Secret Trip: Highlands, NC

After over a month of anticipation of where my "secret trip" would be, Patrick finally had to tell me where we were going a few days before we left. I had to know to pack for the high to be 40 degrees! When we got to the Highlands late Friday night, it was about 17 degrees. After a few turn arounds we found my cousin Laura's cabin and defrosted by the fire. We hiked, shopped, and ate at some great restaurants. Highlands is a quiet, friendly, little town, great for relaxing. Thanks for a great trip Patrick!

Our 1st tree

On the way home from our Thanksgiving trip around the world, we went to Lowes to pick out our very first Christmas tree! I don't know about Patrick, but I've never had a tree of my own (other than the one at my parents' house) so I was super excited. I love the smell that fills our condo; it just makes me happy. On this past Sunday we wrapped most of our Christmas presents. Yeah, we're on the ball! But what do we get my parents??

Some random pics.

Create Your Own!

Mount Cheaha

Last Saturday, Patrick and I went to Talladega to spend some time with his family. His parents are building a house on Cheaha mountain and it's almost finished which everyone is excited about. They are currently living in a "shack" down the hill from the house so they're anxious for its completion. We went to the top of the mountain and ate at the restaurant there. Later we hiked aroudn Lake Chinabee and saw the waterfall there and then headed to his Aunt Rhonda's house to eat some chili with his grandparents, cousins, etc. The pictures don't do them justice, but the leaves on the trees in Munford and Mount Cheaha were breathtaking! The yellows, greens, and reds were incredible. It also brought back very fond memories of our first date (hiking on Mount Cheaha).

PS--If anyone knows how I can lay out these pictures better, let me know. How do you make them straight when you're posting pictures??

Your new names

When you're married, you become one and you also become one name according to my friends and I. So to my married or soon to be married friends, here are your new names:

Matt + Jenna = MANNA
John + Beth = JOTH
Benji + Krystal = KENJI
Jared + Meredith = JAREDITH
Travis + Billie = BILVIS
Ryan + Megan = RYGAN
Caleb + Megan = CAGAN
Paul + Lisa = PASA
Rod + Liz = RIZ
Gabe + Jaime = GAIME
Don + Jamie = DOMIE

If you are unsatisfied with your name, feel free to make suggestions for a new one.

--PATRAH

Elizabeth Jackson Kanter

October 28, Seaside FL

Auburn vs Florida

The Beverlys are happpy

3 very happy boys!

 

Gabe plays @ Oak Hill

In this picture: Allison, me, Gabe Jackson, Elvis, Lisa, Paul, and Jaime Jackson.

Oak Hill was jam packed on Friday night as Conway Twitty aka Gabe Jackson sang and played for his friend's birthday party. The theme was to dress like your favorite music artist. There we saw Conway Twitty (Gabe), Loretta Lynn (Jaime), Tucker Groves/bday boy himself, Lil John, Britney and Kevin, Bjork, Kenney Chesney, Elvis, Garth Brooks, Courtney Love, The Judds, Randy Owen, and many many more. The highlight of the night was the duet, "You're the Reason Our Kids Are Ugly" performed by Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty. 

Waco Weekend

Haley and I had a great time in Waco this weekend with Matt, Jenna,and friends. The trip started off rough as we missed our flight on Friday night. No, we were there 2 hours ahead of time, but unaware of the new "no liquids" rule at the airport. We had too much money in the liquids that we had in our carry on (shampoo, makeup, mascara, perfume, etc) and were unable to check our bags so we had to get another flight out the next morning. We did get to hang out with Beth and John in Suwanee that night. While in Waco we ate some good Mexican food, toured the Baylor campus, met a Nick Lachey look a like, took long walks, ate some awesome custard icecream, watched Zoolander and perfected our "Blue Steel" looks, and laughed continuously. Thanks Matt & Jenna for a great weekend!

Theme songs of the weekend: "Promiscuous Girl", "Does Your Chain Hang Low" & "What's Left of Me"

Quote of the Trip: "Don't you watch the news?"--Every person at the airport 

More of the Waco Weekend

We missed our flight
Haley face planted while running in the airport.
Playing on Baylor's campus.
Jenna, Matt, and Co.

Home Improvement

Thanks to Krystal and Benji, we have a new and improved bottom level of our condo. It was out with the dirty old carpet and in with the laminate flooring. It was hard work from Friday night until Sunday afternoon, but it is worth it now! And another plus is that watching tub slide all over the floor in pursuit of his toy is absolutely hilarious. Above are after pics, workers in action, and before pics.

