Bluebonnets and Bouncyballs

Our sun bather

2012-01-16T11:07:00.002-06:00

Gracie enjoying the simple joys of life

A Whole Year!

2011-10-10T14:26:00.002-05:00

Our beautiful niece, Molly, turns one year old today! Happy birthday, Molly!!

Happy Birthday, Alissa and Drew!

2011-09-22T22:10:00.006-05:00

Today, Drew turns 3 years old! He is the sweetest nephew you could ask for. He's becoming such a big boy!

It is Alissa's birthday, too. Isn't it cool that Drew was born on Alissa's birthday? Happy birthday to Alissa (aka Mom Extraordinaire)!

Happy Birthday, Logan!

2011-08-09T10:45:00.008-05:00

Our nephew, Logan, turns a year old today! He's an added treasure in our lives!

Keep the Faith

2011-06-21T16:03:00.005-05:00

Seeing Bon Jovi in Las Vegas was awesome!! Pat and I have always wanted to see a show at the MGM Grand Arena. It was an awesome place to see one of our favorite bands. They never disappoint!

Las Vegas in March

2011-06-21T15:39:00.008-05:00

In March, Pat and I decided to see Bon Jovi in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand. Without realizing, we arrived at the end of March Madness. It wasn't planned that way but we did notice that it was busier than normal. We also didn't plan on the weather being cold! It was freezing with temperatures in the 50s or 60s with a very strong wind. Brrr!

I was able to see Celine Dion's new show. She is AH-MAH-ZING! This show had the feel of a classic Vegas show. She did many of her earlier hits. Think "My Heart Will Go On" and earlier. She had several "duets" with Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, and herself. I was so enthralled when she covered the Ella Fitzgerald song. Ella is my favorite singer of all time, and Celine is a close second. It's special to me that I've seen both of Celine's Las Vegas shows.

Pat and I have been to Vegas enough times to know the places we enjoy. The Bellagio has a garden area where they create entire scenes from flowers. It is never the same thing twice.

At New York, New York, they re-created the Statue of Liberty out of jelly beans!

Our Trip to Indianapolis

2011-05-25T17:00:00.001-05:00

For my birthday last November, Pat bought me tickets to see the Indianapolis Colts play the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 19. We traveled to Indy but couldn't fly Southwest. When we arrived in Indy, our bags had other plans. My suitcase was stuck in Detroit, and Pat's took an even longer trip. Thankfully, we got our bags about 6 hours later.

Our walk to Lucas Oil Stadium was extremely cold with freshly fallen snow. It was so cold!!

Lucas Oil is beautiful. This was my first NFL game, and I really enjoyed getting to see the differences between college and NFL games. EVERYTHING is sponsored but not in an obnoxious way. I was thrilled to see Peyton Manning play, a player destined for the Hall of Fame. Best of all, the Colts won!

Go Colts!!

I am a slacker!

2011-05-25T16:39:00.002-05:00

I haven't posted anything since February. I've been wanting to catch up, so the next posts will cover some of the time I've missed!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T10:00:00.006-06:00

Purrs and love from our little teddy bear!

Our Commercial

2011-01-16T09:53:00.005-06:00

We were asked for our wedding photos for Tuscaloosa's Bridal Show, and they put us in their commercial! Check it out!

P. S. Pat wrote the script!

This is for you, George...

2010-12-01T08:19:00.005-06:00

Our cat, George, is obsessed with boxes. This is so true...

(From The Cat's Meow)

Breast Cancer in Female Cats: Did You Know?

2010-10-28T08:31:00.006-05:00

Anyone who knows me can figure out how much I love our furry kids. We have two cats (George and Gracie) and our dog, Einstein. I would do anything to protect them.

I am an animal lover but have always been particularly fascinated by cats. I like to educate myself on cats and feel like I know almost everything. This morning, I found out something new. Did you know that female cats can get breast cancer? It is the 3rd most common tumor in female cats. Read the Halo Pets article below to learn even more.

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Did you know that cats get breast cancer too? In fact, breast cancer is the third most common tumor in female cats. Since October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month—learn how to check yourself and your cat!

How do I check my cat for breast cancer?
In addition to a routine veterinary visit once or twice yearly, I recommend a monthly "whole body check"—from the tip of the nose to the tail and out to the ends of the toes! In addition to looking at your cat's eyes, ears, mouth, skin, and hair…make sure you get a good feel as well! Run your hands along her head, neck, back, sides, down the legs and under the belly to check for any lumps, masses, swellings or sore spots. While people have only two breasts and there is no trick to finding them, cats have many breasts (also called mammary glands), and they are found in two straight lines extending from the left and right armpit, down the chest and into the groin area.Feel for breast lumps while your cat is standing and then gently roll them over on their back so you can look at the area also. First, while they are standing, move your hands under their belly all the way up into their armpits. Then slowly move your hands back to their groin area (where their legs attach to their body). Many overweight cats have quite a "pooch" in this area and you may need to massage the skin and fatty tissue to detect any lumps or swellings.

What if I find a lump?
A lump can be very small or quite large. They may feel like a hard pea or be soft and squishy. They may have a broken (often called ulcerated) surface and may even ooze a little. If you feel or see any type of lump, contact your veterinarian immediately. Breast tumors have an 80-90% chance of being malignant in cats. Don't wait to see if the lump grows or changes from month to month….get it looked at right away. It is always best to detect and deal with breast cancer early for the best outcome.

What can I do to minimize my cat's risk of developing breast cancer?

Spay your cat!
The single most important thing you can do to is to spay your cat prior to their first heat cycle. Spaying has been well-documented to reduce the risk of breast cancer to miniscule numbers. For example, cats spayed prior to 6 months of age had a 91% reduction in the risk of developing malignant breast cancer when compared to unspayed female cats. If you have adopted or rescued a cat (and we hope you do!) and are unsure if they are spayed, your veterinarian can help you determine that. Many cats spayed later in life do not develop breast cancer…but you should be on the look-out with that monthly exam and notify your veterinarian if you find anything amiss.

Go Natural!
Choose a natural cat food that avoids the use of preservatives, artificial colors or other synthetic chemicals. Although there is no proven link to feline breast cancer specifically, many synthetic chemicals have been linked to serious human reproductive and other health problems.

