Fun Phone Friday---Ride em' cowgirl!

After the North Face rain jacket debacle of 2002, Bret has vowed to never again give me anything practical for any gift-related occasion. So this year, despite being in desperate need of a new sweeper {Yes folks, I call a vacuum a sweeper.}, I knew better than to expect a shiny new Hoover under my Christmas tree.

Our sweeper, whom we affectionately named Smurfette, has been with us for many years, and while we've been through a lot together, Smurfette and I, nothing prepared us for the mess one tiny toddler tornado would create for us on a daily hourly basis. And while I soldier on day after day, Cheerio after damn Cheerio, I'm afraid my sweeper has all but lost her will to suck.

But before retiring Miss Smurfette to that big dust cloud in the sky, Sweet Bean wanted a moment to say her goodbyes.

Overtaken by emotion and apparently the spirit of Annie Oakley, Gillian Grace coped with her first loss the best way she knew how---by mounting and riding Smurfette off into the sunset.

Giddy up!

Now grab my button and link up. But make sure your picture doesn't suck, in honor of Smurfette, of course!

Happy Friday, y'all!

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Fa La La Friday

Crazy post title for a crazy time of year! With only 8 days left until the big day, it's go time, friends!

I was so excited to arrive home today and find a box awaiting me in the mailbox---my ornament from my exchange partner had arrived!

Since I've read Katie's blog for a while, I was beyond excited when randomly pairing names, my name matched up with hers! Her daughter is just the sweetest and I know if we weren't separated by a couple hundred miles, EK and GG would be the best of friends!

Katie sent along this fun Happy Holidays ornament that she mentioned could hang on my tree or just about anywhere in our home! I love it!

And if the amazing ornament wasn't enough, Katie sent along an extra surprise just for Sweet Bean! Won't these Christmas socks look adorable on Sweet Bean's little piggies?!

Thanks again, Katie!

Fun Phone Photo Friday

When we're visiting my parents, my dad always likes to say his favorite time of day with Bean is just after her bath, when in his words, "She's all shiny and new!"

Sweet Bean is not only all cleaned up and spiffy, but she's also at her most snuggliest surrounded by an intoxicating aroma of lavender and chamomile that clings to your clothes long after she's left your arms. It's no wonder my dad loves this time with his grandaughter, I'm quite fond of it myself!

But before GG can be all "shiny and new", we wash the day away with a mixture of bubbles, music, and laughter!

And of course...

an occasional drink from the faucet!

With Christmas Eve just one week away,  and all the holiday festivities kicking into high gear, I'm planning to take a little time off, so Fun Phone Friday will return, linky and all, at the first of the year! And though I won't name names (Jennifer B.), I hope to have even more of y'all linking up today, and sharing some great phone photos! I know you've got 'em, now share 'em!

With only 8 shopping days left, I've just got to know, are you done? If you're looking for me this weekend, I'll be one of those impatient, over stressed, and under-medicated shoppers searching for a spot in the mall's packed parking lot! And if someone in a black SUV takes your parking spot or honks at you for taking your sweet time crossing the street, it wasn't me---just sayin'!







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{And don't shoot me, but I've extended the Stella & Dot and Friedasophie jewelry giveaways through Monday night! And for a bonus entry (if you've already entered), just go to the giveaway posts by clicking the logo on the top of the sidebar and name one of Santa's reindeer! Winners for all 3 giveaways will be announced on Home Tour Tuesday!}

Fun, Fails, and Photos---oh my!

I believe Charlie Brown said it best---UGG!

Presents to wrap...

Cookies to bake...

Shopping to finish...

Gifts to mail...

You get the idea!

Not to mention the one task weighing on my mind like fifty elephants after an all-you-can-eat peanut buffet---the ever intimidating, Christmas card photo!

With photo fail #2 yesterday, I'm officially hanging up my unrealistic expectations, after all, I'm no Anne Geddes.  The truth is,  even in the homes of our closest relatives, our card, along with tons of others, is destined for the trash alongside last year's re-gifted fruitcake and this year's Walgreens' perfume compliments of Great Aunt Martha.

