Preview: Road Trippin: #3 Tri Syle

ok, so I realize I'm going all kinds of out of order, but we got this email of triathlon (which I always spell triathlong.....subliminal much?) pics while at work, where as our "Road Trippin: #2 Indy Race Car Style" and the official photographer of the triathlon (thanks mom!) pics are not at work.

We'll call it a sneak preview. There's part of me that thinks it's wrong to post these bootleg pics, but the other part is proud to advertise? Yes I realize that with Mac's pics you are getting the full tri-fecta, but look at my smile! I promise I wasn't smiling after the swim. And when running I looked like one of those pics where you're shaking your head trying to make it look like you're being punched/flappin in the wind. oh wait, you don't ever do that? hmmm. just trust me on this one. Official race pics....you know, the kind you don't have to pay for, will be coming next week. After "Road Trippin: #4 Sparkle City Style"

Road Trippin: #1 Beach style

So as we mentioned (ages ago) we started our fall o'fun out right. In the summer! At the beach! with lots of besties! And their BOYS! We missed Amy, but we still managed to have a great time?!?! And her husband Ross really represented. He challenged me to a celebrity dual. (Who is this guy?!?!) It was riveting for our fans! And Matt, the newest to the gang, who has recently cemented his spot with some major BLING, brought cornhole! Until corn started falling out of the holes in the bags, this could have been considered a fave part of the whole trip (as well as getting to meet Matt of course)! There was good weather to sun, run, and play on the beach. And dreary weather where you could only play! Small group conversations and big group fun. We feel so blessed by these friendships and that we as individuals, couples, and a group can grow and change and yet still fit. It's so special to create new memories with old friends.

Things We Like: Baby Casts!

Ok so it might be a bit on the rude side to say we heart baby casts, but it would also be lying if the mere mention of it didn't conjure up images of Kathryn's dog Belle's hot pink cast. Puppy casts and baby casts. And now we present our super tough nephew, baby Trey!Just look at him. He doesn't even have to dress up for the ECU game this weekend. He could just wave in the air! But I would love to see a pic of him with his cast and his UNC jersey.....hint hint! Apparently Trey often goes up to Betsy, lifts his mini arm and shows her the cast. As in "Ok, let's take it off now" Yeah, you love this story! So sad/cute! How can I feel such conflicting emotions and why do I feel guilty when I want to hear more?!?!?! Perhaps Trey is just trying to make sure we notice him, seeing as his new brother Tyler (Hansbrough) "Ty" (won Lawson) Banks Thomas will be here any day! We notice you baby Trey and think you and your baby cast are awesome!

Love you Trey and hope that you are doing push-ups in no time!

PS I just noticed he was carrying around a Sharpie. So we can all sign his cast!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where Are They Now: Kit Keller

Reader Molly felt we had overshadowed younger sis Kit with the lengthy write up on Dottie. But fear not. We have found Lori Petty! And as with many youngest children (think more of Mac's childhood than my own), she is up to no good! Poot Kit. I can't really say where she's been. And at this rate, I don't care much for where she's going. Another all too familiar Hollywood DUI.

Maybe this lil sis was actually hoping to go unnoticed?

Things We Like: Free Chick-fil-a

So perhaps I was a bit spoiled in college living with a certain roommate, who by college age, as can be expected, was decent at forging her mom's signature and therefore being able to void the expiration date on all Chick-fil-a coupons. You see, her parents own not 1, but 2 Chick-fil-as!!! Pretty soon the campus Chick-fil-a grew tired of said roommate and her 7 (unnamed and unpictured on this blog) other roommates and stopped allowing use of the trusty coupons. But take this Lenoir!

"Chick-fil-A Kicks Off 2009 College Football Season with FREE Chicken Sandwich Giveaway, Interactive Website for Fans"

I myself will be on a 9 hour road trip in the....wait for it....Midwest! But nothing yells football like the midwest? And nothing makes me want to wear a UNC tee like being that close to Detroit. If only now I can find me a Chick-fil-a..............

