Carolina sandwich

Yes that is my mom. Nope, not my sister.

They say home is where the heart is, and I must admit, going back home to NC for Mother's day weekend to visit my mom completely proved that being in Cary will always feel like home. I do love Nashville and plan to be here for a while, but having family dinners with my two best gals (Lynnie made the trip from Boston too) was so much fun and something I wish wasn't a plane ride away. Of course, we had amazing meals because that is oftentimes the best part of coming together - a family oriented excuse to eat our faces off. From Italian nachos, to a very fancy dinner at Ruth Chris (with the most fluffy amazing butter I have ever had in my life), to home cooked lobster and clams to cheese, cheese and more cheese, including my mama's famous grilled cheese - which is to die for - let's just say we were definitely well fed.

In between all the eating, we also found time to go through mom's closet and completely overhaul everything we thought was dated or just plain ugly What Not to Wear style, and then treated her to a shopping spree. It was so much fun laughing together, watching home videos and drinking wine. There was nothing I would change, other than all the calories I consumed - but we weren't allowed to speak of that all weekend without putting a dollar in a jar - seriously. No commenting on fat, calories, feeling like a bloaty whale etc. Try that sometime - ladies, it is tough. So I figured I would get that out of my system here and now - let's just say I felt like I was waddling onto the plane last Monday morning.

The view at the Marina in Old Hickory

This passed weekend Weston and I may not have left the state of TN but boy did we travel. Saturday morning we went shopping in Madison for our upcoming beach weekend, followed by a lunch at the Marina in Old Hickory to enjoy the beautiful weather, and our favorite hickory smoked wings. Later that night after getting dolled up we went to downtown Franklin for a surprise party for a good friend of mine which had a speak-easy vibe in this secluded Piano loft which is actually the Yamaha company office. The location overlooks the idyllic Franklin town square, which yes - is featured in the Hannah Montana movie :). There were cheese plates for days, and an elaborate menu of top shelf specialty drinks.

Sunday we decided to be adventurous and after a filling brunch at one of our favorite hole-in-the wall eateries Biscuit House in East Nashville we drove all the way passed my house in Bellevue up to Kingston Springs to canoe 5 miles down the Harpeth River. Then back to Old Hickory for dinner at Cinco De Mayo and what is becoming our traditional Sunday evening Friday Night Lights marathon. If you know Middle TN at all, you know the miles we put on our cars this weekend is just shy of the calories I consumed on Mother's day.

Next weekend it is back to North Carolina for the much anticipated Jenny & Weston Carolina Beach Weekend. I am so looking forward to some time off on the beach with his parents and friends, and the best part is my parents are also coming up for a day from Cary. Should be another great weekend traveling back home to our families, games, wine, beach waves and of course, I'm bringing the cheese.

From Carolina to Tennessee, back to Carolina we go. No two other places I'd rather be.

(But of course not without first posting a Bachelorette update. Counting down to tonight's episode for sure! Stay tuned for an update!)

How to make a bad impression - helicopters, eggs, and bobble heads.

First impressions are such an interesting moment in time. I remember when I first met Weston - we were at a kind of shady bar in town (real classy kids) and he was dressed in a pink shirt and a vest I haven't seen him wear since. Without going into all of the details, let's just say within the first five minutes of talking, he was inviting me to dinner with him and his boss and his boss's wife. Yep. A little forward. Turns out, his boss is actually his cousin and therefore it was not nearly as weird of an ask as I thought at the time. And no, his cousin did not join us on our first date... which is why the rest is history, over a year later. But based on that first meeting, I didn't walk out of that bar thinking - I just met my future boyfriend. I was instead thinking - I wish I liked my boss as much as that kid does...

Which is why the first episode of the Bachelorette is ALWAYS such a treat. First meetings are usually awkward, especially when televised. "Who is going to make a complete tool of themselves?" you wonder, with giddy anticipation. And every time it is about 95% of the guys, which makes for a fun two hours of TV. I thought I would recap my thoughts on this one by talking about what NOT to do while trying to make a good first impression, if, in an alternate universe I was Emily, the Bachelorette (and looked like her too.. :)

1. Do not, under any circumstances, speak in another language within the first three minutes of introducing yourself. You may think its sexy, but I have no idea what you're saying and I'm feeling stupid at the same time for not being all multi-cultural. Dora was after my time. So as you roll your tongue, I'm rolling my eyes.

