Every New Beginning

Ben's Witness Moment

2012-01-29T16:57:00.000-08:00

WMUMC Youth Sunday

2012-01-29T16:50:00.000-08:00

Our church combines with another small Methodist church for weekly youth group on Sunday evenings. Ben loves it! They have been planning for today's Youth Sunday as a whole group at our church. Ben was responsible for the Witness Moment (which I videotaped and Glenn didn't take any pictures of so I'm going to try to post the video in a separate post as it was VERY sweet and heartfelt) and the Benediction. All of these students did a fabulous job leading the service and we were, of course, extremely proud of Ben.

practicing before the service
Ben doing the Benediction

the whole group leading worship (I also videotaped this and will attempt to post separately)

January....Longest Month of the Year

2012-01-29T16:38:00.000-08:00

Maybe its the post holidays, winter (although not necessarily winter like weather!) blues, maybe its the anticipation of a super exciting February (and 2012 as a whole!), mabye its just really, seriously long, but January has seemed never ending and I am so excited about February coming this week. We have definitely not been sitting around with nothing to do....actually lots of exciting things have gone on. Here is a recap:

*Our house went on the market!!
*We put in an offer on a new house and we should close on February 13th!!! (I will post all about it once it is official...now we are hoping our old house sells quickly!)
*We attended "John and Jen" at Workshop Theater
*We attended Columbia Classical Ballet's "Lifechance Gala" and cast party. At the silent auction we came home with a very cool, artsy bracelet, one of my favorite difusers, a gift basket and a gorgeous piece of art
*We visited our neighbor's church.
*I bought a waterproof to 10 ft Olympus Tough camera to take to the Bahamas for underwater pics....it does real cool things such as the fish eyed photo of Ben above.
*Ben had baseball conditioning to prepare for tryouts in February
*Ben spent three days on a field trip at Camp Thunderbird
*Ben and Glenn went to several Gamecock basketball games and I joined Glenn and Ruben for the first SEC win of the year against Alabama!
*Planned for next month's Bahamas and Washington, DC trips
*Booked a vacation to the Xcaret in Mexico for me and Glenn in June
*Began prepping for a spring break road trip for me and Ben...we are going to travel from SC to Houston, TX!

Now I am looking forward to so much in February, moving in the new house and the next six months that I am almost giddy!!

2011 in Review

2012-01-07T18:07:00.000-08:00

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

2011....snow....myrtle beach...ben's 12th birthday....ben's 1st school dance...cmfa pub night...phi mu fundraiser...ben plays baseball...bought a beach condo...red cross red gala...baubles and bubbles...visit coastal carolina...beach trip....spring break at the beach...ben's school play...met glenn's grandfather....easter...ben's confirmation...volunteer at the crawdaddy 5k...crawfish festival...usc dance gala...derby party...alisha and andy's wedding shower...cinco de mayo...carolina wildlife care black tie and tails gala...mother's day...quail hollow...texas tenors at township...memorial day at mb...drew and elizabeth's wedding at folly beach...myrtle beach...alisha and andy's wedding...keith urban concert...trip to phi mu hq...honeymoon...costa rica...nicaragua...usc wins college world series...4th of july at mb...peg's birthday...paula's birthday...hendersonville...ben goes to asbury hills camp...my birthday...beach with belinda and her nieces...beach with the wrights....beach with hilda and belinda...sky wheel...ocean club days...new furniture at beach...seattle...whale watching...glenn's birthday...phi mu events...charlotte for usc/ecu game...athens for usc/uga game...golf cart...gamecock football...met ray tanner...usc dance festival...kristie and randall's reception...fur ball...belinda's birthday...mrs. matthews' birthday...new car -- a SAAB...pearl night at capital city club...halloween...state band competition...band parent's senior night....mrs. m moves to still hopes...vista lights...the wrights come to visit...thanksgiving...decoarting for christmas...1st anniversary...fun with frieds...jeri katherine and hiram's wedding...usc/cu game...bishop's holiday party...EAGC party...russell's holiday soup party...nutcracker shop and columbia classical ballet's nutrcacker...polar express day...bridgepointe ladies party...matthews' christmas party...christmas day at our house...the boys with us at christmas...taking the kids to the beach...new year's eve! Oh, what a year!

I'm an ARTIST!!!

2012-01-07T15:40:00.000-08:00

One thing I love is getting together with girlfriends to celebrate birthdays. Victoria's is the first of the year and she set the bar HIGH for us. She chose to go to Tag It Art where the owner, Jackie, walked us through painting a picture...on a blank canvas. No fill in the lines on this! It was sooooo much fun and according to Glenn my painting was "really good...much better than expected". Happy birthday, Victoria....and thank you for such a fun evening.

with Paula, Victoria and Peggy
Victoria and her mom

this is what I started with

Birthday Girl!

I look like an artist!

at the end of step 1

Paula and Peg hard at work

my tree is drawn!

and....VOILA! My finished product!

me and my girls with our paintings!

New Year's Day 2012

2012-01-07T15:06:00.000-08:00

Our New Year's Day was wonderful! We got up headed over to Maisons to join the Matthews and a bunch of their friends there to watch the Panthers game and enjoy a buffet of fantastic homecooked (including all the traditional foods for NYD) food. Later we napped before packing and heading back home to Columbia to get ready for the following day's Gamecock bowl (Which they won...yay!!!)

New Year's Eve 2011

2012-01-07T14:56:00.000-08:00

2011 was a strange (not all good, not all bad) year, but if the start we got to 2012 is any indication this year is going to be FABULOUS! We were invited by Glenn's dad and Belinda join them and three other couples for the Ocean Club at Grand Dune's NYE party. We had the best time!! There was a DJ, band, photographer, delicious food, dancing, party favors, a (malfunctioned) balloon drop, beautiful outfits, family and new friends.

Getting ready to go
me and Belinda

the Matthews

midnight!!! Goodbye 2011, HELLO 2012

malfunctioned balloon drop

Ending 2011 At The Beach

2012-01-07T14:42:00.000-08:00

Ben and I, followed by Clay and his girlfriend, Chloe, left around lunchtime on Wednesday for the beach. The beach was still decorated for Christmas so it was quite neat to see the ocean and lights at the same time!

We settled in and headed to the outlets and then Margaritas for dinner. On Thursday, after a morning walk on the beach we went to Broadway at the Beach for lunch at Hard Rock and browsing around. After a rest for me and mini golf for Ben, Clay and Chloe, we all went to Coastal Grand where we shopped, had dinner in the food court and I got a foot massage....best thing EVER.

On Friday, Clay and Chloe left after lunch at Flip Flops and Glenn arrived later in the afternoon. He and I enjoyed dinner at one of my favorite places, Collector' Cafe, on Friday night. Saturday was a relaxing day as we rested up for our big NYE plans!

I lost count at 20 dead jellyfish littering the beach.
smallest seagull I have ever seen

Ben, Clay and Chloe after lunch

the boys with the Christmas Dolphin!

everywhere was decorated!

Celebrating Christmas

2012-01-07T14:27:00.000-08:00

Again because of no camera (until Christmas morning when I received a Canon Powershot from my in laws! Thank you guys...I love it!) and figuring out the new camera, there weren't very many pictures from family celebrations this year.

For starters I spent the entire day of Wednesday in bed sick, sick, sick. Fortunately I felt a little better on Thursday as my parents, Ben and Clay all arrived in Columbia AND our realtor showed our house for the first time (even though it isn't on the market just yet.) We enjoyed lunch at Casa Linda, opening gifts and shopping while they were here.

On Friday Glenn, Clay and I (with the help of one of Glenn's employees) go the house ready for our party. Then, Christmas Eve Glenn and I spent the day at home for the most part. We had Chinese for dinner and watched "A Christmas Story". Christmas morning we got ready and had lunch at Still Hopes with Mrs. Matthews. It was wonderful!!! Then, we brought her home with us while I got ready for Christmas dinner. It was a strange year having it our house and not her's. But we got a turkey and ham and I fixed green bean casserole and my grandmother's mac and cheese and dressing. I think everyone enjoyed it.

The boys arrived Monday and we opened presents with them before I began dismantling the decorations from the house and prepared to leave for the beach on Wednesday.

Our Christmas Party

2012-01-07T14:22:00.000-08:00

We held our 2nd annual party on December 23rd again this year. It was a fantastic time with many of our friends (as well as Mrs. Matthews and Clay for family). I'm guessing around 50 people rotated through during the night. Unfortunately, there aren't many visual memories of the night....my camera stopped working between Tuesday and Thursday. Glenn bought me a $30 CVS camera but at 5 mp the few pictures I took were terrible.

Thank you to Hilda for sending me this picture of Peggy, Penny, Hilda, Victoria and me!

Christmas at Bridgepointe

2012-01-07T14:09:00.000-08:00

Glenn's grandmother owns a beautiful condo in Columbia that stays decorated year around for Christmas. This year the Matthews women through a ladies only holiday party on the Tuesday before Christmas. I believe we had somewhere around 75 ladies attend! Glenn and few guys friends served us all evening as we enjoyed delicious food, beautiful views and time with old (and new!) friends!

with my favorite server before the party!

my favorite girls with the best view in town! Victoria, Penny, Peggy and Paula

The Matthews ladies with LuLu and Robin

Mrs. Matthews and deear friends, Mary and Charles

Polar Express

2011-12-18T17:02:00.000-08:00

Every year I have Polar Express Day for my students. This year Glenn dressed up as "Conductor Matthews" and came to check tickets and read the story to our second and third graders. I love the day because I get to wear my pjs to school and it was even more special to have Glenn there.

Soup Party Time

2011-12-18T16:46:00.000-08:00

Glenn says he's been waiting for years for an invitation to this annual party and this year he/we got it! Mary and Charles host a "soup party" each year with a counter full of yummy soups. This year, I believe there were six different kinds. I know I had a bowl of seafood chowder, lobster bisque, squash bisque and I tried a spoonful of Glenn's veggie soup and chicken and rice.

Every room of their beautiful house was decorated and filled with people. What a wonderful time we all had!

