Hello October!

It's officially Fall Y'all!  The greatest time of the year!  Except in Texas where it's still 90 degrees and you wouldn't dream of turning off your A/C just yet.  Maybe some time in late December or early January. 

KJ is settling into college life very nicely.  She likes her roommate, she's made friends and she's successfully survived Rush at Ole Miss, one of the most competitive in the country.  And no, she didn't have a consultant.  She did it all on her own. 
http://thedmonline.com/rush-submission/

She had an extremely positive Rush experience and we're very, very proud of her!  Ole Miss has changed things up a bit and did things a little different than when T was there.  After visiting all 11 houses, KJ was invited back to 6 (max of 8).  Out of those 6 she went back to 5 (max 5).  Then on Pref day she was invited back to 2 (max 2).  Although she was an AOPi legacy, she #wentKappa on Bid Day.  She was so, so excited!  I couldn't be there for Bid Day but T, Pony Boy and T's friend Maddie were there to support her as well as her roommate Maddie.  She's had her pinning ceremony, had lunch at the house a couple of times already and has a formal coming up.  Baby girl is branching out on her own and doing great! 

Coach and I went to 3 football games during the month of September.  We went to the Ole Miss vs. Texas Tech game in Houston (which was a lot of fun!).  He had been in Houston all week so I flew down on Friday and we did a bar crawl with Ole Miss and Tech fans.  We followed the cheerleaders from bar to bar and although we had great seats, Coach won two sets of 50 yard-line tickets (total of 4 additional tickets!).  We ended up giving them to some folks we met from Oxford. 

Then we attended the Kent State game with the Martins.  Or, I should say we tailgated in the Grove with the Martins, never even bothered to go into the game.  After the crushing loss to Alabama, we thought we'd have a better time if we didn't actually go into the stadium.  T and Dew came in for the weekend and we all had a great time despite the torrential downpour at the end of the game. 

Last weekend we attended the Arkansas vs. Texas A&M game at AT&T Stadium (aka Jerry World).  One of Coach's vendors had a suite which, in my humble opinion, is the only way to watch a game!  Hahaha!!!  Seriously though, I love not having to wait in line for the ladies room or for concessions.  That stadium is first class all the way.  From the super friendly ticket agents at the gate, to the elevator attendant to the security people telling you to have a safe drive home after the game.  The suite was gorgeous, the food and drink was plentiful.  The A&M fans were awesome to watch.  Very loud (hence the whole 12th man thing) and very entertaining.  And their band was incredible.  Extremely precise. 

So now we're gearing up for our Annual Week of Family Festivities (our niece's birthday and our anniversary on October 11, Coach's birthday on October 12, KJ's birthday on October 13 and my mom's birthday on October 15). 

Happy Anniversary!

Today in History . . .

On this day, 2007, "Make Mine A Cosmo" was originally introduced as www.cos4.blogspot.com! 

The blog was similar to the Seinfeld show.  It was basically a blog about nothing.  With a little focus and the addition of a professional blog design, the little blog about nothing eventually evolved to the blog it is today:  www.makemineacosmo.com

Make Mine a Cosmo is still basically a blog about nothing.  Nothing specific, sometimes the blog is about travel, about make-up and skin care, new products, the weather.  Sometimes the blog is about sports.  Sometimes the blog is political, sometimes it's raw emotion.  Very rarely is the blog about food or recipes, however the posts are often about family.  Make Mine a Cosmo also reviews books and movies. 

Blog Statistics . . .
Since starting Make Mine a Cosmo, the author has:

• lived in three different states (Alabama, Maryland and Texas)
• has traveled to the following countries:  Italy (Rome twice, Florence twice, Pisa, Assisi, Pompei), Spain (Barcelona and Mallorca), England (London), France (Paris and Marseille), Mexico (Cabo and Playa del Carmen), Caymans, Jamaica
• viewed the Sistine Chapel twice
• climbed a Mayan ruin
• swam in a crystal clear cenote
• learned how to paddle board
• climbed Dunn's River Falls
• sipped champagne at the top of the Eiffel Tower
• gazed upon the Mona Lisa
• climbed all 284 steps to the top of the Arc de Triomphe
• has had both daughters graduate high school
• has had one daughter graduate college
• has lost a gall bladder
• successfully recouperated from a hysterectomy
• celebrated her parent's 50th wedding anniversary
• celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary to her high school sweetheart
• celebrated her (and her husband's!) 50th birthday
• uncovered some interesting facts about her ancestry

If you've been reading Make Mine a Cosmo regularly, thank you!  Looking forward to another 11 years of blogging!

Commencing

Can't believe I haven't blogged about KJ's graduation!  She had a busy couple of days leading up to the actual ceremony . . . grad parties are a BIG thing here!  Friday night, Saturday and Sunday she went to several different parties with some really cute themes!  Marcus, Flower Mound, Lewisville and Hebron all had their graduations on Sunday and Monday so the kids were running around trying to hit all the parties. 

 

 

Kendall's sweet friend, a foreign exchange student, who leaves the end of June. 

Paige is attending Colorado School of Mines

 

 

 

This is her friend Emily who will be attending Ole Miss in the Fall! 

 

 

Sunday was KJ's grad party and we had such a great time!  She did an open house kind of thing because there were so many parties to go to and we had a steady stream of kids from 2 to 6 PM.  We had Fuzzy's cater everything and it was awesome!  They come in and set it all up . . . easy peasy!  They gave us a ton of food and we had leftovers for two days!  Coach and KJ totally over-ordered but I was happy not to have to cook!! 

