Happy Birthday...

to you, mom (or as Lily affectionately calls you 'Nonna'). Mom started celebrating early as she went to dinner last night at Currents with her friends and gave it a fabulous review, so I can't wait to check it out myself. She is having to work tonight at her school's chili supper, so we are celebrating on Sunday...Hope you enjoy your Birthday Weekend!

Check back for pictures of our birthday bash...and they best be good pics, as I am taking an all day photo class tomorrow with Maggie Hendrix...can't wait!

Celebrating 50!

A few weekends ago, we celebrated Mr Jim's 50th Birthday with a Surprise Fish Fry. A good time was had by all!

Delicious Cake by Cakes By Mom & Me

Lily was to into Pop Pop hat to look at the camera...

Mol and Lil

Ray and Lily laughing

Lily tries on Pop Pop's new glasses!

Andy, Josie, Lily and Ray

Addie don't float away...

Been Busy...

watching the Olympics! After my review at work on Friday, I went to visit Mr. Gil for some of his 'kiss of carmel' highlights and a much needed glass of KJ...then onto Julie's Birthday Dinner at Sharky's...the company was great, atmosphere fun, but the food was just okay. On Saturday, we helped Kembree and Tony break in their new home at their Housewarming Party! They have moved to a beautiful home in Lakeland. We had loads of fun hanging out with old friends and getting to know new ones. Thanks guys!

The AXO's

Shannon wishes he was one of us...

Olympics...

I love them...I'm not a big TV watcher, but I come home and turn the TV on and have to make myself go to bed...I am enjoying the Olympics so much. I've been asked to share other emails from my Olympic 2002 life...so here you go (as I watch Vonn in the downhill)...

February 15, 2002
Hello All, The Games are going great and I am having a BLAST! Our ratings are better then they ever anticipated, so everyone has chilled out. The mood of our office has done a complete 360 and everyone is enjoying each other and having fun! I'm working about 12 hours a day, but I get to get out a lot and see events and hang out in the Olympic Square.
I thought opening ceremonies were great! I believe the Games and Opening Ceremonies are perfect to boost the feelings of our Nation!
Saturday morning some firefighters from 9-11 that were in SLC for the Opening Ceremonies came in our Studios. It was so touching to hear their stories and even more touching as they admired my dedication art work wall. On Saturday night I went to the medal's ceremony. Is is neat the way the athletes come together to get their medals. They run in each night with flame from the Torch and light a mini cauldron while fireworks go off in 9 spots over SLC. And to hear the National Anthem and everyone singing along. Dave Mathews was the musical guest and besides being cold, it was great!
Each day, I usually go to the Olympic Square. This is like a huge festival where all of the Olympic sponsors have booths with lots of neat games and prizes. They have ice sculptures, bands, pin trading and lots of entertainment. I've taken lots of pictures and can't wait to share them with everyone!
Yesterday, I went to the men's 500 m speed skating finals. I've really gotten into all the different sports, even curling! I think speed skating is one of my favorites. I sat on the 4th row, right behind the finish line! USA won Gold and Bronze! It was so exciting. I can go to any event, but even when you are on the media bus it takes forever to get out of the events, so I would almost rather watch them in the Studio. Plus, since they issues the extra security precautions, security has tightened up even more.
I've been watching the figure skating practices as they are right next to our office. I help Scott Hamilton out - he is my favorite 'celebrity!' It's neat because I've got to see most of the medalist when they come in for interviews.
Last night, since my boss is from Australia, I went to the filming of the Australian version of the Tonight Show, called "Ice Dream." They only allow 20 people in their audience because their studio is so small. It was so funny and much better than our "Tonight Show." Their special guest was Tara Lapenski and Miss Utah. It was a neat experience!
Tomorrow I'm headed to Park City to help the crew with bobsledding...Can't wait to meet the Jamaican Bobsled team! Everyone continue watching the Games. Go USA! Love and miss you all, Brooke :)
Side note...it was in the Olympic square where I learned of Hallmark Flowers and how glad I am that I did!

Happy 'Hearts' Day

It is a tradition that I make Ray a heart cookie and he makes me chocolate covered strawberries for Valentine's Day...and it is begining to be a tradition that we get each other the same Valentine's Day card...3 of the past 5 years we have gotten the same card for each other...kinda cool how we work like that. This year my heart pan got double use as I made us a heart pizza for lunch. Ray got me some beautiful flowers...tulips and hydrangeas, my favorite. Oh how I love, hate and miss Flowers. Yesterday, a friend and I went to see Valentine's Day (Ray wanted no part of this 'chick flick'). We were pleasantly surprised with the movie, better than we were anticipating...I have been day dreaming ever since I left the theatre...that is my dream shop...the shop in the movie is what I want my flower shop to be...it has a cute bakery on the side with soda fountain tables, just like my 'dream' flower shop. I want there to be coolers full of unique arrangement in all price points...I want walk-in traffic that comes and hand picks the bouquet for their special someone or for the centerpiece for the dinner party they are hosting that night...I keep asking myself, what city would a shop like this work in?

