Thursday, May 27, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Savannah!
I am realizing just what a pain it is to upload photos. I just spent 50 minutes uploading the Savannah photos to my computer, Shutterfly, and Facebook. Now, it's blogspot time.
Savannah was such an amazing city! It was so beautiful, cute, and full of history. L and I had a great time visiting his friends, and it was a perfect little getaway!
These three pictures pretty much sum up Savannah. I can do it in one word too: Antebellum.
This photo is of one of the most haunted homes in America. Now, I'm not sure what I think, but I'll tell you the story. Apparently, a doctor came to town who thought he knew the remedy for Yellow Fever. Something about drinking tar and other nonesense. He had a hospital of sorts, mostly children, but they all died of yellow fever. Feeling like a failure, he killed himself as well. The rumor is, they had to board up the windows on the top floor because people from the street would complain about seeing children's faces. No one's ever lived in this house more than a few months, and it's been on the market for years now.
Savannah is known as the city built on its dead. I don't have a picture for this story, but it's a neat story. There's a city cemetery in the middle of town, with only 600 headstones, but with what is believed to be 11,000 unmarked graves. During the height of yellow fever, something like 55 people died a day! A cart would come around town and you would throw your dead in the back, and they just piled them in the graveyard. Well, one day, as they opened the grave to put in more bodies (or actually, I think they were mausoleums), they noticed scratch marks inside. After some investigation, they realized that some people they thought were dead had only really passed out. From then on, they tied string to the hand of every body, which was attached to a bell. If they woke up and started moving about, the bell would ring, and the attendants knew to go let them out. Isn't that the creepiest story you've ever heard?! Can you imagine waking up in a dark mausoleum next to stinking rotting bodies! Oh my gosh, gives me the chills!!
This next picture is at Bonaventure Cemetery, made famous from the movie/book "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." They had to remove the Bird Girl Statue because all the tourists were touching her, and they were afraid they would break her.
There were a lot of interesting other stories, too much for one blog. Here's a picture of a statue in Forsyth Park. All the statues in Savannah are positioned to be pointing either South or North, depending on the period during which the lived. They positioned them to be facing their enemies, so statues that defending them from the Spanish are pointed south, while those during the Civil War are pointed north. You can't really see the statue in this picture, but it gives a good idea of how pretty Forsyth Park is.
This is of the Mercer House, where Jim Williams lived. He saved and restored hundreds of old historic homes in Savannah. He was made infamous in the same book (known as just "The Book" here in Savannah) when he shot his servant and the book "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" was written. I think I need to read that book, or at the least, check out the movie.
Let's see, what else. Most of my other pictures are of me and L, so I shan't be posting those. But we had a really lovely time. Savannah has an open container law, very nice. All of the bars would ask if you wanted your drink for here or to go. If to go, they gave it to you in a plastic cup and you could walk around the city, maybe a 4 by 4 block area, where there were lots of bars, lots of squares, lots of parks, it was pretty neat. I can see why it is such a popular destination for St. Patty's day. River Street was really neat, lots of restaurants and shops all on the water. I swear I haven't eaten that good in a long time. All of the food was so southern and decadent. Delicious, yes, but maybe a little too much. And my waistline is still showing that now! Even with all the walking we did, you just can't walk off Paula Dean's restaurant no matter how hard you try!
Well, I guess that's it. Hope you enjoyed your history lesson on Savannah. Really a neat city, tons to do, to see, you can walk everywhere, it was a lot of fun. Although, I will suggest not going between June and August! Yes, it gets mighty hot down there!
Savannah was such an amazing city! It was so beautiful, cute, and full of history. L and I had a great time visiting his friends, and it was a perfect little getaway!
These three pictures pretty much sum up Savannah. I can do it in one word too: Antebellum.
