Birthdayed Out

Fabulous birthday weekend fo sho!
Brad gets the 'best hubby' award for all that he did!

Since hubs gets every other Friday off and this happened to be his Friday off...he started with.

WAIT FOR IT!

Cleaning the whole house!! I got home from work to a clean house and this.

(Don't mind how bad I look. I didn't dress up for work too much that day)

A bike and a bag of 'treasures'.

Treasures as in fun dollar store stuff that Brad knows I like. Such as? These dryer balls! Has anyone tried these?
My Mom swears by them.
Also in the bag my favorites: gum, hand sanitizer, and chapstick.

AND!! A bottle of some of my favorite wine. Can't beat Franciscan.

Then off to a nice dinner at The Fig Tree. Another one of my favorites in my old neighborhood.

Then Saturday morning - a 10-mile bike ride along Charlotte's Four Mile Creek Greenway.

Nice indeed! We even saw several deer along our ride.

But.. at the very end of the ride -- I like a dumbass fell off my bike. Can you say RETARDED?

Here's the damage. Not too bad..

A little fall didn't stop us though! We went and tailgated for the Panthers vs. Titans game. We met up with some of my old neighbors.

We had planned on going to the game but opted out after standing in the sun. Instead we watched it at a bar with friends.

Then the weekend was topped off with dinner last night at Mez with my friend Kelli followed by seeing Eat, Pray, Love. LOVED the movie and dinner! Thanks to Kelli and to Brad for a fantabulous weekend!

I am officially birthdayed out!!

Now - a week of work and then I'm headed to St. Simons Island this weekend for a girls trip with cousin Alayna and several others traveling in from all over. Can't wait! Now - if only Earl will stay away!

Looking Back 5-years ago this weekend

My birthday is Sunday and I'll be 35-years old. I'm not going to lie. I'm a bit bummed about turning this age. It seems like just yesterday that I was turning 30?


Sunday also marks another event aside from my birthday though. The 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
Yep. Katrina hit on my 30th birthday which is something I'll never forget. My ex-boyfriend had planned a big party for me that was slated to start in New Orleans on the 31st and continue to Baton Rouge where we were going to tailgate and attend the first LSU game of the season.

I was set to hang out with my besties like Jodee(below)and sip hurricanes from Pat O's and one of my favorite bars in the city(and the oldest in America)Lafittes Blacksmith Shop.

(This picture below was taken just a few months before Katrina.)

But...Mother Nature had something else planned. I had taken the whole week of my birthday off and went to SF and Napa the first part of the week with my Mom and met up with all my West Coast friends. The plan was to fly back on the 30th and then fly back out to Louisiana on the 31st.

Then...I started getting calls from all my friends in La. talking about some hurricane. My response was 'oh, calm down -- it was come through and everything will be back open in time. That's what always happens. There's no way they will cancel the LSU game!'

So, I went about my trip and figured things would work out. On the 28th of August I stayed up all night in my Napa hotel room watching the weather. Hoping, praying...and guess what?! NOLA dodged the bullet!!

I was STOKED!!!
That next morning we had a wonderful private wine tasting at Beringer. Things were looking up and on track.
This was suppose to be the last big event of the trip.

Then a birthday lunch at the Culinary Institute of America The Greystone.

From there we drove back to San Francisco and checked into our hotel and turned on the TV.

OMG!!!! WHAT HAPPENED???

The levees had broken.........

I was heartbroken watching the television. Thank goodness I knew all my friends had gotten out.

We called my brother and his family who live in a town not too far from New Orleans. It took us FOREVER just to get through to them because the phone lines were jammed.

They said it was chaos.

To make a long story short -- we didn't go to La. and Mom and I stayed in CA. We toured Carmel, Big Sur, etc.

But to be honest.. it wasn't any fun. The whole time all we could think about was my brother, our friends, family and those people living in the Superdome.

It was a traumatic time for sure. I cried after talking to my friend Jodee who was living in a hotel room in Houston with her boyfriend, mom, dad and 80-year old grandmother. She wasn't sure if there home was underwater or not. She wasn't sure when or if she would go home. She was in graduate school. What would that do to her semester that had just started?

Life changed forever. The Gulf Coast region changed forever.

The America people came together in a way we had not seen since the attacks of 9/11. I just wish it didn't take things like that to get that kind of response.

So, all in all...my birthday is always bittersweet and I always take time to remember all the lives lost in Louisiana and Mississippi during Hurricane Katrina and say a prayer for all of the people that are still rebuilding to this day.

Why Dee?

Happy Thursday! We’ve had a few conversations lately here at work about names.

