Breakfast at Target Take Over: The Loaded Handbag Edition.

So I just emerged victoriously from a battle that involved a cricket, my shoe, and screaming Chihuahuas.
Pretty much sums my life lately: A constant mess of pests, noise, and resourcefulness.

Anyways.

I haven't totally been away from the blogging world; instead, this time around I lent my talents skills creatively projected word vomit to a blog most deserving of your readership, The Loaded Handbag. I've been following Nicki for a good while - outspoken, hilarious, observant, and articulate, she's been one of the best blogosphere friends a girl could have. Not only do we share a (bizarrely coincidental) love of The Muppets, vintage finds, cocktails, food and more food (AND MORE FOOD), doofy pets, awkward situations (this writing has to come from somewhere), photography, and general nonsense of daily lives, but she's always been there as a fellow significant other of a professionally ambitious (and oh-so handsome!) young man. She's well versed in good reads, great music, and UH-mazing food; I'm always happy with her suggestions. Her perspective is as unique as her writing style, and I always look forward to seeing the world from her viewpoint.

In other words, I'm a fan for life and I was honored when extended an invite to contribute to her blog's big fancy pants celebration:

Copyright The Loaded Handbag. DUH.

So head on over to The Loaded Handbag and discover for yourself the sultry humor and sass of a girl who forever captured my ever-lovin' blogging heart. And you can read my post while you're at it. If you can handle it.

Gamecocks, Twitter, and Hipsters - OH MY!

Bluhhh......
   .... gaalllppphh....
            .... who-hah-WHAT?!

How did I get here?!
Why does the calendar say September?!
.... and WHAT is this pile of nonsense on my desk?

SUMMER! COME BAAAACK!

Ohhh man...



Back to school. One last time (God willing). I hadn't realized how long I'd been away from blogging until I looked at my calendar and wondered why the heck there was so much written in it... in my handwriting... telling me to do about 473 things a day. Excuse me? Not in the mood, Life.

The weeks following my last post have been chaos. I lost all reasonable ability to plan and prepare because no matter what I tried, there was some freak thing around the corner that would punch me in the face anyways. Weeks felt like months and Fridays felt like Mondays. Returning to school was not the nice ease-in I've been accustomed to; rather, I already had fairly significant assignments due within the first few days of school, I had a two new work schedules to arrange, organizational things to plan, and a host of other responsibilities that seemed impossible to prioritize. A nervous break-down in the first two weeks of school? Not boding well for a good semester...

My only hope is that a gut-wrenchingly overwhelming start means an eventual "settling" of madness, though it's still too soon to tell. So, if my usual crankiness seems heightened or I don't commit to extra-curriculars or social outings, it's nothing personal - I'm just an overachieving moron who can barely even self-medicate with the hooch anymore because I'm "getting too old for this crap."WHAT GIVES?!

But the last few weeks haven't been a total loss. Some interesting things have happened along the way, so here's a quick catchin'-up:

.:: On Aug 23rd, John and I celebrated our 9th anniversary together. (That means if we had a kid when we started dating, it'd be starting 3rd grade this year.... UH!) Surprisingly, it really doesn't feel that long. But in some ways, I can't remember what life was like without him (I know, gag). To still be insanely infatuated with that kid despite all the changes and circumstances in our lives is a nice feeling. I'm telling ya' ladies, I won out. He's Disney prince charming handsome. He's smart. He's darned nice. He eats my weird cooking and tells me how proud he is of me (every day). He makes me laugh (every day). He never lets me go to bed mad and never raises his voice at me (though the dear Lord knows I've gone full-on crazy on him plenty of times). Y'all, I'm hooked. Unfortunately, grad school ridiculousness for me and legal field nonsense for him has further delayed conversations of the matrimonial variety, but after 9 years - what's a few more?

John and I at 16 when we first started dating, with "Peligro," THE coolest dog ever. (Thanks to Stephanie H. for sharing this photo!)

Us at a recent wedding with a very special guest of honor, Cocky!!!

.:: Gamecock football started with a game against East Carolina University (NC) that caused further heart pressure issues in the first half, but Spurrier and the boys pulled themselves together to come out with a 56-37 win. Next week is against UGA at Georgia (EAT IT, Bulldog freaks) and John's birthday with the fam. OH MAN.

.:: My dear friend, Meggie, also had a birthday. A birthday that celebrated the most mis-understood creatures of all time: hipsters.

Needless to say, the night was a release of all mainstream thoughts and desires... and the morning after quickly reminded me why Miller High Life is NOT the champagne of beers.

.:: Speaking of mainstream, I've found myself on Twitter. Though I hadn't really considered it, my social networking guru-friend, Allen K., eventually talked me into it. That, and there's been a Breakfast at Target IMPOSTOR... imitation is flattering, sure, WHATEVER. As I'm still a new Tweeter, I'd love the support... and to make sure the real-deal prevails, NAH MEAN.

Follow at http://twitter.com/#!/BrkfastAtTarget

As I have a few hours left of my very-much needed 3 day weekend and I've spent a good chunk of my Labor Day working on homework (hopefully the last time that ever happens), John and I have decided to try our hands at shrimp-n-grits tonight and enjoy our last little bit of quiet together.

So, I'm here. Just trying to hold on for dear life.
Le' sigh.