Glenn got caught under the mistletoe!!

the gracious host, Charles

our hostess Mary, Glenn and Elsie

even Mrs. Matthews got to come to the party

the living room full of guets

Favorite Christmas Party of the Year

2011-12-18T09:36:00.000-08:00

My favorite party we go to each year is the EAGC party. It is always held at Forest Lake Club and includes a delicious dinner, band, dancing, and gifts. Each couple gets these "party" bags with goodies from some of the EAGC member companies. I love going home and going through it! They also give each lady at the party a gift. This year they did something different and had handblown glass ring holders from One Eared Cow made. It is a beautiful piece of art as well as ring holder and such a great idea.

As always it was a fantastic party!

Mrs. Matthews with her boys

The Matthews women

my gorgeous piece of glass art

First Christmas Party of the Year

2011-12-18T09:31:00.000-08:00

The second Friday in December saw us attending our first party of the season....The Bishops' "purple" party. We had a blast and were so excited Mrs. Matthews got to come as well!

Lee, Mrs. Matthews, Mary and Me

Nutcrackers and More Nutcrackers

2011-12-18T09:27:00.000-08:00

While Ben and Glenn enjoyed a "guy's weekend" at the beach, I spent Friday through Sunday at the Koger Center for Columbia Classical Ballet's performance of "The Nutcracker". Luckily, I saw the performance on Friday morning with my students as I spent the rest of the shows at the store in the lobby selling, selling, selling! I had so much fun, though and can't wait for next year's Nutcracker Shop!

Three In A Row For USC

2011-12-04T08:47:00.000-08:00

To round out what might have been the busiest weekend of 2011 we tailgated and went to the USC/Clemson game. Almost all of our usual tailgating friends were there and many of Glenn's lifelong friends and their wives as well. The sights of this game were almost as entertaining as the game itself.

It was a LONG but fun day with another great Gamecock WIN against the Tigers!!!

Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Sipes

2011-12-04T08:40:00.000-08:00

"Black Friday" this year was "White Friday" for our friends, Hiram and Jeri Katherine as they married in a 5 p.m. wedding that was beautiful. A reception was held in the church social hall and after a bridal wardrobe change they met all their friends and bridal party at the Sheraton Rooftop for the best view of Columbia to finish the night.

Glenn and I had spent a busy Friday enjoying lunch with his mom's friend's The Bensons before heading to the wedding, making a brief stop at the reception, running to dinner at MoMo's with his mom, Fred, his dad, Belinda and Ruben, then on to the rooftop to celebrate with the beautiful bride and groom. What a fun night!

Congratulations Hiram and Jeri Katherine!

Happy First Anniversary!!!

2011-12-04T08:24:00.000-08:00

It is hard to believe that one year ago today we were in Las Vegas getting ready to get married. This year we spent our anniversary day with the boys and Glenn's family at our house for Thanksgiving, visiting his grandparents in their retirement homes, eating a bite of our cake's top layer and then sleeping in the recliners in front of the TV! It was not the romantic first anniversary one would expect, but it turned out to be perfect.

Being my traditional self, I decided that we should follow the "traditional" list for gifts each year. First being paper. After weeks of trying to figure out paper gifts for each other we decided on artwork! This would be the start to our personal art collection.

Glenn's gift: Alicia Leeke's "Rocket Man"

My gift: Jo Dean Bauknight's "Garden Path"

Thanksgiving

2011-12-04T08:05:00.000-08:00

This year because of moving Mrs. Matthews health and moving her into Still Hopes we held a huge family Thanksgiving at our house. Both sets of my in laws, Mrs. Matthews, Clay, Ben and Glenn and I were all having a big lunch.

After spending Tuesday night washing china, polishing silver, rearranging furniture and decorating, Wednesday finally arrived and so did Clay and my TX/NC in laws! That evening we all opted to stay in and have pizza so we could catch up and prepare for Thursday. My other mother in law, Belinda, came over for a bit as well to say hello.

Thursday, Fred fried a turkey, Vicki and I prepped the sides and by noonish we were all gathered around our table for our Thanksgiving feast. Everything was delicious and I think we all agreed it was a wonderful holiday. Afterwards we shared photos that we found at Mrs. Matthews' house and let her tell us stories.

From our house we all went to Still Hopes to see Mrs. Matthews' new apartment. Then, the Wrights, Glenn and I also went to Laurel Crest to visit Mr. Jay, his grandfather. Returning to our house we had leftovers and I was asleep in the recliner by 7 p.m. It was fun, but exhausting!

The Wrights arrived on Wednesday and we started getting ready for Turkey Day.

Fried Turkey

Mrs. Matthews enjoying Thanksgiving

Ben decorated the pumpkin pie

Glenn, his grandmother and his dad at Still Hopes

Starting Christmas Early

2011-12-04T07:58:00.000-08:00

Last year we decorated early because of leaving for Las Vegas and all of the upcoming wedding activities. This year I decorated on Tuesday night before Thanksgiving out of necessity!! With our recent redecorating additions and full closets, we had no where to store our tree so it was just sitting in the middle of the guest room. With my in laws on their way to stay, we needed to move it so decided to go ahead and put it up. Also, our sweet, sweet family friend Mary made us one of our her "one of a kind" Gamecock trees and we wanted everyone to see it as well. (She makes these for a local florist and graciously agreed to make us one this year complete with personalized ornaments!)

Vista Lights

2011-11-19T01:48:00.000-08:00

I so loved spending time with Victoria at the official Columbia holiday kick off....Vista Lights. We enjoyed walking the street, visiting shops, sampling food and spending time chatting.

Is it a lime or a guacomole? We couldn't decide what the Salsarita's mascot was.....but their salsa and chips were great!

Victoria making smores

Yes, that is Ben peeking over us...he and Glenn came to check out some art work by Alicia Leeke. (more to come)

Meeting Lupe!

2011-11-12T22:45:00.001-08:00

Our friends Cam and Victoria bought 2 of our game tickets today for our friend, Sherrie and Cam's sister, Lupe, a DJ in NYC (that I can't wait to spend time with when we go in August 2012)! Vic, Cam and Lupe came by before the game to pick up the tix and I got to meet her....we were instantly "family-friends". I texted Victoria and said, "I love Lupe!'....she texted back, "haha! She said the same about you!"

We made plans to go out to dinner at M Vista later in the evening and it was so much fun! I love spending time with Cam and Victoria, two of my absolute favorite people in the world and Lupe was definitely an added bonus!

Senior Night at Byrnes

2011-11-12T09:05:00.000-08:00

Last night was Senior Night at the Byrnes football game. This was also Clay's last night marching in high school and he had asked us to come for the parent/senior recognition. It was the coldest I have been in a long time as we sat through the first half of the game. At half time, the band performed part of their show and then each senior and his/her parents (we were lined up along the home side of the field) were introduced. Clay was all smiles during this and we were super proud of him.

My Rachel Zoe Project

2011-11-10T16:05:00.000-08:00

Very rarely do a I regret not making a purchase. (Usually it is the opposite and regret making it!) But, a year or so ago I was at Coplon's for their big 90% of sale. I did pick up a few things, but the thing I most wanted was not on sale. It was the most fabulous pair of dressy slacks ever. They were sheer, long and wide legged. The waist was ruched with a huge bow. They were definitely an investment item. And, if Glenn has heard me bemoan not buying them once, he's heard it 100 times. So, the other afternoon when my mother in law invited me to meet her at Coplon's for a Rachel Zoe trunk show Glenn suggested I at least look to see if they had similiar pants and if so, please get them.

Well, I went with intention of looking, not trying on anything, much less making purchases. Weeeelllll.......I found the second best pair of dressy slacks ever! They are Tadashi and sheer, long, wide legged with a silky, split up the side of each leg lined....they made me look tall and (somewhat) thin. I came out of the dressing room gushing. Well, Bruce the owner, insisted I try on the Rachel Zoe top pictured here (along with a gorgeous pair of black Jimmy Choos). And, I think I actually squeeled before I came out this time. I called Glenn and asked if he would get me this for Christmas and he agreed. (He also agreed I can wear it early to a Christmas party in December). I begrudgingly put back the Jimmy Choos since Glenn informed me that our closet can't handle more shoes.

As we kept looking, Belinda and Hilda encouraged me to try on another blouse and a cashmere cape. Those are also going to be (the blouse an early) Christmas present. Yay!

So, my "looking" venture turned into way more shopping than I planned. Added bonus --- we were given really cute, simple Rachel Zoe travel make up bags. :)

State Band Competition

2011-11-06T15:09:00.000-08:00

On Saturday afternoon, we traveled to Orangeburg for the State Band Finals. Clay and the Byrnes band were competing and we arrived in time to see Irmo and Boiling Springs as well. Byrnes did a terrific job and placed 4th overall...way to go Rebel Regiment!

Rebel Regiment

Pearls, Pearls, Pearls!

2011-11-06T13:44:00.000-08:00

Recently Belinda invited me to attend an event at Capital City Club with her and some friends on one of my favorite topics....pearls! The presenter is owner of a family owned pearl company that sells to some of the major designers including Chanel.

We enjoyed some delicious CCC food, learned A LOT about pearls and viewed his beauties on sale. (I actually had great restraint and didn't make a purchase although I called Glenn and offered for him to come buy me something!) Added bonus: they sent us all home with a lovely pair of pearl studs! :)

Halloween 2011

2011-11-06T13:40:00.000-08:00

This was the saddest Halloween on record....Ben didn't want to dress up and go trick or treating and our Halloween party plans fell through. But, Glenn and Ben made the most of it and took the golf cart out to pass out candy to the relatively few trick or treaters that traipsed through our neighborhood.

Happy Birthday, Mrs. Matthews

2011-10-30T17:27:00.000-07:00

On Friday night Mrs. Matthews and I had a "sleepover" in her hospital room. We ate a donut, watched CSI: Miami, talked and went to bed early, but it was a great to spend the time with her and I was able to be the first one to say "happy birthday".

Later in the day, Glenn and I went back to visit and took a birthday cake for her to celebrate!

