Bestie In Town!

My bestie Marla is headed to the Holy City for the weekend! 

So happy to have her at the house for a few days --

I must admit it is very refreshing to have another female in the house every once in a while. 

I pray that God blesses me with a little girl one day or I may go grey very early. 

TGTIF -- Thank God Tomorrow is Friday! 

Enjoy your Thirsty Thursday Evening, y'all! 

xo,

Shans 

Tired Tuesday

What a weekend! 

So sad to be back in the office after such a sun-filled holiday weekend. 

I am a little crispy after lots of time in the sun this weekend. Boat day, followed by a pool day, followed by a dock day However, I did apply sunscreen several times which is really a brand new thing for me. Mom never was a real stickler on sunscreen when we were kids. Having some Native American genes in the family we never really got sunburned.
I think the worst sunburn of my life just happened a few weeks ago
 (I'm sure you remember my rants on people staring in the office.)

Cole and I staycationed in MTP this weekend for a nice relaxing trip away from our JI shoe box. 

I cannot believe June is only 2 days away, and we will be starting our final month there. It honestly does not seem like we have been living together for a year! I know the whole living together before you're married thing is still very taboo for some people, but I would highly recommend it. 

Boys are strange strange creatures, and you really never know what you're in for until you share 1000 sq. feet with one. It has definitely brought us closer, and I must admit...it is fun having a slumber party with your BFF every day! 

Scary thing is that we don't have a new place to live yet, and I really do not like the idea of being homeless! 

Keep your fingers crossed we find a place soon. 

xo, 

Shans

Jenni Shae on My Mind

For some reason I found myself thinking about my sweet cousin Jenni today. 

Jenni lost her battle with cancer in 2010 at the age of 18.

She is such an inspiration to me. When I think of her I am reminded of how blessed I have been in this life. 

A year ago as I walked across the cistern to receive my degree from The College of Charleston, I couldn't help but think of how much Jenni would have liked to experience college. That girl was made for college -- she loved to gossip and she loved Sparks. The perfect combination for a college girl. 

After Coleman and I got engaged I couldn't help but think of Jenni. 

Every little girl dreams of the day prince charming pops the question, but Jenni never got to see that dream become a reality. It doesn't seem fair, and it makes you wonder why some people get the opportunity to live out their dreams while others don't. 

For a moment thinking of her makes me sad, but then I think about what a happy soul she was, and the sadness begins to fade. She was never bitter about her cancer or the path God chose for her. 

I am a huge fan of The Band Perry, and it is amazing how much this song remind me of sweet Jenni Shae.

I know she is happy, and most importantly, I know she is pain-free.
 She is delighting in our Father's house waiting for her daddy to come up and spoil her like he always did. Until then, she will continue to smile down on everyone who ever knew her, and we will continue to feel her presence around us. 

xo, 

Shans

I heart Phil

Many doubted him, including Coleman, but my boy Phil Phillips did it! 

He won America Idol, and I adore him. 

Check out this video of him winning, attempting sing, and hugging his mama with eyes full of tears.

Isn't he just precious? 

xo, 

Shans

That's Better

This makes me feel better.

Sometimes I Just Want to Scream

There is nothing more upsetting than we someone undermines your intelligence. 

Someone's tone of voice can really make or break a conversation.

Nothing makes me more angry than we someone talks to you in that tone of voice. The one where you can just tell that the other person thinks they are a million times more intelligent than you are, and you just know that nothing you say will change their mind.

It is even worse when it is coming from your boss. 

This is my rant for the day. 

Thanks for listening. 

xo, 

Shans

Hiss.

I once lived with a girl with very small hands.

Her name is Katie, and we affectionately refer to her as kk or babyhands.

kk likes to hiss at people/things that annoy her/perturb her, and unfortunately, I picked up this less than lady-like habit from her after sharing a tiny little mole-hole sized apt with her for a year. 

So now I hiss. Silently. Out loud. Via text.

