Home for Thanksgiving

One of my very best friends, Katy, and an old friend from high school, Landon, who just happened to be married to each other as a result of meeting again at our 10 year reunion, are home for Thanksgiving. I am too excited! I haven't seen them in about 3 months. Normally, when they come home, they claim our upstairs as their living quarters. We may as well just say that its their bedroom. Kelsey, their Australian Shepherd also comes with them. She is such a good girl! She and Joey are big buddies and play very well together. Well, almost. At times they really could care that the other one is in the same room.

Katy and Landon moved to Dickson in April of 2007, and before then she and I were together just about every day. I miss those days, but we all move on in life and God is always opening new doors for all of us. They married in April of this year. I am very happy for the both of them. What a match! They are very happy and I know they have enjoyed their 2 years together. I wish them many more years of happiness.

They arrived tonight after visiting with family and friends in Mason, and announcing a bit of new news....they're moving to Charleston, SC!!! I am a bit sad that they will be ALOT farther than just our normal 2 1/2 drive to Dickson, but I am very happy that they have been given the opportunity to spread their wings and try new things. Katy and I talk almost every morning on the way to work, and she just happened to remind me that they will an hour ahead of us. So, I guess its no more , "It's Monday," or "Good morning" chats for us. Sad, but true. Landon's job is taking him there for a couple of years, and hopefully they will be back in Tennessee after that. We'll see! Hmmm, I've always wanted to visit Charleston, and this may be my best way to get there. Road trip!!! Well, maybe a plane ride.- HA! I am a terrible car rider!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This Thanksgiving, there is so much to be thankful for. I am thankful for my family and friends. I thank God that I have a roof over my head, and plenty to eat. I thank God for giving me the most wonderful husband ever, a job that I love, and a hard earned education. I am thankful to be an American, but most of all I am thankful to be a Christian. Everynight when I say my prayers I thank God for allowing me to raised in a christian home. This is so important, because as I sit and think about it, I could have been one of those who have never heard about Jesus, but instead I was fortunate enough to have a mother who had me in church everytime doors were open. At that time, I didn't realize just how lucky I was. There were always times when I may not have wanted to go, but she made me and I am so glad that she did! I am so glad that I was given the opportunity to accept Christ at an early age and truly understand the love that He has for me. What a blessing! Thank you Mom, and thank you Jesus for always loving me in spite of any failures or mess-ups. :)
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. Blessings to you all!

Do You Have a Pickle?

“A very old Christmas eve tradition in Germany was to hide a pickle [ornament] deep in the branches of the family Christmas Tree. The parents hung the pickle last after all the other ornaments were in place. In the morning they knew the most observant child would receive an extra gift from St. Nicholas.

Do you have a Christmas pickle? Well, we do! I had always heard of this old German tradition, and thought it would be neat and nostalgic to have a pickle hidden in our tree. Although we have no children, I thought it would be neat that just maybe some day we will, and we can have a hunt for the pickle on Christmas morning. Erik's mother gave me this pickle a few years ago, and guess what! Its a Radko. I was so excited, because I had been wanting a Christmas pickle for my tree, and had no idea that Christopher Radko even made one. Erik's mom had never even heard of the tradition, but she thought he was cute and decided to buy it. He has the cutest rosy cheeks and the brightest eyes. Although this pickle will NOT be touched, it will still be fun to hunt. Funny thing is...according to research the German's have never even heard of this tradition, but oh well! I owe all of my other Radko ornament purchase thank yous to my mom. She has given us about 15 and I love them!!! Joey even has a few of his own.

Christmas Pickle Poem

“To start a tradition that surely will last. Here’s a short story about the pickle of glass. The night before Christmas it’s hung on the tree. While everyone’s sleeping it’s done secretly. And on Christmas morning when you arise. The first one to find it will get a surprise.”

We've Decked Our Halls

Well, I finally gave in to my temptation of getting the Christmas "stuff" down and "getting it over with." For the past 2 days, I've been slowly getting things in order a little bit at a time. It all started when I thought, hmmm, I'll just get the mantle and the stairs done today, and then maybe I'll do the tree tomorrow and then do the exterior on Friday. So much for that! When the ball started rolling, I couldn't stop. This afternoon, I began dragging the rest of it out of the attic and managed to finish it tonight after our community wide Thanksgiving service.