On the Olympic front...Did you see speed skating last night, I thought we were out of the medals for sure and then there was a wipe out and we had silver and bronze. The women's moguls - I do hope Canada wins a Gold in their home court, but how awesome was it for Hannah to take Gold for the US...oh how I love the Olympics...I've had them on all day as I have done laundry and worked on my upcoming review.
Happy Valentine's Day to each of you!

8 years ago...

I had just finished watching the torch run by and was at the International Broadcast Center in Salt Lake City waiting for the opening ceremony to begin. Today (well all month), I have been kicking myself; wishing I would have gone to Canada...I thought about it more than once, but I was a chicken...I didn't want to leave Ray, my family, our house, etc for 9 months...couldn't imagine not getting to love on Lily on a regular basis. So, tonight, I am snuggled up on the couch waiting for the ceremony to begin. When my grandpa died, I found a book in his desk of all the emails I sent while I was in Salt Lake...I'm reliving my memories...what an amazing experience I had. I leave you with the email I sent on this day in 2002...

I Finally Saw the torch!
The past 6 months, the 14 hour days, the crazy, busy moments and all the hard work paid off. Everything came together as I watched the torch make its way through Salt Lake. I actually saw it twice! I was so overcome with emotions the first time, I had to get a second look at it. It was amazing to me to see thousands of people lined up and down the streets chanting USA!
This morning a huge storm come in-winds over 40 mph. Let me just tell you, when show hits you at 40 mph, it really stings! Plus the first trials of ski jumping had to be postponed and our blimp had to be brought down, so it was not a good morning for anyone. Now the snow has moved out (along with the inversion) and the sky is a beautiful blue - everyone is ready for tonight!
I've seen parts of the opening ceremonies and it will be great! There is a huge ice skating rink and amazing costumes. They have taken on the "wild west" theme, all the way down to the kazoo's. The streets are full of excitement and people from every Nation. Pin trading is such a big event on the street. I'm glad I don't have time to leave the office, because the pins would be my weakness. I don't know why, because what am I going to do with them?
Anyway, just wanted to say Hello and get you excited for the Opening tonight! My bets are on Mayor Giuliani to carry the flame into the stadium, but that is a secret nobody knows the answer to. Hope you all enjoy. Happy Olympics- Brooke :)

Happy Birthday Dad...

We just got home from Emily, Caleb and Lily's house where we celebrated Dad's Birthday. Caleb grilled deer meat and Emily made baked beans and southern potatoes...everything was delicious.

Lily entertained us with her Dancing to the Wii's Karaoke to Girls Just Want to Have Fun!

And of course...you can't have a Birthday without cake and ice cream...

The weather guys missed this one...

Sent on the Now Network� from my Sprint® BlackBerry

Painful week...

I had a crown done before Christmas and finished up on Martin Luther King Day, anyway on Monday after a very long day at work...I bit down into my dinner for pain to shoot through my entire right side of my face and it has not left...I'm going to turn into Ibuprofen...he called me in something stronger today as well as a night guard, so maybe I can stand tomorrow! I went into the dentist on Wednesday, but nothing seemed high, he thinks I've bruised it somehow...now I think it is my back teeth touching, you think I can file it down with a nail file?

I haven't done much this week besides work...but I did finish The Help.

I recommend it to everyone. I'm not one to run to best sellers, but Jennifer recommend it and let me borrow it. I'm so glad she did. It is fabulous and I didn't want it to end. It is about the 'The Help' in Jackson, MS in the 60's...before blacks and whites were seen equal. It's about how the maids raised all the white babies while the white baby mammas were playing bridge and attending jr league meetings. My favorite quote..."We are just two people. Not that much separates us. Not nearly as much as I thought." Don't let the 500 pages fool you...it is delightful.

Death to the diet...

is what an ice storm is good for...Ha! Got to leave work early on Friday as the ice/snow/freezing rain started about 8 am. We didn't get near the snow that the Northern counties did, but we got the ice that kept us in all weekend. While it is still below freezing, the sun has been out strong today, driving should be a breeze tomorrow. I can't recall the last time we stayed home for this long of a stretch...actually don't know if we have both ever stayed home for a full day, but it has been very nice....thanks to my fantastic book (thanks Jennifer) and the good old school movies on TBS. I had to work out for 2 hours yesterday after I realized how good homemade chocolate chip cookies are! I didn't stock up before the storm, but thanks for Logan's Christmas present, we ate like Kings!

Since I have been on a diet, we had no sweets in the house, but Ray found a bag of semi-sweets and I actually had everything one needs to bake some cookies...I don't bake cookies from scratch ever...I always think I can fool Ray with Slice and Bake, but never again. They were so good and they are almost gone! On Friday night, I made White Chili from the Women's Exchange Cookbook...delicious and so easy...we we both love it, but for some reason I only make it when the weather is bad! I'll post the recipe at the bottom of this post for you all to enjoy.

These pics were taken from the front porch about noon today...not sure why I never took pictures on Friday or Saturday before it started melting, well actually I do...after Ray slid to the mailbox and Emily called to tell me about falling going to their mailbox, I had no desire to risk my luck...can't be hurting myself before our big ski trip!

