I'm Crabby

Yes, I'm crabby.  But it's really a good thing!  KJ and Coach had an AMAZING time in Baltimore this past weekend and brought me back some cute pajamas pants with crabs all over them and the saying "I'm Crabby."  Pretty funny.

They flew up Friday afternoon and had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe at the Inner Harbor.  Saturday morning they met Brye for breakfast and then toured the Naval Academy and walked around Annapolis.  Coach then drove her past our old house in Crofton and they headed to Johns Hopkins for the game.  It was supposed to be a cold, rainy dreary day but they lucked out and had the most magnicient weather!  This was Brye's last game as a senior before he gets his orders.  Coach was so happy to be there and is so incredibly proud of Brye.  After the game the Navy Parents host a big post-game tailgate so Coach and KJ were able to hang out with Brye and his teammates before heading to the Orioles game against the Dodgers at Camden Yards.  Sunday morning they went to the Aquarium and had lunch at Bubba Gump's before heading to the airport. 

I would say they had a pretty successful weekend! 

It's OK Thursday . . .

...I didn't win Associate of the Month for the FOURTH time.  It's an honor to be nominated, blah, blah, blah.  Someday that primo parking spot will be mine.  But seriously, I do work with some pretty amazing folks and am proud to be part of such a great team!  I truly love my job! 

...that last weekend was NOT a good football weekend in our house -- Alabama lost, Ole Miss lost and Navy lost.  But, on the upside, we got to see Brye play and spent a beautiful, fun day @ Troy University. 

...that I'm obsessed with the History Channel's "The Men Who Built America."  Some good stuff right there.  I should have been a history teacher.  Totally missed my calling. 

...that some crazy-ass lady in a big white Infinity QX56 refused to let me merge into the lane this morning on the way to work.  Not only did she speed up and not let me merge, she was texting the entire time and she tailgated the car in front of her SO bad for miles and miles.  Hope she got to her destination OK.  She was obviously much more important than anyone else on the road this morning. 

...that I've been standing out on the lacrosse field 3 nights this week.  WTH?  I don't have any kids that play in the state of Alabama.  It's like the damn mafia, they suck me back in. 

...that I started my Christmas Shopping but haven't made a dent.  Looks like everyone's getting an Old Navy gift card!  hahahahaha!

Oh!!  And don't forget to Blog Hop --


 

Thank You

A great big Thank You to our service men and women on Veterans Day and everyday! 

I am so thankful and proud to come from a long line of Americans who served their country.  My great grandfather on my mother's side, my Grandpa Castle and his brother, Uncle Robert both served in World War I.  Both of my grandfathers served in WWII and my Grandpa Shrodo was a POW in a German camp and escaped.  My dad served in the Air Force during Viet Nam and my Uncle Zip (my mom's oldest brother) served in the Navy on a nuclear sub during during some very frosty years with Russia.  My mom's two other brother's, my Uncle Smokey and my Uncle Mike, served in the Navy and the Air Force respectively.  My Uncle Mike did a tour in the Middle East and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for heroism during combat.  My dad also told me one time that my great-Aunt Betty was a nurse during WWII.  I need to get a little more info on her.  Cosmo's family has served his country well, too.  His dad was in Korea and Cosmo's nephew, Louie, is in the Navy. 

Yesterday we had the opportunity to see a wonderful half-time show dedicated to the men and women of the Armed Forces at Troy University during the Navy game.  They asked all current and past service men and women to come onto the field and they received a well-deserved stading ovation.  The Troy marching band was OUTSTANDING and we clapped and cheered along as they played each the alma mater for each branch of the service.  We had such a good time at the game!  We had never been to Troy before and the campus was beautiful!  We tailgated with Brye's family before the game, got to see our favorite cheerleader, Rory, in action and even got to spend a few minutes w/ Brye after the game.  The Troy fans were very supportive of their team and it was a really great atmosphere. 

 

Social Sunday

Today didn't start off too great.  Or maybe Saturday night never really ended?  Too tired to tell the difference.  All I know is insomnia and a migraine are not a good combination.  I was up until 5:30 AM.  Wide awake.  With a raging headache.  No Bueno.  But the Bagel Boy took good care of me.  I do luv me some Bagel Boy on Sunday mornings! 

So we're down to the ten day mark.  In ten days T-bone will be leaving for college.  The Auburn girls were moving in today (I think Rush starts tomorrow) and I know the Alabama girls can't be far behind.  Thinking of all the moms (and dads!) today.  I know it's going to be much harder on me (and Coach) than it is T.  She's excited to start this new chapter in her life and I'm going to have a hard time letting go.  And I can tell you right now Coach is going to be a wreck.  This is the man who cried when the girls got their ears pierced. 

Ok!  Moving on to Social Sunday!  So excited for this week's questions!  I luv, luv, luv the Fall.  It's the best time of the year in our house . . . my b-day in September, our 20th Anniversary in October, Coach's b-day the day after that and KJ's 13th b-day the day after that!  I hate Alabama summers but luv Alabama Autumns!  I luv being able to open the windows and get some fresh air.  I luv sleeping with the windows open.  I luv waking up with a slight chill in the air.  I luv football season.  I luv having friends over to watch football on the back deck with a bonfire going.  I luv decorating the house for Fall.  I luv decorating the house for Halloween.  I luv Thanksgiving.  Yup.  Best time of the year for me! 

This weeks questions:

1. What is your favorite Fall activity? I absolutely luv everything about the Fall so this is going to be a tough one.  I would say Friday night high school football games, Saturday college football games and Sunday NFL games.  Decorating the house for Fall, bonfire evenings, and Halloween.

2. Do you follow a football team? if so which one and why? We've always been Alabama fans and of course this is a New York Jets house.  I guess this year we'll need to root for Ole Miss, too.  

3. What is something fun about Fall in your area? We've been going to the same pumpkin patch since we moved here 13 years ago.  It's a family tradition.   And Coach carves the pumpkins with the girls.  It's just one of those "dad" things.   

4. Fav Fall outfit staples? Jeans, a long-sleeve V-neck t-shirt from either Gap or Old Navy.  Cute scarves.  Lots of bracelets.  A great brown leather bag and brown leather boots with a heel because I'm vertically challenged in a big way. 

5. Thing you are looking forward to most about this coming Fall season? I am really, really excited about football season.  I'm really looking forward to tailgating in the Grove.  I'm looking forward to seeing Brye play and Rory cheer!  

6. Favorite Fall holiday? Traditions? Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday.  It's just such a simple holiday.  No cards.  No gifts to buy.  It's just a day to reflect, be thankful and spend time with your loved ones.  I luv cooking the turkey, I luv the textures of Fall, I luv the smells.  I luv having the girls help in the kitchen on Thanksgiving day (they like to make the mashed potatoes and crescent rolls).  I luv when Coach carves up the turkey.  

Next Week's Questions:

If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

What's your guilty pleasure/comfort food?

What's the weirdest/craziest thing you've ever eaten?

What foods do you avoid at all costs?

What meal reminds you of your childhood?

Share one of your favorite recipes and the story behind it.

The Brother From Another Mother

SO, SO, SO Proud of Brye! What an incredible accomplishment and testament to his character. We've always said he was an amazing young man on and off the field and I guess his teamates and coaches at Navy think the same! Champ is positively over the moon!!!
http://www.navysports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/021012aae.html