A Girl in the Real World

Wish List of the Day

2012-01-28T14:28:00.002-06:00

Mossimo Junior's Dress

Merona Ruffle Sleeve Woven Dress

Xhilaration Junior's Belted Dress

Mossimo Pahnia Peep Toe Wedge

These look better in person. I had them on my feet in the store and didn't want to take them off.

Mossimo Parisa Covered Wedge Bootie

It's FRIDAY!

2012-01-27T21:48:00.001-06:00

Play along HERE!

1. My favorite place I've ever traveled to is Colorado. I loved the landscape. I loved Garden of the Gods. I only wish I was in better shape when we went, because I pooped out on hikes and there was just SO much nature to take in.

2. Ireland is somewhere I'd love to go someday.

3. I pass the time on a plane (or bus, or car ride or train) by talking. I can talk and talk and talk. Listening to music. Reading magazines. Reading my Kindle.

4. My three must-haves when I travel are drink , snacks and music .

5. My favorite travel companion is I might have said my sister but there was that one road trip to Dallas where she made me listen to RENT. Jeremy is definitely my favorite travel companion.

6. The craziest thing that ever happened to me while traveling is when we were driving back from Pensacola, Fl. We pulled off the highway to a little rinky-dink diesel truck stop in Louisiana for gas. Jeremy pulled up to the pump and turned the car off when I realized the gas tank was on the other side {that's what happens when you've been driving for hours and hours}. When Jeremy went to start the car to pull around...the engine didn't even turn over. No notice, no clicking, no sputtering..no anything. Thankfully my Mom was behind us on the highway and I called her to come rescue us. One trip down the road to an Autozone and one brand new battery later, we were back on the road headed home.

7. The most exotic food I've ever tried while traveling is a hot dog from a street vendor in Acuna, Mexico.
8. If I could live anywhere else, I'd live in I don't know! It's hard to imagine ever living anywhere other than Texas. I love my state.

9. I have been to eight states in the U.S

Wednesday Mash Up

2012-01-25T20:27:00.000-06:00

Geez y'all!! I have been cccrrraazzzyyy busy this week. After my 'digital detox' and being out of town for the weekend I feel like everything got a little out of whack. Like I'm just a step behind. We just got around to grocery shopping tonight...and it was MANDATORY..because we were out of everything. Jeremy and I have both been sick. It was rainy today. Ya know...LIFE keeps happening. lol.
But I know everything will get back to normal soon enough.

I had a super great weekend. My mom and I drove up to see my sister for her birthday but we were able to sneak up to Denton to see Jonessa and her brand new baby boy, Seth! Poor Jonessa had that dazed and confused look going on. Being a brand new Momma is hard work.

We surprised my sister with our visit..she had no idea we were coming. But THEN we surprised her with a party at her apartment. I have discovered that I am not a very good liar when under pressure. I am NOT able to lie on the fly!

Jonessa suggested speaking with a foreign accent to confuse the person I am speaking to long enough to think of something else to say. Good idea...except I was trying to fib to my sister. I'm not sure she would have fallen for the foreign accent.

My cousin, Briana (she is presenting the cupcakes above), who lives with my sister is celebrating her birthday today {Happy Birthday, Bri!}. And my sister planned a surprise birthday party for HER on Sunday. So..it was one crazy weekend of surprise birthday parties at my sister's place.

*Subject change*

Has anyone else tried BodyCombat at the gym? It's like Tae Bo...on crack. I LOVE it! It get's my heart rate up and I'm sweating. It's a great way to get out any frustrations. Even though I know I'm NOT..it makes me feel like a total bad ass.

OH! Guess what I signed up for today?! The Hot Chocolate 5k next month!!! I'll run for chocolate. There is a time restriction of a 15 mile..after that they open the roads back up to traffic. I've only AVERAGED a 14: 21 mile on my own at a walk/jog pace...so hopefully I won't be waved off the course for being too slow. Nervous! Excited!

OH! AND! I got my Jessica Simpson dress in. My Facebook people have already seen this pic but I'll share with y'all too!

Conversations With Madison

2012-01-22T08:00:00.000-06:00

I'm taking a short break away from the internets. This is a self-imposed digital detox. No blogging, google reader, email, or facebook. In the meantime enjoy this guest post by my Mother-in-law, Sheila.

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Conversations with Madison:

Yeah!! It's my turn to read the diarrhea of a wimpy kid book...

PRICELESS!!!!!

Dolly (L) and Madison (R)

Happy Birthday

2012-01-21T09:00:00.000-06:00

Sneaking this one in because I couldn't NOT post it.

Happy birthday to my favorite Seester.

I love you.

I Love You

2012-01-21T08:00:00.000-06:00

I'm taking a short break away from the internets. This is a self-imposed digital detox. No blogging, google reader, email, or facebook. In the meantime, enjoy this little Ode to the best husband ever.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I love all your freckles and the laugh wrinkles around your eyes.

I love that you have such a good heart.

I love your passion for music.

I love your crazy head of hair.

I love your sense of humor and how you make me laugh.

I love your dedication.

I just love you. Everything about you.

Confessions of a Former Anti-Cat Human

2012-01-20T08:00:00.000-06:00

I'm taking a short break away from the internets. This is a self-imposed digital detox. No blogging, google reader, email, or facebook. In the meantime enjoy this guest post by my cousin, Briana.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I’ve never been a cat person. In fact, I don’t think that I’m much of a cat person now. I certainly wouldn’t go get one for myself and allow it into my house.

Why? Mostly because I’m pretty freakin’ allergic! Ask my cousins. I used to sleep over at their house, where they had a cat and within about 30 minutes or so my eyes would start watering, I would start sneezing up a storm, and my throat would start closing up and I would get all wheezy and sneezy and all that… .

I really think it’s an overall conspiracy by cats around the world. They can sense when people are allergic to them! They sniff those people out and immediately park themselves in said allergic person’s lap. Coincidentally, the same time those people go over to their cousin’s house without taking their medication. Both Squeak and Otto have done this to me, thankfully, no clawing or biting happened during said lap occupations. Although that has happened before, and attacking my feet and pretending to like me only to bite or hiss at me. The list goes on and on…

I love dogs! I didn’t use to like a lot of animals when I was growing up, but as an adult I really do appreciate canines. Some of my friends have some of the greatest dogs ever and I want one, once I don’t live in an apartment where a big dog would go crazy.

With all of that being said…I hate to admit it, and it pains me to actually say it. But a certain cat has slightly taken away my dislike for felines. That’s right, I, a former anti-cat human, love a cat.

This is probably the only cat that I will ever treat like this. She’s a cuddler, she’s playful, she plays fetch! Sort of. Essentially, she’s a semi-dog in cat form. I think that’s why we have bonded so well. She also curls up in your lap, lets you scratch her belly, and she snores when she naps! You’d have to have a heart of stone not to be charmed by this cat.

Don’t get me wrong, she has her cat moments where she walks on my arms when I’m trying to type on my laptop or she’ll streak across the room and claw at my beloved chair. Or prevent us from having a Christmas tree inside the apartment because she chews on the light chords and swats at the ornaments. Or try to sneak into my room, which is the only “No Mila Zone” in the entire apartment.

And even though I have to take a pill to live with her every day, I’m kinda fond of that dastardly feline. My roommate is probably jumping for joy at reading this. Because even though I’ve told her that I don’t mind her cat, I haven’t really publicly announced it before. So…here I am.

Hello, my name is Briana, and I am a former anti-cat human. Don’t spread that around though, I got a rep to protect.

Daily Happenings At Home

2012-01-18T20:16:00.001-06:00

Walking the dogs.

This is Lola getting her harness put on (be sure to have your sound on):

This is Duke getting his harness put on:

Tuesday OOTD

2012-01-17T16:30:00.000-06:00

Getting crazy with the neutrals.

Stay Positive!

2012-01-16T20:26:00.001-06:00

A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition. ~William Arthur Ward
I have been trying to make a conscious effort this year to be happy; to think positive; to be thankful. I have a tendency to worry too much; to get very anxious; to become melancholy.

The facts are:

* I have a great life
* My home is cute, cozy, and safe
* I'm good at my job, it provides us with a comfortable living and out of this world insurance
* I have wonderful pets that are healthy and happy
* We have lots and lots of nice things
* I am married to my best friend who thinks I hung the moon
* I love my family and they love me
* We are healthy and getting more so all the time
* I am able to, more so now than ever before, stay connected to the people that matter most to me

I am blessed. So, when the dishwasher starts to leak, I will be thankful that I even have a dishwasher. And when some extra feature on our seven year old SUV goes out (like the seat warmer), I will be thankful that we still have a well running vehicle. Or if I have to deal with some rude person at work, I will smile and be thankful that I have a job to go to and that I am getting paid to deal with their nonsense.

