Late Night Ramblings

This has been a big week for me. Really, I feel like if I sat down with any of you over a cup of tea....or a caramel macchiato, since that is my new Starbucks go to....that I would have a whole lot on my mind to share. So here it is and true to my nature, it is in list form.

-Remember that job I told you to cross your fingers and toes for? The one I was a perfect fit for? Yeah, I never heard back. This whole job hunt has been such an interesting process. I'm either finding positions and companies that I am really interested in, but I never hear back from them OR I find companies/openings with big fatal flaws that make me cringe but they are anxious to fill their needed spots. I have yet to find the combo of both. So that specific spot was with a trendy email marketing company and I even had a friend put in a good word for me...but no such luck. Thankfully, I'm making ends meet with the unemployment dollars so I'm not overly stressed. As long as I stay away from checking Craigslist for jobs, I don't get too discouraged. The only true interview I've had was with a missions organization which actually sounded really cool. They have a bunch of different trips that individuals or groups can sign up for--one of the neatest is called The Great Race. It is just like the TV show The Amazing Race, but with the missions twist. There are two teams that hit 11 different countries in 11 months. At each stop they do some mission work with the local communities instead of eating goat brains or whatever they do on the TV show. Anyway, the company sounded promising but I ultimately had to decline when they told me I would have to raise my own support and essentially be a missionary to work for them. I can understand the thought behind it, but not called to full-time missions right now. So all that to say....the hunt continues.

-Speaking of The Amazing Race, do you watch? I haven't for the past couple of seasons but this one is an all-stars cast of former contestants. One of the teams is a mother/son combo and the son is deaf. I remember watching them compete the first time around a couple of years ago and was mesmerized by their ASL communication. When they finished that season (they made it to the finals before losing) their exit interview showed him talking about how special he is to have a mom who would learn sign language in order to communicate with him. He knew that was rare for deaf children whose parents could hear. I found that to be so moving and motivating that I researched an interpreting degree soon after that season. So now to see them again and realize that I can understand their conversations on the show is pretty exciting. It's hard to see progress in your own life because you're around you every day. Deep, right? But to get a glimpse of that here is fun. Also, Marlee Matlin is on the Celebrity Apprentice this season so I've been watching and enjoying watching the dynamic of her and her interpreter on the challenges.

-Last week I got to cross some exciting things off of my never-ending to-do list. Do you ever make a list and whatever doesn't get crossed off just gets moved over to the next list you make? I do that. It's the curse of organized procrastination. Usually with tasks like "make a budget". I've been moving that one from list to list for YEARS now. Embarrassing, but true. Well, another one of the tasks was to update/create my ideas binders. Ideas binders? I know, stick with me here. So you know my obsession with magazines. It started my freshman year when I started tearing out pages/phrases/words/pictures for a scrap book I was making. Then, I went through a collage phase in college. (Say that 3 times fast.) I'm sure most of you received one as a gift or two. Since that time, I've never been able to let a magazine go without flipping through to tear our pages for different reasons. It's been my way of hoarding.....although I do keep the pages neatly filed so it doesn't get out of hand. The concept has grown from collage words to a large variety of topics, and always with the intentions of doing something with them some day. So for years I've been keeping these pages in file folders with the hopes of moving them into binders so I could easily reference the different ideas. Last week, in an effort to avoid responsibility at all costs, I created a few of my new binders. YAY! I now have a MASSIVE recipe binder with more meal ideas than I could ever really make, a travel binder with all sorts of local and international trips I'd love to take, and my last one is a modge podge of brainstorms including gift ideas, crafts, home decor ideas, organization tips, and party/entertaining ideas. I have a few more to make--one for quotes, and another for articles of interest and health/nutrition tips--but I figure I'm off to a good start. If you're interested, I can dedicate a post to the books and can scan some pictures of the fun ideas. I am fully aware that most people don't get so excited about magazine pages and paper cutters as I do. Any reason to buy a 3 ring binder makes my heart leap.

-So I have a new friend named Annie I think I've told you about before. She and I met at Buckhead Church a while back and get together for coffee here and there. She invited me to her birthday party earlier this month and I accepted, which really surprised me. I don't know any of her other friends, but made myself go to support her and it ended up being not as bad as I had imagined. Anyway, she texted me this past weekend and asked me if I would be interested in going on a missions trip to Guatemala. She has a friend at church who has been asking her to go on a trip, but Annie really feels like she needs to have someone who knows ASL to go along. She said she thought of me since I was a Christian too and learning to be an interpreter. I don't know any of the details of the trip, but am so excited to learn more. She and I met for coffee last week and ended up chatting for 2 hours. When I look at the little enthusiasm I have for my homework and classes, I really doubt if I should be an interpreter. But when I'm out with Annie and realize that I can carry on a conversation for multiple hours over a vast array of topics, I'm encouraged to keep going. I have no doubt that it is obvious that I still need more training in the language and culture when we're hanging out, but at least I see the progress of knowing a language well enough to converse and find common ground. I'm hoping it'll work out for me to go on the missions trip because I've been thinking recently that I'd really like to go on one again.

