the season is upon us

Over the last couple of days I've gotten all my Christmas decorations out and placed around the apartment. Now my home is officially festive. I love looking at my tree all lit up. It's full of ornaments both old and new, some are mine, some are Russell's. Last year my mom gave me a bunch that used to me on my granny's tree. Those are my favorites. My granny passed away when I was in second grade so there's a lot I don't remember. I do remember Christmas time with her. I used to sit and stare at the ornaments on her tree, they were always so cool. Granny loved the holidays and having the whole family together.

The only bad part about the tree is no presents underneath!

On my kitchen table are the poinsettas that used to always be on granny's table. They're fake but neither my mom or myself can bear to get rid of them.

Last year Russell and I got a package from his family that had a nativity set in it. The pieces are handmade and look like stained glass. Very cool!

photo fun

I saw a post over at Jessica in Rome and thought it looked like a fun idea. It's using Google pictures in a meme. Here's a few questions about me

My hometown






Favorite color






Favorite place I've visited






My weakness






My degree is in





Favorite smell (reminds me of my granny's house)







Food I always have a taste for








What I love about winter







Astrological sign








What I want for Christmas







;) If you decide to do one for yourself, let me know where I can read it. Have fun!

city swap surprise

Yay! I came home today and found a package on my doorstep. My fellow city swapper, Peaceable Imperatrix sent me some great items. Here's a quick glimpse of the goodiesA closer look shows these little star shaped origami wishes. I thought they were very creative and so cute! Although I have to admit that the first thing that caught my attention was the smell of chocolate when I opened the box. Mmmm, homemade hot cocoa. (Yes, it made it's way down here just fine) When the cold weather begins to roll in I will definitely enjoy that while sitting in front of the fireplace. Thanks so much for all the cool stuff!

I know that I had fun putting together items for my recipient. I can't wait for their package to arrive. And I also want to thank Shelley over at At Home In Rome for getting this all together. She also happens to be on the receiving end of the box I sent :)

reggie, the neighborhood goose

Tonight was another nice night for a walk. I'm trying to take advantage of the good weather while it lasts. We took our usual route which circles through the neighborhood next to our apartment complex. There's normally not a lot of traffic and people are always out working in their yards or walking. A few of the houses in one area back up to a little pond that has a fountain and sometimes a couple of fisherman.

As we got near those houses, I noticed a guy standing out by the street. I didn't see a dog with him so I was curious what he was doing. I got closer and saw he was tossing something on ground. It turns out he was throwing pieces of bread to a goose who had wandered into the street. This was not just any goose though, the man told me this was Reggie. He's a stray. Reggie likes to hang out in people's garages and will keep you company while you work in the flower bed. I suppose this is because none of the other geese will bond with him. This is the story I got from the guy trying to coax him out of the road.

I'm happy to report that Reggie made it safely into the yard and headed for the pond.

part 4

I'm really beginning to enjoy celebrating my birthday all month long.

*Note to self: remember to do this every year.

As you may recall, it all began earlier this month. Part 1 and Part 2 began here. The following weekend, Part 3. So now we are at Part 4 and possibly the finale. Who knows what will happen over the holiday weekend though ;) Anyways, I had a very nice dinner Friday night with Russell at a new Italian place nearby. That was followed up by lunch together the next day. I have to say I am enjoying working with him because I get to see him more often.

When I left my apartment Saturday I was welcomed by not only wonderful fall weather but also this pretty pictureAfter Russ and I had lunch, I decided that I needed to take Ally to the park. I knew she would want to go, she never passes up an opportunity to be outside. I grabbed a tennis ball and my keys and we headed out. While she was waiting for me to lock the door she knew something was upand that's as still as she was until we got home. Once she saw her tennis ball bulging out of my pocket, it was like ants in her pants. We played until she wouldn't chase the ball anymore.

Later that evening, some friends and I went to Tumbleweed for dinner and Amy and I each had a margarita as big as our heads. Really, it's like a fish bowl, and soooo good. After dinner Amy and I went to Vinnie's, which is where we were originally going to go a week ago. We had a blast! We sang all the words to almost every song and even got on stage with Rick to help him act out a song. (Rick used to work with us and he deejay's on weekends)

I guess I've been trying to prove to myself that I'm really not that old yet. We'll see how long this theory holds up.

new work

For the last couple of weeks I have been working for Russ helping him with payroll. I am in charge of one of his biggest clients, Churchill Downs. They have a fall meet, which we're in right now, and the spring meet when the Derby is run. Russ usually has so many employees working everyday that all their info and hours have to go into the computer daily. It's not as bad as it sounds, at least not yet. One of the biggest days during the fall meet is Thanksgiving Day and it draws a pretty big crowd. Bigger than you might imagine for this holiday. So next week should be the real test for me. After this meet is over, Russ and I have discussed me staying in the office to help with the rest of the payroll. I agreed to help since it will relieve some stress off Russ and get me some extra money till I graduate. Next month, baby!

