Bacheloretting

Well here we are hardly a week before my sister's wedding. It's been a crazy couple of months with everything going on with this. I think I've been busier with this wedding than I was with my own. Is that normal? Perhaps it is, sometimes. But if there's anyone in the world that I want to make feel special on her wedding day, it's my big sis.

My sister is one of the sweetest, kindest people you'll ever meet and she'll do anything for you. If there's ever anyone I know I can call in the middle of the night and she'll be there to help me out, it's Beka. She was so great throughout all of my wedding planning, (which is perhaps why I didn't feel as busy... she took care of all of it!) and made sure that I had everything I wanted without all of the stress. I've done my best to be the same for her, but there's no way I could ever do that, but I've tried to make each step special.

A couple of weeks ago, Beka's future sister-in-law and I threw a shower for her and her fiance. It was a beautiful day and we grilled out and it was fabulous. (Plus, I had a great time hanging out with Beka's 9-week-old soon-to-be nephew!) Then this past weekend, we planned a Bachelorette weekend for Beka (and 13 others) in Asheville. It was magical, we rented a place in the woods that had a firepit and hot tub. We ate lots of good food... and drank lots of good wine... and explored Asheville a little. In the evening we went out to some local bars/nightclubs, and although it took us half of the night to find a good place, I think everyone had a great time wandering around the town. (There are some pictures involving a pig that I'm not allowed to show that can attest to that!)

But the best part about the weekend was just the time spent together. I don't know a lot of Beka's friends too well, so it was nice to get to know all of them a little more. It was nice to just get away and have some girl-time. Not all of the conversations were pleasant. Some were downright painful. But I feel that those involved left understanding each other a little better and having formed a deeper relationship.

I know there were some moments that were difficult (what do you expect when you've got 14 women in one place??) and unpleasant, but I really hope my sister felt special and realized how much everyone loves her... even if it wasn't always apparent.

So, Beka, I love you and I'm so happy for you and hope you've felt as special and you made me feel. I can't wait to stand next to you on your big day!

Gone to Carolina in my Mind

Chapel Hill touts itself as "The Southern Part of Heaven," and honestly, I couldn't agree more. Some of the best memories of my life take place in this beautiful town and I love being close enough to visit whenever I want. However, I'm often disappointed that I don't visit more often then I do, especially since it takes hardly more than half and hour to make it to campus from my house.

But the other week, my lovely co-grad Sarah and I made the trip back to the The Hill to hang out. It was great. We walked up and down Franklin Street, browsing through the boutiques and novelty shops along the way and stopping by Sugarland for ginger ales (in the bottle, just to further along the Mayberry feel). Then we strolled through campus and of course made a stop at The Pit to sit around for a while. Campus is so quiet this time of year. It's nice, but I also miss the craziness of a normal class day on campus.

Carolina is a great place to get away. It still has the same feel of home that it did four years ago. I assume that all college campuses can have this effect of those who attend school there, but it's a feeling I could never describe to anyone who didn't go there, but for those who did, they know exactly what I mean. Carolina takes me back to a simpler time of no rules or responsibilities and monthly checks from your parents. (Man, I miss those days!) The campus will always have a special place in my heart and I'm so thankful that I don't have to actually travel to get back.

I look forward to the day where I can share this experience with my family and I pray that they find a similar place that they can call their home-away-from-home (whether that place is Chapel Hill or somewhere else).

Hark the sound of Tar Heel voices
Ringing clear and true.
Singing Carolina's praises.
Shouting N-C-U.
Hail to the brightest star of all
Clear its radiance shine
Carolina priceless gem.
Receive all praises thine.

I'm a Tar Heel born
I'm a Tar Heel bred
And when I die
I'm a Tar Heel dead.
So it's Rah, Rah, Car'lina-lina
Rah, Rah, Car'lina-lina
Rah, Rah, Car'lina-lina
Go to hell, Dook!

Blogging and a Birthday

Well, I've been saying lately how busy it's been and how I haven't had much time to write, and all of the sudden this morning I realized how much I've missed it! I'm sitting here and I have the feeling like I forgot something and I realized, it's my writing.

Writing is very cathartic to me. I have a tendency to bottle things up and not talk about it, but sitting down and writing gives me the opportunity to express my feelings and let things out. I think I've been kind of stuffed up lately and it's giving me a headache, so I need to start getting things out. I'm making a mid-month goal for myself today: to write a post everyday for the next 7 days. I'm not sure if I'll stick to that or not, but we're going to give it a shot.

And there are so many things that have been going on lately that I can share! Just to name a few... I just spent a wonderful weekend in Asheville with my sister for her bachelorette. Her wedding is now 10 days away! I've decided to make a couple lifestyle changes recently. And finally, and where we'll land today, it's Rylie's first birthday.

