I'M ENGAGED!

Oh. My. Gosh. I am engaged. I can't seem to stop saying that. It's not that I didn't think Rob and I would ever get engaged, more-so I thought he was going to do it on our cruise in January. In fact, I was certain of it! I'd thought ALOT about it. I dreamed of him asking me, how he would do it, how I'd react, respond, etc. I don't like to sound like a heartless bitch, but I knew I wouldn't cry when it happened. I'd be really happy/excited, but I wasn't gonna lose it. HA! So, here's how it all went down:


Friday after work I headed to Plato's Closet to find a black cardigan. I was perusing through the aisles when Rob called. He gets off work at 5:30 and religiously calls me on his way home from work. "What are you doing?" he asks me. "I'm shopping," I squeaked out. I hate telling him when I'm shopping. I usually just say I'm running errands, because I don't want him to think I'm a spend-aholic. Running errands implies I'm doing chores, or things I have to do like paying bills or grocery shopping. It makes it sound like I'm not shopping for clothes. HA! "Ok," he replies, "I'm on my way home. See ya there." This excerpt is always included in our conversations when he calls me after work. I look at my watch, and decide I have about thirty minutes left to shop before Rob gets home and I want to be there. I try a few things on, put everything back, because I didn't want to walk inside the house with a bag full of new clothes when I was just trying to find a black cardigan. I get in my car, drive home, and walk inside. Sitting before me on the dining room table is a huge bouquet of red roses with a note, and some candles lit around it. Now, some of you might have known right then and there what was gonna happen. Not me, honestly. I saw the flowers and thought, "We had a really REALLY good day yesterday. He must have had a really good day yesterday too and so he got me some flowers." I open the card and it says that he loves me and has a question to ask me....


A question to ask me??? By this point, I'm still in denial because I'm absolutely certain he is going to ask me on our cruise in January. Last time I checked, it ain't January! I even had that, 'I'm confused' look on my face. I look behind me and Rob comes out from the bedroom wearing a suit. That's all it took. I knew what was happening now, and I was completely and utterly surprised. He came up to me, grabbed my hand, and got down on one knee. I started crying. And not the tears-streaming-down-the-cheeks-while-I-smile cry. Oh no, this was a full on face scrunched up into a shriveled raisin, probably had boogers coming outta my nose while I wail like a baby kinda cry. LOL! Super surprised kinda cry! He said, "Michele, I knew when I had met you I'd met someone special..." I almost couldn't hear him over my own sniffling and wailing! At one point during his declaration of love, he stopped and with a concerned tone said, "Are you OK?!" HAHA! "Yes," I sobbed out while I tried to get myself under control, "keep going!" He asked me if I would marry him and opened the little box he pulled from his pocket. I didn't even look at it. I pulled him up to me, gave him a hug and kiss, and just held him...


When we parted, he put the box in front of my face and I smiled. IT WAS GORGEOUS!! He placed the ring on my finger and I just stared. What a freaking sweet moment! The man I love tells me he wants to be with me for the rest of our lives, and gives me a precious gift. AWESOME! After that, he popped open a bottle of champagne and toasted to our engagement. He went on to tell me all the behind-the-scene details of the planning and such while I got ready for dinner. We went to Fleming's Steakhouse to celebrate, followed by heading out to see our friends (all of whom knew from earlier that day). It was a magical night; I was on cloud 9. I'm still walking on sunshine :) I am so truly blessed and grateful! 


Not everyone knows Rob and I met in Chemistry class when I was 16. We dated on and off through high school, and he was my first love. I don't think I could have written my fairy tale any sweeter than this....

Rob and I celebrating at Roaming Gnome with friends

The Ring

Camping Trip

This past weekend, four couples got together and we all headed up to camp at Elkmont. Little did we know what an adventure it would become. The night was filled with playing various games, roasting marshmallows, telling ghost stories, lots of laughs, some crying (lol many of us were hormonal), and ALOT some drinking. By the morning, everyone was sitting quietly around the fire, either holding their heads or stomachs, as Rob cooked us all a 5-star breakfast. Ahhh, many times I have wondered what would happen to us if Rob weren't around. All in all, it was the most hilarious, most amusing, most enjoyable camping trip I've ever been on. So, here's a little peak into the nights festivities (before everyone headed home to recover in their own solitude).

My girlies and I having a blast camping! And Scott trying to photobomb us.

TJ and Jared relaxing around the campfire.

Rob (with his dorky headlamp) and Lauren 

TJ and I ready to start the night

Scott and Lauren trying the homemade Rice
 Crispie Treats. Oh, and Rob looking stalker-ish.

Nicki and Hannah trying to stay warm

Scott and Hannah playing games

What I'm Loving Wednesday

A fellow blogger posted this today and I thought it was such a great idea!

Here's what I am loving this Wednesday...

I love old items you can reuse as new. I was going through my purse box this weekend, and came across this wonderful find! And it's a perfect change for the Fall...

