Tennessee Titans

Here are just a couple pictures from my first NFL game:

A view of LP Field as we walked to the stadium from downtown.

The Tennessee Titans

Myself and Jen trying to stay dry & warm all while enjoying the game.

Lunchtime Errands...

So I decided since the weather wasn't terrible bad outside that I would multi-task given the busy time of year and do a little shopping on my lunch break. As I was emailing my friend the details I thought this would make a great little blog. SO here's a couple observations I made over my errands:

• How can one store have so many birthday card options? Mind you I had to buy a birthday card for my grandmother (which was pretty easy) in comparison to the 3 friend birthdays I have this month. I mean who can make a decision (I'm beginning to sound like my mother “I can’t decide…blah blah blah”) so I bought like 5 cards. They are all so much fun! Guess it never hurts to have extra birthday cards on hand.
• Then there is the decision about what Christmas cards to buy? I have started a tradition when it comes to my Christmas cards. For the past 3 years now, I have sent out black and white photo/winterscape scene Christmas cards and each year, I hold one back for myself, frame it and use it for decor in my home. Last year while in Chicago, I found a great photographed card of a wintry scene on Michigan Avenue. My intention this year was to find a black and white photo from Tennessee but I can’t find anything even online that I remotely like. So since I was at Hallmark, I settled for a variety pack, color photo/winter scene although I’m only 75% happy with my decision to settle. We should never "settle" even if it's over something as silly as card selection. BUT it’s Dec 5th. These cards have to be written and mailed. Maybe this is why people have converted to doing holiday newsletters...less stress? Perhaps now that I’ve bought cards, the ones I really want will be discovered? One can only hope...
• While at Hallmark, I saw these already monogrammed wine bags that I wanted to give as a gift to a family member. However, I was told that they do not make them in the letter “Q”. The clerk looked at me puzzled like, "Does your last name start with a “Q”?" No, but it's a family name and I don't understand how a letter from the alphabet can just be left out? Is that Alphabet discrimination? There has to be other last names that start with Q besides Quirey, what about Quinley, Quinn, Quail, Quick... OK say maybe there are not a lot of last names that begin with Q but now they have foiled my gift idea. :-( Maybe I can find some comfort in knowing that if your last name begins with an I, V or Z, you won't have a wine gift bag either.

Oh well...I guess I can just throw out my favorite holiday saying "TIS THE SEASON"

Away in a Manager

So in attempts to connect with some of the girls from my Sunday School class, I decided to participate in a small 6 week study called "Preparing Your Hearts for Advent". I mean, what better way to start the holiday season, than with a study of the Christmas Story. Six weeks is not a long time to commit, my good friend Amy would be there and it won't require much "homework". Well the study is rather in-depth and it does require a good couple hours of "homework" each week but this look at the Christmas Story has been so much more than just the birth of Christ and quite frankly, I am left speechless. We are 4 weeks into our study and have dissected passages from the first two chapters of Matthew and Luke. The author of this book has asked many thought-provoking questions that have stirred my soul. We have looked back into stories from the Old Testament, studied the genealogy of Mary & Joseph and have read the many prophecies that were filled by the birth of the Messiah.

The verse that has resonated the most with me is found in Luke 1:37:

"For with God nothing will be impossible."

This is the last sentence the angel of the Lord told Mary after having just delivered "news" that would change her life as she knew it. For me, this sentence is encouraging and gives me hope. I do know that with GOD anything is possible. Yet, how many times do I try to master-mind or control my own plans? Why do I worry about the small details when ultimately God has everything in the palm of His Hand?

Whew...I wasn't expecting to share all that and to think I haven't even finished my first cup of coffee. Anyways, I pray for Peace, Hope & Love for you during this Christmas season. Blessings to you all. And to all...a good night!

O Christmas Tree

So on top of an already great weekend, yesterday Jen and I went to get our Christmas tree and I have to say that in all my years of going to get a real tree, this was probably one of the best experiences I have ever had. We went to Home Depot on a mission to find a specific type of Christmas lights and were pleasantly surprised to find that they sell Christmas trees too. Taylor, our new Home Depot friend, was so patient with us as we inspected several trees before finding "the one", Fraser. (we named him after his family namesake,the Fraser Firs) Taylor took care of all the preparations for us to take Fraser home and it was a flawless transition. Here is a picture of Jen with Fraser:

Once we got Fraser settled into his new surroundings, we broke out all the Christmas decorations, played the Christmas music and decorated the home. I also learned that this was my roommates first live Christmas tree ever so it was a great "first" to be a part of and I couldn't help but capture the moment.

Here we are stringing the lights and hanging the ornaments

Our Christmas display in the living room...

Jen, Fraser & Me

After we got the house all decorated and stuff put away, we decided to watch one of our favorite holiday movies "Serendipity". I even baked some delicious Chocolate Chip Cookies. YUMMY! I don't know what it is about this time of year that just makes everything seem warm and cozy but I LOVE IT!

Good Times....

So I have to say that I had probably one of the busiest, yet most fun weekends I have had in a while. My friend Alabama Jen came into town on Friday night. Friday, itself, was probably one of the busiest days I have experienced at my job thus far not to mention I left there at 4:30 only to drive over to Pottery Barn Kids and work in the holiday retail setting that night with my best friend Caron. It made for a long day but it was so much fun.
Saturday after sleeping in, I took AL Jen to Percy Warner Park and introduced her to some hiking and the majestic stairs. I hope she doesn't hate me too much because those stairs (ancient stairs carved out of the side of a steep hill) are brutal to climb but she persevered with the best of them and never once complained. (I can't wait to hear her version :-) Needless to say we worked up an appetite, so we got cleaned up and drove to historic downtown Franklin. I took her to McCreary's Irish Pub, a favorite of mine and we finished lunch just in time to watch the Christmas Parade on Main Street and walked in some of the shops. It was a perfect relaxing way to spend the afternoon. Jen was working the Stevie Wonder concert at the Sommet Center that night so I dropped her off early and then my roommate and I enjoyed the concert that evening from the best seats in the house (4th row, center stage on the floor....VIP seating for sure). We even had a country celeb sitting right behind us. I mean, it was the best way to end an already perfect day.
And it just keeps on getting better...I won tickets at work on Friday to the Titans Game yesterday so I attended my first ever NFL game...club seats at the 50 yard line. What a way to watch my first game?!? I have pictures to post from the game but my computer was not cooperative last night at home, so I'll have to post them later.
Like I said, it was a weekend full of good times!