These are a few of my Favorite Things

This February we will celebrate a very special anniversary, with our house. We will have bought the house 3 years ago. I will never forgot the night I moved in because it was such an eventful day. Meredith and I worked all day to get our things put in exactly the right spots. (This was before Earle and I got married, in case your confused)

After a long day I went to take a shower and Meredith followed when I got out. She first used the bathroom and when she flushed the toilet, that's when the adventure started. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted the shower drain blowing out of the shower and with a fire hydrant span of water behind it. Now I love Meredith, but all of you who know here know exactly what I thought the problem was.

After a few frantic hours it was discovered that the previous owners had managed to flush a kid's toy down the drain to cause a back up in the pipe. Meredith your safe this time!

During these past two years I have been so blessed to get some great stuff for our house and with a little help from our favorite antique stores we have found our own little treasures. Here are a few of my favorite things.

This china is such a fun combinations between antique and modern. I love all the different pieces. You can mix and match the designs or keep everything the same.

Last summer I was desperately searching for a white desk to go in the office. After a very long search I stumbled across this potters' bench in an antique store and it fit the purpose perfectly.

These were a gift from a very sweet student of mine last year and her family. They look great in the kitchen.

The first thing that caught my attention when I was buying this house was the stone fireplace. It gives the house so much character.

This is the first piece that we bought and it is still my favorite. It not only serves a purpose by holding our wine, but it is so fun to look at!

Mexican Food

Well the secrets out, I love Mexican food. In fact, I ate it on Friday and Saturday night. Why you may ask. Well here is a little insight into why this delightful meal is just so darn irresistible.

1. Cheese dip
2. Free chips and salsa
3. Let's not leave out the margaritas
4. You can eat for less then $5.00 and be full
5. They make you wear a funny hat on your birthday
6. There is a Mexican restaurant in every town
7. It's always fun to hear the Spanish version of your favorite American songs (you should really listen to the spanish version of Proud Mary)
8. It's as close to Mexico as I will get

Enjoy!

The Wedding of Buster and La- September 19, 2009

Happy 1 week anniversary Meredith and Russell. As an anniversary gift to you I am dedicating an entire blog spot to your special day. I know your excited!

This is my Meredith and I was truly honored to be a part of her wedding last weekend. Meredith lights up any room that she walks into and I could not have imagined a more fun weekend with her.

The weekend started with last minute deliveries of out of town bags before we set up camp at beautiful Fountainview Mansion for operation wedding. Friday night was filled with rehearsing it up, delicious food, heartwarming stories, the singing debut of Russell, and of course the presentation of the famous Publix cake. Meredith helped me a great deal with my wedding and even brought Russell along to help with a very important task, cake testing. Knowing that Russell was part of the clean plate club in school we knew he would do us proud. After several rounds of icing and cake it was time for the final verdict. After pondering with his taste buds for a few minutes, Russell replies that all he wanted for his wedding cake was a Publix cake that read "Congratulations Russell"

How could we deny him such an easy request. So once again, Congratulations Russell.

After we all had our roles rehearsed and our bellies full the girls headed out for a few photos before putting together some last minute details for the big day tomorrow.

The next morning the preparation began (a special shot out to my hair stylist, Brittany B) and yet again we were treated to a very special brunch with some very special gifts from our favorite bride of the weekend.


These were not only cute bags, but they were home to some very cute gifts as well. I mean who can't use a pair of very comfortable and useful flip flops along with a absolutely adorable towel wrap?

After the brunch we did what we do best, take pictures!

After getting a little bit more comfy the real fun began. I mean whats a wedding without the bride dancing to New York New York with a top hat while her mother plays her comes the bride.

We did manage to pull her away from her Broadway Production and get her ready for the role of bride and what a beautiful bride she was. Rus was not so shabby either ;)

I did manage to sneak away for a moment a snap a picture with my wonderful husband too.

The ceremony was probably not what Meredith had planned out in her head, but it was perfect! I mean who else can say they got married in a thunderstorm? Despite the fact that the groomsmen were holding down the tent so that the wind did not blow us away, the lanterns were spinning uncontrollably above our heads and water was slowly trickling down our backs you could not deny the look of love on their faces as they became husband and wife.

I leave you with one last face. The excitement of my dad as he held a polka dotted umbrella during the ceremony. If rain means good luck on your wedding day, Meredith and Russell you now have a life time of luck and love!

Nashville in the Minivan

As I was driving home today I happened to pass a family in a minivan and my mind instantly went back to one of the funniest moments of my life.

