3 snow days in 6 days

So in less than a week it has snowed three times! Today was the most accumulation but none of it has stayed for more than a half day or so. It was mixed with sleet and rain so most of it was mush but it sure was pretty. We enjoyed it while it lasted! Still waiting on the "Big One"!

Christmas Eve we got a little but nothing stuck. :(

The day after Christmas we got about an inch or two but I was at work when it happened. Thankfully Doug was home to snap a few pictures.

And then today we got a few hours of snow. It was beautiful and I wish it would have lasted all day so Doug could have gotten out of work. Oh well. Maybe next time!

 

Christmas 2012

We did not do much this year for Christmas. Last night we ordered pizza and watched a movie with Doug's Mom and Dad. Today we did the traditional dinner and opened presents. From cooking all morning, to a stuffed belly, to an afternoon of present opening, we are one exhausted family. Auburn loved her gifts. After she opened one she had to help everyone open theirs. I guess she thought they were all for her. Of course the nice toy that was suppose to last her is partially destroyed but the pack of cheap toys are still in tack. I give them a week tops. Doug and I got more than what we needed but love everything we got. It was nice to have a day off together. I hope everyone had as good of a Christmas as we did. As usual it came and went too fast. Just like the year. The best part about today was thinking about how lucky and blessed we are. We don't always remember or think about the good things but the holidays tend to make us slow down a bit to remember. I am thankful for my family and friends, my puppy and home, my job and my income, and my life together with Doug. I am one very lucky lady and I am very grateful for everything I have. Now to remember that everyday, even during the downs in life, will be the New Year resolution.

The toy that did not survive...

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

The battle has begun!

So as most of you know from my Facebook status post, Doug broke the Christmas commandment. We decided early in November that we would skip the presents again this year and opt for a long weekend trip at the end of January. Well last week Doug informs me that he bought me a few things. I was so not happy with him. He broke the rule and now I felt bad because I had nothing for him to open. Everyone knows I am a gift giver and LOVE buying stuff for others. It brings me so much joy. I usually always go overboard because I love seeing the smiles on the faces of others when I get them something they love. So, I proceeded to yell at Doug for making me feel so bad for not getting him something and for all the hell he was going to put me through going out days before Christmas to find him something. See, he buys everything he wants. EVERYTHING! He bought an Ipod Nano just last week. So I had to think really really hard, which made me even more mad.
Day 1 - I got nothing. Everyone was out of everything. So I went home empty handed and teary eyed.
Day 2 - Windy but some progress. The wind was gusting so bad but I had to get out and try. I got smart and went to bestbuy.com where I could purchase what I wanted and do the in store pickup so I knew the product was there. I got what I wanted there (there is a story behind this but can't tell it right now) and headed a few more places. Best part, I finally got to eat at Wendy's. I never get to go because the one by our house is not the best and the others are a bit of a drive away. So wind gusting, winding road, one hand on my burger, and one hand on the wheel. Yeehaw!
Day 3 - Finished! I did not find everything I wanted on Day 2 so I set out early in the morning to beat the traffic. Macy's was open 24 hours and Kohl's opened at 6 am. I finished my list, grocery shopped, brought Doug doughnuts to work, and made it home by noon in time to put everything up and wrap before football came on. SCORE!
Now Doug is the one who feels bad because I bought him more than he got me and spent more money (which I did on purpose so he could see how I felt when I had nothing for him). So he is going shopping when he gets off today. See, this is why we can't buy presents or we have to establish a budget. It becomes a battle of who can spoil the other the most. (He always wins! :) )

It's a cruel, crazy world

There is no need to talk about how horrible the school shooting is in Connecticut. There is no need to mention how sad and heartbreaking it is, how angry it makes us, how senseless it is, and how evil this world is becoming. We all know it, we all feel it. I will say two quick things on this.

