Valentine's Day

Drew and I had a great Valentine's Day. I got home from a trip Wednesday night to the sight of all this red... roses, cookie cake, CD's, a gift card for a massage and facial, cards galore, and some chocolate. Such a sweet husband! I on the other hand handed Drew 2 shirts I bought him at Banana and went and bought him a card at 4pm. So not the good wife this year! My plan was to get him the Wii that is so hot... well that didn't work b/c they are no where to be found.

Jennie and Jack came through town so we had a fun V-Day lunch with them at Chilis. Jack is soooo good and is getting so BIG!

We had dinner in Clemson at a yummy restaurant before Drew had to work with Uncle Steve, Aunt Kathy and some friends. Drew had a 9pm game on V-Day... so not romantic! I sat with Stephanie and we had a good time dispite our boys working.

Drew's number one client Van with Stephanie and I.

Drew working or as I say socializing!
Drew's emplyoee Craig in action.
The dance team- Rally Cats- had their boyfriends come down at half time and do a dance with them. It was adorable.

Drew's off to the Clemson vs UVA game... via team plane!

Drew just left to jump on the team plane and head off to see Clemson play UVA in basketball tomorrow night. I am so excited for him... such a honor to be asked to go with the team. I made him let me take a picture of him all dressed and ready to go...as you can see he is giving me a huge DORK look for it!

I on the otherhand have been in bed 3 days with a cold/flu ... something nasty. Drew has been wonderful and has been waiting on me day and night. He even drove me to the doctor and waited 2 hours for me in his car (he was terrified of getting sick and missing the bball game.). Such a sweet hubby!

My work station in my bed. My drugs!

I asked Drew who was going to take care of me since he was leaving. His response.... Jackson. Love the coat!

The Circus came to SC!

On Saturday Drew and I went to the circus with our good friends Kristy, Julie, and Julie's son Sam. We had a great time with Sam.. he is so adorable. After the circus and a few beers Julie, Kristy, and I decided we would pretend we were in the circus. Kristy is a avid bike rider and got a unicycle for Xmas. I don't know that I could ride a two wheeler these days, much less a unicycle!! Hilarious!

LAS VEGAS!!!!

Drew and I just got back from Las Vegas!!! We went for a long weekend and then I stayed to work this past week. Our friends Roger and Onie met us for one night and we partied at the new Planet Hollywood. We had an absolute blast. We stayed at the MGM West Wing and Caesers (for work), ate at some fabulous restaurants, gambled way too much, and saw the show O.

All of our trips seem to have a little extra excitement added to them.
1. Monte Carlo burns
2. Miss America Pagent at Planet Hollywood the night we go there.
3. President Bush decides to come to town and stay at the Venetian ...meanwhile we are hosting a large work party in a suite on the 30 floor. All floors from 29-36 must go through high security checks... it took our clients 30 minutes to get through security and up to our party. There were cops on every elevator, dogs, metal detectors, etc...CRAZY!!!

We had a great time. Drew came home with lots of money and I came back with $5.00 in my pocket.

Old pic.. Fun times!

Lori, me, Rena, Ann, and Heather

Rena just sent me this pic from a few months ago. This picture was taken in October at my dad's foundation fundraiser- The Hearing and Speech Foundation. http://www.bhssinc.com They had an Away Game Tailgate in the Upper East Club at Neyland Stadium. So fun! We actually made the newspaper as well.. we are so famous! I did all the tile in the restrooms so it was cool to see that as well.

Pool Table/ Ping Pong Table

This is what Santa brought Drew this year. Finally got it in the house from the garage where it has been for a month! It is a combo pool and ping pong table. He is in love! His "man's" room is now complete...