2. If you are going to bring me a glass slipper and place it on my foot, bring two. What am I going to do with one glass slipper other than limp?! And make sure its a size 11 since my feet are massive. (I'm sure Emily has sweet, perfect, little angel feet - so this might not be relevant - but let's pretend she's Big Foot like me for fun). 

Just one?

3. I am more than my beauty - while I do look ah-mazing, talk to me about something other than how you are speechless and in awe of my beauty. Find the words. You have circled the mansion for three hours until the producers have finally released you to meet me. And as previously discussed, make sure those words are in English.

4. Let's hug just once - there is no reason to bear hug me in between every word you speak. I'm happy you're here too. But we just met and you were too speechless to speak / did not speak in my language / you're in shock over how pretty I am - so I think one hug is all you have earned.

Asking to borrow his lip gloss.

5. Yes, I am a single mom, and I do love my love-child daughter. But don't open with some BS about how you think the most attractive part about me is that I'm a mom. I look like a Barbie, so let's be honest - if the most attractive part of this bombshell situation is that I pushed a baby out of my who-hah, then we are truly not on this planet anymore.

6. Skate boards, helicopters and other non-conventional ways of making your entrance are over the top and simply not necessary. Especially the helicopter. Talk about napoleon complex - if you need a flying machine to make an impression, you must be hiding some other inadequacies... and the wind is going to mess up my hair, so overall its just not worth it.

7. Admit to what you really do - Mr. "Luxury Brand Expert" - please... you probably spray cologne at the Nordstrom and live off your daddy's trust fund. Figures you'd be the one to wear lip gloss and enter in the helicopter....

8. Do not make enemies on the first night - the little leprechaun dressed in green who was making a fuss already played the game all wrong. The first impression rose went to the sweet single dad who had his kid write a letter to Emily.... take notes - sweet wins over sour every time.

This is not cheese and therefore not okay.

9. Symbolism of any kind, is just as bad as the helicopter. Telling me, while you grope a large egg, that it represents how you will protect me and my daughter is just plain strange. And if you are going to go that route, just bring me a cheese tray and tell me I am just as awesome and wonderous as the cheese on the plate. The only form of acceptable symbolism must involve cheese, that you leave with me to consume in private.

Did this really happen?

10. Don't make me a bobble head and ask me to play dolls. Or dress up as a grandma. How many times have you seen the winner playback video of the couple's journey start with either of those things - never. Enough said.

It should be an interesting season friends. I hope for Emily's sake some of these guys can turn it around. I do like Arie, and of course the Nashvillian, Charlie. Those are my top two contenders for now - sweet, calm, good looking. Just like my Weston turned out to be :)

Dear Fish Stick: Time to see how it's done.

Definitely not a fish stick.

So as many of you know, or should know since it is practically a national holiday in my book, another compelling chapter of the Bachelor empire premieres this Monday, May 14th starring Bachelorette Emily Maynard. The anticipation is killing me. I have butterflies of happiness dancing inside my tummy just waiting to watch this season unfold. Trust me, just based on the commercials, it is already better than Fish Stick's season - not hard to be. And needless to say, the girl already has won over my heart for owning a brush and being a picturesque example of hair care maintenance.

This blog will of course, chronicle my thoughts on the season - maybe not every episode, but I will do my best to keep you all informed on my perceptions of Emily's most romantic journey leading to the most dramatic rose ceremony yet.

As apart of my "daily countdown to the premiere" ritual (which includes, but is not limited to - checking spoiler sites, fan blogs, and facebook for updates, followed by sniffing a rose a day, and wearing bachelorette party hats and sashes) I thought I would blog about the top five things I am most excited about for this season. Let's begin, in no particular order:

Little Ricki and the single mom.

1. We are going from Fish Stick to Barbie - and who wouldn't want to watch Barbie find love? Emily Maynard is beautiful, has teeth that look like white chick-let gum pieces, is sweet and a single mom - but more than all of that - she is from Charlotte, NC - which makes her that much more awesome. I am very excited to get to see her real personality and of course, her wardrobe, as the season unfolds.

