Spring Forward!

It's that time of year when we lose an hour of sleep but gain an hour of sunshine. I love this time of year (not the lose an hour of sleep part - gain an hour of sunshine part)! I'm looking forward to many things this Spring!

My Birthday!

Darius Rucker with PC

Disney World 

Easter

Pretty Dresses


Bathing Suits

Spoleto

Weekly Wrap Up

- I'm so glad it's Friday! I'm looking forward to having hopefully an uneventful weekend!

- Last night, I had the chance to speak for a group of undergraduate students at my alma mater. I enjoyed it!

- Don't forget to spring forward this weekend!

- It's been a slow day at work. I cleaned my office and had a new computer installed. 22" screen - don't mind if I do!

- I'm looking forward to seeing one of my best friends next week!

- I can't wait to have a vacation!

Spring Fever!

I officially have it!  I love when the seasons are changing.  I know I might be pressing my luck saying that already, but from what I heard, Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow, so maybe, just maybe, Spring is around the corner.

This kind of weather makes me crave:

• Runs outside.
• Strawberry picking.
• Days at the beach.
• Flip flops and Jack Rogers.
• White pants, skirts, and shorts.  (Although this year I may have to seriously considering breaking the tradition of not wearing white before Easter because Easter might as well be in May!)
• Swings and naps in the hammock.
• Dresses like this:



Betsey Dress

Playing Catch Up

It has been entirely too long since I've blogged.  I have been very busy to say the least.  To catch you up on what's been going on in my world the past few weeks, here's a list:

• I spent MLK weekend in Charleston with PC.  We had a triple date with his brother and his girlfriend and his sister and brother-in-law to see Country Strong.  I have to say that as excited as I was about seeing the movie, I was sad at the ending.  I looked at PC when she shut the door after the concert and told him what I thought was going to happen which was what happened.  If you've seen the movie, you'll understand; if not, don't see it if you like happy endings.
• I worked on MLK Day.  Having two days off the week before for all of our snow and a busy week after, my co-workers and I chose to work and take a comp day later.
• Last Wednesday, my sister turned 16!  I can't believe it.  It seems like yesterday that I was doing flips down the stairs at my grandparents when my dad called to tell us to hurry up to the hospital because she had already been born!  More on her special gift later this week.  (I'm currently lusting over it for myself.)
• Also last week, I did something I haven't done before: I went to a meeting a day early.  In my defense, my co-worker and I were asked to attend a ceremony at our State House for economic development ambassadors on behalf of our boss who was traveling.  We both had the date wrong on our calendars and ended up in Columbia a day early.  It wasn't all bad though.  I picked up a mega cupcake from Cupcake for my sister and got a caramel brulee from Starbucks.  If you live in SC and like cupcakes, you need to try Cupcake.  They make the best!
• Last Wednesday, PC had to have surgery at MUSC.  Please keep him and all of us in your prayers.  He did really well and was able to go home the day after.  He has some bling in the form of seven staples in his head he'll be wearing until next Tuesday.
• Given PC's surgery on Wednesday, I went to Charleston after work Tuesday night and came home today.  I had a meeting in Columbia with my marketing firm, so I went straight there from Charleston this morning and shortly after I got to my office, some lovely flowers arrived courtesy of my PC.
• If you live in Columbia and haven't ever eaten at the Gourmet Shop, you're missing out.  Please go there.  I love it.
• I am almost finished with the photo book PC and I are making of this past year.  I'm using Picaboo. 
• Tomorrow is my grandma's 75th birthday!
• I have to get new tires soon.  I travel around my part of the state for work, so as you can imagine, the miles rack up.  My tires are showing it.
• Do any of you watch Chuck?  I love it and tonight's episode deserved an applause!
• I know I've said it before, but I am learning so much reading my daily chronological Bible.  I have to admit that the portions I've been reading in Exodus with all of the laws and burnt offerings for different things have caused me to zone out, but I feel like I'm learning so much.  Last Tuesday, I read about the uproar in Egypt, and as I was watching TV while I was waiting for PC to have his MRI before surgery Wednesday, I was drawn back to what I read the day before.  As bad as everything looks there today, and it looks horrible and I can't even imagine the horror the people are feeling and seeing, it is nothing compared to what it was during Moses' time.  That is so hard to imagine. 
• It's late, but before I go to bed I want to flip through my new Southern Living.  More specifically, I want to see the recipe for the delicious chicken pot pie that's on the cover!

