Today was THE Day...and an update

Well, today was "the day." Let me explain...last Friday, I planted Mandevilla in one of the corners of my fence. When I finished, I stepped back to admire my work when something caught my eye and nearly scared me to death! This is what I saw...

You might imagine my surprise to see 4 wide yellow mouths staring at me. This bird's nest is eyelevel in my fence, but hadn't noticed it before. I had noticed while I was planting my Mandevilla that a bird kept circling around me, but didn't think much about it at the time...until I stepped back and saw her babies.

I have been obsessed with these baby birds ever since the discovery. Every day I have gone out to the fence and checked on them and have been amazed at how quickly they have grown. Tuesday, I took another picture because the babies had gotten so much bigger....

It has been fun watching them...until today. Today when I walked by the nest, it was empty.

Here is Mama Bird watching me plant the Mandevilla....guess she was making sure that I didn't harm her babies.

Some of you have *jokingly* asked about my proverbial green thumb. I am PROUD to report that everything is still growing and alive. Here's the proof:

The garden....YES! I can taste the fresh veggies now...

Remember the infamous snapdragon that keeps coming back in a different location that I blogged about a few weeks ago? Well, here it is in full bloom. Isn't it pretty?? This picture doesn't do the bright "neon" colors justice.

My big pot of zinnias and the white "filler" that Mom gave me (can't think of what it's called)

My Dahlia that I just knew wouldn't make it...is in it's 3rd blooming rotation

Here is the area that I was struggling with what to plant. I am proud to report that I planted a white Confederate Jasmine (thanks, Mom). I cannot tell how it's doing, but it has not wilted or turned brown....we'll see what the future holds.

*sidenote: I am a little concerned about it's future potential because my yard is nothing but clay and rock. Of course I doubled the size of the planting hole and filled with compost. I planted according to the instructions...only time will tell.

My yard has become a peaceful place for me. Yes, you read that correctly...it is quite the turn of events of the long history of the worlds most dis-interested/worst gardner! I have always detested working in the yard. I had no interest in it as a kid or as an adult. I turn, I never could keep anything alive. (I was the girl that couldn't grow ivy!) But despite all my gardening shortcomings, I've always attempted to grow flowers. It's what Southern ladies do in the spring...you just grow flowers. Whether it was at my apartment in Mobile or my condo in Boise, I always tried. I would start out with good intentions, but by the end of the summer, everything had long been dead. Since moving to Arkansas and having a "real house", I always have made sure my front flower bed looked good..whatever it took. Truthfully, it was about all I could handle. Looking back, I was just not interested in caring about it before. However, this year it just clicked. Growing something just seemed to come naturally. I was so eager! I couldn't buy enough to plant. I made about 5 trips to Lowe's and Home Depot to get things and every time bought more flowers, whiskey barrels, or something to plant! Call is maturity, coming of age, nesting, or just plain ole stress, but either way I LOVE gardening this year. It relaxes me and makes me happy. The truth is, I really don't care if anyone else sees it or not. Yes, I would like for others to enjoy it, but at the end of the day, it is mine and I am excited to see it flourish. I feel like I have accomplished something...and I can see it with my own eyes.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

These were the bright and shining faces of my first patio guests. Let me explain...on Saturday night of Memorial Day Weekend, a few neighbors came over for a cookout. I had big plans for the adults sitting on the patio and the kids playing in the yard. Well....thanks to a storm coming up right when we were about to eat, the kids stayed on the patio and the adults stayed inside. Not exactly the way I had planned it, but it all worked out in the end. Right after this picture was taken, ALL of these kids played out in the rain and got soaking wet. It was so fun watching them play and have a good time...despite the rain and soggy ground.

On Sunday night, another group of friends came over for dinner. My camera never made a debut, but towards the end of the night, we all found Tommy sitting on my side table "talking" on the phone. Oh he had a great conversation and we all had a good laugh. You can tell from the picture that he really enjoyed being the center of all our attention...never phased him one bit!

Darius

My company is the main corporate sponsor for The Amp, a summer concert series in NW Arkansas. Last Friday night was our "team night" and we were treated to a not only our regular VIP passes, but backstage "meet & greet" passes! This concert was none other than the one and only Darius Rucker, AKA "Hootie" from Hootie & the Blowfish. I have to admit that I had very low expectations of this concert and almost didn't go. However, I had already invited 3 friends to go with me AND it was a beautiful day/evening and certainly didn't need to be wasted. I am so glad that I did go because it was THE BEST CONCERT! He played a little of everything...from Hank/Merle/David Allan Coe to classic Hootie and the Blowfish to Prince. He closed the concert with Purple Rain...

The picture below is from the Meet-&-Greet. We went through so fast that I barely remember getting a picture made (Thanks Heather!).

Bailey, Wendy, and Me

Ashley is missing from this pic...don't know where she was!

