ANNA-logies

a little flower power!

2010-01-25T19:37:00.000-08:00

Rhonda- bridesmaid extraordinaire- has been working away on my flowers for the bouquets and all. She has far exceeded my expectations for how good they might look! I went to visit this past weekend and this is what I found when I got there:

Don't they look just like something straight form the hands of Martha Stewart!?

And I couldn't wait to put them together into a pretty arrangement and carry them down the aisle...

Some are paper, some are fabric, some are tissue, some are lace. She even tea-dyed some tulle to match my dress! We've been finding little things here and there that just fit right in and make them even better!

How blessed I am to have such great, talented friends! I love them all and they are amazing!

Christmas in Dixie....(sing it with me now!)

2009-12-30T14:05:00.000-08:00

For a bit of holiday humor, B-man and I decided last year to attend the Neck Parade down in, well, The Neck. Alas, it was much, MUCH more entertaining than we had ever hoped and so this year we decided to not only attend said "parade" but also to try and be in it. Yes, that's right, be IN it. Brandon has a type of vehicle that would fit right on in should we put a few lights on it here and there and drape around some tinsel. My brother also has a recently fabricated "vehicle" that he wanted to put in as well. So we made that our goal.... for next year. This year our schedules got a little too hairy and so, disappointingly, we didn't get to actually ride down the strip that is The Neck, but we attended nonetheless. We were NOT disappointed with who/what we saw.

I scored some sweet homemade pork skins too!

Fun times were had by all- even my 8-month-pregnant cousin who went with us! Nothing can stop her from some holiday fun!

Tis the Season!

2009-12-25T16:00:00.001-08:00

So, apparently I've gotten carried away.... and then WAY behind on this blog! Note to self: I'd love a new blog look! One that is MUCH more picture friendly, and perhaps, PLAIN! I lika da' white space! Any suggestions on where to find such a domain... or a layout?

Now- to the point of today, yesterday, the rest of this week, and for that matter, all this month: MERRY CHRISTMAS! I'd love to post and update on all the goings on this month, including our very first showers!

Earlier this month my very-much-with-child matron of honor and a few of my awesome bridesmaids threw me a DIY shower to get started on all those favors and decorations I'm dreaming of making myself. And several other FABULOUS souls threw us a Christmas party/ cocktail-tease shower! It was an incredibly fun set of inaugural wedding events!

As soon as I get over my lethargy from cookie-induced comas and return from my fat-cation, I will post some Christmas pics from our festivities. Until then... enjoy the rest of your weekend! God bless us! Everyone!

my all time favs!

2009-11-12T20:35:00.000-08:00

Here's a few more! There are PLENTY more that I ADORE, but these were the ones that I was able to share. The colors from our Sunday session (daytime pics) are what really makes me go YAY! Thank you SO much to my photographers, Devon and Katie, who gave us exactly what we wanted!

sneak peak!

2009-11-10T15:52:00.001-08:00

here's a sneak peak at one of our recent engagement sessions!

I fall absolutely in love with them... and HIM... all over again every time I look at them!

Halloween's been reduced...

2009-11-06T14:54:00.000-08:00

.... to nothing more than this

So it's official! The holidays are here!

Halloween to me is the certain beginning of the holiday season and now that has come and gone, I feel quite comfortable saying, "this holiday season" in reference to the present!

I have been minus a voice for almost a week now of this week which made for a very interesting time in the Media Center at Greenwood. Regardless of what was going on with me, students still came in with classes and they still had to checkout books. I can pop in all the movies I want, but the ultimate goal is that they (all 738 of them!) only visit me once a week to get what they need- and let me tell you- that requires some talkin'! If I repeat myself one more time...

I seriously just need to make me some posters and point. That should save me a ton of talk time!

Anyway, last weekend I went to Greenville to run/ walk in the Spinx Runfest with Tara Jane and her hubby, Christopher, as well as my best good friend (and bridesmaid) Rhonda! We visited with some dear friends from college that I personally am so excited to have re-connected with and we all did our best to make it to the finish line, in the rain mind you! But it was a great good time!

And while I was there, Rhonda helped me get started on flowers for the wedding! These aren't the best photos of them, but these are some samples we made to see just how easy/ hard it might be to churcn some of these puppies out. These two are made of tissue paper. She is also going to try some out of paper and fabric to see if they might all come together to be one (8) big, beautiful bouquet(s)!

I am so very thankful for my crafty friends who are so willing to help me! I'd never be able to do any of this without their help and encouragement that my ideas might actually come together and workout! Thanks so much guys!! Love you Rhonda!

Pave' Maria.

2009-10-27T19:32:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry, I had to. And if you don't get me on the title, it's because I believe "Ave Maria" to be one of the most beautiful songs ever (and very well re-mixed and danced to for Zumba! :)) and it seemed very appropriate for the subject matter in this post.

Brandon and I went to Christopher's Fine Jewelry in Pawley's Island last weekend to pick out our wedding bands! Being the planner that I am, I, quite naturally, had in mind something of what I wanted (for both he and I no less).