Happy Birthday to "the Girls"

2011-10-30T17:18:00.000-07:00

The last week of October an annual birthday celebration is held at Dianne's for Mary, Michela, Belinda and Mrs. Matthews birthdays. Unfortunately this year Mrs. Matthews was unable to attend since she is in the hospital, but the party went on and it was not the same without her there.

We did enjoy seeing everyone and a great meal. And, it was so sweet because Ross called Mrs. Matthews at the hospital and sang (with the entire restaraunt backing him up) "Happy Birthday" to her!

The October Birthday girls minus Mrs. Matthews

Charles surprised Mary with her caricature for the Dianne's wall

Introducing.......

2011-10-30T17:17:00.001-07:00

.....SAABrina!!!

Last weekend, in a whirlwind of dealings, I bought the car I have wanted since I was 13.....a SAAB!!! I love my new car! :)

Mr. and Mrs. Randal Cox

2011-10-30T17:08:00.000-07:00

A few months ago my long time friend, Kristie got married on a Sunday morning....just her and Randal and the officiant. Last weekend the hosted a reception for family and friends at her mother's lake front house. It was a perfect and beautiful day to spend with them and celebrate their marriage! Congratulations to both of you!

Official FurBall 2011 Photograph

2011-10-16T18:10:00.000-07:00

The photographer posted his photos right after I finished my FurBall post. Here was one of the two pics of us!

My Favorite Gala - FurBall!

2011-10-16T17:54:00.000-07:00

For the third year in a row we attended Pawmetto Lifeline's FurBall. (At our first one, Glenn bought me my first Christmas present from him in the silent auction --- a signed copy of Pat Conroy's South of Broad.) It wasn't the same this year without his grandmother there, but Belinda and his dad joined us and the Russells for a wonderful evening of food, fun and dancing to Heart and Soul (the same band from our wedding reception!)

me and Mary
us and the Weitzels

Better Late Than Never

2011-10-13T17:06:00.000-07:00

While we were at the Grand Canyon we walked out on the Sky Walk...a glass floored, u-shaped walkway that goes out over the canyon. It is absolutely amazing and incredibly scary (especially for people like us who don't like heights!). You can't take purses, cameras, cell phones or anything out there with you. You even have to wear special booties. We didn't buy our picture that day because the line was super long and we wanted to see as much as possible and not waste time. Well, I finally paid the $30 (yes, $30) for the rights to download our picture for 10 days. Here it is.....our proof that we conquered and walked the Grand Canyon Skywalk!

USC Festival of Dance

2011-10-13T15:05:00.000-07:00

Glenn is on USC's Dance Board and I'm on Columbia Classical Ballet board. So, last Friday when USC hosted a "Festival of Dance" and CCB was one of the performing groups we dressed up, enjoyed a date dinner at Miyo's and then met up with our friends, Hiram and Jeri Katherine for the show and afterparty. It was a wonderful display of dance groups from all over SC and really showed the diversity in dance. Some were ballet, some were modern, some were strange, some were interesting, but they all entertained.

Wounded Warrior Game -- USC vs. Auburn

2011-10-13T15:00:00.000-07:00

It was a disappointing game. We lost. But, we had a great time anyway!

The girls: Sherrie, Victoria, me and Tammy

GAME....

Wounded Warrior Day Pre Show

National Champion Coach

2011-10-13T14:56:00.000-07:00

Recently Belinda and I met to grab a bite to eat at Cantina 76. It just so happened that Make a Wish was hosting a fundraiser with Coach Ray Tanner and the championship trophies as the draw. After we ate, we stopped by to chat with him for a few moments and get a photo snapped. He was the nicest guy! USC should be very proud to have him as a part of the athletic staff.

USC vs. Vanderbilt

2011-10-12T17:48:00.000-07:00

For the Vandy game it was just us and the Moragos. We had literally just set up our tent, opened the food and torrential downpour.....Carolina Walk Park became a mud pit and about two seconds after this picture of me and Victoria was taken, the tent blew off us! It was quite an interesting day. But, again, thankful for a WIN!

Ben spent the entire time reading...who is this child?!?!

First Home Game of the Season

2011-10-12T16:02:00.000-07:00

After two weekends of away game we were excited to finally have a game in Columbia so we could tailgate at Carolina Walk Park and unveil our new toy.........yes, a Gamecock theme golf cart! We had lots of friends come out for this first tailgate and had a great time topped off by a "W"! Go Cocks!

Ben and Victoria

me and Victoria

Ruben and Ben

taking the girls for a ride around the stadium

my Phi Mu friend, Cindy

Sawyer and Ben on the golf cart

Beat the Bulldogs!!!!

2011-09-11T14:21:00.000-07:00

On Friday afternoon Glenn and I loaded up the Yukon and headed to Athens for the weekend. We've planned for months to go to the game and meet up with our friends, Rich and Andrea. And, it was great to see and spend time with them.

Dinner at DePalma's on Friday night was fabulous. I had a delicious meal of polenta and seafood pasta. But, the best part was spending time with Rich and Andrea, their friends Leigh and Jack, and our friends, Amy and Bryan. We had such a great time at our divided table ---4 UGA fans and 4 USC fans!

I woke up on Saturday running a fever and feeling terrible. So, instead of meeting Rich, Andrea, Leigh and Jack to tailgate we stayed in our room and watched ESPN so I could rest and try to feel better. Luckily after lunchtime the fever was gone and I felt like eating finally. By late afternoon we walked to the Holiday Inn where they were all tailgating as well as my in law's friends, Phil and Nina and their family and friends. We spent about an hour with everyone before trekking to the stadium for the game.

I hope you watched the game, because I really can't describe it. A UGA guy described his take after the game: "We were up, we were down, we were up, we were down, we were up, we were down....we lost." Change that for us to "WE WON!!!!" It was the most nervewracking, fingernail chewing game I have ever been to. I am so thankful I started feeling better and was able to go! Now, with this being 9/11's 10 year weekend, they did a beautiful remembrance. It started with a flyover before the game, recognitions of soldiers, emergency responders, etc. during time outs and the bands from both schools joined together for a patriotic tribute at half time, including a stirring version of "Amazing Grace", during which the first (and last) breeze blew through the stadium.

Afterwards we walked back to the Holiday Inn to post-tailgate with both sets of friends and get some food from the HI restaraunt (food was good, but that was an ordeal!).

It was the most fun away game Glenn and I have ever attended and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Amy and me
my yum yum meal

Amy, me and Andrea

us and the Bordens

going in to Sanford Stadium

GAME.....COCKS!!

9/11 Flyover

both bands at halftime

WE WON!! WE BEAT THE DAWGS !!!!!

Almost Like Christmas!!

2011-09-05T09:55:00.001-07:00

The first day of the Gamecock season is one of our favorites. We always look forward to wearing our Gamecock gear, tailgating and cheering on the team. This year's first game was on Saturday against ECU at Panther Stadium in Charlotte. After a not so good start to the morning (a rock hit and cracked the windshield to start!) we arrived, stopped at a great restaraunt, Vivace, for a quick lunch and then got a little lost. But it worked out beautifully because as we sat at a Dilworth stop light we saw my mother in law, Gwen and another friend of their's waiting to cross the street! Talk about timing!

Once we got in the right direction, we headed to a warehouse lot on Mint Street to tailgate with one of Glenn's vendors. It was a LOT of fun! One of his pest control buddies from Aiken, Scott (aka...DJ Sizzle) played tunes all afternoon and Mark, from Forshaw grilled up chicken, brats and more. The only downside is that the RV was supposed to be there and the guy in charge of it lost the keys! (He found them in the trash on Sunday morning!)

At the stadium, we waited for kick off and sat with friends, Judah and Connie. The first half was not so good....we were pretty sure ECU was going to win. I guess its proof that if we leave things turn around. Our friends were hungry and wanted to leave during half time so we did and went to Epicenter to watch the rest of the game and eat sushi. I'm glad we did....the Cocks staged quite a comeback and won!

my mother in law, Vickie, Gwen and us
first tailgate of the year!

the grill is fired up and check out the spread!

first "2001' of the 2011 season!

Phi Mu Bid Day

2011-09-01T13:05:00.000-07:00

For the first time I attended Bid Day at USC and it was incredible! Thousands of people on the Horseshoe, each sorority set up with balloons, signs, banners, whistles and more! The Phi Mu chapter welcomed 109 women with bids on Sunday and it was an exciting time for them. After the events on campus wrapped up, the entire chapter headed out to a local skating rink for dinner, skating and bonding. What a PHUN night!

Lambda Theta Chapter
Elaine, Cindy and me

cheering on the new Phis as they arrive

skating time

Time for a Change

2011-09-01T12:53:00.000-07:00

Right after our honeymoon in June we headed to an unnamed store in Columbia (I'm choosing not to name because although I'm fine with the furniture now, the couch arrived in slip cover when we expressely requested upholstery --and our paperwork documents this---and when I called the store response was that they told us the couch didn't come in upholstery....but they put it on the paperwork? Anyone else see the failed logic there? It was not a good parting and very sad because I really wanted some items from this store for home, too!) to purchase living room furniture for the condo. Really, we were going for just a couch, but the matching ottoman, end table, coffee table, TV console and mirror were too cute to pass up and my husband is the best (!!) he said to "get it all"!

It finally arrived in August and despite the above mentioned snafu, we are very pleased with our new condo look. So much so that now I think the house needs to be updated....hmmmm....I hope that best husband has his wallet ready! :)

Happy Birthday, Glenn!

2011-08-31T18:45:00.000-07:00

On August 17th, Glenn celebrated his 35th birthday! Friends and family joined us for dinner at MoMo's Bistro and the evening was topped by his favorite cake, Yaya's from Zoe's. I think it was a fun evening for him and he was surrounded by some of his very favorite people.

Glenn and his mom waiting on our table
Ben and "Ms." Peggy

balloons from Ruben...that is Justin Beiber

birthday cake

Pancho's

2011-08-31T18:39:00.001-07:00

It was a nice surprise a few weeks ago when our friends, Justin and Julie, came into town and gathered a big group to go have dinner at Pancho's. I hadn't seen them, Christy and Kent, John and Kim in ages so it was nice to catch up !

me and Christy

Julie and Justin

Seattle - Middle of the Night Monday

2011-08-31T18:26:00.000-07:00

This year Glenn's August Associated meeting was in Seattle and since school hadn't yet started I was able to go along. We left Columbia around 6:30 on Monday evening and after (with a delay of course) a layover in Dallas we arrived in Seattle after midnight on Monday.

