Saturday, August 28, 2010

Fallon Fights 2010


A good friend of ours and our personal trainer John, is an MMA fighter. Fallon for the second year hosted the Rural Rumble: Fallon Night of Fights and this year John was one of the pro MMA-fights. The rural rumble consists of MMA fights plus pro-boxing.

Those that supported him and the other fighters from the gym he trains at wore these t-shirts the day and night of the fight.


Above is John and another fighter from Battle Born MMA, where John trains walking around and getting a feel for the mat.


First up on the card were the female fights. They were a good fight to watch and we were pleased when the local Reno fighter won.


Up next for MMA was Jerrel.

He has great record and added to it on this particular night.





Jerrel won his fight.

Later in the night it was time for John to fight.


John getting pumped up

John's fight



And down they go



John ended up winning when his opponent tapped out. That night he took his pro-record to 2-0. Later in September, John fought another fight and won that one too. He is now 3-0. It's a well deserved record for someone who trains as hard as he dose.




John giving his winning speech.


Walking proud. Congrats John!

Friday, August 27, 2010

Spending Time in Reno

Well we bought the Beemer but the windows weren't tinted so the first order of business was to get them tinted.

We made an appointment with Trimline in Reno. We have gotten every vehicle of ours tinted there and have never been disappointed. The appointment was for 8AM so Mellie, who now lives in Reno, came and picked us up so we wouldn't have to spend our morning at the shop.


She picked us up and the three of us all went out for some breakfast. Afterwards we got to see her apartment. We got some Starbucks, hung out at the mall and then I filled her gas tank up before she took us back to our car.

In the mall we walked by a sunglasses kiosk and they had some really crazy sunglasses. We picked a fun pair to try on. Before long our car was ready and she took us back to the shop. It was nice to see her and just hang out. Thanks again for the rides Mellie!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Tiffy Buys a New Car


For years I have practically salivated at the site of a shiny, pretty, fast BMW zooming past me on the freeway. I have always loved this car. I used to tell myself that someday I would own one. Although I would tell myself this, I never really gave the thought much credit or really believed it would be possible.



Well someday came. Dwayne and I went to the BMW dealership to see if owning one would be possible. Come to find out, it was! I am now the owner of a 2007 328xi BMW. It's graphite gray, 4 doors, leather seats, and all wheel drive. I love driving it! I'll let the rest of the pictures speak for the car.

















The drive to Reno for work has gotten so much better!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Ensign Dwayne Macie



As I had mentioned in an earlier post, Dwayne had been working very hard on earning his Navy Commission. We received word some time ago that he had been accepted. The way things work in the military are generally not lightening fast (unless they need it to be) and it took some time before papers were finalized and we could have a ceremony.




On August 14, 2010 a group of us gathered at Dwayne's Naval reserve center in Reno to witness him being sworn in as an officer in the United States Navy.



We were all there and ready for the ceremony to begin. It was scheduled to begin just after they all returned from lunch.



It was warm in that building, Dwayne said the air conditioning had just gone out. I was glad I wasn't in the heavy uniform in that heat. Dwayne however, didn't even break a sweat!



The recruiter Dwayne had been working with flew to Reno to bring him his plaque from the president and to swear him in.



Dwayne raised his hand and took that oath to the office he was entering, to the United States Navy and further more, to the United States Country. He promised his time, his talents, and most of all his life, it was, as one of our friends Dan put it, his marriage vows to the Navy.



He was allowed to choose someone to change his rank over from enlisted to officer and I was able to have that privilege. I removed all signs of his lower ranking days and revealed the gold thread on his uniform that symbolized his higher rank as a Naval Officer.



Seeing him standing there in his uniform, wearing the rank of Officer, and having listened to him take his oath and be sworn in as an Officer, I had one of the proudest moments as "Mrs. Macie." I have watched him for the last 18 months or so work toward this goal, a dream of his and now I was watching as he accomplished it and received the recognition he deserved. It was a proud moment for him and a proud moment for me. I love him and feel blessed to be such an honorable man's wife.



Over the last few years at this Navy center, Dwayne has become friends with a fellow named Will Castleman. Castleman gave Dwayne his first salute as an officer. In exchange, Dwayne of course first gave Castleman a beautiful, shiny, polished, silver dollar. Castleman later told Dwayne he'd like to put that coin in a special place, something along the lines of a shadow box.



The recruiter gave Dwayne a letter on letter head from the President of the United States that commemorates his new rank in the Navy. We now display this letter in our home in Dwayne's special room.


After the ceremony was over, the other uniformed members at the drill center all filed through and congratulated Dwayne. There were many "Congratulations, Sir." Sir is something Dwayne says he is still getting used to hearing.


Next we took pictures with the new Ensign.



The family picture. Sadly, Dwayne's family from Texas wasn't able to make the ceremony and we sure did miss them. My family went and here he is with the "Black Family."



Here Dwayne is with our close friends the Baerwaldts. A little history for you: Dwayne and Dan were both at A-school together in Biloxi, MS. Later both were stationed together at NAS Fallon in the weather office for their first duty stations. We would later introduce Dan to Erin, my best friend and the two married. We all still remain close friends as you may have guessed from our many blog postings involving the Baerwaldts.


The pictures with friends and family continue and above is Dwayne with friend John.


Dwayne and Mellie



The siblings. We are rarely all together in one place at the same time these days. It was nice to have us all together for this extremely important event.



Mommy and her children



After the ceremony Dwayne had to finish the day but I was able to drive back home and get ready for the celebration afterwards.



A shot of Steven in the back seat.



The cake we served at the party

Dan handled the grilling duties for me since Dwayne was still in Reno and I was handling the other party things inside.


Before long the guest of honor arrived and it was time to celebrate!



But first, more pictures! Dwayne with Mom and John.



Proud Mother in Law, she loves him like her own.


Our picture together


My "Officer and Gentleman"



Dwayne with my Grandma Jody, she was also so very proud of him



Dwayne with Steven



Back to celebrating, no worries, he hasn't lost it, it was time for cake!



Dwayne with his cake


A couple of "Dwayne style" shots


The old-school pose. I do mean old-school, he and his buddy Joe from High School used to do this pose together. We even have a picture of the two of them doing this pose at our wedding.


No party for Dwayne would be complete without a little rock band.


Dwayne and John looking at our wall pictures.


Erin and I decided to enjoy a glass of wine from a bottle she had brought over.


Congratulations Ensign Macie! We are all so very proud of you!