Ed spends time with the girls

Ed and the girls spent the day together. A little father daughter bonding time (without mom in the background). They went to Red Robin for lunch and out to the movies - one of Ed's Christmas gifts from the girls. He said that he had sooo much fun spending time with them!

New Family Photos

Ed got out his tripod and started taking some family photos while we had everyone dressed up. Here is one- the rest are in my shutterfly folder to the right....

The Melting Pot - a tradition a little early

Happy New years! Well for the Quirante family - we celebrated New Years Eve early since Ed has to work both New Years Eve and New Years Day - and the girls will be heading home soon. We went to the Melting Pot for dinner - one of our family's most favorite restaurant - especially the desert - shown in the picture..... I hope that 2009 will bring us good health - good fortune, and good everything!!!!!!

A Day of Heaven on Earth!

One of our Christmas gifts this year was a SPA DAY for me and the girls. We went to the Blue Canyon Day Spa in Brentwood and had an incredible experience. Our adventure started at 2:30. We were individually escorted to a private room for a relaxing Hyrdotherapy Body Soak and body scrub.

This was followed by a One Hour Swedish Massage. We then was escorted to another room where we all had an Invigorating 6-step Retreat Pedicure which didn't start until 4:45.

What a total relaxing and rejuvenating day. We each had our private rooms for the soak and massage but then joined each other again in the relaxation room and then also for the pedicures.

There were beautiful painting throughout - Christie took a picture of this one which was one of our favorites.

We met up with Ed at Toyama Japanese restaurant for Sushi and a wonderful dinner!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all our family and friends! What a special time of year.

It is a tradition in our home to open gifts under our tree on Christmas Eve and then empty the stockings on Christmas Morning. The girls were not up and early as usual so after getting breakfast ready - I had to go get them both up. Once up and about they both were eager to see what Santa had put into their stockings this year. And yes, I will have to admit - I was a little eager myself to see what Santa put in my stocking this year. After unloading the little surprises we ate breakfast and headed over to my moms house - which is just a few blocks away. Wayne joined us, but Ate stayed at our house - not feeling well.

When we got to mom's... We opened gifts, ate a wonderful Christmas lunch, and then played "Smart Ass" and Taboo". We had a lot of fun and laughed till our stomachs hurt.

Later in the afternoon we came back home - curled up on the coach with some blankets and watched a movie. Lots of snuggle time and fun time! It's great to have everyone home. Pics in my shutterfly folder.

Christmas Eve

It has always been a tradition in our home to open up our gifts on Christmas Eve, after our family dinner at home. Tonight was no different. We had Honey Baked Turkey, dressing, dumplings, broccoli cheese and rice casserole, macaroni and cheese, jello salad, herb muffins, and pumpkin cheesecake for dinner. We then made our way to the presents under the tree.

Ed got a new cell phone earlier this month as his gift from me. He also got some nifty things from the girls. I got a new camera a few months ago when my camera bit the dust. It fits perfect in my purse. The girls got me "STEVIE" YEAH!!!! (you'll have to ask me about this one) I did have one mommie moment - thanks to Christie...she gave me a card that sang "there's no place like home for the holidays"

Jillian and Christie were surprised as always - even with the "Macaroni Box" you will have to ask them about that.

Ate Jean joined us tonight. She drove up from Huntsville and spent the night. We gave her a new camera so she can take pictures of the many creatures/birds that she sees from the porch of her new apartment.

also ... Ryan (and "Butch") stopped by the house to exchange gifts.

It was a wonderful night - a blessed night with our family! Pics in my shutterfly album to the right-

more Titan pictures

more pics added to the shutterfly album to the right - - - - - -

Titans on 2 with Jeff Fisher

I was given 4 tickets to the Titans on 2 with Jeff Fisher show tonight. The girls and my brother Wayne joined me at OpryMills to sit in on the TV taping.

We were treated to food from The Aquarium Restaurant which was pretty good, and was seated at a VIP table. We had great seats and was seen on TV several times ( evident by the many text messages - are you sitting at a table at the Jeff Fisher Show??)


Got to see Justin Gage as he was being interviewed and of coarse JEFF FISHER!!!!!
It was such an awesome time. All my pics are in the shutterfly folder to the right.

Dinner out with the SMRI Gang!

Tonight we had our "Secret Santa" dinner at La Paz restaurant with all the staff at Specialty MRI. (Above - my boss Leigh, my good friends JoAnn and Judi) For those of you who may not know - Specialty MRI is an outpatient center that I market for. Last year the staff got together for dinner and exchanged gifts "dirty santa" and we had a blast. So much fun last year that we decided to do it every year. Lots of fun together! Many more pics in my shutterfly album to the right.

9 DEGREES

It was 9 freezing degrees this morning - the coldest day this year for us here in Nashville! My heater is barely keeping up and Christie is deeply missing her "Florida sunshine and warmth" Jillian surprised us and came home last night. Ryan got off work at 6:00 and she didn't have to work Monday so he drove them home last night. I was so glad to see her home even if it is so cold!

TN TITANS have home-field advantage!

