Day 248

Last Sunday, April 17th, my mom called me and said that she was putting my Easter stuff in a box and sending it out first thing Monday morning.  Then, Monday, she told me FedEx said it would get to me on Thursday.  I knew I wouldn't be there, but would instead be at home in NC, but she didn't know that and I couldn't tell her.

So today I opened my Easter box.

Of course there's some candy but my mom and dad also send some very pretty "eggs," a pen and notepad that's already living in my purse so I don't have to write on receipts, a bunny that poops candy, a smoothie recipe book (it also has punches, we'll be enjoying this a lot this summer), some sunscreen (which I was pleasantly surprised was 15 SPF, not 85 SPF which wouldn't have surprised me at all), and a $25 gift card to Home Depot!  Not to mention what all of this came in: a pottery pot  my mom found at Seagrove, NC!

I love my parents!

Day 247

I was supposed to be back in Colorado this morning.  But I'm not.  I'm still at home!

Mom and Dad took me to the airport last night around 6PM where we said our tearful goodbyes see-ya-laters.  I went through security and was sitting at my gate at Greensboro's PTI Airport when I heard the announcement that our crew for the plane was in the air and would be there in about 10 minutes, so boarding would be about half an hour delayed.  Alright, I thought, No big deal.  I don't have anywhere else to go.

So we started boarding, first class first, obviously.  Probably the 6th or 7th guy's ticket wasn't scanning correctly.  So they pulled him to the desk and started typing.  I could see it in the woman's face that something wasn't right.  Then, she picked up the phone to make an announcement for all of us standing in line to board.

Crrrrkk. Passengers flying to Cincinnati, can I have you attention please.  This plane has been overbooked and we're looking for one volunteer with flexible flight plans to give up their seat.  We'll be giving you a $400 travel voucher and will try to get you to your destination tonight.  If we can't, then Delta will be paying for your hotel and meals and we'll get you out first thing tomorrow morning.

She probably said more, but I was walking to the desk before she was even done saying all of this.  I was supposed to be working on Tuesday at my job with Nestle but had received a call as I sat down at the gate that I wasn't needed Tuesday (today).  I was the only person volunteering to give up my seat and I was so excited.  It was Mom's birthday yesterday when all of this was happening so I called my parents and told them to turn around and come and get me.  We had another 18 hours together.

I don't believe in coincidences.  God always has a plan.

So today, before we went back to the airport, I had to get one more picture of our dogs.  Well, my dog Maddie and her/my dad's dog, Buddy.

My sweet girl.  She's perfect.  And a diva.

Buddy.  Oh Buddy.  He's a very sweet and loving dog, but he's just not all there.  He chases planes...

Day 212

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!

Last night we picked up one of my good friends, Mandy, from the airport.  She is blessed to have a good job that lets her fly to different places to visit friends on the weekends.  Mandy was also able to come visit me in Boston last fall when we went to the Wine Fest!  She's taken today off and we're getting to spend some wonderful, and much needed, girl time together.

Once John got off of work we headed downtown for some delicious Mexican food and then to meet up with some friends to celebrate St. Patty's Day.  Here's some pictures from our evening.

We were green beer virgins.  Not any more!

Me, Mandy, and Kevin.

Me and John.  I need to find my way to a tanning bed very badly.  Or it just needs to get warm enough so I can not look quite so alabaster.

Next year I want to have a party and have lots of themed food.  Goodness knows I have plenty of recipes.

Day 207

Denver has one of the world's largest St. Patrick's Day Parades.  Take note, I know that today isn't St. Patty's Day.  We're almost a week early.  But today is the day of the parade.  The largest St. Patty's Day Parade.

At least that's what it's advertised as.  I do agree.  It is one of the largest, but it should honestly be advertised as one of the longest St. Patty's Day parades.  There weren't even big balloons or anything like you would expect to see on the TV in the Macy's Day Parade!  Just lots of people driving cars with ads on the sides or people walking down the street waving.  So, yes, it was large.  But lets be honest.  When a parade lasts about 4 hours and there aren't any large balloons, Rockettes, famous singers, or marching bands, it becomes long.

Anyways, here's some pics.

 

 

 

 

Day 127

Happy 23rd Birthday, Chelsea!!

I hung out with my little pup today.  If you read my blog or know me at all, you know I love my dog, Maddie.  She is my princess, but she is also a diva.  Oh my gosh is she ever.  But she's perfect.

Here's a better picture of her.  The one above just doesn't do her justice.

My adopted child who just happens to have fur.  I love you Maddie Bailey!!

Day 123

Graduation.  No other words are needed.

Where the winds of Dixie softly blow

o'er the fields of Caroline,

There stands ever cherished NC STATE, as thy honored shrine.

So lift your voices!  Loudly sing from hill to ocean side!

Our hearts ever hold you NC STATE, in the folds of our love and pride.

GO STATE!!

Day 119

Today is my last day of classes as an undergraduate!!  I cannot believe it.  The past 3 years at NC State have flown by, and this last semester at UMass Boston has been an adventure.  Thank you to all of you who have been there for me!

I went walking through the Pru today and they have tons of beautiful flower beds that they change seasonally.  For the Christmas season, beautiful red amaryllis!!

Day 115

Unfortunately, no picture for today :(  I didn't bring my camera to the Christmas party.  But picture a beautiful room in a hotel in downtown Denver.  Everyone in nice cocktail dresses, well except for the guys, they were wearing suits.  John and I went to one of his coworkers places before the party for a kind of cocktail hour.  It was great.  A more relaxed way for me to begin to meet all of the people John works with.

After the party, which had delicious carving stations, wine and beer, a room for karaoke, a room for dancing, a lounge, and the large "party" room, we went with some of John's coworkers to a bar downtown.  Somehow we managed to put 9 people in our taxi and convince the driver that we only had 5.  Oh goodness.

I was really excited to be out in Denver and to be going to my first official business Christmas party.  But I was especially excited for my Yves Saint Laurent red lipstick and the jeweled hair pin.

Day 59

Tonight we carved pumpkins.  We piled in Elena's car, went to the grocery store, came back, and spent the Friday night carving.  So much fun.  From left to right we have Olivia (cactus, mountains, coyote, sun: Arizona), Lindsay/Alex (pirate ship), me (ghost), CJ (LA Lakers...booooo), Sam Phil/Bryan (woman's figure...men...), Elena (cat), and Kyle (Jack-o-lantern).

Day 51

This is a big day so it's going to be heavy on the pictures.  It's my 21st birthday and John's here!!  He landed in Boston a little after 5AM. 

So I went to class, came back, and we there were some surprises for me from my awesome housemates.

My parents and sister sent me a box with some wonderful presents in it.

We went to BC to walk around the campus and to see some of the football guys that John knows.

On the way back, we stopped at Blanchard's, the store that has "everything and anything that has alcohol in it."

Celebrate!

The girls got me some sweet presents that I absolutely love.

And then John and I went to dinner in the North End for some of the best Italian food in the world.

What a wonderful birthday!