Asheville, a timeline!

I love a good timeline.  Don't you?  This past weekend I went to Asheville, NC for my friend, Carly's Bachelorette party.  My adventures below, if you're interested.

Friday 
11:00am - Hit the road!

1:30pm - Picked up Carly's friend, my new friend, Natalie, in London. 

5:00pm - Checked into our hotel in Asheville.

6:30pm - Dinner at Curate.

8:00pm - Drinks!  UK game!  Dancing!  Slefies!  Shots!  At Pack's Tavern.

? - Called it a night.

Saturday
12:00pm - Brunch at Mayfel's.  The bloody mary bar was a serious highlight for me.

2:00pm - Another bloody at LAB followed by some shopping.

3:00pm - Wicked Weed for some solo time.  I drank a delicious Mango Jalapeno Blonde Ale, watched the Louisville basketball game and made some bar friends.

4:00 - Met back up with the crew at Barley's for a beer and the rest of the game.

6:00pm - Back to the hotel to get ready and shower Carly with gifts!

8:00pm - Dinner at Blackbird.  Predictably, I ordered the cheese board.  Lindsey wanted the fish special, with chicken instead of fish.  COuld they do that?  The chef was so amused he came out and asked her exactly what she wanted.

10:00pm - Back to Wicked Weed to end the night. 

Sunday
9:00am - Headed home.

3:00pm - Met friends at the Village Pub for the UK game.  We played the #1 and undefeated team Wichita State and won!!!  A most excellent end to the weekend.

Happy Birthday, Julie!

I'm into dinner parties.  Especially 30th Birthday dinner parties.  So, I threw one for my friend, Julie.

Cute Mexican Coca-Cola place cards by Katie.

Guests:
Julie & Andy
Katie & Lyle
Abbey & Mike
Laura

Drinks:
Frozen Margaritas.  1 cup tequila, 1 cup contreau, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, squeeze of agave and a pinch of salt.  Blend with lots of ice.
Mexican beers.
Sangria (courtesy of Abbey)

Snacks:
Various salsas from Trader Joe's
Guacamole Bruschetta (courtesy of Katie)

Dinner:
Chicken enchiladas
Black bean and spinach enchiladas
Refried beans
Spanish Rice

Dessert:
A huge homemade donut from Holtman's

Happy 30th Birthday, Julie!! xoxo.

29

I turned 29 on January 26, 2014. So, here are 29 things.

1. I'm only a little nervous to turn thirty but for now, I'm still in my twenties.

2. It took me a while to get here.  But Olives, I love you.  Forgive me for talking shit about you for so long.

3. Nobody is normal.

4. ML makes a mean marinara.  And fried potatos.  And eggs.  He's great.

5. If it hurts, I won't wear it because I can't hide pain.  I'm looking at you, heels.

6. I love club Krogering.

7. I'm into gold jewelry.  Like my mom.

8. I bought this locket but I have no idea what I should put in it.

9. Baby C makes me so happy!  I can't imagine how happy she makes my sister.

10. That doesn't mean I'm ready to babysit!

11. Winter is torture when I have to look at my bike everyday but can't ride it!  It's too. Damn. Cold.

12. It doesn't always have to be fate!  Or a sign!  It might just be a coincidence.

13. I'm trying to be more on time and less early.

14. I hate having order envy at restaurants.

15. I'm into tequila again.

16. I'm more into candy.

17. Worrying is optional.

18. My new favorite kitchen tool?!  A double blade grapefruit knife from my momma!

19. I wish I could have my own citrus trees.  Limes, lemons, grapefruit...

20. Uncle Eric and Tony have a grapefruit tree! Jealous.

21. Champagne for my real friends and real pain for my sham friends.  Right Eli?

22. I need to drink more water.

23. What you think of me is none of my business.

24. What a slut time is!  She screws everyone.

25. I'm surrounded by Doctors!!

26. I'm happy with my job but I'll never confuse my career and my life.

27. I love a good dance party.  And no one cares if you can't dance well. Get up and dance anyway!

28. Everything changes.

29. Darling, be daring.

Mexico, a timeline!

