Something strange just happened.

Let me back up a bit.

Last week we couldn't find Madison's leash so we had to take her outside with toys to bribe her from running off. It always worked unless a cat came into sight and that was it. There were 2 or 3 times she just took off after the cat and the last time I finally got her, my neighbor was waiting on the stairs with her dog as I was walking back, holding Maddie, scolding her.

I apologized and said, "sorry we've lost our leash so we have to stick to bribes until we can find it."

She responded nicely, but now I'm starting to wonder if it was condescending, with: "oh we have lots of leashes should you need one."

I went inside and didn't think anything about it.

Fast forward two days later. This morning I took Maddie out (on the leash...it was in the car go figure) and on the railing outside my door was a 6ft hot pink leash. Obviously this is her way of saying, keep your crazy dog on a leash.

I'm a smidge disturbed though. Why wouldn't she just knock on my door? And now that I've found our leash, I have no need for it. So I guess it will just stay there until she takes it back.

VERY STRANGE.

This woman is very strange too. I guess I'm just used to the Southern way where someone would bring that over as an excuse to come to your place and politely say, hey get it together.

Ahhh I've been busy ever since I got back and haven't had time to do a new post. I expected to be slammed with work, so this is no surprise to me. Work is just that...work. And i've been exhausted all week long.

Tuesday night we went to our favorite spot Chez Pierre for dinner with friends. Wednesday night we had a cookout wth the same friends and then Thursday night I had to stay late at work to help put together kits for an upcoming fundraiser.

So by the time that Friday came, I said ENOUGH! Last night, Ry and I stayed in and cooked dinner, which was delicious if I must say so myself. We splurged and got some shrimp and made a garlic-shrimp pasta dish. I HATE recipes which is part of the reason I don't get into cooking. I'm a throw a bunch of things in a pan type of cook. The other reason I don't like cooking is because I can never decide what to make. Going to the grocery store is a challenge in itself to me! I always end up walking out with the same thing, nothing that will add up to a meal. Maybe this is why I eat cereal twice a day!

This morning Ry had a 7 mile race he ran in...I did NOT. I slept in and have been super lazy all day. Well, my idea of lazy is a little different that others(ahmmmm DECK!!?!?). I've given myself a personal day filled with trips to places like TJMAXX and Tuesday Morning. I'm starting to get the itch to decorate again. And since I'm on a budget, I have to go to places like this. BUT, I'm not gonna lie...I've found a bunch of amazing things there! I bought a rug for my living room and some pear paintings (**pictures on the way). Now, I'm really on the hunt for some great looking but inexpensive window treatments for the living room. I've read a lot of blogs with some great ideas for this. I guess I ought to trek it down to the fabric store and see if I can find a nice sale! Now I just have to learn to sew.

Hope yall are having a great weekend!!

I'm a little behind posting this, but things are always crazy when you get back from a week long vacation! Things are good here in Florida. Enjoyed my day back to work, and thankfully wasn't slammed with too much to do (the normal HUGE pile of MDA was waiting on me though). It was nice to be back in the swing of things. I definitely needed that break from work. I came back strong and ready to raise some more money!

BACKING UP...

The traveling home was the biggest headache EVER! Island time is so different from the rest of the world. They don't worry about hurrying ANYTHING and hey, if you miss your flight...you'll catch the next one. Too bad there's only 2 per day! Going through customs and all that jazz was very stressful. The airport was completely unorganized and we BARELY made our flight...BARELY! So to say we were ready to get home was an understatement.

BACKING UP A LITTLE MORE...

Sarah and I went Parasailing the last day we were there. Its something I've always wanted to do and we both had a blast doing it. Its not scary at all except for a few moments when you're really high up and the constant Aruban wind starts blowing you around. Other than that, its very peaceful. Just makes me want to go skydiving even more! That one is the next on my list!!

Here I am up in the air.

And this one is Sarah

Right before I took off

Here's where we ate breakfast one morning. Right on the beach.

Check out mom's 2nd degree burned feet. The day we went snorkeling, she forgot to put sunscreen on her feet. Well, you all know how fair skinned she is. Any touch of sun and she burns. Getting through the airport was quite the challenge for her because she could barely walk.

Gotta get back to the grind. More to come soon. It wont be as exciting as Aruba, but hopefully I'll have some fun things to share!

Thought I'ld share 2 more pictures of the views from the balcony. We're off to go shopping and have a nice lunch. Fresh seafood here I come!!

