Well, I'm off!
Time to get this crazy loon married.
I'm so happy for my little friend, and I am SO excited it's finally time to hit the road and enjoy a long weekend of holy matrimony.
Thank you, Lord, for this friendship and for all these years of laughs, tears, extreme randomness, and late night talks about all of our many dreams.
You continue to prove Your timing is ALWAYS perfect.
And I'm SO glad it's time for Lindsay's dream of becoming a wife to finally come true!
Last night as I pulled into Walmart, I made a bad decision. Most of the time the bad decision is actually going to Walmart, but when I decided to forego my purse and just put my check card in my pocket - I took train wrecks to the next level.
It's interesting because lately I have noticed that my inner voice (or whatever you call it) has been getting really loud. In addition (and most surprisingly), it keeps being right!
I wish I had remembered this fact when, as I stuck my card in my pocket, I thought "You know this probably isn't the best idea. The card could totally fall out of my pocket and that would NOT be good."
Insert card into pocket.
"Tap tap, is this thing on?" -Inner Voice
Unfortunately my next thought was, "Yeah, but what are the chances of that happening?" Sometimes all the mixed messages are confusing.
I'm sure you can probably see where this story is going.
And I know it's no secret that I have had my share of check card drama in the past. I actually just got a new card recently due to an unfortunate run-in with some internet ordering on a non-secured website. (The short version of that story is that I ordered some DVD's from what I thought was a legit site - only to realize it was a site run by foreigners pirating DVD's and selling them for cheap.)
Lord, have mercy.
No identities were stolen thank goodness, and I did order a new card and cancel the old one - just in case. And to be honest, my intent was to never even tell anyone that story, but when my dad called one day and asked, "What is this package from Singapore??" the cat was kind of out of the bag.
So all of that prelim info to say again, I made a bad decision last night - the ramifications of which came to light when I was at the checkout counter and realized there was no card to be found in my pocket.
Small panic attack. Mental beating of self. Slow realization of what this would mean longterm should I not find it lying in the halls of WM (embarrassment, hassle, public shame, disownment by family and friends).
With panic-stricken eyes, I asked the nice lady behind the register if she would hang on while I went to "get my card out of my car." It was a lie. I knew it wasn't there, but I'm trying to cut down on giving so much unnecessary information to innocent bystanders all the time.
(Sorry this blog missed the cut on who I will have mercy on.)
I went out to my car and, as I already knew, the card was not there. I grabbed my wallet and thanked the Lord I at least had another way to pay (my checkbook) so I didn't have to lose my check card and my hope for a delicious supper all in one fell swoop.
I walk back in to find a line a mile long at the counter and my groceries bagged up in a cart pushed to the side. I briefly mentioned to the checkout lady that I thought I might have dropped my card in the store and that I was going to do a quick check while she finished checking out all the smart, purse carrying women in line.
I went back to cosmetics. Revisted the card section. Made the same walk down the grocery aisles as I had done only moments before. No plastic card - full of all the money I have in the world - to be found.
With head hung low, I headed back to Register 6 whose line had reached 2 miles in length.
I wanted to go right away to customer service to see if anyone had turned the card in (my last glimmer of dwindling hope), but the checkout girl said she'd go ahead and check me out.
Aka, she would allow me to break in front of all the innocent bystanders and proceed to check out. It's always fun being that girl.
"Did you find your card?" she asked as I pulled out my checkbook.
"No, I didn't," I replied.
"Oh no! Well I really hope you didn't drop it in here. That would be terrible."
Yeah, got that. Please note the PANIC STRICKEN EYES!
About the time I was saying, "Yes that would be terrible and I am pretty sure that is what happened," her mouth turned to a frown because something funny was happening with my check.
At that point I began examining the ceiling for hidden cameras.
Turns out, our Walmart has a hard time processing checks from my bank. Something about the paper. All I know is I stood there sweating with a line of people staring at me while 2 managers came over to try to help me. Also while, I presumed, a random person had picked up my card from the ground and was hitting up every gas station from Georgia to South Carolina.
"I'm sorry ma'am, you are going to have to go over to Customer Service," said the manager.
GREAT! I wanted to scream. That's exactly where I wanted to go 20 minutes ago before all hope was lost that I'd ever get out of this Walmart alive.
As I walked over to Customer Service, I shared with the manager fellow the whole reason behind why I was using a check in the first place. He seemed like the kind of guy with an ear to listen.
"Oh really?" he replied. "Well I'd be glad to check at Customer Service and see if anyone turned it in. No problem at all."
Bless you, kind sir. And please, if you don't find it, perhaps you have a gun back there? Ok, thanks.
