No Tricks... But Bloggie Treats for Me!

I know today is Halloween and all, but yesterday was full of bloggie treats for me!  Yesterday was my town's Fall Steeplechase.  Much smaller and subdued than the full-blown soiree for the horse set (and just those who want to show off their new spring smocks and togs) in the spring, the October event is not quite as dressy an affair.  You see more jeans with dressy-casual tops for the ladies and khakis with polos for the men.

Yesterday we spent time at two spots.  The first was with the party we arrived, cute fun girlfriends and their families from my BUNCO group.  The second was with couples we knew from our Sunday School class.  Mike and I attend a VERY LARGE church in our town, and so our class is very representative of the size.  We know people in the class, but have never felt we really KNEW them.  Does that make sense?  Anyway, we decided to go visit their tent.

Oh my heavens... what did my rabid football fan of a husband discover when we made our way to the second spot?  Satellite television with the South Carolina/Tennessee game playing!  There was no turning back.  Some other husbands continue to hand him bourbon and cokes... Still no turning back.  South Carolina is playing well and is winning... Again, no turning back.  Whoo Hoo - we won!

Don't worry, I had fun too!  Look closely and see my latest Lilly purchase around my neck:  a cute gold turtle necklace purchased on the Nantucket trip!

But one of the highlights of the day was getting to know two fellow bloggers from my town even better.  Both were what I would call acquaintances from around town and our VERY LARGE church.  We knew each other's names.  Our husbands knew each other.  But that was about it.  Enter blog world... and, well you know what happens when I get to know fellow cute bloggers!  I HAVE to get to know them better... even if it means flying up the eastern seaboard to do it.  This time all I had to do was go to a horse race!

So without further ado, let me introduce them to you!

Aundrea, from The Road We're Own, is a precious girl.  She is an amazing mom to four children, has a true heart for God, and knows how to have fun in most everything she does.  I love her sense of humor - pretty dry, like mine.  Another plus is that her husband can mix quite a drink on demand...  that, I really love!  I have loved getting to know her both through her blogs and quick convos at our club pool over the summer.  With this girl, I look forward to lots more fun events together!

Monica, from Monica's World, is another mother of four - boys!  We have lots of fun talking about the antics of those testosterone-y creatures.  This chick is the most amazing writer.  She too has a heart for God and shares both her faith and everyday life events with honesty and humor.  If you haven't read her, you must!  She has chronicled the pregnancies and births of each of her boys in such a way I laughed so hard I had tears streaming down my face! 

These girls know I am making these introductions... so please take a look at their blogs!

Hope you and your goblins had a wonderfully spooky Halloween!

It's a Golden Day for the Game... Cocks!

In light of yesterday's win over number one ranked Alabama, I feel I have no choice but to post about my team:   South Carolina Gamecocks.  Being a Gamecock fan is truly not something to take lightly and is not for the weak of heart.  You see, South Carolina is not known for its strong football program.  We tend to start strong, but being in the SEC (the powerhouse conference in football), we tend to get beaten down mid to the end of the season... by teams such as Alabama!  So yesterday was definitely a golden garnet and black day for us!

But Gamecock fans are found not only in South Carolina - or even the south for that matter.  Two weeks ago, on the infamous Nantucket trip, I met John.  A friend of Gabi's, we saw him and his cute wife leaving the breakfast establishment we were walking into.  He was wearing a Carolina shirt with his Nantucket reds, and I literally squealed when I saw him.  After big hugs, we talked about Columbia and the bars we both frequented back in the day, his fraternity, and people we both knew!  His fraternity advisor is one of my father's best friends, and his initiation ritual was held in the basement of the Episcopal church where I grew up!  Oh. my. word!

Here we are with J's Flat Stanley

But the very best part was when John and his wife left.  He started the chant done at all the games and yelled, GAME!  And I immediately, with no thought at all, yelled, COCKS!  Only a cute girl from South Carolina could have gotten away with that.

What Happens in Nantucket...

It all started innocently enough.  Five women from different parts of the east coast meeting on blogs.  I know that when I started blogging almost exactly a year ago, I had no idea what I was doing or getting myself into.  All I knew was that I knew another girl who blogged, I read hers, and said to myself, "I can do that."  Following, commenting, and blog rolls were not in my vocabulary.  But after a few posts, Jessica began commenting and following... then Gabi... then Mama Henley... then Katherine. And I began following theirs too.  Blogging and commenting led to Twitter.  And it was on that fateful night that we were all making snarky comments while watching the Golden Globes, a friendship we were not even anticipating was born.

