How We Met

How perfect that Kelly is featuring how to you met your husband for today’s “Show Us Your Life,” and my anniversary is next week. I decided to join in the fun.

Josh and I met in the fall of 1999, my sophomore year at UF, on a road trip to the LSU football game. One of my sorority sisters invited me to ride with her family in their RV. It was so much fun! Josh had known her from high school and they were good friends and eventually ended up dating all through college. I always though of Josh as a friend, and volunteered on the same team as him for UF’s Dance Marathon.

After graduation, we lost track of each other (these were the days before Facebook). I went on to grad school and he moved to Chicago for his first job.

In the fall of 2006, I was in Gainesville for the Alabama game. 

Here's me getting ready - I spilled a glass of water on my dress.

After the game, Josh and I  ran into each other at The Swamp, my favorite hangout. I was super excited to see him again. As we talked I found out that we were both living in Tampa and he was finishing up his MBA at UF. Being the super Gator that I am, I told him I should get his number, so I could invite him to events I planned with the Tampa Gator Club. He said “No, I’m the guy, I should be getting your number.” Well, something just clicked. I had never thought of Josh as anything other than a friend, and I was even dating someone else at the time. We traded numbers, and I went off with my friends to continue our night of debauchery.

Two weeks later I was in Auburn with a bunch of my girlfriends for the UF Auburn game. My brother had even driven over from Mississippi to join in the tailgating fun.

We had a great time at the game, and even though we lost, my friends and I stayed until the very end. As we were walking back to the tailgate, I heard my name being called outside of the stadium. Low and behold, it was Josh and some of his friends. I invited them back to our tailgate, and later in the night we went back to the RV lot where he was staying. He made us some awesome wings, and loaned Julie and me some warm clothes because it had gotten a little to chilly for us.

The following weekend was our bi-week. I had traveled up to Baltimore for one of my best friend’s weddings. As I was picking up my baggage Sunday night at the Tampa airport, I got a phone call. It was Josh, he wanted to know what my plans were for the FL GA game. We made arrangements to try and meet up, so I could return his warm clothes to him.

It was a rainy Friday night in Jacksonville, but Josh made the journey out to San Marco where all my friends and I were hanging out.

He came back with us to Julie’s parent’s house to enjoy some chili that Julie’s mom had made for all of us. We called it a night and I figured we would tailgate at some point the next day.

Well, we weren’t able to meet up before the game, but I wanted to stop by afterwards. I didn’t know exactly where he was tailgating, and with the obstacle of climbing a fence facing us, my friends headed to the landing, and I continued on. Josh and I hung out all night, and by the time we realized it, the wee hours of the morning had approached. The chances of me catching a cab were slim, so we slept in the back of his Exterra. Now, nothing, I repeat nothing happened, but the windows were completely steamed up in the morning (from the car’s heater) when we woke up to a tapping on the window. I was sooo embarrassed. The drive back to Tampa, I had butterflies in my stomach.

The following weekend we met up to watch the Gators play Vandy at the Tampa Gator Club’s game viewing party. We ended up sticking around to watch the next game and the next game. It was kind of late when Josh asked me if I wanted to get ice cream. Now I am not one to turn down ice cream, so during half time of the Georgia Tech game, we slipped away from our table and headed to Cold Stone. Our first date, and a tradition we continue when we watch games with the DC Gator Club.

South Carolina we tailgated with friends, and the following weekend was his MBA graduation.

We fell in love, and continue to go to as many gator games as our schedule allows. Ours was a marriage brought together by University of Florida Football.  Go Gators!

Caught Up

I have finally caught up on my google reader!  After a week vacation a month ago I have read all the posts I missed and everything since then.  Speaking of vacation, Colorado was wonderful.  We had a great time, except for my incident walking sliding into the spa our second to last day out there.  My back is still not the same, but tailbone injuries just take time to heal.  I'll be sitting on my donut at work until then...

