It's Summer!!!!

Time to blog! Even if my mind is in a million places and doesn't have one focused thing to blog about. You've been officially warned of the complete randomness of this post!

Happy Summer, People! It's the most wonderful time of the year for me! Always has been my favorite...and not just because of the break from school.

Growing up, we spent almost every single weekend in the summer at the lake where my grandparents lived. I miss those days, and hope to recapture it when I'm home for the 4th next week.
I love the boat rides, skiing, getting all wrinkly from the water because it's way too hot to not be in the water.
I love the way when other boats pass you, they wave in such a friendly southern way. Everyone is happy on the lake.
I love my grandfather's homemade icecream (and am not going to worry about how many weight watcher points it is!)
I love that when you're out on the lake for the day, it doesn't matter what time it is, and the day seems longer and sweeter than a day not on the lake.
I love how good I sleep at night after the sun and water wears you out.

And the 4th of July, well the lake is simply THE place to be- no questions asked. That's where everyone is. We would put the anchor out at the Marina and watch the boat parade and then the fireworks...the highlight of the year on Lake Hartwell! My sister and three cousins and I would belt patriotic tunes out at the top of lungs. Over and over and over again. We had a lot of fun.

I haven't been home for the 4th of July since college. So the countdown is on.



But before June is officially over, (and can anyone else believe that June/the first half of 2009 is almost officially over???) I have to give a some birthday shout outs to some special people!

Happy Birthday to my bff back home! (We MUST take some pictures when I'm home next week, this one is 3 years old!!)




Happy Birthday to two of my roomies!



Happy Birthday to my Grandmother!




Next up....The Hangover's Sweet Tea Rating. Lots of hype about this one. It's a laugh out loud type of crazy summer movie. I can definitely see why guys adore this one. Could it be the guy's response to He's Just Not that Into You? There's definitely a reason it's rated R. And I definitely have a new crush on Bradley Cooper. I'll give it a generous 4 on the scale. Have you seen it? What did you think?

I also recently watched Revolutionary Road, Gran Torino, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Gran Torino was my favorite followed by Revolutionary Road. I don't even know what to say about Benjamin Button except that it was 2 hours and 45 minutes of Forrest Gump meets The Notebook with a splash of Titanic thrown in for the heck of it. For me, it was kind of a mess.


I know, I know, you've probably had your fill of Jon and Kate drama. But you come here for my 2 cents so here it is! I've been a fan from the beginning when I stumbled upon a marathon of the first season about 3 years ago. I watched the potty training, Alexis' alligator obsession, Maddy's meltdowns, the reorganizing of their home, the twins first music lessons, and the sextuplet's birthday parties.

The appeal of the show for me (besides the adorable kiddies) was watching an ordinary family deal with an extraordinary situation. Over the last few seasons, the show, (and seemingly Jon and Kate themselves) lost touch of that original appeal. They went from working normal jobs, having friends and family a part of their life and show, and clipping coupons to moving into a mini-mansion, taking free vacations to Hawaii/California/Colorado, and accepting all kinds of free gifts.

Being a product of divorce and a blended family (we like to joke that we're functional in our dysfunction), I have to say that I'm glad there weren't cameras all over my house or any sort of audience when we were going through such a personal, heartbreaking, and life changing event. I feel for the Gosselin's and hope that they all come out of this okay!

I've already started watching the new show Raising Sextuplets on WE. These parents work full time, run marathons, the dad is in grad school, and they still find time to smile! I'm SUCH a sucker for shows about big families. (The Duggar's, Jon and Kate, Big Love, Brothers and Sisters)

So there you have it! Complete and total randomness from my summer memories on the lake to movies to Jon and Kate. Plenty of comment material for you to choose from!

Home Sweet Home

Funny how fast 2 weeks can fly by! I'm adjusting to some new things at work and have been out of town in some shape or form the last 3 weekends in a row. Excuses, Excuses. Anyway, I hope to get back into a regular blogging routine.

Last weekend, I went to SC for a quick trip to visit family. It was a packed weekend! As usual, I'm starting with the food. I'm sensing quite a food theme these days.

My mom took me out to a cute little restaurant, Grits and Groceries, that has the BEST food. It's about 12 miles outside of my hometown, but well worth the peaceful country drive. If you're living in the Anderson area and haven't tried it yet, make plans to do so pronto.

Fried Green Tomatoes!

After we stuffed ourselves, it was off to a fabric sale closeby. The place is called All About Fabric and has taken up shop in an old mill. There were rows and rows of every type of fabric imaginable. My mom often finds things here for her many projects, but it was my first time. I was looking for something to complete the bedroom update project. Maybe I was too overwhelmed, but I couldn't make a decision. I found patterns I loved, but not in the colors I wanted.

Then it was off to my cousin's baby shower. I have a relatively small extended family with just one aunt and three cousins, which round out the 5 stairstep grandaughters on my dad's side. I'm proud to be the oldest of the stairsteps. Anywho- this baby is kind of a big deal since it's the first in the family in about 20 years! Needless to say my grandmother can't wait to add the "great" to her name. My cousin was glowing and we had the very rare occasion of all being together. (This is also exhibit #1920394 that shows I look more like my step-sibling-the only other blond in this pic)

The day wasn't over yet! We went to Greenville to Cafe and Then Some for their new show, Obama Mia. More good food, funny show, and great company!

The weekend was rounded out by seeing my bff on her birthday and her adorable kidos. We didn't get pictures, but you'll have to take my word that they're super cuties.

Oh- I also got to meet Ethel Roberts and she is just as sweet in person as she looks in the pageant pictures! She actually recited her ABC's backwards to me- at the age of 97!

Whew....makes me tired just writing the weekend recap!