9 for 9

Following our 8 reasons after 8 months...and in no way inspired by the 25 things chain letter tagging its way through Facebook...its seems lists are a fun and fitting way to count away at the months and memories that Roo and I have shared so far. So here is February's 9 for 9...9 simple memories after 9 sensational months.

June - Roo and I sing karaoke for the first time as husband and wife at Kate's post graduation party. We perhaps later paid $5 to hear the same song played at the grand opening of Charlotte's Howl at the Moon dueling piano bar.

July - We got to share a room on the annual family vacation to Edisto Island...finally! Though my snoring may send me back in with the boys next year.

August - We celebrated 1 year as homeowners...a nice tax deduction from one side, a long honey-do list from another view...from any standpoint, a beautiful home. We also celebrated the birth of baby boy Buxton, the son of Roo's best friend and college roommate. For Roo, it was love at first sight....

September - It wouldn't be an EJ-written blog entry (just as it wouldn't be EJ and Roo) without a hint of Chicago. We tailgated with my dad, Mike, Caroline, Phil and others at the Bears-Panthers game in Charlotte. October - Trick or treat? Definitely a treat to have hosted a Halloween themed baby shower for Bradriane. Brad and Adriane in non-US Weekly talk.

November - This past Thanksgiving will be hard to top and I may never eat another un-fried turkey again. Add Riley's cheesecakes and family to the mix and we obviously have so much to be thankful for.

December - Max celebrates 1 year in our house and in our family. Its not that we had a party for him or anything close to a celebration but our dogs do play such a significant role in our lives that they were due a mention here. I also assumed no one wanted to hear that I was excited to get socks for Christmas.

January - Roo and I camped out...in our living room. Thanks to Blockbuster, Roo's chocolate-covered strawberries and our fireplace. It was the best stay-cation I've ever had.

February - As if we aren't short-changing February enough by only giving it 28 days, we are also trying to force a favorite moment out of the first two weeks? Valentine's Day dinner at the River Rat seems to be the front-runner but with Winthrop's Homecoming at the end of the month, my surf and turf my take a backseat to Scandals, cornhole, and our 1st Annual Homecoming Party. Stay tuned for those stories.

This one's for the guys

Valentine's Day is nearly upon us. I've learned quickly that giving her a ring DIDN'T give me a lifetime free pass to not worry about February 14th. I've also learned that Roo will very easily let me know what she might want for V-Day...or Christmas...or her birthday. All I have to do is ask and sometime not even that much. I guess a few years of giving her practical gifts or playing the "I'll take you shopping to buy whatever you want" card have motivated Roo to motivate me to try a little harder. Not harder, smarter I think. She appreciates any gift, and expects no gift, make no mistake. But she knows I enjoy giving her something she enjoys. So I've got the rest of the week to hammer this out. I just wanted to let the guys out their know that all you have to do is ask. We made it this far on our own. Why not get a little help? But if anyone has any really good ideas...feel free to share.

Nostalgia

I can't sleep. And no, its not because I've been stressed over writer's block and not posting a new blog in 2 weeks. I am most likely apprehensive about the night to come. Riley is the traveler of the family, not me. It takes me at least a night to get used to being in a new place, away from our pillow-top, to get a decent night's sleep. Hence, sleeping in 3 different hotels in 3 nights isn't working out for me. I don't like being away from home. But, I am in Chicago...and better yet, my old stomping ground. Much like Steelers fans needed specific events to take place in the closing minutes of Sunday's Superbowl, it took an alignment of certain cosmic events for me to be writing you from Diversey and Clark in the 773. Yet, here I am. I am travelling this week, my once-a-month away from home that has taken me to Rockford, Illinois and will take me to Manassas, Virginia. Its easier to say Chicago and DC. Our work at the Rockford hospital ended at least a half a day early and left me on my own for over a day in the Windy City. My search for an overnight stay sent me to a place I knew, said old stomping ground in north Lincoln Park/south Lakeview. I took not only the cheapest hotel on my company's approved list but also the closest to where I lived during my sabbatical from the sunny South between 2005 and 2007. I've been to Chicago 3 times now since Roo and I packed...correction...crammed all of my belongings from my studio apartment 5G in the Brewster on the shores of Lake Michigan into an Enterprise mini-van, headed south bound for a better life and a life together. For you trivia buffs, my old apartment while I was at Northwestern was where the movie Child's Play was filmed. For you good friends, this place was one that nearly breaked but ultimately maked Riley and my relationship. So its bittersweet being in the old stomping ground, I tried to reunite with a few close family members and friends, I watched some Bulls basketball and even some Blackhawks hockey. I walked in the brisk gusts that brought negative wind chills. And I laid my head down thanking God for all of it and mostly for Riley not giving up on me. I got promoted today, for the second time in about 6 months. While very deserved, it came quite unexpected. I take pride in what I do and I try to make those around me proud of my work. Again, mostly, I want Riley to be proud of what I am working towards because it is for us, not for me...and yet it all finally comes so naturally. The days when I lived for myself are long gone. The days when I thought I could or had to fight for myself are past me. I know I don't have to nor would I ever want to without Roo at my side. Again, it is bittersweet, and a little frostbitten, to be in the old neighborhood. So many memories, good and bad, come back to me so quickly...but then all of those are overwritten by the memories forged over the past year and a half. I'll probably go get a Chicago-style hot dog with my Uncle Mike on the way to O'hare tomorrow but I don't think any hot dog has ever tasted as good since Roo said I do.

Editor's note: I don't write this stuff just to attract followers or to get "You guys are so sweet" posts. This was mostly written because Roo is a time zone away and most likely asleep while I can't be just that and wish I were a few 900 miles closer. The bed here is very uncomfortable...find me a case where the cheapest hotel option was the best.

Soup, Snow, Miami, Cheesecake, & Vegas

We made Chicken Tortilla Soup on Monday and it was delicious. Definately a keeper and will be added to the menu rotation. If you want the recipe let me know!!

We woke up Tuesday morning to a blanket of snow. Unfortunately I was headed to Miami for a meeting and didn't get the opportunity to enjoy a snow day at home with EJ, Max, & Kennedy.

