It may be cloudy, but I'll take it

Just some pictures from our morning at Fort Pulaski. It's windy and cloudy here today, but I'm happy to get out of the house and let the dog run around. She is a sandy mess right now, and of course had to jump on the guest bed as soon as we got home, but hey, she's sleeping, so that makes me happy!

Boing! Look at that smile!

The Low Country is so pretty, even on cloudy days. 

Run, Emma! Run! Get that energy out!

YIKES! Help me!

Okay, time to be candid. In the past 10 months I have gained 20 pounds. 20 pounds! Holy Cow! This has happened because, #1 I have low thyroid and haven't been taking my meds (easy fix - thank God), and #2 because I don't handle change very well and this has been my body's reaction to all the stress. After looking at pictures of me from the past couple of months and being terrified, I have FINALLY decided to do something about it. So for the first time in months, I went to the gym today. UGH! I am soooo out of shape! I refuse to be discouraged though! It may be slow going, but I can do this! I have a week to get my heart rate back in shape, at least back in shape some what. I have a week because next Monday Miguel and I have our first soccer game. Yes, soccer game. I have n.e.v.e.r played soccer before. Not even when I was six or seven. Miguel plays a lot and is really good at it, so I've fooled around with him over the past couple of years kicking the ball, learning to dribble and stuff. That's about all my exposure to playing soccer though. The team we're playing with is a group of his co-workers and the few I've seen play before are really good and take it pretty seriously, so needless to say I'm pretty intimidated. I'm nervous but hoping that this league will help push me to be healthier and get in better shape. A goal to work toward is always pretty helpful. (I can also use all the prayers and encouragement you could send along my way!) 

oh lord. 

Since I've never played before I had to go purchase new shoes, socks, and shin guards. Savannah doesn't have a Dick's Sporting Goods, Sports Authority, or anything like that, so it was challenging to find cleats. There is one store that carries them and it's a small sports store in the Savannah Mall. Everyone and their brother was there shopping yesterday and they only had three employees working, one of which decided it was a good time to go on break. Once we finally got help we learned that the only women's soccer shoes they carried were not available in my size. Luckily, I was able to fit into little girl's size 6! Phew! This was much better anyways, because they are cuter than the only women's option which were all white with bright blue accents - so they'll basically be a muddy color after you wear them once. The ones I ended up with are black with pink. Yay for pink! 

Emma and I headed to the park today to try them out! I was honestly surprised how much easier it is to kick the ball with proper soccer shoes than it is with tennis shoes. They're so light and you can just feel the connection to the ball easier. I made the mistake of going at noon and after I had been at the gym, so I got out of breath really fast. But Emma and I still had fun kicking the ball around. You know it's hot when Emma stops running around and goes to sit down under a table. So we left after that.

I'll write about my first soccer experience after next Monday night's game. Ahh! Cross your fingers for me and say a prayer for me to get back into shape!

It's good to be a dog

The Paris Market and Brocante

The Paris Market

Yesterday I mentioned that I loved the store, The Paris Market and Brocante. It is one of my all time favorite stores and a must to bring out of town visitors to.  The Paris Market is located in the heart of the historic district of Savannah. It is so visually stimulating and I never know what I'll find in there. It's owned by a husband and wife team who travel the world to bring back exotic and antique treasures. 

The top floor of the shop (the street level) is mostly a hodgepodge of items ranging from soaps, shells, antique costume jewelry, a children's section, cook books, and other nicknacks. In the back corner there is also a little cafe. The basement level contains unique furniture, old photographs and cameras, collections of old block letters, and more curious items that you find yourself just wanting to pick up and explore closer. For a brocante - "a flea market"- the store is pretty expensive. A large candle cost $50, for example. I can spend hours in this store. Writer Danica Lo wrote, not a single surface has been untouched by visual merchandising - every corner is exploding with an aesthetic combination of French flea market chic combined with the inescapable eery beauty that permeates everything in Savannah. That sums it up pretty well. I would encourage you to visit if you're ever in the area! Enjoy some pictures from this weekend below. I didn't have the best camera with me so the quality isn't the best. 

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Kid's section

Children's car

Very busy on Saturday

More from the children's section

The cafe

Stairs leading to the basement
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They were switching out the displays

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