My sister has agreed (albeit begrudgingly) to stop by occasionally and blog her trip around the world via the University of Virginia’s Semester at Sea program. Unfortunately, Internet time on the ship is minimal, so this is the first chance she’s had to write something up about her four weeks and one day on the [...]
Bon Voyage, Petite Souer!
January 18, 2010 By 23 Comments
Thanks to many of you, my little sister set sail last night from Ensenada, Mexico for her four-month around-the-world trip. I say “thanks to many of you,” because she had pretty much decided not to go until I wrote this post, and so many of you weighed in and convinced her she’d be making the [...]
Small Town, Big Hearts
January 5, 2010 By 19 Comments
Growing up, I complained ad nauseam about living in such a small town. The local Wal-Mart and bowling alley were about all we had going for us on the weekends (for once, I don’t exaggerate). Currently, there’s a rundown mall that no longer even boasts a legit clothing store (R.I.P. Dillard’s). You have to drive [...]
Why I’m in No Hurry to Get Back to California
December 29, 2009 By 10 Comments
Exhibit A Dad: I don’t want any mashed potatoes. I don’t like them. Mom: You don’t like mashed potatoes?! Dad: I mean, I like YOUR mashed potatoes. Me: Aww, Mom, that’s probably the nicest compliment Dad’s ever given you. Dad: Not true! I told her the other day she doesn’t sweat too much. Exhibit B [...]
The Littlest Angel, Revisited
December 21, 2009 By 15 Comments
The last time I saw this one, she looked like this: Now, six months later, she’s quite a bit chattier and a couple pounds heavier, which no doubt have settled mostly on her head, and bypassed the walking phase entirely, moving straight to a full-on sprint. Behold, at 18 months to the day: That, folks, [...]
Photo Friday: Sacramento, California
November 6, 2009 By 22 Comments
This post is not really about the place, but the person. On Tuesday, I went up to Scott’s parents’ house for some crafting and for Joan to help me put together my save-the-dates (more on that process soon). On Wednesday, Joan fell terribly ill and had to cancel on our “girlfriend time” with five-year-old Kiva [...]
Photo Friday: Grover Hot Springs, California
October 16, 2009 By 15 Comments
This past weekend, Scott and I trekked it out to the Tahoe area/Nevada border for a night of camping with the VV clan. It was a loooong trip—about 6.5 hours each way—for such a short stay, but the end result was worth it for the clean, mountain air (and, of course, S’MORES). Not to mention, [...]
SURPRISE!
September 1, 2009 By 24 Comments
Alternatively titled: In Which I Fly Home to Tennessee for My Mom’s Big Birthday Bash and Totally Catch Her Off Guard with Both My Visit and a Puppy, aka The One in Which I’m the World’s Best Daughter. Heh. OK, back up, rewind. My mom and dad were supposed to have come to California for [...]
Photo Friday: Self-Indulgent Family Portraits
August 7, 2009 By 26 Comments
Prior to our family vacation to Orlando, my mom called saying she wanted to get some professional photos taken of all of us, considering we haven’t had family portraits since we were still members of First Baptist Church in the early 90′s. (She also wanted some “engagement shots” of SVV and me, though don’t worry, [...]
Orlando, Adult-Style
July 15, 2009 By 22 Comments
When I told friends and other bloggers in Florida I was going to Orlando for one reason and one reason alone—to do the parks—they reacted like I had just said I was going to cut off seven fingers then take up playing the violin just because. Who, over the age of 12 actually enjoys the [...]
