31 on 31

I just woke up from an amazing nap, still tired, sore and with skinned elbows. Although this doesn't sound like someone who just probably had one of the most amazing birthdays ever, I assure you, I wouldn't want to feel any other way.Tawni, me, Lindsay & Leigh at the Murphy Center overlooking the field

In the past birthdays have never really meant that much to me however, the older I get, the more I cherish the fact that I have lived another year. And I am so fortunate that I have a wonderful husband and friends that help to make this celebration of life better and better each year.

It just so happened that this year the Ladies Pirate Football Clinic was held Saturday, the day before my birthday. So three fabulous ladies joined me in Greenville to run drills in a 110 degree stadium. We were treated to a delicious catered lunch over looking the field and a tour of the weight & training room. The eye candy in there wasn't an awful addition either!

We were able to run out onto the field, like the players, to Purple Haze. We did chants, passed and threw footballs with the QB (yep, Dominique Davis) and tackle those big bags with the Defensive Tackles. Was it hot...hell yes, more than 400 hells. But totally worth it! Just to be on that field with the coaches and players was pure heaven. Everyone was so nice. I was just amazed! I didn't think it was possible to become a bigger ECU fan but by golly, I AM!

The weight room: Click on the pic to enlarge & you can read it. LOVE IT!

With Head Coach Ruffin McNeil all sweaty from "practice."

With some of the first string players. Davis is #4 & OMG #99 is one big ass dude!

Afterwards we headed to Chico's (hands down the best mexican food ever) and had baskets & baskets of chips & salsa. Oh and a craft of sangria too! Then back to Raleigh ...

We headed out to The Big Easy restaurant and over indulged in gumbo and Hurricanes. My awesome husband surprised me with these tasty cupcakes. I usually hate being sang "Happy Birthday" to but these made up for it. I'm pretty sure I squealed and giggled like a little girl. What a way to end a perfect day.

Thank you Dustin for the awesome cupcakes and more importantly the thought and planning that went along with it. You are just too good to me! Also thanks to everyone who came out. I wouldn't want to spend my birthday with anyone else (well Coach Ruff maybe would have made it better)!

Summertime

Happy First Day of Summer. I hope this summer creates magical memories for everyone!

Throwback Friday

In honor of Fan Fest this week in Nashville (insert pouty face here for not being there), I would like to reminisce about my Sugarland weekend

in VA in Summer 2008.

Most of you probably don't know of my love for this duo. Their music speaks volumes to my heart and has got me through some really touch times. I've had the pleasure to meet them several times and Jennifer & Kristian are the nicest people ever. Jennifer even quoted meeting me, in an online interview, that I was one of her "favorite fan moments." Pretty freakin' cool, right. She even remembers my name. HOLLA!

I went up to VA Beach on Friday, laid out at the pool all day & then hit the beach so I could get as close to the stage as possible. Front row...not bad for an hour wait in line. Incredible show as usual.

The next stop was Bristow, VA on Saturday. I stopped by one of my sorority sisters, Lindsey's place, & we proceeded to the venue where we over-indulged in cold bevvies...even peed in the woods.

I met my pal, Annie, the bass player for Sugarland so we could hang out a bit. Annie, at the time, was collecting vintage grape cluster lamps. I actually had one so I boxed it up and met her at will call to give it to her. In appreciation, Annie hooked us up with All-Access passes and some amazing seats. Thanks again, Annie!!

Once again the show was amaze-balls!

Annie Clements & me backstage

Annie in action

I'm really sad I'll be missing their show next week in NC. Bummed, really.

If you haven't seen Sugarland live, its a MUST. Best show ever & you won't regret it...promise!

Throwback Friday

Throwback Friday is back!
And talk about this week's Blast from the Past!
Now that summer is pratically here, it always makes me think about the summer's of my childhood, teenage & college years.
This week's installment is dedicated to my childhood and highschool BFFs.

We were inseparable. And could cause some major trouble when we were together.

This was taken at Myrtle Beach, in 1998, before all of us went off to college.
I was the only one who went to ECU so it was so special to spend one last weekend with my "sisters." I remember this trip very fondly.
We had a great time sneaking into clubs, meeting boys, watching the sun come up over the ocean while contemplating life, and who could forget trying to find Krista who went MIA the last night we were there.

Over the years, we have drifted apart and are not as close as we once were.
However, I can say that I love these girls like I always have and I miss them.

Hopefully, we can all get back to MB and try to relive that weekend...well almost...I don't think our husbands would appreciate us meeting boys.

Love you, ladies!

Krista, Janet, myself, & Hope
Myrtle Beach, SC 1998

Wheew What a Ride

After 3 years I have finally finished!

HOORAY!!!

Although I walked across the stage to get my diploma last week, I still had this stressful cloud hanging over my head.

Even though I had completed my school requirements to graduate I still was not a Respiratory Therapist. I still had the nerve racking Boards looming ahead.

I am proud to announce that I passed my Boards yesterday. I am now a Respiratory Therapist.

Now I just have to get a job. Until then I'm gonna do some relaxing and start to study for my two-part registry.

And I want to send many thanks to my wonderful husband who has been my biggest supporter and motivator through this long journey. Also many thanks to all of my friends and co-workers for your support and continuous words of encouragement. I couldn't have made it through without all of you.

Throwback Friday

Why yes I have been MIA recently. I have to admit I've been a little stressed and busy. So until school is done and I've passed my boards, Throwback Friday is on a little vacation. I know, I know...I can hear your sobs from here. I promise to start it back up as soon as I can.

But just for a little update, I did have a wonderful interview at Duke. Now I'm not getting my hopes up too much. Its Duke, for heaven's sake. They only hire the best (well atleast thats what I'm telling myself) and the market is really competitive right now and even the health care industry is cutting jobs and budgets.

I won't hear anything for another 2 to 3 weeks but that's okay. What will be will be. Right now I have to concentrate on finishing school (2 more weeks, yo) and taking my exam to get licensed.

So until then, if I don't post or comment, it doesn't mean I don't love yaw'll; cuz you know I do. So send up some prayers and keep everything crossed for me. Peace!

Is This Legal?

No, you are not seeing double, triple or even quadruple. Yes, this is all liquor. And we have two more bins full of the stuff. So much in fact, I'm renaming "Casa des Costello" to "Costello Speakeasy."

I'm sure you're asking where in the hell did we get all this booze. No, we didn't rob the local ABC store. My mother-in-law has finally made the move from Iowa to North Carolina.

She owned a bar.

She closed the bar.

Now we own bar...well not really but we could. We have more liquor than ECU's campus.

Whose ready to party?

Seriously...

We need help with consuming all this goodness.

And on top of all this we just bottled 2 cases of home brew & have another 5 gallons fermenting that will be kegged in another week.

Issues?

Perhaps.