A Glimpse of the DNC from a local

This whole Democratic National Convention is truly once in a lifetime.  Especially for us because Kevin and I live in a condo building right in the middle of it all.

 

We got back in from Maryland yesterday and got home from the airport quicker than I ever have before.  We did have to tell the Secret Service that we lived there but it was super easy and they were so nice. 

 

After unpacking, we headed downstairs to walk around and scope things out.  Hope these pictures give yall a glimpse into living in Charlotte right now!

 

Lots of people!  Streets blocked off.  Tryon a one way street when it's usually two way.

 

 

They set up barricades on the sidewalk so people can't cross mid-block.  Smart.

 

They turned Vida Mexican Grill into CNN Grill.  Talk about some mulah to make this happen!

 

MSNBC was broadcasting live from Epicentre last night.  We may have been on TV?!

 

Pretty cool picture from the 2nd floor of Epicentre. 

 

We had dinner at Blackfinn.

 

Checking things out! 

 

Then we went to Mortimer's.  They were having an event there where anyone could drink or eat for free.  Count us in.  This was a sign they had.  I also met a fellow Chi Omega.  She was so sweet and told us anytime we want to come to Boston, we can stay at her place.  Hilarious! 

 

Everyone we saw we said hey to and welcomed them to Charlotte.  Why not, right?!   

 

Then I came back to Kevin's and proceeded to stalk to see what those people are doing at my condo.  I literally hung on his balcony seeing if they'd come outside.  Yall know if I see them on the elevator, I will talk to them.  ;)  I got their names a few days ago so you know I've scoped them out online. 

 

Yep, that's my bedroom light on behind the balcony railing.  See it on the bottom left corner of the picture?

 

This morning I set out for an early morning trot.  I never go by myself in the morning because it's super dangerous but this time I felt like it would obviously be very safe.   And I was right!

 

This is what a pedestrian checkpoint looks like.  You have to show credentials to go further towards the arena where the events are taking place.

 

I loved doing loops around and seeing all the goings on around town.  I mean when else would I get this chance?!

 

Even the Ritz used red and blue lighting.

 

Vehicle checkpoint.  I'm talking hood up, trunks open, secret service and dogs everywhere.

 

Sand sculpture of nobama.

 

Homeland Security vehicle.

 

Special signs were made. 

 

So far so good with everything DNC related.  Well that is being around uptown during the DNC.  Renting my condo out, well that's a different story for another day this week or next. 

 

I encourage Charlotte friends to come out and see what everything is about.  It's really a fun thing!  No matter what your political beliefs are, it's all about the experience!

 

Meanwhile, you can find me wearing red shirts every day this week! ;)

Maryland - Days 1 and 2

Last Friday Kevin's parents, Kevin and I flew up to my parents and where I grew up in Maryland. 

 

Friday afternoon we had lunch at a place called Back Street.  I showed them around town and where I went to school and all that good stuff. 

 

We had cocktail time with my next door neighbor and they met a bunch of other neighbors in the street. 

 

That evening we went to my parents Yacht club for dinner!

 

Side note - Kevin's parents stayed at the local Hampton Inn. 

 

I awoke to the smell of scrapple.  My favorite.  Also dad makes killer scrambled eggs. 

 

We headed down to the beach.  First we rode through Assateague in search of wild ponies but there were so many cars, we didn't get to see any. 

 

Next stop - riding go carts.  The Mom's took pictures.

 

Kevin cruising in.

 

Kevin's Dad.

 

Me.

 

My Dad.

 

Then we dropped by the local ice cream favorite - Dumsers.  Also happens to be where I worked in high school and during summers in college.

 

Mamas

 

 Then we went into Ocean City, Maryland.  We did a drive by the boardwalk. 

 

Then we went to Fishtails for lunch. 

 

 

Fishtails from the dock looking in.

 

 

 

They have a table like the Maryland flag.

 

It was essential that we showed Kevin's parents Seacrets.  It's a place that has 20-something bars in it.  It's absolute chaos.  Take a look....

 

They have seats in the water and also inner tubes you can hang on.  Waitresses come out to you to take your order.

 

 

You can also arrive by boat.  These Seacrets shuttles named Tipsy I and Tipsy II bring you in the shallow water. 

 

 The docks.

 

Mom can't wait to dance with Kevin at the wedding so she's getting a head start on practicing now.

 

We headed up the beach to Fenwick Island and took a few pictures.

 

 

We had reservations at Fager's just before sunset so we could hear the 1812 Overture.  They play it really loudly in the restaurant as the sun goes down.  It's always perfect timing and on a beautiful evening, it's amazing.  This night was a bit cloudly but still cool for the experience. 

 

This is a picture of Fager's from their dock.

 

Kevin and I had our picture taken in this same spot back in 2009.  You can see that here.

 

One more at Fager's with Kevin's parents.  My parents had gone to get the car. 

 

 

It has been so much fun having all 6 of us together.  I can't wait to tell yall about the rest of our trip!  We are flying back today.

Signing Off

It's been a long couple of weeks and days and today is my last crazy one.  Tomorrow at 9:40am the plane is leaving and I will be on it.  So between now and then, I am only one person and can only do so much. 

We had one of my work dinners last night when I got in from Tennessee.  We ate at Bernardin's uptown Charlotte (where Ratcliff on the Green used to be).  Highly recommend.  Then we went over to the Ritz and had an after dinner drink at Urban Sip on their 15th floor.  It's so quiet and has great views.  Thank you to our architect for taking us out for a big night on the town!

I was up til 1:30am cleaning (possibly under the influence -- I do my best work this way haha!) for the DNC so I could pretend I had a "professional" come clean it.  Evidently that was required but you're joking if I was going to pay for my place to be cleaned only for someone to come dirty up it up and have to do it all over again.  So I cleaned it top to bottom. 

