Grateful for Monday

We have had a wonderful, but exhausting Christmas holiday. I am so grateful for my family and have enjoyed the opportunity to see everyone. Robby and I spent the night at Mom and Dad's on Christmas Eve, along with my brother, SIL, and niece. It was so exciting to see Carsyn, my niece, on Christmas morning. She is only 3 months old, but she acted so happy to see her new gifts. It was so funny. I have to post a couple of pictures....

She is just so cute. I love to see her laugh! She really made this Christmas wonderful.


Now, I must get motivated to take down my Christmas decorations. I just don't know if I can do it. I have absolutely no desire to even begin the process.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!



Grateful for Monday

What A Difference A Year Makes

December 19, 2009....the day my childhood home burned.

December 19, 2010.....visiting Mom and Dad in their new home. We are so grateful they finished the house before Christmas.......



.......and so grateful we still have our parents this Christmas.

Robby also celebrated his 30th birthday yesterday! Unfortunately, it wasn't much of a celebration because he had to work most of the day. There should be a law against working on your birthday.

I am also grateful for lots of Carsyn time over the weekend. I helped Mom and Dad babysit on Saturday while my brother and SIL went to a Christmas party. She was sooooo good. I just love her!

Dad and Carsyn

I am also thrilled with the news of my friend's engagement. Congratulations Vandi! I am so happy for you......and can't wait to hear about wedding plans!

I am also praying for so many families experiencing broken hearts over this past weekend. Please say a prayer for all those experiencing the loss of a loved one. 





My Favorite Things

I always look forward to Oprah's Favorite Things episode each year. This year was definitely one of the best.....I hope you didn't miss it. I often think about how wonderful it would be to share my favorite luxuries with others. If only I had a billion dollars, then I would most definitely give better gifts. I thought it would be fun to share a list of my favorite things, the items every woman should own. Unfortunately, I can only rarely afford to shower myself with my favorite luxuries.........

1. The Marcus Collection Bath Sheet from Neiman Marcus
    I love the bath sheet! It is like wrapping up in a big, fluffy blanket......definitely one of my favorite things!

2. Ann Taylor gift card  
    I can always find beautiful, professional outfits at Ann Taylor. It is one of my favorite stores!

3. La Mer "The Eye Concentrate"

    I love this! It is a miracle in a bottle!

4. Paula Deen Cookbooks
    I love Southern food & I love Paula Deen. I would love to go on the Paula Deen cruise, departing January  30, 2011.

5. Chanel Chance Parfum

    I have used Chance for years. I can't find anything I like better.

6. J. Crew Perfect-Fit Tee
    It really is the perfect tee.

7. J. Crew Boot-Cut Jean
    I am short, but most petite jeans are too short. J. Crew makes the perfect petite jean.

8. Retin-A cream
    I never go to bed without covering my face in Retin-A. It is a miracle wrinkle killer!

9. Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector
    I have only recently discovered this product, but I love it! I apply to my chest morning and night to improve the years of sun damage. This product really does deliver amazing results. I am very impressed!

10. Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara
      No other cosmetics company can compete with Lancome mascara. It is simply the best.

So.....these are just a few of my favorite things. Do you have any ultimate luxuries you can't live without?







   



Bunco Christmas Party

We battled the risk of an ice storm to meet at La Pena's, a local Mexican restaurant, for our annual Bunco Christmas Party. Thank goodness, no ice..........yet! We had such a nice time and I did remember to take my camera, but no one was in the mood for pictures. I really can't understand why.....everyone looked so pretty tonight. I, of course, was dressed in my usual velour warm-up with Uggs while everyone else looked great. I don't know what is wrong with me.....but it is 28 degrees outside and I have a horrible sinus infection...so I was just not into the effort tonight. Chas had drawn my name and she bought the most perfect gift...a bottle of wine...and a heart attachment for my "Happy Everything" plate. I just loved it! You can never go wrong with wine......it really is the gift that keeps on giving. Thanks Chas!

Now, I am lying on the couch with Robby, watching Smoky Mountain Christmas. The night just keeps getting better!

2011

I know it is hard to believe, but the New Year is quickly approaching and I am already starting to think about my resolutions for 2011....

1. Delete my Facebook account. I know almost everyone in the world uses Facebook, but it is so addictive and TIME CONSUMING. I feel the need to simplify my life. I also feel bad if I decline anyone and now I have all these friends I have never met and would possibly be afraid to meet.

2. Take a Risk. There are so many things I want to accomplish, but fear is an overwhelming obstacle I have never been able to defeat. I want to take a chance in the New Year and do something I have always wanted to do.

3. Post daily on my blog. I started this blog as a means to pour out my emotions and create an online diary. However, time constraints have prevented me from posting very often. I also find myself hiding my true feelings at times. After reading other blog posts, I often compare my life to others. There are so many bloggers who paint the picture of a perfect life, which fosters my desire to post light or happy thoughts in effort to gain acceptance. No one wants to read about a sad, boring day, but I have decided to be completely honest in my future blogs and post the truth no matter how pathetic it may be. I apologize in advance....

