It's beginning to look a lot...

...like Christmas.

It's still Halloween Day, but Target already had their Christmas display up. Call me crazy, but what happened to celebrating Christmas in December? I love Christmas as much as the next person, but I can't really get into the holiday spirit till I see Santa Claus close out the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

But back to the point, I hope we all stop and reflect on the deeper meaning of Christmas. It's not about the gifts (yes, I really said that) it's about the giving.

I'm very fortunate in that I've never had to go without, but I know not everyone is that lucky. I've been asked to help with this year's Angel Tree at work. We're doing things a little different this time around. The powers that be think it's too early to have an Angel Tree up in our lobby. I can't say I disagree, but I understand we're trying to get the word out early.

So, I get to go cube to cube with the gift tags! Nothing I like more than laying on the guilt :) We're all fortunate enough to have a job that pays the bills...I hope most of my co-workers will find it in their hearts to give this season!!

How did I get so lucky...

...and end up with such good friends?

I feel blessed to have a circle of very close friends. I would do anything for them and I know they'd to the same for me.

I wish some of my friends were closer. It's hard to catch up with those out West and I feel guilty for not keeping in better touch. But the good thing is, when we do talk, it's like no time has passed. Those make for the best conversations.

Thanks to the wonders of Facebook, Twitter & my 10 year high school reunion, I've been able to get in touch with and keep up with friendships I thought were lost. The older I get, the more I appreciate every single person who impacts my life.

I don't really know what the point of this post is, but I just needed to get some stuff off my chest. I don't like to see my friends get hurt either. I hate to see them being taken advantage of and lied to. We're all adults here, just be honest and we'll move on...no harm, no foul.

I know I don't say it enough, but I love all of you and appreciate everything about you. I would not be the person I am today without you in my life!!

Trims and Trinkets

I don't seem to have a creative bone in my body, but I do have some very creative friends. My friend Meghan creates and sells the most beautiful Christmas wreaths. Aside from being a full time teacher, wife and mother, I don't see how she has the time for this hobby.

Granted, I may be a bit biased, but you need to check out her website, Trims and Trinkets and see for yourself! I found the photo of a UT wreath she made, I may have to order one for myself!!

Christmas is right around the corner, does your front door need a little something extra?

Tubeflops

Growing up in Hawaii, wearing socks with slippers was a major fashion no-no. But these "tubeflops" are actually pretty cute! I'd consider buying a pair if the slippers were like J.Crew's and thicker. I need all the inches I can get.

Patience

I've never been a patient person. I consider this one of my biggest flaws. However, thanks to the Vols, I'm learning patience each week. It's a constant struggle for me. As an alumni & season ticket holder, I expect my team to show up and give their all every week.

We're seven games in and I'm not satisfied with the product we run out there on Saturday. I understand our roster is thin and our talent level is not up to par with other teams in the SEC, but come on, half of the time it looks like we have never taken a snap before!

The lack of discipline with regard to the increased number of penalties & not being able to line up correctly is a major issue the coaches need to address and correct. We're shooting ourselves in the foot.

Another pet peeve testing my patience is our uber conservative play calling. We can't and won't win football games if all we can muster is a "3 & out" each time our offense takes the field. Not only that, what happened to throwing the football past the first down marker?

I understand we don't have the best QB in the league, but geez, if my starting QB can't complete a 15 yr pass from scrimmage, he should be my starting QB.

I heard Coach Dooley speak at an alumni event before the season started. I remember him saying two things that would be keys to our success. We needed to "move the chains & light up the scoreboard"...well, if we can't move the chains, how can we light up the scoreboard?

Our lack of on field leadership is another thing that really chaps my hide. None of the guys we run out there scare the living daylights out of me. Maybe the guys that played when I was in college spoiled me. I miss the hard nosed players like Al Wilson, John Henderson, Albert Haynesworth, Raynoch Thompson, etc. I mean, would you want to answer to any one of those guys if you missed your assignment or didn't bring your A game every weekend?

Don't get me wrong, I'd never turn my back on my Vols, but when is enough...enough? You can't tell me the players aren't disappointed by their lack of success. If all of the "experts" kept talking about my lack of talent & depth, you better believe I'd work extra hard to make a difference.

All I ask of my team is they wear the Power T with pride and give their all for Tennessee. I don't know that all of the guys on my team feel that way. I've never seen a team give up like I have this season. When the going gets tough, dust of your britches and give all your might!!

GO VOLS!!

There and Back Again...

Ok, so the title on this post comes from "Lord of the Rings", but it's pretty fitting. My travels continued last week. I flew down to Orlando to visit with some friends & the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Islands of Adventure at Universal Studios.

