A little bit of this and a lot of THAT

Sit down and grab a cup of coffee b/c this post is long.... We have been so BUSY lately! I finally have some down time to take the time to post. I am writing this from my hotel room in Memphis. I am not sure I remember what my own house looks like anymore. I am burning up the air and luckily for me; my hubby, Helen, and Nick joined me for a trip to Boston last week. I guess that is the good thing about having some areas in my territory that people like to visit. We planned our trips together and had a great few days. Unfortunately I couldn't get anyone to travel with me on this trip to Memphis, then to Nashville, a stop for the weekend in Knoxville, and then home to SC. hmmm I wonder why??? Oh and with the gas shortage I'll be lucky to get home! I have done this for 9 years... (I am not complaining) I love my job, love the folks I work with, and love my hubby for being such a great "house husband" (Drew's name for himself) while I am gone. So here goes....



Can you believe he let me go back? Last weekend I missed the Clemson game and waited for my house husband to get off work and then we drove like hell to make it just in time for the Carolina /UAB game. I was good and didn't disappear this time. I did get a little talking to about how when we go to a football game we watch football, not play on our Iphones. Oh well... what better way to catch up with friends then texting while at a football game. I thought it was a good use of my time. The house husband did not...

Our tickets are with Tracy and Joel Sosebee. Drew's BFF
Do I look exhausted... I think so!

NEXT stop- last week BOSTON!

While I worked Drew, Helen, and Nick took a tour of the Garden.

and then the Sam Adams Brewery...

One night we went to the SOX game. So fun!

Drew got us FABULOUS tickets in the club seating area

we walked over to the GREEN MONSTER to see what it was all about. COLD is what it was.
The Bleacher bar before the game. This is the one we discovered on our last trip to Boston. It is on the field. So cool!

Big Poppy or as I call him Big Daddy! He was the one player Helen and I would recognize.

Dinner in the North End. There were tons of pics of celebs with this waiter on the walls. We thought he might enjoy a pic with the Cawoods. Not your typical celebs but that is okay b/c we still think we are cool.

We had to take Helen and Nick to experience my favorite.. Mike's pastries. They couldn't believe it! ummm good!

Drew and Nick pushed through the crowd to get up front. Nick couldn't wait to get himself a treat!

After we headed back to our hotel and ate pastries in the lobby. We were the only ones in the lobby.. it was late. I am sure we looked hilarious. Helen and I digging into a lobster claw and cannoli.

The first morning we were there. I was working and my husband was out taking pictures of this... Drew and his girlfriend.

We went to the top of the Prudential Center to see the city. I have ADD and that is why I am taking pics and not listening and learning about the history of the city.

I told Drew to look in the mirror. He didn't even look at what the words said. hehe

Drew and I took the T and went to the Aquarium before we caught our flight.

The Warf

MIAMI

2 weeks ago... welcome to MIAMI!!! I was there for a show. As always it was a blast! Work and lots of fun parties

Lori, Ann, and I at Nikki Beach
Joy, Joan, and I when we got into town. lounging by the pool at the Sagamore. Such a sweet hotel... my room had 2 levels and 2 balconies!

Ann and I drinking Mojitos
Party by the Palms. My eyes look so sleepy! I was so exhausted in this pic.
breakfast with the Bluegreen girls and Joan at the Delano- Madonna's hotel

Busy, Busy and a computer that crashed...

I have lots of pics to share- my trip to Miami, football, etc. but my darn laptop crashed Friday. I do have these 2 I took with my phone from the last 2 Clemson games. I have no clue how to download pics from my camera onto Drew's computer... geeze! In about a week I should get my laptop back and I will have a lot to share. We have had a crazy busy two weeks to say the least. We leave in the morning for Boston!!! Helen and Nick are meeting us there as well. They will have fun with Drew while I do some work and then we will all get to have some fun together during the evenings. Of course we will be hitting a SOX game on Wednesday night. We cannot wait. Pics to come... Have a great week!

The first game... it ws 150 degress outside. Poor Drew worked while I tailgated and had fun with my FIL and Bro in laws. No pics of them... they refused :)

This past Saturday. Helen, Maddie, Aunt Kathy, and I.

My Grandmother

This happens to be my 100th post. I wondered last week when I wrote number 99 what I would write about... 100 things about me (not), 100 things going on in Drew and my lives right now (negative!). Well here you have it. The best thing I could ever write about for number 100. My grandmother.



