friendly friday

Background: Explaining how I met Beth would be the equilivant to explaining the 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon. To make it easy, we met through mutual friends.


Celebrating her because: I am so excited to attend Beth's wedding this Saturday in Memphis. (Shout-out to Laing, too, for making the drive with me and Whitney's aunt for letting us crash at her place!)

Five things I love about Beth:
1. She is the reason I started blogging. Of all the blogs I follow, her's is my favorite.
2. We both have a mutual affection for Tennessee football, old things, Paul Rudd and writing.
3. Beth and I always seem to have good convorsation, no matter how much time passes between our talks.
4. Instead of a traditional cake at her wedding, she is serving several different flavors of pie. Such a great idea - I always love a little twist on tradition.
5. She has a Brad Paisley hatch print from when he played at the Ryman years ago before he was as popular as he is now. I would steal it if I could. Or, my birthday is in August. Hint, hint. :)

Five things that Beth loves:
1. If I was stuck on a deserted island for the rest of my life, I could probably survive on pizza, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Crystal Light lemonade and coffee. Maybe Diet Coke too, for good measure.
2. For a pick-me-up I like to sing along with ladies with big voices, ladies like Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight, Tina Turner and Dionne Warwick.
3. If I could do anything with the talents I already have I would write novels for a living (and maybe I'll still get there). If a genie would grant me a wish, I'd like to sing and dance as well as Beyonce.
4. I love, love, love old books, music, houses, furniture, dishes and especially movies. My favorite music covers a time frame from about the mid '60s to today, and I love movies from all eras.
5. I also love to watch sports. Baseball, and specifically the St. Louis Cardinals, is my favorite. I can watch just about any football and love the Titans. In the past few years I've gotten to really love college basketball, and this year I really got into NBA (go Grizzlies!) I'm even learning to love hockey and soccer. Really, I can watch any sport as long as I understand what's happening.

if you forget your lunch at home...

Do you remember the children's book, If You Give A Mouse A Cookie? I had a similar experience yesterday.

I don't know why half my stories come from taking a lunch break, but they do. This one is neither funny (to me at least) nor random...it was just downright annoying. But ridiculous enough to write about.

I had left my lunch at home Wednesday morning so I decided I'd take my new People and head to Panera. Going to lunch alone with a book or magazine is an indulgence of mine. I love it. It's like mid-day therapy. Anyway, I also needed to go get gas because my light had been on for a day already.

I get to Panera after a few attempts at finding a spot in their shitshow parking lot (the one on 21st) only order and realize not only did I not have my debit card, but I did not have my license, either. I had gone out the night before to celebrate my friend's recent engagement and forgot to put my cards back in my wallet.

So, I leave to go cash a check. But mid-way to Suntrust, I realize I can't because I have no driver's license. I turn back around and head to work for someone to loan me $20. At this point, I'm getting nervous that I'm just going to run out of gas all together.

I grab the money (my work peeps are awesome) and fill up my tank. I go inside and stand in line for what seemed like 15 minutes to pay. As I'm finally getting gas, some really chipper girl comes over and said she'd like to clean my windshield because it is customer appreication day. Mind you, huge storm clouds are starting to form, but of course I tell her sure and it takes her longer to clean my windsheild than it did for me to pump gas.

I'm not going to give up on getting my Thai chicken salad, so back to Panera I go, almost totally defeted. I stand in line, order and eat in peace. It was the best tasting salad ever - at this point I would have eaten anything really.

Right as I am finishing up, the bottom drops out of the sky and I get soaking wet going back to my car.

Just another day in the life...but gosh that was a good salad and I had a bug-free windsheild for 30 whole minutes.

summer lovin'

here are a few things I'm loving as the days have gotten longer and (much) warmer- some because it's summer, and some, just because!

1. Bobbie's Dairy Dip has been around as long as i have. it's a short 5 minute drive from my house, which is a good and a bad thing. my tried-and-true favorite is a cherry chocolate chip milkshake (it's not on the menu - just ask for it!). yum! you can pretty much have whatever your heart desires as far as milkshakes are concerned. they also have burgers, sundae's, cones, hot dogs, and their sweet potato fries are excellent. it gets crowded sometimes, and seating can be limited, but well worth the wait if you ever find your way over to the west side!
2. It is no secret that I would rather just not wear makeup if given the choice. sometimes i don't even wear it to work. but i do love these cream eye shadows by laura mercier. they are quick and easy and the color stays on all day - and the bronzy/rosey color is perfect for summer when you have a little color on your face.
3. I really enjoy going to garage sales and estate sales bright and early on summer Saturday's! You never know what you'll find. Sometime a sale will be a complete bust, while other times you'll hit the mother load. I think I've mentioned it a time or 12 before, but I love anything old, vintage and with character and these sales are a great place to find all sorts of unique things. Side note...remember on Friends, The One With The Apothecary Table? That centers around Phoebe's issue with Pottery Barn, and Ross and Rachael buying the same table? Love that episode.

4. The Voice. just when I thought my American Idol day's were over until January, this little gem of a show comes in to save me on Tuesday nights. however, Christina needs to get a handle on cleavage.

5. Grilled anything. I would probably eat a grilled shoe if you had one. O.k. not really, but some of my favorites are grilled onion, grilled pineapple and grilled zucchini.

wednesday randoms

1. I hope your Memorial Day weekend was great - I spent mine in Chicago, meeting two new precious angels - my friend Sarah's twins, Jackson and Lily. I loved being with the babies and tending to them to help out Mom and Dad - but Sarah and I were able to escape a bit and went here.

