september in starkville

I felt like I didn't see Kyle much in September. With his part time job 2 nights a week and me being a football widow at times, we have to make the most out of our time together. Oh it gets better.  He went to Dallas for 3 days (Sept 21-23). So on Tuesday night he had trivia (part-time job), early Wednesday morning he flew to Dallas, Friday at 11pm he got back. Then early Saturday we left for Starville for some football or as I call it tailgating and eating lots of food. I'm tired again from typing that.

This was my 1st home game of the season. Louisiana Tech played Mississippi State and they barley won...in over time.

Ryan and Kyle (and coach Dan in the middle). College roommates.

We stayed the night in Starkville and ate breakfast at City Bagel. It is a quaint spot in Starville and they serve some mean bagels. Yummy! Then we drove home and cooked out with my parents. Finally, I got to see my hubby all weekend!

the september saga

For some reason, September was such a busy month for us! Kyle went down to Starkville for the Mississippi State vs Louisiana State football game on Thursday (the weekend of Sept 16). Of course I have no pictures from the game! He took off on Friday since it was a Thursday night game. On Friday, he went to his hometown to his high school homecoming football game to see some old friends.

I stayed in town because I had big plans!

On Friday, I parked my jeep at work and I saw this piece of sod at a parking meter.

I was really confused. Why were they sodding the concrete? That makes no sense. Do these men not know that you need to have dirt to grow grass.

Oh, it was Park(ing) Day! Who knew?! Basically it is a day where parking meters are turned into temporary parks. It was fun to watch the parks construct from my window all morning.

Jen and I walked around and saw some of the parks. Look--a bison in the street! You know Shelby Farms had to have a parking spot!

I decided to go camping at mud island park!

Not sure what this was but they took old tires and made them into see-saws. All my UT-Martin ADPi's...this reminds me of teeter-totter!

The Memphis Roller Derby was right under my window. We didn't get to look at all the parks but next year I hope to spend more time at them. And not get caught off guard by men laying sod at a meter.

Then, Jen and I went to Harbor town for mani/pedis for my belated birthday present! Very relaxing! Thanks Jen!

Saturday was the annual Women run/walk 5k hosted by the Memphis Runners Track Club. It is a 10 week program for beginner walkers to advanced runners. I did the advance class with Danielle, my director at work. Also, my manager Sheila completed the walk along with our other manager Jill.

Camille-Sheila-Danielle-Jill-me

Danielle had a PR (personal record) and won 2nd in her age group for the runners. Jill won 2nd in her age group for the walkers! Sheila completed her 1st 5k. Good job girls!!

April and I before the race!

This is such an encouraging program to be a part of. I highly recommend you do this if you live in Memphis! It is held the same time every year. 

Cindy-Krista-Amanda-me

Then I joined some of my bible study girls and hung out at the Cooper Young Festival. Don't you love our cool sun glasses thanks to Comcast?!

I had such a fun, busy weekend. I think my favorite part was the 5k. All the women that completed the 5k reached a goal. Whether it was to finish or to beat their previous time. I love to see people do more than they think they can do. There were women of all shapes and sizes and all different paces. We supported each other to keep it up and get healthy! We did it!

football widow

The 2nd weekend in September Kyle got last minute tickets to see Mississippi State play at Auburn. Kyle and his friend Jeff drove to Rosewell (outside Altanta) to stay with Tony (a family friend). 

View from their seats.

 Tony, Kyle, and Jeff at Toomer's corner. This is the tree that the crazy Bama fan tried to kill. So glad that Tony is a picture taker!!!

Question-what was your favorite memory of your trip?  

Kyle-"the war eagle smashed into the sky box. I think he got confused and saw his reflection and BAM! It is an Auburn tradition to have the eagle fly around the stadium before the game. He is ok, but I really felt bad for the poor guy."

Kyle-"I also enjoyed my breakfast I had at the Mancuso Bed and Breakfast. (we call Tony's house that!) It was so good-real bacon and an omelet biscuit."

I call myself a football widow. But it is really not that bad. I really enjoy going to the games, mostly to eat at the tailgates. The food is amazing! I could have a husband who loves to hunt and I surely would not be going with Kyle to do that. There is no food at the deer stand and no talking. I would not survive! So I am thankful for his love of football and that it is such a family event. We get to see his family AND eat. What more could I ask for? I am glad I enjoy his past time!

I had great weekend myself-my parents and I went to the Drive-In! Brings back memories of when I was a kid! Then I ran a 10k. Fun times!

georgia girls

My office mate, April, invited Jen and I down to her parents new lake house in Georgia Labor Day weekend. We had a great girls trip!

Day 1: we relaxed and relaxed.

Day 2: We relaxed and layed out. Later that night, we had a great meal!

Jen is an amazing cook and April's parents have THE perfect kitchen! Jen was in heaven.

While Jen cooked, I hung out in the claw bath tub! (yes I have my clothes on for the photo op!)

I did make the salad! It was yum! We had chicken and potatoes too! And don't forget Jen's strawberry crunch dessert! 

Every morning, Jen and I had a coffee drink. I need one of these in my house. I really need one that makes pumpkin spice lattes year round!

Jen and I went on a hike. We found the lake and some other critters!

On Sunday, we went to visit April's family. Their house was featured in Southern Living. I loved their lake house!



For dinner, April took us to a place so we could try Georgia's BBQ. And I give them props, it was yum!

I kind of felt bad for living it up in the theatre room while the opening weekend of college football was going on. Kyle would've been in heaven in this movie room!

At least I took advantage of it! April's mom called us the divas! I could get used to this.

How cute is April's nephew's room?! ARRRR matey!

All in all, we had a great girl's trip! Thanks to April's family for letting us visit and thanks to April for letting us tag along! I hope to come back soon!!!

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?!