[friday] LOVE

1. tea parties that include personalized, homemade invitations and a dog.

2. melissa winning dancing with the stars on tuesday.

3. kaylee still believing in santa claus.  [which brought back a funny memory about ham that i will post about later]

4. sweet tea being an option at most restaurants.

5. my hair is almost at its longest which was about 10 years ago.

6. peppermint covered pretzels

7. duck dynasty. [i look to see if the show is on every night now]

8. a super clean house! [proud of myself for not taking a nap. even clean + organized the fridge and utility closet]

9. listening to christmas music [makes house cleaning a little more enjoyable]

10. EEEEKKKK!  I GET TO MEET JANE PORTER TOMORROW!

tired thursday

my cute snowman- front entry

 costco but real wreath w/pretty bow but afraid it will get stolen

 peanut showing my newly placed pretty bows

close up of pretty christmas bow

added lights- getting crazy with my christmas decorating mojo

added lights to my snowman- where i got shocked!

1.  i'm dead ass tired this morning. i got 4 hours of sleep. stayed up till midnight watching duck dynasty.

2. then i woke up around 4 and couldn't fall back to sleep.

3. today suppose to be cleaning day, we'll see how far i get. 

4. i almost got me kaylee this cute vera bradley tote bag while at picket fences yesterday. i couldn't decide between little mandy and mandy.

5. i want it to carry the ipad/other things to do, drinks/treats and sweatshirts for when we go to places so we have them at all times.

6. then i thought, i have enough bags. then again, what's one more bag right?

7. boy do i suck at coming up with names and passwords. this is probably the 100th time i've forgotten my apple password. [i don't use it often]

8. i also decided that navy and orange is my favorite color combination and want to  do my bedroom or the family room in those colors. it will go somewhere!

9. i've also changed ollies name to M.A.D.  most annoying dog [ever!]

10. i wrote a funny comment on a blog giveaway post. said i was 90% done with christmas shopping but 100% poorer.  ok, not all that funny but its so true!

[wsww] and drooling over some dinnerware

1. she wore this outfit one day before thanksgiving break. she's getting so big so fast.

2. we're placing bets on when she will be taller than me. [some say in 3 years]

3. today i went to marshalls to get a purse but ended up with a few sweaters and a couple of jars for snacks and such only to put them back. the line was 20 people deep. 20 people = very slow moving line!

4. then i made my way to one of my favorite stores- picket fences. the whole store was like christmas. i could of bought almost everything in there.

5. instead i splurged and had them make me 2 christmas bows for my costco but real wreaths. then i started to worry that people would steal them so now they're on my fireplace.

6. i also got an angel ornament for my lady bug's ornament exchange that i might accidently take back. [evil smirk]

7. i'm pretty stoked at the moment, getting my creative decor mojo back. [i just got electrocuted because i dumped my scentsy wax on the lights.

8. long story short, i've been watching health video's for our medical insurance, mandatory via mike's work. if we get 1000 points each before dec. 1, we get a $100 gift card each.

9. i was hoping they would have either visa gc or crate and barrel so i could use it towards this dinnerware set that i'm actually dying over. of course they offer neither.

10. and of course i can't just have the 20 piece setting, i need enough for 12 people for that one day SO i'm selling my children to the highest bidder!! [kidding]

time got away from me

thanksgiving treats- owl cupcakes

1. the day before thanksgiving, i went out and had a much needed mom's day. bought a few tops from anthropologie, mulling spices from william sonoma and my favorite smelly stuff from l'occitane. [they also carry my favorite face stuff]

2. that evening, kaylee and i went to baking. banana bread, pecan-toffee mini pies and owl cupcakes.  

3. i also made sweet mama's punch and green bean casserole for our thanksgiving feast at the neighbor's [awesome] house.

4. the bad part about not cooking thanksgiving, no left overs! we did swap some desserts though.

5. saturday mike, ham and i watched the aggies beat missouri. how awesome would it be that freshman, johnny football, wins the heisman?

6. yesterday, mike took the day off so we would be able to pick up ham's car on time. [two of his windows stopped working]

7. have i mentioned that we've spent around $11,000 in the PAST YEAR on car repairs? car repairs! 

8. but i no longer need to worry about car repairs, knock on wood.

9. we are slowly becoming texans- we are now members of costco.  

10. kaylee's feelings got hurt yesterday because another girl didn't want to play with her and some other girls at recess for some unknown reason. sweet kaylee, she just wants to be friends with everyone!

i still know nothing

concrete ship

1. i took this photo while in galveston with the lady bugs. if you want a little history lesson, click here.  

2. i love the contrasting colors and i do believe someone tried to live on it. [a homeless person]

3. this morning was spent cleaning the downstairs of the house. i want it clean before putting up christmas decorations.

4. even kaylee's ready to decorate.

5. friday mike and i got into a fight because he was being mike.

6. saturday he went to the aggies game with some co-workers then met up with ham to take him to dinner. 

7. while he was doing that, kaylee and i went shopping. i found out that i still know nothing and she still knows everything!

