Sweet Southern Life

Monsters in the Closet

2012-02-07T10:16:00.000-05:00

What I like: Closets that have lights operated by motion sensors. Very practical, helpful and often found in high-end hotels like the one we are staying in for H's conference.

What I don't like: Waking up in the middle of the night and realizing that there is light streaming through the cracks around the closet door. And wondering what in the world has moved in that closet to turn on that light. In my fuzzy-minded state I started to think that my childhood suspicions of monsters living in the closet might not be so far-fetched....

p.s. this happened a total of 3 times last night...

Oh How You'll Grow

2012-02-06T07:30:00.000-05:00

I realized just how much our little Chloe had grown when I took a picture of her in her crate yesterday. She's just getting so big - but still a petite ball of loving cuddles. (Can you tell that I adore this little creature and enjoy how much she makes us laugh every single day?) And on a related note...it may be time to get her a new crate...

On the drive home from the airport the day we got little bear back in October.

Sleepy girl who had her nap interrupted on a cold February afternoon.

How time flies! I can't believe we will only be here in Massachusetts for another 5 months! Where has this year gone???

A Little Birthday Bash

2012-02-04T13:38:00.001-05:00

My wonderful husband decided that since we were traveling to D.C. for him to attend a medical conference that we might as well celebrate my birthday just a few days early and spend the first night at the incredible D.C. St. Regis. He lavished me with gifts when we arrived; and, in the morning, ordered a pot of steaming coffee and a basket of flaky croissants. He insisted I stay in bed, wrapped up in a fluffy robe while sipping coffee and reading the paper.

I thank the Lord that He gave me a husband that knows me well.

What's Not To Love?

2012-02-02T23:13:00.000-05:00

Loves to cuddle...

We have been saving up for a new camera and it arrived last night! Needless to say, we've been playing with it non-stop. And look at what great pictures it takes...even in low light. Of course, the subject is super-cute, but the camera is still fantastic. I haven't edited any of these, so they could possibly become even better...

I would kill to have those lashes...

Kong toy filled with pb = quiet afternoon...

Working on our tricks...veeeery focused on the treat.

Snow, Snow, Snow!

2012-01-20T09:44:00.000-05:00

Snow

Snow

It won't be long before we'll all be there with snow

Snow

I want to wash my hands, my face and hair with snow

Snow

I long to clear a path and lift a spade of snow

Snow

Oh, to see a great big man entirely made of snow  

Where it's snowing  

All winter through 

That's where I want to be 

Snowball throwing 

That's what I'll do 

How I'm longing to ski 

Through the snow-oh-oh-oh-oh  

How a Puppy Prepares You

2012-01-19T15:31:00.001-05:00

It is a bit cliche, but I'm thinking that the idea that a puppy prepares you for parenthood, in some small way, just might be true. While babies don't come with the advantage of being put in a cage when you leave the house or when they go to sleep, they are generally immobile for the first 6 months and do all their "eliminating" in a diaper which is definitely give them a leg up in my mind.

I realized recently that Chloe might just be preparing us in ways greater than just being responsible for another little life. That moment crystallized when I was sitting with Hunt on the couch watching a football game. I heard an ominous noise that every dog owner learns to know and dread. I leaned down just in time to put my cupped hands under Chloe's little muzzle and catch what her upset stomach no longer wanted. Hunt sat there a little shocked and then leapt into action with paper towels while preventing the pup from helping me with the cleanup efforts.

How could you not help out
this little cuddle bunny?

I generally like to avoid having to clean up difficult messes, so this was definitely the motivating factor to act, rather than an overriding maternal instinct. Yet, I am hoping that this will come in handy when it comes to raising little humans...or at least keep our rugs in good condition for the long run!

Who's Your Favorite?

2012-01-11T13:52:00.002-05:00

I have so many things that I want to blog about (I have a list of 20 or so posts that I want to write but never seem to find the time for) - but until I get to that, here is a little funny for your day.

This daddy is playing the oh-so-dangerous game of asking his child, "Who's your favorite, me or mom?" Be sure to watch to the very end...I was literally laughing out loud.

This is similar to when Mom and Dad would tell me that I was their favorite daughter...never you mind that I am their only daughter...well, at least until Anne came along. Maybe it's time for me to take the temperature on that again...

Fairytale vs. History

2011-12-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

The Christmas story is often treated like a fairytale. As if it didn't truly happen on this earth, but, rather, as if it were made up of fictional characters telling a well-known story. But it's not the same as Santa and Rudolph. These characters walked this earth, experienced these events and it changed our lives eternally.

Chloe's Moto

2011-12-14T08:30:00.000-05:00

"If there is laundry, dirty or clean, I shall be on top of it."
~ Chloe Anderson

"Clean clothes are such a great place to nap"

"Daddy's dirty scrubs are my FAVORITE!"

DC in Time Lapse

2011-12-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

I love seeing video and photos done in time lapse to see the passage of time; whether that's seconds, minutes, or a day. This is a great video highlighting places around D.C. at dusk and sunset. Captures D.C. in such a beautiful way!

Gathering Around the Tree

2011-12-12T09:50:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite things of the Christmas season is having the Christmas tree all lit up. I so enjoy the evenings with all of us together in the den with the softly glowing tree.

At one point yesterday afternoon, I was cuddled up under my electric throw blanket (I'm going to be living under that thing this winter) and drifted off to sleep while Hunt was watching football and Chloe was curled up at my feet. I woke up to find that the sun had set (that happens by 4:30pm up here!), the tree was bathing the den in a warmth of twinkle lights, football was playing in the background, Hunt was stretched out and had nodded off, and Chloe was deep asleep next to us. It was a perfect Christmas moment in my mind. All three Andersons warm, cozy, relaxed and napping near the tree together.

In other news about our tree and its lights: I'll give you one guess as to where Chloe decided to take a nibble on a strand and managed to pluck one bulb right off...

Jingle Jangle Fun

2011-12-09T08:58:00.000-05:00

Here is a different kind of video all together - here is a little fun to share a little Christmas spirit from the Anderson household...

2011-12-08T08:30:00.000-05:00

Interesting twist on the story of the nativity. How would it have played out if FB had been around at that time?

Thanks Mom for sharing - enjoyed it!

Never Forget December 7th

2011-12-07T11:27:00.001-05:00

Remember Pearl Harbor
"History in ev'ry century records an act that lives forevermore.
We'll recall, as into line we fall, the thing that happened on Hawaii's shore.

Let's remember Pearl Harbor
As we go to meet the foe.
Let's remember Pearl Harbor
As we did the Alamo.
We will always remember how they died for Liberty.
Let's remember Pearl Harbor
And go on to victory."

The recovered anchor from the USS Arizona

All the remains at the surface of the USS Arizona

Throwing a lei in honor of the fallen soldiers of Pearl Harbor

Living in Arlington

2011-11-12T17:20:00.001-05:00

When we lived in D.C. one thing is loved about going to work every day was passing Arlington Cemetery during my drive. And, on the mornings I was motivated, I would walk/run the mile down the road to the Iwo Jima memorial right next to the cemetery. It was inspiring. Especially on the Thursday evenings that the Marine color guard would be out in full dress to take down the flag at sunset.

It made my chest swell with patriotic pride, as well as silently remember the cost of freedom. That freedom has never been free, and that our brave soldiers lay down their lives to keep us free.

The seasons were beautiful to watch as they passed through Arlington. The colorful leaves of autumn, the stillness of winter with Christmas wreaths laid on the gravestones, and the lacy new breath of life with Dogwood trees blooming in the spring.

I miss the daily reminder of America's greatest military strength, her soldiers.

Honoring our Veterans

2011-11-11T09:30:00.000-05:00

Thank you to the men and women who are willing to serve our country with honor and integrity and, in turn, keep us all safe.

Remembering my Papa, M. Gene Jackson, who served in Korea; and thinking of my Grandpop, William Merkel, who served on a submarine in WWII; and my father-in-law, Ed who flew for the Air Force.

Papa on base in Houston before going to Korea

Where the Toys Come From

2011-11-10T14:59:00.000-05:00

I am constantly picking up and putting away Chloe's toys - she loves to play with multiple at one time. It is very common for me to catch her laying on top of one toy while furiously chewing on another. And usually making little excited growling noises while she's doing so. (Though nothing beats the snorts and snuffles she makes through her little nose while she is burrowing down deep into her fluffy bed.)

Today I glanced down and saw the pile of toys that Chloe had left at my feet – she had temporarily put herself down for a nap in her crate – and recognized a new addition to her playthings. One of Hunt's nice socks seems to have made the cut of interesting items to chew and roll around on.

She's an equal opportunity offender - she has, countless times, managed to drag my heavy lug-sole Ugg slipper from the bedroom into the living room all the way into her bed so she can snuggle with it...err...tear it to bits.

You may have noticed her little striped monkey. That came with her all way from Oklahoma and it's still one of her favorites. I think it must still smell just a little of momma and her first home.

Get Out the Vote!

2011-11-10T09:13:00.000-05:00

No, this "vote" is not quite as important as the Presidential election that will happen in just under a year from now, but it does impact our little family! Our apartment company is holding a contest on Facebook that has the following prizes:

THE PRIZES

Photo with most votes wins $200 grocery store gift card to buy your Thanksgiving dinner!
Photo with 2nd most votes wins $150 VISA gift card to use on your Black Friday Shopping!
Photo with 3rd most votes wins $100 Amazon.com gift card to use for Cyber Monday shopping!

The contest is to share what you are thankful for by uploading a picture of it and writing a caption. We aren't THAT far behind #1 if we can get many of our friends to vote for us every 24 hours. So, please vote for us!

Princeton Place Thanksgiving Contest

Here are all the entries...remember, only vote for ours! ;)

"I'm thankful for a husband that really moves me...
and that we don't have to pack and load boxes anytime soon!"

Big Enough to Get to the Britches

2011-11-04T08:00:00.000-04:00

Look who all of a sudden grew big enough to be able to jump up on the couch!

Our previously-protected space marked as humans only is now being invaded by a fluffy puppy who loves nothing more than to lavish us with kisses, snuggles, and to get into everything that had previously been out of reach.

I was ironing the laundry and briefly walked out of the room. I returned to find fur face sitting not-so-innocently next to the very clothing that she had just been pestering me to have a nice nibble on.

I love her expression - "who me? up here? that's ok, right?"

And the fact that it appears she is about the change the channel to something more appealing to her doggy senses.

I Can't Help But Laugh

2011-11-03T18:39:00.000-04:00

Jimmy Kimmel challenged his audience to tell their children that they had eaten every last piece of their hard-earned candy on the morning after Halloween. And to film it to capture their reaction. Priceless.

Though I was also surprised to see the immediate onset of tears. Did I cry that easily when I was little? I can't remember. Mom?

Snow-tober

2011-11-02T13:21:00.000-04:00

Well, we got a taste of a New England winter this past weekend. The storm started with sudden heavy snow showers - to the point that when I was running an errand and came back out, my car was already covered in a decent layer of snow.

It snowed, and snowed, and snowed. We watched in cozy comfort from our living room as Hunt studied and I yelled at the television for Clemson to beat Ga Tech. And then the power went out around midnight.

And stayed off. Through one day. And into the next.

We huddled in our bedroom with multiple down blankets and many candles. Hunt was trying to remain focused on studying for the Cardiology boards while I was focused on figuring out a way to prevent the end of my nose from falling off due to frostbite.

Our building's emergency lights lasted for about eight hours and then our hallways and stairwells became the perfect setting for a Hollywood horror movie. And Chloe's urge to race at full tilt down those hallways wasn't dampened one bit. Trying to find a five pound puppy in the dark while balancing a take-out dinner and flashlight would be humorous if the irrational side of my brain wasn't convinced some rabid zombie was going to come howling down the hall after me.

At the start of the storm...

The next morning after 12 inches of snow

We decided to brave the cold one more night and then we would throw in the towel and stay at a hotel a couple towns over that had power.

In the midst of the storm

About 3:00am on Tuesday the power came surging back on. I woke up and realized that glory, glory we had heat, hot water and light!!!! I then promptly shook my exhausted and boards-anxiety-riddled husband to tell him the news. And even more promptly regretted it when he bleary-eyed said that was great and he needed his sleep. You know, so that he could be rested to take his career-defining test. Oh, yeah, that little looming thing.

The evergreens are bent almost in half!

After taking four bags of ruined food to the dumpster I relished a gloriously hot shower. (We had resorted to showering in the locker rooms of the hospital, but nothing is like your own shower that you've bleached yourself. Oh, and I managed to meet Hunt's boss for the first time while heading to said locker room *sigh*) I threatened Chloe, who badly needs a deep cleaning, that I would take her with me in the shower, but just couldn't bring myself to handle a wet, squirmy and yelpy puppy after multiple days of cold water and dark rooms. I don't think she minded. In fact, I'm pretty sure she supported this decision whole-heartedly.

I'm told by our neighbors that this was a first, that they didn't lose power at all last winter during the most punishing blizzards they had had in decades. Hopefully this won't be a repeat and is due to a freak snowstorm smothering tree limbs heavy with foliage.

Remember when I was wishing for cooler weather in the midst of hot and humid August? I take it back.

One Hot Little Dog

2011-10-31T13:51:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween y'all! We are celebrating this autumn holiday despite the fact that there is a foot of snow on the ground and no power in our home.

In the spirit of the season, Chloe insisted on wearing her Halloween costume. In my defense, it is, in fact, keeping her warm in our chilly apartment.

Hunt is determined that we will find a squeaky toy in the shape of hot dog so that her costume will go from annoying little dog dress-up hour to a more sophisticated commentary on cannibalism. Or hot dog on hot dog crime.

I'm pretty sure Chloe thinks her costume is edible - why else would she be furiously biting and chewing on it like it is demon-possessed and she must get it off of her back??

(Chloe was planning on looking much more coiffed for this picture, but a lack of hot water and hair dryers combined with playing in the snow has given her a more, ah, natural look.)

Boo!

