The Hathcocks

As the shower was winding down, Bud and some others began loading up his truck. Lindsey and I thanked everyone and said our good-byes, after Kathy (Lindsey's mom) took her last round of pictures, of course.

We made a quick stop by my parents' to pick up a bag, then I led the Proctors to our new house. My parents met us there. Lindsey's mom liked the place immediately, I assume from her reaction, anyway. We showed them inside and Lindsey's dad, Bud, complimented our selection. "It's perfect," I believe he said at one point. It's far from perfect, but it's a great little house for a poor young couple.

They piled our loot into the house while Lindsey and I walked over to Peggy Burris's house to sign the lease (she lives just across the street). We told her about the trouble we had with the bolt on the glass door, and she hunted for a key, then accompanied us back to the house. Bud eventually got the door to unlock and said it simply needs to be adjusted.

While Peggy chatted with my parents and Lindsey, Kathy, Bud, and I walked around outside. Kathy marveled at the pecan trees and grape arbor. We all talked for several minutes until the rest joined us outside. After a little while, just before we were to disperse, Kathy called me to the front of the house and asked me to use her digital camera to record a video tour of the house, with my narration. I'm sure she'll later regret the decision to have me do it.

After this, we were all gathered around the vehicles, ready to go, except for Lindsey and her dad, who were looking up into the front yard tree. I walked over, and Bud was petting a squirrel on a low limb. It seemed feeble and shaky, and we thought it might be sick. But, after I climbed up to get a closer look, I found that it was just a baby. Peggy told us then that a squirrel had been killed in the road just a day or two before, and was probably the mother. After much debate and suggestions, I decided to take it home in a box Peggy provided.

When I got home, Carlyn, my brother, had left five messages on the answering machine. We had left him skating in Norwood for the day, and he was ready to come home, apparently. I went searching for him and eventually found him near M & R Retreading. We went to Food Lion where I bought whole milk. At home, after mixing a small amount of water to thin it out, I tried to feed the squirrel with a medicine siphon thingy. He swallowed some of it. I'm afraid he might die. I did a little research online and it might be better if I take him back to where he was found. We'll see.

Apart from the fact that I may have aided in the death of a cute baby animal, it was a great day.

Posted by Brian at 06:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Except for mothers of the bride and groom, the attire for the Proctor/Hathcock Wedding on May 20, 2006 is set. Expect problems to ensue, and the gnashing of teeth, accordingly.

Other than that, I looked at glasses this evening. I found some that I like, but am waiting to decide when B is with me. Let's just hope that whatever I find is close to the current frames, as I don't know that I'd like anything much different on my face. The few that I approved of this evening were comparable to these. We'll see.

Grandpa had a birthday party tonight. I hate that I had to miss it.

Posted by Lindsey at 08:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This entry is taken from my blog at brianhathcock.com.

I'm in love with busy weekends, because I usually do nothing. I'm also fond of using commas whenever I please to show pause even though sometimes I shouldn't, technically. Suck on it.

It was nearly 80° Sunday morning when Lindsey and I got up. We hadn't been to Morrow Mountain since October and I was itching to walk among trees. We spent the better half of the morning there, jousting with our walking sticks and being slobbered by dogs. After a few miles of coaxing Lindsey through tall grass and 45-degree rock patches, I drove her around to the other side of the mountain. There is where the Hathcocks have their yearly reunion. Hopefully she'll be able to attend this years'. It's a good ol' time of burnt hotdogs and pretending you know who anyone is. And trying to act like a supreme conservative who brushes his teeth before talking about George Bush.

We then met with Robin Williams' father about another house for rent in Albemarle, but it was suspended from a cliff over a pit of ghetto children, so we declined.

The rest of the weekend was padded with a big family meal at Joel's Seafood, a stop by J. Talbert, and a couple ACC Tournament games. Good filler, I guess. Except for filling out the FAFSA. I hate Internet Explorer.

This week is our Spring Break. I'm at work; Lindsey wanted to come, so she's been here all day, too. I helped several people for the first four hours of work, but now this place is empty. Tomorrow we're going by the bank, I'm going to don a tux for the first time, and we're off to Concord to see Brokeback Mountain before it's gone. I want to see what all the fuss is about.

