Where Does Time Go?

Happy Monday friends.  I just realized that I didn't post at all last week...unintentionally.  Where does time go?  The good news about me not posting is that I have been a busy little bee at work.  My current position is transitioning- I am shedding a few of my current responsibilities and adding more valuable projects under the direction of Finance and the CFO!  I couldn't be more excited to embark on this new journey that will surely look great on my resume.

I have also been spending some quality time with the hubby.  Here are just a few of the mini dates we have been on in the past two weeks:

Riverdogs Game

My company sponsors a sky box at the Riverdogs Stadium.  Each division has the opportunity to take advantage of these amazing seats, the food, and game once a year.  Two Saturdays ago, we had our chance and the experience was nothing less than fantastic.  The hot dogs and hamburgers were on point, the breeze was perfect, and it was all around a great night for baseball!

Car Shopping

It's official...I have car fever and I am in love with the New Ford Explorers.  I test drove one a few weeks ago, and haven't been able to stop thinking about it since.  Bradley and I both agree that this will be a great car for when we start having kids.  I'm sure in a few weeks, there will be a post on my new car...hopefully!

Movies

We finally took the time to go see the box office hit, Ted.  This movie was hilarious- crass, but hilarious! Mark Wahlberg was the perfect actor to play alongside Seth MacFarlane as a teddy bear.  Definitely an adult must see!

What have you guys been up to?  I'm headed over to check out your new posts as well!

Monday Madness

Saturday's Cinco de Mayo celebration was just what the doctor ordered.  My friend Maureen and I enjoyed a few peaceful hours by the pool before preparing an AH-mazing Mexican feast for lunch complete with chicken enchiladas, beans, rice, corn, chips, salsa, and pomegranate margaritas!

Saturday evening the hubby and I cheered on the Berkeley Stags baseball team in the 1st game of the 2nd round of the playoffs!  Those boys played toughed, but lost 2-1.  Luckily, it's double elimination, so we will be out at the field again tonight hoping for a win to advance!

Today starts the two week vacation of my manager.  I don't know whether to be nervous or excited!  He has put me in charge of a few projects while he is away, so if I become MIA in the near future, you will understand why :).

Here's to making Monday the best it can be!

A Fabulous Year in Review {2011}

2011 was quite a year.  Some good & some bad, but oh the memories will never fade.  I am fortunate to have such loving friends and family, and even a cyberworld full of blogging friends!  This is my first year in review, and I plan to do it each year as I continue to share my thoughts, actions, and opinions with the rest of the world.  It's an awesome way to look back on the experiences I have had over the year.  

Sit back and enjoy...it's going to be a long one :).

January

We rang in the New Year with great friends that we met on a cruise in 2010.

I started my first "real" job after grad school at one of the best places to work in SC.

Moved into our first home.

February

Partied in Charlotte for my Bachelorette Party with my closest friends.

Celebrated our upcoming nuptials with several showers.

March

Said "I Do" {03.19.11}.

Spent a wonderful, relaxing week in Riviera Maya for our honeymoon.

April

Sent my cousin and life long best friend off to Boston.

I ran my first 10K as a married woman with my in-laws.

Met Coach Ray Tanner of the South Carolina Gamecocks 

{Back to Back National Baseball Champions} on our 1 month wedding anniversary!

May

Walked across the stage to receive my diploma for a Masters of Business Administration degree.

Went to Boston to visit my cousin & best friend.

June

Joined the blogging world and wrote my very first post on June 23rd.

Celebrated our friends Kevin and Caroline by attending their couples wedding shower.

Surprised my friend Maureen with a dinner with friends for her birthday.

July

Spent a nice weekend with the family for Fourth of July on the lake.

Spent a weekend in Savannah, GA for Serena's Wild & Crazy Bachelorette Party

August

Spent a day on the ocean with awesome new friends!

Flew to Michigan for Mark & Serena's Wedding weekend.

September

Celebrated the BEST birthday ever as a married woman.

