Hiking Whiteside Mountain

Wednesday, 3 July 2013

We took the kids on a hike to the top of Whiteside Mountain in the Nantahala National Forest. This was a 2 mile round-trip hike. From the base of the hike to the top was a difference of about 700 feet. The elevation at the top was 4,930 ft.

There are some beautiful views from the top of that mountain; which would have been even more beautiful if it weren't such an overcast, cloudy day. But still worth the climb to the top. The kids did great on this hike; I don't think we heard any complaints from them the whole time.

It was beautiful to sit at the top and admire the view. We also saw wispy clouds roll right over us...and we made it out just in time as the rain started soon after we left!

The first view we had when we made it to the top:

 

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"Letters From Gatsby"

"Letters From Gatsby"  

Never heard what my neighbors say.
I'll stand at this bridge each day.
These waters still yield reflection;
But the brightest stars offer no direction.
Whether dark or bright in hue,
the sky will reserve a light for you.
My days spent where life stands still
And nights full of gorgeous lights and thrill.
Mere pomp in comparison, my dear
Until the day that we draw near.
Hope rests under that green light.
Forgive me, love. I still fight
With whether or not the choice I made
Was ever worth the price we paid.
More troubles than anyone can find
Rest within this troubled mind.
The colors are dull. Nearly dead.
I see what once was instead.
Shame left me few choices.
No doubt I've heard their voices.
Common men in the company of your grace
And I among them all had little to keep pace.
Whether or not my acts are true,
I've fashioned my life for you.
After navigating squalls,
I rebuilt these blighted walls
For when you come back someday
and implore that you will stay.
Say to me that you believe
Beyond what logic conceives.
Mr. Carraway says my time runs short,
But I respond "Nonsense, Old Sport."
Nothing closer to my grasp
Than those hands I've longed to clasp
tight and warm across my heart.
I know little of these fresh starts.
At this bridge my dreams are cast.
Bittersweet remnants of the past.
Made some moves and left a few scars
All for nights under these stars
Where I can't help but wonder
If a love presumably tossed asunder
was the victim of mere circumstance
Or possibly my greatest blunder.
I've less resolve to match my will.
Time will tell but too much kills.
I pray that distance will stand aside.
Until that day, there's time to bide.

You've never left my heart, Daisy.
I hope that I still have yours.

Jay. ♥

Written By: Devin Joseph Metz

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To My Fly People and My Birthday Girl

Dear Airlines,

Hey fly people, how you doing? Good? Good. GREAT! You want to know how I'm doing? Not so great. You want to know why? It's my bestie's birthday today and because of you I'm not gearing up to fly to upstate New York to be with her on her day and go get smashed on a party bus and a winery with her. Doesn't that sound like a freaking blast? Yeah, I wouldn't know because I wont be be present.

She's turning 24 today, you know. I'm supposed to be there, that's what besties do, but I can't because your charming $425 price tag for a flight, that isn't even straight through, is just out of control. You know that's before taxes and all of your adorable extra fees too, right? So cute, really.

I expect you to, at the very least, send Erin a nice wine and cheese basket as an apology. It'd also be nice if you threw in a first-class ticket for her to come here to me on my birthday, which is in a month, as well because I'm sure you're going to try and screw up that up too.

I hope you choke on a stale bag of pretzels and your bag gets lost on your next layover.

XOXO,
Whit

Erin/Bestie/Twin Sister/Partner in Crime,

I love you more than all of the Miller Lite, Fireball, Chardonnay, and Bagel Bites in the universe. I hope you have the bestest 24th birthday in all of the 24th birthdays, even if I'm not there.

Ok, who am I kidding? It wont be the bestest because I wont be there. We both know this, but it's ok because I wrote a mean letter to the devilish airlines that wouldn't let us be together today and I'm pretty sure it's going to hit real deep.

Either way, I hope you eat as many cans of BBQ Pringles that you can fit in that little bird stomach of yours and not one little ounce of bread all day... though you may want to consider a little to soak up all of that wine I'm expecting you to guzzle down.

Also, you're going to have to step your game up and drink extra for me, it'll make my heart happy. You know I'll be tipping a few back in your honor... and maybe I did a little bit of that already last night.


HAPPY FREAKING BIRTHDAY!!

Love,
Whit

PS. Don't leave your wallet anywhere, I wont be able to go retrieve it for you this time.

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10 Reasons I Probably Shouldn't Have Any Friends

Tuesday, 2 July 2013

If we're being honest here, there are some days where I really wonder how the hell I manage to have the amazing friends I do. I mean, I'm a straight pain in the ass 98% of the time, just ask my parents. Even they'll agree to that one.

Today I figured I'd share ten reasons why I probably shouldn't have any friends.

1. I'm loud. Very loud. 
Pretty much my entire life I've always had someone telling me to "shhh" or "quiet down". For some reason most of the people in my life have come to terms with this and embrace my lack of an off switch. Lord knows why or how I've managed to find people who can put up with such a trait but, hey, let's just go with it.

