Updated - 24

So, I know that I have been on a hiatus from the blog world, but I actually have decently good reason to do so.  After Em's wedding, a lot of events have transpired, and in true EHard form, I am going to ramble in order to catch you all up to speed.


I went to my first Baron's game of the year a couple of weeks ago, and of course indulged in my FAVORITE summertime ritual of a ballpark hot dog and half price beer.  

We were enjoying the 8th inning, and by that I mean we were enjoying talking to all the people around us while being completely oblivious to the game, when we were unexpectedly interrupted.  You know when people around you start yelling heads up and looking toward the sky...you know it's not a good situation.  Of course our row went into immediate defense position: hands on head, ducking and trying to shrink into the bleachers.  And of course our little friend on the end of the row, Sweet Cay, was the lucky one that got pinged in the hand....at least it wasn't a direct shot to the head.  This night also led to my roommate and I switching apartments...but that's another story.  

Sidenote: Isn't my roommate the cutest thing ever?  Love her!

Next on the agenda...I had to get my car serviced.  My car and I have bonded and I definitely enjoy its sporty little demeanor.  I assumed that when I took it for my first service I would probably drive a rental car that was similar to it.  I learned quickly to not make assumptions.  


"The only keys we have are for a Dodge Ram 4X4 pickup...."


I couldn't help but laugh and neither could my trusty little Enterprise representative. My only response was that I didn't think that I physically could drive that truck.  He says "Why not?"


"I don't know.  You tell me," I say.  "Does it come with booster seats?"


He said he would see what he could do...and he found this:

I'm 90% sure that this was the service technician's truck because they didn't trust me with the 4X4.  This fiery little number came complete with hints of cigarette smoke suppressed by evergreen air freshener, which was completed by my coincidentally raspy voice I acquired during allergy season...just call me Gert.


So last week, I spent 9 days working in Mobile at the Bell Micro LPGA Classic.  I am pretty sure the shortest day was still around 12 hours, but, not to be cheesy or anything, it's true when you are doing something you really enjoy, the time flies by.  It also doesn't hurt that I already work with an extremely fun group of people.  On top of that, I had the pleasure of meeting a few new people from LPGA that were just a joy to be around. During the week, I edited around 150 Flip videos, took 100s of pictures and drove the coolest New York Times reporter to the Pensacola Airport...and I loved every minute of it.  We Southerners introduced a couple of unsuspecting visitors to Chick-Fil-A and Banana pudding.


I should also mention that my birthday fell in the middle of the week in Mobile.  And let me tell you, I am going to always start having my birthday out of town.  That way, you can celebrate for a week!  First I celebrated with family before I left for Mobile....German Chocolate cake (my favorite growing up).


Then, I celebrated in Mobile....vanilla Birthday cake (a new favorite) that was simply heaven on Earth, and everyone I saw that day wished me a happy birthday, some multiple times.  I also had a delicious dinner at Dreamland and great music and conversation at Royal Street Tavern.





PLUS, the hotel had chocolates and cheeses sent to my room and my sweet parents had a beautiful bouquet delivered. I must also say an enormous thank you to everyone who remembered to call/text/facebook/etc. me on my birthday.  I really felt so loved. 


As if that were not enough, once I got home I was surprised by a long table of friends waiting to wish me a Happy Birthday at Cocina Superior (favorite restaurant)...strawberry cake from Edgars (ahhhhhh glory...Bham favorite).  Thank you thank you to Bo and Caroline for coordinating.  You two are wonderful!  I wouldn't have wanted it any other way, seeing all of your faces was the best present.  

And for some reason, the valet took a picture of himself... hello?

Another sweet coworker decorated my cubicle while I was gone!  I'm planning to ride this as long as possible.  No the banner has not yet come down. 

Thank you all for the extended celebration!  I most certainly did not deserve all of this and I can't say thank you enough.


To end this post, I tried working out today...let's just say the elliptical machine won.  I'm quite certain I won't be walking gracefully tomorrow.  

Wedding Wishes & Tina Turner Dreams

So, my Maid of Honor duties are officially over and I must say, it's kind of like the let down after Christmas.  I SO looked forward to last weekend and I was spoiled by having so many people that I loved all in one spot.  It just doesn't happen anymore.  Because I am not quite ready to let the weekend go (even though it was three days ago), I've decided to relive the entire thing here!


The rehearsal was magnificent, complete with hilarious & heartfelt speeches and phenomenal food.  Ansley stayed with me the weekend!  Apparently I missed the color memo...

