Happy Halloween....

Well..it's almost halloween and I am MOST excited. If you know me well, you know that I am not a big Halloween fan. I don't like all the scary stuff and I'm not big on dressing up. Growing up in my family, Halloween was just not a big deal. I remember going to the church for the fall festival and that's about it. Mom didn't really like Halloween and I can remember her saying that it was the devil's holiday! Ha! So, I guess that's where I get it from! Although, I do love staying at home and giving out candy to all the trick or treaters!

But, this year Jamie and I are getting to go to Ohio to see all the munchkins.. aka.. the nieces and nephews. I have never been up to trick or treat with them, so I am MOST excited to get to this year. Mom and Dad got to go last year, but not me. So, thankfully halloween is on a weekend and we can all go. I can't wait to see what they are gonna be.. and, yes.. I'll post the pics when we get back!

So, last Sat. night Jamie and I went to a halloween party! Our good friend's, The Watkin's always host this party and it is always a fun get together! Jamie and I have gone for the past 4 years now and we usually go as a "couple." But, this year.. I just wasn't feeling it. Jamie was tired of being "the good husband" and going along with all my ideas and this year he decided he wanted to be something scary.. and I was NOT doing that! So, he got some face paint and painted himself into a zombie.. He did a really good job too. He even had the blood capsules coming out of his mouth.. I know, gross! I couldn't decide what to be.. I really wanted to be strawberry shortcake but I couldn't find a costume for under $50. Then, I wanted to be Hannah Montana but I waited too long to figure out what to wear, so thankfully Wal Mart came in handy. I saw this cute costume and just went with it.. a strawberry diaquiri! We had a good time but missed seeing a bunch of the couples who weren't able to come this year.. I guess there's always next year.. huh? So, is anyone dressing up this year and if so, what are you gonna be? I always love to hear.... I hope you all have a safe and fun halloween weekend!

A Kitchen and Bathroom Make over

Wow! It's been a while since I have posted.. between two parties at my house in one week.. whew! Fun, but exhausting and the never ending furniture dilemna.. oh my goodness it has been a few weeks to say the least! I have finally gotten my new furniture and I will be posting pics soon.. so stayed tuned. I must say my camera does not do the furniture justice... the pictures do not make the furniture look as cute as it is. But, oh well.. I guess that's part of it. I need a new camera.. one of my many wishes for my Christmas list!

But.. in the meantime, my kitchen and bathroom have had a new makeover. I've been wanting a fixed roman shade for my kitchen window. Inspired from my blogger friend, Darby at http://www.flythroughourwindow.com/ and my very talented sewing mama was gonna be my wonderful seamstress. Well.. let's just say after about 3 months, I finally have my curtains. Mom can make anything.. seriously, clothes, kids clothes, curtains, monogramming.. whatever she can do it. But, something about a roman shade freaked her out and she didn't know how to do it. I think she was making it a lot harder than it really was, but she figured it out.. which I knew she would and we now have the roman shades over all the kitchen windows. Yeah! And, they look great! Thanks mama!

And, recently, I did a little remodeling on our guest bathroom. I wanted to do something different, but didn't really know what.... until, I saw in the Southern Living at Home catalog this cute shower curtain with the mat and handtowels and thought how cute it would look in there. After my fall open house last week, I got about $140.00 in free products from SL at home, so I decided to venture out of my box and instead of buying mostly kitchen things, I would try for the bathroom. So, it was all free... even better.. huh?? So, friday when I got home from school, I was greeted with a TON of boxes on my front porch and I couldn't wait to get them open and put all the new stuff out. So, here's the pictures.. let me know what you think. and yes, I do love some red!

Does this look dirty to you?? I was a little disappointed when I opened this..

hmm.. not sure what to do?

Race for the Cure.. I did it!!

