Vaca Hiatus

    Well, it's about that time....time for my vaca in South Carolina that I talked about in this post
    These are the 3 main places I'll be going.  Charleston, Myrtle Beach and my hometown, Lugoff!!! YAY!!!
    I know I won't have time to do any blogging while I'm gone so I hope you all have a fantastic weekend and week ahead.  I look forward to reading and catching up on all of your blogs when I get back and sharing my vaca experiences too.  Until then...Tata!
    RGL

BFF Weekend 2011 In Nashville!!!

    Happy Friday everyone!!!!  Gosh, I absolutely love Fridays…especially Fridays before vacations.  (Count down is only 3 days btw) But before I get all caught up with my week ahead, I want to share what all I did this past weekend…the BFF WEEKEND 2011!!!
    My 2 best friends from home came up to visit me in Nashville. Jennifer (on left) and Mary Carolyn (middle).  It was so nice to show them my new city and have Claudia, my roomie, get to spend quality time together.  I love it when old friends and new friends come together and all get along. 

    So here’s a recap of what all we did (I'll try not to be too long):

    Friday night:
    We went out “Honky Tonkin”.  This was Mary Carolyn’s first time experiencing this so it was pretty exciting.  

    Garrett had to work all weekend so this was the only night he was able to come up and play with us.  This is what he did to keep himself occupied and entertained while us gals got ready. 
    Finally we all got ready to go and of course, had to take a quick picture of the 3 of us. Claudia couldn’t come because she had to work.  Booooo!
    aren't we precious?
    isn't he handsome?
    On the way downtown, G saw this American flag in my car and thought it would be a great idea to be a little patriotic...BUT he couldn't get the flag to stay in my window, so he just rolled down the window and held the flag himself.
    ...yes, we rode like this with him saying "GO AMERICA!" pretty much the whole way downtown.  Haha, you never know what ol' Garrett's gonna do or say next.

    After that, we went to dinner and then went to some of our favorite Honky Tonks.  Needless to say, we had a great time!
    Saturday:
    This might have been my favorite day out of the weekend.  We got up, put on our bathing suits and layed out by the pool for a couple of hours.  After that, we came in and got ready, put a little picnic together and went out to Arrington Vineyards.  This place was absolutely beautiful.  It's a winery founded by Kix Brooks and is located 25 minutes south of Nashville among the beautiful hills of Arrington, Tennessee.  

    They have free wine tasting and live music from 5-9pm on the weekends, so we took advantage of that and picked out our favorite wines, bought a bottle, had a little picnic outside and listed to music.  It was so nice and relaxing.

    After that we went back to my place and just had a girls night.  Like I said before, it's so nice when you have old friends and news friends hangout and all get along.  There were a lot of old stories and new stories shared that night.  It was perfect. 

    Sunday:
    Sunday was a lazy day.  We lounged around the house all morning and then ended up going to lunch at this fabulous little place called Tavern.  It seriously has the BEST...I mean BEST, guacamole I've ever put in my mouth.  It's a fairly new restaurant in Nashville, so if you're ever in town, I'd HIGHLY recommend you going there.
    After that we went down town and did the whole "touristy" thing.  We walked down Broadway to all of the little shops and had a blast.  We ended up getting ice cream at Mike's Ice Cream on Broadway.  I've been wanting to get me a scoop of their ice cream since I moved here so I was pretty excited when I did.  It was everything I'd hoped it would be.
    That night we ate dinner at this delicious Mexican restaurant called Rose Peppers in East Nashville. 
    At dinner we discovered that Mary Carolyn (I hate to even admit this), but she hadn't ever seen the movie Steel Magnolias.  (I know, my mouth dropped when she told me too).   So after we had stuffed our face all day, we decided we would just hang out that night and watch Steel Magnolias and called it a night.

    Monday:
    Monday morning we got up and we to eat breakfast at the famous Pancake Pantry.   You can refer back to this post to read more about how awesome this place is.

    After breakfast we rode out to downtown Franklin, which is south of Nashville. It is absolutely one of the sweetest authentic American town squares I've seen.  Every storefront is a little boutique or cafe or business.
    I feel like all we did was eat the whole time they were here, but we found an adorable little restaurant called Puckett's that we just couldn't pass up.
    I had heard great things about this place from multiple people so I thought we should try it out....and they were right...the food was delicious.  It was a perfect way to spend the afternoon right before they had to leave and go back. 

    And that's about it....that was pretty much a recap of the whole weekend.  Although I hated to see them leave, I can't wait to make many more memories like this in the years to come.  

