Raise a Glass to the College Grads

Back in May, we went back to Chapel Hill to see my cousin, Phillip David, graduate from UNC. Y'all know I love my alma mater, so give me an excuse to spend a whole weekend there? Bring it.

I have the best memories of the night before my graduation. In one of those events titled Things I Never Thought My Parents Would Do, I convinced them to join me and every other graduate at He's Not Here, one of my favorite Chapel Hill bars at the time. My Uncle Todd and Aunt Betsy came too and I was so happy to share that piece of my undergrad experience with them.

So, the night before Phil's graduation, I was ridiculously antsy to hit up Franklin Street. Chattanooga doesn't have the same night scene that Chapel Hill does and I was bound and determined to take advantage of it while we were there. Allie, Phil, his girlfriend CJ, and Megan (his sister,yet another AMAZING cousin) were game and so out we went.

I call this next series of photos, "It's Been Twelve Years Since I Graduated and Once A Year I Will Act Like I'm Still Twenty-Something While Having The Advantage of The Confidence of My Thirties."

 Oh, the Blue Cup. A dear, dear friend during my last two years of college. 

 And then we moved on to champagne. It seemed like the only logical thing to do.

 Proud alumni! (L-R) Class of 2008, Class of 2000, Class of 2012

A shining jewel in the middle of Franklin Street - Top of the Hill. 

Where I spent many a birthday night, had the best E-Ranch New Year's Eve ever, watched the men's basketball team bring home the 2005 national championship and did many embarrassing things the night of my bachelorette party. 

Top O and I? We're close.

It took Allie all of about 30 seconds to talk a random frat guy into letting her try on his sports coat. She was completely in awe of all the preppiness of Chapel Hill.

 We get crazy on the dance floor. It's scary.

 Everybody loves Dean. 

You know what else I love? Telling some lame drunk dude who was hitting on us to go away. Oh, yes I did. And it was awesome and I felt none of the guilt I would have in my twenties.

Being in my thirties freaking rocks. 

It's a big day, y'all.

Twice a year (and maybe one more time, if that other team is lucky) comes a day that is bright and glorious and full of all things the right shade of blue- Carolina blue. Today is one of those days, my friends. 

I've got my new game sweater on.

Wearing my class ring with pride.

Let's do this.

Go Heels! Beat Dook!

A Proud Legacy

One hundred years of Carolina basketball. And I’ll always remember my little piece of it, 1996-2000. Dean Smith’s last season of coaching, his becoming the winningest coach in NCAA history {at the time}, screaming my lungs out in the top section of the Dean Dome as we beat Duke, celebrating on the balcony of Hinton-James, traveling to Franklin Street for the raucous celebration there…and that was just while I was in college. That doesn’t include traveling to Franklin Street as an alumni to watch “the kids” celebrate their win over Duke {and staying on the sidewalks this time around} or watching the game on Franklin Street as we took the 2005 national championship title.

Oh, Tarheels. How I love ya.

{Edited to add this adorable video featuring pretty my favorite Tarheel ever…}

Truly, a scanner is a glorious thing.

Perhaps it’s that I’m in complete and utter denial that there are over 4,000 pictures from the Petree Family Beach Trip for me to pore through, select and edit. Perhaps it’s that there is nothing all that noteworthy happening in my life. Perhaps it’s because I am completely uninspired when it comes to the written word these days.

For whatever reason, you’re getting more scanned pictures. Shoot, I might even make it this week’s theme! Let’s start the embarassment, shall we? I give you, fashion choices of Leslie in the late 1990’s…

This was taken at my sixteenth birthday party on our back deck. Oh, how cute, a party with my friends, how very sixteen of me. No, what you can’t see is that I actually had an open house for my party to which I invited not only my friends but other adults, their children and my entire extended family.

Not so much rowdy as dork.

I chose my ensemble carefully for this big day. Mom actually let me splurge and we ventured into The Limited. Yes, those are cream colored jeans. Yes, that is a ruffled blouse. And yes, that is a cream embroidered vest. And yes, my hair was that big naturally.

I adored this baby doll dress. Never mind that it made me look five months pregnant. Also, I’m pretty sure that Wake Forest Graduation took place before Memorial Day. Why someone didn’t rip those white hose and shoes off of me, I’ll never know.

Senior year of high school, getting ready to go to The Snowball which was an exclusive dance, invitation only. I paid someone to make my hair look like that. Camille? Lovely, elegant, classic. Me? Something akin to Mary Tyler Moore.

Nesting in my brand new freshman dorm room in Hinton-James at UNC-Chapel Hill. Is it possible for my shorts to sit any higher on my body?

