Celebrating...

May 31, 2009
We celebrated Tony's birthday on Friday night at Rain. The sushi hit the spot...great company and delicious Birthday cake that Julie made. Happy Birthday, Tony!
So, I stole this pic from Kembree...her title...Brooke is thinking, "I can't believe Ray ordered all this sushi!"

Ray's proud of his order...

Tony sells medical tables, so you have a medical table on an orange/white checker board (for UT!).

Lunch Dates

May 20, 2009

I love lunch dates...I work downtown, but most days I stay at my desk and eat (or take my lunch to the roof). However, when I get out at lunch, I find that the day goes much faster, I feel refreshed and I think I'm more productive overall. Last week, Leigh Ann picked me up and we had a delicious lunch at the Blue Monkey. It was great to catch up over a good meal. Last Friday, Emily and Lily met me for lunch. We went to Cajun on Front, which has good food, but they have removed their home cut fried cheese from the menu...so we were both disappointed. Lily sure loved the mashed potatos!

Book Report #2

May 29, 2009

Since I finished my book on vaca, I borrowed one that Molly had...Love Stories in This Town by Amanda Eyre Ward. These 'Love' stories are modern day love stories and not really all that beautiful. They are more life stories, between men and women. I don't usually like short stories, but each one made me want to read the next. I didn't gain anything from this book, but I liked it...it takes you just enough into ones life and then ushers you right back out. Who will like this book? Anyone who gets board fast when reading long books! It was a nice change from books I have read in the past. When I went online to find the picture, I noticed that Amazon had 7 reviews and each one gave it 5 stars. I don't think I've ever seen ratings that high on a book! Enjoy...

Book Report #1

May 28, 2009
While sun bathing at CocoCay, I read Love In Bloom, by Sheila Roberts. Very charming book. It revolves around 3 beautiful women at different stages in life, one who is a breast cancer survivor at 30 who just opened her own flower shop, ones husband has been laid off and she is caring the weight of the family and one 77 year old women who moved across country to live with her recently divorced daughter to help care for her grandkids. A very heartwarming and easy read. Actually a perfect beach read. I read Bikini Season by Sheila Roberts last summer and really enjoyed it. Who would like this book...Anyone who likes Debbie Macomber (mom, you will for sure) and all my fellow flower friends (Tracy, it has your name written all over it!)...

For it to be a Holiday weekend...

May 27, 2009

there sure wasn't much traffic on the interstate. We didn't leave till after 6 pm on Friday, but we made it to Kingston by midnight (Eastern Time). We had a great visit with Ray's grandparents in Kingsport on Saturday. Then headed to Asheville on Saturday night to spend the rest of the holiday with his parents. It rained most of the weekend, but it was really relaxing and enjoyable. On the way home on Monday we stopped to see Mike, Sarah, Adeline and baby Evie in College Grove. I hate I didn't remember to take a picture. Their girls are adorable and their new house is beautiful...my first question is where do I sign up to live here. Always enjoy our time with family and friends.

Ray with his grandmother and granddaddy

What I would do to be...

May 21, 2009

Mayor of CocoCay. Molly and I had the best most relaxing time on our cruise (I think she liked her graduation present...I know I did). The rooms were cozy, the food was good and the desserts were excellent. Great entertainment and activities. I loved CocoCay (Royal Caribbeans Private island). I could have gone there every day. We went to Cabbage beach on Nassau and it was nice, but had lots of people walking the beach selling stuff...drinks, tattoos, necklaces, t-shirts, chairs, etc. I think 4-5 day cruises are ideal. This was our first, but will definitely not be our last! I have been back at work catching up...so happy for the long weekend....doing laundry as tomorrow at 5 pm, I'll be back on the road again...

Waving goodbye to Miami...

Not the winning bingo card...

CocoCay...

Relaxing in the hammick on CocoCay...

Our towel elephant...

I want to learn how to make these arrangements...

From my point of view...