It's not guns that kill people. PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE. Yes I understand accidents happen but the accidents happen due to people. Guns that are locked up, not loaded, not bought illegally, and not in the hands of crazy people, for the most part, do not kill. We have a few and they have not harmed anyone. It's all about who has the gun in their hands. It does not matter if it is a gun or not. If someone wants to kill others, they will find a way to do it. If guns did not exist, they would use bombs, knives, swords, or their own hands. We have to face the fact that our world is not peaceful and loving like it once was. The world is not a better place and it's people like this guy who shot up an elementary school that is making it worse. Until we stand up and start changing this there is no stopping it. Do you really think stricter gun laws will help? This guy stole his mom's guns. No gun law would have prevented that. And lets compare guns and drugs. Drugs are illegal but how many people use those everyday? Making guns illegal will not stop possession. That will only create a society where people who are willing to break the law will have them and others who abide by them will be left defenseless. The only way to keep events like this from happening is to change the hearts of the wicked. Is there anyway to remove hate from our hearts?

I joke with friends and family saying I have a list of reasons why I do not care to have kids. Well, this is one of them. I really believe this world is not fit for bringing a child into it. It gets worse and worse everyday. There is so much bad I am scared that it will either hurt my child or take over him/her. The thought of my 1st grader being murdered like this is heartbreaking, this innocence lost from those who saw things no one should ever see is devastating, but the thought of my child committing this act is just... no words. So my heart goes out to those that lost, those who will have to raise a child with memories nothing can ever erase, those who are related to the murderer, and those with children who have to face this cruel, and crazy world.

Christmas Card

This year we went very low budget on the cards so we were not able to send out as many as we normally do. So to share the joy with all (enter sarcasm), I figured I would post it here.

Very Merry Memories Christmas Card

Heartfelt: Christmas photo cards and holiday cards at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Sick baby

This morning Doug and I woke up to a tootsie roll surprise (if you get my drift) on the bedroom floor. We scolded her, cleaned it up, and I got in the shower while Doug went back to bed. I was not out of the shower yet when Doug came in and told me Auburn threw up in the bed. Thank goodness we invested in a mattress cover. She acted like she was feeling okay so we thought it was a fluke thing and didn't think much more about it. Then when Doug got home from taking me to work he found a mess on the carpet. She was good while he was home before he went to work but when I got home I found two more. I must say it was the grossest thing I have ever seen or smelt. I would take baby diarrhea over what I found in the kitchen!  I called the vet and they said to feed her bland food like rice and watch her. If she is not back to tootsie rolls in the morning we will be going to the vet. She is being so pitiful this evening. I ate dinner on the couch (carrots (her favorite), taters, and roast) and she did not budge. Normally she is all in our face trying to get a bite. Poor, sick baby. I hate that she can't tell us what hurts or there is not an easy way to find out what is wrong. Hopefully she will be back to normal tomorrow and no trip to the vet will be required!

Ryan's Birthday

Last week was our friend's, Ryan, birthday. Saturday we went out to celebrate at Dave & Busters. This was Doug and mine's first trip to D&B. We were not sure about it at first (you know, with all the kids and all) but once we saw the bar we were A OK!
The place was really busy but thinned out as the night went on. We played some pool and video games but did not get to bowl because the wait list was so long. We got appetizers to snack on and they were pretty good for an arcade restaurant. The place made me feel old because you no longer put coins in the games, you SWIPE A CARD! Really! Instead of coin machines they had a variation of an atm. Swipe your debit card and put money on your D&B card... high tech! Ah, the good ole days of tokens. :)

Happy Holidays...?

