"Hey Will-Will, whatcha doing?"

Maybe if I just keep eating this candy she will leave me alone and stop trying to make me pose for that silly camera she keeps around her neck.


Guess I'll humor her so she will zip it and let me be adorable in peace. Yes, Jenn Jenn? What can I help you with?


Aww man. She wants me to smile right now? That girl has no respect for candy eating. Which is weird because she pops M & M's like their going to be discontinued or something.

Cheeeeeeessseeee.


See? I told you it wouldn't work with all this chocolate in my mouth. When will she learn, I ask you? There is a time and place for this kind of stuff. Babysitters--just when you think you have one trained....



Jenn Jenn! Stop dancing around like that trying to get me to smile. It is not...hahaha...going to work...hahaha. Just for the record, I'm laughing at you, not with you.


Well, if you're going to start singing too then I guess I can bust a small move. Just to show you how it's done. But you gotta get into it. Close your eyes and feel the music, my sista.



Hey, you're gettin it. Yeah yeah, that's it. Hmm, maybe I misjudged you, Jenn Jenn.

You know, I'm not sure if you have inspired me or if it's just this intense sugar rush, but I just gotta stand up and keep this party alive!!

Favorite Room

Sweet Kelly is doing a really fun thing over at her blog--having people post about their favorite rooms! I love this idea and have REALLY loved looking at all of the posts.

While I so enjoyed seeing everyone's rooms, I didn't think I'd really be able to participate since I am currently in "transitional housing." :) I am actually living in a very nice house, but it belongs to these very lovable people.


Before I came back to live with the fam for a few months, I resided in a darling apartment in Athens which I dearly loved. But if you went there now, you would find empty walls and dust collecting on the furniture that I left behind until I move back (to a different apartment).

Yet, I remembered that I DID have some pictures of my old bedroom that I could show. This room was very near and dear to my heart, as I logged in many hours in that room over the past two years. While the apartment was a good size and very cute in it's entirety, when I got home from school or my internship, I usually went directly upstairs to this room to sit, relax, and just breathe. I spent a lot of time in that room thinking and praying about the course my life is on. It was the setting for hours of phone conversations to all the people I love most in the world, and it housed (and still does) the most comfortable bed in the world.

So, come on in!! Here is what you would see as you walked in the door. Huge bed, huge picture board, and huge windows. Which, incidentally were my 3 favorite things about the room.


This was my most-frequented position throughout the years. Laying on my bed, looking up at the TV. Please do not pay attention to the clothes piled up on the chair to the right. That was the only time that ever happened. Ahem.


Here we have my "office." I logged in a lot of hours on the computer sitting right here. You might think I also did a lot of homework here since I was in grad school and all. You would be wrong, but I still love you.

Oh, the bed. I miss it terribly, and can't wait to reunite with it.


This picture is actually from my bathroom. The Willow Tree figurine sat on my sink, and I just love it.

It was a graduation present from college, and is the one for "Happiness." It sat right next to a card my mama gave me that I framed. It reads:

God's grace has lifted you up...
stood you on your feet...
placed you on a path...
given you a destination...
filled you with a purpose...
provided you with a hope...
and guaranteed you a future!
-Roy Lessin

Reading that card every morning definitely helped fill me with happiness. :)

And now for a special BONUS FEATURE! Here is a sneak peak at what I am sure will be my new favorite space in my new apartment for when I head back up in August.

And, you're all invited to come help me move! :)

A couple of sweet recipes!

Ok, personally, the last time I cooked was at Christmastime. I prepared Pioneer Woman's Olive Cheese Bread on Christmas Eve and a sweet potato souffle for Christmas dinner. I must say, both were delicious in my opinion as well as those of my family members.

And those opinions are not biased or ANYTHING.

Well, ok they probably are. But seriously these were very good, mainly because each was very hard to mess up. Which is the main criteria of the recipes I usually choose. Although, I need to let you know that this plan HAS turned out to be faulty on occasion. Just ask my dear friend, Karen, who gave me the a wonderful recipe for a blueberry cake a while back.