Today I am hissing silently,out loud, and via text at the florist I was supposed to meet with yesterday. 

HISS.

I drove from my office to Summerville at 5pm (the worst traffic in Charleston is I-26 WB at 5pm) in the pouring rain -- got lost -- finally arrived only to find the store dark and locked up.

I was steaming angry. 

and wet from the rain. 

a deadly combination. 

I left a not so very polite voicemail for the lady, and sent a not so very polite follow up email. 

Moments later I received a very apologetic phone call explaining that the enormous rain storm that came through Summerville the night before had damaged the roof of her building. Contractors had been there all day working to repair the problem (this explains the big red ladder in the middle of the show room that was visible from the front window). Apparently, an hour before our meeting was schedule the contractors through the power out and cut the electricity in an effort to repair the roof and all of the little florists were sent home. Thus explains why I had been ditched. I was obviously still very ticked, but her apology seemed very sincere and she promised to make it up to me.

I guess I will temporarily forgive her for her lack of notifying me of the change of plans, but she better make it up to me when we do have our consultation, or I shall take my business elsewhere. And, that's that. Hiss.

Expect to see future post about things that I hiss at. It also to be noted that I have even gotten my boss, a Chaplain and former Assistant Sheriff to start hissing as well. 

xo, 

Shans

Flowers!

If these aren't beautiful then I don't know what beautiful is. 

Going to a florist appointment with my mother after work today. So excited to get one more thing crossed off my list. I have never been a huge flower girl -- of course I think they are pretty, but I never have had a favorite. 

Well, that all changed after I got this pretty little ring on my finger. See those flowers with the bold blue centers? Those are called anemones. 

Are they not amazingly stunning? I am totally obsessed and I cannot wait to tote them down the aisle with me. YAY. Cross your fingers this appointment goes well! 

xo, 

Shans

Death by Television

Last night while I was babysitting, I received a heart-breaking text from Coleman:

"Ducky is dead."

For those of you who don't know about Coleman's freakish obsession with the hit show...NCIS, Ducky is one of the main characters, the resident medical examiner. 

Although NCIS is not my favorite show of all time, I must admit that Ducky, or Dr. Mallard (clever nickname, huh?) was the peanut butter to the whole program's jelly, and I am not sure how they will continue on without his precious little accent. To top it all off, his unexpected death occurred in the last moments of the season finale. Now Coleman will have to wait all summer to see what is next. The suspense may kill him. 

In other television death news, one of my favorite stars from the wildly intelligent program Swamp People passed away recently. This is totally different from Ducky, in that Mitchell Guist was in fact a real person.

He and his brother, Glenn, really added the spice of life to the whole show. They could often be found hunting squirrel or digging catfish up out of the river. I am almost positive that neither of these two men have ever eaten a meal they didn't forage with their own two hands.

 Affectionately know as the "Redneck Brothers" in my household, they were always sure to bring a laugh.

My condolences to Glenn. 

Lets hope that this is all the death we experience as our programs reach their season's end. 

xo, 

Shans

Bored in the Office

Bored in the office this morning, I decided to stumble through some blogs. I stumbled upon a local girl who is getting married just 2 weeks AFTER us. Her blog was just precious and filled with wedding details. 

Although I am sure none of my readers truly care to know all the little deets, I was  jealous of her ability to share. So, I will share anyways. 

It is hard to believe that Coleman and I have been engaged for almost 3 months. It seems like just yesterday I was running around our shoe-box apartment screaming "WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!" at the top of my lungs. Since then I have gotten a LOT done. Lots of down payments (and some final) made, and lots of contracts signed. It makes me VERY giddy to check things off the list. 

Here is a little -- ok maybe long-- run-down of what I have accomplished thus far. 

VENUES

Grace Episcopal Church

The sanctuary is absolutely breath taking.

I can only imagine what it will be like when those doors open and I stare down this aisle to see Coleman waiting for me.

