Stone Mountain

Friday night Shane came up to spend the weekend. We had decided that we were going to spend all day Saturday at Stone Mountain. We both have been to the mountain several times but Shane has never been to the top. (It has been quite some time...since high school...since I have been!) I am definitely the planner in our relationship! HA! I had it all worked out where it would be a super fun and relatively cheap date! In my mind, we were going to get up, grab something to eat on the way out there, hike the mountain (cause it is free), pitter around and find a few things to do, have a packed picnic (because the food there is SOOO expensive) and then watch the laser show! Sounds great right???? Wrong....

Well, sort of....

See I failed to factor in the fact that my boyfriend LOVES to sleep as much as I do! Seriously folks! I am becoming a little better in the morning but only because Chloe wakes me up! So we didn't get up till 11:30! (I had to go up and wake his behind up...) Well that is not true! I had to get up at 7:30 to work! (Long story, we wont reminisce on the bad week I had last week!) I got up, worked for an hour, got our picnic ready, and made the fatal mistake of laying back down in my bed! (All the while Shane is sleeping away in his bed upstairs! And by the way, Chloe was at Mom and Dad's for her weekend visitation!) So, we got a little later start, no big deal! We finally go there and decided that we would get the all day passes so we could ride up and ride down the mountain and do some other attractions. We spent 1 hr 45 min's in line for SkyHike. I REALLY wanted to try this. I had done a ropes course in middle school and thought I would be fine doing this! Did I mention that I am TERRIFIED of heights???? Seriously, I can't stand on a counter top with out getting a little weak in the knees! Anyways, we did the 12 ft course...and I was pretty proud of myself! Shane tried his best to get me to go higher and I just couldn't! Sorry honey! Maybe next time... We didn't get any pictures because you are not supposed to take any loose items up with you!

Then we decided to get a funnel cake! Can you say diabetic coma???? I had a few small bites with very little sugar on them...here is Shane eating some of his....

Then we decided to ride the SkyLift up to the top of the mountain....this picture (below) was taken about half way up the ride...

Once on top, you have the most amazing views of the city and state! I could just sit up there for HOURS!!!!

And last but certainly not least, we capped off the day with the laser show! Such a southern tradition! I remember going every summer as a little girl! Some of the same things are still incorporated in the show now and I absolutely LOVE it! I could go and watch it every weekend and not get tired of it! (Ok, maybe not EVERY weekend!) But we are definitely planning to go back before the summer is over!

Here are some of the awesome pics I got of the laser show....

July 4th Activities....

I have been meaning to post an update, but life has been crazy busy lately! (In a good way. :) )

I think I said before, but I am moved into my house and LOVING it!!!

For July 4th we went to see the Gwinnett Braves play the Norfolk Tides. Unfortunately the Braves lost but we had a FABULOUS time! The stadium is sooo clean and nice! The best part is Chopper (the mascot) sat in Santa's lap!

Oh, Shane! Ha! I am dating a WONDERDFUL guy named Shane! We actually met when we were in college but due to some conflicts never dated before and lost contact. But thanks to Facebook we have reconnected and started dating. He is a wonderful guy and I am having a ton of fun! He lives in Carrollton, so it is long distance, but we are making it work! He came up on July 3rd and we went to see The Proposal with Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock. GREAT movie! Then we went out to eat and watched the fireworks in Cumming. Last weekend we met in Marietta and had dinner and played putt putt! He is coming in tomorrow night and we are going to Stone Mountain on Saturday! Here is an attempt at our self portrait while playing putt putt...

I really need to get him to smile in pictures! Ha!

It has been a while...

It has been a while and so much has happened!

I moved in my house on 6/20! I LOVE IT!!! It is the best thing ever!

Work is getting better. I have 2 days a week at home again!

