A Halloween Weekend Update!

Even though I only had to work 2 days last week, it's always nice to see a Friday evening arrive!  Because we were out of town, we were a little behind in planning our Halloween costumes.  Fortunately though, yours truly came up with an excellent couples costume, but it was going to take some craftiness on our parts.  After running around town finding all the necessary materials, and having a quick dinner at Chili's to watch the last game of the World Series (Go Cards!), it was time to head home and get to work on our costumes!  After a couple of stressful moments, we were ready for the party on Saturday night!

The costume making is underway!

Saturday morning, I was up early to run in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  AND...I am SUPER excited to report that I ran the entire thing!!!!!  No, I didn't do it particularly fast...37:13...but the point is that I did it, and I didn't stop!  I was so proud at the end, I had tears in my eyes!

After coming home and cleaning up, Patrick and I headed out to check out some potential reception venues.  I won't go into any further details, but can I just say that weddings are expensive!!!!  I mean, REAL expensive!  I knew they were very pricey because I've had many friends get married in the last few years, but it doesn't really hit home until you see the dollar signs yourself.  I'm sure we'll get it all under control, but in the meantime, this girls' a little overwhelmed!  I'll definitely report back with more details when I have them.  =)

Saturday night was time for Fred and Wilma Flintstone to leave Bedrock and make their way to Nashville:

We headed to our friend Dobber and Nicole's Annual Halloween Party, and had a great time...It was kinda a bummer that the host and hostess had the exact same costume idea as us, but it made for an excellent photo op:

Let me tell you...red hair spray is a TERRIBLE idea!  Poor Patrick has red residue all over his bathroom!

Sunday was a day of relaxation, but we did manage to make the drive up to Hendersonville to use a Groupon we had bought for Shuckle's Corn Maze!  We had a great time, and both decided this trip was much more relaxing now than it will be in 5 years when there will be kids in the picture.  =)

Patrick in the Corn Maze!

See those kids hunched down in the background?  Yeah, those kids scared me just as this pic was being snapped..hence the funny look on my face!  =)

Hanging out with the Scarecrow!

On the Hay Ride!

And even though I know that Monday is not still the weekend, I had to share some pics of Sweet Zoey on Halloween.  Isn't she adorable?

Hope everyone's weeks are wonderful!

Weekend Update Jamaican Style!

So, I know, I know...I really need to work on my blogging timing...I really want to start doing better!  Let me catch you up with my last weekend update from 2 weekends ago.

I like to pretend my weekend starts the minute I am off work, so I guess last weekend really began on Thursday.  I started the day by running 5 miles and then driving my sweet doggy to meet her Grandmother who was keeping her while her Daddy and I were living it up in Jamaica 'Mon.  Next up was time for a mani/pedi with Alysia!  I loved being able to catch up with her!

Early on Friday morning, I headed to the airport with my sweet beau and we were on our way to the islands.  The first day of our trip was pretty relaxed...after getting settled in at our resort, we just wondered around, figured out where everything was and had dinner.

Hanging out in the airport waiting on our shuttle.

Bob Marley was a pretty big deal over there...as I'm sure you can imagine!

Us testing out the view from our balcony.

Pre-Dinner Shot!

On Saturday morning, we were up early and headed to the gym to work out...yep, that's right, Patrick and Melissa worked out of vacation!  I know, shocking!  It's amazing what an upcoming wedding will do to your will power.  =)  Next up was breakfast, and relaxing by the beach.  We decided to head into town after a couple of hours and check out what there was to see in downtown Montego Bay.  Unfortunately, we hadn't been wandering the streets for 10 minutes when the skies opened up!  After hoovering under the smallest awning ever for approximately a half hour, we decided to head into a store and purchase an umbrella!

To hide from the rain, we also decided to step into the Jamaican Bobsled Cafe and have a drink!

This cafe was started to help support the Bobsled Team (i.e. the guys from the movie Cool Runnings)

Us enjoying a drink...and looking like drowned rats!

They even let you have your picture made in the Bobsled...of course we couldn't pass that up!

Possibly my favorite pic of the whole trip!