So the past few years the holiday time has become more depressing than full of cheer. If it was not for Doug it would be down right suicidal. I knew moving away from home would mean less holiday get togethers with the family but it wasn't that big of a deal. See, even though we are southern, we are not close rarely get together. Christmas and Thanksgiving started being the only time we got together. Now that is even hard to do. My mom's side of the family really did not do anything this year and my dad's side are not getting together until this weekend. You know what my parents did today? Yard work. Yep. So even if I was home I would not have done anything today. Since we are not close the time spent together becomes kind or awkward. I know you are suppose to love family unconditionally but I really question some of my family's love for one another.
Christmas is not as bad because the families have a set schedule (Eve with Dad's side, Day with Mom's). But all we do is eat and hang out. Since I was in high school we stopped doing gifts and opted for the game. Plus we are a small family so there are not a lot of people to get for. And the ones I do have to buy for (parents & grandparents) are so hard to shop for I end up doing gift cards. I would love to be out shopping on Black Friday, getting all my loved ones cool gifts to wrap and put under the tree. I love giving gifts. It makes me happy. Last year we did not do any gifts except gift cards to the grandparents. Doug and I completely opted out of Christmas. We did not decorate and have no plans of doing so again this year. I don't even have any holiday parties to host or attend. 
Doug's mom cooked everything this year so I did not have to cook. I literally did not cook anything. No goodies for work, no parties, no dinner. This is the first Thanksgiving in my life I did not have my grandmother's dressing. I am thankful we got to spend some time with Doug's family but since it's Black Friday Doug had to come home and sleep so he could work 10-3am. I am so tired because I can't sleep well when he is not home. And neither can Auburn. I think she is worse than me. It has broken my heart to see her sitting at the hallway whining every night he has left. Sunday he worked overnight and got off at 6am; Monday he worked the same; Tuesday he worked 4-9:30pm; Wednesday he worked 6-2:30am; Thursday 10-3am; Friday 10-5pm; Saturday 1-9:30pm. So yeah, I have not seen my husband this week.
I am so jealous of those large families that love spending time with each other. That get together all the time and every year the family gets bigger. Everyone brings food and presents at Christmas and it's more of a party than a family thing. Nothing is awkward, there is no family disputes that leave people not talking, or no exiled members not invited. I remember the good times when I was a kid. I remember the laughter, the joy, and the fun of the season. Now it's lonely and uneventful. I hear couples have kids to "make things better". Maybe the same idea could be applied in our family/holiday case? Yeah, hell has still not frozen over (making me want to have a kid) so not an option for us.

Sweet Home Alabama

The first weekend in October we took the short flight home to Bama to see my family and some college friends. It was non-stop and exhausting but we had a blast. Most of you know about our upgrade rental car, our fun in Auburn, and Auburn's poo in the shoe HA thanks to facebook. I will do my best to fill in some gaps.

1. The Atlanta airport is huge and I will never get use to it. Do you know you have to take a TRAIN away from the airport to get your rental car? Crazy! And the rental car company has kiosks for those who already reserved on-line but they turn them off, act like they are broke, and make people stand in line for hours. Big boo!
2. Although it was sporty and a red bumble bee, I will never get back in another camaro. Cool car but I am too tall. They are SO hard to get in and out of. I kept hitting my head or about killing myself trying to get out. The backup camera was very cool. My next car will have one of those. But the car was almost too high-tech for us. It needed it's on set of instructions. Of course, no manual in the glove box.
3. Valley had not changed much but the traffic stopping Popeye's was interesting. You know you live in a small town when the new restaurant requires traffic cops! Auburn is still growing and a lot of our old stomping grounds had changed. It was great, as always, to walk around downtown and campus.
4. I think I got my most amount of sleep after we got to my parents. I took a three hour nap! We slept in past 7 only 1 day out of the 5. Staying up late and no sleeping in = still not up to speed Heather!
5. We met the family friends for Mexican, the dad side of the family for Italian, and the mom side of the family for Pizza. So lots of eating and good times. Did Heather take pictures, nope. So lets hope my memory sticks for these. It was really good seeing everyone, my family actually showed up to see me (referring to one side in particular), and it was actually enjoyable (once again, referring to one side in particular). :) And beach plans are in the work for next year!
6. I definitely got my shopping fix in. I had some luck and found lots of pieces I had been hunting for. I got lots of Auburn stuff and got to see all my favorite bookstores. I did not get my orange Auburn Nike shorts but I will have family hunt them down for me. They are a hot item and it was a home game weekend so not too disappointed.
7. Auburn with Jason, Christin, Mike, & Matt was just like old times. Partying, going to the game, Niffers, BBQ House, and good music. Ha! We had such a great time catching up and reminiscing. We really have to do it more often. We had not seen Jason & Christin since the wedding! That is just not cool. Best part, I was with some football guys so I got to watch and talk football without feeling like I was the only one who cared. It was amazing! Doug did not even complain when we were all straining our necks at dinner to watch the SC/GA game. And how in the world do a group of people all leave their leftover sitting on the table at the restaurant? So much food wasted. And really good Niffers food at that!
8. The cotton pickin fair was fun as always. I stood in line over half an hour for a corn dog but Doug's fried chicken with green beans, potato salad, and homemade biscuit with a line wrapped around the building took 15 mins. I was not a happy Heather... I got some cute Auburn earrings, an Auburn sign for my desk at work, and an Auburn water bottle koozie (which I LOVE!). Doug got cobbler. Ha! I got to see a couple of high school friends who I have not seen in many years. But it was good, quality time with Mom.
9. I have bad luck with flying. Failing GPS system? On and off the plane? Another delay? REALLY! I give up! But the security line in Atl was small and quick (compared to normal but crazy compared to BWI). When we walked to our gate, Doug ran into someone he knew. How crazy is that! They met in Minnesota at a Best Buy training thing. What's the odds?
10. Big Big Big thanks to Ryan and Sarah for watching Auburn so we could go. I apologize again for the poo and barking but am so happy we had you to keep her. It took her a couple of days but she adjusted and I really think she misses yall. It was so funny when we brought her home. She was like, "I know this place but not sure if I am home or not." She really had to readjust. Her allergies kicked in full force while we were gone. We called the vet and got more antibiotics. Once this round is complete we are doing the testing. I cannot even give her a bath right now because I am scared it will hurt her. I have not seen her break out this bad. I am sure the stress of us leaving had some to do with it. I feel so bad for her.

