New Kids on the Block

They are back!!!! New Kids on the Block better known as NKOTB are coming to ATL for their new tour. I am so excited. They were my very first concert ever. Furman...1980 something. Awesome. So the other week in the pool as we discussed our plans to go see the concert, everyone busted out in Step By Step, The Right Stuff and Hangin' Tough. It was AWESOME. An innocent bystander could not help but burst out laughing. I mean he wanted to go to, let's be honest. Who could not love Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre (my personal fav), Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood.

Who's excited? http://www.nkotb.com/

Until next Time...Blog On!

How old is too old.....

....to suck a pacifier? Random question, I know, but valid all the same. You see one may think this is a simple question with a simple answer. But after a recent run in with an 8 maybe 9 year old little girl who was sucking so hard on a pacifier that she could not be bothered to answer my question, I decided....really??? How old is too old? If I would have not been so shocked, I would have taken a picture with my camera phone of this...it was priceless. The blog would become as popular as Perez, You-Tube or People.com :) I mean you had to be there, but it may have been the funniest thing I have ever seen. I am still laughing about it.

Untill next time....Blog On

Charleston

I have always loved Charleston but now that I have moved away, I appreciate it too. People who have never lived there (and no a summer doesn't count) can't quite understand the love one develops for this lovely place. You see the longer you stay, the more you begin to see the city through "local eyes". You no longer just enjoy Folly Beach during the peak of the summer. No, you begin to love walks during the fall after a long day at work when you need to just clear the mind and smell the ocean air. You no longer run the bridge once a year during the Cooper River Bridge Race. Yet, you enjoy the occasional run late in the afternoon when you can watch the sunset and then see all the lights from the city sparkle on the water below. You know that the best seafood in town is far, far away from the market, no matter what all the signs say. You no longer have to have an excuse or festival to enjoy an oyster roast, but just some good friends. You discover the hidden jewel known as the Old Village. You enjoy Sunday evenings at POE's when no one else is there. You no longer get frustrated by all the one way streets because you know them by heart. You even chuckle at the visitors coming straight at you, learning their way around. You can't quite appreciate scenic artwork the same as you use to, as you have the real thing right in front of you everyday. You know just what someone means when they say Caper's for the 4th. You discover how the city can have so many looks and feels depending on your location, may it be IOP, the waterway, Morris Island, JI or Folly, Sullivans, The Creek, Downtown rooftops or even West Ashley. And you love them all for the different "sweetness" they bring to the table. It truly becomes a love affair. I believe my single greatest love thus far in my life has been with a city and that city is Charleston. (OK that is probably a little bit of a stretch, of course JC is first then family and friends...but you get my point) I have traveled to many wonderful places, done some cool things and seen some truly amazing sites....but still I have a hard time comparing any of them with the sheer delight I get when I start to come in on 26 and smell the musk of the marsh and know I am HOME!

Coffee

I am not sure if anyone loves coffee the way that I love coffee. (Please feel free to leave comments if you think this is an unfair statement.) You see I start my brew every morning when I first get up, like many. But the difference is it makes me smile every time. Just the smell of it. Before it ever hits my lips I can taste it. Also, I like to try all kinds of coffee. From other countries, different roasts and different flavors (Yes, I love me some flavors). My top 2 flavors are Blueberry Cobbler and Chocolate Truffle. The funny thing is I am not a morning person at ALL!!!!! But with a great cup of Joe they are bearable and I can start my day with a smile and a little happiness in my heart. I think it is important to find some joy in the things that aren't necessarily enjoyable to you.

Until next time, blog on!

"If they could see us now.....

We have made it BIG!".....This is what Maria and I were saying on a recent work trip together in Charleston. We are saying this as we are in a convenient store, both on our hands and knees, moving equipment, touching god knows what and wearing latex gloves all the while.... And honestly having a blast!!!! You see although my best friend and I work for technically the same company, we do very different jobs and usually are always in a different city, so when we had the opportunity to spend 2 days working together in Charleston, it was a go... no matter what it was.

We were with a large group and all split into teams of two. Our goal: to place as many ice coffee cooler as possible (Cinnabon, try it, it's good!) and as quickly as possible. The reward: bragging rights....and Mia and I are competitive. So no amount of disgusting grease and gunk was going to stop us. But as we snapped on our latex gloves waddling into the store with our cooler, I looked at Maria and said "If anyone sees me I am going to kill you"....laughing she said yeah, people would be like "these are their plush Coke jobs, really?"...

To really put a picture behind the words, see Maria and me in action. Nothing was beneath us; we delivered equipment, set stores, mopped spills and everything in between including crawling behind trash bins to get to electrical outlets. Oh yeah...if they could see us now!!!!

Until next time.....Blog On!

Why I am excited about summer...

It is light outside until 9:00.

Trips to the beach- and being on the water in general.

Home grown tomatos.

Bluegrass at El Burrito.

Eating outdoors at restaurants.

Sweet-tea.