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No matter how you spell it, the sentiment expressed by our favorite little bald-headed friend is still the same---Ugg! Even Gillian Grace knows a thing or two about Uggs, only hers are of the much preferred soft and cozy variety!

But unlike GG, I'm willing to bid farewall to my Uggs, more determined now than ever to simply enjoy what's left of this magical holiday season, with or without the perfect Christmas card photo!

What are your holiday uggs and more importantly, how will you get rid of them?

Happy Fun Phone Friday, y'all! Hope you'll take a second to grab my badge, link up, and share your great phone photo!







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Friday Fun & Ornament Exchange

Hallelujah, it's Friday {woot, woot}!

After a week of chores---holiday decorating and cleaning---I've never been more ready to see the weekend arrive! And while we plan to enjoy some long overdue down time tomorrow, Sunday we'll be taking Sweet Bean to Christmas on the Hill, a neighborhood celebration, where she'll get to meet Santa for the first time. After seeing so many Santa pictures on blogs this past week, I honestly have no idea what to expect.  Whether GG decides to be naughty or nice, I promise to be camera ready when she takes her seat on ol' Kris Kringle's lap!


Fun Phone Photo Friday

Okay, so a few Fridays ago, I jokingly mentioned that I wear footie pajamas. Of course I don't, and really just thought I was being ridiculous. Never in a million years would I have thought that I'd actually stumble upon a pair of footies, much less at my favorite store! But looky what I found at Target---

And no, I resisted the urge to splurge and left them hanging right where I found them.

I think it best to leave this look to the little ones, like my Bean.

Now I know y'all have tons of pictures on your phones, please link up. I'm beggin' ya!



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Ornament Exchange Pairings

First of all, thank you to all the sweet friends that emailed and signed up with us! Karen and I are so excited about our inaugural exchange! With such a great group of ladies, we have a feeling it will be a huge success, and with any luck at all, next year's exchange will be even bigger!

I've posted the list of pairings below. To maintain a bit of privacy, I've omitted all last names, instead only listing first name and last name initial. I will be in touch with all participants in the next day or so with more detailed information including your partner's full name and mailing address.

In the meantime, have fun shopping for your ornament! Don't forget that all ornaments must be mailed out no later than Wednesday, December 8th. As always, feel free to email me {shannonywebb@gmail.com} with any questions.

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Any big plans for the weekend? Go Gamecocks! 

Friday Fun--Short and Sweet!

Not wanting to break from tradition (you know I'm nothing if not a creature of habit), I decided to still participate in all my usual Friday Fun, but in the interest of time, keep it short and sweet! And before I forget, I wanted to share our topic for next week's Home Tour Tuesday---"Two things in the house I'm thankful for..." Now with the weekend to think it over and snap your photos, there's no excuse for not linking up with us on Tuesday!

Alrighty, on with the usual Friday happenings---

Five Question Friday (with Mama M.)

1. What Christmas song do you loathe?

While I love practically every thing about Christmas, I cringe and immediately flip the station each and every time that horribly annoying song featuring dogs barking to the tune of Jingle Bells plays! Talk about ruining a perfectly good song! {No offense to my animal lover friends!}

See what I mean?

2. Do you and your significant other (HUSBAND) cuddle at night or sleep on opposite sides of the bed?

I get hot easily, prefer total silence when I'm sleeping, and need my own space---I'd sleep in a different time zone if humanly possible!

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3. Have you ever had surgery?

I am so lucky to have never broken a bone (knock on wood) and to have only been in the hospital once, and that was for Gillian Grace's delivery, which was my first and only surgery. Sweet Bean is a c-section baby, and I'd do it again in a nano second! Don't judge, I'm a wieney!

4. When do you typically have your holiday shopping done?

Like a clockwork, every year around the end of September my mom and I vow to have all our holiday shopping done by Thanksgiving. This year I'm about halfway done at this point, and hope to have all my shopping wrapped up by the end of the first week in December. Not quite Thanksgiving, but far from a frantic Christmas Even sprint through the aisles of Walgreens.