4. Exercise daily and tone my abs for the first time ever.  In my younger years, I was actually somewhat athletic and never really had to struggle with my weight or staying fit. However, after a hysterectomy at the age of 25 and the inevitable ugliness of the aging process, I have had a very difficult time controlling abdominal weight gain (I also have a large ass if I am going to be completely honest). I really want to commit to exercising everyday in the new year in effort to be healthier and to tone the ASS and ABS.

5. Make more time for friends and family. I always find it depressing when I realize how long it has been since I have seen or spoken to someone I care about. It is so easy to become enveloped in work, home, marriage, and LIFE. I really want to make a commitment to make more time for others.


So.......these are just a few of my ideas for possible New Year's Resolutions. Have you thought about any changes for 2011?

CHRISTMAS TOUR OF HOMES

I am participating in the Christmas Tour of Homes at Kelly's Korner .

I have already posted most of my Christmas decorating pics, but I thought it would be fun to participate in this week's Show Us Your Life......so......This is my Christmas Decor for 2010.

The Front Entrance

The Staircase

 The Living Room Tree

The Dining Room

The Kitchen

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Grateful For Monday

Let it SNOW! Let it SNOW! Let it SNOW!

We woke up to a Christmas Wonderland this morning and I am so grateful because they actually closed the clinic today! NO WORK! It's a Christmas Miracle!

I am also grateful for my husband. Sometimes, I forget how kind he truly is. Yesterday, he told me he had taken another child's name from the Christmas tree at his work. He said there was only one name left on the tree and he couldn't allow this child to be left out. Robby said he just wanted to get a few things from the child's Christmas wish list. Needless to say, there is now a lucky little boy who will have a new Spider-Man bicycle under his tree. I just wanted to cry when I saw the little bike. I guess that is what Christmas should be about....bringing a smile to someone who needs hope.

Merry Christmas!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas........

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Kentucky! This is the view from outside my front door tonight.......

It is the perfect night for Christmas movies, but my husband is forcing me to watch football! I usually love football, but I am just not in the mood......I am craving Smoky Mountain Christmas. Don't you just love Dolly Parton?

We had a great time last night at my brother and SIL's home. They hosted a "Sip and See" for my beautiful niece, Carsyn. Of course, I forgot my camera. I just hate that I don't have any pictures of Carsyn in her cute, red Christmas dress. I am sure my SIL will post pics soon, so check out her blog at Southern Blonde . My SIL gave me a wonderful gift from Carsyn, a new ornament for my Christmas tree! I added the ornament to my tree as soon as I returned home last night.

The Best Gift Ever!

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I hope everyone is staying warm tonight!......and......I hope you are lucky enough to watch Christmas movies instead of FOOTBALL!!!!!







HAPPY THANKSGIVING

So....I am turning 32 tomorrow. Should I go ahead and place my face in my hands and begin to weep? I don't think my face can hold any more wrinkles! I am trying to get all the negative thoughts out of my body today so I can prepare myself for tomorrow and Thanksgiving. I guess I have to be thankful for my birthday if it is on Thanksgiving! I WILL BE thankful tomorrow. As for today, I will grieve!

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I am grateful to have my Christmas decorating finished! I hosted our BUNCO group on Sunday so there was motivation to put the tree up on Saturday.



The Living Room Tree



The Staircase

The Dining Room Trees

The cupcake display for BUNCO night



We had a wonderful time on Sunday night...always fun to gossip, eat, and open gifts!

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I am also thankful for my niece, Carsyn. We were thrilled to babysit a couple of weeks ago (sorry it has taken so long to post pics). She was a perfect little angel.......

She is so happy......

.....until she needed a bottle....

....happy again....

Robby and Carsyn after bottle time

Thank you Shane and Jennifer for allowing us to babysit. We loved it! Can't wait to do it again......Don't you all have some Christmas shopping to do? We will keep her anytime...just so hard to give her back!

Happy Thanksgiving!



I Know It's Been A Long Time

I know it's been a long time since I've posted anything on this blog, but I have to admit.........my life is pretty boring. Sometimes, there's just nothing to say!

We did have a nice Halloween Weekend. I absolutely LOVE Halloween. It is one of my favorite holidays!

I just love mums and Fall decorating.

I don't think I ever posted my finished Fall display....so here it is.

This is a picture of my neighbor, Anita, dressed as Little Red Riding Hood.

Robby loving the Big Bad Wolf.....I know it is very disturbing.

My favorite Trick or Treater, Carsyn with her Daddy

Carsyn in Halloween outfit #2 and loving her bottle!

Robby holding our niece, Carsyn. She is so tiny...just love her!

This picture of Carsyn isn't from Halloween, but I just love it! This picture is from her first rode trip to see Granny and Papa...about 2 weeks ago.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween!

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GRATEFUL FOR MONDAY

Today, I am grateful my aunt is recovering after a difficult surgery. Please, say a prayer for her complete recovery. 

I am also grateful Election Day is tomorrow.... will be so glad when there are no more Rand Paul vs. Jack Conway commercials. I love politics, but the US Senate race in Kentucky has been ridiculous. How do you give your vote to either candidate? Your options are between a man who actually supports Obamacare and another man who once worshipped the Aqua Buddha! No matter who I vote for, I will most definitely regret my decision.......almost immediately. Truthfully, I have to cast my vote for the candidate who supports the coal industry and opposes Cap and Trade. With the current state of the economy, Kentucky can't afford to lose more jobs.....and no one can afford Obamacare.