Wearing white and searsucker.
Flip-flops.

Jimmy Buffet, Kenny Chesney, Jack Johnson

Beach music--shagging

Cold Coca-Cola .

Suntans.

Sundresses.

Sunglasses.

Kids playing outside.

Swimming in the pool.

Happy First Day of Summer!

Until Next time...blog on -A&E

11:11

I love 11:11, always have loved it. Not sure why. I especially love when on Oct.11 (11/11) it happens to be 11:11. Some reason it just tickles me. It probably has to do with some childhood memory, i just don't recall...but still I LOVE it. So I recently did a little research to see what the world wide web said about 11:11.

According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Numerologists believe that events linked to the time 11:11 appear more often than chance or coincidence. This belief is related to the concept of synchronicity. Other authors believe it is an auspicious sign, and others that it signals a spirit presence.

Basically, no one knows really. People are just attracted to it, as am I. I always say a little phrase when I happen to glance down and it is 11:11 on my cell or another clock. I say, "I wish I may, I wish I might at 11:11 tonight (or) I wish I might, I wish I may at 11:11 today...and then I make a wish. Corny YES. But still in my mid-twenties, I say it every time. When did I start doing this, why, did I get this from someone else...Don't know.

Does this count as enlightening?

Until Next Time....Blog On-A&E

Britney Spears may be a mess,

But she has created some really good perfumes. I get many compliments on my Fantasy scent, but still get a bit embarrassed when naming my fragrance. Britney, tighten up, so I can spray my perfume with pride!

Until next time....blog on -A&E

Happy Father's Day

I have a wonderful father! Not only has he been a good dad but now he is also a good friend. My love of the outdoors/sport comes from him. So whether we are going on a hike, running some trails in downtown Greenville or at a college football game......it is always "extra special" because I am doing it with him.
I love you, Dad! Happy Father's Day!

Also- Happy Father's Day to the 2nd BEST Dad that I know, my brother. I always knew you would be an incredible dad, but you have amazed me still!

Until Next Time.....Blog On!

SNC weekend

The much anticipated Sex and the City movie came out on May 30 and after much discussion and planning a few girlfriends and I finally got our "eggs in a row" and had a fun-filled girl's weekend. Ok you might have just corrected me with the whole "eggs in a row" comment, but those who know me best know that I actually meant just what I said. I tend to have my own sayings that are slightly (and sometimes not so slightly) different variations to the common phrases we all use. They are called Ericaisms. That can be a whole other post on another day.

Back to the topic at hand. So what did I think about the movie?......My professional review, I liked it. Didn't love it. But I think that is because I had such high expectations. I mean how were they going to finish it any better than they had already done. This got me thinking. Funny how some of the great moments in life can be a let down, just because they are so worked up in your head beforehand... you know like a vacation you've planned for awhile, a New Year's Eve party, graduations, even your wedding day (or so I've heard).

Most of the really GREAT times in life are the unexpected moments...the bliss you do not plan. So I've decided I am going to go against my nature and do less planning in my life. I'll let you know how that goes.

It was great though to see 3 of my favorite people: Lauren, Staci and Mandi! (better known as Carrie, Samantha and Miranda...I'm Charlotte..duh?)

Until Next Time....Blog On!

The Publix Man

I am a huge fan of the publix man who works at the Gervais street store in the meat section (http://www.publix.com/). Why am I a fan you might ask? Well, that answer is pretty easy. I love grocery shopping, I love to eat, I love food, and I love to talk about grocery shopping, eating, and food. Publix man shares these interests, and always has a few recipes to share. He helped me impress my bf with a crab-meat stuffed Cornish hen. Also, Erica doesn't know it yet, but he helped me pick out two pretty salmon fillets for a special dish involving cumin (her favorite spice). Also, he recently gave me some tips on how to cook a pork roast with peach jam filling. So, thank you Publix man, for putting a smile on my face. In the spirit of sharing the joys of food, we are going to share a yummy, easy recipe with you:

Sundried Tomato Chicken

1 Bottle Sundried Tomato Salad Dressing

1 Jar Sundried Tomatoes

1 Pound Chicken Breasts

Oregano, Seasoning Salt, Garlic Powder, Parsley

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

pound chicken breasts to 1/4 inch thick

spray shallow glass baking dish with Pam

place chicken in dish

Season Chicken with spices

Pour enough salad dressing to cover the chicken

Top with sundried tomatoes to taste

Cover with tin foil

Bake approximately 30 minutes

This meal is SO simple, and yummy

I suggest serving it with saffron rice and a steamed green vegetable.

ENJOY!

Until next time.....Blog On- A&E

When I grow up.....

Ever think about what you want to be when you grow up? And no I don't think you are ever too old to use that phrase. So what to be? I can not decide? I have different plans for different phases. Like the "mommy phase". Lord willing and I become a Mom one day in the traditional sense (with a husband), then I think it would be perfect to be a teacher while my kids are in the elementary/middle school ages. I also think I would really enjoy being a teacher. I do love to "teach" and I usually have patience with others. I can imagine it now. Summers off, being able to attend all school functions, knowing all the best teachers for my kids, being able to have a career that allows to first be a GREAT mom.... Yes, I may be a teacher when I grow up.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Until next time...blog on!