I am a stickler for details when it comes to all things Potter, but I was very impressed after my visit. I hate to wait in any kind of line, but looking back, I wish I had more time in line while waiting on the Forbidden Journey ride. The line starts you outside of Professor Sprout's greenhouse...check out those mandrakes...

When I saw this on the wall, inside Hogwarts Castle, I started to scream...

Then the line lead me to Dumbledore's Office...

The moving portraits were fantastic! I felt like I was in my own little Potter World, and I never wanted to leave...

I would have given anything to actually use the Pensieve

I didn't realize Dumbledore actually showed up in the photo till I got home...it was like magic!

Yes, Anne & I were ready to board the Hogwarts Express

I could live at Hogwarts...

We hit the park early Saturday morning, we were on a mission after all! The gates were suppose to open at 9AM, but opened earlier. We were already in line at the greenhouse by 9:02AM.

The only minor issue I had was this, the shops in Hogsmeade weren't accurate. They had some shops from Diagon Alley in there. Why not make two different areas? Any why not make a ride out of Gringott's, the Wizard Bank?

But overall, it was a fun filled day. My friend, Allyson, even stopped by for a visit. She actually talked me out of buying the $99.98 Gryffindor robe. I settled for Harry's wand & a few t-shirts.

We ended the night at Margaritaville. I love sitting on the patio & listening to live music. This time there was a great local artist, Eric von Hahmann playing. Anytime I have beer & country music I'm happy!

It was so funny because he made fun of my accent during the set break. I've lived in Tennessee for 23 years, I guess it's only natural I picked one up along the way. But he made it up to me when he played Kenny's "Back Where I Come From". The clincher, instead of sining, "cause I'm an old Tennessean"...he paused, pointed to our table and sang, "cause she's the true East Tennessean..." Did I mention I had my Power T camo hat on at the time?

Who wants to Zorb?

I do...I do!!

Come on, how can rolling down a hill in a giant, inflated hamster ball not be fun? I heard my boss was trying to convince our VP to let us go Zorbing before our Team Leader retreat next Monday. Sadly, he didn't go for the idea. So, we're back to our standard option: #1 golfing or #2 shopping...guess which route I'm taking?

Time for a Break

My upcoming trip to Orlando couldn't have come at a better time!

Ever have those moments where you think, "Oh my gosh, I just need a break from reality?" Well, I'm having one on those moments now. I do my best not to let my job or certain people annoy me, but sometimes I can't help it. I'm only human, I can only put up with so much before I snap.

My job is not difficult, but sometimes I feel like I'm babysitting kids all day. I have to manage a team of 6-7 people, but there is a very large age difference between several of my team members. I have to remind myself that some of them do not have the same work attitude I have. My philosophy is simple, do what is asked & do it to the best of your ability.

I have a few "chronic complainers" or as I call them "rainclouds". No one likes a Debbie Downer, but the biggest issue I have is this, these rainclouds will make comments to their co-workers, instead of coming to me if they're having trouble getting their work finished on time. Nothing annoys me more than people who complain just to complain.

But alas, it's just a job & the sun will come up tomorrow...and I'm going on vacation Friday!

The end of the Tuck era

And just like that, he's gone. Finally, after months of searching, Tuck was offered & accepted a job in Atlanta! Today was his last day in our office. It was a bittersweet day for sure. On one hand, I was happy for him, he and his wife have been living in separate cities since May. But on the other, I was losing the heart and soul of my team.

I often told him he reminded me of Bristol Peyton. Yes, he was just like my ADD beagle. I'm going to miss those random "OMG did I ever tell you I can make a noise with my mouth that sounds just like a weedeater" outbursts and even the singing that would come from his cube on an almost daily basis. Did you know the first CD he ever owned was Celine Dion? He would sing Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga on demand.

We picked on him pretty good, but he was always a good sport about it. Sports was our semi-common bond. Everyone wondered how this Louisiana born, LSU, Saints & Kyle Busch fan would fit on my team. I think he fit in quite well.

We had a chance to win a team breakfast if we picked the winning team & score for the Super Bowl. Seven out of eight on the team picked the Colts. Tuck was out voted, my team chose the Colts and we all know how that turned out. But being the nice guy he is, he offered to buy the team breakfast anyway, to show there were no hard feelings. But there was a catch, we had to put on his Saints gear for a photo first. It was the funniest team picture ever & he kept that as his desktop wallpaper till he left.

He talked a lot of trash before last week's LSU game, but after the second ending, I got a text from him saying that he would not be talking any trash, as LSU did not deserve to win the game. To his credit, he kept his word.

