FEELS LIKE HOME TO ME: March 2011

Girls Gone Mild

I am so excited to tell you about my recent trip to the beach. I got to spend three days with two of my best girls, Michelle and Kathryn, from college. We hit the road Thursday after work and were beach bound!

We shared a lot of laughs about how crazy our "spring break" was going to be. Three working women, three kids between us...watch out PCB! But we did get mistaken for spring-breakers twice and that made us giggle.

We had great weather. It was raining back home, but not on the coast. We had blue skies, warm sun and a nice breeze. Check out this gorgeous sunset!

We spent our days relaxing on the beach.

I'm not proud of a few of the things we did, like eating this ENTIRE pan of brownies...but it happened!

We told stories from college that made us laugh. By the way, you're never too old to get silly with your friends!

Kathryn and Michelle also taught me a Girls Scout song that I cannot get out of my head. Do you know this song? "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold." Beware, it's very catchy.

We also painted our nails and helped Kathryn with a little work on the computer.

So maybe we weren't wild by typical standards, but I sure had a great time! I really appreciate my family pitching in to help with Libby so I could enjoy this precious time with old friends.

Gotta run! I have Girl Scouts songs that I must work on getting out of my head.

6:45 PM
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Dogwoods

We've spent several evenings in our yard enjoying the nice weather. The pollen has been bothersome, but it comes with the territory. Our pool had a yellow layer across the top - yuck!

Libby was more than happy to help Drew. Her helping means walking beside him asking lots of questions.

I think she's a pretty cute helper!

While out in the yard I noticed this dogwood tree was blooming. Then another, then another. We have three trees in our yard. We didn't realize they were there because this is our first spring to see everything bloom. What a nice surprise!

Taking this picture made me remember the Legend of the Dogwood. I did some research to fill in the gaps and the story goes like this:

At the time of Crucifixion the dogwood had been the size of the oak and other forest trees. So firm and strong was the tree that it was chosen as the timber for the cross. To be used thus for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the tree, and Jesus nailed upon it, sensed this.

In His gentle pity for all sorrow and suffering Jesus said to the tree:

" Because of your regret and pity for My suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross. Henceforth it shall be slender and bent and twisted and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross--two long and two short petals. And in the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints, brown with rust and stained with red, and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see it will remember."

I like that such a beautiful tree has such a powerful legend behind it.

1:15 PM
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Anticipation

In two days I will be here, enjoying this view...

pinch me!

I'll be spending time with very special friends that I don't get to see often enough. I can hardly wait. I'll try to be patient until then. I said I'd try.

Let the countdown begin...

4:21 PM
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March

After some chilly days and a day of storms, the warm weather is back! Throw in an extra hour from Daylight Savings Time and you have a the perfect combination for playing outside.

We spend several hours in the back yard when everyone gets home from work and school. Drew's been the grill master and cooked hamburgers, hot dogs and pork chops. Mmm!

Libby requested shorts and "flip flobs", so I that's what I let her wear.

She's really into making dramatic faces these days. So I asked her to give me some of her best ones.

And lastly, we're beginning to realize just how big our new yard is. Drew made two giant piles of leaves and he, Libby and I had the task of getting them up so the yard man could actually see the grass.

I hope it's warm where you are. If not, come south, we'll gladly share with you.

5:00 PM
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Go Green!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! No, I'm not Irish or Catholic, but I do like green. So I'm clear to celebrate, right?

Libby was all set this morning.

Even our Bunco group got in on the fun!

Yes, you may borrow the headband if you'd like.

And I thought Paula Deen's take on St. Patty's Day was cute, so I bought a t-shirt on our recent trip to Savannah. My t-shirt reads, "Irish for a day, Southern for life."

Don't get pinched!

8:00 AM
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Spring Wish List

Warm weather has me thinking of all the spring/summer items I really want. Here's a list of cute things I'd love to add to my collection:

This cute tank

Love this dress from The Loft

I'm a sucker for printed beach bags

And then you have to plan a trip to the beach if you have the cute tote!

