If there was ever a time for coffee..

I’m back, I’m back!

We need to stop meeting like this…and by this, I mean so few and far between.

I guess that would be my fault. Moving on.

The weeks have been going by so slow, yet so fast at the same time. With Charles starting his new job and me starting my new position, it’s been a whirlwind. We have both been going into work earlier, staying at work later, and sleeping less, but we still have managed to make time for each other, thankfully. Even if it’s just been taking the dogs for a quick walk around the block {which, I might add, the weather has been perfect for}or grilling out together, or even just sitting down when we can and talking about our days for ten minutes without getting on our phones or watching television. Pure uninterrupted bliss.

Our time is also being fought for because of things we have had to do around the house, finishing up projects, charity events, and weddings for friends. I promise you, fall brings on a whole new season when it comes to weddings. This coming weekend should be pretty calm, {I’m actually going to try to convince Charles that we need to  spend Friday night outside, carving pumpkins {or painting them!}, grilling out, and maybe building a fire if we are feeling really rowdy!} but Sunday we are helping my mom out with a party hunt for her junior high school classes. It’s always a blast to help out with the kids and see how much fun they are having together outside of class, and working together as a team.

Next weekend it’s a wedding shower and a housewarming…both around the same time, so I’m sure it’s going to be a mad dash of a Sunday for me. Then the next weekend is a wedding reception in another town..wow, this schedule keeps growing on me!

I would say I wish that my schedule would stop growing, but I know it won’t until after the holidays, and I really don’t mind it. This is a wonderful time of year! November is closing on in, and that means bountiful holiday happiness!

As mentioned last time, I’ve already started getting a little prep in for Christmas, since the end of November and all of December is hectic {my mom’s birthday, my birthday, our work holiday party, Charles’ graduation, Charles’ birthday, Christmas…} so I ordered my Christmas cards and holiday return address labels already and cannot wait to fill them out and send them to family right after Thanksgiving {I’ve got to secure a good place on everyone’s fridge!}

Now I need to start getting my Thanksgiving plan of attack together. It’s gotten a lot more hectic around Thanksgiving time now that we have two families to factor in. Charles and I are typically exhausted and full after Thanksgiving and all the running around we do. It will immensely help me if I can find out early what everyone expects me to cook, so that I can have everything planned and prepped beforehand. Then, I get to plan my Black Friday plan of attack, which let’s face it, is extremely important.

Ok, ok. As promised, let me get to the pictures..

Look at these CUTE mules I found? I cannot wait to have a few mojitos in these babies.

Have I mentioned how much I love fall and this AMAZING weather? Have I mentioned how much I love my patio and lights? Have I mentioned how much I love wine? Yes.

The husband and I at a charity fundraiser

Decorating my table for fall. LOVING this white pitcher as a vase for these fun fall flowers.

Taking grandma JB out to dinner!

My mister

Went to the fair with my mom and dad, and these two just had to have a Krispy Kreme cheeseburger. Sound like a lot of calories? Yeah. But it's pretty delish.

Blues Fest fundraiser with this handsome

I sleep with dogs. These two dogs, actually. If you look closely, Milli is sticking her tongue out at you.

I couldn't resist. What's better than snuggles and fall weather outdoors with this sweet baby?

 

Ok, friends, that's all she wrote. Until next time...

 

"I hereby arm myself today with coffee and the willingness to be wrong"

 

The Early Bird gets the..

Hello, blog land!

I know it’s only October 7^th, which means we have several upcoming holidays before the end of the year: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Black Friday {yeah, it’s a holiday in my book..}, my birthday AND Charles’ birthday {again, holidays..} and finally Christmas! I’m typically pretty gung ho on not rushing holidays – every holiday deserves it’s time in the limelight – yet every year, it seems like Christmas items come out faster and faster.

I’ve made it no secret that fall is my favorite season there is. There’s something about the crisp fall air perfect for grilling and having a bonfire and opening windows and the candles and football and I better stop now because I could ramble on for paragraphs. End rant. So don’t get me wrong with what I’m about to tell you. I love fall. I don’t want fall to be rushed. It is wonderful and perfect in its own right. BUT…

I was perusing Wal-Mart last week and the aisles by the garden center {and, well, the whole garden center} was starting to be filled up with Christmas items: ornaments, wreaths, wrapping paper, outdoor decorations, etc. At first I was mortified. “It’s the beginning of October, for goodness sake” I thought to myself as I passed by. I even shook my head in disgust for their lack of patience.

Then I started thinking, “well Christmas is coming up…I really should start planning so that my December isn’t the typical month of panic and holiday rush that it usually is.” With both of our birthdays and Charles’ graduation in December this year, along with Christmas parties, getting together with friends, work parties, family in town, and the like, I couldn’t help but think that I was already behind.

Then I quickly thought about how I can actually fully decorate our new house this year, and started thinking of how I wanted to decorate {insert three hours on Pinterest here}. Side not, the pinterest for three hours thing led to Youtube tutorials on how to make various Christmas crafts..it wasn’t pretty. Too much time was spent, and now I feel like this weekend I’m going to make a trip to Michael’s or Hobby Lobby or somewhere to get items to craft..for Christmas…over two months away.

I realize I took this too far, and I can slow down on the need to Christmas craft until at least next month, but there are a few things I feel that if I do now, it will save me time and sanity around December and the Christmas holiday so that I can enjoy time with my wonderful husband and our families. Of course, I am going to share this with you now!

Without delay, here are a few tasks that I feel would be beneficial to start doing now in Christmas preparation, and things I am already starting to do:

1.)    Start making a Christmas List!  This one is just too easy, I think everyone starts this pretty early. Start finding out what your loved ones want for Christmas! That way you’re not running around 20 stores trying to find something that your husband’s family would like {yes, this was me last year…} I have my family as well as Charles’ family to plan for, and sometimes I can find it a bit challenging to manage. I’ve already started an “idea list” for all of my family and friends, and some of them are a bit difficult to buy for. Thanks to google, I’ve found several idea pages with lists for presents for the photographer in your life, the nature lover, the cook, etc. Through these lists I’ve found more than one present idea for the difficult to buy for people in my life, and I still have time to order them online and have them here in plenty of time! Make. A. List. Early.

2.)    Decide how you want to decorate your house!   Yes, I am giving you permission to go pinterest crazy and figure out your Christmas theme! If you’re like my husband and I, you decorate for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving, and I’d like to have all of my decorations at the house and ready for me to put up, instead of running around last minute trying to decide what I want to do.

3.)    Craft for Christmas!  Why not have a crafting party early with some girlfriends {throw in some wine and some fondue and I might even show up!} This helps out with number 2 on my list. Get some cute items decorated while you still have some time. This works well if you’re not a big football fan. Spend the time your husband is watching the game crafting. It’s a win win situation!

4.)    Order your Christmas Cards!  I do this mid- October each year, that way they come in early, I can slowly address them and type up our Christmas letter, and I’m all set to stick them in the mail right after Thanksgiving. The early bird gets the worm..and the best spot on everyone’s fridge! Vistaprint has some great cards and amazing specials and prices. Take advantage before all Christmas Card companies start raising the rates, which they always do closer to Christmas.

5.)    Plan your calendar!  I know my work already has our Christmas party scheduled. I know I want to have a holiday exchange party with some girlfriends. I know various family members will be coming in town. I know Charles graduates in December. So. Much. Happens. Plan early so you don’t over-extend yourself, or overbook yourself.

 

Alright, I've shared enough wisdom with you for one morning. I will be back shortly! I'll try to do some fun things so I can share some pictures with you next time ;)