Thanksgiving & Football Fun

Robert and I spent Thanksgiving up in Knoxville this year.  We decided to let Auburn's football schedule determine where we would spend the holiday.  The years that Auburn plays in Auburn after Thanksgiving, we'll stay in Atlanta so it's a shorter drive. 

We got up to Knoxville Wednesday night, with enough time for me to make the pumpkin pies.  Robert was downstairs with my Dad, which I made the comment that it was probably better because he doesn't enjoy being around me in the kitchen.  I like to take my time and enjoy the experience, he just wants to get it done.  Well it was probably good that he was downstairs, because not 5 minutes after me making the comment to my mom and sister about our kitchen time, this happens...

It was everywhere-but gave us all a good laugh!  Me in the kitchen is always an interesting experience!

Thursday morning Robert and I sucker my sisters Michelle and Karen into doing an 8k with us in downtown Knoxville.  It was a fairly easy course, so I decided to make my goal time 47 minutes.  I slacked off a bit with my training for this run, so I figured a 9:30 min mile should be doable.  And of course I always want to beat Robert when possible (since I did beat him in the Peachtree Road Race 10K).  Michelle and Karen walked, which Karen beat Michelle by a 100th of a second.  And me beating Robert...

887 Katie Stachler 46:39
888 Robert Stachler 46:57

We actually didn't have a great run.  We both started entirely too fast and ended up wearing ourselves out.  By mile 3 we were on an 8:30 pace, which was great but didn't last much longer.  I caught up to Robert (we never run together, which I am just fine with), and he wasn't feeling that great so I walked with him for a little bit.  We were going to all take a picture together, but after sitting in the car for 40 minutes back to my parents house all we wanted to do was shower.

Friday we watched the Auburn vs. Alabama game at my parent's house in the Dougherty Pub.  What a great game!!  Robert was starting to give up hope that we would win, so we did a seat change switch at half time (Billy and I normally do a shaker switch when things are going poorly).  We were convinced that it was the game changing play.  Ok, probably not but we'll keep thinking it.

Auburn Grads
(not sure what's on the lense...snow?)

All in all, it was a great Thanksgiving weekend!  Hope yours was as well!

Phoenix



Just before the race began.  Our Valvoline client
and our Teacher of the Year.



So, what have I been doing this past week?  Let me share some pictures with you.  While I don't enjoy watching the car laps, I found the behind the scenes of NASCAR to be much more interesting.

The whole purpose of going out to Phoenix was to award a teacher who is involved with our Valvoline program as the Valvoline/ASE Teacher of the Year.  There was an award ceremony Wednesday night, but we flew the teacher and his wife out early to treat them to the race. 








Pit Stop for Matt Kenseth
#17 Valvoline car



Carl Edwards, who won, is on the Roush-Fenway team.  Valvoline is a sponsor of Roush-Fenway, so we were able to go down into Victory Lane.  It was certainly a zoo, but really interesting to be apart of. 



Gatorade Victory Lane
at Phoenix International Raceway

















Carl Edwards in Victory Lane



They are quite organized in Victory Lane with their pictures.  When they first got in there, all the crew members and Carl threw feathers because their sponsor was AFLAC.  (If you look at the confetti sticking to the walls, they were actually baby hammers and wrenches.  Something that I would have never known if I wasn't there.)  And then for the next few minutes someone yells a sponsor and they all switch their hats, hold up a #1 with their finger and smile.  We actually did get to take a picture with Carl, but the official photographer took those.   

My boss and I in front of the trophy

The highlight of my trip was going to Chino Bandido.  I absolutely love Diners, Drive Ins and Dives on Food Network-so while we were there we decided to look up a place to try.  Certainly a dive, but oh so good.  I got the carnitas, jade red chicken, jerk fried rice and refried beans.  I wish I took a picture of it, but I dove right in as soon as it got in front of me!   

I'm a slacker, what can I say?

So remember in my last post I said how work is really crazy right now-yeah that would be why I haven't posted in awhile.  It's been so hectic that there are many days I don't even get on Facebook-not even for a second.  Shocking, I know!  So let me fill you in on what's been going on in our lives over the next few posts.


Halloween weekend Robert and I did a road trip with his parents to the Ole Miss Game.  This picture (take with Emily's fabulous camera) is the ONLY picture that was taken all weekend.  Actually, no that is not true.  It's the only one I care to share.  Let me begin...


The car ride starts off wonderfully, we hit to road at AIS (*ss in seat-a term commonly used in the Dougherty household) and make great time.  I was actually a bit nervous because this was going to be the first trip that it was just Robert and I and his parents- usually Robert's siblings are with us.  So, we're just outside of Birmingham when I decide to show Robert's dad the "hide ya kids, hide ya wife" video on my iPhone.  Apparently the last video that I was watching on there is the Natalie Portman sketch from SNL.  (If you aren't familiar with this video, just Google "Natalie Portman, SNL" I don't take responsibly for the horrible language).  Yeah, so that disclaimer I just gave you...I click on the youtube app and that comes up BLARRING.  I am telling you, I could not have gotten the video to start where it did had I planned it.  Let's just say some lovely words were said and I was called out for horrible language and my poor selection of "music."  Well shoot...good thing I'm already married into the family!!