Unfortunately my uncle passed away. He will be greatly missed but I know that he is healed and in a much better place! He had one of the best funeral's I have ever been to! The hearse was escorted up Lookout Mtn. to the church by the Police Cheif, Police Dept, Fire Dept, Color Gaurd, City Council, and City department heads! Flags flew at half staff. The state flag that flew over the state capital on Tuesday was flown in my uncles honor and was presented to my aunt on Wednesday when Senator Jeff Mullins came to the visitation. He coffin was drapped with a flag and when they folded it at the grave side a bugal was played. SOOOOO many people came by to pay their respects. Litterally there was a line ALL night. Visitation was from 5 to 8 and we did not get out of there until 9:30! I just hope that I can leave half the legacy he has left!

We went to the Gwinnett Braves game tonight and it was so much fun! Well, until I sat in 2 hours worth of traffic!

Random Thoughts...

Its been some time since I did an update so I thought I would go over the whole she-bang...

- Jackie and Caleb got married last Saturday! Yay! They are such a cute couple! Here is our traditional girls group picture minus Katie...who was home sick with her new baby Elijah!

- Work is still crazy and it has been a really bad week. I wont go into details but lets just say the days of Melissa working 10-12 hour days are OVER! And then today I found out that there was a HUGE layoff yesterday. Luckily I was not effected and neither was my cousin. I think it was mostly management that was laid off...we seem to have A LOT of managers around our buildings. I heard that 5000 were laid off around the country. Scary times of the economy.

- My house is still in waiting...I am supposed to close on Wednesday June 10th. After going back and forth with the selling bank, threatening to terminate the contract, and just being completely over it all, the bank decided they would actually follow their own contract and do the lender required repairs. My french doors were put in on Thursday along with the hand rail on the back porch and the roof repairs. Friday the contractor was able to finish up fixing the sink, the siding, and the electrical sockets in the kitchen. The appraiser is supposed to go out Monday and sign off on everything. I am keeping my fingers crossed!

- My Uncle Grady is not doing well at all. I asked for prayers a couple of weeks ago and we need them now more than ever. He is on life support. He is not able to breathe on his own and his kidneys have shut down. He has been on dialysis everyday this week and they have pulled 6 liters of fluid off so far and were hoping to pull another 5 off with todays session. As long as his blood pressure holds up he will have it again tomorrow. He has a really bad infection in his leg which they had to cut and drain yesterday. He had a test this morning on his stomach and that seems to be doing better. (Yay!) I was really nervous to go and see him. I do not do good with emotions and new I would have to hold it together while in the room, but I did fine. When we were in there he would ocassionally open his eyes if you aggitated him enough. He understood when his daughter told him that we were there and he moved and held is hand out a little. When I reached over to grab it his thumb slightly gripped my hand. (Yay!!! We will take anything at this point!) He opened his eyes a few more times after that. But the good news is, is that his heart is good! Please just pray for his recovery, he can still pull out of this, it is just going to be a very LONG road. Also, please pray for my Aunt and our family.

- Since we were in Rome we went to the Dwarf House for lunch. YAY!!!! I LOVE the Dwarf House. I worked at the one in Jonesboro when I was in high school and miss it terribly. It is VERY different than the Chick-fil-A's every one is aquainted with. I had to get my favorites while I was there...Salad with Truett's House dressing...YUM!! A Hot Brown, and a peach pie ala mode! Oh my mouth is still watering!!! Seriously people you are missing out if you have never been to a Dwarf House.

I need to rant a little...

Ok...I have this HUGE pet peeve with Jon and Kate plus 8. I have watched the show off and on. I am by no means a dedicated fan, nor do I watch it each week. If there is nothing else on and I am bored out of my mind I will watch it.

So, with all that said, I need to relieve a little steam about all the drama going on with them. I fully believe this is just a publicity stunt! She is a drama queen and needs to get over herself, and he needs to grow up and stand up to her. Do I think that they are going thru some tough times in their marriage? Yes! Who wouldnt go through A LOT when you have 8 kids...6 of them being all the same age! I recorded the show last night and am sitting here watching it now. Here are my issues. He got caught going out, wow! Who doesnt go out and just because he is on TV and married is he not allowed to be seen with another woman? Its not like there are pics of he and this other woman kissing...they are just in a car together! GEEZ. Granted he should have known better and known that the publicity would be to much and get twisted....I mean the media is KNOWN for twisting the truth. (It is all about what sells.) And, if there is stuff going on that Kate knows about then he really should not have done that but still.

