2011- Year in Review

People talk about time moving quickly.  This past year has been the fastest year of my life.  Much of it a blur.  I took every effort to slow down and soak it in-and still there are months I can't recall.  I thought I would do a high level recap.

January 2011

• I put my first home on the market.  A little bittersweet but I had to make way for new beginnings.

My first house.



• Scott PROPOSED.  He caught me by surprise.  Read more about it here:   The story of my proposal.

February 2011

• Scott and I took a short vacation to Southern Florida for the Miami Boat Show and some needed R&R.  You can read all about our vacation here: Our trip to South Florida

March 2011

• We continued to look for a new home and we found one at the very end of the month.
• Thankfully less than a week later we went into a contract on Pandora's Box.
• We set a wedding date for early August and a reception date for late August-the planning begins.

April 2011

• We closed on the new house and began the demo that same week.  

The new house

May 2011

• My brother Shaun got married in Hilton Head.
• Scott and I had our first couples shower.
• I closed on my house
• I moved all my things from my house to the basement of the new house
• The renovations continued



Scott and I at Shaun and Allisons wedding.




 



Scott and I at our couples shower.




 






The group in Charleston for the bachelor/bachelorette party

July 2011




• We continued with the house.
• We took a brief, and very rare break to celebrate Fourth of July at the marina. 



The sheet between the top and bottom floor of the new house.  It helped with dust and chaos control

August 2011

• I celebrated with the ladies for a girls only wedding shower.
• We traveled to the Bahamas to get married and honeymoon.
• We came back and had all our family and friends in for a wedding reception




 



Our honeymoon




 

September 2011

• The upstairs neared move in ready.  Scott finished the kitchen with appliances.
• We attended a Univ of TN tailgate-the first of many games which would have better pre-game festivities than the games themselves.



Scott and the supervisor




October 2011

• We MOVED UPSTAIRS.  It took us 6 months. 

November 2011

•  Scott went hunting in Arkansas
•  We moved all Scott's furniture from his garage into the new house.  Finally we were mostly furnished.
• While he was gone I figured out how to use all my existing holiday decor in the new house
• We received our wedding license in the mail-so at last we can proof it happened;)
• We hosted our first Thanksgiving celebration.  In our brand new kitchen.  It went very well.




December 2011

• We attended holiday parties galore.  We hosted our third annual garage party which was a success.
• Bailey took a turn for the worse health wise and we had a very hard 10 days at the end of the month before his small heart couldn't take anymore. He dies on December 19th which was impossibly hard.
• Scott and I celebrated our first married Christmas-which despite the sadness was nice and good.




This past year was one of the most hectic I can recall.  I feel we did so much in such a short time.  We had some fantastic highs from getting engaged to getting married after almost 4 years together.  We got to celebrate our life and future with our loved ones.  Those highs made the horrible low of losing Bailey bittersweet.  But-its how it happens.  It can't be all good-bad things happen.  I have high hopes for 2012.  Can't wait to see what's in store!!

The First 100 Days

As of today, Scott and I have been married 100 days.  I know it's slightly random to count the days-but I mentioned to Scott that I wished I had noted our 1,000 days together mark and since I forgot to pay attention he said I could pay attention to our first 100 days.  I think most do a state of the state after 100 days.  Here goes:
1.  We have finished 90% of our upstairs home remodel.  We are down to little things like switch plates.
2.  Scott moved his furniture from the garage into our new house-now every room has something in it!!
3.  We completely skipped the month of September it seems.  Really-where did it go?
4.  We have been to Bed Bath and Beyond approximately 10 times.  Each time Scott hates it more.
5.  All thank you notes are finished, sent and hopefully received.
6.  We bought ourselves a wedding gift-a hot tub.  More on that later
7.  We attended 2 UT football games, or shall I say tailgates.  The team lost both games-they do that allot this year.
8.  We moved upstairs in the new house.
9.  We introduced our parents and family to one another.
10. We cemented the fact that we both dislike disorganization and clutter.  However we define what this means differently. 
11.  We spent 5 nights apart-while I traveled for work to SF and NY.
12.  We realized that renovating a house is stressful and hard.  It has caused more arguments that we are used too. 
13.  I proved that you can use your china everyday if you simply decide to do so.  Scott is convinced our china bowls are changing shape in the dishwasher.  I am not certain I disagree:)
14. We bought a new washer-which I am so excited about!!!  Scott hints at the fact that I "broke" the old one on purpose.  All I can say-I am happy the old one is broken.
15.  Being married "feels" different.  Not sure I can quantify why-but it does.  We naturally split tasks and chores.  It is like having a teammate that you can count on and that you really enjoy spending time with. 

