whoooooosh

that's the sound of my life moments these past 2 months, just breezing by while i've barely had time to breathe. i went to vegas one weekend, i went to new orleans and jackson for weddings, with a side trip to golden, MS, to see 2 very special friends, all while squatting in a friend's house (alone) and working, and then i moved back to the new home and the lawyer (new blog nickname) and started a new job.

it was a busy july.

then my sister got married. and then my mom came and stayed with us for 8 days. that really upped it a "busy summer" in general.

so, my blog has sat unattended in the internet from pre-vegas to labor day weekend. but the dust is starting to settle here, so hopefully my blog will return to its regular posting routine. and that dust settling business? i mean that literally. this house is all wood and dust is everywhere. but that's a separate story.

i plan to upload camera photos from the past 2 months tonight, so pictures are forthcoming, if blogger cooperates. meanwhile, i intend to finish today's tasks of roxy bathing, elliptical training, ceiling cleaning (see above) and picture hanging before dinner.

and so, i bid you adieu, dear faithful readers (or those i have left), and shall return on the morrow with picture posts and new-life-chapter stories.

viva las vegas

it's true. i get to "viva" las vegas tomorrow! baby sister's bachelorette party commences in 24 hours and counting.

the law student (who is opening his own practice and once again will need a new blog name), ever so caring, has given me some thoughts and instructions for my trip, based on his extensive vegas experiences.

1. don't get sold into sex trafficking.
2. don't ride in a cab with a stranger.
3. don't ride in a cab alone.
4. at all costs, make sure you're on that plane sunday. i don't care about anyone else.
(me: not even my sisters?)
4. a) ok, make sure your sisters are too, but that's it.

anna to me: if you don't have more than 3 drinks, i will roofie you.
ben to anna: if you ruin my marriage, i'll ruin yours.

i'm really excited, and a little nervous. 15 southern belles taking vegas by storm has comedy of errors written all over it.

finally

my sister's got a mister!


dear connor, thank you for making baby sister happier than a tornado in a trailer park. you've got your hands full now!

dear anna, aren't you glad you no longer feel the need to slam down your beer bottle in frustration over someone else's engagement news, again?

wishing you both all the happiness and love you can stand.

happy birthday, anna banana!

it's the baby princess's birthday. 24. time to stop counting and start lying!

birthday girl

isn't she pretty? she looks like reese witherspoon a la june carter cash.

right now she's stuck in dallas in a cold weather-sponsored state shut-down. apparently texas responds to snow much like mississippi does.

so, in honor of her day...a birthday post.

she was the biggest baby of the bunch, and had toooooons of fat rolls, but no hair. til she was 2.

her name was supposed to be marshall stephen if she was a boy, and elizabeth anne ("annie") if she was a girl. however, my grandmother insisted on calling her "elizabeth," so our mom changed her name. after she was born. true story.

she's prissy, and sassy, and loves to laugh. where rebecca and i are like midnight and high noon, anna and i are more early afternoon and late afternoon.

she's determined and smart, and sets a high personal standard for herself, her friends and her precious students.

and, her closet.

she's a fashion maven/addict, and loves all things expensive and stylish. i did not get this gene. she really must be with me whenever i make more than one clothing purchase. where i'll hem and haw, she's decisive and confident. and she's always put together to the nines. nines, i tell you!

two of anna's favorite things: couture purses and henry man

obviously, a post about anna would be incomplete without mention of henry, anna's other other half. he really is the cutest little thing, and, as you can see, always well-dressed.
when anna is at school, he likes to play dress-up. also, he refuses to potty outside when it's cold. kind of like anna. diva much?

anna's other favorite

conner is pretty much the only person who can tell anna "no," mean it, and she listens (how do you do it?!). he's really tall, so she can wear her highest heels no matter what. he also may or may not be the instigator of her bulldog betrayal. but she's been forgiven, since he actually did play football at ole miss, and how can you not cheer for your boyfriend?

so, happy birthday baby sister. you're worth every penny. i wish i lived in dallas so i could play with you all the time. i know you wanted to be an aunt for your birthday, but how about a visit from your oldest sister instead? love you so much!