Stay lean and fit!
Fat doesn't increase the risk of breast cancer per se, but extra pounds can certainly hide a lump. Keeping your cat at a healthy weight will help you detect not only breast lumps, but any unusual swelling or abnormality on your cat's body. Wellness exams and early detection are key to successful outcomes with most cancers or other medical conditions.

3 Nephews and a Little Lady

2010-10-13T14:30:00.002-05:00

Our niece is here! Molly Madeline arrived on 10/10/10. Isn't that a cool birthday? She was 7 lbs, 10 oz and 21 inches. I will be meeting her soon!

Kyra Finally Won!!

2010-08-30T19:43:00.011-05:00

The Emmy voters finally wised up, and Brenda Lee Johnson (aka Kyra Sedgwick) won the 2010 Emmy for Best Actress in a Drama Series! Kyra has been nominated 5 times in a row and this is her first win. The Closer is the best show on television. Brenda's character is quirky, funny, serious, talented and most of all, well-written. I never cease to fall in love again and again with Brenda and the other detectives with every show.

Kyra was also one of my best dressed (in Monique Lhuillier) on the Emmys red carpet.

She was there supporting John Krasinski, but Emily Blunt was radiant in lavender Christian Dior.

Rounding the top 5 red carpet looks were Mariska Hargitay, Kim Kardashian, and Julianna Margulies. Mariska wears Vera Wang to many red carpet events. Let's be honest - does Mariska Hargitay ever look bad?? The answer is No!

Kim Kardashian looked lovely in white by Marchesa. The pair from Marchesa designs the go-to label for Hollywood, and their dresses never disappoint.

Julianna Margulies wore black L'Wren Scott and looked fabulous. The Good Wife is another great show with a female lead. If you haven't been watching, watch the Season 1 DVDs and catch it when Season 2 premieres in September.

Finally! New York pics!

2010-08-24T15:57:00.013-05:00

Over the July 4 holiday, Pat and I went to New York. It was the first time for both of us. We had so many great experiences despite the heat and our tired feet!

We stayed at The Warwick, a great hotel only a few blocks from Times Square. We walked to Times Square on our first night. It really is the center of the world. The activity was exciting.

We visited the Times Square museum that has an actual New Year's Eve ball on display. I had to take a picture of this cool wall inside the museum. People from all over the world post their wishes and dreams on this wall. It felt sweet and poignant.

We went to the Top of the Rock (Rockfeller Center) and saw New York all around us. It was one of our favorite experiences.

Central Park and In front of Empire State Building

On July 4, we traveled to Bronx to see the Yankees. The new stadium was impressive. It felt so patriotric to be at a baseball game on Independence Day.

That night, we watched fireworks over the Hudson River. It was awe-inspiring to be in New York watching the show with 3 million of our closest friends!

Some Well-Deserved Good Publicity

2010-08-12T14:24:00.005-05:00

Cats often get a bad rap from the world. They are no longer persecuted like they were in the Middle Ages, but they often don't get the credit they deserve.

(A side note: The number of cats became so low in the Middle Ages that the population of disease-carrying rats flourished, resulting in wide-spread epidemics and plagues throughout Europe. Take that, you cat-hating morons...but I digress...)

The Dumb Friends League Animal Shelter created a great video that sings the praises of the domestic cat. It is a great illustration of how amazing cats really are. Take a look...

He's Finally Here!

2010-08-09T20:24:00.003-05:00

Logan Richard, my newest nephew, entered the world today. He arrived at 12:04pm and was 8 lbs, 11 oz and 21.5 inches. Allison, Drew, and Logan are happy, healthy, and relieved!

Whoops...0-1

2010-08-03T08:20:00.003-05:00

Einie is disappointed that Ali did not pick Chris, since Chris was a good guy. It was a great first effort, but Einie is not used to such a pressure-cooker situation. He'll be sleeping in this morning and every morning in the future.

All is not lost...Einstein said that Chris may be the next Bachelor.

Einstein's Prediction

2010-08-02T19:37:00.008-05:00

Following in the footsteps of Paul the Octopus and Triton the Sea Lion, Einie has decided to become the next great predictor.

As a lifelong viewer of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, Einstein the Admirable has decided to reveal his greatness today.

His first challenge? Predicting tonight's Bachelorette finale...

His pick? Chris !!

Einie says you can take it to the bank!

Gracie's Debut

2010-08-01T08:33:00.001-05:00

As Miss August, Gracie made her calendar debut on refrigerators and walls today...

We are proud of our Diva Gracie!

Happy Birthday, America!

2010-07-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

Have an safe and fun 4th of July!!

Keep your pets safe around fireworks!

Another Special Gracie

2010-06-17T08:17:00.001-05:00

A heartwarming story about another beautiful cat named Gracie...

Amazing Grace

A Big Day

2010-06-13T16:01:00.004-05:00

Today is my funny, caring, and amazing husband's birthday!!

Happy birthday! I love you!

Spock the Vulcan Cat

2010-04-30T12:06:00.003-05:00

I had to share this neat story from peoplepets.com on my blog...

"She was a cat made in Internet heaven.

The 2-year-old calico was sweet, and friendly, but there was something else rather unusual about her. She was born with a birth defect in her right paw, which mimicked the splift-fingered hand gesture made popular by actor Leonard Nimoy on Star Trek.

That certainly got the attention of members of the Atlanta Humane Society as they walked through the Fulton County Animal Services looking for animals to rescue.

So they named her Spock, and featured her on the homepage of Atlanta Humane. Within a week, news of the cat with the sci-fi foot went viral, inspiring geeky commentary and photo illustrations from Trekkies on Fark.com.

Soon after that, Spock found her forever home — fittingly, with a family of Star Trek fans, though this one had no idea about all the buzz.

Freelance photographer Hannah Wildner and her 14-year-old son Chas, had been traveling to the Atlanta Humane Society in search of a dog, but as cat lovers, made time to meet some of new feline friends.