 

 

There were 841 kids in her graduating class and that ceremony started promptly at 8 PM.  The speeches were kept very simple -- no political messages -- just nice sentiments about high school, making your mark in the world, get out there and do great things.  I think we were done by 10 PM, out of the parking lot by 10:15 PM.  

 

Recreating this tradition: 

 

Hoover High School; May 2012

Ole Miss; May 2016

 

 

Kendall and her friend Averie (one of the first friends KJ made when we moved to Texas; they were on the high school volleyball team together!)

 

 

And there you have it!  We are now the (extremely!) proud parents of a Marcus High School graduate / incoming Ole Miss Freshman!  #hottytoddy #RebelwithaCos

Are you Ready???

Last week was KJ's Freshman Orientation at Ole Miss.  Even though I've been through this once before with T, it was a great refresher with a lot of new information. 

We got to Oxford Wednesday night, completed early registration, got set up in our dorm rooms and had dinner w/ my wonderful Godson, Z.  He was still on campus for ROTC but drove back to Cincy Friday afternoon.  We had dinner at Old Venice (personal fave!) and I was so tired I went back to the dorm and settled in with my book.  I didn't sleep good that night but Thursday night I was out like a like by 9 PM and slept like a rock star!  KJ's orientation roommate got in late Wednesday night and we all went out for breakfast before Orientation officially kicked-off.  She was from the same small town as T's very own Pony Boy!  What are the chances??

As this was not my first rodeo, I was very prepared for my 2-night stay in the dorm.  I had my fan, my own pillow and blankie, my own towels, my make-up mirror and even a small lamp, plenty of water and snacks.  I felt bad for some of the kids and parents who had to fly in to Memphis, rent a car, etc.  Some of them had never even stepped foot on campus before and you can just see the looks of utter confusion and anxiety on their faces. 

I think I actually learned more at KJ's orientation versus T's.  I was so overwhelmed way back then.  T had graduated from high school on a Thursday (I think) and we were at Orientation two days later.  It was a lot to take in.  I was much more relaxed and confident knowing daughter #2 will be in good hands.  Ole Miss does an OUTSTANDING job of disseminating information and allieviating any fears you (or your child!) may have.  It's truly a family atmosphere and several administrators give out their personal cell phone numbers.  How awesome is that???

Spring into Summer Already???

Busy as a bee the next couple of weeks.  I think we're are booked until July and then August will be taken over with moving KJ to Ole Miss and all the good stuff that comes with that . . . shopping, packing, unpacking, etc. 

Tomorrow is Marcus' prom and I love KJ's dress.  It's very casual, very flowy and has a pretty print.  She is also going to Flo Mo's prom May 5 and I love that dress, too!  It's a V-neck, more streamlined silhouette, with tiers.  She's getting her hair and make-up professionally done again this year for her  prom, not sure what she's doing for Flo Mo's. 

Although she had senior photos done last year a couple of times last year (at the studio the yearbook uses for those dorky cap and gown pics) and with a local studio, we wanted some fun things for her graduation announcements.  Her friend Averie is really into hair and make-up and her sister Madison took the pics earlier this week at TWU and they came out awesome!  I kinda like them more than the expensive fancy professional portraits I paid an arm and a leg for! 

Next Friday she leaves for NYC for a few days and the week after that we're having our girls weekend in Ox with friends.  Coach has some traveling to do this month and next and we also have Freshman Orientation @ Ole Miss in May.  Graduation is mid-June so I've taken some vacation days to be with my family and then the girls leave for Iceland for 10 days.  KJ will be spending some time in B'ham with T again this summer.  Coach has already bought their Slossfest tixs.  She luvs, luvs, luvs having an older sister with her own apartment. 

T has been keeping busy this spring, too.  They've gone camping a few times, she had a bachlerette party in Nashville, she's getting ready to move into a house, etc. 

Ice Ice Baby!!!

My kids definitely inherited my gypsy gene.  Seriously.  When we lived in Madrid there really was a band of gypsies that lived near our apartment building.  My parents used to tell me they think I was switched with one of those gypsy babies. 

T-bone had always told her sister that she would take her anywhere in the world she wanted for a graduation gift.  They had kicked around a bunch of different locales but I had final say in the matter because I was not crazy about my two chickadees traveling during the height of tourist season and being the target of terrorists.  Also, KJ didn't want to go anywhere tropical because she had been to Costa Rica, Nicarauga, Jamaica, the Caymens and Cozumel all in the same year.  #firstworldproblems  So, after much debate, my two knuckleheads decided they wanted to go to Iceland!  Yes, Iceland!!!  And I'm totally OK with it!  T found great flights and they leave two days after KJ's high school graduation.  Which is totally crazy. 

Also crazy is the fact that Coach and I are going to be empty nesters in a few short months!  We've been waiting a long, long time for this!!!  hahaha!!!  Very, very proud of KJ though.  She was accepted at every school she applied to (Alabama, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Mississippi State) but when it came down to it, she decided to take her talents to Ole Miss.  #hottytoddy  She already has a roommate and they've been busy planning their dorm room.  I'm happy for her.  I was actually hoping she would have gone to Arkansas or Oklahoma State because I want her to have her own college experience and not feel that she has to follow in T's footsteps.  But, at the end of the day, they are two very different people, with two very different goals and I know she'll do great where ever she is.

Spring Break 2017

Had a really nice couple of weekends in the Casa de Cos.  This past weekend was the first weekend in a couple that Coach was home.  His last couple of weekends had been with lax trips and one of the weekends KJ accompanied him to Arkansas (each time she visits she loves it more and more but on the drive home she told Coach, "you know I'm going to go to Ole Miss, don't you dad???). 

