Time Out from my Blah-ging

I am in a bit of a blogging slump right now- don't know what to write, don't want to bore you with details of my life, etc. Basically I'm feeling blah. Therefore, I am taking at least the rest of this week and weekend off. I will still be reading your blogs, though, and I hope I will be commenting some. If not, please know it has nothing to do with you, I'm just feeling very tired and unmotivated!

I have another wedding this weekend for my friends Bess and Michael, so I will be busy starting on Friday anyway.

As a side note, congratulations to Carolyn & Chris- the newly wed Clarks!! I hope you are enjoying the honeymoon!

Driver's Ed 101

I have mentioned before that I have road rage, so maybe I get more upset about bad driving than others might, but I feel that I need to address some issues. Yesterday, in a span of 2 miles, I encountered 3 instances of bad driving.

1. I saw a wreck that could only have been caused by carelessness due to the way the two vehicles were smashed together. I don't know that this was the case, but it sure looked like it.

2. I had someone nearly nip my corner bumper getting into another lane and not paying attention. I was aware and managed to swerve over a bit, but if I hadn't, she would have hit me.

3. I was on a busy 3 lane road and in the far right lane, someone was just stopped. Not having car trouble. I know this because right when I get around them, they start going again...verrrry slooowly. Not a good thing to do in 5:00 traffic, my friend.

Now, I know that Columbia, SC has been ranked as one of the cities in the U.S. with the worst drivers. I also know that there are bad drivers everywhere you go. However, there are simple rules that we all had to learn to take our driving tests. Also, there are things that are just a matter of simple courtesy. Here are a few that I wish people would really learn!

1. If you are making a left turn at a stoplight, the traffic across from you that is turning right has the right of way. If I am making a right turn and want to turn into the far lane, I HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY. If you hit me because you did not wait for me, it will be your fault.

2. When the light turns yellow, it generally does not mean to speed up and run the red light. I was almost t-boned recently by someone who did this. Again, if you hit me, it will be your fault.

3. For heaven's sake, use your blinker. It was put on the car for a reason. If I were a cop following you and you did not use your blinker, you'd get pulled over. Simple as that.

4. And speaking of blinkers, just because you put on your blinker, it does not give you the right to get over in front of me if the space between me and the next car is not large enough for you to fit in. I should not have to slam on brakes to let you over. You probably knew 2 miles back that you needed to be in my lane and waited til the last minute anyway.

5. Do not pull out in front of someone, only to go up the road 5 feet and slow down the traffic to turn. Just wait til the traffic is clear. Usually when this happens, there is nobody behind me for miles. Why can't you just wait?

6. If you pulled up first to a four way stop, it is your turn to go. Do not sit there and look at every other car at the stop sign. If you wait long enough, I will go instead of you. I don't have all day to wait while you try and remember the rules of a four way stop. It's not rocket science.

7. Periodically make sure that your brake lights work. There is nothing worse than following a car that has no brake lights. It's dangerous and if I hit you from behind, I'll probably be charged, but I really don't think that would be the common sense course of action.

8. If there is a sign that tells you that the lane ahead is closed, go ahead and merge like it asks you to do. You hold up traffic more when you go all the way up to the very last place you can get in and then force your way in front of someone. Be courteous. Everyone else is in just as big of a hurry as you are.

9. If you're on the interstate and you are not passing someone, DO NOT DRIVE IN THE LEFT LANE. That's why they put signs up that say "Slower traffic keep right." Pass someone and then get over unless you are driving well above the speed limit. There's nothing worse than traffic being held up for miles because one jack-ass at the front of the pack is driving 60 in a 70 mph zone in the left lane.

10. And finally, if you cannot use your phone safely while driving, put it away or pull over to use it. Do not text or chat on the phone if it causes you to swerve into the other lane or drive 10 mph below the speed limit. It's people like you that cause laws to be made prohibiting cell phone use while driving. The same goes for putting on mascara, reading the paper or a book (yes, I have seen this), and eating. If you can't do that and still drive decently, choose one or the other, but not both!

And if you're still in doubt, please invest in this book..it may give you some pointers:

WHEW- Glad I got that off my chest! Are there any other bad driving examples that really make you upset? I'm sure I have left out a few!

Busy with a capital "B"

I feel like I haven't blogged in forever, but just realized that I only skipped one day! Things have been SUPER busy here at work! Just trying to do all the tasks associated with 6 events that will be in September is making us all crazy. Especially since there are only 3 of us in the office now. Without an administrative assistant, it means we have to spend time doing small, mundane tasks that he would have done, and we have had to go back through things to make sure he had done what was asked of him before he resigned. My head is swimming trying to keep things straight! In fact, that's why I am blogging and now and not working on something....my mind is overloaded today!!

Anyway, enough of the griping! This weekend is a very special weekend....yep, another wedding! This time for my friends Carolyn and Chris. WEG and I are both in the wedding (we're both in the one next weekend, too). We love Carolyn & Chris and can't wait for them to be Mr. and Mrs. Clark! Friday starts the festivities with the bridal brunch (at Dianne's on Divine...yum!) and the rehearsal dinner (catered by Shealy's BBQ....another yum!). Then on Saturday it's the wedding, reception, and after party (catered by the people who own Blue Marlin...yet another yum!). I foresee myself eating well this weekend while celebrating with two of our best friends!!

