Bromance

One of these things is not like the others,

One of these things just doesn't belong,

Can you tell which thing is not like the others,

By the time I finish my song?

Think again! We have a serious bromance going on at our house between Josh and Oliver.

My dad put it perfectly in his toast at our rehearsal dinner...he said something like "I knew Josh was the man for Georgia when he agreed to tie Oliver's leash to his belt loop and walk around the house with chicken in his pocket." This was one of my many ideas in an effortful, desperate attempt to bond the two. As two of the most important men in my life, they just had to get along. Thankfully, they do now...but it was not easy to get to this point.

When Josh and I first started dating, Oliver immediately decided he despised everything about the man. He would run into the other room when Josh came over, he would go to the bathroom in the house, tremble, just lose all sense about him. We tried just about everything - my mom gave me books on improving your dog's self confidence, we watched the Dog Whisperer religiously, Josh fed him at the table, nothing was working. This went on for months and months and months. As a last resort, Josh reluctantly agreed to do a series of dog training classes with me and Oliver. We felt really dumb. This 5-lb, cottonball prisspot was getting the best of us.

After the second week in the group training class, the trainer looked at us and said, "You'd better leave Josh at home...this dog isn't learning a thing with him here!" It was like Oliver was comatose. He would just freeze. At the end of our 6 week class, Oliver had learned all of the basic commands and seemed to have a little more confidence. Still, he was terrified of Josh. The trainer suggested remote collar training (basically a shock collar) and individual lessons. I couldn't bring myself to shock the tiny thing, and I saw major dollar signs ahead! The trainer also suggested medication. That was something I could live with!

I left our next vet visit with a prescription for Prozac. As soon as I called Josh, he asked, "Is that for me, or Oliver?" A small daily dose seemed to ease Oliver a little bit. He relaxed enough to walk with Josh on the leash, eat treats out of his hand, and come when called. Lots and lots of baby steps later, he is completely obsessed with Josh and really couldn't care less for me. Now, Oliver follows Josh everywhere around the house and especially likes him at night because he gets a routine rubdown. These two are a hilarious pair. Josh is such a good sport, but then again, Oliver is too!

And the other good news is that Oliver is clean and drug-free!

Hmmm...I wonder what this experience is preparing us for?? I shudder to think!

Bring on the budgets!

Time for an event post. Thought I'd show a couple events that I've planned and produced (with the help of so many others!) while at Presenting Atlanta. It is so much fun when you have a client that has (1) a budget (2) an open mind and (3) a budget. I'm only halfway kidding. There are so many things that you can do on a limited budget. It just calls for a little more creativity. Take the below, for example. Very simple yet very effective. This was used in a prefunction space to dress up lounge groupings.

This fabulous compilation was used on the top of a central bar as a focal point for the prefunction space. I love the color combination here - the silver really makes it pop!

A close-up of the bar floral...

This event is one of my all time favorites. I did back to back events for this group for 3 nights...I would take one of those every week! It was a small group (about 125 guests) but they spared no expense. The group had exclusive access to the Georgia Aquarium and its exhibits for the whole evening. They explored the exhibits on their own before enjoying a seated and served dinner. After dinner, they moved into one of the exhibits for a dessert lounge.

The dinner area was so clean and sleek. These are lighted tables with ghost chairs - it was a perfect compliment to the look and feel of the Aquarium.

The centerpieces were a compilation of different florals in glass containers of various shapes and sizes, stacked on glass cubes to create some interest.

Stay tuned for more on events with budgets both large and small!

Speaking of Cabin Fever...

Atlanta has finally seen the last bit of snow melt...now all that's left is that nasty gravel/sand on the road that leaves your car filthy and exfoliated! I was in Las Vegas for work during the pretty part, so you won't see any pictures of our snow (3rd of the season!!!) here.

Brevard, on the other hand, is still knee deep in it. We had about 7 inches while Josh and I were there for Christmas. It was lovely!

I have an obsession with my dad's tractor. Isn't it just great? I am "red" at heart. When we first moved to the NC, my mom almost drove this tractor OFF the mountain. I don't know why my dad let her on it to begin with. She's a country gal and all, but still...she's a lady! She was taking a load of rocks to the woods and did not know that you cannot change gears while moving, so she took it out of gear and couldn't get it back in. She went barreling down the driveway, across the road, through the barb wire fence (she took out 3 fence posts) and to the bottom of a steep hill in the pasture...screaming the whole way down. The rocks were strown everywhere, the cows were staring and Mom was lucky! It was her first and last time on the tractor.

Don't worry, that's my dad in the above picture. He used to be a farmer and is well versed on tractors!

Does May have the life or what? Buster was also having a ball...

...while Oliver & company kept warm by the fire!

Inspiration

Growing up, not once did I think my world was one bit different from anyone else's. Actually, it really wasn't until my now husband ventured to my parents' house in the North Carolina mountains with me for the first time and asked..."Whoa, wait a minute, you grew up HERE? What did you do for fun, and who in the world did you play with?"

My answer was "sure did, lots and my sister, of course!" Yes, we lived 3 miles up a winding gravel road (MOST of it is paved now), drove almost an hour each way to school (in a camp van), had a rock collection (we had one of those rock tumblers) and took vaulting lessons (gymnastics on horseback), but I thought that was all very normal! I guess I should admit that the mountains didn't always have such a fond place in my heart. At 9, I was the new kid in school with a southern accent so thick that I basically spoke a different language than my classmates. I was asked to repeat everything about 5 times before I got a look of vague comprehension. I tried really hard to leave that middle Georgia twang at home, but it was a part of me. Much like those farm country roots (more on that later), I try to stay true to my mountain roots in life in the hustle bustle of the fabulous city of Atlanta (more on that later too).

A few more mountain pictures...I cannot take credit for these amazing shots. My parents' friend took these...this is a property by my parent's home...AND...it's for sale, so if you want to make a purchase in Brevard, you are in luck!