The Sassy Steel Magnolia
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  • December27th

    3 Comments

    Hi. Remember me, Jennie B? I’m still here! I just ….. took a slight, unplanned hiatus. Here’s a brief – very brief – summary of what has kept me away from you these last few weeks of 2011:

    Thanksgiving: I spent Thanksgiving down in Tampa visiting family. It was honestly one of the best Thanksgivings I’ve had since College. I arrived at Uncle’s house at about 9 Wednesday night and stayed up with my Aunt talking about life till 4 a.m.. I was able to hang out with my cousins, who I absolutely adore, and their lil one – Baby G – and be completely stress and care free. My Aunt is a very wise woman who I can talk to about anything, and my Uncle is one of my all time favorite people. I cherish every opportunity I have to even sit in the room with them so you can imagine how wonderful it was for me to spend a couple of days at their house.

    The next week was full of preparations for the following week….

    The first week of December: My work had a huge Open House on December 6th. Huge. We’re talking 170 people. It was a great success! I was a bit tired from running around all night snapping photos and updating our online media. It was the first year I’d been on the working side as the last two years I’d been as a guest. Completely different! Good stuff either way. That Friday night was the annual King Street Shop Walk I always do with Duchess. A night of cocktails and shopping – the perfect girl’s night out – unfortunately ended with both of us getting food poisoning from a restaurant downtown. No bueno. I was out of commission the entire weekend after that.

    After that it was non-stop all the way. I found myself with a terrible little head cold due to the sudden weather changes in this city by the sea, a fundraising event to attend, preparing for the Christmas Holiday (which included figuring out my travel plans, gifts, etc.), and ….

    packing to move into a new apartment! That’s right – I’m moving to a new apartment and I’m so very exhaustingly excited about it!

    Let me back up a bit on this one. The Sunday before Thanksgiving I discovered a former roommie of mine was in need of a new place and on the fast.  The Monday before Thanksgiving we started our joint search. The Tuesday before Thanksgiving we went and looked at a place which we immediately determined we would make ours. We both left for Florida the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. The Monday after Thanksgiving we meet Landlord Jim and his wife Sarah and sign the lease. It was a crazy whirl-wind of a week but once it was said and done and things were in ink, I couldn’t stop smiling from being on Cloud 9! I have lived in the same duplex since moving here to this city by the sea nearly 4 1/2 years ago. It was time for me to move. And the new place ….. is amazing! Two minutes to Sullivan’s Island, five minutes to the Interstate I take to get to work – amazing.

    So yes, you can imagine things have been quite hectic lately. In the past four months I’ve started a new job, started moving into a new apartment, and soon it will be a new year and I’ll be a new age, and holy cannoli – I’m hardly going to recognize my life! Last week I did start to get a little lost with everything going on, mixed with worrying if I would have enough time to get everything done and manage to see everyone for the Holiday and so on. I drove the 11 1/2 hour drive to my home town in West Tennessee on Christmas Eve (woke up at 5:30 a.m.) and as soon as I hit publish on this post, I’ll be out the door and on my way to Nashville to spend the day with two of my brothers, two sisters, and two nephews. (Actually that’s 1 brother, 1 sister-in-law, two nephews, 1 sister, and 1 brother-in-law) And then Wednesday morning it’s back on the road to my city by the sea to finish up the move.

    Whew. I’m kinda tired from just thinking about all of that! But in the end it’s all worth it, and I don’t think my Holidays have ever (or will ever) be any different. Remember …. my life is a bit of a circus ;)

    So that’s where I’ve been lately. I hope you all enjoyed your Holiday and are looking forward to the new year! Before I head East to Nash-vegas I thought I’d share a few pictures my Aunt and godmother, Mary Jo, sent for me. One is of me and my Grandpa Joe and the other is just to show you that apparently I’ve never been able to control the lion king situation that is my hair.

       

    I’ll be back soon, promise!

    love & magic, jennie b

  • October24th

    1 Comment

    source

    Putting too much pressure on yourself can cause premature wrinkles.

    Ease up a bit.

    It’s all about perspective.

    { happy monday }

    __

    When you need a little more than a smile or a cup of tea to get your week in motion, the Sassy Starter will be here every Monday to get your wheels turnin’ in a classy – sassy – fabulous sort of way.

  • October18th

    2 Comments

    confession.

    Posted in: Random

    Last night I gave myself one of the greatest gifts a blogger can give herself.

    Yes, I gave myself the gift of Internet at Home. Something I have not had for the past 4 months. That is my confession. I am a blogger who has not had internet access at her house for the past 4 months. I’m slightly embarrassed by that. But – the situation has now been resolved!

    Whew. Let’s get this bloggin’ situation back on track now.

    ps: I’m writing this post while lounging in bed. Oh how I’ve dearly missed blogging from bed. It’s one of the simple things in life I truly do enjoy.

  • August8th

    2 Comments

    Because sometimes you just need a good chuckle on a Monday…..

    [ source ]

    …. and a picture of two ninja prairie dogs fits the bill every time.

    *and we all deserve a little silly laugh every now and then.

    __

    When you need a little more than a smile or a cup of tea to get your week in motion, the Sassy Starter will be here every Monday to get your wheels turnin’ in a classy – sassy – fabulous sort of way

  • June9th

    1 Comment

    Why is a ship a “she”?

    We always call a ship a “she” and not without a reason.
    For she displays a well-shaped knee regardless of the season.
    She scorns the man whose heart is faint and doesn’t show him pity.
    And like a girl she needs the paint to keep her looking pretty.

    For love she’ll brace the ocean vast, be she a gig or cruiser.
    But if you fail to tie her fast you’re almost sure to lose her.
    On ships and dames we pin our hopes, we fondle them and dandle them.
    And every man must know his ropes or else he cannot handle them.

    Be firm with her and she’ll behave when skies are dark above you.
    And let her take a water wave – praise her, and she’ll love you.
    That’s why a ship must have a mate; she needs a good provider.
    A good strong arm to keep her straight, to comfort her and guide her.

    For such she’ll brace the roughest gales and angry seas that crowd her.
    And in a brand new suit of sails no dame looks any prouder.
    The ship is like a dame in that she’s feminine and swanky;
    You’ll find the one that’s broad and fat is never mean and cranky.

    Yes ships are ladylike indeed, for take them altogether
    the ones that show a lot of speed can’t stand the roughest weather.

    (Author unknown)

    *This poem was sent to my by a co-worker. Living in this charming little city by the sea it makes me giggle. So what do you think? Based on this sailor’s poem, would you call a ship a “she”, too?