Oh Christmas Tree...

Just wanted to show everyone our BEAUTIFUL Christmas tree! We actually got to have a real one this year.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Take A Piece of Tinsel and Put It On The Tree

Now that we're in the midst of the Christmas Season, I find it important to share my MOST FAVORITE Christmas movie of all time. Not only is this movie awesome, but the soundtrack is even better!

Christmas is in full swing here in Denver. Our tree is up and decorated, stockings are hung, and we have snow on the ground with more to come! I love this time of year, even if it is midly depressing. Thomas and I are straying away from tradition this year and will be staying in Denver, cooking a big Christmas Eve dinner, and skiing on Christmas Day. So even if it doesn't snow in Denver, we'll still have a white Christmas for the first time in our lives!

Because I know me, and know that I (most likely) won't blog again before then, I hope everyone has a Merry, Safe Christmas! Hampton says the same...

Well it's Christmas time again
Decorations are all hung by the fire
Everybody's singing, all the bells are ringing out
And it's Christmas all over again, yeah again.
- Tom Petty, Christmas All Over Again

Alabama Was A'calling Her Back

I typically try to put some thought and wit into my posts, but I don't really have much time for any of that business today. So I'm just going to post a few pictures from our New Orleans trip, and update y'all on what we've been up to the past few weeks!

Starting with New Orleans, we had such a great time. Thomas and I both love that city and are reminded of that every time we go back. We pretty much stayed off Bourbon Street this time around and spent more time in other areas of the French Quarter and Harrah's (of course!). We went out of our way to eat at restaurants we had never been too, and I officially found the best po' boy sandwich in existence (half shrimp half oyster with cajun mustard, cabbage, and tomatoes please!) at Mother's. Here are a few pics from our trip:

Little Bo Peep (Mike) and Linda Lou

JB as a ghost
Saturday Brunch at Dante's Kitchen (T, Josh, and Brandon)

Mel and I having some MUCH needed brunch cocktails

Happy T
Cool house in the French Quarter

Other than getting ready for our Thanksgiving trip back home, T and I have been gearing up for ski season and spending time with Jimmy and Liz who just moved back from Kentucky! Last weekend, we went up with Scott and Adrienne to A-Basin for an early season day. It was crowded but still felt so good to get back on our skis.

We're leaving Denver tomorrow morning at 6am to start the two day process of getting back to Auburn. We'll be in Auburn until next Friday when we'll leave for Asheville to see Panic for two nights before coming back to Denver! Can't wait to see everyone while we're home, and if you're here in Denver, have a great Thanksgiving and we'll see ya on the mountain in a couple weeks!

"Dixie asked if I'd been to Alabama
Her voice was thick like some old southern night
And maybe for the sake of conversation
I said back in '88 or '89

She said her daddy's fields were full of cotton
By the river that she swam in as a child
Lord she loved those sweet magnolia blossoms
And that good ol' Honeysuckle growing wild"
-Yonder Mountain String Band, Pride of Alabama

Gonna Take It Up to New Orleans

As Caroline kindly commented on my last post, I need to keep up with this blog better! I still owe you guys some pictures from our road trip to Austin>Tulsa. We had an absolute blast down south. Lots of driving, but also lots of good music. I was able to meet up with Stacie at the show (one of my friends from high school that now lives in Austin) and we shared a little boogie time. Always good to see familiar faces on the road! The Backyard is (was) BEAUTIFUL. By far one of the coolest venues I've ever seen. Tons of live oaks throughout the place, and all of the vending was built into the trees to look like tree houses! Sad to see it go. As promised, here's a few pics:

Hampton ridin' doggy

Austin Crew at the Backyard

This is how close we were in Tulsa

This weekend is the weekend Thomas and I have been waiting YEARS for. Panic is playing in New Orleans, on Halloween night, at UNO, for the first time in 6 years. It seems like just yesterday when T and I were there. Then again, when I think about the fact that I was 19, it seems like a lifetime ago! New Orleans is by far the best city in the world to be in on Halloween. There's such an underlying creepiness to that place on any normal day, but you add Halloween and it's a whole different ball game. As expected, I am dressing up and Thomas is not (no surprises there). We recently found out that (almost) everyone we know from Denver is not only staying at our same hotel, but also on our same flights! So it's sure to be a weekend full of food, music, and partying NOLA style.

Other than gearing up for our trip, things have been pretty quiet around here. We went to see the Drive By Truckers play a free show last night at the Bluebird Theater. It was a private event hosted by none other than Jack Daniels. We ended up winning tickets to it, and had a blast. As soon as we walked in the door, there were two girls standing there giving out free drink tickets. Yes, please!

