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...

Basketball and a Baby

Yesterday, I went to my first NBA game - the Memphis Grizzlies vs. the Chicago Bulls at the FedEx Forum. Although the play was a little sloppy, it was still exciting!

Charles and Matt Dillon decided a while back that we should spend their Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday watching basketball. Matt, Mary Ann and Nathan came to the house a little early so I could have some play time with Nathan...

He has grown so much, but is still such a happy baby. We had the best time buzzing our lips! And Charles and I (with our appreciation and respect for Peyton and Eli) found it so funny that when their new Oreo commercial was playing, Nathan let out a cry for no apparent reason. It was just one little cry and then that was it. We think he shares our feelings for the Manning boys; however, his Mom and Dad (who live in Oxford and enjoy Ole Miss football) disagree with us.

After a little play time, it was time to head to the game. Mary Ann had to miss it because she was visiting a friend's child in LaBonheur (thankfully she should recover just fine), so it was just Charles, Matt and I.

After a little bit of an adventure trekking through three states and over the Mississippi River bridge, and thankfully no speeding ticket from the Memphis police, we finally arrived at the Forum...


Here's one of Charles and Matt outside the Forum...

And one of Charles and me in our seats -- we had really good seats...

Prior to the game, Kareem Abdul Jabbar was awarded the National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legend Award...

Then the Bulls and then the Grizzlies were announced...
and several Grizzlies Elvis were there to pump up the home crowd...
then the teams huddled up for a final review of the game plan and pep talk...and then tip off...As it was Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, many sports players shared messages of their respect for him and a tribute (photograph montage with clips from his speeches) was put together and shown...and a New Orleans Jazz Band played "We Shall Overcome"...
Boyz II Men sang the National Anthem and provided fun half-time entertainment...

The women behind us really got into the performance!!

Finally, an action shot...

We all had a really fun time, and I think we all agreed the highlight of the evening was when the Grizzlies Grandmas and Grandpas performed their routine! It was too funny to see the 3 old men and many, many old women REALLY getting into it!!



The Grizzlies won.



After the game, Mary Ann and Nathan met us at O'Charley's for a bite to eat, and Nathan really enjoyed the sips of sweet tea he was given -- definitely, a Southern baby!

Snow...

in South Mississippi.
Charles' mom called this morning (from Hattiesburg) and said that they had about 2 inches of snow. I really wish a little of it would find its way to Hernando!!