Karen: "Oh yes! You can do it. It is so easy. You CANNOT mess this up!"

Oh, sweet Karen. So naive.

Take One: Looks perfect, right?

Twenty minutes later... Apparently, the cake was not ready for transfer.

Insert a tear right here. And a trip back to the store at 10:30pm. But for the record, I drowned my sorrows by eating a huge chunk, and it did not disappoint.

Take Two: This time the cake did not cook all the way through for some reason and was still raw in the center. I tried to make it work--"Here you go everyone! Blueberry Cake Bites!"

Insert trip to Kroger the next morning for donuts here.

So anyways, I guess I thought that since my additions to the meals at Christmas turned out so well, I shouldn't chance wrecking my cooking confidence. I have held off cooking anything else for 5 months, and so far this plan has worked.

But, leave it to a Bridal shower to make a girl want to go all Paula Deen in the kitchen. It's just that one's eyes are opened to so much goodness at these events!

Ok, I haven't made either of these myself, yet. And after seeing those pictures from Caketastrophe 2008 again, I might hold off a little bit longer. The wounds are still too fresh. But, let me tell you that I have tasted and seen that these recipes are good.

They will take you to a place so happy, you may not come back. But, I hope you do because I will miss you otherwise.

Paula Deen's Easy Coffee Cake

Ingredients:

2 (8 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1 cup sugar
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg, separated
1/2 cup whole pecans, chopped

Directions:

-Preheat Oven to 350 degrees.
-Spray bottom of 13x9 baking dish with a non-stick cooking spray.
-Spread one can of the Crescent Rolls in the bottom of the 13x9 Pan. Pinch all the edges together to make one sheet.
-Cream together 3/4 cup of sugar, cream cheese, Vanilla and egg yolk till creamy and smooth.
-Spread mixture over the Crescent rolls.
-Top with the second package of Crescent Rolls. Again, pinch together all the edges to make it one sheet.
-Beat the egg white till frothy and spread on top.
-Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar and Pecans evenly.
-Bake for 30 to 35 minutes till nice and golden brown.

Man, I wish I could turn back time to Saturday so I could have another one right now.

And check this out. My lovely bride-friend, Brittany, gave these cute little baskets as hostess gifts for the shower. I think this is one of the neatest ideas. Inside the cute basket is all the fixings for a yummy dip. In addition, we have an adorable dish towel and a stack of recipe cards--the first of which has the recipe for the dip. Genius.

Caramel Apple Dip

Ingredients:

4 oz cream cheese
8 oz caramel apple dip
1 cup toffee bits or peanut butter chips
1 and 1/2 cups chocolate chips
2-3 apples sliced

Directions:

-Spread cream cheese in a small dish
-Pour caramel dip over cheese
-Mix candy and chips and sprinkle over mixture
-Enjoy with apples

Let me know if you try either of these! I'm sure they will both be making their way to my menu in the not-to-distant future. :)

Y'all know how much I love a recap

The weekend was jam-packed, but extremely fun as suspected. The shower for Bri was lovely and went off without a hitch. Well, except for when Lin and I went to pick up the 10 dozen donuts holes, and a very sweet lady with an accent I didn't recognize said, "Ah yes, here is you 10 dozen donut holes and here is you 10 dozen donuts..."

Um, yeah about that. Although it is tempting to take 120 donuts that we didn't order and eat them on the way to the party, we definitely just need the holes. Sorry.

I felt really bad because they did not look happy with us, which I can totally understand. I guess the guy I spoke with earlier in the week misunderstood me when I placed the order. But, no use crying over wasted dough.

Once we got to the lady's house where the shower was held, the rest went very smoothly. It had been a little while since our last get together, so it was good to reunite.

There was tons of great food--think: sausage casserole, grits casserole, some type of Paula Deen cream cheese bars. And the donut holes! Can't forget those little balls of yum. I'll give you a moment to let your mind digest all that goodness.

Here is my dear girl, Kimberly, getting her sampling on.