Since we rented a condo, we were I was able to cook some dinners at home.  I brought a few Pioneer Women recipes with me that I had been wanting to try.  They did not disappoint.  I am in love with her salsa and Josh said the Chicken Piccata was the best thing I have ever made for him.  Next trip I am going to see if Ree will just accompany us - wouldn't that be great?!

Funny thing is, although I insisted that Josh bring our camera with him everyday, we didn't take a single picture on the slopes.  This was mainly because Josh primarily skied the double black diamonds and the back mountain and I stuck to the greens.  The few times I was a little daring and tried some more difficult slopes with him ended with me faceplanting into the snow; followed by tears, a few "I hate yous" and me walking while Josh carried my skis down the rest of the mountain. 

Not really a picture worthy moment. 

Although, come to think of it, Josh does try to capture me at my worst on our vacations.  Specifically, I am thinking of an incident where I was feeling a little sea sick after a snorkeling excursion in Grand Camen.  Instead of helping me out, he was snapping pictures...geee.  So we have pictures of me getting sick on a random beach in the Caribbean, but nothing from our ski vacation -AWESOME!

On our way into Denver the last day we stopped for the Coors Brewery Tour in Golden.  It was so much fun.  The tour was free and we got samples along the way.  They were also kind enough to take a picture of us.  Of course the picture cost $20 at the end of the tour, but since we didn't have anything else to document our vacation, I went ahead and bought it.

After lunch at a local pizza place that our tour guide recommended, we headed to the airport, returned our Jeep Grand Cherokee and hung out in the red carpet club until our flight left.  Let me tell you sitting on a 3 hour flight with a fresh tailbone injury is not the best way to spend a Saturday evening.  I wiggled and squirmed the whole way home.  All in all the trip was wonderful and I was so glad to share a week with my wonderful husband, while we got to do one of his favorite things.

Weekend Write Up

I just had a wonderful weekend! Friday night Lacey and I spent a fun evening together. We picked up sushi and made Skinny Girl Margaritas. Chatted up a storm and while watching The September Issue. I think we had to pause the movie more than we actually had it streaming to discuss very important topics along the way.


I brought over the outfits I am planning to wear to my cousins wedding this upcoming weekend in Newnan, and Lacey did what she does and Styled me! I am so excited and can't wait to wear all my cute dresses (and beautiful borrowed jewelry). Thanks to Lacey!

After our slumber party, I picked up bagels on my way home. Josh and Molly were excited to see me, and after our late start we spent the rest of the day hiking some trails at Great Falls National Park. Molly loved jumping up and down on all the rocks along the Potomac. On the way home, we picked up some veggies and fish to grill out. It was a great day! Josh is really getting good use out of his new grill.

Sunday morning Lacey and I went to a private shopping event she planned for some of her clients who are wedding planners to bring their clients in to shop shop shop! It was so fun. The cater had an amazing spread, and all the fresh flowers were BEAUTIFUL. Although I held back as much as I could, I did enjoy a mini blueberry scone sandwich with prosciutto and cheddar (or two).

After the event we lunched, and then I did something that I have never done before. I cleaned my closets and only have the items that are in season and my size hanging up. Wow! Ok Ok - that isn't the complete truth. I have all my dry cleaned dresses and suits that are out of season/size still up, but on their own rack, not mixed in with everything else. This makes getting ready so much quicker and fun! I can actually see and easily pick out my viable options - very nice. Needless to say I created a HUGE donation pile, and next on the list will be shoes. Probably another post all together...

All About Me from A-Z

A. area code: 813 Tampa Girl by Cell - 703 NOVA Girl by home & work

B. bed size: Queen. Although we are eyeing a King. Molly the Beagle + Josh + Me=cramped quarters. I think the dog gets the most room...

C. chore you hate: Oh there are so many how can I just name one - Folding socks is #1, followed closely by washing dishes - soon to be remedied by our kitchen remodel.

