I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Jenn

The holidays are upon us, friends. In case you didn’t know it, you can just check my schedule and be reminded. Lawd, things get busy this time of year. This week I actually have THREE nights in a row where I have no obligations, and I don’t know what to do with myself. Last week I had zero free nights. Not that I’m complaining, because those non-free nights are usually filled with boozing and merriment with friends –so, they are commitments I’m willing to make. And even double-book.

This past weekend Dad came in on Friday afternoon. Mom was laid up with a bad cold at home and couldn’t come, so we promised not to have any fun.

We toured the Corsair Distillery here in Nashville, which was really fun. Oops – sorry Mom! It’s in the old Yazoo Brewery space for you Nashvillians. They make gin, whiskey, rum, moonshine, vodka…and probably six other things I’m leaving out. And you get to taste them all at the end. Yes – it’s as much liquor as it sounds like. It didn’t help that we had a high alcohol content beer while waiting on the tour to start – so by about 6:30 p.m. on a Friday I was ready to go to sleep. But, I had a parent to entertain! So, we went to J. Alexanders for dinner then home and watched the first episode of Breaking Bad – trying to get Dad hooked on this one.

Saturday morning Dad and I got up and went to the Girls on the Run 5K. He registered as a normal runner and I was running with my running buddy, Ava. She is the coolest third grader. She PR’d and bested her previous 5K time by 5 minutes! I was so proud of her and we had a great time running. Dad just barely missed the podium and came in 4th or 5th place overall, cause he’s a speed demon. No little girls beat him, which was really all he cared about.

Dad and I celebrated our athletic efforts with lunch at the Silly Goose (the Goose is Loose!) which I think he really enjoyed. We polished it off with some Jeni’s Ice Cream and his visit was pretty much complete. He headed back home that afternoon and Rog and I went to our first Chanukah dinner that evening!

We had the most delicious traditional Chanukah dinner – thanks Kate and Andy!

Sunday I had my Sunday Funday book club and baked approximately 1,000,000 sausage pinwheels. I made some for work, some for book club and some for the band that Rogers had over last night. Seriously – I bought $35 worth of sausage, crescent rolls and cream cheese and just went to town. Consequently, also ate about 100 of them and now feel like poo.

Book Club was awesome, as usual. I love those girls. We did a book swap, too, which is always my favorite because the only thing better than a good book is a free good book! We do our big swap every six months and totally rack up. After about four hours of consuming wine, we also decided to hold our March book club in Palm Springs at Sally’s parents’ house. Sorry I’m not sorry my book club is cooler than yours.

Also, as 30 is rapidly approaching I’m acting more and more like an old lady every day. Last night in the dark I fell down (tripped over an ottoman that I suddenly forgot was there, even though it’s been there for a year or more) and banged my knee (my good knee) SO hard. Then this morning when I woke up I was laying there looking at my phone and I sneezed. I was sort of on my side and jerked my head in some funny manner when I sneezed, and damn near threw my back/neck out. Really? I couldn’t LIFT MY HEAD to sit up and get out of the bed. I thought I was going to have to wake Rogers to lift me up into a sitting position. But rather than do that, I just rolled onto my side and off the side of the bed. I landed with another solid “thud” on that same knee. Yes!

I laid in the floor for a while thinking Rogers would surely wake up and call 911 because I surely was dying (it’s possible I was also over-dramatizing the whole thing) – but he was still sleeping soundly. Men! So I somehow crawled into an upright position and managed to get dressed and ready. But dang – I’m injured.

I guess I’d rather hurt my neck when I sneeze than pee on myself when I sneeze. That’s next, right? Old age.

Xoxo,
Jenn

Pedaling Off My Turkey

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Jenn

I hope you little turkeys had a lovely holiday weekend! Rogers, Callie and I spent it in East TN with my family and it was so nice to be home with so many people (and fur people) I love in one room.

Callie made herself right at home in Mom and Dad’s house. Obviously.

We ate well. I had leftovers for two days that were plates just full of carbs. Potatoes, sweet potatoes, cheese grits, stuffing, etc. It was all so good.

Of course, as any holiday does, it turned into a Wade family pickin’ and singin’ party.

Also, any time in Roane Co. that we can, we always catch Drivin’ Blind – my sis-in-law’s Dad’s rock band. Yes – that’s how we roll. Scott and the boys always entertain and we were super impressed with the new lead singer.

We headed back to Nashville on Saturday afternoon so we could have whole day to recover from the family fun before heading back to work on Monday.

Sunday morning started with this family snuggle fest on the couch. Callie was such a good traveler, but so glad to be back in her own house! She always has to be a little extra on guard when she’s at her grandparents’ house – in case I try to abandon her there. So, she totally sacked out for about 24 hours straight when we got home – which meant I could sneak in cuddles while she was in a cat coma.

