Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!! I hope that Santa is good to each and every one of you!! I am free from work after today until January 3 - can I get a WOO HOO!!!!! Blessings to all!

Shhh . . . I have a secret

Promise you won't tell? We're all friends here, right? I.HAVE.THE.HOUSE.TO.MYSELF.THIS.WEEKEND!!!!!!! From Friday night until mid-Sunday, I will be in heaven - do you hear the angels singing?!!! Don't get me wrong, I love love love my family but the fact that I have no dinners to cook, messes to clean up . . well I'm just squealing with delight!! I can do whatever I want people!!!! Yippeeeeee!!!

Now watch me do nothing but clean and laundry, but that's ok because I can do it in my PJs if I want!! And put the TV on what I want!! It's the little things in life - ha!

My kind of Christmas . . .

I hope my house is still standing . . .

My daughter and I are headed out of town this weekend for a cheerleading competition in Philly, leaving behind hubby and stepson. I’m scared. I hope I come home to a house still standing. In the past couple of days, hubby has left the oven on at 450 for who knows how long. He “thought” he turned it off. He said he had turned it back on because the chicken nuggets weren’t hot . . . . while putting the dishes in the dishwasher this morning I see why the nuggets weren’t hot – he had used a cake pan that was stuck to the other cake pan so it was 2 pans thick! Then this morning I leave to go to the bus stop and come back home to find the refrigerator door wide open!! He comes downstairs a minute later and says he “thought” he had shut it . . . notice a trend here??!! I told him not to forget to feed the dogs this weekend – he says he’ll write himself a note. REALLY??? You have to write yourself a NOTE to remember to feed the dogs?!!! OH.MY.GOD. No wonder I haven’t been blogging . . . I’m raising 3 kids!!!!!

We survived!

I've nicknamed my daughter the "Dancing Queen"!! She attended her first homecoming dance Saturday night and danced for 3 hours straight! The next day she said her calves were sore from jumping so much . . . ahh, I remember those days!! I chaperoned and served drinks to sweaty thirsty kids. You could always tell when the DJ was playing a bad song or a slow song because we'd be bombarded with the kids then. I don't even think she minded that her Mom was there- ha!!

Pumpkin pickin' time!!

Fun fun weekend in store for the family!! Tonight we'll be at my daughter's high school for Friday night football!! Just wish the team was alittle better, but oh well. It is fun watching the teenagers - none of them watch the game because they are so busy socializing!!

Tomorrow we're headed to the Berry Farm for a hayride and pumpkin picking. Everyone gets to pick a pumpkin and then Sunday we'll carve them. Hubby called just a bit ago and gave me the Saturday afternoon college football line up - South Carolina v. Alabama at 3:30 and then Florida v. LSU at night. He is so lucky I love football just as much as he does!! Daughter has a babysitting gig so she's excited to get some cash in her hands.

Sunday is pumpkin carvin' day and NFL football - go Skins!!! I'm trying 3 new recipes this weekend so the house should smell really yummy - one is a spaghetti sauce that simmers all day and another is a macaroni & cheese in the crockpot (a/k/a heart attack in a crock pot if you saw the ingredients!). I may even have to throw in a Starbucks pumpkin spice latte somewhere in here.

Have a wonderful Fall (even though it will be in the 80s here) weekend!!!

It's hard being a Mom

How do you handle when you feelings have been hurt by your daughter, but you really don't want your daughter to know she's unintentionally hurt your feelings?? Her first homecoming dance is coming up. Her dad and I are divorced and it falls on a weekend she is with him. I guess I assumed - and shame on me for doing that - that she would want to come home to get ready for the dance. I made her a hair appt. and thought after that I'd bring her home and help her with her makeup and getting dressed. Wrongo. She told me that after her hair appt. she'll just go back to her Dad's and her Nana will be there if she needs any last minute help with the dress. So now my only involvement with my daugther's first homecoming dance is reduced to taking pictures. This stinks.

Meet Me On Monday

IT'S TIME FOR MEET ME ON MONDAY!!!!!
Questions:
1. What is the best dish you can make?
Hmm, that's a tough one. It probably depends on which kid you ask - Jessica would say my macaroni & cheese and Noah would say my pineapple cranberry salad!

2. How often do you change your sheets? Every Sunday

3. What is the longest car trip you have ever taken? College Spring Break to Key West. I HATE being in the car for a long time.

4. What is your favorite fruit? Strawberries - especially covered in chocolate!!

5. Would you rather have breakfast for dinner or dinner for breakfast? Breakfast for dinner. I'd probably fix it alot more than I do but hubby doesn't care for it that much.

Have a sparkly week!!

