All was great till the 3rd quarter...

It was like we stepped back into 1998...the energy was awesome, the excitement was extreme and the tailgating/people watching was at its best! Most of Ray's buddies were there and so happy to see each other and relive the 'glory' days!








Is that the ATO house or Club LaVila? The guys were shocked (and proud) and us girls were almost scared to go in to the bathroom...yes the house was shaking!


The stadium was rockin' and Rocky Top was flowing. Yes, Ray did wear that silly hat all day and believe me when I say it was a conversation starter for all Vol fans.












Halftime even featured the most amazing version of Amazing Grace by the Tennessee bag pipes (still don't get why they see this appropriate for football games)!



But, everything ended in the 3rd quarter...17 points in about 3 minutes...you could hear a pin drop...grown men crying...the hope of this season was crushed. We couldn't do anything...it was like we didn't know the plays. We all realized that we are not back...we stayed to the end, but it was hard to watch. Win or lose, we will always be VOL fans, but this one was tough. Needless to say we helped ease the pain (since there were no true Smoky dogs to be found in the stadium) with an old favorite...steamed turkey from Gus's Good Times Deli. It helped, but the loss of hope for this season still hurts this morning (or maybe it was the tailgating and super late night!)



I'm pretty sure the only way we will be able to make this 6 hour drive home is with a stop at Nordstroms!

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Pregame

At Ray's grandparents! Ray's mom made some delicious fresh veggies and his grandmother a Birthday Pie!


Look at this recipe collections...
It was like finding a needle in a haystack, but we found the Blond Brownie recipe that Ray has had a taste for!



It was a short, but great visit with Ray's parents and grandparents!

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Old school...

Finding the perfect retro hat from Ray's dads collection! What shall it be...Bill Dance vs. Driving Range Clown??

Happy Harvest...

To all the farmers (and farmer's wives)! Mr Layne is ready!

Where do the days go?

I've been working nonstop on a Stereo review (which I Rocked in my TN orange skirt!) and learning my new categories.



Also, Tried spinning about a month ago and I'm currently obsessed (and hope I stay this way!)...enjoying some yoga and weight training too! I'm hoping one day the weight starts falling off somewhere besides my feet. Seriously can't keep my shoes on...all my dress shoes sound like flip flops!

We kicked off the 3rd year of GROW with a HUGE crowd! I'm so proud of what has become of this program and was so excited to be back with the families! Also excited and proud for this years fabulous leaders (and that I get to be a regular volunteer)!






I'm loving that Tennessee is ranked, we have tickets for this weekend and game day is going to be there! Too bad none of my close friends are going...they are all working, vacationing or having babies...this week these two future Tennessee Vols were born. Wesley Thomas on September 10th


Brenner Brown on September 11th


Speaking of game day...Emily and I enjoyed reliving the game day back in 1998 (yes it was that long ago) over the phone this morning! One day soon I'm going to the attic to pull out that family pic we took at game day...think it might need to be on my desk!

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Flight...

Had a work lunch at Flight! I've been here once when it first opened for dinner and loved the concept, but thought it was over priced for what you got. Glad I gave it another try...their lunch is awesome...check out my delicious salad flight! I will be back!!

Beautiful day...

For a sail! The wind was a bit strong at times, but we only had 1 close call...needless to say, I'm not allowed to sail while playing on my iPhone again!






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Definitely a Mullen...

With the hair of a Jones! This cutie is growing up so fast ! In 28 days he will be 1! Time really does fly the older you get!

Super fun night!

With my sisters and Sugarland! We ate dinner at King's Palace and all believe it is the best kept secret on Beale. Check out the gumbo and crawfish tails!!

Sleep over!

Lily and Layne spent the night Friday and we had so much fun! We had spaghetti (Lily's favorite) for dinner!


Cotton candy popsicles...


Played on our neighborhood's playground!





Watched Saturday morning cartoons in bed...


Went to the farmer's market and painted lunch bags with veggies!


Bought momma and daddy a flower.


Went on a trolley ride!


Built a 'tri-county area'


And played cars!