Bri received some great presents and has finally accumulated enough place settings for a dinner party! Count me in, sista. Isn't this Everyday China she picked so cute? Each piece is a little different.

Customary picture with the Bride. We could make a very long and comprehensive slide show of just the pictures we have taken over the course of the last year with all this partying. I love this girl.

Later that night it was time for the Handy Man shower. Now known as The Night of the Many Drills.

First, I would like to take this opportunity to think the hostesses for making the extremely wise choice of having El Sombrero chips, cheese, and salsa available for us to eat. This was a choice that has sealed each of you a place in my heart forever.

Here is Brittany excited she doesn't have to be in the present-opening spotlight for once.

Earle of course had no problem handling the crowd. His audience could have consisted of a tree and he could have worked it out so that the tree had a good time. He has an extreme likability factor and social skills that are matched by no one I have ever known. Maybe no one else in the world.

These skills are very useful at times like these. Let's get to opening, shall we?

Cool! A drill!!!

Next up? You guessed it! Another drill with 2 more to follow.

In the words of Earle, "There's gonna to be lots of drilling going on!" Ha ha ha he he ho ho.

Some party people...

I just wish all of my friends weren't so ugly.

It was a really great day of celebrating Brittany and Earle. These were our last parties until the big day!

The next day was fun too as we rode up to help Matthew move. His apartment is really awesome, and it was very fun to help him get it all set up.

Target was definitely our friend that day. I had to keep my focus on my brother and his buying needs, but I did take the time to admire a few purses and consider purchasing at least one pair of shoes.

We ended the night poolside at Larsen's parents' house just hanging out, talking, and laughing. I failed to take any pictures of this night because I was too busy listening to my daddy tell crazy stories, chatting with Larsen and the girls, and eating all kinds of delicious food including, but not limited to, steak. Mmmmm.

Hope you all had a great weekend full of family, friends, and fun!

Weekend plans

So after a week or so of not too much on the agenda, things are about to start revving up, as they always seem to do.

A while back, many of my posts were recaps from showers and parties to celebrate one of my very best friends from college. Brittany and Steven (lovingly known as Earle) are getting married at the end of June, and earlier this year I was excitedly scouring the globe (or, you know, Georgia) to enjoy every event on their Wedding Party Circuit.

After the Bachelorette Beach Party Extravaganza of 2008...


...the calendar cooled down a bit. But I am happy to report that this weekend we have not one but TWO celebrations to honor this couple whom I really could not love more. Wait let me check...nope, I have no more love to give them. They have it all.

Both of the parties are happening on Saturday in my (and Earle's) hometown, which just reiterates to me once again what a good idea it is to have one of your guy friends from home date and marry one of your best friends from college. This way, she will forever be tied to the place YOU will forever be tied.

I am no mathematician, but I think that equals a lot of happiness in the years to come.

The first party is for the girls and is a Miscellaneous Tea for the bride who is not only beautiful, but as fun and hilarious as the day is long.


It is being hosted by some local ladies including my mama, my BFF Lindsay, and myself, and I know it is going to be just lovely for so many reasons. The least of which being that I have ordered 10 dozen donut holes to add to the food table. That alone helps to secure the party's success.

The second event is actually a Handyman Shower for the handsome groom who is as sweet and funny as they come.


While geared towards the groom, this party is a couple's shower being thrown by a bunch of our parents, so lots of our friends will be reuniting to shower Earle with hammers and nails and I don't know, tools and stuff.

My handiness basically stops at hanging pretty pictures on the wall. But I am so happy for Earle to be getting in on the present-action as he has been such the trooper loading and unloading the 3 million gifts Bri has received at all of her showers since they got engaged. I mean technically, all the presents are for both of them, but after a while I could see how place settings and casserole dishes lose their excitement-factor for a stinky old boy.

Although, I didn't hear any complaining from him following the Lingerie Shower. :)


I am so excited to see my people and hear the very latest on all the wedding plans. It really will be here before we know it, and that is all I will say about that because I'm not in the mood for tears this lovely Friday afternoon.