So that was out trip in a wrap up. I put all the pics on facebook so none left for the blog.

Long time, no blog

I know, I know. I have not blogged all month. Not sure why. Mostly not in the mood, some being too busy, and a lot from being exhausted. I still have not caught up from our vacation to Bama. I will blog about it next in a separate blog and tell you all about it. That trip was no R&R, it was all go, go, go! But we had a great time and I hope we get to do it again soon.

So since my last blog we have not been up to much. Doug is still working all the time, I have been really busy at work, and we have been having lots of fun writing papers for his English class. I made a B+ on my first one (thanks to Sara for reading it and giving me some pointers). Our next one is due in a week. I am so not looking forward to it. I can't believe I once enjoyed doing this!

Last weekend was a busy one. Saturday night we went out to dinner and the casino for Sarah A's B'day. The wait for Cheesecake Factory in the casino was over 3 hours! So we went to Olive Garden and waited a little less than an hour. We had the most cracked out waitress ever. She literally exhausted us from talking so fast and running around. But she got us in and out quickly and brought us everything we asked for. After our stimulating dinner we went to the sense (as in the 5) blowing, over stimulating casino. Between the people, the lights, and the music I had a hangover from that and not the alcohol. Ha! I found the bar, a chair right in front of the SC vs LSU game, and planted myself there for the second half. I made a few friends (one is a FL fan and his group was pulling for LSU, BOO!) and had a great time watching that game. Best part, I could yell at the TV and no one could hear me so I didn't look like a crazy person. :) We had a great time and met some cool people (one of her friends is from Buckhead and her and her fiance are huge Walking Dead friends. - that's our kinda people!).

Now to football. LOVING all the College Gamedays in the SEC, that #1 & #2 are once again SEC, that the SEC has dominated the rankings, and my home state is still ruling the NCAA football scene. Yeah, Auburn sucks a big one this year. But I still love them. I sport my colors every Friday at work and Saturday on the couch :) . As always, I think the top 25 has over rated, non-SEC teams that would be crushed by any of the top ranked SEC teams. I am still not on board the the two new teams added to the SEC but I am thrilled they are getting beat up by the real SEC teams. A&M is growing on me some but Mizwho has earned zero respect from me. (Thank god Auburn does not play them because I would die if we lost to them.) I would rather loose to Kentucky (who if we played would determine the worst team in the SEC) than loose to another tiger team. I am super excited, after missing two weekends of all day football, to be back on the couch today with no plans. Aug - Nov is Sundays only for me but up here with these NFL people they are Sat only. Go figure.