(Please note that we don't normally shave Kennedy during the winter months. She is now sporting a summer cut. There was a little mix up at the groomer's on Monday --- completely EJ's fault by the way.)

I was sad to leave the snow behind but excited to warm up in Miami, or so I thought.... Miami wasn't much warmer than SC and my plan to spend Wednesday morning on the beach was foiled. The highlight of my quick trip was dinner at Michy's on Tuesday night. The decor was beautiful and the food was DELICIOUS!!!

We're headed out to a dinner party tonight at the home of one of EJ's coworkers. We're in charge of dessert so I've got a chocolate chip cheesecake in the oven right now. No big plans for Saturday -- I do have a few gift cards from Christmas burning a hole in my pocket so we may venture out for a mini shopping trip. Sunday's plans include church and a four hour plane ride to Las Vegas for me. It's a work trip and I've never been to Vegas nor have I ever really been interested in going. We're staying at the Monte Carlo -- their beds better not suck. I really hate being away from home more than 2-3 days.... Is there anything to do in Vegas besides gamble??

Exasperated by the Inauguration?

My wife will probably change the password to ban me from posting here after she reads this...but...I have read on blogs and heard office talk and glanced at Facebook statuses and even engaged in conversation with Roo regarding the election and inauguration of Obama. I too watched in awe at the turnout and respectfully applauded the passion and patriotism displayed by so many that wanted to witness history. But I haven't understood all of the criticisms.

The scene of the mall flooded with waving American flags was breathtaking...and inspiring...and also overwhelming to consider not only how much money was spent on the inauguration ceremony itself, but also by the millions of people that attended, those that held their own after-parties and those viewing parties set up on widescreens and projectors in parks and street corners across the country. Perhaps that money could have been spent better on feeding the homeless or researching disease...but at what point do we draw the line where normalcy is no longer acceptable? Please excuse the comparison and try to follow me. After 9/11, the NFL played a full slate of games the following Sunday. Enthusiastic fans cheered louder than they ever have because it felt good. Life, if only for four fifteen-minute quarters, felt normal again because the world's trouble existed only outside the turnstiles and terraces.

America hasn't been feeling well lately, in so many ways. The economy, wars, natural disasters, political scandal, peanut butter recalls. There are many reasons people are losing confidence in the world we live in. Watch your local news tonight. How long into the show before you hear a good story, a happy story? And don't count the weather...which you especially won't if you are down south. Brrr.

As witnessed Tuesday, many people expressed enthusiasm and emotions beyond that as they watched Obama's inauguration. I believe most of the celebration was for the very change that so many voters sought. It goes without saying (which the expression itself makes no sense to me because whenever anyone uses it, they go on to say what didn't need to be said) that many participated in the event wanted to solely be part of the event itself, part of history.

Valid criticisms can be made at the magnitude of the event but is it any different than the millions of fans cheering on their favorite athlete at a game or singer at a concert? Lets not forget this is a very significant moment historically. Had Hillary Clinton defeated Obama in the primaries, I feel she would have easily commanded the November election for many of the same reasons Obama did. How many of the blogs, including ours, might have been devoted to the first female President of the United States? And what would be wrong with that?

I almost don't like that I am writing any of this. As I type I debate hitting that orange publish post button because this isn't so much a snapshot of a day in our married life or a sneak-peak into how my brain and bathroom etiquette have evolved over the past 8 months. This is a defining point of our lives even if over-induced by the media so I suppose to react and respond is not entirely revolutionary.

Nevertheless, I think the message would be missed so I will hack away. The point of all of this is that unmistakenly, hope and faith are placed in God and God alone. There are different views of religion that weigh pre-destination differently and that's the last thing I want to get into. Simply put, Obama is a man of God and I trust he will be guided in leading our country by God and through the prayers of the nation. And I trust that Obama will make the decisions to lead our country through these troubled times or at least make his best efforts to make America feel a little better. And I think that is what all the excitement was about yesterday. I fail to understand criticism of the opportunity for change in our nation. But that's just my take.

Riley and I have different political philosphies and that's ok. We know that God will lead us through whatever life is presented before us. Whatever happens in the world, wherever Obama takes America, we will face it all together. I want to celebrate the last days of Obama's term with the same passion and enthusiasm as we witnessed Tuesday. I want to see what I voted for.

Ultimately, now that its all said and done, I am ready and want to see the change I voted for instead of seeing the first dance highlights...I accept that they go hand-in-hand. Last night's bash was the honeymoon, and it will be short-lived because we are reaching the 2 minute warning. Back to reality. And tomorrow, back to our regular posts.

Editor's note: I appreciate the freedom of speech, one of many freedoms forged so long ago that perhaps we take for granted. I appreciate that I was able to vote for Obama as my president and I appreciate that my wife was able to vote for McCain. We appreciate all of our readers and your comments. I must say that I don't care too much for people that aggressively try to change my opinion or that of others. I hope you can all respect that...or else appreciate my ability to delete disrespectful comments.

8 reasons after 8 months

Happy Anniversary to us! It's been 8 months! And here are 8 reasons we will last 80 more years and then some...

1. Our wonderful friends, our family and our faith.
2. She is a phenomenal cook, I am a phenomenal eater.
3. We know how to fight without hurting feelings...and how to make up.
4. I will spend an entire Saturday afternoon shopping with Roo, even though after 20 minutes at Hobby Lobby, I am exhausted.
5. She will skip the last stop at Belk or TJ Maxx on that Saturday to get me home to watch some football.
6. Everything we are is with and through each other.
7. I share the remote control and she shares the cleaning duties.
8. Because when we said I do, we knew it as forever.

Chairmen of the Board

Our weekend "to do" list has one and only one thing on it --- seeing these amazing beach music crooners on Saturday night at Amos'. I'm a born and raised Carolina Girl who'd always Rather Be in Carolina somewhere On the Beach because I've got a major case of Beach Fever so we'll spend Saturday night Shaggin' the Night Away....