It seems like it takes forever to get my tree done. I have tons of ornaments; almost too many. Most of them are too pretty to be hid in the back, and so I have a bad habit of putting them all on the front. So, when the tree starts leaning forward, I have to start moving them all around. Deciding which ornaments should be moved to the back is difficult. I have been collecting Christopher Radko ornaments for a while now. They are always the 1st to go on the tree and the 1st to come off. I would have a meltdown if one of them broke. ha! One day, they will have their very own tree, but there's no room for that here, and besides I have a lot more collecting to do! Eventually, I hope to have an old nostalgic REAL tree with glass ornaments, bubble lights and big colored bulbs, but I do love my current tree. Now if I only had that cup of hot cider and a good movie.

Breakfast with Santa

Santa Claus is coming to town! Junior Auxilary will host its first "Breakfast with Santa" on Saturday, December 13th, from 8:30am-10:30am at the Covington Integrated Arts Academy. Come for pancakes and bacon, and pictures with Santa too! Tickets are $5/person, and may be purchased from any Covington-Tipton Co. Junior Auxilary member, or at the freckled frog in Covington. Ticket price includes one 4 x 6 photo with Santa, breakfast, and tons of fun! Oh, and feel free to come in your PJs. Hope to see you there!

Is It That Time Already?

I keep thinking that I must be really behind. I've checked my calender and yet I still remain correct. It is only Nov. 16. That means there's almost still 2 weeks until Thanksgiving. So why am I sitting here thinking about putting up my Christmas decorations? And why is it that I've driven by many homes only to find a Christmas tree in the front window, garland around the door, and candles in the windows? It seems like I just finished decorating my mantle for fall. Surely its not time to take all of those things back to the attic? I guess it is, huh. I do enjoy decorating for Christmas, but for some reason I am dreading getting that ginormous tree out of the attic and all of the 1 million ornaments I have, not to mention the garlands on the mantle and banister, the wreaths on the windows, and candles in the windows. Maybe that's why I'm thinking about it now. Maybe I should just get it over with. The sooner I get started, the sooner I will be able to get cozy on the couch, in the dark, with nothing lit but my Christmas lights and gas logs. There's nothing more that I enjoy than sitting in the dark watching a Christmas movie and drinking red-hot cider in my Christmas PJs. My favorite movie of all...National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Yes, I absolutely LOVE that stupid movie! I can't get enough of Aunt Bethany saying, "Is your house on fire Clark? Don't throw me down Clark!" If you've never laughed at that, then I can only say...there's no hope for ya! And lets not forget "A Christmas Story." That bunny costume, the leg lamp, and the famous line, "You'll shoot your eye out!" Yes, all silly and a little stupid too, but well worth a laugh, and they're classics! Now, I don't leave out the good ones. It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, and White Christmas are all a must, and lets not forget Rudolph, Frosty, and the Grinch, which just happens to be on TBS as we speak! Anyone up for movie night? I know I could sure use one!

Meme's Surprise

What a cute surprise! If you aren't exactly sure what you're looking at, and I would suspect that you do, it's a Rock City Barn ornament. If you've never see a See Rock City Barn somewhere in the US, I would be totally surprised. I was reading today, that the painting of these famous barns started in 1935 and that there were approximately 900 of these things all over the US, but fewer than 100 remain, and they all point to that spot near Chattanooga where you can "see Rock City."

Some of our very best friends, the Cranfords, made a short trip to Chattanooga this weekend, and this is what they brought Meme. If I'm not mistaken (correct me if I'm wrong, Christi), Ryan had a meeting there on Friday and decided to take the whole family for a visit to the aquarium and Lookout Mtn. As we were visiting them last night. Chrisit remembered that she had left my surprise in her car. Conversation as follows: hehe!

Christi: "Ethan, let me go out to the car and get Meme's present"

Ethan: "Okay, Mommy!" Then turning to me, "Meme we got you a surprise! It's your birthday!" (while bouncing hysterically) Keep in mind that my birthday is Apr. 24-ha!

Ryan: "No, Son, It's not Meme's birthday, we just got her a present because we wanted to get her one."

Ethan: "No, meme, its not your birthday!" ( as if I didn't know that already- hehe! He's still bouncing with excitement, meanwhile Christi walks in with the surprise and behold...the Rock City Barn.)

Ethan: "Look Meme, its for the little bitty birds to get in!" "Look, Meme, I've got one too!"