Many of the discussions have surrounded nicknames and giving children names where they go by their middle name. I personally am not a fan of the middle names but that’s just my preference. I think if you are going to give a child a first name – call them that.

My name is DeAnna and I go by Dee part of the time now but not all the time. More on how I got the name Dee in a moment.
When my Mom was pregnant with me she knew we were moving to Europe a month after I was born. Because of that she wanted a name that sounded sort of ‘Euro’.
That’s how she came up with DeAnna but to be pronounced Dee-Ahna. Never happened. I’ve always been called Dee-Anna. Oh well… My Mother was and is still very big on not having nicknames for kids.
Such as: I have a cousin named Kenneth but they’ve always called him Korky, etc.

Now as a kid I got the nickname from close friends(who still call me this to this day) DeNanner. Yes, it’s now my twitter name. It was derived from the ryhme.."DeAnna the Banana."

I know you all are wondering where I’m going with this. Well – now we get to Dee. No one had ever called me this UNTIL college. I had never met many DeAnna’s in my life but when I went through sorority rush at Louisiana State University I met two other girls named DeAnna! I couldn’t freaking BELIEVE IT!!!!

Well, guess what?
We all pledged the same sorority.
Sorry for the sucky picture but I took this picture with my phone last time I was in Atlanta. This bid-day picture of our pledge class lives there.

I'm in the back row the first one from the left. That's me,Gina and bestie Rebekah with our goofy sailor hats on.

Well, the three DeAnnas posed a problem, even though technically one was DeAnna, one of us was Deanna and the other was DeAnn.

See, we had this thing called the Greek Directory on campus that had everyone’s numbers listed in it by sorority or fraternity and listed as pledge or active. When we would hit the bars at night or an ‘exchange’ on Thursday night we would meet guys and tell them to look us up in the directory if they wanted to go out or go to a football game together.
Well, I had Deanna’s guys calling me and my guys were calling DeAnn and DeAnn’s guys were calling me or Deanna. WHEW!!
So, after several episodes like this we stood up in our chapter meeting one night and decided that I was now Dee to make it easier! So from now on there was a Deanna, DeAnn and a Dee!!

That’s how it goes folks. Dee it was!! It’s pretty much stuck. Granted…I still introduce myself to people as DeAnna!!

How gay am I? LOL.

One of My Favs

I know..I know.. a lot of you are John Mayer haters. I've explained my views on Johnny right here.

But.. saying that...I just love this song.

Haven't we all been there in the past, or maybe the present?
Just felt like sharing. Again, we saw him in concert last month and I broke out in dance when he played this song.

How's your Tuesday? I'm getting my grey hairs covered tonight and I can't freaking wait!!!!

Dreams, Updates and Weekend Recap

Happy Monday!! I'm already feeling better this week compared to last week and walking into work this morning it almost felt like Fall with the cool breeze in the air! YAY!!

So, I've been having super weird, crazy dreams lately. All of them -- I wake up and wonder if it really happened or was it just a dream? Most of them have to do with work. I've been like this for years but geez whiz!? Anyone else experience this?

I went to volunteer at the USO Center last night and when I walked in my cousin was sitting at the desk working. I was floored!! How freaking cool right? It was his first time volunteering and he said when he signed up for the shift he saw my name and couldn't believe it either. What a small world/town. He and his wife will be volunteering together. I'm sure we'll be on more shifts together.

And.. drumroll please!!
Our friends Kathleen and Dean had their baby yesterday!!!!!!!
Wait for it!!

IT'S A BOY!!! Blake Andrew was born at 1:44pm 8pounds 8 ounces.

Look how cute she looked just a week ago.

My friend Alicia said it looked fake. Like a basketball under her dress! We are so very happy for them! I almost feel like my sister had a baby and I don't even have a sister!! We can't wait to meet baby Blake!!

Moving backwards to the rest of our weekend. We went back up to High Rock Lake and hit the Boat and Ski Club with my in-laws Friday night.

Of course, we went by boat.

Their food? AMAZING!! I enjoyed a grilled Mahi Mahi with veggies. Yummy!

Mother and son :-)

The next day we enjoyed time outside boating, swimming, and some of us were working.

My FIL loves his new John Deere!

Of course, we spent time feeding the ducks. The 'other' Stephens grandchildren as my SIL likes to call them.

I helped my MIL upload some pictures to Facebook this weekend and when I looked through the memory on her camera she must have had 100 pictures of these ducks on there!! LOL!

Yes, even the Bradster likes to get his duck feed on.

No kidding. MIL has gotten these ducks feeding out of her hand. They even let her pet them!! Shenanigans.