This photo is of one of the most haunted homes in America. Now, I'm not sure what I think, but I'll tell you the story. Apparently, a doctor came to town who thought he knew the remedy for Yellow Fever. Something about drinking tar and other nonesense. He had a hospital of sorts, mostly children, but they all died of yellow fever. Feeling like a failure, he killed himself as well. The rumor is, they had to board up the windows on the top floor because people from the street would complain about seeing children's faces. No one's ever lived in this house more than a few months, and it's been on the market for years now.
Savannah is known as the city built on its dead. I don't have a picture for this story, but it's a neat story. There's a city cemetery in the middle of town, with only 600 headstones, but with what is believed to be 11,000 unmarked graves. During the height of yellow fever, something like 55 people died a day! A cart would come around town and you would throw your dead in the back, and they just piled them in the graveyard. Well, one day, as they opened the grave to put in more bodies (or actually, I think they were mausoleums), they noticed scratch marks inside. After some investigation, they realized that some people they thought were dead had only really passed out. From then on, they tied string to the hand of every body, which was attached to a bell. If they woke up and started moving about, the bell would ring, and the attendants knew to go let them out. Isn't that the creepiest story you've ever heard?! Can you imagine waking up in a dark mausoleum next to stinking rotting bodies! Oh my gosh, gives me the chills!!
This next picture is at Bonaventure Cemetery, made famous from the movie/book "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." They had to remove the Bird Girl Statue because all the tourists were touching her, and they were afraid they would break her.
There were a lot of interesting other stories, too much for one blog. Here's a picture of a statue in Forsyth Park. All the statues in Savannah are positioned to be pointing either South or North, depending on the period during which the lived. They positioned them to be facing their enemies, so statues that defending them from the Spanish are pointed south, while those during the Civil War are pointed north. You can't really see the statue in this picture, but it gives a good idea of how pretty Forsyth Park is.
Well, I guess that's it. Hope you enjoyed your history lesson on Savannah. Really a neat city, tons to do, to see, you can walk everywhere, it was a lot of fun. Although, I will suggest not going between June and August! Yes, it gets mighty hot down there!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Wendesday Hump Day Blog
I’m definitely in the mood to write a blog today, but am at a total loss for topics. Everything I want to write about would just end up me bitching, and that’s not good for anyone. So, instead, I’ll go with one of my random posts.
L update – things are still going so well with L. We’re going to Savannah for a mini-vacation on Friday and I’m really excited about it! I’ve never been, and I know it’s going to be so cute! Also, we’ve been having “talks.” Gulp. Yikes. I know! But definitely good ones. He’s told me that I’m the one he wants to spend his life with, and in a couple of months he’ll be ready with the ring! Can you even believe it? I just still can’t get over how easy it was with him. I dated M for two years, we never even talked about the future other than “what are we doing this weekend?” Then there was the year long drama with Coach. Then the Major. And each of those relationships definitely had some sort of drama or issue. There’s none of that with L. I guess that’s when you know he’s the one. All that drama goes out the window. I’m just really lucky I found him. He really is amazing and so nice and kind and smart and fun to be with!
State colleges – this has not been a good couple of years for the Virginia state schools. Just some of the most devastating things have happened, starting with the Virginia Tech massacre back in 2007 and most recently, of course, the lacrosse murder at UVa. I just can’t even imagine all the heartbreak. I will say, that Hughley’s mother came out with the most touching statement today. It brought to mind that among all the heartbreak with Love and her family, there’s a family who still loves their son, regardless of what he’s done. Obviously the tragedy to the Love family, teammates and friends is insurmountable, but while you’re praying for their family, it’s important to remember there’s another family to keep in your prayers as they deal with a very different, but still very intense kind of pain.
Blake update – haven’t done one of these in awhile. Here she is at the Costume Institute Gala wearing Marchesa. All the blogs were all about her legs, and yes, she has some nice ones! Totally coveting! I feel like I should post pictures of her around me at all times, to persuade me not to eat.