Shape v. Self

Which magazine do you like better? I like both, but trying to be good and get only one subscription. Opinions please!

Where does the time go?

I can't believe it's been over a month since my last post - yikes!!!! Alot has happened since then . . . . my "baby" started high school (God help me!!)

Noah lost his two front teeth and is now a proud second grader!

And we've added an addition to our family - Scout!! You can see him in the picture above with Jessica . . he's the one trying to get her bagel :-) Scout is a 6o pound blue tick hound and is just a big old goofball - love him!! We adopted him from an organization that rescued him from a shelter. Zoe, our 20 pound cocker spaniel/yorkie mix, is working on getting over her jealousy issues.

I'm ready for Fall . . . how about y'all?!! Although it is still in the 90s here in Virginia. Burned my first Fall smelly candle last night - mulled cider and it made the house smell so good! It's probably the cheapest candle I have and puts off the most smell - win win! WalMart candles for $3.00 - can't beat it!

Football games have taken over the TV on the weekends. We start with hitting the high school football game Friday night, college football Saturday - go GATORS! - and then Redskins on Sunday. It's a good thing for my husband that I love football as much as he does! I asked him what would he do if his wife didn't like football and he said guess he'd have to get another TV - ha!

Has anyone found any Fall "must-haves"? I need to check out the Lands End Canvas line for Fall but I'm going to try and be really good and only buy something if it is truly needed. If you saw my closet you would think I don't need a thing!

Everyone have an awesome week!

Best Vacation Ever!!

Oh, how I miss South Carolina . . . . our family vacation this summer was just what I needed. A week at the beach - Fripp Island - a day trip into Savannah with lunch at The Lady & Sons - and then on our way home a night in Charleston - I heart Charleston!!!!!!

This was the view from one of the pools we went to on Fripp Island - isn't it beautiful?!
Sunset on the pier

Charleston

The Lady & Sons in Savannah . . . no spottings of Paula :-(

Very cool restaurant in Fripp - Johnson Creek Tavern. Dollar bills everywhere!!! So our family decorated a dollar and I had the honors of stapling it to the wall!!

Last night of vacation, in Charleston, having dinner at Fleet Landing

Our vacation was relaxing, quality time with the family, afternoon cocktails and snacks and lots and lots of seafood!! What more could a girl ask for?!!

Meet Me On Monday

I thought it would be fun to participate in Java's Meet Me On Monday! This week's questions are:
1. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas! I've already starting my shopping list for this Christmas!!

2. What color clothing do you wear most?

I wear alot of black, but like to pair it with white and pink and silver jewelry.

3. What is your heritage?
Irish and German

4. What is your middle name?

Gray - it's a family name and I love that I was able to share it with my daughter!

5. What is your favorite cookie?
Molasses Sugar Cookies

Moment of Silence for Cohen

6 weeks and counting

Is it crazy bad that I want to start packing for vacation . . . . and we don't leave for another 6 weeks?!!!! That's how excited I am to see a little bit of this . . . .

drink a little (ok, maybe alot) of these . . .

and eat alot of these . . .

Fripp Island, here we come!!

A Friday Funny

A REAL MAN

A real man is a woman's best friend. He will never stand her up and never let her down.

He will reassure her when she feels insecure and comfort her after a bad day.


He will inspire her to do things she never thought she could do; to live without fear and forget regret.


He will enable her to express her deepest emotions and give in to her most intimate desires.


He will make sure she always feels as though she's the most beautiful woman in the room and will enable her to be the most confident, sexy, seductive, invincible.


No wait... I'm thinking of alcohol. Never mind.

Summer Fun 2010

So I got this idea over at Just Another Day at the Bay to make a list of what I'd like to accomplish this Summer. The kids don't get out of school until June 18, but Thank God our pool is open! I don't know how much I'll actually get done, but here goes . . .

• Read at least 5 books
• Walk/run at least 3x week
• Watch less TV
• Get on computer less
• Try 1 new recipe a week
• Spend less/save more
• Use beauty products I already have before buying more (I'm a sucker for trying new things)
• Organize our third floor
• Go to the pool instead of the mall
• Fripp Island - here we come!
• Have more GNOs!
• Start a journal (saw a neat idea where you share a journal with your child. You write in it and leave it by their bedside for them to read and then they write something and leave it with you. I wonder if my soon-to-be freshmen daughter would do that?!)

What fun summer things do you have planned?

Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka

I happened to be at the ABC store yesterday to buy tequila . . . for Mother's Day my family (at the suggestion of my awesome daughter) gave me the Margaritaville Margarita mixer!! While purchasing the tequila I remember reading on alot of blogs about the wonders of Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka so I bought a bottle!! Now, my question is, what do I mix it with?!! I'm usually just a beer or wine kinda girl so I need some suggestions - and just in time for the holiday weekend!!

