White Trash Birthday

For some reason, whenever events transpire in Helen, GA, they can usually only be described as white trash and completely bizarre. Case-in-point: my birthday dinner at Edelweiss in Helen two years ago. Most of our friends have heard the story from our friends and first-hand witnesses, Janie and Adam, who attended the historic event, so I won't go into the details of the night. The highlights are that there was a crouton situation and Jesus came out of a Victoria's Secret bag.
Flash forward to Thursday night, and the Dunn family experienced yet another white trash birthday. It was my mom's birthday and as a treat we decided to go to Paul's in Helen for all-you-can-eat crab legs.
Let me first state that I love crab legs. They are the one food that brings out the total glutton/white trash in me. So we all meet at the restaurant - Me, David, my parents, and my two brothers. I had made my mom homemade Tiramisu for her birthday. David and I put it in a box and packed ice packs around it to keep it chilled. We walk into the restaurant with it and the hostess says, "I'm sorry, but we don't allow outside food in the restaurant. It's against the health code". Great. David takes it out to the car and we sit down at our table. For some reason, I decided to bring plates for the Tiramisu, but not forks. I told my family this and that we could eat the Tiramisu outside of the restaurant, if we had forks. My mom replied, "Well, then since they won't let us eat it in here, we'll just take take some of theirs." We wondered if she was serious. I should never doubt my mother.
So the crab legs came, and I out-ate everyone - 4 plates! I have developed a method for eating crab legs and I feel like I have reached nirvana when I am successful at getting all of the meat out of the leg intact. At an early point in the evening, my little brother decided to put his head down on the table and take a nap, because he knew that we would be there for, as I put it in my adopted white trash lingo, "the long haul". He and my dad actually ended up leaving early.
After they left, and we finished glutting ourselves on copious amounts of crab legs, I start to wonder if my mom is serious about the forks. As I'm thinking this, I see her begin to make her move. Luckily, she is still wearing her scrubs from work, so she has large pockets on the front of her shirt. I see her reach for the first fork- and she is successful. The whole time this is going on, all I can think in my head is "how awesome would this birthday be if my mom got caught stealing forks at a restaurant in Helen, GA?" Then she takes the second fork- and is successful again! My brother, Aron, looks mortified, but the deed is over. We go to the front and pay and make our quick exit to the parking lot.
My mom pulls out her stolen forks and we eat the cake on the back of my brother's car in the parking lot of Paul's Steakhouse.
We don't often have white trash moments, but last night was an awesome one! Every once in a while, everyone should experience one. If you want to experience one, but don't want to be alone in your experience, go to Helen, GA. You're sure to find many experts who can help you out.
I love my family and I have so much fun with them wherever we go!

Happy Birthday Mom! I love you!

TAGGED: 5 Things

Natalie tagged me to do the 5 Things list, so here it is:

5 PLACES I HAVE LIVED:

( I have lived in 8 places total, some of them multiple times)

1. Athens, Georgia
2. Tampa, Florida
3. Toccoa, Georgia
4. Valdosta, Georgia
5. Montgomery, Texas

5 FAVORITE SNACK FOODS:

1. Hans Freitag Cookies (this is a German brand) - my favorites are the Vanille Milch and the Chocolate Hazelnut
2. Sushi - not really a "snack" food, but I had to put it on the list because it has become my favorite food to eat!
3. Scuppernongs and Muscadines
4. Fried Vegetables - I love pretty much any vegetable, but occasionally I love to have fried vegetables. My three favorites are fried zucchini, fried mushrooms, and fried cauliflower.
5. Hummus with Pita bread

5 JOBS I'VE HAD:

1. Administrative Assistant in the University of Georgia Office of the Registrar
2. Sales Associate at Opulence Boutique in Downtown Athens - one of my favorite jobs EVER!
3. Administrative Assistant at Bay Capital Investment Advisors in Tampa
4. Server at Olive Garden - the WORST job ever!
5. Server at Charlie Williams - I ate free fried seafood every day and somehow managed to not gain 50 lbs.

