Eight Years and Counting

February 20, 2003. That is a date I will always remember. As corny as it may sound, I married my best friend on that day. Eight years later I love and respect him even more that I did the day I married him. Can you believe it has been eight years! Really! Where does the time go? Cameron and I have had our ups and downs, but I guess that is what keeps things interesting. Right!

So Cameron and I decided to take a trip this year for our anniversary (maybe I decided this, but he did not complain. LOL!) I have wanted to see the Biltmore Estate for years. After hinting, subtly and not so subtly, I decided that now seemed like a good time to take a trip so I made it happen. We had a wonderful time in Asheville, NC, we ate lots of great local food and to our surprise got in a workout.

First, we visited the Biltmore Estate, built by George Vanderbilt, on Friday. Wow! How impressive is this place. I mean it was built in 1895 and this guy thought of everything! Even an indoor pool and bowling alley! Can you imagine growing up with this place as your home? How about having this home as part of your family legacy? Just to run around and play on the grounds of this huge property is an adventure in itself. There are so many rooms in this house, 250 to be exact, that a kid could go wild with imagination. This property was originally 120,000 acres until 1915 when Edith Vanderbilt sold nearly 87,000 acres of land to the federal government in order to preserve the forest. This place is very extravagant and so very impressive, but I guess when you've got it, you've got it! Sadly, it was not very pretty out as it is winter time. Nothing was in bloom so we did not walk through the garden, which is impressive all on its own. I would love to go back in the spring or fall just to enjoy the gardens and views of the mountains. Maybe one day.....

As you can clearly see the wind was not kind to my hair! It was an ongoing issue! LOL!

This house is built in stone and each carving was done by hand! Can you imagine the time it took to do all these carvings. Every corner is filled with intricate details. Very impressive!

On Saturday we ventured to Chimney Rock (not to be confused with "chimney rock" at Lake Martin) with the intention to hike up to the highest point. However, Chimney Rock was closed so we just hiked to Hidden Falls. That was a workout! I think maybe I should hike more often to boost my endurance! My leg muscles hurt for like three days! It did not seem to effect Cameron. It was a nice day, but still quite windy.

All in all, we had a great time and made memories to last a lifetime. I am so thankful that Cameron and I had the opportunity to celebrate our commitment to each other. So here's to many more years together and all the memorable moments in our future. I love you, Cameron!

XOXO Pamela

An Auburn Tradition

As everyone should know by now, an Auburn family tradition might be lost. After every winning game the Auburn fans make their way to Toomer's corner and roll the big oak trees. It is a tradition that has gone one for many, many years. Sadly, a disgruntled Alabama fan decided after the Iron Bowl that he would ruin our famous tradition and poison our beloved trees with  Spike 80DF, a tree-killing herbicide also known as tebuthiuron, which is a poison used commercially to kill trees and shrubs. The oaks were given such a letal dose that it is unlikely they will survive. All is not lost just yet as crews work to try and save our 130 year old live oaks. Many of the Auburn fans gathered this past weekend to show their love and support for this wonderful tradition.

Funny thing, the guy who poisoned the trees, Harvey Almorn Updyke Jr., cannot seem to keep an attorney to represent him in this case due to conflict of interest. Two attorneys have already been released and the third has petitioned the court to be released. I wonder if this guy knew what he was getting into when he did this horendous act? Most likely, it never crossed his mind.......I really feel sorry for someone who has so much hatred in their heart. Football is a great sport. I love watching college football in the fall. My question is, what do we do when a rivalry has gone too far? Every team has a bad seed. Every team has fans that go way overboard. But we must remember that it is just a game and it is meant to be fun. We must not let a game consume our lives. Harvey (Al), when you mess with history and nature you must pay and pay you will. May God hear the prayers that are being sent up to save these beautiful trees and a historic marker. It may not be the most inportant thing in the world, but these trees mean so much to so many.

On a side note, I would like to commend Alabama fans for understanding our sadness and shock and supporting the Auburn Tigers. I hear that Auburn University and Alabama will be planting two live oaks on each campus in honor of our Toomer's corner live oaks. Maybe this event has helped both teams realize that even though we are rivals that we do not have to be hateful to show support of our teams. War Eagle!

