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  Yay = Fall Pictures!

The kids' pictures arrived this week and I am so happy!  Shannon over at A Thousand Words Photography is awesome and does great work (especially with fussy three year old boys)!

  Wednesday = Crafting

Thursday this stuff on my head was freshened up - I had a picture but my stupid computer isn't working. I freaking love my hair.

We got new furniture this week!  Our family room had been bare since May, travesty!  So we finally found a smaller set we liked and haven't parted from that room yet!  (OK yes we have to eat and potty.)

Halloween Weekend is here today we took advantage of Ihop's free scary face pancakes and started putting together our (my husband and my own) costumes.  Let me just tell you my husband is going to look hilarious.  My costume...a surprise.

Happy weekend friends!

The 34th List

Alright, admitting:  In a few days I will be 34 years old.

You know I never really thought about my age before.  It was always just a bogus and blonde sounding, "Yeah I'm (insert number here)!"  And then I moved on.

This year I'm thinking - 34?

Don't get me wrong, I'm super stoked to be turning this age and I pray that it is a great year.  I also pray I have many, many more birthdays to enjoy.  However, I'm at this weird point where I feel like I'm in an age "purgatory" - my twenties, um where did they go?  Forties ahead.  What?  Why is that only six years away?

Then I think:  I spent 18 years wanting to be older, I got it.  Now I'm on number 34 wondering why getting older is the fastest phase I have been through.

Even my birthday "wish list" is getting older...

A snap shot at what I would love to go out and get for my birthday - cue the Kleenex.

1.  Good bake ware.



That is the Williams & Sonoma Traditional Finish Bake Ware set.  That is making my heart go crazy.  I know that sounds weird.  I don't care.  We're approaching that time of year when I bake like a crazy woman so it would be nice to have some proper bake ware.  I have my old school Wilton - and I love it - but it is showing its age now and well a girl likes pretty things.

2.  A can opener.


Y'all just put me on your prayer lists didn't you?  I know, I sound insane telling you I want a can opener for my birthday.  34, look at what you have made me!  Here's the deal I have a can opener that has been broken for two years and I still use that bad boy.  This would be a delicacy up in my kitchen. Bahaha.

3.  

Yeah a slow cooker.  The one I decided to show you is like the Cadillac of slow cookers.  It has all these cool settings and can do stuff that means a human is really no longer necessary to even touch it.  Fabulous.  Oh my gracious...I just called a piece of kitchen science fabulous...bless it!

4.  

Yes, I'm an old geezer.  I want the blanket you gave your grandma to cuddle with last year.  I don't know exactly why I'm craving a plush blanket so badly - but I am.  When I see them in stores I'm drawn to them and envision coffee, Downton Abbey, and my blankie.  Oh man, let's move on.

5.  Michael Kors


I have been on the hunt for a new fragrance and this just captivated me.  I love it so much.  This gets me some "not an old lady yet" points, right?

6.  Earrings, hell just jewelry!


These kind of melted my heart...they are topaz, my birth stone.  I just really love jewelry (costume and the real deal) and so any jewelry makes me super duper happy.  I think it makes us all a little super duper happy.  Ageless.

7.  Music


That girl.  Dayum, am I glad she's back.  I wondered if she would ever come back after having her baby.  Yes, that is Adele.  Of course to get her music I would have to have a car that has the adapter for my phone.  Oh who cares.  I want it.  Am I redeeming my old self now?

8.  I need these, for realz.



My Pack wear is very low.  I need to buff it back up.  (via ncstateshoppe)  I cannot be wearing t-shirts that say - Geritol.


Alrighty, I get it.  I am old.  My wish list has evolved into cooking products and sleeves.  

What are you wishing for this birthday or holiday season?  Share it!

What's Up Wednesday (October 2015)

What we're eating...

I'm totally making the meat loaf I posted on Sunday!  Check out the Let's Eat post...would you eat it?  I'm also trying to get back on my shakes so I'm not ballooning in November and December with all the bad for me but so delicious foods!

What I'm reminiscing about...



When I had long hair and didn't have to worry about growing it out and being in a weird hair phase.  #truth  I'm glad I have an appointment with my beautiful Liz tomorrow to get some assistance with this growing out process!

