Mission: Bridal Shower = Success

I have said it before and  am about to say it again-I love weddings!  Last weekend Megan, Ellen and I hosted a beautiful Bridal Shower for our dear friend and MBFF, Casey.  The shower was on St. Patrick’s Day, which did open the door for some very awesome potential themes for the shower, but in the end we decided to make it a Spring/Garden themed shower.  Megan was gracious enough to allow us to hold the event at her lovely home, located in...Charleston…Downtown…

Side note:

For those of you who do know me…you are very aware of my navigational handicap…I am not exaggerating people, if a chance exists for me to get lost, please believe, it will happen, and I will find myself driving around in circles in unknown areas…rather frustrating-so I tend to only travel to destinations I am familiar with (If I am driving, that is...)…and I avoid places like Downtown because a)I am VERY unfamiliar with it b) I live approximately 30-45 minutes from there, so it really is kind of a long trip for me to go out there c) ALL OF THE ONE WAY STREETS, sweet 8 pound 6 ounce Baby Jesus, why is it necessary to have so many one way streets?   Bonus story…My parents bought me a plane ticket for my 16^th birthday so I could go visit Kim, my best friend in RI…and since I was legally able to drive, Kim, Bridget (Kim’s cousin) and I went for a drive somewhere…(couldn’t tell you where though because it has been a MINUTE since I was 16…sad) and sure enough I ended up turning down the wrong way on a one way street…who knew that this first driving experience would curse me forever…I digress
So you should know that I really only make an annual appearance downtown…as in literally…once a year…(though, this year I have already far exceeded that between good bye happy hours, bridal showers and trips to the various hospitals located in that area…and it is only March).  So you can imagine my concern for making it to Megan’s, unassisted, and on time…you may have forgotten this key part, but the shower was on St. Patrick’s Day…which means anyone who is able to be in a bar, was…or was on their way to a bar…in the street…on foot, on bike, in a vehicle, by carriage…you name it, the streets were filled with drunkards of all ages…young, (as in, I hope the bouncers were checking the IDs REALLY well that day, because some of those kids looked like they might still be in high school…I am an old lady, I know)old (as in my age, old so really late 20’s-30’s) and older…as in..>I think I saw Santa Clause wearing a “Kiss Me I’m Irish” shirt…seriously, Santa.  With the streets filled like that, my anxiety of the “I don’t know where the H I am” feeling started to increase, I knew I needed to phone a friend…and I have to say, Megan did a wonderful job getting me to her house-and I didn’t get lost once…I did almost run over several people (they do make crosswalks AND sidewalks people…you might want to consider using them…just sayin…) and expressed my overwhelming sense of “You’re #1” to several other drivers as they stopped in the street to chat it up with people already at the bars…(ugh-park it in a spot, and then talk…not in the middle of the road) .  I was running behind due to the additional foot/transportation traffic, but I made it none the less! 
We jumped right into setting up and the party went well, and might have been the best Bridal Shower ever thrown!   Additionally, I was successfully able to perform the Word's First 1000 point turn when backing out of Megan's driveway while trying to avoid running into a brick wall-or two-literally.  You SHOULD be jealous you didn't get to witness that!  Luckily, with the help of Casey, Megan, Ellen and some lovely female tourists (who happened to be walking through taking pictures of the garden...I made it out-and am proud to report that I did not get lost on the way home-Mission Bridal Shower= Success!

Unfortunately, I was lame and forgot to charge my camera battery so I don’t have any of my own pictures to show you, but I am going to borrow some of Megan’s so you can experience the party as if you were there! I am a giver like that!

Ellen, Megan, Me and the Spread!

Ellen's Wonderful Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs

The Beverage table

Casey Loves Allen Banner

Casey with her Hostesses

Our gift to Casey was a necklace that said "C<3A"

Some of the Shower guests

Awesome party favors, A Coke and personalized M&Ms

Lucky Number 7

Monday, Hubs and I celebrated our 7th Wedding Anniversary...I have NO idea where the time went!  It really does not seem like that long ago that we were preparing for our wedding, and yet, it was 7 years ago!  We have definitely had our share of the Goods and the Bads, the Sickness and health, and the richer or POORER part of the vows we exchanged 7 years ago, but I wouldn't trade it for the world, we have 1 BEAUTIFUL sassy daughter and 2 fur babies and while I am not where I thought I would be  years ago, I realize I am right where I need to be.  It is crazy how things work out like that. 

You may recall that I briefly mentioned here that Hubs was planning a trip to Savannah so we could celebrate our anniversary early.  Now, as promised, I shall tell you about it!  I know right-I can't believe it either, I am actually getting around to following up about a trip we took...take it in people take it in...if you need a moment to compose yourself, I completely understand...I might take one myself...

