Here are some pics from our trip to Nashville.
Vanderbilt's Gym
Vandy's Football Field
As we were exploring Nashville's nightlife, we discovered Nude Karaoke!
Elvis!
Pete and I at the famous Jack's BBQ!
I got Kansas City Ribs: SOOOOOO GOOD!
If you are going to the beach, playing tennis, golf, or gardening, UV Naturals Sport Sunscreen will absolutely protect you from the sun. I have used this for one year and would never take part in any of the above activities without it. 
UV Naturals Sunscreens were ranked #1 by the Environmental Working Groups as being the safest and most effective sunscreens in the US/World. This Australian based company offers a a mineral-based, fragrance free sunscreen with 24.8% Zinc Oxide as its main ingredient. No other sunscreen offers a higher concentration of Zinc Oxide. It also includes grape seed oil, green tea, natural vitamin E oil, grape seed extract, lavender, and a host of other great ingredients. It is also available in SPF 15.
With all of the oils included, you do NOT need additional moisturizer unless you are a corpse. Their motto is "a little goes a long way" and they are not kidding. If you slather this stuff on you will be a greasy mess. You do have to wait 10 minutes for the stuff to absorb, but the protection you get is wonderful and the oils and antioxidants are great for repairing your skin even as it protects you from the sun. The site says you can wear this under makeup, but I have not found this to be true. It is too thick and greasy to wear everyday in my opinion. But I would not use anything else for outdoor activities.
Because SPF 30+ only protects your skin from 98% of UV rays, you may still get some color. But this is true with any sunscreen you use.
The Sport formula is sweat-resistant (I attest to that), water-resistant, doesn't sting my eyes, and has an incredibly long shelf life (more than a year). It is safe to use on newborn babies (UV Natural Baby).
You can purchase UV Naturals online for $29.50 or so. But the tube is 5.29 ounces, has a long shelf life, and is worth every penny. Here is an online store you can order from:
http://www.wetsand.com/product.asp?locationid=4&ProdId=2607&AFID=28
(UV Natural SPort (1.7 ounce) for $17.99)
http://www.refreshinglyfree.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.44/.f
(UV Natural Baby, $29.50, 5.29 ounces)
After searching for an everyday mineral based sunscreen that did not make me slimy, white, or otherwise odd looking, I have found something wonderful!
Juice Organics SPF 30 Light Tint Moisturizer kills two birds with one stone for me. It is wonderfully moisturizing and my skin glows (not in a shiny way) when I wear it. It is "mineral-tinted moisturizer that combines chemical-free sun protection with organic white grape and pomegranite juices, vitamin antioxidants, and essential nutrients to replenish and protect for maximum anti-aging benefits (quote from package)." The active ingredient is Titanium Dioxide, 10%.
I have been using this for three weeks and it has not broken me out. It will not provide full coverage, but does cover smaller imperfections quite well. Makeup goes on easily over this (I wear Bare Minerals over this and it looks great). I wear this nearly every day and have not gotten more freckles, so it is protecting me from the sun.
I highly recommend this product to anyone with dry to normal skin looking for a mineral based sunscreen and moisturizer. I have paler skin, so I slather it on without worrying about whether it will make me a strange color. No matter how much I put on my skin looks great and I am not sticky or shiny. I would not wear this at the beach, as UV Naturals remains my favorite for sports/beach wear, but I do wear this every other day.
It is $14.99 for 1.7 ounces and can be found at Target, Harris Teeter, Kroger, and other shops. The price is very low for the quality you receive. I have tried many, many expensive sunscreens and this is by far my favorite. I love it!
Pete and I will celebrate our three year wedding anniversary on June 18!
Here is a slideshow of our fantastic wedding. Oh, the memories...
Quirky characters, a catchy plot, terrific writing, and an unpredictable ending push Blind Submission near the top of my favorite book list. While the novel is reminiscent of The Devil Wears Prada and The Nanny Diaries, Blind Submission turns out to be a better ride.
Set in a literary agency, Angel Robinson is the assistant to Lucy Fiamma, a famous literary agent. As she critiques the work of aspiring authors, she runs across an unusual submission that seems to mimic her life. Each chapter sheds more light on what she thought were deeply hidden secrets. As her panic level increases, the reader is left to guess the identity of the anonymous author. Is it her jealous boyfriend, Single White Female co-worker, mysterious Italian lover, long-time friend, or unpredictable and cruel boss? The book will keep you guessing until the end.
I laughed out loud at least once a page. Ginsberg's description of the characters is outstanding and I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun read with a great plot.
