Food, Football & Family

Yes, the theme continues. Friday I celebrated the beginning of high school football season. We went to the Ninety Six v. Abbeville game. Excellent entertainment for $6. Stayed over with the Eichelbergers and then ate a BIG breakfast Saturday morning at a place everyone needs to try - Grits & Groceries at Saylors Crossroads in Anderson County. Check them out here first - http://www.justfollowus.com/index.htm You'll have to make a special trip, but it's worth it, I promise. Just look at the menus on this site to see what you are missing. Joined the crew painting Annalisa's room and other projects at Brad and Delisa's Saturday afternoon. Didn't get to see the Byrnes HS game on ESPN but had fun with all the folks, coming in and out of the house. Beautiful mint green nursery ready for the baby showering to begin. Big dinner party at Alan's parents' Saturday night to celebrate all the August birthdays. My Mama got home from the West Coast late Saturday night. Enjoyed hearing her stories Sunday morning, lunching with Doug and Devilla, visiting with Bill, Vikki & Lizzie Rose. Stopped at Erik and Carrie's before church at 6pm. Home just after 9. Fun weekend. The boss noted I looked tired today. Back to the weekday routine (:

Congaree Float

Saturday Alan and I met up with friends from Ninety Six who now live in Raleigh to float about 4 miles of the Congaree River in Columbia. We put in about 2pm at the Gervais St bridge and took out about 5pm below Cayce. It wasn't a tremendous route (VERY beginner) and the group was overly large and poorly organized (by Adventure Carolina). But it was a beautiful day and fun to be outside. Thanks to Kathy for organizing the trip & to Jason, Justin & Cheryl for coming along. We enjoyed the cookout at Kathy's parents' afterwards, despite the ribbing from Bob the GM man about my new import car. We also enjoyed dinner Friday night with Miriam and the Rusches and then brunch and a relaxing morning sitting by the river with Ben & Eunice. Good friends - you can't beat 'em!

Football Fan?

Tonight I learned an important lesson. I thought I was a football fan. So tonight we went to Panthers training camp. We stayed about an hour. It was free and the weather was just about perfect. So what was the problem? I was bored almost the whole time we were there. It wasn't the football. I knew what was going on. I just didn't care. So what if those were the pros! Making big bucks out there. Jake Delhomme. John Kasey. Chris Weinke. Even Keith Adams, who used to be a Tiger (6 long years ago). I'm just not a Panthers fan. I can appreciate what they do, but I'd rather see Ninety Six or Seneca. Or of course Clemson. Alan wants to go to a Byrnes game this year, and we've planned to see Greenwood play at Dorman. But I'm not a fan of those teams, so now I'm thinking it won't be so fun to go to those games. I don't like random football so much. I just like MY teams.

Hissy FIT

Yes, my new car has arrived.

And yes, it's orange, but not as orange as Alan's Element.

My '07 Honda Fit shipped from Japan on July 13th and arrived at Piedmont Honda in Anderson August 15. The 16th is Alan's birthday, so yesterday afternoon we drove over, picked it up and enjoyed a fabulous birthday dinner with his parents at our favorite restaurant - Nami at Portman Marina on Lake Hartwell. Sushi! Yum! Happy Birthday to ME!!

Alan wants to get a personalized license plate that says - well, you guess what.

HD HD HD

The new, most-frequently heard "phrase" in our house these days (if you can call it that) is HD. I think it means High Definition. I have no idea what that means, but the cable guy came today and hooked up this service to our new HDTV and I can certainly tell the difference. Monday Night Football with Tony Kornheiser in a few hours. I can hardly wait!

Not Hot Today

Strange weather pattern in SC today. After weeks of the typical scorching weather, today started rainy and now it's just cool. Maybe about 70. Alan and I are in Anderson at Erik's house. I'm helping with the painting projects in preparation for the arrival of baby #2. Alan is doing some wiring project with the fan in the bathroom.

Today I am celebrating GIRLS - Cara Grace, almost two, with a big bruise on her cheek; Libby Anne, set to arrive October 5th, if not sooner; and Annalisa Bradlee.

Too Hot to Blog

These are the Dog Days, that for sure. Too hot outside to move most days lately. So Friday after work we headed for the mountains in search of cooler weather. Thanks John and Kathryn! Alan got in a 16 mile mtn bike ride at DuPont State Forest with some guys he met on MTBR. Then a big nap in the afternoon. And good food was enjoyed by all. Today's special: homemade pimento cheese and heirloom tomatoes. YUM!