I hope everyone has a great weekend, regardless of how bad Auburn sucks! I promise to post Halloween pictures in a more timely manner than I did Austin. Just give me a few days to recuperate when we get back... lord knows I'll need it!

Four train days
Get me back to New Orleans
Drink more fishwater there
More than any whale's mama ever seen
-Widespread Panic, Fishwater

Let's Get the Show on the Road

The time has FINALLY come! No, I'm not talking about Auburn football or ski season. It is time for Panic Fall Tour! This coming up weekend Thomas, Brandon, and I are heading down to Austin, Texas for two shows at the Backyard. Then we're heading to Tulsa for a show at the Brady Theater on our way back to Denver. The thing that makes me so excited about this trip is the fact that we are driving. I know, Austin is a long way away (think 16 hours) but there is nothing better than packing up the car, rolling down the windows to smell the crisp fall air, putting on some good tunes, having a couple good traveling companions, and hitting the road. It's so reminiscent of our college days, and I can not wait!

Another thing about this trip that excites me is that I will be seeing Panic play in two cities and two venues that I have never been to. Thomas and I have toured across the country and back, so when we get to go to new venues there's always a sense of anticipation. The Backyard is a beautiful, historical venue where many great musicians have graced the stage. These shows will be the next to last shows there as it is being shut down so developers can build a shopping mall on top of it. Yep... you heard me right. A SHOPPING MALL. The people that step foot in that mall will never know the beauty of what lived there before it (or the dirty business that happened underneath their feet)... but we sure as hell will!

After Friday and Saturday nights in Austin, we're driving up to Tulsa for a Sunday night show. Those of you that are familiar with the ways of the Boys know that it is these one night, random shows that have the opportunity to be SICK. Small venue, city along the way, Sunday night. Sounds like the makings of a great show.

We'll be back in Denver on Monday and will have just enough time to recuperate and recharge for Halloween in New Orleans.

For those of you that know Thomas and I well, this long-weekend trip should be no surprise to you. If we can swing a way to get out of town to see some music (especially Panic) we will. Now that we're part of the "real world" these trips are fewer and far between. But I think this is one thing that bonds us together and makes our relationship that much stronger. Some of our best memories take place out on the road or at shows. You may not understand it, and we don't ask that you do. But we always seem to have a damn good time, meet some damn good people, and hear some damn good music. And there's not many negative things you can say about that.

I'm sure I'll have some great pictures from this weekend, and I hope to have them posted shortly after we get back. Gotta spread the love. :)

I'll leave you with a few lyrics that are fitting for this post. Couldn't choose just one.

And when the dust all settles and the story is told
History is made by the side of the road
By the men and women that can persevere
And rage through the storm, no matter how severe
And whether it’s a horse or a car or a train
There’s gonna be some fine times and there’s gonna be some pain
-Drive By Truckers, Monument Valley

Well, I wonder where that driver's bound
Is there someone, somewhere, someway out there that I've not found
-WSP, Driving Song

Here's your ticket, pack your bags, time for jumpin' overboard
Transportation is here
Close enough but not too far, maybe you know where you are
Fighting fire with fire
-Talking Heads, Burning Down the House

One Good Dog

Ok, I have to post these pictures I took of Hampton last night. Recently, she's been very into sleeping with her head and upper half of her body under the bed. After weeks of laughing everytime I see her little legs and white tipped tail sticking out, I had to document this.

The funniest part is, when you call her name and she's under there, her tail starts thumping so hard! Like she's saying "Maybe dey don't know dat I'z under here." Hilarious.

Alabama Getaway

I'm heading home this weekend for a quick visit to see family, and mainly, an Auburn football game! Thomas and I were able to make it back for a game last season, and I need my fix again this year. Although I'm super excited about going to the game, I'm a little worried about making the trek all the way back home just to see the guys choke again. I know, I know, I'm not just going back for the football game. I'm going back to visit family, blah, blah, blah. But let's be real... we'll be home again for a week in November. So with this trip, yes, I am going back for the football game. I guess I have solace in the fact that I didn't really have great expectations for Auburn's Football team this year. Don't get me wrong, I always want them to be the best team out there. But as with most years for the Tigers, I figured this also would be a "rebuilding year." So with all my lucky attire, and fingers crossed, I'll be in the stands with mom (there's the family part of the trip) screaming like a crazy person for the guys to pull out a win. And hopefully we'll get to go roll Toomer's afterwards.

