Couldn't you just die?

My little nieces make every day so much better, even if the only way I see them is through the photos my mom sends me almost every day. Thank you, mama.


Ava loving on Nola with mama (grandmama) in the background.


Nola.


Ava.

Ah! It's already almost two weeks into 2009!

Auntie Cole. What do you mean it's Tuesday, January 13th, and you haven't posted your new To-Do list this year?


It's OK, cousin Nola. Mama tells me that Auntie Cole has been super busy. Mama also tells me that staying in this cage is for my own good. I'm starting not to believe mama.

2009 looks bright

When 2008 came to a close, I had big plans of wrapping everything I have done this year in a nice, neat package. But as anyone who knows me can attest, I suck at wrapping. So, instead, I will just summarize my 108 in 2008 list.

In 2008, I attempted to do 108 new things, or things I just haven’t done in a really long time. Let's see how I did.

1- Learn to knit (Thank you, Sherrie!)(1/09/08)



2- Hang something on my bedroom wall - a photo, a candle holder, some art, a calendar - something!

It was a calendar. Maybe I need to set my sights higher this year - like a photo frame.

3- Volunteer for a worthy cause


This had to be in addition to English School, because I began volunteering there in 2007. So, during December, I helped out at Clark's Christmas Kids with Clark Howard (from AM 750 WSB). You can see more photos from the event in this post.

4- Sing karaoke


(Me and one of my best friends, Bryan) I did this while playing Rock Band - it counts, right?

5- See a play or ballet performance


Cam took me to see A Christmas Carol at The New American Shakespeare Tavern on Peachtree Street. The show was wonderful! I also had food there for the first time and it was very tasty (and reasonably priced!).

10- Go to an opera I saw a live feed from the New York Metropolitan Opera of La Fille du Régiment. It was wonderful.

11- Try a new game


Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 on Wii - hilariously fun! - and Rock Band!

13- Run a half marathon (10/25/08)


I couldn't believe how accomplished I felt after finishing. And how painful a stress fracture can be.

17- Have a taco night


Cam and I made The Food Network's Turkey Tacos Picadillo one night at his place. They were very spicy and delicious. And see that guacamole? That is one of Cam's specialties. You'll have to ask him for the recipe. And just for fun, here is a photo of Cam (with his cousin, Brandon, in the foreground) fixing the infamous guac.


Handsome and he likes to cook. Or as he puts it, he likes to eat.

18- Read the entire Harry Potter series

I bawled reading the last couple of books. I didn't want it to end. I think the Twilight series might make my 2009 list...

19- Visit a state I have never been to, and not just a drive-through.


I went to Arizona for the first time in my life on a mini-vacation in September.


It is incredibly beautiful, I had a wonderful time and want to go back for another visit. You can read about the entire trip here.

23- Throw a party


I helped plan the annual Christmas party thrown by a political group I am heavily involved in.

25- Go on a trip with my sisters


I went to Florida with my beautiful sisters (L-Steph, R- Barb) to visit some family. You can read about the entire trip here.

26- Take a dance lesson

Kole and I took a very special dance class. If you want more details, you'll have to ask me personally. Or Kole.

32- Go to a concert (7/12/08)


Me and Abbs hanging out while watching 7 Sharp 9 in July. They were great!

36- Create a scrapbook

As Cam pointed out, I have referred to this blog as my online scrapbook.

41- Read Son of a Witch: A Novel by Gregory Maguire

I didn't enjoy this book at all. Boo.

46- Read Middlesex: A Novel by Jeffrey Eugenides

I recommend reading Middlesex. It was very interesting and kept me engaged until the very end.

49- Read The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

This is one of my new favorite books. I hear the movie is pretty good, too.

50- Read Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire

I LOVED the play when I saw it in London, the book, however, SUCKED.

52- Watch the movie Juno (10/02/08)

Over-hyped, but good.

55- Watch Stardust

I really enjoyed this film, but I'm a huge fantasy & science fiction fan.

56- Re-watch the entire British version of The Office, including the two Christmas specials

And I'd do it again in a heartbeat. You think Pam and Jim are cute in the American version, just wait until you see Dawn and Tim in the UK version. *sigh*

57- Try a new restaurant in Marietta

It was Wild Wing Cafe - VERY tasty wings!

58- Try a new restaurant in Atlanta

Cam took me to La Tavola Trattoria Restaurant in Atlanta. It was absolutely wonderful. I wish we had taken photos!

60- Run three miles without stopping

Please see half-marathon information above, and I ran a lot of miles while training for that half-marathon. :)

64- Have a facial

And it made me melt.