We had a very bumpy (ie...BAD cab driver) ride to the swanky Hotel 1000, where the events were taking place and we were staying. The hotel was very modern and sleak. Best feature though was the tub. It sat in the bathroom with a glass window (yes, there was a screen in case you prefered for those in the bedroom to NOT watch you soak!) to the bedroom and it filled from the ceiling. It was so deep and wonderful!! I want one of these for home!

everyone got a rubber ducky (and as you will see, by the end of the week, I had 2)

filling the tub from the ceiling

Seattle - Tuesday Sightseeing

2011-08-31T18:02:00.000-07:00

Our Tuesday in Seattle started early because we were too excited about seeing the city to sleep! First stop was BOKA, the hotel restaurant, for breakfast. Then, we walked (quite a few miles!) to Lake Washington for our sea plane ride and Argosy boat tour. The Sea plane was the best thing we did on the trip and worth every penny it cost. Glenn and I both LOVED it. The views were beautiful and we felt totally safe since the plane was also a boat and for the majority of the ride we were over water! (Next trip out here, we're going to take one of these into Canada.) Unfortunately, our plane was running a little late and we missed our Argosy boat. Since the next boat leaving time would conflict with our lunch reservations, they graciously booked us for the following day. (As you will see though, Glenn didn't check his schedule and he needed to be in a meeting at the same time as the boat, so Gina and I ended up going.)

Since, we had some to kill we walked from there to City Center (a few more miles) the location of the infamous Space Needle, EMP (Jimi Hendrix Museum called Experiencing Music Project) and more. We walked around and toured EMP which had a few fabulous exhibits --- Battlestar Galactica, Avatar --including real suits from the movie and computerized simulations and Nirvana --- which had their MTV Music Award and Kurt Cobain's famous green sweater on display! Finally, it was time for lunch.....at the Space Needle's Sky City rotating restaurant. We really figured the view was going to be the best part and were superbly surprised by the gourmet food. Following lunch we went up to the observation deck to see the city.

While on the observation deck the strangest story of Seattle emerged. Walking around I saw a girl that looked familiar. She pointed at me and then I recognized the girl with her. But they were out of place and I was totally confused for a moment. It was my teaching partner, Jan's daughters!! We had no idea we would all be there, much less run into each other! They were visiting with their dad who was also in town for a convention.

Taking off!

Bill Gates' house from the air

great view from the sky

Avatar head at EMP

Nirvana artifacts...there is the famous sweater!

such a gorgeous day

lunch at Sky City....yes, that is the real city behind us :)

observation deck

such a surprise to run into Mallory and Leah!

Seattle - Tuesday Night Baseball

2011-08-31T17:52:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday night the Association had arranged for everyone to go to SafeCo Field for a cookout behind the bull pen, followed by a Mariners game. After all of our walking earlier in the day, Glenn and I felt pretty good so we walked from the hotel there, too. We met up with Gina and Adam and met a lot of people from all over. We stayed to see Justin Smoak (former Gamecock) up to bat and then walked back and enjoyed a sushi late night snack with Gina and Adam.

Smoak up at bat

see that blue light in the back left? that sushi was on fire! It was very cool and yummmmmy!

Seattle - Wednesday

2011-08-31T17:25:00.000-07:00

Glenn's meetings actually started on Wednesday after lunch so we got up early and headed to the famous Pike's Market for breakfast and to walk around. We saw the "flying fish" and couldn't believe the gorgeous flowers. I walked him back to the hotel and met up with Gina so we could walk to Lake Washington for our Argosy boat ride. Being in Seattle I expected all gray clouds and rain, but it was a beautiful, warm day. I got my worst sunburn of the summer!

On our boat we saw gorgeous views of the city, homes, the floating homes, Bill Gates' house, Dale Chihuly's studio and so much more. Being that this was Sea Fare week (Navy) we caught a glimpse of the Blue Angels flying in the distance. After our ride we walked to a nearby hamburger place for lunch and then to the flagship Nordstrom store. Exciting!!! :) Gina decided she was ready to go back and rest so I ventured on to Nordstrom Rack where I found a cute teeshirt to wear on Thursday and a Tory Burch top that I fell in love with.

That evening was the convention banquet and we were well surpised by how great the food turned out to be. I had salmon over couscous and it was delicious. I very much enjoyed meeting a lot of Glenn's industry buddies that I had heard so much about.

flying fish

too cute

floating houses...no they aren't boat houses, they literally float

Gates Manor

Chihuly's studio

Gina, Adam, me and Glenn before the banquet

yum!

Seattle - Thursdsay Whale Watching and San Juan Harbor

2011-08-31T17:12:00.003-07:00

On Thursday morning, Gina and I were up and on a boat leaving Seattle at 7:30 a.m. Our destination? Friday Harbor and whale watching off the San Jan Islands. Now, I was excited to see those little black fins in the water.....for about 10 minutes and then, I was ready to get off the boat and go do something. I'm glad I can say I went whale watching, but I doubt I would ever do it again. We spent almost twelve hours on that boat and all I can say is.....my ADD kicked in and I was bored.

After the watching part, we headed back to Friday Harbor where docked and would have liked more time. It was such a cute, little seaside town. We ate lunch and wandered in a few shops before another few hours on the boat back to Seattle. I picked up an adorable orange and fuschia ladybug printed clutch in one of the shops and was thrilled!

crazy fog on the way

Friday Harbor

that's a huge sea lion all the way to the right

Seattle is Winding Down - Thursday Night and Friday

2011-08-31T16:51:00.000-07:00

After our day whale watching, Gina and I were tired, but after showering we ready to join the guys for dinner at Purple Care. It was yet again, oh so yummy food. I had a four cheese (think GOOD cheeses, not cheddar and parmesean!) pizza that was deliciously perfect. The restaurant had this floor to ceiling tower in the dead center that held thousands of bottles of wine. I have never seen anything like it. After dinner, our waiter took us up the winding staircase (and through the tiny crawl hole) and inside of it which happened to be the sommelier's office. It was definitely neat to see.

For the first time since we got there, we slept in on Friday. Then, packed and took our suitcases to Gina and Adam's room for storage until time to leave for our 11:30 flight. Glenn was having lunch at Ivar's (should I say another great place to eat) with a rep and another friend and they invited me and Gina to go along since Adam was at a business lunch. From lunch she and I stopped at a local running shop to pick up some fantastically crazy neon tennis shoes I saw in the window and then planned to do a tour. However, we missed the last time we could do it and still be on time for dinner so instead we stopped in Diva Dollz, a local shop in Pioneer Square to look at some shoes. Well, this place was awesome. They make their own clothes and they are all in vintage print and style. And, the shoes....well, let's just say unique and definitly not something I can get in Columbia. Gina and I both left there with new outifts to wear to dinner and I came out with a second pair of shoes that match my ladybug purse from whale watching! Good time shopping there for sure.

After we put on our fabulous new dress and shoes, we met the guys at the closing social and then went to The Pink Door for our last Seattle meal. It was outside with a waterview and absolutely divine food. By the time Glenn and I changed clothes, it was time to head to the airport and our all night flight! Seattle was so awesome of a trip that it was hard to leave. We definitely hope to go back some time in the future.

Purple Cafe

Our ducks...Gina and I got "special" ducks from the front desk!

our new outfits

dinner at The Pink Door

last looks at Seattle

Beauty Infomercial

2011-08-01T09:19:00.000-07:00

If you were to follow me around Wal Mart on grocery shopping day you would see that I am a flagrant generic purchaser. And, when it comes to food and a few other choice items I can truly tell no difference. But, when it comes to hair, skin and make up products, the old adage "you get what you pay for" is a dead on truth. I've tried a multitude of inexpensive (even generic) products to cushion my bank account with mostly disastorous results (both to my hair and skin AND bank account). This year I have begun to explore quality products and I guess it is starting to show.

Our friend Hilda is a straight shooter. She doesn't mince words and if she tells you something, then you can take it as the honest truth. While at the beach she commented to me that my skin, make up and hair looked totally different and really good. What was I doing differently? Then she also noticed that Glenn's skin looked different as well. What was going on with us? I told her about a few new (to me) products I was using and she suggested that I not stop! I thought I'd share on here as well.

First, HAIR:

1. When I started with my (still fairly new) hairdresser, Teree, she immediately informed me that my hair was extremely overwashed. Meaning --- yes, I washed, conditioned, dried and flat ironed every single day. She, not so subtly, suggested that I wash only once a week and I recoiled in horror. So, we settled on no more than every other day, but with preference to every two days. It has greatly improved my hair quality (and freed up a few mornings a week to catch an extra wink or two of sleep.) My next plan is to try a dry shampoo to keep it looking good for longer. Suggestions??

2. Then, last week at the beach I stopped at Sephora for make up(more on that later in the post) and my birthday gift (if you register for the Sephora rewards card they will send you a postcard around your b-day!). This gift was a gift that will keep on giving....giving me great hair! I am totally opposed to shampoo, body wash, bubble bath combos and steer clear at all times. But, I was at the beach and figured I should give my Philosophy 3 in 1, Vanilla Birthday Cake scented gift a chance. I am SO glad I did. It has made my hair softer, smoother, shinnier and bouncier! I liked it so much I made Glenn stop me back by Sephora to purchase a full size (in Pink Frosted Layer Cake! MMM!!!) for home. Bonus-----I save money by using the 3 in 1 AND I smell like cupcakes! :)

Second, Make Up:

1. Foundation --- I have tried every foundation imaginable and never like the coverage and how long it lasts. And, I have to be careful because I am allergic to sunscreen it can't have it. The very helpful Sephora beauty consultant narrowed my choices to two she felt would give the best coverage with no SPF. I immediately chose Make Up Forever HD in color 120. Love, love, love the smoothness it has going on, the natural coverage and the lasting ability. I admit its a bit pricey for a foundation, but worth double. (My next purchase when I run out of my current primer that I'm not crazy about is the fabulous Make Up Forever, red correcting primer...can't wait!)