The setting of my white-gold, emerald-cut, diamond solitaire is a Tiffany setting and so the band is actually raised a bit so that it's not flush with my finger. I absolutely LOVE it, as any girl would the diamond that she waited for and prayed for and longed for most of her years on this earth! And what I love most about it is that it is just that, a simple, classic, beautiful solitaire in a simply elegant setting that can be dressed up or down, can be added to but never taken away from no matter what one tries to put with it. So I was rather excited about this trip back to Christopher's from whence this treasure originated!

We showed up, were served drinks by the nice lady who offered to go clean my diamond while we browsed and Brandon and I proceeded to look for bands we thought we should try. Turns out, trying on wedding bands that you are going to wear against your no-less-than-perfect diamond ring for the rest of your life, is not very much at all like trying on shoes, as I thought it might be. First of all because most all shoes in my size look decent and I don't ever have a hard time choosing because I know that there are ump-teen things in my closet that I could pair with them and second, because I know that eventually they will wear out so I can go choose more! :)

This, however, was more like trying on pants, jeans even! Because no matter what size you are, they are always cut a bit differently, made a bit differently, fit VERY differently, and so on. And with jeans especially, when you find a good pair, a REALLY good pair, that fit just right and hug your best features just right and hide your worst features just right, you wanna keep those puppies around forEVER!

We found Brandon's pretty quick. We knew what we wanted, went for it, tried a few more for good measure and moved on.

But for me, I just couldn't quite decide.

I wanted one to compliment, but not overpower.

One that was similar but didn't look like it was made together.

One that was ornate and new, but classic and ageless.

One that was antique, but not dated...

you get the picture.... it really is going to be a tough decision, and I say going to be because I have yet to make it. It's okay, I have time. I did walk away knowing this: the Pave' setting is it. It is the most beautiful against my rock and the one that makes it sparkle and shine the most! Here it is..... Pave'- oh yay!

My "fair" lady... and gentleman!

2009-10-22T19:53:00.000-07:00

This weekend has been an incredibly fun time for Brandon and I! Our wonderfully flexible and sweet photographers of NDC Photography felt my silly anxiety that if we went too late on Sunday we would MISS THE LIGHTS at the fair, which are the BEST part, right!? And they went with us not once, but twice to get some of what promise to be the best engagement pictures ever! Not only did we get to hang out and have fun like we would any year, but we got to act like celebrities advertising a movie and have people (many of which I knew, btw) stare at us like we were nothing shy of "fools in love." Let them look right!? Those pics and memories will be worth it! Brandon not only acted like his perfectly charming self the entire time, but once again proved his love for me by being such a great sport about the whole thing, when let's face it people, we all know guys don't usually like to be held hostage for a photo shoot- much less two in one weekend... I cannot wait to see some them, but until then....

... in reverse order, here is the next installment of "No. Yes. Yes."

No to the big animal skull in place of my husband-to-be's head.

Yes to this big poofy Martha stewart flowers that will be one of the easiest things to make- although Mama is convincing herself that they might be "overkill". FYI- you have to try real hard to overkill a party!

Yes to this romanticly antique centerpiece with the artichokes! I love it!

Yes to this colorful fun table setting with the old quilts as table clothes!

Not quite according to plan...

2009-10-12T19:41:00.000-07:00

While Saturday's shopping was a complete success in my opinion, it did not go quite according to plan! Of course! :) When we go to the Making Memories- Brides Against Breast Cancer store in the Santee Outlet Mall, the ladies were so super helpful and nice that I only had to try on my dress before they were in there with ideas of how to make it work! And we all LOVED their ideas! So, since I am not yet ready to post pics of my dress and how they "fixed it," I do have some other details to elaborate on!

Now- what do we think about this? The more I look for THE perfect fabric to construct my flowers from, the more I wonder if I should/ could find some to purchase... this one is quite lovely! It's actually making me re-think my colors! Gasp!!!

Three little pumpkins sitting on a gate.....

2009-10-12T19:27:00.000-07:00

The first one said, "I'm short and round but don't chu hate!"

The second one said, "This patch is full of clowns!"

The third one said, "Peace out, I'm skippin' town."

Happy Fall!

-Love, Jenna and Nonni

dress shopping saturday! Coming up!

2009-10-07T18:59:00.000-07:00

Saturday is our first dress shopping day! Mama, I and my cousin, Rachel, (THE M of O) are headed to Charleston to meet up with another one of my bridesmaids and scour the wracks for some good ideas. Notice I didn't say THE DRESS. Because I already have my dress!

A few years ago when I began my weightloss journey (possible post on that later to bring you up to speed) I did believe I would lose weight. I NEVER thought I would EVER reach any size less than a 14. But as I continued my trek through the never-ending story that is "a woman's struggle with weight" the scale dipped lower and lower and the clothes got smaller and smaller, until one day, I found myself slipping into what appeared to be a TWELVE!

Being the encouragement that she is/ was, my mom mentioned that I was "almost" the size she was when she got married (and still is, BTW-go Ma!), so I decided to make that one of my goals- to fit into her wedding dress....