After returning back to the resort, we were both pretty tired, so we decided to take it easy that evening.  The next morning though, we were up and at it early so that we could get a good spot at the pool.  I was VERY optimistic for a beautiful day at the pool/beach/resort.  I even took a few pics of the resort to show what a beautiful day it was bound to be:

A view of the pool from the lobby! 

Our view of breakfast every morning!

One of the 3 beaches on the resort!

At this point, I have good news and bad news...the bad news is that it started raining less than 2 hours after we headed out in the sun, and it didn't stop all day long!  The good news is that it was Sunday...so that meant there was football on...You can guess the way we spent the rest of our day...I have to say that with all this rain, this trip was definitely a lesson in relaxation for both Patrick and me...neither of us do that well...

After sitting around in the rain all day, we decided to head to one of the nice restaurants on the resort for dinner that night...it was yummy!

Monday morning was definitely the highlight of the entire trip.  We made the hour and a half trek to Ocho Rios to Dunns River Falls.  It was absolutely amazing...and we got to climb the 95 feet falls!  It was so much fun!  Unfortunately, we weren't able to bring a camera because we were afraid it would have gotten wet, but we did buy one of the pics that were taken of us while climbing the falls.  

The trip was fun despite the bad weather (it definitely rained most of every day we were there), but I think we were both ready to get back to TN to see Sweet Zoey.  After getting off the plane that night, I made the 3 hour drive to Knoxville to pick up my doggy!  I also got to spend the entire day on Wednesday with my Mama because it was her birthday!  Which reminds me...I never did a HAPPY BIRTHDAY post for her!  Sorry Mama!  You know I love you!  Anyway, we had a great day, and then it was time to head back to Nashville and get ready to return to work.  =(

Stay tuned for this past weekend's update!

Project 365 - Week 27

Sunday, October 23 2011 -- Dinner with my Beau After a Rainy Day at the Beach

Monday, October 24, 2011 -- Definitely the Highlight of the Trip

Tuesday, October 25, 2011 -- So Happy to See Sweet Zoey

Wednesday, October 26, 2011 -- After a Long Drive Home, She Voluntarily Climbed in Her Crate!

Thursday, October 27, 2011 - A Not-So-Good Recipe  =(

Friday, October 28, 2011 -- Great Way to End the Week!

Saturday, October 29, 2011 - Fred and Wilma Flintstone

Project 365 -- Week 26

I can't believe I am officially at the half way mark of my Project 365...this has been so fun so far, but I must admit...it's not nearly as easy as I thought it would be...Here are my photos from Week 26:

Sunday, October 16, 2011 -- Mapping out the drive to Columbia for  Kat, AC and myself to have dinner!

Monday, October 17, 2011 -- Relaxing with my sleepy doggy!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011 -- Taking it Old School until I can get the iPhone!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011 -- Spending some QT with her Daddy before we leave!

Thursday, October 20, 2011 -- Getting my pre-Jamaica mani/pedi!

Friday, October 22, 2011 -- Just landed in Jamaica, 'mon!

Saturday, October 23, 2011 -- Enjoying the Jamaican Bobsled Cafe!

It's OK Thursday!

On this lovely Thursday, It's OK...

1.  That I'm not writing this post until 10:30 on Thursday evening...It's been a crazy busy day!

2.  That I almost cried when I left Sweet Zoey with my mom tonight!  I know she is in great hands with her Grandma and Grandpa, and I realize she is a dog...not a human being, but she seemed so sad and scared for me to leave her.  Nevermind the fact that when I talked to my mom 4 hours later, Zoey was doing fine and running around the house playing with all of Peppermint's toys.  =)  Looks like she recovered nicely!

3.  That we STILL don't have a date set for our wedding!  That's at the top of my agenda when we get back from our little weekend getaway!

4.  That despite the fact that I know Patrick is going to roll his eyes when he sees all of my luggage tomorrow, I'm still not putting any of my clothes back up!  I'm a girl...I can't help it!

5.  That even though I haven't ran regularly in a couple weeks, I decided I still needed to do a long run today and was able to whip out 5 miles without too much pain!

