Graceland!

While in Memphis for the Saint Jude's tournament we spent some downtime in Graceland touring Elvis' home. I was in complete awe of Elvis Presley and all he accomplished! Walking through his home was very enchanting. It felt like being in a time capsule. The walls were upolstered, dark wood paneling was throughout the house, and who could forget the funky 70s colors!?! One room in particular was bright yellow, navy and white. Another was complete jungle themed with faux fur and animal carved furniture. Elvis was also a fan of shag green carpet because it was on both the floor and ceiling! Not exactly my style, but I'm sure it was fashionable for the 70s. Here are a few pics from our trip:

The Presley Mansion

Amazing! This room was completely wall to wall gold records.

Elvis Presley's pink Cadi. Although his mother, Gladys never drove he always said it was her car.

Elvis was originally buried beside his mother's grave, but his father, Vernon had both sites moved to the grounds of the Presley home to protect there remains from all the crazy people who can't get enough of Elvis!

David shows the way into one of Elvis' plane. He bought this plane for $250k and spent $800k to change the interior. That was in the late 60s. Imagine what that would equate to today?!

Been Preoccupied...

Hi Folks!



Things have been busy with the Mathis two-some lately and has had me completely preoccupied. Sorry for the no posts!


Quick updates:


San Antonio was no good. David shot 5 over his first day putting himself behind the eight-ball and though Friday's round was much better he needed a low score to make the cut.

Byron Nelson was a much better tourney. David was frustrated with Thursday's round, but put together good rounds on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Patrick Kelley, David's teacher came out for the week which was a huge help to David.

Unfortunately, David did not get in the next two invitations (Colonial and Memorial). Monday David had the British Open Qualifier in Plano, TX and though he played 2 great rounds he missed getting in by 1 shot! He turned in a -9 and -10 or better got in the event. We flew home Tuesday night (week of Colonial) for the Nationwide Rex Hospital event in Raleigh. How convenient!! David had a great tourney at home and it was fun seeing all the locals supporting the home team :-) David finished 3rd, which was a nice confidence boaster.

Last week was a nice week at home, though David had the urge to join his friend Jay in Vegas. I decided to stay home, since I had a friend coming in town and a booked of Saturday. Plus, I'm a huge fan of stacations! We spend so much time away from home there's something to be said about actually being at home. David flew in from Vegas on Friday night and was out to Memphis on Saturday to prepare for the US Open Qualifier (Monday, Jun 8). David's not in the Open so we well be home again next week. This might turn out to be a blessing since we are moving within a month!

Currently, I am sitting in ATL waiting for my flt to Memphis. I have a dinner date with my hubby as soon as he picks me up from the airport. :-)

Janet will be joining us tomorrow. Aside from good golf, we are excited to experience Graceland! This will surely require another update!

602 Canyon Lake Circle FOR SALE!!!

Big news!! David and I bought a new home this week! We have been looking to move to North Raleigh for a while now. In fact, prior to David's win last year he always said if he won on tour and secured the 10+ years of status at the TPC then we would move to be closer to the club. Well, that didn't happen because we got trigger shy or maybe the right opportunity didn't come along. Regardless, we have been looking but to no avail. Last week, one of the members at the TPC who happens to be a home builder mentioned to David that he had a home with "bells and whistles" in Wake Forest. We never really considered Wake Forest but it's only 5 miles from the TPC so was worth taking a look. David liked, I liked and after several days of deliberation we decided to make an offer. Monday morning David presented the offer in writing and it was accepted! No need to negotiate! Keep in mind we were scheduled to fly to San Antonio, TX Monday afternoon. David went on with that plan, but I stayed home to get our house ready for the market. 3 days of back aching moving, hauling, packing, cleaning and meeting with the realtor and the house is officially FOR SALE. I'm in San Antonio now, but know our house got it's first showing on it's first day of listing. Hope that's a good sign! Fingers crossed....

Quail Hollow... a bit closer to home

We arrived late Sunday night from New Orleans, picked up our bags, were greeted by volunteers for Quail Hollow and given our car for the week. Since we drove our own car from home to Charlotte prior to the tournament, I had a perfect opportunity to go home for a night to catch up on some things. I hardly had time to breath! Rush here, do this, do that and be back in Charlotte before 4pm on Tuesday. I managed though! The Tour Wives Association along with Avon Foundation were charged with a charity function called "Walk the Course Against Domestic Violence." All proceeds benefited local shelters for women of domestic violence and all in all over $65,000 was raised to help these women. My friend and old room mate Holly joined in for the 5 mile walk. We figured it would allow plenty of time to chat and catch up since we hadn't seen each other in several months. We didn't account for how winded we would be in the process! It was great to spend time with Holly.
The tournament went much like others. David got off to a good start Thursday, made the cut, but didn't have one of his better finishes. We were fortunate to have many friends and family come out to join us for the weekend. Thank you all for your encouragement and support!!

