A November to Remember

I spent my Thanksgiving break traveling to see family and friends in Maryland and Virginia. I was thrilled to be able to enjoy a 4 day holiday (a luxury I now realize I took for granted in college). After work on Wednesday, I drove to Richmond and stayed with Jessica. It was so nice to be able to split my 6 hour drive between two days, and I even managed to avoid a significant amount of traffic.


I continued my trek on Thursday morning and arrived at my aunt's house in Baltimore just shy of 1PM.  I barely had time to put my car in park before I was directed to follow the Milligan Family Caravan to Thanksgiving "dinner". It has been an ongoing joke between the grandchildren that Thanksgiving dinner reservations seem to get earlier and earlier each year. Four years ago we had dinner at 5PM, and two years ago we were seated at 3PM.  Like clockwork (pun intended) "dinner" was served at approximately 1:30PM this year.  Our Thanksgiving crowd consisted of a mere 13 relatives from Mom's side of the family.  Although that is large to some, my mother is the oldest of 6 children and I am one of 9 grandchildren. Our Thanksgiving meal usually involves 29 people offering a smorgasbord of meats, starches, and my personal favorite, pumpkin rolls.

Pumpkin Rolls!

Due to the dwindling crowd this year, my grandparents opted to make reservations at The Manor Tavern, a decision I was very happy with because I knew it meant no cooking for the parents and no clean-up duties for the "kids"!  At brunch/dinner, Mom was also able to entertain the family by ordering a wine flight which my Pop-Pop (baffled by the concept of small pours of white wine variations) aptly named, The Drinking Tree.  Feeling full and happy, I thanked my grandparents for the second breakfast and asked what time we would be eating dinner.

The Drinking Tree

The next day the women of the family headed to Towson Mall for the Black Friday sales. I courageously handed my keys to my 16 year old cousin Claire who was still basking in the glow of her freshly printed Learner's Permit.  I informed her that, although I would be throwing a soccer mom arm stop at the sight of every brake light, I thought she could use my expert driving tips (not entirely true, I don't like driving, especially in parking lots, especially in mall parking lots, ESPECIALLY in mall parking lots on Black Friday).  After finding a parking spot on the seventh floor, we (my car and its passengers) arrived safely. I applauded Claire on a job well done remembering the week I got my permit when I proceeded to run my Mom's car into a pole while attempting to park in a virtually empty parking garage.

On Saturday it was off to my home turf, Hampton, Virginia.  I accompanied Mom to a friend's cocktail party which she and Dad attended together every year on the Saturday following Thanksgiving.  There were quite a few people at the soiree and Dad's best friend treated the guests to a tribute song he had written in honor of my father. It was sad to not have him at the annual shindig, but I was glad to join in the celebration of friends and music with those who were closest to my father.

Making sure to cram as much fun as possible into my short stay, I joined some of my friends at the annual Oyster Roast at James River Country Club. There were about 200 people at the gathering and it was a blast from the past. I saw peers from high school, kids I used to babysit, parents, grandparents, you name it.  It is always so nice to be able to catch up with people who you have not seen in a while and to hear the wonderful things they are doing now that we have grown up, graduated, and joined the working force. Everyone was healthy and happy in their newfound cities and, I hope I get to see more of them this year! 

My fellow HRA Navigator's all grown up!

.....Must Have.....

Tired of forgetting what day your library book is due? Or debating whether your work presentation is on Tuesday or Wednesday?  Worse yet,  do you consistently fail to remember your mother's birthday? Get organized with Kate Spade's Jane Street Debra Pocket Organizer. Like the name implies, this calfskin planner is small enough to fit in your purse for quick accessibility when you need to jot down that important phone number or deadline. 

These chic agenda books include a weekly and monthly calendar, a ruler and tabbed sections for addresses, notes, restaurants and birthdays.  So get a head start on your New Year's Resolution and order your 2011 planner now. Who knew penciling in your annual teeth cleaning could be so fun, and fashionable! 

.....Must Hear.....

Phoenix "Rome"

DOGgone

After work on Friday I made my way to Knoxville where Will attends Law School.  With the holidays swiftly approaching (and exams for Will) we will be seeing less of each other over the next few weeks. That being said, I was happy to spend the last weekend with him before he moves into the library for the next two weeks.

The weather was beautiful and we went to Market Square and enjoyed the uncharacteristically warm November day.  We ate lunch outside and I feasted on Tomato Bisque and Grilled Cheese.



Yummy!



Market Square

After lunch, we went walking throught the square and I had to pet every dog I saw. I have been thinking about getting a dog.  My financial timeline is telling me wait until my first promotion but my animal loving side (which is winning) is saying NOW! I have always wanted a big dog. I grew up with a Golden Retriever (RIP Shammie) and am obsessed with Weimaraners but, city/apartment living is not conducive to raising large dogs. I have decided a small breed is more suitable and I have narrowed my choices down to a Mini Australian Shepherd or a Boston Terrier. 

