Videochatting Roxx

I love doing new things. Videochatting has made is possible for us to get to know Tank and Jessica a little better. Here are some shots from our first session of the Gatlinblog Board of Trustees, with Leslie not present. She’ll be receiving the minutes at a later date, however. Seriously, Macs are the best.

That’s Nick’s mouth, one happy Tank and Jessica, and us.

Jessica has multi-colored boogers, and we love the Potato Heads.

W, Grace Tankersley, and two satisfied Browns.

Applause for new friends and old, new computers, puppy friends, potato heads, technology, and the Las Vegas of the South, Gatlinburg, of course.

 

Update … for serious …

So this has been one of the best weeks ever. A crazy one, and I barely had time to breathe, but it’s been the ish. Josh’s parents and brother Blake were in town last weekend and we did lots of superb things. We went to the Aquarium, went shopping for wholesale stuff and I got lots of Christmas presents, and more importantly we went not only to Athens, the town of my alma mater, but to my favorite restaurant in Athens, Transmetropolitan. I don’t know if it’s that we hadn’t been in a while, but Josh and I both thought it was the best pizza we’ve ever had. Anyway, it was good to see family.

I started my new job Monday. It’s been the most awesome experience to be 100% accepted by everyone there, while being my whole self. I was my whole self to a select few at NAMB, and I am so appreciative to the people who allowed me to do that. They made working there bearable. For the most part, though, to some fault of my own, I walked around the shell of who I really am. I said “the right” words when they weren’t at all what I wanted to say. I said prayers when they weren’t from my heart. I never let the full me come out to most of my co-workers. This week at Honda, I’ve had more spiritual and inspiring conversations than I ever could have imagined. I have left encouraged every day, affirmed that this is where I’m supposed to be. I love the people, I’ve missed them all so much. As far as the actual work goes, I think I’m starting to grasp the concepts, but I’m definitly still deep in the learning curve.

Kelly and Chris came for dinner Monday night, before she left for Clemson. We had lots of fun with them, and they watched as we responded to Nick and Leslie’s dance-off video. Tuesday we met my parents in downtown Lawrenceville for dinner, Wednesday I joined the gym (can’t wait to start going) and Thursday we finally stopped for a night. I have been battling some throat junk all week, so it was nice to have a night for Entourage and Friends. We also decided Friday morning that we would drive to Birmingham for Leslie’s birthday. It was so awesome to see them, and it really made us realize how much we miss them. Nick made her this video, and we walked in right on cue. It was great to be with our friends.

I’ve got another post about the rest of our weekend coming up, it’s just been so great, and Saturday night alone deserves its own entry.

 

My husband the soldier …

Here’s what resulted from our field trip to see Kristen and Craig. This, and much more of course. I’m ready for them to be back in the same county as us.

I’ve been in-between jobs this week, loving life. It’s been so wonderful to have some time with Josh, and  to do things I’ve been wanting to forever. I’ve organized every closet in our house, done some deep cleaning, cleaned and organized the garage, and Lord only knows what I’ll get in to today. Everyone should get to do this. It’s been the most freeing, envigoarting week. I’m working really hard to be able to do it all the time. Like Josh does.

We went to a Bible Study last night with the Cross Pointe kids. It was awesome. I love them all so much. And there are more I’m looking forward to getting to know better. Josh’s parents and brother, Blake, get in tonight to spend the weekend with us. Then I start my new job Monday. That to say, it may be a while before another update.

I leave you with these Matthew Perryman Jones lyrics …

Take me to a place where love can mend these wounds. Where mystery can dance with truth. And the broken soul finds refuge … 

I love that mystery dancing with truth part. Isn’t that what our faith is all about? So mysterious. So true.