66- Participate in a Texas hold ‘em tournament

I didn't win, but it sure was fun!

68- Go to a comedy club(April 13, 2008)


My friend, Travis, being, erm, friendly with the comedian, Nick Guerra (who I highly recommend seeing, if you get the chance).

I LOVE live comedy and frequent the local clubs. I highly recommend you visit The Funny Farm and The Punchline to see great comedy in Atlanta.

70- Go to the Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern

Please see #5 above.

73- Try a new haircut


Do you remember this post?

I decided on long layers, with side-sweep bangs:


Me showing my hair to Coach Bill Curry.

79- Buy a new dress & 80- And matching shoes

I did, but I don't actually have a photo with me in the outfit. New Year's resolution: Take more photos.

83- Eat breakfast for dinner

This actually happens all the time. In fact, we had breakfast for dinner with Cam's family last night that consisted of country ham, crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, biscuits and grits. Man, now I'm hungry!

85- Try a new fru-fru drink [a.k.a. fruity alcoholic beverage]


I had lots of new fru-fru drinks this year, including a peach martini (YUM!) on New Year's Eve, but I don't take a photo of any of them. Though I did have a new drink the night the above photo was taken. And I just wanted to post it again.

87- Have a girls’ night


I have one pretty much every Wednesday.

90- Help someone find a job

I helped a couple of my friends unsuccessfully try to find jobs. Maybe this year they will be successful in finding them!

91- Watch home movies with my family


For some reason, my sister loves to show off the angel above. I've seen her a number of times on the TV at my parents' house.

92- Cook with my mom

We made French toast together - yum!

96- Pay off my student loans (3/14/08)


The idea of debt scares me, so I was so happy to pay this off before it went into payments.

100- Be at the hospital when Steph’s baby is born


Ava Gabrielle stole my heart the moment I touched her.

101- Be at the hospital when Barb’s baby is born


Nola Ashlyn is my sweet little angel. I couldn't love my nieces more if I tried.

102- Make a key lime pie


Key lime pie is my absolute favorite dessert. And this was the EASIEST recipe to make. And honestly, not to toot my own horn, but it was the best damn key lime pie I've ever had. I like to think that Cam agreed.

Groceries needed:
9-inch graham cracker pie crust (Deep-dish if you can find it)
Four eggs (you will just use the yolks)
2 (14-ounce) cans condensed milk
1 cup of key lime juice (you could probably use regular lime juice, but the key lime is what made the flavor for me! We found ours at the local Harry's Farmers Market)
Sour cream
Powdered sugar
One lime for zesting (optional)

Directions
Pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees F. Combine the condensed milk, key lime juice and egg yolks. Whisk until well blended and place the filling in the pie shell. We had so much mixture left over that we put them in tiny bunt cakes (please see photo above) and sampled them later that night after cooking the little bunts with the big pie and then chilling the little bunts for a short time - yummy sampler!) Bake for 30-35 minutes and then chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

Once chilled, combine about a cup of sour cream to three+ tablespoons powdered sugar (do it to your taste) and use to dollop on the top. Some people spread the topping over the whole thing before serving, but I like to give people the option, though I personally love the sour cream/powdered sugar mixture. Cuts the tartness of the pie. Then sprinkle lime zest as a garnish on top of the sour cream and serve chilled.

What I won't post is the video that Cam took unbeknownst to me while I whisked the key lime pie mixture. Let's just say I look like a hula dancer from behind.

107- Try a different dish at my favorite restaurants (at Murphy’s Deli, La Parilla and Outback)

Well, two out of three isn't bad. Cam, you want to go to Outback this year?

108- Finish a knitting project


My friend, Sherrie, holding the dishcloth I knitted for her.

And it is usually during these 'wrap-ups' that people talk about how thankful they are for everything in their life. And I'm not going to break that tradition. Because I am incredibly thankful.

I'm thankful for my sisters, their husbands and my incredible nieces.

A Christmas photo we had done for our parents.

I'm thankful for my parents.


At Steph's wedding rehearsal.

I'm thankful for my friends.


Some friends on New Year's Eve.

So many things happened in 2008 that weren't on the to-do list. Well, at least they weren't on my list. Items like having two nieces and falling in love. But those are the best things in my life. And I'm so glad I can add them to my life list.


Ringing in the New Year. Properly.

Happy New Year, everyone. May be it filled with as much love and hope as I feel at the moment. Which is a lot.

My girls

Sweet, sweet Nola at three days old.



More chubby-cheeked goodness coming from Ava.



She now loves sucking on her thumb and fingers.