The weekend they were both gone was rainy and dreary but I had scheduled a facial and a massage on Sunday so I was pretty content.  I had my books and my comfy blanket all weekend and when I came home from the spa treatments I was a very relaxed puddle.  Although I take incredible care of my skin, I hadn't had a facial since I worked at Ross Bridge!  This weekend is a mani and pedi.  I've been doing just a regular pedi but KJ got me hooked on those gel mani's.  They last SOOO long! 

This most recent weekend was great, too!  Cosmo had been in meetings all week in Dallas and one of his vendor's paid for the hotel through the weekend so I met him at the Anatole Friday night
http://www.hiltonanatolehotel.com/ and we had one of the most incredible dining experiences I've ever had at Nick and Sam's http://www.nick-sams.com/  Apparently it is THE place to be seen and it did not disappoint.  Cosmo swears Donald Trump Jr. was there.  I personally did not see him but there were some type of bodyguards / Secret Service wandering around the whole night (earpieces and everything).  I found out yesterday morning that Junior was indeed in Dallas over the weekend so Cosmo may have been right.  The caviar was incredible, my filet was perfection, service was outstanding and the drinks were flowing.  It was a super fun night!

Saturday we got planted some flowers and did some yard work.  Before Christmas we had our railroad tie retaining wall removed and the 6ft fence taken down.  We had a new brick wall put up and an 8ft. fence installed.  The landscapers also laid sod around the pool and planted some trees and flowers in the new retaining wall area and put down mulch.  We just added some more flowers and puttered around the yard.  My roses are already blooming nicely and several plants from last year are starting to come in so everything will look great in a week or two.  I can't wait to put out my patio cushions and relax outside with a Moscow Mule in hand! 

Sunday we had a new cleaning lady come out and deep clean from top to bottom.  She was GREAT and we will definitely be getting on her regular schedule.  I actually enjoying doing laundry and having fresh linens on the bed so I never expect a cleaning lady to do that.  That just seems so personal.  She kept saying, "I shouldn't be saying this but your house is so clean and organized!  Why am I here???" 

Haven't seen daughter #1 since Christmas and I'm not sure exactly when we'll see her again.  She and Johnny Frat Boy are going to Chicago this weekend to spend St. Patrick's Day with friends and her sorority little doesn't go home to VA for Easter so they are having a girls weekend in Savannah.  I don't think we'll have any special plans as it's just the 3 of us for Easter.  The past two years we've done the Easter Brunch at the Westin http://www.thewestingalleriadallas.com/north-dallas-restaurants and I'd be happy if that became our "go-to" Easter tradition!

Tomorrow we'll have some celebrities in the house and when they make it really big, we can say "The Burning Peppermints slept here!" kind of like George Washington!  The band is on their way to South by Southwest in Austin and crashing on our couch on there way to/from Birmingham. 
http://schedule.sxsw.com/2017/events/MS40087  South by Southwest is a HUGE deal and the guys are going to do incredible!  So proud of Jake!  He is INCREDIBLY talented and I expect nothing but greatness! 

WPS

Woo Pig Sooie!  It sure has been a long, long time since I blogged! 

Fall is in full swing despite what the thermometer here in Texas reads!  We had one or two days in the low to mid-70's but mostly its been in the 80's. It's almost Halloween and the A/C is still on.
The nights have been a little cooler and Coach is enjoying his homemade, outdoor big screen for football games. He has a nice little set-up out there ... he's got a 6ft+ screen, beautiful outdoor patio furniture, the fire pit ... he has a couple of Blue Moons or I join him for some Moscow Mules ....

So our 49th birthdays came and went without a terrible amount of fanfare.  T sent me a gorgeous Kendra Scott bracelet, coach bought me a new camera lens and he and KJ made me breakfast in bed and lasagna for dinner.  KJ also bought the most delicious red velvet bundt cake from "Nothing Bundt Cakes" and a Charming Charles gift card.  Coach had practice on his b-day so KJ and I surprised him with cupcakes and balloons on the field and we celebrated with burgers at Dutch's.

Our 24th wedding anniversary was also kind of quiet.  KJ had lax practice so Coach made a delicious shrimp scampi. Love a man who cooks!

KJ's birthday is a whole 'nother story.  It's a never-ending celebration.  She had a lax game on her b-day so the weekend before some friends took her out to dinner and they all came back here for a bonfire and s'mores. One of her friend's decorated her car the morning of her birthday and they met t Starbucks for breakfast before school.

We went to the Texas State Fair this year and had so much fun!  We didn't go last year because we had either just come back from Europe or were just about to go and didn't have much time. It was a GORGEOUS day and I loved the art deco buildings that make up the fair grounds. Got to see Big Tex and even tried some fried fair foods!

And then came our weekend at the U of Arkansas. The drive up on Friday was nice, about 5 hours from our house.   KJ had the afternoon tour but we were a little early so we parked and had lunch on campus. Fall was definitely in the air, it was only about 60 degrees, and the leaves were just starting to change in the Ozarks. It was soooo nice being in the mountains!  It felt like "home" -- New York in autumn, State College, West Point, Vermont, etc.  Coach's sweet nephew had made arrangements for a goodie bag to be left in KJ's name and he had a can koozie in there for her, a pig nose, a Razorback blanket, a  Tervis Tumbler and a bunch of other stuff.  She felt so special!  Coincidentally KJ's tour guide happened to be from Texas, lives around the corner and went to Marcus HS.  Campus was beautiful, big but not too big, great little downtown area and everyone was very welcoming. I could totally see Daughter #2 there. With her grades she should qualify for in-state tuition so that's a bonus!  Of course Alabama and Ole Miss are high on her list but I'm encouraging her to branch out and make her own memories.

