It's funny how Christmas ornaments can hold so many lasting memories!

Yesterday I told you I was going to share some of my favorite ornaments I put on my tree. I don't put that many ornaments. I don't like it to look cluttered. I like it to look neat and in order. With that said, lets begin!

 

 

When I lived at home with my parents, I use to have a tree in my room. It was a 5 foot tree and I would decorate it every year in shoe ornaments. It was my shoe tree. It was covered in pink lights (of course) and all the ornaments were shoes. In the move to my new home, some of them didn't make it. But it was ok, because my favorite ones did. People would bring me shoe ornaments they found. My shoe tree was quite popular. I believe at one time, the most I had was 50 different shoe ornaments! Here are my favorite ones that I always put on my tree!

 

My favorite shoe.....My glittery pink high top Converse. Now, if I could find these in my size, I would be one happy lady!

 

My next ornaments are from Disney. My side of the family loves Disney. We try to go every other year but sometimes it just doesn't work. One day, I will show you all my Disney pictures. They are fabulous. And when they say it is the happiest place on Earth, it really is. That's why I love these so much. They remind me of my Dad, Mom and sister and it just warms my heart. We've had some of the best times in Disney so these ornaments mean a lot. I do only have 2 because if you go at a certain time of the year, they are harder to find. And I didn't realize how much I loved them till a few years ago. But I will collect them from now on.  

So Minnie and Mickey use to sit on top of the 09-10-11 ball but they some how separated themselves from each other, but neither one broke so I just made them 2 different ones.

When Bobby and I went to Jamaica for our honeymoon, he asked me what I wanted to bring home as our souvenir and I told him a Christmas ornament. It's easy to pack and can still bring so many memories. So I let him pick it out, and it actually means more to me that he did. It has sand and shells and a sand bucket in it.

I am not sure where this next ornament came from. And I do apologize if you gave it to me. Please let me know if you did and I promise to never forget! Reason I love it so much is because it's really big. And has this gorgeous bow on it. Getting married has been my favorite day so far in my life and anything I can do to remember that day, I try to do. And it's little things like this that make me so happy.  

And last but not least, my light up gift box. There is this little switch inside that turns this light on and it changes colors. I found it a while back and have loved it ever since.

 

 

I just love coming home to my tree. It is my favorite Christmas decoration. I always love looking at other peoples Christmas tree. There is always a story and there is always those special ornaments that mean the most.

 

 

It looks like Christmas threw up in my house and I love it!

I love Christmas and I love decorating. Which makes for a great combination this time of the year! Last Friday, B and I decided to go ahead and put our Christmas decorations up. I take care of the inside, he takes care of the outside. He gets all my stuff down for me and then leaves me alone. It is much simpler that way. He does assemble my tree for me first before he hands it over to me. I don't like a lot of things. I like my house to be simple. Christmas is so pretty but can easily go from elegant to cluttered, quick. And we don't even have children yet, so keeping it simple for now works.

What my house looks like before it all goes up. I try to keep it all organized when I take it all down, so the next year I can find what I am looking for easily.

Then B puts together my pre-lit tree and moves out the way. We decided to go with a pre-lit tree last year. They are just so much easier to put up and store. No strings everywhere, no light bulbs getting busted. I like to keep it easy and simple.

I like to do my mantel first. To me, its the best place to start. It doesn't take me a long time and I can do it while Bobby gets my tree together. I try to change it up a little each year, but keeping the same feel to it. I love Christmas lights on the mantel and I love greenery, so I always do that each year. And I love sparkly things so any touches of that I can throw in I do. And you will notice a pretty blue butterfly. That is my Maw-Maw butterfly. If you know anything about me, you know A) I lost my Maw-Maw a while back and consider her my guardian Angel and B) I love Butterflies. They are my quiet reminders of the good and beauty in this world, and they always seem to come to me at the worst times in my life. Reminding me that it's all going to be ok. So my mantel would not be complete without her. She might be in heaven but her spirit is always here!

And of course the stockings are hung by the chimney with care, in hopes the St. Nick soon will be there!

Then comes my tree. It takes me a good hour. I put my big red bow on top first. My big red bow is my FAVORITE Christmas tree decoration. If I could only place one item on my tree, it would be that!  Walgreens sales them btw. Then I wrap my tree in gold lace to give it that extra pop. Then come the ornaments. My favorite ones first, then all the rest.

 

Then I move over to my dining room table. I found these really cute dessert plates at Hobby Lobby one year and decided to decorate with them, instead of eat off them. The only time we eat off my dining room table is when we have guest over. Bobby and I tend to eat our dinner while we watch TV so I tend to go overboard on my table. Since I don't have to move it.

And then I am done. I told you, I don't do a lot. Just enough to make my house sparkle. By the time I am done, Bobby is usually done. He puts up our inflatables and puts lights on the house. It is just enough for me. I am not a big fan of inflatables on my lawn (like them on other peoples lawn) but he loves these so I don't argue. As long as I get my lights on the house, I am a happy camper. We have a bathing Santa who is on a device that makes his arm move up and down his back, like he's bathing. We have a shaking polar bear (he literally shakes) who acts like he is freezing. And then a cute little dog with a Santa hat on, cause we love dogs!