And She Will Be Known As...

2011-10-27T09:30:00.000-04:00

Well I guess since I got her name engraved on an ID tag it's official...the puppy otherwise known as Fur Face is going to be called Chloe. Thank you to everyone for participating in the puppy's name poll!

We considered all of the different options and received some great suggestions such as Oakley since she was born in Oklahoma or Logan for the airport she arrived in. And we were very tempted to call her Dixie since that just fit our southern sensibilities so well.

But, since she wasn't responding to Shaniqua or Chewey when Hunt tried them out, we decided that she was, after all, a Chloe. She's a spunky little girly puppy and it just seem to fit her. Plus, she will come when we use it....

Occupy Worcester

2011-10-19T09:28:00.001-04:00

I tweeted about this already, but I was running an errand at Target yesterday and came across several people running around the store announcing to anyone that would listen that they were with Occupy Worcester and they were picking up supplies. It was so stereotypical it was laughable. Long, dirty dreadlocks, rasta hats, ratty clothing artfully patched, and a general unshaven, unwashed appearance.

As I walked out of the store, there were several of the Occupy people outside pushing petitions on shoppers. They made eye contact with me and did not move one inch towards approaching me. All I can figure is that I give off the aura of capitalism. And while as a follower of Jesus my heart desires first and foremost to give off the fragrance of the Gospel and His love for every single person, I'm not ashamed that I may be pigeon-holed as a conservative more likely to show up at a Tea Party rally rather than squat in front of a government building for months on end.

"[D]emocracy will soon degenerate into an anarchy, such an anarchy that every man will do what is right in his own eyes and no man's life or property or reputation or liberty will be secure, and every one of these will soon mould itself into a system of subordination of all the moral virtues and intellectual abilities, all the powers of wealth, beauty, wit and science, to the wanton pleasures, the capricious will, and the execrable cruelty of one or a very few."

–John Adams, An Essay on Man's Lust for Power, 1763

One Year going on Fifty...

2011-10-16T21:39:00.002-04:00

Apples and Fall

2011-10-14T08:58:00.000-04:00

I love the smell of apples during autumn - and have many candles that replicate that particular spicy sweet scent. (so many that my husband has decreed that I may not buy any more candles until I burn through a good portion of the ones I already have...)

I decided to get the real thing wafting through our home yesterday. I tried out a recipe for Homemade Applesauce that my friend Leslie highlighted on her blog.

It was soooo simple, tasty and fragrant! I decided to serve it with pork tenderloin for dinner and it was a big hit. So much so, it was wrapped up and taken to work for lunch. (Hope that tupperware lid stays on tight in your computer bag honey!)

Here is a link to download or print out the recipe for you to try a little fall cooking and make your home smell as good as ours!

Deciphering the Clean Language

2011-10-13T08:58:00.001-04:00

Do you, like me, have no idea what those tiny symbols mean on your clothing's tag? The one that tells you how to care for it? It truly is a language from Mars as far as I'm concerned. It typically boils down to a guessing game...and typically does not involve boiling water...this much I've learned.

I have a great Patagonia skirt that I wore constantly this summer and I went online to find out how best to safely clean it. I came across this great graph that decodes the cyphers on those tags and I printed it out and put it up next to the washer and dryer.

Cheers to clean clothes and sweaters that don't shrink!

Cradled in the Crook

2011-10-12T14:25:00.001-04:00

I just don't know if it gets any cuter around here - my handsome hubby looking very doctorly in his scrubs while he cradles our sleeping puppy in the crook of his arm. This makes me happy to see.

Of Corn Mazes and Puppies

2011-10-11T11:53:00.000-04:00

We are determined to fully enjoy our time up here in New England and that included visiting a local orchard that had a corn maze. It was such a beautiful fall weekend with temps in the 80's, clear blue skies, and fall colors just starting to pop out.

We decided to take the pup with us to experience the outdoors and see if her inner bloodhound could help us in the maze.

The farm and orchard we visited have been family-owned since the 1930's and we drove only backroads to get there, taking in the quaint architecture and small town main streets. The maze covered 4 acres, and is a pretty complicated pattern when seen from above.

Fur face had a great time exploring, chasing after us, trying out the local variety of corn, randomly collapsing like a rag doll in the middle of the path and culminating with a ride of Lil' Sebastian. It was pretty entertaining and definitely a departure from our typical weekend!

Phew! Worn out already.

Got to try the local fare!

Hunt was giving her a pep talk to finish out the maze.

"What is that thing?!?"

Hunt was determined that she would get a ride on the miniature pony... aka Lil' Sebastian.

"Get me off of this thing!"

Taking a hay ride around the orchards, maze and pumpkin patch.

"Mmmmmmm....good apples."

Happy Fall!

Refurbin'

2011-10-10T12:31:00.004-04:00

If you, like me, have an older MacBook with a plastic white case you may have noticed cracks and chips starting to appear around the edges.

Now you, like me, can have a brand new pretty white case! We took my old MacBook to the Apple Store and asked them what we could have done to make its shell look nice and new again and how much that would cost us.

The answer? Nada.

Seems that this is a known and acknowledged design flaw and Apple will replace the entire case for free. F-R-E-E spell it with meeee! This includes the case, the keyboard, touchpad, etc.

So, my MB with the upgraded hard drive and RAM will now have a shiny new exterior to match its spiffy interior specs. And yours can too!

And since I am working on a fancy shmancy MacBook Pro courtesy of my awesome job and great company, Five Q, looks like someone in our family is going to inheriting a nicely refurbed MacBook in the near future!

A Little Glimpse

2011-10-06T08:04:00.000-04:00

This is what it looks like after fur face has had a good long nap and is ready to play...

Needless to say, she provides a lot of entertainment. The majority of the day, she is sleeping at my feet, or chewing on her toys. But every now and then the puppy energy needs to come out and a walk just isn't going to cut it.

Bringing Home Fur Baby

2011-10-04T22:31:00.000-04:00

Our fur baby arrived on Saturday afternoon on a flight from Oklahoma from the wonderful home of Vicki at the Turner Dog Ranch. We picked her up at the American Airline cargo area, where her cage was waiting in a gloomy and cavernous warehouse. We stepped up to the door of her pet taxi and she was a quiet little ball of fur looking up at us with enormous eyes. We spoke softly to her and she tentatively licked the fingers we stuck through the screen. She didn't make a peep as we carried the cage outside to the grass near our car to unload and and meet her.

I helped her out and picked up her trembling little body and held her tight. I was worried that she was traumatized by her flight and being away from her mama. But as soon as I put her down on the ground to give her some water, she became a different puppy. She was all wiggles and wagging tail. She bounded around, greeting me and Hunt, exploring the ground and still not making a sound.

What a scared little face!

The real little miss finally appeared!

Hunt trying to tell her where to go...it didn't really translate.

Still a little nervous at being held up in the air.

Hunt the proud new daddy - the Boston skyline is in the background

A little out-of-sorts at the beginning of the ride home.

Right after we got home she snuggled up next to Hunt and promptly fell asleep.

Watching the Clemson game - she climbed up and cuddled with me on the recliner.

Loving her new toy that Hunt picked up.

We might have taken a nap together on Sunday afternoon - and didn't want to get up when I did. Turns out that Tempurpedic pillows are perfect for puppies...

Look at how that Tempurpedic curve supports her belly so well. I love her little frogged-out legs.

And her freckles on her belly. That she likes to show us often.

Got a little chilly and needed a good, cuddly blanket.

Look at those eyelashes!

Promptly after I took the above picture she whimpered, got up and crawled over to hide her face in Hunt's side. She'll need to get used to being in front of the camera around here!

Give me kisses!

OK, just a little smooch.

Fun little work buddy loves to sleep at my feet...making it hard to move my chair, but such a cute view when I look down. It's definitely a huge adjustment to get used to taking her out regularly, making sure she doesn't have the opportunity to have an accident, and then keeping her occupied when she's wanting to play. Most of the day, she's napping peacefully at my feet. That and learning how to run up the multiple flights of stairs to our apartment...and the fact that she doesn't like to be in the cold and rain-soaked grass. Getting her to go to the bathroom in the snow looks like it's going to be a challenge...

And no, we haven't picked a name yet. Lord help us if He ever blesses us with children. At least we'd have nine months to make that decision.

Adding to Our Family

2011-09-29T08:30:00.000-04:00

Hunt and I are proud to announce that we are adding a new member to our family!

She is arriving this Saturday, is 9 weeks old and weighs only 3.5 lbs. And she is of the furry persuasion, so no real babies around here yet!

She is a mix between a Bichon and a Shih Tzu. The mix is often called a Teddy Bear or a Zuchon. I just call her cute.

Speaking of calling her...we need to figure out her name!

The breeder has named her Chloe, but we are considering a different name for her.

I would love to have your input on what little miss cuteness should be called:. Here are a few options which I posted in a poll. And, of course, other suggestions are welcome!

Mimsie
Dixie
Minnie
Jilly
Cookie
Peachy (or Peaches)
Chloe

In the meantime I am devouring Ceasar Milan's book: How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond.

We can't wait...or maybe that's just me...Hunt is still getting used to the idea that he agreed to...

Little Miss Molly Bear

2011-09-27T11:25:00.001-04:00

A dog has no use for fancy cars, big homes, or designer clothes. A water-logged stick will do just fine. A dog doesn't care if your rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb. Give him your heart and he'll give you his. How many people can you say that about? How many people can make you feel rare and pure and special? How many people can make you feel extraordinary?

- from "Marley and Me"

From a detached perspective I find it slightly amazing how we take animals into our homes and hearts and they become an integral part of our families. We receive such joy and pleasure from their little furry face meeting us at the door, greeting us with yips and running in circles every single day. They don't have an "off" day. Ever. They love nothing more than to be with you, play with you, cuddle with you, and are perfectly happy to keep you company while you do nothing interesting at all.

Molly is my family's dog, and she came into our family back in 2003. Mom decided one day that we needed to go ahead and get a dog since we had lost my childhood dog about 3 years earlier. I was fresh out of college, working my first professional job while still living at home, saving up for going out on my own. So I was there when we picked her up from the breeder, for the puppy-breath, when she was so little she could fit in my robe pocket, for vets visits and house-breaking, middle-of-the-night crying and general cuteness.

When she was very little she hated to be apart from us and in her crate during the evening. One night I woke up and couldn't figure out why I was awake. Then I heard a pitiful little howl and opened my door to find that Molly's cage had magically appeared in front of my door. I was groggy and weak-willed at that moment and reached down to let her out and bring her into bed with me. I never questioned why her cage was where it wasn't supposed to be. Before I could get her out my brother and father leapt out into the hallway and yelled at me to STOP! before I could harm their training efforts. Turns out that they were up all night dealing with her incessant crying and decided to bring me in on the fun since I was sleeping soundly. But they didn't want me undoing all of their work at letting her "cry it out."

In her favorite spot - Dad's lap

When I moved into my own apartment a year later, it was hard leaving her behind...but it always made it that much better to drive up the highway to have a little teddy bear of a dog running razoo's in the living room just because I had shown up.

In 2005 my mom and dad moved to Pennsylvania with a job transfer. Shortly after, Dad got very sick and was battling cancer. The decision was made for me to take Molly and keep her with me until things got better. Thankfully they did, and Dad is now 5+ years cancer free.

That year I had with Molly was so sweet and fun - she was my buddy, my constant companion, the one who was there to greet me after bad dates, to crawl on top of my clean clothes and in my vacated sheets to get cozy, to keep my kitchen floor clean, to walk around Chastain park, to go catatonic (or dog-atonic) whenever I put a sweater on her, to cuddle on the couch when I missed my family, when I went through the drama of a company lay-off, to start my day off right with an excited full-body wiggle and wagging of the tail followed by burrowing into my bed when she realized I was finally FINALLY! awake.

She is a source of joy, entertainment and fun for my family. She and Dad have their games of keep-away and "golf." Just say the word golf around that dog and she goes nutty. It consists of Dad chipping and driving in an empty school yard while she sprints around chasing after the golf balls and exploring the same tract of land where she has already sniffed every inch.

Every morning she and my Dad share a routine. They wake up early and she cozies up in his lap during his quiet time. Then it's time to make the coffee and toast the bread...and she always asks –and expects– to get a few of those tasty toast corners and will remind Dad of that if he seems to be holding back. (I don't know what it is, but Molly loves bread. And hates carrots. Will give them a couple chomps and then spit them out. Unfortunately she doesn't have the same sense when it comes to chocolate.) Then she races upstairs as the advance party to go say "good morning" as my Dad starts going up the stairs bearing coffee and breakfast for my Mom. She zooms into the bathroom to check-in, say hi and then sit patiently, hoping for even more toast.

Though it embarrasses Mom to no end, Molly likes to sit in a chair at the end of the table while Mom and Dad have a meal. She doesn't make a peep, she just wants to be a part of the action.

She loves to sit in your lap when she's riding in the car with you. This was easier when she was a baby and she would circle up in a tight ball on my lap and not even touch the steering wheel.

a rare moment of truce with Kaiser...

She's not a fan a doggie sweaters, baths, hair dryers (after the bath), Brad's dog Kaiser, going out when it's cold and raining, and whatever lives under the back deck.

She is the baby of the family. And she got sick.

A year ago she started having seizures. And after a few scary nights of seizures all night long, they finally came under control with medication. But her body stopped making red blood cells. Completely. And she didn't responded to medication to help her body regain its lost ground. The vet tried to switch her epilepsy meds to see if that will help, but my parents were told that it was fatal and to enjoy their final days with her.

We said goodbye to sweet Molly in May, but every time I returned to this post to finish it, I would well up with tears and couldn't bring myself to think about her.

And as silly as we feel for being grown adults so attached to a little animal...losing Molly ripped our hearts out. We didn't want her to be in pain. A year ago we cried and told the Lord that we wanted more time with her, that we weren't ready to say goodbye to our sweet little girl. And thankfully, we had over a year more of her cuddly self in our family. We didn't want to put her through unrealistic measures to try to keep her here. But we just couldn't imagine what life would be like without her at the house.