"My son was walking by her cage, and she just kind of hopped down, and was like, 'Hey, take me,'" Wildner tells PEOPLEPets.com. "When we found out her name was Spock, my son thought that was really cool, but for my husband and me, it just clenched it because we're Star Trek fans. Our other cat is named Rebel Alliance."

As she settles into her new home, the Wildner family is finding that Spock has rather un-Vulcan-like traits. According to Wildner, the perpetually saluting kitty is friendly, happy and active, and not at all calculating or controlled. "She's just a little cuddle bug.

"Her housemate Rebel Alliance, meanwhile, seems more closely related to the Star Trek character Spock, and she is none to happy about Spock the cat's presence."Rebel Alliance is very reserved, and she doesn't like to be held," says Wildner. "It's always on her terms. Rebel is top kitty. They'll have to figure out their social order just like siblings, but it'll work out."

We're Wanted, Dead or Alive

2010-04-26T20:35:00.006-05:00

We traveled to Nashville to see Bon Jovi last week. We saw them two years ago, too. As usual, the concert was AWESOME!!!!

Our seats were in the balcony on the last row. I couldn't get great pics, but the show was still amazing. They played almost 3 hours! The entire show is pure energy, and they just make you smile. I think they are genuinely having a good time and enjoying themselves. They play all your favorite songs and do a good job of working their new stuff into the set list. It is fun to watch artists with that much talent.

Bon Jovi has been around since 1983! If you've ever watched a bio of the band, you see that Jon Bon Jovi is the CEO and a genius businessman. Every part of the performance is thought out. They use big screens that split apart and then come back together. Some graphic designer or engineer is living his/her dream designing sets like theirs. You can tell that Bon Jovi are pros.

Relivin' our 80s childhoods...with our foreheads cut off! (No, I'm not a professional photographer!)

Once, Twice, Three Times a Kitty

2010-04-26T20:27:00.002-05:00

We're 3?!?!

Yes, George and Gracie are 3 years old. They've had an eventful year and are amazing furry kids. Since last April, they got a new daddy, a new brother, and a new house. They have been well-behaved and adjusted so well. They have the best personalities and are very vocal, especially Gracie. She'll have an entire conversation with you. George is still the sweetest boy and purrs every minute of every day.

Happy birthday, Georgie & Miss Grace!

Wedding Cake, Part Deux

2010-04-14T14:29:00.001-05:00

For tradition's sake, we ate our wedding cake for our first anniversary. We weren't expecting much, since it had been in my parent's freezer since last April. Mom predicted that it would taste like their refrigerator!

Much to our delight, it was good!! Since the wedding, we got many compliments from our guests about the wedding cake. Our baker was a chef and did wedding cakes on the side. She also did it for about half of the price of normal wedding cakes. I'm such a saver that I loved that!

Here's to old wedding cake! I might have another piece tonight! :-)

It Doesn't Feel Like a Whole Year

2010-04-14T14:05:00.000-05:00

Pat and I celebrated our one-year anniversary on Sunday. It doesn't feel like it's been that long! We went through many things during our first year of marriage. I lost my job last summer, and it wasn't easy. I couldn't have gotten through it without Pat. He keeps me positive and focused on the "bigger" picture.

Only last month did we move into our new home together. Just like many others, I put my house on the market during the worst housing slump in years. My house took 16 months to sell.

With the move, we are finally getting to use our wedding gifts. Thanks to all our wonderful guests! I really want to have another wedding. (With the same groom) The first one was so perfect and fun!

We may not have had an "ideal" first year, but I wouldn't change a thing. I am at a better point in my career, and the hardships only made us closer. I look forward to everything to come and am happy to have a wonderful partner! I love you, hubby!

Twins!!

2010-04-05T13:52:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to our amazing friends, Stephanie and Tim! They had their twin boys this morning! Tim was born at 7:37am and weighed in at 7 lbs, and Alex was born at 7:38am and weighed in at 6 lbs, 2 oz.

Good luck and love to the first-time parents!

Moving On

2010-03-18T15:50:00.001-05:00

Times have been really busy. After 16 months on the market, my home (mercifully) sold. I haven't blogged about it, because I was afraid to jinx the outcome. Now I can talk about it, because it closed on Monday!

Pat and I found a beautiful home together. It has 5 bedrooms and 3 baths with a finished basement. It has everything we want. I moved out of my old house yesterday and closed on our new home, too! It was a long and busy day.

The buyer and agent of my house made things very difficult and requested unnecessary repairs. One of those repairs included having my chimney cleaned and inspected by a licensed chimney sweep! Who knew there was such a thing?!? I had never even used my fireplace. I half expected for Dick Van Dyke to show up! Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-ee!

Since nothing about this past month has been easy, the only time available for the chimney sweep was yesterday at 8am! The movers came at 8am, the chimney sweep was there at 8am, and our closing was scheduled for 9am! Craziness!! If Mom and Dad weren't there to help, we'd have been in trouble. Thank the good Lord for awesome parents!

The possession date of the new house isn't until Tuesday, so I'm staying with Pat and Einstein. It's going well -- all things considered. We can't wait for our next moving day and for all this to be over!

Oscar Fashion - Award Season is Over!

2010-03-09T11:11:00.003-06:00

The fashion at the Oscars this year was pretty and ladylike without any major fashion missteps. Sandra Bullock was my best dressed and best speech of the night. She, very sweetly, thanked her deceased mother for giving her confidence and support. She is such a likeable and humble personality that it is almost like seeing your sister win the award (while wearing a custom, Marchesa gown and insanely expensive jewelry).

Elizabeth Banks wore grey Versace. The hair accessory was a great choice, and I loved it.

Meryl Streep looked incredible in white. She managed to look age appropriate and fashionable at the same time in Chris March. Mariska Hargitay got less attention, but I loved her in Vera Wang. I've never seen her look bad. I guess having Mickey Hargitay and Jayne Mansfield for parents doesn't hurt...

Rounding out my top five is Sarah Jessica Parker. Her dress was beautiful on television but not as good in a still photo. I liked how different it was from all the other gowns. Even though it was Chanel, she is the only one that can get away with a dress like that.

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T18:11:00.000-06:00

Pat surprised me by sending me tulips for Valentine's Day! Tulips were in my bridal bouquet and are my second favorite flower behind bluebonnets. (Too bad, you can only find those during springtime in Texas!)

