To Kill a Mockingbird

Last month my book club read "To Kill A Mockingbird"; which was suggested because this year marks it's 50th anniversary.  I HATED reading when I was in school and didn't remember enjoying this book, so I was dreading rereading this classic AGAIN.  Man, am I glad I sucked it up and took advantage of this opportunity!  The book was easy to read and simply enjoyable. 

It's especially fun to read books like this as a "Southerner."  I live in a different time and can't quite relate to the tired old town of Maycomb, Alabama, but it's still nice to "look back" and see how much we've progressed.  It was also nice to review it with my book club.  It's refreshing to see that I have so many Finch's in my group and not one Ewell.  Especially when one of those Finch's in my group makes some impressive shrimp and grits for all of us!

If you don't remember this from high school, please give it another shot.

Side Note:  I was asked if I was reading this for school once (of course, I was wearing a high school shirt, so I couldn't blame them)...  Note to self, no high school activities while in high school clothes.  Makes it even harder to pass as a 26-year-old.

They say it's your Birthday...

I'm a little late with this, but two of my favorite people had their Birthdays on September 15.  In honor of their Birthdays, I wanted to do a "5 Things I "Love" About You"...  I know it's supposed to be "10", but I'm lazy.  Also, sorry Bree, but you know the rules, "Age before..." so we'll start with you:

5 Things I Love About Bree:
1) She knows how to keep her promises (I'll be your best friend if you go to the beach with me)
2) She always comes up with the BEST nicknames (Baloola, Flash, Jazz, Ali, Boo...hehe)
3) She tells very detailed stories (and then I peed)
4) She looks like Chelsey's sister AND Pocahontas
5) She's never afraid to embarrass herself in the name of fun

5 Things I Love About Kaitlin:
1) She is ABSOLUTELY the most fun to play PhotoHunt with
2) Her humor resembles that of a 13-year-old boy (and Mark's)
3) We have so much fun together that we are not allowed to hangout alone (especially at Baron's games)
4) She the best person to drink a glass of wine with after a hard day
5) If you give her "ranking cards" and a "pinching claw", she is the most fun EVER (Labor Day 2009)

I Love both of you.  Happy Belated Birthday!



Seattle

I had been wanting Mark to have the opportunity to spend more time with my extended family.  Since everyone lives so far away, we decided to wait until our anniversary so we could celebrate and see everyone all at once.  My Aunt Carry, Uncle Greg, and Cousins Amanda & Drew were so good to us!  We saw everything I wanted Mark to see on his first trip up there, which mostly consisted of the tourists spots.  My dad said we made a HUGE mistake by not taking the ferry up to Victoria...but there will be more trips.  Here is what we did do:

Tuesday:  We made the trip from Alabama to Washington.  Carry, Amanda, and Drew picked us up from the airport and we visited Alki Beach for a view of the city and some "fish and chips" (which was very high on my list).  We also went to Ballard to see the Locks.  Then, to top it all off, my aunt and uncle made us an amazing steak dinner.  I'd say it was a great start to the trip.

Wednesday: Space Needle, Boat tour of Lake Washington (one of my favorite things we did), Pizza Dinner in Kirkland.

Thursday: Pike Place Market, Downtown, AMAZING Salmon dinner

Friday: Amanda tricked us into going on a "3 Mile" hike.  What she didn't tell us was that the hike was 3 miles STRAIGHT up and 3 miles down.  We rewarded ourselves with a tour of the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery.  Then, the Mattocks Family spoiled us with an amazing Mexican Dinner.

Saturday: Carry, Amanda, and I got pedicures.  Then Greg, Carry, Mark, and I headed to Redhook Brewery.  My old roommate Cori and her husband Mark came to meet us after our tour and we had fun visiting with them.  Last, we were lucky enough to get tickets to the Seahawks' pre-season game against the Packers. 

Sunday: We headed home :(.  A big thanks to the Mattocks Family for a wonderful trip.

One Year

Ok, you know how websites that feature books and movies have a "spoiler alert"?  Well, I'm warning all of you with a "cheesy alert".  Don't say you weren't warned...

Yesterday, Mark and I celebrated our 1 Year Anniversary.  I can't believe it's been a YEAR since this:

And this:

This year Mark and I:

1) Adopted Levon

2) Celebrated Kaitlin and Ed's Wedding

   

3) Had TOO much fun at Ole Miss...

4) Rang in the New Year with friends at B&A Warehouse

5) Celebrated Alabama's 13th National Championship

6) Watched my sister get married

7) Helped host MDA's 2nd Annual Derby for Duchenne's

8) Spent some time at the beach with friends

I feel lucky to have spent this last year married to my best friend (I told you it would get cheesy) and look forward to spending many more with him. 

Cutting for Stone

This past month, I read "Cutting for Stone" by Abraham Verghese. 

The first 50 pages, I LOVED the book!  The middle, I HATED it.  When it was all said and done, I LIKED it.  I don't think I would recommend it, unless you know a great deal about medicine.  I spent the first part of the book looking up medical terms on my computer.  After a while, I stopped caring. 

I will say that discussing a book (good or bad) over lasagna, wine, and some pretty amazing cookies makes anything worth reading.

4th of July (A little late)

July 4th Mark and I went with my parents to their elegant tre-leur (aka: trailer) in what my mom fondly calls "geriatric park."  Valerie and Adam came up too, but they stayed at Camp Harmon, a place we used to go when we were little.  Check out their accommodations compared with ours:

Trailer where Mark and I stayed with my parents

Outside Valerie and Adam's Cabin

Valerie & Adam's Cabin

 We spent a very outdoorsy weekend hiking and seeing the sights.  Levon was especially excited to be included.  He doesn't usually get to tag along on family vacations:

Mark, Levon, and Me during our hike.

It was nice to have a little family time.  We enjoyed spending our evenings at the trailer cooking and just spending time together.  I learned that it takes 4 family members to determine when the steaks are done:

Confession

(This was previously posted, so I wont delete it, but it is all lies!  I did NOT stop watching The Hills, becaues I found out it was ending.  So, I said "good-bye" to The Hills when all of you did.  Still, one TV show down...)


June is almost up, and it's time for me to start a new monthy "better myself" activity.  You're probably wondering "what was Caroline's June activity?".  I slipped it in without really talking about it...I'm sneaky like that.  But for those of you who can't deal with not knowing, it was the book club.  A book a month is a big commitment for me...

Ok, for July:  It starts with a confession...I went to see The Last Song.  Yes...this is the Miley Cyrus movie (head hung in shame).  But, it did give me an idea for my July goal...  I want to learn an instument.  Yes, this is a lofty goal, and one I can not expect to complete in a month.  So, I'm cheating a bit (what's new).  My actual goal for this month is to cut down on my tv.  THIS is not going to be easy!  I currently follow 9 tv shows:

-Entourage
-Hung
-Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami
-Keeping Up with the Kardashian
-The Hills
-90210
-So You Think You Can Dance
-American Idol
-Project Runway

And, these are simply the ones I can't miss!

Clearly, it's time for me to give up a little reality... So, I'm officially giving up "The Hills".  And, in the Fall, when the new seasons start, I will not watch "American Idol".  "The Hills" will be the hardest...it has been a love of mine for years.  But, it will be easier since Lauren was replaced with Kristin Cavallari (as if that's a fair trade...).

So long my friends.... (please note: picture is from "the good ole days")