And is different. It is quieter...less playful...just...less. It was difficult to go home and not have her beside herself running in circles that at long last I had walked through the door again.

I hurt the most for my parents who have lost such a sweet and loving companion. Who should have had twice as much time as they had with her.

It's hard for me to imagine that as one of our most precious earthly treasures that our Lord wouldn't give her to us as a heavenly treasure when we finally go home to be with him...but that is just a hopeful wish of what I want to be true and not based on anything in Scripture.

Sweet little Miss Molly, fun little Molly Bear...I love and miss you so much. You were a furry gift from God that we got to enjoy for too short a time.

This is Your Life Molly Merkel

2011-09-26T15:00:00.000-04:00

I just couldn't resist sharing some of sweet little Molly's pictures...such a wonderful dog with a biiig personality. Miss her so much.

She came home to us right before Christmas...so tiny

That unfinished treat is only half of a regular treat...she just couldn't manage to eat it all!

Best Christmas gift!

When she was still ok with wearing sweaters...and looking adorable in them.

"Yes?"

Playing with chickie...she always showed it who was boss

Playing with Brad

Tug-of-war with Maggie

"I do not like travel kennels Sam I Am."

"I will cuddle with whoever I want to - I see no barriers."

The walk in Chastain Park wore her out completely.

She would sit at my apartment window and watch the wildlife in the forrest.

So cute!

"Yes? You need to make the bed? You sure?"

"I will support your Tigers...but I will not be happy while wearing this jersey."

"If I try a little harder I might be able to fit this whole doggie bagel in my mouth."

Sneaking Molly into the hotel room - she wanted her own bed.

"No Anne, you should totally play for a double word score on this one."

She loved her Aunt Karen.

Helping me figure out which ornaments to put on the tree

"First, I am not happy about this jersey.

Second, I will prevent Brad from leaving by sitting on his bag."

"Waddya get Mom?"

"I am humiliated."

Looking regal while striking a pose on Easter.

Making sure the neighborhood was safe...

"I'll get you squirrel. One day, you just wait, I'll get you."

It's completely normal to have a dog take a seat at the table, right?

"Giiiiive me the ice cream...giiive it to meeee."

Brad helping Molly have her first ocean swim...

Which was quickly over.

Good thing Katie was there to help corral the crazy girl running around on the beach!

And then to add insult to injury - getting the sand off her fur.

Nothing a good rub down and cuddle can't fix.

Hanging with Papa and Maggie.

"Daddy, why do you have me up here on the counter?!?"

"I am hugging you because I want to squeeze you to death for putting this vest on me."

"I love Kirsten!"

In a prime position during gift opening.

And then worn out by all the excitement.

"Give me all your Christmas gifts and I'll let you live."

Perfect after Christmas-gift-opening snuggle.

Hanging out with her toy

"Come to me delicious cake...come to me..."

"I can almost taste it!"

"What you lookin' at?"

Christmas fleece toy

"I will cuddle anytime, anywhere, with anyone."

"I do not like that Roomba and I will not look at you to emphasize that."

"He's mine Kaiser. All mine."

"Wait for me guys!"

I loved watching tv with her like this.

"Just ignore the fuzzy creature at your feet. Just take me with you."

If you ever noticed Molly was missing...this was a good place to start looking.

"Why would you put a doggie Snuggie on me? WHY?"

"If I don't look at him, he doesn't exist."

"I'm comfy. What? You don't sleep with all your toys?"

"Can't. Get. Comfortable."

"I'm keeping watch over the exhausted bride during the wedding festivities."

"Time to get up. Pssst. Time to get up..."

"Gimme my Christmas present new guy!"

"Hello? You awake yet? I brought you a breakfast bone."

"Fine, I guess I'll just go back to sleep too."

Dreaming of Nantucket

2011-09-16T10:48:00.002-04:00

Hunt and I were blessed last month to be invited by a friend to join them at their rental house in Nantucket for a week. And we didn't even blink before responding with an enthusiastic YES!

I had never been to Nantucket before and it had been many years since Hunt's only visit. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I knew that it could only be reached by ferry or plane, that it had a very charming town, several beaches that you accessed with jeeps over the dunes and a very "New England-y" feel.

We came across on a ferry and took our suitcases over the cobblestones to main street. The first night on the island was a Lobster bake party and was a fitting way to kick off the week.

The rest of the week we walked all over the town, peeped into the little shops, ate exquisite food, enjoyed some very fruity drinks, bounced along in the jeeps to the different beaches, lounged by the gorgeous pool, were attacked by monster mosquitoes while navigating the sand dunes, ate huge dinners of fresh fish and island-grown tomatoes, were spoiled by maid service and a HUGE laundry room (yes, I washed our 9 days of dirty clothes before we left), and generally loved every single moment.

Our lovely home for a week - it was an old barn that was transformed last year

The awesome pool and patio...heavenly!

The pool was the perfect stress reliever....

Our lovely, lovely room

I could spend a lot of time in here very comfortably

The back of the house in the moonlight

Exploring downtown Nantucket:

Downtown Nantucket water meter cover

The famed Murray's Toggery shop on Main street - home of "Nantucket Reds"

Hunt got to relive his high school days driving a jeep - notice the pup?

An American flag Nantucket style

And I got to realize my high school dream - except it wasn't a VW Cabriolet...

Hunt impersonating a whaling captain on our rainy day exploring

The Lilly Pulitzer jeep!

Lobster Eggs Benedict - it was a pure miracle that I was able to grab a picture before it disappeared.

On several days we took the jeeps out to different beaches were you would drive through the dunes to get to the water...and then you drove over the beach to the spot you wanted to lay out your towel. Pretty convenient if you had a sand pass on your jeep!

The house had jeeps for us to adventure around the island...beautiful open dunes to drive (and jostle) through...

Which way?!? Soft sand...or softer sand?? (Exploring Eel Point)

Ok, path chosen...for now...

Stopping at Millies for a bite at the end of Madaket

Mystery rum drinks at Millie's...one was already getting snatched up!

The veeeery low-key airport...want to watch an episode of Wings, anyone?

Right for arrivals, left for departures...

On another night, on another part of the island...we enjoyed a clear night at the Cisco Brewery, right next to Bartlett's Farm where they grow the most amazing hydrangeas and tomatoes.

The island brewery - Cisco brewers

Trying out the cisco brewery offerings - lovely night with live music!

Why do Katherine and Grant look cute and we look like trouble??

Have I mentioned that Nantucket is FULL of hydrangeas? There were so many different colors, types and they were amazingly abundant.

Beautiful pink hydrangeas near the pool

The island was bursting with hydrangeas! So many varieties I'd never even seen!

Love the long afternoon shadows

I loved this kitchen - it was such a treat to cook in!

Eating outside one night with all the crowd.

See who's at the end of this row of flower boxes??

More beautiful flowers on the streets of Nantucket

Our view leaving Nantucket from the back of the ferry...

We hope to be able to go back some day - but our week there was a fantastic treat!

The Water Is Coming!

2011-09-08T09:28:00.000-04:00

It has been raining steadily since Tuesday morning here in Wus-tah. But this morning was what can only be described as a monsoon. I saw Hunt out the door and watched as he ducked into his car to get out of the showers.

On his way into the hospital Hunt called me to say that the driveway at the front of our complex was becoming a lake with the water running down the street. We discussed that it might be smart to move my car at some point in the day since our parking lot is in a valley in our complex.

Not fifteen minutes later I happened to glance out the window to see that what had been a heavy rain was now a flood! My car was parked at the lowest point and the water was almost up to the running boards.

I ran outside in my galoshes (thank you for the gift that keeps on giving honey!) and as I plowed through the standing water the murky water came over the tops and almost spilled into the floorboards of my CR-V when I yanked the door open. Thank heaven that my car started and I was able to get it to higher ground.

Next up: my mash-up impression of Paul Revere and Noah.

I ran through all three floors of our building knocking on doors and yelling that the lot was flooding. I think all of four doors opened. I eventually gave up on the heavy sleepers and later saw one of my neighbors get completely soaked as he tried to move his civic while the water was above his wheel wells.

This picture doesn't show it well - but the most shocking thing to me is how fast the water gathered and overpowered the drains. My car was at the lowest point in the furthest corner - and this was at the beginning. I can only imagine what is happening to the people to the north of us in Vermont who only just got their power back after Irene.

A Doctor's Labor

2011-09-05T14:54:00.000-04:00

On this Labor Day, I'm thinking about why this holiday originally started and what it means to our lives today. It was to celebrate the social and economic contributions of the American workforce.

It's often a day of rest, parties and end of summer beach weekends.

But, oddly enough, this weekend served to remind me of the path that American doctors are being forced to trudge down.

I may start to scream if I hear one more person claim that "health care is a right" in this country. That it should be "free." That doctors are greedy, money-grubbing, arrogant, rich and that it's such a shame since they used to work for the good of their patients and nothing else. That the public has a right to physician's services, their efforts, their time, without placing any concrete value on it.

Does anyone else find it laughable when people complain more about plunking down an occasional $50 copay than they do paying their internet/cable and smart phone bill every month?

Let me introduce you to my husband. He is in his 13th year of intense medical training. He loves what he does. And that's a good thing, since he's usually working a minimum of 12 hours every day, with many going to 14. He works through the night, during weekends, and on holidays. He is on call every fourth night and weekend. Which means he may work one full day, straight through that night and into the next day. For the rest of his career.

When he is done we will owe in medical school debt what is comparable to a mortgage on a nice home.

He has been working for student's wages for all of these 13 years. Often in towns where the cost of living is a heavy burden.

So, when I see my husband working three days in a row, 14+ hours each day, getting only three to four hours of sleep at night, then work through Labor Day weekend since that is his job, I want to laugh hysterically in the face of someone that thinks my husband's labor is their "right."

They may or may not be working the same kind of hours that he is, but probably not. To the person that works 8-5, gets the weekends off, gets out a little early every so often on Fridays, will never be "on call" for even one night of their career, gets to be with their family for all of their holidays year in and year out, you have no "right" to claim that the sweat off of my husband's brow is for your free consumption.

Maybe, just maybe, we need to have a new establishment of the Labor Day holiday and what it truly represents. That no one, not one single person, has the "right" to enjoy the product of another person's labor for free.

Morning Juice

2011-08-31T08:26:00.005-04:00

Continuing my thoughts regarding breakfast items, I wanted to share how we have been saving a few dollars and having delicious iced coffee at home.

When we were in D.C., and the temps rose to the 80's in April, it was not optimal to sip steaming hot coffee to start the day. I tried brewing coffee and then chilling it, and that worked somewhat well, but still not quite what I was looking for.

I'm a recent convert to the Pioneer Woman craze and when she posted how to cold brew iced coffee in mass quantities I was all over that like white on rice.

H helped me find a two-gallon container when we made the trek to the closest Container Store which had a convenient spigot for my early morning barista impression. (It was another life-altering reality wake-up call to realize that I've lived 7 minutes from a Container Store in both GA and D.C. and now I definitely don't.)

After loading up on necessary supplies like cheesecloth and a BIG bag of Dunkin' Donuts ground coffee I followed PW's directions and it resulted in awesome iced coffee. And enough of it that I only had to make it about once a week - an even better result in my mind!

Breakfast and Chicken?

2011-08-30T08:16:00.000-04:00

If you have the good fortune of living near a Chick-fil-A then you've probably been introduced to a scrumptious Chicken Biscuit. A flaky buttery biscuit sandwiching a moist, lightly breaded chicken breast.

I know that it might sound a little odd if you've never tried this. But we eat beef and pork at breakfast, why not chicken?

Along those lines, CFA is offering everyone a free breakfast item September 6th - 10th if you reserve it online. I was pumped to reserve my very own chicken biscuit, and a spicy chicken biscuit for H. And yet I was greeted by this fresh heartache over CFA...

Summer Peaches

2011-08-26T12:02:00.006-04:00

I love sweet, juicy summer peaches. And really haven't had a single great peach yet this season.

Since I'm in Atlanta this weekend, I went for the next best thing. A Chick-Fil-A Peach Milkshake. These are only available seasonally and I almost missed it completely. In fact, having one of these became a bit of an daily obsession for me a few summers back. Back when I could afford those massive truckloads of caloric deliveries on a regular basis.

I had thought I would do a Pioneer-Woman-style shot-by-shot pictorial of my enjoyment of my size small, whipped-cream-and-cherry-free peach milkshake.

Oops.

Well, maybe next time.

Going Home

2011-08-25T12:22:00.007-04:00

My "home" is with my husband, but I can't help but say that I'm "going home" when I travel to Atlanta. Especially when it means going to my parent's house.

Going home is...

flying over the city I know so well with its sparkling lights at night
being wrapped in a blanket of softly-humid warmth when I step out of the airport
the porch light shining as a beacon down the dark street
the smell of pine needles and gardenias when I pull up in the driveway of my parent's home
the scent that can't be described, but it's my parent's house
the beautiful white furniture in "my" bedroom that I've had since I was six
my bedside light softly gleaming, waiting just for me
the mattress that is so familiar my body fits into it like a pair of favorite jeans
my mother's smiling voice waking me gently before she leaves for school
my father's pot of coffee waiting for me on the counter
the whole house vacuumed and cleaned as if I was special company coming to stay
familiar pictures in frames that bring a smile to my face
watching the birds flit around my mother's bird feeder right outside the kitchen window
Chick-fil-A goodness being right down the street
dinner with my parents at our regular Mexican spot
discovering that the enormous gardenia bush has given me a gift of three new blooms

Home is an anchor of love, certainty, and familiar comforts.

I thought we were in New England

2011-08-24T08:18:00.006-04:00

...and that we could stop worrying about being impacted by hurricanes!