So sweet!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Kitty-us Relax-us

2010-02-06T11:53:00.002-06:00

A species most often found in loving homes where the organism can live in comfortable and pampered surroundings; complete relaxation reached by the lack of worry of being poked in the stomach, having a more dominant animal pounce, or the occurrence of loud noises; most often found in the wilds of temperature-controlled homes...

Birthday Wishes

2010-02-02T18:31:00.001-06:00

Today is Dean's birthday. Happy Birthday!!!

We're Going to Be an Aunt/Uncle (Again)!

2010-01-29T08:38:00.000-06:00

Pat and I learned yesterday that we'll have another niece or nephew in the fall! Allison and Drew are expecting a baby on August 4. They are waiting to find out the sex of the baby. We are all so excited with it being the first grandchild for Pat's family! Congrats, Al and Drew!!

New UA Stadium Intro

2010-01-22T08:43:00.003-06:00

The University of Alabama released their new Bryant-Denny stadium intro for the upcoming fall season. This video gives me chills.

I have tried to explain the elephants in the video to others before. I couldn't ever do it justice. I LOVE the elephants with wearing war paint!! So incredibly awesome!

13 and Counting

Awards Season Has Started!

2010-01-18T19:34:00.002-06:00

Last night, the Golden Globes kicked off the award season. Despite the rain and potential hair issues, most everyone on the red carpet looked beautiful even with rain splotches. Purple and blush were the popular colors of the night.

My three faves...Emily Blunt (in Dolce & Gabbana), Jennifer Garner (in Atelier Versace), and Diane Kruger (in Christian Lacroix)

I feel the need to give out 3 honorable mentions. Courtney Cox looked the best she's looked in years with a gown designed by Victoria Beckham. (Yes, Posh Spice!) Lea Michele was lucky to wear Oscar de la Renta at her first Golden Globes. Jane Lynch rounds out my picks for looking so pretty. Her style is usually very boyish, but she really stepped it up!

Should I just change my blog's name to "Alabama SI covers"?

2010-01-14T15:55:00.001-06:00

BF promotion

2010-01-14T15:51:00.000-06:00

I have to brag on my hubby for the genius and generous promotion he's working on with Bama Fever. It's not "done" yet, but he gave me permission to blog about it.

Bama Fever will be offering Alabama fans the opportunity to help the earthquake victims in Haiti. When you go to their stores, you can donate your old 12 national championship clothes to the people of Haiti and be able to replace it with new 13 national championship gear from the store.

Go Bama!

Roll Tide Forever

2010-01-14T15:43:00.001-06:00

It has been too long since I've posted. It's not because I didn't want to or because I didn't have anything to talk about. For goodness sake, the University of Alabama won their 13th National Championship!!!! It was truly amazing to watch history being made. You couldn't help but feel sorry for Colt McCoy (a very classy guy), but his arm is healing and he just got engaged. (On the Texas stadium 50-yard line!) I think he'll be fine when he's counting his NFL millions...

Even a week later, it still hasn't sunk in. I can't wait until the first game against San Jose State in the fall. All the videos and images have to change from 12 to 13 national championships and 21 to 22 SEC championships.

It was just Alabama's year. I am so glad this team won it. The players were such great guys off the field, so it makes their 14-0 run even sweeter. How can you not smile after hearing McElroy and Ingram talk about team work and dedication?

GO BAMA!! ROLL TIDE!!

Our Miss August 2010

2010-01-04T08:00:00.001-06:00

The GBHS 2010 calendar came out, and Gracie is Miss August! She will only give out autographed copies by request. She IS our little diva...

Heeere's Gracie!

2010-01-03T17:28:00.000-06:00

All work and no play makes Gracie a very dull girl...

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T11:23:00.001-06:00

Santa's Visit

2009-12-27T14:31:00.002-06:00

Our first Christmas as a married couple was great! We covered both families by having breakfast with Pat's family and lunch with mine on Christmas day. Santa visited Einstein, George, and Gracie. They loved all their gifts!

Einie enjoying Nana and Papa's toy!

George chillin' in his new cat cube!

Gracie loving her new cardboard "couch"!

Merry Christmas!!

2009-12-25T07:00:00.001-06:00

George and Einstein - Our Twins

2009-12-24T14:29:00.000-06:00

In case you were wondering, they are fraternal twins...

#22, Heisman Winner

2009-12-13T11:45:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to Mark Ingram for winning the University of Alabama's first-ever Heisman trophy. Ingram was genuinely surprised to win. He was overwhelmed, humble, and appreciative in his speech and thanked all those that have helped him. Thanks, Mark, for representing the tradition and excellence of Alabama football. You've made the 'Bama Nation very proud!

Keep 'Em Coming, SI

2009-12-09T15:29:00.003-06:00

The deserving Crimson Tide is on this week's Sports Illustrated cover and highlights Colin Peek's catch for a touchdown. On the off chance there is an SI jinx, thank goodness Alabama doesn't play this Saturday...

P. S. Colin Peek was also the Red Lobster Scholar Athlete of the Game for the SEC Championship.

We're Going to Pasadena!!!

2009-12-06T14:11:00.002-06:00

Hey Gators! We just beat the hell out of you! Rammer Jammer, Yellow Hammer! Give 'em hell, Alabama!

Groom's Cake

2009-11-30T19:17:00.000-06:00

Pat and I went to a wedding on Saturday, and I just have to share a picture of the groom's cake. The reception had a winter theme. The cake was penguins in snow and ice! What a cute (and new) idea!!

I think penguins are particularly cute. (Yes, I made Pat take me to see The March of the Penguins!) These penguins also remind of the Muppet penguins, so that makes the cake even more precious!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T08:00:00.003-06:00

Mark Ingram on SI

2009-11-24T14:46:00.001-06:00

Future Heisman winner and all-around cutie Mark Ingram will be on the cover of this week's Sports Illustrated...

Happy Birthday, Grant!

2009-11-18T08:39:00.001-06:00

My precious nephew, Grant, turns 3 years old today!!

Has there ever been a cuter 3 year old?!?

Gracie's Calendar is Out!