2. I over think everything.
It's true and it's borderline ridiculous. Typically this act of over thinking means I run to my friends and weigh all possible sides of whatever scenario it is I'm getting anxiety over. Even I get annoyed by this character trait, lord knows how the people I talk to on a daily basis put up with it.

3. I don't embarrass easily.
Which means I do/say things when I'm out that probably embarrass the people I'm around to some extent. I don't really mean to, or maybe I do. Really, I just don't actually think through many of my actions before I do them and sometimes they end up being slightly embarrassing for those in the close vicinity to me. What can I say? I make some stupid decisions sometimes. My bad, guys.

4. I'm clumsy.
I know what you're all thinking. Why would this be a reason why you shouldn't have friends? Well, when you are known for taking your buds down with you, things tend to get a little judgey. Not that I've taken anyone down in the bushes with me or anything... oh, wait...

5. I'm a repeat offender. 
I can't tell you how many times my bestie Courtni has had to put up with watching the same 5 movies over and over and over again. It's just what I do. If I like a movie, I never get sick of it and I'll usually pick watching it over something I haven't seen. I'm almost positive this is annoying and definitely positive no one should ever want to watch movies with me.

6. I can't sit still.
It's true, I get bored very easily and always need to be doing something. Whether it's just playing a stupid game or actually getting up and going out, I can't sit still. It's just not in my blood. Or maybe it's ADD. Friends, you can decide that one.

7. I like to party.
This one may come as a shocker to all of you, but it's true and my friends have to be the type who can keep up because no one likes taking shots of Fireball alone. Sometimes the people around me don't want another round but guess what? Like Nike says, JUST DO IT! Dammit.

8. I'm needy.
If I text you and you don't text me back, I'll get offended and assume you hate me. Ok, maybe it's not really all that dramatic but really, text a sister back. Obviously I had an important question for you. Or something.

9. I talk a lot.
A lot, a lot. Especially if you get some wine flowing through my bloodstream. I could talk most grandma's into the ground. Get me going on a topic I enjoy and you're never going to shut me up. Like I said in number 1, I'm just not very good at being quiet. Happens to the best of us.

10. I don't really have a 10.
But I'm sure there's way more reasons why I shouldn't have friends. Either way, I'm lucky I do and I'm even more lucky they put up with all of these delightful traits about me.

And now here's a reason, maybe, why I should have some friends...
One of you might just win yourself $500 thanks to me and these 9 other lovely people below.

Jack & Sally   /   I Wore Yoga Pants   /   ArkanSassy   /   Bold Butter Baby   /    Hubby Jack

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I don't wanna be a crocodile no more.

Monday, 1 July 2013

I'm pretty sure it's safe to say that I have ridiculously sensitive and pissy skin. If I'm not dealing with some type of irritation, I'm dealing with dry skin which typically means irritation is next up on the agenda.

For me it's really important to keep my skin super moisturized because without lotion I'm just a hair shy of turning into a beige crocodile and, let's be honest, there is absolutely nothing attractive about that. Well, I guess unless you're a male crocodile, then maybe you'd be into that. Unfortunately, I've yet to attract any sort of reptile so I just don't think not moisturizing is really much of an option for me.

When I was given the opportunity to partner with Vaseline® Spray & Go Moisturizer (specifically the Total Moisture® variant) to test out one of their new spray lotions I jumped at it because, really, I can be pretty lazy most of the time. Especially after I get out of the shower... I can't be the only one who thinks showering is a burden. Or maybe I am?

Note: This moisturizer did not cause my hair to blow dramatically in the wind, which was slightly depressing.

Back to the subject at hand. Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer is an incredible product. It reminds me a lot of the at-home spray tans I use (when I'm trying to look like a cast member of Jersey Shore), mostly because of how convenient and fast it is to apply. It's actually slightly mind blowing that it isn't sticky or greasy because it feels a little like I'm trying to moisturize with some cooking spray. Luckily, it's just really great lotion in a spray bottle!

I give this product a big ol' two thumbs up and I want to try Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer Cocoa Radiant™ next. You know, because everyone loves a girl who smells like a chocolate milkshake (my milkshake brings all the boys to the yard... anyone? Bueller?). If you want to learn more you can check out their handy Facebook page and get your learn on!


Anywhoodles, that's my take on the new Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer Total Moisture and why I think you should go try it out. Just make sure you don't spray it on your tile bathroom floor, you might thoroughly injure your roommate. Or yourself. Not that I know from experience or anything. Nope.

My advice is to also use Vaseline’s signature application technique called the “Up, Switch, Down, Rub.” Spray up one side of your body, switch hands, spray down the other side of your body and then rub in.

Now, since you've all been great readers and made it this far, guess what? You have the chance to win a $1,000 SpaFinder gift card. All you have to do to enter is comment on this post! Which, duh, you were totally going to anyways, right?  Just leave an answer to this question: How would using Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer max your mornings?

Sweepstakes Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winner  will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 7/1/13 - 7/31/13.
Be sure to visit the Vaseline® Spray & Go page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

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