Other than preparing for my AU trip, there's not much going on around here. Thomas and I are (trying) to get in shape for ski season.... it'll be here before we know it. My Indo Board gets here tomorrow! I've never been more excited to get a package in my life! I feel like Christmas is coming with the UPS man tomorrow. Thanks to Kate for getting me addicted. Grey's starts tomorrow, and I'm getting my hair cut (just a trim) so I don't have to hear mom say "I loved your hair when it was that length" then point to the picture of Jason and I at the beach in 2002.

I hope everyone has a great weekend, and if you're in Auburn, I look forward to (maybe) seeing you soon!

"Reserve me a table for three

In the Valley of the Shadow

Just you, Alabama, and me"

~Grateful Dead

Long May You Run

Sorry for the lack of updates lately! We've been busy with football season starting, so my priorities have shifted a bit.

With some recent GREAT news, I've been thinking alot about spirituality. I don't consider myself to be a religious person, but definitely feel there is a higher power (or order as Thomas calls it) out "there" somewhere controlling things. I don't think it's an old man with a gray beard in a white robe, but it's definitely something. The funny thing is, whenever good news finds its way to me, I find myself saying "Thank God!" for lack of a better way of expressing my happiness or relief. With the news we've received, it's hard for me to not think of the scientific aspect of the higher power/order. Is it prayer or medicine? Creationism, Evolution, neither, combination of both? I guess the jury will always be out on that one. Whatever may be out "there", I am thankful.

Let's take some time to catch y'all up on what we've been up to lately. A couple weeks ago, our friends Scott and Adrienne finally bit the bullet and got married! It was a BEAUTIFUL day, and a great way to celebrate their lives together. Backyard, chacos, perfect. Here's a few pics:

We've also had T's mom (Leigh) out for a week. She was able to schedule a digital story telling work shop out here, so Auburn paid for her trip! Make sure to check out her story here. It's about the postcards she made and sent to Kate (T's sister) while Kate was working in Japan. We had a party for the Mississippi State game, so she was able to meet a bunch of people she's always heard us talking about. We took her to some of our favorite restaurants, including John Holly's for her birthday! Here's some pictures she took while out here:

Hope this post finds everyone doing well. We're all getting geared up out here for the LSU game this Saturday. Scott and Adrienne are hosting the party this week, so hopefully a change of scenery will be good luck! Have a great weekend and WAR DAMN EAGLE!

"We've been through some things together
With trunks of memories still to come
We found things to do in stormy weather
Long may you run"
~Neil Young

Fashion Politics

Many of you have heard me say that I think you can choose the next president by his First Lady. In my mind, a First Lady is the epitome of American style and grace; someone who is approachable and stylish, yet firm in her beliefs. Who would you rather have a glass of wine with?

OR

In the words of one of my idols, Mr. Tim Gunn: "Cindy McCain looks like someone has twisted her ponytail into a knot and tried to give her a face-lift... She just looks like she's duct taped." I believe she needs a few pages out of Laura Bush's book. And can we discuss her Convention wardrobe please? I don't believe EITHER of these are appropriate for a 54 year old First Lady in Waiting (please note Laura's tasteful white suit).

Say what you want about their husbands' stances on energy, abortion, and health care. I think the First Lady race is wrapped up.

Melted Whiskey in my Hand

Well, the title of this blog pretty much sums up the great weekend Thomas and I just had. It was probably one of the busier ones we've had in quite a while. I don't have anything intelligent to say on this entry today, so I'll just fill you in on our shenanigans!

The LONG weekend started off with a trip on Thursday to see Panic play two nights at Jazz Aspen in Snowmass. Aspen's about 3 1/2 hours away, so we loaded up my little car, the dogs, and our touring companion Mr. Brandon Calloway and headed on out! Aspen can be an incredibly expensive place, so we brought food to cook on our camp stove (yes, seriously) and whiskey to bring into the show to cut down on costs. Panic and whiskey seem to go perfectly together. Almost as perfectly as whiskey and Auburn Football! The shows were great. Thomas got to hear a few songs he'd been looking for, and we got to see a few old taping friends that we don't see very often. I have always found the taping community to be pretty comical. No matter where we go to see a show, we always seem to know someone there. There are alot of people that we only see once a year, but when that time comes around, it's like no time has passed.