A day of random photos

So, I didn't post yesterday. Why? Because our internet (and phones!) were not working for the better part of yesterday here at the office. It was a good thing I had a FORTY FIVE page business plan (on 11x17 paper no less) to edit. Oy!

Anyways.

My mama sent me some great photos of my very pregnant little sister. She has about 25 days left until she brings my second niece into this world. And for all the family that reads my blog - can you believe BARBARA is pregnant?? I'm still freaked out a little.


Yeah, it's hard to believe that one of these girls is a mama and another is about to become one. Hint: Not the bunny.


Yep, there's definitely something in there. I like to think it is a basketball.


Barb with Maximus ("Max"), her and Matt's very sweet, but very dumb dog.


Pregnant and still hot.

And here is my niece, Ava, with my daddy.


Something must have been interesting on TV.


I can't tell you how much I love this photo. And Ava looks exactly like Steph here!

Welcome to the world

Welcome to the world, Ava Gabrielle. I didn't know I could love someone so much from the moment I saw her until I met you.



Mama and baby are doing fine. Full story and more photos to come...

The babies are coming!

So, my friend Meaghan just announced that she is having a baby! And I'm so happy for her and Chris. Send some love their way if you haven't already.

And I wanted to clear something up from my last post, because this is my blog and I want only fresh air 'round these parts. I am completely OK with being single, as in boyfriend-less, and without children. Being around a bunch of married, pregnant ladies my age just made me feel strangely out of place, though not wanting to be in their place. I really appreciate the encouraging comments, but I want everyone to know I am A-OK.

So, now that business is taken care of, I want to demonstrate even further my happiness with the babies surrounding my life. I mean, with both sisters pregnant, my older sister's final baby shower tomorrow, Meaghan's announcement, my cousin's new baby and all the other pregnant women surrounding me, I could sink into a bitter stupor, but instead I shall post a photo and a link. The photo being the gorgeousness that is my very pregnant, older sister, Steph, and the link being your way of contacting the photographer, Brandelyn Shirley. Because she kicks ass. No, seriously, she is one of the best photographers I know, and I know many. Comes with the PR job. Also, I've known Brandy since college, and I just think she's swell.



Click here to view Steph's photoshoot.

Click here to view the blog of one of the Atlanta area's best photographers.

Click here to view the website of one of the Atlanta area's best photographers.

Barbara's having...

So, if you didn't catch it in my countdown post, I let it slip that my little sister is having a baby girl!!



I am going to have two nieces and I couldn't be more excited!

On a side note, I have never felt more out of place then last weekend at my older sister's baby shower. I was the only one there who is not (i) married and (ii) pregnant/has babies. I'm not saying it was a bad thing, but very, very strange.

Counting Down...5...4...3...

I love Kari's 'numbers talking' post, so I decided to do my own countdown of randomness loosely defined under, 'Five things you may not know about me'.

I go to the gym 5 days a week.

I got home Sunday at 4 o'clock in the morning. It was a very good night.

On Sunday, at 3 PM, I saw the Yarn Harlot speak (she was freaking hilarious!). And they quoted my friend Steph in the Atlanta Journal Constitution article that came out on the event (hi, Steph!) and you can kind of see me and my knitting group in the photo that appeared with the article. We are ALMOST FAMOUS.



I will spoil my 2 nieces as soon as they make their arrival!

My pool game improves 100 percent after 1 beer.

How educated do you feel at this very moment? Happy Monday!

Road Trip 2008

A month ago, my sisters and I traveled to Florida to visit with our cousins, our aunt and our grandparents. We decided it was then or never, because with both Steph and Barb pregnant we imagine traveling five+ hours in a car is soon going to be an impossibility. And we had the best time.

And since this blog hasn't had a ridiculous photo post, the time was right. And you'll notice that it features the newest addition to our family, Taylor. She is my cousin Alisia's little girl. And I do mean little.


Before Steak 'n Shake.


After Steak 'n Shake.

Introducing Taylor:








With Steph's pregnant belly in view.










Ahhhhhhh!










This was an extremely rare sight. She is a very happy baby.












My nana with Taylor.


Proving that I am not the only person who takes photos in the family.




My Aunt Gail.


Barb, Arin (my cousin and Alisia's sister) and Steph.


The cousins. And we didn't plan the outfits.


Who's the dumbass on the left?




My dad practicing for the arrival of his granddaughter and his grand(soon-to-be-known gender).








The old married ladies.


The hip, young single ones. Notice us flashing our non-ringed left hands.


A family tradition that can also be seen here and here. Notice that Alisia (on the far left) had a baby four months ago (when the photo was taken) and weighs less than she did pre-pregnancy.








My sisters, my best friends. *sniffle*