and a month later...

A friend of mine who happens to be somewhat of an expert in social  media recently posted tips on successful blogging.. one of which was to blog regularly.  I wonder if once a month counts!?  Needless to say, November has flown - I mean flown by. 


So I'll attempt a recap .. I mean, I know you all sit on the edge of your seats waiting on my posts. How else could you possibly exist?

In the world of College Sports.. there is the state of Tennessee Football.. currently in our fourth, ahem, "rebuilding" year.  I predict another 2 years before we have more Ws than Ls in our schedule. Patience is a virtue, right?  


For some perspective, we have the situation at Penn State. Sad, horrifying, mind-boggling, infuriating.  Football is, on the one hand, just a game.  Football programs, coaches, and traditions, however, are so much more.  As fans, it is a break from chores and to do lists, something t be passionate about, simply-  something of which to be part.

 The allegations against coaches at Penn State are, at the very least, disappointing. A living legend like Joe Paterno, someone who has inspired so many - whether or not you're a fan of the Nittany Lions - and in one short week it just crumbled. Clearly I didn't go there, but had always like Penn State and certainly was in awe of Joe Pa. And in one short week, it all crumbled. Reality certainly smacked us in the face. Ugh. 

In other news, we snagged some free tickets to Disney on Ice from Hannah's Daddy.  So Eileen, me, Hannah and her Mommy had girls night out.  Sitting at dinner in Market Square, we realize Eileen & Hannah are totally chatting up the next table. Seems at said table was Tyler, the boy both Sydney and Eileen had liked over the summer. Eileen literally blushed when she saw him! oh my. After dinner we headed over to the show. On the way in, I bought the girls a coting candy to split. 


FOR TWELVE DOLLARS. yes people. Twelve American Dollars. 

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I was irate. I mean, our tickets were free. But for most people there, they'd forked out roughly $80-$100 for tickets and parking for a family of four. And the folks at Disney just KNOW that once kids are in those doors, they're going to beg and plead and whine for all those (crappy cheap) toys. and the folks at Disney find it perfectly acceptable to charge hard working families an arm and a leg to get their kids some spun sugar and cardboard Mickey Ears.  


And yes, I am aware that I sit here and b*tch, yet I still bought the damn cotton candy which only allows the highway robbery to continue. The fun part of this story is intermission.. at which point Susan and I were ready to gouge our eyes out. Trying to talk the girls into heading home. That intermission actually means the show is over. And then Susan had a moment of brilliance. 

Susan:Hey girls! if we leave, we'll take you to Target and you guys can get a new toy!
Me: silent but smiling HUGE and giving a thumbs up.
Eileen & Hannah: practically knocking out every kid blocking the path to the exit. 
Mom behind us: cracking up (and insanely jealous at my brilliant friend). 


We head to Target, beating both football and Disney on Ice traffic. The girls got matching Princess Charm School Barbies. Life doesn't get any better.

Sarah and Josh got a new car - a minivan! Which is, I have to admit, a pretty cool one. There's something to be said for automatic doors and dvd player with wireless headphones. Eileen loves it, and Edith will be here in just over a week. 


We had early Thanksgiving with the Bryants, and Kath had a birthday. Eileen got hold of Miss Judy's American Girl catalog, and proceeded to point out all the things she wants.  Several hours later she was all finished. If the Bryant's simply sell a few acres, there should be no problem loading up on American Girl goodies, right?

Grandpa and Beanie came for Thanksgiving. Super fun holiday with them plus Sissy/David, JOsh/Sarah and Marc/Megan.  We still have loads of food left.  Including the cheesecake. I keep taking breaks from this post to go sneak a bite. It doesnt count when eaten right out of the pan right? here are only calories when one actually slices a piece and places it on a plate. 


We'd gone out to dinner early in the week. Coming home I was juggling the styrofoam (is that substance even legal these days!?) and buckling Eileen and getting her milk (luckily i was not also attempting to drive).  Apparently I was making noise, annoying Eileen... as she announced "mommy! you are making a rackett!"   I thought me, Dad, Beanie and Bill were all going to pee our pants. 

Thanksgiving night, of course, our Elf (Chuckie) made his appearance. He'll be with us until Christmas Eve night.  And this year, thanks to Pinterest, our Elf will be getting into all sorts of mischief.  He arrived in the ficus tree, innocently enough. One day later we found him flirting with Barbie, and Pooh was horrified. 

No doubt, I will be attempting to capture and update where Chuckie has appeared and what he's been doing!


And last night we took Eileen & her friends downtown to the Knoxville Tree Lighting.  And I have to say... there are days this town makes me batty.. but they do Christmas right. 

Market Square has become quite the place to be.  Loads of local shops and yummy restaurants. Closed off to vehicles. Concerts in summer and movies in fall. And Farmers Markets on weekends. And, the city doesn't charge for parking AT ALL on weekends. HUGE. that's HUGE. So we managed to get to Gay Street roughly 30 seconds before they flipped the switch. But it was perfect. Santa was there and carolers. Funnel cakes and hot chocolate.  We headed over to the Square to watch the ice skaters. I mean, how cool is that? They build and ice rink smack in the middle of the square for the holidays. 

 There was a cool concert happening on the Stage, Eileen & Bella were in awe. Sparkling lights were everywhere, tons of people milling about. A train set too..complete with steam coming out of the engines. If that atmosphere doesn't get you in the Spirit, then you seriously have issues. 

<--  in light of my previous comment... no comment.  heeheehee.. bwahahahaha. 

And in other news, we had spent a lovely evening in the ER to find out Bill had pnuemonia. Not fun at all for him, and frankly, terrifying for me.  Luckily he recovered insanely fast. 


We've officially submitted Eileen's application for Kindergarten, and will be going to the open house next weekend. We're planning on Christmas parade, getting up a tree, Edie being born, Shannon graduating with her MBA, and family coming to visit. So, it very well may be another several weeks.. but lets hope I manage to get back here sooner than that.


Happy Holidays!