Stir Crazy

Its been nice having Roo home without much work travel for the better part of the past two months. I know she has enjoyed the break from security lines, baggage claims and continental breakfasts. But from Sunday to Friday of the past week, I think she was starting to get a little stir crazy here in the house. She left the house once, Friday, to make a grocery run. I applaud her will power. To prevent impulse shopping trips, she had employed a self-imposed quarantine. Because she had been shut in the house for a period longer than the first eliminated Big Brother contestants stay in the CBS house, I figured our Friday night might include a dinner and desert trip, or perhaps a movie. However, the most unlikely events followed. We rented 3 movies...and watched them all Friday night. We camped out in front of the fireplace, shutting out the rest of the world. And it was great...so were the chocolate covered strawberries she had prepared earlier in the day. We did manage to sneak out of the house a few times this weekend, watch some football, go to church, but all in all, there's no place like home.

Editor's note: The Happening is the worst movie I have seen in quite some time...if not ever. But that's a different rant for a later date.

Mom Update

My mom's doctor called with the results of her bone marrow biopsy on New Years Eve. Results we didn't want to hear. 2008 really was going out with a bang... I began to prepare myself mentally for the journey ahead of her, of us, of everyone. A journey of induction chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, and high dose chemotherapy. Six days later her doctor called with more lab work results and a change in her plan for treatment. My mom's lab work results had improved over previous results and the doctor decided that there wouldn't be a need to begin chemotherapy despite the results of the bone marrow biopsy. We asked ourselves why the doctor didn't have both sets of results on New Years Eve. There was a little confusion but there was also a big sigh of relief. The day will most likely come when we'll be staring in the face of the chemo monster...that time is not now. A prayer was answered.

I've come across several blogs belonging to multiple myeloma patients. Blogs detailing the lives of the people who suffer from this disease. Some of the writers are in the early stages of the disease like my mom and there are others who have been through years of chemotherapy, stem cell transplants, and the list goes on (they're surviving). Reading about their struggles and triumphs has helped me deal with what's happening. I'm thankful for those people. Thankful that those people are brave enough to share their lives with the world and help me have a better understanding of the disease.

In my research of multiple myeloma I came across a website dedicated to helping everyone battling MM - patients, families, friends, caregivers, etc. www.myeloma.org My most recent visit to the site led me to their Mail for the Cure global fundraiser. Mail for the Cure has already raised $70,000. Mail for the Cure involves writing letters and sharing information with people regarding multiple myeloma. I immediately emailed a request for 50 donation envelopes and I'm eager to start mailing my letters with hopes to raise myeloma awareness while raising money to support MM research. If you're interested in making an online donation you can do so here: https://myeloma.org/donation.jsp

Did anyone see Oprah's Spirituality 101 episode last week? Oprah said something that I truly believe was a message meant for me, "I always think everything is happening in your life, no matter how difficult the crisis, to teach you more about who you are, to grow you into who you were really meant to be."

2008 in Review

For obvious reasons, 2008 was a great year. Here is how it looked through her eyes and mine:

Best Meal of 2008
he said: Most holidays are a feast, as are meals at Edisto in July. Mike smoked up a smorgasbord on Christmas day but I get real satisfaction about anything I cook myself. Thanksgiving’s fried turkey was number one, and would rank high on the all time-list.
she said: The chicken salad sandwiches on our snorkeling excursion in Antigua…and Thanksgiving was pretty good too.

Favorite TV Show
he said: The Office
she said: John and Kate plus 8

Trip of 2008
he said: My vote goes for our honeymoon trek to Antigua and nothing can compare.
she said: Nothing tops the trip down the aisle…he wishes he would have thought of that.

Movie of the Year
he said: We saw I am Legend in 2007 at the theater but I bought it on DVD in 2008 and have watched several times on the tv and the iPod. If I hadn’t just bought and watched the Dark Knight a couple weeks ago, Batman may have rendered the Fresh Prince a little less legendary.
she said: Ever thine, Ever mine, Ever Sex and the City.

Favorite Book
he said: Playing for Pizza by John Grisham. Twilight does receive recognition for being the only book in my life, Dr. Seuss aside, that I’ve read in less than a day.
she said: As it should, the Bible played a very significant role in our lives this year. We had a traditional wedding ceremony that included a reading from Papa (Roo’s grandfather). We also joined First Baptist Church.

Song of the Year
he said: Someday We’ll Go All the Way by Eddie Vedder was close, wait next year…
she said: It’s a toss between Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds, which takes me back to Antigua and Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing which will not only be heard anywhere we go with a juke box, but was also the last song played at our reception.

Memorable Moment of the Year
he said: I can close my eyes and nearly feel the sun-stricken warmth of May 14th. Three days before our wedding I was driving down the back roads of South Carolina headed to Hartsville to meet my soon-to-be-bride. It was a long, flat stretch of highway 151, just south of Pageland. I had the windows rolled down and the volume turned up. The sun was shining but it was a warm, not hot, nor humid May Carolina day. And its not the exact moment that is so memorable, but instead the feeling I had that at that moment that means so much to me. I looked forward to the weekend’s wedding, as well as the rest of my life with my wife knowing that everything was as it should be. I am a laidback person, but at that moment, I had not a care in the world, no stress. I was at complete ease and peace. I had achieved nirvana knowing where I was headed, on the road, and more so in my life.
she might have said: Two pictures of Riley capture two very intimate moments of 2008. A normal picture is worth a thousand words but these two pictures are truly priceless. Pre-ceremony, a puffy-eyed Roo is getting a pep talk and making final preps to her appearance with her mom, dad and sister. The moment this picture captures is so simple yet says so much. Similarly, a teary-eyed bride appears to be laughing at a quip from her dad during their first dance. These were Roo's moments and I can't imagine what they mean to her, but I know they were very special.


Honorable Mention Moments
we said: This year, we were blessed in so many ways. It was full of moments that we cherish, moments both big and small that defined the year, strengthened our relationship and will stay with us forever. Those include all aspects of our wedding day, from Jessica’s toast to our evolution of dance. Henry (EJ’s dad) called Riley “Mrs. Johnson” as we sat on the sun porch at the Oak Manor bed and breakfast. It was the first time she was addressed as such. We helped welcome Buxton to the world with friends and proud parents Anna and John. EJ was baptized and also won a softball title at Cherry Park. We hosted a few baby showers for friends, held a star-spangled 4th of July party and hosted Thanksgiving. The annual Edisto trip included a fishing trip that landed a few sharks. We made progress in the home décor department. Though they lost, we had a great time tailgating and taking in the Bears-Panthers game in September. There was so much going on in 2008 that we started blogging!

