A little of this, a little of that...

Everyone needs a vacation here and there. You've got to recharge your batteries, see parts of the country you haven't seen, spit milkshake on your mother because you're laughing SO hard, explore the history and charm of a new city, watch your brother pitch the only game you'll get to see him play all year, eat more than any human should in a 120 hour period and pile into a car with 5 of your closest family members, 2 sets of golf clubs, 12 bags and a partridge in a pear tree...

The good news is, I lived to tell the tale...the iPhone version at least!

We ate here... (twice, but who's counting?)

And had one of these as well as a bite of their banana pudding...I have 3 words for you...TO.DIE.FOR. I even have a few fighting words for you...almost rivals Magnolia!

Went on joy rides around the city...

With this bunch of yahoos...

Seeing things like this...

And adorable, adorable stores like this...

(I couldn't help but think of The Shop Around the Corner in You've Got Mail and then I recited movie lines in my head the rest of the day)
We passed tons of beautiful parks and Dave got out and read all of the history of each one. Of course we stopped for photos in many of them including the famous Forsyth Park...

We spent a muggy evening at a baseball game...

And finished our trip with more indulging...

It was a perfectly wonderful vacation and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to be charmed by Savannah! And don't kid yourself, this is the quick and dirty version. Once I upload my pictures I'll share more of our Savannah fun! Thank you to each one of you who gave me recommendations! They were so helpful!

What's a Girl To Do?

Life's about to get really rough for me. In the next few weeks I'm going to be heading out on vacation with this bunch of yahoos...


To go visit this yahoo...

In these cities...

That's right...we're headed to Hilton Head, SC and Savannah, GA to see Taylor play ball, eat some good food, do some shopping and for the guys to play a little golf. I'm beyond excited!

I'm not sad that I will have to miss 3 days of work and I am not at all sad about seeing my brother and having some fun in the South.

Exactly a year ago, Dave and I were hanging out here hiking, golfing (I was riding in a cart taking pictures and gasping at the beauty of it all), eating, lounging, and overall enjoying life! Before we went I really researched and knew exactly where we were going to eat, where we were going to sight see, all of the local attractions, etc. I had it planned to a T and we enjoyed every minute. We really felt like we got the most out of our vacation because we had a plan.

Unfortunately, I have been so busy lately and I haven't planned a single thing about our Hilton Head/Savannah trip!! So I need you...where should we go? What should we do? Where do we HAVE to eat? What MUST we see?

We're going to have some girl time while the guys play golf so I'd love your shopping tips, favorite cupcake places, perfect ice cream shops...everything that we need to know. Of course we'll be spending a little time at the ballpark watching my brother deal...Did I tell y'all he made the All-star team? :) I'm supposed to brag...I'm his big sister!!

Thank you in advance for your recommendations, advice, tips and tricks! XOXO

*HH/Savannah photos via google images. Photo of my brother via Joseph Pun Photography

Class Act...

Sports are a few things. They're entertainment, they're money makers, they're game day crowds and they're couch quarterbacks. They give us something to talk about in between innings and in between games.

Coulda, woulda, shoulda....and "back when I played..."

My family is a big sports family, so we're pretty intense. We get super involved in the teams, in the players, in the games. If any of you follow me on twitter you know I'm currently HYPED about the Mavs in the playoffs and I maybe have said on a few occasions that Dirk is my homeboy. Dirk does not know me. He probably wouldn't claim to be my homeboy but as he hits a fade-away jumper at the buzzer he is, in fact, my homeboy.

I digress...sports can symbolize a lot of things. Hard work, determination, knowing how to win, knowing how to lose, teamwork, mental and physical toughness, pursuit of a dream and sometimes the will to win at all costs. Sometimes athletes and franchises can get a poor name or a bad reputation based on actions taken in attempt to win at any and all cost. It feels like this day in age we hear so much about college players being paid under the table and getting treatment that's against the rules. Coaches resigning for immoral or improper acts and schools facing sanctions and violations....

But every once in a while we get to hear one of the good stories. One of the stories of hard work and dreams rewarded. Where a kid gives his all, works hard and it's noticed. Yesterday, in the 2011 player draft, the Texas Rangers took Johnathan Taylor, a paralyzed player for the Georgia Bulldogs in the 33rd round. It was a moment that made me so proud to cheer for the Rangers. So proud to support their ball club with my cheers, my effort, and my money whenever I'm lucky enough to head to Arlington for a game. You can read the full article here. (And it's worth it!!)

Johnathan broke his neck in an outfield collision on March 6th. He was a talented player that most certainly, would have gone pro were it not for his injury. How refreshing to see Texas draft him despite what he could do for them. For once, it was the other way around. Knowing they will get nothing in return, they gave him and his family a little hope, some excitement, and a day of celebration for the talent the Rangers saw in Johnathan.

Class act, Texas Rangers. I can't wait to follow Johnathan Taylor and I pray one day we can celebrate him walking again!

Ranger Bob...

I am a stray dog magnet. I can't help it. I see a dog, I don't see an owner, I go into panic mode. Especially when busy streets are involved.

Does anyone remember the tale of Lucky Boots the Border Collie? "Lucky" is putting it mildly as he was dancing with death in middle of South Congress Avenue playing chicken with a school bus! Never mind I pulled my car horizontally across 2 lanes of traffic to get him.

I might need to go to one of those "split second decision making" classes. I could stand to brush up on my skills...

Back to Ranger Bob...I was pulling into my driveway last night when this flash ran out of my bushes and through the front yard. I realized it was a dog and my initial panic was that it was Rookie! As it ran across the driveway (right in front of my car...y'all don't even want to know what would have happened if I had hit it. 2 words...psych ward) I realized it was not Rookie, but was definitely a Terrier. I stopped my car and got out to get him just as he ran into my garage.

To make a long story short, he came inside and acquainted himself with a none-too-thrilled Rookie. Rookie was anti-hyped about my rescue and became less enthused with each frisky move "Hey" tried to place on him. He quickly earned the name "Hey" as he had no collar and I had to have something to call him. For instance, "HEY! Quit scratching at the back door!" "HEY! Don't potty in my house!" "HEY!! Don't hump my dog!!!"

He really is cute though, right?

Dave got home from work and wasted no time talking about making signs and canvasing the neighborhood. Ha! I was just about to bathe him (because it was TOO hot for him to be outside and he was STIN-KY!) when we saw a husband and wife walking through the neighborhood still dressed from work. In 103 degree Texas heat I figured they probably weren't out for a power walk! I walked outside with "Hey!" and asked if he was who they were looking for. She immediately shrieked, "RANGER BOB!!!" and reached out her arms to welcome her puppy back.

It was a happy ending as Ranger Bob was reunited with his family and Rookie could de-puff his chest and reclaim his status as an only child. :) All in a day's work....