Posted by Brian at 04:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This entry is taken from my blog at pidge.org.

Today felt like summer. I don't think it went below 80 degrees until sunset.

Brian and I took advantage of the wonderful weather. We went to Morrow Mountain and hiked. It was beautiful. Quite a workout, also, since it was so hot. It would have been a little easier to climb up the steep side if it hadn't been quite as hot, but I am not complaining.

When we got back, we had brunch (even though it was the afternoon, it was our first meal) and watched the Duke/BC game. It didn't end the way we had hoped. Brian, Carlyn and I went outside and played their own special version of "Horse". I played one game, and watched the rest. Basketball is a sport I LOVE to watch...

At 5, we went and looked at another house. This one wasn't in the best of neighborhoods, and the back porch was perilous. The price was $100 more than our little yellow option, and neither of us could see a reason for the extra rent.

We're going to go with the yellow house.

All in all, it was a great day, as we were able to spend most of it outside in the beautiful sun. It wasn't so great that the FAFSA didn't work three (3) times for us this evening, but we'll just do it tomorrow at SCC. Brian has to work, and I'm tagging along. :)

68 days

Posted by Lindsey at 10:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Time is flying. I understand that every person over the age of 40 keeps this as their recurring theme, and in no effort to incorrectly age myself, I agree. I was thinking tonight about the way things were in high school. How things were so completely different, and how I could never in a million years imagine where I am right now. It's not that I'm somewhere outstanding or particularly exclusive to only me...but being almost finished with college, and engaged, and 22...It was so far away at one time.

And now it's here and going by quickly before I can even enjoy it the way I would have liked.

Today was productive in terms of 20May. (Ha—A lady at my church told me today that her daughter used to say that her birthday was on "20May", when it was really on May 23rd...she was really young and just learned to say it an incorrect way. Recently, this same daughter, a little older now, went up to her mom and said, "Mom! Lindsey is really getting married on 20May!" You had to be there.)

Back on track now...I met with a hairstylist that Laura suggested from her old job as a hair salon receptionist. Her name is Rosie, and she was a pleasant surprise. She picked up the 'vibe' of what I want almost instantly, and in minutes could look at pictures and know which ones I would like and which I would die before choosing. She played with my hair, and Laura and Colin came, and we found the way I love. I don't just like it, I LOVE it...

This is all way more exciting to me than it should be, I know...but before this afternoon I had been very concerned about what my hair would look like. It has been an exaggerated issue for me. Don't know why.

Posted by Lindsey at 01:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This entry is taken from my blog at brianhathcock.com.

The white house isn't going to work out. Simply stated, for what was to be given too much was being asked. Besides, we'll probably want something up in the northern tip of the county so we don't have to drive 30 minutes to work and school.

Bambi II has been made. Unnecessary!

Lindsey bought her dress yesterday. I'm not allowed to see it or even hear about it. That's fine, because I want it to be a surprise anyway.

I hope it's white.

Lindsey and I had planned to be in Yorktown March 31-April 2. I learned shortly that Brian Regan is scheduled to perform in Norfolk that Friday night. I've mentioned Brian Regan a few times before, and he certainly deserves the credit. I guess I should include him in my personal agenda/wish list of things that should happen.

• Reformation of social structure
• Decrease personal and collective apathy while increasing understanding and empathy
• Religious tolerance all around, on every side
• Heal the bruises and patch the scrapes within our political bodies
• Get those thirdworlders some physiological and safety satisfaction¹
• For the kids: decrease high school dropout rates and drug & alcohol use; and make them know the extreme importance of education and cognitive/emotional development
• Convey the significance of history and the value it has for the present and future
• Destroy all McDonald's "restaurants" and anything similar
• Attend and redress the reputation of cats, especially in relation to dogs
• Spread the word about Brian Regan and increase his fan base, which should be larger than most other popular comedians performing today (if popularity is actually measured by the proper criterions)

I have opinions.