Ah, yes. The year of the overalls. Also the year of “Why don’t I just make my hair look like an afro cowlick hot mess?” and apparently the season of velour amongst the cousins. I’m going to make a pretty good guess that this was also before my dear friend Sarah Ferg taught me how to tweeze my eyebrows.

Again, the overalls. Again, the hot mess of a hairstyle.

Pictures at Windy Gap before heading off to see Sarah Ferg make her Asheville debutante debut. Ok, so this isn’t terrible. I’ve managed to tame the hair and while I scored the dress on sale at Ross {or TJ Maxx, not sure}, I neglected to realize that it was a.) about four inches too short for a formal event and b.) eerily mimicking my beloved overalls.

Tomorrow? I bust out the high school yearbooks…

Sniff. Hack. Cough.

You know what's fun on a jam packed weekend that is stuffed to the gills with a baby shower and many planned visits?

A raging sinus/head cold/congestion/can't breathe through my nose/throat feels like swallowing daggers thing.

Still, I was determined to press on and accomplish everything I had planned. And I did. Sneezing and coughing all the way through. A lovely thought, no?

The baby shower for Anna's first was a smashing success. I enjoyed the rhythym and blues of Will McFarlane at Brightleaf Square while watching some seriously free-spirited adults dance wildly. I took a photo walk around the most beautiful campus ever. I attended a profound worship service at my NC home church and worshipped across the aisle from UNC basketball legend, Phil Ford.

Throw in visits with dozens of dear friends and you have a pretty great weekend. Monster sneezes and all. Pictures to come...

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If you have not gone to see "Night At The Museum 2: Battle of The Smithsonians", do yourself a favor and go NOW. Seriously, it's even better than the first one. And if you haven't seen the first one yet, rent it and then go see the second one. Although my only grief with the second one is that The Ruby Slippers are not treated with the respect they should be. Hmph.

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My friend, Lisa, sent me this quote from this article. She knows what speaks to me.

"While Adam's competitors come packaged with humanizing backstories — Kris Allen is married, and Danny Gokey, as you may have heard seven or eight hundred times, is a widower — Adam's personal life remains shielded. He was apparently made by the hand of God and left in a basket backstage at Wicked, where he was discovered, bestowed with a lifetime supply of black nail polish, and raised by musical-theater queens." - Mark Harris

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If you are needing some new t-shirts for summer and share my faith, might I suggest you stop by Wild Olive Tees? They have some absolutely gorgeous tees (in several different fits, gotta love that) that highlight particular scriptures in very creative ways. This particular tee, "Unfolding", is part of a fundraising effort in honor of Stellan and his MckMama {the red one is a classic fit and the white one is more fitted}.


They're not paying me for this endorsement, I'm just a fan of a cool and inspiring t-shirt. And I want to win a giveaway they're doing. So sue me, I'm a fan of free {and fabulous} stuff!

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And one last bloggy link. If you're watching "The Bachelorette", you should really be reading Sophie's recaps. Hilarious. Witty. Southern. Everything you could want in a recap of a disasterously cheesy show on the brink of extinction.

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Ok, that's all for now. I'm off to blow my nose. Again and for the hundredth time today. Oh, I almost forgot! I might have some big news tomorrow about a certain teaching position. Stay tuned...

Cheestro Awnasty

Whenever I hear the traditional Greek greeting on Easter morn, “Christos Anesti! (He is risen!)”, I always think of John Corbett in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. His fiancée is teaching him how to properly greet his soon-to-be in-laws. He manages as best he can before she smiles that sweet “I love you just the way you are” smile and assures him he’s gotten it right. Sometimes I’m pretty sure that’s what God does with me.

Still, I’ve always loved those joyous, triumphant words declared from the front of a sanctuary.

He is risen!

He is risen, indeed!

Having spent our last three Easters in Lubbock, TX with Jason’s sister’s family, we had to come up with our own plan this year. We visited a new church (which I cannot even go into because it was such a disappointing service. Terribly egocentric on the part of the teaching pastor. Very little mention of Christ’s resurrection. We didn’t even sing “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today"”. Hmmm. I got into it. Imagine that.) and then hit one of the coolest eateries on the Northshore part of downtown Chattanooga, Good Dog. Seriously, I think a Carolina Chili/Slaw Dog might need to become part of my Easter traditions.

Is there anything more soothing on a sunny, breezy Sunday afternoon than The Masters Tournament on TV? I think not. It was the soundtrack to our afternoon and early evening, then it was on to the local dog park with Knox.

You think he was happy?

He even found himself a little girlfriend. He’s such a playah.

The other golden dog in this pic ran full force into a water hydrant while they were playing. I am not even kidding. It was one of the funniest things I have ever seen. He eventually shook it off and gave Knox a good run for his money.