L update – things are still going so well with L. We’re going to Savannah for a mini-vacation on Friday and I’m really excited about it! I’ve never been, and I know it’s going to be so cute! Also, we’ve been having “talks.” Gulp. Yikes. I know! But definitely good ones. He’s told me that I’m the one he wants to spend his life with, and in a couple of months he’ll be ready with the ring! Can you even believe it? I just still can’t get over how easy it was with him. I dated M for two years, we never even talked about the future other than “what are we doing this weekend?” Then there was the year long drama with Coach. Then the Major. And each of those relationships definitely had some sort of drama or issue. There’s none of that with L. I guess that’s when you know he’s the one. All that drama goes out the window. I’m just really lucky I found him. He really is amazing and so nice and kind and smart and fun to be with!
Google images search
State colleges – this has not been a good couple of years for the Virginia state schools. Just some of the most devastating things have happened, starting with the Virginia Tech massacre back in 2007 and most recently, of course, the lacrosse murder at UVa. I just can’t even imagine all the heartbreak. I will say, that Hughley’s mother came out with the most touching statement today. It brought to mind that among all the heartbreak with Love and her family, there’s a family who still loves their son, regardless of what he’s done. Obviously the tragedy to the Love family, teammates and friends is insurmountable, but while you’re praying for their family, it’s important to remember there’s another family to keep in your prayers as they deal with a very different, but still very intense kind of pain.
virginiasports.com
Elevator mishap – on Monday coming to work, I got stuck in the elevator! Basically, the elevator doors wouldn't open. I tried taking it to various floors, but to no avail. After a few failed attempts, I then pressed the emergency button. A guy comes on the intercom and asks me repeatedly if I’m okay. I assure him I am, then he calls security. These brilliant security folks ask me if I'm okay, then (yelling through the door) if I tried pressing the “door open” or the button of the floor I’m on. Geez, really, hadn’t thought of that one! I had to let them know the elevator was trying to open, but just wouldn’t open all the way. (The door was opening about a centimeter, and the lights and dings and all the regular mechanics were going off). Meanwhile, because the elevators think that elevator is working, none of the other ones are coming down to the first floor. Everyone else in my building had to walk the stairs for the 25 minutes I was stuck in there! That's smart technology for you. The security people can’t do anything, so they let me know they’re calling in a guy from the elevator company. Now, I start panicking a little. How long is this going to take!? They let me know they have someone on site, and it’s only 15 minutes later that I’m freed. As I’m going up to my floor, is it sad or what that I sort of secretly wished I had been stuck longer so I wouldn’t have to go to work!?
shivamayer.com
Blake update – haven’t done one of these in awhile. Here she is at the Costume Institute Gala wearing Marchesa. All the blogs were all about her legs, and yes, she has some nice ones! Totally coveting! I feel like I should post pictures of her around me at all times, to persuade me not to eat.
wireimage.com
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Southern Living
Get excited! The much anticipated, MUCH overdue blog is finally here. Although, much to my dismay, it appears I waited too long to get out there and take photos. Spring has officially been sprung, and many of my flowers were already dead, while the summer ones hadn't quite all cropped up yet. But here we go. And I know you may look at these pictures and go "meh" but I am so proud of myself and all I've done in the yard. This is my first place, after all!!
Welcome to Better Homes and Garden by yours truly.
This first photo is of the front of my house. Super duper cute, isn't it!? I wish I had taken the photo a few weeks ago, the dogwood was so gorgeous when it was blooming, and the grass was much greener and lush.
Here's the swing that I recently purchased with some monetary help from TMS. L helped me put it together, then we shared a bottle of wine on it's inaugural swing. Behind my house, you'll notice my scraggly neighbor's yards. ARGH, having renters on one side of you is SO annoying!
Here's a close up of the pansies that I planted last winter, "Guarantee to rebound" and rebound they did. I also bought a bleeding heart this year, and the second I planted it, all the hearts fell off. Today, I was pleased to notice one single pink heart came back up. Can you see it!? I love the bleeding hearts because when I was younger, every spring my dad would take me to the garden shop and said I could pick out one plant and we'd plant it, and it was just for me. Each year, I picked a bleeding heart. I had a lot of trouble finding them, but for nostalgic reasons, would look every year. This year, I finally spotted one!
