Is this thing on?!?

Things have been quiet on the ol' blog lately. I've officially been MIA for over a year. It happens and I'm not gonna act like it doesn't. I'm not sure that anyone is out there left to read this but why don't recap the last year, shall we? (Things last spring are a little sparse - that was a long time ago!)

Spring 2014 

Old Friends!

We met up with Aaron, Andrew and his wife Amanda in Knoxville. These 3 guys spent their childhood years together in Athens so it was fun to see how life has changed since then!

Narco

After being referred to a sleep doctor, I had to go through a sleep study. Diagnosis?  Severe Narcolepsy. Yep. I know you are thinking - "Oh my gosh are you going to fall asleep like right now?" No! What you didn't know is that I have had it for years and been functioning just fine. 1 in 2,000 people have it. There is nothing you can do to cure it and I will always have it. What am I doing about it? Making the best of it! I no longer feel bad about falling asleep watching TV or a movie. I currently use it in the "Tell an interesting Fact about Yourself" icebreaker games and bask in the fact that I can fall asleep in 2 1/2 minutes no matter the time of day!

Community Service
I was appointed to serve on the Girl Scouts Board of Southern Appalachians and went to my first meeting.  I concluded my 3 year term on the UTAA Women's Council and concluded my 5 year term on the UTC GOLD Council. Tyler graduated from the Protege program with the Chamber of Commerce. He is also serving a term on the UTAA Board of Governors and the Partnership for Families, Children & Adults.

Summer 2014

"Kneeding" a Break
I slipped in some water before an event at work and fell pretty hard on my left knee. I slapped a band-aid on it and finished the event. I realized the next day I still couldn't really move it. Long story short - I ended up in a full leg immobilizing brace and crutches. Verdict: Cracked Femur. We were leaving for our British Isles Cruise in 1 week. Panic set in. Luckily after getting a second opinion - nothing was broken! The previous doctor can't read x-rays! Brace came off and slowly start to heal. Nasty scar to show for it!

British Isles Cruise
I slipped this in the last story but it was definitely the highlight of 2014. BRITISH ISLES CRUISE!!! We spent 2 weeks exploring the British Isles. We started in England and ventured to France, Ireland, North Ireland, and Scotland. We traveled 12,500 miles and took 1,000 pictures.

We walked over the London Bridge, trekked to Stonehenge in the pouring rain, ate lunch in the Eiffel Tower, drove through the tunnel where Princess Diana died, fought to see a glimpse of the Mona Lisa, looked for the Loch Ness monster, visited The Cavern where the Beatles played, toured a castle from Downton Abby and St. Patrick's Cathedral, and kissed the Blarney Stone.The list goes on and on.

I ate sheep bladder without realizing it, tried Irish coffee but wasn't impressed, and ate mushy peas with fish and chips. We had a wonderful time but were glad to be back in the good ol' US of A!

4th Anniversary
We celebrated our 4th anniversary! What a wonderful 4 years it has been!

Clingman's Dome 
For years we have wanted to visit Clingman's Dome, the highest point in Tennessee. We took a hiking trip with the Shells on July 4th weekend. We also took another hiking trail to Laurel Falls. Let's just say that if you go hiking in Cade's Cove on a pretty weekend, expect a crowd!

Alvin York Home
We traveled to meet Sarah and Craig to tour Alvin York's Home. It was a fun trip and very hot! Tyler and I got stuck in the World's Longest Yard Sale which made the trip a little longer than we had anticipated!

Nanny
July and August were hard. We lost our sweet Nanny in August. She fought hard until the end. She was such a special lady and meant so much to us. It still seems unreal she is gone. She loved me like I was her own grandchild and loved Tyler more than words can describe. I am lucky that I was able to know her and have no shortage of Nanny stories!

Fall 2014

Sunday School Class
We were asked to start a Sunday School class at our church for Young Professionals. We were so blessed to have such a large class it has already split! We have thoroughly enjoyed getting serve in this way. Obviously, I am more of the social aspect and Tyler teaches but it makes for a great combination! Tyler has a gift for teaching and I have loved getting to learn from him!

Garth!
As a surprise, I bought Tyler tickets to see Garth Brooks in Atlanta. We drove down for the concert that didn't even start until 10:00 PM, watched the concert and drove home the next morning in time to be at church! It was the latest we had stayed out probably ever. He can say he enjoyed every minute!

UTC vs. UTK
We traveled to watch the Mocs take on the Vols. Even though we were all expecting a loss, it was still fun to see. We even got to sit in the President's skybox. It was fun to visit the same place as our first date!

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
As many of you were a part of, the Ice Bucket challenge was everywhere for a solid month on social media. Needless to say, we were not spared from the challenge. (That's me in the middle!)

TEDxUTChattanooga
I helped plan the first ever TED event in Chattanooga. It was a lot of work but resulted in a wonderful highlight for the campus. Plans for the 2016 event are already underway!

2015

Mt. Airy - Mayberry
As crazy as it sounds, back in June 2014, I made reservations for January 2015 to stay in the house that Andy Griffith grew up in. I decided this would be the perfect birthday present for Tyler! We had a great weekend. We toured the Andy Griffith museum, visited Wally's service station, rode in the squad cars and visited the jail, visited Floyd the barber, ate a fried pork chop sandwich, and hiked Mount Pilot. The house was even furnished with retro furniture and all! I'm not sure that I will ever top this birthday present!

New Job!
In January I started a new job at UTC. 3 years, 3 Chancellors, and 158 events later it was time to move on to other things! I am now in the Development Office at the Associate Director of Stewardship & Advancement Services and absolutely loving it! I love learning new things and I continue to expand my knowledge. This is the perfect job for any people person so I am in heaven!

97 Years Young
My grandmother, Ruby Young, turned 97! She moved retirement homes of the summer so this was a new place to have the annual party. Jon & Malia weren't able to attend since they had just had their first child. We tried to help Grandmother Skype with them but she didn't quiet get the technology!

Engaged Teacher of the Year!
My sister, Sarah got engaged and was named Teacher of Year all in the same day! Tyler and I traveled to Nashville to surprise her once she said yes! The whole family (his & hers) waited in the lobby of Frist Museum where he proposed. The wedding has been set for June 20th! Wedding plans have been in full swing ever since with a bridal shower soon!

Valentine's Surprise
Tyler surprised me with a trip to Atlanta for Valentine's day. We toured CNN, the Margaret Mitchell house, the Swan house and finished the day with dinner at Capital Grille. Chattanooga is conveniently close to Atlanta and it was great for a quick day date!

Community Service & Leadership
Tyler spent a week at the UT Leadership Institute. I have never been so lonely! I take for granted how great it is to live together! He was glad to be back home and I was glad to have him back! (To keep myself occupied I took a calligraphy class!) He also was selected to be one of the newest members of Rotaract which is the Young Professionals Rotary group in town. Tyler is the current President of the UT Alumni Chattanooga Network and yours truly is the President Elect. I also was recently named secretary of the Girl Scouts board.

Harry T. Burn Grave Dedication
It wouldn't be in true Tyler fashion to update you if it didn't involve a grave yard! Tyler was asked to speak at the SAR (Sons of the American Revolution) Grave Dedication for Harry T. Burn. He is related to the famous 19th Amendment vote politician and was honored to be included in the ceremony.


I guess you see why I had little time left for blogging. Until next time... whenever that is!