Last spring a group of my favorite people and I headed off to Nashville Tennessee to toast the "Wildest Women in Nashville Melinda" before she was off and married. Because we have some many connections we scored no other than a dvd playen mommie cam spying minivan to take on our trip.
Melinda started off driving and needless to say her reputation as the wildest women does carry over to her driving ability. At the threat of us having to stop to take Dramamine she agreed to cool her jets in the backseat and let someone else drive. If we only knew what was coming next!

Our friend Brittany so happily agreed to take over the wheel and we soon arrived safely in Nashville. The only excuse I can give to what happens next is that perhaps we had just been in the car too long.

The directions to our hotel were a little confusing and the Memaw Van got a little turned around. We made an executive decision to pull into the next gas station to get directions. Now let me set the stage for what is about to happen.

7 Girls

1 Minivan

4 Lanes of Traffic

1 Fire Station to our Left with a trusty firefighter

Brittany happened to glance to the left and noticed a fire station with a nice firefighter outside talking on his cellphone just minding his own business, little did he know. In order to get in the driveway of this fire stations a very very tight turn would have to be made to the left across two lanes of Nashville Traffic.

Now I am not a mind reader or anything but I think the following thoughts went through Brittany's head during that moment, Hey there is a fire station and a nice firemen that looks like he could help us. Here we go. Uh oh I think the minivan is on two wheels, Yikes there is the curve. Oh crap I can't block the fire trucks, better just pull up on this hill and bounce over the ditch.

Now from the mind of the firefighter, Look at that van, surely that are not turning in here, what the...?

Now from my mind. Oh my gosh I can not believe that she just jumped the curve to pull into a forestation and now we are straight up parked on a hill in a minivan in Nashville!

After completely realizing what had just happened without missing a beat all of us ducked at the same exact moment to hid our faces while Brittany proudly jumped out to get us directions. (I love Brittany) I am not quite sure if Britt noticed the stunned looked on the firefighters face but we were sure to capture it with our cameras. What we then heard was even more funny that the Evil Knievel act we had just preformed.

Brittany - "Excuse me sir, I am a citizen in need of service and you are a public servant."

With the same what in the expression on his face the nice public servant sent us on her way where we arrived safely in Nashville minivan and all

I am thankful for

In college I lived with some pretty amazing people that liked to look at the bright side of life. If one of us was ever caught complaining we tried to remember three things that we were thankful for in our life. These past two weeks have not been the best so I have been trying to remember what I am thankful for. Little did I know that God was going to show me my three things when I got home from school today.

1. About a year ago Earle and I were lucky enough to find a bible study that was the perfect fit for us. Not only are these lovely ladies friends of mine but they can all cook too. Today I came home to a great surprise from them, chicken, rolls, mash potatoes, green beans, and I included a picture of what I will probably eat first.


2. I really like to have my house clean and usually don't mind doing it, but sometimes its just nice to walk into a house where everything is clean. After the excitement of our chocolate cake I walked back to our room to find no other then super laundry husband doing the laundry.


3. I did not think it could get any better than super laundry husband and chocolate cake, but I was wrong. I got a surprise in the mail today! My friend Jenna who was one of those college friends that still helps me to be thankful sent us a prize.

I was really excited. In fact I took this picture 5 times just to capture the right amount of excitiveness on my face.

She sent baseball hackey sacks for Earle.

A sweet/funny/silly Jenna would pick out and draw on card and

some super stylish office prizes for me!

I kind of told Earle a little lie about the following. Well you can be the judge. I told him I was getting a picture and a video of him trying out his hackey sacks for Jenna to see. I just forgot to tell him that I was showing her through a blog. Good thing he is thankful for me too!

Sorry it is sideways! I forgot to turn the camera around.

Shhhh Greys is on!

Yes I will admit it, I am a Greys fan. This was not all was the case. In college Greys Anatomy was on Sunday night which also happen to be the same night as Alpha Delta Pi meetings. My senior year you could say tha I had somewhat of an important role in the chapter that required my weekly attendance. Those good old Alpha Dootie Pootie days, in Jenna's famous words! So not much TV watching was going on those nights.

Then came Julie AKA Stewart's' wife to the TV life changing moment rescue. She insisted that we all watch the season finale of season one.

This is Julie and her special Grey's Anatomy glasses.

