we play cards!
this week, only 4 of us showed up to LifeGroup...so we DITCHED our discussion of "Searching for God Knows What" and headed for Golden Spoon. While eating our delectible dessert (i got chocolate, peanut butter, and classic coffee...AMAZING), we decided to play a quick game (or two, or three) of "screw your neighbor" which actually has a real name, but that's the one i remember! 'twas fun. maybe our other friends should skip more often...or maybe we should just do more eating and card playing...either way!
I had no idea that luffas were made from cucumbers…I would have thought they came from the sea like the sponge but no – they’re grown in a greenhouse like botanicals. CRAZY! Seriously though, the luffa is abrasive enough to actually get the job done, but soft enough that it isn’t a skin irritant – it lathers well and rinses easily. Oh, and the BEST part, you can extend its life by tossing it into the washing machine with your whites once a week! Whaaaaaaaaaat?!?!?!!! Honestly I’m SO impressed. AND I’m pretty sure I’ll never be able to use an ordinary luffa again. 
Kristin & Marshall kicked it all off with a wonderful afternoon celebration at Marina Village on Saturday, July 9th. Theirs was the first wedding I’ve coordinated in San Diego and I’ve got to say that having a bunch of Gateway people helping get everything done was AMAZING. Those people work like no one I know. So many contributed their time and talents to make Kristin & Marshall’s day special and it did not go unnoticed. I truly COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT without them – and it was SUPER FUN to say “MOM, I’ve got another job for you.” The day ran smoothly and the bride and groom were happy and THAT is all that counts, that and the super sore feet I have to prove a job well done.
We laughed at the shower and the way the seating happened – Anna, Sarah, Jenny, Lisa and I all sat at one table – and our moms sat at another – I guess the kid table will always be a reality in our lives! Interesting that at 26, 28, and 29 we’re still kids!
fear not friends, i am STILL addicted; however, while i was back south vacationing, i was introduced to a new brand (to me) of nail polish that i ABSOLUTELY ADORE...
I have a VERY full summer of weddings wishes and sweet friends. I am BLESSED. BUT the schedule is a bit intense. However, I DO get to wake up to Madeline, which might be one of my very favorite things in life. She comes out to my bed (air mattresses in my brother’s living room) and crawls in, she curls up and we share a pillow. Soon enough she is ready to “chat” and she tells me stories of her latest adventures – this weekend her tales were of flag waving and red, white, and blue balloons. After we catch up a bit, she usually wants to put on a dress. THE GIRL LOVES CLOTHES! It is a riot. She knows exactly which dress she wants to wear and will not take no for an answer…and with Aunt Shell around, she can get away with just about anything. I LOVE my M! This weekend our time together included a little Dora and some Madeline (who she thinks is her – she’ll say, I want to watch me – do you see me? There I am with my dog Genevieve. It’s HYSTERICAL!). We had several oranges - to the extent that I had to say no because I was afraid my girl’s stomach was going to kill from all the citric acid. And we trekked to Starbucks where Mads ordered the star item – the banana chocolate chip loaf. I am so thankful that I have to be in San Diego EVERY WEEKEND this summer… It is ideal for spending quality time with my M.
After a hectic Thursday in the office, a quick dinner comprised of questionable leftovers from the fridge that needed to be consumed prior to my departure and a coffee date with the GORGEOUS and absolutely wonderful Rachel Reinert, I was sitting in LAX impatiently waiting to board a delayed flight. I used my time and accomplished some serious stuff for beganwithabow, but I was restless, ready to officially be on VACATION! Finally at some ungodly hour like 3:15am my zone was called for boarding. I had originally thought that my time on the plane would provide an excellent avenue for a quick nap; however, it became immediately apparent that sleep was highly unlikely (so I conceded and pulled out harry potter book 7 – I need to be ready for the movie which releases July 15! WOOT!). Time moved infinitely slower than I wished it would. I sat in that uncomfortable airplane seat until my bum was numb and my legs were tingling. FINALLY the moment had arrived…the moment I wait for each and every summer…the moment when either I’m walking towards baggage claim or I’m waiting in baggage claim and my best friend, Sara Jessica Linkous is walking towards me. The anticipation is palpable. The year she was laughing as I came down the escalator – I couldn’t spot her – but she noticed my bright white legs! Ha! Figures…this California girl is as pasty as can be. After the embrace loaded with a year of emotions, we collected my belongings and headed to the car. Our first stop was the Peach Park in Clanton, AL. I had been craving good ol’ bbq for weeks so my palate was finally content. From there we continued our drive south to Gulf Shores where we would spend the majority of the week. We had dinner that night at Steamers, there is nothing like their steamed shrimp…it truly makes my heart happy. 
Saturday was a beach day…followed by a birthday party for Sara’s Felicia (Felicia was married to Sara’s grandpa who passed away a few years ago. We stayed at her house in Gulf Shores…it was SO generous of her to offer us her home for the week!).
Sunday we woke up bright and early and drove to New Orleans, LA (a city which will forever own a significant portion of my heart) to spend a few days with Jessica & Patty – dear World Changers friends for me – basically family for Sara! 
We had lunch at Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville and then walked around the city for quite a while stopping long enough to consume the deliciousness that is beignets (and iced café au lait for me!) at Café Du Monde.
That evening we had hurricanes at Pat O’Briens (WOWZA is all I have to say about the potency of THOSE beverages!) and went on a Haunted History Tour of the city.
The tour was approximately 2 hours long and it was HOT outside, so after sweating profusely, we returned to the hotel, ordered a pizza pie and settled in for the night. 
Monday we drove further into the city to visit with Shawn Doss…the individual responsible for introducing me to my best friend over 7 years ago now and then we headed back to AL for more beach time! We stoped in Foley for some outlet shopping and dinner at Lamberts (home of the throwed rolls) and then collapsed on the couch! Tuesday we spent all afternoon at the beach and I got a pretty good tan. The beach in Alabama is beautiful – the water is warm and inviting and the gentle breeze makes the heat tolerable. The white sand glistens in the sun but will burn your toes, so walk quickly, if that is possible while treading through sand! Ha! Wednesday was pool day and then we had dinner with some of Sara’s friends at an incredible Mexican place with POWERFUL margaritas that we totally worth the calories.
Driving through the city brought back so many memories of seeing New Orleans following Katrina. The damage was vast and in areas as far as you could see there was nothing but splintered trees and rubble. There were houses and cars bearing the markings of having been searched by the PD, household items strewed in the streets, and structures that had been bent beyond recognition. It was astounding and left me a bit heartsick. Living in California, tornado damage is foreign to my brain and it was difficult for me to reconcile the reality that in moments absolutely everything can be destroyed. I know that is true. I know we live in a fragile world where it takes seconds for life to change significantly; nevertheless, I serve a God who controls the universe and not one thing is missed by Him. There is such powerful reassurance in that truth. After driving through the demolished areas of the city, we drove through the gorgeous campus of the University of Alabama – which thankfully was spared. The ancient architecture and brickwork was stunning – I would have LOVED attending school there (hats off to you Wes Tate, your school is GORGEOUS!). 
Then Larry Williams – another dear World Changers friend treated Sara and I to a ritzy dinner at the Cypress Inn. We sat at a table overlooking the water at sunset – it was idyllic to say the least. All too soon we were back in the car headed to Cullman, to Sara’s house.