We get into Oxford Friday afternoon and drive around campus for a little bit before heading to the square to get some dinner.  It was only about 5 when we got to the square so we decide to take a quick look around and then head to Ajax for dinner.  When we started our loop around, Ajax was empty.  By the time we made it back around 30 mins later, there was a good 30 min wait.  But I'm so glad we waited, because the food was delicious!  We're still talking about it weeks later!  After that we head to our lodging for the weekend-a cabin at a state park 30 minutes east of Oxford.


The cabin was actually great.  Sadly it had a nicer TV than Robert and I own, and had cable.  It was on a point of a lake, so the view was spectacular and the park was actually really nice.  We decide to call it a night early since we would have a long day of tailgating the next day.  Oh the next day...  I had noticed while getting ready for bed that the toilet was flushing slowly and a plunger was next to the toilet, and I thought in my head that it probably wasn't a good sign.  So Saturday morning roles around and I'm the 2nd person to get in the shower.  I notice that the toilet is now not flushing at all but I jump in the shower and decide to give it some time and deal with it after.  Well I get the plunger and start plunging, and plunging, and plunging.  It. wasn't. working.  So I go get Robert and see if he has any ideas.  His idea...for me to keep plunging while he takes a picture.  And then to get another one when his dad tries.  Yes, those were the only 2 pictures we actually took that weekend.  We ended up getting it fixed, but certainly wasn't the way we expected to start our morning!


Those would be the highlights of the weekend...it really was a lot of fun, and of course always better when Auburn wins!


Tomorrow I hop on a plane to Phoenix right at the beginning of the AU vs. UGA game.  I have to go out there for work and will be attending yet another NASCAR race (I never thought I would be able to say I've been to 3 different races...Bristol, 'Dega, and Phoenix).  We're hoping to go to atleast one Diner, Drive-in, and Dive location so I should have some good stories soon!  Maybe I won't wait a month to post again...  

Friday's Five

So I tested this week's Friday five from my iPhone and email it to post.  Apparently it didn't work, so here is what I wrote on Friday.


Girls night: Wednesday I got together with my Atlanta girls for dinner. It was absolutely fabulous- great food and great friends! We all met at Tin Lizzy's, which we planned a month in advance b/c we all have such crazy schedules. We need to do it more often...especially since our numbers are going down. Originally there were 7 of us from auburn. Em D left for grad school and now is having fun adventures in Boston. Katie Davis Miers moved to nashvegas this summer for her hubby's promotion. And now nattie light is leaving us for b'ham and a great new job. :(

Auburn: I'm currently in the car on our way down to auburn, surprise surprise I know! This week is a tad different b/c my family will be coming down-minus the brother- for our annual family tailgate. It should be a lot of fun!!!

Work: Work is crazy busy right now! Hence why I've slacked the last 2 weeks on actually posting on Friday! The valvoline program I work on is currently taking up my time as I prepare certificates for the kids that took the test. In addition to that I was given my own program to manage. It's very small but I'm really excited about it!

13.1: I've decided to for sure do a half marathon in march! It's still a little way out, but I'm pumped! I've wanted to run one since college but have always talked myself out of it. Well no more!! I'm not going for any record setting times but would like to at least run the entire time. Maybe as it gets closer I'll set a time goal. The longest distance I've ever run was 8 miles...what's another 5 miles, right???

Sweetest day: did you know that tomorrow is sweetest day? What is sweetest day, you ask? It's a Midwest holiday-similar to valentine's day that you give someone who is sweet a small gift. The first time I celebrated sweetest day was with Katie Davis miers and Billy back in college. He bought me a lottery ticket so I could buy an Oscar de la renta dress and KDM a javy Lopez baseball card. Sadly I can't remember how or why we actually celebrated it, but I've been doing it ever since. Billy filled Robert in when we first started dating...he gave me a giant bag of sweedish fish and an atlanta atlas because I liked to get lost in Atlanta and go on "adventures"

Friday's (late) Five

Yup, I realize that I slacked off this week...sorry about that!

Robert's Birthday- Robert's birthday was last Thursday and we had 2 full days of celebrations.  Wednesday night we went up to his parent's house to celebrate with his family while his brother was in town.  Thursday we actually had a softball game, so we celebrated after with the team over some Mexican food.  I got him a new gameday shirt for his birthday since he didn't get a new one this year.  I was quite nervous on Saturday because I knew that if Auburn didn't win, I wouldn't see the shirt again for a game this season.  Good thing they won!!