The storms were beginning to roll in at this point.  Definite cloud coverage, but Em wasn't letting a few rainy skies dampen her excitement for the weekend and I was SO proud of her.  I can't say that everyone (or me for that matter) would have been that cool and collected.  


Wedding day was a whirlwind...in more ways than one.  We had a gorgeous and delicious bridesmaid brunch the morning of the wedding eloquently presented by Emily's Aunts and relatives.  As gracious as our hosts were, the weather was not so...and our power went out.  Honestly, maybe I am (as one of my professor's said last year) a "frigging ray of sunshine," but I thought the brunch by candle light was magnificent! It added a unique and intimate touch.  Emily so generously gave us our jewelry to be worn during the ceremony...nothing less than beautifully delicate earrings. 

From the brunch, Caroline Ans and I ran home, grabbed our stuff and quickly made it back to MtnBrook to be the Bride's chauffeur, a task we were glad to master.  The entire day seemed like deleted scenes from Father of the Bride.  We took Em to have her hair did and boy was it a treat.  Sister Liz (aka cast member of Hairspray) was also there to have her hair done.

Emily was also being lifted and so we decided to celebrate the gravity-defying volume with a mimosa...

or two...

We finally made it to the Birmingham Country Club where we made some final touches and Emily put on her STUNNING wedding dress.

After months and months of planning, everything looked gorgeous.  

The ceremony was perfect and thank goodness, I made it up and down the stairs without even a stumble.  Everything was perfectly timed and ceremoniously beautiful.  Especially the bride!  We had pockets in our dresses, and I asked Em if she would mind if I took my camera with me down the aisle...she said it might not be best.  Oh well, I guess we will have to leave it to Bryan Johnson to capture those photos. 


The reception was SO incredibly fun!  The entire wedding party stayed together for picture's sake and because the couple had a private dinner upon arrival to the reception, that meant we went into a holding room where innocent passersby would've seen a troop of bridesmaids pounce on a plate of chicken fingers like it was their last meal on Earth.

Little shout out... LOVED seeing Mrs. Tatum, Dr. Novara, Mrs. Kyle, Ms. Germany, Ms. Fetz and Ms.Bronczek!  Yay for Out-of-Towners!  All of you keep looking better and better.  I was especially sad to see this particular part of the weekend go :-(.  And I was SO happy Mom & Dad were there too!

And another part I was sad to see go....the band...Big Swing and the Ballroom Blasters.


Yes, miracle of all miracles....one of my dreams came true.  Emily had the most amazing band, complete with 5 singers and a horn section.  And so, when I heard those trusty three chords repeat, I could feel the stage beckoning to me (bare with me on the dramatic...this is a milestone people).  I believe I may have been a little too open about my love for Tina Turner's rendition of "Proud Mary", because as the band tuned up, I had multiple people (ahem...Beno, Sarah and BO) pointing to me and yelling at the band that "this is HER song!" No in fact it is not my song however much I would love to lay claim to that fact. The lead singer, in her blindingly metallic silver dress and stiletto shoes, does the unthinkable...she beckons me on stage.  She gets me to dance with her, and before I know it, I have the mic in my hands.  Just for the record she did practically force the mic into my hands...nevermind that if she hadn't, I would have knocked her right off those shiny stilettos and ripped that mic  out of her grip, even if she was like a foot taller than me. Because of Emily...I lived out my dream and did my best (take that with a grain of salt...bare in mind that I am not singer...at all) Tina Turner impression.  For a little clip of this delightful memory that enables me to die happily...visit Cay's blog! I believe this will allow me to go on a Tina hiatus for a while.  When your boyfriend can actually start a sentence with "Of all the times I've seen you do that...," you know it's time to go into retirement for a bit.

At the end of the night we sent Em and Jim away in a beautiful, vintage powder blue Mercedes.

The entire weekend was a blast and I can't believe it's already over!  I was so happy to be your MOH!  You're a wonderful friend and I love you so much!

I say we do it again in the fall.. oh wait! We will, at Erin's Wedding on November 20!  Exciting!!!!

Happy Bo-day!

Yesterday was Bo's 24th birthday! He is just about one of the greatest people in the whole world.  Immediately upon knowing him, it's impossible to do anything but love his endearing personality and inviting nature.  It honestly amazes me how easily he can navigate a room of people that he doesn't know at all.  I consider myself a people person, but whoa.  There is none that compares to his ability to make people feel completely comfortable when talking to him.  I could go on & on & on about everything I love about Bo but I don't have the time and I'm sure you don't have the patience haha.  When looking at my old blog the other day, I discovered a post that was all about Bo (I also discovered that I used to be a whole lot funnier than I am now, but I digress).  It was fun to look back and I thought it might be fun to post it here.  If you'd like to see the old blog, check it out... http://www.chatterboxliz.blogspot.com/.


