Mountain Getaway

I am exhausted.

Usually, when Bert and I go to the mountains, we come back relaxed and rejuvenated. This time around, we all stayed up 'til 1-2 every morning. I would shut down the party every night by announcing I needed to get some sleep! :)

But, oh boy, what a great time we had!

We met Bert's BFF, Wes, and his fabulous wife Jamie in Blue Ridge, Georgia. Our cabin was AWESOME. Click here for pictures of the cabin.

We enjoyed strolling the streets of downtown Blue Ridge, eating, shopping, etc. We also visited Mercier Orchards (where the photo above was taken). So fun.

And BTW, I highly recommend the book "If" to take along as a great fun adult game/conversation piece.

Between cooking out, my famous Chicken Scallopini, hanging out in the hot tub and watching the Golden Globes, it was lots of fun.

All in all, it was a great weekend! We are lucky to have such fabulous friends.

Labels: friends, vacation

Up For The Challenge (#1)

So, I have been following this on LT's fabulous blog, and thought I would join in on the fun. It may take me a while to do all 30 challenges...they definitely won't be in 30 days...but I'll get there!

DAY 1: Introduce yourself, include a recent picture, and tell 15 facts about yourself. Here goes...

Hello. I'm Anisa. Above is a picture taken a few weeks ago with my precious niece. I've been blogging for over 5 years now (WOW). I'm originally from Mississippi and I live in Georgia now. I have been married over 6 years (WOW) and am the proud mommy to a fat cat.

Here are my 15 facts:

1. I was born June 22, 1980 - on the cusp of being both a Gemini and Cancer.
2. I am obsessed with anything to do with Paris. I have never been, but I WILL get there.
3. I think being an aunt is just about the greatest thing ever. I love sweet Olivia so much.
4. On November 14, I will have known Bert (my husband) for 7 years. Wow, have things changed in those 7 years! We were just kids back then. :)
5. I do public relations for a living.
6. I worked so hard to get to this point that I really am not sure what's next.
7. I am a clean freak, but spoiled. Bert is a full-time Ph.D. student and has been doing the "big" weekly cleaning for a while now. I love the weekly smell of Pine-Sol!
8. I am prone to allergies and stomach problems.
9. I lost a size this year, and am now the proud owner of some single-digit jeans.
10. I really do think Diet Dr. Pepper belongs on the dessert aisle.
11. I plan on celebrating Halloween by watching the movie "Teen Witch" that I recorded off of ABC Family. Man I love that movie.
12. I am obsessed with my iPhone.
13. My doctor banned me from visiting WebMD. No, I no longer think I have prostate cancer.
14. I would rather be sleeping.
15. I would rather be sleeping at me and Bert's favorite cabin in the North Georgia Mountains. That place is truly heaven to me.

Labels: meme

Above The Rest

"Wake up," whispered Bert. It was 6:50am on a Friday and I sat up in the plush king size bed to see the splendor above.

WOW.

Bert and I went to Blue Ridge, GA this past weekend for a quick getaway in the mountains. And the site above is what I awoke to on Friday. Stunning. Our bedroom was in the loft of an absolutely spectacular cabin - TONS of windows. Gorgeous. If you are looking for a magnificent, relaxing getaway, definitely check out Above The Rest cabins. Neither pictures nor words can do it justice.

This is the second time we've been and it was wonderful. The quaint downtown, Mercier Orchards and the relaxation...just magical. I actually feel refreshed.

What a great weekend!

Coming Soon: A Much-Needed Vacation!

In less than two weeks, Bert and I will be at this cabin we rented in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Hopefully the leaves will be in their autumnal glory. I am so looking forward to this.

And by the time we leave to go on our trip, I will be done with my mid-term (tomorrow...wish me luck!) and a paper I have due in school. And, I will be finished with another set of crazy projects at work. I just wish I could fast-forward to October 26!!

On a good note, we are going to see Guster on Tuesday...one of our favorite bands that is performing downtown. And in general, despite the crazy busy-ness, life is good. I am blessed.

Labels: fall, vacation

For Today

Our vacation was beyond perfect. Our "cabin mansion" was a dream. Four fireplaces, a stunning view, etc. We plan on going back every year. We also bought a piece of wood art - a really beautiful vase made of three different types of tropical wood. We didn't know wood art existed, but it's something we could agree on! Bert likes really rustic stuff and I like more of a European style, so I compromised. After all, he let me have a toile bench in our bedroom. And the vase really is beautiful and we plan on collecting a new piece every year. We even stopped at the best outlets I have ever been to in Dawsonville, GA. I have on my new sweater from the Off Fifth outlet (Saks) that I got $120 off its regular price!

But as we returned, still on our vacation high, I received an email with devastating news. The spouse of one of my friends had died in a car accident. Bert and I had hung out with them on a few occasions, so it was really jarring to realize someone you casually knew had died. He was only 37 and his wife is close to my age. A widow in her 20's.

As I sat at the memorial service yesterday, I thought how unfair it was for a father to give a eulogy for his son. The preacher at this church spoke like a regular human being, which I liked. Instead of only saying how it's all in God's plan and we should all be rejoicing, he said that he couldn't help but ask God "Why?" It was nice to hear someone be "real" instead of asking 50 times if anyone would like to be saved. Friends of the deceased also spoke. The large church was packed. People laughed as friends shared funny anecdotes. People cried at this shocking loss.

And so, hug those you love a little tighter tonight. Again, be reminded that we are not promised tomorrow. Make the most of today.

Let It Snow

If you live up North, you'll wonder what all the fuss is about. But here in the South, snow is a huge deal! And in my town in Georgia, we got a whopping 8.5 inches of the stuff! In fact, I was out of work Monday-Thursday. Everything turned to ice, but the roads are finally mostly clear.

I learned that I would be just fine hanging out, being independently wealthy. I think I could handle it. I loved my snow days, and I never got an ounce of cabin fever. I think that's because I needed rest, I am a bit of a homebody and I had plenty of work to keep me busy. Anyway, below are some snapshots from our fun in the snow.

Labels: Bert, family, snow