And then Knox gave him one right in the kisser. That’s my boy.

They eventually made up and enjoyed some synchronized running.

After we let Knox run around enough to ensure that he wouldn’t spend the evening mournfully staring at us in a plea to go outside, we headed home to make good use of the Paas Easter Egg Dying Kit that I managed to wrestle out of a woman’s hands yesterday at Wally World.

I jest. Maybe. It was a free-for-all in there. Note to self: purchase Easter supplies more than twenty-four hours before Easter next year.

As soon as I dropped those little tablets into the vinegar I was eight years old and back at the bar in my grandparent’s house with all my cousins.

 

Only now, I’m way neater and I have a much cuter apron. I’ve decided sassy vintage aprons need to become party of my homemaking wardrobe. Courtney Jane inspired me, she’s good like that.

And so, with our team eggs properly completed, I think I can call this Easter good. Different, not what I might have expected (in both disappointing and wonderfully exhilarating ways), but still full of the joy and hope that were promised when Christ rose from the grave.

A Few More Championship Goodies…

Simply because I can’t help myself and I need to share the Carolina love.

This picture is priceless.

Here’s what you need to know to truly understand the value of this picture: see those four handsome men? Those are four all-star Carolina basketball alums (from left to right): Vince Carter, Julius Peppers, Makhtar N'diaye & Antwan Jamison. All of them played ball during my four years at Carolina and I cheered them on faithfully, sometimes to the point of losing my voice. What Tyler Hansborough, Wayne Ellington and Tyler Lawson will be to my cousins Phillip and Megan is what those guys are to me.

Ever wondered what it’s like to be on one of the most famous college main streets after winning the NCAA basketball championship? Thanks to some guys from The Daily Tarheel (Carolina’s outstanding student newspaper), you can see it for yourself. Witness the joy and madness known as Franklin Street…

{Please note: See that lit up rooftop with the white railings across the way? That’s Top of The Hill, one of the best places to watch the game, eat good find, drink amazing locally brewed beer and watch the celebration without getting smashed in the riotous mass.}

Isn’t that CRAZY?!? In case you hadn’t figured it out, those orange circles amongst the crowd are bonfires. I don’t know where the tradition started but the big thing to do on a Franklin Street celebration is to light bonfires and then jump across them. Amazingly enough, I don’t think anyone has ever fallen in.

One of my sweetest memories of the 2005 Championship win was welcoming the team back home down at the Dean Dome. Luckily enough, it took place just after school and I invited any of my students that wanted to go with me to see our winning team in person. Three opted to go with me and several others went with their families as well. Do you know how excited I was to share my Carolina love with my kids? Um, it was ridiculous how much.

I couldn’t be at this year’s homecoming but found this video which, well…I’m not going to lie, I cried like a baby when I watched it, I was that proud.

Y’all, thanks for indulging my Carolina love the last few days. I’m so grateful for the college experience that I had and how I’ll carry it with me forever. When we finally get around to the kid thing, Jason’s going to have to work extra hard to get some of that Tennessee Volunteer in, don’t you think?

How Sweet It Is

The Tarheels are National Champions!

  You know, when Tyler left the court for the last time in his college career and wrapped Roy in a very enthusiastic bear hug, that’s when I knew it was for real. When total joy spread over his face as he went down the bench embracing each teammate who had worked alongside of him, I knew a dream had been realized. Without a final push, without even much of a fight really, my Carolina Tarheels took the champions spot.

You want to know where I was as Roy pumped his fist and the boys accepted their trophy?

In bed. Apparently, four years later I lack the stamina to hang with the Franklin Street crowd. I watched the celebration cozied under our comforter as the snow continued to fall.

Here’s why I love the picture above. It’s not just the humble pride that emanated from Mr. Williams. It’s the emotion expressed on Wayne Ellington’s and Bobby Frasor’s face. Tears of joy at four years of dedication, sweat, injuries, and waiting finally paying off.

I love those boys in blue and couldn’t be prouder to be a Carolina Girl.

Gloomy, Bedazzles and Boys in Blue

After three gorgeous days of sun and breeze, Mother Nature (I’m leaving God out of this one) has decided to let her bipolar nature rip through leaving us with rain, grey and all sorts of gloom here on our mountain.

It’s depressing on so many levels and is only making my current mental of state of “Oh dear lord, I am a failure in every way!” that much stronger. Fun, no?

So, on to brighter things.

First, hallelujah and praise be that Carrie Underwood managed to break Kenny “All I Have to Wear is this Ratty Sleeveless Tee as I Continue to Pretend I’m a Carefree Twenty-One Year Old Pirate” Chesney’s CMA Entertainer of the Year winning streak! Although I’m still not sure how I feel about this dress…

Your thoughts? Also, can we agree that apparently Miley forgot to wear pants?

