maybe it was memphis

Football has begun. Well, a month ago it did. So I'm a month behind. Who's keeping tabs? Kyle and I went to the Memphis State (I'm old school and won't call it the University of Memphis) vs Mississippi State game at the Liberty Bowl. It was a Thursday night and after work, we joined my cousin Brett's tailgate. Maybe it's just in Memphis, but I got some really interesting pictures!

I hate I did not get a side view of this El Camino.  

 This was my 2nd favorite picture: a tiger peeing (blue pee) on a bulldog and the very loud cowbell.

We met up with Jen and Leon. Jen and I found Susan (on the right) and crashed her tailgate. She works with us. 

My favorite picture. These guys love their coach. Mullets for Mullen. I had to snag them for a picture. However, I did not see them at the last Mississippi State home game I went to. 

And finally...me and my football obsessed husband! He asked why I was wearing blue. I wore a teal, blue shirt, a Mississippi State bracelet, and a Mississippi State sticker. I was a confused fan. I cheered for both teams. Let's face it, we all know how bad Memphis is. They needed some fans!

toilet paper husband

I was at a work training day today and I had an "ah ha" moment.  I work with children with special needs and their families. The trainer was going over family supports and the subject of duties of a husband came up. We were talking about family morning routines. Basically, our mock family had 4 children. 3 of which were either teens or tweens. Then there was the younger child that was under 2 years. We were talking about how crazy it is in the morning with getting everyone ready for school, breakfast, preparing lunches, carpool, and all the other things that happens when you have 4 kids. Our trainer then asked the mock mom "does your husband help or does he have certain responsibilities?"

During our debriefing, we went over that question and he called it the toilet paper person. Who is the person in the house that realizes that there is no more TP? Do they realize it when there is one sheet left? When there are 2 rolls left? Who is that person? In my family, that person is Kyle!

It is not that I had an "ah ha" moment. I had an "I need to brag on my husband" moment. First I need to thank my in-laws for raising an amazing man. They taught him well. I realize more and more each day how blessed I am. For example, I'll be on my way home and call Kyle to ask him if he can start a load of laundry. He says "I already did." Then he'll call me and say "what do you want for dinner?" Or, like yesterday, I knew I would not see him until 9pm due to his part-time job and wanted to ask how his day went. He proceeds to tell me he made me a salad and it is in the fridge. It is those little things that make a big difference! We are a team. He does his part without complaining. And without me asking. He says "this is our home and we both play a part....I want to do mine." I don't want you to think that we are peachy all the time. We are married, of course, and have our different way of thinking. But those are so few. And I think it is because I know that Kyle looks out for me and my needs and vise-versa.

Thanks Kyle for being my toilet paper husband. For the record, he beats me to the punch!!! 

FYI: I feel like men get a bad rap for not helping out their wives with house chores! This is for all you awesome husbands out there! We appreciate you!

thirty-two

I am now 32. I'm ok with it. Don't I have to be?! I'm a spring chicken...in my early 30s.

I wanted to be pool side for my b-day. So Kyle and I headed to Tunica for the heat wave party. Sounds pretty party-like aye? Wrong! It was pretty low key. They had a DJ playing some tunes, we got some sun, watched people play volleyball. I kinda felt like I was at an all inclusive resort for a while. They had the lawn chairs that were made out of beds in the cabanas, a wait staff, BUT then I came back down to reality when there was no sandy white beaches.  Then the party people came out....

...we got there early, around noon. We left around 4 and that is when the heat wave started to get heated! HA! My low key party was too good to be true. I had a great time people watching. As we were leaving, the world's sexiest DJ arrived.

Time to eat. We went over to Paula Dean's and met our friends Jen and Leon where I had 4 plates full of food. Jen was in shock. She'd never seen me in action.  It is a rare occasion, but you if see me and Kyle in Tunica, you can bet we are there to eat! It is an event. We're there for about 3 hours. I am not kidding either. We get full then we go home. We are wild I tell you! Then we eat healthy for about 4 months and do it all over again. Why would I waste my time on slots when I could be eating?!

team 2

I work with a bunch of great ladies. Some of us started working around the same time. I personally think we all work very well together.

Team 2 at a training.

I am now a part of two teams and the good thing about being a part of team 4 is that I get to travel once a month to see them. And by travel I mean drive about 40 miles away but it is still fun to go on a mini-road trip to someones house to eat and work!  People who work where I do rarely leave. They suck you in and it is hard to get away. Especially now that we have a very swanky downtown office!

let's go cabining

Some of our friends went to Pickwick back in August. This time we decided to just go to the pool. So I guess we went to "the pool" not Pickwick.We didn't worry about renting a boat. We had the best time hanging out and of course, eating!

I didn't get a lot of photos but the pool was about a quater of a mile away. Shelly and Betsy rode in the back to the pool. They are brave souls.



We all ended up taking a nap on the lounge chairs at the pool. Kyle really enjoyed his!

 Jen and Leon came and Jen made this delish potato salad! Kristy was excited to have help in the kitchen this time.



Kyle grilled his famous "Kyle bugers." Maybe he'll put the recipe on here one day.

We had a great time relaxing, playing games, sunning, and spending time together doing nothing. I have some fun friends! Who needs a boat when we are this much fun!!

new arrival

It's not what you think. But I got your attention! We went to see Mimi in August. And we got to meet Annlea. Matt (Kyle's cousin) and Laura had their 1st baby! Well, we met her at Leah's wedding but we got to spend quality time with her this go round.

Isn't she cute?! Kyle and her have the same hair-do!

Somehow Mimi looks mad in this picture. Annlea loves her great-grandmother.

And she loves her great-great aunt! I tried to hold her and she didn't love me so much. Or at least she had a hard way of showing it! She is super cute and has the best hair of a 7-weeker I've seen.

So I've talked a lot about Mimi and her wine. It never fails. We got to Mimi's and she had Sutter Home wine for me and her, and a Bud Light for Kyle. And I can't forget about the chips & dip.

I have really enjoyed having her around! She is a very funny lady.

We had a great time, yet again, at Mimi's. My in-laws came up and we all went to eat at the Cock of the Walk on the reservoir. Ugh, it was hard to "walk" after that meal.

food for finance: i promise i cook

(healthy) food for finance is a column where we talk about how fitness and finance correlate with each other. join us on our journey to be both physically and financially fit.

Somehow, I've been known as the girl that doesn't cook. Ok, Ok...so "cooking" a salad does not count. Just because I make simple dishes doesn't mean I can't cook! Kyle enjoys it more than me. We definitely have role reversal in our household. He is the meal planner. He does a lot of the cooking. And don't get him started on grocery shopping. He loves it! But I will have you know that we are a TEAM! I cut....he cooks!

One night I cooked a whole meal by myself. Of course Kyle had to grab the camera.  

It is very easy to make and very healthy! 

The final product. It was a weight watchers recipe: Turkey Sausage and Peppers. However, I use the turkey sausage with nothing hot in it.

Mostly we eat at home. It is a great thing to do for many reasons.

1. We get to spend time together.

2. We know what we are putting in our food so we know it is healthy.

3. It is so much cheaper than eating out.

4. We have leftovers to bring lunch to work the next day.

Below is one of my favorite recipes: mini shepherds pie.

 We modified the recipe to make it heathier. We used turkey meat, light cressent rolls, reduced fat cheese, etc.



Look at me wearing an apron. This girl can cook!

Bon appetit!!