Football is finally here....

  vs.  
  vs. 

Well it's finally here...you know what I'm taking about...FOOTBALL SEASON!!!!  

I know that Matt has been counting down until he was able to walk into Scott Stadium and watch his beloved Cav's; and other friends have been waiting for Alabama and Auburn to kick off, but I never thought that I would be this excited for football season to start.  I'll tell you why I was so excited...this season I was able to start it off by watching my alumni institution and then Matt's!!  Unfortunately, this weekend did not bode well for either.  

Baylor (SIC'EM BEARS) played Wake Forest Thursday night, and as it was the night before oral surgery I was able to watch it with my parents in Gadsden on the big screen.  Although the final score was 41-13 I'm going to call it a win for Baylor.  In case you aren't familiar with Baylor football, the fact that we scored on a ranked team should put a W in our column for the year! What a great way to start out our new coaches year.  When we scored I even stood up and did the Sic'em Bears sign - because let's face it, I can't remember "That Good 'Ole Baylor Line"  (and I'll be fine if that song never ventures back into my memory).  So way to go Baylor!!! I'm proud of you BU - here's to a season that could possibly hold an actual win or even perhaps 2!!!

Then that leaves UVA. I know what you are thinking if you know the score....52-7.  Well I would like to take this time to remind everyone that USC is ranked 3rd in the nation!  I'm not sure anyone was expecting UVA to hand USC an upset - but I can honestly say with the end of the first quarter being 21-7, I did have some hope.  Although the hope died out by the end of the 3rd quarter I want to say that I still can't wait to see those Cav's in action.  UVA football is some of the best I've ever seen (the atmosphere, scott staduim, tail-gating, adventures of cav-man, UVA first down, and so much more) and watching those people in Scott Stadium today,I was jealous!  I know that win or lose I can't wait to be back there with them as part of CAVALIER NATION.  So, here's to kicking some Richmond butt next Saturday - WA-HOO-WA!!!

All wisdom is lost...

Well, with no class on Friday and no class on Monday (woo-hoo for Labor Day), nothing spells 4 day weekend like oral surgery involving the removal of my wisdom teeth! That's right, yesterday morning at 8 am I had my wisdom teeth taken out.  Now, let me preface that by saying I'm pretty lucky - I only had 2 wisdom teeth, both on the top.  However, if you know me well enough, it shouldn't come as a shock that I only had 2 wisdom teeth and not 4! Ha! Ha! 

It all began Thursday night when the Dr.'s orders required 4 advil liquid gels and 1 valium at bedtime.  Now, I've never had valium before, but I was definitely looking forward to a good night's sleep.  However, what I got was a night full of turning and almost tossing my cookies.  So, needless to say, I don't love valium.  I woke up Friday morning bright and early and unfortunately had to take 2 more valiums at 6:45 in the morning (1 hour before oral surgery).  Then my mom and I were off.

We arrived at the oral surgeon's office - they took me back and hooked me up to the "happy" medicine - or so the doctor called it! Well, next thing I know they are walking me across to the "recovery room" and I can't remember a thing. Apparently I was a chatty cathy, but you couldn't prove it by me.  Then they wheeled me out to the car - apparently a liability to let me walk (and I'll support that decision b/c I had some wobbly legs). My mom and I got in the car - we drove home - dad had to help my "sea" legs up the stairs of the house and directly into bed I got.  I took my pain pill although I wasn't in much pain and I thought I'd spend the day sleeping - which no law student would complain about.  So on the recommendation of a good law school friend I placed a frozen pack of peas on each side of my cheeks and was ready for a day of rest. So with that I say to percocet - dear pain killer, I don't love you - you did in fact not put me to sleep, you made my head fuzzy and maybe masked the pain, but I was wide awake...all day long!

So, I spent the day hanging out with my nurse, my mom.  It was pretty awesome to hang out with her, laying on the bed watching a marathon of Clean House.  Even dad came in and watched a few episodes with us.  Eventually I tried some ice cream, mashed potatoes, and some applesauce! Sweet! I also really wasn't in much pain (or so I thought).  I mean seriously, look at the size of those two teeth - what was I thinking that there wouldn't be pain!!!

My dad came back home from a run to get some more ice cream (apparently my parents love the same kind I do) and following him into the house was Joy's Flowers.  As you will see above, my fantastic fiance sent me a lovely arrangement of flowers.  That absolutely made my day. The flowers smell and look beautiful.

I was feeling no pain, so skipped the pain pills.  Then, last night came - and so did the pain.  My left side is feeling great, my right side was/and still is in a ridiculous amount of pain!  So back to the pain pills I went.  It's also so weird to sleep sitting up - as I normally lay on one side of my face or the other.  Although last night was maybe about 2 hours of sleep, I was up early this morning hanging out with my dad while nurse mom got to sleep in.  

In fact, besides the right side hurting today I was able to go to Wal-Mart with my parents....seeing as how we ran into everyone and there brother, by the time we left, I've never been so ready to get back in the seclusion that is my parent's house. My mouth was killing me.  I came home - took medicine - and crawled right back into bed! 

Tonight I was able to "eat" some mac-n-cheese.  Really, it still hurts pretty bad to chew so I just swallowed it and with some applesauce.  TASTY!  My parents have been fantastic in helping me recover.  I owe them a lot of gratitude! 

So there you have it...Happy Labor Day Holiday weekend everyone - whether you be vacationing at the beach or at football games (like everyone else I know)...or partaking in some oral surgery!!! Ha! Ha!

Where did the weekend go?

Well the first week away from each other came and went (Monday especially bad days for both Matt and I)  - and was followed by a visit to Charlottesville for the weekend - or at least technically a day and 1/2 of the weekend.  

I decided that this past weekend I would drive to Charlottesville - this is how it went.  Matt told me early last week that this past Saturday was move-in day for new and returning students to UVA and that meant no leaving his apartment in that crazy traffic.  So I thought, that Saturday would then be a great day for us to pick "Save the Date" magnets and possibly invitations over skype - so they will both be something we both enjoy.  So as I pondered this on Thursday, with the help of a few others (my parents), I decided that it would be much more fun to decide these things in person.  So, after a doctor's appointment Friday morning I started the drive to Charlottesville, with the hopes of being in sometime in the late afternoon.  Hopes were dashed when Matt and I found out that "Nascar Nation" was in Johnson City/Bristol this past weekend.  Oh well. I arrived in Charlottesville, later than expected, but Matt and I were able to enjoy dinner and a movie (ironically he recommend The Queen, and I loved it).  

Then Saturday was a full day:

1.) take my car to Sears Tire and Auto (yes, unfortunately we had to go out in the traffic anyways because my check engine light came on)

2.) go to Circuit City so Kelly can buy her new camera (and no, I did not purchase the camera because after being in the empty store for 10 minutes staring at only the camera section nobody offered to help me - and another customer had to ask for help 3 times before someone listened to her - so Matt and I left there with me bitching and Matt slightly confused as to my actions)

3.) head back to apartment (where we decided on a save the date magnet, booked the remainder of our honeymoon, and have a possibility for a wedding invitation)

Then before we knew it, it was 6:45 am on Sunday and I was leaving to return to Alabama.

It was a productive and whirlwind weekend, and really nice to be together again - and as today started Matt and I both are a little bit tired of long distance! We will definitely be seeing each other again for the weekend of Sept. 20th (engagement photos on the lawn @ UVA), but we are both not sure if schedules will allow for either of us to make the drive before then.

So, until then, we continue - I'm in the second week of my 3L year at Cumberland School of Law - and Matt with his "official" first week of the new school year @ UVA. 

Grams

With my admiralty final and the drama of Matt's 18 hour flight delay to get to Alabama a few weeks ago, Matt and I forgot to blog about a very special event.  The day Matt flew in we rushed from the Birmingham airport (only minutes after my Admiralty final) back to Gadsden - for a most special event - lunch at Red Lobster with Grams!  

Now, most of you who know me, know Grams - and for those who don't, here is a crash course, she is my grandmother! Grams is a very special part of my life.  When I was a little girl (like 5) Grams and Papere (my grandfather) moved from Atlanta, Georgia to right across the street from me! It was GREAT growing up with them across the street, I have so many fond memories and continue to each time I visit with her.  

In fact, I was given the opportunity to go visit with Grams tonight and had a fantastic time learning about all of my ancestors and going down memory lane with some old photos that were found.  However, a brand new photo of Grams had been taken and I knew it was one I had to share! The above photographs are of Grams, Matt, and I leaving Red Lobster and thanking Grams for a fantastic meal and fellowship, but what isn't picture in those photographs is the gift Matt brought for Grams.  

Here's a little background...Matt has met Grams before, when, in Grams' words she "wasn't herself."  But Matt did however know that even when Grams is "herself," she is always cold or chilly.  So, Matt brought Grams a toasty warm Virginia sweatshirt to the lunch at Red Lobster! It was all wrapped up and Grams was so cute when she opened it.  In fact, she started using in right then and there to prop her back up!  The sweatshirt is great for Grams because the inside is fleece, which keeps her warm and at the same time, super cozy!  Apparently even though it has been 95+ degrees for the past few weeks in Alabama, Grams is already getting her wear out of her new sweatshirt, and this time not as a back prop. 

Apples and Airplanes

Last night Matt and I were able to hang out with my neighbor and law school friend Bob and his wife Rebecca! Bob and Rebecca are NEWLYWEDS as of August 9th! I've known Bob since my first day of classes at Cumberland and have met Rebecca a few times, but last night was our first night to hang out and meet Matt.  Bob and Rebecca brought over one of the wedding gifts Matt and I bought them...the game Apples to Apples! If you haven't played it, you are missing out - it's fun! Anyways, although Rebecca kicked all of our butts, we had a blast.  The great thing is that Bob and Rebecca's relationship is a lot like our relationship - well I'm speaking in 1 major aspect - LONG DISTANCE! The newlyweds live in North Carolina, with Bob commuting to school for the weeks.  It was great to chat with Rebecca on the balcony last night - someone who understands what it's like and how sometimes the reality of long distance sucks! 

That's the case today...the reality that Matt and I are in fact - 623 miles, 9 hours and 37 minutes apart!  Matt's flight back to Washington left this morning and unlike his horrible flight delays getting here - apparently Birmingham has their act together (of course it's also a lot smaller than Washington D.C.) and he had no delays leaving.  Isn't that some irony? I'm pretty sure that if it was up to Matt and I his 18 hour delay/layover should've been today! 

Something Matt said today made so much sense....he told me that it is so much harder for him to say "Goodbye" after long stays than short trips because we have fallen into a routine and feel completely comfortable basically living together....I couldn't agree more.  Then from the airport he texted that he can't wait until we don't have to say goodbye, but instead say "See you at dinner!"  Honestly, I don't think either of us can wait.  So here's to a fast fast fast fast 3L year at law school and UVA basketball season (fast, but long b/c I want them to be in the championship in St. Louis - Go HOOS!)...

Tomorrow is day one of that last year and Matt's first day back.  Let's hope time flies! 

Busy Busy Bees...

It's me again...Kelly... So Matt pretty much hit the highlights, but I thought I'd catch everyone up to speed...Matt's right, we've had a lot of appointments and we've hit the ground running on this wedding planning thing...So, in the past 2 weeks, we have accomplished a lot:

1) Matt saw the venue, and loved it! He also got to meet Hilton's wedding coordinator Paula Benson who we will be working with.

2) We found an officiant...Rev. Don Goodrum 

3) We found a wedding planner...Kimberly Bartoli

4) We found a photographer...Gwyne and Mark Owens

5) We found a bakery...Southern Style Desserts (website unknown)

So basically, we are leaving with only a Florist and DJ to find...each of which we have GREAT recommendations for!  It is really an awesome feeling that both Matt and I have been able to meet the individuals that we will be working with on our wedding day and for the months before.  Each individual we have met seem to fit in with our lifestyle and our ideas/thoughts for the wedding! I hope each vendor will continue to be a joy to work with!

Now...on to the good stuff that Matt didn't post about...

Well, the first thing he didn't post about is something we did while we were down in Sandestin....I'm not talking about the drinking/singing at Rum Runners, or the fun in the sun/pool, nope - I'm talking about the plate that Matt and I designed and painted at Paint'n Place!!!

We are going to make another one before we get married next august with the same kind of look except for rings it will be a bride and groom in the center and the date will be our wedding date!!! So cute! Well, at least I think so.  I'm not sure Matt loved it so much - but I would like to state for the record there were in fact other men in there painting other pottery pieces and men in my family have in fact painted there before...but well, I'm not sure painting was Matt's "cup of tea"...eventually though, we both really enjoyed doing it and spending the time together, just the two of us again.  It was really really nice!

Then there was the putt-putt (mini-golf) game at The Track.  Matt and I played the "Mountain Course."  It was again, a lot of fun.  It started to sprinkle a little bit, but that didn't hold us back!! 

  

It's funny though, because Matt got a 7 (literally, a 7) on one hole and followed it up with a hole in 1 on the next hole!!! CRAZY!!! I unfortunately also got a 7 on a hole, but thank goodness we were playing by the Wallace family rules (aka a "club length" is literally the length of the club and not just the club head) that I was able to pull away in the end winning 54 to 57!!! Woo-hoo! Below you will see evidence of Matt's 7 and 1!!! 

     

Unfortunately we are now back in Birmingham as of yesterday at 1:30.  We brought in all the luggage, unpacked, did laundry, worked on a few things and then went to dinner and "shopping!" I'll blog more about the "shopping" tomorrow. Matt leaves tomorrow morning and I know I'll be sad and I'm going to miss him, so I'm going to spend the next few hours hanging out with him (attempting to get him to look up from this apparently fantastic book he has been reading since florida).

He lives......

Hi everyone

   The long awaited debut of  Matt blog post is finally here.   Kelly and I have been enjoying two weeks here in Sandestin and I must say I can truly see why the Wallace clan loves this place so much.   The weather has been great (minus the 20 mph winds today and the tornado watch we are on now), the Gulf has looked beautiful, and we are both finally sporting a bit of a tan!

It hasn't all been basking at the pool though.   Kelly and I have had a serious case of wedding planning.   I finally got to see the deck where the big event will occur at the Hilton.  It is beautiful and overlooks the Gulf.  The nice part is it relatively private, though they did warn us the ever present plane with a banner could fly by.  While this remote possiblilty would seem like the highlight of our wedding planning meeting, it wasn't.   We got to meet with our wedding coordinator (not our planner, as I have learned these are seperate people).  At this meeting, I got to hear about the delicious food that is being served at our wedding.   Nachos, wings, Blue Moon...yes ladies and gentlemen, this is a wedding menu!

After a few days of rest, it was back on the trail again with getting our officiant (a former radio DJ named Cadillac Jack), our wedding planner, our photographer, and tomorrow...the cakes!!!!

In between, Kelly and I had the fun of being joined by Kelly's twin sister and maid of honor Robyn.  After Robyn got to enjoy the potential fun of America's airline industry (though her one hour delay is about 17 hours shorter then mine), we visited all the local restaurants the Wallace's love, hung out at the pool, visited the famed Rum Runner's dueling piano bar, and enjoyed a some future brother in law/ sister in law relaxing time.

Finally, Kelly and I are proud to annouce that we have finished our wedding website.   You can find a link by clicking the previous words "wedding website."  Both of us want you to look around as Kelly and I spent tons of time making it look great!   We will update it some more over the next year as we get hotels for guests ironed out and more details get settled.

Kelly says I have to include a closing paragraph.   Consider this post closed.

Is this funny?

You know that commercial...I think it is for TBS...I know you know it.  It is the annoying one, that everyone hates, but for some reason unknown to man, they continue to show it but just alternate variations of it....It is the one where an individual calls in to a dispatcher and tells the dispatcher the situation and the dispatcher then tells the level of "funny" and determines how hard you are allowed to laugh...

Well, let's pretend I'm the caller....Here's the situation:

Matt gets to the Washington, D.C. airport and past security by 4:30 

His flight scheduled to leave at 7:54 pm

He has only a carry-on bag.

He gets a bite to eat with his mother.

He gets to the gate.

He waits patiently for his flight.

7:54 plane not at gate.

8:54 plane not at gate.

9:00 plane arrives.

9:10 told that plane's cargo hold would not open.

11:00 finally boarding plane.

Funny yet? I didn't think so.  So, I'll continue, well, by continue, I mean fill in the missing detail.

Matt was flying from D.C. to N.C. to B'ham.

Matt's connecting flight in Charlotte departed at 10:35.

Yeah, you did the math with the time correct, Matt missed his connection in N.C. thanks to U.S. Air!  Super! So now he will finally get to Charlotte well after midnight and will not get into B'ham until 9:53 tomorrow morning...spending tonight at the Charlotte airport...

Funny yet? I didn't think so.  So, I'll continue, well, by continue, I mean fill in the missing detail.

My admiralty final starts at 9 am tomorrow and goes until noon.  

Fantastic! So now, I am driving to B'ham tomorrow morning at 5 am (I don't want to risk a flat tire or anything and miss my final)...taking my final at my apartment in B'ham from 9-noon...Matt will take a taxi to my apartment when his plane (finally) arrives...He'll shower and hang out until I'm done with my final...then we will head to Gadsden to have a late lunch with my grandmother..then another meeting at 3:30...and then a very long drive tomorrow night....it feels like tomorrow is going to be a very very long day....

Funny yet? Yeah, I didn't think so either.  Neither did TBS.

Is it...

So, all week (literally starting Sunday) Matt has been asking me..."Is it Friday Yet?" Well, I can now officially answer "YES!!!"  

Matt arrives in the 'Ham at 10:53 tonight!!!! He has already began the drive to D.C. - where he will leave his car at his mom's house and his fantastic sister Katharine will drop him off at the airport (Thanks Katharine!!)...after a meal with his mom (she works at the airport), he'll be off to Charlotte N.C. and then straight to the 'Ham!!! 

We are both so excited to see each other again and spend time together!!! And, I'm sure the blogging community that reads this (all what, 5 of you! ha!) are desperately anticipating Matt's first post....I know I am!!! Ha! 

So with that being said....I'm desperately cleaning my parents house (woo-hoo for them allowing me to bunk in the rental for the summer while working for a law office in Gadsden, but the time has come for me to move back to the 'Ham), picking up the mail, packing up (so i've already made 2 trips back to my apartment - i had no idea i had soooo much stuff here), studying for my Admiralty exam (yeah, it is tomorrow from 9-noon), and tying up loose ends (you know - you always think of random stuff that just has to get done! ha!)....and then heading to the 'Ham to pick him up...

So I'll leave you guys with this..."YES, It's finally FRIDAY!!!!"  Enjoy your day!