Guess what. . .

Zach graduates TOMORROW! Then it's only ONE MORE MONTH until we move back to Saint Augustine and start a new chapter in our life together. So fun. So exciting. 


Love you and miss you all.

Sinko Day Mayonnaise

 Hi there. Let's just dive in shall we? A while ago one of my coworkers, Mary, gave me a ton of art supplies that her father left to her. Both of her parents passed away way before their time and she was left with a lot of things she had no use for. Then she found out that I loved to paint and draw and do creative things so she let me have the art supplies. It was extremely generous and thoughtful of her. In return I would make something for her. I always get nervous about making things for other people because I want the end result to be so good and I don't want them to be disappointed, etc. So it took me a couple of months to get something on paper. I painted one thing, then decided it was too bright and playful. . .or something. It wasn't right. Then I decided it would be nice if I was able to draw/paint a picture of her with her parents. So that's what I did. Just in case she secretly thought it was too weird or whatever I also painted her some flowers. 

 This past week Zach and I have been dog sitting for our good friends the McNeals. Little Clancy has been a lot of fun to have around. Scooby and Clancy have so much fun together. And by that I mean Scooby loves to rub up against Clancy while he just stands really still hoping that Scooby will just leave him alone. Scooby just wants to cuddle. 

Scooby loves Clancy

Autumn also loves Clancy.

Zach and I saw The Avengers on Saturday morning. The theater was insanely packed for a Saturday morning. The movie was so amazing. Everyone should go see it, immediately. Saturday night it was time to celebrate Cinco De Mayo! Katie and I went to a thrift store to find some costumes. I ended up finding the one (mini) sombrero left and Katie ended up with a skirt and some sweet boots. That night we headed over to our friends and had such a fun time. I love guacamole and corn salsa more and more everyday. 

Zach was the best Mexican.

I let him wear my "Sombrero".

Wild n crazy seminary party!

Katie didn't like somesing. . . . 

. . . but now she's the happiest. She borrowed Kurts "Poncho"

"Look Mexican."

We had a blast last night. I wish our friends were available to hang out every single night so we could party year round. Today we slept in and then I ran some errands to pick up some craft supplies! One of my coworkers asked me if I knew about Chan Luu bracelets. I had seen them but I didn't know the fancy label name and I also didn't realize how dang expensive they were! But I did like them so I decided to make one! 

I really like the way it turned out and I think I am going to make another one with smaller beads. So easy and so cheap! I also had a couple of white shirts I wanted to die so for a bit, our kitchen sink looked like it was filled with blood. 

So bloody. . .  

We'll see how those turn out later. . . I have a feeling they are going to be a bit spotty because the directions said to "stir for 30 to 60 minutes" bah yeah right. 


OK well, that's all for now. 


Miss you and love you all. 

Fun Times

Flowers I picked on the side of the road A WEEK AGO.

I love weekends. Especially when Zach doesn't have an overwhelming amount of work due on Monday. Seeing how the next few weekends are our last here, Zach and I are going to try and make the most out of them. This weekend consisted of date night, Communiversity, and yummies. And then there's still tomorrow!

It was about time for another car picture. 

For date night Zach and I went to Hopewell for Nomads pizza. Oh man, so so good. There happen to also be about 35 (10) 10 year old girls at the table next to us which was a bit overwhelming. I didn't really mind, but I'm pretty sure that's because I was enjoying a delicious bottle of red wine. 

After dinner Zach and I headed next door to Twine, a ridiculously cute store, then home. I walked around the block to ward off the hellish fullness of my belly while Zach started on his nap. After naptime we watched "Oliver & Company". I had never seen it and Zach hadn't seen it since we was a little kid. Cute movie. 

Playing in Twine

Zach's the fullest.

Today we slept in and I eventually emerged from our bedroom in need of some coffee and breakfast. I decided to make a brussel sprout and ham quiche and man was it delicious. After breakfast and doing more of Saturday nothingness Zach and I headed to Communiversity. Once we got home Zach had to get ready for the Hub. I headed over to Ruths and enjoyed some delicious homemade chicken soup and then came back home. Tonight Katie is going to come over for another paint session. So fun. 


Miss you and love you all. 

Found This

Good Times

Well, it's been a while and a bit too much has happened. Clearly though I am about to catch you (that's right all of you) up to speed on what's been a'happenin in the Grant Household. We shall begin at the Carly/Harper wedding. Back in May Zach and I drove all the way down to Tampa for my dear (all the way back from elementary school) friend Carly Chastain's wedding.   The ceremony was held at a church right on our street so Zach and I were able to walk to the ceremony and then to Beef O' Bradys--on the other side of the street-- for the reception. Zach and I made it through the vows of the ceremony but then we had to run home because my zipper split pretty much right when I sat down and turned to have Zach look at the back of my arm. Awesome. It was such a cute dress too! So so disappointing. Anywho, we went home and changed into a different dress and then continued to Beefs. I love attending weddings of people  I went high school (and below) with. It's always so great to see everyone and laugh and dance and play. We definitely had a grand ol' time. 