Well, I DID! And not only was it her wedding dress, but it was also my great aunt's wedding dress before that. So I'm gonna walk down the aisle and join my huney next June in an original vintage something-or-other, 60-year-old dress that has been passed down through 2 generations now! How exciting!

Though it has a gorgeous neckline and some very fun features, it does need a bit of "tweeking" before it's runway ready. So I'm on the hunt for the perfect fit, rather than the perfect dress. We're looking to see which waistlines, bodice, and sleeves look best on me and taking pics to show my super-sweet seamstress who is gonna makeover my dress! (thanks to one Whitney Meade for recommending her!)

Do to the fact that my Amazingly Handsome and Truly Wonderful Fiance' reads this blog from time to time (hey huney!) I won't be posting any pics of THE dress, but I will try to post some pics of the features we find and love from Saturday!

Until then- it's time for another episode of Yes, Yes, Yes, No!

Yes to the personalized fans!! We can't have an outdoor reception in June without fans!

Yes to the candy/ ice cream bar! And the cute display! There will definitely be some type of candy tent open and available!

Yes to the pinwheels! I can't wait to get a good pic of everyone blowing their pinwheels as we enter the reception!

No to the hideous tights under my dress! These may add to that vintage feel, but the temp. alone that day is excuse enough NOT to wear them- if I even need one!

Yes to programs made with butcher paper and tied with twine! I LOVE IT!

Yes to COTTON CANDY! You can't have a fair without COTTON CANDY!

Yes to such creative ways to bring light throughout the night!

NO! There will not be any broken toys in the midst of our fair. Sorry to disappoint all the broken toy collectors out there...

yes.. yes... yes... no

2009-09-22T19:13:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the number of pictures I want to post gets away from me and sometimes I just don't have so much time, but want to post on my blog. So I'm starting a different type of blog for myself that I can use in moments like these. I'll call it the "Yes... Yes... Yes... No" format. Jut take a look. You'll get the picture.

Yes.

No.

Yes. (but only the scenery and the fence)

Yes.

No. (to the recorder!)

Yes.

Yes! (the sign, not the big yellow taxi)

LOVE it!

2009-09-20T20:34:00.000-07:00

These folks had their engagement pics taken at the FAIR!

How fun would that be.... considering my reception ideas are quite in-line with these.....

My two favorite inspirational wedding blogs (besides Ma Stew) have now become OnceWed.com and weddingchicks.com

Check them out!

What a dress!!!

2009-09-17T18:41:00.000-07:00

Found this dress tonight! I haven't decided if it will be my rehearsal dinner dress or my getaway dress- but it's AMAZING! It looks fab on me and I already own the perfect pumps to go with it, compliments of cousin Rach, Matron of Honor extraordinaire, and her previous fabulous wedding! (yes, you may zoom in on the photo to see ALL of its fabulosity!).

I've also been looking at DIY bouquet and boutonniere ideas as well. I'm a big fan of fresh flowers, but florists are just too pricey and fresh flowers are overrated, especially for this outdoor shin-dig in the heat of late June! I have several ideas in mind, and these are the closest pics I can find to what I'm thinking about. What I've yet to figure out is- how LONG will this project take?

I'm really liking the button boutonnieres for my little guys who are greeting my guests and I like the look of the other ribbon flowers for the groomsmen, but I'm also digging the single stem stuck through the lapel for the guys as well.... hmmmm.

These fabric bouquets just blow me away! My FAV is the one with the smaller ribbon flowers, although the other appears to be more realistic- as far as flowers go... just can't decide!

DOWN-grade!

2009-09-01T19:40:00.000-07:00

Rockin' the beer gut!? Our country artists have been (once again) given a bad, bad slam by one of their own. The group name, "Trailer Choir," while somewhat fun and catchy, says it all. I expected nothing less of them than a song spotlighting those "pretty little girls rockin' the beer gut."

Is this their attempt to make young girls feel better about their weight? Or let them know that it's perfectly fine and fun and even SEXY for "pretty little girls" (HOW little?) to have a

QUOTE: "beer gut" :END QUOTE

Take it back, boys.

Definite DOWNGRADE.

small favors...

2009-08-28T14:49:00.000-07:00

I LOVE THEM!

My Mama has already told me she's a little worried that I won't have time to pull all these little things off. But I have news for all those who doubt- after being an elementary school librarian for just 2 weeks, I now know that I apparently do not need food, nor sleep to maintain! Therefore, I WILL press on! haha!

Details are where it's at people! It's all about the details!

I mean, check these out! They are so cute!!!!

ahhhhhhh! I LOVE planning!

2009-08-26T18:52:00.000-07:00

Plans are officially underway!

The date is set.

I've met with a photographer, a videographer, and my amazing wedding coordinator, aka my fabulous Aunt Jean!

Having been anticipating this day for the past 2 1/2 years, I have some VERY specific visions and ideas of what I want. And the more I search, the more fabulousness I seem to find! On a bummer note, I see that my ideas are not so original as I may have thought. But the bright side of that is that others have paved the way a bit for me by using these ideas so I can see how they worked out and what I might change.

