Tuesday, April 22, 2008
It Must Have Been the Hair
I got a random "back to normal" comment from coworker #1 today. No mention of the fact that she obviously mistook my hair down transformation for pregnancy, since the only thing different about me yesterday was my hair, which was loosed from its typical ponytail. Nope, it was just a walk by, 3 word shout in my direction. I'll have to admit I do get a lot of comments (not really good or bad, just comments) when I wear my hair down, since it only happens about once every 3 months. It's definitely not the first time someone has commented on how "different" I look when I do, but it's certainly the first time I've been accused of being pekid, puffy and pregnant:)
Monday, April 21, 2008
For Anyone Else Wondering
I am NOT pregnant! Maybe a few pounds heavier than last summer, but definitely not incubating anything yet. And if you're wondering where this post is coming from, let me recap a conversation from this afternoon.
Coworker 1: "You look different today, are you pregnant?"
Me: "Haha noooo, but since you're the 3rd person to ask me that this month I'm starting to get a little paranoid," was my awkwardly witty reply. "Maybe it's my hair, this is the first time in 3 months I've worn it down."
Coworker 1: "No, you really look like you might be pregnant."
Coworker 2: "What does a newly pregnant woman look like exactly."
Mind you at this point, after my obvious embarrassment at being referred to as pregnant, I'm expecting a reference to the fact that I look like I'm glowing, or some other stereotypical but flattering pregnancy description.
Coworker 1: "Well, the first couple of months you usually look pretty pekid, with the morning sickness and all. And then you get puffy, because your body starts retaining all of it's liquids...."
Me: "Haha - wow - pekid and puffy. I feel really good about myself right now, but I promise I'm not pregnant. "
Coworker 1: "Well I'm not saying you look like that, you just look different."
Me: "Well again, I can promise you I'm not pregnant."
At this point, after the humiliation of being referred to as tepid and puffy, you would think she'd shut-up. But no, to add insult upon injury .....
Coworker 1: "It's okay, you don't have to tell me if you're pregnant."
Me: "But really I'm not, I swear."
Coworker 1: "Seriously, I'm not trying to pry into your personal life. You really don't have to say anything if you don't want to."
Me: "Okay, well, I'm going to go indulge in my weekly nonfat latte. To feed my imaginary baby. " I really didn't say that last part, but I sure wanted to!
AUUGGGHH! What is wrong with some people This woman obviously has no filter.
Coworker 1: "You look different today, are you pregnant?"
Me: "Haha noooo, but since you're the 3rd person to ask me that this month I'm starting to get a little paranoid," was my awkwardly witty reply. "Maybe it's my hair, this is the first time in 3 months I've worn it down."
Coworker 1: "No, you really look like you might be pregnant."
Coworker 2: "What does a newly pregnant woman look like exactly."
Mind you at this point, after my obvious embarrassment at being referred to as pregnant, I'm expecting a reference to the fact that I look like I'm glowing, or some other stereotypical but flattering pregnancy description.
Coworker 1: "Well, the first couple of months you usually look pretty pekid, with the morning sickness and all. And then you get puffy, because your body starts retaining all of it's liquids...."
Me: "Haha - wow - pekid and puffy. I feel really good about myself right now, but I promise I'm not pregnant. "
Coworker 1: "Well I'm not saying you look like that, you just look different."
Me: "Well again, I can promise you I'm not pregnant."
At this point, after the humiliation of being referred to as tepid and puffy, you would think she'd shut-up. But no, to add insult upon injury .....
Coworker 1: "It's okay, you don't have to tell me if you're pregnant."
Me: "But really I'm not, I swear."
Coworker 1: "Seriously, I'm not trying to pry into your personal life. You really don't have to say anything if you don't want to."
Me: "Okay, well, I'm going to go indulge in my weekly nonfat latte. To feed my imaginary baby. " I really didn't say that last part, but I sure wanted to!
AUUGGGHH! What is wrong with some people This woman obviously has no filter.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Happy Birthday Jeff!!