And with 2009 upon us, we look forward to all of its best of’s. We know that with them will come challenges and it won’t always be easy…but we also know we’ll never face any of it alone.

Happy New Year to all of our friends and family and followers!

Reading List

Kate Gosselin is my hero. If you're a fan of Jon & Kate Plus 8 you'll love their new book. She uses a ton of bible verses to describe some of the situations she's endured throughout marriage and parenthood. I would love to meet Kate and her brood. I'd also love to have a "quiver full"....one day...


I stole our copy of Marley & Me back from my mom last weekend while we were home. I finished my second read last night before bed. I think I cried for nearly and hour (AGAIN) after I finished the final page. I'd forgotten what a great read this one really is. We've been planning to go see the movie this weekend but I'm not sure I can and if I do I'll need LOTS of Kleenex!!

Santa EJ put this under the tree for me. MAJOR BROWNIE POINTS!!

We're headed Uptown tonight for sushi and the countdown at Nikko's. Check back later for our 2008 In Review: His & Her Edition

Happy New Year!

Holiday Hangover

We made it back home after nearly a week of travel to multiple Christmas celebrations, mainly in the sandhills, around the state. Its good to be back home, our home. Back to work tomorrow for me, as Roo will most likely spend the day getting everything in the house back in order...and catching up on the DVR. Not sure I am ready to fall back into the routine, though luckily a short and broken work week will not afford that routine to settle just yet. I am fairly certain that I am ready to return to eating normal amounts of food each day. Riley's family, unbeknownst to them, spoils me with food. Every meal is a mouth-watering feast. The fact that Riley can make just about anything had over the holidays makes my mouth water a little more. I hope to learn to smoke some meat, as we were treated to a deliciously smoked spread from my step-brother Mike Thursday night. Max and Kennedy also feasted on more table scraps than usual this week, but all in all, I believe they are ready to get back to the normal swing of things. The trash man comes tomorrow, as he does every Monday, and he will find a bin full of bows and ribbon, boxes and paper scraps. But these hardly tell the true tale of 2008's Christmas. It will be the first of many for Roo and I as husband and wife and it will be memorable for many reasons: I read a book in less than 24 hours, a first in the history of me (sure its Twilight and written on the level of an 8th grade girl, I still did it), Riley's dad's side of the family had a mini-reunion (again, with maximum food selection), I learned the true meaning of giving a gift and all that goes into it, we discovered Max to be a dog with no understanding of the society-imposed cat-dog love-hate relationship and we discovered that sometimes less is more. of course, this is just scratching the surface. I could go on and Roo could paint a similar or completely different picture...but I won't, because I have to get up early for work tomorrow. We hope everyone had an equally enlightening and enjoyable Christmas holiday!

"I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick."

I wrapped my first Christmas present of the season today. Any given year that may be the norm, but this year is much different than most before. This year, my shopping was done early. Most years, for me, early meant the 23rd of December. An oft overlooked and underestimated perk of marriage though is centered around gift-giving. All of our gifts are stamped "From" Riley and EJ. And Riley did a wonderful job of co-ordinating our gift giving efforts. Unlike most years, the only person I had to work at getting gifts for were Roo. And unlike most years, I listened, paying close attention to her hints and wants. Hence, she won't be getting a shower radio this year. 2008 was great, for the obvious reason. But now being married, holiday shopping season seamlessly and stress-less-ly came and went.

Holiday travel however does not come so easy. Go see Vince Vaughn and Reece Witherspoon in Four Christmases and you'll understand. Perhaps not as dramatic, but I wish there were an easier way to spend time with all of our families at Christmas. It is family that makes this time of year mean so much, not the gifts nor garland lights (that I never hung). I will definitely start my house decorating design much earlier in the calendar. There simply wasn't enough wattage this winter.

It certainly doesn't feel like winter either, the Christmas Day forecast puts the high around 70. Tomorrow, sans Christmas sweaters, we will continue to rejoice the reason for the season and bask in all things Dasher and Dancer. We will celebrate our family and feast on the turkey and fixin's. Honoring all the Comets, Cupids, Donners and Bliztens.

Lo, hear me exclaim ere I close out this web site, Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night.

"Rich is the person who has a praying friend." Janice Hughes

My mom was diagnosed with multiple myeloma two months before our wedding this year. Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells which attacks and destroys bone. There is no known cure, but it is treatable.
She went through radiation treatments throughout April and May and since then her lab work has not shown cause for further treatment. – until 3 weeks ago. A change in lab work (a change that signifies the disease is progressing) led to a second bone marrow biopsy on Friday. My Aunt Lib and I were able to be in the room during the procedure. I’ll share two things about the procedure: (1) The tool used for the biopsy is about the size of a nail. (2) The woman who did the procedure was a very robust woman and had to use ALL of her robustness (is that even a word?) to drill the nail sized tool into my mom’s hip bone.
We’ll know the results of the biopsy next Tuesday. The biopsy results will determine if we’ll move forward with treatment or continue to monitor lab work on a monthly basis. We’re hoping for the latter.
I share this very personal information with our readers because I am asking for one small favor from each of you. Pray for my mom. Pray for her health. Pray for the doctors who care for her. Pray that the news we hear on Tuesday will be an answer to our prayers. EJ started this blog to share our lives with friends and family. However, we now share our lives with readers across the country who we’ve never met. I have enjoyed getting to know several of you through your own blogs. Those of you who openly share your love for Christ and share your own life struggles are among my favorites. I can only hope that across the miles a few of you will hear my request and pray for my mom. To those of you who do – thank you from the bottom of my heart.

It hopes in all things, it endures in all things.

We're celebrating 7 months today!