I'm definitely turning on my inner DIY Diva and am planning on churning out many of these ideas by hand, soliciting the help of several of my tried and true friends, (and my awesomely prego matron of honor) of course!

I've always wanted to do something super cute to "invite" my bridesmaids to stand up with me that day and I think this would be just the thing! The paper garland I love too because it would add that POP of color to tie in all the other things floating around in my head.....

And well-wishes written on handmade paper and strung along a make-shift clothesline is so romantic!!!! Pollyanna- here I come!

Here's a few pics of what I've found to fuel my creative fires! somebody call 911! Shawty fire burnin' on the dance floor! Whoa-oh-oh!

First of all- this issue of Martha Stewart Weddings has been my all time FAVORITE and is serving as a nice guidebook for me to put pics with my thoughts!

I'm very specific about the photography and the style and I want. These are some photos I've loved from the photographers I'll probably choose.

Knowing that my budget is just about squat to negative squat, I don't want to spend my money on real flowers. However, I have discovered (through Martha) an artist that makes bouquets out of fabric- YES! that's right! And when I discovered that she has a blog through which some of her techniques are shared- I was sold! My crafty friends and I could certainly do this!

And for the reception I envision a grand af"fair" complete with bbq, funnel cake, cotton candy, sparklers and fireflies! I only hope that my June date is not so smoldering hot that my guests melt before they have a chance to enjoy themselves. AND that my venue will burst forth with enough electricity that I can actually pull this romantic summer's eve ambience and lighting off!

EUPHORIA

2009-08-17T19:46:00.000-07:00

Oh my starry eyed surprise! The Lord has blessed me with such sweetness this summer, I can't say that I'm doing a good job of containing my joy!

August 1- just days into teacher orientation at my new job, Brandon Douglas Fox knelt down in the sand on North Island and asked me to be his bride!

August 10-15- I completed my first official week as a School library Media Specialist at Greenwood Elementary School as i started back with the rest of the teachers and staff there. I did more work in that week than I ever imagined and I loved every minute of it!

August 17 (today)- the rest of this year- I will begin to teach these precious little people how to use a library and why books are so fun and necessary!

So LET THE PLANNING BEGIN! And be-lieve me, it already has! I'm going to try my best to post progress reports! Then one day I can look back.... ahhhhh! And re-live it all over again!

YAY! I'm getting married!

a sweet alternative

2009-07-28T16:14:00.000-07:00

It's been a really good summer, to say the very least. Especially right now since I'm kind of in between jobs and actually able to enjoy a day or two of freedom.

But it is hot! I mean sticky, sweaty, humid-ly hot! Good ole' South Carolina hotness!

And unfortunately, summer school classes have not afforded me much time for any really good, regular workout schedule.... so I've been a tad lax in that department. Sue me. I know to call a spade a spade, or in this case, a spare a spare (and we're speaking tires here). So I'm thankful that I'm re-establishing some type of schedule that includes the necessary gym time.

Meanwhile, this hotness makes me wanna eat all the cold stuff I can get my hands on! Particularly cereal. Here are my all time favs! And I'm convinced they're gonna get me through shedding these few acquired lbs if I eat them in place of one meal a day, in moderation with skim, 1%, or soy milk of course...

I would even venture to say that:

I like these cereals SO much, that they could actually deter me from eating, say.... this-

But not for very long. So I had better get to the gym, 'cause I'm planning on making this puppy real soon!

Gone to Old Ken-Tuck!

2009-07-23T20:19:00.000-07:00

As of July 16th, I am no longer employed by the Florence County Library. Scary.

I begin my new job at Greenwood Elementary as their Media Specialist. Even SCARIER!

I'm really shaking in my booties about it if I stop to think about all the stuff I don't know and the fact that I have not the slightest idea of where to start! Of course I am extremely excited about this because it's basically my dream job- the reason I've been sweatin' to the oldies to get my masters and now the reason I'm bout to claw my eyes out to finish certification.

But right now that is all beside the point. I'm trying to have a vacation here!

So, I rather purposefully ended my time at the library with a couple weeks to to spare before beginning my new job. And naturally I planned a bajillion things to do during those two weeks that I somehow fooled myself into thinking I could actually do all of it.

I'm doing as much as I can.

Visiting my dear Beth Parker Jackson was on top of the priority list since I hadn't seen her in more than a two-year minute! Especially since she'd gone and gotten all preggy-fied and had a precious daughter, Madison Anne, who, by the way, loves her Nonnie as much as they rest of my chillins do! Here's a mere representation of love that was our grand reunion and my introduction to Maddie.

What a refreshing blessing to visit such a dear friend who I have not only watched grow into a spiritual warrior woman, but also a wonderfully creative, proud, loving mother, wife, and missionary. How precious to see her grow and to feel growth because of her presence and her influence in my life. Thanks Beteh!

Red, White & Bunting!

2009-06-30T11:44:00.000-07:00

Oh, summertime! How I crave thee and your hot, sweaty Patriotism...