I will smile more. I will say that my day is going GREAT more. I will keep my snarky opinion to myself, unless I think it might really make a difference (which it usually doesn't). I will tell myself that it will all work out more (because it usually does). And if I have to, I'll fake it until I make it.

It's not a tumor {you read that in a schwarzenegger accent didn't you?}

2012-01-14T09:19:00.003-06:00

It's just an Otto-kitty that really, really loves being in my lap.

Got mail...not bills!

2012-01-11T16:47:00.001-06:00

Back on December 16 I jogged/walked my first official 5k.

Today I received my first official medal in the mail.

Eight Days of 2012

2012-01-08T18:22:00.000-06:00

1. Bought a Jessica Simpson dress at a killer price. There were no measurements listed so I'm crossing my fingers that the size I bought fits me. If not I'll be hitting the gym so that I WILL fit in it.

2. We lost water pressure...and I thought for sure there was something wrong with our pipes, or water heater, or something because our house hates us. Turns out it was a city pipe and not our house. Thank goodness.

3. Found out Friday that something was leaking water in our kitchen. It turned out to be a piece connecting the water supply line to our dishwasher. Easily fixed, thank goodness. I blame the water pressure issue.

4. I cloned myself.

5. Jeremy hung the second door in the guestroom. That means its time to move on to the next thing, probably the baseboards.

6. Applied for Jeremy's passport.

7. Read my first book of the year. 'Avenging Angel' by Tara Janzen writing under Glenna McReynolds. It was a good way to spend an evening. I really liked it.

8. Purchased tickets for our trip to Vancouver in July! Well..my sister purchased the tickets. But its official..we're going international, baby!

Conversations At Home

2012-01-07T09:52:00.000-06:00

Jeremy: I'm leaving all the decorating of this house up to you from now on.

Me: What do you mean?

Jeremy: That stuff matches the living room perfectly. I would have never been able to do that.

He was talking about the new filler for our hurricane glasses. Either I'm a home decor genius or my husband is just easy to please...I'd go with the latter.

Fill in the Blank Friday

2012-01-06T22:02:00.002-06:00

Play along HERE!

1. One of my favorite things to do when I have free time is to drink lots of coffee, stay in my PJ's all day long, stay in bed as long as possible.

2. When I have free time I tend to drink a lot of coffee, stay in my PJ's all day long, and stay in bed as long as possible. LOL. I spend a lot of time on my laptop, reading blogs and chatting on FB (those FB conversations can get crazy funny).

3. If I had an entire day completely to myself I would get a massage and pedicure, go to the local cupcake shop and enjoy a cupcake, browse the mall and Target for any killer deals, read a romance novel from front to back.

4. I would prefer to spend my free time (alone or with others...) BOTH! I love my alone time..especially if I have good book to read. But, I crave girl time. I love spending time with my family and friends.

5. Most of my free time happens outside of work hours. Usually, if I'm not working..I'm free to do whatever I want.

6. The best thing about free time is not having to rush to get anywhere or do anything. Really, I love waking up on a Saturday morning knowing that I can wake up and get ready at my own pace.

7. The next time I have free time I should probably bath the dogs..they are really stinky.. but instead, I'll probably waste time on this magic box where all my friends live.

Who needs New Year resolutions?

2012-01-04T18:00:00.001-06:00

Apparently I do.

It's time to face the cold hard facts.

The damage of the "holidays"

Just kidding!

I had a helper.

Maybe Squeak needs to face the cold hard facts.

This one is for real..no helpers.

I'm up just a leeetttllle bit..about two lbs. Not bad for a two week hiatus from the gym and a never ending supply of Christmas cookies and breads.

Time to get back in the game!

Happy Birthday, Babe

2012-01-03T20:48:00.001-06:00

How'd I do?

2012-01-01T22:32:00.000-06:00

I was reading over the post I did last Jan. 1. I listed 13 goals for 2011. I was surprised by how many of those goals I actually reached in the last year...I'm not very good with my follow through.

1. A new dishwasher - DONE and I am in love with it. Seriously..I do the dishes nearly every day when I get off work. A clean sink makes me happy.

2. A new stove - DONE. It's shiny. All four burners work. It tells me when my oven is heated...and when the timer is done..and when the surface is still hot.

3. A Costume Birthday Party - I surprised my sister by driving to Dallas to attend her (and my cousin's) costumed birthday party. My friend and I were Daphne and Velma.

4. A kick ass concert - Originally we had plans to go see Linkin Park but their concert was rescheduled...and we weren't able to make it. Instead we saw Trivium, Megadeath, Godsmack, Black Label Society and Judas Priest.

5. A girl's weekend with the crazy ladies of my family -

6. Warrior Dash - This one I didn't do. So lame.

7. A trip with my sister - this trip also didn't happen. But we have big plans to do some traveling together this year.

8. Getting my toes in the sand - We were able to spend some time in Galveston where I listened to the waves, had a fruity drink, chased the seagulls and got my feet in the sand.

9. Cultivating my talent - I didn't do this one either.

10. Get a laptop - Done. I love my laptop.

11. Visit Lost Maples - another trip that wasn't to be. Maybe this year.

12. Go to the Texas Ren Fest -

13. Visit friends, family, relax, calm down, laugh until I cry, savor good food, remember my blessings every second - I did some of that...but I hope to do lots, lots more this year..

Welcome to 2012!!

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000-06:00

*deep breath in, deep breath out*

2011 is now officially over. Time to take all the crazy, stressful, depressing things that have happened over the last 12 months and put them behind you. The page has been turned, it's a brand new day..a brand new year. Time to start fresh. So, I am sending you my love. That's right....straight from my heart to yours. I want to start this year off with LOVE.

This year I hope you laugh until you are breathless. I hope you have time to gaze at the stars. I hope you spend a wonderful afternoon on a quilt in a park on a perfectly sunny day. I hope you get your toes in the sand. This year I hope that you can sleep that perfect sleep that comes with being utterly content. I hope you give and get a gazillion and one bear hugs. I hope you enjoy puppy kisses and kitten purrs. I hope you smile at strangers, and I hope they smile back. This year I hope you travel every where you are meant to travel. I hope you make memories that will last. I hope you don't have to go to the doctor, not once. I hope you get to enjoy a child's spectacular imagination. I hope you read every book and see every movie that is on your list, and a few that aren't on your list. I hope you get to see family and enjoy your friends. I hope you get to buy a cute pair of shoes...or two..or three. I hope you are able to shrug off the bad. I hope your dream job lands in your lap. This year I hope that the money you need finds its way into your wallet.

I hope you smile.

I hope you have so many blessings that its impossible to count them all.

2011 YIR

2011-12-30T22:09:00.000-06:00

January - Right In The Ear

Feburary - Wearing A Memory

March - I Was RUNNING!

April - Artichoke Pasta

May - Relay For Life

June - I Am Not Made Of Glass

July - *Happy Dance*

August - Whatever Lola Wantz

September - August 11, 2004

October - GGGiiirrrlll, You Need Some Nair

November - Happy Thanksgiving!

December - Adventures In Babysitting

Successful Christmas Gift

2011-12-28T20:57:00.001-06:00

Jingle Bellz...Jingle Bellz...

2011-12-24T16:07:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas, Peoplz! I iz SO ready to DO thiz thing. Santa iz gonna callz me aaannnnyyy minute now to ask to help him guide his sleigh thingy. Those rainy deerz don't have nuthing on me.

So....Iz has been a super duper good girlz this year. Uh-huh! I haz been. I didntz pee in the house..not evenz when it was coldz and the grass made my paws all wet. Yuck! I really, really hatez when my paws get wet. I hasn't chewed up any of Mommyz shoez. And I letz everyone petz me. See...SO good! I hopez youz have been as good az me...and Santa leavez lotz and lotz of prezzies under your tree.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Just Jinny household.

Friday Funny

2011-12-23T16:33:00.001-06:00

I love these commercials. So funny.

Christmas Magic!!