He scurried away while the new (and even less-enthused) checkout lady tried - to no avail - to get my check to work. All the while I was praying there ever-popular Promise Prayer on a constant loop. (Dear Lord, if you will just PLEASE let him find my card I PROMISE I will never be an idiot again.)
And then.
Then it happened.
The door swung open and within his grasp I saw it - the prettiest little piece of plastic in all the world!!!
My hands immediately covered my screaming mouth, and I shouted too loudly, "YOU HAVE JUST MADE MY LIFE COMPLETE!"
(Who knew it was that easy?)
He handed me my card and I immediately handed it to the checkout lady whom I nearly hugged (I would have but my inner voice was warning against it).
I left the store doing 4 things.
1. Sweating profusely.
2. Thanking the Lord for the great things He hath done.
3. Saying a special prayer for the Lord to heap blessings on the kind soul that turned my card in.
and lastly
4. Vowing to listen to my Inner Voice forevermore.
Ya'll know what is SO fun?
Doing a weekend recap on the events that happened TWO weekends ago!
Try it. It's very exciting. It's like you get to re-live the whole thing over again, and this is especially fun when friends and parties and all things wedding were involved.
So, to be clear.
The story you are about to read did not occur this past weekend. Actually, this past weekend was filled with tons of fun of it's own that, by the looks of it, you will probably hear about NEXT Monday.
Ok, so as I've talked about before, last Thursday I set off to the west side of the state unexpectedly to attend the funeral home and funeral of my sweet friend's mom.
(My BFF, the road.)
I drove down on Thursday and met up with my little gang and after we finished visiting with the family at the funeral home, we went to grab a bite to eat.
I hated so badly the reason we were all together, but I did, as always, love seeing my people.
Brittany (who is from and lives in the same town as Kara and who I stayed with that night) said during dinner, "It's so weird having ya'll here on a Thursday night."
By weird she meant awesome.
The boys.
Sidenote: Right after this picture was taken, the guy you see in the back ground asked Bri if she had an empty cup in her car for to spit his dip in. Classy.
His wife was mortified beyond all belief, but Bri did have a cup to give him because she always pulls out with the win.
Friday was the funeral and more visiting. I finally left K's house around 6 and headed about an hour down the road to where Lindsay resides.
I pulled in, changed out of my dress (and into the same shirt from the night before because sometimes, you're clothes fail you), and headed off with Justin and Lindsay to eat some Mexican.
We had fun putting a major hurt on some chips and salsa and ended the night listening to Justin and this little buddy (the son of one of his co-workers) sing Zac Brown's Chicken Fried.
Afterwards we were like Zac Brown who? This little cutie was named Jonathan. Earlier in the night he had introduced himself to Linds by saying, "Hi, my name is Jonathan. You can call me Johnny."
Johnny, you are going places, bud.
I mean, check out his audience.
(The little boy on the far left was taking notes.)
Afterwards it was back to Lindsay's CUTE CUTE CUTE new house for the night. Here it is the next morning.
On Saturday Linds, Justin, and I bummed around the house. Then we got dressed, went to a couple antique stores, ate lunch at this cute little corner deli, and then went to the movies.
Bumming around their town was the perfect way to spend the day!
After the movie we went back home and got ready for the party.
Lin was excited!
The party was being thrown by some of their friends and was out at the cutest pond house.
There was a great turn out, including the irreplaceable Brittany and Earle.
They seriously crack me up.
They also crack themselves up.
Lots of friends and fam were represented that night. Here are Justin and Lindsay with her brothers who used to be little boys and now, well, I can't talk about it. They're huge. And SO SO SO sweet.
The couple with the hostesses!
They had hamburgers and hot dogs and all the fixins.
And, well, there was this. You can always count on Publix.
I mean really. Can I just please get an amen.
At one point in the night I handed the camera over to Earle to get a picture with Britt. Earle has always been a lover of the candids.
Brittany called this our engagement photo.
We called this one the pregnant pic. (It's actually just a food baby.)
Present time is always exciting.
Justin has a special love for a griddles.
W is for Welcome to the Wynn's!
The goods.
It's almost time for these girls to put on their wedding and bridesmaid gowns, respectively.
Amy modeling how to sign the scrap book.
Lindsay's cousin Marcey and her significant other - ANOTHER EARL! We love Earl(e)'s here.
The 3 Amigas. Muy loca.
More fun party pics!
I cannot wait to head back down on Thursday to kick off the actual WEDDING festivities. I can't believe it already time!
And just for good measure, here is a picture I took on my way back on Sunday. You never know what you will find on a GA back road.
It seems we weren't the only one partying hard a couple weekends ago.