All in a SONG

I am not a music person...I'll just say that to begin with. It is not like I don't like music, I actually LOVE it. You see I just don't know any of the artist, titles to songs, or usually the words. Or correct words, I should say, I tend to make up my own.

All of this being said, I think it is so bizarre how a song can bring back a specific moment in time so easily. Every detail; where I was, what I was doing, how I felt, who was there, even what I was wearing sometimes. The name of the song/who sings it...nah, but everything else etched into my brain forever. Crazy how that works?!?! But how sweet it is. A song can take you right back to some of your most favorite spots, with some of your most favorite people. My girlfriends and I in college always played our own little game we called "dance party". This is where we would get in a car (usually the Jetty...thanks Lauren!) and drive all around Charleston, windows down singing to the top of our lungs and dancing like we were on our feet. Happy place and good (no great) times...and it is all in a SONG!

Until next time...Blog On! A&E

Full House

I miss TGIF. Full House, Family Matters, Step by Step...those were the days. Today everything on TV is too bloody, sad, and dysfunctional. Yes, dysfunctional is more realistic than the TGIF families, but is there really a problem with slipping away into a world where the biggest problem is figuring out whether DJ should finally get her own room?

For a while, the closest I got to Full House was seeing pictures of the scarily thin Olsen twins on Perezhilton.com and people.com. Thankfully, I recently found Full House DVDs and am the proud owner of seasons one and two. Now I can travel back to the days of "cut it out," "how rude," "you've got it dude," and smile when every episode ends with a hug.

Until next time...blog on -A&E

WAKE UP CALLS......

No not the sounds that alert us at 6:30am, 7am or later if we are lucky,..but the events that occur in our lives sometimes. I had a major one of these a few months ago when I totaled my Honda Accord on I-26, crossing over 4 lanes of traffic, hitting the guard-rail of a bridge and flipping my car upside down.....all to walk (well crawl) out of it with nothing more than a few cuts and bruises. Minor, minor cuts and bruises. Wow!?!? If that isn't a wake up call, I don't want God to test me with any others.

I felt really strange for the next few weeks. Trying to figure out why I had been so lucky, what if I hadn't been so lucky, wow- I hadn't died-crazy? This got me thinking about life and mainly my relationships. Because say I wouldn't have been so lucky, nothing other than my relationships would have mattered. It wouldn't matter that I did or didn't finish that report for work, it wouldn't have mattered if I had made it to the bank or gone on a 4 mile run, it wouldn't have mattered if I had gone to Wal-Mart to pick up TP, laundry detergent, etc.....No, none of the things on my to-do-list would have matter if they were checked off or crossed through. What would have matter, would have been how I spoke to my mom and dad in our last phone conversations, whether I had told my close friends what they meant to me, whether I had made an impact or invested in other's lives. It is amazing how clear things were to me. How simply life seemed.

Now, a few months have passed and old me returned, worrying over the day-to-day tasks....but still every now and again, I stop and remember what I realized after my "wake up call". We are not guaranteed tomorrow. Make the most of each day, and live your life as my favorite quote states. "The purpose of life is a life of PURPOSE!" What is your purpose? Not to complete your To-Do-List, I can promise you that.

Until next time.....Blog On, A&E

NASCAR

I have a confession, I have become a NASCAR fan. Not a full-fledged NASCAR fan, but I did attend my first ever race and loved it. OK, to be honest, I didn't so much see the race, but all the excitement and festivities before the race was enough of a good time to convince me to go again.

I had been dreading going to the All-Star race for weeks beforehand, but had to go for work. So I made plans to go early, help out, make my appearance and leave to go to G'Vegas to meet up with some old friends later that evening. Before I knew it was 6pm and I had to leave and didn't want to. I was kicking myself for making other plans. But how would I have known I would like NASCAR??? See what I never knew is that a race has to be the single BEST place to do people watching on earth. And I love me some people watching. Also, it is like a HUGE football tailgate (say 100 times the size of any given Saturday at William Brice). And I love me some tailgating. So put these 2 things together (people watching and tailgating) and you have yourself a good time.

Now all I need me is a driver. I think it would only be appropriate if I actually hooted and hollered for my driver like all the rest. I mean if I am going to do this thing, I am going to do it right. So any suggestions for a good driver? My only stipulation is that he must be cute!

Until next time...Blog On!

Happy Birthday!

Today is a very special woman's birthday...my grandmother.

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANNY! Thank you for being such an amazing person in our family!

Pictured above (left to right): Justin (cousin), Josh (my brother), Granny and Ross (cousin). 4 of my favorite people. And YES that is my grandmother. She's hot and styling, I know. Runs in the family :)

Until next time....Blog On!