Nothing alive, PLEASE.

 

I asked the girls: “What do you want for Christmas?”

They both looked at me blankly and said:  I don’t know….

…..then I could see the wheels turning.

Lindsay: how about a mouse?

Me: No. nothing alive.

Lo: how about one of those fish with the big eyes?

Me: No. nothing alive.

Linds: I really want a bunny; bunnies are so cute.

Me: No. nothing alive.

Lo: I always wanted an ant farm.

Me: No. nothing alive.

What part of nothing alive don’t they understand?

Sooooo….my Christmas shopping is done since no one can think of anything they actually need or want that doesn't poop or eat.

{Christmas 2009}

Do you have a long shopping list?

We stopped exchanging gifts between adults a few years ago. It has been a lot less stress for me and I feel as I can do more for charity this way.

I enjoy Christmas much more when I don’t feel pressured to purchase or please.  {I hope you don’t feel pressured either.}

Have a fantabulous Tuesday peeps!

My face is still asleep…

 

I had a very sleepless night. Has this ever happened to you? You are dozing off into slumberland when *someone* decides that YOU don’t really need to sleep.

It starts off subtle, a little *tap tap tap* on the shoulder. I ignored.

Then a little *rub rub rub* on the lower back. I still ignored.

Soon, it was hot breath on my ear, then on my neck.

I could not ignore anymore.

Finally, I rolled over and said: “Cocoa, you will have to get into your own bed tonight!”

Oy vey.

***

We had a fairly {wonderful} productive weekend.

We have Christmas stuff strewed all over the house…there are wreaths and reindeer meandering on the front porch.  {weird}

Sparkly stuff everywhere.

I love glitter. Not. {as per LoLo: Glitter is the herpes of craft supplies}

***

For all you folks shoveling snow, Lo went to the beach on Saturday evening.

 

Speaking of Christmas and the beach,  Lindsay and I went to see a local production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ last night. It was awesome and put me in the holiday spirit. Thanks to my friend Tim for insisting we go!!! I promise NOT to be a scrooge.

I have tons of stuff to do today, and still my face is asleep. I might have to go on without it. I wonder if anyone will notice…

How was your weekend? Do you have sparkly stuff all over too?

The best of what’s around

 

Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out.
-- John Wooden

Isn’t that an awesome quote?

Why do I even ask…it is.

Have a blessed Sunday.

Saturday…

 

*Our family is leaving today…I wish for them a safe and uneventful trip back to GA. We have had a fun filled week.

*As of today, we still have six pies left, few casseroles, ham and some turkey, mostly dark meat.  Anyone care to help finish it off?

*I upgraded my phone yesterday to one of these babies:

By the time I figure out how to use it, it will be outdated. But it makes me smile when I hear: “DROOOID”

*Cleaning up the rest of Thanksgiving today, and perhaps sending the children to the attic for Christmas stuff tomorrow. Oh joy.

**Yes, that is nekkid Kelly accosting our pilgrims and climbing our thankful tree. What can I say, she get’s around. 

What’cha doin’ on this fine day?

Family fun and the harsh realities of being a professional athlete.

 

Our Thanksgiving: No kitchen fires, no domestic squabbles  and not even a trip to the emergency room.

My only itty bitty complaint:

Since my agent was away yesterday,  I was unfairly traded halfway through our annual game.

Aye caramba’!

Still, I’d call that an almost perfect holiday!

I hope yours was equally great!

xoxo

Gobble.

The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest.
-- William Blake

I am ever so thankful for my family, friends and of course, my sweet blog friends too.

I wish for you a belly full of good food and a heart full of love and gratitude.

{comments off}

Eat & Drink.

 

The only other thing needed is LOVE.

A new addition to the kitchen area….straight to the point.

My Uncle put this up for me.

{we took down the curtains…’uber dirty}

He also cleaned windows yesterday, repaired a bathroom faucet and switched out my ceiling fan light.

Don’t you wish you had my uncle? Well you can’t.

{Aunt Trisha is neither eating or drinking…she is working. Naughty}

Have a wonderful day…eating or drinking.

Busy Bee goes HGTV!

Have I mentioned recently, that I LOVE my home.

I LOVE being home. I love being a home body.