Also, I'd like to thank everyone for your suggestions on things I could get WEG for his birthday. I decided to make him a basket of stuff along with a gift certificate for us to go eat at Mr. Friendly's. I knew that if I didn't get a gift certificate he would never let me follow through on taking him because he never lets me pay the bill at expensive restaurants. So, a gift certificate solves that problem! And in his basket of goodies I got him a grill cover (not a Clemson one because I had to get the custom cover for his grill), new electronic meat thermometer (his old one broke and he's always needing one!), a book I think he'll like (Sand County Almanac- it's quoted in a lot of outdoor magazines), several of his favorite kinds of candy, a new Pelagic visor he wants (it has a marlin on it, of course), and a wine opener.

We agreed I shouldn't spend a fortune since 1) we're not that type of gift givers to start with, 2) I have had so many expenses this summer with being in weddings, etc. and 3) last year was his 30th birthday and I went all out with a surprise party.

So there you have it- what's going on in my life right now. Sorry for the lack of pictures!!

Just call me Cinderella

Why? Because this weekend I spent Friday night and most of the day Saturday cleaning... And by cleaning, I mean scrubbing the floors with a scrub brush; vacuuming around the ceilings, in the corners, and along where the floor meets the wall (places I usually forget about); and cleaning baseboards. I also completely re-organized our kitchen, and now everything has a place! No, I'm sorry to say, everything did not have a place beforehand. I basically did my spring cleaning a few months late.

Then, after I was Cinderella, I morphed into Betty Crocker on Sunday. I made chocolate chip cookies (okay, they were slice and bake- sue me), homemade macaroni and cheese, and monkey bread.

Domestic? I think so.

Thought provoking

I saw this on a sign at a church in my neighborhood:

Is God your steering wheel or your spare tire?

Chew on that....

Such is life

For reasons I am not at liberty to discuss on my blog, our administrative assistant resigned today. I will say it was a "forced resignation." So, guess what that means. No more ice chomping for one, but it also means more work for everyone in the office.

We have a busy, busy fall coming up with events, and we will hire to replace him, but it's a process, so for a while we won't have anyone. It also means that when we get someone they will have to be totally trained. As many of you know, this can take up a large chunk of time and energy, as well. So, basically, we're floating alone either without an administrative assistant or with an unexperienced one for most of the Fall- our craziest time of year.

We will all have to pick up the slack- which means, I'm probably going to be a little more out of the loop on commenting, posting, etc. Boo hoo :-(

Let the fun begin! Did you sense my eye-roll?

Personality Traits unveiled

Mrs. Potts over at Experiments in a Galley Kitchen tagged me for the Premium Meme award. This award requires that I list 7 traits about myself and then pass along the award to 7 other bloggers who deserve recognition for the personality they share through their blog.


If you don't know Mrs. Potts, go on over to her blog and get acquainted. She's oh so sweet and down to earth, and you'll love reading what she has to say! Quit wasting time, get on over there! (After you finish reading this post, that is)


Here's the award:

Don't ask me what that picture is of- I can't tell either!

My 7 traits in no particular order are:

1. Organized- I think we have already discussed this. I have often been dubbed the Organizational Nazi (I apologize if that offends anyone). I live my life from a list, and if I don't have a list, well then I'll just forget. Ask my friend whose birthday was Saturday- I totally didn't call, and guess why? NO LIST! (Yes, I have profusely apologized to her for being a horrible friend who forgot to call- I did not forget it was her birthday, just remembered while I was in the middle of something!)

2. Dependable- If you count on me to do something, you can rest easy knowing it will get done. I absolutely hate when people don't follow through when they say they are going to do something. Therefore, I make it a point to do what I say. If I don't think I can do it, then I won't tell you I can.

3. Jealous- Yes, there, I said it. I'm the jealous type. I don't think this needs much of an explanation. It's not a good trait to have, but I might as well be honest!

4. Friendly- I always try to be friendly to those I meet. I try to make conversation and really connect with people. However, some people are a lost cause because they are either A) unfriendly in return or B) annoying as all get-out. Many of you remember my rant after a particular weekend when I had to deal with the mother of all annoying people....I just can't be friendly to her anymore!

5. Caring- I really care about people and I always make sure I let them know it. Even when I don't have time for myself, I am doing things for those I care about. Case in point- 3 weddings, 3 bachelorette parties, multiple showers all in one summer and all because I really care about the 3 girls who are getting (or have gotten) married.

6. Hot headed- Because nobody can have all good traits (ok, jealousy is not a good trait, I know). And let me clarify. I try to be calm, level-headed, but that goes straight out the window when I get behind the wheel of a car. I have road rage like you wouldn't believe!! My temper flares at bad drivers, I tend to throw out the occasional dirty word, I use my horn. In short, do not get in my way when I am driving.

7. Quirky- But, aren't we all? I think everyone has some peculiarities that can only be described as quirky. I can't divulge all my secret quirks, but just know- I have them!!

Now for the 7 loooovely ladies I will be passing this along to:

DAR at Just Another Day in Paradise (Yay to her for finishing the Bar!!)

Sparkle Sparkle! (another lovely blogger who just took the Bar)

Lindsey at Sweet Simplicity (such a cute blog she has- check it out!)

MG at Magnolias and Mimosas (She just moved to a new place and has lots of adventures)

Megan at Tales of the Trees (One of the most honest, refreshing bloggers!)

Sole Matters (another Southern girl with a great blog)

Jenny at Practically Perfect (she's moving to New Zealand before long- my jealousy kicks in)