2. The first few episodes take place in Emily's hometown, Charlotte and as an NC native (Yes, I pretend those 15 years in CT didn't truly raise me like my NC years did, which is why I am allowed to say y'all without judgement) I am really looking forward to the charming NC scenery and nostalgia.

3. I found Emily's daughter to be quite interesting and rebellious in Emily's season being on the Bachelor, so it will be fun to see how the child takes the camera action this time around.

Gotta love those baby blues and soothing voice.

4. I plan on taking a drink every time they make a love metaphor, say the word "amazing," "vulnerable," "you know" or talk about her being a single mom - good times.

5. And while I said no particular order, how could I not be most excited that Chris Harrison is now single ladies! He is not eye-candy per say, but how could you not love his empathetic approach to the real amazing love that is created in these 8 weeks of lala land?! How. Could. You. Not?! 

My hopeful prediction - Brad Womack comes back at some point with his therapist to find closure. PLEASE LET THIS HAPPEN.
It is going to be a great ride...

Getting adjusted

We have a new home. But I have no pics of it. So this'll do.

The A Group recently moved into a new office and while it is beautiful, a great location and I have my own office, there are a few "adjustments" I have been coping with that I wanted to share with all of you:

Oh so happily on my dino phone.

1. My phone in the old office was a dinosaur, only had three lines, and didn't have a visible caller ID (aka, it probably had someone else's ear wax in the handle - we are talking old). But I knew how it worked, I understood it, and I dominated it. I befriended it, despite its inadequacies. It's kinda like what I do with canned cheese whiz. But these new, practically robot phones have me a little thrown. I accidentally hung up on a client two different times trying to turn up the volume. It talks to me, it has 15 million buttons. I think it might be able to save the planet. So in addition to learning how to check voice mail, I should probably figure out how it does that too.

2. As you all know, in the old office I had a specific stall in the bathroom that I always used and kind of grew to befriend, like my dinosaur phone. And while I do love the full length mirror in the new bathroom, the toilets here don't flush automatically and I have to wave for the dispenser to sense me and provide a paper towel. You would think this would not be a big deal - just a few extra steps in the powder room process, but I have gotten so used to simply standing up and walking away, that I am forgetting to flush altogether, or being the awkward girl who, while washing her hands, trying to wave for a paper towel, who then remembers she forgot to flush and runs back into the stall for the final swosh. TMI? Too bad.

My favorite work snack.

3. I am farther away from the kitchen and therefore my snacking cannot simply be excused as a wander to get a tissue, or a chat with someone else I hear getting water, and then, whoops, I stumbled upon a cheese stick. It has to be an intentional choice, which makes me feel more calorically (copyright - jenny original word since spell check does not recognize it) responsible.

4. We have a different UPS guy and I kind of miss my loud friend commenting on the smells coming from the microwave and after two years, asking me my last name. Bitter sweet letting go of that one.

5. There are a lot of glass walls and I have this terrible fear that I am going to run into one and have the bloody nose that runs for days. So I am now reaching through open spaces to make sure, there is not glass there, in turn making me look like a mime or a modern dancer in the work place, when I typically like to save those looks for the living room.

So that is what I have been up to friends. Adjusting.

Don't worry the Bachelorette premieres next week and all funny and entertainment will be restored to the blog - cannot wait. 

The simple pleasures of parking

My car Bella. (Okay, fine - a googled pic of my car model.)

I love my car and I guess I would say I enjoy driving her for the most part. If the conditions are right - meaning I know where I am going (rare), it is not rush hour, the sun is out, it is a free XM radio trial period and the temperature inside my car is comfortable - I would say it is probably #92 on my top 100 list of favorite things to do.

I usually say "I hate driving" but let's be clear - driving is not the true root of my car tension. The terrible luck arises when I get to my destination, slow down the wheels, peel open my eyes and attempt to stop my vehicle in a specified location - yes people, I am referring to the act of parking. Sounds trivial, but parking is the bane of my existence. You may not quite understand how such a simple everyday activity could cause me so much anxiety, but that just means you have not experienced the numerous parking woes that I have in life / you're not my real life friend since I talk about this all the time.

