Oh So Thankful.

It has been a lovely weekend. Just simply lovely.


I ended up taking Friday off - mainly because I could - and needed it. Chad was off because of the lifeguard class he has been teaching on his off weekends this month and I needed some time for us. It was so fun to just spend the day with him - doing whatever we wanted. I actually snuck away from him in the middle of the day to join my friend K for lunch and a doctor's appointment. She's midway through a much-deserved, much-fought-for pregnancy, much-loved pregnancy and sadly, moving to Knoxville. So, this was her last appointment here in Chattanooga and I got to go see her wiggly 12 oz. bundle of joy via the wonders of modern science. It was amazing. Having not had children of my own, ultrasounds are foreign. And mind-blowing.


I spent the rest of Friday with my guy, including a trip to the movies during the "super matinee" (which, come on, is the only way to see movies unless you go to the second run theater!). Captain America was good...totally worth the $5 per person.


Chad taught lifeguarding all day Saturday down in Lafayette so I stayed home and got lots of stuff done. Cleaned the kitchen, folded a mountain of laundry, put away clothes, cleaned floors...sweated quite a bit. We haven't turned on the AC in the house yet - one of the benefits of good insulation, a brick house, shady trees....and a strong affinity for lower electricity bills. Not sure we will last much longer but it isn't unpleasant in here today. Windows open...fans on. 86 degrees outside but only 75 inside....feels cooler. Listening to one of the neighbors practice his trumpet scales.


I spent the afternoon with Chad at the pool Sunday finishing up his class. I don't think I was that flighty/unconcerned/ambivalent at 17 years old and a new high school graduate. But maybe I was. Hopefully they paid enough attention that they can perform a rescue if needed...I enjoyed a few hours of reading, watching, and sunbathing (with a high SPF on...this girl does not like to be burnt and is much more aware of skin cancer as I get older).


Today I got to sleep in, we had lunch with friends, and Chad is headed to work soon. I might go back to the pool with J or I might take a nap and get more projects done around the house. Either way, I will grill out with Chad's family and then take him dinner on his break tonight.


Finally, I don't want to pass up this day without a mention of its real purpose. Memorial Day. Not because of BBQ or pool parties. Its because of those brave men and women who - over the course of our history - gave their lives so that I have the freedom to do as I choose. From my flag waving heart to yours, I am thankful.

Finished.

All 3 of my team's big spring events are finished. It is such a relief to have those not hang over our heads any more and to be able to spend some time focusing on other things. I left for Knoxville around noon on Saturday, spent a couple hours driving there, about 3 hours doing flower arrangements and corsages for all our honorees (50 arrangements and 50 corsages!), spent the night at camp (convinced that the staff cabin might be haunted) then had our event on Sunday at 1pm.

Rant: 12 girls that did not RSVP for this event came anyway. So that's 12 girls that we did not plan for...plus mom, dad, grandparents, siblings, etc. It adds to the event food...space...seating...not to mention that we don't have that many extra flower arrangements,  certificates,  corsages, etc. We always make extras - this year we had 7 extras - but you just can plan if folks don't RSVP. We had to scramble to make up arrangements from other decor like flowers from the registration tablem. It was nuts but we made it...Is RSVP'ing a lost art?? 

Our event ended at 3...we cleaned up and broke down decor and hauled ourselves downtown to work a second event for our top cookie sellers which lasted until 6:30. I rolled into home about 8pm. Another long weekend but glad it was all a success. I get this Saturday off then I will go work with a troop of older girls on the last Saturday of the month then I don't have to work another weekend until our big camp event in mid-june. Yay!  I am super thankful for an awesome team that consistently pulls of fantastic events no matter how stressful it is along the way!

May Birchbox!

It's May Birchbox time! Posting from my phone again so excuse the weird order of photos to text. I can't figure out how to do it any differently from here.

Cote brand sunscreen moisturizer. It is tinted which is nice and this is definitely one of those 'thanks for introducing me to a brand I've never heard of' items because this one is totally new. It does have a matte effect to it so it might be nice to wear on days when you want your makeup to be really set and the weather is humid (hello Southern summer!)

Whish brand shave cream. I think I have gotten this before and if not, something similar by the same brand. Thankfully, the smell is divine and with all the traveling I have been doing lately, a travel size shave cream is most welcome in my bag.

Art Club nail art Duo pen. The item I was most excited about. I actually have this pen in two other colors (white and black) that came with a kit I bought from Birchbox forever ago. I am super excited to have this is in a fun pink...I see lots of polka dots and flowers in my future. It has a teeny dotting tip and a fine line tip. I highly recommend these...

Miss Jessie's quick curls...this is the 3rd time I have gotten one of their products and I haven't used one yet. I don't have curly hair and edited my profile accordingly but this might be fun to do with wavy hair this summer. If not, I'll pass it to curly hair friends.

Finally, Marcelle's BB cream. Funny smell. Too dark. Enough said.

As you can see...While I still love this monthly subscription,  items are less exciting and starting to sort of repeat themselves now that I have been doing it over 2 years now (wow!). I am seriously considering switching to another subscription service so if you have suggestions, send them my way! 

Weekends aren't for resting.

At least, that is what I am currently experiencing.
I worked the last two weekends and went to Columbus this weekend. I am so glad that I was able to go see my parents. I definitely don't see them enough and I am thrilled that I was able to spend some time with them. I got to eat at some of my favorite Columbus places, see some of my favorite people (Mom! Dad! Jess!), and sleep in on Saturday for a little while. So maybe that counts as resting and seeing the people you care the most about is better than relaxing anyway.


A long week ahead this week. We've officially entered my busiest/most stressful season. Between big events that my team is responsible for, helping with big events that other teams are responsible for, writing annual plans for our next fiscal year, reporting out for the current fiscal year, and then creating a budget based on something that has never existed before - basically don't expect me to blog again until the end of July. :) Send all of your good thoughts my way.