Attended Courtney's Bachelorette Festivities in Charleston.

Was a part of Courtney and Tim's beautiful ceremony in Greenwood, SC.

Celebrated my grandmother's 90th birthday!

Partied with my girls in Charleston for Kendal's Bachelorette Party.

October

Tailgated with family and friends at the USC vs. Kentucky game.

Spent the weekend in Columbia for Caroline's Bachelorette Party!

November

Ran my very first Half Marathon in Savannah, GA.

Celebrated Kevin & Caroline's Wedding Festivities in Union, SC.

Went home to spend time with family and friends for Thanksgiving.

 

December

Decorated my house for the first time on Christmas!

Had the best first Christmas as a married couple with family and friends!

 

 

 

I am very grateful for all the people in my life and how they made 2011 a great year.  I look forward to all the opportunities and experiences 2012 shall bring! 

Happy New Year to You and Yours! 

Post Christmas Loves

Well hello there! Long time no see!  I have been busy this morning catching up at work and with all of your blogs to see what Santa brought you for Christmas.  Mine was fabulous.  I got to spend some much needed time with my family, go shopping, rest and relax.  It's always over so darn fast, but I did enjoy the time I had off from work.  I haven't loaded all of the pictures from my camera, but plan to do that tonight and have a full picture recap tomorrow.  Now, for what I'm loving this week:

{One} It's Wednesday!

Yes, I am excited about this because it is my first day back to work for the week.  That means another short week for me here in the office.  Although the work is piling on, it's worth it for a few days off!

{Two} Fantasy Football Champion

That's right.  At work, 14 of us competed in a fantasy football league.  I made the playoff games by the skin of my teeth, but came from behind and beat the #3, #2, and #1 seed to win the whole thing!  Some may call it luck, but I call it skill (my husband's that is) :).  A nice cash prize came along with the win too.

{Three} Christmas Decorations....

...are down.  Last night when we got home I took all the ornaments off the tree and packed it up along with the other decor in the house.  They are all in boxes just waiting to be put in the storage closet outside.  I hate to see them go, but glad it was an easy setup and break down!

{Four} Florida Bound

In just two short days, we will be packing up the car again and heading to Florida!  We will spend New Year's Eve in Tampa with my old roommate, and then traveling down to Orlando for the Capitol One Bowl game on Monday!  What a treat :).

Stay tuned tomorrow for a full Christmas recap!

Holiday Fun

Today at work we had our annual holiday party.  It is a time for the employees in our department to enjoy a potluck lunch for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.  Everyone brings a covered dish and we celebrate with food and a gift exchange.  The spread today was delicious.  Our director brought in a Honey Baked Ham. I brought brown rice.  There was green beans, black eyed peas, sweet potato casserole, macaroni and cheese, broccoli salad, vegetable tray, hot wings, and a ton of delicious desserts.

I am literally about to pop as I am sitting here typing away.  I ate way too much, and the sugar high from the sweets isn't helping much either.  If my cube wasn't right across from my boss's office, I might would crawl under my desk for a little siesta!

Our little gift exchange was quite a treat as well.  We decided to have a White Elephant gift exchange that includes re-gifts, old items in your office/cube/house, or a gift under $5.  I may have laughed off all the calories I just put on!  There were some great ones this year.  I decided to play a little mind trick, on the men in particular.  I took an old Victoria's Secret box and wrapped my gift in it.  There was no wrapping paper on the outside, so all the guys were definitely intrigued.  Little did they know what was inside.

Low and behold, a guy picked the first number, and without hesitation he chose my box.  After opening the well taped box, he began to chuckle and everyone else became intrigued.  This is what he found:

Wrong? I don't think so.  

Funny? I thought it was HILARIOUS!

Somehow I ended up with my own gift, but I am OK with that.  They will just go back into the hall closet upstairs with the other rolls :).  At least it is something I can use!

Do you have holiday parties at work?  How about any White Elephant or Dirty Santa gift exchanges?