This is my sanctuary…I could literally go weeks without leaving and not blink an eye. {can I get groceries delivered?}

Don’t we love a good makeover story? I do.

I am going to sound like a spoiled little ninny….but I was unhappy with our dining room situation. There was nothing ‘wrong’ with it, but my taste has evolved since we purchased this in 1999.

I was ready for an update, but buying a new set was out of the question….

But I did wrangle myself some new chairs with washable slipcovers. {Anything washable curls my toes. I heart you Pottery Barn}

And a simple update on the finish of the cabinet; the coach brought  home a gel wood stain.  The color: Java (I was not even tempted to drink it)

Cabinet detail before & after

The stain was just enough to tone down the light spots…making this piece look a bit richer.

I also hit the buffet and the mirror in the living room.

All with my two little hands. IT was really easy…but a bit scary because if I ruined them, I had to live with it.

{two arm chairs for the heads of the table double as extra seating in the living room}

I love the results. SO happy.  So happy I could sing dangit.

Fa la la la la la la la laaaaa….well you know what I mean.

Who’s coming for Thanksgiving dinner?

We eat at 3:00, play football at 5:00 and sleep at 6pm. 

Can you dig it?

What to do. What to do.

 

What we have been doing for a day and a half. {Cause I know that is what YOU are worried about}

*Eating {fuel}

*Shopping {retail therapy, exercise and fueling the economy-Leopard readers and a blingy watch for $20}

*Laughing {burns calories and fights wrinkles. Swear}

Homemade rosemary potato chips  {yummy}  Lots of work, but ‘uber yummy.

Busy Busy Busy.

And I won’t complain for ONE SINGLE minute.

How about you?

Am I 8 or up ?

 

 

A gift from my Mama.

It had my name allllll over it.

With this size of plate…surely we will minimize our portion sizes. 

Do you like Toile?

 

I happen to like Toile.

I especially love saying it. Twa Twa Twa.

I brought some toile into our home this week.

One of my family members unlovingly asked:

What is that? Are those pilgrims?

I suppose not everyone appreciates toile.

{Darn commoners.}

Fast as Fast can bee~

 

~Just about anyone can catch me.

A year ago the Coach donated some countertops to the Naples Botanical Garden. And then they gifted us with a one year family membership.

Guess when it expired.

11/18/2010.

Guess when we arrived for our VERY first visit.

11/18/2010 @4pm.

They close at 5pm.

We just made it.

 

Lo and I ran through the garden as fast as we could, taking as many photos as we could. (Coach was working & Linds did not feel well)

It was gorgeous and we WILL go back again. We only made a dent in our oohing and awwing…

These are ginormous lily pads. I would hate to run into the frogs that use them…

To put them in perspective, here they are with Lo:

Notice who had the big camera (The Baby) for most of our visit…not me.

This was also a good opportunity for me to get some photos for her graduation announcements.

Yes, I am already thinking about that. I won’t make that a last minute deal. (you know I could not order the standard announcements from the school, right?)

{Mildred, don’t you love the butterfly bench?}

***

What’cha doing this weekend?

My fam-lama-ding-dong (family) will be here this weekend through next. They are a collection of silly people; my blog fodder for the next week.

I am almost done with my dining room makeover, I will post photos soon.  It is riveting stuff.

Bee spontaneous.

Bee colorful.

Bee YOU.

I can see clearly now~

 

 

~through my bathroom window!

I was so happy, I nearly hugged my tree guy.

I came THIS close to going in for BEAR a hug...

but he was much too sweaty and overly stinky. 

He did not pass my hug standards whatsoever….

Have you hugged your tree trimmer today? 

 

Bringing TP to the Thanksgiving table.

 

Way back in the day….when I was a full time girl scout leader..

{Stop laughing. I was. And I never hurt or lost any children….that I know of}

..the girls and I made these fabulous Thanksgiving napkin rings.

Aren’t they cute? You don't have to answer…Cause I know, Yes, they are.

I love getting them out each year.

Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

And no lemons were involved in this craft project.

*Paper towel/toilet paper rolls, painted and cut.

*Then cheap silk flowers and greenery hot glued onto them.

Perfectly festive. 

And I have perfectly managed to forget I have toilet paper rolls on my expensive wedding china. Until today.

Did you locate your glue gun yet?