Saturday we celebrated Jeff's 28th birthday. To jumpstart the festivities, Jeff and two of his good friends, Mike and Todd, enjoyed a round of golf at a local course. Back at the house, several of the wives dropped by early for some quality girl bonding time. Suzanna, Caroline and I took advantage of the beautiful afternoon and walked to a local nail shop for a pedicure (my 2nd one ever - the first was the day before our wedding) and then met Julie, Madeline and Gina back at the house. Madeline stayed busy making a card for Mr. Jeff and showing Ms. Suzanna how to take care of baby Caroline.
Reagan
But not before baby Caroline and I had a little chat about how much fun she had at the party!
We thank God everyday for all of our wonderful friends. We hope everyone has a great week!
PS: Sorry we didn't get a picture of you Mike - I guess that's what you get for eating the last piece of cake:) Just kidding - I really thought with all the group pictures I got one of everyone.
The rest of the guests started arriving at 6 pm, but since I miscalculated how long the golf game would last the birthday boy was nearly an hour late for his party. But that didn't stop anyone from enjoying the meal and good company!
Suzanna and Julie
Danielle, Rob and Kim
Gina and Christy
Christy, Alyssa, Gary and Steven
Gina and Christy
Courtney and Preston
Lots of people
More people
Rob, Danielle, Jeff and Karen
Alison and Sydney
Jenny, Jason and Preston
Reagan
Minolis and Madeline - Young love? I think she looks happier about it than he. Madeline's mom Julie made Jeff a BEAUTIFUL and DELICIOUS chocolate rum cake. Note the cute decorations she did herself - perfect for my handy husband.
The cake
Jeff cutting his cake - KIDDING!
Unfortunately Jeff was so busy talking all night he didn't get a piece of his own cake. Here he is with a few crumbs from the bottom of the plate. Sorry birthday boy! After a beautiful evening of good food, good friends and lots of fun, the party ended.
But not before baby Caroline and I had a little chat about how much fun she had at the party!
We thank God everyday for all of our wonderful friends. We hope everyone has a great week!
PS: Sorry we didn't get a picture of you Mike - I guess that's what you get for eating the last piece of cake:) Just kidding - I really thought with all the group pictures I got one of everyone.
Friday, April 18, 2008
A little worried
About the rest of the house we've neglected in lieu of the porch project. We even have our own dump site started on one side of the house - note the smoker we've never used (although I'd love to learn how) and the pallet Jeff chops wood from when he wants to build a fire. How trashy! Three years ago I wouldn't have been caught dead with this crap cluttering up the side of our house - my how times have changed! I sense a dump run in the future very soon.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Bailey the Cat
Unfortunately Jeff has developed an allergy to our cat, Bailey, over the past year. That, however, has not deterred Bailey's love for Jeff, as evidenced by the picture below (I'll let you guess whose side of the bed that is). Don't tell Jeff, but last week I caught him on his pillow! Bad Bailey. Poor Jeff.
And so as not to be a partial parent, here is a picture of our dog Allie. She's the coolest.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
My Sweet Grandparents
My sweet grandparents always host a special dinner for Jeff and I on or around our birthdays. Tonight we came together to celebrate Jeff's 28th, which is coming up on Friday the 18th. And we love that Mimi and Pawpaw befriended our friends Brian and Gina after meeting them at our house a little over a year ago, so they were included in the festivities this evening too. Mimi made a delicious dinner of Mamaw's Chicken and Dumplings. What a treat!
I love going to Mimi and Pawpaw's house because it still reminds me of the wonderful summers we spent with them here in Atlanta growing up. They always made our visits south special in a way that only grandparents can. Twenty-seven years later I still love hanging out with them, and they never cease to amaze me with everything and everybody they're involved with. They are lovely, generous people with more friends than anybody I know. We are so lucky to have them here in Atlanta with us.
I really did not get any great pictures from the dinner, but I'm posting the ones I have anyway. Although we did have a little bit to drink with dinner, we didn't have as much as it may look like in these pictures:)
On another note, Jeff and I are both extremely blessed to have grown up with both sets of our grandparents.
