I don't know how you feel about Sunday nights but we can NEVER find anything on TV. Our usual go-to HGTV features Island Hunters all night long and that is so far in fantasy world that I have lost all interest in that show. We have started DVR'ing shows and saving them for Sunday nights to remedy our problem. Last night we watched a few shows but then we watched one and I literally sat on the edge of the couch the entire time. Have y'all watched Home Town? Oh.my.word! I was hooked within the first five minutes and have several thoughts on it all...
Home Town is about Erin and Ben who want to revive Laurel, MS and bring character back to old homes. Think of Chip and Joanna Gaines from Fixer Upper but with a different design twist and is based in MS. Ben looks like a lumber jack and Erin has the cutest hair and is representing for us short-haired girls! You can tell they truly love what they do and have a great time doing it. They love their little town and want others to see the hidden gem that it is. Erin also has a beautiful letter-press wedding invitation business that would make any Southern bride swoon!
Now I love Nashville and I never thought I would love this town as much as I do. You can eat, oh you can eat here, you can travel and truly be a tourist in your own town and I love these things. But honey, if I weren't living in Nashville I would be in South Carolina or Mississippi. I fell in love with MS in 2013 and that state has got a hold on my heart. The people, the smell (pine trees), the brown roads, the slow pace of life, the accents--give me all of it. Home Town is featured in Laurel which just so happens to be the hometown of one of our best law school friends, Will. Will's dad's company did the cabinetry for the home that was renovated. Now listen, this is like playing 6 degrees of separation and I am about ready to introduce myself to Mr. Mark Morgan and see if he can't provide some of his fine cabinets for a future home in Nashville! The cabinets were this light shade of green and I fell head over heels for them. Its different but still so classy and made the kitchen feel warm. You best believe I scoured Pinterest after the episode ended and pinned away! A girl can dream right!
I have a small confession: I am sorta over shiplap. I love Joanna and I think she has an eye for design but I really don't want shiplap in every room. Maybe if we lived in Waco, TX I would do a small section somewhere but you know what..I am good. I like Sheetrock! Again, I love Joanna but every house is starting to feel the same to me but I try to pick out elements from each one that I like and remember those. I think that was what was so refreshing about Home Town was that it was a different designer and she didn't want to stage the home, she wanted them to basically unpack their bags and get ready for dinner. Besides the kitchen cabinets, I loved that Erin and Ben painted the entryway navy and there was white wainscoting. Oh the pop of color with the stark white made a statement! In the dining room, there was a fireplace and they incorporated famous Laurel bricks. I texted Will and asked if he could find me a Laurel brick because as of 8 PM last night, my life would not be complete with out one!
Now in the living room, they had a linen or it could have been white couch. I want one of these so badly because its crisp and clean. However, the practical person would stay absolutely away from this purchase because children, let alone adults, are not clean all the time. However, I am drawn to it every time and think could I pull this off or will I wash white slipcovers the rest of my life?
This was Home Town's pilot episode and I really hope HGTV picks it up. Did any of ya'll watch? If so, what did you think? Are you over shiplap or is it just me? Now excuse me while I go butter up Will's dad and see if he will put us on his books for a future order!
Monday, January 25, 2016
Friday, January 22, 2016
Snow Day
Oh this weather! This week has been eventful in the sense that Monday was MLK day, Wednesday was bad weather but that was nothing compared to what we are experiencing today. I am a set-schedule, to-do list kind of girl and when the week is shaken up like this I feel out of sorts. However, when the bad weather hits on a Friday and you get an unexpected 3 day weekend, well honey, bring it on!
Monday both Jace and I had to work and at least for me it was relatively quiet since most people thought we were closed. Tuesday was a normal day but we knew what was looming. Wednesday the first round of bad weather hit and I decided to take a vacation day and not risk tackling the slick roads. Though it was a vacation day from work, it turned into a work day at home with laundry, grocery shopping, and light cleaning. I did manage to squeeze in a nap and it was glorious! Stamper braved the weather and went to work and I proceeded to tell him he was crazy but conditions really did improve by mid-afternoon. Yesterday everyone turned into amateur meteorologists and were giving their own predictions of when the rain and snow would hit. I worked hard yesterday and tried to get everything wrapped up just in case work would be cancelled. The anticipated text arrived this morning at 7 saying work was cancelled and I haven't got out of my robe yet! We are currently on our second pot of coffee and I am taking a l-a-z-y morning! Stamp is working from home remotely today and might even tackle our taxes! Whereas, I will feel productive to get a shower!
On days like today I wish we had Netflix and could do the whole "Netflix and Chill" but instead our TV is glued to the news and probably will be for the rest of the weekend. I do hope to read some of my books from Christmas, give myself a poor man's manicure, and try to fight off the urge to bake something sweet for this weekend! Now if we weren't living the dream in our apartment, Jace and I would be outside playing! The advantage of apartment living: no snow shoveling! The disadvantage of apartment living: parking lot snow angels.
I hope y'all stay warm and more importantly, safe this weekend. To my KY friends, I am thinking of you and inches if not foot or more of snow that greeted you this morning.
Monday both Jace and I had to work and at least for me it was relatively quiet since most people thought we were closed. Tuesday was a normal day but we knew what was looming. Wednesday the first round of bad weather hit and I decided to take a vacation day and not risk tackling the slick roads. Though it was a vacation day from work, it turned into a work day at home with laundry, grocery shopping, and light cleaning. I did manage to squeeze in a nap and it was glorious! Stamper braved the weather and went to work and I proceeded to tell him he was crazy but conditions really did improve by mid-afternoon. Yesterday everyone turned into amateur meteorologists and were giving their own predictions of when the rain and snow would hit. I worked hard yesterday and tried to get everything wrapped up just in case work would be cancelled. The anticipated text arrived this morning at 7 saying work was cancelled and I haven't got out of my robe yet! We are currently on our second pot of coffee and I am taking a l-a-z-y morning! Stamp is working from home remotely today and might even tackle our taxes! Whereas, I will feel productive to get a shower!
On days like today I wish we had Netflix and could do the whole "Netflix and Chill" but instead our TV is glued to the news and probably will be for the rest of the weekend. I do hope to read some of my books from Christmas, give myself a poor man's manicure, and try to fight off the urge to bake something sweet for this weekend! Now if we weren't living the dream in our apartment, Jace and I would be outside playing! The advantage of apartment living: no snow shoveling! The disadvantage of apartment living: parking lot snow angels.
I hope y'all stay warm and more importantly, safe this weekend. To my KY friends, I am thinking of you and inches if not foot or more of snow that greeted you this morning.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Weekened Shenanigans
Its Tuesday afternoon and I am trying to keep my eyes open but I'm so tired. That is what happens when you have a fun weekend and there wasn't any time to rest! Here is what I was up to...
On Friday nights Jace and I usually have a date night in and fix a fun, albeit easy dinner. Last Friday's menu was homemade pizza and Jace was in charge. Last week seemed to be a whirlwind with the sudden surprise of "busy season", so Friday was a much needed night to recharge with Jace and catch-up. Some Friday nights we literally crash, don't say too much, and go to bed early and are pleased as punch to crawl into bed at a decent time. However, last Friday night we discussed all manners of adult stuff but mostly work.We are both so career focused right now and are really trying to settle into a career and not stick with just a job. Stamp keeps me motivated and encourages me along this little path I'm plowing. Friday nights with him are the best cure to a long week and it never hurts when a bottle of wine is opened either!
Saturday morning I got up early and drove home because it was Mom's birthday and we had the best day! For many years, I couldn't be with her on her actual birthday and that was always hard but not this year! That is the wonderful thing of being 2 1/2 hours away, traveling home is not an all day occurrence and is so much easier. Saturday we ran all over Paducah and went into stores we normally don't and just looked around. We had lunch at a fun restaurant called Flamingo Row. The place is lively and very colorful and they have a live iguana. Now listen, I can't handle that creature. When we lived in Gainesville, there were lizards everywhere and as Jace would tell you, they became my best friends and that is the God's honest truth. Lonely times, people, lonely times when the lizards were the highlight of my days. The reason I can't handle an iguana is its tongue looks like its as long as its body. So imagine Mom and I enjoying ourselves, eating lunch, and she lets out this hollar. Y'all I thought that iguana had escaped its cage and was loose. I was two steps away from the door and just thought I would call the restaurant and give them my credit card information and pay that way. I am not kidding when I tell you that I was startled. Shockingly, the iguana was not loose--instead my Mom saw someone we know. It took awhile to recover from the excitement but then Mom and I got so tickled. We finished the day at Great American Cookie because how can you have a birthday without a sweet treat?
On Saturday night I knew there were flurries in the forecast. I was prepared for a dusting but it was far from a dusting when we woke up on Sunday. 4 inches fell overnight and it looked like a winter wonderland. Pup was so excited for the snow and played and trotted all over the neighborhood while Mom and I scrapped ice and snow from my car. We had plans on going to church but even churches were closed and school wasn't in session yesterday.
On my drive back, I felt like I was in high school all over again. Mom always swears she is done having yard sales and yet almost every year we throw another one. She was going through things and found a stack of CDs and y'all they took me back to the day. We are talking circa 2003-2005, the hit of hits of my high school days. I knew every lyric to those songs and my word what a mix CD they were! One minute country, the next rap, and everything in between. When I traveled back to Nashville it was the time when we would have been in church and I hope the Good Lord forgives me because the lyrics weren't that spiritual in nature.
Overall it was a really great weekend, a weekend that makes you tired the next week but your heart is full!
On Friday nights Jace and I usually have a date night in and fix a fun, albeit easy dinner. Last Friday's menu was homemade pizza and Jace was in charge. Last week seemed to be a whirlwind with the sudden surprise of "busy season", so Friday was a much needed night to recharge with Jace and catch-up. Some Friday nights we literally crash, don't say too much, and go to bed early and are pleased as punch to crawl into bed at a decent time. However, last Friday night we discussed all manners of adult stuff but mostly work.We are both so career focused right now and are really trying to settle into a career and not stick with just a job. Stamp keeps me motivated and encourages me along this little path I'm plowing. Friday nights with him are the best cure to a long week and it never hurts when a bottle of wine is opened either!
Saturday morning I got up early and drove home because it was Mom's birthday and we had the best day! For many years, I couldn't be with her on her actual birthday and that was always hard but not this year! That is the wonderful thing of being 2 1/2 hours away, traveling home is not an all day occurrence and is so much easier. Saturday we ran all over Paducah and went into stores we normally don't and just looked around. We had lunch at a fun restaurant called Flamingo Row. The place is lively and very colorful and they have a live iguana. Now listen, I can't handle that creature. When we lived in Gainesville, there were lizards everywhere and as Jace would tell you, they became my best friends and that is the God's honest truth. Lonely times, people, lonely times when the lizards were the highlight of my days. The reason I can't handle an iguana is its tongue looks like its as long as its body. So imagine Mom and I enjoying ourselves, eating lunch, and she lets out this hollar. Y'all I thought that iguana had escaped its cage and was loose. I was two steps away from the door and just thought I would call the restaurant and give them my credit card information and pay that way. I am not kidding when I tell you that I was startled. Shockingly, the iguana was not loose--instead my Mom saw someone we know. It took awhile to recover from the excitement but then Mom and I got so tickled. We finished the day at Great American Cookie because how can you have a birthday without a sweet treat?
On Saturday night I knew there were flurries in the forecast. I was prepared for a dusting but it was far from a dusting when we woke up on Sunday. 4 inches fell overnight and it looked like a winter wonderland. Pup was so excited for the snow and played and trotted all over the neighborhood while Mom and I scrapped ice and snow from my car. We had plans on going to church but even churches were closed and school wasn't in session yesterday.
On my drive back, I felt like I was in high school all over again. Mom always swears she is done having yard sales and yet almost every year we throw another one. She was going through things and found a stack of CDs and y'all they took me back to the day. We are talking circa 2003-2005, the hit of hits of my high school days. I knew every lyric to those songs and my word what a mix CD they were! One minute country, the next rap, and everything in between. When I traveled back to Nashville it was the time when we would have been in church and I hope the Good Lord forgives me because the lyrics weren't that spiritual in nature.
Overall it was a really great weekend, a weekend that makes you tired the next week but your heart is full!
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Every Day Joy
Chipped finger nail polish. Burnt dinner. Loads of laundry. Grocery shopping.
This is every day life and is what my week has been about. Don't get me wrong this week has been fine considering its the first week "back-to-reality" but for whatever reason this week I have found joy in the every day moments of life. Maybe its because the holidays feel like a whirl-wind and leave you feeling exhausted but in the first few days of 2016 I have found delight in the every day mundane things. Last week I was on vacation several days and oh what it did to my soul. The feeling of not setting an alarm, going through our home and purging things we don't use/need/want, and cooking dinner at a reasonable time felt wonderful! That feeling of being at home and truly enjoying your space and the one you share it with has continued to flow over into this week and I think that is why I have enjoyed the little things.
As grateful as I am for our home and our jobs, this week has been rather busy. Jace got slammed at work and didn't get home one night until 8 PM. I had fixed dinner that night and honey, I burnt it. Have you ever smelt burnt cabbage before? Well its a smell you won't forget. I got home and started fixing dinner after I got a few chores done. I was tired and started reading a new blog and next thing I knew I was scrapping polish sausage, onions, bell peppers, and cabbage from the bottom of the skillet. When Jace got home, it was evident dinner was not going to be stellar and God Bless him he just ate it anyway. It was late, we were both tired, but we looked at each other and said at least its hot. Dinner was bad (Jace won't say it but as the cook, I can) but we still sat down at the table and caught up. Over burnt dinner, I was thankful for Jace and the moment we had together even if it was late. Sitting at the dinner table with him and going over our day is one of my most favorite moments of my day. The sense of home that he brings me in that moment is pure joy.
