6 Months!!!!



This Saturday is our 6 month anniversary!!!  I cannot believe Chad and I have already been married SIX MONTHS!!  It has FLOWN by!  It seems like we were just starting to plan, then everything fell into place for October 2 in just about one day, and then our showers began, and then it was the weekend before the wedding and we were in Memphis going over last minute details and dancing on the driveway with my parents while the CD of our first dance was playing on the car CD player.

I remember so clearly the Wednesday night before we got married; Chad and I left after church and headed to Memphis, getting in around 11 that night.  We sat up late talking to my parents about the wedding and opening any gifts that had been brought by the house or my mom had gotten from gift shops we registered from.  That was such a fun and exciting night.  The next day, Chad and I went for our last session of pre-marital counseling, to get our marriage license, and to pick up our engagement picture to take to the rehearsal dinner for the wedding party to sign.  We couldn't wait until that night when friends from out of town came in and to go downtown with our bridesmaids and groomsmen to the Rendezvous, walk around Beale Street, and then out for cheesecake.  It was so much fun all of us piling into the trolley and going down to the train station to show everyone where the reception would be, just two days later!  Friday, the day before our BIG day, we had the Bridesmaids Luncheon and then to treat my dear friends to manicures and pedicures.  Not long after this though, it was time for my mom and I to go get our hair fixed for the Rehearsal Dinner.  This was such ANOTHER fun time with our family and friends.  This is when it really sunk in to me that we were getting married.  The rehearsal made it all feel real and at the same time, a little surreal.  More of our friends were in town by the time we were finished with dinner and we met them at The Peabody to hang out.  It began getting late and after everyone had left, Chad and I exchanged our wedding gifts.  This too was so exciting and special for us and so crazy to think that in twenty-four hours we would be MARRIED!!

The big day came, and my parents and I got up and went to breakfast before going to the church and train station to check on everything.  I was getting a little nervous at this point, but once I saw everything in the church and how beautiful it all looked, I could not wait until 7:00 and to marry Chad! 

Now, let's fast forward to today, March 31, 2011, with our six month anniversary just two days away.  Wow!  I feel like we have already done so much together and been through so much in just six months and have so much planned for the next few months that we can NOT wait.  It's still so hard to believe that we live in Starkville too, but I must admit, it is starting to sink in more and we are getting more used to it .  I'll be honest, in the beginning, it was definitely a "culture shock" for us, but we are adjusting more and more each day!   It was such a big change from Memphis to Starkville, not having our amazing friends and family right around the corner, having new jobs, and of course, a new marriage.  It has taken some time, but we are feeling more and more at home now.  I am so thankful the warm weather is here and summer is around the corner and Chad is thankful baseball season is here! 

The past six months have been better than either of us would have dreamed of and we have become even closer and even better friends each day!  We are loving our life and can't wait for the next six months to start! 

Check back later in the weekend for first of next week to see how our "six month anniversary" was!



Pollen... GO AWAY!

GROSS. GROSS. GROSS.

What else do I need to say?  There is nothing good about pollen, the looks, the color, the way it covers  your car, when you touch it or even walk outside, you immediately feel like you need to wash your hands.  I am ready for a good rain to settle the pollen and get the air clear and my car white again!

To be fair to pollen, I did do a little, but not much, research on the "benefits of pollen".  I didn't come up with anything more than "researchers have reasoned" that pollen is good for your health and boosts your immune system.  I don't really buy their "reasoning" when I am an sneezing constantly and it starts up the second I walk outside.  The only benefit I see is in taking nighttime allergy medicine that makes me drowsy and sleep better.  :)

So, I don't know if there are any pollen lovers out there, but if you do love pollen, please let me know what the benefits are.  If you don't like pollen, pray for rain!

Happy sneezing to all and to all a yellow car!

An Act of Congress

Oh what a day...

As I told you all earlier in the week, two major things on my agenda for spring break were to get a social security card with my new name on it and new driver's license.  Monday morning I went to Social Security almost right when they opened and didn't have to wait too long.  I had everything there with me, driver's license, marriage license, current SS card, and whatever else was needed.  It didn't take long at all for me to get the ball rolling and was told that my new card would be here within two weeks.  I told the lady that I wanted to get a new driver's license and asked if there was anything I needed from them to do this.  She told me no, all I needed to do was wait 24 hours and my new name would be in the system ready to go.  Sounds easy enough, right?  Wrong.

