Churched and Ray's new BFF

October 5, 2008
Ray and I have decided to join the church we have been visiting off and on for 2 years now, so all weekend we have been in an inquirers class. It has been very inspiring and we have really enjoyed the time getting to know the people and the church. I grew up in a tiny church (which I love and if they had an early service, we would probably still be there), but WOW! we really feel at home at this 'large' church. What is so ironic and surprising is that I know one of the other ladies in the class, because we grew up going to church together. We were confirmed as children together and now we are joining a church together as married adults. Besides all of our churching this weekend, we went over to Kristy, Brian, Alex and Reed's for a wonderful dinner last night (best potatoes & artichoke dip I have ever eaten)! Thanks guys! It was Kristy's birthday this past week, so I took cupcakes and we had the best time. Enjoyed catching up with them as well as Avis and Christy. Which brings me to Ray's new BFF, Alex. Maybe because Ray is so laid back and like a big kid himself, but Ray and 'Big Al' hit it off. So looking forward to getting together again soon.
Adorable, always happy, Reed walking with his fire truck.

Ray and 'Big Al' (not his real nickname, but the one Ray gave him!) discussing the Vanderbilt game.

The girls

Brian and Ray pushing Alex on the swing (my camera takes great pictures in the dark and in the light, but dusk is horrible...any suggestions?)

So sore, but feeling good...

October 3, 2008

Lisa and I exercised last night! I am so sore today, but it fills so good to be out there again. Lisa is training for the St. Jude half, so I hope I didn't slow her down. It was great to catch up and I look forward to our next work-out together. Today at work we had a thank you lunch, followed by a visit to the Civil Rights Museum and then some friendly bowling competition at Julian's. I had a very nice time. Below is a picture of some of the 'girls' I work with (Kristen, Brandi, Kim , and overdressed me, who didn't get the 'you can bring casual clothes to change into' memo). Then a picture of the ultra cool cosmic bowling area.

One of those days...

October 1, 2008

Where you just want to go home and have grilled cheese and tomato soup for dinner. If you haven't checked out the V8 soups, I highly recommend them. I've been in a 3 day negotiation seminar (tomorrow is day 3...yea!) and I'm ready to get back to the swing of work. Can you believe it is October? I guess it is a good thing I started this blog, so I can read what happened in September! One thing I love about October is that it is breast cancer awareness month. There are so many people who are touched by breast cancer every day. Two wonderful women close to me are survivors (Aunt Linda & Mrs Robinson)! I look forward to Race for the Cure on October 25th. Below is a picture of Molly & I after last years race. Would love for everyone to join us there this year. I encourage you all to take this quick survey and $1.00 will go to Susan G Komen.

Big Bunco

September 29, 2008
Tonight, I went and played Bunco. I have subbed twice...several years ago with Kristy and with Candice, but I forgot how much fun it was. I mentioned we have been going to a new church and have been going to Sunday School. Some of the girls from our Sunday school class make up the bunco group. They are all so sweet and we are so blessed to have found this great group! I told Ray as I was driving home that I really don't know how I made it when I was working every night. Definitely missed out! I don't have a picture to post from today, so I'll leave you with one of my favorite ones that Emily posted last week...Lily lifting her head during tummy time.

Mid South Fair

September 28, 2008

As a child, I looked forward to the Mid South Fair. Loved the rodeo, livestock, food, games and rides. Times have changed and so have the type of people that go to the fair. Needless to say, only one thing could get me in the gates...Pat Green was on the main stage last night!!! Everyone that knows me, knows how much I adore Pat. I know every word to every song he sings. So we broke out the cowboy boots and headed to the fair. Let me tell you he did not disappoint! There were only about 300 people (Lucky for us, the real fair crowd is not into country music), so we were on the 4th row. It was a perfect night!

Mullen Girls

September 27, 2008 - Part 2

Molly said it best as we were leaving the mall, "Lily is definitely a Mullen girl, because she sure is a good shopper." She was so good. Slept the first half and then just smiled at everyone the second half. I got home for the second half of the Tennessee game...however I wish I would have stayed at the mall. Then to see Ole Miss beat Florida, this is going to be a long season for the Vols!

Good Intentions

September 27, 2008
I had good intentions of posting after the debate last night, but I fell asleep after the 2nd question. It was so boring to me! I got up early and went to the farmer's market. It felt like fall and they had so many pumpkins...loved it! Then I met Stephanie and Mary Anna for breakfast of sweet potato pancakes at the Arcade. Yum! How cute is Mary Anna with her baby pumpkin?