Stay tuned to tomorrow where I will show you my favorite ornaments and what they mean to me. The one's I am going to share will always go on my tree, unless they get stolen or massively broken beyond repair. Then I will be a big blubbery mess! They are the ornaments that will go high on my tree someday in the future so my small fingered children don't mess with them!

Girl's can't play football....or so I was told...!

I realized I have forgotten to update you on something. My Fantasy Football league. You are never going to believe this...but I am still in the race. I am in 2nd place with an 8-5 (win-lose) record. But I have the highest points accumulative with 1386 for the total of 13 games. That means I am going into the finals. And that also means I get a Bye this week for being in 2nd place. So I automatically go into the 2nd round of play-offs. I am so excited. My team has changed a lot since I first started. Let me tell you who I have going into the play-offs.

Don't be jealous!

 

Starters:
Drew Brees- QB
Justin Forsett- RB
C.J. Anderson- RB
Antonio Brown- WR

Alshon Jeffrey- WR

Travis Kelce- TE

Mark Ingram- RB

Rams- Defense

Stephen Gostkowski- Kicker

 

Bench:

Giovani Bernard- RB

Jordan Cameron- TE

Sammy Watkins- WR

DeAndre Hopkins- WR

Mike Evans- WR

Odell Beckham Jr.- WR

   Packers- Defense

 

 

I couldn't be any happier with my team. Each week I struggle on who to put in over who. They are all so good. The reason I keep Jordan Cameron is because I don't want anyone else to get him. He has been out for 5 games but with 4 games left, I think he may come back. And if doesn't, oh well. I have Kelce who has done ok for me, for being a newbie that no one knew! When Giovani got hurt, I was so upset. He was my big points getter! But I refuse to give him up. He will make a come back! Anderson is P.Manning's first choice running back who actually runs the ball. He gets the ball and takes it down the field. He usually doesn't score, but its ok. Because he runs the ball and yards count for points. And yes, I do have Beckham! Lucky me. Rams defense got 29 points last week with 3 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 touchdown! Drew averages 20 points a game, and for a quarterback, that's really good. No, he's no P.Manning when it comes to fantasy but it's ok. He's consistent and I can always rely on him in the 2nd half of the game! And my kicker....my most awesome kicker. He is the #1 kicker for fantasy and I have had him since day 1! Bobby tried to have me get rid of him when it was his bye week but I refused to take him off the bench. We swapped someone in and benched Stephen and when that week was over....put him right back where he belonged.

 

 

I do have to give a HUGE shout-out to my husband. He has been amazing at teaching me every week and what to look for and who is playing who and why that wouldn't be a great starter or why they need to be started. He's been just so perfect in all of this. And when we do put someone in who has a bad game, I usually yell at him and throw a fit and storm off and get all pissy. It's all for the love of the game right?!

 

Thanks boo for understanding my passion and not yelling back at me. You usually just laugh it off or say sorry or tell me it's no big deal, I will still win! 

 

And win I just might. I might end up taking all these boys down!  :) :) :) :)

 

There's never a wish better than this, when you've only got 100 years to live

Dear Diary,


Guess what today is?


Today is my 100th post! Can you believe it? I have written 99 times, making this my 100th! I have cried, laughed, gotten mad, cussed, hated, loved and express about every possible feeling I have had. I've written about family, friends, dogs, God, food, makeup, life and love. I've had people compliment me, telling me how much they love my blog and how they look forward to reading it everyday. I have been told I cuss to much (my mother). I have been told my opinions are my opinions and I should keep them to myself. I have been told I am funny and have this quirky sense of humor. I have been told my blog has helped people get through the day or that they really needed to hear something and I talked about it. I've been criticized, harped on, made fun of, yelled at, cried at, laughed at but I wouldn't change it for the world.

It is hard some day's to find something to talk about it. Luckily we live in a world that has so much going on, finding a topic for the day is only a google search away.

I tried to come up with something for today that was really big. All the talk show host do something huge on their 100th show, how about for my blog? But then I got to really thinking.....do I do a giveaway? Do I talk about myself? Do I brag on my dogs? Do I just say what today is and move on?

Oh what to do what to do........

So I thought I would just say Thank You to you. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read this. Thank you for the feedback and the time spent with me. I told myself that if I didn't get anything back, if I never heard from anyone or didn't have people read it, I would still continue to do this. It was something I set out for myself. I think A LOT and I feel A LOT and for me to get it out everyday, has made my sanity level so much better. I'm calmer, I'm happier, I have started taking pictures again, I am laughing, I am crying, I have found a new level with God. I have taken the time to really learn about my sweet kiddos in my life and learn all about what they love and don't like. I have spent more time with Bobby, rather in the kitchen or making sure we go do stuff together/with family. I have been reading more, I have found new friends, I have become closer to my old friends. I have taken the time to learn things and read up on things. I've made my parents proud and made my husband tear up. I have gone through some dark days and I have gone through some of the happiest days. And I have done all of this with you. What a blessed, wonderful life God has given me thus far. What an honor it is to wake up everyday and get to live the life I want, the life God has graced me with.

