Happy Leap Day...

We hope you all have a happy leap day and find something fun and enjoyable to do on this "extra" day!!

Happy Birthday, MSU!!

Happy 130th Birthday Mississippi State!











Charles and I have many fond memories of our years at State. On our last anniversary (June 1st), we decided to take a stroll down memory lane and traveled to Starkville.

We strolled around campus...




and stopped by Bowen Hall - where we first met...(we were both in Dr. Wall's Con Powers class although we didn't really talk much during the semester)


then we went by Mitchell Memorial Library...

this is where we studied for our Con Powers final...

our study group met in this study room...

after studying, Charles walked me to my car...

This is us back in "our" study room...

next we took a look at Allen Hall...

This is where we both had Dr. Swain's history class the semester after Con Powers. We sat near each other and became fast friends and then began dating during that semester...

I wanted to stop by the Post Office. During my freshman year, my roommate Molly and I made many trips to the post office. Thankfully, I got letters from friends, many letters from my parents and many, many letters from Ma. Back then getting mail just made our day!!

Then we walked by the stadium and reminisced about all the fun we had at football games...

and then on to The Hump for more reminiscing about basketball, Mississippi State Style!!

and of course, we had to stop by the Sanderson Center -- the site of many a racquetball game and the place where Charles stole my point -- something that I remind him of on a frequent basis, even to this day...

We were playing racquetball, and Charles hit the ball right into the back of my leg. It hit so hard that I dropped to the floor and stayed there for some time until Charles came over to help me up. When I got up, I had a big RED spot on my leg, and then Charles announced the score - he had given himself the point. I, of course, disputed it but to no avail. He won that game, but I still say he stole my point!!

Happy Birthday MSU!

Maroon!

White!

GO STATE!!

My Lucky Day...

So, today was my lucky day. Cubs tickets went on sale today, and I actually made it out of the virtual waiting room and was able to purchase tickets. Hopefully, Charles and I can revisit Chicago - we both loved our last trip there - but, if not, I should no doubt be able to recoup the money I spent on the tickets since there are so many Cubs faithful and so few seats at The Friendly Confines.
Then my luck just continued because Mama called, and I had a delicious dinner with her and Jerry at Como Steak House...good food and good company, Mama :)
Then on the way back home, I heard a blast from the past -- Swingin' (Just a Swinging) which definitely brought a smile to my face (I know, it really doesn't take all that much to bring a smile to my face!)
And to top it all off, my cute and springy Coach brown and pink scarf came in and I tied it on my purse -- so trendy!! It just made me feel good to have a touch of spring on such a cold day!
I sure hope this luck continues!!

The Lunar Eclipse

Last night we were supposed to be able to see a total lunar eclipse along with a special triangle of other cosmic objects. Unfortunately, however, the sky where we live was cloudy (snow had been forecasted, but, of course, that missed us). Charles and I kept taking American Idol breaks to check the sky. Finally, right as the eclipse was ending, there were several breaks in the clouds, and we were able to see just a glimpse of the moon. Thankfully, the news this morning showed us pictures of what we would have seen on a clear night...guess we'll just have to mark our calendars for December 2010 - the next total lunar eclipse and hope we'll have a clear (or at least clearer) sky for moon and star gazing!

The Wedding Singer

Charles and I spent our Valentine's evening at the Orpheum watching "The Wedding Singer". It was really good. A couple of songs and lines from the movie were in it, and there were so many humorous references to the Eighties! Of course, our luck held, and so for probably the first half or so of the first act, we laughed just as much at a woman on the end of our row as we did at the production. She was something else...she laughed LOUDLY at practically everything that was said, commented on everything she was seeing, and then left her seat to crouch down behind the section of seats in front of us, and while dialogue was being delivered, yelled out "Why don't you stop talking and start singing!" Thankfully, that was the last we heard from her...the guy she was with ushered her out after that latest outburst!
All of the actors did an amazing job, especially the impersonators...it was just like seeing Billy Idol, Tina Turner, and Cindy Lauper in person! Charles and I really enjoyed it, and if you have the opportuntity to see it, and especially if you are in the mood for some laughter, we would definitely recommend it!
Afterwards, we were treated to a Valentine's proposal on the stage of the Orpheum. "Robbie" told the lucky girl that she had won a raffle and to come onto the stage to collect her prize. The guy came up with her and "Robbie" asked if he had a speech. That was the guy's cue to take the mic and drop to one knee. After all the hype on the radio and internet, I was expecting a couple of minutes worth of proposal, but all we got was a "I love you...I want to grow old with you" (which was good, given that we had just seen The Wedding Singer) and a "Will you marry me?". I thought that since the guy had plenty of notice that he had been chosen, he would have done a better job, but we decided that he was probably nervous and did okay.