White Chili
1 onion chopped
1 cup chopped green peppers
2 T vegetable oil
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
2 (16 oz) cans of Great Northern beans
2 (16 oz) cans of chicken broth
1 (10 oz) package of frozen white corn
1 (4 oz) diced green chilies
1 t white pepper
1 t cumin
1 t salt
Sauté the onion and bell pepper in the oil in a Dutch oven until tender. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Simmer over low heat for 1 hour. Serve with tortilla chips.

Lazy Sunday...

My favorite kind of days...full of Church, football and family. Aunt Marca brought Grandma to Memphis as she had a doctor's appointment Monday morning, so mom cooked and we all enjoyed.

Nonna and Poppa gave Lily this 'spin' chair for Christmas. She didn't know what to think of it at first, but now she loves it...

She just laughs as you spin her around...she gets dizzy....

falls out and keeps laughing the entire time...

My cousin Jayme and her husband Chris came for dinner. Lily really took to them and enjoyed entertaining us all.

Ray and Lily

On Saturday we went to visit Emily, Caleb and Lily. Lily has the best personality...she just loves to have company. We had the best time. Lily especially enjoyed playing with Ray...

They practiced their counting, went on a joy ride...

Played a little wii...

Turned up a cold one...

Flew airplanes...

Worked cross words...

Lily wore Ray out, so he had to nap, but his snoring didn't stop Lily from using him as a table to build blocks on...

Please someone come visit so I can go...

to the Stax Museum...I've never been, but I want to. Tonight the Stax academy choir came and performed as January's 'Sights & Sounds of Memphis' for the Ronald McDonald House. They were fantastic! The Stax is located in one of the poorest areas of the city and they use music as a tool to mentor to young people in an after school program. So inspirational. Maybe I should dust off the oboe and go volunteer. Swanky's provided our dinner, I think this might have been our best event yet!

Runaway Lane

I like this...if you are a Tennessee Fan or a SEC fan...I think you will enjoy it. It is Ingram Hill singing to the Runaway Train tune...Nothing dirty in the song, so you can play it in front of the kids...the Coach Orgeron part makes it come together...

Long Weekends...

That's right...we were closed for MLK, so enjoyed a long weekend. What a relaxing weekend we had...went with mom to visit grandma on Saturday, to church and a great local spot for brunch on Sunday and to the dentist for a crown today. Sunday night we went to Huey's to hear the band that Molly and Logan have booked for the wedding...let's just say, Ray has been dancing since we left and can't wait for the wedding...says him, Caleb and mom are going to have the best time. I just hope the dance floor is big enough to handle Ray and Caleb!!! Can't wait!

I present The Soul Shockers...

Wow...

I just finished reading an amazing book, same kind of different As me, and as I finished the last sentence, I literally said 'Wow, wow, wow' in my outside voice. Thank you Ms Penny for recommending this read. It was a pure joy. same kind of different As me is a true story written by a cotton slave turned homeless man and an international art dealer...as well as a dedication to the woman who brought them together. My favorite quote, 'I found out everybody's different - the same kind of different as me. We're all just regular folks walkin down the road God done set in front of us. The truth about it is, whether we is rich or poor or somethin in between, this earth ain't no final restin place. So in a way, we is all homeless - just workin our way toward home." I will definitely be getting the book on tape for my next road trip (or long plane ride!).

What does Fulmer think?

Got back from Vegas of Saturday night...hardly had time for Sunday and back to work on Monday...that is how the real world rolls. The Consumer Electronic Show was huge...I expected to see some really cool technology, but besides 3D TV...there is not much out there. We stayed at the Hilton, which was fine...played a little at Hard Rock (after a delicious dinner at NOBU) which turned out in my favor...all in all not bad, but left me with a lot of catch up at work.
So, onto the Skinny...Can you believe that Kiffin announced after 1 year as TN coach he was leaving TN for USC...wonder if that was his or Layla's decision...You know...his personality was really not that of an SEC coach. Happy for Kippy Brown to be named the interim coach. Should be an interesting ride ahead. Go Vols!

J'aime Paris...

Sent on the Now Network� from my Sprint® BlackBerry

Uggs...

I don't have any, but need some with this freeze we are having...gave mom some for Christmas and she loves them...Emily has a few pairs...I believe every girl in Memphis owns some...I've tried them on, but they just don't fit right. Lily has a pair and they look so cute on her and she loves to wear them...even when she jumps on her trampoline that Santa brought her and when she takes her babies for a walk through the kitchen!

Goodbye 2009...

At the last minute, I decided to cook filets and Pioneer Women's mushrooms and rolls as well as Banana's Foster that we learned to make during one of our classes at Viking for New Year's Eve...dad boiled shrimp, mom made her delicious spinach dip and Molly made good scallop potatos...before we knew it we had a (casino) PARTY! Ray dealed us in ... much fun was had by all...we had a delicious dinner without having to fight the NYE crowd and inexperienced people making their yearly trip downtown...I wouldn't mind making this a New Year's tradition...Hello 2010!
Aunt Molly needs a chip...

I love that mom and dad saved our toys...Lily loves playing with them!

The dealer (can you tell he has done this a time or two)



Never too young to learn to count your money!