Irene wouldn't bother us one bit except for the fact that Hunt and I are supposed to travel to Atlanta this weekend for not one, but two weddings of dear friends. And while I am very happy that the bride with the outdoor wedding on Saturday no longer needs to worry about being pummeled by wind and rain, it does appear that the eye wall of Hurricane Irene is passing very close to Boston Sunday evening...right when we are due to be flying into Logan airport.

It doesn't really impact me since I am able to work from any location as long as I have an internet connection. It greatly impacts Hunt since for some reason he can't perform long-distance emergency interventions in the cath lab. (I've asked him to look into it, but it appears without some kind of meta-physics miracle, it's not going to happen) So, I may have to attend solo. Which stinks. Along with many of my girlfriends who have husbands with jobs that cause them to travel or be restricted to certain locations, going solo to weddings is something of a norm in our lives. I wouldn't care so much if it weren't for the fact that my husband is so unbelievably fun. He brings a lot of humor to just about any situation and, to top it off, he's a great dancer. All in all, a fantastic wedding date.

So, Irene, woman-to-woman here, could you just keep moving further east please?

Lily!

2011-08-23T15:14:00.006-04:00

Both very sweet and southern in style, Lily Pulitzer has long been a favorite among southern women. And I happen to be one of those southerners that love their classic and feminine frocks .

So imagine my happiness, shock and elation to find out that, starting today, there is a Lily dress sale until the 25th. With FREE shipping!

So snatch up those seersuckers sundresses while they are still available and you can look sweet and southern too!

Do You Know Boo?

2011-08-22T09:26:00.001-04:00

Have you met Boo?

Boo is the quite possibly what he claims to be...the world's cutest dog. Boo is a Pomeranian with an interesting hair cut that makes him look like a smiling teddy bear.

Boo has come out with his own book - the life of Boo. And though I would be slightly ashamed for anyone to find this on our bookshelf, I might be tempted to flip through every. single. page. the next time I find myself at a Barnes and Noble.

I want to hug him and love him and squeeze him and take him home with me. Cute OVERLOAD!

Have a mentioned that the good doctor and I are considering getting a puppy?

No? Well, we are. Except I want this one. Really badly.

Enchilada Cha Cha

2011-08-22T08:10:00.002-04:00

I love Mexican food. Really love it. Maybe not as much as Italian food, but it's a close second. As a result of a disappointing search for a good go-to spot for casual Mexican food here in Worcester, I'm searching for at-home options.

First off, frozen Trader Joe's enchiladas turned out to be a no-go. Not even doctoring them with massive amounts of shredded cheese could give redemption to that meal. That may rank with the Tuna Helper newlywed dinner my mom made that has lived on in infamy in my father's mind.

Next I turned to my Texan friend Kelli to get a recipe to make a TexMex dish from scratch. And I'm happy to report that I have redeemed myself with a tasty dish of enchiladas where there was actually a request for a second helping.

It's easy, really flavorful and makes a TON of food. So much so that Hunt asked if I had gotten the recipe from Pioneer Woman since in his opinion it was "enough to feed an entire Pioneer family."

The best part is that the chicken is cooked on low in salsa for several hours in Crockpot and then shredded. The meat just falls apart and has great flavor. The options are endless with the type of salsa you use and could potentially make the meal different every time.

Without further ado...Crockpot Chicked Enchiladas from Kelli Briley:

Crockpot Chicken Enchiladas

Ingredients:

4 chicken breast

1 bag of frozen corn

1 can of black beans

1 can of diced tomatoes

1 jar of salsa

1 can of enchilada sauce

10 whole wheat tortillas

1 bag of colby jack cheese

Directions:

Cook chicken breasts with the salsa in the crockpot on low for several hours.

Preheat oven to 350°

Grease a 9x11 dish (can use an 8x8 in addition if you have too many)

In a separate bowl, mix the corn, black beans, and diced tomatoes. Scoop out about a 2 cups to use for the topping and set aside.

Shred the chicken and add it to the corn mixture with some of the shredded cheese. Fill the tortillas and place them in the dish with the seam down.

Pour enchilada sauce over each tortilla, then spoon the reserve corn mixture over the top. Finally cover the enchiladas in colby jack cheese.

Cook enchiladas for 25-30 minutes until the cheese and enchilada sauce is bubbling.

**Notes: I used restaurant style salsa since it was thinner and covered the chicken completely. I used two forks and shredded the chicken while it was still in the crockpot so that it could soak up any remaining salsa. I would probably add more cheese inside the enchilada next time. I covered the dish in foil for the first 25 minutes to avoid drying out and then had it uncovered for the last 5 minutes. I would use a big can of the enchilada sauce next time since one small can was barely enough to cover that many enchiladas.

Round Abound

2011-08-19T08:33:00.003-04:00

One of the most confusing and anxiety-inducing things that I've encountered while driving is trying to navigate a traffic circle. On Nantucket Island (where there is not a single traffic light) traffic circles, or roundabouts, are a very popular traffic control tool.

Having successfully driven through one of the world's most complicated traffic circles in D.C.'s DuPont Circle many a time, I can safely say that Nantucket's roundabouts are some of the scariest – and most confusing – that I've encountered. I'm not sure if it's that people are in vacation-mode, or that there is very little merge room to get into the inner or outer circle, or that everyone seems to be driving a massive Land Rover Defender.

As a driver it can be hard to guess what your fellow drivers are about to do...especially since there is usually very little use of signaling in Nantucket roundabouts. You literally have to prognosticate where a 2-ton SUV with a ramming bar on its front grill is about to turn off or keep going 'round.

"Hmmm...I see a little bronze blond woman with a massive diamond in a Lilly Pulitzer dress on her cell phone plowing her way around the circle in her over sized tank...should I risk it and try to gun it off the line and get in front of her so that I can turn off on the next road...and what if the antsy distracted texting teenager to my left is thinking about making the same move? Better not risk it. Oh wait, she appears to be turning off...is there someone tailgating her or is she blocking the path and giving me an in? Go, GO, GOOO!"

{sample of my inner monologue as I am driving someone's very nice car on Nantucket}

Who would have thought that I would ever say that navigating through D.C. is easier?

This inevitably brought to mind a funny short from Tom-Tom introducing their line of Star Wars characters reading off directions for their navigation devices. See what Darth thinks about roundabouts...

DD Heaven

2011-08-18T08:13:00.000-04:00

If you are a lover of smooth coffee, yummy glazed doughnuts and drive-thrus...then you should move to Massachusetts!

I knew prior to moving here that Dunkin Donuts was headquartered in MA, but I had no inkling as to how abundant their locations would turn out to be. It has become a bit of a driving game for Hunt and I to spot DD's as we drive...but it turns out that playing a DD version of punch buggy can lead to bruises and claims of spousal abuse.

And while DD can never compete with my love of Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts and the fact that the "Hot Doughnuts Now" sign draws me in like a tractor beam, it's kinda nice to have easy access to delicious iced coffee and an array of baked goods. (Have I shared yet that I think "Baked Goods" is the 6th and unnamed Love Language?)

A quick search revealed that there are no less than 31 Dunkin Donuts in my immediate 5 mile radius. 31!

I don't think that there is that kind of proliferation of Starbucks even in Seattle! But, considering that I've always preferred DD coffee to Starbucks (to the point that I woke up on our wedding day craving a Spiced Pumpkin coffee and dragged my MOH there that morning) I think I ended up with the better option.

In Defense of Blind Dates

2011-08-16T10:59:00.005-04:00

It seems that blind dates get a bad rap...and as someone that went on many a bad blind date I can understand why. Other than supplying me with great material for dinner party discussions, I wasn't a fan of the concept in general.

But four years ago today, I went on my last blind date. And I'm so glad that I did.

{this picture was taken by Anne Almasy at Atmosphere Restaurant in Atlanta –

at the very table where that blind date went so well}

**DISCLAIMER**

With Facebook, it actually wasn't all that blind...but I was still in the dark as to how tall Hunt would actually turn out to be. This is crucial when you are 5'10"...

35 Years

2011-08-15T10:37:00.002-04:00

In this day and age in our broken world it is rare for marriages to survive...much less be happy ones. Today my parents are celebrating 35 years of marriage. They will be the first to tell you that there have been great times, hard times and that their marriage is better than ever now.

What a blessing it has been for me to see them enjoy those great times, fight for their marriage in the hard times, and what it has become as my brother and I have flown the nest and started our own families with our spouses. Their friendship and partnership has grown and changed over the years, and it is a blessing to see them enjoy their marriage more and more as time goes by.

I love you Mom and Dad for the example that you have given Brad and me that Christ being the center of your marriage makes all the difference in the world – and that it is only through His grace and mercy that we can love well decade after decade.

"Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made. Our times are in his hand who saith, 'A whole I planned, youth shows but half; Trust God: See all, nor be afraid!'"

- Robert Browning

Staying in community...

2011-08-01T08:53:00.000-04:00

Now that we have settled in to Worcester we are going to start the search for a local church. This can always be tricky (especially since I have said in the past that Buckhead Church ruined me for other church experiences!) and we are going to have to have an open mind, realizing that no one church is going to have everything. I'm hoping we can find one that has a community focus where we can get into a small group with other believers.

At Buckhead Church, and the other partner churches of North Point, community is a key foundation for how we "do life" as believers. I was sent this little story in an email forward, but I do think it's a great illustration for the benefits of actively participating in Christian community.

A member of a certain church, fairly regular in attendance, had stopped going. After a few weeks, the preacher decided to visit him.

It was a chilly evening. The preacher found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his preachers visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited for the visitor to speak.

The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, still silent.

The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember’s flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.

Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The preacher glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately, it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, ‘Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday.’

"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me."
John 15:4

We are alive and well

2011-07-28T15:12:00.004-04:00

in WUSTAH!

Yes, I know it's been a while. Yes, I have neglected this blog. Yes, I've had a million and one ideas about things to post. Yes, I'm amazed at how people with multiple small children find the time to post and I am only taking care of me (plus one husband) and can't seem to find the time.

And yes, we are now officially residents of Central Massachusetts. The good doctor tells me that he's making all my dreams come true by moving me to snowy New England away from people who say "y'all," any hope of finding a Chick-fil-A nearby or decent college football. We shall see. But, I do have to say that, so far, I love the lower humidity, noticeable lack of palmetto bugs, and hearing thick Boston accents.

And with that, out goes the old:

And in comes the new:

You'll be hearing from us soon...

I think I'll go to Boston...

2011-05-09T08:34:00.002-04:00

Or 30 miles west of there...if you want to get technical.

"She said I think I'll go to Boston...

I think I'll start a new life,

I think I'll start it over,

where no one knows my name..."

- Boston by Augustana

I have to admit, more often than not, this upcoming move swamps me with emotion. Not necessarily fear, or apprehension, but just a sense of unknowingness. If that is even a word. It's as if the world beyond June 30th falls off a cliff, like it's the end of the world. And I know that sounds pretty melodramatic, but so much of what our life will be like is a blank slate. We don't know where we will live, what I will do for work, what Hunt's schedule or workday will be like, whether he will have to work every single holiday this upcoming year, if there will be a church that we connect with, and if we will find other like-minded couples to spend time with.

Many of my close girlfriends have walked this road ahead of me. They have followed their husbands or their careers, and gone to new towns, either permanently or temporarily, found new jobs to help support their family, made new friends, planted themselves where they were, and done it lovingly and with excitement.

And a big part of me is excited. I am SO excited for Hunt that he will become an interventional cardiologist. This is career-changing, a dream realized and a prayer answered.

Yet, a part of me is quietly grieving. As much as I did not expect to be going anywhere near Atlanta, I had held out hope. Maybe much more than I had even realized. I had a little dream of returning to working in ministry at North Point in some capacity. Of going to work and feeling like I was good at my job, appreciated and valued. To be able to be in a church that we enjoyed, that helped us grow as a newlywed couple. To be able to spend time with many of our closest friends who are married and are followers of Christ. That our family would be just a short drive up the road.

But that is not what God chose for us. Not yet, and maybe never. Just writing that makes me tear up. I am coming to grips with the fact that living in Atlanta near family, working in a job I excelled at and enjoyed, among a community of vibrant believers may not be what the Lord has in his plans.

It is MUCH harder to be content and joyful in the midst of circumstances that might not be exactly what you would chose.

Hunt is so good to remind me that this is exactly what the Lord has chosen for us. That he knows infinitely more about what is best for us. And what will accomplish his purposes. That he chose to put us in this location, in this time, for this season. And for every season that will come. And Hunt is wise to say that he is glad that it's the Lord who is choosing this and not us since our knowledge and wisdom is incomplete. And I love my husband for challenging me in this area.

I desire so much to be joyful and content no matter the setting. I feel guilty over not cultivating this well since my life is amazingly blessed. I have a wonderful husband, I have a roof over my head, I never go hungry, I have clothes (sometimes even new ones!), and we are free to worship Christ and enjoy immense freedom and prosperity as Americans.

I can see and sense that we are being stretched and refined by the Lord during this time. I am learning what it means to grow my relationship with the Lord outside of an environment where I am constantly encouraged to do so. To be a loving and supportive wife, to daily go to a job and work as if I'm working for the Lord, to not give in to sadness over what I've said goodbye to, and to celebrate what I have right in front of me. But, for now, I have to admit, I'm struggling with all of this...but, praise the Lord that I have a husband who hugs me and points me to scripture rather than trying to reason and logic me out of my emotional funk.

LORD, you are my God;

I will exalt you and praise your name,

for in perfect faithfulness

you have done wonderful things,

things planned long ago.

- Isaiah 25:1

(emphasis mine)

Funny how the Lord gave me exactly what he knew I needed in that moment and in Hunt as a husband. And I'm so grateful that he saved Hunt for me. Because, ultimately, I would choose this path again and again to be his wife and go with him wherever we end up. Now I just need to learn how to walk this path well and with consistent joy and peace along the way!

The Wedding Recap

2011-05-02T08:08:00.001-04:00

You thought this would be about Will and Kate didn't you? Nope, just us commoners, Dr. and Mrs. Anderson. Many, many thanks to the wonderfully talented Kaye Woods at White Dress Media.

