Red Sox in the South

Those of you who know me know that I have moved a fair amount of times in my life, however, I don't believe I have ever lived in a state that is quite as fanatic about their sports teams as Georgia. In other states you might come across pockets of fans but here in Georgia everything revolves around UGA football and the Braves. Literally during football season the topic of discussion at any stop during your day, including the hair salon and grocery store, will be the dawgs and where you will be watching the game.

But this week the Red Sox came to the south and lordy bee there are some Sox fans in Georgia after all!! This Tuesday Mike and I headed to Atlanta after work to root on the Sox...well I was rooting for the Sox and Mike was rooting for the Braves. Mike out did himself with our tickets this time. From the very start ( when Mike took me to my first MLB game ever at Camden Yards) Mike has come up with some impressive seats for baseball games, this time we had club level. Gigantic difference!! Our view was awesome and our entire level felt the first class version of ballpark food. My only complaint is that there were no Dippin' Dots on our level....but fear not I found some on the level below before we left. Moral of that story? Get club tickets if you want to feel fancy for a night out at the ballpark.

The game was awesome and at times it felt like we were sitting in Boston as chants of "Let's go Red Sox!" rang out through the stadium. Its not very often that there seems to be more visiting team fans at a Braves game! I got to leave the game happy after a Red Sox win and the feeling that Red Sox nation even spreads into Georgia.

Hope y'all are enjoying the start of summer and baseball season!

Dear graduates...

So the end of the school year is finally wrapped up for us here at Wesleyan College, graduation was on Saturday and campus has started to settle into it's summer routine. This coming weekend my little sister and my little cousin will suddenly become college graduates and leap into the real world too. When the heck did I get so old?! 

So in celebration of graduation here is my letter to the graduates of 2014 (I have no idea why I write with a better flow in letter form so just bear with me for a bit.)

Dear graduates,

congratulations!! You made it, all of the crazy hours of studying, researching, waiting up for grades or registration has finally paid off and in a very big way. I know you are in a state of shock and feeling pretty unsure of what comes next but don't worry that's normal and you'll snap out of it. Before you charge into a total freakout take time to celebrate this accomplishment! Take time to thank everyone who helped you along the way...parents, teachers, friends, anyone who helped to keep you motivated. Trust me a simple thank you goes a long way! Take some time to reflect on how much you have grown both in your studies and as a person, remember college is about a lot more than just books! And finally take time to let go of the stress. The world is a clean slate again, just like when you came into college. Take with you the cherished friends that you have made along the way and surround yourself with people that are excited to see what you will accomplish next!

Now that you've taken your little freakout vacation (I took mine in Virginia Beach with Erin right before I started my first "big girl" job in Crofton,MD) you are ready for the real world. Remember:

look everyone you meet in the eye and offer a firm handshake (you will be amazed how far that will get you...thank you Dad for teaching me that!).

Listen carefully to what everyone at work tells you and remember it! People love it when you don't need to be repeatedly reminded of something.

If you need help, ask for it...heck that is what those first two weeks are for.

Learn how to say "no" because if you don't everyone will keep piling on the work until you are so frazzled that you drop something (thank you Uncle Bruce for attempting to hammer this idea into my head, I'm still working on it).

And at the end of the day try to leave your work at work....if at all possible.

When all else fails pour a glass of wine and call up your college roomie (even if she lives in Minnesota) because no one else will understand what you are going through better than she does!

So chin up! We are all so excited to see what you will do out there in the "real world!"

Sincerely,

your biggest cheerleader

Because only a college roomie can understand how you went from your first freshmen outing to her wedding day!! Love ya Gray!

Sunshine, Savannah and Polo!

Wow I cannot believe how fast April flew by! How in the world is it already May?! Mike and I were super excited to get to spend the last Sunday in April enjoying the Savannah sunshine with Erin, Mike and Henry! We spent most of the day through the eyes of a 2 year old which is always a nice change of pace. Henry absolutely loved the train yard, building and destructing blocks at the children's museum and stealing Uncle Mikey's french fries.

                      

After saying our goodbyes (which are never fun), Mike and I snuck over to Tybee Island to scope out the house his family is renting for our wedding in October. And since we were there I couldn't possibly pass up the chance to get some sand between my toes! Thankfully Mike is very patient and drove all over to find a parking spot so I could see the ocean. Love him!!

This week brought about the end of classes at Wesleyan, the athletic banquet, the equestrian team potluck and the start of finals. Gracious this first year of coaching has flown! I survived my first athletic banquet speech without any issues and managed to not fall on my face in front of the entire athletic department and our college president....small victory! I also publicly proclaimed next year as "The road to Zones" so here's to making that happen!! To celebrate the end of the year and the start of summer some of the equestrian team, Mike and I headed up to Alpharetta for a polo match today.

The sun was out in full force but sipping on sweet tea in a big hat watching polo ponies is always a great way to spend the afternoon in my book!

Yes, I know I own two horses and literally see horses every day of my life but I become a kid every time I see new horses so I just had to go make some horsey friends.

Miriam thoroughly enjoyed her first polo outing...and eating my sunglasses. I still can't believe that this weekend last year I was hosting Courtenay's baby shower for this little one!

Fun fact for the day: one polo field takes up the area of 9 football fields!

Hope y'all are getting to enjoy the sunshine!

Love y'all!