My grandfather read this passage from the Bible during our ceremony. He is an amazing man and it was a blessing having him be a part of our wedding.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13
If I speak in the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a tinkling symbol.
And if I have prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
And if I dole out all my goods, and if I deliver my body that I may boast but have not love, nothing I am profited.
Love is long suffering, love is kind, it is not jealous, love does not boast, it is not inflated.
It is not discourteous, it is not selfish, it is not irritable, it does not enumerate the evil.It does not rejoice over the wrong, but rejoices in the truth
It covers all things, it has faith for all things, it hopes in all things, it endures in all things.
Love never falls in ruins; but whether prophecies, they will be abolished; or tongues, they will cease; or knowledge, it will be superseded.
For we know in part and we prophecy in part.
But when the perfect comes, the imperfect will be superseded.
When I was an infant, I spoke as an infant, I reckoned as an infant;
when I became [an adult], I abolished the things of the infant.
For now we see through a mirror in an enigma, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know as also I was fully known.
But now remains faith, hope, love,
these three;
but the greatest of these is love.

Christmas Cards are Done!!

Has everyone been crazy busy like we have?!?! We finally got all of the Christmas decorations up last night - just in time for me to leave on yet another work trip. I'm spending the rest of the week in rainy Baltimore (and of course I forgot my umbrella). Thankfully this will be the last trip until after the holidays!! We've got a busy weekend ahead of us -- final Christmas shopping, Christmas Dinner Theater at church, EJ's work holiday party, baby Buxton's church dedication, and my great uncle's birthday party!! Whew!

Hope everyone enjoys our VERY FIRST Christmas card. I apologize for spoiling the surprise for those of you who'll be getting one in the mail! We chose a few of our favorite photos from the past 6 months (7 in 7 days!). Left to Right: Honeymoon in Antigua, Chicago Bears vs. Carolina Panthers in September, Dorothy & The Scarecrow on Halloween, Sunday afternoon after taking in the sights and sounds of "Christmasville" on Main Street.

Gobble til ya Wobble

I have always wondered why we got the day after Thanksgiving off but not the day after Christmas. Perhaps to afford extra travel or boost the economy on Black Friday. Or maybe its to catch up on rest after days of preparation leading up to and all things Turkey Day. We began preparing to host our first Thanksgiving weeks ago, with slight touches around the house. But the real work kicked in Tuesday evening and never really let up well into the night Thursday. We spent hours cleaning, or doing our best at it. We spent plenty of time in the grocery store, and a few trips back. We wined and dined and cleaned some more. Our first major holiday hosting was a huge success. To highlight: the overnight brine for the turkey was key to a deliciously fried bird. Perfectly written (and set) place settings for 10. Neither the chocolate chip nor the pumpkin maple cheesecake was voted better than the other, both were scrumptious. The Jon and Kate plus 8 marathon proved more entertaining to our guests than the terriblly lop-sided football games on the air. We have a lot to be thankful for this year and I was especially thankful for family and friends to be able to join us for such a great feast. I couldn't have wished for a better Thanksgiving day...so luckily, I didn't have to use my wishbone wish on such. I didn't burn the house down and the only time Roo got to sit down all day was to eat. So we certainly deserved a day of rest after all of that...but instead we were up and out around 8 adding to the consumer chaos of Black Friday.

Don't Cry for Me Argentina

As I am at home doing laundry and picking up dogs from the groomer and washing dishes, Roo and Jess send their best via Blackbery from the front row of Phillips Arena in Atlanta. I suspect more pics will follow upon their return tomorrow.

Its beginning to look a lot like Thanksgiving

If the Extreme team can makeover a house in an hour every Sunday, who was to stop us from mildly renovating our bathroom over the weekend? It started with our do-it-yourself painting of the guest bedroom that will house Roo's in-laws for Thanksgiving. My mom, step-dad and sister are driving up from Florida this week. Our prep list of to-dos is slowly shrinking...practice frying a turkey. Check. Paint the bedroom. Check. Stock up on groceries. Check. Clean the house...well lets not get ahead of ourselves. Roo and sis head to ATL tomorrow for their front row show of the Queen of Pop. Had we cleaned this weekend, my wife would not have returned to find the house in the same manner. So instead, we used the leftover bedroom paint to add some color to the master bathroom. Then we had to replace the mirror. Then we needed to change the color of the light fixture. Then we had to stain the cabinets. Let's add some of that grafiti art above the tub. Exit brass cabinet knobs. We probably need to replace some of the caulking around the shower. It took more than an hour, the project technically started on Tuesday and just wrapped up an hour ago. How do those folks at ABC do it?

Madge on Monday!

Is she a lucky star?!?

Yes that's my sis and yes WE will be sitting in the FRONT ROW at the Madonna concert in ATL on Monday.

6 Months

Happy 6 Month Anniversary to Us!!

I should be mad at you...

For coming into my life

and turning things every which way...

For flashing that smile

that melts my heart

and makes me forget

what I was saying...

...for the way

thoughts of you

constantly interrupt my days

and make it next to impossible

for me to focus

on anything

but the shape of your eyes

and the softness of your lips...

I should be mad at you...

but I'm just too busy

being in love with you.

Have a Little Faith

I had a potluck lunch meeting today at work. I needed a desert dish and Roo quickly stepped in and seized the opportunity to test out a Turkey day dish. We are hosting Thanksgiving this year with my mom and family coming up from Florida to stay with us for 5 days and Riley's parents joining us Thursday. My brother will be in attendance, though he's a regular 'round these parts when it comes to eating. I also reached out to a stranded co-worker that can't get back home to Ohio until Christmas. He accepted our gracious invitation. Holy cow Uncle Jesse, we'll have a full house. Needless to say, there is a lot riding on our first Thanksgiving. Roo is working on the menu as we speak and I'll be frying my first turkey this weekend as a test run. So back to my office feast, Riley has been working over the baby showers and holiday parties of recent months to fine tune her homemade chocolate-chip cheesecake. My waistline speaks for her cooking ability, but yet she was worried about the outcome of a Thanksgiving desert experiment: maple pecan pumpkin cheesecake. She was so worried it wouldn't work for my work that we whipped up a backup batch of cookies just in case plan A was a bust. At the luncheon, I carved the first slice to hide a crack in the crust on the side. I watched as the main entrees were consumed and the first few sweet-seeking stragglers browsed the desert line. It almost wasn't even fair. Riley's treat was up against an assortment of store-bought pies and cupcakes and candies. It only took one endorsement and the cheesecake was history. One of my cube neighbors suggested Riley should make and sell them. After hearing a brief version of the test run concerns, another office mate implied that Riley can cook with her eyes closed and not have to worry about the outcome. To start the day, I was worried I'd have to take too much home...at day's end, my only stress was being able to squeeze 5 minutes between client calls to clean the crumb-laden cake plate. The cheesecake was a huge success. Roo may have been surprised by my office results and perhaps also when she got a taste for herself on the slice I cut and saved, but I've always had faith in her ability to feed me. And now more friends from work want to come over for Thanksgiving.