5 THINGS I'D DO IF I HAD ONE MILLION DOLLARS:

1. Travel to at least three countries on every continent (with the exception of Antarctica)
2. SHOP!
3. Pay off any debt and student loans
4. Buy a house in Portland
5. Save the rest

5 THINGS I LOVE:

1. DAVID! (duh) - especially when he is being silly
2. DECORATING! - myself, my husband, and my house (if only someone would give me a million dollars!)
3. Playing games with my family
4. When it rains just hard enough to hear it on the roof, but not so hard that I get drenched even with an umbrella if I go outside
5. Reading - especially when combined with rainy weather

NYC

I AM SO EXCITED! David and I leave for New York City soon! We are so happy that we are able to make the trip up there for Martin and Mim's wedding! The timing is perfect, because I have always wanted to visit New York in the Fall. Plus, Martin and Mim are getting married in the Manhattan Temple, which looks really pretty and modern. David has been to New York many times, but this will be my first trip. So, I need lots of suggestions on where we should go. I think we have decided to skip the Statue of Liberty, but I would like to see some of the obvious attractions, like Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, etc. I guess I really want suggestions on some of the less obvious places to visit - especially shopping suggestions! I can't wait!

image @ newsweek

What to do?

I tend to be an indecisive person. In fact, I am so indecisive that David and I have made an agreement. Every time that I say "I don't know", he gets $20. It's kind of like a swear word jar, but aimed at breaking me of my habitual indecisiveness. I think it has really helped me. Now when David asks me a question, like what I want to do or what I want to eat, instead of immediately answering "I don't know"; I actually pause and think about it and give him a direct answer. It's good for both of us. Unfortunately, I have a decision that I have been stressing over for weeks. I can't seem to make up my mind. I need some help.
At the beginning of August, David and I decided that it was time to buy me a bike. A few years ago, David's parents were kind enough to give me his mom's 1970's Schwinn Le Tour road bike, which is way cute, but I'm just not a fan of the riding position of road bikes. So, I need a bike that can get me around town if I need it to, but that will basically be used for leisure rides. David has a Bianchi road bike, which he loves, so we decided to buy me a Bianchi as well. We went to Georgia Cycle Sport to look around, and I fell in love with the Bianchi Milano Parco! We immediately purchased it and the salesman told us that it had to be ordered because it wasn't my size. He said that it would probably take a week to come in.
This is my bike: (except this is the male model)


I love this bike! I love Bianchi's signature green color and I love retro fenders and red side walls!
Sadly, Bianchi only manufactures this model every so often - in Italy. The salesman called back and said that it would be at least September 22nd until the bike is manufactured and that it could be a month or maybe longer until I actually receive the bike! However, they do manufacture the same model in another color, and they have this model in the store, ready to buy.
This is the alternative color: (sorry the picture is blurry - you can go to www.bianchiusa.com/08_milano_parco.html for a better picture):


It is white - and plain. But part of me thinks that it is silly to wait three or four months for a bike, just for the color. Fall is almost here and I have been so excited about going on bike rides with David in the nice weather. If I wait for the green bike, it could be November before I get to do that. So I need opinions. It's not to late to cancel the order and buy the white one. What would you do - hold out for the bike you love and potentially miss good riding weather or get the white one and start riding? Let me know!

My Current Loves for the Fall

One of my favorite things EVER is shopping! However, David and I are trying to save for a future move to Portland, so I am trying to curb my shopping appetite. This is going to be very difficult, because we are moving into my favorite season. I love Fall fashion! Plus, starting this month and continuing until February our family has a long string of birthdays, so gifts and shopping are all I can think about! We have already broken our clothing fast and bought a few Fall pieces! Hopefully that will be enough, and come mid-October; i won't go on a crazy spending spree! Here is my long top ten list of things I love right now.

Things I LOVE:

1. PLAID! - so adorable and still really feminine!


















Top Left - Anthropologie
Top Right - Urban Outfitters
Left - Urban Outfitters












2. MOCCASINS! - I ordered this pair! I'm waiting for them to come in the mail so I'll have something to walk around in when we go to NYC at the beginning of October! I'm really excited-about the shoes and the trip!











