TALK TO YOU. Now, would you kindly walk away from my table because you are getting on my nerves. Thank you! (Said in my sweetest, most Southern voice, sarcastically).

Hope this serves you well in the future,
Me

Google'em

For the past few days, this word has become a frequent one in my vocabulary, and I have no idea why. It isn't even a word is it? When I say it, it sounds like I am a life-long resident of Jersey. It is funny. My co-worker C and I have been laughing at that all the time and throwing it out there whenever possible, just because it sounds so silly when we say it. But, it is amazing how we pick up things and they just become a normal thing. I mean, ten years ago, if someone said "google'em" to you, you would have thought they were crazy. Now, you know it means that they are telling you to look up something on the internet by typing it into Google. I guess today has been a weird day, and we have to find anything we can to amuse ourselves, but this has been it. What are some other phrases that have come into our language that we wouldn't have known had it not been for our expansion of technology?

That is all I have for "Weird Word Tuesday" (ok, I just made that up, but I don't want you to think I am too crazy.) Now, off to waste the rest of the day and try not to fall asleep. Then, C and I are going across the street for "Happy Hour" and to enjoy Montgomery's version of Fleet Week. Ha. We are on the river, no doubt. Ok, not really it is just a technology conference, but we have to take what we can get, right? (Really it is just for the $1 drafts)

Feels Like Fall

Who didn't love the weather this weekend?? It was absolutely WONDERFUL! I actually got to sit on my screened porch and drink coffee and eat my breakfast without dying from heat and humidity! I actually needed a cardigan! Then again, this morning, when I went for my run, I needed a jacket because it was cool!Fall is in the air and I am SO excited! Football season is almost here! That is the BEST time of year! I had a pretty relaxing weekend, but Sunday, I spent it at the park reading and playing with my favorite little man:



Enjoy your week! It is going to be a GREAT one!! :)

When Life Hands You Lemons.....

....Learn how to make orange juice and make them wonder how you did it!

Lately things have been pretty stagnant around here. Nothing really good happening, but nothing really bad happening either. Everything is kind of just in a stand-still, while the calendar presses on. It is a little weird. But, oh well, I guess when there are no major life events, it gives us time to sit back and observe, if we will. Sometimes I like to be able to slow down and really look at the path that I am on. It is interesting to me how my focus shifts from things I thought were so important to other things. That is kind of where I have been lately, a stagnant observer. Well, stagnant isn't entirely accurate, because I have made some changes. Changes in my attitude, changes in my focus, changes in priorities, and some changes in behavior. They have all been changes for the good, and I am happy about where I am going (for now). I figured since the calendar isn't going to stop moving forward, neither should I. So here have been my conclusions lately:
1. Don't depend on other people to make you happy.
2. Surround yourself with people who know your goals and are willing to encourage and/or help you reach them.
3. Find happiness where you are. There is a reason you are there, so learn from it.
4. Appreciate what you have. We are all in a society where we always want more, this can be a good thing, except when it gets in the way.
5. Pay attention to more things around you.

So, these are a few of them. Thanks for listening. It is Friday, hope you all have a GREAT weekend!

I hate Speakerphone

So, today, I really have nothing for you, except for a list. Here are some things NOT to do while at work. Not that any of these happen at my office, but if they did, they would really annoy me, and probably some other people as well. But first, for all of you who have asked, the shoes are GREAT! They make a HUGE difference! I would recommend them to anyone looking for new shoes. They are very worth it! The only store I have seen them in so far is Sports Authority. But they are the best running shoes ever. And now, the list:

1. Use your inside voice. (I know this sounds like I am talking to 3rd graders, but seriously, remember that there are other people working.)
2. If you can't be quiet on your cell phone, go outside.
3. DO NOT use speakerphone to call someone in the office who is less than 50 feet away from you so everyone in the office can hear everything she/he is saying.
4. It is NEVER ok to walk around barefooted. (I know we live in Alabama, but we own shoes. You should know this by my rave reviews of my recent purchase)
5. It is NEVER ok to come behind someone's desk, or look over their desk to see what is on the computer screen just because you are nosey, unless invited.
I think I could go on, but for now, this is all I can think that could happen in an office. So, just don't do it! You will help make the corporate world a better place, thankyouverymuch.