Tuck had only lived in Knoxville for a few years, so he hadn't really experienced a lot of it's local flavor. Tuck being Tuck, wanted to cram everything into his last week. Chandler's Deli was the last stop on his "Goodbye Knoxville Food Tour".

I think we saved the best for last. If you enjoy some good ole Southern cooking, you've come to the right place. A buddy suggested I get the meat & 3...I'm so glad I listened to him. I ended up with fried chicken, mashed taters and gravy, mac and cheese and corn. They give you huge portions and it's almost impossible to finish it all. I was already thinking about what I would get on my next visit.

So, I'm going to miss Tuck & all his quirkiness, but my belly & waistline will not! For the record, "Tuck" is not his real name. I started calling him "Tuck" after he walking into the office with his Saints jersey tucked into his pants. It just looked weird and the name stuck.

Good luck in the ATL Tuck, we really will miss you!!

I'm sorry Smokey, I still love you, but I wanted a Mike the Tiger shirt to remember Tuck

Dear Santa

I love Twitter! I love it for all of my sports & current event updates, but I found another use....SHOPPING!

I honestly don't know why I didn't think of that before. I recently discovered one of my favorite stores, Tiffany & Co. has a Twitter account and thanks to its updates I realized they sell purses now! I'm not sure which I love more, jewelry or handbags?

So Santa, if you're reading my blog...I've been really good this year & I'd really like a new Tiffany's handbag...I'll even leave extra milk & cookies.

XOXO -- Nikki

Tuck's "Goodbye Knoxville" Food Tour

One of my co-workers, "Tuck", will be leaving on Friday. He finally got a job in Atlanta! I give him a rough time, but I really will miss him. He reminds me of Bristol Peyton...he eats everything in sight, has the attention span of a gnat, but he's the heart and soul of the team. Things will really be different and quite when he's gone. But he'll finally be in the same city with his wife, so I'm very happy for that!!

In true "Tuck" fashion, he's made a quick "Knoxville Bucket List"...I somehow got roped into helping him kick 2 items off said list.

#1 -- lunch @ Long's Drug Store

#2 -- lunch @ Chandler's Deli

I've been in Knoxville since the fall of 1997, but had never been to Long's until a month ago. Tuck & 2 of my other co-workers had lunch there today. All of the tables were full, but the counter was empty. I love eating at the counter, I really don't know why, but even as a kid I always liked being close to the action.

I had the bacon cheeseburger & seasoned french fries today. I normally get onion rings, but I had to save room for the Reese's milk shake!

If you're looking for trip back in time, I highly suggest "meeting me at Long's". The prices can't be beat & the food is your typical diner grub, my favorite. Another friend recommended the Cherry Coke. I second this suggestion. I want to go on a Saturday morning since that's the only time they serve biscuits & gravy.

I've never been to Chandler's Deli either, but my friends swear by it. All I need to know is they serve fried chicken, pulled pork, ribs and mac & cheese, just to name a few. I still don't know which I'll order, but I highly doubt I could go wrong with any of them.

For those interested in Tuck's "Goodbye Knoxville" Food Tour, check back later this week for more updates.

It's almost time...

...for another vacation!

I haven't been on a "real vacation" since July. It's a tough life, I know...but sometimes just taking a few days off does wonders for the brain and the soul.

This time, I'll be meeting my friends from NYC in Orlando to hit up The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure. If you don't hear from me after mid-October, chances are I've found a way to live at Hogwarts!!

We got Les-ed

I've never gone from the highest of highs, to the lowest of lows like I did this afternoon. My unranked, underdog Vols traveled to the bayou to take on the #10 ranked LSU Tigers. How the Tigers are ranked so high is beyond me, but by all accounts, we had the game won.

But that wasn't good enough...Les Miles must have made a deal with the devil. The man has more coaching lives than a cat. With what seemed like just seconds left on the clock, LSU fumbles the snap...ball game....Vols pull off a miracle.

Not so fast my friends, for some unknown reason the Vols decide to make a string of substitutions on defense. Last week, we didn't have enough men on the field...this week, we had 2 too many.

And just like that, after my Vols are celebrating on the field....we're celebrating in the bar...that stupid yellow flag comes back to bite us in the butt. 13 men on defense is the call. LSU gets the ball back with 0.00 seconds left on the clock. They punch it in the endzone....just like that LSU's celebrating in the endzone.

This is all I have to say to my Vols. I will have your back no matter what, as long as you give your all for Tennessee. I know we're young & thin, but I need a field general to step up and lead. I need one of you to step up and challenge your teammates. If there missing their assignments, not tackling, not giving their all...you need to make them play to their potential!

Where are my old school, hard nosed football players? Sometimes I feel like you have to walk on cupcakes around this team...it's a tough sport, I need tough minded players.