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Monday, June 28, 2010

Twenty Four

This weekend marked another year of my life...gone!  But that's more than ok, because the 23rd year of my life was pretty cool.  I feel like I truly became an 'adult', did a little traveling, spent a lot of time with the people who mean the most to me, and I got engaged.  Not bad, not bad at all.

So what will 24 bring?  Let's hope for some change, lots of travel, and an incredible amount of happiness! I'll keep you updated on how well 24 is sticking to it's ambitions, but so far so good.  I can definitely say I am happy, and I can see change coming. 

You know you love a present you've been given when you carry it around with you from Thursday to Saturday and won't let it out of your sight.  My darling fiance couldn't contain himself and gave me my present the day he bought it instead of waiting til my actual birthday, but I can't blame him.  It was such a great gift, I don't think I could have waited either!  He bought me a Canon Rebel (DSLR camera) that is great for aspiring photographers.  And you know what?  I think I'm going to start throwing myself into that category, because I really do love taking pictures of beautiful moments in time, whether they be of natural landscapes or human nature.  I love it all, and couldn't be more thankful for one of the best presents I've ever received!



Thursday, June 24, 2010

Taking a Moment

My apologies for the lack of blogging in the past week, but life caught me off guard Thursday, the 17th.   My grandmother, Rose 'Sissie' Marie Morris, better known as Maw-Maw, passed away.  She was ill, with COPD and Emphysema and we knew her time was coming, but when it actually happened no one was really ready for it.  I loved my Maw-Maw for everything that she was:  feisty, loving, honest and loyal.  Her heart truly broke on May 6, 1997 when her husband, and my Pop-Pop lost a battle with Lymphoma.  He was the love of her life, and you could see how much she missed him every day she was without him.  And that is why I know it's ok for her early departure from all of us.  66-years-old is too early to die, but knowing that she has been reunited with Pop-Pop again puts my mind at ease, because there is nothing more that she really wanted.  I love you Maw-Maw, and will miss your wonderful laugh and joking nature!


Monday, June 14, 2010

New Obsession

I have to admit, I've never been a huge reader.  I read what was required of me while I was in middle and high school, and typically 'skimmed' the majority of them.  Reading was never something I enjoyed, unless I found something that really sparked my interest.  I remember loving the 'Baby-sitter's Little Sisters' books, as well as The Face on the Milk Carton and Hatchet, but that was pretty much it.  Towards the end of my high school career I got really into the Harry Potter books and of course, like any other American, I've been truly take with the Twilight Saga.  Ok, so I've read a few books here and there, but nothing like my mother or sister who is always reading a different book every time I see them.  Unless I'm REALLY into it, I can't bring myself to read it.

 
Emily Giffin.  What a fabulous author!  I've only read two of her books, but I know I will be reading all of the rest as soon as I can get my hands on them.  At the request of my future sister-in-law, I first read 'Something Borrowed'.  I'm pretty sure I read it in just a few days and instantly felt like I knew Rachel, Dex and Darcy personally.  There is something to be said about an author who can develop a relationship between its characters and the reader so quickly and effortlessly.  Many books are good at describing their characters and giving you every detail about them, but the ability to connect them to the reader the way Giffin does is flawless.

I happened to be in Florida when I finished reading 'Something Borrowed' and I just couldn't wait to read 'Something Blue' so I bought it while I was in Atlanta Airport waiting for our flight home.  Now I must say, it took me a little longer to read 'Something Blue', which I believe is due to the fact that I despised it's main character by the end of 'Something Borrowed' and wasn't sure I really wanted to hear her 'after story'.  But Giffin worked her magic (again) and I finished it with a smile on my face wanting more.



So many people hate when a good book becomes a movie.  They feel it's a sellout tactic and never really lives up to the book, which most of the time is true.  But I love when they turn a brilliant book into a movie!  It allows you to compare your imagination to those in Hollywood and see how accurate they are.  I was thrilled to learn that 'Something Borrowed' is currently being filmed as we speak (type).  The cast so far seems pretty on point (at least as far as my interpretation goes), and I cannot WAIT for it's release!