What I'm loving...

Fabulous for contouring!

My ELF make up stash.  I love their stuff and it is so freakin' cheap.



What I've been up to...



Believe it or not crafting.  I'm just in a big fat mood to make stuff!  Right now I'm working on a little treat for my daughter's school staff members.  Soon, I hope to get with my bestie again to make some gifts for the holidays!  Oh and I'm hoping to get some items to make a couple of fun things for the house with the kids.  Watch out Michael's, I will be there soon.

What I'm dreading...

My November paycheck.  It is going to suck unless I can pull some more days!

What I'm working on...

Our first Friendsgiving!!!!

What I'm excited about...


November!  I just hope it is healthy and happy and SLOW.

What I'm watching & reading...



Downton Abbey is mine and my husband's addiction.  We are late to get on that bus but it is A.O.K. because Amazon Prime is da bomb.  I'm also back on the Nashville kick.



Reading....I picked up Wonder (which is a book for middle school kids) at the library after my daughter's school librarian raved about it to me.  Can I say so far I love it.  I also (finally) picked up Shopaholic to the Stars.  I read all the other Shopaholics last fall.  I am a big Sophie Kinsella fan.

What I'm listening to...

Adele...Hello...over and over and over.
It is almost time for annoying Christmas music 24/7 isn't it?

What I'm wearing...


Cheetah shoes!!!  My favorite footwear.
Vests, this is my newest addition!

What I'm doing this weekend...



Halloween at my best Jen's place with her man and daughter!  We're going to make chicken stew, trick or treat, and enjoy the company!  I cannot wait.  I just pray my husband has the evening off to be with us.

What I'm looking forward to next month...



A weekend getaway with my husband (for our birthdays).  Thanksgiving, which is my most favorite holiday.  Hopefully, another great craft date with my Ashley!  I really just love November so much.

What else is new...
New Furniture!!!  I cannot wait to get my home all ready for the holidays.

Scorpios Unite!

Scorpios, like me, are all about some celebrating now and for the next few weeks.  I have never been into "signs" much but I have always read my horoscope out of common interest.  I thought I would delve into my sign a little and get educated on how "typical" I am as a Scorpio.  My findings - I'm a dead ringer for all things Scorpio.



Scorpio Strengths:  Loyalty, Resourcefulness, Passionate, Observant, and Dynamic.

Loyal - Like a dang Labrador.  The only catch with me is you have to gain my loyalty - which unlike the lab means you have to do more than give me some kibble and scratch my ears.  I apparently fit the mold of a Scorpio because I have to see you as a deep down good person for you to gain my loyalty.  However, once I see it then I gotcha back and you don't need to worry because I'll always have it.

Resourceful - In the event you haven't heard:  I am the self proclaimed queen of the tightwads.  Don't get me wrong I like nice things but I will use what is at my fingertips and around my house before I drop some loot.  Oh and if I'm working on a project then you best expect a call if I know of that secret talent you have stashed away.  It won't be secret for long because I'll be getting you a spotlight and tap shoes.

Passionate - Don't get me on any of my twenty-seven soap boxes.  Ashley, you have the evidence.  Oh and watch out because she is also a Scorpio.



Observant - Many times the first impression of me is "arrogant" and the reason is I don't say much when I first meet someone.  I sit back and take it all in.  Yes, I'm a creeper, watching you like a hawk and listening to you like I'm CIA.  It isn't arrogance. It is protecting both of us from what could be a really bad incident.  You're welcome.

Dynamic - Now watch me flex... Seriously, I can play different roles and I'm not talking about that you freak.  It all comes from being a total control freak.  That is the best way to sum up a Scorpio - control freak.

Weaknesses: Jealous, Obsessive, Suspicious, Manipulative, and Unyielding.



Jealous - I am that girl.  I have a jealous bone the size of South America.  I don't get jealous of items or people but I get jealous of memories and that is horrible.  If you can relate to this then you know straight up what it is like to have this Achilles heal.

Obsessive- I do obsess over crap but I've learned to drop it like it is hot.  That took a lot of hard work to do.  I'll give myself a pat on the back.  And yeah sometimes I find myself in old ways.  OK dammit I am working on this still.