Football- How exciting is it that ALABAMA LOST TO SOUTH CAROLINA!!!  I hate Alabama with a passion-they are the only SEC team that I can never route for.  I almost felt bad for their Freshman kicker, almost.  And thank goodness Auburn pulled off the win on Saturday!  They better get it together for Arkansas!

Softball- Robert and I joined yet another softball team, this one on Sunday afternoons.  The one we are currently playing on is almost over-we have 1 rain out to make up and then 2 weeks of playoffs.  The Sunday team is actually for a guy we played with over a year ago who called out of the blue to ask us to play with them again.  No one is the same from the team when we played with them before.  We had a double header yesterday and won 1 game and lost the 2nd.  Robert was 1 base short of getting the series (a single, double, triple, and homerun).  He actually could have made it home on his last triple but the 3rd base coach stopped him. 

Mario Brother's- Last week as a treat we decided to buy Super Mario Brothers for the Wii.  I'm a little addicted sadly.  The game is a combination of all the old ones from the oringal systems but so much fun.  I tend to get mad at my characters and have a potty mouth with them, which Robert gets a kick out of for some reason.  :)

RIP Dean Foy- The Auburn family lost a great man on Saturday.  Dean Foy passed away in his sleep Friday night/Saturday morning.  I was lucky enough to meet him on a few occassions and he was such a sweet man.  Truly loved Auburn and what the definition of the Auburn spirit really is. 

Braves vs. Phillies

As I mentioned on Friday, my parents and Michelle came down to Atlanta to go the Braves vs. Phillies game.  We all met at the condo since it was the most central location.  I walk out in the hall to greet Michelle and the parents and find them ALL were Phillies garabage.  We hung out for a little while-Karen, Jamie, and Michelle hadn't seen the condo since we repurposed the main room-and then headed down to Turner Field.  Robert was our resident chef at the tailgate by cooking up onions, peppers, and brats.  The Braves ended up winning, and the Giants beat the Padres (not to be confused with the cubbies, who they were playing earlier last week and I thought they were still playing over the weekend).  Which means, the Braves are in the playoffs with the NL Wild Card!  They most likely won't go further than that-I would be shocked actually if they did.  They have a bunch of injuried players right now and I really don't think they can last very long.  I'll still be cheering for them of course!

Friday's Five

1. HS Football- Tonight we are going to the St. Pius X game (Robert's HS) with his parents.  I've been bugging Robert for 2 years about wanting to go to a game.  We finally found a weekend that they are playing at home and we aren't in Auburn.  I loved going to HS football games when I was living in Dothan; Emily and I went to 3 or 4 of them together.  For a pregame meal tonight we're going to a Cuban Restaurant that is supposed to be delicious (insert Fergie's song "D to the E to the L-I-C-I-O-U-S).  Robert and his parents have been before, but this is my first time. 

2. Braves Game- I know this is one of last week's 5, but we're going to the Braves vs. Phillies game on Sunday.  The weather is supposed to be absolutely perfect!  Although the Phillies already clinched the NL East, Atlanta is still in the running for the Wild Card.  We need the Cubies to beat up on the Padres to help our cause if we can't win against the Phillies.  Every game this weekend is standing room only, so hopefully it will be a good game!

3. Feelin' Hot, Hot, Hot- I accidentally ate a Habanero pepper this week.  Robert made some amazing pork in the crock pot with onions and peppers.  One of the peppers he added was a Habanero pepper.  If you aren't familiar with these little demons, let me inform you.  My first experience with one was about a year or 2 ago when Robert was making chili.  They look so small and cute:

And I even make the comment that they are so small and cute and couldn't be that hot.  So Robert cuts off a small sliver and I put it in my mouth.  The SECOND it touches my tongue I immediately spit it out on the floor and go to the sink to run cold water in my mouth.  The burning doesn't stop for a good 5 minutes while Robert is laughing hysterically at me. 
Fast forward to Wednesday night when we are enjoying the pulled pork, onions and peppers as nachos.  The moment I took a bite of this chip my mouth was on fire, and then my throat, and then my stomach.  I could honestly still feel it burning.  We didn't have any milk, so I'm eating plain sour cream to make the burning go away.  Lesson learned, look more closely if Habanero peppers are involved.

4. Fall- The fall weather is finally arriving!  Its so nice to walk to the car after work and not be sweating by the time you get to the car.  I'm trying to talk Robert into carving a pumpkin, but it would have to live at his parents' house since we don't have a porch or balcony.  I suggested the ledge outside of our windows.  Imagine the surprise of someone downstairs if it took a tumble from the 8th floor! 

5. Crafty- Last year my sisters and I decided to make our Christmas gifts for one another.  It went over pretty well and out of the deal I got 2 blankets and some super cute napkin holders. (Yes 2 blankets, although they won't admit it Karen and Michelle think a lot alike and both made the blankets that you tie the ends together.) Well we decided to do this again this year.  I've been looking a lot at etsy.com this week for some inspiration on gift ideas.  If anyone has any ideas, let me know!!