I know what you did last winter...

Actually, you don't. And I'm to blame. After two months of hiatus, I don't really know which you'd rather hear about: what I've been up to the past two months, or what this week looks like for me. I guess there is mystery and intrigue in leaving you in the dark (hence the title), but I do have some fun things that happened I'd like to report. So, I've decided to give you a brief rundown of the facts with minimal pictures and since one of my resolutions is to be better about this blog, I'll update you on the current happenings next time. Capiche?

I was delighted to have mom come for a visit in early November for the long Veteran's Day weekend. We enjoyed several of my favorite spots with an evening tour of the monuments, and visited a few new places I hadn't seen before including Mt. Vernon and the Botanical Gardens. I highly recommend both spots, and I plan to visit both again. Mt. Vernon was like a walk back in time, but yet it was so well preserved; I can understand why Washington loved it so. I've determined I'm going to make it a goal to see it once in every season. The winter trip is already in the planning stages.

Neither of these are the greatest in photo quality, but they make me happy, so I thought I'd share them with you. I'll post the others in the picasa gallery soon. This one's going in a frame on my desk as soon as it gets printed! Yay for family visits!

A few weeks after mom's trip up, I journeyed south for the Thanksgiving holidays. Brooke's family was there for my entire stay, meaning I got some much needed quality time with the niece and nephews I miss dearly. Jennifer's family dropped in for a couple of days, which meant I got to see little Henry. On my Christmas trip home, we took this photo after he'd taken some of his first steps sans hands or objects. Btw, when I say "little" I'm being fececious. Happy 1st birthday, Henry!

Unfortunately, while I was home for Thanksgiving, I contracted the stomach bug, along with three other members of my family. What a way to spend your last 12 hours at home, much less the last 12 hours before boarding a plane. No fun! Don't worry... I was free of the bug by the time I passed through airport security, I didn't track it onto the plane.

After a long plane ride spent starving and wishing I could eat, I arrived home in DC to rest up before a bustling week with all the field reps in town, and the official start of my 2nd year at the NRA. The busy week concluded with our Annual Awards banquet, which Amber affectionately calls the NRA Prom, which we followed up with a bowling outing in cocktail attire. Quite a fun evening. Did I mention, I love my coworkers?

Nicole, Jeremy, Amber, and I after Jeremy won the Top Gun Award

Amber, Kara, and I rockin' bowling shoes and cocktail dresses

The NRA Prom kicked off the Holiday season for me in DC, and plays great part in my lack of blogging. The past few months really feel like a blur, but fortunately, it's a glittery blur filled with many bright spots and fabulous friends.

The Friday after the NRA Prom (which Amber, Kara, Melissa, Nicole, and I went stag to), Danny and I attended the DC Holiday Gala with my friends Maria and Jason, and we danced the night away at Town Hall while supporting a great charity. So, THIS is why I moved to DC. :) Arts, culture, the social circuit. The evening was fabulous, and I was in the best company. Maria, can you hook me up with the photo of us again?

The following week I co-hosted the T5 Dinner club with Chance. Gumbo, cornbread, good conversation, new friends... the supper club I always wanted to have. Tina, Alex, Brychan, Chance, and I each invited a new person to introduce to the group, and very quickly my little den was busting at the seams. It was there that I met our new friend Leslie, who I'm sure you'll hear about in future postings.

The next weekend was a busy one preparing to head out of town, and enjoying the holidays. The season wouldn't be complete with out some christmas lights, though, so I traveled through the "Festival of Lights" at Bull Run with Danny, and the miles of lights deposited us into a quaint little carnival including a ferris wheel, Santa, smores, cotton candy, a shooting activity, and a darts game. There were of course other things there, these were just the only things we did before our toes and ears almost fell off in the mind-numbing cold. Note to self: when there's snow on the ground in any capacity, boots and/or tights are a necessity. Thank goodness, I'd bought a hat the week before. Poor Danny about lost his ears to frostbite.

