The Conquering of the Everglades

Mom asked me to go on a trip with her in early November to the lovely Florida Keys.  We flew into Fort Lauderdale, drove into Key West, and then slowly made our way back up.  If you know me at all, you know I live for putting together an itinerary and am well-known for my enforcement of the timeline I make up.  You can imagine my excitement when Mom asked me to take the reigns.

Lots of sightseeing and shopping were done between Key West and Fort Lauderdale.  Every meal was eaten outside overlooking the beach and not a single one was in a chain or fast food restaurant.  We enjoyed the beach at Islamorada and drove across the famous Seven Mile Bridge.  We even walked two miles of the old bridge down to Pigeon Key, which is where the workers lived while building the bridge.

I thought an amazing excursion idea would be a few tours of the Everglades.  First, Mom and I did the airboat tour at Gator Park.  The next day was our kayak tour through the mangroves as well as a swamp walk tour.  The mangrove tunnels were so interesting.  I was amazed at how many types of birds we saw while we were there and, of course, we saw plenty of alligators while paddling.  Mom enjoyed kayaking although she seemed to have only two speeds, passing me and going 95 mph or at a dead stop crashed into the mangroves.  Oh how I wish I had video of that to post.

Following our guide

She is ready to paddle... super fast.

That afternoon was the swamp walk.  When they asked us if we wanted the wet or dry tour, we said we wanted the wet tour.  We didn't care to get muddy at all.  What we didn't realize was the the wet tour was actually wet.  Our guide started out the tour by telling us not to panic if we see a water moccassin or alligator in the water.  Ok sure.  I wish I could better describe the look on Mom's face for the first 45 minutes of the tour, but only one word comes to mind - terror.  She was scared to death and I heard several curse words being muttered behind me.  Our guide (a former marine) was fabulous.  We actually did feel safe with him, we're just not used to walking in waist deep water in swamps.  

Mom and I with our guide, Jason.  You can see how deep the
water got in places by where my jeans are wet.

This was a more shallow part of the walk. 

I will have to say that after it was all said and done, even Mom said she would do it again.  It was fun and I felt like we could conquer anything after we got out.  If you are interested, the tour company is called Everglades Area Tours.  They have many different types of tours and I wish we could have done them all.  I love that they concentrate more on the conservation of the Everglades and leaving no footprint as opposed to some of the other tours companies that we considered.  I highly recommend them.

One more thing, did I mention I fell?  Typical Brittany style and grace, I fell in the swamp.  Oh well, at least I got in, right?  Now, for the next adventure... any ideas?

OoooOOOoo... Halloween!

We love, love, love Halloween around here and, because of this, our house is looking pretty spooky...

The "blood" was added by melting a red candle
 and letting it drip over the white ones.  Cheap and easy!

My one Halloween concern is that we will have no candy for the neighborhood kids.  You see, my husband has a problem.  He's a chocoholic.  I admit that I will eat a piece from time to time, but I'm more of a bubble gum girl.  Here's hoping I can keep my husband out of the candy cauldron - at least for one day.

Console/Entertainment Center Thing

On my last post, I showed an old dresser that I found on craiglist.  I finished fixing it up and am so excited to finally put it on here.

Without the TV on top, it frees up space for Halloween decorations!

The side doesn't look like it's falling apart anymore.
I sanded it, of course, letting some of the wood show through.

Didn't realize the dogs' balls were underneath it.
Oh well, that's how it looks every day.

I am so happy to see fall here.  I love the cool weather.  It is such a nice change from the 100+ degrees we had there for a while.  I'm pulling out all of my hoodies, the Halloween decorations, and getting ready to do some yard work.  I hear this is perfect grass seeding weather?  We'll see I guess.  It's hard to grow grass in the Sahara!

Here's a photo that has nothing to do with anything at all... except that I love these dogs more than you can imagine.

True Love

My Recent Infatuation

Dustin knows all about it.  He's actually the one who started this relationship.  Meet the object of my lust.

My very own little Rockwell

It sands, it cuts through wood, grout, plastic, and ceramic.  There's nothing this baby can't do.  Including help me with my newest project.

Dustin has been dying to hang our TV in the living room.  I finally gave in and love it.  I wasn't so in love with the old TV stand anymore.  I started looking on craigslist and found a dresser that I just adored for $75.  After seeing it in person, I realized it would need a little more TLC than I originally thought.  I offered a lot less and they took it!  I present our new entertainment center.

I can't wait to get started.

This is what knocked off a HUGE chunk of the price.

Oh joy

There was also a mirror attached that I've already started on.  Stay tuned for the final results and wish me luck!

