The Blair's Visit Savannah!

Whitney and John are two good friends from college. John and Maggie (my first year college roommate) went to the same high school and John lived in the dorm connected to ours. He helped me and Maggie through our philosophy course. Why did I take Philosophy? No idea. I was clueless.

I met Whitney on St. Patrick's Day my first-year in college. We had some mutual friends and ended up out on the same night and quickly became fast friends.

To give everyone a laugh, here a pic of Whitney, John, me and Jimmy from October of 1999. That was over TEN years ago. Wow:




John and Whitney live in Charlotte where John is an attorney and Whitney a school counselor. They came for a visit this weekend and it was so good to see them. It had been a long time. Too long! We had a great visit. Dinner on Friday night at home, though I ruined their no meat on Friday (sorry, guys!) and John had given up french fries for lent and of course, I had waffle fries to go with the hamburgers. The Catholic in me should have known better! But they were gracious and ate it anyway! Sunday was a little cold and overcast but we went downtown to Forsyth Park and little Jimmy played on the playground. We came home and watched basketball, then went over to Jimmy's parents and then out to to beach for some seafood.

Hope it isn't too long before I see them again.

Whitney and Cecilia:


Little Jim was a little shy at first, but he quickly warmed up with his new Toy Story figurines and bag from John and Whitney. They knew they way to his heart.:


Whitney and John:

Palmetto Bluff

On Saturday, we had an amazing opportunity (maybe once in a lifetime!) to go to Palmetto Bluff. Palmetto Bluff is a slice of paradise less than an hour away from Savannah. I won't try to describe it because I know my words would not do it justice. You can read all about Palmetto Bluff HERE. It was our first night away since Cecilia was born. I was a little nervous but Cecilia did great at my parents house (she slept better there than at home!) and Jimmy had a great time with his Sissy and Papa!

Eliza and I were delighted with a surprise massage at the Spa. Best massage EVER!

We had a wonderful trip, even though it was short, but the best part was spending time with some of our best friends!

View from Wilson Village:


a little crooked (took it while riding on the golf cart):


Josh, Eliza and us:


Just livin':


Neighbors (and YES it is REAL!)


Roasting s'mores at the fire pit:



Lunch in Wilson Village:


We stayed in one of the homes in the village:


Amazing screened porch:


Beautiful interior:

I think I am addicted...

to couponing. You probably thought I was going to say Cadbury mini eggs! Yes, I am still addicted to them too...but I digress. I have been couponing and trying to buy the things we need at the lowest price possible for the past couple of weeks. I use Southern Savers as a guide and today I bought $154 worth of groceries for $80! Almost a 50% savings. Instead of looking in the pantry and buying what you need, you buy what you use at the LOWEST possible price. You stockpile to last you around 6 weeks until the sale cycle starts again. By combining store sales with coupons you can really save and always have what you need on hand!

Speaking of mini-eggs, they are on sale at Rite-aid for $1.88 a bag. I have a coupon for $2 off three bags of Hershey candy. The mini-eggs are normally $3.50 a bag so I can get 3 bags for $3.64 (plus tax). What a deal!

BBQ in the 'Boro

My 10th anniversary at SCAD will be in June. I can't believe that I have worked there for 10 years! In that time I have met some amazing people and have made wonderful friends. The friends that I met 10 years ago when I first started working at SCAD are some of my most treasured friends. We all shared a common experience of being new to Savannah and we all had an instant bond. Although most have moved away (some have even moved back!) and have gone on to new careers or families, I still try hard to keep in touch.

My friend Angie and I started working at SCAD about the same time and she and her family now live in Statesboro. Kara started working at SCAD a year or so after Angie and I started and we all became friends. Kara moved to Chicago about 6 or 7 years ago and she and her family came for a visit this past weekend. They drove down and spent a long weekend with Angie and family. Kara and Nick have two kids (Colin and Lauren) and Angie has three (Sullivan, Delaney and Brynnley). Angie had a BBQ on Friday and we all got together and caught up, reminisced about the old days and watched our children play together. I hope it isn't another 7 years before we can all get together again.

Kara (holding Cecilia) and Angie:


Jason, Angie's husband:


Kara and Nick:


Old buds:



The kids acting crazy-(L-R)Brynnley, Sullivan, Colin, Lauren, Jimmy and Delaney:

SB10 Woo hoo!

Apparently, I am on spring break this week. I realized that I didn't have an assignment due on Saturday and then put it together that Georgia Southern is on spring break this week. SCAD is on spring break this week too, but we still have to work. It is actually a pretty busy time since the quarter starts on Monday. But I can't help but think I should be in Cancun or something...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

We just got home from the parade a little bit ago. Everyone is sleeping but me! Oh well, guess I will blog instead. In case anyone else is reading this who is not from Savannah (does anyone read this anyway??) Savannah has the second largest St. Patrick's celebration the country. Second to NYC I think and it is the BEST! The city shuts down for the day and businesses close (it was a holiday for me) and everyone heads downtown for the parade and festivities. College kids come for spring break to partake in the party atmosphere (no open container laws here so grab a to-go cup!) on River Street.