Last Sunday I got dumb and had the bright idea to meet a bunch of people from work at Buffalo Wild Wings. I had not seen some of them in months so I was excited to see them. But Buffalos on a Sunday in NFL country was NOT a good idea. They were packed and it was so loud. The Ravens game was over but the Redskins & Giants games were still on. The manager was really nice and worked really hard to get us a table in a decent amount of time. We had a great time and were still home for Walking Dead! Success!

Tomorrow we are heading to the Renaissance Festival with Doug's parents. It's the last weekend and they have not been yet this year. My goal is to eat fried food and get some jewelry, like always! The weather is suppose to be beautiful so we are super excited!

Now, USC! GO COCKS!
(Sorry Florida, but Spurrier has jumped you in my favorite SEC team rankings)

Cancun for the 21st B'day

A coworker of mine turned 21 about a couple of weeks ago so a few of us decided to take her to Cancun to celebrate... well Cancun Cantina in Glen Burnie. :)
You walk in to a hard wood floor, line dancing bar with cowboy hats and boots. I felt like I was at the Country Club in Augusta but this place was more country. They had a restaurant area off to the side of the main room. Then you walk through a door to black lights, neon decor, and club music. If you keep walking you go directly outside and end up in a sandy, palm tree area with tables, chairs, and a volleyball court. I think it was the strangest place I have ever seen. There were bars everyone, all the girls who worked there were half naked, and you saw a little bit of everything in the crowd (older men/women, country fans, rock fans, and everything in between).
Doug was the only guy in our group but he did not mind. Between the booty short, tied up shirt wearing go go dancers and the tiny shorts, bikini top wearing bar tenders he was quite entertained. I felt overdressed and not the "dressed to fancy" overdressed. The literal I have too much skin covered up overdressed. They had girls walking around with shots and jello shots. Good thing they weren't as pretty as the go go dancers because Doug would have spent all our money! :)
Then to make the place even stranger, a band called "Amish Outlaws" was playing. A band full of guys dressed up like Amish people playing cover songs.  They were good and funny. But never in my wildest dreams would I think I would be jamming out to the Amish Outlaws. Ha!
 All in all it was a great time with great friends. We will definitely have to do it again soon! (Now that I know the dress code I will have to go shopping for appropriate clothing) :) If me and Doug would have went by ourselves we would not have stayed long. But since we went with my two "wild childs", they made it an even better time. And you have to go to there website to see this place. My description just does not do this place justice.

Please note the phrase on the shirt...

From Heather's Kitchen

or should I say, "From Doug's Kitchen" or "So easy, even Doug can make it!"

Yep, Doug cooked dinner. Ok, take a break to start breathing again or pick your jaw up off the floor. I had to work late Monday night, Doug was off, so he decided to cook dinner for us. I was trying a new recipe that night and was really excited about. Doug took charge and it was ready when I got home. The best part, it was delicious! Not only did he cook it but he did a damn good job with it. It also heated up great for lunch the next day.

So here is the must try, easy peasy, yummy new recipe I found.

Smokey Sausage Penne Pasta

2 cups uncooked penne pasta (9 oz)

1 can (18 oz) Progresso™ Recipe Starters™ creamy three cheese cooking sauce

1 ring (1 lb) fully cooked smoked pork sausage, cut into 1/2-inch slices

1 can (14.5 oz) petite diced tomatoes, well drained

1 cup shredded smoked Cheddar or smoked Gouda cheese (4 oz)   

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 3-quart casserole with cooking spray.

2. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Stir in cooking sauce, sausage, tomatoes and 1/2        cup of the cheese. Cover and bake 20 minutes. Uncover; continue baking 10 to 15 minutes or until hot in center and bubbly around edges. Sprinkle with remaining cheese during last 5 minutes of baking.

Another day, another week

So life is pretty boring right now for the Nunley's. Sundays are NFL, catch up on TV shows, and grocery shopping, M-F work, and Saturday is college football. Doug works random days, random shifts so me and Auburn just hang at the house. Doug is taking English this semester (kill me now). It's a literature/composition class. He has to read plays and novels, he has grammar assignments, and of course essays and papers. Classes like this make me NEVER want to go and get my Masters. I spent hours on his first assignment (rewrite a jacked up essay) and it was only worth 10 points. Not cool!