She is a drama QUEEN! Actually another term is more appropriate but I will refrain. She is on the road and traveling and doesnt see the kids much. She tells the camera that she usually plans these birthday parties by herself and it takes her a year to plan and then the next scene she is complaining that she is doing it all by herself, that Jon is away. OMG seriously? You are on the road all the fricking time!

It kills me that both of them keep repeating the kids, the kids, the kids. Umm what happend to y'all? What happened to the 2 of you? I mean the kids are important and and they need to feel safe and secure and stable. However, the kids would not be there if you two hadn't fallen in love. He apologizes at the start of the show for his actions. He acts like he wants to try but the next scene they wont even speak to each other. I dont get the impression she wants to try to work on the marriage. Granted this is a TV Show and they do twist things for ratings but I thought TLC would have been a little better than that. Oh, and the whole paparazzi thing...seriously? You do a TV show and write books and think you are not going to be followed. Its like, oh look at us, oh wait dont. Pick one or the other. With the show comes fame and with fame comes fans and paparazzi. Get over it!

Ok, I am going to step off my soap box now.

Birthday and a house update...

First for a house update....I was supposed to close tomorrow, May 26th. However, because the seller didn't want to do the repairs they said they would do in THEIR counter offer I had to threaten to terminate the contract. Luckily they came thru at the very last minute on Friday and said they would fix the repairs. Now, I just dont know when I will close! Warning to any of you looking to buy a home...be PATIENT...it is very frustrating and crazy things can and will happen!

But...TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY!!!! Yay! I have had a very low key day. Slept late, doing a little laundry, but the best is yet to come! I am going to Mary Mac's for dinner tonight!

If you have never been to Mary Mac's you are missing out! The BEST fried chicken, pot likker, and vegetables you will EVER put in your mouth! I am drooling just thinking about it!!!

On a side note, I would greatly appreciate it if you prayed for my Uncle Grady. He had quadruple heart bypass 3 weeks ago. He has been in ICU ever since. Unfortunately he went into respiratory arrest this morning and they had to put him back on the venilator. There is a lot going on...infections, fluid retention, stomach and bowels not working, etc. His mind is quite sharp but his body is not holding up at the moment. Please pray for him and that he can recover and for the family as we are all struggling with this! Thanks!

Happy Memorial Day to you all! Thanks to all our Vets!!!

Yard Sale

So, buying a house means you have to put things in a house, right? Which means furniture? Well, I don't have any. OK, I have a little. I mean very little. Like, all I have is a couch, a TV, my bed, and dresser. That's IT! So I need LOTS of stuff. Well....how does one obtain lots of stuff when a) you don't have the money...because you just bought a house and b) you cant put stuff on credit because they are doing all the fun financing things right now? YARD SALES!!!!

I had to work last Saturday so Dad went out for me. He found a few pots and a couple of dishes. So, this morning we hit all the big community yard sales here in Cumming. SCORE! Our first house we went to I found a dinning room table and 6 chairs for $150.00!!!! YAY!! I don't have a picture of that yet...

The next house I found some cake pans and cookie racks and a outdoor bistro set. It has an umbrella with it to...how much you ask...$5.00!

Next stop a basement sale...I didn't want to stop but Dad said why not you just never know. And, boy was he right! I found a foot stool, a Singer sewing machine, and some tins. How much? $16.00!!!!

My tins that I picked up are on the foot stool. My parents have the saltine cracker tin and we do keep saltine crackers in that tin. Since I am moving out I was wanting one but knew I would never find one...I mean who really keeps those things around now anyways. But luckily I did, and a Ritz cracker tin, and the smallest one is a Maxwell House French Roast Coffee tin. I have decided that I am going to sit them on my counter top and use them as canisters! Now, I cracked the lady who sold me the foot stool up, she was telling my how the paint is chipped but that I could just peel it off and repaint it...UM NO! That's what gives it character I say...she just gave me the funniest look!

On top of that I went to Stein Mart and Belk last night with Mom and scored some really cute things for super cheap!!!

I love yard sales!!!!