This week at work my heart has broken over hearing three stories of loved ones passing or hurting. You know how the saying goes, things always happen in threes and by Wednesday I had heard three sad stories. Hearing the stories made me think of how blessed my family is in that we are healthy and happy and I realize not everyone's life is like this. You just never know what kind of demons people are facing. Lately, I have been praying for more patience, more love, more grace because I know I need others to show that to me. The feeling when someone does this for you is not easily forgotten and I've tried to be intentional with my words and thank those that do this for me. A few colleagues this week have given me complements and with their words, I have skipped home. I found joy in the words they have spoken to me and I only hope I have done the same for others.
Last night I missed the Teak and so I called her. She had a great day yesterday and ran to the mall. Do you know what she bought? Booties! She said that she bought these short boots that hit at her ankle and I informed her that the girls call them booties and that she was in style. I asked her that she needs to find her a pair of skinny jeans and we could match and she and I got a real kick out of that. At 84, she is still rocking it and keeps me laughing. The Teak is one of the most purest forms of joy to me.
Every Thursday, my routine is the same and I grocery shop at Kroger. With coupons and list in hand, I go up and down every aisle and get what we need for the next week. I show my love through cooking and hence grocery shopping is essential for this, but a necessary evil of all of this is menu planning. As much as I hate menu planning, the thought that we have food on our table (more than we really need) is a blessing.
I hope this feeling of joy continues and that I'm mindful of the small, every day things that turn out to be the really big things in life. I hope you have found joy within your week and have sparked joy in others.
This is every day life and is what my week has been about. Don't get me wrong this week has been fine considering its the first week "back-to-reality" but for whatever reason this week I have found joy in the every day moments of life. Maybe its because the holidays feel like a whirl-wind and leave you feeling exhausted but in the first few days of 2016 I have found delight in the every day mundane things. Last week I was on vacation several days and oh what it did to my soul. The feeling of not setting an alarm, going through our home and purging things we don't use/need/want, and cooking dinner at a reasonable time felt wonderful! That feeling of being at home and truly enjoying your space and the one you share it with has continued to flow over into this week and I think that is why I have enjoyed the little things.
As grateful as I am for our home and our jobs, this week has been rather busy. Jace got slammed at work and didn't get home one night until 8 PM. I had fixed dinner that night and honey, I burnt it. Have you ever smelt burnt cabbage before? Well its a smell you won't forget. I got home and started fixing dinner after I got a few chores done. I was tired and started reading a new blog and next thing I knew I was scrapping polish sausage, onions, bell peppers, and cabbage from the bottom of the skillet. When Jace got home, it was evident dinner was not going to be stellar and God Bless him he just ate it anyway. It was late, we were both tired, but we looked at each other and said at least its hot. Dinner was bad (Jace won't say it but as the cook, I can) but we still sat down at the table and caught up. Over burnt dinner, I was thankful for Jace and the moment we had together even if it was late. Sitting at the dinner table with him and going over our day is one of my most favorite moments of my day. The sense of home that he brings me in that moment is pure joy.
This week at work my heart has broken over hearing three stories of loved ones passing or hurting. You know how the saying goes, things always happen in threes and by Wednesday I had heard three sad stories. Hearing the stories made me think of how blessed my family is in that we are healthy and happy and I realize not everyone's life is like this. You just never know what kind of demons people are facing. Lately, I have been praying for more patience, more love, more grace because I know I need others to show that to me. The feeling when someone does this for you is not easily forgotten and I've tried to be intentional with my words and thank those that do this for me. A few colleagues this week have given me complements and with their words, I have skipped home. I found joy in the words they have spoken to me and I only hope I have done the same for others.
Last night I missed the Teak and so I called her. She had a great day yesterday and ran to the mall. Do you know what she bought? Booties! She said that she bought these short boots that hit at her ankle and I informed her that the girls call them booties and that she was in style. I asked her that she needs to find her a pair of skinny jeans and we could match and she and I got a real kick out of that. At 84, she is still rocking it and keeps me laughing. The Teak is one of the most purest forms of joy to me.
Every Thursday, my routine is the same and I grocery shop at Kroger. With coupons and list in hand, I go up and down every aisle and get what we need for the next week. I show my love through cooking and hence grocery shopping is essential for this, but a necessary evil of all of this is menu planning. As much as I hate menu planning, the thought that we have food on our table (more than we really need) is a blessing.
I hope this feeling of joy continues and that I'm mindful of the small, every day things that turn out to be the really big things in life. I hope you have found joy within your week and have sparked joy in others.
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Good reads for 2016
Happy New Year!
This New Year I have been greeted by a stack of books/cookbooks on my nightstand and I am itching to start reading them. I am always on the lookout for a good book and enjoy hearing what others are reading. I thought I would share with you what I believe will be some new favorites:
See Me by Nicholas Sparks
Listen, at our house we are watching PLENTY bowl games and basketball games and this girl needs to mentally escape and read a girly novel and who better to read than ol' Nick. I had a quick business trip to Little Rock in December and almost knocked this book out in 24 hours. Easy read, love story, little bit of suspense all rolled into one. I am sure in classic Nicholas Sparks fashion, it will come out in a movie but I doubt Stamper will be eager to see this one.
My Southern Journey by Rick Bragg
Y'all I am laughing my way through this book of short stories and it will make you want to whip up some banana puddin', drink sweet tea, crack open an oyster, and rock a spell on your porch. Rick Bragg is the writer on the last page of Southern Living magazine and his stories seem like they could be told by your best friend's grandmother. The stories remind me of home and fill me with pride in being a Southerner. The stories are comforting, well-known, and make you shake your head like you are in a good church service. Jace gave me this book for Christmas and it is a true treasure. I just can't recommend this one enough and once I finish will probably re-read it.
The Southerner's Cookbook by Garden and Gun
I haven't had time to go through the recipes and they may be a little bit more complicated then I typically do but I think this cookbook will be a classic. After you finish reading My Southern Journey, break out this cookbook and make something with gravy!
The Southerner's Handbook: A Guide to Living the Good Life by Garden and Gun
Are you sensing a pattern here? I have been eyeing this book since fall and was about to purchase it when I was told not to spoil potential birthday gifts. I have a feeling this book is going to be one of those I will dog ear and learn from. After thumbing through it quickly in book stores, chapters discuss hosting tips, cooking tips, and so much more. Sign me up!
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime by Ree Drummond
At this rate, Stamper and I are going to weigh 1000 lbs by the time I finish reading all the cooking tips and recipes from these books. Oh well, I guess we will be happy! I have quickly scanned through this book and some of her recipes are doable. I struggle with Ree at times because she has so much time to prep and let's be honest that is always the case on a random Tuesday night when you have to work late and come home to piles of laundry. However, I love the step-by-step picture layout of each recipe and it makes me feel more confident in trying them.
Though this is not a book, it has quickly become a beloved IG account. I follow Euna Mae's on IG and have fallen in love with this little store. Jace and I visited Euna Mae's when we went to AR to watch the Hogs play MS state. Euna Mae's is in Springdale, AR which just so happens to be one of my hospital locations and I was familiar with the area before our trip to AR this fall. The store is named after the owner's grandmother and is filled with cooking and baking tools, mixing bowls, and cookbooks. I walked through the store three times and really didn't want to leave. Recipes are posted on the account and it will make you gather up your people and feed 'em. Euna Mae's slogan is: Love. Welcome. Serve. I am about 2 seconds away from cross-stitching that and putting that above our door! Love, love, love that!
I hope your New Year is off to a great start! What are you reading?
This New Year I have been greeted by a stack of books/cookbooks on my nightstand and I am itching to start reading them. I am always on the lookout for a good book and enjoy hearing what others are reading. I thought I would share with you what I believe will be some new favorites:
See Me by Nicholas Sparks
Listen, at our house we are watching PLENTY bowl games and basketball games and this girl needs to mentally escape and read a girly novel and who better to read than ol' Nick. I had a quick business trip to Little Rock in December and almost knocked this book out in 24 hours. Easy read, love story, little bit of suspense all rolled into one. I am sure in classic Nicholas Sparks fashion, it will come out in a movie but I doubt Stamper will be eager to see this one.
My Southern Journey by Rick Bragg
Y'all I am laughing my way through this book of short stories and it will make you want to whip up some banana puddin', drink sweet tea, crack open an oyster, and rock a spell on your porch. Rick Bragg is the writer on the last page of Southern Living magazine and his stories seem like they could be told by your best friend's grandmother. The stories remind me of home and fill me with pride in being a Southerner. The stories are comforting, well-known, and make you shake your head like you are in a good church service. Jace gave me this book for Christmas and it is a true treasure. I just can't recommend this one enough and once I finish will probably re-read it.
The Southerner's Cookbook by Garden and Gun
I haven't had time to go through the recipes and they may be a little bit more complicated then I typically do but I think this cookbook will be a classic. After you finish reading My Southern Journey, break out this cookbook and make something with gravy!
The Southerner's Handbook: A Guide to Living the Good Life by Garden and Gun
Are you sensing a pattern here? I have been eyeing this book since fall and was about to purchase it when I was told not to spoil potential birthday gifts. I have a feeling this book is going to be one of those I will dog ear and learn from. After thumbing through it quickly in book stores, chapters discuss hosting tips, cooking tips, and so much more. Sign me up!
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime by Ree Drummond
At this rate, Stamper and I are going to weigh 1000 lbs by the time I finish reading all the cooking tips and recipes from these books. Oh well, I guess we will be happy! I have quickly scanned through this book and some of her recipes are doable. I struggle with Ree at times because she has so much time to prep and let's be honest that is always the case on a random Tuesday night when you have to work late and come home to piles of laundry. However, I love the step-by-step picture layout of each recipe and it makes me feel more confident in trying them.
Though this is not a book, it has quickly become a beloved IG account. I follow Euna Mae's on IG and have fallen in love with this little store. Jace and I visited Euna Mae's when we went to AR to watch the Hogs play MS state. Euna Mae's is in Springdale, AR which just so happens to be one of my hospital locations and I was familiar with the area before our trip to AR this fall. The store is named after the owner's grandmother and is filled with cooking and baking tools, mixing bowls, and cookbooks. I walked through the store three times and really didn't want to leave. Recipes are posted on the account and it will make you gather up your people and feed 'em. Euna Mae's slogan is: Love. Welcome. Serve. I am about 2 seconds away from cross-stitching that and putting that above our door! Love, love, love that!
I hope your New Year is off to a great start! What are you reading?
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Las Vegas
Y'all let me tell you about my experience in Vegas! I recruit physicians for a facility in Mesquite, NV which is about 90 minutes outside of Las Vegas. I love my job and love that I get to travel to so many places and when the opportunity presented itself to go to Vegas I jumped on it! I never had a desire to visit LV but since it is a "work expense", I was open to seeing the city of sin. Y'all I was in the city for 16 hours and what a time it was!
I flew Southwest for the first time and loved the experience! A non-stop flight is a glorious thing! Once landed, I picked up my rental car and headed to the Wynn resort.
After I parked and made my way into the casino, the smoke hit me right away. The tables were somewhat busy and it felt dark in the casino. I see where you can lose all track of time! I finally made my way to the registersation desk and checked in. On my way to my room, I passed a few flower arrangements...
What seemed like a short hike I found the elevators and accidentally got on the wrong set. The resort divides up elevators based on floor numbers. I accidentally got on the wrong set of elevators. Realizing my mistake, I hit the lobby button and had to ride until everyone got to their specific floor. Well y'all this one girl got on and she had on a tiny black pleated skirt with marijuana leaves all over it. I thought to myself, you know I haven't see that in Limited, Belk's, or Dillard's fall collection! Feeling completely green (no pun intended) I exited and got on the correct set of elevators and made my way to my room.
The room was really really nice and can I just say it has made me think about our future home. I had to press one button and the curtains opened. I pressed one button and all the lights came on. In the bathroom I had a phone and a TV. I'm sure Stamper will roll his eyes when I tell him these would be worthy expenses in a future home!
I called mom and Jace and told them I had arrived safely. Now I'm not going to lie I was a little overwhelmed by the size of the city--it's big. I was hesitant to go and explore the strip but I thought when am I going to be back here? I ate dinner in the casino and made my way to the strip. I wish I could had seen the dancing fountains but did see several iconic resorts like the palazzo, trump tower, the mirage, etc.
Now no trip to Vegas is completing without a little gambling. I don't gamble a lot simply because I like to keep my money but I took a $20 and found a slot machine. I inserted the bill and really wanted some instructions to pop on the screen. There were no instructions. I sat down for 2 minutes and hoped I could strike it rich like Charlie in the chocolate factory!
For two minutes I kept hitting a button labeled 40 credits and then the screen lit up with this...
What do three Grandpa Joe's even mean??? I had absolutely no idea and thought I would just cash out. A ticket printed and it said
Well I was so excited I had won something!! However I thought there would be some left over change from the $20 and honest to God hit the service button three times and no one came to tell me the machine took my money and I'm very naive to the whole gambling scene. Vegas was created for people like me! I cashed out and was ok with only losing $5.50. I called Stamp and told him of my winning and of course he quickly did the math and corrected me that in fact I didn't win. Little did he appreciate the confusion I had to deal with those two minutes!!