Saturday, June 12, 2010

So this is love?


I can't help but swoon every time I utter the words, "So this is love...mhmmmhmm..."  Cinderella sings it much better than I, but you get the point.  It's one of my favorite tunes from the Disney classics and it's all I could think of last night.  My other half likes to describe us as 'young people who want to be old' but I just think it's who we are through and through.  After a long day at work for the both of us, a little shopping for our nephew, and a pretty lengthy meeting with the priest who will be marrying us in September, we were both beat by the time we got home.  We picked up a pizza from Murphy's, the country store deep down here in the 7D and finally kicked our feet up for a little relaxation.  Unfortunately, we had come home to a blazing hot house sine our AC unit is apparently broken (and yes it's about 85 in here right now and it's 7:45pm with ALL of the window open and fans on, but who's complaining?!) and had to keep all movement to a minimum in order to stay cool.  After a little TV action I was called out to our front porch only to be welcomed by a few lit candles, a fresh pillow and the most heavenly breeze you can imagine.


As we lounged on the outdoor couch on our porch, sipping our Malibu and pineapples, listening to the waves gently rush against the shore, I thought, "So this is love?".  Anyone who knows me knows I love the water, I always have.  And to me, there is nothing more soothing and relaxing the a cool breeze and the sound of the water.  This moment made me realize how much I truly love our little cottage and peaceful spot by the sea.  It may be removed, and the commute to work may be a pain, but it's nights like this that just melt my heart.

Friday, June 11, 2010

MUST SEE:

Movie Review:  It's Complicated


I know I don't typically 'review' movies here at Point Breeze Palaver, but I knew I had to make an exception after I watched one of the funnier movies I had seen in a while.  Let me give you a quick run down of the plot: Janey and Jake were married for almost 20 years, however are now divorced, with Jane being single and Jake remarried to a much younger 'trophey wife'.  Jane and Jake have three children together who are now young adults.  Their only son is graduating from college in New York City, and while coincidentally staying in the same hotel, Jane and Jake find themselves both sitting at the hotel bar the night before the ceremony.  Rather than eating alone, they opt to attempt to keep each other company.  One glass of wine leads to three bottle, which leads to glasses of Bourbon, which of course leads to shots of tequila, lots of dancing and a trip back to Jake's room.

From there, several awkward but hilarious moments ensue, with only a few select girlfriends of Jane knowing about the secret tryst between the two.  Until their older daughters fiance witnesses a lovers meeting in the middle of the day.  Shocked, confused and very uneasy about the whole situation, Harley tries to keep his mouth shut, again making for some pretty awkward and funny scenes. 

Comedy aside, the plot actually keeps you guessing.  I found myself wondering the entire time how it would end.  Though many of the moments and scenes were typical comedy (but still pretty damn funny), the outcome was not as predictable.  Not a lot of comedies can hold an audience's attention in that manner, but this one certainly did.  The dynamic between the children, and the chemistry between Jake and Jane was perfect.  I have to be honest, I am not a huge Meryl Streep fan, but this is one of her movies that really hit the mark.  It didn't hurt having Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin and John Krasinski in the line up either.

My favorite part of the film?  The party/bathroom scene: Warning, if you'd rather watch the whole film, don't click HERE, but if you would like a good laugh, go on and click it! (6:51 for my all time favorite scene!)

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

June Bugs

Ahh, June!


Such a beautiful month.  It's the half way point of the year, summer is officially here, the days are getting longer, and the weather is perfect.  Typically.  The past week or so has been pretty sweltering, what with the unbelievably humid days and the scorching sun, but luckily we've caught a break and had a thunderstorm or two,  knocking out the humidity for at least a couple of days.  Thank God!  I didn't think my hair was going to make it much longer and I was seriously considering corn rows or some kind of braiding to rid myself of the 'wild look/lions mane' I had going on.  I'm actually a little scared to see my engagement photos, since they were taken right after a light rain and I was most definitely getting 'puffy', but I'm sure they'll turn out fine...