Bo, The Practical Optimist



"Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did."~Newt Gingrich


26 Tidbits:


Master fisherman
Country Music (and singing along in the car)
Garth Brooks
Wakeboarding
Steak and BBQ
Carl Edwards (and everything NASCAR)
To say he loves Coca-Cola is an understatement
Driving the boat at Wedowee
Auburn Football
Major golfer
Sporting Clays
The Wash House Restaurant
Epitome of a Southern Gentleman
Quick-witted
Loves to give surprises
Loves to be the host (and is a very talented chef!)
Allergies (sorry I had to put it in...it's part of what makes you, you)
Big Disney Fan
Karaoke star
Awesome Dancer
Everything in government
Road-trips (especially to away games)
Auburn Football
Family time
The Office
Smiles all the time (Always makes everyone feel comfortable)


ELABORATION:


I chose the quote at the top for Bo, not only because of his love for politics, but also because I feel like it describes him so well. He does every job to the maximum degree. He works as hard as anyone I have ever met in my life, and he wouldn't have it any other way. He is the kind of person that would sacrifice every bit of his own happiness so that someone else is happy. Don't get me wrong, he stands his ground, but he makes it a point to make sure others are content and comfortable. He is a decision maker, but has the amazing ability to quickly make decisions that somehow appease the whole group. Everyone loves to be around him. His personality is contagious, along with his smile and laugh. He can relate to anyone anywhere, and quickly makes newcomers feel welcome. When he asks how you are, he is the type that listens intently with sincerity. He treats every person he meets with the equal compassion and congeniality. He is a true Southern gentleman in every sense of the word. He's hysterically funny. His dry-witted sense of humor is accented with perfect comedic timing. I would say he's a pretty likable guy...


CLASSIC STORY:


I really got to know Bo the summer after our junior year of college. I always knew who he was, but I didn't really know him. On this afternoon, I was returning something to him at his house. He invited me to go and sit under the tree by his house and have a Coke, something Bo practically considers part of his family. We hadn't known each other very long, but we just got started talking. He made conversation go by so easily, and before I knew it we had been sitting for about two hours. After we finished our Coke and there was a break in conversation, he asked if I wanted to throw the frisbee. Sounded like a great idea to me! We threw the frisbee back and forth a good bit, and chatted in the afternoon. He also has a pretty good reputation for being pretty smooth, but on this day he lost his footing for just a second. I threw the frisbee, and somehow it slid right through his hands and hit him in the face. He quickly shook it off, laughed at himself, and we continued to throw the frisbee. He thinks that it was a slip on his part and that he lost "cool points," but I don't think he realized how impressed I was at his ability to laugh at himself and joke and have fun with it. I will never forget that! Some of you might be wondering why I didnt include the Magnolia Ball (Round 1) story here...I think that story deserves a blog post of it's own.


This story just goes to show what a genuine person Bo is. He makes every effort to be congenial and friendly, and to make people feel comfortable. Like I said before, people, obviously including me, just can't help but like him!

Be looking for a new post on the wedding from last weekend!  SO fantastic.  

Loyal [loi-yahl; adj.]

Definition: CarolinebJohnson

Happy Happy Birthday Caroline! To the person who puts the rest of us to shame in just about every category of life....We Love You and are so happy that you were born 24 years ago!  Yay CBJ!

She's the epitome of an amazing friend and I will be elaborating on that very soon, but tonight I am cleaning and preparing for my first out of town guest!!!  Ansley comes to visit tomorrow for Emily's wedding.  SO excited about the whole weekend and kind of nervous about the MOH toast and the fact that I will be walking up stairs to get to the alter.  Let's all start praying now.  Pictures and stories next week!  Have a great weekend!

Move [moov; v.]

Definition: something I've done 15 times since freshman year of college

I know that my last post was a total copout, so I decided that I would actually write about what's been going on with me and why I haven't posted in OVER a week.  It's been very eventful in my little world over the past two weeks. 

First of all, I have moved!  I was living with our (very soon) bride-to-be, Emily, and since she is getting married this Saturday, and as much as I know that she and her fiance would love to share their cozy little love nest with me, I think they would prefer to be alone.  So I have been decorating my new apartment (with a LOT of help from Mom and Dad haha) and enjoying very single bit of it.  And the best part is my fantastic roommate, C Green, is moving in soon!  