8. yesterday i invited my annoying husband and know- it -all child to go shopping with me.

9. on the way to the woodlands, kaylee asked if we could get some bbq. her quote "i want something with gravy on it. i want to throw down some gravy."

10. we found some good deals at orvis, my dad's favorite store. we got him a vest and  ended up getting mike a weekender bag. i told him his gym bag looks tacky when he goes off shore or on small business trips. he is the boss ya know.

[friday] LOVE...

1. dessert cart from last saturday. i tried to take it home.

2. people who take the time to make and sell on etsy.  just bought a birthday bunting banner for birthday decorations. [it can go in kaylee's room afterwards]

3. finally getting some ideas around for her birthday party.

4. getting a "fivebucks" peppermint hot chocolate and remembering when a dear friend brought me one while we were waiting in line to pick up our kids at daycare.

5. feeling crafty again. going to try and make this found via pinterest.

6. mike doing the dishes for the past 2 nights.

7. mike making dinner last night because i couldn't make lasagna because he had used my last jar of spaghetti sauce.

8. actually getting some real samples in my birchbox this month!

9. Kaylee's school room mom's coming up with the idea of everyone donating at least $5 to get the teacher a gift card for christmas instead of unwanted junk.

10. get to sleep in for the next 9 days! kaylee gets a whole week off for thanksgiving break.

i took a break?

from saturday night

1. guys mike works with. the dude in the plaid shirt is aka "the crazy canadian" via kaylee. he's quite funny when drunk. [the blonde is the other dudes new wife]

2. i've been either really busy this week or super lazy. i would try to blog then find myself doing something else so nothing got posted.

3. monday kaylee got pushed into a mud puddle so i had to take her some fresh clothes.

4. tuesday i had an eye doctor appointment and found that my allergy bumps are back. now i'm doing allergy + steriod drops again. i get to wear my dorky glasses for a week- yippee!

5. after my appointment, i went and got my hair cut since she didn't have time on monday. she did a good job but its not what i asked for but i'm giving her a break since she's still training.

6. wednesday i had lady bug's meeting. got to eat, listen to what's coming up and saw a demo on table decorating with plants/flowers you already have at home.

7. this morning, i took mike the dessert i made last night because he forgot it even though his wallet and keys were right next to it. i swear if his head wasn't attached...

8. i've been feeling super unorganized lately. 

9. i told mike its not fair. all he has to worry about is himself. 

10. while i have a birthday party to plan for, birthday and christmas shopping to do  and get everything ready for the cruise.

[friday] LOVE... monday edition

proof that some leaves do change color in texas

1. it's november and its "fall" in texas [high of 69 today]

2. ham coming home for the weekend because we asked him to babysit his sister saturday night. he only charged us $2300 an hour.

3. kaylee acting all disappointed when she heard ham was babysitting then getting all excited because he lets her eat whatever she wants!

4. The aggies whooping the #1 team saturday. we were ahead the entire game- BAA BAM! [poor ham, he missed some great partying at college station i'm sure]

5. mike's work giving us free tickets to the rockets basketball game saturday night. we got to sit in the company suite [lots of food + beverages] and a driver to take us to and from the game.

6. being able to run a full 3 miles and i'm still alive!

7. finding a new favorite pair of jeans on sale.

8. dove milk chocolate ice cream bars.

9. having a great neighbor who is willing to watch ollie while we are on our christmas cruise.

10. finally getting organized with my birthday and christmas gifts list for the kids. [i figure out what i'm going to buy then split them to birthday or christmas]

wsww + other important stuff

theme day at school [tutus + ties]

1. my what she wore wednesday has gotten away from me.

2. my run this morning was poo-poo.

3. kaylee had the day off yesterday because of parent/teacher conference so we slept in- till 8am!

4. then i started cleaning [some of] the house. a few bathrooms, my tub! and swept [some] floors.

5. after lunch we went to the mall to get mike some cologne even though we're on a spending freeze. [he wants to make sure he doesn't smell at work since he has to speak in front of people more often now]

6. and our iron broke so i have to get a new one today.

7. my lady bug's club is having a workshop today. we're making fake flower arrangements for a retirement home.

8. kaylee's been begging me to adopt. [or to have another baby] she doesn't care if its a boy, girl, baby or 8 years old. she even googled adoption on the ipad!

9. it breaks my heart to tell we can't adopt especially since there's soooo many kids who needs a home. why does it have to be so darn expensive?

10. and she was a little interested in the election last night till the princess protection program came on. you know, the important stuff.

i want to show you something

 what kaylee's room looked like.

 another grotesque view

 after!

 view from her bed

her sink [jack and jill bathroom]

1. sunday, while mike was watching football, i had kaylee start cleaning her room.

2. i had most of it in piles by toys. ie: barbies, american girl doll stuff, dress- up, arts + crafts, etc...

3. of course she still shed tears and sounded/looked all pitiful.

4. at the rate she was going, it would of taken her ALL day and night so i started to dictate. she did the work so she would know exactly where things go.

