Mental Leftovers

We've established that I have Doug-like tendencies, but, hey, this is my our blog, so I get full content control.  Here are some things that have been bouncing around in my mind over the last few days:

If you haven't already, you must go read the Bloggess' adventures!  Particularly:

• And that's why you should learn to pick your battles
• Would you like to buy a monkey?

Intrigued yet?  Believe me, it's worth it.

Three weeks ago, I finished listening to Laura Hillenbrand's Unbroken on audiobook and I cannot stop thinking about it.

Amazon describes it as "the inspiring true story of a man who lived through a series of catastrophes almost too incredible to be believed."  As I first discoved with Seabiscuit, Hillenbrand's writing is extremely engaging, particularly her ability to weave larger social and political issues into a very personal story.  I read she researched the book for seven years, but the book reads as a page-turning thriller and not a textbook-boring recounting of World War II veterans' stories.  This book made me laugh out loud, weep at the cruelty Louie experienced, and want to leap up and start singing the "Star-Spangled Banner."

Unbroken really made me think about the experiences of WWII soldiers returning home compared to that of soldiers returning home from the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, particularly related to PTSD and their ability to move forward.  I wish I knew more and understood it better at all, so I'll have to see if there are any books written about it.  Recommendations welcomed.

Look!  It's another paint chip DIY! I believe my mother, who wants to retire to the gift wrapping counter at Belk's, will particularly like this one.

If you need a few more laughs after reading The Bloggess, check out the most hilarious auto-corrected texts of all time.  Well this is awkward.

And now for The Sweetest Picture of All Time.

 

See ya tomorrow for a wedding update!  Just 301 days!  Oh yeah, there might be a little (awesome) reason I've been able to post twice in one day that I will share soon.

The Shortest Major Life Decision Conversation Ever

*ring, ring*

Caroline: Hey John!
John: How do you feel about moving to Charlotte?
Caroline: Sounds good!
John: Great, let me call the judge back.

*click*

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the extent of the conversation that's leading us to Charlotte in a few short weeks. Now, there were more major conversations before and after that one, but they were more about logistics and less about deciding if it was the right thing for us to do individually or as a couple. There really was no doubt that we'd take this step together.

If you're wondering how such a major thing could be decided so quickly and nonchalantly, there are two important things to know:

This guy is going to be there.

And, while the story could almost end there, there is also this little Google map:

Versus this one:

A Fourth Recap

We had a very fun and full Fourth weekend filled with festivities and friends and family celebrating our nation's founding. Whew, there's no doubt I deserved that English degree after that alliterative sentence.

We were dog sitting Chelsea again, and, after sneaking out of work a little early, I arrived at the house to find this lazy beast enjoying the air conditioning. {sorry about the glare on the glass}

But since it was about 1,000 degrees, I could hardly blame her. When John finished studying, we ran out to Whole Foods because they were running a "4th of July Bundle Deal" where for $20 you could get a pound of wild-caught sockeye salmon, mixed green salad, apple pie, and lemonade. You can't beat that, particularly at Whole Foods!

I got too carried away by the deliciousness to snap a picture of dinner, but I did get one of our "hangry-preventers."

Smoked salmon, fresh Black Mission figs, and some white cheddar cheese.

Of course John went straight for the smoked salmon.

On Saturday morning, we made a quick sprint to a nearby yard sale where they were selling milk glass pieces.  Unfortunately, most were pretty bad reproductions, but I did score one beautiful Fire King hobnail vase for $2!

I'm thinking it would look great with some pretty straws at the wedding.  I actually think the picture below shows the exact same vase.

Image via Style Me Pretty

After the yard sale, with the help of Brooks Brothers, we made John a true Southern lawyer.

Yes sir, we got him a seersucker suit.  After the pants are hemmed, I will be sure to report back on how handsome he looks.

Later I ran to the mall with one of my bridesmaids so she could order her dress.  

 

More details on these soon, but I was glad for another check mark on the wedding planning!

That night we attended a surprise birthday party for a friend organized by his fantastic fiancee {can't get away from that alliteration}.

Here we are scrambling to light our holiday-appropriate sparklers when the "errant honk" let us know they had arrived.

Surprise and happy birthday, Mr. C!

On Sunday, we attended a very patriotic and multi-cultural fiesta at John's aunt's house.

We even had a Brit there for good measure. 

After our fajita fiesta {I'll stop now} the night before, I was craving a cool salad after our walk on Monday morning.  We headed down to Weaver Street Market, where I put a dent in their salad bar.

Finally, I tried to get a picture of Chelsea with her American flag, but she was feeling a little shy.

The Adventure Begins

Last week I received a fun package in the mail...

 

Receiving packages in the mail is always a treat, and, while normally it's just the latest sample from Wal-Mart, this one was extra fun.  

Some weeks ago, I won a "Southern Adventure" giveaway on the Southern Weddings blog.  Yes, this blog is quickly becoming the auxiliary SW site.  Well my prize arrived, and I officially love them!

I won two customized leather luggage tags from the Etsy shop Of the Fountain for our honeymoon.

 

Aren't they cool?  I love the richness of the leather (oh, the smell!) and the unique, personal message.  I don't think anyone will mistakenly pick up our bags now.  But I might be tempted to leave on my other favorite luggage tags just in case.

Available from Inventive Travelware

I added the message "the adventure begins" as a reference to one of my favorite movies Up and the adventure book that features prominently in the plot.  

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Truth be told, while John likes the movie too, he mostly likes to tease me about acting like Doug because I have serious conversation ADD sometimes.

As I was saying, SQUIRREL!!

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