Motivation

September 24, 3008

Today was our national sales meeting and vendor show. Les Brown was our speaker. Talk about motivation...he teaches you to develop a 'hunger' to accomplish your dreams. I know him as the speaker of one of my favorite quotes, 'Shoot for the moon and if you miss you will still be among the stars.' Our annual meeting lasted all morning and then the afternoon was the vendor show for the operations team (probably about 1,000 district, regional and store managers in town). I learned a lot in between helping out my vendors at their booth. The show highlight was the 11 Nascar drivers signing autographs. Being that I am not a race fan, I only took a picture of the ones I had heard of! Danica Patrick (whose engagement ring will blind you!) and Richard Petty!

I'm still excited...

September 23, 2008

Today was my first golf tournament. I really enjoyed it. I guess I did pretty good as we used a few of my shots. I only missed the ball once (which is a HUGE improvement for me)! I didn't get many pictures because guys really didn't like their pictures taken. My only complaint is that after we had been on the course for 4 hours we still had 5 holes left, so we didn't finish. There were a lot of players and it took longer then I think it normally does. We played at TPC Southwind and the real estate around there is amazing!

Happy Fall!

September 22, 2008
Back to work...man the weekend flies by. I really think the work day to weekend day ratio needs to be rethought. 5 to 2 is very off balance. Tomorrow is my 1st golf tournament. I am very excited, lets just hope I am still excited in 24 hours. Also, hope it starts feeling like fall soon. In case you can't tell, I LOVE fall!

and Sunday...

September 21, 2008

After early church, Sunday school, and brunch with our small group, we picked up Nonna and headed back to Lily's. Nonna kept Lily while Emily, Ray and I played a round of golf at the Marianna Country Club. Ray was impressed with my new golf skills! This was my first time playing a full game. I must say, I enjoyed it way more then I thought I would!

Guess where we spent our Saturday?

September 20, 2008

After my 8 am golf lesson (this was my last one :( ), Ray and I went to spend the day with Caleb, Emily and Lily. As always, we enjoyed ourselves so much at their house. I took 42 pictures! Too tired tonight to sort them, so I'll post more tomorrow!

The smells of fall...

September 19, 2008
We were invited to a wonderful dinner tonight with our neighbors. What a great way to spend the end of a long week! I brought dessert and since fall comes on Monday, I decided to make my favorite fall dessert...cobbler. It is so easy, you must try it. I forgot my camera, so no pictures of cute Mary Anna, instead we have a picture of the 1/2 eaten blueberry cobbler!
Cobbler
1 stick butter
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup self-rising flour
3/4 cup milk
1- 28 oz can of fruit in syrup (or pie filling)
Preheat oven to 350. Put butter in baking dish and place in oven to melt. Mix sugar, flour and milk. Pour over melted butter. Spoon fruit on top. Do not stir. Bake 40-45 minutes. Serve with ice cream!

Tired

September 18, 2008
It feels like it should be Friday. I have been going non-stop for the past few weeks and I'm ready for a relaxing weekend! We moved in our house 3 years ago and finally I have decided how I wanted to decorate the staircase. I ordered these frames from pottery barn and I plan on ordering 8 more (eventually!). It makes me so happy to see something on the walls as well as look at these pictures everyday!

Us

September 16, 2008

Happy 3rd Anniversary to us! We celebrated our first two anniversaries in Destin, but since we both had to work this year we made our yearly trip in August. Tonight, I had a golf lesson after work so Ray cooked us dinner of steak, shrimp and sweet potatoes. It was delicious!

Two Months

September 15, 2008

Happy two month birthday to Miss Lillian Brooke! As my blog reads...Time Flies!

Sunday with Lily

September 14, 2008

After church, I went with Moma and Grandma Deen to visit Emily and Lily! Can't get over how big Lily is getting! She loves to kick her feet and move around. Emily and I hit golf balls into the cotton fields while Nonna held Lily. Lily is such a sweetheart!

Hallmark.com Reunion Party

September 13, 2008

Ray and I hosted a Hallmark.com Hot Wing Reunion party on Saturday night. Had a great turn out! It was so wonderful to see everyone. Just realized that I didn't take too many pictures, but here are a few of my favorites.

Happy Birthday Janis!

TGIF

September 12, 2008

Tonight Ray and I went to the golfing range. I have a lesson at 8 am and I am to hit at least one bucket between each lesson. My last lesson was Tuesday night and I have had something every night this week! I just finished cleaning most of the house and doing the dishes! Ray is making his famous HOT wings for a Hallmark.com Hot Wing party. I am so looking forward to seeing everyone! I'll post pictures of our reunion tomorrow!