Maybe working with Russ will improve things between us, hopefully. Oh yeah, I guess that I should mention I'm not working for aunt anymore. It's hard to work for free...

a mixed up weekend

This weekend I was able to continue the party for my birthday. Myself and a couple of friends went out for drinks and some dancing.
Here we are in the parking lot after sweating it out on Joe's dance floor. (You have to love the close ups of self photos.)

Over the weekend, I heard on the news that the 'Extreme Makeover' crew was in town. The family that was chosen has a son at University of Louisville who is in the marching band and he was born blind. I'm sure whatever the team designs, it will be amazing. If I can catch sight of any action I'll be sure to post it.

I also had dinner at my parents house (for birthday) which meant some of mom's home cooking and dessert! After we all ate my mom and I took some dinner over to my Papaw. My step-grandmother has been in the hospital for the last week or so and she's not doing very well. They don't expect her to return home which means Papaw has been pretty lonely around the house. He has dementia and can't always remember if he's taken his medicine or even if he's eaten. It's sad to see him this way because you can tell how frustrated he is when he can't recall something.I try to talk to him about Italy (he was stationed on Capri during the war) or photography (which he picked up while in the service). He loves telling these stories. Mostly because he remembers them. At 86 years old he still has tales I've never heard and makes me laugh.

happy birthday to me!

Tonight for my birthday, Russ took me out to eat at P.F. Chang's. We had a nice dinner and then I came home to hang out with Ally. Yep, just me and the dog. I honestly didn't expect much since it's the middle of the week but some friends and I have some tentative plans to go dancing this weekend. We're going to Vinnie's which plays 70's and 80's music. I used to work with one of the guys that is a deejay there (Rockin' Slick Rick) so it will be nice to see him as well.

If for some reason we don't go, I won't be totally disappointed. Last weekend a friend from high school, who's pictured here, (again, not my best picture) took me to dinner and then out for drinks and live music. We had a great time talking, laughing and reminiscing. It was a very nice night.

In other good news, a couple I met with last month about doing their wedding photography, has reached a decision. So on May 24, 2008 I'm booked for the day. Yay! I never thought I wanted to do weddings but it's actually kind of fun. A lot of work, but fun, especially when you see the results and how happy it makes the new couple. :)

the reunion

So...things aren't great but at least they are getting better. When I last wrote, I remember I was not looking forward to my high school reunion. I have to say that it didn't turn out as bad as I thought it might. It started out a little rough though. The day of I was in a panic because I didn't have any dress slacks to wear (a few hours before the reunion I was told no jeans) so I hit the closest stores and began trying on pants left and right. I was having really bad luck in the fitting rooms and I was starting to get really pissed off. Finally, I found a pair of black slacks that fit perfectly everywhere-except the waist. They were too big. Screw it, I bought them anyways. I couldn't endure another minute in front of the dressing room mirror.

I raced home to get the dog and then headed to my parents. No, Ally didn't go as my date, she went to my parents to stay the night. I knew there would be significant alcohol consumption on my part and I didn't want to have to worry about getting home to let her out. Once I got my pants pinned I drove over to Brianne and Scott's where they were waiting with Amy and Wes. We all loaded up in Bri's "momma mobile" with a cooler of beer and made for the reunion. Scott has always been wild, ever since high school.



So who was my date? Well, not Russ. We've been having some problems of late and according to him on the subject of attending events together, he's not sure how we should act. ??? I don't get it but, whatever. I took Amy's cousin because he's a nice guy and I knew we'd have fun. Plus Amy's husband Wes would have at least one person he knew to talk to. Halfway through the night my "date" and Wes were M.I.A. It turns out they spent most of the night in the parking lot with the cooler. At least they had a good time. Here I am with Wes, he's a mess.



And of course me and Amy



We only had the hall rented till midnight so when it was time to leave a lot of people headed down the street to one of the local bars, T.K.'s. It's one of those places where you can always count on running into someone you know. Everyone continued to drink, dance, play pool and have fun.

Here's me and Dain at T.K.'s and I have to say I was not as drunk as this photo would lead you to believe, Dain on the other hand was. :) Amy is supposed to send me more pics so I'll post them when I get them. It was really good to see everyone so yes, I'm glad I went.