Auburn is good. She is still afraid of the wood floors, hates being brushed, and is still having allergy issues. We are getting her allergy test soon. Hopefully we can find a solution to her skin issues and get them taken care of. She is happy football has started back. Although I think she likes Glee more than football. :) Doug's mom & dad told us last week that they are going out of town when we go to Bama so they will not be able to keep her the whole time. Doug and I are trying to figure out what we are going to do: take her along, let her stay with a friend, or board her. Pets really are like kids. I am freaking out over being apart from her. The thought of her being in a cage, in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by yapping dogs just breaks my heart. I just can't stand the thought of her being scared or feeling like we left her there. She gets so upset when we leave her at the house to go to work or out for dinner. How is she going to feel if we ship her off to some strange place for the weekend? Doug calls me tender hearted. I get worse and worse over more and more.

Work is going great! I am really enjoying the new job. This week is going to be very busy but I love it! I really feel appreciated, that I make an impact, and that people get me. My last job I wanted to call out everyday but was not allowed to, ever. This job I could call out and I don't want to. I actually like going to work!

We are really enjoying living in Maryland. I miss the south but not as much as I thought I would. The weather right now is amazing. I cannot tell you the last time we turned the air on. The windows have been up almost all day. It has just been beautiful. After our trip to Bama we are going to try to do some more exploring. When we get some snow I want to go to the west side of state where all the mountains are. I have planned a NY/PA road trip that would take us to Niagara Falls, Cooperstown, and Philadelphia. I hope we can go in the spring. I really hope we get to go to a Ravens game this season. With the Orioles doing so well and the Ravens season beginning, sports are big topics around the area. It is quite electric right now. 

I know this is crazy but I finally found my go to grocery store. We have a Foodlion by our house but it is small and expensive. There is a Safeway a little bit farther down but it does not have a lot of what we usually buy. Giant is ok and Wal-Mart is the farthest away. I found Shoppers by searching for this yogurt I really like (they are the only store in the area that has it). I went by one day to check it out and fell in love. The prices are really close to Wal-Mart and they have everything! I love the lay out of the store and how CLEAN it is. The only down fall is the checkout lines but they are better than Wal-Marts. So they got my yogurts, they got my business.

I will say this and this alone about Auburn football. We are young, we are new, we are playing top ranked SEC teams. Maybe next year...

From Heather's Kitchen

Today I went in the kitchen looking for something quick to make for lunch before the game came on. Doug was off to work so I wanted to something to feed just me. Last week I bought a cheese grater so I used the Wisconsin block cheese Doug's parents brought us from their last trip there to make a cheese quesadilla.  I have one of those quesadilla cooker things but it makes a huge mess when you use it so I decided to put it on the stove in a skillet. It came out much crispier than the cooker makes it.
So, I am in the kitchen digging through food trying to find something yummy when I spot the grilled leftover steak. I have never made a steak quesadilla before because how many times do you have grilled steak laying around the house. I knew today was the day. I usually brown some ground beef, simmer it with taco seasoning, and add that to the quesadilla. It is good, but my steak one was so much better.
Side note - use a pizza cutter to cut your quesadillas. So much easier and less messy than a knife. 
I am not sure if it was the steak, the Wisconsin cheese, or the skillet crispiness that made it great but it was the best quesadilla I have ever made. Doug was not happy when he saw what I was making. I had to promise him to make it for dinner sometime soon. I wish I took a picture of it before I ate it but I didn't. Yall know what a steak quesadilla looks like so just imagine a picture of one below.

Renaissance Festival

Last weekend Doug and I met up with our friends, Ryan & Sarah, and headed out to the Renaissance Festival. The weather was a little warm but a nice little downpour came though and made it quite nice. The people were just as charming as last year, the food was just as fattening, and the beer was nice and cold. Great friends, cool jewelry for me, swords and axes for the guys, and lots of people watching made for another great day at the Renaissance festival.