I am loving the way my body feels after doing a beginners spin class at the YMCA last night. Makes me feel empowered :)

I love primetime drama....I checked out a new show this past Monday called the Playboy Club. It was pretty intriguing and entertaining (for someone who has ADD this show is great). It has drama, violence, sex, scandal, and mystery...what more could you ask for?!

I absolutely LOVE this tea. It's, by far, the best green tea on the planet (thanks Mary)! If you decide to try this, be sure to add some honey for a hint of sweetness.

I love that dinner tonight is steak fajitas :) YUM!

And finally, of course I'm loving Rob this Wednesday. He's been such an inspiration in my life and I can't imagine these last few years without him. Love you, hunny!

Fall & Football

I'm pretty sure I speak for everyone in the whole state of Tennessee when say, "Woo-Hoo to the nice, cooler weather!" It isn't as sunny anymore, but I sure needed a break from all the heat and general "oh my Lord, I'm melting" feeling. I know this cool weather isn't going to last very long till we're all back in sweat mode, but I plan to enjoy it while it's here. I think I'm going to wait a tad bit longer though before I break out the fall/winter clothes box and move my tank tops into storage. Come on, Fall! Get a move on! As for all this rain we've been having, well, it sure saves on the water bill and my flowers are no longer dying. Win/Win situation, except I run around with a big, frizzy fro all the time. Oh yeah, and it's FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE! I'm glad I didn't attend our first game against Montana though, because as explained above, it's been raining alot. Oh, I'm a Tennessee Vol football fan and my boyfriend has season tickets, but I'm also practical. The game was delayed like 1.5 hours due to bad weather, and everyone who was at the game got soaked. Not my idea of fun when I can sit at a sports bar with some girlfriends, watch the game for free, drink endless normally-priced beers, eat a good dinner, and not get a drop of water on me. But, to each his own if you find that sort of thing fun. I hope to post future photos of some serious tailgating and games, so keep checking back to see how it's done! GO VOLS!

Neyland Stadium

Bachelorette Weekend Getaway

This past weekend, I traveled with some girlfriends (Lauren, Nicki, Emily, Caitlyn, and the Bride to Be, Hannah) to Nashville for the Keith Urban concert and a subsequent Bachelorette party. To be completely honest, I was looking forward to the shopping, drinking, dancing, and party festivities. I was not, however, looking forward to the Keith Urban concert, because I do not like country music. Fast forward to Saturday night, and you wouldn't have been able to tell I was anything BUT a Keith Urban fan. The man is quite the performer; singing, dancing, sweating his butt off, and switching out his guitar every song. I would more accurately describe him as a rock/country musician, and therefore thoroughly enjoyed myself for the 2+ hours he spent entertaining us. All in all, it was a great show and completely unexpected. The remainder of the night was spent at the Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar, which is always a favorite of mine. We must've spent several hours there, just drinking, enjoying the karaoke style music accompanied by two grand pianos. Then, we all headed to Cadillac Ranch for a change of scenery and to get our dance on. Long story short, Lauren got bit on the shoulder, I got molested, and we saw a couple having sex on the dance floor. It was the perfect sum up to a wonderful evening ;-) In the end, the weekend was an unforgettable blast and I can't wait for her second bachelorette party in Knoxville!

An End to Traveling

Well, the beach trip I've just returned from is my final vacation of the year, which makes me kinda sad ;-((((  I've definitely had my fair share of traveling this year, beginning with an eastern Caribbean cruise, Paris & Rome in the spring, California and Vegas in May, Minneapolis for a genetics convention, and a beach trip to Seaside, FL. LOL, yeah, several people have made comments as to my almost routine absence from work. Well fret no more, my coworkers! I shall not have another break for quite awhile! Last week, I also celebrated my two year work anniversary, and I have a new drive to excel in other avenues of my position. I want to become well-rounded in all aspects of Cytogenetics, and it's nice I have the opportunity to learn new things on a daily basis. One could never get bored working in a science field because it's always every-changing! So, it's back to the daily grind for me. Au revoir!

Beach Time!

I know I haven't updated my blog in a month, but it's because I've been having a blast ;-) I've been spending alot of time traveling and on the boat, and I've got to admit...I'VE GOT SOME PRETTY AMAZING FRIENDS! Seriously! There's nothing more fun then spending some quality time with friends over some beers (or wine, or whatev!). I've been feeling really blessed to have my friends and family members in my life, and so here's a quick shout-out to y'all! MWAH! Love you guys!


As for an update, I'm heading out tonight on summer vacation. I'm going with Rob and his family to Seaside, FL (near Destin), and I'm extremely excited about it because I haven't been on a family vacation with them yet. AWESOME! Seafood dinner, deep sea fishing, lounging on the beach, naps, and spa massages await me while staying at an oceanfront house.... :-D  See y'all in a week! Hope everyone has a great Independence Day!