Being ecstatic that I had (past tense now, unfortunately) no class for a week and that I enjoyed some vacation time in honor of the 4th of July, I choose now to highlight some of the very best of all things summer!

In no particular order, the following are a few of my favorite bits and baubles of the past few days:

OPI "A Oui Bit of Red" nail polish

Hebrew National JUMBO beef franks- my favorite!

Fireworks over Winyah Bay in Georgetown, SC

Homemade blueberry ice cream!!!

& last but not least...

a lazy hammock and a beautiful day at the beach.

Freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), yeah freedom!

2009-06-29T21:15:00.000-07:00

Sing it with me now! I'm free for a week! Got no classes, got no homework, got one more day of work and then I'm out de doh!

Summertime ain't summertime unless I've read my annual Nicholas Sparks. Not that he's my all time fav. author, but his are the epitome of a good beach read. Now, I won't be found at the beach this week, but I can be found rollin' (whoo!) rollin' (whoo!) rollin' on the river! come the weekend! Here's the one I've chosen:

Nothing says summer like a sky full of stars, a tall pine, and the glowing lights of a ferris wheel! Of course, we all assume this is the ferris wheel from the Family Kingdom (or the Pavillion, may it rest in peace) in Myrtle Beach! At any rate- I'm free to read whatever I please this week- and nobody will ask me to analyze it in a 4-6 page paper with cited resources! Yay!

This cover also alludes to an idea or ten I've had floating around in my head for weeks now, so I'm very excited to see how the it all comes together... Maybe I'll get some good ideas from the story!

Ahhhhh, I love the taste of freedom....

Oh- those summer nights!

2009-06-11T20:37:00.000-07:00

Of course I posted all about graduating recently and having my masters. The rest of the story is that I am continuing to get my certification, because apparently you must be a certified teacher in order to be a School Media Specialist in SC and most of the US. So once again, this is me, night after night, lecture after lecture, one sleepy eye after the other....

Both summer sessions as well as the coming fall semester, one will find me sitting on my bed, in front of my Mac and trying to watch, pay attention, and focus on the education classes at hand. After those are finished, I can actually do my internships and get some on-the-job training, if you will.

As the night wears on...

I fade....

just as I do as I realize just how much MORE time stands between me....

and obtaining certification.

What a small price to pay for fulfilling your dreams, right?

Right.

ESFJ

2009-05-31T20:39:00.000-07:00

ESFJ - "Seller". Most sociable of all types. Nurturer of harmony. Outstanding host or hostesses. 12.3% of total population.

Take Free Myers-Briggs Personality Test

Per my reading of "The Meade Feed' I chose to take a few minutes and find/ take a Myers-Briggs personality test online just to see if I was still the same as I have been when I've taken it in the past. I cannot exactly remember what my other test scores revealed, but I do know that they were along these same lines....

I don't necessarily agree with the description of "seller," because in most cases, I steer clear of any situation in which I am depended on to sell. However, I do like to be a part of things (i.e. clubs, organizations, groups) and therefore rather enjoy "selling" those to other people and getting them to join with me.

Here's a very in depth description (well, some of the highlights at least) of all that I am supposed to be as an ESFJ:

Portrait of an ESFJ - Extraverted Sensing Feeling Judging: (Extraverted Feeling with Introverted Sensing)
The Caregiver

As an ESFJ, your primary mode of living is focused externally, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit in with your personal value system. Your secondary mode is internal, where you take things in via your five senses in a literal, concrete fashion.

ESFJs are people persons - they love people. They are warmly interested in others. They use their Sensing and Judging characteristics to gather specific, detailed information about others, and turn this information into supportive judgments. (In fact, I do!) They want to like people, and have a special skill at bringing out the best in others. They are extremely good at reading others, and understanding their point of view. The ESFJ's strong desire to be liked and for everything to be pleasant makes them highly supportive of others. People like to be around ESFJs, because the ESFJ has a special gift of invariably making people feel good about themselves. (What a nice thing to say!)

The ESFJ takes their responsibilities very seriously, and is very dependable. They value security and stability, and have a strong focus on the details of life. (I do LOVE me some details!)

ESFJs are warm and energetic. They are very giving people, who get a lot of their personal satisfaction from the happiness of others. They want to be appreciated for who they are, and what they give. They're very sensitive to others, and freely give practical care. ESFJs are such caring individuals, that they sometimes have a hard time seeing or accepting a difficult truth about someone they care about. (Yes, this has happened to me more than once.)

With Extraverted Feeling dominating their personality, ESFJs are focused on reading other people. They have a strong need to be liked, and to be in control. They are extremely good at reading others, and often change their own manner to be more pleasing to whoever they're with at the moment. (I don't claim that these are all healthy behaviors...)

The ESFJ's value system is defined externally. They usually have very well-formed ideas about the way things should be, and are not shy about expressing these opinions. However, they weigh their values and morals against the world around them, rather than against an internal value system. They may have a strong moral code, but it is defined by the community that they live in, rather than by any strongly felt internal values. (As much as I would like to deny this, unfortunately it does ring very true for me. Luckily, I also try to allow Jesus to be my "community.")