What if you lived in a neighborhood like this? On the beach...in ARUBA!

And what if you looked out your balcony every morning and saw this? Hmmm tough choices...lounge chair on the beach in the sun or under a straw umbrella!

On a different note, as much fun as I'm having here, I will have to admit I really am missing work today. They're having another lockup today and I am sad that I can't be there for it. The events we do are really rewarding when we get to see the members. All the hard work is totally worth it. There are times that I start wondering, but these events make it all worthwhile!

Its been another 2 days of relaxation down here. We've all been getting in a lot of time on the lounge chairs working on our tans, thank goodness! Last night, Sarah and I went on the Party Bus. Absolutely hilarious...more on that later! And then, this morning we got up early and us girls went on a catamaran to go snorkeling. I'm almost through a whole bottle of new sunscreen, thats how bright it is down here, not complaining though:) !!

Here are some pictures of what's going on recently. Enjoy!

Took this picture of the sailboat last night on our party bus tour. We started the fun with a champagne toast on the beach and I snuck this picture in!

Moving on to the snorkeling trip. Here's Sarah and I taking a quick break from snorkeling. We docked at 3 different spots, one of which was a sunken German ship from the 1940's. VERY weird, but cool!

Here's us girls on the boat ride out to snorkeling.

Back to the party bus pub crawl night. This is a shot of our crazy crowd ranging from college to 60's. The lady was the tour guide and she somehow conned some of the guys up on the bar to dance with their shirts off. If you ask me, I'd rather some put them back on!

And at dinner there was free body paint so Sarah and I said, why not! She opted for Aubie, getting a few wierd looks from all those northerners!

And last but not least, here we are on the party bus. We all had maracas to shake out the window. So much fun, I just wish I had all of you with me to make it even more fun!

Tomorrow, we're going shopping and then a sunset cruise on another catamaran. I don't really know how I'm going to return to reality. I'm quite happy in paradise!

Greetings from Aruba! We got in yesterday afternoon and are having a BLAST!! Unfortunately, Ryan wasn't able to come because of work, so its just the four of us here. Today Sarah and I sat by the pool all day working on our tans and I must say, I no longer look like I've been sleeping in a coffin for a few years! The resort we're staying at is INCREDIBLE...complete with a lazy river and swim in bar...what more could we ask for??


**Sorry these pictures are out of order, I cant figure out Blogger...STILL

For dinner, we went to a restaurant that brings out your food on an incredibly hot stone and you cook it right there. Mom and Dad have raved about this place and I've always been suspicious, but it was pretty cool. The night was complete with a stray cat that came to our table and mom fed it steak and shrimp. Some things never change.

Here's me and the Deckster

I know its ridiculous but we're making fun of that movie, Forgetting Sarah Marshall. There's a scene where an Asian tourist couple are taking pictures at dinner doing EXACTLY what we're doing in this picture. Classic.

And this guy was found under the chair next to me today. Sounds disgusting and scary but they're tame and leave people alone. They're EVERYWHERE!

I took this last night when we got to the beach for the first time. Dont worry...there will be plenty more pictures to come!

Tomorrow night, Sarah and I are celebrating St. Patricks Day in true Aruban style...riding on the party bus. Now, some of you may remember, my mom has a thing for this party bus. Several years ago, when Mom had surgery, they had recently gone to Aruba. As she was coming to from the anesthisia, all she could talk about was this party bus. The preacher is in the hospital room with the family and it was a VERY scary time for all of us and all the woman could do is rave about the party bus. She was loopy and drugged up and quite frankly, it made us all laugh! The party bus is basically a bar crawl. It takes you around town and you get to be loud and obnoxious as you ride from bar to bar. Believe it or not, my parents are buying Sarah's and my tickets for it.

More Aruban fun stories to come...I'm sure tomorrow will provide plenty!

Had the MOST fun I've had in quite a while this weekend with Sara's wedding! We got in Friday night just in time for the rehearsal dinner, which was AMAZING! Best rehearsal dinner I've ever been to ... hands down!

Yesterday afternoon, we all got ready at Sara's aunt's house which is right across the street from the church. Her house was incredible...I had a jaw drop AT ALL TIMES!

The wedding was beautiful and very sweet. May have a had a few mishaps, like me not knowing where I was supposed to go since I didnt get to the rehearsal...not so much fun, but it worked.

And then the fun really started once we got to the reception. I wish I had taken pictures of the venue because it was unlike anything I've ever seen before!

Got to catch up with old friends and had the best time ever!