And still, year after year, Sugarland can do no wrong in my book…

Also, I’d like to reintroduce the poll to this here blog (see top right corner). Please make your voice heard as to the mystifying and dumbfounding SEVEN YEAR winning streak of Rascal “We Keep The Bedazzling Company In Business” Flatts as the CMA Vocal Group of the Year.

Shiny suit with obligatory Guido chains? Check.

Shiny jacket for the cluless one? Check

Yet another oversized shirt for the one who can’t carry a tune? Check.

Flatiron shared by all three? Triple check.

Sorry. Clearly the gloom magnifies my disgust with all things RF. Moving on…

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So, did you hear that my boys in blue are playing in the big game tonight? You know, it’s that little game called the 2009 NCAA BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!!!

Oh yeah, oh yeah! I actually got to watch the Final Four game in NC with some of the biggest UNC fans I know. Cue that beautiful family footage…

Yes, that is my incredibly gorgeous and talented sister. You know you’re jealous.

Of course, we all sported our Carolina gear. That’s my Uncle Todd to the left (Class of 1980?) and his son Phillip to the right (Class of 2011).

Can’t forget Aunt Betsy! She’s an alumnus too. Actually, it’s kind of sickening how many UNC alumni we have in our family. It tends to breed jealousy when we take group pictures at family gatherings…

While it was ridiculously tempting to stay in NC for another day, drive myself and Knox to Chapel Hill, watch the game there and join the masses (hopefully!) at Franklin Street, I decided to come on back to TN to watch the game with Jason. I won’t lie, it would have been so great to recreate 2005 and watch the game at Top of The Hill but it just wouldn’t be the same without him there.

Speaking of the hubs, he just told me it’s snowing. Ugh. Sigh. Oh well. I’m going to go focus all the positive energy I can towards Roy’s Boys up in Michigan. GO HEELS!

 

A Piece Of My Heart

Today I found myself unexpectedly (and very briefly, sorry NC friends!) in Chapel Hill.

It is one of those dreamy days of a Carolina spring that comes after too many days of grey and rain. The sky is exactly the color it should always be (ahem, I'll let you guess what kind of blue), the breeze is kissing everyone's cheeks and the sun has finally made its long awaited appearance.

I drove up Franklin Street and through the heart of UNC's campus. I saw everything I wanted to. The frat guys and the sorority girls walking back to their houses from class, the elementary school field trip outside of Morehead Planetarium, the upper quad dotted with folks basking in this delightful day.

I drove past Top Of The Hill, the bar in which I watched my boys in blue take their rightful place as NCAA basketball champs back in 2005.
See that balcony? I peered down from there to watch Franklin Street flood with Carolina fans who came to celebrate. And I have big plans to be there again should my Tarheels advance that far this year.

I wound my way around campus and passed The Carolina Inn. Jason and I spent our wedding night there, a surprise he worked on for months in advance knowing how much it would mean to me.

I passed the Bell Tower and the Student Union, both of them landmarks to four of the best years of my life.

I adore Chapel Hill. It is quaint and quirky and beautiful. I'm not meant to live there now and this is okay. That town was mine for a season and the university will always have a firm claim to my heart.

Hark the sound of Tar Heel voices

Ringing clear and True

Singing Carolina's praises

Shouting N.C.U.

Hail to the brightest star of all

Clear its radiance shine

Carolina priceless gem,

Receive all praises thine.

Worth The Wait

February 11, 2009
UNC 101 - Duke 87
Duke fans believe spending 196 hours in a tent indicates passion and devotion. Carolina fans believe 196 hours in a tent indicates a telling lack of other social engagements. The undergrads inhabiting Tent 1 in Krzyzewskiville staked their claim on Dec. 26, 47 days ago. Added over four years of college life, that's 188 days--over half a year--in a tent to watch four losses.
(Adam Lucas- read the full and brilliantly written column here)
{There is a longstanding bet between UNC and Duke's campus newspapers. The losing team has to print their banner in the winning team's signature blue the day after the game. This is the only time I enjoy seeing Duke's paper...}

It wasn't just Tyler. There was Ty and Wayne and and Deon. All of Roy's Boys came together to make this Carolina girl one of the happiest in the world.

I'm a Tarheel born, I'am a Tarheel bred
And when I die I'm a Tarheel dead.
So it's rah, rah, Carolina-lina,
Rah, Rah, Carolina-lina
Rah, rah, Carolina
Go to....

Well, if you're a Carolina fan, you know the rest {grin}. I'll keep the ol' blog family-friendly for today.

GO HEELS!