So moving on before I end up in a puddle on the floor singing "Friends are Friends Forever" while wearing my bridesmaid dress.

Rounding out this holiday weekend will be a trip to help Matthew move! My dear brother has fallen head over heels for a wonderful girl, whom we ALL adore.


Because of this he has been seeking out some jobs where she lives, and I am happy to report that a couple of weeks ago he got one with a really great company and is moving to live closer to his lady. Mama, Daddy, and I will go up there on Sunday to help him move and hang out with Larsen and her family. We are so excited because he is thrilled, and we have a strict rule in this family that when The Prince is happy, we're all happy.

Well, that about sums up the next few days for this girl. I hope you all have a great Memorial Day Weekend!

I...love...you

I have been playing a little game with 'my child', Will, for a while now. I tell him, Hey Will-Will, c'mere, I have to tell you a secret! He grins from ear to ear and excitedly walks up to me from wherever he's standing across the room. Closer! I say. He comes a little closer, his grin getting bigger. Closer! I whisper loudly again, grabbing his sweet little cheeks and gently pulling his ear right to my face so he can hear me.

I...love...you.

When we first began our little game, he would just giggle. Once he started talking, I would go through the whole thing and after I told him my secret he would say, Hey, um, um, hey Jenn Jenn! I tell you a see-kit! I'd lean down, and he would grab my face in his grubby little hands. In a precious whisper he would tell me his see-kit.

I...wuv...yoo.

Basically it was the most adorable thing in the entire world. Including puppies and newborn babies.

Last night when I was keeping the boys, Will was across the room and as always, I said, Hey Will, come here, I need to tell you a secret!

He immediately smiled, cocked his curly, blonde head to the side, and batted his big brown eyes in my direction. My heart melted. The End.

Just kidding. But, before he could make his way over to me, his older brother caught wind of the conversation and piped up. Not wanting to miss out, Brannen inquired, A secret? What secret? You can tell me. Tell ME the secret, Miss Jenna.

Curious George was already headed in my direction.

Ok, I said. C'mere. But remember, you can't tell ANYbody. This secret is SO HUGE. We love the dramatics around these parts.

As he came near, eyes as big as saucers, I whispered as I always have with Will, Closer! He laughed and edged forward. Again, Closer! I pulled his ear right to my mouth and told him.

I...love...you.

He arched back, the side of his mouth curling up into a grin, squinted eyes cutting over my way. I turned my head to the side exposing my own ear as I prepared myself for him to return the loving favor as his baby brother always does.

But all I heard as he walked back over to his bean bag, big smile on his face and head shaking back and forth was, Aw, that's no secret. I already knew that.

Just when I thought that little game couldn't get any sweeter. :)

Tuesday ramblings

My plan for today was to tackle the seemingly impossible task of unloading my car. It's not that it's going to be that hard of a job, but the memories of loading it all up have been fresh in my mind--so it has been easy to channel Scarlett and just put it off until tomorrow.

But, seriously today was REALLY going to be the day. I kept with my current plan of getting up early and conquering the very long to-do list I have created. Although it is technically "summer" for me, those days of waking up at noon and going to a pool somewhere seem to have passed.

This hurts me deeply.

And while I'm definitely finding time to relax and just breathe for a while, my days still fill up quickly with things that need to be done, appointments that need to be made, jobs that need to be found, and money that needs to be earned. I am taking care of that last one by babysitting my little guys in the evenings several nights a week. I am actually headed off to pick them up in just a bit. I am serious need of a cuteness-fix after not seeing them in several days.

Anyways, what was I talking about? Oh, yes. My to-do list. A couple of the main contenders on The List over the past couple of days have been to clean out the car (the dreaded task I mentioned above), apply for several jobs at the University that I have been eyeing (which I may or may not be qualified for), and call my friend Tony at the computer place (technical name) to help me figure out how to clear out some space on my laptop. My computer keeps telling me that I have low disk space and is being very temperamental.

This all puts GREAT fear in my heart.