Tuesday I ran to Memphis for the day for an appointment and to spend the day with my mom.  I drove there and back Tuesday so Chad and I couldn't get to the DMV yesterday.  We decided we would around lunch time today that way we could both wait and both get it done.  Chad and I pulled in to the DMV at 12:30 and went in, even though there was a line to the door.  We knew it would probably take a long time, but this is something that I have to get done and breaks are really my only chance.  When it was our turn to go, forty-five minutes later, I told the lady  that we needed new licenses and that we had moved here from out of state.  She told me there were a few things we needed in order to do this:

- A driver's license.  Check. 
- A lease or mortage.  Check.   
- Our old licenses.  Check. 
- Our social security cards. Check.
 
I told her I had my current one, but had applied for a new one Monday and was told it would show up in the system within 24 hours for me to get a license.  I told her I had asked them for any paperwork needed proving this and that the DMV would need and was told no.  The  DMV lady asked if we had gotten married recently and if that was why I was changing my name and said that I had to go back to Social Security and get a printout and come back.  Chad and I just looked at each other like "are you kidding me??"  I don't think the air was on in this place, it was crowded, people hovered over you, some were wearing flannel pajama pants with houseshoes, and some brought their entire family.  This is a family affair.

By now it was 1:15 and we left the DMV and headed to Social Security.  I explained to the police officer at SS why I was there and what had happened.  He knew exactly what I needed and told me what to ask for.  Thirty minutes LATER when my number is called, I finally got a printout to take BACK to the DMV.  Chad and I decided that we should take a lunch break before we go back and stand in a line with no air and a big crowd.  This will also give us a chance to fill out the paperwork from the DMV.  With a little more energy now and possibly more patience, we head back.  This time, there is NO LINE!  Yippee! 

The lady remembered us and I gave her all of the paperwork.  She started on mine and then looks up and asked me, "Where is your marriage license?"  I said, "at home."  She asked me earlier if we had recently gotten married and NEVER mentioned needing that!!  She told me I needed to go home and get it and she would be working on Chad's paperwork while I was gone.  So, I head home for our marriage license and I asked her twice if there was anything else I might need. 

Thirty-five minutes later I pulled back in to the DMV and ran back in there.  Thankfully, there was not a line this time either.  This time they do have two people working, but NO LINE.  They needed that person two hours ago and I would've liked to have told them that, but anyway back to the story.  Chad had text me while I was gone and told me to bring my glasses, so I did have those luckily.  As I go up to the counter and the lady re-starts my paperwork, I asked Chad if he was able to get his taken care of.  NO.  He only had one contact in that day and failed the vision test so he could not get his license.  Really????  After all of this!!!!  I didn't know whether to laugh, scream, or cry.  At this point, it is just getting ridiculous.

I put my glasses on for the vision test and pass and went back to stand in line.  I thought to myself, if I fail the vision test, I will just keep my TN license and forget this!  The door keeps opening and they are starting to get a crowd again.  Instead of people stopping at a marked spot (that isn't there, but should be and I would like to recommend that also!), the couple behind me stands, literally on my heels.  I still have to get information to the lady and I have this couple hovering me and remember there is NO AIR.  I kept looking at Chad, pretty annoyed with the crowd,  the heat, and people at my heels, when finally the lady is finished with my paperwork and I can get my picture made.  I then went back to the "waiting zone", standing by the door that is, and wait for my name to be called.  This fortunately, is the fastest part of the whole process.

If anyone else is need of a new license from out of state, be prepared... it is an act of Congress.

To you, my new fellow Mississipians, I hope Starkville treats me as well as Memphis has after three trips, three and a half hours, and a day of my spring break to become a local citizen.  Please Starkville, make us proud. 