...and the wine is bottled poetry..

Napa was absolutely amazing. Trip Favorites - Shramsburg, Prager Winery & Port Works, Milat Vineyards, and Fried Olives at Don Giovanni.

I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Dear UPS: We get it

Seriously, what is the deal with the whiteboard UPS commercials. Its a pretty straight forward concept, I need something delivered to someone and I give you some money and you take it there for me. I don't need a guy with a Cosby sweater and late 80s intellectual mullet to draw a picture demonstrating how mailing a pacakge works. It takes me longer to figure out what his stupid drawing means that it does to understand what it takes to send a package. The cartoon about how a bill becomes a law has more substance. What can brown do for me? Stop annoying me with this guy. I've moaned about this marketing migraine before...I think my present mood is partly to blame for this rant. The Bears lost another game they shouldn't have today. On various radio stations, Christmas music has started its 24-7 loop earlier than last year. Tomorrow, I'll be flying west just as Roo flies back east, our planes will cross pathes in the air. guess being apart for 11 of the past 14 days is what really has me down, not the Michael Bolton wannabe and his whiteboard. But seriously UPS, we all get how it works.

"Wine improves with age. The older I get, the better I like it."

We're both traveling for work this week. I'll be spending the next 6 days in Napa while EJ will take a quick 2 day trip to Pittsburgh. I'm not sure what's on his agenda but here's a sneak peak of a few things that are on mine!!

This will be my first trip to Napa (actually my first trip to California period). I can barely contain my excitement! I hope the weather's nice in Pittsburgh.....

No Jokers or Palins or Werewolves, Oh My

Another Halloween has come and past and I am not sure what hit me. It started out like any other night, I got home around 4:45 to find Max and Kennedy's noses pressed against the window at the front door. I got the mail, straightened up the kitchen from Phil and Jessica's pizza lunch, fed the dogs, changed clothes, made a mix CD of Madonna to set the tone for Jess's costume, watched an old episode of King of Queens. The one where IPS is on strike and Doug, Deacon and Arthur are living it up remains my favorite episode. I literally laughed out loud and before I could stop the calm before the storm was over. A small posse had formed at the end of our cul-de-sac and our house was targeted. It was just past dusk when the first doorbell rang. I didn't have a gameplan drawn up let alone my Scarecrow costume on yet so I did what first came to mind...flung the door upon and thrust out the bucket of candy to the neighbors kids. About 3 hours, 4 Batmen, 16 princesses, 2 dead bridesmaids, 2 Ironmen, 12 Supermen and 1 Winnie the Pooh later, I am nearly out of candy and exhausted. I managed to contain the dogs between the baby gate at the top of the stairs and the closed gates on the back deck. I watched Fright Night (a terrible 80s vampire horror) and did a crossword puzzle as waves of tricker and treaters ebbed and flowed. I had barely made it halfway through the downs before it seemed the Great Pumpkin had come and gone. I was amazed to see the bottom of the candy bucket. Almost equally amazed to have NOT seen any Joker or Sarah Palin costumes. The night went by fast, as did the week, which means Roo's trip to Phoenix was over before I knew it. I hate she missed the big night. Is perhaps a trick-or-treat session in order this time next year with a Buzz Lightyear of our own? Maybe next year is too soon, but add this to the list of reasons I am ready for a Baby Roo...I don't want Roo to have to miss all of this because of work next year. I want to be part of the cul-de-sac trick-or-treat posse. But then, who would be here to give out all of our candy?

From Gate A13

I'm headed home after an amazing week at the J&W Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. My company's national meeting was held there this week and after 3 days of meetings, awards, AMAZING food, and absolute FUN I am ready to get home. I'm not looking forward to the 4.5 hour flight....as I type this I'm hoping the poodle skirt clad gate attendant will hook me up with a first class upgrade.


I spent the afternoon yesterday riding in a jeep through the desert. LOVED IT!!! We saw a gigantic jack rabbit and even heard coyotes howling in the distance. It was blazing hot and I wish they would have told us we needed to wear real shoes (I didn't think we'd be getting out of the jeeps so of course I wore my Rainbows).

I'm looking forward to getting home tonight just in time for trick or treaters. I hope EJ remembered to buy some candy.....

Countdown to NAPA: 4 DAYS!!!!

The countdown is almost over...

I'll be here by noon tomorrow....

How about a little fire, Scarecrow?

The ability aka talent to quote movies line for line is something I am very proud of. Groomsmen Page and I can have a conversation entirely in movie script. Roo fails to appreciate this skill. I have no doubt she was ignoring it during Friday night’s viewing of Gladiator because I was lending a helping hand in the kitchen prepping for a baby shower we hosted Saturday. It was a Halloween-theme shower with good food and great friends. What I took most from the event was an advancement on when I might want to add someone new to the household of EJ & Roo. We both want kids, there is no dispute there…but we know we probably need to wait a little while and get everything in order in the house that we still have 28 years and 10 months to pay for. However, if having a kid means Roo will spend more energy on dressing a child up than decorating me and the dogs, I am all for it before next Halloween. I kid, of course, as Roo’s creative touch is one of the many things I truly appreciate about her. For Halloween, she has done a great job of transforming our home into the Land of Oz. Friday’s epic of dishing out tricks and treats will star Roo as Dorothy, myself as the Scarecrow, Max as the Tin Man and Kennedy as the Cowardly Lion. And as I write this, I am informed that future Halloween’s with little EJ’s running around the house will only add to the cast giving us munchkins and flying monkeys. So it looks like it for years to come I’ll need to try to keep my sleeves of straw away from the candles which I failed this year by the way. Roo warned me several times that I needed to mind my outfit around the food and fire. “I could while away the hours, conferrin' with the flowers, consultin' with the rain. And my head I'd be scratchin' while my thoughts were busy hatchin' if I only had a brain.”