Good?  Good.

So I dropped Hannah off at school Friday morning and when I walked into her class her teacher said, "Oh, Mom is here today, we never see mom, this is a real treat!"  Now, I know she meant that in a nice way (or at least that is what I am telling myself so I don't cry) but I was like, man...I really do try...I go to all of her class parties and school functions, but as a Full time working mom it i almost impossible for me to work an "8-5" schedule and drop her off at school when school doesn't start until 8:30 and then turn around and pick her up when school is over at 11:30...sigh...way to start off the weekend with extra mommy guilt...I am already leaving her for 2.5 days, now I feel guilty for working too...sigh...some days I feel like I will never win. 

Moving right along...Hannah's Granci (Hubs' mom) came over to pick up her suitcase and load up the car seat in her car because she was picking up Hannah from school to start their fun filled weekend.  As soon as Granci left, Hubs and I hopped in the car and started our adventure.  First we stopped for lunch at Sesame-one of Hubs' most favorite places. 

Erin: "Please let me take your picture!  I want to document our trip!"
Hubs: "You know you just want to put it on your blog"
Erin: "Hello, I said I want to 'Document our trip' how else did you think this would be accomplished?"
He is a HUGE supporter of blogging...

For some reason I decided it would be a good idea to pull my hair back with a clip...looking a this picture, not the greatest idea I have ever had...oh well, who likes food in their face when they are eating?  Not this girl!

After lunch, we hit the road and headed to Savannah...basically a straight shot from Charleston...I was armed with my phone charger, so I could play Words With Friends, (and by play, I mean strategically plan what my next word will be based on the options on the board, because only my mom is as quick to play a word as I am and everyone else just plays a word every few days...COME ON PEOPLE...PUH LEASE pick up the pace...you guys wait so long that I forget what great word I wanted to play!...wait...maybe that is your plan...) and some Smut..The usual suspects, Us Weekly, In Touch Weekly, People, and the latest issues of All You (I am an old lady) and Glamour (old lady in denial...) and I was happy as a clam (which, BTW, are clams happy?  How do you know if they are or aren't?  I have never seen a clam smile...).  Hubs put in a Bon Jovi CD and we were cruising right along...When I love a song, I will belt it out at the top of my lungs...so I know Hubs REALLY enjoyed the trip...and I don't care what he tells anyone...I will say that there was a point in time where I had to tell Hubs that I didn't care what he thought the words to the songs were, I was free styling and he was cramping my style...

We pulled up to the hotel late in the afternoon

It was a B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L day...sunny, 80 degrees, awesome start to the weekend, so we were excited to unpack and go back out to see what we could get into. 

For those of you wondering what the room looked like

When we got to the room, Hubs had roses and champagne waiting for us!

Such a romantic(don't tell him I told you that...)

"Document THIS in your blog" It never ends...

We got settled in and then headed out to see what we could find.  The square our hotel was located in was a block or so behind the main street in Savannah so it was a perfect location for me, close enough to all of the action but not right in the middle of it so not too much in the way of a crowd!  There was a HUGE statue of John Wesley in the middle of the square

Don't know who John Wesley is?  No worries, there is a sign for that too...

There now you are all caught up!  You are welcome!

We walked to River Street...now, for those of you who have never been to Savannah, this is where the "action" is-this is where the people gather around for St. Patrick's Day and cause a ruckus...while drinking with open containers out in the general public on any given day...which is not legal in SC...(not that it stops most people from trying it though...)  We made our way to a bar called Rocks on the Roof.  Because it was such a nice day, we sat at a table that was half inside and half outside so Hubs (aka personal furnace) could enjoy the air conditioning and we could still enjoy the weather.  Win-Win-Win (thank you Micheal Scott). 

Hubs: "PLEASE STOP taking my picture for your blog"
Erin: "HOW ELSE AM I GOING TO DOCUMENT THE TRIP?!"

Here is something you might not know if you have never been to Savannah...THERE ARE BIRDS EVERYWHERE...seriously...I don't have a fear of birds, but I much prefer it if they keep their distance...i will stay in my area (land) and you stay in yours (air) and we all get along, thank you very much. 

I know he saw me taking his picture since he asked if he could join us for a drink...

not gonna lie to you...it freaked me out just a bit when he turned his head and made eye contact with me.

Now, something you should know about Hubs...he HATES Ketchup...however, this bar had a garlic ketchup and Hubs actually TRIED IT...and LIKED IT...so, of course, I took a picture for photo evidence (aka documentation for my blog)...please not the excited look on his face...PS...those fries were AMAZING (I only wish we had not stopped and ate lunch on the way because I would have eaten more...my waist line, on the other hand, does not share the same wish.)