JENNY

I am actually skilled at nestling my car perfectly into its spot when it comes to scenarios of the "normal parking space" variety - we're talking malls, grocery stores, my apartment complex, etc. However I have come to find cool places = horrible parking options. [Basically, I just wish I had a golden parking spot that was housed in an alternate universe that appeared to me upon my arrival. Or, better yet, I wish I had a magic carpet or a teleportation device.]


Here is the true equation of how things go terribly wrong: 
1. Trying to find a parking spot
[leads to....]
2. Leaving my car parked in sketchy locations / Praying I don't get towed or caught up in a drive-by shooting
[which in my case equals....]

Rude.

Parking violations: I think I am being watched by the parking police / they have secretly bugged my "path" account and know my every move, because I am extremely prone to parking violations. Let's talk about the parking ticket I got when I accidentally identified the wrong downtown parking lot for one of my doctors. As if the rushing, driving and walking a mile through the building just to get to the office during the lunch rush was not enough, let's slap a nice yellow ticket right on my car as a thank you for waiting 30 minutes to get my blood drawn.

Or perhaps we should converse about the unlabeled Hollywood Disco parking spot (back in the days when HD was still kicking it) that apparently was not for da club. I turned the corner to head back to my car and before my eyes, 30 feet in the distance was my girl being hauled up the back of a tow truck. I flocked toward her, begged, cried a little and pleaded with the man to give me back my car. That was not working, and without big boobs to push together, I resorted to the bribe - 30 bucks later, he finally lowered her down with a warning.

Validation nightmares: Public service announcement: when you are blessed enough to have your parking validated - don't screw it up. Make sure you save your parking garage ticket - it is not a wrapper for your gum. Then make sure you keep track of the validation. Then, when you get to the pay station, do not listen to the people who told you how to conduct the validation steps, because most of the time they are wrong. Instead, read the fool proof directions on the pay machine for a successful clearance. Otherwise, you will end up paying anyways... which has happened to me. A lot.

Parallel parking mishaps: Enough said. I know I have a back up camera and therefore no excuse, but it is a skill I simply have not mastered. Sue me.

Dealing with other people who don't know how to park: Taking up two spaces or parking too close resulting in banged up doors and scratches are just some of the everyday happenings I come across. However, it gets worse than simply car door battle scars. The other day (the event that inspired this post) I had come to a show perfectly early, got a premiere parking spot in the approved and free lot, and was pleased with my parking experience. As I came out to exit, however, the entire lot was blocked in by a car that parked along the opening, leaving an extremely tight space between him and a properly parked car. I had literally no way out, and no way to know how to get in touch with the person whose car it was. So, I eye-balled the space myself, and with my heart pounding, inched my way through the space. I prayed, and for once, the parking God's heard me. I got through without a scratch or a tap - but the situation alone merited a Valium.

Yep, he definitely wants my money. Nope, that's not my car.

In the end, this leads to my piggy-bank-breaking solution: Complimentary valet parking: aka - turning your keys over to a man probably on speed so he can blast your music and joy ride your car - and potentially misplace your key-less ignition key somewhere in your dash. [True story.] Also, this experience is not so complimentary if you want to have good karma in your life. But, since valet is the best alternative to finding a magic carpet, I do this a lot and those two-buck tips add up.

Now maybe you can understand a little bit of my parking rage, and perhaps sympathize when I call you stressed out because I'm late (which I am NEVER late) because I can't find a place to park.  It's not my fault. I'm cursed.

Since you've been gone

I have had such and amazing start to spring so I thought I would give you a little sampler platter of this past month and what I've been up to.

The view at the Marina

Sitting on the dock of the bay: The Old Hickory marina restaurant, Black Jack Cove, reopened on March 30th and it is one of my favorite spots in town. Weston and I love going there and being on the water, and their smoked wings are to die for - an off-the-beaten-path choice for a quiet evening in town.

Saying goodbye: My dear friend Sondra is one of those women who can find inspiration in something as insignificant as bird poop. She is such a funny, real, Godly and eloquent person whose friendship and faith has taught me a great deal since moving to Nashville. She is now off to live in Utah to be close to family, and while I am sad to see her go, she is bravely embarking on a new chapter and I am really proud of her courage and clarity in the decision to take a risk and just go.

Getting a grip: Recently Weston and I have been playing tennis and it has been a lot of fun. Come the end of the day we really are best buds and it is fun to find new things to do together. Neither one of us is particularly skilled, but we can hit it back and forth! I know - you're impressed.