6 Cities in 10 Days!

I'm back! It has been a crazy 2 weeks for me with work. I have been to Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Charlotte, Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Boston in the last 2 weeks. To say the least I am exhausted! My territory has just increased to 12 states.... just acquired Washington D.C, VA and Maryland! I am so excited because I finally have a state where I have a friend living there! Last year I took on Boston 2 weeks after my friend Shannon moved from there to live in MD. Now that I have MD I will finally get to see her more often. Yeah! Can you believe I cover 12 states and only have one friend and no family members living in any of the states (TN not included) . I have a huge family people! Here is my territory- TN, KY, OH, IN, VA, MD, ME, MA, RI, VT, CT, Washington D.C.. Shannon I cannot wait to see you next time I am in... I was only in 18 hours this last trip :)

Apparently I missed a BIG SNOW this week while I was gone. We got a whole 2 inches in SC!!! You would have thought it snowed a foot... everything was closed! Too bad I missed all the excitement. We are patiently waiting another snow today. Still it is just raining...hmmm. I seriously doubt it will snow! We ran to the store to buy dog food and everyone and their brother was there. It cracks me up b/c this town is so freaked out by snow! I will post pictures if we get any... Jackson has a snow coat. It is ridiculous but hilarious at the same time. The poor dog is freezing...

Oh- I now have brown hair again!!! Yep, the lovely blonde look is a thing of the past. I was at the hair salon yesterday for 3 hours. I am a new woman!!!

For my brother in law

Saturday... Nick came through town on Saturday to bring us some of Madison's old twin beds. I spotted them in their garage while in Atlanta one time and Nick wanted us to have them for his twin granddaughters one day. ha! We met Drew's Aunt Kathy and Uncle Steve with Nick in Clemson for lunch at the ESO Club. While sitting at lunch Aunt Kathy spotted a framed picture of an American Flag hanging on the wall. She loved it and talked about doing the same thing with one someone had given them recently from the war. I reminded her that my brother in law Norm (Mary Parker's husband) was in Iraq. I told the table the story of Norm's convoy driving for a mission the week before Christmas. He was in line with four tanks. His was the second one. They got hit during the mission. The 3rd tank blew up and all were killed. Shrapnel from that tank hit Norm's tank severely injuring a fellow soldier. He is still hanging on for life. Norm's life was spared that day....

Drew and I have been wanting to send him some goodies. I feel terrible that we haven't before now. Steve, Kathy, and Nick all loved that idea and gave me money to buy things for Norm. Norm.. here are the goodies coming your way!!! Thank you for all you do. We are so proud of you!!!

tons of shampoo, soaps, mouthwash from my weekly travels
snacks galore!!!

It's January!!!

After Christmas

================

Twas the week after Christmas and all through the house

Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste

At the holiday parties had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales there arose such a number!

When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).

I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;

The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,

The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese

And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt

And prepared once again to do battle with dirt

I said to myself, as I only can"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"

So away with the last of the sour cream dip,

Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip

Every last bit of food that I like must be banished"Till all the additional ounces have vanished."

I won't have a cookie - not even a lick.

I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.

I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore

But isn't that what January is for?

Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.

Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!

Paris anyone?

I got a call from Nick yesterday right after I saw TN beat Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl. My mood was good (minus the effects from New Year's Eve). He tells me Helen has something to ask me and puts her on the phone. (He had to tell me his Chick-Fil-A Bowl game stories first, thus the reason he called for Helen). Our conversation goes as follows:

Helen : Do you want to go to Paris with me next month???
Me: WHAT????
Helen: I promised Maddie I would take her and I don't want to go by myself.
Me: Sure!!! (Of course I had to ask the dates exactly.)
Helen: February 16 for a week
Me: a WEEK?
Helen: Yes, but you can leave sooner if you need to
Me: Are you kidding? No, no a week will be just fine
Helen: Talk to Drew and call me back
Me: I don't need to talk to Drew! He is fine with it!
Me: I look at my schedule... Going to Vegas the end of January until the first of February with Drew (one year anniversary from our engagement there)., Going to Austin for my cousin's wedding the end of February. Then a few work trips to Boston and OH. The ONE week plus weekends I had free was February 16!!!! WHOOO HOOOO!!!
Me talking to Drew: Helen asked if I want to go to Paris.
Drew: WHAT?
Me: Yep, and I am going.
Drew: calls his dad... Dad what is up with this. My wife gets to go to Paris? (Meanwhile he check flights.) Dad the flight is over $1000.00
Nick: Yep, no worries I have already held her ticket on my frequent flyer miles. Make sure she is okay with flying by herself b/c Helen's flight was full.
Drew to me: You have to fly by yourself. Are you sure you want to go?
Me: Have you met me? I fly every week by myself. TELL YOUR DAD I AM FINE FLYING ALONE!
Nick: It's booked!
Me: Running around the house saying : I'm going to Paris and you are not!!!" I am so sweet :)

I am so blessed to have the BEST IN LAWS in the WHOLE WORLD!!!!!!! WHOOO HOOOO!!!

Happy New Year!

We decided to change our plans from going to the Chik-Fil-A Bowl game to hanging around Greenville. We went to the Liberty bar downtown and had some drinks and then went out for a VERY nice dinner at Rick Erwins. It was the perfect New Year's Eve. We hope you all have a safe, happy, wonderful 2008!!!!

Christmas Part 3- Atlanta, GA

We drove to Atlanta on Christmas day to visit Drew's family. We had a great time in Atlanta shopping and hanging with the fam. One evening we went to an Atlanta Hawks bball game with Drew's brothers Matt and Mike, Erica (Mike's gfriend), and our friend Roger. Atlanta was the conclusion to our Christmas vacation!

The High School gals

I was so lucky to see so many of my old but still great friends from high school while in TN. We all still keep in touch quite well but it is rare we are all home for Christmas the same exact time. On Saturday before Christmas we had lunch with Betsy, Laura, the Vonderahae's, and the Councills. That evening Drew and I had drinks with Laura and Julie. Laura is 9++++ months pregnant and came out with us 3 times. All she could say was she had to have some freedom and fun before the baby came.. she is hysterical! Another night we had drinks with Whitney, Laura, and Betsy and her husband James. I only have 3 pics from all our fun adventures. I am so glad I got a new camera for Christmas.
Whitney.. the beer is as big as she is!
Julie and her little boy Anderson

Christmas in Philadelphia, TN at the farm

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning out at the Farm in Phili! My mom is working so hard to get the house done... as you can see she decorating around the torn wallpaper on the walls. She is a nut!

During dinner Mary Parker and my Mom told Drew the house was haunted so he was a little nervous about staying there. After explaining to him that you do not listen to my Mom and sister we went to bed. In the middle of the night Drew got up to use the restroom and when he got back in the bed the bed broke! I did not hear him get up so I screamed thinking it was a ghost and then that scared him and his arms went flying. He knocked the side table over which knocked the lamp with a glass globe across the room. At this point I was hysterical and all he could say was... we are sleeping in a bed made for one person (it was a full), we are both fat, and we have no business being in this antique bed. I couldn't stop laughing at him... he was so upset over the whole ordeal. The next morning after sleeping upside down Drew got up again and this time crawled in the bed very gently. This time the whole damn bed slammed to the floor. My reply was Merry Christmas get your ass up and let's get out of here!

We did have a wonderful Christmas in TN with my family and we got to see some of my very best friends from high school. Drew spoiled me rotten with a new digital camera, navigation system, new running shoes (i think this is a hint to get my tail off the couch), a running outfit (L jacket was tight.. again I need to get off the couch), jewelry, a Pottery Barn gift card, etc. etc. I am so lucky to have found such a generous, caring husband! I know Christmas is not all about the presents but I sure do love that part!!!

Christmas in TN- Dad and Sara's house

We spent the Sunday before Christmas up at my Dad and Sara's new house in Townsend. My camera died half way through so I only got a few pics. Are these kiddos not adorable...