After the tour were drove around for a bit and looked at the different sorority and fraternity houses. KJ wanted to stop and take a pic in front of the AOPI to send to T when all of a sudden I hear a big scream and some crazy girl starts running towards us!  I was totally blown away!!  Coach and T had been scheming for weeks and surprised the hell out of me and KJ!  We had dinner at a neat gourmet grilled cheese place and watched the homecoming parade. We went back to the hotel but KJ dragged T to the pep rally and they walked around campus a bit more. Saturday we parked by the baseball fields and tailgated. The family next to us had one daughter who was a sophomore at Ole Miss and one was a freshman. The tailgaters on the other side of us were a combo of Pig and Rebel fans and one of the ladies was from Pony Boy's hometown and knew his family. Although the game didn't turn out the way T and Coach would have liked, KJ had a blast doing all the Woo Pig Sooie cheers!!  And, coincidentally the tour guide from the day before sat next to us with her parents. It was too funny!! 

Last weekend KJ took the ACT's Saturday morning and had a tournament in downtown Dallas immediately following. Coach had the purple vs white scrimmage game last Sunday and this weekend is going to be jammed packed, too!  Tomorrow we are going to the TCU vs Texas Tech game and tailgate with some friends and Sunday night we're going to see Stevie Nicks!!! #WPS!!!

Happy New Year (a couple days late)

2016 is off to a great start in our household!  Coach and KJ spent the evening at Jerry World watching Alabama play, T was in New Orleans with Pony Boy and friends for the Sugar Bowl and I ushered in the New Year with a glass of wine and a bubble bath.  I think I was asleep by 10:30 pm. It was glorious!

Christmas was really great.  Very quiet with just the four of us but very relaxing.  Since the girls were very little, we've always gotten a new game for Christmas and we played it Christmas Eve.  We all slept in on Christmas morning and had our traditional breakfast casserole.  I think everyone was happy with their Christmas gifts (Coach got a FitBit, the girls and I got lots of Kendra Scott, James Avery jewelry, Hunter boots, Michael Kors bags, clothes, etc.).

Lax season is fully underway.  KJ is super duper happy with her lax team. It's a combined FloMo/Marcus team and she said the girls are all incredibly nice and have been exceptionally welcoming.  A couple of the girls knew a couple of her volleyball teammates so that was a Nice ice breaker.

The weather has been so crazy the last week or so.  Last week I had the heat off and some windows open, the weekend was noticeably chillier and the heat is back on. 

We've had a nice relaxing 3-day weekend. Friday KJ had a half day and the three of us had an awesome lunch at a little local place we've been dying to try.  We also did some furniture shopping and ended up buying a new patio set.  Saturday was rainy and dreary so Cosmo and KJ started painting the office. It was a dark, dark green and felt like an old man's office (previous owners had dark window treatments and old, boring golf prints).  I picked out a nice light color that's hard to explain ... not tan or beige but not ivory either.  The color perfectly matches the tab-top curtains I had in the upstairs hallway in our Alabama house.  The room looks so bright and airy now and ten times larger than it did!

Sunday the sun came out and warmed up a bit so KJ and I spent the afternoon walking around Grapevine. Such a cute little Main Street with great shopping!

We also bought new light fixtures to go over the kitchen island.  I like all of the light fixtures in this house, they had all been updated before we moved in.  However, I positively hated the dark Tiffany stained glass pendants. We bought very simple ivory shades to lighten things up and it makes a huge difference. 

The patio set was delivered Sunday afternoon; now we just need the weather to cooperate so we can have some steaks on the grill!

Rivals

Watching the 3rd Quarter of the Iron bowl (right now Bama is down 27 to 36).  Happy to see Ole Miss defeat Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl earlier today and glad the Egg will be in Oxford for the year.  T, The Dew and his sister Cassi were all at the game.  Cassi was also there for the win over Alabama so I think she's the good luck charm. (OMG, as I'm typing Alabama just scored.  It's now Auburn 36, Bama 34).

T had a lovely week with Pony Boy's family for Thanksgiving.  On Saturday she competed in the Miss Amory pageant (and won!) and Sunday they headed to Johnny Frat Boy's house for the week.  I haven't had a chance to really talk to her but I think they met up with some of his high school friends, she met almost all of his family, had lunch with his mom, and went shining and shot off some guns.  T said she's dating Elmer Fudd.

We had a very nice Thanksgiving which also involved a little bit of snow from Wednesday.  My cousin Alison and her husband Zach came over as well as two friends from work.  I always have a hard time with timing the meal but this year everything turned out just right.

I had to go into the office for a bit on Friday and took KJ with me.  We also helped with the holiday decorations and I took her for sushi for lunch.  On our way home we stopped and did a little black Friday shopping.  We made it home in time for KJ to go to the high school football game.  Damascus is undefeated and is going to the Maryland state football championship this week (Thursday).  Not sure if KJ can make it to the game as volleyball practice starts Tuesday.

Super duper proud of her . . . she made the 15/16 travel volleyball team.  Over 70 girls tried out and since the team is also comprised of sophomores and juniors (depending on their birth date) and they only took 12 girls, we were really unsure how it was all going to play out.  She has also said repeatedly that she is going to play lacrosse.  Which just makes my heart happy.

OMG.  Alabama just scored again.  The score is now Bama 42, Auburn 36).