I have no idea what teams are playing in the Super Bowl, but I know about Bambi II. Surely I am a man's man. Whatever that means. You can't live around here without knowing that the Panthers aren't in it, though. I love college basketball, but I'm a pansy in the area of football—I know nothing. I always feel awkward when in a relative's house and a game is on television. "Go my favorite sports team, go! Yay! they scored a goal unit! Go squadron, do good! Beat the opponents...soundly!"

I know you want to click on one of those links.

Actually, the site doesn't do him justice. Listen to his CD or watch his DVD. Or heck, you can buy both together and save $3.95 off the standard price! I have not been paid to endorse Brian Regan. Brian Regan.

¹It must be odd to have the upper-middle 40% of the pyramid without the proper foundation.

²There was supposed to be a second; I don't know what happened.

Posted by Brian at 02:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Whoever said that December is the busiest month?

I've learned a few extra-curricular things throughout the past few weeks...

1. Law enforcement hates me.
   
2. The human eye is estimated to recognize something like a million different hues.
   
3. ...and finding the right green for matching tablecloth is just about as hard as the previous statement suggests.
   
4. Girls who are pregnant at 15 are sometimes not all that different from those who are 20.
   
5. I can run.
   
6. I am marrying the most incredible man.
   
7. Blogging is erratic, at best.
   
8. Part-writing is not as fun to grade as it was to learn.
   

Posted by Lindsey at 09:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Everyone was here. Heh.

On Friday evening, my family and I drove to NC so that my mom and sister could see where my new home will be. Of course, any trip with my family is nothing short of crazy, but I really enjoyed coming here with them. Crazy doesn't always have to insinuate something bad.

We got here late on Friday evening, and my family stayed at the Holiday Inn Express on 24/27, next to the Wal-Mart. I came home with Brian, as I normally stay at his parent's house. It was so nice to see B since I hadn't come back with him a week previous. Again, I am grateful for getting a lot of wedding stuff done, but we always miss each other. Always.

Saturday was fun. My parents came over late morning, after sleeping in a bit, and had sandwiches with the Hathcocks. We went outside and looked around at the lake and talked and laughed. After the wind nearly knocked us on our backs (it was odd, because the week before, it had been really warm both here and and in Yorktown. I mean, windows down and no heavy coats. We get to NC, and bring polar winds, apparently), we bundled into two cars to drive around and see the sights. Mom, Penny, Carlyn and Ashley took the Taurus, with Carlyn as driver. Dad, Gary, Brian and I were in the F-150. We drove all around Norwood and the Hathcocks were able to show off their hometown to my parents. My mom was thoroughly impressed, as this area reminds her of her native East Tennesee. The rolling hills and countryside really made her feel at home.

We ended our tour at the Norwood Park, which happens to be where Penny's mom's house was before they turned it into some sort of memorial building. We took pictures in front of the lake, all freezing cold. It was great.

Dinner was at Fire Mountain that evening. The two families were in attendance, along with Lisa and Bobby, and Justin and James. It was really nice to sit and talk. My parents and the Scotts came back to Brian's parents' after dinner and we watched the Brian Regan DVD "I Walked on the Moon." Everyone got a real kick out of it. I knew my parents would love it, but Lisa and Bobby were cracking up as well.

This morning, we all went to church. I think my family was impressed by the preacher, as he preaches the Word of God soundly. The choir didn't have a lot in attendance today, but my mom is right in saying that for six people, they did a great job.

Everyone came back here afterward, and my family just used the restroom before getting on the road for home. I was a little sad to see them go, as I won't see them until February, but it was nice having them here for once.

This has become my favorite place, and having my family here made it even more special.

Posted by Lindsey at 07:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This entry is taken from my blog at pidge.org.

I don't have much to say, but I feel as though I should. It's a new year.

Last night, Laura and Colin came over and we watched a movie and the ball drop. It was really nice, because I hadn't seen Laura all break until then. Brian enjoyed seeing them, too. The DVD player began to malfunction, so Brian saved the night by providing his Playstation 2. It was pretty low key, but a good time.

Veronica, a middle/high school friend of mine, had her baby last week. I think her name is Haley Nicole Smoker. The surname is the only of those of which I am sure. I'm horrible, I know. I am planning on going to see the baby later this week, but want to make sure that my cold is finished first.