Yep, Ethan too had his own Rock City Barn ornament, as well. It is too cute. I mean, everyone needs a Rock City Barn don't they? I love it! Thanks boys! Thanks to mom and dad too!

Cheers to Rylee

Just a couple of months ago, Mom called me to tell me that our Rylee was wanting to tryout for cheerleading. I was excited, because so far, I'm the only one in our family who has been a cheerleader. Those of you who know me know that cheering was my "thing." My "thing" for 10 years to be exact. Yep! I cheered in elementary school, highschool, and in college. Dancing and cheering were the only two things that I felt completely confident about, but not only that, I LOVED them both. So far, no one else in our family has followed in my footsteps until now, and I couldn't be more proud of Miss Rylee.

In the past, (and I say past, because I am now 30 and have not one limber bone in my body), I have gone to several schools in West Tn. and judged tryouts, or just did some private critiquing for a few girls. So, Kelley wanted me to check out Rylee's skills before the big day. I met with her one afternoon at Mom's and she showed me so much more than I could help her with. I basically told Kelley that there was not a thing I could do for her. "She's good," I told her. You either have it or you don't is the way I tend to look at it. Well, she's got it! Hmmm, does she take after her cousin Amy? I couldn't be more proud-hehe!!!

This Thursday night I was able to see her and her cheer friends in action at the BMS basketball game. They did so many new cheers, and alot of old ones too. Later, they changed in to a different uniform for their half-time routine. The girls wore jerseys with numbers on them, but I couldn't figure out why the numbers were 13, 14, and 15?! Rylee's jersey....14! Well, it stands for the year she will graduate highschool. Wait a minute! She just got out of kindergarten and they are already discussing their graduation year? 2014 isn't that far away, so Rylee take some old advice from me. Enjoy your years ahead, because they go by too quickly. Don't wish them away. Listen to your parents. And....keep CHEERING your heart out! Love you!!!

Sunday School Social

What kind of blogger am I to not take my camera to our social tonight?! Answer: The kind that goes to get it, only to find that the battery is dead and there's not enough time to charge it! Regardless, tonight was a blast. Our Sunday school class has recently started having socials once a month so that we can get to know each other and spend time in Christian fellowship. Tonight's social....a bonfire a hayride with chili, hotdogs, and smores at the Rose's. I've never seen so many kids in one house in my entire life. It was very amused to see what seemed like 100 kids surrounding one table screaming, "Mom, I'm hungry!, Mom I don't want that, I want that!, Mom, I need some more cheese! Mom, can I have some more drink?" etc. etc. etc. As I stood there and watched what seemed to be total chaos, I began to smile as I watched with amazement at the mothers and fathers of these children cater to their every needs with every bit of calmness. How amazing. One year ago, I would have found myself thinking, "Please get me out of here!", but not tonight. It was a delight. I know some of you are probably thinking, Oh yeah, you can only say that because you didn't have any to deal with! -haha! I know, I know, my time is coming and you'll be laughing at me, right?! Thanks to Mr. Paul and Ms. Nancy for welcoming us into their home tonight and showing us a great time!!

And Just Like That, He's Outta Here

Well, its finally here. The day that "Ol Phil" decides to step down. Our Vols, have had an awful season this year, but to me its been getting worse and worse each year. Now I know that many of the Vol fans don't like him, and are glad that he is stepping down, and yes I agree that we need change, but I will have to say (and Erik will totally disagree with me) that I always admired his sideline behavior. Although being calm and not making an absolute devil of yourself on the field doesn't make you a good coach, I never once saw him scream or get in any of his player's faces. I admire that. I hate it when I see a coach throw things, scream, and curse of all things on national TV. Now Erik on the other hand makes fun of him for "just standing there and clapping" every time we make a mistake. He's always screaming in a very sarcastic tone, "Yeah Phil, just stand there and clap, it'll be alright, get in there faces!" Haha! You know men! Anyway, its been a 17 year roller coaster that has finally ended with a dramatic drop off. No uphill for us this year. I have been totally frustrated and I admit it. Phil, its time for you to go! I can only hope that a new coach will get us back to the "powerhouse football" that UT has given us for so many years in the past. I do wish the Fulmer family the best of luck, and hope that next year our team will have better recruiting, leadership, and hopefully climb back to the top. It may take a few years, but we'll see. I wonder who the new coach will be? Any thoughts Sarah and Aaron? :)