Though as Christ followers we are children of the Risen King...

Wedding Bells

2011-04-29T12:20:00.006-04:00

I had the most wonderful time watching the Royal wedding this morning. It was so beautiful and sweet - and made me go back just six short months ago and think about that moment before the doors opened and my father and I walked down the aisle. I can't even begin to imagine what Kate must have been feeling when she stepped out of the car at Westminster Abbey.

I loved their genuine smiles and obvious emotion, and can't help but be joyful and hope for the best for the newlyweds.

Of course it has caused me, like so many other women worldwide, to have weddings on the brain all the rest of day. And reminds me to be so thankful that our wedding was exactly what we wished it to be - a wonderful celebration of what our Lord and Savior created between Hunt and me.

Enjoying a little too much...

2011-04-28T14:42:00.011-04:00

Remember that lovely, so lovely, old wives tale of "Fat and Happy?"

It seems they would assert that being slim and in shape does not likely coincide with happiness.

And *sigh* I have proven those old crones know what they are talking about. Ever since I moved up to D.C. from Atlanta last June, I have been happy to be with Hunt. So happy in fact that it is bubbling over. As in, over the top of my jeans and at the seams of my dress pants.

Plus, eating, drinking, and desserting our way through the Hawaiian islands for 10 days may have been the tipping point...

So, I have determined that I will be happily married, enjoy getting to see Hunt every day like I continuously prayed to be able to do, eat delicious dinners together, and yet be in shape and have access to more than 10% of my wardrobe.

In that effort, I have shunned fad diets, fat-blasting pills (those ads are on ALL THE TIME), and will not be embarking on the Master Cleanse. My father says the trick is "push-backs." No, not push-ups. Push-backs. As in: push back from the table.

So I will be aware of what I'm eating, intentionally choosing the wise option and steering clear of

the candy bowl at the office. I've been looking into better choices for lunch - better than the only nearby fast-food establishment: McDonald's. (Going back at my purchasing habits from last summer I realize I may have been eating my emotions/grief over leaving Atlanta and that translated into a LOT of chicken McNuggets.) I have found that the Healthy Choice Steamers are actually super, super good. I can't stand Lean Cuisine. Paltry patties of chicken have no lasting power. But the General Tso's, Sesame, and Orange Spice Chicken are surprisingly good, very filling and have a good nutritional profile. And the chicken is big chunks of white chicken breast. Hard to believe it's a microwave meal actually. The savings also add up - WINNING on multiple fronts is even better.

The simple math of calories in, calories out paired with exercise should take care of it. And the reality of it is that I don't want to become obsessed with this. It sucks ALL the fun out of meals and cooking. I don't want to struggle with this the rest of my life. And I certainly want to be in great shape before we try to start a family. Plan is: do this the old-fashioned way and keep it up. Once I'm at a good point, my body should burn calories more effectively and maintaining is always easier/more fun than losing.

I did find a great little food the other day. When Hunt is on call I love to have only soup for dinner since I don't want to cook an entire meal. But just liquid is a bit of a letdown, even if it is very filling.

A good crunch of oyster crackers or saltines goes a long way in the satisfaction department. Guess what? They now make mini saltines! Less messy than biting into regular saltines and sending crumbs everywhere - and no, my mouth is not big enough to shove an entire cracker in there. More flavorful than oyster crackers and conveniently small and crunchy. And you can have a TON before you break the nutrition bank. Something like 70 calories for two handfuls.

Wish me luck! And tell me of any hints, pieces of advice or good foods that you would recommend. No crazy regimens need apply.

And the winner is...Massachusetts!

2011-04-26T18:34:00.004-04:00

Now that the ink has dried on the contract I feel safe in sharing that Hunt has landed an interventional cardiology spot at University of Massachusetts in Worcester, MA.

Yes, you heard that right. MASSACHUSETTS!

I get a chill down my back just thinking about winter. And, even better, winter 30 miles west of Boston out in the plains.

But, don't get me wrong, it is a BLESSING from the hand of our heavenly Father. Hunt had been applying for positions that started July of 2012 (the medical training years run July to June). UMASS noticed that he is wrapping up his general cardiology fellowship this June. And it just so happens that one of their fellows for 2011 found herself pregnant. Which meant that she needed to defer by a year. So they brought Hunt up on a special trip and soon after offered him a spot a year ahead of what we were expecting.

So, we are moving to Worcester the last week in June.

That means:

Hunt gets to be an interventional cardiologist - Praise The Lord!
You pronounce that: WOOSTAH or WUSS-TAAH
I need to find a new job in the Worcester area.
I will be packing up our things...yet again...after having packed and moved a total of 4 times in 2010.
We don't know a single soul in Worcester...though we thankfully know a few in Boston.
We do know that there is a Target, Wegmans and Trader Joe's in the Worcester area. We will survive.
We both got heavy-duty cold-weather gear at Christmas. Maybe we should have foreseen that this was in store rather than Florida or Louisiana...
I will be needing to get my hands on some real-deal thermal underwear.
Did I mention yet that I have to find a job? In this economy. My job search to move to D.C. in 2010 about did me in. It is a very real possibility that I will be waiting tables to get us through.
Rent is cheaper in Worcester than it is in D.C.! Hallelujah!!!
I fear my southern accent will make me a target for the locals. I am sharpening up on my sarcasm skills.

I will soon be reporting from (30 miles west of) Beantown!

Oh the places we'll go...

2011-03-23T23:22:00.007-04:00

We are waiting to find out where we will be in 3 months.

And it's not likely going to be in D.C. I will miss seeing our nation's treasures every single day on my way to work. It still awes me that I drive past them on my commute... not quite my daily pass by the Chik-Fil-A on Piedmont, but still amazing.

The possibilities seem endless... and in a way they are. We might be in a new town where Hunt is starting an interventional cardiology fellowship. Or we might be in a new town where Hunt is working as a general cardiologist for one year until his fellowship starts July of 2012, most likely in a different town from that one. So far Hunt has interviewed in NC, GA, FL, TX, and CO. He still has MA, CT, NH, RI, OH and LA to go. So many options...yet we are confident that the Lord already knows exactly where we will be July 1st. And every July 1st after this one.

So while we are praying hard for the Lord's will to be revealed to us, and for our faith to be increased during this "waiting room" stay, we are doing our best to be at peace and obedient by not being anxious for an answer.

As for God, his way is perfect:

The LORD’s word is flawless;

he shields all who take refuge in him.

For who is God besides the LORD?

And who is the Rock except our God?

It is God who arms me with strength

and keeps my way secure.

- psalms 18:30-32

One thing we are confident about...we will go together, it will be an adventure and it will be in the United States...and that's about all we know right now!

Precious Memories on Film...or, er, Pixels

2010-11-18T21:10:00.008-05:00

I have been waiting for our wedding pictures like a child waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve. Dan and Anne Almasy were our photographers and they were the first vendor we arranged for when it came to planning our wedding. I trusted they would be amazing, but I'm finding it hard to put into words how ecstatic I am over the moments that Dan and Anne captured.

Here are Dan & Anne's highlight photos of our wedding day.

And I knew that there would be many, many goofy shots of Hunt and I since we danced like maniacs at the reception and are generally pretty silly with one another. Point in case:

Rocking out to Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'!"

I can't wait to see all the rest, we love every single one! Thank you Dan and Anne, we are indebted to you for preserving these moments for us and our families!

And We're Back!

2010-10-29T08:45:00.002-04:00

We've somehow managed to survive ten fabulous days in the islands of Hawaii and are back to start our normal routines as Mr and Mrs!

But first, loading up the rental truck with my furniture and wedding presents and driving up to D.C. with Dad! Thank goodness for Daddies that save up for their daughter's dream wedding, are willing to help move their adult-age child and do it all with a smile.

Back to D.C. soon!

Today I Become Mrs. Anderson

2010-10-16T11:45:00.003-04:00

The other night as I was driving I was listening to an old favorite of mine - Nichole Nordeman's "Someday." And it brought me to tears. To go back and recount all the little and big ways that God has been faithful to bring me to this day. All of the hilltops and valleys - and he wove them together in a perfect symphony. I remembered that many years ago I would sing along with this song during one of the hardest, most painful seasons of my life, and resolved to trust in my Lord that someday would come. And I know that there will be many more somedays in our future, but this particular someday has arrived!

Someday

I believe in the rest of the story

I believe there’s still ink in the pen

I have wasted my very last day

Trying to change what happened way back when

I believe it’s the human condition

We all need to have answers to why

More than ever, I’m ready to say that I

Will still sleep peacefully

With answers out of reach from me until?

Someday all that’s crazy

All that’s unexplained

Will fall into place

Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com

And someday all that’s hazy

Through a clouded glass

Will be clear at last

And sometimes we’re just waiting

For someday

We are born with a lingering hunger

We are born to be unsatisfied

We are strangers who can’t help but wander

And dream about the other side of?

Every puzzle’s missing piece

Every unsolved mystery

More than half of every whole

Rests in the Hands that hold you for someday.

I love you Hunt - I can't wait to become your wife later today!!

Equipping the Tigers

2010-09-25T13:43:00.022-04:00

I love behind-the-scenes shows. And theacc.com has a road trip series that goes on the road during the college football season. This most recent installment had Tommy Kane embedded with the Clemson equipment managers for the Clemson vs. Auburn game.

And while the game was a heart breaker (and I maintain the Clemson lost the game rather than Auburn won it) this video series is a lot of fun to see what it takes to support our Tigers!

All I can say is that it's a good thing that Hunt is a ACC fan...and we are on the same page except for any time that Clemson is playing Georgia Tech. But we are always going to root against the SEC together!

The Wedding Disconnect: Stick with Me

2010-09-20T14:33:00.003-04:00

Oh friends. Life is so very busy, and it's rushing by at a thousand miles a minute. While I can't wait to be Hunt's wife, I just want it all to slow down a little. I want to cherish and savor and fully experience.

As a result of this time-warp phase of life, my brief blogging streak has come to a screeching halt. I had no time to send thank you notes much less create witty entries about life in DC, as a future bride, as a southerner with suggestions - but please stick with me.

I want to keep our friends and family updated on our adventures, and plan to, but currently, there a few hours in the day that I'm not working, planning, calling or sleeping. Oh, and eating!

See you soon!

love,

a content, thrilled, and over-scheduled bride.

Discovering D.C. - Moving Day!

2010-09-01T07:54:00.002-04:00

One of life's greatest joy is moving the content of your home from one place to another. Doesn't everyone rejoice at the thought of packing up everything in a tedium of hours upon hours and then shlepping them up and down multiple flights of stairs and then unpacking them all again?

DC is and interesting town when it comes to moving - especially in the narrow and crowded streets of Georgetown. We are moving Hunt from the heart of Georgetown in his current apartment on the 3rd floor in a historic building to an apartment that (thankfully!) has an elevator and loading dock. I will eventually also be doing the move, but that will happen after October 16th.

Hunt really "moves" me. I know, I know. I couldn't resist.

Old buildings usually have narrow stairways and doors along with a lack of central A/C. Along with inducing heat stroke, this gets interesting with the larger items - we couldn't get Hunt's couch through the door of this current apartment so it's been living in a storage closet in Alexandria for two years. Which involved Hunt and I dead-lifting that leather beauty, complete with hide-away recliners, above our heads, flipping it to make it through that door and wedging it in there. I can't wait to free it from captivity and put it back to good use for college football watching!

This was me two years ago...laying down on the job after Hunt and I wrangled it off the truck and into it's cubby hole.

These moments bring to mind another classic moving moment - the "PIVOT!" from Friends:

Oh! Happy Day! Happy Day!

Please pray.

The Wedding Disconnect: Simplifying Your Life

2010-08-25T07:35:00.010-04:00

While managing one of the biggest projects of my life, I've been learning the ins and outs of how to simplify processes and take advantage of wedding deals. One of those ins and outs? The fact that the option that is supposed to make your life easier is not necessarily going to turn out that way.

When it came to ordering our wedding invitations I went with Paper Affair in Atlanta since they offer 20% off of your total order during the month of July! And since everything seems to have a hidden up charge of 30% when you mention the word "wedding," I jumped on the discount. And the plus of ordering from DC meant that I got "drop shipping" which resulted in no sales tax and delivery straight to my door!

Few things concerning this whole planning process have been delivered into my hands, cutting out one more thing to do, so this sounded awesome to me.

On the day that I received our invites one of the worst thunderstorms of the summer rumbled across northern Virginia and DC. The wind speeds reached up to 75 miles per hour - similar in strength to a tornado, except that the winds moved in a sheering motion, toppling trees and power lines and creating a complete white out at times. The highways were shut down and it took commuters hours to get home from the city.

And this was what I came home to find...

This resulted in screams from me that I'm guessing only dogs could hear - and me frantically ripping into the box and pulling out each box of invites, envelopes and response sets. Other than a few damp inner boxes, no damage was done. Though I think it shaved a day or two off of my life to realize that the little stacks of paper, which I had spent a healthy amount of money on, might have sat at my doorstep slowly turning back into pulp.

And considering that the invites that were sent weren't actually correct, I've since evaluated completely simplifying and sending out an Evite at this point. It would make my grandmother pass out in horror, but at least it couldn't be ruined by the forces of nature!

Southern Suggestions: Become a VIP!

2010-08-24T06:47:00.001-04:00

My suggestion? When you get offered VIP status for free, take it!

This offer from Zappos expires after today, but it's easy to sign up for. It's a back to school promotion that gives you VIP membership with free overnight shipping. You don't have to be a student, so everyone qualifies!

Economics or Freakonomics?

2010-08-23T07:02:00.000-04:00

Several years ago the book Freakonomics was published and created quite a splash. It debated what the real reason was behind trends such as crime rate reduction, or if there was a difference in the future success of children based upon the name their parents bestowed (or cursed) them with. A documentary is out that brings these theories to the big screen - I'm betting it's worth a watch.