Thoughts for the Day

A totally, completely random list of my thoughts for the day:

• I think every work week should be four days.
• My new favorite thing in the world is a clementine.
• I want to cook more.  I want to try to make one new meal a week.
• I really want to see The Tourist, Little Fockers, and Country Strong. 
• It's not on my 2011 goals, but I am trying to wear more of my "dress" clothes to work.  My office is business casual (which is really a weird term in itself to me, but that's a discussion for another day) unless we have meetings and then it's a suit.  I certainly don't dress sloppy, but I don't always dress my outfit up with accessories or even always wear my favorite clothes when I'm at the office all day.  I'm trying to do better this year.  So far, so good.  I feel more productive when I feel more together.
• Speaking of together, my sheer black hose are currently being held together with a bit of clear nail polish as I accidently made a small run in the thigh portion this morning and didn't have time to change.  No worries, it can't be seen.
• I am almost finished with William and Kate: A Royal Love Story.  I don't know how (and if) accurate it is, but it's been a fun and fast read. 
• This morning, I went to my first meeting for the logistics committee I'm serving on for the Heart Ball.  I left with a new assignment - I'm over volunteers.
• Tonight, we have our first Junior League meeting of 2011.  I'm curious to see what our new signature project options are (the e-mail I received sounds exciting) and also, hopefully, round up some volunteers for the Heart Ball.
• PC and I are having date night tomorrow night!  We see each other practically every day, but with the holidays and everything, we haven't had an "official" us date night in a few weeks.  I'm excited!
• I'm not doing so well with my weight training twice a week goal.  The gym has been packed all week with all of the resolution makers I'm sure, and I don't like to fight the crowds.  Ha!  PC and I ran a few miles earlier this week, but that's been it for me this week.  I hope to run outdoors this weekend if it's not too cold.  And by too cold I mean in the 40s.
• I made a new budget yesterday.  I like to see where I waste my money and where I can save more.  For the last year, I've tracked my spending and saving, but not to the extent I am going to this year.  Something about this excites me.  I know, it's crazy. 
• Speaking of budgets, I wish I had paid more attention in finance in undergrad and graduate school.  I'm really interested in it now and have learned some on my own, but I wish I hadn't chosen finance to be the class I crammed for the night before the test and memorized enough to make a good grade.  I think I'd really like to work in finance one day.

Highlights of this Past Year

• A great 2010 New Year's Eve and Day.
• Many concerts: Michael Buble, Martina McBride, Darius Rucker (three times!), Hootie and the Blowfish, a spur of the moment road trip to Raleigh for Brad Paisley and Darius Rucker, and Spoleto.
• Holidays with my great PC and family.
• Beach trip.
• The Battery.
• Some additional responsibilities at work.  Nothing official, but with the economy slowly turning around, my work in economic development has picked up.
• An awesome Vacation Bible School.
• Some runs - The Cooper River Bridge Run, Ray Tanner's Home Run, and the Turkey Day Trot.

There's are only a few of my favorite memories from this year!

Happy Monday!  It has been way too long since I last blogged, and instead of giving you the preverbial "I'm sorry, but I've been busy," I'll share with you what's been going on since, oh, November.

1.  PC and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with both of our families.  We started out Thanksgiving by running the Turkey Day Trot and then celebrating with his family in Charleston before heading to my home to celebrate with my family.  After two big and delicious turkey dinners in less than five hours, I'd say we were stuffed.

2.  On Black Friday, I don't shop.  I can't.  I love the hustle and bustle with crowds in the few days and even the week leading to Christmas, but the day after you will not find me camping out or getting up early.  I prefer my nice, cozy bed.  On Black Friday night, though, my mom, sister, PC, and I went to see Christmas on Ice in Myrtle Beach.  I used to ice skate, so I really wanted to see it, and I think we all had a good time.

