Packing for a lifetime...

Yes of course I have waited till the last minute to start packing. I have no idea why but I like the rush and stress of it all down to the last week. I have list after list of to-do's. It seems like it keeps growing. I am subletting my room out to a friend while I am gone so I have to empty out my closet and drawers so that she can use them. I have made three piles on my bed of clothes: Yes, No Maybe. At first I was trying to not take as much but soon starting realizing that I was running out of storage space under my bed for the huge NO pile. So then the YES pile began getting bigger and bigger and then I run out of suitcase room. UGH! My goal is to bring 2 suitcases and 2 carry on bags. We will see if I stay according to plan. I have already used an entire suitcase for just shoes. 

I bought the vacuum pack storage bags to try to save room for all my clothes. I decided to test one out. I was SHOCKED when I saw how much i could get in there. I go back into my room to get more clothes for the next bag. When I walk back in the living room what do I find??? It's Bailey sitting on the top of a the vacuum bag back FULL OF AIR!!! She had just crawled right on top and punctured a hole in it with her claw. UGH! Looks like I am back to the store to buy more tomorrow. 

I have so much to do and so little time. I think I have it all mapped out on when I will attack my list but I just know come Saturday morning at 5AM when I am on my way to the airport I will have forgotten something important, like my passport. If anyone wants to come over and do all of this for me let me know. I am all for giving up control. 

PS: I would have taken photos of all the craziness that is my room but my camera is somewhere under it all.

PSS: My cousin Heidi just had another baby girl. Check out how adorable on her blog.

It's Official....

I am moving to London for 3 months. I leave the last day in February and come back May 31st. I will still be able to work a little but I will be looking for work while I'm there as well. That will determine me moving there permanently or not. That and if I can get along with Jon for 3 months. ;)

The next few weeks will be all about getting everything in order here in NYC for my leave. Bailey will be staying here and my roommate will be taking care of her. This will be the longest I have been away from her in 10 years. I hope she doesn't forget me. 

I also have to figure out what to pack. I bought the vacuum travel bags to try to pack as much as possible. My mom reminded me that even though I will have more room the weight will still be the same. I am prepared to go over the weight limit for sure.  

I am subletting my room out while I am gone so I will not have to pay rent. BUT i will have to empty out my closet, shelves and dresser to make room for my friend staying. That will consist of me cramming everything I own under my bed with everything else already under there. I have a feeling my bed will be lifted a few feet.

Ugh, the idea of so much to do in so little time overwhelms me. 

So... if anyone wants to take a trip to the UK in the next few months you have a friend to come see. 

It's My Party, I Can Cry If I Want To...

This year I was NOT excited about my birthday. For some reason I was having a problem with turning 33. I don't know what it was about that age that freaked me out. If any of you know me you know that I am usually over the top excited about my bday. My mom always planned the nicest and best birthday parties for me and then once I was 18 on I have planned my own parties. I liked the attention, I'm not gonna lie. I have always thought that you should feel special on YOUR day. And I always did. Until this one. 

I thought that if I didn't talk about it then no one would know and that would mean that it would never happen. So I pouted and cried (when alone) and complained about turning 33. Little did I know that my friends had something to get me out of the mood I was in.

Meredith had planned a surprise party at one of our regular hang outs, Lucky Strike in Soho. Everyone met there and the night went one to be one of the best birthdays that I have had as an adult. (Just so you know, I became an adult at 30)

Bethany brought me this to make me feel special. It used to say Bachlorette but she broke off all the letters to spell this.  Thanks B!

Here is most of everyone that came. A few came later and didn't make the group picture. 

They even had a cake for me. They were great planners. 

Bustin' a move and gettin' jiggy with it.

The night is never complete without a dance off. Patrick put up a good fight. Besides, I have a routine to every song out there, it's not that fair.
A moment when I was caught getting upset about the age thing. I really have no idea why. Everyone else I have talked to have said that they had trouble with 33 as well. So maybe it's something about the age.
But then I bounced back and took some crowd shots.

33 so far has been OK. Nothing to cry about but also nothing to celebrate about other than the fact that I am alive and healthy, which is a great thing to be thankful for. I am hoping that next year will not be as bad. 

Thanks to all my NYC friends who came out that night. You made it one of the best NYC memories to date.

Ode to Duncan

I have a friend. He is unlike any friend I have. His name is Duncan Elmer. 

Duncan always knows how to have a good time and make everyone laugh, even though he's British.
Duncan is the type of person that is always there for you and helps you through all your troubles.  (here he is on the right with some random guy)

Enjoying tasty beverages are always in hand. He will even try them for you to make sure that there is not poison in it. A true hero.

Because he is such a special person he has many friends. He befriends the type of people that don't usually have friends and makes them feel important. He changes lives.

Everyday is a day to celebrate. When you are with Duncan everyday is a holiday. There is always joyful singing and hugs all around.
So here's to you Duncan Elmer. I raise my glass and thank the stars above that you are someone I can call Friend!! 

