Project Thankful, Day 2:

Today I am thankful that one city could bring me so much..

9 years ago, I stepped out of my little bedroom in Tazewell and into an even tinier dorm room in Cookeville, Tennessee. It was here that I found myself. I had to. I didn't know ANYONE. I was the new kid, in a new town, with no connections. So I made some... and quick! I found some of my very best friends, my bridesmaids and my husband.

This town gave me my first big girl job, my first home and my sweet baby boy. This weekend I will celebrate this town and this university that gave me so much. It's homecoming weekend here at TTU and I can't wait to see all my homies. Thank you Cookeville. I am forever indebted to you.

I've got HIIIIIIIIIIIGGGHHHHH hopes...

Happy Saturday to all !!!

GBO

and then there were the Vols...

Saturday we headed to Mt. Juliet so I could do a little shopping... for Me.. and for some birthday presents of course.. We hit up the Taaarjaaayy and a few other places. We also were going to hit up the Providence Regal Cinemas (we have a gift card left over from my bday last year). As we were heading towards "The Children's Place" (for a birthday gift, take that excitement level back down to a 1) Hubbs spotted a Marble Slab. "I WANT ICE CREAM" he says in his highest pitched voice, mimicking that of a kid that had  been on his best behavior all day. He immediately follows it up with, "Hey what's that place?" (points next door to Marble Slab). I inform him that that is a World of Wings. (wings, football on television).. GAME OVER....

We went to Mt. Juliet in hopes to conquer Target and see a movie...

....and then.. there were.. the Vols...

This is apparently my "I'm watching football, leave me alone face" I found it on my phone in a message from Hubbs during a commercial break.. didn't even know he'd taken it. Ha.

I accused Hubbs of not being a "TRUE VOL" fan because he wasn't wearing orange.. he pointed to his hair and replied, "Hey.. I'm ALWAYS wearing ORANGE"

Double Trouble screens..

and one in the booth...

We fell for it again.. those Vols and their trickery.. we headed  back home heartbroken.. 

Maybe next week, right ??

The Last Lake Hooorah

First off... GO BIG ORANGE

There was a collective sigh in the Moonlight Bay when the Big Orange Power T finally popped onto the screen of the assigned PPV channel and the little words scribbled under it read "Rain Delay". For a few minutes there we were in full blown panic mode.. Crisis divereted. I couldn't decide what I enjoyed more.. the Victory or Dooley's super pimp orange pants. The man's got style for miles yo.

Twas a WONDERFUL weekend for football!



This weekend was our last warm weather weekend at the lake.. JOKE WAS ON US!! Actually, Saturday was beautiful and I will not complain. Sunday and Monday however... hahahahaha. ridiculous. The rain didn't stop and the temp took a major dip. All those shorts and tshirts we had all packed.. useless.. unless of course you were wearing them under your sweat suit and also sporting your poncho on top of all of it. We were surrounded by good company and good food, which always leads to a GREAT time. Need proof ??

Party Rockin' in the Hoooooouse tonight

She's got some dance moves already.. I like to call this "baby sprinkler"

We made the most of the "Laborless" holiday.. lounging around well until 11:00 am in our pj's watching the complete second season of Parks and Rec. Do yourself a favor and get hooked now.. its a real good time. After thoroughly stuffing ourselves like Thanksgiving turkeys with leftovers everyone seemed to catch a second wind... Photographic proof that there was Labor at the Lake today...

More than likely Solitare as opposed to School Work

Releasing the Cookeville Flotilla

Catch me if you can...

SURPRISE

They work hard for the money.. so hard for the money

Laboring.. duh

Little heavy lifting

Homemade ponchos at their finest

Mr. Phil.. the greatest Vol there ever was!

 Did I mention it was cold ????

So we say goodbye to summer and open our arms to the fall.. and when I say WE.. I mean most of us.. VGB is obviously holding on to summer and her pink polka dot swimmer as long as she can...



getting over the HUMP...

This is what gets me through each day every day.. and always over the Middle of the Week hump...

There isn't much I love more than Diet Coke. It must be canned, and it must be ice cold. 

My anticipation for the weekend is quickly growing thanks to these two things:

VGB

Got to see this picture first thing this morning and it made me laugh out loud at my desk. Thank you Big Sister for the sunshine today.

AND

Food and Football. The menu is set, festive outfits (and swimsuits) are packed, LET'S DO THIS !!!

What gets you over the hump ???

....Home Sweet Home to MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE....

Every day is one day closer to Labor Day Weekend College Football Kickoff (11 Days in case you are an idiot), and for those of us who were raised right, one day closer to hearing ROCKY TOP over and over and over again with HUGE smiles stretched across our faces. As fall draws closer and the shopping begins for a "Fall Wardrobe" my eyes are constantly drawn to all that is orange. Maybe it's an East Tennessee thing? I've been trolling the internet, local boutiques and big box stores for ideas and making a wish list. Our game days are usually spent on the boat and I always dress the part,  but if I was going to be in the thick of things in Knoxville every Saturday these items would be a MUST:

Lucky for me Little Sister owns the dress on the right. Oh Happy Day!

Swoon, right ??

Available through GiGi's in Crossville, TN

Available through GiGi's in Crossville, TN

Gigi's in Crossville, TN

GiGi's in Crossville, TN 

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

My FAVORITE

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

Nothing completes and outfit like cute ACCESSORIES and one of my Delta Gamma sisters has them on LOCK!! Winky Sugar has ALL your accessory needs covered!! Aren't these just the BEST !!!??!!

Good Ole' Rocky Top Headband on Elastic

All Vol Ring 

Rocky Top Headband

Gameday Headband

Dust off your pompoms kids.. it's almost FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE !!!!!!!