Mr. Louisville invited me to accompany him to a wedding in Mexico for 6 nights.  I said hell yes!

Saturday
We have separate flights to Mexico but I arrive just in time to join him and his friends, S&L, in line at customs.
We arrive at Hacienda Corazon a few hours later!
Cocktails are had and we settle into our room.
The bride and groom arrive shortly after that and we have a cocktail and appetizer party before dinner.
A delicious late dinner and then sleep!

Sunday
Breakfast is made for us.
We take the kayaks out to some Mayan ruins about 20 minutes away and swim in the lagoon.

Afterwards, we head to town for lunch at The Pub.
The welcome reception is that evening at the Omni Hotel.  Appetizers and drinks on the beach followed by a delicious dinner.

Monday
It's wedding day!!
We hang by the pool for a bit and the girls go to town for lunch while the boys hang out with the groom.
A beautiful ceremony.

Followed by coconut drinks, cocktails, appetizers and a mariachi band!

Dinner is served in the Hacienda Corazon courtyard.

ML and his Beta buddies sang their Beta sweetheart song to the bride.

Dancing!  Tequila shots!  More dancing!  Late night tacos, tamales and churros!

Tuesday
An amazing brunch spread was much needed and had!
Later, a group of us go to Dos Ojos Cenote and snorkele.  My first time!

It was so chilly we all return to the Haciendas and take hot showers before another delicious dinner followed by drinks by the pool.

Wednesday
A great day!  I sleep in and skip breakfast opting for margaritas instead.  We hang out by the pool, drink, swim in the ocean, some folks go kayaking...  It was a perfect day.

The Beta boys: Scott, Wes, ML, Sean

That evening a group of us go to a Hartwood restaurant in Tulum.  I eat octopus for the first time and love it!  The restaurant was about an hour drive away (or an hour and a half if you're name is Ernesto!) so we play trivia games and solve riddles to pass the time.
Back to the Haciendas for nightcaps by the pool.

Thursday
aka Mr. L'ville and Laura adventure day!
Coba ruins.

We race to the top!  I lost.

Followed by an outstanding local lunch at a place recommended by Memo.  Best ceviche ever!

Next, Tulum ruins and beach!  This beach is my favorite. The water was perfect and the waves were bouncy.  Beautiful.

Back to the Hacienda for a final dinner and games with the bride and groom's family.

Friday
A driver picks us up bright and early to head to the airport. I'm wondering when I'll get to go back. 

A wedding, a baby and Mormans

I got a head start on weddings this year and went to the first one the first week of January.  My cousin, Jared and his lady, Jesse.  Mr. Louisville was my date and he met my 'rents.

I've been stopping over to see this little chubster.  My sister laughs at my awkwardness but is encouraging.  She says I can't break baby C but she still makes me nervous!

I went with some ladies from my book club and saw Book of Morman at the Arnoff.  Goodness!  So good!!

Have you seen any good shows lately?  Held any babies? 

A look back at 2013

Happy New Year, folks!

Like I did last year, I thought I'd wrap things up with the same questionnaire.

1. What did you do in 2013 that you'd never done before?
Buy a home. 

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions and will you make any for next year?
For 2013 I said I'd like to be less wasteful.  Eat more leftovers, recycle, etc.
Well, better late than never!  My Rumpke Recycling box literally got dropped off this this week so I'll start recycling now.  As far as leftovers go... I'm getting better!

For 2014, and I think I say this every year, I'd like to drink more water! 

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?My co-worker girlfriend, Laney!  She gave big sister Callie a little sister, Sydney.
And of course, My sister!!

Ryan top left, Molly bottom right and Baby C to the right.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Jamie Cusentino. Cuz. 

5. What countries did you visit?
I didn't leave the States this year but I went to Houston, Texas to visit the blood center there. Scottsdale, Arizona for a conference.  I also went to Chicago for Phish, Norris Lake with some lady friends, Nashville and many trips to Louisville.

6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?Forever and always, more self confidence.