2009-11-15T17:01:00.001-06:00

Remember when Gracie competed to be in the 2010 Humane Society calendar? They are now available, and you can see Gracie's modeling debut! If you want to purchase one, know that the money is going to a great organization and is tax-deductible.

The 2010 Best Friends Calendar

Company Shirt Therapy

2009-11-14T15:30:00.001-06:00

Before

After

Hmm...for some reason, I feel better. Don't worry; it won't go to waste. I'll use the scraps to clean my toilets. That feels appropriate.

KISS

2009-10-31T17:49:00.004-05:00

Pat and I took a two-day trip to Nashville on Wednesday to see KISS in concert. Pat has seen them several times and told me how good they are. I like a good rock concert, and they were really good! It was high energy and fun. They are all Republicans, so it was funny when Paul Stanley said you were at the wrong concert if you wanted to hear about ending global warming and any love for the current president.

"I Wanna Rock and Roll" was really fun, because they released a ton of confetti. You could barely see the stage!

Cool shot of all members on the big screen...

Us before the show!

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T12:02:00.001-05:00

National Cat Day

2009-10-29T15:21:00.005-05:00

Today is National Cat Day, so I am celebrating the cats in my life! It serves to celebrate the unconditional and special love from cats and to help recognize the number of cats that need to be rescued every year.

George and Gracie are amazing companions and put a smile on my face everyday. They have distinct personalities and love attention! Life wouldn't be the same without them!

When I See an Opportunity, I Take It

2009-10-27T19:16:00.000-05:00

Every day when I return home, I give George and Gracie several cat treats. I keep them in a glass jar on the counter. Today, I fed them the treats and then dropped the jar. It shattered into a thousand little pieces!

I was aggravated but had to laugh as they started eating every treat they could find. It was a kitty jackpot! George would pull a treat over to him with his paw. I guess that was less conspicuous. Pretty smart!

Softball (Games 2 and 3)

2009-10-27T08:31:00.000-05:00

Luckily, the rain held off and we were able to play our rec league softball games two weeks in a row. Last Monday's game was freezing. My hands were like ice! We made a good effort but lost 6-7.

I've been sick since Friday, so last night's game was miserable. Every team has to have a certain number of women and men on a team. I had to play, because we were short on women. I enjoyed myself, but the sneezing-sniffling-coughing-aching-headaching-I need medicine condition I was in, didn't make it easy.

Pat had the game of his rec league career. The rest of us barely had to play. There's a rumor that scouts are coming to see him play next Monday!

We won 14-4!! Go Team Citadel!!

My First Day

2009-10-19T16:59:00.000-05:00

I am working again! On Thursday, I accepted the position that I've been interviewing for the past two weeks. I am a Client Support Specialist with a financial planning company. That means I will get to plan events, direct their social media, and take care of clients. I'll learn more about my duties as time goes on.

I worked a half-day today to get started and to fill out paperwork. I'm happy to be working again! This feels like a great job and something I'll enjoy doing. I want to be excited about what I do. I have never had that!

Rec League Softball - Rained Out Again!

2009-10-12T16:25:00.000-05:00

Back on September 29, I blogged about our rec league softball game. That has been our only game played so far!

Sept. 14 - RAIN
Sept. 21 - RAIN
Sept. 28 - Won 15-5
Oct. 5 - RAIN
Oct. 12 - RAIN

They keep tacking the missed games to the end of the season. Now, our final game is scheduled for Dec. 14! How miserable! The rain needs to stop!

Second Interview

2009-10-12T16:06:00.000-05:00

I had a second interview with the company from last week. This time, I had to complete logic and personality tests. The personality test had 434 questions! My arm almost fell off. Each one was a statement that I had to answer true or false. Some were pretty funny. My favorite was "Sometimes I feel like breaking things." There were also a lot of questions about a citizen's ability to vote. Not sure what that was about...

If they don't find me clinically insane, I should still be eligible. :-D

By Thursday, I'll either get an offer or be told they need more deliberation time.

Wearing Pink

2009-10-07T16:11:00.003-05:00

George has his pink out in full effect for Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Use the link on the left and make a donation!

Interview

2009-10-07T14:54:00.000-05:00

I had my first interview with a financial planning company today. As far as I could tell, I think it went good. The interviewer was nice but hard to read. The staff is very small (3 people), but I like that idea. I have worked for a large corporation and know I would prefer working with a smaller company. That gives me a lot of room to grow! I'm staying hopeful, because I think I would be perfect for the job. I am supposed to get a call about a second interview next week. Fingers crossed!

Happy 65th Birthday, Dad!

2009-10-06T13:43:00.002-05:00

Love you!!

Opry Goes Pink

2009-10-05T17:43:00.000-05:00

On October 2, the Grand Ole Opry turned their trademark red barn pink to join the fight against breast cancer!

Kitty Krack (aka Catnip)

2009-10-01T10:02:00.004-05:00

Rec League Softball - Game 1

2009-09-29T17:26:00.004-05:00

Pat and I are playing in a softball league on Monday nights. Playing softball is totally unnatural to me. I only played one season of softball when I was 12. That is not much experience!! Pat has been giving me tips and rules of the game.

The times of the games change every week, and last night's game was at 9:30pm. Ouch! I was the catcher and got plowed into by a big guy in the first inning! He was sorry, but that was not a good way to start. The rest of the game went well with Pat pitching a great game. Everyone was pretty surprised by how well we did. I may have a bruised hip and giant knot on my shin, but we ended up winning 15-5!

Emmys Fashion

2009-09-23T14:26:00.016-05:00

The Emmys were actually entertaining this year! Neil Patrick Harris is hilarious and is the best part of How I Met Your Mother. It's also comforting to see Doogie Howser still on TV. I wonder what happened to Vinnie?

I had a few favorites this year. My top two were Jenna Fischer (in Reem Acra) and Lindsey Price (in J. Mendel). Yes, Jenna chose the safe color of black, but it really worked. The dress fit her and the occasion. And, she's part of the cutest couple on TV - Jim and Pam.