XOXO Pamela

Valentine's Day......

Valentine's Day. The day of love. Many people just look at this holiday as a commercial holiday that was created to make money. Maybe. To an extent it does serve that purpose!  However, there are so many ways to share with someone that you love them without spending tons of money. I believe you should tell the one you love how much they mean to you without being told to by a day on a calendar. Unfortunately, many people only do special things for their significant other when society tells them to do so. I myself don't go out and buy anything labeled "Valentine" for Cameron. It is a waste of money and I don't really need any candy, though I will not complain if I get a little chocolate to eat ;-). I think it is all about spending time together and making sure your Valentine feels loved and special not only for a night, but every night.

So to my Valentine I would like to say (as corney as it may sound)............

Cameron,
I may not buy you chocolate and I may not buy you a card, but no material item could ever show you how special you are to me.Valentine's Day 2003 was the day that led us down the road to marry as quickly as we did that year. I will always remember Valentine's Day as the day you were activated to go to Iraq. It was a crazy time, but I got to marry my love just a few days later. I am lucky enough to have a Valentine every day of my life! I know that you know how much I love because I tell you everyday. You are my best friend and the love of my life. As I said a couple of days ago, I can't imagine not loving you. You are a part of me and I believe God knew what he was doing when he brought you through the door at Big B Bar B Que all those years ago. You showed me what love is truly about and gave me more hope for my future than I had imagined possible at that time in my life. I mean who is lucky enough to have a husband that cooks, cleans, does yard work, takes care of our kids (dogs), can fix/figure out just about anything, strong mentally and physically, holds me when I want without complaint, lets me control the remote, and puts up with any mood that I may be in on any given day!!!!!! That is just the short list of how wonderful you are, Babe. It must be hard being so great! Let me know..........We have our ups and down and neither of us is perfect, but you are close enough to perfect for me. I could not ask for more! You are my favorite husband! LOL! (inside joke) My best friend! The love of my life. I thank God for sending me such a wonderful man to share the rest of my life with. I hope that one day soon we will have someone to share all of this love with and teach how to share it with others. Until then, "It's just you and me kid." Here's to many, many more Valentine's Days!!!!! I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day to all of my family and friends. Remember to tell the ones you love what they mean to you everyday that you get the chance. After all, we are never promised tomorrow so make everyday count.

XOXO Pamela

Another One Bites the Dust!

After many hunting trips and many hours spent in the cold Cameron finally, in his words, "Put meat on the ground". I must say that I am glad hunting season is over, but it is something that Cameron enjoys. So I thought I would share with everyone Cameron's proud moment. Of, course he plans to go bigger next year, but for now he has this eight-point buck. By the way, Kolby was beside herself with curiosity and wanted in the back of Cameron's truck REALLY badly!

XOXO Pamela

The Auburn Family Celebrates!

As we all know, Auburn University is the reigning BCS National Champions! Yay! The university had a wonderful celebration at the stadium on January 25th, 2011. Cameron and I were lucky enough to get to attend said celebration. Joice, a friend from work, got there early and saved us some great seats! Thanks Joice! The students got to stand on the field in front of the stage. Like many others, Cameron did not expect many people to attend, but I figured it was going to be packed! Guess who's butt was the blackest!!! MINE!!! LOL! It was almost a packed house all the way up to the nose bleed sections. This is the Auburn family we are talking about here........

Each player was introduced individually, followed by the coaches.

There were several speakers as all the trophy's were presented and displayed.

The QB from the 1957 Championship team, Lloyd Nix, presented the crystal ball to our head coach, Gene Chizik.

Cam Newton was presented his Heisman and said a few words about how great Auburn University is and the Auburn family. I am sure going to miss our star QB!!! :-(  But Cam is off to bigger and better things and I am thankful he shared his talents with us one at least one season. So many of the players that are leaving will be missed, but we must make room for the newcomers. Here's to new players, new talent, and a brand new football season! Warrrrrr Eagle!!!!!

XOXO Pamela