Nothing like it......

There are some activities, rituals, occurrences that happen that make you stop and for a brief moment, breathe in where you are and what you are doing. These activities occur every day....

But for Tennessee Vol fans they occur most often in the months between September and January (obviously this is only my opinion...I am sure they happen all year long!).

Growing up in East Tennessee I have never NOT known what it's like to experience a University of Tennessee football game (I am sure there is something to be said for my grammar, too! And trust me, the two are in direct correlations with one another). I love to hear stories from other people after their first game. The crowd, the noise, the stadium...there is nothing like it. You may think you know the college football experience, but let me tell you if you haven't been to Neyland Stadium on a crisp Saturday afternoon.....you haven't tasted true football (this is not my opinion...it's actually fact).



Brandon and I (along with about 102,000 other people) share in the excitement of game day! We like to go to the stadium a little early so we can watch the band pre-game. Both he and I get goose bumps watching the Pride of the Southland band form the power "T" on the field. Then watching the "T" open and Smoky lead the way for our boys in orange and white to take the field. It's like a weekly rite. It makes me proud. It PUMPS me UP!





We have one of the largest stadiums in college football, which naturally leads to one of the loudest stadiums. And if you aren't a Vol fan, you probably get sick of hearing Rocky Top by the end of the first quarter. But if you are a VOL fan....you sing as loud as you can and hit every "WOOOOOOH" with enthusiasm (if you aren't a Vol fan you may not know what the Woooh is...).

Brandon was a northern boy (was) who was probably pretty confident in his college football experiences. I think he paints the best picture of what it was like his first time at a UT football game. It would have been really helpful for me to have some kind of quote or story from him here, but I don't. What? I am not a journalist, I am just a girl with a blog. But, I do know he will tell you it will actually take your breath away. It will make you look around and wonder if you have entered some alternate universe (probably for several reasons).



And maybe you aren't a UT Vols fan. Maybe you love some other team. That's okay (not really). You may have your own rituals where you do silly stuff and sing silly songs...that's cool (no...it's not). But you have to admit....there's nothing like watching your team take the field for the first time and the friendships (although sometimes very short lived) that you make with other fans while in the stadium, bar, garage...watching your team run down the field.

Welcome to football season! Let's go VOLS! It's great to be a Tennessee Vol Fan! Come join us in East Tennessee sometime this season. I guarantee you won't regret it...and you may even leave with a new understanding of what college football is REALLY about! GO VOLS!

I rarely put up links to other pages/sites. But, this video below is worth the click. It's all East Tennessee....everything from the orange and white to the accent and pronunciation of "the hill". Please check it out...it's better than any other video or picture on my page today! I just wish I could have uploaded the video instead of leaving a link! You will have to copy and paste the link...sorry!

http://utsports.tv/featured/life-is-orange-and-white

And just one more video....


Tennessee, Tennessee, there ain't no place I'd rather be......

You can't make this stuff up.....

I was looking out my window today at work and witnessed probably one of the strangest things yet. First, it should be noted that I look out my window at work a lot...longing to be outside playing. Second, it should be noted that our office/warehouse is located in a mixed residential/commercial area. All of the buildings on our side of the road are offices and warehouses. Everything directly across the street is residential. When I gaze out my window I look directly at a house, where I am not going to lie...I see some weird stuff.

I watched as the man that lives across the street tied an industrial sized chain to a light poll (telephone pole) beside his house. He then proceeded to attach the other end of that chain to the bumper of his truck. I kid you not when I say the man then climbed into the cab of his truck and GUNNED his engine, attempting (I assume) to rip his bumper clear off the back of his vehicle. This maneuver was tried over and over again. Each time I held my breath as I watched the light poll wobble and the bumper hold strong.

Finally he gave up and I breathed a sigh of relief. I watched as he removed the chain from both the poll and his bumper. I assumed my "show" was over and went back to work. Less than two minutes later (I obviously needed a break) he comes outside with a chainsaw. I honestly thought my morning was going to include calling 911, searching for digits, and supplying the ice so said digits could be re-attached to the hand. Thankfully he never cranked the chainsaw and I didn't have to fight my gag reflexes at the sight of all his blood. He left....and actually, I didn't see him at all the rest of the day.

And I went back to work. Or at least that is what I am telling people.

Windshield temperatures

During the winter meterologists use the term Windchill to describe how cold it actually feels outside, usually due to the wind (no kidding). I used to think they called it the Windshield factor. I figured that the windshield factor was determined by how cold your windshield felt. Seriously...that's what I thought. But, in my defense, windshields feel cold in the winter, so it seemed logical to me.

This graph below should explain everything and answer any questions you may have. Feel free to print this off and share it with friends and family.



It must have been difficult for my parents, constantly having to explain these things to me. Don't even ask how long it took me to figure out the difference between the "band" (like a marching band) and a "van" (the vehicle)....my poor parents. Please note I put the ( ) in there just in case you have any confusion, too.

