50 yard line seats

I could tell you the long story about how I ended up on the 3rd row, half-court at the NCAA Tournament on Friday night.  As you know, I'd pretty much go to anything but when Ohio University is playing Michigan in the NCAA Tournament...it's a win-win.  Especially when #13 OU beat #4 Michigan. Sweet, sweet Victory.

Pictures say it best for this one!

Half Court seats baby!

OU cheerleaders

Yes, my dad took a picture of me a D-love on TV... (embarassing)

Ohio wins 65-60!

My boy, Cooper (#5...of course)

Such a great time!!!

Kicking a ball can't be that hard...right?

When I first decided to move somewhere that I didn't know a soul, I promised myself I would give every opportunity a try.  No matter what.  So.....I'm now on a co-ed kickball team. (Somewhere my mom just fell off her chair laughing.)

At my previous work place if someone had asked me to be on the kickball team, I would have rolled my eyes, laughed under my breath and said, "Um, absolutely not."  [Something important to keep in mind here is that I was NEVER asked to be on the kickball team.  It was this ridiculous secret society and I think you had to actually give a vile of your blood to be asked onto the team.  No thanks.]

But Nashville Natalie can't say no when someone asks her to do something that involves co-eds, fun, drinking and just general having something "to do."

Look for me in about a month - I'll be the one on crutches with a hot pink cast on my arm (or leg, or ankle, you pick).

The last time I did something "sporty" I fell off a swing-set and ended up in this wheelchair.
(c. 1989)

Too bad they don't have grown-up Pom squads
(c. 2001)

Lost in Space

Sometimes I have a love-hate relationship with Nashville.  My "hate" is usually in the form of me being lost or something to do with the (lack of) driving skills of Tennessee drivers.

I seem to sometimes forget that I don't 100% know my way around here. I guess it's a result of living in the same city for practically my entire life.  I never had the problem of walking out the door and not knowing where to go.  I basically knew how to get everywhere in Richmond.  And the places I didn't know, I could figure out.  [Note to self: Always double check where I'm going before I leave the house.]

In the last 5 days, I have been lost in East Nashville 3 times.  I've basically wasted a whole tank of gas being lost in East Nashville.  Making the same wrong turns each time.  I LOVE East Nashville (think Carytown meets The Fan meets Church Hill - Cute old houses, awesome restaurants, a little sketchy)  It's awesome.  I just need to flipping figure out how to get there and how to get around there.

Last night I FINALLY went to dinner at Rose Pepper, a Mexican restaurant in East Nashville that EVERYONE had been to except for me.  The first thing out of everyone's mouth when I told them I was going here was, "You have to get a margarita."  First of all, I drink margaritas for a living, so uh yeah, I'm going to order a margarita regardless.  But yes, they're amaaaaaazing here.  ah-ma-zing.  Second thing out of everyone's mouth is "You have to get the queso."  You must not know me.  Queso and I are besties.  But there is some sort of crack they must put in it at Rose Pepper.  Delish!

Allison & Draper outside of Rose Pepper in East Nashy

We followed dinner with drinks at a new'ish bar called 308.  You'd probably drive by and never stop in, but it's a cool bar with fancy drinks.  Definitely will go again.

& no Friday night is complete without stopping in mid-town.  Sometimes it's SO FUN living in a "College town."  Except for when I find myself standing in line to get in a bar called "Losers."  That's when it's time for this granny to go home.

Sometimes I pretend I'm in college again. Thanks, Vandy!

Nashville, I really do love you.

The Devil in the Junior League

A couple of years ago my mom read a book called "The Devil in the Junior League."  I think she was secretly trying to push me towards never joining any Junior League.

Whoopsie.

I'm officially a provisional member of the Nashville Junior League.  I'm looking into getting "letter shirts" made for my new adult sorority.

Really people, it IS all about volunteerism.  I swear.  (Well, that and paying for friends.  How else do you expect me to meet people?!?) :)

"We must be up inside the Cyclone!"

Oh, Dorothy.  You have taught me so much & I continue to learn from you each day!

March 1 brings me face-first into Tornado season in the "Mid-South."  I'm scared to death of tornadoes.  That's all I'm going to say.

Anderson Cooper is in town to report live tomorrow from the (expected) wreckage.  Schools have closed for the day in preparation for the storm.

Here we go!