I can't remember what I wore yesterday, but

September 11, 2008

I remember...what I was wearing 7 years ago...driving to work hearing that the 1st plane had crashed into the World Trade Center...my dad calling as I went into the NBC Field House in Utah...Torrey calling to tell me that was where her dad worked and then her call later that night to tell me that he was safe....watching tv at the office all day because we were all in Utah alone and only had each other...going to a church service at the Presbyterian church....not being able to sleep that night, because I kept thinking about the night I was packing for Utah when I dropped my New York snow globe with the twin towers and it broke. I remember it all like it was yesterday! Let's all say a special prayer for the families of the victims and the men and women who fight for our safety everyday.

On a much lighter note, look what Aunt Molly sent me today...

I can't get over how big she is getting!

On a serious note...

Lily and Emma

Lily talking to her cousin Addy

And I thought they just rang the bells at Christmas...

September 9, 2008
So, I don't usually post logos, but I wasn't allowed to take pictures during my field trip today. I had an all day new hire orientation. My new company is a very philanthropic organization and gives to over 150 non-profits in Memphis. They are the top donor to the Salvation Army Memphis. We boarded a bus (with our sack lunch) and went to the new Salvation Army building downtown. It was a new women's shelter. I've passed the building 100's of times, but never realized what amazing things were happening inside and what wonderful people worked/lived there. They even have a state of the art day care center. I almost asked if they were hiring, but didn't think that would be a smart move considering the company! The day really gave me a new perspective of my new employeer.

Lunch Time

September 9, 2008
I often bring my lunch. At Hallmark I always ate at my desk, but at my new job, I enjoy escaping to the roof. The view and the breeze off the river is a great way to enjoy lunch! Plus there is hardly anyone up there...it is one of the best kept secrets!

Katherine Miller Hettinger

September 7, 2008

Saturday was beautiful! We went looking at golf clubs with no intention of purchasing, but according to Ray we found the "Steal of the century," so I am now the proud owner of my own clubs. I've already put them to good use! Had a great dinner with high school friends and ski buddies, Keith and JW, who were in town for the opening of dove season. Shrimp and Grits!

Went to the Fox to meet Allison & Chris, who were in town from MN, they are Drs at the Mayo clinic (hopefully they will move closer soon!). Allison is a dear friend from UT, we were both AX's together. Today, we were honored to be at their precious daughter, Kate's, christening. She was perfect and charmed the entire church! Enjoyed lunch with their family. Then on to meet up with our Fantasy Football league, so we could cheer our teams to victory! Army Wives is new tonight, the perfect end to a wonderful weekend! Hope yours was wonderful too!

TGIF

September 5, 2008

I think that was my title last Friday...needless to say I look forward to Friday nights (with no plans)! Despite the clouds, today felt perfect. Ray and I enjoyed some cold beers on the porch. I made one of our favorite Friday night suppers. Steak Fajitas! All I do is marinate the Tyson precooked meat with some fresh onions, peppers and mushrooms in 'World Harbor's' Fajita marinade for about 30 mins. Then heat in the skillet for about 7 mins. It is the easiest, best supper! Did you see Stand Up to Cancer? I'm proud to say that I stand up each month.

Has it been 7 weeks?

September 3, 2008
So today was my first golf lesson! It went better then I expected! I didn't get a picture, but there will be many more opportunities. My Pro, Mark Grace, was very positive and made me feel like I was improving! In my new job, we have several golf tournaments, so I wanted to at least be able to hit the ball when I swing. Ray is very excited! My plan is if I learn to play, I might be able to convince him of some really fun 'golf' vacation destinations. Hey, I can get a work out and a tan all in one!
How cute is Miss Lily all relaxing as her mommy posed her for her 7 week pictures. She has definitely grown in these 7 weeks!

It might not feel like fall...

September 2, 2008

but it looks like fall at our house. I held back and didn't get the pumpkins out, but I did decorate a fall table! Fall is my favorite season...football, tailgating, leaves changing, crisp & cool weather, festivals, soup & hot cobbler, fresh bittersweet from the farmer's market, Halloween, pumpkins, and Thanksgiving.

How I wish every weekend was a long one...

September 1, 2008

Wow...is it really already September? I have had the most relaxing 3 days, but I hate to say that I haven't taken any pictures. Saturday night, Mom, Molly and I went to try our luck at the track. Spent Sunday morning with my grandma, then home for a nap before meeting up with my dear, old friend (she's not old, but we are old friends, since 6th grade!) Dr Candice. Then headed out with the girls to enjoy Yes, No, Maybe at Brookhaven Pub. Been watching the UT game with the neighbors. The Vols are making me nervous...that is why I decided to come home and to post during the game! I'll leave you with a picture of Ray and the guys waving the TN flag on their double decker tailgating bus. They are having the best time! Hope the VOLS bring home a win for them!