Game Day Intensity

What a beautiful site it is to see crimson and houndstooth walking the campus, tents set up, ready to cheer on the tide, grilling and drinking, throwing the football, and as always a good time with family! You guessed it, we went to the Tennessee Alabama game this past weekend. I have never been more happy in all my life for a game to be over! It was too much to handle, too close for comfort, and somehow by the skin of our teeth we pull out a W. With 4 seconds left in the game my brother and I held on to our Alabama pride and were praying Tennessee would miss the field goal....instead, it was blocked by Mount Cody! I've never been more surprised by something that in reality would never happen, it was almost like I was just imagining things. We went crazy, I think I blacked out after Wesley picked me up and spun me around, my feet dangling in the air. As I began to scream, Wesley feels the need to go 4 rows up and high five every fan he can reach. Let's just say Wesley is quite the cheerleader and makes friends very, very easily! The people behind us became our friends as soon as we sat down; they had recognized Wesley outside the stadium getting everyone pumped. They couldn't believe we were brother and sister (because he is so obnoxious, and I was more like a statue during the game, I was way to nervous). It was great sitting in between Wesley and my Tennessee fan boyfriend. They couldn't believe it, they got lots of laughter out of us throughout the game. 

Now, I don't believe in ghosts or spirits, however, Paul Bear Bryant was with Alabama durning this game. I have no doubt that he watches each game from the best seat in the house. It had to be him who lifted Cody up to block that kick. You can call me crazy, I would agree with you!

As I am sure you are wondering, Daniel and I are still together and did not fight at the game. Daniel is a good sport and I really think deep down, he was cheering for Alabama (insert wink here). He, more than I, picked at each other but all in all, it was just a lot of fun! Don't you think he would look so much better in crimson? I certainly do!

We ended our trip in Tuscaloosa at Gallett's bar where we ran into a few players. It was neat to see them go up to our 2 Tennessee fans and be so humble. Alabama really has the best fans and it was proven to me again on Saturday. 

It may look like there were a lot of pictures taken, however there were not. The game was way too intense and I was about to the point of puking! 

Rockin' It Out With My Brother

My brother, Wesley, is quite the rock star in our family with all his tattoos, piercings, hair color, and only during shows, he wears eyeliner! Wes is a drummer, a singer, the most ridiculous Alabama fan, and maybe the funniest person I know. He is oh so very creative and has a big imagination. For years he has always made up songs about my ramblings, mishaps, rants, and of course all my gracefulness. They make me laugh as well as whoever else is present for these little ditties! I have always said that he and I should write children's books, as we would become famous together. You see, I know those books would go flying off the shelves! I love spending Saturdays watching football with him, even though he is extremely obnoxious, it makes it fun. We are both serious and silly in all walks in life. We are there for one another when we need it. I have seen Wesley go through many road blocks in his life but yet he always makes it through them. Wesley hasn't always had the easiest life, simply since he chose to make it that way. But nonetheless, I am really proud of him. He has proven his talents and his heart over and over again. I am blessed to have such a great big brother. I always wanted a sister, however there is no way I would give up Wesley for that!

Halloween Pranksters

A few years ago, I was leaving dance practice and didn't expect anything differently while walking to my car. My best friend, Beth (also a coach), was in on the prank and had asked for my keys earlier that night. Of course I gave them to her without second thought as to why she needed them. She's my best friend, why would I question her intentions? Now, I totally know why I should have! As I am walking to my car, I don't think there could be anything wrong until I hit the unlock button on my key and the light comes on inside my car, which is very normal. All the girls cars were still at the studio, later to find out they were hiding behind the dumpster to see my reaction to their hard work. "Um, is there something in my car?" I start laughing as I see whats been done and here come all the girls and Beth capturing the moment with her camera in hand.  I am terrified of spiders (as we already know from my story with Harry) and the girls thought it would be funny to fill my car with fake, orange and black, plastic spiders you can only find in the Halloween season. Of course they needed a place to sit so there was webbing strung in my car as well. I found spiders everywhere for more than a year. I'd forget about this prank and opened my glove box and there one would be. Really, this was an on going prank! They loaded my car down good! I must admit this was the best pranked pulled on me (no need for any more). I am very thankful this was only fake spiders! 

Every Halloween season I cannot help but remember what these crazy girls did to me. I miss this group of girls as they have already left us and moved on to college. Now if I could just find a way to get all of them back.... 

Kevin and Autumn Get Hitched

My best gal pal got hitched this weekend. She was the happiest bride I have ever seen. Not to mention a B-E-A-utiful bride! The day was perfect, the storms held out, and she became Mrs. Kevin Brent Burke, II! I was so happy to be a part of the first day to the rest of her journey in life. As I stood next to Autumn, all I could see was Kevin. He was all smiles, he was handsome, he was getting married! That I think is the most raw moment of the day. Kevin would look at me, smile, and wink. I could tell that was the happiest he'd ever been in life. The reception was so much fun as all of girls danced the night away with the band....I even played the tambourine! I  also caught the bouquet after Autumn had to throw it 3 times. I don't have many pictures due to being so busy and my camera not wanting to work with the lighting, but there will be many more to come!