Moving to the back yard now, which gets a lot of sun, so while the possibilities are much greater back here, it's disappointing that all the gorgeous flowers are in the back where no one can see them, while in the front, I have to make do with the "shade" flowers.
This photo really disappoints me too, these irises were GORGEOUS just last weekend!!
Here's the side garden that runs along my back porch. I have some daisies that haven't bloomed yet, and some colored flowers that I don't know their names. Looks like one's doing much better than the other. Anyways, this is the garden I am most proud of. A few weeks back, I spent hours of blood, sweat and tears weeding the jungle this garden had become. Aren't the little tiki torches cute? I've had them for years since I've moved in and just this spring, pleased by how nice my garden looked, put them up. And PS, don't pay any attention to the grass, or lack thereof, yikes!
These flowers smell AMAZING! The first year I moved in, nothing bloomed, but in the following years, as I pulled up weeds and cut down overgrown bushes, these flowers grew. I think they smell like gardenias (at least like what Gardenia smells like at Bath and Body Works). Any thoughts on the flower?
Here's my vegetable "garden", planted with love. This past weekend, L and I planted tomatoes, squash and cucumber. While we were deciding what to buy, L mentioned "well, we can start with these, and next summer we can branch out and try more." Next summer!? Made me smile from the inside out.
Well, there it is. Hope you enjoyed.
xo, S
Welcome to Better Homes and Garden by yours truly.
This first photo is of the front of my house. Super duper cute, isn't it!? I wish I had taken the photo a few weeks ago, the dogwood was so gorgeous when it was blooming, and the grass was much greener and lush.
Here's the swing that I recently purchased with some monetary help from TMS. L helped me put it together, then we shared a bottle of wine on it's inaugural swing. Behind my house, you'll notice my scraggly neighbor's yards. ARGH, having renters on one side of you is SO annoying!
Here's a close up of the pansies that I planted last winter, "Guarantee to rebound" and rebound they did. I also bought a bleeding heart this year, and the second I planted it, all the hearts fell off. Today, I was pleased to notice one single pink heart came back up. Can you see it!? I love the bleeding hearts because when I was younger, every spring my dad would take me to the garden shop and said I could pick out one plant and we'd plant it, and it was just for me. Each year, I picked a bleeding heart. I had a lot of trouble finding them, but for nostalgic reasons, would look every year. This year, I finally spotted one!
Moving to the back yard now, which gets a lot of sun, so while the possibilities are much greater back here, it's disappointing that all the gorgeous flowers are in the back where no one can see them, while in the front, I have to make do with the "shade" flowers.
This photo really disappoints me too, these irises were GORGEOUS just last weekend!!
Here's the side garden that runs along my back porch. I have some daisies that haven't bloomed yet, and some colored flowers that I don't know their names. Looks like one's doing much better than the other. Anyways, this is the garden I am most proud of. A few weeks back, I spent hours of blood, sweat and tears weeding the jungle this garden had become. Aren't the little tiki torches cute? I've had them for years since I've moved in and just this spring, pleased by how nice my garden looked, put them up. And PS, don't pay any attention to the grass, or lack thereof, yikes!
Here's my vegetable "garden", planted with love. This past weekend, L and I planted tomatoes, squash and cucumber. While we were deciding what to buy, L mentioned "well, we can start with these, and next summer we can branch out and try more." Next summer!? Made me smile from the inside out.
xo, S
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Circle of Life
I’m back and have a lot to catch up on. I want to tell everyone about L meeting my parents, and about the wedding we went to last weekend, and some “talks” we’ve been having about “our future” but something more important has come up.