After gambling and seeing the lights of the strip, I headed to my room. My body was two hours ahead and I was ready to call it a night. I can assure you no one who has been to Vegas went to bed as early as I did last night.
Since I went to bed early when in reality it was my normal bedtime, I got up early. Remember my excitement about the tv in the bathroom well at 5 am I was watching MTV music videos! MTV actually plays music videos at that hour of the day and I thoroughly enjoyed getting ready. The bathroom had a magnifying mirror and ladies lets be honest that thing is a dangerous tool. You think you look fine and then BAM! you find hairs you didn't know existed! Well I took care of all that maintenance this morning with MTV on in the background!
The drive to Mesquite was rather flat. It truly looks like a desert and the largest things are the telephone poles. It also looks like Keith Morrison from Dateline could appear at any minute and tell you a story of how a spouse killed the other spouse for insurance money and disposed of the body in this region.
The hospital visit went really well and it helps me when talking with the doctors after I have seen the community. I'm happy to have had the experience to see Las Vegas but I'm a southerner at heart and to me there is no comparison to the south! I'm ready to get home, manually open my own blinds, and the only betting I plan on doing is with Stamper on who will be eliminated on Dancing with the Stars!
Monday, August 31, 2015
The Nae Nae--Stamper Style
Jace Stamper--God Bless him! I love that kid to death and this weekend, I left him shaking his head but oh the grin on his face was as wide as the ocean! Saturday night his work family had a get-together and we truly love his co-workers. It is rare to really like your co-workers, enough so that you want to see them on Saturday night but the people Jace works with are really nice and FUN! To truly understand our Saturday night, I must go back and tell you about my cousin Sam's wedding.
Sam got married in July and he was the last Whiteker grandchild to get married. Now the wedding was beautiful and Lauren was a stunning bride but you know the ceremony is just a build up to the reception. The Whiteker clan has gotten pretty good at wedding receptions over the years and you know we threw down and left everything on the dance floor.
Friday night before Sam's wedding, Jace and I left for Lex. after work and it was late when we rolled into Lexington. However, we turned the ol' Honda Accord into a dance party for the entire length of the BG and went through old rap CDs from our high school days. You know, just a little prep work/ warm-up in case the wedding DJ wasn't any good. Sam and Lauren had a ton of "kids" at their wedding and by "kids" I mean 26 year olds. Now, Jace and I can't let the kids out-do us on the dance floor and we like to think of ourselves as masters who teach the "children" that we still got "it". Honey, we moved so much on the dance floor and requested the best songs. I sweated so much my dress had to go to dry cleaners the next week--a sign of a great reception. (We also wore out the Aspercream the days that followed massaging our sore muscles--a true sign that Jace and I are getting older!)
Jace and I were so proud of our dance moves and loved when the "kids" would come up to us and tell us how fun we were! The only point in the night where we both felt old is when the kids starting waving their hands and rocking side-to-side. I loved the song and it had a great beat, it made you want to move. All the "kids" knew it and Jace and I were completely puzzled as to why we had NEVER heard of this song. Were we becoming "old"? Did we not know what the "kids" were listening to any more? Panic set in until my cousin's wife told me it was the "Nae Nae" and proceeded to show me how to whip it and nae-nae. I tried to follow suit but you know the confidence just wasn't all there. The "kids" had one up me however, they didn't hold a candle to my "Don't stop believing" solo. The next day, Teak said she had never heard me so loud and that is really saying something!
I say all of this to tell you about this past Friday and Saturday night. Last week, Stamp had a hard week at work and by Friday night we were both needing a break. We have this tradition on Friday night to do a simple dinner and listen to music while we cook together. Our play list usually begins with Bob Seger, ventures into 80s Pop, might transition to today's hits, jumps over to 2000 rap songs, moves over to country; so basically we let the mood and the conversation dictate what we listen to. By Friday night we had solved the worlds problems over tacos and kept the conversation going on our patio. Now to fully appreciate what I am about to say, you have to understand that our patio is small and we look out at I-24. It was getting later in the evening and both Jace and I were feeling relaxed at this point and somewhere in conversation the "Nae Nae" was mentioned. Well next thing you know, we were watching "how to" videos of the Nae Nae...you know to keep up with kids these days.
After a couple of You tube instructions, we started to Nae Nae and trying to perfect our moves. The Stampers broke it down into three "country" steps: 1) drive with your right hand, 2) drive with your left hand, and 3) wave to everybody! We proceeded to Nae Nae to everyone travelling on I-24 that night! Thank goodness that we worked on our Nae Nae moves on Friday night because you know I whipped them out at the party on Saturday night.
Now listen, Jace's coworkers are CPAs and attorneys and know everything there is to know about taxes but honey they know how to have a good time and I just get in there and hang with the best of them. Saturday night was no exception! This was my second time to attend this get-together and I had a little more confidence going into the party because I knew almost everyone. The food, the atmosphere, the company--everything was so nice! At these parties, I try not to embarrass Jace but you know I just start telling stories on him and he just shakes his head but secretly loves it!
Well after a glass or two of wine, the stories really started to fly and I proceeded to tell them that we learned how to Nae Nae Friday night. Well this just cracked everyone up because suit-and-tie Jace learned how to whip it and Nae Nae. Next thing you know the song was coming through the speakers! You best believe I called Stamp out and we did the Nae Nae. Now, Jace's efforts weren't the greatest but he did move those knees. I on the other hand, did the full dance. Why not? I had to show them that I practiced and came prepared just in case the opportunity presented itself. Then the head guy over national tax for the entire COUNTRY, the HEAD GUY, jumped in there with me. Little Katie Stamper was doing the Nae Nae with the head of EY's national tax and honey I loved every minute of it. This guy is so nice and the "country" instructions really stuck with him; drive left-handed, now right, and wave. I don't know if Jace was embarrassed or if he was just like that is my wife! I think it was more of the latter but either way he was smiling ear-to-ear.
The Stamper's are a good time and honey we will just about Nae Nae any where! Next time, you have a corporate get-together just call us and we will bring the dance moves and aspercream! Without a doubt, the "kids" don't have anything on us baby!
Sam got married in July and he was the last Whiteker grandchild to get married. Now the wedding was beautiful and Lauren was a stunning bride but you know the ceremony is just a build up to the reception. The Whiteker clan has gotten pretty good at wedding receptions over the years and you know we threw down and left everything on the dance floor.
Friday night before Sam's wedding, Jace and I left for Lex. after work and it was late when we rolled into Lexington. However, we turned the ol' Honda Accord into a dance party for the entire length of the BG and went through old rap CDs from our high school days. You know, just a little prep work/ warm-up in case the wedding DJ wasn't any good. Sam and Lauren had a ton of "kids" at their wedding and by "kids" I mean 26 year olds. Now, Jace and I can't let the kids out-do us on the dance floor and we like to think of ourselves as masters who teach the "children" that we still got "it". Honey, we moved so much on the dance floor and requested the best songs. I sweated so much my dress had to go to dry cleaners the next week--a sign of a great reception. (We also wore out the Aspercream the days that followed massaging our sore muscles--a true sign that Jace and I are getting older!)
Jace and I were so proud of our dance moves and loved when the "kids" would come up to us and tell us how fun we were! The only point in the night where we both felt old is when the kids starting waving their hands and rocking side-to-side. I loved the song and it had a great beat, it made you want to move. All the "kids" knew it and Jace and I were completely puzzled as to why we had NEVER heard of this song. Were we becoming "old"? Did we not know what the "kids" were listening to any more? Panic set in until my cousin's wife told me it was the "Nae Nae" and proceeded to show me how to whip it and nae-nae. I tried to follow suit but you know the confidence just wasn't all there. The "kids" had one up me however, they didn't hold a candle to my "Don't stop believing" solo. The next day, Teak said she had never heard me so loud and that is really saying something!
I say all of this to tell you about this past Friday and Saturday night. Last week, Stamp had a hard week at work and by Friday night we were both needing a break. We have this tradition on Friday night to do a simple dinner and listen to music while we cook together. Our play list usually begins with Bob Seger, ventures into 80s Pop, might transition to today's hits, jumps over to 2000 rap songs, moves over to country; so basically we let the mood and the conversation dictate what we listen to. By Friday night we had solved the worlds problems over tacos and kept the conversation going on our patio. Now to fully appreciate what I am about to say, you have to understand that our patio is small and we look out at I-24. It was getting later in the evening and both Jace and I were feeling relaxed at this point and somewhere in conversation the "Nae Nae" was mentioned. Well next thing you know, we were watching "how to" videos of the Nae Nae...you know to keep up with kids these days.
After a couple of You tube instructions, we started to Nae Nae and trying to perfect our moves. The Stampers broke it down into three "country" steps: 1) drive with your right hand, 2) drive with your left hand, and 3) wave to everybody! We proceeded to Nae Nae to everyone travelling on I-24 that night! Thank goodness that we worked on our Nae Nae moves on Friday night because you know I whipped them out at the party on Saturday night.
Now listen, Jace's coworkers are CPAs and attorneys and know everything there is to know about taxes but honey they know how to have a good time and I just get in there and hang with the best of them. Saturday night was no exception! This was my second time to attend this get-together and I had a little more confidence going into the party because I knew almost everyone. The food, the atmosphere, the company--everything was so nice! At these parties, I try not to embarrass Jace but you know I just start telling stories on him and he just shakes his head but secretly loves it!
Well after a glass or two of wine, the stories really started to fly and I proceeded to tell them that we learned how to Nae Nae Friday night. Well this just cracked everyone up because suit-and-tie Jace learned how to whip it and Nae Nae. Next thing you know the song was coming through the speakers! You best believe I called Stamp out and we did the Nae Nae. Now, Jace's efforts weren't the greatest but he did move those knees. I on the other hand, did the full dance. Why not? I had to show them that I practiced and came prepared just in case the opportunity presented itself. Then the head guy over national tax for the entire COUNTRY, the HEAD GUY, jumped in there with me. Little Katie Stamper was doing the Nae Nae with the head of EY's national tax and honey I loved every minute of it. This guy is so nice and the "country" instructions really stuck with him; drive left-handed, now right, and wave. I don't know if Jace was embarrassed or if he was just like that is my wife! I think it was more of the latter but either way he was smiling ear-to-ear.
The Stamper's are a good time and honey we will just about Nae Nae any where! Next time, you have a corporate get-together just call us and we will bring the dance moves and aspercream! Without a doubt, the "kids" don't have anything on us baby!
Friday, August 14, 2015
Feeling like Oprah and singing like Brittany Spears...at the grocery!
I have a love/hate relationship with the grocery store, do any of ya'll? I HATE menu planning. I feel like I fix the same stuff every other week and I try to include Jace and ask if anything sounds good to him just so I can get some ideas. His typical response is, "I don't care" and I proceed to tell him that they don't sell "I don't care" at the grocery. I typically make out the weekly menu on Wednesday night and then go shopping on Thursday. On Wednesday night I have pinterest pulled up on my phone, the pantry door wide open, and my cookbooks out. By the time I am finished making out the menu, I am exhausted and none of the dinners sound good.
My Teak once said that grocery shopping is exhausting because you have to pick up the item, put it in your cart, take it out of cart, put it on the conveyor belt, put the bag into your car, take the bag out of the car, take the items out of the bags, and put them away into the frig/pantry. If that isn't the truth! There is so much effort that goes into grocery shopping but there really isn't anything like fixing a meal for your family. The dinner table is one my favorite places in a home and I have so many fond memories that come from sitting at Mom and Teak's dinner tables.
After I menu plan, I act like an old lady and go through my coupons. Ya'll I am not a "coupon extreme" lady but I love seeing the total drop when I hand over my coupons and Kroger card. I have e-coupons on my Kroger card and even fill out the survey on the bottom of my receipt just to get an extra 50 fuel points. Every penny adds up!
When Thursday rolls around, I shop. I like going on Thursdays because it isn't crowded and I have a better chance of avoiding screaming babies and the decision makers--you know those people who can't make a decision and take up the whole aisle. Well last night I went to the grocery and had to get several things from the deli and I have coupons for $1 off if you buy a pound of deli meat. Stamper only requires 1/2 pound of deli meat for his lunches so I knew I couldn't use the coupons. As I am waiting, the guy next to me orders a pound of meat. Now I know I looked a little crazy but I handed him my coupon and said I'm not going to use this but you can. Well he was tickled pink and had just moved to Smyrna. I hope he thinks Smyrna is a nice little area after our interaction at the Kroger deli. Then I turned around and there was another guy and he ordered a pound of meat. I had another coupon and by this time I really did look like the crazy coupon lady and handled him a coupon. He was so appreciative, both of them were! Y'all as I left the deli with my meat and cheese I felt like Oprah, "YOU get a coupon and YOU get a coupon!"
The rest of the shopping trip was fine but do you know what the highlight of the night was? The grocery store played Brittany Spears, "Hit Me Baby One More Time". Ya'll I just about turned the Lipton tea box into a microphone. I was singing along and having a grand time. Then I saw a young boy and I thought to myself he doesn't even know who Brittany Spears is. Then I felt really old and I thought well this is depressing because I now think the grocery store has great music! Next thing you know I will tell Jace I am going to go sweat to the oldies in the grocery store because why not? Great music and do you know what turning that cart can do for your arms? I truly feel like pushing and turning a grocery cart full of groceries can be considered exercise. Sometimes I have to take those turns WIDE and it takes everything in me to turn that hoss.
