Used to be I would hop in the car and drive anywhere. It didn't matter that it was 200 or more miles away. Now, I think I'd rather stay in my jammies and have a movie day. Does that mean I'm getting old??

Well, even though I think I've lost my sense of adventure, Tdawg and I drove to Boiling Springs, North Carolina to visit Gardner Webb University. We drove through Chattanooga, TN to Knoxville, TN to Ashville, NC and over the mountains into Boiling Springs, NC. It was a pretty good drive...but really long. We left at 8a central and got there about 4p eastern, with a lunch stop in Knoxville. The weather was not the greatest: about 20 degrees and snow. Some of the driving was a tad nerve wracking.

I was so glad we got there before dark! We looked around the small town and drove around the campus. We checked into the hotel and had dinner. Georgio's had awesome authentic Italian food. Mama Mia!! I was so full and I ended up giving half of my Tour of Tuscany (lasagna, fettuccine and ravioli) to Tdawg.

Saturday morning, we toured the campus. And the football facilities. All I can say is WOW! The weight room was bigger than my house. The locker room was bigger than Cosmos gym and the high school field house combined. It is a private college and division one. They have money and do not mind spending it. Even the training room is nice: with 12 tables!   They provide all sorts of workout/practice/game clothes and equipment...and they wash them too!  Bless them!!

We finished our tour with a private meeting with the head coach.  He was very gracious and genuine.  I would so like for Tdawg to play there.  It is really far away (sniff) but he would get such a good education.  It would be a great stepping stone to medical school, or whatever he chooses to do.  This really is tough!

Sunday morning, we drove (I drove, Tdawg snored) back through Gaffney, SC to Spartanburg, SC to Atlanta, GA to see my sister and her husband. We had a lovely lunch at Copeland's. Yummy!! It was just the break I needed. Yes, it was Sunday...but driving in Atlanta's 8 lanes of traffic make me SO nervous. And then north to Alabama. All in all, 890 miles. Maybe my sense of adventure isn't gone after all.

Tdawg was so nervous that he didn't sleep much Friday night or Saturday night.  So, by Tuesday he had bronchitis.  And with him coughing like a maniac, I didn't sleep either.  I'm so tired...and still have much to do.  Next weekend, we go to eastern Tennessee and the following to Indiana and the next to Memphis.  I get tired just thinking about it!!

o

Goals Dreams and Inspirations

Wow, I'm really in a funk. It has rained for days: dark, damp, dreary, dismal, drippy and depressing. I have webmd diagnosed myself with seasonal disorder. So what is the rx? I'm not one for pills. So I called bestie and whined through lunch. That actually does help by the way...temporarily! Bestie is not only a good listener...she asked me what my dreams are. I don't know! I have done the same thing for so long that I think I've lost myself along the way. I have determined my identity by what I do: wife, mom, worker bee. The biggest problem with that is when it radically changes. I was the victim of a layoff two months ago. So now I am: wife, mom and useless. I have been doing projects to validate my not working. It is good to finish projects: refurbish the outside lights, organize the closet, paint the living room. But pretty soon, the projects aren't enough. And thus the funk. So, even though I'm not much for resolution. I think some goals, dreams and inspirations are in order. Starting with reading One Thousaind Gifts.

Cletus Update

Cletus did indeed break his foot. He was limping around some but stepping off of the curb made it unbearable. The xray showed three or four spider-like fractures. Doc said it is typically slow to heal. It is right below the base of the pinkie toe, where all the tendons and ligaments connect. So, he is in a cast for six weeks. Bummer! He is not a good patient! Now that I think about it, I haven't met a guy yet who is a good patient. "Ya big baby!" He is most frustrated by his lack of mobility. Well, on a happier note, he loves the Kindle that I got him for Christmas. Maybe that will keep him sane for the remaining five weeks. Now the question is: what is going to keep me sane for the remaining five weeks.

Buddy is 20!

Hard to believe my little boy is 20...but then again, he is 6'5" and not exactly little. What a sweetie he is!!

Happy New Year

And so we say good-bye to 2011...I sincerely hope that 2012 is a lot better. Thus far it is not starting out so well. Buddy is still not feeling well. Three weeks ago, he had all four of his wisdom teeth removed along witha twelve year molar that was impacted. Maybe V is right, he won't eat because of the pain. His diet has been basically one meal of 1/2 box of macaroni and cheese, one pudding cup, sprite...and later a cup of vanilla ice cream. Best guess is about 500 calories. He has lost 11 pounds in two weeks. I have to beg and plead to get him to go out for a little while. One day we went and played putt-putt. Afterwards, he just wanted to come home. He went up to bed and stayed there the rest of the day. I think Cletus has broken his foot. He had been limping around for about a week. He didn't know why. And then Satureday, he mis-stepped up onto a curb and felt a stabbing pain. It is now swollen and it can't bear weight. So he has been using Tdawg's old crutches, until we can get into see the doc.

December Birthdays

My great niece (Z) turned 2.

A few days later, my nephew (K) turned 4.

I think I'm getting too old for little kids!

Christmas in the Park

The grills met to walk in the park and see the Christmas trees. And then on to Bonefish Grill (yum!)

Being an accountant, love the local CPA firm with their beancounter ornaments.

Love the one from the health center. You have to laugh when you see miniature barbells, jumpropes and yoga mats on a tree.

Dr. Seuss is always a good idea.

Also loved the tree with antique doorknobs, keys and hinges. I wasn't the only one who liked it, it won for most unique.

Auburn Letters

My friend gave this to me for Christmas. She did a great job with chipboard letters, scrapbook paper and embelishments.

Modgepodge Letters

I actually made something off of Pinterest. I should not have trimmed the pictures...but since I did, I filled in with stickers. Z and K's parents loved them. Really easy to make. I got the wood letter from Hobby Lobby. Painted it. Then modgepodged the pictures on. I went ahead and sprayed it with sealant after I got finished.

At the Beach

Actually, at Bridgestreet at the SOCA gallery. The paint was incredibly thick and difficult to work with.