2011-12-21T21:18:00.000-06:00

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Allie on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Jong on Pinterest

Source: pinterest.com via Missy on Pinterest

Source: eatdrinkchic.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

Source: thesweetestoccasion.com via Colleen on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Colleen on Pinterest

Guest Room Makeover...early stages

2011-12-20T20:46:00.003-06:00

While Jeremy works on the major details...trim, baseboards, crown moulding, carpet..blah, blah, blah. I am busy working on the decorting aspect that will happen once all that other stuff is done. Here are some paint chips I've taped to the wall:

I'm leaning towards the top left color. But I have lots of time to decide.

Also, my sister donated her comforter to the guest room cause. This comforter and whatever the new wall color ends up being is what I will base my general decorating scheme on. I'm thinking a blue-ish, gray-ish, white-ish, yellow-ish theme.

Lately....

2011-12-19T20:10:00.001-06:00

* The guestroom makeover commenced about three weekends ago. First thing on the agenda, new door trim and doors. I don't want to go into details..but let me just say this..Jeremy finally hung one of the doors this evening (and it was the fourth door we bought). It's been....a lot of trail and error.

* Bad News: Lil'Mama is not living with us anymore. Good News: She went to live with my in-laws. I'm fairly certain that my Mother-in-law is completely smitten already.

* Our neighbors from down the street are handing out Christmas cards door to door. That makes my heart feel all melty. We don't really know them...beyond the friendly wave when driving by..so it was a super sweet gesture.

* We are taking Mack and Dolly to the movies this weekend. It will be Dolly's first time ever...I'm sure she will whisper talk her way right through it. I am ok with that.

* Saturday outfit:

Now and Then

2011-12-18T21:55:00.000-06:00

Sometimes...I'm still amazed that I can look down and see my feet. I know I keep saying that...but it's true. I had resigned myself to looking like this..

January 2009

Here it is three years later, I've maintained my weight..this whole lifestyle change is no longer a change...but just how things are done. And I successfully completed my first official 5k this weekend.

December 2011

Now, don't get me wrong. I haven't suddenly fallen in love with working out. I don't like running. I still love chocolate...a lot. I have flab and stretch marks. I'm a size 12. I can't touch my toes. I use regular sugar in my coffee.

But, I can see my feet. And for me..that is enough.

They've got the magic...

2011-12-18T17:22:00.000-06:00

Thursday Funnies

2011-12-15T20:25:00.002-06:00

**WARNING: THERE IS ADULT LANGUAGE IN BOTH OF THESE VIDEOS. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED.**

Merry Christmas, y'all

2011-12-13T19:35:00.000-06:00

Tuesday Randoms

2011-12-06T20:54:00.001-06:00

1. It's freakin' cold outside, y'all! It actually snowed yesterday, for about an hour. It didn't stick..thank goodness. After the great freeze last year, I decided falling snow is pretty...snow that hangs around for more than a day is no fun at all.

2. I'm headed to Dallas this weekend. It's baby shower time for my bestie, Jonessa. I call her baby Jethro even though that's not his name. It's grown on me so I keep using it. The kid is going to be so darn confused. But Jonessa and I are NOTORIOUS for nicknames.

3. I get to see my seester. Who knows what we'll get up to.

4. I have wrapped presents under my tree. It makes me happy. I still have more presents to wrap. That makes me happy too!

5. Jeremy and I bought a new TV for our "den". We have been using a dinosaur of a tube TV. It works fine but it weighs a TON and we have to keep moving it to change out cables. I kept imagining a broken foot or a hole in my floor if Jeremy ever dropped it. So for Christmas we got a pretty new flat screen that weighs 15 lbs. and a place for all the cords we need.

6. At this very moment I have Harley sitting on one side of me and Lil'Mama sitting on the other. There has been no hissing. Everyone is relatively relaxed. It's progress. Having a new cat in the house has slightly disrupted the vibe in the house...of course. Everything has been fine, but we can tell that we are still a little on edge. It's getting better.

7. The guest room makeover has commenced. The back room has been a lot of different things over the years we've lived here, but recently it's been the 'cat room'. Their food and litter box is back there. But we are getting started on a revamp for a proper guest bedroom. When we moved into this house we tore out the baseboards and door trim to replace it all, and put up crown moulding...in every room except the back room. It was our dumping room and it was never remodeled. So its time to catch that room up with the rest of the house. Hopefully it won't take a lifetime. Of course, I shall keep y'all updated.

Living with four cats

2011-12-04T11:54:00.001-06:00

Adventures in Babysitting

2011-12-03T20:11:00.001-06:00

We watched Dolly for a few hours last night. It was the first time she stayed at our house without my in-laws being there (my MIL called an hour later to check on her..lol..I think she might have been more worried about us than about Dolly).

She didn't waste one moment making herself right at home. She brought out all her babies that she brought with her. She tried desperately to make friends with Lil'Mama who just kept running away. "See..she wuns away ebery time". She had no problems making friends with Squeak because Squeak does not run..for anything, ever. She sat next to Squeak, petting him and she says "I wish I had a kitty that would sit with me just like this".

She had fun finding things that my magnetic Weight Watchers hunger monster would stick to in the kitchen, while I made dinner. When I sat her down at the table to eat she reminded me that we hadn't said grace.

She is OBSESSED with playing zombies. Usually the zombies are stuck in the drain, being held there by a ribbon. Don't ask me how she comes up with this stuff.

We played with her Wizard of Oz toys.

We played tickle monster.

We snuggled in bed in our Pajamas (I called them PJ's and Dolly asks 'What is PJ's'). She was pretty excited to have Lola up in bed with us. We watched a little of 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'. She asked me a million and one questions. What are they doing? Who is that? What are they eating? Why are his fingers hairy? Why is he green? Why are they singing? Is he mean? Is that his dog? Why is he dressed like Santa? Is she sad? Is she still sad?

She was a little upset when my in-laws came to get her before the movie was over, but we promised it would be on again. She did NOT want to leave the sock monkey behind. And she said next time she wanted to stay for a 'weely long time'.

Wall Revamp

2011-11-30T21:01:00.001-06:00

I've been wanting to do something with my large living room wall for a while now. It was looking a little empty and sad.

But, with the help of Pinterest I was inspired to try something like this.

I waiting for Micheal's to have a really great sale on all of their frames and went to town. All of these frames were 40 to 50% off plus I had a 25% off coupon.

The idea of hammering a bunch of new holes in my wall was daunting. I was a little nervous, but my Facebook buddies encouraged me on. I took down everything hanging on the wall and decided what I wanted to keep or get rid of. Then I took my new frames and organized everything on the floor first.

This was an important step. I was able to sit and stare at it, move them around, send a picture to my sister for her opinion. All I got from her was 'I don't see a picture of me'. No help, Seester.

Then I took a roll of old wrapping paper and cut out templates of all the frames, also marking where the nail would need to be placed. This is also a very important, and slightly time consuming step. But DO IT anyway. I used my cutouts to arrange the layout up on my wall. See, no new holes yet.

Again, I was able to sit back and just stare at it. Decide if I really liked it or if it felt off balance. I did end up moving a few of them around. And once Jeremy got home I gave him a hammer and told him to get to work. All he had to do was hammer the nail through the nail hole on the paper. Then I ripped down the paper and hung the pictures.

Some of the frames still have the generic happy family photos in them. And that's a blank canvas on the far right. But I figured getting it all hung up was more important than actually filling the frames. I'll get to that, eventually.

Here is my "holiday" wall:

Thanksgiving 2011 Recap!

2011-11-29T19:34:00.001-06:00

There was some of this:

Family Turkey Trot - That's me, in the back second in from the left

And some of this:

Drawing turkeys

A little of this:

One little monkey jumping on the bed

And a little of that:

That was Uncle Jeremy's doing. She thought it was hilarious.

A lot of this:

Cohen takes his music very serious.

Some of this too:

I didn't edit this photo. I love the vibe. Babies, toys, and visiting with friends and family...sums up my Thanksgiving.

And of course:

Christmas decorating. Lola was...um..helping..yeah, that's it.

And look at THIS:

Lil'mama acting like she has always lived here.

How to play stickers according to Dolly

2011-11-27T18:30:00.001-06:00

She had to school her Uncle Jeremy on how to properly play stickers.

Conversations at Home

2011-11-26T20:39:00.001-06:00

Jeremy: It sounds like they are saying 'walking in an orgy wonderland'.

I stopped to listen and then I crack up laughing.

Jeremy: Tell me I'm wrong. That's why you don't mess with Christmas songs.

I'm thankful for my neice.