3 Weddings and a Funeral (3rd & Final Part)

We were thrilled to spend an entire weekend with our friends in Cookeville for Jamie and Russ's wedding. Dustin and I were honored to be in the wedding and stand next to our friends on their special day.  Everything went perfectly.  Jamie did such a great job planning, paying so much attention to every detail.  It was evident to everyone in attendance how much in love these two are.  

The wedding was at DelMonaco Winery in Baxter, Tennessee.  It is a gorgeous place with delicious wine.  I'm sure Dustin and I will be making a trip back there for a tasting.  

The newlyweds... so in love!

With the stunning bride

With my handsome husband

We are such awesome dancers.  Be jealous.

For Labor Day weekend, I attended the wedding of Tighe, a friend from high school, and Heather, his beautiful new wife.  The wedding was in Flat Rock, NC at Highland Lake Inn.  The weather couldn't have been more perfect for sitting next to the lake and watching a lovely ceremony.  They did traditional vows, but each wrote a little something extra to read to each other.  I don't think there was a dry eye there.  My favorite detail from their wedding was their dogs - they had their precious babies dressed to match the bridesmaids.  I wish I had some pictures from this wedding too, but to be honest, hubby is the picture taker and he ended up having to work that day.  I always seem to be more worried about having fun than taking pictures, which I always regret later.  I was so happy to have been included, had a great time, and enjoyed seeing and catching up with old friends. 

A Blog Worth Reading

I came across a blog called "Don't Waste Your Cancer."  The writer of the blog, Libby, recently found out that she has lymphoma.  Her strength and faith in God are equally awesome and astounding.  Reading her blog has been such an inspiration and made me think about life differently.

Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

3 Weddings and a Funeral (Part 2)

I wanted to write this post about a woman I never knew.

Elaine, a close friend of Dustin's family, passed away over the weekend.  I didn't have the pleasure of getting to know her because she has been sick since Dustin and I started dating.  I have, however, had the opportunity to get acquainted with her husband Bill.  When I asked Dustin to choose a person to read one of the selected poems in our wedding, he didn't hesitate with his answer.  It had to be Bill.  He has been and continues to be an extremely important role model/friend to my husband.

Everyone could learn a lesson from their marriage.  It is something we all strive for -  a story of true, unconditional love and devotion, and of truly living wedding vows... "for better or worse, in sickness and in health."  Elaine was sick for around ten years, in hospice care for nearly two.  She was a strong lady who wanted nothing more than time, as much as she could get here with her family.  To hear Bill talk about her, she was his saving grace and the best person you could know.  Bill never left her side.  And she fought for him.  For ten years.  He never put her in a "home."  He took care of her and spent every night with her.  He did what most people wouldn't do in that situation.  He put himself and his needs behind those of wife.  For ten years.

Her funeral will be on Wednesday, just a simple graveside service.  Exactly what I believe funerals should be - those closest to you remembering and celebrating your life.

I hope we are all so lucky as to experience a love like this in our lifetime.  A love where no one quits or gives up no matter how difficult things get.  It's such an inspirational, admirable and heartbreaking story, all rolled into one.

3 Weddings and a Funeral (Part 1)

Apparently love is in the air!  We couldn't be happier for all of our newly married friends.  We have celebrated and danced until our nearly 30 year old feet couldn't take anymore.  It's true what they say.  Weddings are like crack for a marriage.  We left each event reminiscing of when we made our vows.

First up was April and Trey's wedding.  They had a lovely ceremony outside near Norris Dam.  Dustin and I couldn't believe how many guests attended.  I wouldn't have known where to start making a guest list that huge.  They are such wonderful people, it's no surprise that they have so many friends.  I so enjoyed seeing them together at the reception.  They looked at each other, even from across the room, with such affection.     

With the ecstatic bride and groom

I'm telling you - Crack for a marriage!

With the gorgeous bride, my good friend April

My favorite detail of their wedding was the precious signs leading the way to the festivities

I was honored and excited when Jamie asked me to be her Matron of Honor.  One of my favorite duties of being the Head Broad is planning the bachelorette party.  We headed out to Nashville for a weekend of fun with Jamie's friends.  We started off the day with some swimming at the hotel,  

followed by dinner at Hard Rock.

One blushing bride rode the bull at Cadillac Ranch, 

and one (soon to be) sister-in-law danced on the bar at Coyote Ugly.

Jamie & I

The rest will remain between the 5 of us.  Actually, we made sure that 4 out of 5 of us behaved like ladies.  I'll leave it to your imagination to guess which one didn't.  It's safe to say, everyone had a great time and was sufficiently exhausted the next day. 

