The Tropics of Brentwood

Just kicking it by the pool. Working. But still...

CANNONBALL.

Unpack it a Bit

WHAT a relief!

I am marveling in the mercy of the Lord. I have no tumor. No MS... and likely never will!

For starters, Dr. Nancy Newman is an exceptional neuro-ophthalmologist. She teaches at Emory and it is so obvious that she's an educator. She was patient and extremely thorough. I'm so grateful for my parents and sister who came to the appointment with me and were able to make note of all the explanations she gave! I'm such a lucky girl- I have the very best family!!

Basically, my right optic nerve is inflamed and is already on the mend! My brain scans (done in January) were a great reference and tell her that my nerve has already begun healing. Usually, Optic Neuritis is a painful experience, but not for me. How nice! Dr. Newman gave me some percentages of the risks of MS down the road and they are very favorable for me. In fact, she said of the nearly 450 people they followed for 15 years, not ONE single patient (with clear brain scans like mine) developed multiple sclerosis. Those are odds I can get used to. :)

Some blood work and chest x-rays were done and will rule out any remaining concern. I cannot say enough about how impressed I am with Emory! They are such a class act. Shoot- I didn't even wait more than ten minutes anywhere! Lets face it- I'm probably going to make a t-shirt in support...maybe send them a valentine next year.

I'm working here in ATL while nestled on the couch at the home of (the most wonderful) Katherine and Dean's. It is so cozy and I'm loving the snore of Lucy- the adorable pup. Katherine, in case I forget to mention this- your guest bed is the most comfortable thing I have *ever* slept on. No exaggeration. THANK you!

Thanks for the prayers, friends. I'm so grateful!

Don't be Jealous

The verdict is in.

Optic Neuritis

more later.
xo

Me and Willie Nelson

I'm on the road again in couple o' hours.

I will be headed to my appointment with the eye ball whisperer in the morning and will, hopefully, have some information before heading back to the muszak city. Hopefully it won't be a lot of tests. I'm sticking around so we can knock out anything that needs to be done. We shall see.

Hope y'all have a great week. I'll be in and out. Who knows, though... you may get some pics. :)

word up.

Things making my Friday...

1. GirlTalk... I just can't stop listening. Never mind the world of litigation he's dealing with for "borrowing" all the music. ha. Its a hoot. (yes, a hoot).

2. The left over salmon and brown rice I plan to demolish in a few moments. I love me some salmon!

3. Thinking about Amanda telling me that the twins growing in her are the size of travel toothpaste tubes. hahah! so fun!

4. I got up and lifted weights this morning! I was so sleepy but I did it! :) Small victories, ok?

5. I'm gonna see my fam next week!

6. Monday off!!

7. Channeling a flapper today...?



What are y'all looking forward to?? HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!!

deep laughter....

WHY is it the best thing in the world?

I can't stop laughing this morning for a couple reasons. THIS being one:

I mean.... am I just tired or is that the most ridiculous thing you've ever seen? oh man....

Also, DID you see last week's 30 Rock????? Holy cow.

Do yourself a favor and enjoy the next 21 minutes. Do not miss the last few minutes. I've laughed so hard that it hurts.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/73145/30-rock-kidney-now#s-p1-so-i0

HAPPY TUESDAY!

Question of the Day

I know what you're wondering.

And the answer is NO. I've not changed my mind.

I will not... CAN not... watch "The Bachelorette" tonight. You may remember my rant from days past. I am holding firm in my stand against all things contrived romanticism. That's right.... no bach for me. Even if it is heralded as "the biggest season" yet.

Figures.

So... guess I'll just keep myself entertained by doing something vintage. Like reading.

Addendum

Hey look! I fixed my necklace!


I have, not even kidding, let it sit...broken... in my jewelry box for over a YEAR.

It is one of my faves.
It is now wearable again.
Also, I may or may not have done this repair at work.

Eeyore

So, I get that he is the least lovable of the animals at Pooh Corner. Honestly, I agree. Who ever wants to hang out with the guy who is *bound* to bring you down?

Nashville weather feels like Eeyore. Just as I think we're going to have a sunny day, I awaken to rain drops flying horizontally at my bedroom window. If not for Feist and her spritely tunes, I may be rocking in a corner suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Doesn't May know that APRIL showers bring May flowers? Gah. Its just....so simple.

To make up for the Eeyore weather looming in the Music City, I'll be forced to blare my happy music and enjoy the fun activities planned. For starters, our design intern Alison has her senior art show at Belmont! I'm so excited! In five years, I have never set foot inside Belmont University. It will be a great day to go and revel in Alison's talents. THEN, on to company bowling. Of course. Later, Neal is practicing some music for his show in Columbia this weekend. A few of us are going to be band-aids. duh.

I'm gonna turn this frown upside down. You know what else will do that?? TOMORROW IS HAIR CUT DAY! Sure, anyone in my position would wish that my sis were in town to tame my mane, but hey- Amanda at Cognito needs to take things into her hands. There's no more time to wait, I assure you.

ttyl.

Hot off the Press!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=93356098192&ref=nf

You can now purchase your tickets for the Benefit Concert and Auction for Ruthie Sayles!

Happy Humpday, everyone!

love.

The Best Medicine

I woke up late.
I missed an appointment.
I need a laugh.

I give you... Jim Gaffigan!

Later on, there's a long ride with Paul at Percy Warner. The hills we will encounter are *already* mocking me. I will own them.

Save the Date!

