Thursday, December 23, 2010

{girlfriends}

{addendum: I added the above after I blogged everything because I accidentally zapped it from the post somehow} So, now that it is first and there is nothing I can do about it...let me just point something out. You know, after all of those "tips" I gave to the girls for posing....how to crane and not crane, turtle neck, turn sideways......you know all the things to make ourselves look a tad thinner on film. Well, what did I manage.........a crane all the way out and still got a turtle neck. So, I'm thinking whatever that nonsurgical ultrasonic gadget I saw the other day on the show Doctors, will definitely be in my future. Or, on my neck. Mercy!} Now to more serious matters.....
Without writing a novel here, let me just say that God knows what He's doing! It just takes a while for us to "get it." As my life took some unexpected turns in the friendship department, I was in the midst of some INCREDIBLE ladies that have blessed me in ways they will never know. I can get teary just thinking of how the road led to them; an amazing blessing that was not realized at the point we all met. They have given and taught me so much about what it means to be a true friend in every sense of the word. I have no doubt that there was no coincidence on the slightest level, but a complete gift from God. I am very, very thankful for each and every one of them!


And, now on to the show......this was our girls Christmas party at Heather's house last Friday night. It was the perfect ending for a very long day for me. Her house.....gorgeous, but she even more {inside and out}. I have not laughed that much in forever, although it did lead to a flare-up of my not so lovely TMJ.
We looking purposely AWAY from the camera as sweat beads broke out on me because the camera was pointed in our direction. Ouch!

Sweet, sweet, sweet Tonia. What can I say?

"SNOWMAN!"


Ms. Mandi and the coveted snowman that started it all! My boys would live with her if I would allow. {and, come to think of it, they have on many occasions! yikes!}


Awesome & beautiful girls! {I will blog about party #2 at some point today, thanks to girl #2 in the picture below;}



Okay, there was nothing in the punch. BUT....something got into Heather! Love this girl and completely know how funny she is. She can make me laugh like few can, but, wow! She was on a high-energy roll! But, after all, it was her house and her rules. {wink}

Pictures courtesy of Heather and Stacy. {COMPLETELY unbeknownst to them, although the won't be shocked since I'm so good with carrying my camera! geez....}
Another add on: see that sweet little brown and tan pillow to the left of HG? Well. She blogged about some new pillows she got a while back. She totally knows I copycat her. So, I went to Kirklands because I love, loved it! Searched high and low. Gone. When I told her, we figured out that was the one she had purchased years ago. Not likely to find it there. So, everytime I see it, I covet.

{sunny days}

Since I have all of the Christmas orders happily delivered, I thought I might try to order a few family gifts from our pictures. Today. Nothing like last minute shopping! I found the ones below and was just so thankful for that trip. It was a very last minute decision, but I knew it would be more than worth it to pack up and go and so glad we did! I love walking into SC's and HG's and seeing the pictures. We will definitely have to do that again sometime! Well, a do-over with the exception of bronchitis for me. That made for a very slow and sluggish start. Since, I'm on it, we could also do without shark day at the beach. And, hurricane force winds would not be welcome. Oh, and that little incident I had with the Police Officer in Louisiana. Otherwise, I hope it happens again!
The picture below, the one in which I look like I'm in a horrific amount of pain {stinkin' braces} was taken by a WONDERFUL group of photographers. :) I am happy I have it although I typically hate all pictures with me on the flip side.







I have very few pics of the boys and me and saw this one for the first time today. The curls that had been in my hair were a matted mess at this point and we were all red from the sun. But, I still like it....



I love b&w for everything pretty much!

My boys!
A little fun! It wasn't at the time for me as we had just come off the beach that very day where the shark swam up!
Such a great time!

{bits and pieces}

*I have a little guy sick. :( Yucky, yucky cough. Fingers are crossed that it doesn't progress and dampen the upcoming Christmas plans.
*But, I'm thinking that the above will MAKE me slow down a bit today. It is so needed!
*I am planning on starting the wrapping today. Gasp! I know!
*I am the culprit who got the last Starbucks cup. I confess. It is crazy-funny though that it even happened the way it did. I had been searching, had even gone online and low and behold there was one left in the FS store. So stinkin' cute. I had no idea TH was on the hunt as well. Funny!
**Scott's very best friend {in guy terms, which is another topic for another day} is burying his mother today. So sad. And, because of E, I can't go. I feel terrible about that. Praying hard for them today. He lost his daddy when we were in high school. My heart just hurts for him....

Monday, December 20, 2010

{love, love, love!!}

everything about this song and video.

the farmhouse, the CAR, the baby ducks, the clothes line, the radio {although the CD part of my vintage radio broke, go figure} the baked bread {super-cute apron}, and that mule even looks like ours....all so sweet! I was definitely born in the wrong era. Well, on second thought, I love my modern conveniences, but something in me has always yearned for life with a slowed-down, vintage twist. I'm a total Mayberry kinda girl. ">

{monday, monday!!}

*I survived "the 24-hour" marathon. It's somewhat of a blur, but it ended very well! {thanks girls} I will be stealing pictures.

*Of course, although I had 7 functions to attend, there was no way I could make all of them. My website was repaired at some point Friday when I was gone, so I worked on getting that all lined out in spurts Saturday and Sunday.

*Hours away from finishing the work-project. Cannot wait to see my living room floor again.

*Uncle James came down today to play with the boys and they are on their 2nd round of arrow head hunting. They found two this morning so Evan is flying high. More on that later. {wink}

*I've about got my house decorated. Yep, 4 days before Christmas. I just kept adding little things. It looks like a whimsical explosion in here. I'll try to take pics!

*Today is my curve day. If I get everything I need to checked off, things will be much easier for the rest of the week. I have to wrap up this file and drop it off at the firm. I think I may decorate it with a HUGE red bow. I may have a big spill-over in general into tomorrow, but I can live with that. I am so ready for a slow-down!

*Everyone is well, although E woke up with a cough yesterday. No fever. No other complaints, so I am hoping it stays that way. PLEASE!

*My mom came over Saturday and helped me get things lined out with the house/laundry. Thanks SO much! We have clean socks! Being chained to this desk versus not being on the premises for days makes it a tad hard to keep up. She is back today "playing" with the boys although I just found a list she is making for me in the kitchen "milk, bread, eggs and paper towels." Yep, it's been bare-boned around here of late! Poor boys!

*BUT, tomorrow will be a holly-jolly day. I'm just sure of it!

*Oh, yeah........snowman! {wink}

Friday, December 17, 2010

{party like it's 1999!}

SIX parties this weekend.

I just had to note that. ;)

**addendum: I can't count, make that SEVEN.

{no title}

i'm heartsick. i was informed at one of the christmas parties this morning that my lil' guy asked a teacher a few days ago if Santa was real. She pulled him aside and felt I wouldn't mind, and 'enlightened' him. i have some major damage control to do.

heartsick doesn't even begin to describe.

i'm off to the office party despite the fact i want to crawl under the christmas tree at this point.

i am looking forward to tonight though! thank GOD for friends! true, priceless friends that have been the best gifts ever!