"Tangled Up In You"

You're my world
The shelter from the rain
You're the pills
That take away my pain
You're the light
That helps me find my way
You're the words
When I have nothing to say

And in this world
Where nothing else is true
Here I am
Still tangled up in you
I'm still tangled up in you
Still tangled up in you

You're the fire
That warms me when i'm cold
You're the hand
I have to hold as I grow old
You're the shore
When I am lost at sea
You're the only thing
That I like about me

And in this world
Where nothing else is true
Here I am
Still tangled up in you
I'm still tangled up in you

How long has it been
Since this storyline began
And I hope it never ends
And goes like this forever

In this world
Where nothing else is true
Here I am
Still tangled up in you
Tangled up in you
I'm still tangled up in you
Still tangled up in you

-the lyrics to the Staind song I walked down the aisle to. Happy 3 year anniversary, dute dute!

I remember...

I remember bits and pieces of the year leading up to it

I remember getting the inground pool and the noodle

I remember the oxygen tank

I remember having to move our football seats down closer to the field 

I remember the bracelet she gave me to always remind me she loved me

I remember all the special things she did with me just in case it was our last time

I remember getting checked out of school by mom, full of excitement, thinking "Today is the day!"

I remember the hotel we stayed at and the celebration dinner

I remember the stuffed pig I bought her

I remember getting the call and going back to the hospital thinking it was good news

I remember sitting in the room and seeing my uncle ask his dad why

I remember driving home and "One Sweet Day" coming on the radio

But most importantly I remember the smile, the laugh, and her love.

I cherish the 13 years but it was not long enough. Always in my thoughts. Always in my heart.

Patsy Pigg - 9/4/96

Shrewsbury & York PA

Today Doug had a Saturday off so we loaded up and drove north to PA. I have been wanting to go all summer and was thrilled to finally get to go. There is not much up in PA outside of Philadelphia & Pittsburgh but they have Gettysburg, Williamsport (Little League World Series location), and lots of Dutch and Amish people. So we went to Shrewsbury & York to take a look around. I was surprised how built up the cities were but most of the area around them were corn fields and rolling hills.

Our first stop was the Amish Market in Shrewsbury. I didn't think much about the market part. I knew they had some produce, crafts, and furniture but I was shocked at the amount of food they had. From fresh cut meat (pig, cow, chicken, you name it they had it) to seafood, cheese to candy, they had it all! AND they even had places you could eat at. Doug and I went in and immediately stated drooling. We did good and only bought a loaf of fresh baked bread, roasted cinnamon almonds, half a pecan pie, and some fresh soft pretzels. I have every intention of going back to get the peanut brittle we put back, the crab balls (think hush puppies with crab meat), the swiss garlic cheese (don't knock it until you try it!), and a giant plate of food for lunch. We will definitely be bringing our cooler with some ice next time! We looked at the furniture but that was it, looked. It was beautiful but P-R-I-C-E-Y!

After that we headed farther north to York. We went to a place called Morningstar Market Place. It was a flea market and farmers market in one. There were Amish, Dutch, and "normal" people all in one place. I found a beautiful 8 crystal glass set with crystal glass pitcher and it was only $25!! Doug talked me out of it but if its there next time I am getting it! In true veggie loving form, I stocked up at the farmers market. I got three huge cucumbers, a small basket full of apples, a small basket of bananas, some tomatoes, and a cantaloupe all for $8! They had everything you could imagine but I didn't want to buy more than we would eat. Since we already knew there would be a next time, I put peppers, watermelon, and taters on the list.

We are exhausted from a long day of eating :) but Doug is off tomorrow too so we plan on taking full advantage of the time together. I may need to take Monday off to recover! I took my camera but there was not much to take pictures of. I took one of us at the market in York. It will have to do.

White House & a Smithsonian

Today we did a tour of the White House then walked down to the Museum of Natural History. It rained a little on the way there but the sun came out and we had quite a nice day. We were not allowed to take pictures inside the house but we did get to take some after we got outside. The tour was short and sweet but major cool. We got to see the East Room, Green, Red, and Blue Rooms, the State Dining Room, the Library (one of my favorites!), Vermeil Room, China Room, and the Diplomatic Reception Room. The hallways were decorated with Official White House Photos and oil portraits of previous Presidents and Vice Presidents. My favorite was one of Nancy Reagan in a red gown. Google it. She is BEAUTIFUL!