That's right, I caught the bouquet! I fought for that sucker! Ryan went around all night bragging about it! If I had a dollar for every time I was asked yesterday when we're getting married, I'ld be able to buy a new outfit! So here's to hoping the superstition is true!!

Got to see Chad, one of my best friends from high school...LOVE this boy!

And then Ryan decided to take the bow off my dress and wear it around.

Not the best, but another framer of us...thats a rarity!

High School blast from the past! And no I'm no PG, that dress did that to all of us...I dont care though, it was comfortable and I Loved it!

All in all, an amazing weekend! So glad we got to be part of the most fun wedding I've ever been to. Sara was by far the best bride ever. Never nervous or anxious....calm and happy at all times. Eating sandwiches right before walking down the aisle. Gosh I love that girl!!

The next week is going to be crazy with a capital C. Tomorrow, we're heading up to Montgomery to Sara Whatley's wedding weekend...so excited about this one! It will be a very action packed weekend, but hopefully I can squeeze in some time with the family on Sunday before we have to head back.

Then all next week I will be working EXTRA hard to get everything ready to leave for a week because I'll be ARUBA that next week!! Time has FLOWN by and its crazy that its almost here.

So sometime today, I have to figure out how I'm going to get packed for the weekend, leave early from work tomorrow and get EVERYTHING else done.

Pictures of the wedding are promised...just not sure when :)

I had a War Eagle Moment!!

So I need to share this story. Bear with me...its tough being an Auburn fan in a sea of FSU and UF fans!


Yesterday I picked Ryan up from basketball and we went to do our usual Sunday night grocery shopping at Publix. I've really grown to love that place. At first I hated it because I was a Kroger girl in my college days...100%! But this is all Florida has, so I've learned to love it.


Moving on to the story. We were getting out of the car and it was FREEZING! This truck pulls up and I noticed a window was rolled down. I'm thinking this person must be crazy. It was 32 Degrees and wind strong enough to chap my face in the time it took to walk into the store. The truck pulled up next to me as I'm walking in the parking lot and this little girl sticks her head out the window and yelled "WAR EAGLE!!!" at the top of her lungs!! I of course said it right back and we both smiled. I'm still waiting on Ryan and the truck moved up in line a little bit. I told him what happened and he looked at me with a fake smile and said something like, "ahh thats cool." He totally doesnt get it. We walked past the truck and the dad rolled down his window and said it again and I noticed his Auburn alum sticker. I told him war eagle and he said, "its good to know theres people like you here." I told him I agreed!

So my day was completely made right then and there! We bought our groceries...splurged a bit and got food for a super fancy meal that we cooked together last night. I came home and got online only to see pictures of Samford Hall covered with snow. I got a little sentimental. I really do miss that place!!

Happy Monday!

A little Destin getaway...

It's been short, but sweet. Our weekend getaway to Destin is JUST what we needed! Life in Tallahassee has been very crazy the past few weeks. So, this weekend is exactly what the doctor prescribed!!


Originally, we were going to Destin because Ryan was going to run in the half marathon this weekend. BUT when we woke up this morning and it was 38 degrees and 20mph winds, he changed his mind oh so quickly. I was not upset ONE BIT!!


Yesterday, we spent the majority of the day in the car. We took Madison with us and she was a good little car dog for the day.

We decided to pop over to Seaside to map out the race, really and truly just an excuse for me to go to my favorite part of Florida...the Grayton Beach/Seaside/Rosemary Beach area. We spent a good bit of time just driving around looking at houses...dreaming!

Had a REALLY tough time finding a beach where dogs are allowed. It made it quite the challenge because Madison was getting quite anxious in the car. Poor little girl!

So we stopped in Rosemary Beach and took a fun walk around the town. She LOVED all of the attention and the weather was nice. Although it was kind of gloomy and overcast, I had my jeans rolled up and a shortsleeve shirt on. I cant complain too much!

And then we stopped here!!!

If you haven't been to Harbor Docks, you are REALLY missing out! I have NEVER had better sushi than this. Our sushi chef talked with us and asked us what we like/dislike. Then he told us what was the freshest and best fish he had and we let him have free reign. We were fighting over it ...it was that amazing!! We went here for Ryan's birthday back in August, so it holds a special place in my heart.

Now we're back in TLH and things are back to normal. Sunday afternoon...Ryan playing basketball...Maddie girl and me cleaning the apartment.

Hope yall had a good weekend!

My countdown to Aruba has officially begun...only 2 weeks TODAY!