Four years

It's hard to believe that it's been four years since my last first kiss.  I had no idea at the time that four years later we'd be planning a wedding.  I can't imagine a better outcome, and I can't wait to share many more years together.  Pretty soon we'll be celebrating actual anniversaries- you know, the marriage type.  So, here's to four wonderful years and many, many more to come.  I love you, WEG!

Here's a picture from back in the beginning of our relationship,

circa 2007.

Book Review: The Beach Trees

I was asked to review Karen White's latest book, The Beach Trees.  I love Karen White, and jumped at the opportunity to get my hands on her newest book.  As always, it did not disappoint!

From the TLC Book Tours website:

In her new novel, White, the national bestselling author of On Folly Beach and the award-winning author of thirteen previous books, weaves together themes of Southern culture, the powerful bond of family, to courage to rebuild in the face of destruction and personal triumph to create an incredibly moving story her fans are sure to embrace.

In the aftermath of tragedy, life goes on—painful and forever altered, but ripe with new beginnings. For Julie Holt, traveling to the beautiful but ravaged coast of Biloxi, Mississippi, is a journey into a secret past and a life she never expected. Julie first knew loss at the age of twelve when her sister disappeared, never to be found. As her once close-knit family grew apart, Julie’s mother obsessively searched for the girl and when her mother died, Julie took up the search, never letting go of the hope.

Then at an art exhibition in New York she meets Monica—a struggling artist and single mother who reminds Julie so much of her sister that she can’t help feeling drawn to her. Monica paints a vivid picture of her family, but never says why or how she lost contact with them. She has another secret: a heart condition that will soon take her life.

When Monica dies, Julie inherits from her an antique portrait as well as custody of her young son, Beau. Taking him back to Biloxi and New Orleans to see the family he has never met, Julie discovers a connection of her own. The portrait, of an old relative, was done by her great-grandfather—and unlocks a family history she never knew.

I could not put this book down.  I was tempted to neglect work, responsibilities, and even sleep to finish it.  Karen White has done it again, turning out a book that's heartwarming, suspenseful, and fun to read.  I loved the aspect of telling a tale, past and present, through two different sets of eyes.  The mystery of it all intrigued me, and try as I might, I was unable to figure it out before things were revealed at the very end. 

The story is complex, which challenges your brain a bit more than the typical "beach read," but that is what I found to be the best part.  The characters come alive, and I instantly liked several (Julie, Aimee, Beau) while I warmed to others as the book progressed (Trey). 

The Beach Trees, to me, was about perseverance, courage, and devotion to your roots, and I would recommend it to anybody looking for a fun summer read!

To read more about the author, Karen White, check out her website and become a fan on Facebook.

Your most special wedding gift

I have been MIA for a couple of weeks- I just really don't have a lot of good material lately, and I feel like I am boring y'all with wedding details.  Really, that's pretty much all that's on my mind recently, so I don't have much else to say.

So, keeping with the theme- what was your most special wedding gift?  My grandmother wants to give us something that will be special.  Something that we will look at years from now that will have a special place in our hearts, and we can say that my grandmother gave it to us.

I'm really drawing a blank as to what that might be.  Did any of you receive something really special that will be a gift just like the one I am describing?  If so, please share!  Or, if you haven't received anything like that, but have something in mind, please share that as well.

Thanks, and stay tuned on Thursday for a book review of The Beach Trees, by Karen White!

Made me chuckle

During my lunch break I ran into CVS to pick up a graduation card for my cousin.
I am wearing pants in this Lilly Pulitzer pattern today:

As I rounded the corner, a man stopped dead in his tracks.  Here is the very brief conversation that ensued.
Him: Them there's some bright pants
Me: That they are (I didn't say thank you because I'm not sure that was a compliment)
Him: They sure do look comfortable
Me: Yes, they are quite comfortable
The end.

Now, if you could only imagine this with the man's country accent, you'd probably see why I'm still chuckling.

Brain dump

What's going on in my brain right now in bullet fashion.

• First off, Happy Mother's Day to my wonderful mom, as well as all of the others moms and moms-to-be out there!  Enjoy your special day, although I celebrate you each and every day, not just one day of the year!
• We found out this week that my cousin, Kimberly, is pregnant with a sweet bambino due around the first of November.  Kimberly's mom and mine are sisters, and we grew up spending nearly every summer together at our grandparents' house on the lake.  It's times like these when I think about my upcoming wedding and Kimberly's pregnancy that I miss my grandparents so very much.  It's been 17 and 7 years, respectively, since we lost my grandmother and my grandfather.  Although the pain does ease, you never quit missing them.  I know they would both be so proud of the people that their grandchildren have become.  They loved us immeasurably and I know they are smiling down on us and are with us in spirit.
• Going right along with that, my baby cousin (who is not a baby anymore, clearly!) is graduating from college tomorrow.  I'm so proud of her.  Lora is Kimberly's younger sister, and took quite a bit of teasing from the "big cousins" growing up.  She's 7 years younger than us, so she got her fair share.  I wish her the best of luck as she embarks on an internship in DC, with hopes of a job after her one month is up. 
• I have recently checked a few more things off of the wedding to-do list: favors selected, day-of coordinator hired, jewelry ordered for both myself and my bridesmaids, flower girl dress purchased.  And, tomorrow I will check off a few more: meet with the caterer and figure out the logistics for the reception site.  After that I can order linens and table toppers.  Check, check, check.
• AND THE MOST EXCITING THING CHECKED OFF THE LIST.  We booked our honeymoon!  I can't wait for 7 nights in beautiful St. Lucia!  We'll be staying at the Sandals Regency LaToc.  I'm not sure I can wait 6 more months!  Yippee!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Swimwear

Is it just me or does anyone else feel like swimwear is overpriced for what you are getting?  A decent swimsuit costs in the $80 range, with some even more than that.  And, year after year, it seems like bathing suits are getting more and more skimpy.  Am I missing something here?  Why so much money for so little material?

I am also having no luck with the selection at Target.  For the bottom to cover my arse (which is not large, mind you), I have to go up to the size Large, but then it's saggy in other places, and I have to have a small in the top.  I am a little pear shaped, but not that disproportioned. 

I'm getting discouraged!  I need a few new suits that will last me for a couple seasons, as well as our honeymoon, but so far it's a dead-end road for reasonably priced swimwear made for those of us who would like a bikini, but would also like for it to have some coverage.

What are your secrets?