"He didn't tell me how to live; he lived and let me watch him do it."

Happy Birthday Daddy!!

You were my first love,

always there for me

You taught me how to walk and how to dream

God gave me your eyes

But it was you who taught me how to see

Now I can stand on my own

But I know that you'll never let go

I'll always be your baby

No matter how the years fly by

The way you love me made me

Who I am in this world

I'm a woman now, not a little girl

Wherever this life takes me

I'll always be your baby

You are my hero and that will never change

You still can dry my tears with just a smile

The one I've leaned on

From my first steps to walking down the aisle

Now there's another man in my life

But I know by the look in your eyes

I'll always be your baby

No matter how the years fly by

The way you love me made me

Who I am in this world

I'm a woman now,

Not a little girl

Wherever this life takes me

I'll always be your baby

Your faith, your love

And all that you believe

Have come to be the strongest part of me

And I will always be your baby

Anyone hiring?

I’ve been thinking about getting a second job. No, not because of the recent economic hiccup or because I'm not happy and successful in my current position, not because I want a bigger TV or a faster car. I have no intention of investing a dime more than my employer matches. Have you checked your 401K lately? I could use a second income so that Roo wouldn’t have to bring one in at all. And before you get excited about a super sweet hubby post, I must confess the reasoning for such is slightly selfish. Of course, I love having the Mrs. at home as opposed to her being on the road solely for the sake of having her home, don't get me wrong, but if I could have her home all the time, I’d eat like a king. She’s outdone herself this week with some new menu items added to the mix and complimented by some old favorites. We also had movie night on a Tuesday. We’ve walked the dogs around the neighborhood every day this week. So while I may have to share the tv and dvr a little more, a play a little less xbox with Riley around, I would gladly trade the Call of Duty 4 and the plasma for a stay at home mom. I’d even offer to cook a little more.

Fall Photos

Kennedy & Max

This guy is scaring the heck out of the neighborhood rugrats.

We've Been Boo'd

We woke up Sunday morning to find this on our doorstep!

We decided to jazz ours up a little.

Visit www.boograms.com to get your own BOO!! We're off to BOO 2 of our neighbors!!

In the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips.

It seems like yesterday I was holding you mere hours after you were born.

I will always be your #1 Fan.

You've grown to become such a beautiful young woman.

Your sense of fashion and love for shoes is amazing. You were the best maid of honor a girl could ask for.
I thank God everyday for giving me such an amazing sister. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

The Great Debate

Me again. And the last thing I would do is try to make any kind of political statement here but given the times and the latest debate fresh in our minds, it kind of steered my thought process this morning. I don’t post as often as Roo nor did I realize anyone else was really reading this. I tend to get inspired by a thought or moment and put it in virtual ink so that I can look back later and remember it all. Time is really flying by, I can’t believe it has been 5 months. A great 5 months and I want to hang onto all the memories, so my posts here tend to be more of a moment that moved me or an idea that inspired me or just something that made me smile. I guess we could argue as to the purpose of our posts but why debate that? I made the mistake of mentioning the Presidential race at work and forget the battlefield, the civil war was reenacted right before my eyes. Riley and I rarely talk politics. I know how she feels and not so sure how I feel…especially about politics as it relates to our relationship. Roo and I don’t agree on everything…like the amount of humor found in the Family Guy. We agree to disagree on how good a driver I am. The definition of a clean bathroom registers a little differently between the two of us. I hold a generally optimistic and go with the flow, laid back sort of spirit while Roo is definitely more organized and structured. She loves butter beans, I hate peas. I don’t know how we ever watched TV without HD, she can’t really see a big difference. I’m an early riser, she not so much. We certainly disagree on where Star Wars rates on the list of all-time great movies. And of course, like any couple, we have our disagreements that come and go, some faster than others. I admit I am guilty of pushing buttons sometimes, especially when it comes to getting in the last word. In our pre-wedding counseling, the preacher told us that the most successful marriages are made up of those that don’t always see eye to eye, opposites not only attract but also attach. With Riley, I may not see everything the same way…but in Riley, I see everything. And there’s no debating that.

Can't believe it's been 5 months...

"I love being married. It's so great to find one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life." - Rita Rudner

Go DAWGS!

No I'm not a Georgia fan but I am officially a fan of Athens, Georgia. I'm here on a work trip and had the pleasure of dining at Harry Bissett's tonight for dinner. All I can say is that my Carpetbagger Steak (Filet topped with fried oysters and Bearnaise sauce) was DELICIOUS! If I could go back to college (as an 18 year old) I would definitely consider the University of Georgia. The campus is beautiful and the surrounding area is full of awesome restaurants and bars. Don't get me wrong I love my alma mater - GO EAGLES! - but this college town is pretty awesome!

Mmmm...Pimento Cheese

Since I'm not traveling until later this week I was able to enjoy an amazing lunch with one of my old coworkers today. I'm a born and bred southern girl and this southern girl is a sucker for some homemade pimento cheese. NOFO on Liz is a lunch spot I frequented when I worked on a daily basis in Charlotte -- since my job keeps me on the go now, I don't get to go as often as my stomach would like!! The Grilled Pimento Cheese with Tomato & Applewood Smoked Bacon is the reason I keep going back! I topped it off with a side of potato salad and a big glass of sweet tea. Yum! If you're ever in Charlotte, specifically the Elizabeth area, I highly recommend NOFO on Liz.

NOFO on Liz - LOVE the Decor!

~ Roo

Happy Birthday to the Future Mrs. Connor

Happy Birthday to my favorite karaoke partner!! I'm so excited about the year that's in store for you and can't wait to stand beside you on your special day.

Where did the weekend go???

Max & Kennedy got much needed hair cuts on Saturday. They both enjoyed our ride home from Petsmart hanging out the windows with the wind blowing their freshly groomed hair! Too cute!!

