Sad Day Turned Happy

Today began on a grim note as we had a funeral to attend for our CFO, Tim Brennan, who lost his awful battle with cancer late last week. We joined colleagues and Tim's family and friends for a mass, burial service and reception in his honor today. Everything was gut-wrenching as far as I was concerned with bagpipes, Ava Maria, Bugle Taps and very touching speeches, including one from his super brave son, Connor.

With nowhere to go but up, moods lightened at the reception. Jimmy and I actually ended up having a nice time with everyone and even took a few minutes to take in beautiful Southport, NC, stopping in a few cute shops before heading home via the ferry. We've since been relaxing at home and counting our blessings. Tim's family is certainly not the only one missing a loved one around the holidays this year.

Feeling very fortunate to end out this day with imminent family visits ahead. Love you everyone!

Mom's Visit and My Little Cuddler

My mom came into town Wednesday night for a long weekend in Wilmington. We stayed up way too late chatting Wednesday. Thursday we met for lunch and my mom ran around town. Thursday night we had a great dinner of these mussels, crusty bread and a big salad with warm goat cheese. Yummy!

Friday I worked again and my mom actually had an interview with a local mental health agency in town. Friday night was the Castle Branch Christmas Party in Wrightsville Beach. It was fun to have my mom meet Jimmy and I's colleagues! We were both eager to get home early though as Jimmy was flying in from a business trip later that night.

Saturday we went out for breakfast and then I ran around with my mom looking at property in Carolina Beach. My mom actually decided to head home early because Boone was forecasted to have a horrible snow/ice storm Saturday night/Sunday morning.

Good thing is we only have 5 days left until our Christmas vacation. Just wrapped presents. Have brownies in the oven. Feeling very much in the spirit...

In other news, I've never known another dog to love being burrowed in blankets/towels so much. Here is Malloy caught relishing in the moment...

One Third

Jimmy just took his last final for this semester which means...he's a third of the way through the program and no more school until 2011!! I thought he'd feel like the XBox 360 kid on Christmas morning, but in reality, the excitement naturally builds gradually when you've been working so hard for so long. I'm very, very proud of him. Can't wait for our break away from it all starting Dec. 17th!

{via mashable.com}

Weekend Happenings

Not a whole lot... Jimmy had class on Saturday and hours and hours of studying to do for his finals on Monday and Tuesday. Despite it being frigid for Carolina Beach, we attempted to ride our bikes to watch the holiday flotilla on Saturday night. I got all bundled up - felt like a sausage - come to find out it was raining, so the flotilla was canceled. Oh well - Malloy didn't want us to go anyways...

Jimmy's done with school until January on Tuesday. Woo hoo! He heads out to a trade show in D.C for work on Wednesday. My mom is coming Wednesday evening for the weekend to check out some job prospects in Wilmington and explore the town. My mom is going to be my date for our company Christmas party on Friday night and our December Dinner Club on Saturday. Should be a good time...

Now this is Christmas...

Check out this holiday spirited town. Sure beats the lit up boats and palm trees around these parts. I can't wait to get to Boone and then Maryland for a real deal Christmas scene...

{via Bing.com}

COOKIES

Has anyone else been following the Pioneer Woman's cookie quest? My mouth is watering for this one...

{Chocolate Caramel Cookies with Sea Salt - www.thepioneerwoman.com}

In other news, my computer from freshman year of college has finally kicked the bucket. Not sure if Jimmy and his computer can handle me and my "bookmarking" habit. Speaking of bookmarks, I've sadly lost all the recipes and design pics I've saved over the last couple years. What is a girl to do?

Thanksgiving

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We certainly did, though we greatly missed seeing Colin and the O'Connor's this year. Can't wait for Christmas when we get to see siblings, moms, dads, grandparents and all. So here goes the marathon post. We got to Boone mid-afternoon on Wednesday and met my dad downtown to see his "new" law office and then we walked to a Boone classic for lunch - the old Boone Drug Store where there's still a soda shop counter just like the old days. We then drove to my mom's where we hung out and awaited Ali's arrival from Chapel Hill. A little Thanksgiving prep, a takeout pizza, lots of catching up and it was time to call it a night.

Thursday was, of course, lots of kitchen time and a wonderful Thanksgiving meal. Here's the girls taking a break from slaving away to look beautiful...

Friday consisted of some good Black Friday outlet shopping. I, not surprisingly, lasted way longer than Ali and Jimmy, so I had to meet them later at our next engagement - dinner and recuperating at my dad's. Lazy boy...

Saturday we went on a great hike where we scaled a good portion of Grandfather Mountain. It was about 20 something degrees with 20 mph winds, but we bundled up and climbing such intense elevation definitely helped keep us warm as well...

Saturday night, mom joined us for yummy lasagna and Cranium at dad's...

It was seriously such a great Thanksgiving. Riding in the back of an old pick-up truck is so much cooler than the boring ol' Accord. When can we go back to Boone?

 

In other news, Happy Birthday to the one and only, Martha, Momma O'C, O'Connor!