Look what I did at work today...

At my job we do all kinds of marketing promotional products you can imagine. And we also do embroidery! We have 2 lovely Chinese ladies in the back with 3 massive embroidery machines. Choi is the lady who loves to give me food all the time. I'm not sure the meaning behind that but it's always pretty good and usually some weird candy or food from a Chinese grocery store. Entertaining to say the least! I take it as a compliment that she feeds me because I think that means she likes me best! haha! Sooo... to what I did today at work....YAY!!!! WAR EAGLE!!! We did these for a customer who wants to suck up to one of his clients! haha! Gotta love it! It makes me want to embroider everything with that logo! Who's pumped about this weekend???Labor Day vacation and the first Auburn game! Weagle, Weagle, War Damn Eagle Kick 'em in the Butt Big Blue!

MONTANA!!

So I took off to the airport (one of my favorite places to go!) and landed in Denver. A strom flew in right after I landed and luckily my sis, BIL and Saywer did too!!! I was sooo excited to see that little guy...even if my sister forgot a 2nd outfit and he smelled a bit like pee!!! LOL! We made it to Bozeman and then drove FOREVER to the middle of nowhere. I realized this when the sun woke me up before 7 am! All I saw around me was green grass and blue sky! I knew we were far from the South but soon realized it was about 30 minutes to a gas station or grocery store. Nice break from the ATL. However, we were very, very close to nature galore...the Madison river and Yellowstone National Park. This picture is the entrance to the "neighborhood" However, if you have antelope and jack rabbits as your neighbors that changes the term.

The first day we went to take some amazing pictures of the Madison river, which made A River Runs Through It look like the slums. haha! We then headed into the little town called Ennis, which was quaint and had the small western town feel. That night Brooke and I went with the guys to watch them flyfishing. So cool and so not anything I could do at all! haha! Definitely a man thing. But gorgeous scenery!

The next day we headed to Yellowstone Park... and YES...that's in Wyoming!!! 2 states kiddos, 2 states!!! Woohoo!!! The list of states visited is getting so long! haha! So, as soon as we drove in, traffic stopped. We then saw the fuss... a group of about 10 moose, hanging out and drinking water. (including 3 baby moose!) You can't see them well in the picture but they're behind Sawyer and I. He was a little confused by the word "moose" and the "moo" cows make I think but hey he's just 22 months old! haha

We also saw a gorgeous waterfall (picture) and saw some cool hot, hot sulfurs. Oh and I my "living on the edge" moment. We came across some buffalo, which all signs tell you to stay away from but I just HAD to get a picture of them. So with my mom screaming from the car, I hoppped out and was soooo close to these amazing creatures(not zooming here)!

Oh and on our way out my mother stops to chat with a park ranger holding an elk antler. He begins to tell us about it and realizes we're from a place elk do not roam. Duh! We tell him we're from Alabama and guess what?? He's from Dothan! What a small world huh? Oh and did I mention he's an Auburn fan AND he was very very cute...what's a girl to do, ask him out? (seriously? Can we get some better timing/place here God? haha!)The next day mom, matthew, brooke and I went horseback riding. It was gorgeous amazing trail through the a canyon...amazing river, meadows and mountains. I had a bit of rough ride b/c I'm short and old but overall I sucked it up and enjoyed the 4 hr ride.

Our nights ended with family game nights with the Eldridges (who's house it was). We've been friends with them since I was 5 and they have 2 sons our ages. It's amazing to me that families can stay friends for so long with so many factors in life that can change. What a true blessing! Overall, great escape from reality! I was sad to leave the AMAZING weather (highs in the low 80s, lows in the 50s) and return to reality. But happy for a break and a new adventure! Hey, God Blessed the USA, I have no doubts after Montana!!!!!! (more pictures coming via facebook!)

