Bama Rising

    Kelly, Troy, Josh, and myself loaded up Tuesday afternoon and headed to the Ham for the Alabama benefit concert. In case you have been living under a rock since April 27, Alabama experienced lots of tornadoes that left parts of our state in sad shape. The band, Alabama, put together a benefit concert that included several "big names" in the country music industry.
    Let me start off with saying that we ate at the Cheesecake Factory before the concert. So if we had turned around and went home right after dinner, the trip would have been a success. I cannot tell you how much I wish we had a Cheesecake Factory in the area. I had to wait until I was 24 years old before I got to experience this restaurant. If ever there was a time I wanted to ask my mother, "Why????", it was when I had my first bite of a Cheesecake Factory dish. Why had she never taken me there?? (I can hear her sighing right now as she is reading this.)
    Anyway, after dinner we headed over to the BJCC for the concert. As we were walking up, we got to stand just a few feet away from Kellie Pickler, Darius Rucker, and the dude from Montgomery Gentry (sorry dude, it's not that you're  not as cool as the afore mentioned people--it's just I just don't know your name). BTW, Kelly Pickler is way prettier in person and she is tiny.
     There's not much more I can say about the actual concert other than it was phenomenal. I have never, and doubt I will ever again, experience a concert this fantastic. Excellent cause; excellent line up. You know how some people just don't sound great, or even good, live? That was not the case for any of the artists performing that night. Everyone sounded  phenomenal!! It was so exciting and so much fun!
     Even though each artists set lasted only two songs, the concert didn't conclude until 1:30 in the morning. They rocked it out for 6 hours! So great!
     I didn't get photos of everyone, but here's a few for you to enjoy.

Troy, Kelly, Me, & Josh: about to find out seats

Alabama: Dixie Land Delight

 Montgomery Gentry: My Town

 Rodney Atkins: If You're Going Through Hell

Kellie Pickler

 David Nail: Let It Rain

 The Commordores: Brick House!!!!

 Luke Bryan: Someone Else Calling You Baby

Martina McBride: Teenage Daughters 

 Dierks Bentley: Am I the Only One

So excited bc Sara Evans is up next!!

Sara Evans: A Little Bit Stronger

Darius Rucker: Come Back Song

Sheryl Crow!!!!! Need I say More???

Brad Paisley

    Alabama: Dixlieland Delight video

Sara Evans Video

Brad Paisley and Alabama singing "Old Alabama"

Goooooo Biscuits!!

    We went out to support Montgomery's Biscuits last Thursday. That's Thirsty Thursday to be exact. While I'm not a fan of baseball, I am a fan of Biscuits games. They are always so fun with a group of people!! We had a blast--think it might be a weekly tradition for the remainder of the summer. :)

The Ladies: Jenna, Me, & Molly

The men: John & Josh

The Team: Go Biscuits!

Me and my Sweets



Maggie May

   A friend's dog had beautiful, black lab puppies 8 weeks ago. I got the opportunity to babysit one while he was on vacation. She's sooooo cute! I had a little talk with myself about putting up boundaries in my heart so I wouldn't fall in love with her and want to keep her. You see, I've always been a realist, and the truth is--I LOVE dogs, but I do not need one. I will not give it the attention that it deserves; I know that. That's why I'm a cat person. Skunk loves to be doted on more than the average cat, but he's also perfectly content by himself. Dogs aren't like that. And so I had to remind myself of this over and over again during Maggie's stay with me.
   Anyway, I did fall in love with her, but I gave her back....eventually. Here's some pics of the little baby!

Skunk tolerated her

 We visited Josh at work so he could meet her

 Me and Maggie



End of the School Year

   Well I wrapped up another school year. Sad day, but not really. Last year I was so not looking forward to the summer because I knew that I wouldn't get to see my students that I had grown to love like my own children. That dread of the end of the school year goes away after your first class. While I truly loved my students this year, I could not wait to get out for summer break. Teachers just need it for their sanity. I didn't  realize that last year as I was wrapped up in first-class bliss. (I only cried twice on the last day of school this year due to knowing my babies aren't going to be MY babies anymore.)
   I can honestly say that this school year was amazing! Great kids, great coworkers, great school! But I am so looking forward to the summer! Anybody can tell you that I am antisocial during the school year. I like to get my 8 hours of sleep so if something is just getting started at 7:30 or later, you can count me out. But not during the summer! I can go as far away from Notasulga and stay up as late as I want! I can sleep in past 6:00. I have the time to cook my elaborate meals that I always want to cook during the school year but cannot. I can go to the lake and the creek as much as I want. I have time to read books and laze around in my hammock....Okay, now I'm just bragging.
   Here's a few pictures of the 2010-2011 school year. I only picked pictures where you couldn't really make out the students' faces so, unfortunately, most of the good ones aren't posted.

Football Season

                                                                

 Pep Rally--Go Lions!

                              Waaaaayyyy too many kids in the I-pod Room during Team Celebration

Lions Teachers

Ahhhh!!! Cam!

Field Trip

Faculty Softball



Kickoff to Summer

   I always view Memorial Day weekend as the kickoff to the summer and lake season. It's the first official lake weekend. This year did not disappoint. Jenna has moved to the lake with her brother to get some "studying" done before boards. So of course I went up to take her mind off of studying for the weekend. We had a blast! They are living in a really nice condo at Crowne Pointe complete with three bedrooms, three baths, and an awesome view of the pool and Lake Martin.
    I don't really have any photos to show for our fun time but this one; however, I'm sure there will be more to come. So excited for the summertime!

Jenna and I on the balcony overlooking Lake Martin :)