All of this is not the least bit relevant to our current weather. This time of year we are using the term "heat index". I wish I had a misunderstood word for this term, something like asphalt factor.



Knoxville has experienced 60+ days in a row in the 90's or above! Can you believe that? We are melting....quite literally.



Glenn really seems to have the right idea. It's hot, we are on fire, then the world explodes. Oh how Glenn and I are both longing for the days of "windshield" factors. Sweet August....feel free to move-on-out and welcome-in Autumn....I am ready. As is most of East Tennessee....and probably all of the South for that matter.

Bummer......

There are times at work when I just want to say "Please stop talking to me."

Who am I kidding? There aren't just random times...it's most of the time.

And not in a rude or aggressive way. I would say it with a straight face and dry tone. As a statement with a slight request.

Recently I realized that will probably NEVER be an appropriate thing to say.

I am kind of sad about that.

This could ignite a slow clap followed by jazz hands

I sometimes feel like my life could breakout into song at any given moment! Similar to Glee (of course) or maybe even (going old school) Grease (Brandon would have made a great T-bird greaser).



Unfortunately my life would not be nicely choreographed, like my examples above. I consider myself rhythmically challenged....and to be the owner of two left feet. What can I say....This song will be without the dance.

Just once I would like to find myself in a spontaneous situation where everyone not only knows the impromptu dance that has started, but nails every last step. Then...as the dance ends, we all clap and pat each other on the back...as if to say "that was completely normal (happens all the time) and we nailed it!"



On the other hand, I have been listening to Eminem's new album Recovery quite a bit lately. I am not sure his music is meant to be accompanied by choreographed moves, leg kicks, twirls or jazz hands. And to be honest, I am don't think anyone is prepared for my life to breakout in song....at least not Eminem's. But...if they do- hold on tight...there could be a real show about to happen and I expect, if nothing else, a slow clap to follow my performance!



In all seriousness, I am enjoying Eminem's new album. If this life breaks out into song, just don't look over here because I may be doing jazz hands, as I have no other knowledge of or ability to dance.

This is not me...but it could be...with lots of hard work, sequins and a bedazzler!

Disappearing act....

I am slightly annoyed to find that the background I have been using since I started my blog (although not long ago) will disappear as of this Friday. Not sure why. I have noticed while searching other blogs that any backgrounds by "The Cutest Blog on the Block" will be disabled come Friday. I loved my background, so I naturally went to their website to try to select another one...thinking maybe just select templates were being deleted. I can't even get the website to come up.

Pretty disappointing. Oh well. Blog life goes on. I have switched to a new template designer "Shabby Blogs". They have some cute templates, although I feel like these do not fit my format quite as well as the others. It will just take some getting used to.

So...welcome new template. Please do not disappear on me!

Where ya been?

This blog has suffered some recent neglect, but it's not completely my fault. The past month I have been out of town for at least 2 weeks. The rest of the time....well...I guess there just hasn't been much to blog about.

I joined the extended Ryan family in SC for a beach vacation in June. It's always a lot of fun visiting with family we sometimes see only once a year. This year we were missing quite a few family members, but worked hard to try and have fun in their absence!

Below is a picture of my Grandma Ryan and her three children- My Aunt Cathy, Aunt ReeRee (Marie), and my Dad. My Grandma is notorious for closing her eyes in photos, so I feel like this picture was a success!



Below is a picture of my cousin's beautiful boy, Ryan. The picture was taken about 3 seconds before he puked all down my front side, inside my shirt, down my bra where it attempted to roll directly down into my pants. Impressed...ABSOLUTELY! Grossed out....without a doubt! You are still a handsome little man, though, Ryan!



Here are some more random photos from that trip!

It is amazing how much I adore this woman








This past week Brandon and I loaded up the car and headed to Wisconsin to join the Bice family for a week vacation in Wisconsin Dells.



I really love spending time with Brandon's family. They are amazing people with personality, spunk, kindness and the perfect amount of competitive nature. I never have to question how it is that Brandon turned out to be such an incredible man. That generally happens when you grow up surrounded by good people.

We had many adventures during that week.
Including ziplines (which, by the way, were both terrifying and incredible. I am so glad I stuck with it..even when I wanted to abandon the task):


Here are some pictures of some of the family that I really like:













Here are some of the things I learned while on this trip:
1. Road trips with my husband are always fun. No matter how tired, cranky, or stir crazy we may be, my sweet husband makes things fun...always.
2. Noah's Ark water park is worth the wait!
3. Apparently shoes are not required for Wal-Mart in WI
4. Babies have the ability to wake up at the exact same time every day...for future referencing.
5. Mike's meat can't be beat. (picture NOT included)
6. Bagna Caude is an acquired taste and since I did not grow up in the North I may never learn to like it (thank goodness)

I love the Bice family/extended family! I feel blessed to have such amazing in-laws and am thankful for them! It was an amazing trip! We miss the family already!

And finally-
Happy Birthday to my Mom. We enjoyed dinner with the Ryan family both Sunday and Tuesday night! Below, our most recent family picture. Enjoy!