My Grandmother Berry (my Dad's Mom) passed away late Friday night. She was 88 but her death was totally unexpected. She was healthy, still lived by herself, still drove her own car, still had her mind, and never skipped a beat. She was an amazing woman who raised 11 kids, had 23 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren with 2 more on the way. She was a devout Catholic who called each of her children and a lot of her grandchildren every Sunday to make sure we went to church. She loved her Faith, politics, her friends, and of course her huge family. The second I got into town on Sunday 2 of my aunts pulled me aside and asked me to write her obituary. I felt so honored that they choose me to write something so special. So with the help of my Aunt Mimi we wrote her obituary. After we were done my family had a meeting to discuss the funeral: what readings, who would be the pallbearers, etc. It was truly amazing to see all of us so upset but pull together to honor my grandmother. In the middle of the planning my Uncle Bill started singing Happy Birthday and then we all joined in... my grandmother died the day before what would have been my grandfather's 93 birthday. How is that for a birthday present! Her funeral was amazing and uplifting to say the least. Every single family member had some part in the funeral. Once again I felt honored to stand in front of everyone and read the Prayers of the Faithful with 5 of my cousins. My grandmother had 3 eulogies given by my dad who is the oldest, his youngest brother Joey, and my cousin Tim. My brother read an incredible passage as did some of my aunts and cousins. My dad and his 4 brothers were pallbearers and all the grandsons were honorary pallbearers. My grandmother had 6 sons but my Uncle Teddy was killed several years ago in an automobile accident. My cousin John Halsell Berry took his fathers place and also stood as a pallbearer. That brought tears to all of us. The Berry family loves a party and my grandmother loved to go to them. She was still dancing just a few months ago at my Uncle Dave's 50th birthday party. In her honor we had a huge BBQ reception and celebrated her life with family and friends. The best gift we gave her is that every single family member was at her funeral. There has not been a time in a LONG time that at least one of us couldn't attend a function. For grandmother, we were all there. FAMILY!!! My grandmother touched every person she ever met. I miss her so much already... I love you Grandmother!

The legacy she leaves behind. A few of my younger cousins are missing from this picture. This was taken on Tuesday after her funeral.

At our wedding. My Aunt Mimi wore this outfit my grandmother has on to her funeral. It made me so happy.

Aunt Mimi and Grandmother

All the older girl cousins.. Kirsten, Bridget, Brooke, me, Katie, Meg, Sarah, and Anna

Aunt Beth, Cousin Miles, Aunt Bridget and Grandmother- Berry Christmas Party

Our wedding weekend on the beach.. some of the fam

Grandmother and grandchildren the Thursday before my wedding. A few were not there yet.

Uncle Dave with John Halsell. His father was my uncle that passed away. David and Uncle Teddy were only 11 months apart so he and John Halsell have a very special bond.

David and Evan... after the funeral. I love this picture.

Drew and Grandmother at my cousin Kirsten's wedding in March. Grandmother adored Drew.

Katie, me, Grandmother and Bridget at Kirsten's wedding

Joey dancing with Grandmother at my wedding. She loved to dance!

Aunt Bridget, Kendahl, me, Kirsten, and Aunt Sue the night we all got to TX.

Your life was full of loving deeds, Forever thoughtful of our special needs, Today and tomorrow, my whole life through, I will always love and cherish you

It's that time of year....

It's that time of year that my husband loves and I become slightly irritated. Yep, packed up the car on Thursday and headed to the South Carolina game. Humidity- 110%. Drew- thrilled, Me- said I was going to get a coke and proceeded to leave the stadium, catch a cab, and go back to our hotel. Football in Columbia, SC in August is MISERABLE!!!! I am a great tailgater, I have learned to make some good tailgating food, I have fun things to serve it on, BUT when the tailgating is over I am over it. Drew told me I am banned from attending anymore SC games. I guess he didn't like the MIA action I pulled on Thursday. Oops :)

USC vs NC State game.

Tailgating!

On Saturday night we went to 2 different parties to watch the Clemson game. I was on good behavior and did not preform an MIA stunt. Thanks Lucas and Jessica and Sam for the great parties! No pics.. forgot the camera.

On Sunday night we went to Anderson Balloon Fest. Drew's folks were working the event but lucky for us we just had to stop by and make an appearance. Drew has some great people that work for him so this holiday we got to spend together.

Laser light show.. Ben in the EPI gear

On Monday we watched the

UUUUGGGGHHHHH!!!

So what's in store for this week??? SC game Thursday night at Vanderbilt. We were going but canceled today when we realized it was 6 hours away. Whew.. ! Saturday Drew works and I have my standing date with this guy:

a true Clemson fan. My father-in-law.