This is my Granny and Grandpa, who officially live in Alaska but come to Mississippi several times a year to escape the cold. We hope someday they'll move to MS for good, but until them will enjoy them while they're here. We used to love spending the night at Granny and Poppa's in Alaska. And don't ask me how this worked, but until I was 7 or 8 years old all 4 of us cousins slept in the bed with my grandparents when we stayed the night. And no it wasn't to stay warm during the frigid Alaskan winters, we were actually terrified that the marshmallow man/ghost from ghostbusters was going to get us. Go figure! And no one makes a better biscuit than my Grandpa - I still beg him to whip some up every time we visit. And all of the beautiful quilts at our house are handmade compliments of Granny.
Grandpa and Granny
This is Jeff's Grandmamma and Grandaddy - both live in De-Ridder Lousiaina. We don't get to see them nearly as much as we'd like, but treasure the times we do. I love how their house is always the gathering place during our visit, and where I met most of Jeff's relatives for the very first time. They have at least 4 freezers full of food - plenty for anyone that stops by. And we always make sure to stop by for one of Grandaddy's famous breakfasts of waffles, biscuits, bacon and eggs. Delicious!
Picture 1: Jeff, Grandaddy and his cousin Stephen. Picture 2: Jeff, Grandmamma and Aunt Jan.
This is Jeff's Mawmaw and Pawpaw, who still live on the street he grew up on in DeRidder. We always enjoy our coffee breaks with them every afternoon we're in town. Jeff has many wonderful memories of spending the weekends at their house with all of his cousins - and of course all the trouble they got into. Mawmaw and Pawpaw had their hands full, that's for sure! We always enjoy spending time with them and hearing stories about the boys growing up.
Mimi and Pawpaw
I love going to Mimi and Pawpaw's house because it still reminds me of the wonderful summers we spent with them here in Atlanta growing up. They always made our visits south special in a way that only grandparents can. Twenty-seven years later I still love hanging out with them, and they never cease to amaze me with everything and everybody they're involved with. They are lovely, generous people with more friends than anybody I know. We are so lucky to have them here in Atlanta with us.
I really did not get any great pictures from the dinner, but I'm posting the ones I have anyway. Although we did have a little bit to drink with dinner, we didn't have as much as it may look like in these pictures:)
On another note, Jeff and I are both extremely blessed to have grown up with both sets of our grandparents.
This is my Granny and Grandpa, who officially live in Alaska but come to Mississippi several times a year to escape the cold. We hope someday they'll move to MS for good, but until them will enjoy them while they're here. We used to love spending the night at Granny and Poppa's in Alaska. And don't ask me how this worked, but until I was 7 or 8 years old all 4 of us cousins slept in the bed with my grandparents when we stayed the night. And no it wasn't to stay warm during the frigid Alaskan winters, we were actually terrified that the marshmallow man/ghost from ghostbusters was going to get us. Go figure! And no one makes a better biscuit than my Grandpa - I still beg him to whip some up every time we visit. And all of the beautiful quilts at our house are handmade compliments of Granny.
Grandpa and Granny
This is Jeff's Grandmamma and Grandaddy - both live in De-Ridder Lousiaina. We don't get to see them nearly as much as we'd like, but treasure the times we do. I love how their house is always the gathering place during our visit, and where I met most of Jeff's relatives for the very first time. They have at least 4 freezers full of food - plenty for anyone that stops by. And we always make sure to stop by for one of Grandaddy's famous breakfasts of waffles, biscuits, bacon and eggs. Delicious!
Picture 1: Jeff, Grandaddy and his cousin Stephen. Picture 2: Jeff, Grandmamma and Aunt Jan.
This is Jeff's Mawmaw and Pawpaw, who still live on the street he grew up on in DeRidder. We always enjoy our coffee breaks with them every afternoon we're in town. Jeff has many wonderful memories of spending the weekends at their house with all of his cousins - and of course all the trouble they got into. Mawmaw and Pawpaw had their hands full, that's for sure! We always enjoy spending time with them and hearing stories about the boys growing up.
Jeff and I with Mawmaw and Pawpaw
We are also blessed to have two of Jeff's Great Grandmother's with us, Mama Lea and Gamma. Mamma Lea is our favorite Brave's fan! She never misses a game.