Thank you Thank you Thank you! To you all, to my family, my friends and my blog readers, just...

 

In honor of my 100th post, I thought I would share one of my all time favorite songs, 100 years by Five For Fighting. It always makes me realize how much time we do get and to make sure to take each day as it comes.  

 

I promise on my 200th post, which will be sometime at the end of April, I will do a huge give away! To really say Thank you!

Love, Me

Cyber Monday

Hello my blog friends! I am back. Thanksgiving came and went just like that (snap*). Instead of sharing all my Thanksgiving pictures today, I want to talk about one of my favorite days of the year. That day would be today......Cyber Monday! Lord knows I love to shop and I love to online shop. It is so convenient! I woke up to 84 emails all about Cyber Monday. I went through them all and found the best ones for what you get. Remember, these are all online deals.

 

We all know how much I love H&M. They are so stylish and so cheap. I shop from them all the time. Right now, if you spend over $50 (which you get a lot of for $50) you get 30% off! Just use the code 2896 for it at checkout. So for every $50, you get $15 off! I mean, it's practically stealing. And you get free shipping!!!

 

 

 

I go to Bath and Body Works 4 times a year. I'm sure you can guess those 4 times. Start of spring, start of summer, start of fall and start of winter. They are the only soaps and candles I us around my house. And every season, they put out their new scents. I get just enough to last use through that season so I am ready to load up again. Today, they are having 25% off. Just use the code HEYMONDAY at checkout. Plus, they have their foam soaps (only soap I use) on sale for 5 for $18 or 7 for $24! And their 3 wick candles are only $12. And guys, this is all before 25% off!!!!

 

 

 

 

PacSun to me is one of those stores that always intimidated me at first. Everything was just so retro and different. But once I went in and really shopped, I fell head over heels in love with it. I am a different breed and I like that they are too. Right now, the whole site is 30-50% off plus free shipping! And, Kendall and Kylie brand is 30% off! Since it is site wide, there is no code to use.

 

 

 

 

I know you have heard me talk about Piperlime before but maybe you have no idea what it is. You know how Old Navy, Banana Republic and The Gap are all related? Well a few years ago, they also developed this online shoe store called Piperlime. It was only shoes at first but it now has fashion and accessories too. It is where my bridesmaids got their dresses. It is where I buy a lot of my shoes. I just love them. They have a whole bunch of designers and they are really good priced! I can always find something in my budget. Right now, they have 30% off site-wide PLUS an extra 40% off all sale items! Just use the code CYBERSALE at checkout. So those $139 pair of boots are marked down to $84.97 plus an extra 40% off makes it $50.98! That's 65% off the original price!

 

 

 

 

Speaking of shoe stores, Chinese Laundry also has a wonderful deal going on. They sell brands like Kristin Cavallari and Dirty Laundry. They have 30% off everything plus free shipping on orders over $75! Just use the code CM30 at checkout. So those pair of Kristin's you saw from my previous post are now 30% off! You can check that off my Christmas list!

 

 

 

 

Have you ever heard of Cotton On? I know I have mentioned them before. The only in store I know of is at Northpark and the first time I went in, I loved it. Their prices are cheap and but the style is always on point. They always have amazing sales going on and I can find anything for every single family member. Today, site-wide is 50% off full priced items. So this doesn't apply to sale items. But their full priced items are so cheap to begin with so 50% off that is amazing. Just use the code CYBER50 at checkout.

 

 

 

 

So I have saved the best for last! Seriously, when I found out...I ran to Bobby and was jumping up and down and he told me to make sure I take advantage of this deal!

Everyone knows how much I love Quest Nutrition. I promote them as much as I can. They make the most tastiest protein bars and protein chips! Recently, they came out with their own protein powder but I have not tried it yet. And as of last week, their newest flavor protein bar came out and it was S'more! Let me tell you, DELICIOUS! Today, they have 25% off any order between $39.99-$250.00. So for every $40 you spend, you get $10 off. Plus they are offering free shipping today only too. Just use the code CYBERUS at checkout. On a side note, the deal does NOT apply to their protein powder. Because of high demand on them, they aren't part of the deal.  

 

 

 

Stores like Amazon, Target, Best Buy and Walmart have so many deals going on too. And those don't require any codes. You just have to go and do a lot of clicking around to find the best thing.

 

So those are my favorite deals for today. I love Cyber Monday. I buy so much for people for Christmas and I am able to get them more because I have saved so much money. And because I order today, I am almost guaranteed to get it way before Christmas. There is nothing like knowing your done with Christmas shopping.

 

 Next stop on my agenda, QUEST!