I know better

This morning, around 11:45am, I ventured out with a minor hangover from a Clemson win over Florida State. I made a mistake, and it's one I've made one too many times.

I've been in South Carolina long enough to know that if you literally just woke up and want immediate food, and you decide to get dressed in sweatpants, a sweatshirt, flip flops, with a paw tattoo still on your face your best bet is to go through a drive through. This ensures that all the Church goers (who hopefully prayed for you as well) won't look at with you a face of disappointment. But no, not today. I wasn't really thinking and I made my way over to the 'nice part of town' for what I hoped would be a Firehouse Sub. I walk in and the place was packed. With 5-7 faces of disgust upon me, and what was sure to be a 30 minute wait, I turned and walked out. Went across the street to a Panera Bread. As I go to enter the building I notice an elderly couple getting out of their car in the handicap spot closest to the door. I wait and hold the door open. As the man approaches, helping his wife on crutches I notice not only did he just leave church, but his name tag stated that he was the priest. This is what I call a double whammy. However I would like to think that regardless of the visual I was giving this man, I at least got points for waiting for them and holding the door. As he approached he said, "Man, how 'bout them Tigers". FANTASTIC. He likes Clemson! Wanting to gain more good graces with this man, I replied with jolly banter and big smiles. Assuring him that I felt wonderful and chose this 'relaxed' outfit, not resorted to it by the feeling of exhaustion brought on by day drinking. As we stould in line, one next to the other, pretending to pick out what we wanted to eat off the menu board (and by we, I mean me), he continued to enquire about my life. Questions as to where I lived, how old I was, what I did for a living, where I grew up, what brought me to Greenville, if I was in a relationship, if I was planning on being married, and more. I started to sweat. Then i wondered if he noticed, which only made it worse. Suddenly the sweatshirt was highly unnecessary. I've never wanted to order a panini so badly in my life. Finally to the register. Ordered. Gave my frequent buyer card they slide each time. What do you know - I have a FREE pastry. Excuse me, sir? Would you care for a danish? Heaven, here I come.

Moral of the story - on Sundays in the 'Bible Belt', after an entertaining social evening put a little more effort into yourself if you choose to be in public between the hours of 9am and 2pm.

on to 2012

Another successful wedding weekend! The now married, Shawn and Keaira Huffman are off to beautiful St. Lucia! This was the last of the 2011 weddings that I will be able to attend - sad to be missing out on Kayla and Jason (soon to be Chalfant's) next weekend, but I will be working our Radiothon for the Children's Hospital here in Greenville, SC.


2012 shows great promise for another busy "Wedding Season". Lots of fun couples and most of them are 'local' which helps the calendar....and the wallet. That being said, many more engagement parties, showers, and bachelorette weekends to close out 2011's "Wedding Season". It never gets old, I love it. Thank goodness, too. I don't know what Bed, Bath, and Beyond would do without my business.






Kayla and Jason (far left) were roommates of mine at the beach one summer in the OBX. There were 11 of us in a house in Nags Head, NC and it was basically like "The Real World". 6 guys, 5 girls and quite the interesting mix. They get married next weekend and I have to miss it. I am extremely bummed. Not only is it back in our old stomping grounds (OBX) but its going to be like a giant reunion of our beach family - The Morning Doves.

Tony and Whitney (centered) get married in January 2012 and have asked me to be a part of it. I have accepted, obvi, and cannot wait to get crazy with them. Whitney was my childhood best friend and I basically lived at her house growing up. The wedding is back in MD where I grew up, so crabcakes and football, here I come.

Mills and Lauren get married the following weekend in February. I frequently crash at Hotel Maxwell after nights downtown, even though my house is just a miles away. Mills and Lauren are a fun couple who like to partake in social events themselves, which has made us really good friends. Their sense of humor is outstanding. This Greenville wedding is sure to get rowdy.

Stephen and Lisa have a really cool story on how they met. If you believe in fate, you're a fan of them. Not too far behind Lauren and Mills, they'll get married early Spring in Simpsonville - one town over from Gville. Lisa and I met when I moved to Greenville through mutual friends and became close instantly. Walks and gossiping about our latest disasters and successes have brought many laughs. I'm super excited for this one, too.

Randy and Carolyn. FINALLY! I have been waiting for this one for a while. They've been together since we lived in doorms and attended frat parties like we were the coolest chics around. A Clemson wedding and sure to be a shit show. I love getting together with them because its constant laughter. Especially listening to stories from /about Carol. Love.

Meredith is my roommate and will be marrying the handsome Andrew. Her dress is stunning and totally Mer. Andrew and I share the same birthday so of course he's legit ;) Kicking off June with a wedding in Greenville is just the right way to start the Summer. Elegant and Class - this one will be a good one.

Kristen, another one of my beach "besties" met Nick in dental school, so that means one day they will have their own practice and be loaded - right Swartz? They are hilarious and I can't wait to make the drive to VA to see them. It can't come soon enough.

I would love to call out the other couples that will soon be added to this list, but I don't want to jinx it. Not that I believe it would, but I'll leave the pressure to the girlfriends.

Here are few of the cute married couples from over the years.

The Natty Daddy

The folks in St. Louis have joined the party! I present you the soon to be - Natty Daddy - with 6% Alcohol. Some family friends of ours are big timers for Anheuser-Busch and their son, who's around my age posted this picture on his facebook. They registered the trademark back in February and it just got approved in June. If you try to find anything on the web about it, you'll have a pretty hard time getting anything with actual information. Natty Daddy is categorized as a beer, so it's not supposed to taste anything like the energy drinks like Joose or the blackout leader, Four Loko. However, I'm hearing it will get the job done. Keep your eyes pealed for this tasty party in a can.

Movin' on up!

A local to Greenville, South Carolina - Charles Pate everybody! Charles is what I call a "real" artist, where I think of myself as more of a "pretend" artist. His work is no joke. For more, check out Charles' blog - www.cpatejr.blogspot.com

Congrats Charles!

Big crush. Huge.

John Harbaugh, you are one sexy, sexy man. And a win over the Steelers only makes you that much hotter. Married and with child, you are slightly unobtainable but watching you from afar is good enough I guess. Keep up the good looks and keep bringin home the W.

check him out - http://www.baltimoreravens.com/People/Coaches/John_Harbaugh.aspx

Am I right or am I right ladies? Total fox. Also, I'm calling it now.

The Ravens will be in the Superbowl in 2012.