A Carolina Weekend

Last weekend I hit the road for Columbia, SC to see one of my best friends and watch the Gamecocks play. And it was awesome! I miss living so close to Columbia and being able to see my friends whenever I want. I've definitely been homesick lately. I got to Columbia after supper time and we all decided to visit Rockaway's for burgers and some delicious pimento cheese fries. If you're in the area, these are not to be missed!

Saturday we did the requisite tailgate shopping with a quick stop by Target so I could get some jeans. I hope it's not a sign that I'm getting used to the Florida weather, but I packed nothing but shorts and skirts for the weekend and it was a little chilly in SC, which was fabulous. It felt like football weather all weekend long! I enjoyed a fabulous little tailgate with Twyla, Amanda, her husband Lenny, and my new friend Lt. Jill.

I had a great time at the game, even though there were some ridiculously over enthusiastic fans in front of us. I'm all for cheering, but I don't think it's necessary to stand up the entire game, holler until you can barely talk, and wave your spirit rag so hard that you could take someone's eye out. That's just me, but then again I didn't drink a 5th of Kentucky Gentleman and start chugging straight Canadian mist by the 4th quarter like the fellows in front of us. Thankfully, the weather was cool with no rain and the Gamecocks pulled out a win!

My favorite part of the game is always when Cocky comes out of the box to 2001.

(Please excuse the crazy 'spirit rag' in front of us for 1/2 of the video!)

The next morning we had brunch at the Liberty Tap Room (pretty tasty!) and got on the road for Florida. This was the most 'normal' weekend I've had in a while, hanging out with friends and not worrying about jobs or mother in laws. I must start having more fun in my life, soon! Thankfully there is plenty going on this fall, so I'll just have to make the best of it!

A Rant

This probably seems a little silly to be so bothered about but it is something that really gets under my skin. Why do cashiers and baggers have such a hard time with reusable bags?!? I love my reusable bags and carry them everywhere since they fold up so easily these days.

The biggest reason I love my reusable bags is that it allows me to carry a ton of stuff in just one bag. It has very little to do with the environment. Not that I hate the environment,
I just hate walking out of Walmart or the grocery store with 20 items and 15 bags. And then you get home with a ton of plastic bags. I feel terrible just throwing them away but it takes forever for me to remember to take them back to Publix or Walmart to recycle. It's just a pain in the but.

I hate walking up to the register and having the cashier pick up my reusable bag, stare at it like it's a bomb or something else questionable and then stare at me. Then I have to go through the whole 'it's a reusable bag, I've already paid for it' nonsense. Next the bagger usually tries to put only 3 items in it, or waits for me to tell them it's ok for them to put everything in it. I just wish the managers of these stores would have a team meeting and explain bags. They are all over the place, it's not like I'm the first person to use one. Either that or just let me self check out, like I used to do at home. It's so much easier and my groceries get bagged just as I like.Does this bother anyone else or am I just a weirdo?!?

Monday Randoms

We moved to Jacksonville! I'm still going back and forth to Gainesville for my job, which is actually pretty great. I'm lucky to have such understanding coworkers to let me work from home a few days a week.

It's still hard to believe that yesterday was the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. I'll never forget sitting in class at Augusta State and hearing the news, going home in time to see the second plane hit, and freaking out/praying the rest of the day. So much has changed since then.

I'm so happy that fall is right around the corner! I'm so ready for this summer to be over for many reasons. Our first summer in Florida was a little awkward, trying to figure out jobs and living situations. Plus fall = football!

I think I have accidentally become a toiletry hoarder. I didn't mean to, I just kept getting great deals with my coupons. Now I'm on a 2 month toiletry shopping freeze. No one needs more than 1 or 2 backup deodorants or shampoos do they?!? The bathroom closet is kind of out of control these days.

I'm so ready to find our new 'normal'. Life has kind of been upside down since we moved to Florida in February. Everything feels different all the time, which is hard for someone like me who really enjoys things to be the same. God has really taught me a lot about getting out of my comfort zone.

I got my eyebrows waxed yesterday for the first time in 6 months. 6 months, people! I don't know why I've been so lazy with everything lately. I need to find a social life soon, so I have a reason to put my face on and look respectable!

We went to the beach yesterday for the first time since we moved here. It was instant stress relief. We'll need to do that more often!