My Top 10 Moments from 2011: We're Gonna Finish This Thing!

We-e-e-ll.  Now that I've brushed the chicken INTO my dog's teeth (Hank the Wonder Pup's toothpaste is poultry flavored) and brushed the chicken OUT of my teeth (leftover smoked wings from 'The Slick Pig' per last night's football-inspired menu), I figure I'd best wrap up this whole top 10 list endeavor before it fries my obsessive brain.  There's a whole host (just how much is a WHOLE host as opposed to a PARTIAL host, anyway?) of topics ping-ponging around in my skull, not so patiently waiting their turn to appear in this here blog.  But until I put this particular topic to rest, its brethren and sisters (I don't recall a female-gender equivalent and siblings seemed too easy) are left to talk amongst themselves.  In MY head, mind you!  It's become rather noisy in there.

So.  I last exhausted your eyes with a slew of pictures and captions from the minor tornado that almost wasn't.  (There was some question as to it being a microburst as opposed to an official tornado.  However, the path of tree destruction evidenced around town finally convinced the deciding powers that be.)

Coming in at #5 is . . . . drum roll, please . . . keep it coming . . . one more rat-a-tat-tat . . . OUR FAMILY TRIP TO FLORIDA last spring, courtesy of my husband's company.

#5.  Florida Trip:
Jimmy and I rode bicycles down picturesque paths and trails to nowhere . . .

Jimmy fished with his son.




And though he wasn't at home, still Jimmy waited on me . . . and looked rather cute in the process.

And evidently I looked rather cute after all that waiting, too!

Jimmy went to the beach.

Jimmy got a bit silly with his family.

Jimmy golfed.

Jimmy danced.

Jimmy bonded with his boss

(the gentleman on the far right).

Jimmy reluctantly tried a cigar.

And because Jimmy had SUCH a great time . . . 

Jimmy slept all the way home.

If this was Jimmy's blog, our trip would have been his #1 through #10!  I think he needs to take another trip to Florida.  Fortunately, we have one planned for May to celebrate the graduation of his one and only niece (on his side of the family).  Stay tuned for those adventures . . . 

Moving on to #4 in my countdown: the rare visitors to our home throughout the year.

#4.  Precious Visitations:

kicking off with the eldest of my mother's 8 children, my big brother: Kevin!  I hadn't seen him since my son, now 16 1/2, was 10 months old and first walked on Kevin's driveway.

With him was wife, Julie (a true horse woman and sweet gal), her sister (a very good sport), and my niece (and only ONE of his two daughters) Sheila.

But I'm fairly certain that right after she put the smack down on Cousin Zachary, Sheila said she'd bring her sister, Micah, here to see us!

If she forgets, I'll lure her back with promises of that good ol' Tennessee BBQ she enjoyed so much.

Because we need Micah to complete THIS picture!

Jimmy's cousin, Josephine, and her hubby, Chuck, drove here from Colorado with 4 of their 7 kids, to kick off the summer and swell our paltry family ranks on this side of the mighty Mississippi!

They took downtown Nashville by storm!

Even turning a bit native in the process . . . 

Jose is a wonderful mom, and I admire her greatly.

Chuck wrestled -- and quite well -- in high school.  He couldn't help but bond with Zachary by teaching him a few moves to start off his first year of wrestling.

One of their daughters felt an especially strong affection for my #3 on this list.

It was a rare opportunity for them to watch their cousin, Jimmy's bro, Phil Valdez, play a gig with Daryle Singletary at a Broadway venue and soak up the famed night life of Nashville.

Live and in the flesh! 

The good times rarely stopped.

Yes, the Jack Daniels Distillery Tour was checked off their list.  Their youngest boy paid strict attention to our character of a tour guide.

Before they left, Chuck and Jose prepared homemade sopapilla burgers for ALL of us.

We almost didn't let them return to Colorado!

My statuesque niece, daughter of my elder sister, stopped in for an overnight visit twice: on her way TO Florida and an on her way FROM Florida.

She's 6 feet tall.  I think I may be checking to see if I'm on my tippy toes!

Her two best buds from college were with her.



Brother John showed up in a rare solo appearance though he was so attached to his fancy-schmancy iPad, I'm not sure he was alone!?

 And YES, he did manage to get me to attend a Broncos VS Titans game!

He visited the main attractions in Chattanooga.

Swapped technology info with Jimmy.

Had himself a fine nap at his mama's place.

And left his sister and Tennessee for warmer climates out West . . . one more time.

And who can forget the unexpected birthday present of the Peterson Boys and their dad, my Uncle Zopie-Zan-Zoa? I certainly can't.  He named me . . . 

And he has some rather peculiar habits . . .

He's quite handy with power tools . . . 

He's kind to dogs . . . 

As are his sons . . . 

. . . . 

And whenever he's ready to return -- we'd love to have Wife Stacy along next time -- we're ready to be again regaled, amused and entertained!

The tension is palpable as I push you into the top 3 of my countdown.  Whatever could they be?!  WHOever could they be?  If you've stuck with me and clicked your way tirelessly through the pictures, you probably caught the overt hint as to the next contestant.  Still need a clue?  Does "white" and "wondrous" help?  How about "neuter" or "de-worm"?  Catching on now.  Wait.  One more, with a wink and a nod to Tennessee's musical heritage: Bocephus?  I'll let you off the hook.

IN THE NEXT ENTRY.  Sorry folks.  I thought I could do it but I've got a date with the couch at my mom's tonight.  And a television appointment with the first official show to kick off the Oscar season: the Golden Globes.  The clock is a'tickin'.  Forgive me.  I promise you that this painful personal homage to my 2011 is nearing an end.

Go get a drink of water and settle in for a good night's sleep before Monday slams into you!