-I've gotta go to bed, but first I have to tell you the highlight. I got to be spontaneous this weekend and take a trip to New York City! I left first thing Sunday morning and came back Monday afternoon. I was seconds away from talking myself out of it because I was intimidated of the big city, but am so so so glad I went and will definitely fill you in on all of the details with it's own post (pictures included). God really used those hours to teach me a HUGE lesson about myself and I am still in awe. Oh, and I can never say "New York City" without thinking of this commercial from my childhood:

OK, I'm signing off for now.

Love you more than Screech Powers loved Violet Bickerstaff.

Brilliant!

Have you ever had one of those "why didn't I think of that" moments?? Besides watching most infomericals, of course? I just had one and thought I'd share. Check out the STAMPLER.

Genius.

Birthday Recap

I've been 30 for exactly 1 week as of today, and beyond fighting the startings of a Spring cold...I've survived! OK, not like there was any doubt of instant death upon the stroke of midnight, but you know what I mean. Plus, I have a mountain of school work waiting on me, so I thought now would be the perfect time to share some pictures from this year's celebrations.

Sunday night I gathered a small group of friends to go eat at El Taco, the restaurant where Zach works. We ate our weight in chips, queso and guacamole. We drank Sangria and Margaritas (and the delicious pineapple shots the bartender sent over) and had a great time laughing.

** For some reason I can't get blogger.com to pull the pictures from my birthday album in iphoto. Dang computer. So here are a few that Cristina sent me.

[The flan pictured here is Zach's creation.....coconut flan in passion fruit syrup. Delicious!]

As you know, I spent most of Monday relaxing at my apartment. Then dinner was at Mom and Dad's house. Taco Salad's and Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake. It was perfect. Zach and Cristina made their way north to Marietta and Sara came over after work. We hung out on the deck and enjoyed the warm weather, feasted tex-mex style and then ended the evening with a Farkle competition that I won. OK, so it was only one game, but I'm still claiming it! It was so great to be at home with my family.

This has been such a great birthday with so many little treats. I'm currently sitting among 6 different flower arrangements that have popped up throughout the week from friends and family. One was even left for me at my apartment office by a little birthday elf. {Come to think of it....maybe this is why I feel like I have hay fever.} Jenni and Beth treated me to birthday tacos on Thursday (I promise I eat more than Mexican) with an Irish Cream Cupcake for dessert. That was heavenly. My thoughtful Aunt Carolyn sent me a piece of my grandmother's silver and the creamer and sugar bowl from MaBet's tea set. I was too young to pay attention to the things around me in my grandmother's house growing up. So when my mom and her siblings went through her house, I just put my name in for my favorite chipped coffee mug. Since then I've always thought back to what I would choose now if I had the option. Without speaking the words, Aunt Carolyn picked these pieces out from her collection of things she got from MaBet and I'm so excited to have them.

Phone calls, emails, texts and packages. Everyone was so sweet to make sure I felt celebrated. Now let the count down begin to September 14. aka: The Party and a Half! aka: a great excuse to all get together in the same town again!

And I Quote...

I read this last night right before turning my light off and couldn't help but think of you girls.

"Share your life with the people you love, even if it means saving up for a ticket and going without a few things for a while to make it work. There are enough long lonely days of the same old thing, and if you let enough years pass, and if you let the routine steamroll your life, you'll wake up one day, isolated and weary, and wonder what happened to all those old friends. You'll wonder why all you share is Christmas cards, and why life feels lonely and bone-dry. We were made to live connected and close, as close as we all were for those few days in Alameda, holding one another's babies, taking turns stirring whatever's on the stove.

So walk across the street, or drive across town, or fly across the country, but don't let really intimate loving friendships become the last item on a long to-do list. Good friendships are like breakfast. You think you're too busy to eat breakfast, but then you find yourself exhausted and cranky halfway through the day, and discover that you attempt to save time totally backfired. In the same way, you can try to go it alone because you don't have time or because your house is too messy to have people over, or because making new friends is like the very worst parts of dating. But halfway through a hard day or a hard week, you'll realize in a flash that you're breathtakingly lonely, and that the Christmas cards aren't much company. Get up, make a phone call, buy a cheap ticket, open your front door.

Because there really is nothing like good friends, like the sounds of their laughter and the tones of their voices and the things they teach us in the quietest, smallest moments."

~Shauna Niequist, Bittersweet

Much love.

Today

sore throat

open windows

couch

post secret

dvr

survivor

american idol

top chef

face-off

sudoku

emergen-c

overcast

grande non-fat no foam latte

gps

tennis club

windy

flip flops

pollen

laughter

friends

plans

birthday present

heirloom

water flowers

couch

social network

magazines

art ideas

sneezes

new recipes

vibrant colors

day dreams

pretzel m&m's (no yellows)

trash

mental lists

facebook

allergies

procrastinate

tweezers

7:30--still daylight

references

upcoming week

chores

headache

brinner

hot green tea

over due filing

new book

content

Guessing Game

Do you know what you're looking at here?

Yes, it's my bed.

It is ALSO the first picture taken with my new birthday camera!! That's right--no more borrowing someone else's or dragging around the dinosaur. That clunker has gone many a place and captured quite a few memories (both in film and video, I must say) but it's time for it to go be with my old computer in electronics heaven. Dad read my mind and now I have a working camera again. That means I owe you a little tour of my day to day. But not now...I've got homework screaming my name. And a really cool job prospect. (Cross your fingers and toes) More to come, I promise!

