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!

My New Car

Many people have been asking me a bunch of questions about my new car, so I figured I would answer them here and show some pictures. Yes, I finally upgraded my vehicle from a 1999 Acura CL coupe to a 2007 Acura TL sedan. And I like it I'm madly in love! I seriously love my new car to death. When Rob isn't looking, I sneak outside and stroke the smooth royal blue exterior ;-) Not really, but I have been trying to think of excuses to run more errands. I love being in my new car with its new car scent. I've never actually owned a car that smelled new, not that they smelled bad at all, just not like a new car. My new car has taupe and black interior with bucket leather seats, bluetooth handsfree communication, a 6-disc CD player, sunroof, Xenon headlights, AUX input, XM satellite radio, memory seats, all power, all gorgeousness. It is a HOT car. Everyday I catch myself dreaming of the next moment my car and I will be together again, I start humming Madonna's "Material Girl." Yes, that's my theme song right now. I have a friend, who will remain nameless, that already looks like she might "off" me to gain access to my car. It's very flattering to know I have good taste ;-) My older sister, Christine, and I are Valkyries....we like sparkly, expensive materialistic things. So, for now, my car is my baby and I'm gonna show off my baby...Enjoy!