Just can't get enough...

Evidently we just can't get enough of going to college basketball games,
at least with teams that wear some shade of
ORANGE!
We drove up to Virginia Tech yesterday to see Clemson play.

This picture of Allan Bristow caught my eye right away...
isn't it dreamy (ie. creepy)?
And just look at that hair!
(Click on his name to see him now)

Z focusing on the game...probably upset because we were
AWFUL
during the first half.

But we pulled out a win in the 2nd!

The really sweet folks who sat next to us took this picture.
We were in the last row, but it was nice and cozy instead of feeling crowded
because we could stand up whenever we wanted, etc.
Both Z and I really like the feel of the gym with the wood seats and rafters.
We had a lot of fun having an undergrad-esque road trip adventure together, but
man are we tired today!

Bloggy Giveaways!

So, I really like chances to win stuff.
Here in TN I haven't found many local contests to enter, but I just found out
that this is Bloggy Giveaways Carnival week!

www.bloggygiveaways.com

Basically that means that this week there are thousands of bloggers hosting
giveaways of all kinds...and they are all linked from the website above!

We're talking about thousands of prizes, some small, some big, some really random...

And most of them only require you to leave a comment on their blog.

So go ahead and enter...you could be a winner!

Backtrack/more Basketball

This past weekend Z's mama came to Knoxville to
redeem her Christmas gift from us,
Lady Vols tickets.

Yes we were pretty far up,
but our view was still good.

I was a little confused, but it was still fun to see
THOSE ORANGE TIGERS
especially as the Lady Vols beat South Carolina.

I heart our new camera.

Merry Christmas, Mama/Susie!
We love you and we're glad you came to see us!

You may say I'm a dreamer...

This morning Z and I woke to find
a fine blanket of snow
covering the world, or at least
our little corner of it.

Normally this would just have been nice, but
Today was Inauguration Day.

It might sound silly, but I decided that
it was a good sign,
A New Beginning,
A Fresh Start
if you will.

Now, if you think that I'm
completely romanticizing the idea of President Obama,
let me just say:

We are all
entitled to our political opinions.
And it's a good thing.
Our differences help us to stretch, grow, and
Challenge ourselves.

But let's bring open minds to the table.

I am realistic. Obama is a man,
one man,
and he can only do his best,
and he will make mistakes,
as so many humans do.

BUT.

I have hope.

I choose to buy into the message
CHANGE and HOPE.

And I am overwhelmed by the cultural and historical importance
this day brings for the United States.


On a much lighter (and fluffier) note,
Z and I celebrated the day with
Presidential cupcakes
from a local bakery,
Magpies Cakes

The Hawaiian, Mr. Chicago, and the White House.

Yes We Can
(have our cupcakes and eat them,too.)

Basketball Jones

Last Wednesday we were offered Vols basketball tickets
on Row 3. Of course we accepted gratefully!

Action.

We got a kick out of the guy sitting in a row by himself.

I call this one "Suspense".

Bruce Pearl...in overtime when things went
downhill for the Vols.

I didn't forget....

...I just thought that the Gator Bowl should
get its own post.

$2 bills stamped with orange Tiger paws.

What what...ready to go see our
Tigers play.

Driving to Jacksonville from NC wasn't so bad...
until we had to park on the Interstate for an hour.

But at least Z got in a little shut-eye.

Finally made it to FL, caught the Gator Bowl parade, then headed to
Jacksonville Landing to ring in the New Year.

Happy New Year! Candice and Stuart tailgating before
the big game.

We met some Huskers who let Z pose with
a kind of creepy inflatable Lil' Red.

Larry the Cable Guy (in red, reaching up in the middle of the pic)

Z and I in our original upper deck seats.

This kid was really cute, all dressed up and with a Dabo sign.

Unfortunately whatever Dabo was telling them
in this timeout didn't work....

But we did get to finish the game in lower-deck end zone seats...
and even though it was a very disappointing ending,
we had so much fun with our friends, and
we're glad we got to go to our first
Bowl Game.

A Holiday Review

So I told you about Mr. Wilson's holiday, but
we got back into work and classes and
we haven't had much time to
breathe.
Please forgive us for the delay,
and enjoy these photos!


The children's living Nativity on Christmas Eve was an
adorably chaotic scene.


Z as a preacher man on Christmas Eve.


One take of our annual Christmas pic.


Santa came to Knoxville!


The day after Christmas we traveled to NC
to celebrate with family. Here I am with newest nephew Mason.


This is me playing with lighting and the new camera.

Z doing a little pickin' at Mamaw's.

Z and Mamaw!

A few of my favorites:

I was just thinking of random things that make me happy lately,
so here goes:

Yep, I watch awesome shows like 30 Rock and The Office, but
there's nothing quite like Chuck
for me. It's sweet, funny, and I can't stop watching!

Oh, yum.
These wraps come in several different flavors and are so versatile.
I use them for veggie burgers, burritos, pizzas, salad wraps with dresssing....

Cetaphil has been a lifesaver for me. I struggle with sometimes
severely dry skin, and
these are two of my favorite products, along with their daily moisturizer.
Nothing beats 'em for really dry days.

Does my husband know me or what?
This is a trio of Christmas gifts he gave me.

1. 200 New York Times crosswords. I adore any word games, especially by
Puzzle Master Will Shortz

2. Music. 'Nuff said.

3. A good bottle of wine. But this bottle is special...it's one that we first had on our honeymoon and have searched the country over for a store that carried it since then.
Z is so amazing like that!

Well, there's some of my favorite things right now...
what are yours?

www.flatoutbread.com

www.nbc.com/Chuck
www.cetaphil.com

Mr. Wilson's Winter Break

Another post dedicated to our dear
Mr. Wilson.

As you will see in later posts, Z and I had a fabulous break,
but thought we should share Mr. W's experiences,
too.

"Hey you guys, I found my present under the tree...can I open (and eat) it?"

Mr. W was thrilled to find the wise men at church making their
seasonal Epiphany trek
to the sanctuary.

Mr. Wilson hung out a lot with his older woman, Kathy...

And his younger ladyfriend, Shelby (aka. Big Rhonda).

Finally back home in TN, Mr. Wilson finds that sometimes
a vacation
leaves you more tired than you were before the trip!