My other favorites were Anna Torv, Alyson Hannigan, Jennifer Morrison, and Kara DioGuardi. Anna Torv is the lead in Fringe, one of the best written and inventive shows on TV. I liked the color and design of her gown. Do you think the dress is heavy?

In Marc Bouwer

I found Kara DioGuardi's Badgely Mischka gown refreshing. The gown is beautiful and doesn't garner attention for revealing too much. It's simple like Jennifer Morrison's dress. Calvin Klein is known for its beautiful simplicity, and Francisco Costa adds drama with an origami bow in the back.

In Vera Wang

Happy Birthday, Alissa and Drew!

2009-09-22T09:54:00.007-05:00

Today is Alissa and Drew's birthday. Drew is already a year old!

Happy birthday, Alissa!

Congratulations on taking your first steps! Happy birthday, little man!

We're on The Knot!

2009-09-15T13:16:00.004-05:00

Our wedding is part of "My Real Wedding: A Gallery for Brides" on TheKnot.com.

Southern Glamour

Leave your comments and rate our wedding!

So Amazing...

2009-09-05T13:51:00.011-05:00

The National Geographic Channel has a series named "In the Womb." It documents the gestation period and birth of people and animals. It is FASCINATING. They have 4-D ultrasound images and computer graphics showing how the fetus develops. I learned so much watching the cats version. Even George and Gracie were enthralled...

-- Cats have morning sickness, too.
-- A cat's hearing is so strong that it can detect the footsteps of a mouse at 30 feet away.
-- At 52 days of development, they "breathe," hiccup, and wipe their paws across their mouths to imitate cleaning.
-- Lions can't purr and cats can't roar.
-- Kittens can't hear for 12 days after birth.
-- Kittens' eyes are enormous in relation to the size of their heads. It would be like humans having eyes the size of tennis balls.

A Few Good (Sales)Men

2009-08-27T14:53:00.004-05:00

Pat has been playing in a basketball rec league with his co-workers and clients. Last night was their tournament game. They went 0-10 for the season and were dubbed the "worst team I've ever seen" by the scorekeeper. The final game mercifully ended at 47-70. BTW, there are two leagues, and last night's opponent was the worst team in the other league. But I digress...

They may be able to outsell every other radio station but can't outscore any of the other teams. Oh well, no one's perfect...but rec league b-ball doesn't pay the bills...

Pat is #23

Visit YouTube for a video made after the first few games...

WJOX B-ball

Resumes and Frustration

2009-08-26T13:46:00.002-05:00

As most people who read my blog know, I have been looking for a job since June. I "resigned" from my previous employer. I put that word in quotes, because I was basically hung out to dry. My former boss never gave a reason (and didn't have to) for firing me. It was a difficult experience, especially since I had been with the company for almost five years and had outstanding performance reviews. It's hard not to feel like a failure, because you leave college thinking you'll conquer the world and be very successful before you turn 30. (At least, I did.)

I have been applying for jobs and had two interviews since June. The current job market is flooded with applicants. The worst part is having to apply to jobs and not be able to follow-up. Many postings say "no phone calls" or only give a fax number. How do you ever become more than a piece of paper or a Word file?

You Might Be a Redneck If...

2009-08-20T14:05:00.003-05:00

...you send Grandma a picture of her shirtless grandsons all bearing a "Granny" tattoo.

Pat and I found this photo while passing by the Target portrait studio. There are no words...

Somebody Move the Mouse

2009-08-04T13:43:00.003-05:00

On the way back from the beach, we made a pit stop in Atmore, Alabama. We drove by the new Wind Creek casino. The building looks nice, but someone was asleep that morning. On their big sign in front, their screensaver was on! Shouldn't it be someone's job to notice those kind of things?

George and Gracie's Vacation

2009-08-04T13:34:00.004-05:00

George and Gracie also went on vacation to my parent's house. They did great and adjusted to their temporary home. It was nice to be able to check on them whenever I wanted. I also knew that their grandparents would be spoiling them. Surprisingly, Gracie didn't mind her new digs. George was tolerant but likes his own house.

"Mommy, can we go home already?"

Annual Gulf Shores Trip

2009-08-04T13:25:00.005-05:00

Pat and I spent last week in Gulf Shores. We had a great time on our annual trip. We go with Pat's family and their family friends. The weather was beautiful with the occassional summertime rain.

To Grandmother's House We Go

2009-07-15T15:58:00.009-05:00

Mom and Dad agreed to take care of George and Gracie while I'm gone during my upcoming trip to the beach. I had reservations at the vet but decided to try this alternative. I thought they might like it better, since they hate going to the vet's office.

We went to my parent's house this past weekend for a test run. They took some time checking out everything and getting adjusted to their temporary surroundings.

Eventually they were comfortable...

...and getting into the cabinets!

They did so well that I feel totally comfortable leaving them for a week. I was so proud of them! They were really brave and easy-going. Cats are generally low-maintenance, and George and Gracie are amazing cats. I know they'll enjoy the freedom of being with their Nana and Papa instead of in a cage at the vet!

2009-07-04T08:54:00.004-05:00

You've Really Got a Hold on Me

2009-07-02T15:46:00.006-05:00

‘Closer’s’ Kitty dies on show — and real life

2009-06-25T09:42:00.002-05:00

All animal lovers know that the day may come when they'll have to say a forever goodbye to their pet. That moment came Monday night on “The Closer” when Brenda Johnson, played by actress Kyra Sedgwick, had to put her beloved cat Kitty to sleep.

“Closer” creator James Duff says he wanted to include this storyline partly because Miss Kitty, the cat who played the part of Kitty on the series, had fallen ill, too. "She was dying. That's one of the reasons we did this. We knew she was headed out and we didn't want to replace her,” Duff tells PEOPLE Pets. “I figured before she goes, let's deal with this on the show."

Duff was passionate about portraying this difficult aspect of tough cop Brenda's life to help "humanize" her to viewers. "It's part of everyday life for a lot of people," the producer explains, adding that Sedgwick herself had to put her own family cat down just weeks before filming the episode. "She actually broke down weeping one day and had to pull herself together to go back and film the final scene. You just don't know how to deal with these emotions sometimes."

