America!

In preparation for the 4th...this video is compliments of a former coworker who loves his country as much as I do. 

Wordless Wednesday

In honor of the upcoming 4th of July Holiday- AND my favorite President...
a pic taken on the steps of the McMinn Co. Courthouse, where Reagan visited in 1985.

ADPi, til the day I die

This past weekend was the Grand Convention for Alpha Delta Pi. They celebrated 160 years of sisterhood.  I couldn't be happier for my chapter (Gamma Phi-ETSU) who received Golden Lion (the highest honor for an ADPi chapter) for the SECOND time!  Additionally one of my fellow Alumnae was named the new International Grand President.  Seeing the Twitter updates from fellow sisters, made me so proud to be part of this sisterhood!  It also made me reflect on my time as an active member of the chapter and reminded me that ADPi is really for a lifetime. 





Some of my favorite ladies.....Alpha Class 2002 (where's Jamie ONeal?)




 



There's a little legacy in there!




Sisters....x2!

 

Alumnae event during homecoming a few years ago





Alumnae from many generations gather together for a RMH fundraiser at the Bristol Motor Speedway



Another ADPi tradition..."Today, while my sisters stand close by my side..."



Diamond Sisters and Friends



I love the pin you let me wear
I love the Greek that's written there
I love the violets, flowers of Spring
I love the message that they bring
I love the diamond and clasped hands
I love the best pin in the land
I love to wear your closer to my heart
For I love you, Alpha Delta Pi

Quick Beach Trip, Quick Beach Post

Outside of one of our new favorites in downtown Charleston, Hominy Grill

Loved spending time with my precious Mom and Dad!

I wanted to share just a few pics from the recent beach trip that we took last weekend.  John and I met Mom and Dad in Charleston for a long weekend get-a-way.  We had a wonderful time...it was so hard to leave!  Mom had a TON of cute pictures on her camera, so I'll follow up with a full post later.

For now, I'll share the lyrics of one of my FAVORITE James Taylor songs:

In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Ain't it just like a friend of mine
To hit me from behind
Yes I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind

Karen she's a silver sun
You best walk her way and watch it shinin'
Watch her watch the mornin' come
A silver tear appearing now I'm cryin'
Ain't I goin' to Carolina in my mind

There ain't no doubt in no one's mind
That love's the finest thing around
Whisper something soft and kind
And hey babe the sky's on fire, I'm dyin'
Ain't I goin' to Carolina in my mind

In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Ain't it just like a friend of mine
To hit me from behind
Yes I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind

Dark and silent late last night
I think I might have heard the highway calling
Geese in flight and dogs that bite
Signs that might be omens say I'm going, going
I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind

With a holy host of others standing 'round me
Still I'm on the dark side of the moon
And it seems like it goes on like this forever
You must forgive me
If I'm up and goin' to Carolina in my mind

In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Ain't it just like a friend of mine
To hit me from behind
Yes I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind

Goin' to Carolina in my mind
And I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind
Goin' to Carolina in my mind

(Goin')
(I'm goin')
(Say nice things about me 'cause I'm goin' southbound)
(Carry on with out me 'cause I'm goin')



We can't WAIT to go back!



Wordless Wednesday

Auntie Ann came to visit!

Countdown time

Only 3 more "wake ups" and I'll be here....



In my mind I'm going to Carolina!



Winning

Today was an emotion-filled day.  As I mentioned in my earlier post I had the first vote on one of my issues on a piece of legislation my boss took a lead role in. Being the newest staffer in a team of three I really didn't know what to expect.  I just knew I wanted "to win".  Going into the vote things looked like they could go either way, and in the end it didn't go as we hoped but I learned ALOT.  One person that we had worked closely with over the past few months gave me a wonderful piece of advice.  He said "sometimes you win by loosing".  This is so true, not just in politics but in life.  Today we may have "lost" per-se but really I WON.  I realized just how much I love my job, how much I adore my coworkers, and how much I respect my boss.  I learned that sometimes you may not "win" in votes, but in working together with people from other backgrounds and other beliefs you can win friends, you can win experience and you can win in the eyes of the people the support you.  So today (in the words of Charlie Sheen) was WINNING!

Wordless Wednesday

I had to schedule this one to post, because I expected things to get CRAZY today.  In honor of getting a vote on my FIRST issue, on a bill my boss was the lead "R" on.... Here's my Wordless Wednesday! 

This is a picture my former co-workers made. Yes, this is my face on Elle Wood's body and Cole Lee as Bruiser (from Legally Blonde)

Blessed

So as you all know, I ADORE my precious dog Cole Lee.  The past 2 days were quite scary when out of the blue he started acting funny.  Not at all like his normal peppy self.  He was sleeping all the time and lethargic. Thankfully Cole Lee has wonderful grandparents (Momma Kathy and Dean) that were worried and they took him to the vet.  He went yesterday and then again today and after rounds of tests and x-rays they determined that the little fella has something wrong with his back.  He has some inflamed disks and irritation.  Wonderful Dr. Lilly prescribed 2 drugs for him to take and has limited his activity (prohibited him from jumping up or down--haha) She said that after 2 weeks he should be back to normal. 

The past 2 days have reminded me of a few things.  #1-I love my dog (probably toooooo much) #2-my family loves my dog #3-I am very thankful that his ailments are fixable and he is going to stick with us here on earth a little bit longer.  #4-I have a wonderful boyfriend and great friends that are supportive when I'm a little bit crazy about my dog #5-I am so fortunate to have a family that will love and care for my sweet puppy while I'm in DC. All of this summed up to say I'm very blessed.

The best night of Cole Lee's life...when he got to go to the "Cat-tails and Dogwood Ball" He had so much fun!

Cole Lee on take your dog to work day in 2008

Wordless Wednesday



Cupcakes.  Just a reason to smile on this Wednesday.