We had so much fun and I think Emily and Caleb did too at their birthday party!
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Just talked to Lily...

And her first day of PreK was a success! She likes it and wants to go back tomorrow! I hope that is the trend considering she has 14 years left before college!!
Last weekend when I gave Lily her apple dress she wanted to know why apples are associated with school and I didn't have a good answer. I need to google that before I see her this weekend! Here's to Lily!

Here's to the sailors who came before us...

Beautiful day! The lack of wind didn't bother us, we still had an awesome 1st sail! Hope tomorrow is about 10 knots, so we can go faster!



Toasting our new boat, because I'm told that is what you do on a sail boat! Here's to the lake, here's to the sailors who came before and here's to us!


Ray resting and checking the weather forecast!


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Pretty good, for a Wednesday!

After working this morning, I ran over to the Peabody to meet Lily and Nonna to see the March of the Peabody Ducks! I was shocked at the crowd and at the production! Very cool free event in Memphis! I had to go back to work, but they went to the Children's museum and had a fun afternoon!


Another good distraction was the baby shower we had for this little cutie, Arnia. Her daddy, Raj, is my continuous improvement manager. She was so alert for a 10 week old! Plus, I had Indian food for the first time and it was surprisingly good, but it sure wasn't good for me!


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The 36 calorie cookies...

would be okay if you could just eat one...I guess two are not that bad for you!  I had been reading about the 36 calorie peanut butter cookies on pinterest and decided I wanted to make them (I'm not sure they are 36 calories, but I need to do the math).  They are super easy, DELICIOUS and packed with protein (so you are full after 2 and some milk!).  Mom, I'm sure you have all of the ingredients at home, so I recommend you make them for dad tonight...I think he will love them.  I followed this recipe...

Grandma and me

From last weekend! Looks like my pic didn't post, but I want it on my blog (since this is how I keep up with my life)! We had a great visit and she seemed to be doing okay and very happy to see me! I love spending time with her!

The year of the tomatoes...

I've always liked tomatoes, but since they opened the farmer's market downtown I come to love them! I enjoy eating them lwith apples, with mozzarella, etc. A good, ripe tomato takes a sandwiches to a new level. And since the Seaside farmer's market, I have an obsession with tomato pie! I never knew there were so many different varieties that tasted so unique and sweet! My new favorite are these little yellow cuties (no clue the variety), but they were grown by the Dodsons in Forrest City...I even convinced Ray to try them and while he thought they still tasted like a tomato, he liked them! Another thing I'll miss about summer!

On another note, the boat is washed and registered, I found 4 pairs of khakis for $.50 each for the kids at Lester, enjoyed a nice lunch with mom and dad and have settled in for movie with Ray (that is if we can find a good one on pay per view!). I love weekends!

Clean Up!

Some of the guys on the analysis team at work founded the Mississippi River chapter of the Surfriders Association. So, tonight I joined them for the first clean up of the Mississippi waterway. All across the US this weekend people are joining forces to help keep waste from all the waterways...Hands Across the Sand is what it was called. We had a great turn out and while it was HOT, it was actually fun and good exercise!

Home Sweet Home!

If you are looking for a good, easy read I can recommend Heat Wave by Nancy Thayer. Mom read it at the beach and I'm so glad I grabbed it on my way to the airport because it saved me over the last 2 days!

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Kim's pitiful face...

Yes, we are still in Detroit...since the reroute to Washington, shuttle to Baltimore, flight to Syracuse and drive to Watertown didn't take off either! Now we are on a 7 am flight that just got put on a maintenance hold. Yes, on plane with no lights, nothing but recycled air! Can we please just be routed back to Memphis and put the last 24 hours behind us...I'm not going to be worth anything in meetings today anyway!

Stick a fork in me...

I'm done! This isn't the first time I have been stuck in Detroit, but it is the first time the pilot has asked 'How many of you think you are on the flight to Syracuse?'. Seems Pinnacle updated to Delta's computer system and it crashed...no communication with any flight, no way to print flight plans or manifest and no way to find the copilot!