2. Lips ---Know Kat Von D? Beautiful, tatted up star of Miami Ink? Well, Sephora now has a line of make up by her. I found the lip glosses on the sale shelf ($3.57 from original $18...thank you!) in Lolita and Prayer. I bought both to try and love them. They don't go on as smooth as some glosses, BUT they line lips spectacularly and then stay one after eating and drinking....love that factor! I put them on top of a neutral Estee Lauder lipstick, no lipliner and voila...lips to love.

3. Eyes and cheeks -- While checking out at the register I noticed these little "books" by Stila. Turns out they contain four eyeshadows, one blush, one bronzer, a mirror, and a "how to put on eyeshadow and blush" instruction set! The colors are fabulous in Stunning in Sayulita (the others are too, but I decided only to get this one to try it), its perfect to travel with and the price......$14!

Last, but probably most importantly....SKIN:

Early this year I read an interview with Tory Burch and she stated that every woman should exfoliate her face daily. So, I started researching and found Mario Badescu. Starting with Strawberry Face Scrub and Skin Renewal Complex Glenn and I both began to exfoliate our skin. My skin has never been softer and even my lines (yes, I am almost 40 and have plenty of them!) don't seem as noticable. I recently added Cucumber Make Up Remover, as well as a hand lotion (that is where my age is really, really starting to show) and eye make up remover. I can't say enough about what these products have done for my skin.

Finally, where to buy:

Sephora - for Philosophy, Make Up Forever, Kat Von D and Mario Badescu products

Mario Badescu - for Mario's fabulous products (and its free shipping with a $50 order AND freebies with each order which are perfectly sized for traveling.....although be sure to check them in your luggage. The US let me take out a sample size of hand lotion, but Costa Rican TSA made me dump it.)

And, We are Back...in Less Than 24 Hours

2011-07-31T18:23:00.000-07:00

After our very brief trip home, Ben and I came straight back to our "other" home. After a stop at Sephora (for new foundation and I discovered the BEST FOUNDATION EVER and Stilla Stunning in Sayulita blush and eye shadows) for make up and a walk around the mall, Ben and I made our way down 17 in the pouring rain. Shortly afterwards a friend of Belinda who has become a good friend of mine, Hilda, also arrived. She and Belinda came over for dinner that evening and it was great to catch up.

Wednesday was cleaning day. That evening Belinda came back over for dinner and Glenn arrived for a long weekend. (He was also there for a business conference up in NC on Thursday.) Ben wanted to go to the pool so we did some evening swimming before going fora long walk around our neighborhood.

On Thursday Glenn went off to NC for his conference and we went back to Ocean Club for swimming and lunch with Belinda and Hilda. (I was thrilled to eat my fave beach lunch there again....blackened fish sandwich sans bread!) When Glenn got back he and I met the girls at Ruth's Chris for dinner. We also discovered a Red Box right up the street so we had picked up a couple of DVDs to watch.

After another movie on Friday morning and some shopping, we had a late lunch at Abuelo's, a Mexican place at Coastal Grand Mall. Typically, we aren't fans of "chain" Mexican, but the Diablo Cheese dip here is too good to pass up! For the remainder of our final summer beach weekend we spent lots of time at the pool, had dinner with Glenn's dad and Belinda at Prime, cleaned and headed back to Columbia for our final trip of the summer and then.....back to the real world of work.

Belinda, Hilda, Ben and me at Ocean Club

Ben loves swimming under the bridge waterfall

after dinner at Ruth's Chris

Ben trying out the Rickie Fowler look at Martin's

More Summer at the Beach

2011-07-31T17:50:00.000-07:00

Ben and I had all of Thursday and most of Friday to ourselves before Glenn arrived from Columbia and his mom and stepdad from Hendersonville. On Friday afternoon Ben was invited to go with his friend Jared and his family to Springmaid for the day and into the late evening. While he was gone we all went to Rockefeller's for dinner and then back to the condo to hang out.

On Saturday we joined my other in laws for lunch at Ocean Club and then headed down to the new MB Boardwalk. We walked a good portion of the walk and took a ride on the new Sky Wheel. I'm not a fan of heights, but it was worth it for the view in the enclosed, airconditioned cabins. After a little stop at home we headed down to Market Commons to shop (Glenn bought me a mushroom colored, semi-military trench Samuel Dong jacket for my birthday) and dinner at Travinia's. Delicious!!!!

Our Sunday consisted of pooltime and even Belinda came over to join us. Late in the afternoon it started to rain so we all headed up to the condo for enchilada casserole. Unfortunately, we all had to leave on Monday morning.....Glenn was headed back to work, his parents back to the mountains and me and Ben to Columbia for less than 24 hours. I had a nail appointment on Monday afternoon and braces check up on Tuesday morning. As soon as it was over we made a short visit to Mrs. Matthews and then started right back down the road to the beach!!

The Wrights after lunch at Ocean Club

Sky Wheel ride

MB Boardwalk

Sunday at the pool

We Love the Beach!

2011-07-31T17:39:00.000-07:00

After picking Ben from camp, he and I headed straight to spend (almost all of) the next two weeks at the beach. Glenn joined us for the weekend and Belinda, her nieces and one of their friends arrived on Sunday to stay until midweek. On Sunday night we all went to Rossi's for a fabulous dinner.

Monday morning Ben and I headed out to the beach for him to use his boogie board, before joining Belinda at Maisons pool for a while. After lunch he and I went to our pool and then had Belinda over for a turkey burger dinner.

On Tuesday, Belinda took all of us to Ocean Club at Grand Dunes for swimming and lunch. The girls left on Wednesday, while Belinda (and Mr. Turk in absentia) took Ben to the Polo outlet for school clothes and then we had lunch.

girls at Rossi's for dinner
beach time!!!

Ocean Club at Grand Dunes

Camp is Over

2011-07-31T17:34:00.000-07:00

On Friday I drove back up to Cleveland, where it was raining, to pick Ben up from camp. After a brief parent meeting, we were treated to a mini worship service like the campers had experienced all week. It was good to see Ben and he was super excited to tell me all about the things he did during the week....services, friends, zip lining, swimming, creek walks, sleeping under the stars and more.....he is already looking forward to going back next year!

My Birthday

2011-07-31T17:18:00.000-07:00

I have the best husband and friends in the world! For my birthday we chose to try a new restaurant, Mezza Lebanese Bistro, and unfortunately the food was not very good. But, they were all wonderful to celebrate with me anyway!

I was thrilled to have, in addition to Glenn, Belinda and his grandmother, some of our favorite people: Peggy, Paula, Ruben, Victoria and Cam, Ashley and Cory, Christina and Lachlan, and Hilda. We had a great time and I would thank to them all SOOOOO much for the good time and fabulous gifts!! :)

Victoria and Cam
with Christina and Lachlan

Mrs. Matthews and Ruben

with my favorite Paula

our table

Chicken Man painting from Peggy

sweet treat from the folks at Mezza

Bad Boy...Bad Boy...

2011-07-11T17:52:00.000-07:00

I forgot to post earlier about this photo. While at Paula and Ben's birthday party, who should be there but USC's resident football team bad boy....Stephen Garcia! Glenn "suggested" I go talk to him and have my picture made with him.d I guess, based on the way he's laughing in the background he didn't think I would really do it!

Off To Camp!!

2011-07-11T10:16:00.001-07:00

As I mentioned in my previous post, we had to leave Hendersonville for Cleveland, SC to drop Ben off at Asbury Hills UMC Summer Camp. This week he will: swim, hike, climb, zip line, Bible study, worship service, concerts and so much more!! Thankfully, they have an online photo site for parents to see what they are doing. I'm hoping to see some shots of him having fun.

Ben is in the "Palmetto" cabin which he was told at check in was the best one because of its view of Table Rock. Can you tell he does not want me taking a picture of him? He was so funny, he kept telling us "bye" and hurrying us out of the cabin! I guess he is growing up!

Summer Trip to the In Laws

2011-07-11T09:59:00.000-07:00

My inlaws made it to their Hendersonville home over the July 4th weekend (after returning from an exciting safari to Africa!) and we made plans to head to cooler temps and visit them this past weekend.

On Friday we arrived to a delicious meal of sauteed squash/zuchinni/onions, hamburgers, corn on the cob (none for me...thanks, braces) and homemade baked beans. It was soooo good. After dinner we did our gift exchanges. It started with souveniers from Africa for us (beaded tribal bracelet cuff for Ben, beaded necklace for me, and an African fly swatter for Glenn), then my birthday -- which I recieved a wonderful gift for....a NOOK (to replace the Kindle that died a while back), and then Glenn's mom's birthday presents.

Saturday we headed to the curb market for jellies, tomotoes and squash. We were also hoping for another Gamecock couch door stop to take to the beach, but she didn't have one, so we ended up with Gamecock napkins for tailgating, pink seersucker napkins for summer at home and aqua napkins for the beach. There we ran into family friends: the Kuhns and the Bonds. The Kuhns just bought a new house so we stopped there to visit and then headed to lunch at 2 Guys Pizza. After a little rest, Glenn and I laced up our shoes and drove to Jump Off Rock for some hiking. Dinner on Saturday was at a new Mexiccan restaurant Sol Y Luna.

After breakfast on Sunday we all loaded in the car and drove to Jackson Park for a two hour nature hike. Lunch at home followed and some TV/reading time before we had to leave this haven in the mountains and drive Ben down to summer camp in Cleveland, SC!

Hiking at Jump Off Rock

Jackson Park Nature Trail

wild turkeys at my in law's place

Happy Birthday, Paula (And Ben)

2011-07-11T09:54:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday, 7/7 was my friend Paula's birthday. We have another mutual friend, Ben, who shares the same birthday and Ben has ANOTHER friend, Janet, that shares the date, too. So, they all three decided to have one giant birthday party at The Big Ugly, a cajun themed place in the Vista. (Fairly new to Columbia, I think. This was the first time we'd ever been there.)