We got back from Aspen early Saturday afternoon and immediately got into game day mode... face tattoo and all. All of our friends came over to drink, eat, and watch football. Kicking off the first AU Football Party of the season! Since we have Gameplan, we actually got to watch the Auburn game which was nice. We also got to watch the Bama/Clemson game, which I was very dissapointed with. Jimmy and Liz were in town, so it was just like last year complete with beer pong and me having to talk Katie out of breaking into our neighbors garage to turn the light on because THEY WERE HOME.

Thomas and I had tickets to see Gov't Mule at Red Rocks on Sunday, but with Liz only in town for two nights (and with me being a little hungover from the night before), I decided to send Thomas on his way with my ticket in Brandon's hand and I ended up going to Sushi Den for Liz's last night in town. It's always so nice to see her and Jimmy. They really are two people that both Thomas and I love dearly, and we can't wait for them to move back to Denver!

So after a LONG, LONG partying weekend, Thomas and I layed low yesterday. Running a few errands, cooking dinner, and watching Tennessee lose to ULCA (REALLYY??!!). All in all, we had an amazing weekend. Couldn't have asked for anything more... and in all reality, I probably couldn't have handled anything more. :)

Oh, and for any of you that live in/near Auburn (not sure how many there are that read this), it looks like I'll be home for the Tennessee game in a few weeks! Hope to see everyone... Caroline - especially you!

Harrison, Thomas, and Brandon in Snowmass

Happy T

Mr. Calloway and I

War Damn Eagle!

We all complain 'bout the beautiful scenery...

Warning... this blog contains political content. If easily offended by strong opinions, do not continue.

This week in Denver, a very historic event is taking place. The Democratic Party has chosen our beautiful city as the host city for the 2008 Democratic National Convention. With politics being shoved down every Coloradans throat, I feel that this entry is appropriate. I'm typically a person that keeps my political preferences to myself, but this election is more important than any other election in my lifetime. For lack of a better word, our country is SCREWED. Not only are we in more debt than we've ever been, but the dollar is worth next to nothing, we have hundreds of young men and women dying for an unknown cause (the "terrorist" card has been WAY over played), and our economy is so far down the hole that it seems like it will take generations to bring it back to it's pre-Dubya state. All in all, America is in pretty bad shape.

I try not to pay much attention to political advertisements. Most of the time, the spots are nothing short of propaganda. But sadly, there are Americans out there that do. There are so many people that take what's on the surface and let that greatly influence their vote. In a country where we have the privilege of choosing our next leader, they are letting someone else decide their vote and that just pisses me off. I believe we are in a time where party affiliations need to be set to the wayside and we need to come together as one voice to fix what's been broken. In order for our America to be restored, she needs a voice that is stronger than a republican or a democrat. She needs a voice that is united. And until that can happen, we will stay right where we are now... screwed.

Maybe this election year, don't vote the entire ballot Democrat or Republican. Maybe listen, intently, to what each candidate has to say and choose what is right for YOU and our Lady Liberty. Not what's right for your party. What I want in my President is different than what you may want. Do the research and make an informed decision. If you ask me, our next President shouldn't be left up to Elephants vs. Asses and egos should be left at the White House gates.

On that note, I am off to figure out where all the happening celeb parties are this week. As most of you know, I have a mild obsession with celebrities, and I'd like to play paparazzi for a few days. After all, it's not very often we get the likes of Oprah around here.

"We tell our kids it's good versus evil
that Country and God are more important than people
We say so much it's almost believable
Fear, we'll leave no body behind"
~Stockholm Syndrome

Proud Swedes

We had a GREAT time up in Granby this past weekend. There were five teams that consisted of the Italian Polo Team, the Jamaican Mixed Doubles Badmitton Team, the Swedish Mixed Doubles Tennis Team, the Japanese Kandome (?) Team, and the American Corn Hole Team. We had six events planned but only made it through 3 of them. The Swedes took Gold in Corn Hole and Marbles, and Silver in Foosball. The Jamaicans took Gold in foosball, USA took Silver in Corn Hole, and the Japanese took bronze in Corn Hole and Foosball.

Since the weather was a little lack luster, we spent most of the weekend trying to fish, drinking, soaking in the hot tub, and watching the real Olympics. The basement of the lake cabin was Thomas' idea of heaven... complete with 4 pinball machines, a foosball table, and an old school Nintendo. Here are some pictures from the weekend. Note that Thomas did not take his gold medal off all day... not even at bed time.

