Wordless Wednesday

stopping to breathe.

It has been quite a whirl wind since I last posted. We have new baby in the family, spent much needed time with friends and finally got the siding put on the house.

Yes, Margaret Sloan Hardee has arrived and is 4 weeks old. She is so precious. She is one of those babies that make you want to have them yourself. She is so little and so sweet and so curious of the world around her. Thankfully, she is oblivious to all the wrong in the world and as long as she gets fed every 3-5 hours – everything is right in the world. If it was only like that at 24…

In the month of April, I got to catch up with some old sisters who I haven’t seen in a while. The thing I love about those girls is the fact that we can got a few months or even years and you get us back all in the same room and it is like no time has passed. We got to catch up and my friend Pratt’s lingerie/bachelorette part. We had a great time and had plans to go out afterwords – but we literally sat there and talked about old times and how in the world I am alive and how out of like ten of us, Michelle and I were the first to get married! Crazy huh? No kidding aside, I owe a lot to those girls – they brought me back to life after a time where I had lost my sense of being and who I was. They helped me find myself and again and helped me become a better person. I miss them all dearly – from the ones that live 30 minutes to the ones who now call Nashville their home. We all got back together a few weeks later as we watch Pratt marry her man in a gorgeous church in Huntsville and then we enjoyed each others company at the Huntsville Museum of Art for the reception. Needless to say, I came home and told Dillion I’d move to Huntsville – tomorrow…



I also got an opportunity to chaperon (go ahead and say it, I know you are all asking yourselves – am I even old enough to be a chaperon?) the current chapter to The Fox Theater in HotLanta! I had a blast along with the other girls and even danced a little without completely embarrassing the girls! We had a two hour bus ride over and then a two hour ride back – but it was worth it. For those of you who have been to the Fox – you believe me when I say that it is gorgeous. For those of you who haven’t been there, plan a trip like yesterday and go check it out!

Here is a picture of me and Meg all dressed up on the bus - ready to go!




Then to wrap up the month we went out Friday night to celebrate my very good friend Johanna’s bday. Along with Meg – these girls are the fresh breathe to my life. I love hanging out with them and it is never a dull time. We went to Cocina Superior for drinks and dinner and the food was delicious! We had a nice table out on the patio where we could be as loud as we wanted. I think they were warned ahead of time. Due to Dillion’s hectic work schedule, it was nice to have my man by my side and enjoy some much needed time together outside of the two of us and our four walls at home. Unfortunately, we decided not to venture out after dinner – Dill had to work and I wasn’t up for the marathon the girls had planned! See what I have to go through everytime I try to take a picture, I end up with like three sets of pictures!



Needless to say April was a very busy month – but I got to spend it with my lovely family, adoring friends and when work permitted some nice time with Dillion as well.

May started off with a bang with my friend Lindsey’s little girls 2nd birthday! They celebrated at the McWane Center and I can honestly say that the adults had as much fun as the kids. It was also nice to put some faces with names I hear throughout the day since Lindsey works like, literally 2 ½ feet from me. We have a great time at work. I think I can honestly say I enjoy my job more now than ever. We keep ourselves pretty entertained and she has turned out to be a really great friend and great source for advice. Here's a pic of us way back when one of our tenants gave us tickets to the Rockettes.



It has been a whirlwind – but I would have had it any other way. I have great friends, a new baby niece and made some decisions that are going to make life awesome!

Wordless Wednesday

Life goes on...

Sorry for the posting hiatus - but life got in the way since my last post and while there has been numerous events to talk about - there has been no such time to share...

sadly, St. Patrick's day has gone and past. It was once my favorite - mostly because it gave me an excuse to die food and beverages green - but this year it seemed to pass by just as any other day. This is a big deal if you knew me in college, as you see at one point I was convinced I had a little leprechaun in me and while my family comes from a Scotch Irish - background - I don't have much. Although, it was enough to make my ability to tan, well, zero.

Friday marked a momentous occasion in the Donaldson household. For the first time since 2004 - hubby went to the Dr. I think the Doctor's exact words were, "That is an awful looking ear, adn your "good" one - doesn't look that great either." So after two shots and a prescription of strong antibiotics, the hubster is finally getting some relief from a 3 or 4 year old ear infection. let's just pray that the meds work and we won't be in with an ENT in two weeks...

We celebrated Dillion's grandfathers 75th birthday on Sunday and it was good to get with family and see Granny back on her feet after a few trips in the hospital with her heart.

Monday was my first attempt to cook anything in a crock pot other than chili or a roast - both of which I'd rather cook another way. I can't remember at time in my childhood life that my mom cooked in a crock-pot - so the idea has befuddled me for years. Unfortunately, the business of life has caught up with me and the use of a crock- pot has captured my heart. First attempt was pepper steak. Standards were set high as we had just had homemade pepper steak for family dinner at my mom's the week before - but overall I was pleased - and more importantly D enjoyed it as well. So here is to a new, convenient way of cooking with out all the grease!