We had a blast as many of our friends, especially some we haven't seen in a LONG time, were there. Including my sorority sister, Christina, her husband and their adorable 8 month old. I was thrilled to see her and catch up.

And, I think the birthday trio had a pretty good time!

4th of July Fun at the Beach

2011-07-06T18:12:00.000-07:00

This year we spent a long July 4th weekend at the beach with our friends, Scottie and Kat. Kat and I headed down on Thursday afternoon loaded with coolers of food, supplies, beach chairs, clothes, books and more. On Friday she and I spent the entire day by the pool and waiting for the guys to arrive that evening.

Saturday was a special treat....Glenn's parents took us to Grand Dunes Ocean Club for lunch and to use the pool for the day. What fun! Sunday, I opted to stay in out of the sun and read while everyone else spent time at the condo pool. (Even with sunscreen my skin can only take so much sun!) Each night we cooked in and enjoyed the ocean breeze from our balcony.

The Fourth was the actual first day we headed to the beach and it was PACKED. Glenn and I got out there just in time to be a part of "Salute From the Shore". At 1 p.m. four F-16 jets took off from the NC border and flew the length of the SC shoreline as beach goers waved, flew flags and sported red, white and blue salutes! It was actually quite an amazing event and fueled pride in our military on this patriotic holiday. After pool time and dinner, as soon as it got dark, we headed back to the beach to join thousands of people for thousands of fireworks all up and down the coastline.

It was a fabulous Fourth of July holiday!

Salute from the Shore....in the last picture you can just see the jets in our first glimpse as they come over the Apache pier!

SMILE! :)

2011-07-06T13:50:00.000-07:00

After 30 years of really, really needing them, I finally did it last week.....I got braces put on!

About a month before school got out I heard an ad on the radio for "Six Month Smile" braces at a local cosmetic dentist office. They were offering a discount if you came in for consultation on a particular day and so I called right then from the car and set up my appointment. I went in and they assured my that I did qualify for these braces with an average wear time of 6 months. I called Glenn on the way home and he had me come straight to his office to call them back with my deposit.

I went in the following week for x-rays and molds. Then last week, they put them on! Okay, I'm not going to lie...I hate them. They make my mouth puffy, they have hurt for a week now and I'm learning that there is nothing healthy (or that I want!) that I can eat. But, after seeing how they look once one I truly realize how BADLY crooked and misshapen my teeth were and I know that in December or January when I see the results I will be SO glad I suffered for a few months.

Phi Mu Adviser Training

2011-06-28T11:02:00.000-07:00

I was recently asked and approved to be the new chapter adviser for the Phi Mu Chapter at USC. I'm very excited about this opportunity as I've served as a chapter adviser and area officer in the past and after a few years off, I really miss it.

My first post-approval activity was this past weekend to attend the Adviser/House Corp Forum at our headquarters in Peachtree City, GA. It was a long weekend with lots of informative meetings and information sessions. But, it was wonderful to be back around Phi Mu ladies from all over the country and to finally tour our beautiful HQ.

Now, I'm looking forward to getting to know the chapter's women and working with them when they return to campus in August.

Lunch on Saturday was catered in from The Varsity

love this ottoman

Alpha Chair was used by our founder's

Down Under Country --- Keith Urban!

2011-06-28T10:46:00.000-07:00

Last week Glenn called to tell me that one of his vendors had dropped off 2 tickets for the next night's Keith Urban concert. He continued that I could have them with one caveat....he was NOT going (he does not like country music at all) and I needed to find a friend to go with me. So, my friend, Victoria found a babysitter and off we headed on Thursday night to see the show.

It was really, really good. He is a very good singer and guitarist. And, he's not too bad to look at on the big screen either! :)

Alisha and Andy's Wedding

2011-06-28T09:58:00.000-07:00

On the Saturday we returned from Costa Rica, after a long day of sleep and unpacking, we attended the wedding of our friend Alisha at USC's Rutledge Chapel. It was a sweet and short ceremony followed by a terrific sit down dinner reception at the Capital City Club. (Unfortunately much of the city view from the Club was hampered by the storm that rolled in minutes after we arrived there.) Congratulations to Alisha and Andy on their new life together!

girls: Grace, me, Kat and Connie

The bride getting down with Cocky!

Costa Rica

2011-06-27T20:10:00.000-07:00

Usually I post everything in the order as it happens so that the most recent event is first. For our recent honeymoon to Costa Rica I have done the opposite. Because of the vast number of pictures and excitement I decided to post day by day starting with our first day.

I can't even begin to say how wonderful this trip was for us. We had a terrific time --- seeing, experiencing, laughing, adventuring. It was amazing.

Saturday - We're In Costa Rica!!!

2011-06-27T19:44:00.000-07:00

We arrived in Costa Rica mid afternoon following a direct flight (because our connecting flight was cancelled) from Charlotte. We were like kids checking out the beautiful scenery on the way to Occidental Grand Papagayo, the all inclusive resort we chose for our honeymoon.

Once there we checked in, met with guest services to get the 4-1-1 on our stay, began to familiarize ourselves with the property/wildlife/breathtaking views, watched a Gamecock baseball game, had calamari spaghetti for a late lunch, enjoyed dinner in the Buffet, and began to relax! We were finally on our honeymoon vacation in a beautful (if hot and humid) location.

Liberia airport

Costa Rica

riding in the open air truck taxi to our room

gorgeous pool area

view from our room

the Pacific Ocean off of Costa Rica

watching the Gamecocks play!

a quatrafoil fountain in the main lobby

Sunday - Resort Day

2011-06-27T19:16:00.000-07:00

On our first full day we enjoyed the amenities at the resort itself. We had breakfast, toured (which means lots of walking), went to the beach, spent time at the pool, had dinner at the Buffet and enjoyed sunset and the Gamecock baseball game from the Royal Club.

The Occidental Grand Papagayo is absolutely beautiful and it is such a wonderful resort.

view from the resort

beautiful beach

the wildlife even hangs out at the pool

listening to the Gamecocks play

Sunset from the Royal Club

love all this wildlife....he was hanging over my head

homeboy hanging out on the Royal Club roof

Our bed at the turn down on night 2

Monday - Romance/Couple Day

2011-06-27T18:54:00.000-07:00

On Monday we decided to take advantage of some of our honeymoon perks. We started with breakfast in bed, we booked our tours for the rest of the week and then we were off for a couple's massage in the huts near the beach. Those were awesome because we could hear the ocean, the birds, nature as we relaxed.

We then split a cab with Jessy and BJ, a couple from Houston, to go to Playa de Coco, a local beach town. There we wandered through shops, had lunch at Papagayo Seafood and walked around the small village area. We returned to the resort for a rest, dinner and then dancing with several couples we had met. It was a FUN, FUN, FUN day!!

breakfast in bed!

we got colonnes back from paying for our tours

Playa de Coco

macadamia nut pesto, seafood pasta at Papagayo Seafood

the babies

These little critters are too cute

This little guy really wanted to come in our room....we were feeding her grapes!

Rose petals on the table and a special dessert for our romantic dinner at The Italian.

I took this picture of Glenn (he was in all white) at The Disco....this is exactly how it came out and I think it is so cool!

Tuesday - Exploring Costa Rica Day

2011-06-27T18:23:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday we ate breakfast and then headed to our bus for a morning zip line tour. We got there suited up, hopped up on the platform and zipped down the first line. AND....I freaked out. I loved the zipping part. I hated the handbreaking with a guy not paying attention to tell me when to brake and landing on a metal grate strapped to a tree 10 feet in the jungle that moved! I refused to go any further and so they zipped us back where we listened to and watched the howler monkeys while the rest of our tour finished.

We returned to the Occidental for lunch and afternoon at the beach. That was so super relaxing and beautiful. Glenn snorkeled for a while and while doing so lost his wedding ring! Unfortunately, it is now floating somewhere in the Pacific.

After a few hours we showered and got ready for our evening tour....a sunset boat cruise. The down sides: the company was an hour late to pick us up and it was storming on the mainland so not the best sunset. The up sides: it was still beautiful, Glenn and I were together and it was COOL!! (Finally, temperatures we liked!)

ready to try zip lining

our first howler monkey sighting

high tide!

Glenn snorkeling (and looking for his lost wedding band!) with a couple, Jessy and BJ, from Texas

Yep, love this place!

Monkey Island (so named because it looks like a monkey head)

Sunset boat cruise on the Pacific Ocean

Wednesday - Nicaragua

2011-06-27T17:21:00.000-07:00

When we first arrived our driver gave us a tour brochure and I immediately singled out the day trip to Nicaragua. Glenn was less than thrilled with the idea stating that I only wanted "another Passport stamp", but his motto is "what my baby wants, my baby gets....within reason". So, on Wednesday we were up at 4:30 a.m. to dress and meet our bus to cross the border. It turned out to be a highlight of the trip!

After the wonderful breakfast we travelled to the border (interesting experience) and into Nicaragua. There we toured a cigar company, the old city of Granada, the oldest church in Central America, took a boat tour on Lake Nicaragua, visited Mayasa Volcano, had lunch and shopped in a small market town, vistied a seaside village and returned back across the border. It was a LONG day but so well worth it.

I had a very hard time choosing pictures for this post. I took 200 alone during the tour. Hopefully, I chose some that will give you a glimpse of the beauty and charm of this country about which so much negative I'm sure most of us remember from the '80s.

Costa Rican breakfast before crossing the border
miles and miles and miles of trucks trying to cross the border....some wait for 3 or more days!!!

1 American Dollar will buy you exactly this much toilet paper to use in the waterless, seatless toilets at the border....

Immigration letting us in Nicaragua

the Nicaraguan countryside was GORGEOUS

hand rolling cigars

View of Granada from the oldest church in Central America

The City of Granada

Boat cruise on Lake Nicaragua...beautiful homes and monkeys!

Mayasa Volcano....yes, it is Active!!

Lunch in Nicaragua in this cute market cafe

outside of the market

Overlook in this little tiny seaside village

Glenn shows off his new wedding band purchased from a guy on the street of a seaside village in Nicaragua!

One last look!

Gift from our tour company!