Our awesome team.. Sweet Melissa's K crew

Today, was the big race!! The race for a cure 5K run to help support breast cancer. I did this race last year for my sweet friend, Rashel who is a breast cancer survivor going on four years now! Wow..God is so good! But, this year one of my goals was to run the whole 5K. I have been "somewhat"training for the past 5 weeks, but I was still a little worried about being able to actually run the whole thing. But, I DID IT!! Yeah.. and I didn't stop one time! What a great feeling knowing that you are helping a great cause and running in honor of my sweet survivor friends, Rashel, Melissa and my precious grandmother. This year, our team was Sweet Melissa's K Crew in honor of a collegue, Melissa who was diagnosed with breast cancer this summer. She recently had a double masctomy and had to under go open heart surgery due to complications after surgery. To say that she has been put thru the ringer, would be an understandment. But, she is a walking statement and testimony as to what our gracious God can do. Not only is Melissa getting stronger and stronger each day, but she is coming back to work in just a few short weeks. Wow! We will all be so glad to have her back! I also have to brag on our awesome team. Our goal was to raise $700 for breast cancer research but we ended up raising over $1000. How awesome is that?? We all had a super fun day today..despite the rain.. and I sure did enjoy my first 5K where I actually ran! And... we didn't do to bad either.. my best bud, Shelly and I hung right in there together and we finished at 37 minutes.. Not too bad! It was a super fun day and one that I will cherish for years to come. Melissa.. I love you to death and I want you to know how proud we all are of you. You are a trooper and I am so lucky to have you as a friend. =) Shelly.. had a super fun time today! Lunch and the yummy Yogurt Mountain was awesome.. So glad we found that place! I'll be going back for sure. Can't wait to do it again.. I'm already looking forward to next year! XOXO

Me and bud, shelly.. pre race! Me and Shelly...after the race!

Look at all the people.. wow!

We made it to mile 3!!

Me and Melissa.. our survivor! We did it for you!!

Gotta love all the pink.. so fun!

Yeah for Melissa.. our survivor!!

Yeah.. we made it!! I'm proud of us!

A Few of my Favorite Things...

Some of my favorite blogs are doing a post about their favorite things. So, I decided I would do mine too. And, I skipped the most obvious family, friends, and faith. =)

1. Food and Firebirds.... yum!!

This is one of my all time favorite restaurants! The food is yummy, the drinks are delish and the service is always outstanding. My husband says hands down they have the best steaks! So, if you've never been.. you need to go! Jamie and I had a date night Friday night and it was much overdue. We had some yummy steak, delicious ranch ring appetizers..they are like onion rings but better!! =) Yummy, yummy salads.. I just love their BLT salads!! I could eat those all the time. I love how they cut everything up so small in the salad. We were too full to eat dessert..but I'm sure it is delicious too. If you go, you will have to try my 2nd favorite thing.

2. Iced Cherry Limeade...

So, this is my new favorite drink from Firebirds. I must say I am not one to try new things.. I know, I need to do better.. but I'm always afraid I won't like something. Jamie saw this on the menu and he told me to just try it since I do love Sonic's cherry limeade. So, I asked the waitress.. she said it was yummy, so what the heck! I tried it.. and let me tell you.. it was oh, so good! It tasted just like Sonic's but with a kick. I will definitly have to get it again.. and my Red Rocks Rita that I do love too!! You'll have to try it the next time you go!

3. Nicholas Sparks...

He is my favorite author of all times and I just love all his books.. you know, he wrote The Notebook, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, and many, many more. Some of his books were made into movies too and I just love when he comes out with a new book. I usually have it read within a week and this time, I'm trying to pace myself. But, they are soo good you can't put them down. His newest one came out about a week ago.. The Last Song and I can't wait to read it all! If you are a reader, you will definitly want to pick up some of his books. I recommend all of them!

4. Ann Taylor Loft...
Clothes are definitly a weakness of mine.. I love them all and I love to get new ones. But, I must say since we have moved, my priorities have changed and I have not been shopping lately. I love Ann Taylor Loft though. I think they have the cutest clothes and accessories. Which I am trying to do better about buying. =)Also, my best friend, Colleen has a new line of children's clothing.. Wonderfully Made Clothing! So, please check out her site http://www.wonderfullymadeclothing.com/ and email her and let her know what you think. She is just know getting started and she is doing a great job. She has some precious things for boys and girls and I am very proud of her for starting this new venture in her life. I've had fun going with her to fabric shows and seeing the "behind the scenes work." She is a hard worker for sure! I love ya girl!

5. Volitale Shoes...

These are my favorite shoes of all times! They are the most comfortable shoes ever and I live in them in the spring and summer. If you've never tried them, you definitly should. They go with everything and you will wear them all the time. I'm stocking up for next year and buying some new ones now that are on sale!

6. Football...

WAR EAGLE!! I love this time of the year just because of football season. I love the fall weather, being outside, having football parties, and just enjoying the calmness before the Thanksgiving/Christmas craziness begins....

7. Christmas...

Christmas is my favorite holiday for sure! I love getting together with family and friends and celebrating the real meaning of Christmas.. our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The holiday season can be crazy for sure, but I love the spirit of Christmas and how nice people are to each other! (well.. usually) I love to buy presents for others.. it just makes me happy! It won't be long and it will be here.. boy, do I need to start shopping!