Pics from NoLa

Me, Liz, Kelly, Courtney, Ami and Megan at Mardi Gras World


Mardi Gras + Fat Tuesday = the fatten cow


Perfect fit Liz!

Megan and Courtney getting in costume

Kelly and I posing in front of the ugliest float in the warehouse

Mardi Gras World employees 50+ artist who work to design the Mardi Gras floats year round.


Emeril Lagasse gives us a cooking demonstration.

Finally an UPdate

So much for updating weekly! I really let time get away from me since we were in Houston.


Easter and Verizon Heritage:

Just to bring you up to speed David and I spent the week of Easter at home, but what we thought was a week turned into 3 days because we really wanted to be with our family for the weekend. So Friday am we drove to Winston Salem to visit with both Walt and Janet. Saturday morning we drove to the mountains to see all my folks. Saturday night David and I were in charge of dying Easter eggs with our nephew and niece, Cole and Ambria. Easter Sunday started with an early tradition at Watauga Baptist where the men started preparing breakfast for the Sunrise service. David and my brother-in-law, Lee had to go with Dad while the rest of the house (me, mom, my sister, Raychelle and the kids, Cole and Ambria) had another hour of rest before sunrise. I love going home. Life has such a nice relaxed pass which is a rarity in our constant on-the-go life.

Monday we left out early for the Verizon Heritage on Hilton Head Island, SC. We felt for sure David would get in the field (at the time he was 3rd alternate). Some friends of ours had a nice vacation home on Haige Point and invited up to stay with them during the week of the tournament. Of all my travels I don't think I ever stayed on an island that could only be reached by ferry. In fact, everyone drove little golf carts all over the island. I had beautiful morning jogs while I was there too. By Thursday morning, David was 1st alternate. So David got up for the first tee times, he and Mikee caught the ferry from Haige Point to Harbor Town and waited to see if a player was not available for his tee time. Unfortunately, he waited all day to no avail. We decided it best to pack up and head home for the weekend.

That weekend at home was much needed! David got some real good work in with his teacher, Patrick and I finally got to do catch up work at home. Sunday evening we drove to Charlotte to stay the night with Jay and Tessa and then caught a flight Monday morning to New Orleans.

Down in the "THE BIG EASY"

Now that brings up to our ventures in NoLa... I love it there! There is an amazing culture and tons to do. Monday David and I (and Jay since he was our ride to the airport) were up ultra early. We were flying on Airtran which we swore we would never do... and again... we said we will never do it again. First of all, Jay's wife Tessa called to see if I needed that flowered bag left at the door.... um yes. That's my carry on we accidentally forgot to put in the car. I managed a week without a hair dryer, jewelry, sunglasses, purse, and Tour id. Secondly, we get to the counter to check in for our flight and the lady starts whipping out a tape measure for our bags which truly are as standard size as they come. According to her my suitcase measured 62.5" and anything over 62" is "over sized." Give me a break!! Needless to say, our conversations were not pretty because her measurements were totally subjective (my bag was not completely full and have several inches of give). Also, note David has forbidden me to argue with the airline folks because my "quiet and gentle spirit" completely caves... pray for me and patience!

We made it to New Orleans (with no oversize baggage fee I might add) just in time to catch our ride to the golf course. The driver must have sensed my frustrations that morning because he took me straight to the Starbucks drive-thru... thank you very much!! :)

David rushed off to an on site pro-AM while I waited for my friend Kelly to get in from there flight. Kelly and I helped each other load up cars with luggage, and settle in our hotels. With a couple hours to spare, we walked along the river walk and the streets in the French Quarter. My memory from 8+ years ago served me well. I was able to take her to all the hot spots and it was so much fun for me to remember coffee at Cafe de Monde, the haunted mansion (though I couldn't remember where the house was located) and how stinky Bourbon St was.

Tuesday 6 of us girls (me, Kelly, Courtney, Megan, Amy and Liz) meet up to explore New Orleans. We started with a tour of Mardi Gras World, where 80% of the floats and decor is made for each Mardi Gras year. Afterward we hopped a shuttle back to downtown to get famous Muffelettas from the general store in the French Market area. We crossed the street to find park benches along the river front where we ate our Muffelettas, drank from bottles and passed a big bag of sweet potato chips. I guess this is why they call it the BIG EASY. After lunch we shopped around in the French Market, had coffee and beignets from Cafe de Monde and strolled down Bourbon St. What a fun day with the girls!