Hey there Big Cheese!  Where have you been my whole life?

What is this?   A picture of the Hubs smiling?  I cannot believe it!

We walked around some more and ended up eating dinner at a Seafood place called Tubby's...pretty good, I just wish we sat outside because it was insanely hot inside, and when hubs is hot, he is a big ol crankapotamous, so we ate and ran.
We went in some of the shops along River Street...

This one is for you Jane!

GO GAMECOCKS!  I had no idea there was a Gamecock pasta...

Saturday, Hubs set up a horse drawn carriage tour.  It was so sweet.  I am so thankful he did this because we saw WAY more of Savannah than we would have without it.  Unfortunately, about 30 mins after our tour, the sky opened up and it rained like crazy, so we did not go back to visit any of the places we saw along the tour (it's OK, it's a great reason to need to go back!).

Thanks for being such a wonderful tour lead, Oscar!  without you I would not know nearly as much as I did about Savannah, because let's face it, I wasn't willing to walk as far as you did...

Seriously, Oscar knew his way around Savannah like it was his own house.  I struggle finding my way around Charleston...I will spare you from too many pictures of the tour...
Because it rained from about 11:30 until some wee hour in the morning, after we ate lunch, we went back to the hotel and I took a nap, and did NOT feel guilty about it one bit...it was AWESOME. 
When I woke up (a good few hours later) it was STILL raining...and pretty chilly outside, but we were determined to go see what else Savannah had to offer.  We ended up getting some ice cream at Leopold's and then walking up Broughton Street to see what stores/shops they have.  We went inside this place called the Salt Table...and they have only about 1000 different kinds of salts...and tea...

That's right, Smoked Bacon Sea Salt...

Ever wish your popcorn could taste like Pickles?  You are in Luck-Snooky-call up the Salt Table and order yours today!

Hate having to put your beer down so you can enjoy some popcorn-Never Fear-Beer flavored popcorn coming right up! (gross)

Hubs wanted to visit a Pub called Crypt Pub...I was hesitant at first, as I don't do scary...ever...if possible...but I agreed and went in (this was all part of my master plan people) and it wasn't that bad...they put dry ice in the drinks so it looks cool when you drink them...though, Hubs' drink was OOC! 

This was a firefly and blackberry combo thing...

mine was a strawberry kiwi martini-delicious-but super messy...the sugar on the rim got everywhere and my fingers were stained red for a bit...

Looks like I am a fire breathing dragon with smoke coming out of my nose

You may recall me mentioning my master plan...well...when we arrived in Savannah, I noticed that Spring Awakening was being performed a the theater 1 block away (not even sure it was a full 1 block) and I REALLY wanted to see it because I have heard it is a great show...but it is a musical, and I have not been successful in getting Hubs to agree to watch any musical/ballet yet...sigh...so, enter master plan...It is cold, rainy, we don't want to be inside the hotel because we are on Vacation but we don't want to be wandering around outside because of the weather situation (and one of us may have only brought flip flops to wear...don't judge me it was supposed to be in the 70's all weekend) so I started looking at my phone to see if there were any tickets available for the Saturday evening show...Low and Behold there were!  I kept mentioning the show and telling Hubs about all of the great things I had heard about it and then mentioned that there were tickets...how we would be out and about, but not in the rain...and What do you know-He said YES!  I am sure that the amount of liquor he consumed had something to do with it but I did NOT care! 

Waiting for the show to start!

SO GOOD! 

Sunday the rain FINALLY stopped and Hubs and I decided to go back to River Street to see the side we didn't make it to on Friday and the first part of Saturday (before the rain started).  We stopped in at Huey's because he had heard that they served "World Famous Beignets" World Famous, you say?  Sign me up...and let me tell you, Byron, who was not the most attentive server, brought our order out with a side of the praline sauce...AWESOME...seriously, if you go to Savannah, try to stop in and order yourself some, you will not be sad-best I ever had...I say that with the caveat that I have never had a beignet before so I really can't compare them to anything else...like saying I am Hayley's favorite Aunt-well duh I am her only Aunt...

It was Pretty chilly Sunday and REALLY windy so we visited the side of River Street we hadn't seen previously, and then we went back to a candy store to get Hannah a surprise.  While in the store, I found this gem...

seriously...people buy these?

We left around noon on Sunday.  I am so happy Hubs and I were able to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but I missed my Hannah and I was ready to see her!

I mean who wouldn't miss this face?!

When I came home from work on Monday Hubs announced that he had already started to plan our 10th anniversary...

Strawberry Crush and Pizzeria Combos Make Breakfast...no?