ESFJs who have had the benefit of being raised and surrounded by a strong value system that is ethical and centered around genuine goodness will most likely be the kindest, most generous souls who will gladly give you the shirt off of their back without a second thought.

All ESFJs have a natural tendency to want to control their environment. Their dominant function demands structure and organization, and seeks closure. ESFJs are most comfortable with structured environments. They're not likely to enjoy having to do things which involve abstract, theoretical concepts, or impersonal analysis. They do enjoy creating order and structure, and are very good at tasks which require these kinds of skills. ESFJs should be careful about controling people in their lives who do not wish to be controlled. (This has actually been on my mind lately!)

ESFJs respect and believe in the laws and rules of authority, and believe that others should do so as well. They're traditional, and prefer to do things in the established way, rather than venturing into unchartered territory. Their need for security drives their ready acceptance and adherence to the policies of the established system. This tendency may cause them to sometimes blindly accept rules without questioning or understanding them.

ESFJs incorporate many of the traits that are associated with women in our society. However, male ESFJs will usually not appear feminine at all. On the contrary, ESFJs are typically quite conscious about gender roles and will be most comfortable playing a role that suits their gender in our society. Male ESFJs will be quite masculine (albeit sensitive when you get to know them), and female ESFJs will be very feminine. (Interesting!)

ESFJs at their best are warm, sympathetic, helpful, cooperative, tactful, down-to-earth, practical, thorough, consistent, organized, enthusiastic, and energetic. They enjoy tradition and security, and will seek stable lives (oh how true that rings! I so long for a stable, rich life!) that are rich in contact with friends and family.

I venture to say that much, well, almost all of it, is true- mainly because I left out the untrue parts. Perhaps I should have left them and let you all judge for yourselves? Which brings me to this: Do you all agree that I am an ESJF?

A sluggish, ruggish bone...

2009-05-30T13:15:00.000-07:00

Oh dude! I have eaten so much in the past week and now that it's catching up to me.... can I just put a treadmill by my bed and go at it 'til I pass out? Now I remember why I practice CONTROL most of the time! I guess it takes a week like this every now and then to help me, lest I forget!

On a serious note? I love it when I feel God fighting for me!
All those times I feel a twinge of guilt for my thoughts,
or catch myself not quite being the salt of the earth,
or realize that the frustrated words of choice are more often made up of only four letters......
those are all signals to me that He is there!

He's right there by my side every day, every step of the way. He is nudging me, reminding me that I need Him, that I am not so nice and not so selfless and not so Christ-minded when left to my own devices. And while it makes me feel so ashamed at myself for not being stronger against these things that I do not want to be known for, I rejoice in the fact that He has not left me to rot. He loves me inspite of all my faults and failures- and inspite of the fact that I outright forget who I am and who He is sometimes!

And he fights for me! He fights to keep me by His side, regardless of all the mess that I make!

I love that. And I am so incredibly THANKFUL for His presence in my life.

Time goes by...

2009-05-20T10:29:00.001-07:00

Last week, in the midst of so many other festivities, my little niece Larkin Rose, turned 1! I can't believe it has been a whole year since she was so small and precious!

Now look at her! So pretty and poised with her little pink bow. Isn't she the Pink of Perfection?

And then there's the cutest squishy-nosed grin around! Yes, she is going to be a handful! And I can't wait to see all the messes she gets into for my brother's sake!

Time goes by so quickly sometimes...

I'm a REAL Librarian!

2009-05-14T10:44:00.000-07:00

This past Friday I hustled three blocks up Lincoln Ave. in Columbia, made my way through the passel of other graduates in their black robes and degree hoods, found seat number 324 and sat my tucas down to await my turn to walk behind my colleagues to the front stage of Colonial Life Arena, receive my squirt of hand sanitizer and then shake President Pastides hand as a real Librarian! Now they didn't play Pomp and Circumstance, and we didn't get to march in or out, but I'm stiall a graduate, nonetheless!

The current look I am aspiring to achieve:

She would make an excellent librarian.
"Hon, don't make me take my bun down! Do NOT make me take these bobby pins out! Now- who's ready for storytime?!"

Totally thinking about catching the WAVE!

2009-05-05T20:25:00.001-07:00

.... the Firm WAVE, that is!

Saw the infomercial this weekend and while I am not a very big fan of infomercials- I am a big fan of the Firm!

Besides that, I have this major pooch-pocket on the front of my abdomen, and I really think this might target my core, tighten and tone those muscles, and make me not look like I'm the mother of 3- because FYI for those who don't know me- I'm not. Not even close!

I think this lady claims to have a passle of yungins' or something! Anyway, my house is like 175 years old. Every move you make literally makes it shake, rattle and roll. The washing machine on spin cycle does a real number on it; any jewelry I have hanging sounds like wind chimes in a hurricane! So imagine me trying to do some actual exercise video like dance or Zumba!

I do have a gym membership and I LOVE it! But I need something to do if I, say, don't want to go to the gym that day, or I want to workout when the gym's not open. With this whole rocking motion, keep your core tight so you don't fall off and hurt yourself bit, I think it would be an excellent tool!