Enchanting

I realize that even with blogging I find room for the art of procrastination. I keep an on-going list in my email inbox of possible post ideas..and then put them each off because if I actually wrote about them, what would be left?? Well, more ideas most likely but I suppose that would just be too easy for my brain to deal with.

One of said ideas is to make a list of all of the blogs I frequent and send them along since I know you have just as much free time in your afternoons as I do [please read slight sarcastic tone] And while I will still do that at some point, tonight I'm going to break the mold and send just one.

Three Beautiful Things

I don't know this girl...don't even know her name to be exact, but I've followed her postings off and on for a couple of years. She is saved on my bookmark bar and each time I click the link it is like jumping into a time machine back into the past when life seemed more simple and little pleasures were celebrated. I really enjoy this blog because it is short, amazingly British, and it reminds me keep a positive eye on the look out for little joys throughout the day. I often think of doing something similar either here or in a journal...but then I get distracted. Isn't that the way? I do think that this would also help fight against the feeling that time is flying by. If you're noticing the small things each day and recording them, I bet it's easier to look back and remember the specific days instead of having day upon day and week upon week bleed in together until you wake up one day and realize you're 30 years old when it feels like you should only be 24 (hypothetical example of course).

Enjoy!

Thirty, Flirty and Thriving

The windows are open and birds are chirping. The geese are having a fight in the pond and some little dog sounds like it is being thrown out of a window. I'm looking at a huge bouquet of fresh flowers from Sara and a collage of cute birthday cards propped up on the table. It's 1:15 and I just finished my brunch and am still in my pajamas (I'll let you decide if that's a good sign or not).

I actually got up around 8:30 this morning and started flipping through all of my pictures books and memories.....collecting and organizing my birthdays through the years. Remembering the stories and feelings that came along with each March 14. [Complete side note here but my friend foodgawker told me that today is Pi Day--get it? 3.14. I'm honored to share a day with such a beloved dessert!!] I've compiled the pictures here for the longest post yet. So grab your favorite drink, kick back and join me for a walk down memory lane. Feel free to nap if needed.

March 14, 1981: I was born at 6:04 am weighing in at a whopping 7 pounds 15.5 ounces. 20 3/4 inches long. Dad was the first to hold me after my delivery and Mom called me Tootsie Bear the first time she saw me. That's a nickname that has stuck to this day....even in public I'm sorry to say. They didn't find out what I was going to be before hand, but Mom knew the first girl she had she would name her Susan Rebecca. She had decided that when she was in the 3rd grade.

Slightly random, but in looking through all of the pictures, I also came across this one of my nursery. I thought you might be interested in seeing it since most of you have decorated a nursery or two for your own children.

March 14, 1982: My first birthday. I can't say I remember this one, so I'm going off of what I'm told. The party was at my grandmother's house. We called her MaBet. My cake was a little girl wearing a bonnet and I was not so thrilled. Cried in fact. I didn't have the typical smash your face in the cake party...probably because I had a frilly dress on. Here's a picture I snagged of Mom and I--that's Mabet in the background.

March 14, 1986: My 5th birthday! I don't have any pictures on film from this day, but I have a couple of crystal clear mental pictures. This was my first big party. Mom let me take the kitchen scissors into the yard to cut all of our daffodils before my friends came over. They are my birthday flower and will always be my favorite. Then I had a group of friends from my class and neighborhood come over for the afternoon. We played squirt tag in the backyard and all sat in the dining room for cake and ice cream. Mom filled muffin cups with jelly beans for each place. Then to open presents we moved to the den. I got to sit on the ottoman and everyone sat on the floor around me. Trey Bond, my kindergarten boyfriend, gave me a silver heart necklace on a pink ribbon. I thought it was so beautiful (and still have it).

March 14, 1987- March 14, 1995: These are fuzzy. Mom wasn't big on birthday parties, so while I'm sure I got to pick the dinner (blue box mac and cheese, what else?) and mom would make her signature Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake, I don't have any pictures or memories that really stick out. OH! Except one...maybe around 3rd grade? I had a couple of friends sleep over and Mom took us to Chuck E. Cheese. I remember that I had a really loose tooth that I kept messing with all night.

March 14, 1996: My 15th birthday fell on a Friday. I went to school early for FCA and Sarah O'Neill gave me a homemade card she had made. She had gotten her friends together the day before and they all made me birthday cards. I don't remember anything else from that year, but I remember cherishing those cards. I'm sure I spent some time at the Jacobs' house eating cookie cake since Becca and I were inseparable that year. This is also the year that Becca and I got our learner's permits. I failed the test the first time because I didn't study the traffic laws book. Mom was furious, but I made a quick recovery and passed my 2nd time through.

March 14, 1997: The big 1-6. Mom let me have a party and I was so excited because it was going to be girls AND boys. I was too embarrassed to send out invitations, so my plan was to tell a few girls in the youth group and then let the word spread. It had worked that way for Julie's party a couple of months earlier so I was enthusiastic about my own bash. Mom and I made all of the preparations including ordering a large nugget platter from Chick-fil-A. Courtney was going to sleepover later that night, so I stopped by CFA to pick-up her sleepover bag while she was working. As it turns out.....the word didn't spread. People thought it was an invite only party and I was mildly crushed. I remember being in the kitchen with the group of girls trying to convince them to move into the den to play a game, but no one would budge until the nugget tray was empty. Who can compete with such cute little bites of chicken? Mom and Dad gave me a sapphire and diamond promise ring on a gold band along with tickets to see The Phantom of the Opera at the Fox Theater with Dad. I can't believe I don't have pictures of this birthday either. Good thing my memory is a steel trap!

