The End of an Era - Part II

We spent our last (or next to last, undecided) with wine, cigars and Frank Sinatra watching the sunset over downtown.

From one peaceful place to another. Ohhhh....how I will miss this pool. I've spent entirely too much time figuring out how I could possibly sneak back in on the weekends.

Just our luck, the summer pool party was our last Saturday at the pool. What? A party for us? Well...ok!
(A girl can pretend)

Momma Goldbergs brought the heat...in the form of nachos with pepperjack and jalapenos. Cold beer was on hand.

There was even a DJ.....

He was SUPER excited. Some people really connect with Kesha.....

We spent a lot of weekends at the pool, and glad to see it go out in style. If you categorize style as Doritos and keg beer....

Happy Friday!

The End of an Era - Part I

 Saturday marked exactly one week until move out day. It's probably a little ridiculous that I'm so sad to move out of an apartment, but we have loved living here. The location made many aspects of daily life so easy, which is no small thing when you are in the first year of marriage.

I've blogged many times about how much we enjoy running together, so our last Saturday morning run downtown had to be documented accordingly.

A quick picture...

 before we headed off for a HOT run.

 It was hot, but picture taking gave everyone time to catch their breath, and for me to look like a crazy lady. 

There's a few crazies downtown, so I fit right in.

I love the scenery and historic buildings on the north side. The south side houses one of the premier hospitals in the country (no, I don't work for the visitors and convention bureau), and always served as a good reminder - even if being out on a hot run or a cold run isn't as fun as laying on the couch, health is a precious gift.

Having all this right outside our front door has been such a fun experience, and will be very missed.

Trimmed Up

 It's starting to get really exciting venturing out to the construction zone. Not that a roof isn't exciting, but not as exciting as seeing the selections go up and in.

Friday, the dormers were in. Paint coming soon.

 As I made my way through the work zone in heels, the stair railing was going up. They asked if this was my house. Yes, what do you think I wander through other people's houses? No comment.

 The garage was being used as a wood shop for tongue and groove (left) and wainscoting (right)
 

 Which had gone up by Saturday. We went with Franklin bead board, which is pretty tall and has a deep enough shelf to set pictures. I'm thinking of doing a gallery of the Grizz. I kid.

 

 The tongue and groove had begun as well

 And let's not forget about the Great Wall. It got a little extra attention too, with the beginning of brick columns. I was assured it would look very "Tuscan". As Tuscan as a cement wall in the heart of the suburbs can look, I suppose. Bring on the Chianti.

This week...cabinets and tile. Namath will have a cool place to nap, and I'll have a cool place to store food. Everyone's happy.

Wordless Wednesday

So it begins...

Antibiotics and Sheetrock

   I was under the weather most of last week. Thankfully, I had some company by day....

 And someone to get me ice cream by night. Nothing washes down minocycline like cookies and cream. The amount of cookies and cream ice cream consumed in our little apartment in the past five days is shameful, but there is nothing shameful about Chick-Fil-A milkshakes.

 I peeled myself off the couch and away from the DVR on Thursday night. Fresh air does the body good. Fresh sheetrock does the body better. It actually looks like a house now. Not one that I'd want to live in at this point, but give it another thirty days. (Believe it or not....)

 MS practicing the walk to get ice cream in the new house.

 Did I mention the brick is done?!

We were thrilled with the progress this week. Gold Star.

 Wasn't quite feeling up to running Saturday morning, so we walked a couple laps at Railroad. Isn't this a pretty view on a Saturday morning?

Some of us are still in a little bit of denial we are packing this place up and moving to the suburbs.  

 And some of us don't know what the heck is going on, and only wish to spend their days sunbathing overlooking the pool.

Me too, buddy.

Friday Favorites - Downtown Living Edition

This is a special post, because I'm totally skipping the fact that the house has walls AND the brick is finished to bring it to you...it's all about the readers. All 3 of you. Who are probably sick of looking at pictures of brick colors and dirt. So let's talk food and alcohol.

I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but I LOVE living downtown. There will be some tears when we pack up and leave, if I ever decide to start packing. But until then, I'll focus on the positive and share with you some of my favorite things.

First, let's clear up some misconceptions about downtown of the Magic City. We do not have a fun downtown like Nashville or Atlanta...of this I am aware. But I also don't have to pack heat when walking to the mailbox nor do I feel the need to carry anything other than my common sense when running alone, and I've seen my fair share of 48 Hours Mystery. Not that I'm defensive or anything.

Now that's out of the way...let's talk a few favorite things.

I think I could eat a pound of these all by myself. Is there anything better than fresh roasted peanuts? Maybe fresh roasted peanuts with a beer, poolside? Check and check.

Wine Loft. This is one of my favorite places to go on a date night, and its walking distance. Don't these people look happy? They should be. They're drinking good wine. On real furniture.

Last but not least. Certainly not least. Railroad Park.

I remember going to an event close to here before we moved in and being excited to see they were building some sort of park. I had vivid dreams of Namath running through the park and meeting new friends. All dreams don't come true. But, it has been wonderful having a running trail close to the apartment where there are always people around (common sense noted above). Namath's only been a handful of times. He's not much into exercise, heat, or socializing with other animals (some days me and MS fall into this category). We love him anyways.

I'm trying to soak up the last couple weeks in our first place...at some point I'll start packing.

Shrimp and Bacon

Since it's almost the weekend again, let's talk about last weekend.

As of last weekend, we only had 3 pool weekends left. Not that I'm counting. So, a cloudy day was not in my plans, but Plan B turned out pretty nice.

After some rigorous shopping for the man cave, we ended up at a new restaurant for an afternoon cocktail.

If you're local to Birmingham, Five in Lakeveiw has $5 appetizers and signature drinks during happy hour. The waitress recommended the Uptown Shrimp, and it did not dissapoint. MS had an old fashion.

While I sipped on a pineapple jalapeno margarita. Sweet with a little bit of a kick.

Saturday night we celebrated a good friends recent wedding. This house was unbelievable, so I had to snap a few pictures.

If you aren't feeling up to the 9 hole course on the property, you can practice your putting.

Golf not your forte? Maybe a nap in the boat bed?

But let's be honest, the French Bulldog in the study was my favorite part. His name was Bacon, and I wanted to take him home in my purse. But thought that would be frowned upon.