We are both truly blessed to have such wonderful Grandparents and Great Grandparents!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
My Birthplace
Most of you know I'm from Alaska. Some of you know I was born on the remote island of Adak at the end of the Aleutian Chain. To give you an idea of how far away that is, it's about an 8 hour flight from Atlanta to Anchorage and another 4 hour flight from Anchorage to Adak. It's pretty much almost to Russia. Here's a map.
Some interesting facts about Adak and the Everitt family:
1. There are no trees on the island, and the wind is always blowing - on average 60 mph. In fact, at the elementary school they had to build a tunnel for the buses to pull up to because the wind would knock the preschoolers down when they jumped off the bus and blow them down the road. Can you imagine what a sight that must have been!
2. My dad was on a first name basis with the military police on the island. Although he remains fairly tight-lipped about his Adak escapades, evidently he was a bit of a rabble rouser back in the day. I love it:)
3. My dad used to trap king crabs and he and my mom would host king crab party's where they served more crab legs than you could ever imagine. To this day my mom does not care for king crab because she ate so much while they were there. That's pretty much the same way I feel about salmon now.
4. On Adak my mom quit worrying about keeping everything clean for me when she caught me eating out of the dog bowl. We also lived in the military housing, which was essentially 2 duplexes connected by an inner door, and sometimes I and our Scottish terrier, Chauncey, would escape to the neighbor's through the adjoining door.
Anyway, this is the reason I'm on an Adak kick today.
When we were home for Christmas, I happened to mention to my dad that the painting above was one of my favorites that he's done. At that time it was hanging at our farm 40 minutes away, so after making my comment I thought nothing else about. But lo and behold when I walked into the garage the next day guess what was sitting there - the beautiful painting. He'd driven all the way to the farm to get it for me. Not many things bring me to tears, but that just about did me in. And what's really special about this painting is that it is of the stormy seas of Adak where I was born - painted nearly 25 years ago. We're eventually going to frame it, but for now kind of like the ragged look of the aging canvas. It goes really well the with other nautical painting in our den, compliments of my husband - please excuse the crooked picture.
Some interesting facts about Adak and the Everitt family:
1. There are no trees on the island, and the wind is always blowing - on average 60 mph. In fact, at the elementary school they had to build a tunnel for the buses to pull up to because the wind would knock the preschoolers down when they jumped off the bus and blow them down the road. Can you imagine what a sight that must have been!
2. My dad was on a first name basis with the military police on the island. Although he remains fairly tight-lipped about his Adak escapades, evidently he was a bit of a rabble rouser back in the day. I love it:)
3. My dad used to trap king crabs and he and my mom would host king crab party's where they served more crab legs than you could ever imagine. To this day my mom does not care for king crab because she ate so much while they were there. That's pretty much the same way I feel about salmon now.
4. On Adak my mom quit worrying about keeping everything clean for me when she caught me eating out of the dog bowl. We also lived in the military housing, which was essentially 2 duplexes connected by an inner door, and sometimes I and our Scottish terrier, Chauncey, would escape to the neighbor's through the adjoining door.
Anyway, this is the reason I'm on an Adak kick today.
When we were home for Christmas, I happened to mention to my dad that the painting above was one of my favorites that he's done. At that time it was hanging at our farm 40 minutes away, so after making my comment I thought nothing else about. But lo and behold when I walked into the garage the next day guess what was sitting there - the beautiful painting. He'd driven all the way to the farm to get it for me. Not many things bring me to tears, but that just about did me in. And what's really special about this painting is that it is of the stormy seas of Adak where I was born - painted nearly 25 years ago. We're eventually going to frame it, but for now kind of like the ragged look of the aging canvas. It goes really well the with other nautical painting in our den, compliments of my husband - please excuse the crooked picture.
I'll have to say I have some very talented men in my life!