Minnetonka Moccasins


3. THE COMPLETE LIBRARY OF DAVID SEDARIS! - Disregard my book post. I know I said I was not going to buy another book until I read everything in our library, but I'm making an exception for David Sedaris. I've read Me Talk Pretty One Day. This book caused me to cry because I was laughing so hard - I love it when a book can do that. These are just a couple from his library. I am also dying for his Audio CDs! His sister, Amy Sedaris, does some of the readings on the CDS. Sedaris is great for travel and rainy day reading!












4. ARTISAN EARRINGS! I love these, so pretty and delicate!






























Top - Kevia
Center - Ylang 23
Bottom - Abigail A. Percy



5. FALL DRESSES - RUFFLES, PRINTS & SWEATER DRESSES!
I love being a girl!


















Top - Banana Republic
Center - Nanette Lepore
Bottom - J Crew






















6. CHUNKY HEELS! More adventurous for me, but so cute for Fall!












Top Left - DV by Dolce Vita
Top Right - Seychelles
Left - Marc by Marc Jacobs (I love that color blue!)






7. COOKING! (or at least the idea of it) - David and I are trying to make sure that we are getting all of the nourishment we need from a fish and vegetarian diet, which can be difficult. These books look fun and helpful - and everyone needs a cute, frilly apron to inspire them to cook!
The New Becoming Vegetarian by Vesanto Melina and Brenda Davis
The Modern Vegetarian Kitchen by Peter Berley













apron - Anthropologie








8. FALL JACKETS! I am so excited about the cool weather that will hopefully be here by October (maybe?) I love cool nights and cute coats!















Top Left - Urban Outfitters
Top Right - Tulle
Left - Gap












9. BELTS! - I love belts. I wear one almost every day. I don't really like the kind that actually go through the belt loops - I'm more a fan of the around-the-waist, over a blouse or jacket kind! However, I am always willing to try anything - I think the high-waisted jeans I ordered would look good with a belt through the loops. I am in need of some new belts because according to some people (Bonnie) I wear my green Anthropologie one way too much!
















Top Left - Old Navy
Top Right - Anthropologie
Left - Anthropologie








10. FALL FRAGRANCES - ORIENTAL FLORALS! I love all of the different elements that go into these scents! These are my three favorites and their notes:
-Tocca Brigitte -Rhubarb, Papaya, Ginger, Rose, Iris, Saffron, Sandalwood, Musk.
-Kenzo Flower - Wild Hawthorne, Bulgarian Rose, Parma Violet, Cassia, Hedione, Cyclosal, Opoponax, White Musk, Vanilla.
-Nanette Lepore Shanghai Butterfly - Lemon Slice, Mandarin, Snow Apple, Carnation, Lily of the Valley, Gardenia, Poet's Jasmine, Whisper Rose, Oriental Leaves, Green Cedar, Siberian Musk, Sandalwood.

Oh David!

I had to write in response to seeing my husband's responses to the questions I posted earlier. The only words that come to my mind are the words that all of our friends know and love to say on a regular basis: "Oh David!" (said with a small sigh and a smile). All of his answers are the reason I love this man. He is a curmudgeon and a silly heart and so many other things all rolled into one! He will hate that I wrote an entire post about him, but he will forgive me because he always does (even when I talk about him like he's not in the room-which I do, frequently).
I will leave you with a classic David moment:
We went to visit our families for Labor Day weekend. My mom was sick and had to stay in bed most of the time. The family was eating breakfast (minus my mom) and my little brother Dawson, who deserves his own blog to fill with crazy Dawson stories, was not exhibiting good eating manners. David looked repulsed. I left the table to see if my mom needed anything. She and I were talking when Dawson entered the room. He told us that David had offered him $10 if he would chew with his mouth closed.

I LOVE YOU DAVID!

She Forced Me To Do This

1. Do you like blue cheese? Yes, I like cheese in general.

2. Have you ever smoked? Smoked what, specifically?

3. Do you own a gun? NO!

4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite? I didn't drink Kool Aid.

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? See Morgan's answer.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? See Morgan's answer, again.

7. Favorite Christmas movie? It's A Wonderful Life.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Water.

9. Can you do push ups? Yes, about 60 -- military.

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? None.