Holy Gaucolome!

Where does the time go?! Seriously. I can't believe it's been over a month since my last post . . . I wish I could say I've been traveling in Italy or doing something exotic, but sadly not. Life's just been busy as I'm sure it has for all of you . . . school year is ending for the kids so busy with that, daughter is doing competition cheerleading so that has opened a whole new world to us . . . really just life in general has gotten in the way of blogging!! But every day I read yours. Sometimes I think I just don't have anything witty enough to say!! But I'm having so many random thoughts I thought I'd just bullet point it -

• I bought the Skinny Italian cookbook by my favorite NJ Real Housewife - Teresa. I haven't made anything from it, but I gotta tell you - the recipes sound delish! Can't wait to give them a try!
• Went to Busch Gardens yesterday and about had the life scared out of me! This chick is just too darn old to be riding rollercoasters that flip you this way and that - holy cow! I rode one that has you dangling from your seat and flips you all around . . . daughter was laughing her silly head off at me as I'm about to die!!!
• So ready for our pool to be open this weekend - woo hoo!!!
• Sad that my Monday night dates with Jack are coming to an end. No more 24 - who will save the world now?!!
• Can't wait to have dinner with some girlfriends tomorrow night and try some of the Sex & The City drinks the restaurant has - problem will be deciding which one to try!
• Got a haircut and color today and went darker . . . most people go blonder in the summer but hubby likes darker so I thought I'd give it a try. My hair grows in dark, but the rest lightens so much so I'm hoping by going darker the roots won't be as bad.
• Lee or Crystal? I'm going with Lee but both are incredibly talented singers.
• My daughter and I want to start running together. I think it would be pretty cool to run marathons together - what a great hobby to share!

Well, I hope that everyone has a wonderful week and hopefully it won't be another month before my next post!

Maybe, Maybe Not . . .

I may or may not have gone to a jewelry party Friday night at my neighbor's house.

I may or may not have drank an entire bottle of white wine by myself at this jewelry party.

I may or may not have spent way too much money on jewelry at this jewelry party because I was drunk as a skunk!!

I may or may not have provided comic entertainment to hubby when I got home from this jewelry party.

I may or may not have woken up Saturday morning moving a little slower than normal.

Summer Reads

I LOVE all the books written by Mary Kay Andrews. Her stories are set in the South and are just plain ole' fun. I'm also lovin' this series by Nora Roberts. I've never read her books before but I am thoroughly enjoying this one. I'm eagerly waiting for the third one in the series!! Are there any books/authors that you just love? Please share! I love to sit outside and read and now that Spring is finally here - thank God - I could use some good recommendations. Have a wonderful week!

?

What happened to My Brunette Reality?? Anyone know?

Ahh, I'm Back

I've been in a funk lately, can't really pinpoint why, but just have been feeling frumpy and grumpy. But tonight I was able to meet a girlfriend for dinner and margaritas . . . I'm in a much better place now. Sometimes you just need that girlfriend time to get back on track. I've missed meeting my girlfriends for dinner and drinks - I really need to make a point in 2010 to do that more.

What's for dinner?

Help! Starting next week, 3 nights out of the week the kids will be off having sports practice (cheerleading and soccer). Anyone have any suggestions for quick bites to fix and grab before heading to practice? Or suggestions for dishes that I can fix on the weekend and reheat during the week?

Happy Friday! Sunday the temps is to be in the 60s - WOO HOO!!!!!!

On a scale of 1 to 10

I'd give Savannah Sweet Tea a high 7/low 8. It really does taste like sweet tea, but with too strong of a lemon taste. I don't like lemon in my sweet tea. If you do, then you will really like this new wine. Now don't get me wrong, the 2 bottles that I bought will not go to waste - lemon taste or not!!
Have a great week!

Happy Friday & Relax, Southern Style!

Has anyone tried this? I just got this email from World Market and if this wine is as good as they make it sound, I'm heading to World Market this weekend to buy a case of it!!