Time for a Break

I cannot express how excited I am that it is spring break.  I was in need of some time off and time to relax, and to be honest, a little me time.  It's funny how breaks always come at just the right time.  During the week, our schedules are so busy and hectic that it is hard to just sit down and relax.  Now, I'm not much of a "sitter-downer" as it is, but there are times when I would like to sit for ten minutes or so and just be.  There is always something we need to do, either for my job, Chad's job, going to the gym, cooking dinner, laundy, whatever it is, and this week I just want to sleep in and catch up on some rest.  I will still cook dinner, still go to the gym, but there is nothing that HAS to be done at any particular time.  I may be able to go the gym one morning, mid-afternoon, or at our usual night time, but no matter what, it's ok!  I have the WHOLE day to me!  One of the best feelings today was knowing that I am off tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day and so on!  It's such a feeling of freedom knowing that I can relax for a few days and then get ready to finish the year!  I feel like Christmas break I caught up on rest to last until now and now spring break needs to be used to catch up on rest to last me until May.  I keep telling myself, "I think I can, I think I can."

We have such busy schedules the next few weeks and really starting now and lasting throughout the summer.  I love staying busy and getting out and about, but there are times when I just love staying in and watching a movie or even dare I say it, going to bed early!  We don't have big plans for the break and normally I love planning a spring break trip and this is the first time I have not gone anywhere over spring break in I don't know how long.  However, I am excited about doing nothing for a few days.  I know I won't really "do nothing" because that just isn't me, but it sounds good, right?  My parents are coming later in the week (unless they decide to head to Tulsa to cheer on the Tigers) and we are going to Jackson to do a little shopping.  I do plan to get a few things done such as get a new social security card and driver's license, which I have not yet had time to do so that is going to kick my day off tomorrow.  It's hard to find time to do things like that because those offices are only open Monday thru Friday and are closed by the time I get out of school, so here it is five and a half months later when I officially or should I say "legally" become a Hammontree.  Also on my agenda are a manicure and pedicure!  That will be filed under the category of "me time" over the break.  I just love taking a good book and relaxing in the pedicure chair with the massage on.  Who doesn't love that?

The picture with this post is from last spring break at the Cardinal's spring training in Jupiter, FL. 

Anyway, I just wanted to let you all know (if anyone is reading this) that it is spring break and I want to shout it from the rooftops.  If you hear a big "YIPEEEEEE!" it's me. 

New York Movies

I absoluetly LOVE New York!  Chad has never been before so we are planning our trip complete with all of the tourist attractions, Yankees game, Broadway play, 4th of July fireworks on the Hudson, and great restaurants.  As we are planning for our trip this summer, Chad decided that we should start watching NYC movies... this weekend!  This weekend we kicked off our movie "challenge" with Hitch and Two Weeks Notice.  Once again, my vote for You've Got Mail was vetoed.  Maybe next weekend!  There are so many great New York movies, from the movies already mentioned to Serendipity, Spiderman, When Harry Met Sally, It Could Happen To You, Ghostbusters, Ninja Turtles, The Devil Wears Prada, and the list could on and on!

We need in help in watching the BEST NYC movies there are.  So... tell us, what is your favorite New York movie?

Great Weekend

It's been awhile!  I wrote this post last week and never had a chance to post it!  What a great weekend Chad and I have had!  I am not ready for the weekend to be over.  Why is it that weekdays seem to drag on and on, but weekends fly by?! 

We started the weekend off by going to see Unknown Friday night and then to dinner.  Unknown was good, very intense.  It was different than either of us thought it would be, but still good.  Saturday we slept in, ate breakfast and then went to Columbus for the morning.  The weather was perfect so it was a great day to get out and about.  We came back to Starkville early afternoon and decided to go play golf.  I drove the golf cart and would stand out in the sun in hopes of getting a little color while Chad golfed.  I putted a few times from the green, but just for fun.  We decided to call it "getting back into the swing of things" and considered it a practice round.  This was a blast and we were out there a couple of hours before returning back home to get ready for the youth group "Wii Want to Play Night" at our house.  This was a LOT of fun!  We had a great group come and enjoyed hanging out with each of them.  We had fun from eating Rotel, playing Wii, to watching Dominos order tracker online!  That cracked the youth up for quite awhile. 

Sunday after church, we came home ate lunch and then started working more on our vacations to Florida and New York this summer.  We cannot wait for our trips, even though our summer is pretty much packed!  We booked our flights to New York earlier in the week so today we booked our play tickets on Broadway and Yankees tickets.  We have started making a list of everything we plan to do.  You know me and how I love to play travel agent so we are trying to get everything ready to go and planned!  I cannot wait to keep planning our trips and really cannot wait until we get to enjoy our vacations this summer!

Hope you all had a great weekend too!