Sea of Love

Memorial Day weekend was absolutely beautiful.   As you read about the snippets, listen to this song...




Friday came with a half day of school and time to do schoolwork.  I got quite a bit of Oceanography complete on Friday night which was great because it made me feel like I may be able to do it.  Just don't say the "t" word (test). :)

Saturday, the weather was GORGEOUS and it was Brett and Micah's wedding day.  Everything about Saturday was absolutely perfect.  From dropping off their flowers, to getting ready at the hotel with Tara and Kate, to laughing with friends, to dancing with friends, to enjoying friends, to making new friends... just all the parts of it were amazing.   The song you're listening to right now was Micah and Brett's first dance and about a minute in, the entire bridal party joined them on the dance floor.  It was beautiful!   Just an amazing couple, an amazing time.

Sunday, I got a big brunch and rehashed the wedding with Alli and Lou, then we all went to join Jaime at her pool for daiquiris and naps.  We were all so peaceful and happy to be outside enjoying the weather and the company.  We went out to dinner that night and then out on the town for what turned out to be Quite a fun time (how could it not?  This weekend was so blissful, it would have taken A LOT to ruin it).

Monday, was a pregame BBQ at Amber and Charles', then a Nationals-Phillies baseball game.  The weather was miserably hot, but it was hard to be miserable when you're surrounded by awesome people having a great time.

A little bit sunburned, a lot more relaxed, and lucky to have friends and family who are wonderful and love when I came back up to the top of the roller coaster...  this weekend was just what was needed.  Time to take a deep breath, to laugh, to dance and to realize that stress is temporary.

I'm glad to be back, too :)

Memorial Day: The Perfect "Summer" Day

Memorial Day for the past two years has meant one thing: WORK. I managed a pool so two summers in a row, it was a crazy weekend of making sure things were running smoothly at the pool.

This year... oh my. It started quietly. Well, it started early. Very early. Phebe was at Joy's house for the weekend (I went to NC Sat-Sun to visit family) and I spent the night at Kristin's after the "Celebrating Catie Hackett BBQ". I fell asleep next to Lou and below Kate (she was on the couch). Santana somehow fell asleep in the papasan chair. And now the morning starts.

At 5:45am, Santana almost fell out of the papasan chair. It made a loud, squeaky wood noise. Hilarious in retrospect; minorly annoying in the moment. But we fell back to sleep.

We woke up around 10 and pig-piled in Kristin's bed. Catie, Kate, Caitie (haha, but true), Lou and Kristin. Around 11, Joy arrived with Phebe and the amazing day continued.

We left Pheebs at Kristin's and went to get breakfast at The Original Pancake House. YUM! I got my traditional "Sausage and Eggs" which is 3 buttermilk pancakes, 4 turkey sausage links and a giant plate of egg whites. Today I changed it up and ordered fresh-squeezed orange juice. It was so fresh that it had a seed in it. DELISH!

We dropped everyone off, then Joy and I took Phebe to my house. Then... we went... to the Pool! Yes, the pool! Where I am now a member and not a manager. It was SO awesome to see everyone from last summer (especially my guardloves) and to tell them that I am a member now. Several of my "regulars" said, "we are so glad you can drink with us now!" Haha. We were there from about 2:30-5:00. The water was great and the sun was hot and bright. The pool was PACKED but I didn't have to worry about anything, so I was sooo relaxed.

We left the pool at 5:00 because we were hungry and Joy is eating for two. :) We went to one of my favorite places: "Frozen Dairy Bar and Boardwalk Pizza" in Falls Church (very close to the pool!). We each had a slice of pizza, then got yummmmy summery frozen custard with candy toppings. I had my vanilla with reese's pieces. We were sitting there, eating our ice cream, wearing our bathing suits and cover ups and feeling very summery!

Family and a lot of friends... It was my favorite Memorial Day Weekend in years.