    RGL

NEW "Charleston Barbies"

    Happy Thursday everyone.  My good ol' friend Allison sent me this in an email this morning and I got such a kick out of it.  If you aren't familiar with Charleston, then this probably won't mean anything to you...but those of you who do...hope you enjoy!

    Mattel recently announced the release of limited-edition Barbie Dolls for the Charleston, South Carolina market.
    “ Daniel Island Barbie”
    This princess Barbie is sold only at specialty stores in Daniel Island . She comes with an assortment of Kate Spade Handbags, a Lexus SUV, a long-haired foreign dog named Honey and a cookie-cutter house. Available with or without tummy tuck and face lift. Workaholic Ken sold only in conjunction with the augmented version. 
    "West Ashley Barbie"
    The modern day homemaker Barbie is available with a Minivan, matching gym outfit and 2 children. Traffic jamming cell phone and soccer bags sold separately.
    "Ladson Barbie'
    This recently paroled Barbie comes with a 9mm handgun, a Ray Lewis knife, a Chevy with dark tinted windows, and a Meth Lab Kit. This model is only available after dark and must be paid for in cash (preferably small, untraceable bills)...unless you are a cop, then we don't know what you are talking about. 
     
    Mt. Pleasant Barbie”
    This Barbie comes with your choice of BMW convertible or Hummer H2. Included are her Starbucks cup, credit card and country club membership. Also available for this set are Shallow Ken and Private School Skipper. You won't be able to afford any of them.
    "Goose Creek Barbie"
    This pale model comes dressed in her own Wrangler jeans two sizes too small, a NASCAR t-shirt and Tweety Bird tattoo on her shoulder. She has a six-pack of Bud Light and a Hank Williams Jr. CD set. She can spit over 5 feet and kick mullet-haired Ken's butt when she is drunk. Purchase her pickup truck separately and get a confederate flag bumper sticker absolutely free. 
     
    Downtown Barbie”
    This collagen injected, rhino plastic Barbie wears a leopard print outfit and drinks cosmopolitans while entertaining friends. Percocet prescription available as well as warehouse conversion condo. Sold only at Charleston Place .
    North Charleston Barbie”
    This tobacco-chewing, brassy-haired Barbie has a pair of her own high-heeled sandals with one broken heel from the time she chased beer-gutted Ken out of Ridgetop Barbie's house. Her ensemble includes low-rise acid-washed jeans, fake fingernails, and a see-through halter-top. Also available with a mobile home.
    Sullivan’s Island Barbie”
    This doll is made of actual tofu. She has long straight brown hair, arch-less feet, hairy armpits, no makeup and Birkenstocks with white socks. She prefers that you call her Willow . She does not want or need a Ken doll, but if you purchase two Sullivans Barbies and the optional Subaru wagon, you get a rainbow flag bumper sticker for free.
    Crosstown Barbie”
    This Barbie now comes with a stroller and infant doll. Optional accessories include a GED and bus pass. Gangsta Ken and his 1979 Caddy were available, but are now very difficult to find since the addition of the infant.
    Summerville Barbie”
    She's perfect in every way. We don't know where Ken is because he's always out a-'huntin'. 
    Remount Road Barbie/Ken”
    This versatile doll can be easily converted from Barbie to Ken by simply adding or subtracting the multiple snap-on parts. 
           


    Isn't this hilarious?  Do yall agree?  Hope you all enjoyed this as much as I did.  Thanks for sharing Allison.  Hope yall are having a great week.  

    PS: The Countdown to my SC Vaca is only 4 days!!!!!

    RG

The Final Two Timeline

    Who will it be????? Ben F. (right) or J.P. (left)
    Welcome to the Final Two Timeline. If you don’t know who these 2 boys are, you will after you read this blog post.  These 2 handsome young fellas are the Bachelorette, Ashley Herbert’s final 2 left standing.  Next week we’ll see who she will choose to be engaged to.  This Sunday, the Men Tell All episode will come on and then Monday night will be the Final Rose Ceremony at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC.

    I saw this online and thought I’d share with you.  If you need a recap or are following for the first time, here is a time line of each of their dates from the arrival at the mansion to the exotic dates in Fiji.  Enjoy!

    Los Angeles, California - Ben F.

    After stepping out of the limo, winemaker Ben F. brings a bottle with him to toast this new adventure.

    Los Angeles, California - JP

     
    J.P. took a much simpler approach when he arrived at the mansion. J.P. brought no props other than his smile.