Gotta have these wedges! So I ordered both pair.

This necklace is on my birthday list. The larger size, in gold with my initials. Drew, are you reading this?

And my house needs a kick of spring, too. From Pier 1.

I love this summer polish!

Sort of a long list, but a girl has to have dreams, right? What are you wishing for right now?

2:22 PM
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Southern Charm

This weekend Drew and I broke away from the land of Little Einsteins and naps and had a weekend to ourselves! Our destination? The beautiful, historic Savannah, GA.

We arrived Friday evening. Neither of us had been before, so once we checked into our hotel, we hit the streets. We ate dinner in the City Market area. We enjoyed the live music and laid back atmosphere. We stayed at The Marshall House. They claim to be the oldest hotel in Savannah. They certainly could be the prettiest one! It was historically charming, but modern at the same time. I really enjoyed our stay there!

We visited Paula Deen's restaurant, but didn't stick around to eat. Several people had given us a head's up that it's always packed, so I was happy enough just to see the restaurant and browse her gift store.

The next morning we had breakfast at the hotel and were ready to check out the town.

We took an hour-long horse-drawn carriage tour. We both enjoyed it. There is SO much history in Savannah. Our tour guide shared all kinds of stories and pointed out landmarks. We felt much more Savannah-savvy after our tour.

SCAD buildings were everywhere. This was just across the street from our hotel. Our tour guide told us that students that major in historic restoration adopt old buildings all over town and update them.

Do you recognize this piece of land? (I didn't either) However, if you remove the sign and pull up the tulips you have the exact spot where Tom Hanks sat on the bench in Forrest Gump. Cool!

And I felt like we ate the entire time we were there. We had great pizza at Vinnie Van Go Go's and a very nice dinner at the Chart House.

Sunday morning we had breakfast (eating again!) and bid farewell to Savannah.

It was a fun, relaxing weekend. I really enjoyed our trip and would certainly like to visit again!

10:50 AM
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Something to Cheer About

I hope you're in the SPIRIT today. If not, let me get my personal cheerleader on that.

This picture cracks me up! I told her, "Put your hands on your hips." She did, but didn't give me a smile to go along with it. This is serious stuff, people.

Now for the best part of the outfit...

Tee hee! Normally I don't parade my child out in public with writing across her rear, but this was for a special occasion. Libby's friend, Allie, was turning four. And to celebrate, she had a cheerleading party. Fun!

There were "real" cheerleaders there to teach the girls some moves. The little girls mostly they stood there and stared at them, but it was cute.

Group shot of the birthday cheerleaders.

Then they got to decorate a megaphone.

It's really great for helping Libby make LOTS of LOUD noises. (A special thanks to Allie's parents for that one.) I'll have to remember to return the favor!

She had fun cheering and eating cake and ice cream! A WIN in our book!

10:00 AM
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This is Country music, and we do...

Good day, bloggers! We're making our way to the weekend and that makes me happy! I told you last week that we had plans for a concert in town. It was a great show and we had so much fun hanging out with our friends!

We met downtown for dinner before the show. We managed to get 17 of us fed and to the concert on time. No small feat!

I'm so glad we arrived on time, because my new country singer crush, Jerrod Niemann, was the first to perform. He sang his two popular songs, Lover Lover and What do you Want and several cover songs. I really enjoyed his set!

Next up was Darius Rucker. He's just he's so likable. I feel like I know him! Maybe it's because he is Hootie and it takes me back to high school days when he and the Blowfish were all the rage. Darius must have known we were feeling nostalgic and sang several Hootie & the Blowfish hits. He even did a cover of Prince's Purple Rain. So good!

And then it was time for Brad. Isn't he so cute?

And like the other two acts, he did not disappoint! He put on a wonderful show and there we no lulls in the performance. You know, when you are sitting down thinking, "I wish they would stop this 12 minute drum solo and sing a song I know."

We had a great time with great company. It was wonderful to spend time with our friends while our babies were safely tucked in...at someone else's house!