She's Getting Married.

I am headed to New York on Wednesday for my sister's wedding. She is marrying her long-time girlfriend F in a super small ceremony - fingers crossed and weather permitting - at Niagara Falls. (However, I just checked the weather - we're expecting snow...brrrr....I'm cold already!). I told her when she called me last week and told me that they were getting married in New York that I don't think I actually own enough clothes to be warm in New York in February so I will take as many layers as I possibly can and cross my fingers and just forget about trying to look cute for the wedding. Not happening.

They have been talking about this for a while and I am thankful that my sister found someone who makes her happy. My sister is one of the most creative, generous, bold, intelligent people that I know. F is kind, giving, caring, funny, and smart.

I am going as a sister, friend, and support system...and apparently the official photographer, though I thinuk that is the role I am least qualified for! I've never been to New York state, never seen Niagara Falls and also never been to Canada (where our hotel is actually located) so this should be an adventure. Hopefully there are many pictures and stories to come...

here comes Monday.

My bf Jess left in the early afternoon today, headed back south. I've gotten lots of things done on my busy weekend so it really has been a great weekend. Chad kindly did 4 or 5 loads of laundry but I folded all of them today so I think we are even. So far I have put away clothes, cleaned the bathrooms, and started getting some stuff ready for my trip North. I still need to go buy groceries for this week but since I will be gone from Tuesday night to Friday night, I really need to know what he needs from the grocery store more than me. I would ask him, ya know....except that he is out on a fire.

I think I will go entertain myself by putting away the clean dishes in the dishwasher, refilling it with the sink full of dirties, and finding myself some dinner. I am hoping that they will call and say they are headed home soon so keep your fingers crossed.

good friend weekend.

I have another good friend weekend planned because one of my bff's is here in town. We have lots of girly things planned, including lots of doing nothing just hanging out and doing nothing! We have already painted our fingernails and are considering going to the animal shelter and looking at kittens (shhh...don't tell Chad). I really don't think our pets need a new sister but it is always fun to look at and play with their sweet little faces.

We are taking a jewelry making class tomorrow that I am really looking forward to...rings! I know how to make lots of different types of jewelery but this one will be new for both of us. It is so nice to have someone here who is so special to me and that I don't get to spend nearly enough time with!!

another weekend.

My sweet momma got here around lunchtime today...I am pretty thrilled to have her around for another weekend. Tomorrow is a big and early day. We are headed to Berry College down in Rome for a 1/2 marathon with Chad early in the morning and then racing - literally? - back to Chattanooga for our nephew's birthday party. Pizza and laser tag - bring it on.

Big things happening in life. Some travel and fun things ahead. I'll tell you all about them after they happen.

Maybe pictures of the race soon? :)

a sweet face. and some juice.

Chad and I just got back from the hospital where we got to meet the newest member of our small group family who has a perfect chin, a button nost, teeny tiny fingers and the most adorable dusting of dark hair on top. Emily and David had their sweet baby boy today and he really was super cute and perfect looking. I can't wait to be a part of his life as he grows up and as his parents teach him to love God and love people like they do. It's gonna be great!

On another - possibly much less exciting note - our Valentine's Day was quiet, sweet, and together...just the way I like it. We ate Chick-fil-a (don't hate. It is exactly what we wanted!) with every child-filled family in Chattanooga, stopped by Hobby Lobby, and came home to watch NCIS. We are exciting folks! Either way, my sweetie ordered me a juicer for Valentine's Day (really for life...I think he just says it is for Valentine's Day) and I am really looking forward to buying juicy fruits and veggies in bulk and upping my nutritious intake in the future. I am even thinking about doing a few days of a juice fast of sorts...I'll let you know if that happens and how it goes! I'm sure you will be interested...

One fun weekend down.

I had tons of fun yesterday with my sister, F, and A. Apparently I have been told that I am a bad host because I didn't really think of things to do ahead of time but I live here so it is hard to think of fun new things to do! I wish that we all lived in the same city so we could hang out more often but sorry folks, I am not moving to Atlanta to make that happen. Chattanooga is lovely! :)

We ate good food all day - probably too much - drove around, saw some sights, strolled the antique mall, and then got in a little bowling. It was fun to just hang with these awesome ladies so I am thrilled that they came to see me!

Spending the day in Knoxville tomorrow to work on things for the Annual Meeting that I am planning. Looking forward to getting some more things done!

livin' for the weekends!

We have lots of fun weekends coming up and I am pretty excited. This weekend, my sister, F and A, my - let's call her my cousin for simplicity's sake - are coming up to visit. We had planned a visit back in the fall and it just didn't work out so we rescheduled for this weekend. It's been a while since my sis and F were able to come up and I am glad they are bringing more fun with them too! We don't really have much planned - lunch out in a Chattanooga joint (suggestions welcome!) and then a hike or touristy activity and then dinner cooked at our house by the chef and me!

Next weekend, Chad has a 1/2 marathon at Berry College. I am looking forward to seeing the campus - its been a few years since I was there last for the wedding of a good high school friend. I think a half marathon is a good length - difficult and challenging without being too hard on his body and leaving me with 4 hours to entertain myself and worry! I think my mom is going to try to come up that weekend too so it will be fun to have a cheering squad to attend the race with me. It is more fun than standing there alone for hours.

Finally, the last weekend of the month my bff is coming to town! We don't really have anything planned either, just general hanging out and enjoying each others company. I haven't had much time with her recently and that time is so valuable!

Lots of visiting company this month that I am very much looking forward to!

800. 13,000. and a story.

My last post was my 800th post. I never thought I would get this far. Thanks if you are still reading after all of this boring time - and especially if you continue to check in even when I don't blog very often (Sis!).

I got my first 13,000 step day yesterday. After my morning gym walk and weights, I had a super busy day at work and then a meeting last night. I got to my meeting about 20 minutes early so I made some loops around the big church parking lot. I am pretty proud of myself for being outside enjoying a nice day, walking and thinking instead of getting on Facebook, checking emails on my phone, etc. It was a good day!

The story. I work in the customer service industry. I know it doesn't seem like it (yeah, I still work for the Girl Scouts!) but I would wager that probably 99% of jobs are really customer service at their core. Our counci lhas been working really hard on our customer service experiences, mostly for our adult volunteers. We recognize that if our volunteers aren't having a good experience that it will filter down to our girls so we need to ensure that everyone involved is working hard to ensure a quality Girl Scout experience all around. That being said, I had an interaction today with someone in the customer service industry that was simple but very impressive. It was notable to me so I just wanted to share...

I went to CVS to pick up my prescription (after their automated voicemail thing called me twice, oops! - but have no fear, we are just talking about headache meds!). The pharmacist there has always been kind, pleasant, and informative and knowledgeable in answering some questions I have had about medications. Now, I only frequent this pharmacy once a month to pick up my meds so he doesn't get a lof of opportunity to remember who I am and I am sure he sees 100's of people a month. His first point was for knowing my name when I walked up. My first name. And my last name. Impressive. As I stood there and waited for my turn to pay, he was talking to the elderly lady in front of me. She was obviously a frequent customer because he remembered that she was having her knee replaced soon. They chatted a minute while she put away her change and he asked her when her surgery was going to be. She told him and he - got out a pocket calendar from his breast pocket and wrote it down - no lie. He wanted to be able to check in on her after her surgery and to ask her about it next time he saw her. I could see the calendar as I stepped up and it was well-marked with notes - surely some from his personal life but probably mostly from his customers. He cares enough to remember my name and to ask about her looming surgery - and then to follow up with her afterwards. That, my friends, is quailty customer service - maybe better called customer care.