This morning KJ and I met our bestest friends for breakfast and had such a nice time.  I think we sat in Panera for over 3 hours.  AG was invited to cheer in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day parade so we met them just outside of Harrisburg while they were on their way back to Cincinnati.  And we did a little shopping on our way home, too.

Cosmo got some stuff done today while we were gone.  I think he was happy to have some peace and quiet in the house for a change!  He got the outdoor Christmas decorations out of the garage and also re-covered our kitchen chairs and bar stools.  It was time to change the black and white check and I found a gray and white link pattern I love, love, love!  Tomorrow I'll finish putting Thanksgiving away and start on Christmas.

The Road to Hell

Gah!!  It's been an incredibly long time since I've blogged.  I've been meaning to.  I had good intentions.  But you know what they say about good intentions . . . 

So let's see.  Last time I blogged we were probably getting ready for our trip to Cabo.  Well, Hurricane Odile took care of that.  While we were naturally disappointed, everything seems to be working out A-OK.  It looks like we may be doing a Mediterranean cruise next year so we have that to look forward to!  I believe the cities are:  Barcelona, Palma De Mallorca, Marseilles, Florence/Pisa, Rome and Naples.  Works for me!!!

KJ's JV volleyball season is officially over.  She had an incredible season and made so many friends.  Unfortunately, they played their last game on her birthday and lost.  It was a very tough loss and she was so upset that the loss happened on her 15th b-day.  This weekend she has travel team try-outs.  

KJ also had a great time at Homecoming.  They do things a little differently up here than they did in Hoover.  Very few boys ask the girls to the dance so they all go in a big group.  However, they do go out to dinner before the dance just like they did at Hoover.  I think there were 13 or 14 in KJ's group and 6 girls came back to the house for the "after party" (a bonfire outside w/ s'mores) and they all slept over.  It was a gorgeous night and we had so much fun taking photos and it was nice for me to meet some of the parents.  

Friday night, prior to kickoff, they have a homecoming parade into the stadium and then the Homecoming King and Queen are announced.  Our football team in undefeated and the student section rocks!  The kids really, really get into it and KJ loves going to the games.  Our Varsity volleyball team is currently in the play-offs so KJ has continued going to the games to cheer on the older girls.  Girls Varsity soccer just lost in the play-offs but they had a great season, too!  The principal tweets alot and 

I broke down today and bought the latest Taylor Swift CD.  I've heard SO many people say it's really, really good so I thought I'd give it a try.  "Shake it Off" sure is catchy.  
http://youtu.be/nfWlot6h_JM

Had such a nice although very quick visit to Oxford mid-October.  T was competing in the Miss University pageant.  She did awesome (as usual!).  I wasn't sure about her new gown but the judges loved it and she got some extremely positive feedback.  She was a little discouraged because she didn't officially place but after speaking with the program director, she feels much, much better about her performance. As always, it seems like there were a lot of politics involved.  

I flew into Memphis Tuesday morning, we did some shopping and had lunch at Zaxby's (we don't have Zaxby's in Maryland!).  We had dinner and drinks at Boure with the Dew.  T had to leave early for rehearsal so the Dew and I walked around the Square.  It was very nice to spend some time w/ just him and get to know him a little better.  Wednesday we had breakfast at BBB (duh!!!) and I had lunch w/ the girls at the AOPi house while T was in class.  She had her private interview that afternoon and then the pageant was that evening.  She had a great cheering section!  Me, the Dew, Amanda, a ton of AOPi sisters and one of her AOPi advisors, a bunch of her residents and several of her co-workers.  Her residents were super sweet and had a bunch of funny posters and hooted and hollered whenever she was on stage.  Afterward we attended the cocktail party at the U Club and Thursday morning we had breakfast at Bottletree Bakery before heading up to Memphis for my return flight.  The Dew and Megan drove up to Memphis with us to keep T company on the ride home.  

T is not coming home for Thanksgiving this year (she has to check everyone out on Sunday but be back by 8 AM Friday).  She'll have Thanksgiving w/ the Dew and his fam.  She hasn't seen Cosmo and KJ since July so we're super excited for her to come home for Christmas.  Christmas is going to be INSANE at our house this year!!!!  Not only will my mom & dad be here for the week but Cosmo's bro from FL and his fam will be here too!  And then Cosmo's niece (and her hubby) that live here in MD will join us for Christmas dinner.  And then my bro and his fam will be here for a few days after Christmas.  It's going to be one big slumber party!!!  And I'm SOOOO excited!  That's what we moved back up here for!!!  

Labor Day

Happy Labor Day!  Hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend!  I know we are!

KJ had a scrimmage on Friday at home.  She's playing SO good!  Her serves are solid and she's been setting.  She's still fighting the setter position but Cosmo and I keep telling her it's the perfect position for her -- she knows what she's doing on the court, she controls the action and she sets very, very well.  I don't know what her problem is.  She is loving high school life and it was so weird to see her doing some Damascus chants and cheers during the Varsity game.  Anyway, she played awesome and a couple of her friends came to see her play and then they went to the football scrimmage while Cosmo and I went out to dinner at Laurienzo's.  I luv, luv, luv their lobster ravioli!  http://www.laurienzobrickovencafe.com/

KJ's friend slept over Friday night and my parents arrived Saturday afternoon in plenty of time to watch the Alabama game.  Cosmo's niece and her husband came over (FSU fans/alumni) and my cousin and her husband joined us as well (Penn State fans/alumni).  I was hoping we could set up the TV poolside but it was quite humid and it looked like it might rain.  I swear, I love having people over.  The more the merrier.  Sunday's weather cooperated and we spent the entire day in the pool.  The.  Entire.  Day.  We only got out of the pool to eat (and bathroom breaks!!).