Join the Southern Mommas Network . . .

and win this book!
In this humorous handbook, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, host of All Things Southern, reveals the all-important lessons Southern Mamas teach their daughters. Readers will discover why blue eye shadow is trashy and learn to interpret regional dialect like the Southern Mama APB, a bulletin translated on Southern streets as: “Give your heart to Jesus, girl, because your butt is all mine!” Shellie carefully breaks down the teachings behind those famous manners and social graces through her firsthand observations and dry wit. Here’s everything you need to know from how to cope with the unexpected, compete in the Mr. Right Game Show, and raise children—to how to keep that marriage knot tied tight over time. Woven with quotes from real Southern Mamas and sprinkled with recipes and other Southern secrets, this book’s a bona-fide celebration of all things south of the Mason-Dixon Line.
Shellie has sent a signed copy of her book as a giveaway for one lucky member of the southern mommas network. It is super simple to win ..... All you need to do is join Southern Mommas and then leave a comment below letting me know you are a new or current member of the site. We will close out the giveaway on Friday Feb. 26th, 2010. Only members who leave a comment below will be entered in the contest. Good luck Ladies :)

5 months and counting

till our Summer vacation!!! I cannot freakin' wait. We will be spending a glorious week on Fripp Island, SC, day trips into Savannah, GA - hello Paula Deen! - and Beaufront, SC and then on our way home we will be spending the night in Charleston, SC. If anyone has any places or restaurants that we should check out, please let me know! I've never been to any of these towns except for Charleston, so any insight would be appreciated!

Happy Fat Tuesday!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Valentine's Day! I am! Flowers and chocolates were given to me from hubby AND I won the chocolate giveaway that Carey at Providence was hosting - am I lucky or what!! Please don't hate me :-) Chocolate covered pretzels, cookies and chocolates candies - delish . . I could eat this stuff all day!! Thank you Carey!

Go Saints!

It's Game Day!! Hubby has left to go pick up our wings, chicken strips and cheese fries from Hooters. Mozzerella sticks and nachos are being made, ice cold golden beverages are chillin' . . . let's go Saints!!!

My Wedding!

I am jumping on the bandwagon and participating in Sweet Tea & Biscuits' Sips of the South series . . . this week it's Southern Weddings!!
This was both of ours second wedding so we wanted more of a casual wedding. Our wedding was so much fun and meant so much more because of our friends involved. The location was my friend's gorgeous backyard. Our bartender was another girlfriend (and for a short time my boss was back there bartending!). Photographer was a friend and the officiant was a friend - it all meant so much more to us.

It was wonderful having my daughter as my maid of honor and she also "gave me away." We walked in to the song "Jessica's Soneta" from the movie "Man from Snowy River." She thought it was neat that the song shared her name.

Hubby's son was his best man. Very casual . . . Noah got to wear shorts!

And what southern gal wouldn't want to have 2 drinks in her hand?! We had been to a wine festival and bought 30+ bottles of wine and had them at the reception. Our guests loved having a sampling of all different types of Virginia wines. I'm so glad we did that.

We also had paper lanterns hanging from the trees and white lights on trees. It was beautiful.

The next morning we headed to Charleston, SC and Kiawah Island for our honeymoon. I wouldn't change a thing about our wedding!

Shoe Love

I can just picture these cuties on my feet. Wouldn't they be cute with a pencil skirt?! They are Aerosoles and on sale at Kohls - $44.99. I may have to place an order today!!

Snow . . . Again

We got snow . . . AGAIN!! Probably 12 inches. We didn't even bother to measure this time. I was upstairs painting and glanced outside the window and saw this . . . it reminded me of a bunch of little ants. I love our new neighborhood. The hubbys get together and help each other shovel the driveways. They had just done ours and were working on the house across the street. That's my little hubby of ant in the blue jacket/orange shovel.

I'm ready for the snow to melt and for temps in the 80s!!

Southern Giveaway

Grab a glass of sweet tea and head on over to Sweet Tea & Biscuits blog to enter for a fab Southern giveaway!!

Bittersweet

I went to Jessica's high school orientation tonight. When did this happen? When did my baby grow up?? I honestly can't believe she'll be a freshman next year!! I'm sad for me and gosh so excited for her and all the opportunities and adventures that lie ahead for her. Now I need a drink.

BFF

Do you have that friend that you may not talk to in awhile, but you pick up right where you left off when you get together?! That's me and Julie. We have been friends since elementary school!! More than 30 years of friendship - yikes!! Our daughters are both 13 and it was cool to see that even though we don't live near one another and see each other often, our girls are very similar and even own some of the same things!

Vacation Recommendations

Since it is freakin' cold outside, my thoughts have turned to summer and the beach! I'm one of those that has to have something in the works and something to be looking forward to. Does anyone have recommendations for nice and affordable places to stay at the beach? We're thinking Outer Banks, but are open to other places too. Who knows, maybe there is a place we've never heard of that would be perfect!!

Also, we had thought about going to Disney this summer but now are thinking maybe December - anyone been to Disney that time of the year? How is it?

Any ideas and recommendations are greatly appreciated!

Real Housewives of OC

Did you see last night's show?? I was surprised and sad to see this story today. Tamara can be a real bitch at times, but Simon is one controlling husband and he'll never admit it. More drama to follow I'm sure!