Busy Weekend in Knoxville!

Friday night we went to watch our best friend, Mikey, play some music. He is a drummer in a local Knoxville band and we love to go watch him play. I'm not just biased, he is REALLY good! Lots of our friends came out to watch him play and we had a great time!

Saturday morning I went wedding dress shopping with Erin and my mom, it was SOOO much fun! Then I spent the afternoon with my dad and Robin and it was so great to catch up with them! Dad took me to Lakeside Tavern and I got a slice of their Strawberry Cake, YUMMY!

Sunday was Easter of course and below are some pictures from my mom's family Easter gathering.



His brand new drum set and I'm not even going to mention how much they cost
I'm 25 and the Easter bunny still comes to visit.

My aunt makes the best desserts!
Look how cute, it's a sunflower with Peeps!
Mini strawberry shortcakes, chocolate cake, cheesecake bites (some covered with chocolate), cookies and cream cake. Needless to say, I was not South Beach dieting yesterday!!!
Josh and I am my grandmothers
Everyone admiring the yummy desserts!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!!!

It's a color TV!!!! (that is for you Robin)

Our new TV, thanks to Josh's dad!!!! It's been a long time coming and Josh is sooooo excited!

Jason & Meredith Spring Break

Jason and Meredith got into town last Saturday and even though I was disappointed about my trip to CA, I was excited to be able to hang out with them for a few days. Saturday they went to meet Meredith's sister at a UT Alumni event to watch the game, Josh and I didn't go, he was jet lagged and I didn't sleep much the night before because of the storms. They came back after the disappointing loss and we ordered Johnny's pizza (so good!) and talked and laughed the rest of the night. Sunday we decided to re-live our childhoods and go to Six Flags. It was the perfect day to go, not many people and great weather. The longest we waited in line was 30 minutes. He had a great time there and went home to crash for the rest of the night. Monday we went to Smyrna Market Village to celebrate St. Patty's Day. It was funny because Jason asked what our plans were for St. Patty's day and I was like well we don't have any because we're not in college anymore. If they weren't there Josh and I wouldn't have even thought about it but I'm glad we went out, dressed in green and we had a great time. I'm really glad it all worked out that we got to hang out together for their spring break, come back soon guys! We had a blast!

Only picture so far

I heard on the radio this morning that this is the only picture so far of the tornado that hit Downtown Atlanta. Even though it doesn't look like a funnel cloud, the tornado is the the hazy area in the middle of the picture which is right where the GA Dome is. YIKES!!

Correction: The hazy area in the middle is a wall cloud. The actual tornado is over to the left. On the right side of the only tall building on the left side.

Dozer's a Hero

*Note: Meredith and Jason are in town for Spring Break so I will update our time together when they leave.

On Sunday we had just gotten back to the apartment and noticed signs everywhere stating that a black cat was lost and his name is Butch. Of course we took note of the missing cat and went on in. Josh and Dozer were playing tennis ball when the ball got stuck behind the blinds that cover the sliding glass door. Dozer went to get it but never came back and was very quiet. Josh thought that was strange so he went to see what Dozer was doing. Sure enough he was staring at a black cat that was in the corner of the patio. Josh opened the blinds and said "Is that Butch?"

I ran outside to get the number and it turns out that Butch is our next door neighbor. Luckily he hadn't gone far so the guy came over to get him and was very relieved.

Thanks to Dozer's curiosity, Butch is no longer missing!

Whirlwind Friday

Me and Dozer with our sad and lonely faces

I took this walking to work this morning, this is the Westin hotel right next to my building and our building wasn't even touched.