Random topics-Bach. chat

I was thinking earlier this week that my blogs seem slow as of lately but I guess it's because of everyone traveling and this dang hot summer heat! So I figured maybe everyone else in Blogger world would be bored and my random blog today won't seem as weird/long! haha! A few things going on and my thoughts:

1) The Bachelorette: Yes, some of you maybe are rolling your eyes right now and in the past maybe I've given you the right to do so. However, this season of the Bachelorette was (to me) undeniably the best season EVER! I didn't really realize this until the very end, when I realized how excited I was for the finale. And I thought to myself, Brandi you've been way too excited this whole season long.
My reasoning for the #1 status... First off, Ali, she's great, cool, cute, got some meat on her bones and seems like the girl next door that I could hang out with. (minus her cheesy solo moments/talk, I mean you know ABC forces them to do this, come on!)Secondly, at first I wasn't a fan of all the guys she picked but then I realized a lot of them were very average and what I (or any girl these days) would get at a bar. Decent looking with good personalities to back them up. Maybe b/c some of them seemed attainable to me I like them more. (minus Roberto....ahhh HOT!) Thirdly, I knew Ty. He dated a family friend of mine a few years ago. He really is a sweet southern guy and I was cheering for him but she was too Cali for him.

Fourthly, drama, drama, drama...even though some of it was cheesy at points...overall it made for great TV and for the most part was really real!!! I mean come on when Frank screwed her in the end...it sucked big time but what a big reality check for life, right single girls? Ugh...boys are so difficult. Fifthly, there were so many many moments this season I died out laughing!!! I mean as painfully horrible as Kasey was....he was hilarious!!! And after a long day I need 2 hrs of cute boys and laughing!!!! hahaha!!! Sixthly (is that a word?) I didn't read Reality Steve (besides a few clues from Beth) I was totally clueless as to who was leaving when!

Lastly, because she chose Roberto!!!!! I know everyone loved Chris but I have no clue why...he had big scary attacking lips when he kissed her and the only thing he had to talk about EVERY FREAKIN' date was his family (love the family but come on...new topic,please!) And the fact that she didn't drag him to the last date and rose ceremony...what a stand up girl. About time someone was real about the fact they liked just ONE of the guys! And of course y'all know I'm partial to foreign looking guys! haha! But how could you deny that smile and how cute he looked in baseball pants!!! I know the reality is they probably won't make it. ( i heard her say she'd do Dancing with the Stars if they asked... a sure sign sadly, they probably won't) But of course I hope they do. And if they don't...it provided this chicka with some laughter, cute boys to gawk at and a new dream to move to Tahiti!!! So to ABC....you got lucky this time with some crazies and a small reality to your so called reality show!!! Thanks!!!

Ok...that was longer than I'd planned...I'll stop for now...maybe tomorrow at work I'll get bored and bore ya'll some more...Oh and I promise Montana pictures and blog soon....do you think I made it to more than just one new state for my list??? Hmmm...wait and see!

Chilean Mistake

I had this long blog written but then deleted it all to keep it simply stated...I know, rare for me! Last night I came across this guy's facebook page and it's been on my mind all day!

This is Jose...He's from Chile (awesome)...met him last summer...great guy in so many ways...long story short...I should've spent more time with Jose. I had the chance to more but due to some stupid reasons I walked away... too early... for sure...If you ever meet Jose, tell him I'd love to meet him by that brightly colored flower pot where I left him one summer Greecian night. Hmmm.... :)

*** this picture doesn't do him justice...shout out thanks to facebook for changing those privacy features last year so I could stalk a little easier since no knew how to change them back. HAHAHAHA!!!!!****

THE END

(this might be deleted when I realize how stupid this is, ha! )

Almost 6 months-The Verdict

So I realized the other day that I get asked "Do you like it here (Atlanta)?" at least once a week when I either: talk to an old friend or meet a new friend. So I thought I'd take this moment to put it out there to one and all. YES! YES! YES! I love living in Atlanta! I knew I'd like it but I guess I didn't realize how much I like it. I'm a total believer in getting out of a rut routine now. However, not going to lie it's not easy but I'm so totally glad that the roads all finally worked out and curved my way to this big city. Obviously, the major straw was the loss of my job. This devastating event sucked, but it was also a swift kick in the rear to getting out of my comfortable routine of my old job and life. Next, Greece was obviously life changing enough to make me realize how big this world is and how many,many people and places there are! Curve, straight, right turn, left turn, straight, big hill, lots of bumps, straight shot and voila...Atlantian!

