July 23, 2015 by kimicalreaction - 2 Comments

Three Things Thursday: July 23, 2015

“Picture perfect.”

One of my favorite weekly blog challenges is Nerd In the Brain’s Three Things Thursday, where she shares three things that made her smile: her “exercise in gratitude.”

She urges you to “steal this idea with wild abandon and fill your blog with the happy.”

Looking back through the photo gallery on my phone, I was most struck by the lovely skies I saw over the last few days, so I thought I’d share those with you this week. (added bonus that they were all attached to very happy moments!)

It’s a double rainbow all the way. Whoa. Enjoying nature’s “Art” outside of an Art Opening.

Walking home from barre class down the Beltline.

Walking home down the Beltline from a great barre class. O4W Skate Park.

Tonight’s Sunset porn from my front door. Had to stop, drop the groceries and take a picture!

Thank you, as always, Nerd in the Brain, for the inspiration and opportunity to share some happies!

July 19, 2015 by kimicalreaction - 5 Comments

Three Things Sunday: July 19, 2015

I’m sure by now, there is little surprise that I have once again missed the mark to contribute to this week’s “Three Things Thursday: An Exercise in Gratitude,” the lovely Nerd In The Brain’s weekly challenge.

At least, in a timely, Thursday-ish fashion.

However, one of the things I most happy about is:

I have been lost without lil’ MacCie.

I have my computer back! Yippee!!!

I was completely happy to let my husband use my laptop for an editing project the past three weeks (especially since it was a gift from him to begin with) but if you saw my few miserable attempts to blog via iphone, you will understand my overwhelming joy to get the little fella back.

Otherwise, it’s been a loooooonnnnggg week. I’m really missing my friend and colleague (who received a well-deserved transfer and promotion), all made tougher by the fact I’m alone in the office now, doing a job best meant for 3 people, so I’m stressy and scrambling most of the time.

I have to keep smackin’ myself upside the head to remember that my life overflows with good things and I should stop the kvetching and focus on all the incredible positives instead of the minute amount of negative.

For instance, here is a spectacular sunset, viewed from my terrace on Monday:

Who wouldn’t feel saturated with color and sky after seeing that? It leaves little room for the petty crap.

Tuesday, my dear friend Heidi strolled over on the Beltline and drug me out of my “poor little me” funk and down to my favorite bar, the Highlander, for dinner and some beverages. Saw some other friends, vented, listened, smiled, giggled, laughed out loud: got myself back.

The walk back, on such a sultry summer night, was filled with lovely twinkly lights from the city spread out before us.

Ponce de Leon Avenue – Bank of America Building in the background and Ponce City Market to the left.

Lights of North Avenue, looking towards Midtown.

The walk and talk did a lot to put me in a better frame of mind.

So, I would love to share another view from my terrace – looking down instead of out.

Gerbera Daisies

Petunias and Snaps!

Despite the recent oppressive heat, my flowers are exploding into gorgeousness, reminding me that there are things to be grateful for all around me.

I simply need to open my eyes to find some happy.

Thank you as always, Nerd in the Brain, for the weekly reminder!

July 10, 2015 by kimicalreaction - 6 Comments

Three Things Thursday: July 9, 2015

My contribution to to the lovely Nerd in the Brain’s weekly show-n-tell of happiness all come from our wonderful first day at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in North Carolina.

It’s both one thing and many things, so I’ll try to narrow it down to three themes – I may cheat and show you more than one picture for each category, if you don’t mind.

Music – lots of gorgeous fiddle and mandolin, spiced with flutes, drums and fabulous harmonies:

Sheepdog Trials (my weakness, I could watch them all day):

The Torchlight Ceremony recognizing all 120 Scottish Clans and Societies in attendance:

And I will bonus you some gratuitous “Men in Kilts.”

Thank you as always, Nerd in the Brain, for letting me share my happies!

July 5, 2015 by kimicalreaction - 7 Comments

Happy Holiday Weekend!

We spent a lovely 4th with my parents, visiting my Mom-in-law Linda, down in Augusta.

My awesome Mom-in-Law, bedecked for July 4th!

There was a little rain at first, but it cleared up and we had an fabulous day at the pool.

David brined some 2-inch bone-in pork chops and grilled them with sweet peppers and onions, which we enjoyed with roasted rosemary potatoes and mango goat-cheese spinach salad.