Happy Valentine's Day

We hope you all have a Happy Valentine's Day!!

Valentine's came early...

at the Willoughby house.

Today, I had Court in Grenada and was in Batesville at lunchtime, so Mama treated me to lunch, and we had a good visit. Then when we checked the mail today, I had a Valentine's Day card from Mama, and she had sent Charles and me a card and our Valentine's money...

Tomorrow, we have tickets for The Wedding Singer at the Orpheum. We will be a little rushed because of Charles' after school program, so tonight when he came home, he walked through the door with these beautiful pink roses...
They are beautiful and smell so good.
Well, since he gave me my present, I decided to go ahead and give him his present...

We then cooked a delicious dinner of pineapple chicken with strawberries for dessert - Delicious!

I can't wait to see The Wedding Singer. I am sure that we will have a great time!

Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day!!

A Boot, Tornados, a Bug, and ...

hopefully, now back to normal...

Monday, I had Court in Sardis, and since it was my right ankle that I sprained, Mama offered to chauffeur me to Court. I took her up on her offer and after Court, she took me to the Batesville Clinic. After x-rays, which thankfully showed no fracture, Dr. Linder said I had a bad sprain with possible torn ligaments, so now I am in a beautiful black walking boot. After a delicious lunch of chicken salad at the Tea Room, Mama brought me back to work.

Tuesday, we had quite a scare...the meteorologists were predicting bad weather and near the end of the work day, the tornado sirens went off. Tornados and funnel clouds were spotted and touched down all around Hernando. Thankfully, they missed us, but the devastation to many towns and cities nearby was horrible.

Wednesday, I came down with a bug, and I felt like I was near death for two days. Charles was a good nurse, and I am now getting my strength and energy back.

I went back to work Friday and finally really ventured back out yesterday. My first meal that wasn't crackers, animal crackers, soup or a popcicle was, of course, Guadalajara's chicken fajitas. After lunch, Charles and I stopped by the grocery store. Charles said he felt bad that I would have to hobble around the store and asked for a list and said that he would go by himself, but as we had not been to the grocery store in some time, it was just easier for us both to go.

Today, Mama came to visit. She brought me some beautiful roses which we placed in the rose bowl she had given me for Christmas...

and some good magazines to read while my foot is propped up. Then we went to lunch and then stopped by Dillard's. We found a couple of cute Coach purses (but we were really good and neither of us bought one) and some really cute shoes...I think that when I am finally able to walk boot-free, I may have to go try on a couple of pairs and probably bring a pair or two home...

We went to Jackson...

Charles and I headed to Jackson for a quick visit. We stayed with Matt and LeAnna (we got to see their sunroom, deck and new hardwood floors - courtesy of a dishwasher flood - and it all looked great!!) and got in a little Patrick time which was lots of fun! Uncle Chuck and Aunt Mae Mae checked out "heros" with Partick - his favorite cartoon these days... Then Partick showed off his LSU Championship shirt to Uncle Chuck...
And then, we got to see first hand, Patrick's newest obsession - blue painter's tape...
It was too funny and so cute to hear him say "tape," "tape!"
We had a great time catching up with Matt, LeAnna and Patrick!

We also had a good visit with Charles' dad.

We then met his mom who treated us to our favorite Japanese steakhouse, Bonsai. We had a delicious meal and a really good visit.

We then came back to Hernando so that we could watch the Super Bowl with Matt, Mary Ann and Nathan, but unfortunately, I have to tap out of that fun (I sure am going to miss holding Nathan and catching up with Matt and Mary Ann)...
I decided that we should repaint Charles' dresser and for some reason thought that this activity could not wait. Well, as I was bringing it in the house from the garage so that I could paint it in the backyard, my ankle caught on the step into the garage...I heard a tear and then found myself laid out on the garage floor. Thankfully, nothing is broken (and I moving on to find the humor and absurdity in the situation) but I do have what looks like a softball on my outside right ankle. So, now I am still on IR and RICEing it...