The best way to describe how I feel here is saying it's a breath of fresh air. (minus the smog from the traffic) I guess in Bham I was just oblivious to how little there was to do/grow personally there. At every event there was it was the exact same people, in the somewhat similar part of town at a somewhat similar event as the previous one. The great thing about Atlanta is there is so many options of stuff to do literally every day of the week. If you wanna go out to dinner...good gosh there's a gazillion places and handfulls of genres. You wanna do drinks specials after work...same thing! Just this Friday a friend invited me to a happy hour at a local brewery company. It was across town and I hesistated but when we arrived it was so fun and totally different from what I had expected!

I also have to admit that as a single person at the age of 29...I don't feel like an Old Maid anymore! There are people of all ages that are out in this town. Totally normal to meet a guy in his early thirties (i'm slowly dealing with the fact that this is my age group of guys) out on the town and him be normal. It's so refreshing to know that just because I'm not married doesn't mean I'm a total freak...and yes I was beginning to feel that way in Birmingham. I guess inside me I've just got some city girl in me and it comes out more and more now that I'm in ATL.

Now, don't get me wrong, my life has not be all peachy and rosy since I've been here. I've had the worst car luck in my life since being here. I'm making jacks**t at my job. I'm living with a girl who drives me a bit insane. (she's nice just annoying as hell). I miss my family a lot. Money is tight and should be tigher than I spend most weekends. I miss the comforts of Birmingham, knowing every bit of town, and every good/bad restaurant. I miss seeing some of my best friends kids grow up. I've gained weight b/c I never have time to work out. Driving anywhere takes more than 20 mintues. HOWEVER, most days those things don't bother me because I'm happy to be in this city! :) And if all those other things didn't bother me than my life would be perfect and we all know that isn't any fun!!! haha!!!

So yes, for all those who are curious! I like Atlanta a lot! Will I stay here forever...WHO KNOWS! Will I come back to Bham ever...who knows?! I will always love so many things about Birmingham and will always proudly call it home. And yes, someday I might come back there and I know I'll love it no matter what. But for now Atlanta and I are having a fun little affair. And I hope that it's an affair to remember! :)

Elementary Patriotic Show

So we've all been there we've all sung the songs and said the pledge every day of our school lives....in the elementary school show/plays. Well this weekend at the lake, surprise, surprise I was uber patriotic. This patriotism included busting out many American songs...mostly just God Bless America. My few lines I sang over and over was educational for Casey, so I felt my duty was accomplished. Did you know that the lines say white with foam?? "From the mountains, to the prairies, To the oceans, white with foam" Great line huh? Many folks just mumble it. We also had to paraphrase for him the whole Francis Scott Key situation. Felt like I was in 3rd or was that 4th, grade all over again. haha!

So to my point...this summer many Europeans/Australians thought it was fun to try and name all the states, while drinking. Obviously I dominated at this but I amazed them most with my state song...alabama, alaska, arizona (ok I'll stop since you can't hear my ringy tune)So I was thinking about my upcoming trip to Montana. I've never been somewhere so outdoorsy, besides snow skiing. So I'm getting super pumped. In honor of the trip, which is really 3 weeks away. I'm listing all the states and if I've been to them. How many have you been to????

(Ennis, Montana, where I'm headed for a long weekend@ end of July)

Alabama- duh- yes
Alaska-no
Arizona- yep (ran my 1/2 marathon there!)
Arkansas-yes (barely)
California- yes
Colorado-yes
Connecticut-no
Delaware-no
Florida-yes
Georgia-yes
Hawaii-no
Idaho-no (but it's very close to Montana, I'll work on that)
Illinois- yes
Indiana-no
Iowa-no
Kansas-yes
Kentucky-yes
Louisiana-yes
Maine-no
Maryland-no
Massachusetts-no
Michigan-no
Minnesota-no
Mississippi-yes
Missouri-yes
Montana-on my way!!!!
Nebraska-no
Nevada-yes
New Hampshire-no
New Jersey-no
New Mexico-yes
New York-yes
North Carolina-yes
North Dakota-no
Ohio-yes
Oklahoma-no
Oregon-no
Pennsylvania-no
Rhode Island-no
South Carolina-yes
South Dakota-no
Tennessee-yes
Texas-yes
Utah-yes
Vermont-no
Virginia-yes
Washington-yes
West Virgina-yes
Wisconsin-no
Wyoming-no
Ok so you don't have to count them b/c I know you're curious...I've been to exactly half the states!!! 25!!! Pretty good for only being alive 29 years! I think I need to make a trip up Northeast to knock a lot off....who wants to join?? Hopefully my trip to Montana will knock out not only one but 2! How many have you been to? If you've flown Southwest I know you've all played the game on the napkin...or maybe that's just me bored on a flight to California. LOL! God Bless America and I'm excited to see some more of it!!!