2011-11-25T17:31:00.001-06:00

This is the girl of my heart.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T14:11:00.001-06:00

I'm thankful for a good book...

2011-11-23T21:28:00.000-06:00

...that distracts me so thoroughly I forget to post a 'thankful' post.

Oops. I missed a day! LOL. This week has been crazy busy (and it ain't over yet).

I'm thankful for fun blog swaps!

2011-11-21T19:11:00.000-06:00

I signed up for Jessica and Ashlee's super fun 'Just Add Color' fall swap. We were matched up with one other blogger and we had to send each other a scarf and a nail polish. How fun is that?!!

I was matched up with Mariah..a fellow OOTD girl.

When the UPS man dropped off my package I swear I 'squeed' and did a happy dance right in the living room. My husband shakes his head at me a lot. I can't understand why. I had also received my first birchbox that day too. So it was a FABULOUS mail day.

The package came at the perfect time because the weather dipped the very next day and I was able to sport my brand new plaid scarf. I love the purple and blue in this scarf. So fun! It was exactly the POP I needed for my outfit.

I'm sure you notice in the above picture (AND in the pictures below) that my nails are blue. In my birchbox I received a sample size bottle of Zoya polish in Noel. I had TWO new nail polish to try. What was I suppose to do but paint my nails one color and my toes another?

I am currently sporting my swap nail polish, Sally Hansen 'All Fired Up', on my toes.

My FAVORITE thing about this polish is the wand. I've never seen one like this, but they should ALL be like this. It's short and wide..instead of long and thin. It made painting my toe nails super easy!

GGrrreeaatt picture of my double chin and the polish wand.

I was beyond thrilled with my package! Mariah was a great swap partner and I cannot wait to see her post about how she styled the scarf I sent her!!

I'm thankful for Mack

2011-11-20T19:27:00.000-06:00

This is Mack. He turns NINE tomorrow.

It seems like just yesterday he was only five. And Spongebob was his favorite.

Now, he's too grown up for Spongebob. Instead he likes to play video games.

Just yesterday, he was a scrawny little boy that would make up songs and dance around the living room

Now he is almost as tall as I am.

But it doesn't matter how tall he grows or how old he gets. He'll always be a little boy in my eyes. And I'll always hug him a little tighter. And I'll always call him 'baby'. And he will always have a very special place in my heart because he made me an aunt.

Happy birthday, Mack-a-roni.

I'm thankful for stain remover

2011-11-19T21:15:00.000-06:00

I spilled a single drop of my pumpkin spice latte this morning.

Normally, it wouldn't be a big deal. But today...today I was wearing white capri pants.

Dang it.

I'm thankful it's Friday

2011-11-18T20:48:00.000-06:00

Play Along!

1. A nervous habit I have is I blush. When I have a room full of people and all eyes are on me, I blush really bad. I feel like my cheeks are on fire.

2. Something that makes me sad is neglected/abused children and animals. It's inexcusable .

3. Today I am thankful for my husband. He is my constant, my rock.

4. My favorite room in my house is the "office". The third room in our house, which is too small for a bedroom and has the backdoor in it has become our den. We spend nearly 100% of our time in this room.

5. I can't stand people who act like the world owes them something. Life can be shitty and unfair. Sometimes, it sucks. But you deal with it and move on. No one owes you anything and your life is as good as you decide its going to be.

6. If I had an extra $100 to spend on whatever I wanted today I would take Lil'Mama to the vet. She needs to come in this house..right now! And I can't do that until I know she is healthy.

7. The last person I hung out with was my husband. We hang out every night. lol.

I'm thankful for our bleeding hearts

2011-11-17T18:07:00.000-06:00

This is Lil'Mama.

Well, she actually started out as "Tink" or something equally unfitting. She once belonged to our hillbilly next door neighbors. They kept her as a strictly outdoor cat and even though I cannot 100% confirm this...I'm pprreettyy sure they never fed her.

During the summer, which was the most BRUTAL summer I can ever remember, she became a regular visitor to our back porch. It was covered and the concrete was cool. She would lay under the coffee table and just pant. What else could I do but start giving her water?

As the summer went on and "Tink" was still hanging out. And I noticed that she was just so skinny. SSooo, I kind of..sort of..started feeding her..just a little bit. Jeremy will tell you..she was so thin. Except for her growing belly. That's right. She was pregnant. Which is when I took to calling her Lil'Mama.

She had her kittens but kept them over at the next door neighbor's house. We only saw the kittens a handful of times. There were three..and then two..and then only one. Until there were none. I don't know what happened to them. I sort of don't want to think about what probably happened to them.

Our hillbilly neighbors eventually disappeared. Oh, their stuff was still at the house...still is...but they have stopped living in the house. But Lil'Mama is still here...on our back porch. We are now feeding her on the regular. She comes when I call her. I'd say she has decided to stay.

I thought, at first, that we would sort of just foster her. Feed her and care for her until we could find her a good home. That was my TRUE intentions. I even put it out there on facebook. BBuutt..she has sort of grown on me...damn it. So we have recently made the decision to keep her.

We haven't been able to take her to the vet just yet. For one, it's right before the holidays and our extra money is tied up in other things. And two, we are still waiting for the hillbilly neighbors to officially move out. We don't want to put in the effort of vetting her if they decide to come and grab her. I really don't think they will ever come back for her..at least I hope they won't.

So, for now, until we can make sure she is healthy and safe to be around our other animals, we've set her up a little house on our back porch. It isn't much, but it gives her some place to go as the weather gets colder. I actually made her a rice pillow...from scratch..with a sewing machine. I don't sew, people. But I sure did stitch a rice pillow that I can warm up for this little kitty.

I did not want another animal. I was quite adamant that we NOT keep her. I mean, just take a look at the brood of animals we already have living in this little love cottage..just to your left there. That is FIVE animals..Lil'Mama makes six. That is just insane. But it wasn't really up to me. She picked US to be her people. And how can I argue with that?

* I will never get in the habit of asking for money on my blog...but if you happen to be feeling charitable and would like to donate to the cost of housing (we want to get her a insulated igloo house..smallest one is $100) and vet'ing (spaying is $60 + the cost of shots and illness tests) Lil'Mama, please email me at justjinny@hotmail.com. *

I am thankful for my health

2011-11-16T20:58:00.000-06:00

I just registered for my first 5k event.

It's "virtual"..you can do it too. Check it out here. If you do decide to do it let me know!

I'll be honest. I don't really like to run. I don't run. I mean, I have run. But I have never experienced that runner's high people keep talking about. I haven't ever been able to get lost in my thoughts during a run {I'm too busy trying to breath}. I have never "hit my stride" or whatever magical thing that runners are able to do. Ask my sister. Me running is not pretty..at all. It's a bunch of flopping limbs and wheezing.

Anyway.

None of that matters.

This is for a great cause. So I'm gonna' try my best.

But this isn't really about how much I like or don't like to run. This is about how a few short years ago I would have never...ever...EVER entertained the idea of running...unless it was after the ice cream truck.

I would have never considered even walking for three miles. Walking around the corner to get home after work use to wind me. I'm not even kidding. It's so sad, I kind of wish I WAS kidding. I still get a little thrill at the knowledge that if I really WANTED to run for three miles I know that my body, this body I have right now, could do it.

I'll never take that for granted again.

I'm thankful for my imagination

2011-11-15T19:41:00.000-06:00

* I've written novels in my mind * Seen the world * Re-decorated the house, a hundred times over * I've re-married Jeremy over and over and over again * I've been the Queen of the wind, in my mind * I've made a patch of dirt on the playground into a fortress * I've seen my children * I've been wealthy and famous * I've spent my lotto winnings * I've been on dream vacations and the perfect girls only weekends * I've shown my art in galleries in New York City * I've planned the perfect speeches * Found the perfect pair of shoes, styled the perfect outfit * I've covered my body with beautiful art work * I've relived memories * Imagined the future * Found solace * Found myself, again and again *

I'm thankful for my sleep mask

2011-11-14T22:26:00.000-06:00

Really.

Sometimes, especially when the moon is full, its the only thing that keeps me from a sleepless night.

I'm thankful for my crock pot

2011-11-13T17:21:00.000-06:00

Crock Pot Carnitas

Today I am thankful for my pretty red crock pot. I love using my slow cooker to whip up meals that are so delicious they taste like I spent hours slaving in the kitchen...when really they take less than an hour of my time to put together.