So, little back story. I’ve been sort of interested in buying a bike ever since watching my brother and Dad dominate in triathlons. I have no plans to dominate anything, except staying upright on both wheels, but I’d been sort of interested in maybe doing a Tri Sprint next year. I looked at one bike shop here in Nashville and got bike snobbed (“titanium this, carbon that, Trek schmeck), so I waited until I was home and had my resident experts take me to a couple shops so I could ride some.

Then, while Rogers drove me back to Nashville I surfed Craigslist and found a really nice Giant Avail that had been posted mere hours before. It was just my size, nearly brand new (for half off) and was colored “Tangerine.” Big Orange, y’all!

So, Kyle (the owner who was selling it for his Momma) and I met up this afternoon. After a quick spin or two around the parking lot and after running all the deets by my little brother, I put ol’ Tangerine in my back seat and headed for home. I looooove it!

I’ve been over at Centennial Park cruising around on this beautiful day, figuring out shifting and what not. So, who wants to go for a ride!?

Also, since I work a mere .4 of a mile from my house now, I will soon be one of those dorks riding her bike to work.

Have a great week, little turkeys.

XOXO,
Jenn

Happy Birthday, Little Brother!

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Jenn

My LITTLE brother is 27 today, which means soon he’ll be older than me! (In a couple years we can celebrate our 29th birthday together, Josh! I’m holding).

I am continually impressed by you and every day spent as your sister is a blessing, little brother.

You have gone from “my baby” that I couldn’t wait to hold…

…to such a fabulous young man. So proud of you.

Oh, and there’s this picture, just because it’s one of my favorites ever.

Happy birthday, buddy.

XOXO,
Jenn

Some People “Tri,” Wades just Do

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Jenn

Have I mentioned how amazing my athletic family is? I have? Oh, well — hear it again.

My Dad and my brother completed their one millionth (I’ve lost count) Sprint Triathlon on Saturday and each got first in their age group. So cool! They are so amazing.

You can read their race reports here (Dad) and here (Josh).

More soon on my weekend. I did a little exercising myself — and it involved squeezing into the only one piece bathing suit I have, which is an old lifeguard suit from college. Don’t get too excited — there are no photos. But now I know how a sausage feels.

XOXO,
Jenn

Happy Anniversary, Wades!

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Jenn

Happy 3rd Anniversary to these two little love birds.

Love you, Josh and Ashley. Congrats on a wonderful three years. The way you’ve been there for each other and grown together through good times and bad is an inspiration to everyone around you. We all love watching you be so in love. Don’t ever stop.

XOXO,
Jenn

Another Wade Enters the Blogging World

Posted on June 10, 2012 by Jenn

I’ve blogged before about my darlin’ Daddy who blogs about flyfishing and woodworking – just two of his favorite hobbies that he’s quite good at.

And I’ve blogged about my beautiful sister-in-law who is an amazing photographer and lover of my brother and their fur babies.

But now, something I never anticipated seeing has happened – Josh Wade, my little (well, not little, but younger) brother has entered the blogging world. I could tell you all about how my brother has turned into an elite athlete over the past two years, but he says it best on his “about me” page.

Josh Wade may be my little brother (and he even says my first half marathon inspired him to start running), but I have and always will be the one who looks up to him. He inspires me, and all of us, every day.

I am just in awe of his dedication to his body and spirit through his new-found love of training. Just this weekend I was in Kingston to watch him do a tri-sprint, and I was just wandering around the park because I wasn’t expecting him for another several minutes. I thought I had time to make it to the finish line where my Mom and sis-in-law were waiting. All of the sudden I hear “Hey J Wade!” from the race course. I looked over and there the little devil was. Running sub-7 minute miles, he’d snuck up on me and was finishing quicker than I anticipated.

He said, “Let’s go for a little run.” I did some sort of wild horse trot and fell into step with him and ran the last couple hundred yards or so with him. I said, “so this is what a 7 minute mile feels like in a Victoria’s Secret bra and jean skirt.” He said, “6 minute mile, actually.” Ha. He’s nothing if not confident.

Anyways – go show him some love over at “Tri and Keep Up.” I’m pretty proud to call him mine.

XOXO,
Jenn

Beach Me

Posted on May 20, 2012 by Jenn

The beach trip with the family was ah-mazing. A whole week of togetherness, relaxation, fun and good times. And we didn’t even get tired of each other – I don’t think.

We stayed in a house in Miramar Beach (just east of Destin and before Sandestin). It’s in a neighborhood called Frangista Beach. We used to drive by it when Josh and I were little and we’d stare at the big houses and think “that must be where the rich people stay.” Ha. While we are certainly not, our foursome was a sixsome this trip and we needed more room! The “Happy Go Lucky” was perfect and I want to live there forever.

There were porches for sitting and catching up and drinking coffee and I miss the “Happy Go Lucky” house already.