March 14, 1998: I had a low-key party at the Jacobs' house. Cookie cake was involved and Bradley wore one of those fishing hats with fake stringy hair coming out the bottom. Not the mature gathering I had hoped for, but you were always entertained with the Dumb Boys around.

March 14, 1999: We had just gotten back from our class ski trip senior year. Anna threw a surprise party for me in her basement. It was my first surprise party which was fun, but a few of my friends didn't make the invite list so it was more of a random mix of kids from school. I didn't think much about it because Bradley was there and at the time I was smitten. He and Matt had taken Anna and I out on a date while everyone gathered at her house. Then when we got there we hung out for a while, ate crispy m&m's (which remain my favorite kind of m&m) and then watched the movie The Game. I don't remember much else because Bradley and I were holding hands. Ha ha ha. On our senior trip I had pointed out a little ladybug stuffed animal I wanted him to buy me from the gift shop. I was just joking around, but he found the same one in Atlanta and bought it for me along with a beaded ladybug key chain that he made himself. Thus starting the vast ladybug collection that took over my life in the coming years. I don't have a picture from this party, but here's one from our Senior Trip in Colorado the week before.

March 14, 2000: I was a freshman at Samford and shared a birthday with my hallmate, Lindsey Bell. I remember getting a note from the dorm office letting me know I had a delivery and when I opened the box it was a flower cake from Rachel! I believe Mom drove over for the night and she, Zach and I went to eat Mexican at Sabor Latina in Birmingham. My parents gave me 2 tickets to see Titanic (the stage production) at the Fox, so Courtney and I got gussied up and went together.

March 14, 2001: I was living at home and working full time for Dr. Anderson. I don't have a memory for this birthday, but am guessing I spent it in Athens with Courtney, Robin, and Heather. I found this picture and can tell it is in the Town Club apartment which matches with this date, so that's what I'm going with :) Court made the cream puff cake that is still a favorite today. Heather either has smoke in her eyes or is concentrating on singing...

March 14, 2002: My 21st birthday!! I woke up to my car being completely decorated with streamers, soap on the windows and even birthday plates covering the hub caps. It was my first year down in Florida and Mom and Dad flew down for the day. We went to the Cheesecake Factory that night. Mom pulled out a little flower floating candle and plunked it in my glass of water. Then she pulled out the birthday placemat my aunt made for me as a little girl. My first alcoholic drink was a Peach Bellini and it was delicious. Rachel joined us for dinner as well. On the drive back to Jefferson, I accidentally drove on the wrong side of the road. I had only had 1 drink! Really, it was just a confusing downtown road that was a one-way and I didn't notice until I was already down it. Oh well. :)

[You can't tell here, but the back windshield says "Honk, I'm 21" which got me plenty of traffic attention :)]

The next week the ya-ya's made a road trip down from Athens. We had a great weekend! Robin gave me a hand-stitched scrap quilt that I still use all the time. The other girls brought down a cute plastic margarita set from Target in a ladybug basket. I remember we went to RJ Gator's one night for dinner with my PBA friends and had a cookout at the Jefferson pool another night. OH! And Courtney got her nose pierced!

[Our ode to the Friends opening credits]

[This isn't from the trip with the girls, but I couldn't pass up the picture with the RJ Gator's fish bowl cocktail. Classic]

[I love C.R.Chicks. Pass it on.]

March 14, 2003: This will go down as one of the best birthdays in history. My family wasn't big on making birthdays a production growing up. We celebrated the day, but never made a huge fuss. This year, I was living in London and was celebrated for over a week! It kicked off with a trip to TGI Friday's, which was a luxury in London. We could get real American food including drinks with ice and free refills. The food was so expensive, but we splurged and at the end of the meal I started having random servers come up and tie balloons on me. Then they came out with a cupcake and made me stand on my chair while they sang Happy Birthday to me. My sweet friends obviously had set it up without my knowing.

[After my birthday song with the waiters and Migs at my side.]

Then that Saturday, Meg bought me a big bouquet of daffodils at the Portobello Market and presented them to me while I was eating my weekly Nutella and Banana crepe. (It's a wonder I don't have that stuff running in my blood after those 3 months abroad!) The details of the next celebration parts of fuzzy. I remember the details but can't recall the order of events. Either way--I loved every second! We went out dancing at Tiger Tiger the night before my birthday and at mid-night my friends requested 50's "Go Shorty, It's Your Birthday" to play right at midnight for me. I spent the day of my birthday at the British History Museum with Ryan Bradley and his friends. That night, a few girls had dinner with our Professor, B. Lewt, and his wife. I came back to the flat to a big surprise party that Meghan had been working on for weeks! She even had a friend bring Spongebob supplies from the states! I was so surprised I walked in the door and then ran back out again. We devoured 2 cakes and then all went out dancing at the Sports Bar. I'm pretty sure that's the night I danced with Ryan and accidentally stuck my finger in his eye. Oops!