TGIF!!! That means it is time to Link up with Leslie over at A Blonde Ambition for our weekly confessionals...

Where to begin...Let's hope your judging hats aren't too big today, but I will not lie to you, I deserve to be judged for most of the things I am about to list...full disclosure people...

1) Girl Scout cookies...I know you know EXACTLY where I am about to take this one, but I am going to go ahead and put it all out there for you...and maybe seeing it will be like therapy and help me...so...I bought 5 boxes of GS cookies...the usual suspects for our house...The Shortbread, the Tagalongs (for the Hubs), The Samoas (For the Hubs...and maybe some for me too...) and 2 boxes...yes 2, of the lemon ones...see last year, the Scouts switched up the lemon ones and put those silly powder covered things in there, you know, the ones that make your mouth dry when you eat em?  yep those, but this year, they switched back the the ones with the layer of lemon on the bottom of the LARGE circle shaped cookie...so I said to myself, "Self, you are going to need 2 to make up for the fact that you suffered through dry mouth syndrome last year trying to satisfy the lemon cookie hole in your muffin top tummy." I might have eaten an entire box...in one day...I have no idea what happened to them...they were there one minute and the next...gone...I am afraid to open the next box...what if I eat that one just as fast?  I will not  be able to turn down the little girls in from of Wal-Mart when they try to push their boxes o' Heaven on me when I go in for the weekly grocery trip...sigh...

2) I am super PROUD of Hubs for finishing his degree!  It might have took longer than he wanted it to, BUT he stuck to it and finished...this morning he told me he applied for a Mater's Degree Program...proud of him for that too...but...now I feel like I need to get off of my lazy arse and apply for one too...competitive yes...silly...depends on who you ask...I wanted to do it eventually any way...once I decided which program I wanted to complete...sigh...judge away people...(Side note: Hubs graduated with a 4.0-super proud!!!)

3) Last night I enrolled My Hannah in K4...PreK...4K...she will be 4 this summer...WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?!  Seriously...it hit me when I was trying to go to sleep...my eyes shot open and I said to the Hubs, "Mister!  I had a baby not too long again, you might recall, and now, somehow, that baby is going to be in K4...HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?!"  He just shook his head and told me to go to sleep...seriously people...how did this happen...where have I been all this time...oh right...work...(Side note...Hubs and I went to Hannah's Class Valentine's Day Party...Hubs and I helped set up the table and Hannah raised her hand (very polite, that Hannah) and when Ms. Rhonda called on her she said: "Ms. Rhonda, those are my friends: Mommy and Daddy.  (Then proceeded to call us by our first names...I am sorry, when did Hannah and I or Hannah and Hubs, for that matter, get on formal first name terms? Clearly I have missed a step) They Work."  Sigh...that is the second time she has made a reference to me working...and that is only me counting, Lord only knows how many other times she says it...mommy guilt complex times 3 people...)

4) Now that my Fiscal Fast is over...I REALLY want to buy some new shoes...and dresses...but due to confession No. 1...I am much to large to be tyring on clothes that I know will make me feel good about myself and the way I look in them, so I will likely be hitting up the shoe stores later...SO EXCITED (please don't tell the Hubs...he might kill me)

5) I may have had a Strawberry Crush and some pizzeria combos for breakfast...I am aware that I sound like a 12 year old...or a college student...

6) I CONVINCED the Hubs to go see a musical when we were in Savannah...I might have tricked him actually...the second I saw the advertisement for Spring Awakening, I KNEW I wanted to see it...I casually started mentioning it through the evening Friday...and then more on Saturday, and when it was (still...)  pouring down rain Saturday I said that we could go see the show because it was inside and we would be out of the rain and out of our hotel room...and he finally agreed...it was AWESOME...it might take another 10 years to get him to go to another one, but I will relish this experience for as long as I can!!!

please excuse the REALLY shiny forehead I am sporting...it RAINED ALL DAY Saturday...and I mean HARD STEADY Rain...and I didn't bother with any sort of make up or attempt to make my hair look nice...but this is us waiting in line to go in

This is an amazing musical!

7) I watched KONY 2012 video...

And I am asking that you watch it too...so grab a Strawberry (or any other flavor) Crush and take 30 mins of your life and watch it too...

8) I hit my snooze like 17 times this morning...not even an over exaggeration...might actually be an under estimation to be honest...you might recall that my alarm sounds like a rooster crowing...and the Hubs had to listen to the rooster crow too...17 (more or...) times...I did NOT want to get up...

9) WTF happened to winter?  Hey Groundhog, did you not promise me 6 more weeks of winter?  I am not even sure Charleston had 6 DAYS of winter...ugh...

What are your confessions?

Link up With Leslie and let it out-you will feel better!