Long black slithery

A few days ago, I picked up Tub and ran down the stairs to watch Two- A- Days. When I got to the bottom of stairs I stop dead in my tracks as I saw a "long black slithery" thing against the wall. It took a few minutes for it to register in my brain that it was a snake! I calmly turned back around and went to tell Patrick. He was totally mortified. To make a long story short, Patrick kept an eye on the snake while I went to get our neighbors. Our awesome neighbors, Jess and Will, caught the snake in a pillow case and then proceeded to chop it's head off outside. We will be getting a plethera of moth balls to put downstairs. I'm guessing it came in from our storm door in the basement (the Cahaba is only about 100 yards away). But please don't be frightened to come over. No more have been seen. Just wanted to share the experience with you all. It was a crazy night...

Compass finally

We finally made it down to Compass Lake. I haven't been to my lakehouse in about a year and I was going through some major withdrawals. We skiied, tubed, layed out, and mischeviously jumped off a strangers 2 story dock. I was the only one with the guts to go off the rope swing though! hehe. We had some much needed fun in the sun, and it was SO great to spend some time with some of my best buds and of course my husband.

Songs of the weekend include: The Titanic Theme song (found on an ancient tape in an ancient stereo we have down there), "I'm Bossy", and "London Bridge"

Phone theft

Yes I am a victim of phone theft. I left my phone in my bag in the break room all day. Once during the day, I called to check my messages and some LOSER girl answered! I went to get my phone and it was gone! The people at work saw a little bit of my temper and loved it. My sisters are coming to the rescue and giving me their old phones to try. Thank goodness b/c the cheapest one I could buy is $220! If anyone else has a Cingular phone they're not using, let me know! Until next week, you can reach me at home 987.9864.

A Day Off

It's so nice to have a day off. Tub and I have spent all morning playing fetch. Yes, he fetches, and he loves it! The day also holds writing a kagillion thank you notes, cleaning, grocery store run, and running with Patrick when he gets home from Spain Park. Tonight we're meeting up Gabe and Jaime (brother & sis in law) to see TALLADEGA NIGHTS, The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. This movie has been much anticipated since Patrick is from Talladega and a big race fan. I have to go back to work tomorrow to work the weekend. I hope it's a slow one. My last day at work was a doozy. Some of you have heard my gross story from the other day haha.

More news about work: October 1 I will be taking a "flexi" position at Princeton on the same unit I've been working on. It's kind of like a part time position. I'm also applying to work in the Wound Care Clinic/Hyperbaric Chamber at Princeton as well. I'm hoping to work 2 days on Stepdown and 1 day in this clinic during the week.

Slideshow

Check out some non professional pics from our wedding weekend:

http://www.myspace.com/saygj

Wedding pictures!

Check out our wedding pictures!

http://albums.millerslab.com/mattox/

Find Sarah Grace & Patrick, and the password is "BEVERLY" (all caps).

Jamaica

 

SNOOD

I have rediscovered Snood and it is SO fun! I only have a 30 day trial so maybe I won't get addicted this time :). Who has played snood lately???

And the winner is...

Patrick 1, Mouse 0

Tub vs. The Mouse

As I sit in the conference room at Princeton reporting off to the night shift, the secretary slaps a post it down in front of me that says, "Call Patrick ASAP". I'm thinking, "what in the world"?! Evidentially, Pat was woken up from a nap by Tub trying to corner a mouse under the coffee table which was a foot away from his face. He was very disturbed by this and left the house immediately. So...the mouse is somewhere in Patrick's house. He is dreading sleeping there tonight. Good thing he purchased a mouse trap and some peanut butter! We'll see how tough a cat Tub is I guess!

9 days to Beverly :)

Jackson vs. Beverly II (You've gotta be kidding me)

After a horrifying experience with Sandals and Delta, I would like to pass along some knowledge to those who in any time in the future may be getting married and flying somewhere for their honeymoon...

January 2006: An exicted Patrick and Sarah booked their honeymoon as Patrick and Sarah Grace Beverly.

June 2006: A curious Sarah called Delta b/c she realized her passport says "Sarah Grace Jackson". Seeing that her marriage license will be in route to wherever those are mailed, she cannot use that as proof of her new name. After hours of frustrating phone time with Delta and Sandals, she is FORCED to buy a brand new ticket (under today's airfare price) in her maiden name.

The moral of this story is:
*Newly married girls should book all their information under their maiden name or whatever is on your passport or other travel documents.

12 days to Beverly...

Jackson vs. Beverly

I cannot even believe I am less than a month away from changing my last name forever! It has really been hitting me lately that I will have a brand new name. I will be the same person, but I'll have a different name and different initials. How weird! It's always been strange for me to get used to calling my friends by a new name when I've spent so many years with the other one. Now that will be the case for me.

Patrick and I are so anxious for July 1st. We're ready to be what Patrick always refers to as "Team Beverly". We're tired of saying goodnight and driving to seperate parts of Birmingham. We're ready to say goodnight and simply close our eyes! I feel like God has really been preparing us for marriage lately (in some hard ways). We are definitely learning who we are and how to discuss difficult issues. I am so sure that marriage will be wild but fun ride, and I cannot wait to begin!

19 days to Beverly...