Week 6 - Wobble

As described by the Miriam Webster online dictionary, the word 'wobble' means: to move or proceed with an irregular staggering motion or unsteadily and clumsily from side to side. It is also the name of the newest hip-hop DANCE. And yes, during week six of 2011, I learned to 'wobble'. Why you ask? Well, for fun of course! :) There's always a story, so let me tell you about it...

Last November I had the awesome privilege to sing on stage at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta as a part of a choral group for Messiah Rocks. It was one of those didn't-even-dare-to-dream, dream come true! This choral group began with my friend Brock and grew to about sixteen of us. He was asked to sing as a part of another group, which fell apart due to various factors. He was then asked if he had any friends who sang/danced and could learn the music in about five days. And that is how S3! (Singers of Southern Soul) was born. We are a group of new and old friends who are passionate about the arts - and love to "paint pictures on silence." (You can find us on Facebook by searching for S3!)

After we sang for Messiah Rocks (www.handelsmessiahrocks.com) our group went on the back burner during the holidays. Then, in January, one of our members had a new gig for us - to be a "Flash Mob" at an upcoming event where he was the host/talent. So our group "Flash Mobbed" an award event at the Georgia Aquarium. We had a blast singing songs that had been re-written to fit the evening AND were still 'under the sea'. To end the evening we taught the entire party the "Wobble". If you have never heard of it, you should watch it on YouTube. Not only is it a fun dance, but you for SURE will burn a lot of calories while ya dance! The smiles and laughter from the crowd was awesome as they watched us dancing the wobble...

"Flash Mob" - Group Picture (can you TELL we dressed up as tacky tourists?) 

Singing "Surfin USA" 

Group pic from "Messiah Rocks" - this is how we normally look!

Week 5 - 'Sisters'

This week was pretty much devoted to family. My 'sister' and her husband came down from Ohio for a visit. Jessica and I met at a conference for school when we were sixteen. We both happened to be singing in a random group next to each other and struck up a conversation. Later that same year we went on a 'mission trip' and were randomly assigned to be roommates. I was in the dorm first and when I opened the door, and saw that it was her, we both screamed with excitement. Amazingly enough, we each had letters addressed to the other that we were going to finish writing and send while on the mission trip. From there a friendship was born that developed into sisterhood. Neither of us had a sister, and we both wanted one, so our families kind of "adopted" us into each others lives. We've gone on vacations with each other's families and by ourselves, talked for hours on the phone, written stacks of cards and letters (well at least on her end), swapped gifts for occasions or just for fun, yelled, screamed, cried, and laughed over the years. We truly have shared 'life' with each other - and that, more than blood, is what makes us 'sisters'.

This week's visit was mostly spent with my family, as they had not seen her in a few years. My brother of course was thrilled, because I think sometimes he likes Jess more than me for his sister! LOL They went to the GA Aquarium (and were duly impressed) and the Coke museum, where she lost her husband to one of the myriad number of assembly lines as he watched the coke process from beginning to end. My dad's side of the family all came over on Thursday evening for dinner and we wound up taking tons of pictures and discussing baby stuff. (I get to be an auntie in June!) Friday was kind of 'our' day to chill, so we went shopping and had a great girlie time getting massages. Fabulous!

Jess and Papa 

Jerad, Jess, Jonathan, Mom & Dad 

 Pointing out her baby belly! :)

Week 4 - Insanity

Nothing particularly interesting for this week... other than the fact that I hardly saw my home except to sleep in! Work was very busy with planning, preparing, and executing 2 rather large events. Which of course, I totally loved! Events and Jenn are like two peas in a pod... :)

Not the best picture, as it was from my phone, but this is the table decor that was used. I had a blast catering!

Week 3 - Cabin

With all of the snow that the Atlanta area and North Georgia received last week, my weekend away cabin trip was in jeopardy. However, by Friday afternoon the 'all clear' was given and myself, along with a few close friends, packed our duffle bags with lounge clothes and our cars with food, and headed to the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Georgia. The original cabin we were supposed to get was pretty much inaccessible. The mountains had received anywhere from 6-10 inches and since the weather is just now getting into the forties, it for sure was not melting much. So our rental agency placed us in an adorable little cabin by the river. The cabin was cozy and the view was gorgeous. AND there was still about five inches of snow on the ground. But this was REAL snow, not the ice crap that we had back home. This was powder that shaped wonderfully into snowballs, snowmen, and snow angels!

Friday evening was spent unloading cars, cooking dinner, playing on the Wii, and then the girls chillin in the hot tub. I think that was my favorite part, being able to sit in the hot tub while looking over the rambling river with beautiful snow everywhere. Saturday was another day of lounging in comfy clothes, eating more food, taking naps, reading books, watching movies, playing games, singing at the top of our lungs and of course - relaxing in the hot tub. We also took a trip to "town" - which means the Apple place. I don't remember the name of it, but they have not only the best apple juice/cider/fruit but also the best fudge. Plus an array of country items to look at, comment on and enjoy. Sunday was more of the same along with a realization that we brought way to much food.

Our lovely "electronic free" weekend was over, and Monday found us heading back to the city. Once out of the mountains we texted, called, and "four-squared" our way back home. If you've never taken at least a few days without cracking open a computer for email, sending a text, playing 'words with friends', or checking your Facebook - you are sorely missing out. It makes me want to unleash myself from the technology of today... well, almost.

Our little cabin!

View from the back porch

Saturday evening sunset

Well, we didn't have anyone to take a group picture - so I took one of our autographed cups! 

Week 2 - Snow!

If you ever want to shut Georgia down, just let it snow! It began on Sunday night (1/9) with sleet and freezing rain, but quickly turned to snow. Anywhere from 1 to 5 inches fell across the city and suburbs throughout the evening wreaking havoc everywhere. The city had three inches that fell in ONE hour! For northern states, thats not necessarily odd, but for Atlanta? HA! It shut down interstates, caused I-20 to be a parking lot for tractor trailer trucks for two days, and generally kept people from going anywhere. Schools were closed all week (buses were either stuck in ice or couldn't get to all of the kids), many businesses were closed for several days and everyone was encouraged to stay home until Wednesday.

Facebook was entertaining with all the parents and teachers discussing the fact the kids were out so long, because by Thursday there really was no snow left on the south side, although north of Atlanta still had some treacherous areas. (Ice was the main problem) I think even the kids were ready to go back to school by then. I enjoyed the two days at home chilling with the dog, taking pictures, and watching hours of "Pawn Stars". While it would have been nice to have more than an inch or two, it was still fun and definitely pretty to look at!

There was a pleasant "crunch" beneath your feet when tromping through the snow. I don't think the cows liked it though...

A bit of color against the bleak background.

My road... not exactly fun to drive on!

You even hint at the word "snow" and for some reason, bread and milk just fly off the shelves. This was at Walmart the Sunday afternoon before the snow hit. I went just for fun to see what the shelves looked like.