Easter

A wee bit late in the posting but you are about to get 2 posts in one so deal with it. Lucy and I went home for Easter on Saturday evening to spend the night with the family.  I was in need of some mommy time - you know how sometimes you just need to be hugged by your mom?  Yeah well that was what I was in need of big time.  Needless to say hugs, home cooked meals, and some wine added up for a fantastic visit.  

On Sunday we went to Easter Service at the church I grew up attending.  It was great seeing people who - literally I have not seen in years.  When we came home from church, the little brother and I colored easter eggs and checked out our baskets that the Easter Bunny had left for us.  Scored some skiddles and reese's peanut butter eggs - so good.  For lunch we feasted on the most delicious ham known to man kind.  It was so good! Along with strawberry and blueberry shortcake for dessert. (Oh and of course we had veggies too...) 

Here are some pictures from Easter Sunday... oh and just so y'all know I did wash this dress before wearing it for the second weekend in a row and just be mindful I was in two different states! 

Here's my mom - she is sporting her Paula Dean apron she bought while visiting Savannah last fall.  I thought the apron was pretty funny. 

Me and the little brother in the backyard... well I guess he isn't really little anymore.

Me and the puppies - Jackson and Lucy.  Is it not crazy how much they look alike? 

Slow Your Roll

I believe that is going to be my new saying - thank you very much my nursing school buddies.  I just got done having dinner / study group / more wine consumption versus studying / get together.  These girls just crack me up.  I figure its time for an introduction to the ladies who I spend close to 30 plus hours a week with.  Here is our line up - we've got..... 

A - ASU grad, preppy (I knew we would be friends when she showed up the first day of school and was using a Vineyard Vines bag as her book bag.), sarcastic, and does not take crap from anyone.  Loves playing golf - but loves her wine more. 

J - JMU grad who should have gone to UNC and lived in Carrboro...a darling sweet but feisty liberal (you know how they are) and loves living in dirty D (she even owns a tshirt claiming her love for the city). She puts everyone's needs before her own and would do anything to help someone out.  

S - ASU grad who in my eyes is like the mom of the group...she holds us together with her crazy back in the day stories and pearls of wisdom.  She is the fashionista of the New York Runways and that is where we share our love for designer jeans.  She is also a genius - seriously. 

Then there is me ... J tells me every day that I continue to surprise her - she thinks I am hysterical.  I get a kick out of this because I love how hearing people's first impressions of one another.  I think because I tend to judge others especially if they do not look like a similar carbon copy of myself.  Apparently I am not as conservative and preppy as I appear since I have this whole I go hiking up mountains and love running to Grateful Dead and O.A.R. haha. Yes well we are all full of surprises - I love my J.Crew/Vineyard Vines/Lilly just as much as I love my long sleeve Widespread Panic t-shirt or Chacos. 

Ponies, Sweet Tea, and Rolling Hills

Pav, RW&P, and M&J decided to hit the road and head north for the Old Dominion Races this weekend.  What an amazing weekend we had!  We had so much fun on our road trip to M&J's roots.  We could not ask for better weather - sunshine and blue skies.

The ladies of the tailgate: here we have Vicki T , Me, RW&P, and M&J at the races. 

I think we tried to take this picture four or five times and always managed to cut someone's head out.  The side effects of drinking all day in a field - fine motor skills go out the door. 

I have lots more pictures - but I am getting annoyed with blogger - so this is all you get for right now. 

In other exciting news - the roomie and I are moving in 3 weeks.  Half of the house is in boxes...I am ready to move and get my life organized!  Also I found someone to sublease my room - thank goodness!  I was beginning to really stress out about finding someone - I have had ads up on craig's list since February.  My check list is finally starting to dwindle down.  Hope everyone has a great week.  :) 

31 Days

31 Days of being sober. 

 

Yes that's right 31 - wow March was a long month.  Now some of y'all who have not been in my company during this past month of nondrinking might be asking yourself - "What the heck, Pav? You of all people love a bottle glass of wine.”  I would reply, “Heck yes I do – I heart those delicious grapes. Along with hops – can’t forget the beer – love that too.”  So what’s the deal?

The deal is this – the roomie, the personal trainer, and I decided to go a month without drinking.  Now if I were a good Catholic I would say I did this for Jesus. But I’m not Catholic – I’m Baptist and we drink in the closet.  We decided to do this because 1.) We wanted to get motivated about running a half-marathon 2.) When is the last time I could say I went a significant without drinking …hmmm good question – 18?

I dragged my feet big time about doing this – I mean seriously – a whole month?!  Of course I agreed but part of me was not so sure I would actually be able to do this.  And let me tell y’all the devil was tempting my butt.  First weekend in I get a phone call from my ex telling me he is going to my new neighbor – where is the wine opener?  Oh right – well someone get me some water so I can chug it. Second I was on spring break and my nursing gals like to celebrate in style.  Third – Fat Tire has come to North Carolina.  This is one of my favorite beers.  Seriously?! I have begged and pleaded for you to come East and March is the month you decided to make it happen. It’s okay I have successfully swiped two Fat Tire pint glasses from different bar establishments.  Four- Two good friends had birthday parties.  Five – I just bought a ridiculously expensive computer that when checking out I almost fell over at the price.  I needed something for my nerves.  