Spending time with family...

Going on Vaca...

May 14, 2009

All packed and ready to go...see you next week! Em, we already miss you...you and Lil will have to come next time!

Still in season...

May 11, 2009

Crawfish that is. On Saturday night, Caleb and Mr Jim cooked up some of the best crawfish I have ever eaten. 135 lbs of it. Good thing the guys stayed up all night, so they could go back for 3rds, 4ths and even 5ths. They have the perfect set up out in their shop. Thanks for the great food and fun.

Megan and Molly shelling crawfish for a delicious dip Molly made on Mother's Day!

Lily and Daddy smiling for the camera

Our entertainment...Taylor Swift (aka Addie)

So Proud of...

May 10, 2009
Molly! Molly graduated from Arkansas State on Saturday! The graduation was very nice. The speaker was funny, he is the Chancellor of 'The' Ohio State, but has been the Chancellor of 4 other Universities (including Vanderbilt). He really talked about what has happened in the last 4 years and encouraged the graduating class 'to communicate with more than their thumbs', which I found so funny...when they started college texting didn't even exist in the US! Molly is currently looking for a job. Her major is marketing, but I really think she will do great in sales. She is a hard worker and would be a wonderful asset for anyone who is hiring, so if you know of a good job, please let me know and she will forward her resume to you! We had a great lunch at Fugi and enjoyed some yummy graduation cake (thanks to Pretty Aunt Pansey)! Way to go - Molly...(and mom & dad...after 12 years of tuition...you have 3 college graduates...Thank you)!



Lily's waiting for her piece of cake...

Last, but not least...Happy Mother's Day, Mom! We had a great Mother's Day lunch at Emilys. Always fun to spend the day with our family and Caleb's family. I didn't take many pictures, because I figured everyone was over my picture taking after yesterday. So here is to all the mothers, grandmas, aunts, sisters, expecting mothers and want to be mamas...Happy Mother's Day!

Congratulations...

May 8, 2009

to Ashley! Ashley graduated from UT today (in 4 years). So happy for her. She has a job starting in September in New York. I can't recall who she is working for, but she will be tutoring and mentoring children in the area...how rewarding! She will get paid and they will pay off some of her loans. She is very excited. Not to mention that her boyfriend goes to West Point...so they will be closer to each other. Ray went up for graduation. Dolly Parton was the speaker and I hear she did an amazing job. His plan was to stay the weekend with his grandparents/parents and spend mother's day with his mom, but he is on his way home now. His boss's son died in a tragic car accident on Wednesday night and the funeral is tomorrow. Such a sad situation. This family really needs our prayers.

I talked to Ashley tonight and she said that she didn't take any pictures in her cap and gown, so I leave you with a picture of Ashley and Ray this past Thanksgiving.

Also, many congratulations to Mike and Sarah as they welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Evelyn Sarah Thomas (Evie) into the world yesterday. Can't wait to get some pictures of Evie and her big sister, Adeline.

After work, I headed over to spend the weekend with Caleb, Emily and Lily. Tonight, Emily and Caleb went to a party and I got to babysit. Lily has been so good. Tomorrow we will be going to Molly's graduation (hence why I didn't go to Ashley's graduation)! We will end the weekend with a Mother's Day lunch. Here's to a good weekend...

and the Winner is...

May 6, 2009

grass...for 3 years, I have tried to grow different plants in these trio pots...herbs, poinsettias, mini roses, etc...with no luck. Last week, Ray was planting grass along the side of the house and he planted a few seeds in the pots. Grass seems to be the winner!

Happy 86th...

May 5, 2009

Birthday Grandma!

May Day Already...

May 2, 2009

Hooray for Saturday...I have never lived for the weekends as much as I do with my current job....anyway, I got up early (despite the rain) and went to the Farmer's Market. Wow...such pretty lettuce, beets and strawberries. I bought these cool flowers (actually probably weeds), but I just love their height and shape! Happy Weekend!