Great Weekend

I decided spur-of-the-moment last week that I would go home after I got off work Friday. I didn't have any real reason to go other than just wanting to. I knew the St. Paddy's Day parade was scheduled for Saturday and even though I'm from Jackson and the parade has been in existence for as long as I can remember, I'd never been. I talked to Lexie and she and Josh were planning to go so I asked if I could tag along. This is us waiting on the parade to start...










I couldn't get over how many people were there - and there were a ton of Sweet Potato Queens! It was great weather and we had a lot of fun.

Later that afternoon, I met up with Lee and her family because they were having a family get-together for her mom's 50th birthday. Happy Birthday, Mrs. Carol! Since I've been part of the family for the last 20 years or so, I was invited. Here's a shot of me and Lee and (one of) my baby girl's, Ella. I can't believe she's already 14 months old and running all over the place. I could just eat her up with a spoon!

I got to spend some time with my parents which I love more and more, the older I get. Bart went to Baton Rouge to take senior portraits for one of my cousins, so I only saw him for about 5 minutes. Hopefully, I'll get to see him when I go home Easter weekend.

Hope ya'll had a great weekend too! :)

Update

It's been over a week since I've "blogged", so I have a lot to catch you (3 readers) up on. Ok, "a lot" may be a slight exaggeration...
I went home (to Jackson) after work last Friday. My boss was out of the office so I skipped out a little early myself. The drive was great and I made it home in just over 5 hours. My (maternal) grandmother had been at my parent's house all week since Mom had her surgery and wasn't working. Maw Maw does not look good at all. She was up and dressed when I got there but had to go lay down within about 20 minutes. She is very weak and spends most of her days in bed. It kills me to see her like that. Maw Maw used to be the type that always had her make up on and her hair fixed just perfectly. She would have never wanted you to see her at anything but her finest. I wish there was something I could do to make her feel better but I know there's not. It broke my heart to leave her.

Saturday morning my friend, Lexie, and I did a 10-K in Vicksburg. We did it last year but somehow in those 364 days, I forgot how many hills there were. Oh my gosh! I didn't think it was ever going to be over. We took a couple of pictures - pre-race - so when I get a copy from Lex, I'll post. Saturday afternoon, Lee and I went to a Spring Market they were having in Jackson. I think it was supposed to be similar to Canton Flea Market, but most of the stuff we saw was really over-priced. Lee bought Ella a monogrammed pillow case and I didn't buy anything. That was definitely one of our quicker shopping experiences!

We went to church on Sunday and then I headed back to Atlanta soon after lunch. With daylight savings time, not only did I lose 1 hour, I lost 2 since I was back on EST. Yuck!! At least I didn't have to drive back in the dark. I heart DST, so I'll be glad to give up the one hour of sleep in exchange for more daylight (and eventually warmer temperatures).

I'm running another 10-K this weekend and hoping this one is much flatter. Kate and I are going to the outlet mall to return a few things and then we may be going with some friends to see Elton John and Billy Joel. I'm hoping Billy sings "Uptown Girl" just for me! :)

Have a great weekend!!!

Integrity...For Better or Worse

I realize that if I continue to keep up this blog long-term that I probably won't even remember who these people are, but...I feel that I must step on a soap box for just a few minutes and explain my feelings for the latest "Bachelor", Jason Mesnick. First of all, I have to admit that I have not really kept up with the Bachelor this season. Every time I've watched it from start to finish, I always get mad because they (the Bachelor/Bachelorette) never pick who I would pick if I were them. Coupled with the fact that only one relationship out of how many seasons of the show (??) have stood the test of time. So, here's to you, Trista and Ryan. Thank you for beating the odds and congratulations on your second bun-in-the-oven!

Now, back to the "most shocking season" in Bachelor history. After a 6-week, completely televised relationship with multiple women, you have to give the guy a little credit where credit is due and understand that he may be slightly confused. I wouldn't be able to remember all of their names much less choose one to be my spouse! Maybe there's an IQ test or something you have to pass in order to be on the show, who knows? I panic over the thought of what to eat for dinner - there is no doubt picking a husband would send me completely over the edge. I digress. I knew when Jason nearly threw himself into the Infinity pool after telling Molly that he "couldn't imagine ever saying goodbye to her...but he had to", he had made a mistake. He knew it too. If he was truly in-love with Melissa, he wouldn't have been that highly emotional about saying goodbye to Molly. If you love somebody the way you should love somebody when you ask them to spend the rest of their life with you (ON NATIONAL TELEVISION), you don't cry - or in this case hyperventilate - over spilled milk (i.e., Molly). Fortunately, for him, Melissa didn't watch the show before saying "yes" to his proposal.

"After the Final Rose," which usually shows the happy couple all over each other and discussing wedding plans, took a dramatic turn. We find out that in the six week period that Jason proposed and returned to his normal life, he realizes his mistake in choosing Melissa over Molly. WHAT (gasp!!)??? And, better yet, he's going to break up with Melissa on national television and ask Molly for another chance. The whole time I'm thinking "bless her heart" in regards to Melissa and "surely she's not that stupid" in regards to Molly. After the public break-up has ended, Melissa gathers up what little pride she has left and asks Jason never to call her again - bless her heart. Molly joins the show to learn of Jason's change of heart. She is completely taken aback just like all the other 17 million Americans who have tuned in to watch this sick sherade of love. But, instead of demanding answers and wanting to know why their relationship will turn out any differently than his relationship with Melissa, she really is "that stupid". She starts kissing him and telling him she "never expected this" but is willing to see where things go because her feelings for him haven't changed. Whatever. Why are girls so naive? I include myself in that statement some (most) days. My favorite "Jason" line was where he was talking about his son, Ty, and that he wanted him to know that it's okay to make mistakes as long as you do it with integrity...because getting on national television and breaking a girl's heart is using integrity. Bless Ty's heart too for being raised by someone who is so mis-informed.

I hear that the new Bachelorette will be Jillian who was in the top 3 this season with Jason. Hopefully, she won't make me get on another soap box. :)