[I find it funny that 7 of these people weren't even on our PBA trip--they were all just visiting!]

Court flew over for her Spring Break and came bearing the birthday essentials: Girl Scout cookies, Ranch dressing, and People magazine. We toured around the city, went to see Les Miserables (On My Own has always been one of our go-to songs), and just enjoyed being together. She was there with me when I found out my grandmother had died and I remember going to feed the ducks in Hyde park with her to process. Court, I'm so thankful you were able to come over to share my London life.

[Court and I at the London Tower..right before she took a picture of the Crown Jewels!]

[Ready to sing our hearts out....well, internally at least. No need to make a scene.]

March 14, 2004: We were in Florida for Heather's bachelorette weekend. It was a great weekend away and I just remembering laughing constantly. The last night was the day before my birthday and most of the girls had gone to bed early. Robin had found the time to bake a funfetti cake at some point in the day without me knowing so she, Court and I stayed up for a mini celebration. Such a fun memory! We ate the cake straight out of the pan and were soon struck with sugar belly. My actual birthday was our travel day home so we had the whole day in the car. Per Robin's choice, we listened to the Maroon 5 CD all the way home until we took it away. At one point in Alabama, we passed a cute boy on the interstate and we jotted Robin's cell number on a piece of paper and held it up to the window. He called and we thought we were so clever! I'm not sure what brought it up, but before crossing the GA state line, we all agreed to telling the first person who asked about our trip that it was "BITCHIN". Of course, the girls were dropping me directly at the airport to fly home and who else but my mother was there waiting to see me off. Since I am a woman of my word, I looked her straight in the eye and told her it was a bitchin' weekend. Ha ha ha. I wish I had taken a picture of her expression! This was also a big birthday because it was the last time I could fly free with my Delta passes. Mom got special permission to walk me to the gate, and since Dad was just coming in from a trip he met us before I had to board. I snapped a photo of them at the gate, but didn't think to get one with me in it too.

[Before.]

[After.]

[Captain Andy and Suenie before my last free flight.]

Since I was in Destin over my birthday, it didn't occur to me to have another celebration in West Palm. Lucky for me, my roomies had other plans. I remember sitting at work one afternoon when I saw Shelby's red mom car pull-up. That wasn't so unusual since she worked at Results too and we would always visit each other. I was shocked when out of the passenger side jumped Liz decked out in the Spongebob costume (which, I've decided will receive a post all it's own in the near future) with beads and a name tag in hand. She ran in for a drive by birthday party and then left before anyone saw her. I wore the badge the rest of the day that said "my birthday was last week" which was extra surprising/embarrassing for Chris, my boss, who had clearly forgotten. :) Towards the end of my shift, Nan called to see when I was coming home to watch Jeopardy. Nothing unusual there...until she called 3 more times in the period of 1 hour. By the time I got home, I knew something was up, but just didn't put all of the pieces together. The PBA friends had pulled together a little surprise party for me including funfetti cake and yorkie fondue....and the best hand decorated puzzle map EVER. Nan and Laura gave me a mylar hotdog balloon that was weighted down with Clif Bars which I got such a kick out of.

[Drive by Sponge-Bobbing]

March 14, 2005: Relatively uneventful birthday. I remember going to the Candi Pearson-Shelton concert for her new CD in Buckhead. Then a group of us went to dinner at Houlihan's. This was a new group of friends so I remember feeling nervous and shy and wishing I was with friends who knew me better.

March 14, 2006: This was a super low-key birthday as well. No pictures. Dee-dee called some friends to meet up at Cafe Intermezzo one night for my birthday. This was the start of the funk so I don't think I felt like celebrating much.

March 14, 2007: I had a small group of friends over to my parent's house for dinner. Zach was our private chef and he didn't disappoint! He created a signature cocktail then had fancy grilled cheese sandwiches to dip in jam (don't knock it till you try it!) and of course my favorite entree, chicken and mashed potatoes. It was so fun! The next morning a group of girls gathered at J.Christopher's for breakfast and to celebrate. I was kindly awarded the much sought after Crazy Lady action figure who proceeded to be passed from friend to friend on their birthday for a full year.

March 14, 2008: I was living with Jenni this year and we decided to have a party at her place. It was so fun! She made monkey cupcakes and I made Jello shots. Courtney and Ryan made it from Woodstock (which can be considered another country!) and I loved getting to mix my friend groups. We had a great time hanging out. During one of my turns at Guitar Hero I heard the front door open and close. My back was to the door and I didn't pay much attention to it until the song was over. I turned around and there stood Zach in the doorway. I burst into tears of surprise and hugged him! He was living in Costa Rica at the time and was passing through Atlanta that night on his way to visit a friend in Spain. He'd asked my parents to keep his arrival a surprise so I didn't even know he was going to be in the states. I loved having him at the party with us.

[margarita jello shots!]

The next day Zach, Dad and I went to breakfast. Zach made a passing comment about how I should go to Spain with him and I said "OK". I made a couple of phone calls and before I knew it, I was packing my bag and boarding a plane by dinner time. He and I got first class seats on the way over and had such fun playing Bejeweled and watching all of the in flight movies with cocktails in hand. While the trip didn't necessarily turn out like he had expected, I am so thankful for the time that we had together. It's the only time he and I have gotten out and traveled together and I will always cherish those 4 days and the memories we made.

