Paulette is a Grandma! - Boy is she old!

Owen Harris Maynord

Born July 26, 2011

11:40 AM

6 pounds 1 ounce

19 3/4 inches long

Robin & I drove to Cookeville last night to see this precious little boy named Owen; Caitlin and Brandon were so excited, and were doing GREAT with him. Of course, Grandma Paulette couldn't put him down. She was able to pull away from him for just a few minutes so Robin and I could hold him. I haven't held a baby in over 20 years I think; he was so little, and made all these faces. Thank goodness Paulette was sitting next to me, because at any moment I thought he was going to start crying. He didn't cry though!

I got to see the nursery, and Brandon & Caitlin's house. It was so beautiful! Clothes and more clothes for Owen; I hope he gets to wear them all. Robin and I took them a "Snowball" plant with a blue bloom; I just had to get that plant, Paulette always corrects me on the name. It's really a "Hydrangea" plant. Poor Paulette; does she know that I just like to harass her? Maybe? The sweetest gift that I saw (besides Owen) was a ruby/diamond ring that Brandon had gotten Caitlin; it was a push gift, and the ruby is Owens birth stone. The diamonds are Brandon's birthstone! Two for one; it's so sweet that Brandon thought of that, and it was completely beautiful. Paulette and John raised an amazing son; I have no doubt that Caitlin and Brandon will raise an amazing son!

Congratulations Maynord Family!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

See Mom, I remembered your birthday! I found this picture; it's the exact way I want to remember you, a smile on your face and a Pepsi in your hand. Boy, you liked those Pepsi's almost as you liked all your kids. Wendy, Robin and I were lucky to have you as a Mom; Debbie and Kris were lucky to have you as a Mamaw, you were a GREAT Mom and Mamaw.

Happy Birthday Mom (July 24th); we love you!

Skate of the Union Address - Predators Fan Day 7-13-11

I receive the Predators newsletter weekly, and last week I noticed there was going to be a Predator's Fan Day open to the public on July 13 from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. My life has been a little stressful lately; I needed some shopping therapy and fun. Thank goodness Paulette was up for this adventure. We both got off work, and planned the day.

We met at Cracker Barrel at 8 a.m.; Paulette ordered 2 eggs, bacon, granola, yogurt, and a blueberry muffin. Of course, I had to be like my friend Paulette and said "I'll have the same". Well, it was nutritious with protein, carbs, fiber and surely something else. It did last until 1 p.m. when we had lunch.

We parked and got to the Predator's arena at about 9:45 a.m., there were a few people there, but not too many. When they opened the doors at exactly 10 a.m. we saw all these people running to get in line for something. We ran to the sidewalk sale at the Pro Shop instead; it was amazing, shirts for $5, hats for $5, bags for $20. Boy, I racked up on a few Christmas presents and a few items for me.

After that we found out why people were in line; it was the used equipment sale, and it didn't start until 11:30 a.m. It was 10:30 a.m., but Paulette and I took turns going to get free Cola drinks at the pizza place. Free drinks and Free popcorn all day long. AWESOME! While standing in line, Paulette had to go to the ladies room. She left me in line to hold our place; while she was gone the line started moving, and only season ticket holders could go in. I'm not a season ticket owner; boy did I panic, but the line stopped four people from the door. They were only letting fifty people in at a time; thank goodness Paulette made it back to the line once she found where I was. I purchased a hockey stick used by GOC and a Predator's long sleeve new shirt that Reebok had made for the team. Only forty dollars, Paulette purchased a hockey stick and shirt. John (Paulette's husband) loved his hockey stick.

It was lunch time now; we didn't have to be back to the arena until 2:30 p.m.; that's when we needed to be back to get the Predator's Dancers and Skaters autographs for Paulette's husband. Merchants is where we ate lunch; we had fried green tomato sandwiches and fries. It was a swanky place with the water already on the table within a glass bottle. The food was excellent, it was a little pricey, but was worth going. Nice employees; I would go back, but probably not often.

Then it was onto the tour of the locker room at 4 p.m.; we road the elevator down one floor, and we got to go through their locker room, lounge, play room and weight room. It concluded at the rink where Paulette and I got paws painted on our face and took a few pictures.

Next it was to go stand in line for the hockey player autographs; the line was wrapped around the arena, and it was suppose to start at 4:30 p.m. It didn't, at 5 p.m. they were not there yet due to an interview. Paulette and I were tired, so we decided to skip out on the autograph session. They only had an hour to sign autographs; we were so far back in line, I don't know if we would have made it. So, we got a picture and autograph from Gnash the mascot. He was ridding a scooter.

We went and bought a t-shirt with their new logo on it, and then started walking back to the car admiring all the buildings along the way. Their new Jerseys would be reviled that night at 6 p.m. at the Skate of the Union Address; the new logo had a yellow stripe though the predator head, and it had some additional features. Musical notes, keyboard, guitar pick with the Tennessee logo of three stars within it. They had a yellow and a white jersey for the 2011 & 2012 season.

There was a card board cut out of the player TooToo right where we were leaving; we both took a picture by it, and Paulette had to tell someone close by that she almost had to hurt someone at a game due to the fact they kept blowing their whistle when TooToo came on the ice. I so am getting her a TooToo whistle for Christmas!

Good Things Happen on the 4th of July 2011

I am proud to be an American; I don't know how proud I am of my neighbors shooting fireworks off until 11:30 p.m. when I have to go to work the next day, but I'll be a good neighbor and be happy they had fun. Probably will rethink that decision when I have to get up early in the morning though.

I did have a fun 4th of July weekend this year!

1. Robin found my favorite wine at a local liquor store; it's from the Mountain Valley Winery close to the Smokies, and it's called Country Red. Tastes just like grape juice.
2. Jim mixed some champagne with a peach mix that you freeze; it was completely delicious, and I still have some.

*I didn't drink that much!

3. My Aunt came to stay with us for a couple of days, and we got along for the most part. :-)
4. Went to "Franklin on the 4th"; there were crafts/vendors around the square downtown in Franklin, TN, and we walked/shopped for a while (It was a little hot!). FUN!
5. My niece Debbie called; I got to talk to her and her son Grady, made the whole weekend the best. Her husband Mike may have a job offer close to Las Vegas; glad she is doing well, and boy do I miss her. We're getting matching tattooes when I go visit her; Robin says I will chicken out.

Hope everyone had an AWESOME July 4th like I did!