We enjoyed a pretty relaxing weekend. Ordered pizza Friday night and watched SATC for the third time. Spent Saturday cleaning the house and went to dinner at a local dive Saturday night. We officially became members of First Baptist this morning and were recognized in front of the congregation. We're so happy to have found our church!! After church EJ & I went to lunch at McAlister's followed by grocery shopping. We tried two new recipes for dinner and they were delicious -- Hamburger Steak with Sweet Onion Mushroom Gravy & Three Cheese Potatoes. Definitely keepers! Back to another work week tomorrow. Glad to be in the home office Monday and Tuesday. Headed to Athens, GA on Wednesday for work. I've never been to Athens so if anyone has any restaurant recommendations please share!! Where did the weekend go???

Happy Anniversary!!

Happy Anniversary to Roo's Mom & Dad!

Here's to many more years to come.

We love you guys!!

Let the Countdowns Begin

19 Days!

JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa - Phoenix, AZ

26 Days!

And they're both work related trips so my unlucky husband can't go!! Think he'll forgive me if I bring him back a cool tshirt?!?

From Gate E37

Blogging today from the ATL airport waiting on my connecting flight to Albany, GA. Just a recap of our eventful weekend!! * I can't stand the ATL airport.*

Saturday

Yard Sale - Wasn't a HUGE success but my sister and I managed to rake in around $160. Still have a ton of clothes to get rid of. Our neighborhood holds an annual Fall Yard Sale so we may hold on to everything until then or make a donation to the Salvation Army.

Yard Work - Wrapped up the yard sale around noon and headed to Home Depot. We'd been talking about doing a little landscaping for months and the yard work bug hit us on Saturday. We bought pine bark nuggets to freshen the flower beds and small hay bales & gorgeous mums to decorate our entryway for the fall (photos to come later!). Our estimates were off on how many bags of bark nuggets we needed so we'll be heading back to Home Depot at some point this week or weekend to get more. EJ finally removed a horrible bush that was planted right outside our doorway -- it was so big! What we've done so far looks amazing though!!

Sushi & Who's Bad - After our long day of Yard Sale and Yard Work we got dolled up for a night out on the town to celebrate my good friend Jessica's birthday. Our night began with sushi and sake bombs at an amazing restaurant called Nikos. Great sushi, great music, amazing atmosphere, and a great big bill but it was well worth it. If you're ever in Charlotte check it out!

Sake Bombs at Niko's

We wrapped up our evening at Amos' Southend. A Michael Jackson cover band known as Who's Bad was playing. They weren't that great but we enjoyed ourselves. Actually we enjoyed ourselves a little too much and spent our entire Sunday recovering.

Michael Jackson (wannabe) in all his glory.


Sunday

Wasted the entire day away napping on the couch watching movies and recovering from our night out. We are both plenty old enough to know better and we were very disappointed in ourselves for missing church. We've been visiting a church by our house for the past 3 months. We've been praying that we would be able to find a church where we could grow as Christians, meet young couples, and get involved in our community. We were to able get out of our funk yesterday afternoon to attend something the church calls "Dinner with the Pastor." Along with a few other folks we enjoyed a great dinner while getting to know the pastor and his wife as well as other church leaders. All of our questions about the church were answered and by the end of the evening we made the decision to become members through transfer of letter. We both were still members at our childhood churches. We are very excited and will officially be welcomed into the church family on Sunday. Keep us in your prayers as we start another new journey together!!

I Just Don't Know What to Do With My Time

Most of you will have to excuse the nature of this message. It doesn't quite follow shiny, happy, feel good posts Roo has been laying out here lately. Its hard to come up with the right words to describe how I am feeling today. You invest so much time and energy and emotion into a relationship only to be let down and it truly leaves you at a loss. I have spent most of the year, at least since spring...no, actually I have spent pretty much my whole life waiting for this to happen. And everything seemed to be going so well, the stars were aligned, the pieces were falling into place...and then the bottom drops out...again. 1984...1989...1998...2003...2007...2008? Every year, as a Cubs fan, you wait til next year. And when next year rolls around, as a Cub fan you naturally ease through even a slightly successful season with at least a hint of hesitancy. And here we are in October 2008 with the Cubs as postseason favorites to win it all and end a 100 year title drought and end a quarter of that century's worth of this fan's agony only to find the Cubs down 2-0 to the Dodgers. The Cubs didn't just lose the first two games of best of five either...they looked awful. No curses can be blamed here, they just stunk...at Wrigley nonetheless. So I sit here and wonder, while Roo is outside selling away our belongings that perhaps we held on to for too long, I am holding on too tight to the dream that one day the Cubs will win it all? If there truly is no Miracle on Addison St...and it will seemingly take a miracle at this point...what do I do with myself? What do I do with my time? The thought of going through the entire 2009 season really makes my head and heart hurt because we'll just be doing it all over again.

I just don't know what to do with myself. Going to the movies only makes me sad...because the last movie I saw, I saw by myself. Its my fault though. Choice really. The last movie I saw as the theater was Iron Man. Watching the screen next door were Roo and sister Jess, enjoying Sex and the City. Last weekend, there was discussion of going to see the new Nicholas Sparks movie. We didn't go and it may be partly my fault. Batman wasn't playing at the same time. Now that we're married, are movie dates over? Make no mistake, I enjoyed going to see the Notebook with Roo. I even read the book. But does that establish diplomatic immunity from being subject from sad stories ever again? Or would I enjoy a full series of sappy Sparks flicks more than yet another Cub-less World Series?

Moments

EJ and I are huge fans of Wonderful Graffitti - visit their website at http://www.wonderfulgraffitti.com/. We purchased two graffitti pieces for our home and can't be happier with the end result. These folks have an amazing customer service team as well. We weren't happy with the colors of the graffitti we purchased for our dining room -- they were horrible. I sent an email to customer service and a new one was shipped within 24 hours free of charge!!

The picture below is of the graffitti in our living room. We surrounded the graffitti with our favorite photos from our wedding day. We hope to change the pictures over the years when other special moments happen. Our house is finally starting to feel like a HOME and we've had so much fun decorating together. More photos to come of Wonderful Graffitti in our dining room!!