Christmas in Bama

Well, I could not have picked a better day to fly out... The weather was downright miserable. The rain came down by the truckloads. I was only technically delayed 15 mins but we did not take off until an hour after the original departure time. The crowd at the airport was not bad and BWI did a good job of keeping the lines moving. Once we got up above the clouds it was smooth sailing and sunshine. Even the descent into ATL was good. The only turbulence was at the baggage claim. Somehow the airport lost our entire planes luggage. They kept telling us it was at the airport but they were trying to track down exactly where it was. They eventually found it and from the amount of water in/on my suitcase it led me to guess it sat out on the tarmat for quite some time. Nothing like having to put your clothes in the dryer when you get home. Which we were very lucky to make it home. The roads were so flooded I think we slid home. We got behind a fire truck with its lights on and going very slow. He was looking for a car that had slid off the road and landed in the woods. The police were trying to find the car but they got stuck in the mud. It was a mess. I wasn't home long before my allergies started acting up. They were bothering me in Huntsville last week but I figured it was from the cats or fragrances at the friends house we were staying at. But after being in Valley for hours I knew it had to be from something in the south that we do not have in MD. Even got a bad nose bleed from it on Monday. Had to go stock up on Benadryl to get me through the week. For moms birthday dad had to work. So mom and I drove to Auburn to do some shopping. I got a few Auburn shirts at Tiger Rags and J&M. They were blown out from all the Christmas shoppers. It was sad seeing an empty Toomers Corner. I can't wait for the University to fill it back in. When we got home I "strongly suggested" that Dad make some M&M cookies for me. What a great dad to work a full day then come home and slave in the kitchen making his only daughter's favorite Christmas treat. I have the recipe but they come out horribly wrong each time I attempt to make them. I guess practice will eventually make perfect. Christmas Eve was very nice. We did lunch at my dad's brothers house with his side of the family. It was loud with four little ones running around. The star toy, post-its! Who would have thought the accordion, slinky like papers found on a desk would have caused so much commotion. Christmas day was nice and relaxing. We hung out in our pj's all day until we had to get ready to go to my Mom's brother's house for dinner. This year I made my Grandmother's dressing for everyone. I think it was a success. I also got a new recipe from my Aunt Maria for "Crack potatoes" (seriously, that is what they are called. Google it.). I am going to make them for Doug on New Years Day. I also got to meet her puppy Copper. After a small piece of turkey we became best friends. I had so much fun playing with him as I was missing my little furry baby. It also made me want a new puppy really badly. The hunt for Auburn's sister is officially on. Even have a name for her thanks to my cousin Jordan. The day after Christmas we had a Lashley (Dad's Mom side of the family) reunion. It was great seeing my great Uncles and Aunts. We had one who could not make it (and was greatly missed!) but we had a good crowd. Of course, there was a lot of Auburn football talk! Seems like a lot of Alabama fans are pulling for the state of Alabama and the SEC to win again. See, SEC pride trumps the biggest rivalry in college football. The flight back was smooth. No lines at the airport, no delays, smooth flight, and had baggage when I got to BWI. :)The trip seemed to fly by and I really enjoyed being back home with the family. But it is nice being back home. It really feels like I have not been here and had a normal week in quite some time. Next week will not quite get back to normal but we are crossing our fingers for the next week. I will try to post pics from last week's trip soon. Our neighbor and good friend, Ryan, not only got Doug a Christmas gift, he also got me and Auburn something too. Even his parents (who we have never met) got us a Christmas gift! I am so thankful we have him as a friend. They always say you find out who people really are and who your true friends are when times are hard. Well, these are some damn good people and I am honored to call them my friends. And next year I am sending Ryan shopping with Doug for my presets. He did a great job and didn't even ask what I wanted. Impressive! This Christmas season was a crazy one but I am very thankful for the best job and husband in the world for giving me the time to spend with my family back home. I missed Doug and Auburn like crazy last week but was so grateful Doug and I got the time to spend with his family the week before that. Hopefully next year we will be able to enjoy the season more and all be together. Now, lets get ready for the new year! Bring it on 2014!