I love the shopping aspect but then the hate comes back and with full vengeance with the unloading. Now Jace is really great about helping me unload the car but mind you there are 39 steps, up three flights of stairs, to our apartment. It is like a game of how many bags we can carry at one time. We turn into heavy weight lifters at this point and just grind all the way up with bag handles tearing into our forearms. Now this sounds like an Olympic sport and quite frankly after three trips up the steps it feels like one. Whenever we leave our little apartment I will probably be in the best shape of my life just from grocery shopping and bringing them up the stairs!
I can only hope that next Thursday night Kroger will have some classic hits from my childhood and two lucky folks will get my remaining $1 off a pound of deli meat coupons. I'm just trying to spread the love, one pound at a time.Y'all let me know if you have an Oprah moment at your local deli or if you turn your grocery into your own personal karaoke stage!
Have a great weekend y'all!
My Teak once said that grocery shopping is exhausting because you have to pick up the item, put it in your cart, take it out of cart, put it on the conveyor belt, put the bag into your car, take the bag out of the car, take the items out of the bags, and put them away into the frig/pantry. If that isn't the truth! There is so much effort that goes into grocery shopping but there really isn't anything like fixing a meal for your family. The dinner table is one my favorite places in a home and I have so many fond memories that come from sitting at Mom and Teak's dinner tables.
After I menu plan, I act like an old lady and go through my coupons. Ya'll I am not a "coupon extreme" lady but I love seeing the total drop when I hand over my coupons and Kroger card. I have e-coupons on my Kroger card and even fill out the survey on the bottom of my receipt just to get an extra 50 fuel points. Every penny adds up!
When Thursday rolls around, I shop. I like going on Thursdays because it isn't crowded and I have a better chance of avoiding screaming babies and the decision makers--you know those people who can't make a decision and take up the whole aisle. Well last night I went to the grocery and had to get several things from the deli and I have coupons for $1 off if you buy a pound of deli meat. Stamper only requires 1/2 pound of deli meat for his lunches so I knew I couldn't use the coupons. As I am waiting, the guy next to me orders a pound of meat. Now I know I looked a little crazy but I handed him my coupon and said I'm not going to use this but you can. Well he was tickled pink and had just moved to Smyrna. I hope he thinks Smyrna is a nice little area after our interaction at the Kroger deli. Then I turned around and there was another guy and he ordered a pound of meat. I had another coupon and by this time I really did look like the crazy coupon lady and handled him a coupon. He was so appreciative, both of them were! Y'all as I left the deli with my meat and cheese I felt like Oprah, "YOU get a coupon and YOU get a coupon!"
The rest of the shopping trip was fine but do you know what the highlight of the night was? The grocery store played Brittany Spears, "Hit Me Baby One More Time". Ya'll I just about turned the Lipton tea box into a microphone. I was singing along and having a grand time. Then I saw a young boy and I thought to myself he doesn't even know who Brittany Spears is. Then I felt really old and I thought well this is depressing because I now think the grocery store has great music! Next thing you know I will tell Jace I am going to go sweat to the oldies in the grocery store because why not? Great music and do you know what turning that cart can do for your arms? I truly feel like pushing and turning a grocery cart full of groceries can be considered exercise. Sometimes I have to take those turns WIDE and it takes everything in me to turn that hoss.
I love the shopping aspect but then the hate comes back and with full vengeance with the unloading. Now Jace is really great about helping me unload the car but mind you there are 39 steps, up three flights of stairs, to our apartment. It is like a game of how many bags we can carry at one time. We turn into heavy weight lifters at this point and just grind all the way up with bag handles tearing into our forearms. Now this sounds like an Olympic sport and quite frankly after three trips up the steps it feels like one. Whenever we leave our little apartment I will probably be in the best shape of my life just from grocery shopping and bringing them up the stairs!
I can only hope that next Thursday night Kroger will have some classic hits from my childhood and two lucky folks will get my remaining $1 off a pound of deli meat coupons. I'm just trying to spread the love, one pound at a time.Y'all let me know if you have an Oprah moment at your local deli or if you turn your grocery into your own personal karaoke stage!
Have a great weekend y'all!
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Crying over Colleagues...
This morning Stamp rolled out of bed at an unGodly hour and I thought why is he up? Then I remembered what today is and everything made sense. Jace is leaving work early today to visit a dear friend and former colleague, Barb, at her surprise retirement party! Barb has been in the legal field for almost 40 years and Jace got to work with Barb for 7 years! Barb proving a listening ear, encouraging voice, and guiding hand for Jace during his time at Hargrove and Foster. Barb, Jace and another sweet lady, Teresa, worked in the real estate department and those three new what was happening in Graves Co. at all times. They were their own little family and Jace gained two extra mommas with those two ladies!
I loved that Jace worked so closely with two women and did so before we got married. Honey, he knew more about menopause and pregnancy than I did because of Barb and Teresa. Those ladies supported Jace while he was at Murray and checked in with him while he was at MC Law. He tried to stop in while he was home on breaks and I often would go with him. The way Jace would say in his deep voice, "Barbara" and the grin she would give him followed by a long hug would melt anyone. They truly loved one another and their relationship is like mother-son. Barb always says that Jace has a "shitty grin" on his face and you know what that grin comes out (as well as his dimples) when he is around her.
Barb has no idea that he is going home to surprise her and I only wish I could be a fly on the wall to see her reaction when he walks through that door. Hargrove and Foster allowed Jace to discover his love for law but he also discovered some really good people there too!
I was thinking about all of this this morning before work and then Jennifer texted me pictures of Abby and Riley on their first day of school, pre-K and 5th grade. Now I have a momma's heart even though I am not a momma right now but seeing those kids in new clothes, backpacks on and ready, huge smiles, and faces lit up in excitement made me a little teary. I can remember when Jennifer was pregnant with Abby trying to choke down a peanut butter sandwich in my office when she was deathly morning sick. How can Abby be a pre-K kiddo now? (Jennifer if you are reading this I'm sorry I made you cry, time to go get a coke).
All of this wasn't lost on me this morning with Barb and Jennifer. Sometimes God lets you work with people who turn out to be really good friends--like family--and over time they become staples in your life and very influential. You become attached to their families and next thing you know you are going to their retirement parties and crying over how great their kids look on the first day of school. My prayer is that I can be like Barb and Jennifer and love on my colleagues and invest in their lives because you just never know the impact you can have on someone.
I loved that Jace worked so closely with two women and did so before we got married. Honey, he knew more about menopause and pregnancy than I did because of Barb and Teresa. Those ladies supported Jace while he was at Murray and checked in with him while he was at MC Law. He tried to stop in while he was home on breaks and I often would go with him. The way Jace would say in his deep voice, "Barbara" and the grin she would give him followed by a long hug would melt anyone. They truly loved one another and their relationship is like mother-son. Barb always says that Jace has a "shitty grin" on his face and you know what that grin comes out (as well as his dimples) when he is around her.
Barb has no idea that he is going home to surprise her and I only wish I could be a fly on the wall to see her reaction when he walks through that door. Hargrove and Foster allowed Jace to discover his love for law but he also discovered some really good people there too!
I was thinking about all of this this morning before work and then Jennifer texted me pictures of Abby and Riley on their first day of school, pre-K and 5th grade. Now I have a momma's heart even though I am not a momma right now but seeing those kids in new clothes, backpacks on and ready, huge smiles, and faces lit up in excitement made me a little teary. I can remember when Jennifer was pregnant with Abby trying to choke down a peanut butter sandwich in my office when she was deathly morning sick. How can Abby be a pre-K kiddo now? (Jennifer if you are reading this I'm sorry I made you cry, time to go get a coke).
All of this wasn't lost on me this morning with Barb and Jennifer. Sometimes God lets you work with people who turn out to be really good friends--like family--and over time they become staples in your life and very influential. You become attached to their families and next thing you know you are going to their retirement parties and crying over how great their kids look on the first day of school. My prayer is that I can be like Barb and Jennifer and love on my colleagues and invest in their lives because you just never know the impact you can have on someone.
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
It's been awhile...
Hello, it's me. I haven't blogged in over a year and it saddens me that I was gone for so long. The truth is I have missed blogging and documenting our life. This past year has flown by and we are finally settled into life here in Nashville and honey we are loving every minute of it.
I truly hope I can keep the blog going but I'm not going to put any pressure on myself. Most nights I get home and after dinner and dishes are finished, I just want to crash. I don't know when I am going to blog but right now the words are flowing while I scarf down a Lean Cuisine during my lunch hour.
There are so many things that I need to go back and blog about: Ross is going to be a DAD (baby boy!), my high school reunion, the Shania Twain concert, our second year anniversary and then there are the funny things that happen in every day life that need to be remembered.
Something that I remember but would love to forget is school traffic. Listen, its a successful morning when I can get Jace and myself out the door in the morning with coffee and lunch in-hand. I by no means have any idea what it is like to dress someone, feed another mouth, and get out the door by 7 AM. God Bless mothers! And while I am blessing, let's bless the teachers that are taking on another school year. Your patience amazes me and your stories make me bend over in laughter. Y'all all say you are going to write a book with your stories and you should begin with Day 1--you know it would be a best seller!
On my way to work, I pass through 4 school zones and I am trying to get up earlier to avoid school traffic. I am also trying to avoid when the kiddos walk to school because I can't have vehicular manslaughter on my conscious or record. Another reason why I am getting up earlier is because I am trying to exercise. Jace has watched, listened, and encouraged me for several months while I sweat it out in our living room to the words, "you think you are going to die!" yelled by Jillian Michaels. Yes, Jillian, yes I do think I am going to die! And when I say Jace encourages me, he says "Good Job!" when I am finished while he eats his cereal and is checking early morning emails. Oh what I would give to eat his cereal instead of jumping lunges, crunches, and traveling push-ups. In case you are wondering, yes our neighbor below us must love us. Thank goodness she hasn't said anything about the banging upstairs in the mornings! So by the time I finish working out, catch my breath, and go through school traffic I am more than ready for my coffee and need a small devotional minute.
If you started school today, go get 'em tiger. If you have a few more days left of summer break, go to the pool for me! As for me, I'll be dying a slow and painful death at the hands of Jillian Michaels and praying that I don't get stuck in school traffic!
Happy to be back y'all!
I truly hope I can keep the blog going but I'm not going to put any pressure on myself. Most nights I get home and after dinner and dishes are finished, I just want to crash. I don't know when I am going to blog but right now the words are flowing while I scarf down a Lean Cuisine during my lunch hour.
There are so many things that I need to go back and blog about: Ross is going to be a DAD (baby boy!), my high school reunion, the Shania Twain concert, our second year anniversary and then there are the funny things that happen in every day life that need to be remembered.
Something that I remember but would love to forget is school traffic. Listen, its a successful morning when I can get Jace and myself out the door in the morning with coffee and lunch in-hand. I by no means have any idea what it is like to dress someone, feed another mouth, and get out the door by 7 AM. God Bless mothers! And while I am blessing, let's bless the teachers that are taking on another school year. Your patience amazes me and your stories make me bend over in laughter. Y'all all say you are going to write a book with your stories and you should begin with Day 1--you know it would be a best seller!
On my way to work, I pass through 4 school zones and I am trying to get up earlier to avoid school traffic. I am also trying to avoid when the kiddos walk to school because I can't have vehicular manslaughter on my conscious or record. Another reason why I am getting up earlier is because I am trying to exercise. Jace has watched, listened, and encouraged me for several months while I sweat it out in our living room to the words, "you think you are going to die!" yelled by Jillian Michaels. Yes, Jillian, yes I do think I am going to die! And when I say Jace encourages me, he says "Good Job!" when I am finished while he eats his cereal and is checking early morning emails. Oh what I would give to eat his cereal instead of jumping lunges, crunches, and traveling push-ups. In case you are wondering, yes our neighbor below us must love us. Thank goodness she hasn't said anything about the banging upstairs in the mornings! So by the time I finish working out, catch my breath, and go through school traffic I am more than ready for my coffee and need a small devotional minute.
If you started school today, go get 'em tiger. If you have a few more days left of summer break, go to the pool for me! As for me, I'll be dying a slow and painful death at the hands of Jillian Michaels and praying that I don't get stuck in school traffic!
Happy to be back y'all!
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Our first dinner party!
Well, we made it to Smyrna and are loving this new chapter of our lives. Boxes are unpacked, the Penske truck has been returned, and I think my head has finally stopped spinning from the whirlwind that we just experienced. I will do a big blog post about the move and the week it took to get settled later but, today's post is about our first dinner party.
Jace and I have never entertained before. Our parents and sister-in-law visited us while we were in Gainesville but to say that we had friends over, no. This past Saturday night we wanted to thank Jay and Lisa Cash for letting us spend the night with them the night before we moved into our apartment. We thought we would do the Southern thing and host dinner. Jace and I were both excited to have friends over. The last time Jay and Lisa were at our apartment, they brought boxes up and helped carry in our mattress and couch. With time, the boxes have been unpacked and this once empty space looks and feels like a home.