The last think I want to do is make the laptop mad. That's like a crack addict crossing his dealer. Computing is my addiction, people. And every random reminder that pops up brings forth my (hopefully) irrational fear that the whole thing is going to go crashing down any minute.

Don't think I have not been praying for it's protection until Computer Tony can be contacted.

And while I have yet to call him and my car is still very much not cleaned out, the good news is that I DID apply for several of the jobs I have been looking at recently. None of them are my idea of a dream job, but I am trying to feel my way through this time of job-uncertainty. I know the best way to do so is to just put myself out there as much as possible and let God do the rest. But, it is such a hard line to walk sometimes--being in that place of needing a job at all costs and not being too picky, but also wanting above all to be in the place God has for me.

I welcome ANY suggestions on how to achieve this! My suggestions to myself are to just pray, listen, and trust that the Lord has something awesome ahead--no matter how impossible it seems sometimes.

I am also remembering what sweet Caroline said, " My God is way bigger than my 'idea' of impossible!" Preach it, sista. :)

Well, I am off to hang out with My Boys and talk about less stressful things like tents, Pre-K, and how fun dirt is.

Have a great night!

Week in review

Well, Summer seems to be in full swing over here in my world since last weekend's graduation celebration (and thank you ALL for your wonderful congrats by the way--y'all are awesome!). As of right now, I don't have very much to show for my life, post-graduation. I moved home for the summer last Wednesday, and since then I have mostly been involved in a whole lot of nothing. Which has been quite lovely.

Yet, I have taken part in a couple different activities in the past week--in between sitting on the couch watching Lifetime movies and drinking diet coke like it was water.

1. MOVING

After my family left, I stayed in Athens a few more days to enjoy some time with my friend Meg (whose company I already miss tremendously). I needed a couple days to prepare myself to only see these individuals on a limited basis this summer.

After I said goodbye to this fun family, I had to head back to pack up the majority of my apartment so that I could move home for the summer. I will be back to Athens in the Fall to live and work and continue enjoying that fun little town, but a friend is subleasing my apartment--so pretty much everything I own had to come home with me.

Unlike my college graduation which was SO bittersweet, this whole graduation experience has been nothing but happy. That was until I waited until the night before to begin the packing process...

This was a picture in the beginning when I started realizing I was in way over my head. I stopped documenting after this was taken because I never want to relive the countless trips I took up and down 3 flights of stairs to load more junk that one person should be allowed. Let's just say when I was finished I had come to realize 2 important facts: 1.) It is time to de-junk my life, and 2.) As patiently as I am waiting for a husband, moving will cause me to curse the single ground I walk on.

Now say 3 things you're thankful for, Jenna....

-An apartment to live in

-Legs that can climb stairs all day long if they had to

-A great family to go home to for the summer

-BONUS: the fact that it doesn't bother me that I still haven't UNLOADED this (Type A personalities, you may want to shield your eyes)

2. MY BOYS

On Wednesday, I rode into Statesboro and went straight to pick up my two favorite little guys. I am so excited to spend the summer with those two little crazies even though I cannot believe how big they are--it makes me incredibly happy and sad all at the same time. I mean, it was just yesterday that THIS was the little sweetie I was picking up...

Now look at this giant of a child with whom I have real conversations and who SQUEALS at the top of his lungs when he sees me coming because he obviously thinks it will seal his place in my heart forever.

I got news for you, kid. It's been sealed since before WAY before you started cutting those big brown eyes at me and saying things like, "Jenn Je-yun, you so purdy."

3. MY DADDY'S COOKING

Since I have barely left my parents house in the last few days, I have been able to spend some good quality time with my Big Al and The Debster. And where you find my parents, you will find good food cooked by my Daddy....


Here is some of it in the form of some DELICIOUS fried zucchini Big Al cooked up one night. I wish all of you could have been here to experience this. These things are so good they'll make your tongue slap the roof of your mouth til your head caves in.