Discovering D.C. - Beware the Biker

2010-08-20T07:56:00.000-04:00

You might think I'm talking about steering clear (literally) of anyone in the Hell's Angels gang. But no, I'm talking about bicycles. Of the non-motorized variety.

Understandably with the scarcity of easily-available parking around D.C. it makes sense to go from four wheels to two. You don't deal with parking, parking meters, being wedged in your parallel spot, and you can usually get around traffic jams pretty easily.

That being said, as a driver of the four-wheel variety, I'm learning to beware the bikers around this town. Supposedly, they are subject to traffic laws just like I am. Someone seems to have forgotten to let them know this evidently. I understand that they are working very hard, want to keep up their momentum and that most likely not all of them have an inborn death wish.

But, for some reason they all seem to treat intersections as their right-of-way at all times. I can't tell you how many times I've been sitting at a light, ready to turn right, blinker is on, and when I get the green light some flash of movement in my right blind spot causes me to stomp on my brakes at the last second right before I would have flattened some spandex-clad cyclist.

When I've been faithfully waiting at one of Georgetown's many four-way stops and then it's my turn to go and they come blowing through the intersection without pausing, or even looking either direction and not seeming to possess any care that a 2-ton vehicle could flatten them, it makes me shake my head in amazement.

I am all for being active and getting to work in alternative ways. But when you and your comrades come in wave after way down by the Georgetown waterfront and team up with the inevitable straggling pedestrian, I get a little itchy for you to obey the rules of the road like you are supposed to.

Southern Suggestions Returns!

2010-08-18T07:28:00.002-04:00

I wouldn't blame you if you had forgotten that I used to post entries where I shared about places, products and experiences that I thought others would enjoy or benefit from. Since I've entered into a new stage in my life and am living in a new city, my creative juices are flowing again and I'm excited to give you a few more "Southern Suggestions."

Feel free to join in and tell me about the things you've discovered and think others should know about as well!

Click here to re-visit all of my previous suggestions...

2 Months Until and Three Years Since

2010-08-16T07:16:00.004-04:00

To the wonderful man that will be my husband (husband!) two months from this day I want to say, Happy Anniversary!

Three years ago you took me out to a lovely dinner at Atmosphere restaurant in Atlanta. You held open all of my doors, stood when I stood, entertained me with stories, made me laugh at your quick sense of humor and dazzled me with an amazing view from the 11th story of the Eclipse building. You were irresistible. And have remained that way.

I love you and I can't wait to spend 3 more years together. And then three more after that. And then three more...and...you get the drift.

This is our last dating anniversary as it has been decided that once we are married that the wedding anniversary trumps all others and the rest are retired...Hunt's lucky that we are getting married less than one year after getting engaged, otherwise he would have had the triple doozie of my birthday, Valentine's and the anniversary of our engagement all hitting in the same month!

Happy Friday!

2010-08-13T07:47:00.001-04:00

Here to end out your week, I share with you a little piece of advertising magic.

I don't know if it's the combination of annoyance and humor, but the latest Geico commercial makes me laugh every time I see it.

Maybe it's the obvious wee-wee-wee's or the fact that the little piggy has a creepy voice...

Geico - Piggy wee wee wee - (2010) :30

Sleep to Dream

2010-08-12T10:21:00.004-04:00

Sleep is something that I've been focused on lately. Unfortunately not in the doing of it, more in the wishing for more of it. But compared to Hunt who is working like a mad man (7 days a week with 12-hour shifts on the weekends) I don't have a good reason other than being a night owl that wakes up the later the evening gets. Every afternoon around 2:30 I wish for a door to my office that doesn't have a window and the ability to pull a George Constanza and sleep in a little napping nook under my desk...a girl can dream...er...hope.

Hunt sent me this cartoon and for some reason I immediately identified with it...

On a more serious note (why not?) a while back a friend posted a little blurb on the fact that while she is pregnant that sleep is precious, but the need for it is debilitating at times, especially since she and her husband are new missionaries to India with their three young children. She reflected on something that she read from CJ Mahaney's book Humility:

The fact is, God could have created us without a need for sleep. But He chose to build this need within us, and there's a spiritual purpose for it. Each night, as I confront my need again for sleep, I'm reminded that I'm a dependent creature. I am not self-sufficient. I am not the Creator. There is only One who "will neither slumber nor sleep." (Psalm 121:4), and I am not that One.

I had never occurred to me that of course the Creator could have made us without a need for sleep! This was something he purposefully made our bodies to require. I can't imagine what life would be like if I didn't have to "lay me down" to rest every night. It reminds me that I am a dependent creature and that my heavenly Father is set apart and wholly different from me.

The thought of never shutting down, not having time that is not infringed upon by the world unless I let it, of my mind never having a break from the constant swirl of thoughts that comes with consciousness...makes me want to go take a nap.

The Smell of Barbecue and Bourbon

2010-08-11T08:11:00.005-04:00

I love college football. And I've grown to love it even more since graduating from college. And, it turns out, more likely to last through an entire game and watch it till the end. (For some reason, be it sitting on the sorority block in sundresses and pearls in 90+ degree heat or having tailgated at the Pi Kappa Phi house before the game, it was rare for me to watch the game until the last snap.)

I love the tradition of Clemson University football, the fans all dressed in orange, the smells of pulled pork barbecue and Jim Beam, the sound of the Tiger Band playing the "Tiger Rag," when we beat our ACC rivals, and I especially love the most exciting 25-seconds in college football when the players run down the hill into Death Valley.

Well, it seems like I'm not the only one that can appreciate the pageantry of Clemson on a game day - we've been ranked number 8 in the nation for the top 25 tailgates according to Bleacher Report.

I would dispute that we should be ranked higher purely based on the fact that Clemson becomes the largest city in the state on game days. Or that the RV's start showing up for a Saturday game on Tuesday. Or the fact that our shade of orange makes Tennessee's look like something from a baby's diaper....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mom!

2010-08-09T06:39:00.003-04:00

To the woman that suffered through 30+ hours of labor during a massive snow storm to bring me into this world...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Thank you for the years that you stayed home with Brad and me. For sitting on the steps after school and asking me what I had learned that day. For going through my backpack and exclaiming with great excitement over the projects that I brought home with me from Mrs. Valentine's class. For taking me to the library and introducing me to the "Little House" books - and instilling in me the love of reading. For braiding my hair and indulging in my melodramatic, and extremely feminine, little girl tendencies. For taking me to Sunday school. For listening to me, driving me to endless swim and volleyball practices, being an audience to my choral performances and cheering on my musical and theatrical efforts.

For all the times that you helped me pack and move my growing collection of belongings as an adult (who should really be paying professional movers for the labor you are providing). For being willing to drop everything to drive down the highway to spend the day with me - and to be my patient caretaker after surgery. For wanting the best for me and celebrating my getting married. For letting me choose how many bridesmaids that I have - no matter that you think it's tacky to have eight! For putting on a brave face and supporting my move to D.C., even though that meant I was moving away from you.

For all the ways that you love me and our family so well and will be an amazing grandmother to the children we hope one day to be blessed with, I love you Mom.

Discovering D.C. - Driving Around Town

2010-08-06T08:21:00.000-04:00

I've been in D.C. for just a little over a month now, and I'm starting to learn the way around my new town. Every city has its own personality and just like people, it takes a while to get comfortable with each other and become fast friends.

A few observations on driving in DC:

Pedestrians are seriously out of their minds here. They don't care if they aren't supposed to cross against the light. They step off the curb without looking. They will jaywalk and then play chicken with you while you are obeying all traffic laws (this led to a moment where I was rolling past and telling a particular jaywalker to go find a crosswalk out my open window - stellar).

I have learned how to parallel park like a native. Or so Hunt says. It is a necessary survival skill. I think that the DMV should test prospective drivers on parallel parking on M street with pedestrians and heavy traffic passing by - they will need to do that in the real world!

The streets of Georgetown are like walking back in time. The historical buildings are majestic and make for an amazing stroll down tree-lined streets. Especially if you are walking with your sweetheart. Another aspect of living in history is driving along the old trolley rails down the few remaining cobblestone streets - you have to keep it slow to stay on those slippery rails or else you'll be bouncing around like a popcorn kernel.

Cabs are the enemy. That is, unless you want to hail one. And when you are a passenger and needing to be somewhere five minutes ago you appreciate them driving like a bat out of hell. Otherwise, you need to anticipate that they will change lanes, come into your lane, stop short in front of you, tailgate, pull a 3-point turn without warning in the middle of the street that you previously thought was clear just two seconds ago, block an intersection, and let out a family of eight while double parking in a crowded side street.

And my favorite part of driving around town is the fact that every morning I pass by the Lincoln Memorial, drive over the Memorial Bridge and see the Washington Memorial while traveling to Alexandria. One of the best parts of driving around DC is getting to see our nation's treasures every day through my windshield.

Why the "Disconnect?"

2010-08-04T07:46:00.001-04:00

You may have noticed that I'm naming my posts concerning wedding stuff - "The Wedding Disconnect: yadda yadda yadda"

And I've been questioned as to why that is. I have found that there is a serious break between reality and the wedding world. You may even call is a psychotic break. No, not that I've suffered one...yet...rather that you can get completely sucked into the vortex of planning, over-researching things like monogrammed bags of candies, and thinking that it's completely normal to spend on a one-day event what you could plunk down to drive off the lot with a seriously nice car. Most of the time, I find this break and disconnect with the normal world funny.

Yes, I think it's funny that we have traditions that include finding out the middle names of all of your friends and family just so that you can put it on an envelope that they will throw away as soon as they receive it. And it's pretty great that it's completely accepted that you will go and pick out your gifts and expect that people will comply with your wishes.

Rest assured, I'm completely connected with the fact that I'm getting married in a little over two months (though while typing that sentence a sense of the surreal washed over me) and can't wait to be Dr. and Mrs!

The Wedding Disconnect: Showers of Attention

2010-08-02T21:09:00.018-04:00

Having never been a bride before, but having hosted many bridal showers, it's a switch to be the one that is the center of all the hoopla.

And you know what?

Turns out I love it.

I love gathering with girlfriends and family and going on and on about our wedding details.

I love eating miniature versions of food.

I love dressing up and being super-girlie.

I love shopping for the perfect gifts to give my hostesses.

And I always love a party with a theme.

The funny thing is, many of my girlfriends have been uncomfortable by all the attention, especially when they are opening up their registry gifts.

Me? Turns out that I sound like a bad imitation of Oprah when opening up my first ever piece of Calphalon cookware.

Yes, I realize that we picked out all of our gifts with the aid of a nifty scanner and there's probably not many surprises to be had at these moments. BUT, I love to cook, nest, clean, bake, decorate, play hostess, and I've always known that I would register for china and crystal since I was a little girl.

When I rip the paper off and see that Hunt and I received the Calphalon Wok that we carefully picked out at Williams-Sonoma, it seems very natural to me that I shout with glee, "iiiiiiiit's Caaaaaaalphaaaaloooooooon!" Except it's not an episode of Oprah's favorite things and maybe, just maybe, it's not normal to shout at your own shower.

I may have teared up when I realized that we now had our first pieces of china, crystal and silver that Hunt and I will use in our home when we host family dinners, birthday celebrations and Christmas Eves.

And the moment that I realized that I have been gifted with a Cuisinart Food Processor, I may have let it go to my head that I am now the owner of such a wondrous cooking tool and lifted it up in the air in sheer jubilation, much like a Super Bowl victor holding their trophy up high.

Maybe it would be more appropriate if I had a measure of modesty and seemed slightly uncomfortable at being watched while I opened gifts.

Hmmm.

Nope. It's just too much darn fun.

Mom and me with one of the fabulous hostesses, Susanne, at my Buckhead Church shower.

At the Mother & Daughters Shower with my mom, my aunts and cousins. So special!

The Wedding Disconnect: Creating the Wedding Website

2010-07-21T23:37:00.006-04:00

Less than 90 days to go and I'm just now announcing our wedding website! Time is FLYING by, and it seems like there's always something that has to be done RIGHT NOW that gets in the way of the fun wedding stuff that I would actually want to do. Like...packing and moving, starting a new job, having surgery, etc. So, late or not, it's up!

You can visit the Hunt and Melissa website extravaganza and see all the plethora of awesome photos from Dan & Anne Almasy. Enjoy!

Southern Suggestions: Taking it Up North

2010-07-07T11:23:00.004-04:00

While I am technically still below the Mason-Dixon line, it certainly seems like I left it behind a couple hundred miles back down I-95.

Not quite three weeks ago I relocated to D.C. to start a new job with Trinet Internet Solutions - I'm selling our services to churches and ministries east of the Mississippi River and it has started in full swing. I'm still learning the ropes and adjusting from being in a job where I was a resource to my coworkers to now where I am asking a million questions and am the new kid on the block. My new office is full of kind, welcoming people and my morning commute consists of driving past the Lincoln memorial, going over the Memorial Bridge (it leads to the entrance of Arlington cemetery) and going past the Pentagon. If we are talking on the phone while I'm going past America's hub of of military operations, please expect our call to drop out...I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but really now, it's more than a coincidence in my mind.

I've found an awesome bakery and coffee shop right around the corner from my office, and I drive past a Target and a Harris Teeter on my way home. These things bring a certain comfort and familiarity. Not so much that I ever shopped at Harris Teeter, but that my church was housed in one for a few years.

It still hasn't hit me that I live here now. I'm ecstatic to be near Hunt, and moments like this morning, when I met him for a coffee date before heading to work, is something we haven't been able to do for two years. It is wonderful to be able to date again before we head down the aisle!

Living in D.C. is surreal, good and hard all at the same time. I know that Christ didn't call us to follow him to have an easy, stress-free or painless life - and that there is joy found in going where he calls us to go. And I have no doubt that I was called to marry Hunt, follow him wherever he is sent, and that it is an incredible blessing to be planning a marriage to a man that I adore. And a blessing to have a job in this market!

So while I'm not living in the Bible belt I'll just have to make my own sweet tea and continue to say things like "y'all." It will be the "sweet & southern" life transplanted in D.C. And that can go anywhere!

