In all my down time and lack of trips, I thought it would be nice to get away for an extended weekend for a couple MSU ballgames. After checking fares and such, it made more sense to turn my weekend into a 'last single' weekend for the both of us on the gulf coast, then capped with a UK/MSU ballgame. The only thing that could have been better was the weather, miserably cold. After living for a year plus in London, weather doesn't phase us much.

We spent a couple days in New Orleans, ate great food (the service and food at Emeril's NOLA restaurant is top notch, it was a perfect Valentine Dinner), and managed to see a bit of the aquarium. Yep, we stayed in the Quarter and had a lot of fun on and around Bourbon Street for a night. We caught some good music and looked at some decent art and antique shops. Oh yeah, I was able to introduce Nikki to beignets at Cafe du Monde for an afternoon delight. So much fun packed into such a short time.

We stayed a couple nights in Biloxi, just to save on hotel costs. I can't say we had much luck gambling, but we did have some good entertaining and managed to find some good food.

Nikki left on Sunday and I headed up to Justin's place on Monday. After some more good food, setting some French doors for him, we were off to the game. It was great to get back to the MSU campus. So much has changed since the last time I was there (2002), wonder why it took me so long. The game was great until the end. I was proud of our team, but the fans left a little to be desired.

So that was our getaway trip. At least we know the next trip will be warm. Almost 2 weeks away.

The first month has came and almost went and I haven't posted anything. We have been busy planning our wedding, trips, and a reception. Even though we are getting married in a different country in front of 8 members of our family and friends, there has still been a lot of stuff to plan. But we'll get to all the little stuff in a bit. I can't believe we are only about 6 weeks away from being husband and wife.

So a recap of a few of the highlights and low lights of January. We missed out on the majority of messy stuff here in Charlotte, but we had a couple of inches. Coop has been enjoying the warmth of a good quilt at night.

I don't think our shelves in Charlotte looked as barren as the ones near Paris, TN before the storm.

As I said, it was icy enough in Charlotte.


We spent most of the month hunting for our rings and attire. I think we made decent choices on our rings.

We hope everyone has a great 2010. We believe it will be a year to remember.

As I hurriedly, try to put the wraps on presents, get ready to travel for a week, prepare for other stuff, and knowing that I haven't update my blog lately or the other things I try to keep an update on, I also know that I will be sitting in the picture below in March. I can't wait to get away with all our friends and family for our wedding in Costa Rica. Every time I talk about it, I kind of beam. You can take your pick if I am glowing from the location or from Nikki. Even with all the things I have going in my life right now, it beats flying back from London like I have done on or near this date for the last 2 years. OK, back to some last minute presents.

My two favorite teams decided to switch their logos in order to more accurately reflect how they have played this year. Looks fitting to me.

For this edition, we have a vintage WWII poster, bad tattoo spelling, a scene similar to what we saw on the London tube with regularity (I miss the costume wearers on the tube), some good advertising, and a deer that lost his battle for dominance.

In an effort to try to get things back to normal, I decided to go ahead with the Hike that Justin and I had planned. We continued our sectional hiking of the AT by going from Standing Indian Mtn to Wayah Bald, around 35 miles in 2 1/2 days. The trip was tremendous for me, probably because I felt pretty good the whole time and it allowed me to think and walk for awhile. The fall colors were outstanding, not sure the cameras picked up the true beauty of our surroundings. We had a couple good animal sightings also. We met a small boar walking the opposite way on the trail the first day and within a mile of our destination I saw my first black bear on the trail. Moments like these tend to return me to a child like state. The weather was amazing and we met some great people on the trail that hopefully we will see again some day. Yep, hiking helped me out a lot. I am glad Justin was able to come back to Charlotte for a little post birthday celebrations also. It just dawned on me, I didn't get any cake. I don't think a birthday is over until you have cake.

FYI, if you plan a hike or trip of any sort, don't forget your shoes under the table when you leave. I was able to buy some more, but my blistered feet didn't seem to agree with them.

As many of you know, my mother passed away this last Monday. It was a moment in time that I had long prepared myself for, but there still was a shock to it all. I am glad she didn't suffer any more by having an extended stay in the hospital or anything like that. but selfishly I wish I could have hugged her once last time. We talked on Saturday as we often did. I asked her how she was doing and she gave me the line that she did every time I asked, "about the same". Then she always proceeded to ask about Nicole and Cooper, and like ever so often about James. The focus was always about how everyone else was doing and never about her. Our conversations over the years became more brief, but they always had an impact on me. She taught me so much just by persevering all these years and by keeping the focus on others. You'll be missed mom, but I know you are walking again right now.

Thanks to everyone that checked in on us over the last week and to everyone that showed up in Paris. Your thoughts and care for our family has been greatly appreciated. Thanks to everyone that sacrificed a little bit of their lives to make ours a little more comfortable. I am so proud to have the family, friends, and the future wife that I do.

The below picture was taken at Busch Stadium during her last ballgame in September. Even though we weren't there for that game, it will always be one of my favorite pictures of her.

Judy Speight

Dec. 8th, 1951 - Oct. 12th, 2009