Where have I been
For the past 2 years. I can't BELIEVE I wasn't aware there is a new X-Files movie coming out this summer. Don't be fooled by my calm and collected demeanor. Although we've had a good 7 year hiatus, underneath I am still an avid, sold-out Mulder and Scully fan. I remember begging my mom to get my dad off the TV on Sunday nights so I wouldn't miss a minute of the show, and then rehashing every detail with my friend and orchestra stand partner Kate O'Connor the next day. I'm so excited I don't how I'm going wait until July 25. And I have a little over 4 months to get Jeff up to speed on things so he can get as pumped about the movie as I am. Hello X-File episodes every night for the next 16 weeks:)
I'm working from home today but just had to get that out. Ciao!
I'm working from home today but just had to get that out. Ciao!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Back in Focus
Our new camera card came in last weekend, so we're finally back in focus. I know you must be as excited as I am:)
As many of you know, nearly a year ago we started a "little" project to add a screen porch onto the back of our house. Well that "little" project is still not finished. Almost, but not there yet. I figure I have a good 15 tubes of caulk left to apply, and at least 2 gallons of paint to go. And Jeff has a good solid weekend of finishing touches to finish up before we'll be officially finished. Wow that's a mouthful. For those of you who are joining us late in this journey, let me recap.
Old Porch/New Porch
This is what mixing 40 (80lb) bags of concrete at 1AM in the morning looks like. And just in case your wondering, yes Jeff way overshot that calculation. The porch is our new storm cellar, it's the safest room in the house. And as an aside, for those of you who don't believe me when I tell you that one of my eyes is higher than the other, please look closely at this picture (click on it to look really close). This is why I always tilt my head in pictures, and why my great grandmother's first words to me, rather my mom, were, "One of that baby's eyes is higher than the other one." I rest my case.
And here is the fruit of our labors - designed by my amazing husband and built by him too - with a little help here and there from me, my dad and some friends. My main contribution has been painting and caulking and holding boards as needed. Although I did shingle the entire roof myself, and it looks pretty darn good if I do say so myself. I also painted the ceiling - 3 times! Don't ask.
Jeff built the swing and doors too. My husband really is amazing.
As many of you know, nearly a year ago we started a "little" project to add a screen porch onto the back of our house. Well that "little" project is still not finished. Almost, but not there yet. I figure I have a good 15 tubes of caulk left to apply, and at least 2 gallons of paint to go. And Jeff has a good solid weekend of finishing touches to finish up before we'll be officially finished. Wow that's a mouthful. For those of you who are joining us late in this journey, let me recap.
Old Porch/New Porch
This is what mixing 40 (80lb) bags of concrete at 1AM in the morning looks like. And just in case your wondering, yes Jeff way overshot that calculation. The porch is our new storm cellar, it's the safest room in the house. And as an aside, for those of you who don't believe me when I tell you that one of my eyes is higher than the other, please look closely at this picture (click on it to look really close). This is why I always tilt my head in pictures, and why my great grandmother's first words to me, rather my mom, were, "One of that baby's eyes is higher than the other one." I rest my case.
And here is the fruit of our labors - designed by my amazing husband and built by him too - with a little help here and there from me, my dad and some friends. My main contribution has been painting and caulking and holding boards as needed. Although I did shingle the entire roof myself, and it looks pretty darn good if I do say so myself. I also painted the ceiling - 3 times! Don't ask.
Jeff built the swing and doors too. My husband really is amazing.
And here we are enjoying the porch, well one side of it, with our good friends across the road Gina and Brian. Sunday night I called Gina at 7pm to see if they wanted to come over for dinner at 8pm. And since Jeff and I are always late for our own party, we really didn't eat until about 8:45PM. Thank God for all of our wonderful friends that put up with us! Although the late hour did make for a cozy albeit chilly evening around the chiminea.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Saturday Morning
Just in case you're wondering why I've yet to post any new pictures on our blog - our camera card *broke* the day we started this site. After 3 years it decided it just wasn't going to work anymore. I ordered a new one, but it's not in yet, so until then you'll just have to put up with my reminiscing.
My parent's house got hit by something yesterday, they're not sure if it was a tornado or down blast. Their backyard is nearly an acre, and whatever it was knocked down the fence all the way around and took the shingles off the shed. Thankfully no one was hurt. It's interesting because my mom announced to me Thursday night that she didn't want us bringing Allie with us to visit this month because 4 dogs is just too much. Of course I took that really well, ahem, since we don't have kids and Allie is our dog baby. And they have such a nice backyard, she always enjoys playing outside there. Anyway, the day after this *discussion* their fence gets taken out, so it wouldn't work to bring her anyway. Maybe that's God's way of telling me to let it go.