Well, I think that about covers the highlights of the past week. This upcoming week will be filled with several play dates with my little men and getting reading for 2 parties for Bri the Bride this weekend. Throw in a couple of movies, the season finales of all of my favorite shows, lots of diet coke, and lots of fun people and I think summer has officially begun!

One degree, a thousand pictures, and one REALLY long post later...

The past week has been pretty crazy, and it ended with a fabulous weekend in Athens celebrating the very welcomed end to a very long era. As I have mentioned a couple hundred times on this blog in the recent past--I recently finished up with graduate school.

The reason I won't shut up already about being done is because the doneness has come in stages over the past couple of weeks. It has all been very anti-climatic if you want to know the truth. First, I was done with classes. Then, I was done with my internship. But, oh wait! I still had one more puppet show. Once that was completed I was REALLY done with my internship. But even with all those checked off the list, I still had another whole week until I actually made it official by walking across that stage.

I spent the in between time at home in The Boro hanging out with the fam and doing a whole lot of nothing. And I mean that literally. So much so that I have been sitting here trying to remember what exactly I did do at home, but I cannot come up with anything. I'm sure TV, the Internet, and Subway were involved, but outside of that you can just make up your own theories.

Once Friday hit, the fun started revving up. Friday morning Mama and I loaded up and hit the road back to Athens to pre-party before the rest of our crew made their way here on Saturday for graduation. Once we got to A-town, we went to the bookstore to pick up caps and gowns for Megan and me. It would have been a very exciting moment in time if they had not cost $78 each. Add that to the money I have spent to live and go to school the past 2 years PLUS the therapist bills I will accumulate in the years to come because of all that we have been through, and I think the grand total would be somewhere around 2 trillion dollars. Give or take.

In order to raise my spirits, we decided to head to the mall to buy a dress for graduation. I was hoping that buying something I would actually wear again in the future and did not look like a trash bag would lessen the bitterness I was feeling.

VERDICT: It did.

After finding a very classy and sassy black dress, we headed off to see a movie. Then, it was off to Meg's to give her cap and gown. I was eager for us to open them up and try them on. When we got there, Meg and Tyler were standing in the yard with the puppies chatting with Megan's mom.

We ripped into our bags standing in her yard, and we then proceeded to spend the next 45 minutes trying to figure out how in the world to fix our hoods. The Mom Squad was on the case and even though they worked diligently together to try and solve the hood conundrum, victory was not had. We finally had to give up since, you know, it got dark and all, but it was fun all the same. It was so funny for Megan and I to see our mamas together. It was like looking into a crystal ball and seeing what we'll be like together in 20-something years.

Saturday was the BIG DAY. Can anyone say, FINALLY??

My daddy, brother, and grandmother made it and we rode around the campus checking out the scene and then met up with my uncle for lunch.

Here I am at the restaurant with my two favorite guys in all the land...

Here is my cute and crazy grandmother. She was probably telling me about how now that I am graduating, it's time to "pick up the shovel." I think it was an expression in regards to starting work, but I was too busy "shoveling" chips and queso into my mouth to discuss it at that time.

Matthew working the camera. Or, you know, not.

Grad time! This is my crew waiting for the processional. Processional? Recessional? No, processional. Master's degree, really? Anyway, here they are: Matthew, Mama, DD, Daddy, and Gram. And look there in the right hand corner! It's Meg's Grammy and mom. Our families ended up sitting right next to each other.

Speaking of Megan, here she is below chatting it up with the Dean as she walks across the stage. If this picture had audio you would hear me screaming and whistling. That's my GIRL! And if the camera panned around you would see me standing up in my seat while I pumped my arms in the air. Not really, but that would have been awesome.

Finally, it was my turn. Here is my very favorite professor Dr. B hooding me. I have no idea what I was laughing about. I think it was nervous laughter because I was about to have to shake the Dean's hand, and I didn't know if he was still mad from when I parked in his spot and he had my car towed (another story for another day, my friends). Good memories.

And so begins the Jenna Babe Graduation Photo Session. It will not hurt my feelings if you need to leave at this time.