Wine tasting at Arrington Vineyard

Picnicking at the vineyard: Another one of my favorite spots, Arrington Vineyard is back open and I have already been twice this month! Everything makes more sense with friends, cheese, wine and a sun set. Another must do if you have not been.

Volunteering for the kids: I am FINALLY approved to be an official Vanderbilt Children's hospital playroom volunteer. This means I will be in the playroom with the little ones and bedside for those who are unable to leave their room. I am so looking forward to giving back in this bigger way. I start April 24th!

Eating my body weight in pizza: The restaurant experience is my remedy for all things. Happy, sad, bored, tired, going out to eat with friends and feeling the energy and vibe of that particular setting makes everything better. From Urban Flatts, to Whiskey Kitchen to Cabana, to Sambuca, the new warmth of the season has reignited my love of being out and about and of course, enjoying good food.

Monica, Brooke and me at the Marina!

Reconnecting: I am always amazed by how many great people I have in my life. From friendships that date back to high school, to Elon to my CMT internship days, to church, I could not find happiness without their company, laughter and support. From CMT reunion dinners, to an Elon Alumni chapter gathering in the park, this month has been all about reconnecting. And the best surprise was that my best friend from home, Monica, came to Nashville for a visit! We had delicious meals, a hike in the park, a tour of the Opry Resort, and a cook out at Weston's house. Yes, we covered a lot in just over 24 hours and it was like being home just giving her a hug.

Waiting for Sara at Belmont's arena

Rocking out: I have had so much fun living in this city and enjoying all the music it offers. Sunday night I went to the Sara Bareilles concert and she was absolutely amazing - her voice never ceases to wow me. The opener to Sara was an acapella group, The Collective. They were on her show The Sing Off, but new to me and without a doubt blew me away. I also saw Jana Kramer perform last night at 12th and Porter for a CMT taping, which was a lot of fun. And of course, everywhere you go in Nashville, music is all around you.

A place to start

Just as hard to resist as eating cheese with every meal.

Turning the page on spring has come with a lot of anticipation. In some ways it has been eventful and rewarding - in other ways a bit stressful and challenging. And come the end of the day, I have found it to be difficult to write about. Let's be honest - without the Bachelor, my funny well feels like it has run a bit dry. Not to say I am not laughing and enjoying life. But I always try to entertain on here instead of just babble - yes, an attempt that sometimes fails miserably. But recently, when I would start an entry, I just felt simply uninspired. I am doing fun things and making memories. But certain things I thought would be interesting laid flat on the screen. You've heard before about friends coming to visit, about my love for food, and slightly too-deep-for-my-own-good thoughts on life - new material was just not there. So another day would pass and suddenly here we are just shy of a month later. Rude. You deserve better than that, 10 followers of mine. I am sorry I have let you down.

This got me to thinking - why is it sometimes so hard to simply start? Start the day. Start the workout. Start the paper, the song, the email, the phone call. Start this entry.

This morning as the alarm clock went off, every fiber of my being resisted simply opening my eyes and turning my feet to the ground. I'd hit snooze, and the anticipation of the next jarring sound striking like lightening on my REM sleep was almost worse than simply getting out of bed. I sit here now wondering why I insist on snoozing for sometimes a whole two hours in the morning (I know - so stupid. But when I'm lazy and decide that morning to skip the gym, I will snooze on ten minute intervals from 5:00am to 7:00am - talk about trippy dreams). Wouldn't it be easier to just get out of bed and get it over with? Once you do, it's never as bad as you think it's going to be.

To this point, I was a competitive swimmer in high school and my event was the 100 butterfly. The day of a meet, I would be so stressed, I would feel like I was going to vomit the whole day. On the starting block my heart would be racing out of my chest. But the moment I hit that water, I took off. Everything else melted away and I found the strength to finish. All of that stress and worry was wasted. Yes, sometimes I'd win, and sometimes I'd come in short - but I would always finish the race despite my fears of passing out mid-lane like a dead fish. I had a lot of pride in simply leaving the block.

So that is what I finally decided to do here - sit down and start writing and get out there whatever it is that flew from my finger tips. You may not have laughed, but maybe you will be inspired to start something with the simple wistful intention to just begin.