We were enjoying the beautiful evening outdoors at the Amp...good friends, good food, good music, good weather. Just doesn't get any better than that!

Springtime

"In the springtime, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." ~ Margaret Atwood

Over the last 21 days, it has stormed here everyday! I feel waterlogged and have almost sprouted webbed fingers and feet! But somewhere in there, I got the wild hair to give my backyard, patio, and flowerbed a little "lift." It was actually spurred by my trip to Mobile... the afternoon I landed in NW Arkansas, I headed straight to Home Depot and bought flowers. The following week, I "shopped" online and found the perfect swing, chairs, tables, and rug. After feeling the tug all that week, I finally went to Lowe's on Thursday afternoon (in between rainstorms) and bought 4 whiskey barrels and vegetable plants. Realizing I over bought on vegetables half way through planting, I went back and bought 2 more whiskey barrels and even more flowers! Vegetables that I planted: 4 tomato, 2 crooked neck squash, 1 straight neck squash, 2 zucchini, 2 green bell pepper and 1 red bell pepper. In a few weeks they will either be vegetables or victims....we'll just have to wait and see!

The swing has only been hung a week, but I have spent more time on my patio this week than I have in the 2.5 years I've lived here! Oh, I cannot wait to see what the summer has in store!

Here are a few pics....enjoy!

Back Patio

(tables will be here shortly...)

The Garden

Dahlia's and (something else that I can't remember)

are planted in between each whiskey barrel of vegetables

closeups of the Dahlias

Zinnia's

Red Gerber Daisy (my favorite)

The birdhouse...need advice on what to plant behind it...suggestions???

Front yard - and street view of the garden on the left.

You really cannot appreciate this. It took me TWO days and TWO electric hedge trimmers to "tame" this jungle!

This snapdragon was planted 3 summers ago in a different spot...it keeps coming back!

1 of 3 planters across the front of my house

close up of "filler" flower. (that's what the tag said...)

Zinnia's (by MEK)

The highlight of my trip to Mobile a few weekends ago was visiting my friend, Mary Elizabeth's, art studio at her home. She is an AWESOME artist and her paintings just have that certain pop of color. Check out her blog, Painting A Day.

April Catch Up

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind! Work is keeping me very busy during the week and the weekends have been extremely full....work hard, play harder! This post will not be in chronological order as it will be long and there are certain things I want you to see should you only have a quick minute. No event was any less important than the other, but the "leading story" is just very special and I don't want you to miss it.

When I was a graduate student at The University of South Alabama in Mobile, I had the good fortune of working FOR and WITH 2 extraordinary women: Gina Hedberg and Barbara Wooley, respectively. These women are blessings in my life and I am so thankful for them. Gina was the "key" to my social life in Mobile as she sponsored me for Junior League and got me into triathlon mode (and introduced me to Melissa, another incredible friend). Barbara was the essence of grace and a Mobile Southern Belle. She was a beautiful person both inside and out. She and her husband, Larry, provided me and my friends many nights of Mobile Symphony and Mobile Ballet tickets (the good ones!). She was generous when she didn't have to be and truly loved people. She was a strong Christian woman whose faith was steadfast and unshakeable. Just after I graduated from Graduate School, Barbara was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She was a valiant foot soldier and went into remission about 1 year later. Oh, how we all cheered and celebrated God's goodness. It wasn't even a year after Barbara's remission report that the cancer came back with a vengeance. She fought bravely for 3 years solid. There were many ups and downs, hills and valleys. Barbara's faith never wavered. She always had that brilliant smile on her face and ALWAYS realized the positives. Although we who knew her and loved her were devastated, she knew where she was going should cancer not let her go. This assurance sustained her and gave her the most tremendous grace. I aspire to be more like that...and I am healthy!

During Barbara's 65 years on this earth, she and her husband, Larry, were avid supporters of the fine arts in Mobile. They were active in various charities. They gave freely of themselves and their resources. Barbara made her mark on Mobile. She made a big mark on me. Barbara died last winter (2008). The world definitely lost one of it's brightest angels. I don't remember what kept me from going to her funeral, but I know that I have always regretted it. I needed closure to completely accept the fact that she was really gone. Last month, March 2009, her husband, Larry, and 2 sons, Dane and Heath, immortalized Barbara. They erected a statue in her honor in the University of South Alabama's Women and Children's Hospital's Memorial Gardens. It's a wonderful sanctuary in front of USA Women and Children's Hospital in Mobile. The park is full of bronze statues that represent not only those who have lost their battle with cancer, but those who have had hand in the advancement of cancer research. I strongly encourage you to drive/walk these grounds the next time you are through Mobile. I promise you that it will be a blessing. While I was in Mobile last weekend, I made it a priority to visit Barbara's statue. It was beautiful! She stands at the front door of the hospital under the big oak tree in a small garden of colorful flowers....just as she would choose. Barbara was always gardening. Who knew that visiting the simple statue would bring me such closure and peace. Yes, I was sad, but I cannot think of a better way to remember such a wonderful person. Here are a few pictures:

Barbara, me, Gina
This was my graduation dinner at The Bakery in downtown Mobile (Dec 2002)

Barbara was always laughing and making other laugh, too.