Later on in the evening we went to the neighbors where they were having their son's 16th birthday. We've become pretty good friends with them so they invited us.

Could the bags under my eyes be any bigger? Geezers.

The best part of the party??

He was surprised with a car. Not just any car though. A freaking BMW!!! I would love to post a picture of his face when he saw the car but he's 16 and I'm not sure the family would be okay with me posting his face on the worldwide web without their consent.

So for now... this is what you get.

Brad and I both commented that we wish we were 16!! Holy Cow!! Awesome indeed, even though I think it's a bit much for a first car.(just my personal opinion)

My first car was a 1987 Dodge Charger that I wrecked 6-months after I got it.

How was your weekend? What's new with you blogging peeps?

Funny Foto Friday

TGIF! It's been a rough, busy week in Dee's World. I actually had to leave work early yesterday because I still wasn't feeling well.

Today is a better day though and I thought I would make everyone smile with a few funny pictures I found in our wedding scans album.

A goofy picture of me at age 8 in Baton Rouge when the very first Dominoes pizza opened up. It was right in our neighborhood and I remember walking down there with friends to get a free slice and my photo taken.
This is when they still had that 30-minutes delivered or free! Who else remembers that?

No major plans for us this weekend. I think we might hit the lake again. Not sure...what about you??

It's Tuesday and I'm Exhausted

Peeps.. Dee is T.I.R.E.D! And..It's Only Tuesday!

WTF?

Maybe it’s time for me to start saying no?

Here’s how my week has gone down so far.

Monday:
*Work all day while not feeling my grandest but ponied up and was the good worker.
*Left work a bit early to drive half-way across town to my doctor(need to find a new one..this is getting retarded).
*Waited at the doctor for an hour an hour and half.
*Drove across town again to go visit my Maw Maw who just moved to town.
*Drove another hour to get home and go to the pharmacy just in time to get the filled before they closed.
*At home by 9pm. Tired…sick…not even hungry for dinner.
WHEW!

Tuesday(so far):
*Up and at it early. Work by 7:30am.
*At the Jr. League by 9am to start shooting our video for the 85th anniversary.
*Shot video all day and organized things. Oh.. and found out that my co-chairman and I are opening the entire fall kickoff meeting!! WOW! C and I need to write an opening ASAP giving that there’s 1500 women at the first meeting.
*Out the door to head back to work before 3pm(another 30minutes…15mins. Drive and 15minute walk up a hill in the 95-degree heat in a suit)
*Work until 5pm or so.
*7pm -- Suppose to have ANOTHER JLC meeting but THANK GOD it’s been made into a conference call.
Now.. I need to go to the gym when I get home. Think I can rally?

Tomorrow and the rest of the week are about as equally busy with the EXCEPTION of no after work activities(except the gym). I can honestly say I will be ready to hit the lake with a brewskie this weekend!!

Thanks for listening blogging peeps! Wish me luck!!

Vera Who?

I've been wanting to do a post on this for a while but have contemplated it because I know some of you might be DEVASTATED.

Topic: Vera Bradley
Seriously...
No Joke...
When I first moved back East after living in Nevada(Reno/Vegas) for five years I'll never forget walking into a Hallmark shop in Atlanta and seeing a display similar to this one.

Here's how the conversation went down.
Dee: What are all these grandma looking purses/totes????
Sales person: "Why Vera Bradley!" Haven't you heard of her?
Dee: Ummm..No! It's like I've been living under a rock either. I've been clubbing it in Vegas and hanging out in Laguna on weekends(LOL) and I've never seen or heard about these. Must be a Southern thing?
Sales person: Yes! They are the hot thing here on the East Coast and in the South. Jump on board.
Dee: Sorry.. a little to maw mawish for me.

Is it just me? I'm sorry..
I'm a Southern Belle but this just DOES not fit my taste at all. For goodness sake - not even my Mom likes them(and someone gave her one as a gift).

I'm not one of those people who jumps on a trend/fad unless I actually like it. Know what I mean?? People here in the CLT love these purses. Makes me cringe to be honest.
Thoughts..comments??

As for the weekend -- we laid low and actually STAYED.IN.TOWN. Wowzers! Nice!! Happy Monday!

Pink and Green - Happy Birthday Lilly!

Here's the birthday girl! Lilly!!
Her Mom is super cool and creative and decided to have a Lilly Pulitzer party for Lilly! It was hers 8th birfday!

Just like last year - the party venue was the Dog Bar in the North Davidson neighborhood. Basically a bar where you can drink and bring your dog. Awesome concept.

Bud 'light' was ready to rock it out. He spent all day at the groomer in preparation!