So far so good!!  Outlook is better than most after a mere 100 days-yep i am talking to you politicians!!

The return trip, our time at the Treasure Cay airport, Day 7

We flew home on Saturday our of Treasure Cay-across the bay from our island.  We had to take a ferry and because of our flight times we arrived at the airport about 2.5 hours prior to our flight.  It was a small airport-think Wings small.  There were about 7 people working and when we showed we were 1 &2 of 7 customers.  We checked in and took a seat.  To wait.  And wait.  Luckily 45 minutes before our flight the entertainment began. 
1.  About 30 more people showed up for both two other flights leaving out.  So the small airport got crowded, fast.
2.  They cancelled our flight and rescheduled us for another flight that left 2.5 hours later.  Which meant we had to wait in the crowded airport for an additional 3 hours.  YAY!

Scott looked at me and said "could be worse, we could not have air conditioning."  I knew it was a sign of bad things and chastised him for even saying it.

About 20 minutes later the lights started to flicker.  Then they went out.  Shortly after the generator kicked on-and we were back in air conditioned business.  Note-small airport, gazillion people and it was very hot outside.  No air conditioning was the worse case scenario from my perspective.

About 2 hours prior to our flight leaving we heard a crackling noise.  The lights flickered again.  Then we lost power for the second time.  Scott went out to investigate.  The airport fire truck was shooting water on the small out building next to the terminal.  When I say next to the terminal-think 10 feet. 

To recap-the generator which was housed 10 feet away had caught on fire.  That was the crackling noise.  The fire truck was dousing the shooting flames with water.  And we officially had no air conditioning for the last 2 hours of our wait.

IT. WAS. FANTASTIC.

We got home around 2:30 am.  It was a long day but at least we had Sunday to recover:)

Wedding/Honeymoon Trip Day 4-6

The day after our wedding it rained.  Not a little shower.  A downpour. 

The view from our honeymoon suite on day 4. 

At least we had tv, the ipad, and each other!!!

On day 5 the rain let up.  It was still a bit overcast but we could venture out-which was good because we were a bit stir crazy.  We took our boat over to some other island, the name of which escapes me.  We had lunch right on the ocean and than the unthinkable happened.  I convinced Scott to GET IN THE OCEAN.  Neither of us are big beach people, but this water and beach were too lovely to avoid.

The view at lunch in Treasure Cay

Us on the boat on the way back to our island.

Our last full day was the most beautiful day of all.  The sun was shining.  No threat of rain.  We decided to venture out to Guana Cay, home of the world famous Nippers Bar.  There is a pool at the bar and a rum drink that should be illegal.  We boated over and spent the day at the bar more or less.  It was heaven,  It was perfect.

Scott and I at Nippers....

The bartender took some pity on us for all our self portraits so she took a photo for us.  That drink in front of me-the NIPPER.  That far away look in my eyes-officially "NIPPED."

Scott in front of the tractor/art on the walk to Nippers.

One of my favorite photos from our honeymoon.  Us both on the way back to Green Turtle Cay.

Our wedding day-Day 3

A couple of things about eloping, from my experience:
1.  It really is no stress if its just you and the future husband.  Even with the comedy of errors we went through to get out license-it was never really stressfull-just kinda funny.
2.  Without a bunch of people around you can take the day and do what you want.  We chose to sleep in, eat breakfast and then meander on our boat and then on to the pool. I think it was 4:30 when I figured I needed to go back to the room and shower.
3.  Getting ready without the fanfare is a bit odd.  You get ready-and then you sit and wait in your room until its time to go.
4.  I highly reccomend it.  HIGHLY!!

On our wedding day we decided to do what we wanted to do.  Period.  It was weird telling each other, this is our last single breakfast, our last single lunch etc.

We got ready for the wedding and were about 20 minutes from leaving when there was a knock on our door.  It was the man we rented our boat from telling us a big storm was coming in.  He wanted us to move our boat somewhere safer.  Scott said he was a little busy, about to get married and all, so he handed over the keys.  Storm?  What storm?

We get in our golf cart on the way to our ceremony site-a previously selected beach.  On the way there our preacher pulled us over to tell us the "storm" was blowing a hard wind.  The ceremony site we had selected was across from the island dump and since the dump was burning the beach was essentially smoked out.  Um?  Ok-new location.  We followed him.

