25 days of Christmas/Pony tail Tuesday

Good morning everyone! As you can see from my post title, I am hereby dubbing this day as...

 

Pony Tail Tuesday!

 

I can't seem to get on track. Yesterday my hair was straightened and fixed, but my makeup was barely there. Today my makeup is all in place and I did nothing with my hair haha. I really just need to get it together here. What I want is to have a super cute pony tail, but my hair is so thick and heavy that its hard for me to do. As it is I'll wind up getting a headache from having it up today. If any of you ladies are like me, have super thick hair, and have cut it but still get headaches, please give me some pointers on how to rock the pony and yet be pain free!

 

 

Now, completely off topic. I started this December with something new that I hope we can continue to do every year. I started a 25 days of Christmas advent calendar this year. I found super cute printable tags from Delightful Order and added my "things to do" by printing them on labels and sticking them on. I'll post a pic of where I hung them this year at a later time (I forgot to take a pic of it, I'm a horrible blogger haha). So far my kids have really loved it though we have done simple things. I had to plan our "things to do" around our busy lives, so some nights are simple and some nights go all out.

 

Here is what we have done so far.

 

Day 1: Read a Christmas Story to kick off December

 

Day 2: Each person write out 2 Christmas wishes & put them in a jar to be read on Christmas morning(These I will keep and re-read them next year to see how their wishes change)

 

Day3: Make a red & green themed dinner.

(We cooked green eggs & ham, red grits, biscuits, & drank cranberry ginger ale)  

 

 

I know it looks crazy, but it was super good and the girls had a lot of fun helping to make it. I'll post our other activities and hopefully pictures of the kids doing them!

 

What activities are ya'll doing with your family this December?



5 for Five

  Hi ya'll! I will say that I am not excited about it being Monday morning. I was exhausted when I woke up and nearly fell asleep driving the hour to work this morning. I contemplated pulling over and taking a nap in my car, thats how bad it was. Gah.   I have decided it would be fun to try this link-up. I've seen several people do it and it's always nice to set goals for yourself so here goes...   1. Clean my entire room & organize the junk under my bed I have been working so hard on the rest of the house that my room has been neglected...and I'm talking for weeks so this is a definite must. Especially now that I am getting caught up on other things.   2.Make Layl's scarf for Christmas I have been torn on what to make my youngest daughter. I made Luke a hat and Lauren a really pretty scarf and seeing as I am an amateur knitter my options are limited lol. So a scarf it is!   3. Go to be before midnight every night this week (at least 3 out of 5 nights) For the last few weeks I haven't been getting into the bed until 1am or so and believe me I am so feeling it this morning. I need to get more sleep in so I can be more alert and productive throughout the day because my evenings are only going to get busier as this month progresses.   4.Take off bags of donations item and get them out of my way Since I have been organizing so much & cleaning out the kids rooms I have bags of stuff that need to go. Unfortunately I let them sit there because...well I am a procrastinator. So I need them out of my house. My house is small enough no need for extra clutter,   5.Start packing lunches to bring to work Lately we have been so busy that we've been cooking quick meals that leave no left overs and I am so rushed in the mornings that I don't have time to pack any lunch, so I'm spending money I don't have to eat. I either need to stop eating (totally not a solution because I happen to love food) or I need to pack my lunch. Going to have to go with the latter option there.   What 5 things do ya'll want to accomplish this week? Link up by cliking the button at the top of the page! Have a great Monday

Its Ok Thursday & Christmas Decorating

linking up with Neely   It's funny how one minute you can be just fine and the next it seems like your emotions do a 180 degree spin on you. That has been me over the last two hours or so, but its Thursday, and that means its my favorite link-up time. So here it is.  

Its Ok

...that my hubby is getting a raise at the beginning of the year, but I'm getting a pay cut for the same amount so we'll be in the same boat as always

 

...that I am struggling with bitterness over some things in my life. I thought I had let it go but then something comes up and I'm like yep...and this is why its such a mess

 

...that I am so used to sleeping by myself now that I have taken over the middle of my king size bed and I don't even wake up when Layla (my 5 yo) sneaks in there at night

 

...that I keep forgetting things that may be small to some, but to me and my kids are important. i.e Lauren's flowers for her Nutcrackers performance this Sunday. I forgot to order them on the deadline

 

...that little things like that make me feel like a crappy mom. Why can't I just seem to get it all together?

