Trip to Houston

This weekend I went to Houston to visit with Stef, Lindsey, and YiTin. http://www2.snapfish.com/fbshareredirect/p=284291248903872183/l=3271569009/g=19807217/redirectURL=share/otsi=SALBBL/AlbumID=1359432009/a=19807217_19807217/usercomments=I_xqd%20like%20to%20share%20my%20Snapfish%20photos%20with%20you.%20Once%20you%20have%20checked%20out%20my%20photos%20you%20can%20order%20prints%20and%20upload%20your%20own%20photos%20to%20share./counttext=35%20photos/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish

Trip to Oxford

There are certain things that I can always count on on my visits to Oxford, Mississippi: comfort food at Ajax on the square, beer that must be "iced down" (because they do not sell cold beer in Oxford), casual conversations about projects with our work, the latest updates on who is doing what and with who, fun times with good people, and kudzu.

On my drive up to Oxford Saturday morning, I had a ball of excitement in my stomach. I sadly hadn't been back to oxford since Courtney and Britton's wedding last August. So I had a million things going through my head on this drive, from what I wanted to eat at Ajax to who all I would see and visit with.

You don't realize just how flat Louisiana is until you drive beyond the state lines. North Mississippi is green rolling hills upon hills. As I pulled off of I-55 and onto Highway 7 on my last stretch to Oxford, I was brought back to my very first drive up to Oxford in May of 2006. I was on my way for a job interview in a place I had only visited once for two hours on a class trip. Along Highway 7 I noticed just how green everything was and I thought, "Wow, what is this green vine that grows over everything?" That was my first introduction to kudzu, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kudzu . I honestly do not think that I had ever seen such a vine before. It takes over everything, and grows wherever the good Lord will allow it. Its like Mississippi keeps her best secrets hidden by kudzu, only for those who live there to enjoy and share. It is such a pretty drive along highway 7 and I feel that those who drive it often may forget to take in its beauty. There are green fields between the hills, along with ponds and an assortment of homes and churches, and dont forget the kudzu.

Once I reached the University Avenue exit I spotted the Kroger, that on my first visit I looked at and thought, "Maybe one day that will be my grocery store for shopping." Sure enough it later became where I did my grocery shopping. My stomach was talking to me by now, I had saved up all morning for our late lunch at Ajax Diner with all of my Oxford friends. I was lucky to quickly find a parking spot on the square and, of course, I was the first to arrive at Ajax. Once everyone (Alexis, Darrell, Courtney, Matt, & Edye) got there and we had our drinks form the bar we settled into the back table. Alexis and I had trouble deciding between which entree to get, the chicken fried steak or the fried catfish. So we each got one and halved both, that was a fabulous idea. It felt as if I had never left and that I wasn't just in for the weekend but still an Oxfordian. Jonathan and then Ginger soon joined us. We talked about weddings, Courtney and Britton's house under construction while they are living happily amongst it all (BTW, it is going to look great!), work, shower hosts, plays, Henry and Sanders, the Solomons tan faces, and why not to call Jonathan when he is putting Sanders to sleep.

The reason for my trip was to attend Julie and Daniels' wedding. Julie looked so beautiful and they both looked so happy. We had a fun shakin' our tail feathers to the "Solid Gold" band. Margaret's cakes were a huge hit and the caramel is still my favorite. Now the newly weds are off to travel California for a month.

After the wedding we took advantage of the "sweet" suite Alexis and Darrell were staying in at the Inn at Ole Miss. Fabulous! I had such a great time with everyone is Oxford and hope to visit again very soon for our next wedding coming up, Ginger and Paul's, August 8th!

Blinds and Blood

We got our blinds put in yesterday and boy do they make a world of difference! They look great.

Also yesterday, Stephen and I had to get physicals for our new life insurance plans. We get to the doctors office and wait for the nurse to get all of our information, height, weight, etc. We knew we had to get blood drawn and since I am never one for pain and I have passed out before giving blood, Stephen said that he would go first. Being so chivalrous, he said he does not get queasy over giving blood. Not two minutes later, the nurses called me back there, to check on him. Stephen was white as Bill (the main vampire on my new favorite show: True Blood) and sweating bullets. He nearly passed out before the nurse had him put his head between his legs to get some blood flowing back to his brain. He perked up a bit later but I was not taking any chances when they took my blood. I told them that I have passed out and get very queasy. They took me back to this fancy recliner and I got to give my blood in comfort and I kept the blood flowing to my head. All is well now and we both got Shipley's donuts out of the ordeal.

Tub Broken In

Syd and Scout enjoyed the luxuries of a whirlpool bath last night. Syd was trying her very best to jump in with me when I was in the tub but poor thing she just could not get her butt over the edge. Once I was finished with my bath I let her get in with the jets on. She just stood there unsure about the water but then tried to bite at the water coming from the jets underwater. I wasnt getting very far with her bath so I had to turn the jets off. Then Scout had his turn but I didnt even chance the jets with his anxious nerves. We now have clean puppies and a new house and, as of last night, an attic full of boxes:)

Squatters

My husband and I can officially be called squatters. We spent our first night in a house that we do not quite own yet! We are expected to close this afternoon but with the expectations of closing Monday afternoon we had everything already moved in to stay last night. The first thing we did yesterday after I got off work and we made our trip to the gym was get sheets on the bed. Now we can sleep!!!! The rest of the evening was spent unpacking clothes and what-nots that I have no idea were they belong just yet. The kitchen is pretty much in order and our master closet it very close. I am having to get rid of a lot of clothes though:( Then went to pick up Syd and Scout to bring them home. Of course they were so excited to get to ride in the car and even more excited to get out at a new place. As the night progressed, I realized that Scout is not so sure about this whole transition. He sat by himself quite a bit last night and looked around wondering when he was going back to visit Memaw and Papa Dave. Sydnee loved it, looking around and smelling everything. We have the whole family home except AJ (the lizard), he is making the move this evening. Stephen is getting his work room all setup and he put the dogs outside area all together this morning. Until we get our fence built they will be confined to what seems like jail to them, an 8'x8' fenced pen or there small pet carrier. We are moving things into the attic this evening, that will get a lot of unnecessary things out of our way. We have some quick paper blinds up at the moment but they really don't keep out much light, so this morning we were all up with the sun ready for Closing day!