*Rejewelvenation*

Myrtis Willingham Drummond.
September 6, 1917-May 18, 2007.  
Married September 7, 1937 to Garvin Eldred Drummond, October 25, 1919-January 11, 2007.

Tonight I'm thinking about my Granny.  I think about her often, actually.
She was a seamstress in a parachute factory during WWII when my grandfather was in the air force stationed in England.
She had piercing blue eyes and light brown hair cut short and curled back from her face.
She was petite and had a great figure her entire life.
She was a secretary at Red Bay High School when my mom was in school there.
She worked retail at J.C. Penny.
She was the middle of 6 children:  Curtis, Dora, Myrtis, Gladys, James,  and Christine
She lived longer than all her siblings.
She was the daughter of Elizabeth Cordelia and James Lemuel.  She was married at her parents' house and spent her wedding night there.  She had no honeymoon.
She liked Johnny Cash.
She didn't think women should overexert themselves with exercise.
She loved music.
She loved entertaining.
Garden Club and the church Bell choir were her social outlets.
She made blackberry jelly and peach preserves that remain unrivaled.
They had a house on the Tennessee River.  I remember going there as a young girl and thinking it was so funny that Granny never swam without a swim cap.
I remember sitting in the front porch swing with her shelling peas and snapping green beans from her garden.  I remember watching her scrape corn off the cob.
She made little round hard biscuits then put a big butter patty on them and smothered them with Karo syrup alongside really crunchy bacon and soft fried eggs.
She was a strict Southern Baptist.  She served God through her service to others, but she never mentioned that.
I love(d) her.

Wow, there's some cobwebs around here... Coming Soon- Best and Worst of 2009!

First Day of New Job

So, basically, I wish there was a little more space in my head to fit more than the few feeble thoughts I can process at one time.  I guess this is about as probable as my ever wearing "skinny jeans".  Right.  So, honestly, I was not all that nervous, as I've worked in assorted tennis clubs/country clubs for the last decade, but I was a little jittery.  Every club does things a little differently.  After going through numerous outfits that would be feel-good-first-day-outfits, upon arriving at work I HATED what I was wearing.  I felt enormous.  All day.  Bah.  I also froze my tail off.  I'm afraid I've gotten a little spoiled to teaching indoors for the last 4 years.  I think playing tennis outdoors is a little ridiculous if it's less than 40 degrees.  Oh well.  As far as first days go, this one was pretty good.   

A Year in the Music City

So, I'm going to compile one of those "a look back" kind of lists for our year in Nashville...  The good and the bad.  It's interesting to me that we will be leaving Nashville pretty much exactly one year to the date after we moved here.  Not sure why that's interesting, but it works as far as this little year-in-recap blog is concerned...  

A disclaimer:  I have focused on all the positive things in this post.  This is an exercise for my mental health, as there were a few negatives I could have mentioned.  I left them out, because my brain hurts from trying to make sense of all that has happened.  So this is not really an interesting post, it's for me to look back at all the good things.  And there were so many!  It really has been a great year.  I am so fortunate to have the friends and family that I do.

MARCH 2008

It snowed 6 inches the day after we moved.  It was great fun to watch the dogs playing. 

This was the first time we had picked out a house and set it up together.  As excited as I was to go through this process, I was so disappointed to miss my cousin Katie's wedding.  Our moving date and Katie and Brad's wedding date were the same weekend.  Boo.  Hiss.

I started working at Belle Meade the very next week after moving.  We were still unpacking boxes.  I loved working at Belle Meade Country Club from Day 1.

Dean and I went to see the Predators.  I had never been to a pro hockey game before.  Fun.

Lee Ann (and Moxie of course) came to visit!

APRIL 2008

Our second wedding anniversary.  We went to a cozy dinner at the Yellow Porch.  Great little restaurant.  This was instantly a place I frequented.

Nalta begins.  I still don't really understand the whole system, but I loved being on a team with so many sweet and fun ladies.  I have Susie Brannon and Kobie Pretorius to thank for helping steer me in the right direction!  I looked forward to playing doubles every Thursday morning.

USTA season begins.  I was thrilled to have the opportunity to play singles for my team!

Susan and Jennifer came for the Country Music Marathon and Half Marathon.  I still can't believe that Susan convinced me to run the half marathon with her the night before!  It was really great fun to run with Susan.  

MAY 2008

I drove down to Birmingham to surprise Lee Ann at her going-away party.  It was so fun to see friends and family at some of the familiar hang outs.  Plus, the next day I got to go to Jill's birthday lunch at Chez Fon Fon.  There's something about lunch with Jill at Chez Fon Fon that always makes for a special memory.  

Brandon's birthday!  Brandon and I went to see K.T. Tunstall at the Ryman Auditorium.  We had fantastic seats.  Very sweet.

Lucie Cat!  I think I've posted previously about my war with the rabbits in the yard and how we acquired Lucie, so I'll spare the details.  Her purpose was practical in theory, but she soon became our little darling.  I never thought I'd love a cat this much.  

JUNE 2008

Lee Ann came to visit, so fun as always.  

French Open Final between Roger and Rafa.  I can't believe it was so one-sided.

Dean's parents and my parents came to stay with us for Father's Day.  Very Special.

Alabama's State Tennis Tournament in Mobile.  We won!!!  It had been a long time since I had worked so hard to prepare for a tournament.  Very satisfying.  

Tennessee's State Tennis Tournament in Nashville.  I went 3-1 playing singles!  My team didn't win overall, but it was a good experience.  

JULY 2008

We watched the 4th of July fireworks from the patio at Watermark.  Kind of a weird staff party.

Dean and I went on a super quick trip to Chicago.  We left Friday afternoon and came back Sunday.  Whirlwind.  Dean shook Mike Ditka's hand.  Fun.  

Wimbledon Final between Roger and Rafa.  I cried.  Hard.

Orientation and pre-opening activities begin for miro district.

I got into a little fender-bender.  It was my fault.  Very traumatic.  Very bad for my driving record.  No one was hurt, thank God.  

I was so bummed that I could not go with my Alabama team to Sectionals.  They came so very close to winning.  

The Grand Opening Party for miro district was a brilliant success.  I felt really good in the dress I wore.  It was great to have my parents and Brandon there.  So many friends came.    

AUGUST 2008

Miro District opens.  

A GIRLS' WEEK IN CABO SAN LUCAS!!!!  

We moved Brandon into his house in Tuscaloosa.

Michelle, Brandy, and I went to see My Morning Jacket down on the waterfront.  It was a blast.

Brandy and I went to see Bruce Springsteen at the Sommet Center.  Awesome.

SEPTEMBER 2008

I drove down to Birmingham and met Susan and Sarah to go to Sam's party.

I went with Merrily and Zanie to the Musician's Hall of Fame for Laurie and Blaine's wedding reception.  

Nalta singles and doubles season begins.

Ronald McDonald House Tennis Tournament.

Dean's Birthday!!!  We went to Tootsie's and then to The Ryman to see David Byrne.  Very fun.  

OCTOBER 2008

Presidential Debate at Belmont.  I wanted to go.  

My Birthday!  = begin obsession with iPhone.

Begin Bootcamp.  Can you believe I woke up to go exercise outside at 5:30 in the morning?

NOVEMBER 2008

I voted in a presidential election for the first time and my guy won.  Yay.

GIRLS' TRIP TO ATLANTA!!!  Lee Ann, Jennifer, and me went to stay with Susan!  We got to see Kazzi and Andrew too.  Cabbagetown Chili festival was so fun.  Dinner at Murphy's was great.  Brunch was so fun, and then Kazzi's serenade was unforgettable.  

THANKSGIVING!!!

DECEMBER 2008

Christmas Party at Catherine's.  Fun fun fun.

Christmas Party at Jennifer's.  I am still a champion at playing quarters.  Yes. 

GIRLS' TRIP TO LOUISVILLE!!!  Susan and I went to visit Lee Ann.  Cute house!  Cute neighborhood!  Super fun Christmas Party.  Sally stole the show.  Or maybe it was Amy doing "the worm"...  Nobody lost any teeth.  and then there was the blue elephant.

CHRISTMAS!!!

NEW YEAR'S EVE!!!  I went up to miro district with Brandy and Michelle.  Hugh and Emily were there!  Shots of limonchello ensued.  Good times.  

JANUARY 2009

Quick trip to Birmingham for a Dr.'s appointment...  Lunch with Jill at Chez Fon Fon!  Love it.

Another quick trip to Birmingham for another Dr.'s appointment...  I drove straight to Bottega for crab cakes.  Then I got to hang out with Kazzi and BG, and Milton and Joey at Dave's.  It had been a while since I had stayed out that late!!!  

Dean and I went to Atlanta and stayed with Travis and Julie.  I got to eat lunch and spend the afternoon with Susan.  Awesome.

FEBRUARY 2009

Australian Open Final between Roger and Rafa.  I cried.  Hard.    

Quick trip to Birmingham for me to get a job.  Check.  We went over to see Jarrod and Courtney's apartment.  Very Sweet.

Valentine's Day.  Not usually a day Dean and I even celebrate, but this is the first V-Day in 30 years that Dean was not working.  Dinner and wine at home and watch some movies.  Perfect.

I'll say goodbye to Belle Meade CC next week.  There will be tears.

The Annual Buker Party.

And we'll be back in Birmingham.

And there you have it.  So it goes.

  

BEST OF 2008

I know it's almost February of 2009, but I'm just a bit behind on my posts, OK?  So, here goes:

Best of 2008 in no order whatsoever.

Cabo San Lucas for a week with girlfriends.

Bruce Springsteen live in concert.

After 16 years I learned how to hit a forehand.

Playing State tennis tournaments for Alabama and Tennessee.

Adopting Lucie, the rescue kitty.

The dogs discovering snow.

Obama.

My Morning Jacket live in concert.

David Byrne at the Ryman.

KT Tunstall at the Ryman with Brandon.

Grimey's with Brandon.

Setting up Brandon's house in Tuscaloosa.

Alabama's Regular Season Football.

Alabama shutting out Auburn.

Getting Granny's diamond ring at Christmas.

Ryan Shinn 

Dean Shaking Mike Ditka's hand.

Michelle Auxier.

Boot camp with Lauren Farina.

The Opening Party for Miro District.

Country Music Half Marathon.

Picking Out and Setting Up my first house with Dean

Christmas Party In Louisville.

Chili Festival in Atlanta.

My brother being sober for the entire year.

Watching the sun set on our deck in spring/summer.

I didn't have a sinus infection the entire year.

The 15 pounds I lost at the end of 2007 stayed gone.

No credit card debt for the first time since I graduated college.

Jill and Ed visiting Nashville.

My parents and Dean's parents together all weekend for the first time.

The going away parties.

Making new friends.

Watermark Pinot Gris, and Miro District Barbera by Jim Clendenon.

Hillary.

Dean having a real hairdresser.

eating at Margot and the Yellow Porch in Nashville

Kenny Gilmore and Mike Yates and Greg McCullem.

Jenny's Capellini

Dean's Greek Salad

Bottega Goodbyes

Roberto Coin crosses-- matching crosses to watch over us

Dean's "upgraded" wedding ring

facebook vs myspace

IPHONE

whole foods/ whole body candles

fairy dust

2008 Favorites: Tunes

Check out my imix and listen to snippets of any of my favorite songs of '08:  

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewIMix?id=301329218

Here's the top 25 out of 100:

1. I'm Amazed, My Morning Jacket

2. Lost!, Coldplay

3. You are the Best Thing, Ray LaMontagne

4. Freeway, Aimee Mann

5. What's Been Going On, Amos Lee

6. Free Fallin' (Live), John Mayer

7. Mercy, Duffy

8. Old Enough, The Raconteurs

9. Rich Woman, Alison Krauss & Robert Plant

10. Supernatural Superserious, R.E.M.

11. Sey Hey (I Love You), Michael Franti & Spearhead

12. Viva la Vida, Coldplay

13. Say, John Mayer

14. More Time, Needtobreathe

15. Shattered (Turn the Car Around), O.A.R.

16. Long Road to Ruin, Foo Fighters

17. Listen, Amos Lee

18. Nothing Ever Hurt Like You, James Morrison

19. Love Remains the Same, Gavin Rossdale

20. Life, Love & Laughter, Donavan Frankenreiter

21. Hope, Jack Johnson

22. You Can't Count on Me, Counting Crows

23. If I Had Eyes, Jack Johnson

24. I'm Yours, Jason Mraz

25. The Way I Am, Ingrid Michaelson 

It's the Holiday Season!

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