I'm thankful for my In-laws

2011-11-12T17:18:00.000-06:00

I know many, many people have in-law issues. I hear the stories all the time. But I've been very blessed with wonderful in-laws. They raised my husband to be the man that he is...a very good man. They have accepted me from day one. They didn't blink an eye when Jeremy and I got engaged just months after dating. They didn't flinch when we decided to move in together. That doesn't mean that they didn't have concerns. I'm sure they did. But they gave us the room to make our own decisions.

Over the years, I have seen the best and worst sides of my husbands family. And they have seen my good and bad as well. We don't always see eye to eye on certain things. We may not fully understand what the other is feeling or going through. Our opinions might not always match up (this doesn't always stop me from voicing mine {i.e. I'm a big mouth}...much to my mother-in-laws chagrin). But, my in-laws have always expressed their love and acceptance of me. They have always welcomed me into their home with a hug.

I couldn't imagine having different in-laws. They make me proud to be part of their family.

I am thankful for my Grandpa

2011-11-11T11:39:00.000-06:00

This is my Grandpa (and my adorable cousin). He joined the Air Force on Jan. 30, 1953 and retired in September 1973. Today I am thankful to him and all of our Veterans, all of our armed forces. I don't have to agree with the current military politics to be proud of those that are willing to serve..no matter what. I will always be proud of those that stand up for our freedom, for our protection. And I will always be thankful for those that are able and willing to give their lives to our country.

I'm thankful for paid vacation days

2011-11-10T19:27:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow I am taking my very last vacation day for the year{not including company Holidays}. I don't have anything important planned. I don't have anywhere I need to be. I thought it might be a wasted vacation day. But..I sure am glad that it's here.

This week has kicked.my.butt.

I blame the time change. Or something.

I've been a little moody. I've had a lot on my mind with holidays and birthdays and blogging and foster animals. I haven't been sleeping well. I'm tired.

So. Tomorrow, I am going to sleep in and then lounge around a bit. Maybe read some. I am going to try to put the running to-do list in my head on hold for just a few hours.

I'm thankful for a good deal

2011-11-09T16:15:00.001-06:00

Him: You got another coupon for a free pair of panties?

Me: Yeah.

Him: At this rate you'll never have to buy another pair of panties again.

Me: Yeah, eventually I'll be on TLC or HGTV showing off my fancy panty drawer with all my thousands of panties that I got for free. Extreme Couponing: Panty Addition.

I've been scheming...

2011-11-08T18:49:00.001-06:00

Over the last few years, Jeremy and I have been making fun Holiday cards. Well, it's mostly me coming up with the ideas and Jeremy just goes along with my craziness...cause he's a good husband like that.

We've done the family portrait:

We've done Christmas lights:

And last year we did this {which was a major crowd pleaser}:

So...I've started scheming and plotting THIS year's Holiday card idea...much to Jeremy's ~~dismay~~ complete and utter delight. It has to be as great as last year, of course. And I think I have come up with a really cute idea if I can get it to work out. But, I have to keep that all under wraps for now.

What I can talk more about is the holiday card design. I've seen a lot of different sites, GREAT sites, where you can get holiday cards online. I've used a few different ones over the years. But this year I am using Tinyprints.com.

I mean..look at this designs! They are so cute my teeth are hurting.

Folksy Delight

Patterned Christmas

Colorful Collar

Honestly, I could go on and on. There are a TON of affordable and absolutely adorable prints to pick from. If you haven't decided where to get your cards for this holiday season or you are tired with the same ol' box sets available to the Walmart you MUST check out Tinyprints.com

P.S.

If you are interested in Bloggin' for Holiday Cards you can fill out the form here. And let me know if you sign up!

P.S.S

Even if you don't want to blog for cards..you need to go to Tinyprints.com and look around. So cute. Really.

Today I am thankful for my Lola Girl

2011-11-08T18:12:00.004-06:00

Somehow, I knew before she was even born that I was going to bring home a little Chug girl named Lola. But I had no idea what a trial it would be to raise her from a baby {I almost took her back}. Or what a blessing she would be to my life. She is a total Momma's girl. And, as anyone who knows me can tell you, I am head over heels for that smooshed face, floppy ears, crooked tooth grin, and curly-q tail.

Happy Birfdayz to MMEEEE!!!

2011-11-08T07:00:00.000-06:00

Hey youz people in this little box thingy!! Iz here to tell youz very important newz...ok? Ready?

Today iz my birfday. I iz 5 whole yearz old. That is SO old y'allz.

Iz just kidding! I am still super cutez and super fabulous.

Mom thoughtz she would embrass me by bring outz those baby picturez, but I was ssssoooo cute when I waz a puppy. I waz BORN cute, peoplez!

See. Totally cutezzzzzz! It's no wonderz why Mom and Dad could't resist bringing me home.

Iz gonna spend the day doing what all superz fabulous Diva Doggies do...lolling. I betz I get tons of belly rubs.

I'm thankful for luck

2011-11-07T16:42:00.000-06:00

Friday, after work, I started on our overflowing laundry basket of dirty clothes. Jeremy often wonders how two people can accumulate so much laundry. I think it multiplies in the hamper. Anyway, the first load was washed and I threw it in the dryer..which is outside in our carport. When Jeremy got home from work he walked in and asked what that loud banging noise was. I didn't hear anything since I was in the house but as soon as you opened the door to the carport you heard a loud thumping coming from the dryer. So Jeremy took a peek and didn't see anything amiss and started it again. The thumping continued but we didn't think anything of it.

When the dryer cycle was done I went out to take that load out and put another load in. After all the clothes were out I found the cause of the mystery thumping. Jeremy's work knife. It's sharp, really sharp. It must have been in a pocket. I'm a bad wife and didn't even check before throwing the clothes in the wash. I loaded the next round of clothes in the dryer and wondering back inside.

"Look what I found in the dryer", I say as I hold the knife up.

"Where is my blade?" Jeremy says.

I look into the laundry basket full of freshly dried clothes. A pile of clothes that I had just mindlessly grabbed from out of the machine. A pile of clothes that might possibly have a loose blade hiding in it. I dumped the clothes out on the bed and carefully sorted them. No blade.

That means the blade is still in the dryer. Possibly shredding the next load of laundry to ribbons. When I went to check the dryer..I found all my clothes were in tact. Thank goodness. And the blade? It was harmlessly crammed into the crevice between the dryer bin paddle and the bin wall {Y'all know what I'm talking about? I don't know if they have official names}.

Saturday OOTD

2011-11-06T14:29:00.001-06:00

Top: Long-sleeve tissue t-shirt @ Target

Bottoms: Sweetheart jeans @ Old navy

Shoes: Gold glitter ballet flats @ Payless

Accessories: Floral scarf and bracelet @ Charming Charles

I'm thankful for my Monkies

2011-11-06T11:58:00.003-06:00

I can't even explain how much I enjoy being an aunt. These kiddos might not understand or even realize their part in my life, but I know they look up to us. So, I'm always striving to be the best role model I can be. They make me laugh, they make me smile, they remind me that it's ok to play. They give me hugs and tell me they love me. They make my heart happy.

I'm thankful for Facebook

2011-11-05T21:05:00.000-05:00

Facebook makes me feel like I am at a big house party. There are people you know and some you might not know very well. You can wonder in and out of conversations. You can snap a picture on the back patio and share it with the people up on the second floor. You can drag someone into the bathroom to have a "private" conversation. You can witness a couple having a fight on the front lawn...and then making up on the couch later on. You can leave for a little bit and walk back in hours later like 'Hey y'all! What did I miss?'

It keeps me connected. When I am hours away from an interstate and it takes me forever to drive anywhere to see anyone or do anything, Facebook keeps me connected to the 'outside world'.

Today I am thankful for this margarita

2011-11-04T18:11:00.000-05:00

It's been a lllooonngggg week, y'all. TGIF!

I am thankful for my Mom

2011-11-03T20:46:00.001-05:00

I've blogged about my fabulous Mom a few times before. I have tons of reasons to be thankful for her. But today I am thankful that she is always available to pick me up and take me where ever I might need to go. Or, she is always willing to let me borrow her car.

She's pretty great like that.

Adding to my Chrismtas List

2011-11-03T16:29:00.003-05:00

* Wide-Leg Trouser Jeans - dark wash (12 short)

* Embellished Tank Dress - black (M)

* Sequined Chiffon Tank (M)

* Kitten-Heel Pump - snakeskin (7)

I'm thankful for Hot Chocolate

2011-11-02T20:20:00.002-05:00

A cold front moved in today. The temperature went from 70's to 50's in a few hours. When I was walking home from work it was strange..warm in the sun and then the wind would blow and it was cold. By the time we took the dogs for a walk two hours later the wind was blowing so hard it nearly knocked me over.