South Carolina Society Hall 

The most fantastic reception hall I could have dreamed of. So historic. So Charleston.

The Band 

Uncle Funkle 

www.otherbrotherent.com/unkle_funkle.html

Love them!

The Photographer 

Heather Manukin of Manukin Photography

She did a wonderful job on our engagement photos. Here is a little peak at some of my favorites. 

check out her FB page.  

Ok, I think I have bored you enough for the day. I have gotten a few other things taken care of like my dress, the bridesmaids dresses, the cake, and the flowers, but I can update you on those another time. 

Also, I should probably get back to my day job. 

It sure would be nice to get paid to blog. 

A girl can dream. 

xo, 

Shans

Estrogen in the Office

After SIX months of having no Director of Fundraising, I am happy to announce we finally have a new employee. Our former Director left us back in October which consequently left me here by my lonesome for the majority of the time. But, now my loneliness will be significantly less! To make it even better...

its a FEMALE! 

Praise the Lord! 

After 9 months of being the only full-time female employee, I now have some company in the estrogen arena. I could not be more happy about that. Men just don't understand sometimes... well a lot of the times, and having her here will make everything so much easier for me. 

That is my YAY for the day! Have a good one! 

xo, 

Shans 

ACA Weekend

Charleston Affair has come and gone, and I am still relishing in how nice it was to have all of our friends in one place for a few days. Yesterday, was the one year anniversary of my college graduation. It is seriously amazing how quickly time flies. It in no way feels like it has been a year since I walked the Cistern stage in my little white dress. 

Sitting on the ZTA house (crooked) porch swing after graduation. 

The last year has brought a lot of changes my way: friends moving away, getting a job, moving in with Coleman, supporting myself financially, getting a puppy, and getting a fiance! I have to admit that life without your closest friends nearby is a toughy. It was so comforting to see a familiar face around every corner. Sadly, everyone had ventured off to their new homes. Is it sad that I am already counting down to Charleston Affair 2013? 

Here we are at the affair -- in my rental dress. I swear by Rent The Runway and will blog about how awesome they are soon! 

xo, 

Shans

Long Hair... I Do Care

Since getting engaged I have been in a real dilemma about my hair. 

I have been wearing in relatively short since 2009...cutting in shorter and shorter almost every time I have made   a trip to the salon -- a salon I love dearly where the best hair professional in Charleston (Melissa Goodman --look her up at Stuart Laurence)works her magic on my unmanageable curls. I trust her completely, and I will pretty much let her do whatever she thinks is best when it comes to my hair. 

Of course, I want a beautiful and elegant up-do for my wedding day locks. The first time I sat in Melissa chair with this pretty little ring on my fingers things took a turn for the worse! Melissa politely but sternly looked at me and said "Shannon, you know you can't be cutting your hair." 

AH! No more short hair until AFTER we say 'I do". 

I am allowed a tiny trim every 4  months to keep the hairs looking healthy and beautiful, but I am forbidden from an actual haircut until April 7, 2013. So, the hair is growing, and it is freaking me out. 

I have not had hair this long in years! I unexpectedly feel it touching my back or shoulder and have a small freak out -- because I obviously think a bug of some sort is attacking me. Not normal... this is going to take some getting used to. 

xo, 

Shans

339?

Thank goodness for the wedding countdown app on our wedding wesbite.

It helps to keep things in perspective. 

No need to panic about the menu, Shannon, you have 339 more days to go.

Thank you, Wedding Wire. 

April 6, 2013

Not Very Nice

It is not very nice to stare at someone just because they have a gnarly sunburn going on. 

You also don't have to point it out to me -- its not like I didn't know. 

When you come into my office, and say oh wow someone got too much sun this weekend you are only pointing out the blatantly obvious. It doesn't help when you mimic a sunburned person by walking around stiff like with your arms straight out to the side. I am only laughing because you're a cop and it is the polite thing to do.