My trip home was a breeze, and I was so grateful to see my family twice in such a short time span (3x for mom). Mom, Dad and I spent Christmas Eve with friends, and Christmas morning celebrating by ourselves. The snow started falling around noon at both of my sister's houses, and we were all a little worried that our Christmas reunion may not happen after all, but thankfully, God cleared the path for both families to come as planned on Sunday afternoon. We had great fun opening gifts and hanging out stomach bug free.

I had the great opportunity to see Courtney, TJ, Margaret, Dani, and Warren all while I was home. The only person I missed was dearest Lil' Sis Rachel. If only I could transplant them into my life up here! They are all sorely missed.

I returned on Wednesday morning, and headed straight for work. Talk about exhausted! After a day and a half of work, it was vacation time again. Happy New Year! I spent the evening celebrating with a much needed girls night. I'll tell you all about it, and the rest of my ladies' weekend in the next post. (hopefully tomorrow)

Much love and hope for the New Year! Welcome Twenty 11... we weren't quite ready for you!

xxoo

A Comedy of Errors

It's Annual Meeting prep time again, and that means a site visit to Pittsburgh, PA to check out all our venues and explore options with catering, facilities, and the other event staffers.

The journey just ended about two hours ago, but it was supposed to start yesterday morning at the crack of dawn. Jeremy (my boss) and I have a knack for scheduling super early flights out of DC. So I was relieved that yesterday's flight didn't leave until 8:05am. I checked the itinerary before I left, and shouted as I walked out of the office on Friday, "I'll see you at 6:45 on Monday, Jeremy." Sunday night rolls around, I pack, and think I should run outside and check the itinerary, but I don't. I set my alarm for 4:45, finish packing, and head for bed. At 5:30, I'm making great time, about get dressed and walk out the door to the metro when I get a text from Jeremy: "You here yet?" Me: "Nah, I should get there around 6:33." Jeremy: "Our flight is at 6:00. You are kidding right?" Now... Jeremy is one who would kid, and make me think I was super late when I'm not, so I don't panic yet, but pick up the phone and dial Jeremy. He was NOT kidding. I heard the "now boarding zone 3 in the background," and panic hit. I threw on my dress, threw my toothbrush and hose in the bag, fly down the stairs, fling the suitcase in the front seat of my car, and drive like a maniac to the airport. I run at full speed toward what I think is the terminal, but then just keep hitting dead ends. I call Jeremy and I'm like, this is NOT looking good. He says, "See what you can do once you get to the desk, call MacNair and maybe they will be open before 8, or, you could always drive." I keep running for a few seconds then I come to an abrupt halt when I realize, this just isn't going to happen. So I stop, take a deep breath, call MacNair (our travel agent) and get directed to their emergency line. After quickly canceling my flight to avoid major penalties, we come to the agreement that flying just isn't an option. So, I get myself back in my car, google directions and start my trek to Pittsburgh.

To everyone's surprise, guess who arrived first at the Grand Pittsburgh Hotel? :) Me! I beat Jeremy by about 10 minutes. It turned out Jeremy had his own interesting morning, and I probably wouldn't have made it onto the connecting flight if we'd flown together since very-in-shape Jeremy was dripping sweat after running full speed through the terminals at JFK Airport in NY. He was the last to board the plane, and just barely made it by the end of his coat tails. We were both such a comedy of errors yesterday.

After my long, long day, it was nice to be an event planner. :) I needed a blood sugar pick me up when a tray of fruit arrived compliments of the hotel staff who also covered our lunch today.

Overall my take on Pittsburgh: when it's pretty, it's gorgeous, but all the rest of the time, it's dreary, cold, and just what you imagine Pittsburgh to be!

We got to walk through the Ballroom where my event will be, Heinz Stadium (and the Steelers locker room), this awesome old fire engine house, and the Console Energy Center where the Pittsburgh Penguins play hockey. It was quite an adventure, and I tried not to look like too much of a nerd when I was taking photos of the Super Bowl trophies in the "Great Hall" at Heinz Stadium.Which is why all the photos are a little fuzzy... I used my bberry instead of the high tech camera.

Quick trip, funny trip, semi-productive trip. I'll be back there soon... and this time I won't miss my flight.

xoxo

Birthday Extravaganza in SC

It's been a long time coming. Both a new blog post and a trip home to the greatest state in the US of A. Since it's been so long I crammed a lot into a short time span, but loved every minute of it. I got to see some new family, old family, and dear, dear friends.