When the weather gets chilly I like to make hot cocoa (it's boxed, nothing fancy). I don't know what it is about a warm mug of hot chocolate but it is such a comfort to me.

I am thankful for my job

2011-11-01T19:47:00.001-05:00

It wasn't an easy day at work, but that's why I decided to focus on my blessing of employment. My job has provided my family with a lot of opportunity we wouldn't have had otherwise, like purchasing a home so early in our marriage. We've been blessed with wonderful insurance..and we have used it over the last 13 years. Whenever I get a statement from a treatment, or pick up a prescription, I go cross-eyed when I see what we would have had to pay out of pocket without our insurance. I enjoy paid vacation time. I take advantage of the flex scheduling. Although I am not passionate about the work that I do, I am very good at my job. Today I am thankful for my job.

November Project

2011-10-31T20:38:00.000-05:00

I'm taking the month of November to remind myself to be thankful for all of my blessings, big and small. It's very easy for me to lose sight of all the wonderful things I have in my life right now because I'm too busy fretting about the future, or everything that's still on my to-do list, or being jealous of that person over there.

Every day this month I will be posting about something I am thankful for. Could be just a picture. Could be just a post. Maybe I might get ambitious and do a post WITH a picture. I'll probably sprinkle in some FITBF, OOTD, and miscellanous posts as life events warrant.

If you would like to play long, grab the badge above and have at it. You can do just ONE post if you don't feel like doing it every day this month. Or maybe a weekly post? Whatever you feel like. Just take some time to step back and really embrace all the wonderfulness that is your life right now. Put aside the 'If only's for right now. We are blessed and highly favored and I can't wait to re-focus myself on my blessings and see what I discover about myself this next month.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T08:00:00.000-05:00

The Princess and the Witch

Casting a spell on Lola

Gathering around the Jack O'Lantern

Off they go to charm other unsuspecting adults

A 108 Bulbs

2011-10-30T11:58:00.001-05:00

This is how we spent our Saturday morning

Don't look at my husbands poor shoes.

Everyone wanted to help. Duke and Lola loved sittting in the dirt. Lil' Mama even came around to lend a paw. She had a lot of fun batting around the bulbs.

Grow, little bulb, grow!

Fall Wreath

2011-10-29T20:27:00.000-05:00

At the beginning of the month I went on a mini-shopping spree at the Hobby Lobby. I bought the makings for a fall wreath. Grapevine wreath, a fall-ish floral spray, and some fabric remnants. I've seen so many pins on pinterest of these fabric rosettes that I had to try my hand at them.

I spent all of a Sunday on the couch with scissors and my glue gun making a dozen fabric rosettes.

Youtube.com is so great. I just did a search for fabric rosettes and found several how-to videos to get the general idea of how these cuties are made.

I stuck the floral spray into the grapevine wreath and sort of twisted it into the position I liked. I took some leftover fabric to tie the spray exactly where I wanted it. Floral wiring would have worked great..but I didn't have any. I'm a resourceful girl.

Speaking of being resourceful. I bought a sheet of fall themed scrapbook paper to cover my 'S'. I started gluing the paper on the letter just to realize the 'S' was backwards. DOH! That's why the naked 'S' up there is looking a little ragged. Instead of buying another piece of paper (a whole $.54 I saved myself) I used more of the left over fabric to wrap the 'S'.

This is what the finished product looks like on my front door. My Mom says its shabby chic.

Fill In The Blank Friday - Jeremy Edition

2011-10-28T20:00:00.001-05:00

Play along!

1. When I was a kid I wanted to be an Air Force pilot when I grew up.

2. As an adult, my dream job would be a musician .

3. W hen I was younger I wanted to be just like my Dad and James Hetfield .

4. The childhood Halloween costume that I remember most was when I was a punk rocker. I remember having spiky hair and wearing a clip-on earring and my Mom putting make-up on me .

5. My favorite childhood toy was Transformer, GoBots, He-Man, GI Joes, Thundercats.

6. The time I got into the biggest amount of trouble when I was a kid was when my brothers and I went into a trailer home that the family was in the process of moving out of. The door was unlocked so we didn't technically break in but we still shouldn't have been there. Some other kids also knew about this unlocked trailer home and had stolen a few things from the family that was transitioning out of the trailer, but when we got caught in that house we all got in trouble for the stolen items.

7. I get daily inspiration from my wife, music, my friends, and ice cold beer.

I have a serious question to ask

2011-10-27T18:26:00.002-05:00

We have lived in our little love cottage for about nine years now. It only has one bathroom {GASP...I know. I actually have to keep my makeup put away and there is only ONE outlet}. We have adapted quite nicely. Not that we knew anything different. Our apartment only had one bathroom also. Although I do dream about the day when we will have a master bathroom for ourselves and nice, clean, clutter free, fluffy toweled guest bathroom for everyone else...I have one concern.

This is a cost that I never imagined we would have to anticipate. And so frequently, it seems.

I'm talking about our toilet seats.

We have been through three toilet seats since we've lived in this house.

I can't come up with any good reason why our toilet seats keep breaking. The left hinge breaks..every. single. time. We aren't doing crazy yoga poses while sitting on our porcelain throne, I promise.

So, I wanted to ask y'all..how long have you lived in your home and how many times have you had to replace your toilet seat?

Hey Good Lookin'...whatcha got cookin'

2011-10-26T20:41:00.001-05:00

I tried a recipe from my new cookbook today. Some garlic-y red pepper and broccoli pasta dish. It was super easy to throw together.

First, boil some pasta.

Then, take your broccoli florets (I used a bag of steamed broccoli after a ride in the microwave), chopped red peppers, chopped chicken breast and some olive oil..put it all in a hot pan. Stir until chicken is about done.

And then throw in some of this stuff. The cookbook is geared towards this new product by Philadelphia. Its our first time using it. I just played it by sight and put in a little at a time and stirred it around until, adding until I thought it was enough (I didn't use the whole tub). Let it all get heated through and then add the pasta.

Here ya go..finished dish. We would have added some grated cheese but we didn't have any. It was good but needed more seasoning. I didn't know how seasoned the cooking creme would be so I'll adjust next time. Overall, pretty good for a first try.

Tuesday OOTD

2011-10-26T16:02:00.000-05:00

Blazer - Thrifted from my Aunt Kathy
Striped Henley- Old Navy
Jeans - Mossimo Bootcut @ Target
Wedge - Max Studio Faviene @ Pipeline.com

Christmas Wish List

2011-10-23T12:27:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year. Time to start thinking about Christmas and what I might want Santa to bring for me. Actually, I've had Christmas on the brain since August..which is my way. My closet is currently stuffed with presents and boxes just waiting for me to put them together with pretty paper and stick under a pretty tree. But, I haven't given a lot of thought about what I want for Christmas...until now.

I might have to add on to this list..but for now this is my Christmas wish list:

1. Hamilton Beach Ensemble Automatic Drip Coffeemaker

2. Kodak EasyShare 14MP Digital Camera

3. iPhone 4S for Sprint {I know this is a long shot..understandably..but it is still a want}

4. My iPod to get fixed.

5. Hooded Zebra Robe (L)

6. All*You magazine subscription

7. InStyle magazine subscription

Extreme Vanity Seat Makeover - Just Jinny Edition

2011-10-22T18:55:00.000-05:00

I need a makeover!

My Mom bought me this cute little dainty vanity seat at an estate sale. It fit perfectly but needed just a little TLC to become a happy addition to our bedroom. So I got out the spray paint and staple gun.

It took me a try or two to find the right screwdriver. Handygirl I am not.

A nice coat of polished copper spray paint.

One yard of pretty fabric.

Time for a face lift.

I admit I youtubed how to recover a "bar stool" just to get an idea of how to go about this.

It ended up being pretty easy.

Face lift complete.

I'm ready for my close up.

GGGiirrrlll, you need some Nair

2011-10-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

Last night I had a skype date with my sister. We were talking about my 'gnarly' eyebrows. I've been blessed with full eyebrows. My eyebrow hairs grow so long that if I sleep on my face wrong I wake up with a serious case of bedhead...but for my eyebrow. My sister thought this was hilarious and wanted to see so one morning when my brows were particularly 'gnarly' I sent her a picture text. Yes, we are weird like that.