Beginnings: A friend at work had been pregnant for awhile and was ready to pop! The due date was soon, but she came in to work this morning at the normal time at 8. Since her due date was so soon, she had a doctor’s appointment that afternoon and she left feeling fine. However, at this appointment, the doctor told her that he was estimating the baby at 9 lbs! and they needed to do a C-section immediately! When I heard this news, it was sort of surreal. To see someone normal in the morning, then having an unexpected c-section later that afternoon sort of boggles the mind. How did this baby get so big? I guess it just didn’t want to leave the warmth of the womb! But it was time for a new life to be born, and the little girl was born healthy and at 9 lbs 1 oz last night! Mom, dad, and little baby girl are all doing well!
Endings: Later that evening, as I’m driving home from the gym, my phone rings. It’s a good friend from college calling to tell me that a good friend of ours died yesterday. 30 years young, dies unexpectedly. They’re not really sure what happened, I guess they’re doing an autopsy and should have more results soon. But basically he was complaining about not feeling well that morning, passed out, and died. Gone. 30 years old. I’m still just such in a complete state of shock. 30 years is too young for this. He was in good health, exercised regularly, just got married less than a year ago, owned a home in Arlington, had a great career with a promising future. And just like that, he’s no longer with us.
I know things like this happen. There’s no rhyme or reason for why people go when they do. We can only pray they are in heaven and that we’ll see them again one day. But the full circle of life was realized in one day for me, starting off with the celebration of a new life, and ending with the mourning of one taken too soon.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Random Musings on a Train
I actually wrote this yesterday, but didn't get the chance to post it.
It’s 5:50 am and I’m sitting on a northbound train, waiting to hear the last “ALL ABOARD” before heading north to Philadelphia. Why is there something so romantic about traveling by train? It brings to mind images of the Orient Express, murder and mystery, and love. Or it reminds me of sleepy summer country evenings, hearing the horn of the train out in the distance, just past the fields and tree line while you’re sipping a cold glass of sweet tea in the July heat. In reality, the train is nothing short of a longer, yet less irritating means of transportation than planes. My train is currently full of pre-teens on their way to a cheerleading competition, (thank goodness I didn’t get on that car!), sleepy business workers, and families heading up to DC, NYC, etc for spring break.
As for me, I’m heading up for a client meeting, and could not get a direct flight to Philadelphia at the hours I wanted. The total flight would have taken over 4 hours, complete with waiting in security, layovers, etc. I decided it would be better use of my time to spend those four hours working. Aren’t I a dedicated employee?
Can you believe there’s no wi-fi on this train? I was totally ready to use this as the perfect opportunity to catch up on my blogging, both reading and writing, but alas, I cannot surf the internet. I’ll just type this now and post it when I get to the Philadelphia office and access to the internet is restored.
In other news, on Saturday, I spent about 7 hours in my backyard, and it looks fantastic! I forgot I wanted to post some pictures! In fact, I will wait to tell you all the most exciting details of my back yard until I have the pictures. So, a post for another day.
I guess I should post an apple cider vinegar update. I couldn’t keep up with it on any sort of regular basis. It was too gross, and not the easiest thing to carry in your purse when you’re out and about. As I said earlier, it did clear up a stuffy nose, but that was the extent that I saw. I didn’t lose ½ lb a day, like some bloggers claimed. Not that I was that naïve to expect that, but I am always hopeful! I’m not opposed to trying it again, but it was hard to take, just really sour and bitter and made my whole mouth pucker up.
I do have some exciting news, this weekend, L is going to meet my parents!! I’m pretty excited about it! I’m definitely not one of those girls that brings home every single guy I ever go out with! When a guy meets my parents, you know it’s serious! I think meeting the parents is a big deal, and I really want to know a guy and know that I see myself with him long term before I want him to meet my parents. I know other people view it differently, they want to get the family approval early on, but the way I look at it, it’s important first and foremost what I think of him. And I want to have my feelings solidified before I introduce him around, even to my friends, much less my family. Plus, some guys get freaked out by meeting the parents, and if the solid relationship foundation isn’t there, then a relationship can quickly fall apart because the guy will think “this is moving too fast.” Ok, enough of that side bar, this weekend should be fun. I just know my parents are going to love him as much as I do!