8. Desserts...

I love all kinds of desserts.. cakes, pies, cookies, cupcakes.. yum! They are my weaknesses but I have a new dessert, Fudge Pie that I am crazy about because it is sooo good and soo easy to make! I got the recipe from another blogger and I swear, I think I make it at least once a week. My husband LOVES it and I know you will too. So, here's the recipe..

1 stick of melted butter

2 eggs

1/4 cup self rising flour

1/4 cup cocoa

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup sugar

1 ready to bake pie crust (the frozen kind)

All you do is mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.. use a fork to mix together..you don't need to use a mixer.... then, pour it into the pie crust and bake at 300 for 45 minutes.. That's it!

I know, so easy! Take it out.. let it cool and add some vanilla ice cream.. I promise it will melt in your mouth it is so good.

9. Reality TV...

I know, I am crazy but I am a true reality TV fan. I LOVE Big Brother, Biggest Loser and the Bachelor/Bachelorette. I just get so wrapped up in it and I am hooked from the start. Am I the only one who likes all these shows?? Tell me what your favorite show to watch is?? I'm always up for a new one... I also love HGTV and all those shows. I used to laugh at my parents for watching all those, but now I love them too. I guess that means I am getting old. =)

10. Votivo Candles..
Well.. this may be kinda random, but I have just recently bought one of these candles and I LOVE it. It smells up the whole room and it doesn't even have to burn long. My favorite one is called Red Current and I find myself lighting it all the time. I guess I am obsessed.. so, thanks Colleen for telling me about them. I do love them!

Well.., there you have it.. My ten, kinda random favorites! I hope you'll try some of them out and let me know what you think. I would love to hear from you.. so, tell me what some of your favorites are!

My New Find......

Well.. I have been wanting some new bar stools for my kitchen island, but was NOT going to pay $100 each for them since they are just for decoration. Sunday afternoon Jamie and I were going thru the Sunday ads and wouldn't you know it.. but Target.. yes, my favorite store was advertising bar stools for $25 each. WOW! I thought I better go check that out before they sell out. So, Sunday afternoon (before I came down with the sickness) I went to Target and they didn't have any out but they had some in the back so the sweet girl went and got some for me and I figured they would do. They are not the cutest I've ever seen or the ugliest, but they will definitly do for such a good deal. Not to mention, I had to return a few shirts and got $20.00 back, so the bar stools together were like $30 dollars for both.. wow! I thought that was a deal.
And, I want you all to know that I even came home myself and put them together. So, super easy. If you want them, you better hurry cause I think the sale ends on Saturday. Let me know what you think! I think I'll recover the seats.. but they are really not that bad!

Football, Friends and Fun...

What more could you ask for! We had our first football party at our house on Sat. night to watch the tigers play. This was my 1st game of the season to actually watch on tv. considering we were at the lake last weekend and didn't get to watch it. =( So, I was ready for some football this weekend! I love me some AU tigers and I love football season.. I just can't get enough of it. Jamie and I are big Auburn fans and we love to go to the ballgames and hang out or just enjoy with friends and family. We had fun watching it with our good friends, Colleen and Eric and Shelly and Richard. Even though, Richard is an AL fan, we still let him come . =) But I was really disappointed when he showed up with his red and white colors on..... I didn't think he would have the nerve to wear that with a bunch of AU fans, so we'll just call him the "outcast". But, I do still love ya Richard! =) We had some yummy food and of course, good times! I can't wait for more fun times to come.. GO TIGERS!!!

The girls

Jamie and Eric

The AL fan

Colleen and Eric

Shelly and Richard

Our yummy food

AU cupcakes

War Eagle Chex Mix

Couch Potato to Runner...

TO

In 9 weeks..what do you think??

Well, in my motivation to get fit I have decided to try a new fitness program. So, we'll see how it goes. I have also signed up to run in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Oct. and I don't have very long to get in shape! One of my goals is to be able to run the whole 5K this year. We'll see how that goes...I tried it last year but I ended up walking more than running. Then, I heard about this neat program -from coach potato to 5K and in just 9 weeks it gives you week by week training tips on how to change from a slop or aka couch potato into a runner. Check out this site for more info http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml It says not to push the program but I don't have 9 weeks so I am going to have to double up on some of the weeks. YIKES...what was I thinking?? But, I'm going to try really hard. (Shelly, I'm counting on you to hold me accountable and be my running buddy!) =) Also, if anyone would like to sign up to join our team, we would love to have you race with us. Our team name is Sweet Melissa's K Crew. We will be running in honor of a co-worker and dear friend who was diagnosed this summer with breast cancer, Melissa Jarrell. We know she is a fighter and we are praying for her each day to Beat this! Much love to you MJ! My thoughts and prayers are with you each day! XOXO