March 14, 2009: I finally got a tea party birthday! It was a cold and rainy Saturday, and I met a group of girls up at the Roswell Tea House. It was so fun! (I think I've said that for almost every year, I know). Mom came and entertained the whole group with her antics.....including calling herself a COUGAR before I could stop and explain to her what she was saying. Her face turned all shades of red as she retracted her declaration. Robin brought a cookie cake and I ordered high tea. Since it was my birthday, I decided to ask the waitress to hold off on the finger sandwiches and scones that are traditional and bring only the sweets part. Needless to say by the end of that party I was numb with sugar belly. Sara had driven in from Athens so she spent the afternoon with me and then we headed to the Johnsey's house for game night.

March 14, 2010: Jenni put together a cat-themed birthday party for me this year. Sadly, I don't have any pictures to prove it. A friend took some on her camera and I have yet to see them. Dang. Anyway, Jenni and I have a long standing joke about having to become crazy cat ladies since we're getting older by the minute and aren't married. Seems only logical. So she sent out the invitation asking people to bring cat gifts. It was hysterical. I got a pair of cat slippers, a poster, and little plastic cat toys even. We celebrated at Seasons 52 which is one of my favorite restaurants nearby. We had 9 girls around the table and it was the perfect size! We ate and laughed (and I sipped on a sweet tea vodka cocktail) and then a few of us went back to our house for games with special cake balls and Oreo balls to snack on. Note to self, if you ever want to win Bananagrams do NOT play with a kindergarten/1st grade teacher. She was so speedy with the 3 letter words!!

And that brings us to today. March 14, 2011. It is now 4:05 and I'm still in my pajamas finishing this post, but honestly it has been a great day. I feel like I've spent time with each of you as I've gone through these memories and fun times. I've gotten to talk and text with friends on the phone and just relax without making a single to-do list. I'm going to get dressed now and head over to mom and dad's for family celebration.

All the anxiety and 30 really isn't so bad. I didn't feel older when I woke up, and I don't look much different. Now reminded of the amazing friends and family I've had walking with me through the years leaves me feeling empowered and excited for the coming year. Let's do this, 3-0.

In A Perfect World

We're T-Minus 3 days and really my mind has refused to face it all week. Don't worry, I'm not going to be that girl who dresses in black or dramatically wails about her age for attention. Yet, as the hours have ticked by I haven't been able to scare up any idea that sounds definitively fun and celebratory. I've been FROZEN with indecision. I've realized that facing 30 during this time of transition in my life just makes the waters muddy. I choose to believe that God has something up his sleeve for these years I call life, but at the current moment I'm not seeing it.

I was sitting in silence last night stressing over the dang idea of a party. You would think I've been fretting over rocket science for the amount of time I've devoted to the silly topic. I mean, I think I would really regret not doing anything to mark 30 and yet anything I think of seems like more of a hassle than a good time (think of Lisa Turtle in the dance-off doing "The Sprain"). But letting it pass completely would leave me sad in years to come I fear. I already have a wagon full of regret in the first 29.95 years I've lived...no need to add to it. So I've decided to keep it small and simple and save the bigger party for 30 1/2 (Mark your calendars for September 14) when hopefully I'll be in a better place. In the mean time, I've been dreaming about what it would look like to celebrate in a perfect world (ie--if you were all here).

So in true Mr. Rogers fashion, please squint your eyes to the blurry point right before they are closed and pretend you're traveling with me to the Land of Perfect for the Celebration of the Completion of my Thirtieth Year.

Friday:

I'd pick you all up from the airport in the afternoon. We'd pick up smoothies for lunch and head to my apartment for a tour and to drop your stuff off. Then we'd go shopping around town at Thrift Stores for beat up junk that could be made into beautiful artsy house decor. I'm not sure why, but this sounds like so much fun to me. Could be the too much YHL reading. Anyway, we'd go back to my apartment to hang out and then get our trendy outfits on and head to Fernbank Science Museum for Martini's and IMAX (translated: fancy drinks among dinosaurs, and then gigantic nature movies). We'd stay late and then come home to crash.

Saturday:

We'd sleep in until we just couldn't anymore. We'd make cinnamon rolls and THE fruit salad for breakfast. What's that you say? You don't know what THE fruit salad is? Only the perfect combination of fruit that was discovered after hours and hours of devoted research by Liz and myself during my first year in Florida. I even have a picture of it, but am currently too tired to find it, scan it, and post it. So until I do...just know that it is comprised of pineapple, green grapes and strawberries. (You'll have to ask Liz to devote a post of her own to THE trail mix combo she discovered in her solitary woods adventure.) Anyway, back to the perfect Saturday. After breakfast we would all get dressed and go to Stone Mountain to hike. Yes, there is more than just a Sweetly Southern/Confederate Saluting/Fried Chicken Loving/Fanny-pack Wearing/Dippin' Dot Eating/Dixie Singing Laser Show that goes on there. You can actually hike to the top! It's a big windy up there so we'd stay long enough to catch our breath, point out the Atlanta skyline, snap a picture of two of someone faking falling off the edge, and then head back down. Once back in town we'd head for mani's and pedi's. Hmmm.....dinner would be something we all create at home. Maybe DIY panini's or pizza's. Then a rousing game of 'would you rather' before bed time.