Now I must admit I was not quite ready for how serious those Greys fans were. As we sat down to watch the episode at good old Merrywood (please see picture below) little did I know that I would have to sign a contract ensuring that I was quiet for every second that the show was on. Apparently this unspoken contract exist among all Greys watchers, I almost lost a tongue once for using my cellphone while Meredith was watching an episode. Those Grey's Anatomy's fans don't play!

Now it is not quite the best time to begin watching a show, I mean the season finale, but my life does not always make the most sense anyway. This particular episode involved a bomb and that's about all I can remember. I sure you notalk contract people know exactly what I am talking about. The episode must have done the job. Despite the fact that by the end of the night Julie had found the duck tape for my mouth I was all but hooked.

After several seasons later I now understand the need for duck tape sometimes when those
"other people" just can't be quiet. (Not that I live with one of those people or anything)

I may be forty-seven weeks pregnant. I may be on bed rest. I may not be able to see my own feet. But I AM Dr. Bailey. I hear every thing. I know every thing. I'm watching each and every one of you. And I will return.
Miranda Bailey

I can see Clearly Now the Rain is Gone...The story of Russell and Meredith Part 1

This is one of my best friends, Meredith. We meet in 8th grade science and have been inseparable since then.

This is one Earle's best friend, Russell. They meet in 4th grade on the school bus and have been inseparable since then.

This is the story of Meredith and Russell...

One cold September night in Highlands, North Carolina, several of us had gathered to just enjoy life. Little did Russel know that that weekend would change his life! After much laughing, some good food prepared by Parker, and a few glasses of wine on the front porch, the Matchmaker bug hit Earle. He took a picture of Meredith to show to Russell and repeated in his country Earle voice, "Willie (his name for Russell )you need to focus on that one!"

Some 400 miles away little did Meredith know that her future husband was being introduced to her through a picture. Fast forward a few hours... Meredith reluctantly picks up the phone to hear the voice of "Willie" on the other line.

The seed is planted and...

Now over two years later we were able to celebrate the wedding of out two best friends. Complete story and more pictures to come later.

You Got Fur?

No these are not the two winners of the cutest kid contest, though it may be hard to believe, they are two of my favorite people! Please meet Tanner and Taylor, our niece and nephew. They not only light up every room they walk into, but they always come with energy and a smile.

There are sure to be more stories about this little duo please enjoy story 1- You got Fur?

While enjoying a nice summer day in the pool with Steve and Earle you could see the wheels in Tanners head start to turn very fast as he explored his surroundings. Upon looking up at Steve's armpits and noticing that there was hair under them he asked. "You got fur?"

To this he lifted up his arm to check for fur.

With all of us laughing uncontrollably he then turned to Earle to say, "You got fur too?"

How can you not love kids?

Be Still and Know That I am God.

Enough said....

What’s Wrong with Him?

This is the story of Smokey Joe Tanner Bartley Tanner

Back in December of 2005 Earle and I realized that it was one week before Christmas and we did not have Steven and Maria, his parents, a Christmas present. As we slowly walked through the Statesboro Mall, it hit us. We would get them a dog. I mean who would not love a new puppy!

So thus the puppy search began and quickly ended with the only add in the newspaper. Two days before Christmas we drove to pick up our “Perfect Christmas Present.” The only way to describe the furry creature that we picked out was love at first sight. I was not technically allowed to name him because he was not mine, but I’m sure that I came up with a few names for their new pup. As I spent more time with my new love I began to realize that in two days I would be giving up him. After all we didn’t have a back up present so he had to give him up.

The excitement of Christmas was quickly approaching us and we devised the plan “Operation Dog.” We hid our little bundle of joy until the perfect moment. I slowly descended the steps with puppy in hand and smile on face. The emotions that were felt by the new proud Tanner parents could probably not be put into words, but their faces told it all “What in the world have they done ;)” As the proud new Mama and Daddy bonded the name of Smokey Joe Tanner was created.

For those of you who know Smokey he is for a lack of words a little different. His unique personality and the combination of his new parents was not the best match. Three months into his new puppy life of dreaming of bones Smokey became a little hard to handle and thus the first of many… What is he doing? questions started.

To help ease the puppy growing pains I was reunited with my fluffy friend as a foster mother. Through many more What is he doing nights I turned into his new mother and thus we now had Smokey Joe Tanner Bartley.

For those lucky enough to spend any time with Smokey I hope these picture bring back memories and for those of you who don’t know him here are a few of his What is he doing ? moments brought to life.

He likes to eat spikey pink balls.

He thinks he can fly though windows.

He likes a good Coke once in a while!

He prays to God.
He plays dead.


He loves Christmas!

He ponders life.He sings.