11. Favorite hobby? Running.

12. Do you have A.D.D.? No.

13. Do you wear glasses/contacts? Nope.

14. Middle name? Benjamin.

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? This is lame. Why'd she force me to do this? How much longer until lunch?

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Water. Water with lime. Water with lemon.

17. Current worry? See Morgan's answer.

18. Current hate right now? Now and always -- dumb rednecks.

19. Favorite place to be? Oregon.

20. How did you bring in the new year? See Morgan's answer.

21. Where would you like to go? Africa.

22. Name three people who will complete this? What a stupid question.

23. Do you own slippers? No.

24. What shirt are you wearing? Red polo.

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Never.

26. Can you whistle? Yes.

27. Favorite color? All colors, but especially cerulean.

28. Would you be a pirate? No.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower? Ramblin' Man and Blue Sky by the Allman Brothers.

30. Favorite Girl's Name? Emmaline

31. Favorite boy's name? Jack

32. What's in your pocket right now? Nothing.

33. Last thing that made you laugh? Morgan.

34. What vehicle do you drive? Honda Civic.

35. Worst injury you've ever had? Broken leg.

36. Do you love where you live? No.

37. How many TVs do you have in your house? One. And besides the Weather Channel, I have no use for it.

37 Odd Things About Me

It's Friday morning, I'm tired, this looked like fun.

1. Do you like blue cheese? Yes, I like cheese in general.

2. Have you ever smoked? No.

3. Do you own a gun? NO!

4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite? Tropical Punch, or any other red Kool Aid

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Yes, especially if there will be needles involved. I usually pass out if a doctor's appointment involves blood leaving my body.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? I have to admit - I love hot dogs, but now that I don't eat meat, tofu dogs will have to suffice.

7. Favorite Christmas movie? Home Alone. It is a Dunn family tradition to watch Home Alone on Christmas Eve - and it never gets old no matter how many times we've watched it!

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Water. That's pretty much all I drink.

9. Can you do push ups? Yes, about 20 - and I don't mean military press, I mean the girlie on -the-knees kind

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My wedding rings and my grandmother's wedding ring that I wear everyday.

11. Favorite hobby? Reading. Preferably on a rainy day.

12. Do you have A.D.D.? No.

13. Do you wear glasses/contacts? Nope.

14. Middle name? Laurel

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? I am tired. I want to go shopping. I am excited about Fall.

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Water and occasionally ginger ale. That's about it.

17. Current worry? Some DB stole all of our money out of our bank account and I'm wondering when we're going to get it back.

18. Current hate right now? People who take things that do not belong to them. And rude people in general.

19. Favorite place to be? Oregon.

20. How did you bring in the new year. Several friends came over and we went bowling and then watched the ball drop and drank sparkling grape juice. We. are. wild.

21. Where would you like to go? Everywhere.

22. Name three people who will complete this? I don't know. Maybe David, if I force him.

23. Do you own slippers? No.

24. What shirt are you wearing? A white J Crew tuxedo front shirt.

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Never.

26. Can you whistle? Not very well. I'm pretty pathetic actually.

27. Favorite color? Hmmm. That's hard, I like them all. I like yellow - it's a happy color.

28. Would you be a pirate? No. I get sea sick. And eye patches don't suit me.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower? Usually whatever song gets stuck in my head for the day and just won't get out. Today, it will unfortunately be Sugar Ray "Every Morning". I heard it on XM and it won't get out!

30. Favorite Girl's Name? Lilla Clementine (it's a family name)

31. Favorite boy's name? Jackson - Jack for short

32. What's in your pocket right now? The dress I'm wearing does not have pockets.

33. Last thing that made you laugh? Something David wrote to me in an email. I couldn't stop laughing, which was bad, because I was at work.

34. What vehicle do you drive? I don't drive. We have a Honda Civic which David takes to work and I take the bus. I like conserving gas and making the earth happy!

35. Worst injury you've ever had? Nothing terrible. I broke my big toe playing soccer in high school. I have a very cautious mother.

36. Do you love where you live? I love Athens because the people I love are here or close by, but otherwise, no. I dream about living in Portland, Oregon every day. And it will happen, soon.

37. How many TVs do you have in your house? One. And David wants to get rid of cable, but I think I might literally die without Project Runway and The Office.