Got up at 5:45am to run.  That was necessary for my sanity and girl catch up time with Tara and Kristen before we all take off on trips.  Kristen is going to Jacksonville, FL.  Tara is going to Costa Rica with Kristen's sister.  I'm going to Maryland to my parents home with Kevin and his parents.  It will be a fun trip!

Hope you all enjoy your long Labor Day weekend.  Here's to wearing white pants every day til next Tuesday!

Wedding Wednesday - Shower

 

I received a very special piece of mail the other day and it made this whole wedding thing seem so real! 

 

My girls from college/sorority are throwing us a luau type couples shower since we're going to Hawaii!  It's from 8-11pm so they're going to serve dessert and drinks.  I'm SOOOO excited!

(Sorry had to white out all of the sensitive info!)

 

It was just so crazy to see an invitation with our names on it!  And isn't it super fun?!

 

Let the wedding festivities begin!

Going crazy this week!

Welcome to Kevin's condo with all of my stuff in it. 

 

Welcome to what it's like to move out of your condo so it can be "hotel like" for your Democratic National Convention rental.

 

Welcome to life in limbo for at least two weeks.

 

So the process began last Thursday after I returned from two VERY long days in the car working.  We drove 1400 miles in two days.  That includes the West Virginia back roads that we're not going 70 mph or even 30 mph.  It was actually fun though and I learned a lot.  We started at 4am on Wednesday and I returned home Wednesday night/Thursday morning at 2am.  When I woke up on Thursday morning, I started packing to move out. 

I don't entirely have to move our persay but I have to take all valuables.  To me that means my whole place, haha.  All of my brass and silver candleholders.  All of my frames.  All of my liquor.  All of my special clothes.  All of my perfume and bath stuff.  Obviously all of my jewelry.  It's actually a lot more stuff than I thought. 

In the mean time, I was gone all last weekend in Charleston.  I was home yesterday so Kevin and I got more packing done last night.  Today and tomorrow I'm in Tennessee.  Thursday I will finish up while packing for Maryland on Friday morning.  My life is in pure chaos right now.

Oh, did I mention it's still on the market so I have to keep it presentable at all times?  ....while moving out for the DNC and while packing/unpacking for the three trips I've been on/going on these couple of weeks? 

And I'm still trying to get over the fact that some random person/couple will be staying in my place.  I'm pretty weirded out by it.  I don't like people touching my stuff.  I'm going to be a cleaning crazy lady when they leave.  And they better not take my stuff I'm leaving behind. 

Okay I'm done complaining.  I just feel like my brain is fried with all of the stuff I'm trying to remember to do in the short time I have to do it.  The number of things on my list is out of control but I am good because I have a list. 

It'll get done.  And don't feel too badly for me.  This whole moving out for the DNC thing is well worth it!

Charleston for Tara's Birthday

I'm so excited to tell you about our girl's trip to Charleston to celebrate our friend Tara's 30th!  Lots of pictures but they tell a good story!

 

Kristen organized everything and found us a house to stay in.  It was super cute!  And had a front porch of course. 

 

My friend Jenn helped me make this banner for Tara using her Cricut.  It's kinda funny because Tara's sells Cricut's so I knew she would be impressed that I sorta made one.  Okay let's be honest, Jenn did it all but I "helped!"  I wish I had a better picture of it. 

 

When everyone got there we gave Tara her gift from all 8 of us.  Diamond earrings.  Kristen's parents have a jewelry store so you should see how gorgeous they are!

 

Then we just walked a block and grabbed a quick bite at Lana for dinner at 9:30pm haha!

 

The next morning Brianna and Auburn made everyone a crustless quiche, some potatoes and raisin bread.  So good. 

 

And of course mimosas were essential to kick off the day.  You can see we also had koozies made for the occasion.  Tara is the Koozie Queen so it was only right!

 

We packed up for the beach and waited for our driver to take us.

 

Meet Keith.  He didn't know I was taking his picture.  Obviously.

 

 We hung on the beach all day.  Those Clemson girls!

 

Some of us walked up to the beach bar and hung out.

Emily F, Me, Tara, Brianna, Auburn and Kristen

 Reggae band.

 

For some reason we got our picture taken with him.

 

 

Did this really happen?  She walked by and noone could believe it!

 

Group picture on the beach!

 

Gorgeous shot.

 

We all got ready and headed downtown to Rue de Jean for a drink.  Tara treated us!

 

Emily F, Brianna, Emily, Tara

 

The whole crowd

Then we walked over to Coast for dinner.  Tara and I shared this amazing salad.  Heirloom tomatoes, basil, goat cheese sprinkled with olive oil.  I will be attempting to replicate this.

I got Tuna for dinner and it was good.  Everyone else pretty much got fish as well.  So tasty!

 

Then we headed to some bars and hung out.  This was the Vendue Inn rooftop.

 

Brianna, Kim, Me, Emily.  Kim emailed us all a couple days before and asked if there was room for one more in the house.  Yes, she's pregnant!  So exciting!!!!

 

Then we went a couple of other places and ended up at Brick.  The band there was awesome.

 

We called it a night about 2am and headed in for late night snacking.  You're supposed to do that on girl's weekends right?! 

 

Lauren and I rode together and left around 10:30 Sunday morning.  A couple girls left before us and some after us.  A few stayed until today. 

 

We loved celebrating Tara!  Thank you to Kristen for all of her hard work in planning and for her 6 page itinerary to keep us all straight! ;)

 

Today is officially Tara's 30th so HAPPY BIRTHDAY TARA!