Month: August 2011

A quick shot of what it looks like when an end of August wildfire burns part of my parents neighborhood. Absolutely no injuries and the fire was contained, thankfully. It is scary to breathe the smoke, see the charred landscape and watch the ground smolder two days later! Unfortunately an old cabin, likely from the twenties or thirties burned to the ground. The fire is under investigation and the neighborhood ladies, my mom included, have all sorts of theories, but at the end of the day everyone is thankful that there wasn’t more damage.

Do you know the fines for fishing without a fishing license by the DNR (Dept. of Natural Resources)? Freaking severe! But, with this handy sheet of paper I can fish and hunt for three days in Georgia. Don’t worry, I don’t hunt 🙂 and I almost never actually catch fish. But the license is for the act of trying to catch fish, not actually catching them. The licenses can be purchased quickly and easily off the state’s DNR site for about $20 for non-residents. My dad said his was wayyy less for a two year, like $16! It is silly not to buy one. Seriously, if you don’t buy one, you will get checked by a park ranger and fined, no fun! Those dudes are serious and smiling a lot won’t get you anywhere with them. And that was your friendly lesson in the legalities of fishing from yours truly.

I’ll be sure to post a picture anything I catch because it’ll be a miracle. Also, keep your fingers crossed we don’t get a little thunderstorm while we’re out there because I’ll freak! Loving being outside, driving through the forest and relaxing on a lake.

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Here’s where I’m writing from – my weekend perch out on the porch. I swear the sky is bluer here and the sun is brighter.

Today we kayaked, read lazily in the afternoon, then floated in the pool for a couple hours. The plan is to get enough sun to last me through December in Chicago.

Check out that kayak carrying contraption! Impressive.

We were only hauling one kayak, but you should see the advanced know-work that keeps this thing secured. Impressive again.

Putting kayaks in and out of a lake from a slip is wayyyy less scary than a motorboat.

Can you guess which one I picked? Hint: it matches my new smart cover for my big honking mobile device.

Lake Allatoona is low but the red Georgia clay is so pretty all around the lake. Off to go eat my favorite meal, steaks cooked on a Weber Grill by my dad! Until tomorrow, y’all, take care.

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> Oh wait, it’s almost fall? Clearly my shopping habits aren’t up to speed yet for the colder months ahead! Oh well, the deals were great and a girl can’t have too many bathing suits and a maxi dress is great for fall layering, right?

And that shiny thing? Yep, I purchased one. And no, I don’t need it – in case your were wondering. The title of this post clearly doesn’t indicate ‘needs,’ does it? Sheeeesh, I’m on vacation! Quick recap on day one down here in Georgia:
Enjoyed my mechanically-inclined-father’s reading collection of good magazines while enjoying fresh fruit and his amazing museli
Went on an accidental shopping spree that I’ve been planning all summer and dragged my parents along
Supported local businesses in downtown Cartersville, Georgia (part of the shopping spree!)
Looked through photo albums with my grandma and learned about my family history

A few tidbits on my family:
Great-grandfather went by Skeeze in place of his real name, Angus.
His brother’s name? Merlin. Apparently both good Scottish names and I freaking adore them!
Angus, aka Skeeze, changed his middle name from LuEllen to Victor…can’t imagine why?

We’re longtime Chicago folks. My family has a bible that survived the Chicago Fire with my ancestors names and birthdays all written in the inside cover! I have the cutest picture of my great grandmother, Nanny (real name Mary like all Irish Catholics; married Skeeze), sunning on North Ave. beach in the late 1920s with her best friend Hazel. Both of them lived late into their nineties! Tough Chicago babes, for sure.

Last little tidbit of my family is that my grandfather, Phil, worked in the building next to where I work now! He was a nineteen-fifties and -sixties ad man for Leo Burnett. And he dabbled in PR. Pretty cool that I’m following in his footsteps fifty years later. Hope y’all are having a great weekend! I’ll be at the pool all day, fingers crossed I don’t burn my armpits like last year!

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Got in late last night to Atlanta, chatted with the folks out on our porch and went to bed. My mom’s got some great shots of her dog cuddling with my face while I slept. I, of course, didn’t notice it…

And now this morning, i’m drinking my morning coffee out on the porch listening to the trees blow in the wind and petting my cat. This is heaven.

Not sure what we have in store for the week, but I packed running clothes and bathing suits and that’s it so hopefully I’ll use those items in the next seven days. We’ll see!

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While I’ve already had two massive cups of coffee so far today, another one couldn’t hurt. Especially when it’s preceded by this morning note on my desk. Thank goodness for good friends, good coffee and good conversation – all of which I’ve already had today and it’s only 8:50 am.

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A morning dream? Sounds creepy. Anyways, here’s what I’m daydreaming about today:

Laying on a hammock in the middle of the ocean (do these things actually exist?!)! But, I’m thrilled to have a good cup of coffee, good breakfast, a new magazine AND a ride in to the office. ‘Tis the life of one lucky girl. Hope y’all have a great Tuesday!

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– E

Colorado dreaming hasn’t stopped yet. So pretty! Thinking about planning a return trip in the winter. Where should I stay?!

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Sounds awesome when Paul McCartney is playing at the stadium at the end of the street.

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