 

...to want to cry and not really even know the cause

 

...to want something to work out for once, that would be a nice change

 

...to wish I was in my pajamas with a steaming cup of hot chocolate while sitting on my couch right now because I feel like that would make me feel better. Probably not but I would be more comfortable right now

 

...that I have 6 dogs and not really like any of them because they aren't Oakley

 

...that I miss that dog a lot

 

...that I want another miniature long haired daschund but can't afford one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now as you know I told you guys Monday that I was putting up decorations and had to finish before I posted pictures...well three days later and I finally have it finished! (we still have a few kinks with outdoor lights we have to fix but the inside is completely done) The pictures aren't great, because I can't afford a nice camera. Also I took them last night instead of during the day because...well I'm never home during the daylight hours thanks to the freaking time change.

 

Living room wall

 

Seen this idea on pinterest and tweaked it a bit to fit my home & budget (you can find it on my pinterest board here)

Above my T.V I just spray painted picture frames that I already had at the house. The middle one is a frame that held a precious moments photo that I've had since I was a little girl. I love repurposing things

 

I used burlap as a garland and brown & gold colored ornaments along with a few specials the kids and I have made/collected throughout the years

 

Table Centerpiece: an old basket that was given to me (used to be an ugly green), mason jars half filled with epson salt & white candles, and greenery trimmed from the tree

 



Countertop: tried my hand @ coffee filter tree and liked the end result
 



Cheese! (didn't turn out well but I love pics of me and the kiddos)



Silly faces!!!



Rebel guarding "his" basket

 

For those of you who have already decorated, good for you! For those of you who haven't gotten around to it, good luck!



Kids, a scarf, & Pinterest

 

Happy (wow I so just typed Tuesday before I realized that it is...) Wednesday everyone!

I feel better today than I did yesterday. Thank God, because yesterday I was about to lock my office door and curl up on the floor and sleep. I was so exhausted! I went to bed half an hour earlier last night and I feel better lol. Yes half an hour isn't much but it seems like a lot when comparing between 12:30am and 1:00am

See what I mean?

 

For all of you people who think that your life is boring, and you are looking for something to fill that time and space? Have kids and BAM insta-drama!

My oldest daughter, Lauren (9 yo) is such a drama queeen. I can only imagine how it is going to be in five years when we are smack in the middle of the teenage nightmare and puberty.

She is a very impressionable little girl and we all know how it is to want to fit in, but she literally had a melt down this morning because I was making her wear a skirt over a pair of tights to school. She's only 9 and she already has curves and I am trying to teach my girls modesty. What most people today don't understand is that you can look attractive without looking like a slut. You have to teach this at an early age because, my god kids are walking around at 7 wearing less clothing and more makeup than I do! Anyways, she was afraid she would be made fun of and I am trying to teach her not to be so dependent on what people think. I want her to not be afraid to be different, to be comfortable with herself and not have to wear exactly what everyone else is wearing.

This is a hard lesson to teach in this day and time. So if any of you moms reading this have any advice please let me know.

 

Now I want to share with ya'll something that I'm pretty proud of. Lauren specifically asked for a whole outfit for Christmas and a matching cute scarf. Well I just happened to start learning how to loom knit and I love it! So the last two days I've been working on a scarf for her and...well it may be simple to you accomplished knitters &crochet-ers (lol), but I'm pretty dang proud of my very first project!

 

 

 

 

Now that I'm through being random lol we shall move onto 



Hope you all have a great day! If you want to join in the OHP fun just visit Michelle @

The Vintage Apple

Bare-faced and droopy-eyed

Right now I am sitting in my office at 9:22am, drinking a Mega Monster Energy drink. Why you ask? oh because I'm not very sensible. I go to bed way to late only to get up way to early the next morning. Yes, I am bare-faced this morning, meaning I have not even a tiny stitch of makeup on this morning. In case you are wondering, 4hours of sleep + no makeup =

 

Pretty scary right? LOL just kidding, I just look exhausted (bags under the eyes) but hey, at least I straightened my hair and put on earrings. I have always been a bit of a night owl but I'm beginning to realize that I can't stay up as late as I used to and be as spry in the morning as I used to be. Total life ruiner this getting old thing haha.