Oh, and I made lemon meringue pie for dessert, to celebrate my Dad’s birthday.

Birthday pie!

All in all, a wonderful weekend! I hope everyone had a special time with their friends and family too!

Happy Independence Day from our crazy crew!

July 2, 2015 by kimicalreaction - 5 Comments

Three Things Thursday: July 2, 2014

I’m temporarily computer-free so I’m having to post this through my Iphone (cue violins playing “Poor, poor pitiful me). It is truly a “hair ball of bitchiness” trying to write a blog this way. (Warning: there could be cursing and hurled shoes. Note that people could still be wearing the shoes when they are hurled.)

Please also take into consideration that all typographical errors are thus deliberate and spring from my deep frustration of having to peck at this miniscule elven keyboard while Siri-the-Conquerer and her band of merry minions wreak internal chaos on all my attempts at alignment, spacing and media.

Grumpies aside, I do want to share my “happies” through the lovely Nerd in the Brain’s Three Things Thursday, which I’m sorry to have missed participating in for the last month.

So on to the good stuff!

As you may have surmised from the earlier photo of men in skirts, we had an awesome time at the Blairsville Scottish games a couple of weeks ago.

My “Sport” kilt. They don’t really make official kilts for girls.

The annual event is set in a lovely park in North Georgia.

There was Highland Dancing and lots of bag piping.

We hung out with some cool Scots and some stunningly beautiful birds of prey.

I ate stuff on sticks and binge-watched sheep dog trials.

I was replete with happiness.

The next week, we had a chance to take part in the Atlanta Moon Ride, which is a phenomenal fundraiser supporting Bert’s Big Adventure, a NFP providing Disney vacations for terminal and chronically ill children.

It’s basically a booze-fueled midnight bike ramble through 6.5 miles of intown Atlanta neighborhoods for about 5000 vodka-stuffed but eager-to-cycle-for-a-good-cause participants.

They “encourage” costumes. Ha. We don’t need no stinkin’ encouragement.

The Kitty Kat Krewe: Bitch Kitty, Here Kitty Kitty, and Helloooo Kitty

We had all kinds of mad fun cycling wildly through dark and slumbering neighborhoods, illuminated by thousands of glow sticks and twinkling tutus, screaming “Kitty Kat Krew: Sound off!”

When roadie meets selfie. This is Not Art. This is also Not Safe.

::Sigh:: It was made of awesome.

My third happy thing is that I didn’t chuck my phone through the window during this hour-long post of torture.

No more blogging on the phone! Ever!

I should have a computer this weekend and hope to catch up reading all y’all’s posts and perhaps write something myself in a less agonizing fashion.

Hope you have a wonderful celebration for the 4th of July!

BTW, I hear IPhones make a great incendiary base to light your fireworks displays.

July 1, 2015 by kimicalreaction - 0 comments

It could be worse…

Instead of grumbling about being overworked, I should just appreciate the fact that my job doesn’t require I wash the windows.

June 4, 2015 by kimicalreaction - 7 Comments

Three Things Thursday: June 4, 2015

This week for Nerd in the Brain’s Three Things Thursday blogging challenge:

Three things that made me smile this week (two without accompanying photos) and some random photos (related to Thing 3.)

Thing 1. My wonderful co-worker, “C,” found out today she got the transfer/promotion she’s been working towards. I can’t imagine work and life without her, but I’m so proud of her and thrilled for her new opportunity.

Thing 2. I am so excited that we’re going to the Blairsville (Georgia) Scottish Festival and Highland Games next weekend. They had me at “Border Collie Demonstrations,” which are so amazing to watch. Plus, kilts, bagpipes, parades, highland dancing and maybe a wee bit o’ haggis on a stick.

Thing 3. We got new phones for work, and for some happily bizarre reason, they got us all iPhone 6’s. I am totally psyched to have use of a better camera than my elderly Galaxy III. To celebrate, I downloaded a new app, Pixlr-o-matic, and I’m having a ton of fun playing with all of the cool filters .

Thank you, as always, Nerd in the Brain, for the weekly reminder to be thankful!

May 28, 2015 by kimicalreaction - 6 Comments

Three Things Thursday: May 28, 2015

Sliding right under the “Thursday” finish line with Nerd In the Brain’s weekly challenge to “show and tell” three things that brought you happiness during the week.