Here is a photo overload for you – and all of my iPhone photos can be seen here: https://plus.google.com/photos/103099989861665011156/albums/5744751461106338641?authkey=CIGIwMeTu9yFHA

My sweet parents – about to smooch.

We celebrated my birthday a little early while we were all together. Donut Hole doughnuts – way better than cake!

We had my birthday dinner in Baytowne Wharf at Acme Oyster House.

And topped it with a Fat Tuesday daiquiri.

Dewey Destin – so tiny and such a great hole in the wall dive seafood joint. We watched a mama dolphin and baby dolphin frolic after dinner.

Check out the rain wall moving in. So cool.

Our view when we stepped on the boardwalk to head down to the beach. I miss it!

And some courtesy of my awesome photog sis-in-law.

Rinsing the sand off or doing the “Stanky Leg” – who knows.

I’ve been doing that for years – apparently.

My supermodel brother and sister-in-law.

Me and my main squeeze – and my birthday dress from my Mom and Dad! Mom had some help from her personal shopper, Ashley.

My little familia.

And then we had a thirsty Thursday. Things happened – like this.

I had to go undercover for a while.

I love this brother of mine.

We may not be right, but they’re my family and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

Can’t wait for the next Wade beach vacay! Family is a blessing –and it’s even a bigger blessing when you actually enjoy being around them. Mine is the best. Truth.

XOXO,
Jenn

I’m Beached

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Jenn

I’ve been at the beach all week, so you’ll have to forgive the lack of blogging. Here are a few little tid bits to hold you over until I return and give you the full recap.

My Dad and Brother did a Half Ironman Triathlon before I got down here to the beach. They are basically amazing and I’m in awe of their dedication. They put the rest of us Wades to shame and we just ride their fitness coattails. You can read my Dad’s recap here and see some sexy photos of them in their wetsuits. http://jeffwadeflyfisher.blogspot.com/2012/05/703-half-ironman.html. Yes – my Dad is a blogger too!

Photo recaps of beach fun: (all of these courtesy of my amazing photog sis-in-law, Ashley Wade Photography):

See ya back on the mainland.

XOXO,
Jenn

Weekend Recap

Posted on March 25, 2012 by Jenn

This weekend I got to go to my “nephew” Brantley’s first birthday party. He’s my best Wendy’s baby – and I just love that baby as much as I do his sweet parents. I can’t believe this little booger was born a whole year ago!

Brantley’s birthday.

I maybe cried a little when I first laid eyes on him. I couldn’t believe my Wendy had a person come out of her.

Wendy put out quite the spread for the first bday celebration! It was so yummy and special, with so many good friends and family. Wendy and Brad have the greatest group of friends out in Spring Hill and Franklin. There were about 50 kiddos in attendance (slight exaggeration, but there were a lot), between the ages of six months and three years – and I just kept thinking how fun that will be for all of them to grow up together with all of those sweet friends.

Brantley and I took a few photos together. Look at those curls!

When I turned the camera around and he could see himself on my iPhone he was finally interested. Who wouldn’t be?!

He skipped his nap and was still about 200% sweeter than other babies.

Excuse me sir – you have some cake on your face.

My best blonde.

Wendy’s older sis (and my older sister I never had), Kelly.

Kelly has managed to have two of the other sweetest kids I’ve ever met. Cade is my forever boyfriend and sat on my lap for a while, telling me about his birthday presents. He turned 5 last week. One day he won’t think it’s cool to sit on Aunt Jenn’s lap, and that’ll be a sad day!

Emmy got a couple of presents too. She opened up a movie (Charlotte’s Web) and said “OH! This is the newest movie I have!” So excited. Girlfriend – you keep that outlook on life and you’ll be just fine.

Thanks so much for including me in y’all’s life, Davis/Linville fam. I just love you all so much.

Today I did a little home improvement around my townhouse. I gave the back porch rails a good ol’ white wash. They needed some repainting and it was too beautiful to stay inside anyways.

Plus, this meant I got to go to Lowe’s! And take my shoes off and feel grass under my feet. Win win.

I do have a fourth toenail. I’m just not sure where it is in this photo.

I also found this little guy, who I named Herman. I gave him a drink and almost brought him home, but decided he was happier in the wild. He was SO cute. And pretty feisty.

“What you looking at,” says Herman.

Oh it was a good weekend. Rogers’ friend Jimmy has been in town and we’ve been eating way too much and enjoying way too many craft beers. So fun.

Chuy’s!

Lastly – dear heavens. Look at this cat – and those precious cat feet. Could you just eat them up like I want to? Look at those feet!

I hope you have a lovely week, friends. As lovely as these cat feet. (It’s a lot to live up to, I know).

XOXO,
Jenn

Sister from another Mister

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Jenn

Today is my sis-in-law Ashley’s birthday. Happy birthday, sis! You fit into our family so well and we sure love you to pieces. I hope your birthday is fabulous and wish I was there to celebrate! Here’s to many more years as the Wade family.