We began emailing each other - all five of us at the same time.  I wish I could remember who it was that suggested that we meet.  Guess it doesn't matter.  But we all were excited.  After more emails, the date and place were finalized.

Nantucket, September 2010

I secured my plane ticket in May.  There was no backing out.  It was happening.  The moment I saw and hugged Gabi at Logan Airport in Boston, I knew it was going to be great.  And almost two hours later, we met up with Jessica and Katherine.  (Sweet Mama Henley was not able to join us.  Oh how we cried when we read her post.)  The four of us squealed, screamed, and hugged each other not as if we were meeting for the first time, but as dear, old friends.  And then the talking and laughing commenced... and didn't stop until we left on Sunday.

 Gabi mixing bloodies on the ferry to Nantucket.

Of course we had to compare the new edition 

with the tried and true...

(Yes, I brought BOTH editions!)

 Jessica showing Flat Stanley 

(from Jackson's class project) how to cook.

Yes, she was our chef extraordinaire for the weekend!

 At the brewery... 

This evening really warrants a post all its own, but I just can't resist. Of course we walked  in as if we owned the place.  The place was packed, full of earthy preppies (mostly women) all in name tags.  Hmmm... Lots of Patagonia and madras.  And, hey, look over there.  Hmmm... quite a few golf bags.  Oh, this must be an after party for a golf tournament.  Hmmm... the girl Gabi asks to take our picture, thinks she is the photographer for this soiree.  Numerous other things made us go Hmmm... But hey, "it takes all kinds" as my mother says, and we are having a ball!  Good drinks, good friends, good fun... and then the icing on the cake:  Ms. Madras shorts jumps up on a table, raises her glass, and announces to the gathering, "Let's give a toast to Melissa and Jennifer and to the life they will lead together."  You guessed it, we crashed a lesbian wedding.  Big fun!

Many other stories happened on our Nantucket weekend.  We giggled throughout, saying, "What happens in Nantucket stays in Nantucket!"  But between the four of us, I know we'll share more with you throughout the next few weeks.  I laughed so hard my face hurt at times.  I shared so deeply, more than I might share with people here in my own town whom I feel pretty close to.  I learned so much about each of these women:  their successes, their worries, their delights and their passions.

Here we were on the ferry leaving Nantucket.

 Jessica and Bevy

 

Gabi and Katherine

And here the four of us were right before we all said Goodbye.

It's Time for Me to Get Packing

It's that time... time to get the suitcase out and start packing! You see, in just TWO days I will be spending a glorious long weekend with three blog friends on Nantucket. (Of course we will miss sweet Mama Henley who is not able to join us!!!). We five women have formed a friendship online and via emails and Twitter that we are all so excited to cultivate in person. And what better place than Tickled Pink Talk's family home on Nantucket. Entertaining Mom and Pink, Green and Southern will be there too, and I can't wait to see their precious faces in person! I can't wait to laugh! I can't wait to walk on the shore (although this southern girl says "beach")! I can't wait to learn more and more about these amazing women! I can't wait to drink fancy girl drinks! I can't wait to laugh! (Did I mention that already?) No worries on whether or not we will be posting. Between all of us, do you think that would be possible for at least one of us NOT to?

Of course I will not be flying up alone. I do have a little traveling buddy. My son, J, is sending Flat Stanley along! Hope he doesn't mind a little light reading on the plane..


Bevy

My Friend "Nan"

In my last post I celebrated the fact that I have no more traveling this summer.  However, that doesn't mean that my traveling days are over!  This September, I will be with four dear blog friends in Nantucket.  Can. not. wait!

Anyway, I have started telling S and J* about the trip and how I will be flying into Boston.  I guess due to the males species not attune to really listening to us S knowing more about Boston (US History as well as the Boston Red Sox), he completely forgot the Nantucket part of the trip.  Thus, the following conversation ensued:

S:  Now when are you going to Boston?
Me:  September.  But I'm just flying into Boston.  I'm really going to visit Nantucket.
S:  Nantucket?  That's a funny name.
Me:  Not really.  But I will have fun.  These girls are great fun.
S:  So, which one is Nan?  Where does she live?
Me:  What?!?!?!
S:  Nan.  Nan Tucket.

Oh, well.  I'm guessing not everyone knows about Pawley's Island or Edisto either...


*Not posting the boys' names anymore as you never know who's out there.  No one has harassed or stalked me that I know of.  Just taking precautions! :)