**THIS JUST IN: Found the pic of the fruit salad as seen below:

Sunday:

Sleep in until we couldn't sleep anymore. I know the good thing now would be to say church. And in a perfect world it would be. But currently I don't really attend and getting all of us showered and ready in time would not do. So we'd pack up some fruit, cheese, and crackers and a picnic blanket and head out to the park where we'd have our own "church". We'd connect on life and talk about victories and failures. Guarantee we'd laugh a ton. Then we'd go to Calloway Gardens and rent bikes for the afternoon. After a long ride through the trails and a brief stop at the Butterfly House, we'd head back home. First, we'd stop at my favorite little coffee shop overlooking the Chattahoochee River where we'd sit in the adorondak chairs sipping drinks and watching the ducks flip upside down to eat. So entertaining and peaceful. Sunday night we'd head to El Taco (the restaurant where Zach works) for a queso/guacamole/sangria/margarita/fried chicken taco FEAST. More memories and pictures and maybe....just maybe...an ice cream cake :) We'd giggle all the way home and talk until we couldn't keep our eyes open any longer.

Monday:

You'd have to get back to your families and lives at some point. So we'd go pick up bagels and coffee at Einstein's and then head to the airport. I'd watch you leave with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face knowing that I just soaked up every hour of the past weekend with the girls I love the most in the world.

And since that world only exists in my dreams, it's time I sign off and go to bed. Love you all!

An Update

It's almost bed time, but I wanted to hop on here first in case you haven't had your daily dose of randomness. You can thank me later :)

1. I just finished book 6 of The Chronicles of Narnia. The Silver Chair was good and one of the movies I distinctly remember watching one Christmas Day when I was younger. I mean, 10-ish. Dad got a beach chair that year and Zach and I got one of those HUGE tins of popcorn (you know...the tri-flavor kind?) and I remember setting up Dad's new chair in the den with the big tin of popcorn by my side to watch Silver Chair that afternoon. I remembered one of the random characters more than the story line (Puddleglum the Marshwiggle), so I've been scouring every new Narnia movie coming out wondering if the character is from that book. Now I've solved the mystery (and thus sleep well tonight, I'm sure). How's THAT for way too much useless info?

2. Speaking of reading, I just finished up Numbers today in my trek through the Bible in a year. That means 5 books down and 61 left to go! While I do love some of the stories in the Old Testament, it does get a little dry at points. I mean, like eating a handful of frosted mini-wheats without a glass of milk in sight. Supplementing with the 66 Love Letters book has been helpful to stay on course....and always seems to know exactly where my mind is. Listen to this quote from the chapter about Numbers (and by listen, I mean read): "And that disappointment will lead you to wonder if you've missed the right road, if perhaps there is a better, more satisfying, less bumpy road through your life. There isn't, not on that leads to real joy. I wrote Numbers to tell you that. The road to life will expose you to terrible failure and crushing conflict. But only that road leads to the life you want, the life I give you." Cool, huh? Remember how I just posted recently that I have a haunting feeling that I've turned down the wrong road in life? Somehow ended up in an alternate reality that shouldn't really be where I am? I've been fighting that feeling off ever since I moved home from Florida......7 whole years ago. After having the same nagging thought for that long, it's hard to not believe it holds truth. Even though it sounds like common sense when I read it out loud, I was so excited to have this Truth strike hot day. I choose to believe this. There is one road for my life and I'm on it....now buckle up because we've hit some turbulence (or something like that).

Other interesting points in Numbers: I got to the story of the talking donkey you always hear about. And it is even a GIRL donkey...so don't go imagining Eddie Murphy's voice talking to Shrek like I did. Also, there is a girl in Numbers named Noah. And a boy named Reba. I had a giggle at both. God commanded a man to be stoned to death by the Israelites. The reason? He was collecting firewood on the Sabbath. Sara and I talked this week about how hard it is to really grasp the reality of our sin in light of God's supreme Holiness. I'm not even close yet.

3. You know when you're about half way through a tube of toothpaste and you hit the air bubble? That's my favorite part. I always find some kind of satisfaction in bursting the bubble.

4. It is rare that I can come on here and not click the 'Next Blog' button at the top of the screen. Anyone else? Sometimes I'll just sit there and click it for 15 or 20 minutes to see what path it takes me on through the world of strangers' blogs. Sometimes it goes the Asian route and I can't understand anything that is typed. Other times I'll click through page after page of stay-at-home-mom blogs with baby updates. Others will be astrological sites, while others still will be focused on quilting and crafting. I'm not sure what makes the site choose how it does but it is a mildy fun (and very free) gamble. And since Shelby can attest to my casino skills...we know that this is a safer bet for me.

5. Who am I kidding? There's no 5. My brain is fried and I'm ready for bed. I promise I have more exciting things planned to post this week. Well, when I say exciting really I mean they involved old stories and pictures....and no other toothpaste commentary. I would be lying if I said I don't feel better ending on an odd number. It's a sickness.

T-Minus 9 days

I've pulled 3 grey hairs this week. 30 better start changing it's attitude or else it's gonna be a long decade!