I have Reading Fever. After buying a few books several weeks ago, I found myself purchasing six more on Thursday. The first of which is In the Woods. Tana French's mystery novel is well-written, if not especially fulfilling. The book jacket suggests there are two parallel mysteries and I expected two resolutions. I only got one.
The first mystery involves three children entering the woods and only one child returning. The missing children disappear forever and the surviving child was found in the woods clinging to a tree with bloody socks and shoes. The child is catatonic for two weeks and never fully remembers what happened in the woods that day.
Flash forward 20 years. The surviving child, Adam, becomes a detective and a similar case arises in the same woods. After the incident in the woods his parents began calling him by his middle name, Rob, and he becomes lead detective on the new case with his partner Cassie. He tells no one of the connection but Cassie.
The first half of the book is quite flawless. Easy to read and I absolutely couldn't wait to see what happened on the next page. Terrific character development and vivid descriptions. My only complaint with this part is the sometimes juvenile banter between Rob and Cassie. Their relationship seems more appropriate in a high school setting.
The second half dropped off tremendously for me. We find out that only one of the mysteries will be solved and the mystery that is solved has a weak motive and the investigative skills seem mediocre at best. I was quite disappointed with the ending. I know that novels do not have to be 100% resolved by the end of the book, but the unsolved mystery is the reason I bought the book!
The good news is that the book leaves the mystery open-ended, so possibly French will write another book resolving that mystery. I will definitely buy her next novel, Likeness. In spite of the disappointment in the ending of this book, French proves herself to be a terrific writer with a talent for creating suspense. I have great hopes for her future novels and highly recommend In the Woods to the mystery novel reader.
I'm going to Wimbledon! In Wilmington,NC that is.
Description:
"Grab your clubs and walk out onto #9 at Echo Farms. This lovely and well maintained townhome is ready to move in. Very clean, bright, & comfortable 3 bedrooms & 2.5 baths. Master bath has been renovated to a tile walk-in shower. Large deck overlooking the golf course and a brick courtyard accents coastal golf course living. Upstairs features two bedrooms and full bath. Floored attic with pull-down stairs provides ample and additional storage. New HVAC System installed in 2006 provides comfortable and affordable living conditions. Washer/Dryer and Refrigerator all convey along with a 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty at Closing. This home is truly an exceptional value and priced below tax assessed value. Don't let this one pass you by."
In addition to this, the furniture stays!
Below are pics of the condo we are closing on soon: Wimbledon Court.
Cute outside
View of Golf Course
Awesome Couryard
Relaxing Deck Overlooking Golf Course
Second Bedroom (with walk-in closet)
Third Bedroom (with walk-in closet)
Updated Master Bath (the pic doesn't do it justice)
Light Master Bedroom
Kitchen
Kitchen (great light through the window)
Dining Room Looking Onto Deck
Den
Den 2
Courtyard 2
Second View of Front
Verdell is preparing to enter the World Canine Freestyle Organization's video contest. As his costume, I ordered a bow tie. Here are some pics:
Henry also wanted to try it on:
It may look better on him. Verdell needs a smaller size. I'm not sure this will stay on the entire performance.
Verdell and Henry play at a local park.
Verdell was convinced I had treats and rarely left my side. This is Henry playing with a stick.
I have found something great. Something exciting. Something that will clean our place!
Introducing Easy Off Bam Multi-Purpose Grime & Lime Remover.
From the bottle:
"Powerful foaming formula removes even the toughest stains and dirt on many surfaces. Works on stubborn grime, soap scum, grease, lime scale buildup, rust stains and dirt. Dissolves hard water in seconds. For use on tubs, shower tile, glass, kitchen surface es, stone, concrete, faucets and shower heads."
This stuff really works. It works well and fast. I find it works best if you spray it and leave it about a minute before wiping it off. It worked on old toilet stains, toaster grunge that had accumulated so that we could no longer see in the toaster, old stove grunge, a thoroughly scary sink that smelled like vomit, though no one claimed it. A few squirts, a one minute wait, and presto!!! Clean! Our kitchen has never looked better. I now know if something is in the toaster and the sink is Fly Lady clean.
I give it my cleanest recommendation! It minimizes elbow grease and maximizes clean.
I will say that if you use it in the bathroom, make sure you open a window or turn on a fan. Also, it's best to use gloves when cleaning because it is so powerful and it helps to wipe everything down with water after you are through so things do not streak.
The toilet cleaner is also outstanding and got rid of old toilet ring in minutes without much scrubbing and now our toilets are gleaming.
Good luck!