What did I do calm my nerves? I got myself a YMCA membership.  And found a new addiction – cycling.  Must try it if you have never done so.  AMAZING.  And amongst all this soberness I realized how proactive I have become and my workouts have improved so much!  Dang you grapes and hops.  Also it is possible to go 31 days without drinking and you can still have a good time.   

 

So blog friend Cheers to whatever might be in your glass. 

Meet the newest addition to the family

Well for the amount of time we spend on computers - they are like part of your family. Anywho's I am off to purchase the Macbook. My dear IBM thinkpad (which I have had since '04) is about to kick the dust and after last weeks little hiccup (I say hiccup because the AC power cord caught on fire - oops.) I think it is time to make the investment. I know these computers are super expensive (I am freaking out about that part) BUT everyone I have asked has said they are worth investment. I cannot believe how people rave about these computers. Hopefully after I spend some bonding time with mine I too will be a Mac fan for life.

Babysitting Highlights

Last night I babysat for one of my favorite 3 year olds. Henry is a darling little preppy blonde hair child who I just want to hug and not let go. Ohh he is so cute. Okay so moving on to last nights highlights ....

When I arrive to babysit, Henry was in the tub having a bath. I went in to say hello and this is what he says (looking up at me with his big brown eyes) "Guess what?! I just peed straight up in the air!" Me - Trying to hold in laughter respond - "You did?" and he says "Yes. And I peed in the tub." Oh jeeze.

Later on that evening as I am putting this little gem to bed he tells me that when Mommy and Daddy come home I can just spend the night. This way we can play in the morning and if I want he can come over to my house. hehe. I just love that child.

Cole

Last week I found out that my friend Cole had a stroke. I met Cole through kickball and he was the pitcher for our team. Cole had just turned 28 and this just completely baffled me because he was by no means unhealthy.

This is the email that was forwarded to me from one of our friends about what happened...

So on Friday, Cole asked Rachel and his friend Bobby to take him to the hospital because either he was not feeling well or they called him back into the hospital. So when he got there he had the stroke right in front of Rachel. He was at the hospital when this happen. He had an infection that got into his blood stream which caused him to have a blood clot in his brain which caused the stroke. When I talked to Melissa yesterday she said that the doctors said that he probably would not make it through today. They said that are pretty sure that he is brain dead and if he was still alive today they were going to do a cat scan to see if he was.

Wednesday his family decided to pull him off life support. On Saturday morning the roomie and I went to his funeral. I have been to several funerals, however never for a friend that is my age. The sight of his mother brought me to tears. I sat trying to wrap my mind and emotions around what was going on. Cole is the same age as my older brother ... what if something like this happened to him? What was the last thing I said to him? What about my friends?

Cole had a tattoo that said Matthew 6:34: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." This verse just hit home for me. So often I allow myself to become wrapped up in the what if's and etc. and you know what? It's not worth it. Take it one day at a time and if you live each day to the fullest then you have no regrets.

So blog friends - tell your family and friends you love them. If you are mad about something forgive. Life is too short.

Spring Break

Hey Y'all!
Just wanted to put up a quick post to let y'all know I am still here! Officially on Spring Break for the next 3 weeks - yes that is right 3. I spent the day cleaning and packing (what I could) for the move. I have lived in the same townhouse for the past 3 years and I still had things in boxes from when I moved in. Anywho - time start packing - I am off to go see the Goodson Family in Winston for the rest of the week. Hope everyone has a fantastic week!

Money

Isn't that on everyones' mind these days? Money ... money ... money. Since starting school I have been trying to be careful about budgeting and watching how much spend. However, I have never been very good about it. I mean I have X amount of dollars that will keep me afloat for X amount of months but of course considering gas, rent, living, etc. can make your head spin. I picked up a part-time job pack in the fall, however they had to close one of the stores causing everyones' hours to go down the sink. I had been using the money from the part-time job as my fun money - but when you get put on the schedule for 4 days in the whole month that is not much fun money. I should be grateful that I have a job and expressed that to my manager who was very apologetic about the whole situation. HOWEVER I need help on learning how to stretch a dollar. Anyone have some suggestions? Does buying the Sunday paper and clipping coupons really make a difference? How do you prioritize - especially when spring is around the corner and concerts and fun spring dresses are knocking on your door? Help friends - because I'm freaking out and Goose informed me she has no desire to even look for a job. Something about not having opposable thumbs.

It's another Saturday night

and I ain't got nobody... well that's not true - I have Ms Goose. However as I am sitting here working on some school stuff that song keeps popping in my head. Perhaps it's because I am suppose to be out gallivanting with friends in search of possible prospects and therefore eliminating my need to sing Sam Cooke songs to myself and Lucy. It is just gross outside (cold and rainy) and honestly I have no desire to go out...which works out well with my school work and my wallet. Plus its cool that I'm like the dog lady in training - which I'm pretty sure is better than being known as the cat lady. Okay maybe I should reconsidered going out tonight.