I had an absolutely delightful Memorial Day holiday – one of the best I can ever remember.

My parents came over from Birmingham on Friday afternoon and we went to dinner at our favorite restaurant, Bone Garden; home of Matt-the-Fabulous-Bartender, delicious regional Mexican cuisine and super cool and slightly wacky “Dia de Los Muertos” decor.

Source: FB Page of the Awesome Bone Garden Cantina

Saturday we invited friends Mike, Derenda, Susan, Dana, Tara and Derrik (and his sweet puppy, Skyy) over for BBQ and movies on the front porch. We had a wonderful meal and a great time relaxing and hanging out with everyone.

Jeeves bearing drinks: our specialty cocktail, the “Dahlia” made with a fresh blackberry and mint puree, vodka and gingerbeer.

Mom stopping by the bar for a refreshing beverage!

Daddy and David relaxing on the porch

Me and Dana!

Sunday we were invited to a giant 3-house street party and BBQ over in Buckhead, hosted by our good friends, Randall and Anne (who throw legendary parties).

Gorgeous day for a party!

Everybody brought a dish and a beverage contribution, so there was an abundant supply of really spectacular food, as well as brats and sausages from the grill, courtesy of Randall and his TEAM ‘Q.

Me and my Daddy at the Street Party

And for me, the cherry on top: I knew a guy in the band and got asked to come up and sing back up vocals. It was awesome. I want to quit my job now, run away from home and join the band. 🙂

Singing with the Band! Mostly covers: Springsteen, Buffet, Zack Brown, Eagles, etc.

Monday, we wrapped up the holiday with Brunch at Parish, in Inman Park, and a quick saunter down the Beltline, which my parents had never seen.

Parish Restaurant

My folks chhecking out the Beltline for the first time

My folks checking out the Beltline for the first time

Graffiti art on one of the tunnels

More art

and as a very special treat, some actual artists!

Mini concert from two very gifted musicians hanging out on the Beltline

So, a very happy weekend with lots of wonderful family and friend moments. Thank you, lovely Nerd in the Brain, for letting me share my “happies!”

May 21, 2015 by kimicalreaction - 6 Comments

Three Things Thurday: May 21, 2015

Yay! I’m back after a long absence from the lovely Nerd in the Brain’s Three Things Thursday Challenge!

(Bonus points that I’m actually posting this on Thursday.)

NITB asks you to share three things from the previous week that made you smile: “an exercise in gratitude.”

Food Truck Fridays!

We had another Food Truck Friday last weekend in the neighborhood. They tried it a few times last year and it went over so well that we have a full line-up for every other Friday for the next two months. This week was one of my favorites, Tastee Spoon, who specialize in Jamaican deliciousness, such as meat pies, fried sweet plantains, jerk chicken and jerk chicken pasta.

Jamaican meat pie!

Fried Ripe Plantains!

We brought a blanket and a bottle of wine and enjoyed hanging out with the neighbors. Lovely Spring night, perfect weather for a picnic!

Saturday night brought a fabulous party at friend Kate’s house! Despite predictions of rain, her garden party soiree was a delightful gathering of friends, with lots of fabulous food and drinks.

And last night, I walked the Beltline over to Inman Park with my bestie, Laura. We had drinks at Ladybird and a fabulous tapas dinner at Barcelona. It was a crystal-clear, starry night, with a brilliant crescent moon swinging low over the midtown skyline.

Forgive the crappy cell phone picture. It was such a beautiful sight – the moon looked so close you could almost reach out and touch it…

And in true Atlanta fickle weather fashion, woke this morning to a ocean of storm clouds, rolling in from the West…

Still beautiful.

Thank you, Nerd in the Brain, for a chance to share my happy things from this week. I hope everyone has a delightful holiday weekend!

May 17, 2015 by kimicalreaction - 4 Comments

Sea and sky

I got back from our family trip to Florida last Monday and entered the seventh ring of Hell at work. There was so much chaos and discord between clients, menus, event orders, contracts, payments…blah, blah, blah, fishcakes – I really wanted to turn around and flee the building.

Since I thought I’d left everything pretty organized before departure, it was a bit of a shock that things went south so quickly. I got it straightened out, but in the process, it sucked away a lot of the vacation happies I came home with.

So I wanted to share some pictures, if only to take my own brain back there for a little rest. Here’s a little light, ocean and sand, compliments of Panhandle Florida.