Date: August 23, 2010Location: Our HouseTuscaloosa, ALEveryone Loves Justin
Did you take your teacher birthday gifts when you were in school? Furthermore, did you even know their birth date? I'm guessing probably not. Neither did I. It seems to be common these days. I credit Facebook. Not only are these kids on FB, but they want to be friends with their teachers. I don't think I would have friended a teacher if the social network had been around in the mid- to late 90s.
Justin missed school Friday, on his actual birthday, but was greeted with a montage of goodies on his return. This is what he brought home.
Date: August 22, 2010Location: Memaw's HouseNorthport, ALHappy Birthday, yet again!
This time we are at Memaw's house for a pizza party. Glenda bought Justin an Alabama themed cake; he also got the coaches' shirt (in gray this year). The fam got him several nice gifts, including cash money.
Since we were all gathered together, Justin got everyone's attention and decided to make the big announcement: (dramatic pause and everyone stared at me) he's having corrective eye surgery.
You know what they were all thinking. Memaw gasped excitedly before he told the news. And she was quickly let down, and yes, that's what he intended to do.
Date: August 21, 2010Location: Mom's HouseNicholsville, ALThe Self Portrait
Now we're leaving the little resort in South Alabama and I want to take one last picture to show how badly we are sunburned. Nope, didn't happen. We tried more than once and this is the best. Besides Justin's inability to take this seriously, you can't even tell how red we really are. It's safe to call this one another photo fail.
Date: August 20, 2010Location: Mom's HouseNicholsville, ALHappy Birthday!
Justin and I are getting to that point in our relationship that we realize presents and gifting aren't necessary. This makes me happy. I am not a "stuff" person; I don't tend to save items for the sentimental value (I even wanted to rent a wedding dress gasp...!).Travel is important to Justin and me. In a way, we use trips, big or small, as gifts to each other. With all that being typed, I can tell you how we spent the hubby's birthday: "we went to this little resort in South Alabama..." (sorry, another inside joke). Seriously, we went to my mom's house, in South Alabama. She and the fam were out of town. We took off work Friday and stayed overnight to enjoy their pool and home. They bought us the steak dinner. It was a nice getaway and the long weekend was refreshing.
Date: August 19, 2010Location: The RefrigeratorTuscaloosa, ALBirthday Card
I've showcased a lot of TV shows in this blog, but somehow haven't mentioned that my all time fav right now is The Office. (Steve Carell, why do you want to leave??)As it heads into its seventh season, my grandparents have just started to watch reruns of the first seasons. And they love it! So when Big Mama saw this card, she just had to get it for Justin's birthday (tomorrow!!). It's great and is now covering up that chore list I once swore by.
Date: August 18, 2010Location: Cypress InnTuscaloosa, AL
Dining Out
Remember Tiffanee (the preggo one on the right)? She is still holding that baby captive. Elisha and I wanted to take her out for one more ladies' night before Chace comes. Together, we chose Cypress Inn.We had a great time; almost as great a time as the ladies at the table beside us. One of them was celebrating her 58th birthday. They each ordered an appetizer as their meal; I assume that was to save room for all the drinks they consumed. Tiff, Elisha, and I all agreed that we hope to be "that kind of cool" when we are middle-aged women.
Date: August 17, 2010Location: Our HouseTuscaloosa, ALYep, and it's chocolate!
According to an online article I read, 60% of adults are lactose intolerant. I used to be one of them. I suffered for the first 25.5 years of my life. Then suddenly, over the summer, everything changed... for the good. I gulped down a nice cold glass of chocolate milk for the first time in years with no painful tummy ache later! I thought, at first, it was just coincidence, but now, I've enjoyed many more pain-free dairy products.
Date: August 16, 2010Location: Our DrivewayTuscaloosa, AL
Attack Mode
A constant nuisance at our house is the wasp. We can't mow the lawn, use the grill, or check the mail without a swarm threatening us. Justin has sprayed all around the house to no avail. We've decided to call in the pros.
This picture was taken right after Justin counterattacked the nest in the T News mailbox. Yes, in the mailbox. He decided to collect several of them in a glass jar for his fellow coworker, a science teacher.
Date: August 15, 2010Location: Hollywood 16 CinemasTuscaloosa, AL
Inception
Another Sunday in the heat for work; however, this day was not as hot. While standing under the tent, talking and mostly listening to spoiled college kids, I overheard a conversation about Inception. Most of them had seen it already but one had not. So there were no spoilers. The more they talked, the more I wanted to see it.
I sent a text to Justin and asked him to take me on a date for the matinee showing. I liked it. The visual effects were great. But after reading all the comments from my Facebook friends and hearing the guys talk earlier in the day, I was a little tiny bit disappointed. I think my expectations were too high; I expected to have my mind blown.My Disclaimer: I had a very vivid imagination as a kid. I actually really thought and believed that my life was simply a book that another person was reading. I "rationalized" that the reason I slept was that the reader put the book down to go about his/her own life. There were many more details in my book theory. So maybe Inception was just not out there enough for me.
Date: August 14, 2010Location: Our KitchenTuscaloosa, ALWhatcha Got Cookin?
I love to cook, and Justin loves bacon. However, I do not love bacon, nor do I love to cook it. The solution? Teach him to cook it himself. It's a win-win.
Date: August 13, 2010Location: Our DrivewayTuscaloosa, ALCaddy
Since my husband's truck had to go in the shop, he called his dad to borrow a vehicle. And ended up with his late grandmother's Cadillac. He literally begged me to drive it to work. All I could do was laugh because I was imagining me backing it into one of the parking spaces (depending on the order we get to work, we may have to back in). It's a land yacht; there was no way I could have backed it in. He sucked it up... and made sure he left work after everyone else.
