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

I drank sour milk today, and it was yucky

Well, I only had one sip, but it was still enough to make me gag. Bleh! I really needed it to go with my cake that I made. Boo! I felt like baking today, since it was a little chilly and I had no big plans, I thought baking would be perfect and a great opportunity to use my relatively new bundt cake pan. It's not exactly a birthday cake, but I guess some people might assume that's what I was going for.

Snickerdoodle Bundt Cake Oh it is yummy! It tastes very much like a coffee cake, but the bottom of the cake has this delicious crunchiness like a tasty snickerdoodle cookie. It definitely was in need of milk. Too bad my milk was sour. Sad.

In two hours, I'll officially be 24. Maybe I should've made two dozen cupcakes instead of a bundt cake. I spent this weekend exploring some new places in my neighborhood thanks to the October issue of The Washingtonian.

As I was in line at the grocery store, one of the headlines on the magazine caught my attention: "The Best of Capitol Hill." I made an impulse decision and purchased it to see exactly what they think "the best" of my hood is. Several spots they mentioned are right-on with things I know, but others were places I didn't know existed, or small places I've passed a billion times, but wasn't sure they would be any good.

One such place was 7th Hill pizzeria just a few steps away from the Eastern Market that I so often go to for fruits and veggies. I decided to try it for my birthday dinner on Saturday night. Although the establishment is quite small, the pizza is incredibly delicious. I only regret that I didn't get any photos of the food or the night.

This morning after I walked to church in the surprisingly chilly air, I stopped by Peregrine Espresso to grab a coffee to knock off the chill from the walk around the market. Peregrino was also recommended as a "best" by The Washingtonian. I got excited because the Macchiato was only $2.75, but then I found out that the macchiato was two shots of espresso and a splash of milk in a cup the size of a bathroom Dixie cup. I quickly realized that was not going to do the trick of warming me up, so I changed my order to a latte with a shot of vanilla. I've never seen a coffee that looked so beautiful.

It was different from my standard Starbucks grande skinny vanilla latte, but it was good! And, I discovered that they're vanilla syrup was legitimate vanilla syrup not that stuff that comes out of a squirt bottle. I'm most assuredly going back there to try the treats in their bakery counter including a spinach and gruyere scone. Mmm, so good. I think they're all-organic. If only I could have one of their lattes for my birthday tomorrow morning. Work crew is throwing me a shindig after work, I'm excited!

I'm going to continue checking out what they think is the best, and see if I agree or disagree. I'll let y'all know my thoughts. But in the meantime... Ironman 2 just ended, and it is bedtime! Unfortunately it's supposed to rain tomorrow, so I guess I'll have to skip my morning run. Good thing I walked so much this weekend my feet hurt!

Happy Birthday, Mom and Dad! Love y'all!

xo