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5. If money were not an issue (and you HAD to pick something), what would your ultimate luxury item be?

If I could be completely selfish and had unlimited funds at my disposal, I choose a new home. It wouldn't necessarily be a super ginormous house, but it would be brand spanking new with all the bells and whistles, including closets big enough to host a dance party!

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Fun Phone Photo Friday

Sweet Bean having her Dorothy {Wizard of Oz} moment in Target---

There's no place like home! There's no place like home! There's no place like home!

Guess I know what GG may want for Christmas. But who could blame her? Every girl needs a pair of ruby slippers!

Now here's your chance! Link up and share your fun phone photo! I'm waiting...

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{And congrats to Mommytomason for winning the Royal Blue Papers Giveaway! Please email as soon as possible!}

TGIF, y'all!

Yay, the weekend is finally here! The nice seasonable temperatures that we were experiencing this time last weekend are long gone, so it looks like I'll be wearing flip flops and shorts as I head out today to begin my Christmas shopping. And while I'm excited to hit the stores with my mom, there's just something so very wrong with shorts in November, but what's a girl to do with highs near 80? Some say they just love the mild Southern Fall, but this belle could use a cold snap!

And if you noticed, I said shopping with my mom. Gillian Grace is one lucky girl to be spending the entire day with her daddy. Bret has the whole day planned with tons of playtime, bonding, and a trip to the park and fountain. Of course any half-way decent father/daughter day wouldn't be complete without a trip to Lowe's and lunch at Chick-Fil-A. I'll try to remember to bribe Bret to take along a camera, this is one date even I can't wait to see!

{Daddy and Sweet Bean, during a surprise lunch date at Bret's office}

Now it's time for a little Five Question Friday Fun with Mama M.

Five Question Friday

1. What is the most physically painful thing that has ever happened to you?

When the stars align and klutziness meets perfect opportunity, strange and inexplicable incidents accidents are bound to occur. One carefree summer afternoon, a golf cart drive along the sandy shell lined pathways took a drastic turn as I rounded a corner. As I turned my thumb nail got caught on the steering wheel clip board, ripping my nail and entire cuticle clean out as the wheel continued to spin. Now, some ten years later, even childbirth doesn't compare to the pain and anguish I felt that day. I can still remember how intense the throbbing felt, like my heart was in my thumb. I'm not sure how something so small could hurt so badly, but it was honestly the most painful thing that I have ever experienced, bar none!

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2. How much sleep do you get at night?

Unfortunately, the answer is---not enough! On average, I'm asleep by midnight and awake by around six the following morning.

And it's been years since I've slept like a....well, baby!

{Gillian Grace, 4 months old}

3. How long did you believe in Santa Claus? How did you find out that he does not exist?

What? Santa's not real?

And since I know this sweet girl believes in the magic of Christmas, I'm pretty sure I should too. After all, look how smart she looks!

{Since Sweet Bean loves everyone else's glasses, Gammie took the lenses out so she could have her own pair.}

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4. What was the last movie you saw in a theater?

Don't laugh! The last movie I saw in a theater was Twilight's Eclipse. Before Eclipse this past summer, it had been three years since I'd last seen a movie in the theater.

Call me a movie snob, but I much prefer watching a movie in the comfort of my own home, where my feet don't stick to the floor, no one's smacking their popcorn in my ear, and I can pause the action for a quick snack run to the fridge, and return with a soda that didn't cost me seven bucks!

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5. What do you wear to bed?

Um, hello?! Footie pajamas, of course! But I must admit, GG had a pair first, I'm just a copy cat! No really, I'm joking...

Or am I?

{Gillian Grace, November 2010}

Fun Phone Photo Friday

Bret came home a few days ago with this fun picture of GG to share. Gotta love Lil' Miss Priss---her future's so bright, she's gotta wear shades! (Gosh, I'm really dating myself with that song reference from the 80's, shesh!)

Want to share your own interesting and fun phone Friday photo? Link up!

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Have a great weekend! And don't forget to enter my Royal Blue Papers Giveaway!