And watching Sedgwick film that scene stirred up plenty of emotion on the set. "There were lots of people weeping when she went through the last scene with the cat," says Duff. "Her last moments with Kitty are so heart-wrenching. Everybody felt that way. In fact, I got more comments on the day we shot that scene than on any other scene we had in the show. We were all upset."

Miss Kitty — a rescue — first appeared on the show in the third episode of the first season. And her character had many lives on the police drama: She was rescued by Brenda as a stray, was thought to be a male but ended up giving birth to kittens, ran away and was ultimately diagnosed with kidney issues. "The character developed an unlikely relationship with the cat, because no matter how tough you think you are, you're vulnerable to pets," Duff says.

The storyline about the cat's illness arced over two episodes: first the diagnosis, and then Sedgwick's character debating whether to put her cat down. "When we first see our pets struggle, we hope it's temporary. Accepting the terminal aspect of the pet is not done in a day — it takes a while," says Duff. The episode portrays the cat being euthanized privately in Johnson's home, still in her arms, as she says tenderly to her, "It's only because I love you so much."

Though heartbreaking, Duff is glad he included the storyline in the show, and hints that Johnson's character may someday welcome another pet — or even a child — into her home. As for Miss Kitty, she'll always hold a special place in the cast and crew's heart. She died shortly after last night’s episode was filmed.

Grand Canyon

2009-06-20T15:38:00.013-05:00

The best thing we did on our vacation was visit the Grand Canyon. It was unbelievable. None of my pictures do it justice!

We took a shuttle to Boulder City and then flew to the Grand Canyon West airport. During the flight, we crossed over the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.

Next, we took a helicopter to the bottom. Pat didn't fly us! :-)

After the helicopter dropped us off, we walked a trail to the Colorado River. We got on a pontoon boat and sailed the (surprisingly) fast current. Even with the hot temps of the Canyon, the water rarely gets above 55 degrees F!

We got back on the helicopter and were flown back to the airport. We wanted to do the Skywalk and boarded a bus to Eagle Pointe. The Skywalk was so cool! It is made of glass, so you can see forward, backward, and below. It was amazing being able to look to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Don't worry -- it supports 71 million pounds! I haven't gained that much since the wedding! :-)

We even had lunch provided. We were surprised to have traveled so many miles and be served barbeque and chicken pot pie. Those Hualapai Indians make a mean lunch!

All in all, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. While looking at the Grand Canyon, I was in complete awe. It makes you feel so thankful to live in a world with so much beauty. There are no words to properly describe it!

Serendipity 3

2009-06-20T15:28:00.005-05:00

You remember the movie, Serendipity with John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale? The famous New York ice cream shop now has a location in Las Vegas. It is in front of Caesar's Palace. We had dessert there one night, and it was incredible! I have a big sweet tooth, so I was in heaven!

I had the Peanut Butter Frozen Hot Chocolate...

So tasty -- I had a straw and a spoon!

...and Pat had the Strawberry Fields sundae.

Pat's sundae had strawberry ice cream with strawberry cheesecake mixed in. Then, they put a piece of strawberry cheesecake on top!! He couldn't finish it, so I helped. We still couldn't finish it together!

Trip to Vegas

2009-06-20T15:12:00.005-05:00

Pat and I traveled to Las Vegas to celebrate his 30th birthday. We had a great time as usual! For one of his presents, I bought us tickets to see Criss Angel Believe. It's his show with Cirque de Soleil. It was very weird, but we enjoyed it. There were hip-hop dancing anteaters! :-D

All the casinos have their own attractions, but I like Caesar's, Bellagio, Venetian, and New York, New York. The Bellagio gardens are quite a sight. They had hot air balloons and a ferris wheel this time!

For the new Transformers movie, they put an ad on the Luxor. You could see it from the air!

Pat's 30th Birthday

2009-06-13T08:00:00.001-05:00

Pat turns the big 3-0 today. Happy birthday, hubby!!

Season Premiere of The Closer at 8pm!!

2009-06-08T17:12:00.001-05:00

A Diva in the Works

2009-06-01T12:35:00.001-05:00

As my previous posts have said, Gracie has been competing in a photo contest for the Humane Society. The results are in!

She tied for 13th place and will be in the 2010 Best Friends calendar!

The Humane Society made over $10,000 from this fundraiser. They are always in need of funds, and I'm happy for their organization! The pound does a lot of good and provides life-long companions.

Top 13 Pets

Gracie on Display

2009-05-29T12:49:00.005-05:00

Gracie's photo and 49 other pets' photos are on display. This is the final round to decide who is in the Humane Society's 2010 calendar. Gracie is currently in 5th place!

True Colors

2009-05-28T15:01:00.008-05:00

Pat and I decided to change realtors. My house is still not sold, and we are frustrated. We decided after much deliberation and worry (on my part) to leave our current realtor. She helped me in the process to buy my first house, and I have always appreciated her honesty. She's a good person, but she hasn't sold my house. She's also rational, and that's why I thought she would be graceful about us leaving her. The conversation did not go like I wanted.

I opened with telling her how much I appreciated her help and time. At first, she didn't realize I was changing realtors, and I had to spell it out. She got mad and acted really disappointed. She also asked if we were going to use our new realtor as our buyer's realtor, too. In all honesty, I hadn't thought about it and that's what I told her. She then comes back with "you know, Corie, I'm don't want to make you do anything you don't want to..." She e-mailed later that night with the listing cancellation and put in some back-handed comments. Very rude!

I feel like I did things the right way. It's not like I was a coward and had Pat call her. I was honest and told her we wanted a change. I understand not wanting to lose business, but she made it harder than it had to be. People change realtors all the time -- it's business! I hate that things had to end like that.

Gracie Made the Top 50

2009-05-22T17:30:00.003-05:00

My girl, Gracie, made the top 50! Now, her photo will be displayed at a local mall for people to vote. After May 30, we'll know who made it into the Humane Society calendar. Over 45,000 people voted!

The Top 50

Why are TV network executives so dumb?

