Fall!

I heart Fall. I'm so happy that it has arrived! We've had cooler temperatures the last few days in Austin, and it's been heavenly. I've turned the A/C off and have opened the windows. We had boot camp outside last night and it was so freakin' wonderful to be outside! While I'm thankful to not have to work out in the heat during the summer, I miss the lack of cardio.

I thought I'd share my two favorite things about fall:

This candle is so amazing. We're using the wallflower at work, and the guys in the office are digging it. I'm so excited about being able to burn this sucker again!

I heart football! I've always been a huge fan of high school and college football, and lately I find myself watching a whole heck of a lot of professional football, as well. We won't discuss the Horns poor showing against UCLA last weekend. Nor will we talk about the possibility of their season going down the drain if they lose to OU this coming weekend.

The Adventures of Flat Jerry, Part II

Last weekend I traveled to Ithaca, NY for the nuptials of my bffle Molly and Jean-Baptiste (JB). I can't really put into words just how wonderful the weekend was. It was great to spend time with some of my favorite people in the whole entire world. The wedding ceremony took place on the gorgeous (or gorges?) campus of Cornell at the Sage chapel and the reception was at a vineyard outside of Ithaca.

Because once again, Jerry was unable to attend the wedding... Flat Jerry came in his place. Flat Jerry probably had the most fun out of EVERYONE. He explored Ithaca and made quite a few new friends at the wedding. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves....

Flat Jerry in downtown Ithaca.

Flat Jerry hearts White Cheddar Cheez-Its, too!

Flat Jerry is very good at drinking games.



Flat Jerry enjoying a glass of wine and the beautiful view at the Reception.

 

Flat Jerry with the Bride Molly and Groom JB

Slow-dancing with Lacy.

Us (Lacy, Me, Sarah, and Sarah) with Flat Jerry and the really awesome reception MC.

Flat Jerry with Mama and Papa Elgin (parents of the Bride)

Flat Jerry West Coast representin' with Stefan 

This is Flat Jerry break-dancing.

Flat Jerry with the adorable Cossart siblings (siblings of the Groom)

Kisses from Farah, the beautiful maid of honor (she introduced the bride and groom!)

Cuddle time with Flat Jerry!

*I should probably explain the Flat Jerry picture: Summer of 2002, I traveled with Jerry, Molly, and our friends Justin and Will through most of California and onto Arizona. We were driving from L.A. to Flagstaff to our next meeting and I discovered that the van we had been riding in for over a week at that point, had no air conditioning! It was HOT. The boys stripped down to their swimsuits and Molly and I were in swimsuit cover-ups and light-weight PJs. We bought gallons of water to just hold on ourselves, to cool us down. Then in the middle of nowhere, the car starts to shake. We could barely talk because the car was shaking so bad. It turns out that it had been so hot outside that the back (brand new) tires had melted! This is a picture of Jerry with our melted tire. I figured it was appropriate to commemorate one of the craziest adventures I've had with Jerry and Molly for this weekend.

The Adventures of Flat Jerry, Part I

About a month ago, I attended the wedding of my dear friend Andy Stancil and his sweet bride Jennifer in Greensboro, GA. They were married at the BEA-U-TI-FUL Ritz Carlton Reynolds Plantation. And the wedding was quite a time. Quite a time, indeed.

I've been friends with Andy for probably 12 years or so at this point. We met where I've met most of my favorite friends: C.A.R. So this wedding was also a time to catch up with some of my C.A.R. friends who I don't get to see very often. Just a handful of his were able to make the trip to GA, but it only takes a handful of C.A.R. kids to have good times on your hands.

My favorite Califorinian, Jerry, was supposed to make the trip, but couldn't at the last minute. Instead, Calvin brought along a picture of Jerry that he had found in his suit. This is one of my favorite pictures of Jerry because 1) Jerry has a beard. I have never once seen Jerry with a beard in the 10+ years I've known him. 2) Jerry is playing the flute. Hilarious.

We decided to take pictures of what our friend Renee has deemed as "Flat Jerry" enjoying parts of the reception, since 3-D Jerry was unable to be in attendance. Who knew that a phenomenom would be born from this? Flat Jerry also attended Molly's wedding in Ithaca this past weekend, and I'll be back tomorrow to show you his adventures from then!

But for now, Flat Jerry at Stancil's wedding:

Flat Jerry in his seat at the reception.

Flat Jerry enjoying a glass of wine.

Flat Jerry with two lovely ladies he would have had the pleasure of sitting next to during the reception.

Flat Jerry is VERY exicted about the tasty menu!

The California boy loves his California rolls!

And some non-Flat Jerry pictures:

Cal, Rian, Andy (the groom), Jennifer (the bride), Dave, and RJ

Me with RJ, Dave, and Cal



Things I've learned...