The Randolph Street Market. It was fantastic. I could have spent literally an entire day in there looking at all the amazing things. It is a vintage-lovers dream. The only draw back is that I had to limit my purchases to whatever would fit on a plane. I would go back to Chicago just to browse through there again. It is like Etsy, but in real-life.

2. One of my oldest, dearest friends is moving back to Nashville TODAY. Whitney and I have been friends for more than half our lives, and after spending post-college life in Atlanta, starting today, she is back home in Nashville. We haven't lived togheter in the same city for almost a decade, and all of us are so excited to have her back!

taken at laing's bachelorette party a few years ago. i have no idea who that person is in the middle, but i think it's hilarious nonetheless.

3. The Bachelorette has started again. Season after season, Monday night after Monday night, my brain is saturated with stupid, mindless telveision. And I don't miss an episode. Everyone has a guilty pleasure. I just happen to have several. :)

my weekend top ten

1. Spent time with this yummy little girl - my cousins 3 week old baby, Eve.

2. Had lunch Saturday at Athens, one of my most favorite restaurants in all of Nashville.
3. Went yardsale'ing - I love a good yard sale!
4. Took my cousins on a Sweet Cece's exam study break.
5. Had a great workout.
6. Went to the Nashville Zoo for the Cystic Fibrois Great Strides walk to honor a very special person and friend to many.



7. Made an almond cream cheese poundcake that tasted a lot better than it looked.
8. Celebrate a birthday at Whiskey Kitchen - YUM!
9. Stayed at home on a Saturday night for the first time in ages. Much-needed.
10. Watched That Thing You Do. Such a great movie.

Now, if I could just get through these next few work days, it's off to finally meet these darling little ones over the holiday weekend. Babies everywhere - and I love it.

what a difference a letter makes

A group of friends & I have met once a month for the past 2 years for "Supper Club" - one girl is in charge of dinner at their house once or twice throughout the year. To remind people and get a head count, we usually send out an email.

What follows is our most recent chain of emails. Instead of going to our friend jordanrhooper, it went to jordanhooper, a guy in New York. Not only do I think, as someone living in the North, he got a huge kick out of our constant use of the word "supper" - I am sure the minute-by-minute Reply All's that ensued after Ann's 1st email were entertaining as well. Thanks for being such a good sport, Jordan. Both of you. We will be laughing about this for months!

On Sun, May 8, 2011 at 9:24 PM, Ann wrote:
Hey gals-

Supper club is at my house this Tuesday. Not sure what I am preparing yet but I do know that there will be food on the table:) Please let me know if you can come. Hope to see all of you on Tuesday!!

Could someone please forward this email to Ashley Smith?

Love ya!

Ann


My address

4929 ___ Drive
Nashville, TN

Cell phone #: 931-555-1234

On Mon, May 9, 2011 at 8:23 AM, Angela wrote:
I'm so sad to miss out, but I will be babysitting my nieces. I guess that just means we'll all have to get together again sooner than next month's supper club!!

On Mon, May 9, 2011 at 1:49 PM, Julie wrote:
I have meeting that should last no longer than 7:30 I will try to come after. You do not have to count me in for food. THANKS!! Ann

On Mon, May 9, 2011 at 1:59 PM, Angie wrote:
See ya'll Tuesday!

On Mon, May 9, 2011 at 2:09PM, Ann Claire wrote:
I'll be there!

On Mon, May 9, 2011 at 3:45 PM, Marth Ann wrote:
Count me IN! Can't wait! PS- I forwarded this message to Ash.

On Mon, May 9, 2011 at 10:21 PM, Jordan Hooper wrote:
While Supper Club sounds delightful, New York to Nashville for dinner midweek is not going to happen. The market is too crazy and I've been traveling too much as it is. Really appreciate the invite, however, and I'll try to make it one of these days. In the meanwhile, one of you lovely ladies should give the intended Jordan Hooper a last-minute call. She's not going to believe the wrong email address excuse after the fact.

Thanks again.

Regards,
Jordan Charles Hooper

friendly friday

side note: lauren & sarah had their babies this week! lauren on may 1st and sarah this morning, may 6th. three healthy babies in five days. god is so good!

Background: I met Ann Claire midway through my senior year of high school; she went to another school in town and we had a mutual friend who knew we were both heading to Samford in the fall. That friend suggested we room together; I said sure, why not. Ten years and lots of memories later, I count her as one of my very best friends.

Celebrating her because: Ann Claire's birthday is May 25th - what better reason to celebrate her this month!


Five things I love about Ann Claire:
1. During a high school Physics class, the teacher asked the students to name a physics word. Ann Claire enthusiastically blurted out "Books!". That was one of the first stories I heard about her; I knew right then that she just had to be my friend!
2. I wish I had half the patience she does.
3. As tiny as she is, Ann Claire will eat anything. That works out great for someone like me, who is constantly cooking and testing out new recipes.
4. Her laugh is 100% contagious. No matter your mood, if she laughs, so will you.
5. We lived together for a total of 6 years during and after college. From spring breaks, to frat parties and random trips to Krystal at 2 a.m., she is part of every memory I have from Samford. She was the perfect roommate for me.

Five things that Ann Claire loves:
1. I love flowers!
2. I love peanut butter anything!
3. I am starting my first veggie garden this summer and I am so excited!
4. I love my car which is going on 13 years! I will cry when I have to give it up. (I would bet money that the two CD's that were in her car in high school, are still in there today: Mariah Carey & Celine Dion.)
5. In college, I use to take shots of vodka to calm my nerves before giving speeches!

p.s. All of those "facts" were copied directly from an email - if you can't tell, the !!!! is her favorite punctuation mark.