Quick Quiz

2010-07-06T17:27:00.003-04:00

How much do you know about what will occur if ObamaCare remains the law of the land? Take this quick 5 question quiz to find out:

Test Your Knowledge of ObamaCare

Have You Not Heard?

2010-06-25T18:03:00.012-04:00

The new iPhone 4 came out yesterday. And Hunt already has his. I love that I'm marrying an early-adopter. And he doesn't adopt all things...we're waiting to get an iPad until the 2nd or 3rd generation (though it would be great for that honeymoon plane ride!).

He waited in line for his reserved phone yesterday. And the 5+ hour wait and resulting shutting down of the mall, meaning others that had waited that long didn't get their phones, and that security/police had to be called in, make for some interesting stories.

What I want to share is this little comic that Hunt sent with the message that he was glad that we were already engaged at the time of the iPhone 4 release.

That makes two of us...

Hired!

2010-06-04T09:35:00.008-04:00

A while back I made my blog private without any warning - the reason was that very day I had my first phone interview in the process of looking for a job in D.C. Since D.C. is the third most expensive housing market in the nation, it was imperative that I get a job if we wanted to not go from a long-distance relationship to a long-distance marriage. And that's a pretty good motivation. That and avoiding living on the street.

I had warned Hunt to not expect me to become his "sugar mama." That no company was going to hire me back into a sales executive position after working at a mega-church for three years. Not even if they knew that Buckhead Church and North Point Ministries are very tech-savvy. (We all work on Macs, doesn't that make us hip in the tech world by default?)

I kept telling Hunt that I would end up working at the Container Store (which I was not-so-secretly NOT sad about) unless God specifically placed me by His mighty hand into a job. I told him to expect my resume to not get any response, much less an interview, once they saw what I've been up to for the past three years.

One of my favorite "bottom lines" in UpStreet (our elementary program) is that "God is bigger than your biggest problem." And he is. He is bigger than me leaving the corporate world over three years ago and seemingly sacrificing any future opportunity to go back in. He is bigger than me being in Atlanta and trying to find a job in D.C. He is bigger than me wanting to find a job but not wanting to find one too soon before I planned most of the wedding, or too late and having to start right before the wedding. He is bigger than my fears of my current work experience being totally irrelevant to a new job and having to leave behind everything I love about working in ministry. He is so much bigger and gives in excess of anything I could have asked for, or was too scared to ask for.

A good friend referred me to Trinet Internet Solutions back in April and the interviewing process started immediately. There are a lot of God moments that I can point to in the midst of that process, but the biggest being that the job is such a cool combination of what I have done professionally up to this point. Basically, Trinet builds massive websites and anything/everything you can imagine or dream of your website doing for your organization, plus things you haven't thought of yet. They service corporations like Whole Foods, non-profits like the Red Cross, and ministries like Billy Graham's.

My new job with Trinet Internet Solutions is a national sales executive position selling to churches and ministries to expand their reach and exposure for the kingdom of God.

I start on June 21st. Just four months before Hunt and I get married. A perfect living situation has come about for me to live in the extra room of a girlfriend's home in Georgetown.

Yes, it's a lot of change. And I'm having a hard time leaving Atlanta, my parents, my friends, my church, the job I love with a passion, and the wonderful life I've been blessed with here. But how could I possibly refuse to go when it's so obviously crafted by the hand of my heavenly Father?

I serve a Mighty God.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
Psalm 136:1-4

Bring on the Spicy!

2010-06-03T09:05:00.005-04:00

Today is a great day.

Why?

Today I get my FREE Spicy Chicken Sandwich from Chick-fil-A. I registered for a time slot to receive my very own sandwich (I never planned on sharing).

I am holding in my hand my special pass that entitles me to be the owner of this special culinary delight.

Hunt has been able to get these for a while now since Baltimore was a test market and a few times when he flew to Atlanta from BWI he would bring home a sample for me to taste. And even though it was a few hours old and cold, it was still amazing. As all thing Chick-fil-A are, of course.

What's going to be even more incredible? The spicy Chicken Biscuit!

The Wedding Disconnect: Focus

2010-06-02T23:37:00.003-04:00

In the midst of wedding plans, preparing for a new job, my upcoming move to DC and figuring out when in the heck I'm going to get it all done (oh, and sleep too!) there are bright spots that grab my attention and make me focus in on what this is all about and what is truly important.

Like tonight - I had just finished sending a looooong email about calendaring dates for upcoming trips back to Atlanta, when I closed out gmail and I saw on my desktop a wonderful reminder that focused me in, back from the land of crazy-bride. Hunt and I share our calendars and have a program for our Macs that shows us upcoming events on our desktop. And tonight I saw Hunt's event "Melissa Arrives!" scheduled for two weeks from now.

It made me focus like a laser-beam and forget briefly how I can't yet figure out how I'm going to wrap up my life here and get up there in 14 days. It's all good stuff. I get to be in the same town as Hunt after two years. We'll get to go on dates in the middle of the week! We'll watch TV and eat dinner together and get to say "goodnight" in person! We won't have to rely on AT&T's (spotty) network to talk to each other!

I'm very glad for that little reminder on my desktop.

Kind of makes me think that for Hunt's sake I should remove the "mental/emotional breakdown" that I have calendared about a week from now when I will be in the middle of packing...

Ultimate Message

2010-05-21T08:35:00.000-04:00

I don't think I've ever been exposed to a white female "rapper." And I don't know that I truly have even now - this may be more along the lines of spoken word poetry. Regardless, her rhythm is impressive and the Truth she is sharing is the ultimate message.

The Wedding Disconnect: Time Flies

2010-05-20T09:31:00.017-04:00

I'm calling these posts "The Wedding Disconnect" since it seems like weddings and the wedding-planning season are in a sphere of reality all their own.

Time is certainly affected by this different reality. At time it flies, and you can't believe that you only have 5 months until you are getting married. Other times it feels like time is going by so slowly (in reflection, this may have been more evident in the pre-wedding planning phase called pre-engagement).

One piece of great advice that we've been given by our pre-marital mentors is to spend time together reading and reflecting on Scripture to keep our hearts focused on the Lord and not the "stuff" that this time can be consumed by. They suggested that at 150 days out that we start reading daily Psalms together. Actually, the fun part is that's it's a sort of count down. At 150 days, we start at Psalm 150 and work backwards. And then at about a month before the wedding, we add in a daily Proverb starting at 31. The girl in me loved this plan. I even have a countdown so that I would be on top of when we should start. Cue disconnect in timing.

This morning Hunt called on his way into the hospital to say good morning and then told me that it was in fact day 149 and we needed to catch up. Oops. So much for being on top of things. It's a good thing that Hunt is. So we started with Psalm 150 this morning and will be reading 149 later today.

Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heaven!
Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness!
Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn; praise him with the lyre and harp!
Praise him with the tambourine and dancing; praise him with strings and flutes!
Praise him with a clash of cymbals; praise him with loud clanging cymbals.
Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Psalm 150

Better late than never!

The Wedding Disconnect: Colors

2010-05-19T11:06:00.012-04:00

It is very easy to get swept up in the hubbub of wedding planning. I try to avoid that, and having to focus on a job search in DC, moving up there, finding an apartment, etc. keeps my eye trained on the fast approaching future with Hunt.

But even so, I find myself sounding like Shelby from "Steel Magnolias" at times, especially when people ask me things that seem so old-fashioned like, "what are your colors?" And while I'm not responding with "Blush and Bashful!" it still feels very much like that kind of moment. (if you don't know what I'm talking about, watch the below video at around 1:10 in...)

I still feel very girly informing whoever is asking that our "colors" are eggplant and champagne. Hunt is gloriously unconcerned about this and has let me pick whatever it is I want. He has even helped me understand that when it comes to guys there is something I need to know about that specific subject. He provided a visual below. Click here for a more in-depth explanation.

So evidently, according to this, our "colors" are purple and nothing. Ah, the wonderful simplicity of men.

Engagement Photos

2010-05-12T12:58:00.003-04:00

Our photographers for our wedding are the fantastic Dan and Anne Almasy. They have captured several of my friend's weddings and I knew in the back of my mind that I wanted them to be our photographers when the time came.

Anne and I have become breakfast buddies since we often have Friday mornings off - and I have so enjoyed getting to know her while discovering some of the best breakfast nooks in Atlanta.

Anne and Dan have such a great eye for catching sweet moments - and we are so glad that they are our wedding photographers.

Two weeks ago, Hunt and I met them at the restaurant where we had our first date to grab a few photos before moving on to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. It's a good thing that we planned on using the Orchid House at the gardens since the skies opened up while we were at Atmosphere (just like it happened on our first date).

Click here for the Almasy's blog entry to see our engagement photos.

Be forewarned: there is some smooching going on...

Our Engagement Story

2010-04-20T10:35:00.007-04:00

It's funny how something that you've thought about and anticipated can happen and then it all becomes a blur because you are so excited and overwhelmed! That was definitely my experience with getting engaged to Hunt.

Two months ago today, my roommate Kelly threw a 30th birthday dinner for me down at Mary Mac's tea room and while the thought of celebrating an engagement with friends and family sounded fun to me, I didn't actually expect us to get engaged that weekend.

As a result, when Hunt arrived to pick me up and take me to dinner, I had no idea what was going on when he paused on the front porch to hug me and tell me he loved me. I thought we had to get a move on to make it in time for dinner! It wasn't until he pulled a ring box out of his jacket pocket and went down on one knee that I realized what was happening. He asked me to marry him and after several moments of tears and shock I said YES! (pictures are reenactments)

Then for some reason I completely bypassed the beautiful ring being held out in front of me and got down on my knees so that I could hug him. He let me get away with that for a few moments and then gently reminded me that this was the part where I was supposed to be standing and putting the ring on my finger. Oh. Ok!

I think I floated down our front steps and somehow made it into the passenger seat of his car. I'm not sure I was forming complete sentences, but I do remember staring at Hunt and bursting out with "we're engaged!" "we're going to get married!" and "I love the ring, it's so beautiful!" All at concert-level volume I'm sure.

Hunt continued to surprise me by taking me to the restaurant where we had our first date, Atmosphere. We went inside and Hunt let the bartender know that he had just proposed and that we needed two glasses of champagne. We toasted to me "winning the Mrs. Anderson pageant" and had a few precious moments alone together. It was so weird to my ears to hear Hunt say "we just got engaged" when ordering the champagne. It all felt very surreal.

We then headed down to Mary Mac's and the waiting birthday party crowd which included my parents, aunt Karen, Hunt's parents, and many mutual and dear friends. I kept my left hand in my coat pocket until I could navigate through the crowd to stand in front of my mom. I hugged her and she asked how my night was going - it was at that point that I held my hand in front of her and told I was having a wonderful night.

It took Hunt's mom, Christy, pointing out my ring finger to my mom for her to register that I was showing her my engagement ring! She was shocked, surprised and happy. Everything after that becomes a blur...my long-time friend Tammy came over, realized our big news and announced it to everyone else by jumping up and down and screaming. I've got to tell you, that is an effective way to let 30 people that something big has occurred.

Tammy insisted that I still wear a flashing "I'm 30!" birthday pin and old-lady slippers in honor of my birthday, but did allow me to take them off eventually since it had turned into a engagement party. I've been warned that there will be no exceptions when it comes to turning 40. Since I'm the one that ended up going home with those slippers, we'll just have to see about that Tammy.

I am so happy that Hunt waited for such a fun night - it was perfect to celebrate with family and friends immediately after. We made several phone calls that night and the next few days - but it was lovely to stay in the moment and celebrate with some of the people that we love the most.

Because Tammy (now officially my Matron of Honor) is so on top of everything, she videotaped portions of that night. It was after the initial announcement, but the video starts right after we've told everyone that we got engaged. I'm so thankful that she thought to bring it with her, it captured many precious memories that I'm so happy to be able to re-live. Enjoy!

Whoooo Boy!

2010-04-15T16:58:00.011-04:00

It's no secret I have a sweet tooth. Especially for all things baked. Even more if they are cup-cake shaped.

A very difficult temptation for me? ChikFilA Peach Milkshakes. When they were debuted last spring, there was one week that every day on my way home from work I swung by the Chik and got one. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. At least it was the small version sans whip cream and cherry. I saved many calories that way I'm sure.

And as I prepare for engagement photos and getting fitted for a wedding dress, ChikFilA has brought back the sweet nectar of the peach combined with its ice dream. I believe it's a conspiracy. It's going to be a monumental test of my will to not partake. I figure if I have one, I'll have many.

It is causing me to drive home a different way. And to quote scripture.

Get thee behind me Satan! And get thee from growing my behind o' Peach Milkshake!

Vie Privée

2010-04-12T14:53:00.006-04:00

I wish that I had been able to make my blog private after giving visitors a heads up as to why I was making this switch, but sometimes time is of the essence. As a bride-to-be, I am preparing to be Hunt's wife. That will include me moving up to D.C. to join him since he doesn't finish his cardiology fellowship until next summer. One of the major things that needs to be in place for that to happen is for me to find gainful employment up in our nation's capital. Since this economy is not the easiest one in which to find a job, I've started that process.

And as much as I enjoy my friends and family sharing in this adventure, I'd rather be somewhat of a confidential person when it comes to potential employers. I'm confident that once I have landed a stellar position to join my future hubby I'll change it back to a public blog to make it easier to visit. For now, if you are reading these words, it's because I trust you and don't think it will hurt my employment chances for you to know what's happening in my world.

In Preparation

2010-04-01T08:30:00.001-04:00

A good friend decided to pass on a few gems to help me prepare to be a good wife to Hunt.

Turns out they are a from a Good Housekeeping magazine article from 1955. Without further ado, here is

The Good Wife's Guide:

Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have be thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they get home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed.
Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.
Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.
Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Run a dustcloth over the tables.
During the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering to his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.
Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Encourage the children to be quiet.
Be happy to see him.
Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.
Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.
Don't greet him with complaints and problems.
Don't complain if he's late for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through at work.
Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or lie him down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.
Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.
Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.
A good wife always knows her place.