I learned a few things this weekend when I traveled to Ithaca for Molly's wedding:

• Never pack after attending a Diez y Seis party. It may result in forgetting your shoes and clutch for the wedding. Oops.
• There are a LOT of people at the Austin airport at 5:30 in the a.m. I arrived exactly one hour prior to my 6:30 flight, already checked-in and with only carry-on luggage to make it to my gate for final boarding call. Insane!
• It is common for people to randomly yell out their windows as they drive by in Ithaca. This happened to us 5 times. And no, these weren't cat calls. Or at least, these weren't cat calls I was familiar with... just random AGGHHHs! One friend put it perfectly when he said that maybe guys in Ithaca aren't used to seeing such pretty girls, and therefore do not know the appropriate way to cat call.
• The Super 8 is Great! If ever you find yourself in Ithaca, I highly recommend you stay there. Just make sure you specifically instruct them to take the bottles and leave the cans. Also, make sure you aren't too picky about the temperature regulation in your room.
• Molly Elgin is the second strongest force in the universe. The first strongest force? Molly's fist!
• The police are very strict regarding noise complaints. They will threaten to evict everyone from the hotel (that you aren't staying in) and have them lined up on the streets of Ithaca with no where to go!
• Flat Jerry very may well be more fun than 3-D Jerry. More on that in a later post.
• I absolutely adore my C.A.R. family and the time we get to spend together. I just wish we saw each other more!

The "b" word.

I called someone the "b" word.

I know what you're thinking, I never use such strong language. In fact, it's been years since I've used the "b" word. I can count on my fingers the number of times I've called someone the "b" word.

I put off using the "b" word for quite some time, but you can't avoid the truth. I have to call it like I see it. And I meant it. In fact, I plan on using the "b" word more often.

Yep, I called someone the "b" word.... boyfriend.

RIP, Mamaw

Kathryn and Madelyn at Mady's first Thanksgiving '07

My Great Aunt Kathryn passed away yesterday. She was 89. What a woman she was! A loving, kind, gentle, Christian woman who adored her family, friends, and children. Mamaw was the first babysitter my brothers and I ever had. For a good part of my early childhood, I thought I had 3 sets of grandparents (try figuring out the math on that!). My Ganny taught 2 year old Sunday School and Mamaw worked in the nursery at church, so we would see her every Sunday morning because they were across the hall from each other. I know she is dancing in heaven right now as she is reunited with her husband Bryce and many of her friends and family. We will all miss her dearly, but are so fortunate to have had her with us for so many years!

The Squyres ladies, Thanksgiving '09

Where does the time go?

I can not believe that it's September. Doesn't it feel like summer just started? Though I must say I am looking forward to cooler weather.

So speaking of time flying, and September, guess what I am celebrating this week? My official 10 year anniversary with Bath & Body Works! Can you believe it? It's quite an accomplishment, especially for someone who seems to have issues with long term committments.

I started thinking back on my time at BBW the other night. I counted up and realized that I have worked with 5 District Mangers, 12 Store Mangers, easily 50 Assistant Mangers and Sales Leads, and HUNDREDS of fellow Sales Associates during my tenure. I've met some great people (and a few not so great) over the years, gained some friends for life, and even two best friends.


There's no telling how many scents I've seen come and go. It would be easier for me to tell you what has stuck around the entire time I've been there: Sweet Pea, Cucumber Melon, Warm Vanilla Sugar, and Moonlight Path in the Signature Collection (which has had a few different names, itself). Eucalyptus Speariment and Lavender Vanilla have always been around in the Aromatherapy collection, but have undergone various transformations along the way. The Antibacterial Collection has always been there, but it's nothing like it once was. I laugh because they introduced a "new" product this summer which is actually a product we carried when I first started. Other than that, I've been there when everything in the store has been launched. And re-launched. And changed, and launched again.

I get to pick out a present for my 10 years. At 5 years I picked out a fossil watch, which I never really wore. I had decided on a food processor/crockpot/cookbook gift package for this go around, but then someone was sweet enough to give me a crockpot this past weekend. There's some nice pearl earrings that I've got my eye on, or I might spring for the bike. Decisions, decisions!

In other news, dealing with some car issues this week. The alternator went out. I'm kind of excited about it because we were worried it was a belt, which is much more expensive to replace. Let me tell you, it is no fun to be driving down the road and to have all of the inside dashboard lights start flashing at you. My thoughts are with my Squyres fam as we mourn the loss of my cousin Bob. He had been ill in the hospital pretty much all summer. My Great Aunt Kathryn (Bob's mom), is also in the hospital, and not doing so well. She will celebrate her 90th birthday this year.

Should the car issue be solved, the plan is to attend the A&M/SFA game to cheer on the 'Jacks on Saturday and then head to Lufkin on Sunday for the remainder of the Labor Day weekend. I will finally get to try out our new boat!