7. What dates from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory and why?
December 1, 2013.  Charlotte Rose Norman was born.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Being promoted to Manager of Mobile Recruitment at Hoxworth Blood Center.  January 2, 2014 will also my 6 year anniversary at Hoxworth.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I made a sub par apple crisp and a not-so-good apple cake.  Baking failures are the worst!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not at all.  The only thing that took me out for a few days was a bad reaction to the whopping cough vaccine.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
A house!

12. Where did most of your money go?
The house. Gas getting to Louisville.

13. What did you get really excited about?
MPMF and Forecastle. Getting together with Mara, Andi and Carly over the holiday.

14. What song will always remind you of 2013?
Step by Vampire Weekend.
The Beyonce album.
Get Lucky by Daft Punk.

15. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder? Thinner or fatter? Richer or poorer?
Always happier, just about the same, definitely poorer.

16. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Save money, travel, dinner parties.

17. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Watch television.

18. How did you spend Christmas?
Christmas Eve dinner with Mom, Dad and Eli.  Delicious shrimp scampi, bread, salad and crab legs.
Christmas day with Mom, Dad, Eli, Molly, Ryan and Charlotte!
A lovely holiday.

19. What was your favorite TV program?
Modern Family, Mad Men, Veep.

20. What were your favorite books of the year? 
Valley of the Dolls
State of Wonder
I read so much, I can't even remember...

21. What was your favorite music from this year?
Vampire Weekend
The Strokes
Beyonce
Daft Punk

22. What were your favorite films of the year?
I really enjoyed seeing Gravity in 3D.

23. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
I turned 28 on the 26th of January and went to Nada for dinner then Jerzees for the Turkeys.
Too.  Much.  Tequila.  Was too hungover to enjoy the UK game on my actual birthday and had to leave Wise Guys.

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I'm not sure that anything could.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
It's getting there.

26. What kept you sane?
Evening bike rides.

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.
Never chase love, affection or attention.  If it isn't given freely by another person it isn't worth having.

Bitchin' Book Club

I started a book club back in the spring of 2009.  Unfortunately, the exact start date is questionable but it was around the same time as our Bitchin' Bowling League.  Anyway, the book club has been going strong ever since!
One thing I regret every time we meet, yet I still don't do it, is not keeping a journal of every book we've read, who attended, what was served, etc.
At our last meeting we were able to list most of the books we've read. Surely we are missing a few since we are heading into our 5th year and we've met nearly every single month!

Drowning Ruth
Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
Whistling in the Dark
Water for Elephants
Unaccustomed Earth
Interpreter of Maladies
The Shadow of the Wind
City of Thieves
The Night Circus
Cutting for Stone
The Good Earth
A Reliable Wife
The Forgotten Garden
Alice I Have Been
Lies that Chelsea Handler Told Me
A Visit from the Goon Squad
Lonesome Dove
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
The Thirteenth Tale
Gone Girl
The Help
A Year of Living Biblically
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The Fault in Our Stars
One Hundred Years of Solitude 
Mennonite in a Little Black Dress
Little Bee
The Great Gatsby
Life of Pi
Come Closer
The Light Between the Oceans
A Hundred Summers
The Round House
Tell the Wolves I'm Home
We Are All Completely Besides Ourselves
Defending Jacob
The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club
Object of Beauty
Thousand Splendid Suns
The Lost Years
Same Kind of Different as Me
The Art of Racing in the Rain
Taft 2012
The Shadow of Your Smile
Hunting and Gathering
Love the One You're With
The Orphan Master's Son

This year, in an effort to keep the attendance and reading rate higher we are going to meet less often, maybe every 6-8 weeks instead of every month.  We've also hooked up with the Covington Public Library and rented their book club kits.  Basically, we all got a copy of our next book, The Book Thief, with some questions all ready for us.  This will help as well since we've all had trouble getting the book in time.

So, ladies,(and Eli!) from this list could you comment on what your favorite book has been?  Also, any book that I've missed! We can report back to the library so they'll add kits with some books based on what we've liked the best.
And here's to another year of the Bitchin' Book Club!