Dylan, Thomas, and Dylan's Dad (Keith) playing Pin-ball

Katie trying to fish

Kate searching for her golf ball

Lake Cabin Olympics 2008

Our Michael Phelps Moment

Thomas basking in the glow of his gold medal

On our way up to Grandby on Friday the weather was the same as it was in Denver... cold and rainy. But when we got to the top of Berthoud pass, the rain turned into snow and we were in the middle of a modern day blizard. It was a strange sight to see snow sticking to the grass and trees in the middle of August. Many people out here have told T and I that "it can snow anytime of the year in Colorado" but now I actually believe them. It was only snowing over 10,000 feet, so there was no snow at the Cabin. But, the mountains across the lake from the house were covered and it was a glorious sight.

On that note, I am gearing up for ski season... literally. I've decided I need to update my ski gear this year, so I'm on the hunt. It's amazing what a little snow can do to jumpstart one's excitement for winter. I can't wait for the morning when I wake up to that eery silence that signals the first snow. No matter how long we live here, I think I will always jump straight out of bed, grab my camera, and start snapping pictures.

This week will be pretty low key for us. We're in town (for once!) this weekend, so we're planning on taking it easy in preparation for the next. Labor Day weekend is going to be CRAZY for us. Panic is playing Jazz Aspen the Thursday and Friday before Labor Day. Lizzy and Jimmy are coming into town Saturday, so we'll be hosting the first of many AU football parties. Then we're going to see Gov't Mule and Umphrees at Red Rocks on Sunday. Good thing we have Labor Day off... we're gonna need the rest.

Hopefully everyone had a great weekend. Thomas just informed me that the first two Auburn games will be on Game Plan (which he's subscribing to). So after mom's football care-package gets here, and after a little yard work is done, we'll be ready to take on the season with full force!

"Bear's in the kitchen, Tigers on TV" ~ Gov't Mule

Rainy Day Woman

So here it is. My first post. I've been thinking alot about what I want this blog to be (i.e. a place where I can post thoughts and reflections, a place for updating family and friends about our life out here, etc). I've decided it's too early to put a label on this thing, so I'm just going to run with it and see what happens! Thanks to Caroline for reminding me that I actually do have exciting things in my life to write about, and I should start a blog.

It's a dark, cold, rainy day in Denver. The high today is only 65. That may not seem very cold in the grand scheme of Colorado, but seeing as how we just got out of a streak of 22 days above 90 degrees, it's quite a change. Lately I've been longing for a day like this. Don't get me wrong, I love the sun. But every now and then it's so nice to break out the umbrella and dodge puddles. It's supposed to be like this all weekend. My flowers are happy... the ones that are alive atleast.

Thomas and I are heading up to Grand Lake this weekend to have an "Olympic Theme Weekend" at our friend Dylan's family lake house. Dylan is my friend Kate's boyfriend, and he loves her enough to allow quite a few of our crazy friends to come up. We have not had a lake trip since we left Auburn and are pretty excited to have a relaxing weekend complete with great friends, lots of food, and I'm sure the occasional cocktail. The picture of Thomas and I below is actually from Grand Lake in 2006.

So, let's talk about the "Olympic Theme" part of the weekend. Kate and Dylan have taken it upon themselves to come up with a number of games and competitions that we will take part in throughout the weekend (think washers, corn hole, etc). While playing these games, each couple is supposed to dress up like both a sport in the Olympics and a Country. Any of you who know Thomas know that dressing up in costume is not his thing. He is a man that won't even dress up for Halloween (with the exception of last year... props to him for that). To make it as easy of a costume as possible, we are going to be the Swedish Mixed Doubles Tennis Team. Why you ask? Because we have all the tennis gear, and I figured if Thomas wears his hair down with a sweatband around his head, he could pass as a Swede. Me with red hair... not so much. I'll make sure to post pictures on here next week... if I can figure out how, exactly, to do that. I'm sure as I start to learn a little more about this whole blogging thing, the look and feel of this page will drastically change. But for now, I think this works.

I want to leave y'all with something I've been thinking about alot lately. As I'm sure ALL of you know, our kitty Stella died last week. Leaving Kita Belle as our only cat. I've never worried about leaving the cats alone at the house because they always had each other. This weekend will be the first weekend Kita's at home alone and I am so worried that she is going to be lonely and sad. I know the crazy cat woman part of me is coming out, but seriously. She's never been alone while we're out of town, and she's been craving alot of attention since Stella's been gone. And I'm worried about her. Other than leaving a tv on and making sure her pink blanket's clean, I'm not sure what else to do. Any suggestions? Feel free to comment.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. Only 15 more days 'til Auburn Football!

"And brave the storm to come, for it surely looks like rain." ~ Grateful Dead