After the wedding Zach drove back to New Jersey all by his lonesome. Yes, he's amazing and I love him. He had to be at school Monday morning. I stayed in Tampa and hung out with Cathy and then headed to Saint Augustine to be with my loves. Cally, Dani, and J-9 were at work during the day so I mainly went to the beach and wandered around town. I got tan again for the first time in way too long and it was absolutely wonderful. I felt like myself again. On Wednesday I drove to the farmhouse to spend some time with my Pop. On Thursday we drove down to Lakeland for a retirement function. It was fun seeing people I haven't seen since I was like 6 but I definitely got tired of hearing, "Man, I haven't seen you since you were this (holds hand to knee height) tall. yaddayaddayadda" But that's ok, I liked spending time with Dad and the drive was pretty. Dad and I fixed up the soaking tub so the girls and I could use it as a pool for our weekend o' fun. 

Europe

Then came the best weekend ever. So picture this, there's the farmhouse. Sitting all wonderful and quiet in the middle of nowhere. Random cats occasionally asking to be fed, birds chirping, NPR in the background. Baling Baling Baling *incoming text noise* Nicole: "Be there in 15 minutes." Me: "Really? Where are you?!" Nicole: "Oh just on 90." Me: "OK see you in atleast 45 minutes." Nicole: "Nah---My GPS says I'll be there so soon!" 

~45 minutes later~

Nicole arrives and we laugh about how wrong her GPS was and how many times she passed by the house, then HALIE gets there! We immediately each grab a beer and try and settle into the coziness of the front porch. The mosquitoes didn't want to be bothered so they shooed us back inside. Slowly Jenni, Cally, Dani, and J-9 join us and we all laugh and hug and squeal with excitement for the weekend to come. 

That weekend was absolutely amazing. These girls make me feel like I am home. They are my best friends (plus the few that were unable to make it :( ) and I love them dearly. They are my sisters and I cannot imagine life without them. Sometimes I feel like I can be myself more around these girls than I can around my own family. And yes, Samantha Jones (from Sex and the City) these girls are my soul mates.

After returning back to good ol' New Jersey I had work and some doctor's appointments to look forward to. --I lose insurance in about 2 months so obviously. . . -- but then we got to celebrate our dear friend Kevin's birthday! YAY Kevin! So we went into NYC and visited the MOMI --Museum of Moving Image-- It was pretty awesome. We all walked around the museum for a bit, ate lunch at 5 Napkin Burger--delicious--and then walked around the museum a bit more. The guys went to see some 2 hour karate movie so Rae and I got manicures and headed back to the restaurant for some dranks. So fun. So necessary. 

All of the following pictures are courtesy Mrs. Rae McNeal. Sup playa.

This was actually a miniature set!

Playing old school Mario and Sonic!

nomnomnomnomnomnom

Dubbing over movie lines. Hysterical.

Just. . ..ya know. . . 

This was some type of art display. . . but also hand puppets!

Afterwards we went back to the McNeals for a bit of singing and piano playing and then we headed home for the night. Then it was time for Easter! I love the church we go to right now. Kingston United Methodist is such a sweet church. At the end of every service we all circle the pews and say the Lords Prayer and sing a hymn. It's wonderful and I love it. This Easter the McNeals, Shanti, and the Heinemans joined us for Easter Linner. It was delicious and amazing and I love my friends.

 

Making Zach his Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Kevin loves Scooby.

 And that was our lovely Easter. It's really something amazing when we are able to feel like we are surrounded by family even when ours is hundreds of miles away.


This past Monday night Zach and I were supposed to go to a Trenton Thunder baseball games. Unfortunately Zach was unable to attend because he had his first dress rehearsal for his play that night! Fortunately though my lovely friend Ruth was able to join me! We had so much fun asking ridiculous questions and eating delicious food. 

Ruth was saying something along the lines of, "Baseball!!"

Wednesday night we had Zach Senior Banquet. That's right. It was actually quite nice. The dinner was held in the campus dining hall and the professors along with the president of the Seminary served the meal. Zach is graduating so sooooon. For a more sentimental post on this event, see Rae's blog. 


Thursday night the McNeals and I went to see Zach perform in his play! Zach had been wanting to take part in the play at the Seminary since he began school up here. It's for class credit so Senior year is when it happened. He did so well! 

Waiting for the play to begin!

So fancy.

Also, at some point during that week, Katie and I managed to make state string art things! One of my co-workers, Kelly, is getting married so and we had a shower for her at work. I was excited to make a state-string-art-thing for her. Here she is with it:

Joysee!

So there's that! Kinda busy lately, but it's been great. Today and last night I took care of some homework and relaxed. 

So cozy and wonderful.

Who knows what next week will bring! Miss you and love you all!