Stephanie(Lilly's Mom), as always, made cute treat boxes for the poochies! Pink and Green of course!! And.. in Lilly wrapping paper!

Smores on a stick! These were awesome and I will have to remember to do this for a party in the future!

She also, had each dog's snout on a stick. A take on those cool photo booths they have at weddings now(like Sass). Instead of mustaches..snouts!

Birfday girl and her Mom!

Cute or what? These weren't even from some fancy cupcake shop but instead Stephanie made them! Geez..if only I could do this.

Canine birthday cake!

Time for the snout! She had each dog in attendance's snout!

Yes, I'm a TURBO! I wore Lilly to the 'Lilly' party!

Honey and her Mom. Honey was a little fiesty but held her own!

Here's Kody!! Buddy was OBSESSED with Kody! Literally, he followed him around all night talking beagle to him!

Koby and his Mom.

Annie and her new hubby. Annie is a Jr. Leaguer with me.

Time for cake!!

MMM....Good!!

Stephanie and Lilly, thanks for inviting me and Buddy! We had an AWESOME time!!

Loss of Bumpkin

This blogging world seems weird to a lot of people. I was talking to a former co-worker the other day and she mentioned wanting to start a blog. I told her she should because I have met so many great people.
She responded with: "You've met people through blogs?"

People really don't have a clue until they jump in there themselves. There are many of you whom I've never met but we're friends on Facebook and many of you who I've even talked to on the phone. Some of you I have even met.

Giving that.. I was really sad to learn the news of a blog friend passing. A fight with cancer that was short. Just 3-weeks.
It was Lisa aka Bumpkin on A Swing.

She found me through a mutual Louisiana blogging friend and I'm heartbroken by the news.

She always left the sweetest comments on my blog and her posts consisted of inspirational messages and in recent months messages about her beloved Gulf Coast and the fight against oil.
My prayers are with her beloved Captain John, who I know is missing her like crazy. Hugs and Prayers Captain John!
We will miss you Bumpkin!

Callaway Gardens Weekend

Hello blogging peeps!! GREAT weekend!! Hope you had a fabulous one too!! I drove down to Atlanta Friday afternoon and Saturday morning we got up and out early and down to Callaway Gardens.

My first trip here and I was excited!! I just LOVE..LOVE exploring new areas! This is a GREAT place for families!! I don't have one quite yet but I'm a nerd and love stuff like this anyway!

Beautiful grounds! There's golf, tennis, biking, hiking..you name it!!

Beautiful lakes throughout the property. Callaway Gardens sits right outside Roosevelt's Warm Springs and the mountains that make up the FDR State Park(more on that later).

We packed a picnic lunch before we left Atlanta and enjoyed it when we got there at one of CG's picnic areas. I love eating outside!

Don't you love Mom's hat?? I talked her into it! ;-)

Ready for a little bike ride action! The best way to see Callaway Gardens!! It was hot.. but not crazy hot.

About 90-degrees.

Hello outdoors!! Yes, I'm obsessed with this NIKE bag. I know you've seen me carry it in other pictures.

I've had it for 10-years and it's great for outdoor activities..and concerts :)

Along the path. Mom was a little scared at first because she hasn't been on a bike in 10-years but she did okay overall.

Tough time with hills but I was proud of her!!

One of our stops along the bike path was to see the chapel. They had someone playing the organ inside so we stopped for a bit to check it out.

It sits on this body of water.

We chilled for a bit. Literally.... They had the A/C popping in there.

After exploring the gardens we headed back to the hotel and poured some wine and chilled at the pool.

We enjoyed a bottle of white my Mom still had from our Germany trip several years ago.

And later on...

We enjoyed a nice dinner at the Lodge restaurant. We celebrated my birthday early!!

I forgot about soup and indulged in fried green tomatoes!

And.. shrimp and grits!

The next morning we got up and checked out Roosevelt State Park! We didn't have enough time to hike or anything but I wanted to stop and get some information for a future visit. I had been to the area before when visiting Warm Springs and saw FDR's Little White House. Something worth checking out if you're ever in the area and like history.

This park, like a lot of other state parks, was built during the Great Depression.

They were actually built by the CCC. Read about them here.

I'm not going to lie. I don't remember learning about this but my Mom was exicted about the exhibit inside the information center because my grandfather worked with the CCC.

He helped build one or more of the state parks in the Quachita National Forest outside Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Very cool or what?

How was your weekend? Again, if you ever get down to this area in Georgia.. check it out! I hope to get back to Callaway in the Spring when everything is in full bloom. Maybe I'll even get to hike at Roosevelt SP!!

Happy Monday!!