Between the Covers

Get your mind out of the gutter, this post isn't anything dirty. I'm in a book club! (Yes, I know I'm so punny!) I've always wanted to do a book club, but could never find anyone who read or just couldn't get it organized and scheduled. That has all changed. Tuesday night, I and 4 other friends gathered at my house to start our very own book club. We had dinner and discussed what books we want to read. We decided for our first book, we should read something none of us have read before so we settled on Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn. None of us have read it yet and know that it's been made into a film that will come out later this year. My friend, Ashley had posted on her blog about how she's challenged herself to read 16 books before they become movies. This one is on the list and we're all pretty excited about it.

 

Dinner was followed by the yummy deliciousness from 2 different bakeries: Muddy's (a local shop that's been here for a few years now) and Nothing Bundt Cake (just came to Memphis and has locations all over, it happens to be next to "my" Starbucks this is bad, y'all). Serously, y'all. Go getcha some! Now! I recommend the Lemon raspberry from NBC and the chocolate raspberry from Muddy's. 

Our book club!

 

“Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.”
― Mark Twain

10 years later and (hopefully) a little more wiser and a lot more stylish!

This year marks 10 years since I graduated. After months of planning (which was challenging since 3 of the 4 of us planning lived out of town), the reunion came together.

Flight to Colorado (first one together, awwww!)

Friday night cocktails

Deeanna and Kandy, what in this picture isn't like the others? Me! They were cheerleaders, I wasn't. But I love 'em! Still both very sweet girls.

The whole group

Saturday family event, this is during the tour of our school, which is on the National Register of Historical Places.

With Willy the Wildcat. I sure hope they've cleaned that costume since I wore it. (yes, you can figure that out for yourselves)

Awesome centerpieces Kristen made!

Saturday night event

This girl made high school so memorable!

Christopher and my friend Brandon, who've become buddies. Facebook made it official :)

Our class prez, Zak who planned with me. He got married the next weekend. Congrats to Kelli and Zak!

Sweet Tangier, we had a lot of fun back in high school in theatre.

Ian and I go back to forensics, drama, band and going to lunch while he and some others threw smoke bombs out of my car! It's a wonder we never got caught!
Kristen who was a life saver and not only made the centerpieces, but let me e-mail/call/text her for venting sessions. :)

A great time was had by all, and it was awesome to catch up with everyone!

Tourist in my own city (part deux)

Please forgive me for the lapse in my posts. Life has continued to remain crazy. Thank you for the prayers for Christopher's granddad, please continue them as he is moved back home today to start hospice care.

2 weeks ago, my dear friend Shannon and her precious girls came to visit (finally!) We've been trying to coordinate our schedules forever for her to get down here and this summer it finally worked out. So, once again I got to be a tourist in my own great city of Memphis as I did here back in January of 2010. PS It's a lot better doing this stuff in January than in July. WHEWEY! Was it ever HOT!

Took them to the zoo. Little did we know it was free day for all TN residents. Let's just say the zoo was a zoo (pun intended)

Doing the Shrinky Dinks they got at The Children's Museum (my mom was still there at that point and took them while I was at work)

Shannon made amazing goulash for dinner and a roach (yes, my house is clean and Terminix does come and spray but it is the south afterall) crawled over her foot, so this was her solution. Don't worry, I killed it!

We all had way too much fun playing "Just Dance," Just Dance 2," and the "Michael Jackson Experience" on the Wii!

Of course we had to go to Graceland!!!!

Iris with her Icee at the Redbirds game.

Larae got a giant ice cream.

All in all, a good visit. It's been way too long since I've gotten to hang out with my Micklatcher girls!

Fall = Football

Christopher and I have a deal: We will always root for each other's teams unless they play each other. PS November 13th will be interesting when the Tennessee Volunteers host the Ole Miss Rebels (er, I mean Black Bears. Don't even get me started!)

First Stop: Ole Miss and The Grove. Had a blast! They have great tailgating because it's all in one big area.

#18 was Archie Manning's #.

Next Stop: Rocky Top!

Christopher looks great in BIG ORANGE!

It was great to see all my Knoxville friends! This guy single-handedly introduced me to everyone I know in Knoxville.

I even got to hang with a high school buddy! Eric (who you'll remember took me to the Inaugural Ball) was in town, too. This was his first college football game ever and he sported the orange.

All in all, we have a great time cheering on our college teams. Obviously, we love our Mannings!