Holiday Flurry

The holidays have come and gone in a flurry. Suddenly the presents are all opened, the parties over, the Christmas tree down, and my oh my it is a new decade! In the midst of the holiday bussle I wrapped up employment at one law firm and have as of this week begun my first true attorney job at Nahon Saharovich and Trotz, a plaintiff's firm specializing in personal injury law. I'm currently immersed in training, and am already loving the office and awesome team environment that I'll be working in. But more of that for another post, and back to the holidays...

First off, we had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas with family in Knoxville. December 24th was spent with Trav's side of the family at Bib's house. There we ate dinner, exchanged gifts and even sang a little karaoke (including Redneck Woman with the Wake ladies). Later that same evening we headed to Sandy Love's house (see above photo) for the annual Love/Coffey/Spencer/Copeland Christmas Eve party. It was fun (as always) and complete with a Merry Christmas from the family sing-a-long and the requisite Earth Wind and Fire.

Christmas morning was spent with Dad, Betty, the syblings, my fabulous Granny Zelma, sweet Uncle Dick and his precious god-daughter CJ. We dined on the most incredible breakfast pizza (I need this recipe), sipped mimosas, then opened presents and our stockings (which Betty is a rock-star at assembling).

Next stop on the Christmas train was Mom and Gary's house for Christmas dinner and more presents. Things were a little out of the ordinary this year, however, because my sweet mother was recovering from hand surgery due to a laceration that had became infected about a week prior. Mom had to let go of orchestrating the event and turned things over to my step-dad Gary while she was in recovery. I must say that Gary did a great job cooking Christmas dinner with the help of Mr. Kennerly (and only a teensie bit of oversight from Fifi/Mom). We dined on goose, ham, and all sorts of other yummy sides. While opening gifts, Mom and Gary surprised me with a beautiful piece of artwork by Knoxville artist Robin Surber, the piece was personal to me and contains symbols of so many of the things that make up my new home with Travis.

After spending Christmas with my mom, we stopped by Granny Jewel and Pappy Ed's. Because of Granny Jewel's on-going sickness, they had been unable to come to mom and Gary's. Granny and Pappy were having a good day, and Granny has actually been able to walk short distances with assistance and some supervision. They opened their presents and we enjoyed hearing about life in the "old days" (of which I could never tire listening).

Christmas evening concluded at Trav's mom and dad's home in Halls. There we were able to spend some quality time with his immediate family by relaxing, catching up, and opening our stockings. Ruthie, David, and Trey are seriously the sweetest, most down-to-earth in-laws a girl could have, and I love how I can completely be myself with them.

The rest of Christmas break was spent sitting with my sweet mom as she continued to heal and one fun night out to celebrate Leighann's 27th b-day. We went out with Knoxville girls Julie and DeeDee, Stacy from Charleston (one of the funniest girl's I've ever met), and my bff and ex-roomie CJ - an awesome photog living in Atlanta. Dinner with them was at the not so sophisticated but ohhh sooooo good Wasabi - a little bit of a tradition for Leighs and I, when I'm in town. LA was thoroughly embarrased by our "Japanese" chef and yes they made her wear a hat while singing their birthday song.

We returned to Memphis the next day, and I finished up my final week at the old law firm. New Years was rang-in in Oxford with the Joiners, Pittmas, and Sarah Beth. We had reservations at 208, but over dinner I came down with some crazy nautia/sickness and had to leave before even eating my third course (and no I'm not prego). Thankfully, Trav consented to stay out and had a great time celebrating with everyone. He even had a celebrity siting (Joey Lauren Adams - think Chasing Amy or Big Daddy) at City Grocery.

I was definitely bummed that I missed the festivities (including most of my price fixed four course meal - grrrrrr), but ce'st la vie (and the grouper and cheese grits were just as tasty next day)... Thankfully whatever I had didn't last too long and I felt much better New Years day. The rest of the long weekend was spent at home catching up on some much needed R&R...before my first day at NST on Monday. The holidays were indeed a massive whirlwind, but such is life. And so begins 2010...