The tour ended in the front/back middle of the house where the President often gives speeches from. You would recognize it. It was the place President Obama announced the death of Bin Laden. The Secret Service/tour guides are very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions without hesitation. One even told us how the rooms were used by the President and his family (currently there are sleepovers held in the East Room) and there have even been some epic parties thrown. We were disappointed to not see the Oval Office, Situation Room, and the Lincoln Room : ) but we plan on trying to bribe someone to get us in there next time.

After the tour we walked down to the Museum of Natural History. We ate at the cafeteria there and I was quite surprised. The food was actually good. Real good! We definitely paid well for the good food but I think it was worth it.

It was a great day and I can't wait until Doug and I get another day off together.

I bleed orange and blue!

So many people ask me, "how did you grow up and Alabama fan, go to Auburn, and become and Auburn fan?" This is so not heard of in our neck of the woods. It's more of a sin that sends you straight to hell or family betrayal than a "bad decision". But it was the best decision I ever made. 

I was accepted to Alabama but Auburn was close to home, it's where my Dad graduated from, and it's was where all my friends were. I probably would have been ok at Bama but my life would not be what it is today (love you Doug and all the friends we have!). 

My time at Auburn had some highs and some lows but the Auburn Family I joined was worth all the lowest of the lows. I have never been able to explain it and probably never will but Auburn is different than other schools. It fit me. It fit who I was, who I wanted to be, where I wanted to go, and what I wanted to do. The spirit literally wraps itself around you and latches on. It goes deep down into your soul. You breathe it, you bleed it.

It's not just football or sports, classes or the campus, clubs or Greek life. It's ALL of it. It's sitting on a bench in between classes, tailgating, downtown, the people, Samford Hall, going out at night, baseball games, EVERYTHING! 

I tell every high school senior I come across, it's not just the degree but the life you live while getting it. 

I guess with football season a few weeks away and all the Toomers Tree coverage it just got me thinking. Like the picture above said, " Unless you have experienced it, you will never understand," why seeing Toomers, Samford Hall, or an eagle soar will take your breathe away and bring you to tears. 

I am proud to be an Auburn Tiger. I will forever bleed orange and blue. Its not a choice I made, it's just who I am.

"During the last 150 plus years, Auburn University and the Auburn Family have been through Civil War, Great Depressions, World Wars, Civil Rights, annual disaster, and daily wear. Yet, we stand tall as ever in the face of it all. The Creed bears witness to what is good about us, as a family, and as a university. It's not just the Alumni who have fortune, through hard work, to walk across the platform and shake the hand of a sitting president. It's not just the championships by various sport or the achievement of acedemic success and research. It's the pulse of who we are, what we represent, and most importantly....what we deliver to our common man or woman. We are the soil that sits below us, the air the rises above us, and the foundation that makes up who we become. We are the Auburn Family! And while the trees that we all love and cherish appear to be waning to a bitter end, the makeup of who we are lives on in all of us. We believe! We not only believe, but we KNOW! The Auburn Family is special! We prove it every day, and while we aren't perfect, we are who we say we are. The Creed lives on, and so will the spirit that leads us to the corner after a big win!" - blog by autigermt

Mt. Vernon

Today Doug was off and we were thrilled to get out of the house and spend some time together. We decided to go to Mt. Vernon. I have never been but Doug went when he was little. We were not sure how the weather was going to be but the day ended up being gorgeous. My shoulders and chest are nice and red from the "not a cloud in the sky" beautiful afternoon. It was not really hot thanks to the strong breeze coming off the Potomac. We had a wonderful day and it went by too quickly. I can't wait for our next day off together!

The main house

On a boat tour of the Potomac River

A view of the main house from the river

Our fancy boat! Of course we sat at the top (hence the burnt skin) for the great views.

The Greenhouse

We went on a tour of the inside but they did not allow pictures :( Just imagine a bunch of antique furniture in a really old house.

View of the Potomac from the back porch. Could you imagine having this view everyday? The women's group that own the house and land made the land across the river (in MD) a National Park to preserve the view from the backyard. How cool is that!

See! We are still in the South! Rocking chairs on the back porch. 

As always, check out facebook for more pictures!