Wednesday was the day I had been waiting for... lunch with Emeril Lagasse! We met at the Ritz Carlton in New Orleans and did a charity activity with some children from St Bernard's Perish (rather than counties, Louisiana has "perishes"). St Bernard was truly left in ruins after Katrina. A non-profit organization worked with the victims to rebuild their homes and our project was the make "welcome home" cards with the children. Most of the kids had disabilities and the the child I was working with, Yvonne was absolutely precious! We would write out a message in the card and she would trace over the letters, glue hearts, and put stickers on the card. She was very good within the lines. And when a photographer came to take our picture together she loved it! She keep on posing for more shots which had us all laughing. These children were also near and dear to Emeril's heart, which is part of the reason he was with us that day. After arts and crafts with the kids Emeril came on the scene to prepare sangrias, gumbo, swordfish over salad and for dessert blueberry cornmeal shortcake... yumm!! Truly an experience I will always remember.

Thursday the tournament started. David was off that afternoon and finished the day at even par. Friday was a totally different day. Finally a little reward for all his efforts! David not only hit in straight, but he made putts from all over the green! 8 birdies and 1 bogey later he turned in a card with -7 which was the second lowest round of the day. 8 under was the course record and truly David could have easily shot -9 to set a new one. What a fun, fun day! Saturday David was paired with Rory Sabbatini. You would not believe how many calls we got from people asking if he was as big of a punk and the media made out. To set the record straight.... yes, he said things about Tiger and was also rude to Ben Crane, but he really was a nice guy and so was his wife. We have nothing bad to say about them. I know the media hounded him and maybe it was partly deserved, but not entirely... there! That's my two cents :)

So to finish up on the tournament... David shot 2 over on Saturday and Sunday.... finished -3 for the tourney.

Other notable mentions from NoLa..... We ate alligator, Boudin, beans, franks and rice (aka... beanie weenies).

Golfer in need of love and prayer

David and I are in Houston for the Shell Houston Open. We flew in early Monday morning (up and out of the house at 4 am). David had to get out to the golf course for a Pro-am event. While he was on the course I was busy exploring a bit of Houston and trying to get us all settled into our hotel. Tuesday was tax day for me and David got a good practice round in. Wednesday, I met up with Kelly (Bettencourt) for a fun day of shopping and a dinner date at Rudy's with my hubby. For those not familiar with Rudy's it's the best Texas BBQ ever! I'm from the Carolina's and I'm ashamed to say it's way better than the pork back home.

We love Rudy's! From left to right: me with Rudy's BBQ sauce; David's pulled pork and sweet tea; Kelly says Welcome to Rudy's!

Thursday started the Shell Houston Open. David was suppose to tee off at 9 that morning, but a terrible storm came through Houston and delayed play by several hours. New tee time was at 1130, but shortly into the round the wind started howling! David miss a 2 foot putt for par because the wind blew it off line... Halfway into hole # 5 the tour officials blew the horn to halt play. Apparently the winds were so fierce (not to mention the greens were already conditioned to play incredibly fast) the course was deemed "unplayable." We hung out in the clubhouse for several hours and then were told round 1 would continue Friday-am. Needless to say, Friday was an early day. Players were to be in position before 8 am, which meant up and at 'em at 5 am! Play conditions were not much better. It was incredibly cold and still a bit breezy. Then, the unthinkable happened... David made an 8 on a par 4! Ouch!! And it escalated... putts not dropping, trouble = more trouble, etc. Every golfer, regardless of skill level knows the story. At the end of the round we went inside the clubhouse for a bite of lunch. On our way to the clubhouse we saw a caravan of SUVs... guess who's comin' to watch golf?!?! Mr. and Mrs. George Bush Sr!! I knew they were aging, but didn't expect to see Mr Bush look so feeble. Tell you what, Barbara Bush is the cutest little lady with the whitest curly hair.

Round two was no better than round one. Good news is his high score does not mean his hurt... just in need of love and prayer. It's definitely frustrating to see your A+ golfer struggle because of an inch. I know God is totally in control. His big picture for David is way better than we could ever imagine! We just need to trust and obey. I swear those are the hardest of God's commandments. No matter the outcome, we're going to strive to glorify God in the good times and bad...

That's all for now... time for some good 'ol Rudy's Texas BBQ and banana pudding (3x this week) with Mikee and the Bettencourt's!