However, after meeting the below "gentle giants" I considered waiting to get a dog until I could afford a house with a HUGE back yard. The miniature horses drew quite the crowd!

Mastiffs



Ben



Ranger


When I got home on Sunday I found a surprise in the mailbox.  A personalized Christmas card from Jess, courtesy of Snapfish. What a clever idea! Can you believe Thanksgiving is here and Christmas is a month away? How time flies......

.....Must Have.....

What is the first thing you notice when you walk into a home? For some people, it is the lighting, or the flooring, or the furniture.  For other people (like me) I notice the scent.  I have been hunting for a candle that is crisp yet fragrant, a blend of fresh and floral tones. While visiting a friend the other weekend I discovered Pottery Barn's "Paperwhite"candle which is infused with hints of  jasmine and gardenia. 

 

And in the spirit of Christmas, treat a friend to one of these festive Paperwhite Votives.  Half of the proceeds from each purchase are donated to St. Jude's Children Research Hospital.

.....Must Hear.....

Keane ft. K'naan "Stop for a Minute"



757 in the 704

Last weekend I had an amazing time having all of my college friends in town.  With a free weekend on the horizon, I contacted two of my closest childhood friends and asked if there was any chance that we could get together.  I was surprised and thrilled to find out that they both were sans plans, so on Friday we met up in beautiful Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Anne Cabot, a fellow Hampton native, has been a friend of mine since we were 10 years old.  I met her in Cotillion, something our parents forced us to attend every Friday night. Looking back, the weekly dancing lessons seemed more like an awkward speed dating service than a white gloved etiquette class.  We attended middle school and high school together, and then Anne Cabot went on to showcase her talents as a member of UVa's field hockey team. She now works in Charlotte as a Client Associate for Merrill Lynch.

As children, Emmy and I had the same tennis instructor and were instantly friends. After high school, Emmy went to the University of Georgia where she spent time interning for, you guessed it, Widespread Panic?! Fittingly, she majored in Music Business.  She now coordinates parties and books bands as an Event Planner for a swanky hotel in Athens. Not bad for 23! 

Ems, Cabs and I have remained close through the years and I was thrilled to find a weekend that would allow all of us to get together again. We spent the nights wining, dining, dancing, and the days relaxing.  As always I had a fantastic weekend with them and I can't wait to meet up again soon!

The weekend ended, and before I knew it, it was the beginning of another work week. The fun-filled weekend started to take its toll on me, and by 5 o'clock today, I felt like I had been hit by a truck.  I arrived home to discover two clever E-cards from Will and Jess.

I fell into bed and drifted off but was soon awoken by a phone call from Jess informing me that she had ordered me dinner.  Ten minutes later I was sprawled on the couch watching Jeopardy! and feasting on a pepperoni and black olive pizza. 

Bliss :)

.....Must Have.....

With the change in weather comes the change in wardrobe.  We find ourselves packing away our tropical totes and strappy sandals and start layering on neutral knits and dark denim. But saying goodbye to your lightweight linens does not mean your winter wear has to consist solely of earthy tones.  Add a pop of color to any outfit with a bag by Beverly Hills designer JJ Winters.  My personal favorite the Envelope Chain Bag can easily transition from a daytime over the shoulder purse to a sleek nighttime clutch. The bags come in an array of colors and materials including hot pink suede, metallic leather, and green crocodile.  And at $85, everyone can afford to brighten up an otherwise drab ensemble.

.....Must Hear.....

Obadiah Parker "Hey Ya (Cover)"

Eleven/Eleven

Today I did not have work, and the free day couldn't have come sooner! The past few weeks I have had little to no free time.  After a long day at work, whatever energy I have had left I have devoted to fundraising and preparing for PurpleStride.  My efforts most certainly paid off  and were worthwhile, but I have been looking forward to checking off some of the tasks on my ever-increasing "To Do List". 

I woke up around 9 this morning and watched "Regis and Kelly" (or as I fondly refer to them, Reeg and Kels). I then headed to my haven, Costco to get gas, pick up a prescription and snag the latest issue of Real Simple (Side Note: Costco members get a 30% discount on all magazines, just one of the 827,356 reasons everyone should be a member). 

Next, I got my car washed and vacuumed, something I have been meaning to do for over a month.  I came back to the apartment and began my cleaning spree.  I went Comet crazy on my bathroom and was so satisfied with the outcome, I proceeded to clean my roommate's bathroom as well! Then onto the kitchen, my bedroom, and my closet.  I felt so accomplished, I rewarded myself by getting a manicure. Check, Check, CHECK!  All that's left to do is go running and it's only 4 o'clock.  I do LOVE days like this!

