Weekend Getaway to Atlanta!

First ride on public transit!

James--MARTA style

James and his Uncles Al and Steve

James and I in the center of Centennial Park

Olympic Rings--Fountain

CNN HQ

Georgia Aquarium

Your truly taking a break from the amazing exhibits!

HOLY shark!

HUGE aquarium---we could have watched this for hours!

Looking up at a fish tank over head

James checking out the tank over head

He's never going to be your friend!!!

And he's probably not either...

Aunt Illaria, James and I at the aquarium

So many fish, so little time---feeling sleepy...

A few words and many pictures to tell the story.... Weekend getaway, last Friday, Delta Airlines, Direct Flight, Atlanta, MARTA, Aunt Illaria and Uncle Steve, Centennial Park, Georgia Aquarium, El Torrero, TCBY, Olympics, Einstein Bagels, 21 (movie), R&R at its finest. FUN FUN FUN! Thank you Illaria and Steve for your wonderful hospitality!! We can't wait to come for another visit.

Happy First Anniversary!

Black car service and dinner at the English Grille

Lovely 5 * dinner

Dessert compliments of the Chef

King James III

And his Queen...


Can you believe it's been a year?

The former bride...in ivory and pearls...looking ready to do it again!

I love this man!

Gifts!

Sunday= Actual Anniversary and watching the video with some Dom P!

Some bubbly and our wedding toasting flutes!

Can you tell I was into the wedding video? James was happily distracted with the camera = )

Champagne and wedding cake = DELICIOUS BY SURPRISE

Sunday, August 17, 2008 marked our one year wedding anniversary. I can hardly believe it's been a year. Some say the first year of marriage is the most difficult and I can only hope that's true because 1) Our first year is behind us and 2) It actually felt more like a sweet walk in the park (okay, maybe not all of the time). All in all, I give the first year of marriage 4 1/2 stars.

We celebrated our special occasion with an "Anniversary Marathon Weekend." It all began Saturday morning with an indulgent breakfast of banana chocolate chip pancakes, sausage and eggs. If this breakfast was any indication of what was in store for the rest of the weekend we knew we were in trouble! James had arranged special plans for us in the evening and all he told me was to be ready with an overnite bag packed. He surprised me with a suite at the 21C Hotel. He didn't stop there as there were more surprises in store. He arranged for a Lincoln Towncar and driver to chauffeur us all evening. First stop, dinner at the The English Grille at The Brown Hotel (yes, I love the sentimental stuff). From there we did what James coined "the Highroller Bambi Walk." The driver took us around to various restaurants and bars so that we could go in for "just a drink." We ended up at the bar at Morton's Steakhouse, Ruth's Chris, Seelbach Hotel, and the Observatory at the Galt House. We had a final nitecap at Proof on Main and then we retired to our suite. THIS WAS SO MUCH FUN! We went to many of our favorite places that we seldom find the opportunity. It truly was an outstanding nite and one that will not be forgotten!!! We slept, woke up and the marathon continued.... Long story short (too late for that, huh?) we concluded our Anniversary Weekend in front of the t.v. watching our wedding video for the very first time, sipping champagne and eating a slice of our well preserved wedding cake. I'm sure you're wondering and I must say just like marriage some how some way the cake was even sweeter with alittle bit of age....

Thank you James for a wonderful first year. It was more than I could have ever hoped or asked for. I look forward to sharing at least another 80 or so with you...

Salt and Pepper

The "old" and trusty Ford F-150


Last picture--James and his Black Beauty


The new car!!


Side shot of the Danali


First picture with the new car!

Today James got a new SUV! The lease on the "old" truck was up and time to get something new. Always an exciting event in our lives. After several weekends of shopping and deliberating the pros and cons on various vehicles he finally decided on the GMC Yukon Danali. Great decision if I do say so myself. Can't wait for the first road trip! We'll miss the old truck but the new one is quickly helping us to forget...

Sign of the Times

Lowe's @ Old Brownsboro Crossings

Lowe's Garden Center

James outside the Garden Center in his snazzy church gear

Yours truly checking out Mole and Grub Killer

James diligently searching "Problem Solvers" for our various yard issues

I think the title says it all. We are officially an old married couple from the suburbs. Long gone are the days of staying up all nite, sleeping in until noon and eating cold pizza for breakfast. Instead, we are promptly in bed on the weekends by 11:00, up by 8:30 reading the newspaper, eating a well balanced breakfast and watching FOX News-----not to mention we shop at LOWE's----alot. Above are a couple of pictures from our latest excursion at the home improvement mecca.

On this particular day we were in search of yard maintenance items. Our yard has fallen victim to moles and the extremely hot and dry temperatures. Bless James' heart he is doing everything possible to bring our yard back up to snuff. We've spent so much money on "quick fixes" that we have to wonder if hiring a landscaping company would be cheaper? As long as he doesn't mind the work (and trial and error) then I don't either. I try to help outside where I can (I am the official weed picker and flower water"er") but he really bares more of the burden.

Hopefully our latest purchases will do the trick. I have faith. Can't wait to post some pictures of our home and fantastic looking yard. Just give us alittle more time...

P.S. With regard to paragraph #1--Being grown up isn't so bad when you have your best friend beside you. = )

Alas, A New Entry!

It’s been awhile since my last entry. I apologize for that. We’ve been in and out of town and staying busy as usual. The blog is one of those things (to me at least) where if too much time passes and too many events take place it’s difficult to catch back up to speed. In a word, avoidance. That’s what I’ve been doing. But here I am….finally.

In early July, James and I vacationed with our friends Jesse and Christy Mudd in Antigua. What a beautiful place! We stayed at Sandals all inclusive resort. It was a week worth of sun and fun, more sun (too much sun), eating and drinking A LOT, swimming, reading, late night parties, etc. DID I MENTION EATING AND DRINKING? You know all the things that vacation is to twenty somethings. We both came home a few pounds heavier but I won’t get into that…. The trip was definitely worth the little extra baggage.

James celebrated his birthday while we were away. His birthday is always a day of reckoning to me as I am several months older and it finally evens the score. Can you tell I think it's dreadful getting older? Again, another subject for another day. James’ birthday in Antigua was a great time for all of us. The day began with breakfast by the beach and continued at the pool. When we went up to the room to get ready for dinner, we sat out on our balcony overlooking the beautiful emerald green Caribbean. James opened his gifts and I think he liked all his loot! Dinner was amazing. Italian fare and we even splurged on a bottle of Dom P. We justified it with, “how often do you celebrate a birthday in Antigua?” Enough said. His birthday continued on and off for about 9 more days. He had a total of 3 parties (Antigua, with my Mom, and with his parents). He claims that’s “so not him” but I have to wonder….. Just kidding, J-Bone. ; ) You know I love you!

There’s more to share and I could go on and on but I noticed this is getting pretty lengthy. Hopefully the pictures above will tell the rest of the story. See you soon….(sooner than later that is….)