When It Rains .... It Continues to Rain

Will the rain ever stop?!

This seems to be a question every Georgia resident, or long term visitor, keeps asking themselves lately.  As we approach mid-August the children are heading back to school, college will start again soon, and many folks are ending their long planned summer vacations.  However, as they come back home it seems the rain is still pouring down.  Never-the-less I will not let a little rain stand in my way .... because apparently I love to stand IN the rain.

I spent what felt like hours (even though it was only an hour tops) at the DMV last Wednesday to renew my license.  For those of  you who have not experienced renewing/receiving your license in Georgia since the new rules have gone into effect, thank your lucky stars - or wait until it is your turn, but be prepared.  I am very thankful I did not pack away important documents that were needed to update my license.  I took a total of 11 documents with me, and graciously only had to use 6 of them in order to get a new Georgia license: this is ABSURD.  However, it only took me 20 minutes tops, once in the building, to transfer/renew.  Here is your warning: BE PREPARED!

As the weekend approached we experience tax free weekend here in Georgia and I would say it was mediocre.  I suppose shopping the weekend before and cheaper prices was really well worth the experience.  I also REALLY miss tax free week in Maryland.  'Those were the days'!  But I did get a new pair of tennis shoes to wear during Zumba that are not as clunky as my running shoes, and thank goodness for a military discount on top of the tax free.

On Sunday we celebrated the family 'August' birthdays! Big shout out to Haley and Leigh for another year added and another year wiser!

Haley and Leigh celebrate with 1 candle in the cake! Meme and Todd watch with excitement.

 We attended the Braves game on Monday night as they played the Phillies.  We waited almost 3 hours for the game to begin, due to ..... RAIN!  Guess you are not surprised.  When the first pitch was finally thrown it continued to rain for at least 30 more minutes and then the skies finally closed and we could watch without mounds of gear and water weighing us down.  While walking around the stadium we discovered the new Waffle House.  Haley couldn't resist a photo op.

Left: Storms were brewing
Right: Haley find Waffle House

One final shout out:
Everyone knows I love Arbonne!!  I tried their Vanilla Protein Shakes for the first time and absolutely loved it!  Jennifer Reitz hooked me up with some amazing recipes to use with my powders and I cannot wait to try them all.  Thanks Jen!

Almond Crunch recipe with vanilla protein powder

God Bless RachJ

20 Years Later Led to this Journey

As promised following my last post ..... Haley's birthday has come and gone.  Who knew you could have so much fun in one weekend?!  We traveled to Charleston for a blast from the past, for some, and a new adventure for others.  Haley had no idea we were going to Charleston AND staying overnight.  We slyly tricked her by going to Rebecca's on Friday evening and spending her birthday there.  Be on the lookout for several links included in this post - I couldn't resist sharing the goodness!

Before we made it to Rebecca's we made a pit stop in Anderson South Carolina.  Haley and I often shop on the Blake&Brady website, a passionate little desire!  We thought we would drop on, on tax free weekend, and see what the little boutique had to offer in person.  We were pleasantly thrilled at how friendly the staff was and how easy and convenient it was to shop!  Needless to say we both found several pieces that had to be added to our expanding wardrobes.

After making our selections we posed in front of the shop! Check out the super cute shopper bags!

 After shopping we headed to Rebecca's for Haley's birthday celebration.  Twenty years folks!! No longer a teen!  I cooked stuffed shells for Haley, one of her favorite meals that I cook.  Rebecca made the cake!  She made a watermelon cake covered in Cool Whip, kiwis, strawberries, and slice almonds.  HOLY MOLY! Can we all say delicious?!  Afterward, Haley opened her gifts and I think she was pleasantly surprised to see she got pretty much everything she asked for!  Later on we headed to grab some homemade milkshakes and ice cream.  Then it was time to snooze because we had a busy Saturday ahead of us.

20 never looked so good! (Stuffed shells and a watermelon cake)

As we hit the road rolling on Saturday morning for Charleston we had one more surprise for Haley.  We were stopping to pick up Destin!  Since he joined the Navy he's been away from home and everyone is missing him so much, especially Haley!  What a birthday surprise!  Check out how great he looks!