The countdown has begun, Baby Sloan could be making her appearance at any time. My sister is not due till the 7th - but at the latest Sloan will make her grand entrance by next Tuesday. I can't wait, I just can't wait....

Wordless Wednesday

Odd?

I know that there is someone reading this thinking, why in the heck is she blogging at 10PM on a Saturday night. My answer - and those of you close enough to know - will agree...

God love him, I'm married to the oldest twenty two year old alive...

A Simpler Time...

Most people I've talked to can't imagine or be paid a million dollars to go back to high school. I have never thought twice about it. I loved high school so much, I hope to go back and be to someone else that my teachers were to me. Back then, it was a simpler time. Thinking back on the issues and problems that I had - I realize that it was easy breezy and that I stressed out way too much. Anyone who remembers me from high school - would agree that I was involved in everything..
When I started college there was such a lack of involvement on my part, I believed that maybe college wasn't for me - but not true - I just needed to get involved and so I did and then had the a great four years. I got to know a bunch of great girls I now call my sisters.

I was also lucky enough to share most of both of those times with my hubby and after coming across some old pictures and notes it reminded me of how far we had come as individuals and how far we have come as husband and wife.
Sure, we all think we're going to marry our high school sweet heart - but hey, I really did.

It seems that our ten year reunion in steadily approaching and I couldn't be more excited. Not only for just the event - but I'm excited to be back with those people during a different time and just see how far everyone has come. I graduated with only 47 people so I can honestly say that I had a relationship with each and for the ones I can't keep up with on facebook - I am intrigued to see where life has taken them. So here's to your class of 2003 - may you all be doing well in life and I look forward to getting to know each of you again and the people you will be in four more years. :)

In your dreams, what do you dream about?

One of my favorite songs from the band Barenaked Ladies that stayed in my CD player my junior year of high school… It is a great mix of spunky, upbeat, emo (before it became all about painting your nails black) light music that to this day gets me dancing in my seat.

Back to the dreams… I have been having the craziest dreams. Seems whatever the last thing I watch on TV at night before I got to bed somehow becomes part of my inner sleep and I wake up with memories of a dream that has faded into nothing but a mix of previous experiences tied in with TV shows or whatever my lasts thoughts were for the day. From old friends to old teachers encouraging and paving a way for me to achieve my life goals – just crazy! I even had a dream about which phone I should choose – Iphone or Blackberry. By the way, that debate is still open for comments or suggestions on which is better. Needless to say without the pitter patter of rain, occasional thunder and lighting I would be quite sleep deprived.

I think Dillion could sleep through a hurricane though.

Last night I was dreaming of New Orleans – guess what I’m now craving…

My first "Thursday's Thirteen!"

I have seen this topic on a few other blogs - so I thought I'd add it to mine.

1. We now have a time honored tradition on Wednesday – it is Pasquale’s pizza night. Not only is it cheap – it usually isn’t crowded because it is a church night. We get to catch up with whomever (usually Wes) tags along and interrogate them on their life. I live for it…

2. With that being said, it was a sad night when we found out Bob – the owner who’s been there for 100 years with no shoes on – can’t drive in the dark anymore. Needless to say we felt Bob’s pain and were sad for him –but Gardendale is a safer place after dark now.

3. The sickness is finally out of my household. It has taken over my workplace. We’ve had three people hacking this weekend and two of them were out sick most of the week. Diagnosis: Walking Pneumonia – uh, no thank you. Dillion and I were down with it for two weeks and we just recuperated only after two rounds of antibiotics. This back and forth/ hot and cold has to go – spring, please enter the atmosphere and stay!

4. This is my second attempt to have a blog up and running – so far so good.

5. Turkey season is just around the corner (or may have already started) but I’m ready for it end. The non-stop clacking and calling is driving me and my hounds insane.

6. Only upside to turkey season – I’m hoping that it will allow me to have a girl’s weekend with my very best friend, Jessica – who left us for greener grass in Atlanta.

7. I LURVE me some Wednesday night TV – last night’s rendition of “Shout” on Modern Family had me and my love laughing hysterically. Cougar Town – need I say more…

8. My latest interest has been in our salt water tank and Dillion has now started asking me day to day if I have anymore collected dead fish. Yes, I have killed almost everything in my tank – but I’m working on it. Reading lots of books, getting advice from experts and I’m happy to say that my two hermit crabs and two fish are enjoying life in their glass box for almost a month now. 

9. I just spent WAY too much money online at Old Navy –shame on you for your 5, 10 & 15 dollar deals!

10. I quite possibly have the best entertainment 5 days a week 8-5. Her name is Lindsey and she works about 2 feet away from me. Our latest discovery is salsa – morning, noon & night. Yummy.