Today Cosmo, KJ and my parents are at the Spy Musuem in DC.  http://www.spymuseum.org/
I decided to stay home and get some stuff done to get ready for the week ahead.  I have a bunch of pool towels to throw in the wash and just need to chill for a bit.  The sun is shining today so I'll probably lay at the pool and catch up on my magazines.

Summer loving

You know things are serious when your daughter e-mails you requesting a family conference call for later in the day!

T called last night to discuss her summer plans.  I've kind of always known in the back of my mind that she probably wouldn't be coming "home" (wherever that is!) for the summer but last night confirmed it.  She's got to stay in Mississippi for her Miss Jackson/ Miss Miss commitments so she might as well take some classes, too!   But even before Miss Miss, I didn't think she'd come home; I knew she'd want to stay in Oxford for the summer.  And I was fine with it.  I really am (the only thing I'm really having a hard time with is the fact that sophomore year is almost over and she'll be a JUNIOR in the fall!!  When did THAT happen???  And, on top of it, KJ will be a high school FRESHMAN!!!  Impossible!).

I'm glad T's flying in for Easter, though!  Cosmo and KJ haven't seen her since Christmas; I at least got to see her end of February/beginning of March when I flew in for orientation.  My parents will be here for Easter and I think Cosmo's niece and husband will be joining us too!

She has to stay to make sure all her residents are out of the dorms after this semester ends and then that Monday she'll start classes.  I think the May session is kind of quick, only two weeks or so and then she might be able to come home for Memorial Day and go right into summer session which will end up around her birthday.  From there she'll be in Vicksburg for the pageant and after that will, hopefully, be able to relax by the pool for a couple of weeks until she has to be back in Oxford for Rush workshop and CA training.  Busy, busy girl and she wouldn't have it any other way!

Miss Miss

Still recovering from my trip to Mississippi.  I flew out a week ago and landed in Memphis with no problems.  T picked me up right on time and we went and had spray tans.  I was a spray tan virgin and only agreed to it because I needed to wear dresses over the weekend and my legs were Casper-the-Friendly-Ghost white.  Like, glow in the dark white.  It was interesting to say the least.





After our spray tans we went out to dinner at our favorite restaurant in the Square, Boure`.  http://citygroceryonline.com/restaurant.php?boure  T's friend Tana joined us as well as T's new friend, J.  After dinner J's friends were playing at the local dive bar, Frank & Marlees http://www.frankandmarlees.com/.  The band was really, really good and we had a fun time.  Tana picked me up on her way home from the library and I spent the night on her futon.  And I am way too old to be sleeping on a futon.  T picked me up in the morning and we had breakfast at our favorite breakfast spot, http://citygroceryonline.com/restaurant.php?bbb  After breakfast we had to pick up a few items on the square and then we headed to Vicksburg for Miss Mississippi orientation.






Friday night was a meet & greet and all of the local contestants had photos taken (they also took photos by college -- there were a TON of Mississippi State girls and 9 or 10 Ole Miss girls), were interviewed by the local radio station and received all of their costumes for the July event.  I also got to meet T's  directors and several of the other girls and their mom's.  Afterward we all went out for dinner at a Mexican place and had a lot of fun. 








Saturday morning the girls had to be at the local YMCA for rehearsals.  I went back to the hotel for a little nap and then had an amazing massage and pedicure at a cute little salon in Vicksburg.  The tech who did my pedicure also does the hair for the pageant MC's and had some funny stories to tell!


After my spa day I had to stop at the local mall and buy a short sleeve shirt.  It was almost 80 degrees in Vicksburg and although I had packed capri pants and my cute new sandals, I didn't have the right shirt to wear.  T had to be back at the mall that evening for the little princess crowning.  It was very cute and I got to meet T's "teen" (she's Miss Metro Jackson Teen and works with T's director as well).  It was also the first time I got to see T in her crown and sash. 






Sunday morning we had to be back in the auditorium for a long, long day of meetings and information.  I also like to refer to Sunday as "Miss Miss Boot Camp."  Holy cow.  There was a lot of information.  It's all good though.  They talked to the contestants and parents about expectations, social media, judging, etc.  There was a lot of great information but I think it was a wake-up call for some of these girls. 






That night we drove back to Oxford and had dinner at http://www.oldvenice.com/.  I had never been there but T loves the artichoke dip and the lobster ravioli.  It was delicious.  I spent the night in T's dorm on a futon cushion from one of the girls down the hall.  T has her own room and a loveseat that would have been horribly uncomfortable for even someone only 5 ft. tall.  When we woke up to go to the radio station for T's show, it was snowing like crazy!  And it snowed all day.  I walked across campus to get T's car in front of her dorm while she went to class and had to stop at the campus bookstore to buy some gloves.  It was 18 degrees in Oxford.  It was 21 in DC.  It was actually warmer in MD than in MS.  We had lunch at the AOPi house and I finally got to meet T's big, Anna.  When I was in Oxford in November, Anna was terribly sick with the flu.  I also met a couple of the girls T is going on Spring Break with.  Very nice group of girls. 






T's friend drove up to Memphis with us so T wouldn't have to drive home from the airport alone.  I sat on the runway for a along time for de-icing and barely made my connection in Cincinnati.  And by barely I mean they were paging my name for final boarding.  My flight from Memphis arrived at Gate 3.  My connection was at Gate 32.  I was walking briskly and when they paged me, I started to run.  In heels.  A sweet little old man driving a golf cart saw me hustling and told me to hop on!  If it wasn't for him, I probably would have had to spend the night in Cincy.