Hair in the breeze...painful 4th ending

I've been looking forward to this weekend for a while now. Mainly because it involves the lake and being a child that grew up going to the lake often during the summertime, my soul feels extremely happy any time I'm there. We headed up to Haley's lake house in north Georgia. Originally we had thought there'd be a big group, however, many backed out last minute and it was a small (wonderful) group. Haley, Mireille and I headed up Saturday morning and soaked up the rays all day. Haley's boat had broken the weekend before so we were limited to the jetski. Beth and Casey joined us too later in the day. I hopped on the jetski to take a spin around the lake, checking out the classy north Georgia scenery. Just felt so good to have the wind in my hair with a bit of a water spritz and the sun shinning bright!

We then began the skiing rounds. For some reason the waters were testing me the most as I swear every boat in Lake Hartwell came out while I was skiing for the first time in almost 2 years, since I didn't in Greece last summer. I have no clue how my legs handled it but my inner child professional skiing self came out and I dominated the mountainous waves! We even gave the wakeboard a good run and a 180 spin or two. Casey was super excited to be at the lake and was willing to drive us all day long if we wanted to ski that long.

That night we grilled out and drank some delicous cocktails and Coronas! I even ate a hotdog, which if I sit and think about is gross, but purely for the sake of America. haha! We scarily attempted some gas station fireworks from the dock...let's just say I think we're all happy we didn't end up with seared hair! LOL!

The next day I adorned my 4th of July spirited outfit to make breakfast. Then we got out early to beat the crazies! Another gorgeous day with amazing weather. However, the jetski was getting low on gas and Haley decided to take it out on one last spin. Mireille and I excitedly wanted to join. We had a great trip around the lake and were about to head back to the dock when I notice some little waves ahead. Nothing to be scared about really except Haley was going kinda fast but I trusted her, I just didn't trust the waves. If you know anything about boating you know it's all about the angle you hit the waves. Well, next thing I know I'm getting bashed by some heavy object then I realize someone (Haley) is on top of me and I need to get to the top of the water to breath. I pop up and pull up my hand which happens to be holding the kill switch. I realize the other girls are there and was totally in shock as to what just happened. Not to mention how I ended up with the kill switch when Haley was driving and had it on her wrist not mine. Next, the pain jabs me and I start to tear up. Apparently when we spun off the end of the jetski slammed into me and then Haley came after that. Needless to say we were all terribly shaken.

We find the jetski and slowly get back to the dock. Where I can barely more my lower back/hip area hurts so badly. Then I start to freak out remember that I don't have insurance yet.

***break-yes I know I need insurance and that's stupid...believe me everyone has told me that now. When I got the new job I had to wait and then I just got busy,blah, blah...i'm on it this week, don't worry*** So then I start freaking out that what if I have internal bleeding or ruptured my spleen ( i know 2 people that have had this happen to them, one of which died from it) Needless to say my trama ruined the mood and we all got a little worried that we were in the woods, not near a hospital,etc if something happened. So we packed up (well they did while I sat helplessly)and headed back to ATL with ice on my hip. By this point I'd done some research and was pretty sure it was just a really bad bruised hip.

(pre-accident shot)

I'm doing better today than I thought I would be. Still hurts pretty bad to go up and down stairs and I walk like an 80 year old. However, I'm so happy I didn't have to go to the ER without insurance. It could've gone really bad. So lesson for all out there...be very, very careful on jetskis and don't get too wrapped up in the breeze in the hair feeling it could be costly! Luckily for me it just cost us one less day in the sun, massive Advil, and a few ice packs. Hope your 4th was less painful.