I'm going to get made fun of by Josh, Jason and Meredith about the title of this blog but I don't care :)

Friday def ranks up there as one of the worst day I've had. It started at work when because I was involved in the process of firing one of our employees. Since moving into this position my responsibilities have increased and being apart of firing someone is one that I hadn't experienced yet. What was even harder about it was that she is one of my friends. I work in a small office so we are all pretty close and I have gotten to know this individual on a personal level and even hung out with her outside of work on several occasions. Needless to say it was hard, sad, and not something I enjoyed being apart of one bit. However, I was so excited because I was to be leaving for Laguna Beach the very next morning, would have 2 days off of work (Monday and Tuesday) and would be able to escape the office while enjoying sunny California. Well at 4:45 on Friday Josh called me to tell me he was being sent home (he was already in California for work) and his trip was going to be rescheduled at a later date. Well isn't that just great!!! I was so looking forward to taking this trip, I have only been to CA once but I was a little girl. I lost $100 on my flight and had bought a dress, a cute shirt, some earrings, travel supplies, you know all that stuff you do before going on a trip. So I went home Friday night, spent a lot of time on the phone, put in a movie and got a call at 9:45 from my best friend Hayley. It went something like this.

Hayley: "Are you ok?"

Me: "No, I'm really bummed about not getting to go to CA (I was thinking in my head though how did she know my trip got canceled)

Hayley: "I mean about the tornado in Atlanta that is at the GA Dome, less than a mile from you"

Me: "What, OMG my power went just went off!"

I was in my own little world feeling sorry for myself about my trip, obviously not watching basketball (that's how everyone found out about it), and had no idea that there was a tornado basically right outside my window. I'm not exaggerating when I say that it was less than a mile from where I live. I spent the rest of the night in candle light, reading my new book and talking on my phone so much that it eventually died and I lost all contact to the world around me. I know that sounds so dramatic but have you tried being without light, TV, radio AND a cell phone? I can't imagine that people ever lived that way! It was also very scary because I did not know what was going on outside, if there was another tornado or what, I just heard it storming very loud and said plenty of prayers. You might ask why I didn't just go to my car and charge my phone, well I did once but eventually the emergency hall and parking garage lights went out so it was a pitch black walk to my car and I was not about to do that! Poor little Dozer was such a trooper and sat there on the couch with me all night and didn't act scared although he slept right next to me all night which made little room for me on the couch. I didn't care though and was so thankful I had him there with me. My power finally came back on around 9:00am the next morning and I couldn't believe all the damage that had been done in Atlanta and I realized how lucky I was that it did not come through my apartment. I was so relieved when I woke up on Saturday just knowing that it was a new day and it HAD to be better than the day before.

South Beach Diet Update

Well I'm excited to say that I've lost 8lbs and I'm rounding off week 3. I went home last weekend and celebrated getting through the first 2 weeks with a bite of crab cake, a bite of fried green tomato and some bread and a firehouse sub. Starting Monday I was back on track with no sugars and carbs. Well...does little chocolate Easter eggs count as sugars ;) ? I'm very happy with my results and will continue to eat 6 small meals a day, watch my carbs and sugars and eat smaller portions. Since I have been doing this I have realized that I don't need an entire plate of food to satisfy my hunger. Smaller amounts are just as fulfilling.

Bella Pics

In my previous post I said I got to see Bella this past weekend so here are some pics.

Eating a lemon, she actually likes it I think!
Playing with her new house her Daddy bought her because she had been sick
Bella says "Welcome" She is so funny to watch in her jumper, she loves it!
Bella giving me her open mouth kisses, and grabbing my hair! So worth it!

Mixed Emotion Weekend!

When I found out Carrie's grandfathers funeral was going to be on Sunday I decided to go home for the weekend and when I found out about Erin getting engaged that made it even more worth the trip. On Friday I went to dinner with Mom, then I went to Erin's to celebrate her engagement. She must have been a closet wedding planner because you wouldn't believe how much she already has planned. Me, Hayley, Carrie and Carrie's cousin had fun looking at bridal magazine and hearing all about Erin's ideas. I can't believe my best friend is getting married!!!! On Saturday Josh's family invited me to go to dinner at Crown & Goose. For all you Knoxvillians, I would def recommend going to try it out and make sure to ask for the best server there, Chelsey!! Josh's little sister is working there so we went and sat at one of her tables. The concept is based around an English style pub, it's a really cool atmosphere and the food was excellent. We got the crab cake and fried green tomato appetizer and the deviled eggs, they were both delicious. I ordered the prime rib and although it was cooked different than I'm used to it was VERY good. The best part about dinner is that I got to spend time with Bella. I hadn't seen her since Christmas and I just can't believe how much she's changed. She's already scooting around on her belly, standing up with help, and waving at herself. She is the happiest baby I have ever seen. She did not whine or cry a single time and that was over several hours. We went back to Josh's sisters house afterwards and played with all her toys, she is so fun to watch because she is so happy and she will just scream with delight!!! I spent the rest of the night visiting with mom and watching Martian Child, really cute movie!! Then on Sunday we went to Carrie's grandfather's service. It was a really nice service and I'm glad I went. I hated seeing everyone under the circumstances but everyone seemed relieved that "Daddy Bill" had gone to be with the Lord, and that is right where he wanted to be. Here are some pics of the night at Erin's and I'm posting Bella pics in a different post.