In much more exciting news, I can not forget to congratulate my best buddy Jessica.  She has been studying non-stop for her insurance exam which she took this morning.  Of course, she passed with flying colors and is now licensed to sell insurance.  

Way to go Ca-Ca!!!!!!!

.....Must Have.....

There is one thing I will splurge on time and time again and never feel guilty about it, even if that means eating Ramen in the dark until my next paycheck.  A pair of designer stilettos can be worn to a party, but not to work.  A leather jacket is great for cold weather, but looks ridiculous in the summer.  Skinny jeans are a great investment, but can only be worn confidently after a week of fasting and/or multiple visits to the gym. There is one accessory that can jazz up any outfit, is appropriate in every season, and is also one of the few things that truly is one size fits all.  As long as the sun is out, you're going to need sunglasses.  I have been gawking over one pair of shades in particular for months, and if Santa doesn't deliver them, I will bite the bullet and buy them myself come January. 

My Wish List #1: Tom Ford's Dahlia sunglasses.  They are round but not in the Nicole Richie bug-eye way.  They are square but not too boxy.  Like iconic Wayfarers and Aviators,  Ford's Dahlias reflect the public's fascination with androgynous eyewear.  Hopefully I made Santa's "Good List" this year but if not, I'm willing to crack open the piggy bank.  Let's just say my eyes are on the prize, literally!

.....Must Hear.....

The Bravery "Ours"

PurpleStride 2010

 "Let us run this race that is before us and never give up" Hebrews 12:1

This was the daily devotional my friend Anna Perkins received a few days before her trip to Raleigh for PurpleStride.  When Anna shared this information with me, I couldn't help but smile.  It was impossible for me to convince myself that it was merely coincidence that Anna received this particular verse in the last days of fundraising. I was more inspired than ever and I sent a few last minute emails to friends and family urging them to donate.

The weekend finally arrived, and on Friday night, Will, my roommate Joe, 5 girlfriends and I went to dinner at Cameron Bar and Grill. My brother and his friends arrived around 11 all the way from Jacksonville! We celebrated well into the morning, dancing and catching up at Fosters.  We had a blast, and it was such a nice start to what was bound to be a wonderful weekend.

The girls at my apartment before dinner

Me, Mary Loyal, Anna, Lauren, Bethany and Anne

Lauren, Anne, Bethany and Joe at dinner

Me and ML on the dance floor. 

Saturday the rest of the clan arrived.  By three the next day our party of 8 became a party of 15 with the arrival of Tippins, Wilson, Jessica, Blanche, Frances, Louisa and Kat.  At 5:30 we headed to the McDougal's house for cocktails.

 Nancy and her husband Gregg were nice enough to host 25+ PurpleStriders.  

Geo, Mom and Me

Purple ornaments for Team Pauli's Girls

My brother George announced he had a gift for me, Jessica and Bethany

Imagine our surprise when the trickster Iced us all! Very clever, Yetti.

We then paraded next door for dinner at Jami and David Holt's house.  Jami made a huge dinner of baked ziti, salad, and bread for everyone, followed by her famous strawberry cake. My friend from home, Megan, joined us for dinner, as well as several more aunts, uncles, and cousins. We entertained ourselves by playing "The Cereal Box Game," which challenges participants to pick up an ever-shrinking cereal box (or in this case a paper bag) using only their mouths.     
                     

The next day we all enjoyed the extra hour of sleep and began getting ready for the big event.  I was so touched when my friend Abby flew in Sunday morning from Atlanta to attend the race.  Our fleet of vehicles processed to Fletcher Park where the first ever PurpleStride Raleigh-Durham was held.  My long time friend (and newlywed) Katharine, her father, and husband Kyle even made it into town for race!  Everyone was decked out in their purple and white gear, face paint and all. 

Lauren, Boyd, Mary Loyal, and Louisa

Lady LaLa

Where would I be without them!

Although she was unable to attend, my dear friend Hanna designed the team's shirts. We received countless compliments and were thrilled with Hanna's finished product!

Over 700 racers gathered at 2 o'clock and listened as the top fundraisers were announced. Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of friends and family, I raised over $7,000 and was named PurpleStride Raleigh-Durham's Top Individual Fundraiser! 

I was even more humbled when Team Pauli's Girls was honored as the Top Fundraising Team!  Because of the love, dedication, and tireless efforts of my friends, we raised almost $15,000 for pancreatic cancer research!!!! 

I never dreamt of such an incredible outcome.  Then again, I never dreamt I would be blessed with such amazing friends.  Words cannot begin to express how grateful I am for my friends.  They selflessly dedicated their time and energy to raise awareness, and I hope someday I can repay them.  Thank you to everyone who helped make this year's PurpleStride a race worth running. May we never give up searching for a cure! 

WAY TO GO!!!!!!