Sisters in the Sunshine State

I had to wade through the storms of Friday and Saturday morning before the sun actually showed itself but it's been nice ever since Saturday afternoon. Amy and I drove over to Malbis, AL to a new outdoor shopping center and I absolutely loved these fountains they had throughout the center so we had to stop and take a picture.
Yesterday was the nicest day and after working most of the morning, we grabbed some lunch and headed to Pensacola Beach. There wasn't a cloud in sight so it was the perfect day to enjoy some sunshine.

Ready for a little vacay

That's right...I am ready for a little down time. I am ready for a day or two or three that I don't have to deal with anything work related (the mini-mansion, the dog, the computer...you get the idea). Just give me an ocean with some sandy beaches throw in a little sunshine and fresh seafood and I will be a happy girl. And even though I am excited to see my sister and other friends in Florida, I am also looking forward to some quality "alone" time....it's been quite a while and my internal gauges are telling me that I am overdue!

F-U-N

After a rather "blah" day on Thursday, I needed a day of F-U-N to recoup! Of course on Friday you still have to work and I actually traveled to Parsons, TN to work for the day but being able to enjoy the hour and a half drive with nothing but blue skies and plenty of sunshine was therapeutic in and of itself. It was such a productive trip even if it meant getting back to Nashville much later than I had hoped. I promptly came home, took care of dog and got ready for dinner with my friends Jen and Amy. Amy was nice enough to come and pick me up which was great after driving the hour and half back. We went to DaVinci's Gourmet Pizza off of West End Blvd for delicious pizza and wine. We were there almost two hours and it was some of the best conversation I think I'd had all week! I am so thankful for my good friends Jen and Crazy Amy :)

Just one of those days...

The sunshine is gone, yet again and dreariness is back. Perhaps that explains why I feel sleepy and gloomy today :( And let me tell you that it's hard to be productive when you feel sleepy and gloomy but I am trying to push through as best I can. I even walked to a local downtown coffee shop called Dunn Bros. Coffee in hopes that a Non-fat Vanilla Latte would jump start my day but I haven't seen the best results although it was quite tasty.

This week has been good thus far. Monday night's concert was SO much fun and then seeing sunshine and blue skies made for a great Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday night I did my Pilates class at the Y since i missed on Monday night. I have been taking one class a week for 6 weeks now and I am starting to feel a little stronger in my core and somewhat better posture because of it. I still find myself incredibly sore the two days following but it's such a great head to toe workout that I hope to keep up for a long while and eventually do two classes a week. Last night Jen and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and go to Percy Warner Park and climb those stairs. I was able to finish up with work a bit early and so I was able to get in a little 2 mile run on the boulevard before she arrived. I mile marked the loop on Sunday afternoon so I guesstimated that we did about 4 miles last night (not including our 3 trips up the stairs). This would explain why I can barely move today :) And yet I have the Country Music Half Marathon in about 5 weeks....how on earth am I going to make it? I feel pretty discouraged with my runs lately and just cant seem to get in the groove. Argh! At least I have 3 friends that are running the Half so I am counting on their motivation/inspiration to pull me through.

Work has been steady and productive thus far. I am on the brink of some big work stuff so I am trying to enjoy any little "down time" that I have. I have a feeling by April 1 it's going to be crazy!! Just the calm before the storm!

I guess I should look on the brighter side...tomorrow is Friday, the sun will be shining again, I travel to West TN so the day will be busy and go by fast, I am having dinner with my girl friends and then my family will be here on Saturday. Should be a good weekend!

Blast from the Past

So Amy and I went to see NKOTB - New Kids on the Block - last night. Talk about a blast from the past. I used to have most of my bedroom walls covered and I mean covered from ceiling to floor with posters, magazine clippings, etc. I had buttons, all of their cassette album's, puzzles, tshirts,etc. To think that 20 years later, I would be going to see them in concert....bizarro! I will say though that it was a good show filled with fantastic people watching. Here are a couple pics:

Crazy Amy and Me

New Kids on the Block
We had great seats and good zoom on Amy's camera

Friday Nite Fun

Friday night I went to see a band called "Eureka Gold" at Mercy Lounge with some of my friends AND I finally got to see my friend, Tammy Tuley, who just moved down here from Indiana. Here are some fun pictures:

Tammy and Me

Me and Mike

The girls: Katie, Tammy and Me
The boys: Mike, Tim and Patrick
And more friends: Heather, Holly and Andrea

Weekend Guests

I had my sister Amy and her friend Erin visit this weekend and it was so much fun. The weather was so nice despite a fun clouds so we took full advantage of it. We started Saturday with a little visit to Percy Warner Park. Amy had been looking forward to introducing Erin to the stairs. After our little workout, I took the girls to LePeep for brunch. From there we spent the rest of the day shopping, getting Stila makeovers and wandering around historic downtown Franklin. We grabbed an early dinner at McCreary's Irish Pub and then made our way back to Green Hills where we once again shopped, enjoyed yummy cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory and then caught the 9:50 showing of Taken (good movie). It was just a great day!

Erin and Amy at McCreary's Pub

Erin, Amy and I at The Cosmetic Market after makeovers

Busyness

Well this week has been quite a busy week, as I somewhat expected. The family has left the country until after Easter and that always generates lots of work getting them ready and then lots for me to maintain and accomplish while they are gone. I am also becoming more involved with The Ayers Foundation and am thoroughly enjoying working in the business-realm of stuff. I am learning alot and I find it challenging which is good for my personality. I mostly am acting Executive Assistant to the President (my boss) but I am also involved in the marketing aspects and am currently working to get a website created for the foundation. (I know, it's 2009 and they don't have a website). All very exciting stuff!

I am also in the midst of training for the Country Music Half Marathon which is April 25th. I am continuing through with Tuesday night Guitar Lessons which have also been fun and challenging. Who would thought one would learn so much about themselves but learning something new. It's so exciting! Wednesday nights mean hanging out with friends and getting lost watching LOST. And then in the month of March, I have things planned for every weekend including visits from my sister Amy and friend Erin, my family and then my own trip to FL. This month is totally going to be BUSY!

Another weekend comes and goes

They go by so fast...weekends that is. It was a fairly relaxing weekend which was rather nice. On Friday night after work, I met up with Jen and we enjoyed pedicures at one of our favorite places in Green Hills. Now if the weather would just warm up already. I enjoyed sleeping in on Saturday morning and just getting some things done around the house. I then ventured to the Y to get in my 5mile run since it was cold and wet outside. Afterwards I headed to Franklin, to hang out with my friend Amy. Jon and Becky (our Sunday School teachers) came over around 1pm because Jon was helping Amy install a new light fixture in the guest room. Becky and I made ourselves useful by staying out of the way and it was so great to catch up with her. Amy and I ventured out in the cold, drizzly evening to grab dinner, quick errand run to Target, speedy shopping at the mall and then to see the movie "He's Just Not That Into You". She had already seen this movie and I was on the fence about wanting to see it, but she had free passes to use and wanted to see this again so we could discuss. It's not your typical romantic, feel-good, chick flick and I don't think I would see it again. There was definitely much to discuss and dissect and there is no better way to do that then over a beverage from Starbucks.

Sunday we awoke to ice/snow and thanks to Amy's stock of salt and her car ice scrapper, we were able to make it safely down her hilly driveway and on to Sunday School and church. I will say it again, I am SO ready for warmer weather! After church, we had a yummy breakfast at The Cracker Barrel. We watched another episode from the mini-series "John Adams" and then I headed back home. I enjoyed a relaxing evening at home, watched a movie, practiced my guitar and tried to mentally prepare myself for another work week.