Kim's visit

Kim was in town and I was so excited as I love spending time with friends from my past so we had lunch together (with these worm like baked potatoes...very weird...in the pciture). It is so nice to catch up!

Oh boo boo Amy

Unfortunately Amy had to go home early on our shopping day to go to a party that night but never quite made it as she fell down her stairs and badly sprained her ankle having to be off it for the next two weeks! I went over to her house and helped her a little bit but then took her to the airport and of course took pictures in the bathroom for the blog. But Amy got on her way safely and I went home to take a nap.

Lots of Christmas Cheer

Amy and I went out for the day of shopping but when we first stopped to eat we were mobbed with many many Santas! Oh and cupcake women in the first picture.

Brian's Birthday Bash

Candy themed party for Brian. I only got to stay a little while but it was enough time to hold back from eating all the candy in that apartment. I think Brian was Willie Wonka or something with his wig but it turns out he might just have been trying to look like Jess. The scared picture is of us trying to shoot off poppers but mine wouldn't go...and it was making me nervous.

Spa Finale

Before leaving we had to do the moisturizer under ground that we didn't get to do last time so first to the stinky hot springs, then to the mud, and finally to be painted by men (okay they were boys but I still have to make it sound good) in green moisturizer and then you go through the underground caves to sweat it off and then shower it off. Then you end with a room where you can have tea and apples (still underground)...yeah I could do this more often!

Spa Part #2

I forgot our entrance picture...and then our serious of the sauna. It was actually REALLY hot and that sign does say "alcohol in the sauna may lead to unconsciousness" guess we should have read that before enjoying the last of our mimosas in the sauna. But if heat and alcohol didn't cause unconsciousness the super awesome lunch we had after left us in a coma that we needed to sleep off in the sun.

Shadavia's Birthday

YEAH!!! We got to go back to Glen Ivy Spa for Shadavia's birthday because we went free for my birthday so now it was her turn. It was a great day and there was no one there....it was so nice. It was also extremely entertaining to watch the fight between Shadavia and the floating mat. This is how you live up a spa to yourself...

Kayla and Jeremy's new addition!

We tried to smoosh a quick visit to see Kayla and Jeremy's new baby girl. She was so sweet and only a few weeks old. It was so nice of them to let us stop by on our way home before going to get some dinner at my favorite....Cracker Barrel!

Happy Birthday AMY!

We went to Amy's birthday bonfire. It was nice and of course I love any opportunity to eat SMORES!

Visit with friends

I had a visit with Molly (which I forgot to get a picture of), and Belle all at the same time. It felt like there was some deal on traveling to LA because there were a few others in around the same time. I remembered a picture with Belle, who was visiting for a conference, but shared a little time with us...YEAH!

Fun times with Amy and Brian

Amy came over to enjoy my building's grill and hot tub. It was great we cooked it up, ate, and food coma-ed in the hot tub. Brian, Amy and I went out to dinner to enjoy Red Robin...oh I love Red Robin and all they do!

Marissa time!

So on my last travel before leaving for Africa I flew back across country to visit a school in Portland, OR and a school in LA.  My friend from high school (Marissa) and her boyfriend (Andrew) and their two dogs live in Seattle, WA and they drove down to have a weekend in Portland and so we could all hang out.  It was GREAT!  I haven't seen Marissa in years and we had a lot of catching up to do PLUS i had to meet Andrew and the pups.  We stayed in an AWESOME hotel in Portland called The Nines and it is worth looking up on their website because it is great.  Then we went to dinner in an old school house that is converted into a restaurant, bars (like a mini bar in the janitors closet), and a hotel (the classrooms).  It is the greatest idea and it was great food (well after one was returned...then it was all great)!  I had such a great time seeing and meeting them all and i am so glad that they came down for the weekend.  

Friends in Sag Harbor!!!

So here is the story...I used to babysit for these guys when they were 7 in Nashville, TN where i went to college.  That is a real pig that is there pet...one is having a book written after her (since her parent is an author) and the other is new and I met pinky for the first time.  I also got to see how the kids are now TEENAGERS...where does the time go.  It was soooo great to see them and catch up with them as i have missed them so much since they have moved to Sage Harbor i have not seen them.  I can't and can believe how great these kids turned out and I am glad that everyone is doing so well.  We hung out and had the best dinner that Helen (the mother made) that was my favorite meal ever that this woman named Millie (who helped Helen's family out when she was a child and now Helen's own family out in Nashville).  It was so great and so fun to catch up with everyone.  I miss you guys and hope to keep in better touch now.  

Charlotte and Sean visit!

So after Meg and Vicky visited me I drove them to Manhattan and I drove on to Philly to visit a school and see Charlotte and Sean.  This is the first time I have seen them after their wedding so that was fun.  They crack me up and they also made like the best dinner ever.  Sean made fried shrimp and grits and broccoli and it was SOOOOO good i had two plates full.  They were so sweet to cook for me and i had a great time catching up with them and then early the next morning i left to visit the school and then back home.  We had to take a self timer picture as I wanted us ALL to be in the picture..apparently I also wanted the arm of the couch.  

Meg and Vicky visit the farm!

So Meg and Vicki (who I used to teach with...and they still teach in Manhattan) came to visit for the weekend.  Oh what fun we had!  After some tasty drinks and some YUMMY mexican food it was on to the farm.  They had fun with the tractor and meg scooping up vic and then we took a ride in the "Tribe of Angels" truck...you know what they say about three pretty ladies in a truck?  oh i don't know it just sounded good.  Then you REALLY need to check out my little city girls in the car hiding from the friendly milk cow who got out and was circling our car.  It is our neighbors so she came out and put him back in the pen.  You should really click on the picture and see Vicky's face...like "why would you ever have a COW!"  Then there is a picture of us rocking out on Henry (my brother's) band equipment.  We had so much fun and it was sad to have them go.  We missed our fourth member, Fernando, but he thought he wasn't invited....in fact he is probably glad he didn't come as there was a lot of girlness, although he is used to it.