5.  i threatened that any toy left out will be confiscated till further notice.

6. she has the biggest bedroom in the house. i even think its as big as the master. 

7. ham wasn't too pleased she got the bigger room till i pointed out he basically has an apartment. i promise photos of the house coming soon, said AGAIN a year and 3 months later.

8. after the football game, we decided to check out traders village- a flea market type place.

9. anything you could possibly want, someone was selling it! socks, bras, plants, watches, maxi pads, lawn mowers- all there!  they even had a few bars which i thought was a great idea.

10. on the way out, we didn't make the light and good thing mike decided not to run it.  a second later a car got hit in the back- someone's bumper fell off and the car that hit the other car, drive off! [i told mike that could of been us!] 

mike's company picnic

 showing everyone how its done

 shelton + part of his family [they're the ones from indiana]

 getting her face painted

 my beautiful butterfly

 getting her "portrait" done

the fun portrait

1. we had a great time saturday. [it got us out of the house!]

2. after checking in and getting our food, it started to down pour. it cleared up once we finished eating. [the food was delish!]

3. they had a "hamster ball" but kaylee wouldn't go inside and roll in it. she wanted her face painted instead.

4. i sent ham a photo of her face painting and he replied back, "i knew i should of gone to the picnic, i want my face painted too."  i'm sure there was no sarcasm in that text.

5. they had all sorts of activities for the kids: hamster ball, laser tag, petting zoo, a bull ride, the swing ride, tattoo artists and face painters.

6. they also had activities for the big kids: volleyball, soccer, laser tag, basket ball and minute-to-win-it games that included prizes.

7. there was also more snacks: snow cones, popcorn, beer, wine and water/pop stations.

8. after walking around a bit, we hit the caricatures and ended up waiting for over an hour. there were only 4 families in front of us but they wanted the WHOLE family done.

9. once it was our turn, the artist said he would include me since he had some time. i declined and had given my ticket to a kid babysitting his younger sister. so he did some extra's on kaylee's portrait.

10. and now i have one of kaylee and ham.

[friday] love

her brother stamped her forehead

1. knowing that i'm not the only one to eat a dozen oatmeal chocolate chip cookies in a 24 hour time span right? right? [in my defense, they were mini size.]

2. finding a cute christmas plate w/ mug to leave cookies + milk for santa.

3. rock'n to some tunes, belting incorrect lyrics while pinteresting.

4. that kaylee doesn't know better and thinks i'm a good singer.

5. that i might be going to the pioneer woman's book signing today. 

6. that mike's work is hosting a company picnic tomorrow. i heard there's going to be rides, games and prizes plus my favorite-lots and lots of food.

7. that my electric bill went down 50% from last month.

8. getting a $75 rebate gift card. going to buy some much needed bedroom table lamps. 

9. love that my house smells like creme brulee. [my favorite store had the wax melts and i put them in my scentsy warmers]

10. that potbelly's whats for lunch for kaylee and i today.

halloween 2012

 my little 80's/Rocker chick

 with our neighbor friend 

 fiona's scary ghost

fiona and ollie dressed as bride and groom

1. i made chili and cornbread for dinner but of course kaylee wasn't hungry after her healthy snack of chips.

2. fiona came over and we tried to get photos of them but they wouldn't behave. or one would but the other wouldn't vice versa.

3. once kaylee got home from school, she wanted to get into her costume right away.

4. any costume that has to do with pretty hair and make-up is a total win.

5. at first i felt like the halloween grinch with a small, cold heart having to go out trick or treating. but after a few houses the heart started to grow warmer and bigger...

6. and in between being done trick or treating and going over to the neighbor's for some birthday cake, i got to pass out candy. nothing makes me happier than seeing happy kids.

7. of course, once we got home, kaylee was hungry. i got to be mean mom and made her eat chili instead of candy. [she didn't complain]

8. after i tucked kaylee into bed and while i was closing down the house, a warm fuzzy feeling came over me. it was nice seeing the neighborhood having fun.

9. and that put me in the christmas spirit. 

10. so is it too early to put up christmas decorations? kidding. sort of.

Another Fall Favorites Swap

I recently did a Fall Favorites Swap hosted by The Chronicles of Chaos and The K. O Jewelry.  I got teamed up with the awesome Nikki over The Crafty Side of Sarcasm. Boy was I surprised when I got my goodies! I was expecting the typical scarf, smelly stuff and some chocolates...instead she sent me a beautiful sweater from Old Navy, a beautiful scarf that goes with everything and some warm and cozy gloves!  As Kaylee would say " she totally Rocked it!".  Thanks SOOO much Nikki!

 I had a great time shopping for Nikki even though I got her the typical stuff: scarf from Forever 21, a little bit of Texas nail polish, her favorite spray since she's allergic to everything and some homemade hair ties.

I wrapped them in cute fall owl tissue paper and of course, I had to send a note pad for my love of list making.  The red blob on the card is one of those wax seals with the letter K on it that I've had since my college days [*yikes* just did the math of how long ago that was!] I still love using it though.