Friends... PLAN to be in Nashville on June 4th. It is going to be an unforgettable evening to raise funds for my dear friend Ruthie. Feel free to read her blog to get the low-down on her recent months by clicking HERE. She has some very complicated surgery needs and we're going to band together and help raise the needed funds as well as her spirits. Community is not only a blessing but utterly necessary for all of us. So many of us have wondered how we can help and finally, here is our opportunity!

Come out, bring folks, buy things or purchase tickets regardless of if you'll be in town.

Let's "Raise Up" and encourage Ruthie right now, friends! PLUS, how about that line-up for only $20?? Here's to Kristen Dabbs and those who have arranged an amazing evening! See y'all there!

I love you, Ruthie!

Lunch Date

Check out my super hot lunch date...


Williams was sweet enough to bring his mom, Leslie. He's so thoughtful.

I SO WISH...

... that I'd photographed the meal I just made for "lunch bunch".

So, I'll describe. This is, of course, a shameless plug of my domestic goddess aptitude. duh.

It was chicken barbeque (chicken and barbeque sauce in the crock pot over night... mmmm) sammies with sauteed onions on fresh french rolls. Romaine salad with strawberries, avocado, toasted almonds, feta and light (ha) Champagne dressing. Grilled corn as a side and for dessert.... s'mores! (insert "Sandlot" reference).

The theme was SUMMERTIME and it worked! I am all cozy and full. Too bad I need to be productive. I could rock a nap right now.

Completely un-related rant:
Is anyone else SO sad about the drama with the Gosselins (From "John and Kate Plus Eight"?) I mean... it makes me so sad. I know that no one is perfect but why are we a society obSESSED with keeping our options open? You know what.... don't get me started. I'll get all riled up and that's not what this post was about. Perhaps tomorrow. We'll see. ha.

Locals

Dad and I got to video chat this morning- SO nice! I got to see his surroundings and, all of a sudden, the world felt a lot smaller. It was first thing in the morning for me and dinner time for him. Ultimately we had to hang up b/c it was time for the daily wash down. The "mess hall"... not dad. Although, lets be real, I'm sure that happened later. It sounds like they'll be set free on Friday evening which will be our Friday morning! I'm so happy to hear they'll be returning HOME on Monday (as originally planned) instead of venturing deeper into China. It seems they are quarantine happy over there and what a shame it would be to get caught up in a much less accommodating place.. again! So, look out America! The boys are ('bout to be) back in town! :)

Some friends and I celebrated Cinco de Mayo by hitting up the newest restaurant in our 'hood. It is called The Local Taco and, Nashville, it will soon be your new favorite! It is not only innovative and DEElish, but it is also owned by my friend John Ko. I met John through my friend Traci who is great friends with him from Atlanta. He is really funny and, apparently, QUITE the restauranteur. Bottom line- last night we decided TLT is going to be our "The Max". The only question is this..."how many times a week can I come here before I look nuts?" The answer is probably this.... "not possible." Think I can be like Norm and just sit down and have my favorites delivered?

Today some AMAZING news was also delivered. NEAL is staying in town!! That's right, folks, he has a publishing deal and will be a local boy indefinitely! WOO HOO! I'm so excited! St. Louis will not take another friend yet! :) Sorry, Mojos! hehe.

What a great day! Forget the buckets and buckets of non-stop rain! Its a day worth celebrating!

"Hello Muddah.... Hello Fadduh...."

WHAT a weekend just passed.

You may think I'm referring to the "Cinco de Mayo" themed (turned indoor) Relay for Life I participated in for most of Friday night. That was fun, but nope.

You may think I'm referring to Chancey's bachelorette weekend where we celebrated and loved on my sweet roommate. YES, that was amazing but still not what I'm referring to.

Raise your hand if your father (and godfather) flew to Hong Kong last week only to return to a roped off hotel one evening. Turns out, the first confirmed case of Swine Flu was in their hotel (the Metropark hotel you've seen splashed on news world-wide). After being told they must abandon their belongings and not return to the hotel, they were forced to stay at another hotel under assumed names. Sound like a movie yet? Yeah... to me too.

So, fast forward to their attempt to blow that popsicle stand and go to Shanghai and Beijing (reason for the trip) once they have their belongings (including important meds.) Enter Chinese customs who say, "not so fast." They are whisked away to a camp-of-sorts outside of Hong Kong where they could be properly contained. Based on the SARS lunacy, it makes sense, I must admit. All I know is that, until I heard my father's voice and laugh, I was beyond uneasy. Now... its kind of funny, I suppose. Sure, they're not doing ANYTHING they intended to do, but that means they're doing some really unexpected things. Here is a link to the Wall Street Journal blog they're contributing to while held.

So, i suppose the fact remains that obviously their plans were not nearly as important as what God had intended for their trip. It looks as though they'll be in Hong Kong for the rest of the week unless some dramatic changes happen. They're safe and making due, so I'm just ready to have them back! Not scared like before. PLEASE keep my mom in your prayers- she is obviously eager to have dad back in the good ole USA safe and sound.

Thank goodness for technology and being able to hear that voice on the other side of the world!

WE DID IT!

The month of April is behind us! We did it! :)

Something great happened- I'm hooked again. You can plan to get regular blogs, oh faithful readers. Sure, I may not have anything in particular to say...but we'll meet here daily to realize that, won't we?

A very stormy night made way for a rainy day here in the music city. Its rather lovely!

....OH WAIT. I have to walk outside in circles to raise money for cancer research aka the Relay for Life. Cooooooooooool.

Rain, rain, go away! Come again... tomorrow while I lay in bed and catch up on some much needed sleep before going out to celebrate Chancey's bachelorette-ness.

word.