    Los Angeles, California - JP

    J.P. lost in his first opportunity for a one-on-one date with Ashley. To his luck, J.P. lost it in a coin flip with Mickey. However during the cocktail party before the rose ceremony, J.P. steals Ashley away to flip a coin to get a kiss. His luck has changed as he scores a smooch.

    Los Angeles, California - Ben F.

    Ben F. joined others on a group date at the comedy club. The bachelors had to roast Ashley. While many decided to make fun of other guys in the house, William went right at Ashley. Ben F. took a lighter approach congratulating her on being 3rd runner up during Brad's season of The Bachelor.

    Los Angeles, California - JP 

    J.P. finally scores a date. His first date was a one-on-one date. The timing isn't the greatest, but he's excited to get some alone time with Ashley. They plop on some sweatpants to get comfy and cozy. J.P. understands that Ashley is exhausted, but assures her that she should not feel defeated. These words seem to sink in. Ashley promises J.P. that they'll have a really fun next date if he accepts her rose. He does and Ashley can take solace in the fact that J.P. is a much better kisser than Bentley.

    Chiang Mai, Thailand - JP

    Feeling Punchy
    Constantine, Ames, Nick, Blake, Lucas, Ryan, J.P. and Mickey are picked for the group date which involves some Muay Thai Fighting. The men train hard and gear up to step into the ring...with each other! Blake manages to take down Lucas in the first bout. Mickey is a punching machine at the start of his fight, but it's the underdog, J.P., who wins in the end. Woohoo, go J.P.!!!

    Chiang Mai, Thailand - Ben F. 

     
    No Kissing Allowed
    Wine guy Ben F scores the one-on-one date. He and Ashley stroll through the town hand-in-hand as if they were boyfriend and girlfriend. They are in awe of an ancient temple. It's a sacred setting, so no smooching allowed. They settle for a mental kiss. They're hoping for the real thing at dinner.
    Kissing Allowed
    Thousands of flowers surround an outdoor setup for a romantic dinner. Ben tells the tale of how he got started in the winemaking biz. He also shares the loss he felt after his dad passed away. It was only about a year ago that he started taking down the emotional walls he'd built. He's ready to take some big steps, which is why Ashley gives him a rose and a kiss. 

    Phuket, Thailand - Ben F. and JP 

    Helping Hands
    Ashley and her group date men (that would be Ben F, J.P., Blake, Mickey, West, Ben C, Nick, Lucas, William and Ryan) head over to the Baan San Fan Orphanage. This community was created to help the children who lost their parents in the tsunami that occurred a few years back. The gang will be painting the building, putting up soccer nets and making this the best place in can be for the kids. Woo hoo!

    After their hard day at work, they head over to a bar on the beach and Ben F. is the first to steal Ashley away. Next, Ryan gets his alone time and tells her that he gets along with all the guys as they are all talking smack behind his back. J.P. then takes her away for a hot little make out session on the beach and the sparks fly.

    Hong Kong - Ben F.

    Ames, Ryan, Ben, Blake, Mickey and Constantine kick off the group date with some dragon boat racing. The boys divide into teams of two and recruit locals to join their squads. While Ryan, Blake, Ames and Mickey round up teams easily, Ben and Constantine aren't feeling the local love. Comes race time, Ames and Mickey go full steam ahead and are first across the finish line.

    Hong Kong - JP

    JP gets another go at a one-on-one date and the timing is ideal. Things are going well, but Ashley has a guilty conscious about Bentley's visit. Fearing that her honesty may get her into trouble, Ashley struggles to tell JP the truth. When it finally comes out, JP thanks her for the honesty and understands her need for closure. The date ends with love in the air. Whew!

    Taiwan - Ben F.

    Ben is next up for a date. With Ashley's arms wrapped tightly around his waist, they navigate the countryside via scooter together. Giggling and flirting with every twist in the curvy road, sparks are flying. Over a romantic dinner, Ben shares with Ashley the importance of true love. He doesn't take the "L-bomb" lightly. The two hold each other close while kissing the night away.

    Taiwan - JP

    J.P. went on a group date with Ames and Lucas. J.P. hopes it won't cause more jealousy, but he's in for an unfortunate surprise. The boys discover they'll be dressing up for wedding photographs with their potential bride-to-be. Lucas rocks a traditional Taiwanese costume, Ames looks spiffy in a sparkly costume, and lucky J.P. struts his stuff in a traditional tux. While Ames and Lucas make the most of their photo shoot, J.P.'s shoot flatlines. Is it too late in the date to recover?