This is becoming more of an event-to-event blog, and that is Not the idea that I had in mind when creating it...it's just sort of a slow time right now. No school, no real responsibilities other than planning a wedding. Oh yea. That.

We're going to make some appointments tomorrow morning with the officiant (John Pouchot, the pastor of PBC), and Mrs. Forrest (wedding planner/helper/something like that).

I'm done with the torture now.

I liked Syriana. I won't lie--there were times when I wasn't sure what was going on, because it is one of those fast-paced and very intelligent, political dramas. Brian described it well, comparing the movie to another great flick that we saw in early 2005, Crash. I believe his words were, "It's sort of like the "Crash" of the Middle East, or something. But with lots more confusion." Very good. I'm biased, yes, but I still think it's a good analogy.

My father called my cellphone incessantly during the movie to make sure that I would remember to eat some black-eyed peas before the end of the day. It's a silly thing that my family does every New Year's day; they eat at least a spoonful of black-eyed peas in order to ensure good luck. No, we're not superstitious, and I'm pretty sure that no one actually believes it...but there they were when we walked in. Two spoonfuls of black-eyed peas in a little dish under the microwave. Crazy.

Gammy has a gym here in the complex, and there's a good chance that none of the other old people are using it...we're going to work out.

Posted by Lindsey at 11:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today my best friend in high school changed her name. Irene and I were very close from tenth grade on to graduation. We shared a lot of fun times together in choir and just general high school girl stuff. We weren't necessarily popular, but I don't know of any people that disliked us. We had our choir friends, and then our lunch table friends. The 'lunchies' were at the wedding, and I hadn't seen them in a long time. Brian looked very sharp in his suit (my dad bought him one for Christmas), and I wore my senior prom dress, the one-strap black number. I have been taking pretty good care of myself lately, and the dress was actually bigger on me than when I wore it to prom.

Irene's wedding was at 5pm at a church down on Foxhill Road. It was more traditional than contemporary, sort of like how Brian and I are thinking of ours to be. She had her grandmother sing, which was a nice touch, and had a big party. There were even grooms'girls' as Tim had some friends from home who are female. I had heard of such a thing, but never witnessed it. I thought it was a lovely service, and Irene looked absolutely gorgeous. She had an a-line dress with a sweetheart neck. Her hair was half up, and curled. She looked so amazing, I felt emotional just seeing her.

The reception was held at the Point Plaza hotel, in the Chesapeake Ballroom. Walking in, you could tell that almost all of the money spent on the wedding was for the reception. We're talking real china and glassware, a humongous appetizer table, specified place settings for the very well decorated tables, a full dinner buffet-roast beef carving at the end, and an open bar. Obviously, we didn't partake in the spirits, but Brian and I stayed for a while. It was really nice, and I know that our reception will be less formal than Irene's was, but that doesn't bother me. Ours will be exactly fitting to us. Irene always was more romantic/formal/traditional than me.

We didn't stay for much longer than dinner was served, as I hadn't been feeling wonderfully. Thankfully, we caught Irene in the lobby area so that I could give her a hug and get a picture with her. The meeting in the lobby was for unfortunate reasons, as Irene was having a hard time with her dress (something about a broken bustle). She seemed really happy to see us, and Brian was glad to meet her. We gave her our regards and signed the signable things and came back to Gammy's. It really was beautiful. I'm very happy for her.

Posted by Lindsey at 11:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This entry is taken from my blog at pidge.org.

Looking for bridesmaid dresses is not the walk in the park that you might think it would be.

It helps if all of your bridesmaids are exactly the same body type, but show me someone who has this, and I will return the look of death with intention behind it.

Laura and Emily are gorgeous. I mean...they'd look good in anything, not to sound too terribly attracted to my roommates.

But really...it's hard to find dresses that are 1) the right length, 2) the right color, 3) the right fit, 4) this list is endless...for five girls.

And alterations...that is going to be the bane of my pre-wedding existence, I think.

I know it will work out, but it can just be stressful in the beginning.

Meanwhile, I would rather have 16 bridesmaids of various proportions and heights than study for this philosophy final right now.

I said right now. Heh.

Posted by Lindsey at 08:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)