 

Row row row your boat …

This weekend Cody, one of Josh’s brothers, and his girlfriend Amy came in to town. It was superb. We did lots of adult things like go to the arcade, see Ricky Bobby, and play games. We also went canoeing and fly-fishing. Here are some pictures from our trip …

 

Oh, today

Today has been both a wonderful and dreadful day. I got to sleep in, 8:00 felt like noon! And Sunday night was even better since I wasn’t stressing out over having to go to work the next day. I know it’s sad, and largely under my control, but I can’t tell you how many times I worked myself in to an emotional mess on Sunday nights, just anticipating how early the alarm would ring the next morning. Anyway, I slept in, surfed the Internet until it was time to awaken sleeping hubby. Then I washed some dishes, organized two closets, did two loads of laundry, and fixed a bowl of cereal. All before 9:45! Hubby went to a meeting, so I curled up on the couch to watch the rest of Memoirs of a Geisha … I fell asleep last night on Josh and Ashley. Anyway, loved the movie, finished it, showered, and was ready to go by the time Josh got home. Then he really outdid hisself …

Took me to Chick-fil-A, what a treat, and very unselfish since he doesn’t even like it. We shared a Cookies and Cream milkshake. Yum. We had to go to Nastyville so I could take a drug test for my new job. Josh sat on the floor of this public health building while I peed in a cup. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is. Then we had to go and sit at the Social Security office for an hour. We tried to read our books, but ended up just trying to sheild our ears from the blaring loud speaker. Right when I was about to lose hope, have Josh spray me down with Lysol, and go deaf, this precious little boy came in and made the whole day okay. He was probably around one, with his Mother and grandparents. They were all Hispanic, and the nicest people. The little boy kept flirting and smiling at us. He wore a gold chain around his pacifier instead of the normal cloth things (you can tell I’m not a mom, I have no idea what they are called). That really made me smile. He had the most shiny ringlets I’ve ever seen. And he was playing with his Mom’s keys. What kid doesn’t love keys. He handed them to me and I said, “thank you.” He’d smile and get shy all of a sudden and run towards his grandmother. Our whole little exchange gave me hope.

All that to say, my husband is roxxor, and I could really get used to this not working every day thing. Then again, I really enjoyed knocking out projects that have been on my list. So I think I’d really enjoy working from home. Which is why Kimberly and I have a roxxor business coming your way soon. We’ve got brainstorming meetings coming up soon, and hopefully some clients to try things out on first.

Picture post tomorrow …

 

Restaurant Etiquette

I think I’m a horrible customer. Over the last few years when going to dinner with some friends, I’ve realized how we as humans have some propensity to a “me-first” attitude. How we feel like the waitstaff at an eating establishment owes us something. That we’re able to treat them badly if they mess up our order, or go too slowly, or are just having an “off” night. I’ve watched as people treated waiters and waitresses so disrespectfully, and I realized I used to do that, too.

I remember when I met Josh, he would always ask the waiter/tress’ name. Then the rest of the time he would refer to them by their name, and always say, “Joe, you’re doing a great job. How’s your day going?” I remember how their faces used to light up and we, in turn, always got wonderful service.

All that to say, I raise a question to all of you. I did something last night that immediately after it came out of my mouth, I felt bad. I didn’t mean it bad, but I questioned it the rest of the meal and then Josh confirmed he thought it was “questionable.”

Since Josh and I are creatures of habit, we typically get the same things at restaurants every time we go. That said, we don’t even look at the menu half of the time. So, we were seated, then it took the waitress a few minutes to make it over to us. It was a fine amount of time, but in that time, we had decided our entire order. She came to ask for drinks. I said, “well, if you’re ready, we have our whole order.”

I could tell it made her weird. In my head, we know what we want, so we’ll go ahead and tell you, then you can get us out faster and get more people in to our table. It didn’t mean she would get a lesser tip or anything.

My question to you is, is that rude? Should I never do that again? Also, what are some other restaurant etiquettes I seem to be unaware of?

 

My old life in Pictures

For those of you I’ve only known a short while, I thought I’d let you in on my life in the past. For those of you who I’ve known forever, I hope you enjoy this little trek in the times past as much as I did. This is what happens when you’re bored at work.

Kristen, I agree. It feels like we grew up too fast. But I like being grown up and having fun with naked husband and eating maccaronis and cheeses.

 

 

Josh and I on my 19th Birthday … 2002.

 

 

This was when all Kristen, Erica and I did was go to the beach. Those were the days.

 

 

My nephew Bailey as a baby.

 

 

This is when we took over Kristen’s apartment on Tuesday nights and her Mom was subjected to things like this all the time.

 

 

My sweet precious dog, Bear. Appropriately named.

