My Birthday!

My Birthday was a week ago, and we definitely celebrated in style.

We had originally talked about going to  a B&B.  After checking my schedule and seeing all the traveling I was being forced to do, I canceled this in order to actually get some sleep.  I had my birthday off, and enjoyed every second of it.

My sweet husband planned a surprise party for me at the Hibachi restaurant I had wanted to go to.  Because he is incapable of keeping a secret, and because my daddy can be absent minded with these things (as he hung up the phone with me that morning after wishing me a happy birthday, he said "See you at your party tonight!" which was the first of many clues), it wasn't a total surprise, but was still sweet nonetheless. 

My birthday was fabulous!

It started with a fantastic new phone from my sweet hubby (I played with the personal assistant feature for a solid hour.  it's awesome!)

It began with a pumpkin spice latte and a trip around Target to plan Christmas Decorations.

Then, I was off to lunch at the Tavern in Mid-Town for some yummy sweet potato chips with blue cheese fondue and lettuce wraps.

Then it was to the mall to find a fun new dress for my birthday.

Then it was off to pamper myself by getting my nails done.

Then, we headed to the restaurant, where I was greeted by some of my closest family and friends!

We had some sushi that was on fire (and a little bit scary).

My candles tried to fall down on the Red Velvet cupcakes my mom had made (Michael to the rescue!)

And I generally  had a fantastic time!

So, needless to say, I turned 26 in style and felt incredibly loved.  Thank you to all who left messages on my phone

Things I'm Thankful For: Day 4 through 19

I know what you're thinking.  "Wow...Ali is a total slacker.  Talking about all the things she's thankful for and then she only does three day's worth?  Laaaaame".

In truth, I've been really busy.  The kind of busy that involves working harder and playing harder than I have in a long time.  Between trips to Tuscaloosa for Girl's Weekend, my birthday, Business Trips to DC and Board Meetings that took years off of my life but turned out great in the end, I'm exhausted.  But then, I came home to find my Southern Living Christmas Edition magazine waiting for me and wanted to weep with joy, and then was solidly back.  Because Thanksgiving is only a few days away, and then comes the gloriousness that is Christmas, and then life will be grand! 

So, without further ado, Days 4 through 9 (after the cut)

Day 3

This one's weird, I know.

But, today I'm thankful for Publix.





Allow me to explain. You see, when we lived in the country, the only grocery store that was available was Tony's Food Mart.

And I hated it.

Call me crazy, but I feel like I should be able to buy chicken without having to buy the whole damn thing. I feel like produce shouldn't be out when it's rotting and been expired for a week, and all I want is some cumin.

And then we moved five minutes away from a Publix. And my life changed.

Every time I walk in there, it's like therapy. Everything is fresh and good. If I want to make a weird Indian dish with a foreign ingredient? Aisle 3. If I don't have a clue what to pick up for dinner? Here's a tasty roasted chicken and two sides. It's my happy place!!

Day 2: My Job

I'm very thankful for my job.

I didn't really blog about this, but for the first six months of our marriage I was unemployed and trying to find a job.  It made things a lot harder for Michael and I, but in a lot of other ways it made things better.  We were really "living on love" for a while, and had just as much fun eating meals prepared from the pantry and whatever we had in our freezer as we would have going out to dinner and drinks.

But, in starting to work again, I'm incredibly grateful to have a job.  It's wonderful being able to contribute to the household finances, and to not live paycheck to paycheck, and to be able to order chinese food when it's really cold outside and all I want to do is cuddle.  It's also really, really fun to be able to buy things for the house that I want, and throw parties for my friends.  Especially when we're in an economy where a lot of people are struggling to make ends meet.  I feel very blessed for what I'm able to earn, and am happier in my new position than I ever thought I could be!

24 Days of Thanksgiving

Because it's November, and because if I don't really try to celebrate Thanksgiving I will immediately put out my Christmas lights, I'm going to blog each day about what I'm thankful for.  These are in no particular order, but are all (in varying degrees) important to me.  It's so easy to get caught up in the small problems that we can forget how truly blessed we really are.


Day 1?

My dogs.





























They love me unconditionally, even when the world goes sideways. They cuddle and kiss and keep me warm when MJ gets out if bed in the morning. The littlest things make them so sublimely happy, and they never have a bad day.  I wish every day to be the person my dogs think I am, and the joy they bring into my life is so special to me.