We got there and you could tell he was concerned about the weather.  He had the witnesses sign the papers before the ceremony which i guess is unusual?  He put us in place with our backs to the water and he started the ceremony.  He kept glancing over our heads to watch/worry about the storm rolling in.  Favorite parts of the ceremony:
1.  When Scott said his full name in his vows there was a HUGE clap of thunder.  Like a sound effect.  We laughed.
2.  Right as he pronounced us man and wife it started to sprinkle.

They say that rain on your wedding day is lucky.  I say a wet knot is much harder to untie.  Either way it was wonderful!!

Scott and I smirking after a well placed thunder clap interrupted our vows.

Note how excited Scott's face appears as he receives his wedding band.

Sealed with a kiss!!

Our first official photo as man and wife.  Big kudos to our witnesses, who were both our something borrowed and our photographers!!

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><></table

The sun came out after the ceremony so we had drinks on our dock.  A very relaxed cocktail party for two.

Wedding/ Honeymoon Trip Day 1 &2

Scott and I ran away to Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos to get married.  The story of our trip is fairly entertaining, at least to us, so I am going to share it in small chunks.

We went down to Atlanta on Saturday night and flew out of there Sunday morning to Fort Lauderdale.  We got into Green Turtle Sunday late afternoon after two plane rides, one airport shuttle, one airport tram, a cab and a water ferry.  It was a long day.  Our hotel was lovely and Sunday night we stayed at the resort to eat dinner and unwind.

The completely safe and reliable plane we took from Fort Lauderdale to Treasure Cay.  That is what I chanted to myself the entire flight:)

The Green Turtle Club-our honeymoon home base

Monday morning we went to the little town on our island to apply for a marriage license.  We go to the administrators office and there is a "we will be back later" note on the door.  No worries-we are on island time we thought.  She returns some 30 minutes later only to tell us the only person who can sign our papers in on vacation, I guess with no confirmed return date.  Um?  She said we could go across the bay to the bigger town and try there.  We called-that administrator was in, so we decided to take our rental boat the 12 nautical miles to get our paperwork sorted.  The trip was uneventful until we pulled within a mile of our location and saw a fairly ominous storm blowing ashore.  Um?  OK-we waited for 20 minutes and it passed.  We arrive, dock, and step onto the face of the sun it felt like.  The recent heavy rain has steam rising from the sidewalks.  YAY!!  We walk two blocks to the "other" administrators office only to be told he was "out to lunch."  We said fine-we will wait-here, in this air conditioned office.

Mr. Cox arrived and filled out our papers, no muss no fuss.  I would like to point out that Scott had three options to choose from- bachelor, divorcee or widower.  I had three options as well- divorcee, widower or SPINSTER??  Um????  Whatever-we got out forms and proceeded to eat lunch in a place the administrator recommended.  It looked like someones living room.  It wasn't air conditioned-see above on what the temp felt like.  The food was divine and we took it outside and ate at a table overlooking the ocean.  It was divine!!

We got back and met with the bishop who was doing our ceremony.  Scott liked him immediately be cause we was wearing a jesus hat that was camo.  Not something you see everyday.  We arranged to get married on Tuesday.

The storm blowing on to the island we were planning to visit.  It was gone in 20 minutes and was pretty impressive to watch from our spot in the middle of the bay.

Engagement shots

August FLEW BY!!!  We have had allot going on..so it was to be expected.  I am going to try to go back in time and recreate the crazy.

Scott and I had out engagment photos taken and we were so pleased with the results.  We decided to do half of them at the Bearden Antique Mall, which his grandparents used to own and now his Aunt Ann owns.  Not only did it have sentimental value to him it had a million cool backdrops for me.  Win, win.  We then decided to take some pics with the dogs on our boat.  It was hot-HOT-but so worth it.  I loved what our photographer, Ben Finch, was able to capture.

Charleston and Folly Beach

Scott and I decided that we wanted to do a joint bachelor/bachelorette party instead of two seperate events.  It was a great way to get everyone together for a fun adult weekend at the beach.  We chose Folly Beach for its proximity to Charleston.  We stayed right on the beach and made it into Charleston two days-once for dinner and once for a day of sightseeing and shopping.  Let me tell it with pictures.

The gang at Rita's.  Coicidentally the band that is playing at our wedding was playing at this resturaunt the night we arrived.

The gang, night 2.

The guys at the beach bar we found after dinner.  This place was amazeballs-more on it to come.

Some doors in Charelston that I loved.

The group in Charleston.

Scott and I at Taco Boy on our last night.

The ladies in Charleston.