    Ashley and the guys try to enjoy dinner but tensions are high with a rose up for adoption. During quality time with Ashley, all of the men admit their hopes to continue on to hometown dates. Lucas assures her he's ready to get married. Ames shares photographs of his family and childhood, while J.P. admits he's been going crazy with jealousy. Ashley gives the last group date rose to J.P., as she knows all too well what it's like to be in his shoes. She reassures him that she's ready to see more. 

    HOMETOWN DATE!!! Sonoma, California - Ben F.

    Ben gives Ashley a tour of his winery in Sonoma, California. A quick taste test is followed by a some sweet kisses. Ben admits that he's only brought one woman home to meet his mother prior to this. He's also super-close to his sis, who lives in San Francisco. The one person Ashley won't get to meet is Ben's dad, who passed away. But he's pretty sure his father would have really liked her.

    Ben's sister, Julia, has always been protective of him, so she's a bit skeptical when she first meets Ashley. But after chatting with her bro, she sees that he's in touch with his emotions for the first time in a long time. Ben admits to his mom that he wants what she had with his dad. He gets a little emotional during their chat. But at the end of the day, both Ben and his mom know that Dad would be proud of him.

    Ben's very happy that he's starting to fall in love. It's hard to say goodbye to Ashley, who admits that she could see herself spending the rest of her life with him. Guess that means this particular hometown date was a huge success.

    HOMETOWN DATE!!! Long Island, NY - JP

     
    It's off to Long Island to meet JP and his family. First stop on the date is a trip to the roller rink. They haven't even finished lacing up the skates before they're share a smooch. Then it's time to turn on the disco ball and roll onto the floor. JP is the first to take a spill, but Ashley's there to give him a kiss to make it all better.

    Ashley meets JP's mom, Eileen, his dad, Peter, his brother, Roy, and his bro's girlfriend, Andrea. The family is very protective. His mom thinks Ashley is terrific, but doesn't want to see her son get his heart broken. She's seen it happen before. Eileen wants to know if her son is in love and if he'll propose. All signs indicate that could happen.

    Mom tells Ashley that she only wants her son to be happy. She talks openly about JP's past heartbreak. Ashley promises they have something special. Mom believes Ashley is beautiful both inside and out. Later, Mom breaks out a picture of JP from his bar mitzvah. He's sporting a sweet mullet. It's a fun ending to a perfect day. But JP still can't find the strength to say that he's in love with Ashley.

    Fiji - Ben F.

    Ashley and Ben jump aboard a beautiful yacht. Flirtation is alive and kicking as they rub each other down with sunscreen. They spend the rest of their time on the blue water holding hands while snorkeling. Words can't describe their chemistry, but they certainly have something special. Night falls and the couple heads to land for a candlelit dinner. They talk about their feelings for each other. Ben admits he's well on his way to love. The couple spends the rest of the evening in a romantic fantasy suite.

    Fiji - JP

    JP gets his date in Fiji. The couple takes a small plane to a private beach that's right out of a postcard. They spend the day wading in the water and getting some much needed alone time. Over dinner, JP tells Ashley that he's scared to admit his feelings while she's still dating other guys. That's when Ashley tells JP what happened with Constantine. He's surprised to learn that he's only one of two standing. On that positive note, Ashley whips out the fantasy suite invitation. Needless to say, JP happily accepts.

    Rose Ceremony

    Chris Harrison sit-down and Ashley thinks Ben is the most compatible, whereas J.P, and her are more complimentary. Even though no one is being sent home, Ashley still wants to have a rose ceremony because “at this stage, people can have a change of heart.” She has “a whole new mission” going into this ceremony, meaning she wants herself to be the person waiting to see if they accept her rose.

    Of course both of  them accept and that means we’re down to the final two. Next week on the season finale, there are more helicopters, kayaks, declarations of love, Ashley’s crazy tattooed sister, and of course the most essential component, tears.


    ....so who's it gonna be ladies????  Which one do you think she's gonna choose????  I personally think J.P....or that's who I'm rooting for anyway.  What do you think?
    RGL

This is how I feel today!!!

    Geesh, if this is what I look/feel like by just taking 1 day off of work, I can't imagine what it'll be like in 2 weeks when I get back from my WEEK LONG vaca in the Carolina's.  (Countdown is only 6 days btw).  I just wanted to say hello and let you all know I'm alive and well.  I had an incredible BFF weekend ...I'll hopefully be able to blog about that later on this week (fingers crossed).  Anywho...hope all is well.  I gotta get back to work.  Tata!

    RGL

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