Crate and Barrel Ultimate Wedding Contest

2010-03-30T01:36:00.006-04:00

Hopefully this will be a quick favor. I've entered Hunt and myself in the Crate and Barrel Ultimate Wedding Contest.

We're late in the game, but hey, if we get enough votes we might win a $1,000 gift card and that sounds good to me!

If you're willing, would you

a.) vote for us and

b.) pass this on and ask others to vote for us? (and facebook/twitter/blog if you're up to it!)

Here is the direct link: http://www.UltimateWeddingContest.com/entries/41051

It is literally two clicks to vote, so if you can, please vote and pass (and pass, and pass, and pass) along! The contest ends at the end of the day Wednesday, so just two more days to vote!

(Unfortunately, you cannot edit the entry after posting it. And yes, the type-A in me has noticed the extra word in the first sentence...)

Two are Better than One

2010-02-23T09:12:00.004-05:00

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

- Ephesians 5:1-2

Hunt asked me to be his wife on Saturday night - and I said "yes!"

By God's grace I am excited to live a life of love with this wonderful man.

Celebrate Good Times, C'mon!

2010-02-11T22:57:00.000-05:00

So, I turned 30 yesterday.

And it was a great day. Nothing big, nothing crazy, just good all around. Hunt asked me the night before how I had celebrated the beginning of other decades and it made me go down memory lane.

I was born in Wilmington, DE in the middle of a snow storm and my poor mother endured 30+ hours of labor with an anesthesiologist who was delayed because of the massive amounts of snow. My father then proceeded to name me while my mother was still recovering from my birth, completely surprising her with his choice of names. His reasoning that the discussed "Alyssa" was made up and that "Melissa" was a real name and therefore a better choice.

When I was 10 my family had just moved to a suburb of Chicago and we were living in a great townhouse while our house was being built. I distinctly remember the four of us going to dinner and then going to see Disney's The Little Mermaid. After that day I pretty much wore out my tape of the movie soundtrack and re-enacted Ariel's ocean scene of singing on the rocks many, many times.

When I turned 20 I was in Clemson living on the 8th floor of Manning hall - otherwise known as the sorority hall. My parents were still living in Pennsylvania so we couldn't be together, but my Grandmommy and Papa were traveling home from Myrtle Beach back to Texas and stopped on the way to take me to dinner. We went to Seasons by the Lake and celebrated the start of my 20's.

And 30 started out like every birthday with mom calling me at 7:35am to sing Happy Birthday since that was the time that I came into the world. One of the many highlights of the day was a Buckhead Church staff meeting at work. We had to kill time waiting for a special guest to arrive and since we were in one of the children's worship areas, it was decided to have staff karaoke. As a result, the girl who grew up belting out show tunes and singing in musicals got to sing "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables with a mic, in front of a captive audience, in full voice. All I can say is that God is extravagant in his blessings. While I realize that sounds like a nightmare to some of you, it was awesomely fun for me. Of course, my coworkers might tell you it was a nightmare for them... My sweet friend Tammy actually wrote an ode to me, an ODE! I then got treated to a fabulous lunch with precious work friends and later iChatted with Hunt since he wasn't able to get to the hospital and was stuck inside due to a 2nd blizzard hitting DC in one week. I came home from work to find an overnighted letter from Hunt that had evidently made it out of DC on the last plane of the day. My sweet brother and sis-in-law arranged for me to have a manicure at a spa just down the street - what a great idea for a long-distance gift! To cap off the wonderful day of thirties-embarking, Mom and Dad took me to dinner at Pasta de Pulcinella in midtown. Magnifico!

All-in-all, I couldn't have scripted a better, more fun day...unless Hunt could have been here in person. That would have made it perfect.

I am thankful for every day. They are precious. And the blessings of family, friends, love and a Savior makes these days priceless.

A New Year

2010-01-23T10:38:00.005-05:00

So much has happened since I last updated! As a recap:

The weekend before Christmas

I went up to DC to attend the Cardiology Department party with Hunt the weekend before Christmas
A huge blizzard also decided to come up to DC
Hunt and I evacuated DC so that we would be able to get to Atlanta in time for me to work the Christmas services the Sunday before Christmas
18.5 hours later, after one snow-drift rescue by 3 snow plows at 4:30 AM in Richmond, one glorious stop at Waffle House, many hours of conversation, we arrived safely in Hunt's civic.
DC was snowed in with 2 FEET of snow and we had risked our lives to NOT be in a winter wonderland right before Christmas. We now wonder what we were thinking.
It was wonderful to go to Buckhead Church's Christmas service as an attendee. Seeing those who had given their life to Christ or been baptized in the past year going up to light a candle sent tears streaming down my face. Please Lord, let me never take my job for granted.

Christmas!

Mom was diagnosed with SWINE FLU! On the day that my brother Brad and his wife Anne flew into town for their first Christmas with us since they've been married.
We stocked up on Lysol, face masks, hand sanitizer and bravely entered the petri dish otherwise known as my parent's home.
Mom was a trooper and (while wearing a mask) managed to play the part of consummate hostess (with Anne and myself playing bit parts) for the Christmas celebrations and feasts that were prepared.
Anne, Brad, Hunt and I went by ourselves to Johnson Ferry Baptist's Christmas Eve service at 11PM. I love this tradition, and love singing "Silent Night" right before midnight in a church full of people holding candles, and then singing "Joy to the World" when it becomes Christmas morning.
Dad surprised Mom with a David Yurman necklace. It was caught on video. I would say that he did very, very well with his gift giving plan this year.
We went to see Avatar 3D as a family. Awesome graphics. Awful story line.
Our dog Molly suffered through the presence of Brad and Anne's miniature Schnauzer , Kaiser. I come to think that Molly thinks that she is a human and has no idea what this bouncy, excited creature is that invades her home every so often. She is not the playmate that Kaiser wishes she would be. But, their interactions entertains us!

New Years and everything after...

Hunt and I drove back up to DC so that I could spend his birthday with him (on the 30th!) and celebrate New Years together.
We made it to DC without fearing for our lives. Even when we stopped in Gaffney, SC.
Brad, Anne, Mom and Dad drove up to Nashville for the Clemson bowl game - again, Mom was a trooper to have been fever-free but still very weak. So glad that they got that family time together!
Hunt and I tried out a new restaurant (new to us) in DC for his birthday. 1905 - highly recommend it. It maybe had 10 tables, a very cozy atmosphere and excellent food. Happy Birthday Hunt!
We went to a black-tie party at the National Building Museum for NYE. Unfortunately, the hosts hadn't planned for the large crowd and we were forced to stand outside for close to an hour trying to get in. In the rain. Thankfully, Hunt gave me galoshes for Christmas, and since it can be hard to get cabs after midnight on NYE, I thought it would be good to wear them and bring my party shoes in a plastic bag. Pre-planning has never worked so well. I avoided looking like a drowned rat by putting the plastic bag over my head. Don't try this at home kids!
The rain didn't bother us all that much since we were happy that Hunt didn't have to be in the hospital on-call like he was last year.
It was so good to get extended time with Hunt - though he worked at the hospital every day that I was there - even New Years day - we had many dinners with friends, ate taco soup and cornbread, watched movies and generally got to act like a couple that lives in the same town.

One of the things I find hardest is to take down all the decorations after the holidays have come and gone. I am thankful that I still experience a sense of child-like magic with every Christmas. I love the music, the cookie-making, the gift-wrapping, the movies, the parties, and the soft glow of the Christmas tree greeting me every time I walked through the door. I hope that feeling never goes away.

Happy New Year everyone!

Southern Suggestions: Christmas Treats Tradition

2009-12-16T13:09:00.004-05:00

I definitely relish traditions. They don't have to be long-standing, in fact, I've started several myself and they have become yearly rituals. It's not the amount of time we've been doing a particular tradition, it's more about the fact that I get to look forward to it and experience them that make them special. As a family that moved every so many years, we came up with new routines often, and held onto a few no matter the location.

One tradition that I have enjoyed and grown into is holiday treat making. Mom and I usually get together for a weekend afternoon and bake several different kinds of cookies, make Christmas candy and sometimes throw in something savory to balance all the sweetness out. Here are my top 3 that I like to see make an appearance every Christmas.

Reece's Peanut Butter Cup Cookies - These are actually very easy to make, and aren't the typical sugar cookies that you see on every dessert tray. You can either make your own peanut butter cookie dough or buy the store version. (Hey, I'm all about enjoying things, and if there is a shortcut that looks and tastes similar to something that would take even Martha Stewart an inordinate amount of time, I say go with the store version.) Use miniature muffin tins, and either line them with paper muffin cups or spray them lightly with cooking spray. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and plop one into each cup. Bake them for ~10 minutes (or how long the package says to normally cook them) and while they are baking unwrap the miniature Reece's peanut butter cups. Once the cookies are slightly brown, take them out of the oven and immediately push one peanut butter cup in the middle of each cookie ball. They will sink down in it and be surround by the cookie. You will need to let them cool before trying to remove them from the tin since the peanut butter cups get gooey from the heat of the cookie. I remember having the job of wrapper remover as a little girl and loved getting to push the cups into the warm and pillowy cookie dough.

Peppermint Crunch Bark - The main ingredients for this are red and green peppermint crunch pieces and white chocolate almond bark. The peppermint crunch can be a bit hard to find, but they are usually at local cake decorating and specialty candy stores. You melt down the almond bark (a double boiler works well) and then add the crunch to it, mixing it in evenly. It helps to have someone else assisting you when it's time to pour out the batch onto a 3 foot long sheet of wax paper. Take a wooden spoon or spatula and evenly spread out the mixture over the wax paper. We have found a great short cut is to put a tray or cookie sheet under the wax paper and then transfer the sheets outside to a table where it can set up faster. This only applies to when it's chilly outside. Once it's set, you break the candy sheets into 3-4 inch pieces and you have Christmas candy!

Ranch Oyster Crackers - A savory snack that will give you a break from the endless sweets of the holidays! You mix oyster crackers with oil, a packet of dry Ranch dressing, a few other spices and herbs, bake them for ten minutes on a cookie sheet and you're done! I'm so glad that Mom brought back this old favorite this year!

So, what is your favorite treat tradition that you do at Christmastime?

Beware the back pocket

2009-12-11T08:39:00.001-05:00

Considering how much I have flown this past year and half of Hunt's cardiology fellowship, I've become somewhat of an expert traveller. I pack reasonably well (I am still female with a need for multiple pairs of shoes), I manage to not check a bag every time, I can clear the aisle quickly like the flight attendants constantly tell us to, and I generally get there early enough to make it through security without a hitch.

You know what they say about growing comfortable? Well, I had a few mishaps this last time around. I remembered my cocktail dress, shoes and jewelry but forgot my toothbrush. I threw away my round-trip Marta ticket after only completing one leg of the trip. I offered my aisle seat to a man carrying a army-issue backpack and took his middle seat instead. Then I realized that he might have just gotten that at a surplus store since he wasn't wearing a uniform and my other seat companion smelled, no, reeked, of moth balls and something akin to kerosene. It wasn't until the end of the flight that I realized that I had not securely fastened the lid to my now upside-down water bottle and the entire thing had dumped out inside my carry-on at my feet. And then I decided that I would stop at the bathroom before my return ride on Marta.

I literally wrestled my small suitcase and dripping wet carry-on inside the bathroom stall (why, oh, why must the clearance between the toilet seat, door and stall wall be between 2 and 4 inches?!? It is near impossible to get bags inside the stall and shut the door without virtually standing on the toilet seat). In the movement of pulling down my jeans the iPhone I love and cherish catapulted from my back pocket and plopped into the toilet bowl. I knew what happened the second I heard it. I didn't hesitate. I plunged my hand in the germ-infested water and retrieved my phone. I hope I react that quickly for any children God blesses me with in the future.

Ugh. Oh. No. Ugh. Why?!? No. No. No!!!

As I stand there partially depantsed, I try to use toilet paper to dry off the delicate electronic wonder in my hand. And it only comes off one. square. at. a. time. ARRRGGHHH! This is not a shining moment. I manage to dry it off, get dressed, wrestle my bags back out and then scrub my hands in a manner that would have made an OCD maniac proud.

As I ride Marta I am tempted to whisper to my iPhone. To encourage it to not give up. To fight! To not let the water ruin it's insides and wreck it's microphones. And, not knowing any better, I try to see if it's working. Miracles of miracles it is. Kind of.

Every now and then it asks me if I want to go into "airplane mode" for some reason. I don't. I want it to go into "working as if I've never been dropped in a nasty 1,000 people per day occupancy of a toilet mode."

After allowing it to dry out, slowly, but surely, my super awesome iPhone came back to life. It works as it it has never seen the inside of a Hartsfield Airport toilet. Minus the case. I just couldn't convince myself that any amount of rubbing alcohol would remove the infinite number of germs from its not-genuine leather.

More good news: I haven't come down with a nasty case of e-coli infection. And my ear hasn't fallen off. Yet.

For another lovely example of the trouble I can get into while traveling, check out this oldie but goodie...

Happy travels during this Christmas season! And put your phones in your front pockets!

Southern Suggestions: Christmas Seasonings

2009-12-09T08:23:00.004-05:00

The Christmas version of Southern Suggestions. Fa-la-la-la!

William's-Sonoma Mulling Spices - These make the whole house smell amazing, is easy to make by adding it to some store-bought cider in a pot on the stove, and is lovely on a cold afternoon or as an after-dinner treat for your dinner party guests with a little Amaretto added in.

White-Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies - something different than the heavy dark chocolate and peanut butter options over the holidays.

Christmas Tree Spray - I've had a fake Christmas tree from the time it was going to be just me setting up a tree, and it's been a lot easier than trying to get a fresh tree in, set up in a stand and then removed. To make up for the lack of lovely tree scent, Aromatique's "Scent of the Tree" room spray is awesome.