I Won, I Won, I Really Won!!!

A few days ago Jen from Tater Tots & Jello hosted a giveaway and I was the winner, yeah me!! When I got home from grocery shopping today there was surprise waiting on my front porch, a wonderful package from Sprinkles Cupcakes in California. I have never tried their cupcake mixes, Jen graciously gave me my choice of flavors and being the banana freak that I am I chose banana, I mean how can you go wrong with banana anything? The beautiful packaging even gives you the recipe for the frosting, yummy! I think I better save all my weekly Weight Watchers points for the day I bake these.

Jen, thank you so much for the lovely present, your blog gives me lots of inspiration & ideas and I always get excited when I see that you've added a new post. I hope that you have a great day, because of you I've had a wonderful day!

Twelve Weeks of Christmas ~ Part Two

Red Writing is hosting Twelve Weeks of Christmas, this is the second in the series, this week is all about family traditions. We have several Christmas traditions that we all look forward to each year but I would have to say that our favorite one started 13 years ago when Tom bought me an ornament for our first Christmas. Each year he gives Johnson, Jonah and me a new ornament that pertains to something that happened that year or a character that one of the boys are into, we also give him an ornament about something he has done for the year. Our tree now tells a story of our life together. I always put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving and I cry my eyes out as I hang each ornament, the memories they bring back are priceless.

Another thing that we do is Santa Sack, my mom made each of the boys a sack to hang on their beds starting December 1st and they get a little treat each night through December 23rd. This was a great idea when they were little and were satisfied with Dollar Tree stuff, now that they are older and know that there isn't a Santa they are requesting CDs, money, ipod gift cards and the list goes on!

What are some of your traditions? When do put your tree up? Do you hit the Black Friday sales?

Happy Anniversary

Our love story began thirteen years ago today, I married my best friend, I know people say that all the time, but Tom and I truly are best friends and soul mates, we appreciate each other and every day that we have together. We've been through a lot in our years together but we've weathered every storm together drawing strength and support from each other. We are blessed to have a great marriage and I'm so thankful for the opportunity to his wife.

Front Door Makeover

My paint job is far from perfect but in the words of the Nester, "it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful". I'm loving my front door makeover, I still need to touch-up a few places, paint the swing and paint the trim but I think it looks so much better(you can see the before here). The previous owners had tried to varnish a fiberglass door, needless to say I had a mess on my hands and a much bigger job than I anticipated, isn't that how it always goes. But in the end I learned how to paint a door and gained a little confidence with a paint brush.

On a happy note, I saw my surgeon today for my 6 week check-up, he said that my scar looked great and would get smaller within the next 6 months and that I could do anything that I wanted with no restrictions! I think I'll paint my dining room and kitchen next week, anyone want to drive to Kentucky to help me? LOL!!!

Have a great weekend!!!!

New Hair Style & Color

I recently had my cut short and I love it!! But, the gray was taking over, I tried to color it myself and got one side a different shade than the other, don't ask because I don't know how I did it, LOL! Then I had my surgery and couldn't lean over the tub to add more color, so today I had my hair professionally colored and highlighted!! I'm amazed that I agreed to let my hairdresser do the highlights because I've always been afraid of them with my dark brown hair, I really like what she did and so does my hubby. Do you have your hair colored at a salon or do you color it yourself?

38 Years Young?

Yesterday was my 38th birthday, I can't believe that I'm that old! My birthday weekend, as Tom called it, started on Friday when he bought me a Blackberry Curve, which I have become addicted to in 5 short days, followed by a weekend at the lake eating out at all my favorite restaurants and a trip to the pumpkin patch. My mom came to visit yesterday, she brought me several lovely presents but the best present she gave me was spending the day with me teaching me how to hem pants. My Aunt Kathy and godson Jonathan sent me a hilarious birthday card and beautiful Autumn candle set that I can't wait to use!

The best present of all is my good health, since my thyroidectomy 6 weeks ago I feel better than I have in years! I finally have energy to do all the things that I've put off for the last year and I'm so thankful that God chose to heal my body!

I hope that you all have a great week!!

Twelve Weeks of Christmas--Lists

Red Writing is hosting a twelve weeks of Christmas link up, you should check it out and join in, I think it's going to be a lot of fun. This week is all about lists, your list can be about whatever you want it to be.

Around the first of October I always start making a list of what to get everyone. I usually start by checking out my gift shelf to see what I can find on it, then I make a list of everyone I need to buy for (which is around thirty people) and start searching for the perfect gift. This year will be a little easier because I have decided to give all my teenage nieces & nephew money or a gift card. I keep a copy of my list in my purse & in a folder, as I find a gift I write down the price, who it's for and put the receipt in the folder, this helps to track my spending and to keep my budget intact.

I can't wait to read every one's ideas and lists.

Have a good evening!