Last year Jimmy worked and I did not go to the parade and watched it on TV. I was so BUMMED. I told Jimmy that I was definitely going to the parade this year no matter what! Luckily, a couple of friends organized a stake-out and tailgate in Lafayette Square. You can't set up in the square until 6am and our friend Matthew was there before 6 and he got a prime time location! Jimmy got down there a little before 6am to keep Matthew company (and maybe have a few bloody Mary's too!). My parents came and picked us up and then dropped me and Jimmy off downtown and then took Cecilia home with them. We had lots of yummy food, good friends and great fun! One of Jimmy's buddies from his class was set up behind us so they played together. Jimmy noticed the swag carts and conned us into buying him a sword and a trumpet. Nice. One can hurt someone and the other is so ANNOYING! Luckily it was loud enough and most of the other kids had swords that it didn't bother too much. The trumpet is now home with us and I am sure we will be hearing it very soon! Here are a few pictures from the parade.

The trumpet and the sword:


Kelly and I watching the parade:


We LOVE our soldiers! They always get the biggest applause and ovation, and rightfully so. The military usually has a BIG presence the parade since Ft. Stewart (home of 3rd ID) and Hunter Army Airfield are here. Not as many this year since so many are deployed.


The trumpet again. I am sure you can imagine how loud it is.


Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. This is where my parents go to church. Someone once told me it was the largest cathedral south of Washington DC. It really is beautiful inside and out.


Eliza and I. We just got back from Pinkie Masters :).


Our little leprechauns, Jimmy and Katherine:


Jimmy and Mary Blake:


My cute little love-bug:


Jimmy's first St. Patty's Day-March 2007

Let the festivities begin!

This weekend kicked off the BIG St. Patrick's day celebration in Savannah. For those of you not aware, Savannah has the 2nd largest St. Patrick's day parade and celebration in the country. I really had no idea about it until I met Jimmy. While there is the crazy-party-mini-mardi gras celebration that takes place on River Street it really is a family friendly celebration.

Saturday we went downtown to the Tara Feis festival. This was a family-friendly event (no green beer here) and showcased Irish music and dancing. They had a bouncy play area for the kids and Jimmy loved it! We had a lot of fun and spent the afternoon downtown with the Justice's and the A. Smith's. Jimmy was interviewed for the paper and they also interviewed little Ash and little Jimmy (Jimmy just said whatever Ash said) and took their picture. Unfortunately, the picture didn't make the paper, but big Jimmy and little Ash were quoted! It started to rain so we headed home and everyone came over to our house and the kids played while the adults hung out on our porch. We can finally enjoy the nice weather and the gnats were not out...yet!







Today we went to Sunday school and church (though went to late church since the time change messed us up a little bit) and then Jimmy and little Jimmy spent all afternoon outside and they cleaned out the shed!! It was a most productive day!

Hanging out after an afternoon of hard work:





Looking forward to Wednesday and the parade!

Cecilia-5 months

Cecilia is 5 months today! I am actually getting the post up on her 5 month birthday! Jimmy took the day off of work today (not to celebrate her 5 month birthday...but just to spend some time with the fam) and he took Jimmy and Cecilia out to Spices to see his dad and give me some time to get a few things done around the house.

Of course, she is getting so big! She is finally sleeping a little bit better. We moved her crib from upstairs and put it in Jimmy's old room (now a playroom) and she has been sleeping in it the past week. She is still getting up twice but it is much better than it has been.

She's still been eating some baby food and likes to play in her Exersaucer or sit in her Bumbo and play with a toy. She loves to smile and her big brother loves to love on her. Jimmy told us today that she couldn't have a cinnamon roll because she doesn't have any teeth. How observant. She is sitting up better but still falls over after a few seconds. Won't be too long before she can sit up by herself.

As for little Jim, I think it is a lost cause and he will have the southern drawl and many one syllable words are two...here are some of the things he says:

"I don't want to go to be-yed."
"Who made this me-yess?" (which I think is a funny question because he is the one that made the me-yess)
"My he-yead hurts."

I have been DYING to put pretty dresses on her since most of the clothes I have are for spring/summer. Today I put a shirt under her dress and some tights because I just couldn't take it any longer! She looks so CUTE. Her closet for spring and summer is TO DIE for thanks to Mimi and her job at the Robyn's Nest and some great hand-me downs from Gin, Gin, Ms. Lyzie and Maria!

Cecilia-5 months:



Jimmy-5 months (May 2007):



Hugs and kisses for baby sister:



Jimmy Jr. and Jimmy III:

Time to Eat!

At Cecilia's 4-month visit Dr. Stone said it was time to start giving her stage 1 foods. So for the past few weeks we have been trying rice cereal, apples, bananas, peas and carrots. She seems to be eating most and hasn't refused anything yet. Will she be the one that will eat anything? Probably not, but I can be hopeful!






Some pics of Jimmy's first bites...