Aaaaaand We're Back

Hello, loyal readers! I assume you are loyal because, after three years of inactivity, I can only expect the most die-hard Brown Family fans to continue checking this thing for updates.

Much has happened in the last three years. Scott started two companies, I became an administrative judge, my mom moved to Memphis, and Ev graduated from high school and then started college at Tulane in the fall of 2011.

Our most recent big news is that Scott and I moved to San Francisco in December 2011. A move was not on our radar - in fact we weren't expecting to do something like this until Ev was out of college and the coffers were replenished a bit. But an opportunity dropped in Scott's lap that was just too amazing to pass up, so here we are.

We are living in the Mission District in a beautiful building that was constructed in 1897.

Our neighbors are great and we LOVE our neighborhood.

Well, I am not making any promises, but my goal is to keep this thing updated regularly, at least until I find a job.

Danger City

Forbes just came out with its list of America's Most Dangerous Cities. Sadly, Memphis is number two on the list. According to the article, we are one of the only large cities in America with more than 950 violent crimes committed per 100,000 people. Also we are apparently a transit point for Mexican drug cartels. I am doubly sad about the article because Detroit, where my sister lives, is ranked number one! We Henderson (/Reschke/Brown) girls love to live dangerously!

However, if I remember correctly, we were number one on the list last year, so I guess a glass half full view would be that we are improving. I'm not going to let this article get me down. We moved back here because we love this city. I see people working everyday to make Memphis a safer place - not only in my neighborhood, but all around the city. I know that in a few years, after more hard work and a new mayor who is not completely corrupt and insane with power, Memphis will be off the list completely.

Then I guess I'll have to move again - to where the danger is!

Catching up

Man, it has been too long since my last update! Here is a brief rundown of events since last you heard from me:

September 25, 2008 - Ev turned 16.
November 9, 2008 - I got in a car accident and totaled my car, but came out without a scratch.
December 16, 2008 - I finally got my wedding rings to fit back on my finger after over a year without them (since the mashed potato fiasco of Thanksgiving 2007).
December 28 through January 2 - We celebrated a late Christmas with my family who came down from Michigan for a visit. We had 11 people in our house for five days and had a GREAT time.
January 10, 2009 - I turned 40!
March 3, 2009 - Everett got his driver's license.
March 4, 2009 - Scott was laid off.
March 11, 2009 - Ev was hired at Graceland.
April 6, 2009 - I was offered a job with the Tennessee Department of Human Services as a hearing officer/administrative judge and I begin the first week of May.
April 9, 2009 - Scott launched his first iPhone game
April 13, 2009 - I finally got a car to replace my beloved Vibe - a '96 Miata. We have been having lots of fun with it!

We are enjoying being back in Memphis. We love our house and take lots of walks in our neighborhood and to the zoo, which is just a couple blocks from our house.

Getting away from it all

Scott and I decided it's time for the two of us to take a trip. We haven't been away alone together since we went to Mexico for a late honeymoon after I graduated from law school.

We weren't sure at first where we wanted to go, but Scott was kind enough to let me pick the destination. We don't have the time or money to do anything quite as exciting as Mexico on this trip. My only requirement was that we go somewhere that won't be hot. We've had weeks of 90+ and 100+ degree weather here in Memphis and I have had enough! My first thought was Chicago. My first thought whenever I get a chance to go some where is Chicago. I just love Chicago. But Scott and I have been to Chicago together a few times, so I figured we should go somewhere new. I finally decided on Boston. We have both been there on business trips, but never for pleasure and never together.

We leave in a couple days. I can't wait!

Highway Star

Everett had his first driving lesson the other day. He and Scott rode around our neighborhood for a bit while Ev got comfortable behind the wheel.


After they came back from the first trip, I hopped in the back and went for a ride.



Ev's driven several times since then and he's doing a great job!

Rain, rain, go away

We had a doozy of a thunderstorm the other day. We really missed the Memphis rains while we were in California, but this was ridiculous!

Our yard is like a mini New Orleans. The house is at the bottom of a bowl, and we have no levies to hold back the water, so when it rains heavily, we quickly find ourselves in the middle of a huge puddle. Here is a picture of our front yard taken near the end of the storm.



Luckily, the previous owners spent a nice chunk of dough installing a French Drain. So, within five minutes of the rain stopping, all the water went down here:


And our yard was left muddy, but water free.

My very own chauffeur!

Someone in the picture below got his learner's permit today. Can you guess who?


This means Everett can get his license near the end of January. Just in time to take a date out for Valentine's Day!

Congratulations, Ev!