Now, there is no motivation greater to clean your house than when guests come over. I keep a clean house but we needed to do the weekly chores: dusting, vacuuming, mopping, laundry. I also had to go to the grocery store and gather groceries for our dinner. Jace and I had thought about grilling hamburgers and having the traditional summer sides with our meal. I need to mention that grilling hamburgers is a BIG thing to us. At our Gainesville apartment, we couldn't have a grill. Our new complex has grills and we planned on being one of the first people to use them. With grocery list in hand, I decide to stop by the apartment club house and double check if the grills were in fact working. Thank goodness, I didn't buy five pounds of hamburgers because the grills are not working yet because our complex is still so new. I ran back to our apartment and in a slightly dramatic way, opened every cookbook I have and even had Jace pouring over recipes. We were hosting a dinner party and had no idea what we were going to have for dinner! Jace being the rational one, calmly suggested chicken lime tacos which is one of our favorite meals. We quickly decided on a Mexican themed dinner and after I redid my grocery list, I headed for Kroger.
Once home, I put dinner in the crockpot and fixed a peach cobbler. Jace and I finished cleaning the apartment and before we knew it, it was almost time for Jay and Lisa to come over. Before they came, I set out all my dishes, serving utensils, and napkins--honey I was ready to entertain! The chicken was done and needed to be shredded. Y'all I opened up the crockpot and the five boneless, skinless chicken breasts must have shrunk in size when they cooked. I kept shredding hoping that somehow, miraculously more chicken would appear. I looked at Jace and told him to fill up on chips and salsa and to let Jay and Lisa eat the chicken. I also told him to run down the road to Pollo Tropical and pick up some chicken before they got here. Y'all, if I'm lying, I'm dying five minutes after I had this panic attack of "we-are-hosting-our-first-dinner-party-and-don't-have-enough-food", Jay and Lisa knocked on our door. We were honest with Jay and Lisa and told them that we didn't have enough food and thankfully we all laughed about it. In a "five loaves of bread and two fish" moment, miraculously there was more than enough chicken for the chicken lime tacos! The evening was so much fun and Jay and Lisa complimented me on dinner. I knew the peach cobbler was a big hit when Jay had his bowl already ate before I sat down to the table after serving everyone.
Overall, we had a great time hosting our first dinner party and had even greater first guests! Thankfully, it is something that gave us a laugh and Jay and Lisa were understanding. We welcome more guests and hope to see many more friends soon!
Jace and I have never entertained before. Our parents and sister-in-law visited us while we were in Gainesville but to say that we had friends over, no. This past Saturday night we wanted to thank Jay and Lisa Cash for letting us spend the night with them the night before we moved into our apartment. We thought we would do the Southern thing and host dinner. Jace and I were both excited to have friends over. The last time Jay and Lisa were at our apartment, they brought boxes up and helped carry in our mattress and couch. With time, the boxes have been unpacked and this once empty space looks and feels like a home.
Now, there is no motivation greater to clean your house than when guests come over. I keep a clean house but we needed to do the weekly chores: dusting, vacuuming, mopping, laundry. I also had to go to the grocery store and gather groceries for our dinner. Jace and I had thought about grilling hamburgers and having the traditional summer sides with our meal. I need to mention that grilling hamburgers is a BIG thing to us. At our Gainesville apartment, we couldn't have a grill. Our new complex has grills and we planned on being one of the first people to use them. With grocery list in hand, I decide to stop by the apartment club house and double check if the grills were in fact working. Thank goodness, I didn't buy five pounds of hamburgers because the grills are not working yet because our complex is still so new. I ran back to our apartment and in a slightly dramatic way, opened every cookbook I have and even had Jace pouring over recipes. We were hosting a dinner party and had no idea what we were going to have for dinner! Jace being the rational one, calmly suggested chicken lime tacos which is one of our favorite meals. We quickly decided on a Mexican themed dinner and after I redid my grocery list, I headed for Kroger.
Once home, I put dinner in the crockpot and fixed a peach cobbler. Jace and I finished cleaning the apartment and before we knew it, it was almost time for Jay and Lisa to come over. Before they came, I set out all my dishes, serving utensils, and napkins--honey I was ready to entertain! The chicken was done and needed to be shredded. Y'all I opened up the crockpot and the five boneless, skinless chicken breasts must have shrunk in size when they cooked. I kept shredding hoping that somehow, miraculously more chicken would appear. I looked at Jace and told him to fill up on chips and salsa and to let Jay and Lisa eat the chicken. I also told him to run down the road to Pollo Tropical and pick up some chicken before they got here. Y'all, if I'm lying, I'm dying five minutes after I had this panic attack of "we-are-hosting-our-first-dinner-party-and-don't-have-enough-food", Jay and Lisa knocked on our door. We were honest with Jay and Lisa and told them that we didn't have enough food and thankfully we all laughed about it. In a "five loaves of bread and two fish" moment, miraculously there was more than enough chicken for the chicken lime tacos! The evening was so much fun and Jay and Lisa complimented me on dinner. I knew the peach cobbler was a big hit when Jay had his bowl already ate before I sat down to the table after serving everyone.
Overall, we had a great time hosting our first dinner party and had even greater first guests! Thankfully, it is something that gave us a laugh and Jay and Lisa were understanding. We welcome more guests and hope to see many more friends soon!
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
What a whirlwind!
On May 26, 2012, Jace Stamper proposed to me and it was one of the greatest days of my life. I knew life would be busy leading up to the wedding but then I thought things would calm down after our wedding. Boy was I wrong! Life has been going at WARP speed and honey I need to catch my breath. I never knew how much life two people could try to cram into 2 short years. As a Family Studies major, I know of a stress questionnaire and ya'll I have checked off every box except having a baby, buying a car, and buying a home. Thinking of those three things alone makes me want to hide under the covers.
I feel like I have so much to blog about and have drafted posts in my head only to stare at a blank computer screen or worse, not even make the effort to open up a new post draft. I'm tired at night and quite frankly don't want to stare at the computer screen any longer however, the urge to blog is still there. This post is an attempt to record our life's happenings since Jace's graduation (read: this could be wordy and lengthy).
After Jace graduated, we packed up and headed to Hilton Head which is our slice of paradise. We have been going for years now and its just comfortable to us.
We started our week off by visiting Charleston and enjoyed seeing this historic Southern town.
We ate Moonpies and drank RCs in Charleston, took a carriage ride through town where I proceeded to ask the tour guide about the filming of Bravo's Southern Charm TV show. As Jace said, only I would ask something like that. We also visited the famous Angle Oak Tree that is regularly seen in Southern Living Magazine; what a beauty she was.
I know some people may find it odd that I am enamored by a tree but honey Live Oaks are amazing to me and scream the South!
The rest of the week was spent by the beach where Jace and I talked about everything and anything but nothing really of significance. We started our mornings off slow on our villa's screened-in porch drinking coffee and reading our Internet sites.
At some point we would decide to get ready for the beach and head out. We would come in for lunch and then we would stay late into the afternoon. The five o'clock hour is my favorite time at the beach. All the families have packed up for the day and are heading out to dinner, the tide is up, its quiet, and the sun couldn't get any more golden. That my friends, is the perfect time of day!
We hit up our usual restaurants and I thoroughly enjoyed not prepping, cooking, or cleaning up after dinner for seven nights! One night we ventured out to a new place called Skull Creek Boathouse.
Ya'll it went down that night. By the end of the night we were dancing under a Live Oak tree swaying to the music of some great band. Memories were definitely made and I am already itching to go back.
On our way out of town, we stopped at Savannah only to find ourselves in a lengthy downpour.
It made for one wet trolly ride through town but it was fun nonetheless.Thankfully, we have toured Savannah before and I was familiar with the sites of the city.
When reality hit and we realized vacation really was over, life hit with full force. We suddenly found ourselves in a straight-up panic because the apartment that we had fell in love with was WAY behind in construction. Our move-in date of July 1 was only wishful thinking and we had to go back to the drawing board. I chose to live in denial about everything whereas Jace scoured Craig's List for some type of housing. Our months of planning, searching, and budgeting was basically in vain and we might as well have been twiddling our thumbs this entire Spring. I was pretty hopeless at this point until Jace found another NEW apartment complex that was almost finished with construction. We immediately contacted them and on July 1st we will move-in and be official residents of Smyrna, TN.
As far as the move-in process goes, Lord help! Y'all we live in 600 sq. feet so we only brought down the necessities. We can't start boxing up our things until the weekend before we move because where would we put our stuff? Besides, we need that stuff for the remaining two weeks we are in Gainesville. Jace has rented a Penske truck for our move and big boy gets to drive that thing! I will follow along in his car (Dana and Rickey drove my car back to KY when they came down for graduation). I told Jace that as soon as we cross the FL state line into GA that I will blare his horn so hard. Y'all we have lived 10 months in FL and I don't suspect that we will visit for a L-O-N-G time! We are both ready to get out of Gville and head up North to get to the true South. As a Southern woman, all I can say to the people of Gainesville is, "Bless Your Heart".
Now, the one good thing that we have found in FL is IKEA. I think I have blogged about it before but y'all we went back! We somehow got two nightstands, a 6 dresser chest, and a headboard and foot board into Jace's car! We walked in there with a plan and a tape measure and everyone looked at us funny. Don't mess with a woman who wants matching furniture. I will find a way to stuff long, heavy cardboard boxes into a Honda Accord. (In reality, Jace put the boxes in the car and I just scooted the seats!)
We ventured home last week for my father's mother's visitation and funeral. My MeMaw was a hog farmer through-and-through. She worked right along with the men and ran the show. Her health had been declining but her death was unexpected. With any funeral there are a range of emotions and Jace was there to see me through all of them. In ten short months of marriage, we have moved, had a few job search processes, a graduation, a death and are about ready to move again. Life can be funny at times but it can also wear your butt plum out. I think right now I am worn out and am ready for life to ease up just a little.
While we were home, we visited Sandy Keith's version of Bed, Bath, and Beyond, a/k/a her basement, where all our wedding gifts are stored. Y'all, people were so generous to us! We have honestly forgotten about what all we got and its all so nice! Jace and I sorted things into two piles: "the-things-going-to-Smyrna" pile and "the-things-we-will-put-in-a-china-cabinet-one-day-but-will-stay-in-Mom's-basement-for-the-time-being" pile. I feel like I should write another round of thank you notes to everyone who gave us a gift because we will finally get to use 75% of our gifts once we move. So if you gave us a wedding gift, thank you so much for your generosity and love. Your gift is greatly appreciated and will finally be used!
We came back to Gainesville on Saturday night because even though Jace has graduated, he has this course (from the Spring semester) where he has to present a paper he wrote (in the Spring semester). Do we sound bitter? Maybe a little! So he sits in class for two hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays listening to other paper presentations; his presentation is on the 20th. His group is the only one who has to present their paper which given our luck, makes perfect sense. In his down time, Jace has done the "paperwork" for our move. No wonder people hate moving, there is so much paperwork involved! Speaking of paperwork, we made our first adult purchase together: a filing cabinet with hanging folders. You've never met two kids so excited to file crap away!
So that is what has been going on with the Stamper's. It has been a complete whirlwind and we haven't even moved yet! We pick up the Penske truck on the 29th and the big move will be on the 30th, at which time I will have no idea where our towels, toothbrushes, or brains will be! Lord help us!
I feel like I have so much to blog about and have drafted posts in my head only to stare at a blank computer screen or worse, not even make the effort to open up a new post draft. I'm tired at night and quite frankly don't want to stare at the computer screen any longer however, the urge to blog is still there. This post is an attempt to record our life's happenings since Jace's graduation (read: this could be wordy and lengthy).
After Jace graduated, we packed up and headed to Hilton Head which is our slice of paradise. We have been going for years now and its just comfortable to us.
We ate Moonpies and drank RCs in Charleston, took a carriage ride through town where I proceeded to ask the tour guide about the filming of Bravo's Southern Charm TV show. As Jace said, only I would ask something like that. We also visited the famous Angle Oak Tree that is regularly seen in Southern Living Magazine; what a beauty she was.
I know some people may find it odd that I am enamored by a tree but honey Live Oaks are amazing to me and scream the South!
The rest of the week was spent by the beach where Jace and I talked about everything and anything but nothing really of significance. We started our mornings off slow on our villa's screened-in porch drinking coffee and reading our Internet sites.
At some point we would decide to get ready for the beach and head out. We would come in for lunch and then we would stay late into the afternoon. The five o'clock hour is my favorite time at the beach. All the families have packed up for the day and are heading out to dinner, the tide is up, its quiet, and the sun couldn't get any more golden. That my friends, is the perfect time of day!
We hit up our usual restaurants and I thoroughly enjoyed not prepping, cooking, or cleaning up after dinner for seven nights! One night we ventured out to a new place called Skull Creek Boathouse.
 |
| Waiting for dinner at Skull Creek |
On our way out of town, we stopped at Savannah only to find ourselves in a lengthy downpour.
 |
| Savannah Cotton Exchange |
When reality hit and we realized vacation really was over, life hit with full force. We suddenly found ourselves in a straight-up panic because the apartment that we had fell in love with was WAY behind in construction. Our move-in date of July 1 was only wishful thinking and we had to go back to the drawing board. I chose to live in denial about everything whereas Jace scoured Craig's List for some type of housing. Our months of planning, searching, and budgeting was basically in vain and we might as well have been twiddling our thumbs this entire Spring. I was pretty hopeless at this point until Jace found another NEW apartment complex that was almost finished with construction. We immediately contacted them and on July 1st we will move-in and be official residents of Smyrna, TN.