My toast to the bride and groom:

I knew Kevin and Autumn before they became Kevin and Autumn. I knew what both wanted in their lives and what they needed to be happy and fulfilled. They each had a wish list. At the top of their list were 2 equally important things: good looking and to be a christian. Check. Check. The rest of the list is what they soon found in one another. I wish you many more days like this one; full of friends and family who love and support you. I wish you many years of bliss. Autumn you are my best gal pal and my biggest shoulder to lean on and I know Kevin feels the same as I do. You are beautiful and stunning and can make a room stop with your good looks and your witty personality. Kevin I have actually known you longer than Autumn. I was there when you had your first date together and as you fell in love. You are a perfect match to my gal pal. If everyone will join me in raising their glass. To the future Mr. & Mrs. Burke. 

U2 concert experience

Daniel and I went to U2 in Atlanta last week. We met up with his brother, Michael and a few other friends to pre-game at a bar called Stats....which by the way is the coolest bar I have ever been to. It is a real mans bar with sports going on everywhere, talk radio show in the bar with David Pollack from UGA then Cincinnati until he broke his neck (ouch). The bar also features tables with their own beer taps, as in you get all the beer you want when you want it. Really the coolest thing I have ever seen. I vote for one in Chattanooga!

Muse opened for U2, and I am pretty sure Daniel and I both enjoyed them much more than U2. I know, I know, I said it. Breath, it's not that big of a deal! I almost gave my brother my ticket when he told me Muse was one of his favorite bands of all times. That is a big statement from a rocker, so I really felt bad that I had the ticket and he didn't. 

Daniel and I had a great time together as we always do where ever we are. However, I think it is time to get him to a Kenny Chesney concert so we can really rock out.

The funniest thing that happened at the concert was me (and Daniel) falling. Yep, we fell. You may have your own opinion of why I would have fallen but I am telling it this way: Daniel and I had the end 2 seats in our row and people started leaving. Daniel stepped out of the row onto the steep steps and I stayed in the row. I stood up to let people by me but I guess I didn't get the memo that Daniel wanted me to move up a row and sit since the row was empty. Well, if you have ever been to the dome, you know just how steep it really is. I turned and my foot was between the chairs, I guess I kept going but my foot didn't. I turned, and started to lose my balance. I saw everything slow motion. Daniel reaching out to catch me, me trying to grab him. I finally grabbed him, and still lost my balance. As I tumbled down on the edge of a concrete step, Daniel came with me landing on top of me. We quickly got up, and surprisingly nothing hurt. The next morning, my back was killing me and I couldn't recall why until finally remembering I had fallen. You can think what you want but I am sticking to I lost my balance and my foot was stuck, that's all.

Here are a few pics from the concert! 

I'm Wearing Orange

As my blood bleeds crimson, I am wearing orange (which is removable). Saturday I had my first experience as a Tennessee fan, or as I like to call it, a Tennessee Supporter. Never have I ever had the thought of wearing anything different than houndstooth and crimson but of course I just had to find the most wonderful guy who has only 1 flaw....he is a UT fan (ugh). I've bitten the bullet and have started wearing orange.

We headed up to Knoxville around noon where we would park at Daniel's friends house very close to campus. In orange, cowboy boots, and Tennessee cozies, we grabbed our cooler full of beer and headed out to tailgate! It was a late game so we had lots of time to socialize with all of his buddies, and we also met up with my cousin, Leigha. Being an Alabama fan, I have only been to UT during the Alabama Tennessee games so there was no wondering around campus for me. But this time was really different. Daniel took me to Fiji Island were we met up with friends we haven't seen since at a wedding this summer. 

We also took a look at the newly remodeled Pike house. I felt like I was back in college again when Daniel took me to the boys community bathroom to use it. With my beer in hand, I gracefully went into a stall and shut the door as if I were doing nothing out of the ordinary. I heard the stall beside me become occupied; I looked to see which way the feet were...it was a girl. I must admit, I looked up to make sure no one was peeking over. We all know how drunk college boys can get! I got to see so many things that were important to him and that he enjoyed while at UTK: the room he used to live in, his class picture on the wall, and of course when roaming the hall we saw many of the guys he spent years with. I definitely got a glimpse of Daniel's life as a Pike.

It's 7:45 which means, "It's Football Time In Tennessee!" Up to out seats we go! You can't go to a game without getting a hotdog, which by the way were great! They also were great with our snuck in whisky and coke!  As you know, the game didn't end the way we wanted it to. During the game there were many exciting times, disappointing times, and of course Rocky Top times! As I bare the orange and sing Rocky Top, I can't help but think my life has changed as I know it! Really, I had a wonderful time. I look forward to wearing more orange in the future!