Aunt Kelly

My new baby niece, Memphis, was born on January 20th weighing 6lbs, 8 oz and 20 inches long! A head full of dark hair too. She is just so precious!

First Day

Friday was my first day of leadership class! I am so excited about this opportunity. Got to meet the faculty and participants. Now, I have to start reading the book!

Happy Birthday

Michael

Champions!!!

After being iced in for the day, I was well rested to stay up to watch Auburn in the National Championship game against Oregon. It was a really good game and then close to the end of 4th quarter it got intense when the game was tied up. I had to start pacing at that point. It came down to a field goal. It was good and we walked way to victory, 22-19! What, a night!!! I wish I had been at that game! It's great to be an AUBURN Tiger!

2010 National Champions

WAR EAGLE

Butterflies Are Up

Our dining room.

Winter Weather Coming

Monday - Yard

Monday - Deck

Sunday Night - Street

Sunday Night - Yard

Sunday evening we heard the ice rain start. It lasted for a while. Eventually the flurries started. I think it went back to ice rain again. Got the message that my employer would be opening up a noon on Monday. Really? Went to bed at a decent hour and tried to sleep in, but I ended up being awake by 8am. Disappointed that we didn't have a much snow as predicted and somewhat jealous of those north of us who did get more. Really just had ice - no fun. Checked to see if the plans for my employer had changed due to the roads being closed. Didn't see anything. Took the dogs out, had breakfast and curled back up in bed to watch some tv. Finally, got the word that we would close for Monday and open late on Tuesday. Yeah, a snow or ice day!!! This was perfect. I would be able to rest and be ready to watch Auburn game tonight as we take on Oregon for the National Championship!!!!

WAR EAGLE!

Current Book Readings

I have now started with George Bush's Decision Points.

Happy New Year!!!

Last year my New Year resolution was to recycle. Over the past year I am proud of my lifestyle change to make a huge effort to place items in our totes to be taken to the recycling center downtown. I believe my husband and I have done well and will continue to maintain this habit.

I have pondered what my resolution will be this year. After reading Condi's book, my thought was to focus on some aspect of educational growth. Thus, I have decided to focus on learning a foreign language. I am going to try two - Spanish & Italian. I have two year in high school and one year in college taking Spanish, so I'm anticipating this being a refresher on that language and getting up to speed to communicate rather than barely translating a few words. The Italian will be the real challenge in this resolution! The game plan is to spend 30 min - 1 hour each night working on this.

The Tourist

I finally got to see The Tourist! I have been wanting to see this since I first saw the trailer several months ago. Loved it!!! And I was able to figure it out :-)

Ouch!

Our tripod was clasped and propped up against a wall in the kitchen from our recent travels. Coming back home from the movie I knocked it over and it fell on my foot. I was trying to move out of the way but didn't make it. The top of the tripod hit dead on one of my toes and the handle part hit the foot. Yes, it hurt! My toe quickly turned a purplish color and was throbbing. The next morning it was painful to even wear my rain boots. I had to go a week at work with my tennis shoes. As of Saturday, the color is back to normal and only occasional pain. Hoping to wear heels next week!

Spending Time With Summer

My 13th year old niece came to spend time with us for a few days. We had just recently purchased the Kinect so we got to test these games out with her the first night. The next morning my husband made us pancakes for breakfast. After we were all ready to go out we headed to the Summit for some light shopping. She picked up a another book and some items on sale at Bath & Body Works. Had a late lunch at Tazikis. Summer said she have to tell her teacher she had Greek food. Apparently she is learning about different foods in others cultures. Good pick hubby! Afterwards we went to the movies to see Tangled. It was really cute. We had plans to grill stakes out but the weather was not looking favorable for that. It did rain some, but had enough of a break where Michael was able to grill the steak and vegetables. Watched New Year's Eve specials in attempt to remain awake until midnight. Hopefully, is was somewhat eventful for my niece. We had some sparkling cider at the stroke of midnight and then it was bedtime! Saturday was a rainy and cold day so we stayed inside partly because we all slepted the morning away. Move game playing on the Kinect until my sister arrived.

Comps Goodbyes

Thursday was Linda's last day. Our department had plans to meet at Chill's for one last lunch with her. I was still on vacation, but I did go over to eat and say my goodbyes. Another sad day.

Driving Back

My husband always complains about the Alabama roads. Just as we crossed over the state line he made a comment along the lines "Can you tell we're in Alabama?". Of course I had to reply with the following - "Yes, because your bitching!"

After Christmas Shopping

Elisabeth and I had some Kohls cash so we wanted to head out to spend that and catch any good sales. At Kohls I picked up two t-shirt like turtle necks. Then at Belks was able to find two purses on sale - one black for work and a light brown for my casual days. Elisabeth was also trying to find something for her New Year's Eve plans.

Cooking With Portia

Portia made one fabulous dinner for us! We had a beef tenderloin that is cooked in a salt encrusted dough wrap to aid in the flavoring. The sides were thinly sliced steamed brussels sprouts and cauliflower in a creamy parmesan sauce. White tea with ginger for a drink. And for dessert . . . an apple tart pie (no picture of this).

Salt Encrusted Beef Tenderloin

One Fabulous Dinner
Rachel, Elisabeth, Portia & Kelly

Snow on Locust Hill

Christmas 2010

This year we did travel to Knoxville. Got on the road Christmas Eve and had a nice trip up. Portia and Gene had a roast and real mashed potatoes ready for us upon arrival. We knew snow was on the way so while chatting that night we were looking for it to arrive. Woke up to see that the snow had not really been that much during the night. While waiting on breakfast, buckwheat pancakes by Gene, we noticed that the snow started to fall! After Elisabeth's arrival to the house we were ready to start the unwrapping! Our plan for the day was to wear pjs and watch multiple Christmas movies. We started with Love Actually, one of my favorites! Snow was still falling too. Portia made yummy spinach and cheese dip for us to snack on before dinner. It was a nice and relaxing day with family, friends and great food!

Message

I can't recall exactly when, but possibly about a month ago someone painted in white "You are beautiful" on a bridge over the Red Mountain Expressway. While, I don't agree with graffiti on property that does not belong to you it was nice to see such a nice message for a change. On Christmas Eve I was driving to work and I noticed that the message was no longer a positive message. Instead in red paint the word beautiful was covered up with a not so nice way to say ugly. I wondered how quickly that would get cleaned up? Later that night I read that some of the lanes were closed on the expressway while city workers painted over the profanity.

Book Reading: Rice

I started strong and then the holiday activities hit, but I have finally finished reading Condoleezza Rice's new book Extraordinary Ordinary People. I really enjoyed it! To read about all the things she has accomplished even at such a young age is just amazing to me. I feel like such a slacker! I am looking forward to her next book.