Suspicious - Everyone in my view is suspect....family, neighbors, friends, strangers - I'm watching you all like hawks and trying to assess the game you are trying to play (even if you are seriously the kindest person in the world....yeah I have seen that game too.)  This is a bad, bad trait.  But it also is a very protective one to keep us all safe.  Maybe I should be on CSI.

Manipulative - I suck at manipulation.  I totally wish I was better at it...then I could go to law school :)  On the flip side of this - my daughter is a dang sorcerer of manipulation.  I live in fear.  (She is no Scorpio, either!)

Unyielding - I used to be a lot stronger than I am now.  Trust you me that I would not budge of anything and was a major beotch.  Sometimes I do just buckle because I have learned that can be important.  If you are constantly the iron woman you are going to weigh yourself down.  On the flip side with my kids and husband I am a freakin' fortress...back the hell up.





Scorpios are fiercely independent.

Cue the Beyonce because that is ON POINT!  I am a very independent human being but I don't think that is just because I am a Scorpio.  No way, I'm independent because I'm also a first child and was an only child forever.  My nurturing allowed me to do things on my own (and like it).  I do have issues when it comes time to get in a group.  Look, I'm not lying when I say I can be a team player but I'm a much better team player when it is Team Me.

Scorpios are difficult to be friends with.

AMEN!  It takes a lot to build a friendship with me because I build so many barriers.  I think maybe that is why my best friend is also a Scorpio (first child, etc.)  I read that Scorpios hold grudges for life - that is true but this Scorpio learned the importance of forgiveness without forgetting.  Scorpios are constantly looking for the selfless good in people because that is who they will connect with.  I buy that.  If I can see through you then you need to get back to the wall you belong on.



Scorpios have honest and shocking sense of humor.

Well that shoe fits.  I have several friends who can attest to my blatant honesty and the insane $#it I say that gets you to laugh til you need to buy Depends - in bulk.

Scorpios are awesome at business and leadership.

Should have been in the know about that prior to college.  Ugh.  Maybe my second degree will be in this area...thoughts?

Scorpios are the most misunderstood of all signs.

Tis life.  I'm used to it.



I challenge you to find a Scorpio today and give them a big fat hug.

Weekend REcap

Wow we had a great weekend!  I hope you did too.  Around here the weather was amazing with blue skies and all that awesome fall color.  Here's a few snapshots of it all....

If you "like" the Facebook Page then you saw the link for the Peanut Butter Monster Cookies.  We so made those on Friday night!  The kids and I had a blast.  Cookies made from scratch cannot be beat.  I also like to (dork moment coming...) turn it into a science lesson.  We talked about what each ingredient does to the recipe (aka how it helps) and what happens if we leave certain ingredients out.  We also talked about physical and chemical changes.  Hey, learning should be FUN!

I can tell you my house is not a diabetic safe zone this time of year. Cookies do not last long at all around here!

After the kids were tucked into bed and fast asleep I got a text from my brother.  He had me a pair of NCSU v. Wake Forest tickets.  It is no secret I'm a Wolfpack girl.  I was super excited about getting them.

Unfortunately, it was super late and I couldn't fasten down childcare.

No worries - my mom rocks.  She and her husband took the kids to a benefit they were playing.

My husband and I had a blast!  I really loved how this was a Wake game but it was a sea of red in BB&T Field!

We won 35-17.

Unfortunately, during the game this girl, named me, had a horrible headache.  No, it was not induced by anything in a bottle...NCAA rules y'all.  Plus we didn't tailgate.

Hickory Tavern for burgers after the game to help heal the headache!  Didn't work though.  The stupid thing kept at it.

When we picked the kids up around 5:00 we spotted a HUGE red tail hawk doing some hunting at my mom's house.  He could have cared less about us ambiguously spying on him.  My picture does not do justice to the size of that bad boy.



After some yard time around our house - mowing, sweeping, sorting through the outdoors crap - we came in and watched Paddington.  I know it is old, since it came out in February, but it was such a great movie!  We all laughed a lot and you know you're a little cray cray when you and your husband immediately say - It's the guy from Downton - as soon as the movie starts.