My friend Dustin Akhuoi wrote and posted this on his blog this week. I thought it was poignant and beautiful and much needed as I plan for the upcoming year......so I've copied it here. It's called "A Year Is Made Up Of 365 Days":

For every night I chose to face pain and embrace it rather than cover it up, escape or justify my way around it…I gained grit and perseverance…but it was slow and tedious

For every void I gave to God rather than fill it up with something else that did not satisfy…I gained a deeper conviction on what could sustain me and keep me…but it was slow and tedious

For every day I woke up and chose to believe that it was love that had me in my current circumstances…as opposed to punishment or injustice…I gained gratefulness and hope…but it was slow and tedious

For every small choice I made to course correct an undisciplined life rather than to make excuses…I gained character, resolve and comfort in my skin…but it was slow and tedious

For every character flaw I faced and owned up to instead of blaming someone else for my choices…I gained self worth and forgiveness…but it was slow and tedious

For every stitch I tried to help repair in broken hearts…rather than continuing to pour salt in wounds or tearing them open even more…I gained perspective on love and what it means to be a man…and I watched them come alive, heal and flourish…but it was slow and tedious

For every adventure I set out on to have fun and enjoy my friends…instead of giving up and believing I was who I had been and was without hope…I gained passion,vigor, self worth and a renewed love for living in the present…but it was slow and tedious

For every question I asked to challenge my beliefs…rather than accepting “hand me down truth” or incorrect dogma…I gained a greater ownership of what was in my head and heart…and more love…but it was slow and tedious

For every wound I had from the past that I took time to recognize, pray about, realize my part and move forward in forgiveness and love…rather than bitterness and judgment…I gained freedom and a smile…but it was slow and tedious

These things were all hard…AND STILL ARE…but…I have stumbled upon a groundbreaking truth: A year is made up of 365 days…and they all happen one by one…sounds simple but that’s how I had to break my journey up…into bite size pieces. Just read a quote today that said ”The virtue lies in the struggle, not the prize.” (Richard Milnes)

Oh and one more thing…

For every failure and bad choice I made along the way and am still making…rather than walking a perfect path and not repeating mistakes…I gain perspective on my human frailty and need for grace…lest I forget I am not flawless and in need of God’s strength and wisdom. I am resting in grace and continually learning through success and failure. And in case you were wondering…it’s still slow and tedious…the “struggle” is still going but it has been worth it all…and I have to keep reminding myself of that every day.

March!

1. Belated RABBIT to you all :) I totally meant to post this yesterday but got bitten by the lazy bug, so there. I guess I can't blame it on the altitude anymore. That was my excuse all weekend....not so much for laziness as barfing. UGH. I love my PBA girls and I love Colorado, but I don't love the extreme heights that come with the deal. Thankfully I bounced back within 24 hours and had a great remaining 4 days. It was so hard to say good-bye and even harder to sit on the cramped plane with a screaming baby behind me for the whole flight home. More on the trip when I get some pictures together.

2. T- minus 12 days until my birthday and I'm kinda freaking. Not really sure why. I've been practicing saying that I am 30 for the past 2 years. The reality is kicking in. I'm no spring chicken. Ha ha ha. It does serve as a good wake up call to examine where I am in life and put together for getting to where I want to be. Do you ever wake up and feel like you've wasted your life? Or the life you've lived so far? For some reason that is a HUGE fight for me. For someone who loves memories and remembering the good times, recently that has all come with a twinge of regret over feeling like I've misstepped into a Marty McFly alternate universe for the past 7 years that have put me no where near where I "should" be. Not even sure what that "should" life looks like, but somehow different than this. Sometimes it is a little haunting feeling and then other times I feel like it is being blasted on a mega speaker from the rooftops. It's a daily battle to try and convince myself that I am where God wants me...and frankly, it's a battle I often lose. Nothing like a little honesty on a Tuesday afternoon.

3. I finished out February with a poor showing on the flossing front--well, let's say I'd get a B if in high school, or a VG if in elementary school. I think I missed 4 days. But on the optimistic side, that means I flossed 22 more days than I did in January. And I even continued on into March. Sara sent me an email yesterday morning (because that is the best way to communicate with a roomie you never see) announcing her no-tv-march. Holy cow! I don't know how she's gonna do that. She does have an exception for the end of the Bachelor, because how can you go on living without knowing if Emily or Chantel gets the final rose?! {Emily! Emily! Emily!} Anyway, as a part of the life examination, I'm really trying to put my foot down and shed this ridiculous (and embarrassing) weight. So for this month it's my goal to exercise 6 out of the 7 days in the week. I have given myself the option of 45 minutes cardio or 30 minutes cardio with weights and crunches. So far I'm 2 for 2 and praying for a truck load of internal and external change. I've also started keeping a food journal. Enough is enough and after not feeling like myself for a while, not having clothes that fit and being too embarrassed to shop for more, hating all pictures, losing the little confidence I had, carrying physical evidence of selfishness and laziness for all to see.....I'm drawing the line. So there.

4. I have to go shower and get ready for a game night with some girls from my tennis team. So I'll leave you with this uh-mazing video to giggle at. Seriously. If you don't laugh, you should seriously consider having your funny bone replaced.