It had snowed here all day Monday so rather than drive all the way home from the airport, I just spent the night at my hotel.  I had a hard time falling asleep but when I did, I slept great!  It was weird getting ready in the morning and just walking downstairs to my office! 

Soupa Bowl

I read somewhere that a bottle of beer at tonight's Super Bowl was $12, mac and cheese was $8, hot chocolate cost $11 and a souvenir mug of soup was $20.  Who goes to the Super Bowl and orders soup??  I guess they were preparing for Polar Vortex weather


We had a wonderfully relaxing weekend and still managed to get a few things done!  KJ had a friend over Friday night, I booked my flights to visit T the end of this month, did a bunch of laundry, Cosmo and KJ worked on their flights for DALC, KJ and I did some shopping on Sunday and I totally re-organized my closet.  When I we moved, I just unpacked and put stuff in the my closet with no rhyme or reason.  This weekend I pretty much emptied my entire closet and started over.  Everything is nice and neat and I now have tons of room . . . summer clothes are all together, work-out clothes are in one spot, sweaters have been re-folded and shoes are in pretty plastic boxes.  I live in Old Navy and Gap t-shirts and they are now organized by short sleeve and long sleeve and by color.  I threw away some stuff and dropped a bag off at a donation center. 


I can't believe KJ's last year of middle school is quickly coming to an end.  She has selected her classes for freshman year (WTH???) and I had to sign off on everything.  She was recommended for honors English, Science and Social Studies and made the honor roll again this semester.  She has done so incredibly well transitioning to a new school and I am super proud of her.  She really, really loves her new school and her teachers.  And I am so thankful!!


Have to brag on Daughter #1 for a bit, too.  She auditioned to be a DJ on Rebel Radio and has been given a slot.  We didn't even know she was auditioning!  So if you're in Oxford, MS anytime soon, tune in!!

Miss U(niversity)

Had such a fun, quick, mid-week trip to Oxford to see T compete in the Miss University pageant Wednesday night.  She didn't place but she did very, very well.  She totally nailed her dance routine and rocked the swimsuit portion of the competition!  I was very, very proud!  http://news.olemiss.edu/miss-university-pageant-set-for-wednesday/#.Uo94q4wo6tU

(photo from T's talent portion which appeared in the Thursday edition of the "Daily Mississippian")

My flight out of BWI was delayed for technical reasons so I was going to miss my connection in Cincinnati. It was an absolute disaster.  Delta got me on a flight to Memphis via Atlanta and it all worked out in the end.  T had rehearsals that evening so her sweet friend Tana picked me up in Memphis and we all grabbed a bite to eat when we arrived in Oxford.  I spent Tuesday and Wednesday night at the AOPi house and it was so nice to meet T's other sisters!  What a wonderful group of girls and they were all very supportive of T!  Oh, and I got to meet a fellow blogger in person!  Hi Summer!  http://summerswigley.wordpress.com/  I also got to meet the House Mom, Miss D.  T attended her 8 AM class Wednesday and then we had breakfast at BBB http://citygroceryonline.com/restaurant.php?bbb  We ran a couple of errands and took a quick nap in T's room before she got ready for her interview.  After her interview she had her hair and make-up appointments and then I went back to the house to get ready.  Wednesday night was AOPi's big fundraiser, the Pie Sale.  Tana had some extra tickets so I had a slice of apple with Josh and Tana before we headed over to the theater for the pageant. 

After the pageant we went to a cocktail reception at the University Club
http://www.oxforduniversityclub.net/ and the young man who escorted T on stage joined us for drinks.  After the reception we picked up T's friend Megan and headed to Flip Night where we ran into a couple of Cosmo's former BamaLax players.  T was the DD so I was able to enjoy my Tequila Sunrises. 

We had to get up super early Thursday morning for my flight out of Memphis and T was actually back in her room before my flight even boarded.  My flights were uneventful and I was home by 3:30 PM.  It was a quick trip but T will be here Sunday night for the week of Thanksgiving and then home again in two weeks for Christmas.  I luv, luv, luv having all my chicks in the nest! 

Thursday night T had the opportunity to meet the reigning Miss America, Nina Davuluri.  She was in Oxford hosting a discussion on diversity and T was covering it for her Journalism class. 

I say this every time I come back from Oxford, but I'm so glad T made the decision to go to Ole Miss.  She's right where she's supposed to be! 

Road Trippin'

I drove up to Pennsylvania this weekend to celebrate my cousin's upcoming wedding.  So fun to be able to participate and actually be a member of my family again!

I drove up to my brother's Friday afternoon and had a great trip.  I stopped at Bucknell University on my way up to get a volleyball t-shirt for KJ.  The last time we drove thru there was early morning and the book store wasn't open yet.  It was a gorgeous afternoon and downtown was poppin'.  There is just something about a college campus in the Fall! 

Saturday morning The Niece and I headed out to the shower hosted by one of our family friend's. It was wonderful for me to see my aunts and cousins!  After the surgery we visited with my Uncle who is recovering from surgery and then Little Miss C and I drove to her church for a fundraising dinner and spent some time with my aunt and uncle and two cousins. 

I headed home Sunday morning and was in my driveway by 12:30 PM.  The drive is about 3 hours and 15 minutes and with the help of some CD's and XM radio, the trip just flies by.  I love the Classic Rewind station, the Classic Vinyl station, Hair Nation, the 70s, the 80s and the 90's.  Sunday's weather was in the mid-60's and I had the sunroof open for most of the drive. 