Things We Like: Fantasy Football

Recently my friend Hartley said "You guys go to a lot of football games." I'm pretty sure Mac would disagree. But my response was "We try to be fair." And we do. To a point that probably pains Mac and shames me as a Republican. Either way this year we will go to 1 UNC football game. And 1 Texas A&M football game. One could say "But didn't you go to 2 Final Four's?" And to that I say. When you're good, you're good. Yikes, I've just isolated readers. And I haven't even gotten to the part where I mention UNC's pre-season ranking #20 (and though I pressed "Ctrl-F" I didn't see A&M on the list. Maybe I was looking at the wrong list?) Maybe these razzing blogs won't have the positive effect on my blog or home life that I was looking for? I just keep thinking, if I harass him enough, he'll post. I think they say that in "Field of Dreams". I'm greatly anticipating a blog coup.

Newho, most guys think they would do anything to have their wife more interested in sports. To understand why they need to watch games. All day. Sat. Sun. and that's just the fall! But here's the catch. Guys want girls to understand why they need to. Not to join in!

And here's why.

Mac has been involved in a Fantasy Football league since 2002. I have been putting UNC winning my bball pool since 2003. And that's the source of our conflict. Though I might try to hang with the guys. I'm still a girl. If I got my pick. I'd pick Jack Delhome. And just pray he doesn't throw five interceptions when it matters. I don't like the way he looks in the Bojangles cape. But I wish they showed the commercials on my tv! (And I wish I lived closer to a Bojangles.) I always pick with my heart. A somewhat researched heart. But still in the end. The heart wins. One time my heart led me all the way to the pool money. And to me that just made sense!

So far Mac has chosen to keep DeAngelo Williams as his "keeper". Ok, maybe I'm also a tad rusty on fantasy terminology. But he's keeping a Panther. He says it's bc he looked at the cheat sheet. But I think he's just following his heart.

Oh the little refresh button on the iPhone will be tired on Sundays. But I can't wait to write about me and the Panthers.......at the Super Bowl! It could happen! Not sure who is less likely to make it me or them. But I'm practicing dreaming big. And if Carolina accidentally makes it to the Rose Bowl. To keep it fair. We'll sit this one out.

REALLY?!?! Lucky Number 19

So the Duggar family has announced they are expecting their 19th child. But if I was honest. This isn't the part I'm shocked about. I mean, once you've had 18. What's another? I like to think once you've passed 3 they don't all fit in the same car, so really 4+ is all the same. One word: expensive. I have heard that some people like to have three kids. So dad can hold one. Mom can hold one. And then they just have to figure out what to do with the third one. Not that the first child doesn't test your faith enough, but I always like this. Being the third child and all.

One thing I don't like is when people mispronounce my name. The name is Jul-ie. I don't care if it defies proper grammar or if it's tough on the Southern drawl (unless you're my mom, cause then you named me, and you can say it however). And reader James I realize this might lead you to call me Jul-e. Like a trash collecting cartoon. And another thing I'm not is Julia. Which my ninth grade PE teacher could never grasp. The whole year. A lot of times people ask me if my real name is Julia and people just call me Julie. And I do know at least 2 people where this is the case. But what is that? A nick name? Cause it's not shorter. And really my face is so scrunchy even typing this that I just have to let this one go.

But all in all. Here's the shocker. Duggar family. You have put out a plea on People.com for America to help you name your 19th kid. You who named your 6th child Jinger. WITH A J! I realize you're going for a "J" name. And I know I've listed some current complaints with mine. But COME ON!!!! J-U-L-I-E! It's that easy. Have your people call my people. But remember. It's Jul-ie.

**The above post is dedicated to my loving husband. Who thinks I'm wrong. But if I post it on the blog. Really, what can he do? He might have won the blogger Jennifer Aniston debate. But I clearly know my own name!**