It’s 5:50 am and I’m sitting on a northbound train, waiting to hear the last “ALL ABOARD” before heading north to Philadelphia. Why is there something so romantic about traveling by train? It brings to mind images of the Orient Express, murder and mystery, and love. Or it reminds me of sleepy summer country evenings, hearing the horn of the train out in the distance, just past the fields and tree line while you’re sipping a cold glass of sweet tea in the July heat. In reality, the train is nothing short of a longer, yet less irritating means of transportation than planes. My train is currently full of pre-teens on their way to a cheerleading competition, (thank goodness I didn’t get on that car!), sleepy business workers, and families heading up to DC, NYC, etc for spring break.
As for me, I’m heading up for a client meeting, and could not get a direct flight to Philadelphia at the hours I wanted. The total flight would have taken over 4 hours, complete with waiting in security, layovers, etc. I decided it would be better use of my time to spend those four hours working. Aren’t I a dedicated employee?
Can you believe there’s no wi-fi on this train? I was totally ready to use this as the perfect opportunity to catch up on my blogging, both reading and writing, but alas, I cannot surf the internet. I’ll just type this now and post it when I get to the Philadelphia office and access to the internet is restored.
In other news, on Saturday, I spent about 7 hours in my backyard, and it looks fantastic! I forgot I wanted to post some pictures! In fact, I will wait to tell you all the most exciting details of my back yard until I have the pictures. So, a post for another day.
I guess I should post an apple cider vinegar update. I couldn’t keep up with it on any sort of regular basis. It was too gross, and not the easiest thing to carry in your purse when you’re out and about. As I said earlier, it did clear up a stuffy nose, but that was the extent that I saw. I didn’t lose ½ lb a day, like some bloggers claimed. Not that I was that naïve to expect that, but I am always hopeful! I’m not opposed to trying it again, but it was hard to take, just really sour and bitter and made my whole mouth pucker up.
I do have some exciting news, this weekend, L is going to meet my parents!! I’m pretty excited about it! I’m definitely not one of those girls that brings home every single guy I ever go out with! When a guy meets my parents, you know it’s serious! I think meeting the parents is a big deal, and I really want to know a guy and know that I see myself with him long term before I want him to meet my parents. I know other people view it differently, they want to get the family approval early on, but the way I look at it, it’s important first and foremost what I think of him. And I want to have my feelings solidified before I introduce him around, even to my friends, much less my family. Plus, some guys get freaked out by meeting the parents, and if the solid relationship foundation isn’t there, then a relationship can quickly fall apart because the guy will think “this is moving too fast.” Ok, enough of that side bar, this weekend should be fun. I just know my parents are going to love him as much as I do!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Who wore it best?
So, this was an interesting one. I'm always a fan of the "who wore it best?" but this one struck me as odd. First, I don't think it looks particularly flattering on either of them, not to mention, I think the dress is ugly. So, why is it so popular?
Both are wearing Ports 1961
Kim Kardashian in July 2009 and Rachelle Lefevre in March 2010.
Why is the line from Clueless come to my mind?
Cher: Been digging through my trash?
Amber: As if!
Cher: Do you prefer fashion victim or ensembley challenged?
Wow, I loved that movie! I think I'll have to do a whole post on why it's such a great movie!
Happy Good Friday!!
Both are wearing Ports 1961
Kim Kardashian in July 2009 and Rachelle Lefevre in March 2010.
Both courtesy of Getty Images, KK - Jemal Countess, RL - Frazer Harrison
Why is the line from Clueless come to my mind?
Cher: Been digging through my trash?
Amber: As if!
Cher: Do you prefer fashion victim or ensembley challenged?
Wow, I loved that movie! I think I'll have to do a whole post on why it's such a great movie!
Happy Good Friday!!
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