Christmas Card 2013

Christmas card 2013

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Alta Jenice Scott Nunley

Born November 11 1937
Died December 12 2013

http://rogersvillefh.com/?siteid=169&menuitem=2348&action=1&value=12&obituaries_action=2&obituaryid=154224

From Heather's Kitchen

Lately I have been really enjoying this new recipe I found on Kraft's website. It's called a Caesar Parmesan Pork Chop Pasta Skillet. It's really yummy, easy to make, and (if you buy light Caesar dressing and Parmesan cheese), not that unhealthy. Of course, I make it with the good, fattening stuff. :) The recipe calls for bone in pork chops and garlic, minced. I opt for bone out pork chops and garlic salt. I also apply multiple layers of Parmesan and Caesar dressing while cooking. Makes it yummier... and less healthy...

Hope you enjoy!



http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/caesar-pork-chops-pasta-123052.aspx

Just a few more favorites from the Iron Bowl...

Fireworks after Fireworks!

The best part about this picture, the handwritten notes fans left for him.
(For those not in the know, Auburn's head coach, Gus Malzhan, goes to Waffle House with his family after every home game. So after the Iron Bowl the employees made sure he had a table ready for him when he got there.)

Campus after fans celebrated the night away. This is getting framed :)

Kick Bama Kick

Still in shock of how we won last night but not in shock of us winning. I believed we could win and so did all my Auburn family. I am so proud to be an Auburn Tiger! From the bad, to the ugly, and back I BELIEVE in my Auburn family, my alma mater, and the spirit of Auburn. Going to Auburn was the best decision I ever made (besides Doug of course). I was born in a Crimson family but was Baptized in Orange and Blue. It was in my blood before I knew it was there. Winning brings tears to my eyes but seeing fans celebrate together is the real tearjerker. To see that love for a University shared by so many, that is what separates College football from NFL. And, what separates SEC from all other conferences.

I stuck to my superstitious acts this week. I watched from the couch in my house, had someone there to watch the "big plays" and tell me what happens, and I believed from the start that we could win. I kept screaming at the tv/players to play like they could win because me and thousands of others knew they could. I knew the second was coming back on the clock. I knew we were going into OT and silently wished I had made that drink during halftime... For the last play (the missed FG & 100+ yard return) I was in my bedroom, in the dark, with my ears covered, and prayers in my thoughts (as I superstitiously do for all big plays). I prayed to miss the field goal and go to OT unless they could block it and somehow figure out a way to score. I uncovered my ears and came back in the room when Doug & Ryan told me they missed the field goal and Auburn was trying to run it back. I, honest to God, never thought in a million years we would run it all the way back and win. Even after it was over I kept waiting for the refs to call it back, saying it wasn't legal or there was a flag. It took a few for it to sink in, We Won.... No OT needed, just another miracle on the plains.

I think we had a lot of people "upstairs" watching that game and helping us out. I asked one Bama fan in particular to not help her team out this year. I think she heard my prayer. Especially since I was asking for her to not help the balls Bama kicked go through the goal posts... :) She is a huge Bama fan so I know it was very hard for her not to help. But I think she wanted to see me happy and boy was I ever!

Doug's mom, his boss, and a few friends of mine were texting me to make sure I was ok. I was shaking (not sure from nerves, anger (from bad plays), or excitement), had that nauseous feeling in my tummy, and the feeling of dread (for OT) when there was 1 sec left on the clock. When there was no time left on the clock, I was.... well, shaking, nauseous, and excited. Ha! But it was mixed with overwhelming happiness.

Although there are thousands of videos and pictures on every website, newspaper, or tv, I wanted to post some of my favorites from yesterday. That way I can always look back at this post and remember the "Second Miracle on the Plains".

The day started with College Gameday live from Auburn. They all picked Bama to win but one. Great pick Charles Barkley!!

The students lined up early to get their seats and the University provided hundreds of orange pom-poms. 

Aubie had it right!

The game was great and ended with a bang! Saban insisted on 1 second being put back on the clock so they could try a field goal. 

The clock went to 0....

And they stormed the field!

They celebrated in song, 

They celebrated at the corner!

What a game! War Damn Eagle!!!