As far as the move-in process goes, Lord help! Y'all we live in 600 sq. feet so we only brought down the necessities. We can't start boxing up our things until the weekend before we move because where would we put our stuff? Besides, we need that stuff for the remaining two weeks we are in Gainesville. Jace has rented a Penske truck for our move and big boy gets to drive that thing! I will follow along in his car (Dana and Rickey drove my car back to KY when they came down for graduation). I told Jace that as soon as we cross the FL state line into GA that I will blare his horn so hard. Y'all we have lived 10 months in FL and I don't suspect that we will visit for a L-O-N-G time! We are both ready to get out of Gville and head up North to get to the true South. As a Southern woman, all I can say to the people of Gainesville is, "Bless Your Heart".
Now, the one good thing that we have found in FL is IKEA. I think I have blogged about it before but y'all we went back! We somehow got two nightstands, a 6 dresser chest, and a headboard and foot board into Jace's car! We walked in there with a plan and a tape measure and everyone looked at us funny. Don't mess with a woman who wants matching furniture. I will find a way to stuff long, heavy cardboard boxes into a Honda Accord. (In reality, Jace put the boxes in the car and I just scooted the seats!)
We ventured home last week for my father's mother's visitation and funeral. My MeMaw was a hog farmer through-and-through. She worked right along with the men and ran the show. Her health had been declining but her death was unexpected. With any funeral there are a range of emotions and Jace was there to see me through all of them. In ten short months of marriage, we have moved, had a few job search processes, a graduation, a death and are about ready to move again. Life can be funny at times but it can also wear your butt plum out. I think right now I am worn out and am ready for life to ease up just a little.
While we were home, we visited Sandy Keith's version of Bed, Bath, and Beyond, a/k/a her basement, where all our wedding gifts are stored. Y'all, people were so generous to us! We have honestly forgotten about what all we got and its all so nice! Jace and I sorted things into two piles: "the-things-going-to-Smyrna" pile and "the-things-we-will-put-in-a-china-cabinet-one-day-but-will-stay-in-Mom's-basement-for-the-time-being" pile. I feel like I should write another round of thank you notes to everyone who gave us a gift because we will finally get to use 75% of our gifts once we move. So if you gave us a wedding gift, thank you so much for your generosity and love. Your gift is greatly appreciated and will finally be used!
We came back to Gainesville on Saturday night because even though Jace has graduated, he has this course (from the Spring semester) where he has to present a paper he wrote (in the Spring semester). Do we sound bitter? Maybe a little! So he sits in class for two hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays listening to other paper presentations; his presentation is on the 20th. His group is the only one who has to present their paper which given our luck, makes perfect sense. In his down time, Jace has done the "paperwork" for our move. No wonder people hate moving, there is so much paperwork involved! Speaking of paperwork, we made our first adult purchase together: a filing cabinet with hanging folders. You've never met two kids so excited to file crap away!
So that is what has been going on with the Stamper's. It has been a complete whirlwind and we haven't even moved yet! We pick up the Penske truck on the 29th and the big move will be on the 30th, at which time I will have no idea where our towels, toothbrushes, or brains will be! Lord help us!
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Jace's LL.M. Graduation
One day I was reading the The Small Things Blog and Kate's husband was graduating from grad school and she said that she has only known her husband as a student. After I read this I almost shouted, "Amen sista!" because it resonated with me so much. Jace is many things: husband, friend, counselor, supporter, UK fan, best chocolate-chip-cookie-baker, superb ironer, editor, and the list could go on and on. In addition to all these things, Jace has been a student and has been in school for almost 25 years; when I think of that, some people retire after 25 years of working! On May 16th, his role as a student concluded with his graduation from UF!
Jace's parents came into town for his graduation and we had a wonderful weekend together. I don't think proud described Dana and Rickey that day. They are proud of his hard work, his dedication, and persistence which has led to a wonderful job. I can tell how happy they are as parents knowing that he can provide for himself and is doing what he truly loves.
It was a wonderful day and now that its passed, we are adjusting to life without school. Who knew how much free time we would have together! No more papers, problems, or finals! Can I get a Hallelujah! On August 3, 2013 Kory Wilcoxson married us and said that that day would be the start of the rest of our lives. Yes, that was correct but really May 16th, 2014 was the start to the rest of our lives. Honey, I've been lovin' it ever since!
But in all seriousness, Jace's journey has also been my journey. We have walked this path together and Lord only knows there have been peaks and pits but we did it together, hand-in-hand. At times, I think Jace worries that he has "dragged" me along and some people may think that. I assure him that I would do this all over again and that I wouldn't do this with anyone but him. You see, his dream has been my dream too. I wrote in his graduation card what a blessing it was for me to experience all of this with him. He accomplished his dreams and I got to witness it first-hand. How many people truly accomplish what they set out to do? Jace did, and I got to be in the front row seat!
This journey has shaped our relationship and marriage and the way we communicate. Lord knows I made that boy talk on the phone for years and it is has made an impact on how we handle our differences and just life in general. In addition, we don't take our time for granted because we remember how taxing (pun intended) the distance was on our relationship. Though the journey was long (and I'm sure some people questioned if Jace was ever going to finish school), it really was the biggest blessing for the both of us.
Now that our school days are behind us, we are so excited. We are excited about moving to the Nashville area and just living life sans school. I, for one, am excited to just live life without worrying about finals every December and May! The next graduation I will go to will be our child's Kindergarten graduation and honey, believe me when I say that won't be for a L-O-N-G time. So until then, we're just going to continue enjoying this crazy journey of ours!
Jace's parents came into town for his graduation and we had a wonderful weekend together. I don't think proud described Dana and Rickey that day. They are proud of his hard work, his dedication, and persistence which has led to a wonderful job. I can tell how happy they are as parents knowing that he can provide for himself and is doing what he truly loves.
It was a wonderful day and now that its passed, we are adjusting to life without school. Who knew how much free time we would have together! No more papers, problems, or finals! Can I get a Hallelujah! On August 3, 2013 Kory Wilcoxson married us and said that that day would be the start of the rest of our lives. Yes, that was correct but really May 16th, 2014 was the start to the rest of our lives. Honey, I've been lovin' it ever since!
But in all seriousness, Jace's journey has also been my journey. We have walked this path together and Lord only knows there have been peaks and pits but we did it together, hand-in-hand. At times, I think Jace worries that he has "dragged" me along and some people may think that. I assure him that I would do this all over again and that I wouldn't do this with anyone but him. You see, his dream has been my dream too. I wrote in his graduation card what a blessing it was for me to experience all of this with him. He accomplished his dreams and I got to witness it first-hand. How many people truly accomplish what they set out to do? Jace did, and I got to be in the front row seat!
This journey has shaped our relationship and marriage and the way we communicate. Lord knows I made that boy talk on the phone for years and it is has made an impact on how we handle our differences and just life in general. In addition, we don't take our time for granted because we remember how taxing (pun intended) the distance was on our relationship. Though the journey was long (and I'm sure some people questioned if Jace was ever going to finish school), it really was the biggest blessing for the both of us.
Now that our school days are behind us, we are so excited. We are excited about moving to the Nashville area and just living life sans school. I, for one, am excited to just live life without worrying about finals every December and May! The next graduation I will go to will be our child's Kindergarten graduation and honey, believe me when I say that won't be for a L-O-N-G time. So until then, we're just going to continue enjoying this crazy journey of ours!
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Our trip to IKEA
Last Saturday morning rolled around and we had an easy morning, which was a welcome relief to our usual Saturday mornings of Jace running to school. We drove two hours to Tampa and then there it was, IKEA. Oh, you couldn't miss it the store was so big. When we walked in, we truly were not prepared for the experience we were about to encounter. We arrived a little before 12 and left at 3 PM! A full three hours of shopping, making decisions, and planning.
I came prepared and had brought a pillow from our couch. Our couch is a deep burnt red and is something from Jace's bachelor days. I would love to update the pillows and brought it along to try and match up to the red. We had talked prior to the trip about the things we wanted to look for, mainly a headboard and some pillows. When we walked in IKEA, we let the other customers take the lead and we followed what they did. Everyone was grabbing a big yellow bag. You put the straps of the yellow bag on a cart that doesn't have the buggy part. You also pick up something that looks like a grid, where you write down the price of the item, the item name, the aisle and bin number, and the item ID number. The store is a long maze and you must travel through the entire store; there are no aisles that you walk past or can skip. It is a wonderful marketing strategy-the more you see, the more you want to buy.
We fell victim to this strategy! The first level was furniture. We found a bookcase for Jace and then we rounded the corner and found another set that we loved even more. While looking at the bookcase we found a TV stand that we liked. We have a TV stand now but you know an upgrade is never a bad thing! We hummed and hawed about the TV stand and ultimately decided what we have now works just fine. Our next stop was the bedroom suites and we spent so much time here. We finally decided on our suite but didn't really know which color we liked best. After careful thought and consideration, we made our decision and I wrote down all the information for the suite on the grid. The ticket information said that the bedroom suite was temporarily unavailable but I was hopeful they could ship it. Oh they would ship it all right, to the tune of $250!!! We fell in love with the suite and more importantly, the price, and made up our minds that this is what we wanted but we will have to wait. When we get to Nashville, we might have to do a quick trip to Atlanta to pick it up sometime soon.
After we discovered the bedroom suite was not available, we needed a bite to eat. IKEA has their own cafeteria, complete with trays and all! We ate a quick bite and were so happy to sit down for a minute. We picked back up and headed to the ground level which was accent pieces and smaller items. At this point, we were getting weary and quickly scanned through everything. They had anything from forks, plates, dishtowels, curtains, curtain rods, candles, mirrors, you name it--they had it! Even though I came prepared with the couch pillow, nothing really stood out to us. I noticed that no one else brought something from their home and I was the girl who looked like I was ready to take a nap anywhere with my trusty couch pillow!
When we had come to the end of the ground level the real work began! The ground level opened up into a warehouse-type setting. You had to use your grid and find the aisles and bin number of the item you wanted to purchase. They had flat bed carts for you to use and you had to load up your own items. Jace didn't know he was going to need that much muscle for this shopping trip but I didn't mind seeing his flexed muscles in his Polo! We left IKEA with two new bookshelves and two toys for pup! But y'all I have to tell you we were plum wore out when we got to our car. Before we started shopping, we talked about going to Clearwater and exploring Tampa but all we wanted to do was get home and lay down. Jace said our IKEA experience was similar to completing our wedding registry and I couldn't agree more. We were constantly thinking, calculating prices, and planning where we were going to put the item.
If you haven't been to IKEA, I would definitely recommend it. It's an experience! It is wonderful if you are on a budget, outfitting a new apartment or dorm room. It also has baby items for all the mommas out there. Now if only our bedroom suite would become available...
I came prepared and had brought a pillow from our couch. Our couch is a deep burnt red and is something from Jace's bachelor days. I would love to update the pillows and brought it along to try and match up to the red. We had talked prior to the trip about the things we wanted to look for, mainly a headboard and some pillows. When we walked in IKEA, we let the other customers take the lead and we followed what they did. Everyone was grabbing a big yellow bag. You put the straps of the yellow bag on a cart that doesn't have the buggy part. You also pick up something that looks like a grid, where you write down the price of the item, the item name, the aisle and bin number, and the item ID number. The store is a long maze and you must travel through the entire store; there are no aisles that you walk past or can skip. It is a wonderful marketing strategy-the more you see, the more you want to buy.
We fell victim to this strategy! The first level was furniture. We found a bookcase for Jace and then we rounded the corner and found another set that we loved even more. While looking at the bookcase we found a TV stand that we liked. We have a TV stand now but you know an upgrade is never a bad thing! We hummed and hawed about the TV stand and ultimately decided what we have now works just fine. Our next stop was the bedroom suites and we spent so much time here. We finally decided on our suite but didn't really know which color we liked best. After careful thought and consideration, we made our decision and I wrote down all the information for the suite on the grid. The ticket information said that the bedroom suite was temporarily unavailable but I was hopeful they could ship it. Oh they would ship it all right, to the tune of $250!!! We fell in love with the suite and more importantly, the price, and made up our minds that this is what we wanted but we will have to wait. When we get to Nashville, we might have to do a quick trip to Atlanta to pick it up sometime soon.
After we discovered the bedroom suite was not available, we needed a bite to eat. IKEA has their own cafeteria, complete with trays and all! We ate a quick bite and were so happy to sit down for a minute. We picked back up and headed to the ground level which was accent pieces and smaller items. At this point, we were getting weary and quickly scanned through everything. They had anything from forks, plates, dishtowels, curtains, curtain rods, candles, mirrors, you name it--they had it! Even though I came prepared with the couch pillow, nothing really stood out to us. I noticed that no one else brought something from their home and I was the girl who looked like I was ready to take a nap anywhere with my trusty couch pillow!
When we had come to the end of the ground level the real work began! The ground level opened up into a warehouse-type setting. You had to use your grid and find the aisles and bin number of the item you wanted to purchase. They had flat bed carts for you to use and you had to load up your own items. Jace didn't know he was going to need that much muscle for this shopping trip but I didn't mind seeing his flexed muscles in his Polo! We left IKEA with two new bookshelves and two toys for pup! But y'all I have to tell you we were plum wore out when we got to our car. Before we started shopping, we talked about going to Clearwater and exploring Tampa but all we wanted to do was get home and lay down. Jace said our IKEA experience was similar to completing our wedding registry and I couldn't agree more. We were constantly thinking, calculating prices, and planning where we were going to put the item.