Sunday found us at church.  Our church introduced their new logo and I really like it!  Afterwards, we came home and had soup for lunch then carved pumpkins.  I don't have a picture because I was super frustrated that my tree I was so dilligently working on fell apart.



The kids had a trunk or treat to attend with my mom and her husband.  That's the regular house cleaning time for the hubs and I.  But not before a walk in the woods!  Oh and when the kids came home...candy, candy, candy (goes great with those cookies mentioned at the start).

Our weekend wrapped up with some Panther football, reading, and Zzzzz-ing.

I hope your weekend rocked out!

Let's Eat (Halloween Edition!)

Happy Halloween Week!  This week I'm sharing some festive recipes for you and your's!  Enjoy if you dare.

Let's Eat!  (We are working backwards in a way this week...dinner first!)

Dinner -

We love meat loaf in my house.  It is by far my husband's favorite main dish.  Here is a scary take on meat loaf from Fabulessly Frugal:  Meat Loaf Zombie!



Every week we boil eggs to have on hand for breakfasts and snacks.  Maybe this week I will devil them up like they did over at Tadka Pasta?  We'l have them for a side!






Here's a breakfast / dessert option - home made pumpkin pie pop tarts from The Recipe Girl



Well there are some yummy ideas for this week.  I hope you have a fun filled week ahead!  See ya later!

No trap just recap

I really enjoying rhyming my titles for Saturday Recap posts.

Here's what you may have missed on the blog this week!

Starting with:

A very short and sweet Let's Eat

Monday was our Weekend Recap which highlights a terrific craft date with my best friend and some yucky stuff too.

My kids had their pictures made for fall/winter this week. I shared how I planned to style them on Tuesday's post.

NC Events for the weekend are available for your review on the regular Wednesday Post of This Weekend in North Carolina.

Fall Fashion Post #2 was published on Thursday!  It's all plaid, isn't it?

And finally:

High Five For Friday - I got something new this week...I watched something that had me thinking reindeer...My mama saved my Thursday and two or three other things!

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October took a big fat dose of jet fuel did it not?  Hard to believe there is only one week left to this month.  I am kind of bummed about it but also excited for November.  I have handpicked five events/things from my week to share with you so here we go!


Four Eyes - New and totally too expensive I finally got a pair of glasses.  My old ones had seen better days and were so outdated it isn't even funny.  I like my new coke bottles!  They are super cute and allow my eyes a contact lens break so we shall say yay!

The (Un)Official Start the the Holidays? - Did anyone else check out Charlie Brown on Tuesday?  Did anyone else catch the Christmas ads?  Ummm yeah I did!  Marketeers are so smart, those silly geese.  I do kind of fall in that trap that when there are Peanut kids on my television it is the time to celebrate and think about candy, turkey dinners, shopping, trees....


A Bad Habit - Wednesday I was alerted by one of those stupid FB app things that I had memories to look back on.  Apparently, it was a blog post.  OK, it was a blog post from last year on that date.  It was about how I gained five pounds between the start of September and late October.  Well guess what?  I lost those five.  Yay.  Well guess what else?  Again this year I have gained 5lbs between the start of September and late October.  So that means?  Time to lose it before the real holidays hit.  I wish I could just give it to my husband for Halloween.  I'd do it in a second - here hun, I got you some weight!  Only five pounds but give me a few months and I'll give you some more to add to it ok? <wink>



I started playing with "fashion" posts - I shared my new urge for all things cheetah/leopard.  Guess what I got?  Yeah, those shoes.  Aren't they adorable?  They are my new neutral.  This week I wrote about plaid...still not sold 100% on it.  I do have that shirt in my closet and I like it but I don't think I will be adding more.

Dinner with my mama - Yesterday I was at work and my mom emailed to see if I wanted to get dinner with her.  YES, duh.  Ladies, my period started yesterday with fervor and the idea of coming home and making tacos and then cleaning up the mess was too much.  Moms just know...even when they really have no clue you're cramping, bleeding, and secretly crying.

My weekend should be chilled - on that note bahahaha.  Visit the Facebook Page this weekend for shenanigans.