Thursday: Our Last Full Day

2011-06-27T13:24:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, we had breakfast before heading out to meet a tour to Palo Verde for a jungle river cruise. On the cruise we saw sleeping bats, herons, monkeys, crocodiles and beautiful birds. Afterwards we returned to the resort for lunch and pool time with a couple from Canada, Jules and Gordon that we met earlier in the week. We rounded out the day with dinner and then a little time with them again before calling it a night.

Costa Rica morning traffic jam!

Filadelphia, Costa Rica

Posado drinking my drink at the pool! He actually drank TWO before the day was over!

Time to Go Home :(

2011-06-27T13:18:00.000-07:00

We were definitely sad on Friday morning when we woke up and went to our last breakfast. It had been such a fun week in a beautiful location and it was really hard to go home.

After our shuttle dropped us at the Liberia airport we thought we'd be hot and bored waiting, but really after paying our exit tax, checking in, grabbing a soda, restroom stops and a little shopping we were finishing right as our rows were being called to board the plane.

It was a sleep filled flight to Houston, where we ended up staying for quite a bit longer than we anticipated due to some delays. After arriving back at Charlotte and getting to our car, we ended up arriving at home (wide awake, of course!) at 2 a.m.

Back to MB

2011-06-23T11:04:00.000-07:00

After the wedding we returned to MB and met our friends, John and Kim, at Rockefeller's for dinner. It was so good to see them (they were at John's family's house at Sunset Beach). Ben was thrilled because he loves hanging out with John!

Elizabeth and Drew's Wedding

2011-06-23T10:49:00.000-07:00

As soon as school was out for me on the first Friday of June we headed back to the beach. On Saturday we drove from Myrtle Beach down 17 to Folly Beach to attend our friends, Elizabeth and Drew's wedding. It was a simple, beautiful ceremony right on the beach with the ocean in the background and was followed by a casual, fun reception in the open pavillion at Folly Beach Park.

Mr. and Mrs. Byrd

Ben's BIG News

2011-06-23T10:45:00.001-07:00

On the last day of Ben's school year I received a phone call at work from his school. A few weeks earlier he had submitted an application and interview for the district's ROSETA (Richland One Student Experience To Africa) program. Each middle school in his district allows sixth graders to apply and they choose 2 per school from the applicant pool. Then, after a year of classes, fundraising, research and study those students travel to AFRICA the June after 7th grade for two weeks. There they visit Ghana and Morocco where they study culture, history, education, arts, etc.

Well......... Ben was selected as one of the two students to GO TO AFRICA in June 2012 from his school!!!!!!!! We are so excited for him!!! And, he absolutely can't wait to go!!

End of May

2011-06-23T10:36:00.000-07:00

In addition to finishing up the end of school, we spent some time the last two weekends of May at the beach. Mainly, we were trying to get our A/C fixed before summer (it went out over spring break). That required firing our first company after weeks of waiting, wrong parts and general run around. Finding a new company who had us up and running in less than an hour after showing up. Finally, we could enjoy the day and cool off at home!

We also spent one day driving down to Garden City to visit our friends, Connie and Judah and Justin and Julie, who were, with kids and two other couples renting a house for the week.

It was a great start to our summer beach fun and a terrific ending to the school year!

What To Do With Wedding Flowers

2011-05-17T13:24:00.000-07:00

Are you like us and have an abundance of weddings to attend in 2011? (Another friend of ours --who incidently went on her first date with her fiance to our tailgating spot! That is now 2 first date marriages from our spot....3 if you count me and Glenn meeting there---just got engaged for 2012. I think we know 5 couples right off getting married before the end of the year! ) Or. are you getting married? Need a unique gift? Don't want to watch your flowers just die when the wedding is over? Let me introduce you to Flowers Forever on Rosewood Drive.

They can take wedding flowers and make the most unique things! They preserve, freeze dry, make jewelry, you name it! I discovered them in the fall and learned that they make Pandora style beads from flowers and took roses from my wedding portrait bouquet to have two beads made. (They also make necklaces, braccelets, earrings from the flowers.) The beads came out beautifully!

I decided that since I could not bring back my entire bouquet from Vegas, I would bring back a flower and have a bead from it as well. I ended up bringing back more flowers than I planned from the bouquet, boutenierre and alter arrangement. So, I had one bead made from the red alter flowers, and a bead for me (and one for my mother-in-law's Pandora bracelet) from a mix of Glenn's boutennire and my bouquet. With the remaining flowers, Forever Flowers dried them, made our "M" monogram, framed and matted! It is beautiful!! It does take a while for the process (flowers have to get to them as quickly as possible after the wedding) of drying so its not an instant gift. Ours took about five months. But, it is definitely unique and a wonderful way to keep the wedding alive.

Pictures

2011-05-17T13:07:00.000-07:00

Carolina Wildlife Care posted pictures on Facebook from the Black Tie and Tales Gala we attended a few weeks ago. I thought the photo of Glenn's grandmother and of us was really good and worth sharing!

Busy Week, Busier Weekend!

2011-05-16T16:53:00.000-07:00

It seems like anymore we are so busy we barely have time to breathe. Last week we had a neighborhood association meeting and Ben had baseball on Tuesday, dinner at Tombo with Mrs. Matthews and her friends on Wednesday, Texas Tenors for me/baseball for Ben and Glenn on Thursday and by Friday night we were ready to collapse! So we forewent our plans that night, headed for Mexican dinner and then vegged on the couch.

On Saturday morning we drove to Spartanburg to drop Ben off at my parents before heading on to Charlotte to meet Glenn's dad and Belinda. After lunch at McCormick and Schmicks it was time for my birthday shopping at Nordstrom's. Selma did not disappoint and had some wonderful clothes waiting for me to try and then I picked up some that I liked, too. In the end I got some fabulous new outfits!! After a soak in the hotel garden tub (and watching TV in the "TV in the mirror"....I love this feature!) we all went to Del Frisco's for a wonderful dinner. I had the best filet!! It was absolutely mouthwatering!

Sunday, Glenn and I had lunch at San Antonio's (whose Cinco de Mayo runs all month and is $5 for everything on the menu) and then back to Spartanburg to get Ben and then back to Columbia. With about an hour break we watched a little TV and then headed to Doc's BBQ for a Workshop Theater fundraiser. In addition, to the food Columbia Native DB Bonds, now an actor in Broadway and Off Broadway production performed. It was a good time; although we were almost too tired to enjoy it!

Texas Tenors

2011-05-16T16:20:00.000-07:00

Do you watch "America's Got Talent"? I don't. Have you heard of the Texas Tenors? I hadn't. Well, I'll give you a snipit and then I suggest you go Google them and listen to them! This couple, Donan and Sheila, that are friends of Glenn's family offered for Mrs. Matthews, Mr. Rick, Belinda and me to join them at their table at the Township last week for the Texas Tenor concert. I wasn't sure who they were, but I figured it would be fun. They were performing with the new Township POPS (who are awesome) and I wanted to see them. Well, the Texas Tenors are just that....three Texas (cute!) cowboys who sing. And, I mean, they sing. They are versatile and talented. They started with Alabama country and moved right into Classical Opera. They performed an audience standing, riveting "God Bless the USA" and a clap along "Deep in The Heart of Texas". But, the also did Gospel (although I was dissapointed they didn't sing "You Raise Me Up" which was listed in the program; however, it is on the CD and the best version of the song I've ever heard). More Italian opera and some popular songs, too like "Unchained Melody" and the Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses".

After the show, Belinda and I waited to have our picture made witht them and were amazed that no only are they nice looking and great singers, but they are super nice guys. They were so friendly taking as much time with each person as they wanted, thanking everyone for coming and Marcus (the cute blond one that all the girls liked) even asked if we would "please put the picture on their Facebook page for them".

So, go Google them now and hear for yourself!

"Play Me Some Mountain Music" opening up the show

"God Bless the USA"

The Township POPS!

"Deep in the Heart of Texas"

Belinda, me, Mrs. Matthews and Sheila after the show

me and Belinda with the Texas Tenors

Mother's Day Part II - Columbia

2011-05-09T16:51:00.001-07:00

My Mother's Day kept getting better! When we got back to Columbia Clay arrived to have dinner at Garibaldi's with me, Glenn, Ben, Mrs. Matthews, Glenn's dad and Belinda. It was delicious as always and I was thrilled to have both boys with me. When we got back home they gave me these two shirts and of course I loved them and can't wait to wear them!

Clay spent the night and left early Monday morning to get to school on time so it was a short trip but I am really glad he came down. It made my day even more special!

Mother's Day Part I - Golf

2011-05-09T16:40:00.000-07:00

One of Glenn's vendors gave him tickets for Sunday at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow. I've never been to a golf tournament, nor had Ben and Glenn naively thought taking me to one would ensure that I wouldn't ask to go again. Au contraire, mon frere! I LOVED it and have asked to go Saturday AND Sunday next year.

Luckily, Glenn has gone quite a bit and knows the "good" places. So we were front in center on the 5th hole tee box to watch Mikelson and I was super excited about that. We also watch Singh from there and a few others. We went back to the 4th hold to see what Rickie Fowler was wearing, I mean, to watch him tee off! (For the record he was dressed literally head to toe in orange Puma...I can only imagine what that looked like in high def.) Because of dinner plans we had to leave mid afternoon but before we did we watched Greenville golfer (and winner!) Lucas Glover, Pat Perez and Jonathan Byrd tee of at the 2nd. It was an awesome day and the perfect way to spend Mother's Day! With one exception....we didn't realize that we needed to know what we lot parked in and so on the bus exit when we got back to the lot had NO IDEA where the car was located. After a good, long walk in the hot sun we pieced together clues and found it.

Black Tie and Tales Gala 2011

2011-05-09T16:33:00.000-07:00

Our final stop was the top of the Nelson Mullins building for this year's Carolina Wildlife Care Gala. We decided due to time (and a "hey, it's derby day, why not??) to just wear our same outfit. We definitely stood out! Peggy and Paula came and as always it was way fun to hang with them.

Love these girls!
what a view behind the steel drum band

they both looked gorgeous

we took a little photo shoot on the emergency exit porch!