Before we get to the Big AL and the Eagles, I must brag a moment for my man Jake and his mad football skill set.
I went to his game last night, and imagine our extreme excitement (and extremely loud yelling) when the quarterback handed off the ball to him and he RAN IT IN FOR A GATOR TD!! He just got switched to running back this week, and this was his first touchdown ever! What a beast.
Here is the picture his mama snapped after he stiff-armed a couple of defenders and ran it into the end zone.
The crowd went wild.
It was a win for the Gators last night AND it was a win for our Eagles last Saturday.
Alan remembers the 43-26 victory fondly.
This week the men in blue are at home to take on Elon.
Elon, don't get too comfortable and please remember that this is OUR HOUSE. Thanks and goodbye.
We were back in Daddy's GSU shrine disguised as an office this week where commercials are written, practiced, and executed after only 102 takes.
(Seriously, after about 100 takes I said, "Daddy, you have two more tries and then I'm leaving." You gotta get stern with these Hollywood types!)
LET'S GO EAGLES!
Note: "Solve the Riddle" is in reference to Elon's senior quaterback who currently holds the Southern Conference in passing yardage. He also holds all-time SoCon records in for completions, pass attempts, and touchdown passes.
For the record - we ain't scared, Riddle. We're 'bout to solve ya.
Happy Football, everybody!
I have picked up a few extra talents this week...
-Going to bed early
Sunday night = 8pm, Monday night = 10pm, and Tuesday night = 10pm. The word that comes to mind is "unprecedented". Surely the world is about to end.
-Putting off purchasing a new computer
I can't lie - I am just not that great with big decisions. Now procrastination - well there is something I have perfected over time. It is not all my fault though, as I have found that researching the buying of a new computer without a computer is kind of tricky. I do have Al and Deb's desktop but it is slower than your grandmother.
-Not working a 40 hour week
3 Fridays ago I took off at 1pm to make an emergency trip to David's Bridal in Macon. (I had a little bridesmaid dress situation.)
2 Fridays ago I took off to drive to Tybee and kick off the Bachelorette Weekend.
Last Thursday I left at 2:30 to make it down to LaGrange for the funeral home and then was obviously off on Friday for the funeral and to hang out with my sweet friend.
Yesterday I left at lunch for a doctor's appointment in Savannah.
Who knows what reasons I'll come up with today so I can leave early!
-Spontaneous shampoo amnesia
As I was getting out of the shower yesterday, I realized I had no recollection of washing my hair. Like none at all. It was wet, but I could not remember if I had actually used shampoo.
I opted to believe that I had, which I now feel was in error.
I told Mama before I left that I wasn't sure if I'd washed it or not.
She laughed and said, "Oh I've done that! They say that's good for your hair not to wash it everyday."
Realizing she and I were not on the same page I responded, "Yeah Mama, but I wet it. I just can't remember if I used shampoo or not."
"Oh."
"Mother, if it was dry when I got out of the shower I would have known I didn't wash it!"
You are welcome for that peak into convos between Deb and Jen.
-Taking baths in Route 44's
So, when I left work yesterday, I ran by Sonic because I really feel uncomfortable going on any kind of road trip without a diet coke at arms reach.
Here's a note about Route 44's. They weigh like 10lbs. They are really not conducive to drinking while driving because when it come to The 44 - two hands seem to be better than one.
Well, that is the conclusion I came to at least, as I watched my big honker (missing only a few sips) slip from my hand, crash down onto my console, and spill out all over the place including but not limited to my leg & foot, the floor, and (interestingly enough) the dashboard.
Just for clarification, I was driving down the road at the time. I had nothing left to do but add my tears to the 44 ounces of diet coke sloshing around underneath my feet.
-Taking necessary steps to stay conscious during medical procedures involving needles and stitches
I went to the dermatologist yesterday to get a couple of funky spots biopsied. Your fair-skinned friend does this often and it is all very routine - but whether or not this said white girl will pass out is always up in the air. Thankfully my doctor is amazing and always enjoys when I say, "Just as a friendly reminder, I do tend to pass out during these things."
Then the nurse will say, "Ok, sweetie, let's just lay you on down" in a very bless-her-heart kind of tone.
-Acrobatics
Nothing makes you feel more like a circus freak than having your chair let back so far (farther than originally planned due to sudden light headedness and rapid heart beat while being stitched up) that you feel as if you are literally hanging upside down. :-)
It worked though!
-Taking pictures on the sly
I went and saw the most AMAZING movie last Saturday with Linds and Justin. It was the new Ben Affleck movie called "The Town" and here is my review of the movie: the movie is off the chain and Ben A. is the hottest man alive right now.
