Really January? Gone Already?!

I just can't believe it's the end of January!  Holy moly!  Where did the time go?

We had a wonderful time in Louisiana.  We (obviously) made it there safe and sound...on time...with our luggage!  Amazing!  :-)  Flying into Atlanta was a little questionable...it was so bizarre.  Like flying into Alaska or something!  My dad's surgery went well.  He did way too much way too soon if you ask me, but he's never really been one to sit on the couch.  Shoulder surgery Wednesday, out on the tractor tossing hay on Friday.  Good times.  Let's be honest, if it were me...I'd have still been in the bed having milkshakes for every meal.  :-)

Buddy wanted to come too.

The ice sheet that was the ATL airport.

Good times at the Abita Brewery.

Serve yourself?  Don't mind if I do!

Thomas, Me, and Barrett enjoying the tasting.

Drive Thru Daiquiris....makes me giggle everytime.  :-)

My friend the buffalo at the Global Wildlife Center.

If I could have a pet camel...it would be this guy.

Um...Yum.

Henry Higgins.

Buford.

The next weekend was pretty busy.  Susan, Mike, Matt, Jenna, and Landon all came into town.  It was nice to have everyone all together...Although, along with the good times we also shared some good germs.  :-)  Matt, Jenna, and Landon had all been sick on and off for a few weeks and Barrett was lucky enough to catch a few of their coughs and sneezes.  :-)  Oh well...it's January.  A cold is bound to happen!

That Friday night I was able to go to the Make-A-Wish of Central and Western North Carolina's Wish Ball.  It is such a phenomenal event...great food, great friends, great music...we laughed, we cried.  It was really wonderful and I am so blessed to have a job that allows me to be involved with such amazing organizations.

We clean up nicely.  :-)

My giant friend Kasey.
Not really...she just had tall shoes and I had no shoes.  :-)

Me with Jenny and Ashlyn.

Pretty table.

Unflattering (for almost everyone) Child Life slow dance picture.

Token bathroom shot.  :-)

Last night I went to my friend Katy's house for her annual Clothes Swap.  Brilliant idea she had...Bring all you stuff you don't want anymore (clothes, shoes, accessories, picture frames, small appliances, etc), shop around to see if you want anybody else's old stuff, leave it there, and she donates the leftovers to charity.  Brilliant!  I finally get to clean out all of closets/drawers and attic, and I get to "shop" for a few new things too!  So fun!

Tonight, Barrett is out on the town completely embarrassing himself.  Well, that's my opinion on the situation anyway.  :-)  He came in last place in his Fantasy Football League this year...winner gets money, two losers get to go out uptown in jorts (jean shorts) and make fools of themselves.  Good times.  Glad I'm safe at home.  :-)

Hope everyone was able to enjoy this beautiful day!  I'm not sure if I loved it or hated it for being a tease!  Buddy and I tried to go for a nice long walk, but he was having a bad day apparently b/c it was a terrible walk that ended in him knocking my sunglasses off my face and breaking them.  Yes...that would be the second pair of Ray Bans that have been lost/damaged in the last 6 months.  I supposed it's just not meant to be.  No worries, Buddy and I have made up and we are enjoying a nice quiet night at home. 

Happy end of January everyone!

I Say A Little Prayer For You!

Well, I really mean us...but that's not how the song goes, is it?  :-)

We are supposed to fly out of Charlotte tomorrow morning at 10:30 to go to Louisiana.  We fly from Charlotte to Atlanta, have a one hour layover, then from Atlanta to New Orleans all on AirTran.  That's all fine and dandy except for the fact that both Charlotte Douglas and Hartsfield Jackson (ATL) are both covered in ice at the present time. 

So...say a little prayer that our flight is still a go for tomorrow!  :-)

Stay warm!

Snow Day!

Well, believe it or not...I have a Snow Day today.  Hmmm...weird, considering the fact that hospitals don't close.  I, however, am non-essential staff so I don't have to go in.  What I think that all really means is just that if I'm not there, no one will die, and they don't want me to sue them if I get hurt in an accident.  :-)  Either way...Snow Day!  :-)

That means I have time today to do all of those things I keep putting in the back of my brain.  Pay bills...put together our 2010 photo album...update the blog!

Let's see...what's new?  New Years Resolutions are going great.  I've lost 4 pounds in the last week, which I am calling a huge victory considering "losing weight" wasn't a resolution.  I've been kicking some serious butt on Just Dance and am ready for another challenger...Barrett doesn't think it's as fun as I do.  :-)

I am completely, 100% in love with my Nook.  I was on the fence about it for a while.  I just like real books so much!  But...this thing is great.  I finished my first book on it and I think I maybe read it faster than I normally do!  I read Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen.  Phenomenal.  Really, really great.  Bonus:  there's a movie coming out this spring.  You all should read it...you won't be disappointed.

 

This past weekend, Barrett and I went to see a show at the Double Door Inn here in Charlotte.  A guy that he works with is in a band, and our friend Elizabeth was going to be singing with them too.  We went to dinner with my friend Angela at this yummy yummy sushi restaurant called Pisces and then went to the show.  The band was really great!  They played fun, upbeat, folky music.  Elizabeth sang two songs and played the cello on one.  If I could download her on I-tunes, I would.


Me and Angela



Double Door Inn



Elizabeth rocking out on the cello

Saturday, Barrett had to work (boo) and Buddy and I were lazy, lazy, lazy...and it was awesome.  We should do that more often.  Just sit on the couch, read, snuggle, nap, whatever. 

This morning we woke to snow covered roads, yards, trees, cars, etc.  Barrett (surprise, surprise) had to go to work...because apparently the entire financial infrastructure would collapse if they weren't open today.  And Buddy and I...well, essentially have done a lot more being lazy.  :-)  I have, however, taken him on a long walk, started working on our 2010 photo book so we can get that ordered and squared away, and started packing for our trip to Louisiana on Wednesday.  So, I guess that's not really lazy...but I am still in my pajamas.  :-)

 

Hope everyone is staying warm!

Happy New Year!

So...another year has come and gone.  We are excited to see a New Year roll in with all it's possibilities.

We celebrated New Years Eve exactly the way we wanted to...at home, just the three of us.  :-)  It was actually very nice to be in our own space, not to travel, and to celebrate the coming of a new year with our little family.  I made a big pot of spaghetti and meatballs, we ate yummy bruschetta, and drank a nice glass of red wine.  Then...it was party time.  :-) 

I bought myself a present at the store earlier that day.  It's a video game for the Wii, but likely the most awesome, amazing, fun game on the face of the planet.  It's called Just Dance 2...and I may never stop dancing.  Not only is it a blast...but it's also a pretty good workout too!  I definitely broke a sweat, and I think Barrett secretly did too.

We hope you all had a fun and happy New Years Eve, that you're starting the year off on the right foot, and that you've been able to stick to your resolutions...so far anyway!

Slaving over a hot stove all day sure has it's rewards!

Yummy bruschetta (for just winging it) and a nice glass of chianti.

Getting back to my Sicilian roots.  :-)

No Barrett, that plate is for sharing.  :-)

Just Dance ain't no joke.  Good times.