 

 

4 of the Fab 5 interns at Second Baptist Houston, 2003. Stacy was MIA.

 

 

The Wises, the family I lived with in Texas. Summer 2003.

 

 

Bailey growing up. Summer 2003.

 

 

What I looked like most fall Saturdays from 2001 – 2004.

 

 

Most of my college memories have Christian in them. I miss him a lot.

 

 

This was when we made our friend Matthew, who was Hairy Dawg at the time, come to our house for a photo shoot. We got some really good Christmas cards out of the deal! November 2003.

 

 

Trip to New York City. So fun. Especially Regis and Kelly. December 2003.

 

 

Lots of summer days I swam with my friend Sharon and her kids. They don’t even look like this anymore.

 

 

My mentor, Mama Kates. Summer 2004.

 

 

Bailey still growing. Summer 2004.

 

 

Anna and Kristen are 21! June 2004.

 

 

This was “Doodle, stoooooopppp. You’re ruining our picture!”

 

The current condition of comings and goings in the life of the Browns … that’s a fancy way of saying Update Time!

Ever since I watched the Charlotte’s Web trailer I’ve been talking the talk. I can’t tell you how excited I am about this movie. I honestly did revert back to the little girl with coke bottle glasses who used to do math problems on my white board at home when I saw this trailer. Charlotte’s Web, the original, was one of my most favorite movies. Not to mention the book. Now, the new one has me squinting my eyes and trying to be patient. Anyway, I’m excited, so that’s why the title of my post is so weird.

Second most importantly, I got a new job! I can’t tell you how excited I am about it. I’m going back to the Honda Dealership I used to work at, and taking the position of warranty administrator.

(This picture is from our Christmas Party, lots of years ago. We just love each other. Everyone is still there except for the lady in the front, and I’m taking her place).

I just feel so at home at that place and with those people. Every time I go to visit it’s like I never left. I love catching up with old friends, and I’m looking forward to making new ones. If you know me you know that my former (and I guess current) boss Bobby is one of the greatest people in the world. I can’t wait to work for him again. We’ve talked almost every day since I took the new job and laughed. It’ll be nice to have some freedom to be myself at work again. I’m looking very forward to that and to working with different people. Although my small group at NAMB knows me and understands me and I love them, the majority of the staff are almost cookie cutter images. Honda will be a huge diversity in comparison to my current surroundings.

We went and played with the horsies at Eric and Heather’s again the other night. They got a new one who “owns the barn.” Oh, and most importantly, Al Caponey was cracking us up. He was so excited about a peppermint Eric was attempting to give him. He was making all kinds of noises and gestures.

And I’m making a new dish tonight. It’s Italian Chicken, so check the cooking blog soon for an update.

I’ve actually missed blogging lately, but I’ve had more fun than ever with my husband lately. We’ve been watching a whole lot of Friends, much to his shagrin. He’s been super busy, but it’s been nice to be able to walk over and encourage him every few minutes. It’s also giving me time to get the house shiny. If only I’d take advantage of it more.

More soon, I promise.

 

A Small Favor

I have a small favor to ask. And it will only take you between 45 seconds and a minute (dependent upon how fast your mouse hand is). It’s now time for all my faithful readers who read my social commentaries that lack wit or wisdom, who read all of my groundbreaking cultural news, and who read my theological heresies to come to my aid . . . Today we ride for Gondor!!!!

But seriously . . . .

My little brother Blake wants to be a weatherman or a country musician or a radio dj or a combination of them all. And he needs OUR HELP.

He’s been in this fierce competition for the past 2 weeks. There are 10 people going through an American Idol style radio dj audition for one of the local radio stations back on the coast. They did there on-air radio auditions last week and today the voting opens.

This is where you come in . . . if you would please help me hook my brother up, then I will promise to hook you up at a later date. Again, only 45 seconds to a minute. And if you’re really kind, you’ll repost this on your blog for an award yet to be named.

VOTE HERE!!

VOTE HERE!!

VOTE HERE!!

And nothing against country-listening middle-aged women, but you can definitely see why my brother is the best option. The voting link is at the bottom of the linked page.

Thanks my people!!!!

 

Cooking Blog Update

We updated our cooking blog. Check it out here.