The reason I was up so late was because, I have been dying to get my autumn things put away so that I can jump head first into Christmas. Autumn is usually my favorite season to decorate for and I still loved it but my favorite months of the year (October & November) was a bit tough emotionally, financially, and every other "ly". I'm ready to put it all behind me and move on. My finances may not be much better at the moment, but thats okay. I want a fresh start for December and for me fresh means new...and nothing makes me happier than decorating.

 

My goal was to get everything done last night:

Christmas trees bought

Christmas trees decorated

Lights up on the outside of the house

Paint the frames that I salvaged from my chest to use for decorations

Paint the basket for my table centerpiece

Let paint dry and put up all the items afore mentioned

Sit and enjoy a cup of cocoa and admire all my hard work

 

How much of that did I get done? Well...the frames and basket are painted...mostly. Supper took longer than normal, though my hubby did a fantastic job on his super yummy deer stew. While that was cooking I spray painted the wooden letters & frames I was using and let them dry betwen the several coats I had to use. After dinner I assigned the kids to clean up duty while I pulled the boxes of Christmas things out of my laundry room. Kids took longer than necessary and I got distracted. My laundry room is on my back porch and is unfinished, meaning the studs are still showing and its been that way since...well since my husband's grandfather owned the place. A remodel is in the process but due to Octobers & Novembers issues, it hasn't been finished.

Anywho, I wound up spending over an hour on my laundry room and finished after 9pm. I then start to rearrange my wall hangings so I can incorporate some of my new ideas for holiday decor.

 

Hello, my name is Rachel, super picky, indecisive, & OCD at your service.

 

I places something here, stare at it from three angles, ask my hubby, then move it to another place and repeat process until.....45 mins later....VOILA! Perfect...not onto next piece of decor.

I absolutely hate stopping in the middle of a project but last night I literally had to force myself into the shower at midnight. I left my living room (or a corner of it) looking like this

The unpacked boxes of holiday decor are sitting right where my Christmas tree is supposed to be lol. We are supposed to be getting that tonight, keeping my fingers crossed that the rain holds off since we a real tree every year. I am hoping to have everything finished so that I can show you guys pictures of my freshly holiday-ized home!

 

Have a great day everyone!

Better Late Than Never

Thats what I'm telling myself anyways, better late than never. It has been a whole week since I last posted and I hate it, but I have been so stinkin busy that I haven't found the time to get online! Thankfully I'm at work today, forced to sit in front of a computer for hours so I get to make up for lost time!

Thanksgiving was great! We came over to my moms (which is about an hour from where I live) on Wednesday and stayed that night and Thursday  night. Thanksgiving dinner was held at my Memaw & Papaw's house. I couldn't tell you the last time we had Thanksgiving dinner there, but I'm really glad we did this  year. You see my grandparents lived just next door to us growing up and they owned all the land around my parent's place and so us kids had acres and acres to play on growing up. Now that they are older my grandparents did a reverse mortgage on their home so when they are gone so is the place where we grew up. Both my sister and I have been gravitating back to my Memaw & Papaw's house as much as we possibly can simply because of that. There are so many memories there and we want to make as many more as we can.

Getting to spend the entire day with my family was so much fun, sure we were missing a few members (my brother, nephews, & niece included), but it was still enjoyable and to me relaxing. Thursday night I got talked into going to Target for the big sale to pick up my sister's Christmas present for my BIL. Wade...I love you...Ree you better know I love you girl. That mess was crazy! For those of you who do the Black Friday and now Crazy Thursday night sales kudos to you because....holy cow! I usually don't go shopping at all the weekend after Thanksgiving, but my mother and I went out. First stop...Walmart, because my son wanted the air hockey table that was going on sale that night and since I was out I figured I'd get it (shhh don't tell him). Thankfully it was in the garden center so as soon we got it into the buggy, and fought our way inside, paid for it, and fought our way out we had only spent about 20 minutes! Next stop was Target...apparently EVERYONE goes to Target. God the line was massive! I got the present...and me and my mother got out without injuries LOL. So all in all I had a great holiday weekend and I'm planning my holiday decorations now and will hopefully be getting them up tonight...and believe me I'm ready!