June is always the time of year I crave change.  I'm not sure if it's because you go your whole life always looking forward to the month of June because that's when school lets out (unless your one of those unfortunate kids who goes year round), because my birthday is in June, or maybe JUST MAYBE the sunshine and gorgeous weather is so much more motivating.  Or perhaps it's a culmination of all three-quite likely.

It seems like June is also the month of weddings.  Or at least wedding season is in full effect.  It's surely in full effect for me and my family.  My wedding isn't until September, but we're smack dab in the middle of building important pieces, stuffing and addressing envelopes, finalizing decor, and pulling together all the loose ends...which is quite a few at this point.  But it's OK, because I know it will all get done and it will be fabulous.  At least that's what I keep telling myself!  Things have been pretty stressful lately and what I'd love more than anything is to pack up our wedding 'gear and supplies' and find a quiet place away from here for a few days just to knock it all out - no distractions of any kind...now if only I could talk to fiance into this...

Friday, June 4, 2010

Free and Easy

Why was I in such a hurry to grow up?  Why would ANYBODY be in a hurry to grow up?

Summer time tends to make me sad sometimes.  It makes me wish I was young again and free to enjoy the summer sunshine to it's real and full potential.  When you are in high school, yeah you might have a job over the summer, but your hours aren't as long, the work isn't as grueling and your ability to stay up past 10:30pm is in its prime.  I want to go back.  Working long hours everyday and only seeing and feeling the sun is through my office window is just plain depressing.


I want to be riding around with the windows down, music blasting and friends laughing.  I want my biggest worry to be what time we'll get to the beach or how I'll scrounge up a few bucks for gas. REALITY CHECK.  I'll be 24 years-old at the end of the month and in order to survive I have to have a job.  Which is truly unfortunate, but the cold hard (and pathetic) truth.  I guess it wouldn't be so bad if it was a job I actually enjoyed or that had incredible travel opportunities, but it's not.  It's just a job.  But like I said, it pays the bills, therefore I must keep it.

So how do I try and "relive" my carefree summer days?  By rocking out in the car on my ridiculous commute home from work every afternoon.  Here's a list of some of the songs that make me want to quit my job, throw my hair up and hit the open road:

1.  California Girls - Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dog
2.  American Honey - Lady Antebellum
3.  Billionaire - Travie McCoy & Bruno Mars
4.  My Chick Bad - Ludacris ft. Nicki Minaj
5.  Half of my Heart - John Mayer and Taylor Swift

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Need. Rest. Now.


So I've been caught up to. All this wedding planning, work, cleaning and softball has finally worn me out. I reached a point this morning when I finally said, "I need some rest." Not necessarily sleep, but just some good old fashion RELAXATION. I'm hoping that tonight I'll be able to force myself not to do laundry (yeah...that should be real hard...), not worry about painting/cutting/designing signs for the wedding reception (or think about the 5,000 other things we HAVEN'T done yet) and just relax. I figured I was long over due when I chugged 2 cups of coffee this morning AND a sugary donut and it didn't even come close to perking me up, I just wanted to curl up under my desk and take a nap. (For the record however, I did NOT cave in and take a nap, that would get me in trouble...)

Nothing is more relaxing than grabbing a blanket and a good book, and finding a perfectly sunny spot in the grass to lay in and just breathe. Now that would be ideal, especially on a nice warm day like today, and there is always a breeze in Coltons Point, so my odds are pretty good that this little fantasy just might come true for me tonight. Now that I think about it, I did have the chance to lounge in the grass on Tuesday evening. Granted it was wet and I'm pretty sure I was lying on a dead bee (courtesy of the fabulous Melissa Barrick). My dear fiance and I had our engagement photos done this week, and one of the many scenes we posed in was in the grassy yard by the museum. I've plugged her before and I'll plug her again, Melissa Barrick Photography is outstanding! She is such a natural at taking photos and making the subjects feel very at ease. I'm happy to call Melissa a friend, and am so glad I've gotten to be photographed by her on more than one occasion! I can't wait to see the rest of our engagement photos next week, as well as when September 4 rolls around and she takes our wedding photos! Make sure you check her out...


As the clock is ever-so-slowly ticking away, I'm getting closer and closer to my relaxation destination...HOME :)