Beaches

I know I'm late with this post, but better late than never right? For our first anniversary, Dustin and I went on a cruise. Days before we left, Daisy ate our memory card for our camera. I had no idea, but our camera uses some obscure memory card that can only be ordered online. We had to resort to using the waterproof disposable for all of our pictures, since we didn't have enough time to order one.

We had a blast in Stingray City in Grand Cayman!

My AquaMan "nearly catching" a stingray.

Almost asleep on the beach in Jamaica

Exactly one week after returning from our cruise, I left for Key Largo with my mother-in-law, Jenny. We had a great time staying with some extremely accommodating friends of hers. What a beautiful place to live! If I had a memory card at that time, I would've taken pictures of the barracuda and the many nurse sharks we saw while kayaking.

Two weeks after that was the annual family trip to Hilton Head Island. We have been going there for years now and it has become our home away from home. This trip was spent playing lots of cornhole on the beach.

Dustin perfecting his form

Mom and Dad during a game of putt-putt

Trying to figure out why I'm always on the losing team of cornhole

I'm sad that this brings beach trips to a close for the year. I guess you never know when the ocean will call, demanding a visit. Perhaps I can squeeze in one more?

My $30 Investment

We are the proud owners of a 1970s era coffee table. I found it on craigslist (my new obsession) and it was perfect in my eyes. Here is the before picture:

I had to put wood putty in this gaping crack on one side of the table.

I really love that in this picture you can see the top of Dustin's head and his Sonic route 44 in his hand. I had asked him to pick it up so that I could take this picture.

I sanded the edges to age it a little and allow for the inevitable damage the dogs and the husband will be inflicting on this poor table.

After tons of sanding, some paint, a little elbow grease, and some love, I'm happy with how it turned out... especially for the price!

Finally!

I bought a super cheap china cabinet on craigslist thinking it would be a great project. How long did it take to paint? A couple hours. How long did it take to dry? 4 days. I picked the perfect rainy week to paint it in the garage. Mix that with a husband who loves having the garage door open for long periods of time and you get never ending wet paint. It finally did dry, however, and I'm pretty happy with the results.

Before...

And after... (Please ignore the mess around it.)

I hope that everyone has a happy and safe Memorial Day!

A Pirate Looks At... 29?

I spent the last three days with Mom in Atlanta. We spent all day Tuesday shopping, then the evening at Jimmy Buffett. He has been on my list of people to see live for years now. Finally I got to see him, thanks to Mom. It was a wonderful concert. In fact, it was so great that it made the fact that I spent $10 on one Bud Light ok somehow. Wednesday, we had massages before the car ride home and room service breakfast. Forgive the pics, they're taken on my Blackberry.

Now even though I'm back at home, I miss the pampering that Atlanta had to offer, but hopefully I will be back soon!

Other news, I am currently looking for a china cabinet to redo for the house and gathering up goodies to have a garage sale. Wish me luck!

Growing Older... Not Up

I turned 29 last Friday and I'm not sure how I feel about it. I noticed a slew of new grey hairs the week before, but also realized that I have a pretty awesome life. I am so blessed to have so many people to love. And they love me back! I guess the alternative to getting older isn't that hot, so I'll take MANY more birthdays please!

This is how I picture myself on my 89th birthday...

I hope Dustin will still be willing to put up with me when I'm old and cranky. I guess he will, because he puts up with me when I'm cranky now.

Thank you to everyone for all of my birthday wishes! I had a great one, even if it was the last in my 20's. Next year will be a different story.

Mmmm Peeps!

We had so much fun this Easter! We spent it at Dustin's Mamaw's house. We got to see that whole side of the family as well as watch one of our nieces, Paisleigh, hunt for Easter eggs. It was a day of good company & good food! Thanks to my sister-in-law, Karrie, for the pictures.

Dustin & I with Paisleigh

Paisleigh & Karrie hunting eggs

Been Working Like a Dog

That phrase makes no sense.  If your dogs are anything like ours, they don't do anything.  Well, I take that back.  They eat, sleep, and give thousands of kisses.

A typical day at the Southerlands'...

   

Ahhh, Snow!

Dustin's schedule worked out perfectly and allowed the four of us to be snowed in together.  I know it ruins plans and is too cold, but it's nice to have a change of scenery.

Walking Miss Daisy

Dustin and I have acquired what is easily the sweetest dog ever born.  She's so sweet that it's hard to be mad at her, even when she pees in the house... and poops in the house... and steals your hot pocket... and knocks over a bookcase.  Our "new" basset hound is full grown and nearly 60 lbs.

Meet Daisy.

We're working on house training and doing our best to get to know our new daughter.  Dustin and I have as much to learn as she does, maybe even more.  Daisy is a handful, but I can't imagine our family without her!