it's almost my half birthday!

I just got back from a great preview of my fun mini vacay at the beach...next weekend. That's also when I get to celebrate my half birthday, and yes I'm serious :). There's a huge hurrah for it and there are even fancy fireworks on my behalf - thank you July 4th! I'll be back at the island hanging with the E's and The Dunhams and everyone in between and I. can't. wait. I was there briefly this weekend and I was so sad to leave.

Before my trip to the coast I had my first Junior League event. Yes, I have finally been convinced to join! After two years of avoiding the invitation I have decided to stop being selfish and join a community organization. Besides all the philanthropic gestures {that I'm all in favor for of course} I've been saying "I don't need any more girl friends..." And then it dawned on me - those potential "new girlfriends" might just know potential new boy friends...and brother-in-laws, cousins, etc. HA! So I signed up.

Saturday's event was called Summer Camp and it was a volunteer training, learn about the League, get to know one another by enduring dreaded icebreakers kind of day. I went with my neighborhood friends Lane and Sidney who are joining with me...and we call ourselves the Architectural Board of our neighborhood and we critique the houses around us...but nobody knows it. We had a great time and I learned there are other girls joining for my same passion. But in all seriousness though, here's why I'm really joining:

The Junior League of Tallahassee is a nonprofit organization of women committed to improving the lives of children through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. JLT commits more than 5,000 volunteer hours and contributes more than $80,000 annually to our community. The proceeds acquired through our fundraisers benefit local area children and their families by targeting their specific needs.
{the JLT Mission Statement}

Oh, and I'm also selling cookbooks! Want to buy one?? I will have another post just for that but if you're interested let me know. JLT is celebrating its 50th year and have a brand spankin' new cookbook to sell.

After Summer Camp, I headed to St. George to meet Marcus, Holly, and Sally Kate. We cheered Marcus on while he ran in the St. George Summer Sizzler 5k and we were so proud of him! If you ever see him, ask him about his sweet souvenir tank. Today, mom and dad arrived at the island. They're staying through Wednesday and I'll be in Tallahassee working {there is something wrong with that picture} so we had dinner in Apalach tonight before I headed home.

My adventure home was not so cheerful. I drove straight into a very severe thunderstorm...and I was all alone and terrified. I suffer from self-diagnosed weatherphobia which causes anxiety and tears. It has gotten better throughout the years but tonight it was in full force! Luckily, I was able to have dad check the weather channel and call me with reports since local radio stations were dropping one by one. After finally emerging from the backwoods of Wakulla county I pulled into the Publix parking lot. Publix=my safety zone. I waited in my car as my emotions went up and down and the rain and lighting also did the same fluctuation. And then I made a run for it. I just couldn't handle sitting in my car alone so I made a beeline for the sliding glass doors! And you should have seen me...here I am soaked from head to toe wearing a Lilly sundress {think beach prom or at least that's what Holly said about my outfit today!} and balling my eyes out. I was quite the spectacle. So I calmed down and then waited out the storm still getting up-to-date weather report phone calls from daddy {thank you!}. Amidst this traumatic experience, I did manage to catch up on all my magazines and do a little necessary grocery shopping. I also spotted and snagged the newest Martha Stewart Weddings. I was starting to feel better.

I am home safe and sound now and looking forward to next weekend!! Counting down the days...

at the 5k

the e's after the race...way to go marcus!

I spotted this new little gem tonight leaving apalach...I'll be back to shop you next weekend!