Anyway! We were talking about other hair issues that us women have to deal with..on all parts of our bodies {sorry, guys..we are about to go into territory beyond the closed bathroom door}. I mentioned that lately I have noticed that my upper lip is growing hair that does NOT need to be there. And my sister looks at me askew and says 'lately?' As in, 'Seester, your upper lip has ALWAYS been hairy'. Except she has NEVER told me that my upper lip was just a little too hairy to be cute.

My Mom has mentioned it recently. Maybe that is why I have been paying more attention?

But my sister says, through her laughter mind you, that she always thought it just didn't bother me.

Stop and think about that for a minute. Why would having hair growing on my upper lip NOT bother me?

What I'm trying to say is...ladies, we have got to help each other out here. Surely we all have another female or two in our lives that we are comfortable enough with that they can tell us we need to do something about our five o'clock shadow. I'd much rather hear it from my sister or even my husband and take care of it instead of walking around letting everyone and their mom gawk at my 'stache.

So, go take a good look in the mirror and check yourself. And if you find a chin hair longer than Rapunzel's wig you should fire your sister immediately...I know I did.

{Via}

Fill in the Blank Friday +

2011-10-21T20:25:00.000-05:00

Play Along Here!!

1. Nothing says fall like cold evenings, sunshine with a cool breeze, pumpkin spice, scarves and long sleeves.

2. My favorite autumnal tradition is buying a cinnamon broom...which we haven't done yet. It use to be going to the pumpkin patch to buy a boat load of pumpkins but as the years go on, I find myself less and less interested in buying a whole bunch of pumpkins for my front porch. I'd much rather have my house smell like fall.

3. My favorite fall treat is my husbands chili. For real, y'all...his chili is out of this world good and he only makes it when the weather calls for it.

4. Fall makes me think of football because I think of all the high school football games I went to {not to actually watch the game..I knew NOTHING about football} while wrapped up in sweatshirts and blankets.

5. Autumn free form word association, go! pretty dried leaves, carved pumpkins, tall boots, leggings, pea coats, cinnamon and spice, pine cones, fleece blankets, crock pot meals, hot chocolate.

6. My go-to outfit in the fall is nearly the same as the rest of the year. You see, I live in West Texas so it rarely gets cold enough to require a major wardrobe change. There are more long sleeves and I pull out my pea coat {which I love..its lined in purple satin} and scarves.

7. My favorite fall holiday is (Halloween or Thanksgiving) Thanksgiving. Halloween is just such a minor holiday for us since we don't have kids and no one brings their kids door to door trick-or-treating anymore. I do love Thanksgiving and getting together with family and eating my Grandpa's fried turkey and my Aunt Kathy's chocolate pie or my Mother-in-laws sweet potatoes. Dang, now I'm hungry.

My cute Halloween wallpaper on my phone. Makes me smile.

Happy "Gotcha" Day, Duke!

2011-10-20T18:15:00.000-05:00

Ok..so...I'm a bad doggie mom. I don't remember the exact date we adopted Duke from the humane society. I remember it was October. I remember it was rainy. I remember all the volunteers were SO excited that Duke was being adopted. I remember bringing him home and thinking 'What the HELL do we do now?'

It's been several years since we brought Duke home to live with us. And even still we can tell that he is just so grateful to have a home and a bed and food in his bowl. He is so easy going, all he needs is a walk around the block and a trip in the car every now and again. Everyone loves him, even strangers. People sometimes stop in their cars to talk to us about Duke when we are out for a walk. Besides his missing leg, which gets a lot of attention, his pretty markings seem to just draw everyone in. Our little home wouldn't be complete without him clomping around it like a mini-horse. We are so very thankful to have him as part of our family and love him so much.

Tuesday OOTD

2011-10-18T19:41:00.001-05:00

Top: A.N.A @ JC Pennys

Jeans: Mossimo bootleg @ Target

Belt: Thrifted from my Aunt Kathy

Shoes: Steve Madden Heartache T-strap Pumps @ Ross for Less

Jewelry: Flying Pig Charm necklace/dangle earrings @ Charming Charles, bracelet @ local book fair {I know, sounds strange..but that's where I got it}

Things I Learned This Weekend

2011-10-17T19:10:00.000-05:00

* Texas is a big ass state {Ok, I already knew that. But its hard not to be reminded when driving 6 hours and 45 minutes doesn't even get you to the state line}

* I am not a very good traveler. I stress out..which gives me a headache..which makes me tired.

* Mixing cheap rum with cheap vodka and then getting stuck in stop and go traffic for two hours makes me sick. Like throw up in a souvenir bag in the car sick. Thank God for that bag.

* Chasing seagulls on the beach is a lot of fun.

* Being surrounded by pine trees makes me claustrophobic. Give me my wide open spaces please.

* Charming Charles is my mecca.

My favorite CC find {actually Jeremy spotted it}.

* Jeremy and I still have a really good time hanging out together.

* If I have the option, I am never staying anywhere other than a Drury Inn. They are just awesome and the extras aren't extra {as they like to advertise}. Free hot breakfast, free hot dinner, free adult beverages {three per night of your stay}, free wi-fi, an indoor/outdoor pool, a fitness room, a business center, a guest pantry, a mini-fridge and microwave in every room, a friendly staff, doors that are locked at 11:00 {to be opened only by a room key}. What's not to love?

* There are a lot of women who will use just about any excuse to dress like a hootch.

* Everything costs TOO much money.

* Heavy metal has almost become like music therapy for me. At some points during the concert I could close my eyes and almost imagine I was at home and it made my head feel better.

* Stage actors are a special breed of people {and I mean that as a compliment}

* Its always good to see old friends.

* Its always good to meet new friends.

* There is no place like home.

Animal House

2011-10-14T18:00:00.000-05:00

HHHHiiii..all youz beautiful peoplez in this box thingy!!! Itz me...Lola...duh. This weekend iz a very excitingz weekend! Mommy and Daddy left to runz off someplace. We can always tellz when they iz leaving us because they bring out the polka dot bagz. It makez Duke a little sadz...but not me.

Know why?

We haz the house all to ourselves! PARTY TIMEZ!!! Iz gonna crank the music and shake my cute little curly tailz. Party timez should even cheer up that sad Duke doggy.

"I am not having a good time"

Oh yeah! Wez gonna stay up late. Pig out on doggie treatz. Drink too much waterz. Crash where we fallz. Crazy, party animalz..that iz us! That Grandma lady wontz have a clue why wez are so tired the next day when she comez to check on us.

If I feelz like it...I might even let those big ol' bully catz come to my party.

SSShhhhzzzzzz! Don't tell no onz about my super fun crazy animal party, K? If Mom and Dad found out I would bez SSSOOO grounded!

Only In My Dreams

2011-10-11T18:46:00.000-05:00

I woke up in the middle of the night with tears rolling down my face. I was pulled awake from a dream, one of those super realistic dreams. I remember being comforted by someone, the face is now fuzzy. I was explaining that I had to put Lola to sleep and I started sobbing. {bad dream} I was so relieved to wake up to realize it was all in my head.

I think its been on my mind because several of my friends have had to say goodbye to their fuzzy family members over the last couple of days. They have definitely been in my thoughts lately.

Have you ever had one of those dreams that was so real that you woke up crying/screaming/laughing?

It's that time of year

2011-10-10T20:36:00.003-05:00

When the shopping is good..

2011-10-08T16:01:00.001-05:00

...it's real good! I feel like I bought a lot of stuff today but I don't even feel guilty because I was finding such great deals. First stop was the local Salvation Army Family Store. There was a wicker chair that wanted to come home with me but I left it there. Instead I bought a cardigan (Worthington) for $3.24.

Then I hit the mall. I had a gift card for a free pair of VS hiphugger panties that I couldn't let expire. While I was there I poked around JC Penneys which is having a huge sale this weekend. I bought a v-neck t-shirt for $3.60, a double layered sleeveless blouse for $6.77, and..finally..a pencil skirt. It's been on my list for a while..and I have tried some on here and there, nothing ever really fit like it was suppose to until today. The skirt was not under $10 but was 50% off.

Last stop was Payless shoes. They are currently having their famous BOGO sale. So I bought a cute pair of gold glitter flats..only time will tell if the glitter will stay on the shoes or end up all over everything else..and a pair of tan peep-toe slingback heels. The heels were already on sale for only $8.00, but with the BOGO deal I got them for $4.00!

Pretty good deals, huh? I don't usually get so lucky when I'm shopping. Can't wait to play around with my new pieces.