Derby Party, Shaun's wedding, Bird Cage veils!!!

We are still working on the house but May has been a month of sidetracks.  We knew we were going to have lots of activities on our weekends and we certainly have.   We started the month with the annual Derby Party.  This is one of my favorite events because it encourages, maybe even requires, hats for the ladies.  This year I did a nod toward the British Royal wedding and wore a fascinator.  I felt fascinating and LOVED it!!!



Scott and I at the annual Derby party.  This is one of my favorite parties because I get license to wear a fascinator!!

 The next weekend was the second big event of the month-my little brothers wedding in Hilton Head.  We went over for a long weekend and got to visit with family and spend some time outside.  The weather was wonderful the day of the actual wedding which was a relief since it was a bit overcast the days prior.  Scott used the event as a firm reminder that wearing a tie or maybe even pants at our wedding might be out of the question.  I think my brother Shaun, who had to wear a suit and tie in 80 degree weather, will gladly agree that maybe long pants and sleeves are ill-advised;)   


Scott and I at the rehearsal dinner.

Scott and I at the wedding.  The reception was held right on the beach, it was lovely.





Shaun and Allie during the cutting of the cake.  I think the expression is due to some inappropriate comment made by the crowd.

  

Shaun and my mom dancing at the wedding.

 

The whole fam-damily at the wedding.  This was toward the end of the evening so we might look a bit worn...but still cute:)

Speaking of weddings....I am still planning the big day for Scott and me.  I have made serious progress on all fronts-except for my dress.  I knew I needed to get on the stick.  I gathered a group of girl friends and we went shopping, wedding dress shopping.  It was so FUN!!!  I tried on everything the ladies wanted to see....nothing was off limits.  I think I am narrowing in on what I like and want...but haven't quite found it yet.  I do know a headpiece like these will be featured!!!



I love wedding fascinators.  Stay tuned to see this again!!



Bird Cage veils make me HAPPY!!!!

 

Jen got into the fascinators as well.  She saw this when we walked in and wore it during the entire "try-on" session.  I think she would fully support if I asked the lassies to wear head gear like this to my wedding reception.

 
 I will the second half of the month in another post.  Yes-this is only two weeks worth of activities and doesn't include any of the house stuff;),Jen

A Brand New House

Hello...my last blog was devoted to my first home and all the trials and tribulations that went along with it.  I redid the entire house and than I met Scott.  And then Scott and I got engaged.  And then we decided to sell my house to fund our first home together.  Which we did.  Now everyone is all caught up.

Scott and I have been looking for a home, on and off again for over a year.  We had zoned in on a few choice neighborhoods and were actively going back and forth on what we wanted.  I had a short list:
1. flat backyard with easy access.
2. relatively open floor plan
3. place for a dog door
Everything else was a luxury for me.

Scott had a different list of wants/needs:
1. Not stucco
2. flat driveway
3. no pool
4. relatively open floor plan or potential for one with torn out walls
5. a garage or carport where we both could park
6. if its on the high end of the price range than it has to have at least an acre of land

As you can tell our lists ruled out many a home.  We looked and looked.  I was convinced we would never find anything.  I was becoming desperate, despondent and morose.  It wasn't pretty.  I envisioned me and the dogs homeless or living in the garage with no backyard:(

A house came on the market in our desired neighborhood.  It was a bit odd since the listing said they wouldn't be showing the house until the end of the month, about 4 weeks from the time it was listed.  I didn't think much of it.  I called though.  THANK GOD I DID!!!  The house was going to go under some renovations after the children of the couple who lived there cleared out all there stuff in an estate sale.  I asked to see it "as is."  The agent agreed.  Scott and I went separately to the house and perused it.  It was a showpiece in 1976.  It was the parade of homes house that year.  Coincidentally the year Scott and I were born.  Suffice to say he and I have aged better than this house.  It was lovingly maintained but never updated.  AT ALL.  We asked for the "as is" price.  We met over Mexican and discussed.  I think I started the conversation with something like "WE HAVE TO BUY THIS HOUSE!!!"  We debated.  We discussed.  We saw our summer slip away in a renovation haze.  We made a low ball offer.  We waited.  I started kissing the house good bye.  Good riddance big project.  And then they countered at full price.  We said no.  They came back and accepted our offer.  Like that we bought a GINORMOUS project house.  yay!!!

This blog will document the house projects.  And the beginning of our life together.  It won't always be easy, but i KNOW it will be worth it!!!!

Our first home.  Watch out Brady Bunch...we have big plans!!!