Bachelorette parties galore

My two best friends in the whole world are both getting married next month!!  So I have been in charge of some serious bachloretting.  I got to host J's party here in Nashville which was so much fun!  I took them to some of my favorite places and got to try some new places out!  

I can no longer say that I have never been to a drag show!  We went to a charity show at a local bar.  We were all a little nervous.  None of us had ever been to anything like this before.  We ended up having a great time.  The dancers were so beautiful and made us feel like we need to try a little harder...  I mean check Ms. Chaquita Banana out right here!  

I can't remember this friend's name, but she and J were instant besties.  

Of course, I made decorations, (Thanks for your help D!)

This group shot took 6 minds and about 30 minutes to take.  iPhone pics FTW!

 One of the very talented bridesmaids painted these for everyone.  I mean, come on, how cute are they!

The tradish lingerie shower happened of course!

We finished the weekend out with some Monell's.  It was delicious as usual and we all rolled out and to our respective cities.

Next up was C's!  We met in Atlanta for this one!  It was so nice and relaxing and wonderful!  One of the bridesmaids had pity on me and planned the whole thing.  I am forever indepted to her.  She did such an amazing job!  We met at the hotel on Friday night and headed to dinner at JCT Kitchen.  It was so beautiful!

Saturday morning we went to brunch at Rise and Dine near Emory.  C's "Bride to be" glasses were a hit!  

 Since the valet at the hotel lost the keys to one of the girls' cars (who knew that ever happened!), we decided to have the bridesmaids move all cars to C's apartment complex while K and I set up for the shower.

Her face was very serious when she was opening her gifts so this is her response to me saying "Act like you are having fun!"

Since the new thing at bachelorette parties is crossing things off your bucket list, we took a pole dancing class at Dance 411.

Maybe some of us had to use their inhalers before we started....

Here is our bride ready to do it!  That's our instructor Kitty Purry in the background with the shoes!

 It was nearly as scary as we were expecting and we were all pros by the time we left 65 minutes later!

Next up, WEDDING WEEKENDS!

Travel wishes

I am lucky enough to work in a school district that has two weeks off in the fall and spring. In the past years, I haven't really taken advantage of that time. This spring break will be different!  One of my high school besties/college roommate and I are in the midst of planning a grand adventure to...

Wait for it...

Wait for it...

South Africa!

It is the perfect opportunity. One of my best friends since middle school lives in Joburg and it will be summer there!  Really, that's all I need!

We have grand plans of our time there. Mainly exploring Johannesburg, laying on the beach in Cape Town, and going on a Safari in Kruger National Park.  I can't wait to see a real live lion or elephant!  Check out these pictures!

 From here

From here

From here

And I could do nothing but stare at this view for the whole two weeks and be perfectly okay with it!

From here

I think this is going to be a great way to satisfy my travel bug for now!  Or maybe just make it worse...  16 days and counting!

'Tis the Season

The Christmas Season was a busy one for me this year.  I spent most of my two week vacation traveling from Nashville to Gainesville to Athens and back again.  It all started with Jacob's graduation from Georgia Southern.  The rest of the time was full of lots of baby snugglin', some cookie makin' and some good old fashion best friend lovin'!  It was just what I needed to recharge my batteries and start the second half of our school year.  Here's to a happy and fun-filled 2014!

Hunker Down- a few weeks, uh, months late!

**Somehow, this post never went up.  These friends are too good to not post, so here it is-- a little later!**

One weekend some time ago, some wonderful friends came to Nashville to watch the UGA/ Vandy football game.  It was a great time with friends but a not-so-good time with our Dawgs.  We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves anyway, eating and drinking ourselves silly!  The only thing that could make it better would be if everyone decided to move here with me (cough, cough, Cate).  Oh yea, and not losing to an un-ranked team.  whomp whomp.

  

 I made some red and black pancakes for everyone before the game.  They were clearly bad luck and I will not be making them again!

 Luckily my friends are corn hole winners and love to give me their prizes when they win!

And of course I had to take them to Monnells before they hopped back in the car to head back to GA!  

It was such a great weekend and a great end to my fall break.  That means I am back at work now and consuming lots of caffeine to make my 5:30 wake up time a little bit easier.  I am not a morning person, but I sure did miss those 15 little ones waiting for me bright and early Monday morning!