2009-05-22T17:09:00.002-05:00

The lists of canceled TV shows is getting longer. The biggest disappointment is the canceling of "Samantha Who?" If you have seen this show, you know how funny and charming it is. It had one of the best casts on TV. Christina Applegate was the excellent lead character. Her parents, played by Jean Smart and Kevin Dunn, were funny and dry. Only Jean Smart can be that funny playing a clingy mother. (Where are my Designing Women fans??) Melissa McCarthy (of Gilmore Girls fame) and Jennifer Esposito were the BEST!! I am now a huge fan of Jennifer after seeing her play such a narcissitic and shameless person...and she was hilarious doing it and made you love her! The show had such amazing writing and a talented cast. Maybe if ABC stopped moving the show to different time slots, the audience could grow!

Thank goodness, Fringe was renewed for another season. There's so much reality television that it is refreshing to find a well-written, exciting, and scripted show. I only hope that TNT doesn't lose its mind and cancel The Closer. Perish the thought!!

A few more good shows that got the axe:
Eleventh Hour
The Ex List
Cupid
Homeland Security
My Name is Earl (Really, NBC, really?)

Vote for Gracie

2009-05-09T18:07:00.004-05:00

Help Gracie be a calendar girl! Gracie is competing to be among the pets featured in the local Humane Society's 2010 calendar. Online voting will last until May 17.

Humane Society voting page

Vote for Gracie!!

Welcome Home

2009-05-09T14:28:00.006-05:00

Pat and I had the honor of welcoming home a group of World War II veterans as they arrived at the airport. The veterans were part of Honor Flight. Honor Flight flies veterans (at no cost to them) to Washington, DC and takes them to the World War II memorial. Volunteers escort those veterans who need assistance to get around. This flight was the largest for the area at approx. 105 veterans. There are over 400 on the waiting list.

It was very touching to see the respect the veterans received. Many were in wheelchairs or used canes. I could hardly get any pictures because of the large crowd. They had a bagpiper and officers waiting for their trip home.

Many of the veterans didn't want any recognition. They just simply "did what needed to be done." This country would not be what it is today without their sacrifice.

For more info, go to www.honorflight.org.

Key Lime Pie on a Stick

2009-05-05T09:09:00.006-05:00

Eating key lime pie was part of our day at Key West, but I had to give it its own blog posting. After getting lost numerous times, we found the Blond Giraffe which is famous for its key lime pie. (But hey, what place in Key West isn't famous for its key lime pie?)

I ordered a regular slice of key lime pie (so good!), but Pat went for the key lime pie on a stick. As the title infers, they take a slice of key lime pie, put it on a stick, and dip it completely in chocolate!!

Thinking back, I don't know why I didn't get one!

Honeymoon (Key West, Florida)

2009-05-05T08:46:00.010-05:00

Our last day on the cruise was spent in Key West. That was our favorite place by far!! I expected it to be more ritzy and expensive than it was. Pat described it as "New Orleans with a twist." There are obvious differences, but that is overall a good description. (FYI - There aren't drunk people walking around, and Key West is much cleaner.)

We started with the Hemingway House and saw his polydactyl cats. The house looked the same as when Ernest Hemingway lived there. I obviously loved all the cats everywhere!

Here is a good pic of one sleeping in one of Hemingway's chairs. Check out his front paw with 6 toes!

One of the cat trainers gave me some food, and I got to feed the cats. I was even on their web cam! They have a 24 hour live web cam of the cats on their web site. If you were watching on April 16, I waved at you! :-) They name most of the cats after famous actors and actresses. I met Howard Hughes! They also have headstones for the cats that have passed.

We also went to the Southernmost Point. Mom told me not to expect much more than a weather-beaten buoy. She was right, but I think they painted it since she'd seen it last! I found it scary that in Key West you are only 90 miles from Cuba but 150 miles from Miami. Maybe that shouldn't make me uncomfortable, but it did!

Honeymoon (Cococay, Bahamas)

2009-05-04T17:14:00.014-05:00

On Wednesday of our honeymoon, we went to Cococay, Bahamas (Royal Caribbean's private island). The Royal Caribbean staff photographers were constantly trying to take your picture. We eventually learned just to say "no, thank you" and keep walking. We didn't want to stop for either of these photos, but they turned out great!

The most interesting part of the island was the Iguana Bay. We saw at least 15 iguanas (two are on the rocks below). Pat's camera doesn't have much of a zoom (and I forgot mine), so I inched up closer to take pictures of the iguanas. Pat thought I was crazy to get closer! He also didn't like me yelling "Whoa!" while he was filming the iguanas... :-D

We also had front row seats to an iguana fight. We watched two iguanas slowly walk towards each other and then go at it! They tumbled down an embankment (pic above) and almost into the water. It was awesome!

Relaxing...

Honeymoon (Miami and Nassau)

2009-05-02T15:00:00.008-05:00

Our cruise left from the port of Miami, so we flew down to Miami on Sunday and spent the night. We stayed in the Doubletree Hotel (very swanky!). It was sentimental staying there, because that's where we stayed with the Million Dollar Band for the 2000 Orange Bowl. Pat and I hadn't met yet, but he says he noticed me there....and look at us now! :-)

The view from our hotel room on Biscayne Bay...

We arrived in Nassau, Bahamas on Tuesday. Our excursion that day was a dolphin encounter. We met 4 year old Salvador! We were in waist-deep water and stroked his head and stomach. We also "danced" with him and gave him a hug and a kiss!

After meeting Salvador, we walked around the straw market in Nassau. I tested my negotiating skills on the vendors (they didn't budge!) and bought a pretty shell bracelet. Pat found a cool Rolex watch for cheap!

Paging Dr. Joe Biden...

2009-04-30T11:28:00.003-05:00

"Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday that he would not recommend taking any commercial flight or riding in a subway car “at this point” because swine flu virus can spread “in confined places.” A little more than one hour later, Biden rushed out a statement backing off.

“I would tell members of my family — and I have — I wouldn’t go anywhere in confined places now,” Biden said on NBC’s “Today” show.. “It’s not that it’s going to Mexico. It’s [that] you’re in a confined aircraft. When one person sneezes, it goes all the way through the aircraft. That’s me. … "

That contradicted more restrained advice from President Barack Obama and the federal government — and the last thing the White House wants to do right now is shut down the airline industry and big-city subways out of mass panic. "

What a moron!!