Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Testing, Testing

My brother got CSB and me and awesome little Flip video camera for Christmas. Here's a preview from one of the many several videos I've already taken of... Guess who??

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Dreaming of White Christmas

And my dreaming paid off! I awoke Christmas morning to unusual brightness outside my bedroom window. "Did someone roll our house last night?," may or may not have been my first thought. (Did anyone else experience/do this in high school? Our house seemed to be a popular site for "rolling" or "toilet papering from about 1999-2005ish) Alas, nobody rolled our house- it was snowing! I quickly got jumped out of bed and ran to the window (really). I felt like a 5 year old; I was completely giddy.

My mom's house Christmas morning 

The back deck

 Paisley deciding whether she liked snow...

 Still deciding (her poor bows are falling off)...

She likes it, I do believe!





My sweet snow puppy


The fiance and me

Our first Christmas together (we decided to share it with each other's families since next year they will officially be our families) was great. We traveled. A lot. But it was worth it. I have the most amazing family and am so thankful for the time I had to spend with them. 

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Life Now.

A very good friend from college, her husband (who I actually met first in college), and their absolutely adorable 4 month old little girl came into town on Thursday night to see Garth Brooks. Where did their sweet little baby girl stay during Garth Brooks? With me. And I loved every second! 


Being responsible for a little one, even though it was only for a few short hours, opened my eyes to how much things change when a babe comes along.

{Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to be a mom. One day. In 4-6 years, give or take. I love kids, always have. I've babysat since I was old enough to not be babysat. First of all, we aren't married yet, ex-naying kids for another year, minimum. Second, I would like a few years to spend with the hubby once we get there. And then, bring on the babies (3, preferably, 2 boys followed by a girl).}

I know that I am responsible and felt completely comfortable keeping baby Cham. However, I can only imagine the anxiety for a parent to leave their 4 month old. I can't even imagine leaving my puppy with someone (ridiculous, I know). I slept/dozed right beside Cham in the guest room and every 5 minutes time she stirred I peeked in on her. (I was secretly hoping she'd wake up so I could cuddle with her...) Paisley was not sure about the little bundle of baby. She wanted to jump and sniff and lick her, which I did NOT allow. Paisley didn't love it but did well. She was rewarded with a new candy cane shaped rawhide bone which seems to have made up for it. I am pretty content with my fiance and pup right now. I promised Paise she's got a good 5 years before she has to share me.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Vote for Paisley!

Paisley has been entered into her first (and surely not last) photo contest. Our vet's office is hosting it's second annual Holiday Pet Photo Contest and I am really hoping to win the grand prize, which includes: 

-1 year's supply of flea/tick preventative
-1 year supply of heartworm preventative
-5 days of boarding at the vet's INCREDIBLE facility

Yes, please! 

So, I set out on a mission today: Operation Cute Puppy Picture.

This mission was harder than it may sound. Have you ever tried to make a 4 month old puppy sit still long enough to take a picture? We I tried for quite sometime to get the perfect shot. Here are a few that didn't make the cut. 







The indoor shots weren't turning out too great so we headed outside. 




These two were close contenders: 




(This one was the winner. She was just so dang cute with the snow on her nose!) 

To vote for Paisley (Please, if you haven't already!) you can go to my facebook page and follow the link OR 
click the link bellow and you will be sent to the link. Simply "Like" her picture or post "vote" below her picture. Thanks! 

Saved by The Guff

On Saturday night I attended the fiance's office Christmas party. {Unfortunately, we took NO pictures. In fact, I realize I took NO pictures at the same event last year... Oops.} But here's a shot of my dress:




(Excuse the dog/dog bowls in the background)


Two days before the Christmas party I had several fatalities at the ends of my fingers, as in, I broke (really broke) 3 fingernails. I was forced to cut them down to the quick. And, because they looked so ridiculous among my other long, luscious, sturdy nails I cut all of my fingernails down.

Sad day. Since the fiance placed the bling on my left hand I've taken pride in keeping my nails nice.


Daaangit. 

{Now, before you get to judgin' I am not one that is normally bothered by a broken fingernail or two. In fact, up until this year my nails were generally non-exeistant as I was a longtime nail-bitter/picker. However, as I said, I've taken a little more pride lately.}

Moral of the story: I slapped some $5.99 fake nails on and called it a night. Sure, if you looked closely you could tell they were fake, however, they did the job! (Thanks to my friend for this genius quick-fix!) Knowing that my left hand would be glanced at a time or twenty I felt so much better not showing off 8 year old boy fingernails.



It could be worse. 

Monday, December 13, 2010

All Wrapped Up

I am finally DONE with Christmas shopping! Woo-whoo! Actually, though I despise the crowds, I enjoy shopping. Especially when I have something in mind that I know someone special will love! I've made a few of those purchases/creations this year but cannot share them just yet. Here's a peek at a few gifts I'll be giving. I might love wrapping presents as much as I love shopping for them.







Monday, December 6, 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen, We Have a Winner!



A winner wedding venue, that is! AND, for that matter, a date. 

CSB and I will be tyin' the knot on 10-15-11 at Belle Meade Plantation in Nashville, TN. 

To say I am ecstatic to have this finally nailed down is an understatement! We drove around Nashville and scoured the internet and met with vendors and drove around some more and, well, you get the point. When I initially toured Belle Meade I fell in love with the venue immediately. However, it was booked. Through November 2011. Sheesh. 

It was thought, on the morning that I toured, a date might free up in October. And it did
And filled up immediately. As in, before I could reserve it. 

Double sheesh. 

I became content that it was not meant to be our venue and CSB and I continued to explore options. 

And then I gave it one last shot. Just in case. 


Third time is the charm, apparently. Stay tuned for more details and projects that I take on as I prepare for our big day! 


Friday, December 3, 2010

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

She's finally up! 








Paisley approves. 


Thursday, December 2, 2010

Christmas tree update

Mr. Christmas tree is finally here! As in, in the living room, right beside me as I type. (!!!) I have been patiently waiting to get a tree since CSB and I returned from Thanksgiving travels. 

It rained Monday. 

And Tuesday. 

And I had plans Wednesday. 

Thursday has always been my second favorite day of the week! Not only did CSB, Paisley (yep, she came along), and I get a great tree... I also got free fresh greenery which I am overly excited about! I have already cut it and put it around the house. Thank you, Home Depot, for making my Christmas-tree-getting-night even better. 

It's the little things in life. 

Deck the halls!

I am still decorating. So far I have almost finished painting ornaments. I'm up to almost 30, most being for the tree but several to give as gifts. 

I  finished the mantle/fireplace (but may rearrange). 

And put the garland up on the staircase (but haven't decided how to accessorize it yet).

I decided locations of wreath (but haven't decorated them yet). 

{Indecisiveness is revealing itself as a theme in my decorating this year.}

Here are the ornaments: 

These are for my tree (I must love CSB):


These are gifts for the family/future in-laws:




And this is a special one I decided to add:



Now for the decor:









Everything pictured above has been handed down from my mother or grandmother. They are great, and luckily we have similar taste. The only thing I've purchased this year are ornaments and accessories for the tree (as cheap as I could find them!). 

In the next few days I'm going to share pictures of the front porch, the many wreaths I've hung, and,
the TREE!