Question: My sister thinks the pencil skirt should be hemmed to the knee. What do y'all think?

Why I love my friends

2011-10-07T16:08:00.000-05:00

Sent to me via text message:

Dear Mrs Just Jinny,

Thank you for calling attention to our unfortunate oversight with your recent purchase of chicken. At Cluck Cluck Chicken Factory, we strive to make every customer pluckin' happy. Please feel free to come down to our farm to hand select the chickens we'll be using for your complimentary bag of chicken. This way, you'll know exactly how many pieces you'll receive. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.

Sincerely,
Colonel Flanders
CEO, Cluck Cluck Chicken Factory

She's in one of her "moods"

2011-10-06T20:04:00.001-05:00

Today was not a good day. I'm blaming PMS {because I'm a girl and I'm allowed to}. Everything was annoying me. Every.Thing. So I decided to leave work a little early before I ~~cut~~ ..er, I mean, upset someone. On days like these it's best that I not be around other people. I might have hermit like tendencies when I'm feeling extra crabby. {Thank you! I'll be here all night}

Once I was home I felt a little better. Until I took some chicken out of the freezer for dinner. I grabbed the new unopened back of chicken and used my handy-dandy kitchen scissors to cut off the perforated hem. I can never actually use the perforated hem because there isn't enough plastic to give me the leverage I need to tear it open..so I use scissors.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the pieces were a good size. The store brand we usually get had been skimping with little people size pieces that they were obviously including in the 9 piece count. But not today, not in this bag. I took out two good size chicken breasts and was closing up the bag when I noticed that there were only four more breasts in the bag.

Four in the bag + two in the sink = not nine pieces.

Oh, NU-uh! They were NOT about to jip me of three chicken breasts. Not on PMS Thursday. I was going to do something about it! So, I took to my laptop and wrote a letter. That's right...I wrote a letter about my three missing chicken pieces. What? I was mad!

When Jeremy got home we took the dogs for a quick walk and I was telling him about the missing chicken and my letter. And that's when he informs me that he had, in fact, already opened that bag of chicken.

So, it wasn't a brand new bag?

No.

Well, considering how pissed off I've been feeling all day it probably was the most harmless avenue to vent my frustrations. And who knows, maybe I'll get a coupon out of it.

Signed, the crazy PMS'ing hermit lady that writes ranty emails to large corporations for no reason,

Today's Mantra

2011-10-06T16:36:00.001-05:00

Where are my royalty checks?

2011-10-04T20:01:00.002-05:00

Watching this commercial last night and Jeremy says 'Hey, they look exactly like us'. I don't remember signing anything giving Hotels.com the right to use images in our likeness. Who wants to take this case? Free hotel rooms for everyone!

Sunday Window Shopping

2011-10-02T19:47:00.003-05:00

1. Striped top 2-fer dress

2. Ruffled peplum gray blazer

3. Abstract chiffon kimono dress

4. Braided x-front flat

5. Zigzag doleman sleeve top

6. Belted-toe textured wedge

When did this happen?

2011-10-02T16:02:00.000-05:00

During the first several years of our marriage we did not watch sports on TV. No sports...of any kind. We just never were very into it. Jeremy didn't grow up in a house with football on the TV all day Sunday. I grew up in a house full of girls...we didn't watch football ever.

And then something happened.

Fantasy football happened.

My uncle has run the family league since the beginning. About four years ago Jeremy decided to play. Next thing I know Jeremy is glued to the TV every Sunday...Monday....sometimes Thursday. All of a sudden he has favorite players.

I still wasn't all that into it. It was just background noise.

And then something happened.

I started playing fantasy football too!

Now, we spend our Sundays in the living room watching football all day long. We talk about our fantasy teams and players. Jeremy has to explain to me what being offsides means....again. I'm yelling at the TV. I have favorite players.

Even though I'm new to this whole football fandom..I'm starting to understand a person's unfailing loyalty to their favorite team. I'm a Cowboys fan, all the way. I love one team, but hate no team. I won't talk smack about my Boys, but I won't talk smack about other teams either. Other people might like to do that..I'm not one of them. I am a fan. Of the game. And it IS just a game.

Games are suppose to be for fun. And I'm having a blast!

It's fall, y'all!

2011-10-01T17:39:00.000-05:00

I hit up Hobby Lobby today and found these beauties on sale for 50% off. The bag of pine cones/cinnamon sticks/filler bits was half off too. I also bought a grapevine wreath (on sale) and a seasonal floral bundle (sale), a craftable letter S (not the one in the picture), a piece of fall themed scrapebook paper, two bundles of fabric remnants.

Oh, and I bought Pumpkin ice cream at the grocery store.

Can you tell that I am just a teensy bit THRILLED that its October?

Friday, Friday..gotta get down on Friday

2011-09-30T20:58:00.000-05:00

Play along HERE!

1. My current obsession is hurricane glasses. I can't stop thinking about hurricane glasses..and how I need some for the living room coffee table. Now, if only I could find a good looking pair that don't cost an arm and a leg.

2. 80 degree weather make me happy. This summer has been rough, y'all. And that's coming from someone that has lived here my entire life. I can't even tell you how much I am looking forward to cooler weather. The mornings have been absolutely wonderful lately.

3. My greatest strength is uummm...

4. My high expectations of everyone else is my greatest weakness.

5. My life is blissfully ordinary. I thank God every day for all my blessings.

6. In high school I was fairly average {are y'all seeing a trend here?} I wasn't popular, but I had plenty of friends.

7. When I'm super tired I lose my focus. I stare off into space a lot, day dream a lot, trail off in mid-sentence a lot.

Nothing Better Than

2011-09-27T20:47:00.000-05:00

Wearing one of Jeremy's long sleeve shirts while I'm lounging around the house.
The "big" boss sending an email saying "I agree w/you". I want to print it out and frame it.
My Boys (the Cowboys..duh) making it work two weeks in a row. Might not be pretty, but we like to play a little down and dirty.
Walking the dogs at the end of the day and airing our frustrations from the work day. By the time we get back around to the house we are done complaining and can enjoy our evening.
Seeing all the rain. It might not always be right on top of us, but it's been around. And after so long of being without it..without a HINT of it..even a glimpse of rain is welcome.
Overtime at work right before the Holiday season. I'll be doing some Christmas shopping very soon.
The front yard spigot getting fixed...finally {Love you, Honey}. There has been a leak in our spigot for weeks now and it's finally fixed. I can't even describe how happy it makes me to walk up to the front door and see DRY dirt and not a small mud puddle. It's the little things, people.
My neices and nephew making me feel special. I always try to make them feel special and loved but I'm amazed at how special and loved they make ME feel.

Sunday Window Shopping

2011-09-25T20:38:00.002-05:00

From top to bottom, left to right:

1. Button-front Charmeuse Dress

2. Lightweight Printed Scarf

3. Dolman-sleeve cardigan

4. Ruffle-front Chiffon Tank

5. Braided-trim Trouser Jean

6. Scoop-neck Henley

It's 11:00

2011-09-24T23:02:00.003-05:00

I've been working on this blog makeover for about an hour now.

Everything is looking super cute and spruced up for the new season.

I'm a little in love with my new cupcake header....except...its not centered. I've googled the heck out of how to get that image centered. I've tried editing/adding CSS HTML..whatever-thing-a-ma-jiggy. Didn't work. *sigh*

I'm too tired to keep messing with it. So it will have to stay off-centered for now.

It's FRIDAY!

2011-09-23T22:04:00.000-05:00

Play Along!

1. The best thing I did all week was annoy my boss to frustration. That's always a good day.

2. The fact that I don't have to work tomorrow and can sleep in makes me super happy.

3. Pets are a big part of my family. I could not imagine life without them.

4. My husband {natch} is the best thing about my life.

5. With the cooler weather I am looking forward to Jeremy's chili, hot chocolate, pumpkin spice anything, cinnamon brooms, mums.

6. Something that's on my "wish list" right now is a new pair of trouser pants. I really love the pair I have now but they are a size too big.

7. This weekend I am going to sleep in...did I mention that already? I've missed my Saturday mornings. Going out to my in-laws for dinner and to see my monkies.

Conversations At Home

2011-09-22T18:43:00.001-05:00

Me: Here, open this. *hands Jeremy the pickle jar*

Him: I swear that is all you keep me around for.

{I smile}

Him: Admit it.

Me: It's one of my top reasons. That, and killing spiders.