I told Lindsay after the movie that Ben Affleck and I have the same dermatologist. I'm not sure she believed me.
So yesterday when the receptionist went to make a copy of my insurance, I slipped in a picture of this autographed headshot that hangs in my doctor's office. The trick was doing it without anyone seeing me. (I have a reputation of coolness to protect.)
The message says something about "thanks to the best skin care doctors in the low country - or ANY country!"
Apparently Mr. Affleck visits my doctor when he resides at his Savannah home. I think it's a sign I should be in his next movie.
-Finding shoes for 1/2 off
Have I mentioned my BFF is getting married in about 11 days? And that I am in the wedding? Also, have I mentioned that I procrastinate?
Roll all that together and you get a girl in a wedding in 11 days with no shoes to go with her bridesmaid dress.
So after the doctor it was off to the mall where I lived the impossible dream - finding a pair of silver shoes. I found several but I really was not interested in paying $30 at PAYLESS (!!!) for shoes I would probably never wear again because they were BRIGHT silver and quite ugly to say the least.
So I walked all over that mall and finally found some. Normally $50 for $25 AND I could actually wear them again because they are a very toned-down silver.
I tried on my dress last night with them and they look great. I love beating the odds.
-Allowing my heart to let Fall in
If it were up to me, it would be Fall all year long. But when the weather starts to cool off ever so slightly, I always guard my heart. It is hard for me to recover if I just jump right in and then it gets back up to 1,000 degrees. So I enjoy the cool breezes and the ability to breathe outdoors with a grain of salt.
But alas, when I got home yesterday the house was decorated and I could deny Fall no longer. And I am SO pumped.
I am always so happy to see Corn Man. The true sign that Fall has come.
And if Corn Man wasn't enough to mark the changing of the seasons, one of our nurses just popped her head in and said, "Can I interest you in a flu shot?"
Just lay me down, sista.
Happy Wednesday!
September was always slated to be a busy month. When the final list of dates was established for the Lindsay/Justin wedding circuit (4 straight weekends of wedding fun), I went out to my car, slapped it on it's bumper and told it to get ready, baby - we were about to get to know each other really well.
The Bach weekend started it all off with a bang, and it was to be followed by a couple's shower at the pond house of one of Lindsay's high school friends this past Saturday night.
It is a crazy time in life to be sure, but it is so fun and there is so much happiness to be shared as we marry off another one of our girls. I couldn't be more excited for the couple and this really is what it's all about, you know? Doing life together. Sharing the joys.
But, as we all know, it is all too often not just the joys we share, but the sorrows as well. I was blatantly reminded of this fact last week when I spoke to my dear friend and former college roommate on the phone following the unexpected loss of her mama.
I got off the phone, looked at my co-worker, and said, "We are way too young to be having that conversation."
My original plan for the end of the week was to go to Jake's game on Thursday, chill on Friday night, and then head to Lindsay's on Saturday. It turned out to be a longer weekend than originally planned for this very unwelcomed and unexpected reason.
I left work early on Thursday to drive to LG to meet up with Bri & Earle and Linds & Justin at the funeral home. I was so glad to be able to hang out with Kara at her home that night and privileged beyond belief to attend the memorial service for her sweet mom on Friday. It was an incredible service with amazing music and an amazing message. And when my dear friend (whom I have long-since said has the most amazing voice of anyone I've ever heard) stood up and sang Amazing Grace for her mom, there was not a dry eye in the whole place. It was a moment I will never forget for the rest of my life. The service ended with eulogy given by one of her mom's best friends that had us all laughing and crying.
Again, sorrow and joy. Life is so weird.
I left from KK's that evening and headed to Griffin to continue my weekend as planned. My heart was so heavy for one friend, so excited for another.
I have tons of pictures from the rest of the weekend's activities. We had a great day on Saturday and the party was SO fun. That post will be forthcoming with more pictures and words than anybody but my mama (and maybe Lindsay's mama) will care to see/read, but post them all I shall!
"I will turn their mourning into joy and will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow."
~Jeremiah 31:13~
Ya'll just can't imagine the obstacles Big Al and I have overcome to get these last 3 commercials recorded. First, there is the issue of my computer recently going to be with the Lord. Then there are the crazy schedules we have been trying to coordinate. Then, as soon as you think you've got it worked out, electrical issues try to render you light-less.
It's kind of like a game, actually. A game we thankfully keep winning thanks to some creativity and friends who let me borrow their computers (I'm looking at you Marsha and Bri Tanner).
Speaking of winning games, I'm hoping that is just what our men in blue do tomorrow!