Trick is.... you gotta use it!

Oh boy!

2009-05-02T09:36:00.000-07:00

So, took my final exam yesterday, finished commenting on our final projects this morning: FINALLY! I can celebrate the official end of my semester!

To speed up the process, I have already tried celebrating the unofficial, the semi-official, the almost official, and the not quite official endings. And it seems like it took forever to get here.

But it did!

And now I will graduate! And keep on working towards certification...

Anyway, to really make this end official, I decided to do something I have not had the time nor the energy to do recently. I cooked dinner! On my way home from taking said final exam, I called B-man to see what he might be in the mood for. Thinking that surely, since it was a special occasion and all, he would ask for something romantic: pasta or steak or grilled chicken and spinach salad with toasted pecans and cranberries. You know, something like this:

Guess what he asked for?
- chicken fried chicken
- homemade mashed potatoes
- green beans

Essentially, he wanted Cracker Barrel. And since I had not obliged his taste buds in quite sometime I said, "sure!" even though I've never made chicken friend chicken before in my life...

But it turned out GREAT! I pounded those chicken breasts, soaked them in buttermilk and Frank's hot sauce, covered them with a mixture of flour and Sauer's 'Soul Seasoning' and fried 'em up in the iron skillet with some EVOO. When Brandon came in the door with the exhaust fan on high and the smokey smell of frying grease filling the air he said, "Oh boy!"

Now granted, it did NOT look like this:

But it still got raving reviews! Especially when I surprised him by picking up some breaded fried okra too! I even made brown gravy for the taters and chicken! (figured I could save at least some calories by not using white)

For dessert- cherry turnovers! Yum-O!

feelin' funky

2009-04-16T20:20:00.000-07:00

oh dear.

graduation approaches but not fast enough. i'm tired of the fight but won't dare quit now. the "little things" are taking over my list, growing it to a full length page and a half. it's spring break and everyone seems to be in such hap-happy moods. kids are going nuts, running into the library at full speed and leaving me feeling trashed. that's how i feel this week,

trashed.

but that's what i get from trying to do this alone. Lord, forgive me. set me free.

until this week there were two of my grandmother's siblings still living. tuesday my aunt juanita passed away from complications caused by pneumonia. from a recent post you know that i have been remembering my grandma a good bit lately with the weather and her favorite time of year in full bloom. this week i feel as if i lost another piece of her, one more person who could help me remember. my family all says that i looked most like my grandma - and grandma looked most like juanita. somehow that brought me closer to her with a stronger kinship than some of the others.

it seems that the more "greats" you have to add to describe a family relationship often translates as distance. many assume that great-great grandparents are not as close to heart as great-grandparents, and that they are not as close as grandparents. but some families are quite the opposite when we are taught to hold those with more "greats" even closer and more dear because of their seniority.

i was raised in part by fifteen great aunts and uncles on my dad's side alone. they lived in the same community, shared and farmed the same land they had inherited from their parents, cooked the same great food year after year, and scolded us with the same hearts they loved us with. and just within the past three years their numbers have dwindled leaving now only one set; my grandma's youngest sister and her husband.

how can one feel the excitement of a life just beginning in the same beat as the deep sorrow of losing so much.

my family dwindles.

my mood fluctuates.

it's a funk i hope to shake soon.

here's a few words from one of my granny's favorites:

"rock of ages cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee"

let me just hide for awhile and i'll be good to go.

Sweet Bunny Tales

2009-04-13T21:17:00.000-07:00

This sweet little girl loves to ANNOUNCE! It's her newest thing follow all phrases and sentences up with, "erry-body!"

And so- this was how our Easter sounded:

"I'm here erry-body!"

"I got my basket erry-body!"

"Say grace erry-body!"

"Let's play erry-body!"

"Dye Easter eggs erry-body!"

HAPPY EASTER ERRY-BODY!

My Tide Pen has failed me....

2009-04-13T21:06:00.000-07:00

Excuse the boob shot, but I don't think my followers amount to more than women right now anyway.

The dreaded spot on the clean, BRAND NEW, essential white tee. A purchase, which was made, need I even say it, because of another spot on ANOTHER essential white tee. I could feed a family off the money I spend on essential white tees- and still not have one without a spot!

The Tide pen that is designed to save us from all that embarrassment and unnecessary spending? FAILED.

The end. Back to Target.

I thought I loved you then...

2009-04-07T05:43:00.000-07:00

I've been loving it when my blogger-friends do flashback posts! No matter what the topic is or how far "back" goes, I just love memories.

This is one of my personal favs.

For our first "real" date (we hung out with friends and family a lot before he actually took me somewhere and paid for it :0)), we took a trip in the old '68 Convertible up at the Waccatee Zoo in Conway, SC. If you have never heard of it, or been for a visit, let me tell you- it is a diamond in the rough! The animals are spunky, yet seemingly out of place. You know they're treated well, but the lion is quite temperamental and tends to spray his guests. One of the monkey's threw peanuts at us. The entire trip was HIGH-larious!