In moving, I have discovered that simply changing residences is very expensive! Even though I am paying less for rent, I still have to pay a ridiculous amount on installation fees.  Which by the way, AT&T -- as much as I appreciate this high-speed Internet, I do not appreciate that I had to pay an installation fee for the router that I set up all by myself.  I would've been happy to pat myself on the back rather than you pick-pocketing me...thanks. The poor guy at Best Buy bared the brunt of my annoyance of this fact on one beautiful Tuesday afternoon.  Let me explain. We have a land line to our apartment.  It makes our security system cheaper and if for some reason our cells aren't working, people can still reach us...just had to justify before we get made fun of.  I thought it would be great to have a wall mount phone....one without caller ID.  Just a plain phone...one that calls people and gets calls from people.  I thought simple enough right?  Might run me like $20.  Um no.  After being laughed out of Target for even inquiring about any such phone (which no longer exists) I thought I would give Best Buy a try.  I had to return something there anyway.

A nice guy in a bright blue shirt was going to help me.  His pleasant face quickly became puzzled as I explained what I was looking for.  Something reminiscent of say Snookie attempting to find the square root of 36.  He asked why I needed this prehistoric fossil of a phone, and I explained that sometimes reception is not best in an apartment complex.  He looked rather pleased that he was going to have a golden opportunity to sharpen his sales pitch. Not today my friend...not today.

"Oh, well what phone company do you use?"

"Verizon," I say.

"There's your problem!  You should be using AT&T!" he replies with an excited smile.

"I HATE AT&T!" It came out rather abruptly to my surprise and to said salesperson, who looked shocked.  I am generally a very easy going happy person, but I do not like dealing with automated voices which I had been doing all afternoon (yes that means you too DirecTV) and I was annoyed by the aforementioned erroneous installation fee.  And so, I felt the need to elaborate.

"My friends who have it even hate it! They can't get reception in their own houses." 

"But you can get an iPho.."

"I don't care.  I'll wait for Verizon to get it...it's not worth it." Poor guy.  Just trying to salvage his pitch and I was not having it. So this particular day I'm thinking a took a couple steps backward in the "I'm going to do a random act of kindness once a day scenario". The sales guy skidattled rather quickly after having to endure my little rant and I left without the phone I needed.   

I must say this post didn't turn out to be what I thought it was going to be but I hope you enjoyed it anyway haha.  I promise I might be a little more streamlined next time. Counting down to Em's wedding and excited to see friends I haven't seen in a while aka CayDog, Dr. Novara, QBaumTatum and JBro! Look forward to LOTS of new pics of fun people and I'm planning to post some of the apt when its a bit more finished.  But for now, I got my haircut! Yippee!

Before

Pretty Long for me at least

After

Back to Normal! 

Jealous [jel-uhs; adj.]

Definition: not even close to how I feel when I watch this video

Spontaneous group dancing in the middle of the street? And to Glee, no less!  Of course that's my fantasy.  Why don't I live in Seattle?

Thankful [adj.; thangk-fuhl]

If you were anywhere in The South on Easter Sunday, you were privy to some of the most beautiful weather we've seen in months.  The sun and I have reconciled since our last bout with dreariness and we are officially friends again.  (PS as much as I do love you, I wouldn't mind my little raincloud buddy to return to simply wash away all the pollen...my car, clothes, shoes, room....MYSELF are all covered.)


Something I have always cherished about living in The South is the endearing way people share stories in order to explain parts of life.  I have since decided to file away some of these stories under fact rather than fiction and one of those stories involves the Dogwood tree.  Though many weren't blooming by this past weekend, I was able to find a couple of flowers on this one.  


The story passed down in my family for generations goes something like the following.  Many who celebrate Easter know of the Lord's sacrifice of His only Son to pay for our sins, but what you may not know is that Jesus' cross that burdened his shoulders was actually made of Dogwood.  Because the cross was made from Dogwood, God made sure that the Dogwood tree would never grow large enough to serve this purpose again.  Therefore, Dogwoods generally carry narrow, flimsy branches that can't hold much weight.  The flowers on the Dogwood carry four petals, resembling and symbolizing the cross. The flowers are white showing the purity of our sins being washed clean. Each petal has a a bit of pink at the end of it showing where Jesus was nailed to the cross and the cluster in the middle resembles His crown of thorns.  I don't know about you but I find comfort in the survival of stories like these.  On a beautiful day such as Sunday, it's hard not to find the Lord in everything you see, as evidence by these photos: (still pining after that camera :-)...

Happy Belated Easter!

P.S.  I am packing this week (boo) but I am moving into a new place!  Get excited about pictures coming this weekend and a fun post on Thursday about what I did today at work.