You first met Rylie last September when Jarrod and I brought her home from the SPCA. Well 9 months later she's doubled in size and she's just as much a pain in the behind! But she's my sweetheart and keeps me on top of my cleaning and makes our little twosome a family. Hopefully now that we've made it to the 1-year mark, she'll start to grow out of some of her puppy-ways and become the well-behaved dog I know is in there... somewhere.

Jarrod and I will celebrate by sharing a delicious meal this evening in her honor. Sorry, Rylie, no people food for you. We tried giving her a special treat on Christmas (and by "we," I mean Jarrod. I was against it from the beginning) and the poor dear spent the afternoon throwing-up in the yard.

So Happy Birthday, Sweetie. (Don't piss me off today!)

June

I absolutely cannot believe that it's June 1st. The past month has flown by, but it's been a good one. So I took the past month or so off from blogging because, as I said before, I've been enjoying some much needed time with my husband. For the first time since before we've been married, we've had some time to enjoy being together and being lazy! When we just had weekends together, our time was so jam-packed with everything we needed to get done and spending time with our friends who we hadn't seen much, that there was no time to just relax and be together. So that's what we did last month. But now, it's time to get back into it and get moving. It's going to be a busy, busy month ahead, so it's going to take some discipline. I've got some catching up to do as well since there's a thing or two from last month that I'd like to share.

 

I'm excited that the summer is finally here... not officially, but with the past couple of weeks of 90-something-degree weather, it might as well be. I love the heat. I'd prefer it to stay in the 70s rather than the 90s, but I still think it's better than the cold winter. Jarrod would disagree with me, especially since our house has been so hot this past week and our AC working overtime, when I really don't even have it set very low.

 

But summer is the time for the beach/pool, grilling, gardening and home projects, and we've taken care of all of those... or at least have plans to do so. We've been grilling like crazy this past week or so. Steaks, burgers, chicken, salmon. It's the best! And Jarrod is awesome with the grill, so it's always delicious.

 

We are just wrapping up on a painting project in the main area of our house, and it looks great. Makes the house feel much more "homey" and warm. We've just got to finish up a little of the trim work and we'll be done. We've got some other plans, but I'll update on those as they come.

 

This month is my sister's wedding, which is just 24 days away now and there are so many things going on! Seriously, we've got a shower coming up this weekend, the bachelorette party the following, then all the little details in between there and the actual wedding date. But I'm looking forward to all of it and can't wait for the big day!

 

• So that's the major goal for this month is taking care of everything involved in that.
• host a fabulous bachelorette weekend extravaganza!
• write a great toast
• stand next to the best big sister ever as she marries a great guy
• there are a million of other things, but I won't list them all here
• Find a good balance between spending time with the hubby, getting enough sleep and making time for writing.

 

And from last month...

 

• Start taking family walks now that Jarrod is off early enough. WE'VE STARTED, BUT NEED TO MAKE IT A HABIT.
• Complete a house project. CHECK!
• Host a Mother's Day cookout for the whole family. CHECK! 
• Get prepared for my sister's wedding, this includes getting some sun at the pool, cutting out the junk food (I'm way too much of a muncher) and finishing up plans for the bachelorette weekend. CHECK! (at least for the most part)

Merry May!

Happy May, all! I know I've been MIA for the past couple of weeks, but I've just been having too much fun spending some time with my husband.

 

He started a new job 2 weeks ago at Gregory Poole Caterpillar and for the first time in probably 2 years we're actually on a somewhat similar schedule. I'm still doing the 4am thing, but now he gets off around 5pm and we have time to eat dinner together (and watch 24!) before I have to get in bed. It's still been something that I'm getting used to. Usually, I have all of this free time after work where I get things done like running errands and writing blog posts and kicking up my feet for a few minutes and watching TV. But now, there are only a few hours between the time the two of us get home, so I've having to prioritize more. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining in the least, but it's still an adjustment... but one I'm really liking!

 

Looking ahead, another month of wedding madness! We've got a rehearsal dinner and wedding coming up this weekend and I'm co-hosting a shower for my sister and her fiance 2 weeks after that, so that should keep us busy this month.

 

-Start taking family walks now that Jarrod is off early enough (Note: this includes having to convince Jarrod to do this!)

-Complete a house project, not sure which one yet. I'd really like to get going on redoing the office, but we'll have to see if the funds are there to do this. Maybe painting the living room...

-Host a Mother's Day cookout for the WHOLE family. This includes Lindseys, Hugheses and Fryes (et al). 

-Get prepared for my sister's wedding, this includes getting some sun at the pool, cutting out the junk food (I'm way too much of a muncher) and finishing up plans for the bachelorette weekend.

 

 

From last month, I didn't end up buying a desk for 2 reasons: 1. I did go looking and couldn't find what I was hoping for, and 2. Now that Jarrod may be working from home some, I'm thinking of completely re-doing the office, which will change what we end up buying, so it may be a little longer before I do that.