D. dog's name: Molly Morgan Thompson

E. essential "start of the day" item: Toothbrush & Creast Pro-Health.

F. favorite color: My colors are blush and bashful...Her colors are pink and pink.
G. gold or silver: Both

H. height: 5'10

I. instruments you play: I will rephrase by instruments I've played: Piano, Violin, French Horn, Handbells

J. job: I am a project manager for a Global Outplacement Firm, we help companies and their effected employees during times of transition - I LOVE my job!

K. kids: In the preparation phases.

L. living arrangements: 2 bedroom, 3 bath, 2 story condo with a beautiful porch for my flowers and herb garden.

M. mom's name: Sally

N. nickname: Captain Morgan

O. overnight hospital stay: A few here and there.

P. pet peeve: Bad Drivers

Q. quote from movie: "We can have a good time, but we cannot be wild" - Shag The Movie

R. righty or lefty: Righty

S. siblings: One little (but taller) brother

T. time you wake up: 8-ish

U. underwear: Hanky Pankies

V. vegetables you dislike: do banana peppers count as a vegetable?

W. ways or reasons you are late: hitting the snooze far too many times, DC traffic

X. x-rays: Lower back - had a little incident falling on our ski trip

Y. yummy food you make: Make Your Own Pizza Night!

Z. zoo animals you like: Polar Bears and Penguins

Menu Monday

Back by Popular Demand! The Passover edition of Menu Monday.

Monday: Seder Dinner - Beef Brisket, Roasted Vegetables, Red Cabbage

Tuesday:Honey-Pecan Chicken Thighs, Sweet Potatoes, Broccoli Salad

Wednesday: Salmon, Wild Rice, Lemon Garlic Asapargus

Thursday: Eggplant Matzo Lasagna

Friday: Steak, Potato Kugel with Mushrooms

Saturday: Matzo Ball Soup & Passover Chopped Layered Salad

Sunday: Easter Dinner - Honey Baked Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Peas, Glazed Carrots

Blizzard 2010

We have survived the 2 plus feet of snow, but haven't been out of our parking lot yet. Our awesome neighbors made a video of us digging out. I'm in the white jacket later in the video. Check out his blog at www.holzbrew.blogspot.com. I have enjoyed the fruits of his labor tonight, we're lucky to have such awesome neighbors!!

I really wanted to go to the big snowfall fight in DuPont Circle today at 2:oo pm. But the metro wasn't running from our stop since it's above ground here. So I had to watch it on the news.

Ski Trips Booked!

President's Day weekend we are planning to hit up Snowshoe, WV for a practice run with my new gear.

Then, we will be off in the Colorado Mountains in March. I don't know who is more excited, me or Josh. It was a hard decision between cruising and skiing, but I didn't want to gain 15 pounds on a 7 day cruise (yes I have done it before), so skiing won out. Pretty much I will be working out all day, maybe I'll be down 15 pounds when we get home (a girl can dream)!

We will be staying in Silverthorne which is a midpoint between Copper, Vail and Breckenridge. This way we can experience different slopes and the outlets, too!

Josh is a black diamond/back of the mountain kind of guy, where I will be more comfortable on the bunny slopes. Colorado will be much steeper that is why I am looking forward to a warm-up round in Snowshoe.

In ski trip preparation I did a major leg/cardio circut last night - I am in total pain today, but I want to get the most out of our trip. So there will be lots of squats, lunges, deadlifts, and cardio in my future. I found a ski workout online, too. I think I will add this to my regularly scheduled workout.

This weekend we are going to shop around for all sorts of skiing goodies. I think I am going to do a black or grey bib with a pink ski jacket and accessories. I also think I need to get a pair of skinny jeans so I can tuck them into my Uggs. I know I am jumping on that trend a little late, but I am more of a trouser/bootcut kind of girl.

Update: My nails still look awesome, except for the one that I picked at. I think I am going to buy the starter kit and UV Light so I can do the Axxium Gels at home. My actual manicure cost a lot more than I thought it would, and took a really long time. Something I would much rather do on my own time in the future.