Jeff and I are headed to Alaska in June for my 10 year HS reunion. Hard to believe, isn't it? Our last trip to AK was in January of 2005, so this will be Jeff's first chance to see how beautiful it is in the summer. We're not staying a terribly long time, but plan to connect with some dear old friends and see a bit of the state in the process.
Here are some of my favorite pictures from our last trip to AK. These were taken on Alyeska, the mountain I learned to ski on 15 years ago, and Jeff as well on the 2005 trip. After at least a 3 year hiatus from the sport (not because of lack of desire mind you), one of my dear HS friends, Jess Semmler, talked me into hiking up to the very top of the mountain to ski down this great powder run. Just a *quick* hike she says. Well this quick hike included skiing across a 5" wide ledge for about and eighth of a mile, with a mountain to my left and very steep drop to my right. I know I ticked a bunch of pro skiers off because it took me so long to get across this part of the trail. Thankfully Jess, with her infinite patience, stayed close and did not leave me to fend for myself. I was seriously planning my funeral on that ledge, thinking how horrible would it be for me to fall to my death and never see my family again. After the treacherous ledge we had at least another 1/2 mile to hike up, with our skis on our shoulders, to the top of the trail. With the high altitude and my post marriage out-of-shapeness I was lucky I didn't die of a heart attack right there on top of the mountain - although I would have much preferred that to plummeting over the ledge. After about 20 minutes we finally made it to the top, and even ran into some old friends on the way. And was it worth it, you ask? Definitely! Although I did a few faceplants on the way down, there is nothing like 2 feet of almost untouched powder. Here are some pictures of the adventure.
Headed up
My parent's house got hit by something yesterday, they're not sure if it was a tornado or down blast. Their backyard is nearly an acre, and whatever it was knocked down the fence all the way around and took the shingles off the shed. Thankfully no one was hurt. It's interesting because my mom announced to me Thursday night that she didn't want us bringing Allie with us to visit this month because 4 dogs is just too much. Of course I took that really well, ahem, since we don't have kids and Allie is our dog baby. And they have such a nice backyard, she always enjoys playing outside there. Anyway, the day after this *discussion* their fence gets taken out, so it wouldn't work to bring her anyway. Maybe that's God's way of telling me to let it go.
Jeff and I are headed to Alaska in June for my 10 year HS reunion. Hard to believe, isn't it? Our last trip to AK was in January of 2005, so this will be Jeff's first chance to see how beautiful it is in the summer. We're not staying a terribly long time, but plan to connect with some dear old friends and see a bit of the state in the process.
Here are some of my favorite pictures from our last trip to AK. These were taken on Alyeska, the mountain I learned to ski on 15 years ago, and Jeff as well on the 2005 trip. After at least a 3 year hiatus from the sport (not because of lack of desire mind you), one of my dear HS friends, Jess Semmler, talked me into hiking up to the very top of the mountain to ski down this great powder run. Just a *quick* hike she says. Well this quick hike included skiing across a 5" wide ledge for about and eighth of a mile, with a mountain to my left and very steep drop to my right. I know I ticked a bunch of pro skiers off because it took me so long to get across this part of the trail. Thankfully Jess, with her infinite patience, stayed close and did not leave me to fend for myself. I was seriously planning my funeral on that ledge, thinking how horrible would it be for me to fall to my death and never see my family again. After the treacherous ledge we had at least another 1/2 mile to hike up, with our skis on our shoulders, to the top of the trail. With the high altitude and my post marriage out-of-shapeness I was lucky I didn't die of a heart attack right there on top of the mountain - although I would have much preferred that to plummeting over the ledge. After about 20 minutes we finally made it to the top, and even ran into some old friends on the way. And was it worth it, you ask? Definitely! Although I did a few faceplants on the way down, there is nothing like 2 feet of almost untouched powder. Here are some pictures of the adventure.
Headed up
Halfway there
Victory at last!
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