With The Debster

With Matthew

Then with Matthew AND Mama. You know, to mix it up a bit.

My Dear ole Daddy with his Jenna Babe

The Boys: Daddy, Matthew, and Ashley (my dad's brother)

The Girls: Mama, me, and DD (my mom's sister)

Gram so proud. I think she was whispering to me about that pesky shovel again.

The family

Brothers

It's too bad my grandmother doesn't like MY brother AT ALL...

Ok, well maybe a little. But she still likes me better.

The whole gang. I LOVED having them all there to celebrate!

I didn't realize this next picture was being taken, but obviously I was thinking about how I never have to write another paper for the rest of my life.

And now the picture that is highly treasured among all others...

This picture has been a LONG time coming. Meg and I have traveled a lengthy road full of ups and downs to be able to take this shot. I think the only reason we made it to the end was by laughing the entire way through it, and I would never EVER change this experience because it was responsible for us becoming friends.

Our post grad conversation...

J-Congrats, my friend! I couldn't have done it without you!

M-Aww same here.

J-And I mean that literally.

M-Oh, I was just kidding.

See? She's got the jokes.

Finally, after I took a picture with every last person in the entire building, it was time to leave and go EAT. But not before my bubba could tell me one last time how proud he is of me. Say it with me now....Awwww.

We proceeded downtown to enjoy Athens...

...and eat a delicious meal at our favorite restaurant, 'The Last Resort'. FYI: This place was VERY MUCH misnamed. It should be called 'The First Choice'. Everything on the menu will make you weep and celebrate the day food was invented.

Here we have Mama and DD sampling the crab cakes. I think Mama described them as the "best crab cakes she has ever had." And considering she orders crab cakes at every restaurant she steps foot in, that is saying a lot.

He's adopted.

Daddy and I after a delicious meal. Praline-encrusted Chicken, I heart you.

And the Caramel Cake was to DIE for. I think I actually died and went to heaven after the first bite. But, thankfully, God sent me back down to earth so I could enjoy the rest.

******

Whew! Well, if anyone is still reading, I would just like to say that it was truly a WONDERFUL weekend. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect way to close this chapter of my life.

Here's to all that happens next!

Playing a little bit of catch up

So apparently, I decided to take a small blogging break. I was unaware that I made this decision, but alas, almost a week has past with only blog silence to show for it. I have no real excuse or explanation except that I came home to The Boro on Friday and apparently my brain shut off. I blame it on school. And new-found academic freedom.

And laziness.

Here are some things that I have been doing this past week when my brain has turned back on here and there.

1. Friday, my fellow interns and I conducted our very last puppet show. I have never been so happy to drag all the splintery set pieces and the huge box full of puppets to the very LAST classroom at the very OPPOSITE end of the school. I don't think I even cussed one time. I guess I should admit now that physical labor does not bring out the best in me. Team that up with an 8:00am call time on a Friday morning, inevitable technical difficulties, and intense arm pain from puppet holding-upping (technical term) and you have a recipe for Jenna losing her witness.

But none of that matters anymore because we are done. And honestly, we have had a good run. We've worked hard and laughed harder at the craziness of all the many mishaps, the pure cuteness of kids, and the undying love 2nd graders have for all things puppet.

2. After we took our final bow at the big PUPPET FINALE, I ate lunch with Megan then hit the road running back home for a few days. I came home for a very fun reason featured in #4 and to chill out for a few days before heading BACK to Athens to graduate. Everytime I say that word to myself, I hear angels singing in my head. It's weird.

3. Friday night I hung out with Big Al and The Debster where laughs are always in abundance. I get my crazy honest, my friends.

4. Saturday marked a very joyous occasion! I was able to go and see a very lovely lady off to her prom. My friend Marlee went and grew up on me (even though I told her not to), and lo and behold if she didn't end up becoming the coolest 16 year-old in the history of the world. Too bad we are going to have to lock her up soon. She is way to beautiful for her own good. (Picture to come when my computer decides to cooperate).