Well, that's all from me until the middle of next week!  Here's to all of you (and me) having a great weekend!

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

It's Wednesday, and I am so happy to be back telling you that I'm loving:

1.  That today is my Friday!  The last 2 months have been pretty tough and I am so happy to have some relaxation time!

2.  That is less than 48 hours, I will be on a plane to beautiful Jamaica with my beau!  After this incredibly cold and rainy day, I can't wait to stick my toes in the sand, with a beverage with an umbrella in it!

3.  That when I started following my sister on Pinterest this week, I found out she has created a board called "Melissa's Bachelorette Party."  BEST. MOH. EVER.

4.  That my mama and I have decided on THE weekend that we will trapse all over Nashville in search of the perfect wedding dress!  It's definitely both of our favorite part of this entire wedding process!

5.  And last but not least, this guy...

And this doggy:

She wanted to get ready for football Saturday with her own football!

What are you loving this week?  Hopefully, TONS of stuff!

Weekend Updates!

So, weekend before last, we made the trek to East Tennessee to head to the Tennessee game.  Because we don't get to Knoxville often enough we usually spend the entire weekend running around trying to catch up with everyone!

The weekend started off on Saturday morning after my run at the good ole Carter High School track!  Man, I feel old heading back to my alma mater!  Next up, was a delicious breakfast prepared by my sweet mama!  YUMMY!

After relaxing with the family in the morning, Patrick and I headed into Knoxville to meet up with Elaine and Ken!  It has been way too long since I've spent time with them.  It was great to catch up!

Next, it was time to head to the UT game with Rob and Andi!  Again, we don't get to spend enough time with them, so it was so nice having them to our selves for an evening.

Rob and Andi are celebrating a pregnancy and an engagement before the game...at least they said that's what they were celebrating...I suspect that neither of them needed an excuse.  =) 

Me with my beau!

Hanging out with the cute preggo lady!

Even though the game didn't turn out quite as we had hoped (such a regular occurrence for us poor Vol fans), we still had a wonderful weekend in Knoxville.

After having lunch with the 'rents on Sunday, it was time to head back to Nash-Vegas for Alysia's Birthday party.  Her boyfriend, Ed, did a great job on all the food and he even made her a homemade strawberry cake that was ah-mazing!

After the super stressful work week I experienced this week, last weekend was much less busy and much more relaxing.  Friday night, I volunteered at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk.  It was a great experience with many, many survivors, patients, family, friends, and people remembering loved ones who were gone too soon.

I had been a little under the weather this week, and therefore, didn't sleep well on Friday night.  When I woke up at 3:00 on Saturday morning and couldn't go back to sleep, I finally got out of bed and was super productive until 6:00, when I decided to get back in bed.  No, this isn't something I usually do, but it was the most productive I've felt in weeks!  I should try it more often!  =)

Saturday morning, after doing a little bit of final work related stuff, I head to breakfast with my beau.  We headed over to First Watch (a new breakfast place over in Brentwood).  It was amazing!  Patrick got cheddar and bacon pancakes and I got a breakfast skillet.

Since PetCo was just next door, we picked up a few goodies for Sweet Zoey:

Next up was the Music and Molasses Festival.  Neither of us had ever been, but I have been wanting to check it out for several years now!  Since we didn't have anything planned, we decided to head out there for an afternoon.  It was tons of fun, and a little different than I expected.  There was obviously both music AND molasses, but there was also tons of crafty stuff, BBQ, and Fried Snickers Bars.

This owl was from a nearby conservatory! 

Goofing off!  My mom said this should be our Engagement Pictures.  =)

Pure heavenly-ness (Is that even a word?)

Enjoying the day together!

We ended our Saturday night with a nice dinner with Kirk, Teona, and Adriana, and then we headed over to Adam and Alacia's to hang out with them for a little bit.

Sunday was the laziest day ever, complete with a homemade breakfast, football, and laundry.  Then, Kathleen and I headed to Columbia to meet up with Anna Catherine for a fun catch-up dinner.  We don't get to spend nearly enough time together, so it was great to get in some good girl time!

Hope you all have a wonderful week!