Here are some pictures from the holiday weekend...



The begginning of the line at Target

From where I was standing

My sister Ree and my adorable son Luke



L to R: Me (crazy hair lol), my Memaw (Joan), my Mom (Joy), & my sis, Ree

My extremely good looking hubby with the turkey



Me & Luke

Me & Lauren

The Oreo Cake I made

The spread

So how about you? How did your Thanksgiving celebration go?

Tutu's and Camouflage...and a few other things

The weather outside today is beautiful and although today is Monday, and I've had to deal with a few crazy old tenants that want to rant and rave, and I would rather not be at work, its been a great day so far! My kids are off school all week. Unfortunately, I am not off of work all week, but I am thankful to have a job where I can bring my kids with me. So today while managing crazy old people, I'm also keeping tabs on my three wonderful kiddos. My son Luke is 11, Lauren is 9, and Layla is 5 and so far I have a great relationship with all three. They are great kids, no really, I'm not just being biased I'm being totally honest.

For lunch Luke packed us sandwhiches and Lauren was forceful about using her $5 to buy us all large $1 drinks from Mickey Dee's (Mcdonal's for those of you who don't know lol). I took them to the park near my work and we spent it outside eating and laughing. My kids are hilarious, they each have their own different personalities and sense of humor. I've learned that its the small things from your childhood that stick out when your an adult, yes you remember big things, but you also remember things like lunches at the park, or waiting at the end of the driveway for your daddy to come home in his work van just so you can hang on the ladder rack and ride the rest of the way back up the drive (which is what me & my siblings done when we were little). The stressfree times have been few and far between but I have to say that lunch today with my kids was one of those times. I'm blessed to have them in my life though sometimes they make me want to pull my hair out.

 

 

 

Now onto the topic of tutu's and camouflage. My daughter Lauren is in ballet, and they put on a production of the Nutcracker every year and this year she gets to be in it! Saturday was the photoshoot for it and what I seen there made me smile.

 

Now as you know, or maybe you don't know, I live in a small town with literally one, count it, ONE red light. I wasn't born there, my hubby was raised there and for a while I swore I wouldn't move there, but I did and I absolutely love it. I like knowing people and that small town feel, how everyone seems close even if they aren't. I like my kid's school and knowing most everyone that works there after a year of them attending. I like that I know each of the kids names from my son's 6th grade honors chorus. I like Friday night football games, and rivalries between neighboring towns, and when you go you see people you know. Most of all I love how southern small towns produce southern girls.

 

Lauren as a solider (minus her hat lol)

    

   Lauren as one of Mother Gingers children

At this photoshoot there was tights, ballet slippers, costumes, makeup...and camouflage? yes, camouflage. You see in the south I feel as if we raise girls with a great balance between being a girly girl and being country. This is the kind of place where girls can wear tutu's and point shoes, then cover it up with a camo jacket, their initials stitched into a camo bag, and they came to practice in a pick-up truck. I'm not trying to be all Southern Pride, but maybe I kind of am. You see I love being from the south. I am a woman who loves makeup and high heels, yet loves horses and doesn't mind getting dirty to work in the yard. I love the Browning brand, though I don't hunt because I can't really sit still for hours. My daughters love dresses, sparkly shoes, jeans, boots, horses, playing outside, and rolling around in piles of hay. The girls from the south can dance in point shoes and run barrells, or be glitz & glam then go muddin on four wheelers. You gotta love the south, and the well balanced girls we turn out. I happen to love it, I love that these girls can be themselves, even if that mixes tutu's and camouflage.

 

Lauren & Layla playing in the hay

 

 

Be blessed ya'll, and stay true to yourself...no matter where ya'll are from!