5. Sunday Mama and I went to church and to eat lunch at Subway. I don't know about you but going there after church is part of my religion. Afterwards we went and hung out with my grandmother for a while which is always entertaining because homegirl is hilarious. We talked about all kinds of stuff including her crush on the choir director at her church, the fact that she can't believe she is going to be 87 this year, and how awesome it is that she takes NO medicine at all besides one measly pill for her declining memory. Which Mama and I are scared she's not taking since when I asked her what the one pill that she takes is for, she couldn't remember. Might need to bump up the meds, Doc.

As we were leaving she gave me a big kiss and she told me (as she always does) that if I ever get into trouble to call her--and she'll come join me. My daddy gets his funny honest, my friends.

6. Sunday night I went for a quick visit with my boys. Apparently someone is feeding them fertilizer because they are huge. And I tell you what, pulling up and having both Brannen and Will run up to me screaming hysterically with excitement really does a lot for my personal well-being. That, along with Will being glued to my lap and asking me repeatedly, "Member, member...member dat time I went to ya how-se?" and "Member dat time we went to da beeach?"

Um, yes my darling, but please be aware that if you keep bringing up all of our favorite memories, I might kidnap you.

7. And finally, today. Today I went out and helped my friend Marsha (who, as a sidenote, is also Marlee's mama) take down wallpaper out of her husband's bathroom. Because that is what friends do. After we did that, the kids came home and we quizzed Marlee on all the happenings at the Prom from a couple days before--we like to live vicariously through her. Once we were done, I headed back to the house to spend some quality time with my mama watching Monday night reality TV. Some say there is no better way to spend an evening, and I cannot argue with those people.

I think that about catches me up! I have a few more places to go and a few more people to see before I happily head back to Athens in a couple days. Meg, I'll meet you at La Caz. :)

We've got a friend

I realize to the a reader's naked eye (the first time I typed that I wrote the naked reader's eye, ha) that it may seem like I only have one friend...

But in reality I have tons of friends. Really. No, really. I DO.

They just are scattered about the land and unfortunately did not follow me to Athens. And while we can't understand their ways in this matter, we must love them anyway.

So without a doubt, Megan is the unexpected blessing that came out of this whole school shenanigan, and by golly if she wasn't EXACTLY what I needed to survive. Besides God of course. Oh, and food and water. And subway. And cable TV, Internet access, and Sonic. Hmm, high maintenance much?

Anyway, back to Meg. When I say things like "I wouldn't trade this experience," a lot of the reason behind that is this crazy loon you can always find me with. And as much as I enjoy the LARGE amounts of time we spend together, I feel the need to report that we also hang out with other people. We SO have other friends.

And I don't just mean Tyler and the dogs.

So without further adieu, I give you one of our friends. Meet Candice.

Candice is a 20-something school counseling grad student. She has been married for I'm not sure how many years to a great guy named Charlie, who is a youth pastor. They have one dog together. After befriending Candice in a Family Dynamics class (SNORE), we found out she would be leaving after graduation. At that time, we decided not to seriously pursue a friendship in efforts to guard our hearts against the pain and suffering we knew we'd feel when she left. But, then she told us how that she was sticking around for another year and BAM--she's back in the game, folks!

Um, Candice, what are you doing over there? I am right in the middle of telling you a story.

Well, yes, I love that magazine too, but is now the right time to flip through it? Plus, I need to get a good picture of you. Cause I have a blog, you know. And I will totally put you on it.

"So, I hear you saying you have a blog. Tell me more about that." (Typical counselor-speak. YOU CAN'T MAKE ME CRY, Candice!)

"Ok ok, just let me get these chips out of my teeth and you can take my picture."

"Hey Jenna, while I'm doing that, will you finish telling me that really awesome story that was totally not long or drawn-out and did not contain a lot of unnecessary details? I laugh just thinking about it. Hee hee ha ha ho."

"In fact, I laugh the whole time I am with you crazy social work gals! I am so glad I am friends with y'all."

And we are SO glad Candice is friends with us, too. :)