Erin's gorgeous ring!
The Bride-to-be and Co Maid of Honor (Hayley is the other one)
*Notice the glasses, I got them for Erin, they have a diamond ring on them :)
The ecstatic bride-to-be
I just had to post this pic, I mentioned that Erin got a new puppy and this is proof that they are getting along well. I think this is just precious. It makes me want to get a brother for Dozer (Josh-don't comment ;)

Welcome to Georgia!

That's right, my little brother will be joining me in Georgia in August. His job interview went so well they hired him on the spot, can you blame them though, who couldn't love him! Well I am so excited for him and very proud. I also can't wait to have him as my neighbor!!! Welcome to Georgia Jason, I love you!!!!!

Wedding Bells!

I am so excited to announce that one of my very best friends is getting married. I just found out last night and I'm thrilled for her. Erin and I have been friends since middle school and she is one of a kind. Erin and Casey are such a sweet, genuine and fun couple and I know they will be very happy together and that he will take care of her! This is just so exciting for me, I know every girls dreams about her wedding day but I also dream about my best friends. Being able to be a part of that special day with them is priceless. Congrats Erin and Casey!!!

Oh, did I mention the wedding might be in October!!!

Prayers Needed!

One of my best friends from childhood, Carrie, has lost two family members within a day of each other. Her young uncle (Dad's brother) died unexpectedly on Saturday. His wife found him at the kitchen table, and at this point I have not heard the cause but of course everyone is thinking a heart attack or stroke. They have 2 young boys, 8th and 10th grade. On Sunday her grandfather died (Mom's dad) after battling lung cancer. I know it's hard to handle the death of any family member but I can't imagine what it must be like for them to be dealing with 2 at the same time. Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you!

Jason and Meredith Visit

Jason and Meredith got to town on Saturday for a quick weekend visit. Saturday night we went to Dave & Busters for dinner and some games. Sunday we really wanted to be lazy but it was so beautiful outside. We watched the TN game then walked Dozer to the pet store to get a frisbee and went to the park. Dozer had no interest in the $10 frisbee. All he wanted to do was eat grass and play with sticks. We really enjoyed being outside in the sunshine and were glad we got out of the apartment. Josh cooked steaks last night and I made grilled veggies and baked potatoes. We didn't do a whole lot but had fun talking and catching up. Jason's interview is today with U-line and he REALLY wants this job. Please pray for him today!


Josh's favorite game, he kept saying "one more game"
I love this pic of them!

Dozer carrying his stick home with him Yes, this is a grass stain on my leg! We were throwing a tennis ball and Josh decided he wanted to guard me. Meredith threw the ball and I took off running to get away from Josh, stepped in a hole and took quite a tumble. I rolled around and everything. At least we all got a good laugh out of it!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

South Beach Diet Update-Week 2

I am so thankful that I can still have Diet Coke. There is something about CFA's Coke products but I love a fountain drink from there. This is my diet splurge!

So I did really well this weekend. The hardest part was eating 6 meals a day since I slept a little later and my schedule is not the same as the week day but overall I ate very healthy and didn't splurge at all! I even resisted chips and queso and potato skins when they were ordered as appetizers and I made Josh, Jason and Meredith my molten chocolate cakes and watched them devour them while I ate a chocolate pudding cup! Hard but worth it because I have lost 4lbs!!! If anyone has any suggestions for sugar-free desserts please send them my way. The only thing I can find is the pudding cups but I would like a little more variety and really need my sweets!! I will save you the daily menu this week but I'm pretty much having the same stuff!