But before I take you on my journey to SC. I must say a big "Thank you!" to everyone who helped make my birthday such a fabulous one! And there were many of you. My cubicle at work was decorated and stocked with Starbucks for two days straight. I was beyond elation that I received not one,

not two,

but three beautiful floral arrangements.

If you know me, you know I love, love, love fresh flowers, so this was triple the excitement for me! I also got several phone calls and a bazillion facebook/email messages. Danielle even wrote her own bday song for me! The work crew wouldn't let me pay for lunch at Hard Times or happy hour. I was overwhelmed with gratitude. Thank you!

I was also excited when this photo on my tweet about birthday lunch at Hard Times got retweeted by "Arlington's Best." Yay!

On Thursday after the birthday my plane lifted off from Dulles Airport (my not-so-favorite airport) en route to home home. Someone asked me on the plane if I was going or coming home. I wasn't exactly sure what to tell him, so I said I was coming home from home. Which really is the truth. Whether I'm coming or going, it's home.

There were a few main goals to the trip, and since I'm quickly approaching my self-set 10:00pm deadline on this, I'll use photos to tell you what they were. Check out the picasa web album here for more from my trip.

Reason #1:

The newest branch on the Young family tree. Isaac. It was such a delight to hold him in my hands and praise God that my sister, Brooke was able to bring him into this world healthy as he is, despite the complication thrown their way.

Reason #2:

My first nephews Andrew (left, red) and Matthew's (right, blue) 7th birthdays. I feel old. 7 years ago they were as tiny as our beautiful little preemy Isaac. So grateful for 7 amazing years, 5 of which I spent watching them grow up just a 30 minute car ride away. Miss you boys!

They greeted me in the airport when I got off at baggage claim. I was so happy to see them that I squeezed Matthew so tight in a hug that he said, "Ouch, Aunt Sarah! Too tight!"

They're all growing up so fast! Lillian is about to turn 4. I loved this photo too much not to share! I know, photos galore!

Reason #3:

A beautiful wedding and rehearsal dinner for my former boss (and former NRA employee) Jennifer Bradey, and the man she met and fell in love with under my watch.

This is Jennifer with her dad, but I must tell you that if you could see her footwear, you would understand the purpose of the photo at that moment! Jennifer sported cowboy boots under her wedding dress for the reception at the Spartanburg Country Club. AND, in their engagement photos they're sitting on the bed of an old pick-up holding their prized possessions: their hunting firearms. I died when I saw it!

I spent a good portion of the evening catching up with my big sis and fellow Converse alum (Jennifer is one too) Mallory Beckett. We really did have a great time, and the wedding was absolutely beautiful. Photo props to one of my favorite HBA board members and his wife, Jay and Allie Beeson.

Reason #4: Celebrating my birthday with my parents, which I somehow... didn't get a photo of, and I'm REALLY hoping my dad got at least one photo of each of us together.

Mom scheduled a visiting hour for my friends from Lexington and Aiken (she tried to surprise me), and I was so delighted to have some quality time with three of my closest girlfriends.

My "might as well be" lifelong best friend Courtney stopped by on her way to the hospital where she just got asked (repeatedly) to take a promotion to Assistant Nurse Manager of the night shift, (aka she's amazing at what she does). Yep, that's my friend!

And a trip to SC just wouldn't be complete without seeing my fellow Connie besties Margaret and Danielle. Wooh, I was so tired by the time his pic was taken, but I was so happy to welcome them for a visit.

Oh, and how could I forget my boys? Well, I should say my men. :) Clay and Jake both made time for me on Saturday to hang out with them and catch up on life as we know it. Unfortunately, I have no photo documentation, which I'm hitting myself for now.

I'm going to TRY to blog tomorrow after Trivia about my visit to the old stomping grounds of Converse, but please forgive me if it waits a few days. I'm already 10 minutes over my deadline, and I must put my freshly washed sheets on my bed before I can tuck myself in it for another nights beauty rest!

xoxo