11. I spent last Saturday morning with my niece, Emily. I love hanging out with her mainly because she is just so darn cute. We ate breakfast together and then made my weekly trip to Ed’s. I was a little concerned because, hey - she is five and there are some snakes and lizards in Ed’s that are quite frankly much larger than her. However, what was she scared of, mice and rats. Her Nonna has gotten to her with her dreams of rats biting her toes… Here is a picture of her from her first hunting trip with Daddy!

12. Jack and Molly had their monthly groom on Saturday also and I must say Mr. Jack looks mighty handsome as he struts around the house wearing his new do and St. Patrick’s day scarf! Molly, well she is already a gorgeous dog and if she wasn’t so dang pretty I might not be so fond of her. She is attached to Dillion’s beck and call and I was the one who rescued her…. Hope this isn’t going to be a pattern with kids – but then again.


13. Finally, yesterday my sister who is 36 weeks prego sent me the 4-D picture of my almost new baby niece, Margaret Sloan. I can already tell that she is going to be so stinkin’ cute. I can’t wait for her to arrive!

our latest adventure...

Some would say that we have bad luck when it comes to trips. This goes all the way back five years ago when we spent Spring Break with five of my closest sorority sisters in Gulf Shores. Yes, Dillion was the only guy on the trip and we had a blast – after our run in with the bully cop who all but took Dillion’s seats out of his truck to find something “illegal” that was never there in the first place. Only after finding my ring (yes, that very important ring that goes on your left hand) box did he stop. Thank the lord Dillion decided last minute the week before to ask me to marry him so the surprise wasn’t spoiled.

But yes, our adventures have continued through the years from a horrifying canoe trip to the latest – a trip to Gatlinburg with the Donaldsons.



We spent a long weekend in Gatlinburg in a beautiful cabin with a view to match. This was the second vacation with the Donaldson side after our July 4th visit to Gulf Shores. We left before the sun was up (as well as myself) and arrived and spent the evening taking in the scenery, playing cards and catching up with the family. The next morning we set out to Cade’s Cove – which is gorgeous and full of wildlife. I would love to take my nieces there one day – they would love it! (This is me assuming that Sloan will take after her mom and the rest of us and have a big heart for our furry friends).
After driving through and spending some time taking pictures we headed into downtown Gatlinburg and ate at Bubba Gump’s – mine and Dillion’s favorite chain restaurant. Have you ever had shrimpers heaven, because that is exactly what is it, Heaven – in the food sense of course. Up to this point the trip we were having a great time and overall had a great time – but that night and the following day put some hiccups in our step.

Have you ever walked in cowboy boots on ice? Well, if you have than you can feel my pain – otherwise – imagine walking on ice with a block of ice attached to the bottom of your shoes, slick, very slick. Normally, I wouldn’t be walking on such surfaces and it wouldn’t be an issue. Well not this night, after attempting to get back up the mountain to our cabin around 3:30 – Dillion’s four wheel drive monstrous pickup starts sliding, yes sliding. So we then trekked up the mountain along with friends who weren’t able to make it up as well, all the way to the tip top. I myself was having some trouble walking (reference the cowboy boots on ice comment) and stayed in the car with the Grandparents until emergency workers could finally get us up the mountain. We made it to the cabin and everything was good until the next morning when we realized we couldn’t get down the mountain to get any of our vehicles and spent the next day and ½ locked in the cabin. Needless to say when the ice had melted enough – we spent our last night on solid ground in a hotel in Gatlinburg. Note to self, in the future stay on the bottom of the mountain.

Looking back in was quite and adventure and well worth spending the time together with family. It isn’t often that we are forced to stop our busy lives and just enjoy each others company. I encourage more of you to take the time to have a game night or a camp out or anything that forces modern technology and all the distractions of life aside for quality together time – be it with family or friends. Appreciate the people in your lives, you’ll be better for it.

A New Beginning

I have been in and out of blogging since my college choir professor introduced me to the wonderful world. He used it not only as a communication skill to help relay important choir and class information – for a while – it was like my own secret club (along with the other 60 members) that we got to be a part of. I loved it. Now, that I’m out of college – of course – I’m not in choir anymore, but I do love looking at it from time to time reminiscing the days of our Dr. Copeland’s spoofs, stories about his girls and the latest critique of our performance. Not only do I miss being apart of that “secret club” somehow I’ve come to miss the hour long practices that would lead to that glorious moment when we finished whatever song ( my favorite being – Go, Lovely Rose) and we stood in front of standing ovations and a conductor who was proud to call us his.

So, to the point – here is my opportunity to keep those updated on the life Dillion and I are living and the many experiences we are enjoying…

I’m not a professional – so be patient. Enjoy.