Date: August 12, 2010Location: My BathroomTuscaloosa, ALOver or Under?
I hear that this issue has actually caused divorce. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate that my husband replenishes the TP roll. But come on, PUT IT ON CORRECTLY!! I think people either want it to roll over OR they don't have a preference. I have never met anyone who prefers that it roll under. It's just less convenient. Just FYI, I did change it. I HAD to. :/
Date: August 11, 2010Location: My CarBirmingham, ALNice Lunchbox
This is my last day of training in Birmingham. I've gotten to know a few ladies in my class so we are a little more chatty now. I guess one of them didn't know how to strike up a convo with me. So as we were walking back into the lab from a restroom break, she asked, "Is that your lunchbox?". I was dumbfounded. I didn't know what to say. So I said the obvious: "No, this is my purse." I still laugh when I think about it.
Date: August 10, 2010Location: My HouseTuscaloosa, ALThai Curry Chicken
One word: delicious! I wish you could smell this dish in the making. You are looking at a wok full of onion, garlic, green pepper, chicken, and potato sizzling in sesame oil and red curry paste. The next step is to add lemon juice, coconut milk, cilantro, and the spices (turmeric, cumin seed, garam masala, crushed red pepper, Thai chili sauce, salt and pepper).
Serve with Jasmine rice and nan. Now I am craving it again.
Date: August 9, 2010Location: Shades Valley BuildingBirmingham, ALWork, Work, Work
Following that particularly hot Sunday outside, I got to spend three days in Birmingham for Deposit Ops training. It was a nice break from work, even though I was still working. I learned a lot, and now our Relationship Banker has a back-up.
Date: August 8, 2010Location: Capstone QuartersTuscaloosa, ALGive Away
Remember how I said Sundays include lunch with Billy? Not this particular Sunday. Instead, I spent 5 hot hours outside a student apartment complex to recruit new accounts. Fail. Zero accounts. And I get to do it again next week! Other than the heat, it was not bad at all.
Date: August 7, 2010Location: UA ColiseumTuscaloosa, ALSteph Graduates
Glenda's favorite birthday gift this year: Stephanie's graduation. We spent the first part of the day in Coleman Coliseum to honor Steph and the mid-day at La Fiesta to celebrate Glenda's birthday. By that afternoon, I only wanted to show appreciation for my fluffy pillow. I think we took a five hour nap, and still slept all night.
Date: August 6, 2010Location: UA Rec CenterTuscaloosa, ALCrimson Slide
As a college student at the University of Alabama, I never once used the pool on campus. I never thought my first trip would be with a group of church camp counselors that I'd never met before. The camp directors (Justin being one of them) rented the pool for the end of summer party for all the people who worked this summer. It was fun to watch a group of relatively young people interact with one another. I tend to be a people watcher; it was an interesting and good night.
Date: August 5, 2010Location: Our BedroomTuscaloosa, ALFirst Day of School
When I came out of the bathroom this morning, I realized just how ready my husband to be going back to school this year. I thought it was funny that he had his clothing options on the bed. I just wish I would have seen him trying to choose. Keep in mind that he is a coach; he usually wears a polo and khaki pants. His sweater vests are reserved for "special occasions." The fact that he thought about it tells me he was excited to go back. For the kids' first day back, he wore a button down shirt and tie. What a statement!
Date: August 4, 2010Location: Innisfree Irish PubTuscaloosa, ALHappy Hour
Four years ago, staying up until four in the morning was common for me. Now it's just an inside joke between me and my husband. Once upon a time, I only wanted to be out and about when everyone else would be there, too. Now, I can't stand to be shoulder to shoulder with complete strangers in a loud, stinky place. Happy Hour is great with me; I prefer to be home and in bed by the time the "that used to be me" type arrive at the bar. Funny how life changes a person.
Date: August 3, 2010Location: My CarTuscaloosa, ALLicense and Registration
As I backed out of my driveway, I noticed four police cars at the end of our road. When I approached the officer, he asked for proof of insurance and my license. They were conducting a random search in a residential neighborhood at 8 a.m. I am not calling our great officers of the law a bunch of liars, but I think they were up to something. I'm still wondering what it was....
Date: August 2, 2010Location: Wilhagan'sTuscaloosa, ALThe Pool Hall
Everyone needs a place to hang out, relax, and call their own place. Ours is Wilhagan's. Justin and his coworkers favor it because there is entertainment and great food. Seriously, this place has the best chicken fingers. I can't wait to go back. If you join their birthday club, they send a birthday coupon for a free appetizer, meal, and dessert the month of your birthday. And the hubby's is later this month. I definitely see a trip to "the pool hall" in my near future.
Date: August 1, 2010Location: Billy's HouseNorthport, ALSunday Dinner
Sundays include Sunday school, church service, and lunch at Nanny's house (now occupied by Justin's dad). That's the way it's been since Justin was a kid, and I assume that's the way it will be for many more years. Billy's girlfriend, Chris, is a great cook of Southern cuisine, and I enjoy her fresh vegetables and various desserts. She uses many of Nanny's old recipes as well as many of her family favorites.
The picture is Justin, in his usual chair, watching the usual on the tube. Let's see, it's baseball season; I bet that's what's on!
Date: July 31, 2010Location: DayStar Family ChurchNorthport, ALBaby ShowerTime is getting closer! Baby Chace is almost here, and I know his mom, Tiffanee, is very ready to meet him. He's a lucky little guy whose parents and family will spoil him rotten. He is expected to be here on September 6th; the doctor says he is already a big boy. Good luck, Tiffanee.
Date: August 23, 2010