If you haven't been to IKEA, I would definitely recommend it. It's an experience! It is wonderful if you are on a budget, outfitting a new apartment or dorm room. It also has baby items for all the mommas out there. Now if only our bedroom suite would become available...
Monday, May 5, 2014
It takes so little...
Within approximately 24 hours, Jace will be done with finals for FOREVER!!! Let's just take a minute and relish in this wonderful moment.......
Finals have consumed both of our lives for almost three weeks now and though I have not physically taken an exam, I am living the lifestyle of a student. I visit with Jace when he gets home from the library and several nights we have seen midnight. Then Jace is up bright and early to get to school and I can't exactly fall back asleep after he gets up. Needless to say both Jace and I have had our fair share of cups of coffee these last few weeks. Thank goodness I work from home, if not I might have had to buy more concealer for these dark circles of mine.
Sans final weeks, we unwind on Friday nights with home made Italian food (read spaghetti and frozen meatballs) and a bottle of wine. Well, with finals our date night has been put on hold. However, things resume this week and even though its Monday we are both living for the weekend. It really takes very little to make us happy and we are excited to have something to look forward to for once. This weekend, Florida plays Vandy and we are going to watch at least one game. We thought we had missed out on the season but there are four home games left and thankfully three of them are SEC play. Saturday we are venturing to Tampa, which is about 2-2.5 hours away and heading to IKEA. We have never been to IKEA and are looking for things for the new apartment.
Here is the thing about furniture shopping, we have Dom Pérignon taste on a Natty Light budget. Honey, I have "mentally" bought furniture, arranged accessories, hung pictures, and monogrammed shower curtains. All of this is equally exciting as depressing! I get so excited when I find things I like and then sadly realize that in no way, shape, or form will we be getting it anytime soon! A girl can dream right! Hopefully we will find budget friendly apartment finds at IKEA.
As I write this, I realize how sad all of this sounds. We are going to IKEA and a baseball game and I'm excited like a little girl right before her birthday. However, anything is better than getting excited about a new episode of Dateline and curling up with a real-life murder mystery like I have done for the past three weeks. Though Keith Morrison and I have had a "thriller" time together, I'm ready to do just about anything with Jace Stamper, including going to a ball game and IKEA. It really takes so little to please me...bring on the weekend!
Finals have consumed both of our lives for almost three weeks now and though I have not physically taken an exam, I am living the lifestyle of a student. I visit with Jace when he gets home from the library and several nights we have seen midnight. Then Jace is up bright and early to get to school and I can't exactly fall back asleep after he gets up. Needless to say both Jace and I have had our fair share of cups of coffee these last few weeks. Thank goodness I work from home, if not I might have had to buy more concealer for these dark circles of mine.
Sans final weeks, we unwind on Friday nights with home made Italian food (read spaghetti and frozen meatballs) and a bottle of wine. Well, with finals our date night has been put on hold. However, things resume this week and even though its Monday we are both living for the weekend. It really takes very little to make us happy and we are excited to have something to look forward to for once. This weekend, Florida plays Vandy and we are going to watch at least one game. We thought we had missed out on the season but there are four home games left and thankfully three of them are SEC play. Saturday we are venturing to Tampa, which is about 2-2.5 hours away and heading to IKEA. We have never been to IKEA and are looking for things for the new apartment.
Here is the thing about furniture shopping, we have Dom Pérignon taste on a Natty Light budget. Honey, I have "mentally" bought furniture, arranged accessories, hung pictures, and monogrammed shower curtains. All of this is equally exciting as depressing! I get so excited when I find things I like and then sadly realize that in no way, shape, or form will we be getting it anytime soon! A girl can dream right! Hopefully we will find budget friendly apartment finds at IKEA.
As I write this, I realize how sad all of this sounds. We are going to IKEA and a baseball game and I'm excited like a little girl right before her birthday. However, anything is better than getting excited about a new episode of Dateline and curling up with a real-life murder mystery like I have done for the past three weeks. Though Keith Morrison and I have had a "thriller" time together, I'm ready to do just about anything with Jace Stamper, including going to a ball game and IKEA. It really takes so little to please me...bring on the weekend!
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Excited for the next chapter
Unfortunately, I have kept up with my trend of not blogging regularly. Forgive me.
Life has been whipping by and we turned around twice and April is just about over with! In April I snuck up to Kentucky for a nice little visit. Listen, I cried when the plane flew over the horse farms and I saw the horses running the track. God made all things perfect, but he spent just a little bit more time on Kentucky. It never gets old going home and seeing family.
Speaking of home, it seems like all month Jace and I have been searching for our next apartment. Searching for housing is not fun but as the old saying goes, "search now or be homeless later". I think we have finally found an apartment which is located in Symrna, TN. The apartment complex is still being built but we have found a few pictures to look at and get a feel for the complex. Jace and I have memorized the floor plan and mentality placed furniture in rooms. It is taking everything in me to not go to TJ Maxx, Homegoods, Garden Ridge, and Bed, Bath, and Beyond and start buying up things for the apartment. Lauren once told me that there will come a point in time when you would rather buy things for your home than for yourself. Oh, was she right! That time is now!
Our excitement isn't just for the apartment, it's also for this next chapter in our lives. In less than a month Jace will be done with finals, a capstone paper, and will graduate from UF. These past 9 months have gone by both fast and slow. We have finally settled into a routine here in Gainesville just in time to jack it up and create a new one in TN. We daydream what it will be like to live life without school? What will it feel like to have Jace come home from work and not have to study or work problems? What will it be like to have Jace with me on both nights and weekends? These things get me excited like a little girl waiting on Christmas Eve. Though this is the path we have chosen, we are both happy that this chapter in life is coming to an end.
It's funny how life let's you know when its time for one chapter to end. I feel like we have accomplished what we set out to do in Gainesville and now its time for something else. I compare it to the feelings I had when I was in high school. Though I enjoyed high school, I was ready to go to UK. I was ready for new experiences, new people, new beginnings. This is exactly how I feel now. I'm ready to live life without school and the stresses and time commitments that accompany it. Praise God that he has saw Jace through school and giving us patience through the years.
But as one chapter ends, I can't help but remember and reflect on the past and I feel grateful. I'm grateful that some days are over with, grateful for Jace's love and understanding when I was down and missing home, grateful for God's provisions, grateful to spend 9 whole months with Jace, and now I must stop because I'm crying! God saw us through this chapter and I know he will see us through the next.
Life has been whipping by and we turned around twice and April is just about over with! In April I snuck up to Kentucky for a nice little visit. Listen, I cried when the plane flew over the horse farms and I saw the horses running the track. God made all things perfect, but he spent just a little bit more time on Kentucky. It never gets old going home and seeing family.
Speaking of home, it seems like all month Jace and I have been searching for our next apartment. Searching for housing is not fun but as the old saying goes, "search now or be homeless later". I think we have finally found an apartment which is located in Symrna, TN. The apartment complex is still being built but we have found a few pictures to look at and get a feel for the complex. Jace and I have memorized the floor plan and mentality placed furniture in rooms. It is taking everything in me to not go to TJ Maxx, Homegoods, Garden Ridge, and Bed, Bath, and Beyond and start buying up things for the apartment. Lauren once told me that there will come a point in time when you would rather buy things for your home than for yourself. Oh, was she right! That time is now!
Our excitement isn't just for the apartment, it's also for this next chapter in our lives. In less than a month Jace will be done with finals, a capstone paper, and will graduate from UF. These past 9 months have gone by both fast and slow. We have finally settled into a routine here in Gainesville just in time to jack it up and create a new one in TN. We daydream what it will be like to live life without school? What will it feel like to have Jace come home from work and not have to study or work problems? What will it be like to have Jace with me on both nights and weekends? These things get me excited like a little girl waiting on Christmas Eve. Though this is the path we have chosen, we are both happy that this chapter in life is coming to an end.
It's funny how life let's you know when its time for one chapter to end. I feel like we have accomplished what we set out to do in Gainesville and now its time for something else. I compare it to the feelings I had when I was in high school. Though I enjoyed high school, I was ready to go to UK. I was ready for new experiences, new people, new beginnings. This is exactly how I feel now. I'm ready to live life without school and the stresses and time commitments that accompany it. Praise God that he has saw Jace through school and giving us patience through the years.
But as one chapter ends, I can't help but remember and reflect on the past and I feel grateful. I'm grateful that some days are over with, grateful for Jace's love and understanding when I was down and missing home, grateful for God's provisions, grateful to spend 9 whole months with Jace, and now I must stop because I'm crying! God saw us through this chapter and I know he will see us through the next.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Shouting (at CATS and lizards)
Y'all! About last night! My word! This UK basketball team has made me mad, shaved years off my life, and made me fall in love all over again. The team at the start of the season is not the same team we are watching now and that is why this tournament has been so fun to watch. I love seeing Big Blue Nation rally together, support this team, and enjoy the moment together. Coach Cal is right, we really are crazy but is there any other way to be?
The game started and Jace immediately started picking his nails. Its a nervous habit he does and it keeps his hands busy. (He does this when he is working too). He picks until his nails are at the quick and the boy needs a manicure worst than I do. We felt ok being down by 4 at the half; we knew we were still in the game and could come back. Kentucky fans are used to the "cardiac CATS" by now and know that its the last couple of minutes that really mean the most. When we fouled the Wisconsin player who was shooting the three point shot, I thought things aren't looking so good. THEN...Aaron shot that three! Y'all we woke up the entire complex. We let it be known that we are Kentucky born and raised and are proud UK fans. Jace jumped into the air like he was Superman and I was stomping my feet and screaming, "we goin' to the 'ship, we goin' to the 'ship!". We were so excited and screamed so much that I considered taking a Halls cough drop. Who would have believed UK would be preparing for the National Championship game and that Aaron Harrison could hit back-to-back three point game winning shots? I so proud to be a UK alum and a part of Big Blue Nation!
I thought my screaming was done for this weekend but it wasn't. At church this morning, proudly wearing our blue, we stood to sing the first hymn of the day. We were on the first stanza when out of the corner of my eye, I saw it. I wish I could say I saw the Holy Spirit but instead it was a LIZARD!!! It was the same kind of lizards that are everywhere here but I prefer for them to be outside and me, inside.
I froze still and Jace knew something was wrong. The lizard was on the floor just one pew in front of us. I thought if that sucker comes near me I will shout to the rooftops and I don't know if it will be "Hosanna". The song ended and I tapped the girl in front of us on the shoulder and told her there was a lizard right by her. She turned around a few seconds later and said it had went to the other side of the aisle. Now listen, I am just a girl from KY and we have blue-tailed lizards but they aren't everywhere like the lizards are here. I sat back, relieved the lizard was away from me but anxiously awaiting to watch people jump from their seats when they discovered our "visitor". Would you know that not one person jumped or moved from their seat. Floridians are more accustomed than I am to these guys.
After the game last night and the lizard this morning, I am worn out. My throat hurts and my nerves are shot. You know what can cure my problems? One more win from the CATS!
The game started and Jace immediately started picking his nails. Its a nervous habit he does and it keeps his hands busy. (He does this when he is working too). He picks until his nails are at the quick and the boy needs a manicure worst than I do. We felt ok being down by 4 at the half; we knew we were still in the game and could come back. Kentucky fans are used to the "cardiac CATS" by now and know that its the last couple of minutes that really mean the most. When we fouled the Wisconsin player who was shooting the three point shot, I thought things aren't looking so good. THEN...Aaron shot that three! Y'all we woke up the entire complex. We let it be known that we are Kentucky born and raised and are proud UK fans. Jace jumped into the air like he was Superman and I was stomping my feet and screaming, "we goin' to the 'ship, we goin' to the 'ship!". We were so excited and screamed so much that I considered taking a Halls cough drop. Who would have believed UK would be preparing for the National Championship game and that Aaron Harrison could hit back-to-back three point game winning shots? I so proud to be a UK alum and a part of Big Blue Nation!
I thought my screaming was done for this weekend but it wasn't. At church this morning, proudly wearing our blue, we stood to sing the first hymn of the day. We were on the first stanza when out of the corner of my eye, I saw it. I wish I could say I saw the Holy Spirit but instead it was a LIZARD!!! It was the same kind of lizards that are everywhere here but I prefer for them to be outside and me, inside.
I froze still and Jace knew something was wrong. The lizard was on the floor just one pew in front of us. I thought if that sucker comes near me I will shout to the rooftops and I don't know if it will be "Hosanna". The song ended and I tapped the girl in front of us on the shoulder and told her there was a lizard right by her. She turned around a few seconds later and said it had went to the other side of the aisle. Now listen, I am just a girl from KY and we have blue-tailed lizards but they aren't everywhere like the lizards are here. I sat back, relieved the lizard was away from me but anxiously awaiting to watch people jump from their seats when they discovered our "visitor". Would you know that not one person jumped or moved from their seat. Floridians are more accustomed than I am to these guys.
After the game last night and the lizard this morning, I am worn out. My throat hurts and my nerves are shot. You know what can cure my problems? One more win from the CATS!
Friday, March 28, 2014
We are MOVING!!!!
Y’all don’t know how long I have wanted to share
this news! On March 17th, Jace signed a contract with Ernst &
Young accounting firm and we will be moving to Nashville, TN summer 2014. As
with any job search process, it had high moments and some rough days.