Top: Rebecca, Destin, Haley, and myself = just picked him up!
Bottom: Rebecca, myself, Haley, and Destin = Marion Square in Charleston

We headed into Downtown Charleston and arrived at the hotel.  Haley was super confused .... we let her know we were checking in and she said 'wait, what?! we're staying?!!'  Hilarious moment!  We unloaded the car and headed for the Trolley stop (FREE, yes please!)  We took the trolley to Marion Square, hopped off and headed toward the Market Hall and Sheds.  After sweating to death and aching feet we took a break and enjoyed a nice lunch at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.  After we finally made it back to the hotel we headed for the Tanger Outlets in Charleston, just to shop a little more.  Come on folks, it was tax free weekend, plus these outlets had an American Eagle!  We took Destin to Zaxby's and then dropped him back at his barracks.  It was so much fun to be able to see him after such a long time!

Rebecca and I 'trolley riding'

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. in Charleston

As Sunday rolled around we knew our journey may soon be coming to an end, but not before we shopped a little more.  We hit the shopping strip in downtown.  We visited several little stores including The OOPS and Warren on King.  After walking around and getting slightly warm on a sunny Sunday afternoon we stopped in at Nick's Bar-B-Q for a little lunch.  Holy cow, the BEST bar-b-q I have had in quite some time, and the mac-n-cheese wasn't too bad either!  I would definitely recommend trying this restaurant if you visit!

Shopping at Warren on King

Eating a delicious lunch at Nick's Bar-B-Q

Table 28 LOVED the BBQ!

Well folks .... the Charleston journey ended there but there will be other birthdays .... Haley turns 21 next year!  Who knows where we will go then?!

God Bless RachJ

Staying Busy

It has been about two and a half weeks since my last post so I am going to start with a jazzy request!  My aunt is reformatting her jewelry business, after officially choosing a name: Connie's Classy Jewels.  Check out one little goody she sells:

Mum earrings in several different colors!

Click on the link provided and check out her goodies: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ladyblueeyes Also, drop by her new Facebook page and like! She has a giveaway coming up: https://www.facebook.com/conniesclassyjewels

Now .... what have I been doing to stay busy?! Lots of stuff has happened in the past few weeks.  I have spent lots of time with my family and have watched Ronnie receive so much love!  I have also been able to reconnect with some friends I have not seen in a while!  I was very happy to meet up with Danielle for lunch and surprise her dad, whom I have not seen in many, many years!  We had a great time catching up since we have last talked with each other - never a dull day!

Danielle, Dan, and myself at El Sombrero in Gainesville

Mom and I also headed up to South Carolina to see Rebecca and Marion again.  We spent Saturday afternoon at Columbia mall, shopping our little hearts out!  Such a busy area, reminds me of Augusta, but the mall is not as big as I am used to!  We decided to head to Rock Hill for dinner and dessert that evening!  What a gorgeous area!

I got to visit Haley last week at work.  She works at Lake Lanier Islands, for those curious who signs her paychecks.  In stead of working at Windows, the restaurant where she is a hostess, she was tediously attending to the everyday needs of customers in the Butler Pantry!  Her first time working in there and I must say she was doing a FAB job!

Mom, Haley, and myself traveled back to the theaters to check out The To Do List.  Haley was thrilled to see Aubrey Plaza in the film and I was equally excited to see Young Neil (played by Johnny Simmons).  I have established a first name basis with him since seeing Scott Pilgrim!  This film had all the crudeness any movie junk of tasteless enjoyment would like!  If you're looking for a good laugh and want to reminisce of what 1993 meant to you .... go watch! This is NOT a film to watch with your kids or parents! That's your courtesy heads up!

I have found a new obsession for Birchbox!  I love getting the monthly subscription boxes.  It is neat to test items that fit the profile I set for myself.  I was so impressed with a certain brand of hair gel and a particular brand of sunscreen that I decided to buy the full product.  Here's the cool thing: The hair gel was free!!!  I love earning points that help me get products for free!! If you're interested in the $10 monthly box click this link: http://birch.ly/17oMEjZ 

Not much more has happened except: Blake returned from Africa! Can I get an Amen?!  He's back in Germany and we are just waiting to see what October will bring in relation to our military future!

Check back next week to see how we spend Haley's 20th birthday!!!!

God Bless RachJ