3.  I've almost finished Christmas shopping.  Besides a few odds and ends, I'm done.  My mom and I shopped last weekend and PC and I did some more this past weekend.  With a few online orders I've just placed, I'm about done.

4.  We had our Christmas handbell concert at my church last night.  It was nice and it always puts me in the Christmas spirit.

5.  This week is going to be both busy and slow at the same time.  I can't believe there are only 12 days until Christmas!

What I've Been Up To

It's been a LONG time since I last blogged!  Instead of giving you the usual excuses, I'll just share some of the fun things from the last few weeks:

• Last weekend, two of my best friends and I went to Charlotte to Christmas shop.  We went up on Friday night after work and had a delicious dinner.  On Saturday, we shopped until we dropped!  We made our way in to Southpark Mall before 11 and powershopped until about 4:30 when we stopped for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.  I was able to get some Christmas shopping and some me shopping (admit it - we all "me" shop while we're Christmas shopping!) done and spend a wonderful weekend with two of my best friends!
• Last week was a busy one for me.  I took Friday off, so Monday-Thursday were packed at work getting things done.  I had several events to go to as well which took out some of my normal work hours.  Luckily, I got everything accomplished that I needed to, so I am able to relax this week as I took it off, too. 
• On Thursday, PC and I went to Columbia to hear Jerry Seinfeld at the Township Auditorium.  He was great!  After that, we headed to Charleston for the weekend.
• On Friday, we went to see PC's precious nephew receive an excellent student award.  He's in kindergarten.  After that, we ran some errands and did some Christmas shopping.  I also got some new nail polish.  Normally, I polish my nails clear or a pale pink, but I bought three of Essie's new fall colors.  We stopped for lunch at Atlanta Bread which was a special treat because the one in our town abruptly shut down with no explanation and it was a place I always loved to go to grab a quick sandwich for lunch and a caramel macchiato  If you like caramel macchiatos, I would definitely try ABC.  It doesn't even compare to Starbucks in my opinion.
• After church on Sunday, we ate Mexican and I tried something new.  I usually get a chimichanga or a quesadilla, but I had a fundido.  It was delicious!  PC and I talked about going to see "Morning Glory" Sunday afternoon, but when I was looking up the movie times, I saw that "Fair Game" was finally playing in our area, so we went to see that.  I love spy-related things and had read Valerie Plame Wilson's book last year and really wanted to see the movie. 
• All in all, it was one of the best weekends!
• Yesterday, my mom and I went down to the beach Christmas shopping for the day.  I think I have almost finished!  That's rare for me because I'm always a last minute shopper!
• Last night, PC came over and I made lasagna for the first time.  If I say so myself, it was pretty delicious!
• Today, I'm planning on doing nothing.  I really want to read more of Decision Points, President Bush's new book, catch up on some shows I've missed, go for a run, and organize some things.  Since it's before 8:30 and I've already been awake for two hours (why can't I sleep late on the days I'm off?), I should be able to get everything done!
• Tonight, PC and I are going to Charleston to start the Thanksgiving festivities.  On Thursday, we're running the Turkey Day Trot then having Thanksgiving lunch with his family, after that, we're heading back here for dinner with my family.  I'm so excited!

If I'm  not back before, I hope you all have a very happy Thanksgiving!

A Great Weekend and Decorating Advice

I hope you all had a great weekend!  I did!

On Saturday, PC and I ran the Ray Tanner Home Run 5K.  It was fun!  After the run, we went to The Gourmet Shop for lunch and hung out in Columbia for a while before heading to Charleston for the rest of the weekend.

I'm back at work today and gearing up for a busy week ahead.

On to more pressing matters, I need to decorate my office, or rather, redecorate it.  When I first started my job almost 3! years ago, I thought I'd have time to decorate and make it "mine."  Needless to say, I was thrown into some big projects like creating a marketing campaign and materials on my first day, for instance, and I haven't taken the time to do anything since.  I have beautiful creamy white walls (sense the sarcasm) and a mahagony desk and a bookcase.  With the exception of a large picture hanging on one wall, a turquoise glass vase, and two boards with photos, quotes, and some other things, it's plain.  I work in a pretty conservative field, so I can't do anything crazy, but any ideas will be greatly appreciated!

