I’ve read post after post and blog after blog of people who are excited for this weekend’s big holiday…CINCO DE MAYO!  There are so many cute decor ideas, margarita recipes, and pictures of taco bars floating around out there.  Pedro say ole!

Now don’t get me wrong.  I love Cinco de Mayo!  (To be fair, I love any reason to decorate and throw a party.)  But if you live in the South and love all things southern like me, you should be way more excited about another “holiday.”  Tomorrow is DERBY DAY!!!

I love love love the Kentucky Derby!  And over the last few years, we have made it a family tradition to have a little derby party.  We even bet on the horses and then have fun yelling cheering at the TV for those glorious 2 minutes.  Two years ago, I celebrated with my brother and his best friend at our parents’ house while dog-sitting.  We dressed up (me in my sundress and big hat, and the boys in their bow ties), played golf in the front yard, smoked cigars, ate yummy derby food and drank bourbon, and then had margaritas on the deck (it was Cinco de Mayo, after all!). 

Last year, derby day fell on my brother’s graduation, so I hosted a little derby pre-party before the graduation celebration.  I made baby hot browns, country ham mini biscuits, chicken salad, and mint juleps.  There was plenty of bourbon too, of course!  We all placed our bets, threw on our derby hats and bow ties, and cheered for our horse! 

But the best derby experience was when we went to the Carolina Cup in South Carolina a few years ago.  We got a bunch of friends and made the trip to Camden.  Thanks to our many years of tailgating experience, we did it right.  We had a tent, music, ladder golf, corn hole, and of course, derby food and drinks!  We had an amazing spread of chicken salad, pimento cheese, sausage balls, brownies, lemon squares, mint juleps, and Arnold Palmers!  Ok, so maybe it’s not all “traditional” fare, but it was good for traveling!

My ultimate goal is to get to the Kentucky Derby one day.  But until then, I can’t wait to host a derby party at our new house!!  Hopefully by May of next year, it will be looking good and ready for a party! 

Have a super “holiday” weekend!!

By the way, here’s the recipe for the hot browns, which I totally recommend!!  http://www.southernliving.com/food/holidays-occasions/kentucky-derby-day-party-00400000043969/page9.html

I “worked from home” yesterday, and was more productive than I’ve been in weeks!  Funny how that works out.    Check it out:

1.      Discuss plans with the contractor

2.      Set up an appointment with the electrician

3.      Set up an appointment with the HVAC company

4.      Set up an appointment with the alarm system company

5.      Take a couch nap

6.      Check on the status of our stolen pipes

7.      Call the clinic I go to about a billing issue

8.      Begin packing up the apartment

9.      Go through old magazines, and mark out names/addresses to donate them

10.  Go to yoga class

11.  Look for jobs for hubby

12.  Clean out closet and take a load to Goodwill

I’d say that’s a pretty productive day, considering that was my list for the entire week!  I talked at length with our contractor and he is very excited to be working with us and can’t wait to get started!  He even started checking things off the list yesterday, like applying for permits, ordering supplies, finding a fence repairman, etc.  I like this guy!  He is on top of it…which anyone who knows me knows that excites me!!  All of our books and DVDs are packed away, along with some other random items (including the gold dinos).  I ended the day with a yoga class that left me feeling refreshed, if not sweaty!

Also, I never told you the story of the stolen pipes…the quick and dirty of it is that someone kicked in the door to the basement and stole our copper piping, while the water was running.  Luckily, Charles and I dropped by to check out the yard and heard water running (thanks to the window that someone had busted out).  We discovered a foot of water in the basement and a completely shot hot water heater.  So we filed a police report and the bank is deciding if they want to fix it themselves or give us the money to do so.  We’ll see!  I’m just glad we happened to go by the house that day.  It could have been a lot worse!!

Countdown to closing:  9 DAYS!!!

Happy Friday, folks!  I’m so glad it’s finally here.  This week has seemed to drag on and on!  I think it’s this very confusing weather we’ve been having.  Can it please just be warm and springy already!?!  Unfortunately, this weekend is going to be cool, rainy, and gloomy.  BUT, I’m going to see My Fair Lady at our local theater on Saturday, so I’m excited about that!

So we got the news yesterday…we are OFFICIALLY scheduled to close on May 10th  at our lawyer’s office.  That’s only 2 weeks from today!!!  I could not be more excited!!  Stay tuned for lots of updates and stories…the real ride is about to begin! :)

Well, now that it is “official” I guess I can let the cat out of the bag…

As of Monday, May 13, I will officially be an ECU pirate.  No, I’m not going back to school–that would just be insane at this point!  I have taken a job with the Foundation there and I couldn’t be more excited to get this next chapter started!  Lots of big changes in this girl’s world!!  BUT…I will always be a Wolfpack girl.

Aaarrrggghhh! (ouch, that hurt a little.)

Hey yall!  I hope everyone had a great Earth Day!  I didn’t do anything “earthy” yesterday, but I did use gold spray paint.  What?  No correlation?  Oops!

I’ve seen the trend on Pinterest of spray painted toys.  Some are glued to jar lids, some are glued to bricks and used as door stoppers or book ends, and some are just used for fun.  I decided I’d try my hand at this, so I stopped by the dollar store and got a couple of cute little dinosaurs (for, of course, $1).  I already had gold metallic spray paint from another project.

I was planning to just jump in head first, but Charles suggested I “prep” the dinosaurs first.  He’s a smartie, that one.  He told me that the spray paint would stick a lot longer if I melt away the wax and then soaked them in alcohol.  Since I paid a precious penny for these guys, I wanted to make sure my creations would last! ;)

So, here’s the story….

1.  Buy your cute little toys, and play with them for a bit (if you’re me):

2.  Run a flame over the entire toy to melt off any wax:

3.  Soak the toy is rubbing alcohol:

4.  Go to town with the spray paint:

5.  Let dry and see your beautiful creation!  Plant on bookshelves, coffee tables, guest night stands, or anywhere else and you’re sure to have a great conversation starter!

Oh, and in case you aren’t totally convinced of my gold obsession, check out this iPhone cover I picked up yesterday:

BAM!!