EY wanted to set up an in person interview at their Nashville location and they would pay for our travel! Honey, I was in the car with my bags packed when he said this. The interview was on a Wednesday but first he had an interview with a law firm out of Chattanooga on that Monday. I remember we left Gainesville at 6 AM and drove all morning until we got to Chattanooga. We stopped by Kennedy’s and Elizabeth’s house before the interview and Kennedy showed me around Chattanooga while Jace was interviewing. After Kennedy’s tour, I had basically moved us to Chattanooga, mentally, and was ready to look for homes on the North Shore side of town.
Jace started researching and applying for firms late
last Fall. He compiled a detailed Excel spreadsheet of firms, their location,
the contact person, when he sent his resume, and the date and response from the
firm. When I say firms, this includes both accounting and law firms. As a tax
attorney, there are three main tracks for employment: government, law firms,
and accounting firms. Jace chose to focus on accounting and law firms and he
sent over 50 letters to firms. The firms he sent letters to were located in:
Atlanta, Jackson, MS, Lexington, Louisville, Jackson, TN, Bowling Green,
Nashville, & Memphis. Honey, we were a letter sending machine. Jace folded
and signed his name, I stuffed and put on stamps. I felt like every week we
were buying stamps and praying that one of those letters would come back with a
potential lead.
November and December 2013 were hard months. We had
sent letters and weren’t hearing back from many but when we did hear from firms
it was basically, “your resume is impressive but our firm is not hiring right
now”. Those were some hard days and made us feel the same emotions we had when
he was applying to law school.
Jace was really good about telling me where he was
applying and we would talk about the benefits and drawbacks to a particular
city where the firm was located. Several were located in Atlanta and I was
scared of living in such a large city and commuting to and from work. I
distinctly remember one night, while doing the dishes, the city of Dallas was
brought up. I filled that sink with tears and told Jace I just couldn’t go that
far away from home. I hated to tell him no to a potential job that he may love.
I felt as though I was squashing his future in some way by saying no but knew I
had to speak up because I didn’t think I would be happy in Texas. You know when
they say that marriage will be filled with decisions and you must work together
as a team, well honey we did just that! Big decisions have been made so far in
our marriage, decisions that affect the other person but there is no one else
that I would rather make these decisions with than with Jace.
The holidays came and went and Jace received his
grades from the first semester (they were stellar by the way!) and we sent out
another round of letters with his updated GPA. January brought more dark days
and the roller coaster of emotions kept us on edge. One day, one of us would be
optimistic and the other would have a bad day. One day we were all about
accounting firms and the next moment we were all about law firms. We even toyed
with the idea of going back to Paducah but that idea was short lived.
At this point I knew the law and accounting firms by
name and where they were located. We talked about them all the time like they
were family members and it was a sign that we had both gone crazy. I was so consumed
by worry and tired from the waiting game that I just broke down one day, on the
elliptical of all places. I know I scared the poor girl in the gym when I was
choking back tears. I just couldn’t handle the ups and downs of this process
much longer and I reached out to Lauren and Whitney and did something that I
never do: I asked for prayers. Those girls emailed me scripture faster than
anything and I felt their love immediately. I also texted a lot with our dear
friend, Haley. Her husband and Jace went to law school together and they just
went through the job process last year and she could relate to every emotion I
was feeling. Those girls saw me through some rough days and I won’t forget
that.
Around February the tide started to turn and honey
that is when the ride really started to get fun. Our first job lead was from a
law firm in Jackson, MS. Though nothing materialized from the call it sparked a
new sense of hope within us. Shortly after the MS call, other firms started
calling and wanted to set up Skype interviews. A law firm out of Nashville
wanted to set up a Skype interview with Jace and another accounting firm based
out of Atlanta had invited Jace to dinner interviews. We finally had leads;
leads that we had been praying about for so long. I swear to you one day, Jace
called me every four hours with an update on a job lead and interviews and it
was hard to keep up with what all was going on. Ernst & Young (EY) was one
of these job leads.
EY wanted to set up an in person interview at their Nashville location and they would pay for our travel! Honey, I was in the car with my bags packed when he said this. The interview was on a Wednesday but first he had an interview with a law firm out of Chattanooga on that Monday. I remember we left Gainesville at 6 AM and drove all morning until we got to Chattanooga. We stopped by Kennedy’s and Elizabeth’s house before the interview and Kennedy showed me around Chattanooga while Jace was interviewing. After Kennedy’s tour, I had basically moved us to Chattanooga, mentally, and was ready to look for homes on the North Shore side of town.
From Chattanooga, we drove home and spent less than
24 hours in Graves County. We didn’t anticipate getting to go home that early
after the holidays and it was the nicest treat to be back. Tuesday night we
drove to Nashville and Wednesday morning Jace went to the interview. He met
with five individuals and y’all the second he called me after the interview was
over I knew we had a good shot. Jace was so excited and said it went so well. The
following Tuesday the job offer came in. We had two weeks to make our decision
and during this time we waited to see if the Chattanooga law firm would come
back with an offer. Now, I’m not going to lie, I was ready to forge Jace's signature on EY’s offer
and didn’t see the point in waiting. EY was so incredibly nice to Jace
and I knew he would be happy there. However, Jace wanted to give equal weight
to both firms so we waited for two L-O-N-G weeks.
All Jace and I have ever wanted was to be close to
our families and we felt that Nashville was the best place for us. Nashville
provides the job opportunities that both he and I are looking for and was just
a short drive from home. We can’t forget about the Teak too! She is only 3 ½
hours from Nashville! Throughout this whole process, we prayed; oh did we pray.
We prayed that our will would match up with God’s will. We prayed for patience
and understanding throughout the journey. Our motto was, “You {God} lead, we
will follow”. Well, he lead us straight to the place we had been praying for
and we both felt God’s peace wash over us and knew without a doubt that EY was
the place for us. Jace signed the contract on March 17th and it was a great day!!!!
I don’t care what you tell me, a job search is a process
and it is spiritual. We were completely out of control but knew that God was
walking this journey with us. I laid my burdens on him and you know what, he
took up my yoke and helped me. Even on those hard days, He was working behind
the scenes creating something far greater than we could have imagined.
Though this process has been emotionally draining,
Jace and I came out stronger. Eight years of being apart makes you learn how to
communicate and work as a team and we did just that. I shed many tears through
it all but I wouldn’t do this with anyone else. I am so happy to know that Jace
is going to work for a great company that treats him well and respects the
education and knowledge he possess.
We will be boxing our things up and leaving Gville
June 2014. By this time, our school days will be behind us and we will both be
working. So long are the days of writing papers and studying for finals. I told
Jace after this first year of marriage that was filled with two moves, a
graduation, and a new job that maybe we should take a year off and just do
nothing but work. No major changes or life events; just work.
I do want to go on record and let it be known that
just because we will be living in TN I will not wear that God-awful TN orange. Is
there a tackier color than that orange? (However, I will wear UT apparel if I
am employed by UT in the future) In addition, the words to Rocky Top will never
be sung. The only volunteering we will be doing is at the church! Lord help us,
Jace and I are already worried that the babies will want to go to college at
UT. So if you have moving boxes, send them our way. If you know of good places
to live in Nashville, let us know. Watch out Nashville, the Stampers are
coming!
Monday, March 24, 2014
Mommy are we going to crash?
Hey y'all! I am writing this completely jet lagged and have no idea what time my body is functioning on right now. If this post is crazy sounding its because I am sleep deprived and need a meal of substance that doesn't consist of peanuts and a coke. This week I am attending the National eXtension Conference in Sacramento, CA.
Can I just tell you about my flight? Now this story is being told by a Southern girl who is without child and who enjoys her sleep--keep all this in mind.
Jace dropped me off at the Gainesville airport which is approximately the size of our apartment. We had to ring a bell for a Delta representative to come and assistant us. The guy who helped me was the same guy who scanned my ticket to board the plane. I am sure that is what Gainesville airport calls efficiency and low-cost organization. Jace dropped me off early because I am one who would rather sit at the airport and have lots of time than to run and stress about missing my flight. My flight to ATL was supposed to leave at 3:39 PM. Well it got pushed back to 4:15, then 4:45, then 5:00, and the kicker was 5:45. I was about to Google, "what do you do if you miss your connection flight?" but thankfully the plane left ATL just in time and they bumped the arrival time from 5:45 to 5:00. With this flight time, I would still have plenty of time to make my connection flight.
Now during this whole time changing ordeal, some man was absolutely freaking out. He really needed a "help" pill like Mom had the other week. I was only worried about one thing: my chi. What if I miss my connection flight and they somehow loose my luggage, I would be without my beloved chi. I wasn't worried about having clean underwear or losing my Vera Bradley make-up bag, oh no, I was worried about my hair being straight. Priorities people, priorities.
After I boarded the plane in Gainesville, I was lucky enough to sit in front of a mother and her 3 year old child. Now, I don't have kids but have a deep desire to be a momma ONE DAY. That day was not yesterday. You want to know what isn't funny, cute, or comforting...when a 3 year old says, "Mommy, are we going to crash?". I immediately said the Lord's prayer and tried to focus on the book I was reading. This 3 year old was also the kid that threw down his tray table and my seat mate and I experienced our own joy-filled turbulence. Now, I know you mommas out there are rolling your eyes and saying, "Katie you just wait!". Well, guess what I am waiting and kiddos won't be arriving anytime soon!
I finally made it to ATL and to the 3 year old's surprise, we didn't crash. I found my gate but decided I had just enough time to grab a bite to eat. Now, I could have chosen something light and healthy before I sat for 5 hours but no, I ate something similar to General Tso's chicken with brown rice. What a dumb idea! I was popping peppermints like they were going out of style for the first hour and 30 minutes. Despite thinking about my overly full stomach, I proceeded to talk to my seat mate, who just so happens to be Italian, about pasta. I only wish I would have asked him for his grandmother's meatball recipe.
After asking the stewardess for the luxurious red Delta blanket, I think I slept some. Around 1:30 AM EST, I arrived in Sacramento. I rode the Super Shuttle to my hotel and if you have rode on a Super Shuttle you know what a pleasure they are. My driver was nice but y'all he played this CD and it sounded like something from Teak's generation and this lady was singing basically about sex but this CD was from like the 1940s. Do you want to listen to a sex-filled CD from the 40s in a van with strange people at 2 AM? Y'all I can't even make this stuff up. Anyway, I made it to hotel and felt like I needed a shower for more than one reason and fell into bed.
This afternoon the conference starts and I have already downed one large cup of coffee. Have a great Monday or whatever day it is y'all!
Can I just tell you about my flight? Now this story is being told by a Southern girl who is without child and who enjoys her sleep--keep all this in mind.
Jace dropped me off at the Gainesville airport which is approximately the size of our apartment. We had to ring a bell for a Delta representative to come and assistant us. The guy who helped me was the same guy who scanned my ticket to board the plane. I am sure that is what Gainesville airport calls efficiency and low-cost organization. Jace dropped me off early because I am one who would rather sit at the airport and have lots of time than to run and stress about missing my flight. My flight to ATL was supposed to leave at 3:39 PM. Well it got pushed back to 4:15, then 4:45, then 5:00, and the kicker was 5:45. I was about to Google, "what do you do if you miss your connection flight?" but thankfully the plane left ATL just in time and they bumped the arrival time from 5:45 to 5:00. With this flight time, I would still have plenty of time to make my connection flight.
Now during this whole time changing ordeal, some man was absolutely freaking out. He really needed a "help" pill like Mom had the other week. I was only worried about one thing: my chi. What if I miss my connection flight and they somehow loose my luggage, I would be without my beloved chi. I wasn't worried about having clean underwear or losing my Vera Bradley make-up bag, oh no, I was worried about my hair being straight. Priorities people, priorities.
After I boarded the plane in Gainesville, I was lucky enough to sit in front of a mother and her 3 year old child. Now, I don't have kids but have a deep desire to be a momma ONE DAY. That day was not yesterday. You want to know what isn't funny, cute, or comforting...when a 3 year old says, "Mommy, are we going to crash?". I immediately said the Lord's prayer and tried to focus on the book I was reading. This 3 year old was also the kid that threw down his tray table and my seat mate and I experienced our own joy-filled turbulence. Now, I know you mommas out there are rolling your eyes and saying, "Katie you just wait!". Well, guess what I am waiting and kiddos won't be arriving anytime soon!
I finally made it to ATL and to the 3 year old's surprise, we didn't crash. I found my gate but decided I had just enough time to grab a bite to eat. Now, I could have chosen something light and healthy before I sat for 5 hours but no, I ate something similar to General Tso's chicken with brown rice. What a dumb idea! I was popping peppermints like they were going out of style for the first hour and 30 minutes. Despite thinking about my overly full stomach, I proceeded to talk to my seat mate, who just so happens to be Italian, about pasta. I only wish I would have asked him for his grandmother's meatball recipe.
After asking the stewardess for the luxurious red Delta blanket, I think I slept some. Around 1:30 AM EST, I arrived in Sacramento. I rode the Super Shuttle to my hotel and if you have rode on a Super Shuttle you know what a pleasure they are. My driver was nice but y'all he played this CD and it sounded like something from Teak's generation and this lady was singing basically about sex but this CD was from like the 1940s. Do you want to listen to a sex-filled CD from the 40s in a van with strange people at 2 AM? Y'all I can't even make this stuff up. Anyway, I made it to hotel and felt like I needed a shower for more than one reason and fell into bed.
This afternoon the conference starts and I have already downed one large cup of coffee. Have a great Monday or whatever day it is y'all!
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