It's Football Time...

...In TENNESSEE!!!

Jonathan and I absolutely love football season. However, I think we look forward to this time of year for entirely different reasons.

Jonathan enjoys tradition, rivalry, and athleticism. I, however, look forward to tailgating with my best friends, re-living our college glory days on Cumberland Avenue, and eating multiple stale hot dogs at Neyland Stadium (YUM!).

To celebrate Tennessee's season opener tomorrow... here is a look back at some of the best times I've experienced as a Tennessee VOL!

Tennessee vs. Alabama 2004

Sarah and me at the game...

Tennessee vs. Alabama 2004

Nikki and me at the game... The best seats I've ever had at Neyland Stadium! Man, I miss the student section!

Tennessee vs. Florida 2004

Tennessee vs. Florida 2004... Close call... But we WON!

SEC Championship 2004 in Atlanta!

Tennessee vs. UAB 2005... Gotta love the Power T!

I look forward to this moment at every home game...

The best college football road trip of all time... Tailgating in Athens!

Tennessee vs. Georgia 2006.

Brittany, me, Sheryl and Becca... Between the silly hedges in Georgia's stadium...

The funniest/most satisfying score board I've ever seen!!!

Tennessee: 50

Georgia: 33

Homecoming 2007... Tailgating on fraternity row with some of my best friends!

Jonathan and I at Homecoming 2007

Leah Isabelle

Baby Leah is here! My cousin Emily delivered her first child, a bouncing baby girl July 31st, but I didn't get to meet her until this past weekend. She is such a cutie!

Welcome Little Leah! She's precious!

Me, Em and Leah

My Mom and Leah

Papaw and Leah

Mamaw and Leah

My cousin Frankie and teensie tiny Leah

Taking The Bad With The Good

BAD:

Jonathan and I traveled to Knoxville this past weekend for a quick trip to get some things done for our wedding and visit our families. The weekend has since extended into a week-long "vacation" of sorts for Alfie and me.

Friday, Jonathan and I were headed to his parents' house for dinner when --BAM-- an 18 wheeler truck tire flew off the truck in front of us, hit the front of my car and rolled underneath my car. Of course we were in the fast lane on the interstate, so the damage is pretty significant. My front bumper has to be replaced, along with the AC condenser, radiator, one tire, the engine splash shield, two heat shields and the oil and filter. UGH... I don't even know what half of those parts do, but apparently most of them are pretty important. Needless to say, I am thankful that Jonathan and I are both safe, and thankful that we have insurance! Jonathan headed back to Nashville yesterday in a rental car. Hopefully, I'll have my car back by the end of the week so Alfie and I can go home to Jonathan!

GOOD:

Since I am stranded in Knoxville this week, I plan to make the most of it. That means lots and lots of wedding planning. Coincidentally I got a call from Wedding Wonderland today to let me know that MY WEDDING DRESS ARRIVED!!! It was not suppose to ship for another two weeks, but for some reason arrived early. Mom and I immediately rushed to the boutique to see THE DRESS. It is absolutely beautiful. It's everything I wanted. I didn't take it off my dress for two hours (not kidding!)... I just stood there and looked at myself in the mirror! We finally left when they closed the store.

GREAT:

In other fantastic news... I got a job offer today! I am extremely excited to announce I will soon join one of Nashville's most successful public relations firms. It is an amazing opportunity with endless possibilities. I am eager to see where this new career adventure takes me. I go back to work September 2.

When in Nashville...

...Do as the Titans do???

Jonathan is off this week so we decided to take advantage of some fantastic (FREE) Nashville fun and feed our need for football too. The Tennessee Titans' are currently in training camp... and guess what -- practice is open to the public. We spent the afternoon up close and personal with some pretty 'big deal' athletes. Jonathan was particularly impressed by the defensive and offensive lines and Chris Johnson's speed. I, on the other hand, was more impressed by the single "unison clap" after every huddle. Seriously, I don't know how they synchronize it.

"Ready: Break! (Clap)"


First Round Pick Chris Johnson making a mad catch (maybe not a "mad" catch... but my camera skills are pretty mad!)

Titans Quarterback Vince Young (the guy in the red jersey) posing for my photo. Thanks Vince! =)

Jonathan taking in the sights... He's soooo ready for football season.

Look at the local television media! That used to be me... except I didn't get to cover cool stuff like football practices... and I wasn't a photographer... I was more like the guy just standing around beside the photographer... You get the idea. =)

Per your request...

My friend Ashley told me that it's time for a blog update. I think she just wants new reading material to pass time at work. Per her request... here goes the update...

August has already been a busy month...

The first weekend in August we went to a Fish Fry hosted by Jonathan's boss. She recently returned from a two week fishing excursion in Alaska and brought back over a thousand pounds of fresh fish. To celebrate her catch (and clean out the freezer a bit) she hosted a Fish Fry at her house. The fish was SO good. I love salmon and halibut so I had no problem filling my plate and eating every single bite. Aside from great food, we got to spend some much needed social time with several of our Nashville favorites.

This past Saturday (August 9) was Jonathan's Birthday! He might kill me for telling you, but he's 27 now. WOW! To put his age in perspective I said "Hey, this is great! You have now officially been with me for over half of your life! Congratulations Birthday Boy!" Strange, but true -- Jonathan and I started dating when I was 13 and he was 14. We've celebrated a lot of birthdays together.

This year, Jonathan's birthday was pretty low key. We hit the gym, worked in the yard a bit and then went to visit our friends Richie and Sarah. Somewhere between the Titans pre-season game and a few beers we found ourselves at a local karaoke bar, then Waffle House for a (very) early morning breakfast.

Needless to say, August is off to a good start. It's hard to believe how quickly summer comes and goes. I'm sure we'll try to enjoy the next several weeks of warm weather... but Jonathan and I are both secretly longing for football season (and our wedding too!)...


Ashley and me at the Fish Fry

Jeff, Brad and Jonathan

Some of the Deloitte men at the Fish Fry

No, that's not a peace sign... it's a "V"... We're virtual friends forever!

Sarah and me

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JONATHAN!

Sarah and me at Karaoke bar

Richie and Sarah at Waffle House

Waffle House again...