What an AWESOME Game! My mom and brother come over to the house to join me, Ed and Christie watch our team stomp the Pittsburgh Steelers. We yelled, jumped, hollered, and screamed the entire game. The Titans made sure the AFC playoffs will run through Music City by dominating Pittsburgh 31-14 on Sunday to clinch the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the postseason for the first time since 2000. They improved the NFL's best record to 13-2 and have won 15 of their last 17 regular-season games. What a rush to have your very own- home team leading the entire league with the best record! I can't wait for the next few games!!!

Great Gifts...

Yeah - I love Christmas time. Today we got two gifts in the mail. The first gift was from Billy & Geri and the boys....(shown above) YEAH!!! Mom and Dad USF mugs. We also got two USF ornaments for the tree. How perfect! We also got a gift from Figis - a Honeynut Trio - but no label as to whom it is from. The nuts are delicious!!!!! Wish I knew who to thank ? ? ?

Tonight we also had another special gift. We had dinner with Alex (a young man who considers me "Mamma Q") we went to Famous Daves and talked for hours catching up on his adventures in college and with life in general. I am blessed to be a mom figure for some many kids. Alex said," Mamma Q - do you realize that you have about 20 kids that feel like your a mom figure for them?" I just smiled and my heart was so humbled by this comment. It was such a great dinner and I wish the best for this young man. At age 19 - he has the whole world ahead of him. (Sorry - I forgot to get any pictures-maybe I can before he leaves to go back to school)

Happy 40th Birthday to my little brother!

Man...we are getting old! I can't believe that my LITTLE BROTHER is 40 today! Happy Birthday - love ya (pics of me and my brother through the years in my shutterfly folder to the right)

I Won!

I won a $50 PF Changs Restaurant Gift Certificate for having the best decorated office for Christmas. I had pics posted on an earlier blog -(dec 1) you will have to scroll back and take a look.... Below are some pics of my boss Leigh (the first pic) and some of my co-workers.

Ed takes Christie out for an early Christmas Gift

Ed bought tickets for the Vanderbilt Commodores vs The University of the South Florida Bulls Basketball Tournament at the Sommet Center. Christie had mentioned that she would love to go to the game while she was home - so Ed bought the tickets and surprised her by taking off work -and going!

Find the faces?

Barbeque Chicken for Dinner

It is good to be cooking again. Having an empty nest these last few months has left our pantry and refrigerator bear to the bones. Christie laughed at me when she saw the empty refrigerator. "Mom- there is no food in here!" So, I planned to go to the grocery today - and have a good home-cooked meal for dinner. Barbeque chicken, green beans, and of course some good ole macaroni and cheese. Not to mention fudge brownies for desert! Yum.....

Lunch together

Christie was still sleeping when I slipped out to go to work. She called around 11:00 and said that she just got up. I told her that I had to go to Murfreesboro today to see a Doctor and that I could swing by and pick her up for lunch. She was anxious to get ready so that we could go to Mimis Cafe to eat. This is a great little cafe is you have never been. We had a great lunch - caught up on the latest girl talk - and ordered some fresh muffins for breakfast for the rest of the week. It is great to have her home!

Christie's Drove Home today from Tampa!

I am so excited to have Christie home! She finished her last final exam Monday, packed all day yesterday and called and said that she was so ready to come home. She jumped into the car this morning and started her journey. I asked that she call me every couple of hours to let me know where she was and that she was ok since this is her first long journey by herself - 11 hours.

8:15 pm = I am glad to say that she made it home safely!

Ed Decorating the house outside for Christmas

Art that will mess with your head...

Titans Clinch the AFC division!

YEAH!!!!! I can now go and buy a new Titans T-shirt - we are the AFC DIVISION CHAMPS!!!!!

Picture of the day...

They say a picture is worth a thousand words! All I have done is Lysol the house from top to bottom. With Ed being so sick- I am trying my best to make sure that I don't catch this "flu" bug. He felt a lot better today and decided to go to work at Vandy - but not to the day job. He slept in, got the extra sleep and said that he felt good enough he thought to go into work tonight. I will keep my fingers crossed that he doesn't over due it. He is off all day tomorrow - so he can sleep in again and take it easy.

Ed's sick

Sunday night - Ed wasn't feeling well and went to bed early. Monday he went on to work (working 16 hours) and said that he just felt awful. He came home and was coughing, cold, sore throat, sinus problems etc. Tuesday he ran a fever all day and stayed in bed. Today he hasn't run a fever, but is still achy with sinus congestion and occasional cough. He has stayed in bed all day today too. He even got a flu shot this year! I can't remember the last time that he called in sick from work. Christie called Sunday night and said that she was not feeling well - but doesn't seem to be as sick as her dad. They must have come in contact with something when we were at the malls last weekend.

Pilobolus

This is so cool !!!

12 Days of Christmas Video Clip

This is one of the funniest renditions of the 12 Days of Christmas that I have ever heard. Follow the link - I can't paste the video here for some reason...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8

Office Decorations

Now call me either crazy or having too much time on my hands - I don't know which - all I know is that my names in the hat for winning a $50 gift certificate to PF Changs. Check out my office decorations...