In general, the setting was practically as awkward as we felt; holding hands in public for the first time, just having become "official" the night before... such sweet memories! I'm so glad Christy took and sent me this picture!

A thought.

2009-04-05T20:38:00.000-07:00

Gorgeous Spring days like the one we had yesterday trigger such wave of my senses. It seems to bring me out of hibernation and give me some new found hope that I didn't even realize I needed. But we can always use a little hope and it's always a welcomed feeling, even if I was stuck at work all day.

This was my Granny's favorite time of year. She loved Easter and blooming flowers, going to the flower show and touring the neighborhoods to see all the Azaleas in their magnificent colors.

Even though it's been awhile,

even though her apartment no longer smells like her,

even though it's not nearly as hard as it was to think of her without crying,

I still miss her so much on days just like this one.

My sweet Brandon suggested that we plant something in memory of her this Spring; perhaps for Mother's Day, he said. What a great idea!

So I'm looking for Japanese tulip seedlings... she thought those were just wonderful!

rain, rain..... oh, bother

2009-04-02T07:08:00.000-07:00

I have about a kamillion things to do at lunch including, but not limited to: returns, errands, eating, and various other tasks made much, much less pleasant in the rain...

How then will I accomplish all these things without the trusty umbrella I apparently do NOT have in my car any longer?

I'm gonna have to get one of those funny plastic bonnet-hats my granny used to wear. You just tie it up under the chin and go on about your business- until you get inside and realize just how ridiculous you look!

Oh, Granny. Wish you were here...

Reverse fx of coffee and... Taking the plunge!

2009-04-01T14:24:00.000-07:00

Who here- has experienced these reverse effects of coffee:

........ after your second cup, which is equivalent perhaps to 3 & 1/2 because of how humongously LARGE they are, you actually start yawning!

Have I become immune for the day?!

What's up with that?!

With that said- I've been contemplating the idea of "my" blog for several weeks now. I'll go ahead and put it out there, I was worried my thoughts might not be fun enough for the whole blog world. But after many weeks of standing on the sidelines, I'm taking the plunge!

I wanna be like you guys!

2007-12-21T10:36:00.000-08:00

So I've been looking at all my friends' blogs and getting a whole lot less done at work, you all know how that goes. But I really wanted to start one myself. I'm almost over myspace and I can't quite get into facebook cause too many people give me snowmen and Christmas trees and crazy icons to add like "hug a tree" or "be a tree" or whatever. I just can't keep up!
I figured maybe this would be a better way to keep in touch with people I haven't talked to lately- i.e. all those ADPis that are poppin' out babies like whoa! Congrats to all of them, by the way! Their families are all so cute (I mean the ones wihtout babies too) and reading all these little entries makes me miss 'em. I mean, I'm a writer! I can do this!

As a quick up-to-date on my life, I'm a Children's Library Associate at the Drs. Bruce & Lee Foundation Library in Florence. My job is outreach to the branches in our system; taking our programs to them when they can't come to us. So I do story times all week! I travel to the branches, local elementary schools and daycares and ride along on the BookMobile to do storytimes for the kids. And I LOVE IT! It's quite a fun job to have while I'm in grad. school trying to get my Masters in Library Science in order to be the real "lady behind the desk." My hope is to be the Media Specialist in an elementary school one day and be back in the school system working 7:30-4pm with 2 &1/2 week long Christmas vacations and summers off!
Meanwhile I still write monthly for She! Magazine and I'm dating the sweetest, most wonderful man, who just happens to be the brother-in-law of one of my best friends in the whole world, Retta Fox. I tell ya, God is so gracious and He provides for so much more than I could ever have asked for! I love my life and the people in it!

Can't wait to catch up with you guys! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

ANNA-logies

a little flower power!

Christmas in Dixie....(sing it with me now!)

Tis the Season!

my all time favs!

sneak peak!

Halloween's been reduced...

Pave' Maria.

My "fair" lady... and gentleman!

Not quite according to plan...

Three little pumpkins sitting on a gate.....

dress shopping saturday! Coming up!

yes.. yes... yes... no

LOVE it!

What a dress!!!

DOWN-grade!

small favors...

ahhhhhhh! I LOVE planning!

EUPHORIA

a sweet alternative

Gone to Old Ken-Tuck!

Red, White & Bunting!

Freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), yeah freedom!

Oh- those summer nights!

ESFJ

Portrait of an ESFJ - Extraverted Sensing Feeling Judging: (Extraverted Feeling with Introverted Sensing)The Caregiver

A sluggish, ruggish bone...

Time goes by...

I'm a REAL Librarian!

Totally thinking about catching the WAVE!

Oh boy!

feelin' funky

Sweet Bunny Tales

My Tide Pen has failed me....

I thought I loved you then...

A thought.

rain, rain..... oh, bother

Reverse fx of coffee and... Taking the plunge!

I wanna be like you guys!

Portrait of an ESFJ - Extraverted Sensing Feeling Judging: (Extraverted Feeling with Introverted Sensing)
The Caregiver