Bethany's Reception

Catching up from November: 

One of my best friends, Bethany, ran off to the beautiful beaches of St. Martin and go hitched. It was so beautiful and I am so happy for her. So, since she didn't get to have a big wedding we had a NYC reception for her when they got back from their honeymoon. One of the best parts was that 3 of our best Nashville Friends flew up for the party. 

Ready for a night on the town with Bethany and Lesa.

Misty, Mitzi and Lesa enjoying the cold NYC weather.
All dressed up and this time a place to go. Check out B's necklace. A spontaneous Prada shopping spree.
Meredith, B and I representing the Greenwich Village Crew.


The Happy Couple
You would have never known that I used to teach dance.


Apparently Misty and I came across photos we were not supposed to see.
I am not sure what face I am making. I think i was a little caught off guard. But it's a good one of Lesa.
Lesa is one of my favorite dance partners. She will do impromptu dance routines with me.


After a long night. We had a blast. I miss these girls so much!

We had to do a little sight seeing, of course. Rock Center...

Central Park

Congrats to B and Miguel. I am so happy for them and she could not have found a better match. Thanks for a great weekend!!!!

New Years Rockin' Eve!!!

I finally got to spend New Years in love and with my man. We flew home to NYC to rock in the New Year with 8 million + people. No way were we going to Times Square, we were staying as far away as we could from that mess. The typical New Years in New York City is so over rated. It cost $100 or more to even get in a place or party. Sometime that doesn't even buy you anything except to walk in the door. Also, it's a 25 degrees  or below outside and getting a cab is impossible so you are stuck out there in a dress freezing your bootie off. 

We were wanting something a little lore low key than that and it was a success. 

We Started the night off at a friends apartment for dinner and some rock band. If I owned this thing I would never leave the apartment. I loved the drums and tried to sing and drum at the same time. I need a little more practice I think.
Next stop was Tim and Rachel's apartment for a toast and photos and then off again.....
Off to our final stop, a private party at a restaurant. No lines, no cover, normal menu and prices. 

Ayla's date for the night was Emlynn. He was very sweet. Maybe he will stay around for a while, maybe not. Who knows with that one.
Tim showing some of his best LA moves.
Sweet Rachel and I getting ready to toast in the New Year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!! I haven't had a New Years kiss in a long time.

I won't name any name (Ayla) but someone got a little too aggressive when we were dancing. I was pushed to the ground. 

Jon and I predicting how we were going to feel in the morning

I had a great night and was so happy to ring in the New Year with Jon. I predict 2009 will be a great year!! Sure, I will turn 33 which means I will be 7 years from 40, but with a good man, good family and good friends I can only see the positive for 2009. 

Christmas with the Chitty's

The South did not scare Jon. He was a hit!!

The trip started off delayed. Due to the weather in New York our flight was delayed 5 hours which made us miss our connecting flight in Dallas. Therefore we had to stay the night in the airport on Christmas Eve. We were told that they would put us up in a hotel but when we landed the ticket lady told us that we would have to pay and gave the robotic answer of, "Mam We can not control the weather". It wasn't that bad, we only had a few hours to be there anyway.

My Mom was sweet enough to make Jon his own stocking. It made him a part of the family. I hope it didn't freak him out.My dad wanted to make a good first impression as well. 
Tyler and Elisabeth showed true sibling love and Christmas Spirit.I wanted to show Jon a little bit of the real Louisiana so we went to some of our friends who live on the Bayou. 

The Whole Family. I think he fits right in, don't you? We even saw a snake. It was friendly snake, well as friendly as a snake can be. If it were up to my brother that snake would have had a Beebe bullet in between his eyes.Jon and T enjoying a little tire swinging. I became the protective mother by screaming, "That's too high!! That's too HIGH!!" I could just see that tree limb breaking and Tyler flying all the way into the bayou.They had a zip line set up to zoom across the bayou. It looked like a lot of fun so everyone tried it out.

Jon did it without falling in the water....
Rick did it without falling in the water...My Dad made it over the water...Even Kelly did it and made it over the water...SO I was up next. At first I was confident that I was going to be able to do this but then....The fear of falling in the icky bayou took over and I panicked. I stood up there forever debating. I just didn't feel that my grip was strong enough. So I went as far as the land lasted and then dropped to Jon. A 10 year old little girl called me a woos, I have to agree with her.I let down Tyler as well. He wanted to try it so bad but we didn't think he would have been able to make it. He probably would have done a better job than I did.
Next we went out on the water in the house boat. A storm started setting in so it made the ride a little bumpy.

It was a good time for Elisabeth to try out her new rain coat that I got her. 

Tyler practiced his Ben 10 Alien Force moves on the boat. What? You don't know what Ben 10 is? Get with it people, "It's only the coolest thing out there," Tyler say's.

Back home and back to family time. Nana and Elisabeth making cookies.

Tyler and Nana playing Bakkagon Brawlers. Nana was winning and T was getting a little mad. 

And to make the Holiday's complete, a funny face montage......

So over all Jon did well. He fit right in and everyone liked him. I still need to get the inside scoop from everyone once he leaves. I will let you know though. 

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a wonderful New Years!!