At one of the traffic lights some students were asking for donations for Penn State's "Thon."  I remember my brother always participating in Thon so I rolled down my window and put a couple of bills in the bucket.  The girl must have seen my "Ole Miss" license plate in the front of my car because she asked me, "Are you really from Mississippi?"  And I said, "My daughter is a sophomore there but my brother is a Penn State grad."  And as the light turned green she said, "Thank you and Hotty Toddy!!" and then all the other students started waving and clapping and shouted "Hotty Toddy!!"  It was pretty cool!  http://thon.org/

HY, DR !!!

Welp, the game didn't turn out the way Ole Miss fans would have liked but we still managed to have a good time Saturday night.  I was hoping the Rebs would put up at least a touch down.  Oh!  And did I mention that Coach Freeze tweeted some birthday wishes to me???  How cool is that??!!

The weather was gorgeous this weekend and we had all the windows open and my dining room looked great!  Cosmo and I had on some Rebel gear, KJ, however, was a little "confused" -- she had on an Ole Miss jersey but she wore an Alabama hairbow and an Alabama button.  One of our former Hoover neighbors came over and brought a delish cheesecake and The Godfather and his wife (they had never seen KJ!) brought some great cookies.  I made T's favorite chilli cheese dip and pulled pork sandwiches. 

I haven't talked to T but she texted a couple of times throughout the weekend.  They got to T-town Friday night and she was able to catch up with friends this weekend.  She texted an amazing panoramic pic from her seat in Bryant-Denny and she's already back in Oxford for Rush practice. 

 

And here's a couple pics of the kitchen area and the family room.  I forgot to take photos of the bedrooms yesterday and haven't made my bed yet today so that's just going to have to wait!  And the formal living room is now full of my Halloween and Thanksgiving boxes just waiting to be opened.  I'll probably do my fall decorating this week! 

 

Foyer

Breakfast Nook

Family Room from Kitchen

Breakfast Nook



Friday! Friday! Friday!!!

 

Yay yay yay!  It's Friday!  Should be a great weekend!  KJ gets out of school today at noon (I have no idea why) and tomorrow we're having some friends and family over to watch the Ole Miss vs. Bama game and then KJ has vball on Sunday.  The weather looks great for the weekend and next week the forecast is calling for warmer temperatures.  We've been in the high 70's this week and next week should be in the low 80's.  The pool heater is still on and KJ has been swimming 3 days this week. 

The other day she came running into the house and said there was a frog stuck in the pool filter.  I had to go out there and poke at him with a pool noodle and scoop him up with the skimmer.  He was HUGE (bigger than my fist!) and we released him back into the wild (OK.  It wasn't exactly the wild.  It was more like I threw him into my neighbor's yard). 

I had a great birthday on Wednesday!   Coach and I had lunch together on Tuesday and I woke to flowers and cards and chocolate chip muffins on Wednesday.  I had a spa day at the Red Door (I used to go to the one on 5th Avenue when we lived in NY) and had a wonderfully relaxing day.  I changed my toe color from my usual OPI Cajun Shrimp to Essie's Merino Wool.  It's officially Fall y'all! 

We went to Buca di Beppo for dinner and had so much fun!   http://www.bucadibeppo.com/  The portions are huge and I ate my left overs yesterday for lunch.  KJ gave me a gift card to DSW (swoon!) so I can get new boots (something casual that I can wear everyday with jeans)  and T sent me a new Ole Miss mug and a couple of Ole Miss pins for KJ and I to wear on game day.  She also tweeted at Coach Freeze and he tweeted some birthday wishes at me so that was kind of exciting!  She's travelling to T-Town for the game this weekend and will stay with some friends.  One of Coach's buddy's offered her his tickets so she's super excited.  They are great seats!  Tom has given us those seats a couple of times and they are lower level, just a few rows up from all the action.  Should be a GREAT game!!!

Photo from last year's match-up in Tuscaloosa.  KJ is an Ole Miss fan (except when they play Alabama). 

Fall

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree."  ~  Emily Bronte

 

A little nippy this morning as KJ headed off to school.  She wanted to wear the red and blue cardigan I bought for Ole Miss games but I told her that's not gonna happen.  The kid has a closet full of clothes and accessories yet raids my closet every chance she gets. 

 

No secret Fall is my favorite season.  Besides cooler temperatures, sweaters, boots, fall decorating and all that great stuff, I love all the great new Fall shoes and movies!  Last night I TiVo'd "Blacklist" with James Spader.  There's been a lot of hype about the show, I just hope it's as good as critics say.  "Modern Family" is back and the second season of " Nashville" premieres tomorrow night.  At the theaters, I'd like to see "Don John" with Joseph Gordon Levitt http://donjonmovie.tumblr.com/ (he sure has grown up since his "3rd Rock from the Sun" days and who doesn't love a guy who sings "Good Vibrations" in the car???) and I'd also like to see "Runner Runner" with Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck  http://www.runnerrunnermovie.com/?gclid=CIbwupaH5LkCFbF9Ogod6AoAJQ.  In November, "The Wolf of Wall Street" comes out as well as "The Book Thief" and "Catching Fire." 

Speaking of Fall, I did get some of my Fall decorating done this past weekend.  I found most of my tailgating items and have decorated for the Ole Miss vs. Alabama game this weekend:  I've got my entry-way ready and my dining room table is almost complete.  Here's the link to last year's table:  http://cos4.blogspot.com/2012/09/table-update.html  We've got friends and family coming over Saturday night to watch the game so I really need to finish! 

Yesterday I did my mantel.  I kept it very, very simple.  I found a beautiful, sparkly , glittery leaf garland and accented with sequined pumpkins and mercury gourds and acorns.  My inspiration:

 

The end result: