Bonding Time

Every Fall and Spring we have to reseed our yard so the grass will be nice and green! Right now we are just trying to get grass :) Usually Dad will come over to help me and we will reseed the grass together and do some yard work. This year between all the trips out of town and my surgery, I just did not have the ability to do it. Dad came over a couple of weeks ago and Russ helped him reseed our yard. It was a good bonding experience and now Russ knows how to reseed our yard so we can do it in the Spring!

Dad and Russ working in the yard

Once they completed all the yard work and got the outside looking good, Russ hung up our shutters we ordered back in the Summer. I never realized the difference shutters can make for a house. We are slowly getting the outside of the house to our liking!!!

Shop 'Til You Drop

...literally!

I love shopping though when I was little I could not stand it. Mom used to be in retail and was a buyer for the men's department at Rich's (now known at Macy's) then Upton's so we had to visit the stores to see how the men's department was laid out, the product availability, and the customer dynamics. I dreaded it when we had to go to the mall, but little did I know that would change. Now I love to go shopping, mainly to buy things for my friends, family, and home. I get so excited for the day after Thanksgiving, when Mom, Aunt Jill, and I hit the malls for our Christmas shopping!

Well, I got to do a lot of shopping before Black Friday this year. Melinda came to Atlanta for the weekend to visit and one of the best things about Atlanta is all the shopping so why not spend an entire day shopping!!

Our entire day Saturday and the morning of Sunday consisted of us SHOPPING! Needless to say I need a couple of days to recover after that. I had surgery on October 15th to remove a cyst from my lower back/tailbone area so I was not 100% yet (still not).

It was such a fun weekend Girls's Weekend. We got things for our homes and clothes for ourselves and we did not even hit up any of the malls. Do not worry, we are already talking about her next visit so I can take her to Lenox Mall, Phips Plaza, Perimeter Mall, and the Forum (all within 10 miles from my house).

Melinda's Trunk After Saturday's Shopping (doesn't include some items)

Schedule of Events:

8:00 Wake-Up
10:00 Depart House
11:00 Dwasonville Outlets (Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, White House Black Market, Izod, The Loft, Kirklands, and Waterford)
3:00 Lunch
4:00 Stein Mart/Michael's
5:00 HomeGoods
6:00 Freshen Up
7:00 Visit Nikki
9:00 Dinner at Noche
11:00 Home

8:00 Wake-up
9:30 Depart House
10:00 IKEA
12:00 Check-out
12:30 Lunch

1:30 Depart AtlantaDid I mention we ended up getting the same jacket at Stein Mart?

Tennessee Traditions

I have been a UT fan as long as I can remember, though my first football game was not until my junior year in high school. Of course, Mom and Dad drove me around the campus showing me all of their favorite places and pastimes. When it came to applying to colleges, I only wanted to go to UT so I submitted my application as soon as I could. I did not apply to one Georgia school. I got my acceptance letter in December 2002 and could not wait to start classes there in the fall (August 2003).

One of the best parts of being a UT student are the football games. There is nothing like attending a UT game in Neyland Stadium and all the pregame events. It usually consisted of going to a fraternity house before the game and then going to the game. Once Russ and I started dating, I started becoming interested in all the band activities...Salute to the Hill, Vol Walk, Pregame show, Half-time show, and the Tennessee Waltz at the end. I would actually get to the game before it started and stayed for the very end. I never knew that the band had so many traditions for UT games. The all time favorite...The Power T!
I never missed a home game besides the Kentucky game when I was in school at Tennessee. Once we graduated we bought season tickets from Bill and Kat and we go to at least three games a season. We usually tailgate with college friends and spend the time catching up. Well the last home game it was just the four of us in town so we changed things up a bit.
The weekend of the Auburn game we got in that morning, had lunch and headed to campus. Bill, Haley, Russ, and I walked the entire campus! We started off in World's Fair Park and visited the Sun Sphere and actually went to the observation deck.We then walked to the river to see the Vol Navy and decided to have drinks at Calhoun's. That was the first time I have been to the Vol Navy. It was neat to see all the boats docked and tied together. Some of the boats had catered meals, others had private bartenders, and the rest just partying with friends and family. When we got to Calhoun's you could not find a UT fan anywhere, all the Auburn fans had taken over the outside patio. Once we finished drinks we headed back to campus.We walked to Circle Park then to Fraternity Row to visit with some friends (Brittany, Dipal, and Jayden). We stopped to see where they moved the rock to and tried to make it for the Vol Walk. We were a little late for that. We went to the UC, walked by the new College of Business Building (I'm jealous), moneywall, and tailgated with some of Bill's brother's friends. After walking all of campus but the Hill we finally made our way to the stadium.The game was not so great but like always we had great seats! After the game we completed our walk of campus and walked up to the Hill to get back to our car. It such a great weekend (besides the loss) and finally experienced some of the other traditions of UT that we have not done before.

Football Time in Tennessee

Its that time of year again....FOOTBALL TIME! I love this time of the year because I get to see my friends. Tennessee Football does a great job bringing everyone together!!!

Somewhere down the line we developed a Beta/Zeta Tailgate ritual. We are made up of Zetas, Betas, and Friends and the Board of Directors schedule the game and tailgate menu. Each year, we pick one game for everyone to come in town for, we make into a reunion. I love every minute of it!!!

This year the BOD choose the home opener which was on Labor Day. It worked out well since we all live all over the Southeast and having a long weekend allowed for everyone to come in town. The weather was perfect, almost everyone was in town, we won the game, a nice get together at Melinda's Mom's house, and Booms Day. I am already looking forward to next year's game!

Here are some pictures from the weekend...

Final Touches

After being in the house for over a year now we are finally getting to the point of putting final touches on things...for the inside. We have two final projects (complete kitchen renovation and new ceiling in the family room) to be completed but those are going to have to wait until Russ gets out of law school other than that the inside is almost done!!

Our master bedroom got a make over with new bedroom furniture. As I have previously blogged about, Kara took our old stuff so I had to buy new furniture for us. I went to lots and lots of different stores and finally found it at very last store in the back corner of the upstairs. I had almost given up but there it was waiting for me. I never knew how furniture completes a room until now! Now, I have to find Russ a new night stand and we are done!
My favorite room in the house is the guest room. If you are a guy you might not like it but I love it. The walls are a unique blue. Funny story about the color, Mom saw it at a Open House and loved it so she painted her living room that color. I loved it so I painted my guest room that color. Aunt Jill loved it and painted her dining room that color and Kara was going to paint her bedroom at school that color. If you look at the paint chip, it is not a good color at all... Anyways, we all have the color and absolutely love it! Feel free to use it too! Anyways, I complete the bed with three decorative pillows, hung up the mirror, rearranged my vanity, and hung up some curtains. The room is complete and gorgeous!!!Speaking of decorative pillows, that is another item that can complete a room. Russ makes fun of me for having so many decorative pillows around the house but its a simple way to add to rooms. I went around the house (3 bedrooms, family room, and living room) and counted how many pillows we are have and it is......36! Of those thirty-six, only five are sleeping pillows! So if you need a pillow, we might have a couple you can borrow...

The last room, I have done some final touches to is the family room/dinning room. I bought new runners, place mats, and napkins for the table from Crate & Barrel. All I am missing now is a centerpiece for the table. The family room finally got some curtains. I have been looking everywhere for some and found them on clearance at Pier 1. I also got some pillows for the couch to make the green not so yucky and two mirrors for above the couch. I think the room is almost complete. All I have to do now is rearrange the bookshelf. When we moved in, I just unpacked and put everything up there without any rhyme or reason.
After all of those final touches, the house is almost complete. I still have Russ' study/guest room to tackle but that will be another time, right now I will let him keep it the way he wants :)

The other weekend, I found out that I have a new favorite activity outside...pressure washing! I rented a pressure washer for the day and pressure washed the entire house (brick, siding, and gutters) then finished up with the front steps, sidewalk, and driveway. I was able to make the old driveway look like the new driveway! I think I enjoyed it so much because you saw immediate results unlike gardening where you have to wait a couple of weeks.

Next weekend, I am going to attempt to paint the house. I was going to paint the brick, its a big thing right now, but I am not so sold on that idea yet....Russ is though. We will start with the siding and trim! Stay tuned for pictures....

In Memory of Uncle Jack

As many of you know, Uncle Jack passed away last week. Uncle Jack passed away on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 in Huntsville, Alabama after a very long and strong fight with colon cancer with Aunt Jill and his family by his side. He was not only such an amazing uncle but husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Uncle Jack always had a way of making you feel special. I am so proud and glad to call him my uncle and will always think of all the great memories of him. His battle with colon cancer is a story that needs to be told and will hopefully give HOPE to others that have to face cancer. He never let it get in his way of living life. My favorite saying he told me was "I have no doubt that I will die from this, but it won't today."

After I got the call about Uncle Jack's passing I realized it was 9-9-09, so I did some research to see the meaning of that day. It actually was a very ironic day for his passing. Here is the significance of the day: It is very important as it points to a moment of finality and completion, as well as the birth of a new era. While this sounds ominous, keep in mind that these kinds of shifts are fluid and gradual. Usually, we don’t realize the true extent until months, if not years, after the date. All the positive attributes of the 9: compassion, caring, self-sacrifice, love, wisdom and sophistication will all play key roles on and around this date. Keep in mind that this date affects us on a universal level where even a tiny increase can have a huge impact on mankind and its future. But the positive side will have a greater and more immediate impact, which is fortunate: all the positive attributes of the number 9 give life, extend life, beautify life, improve life and strengthen life! (http://www.tarot.com/blog/?p=491) The things that describe nine, also describe who Uncle Jack was...

I have so many great memories with Uncle Jack. He actually has taught me a lot of things and got me to do a lot of things I probably would never done. Almost every year, I would go visit Aunt Jill and Uncle Jack for a weekend. Uncle Jack loved his motorcycles, and as you all know they scare me though somehow Uncle Jack was able to get me on one (only once). For our bike ride, he and his friend went all out. They got out the chaps, jackets, and bandadas for Rebecca and I. It was very entertaining, if only I had pictures.

Another love Uncle Jack had was his boat. They had such a nice boat and he loved riding around and taking people out on it. He taught me how to water ski in a day! Now, I may not be any good but he taught me how to get the basics down. It was a blast. Russ and Uncle Jack actually had a lot of the same interest, one being boating. Uncle Jack trusted Russ with the boat so one summer, Russ was his "First Mate." He was helping put the boat back on the trailer and Russ was not used to such a powerful boat and pushed on the gas too much and the boat flew over the trailer knocked Uncle Jack off. He got up and just laughed, even though he had a busted knee. This was when Russ and I were engaged and he still gave me the thumbs up to marry him :)

Uncle Jack was also in the field of logistics so we shared that interest. He actually helped me choose my major and when I was in school shared all kinds of information on the field. I had to write a paper on a professional in the field and I choose him! He also had a huge interest in firearms/guns so when Russ and I went to visit Uncle Jack and Aunt Jill, he took Russ to a friends place to let him shoot all the guns while Aunt Jill and I shopped!

I could write on and on about all the wonderful memories of my uncle. He truly will be missed and the months to come will be hard but at least I have all of these wonderful memories to remember him by. Here are some pictures in memory of Uncle Jack.

Aunt Jill and Uncle Jack's Wedding (October 12, 1997)


My High School Graduation with Uncle Jack and Aunt Jill (May 2003)

Dad, Me, Mom, Aunt Jill, and Uncle Jack at UT Football Game (September 2003)

Kara's High School Graduation with Uncle Jack and Aunt Jill (May 2008)

Uncle Jack's Obituary

It is with regret we announce the death of Larry ‘Jack’ Stewart, age 53, of Huntsville. Jack passed away Wednesday after a courageous battle with colon cancer.

Jack loved his family and friends and he was loved by all who knew him. He was a compassionate and generous man who made the lives of those around him better. His selfless courage in facing his health issues was an inspiration to everyone.

Jack was born in Newport,Tennessee to his parents, Homer Stewart and Betty Jo Messer Russell. He graduated from Parrottsville High School in Newport in 1973. In 1974, he joined the U.S. Army serving three years at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama assigned to the 291st MP CO. For the past 31 years, Jack has worked as a Foreign Materiel Specialist for the Defense Intelligence Agency/Missile and Space Intelligence Center (DIA/MSIC) at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. His job allowed him to travel to many interesting and unusual places. Jack enjoyed spending time with his granddaughter, Kaylee. He had a passion for outdoors either riding motorcycles, boating, hobby farming, or spending time with friends and family. Jack was a member of the Owens Cross Roads Church of Christ.

Survivors include his wife of 11 years, Jill Gray Stewart; daughters, Farrah Hudson of Huntsville and Jennifer Hawkins and husband Kevin of Gurley; granddaughter, Kaylee Hawkins; sisters, Clara Patterson of Dandridge, Tennessee and Mary Ann Stewart of Newport, Tennessee; brother, Joe Stewart of Trinity, Alabama; nephew, Teddy Patterson of Dandridge, Tennessee and nieces, Tiffany Patterson of Knoxville, Tennessee, Miranda Stewart of Newport, Tennessee, Ashley and Madison Stewart of Moulton, Alabama and a host of many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his father Homer Stewart.

Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Higgins Funeral Home in Fayetteville, Tennessee. The funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Higgins Funeral Home. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Russel Hill Cancer Foundation, c/o Clearview Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 18428, Huntsville, Alabama 35804 or to Hospice Family Care, 3304 Westmill Drive, Huntsville, Alabama 35805; 256-650-1212.

In Sickness and In Health

After a couple of not so fun weeks in the Dunlap household, I am back! It has been very eventful around here so I am going to catch you all up. I apologize for being out of communication since Labor Day weekend. I appreciate all the emails, messages, and cards, it has been very helpful...

In Sickness and In Health

Some of you know about all my injuries growing up and how they all seem to happen at once. Well, that luck has returned...

It all started when I was a baby. When I was almost a year old, I tried to crawl out of my crib and ended up breaking my leg. Sometime during being a toddler, I had multiple ear infections and had surgery for tubes in my ears. Of course I had the normal childhood illnesses. A couple of them included when I was 4 I was at a birthday party after getting a yearly shot and I threw up on the director of my daycare's shoes then in 1st grade I threw up from the cafeteria to the clinic, left a lovely path to find me...

I really do not remember getting sick or having major injuries in middle school but as soon as high school came around they were happening left and right. It all started with a knee injury from playing soccer against boys then my high school boyfriend broke my nose (by accident). I later separated my shoulder, bursitis in my knees, severe bruises, three concussions (two ambulance rides), turf toe, and the list goes on. It was always a running joke that when Allison got injured I would just a week later. In college, I had a tiny tumor removed out of back then got the flu over Spring Break my junior year.

Well, the past three weeks that luck has returned. It has not been injuries but some type of medical issue. I have been on some type of drug for something. It started with getting poison ivy again, all over my arms and ankles. After about two weeks of it not going away I decided to go to the doctor to get steroids. When I was there, I was also diagnosed with the flu and put on Muscinex DM. Russ had the flu the week before so I was bound to get it. Once I finally got over the flu, I started to have pain in my lower back/upper tail bone area. It got so bad I could not sit down or lay on my back so Russ made me go to the doctor. They found a cyst in that area that was about three inches long and two inches wide. The doctors decided they needed to drain it and put me on an antibiotic. I have to go to a general surgeon next week to make sure it is OK and healing.

While I have been completely out of it, Russ has lived up to his vows "In Sickness and In Health." He has been changing out my bandages and continuing to drain it. He went and got dinner from wherever I wanted on Friday night and made me breakfast in bed on Saturday as well as cleaned the bathroom. He has been so helpful over the past week, I am so thankful for him! I hope this streak of things ends soon, I do not know how much longer he can put up with being a Jurctor.

1. Jurctor - A phrase made up by Russ Dunlap. A combination of being a Doctor of Medicine (To give medical treatment to) and Juris Doctor (The degree awarded to an individual upon the successful completion of law school)