Barbara and Me.
This is exactly as I remember her. Big smile, perfely manicured nails, and big heart

These pics were taken with my Blackberry...sorry for the poor quality, but I left BOTH of my cameras in NW Arkansas.

Front view of the statue

Under the big oak

Back of the statue looking towards the front entrace of USA W&C Hospital

Footstone

DOMINOES BALL

The sole purpose of my trip to Mobile was for the Dominoes Ball. The quick history of this Mardi Gras organization: Dominoes are closely associated with the Knights of Revelry (KOR) Mystic Organization in Mobile. KOR parades on Fat Tuesday and have their ball the first Friday night after Easter (Easter Ball). The Dominoes do not parade during Mardi Gras and they host their ball the 2nd Friday night after Easter. These are the only 2 Mystic organizations that host their balls after Fat Tuesday. (No organization can parade or host balls during Lent...ruled by the Catholic Church).

My friend, Melissa, was the Dominoes' Leading Lady this year. This is the highest honor bestowed on any Mystic Organization. For the ball this year, Melissa chose a Studio 54 theme. How fun it was to throw back to the Disco era! The ball was held at The Country Club of Mobile. The Tip Tops played until the wee hours of the morning and were awesome! They even dressed the part with big afros, wild costumes, and the perfect music. Here are a few candid of the night, but here is the link to all photos on Facebook. (Professional Pics are not yet available)

Melissa and Gary - the first dance
The dance floor was surrounded by all the members of The Dominoes while The Leading Lady lead the first dance of the evening.

Melissa, Gina (wearing her traditional Domino robe), and me


Melissa and Gary dancing

Melissa "singing" her heart out with the Tip Tops

*side note: just after this photo was snapped, a few of Melissa's friends were pulled on stage to be "back up". My worst fear was realized when the band leader had pulled my by the hand up front and center to DANCE a solo. There is not enough alcohol anywhere that would have made this fun for me.....later I realized that Melissa had put the band leader up to it....all I can say is that payback is a B****!

Me and Phillip

Gina and Mary Elizabeth

(both donning their traditional robes)

Just after Melissa and I went through the Memorial Park to see Barbara's statue, we went to dinner at Ed's Shed on the Causeway on the Bay. I couldn't help but take this picture of the sunset. It was so beautiful. It was good to be "home" in Mobile.

April 18. Aloft Hotel. Kara and Kelly's birthday party. This is the party that they had planned for themselves before the "surprise party" Easter weekend. Here are a few candids. All I will say about this is that a GREAT time was had by all!

Julie, Me, Courtney

Kara, Jenn, Allyson, Julie, Me, Courtney

Kara's favorite birthday present :)

Kelly & John Branca...playing pool and winning!

Company Party and Jason Meadows. Dr Pepper Snapple Group was awarded the Vendor of the Quarter for Q4 at Walmart Corp. This is a huge honor...especially considering our competition. (if you think real hard for 5 seconds you'll know who that is...) Everyone in our office has been working extra long hours during this "Relay/Mod Season". I've always known that this season of the Walmart calendar was rough, but living it is a whole different story. Long hours, 7 day work weeks, minimal sleep, and STRESS! The Senior Management decided that we needed a night out to celebrate all that we have accomplished as a team with our customer. So....they invited Jason Meadows to NW Arkansas to host a private concert. DPSG sponsors him corporately, so this was not that big of a request. The loft space above the Wine Cellar on Dickson Street in Fayetteville was turned into a casino and concert hall. Fun times!

Because we were celebrating and the travel distance between Rogers/Bentonville and Fayetteville, DPSG "shuttled" us from our front doors to the venue. No one ever mentioned what we would be picked up in, but we all assumed it would be a paddy wagon or 15 passenger van.....you can imagine my surprise (and my neighbor's) when this sweet ride backed into the culdesac. (Thanks Shelley for the pic!)

I was the first to be picked up, so I had a good 2 hour ride in the Hummer before ever getting to Fayetteville. FUN TIMES! However, my friend, Greg, patiently waited for me to arrive. He lives in Fayetteville and met me at the party.

me and Greg

Okay...those of you who have known me for any length of time know how I am always talking about "the Babington nose." My Mamaw Sullivan inherited it from her mother, (Cain family, actually) and she has passed it down to my Dad, Uncle Pat, and Aunt Cindy. My Dad has passed it down to me. I have always known that I had a big nose, but it wasn't until someone snapped this candid of me at the Company Party that I realized just how big it really was....all I see in this picture is Mamaw Sullivan's profile....family genetics, gotta luv'em.

Don't ask what I am trying to do here, but it's obvious that I am TRYING to dance....