It's Been a While

It's been almost two weeks since I've posted!  To say the past two weeks have been busy would be an understatement.  I think today is a bulleted list kind of day.

• How about the Carolina/Alabama game on Saturday?  I would share pictures, but I haven't uploaded them from my camera yet.  PC and I took my little sister and her boyfriend to the game with us.  We also left early enough to get to ESPN Game Day which was really cool. 
• My JL's holiday showcase turned out great!  We had a ton of new vendors and I think everyone was pleased.  I picked up a few Christmas gifts and a few things for myself including this:



Lilly Pulitzer Colby Dress

• I'm looking forward to the weekend ahead.
• Last night, I fell asleep on the couch about 9:30 while we were watching Saturday Night Live.  I was in bed by 10.  I feel so refreshed and like I caught up on all my sleep today!

It's Monday: A Hodgepodge

I hope you all had a great weekend!  Mine was nice and relaxing!

Friday night, we had dinner from the Greek Festival and then just hung out.  I didn't make a wreath on Saturday, but I did start cleaning out my closet and switching over to fall.  That's going to be a job!  Sadly, the Gamecocks didn't win, but it was a good game to watch.  Yesterday, I went to church and literally did nothing else the whole day!  I usually get really bored when I have nothing planned, but sometimes, days like yesterday afternoon are the best!  Plus, it'll be a while before I have another day that lazy as the next two weeks are extremely busy with a Board meeting and two day event for work plus our Junior League's holiday showcase next weekend (and I'm the chair of the Merchants Committee!).

That reminds me, I haven't said anything about work on here, and since we're still in the "introductory stage", now would be the appropriate time to do so.  I work as the marketing/fundraising director for a regional group.  I don't plan to give too many details away as my job is quasi-political and well, I just don't feel comfortable throwing it all out there.  Plus, I'm not one that likes to bring work home. 

Moving on.

I am turning over a new leaf this week.  A workout leaf.  You see, I used to work out all the time and run almost every day.  Lately, as in the past month, I haven't.  I've been busy, tired, and full of excuses, and it stops.  Today.  I'm going to the gym after work.  Working out consistently and eating right makes you feel so much better so there's no excuse for not doing it. 

One more thing: The Event.  Did you watch it?  Like it?  I watched it Saturday morning and I'm not sure about it.  I wasn't in to LOST, but I think I might like this one.  I need to give it another try.

Happy Monday!

Thursday Night TV - It's Good Again!

If you're like me, Thursday is one of your favorite television nights.  I say one because I also love Monday nights because of Chuck.  What did you all think of last night's shows?

30 Rock
This season is going to be great!  I love Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin and last night's episode certainly has me excited to see what this season holds.

The Office
I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about The Office this year.  I haven't ever "fallen in love" with The Office like I have with the other shows I watch, but I have watched it since it started, mostly.  Last year, I wasn't too impressed.  It seemed to be boring and slow, but last night, I actually laughed out loud.

Outsourced
Oh.  My.  Goodness.  I loved it!  I totally had forgotten about this show until I had lunch with one of my best friends yesterday and she mentioned she was going to watch it.  I'm so glad I did!

The Big Bang Theory
Hilarious.  Hands down.  And I have a coworker who according to PC has the Sheldon disorder.  It's true.  Come to think of it, I have another coworker who is just like Andy from The Office.  What is it about Thursday night TV reminding me of some men that work with me?!?

We didn't watch The Community, but it's DVR'd for later. 

How about The Real Housewives of DC?  Are you into it?  I love NY and NJ, but haven't made up my mind on DC yet. 

I feel like this post makes me sound like I do nothing but watch TV.  That's entirely not true, but if it was, who cares?  I haven't really ever had "shows" that I watch when they come on in the past few years due to graduate school, church, Junior League and other obligations, but I decided there's no time like the present to dive in.  Thank goodness for DVR!