Wedding Shower

2011-05-09T16:31:00.000-07:00

Our second stop was by Za's for Alisha and Andy's wedding shower. Although we didn't get to stay but a few minutes it was nice to see friends we haven't seen in a while and chat with some new friends. (One wardrobe change....shoes, I couldn't take my stilettos any more after standing all afternoon in them!)

Kentucky Derby Day

2011-05-09T16:22:00.000-07:00

Each year friends of Glenn's family throw a fundraiser for Junior Achievement on the day of the Kentucky Derby. This was the first year we have gone and it was so, so, so much fun! Everyone looked lovely in their "derby duds" and I love any opportunity to wear a hat! (This was our first stop of three on this busy day.)

me and Belinda in our Derby best!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

2011-05-09T16:18:00.000-07:00

For the second year Glenn was out of town on Cinco de Mayo. This year a huge group (I think about 15-18 over the course of the evening...some came early, some late) of us went to Pancho's to celebrate and have dinner. I never turn down a meal of Mexican food so this is one of my favorite holidays! And, I love the freebies they always give out ---like my shark hat, the sombrero and even a tee shirt! (Glenn took my tee shirt I got last year because it was his size and he liked it; this year they gave me one in my size!) Here I am with Peggy, Elizabeth and Tammy!

USC Dance Gala

2011-05-09T15:52:00.000-07:00

We ended April 30th (tired!) at the USC Dance Gala. It was a nice evening, although the band, Heart and Soul (same band from our reception) wasn't able to start playing until we were about to leave. There were great performances by students, staff and community dance suporters. Glenn was excited to win a baseball signed by USC baseball coach Ray Tanner in the auction.

Glenn with Patsy, Michaela and Buddy

our friend, Lee, was also there

the dance studio named after Glenn's grandparents

Crawfish Festival 2011

2011-05-07T09:06:00.000-07:00

We spent most of our last Saturday of April in an area of Columbia known as Rosewood. Each year (this was my 3rd) they shut down the street and host the Crawfish Festival. It comes with most things that other festivals have --- bands, vendors, food carts, beer trucks, bouncy houses, cloggers, and, of course for this one...crawfish.

Last year they added a 5K and early the week before a friend, who is very involved with Camp Kemo (a camp for children with cancer), put out a call for volunteers for the 5k. If 35 people volunteered then $1000 would be donated to Camp Kemo. And, you'd get a tee shirt and wristband for the festival ($12 per person savings for us!) The SC Pest Control Association also sponsors Camp Kemo so I figured I had a little leverage to get Glenn to do this too. Ben, Glenn and I all did it and were assigned to "direct traffic" in front of Owens Field DURING soccer games! We had a good time, got a great walk in to and from our location, enjoyed the rest of the day at the festival. BUT, I learned that: soccer parents in Columbia can't read (S.T.O.P means cease moving the car, people), don't use blinkers (yes, I could have let you turn during that lull, but I thought you were going straight), are very impatient (really? Its soccer for kids NOT World Cup....5 minutes late for the safety for others??) and THEY ARE MEAN!!! I got yelled out, ugly hand gestured and even called a not so nice name by a guy who pulled into the runners and ran about 20 of them OFF THE ROAD. When (at the very end of course) the policeman pulled up to "help" I think he thought I would be the next inmate at the city jail I was so fed up with these people. I was shocked by how these people acted and had no concern for the safety of these runners who were interfering with their soccer game. (By the way, the Y had asked them to come early to avoid this issue, but 5th lesson of the day about soccer parents: they don't follow directions either.) I've always heard the "soccer mom" sterotype, but really didn't think it was a truth.....ummmm.....now I see why they've gotten such a bad rap. Those bad apples have ruined the bunch!

After the race we walked to turn in our signs and vests, get our wristbands and relax at the festival. We ate lunch at Rockaways and walked a few hours before heading home. Ben, however, ran into his buddy, Cullen, and stayed ALL DAY. I went back to get him later in the afternoon, but he ended up going home with his friend and I sat for a little while with some friends before heading home to get ready for the night's festivities.

the boys did a lot of playing until time to work!

A Very Special Easter

2011-04-26T16:09:00.000-07:00

This Easter was particularly special as Ben was finishing up his year long Confirmation. The Confirmation took place during the Easter Sunday service and Ben was blessed to have not only me and Glenn there, but also the Wrights (all the way from Texas via NC), Clay and my parents and Mrs. Matthews. It was a sweet service and we were, yet again, very proud of him! After service we all headed to Momo's Bistro for brunch on the patio. It was a very special Easter Sunday!

The boys on Easter morning

with my parents

with the Wrights

Ben's Confirmation

celebrating with family after the service

Mrs. Matthews and Ben

wearing the stole he made at Confirmation Camp during Brunch

silly boys wearing Clay's "dork" glasses

Meeting Pop Pop

2011-04-26T16:03:00.000-07:00

Spending Saturday with Glenn's mom and stepdad was great fun. We enjoyed lunch at Millwood Cafe and then stopped at Cellar on Greene before visiting his grandfather (his mom's stepfather), known to him as Pop Pop. This was the first time Ben and I had met him and the first time Glenn had seen him in a long time. He was such a sweet man and will be turning 90 in a few months. While there I had the chance to see some old photos of Glenn, his cousin Will, Aunt Kathy, Uncle Bill, his mom and his maternal grandmother (she died a good many years ago) that he called Mimi. I loved getting to see this part of his family!

Good Friday

2011-04-26T15:37:00.000-07:00

Wesley Memorial UMC held a Good Friday service that included a dramatic reading of the Easter story from John. Ben was asked to read the part of Pontius Pilate and again did a FABULOUS job!

"It's All Greek To Me"

2011-04-26T15:09:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday, one set of my in laws arrived in time to attend Ben's 6th grade drama production of "It's All Greek To Me" with us after a yummy sushi dinner at Saky. The play was terrific and Ben did a FABULOUS job as Posiedon. He is so dramatic and such a little actor! We were, of course, very proud of him!

The Wrights were here for the play!

Glenn high fiving the HAND hand! :)

Sunset on the Rooftop

2011-04-26T14:45:00.000-07:00

with Peg
and Penny

showing off one of my pairs of new shoes....yes, you know what those red bottoms mean! Louboutin!!

Spring Break!

2011-04-26T13:06:00.000-07:00

Spring Break 2011 started EARLY on Friday morning for me as I had to be at school by 6 a.m. We were headed to Myrtle Beach on a field trip to the Ripley's Aquarium and Imax. As soon as we got back to school I jumped in my car and drove all the way BACK to the beach to meet Glenn and Ben who were about half an hour ahead of me. Getting in about 8:30, I stopped at The Office to pick up pizza and Glenn's dad and Belinda stopped by to see the condo.

On Saturday we joined them for lunch at Carolina Roadhouse, shopping at the outlets and later, dinner at Prime Steakhouse. Sunday was a fairly quiet "play" day for the three of us. We headed to the mall, where we "detoxed" with an ionic foot detox, had dinner at El Burro Loco (or The Crazy Donkey if you don't speak Spanish) and Glenn returned to Columbia that evening.

Monday, Ben and I ran errands (mailing off my passport name change paperwork for Costa Rica!) and relaxed while waiting on my parents to arrive from Spartanburg. They spent the next three days with us going to the mall, cooking dinner at the condo, walking at the beach, having lunch at El Burro Loco and spending time together. They left on Thursday, taking Ben with them to drop off in Columbia so he could play ball and leave for Confirmation Camp on Friday.

I had Thursday and most of Friday to read, walk on the beach, and relax! Glenn came back Friday night and we had a blast just the two of us. We moved in our new table for the dining room and it looked wonderful. On Friday night, however, we had our first new condo snafu....the a/c went out. It was the fan belt and they will be fixing it on the next trip down. We enjoyed lunch at Mr. Fish (a great "dive"), bought Sketcher tone ups, Glenn exterminated the bees that had bothered me all week, and we took a long walk around our "neighborhood".

It was the best spring break that I ever remember!

Aquarium field trip

Pink Panthers at the outlets

quick, cold dip in the pool

ready for dinner at Prime (Ben wearing his new duds from the Matthews)

The crazy donkey! (restaurant, not Ben!)

exterminating the bees

new tone ups!

Boom Boom shrimp at Mr. Fish

new table arrangement

new dining room table

Vacation....

2011-04-08T06:24:00.001-07:00

In case you've noticed no recent posts, I've been enjoying spring break at our beach place. It has been a great week and I'm sad its coming to an end and the real world is knocking again. I'll have a full update on my trip when I return! Until then "Life's a Beach"!!!! :)

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Yep, He's a Keeper!

2011-03-31T18:30:00.000-07:00

Glenn told me yesterday that he stopped by Granger-Owings (to look at shoes which they told him he would love, and he did, so he bought them) and he that he had gotten my Mother's Day present for me early. He told me I could have it tonight so I'd have it for the beach. Well, I opened this big, beautifully wrapped package to find this even more beautiful Cole Haan bag! And, it is perfect for spring AND the beach! Happy early Mother's Day to me! :)

Beach Weekend!

2011-03-31T18:13:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we left late on Thursday night to head to MB for our first full weekend in our new condo! We got in late and headed to bed. On Friday, we saw the condo Glenn owned when he was a CCU student, visited an "antique" (read --- junk) mall, Market Common and then walked all over Coastal's campus. One of the football players even let us on the field and in the locker room! That evening we ate at Flip Flops a little grille near us.

Saturday morning, after sleeping in, we took a long walk on the beach. We stopped at a campground we saw and ate breakfast before walking back. We spent the rest of the day running errands and going to the mall (for napkin rings and pillows from Belk and new shoes for Ben). For dinner we went to Rockafella's --- a local place G and I ate the first time we came down to look at the place and then drove up to Calabash, NC...which was very pretty on the water. We stopped at this HUGE store in Calabash that had a bit of everything and then home to watch basketball and Back to the Future!

Unfortunately on Sunday we had to go back to our "other" house. It was cold and rainy, but we stopped at a local Italian place called The Office. Very intersting, very different, very, very good! We know this is one of many weekends (and weeks) that we'll spend at our place and its such a great, relaxing getaway.