Where are you Christmas?

More often than not, I use our blog as a way of sharing our life's "ups", the good-times and the blessings. But it wouldn't be reality if I also didn't occasionally share the the pit-falls and stumbles that make my life what it is---an imperfect journey towards being the best me possible...

For years I've felt sorry for "those people" that claim that Christmas is for the kids. That as adults Christmas means a never-ending list filled with chores, errands, must-dos, and gotta-get-dones. Not to mention all the stress over finding, then budgeting for, those perfect gifts that can quickly pile up, much like unwanted holiday pounds after too many Christmas cookies.

And I used to think---that'll never be me!

But if life has taught me anything, it's that I should never say never.

I'm not sure exactly when it happened, or how, but somewhere along the way, amid the craziness of the season, I allowed Christmas to lose its magic and become a chore.

Where are you Christmas?
Why can't I find you?
Why have you gone away?
Where is the laughter you used to bring me? 
Why can't I hear music play?
My world is changing.
I'm rearranging, does this mean Christmas changes to?
(Where are you Christmas?, lyrics---credit)

There have been songs written about it, so surely I am not alone, but no one, not even the Grinch himself, can be blamed for almost stealing Christmas from me this year. I only have myself to blame for becoming so wrapped up in all the holiday hoopla that I nearly forgot to take time to enjoy the simplicity and true beauty of the season. With a blizzard of emotions and distractions clouding my mind and heart, I came close to missing Christmas completely. And what a shame that would have been, not only for me, but for my loved ones as well.

But with the decorations now returned to their attic home, and the light from where the tree once stood now dim, I can say with certainty that I am no longer searching for Christmas. I have found it, though it wasn't hidden deep within a stocking, nor in a package wrapped in paper and topped with a fancy bow. I found Christmas in the hugs, laughter, and smiles of family and good friends; in my own tears as I realized what I had come close to missing; in the joy that came from discovering peace within one's soul, and contentment in the world;  and in remembering that through Him all things are possible, and that without Faith, an occasional detour off life's path can leave you lost forever.

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."--- Charles Dickens

Blessings, y'all! Make it a great one.

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Miscellany Monday

{flashlight, anyone?}

one. Gone are the days of playing outside after Sweet Bean's midday nap, and never mind that post dinner walk. Thanks to Daylight Savings Time, by the time five o'clock rolls around here in our neck of the woods, it's dark---really dark! And though we'll settle into our new routine eventually, no one said I had to be happy about it!



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{a clean bean}

two. I've said it before---Gillian Grace loves bath time! Just like her Momma, Sweet Bean takes at least two baths a day. But there have been occasions, like after a massively explosive poop or an unusually messy dinner, that the number of baths has skyrocketed to as many as four baths in one day! And though you'd think all that tub time would get old, GG loves it as much now as she always has. Even though it appears our washrags are a little worse for the wear.





Q: How do you know it's time to get new washrags?
A: When they're so thread bare from use that you can see right through them!

{Just curious---What do you say? Washrags or Washcloths?}






{what's that smell?}

three. Have you ever thought that some cheeses smell like dirty feet? Well, at least in our house, I know why.





You never know what's going to happen when you let Sweet Bean loose with a handful of food!



{fur coats and a feather hat}

four. This photo from Hub's cell phone was just far too fun (and strange) to keep under wraps until Friday. And to think I thought Halloween was over, apparently these weirdos well-dressed ladies didn't get the memo. Fortunately, I can say that I wasn't the only one in Target that thought the twosome was a little odd, but I was definitely the only one stalking around like an amateur paparazzi, trying to get my million-dollar shot!









{and the winner is...}

five. Congratulations to Mama K.! She is the lucky winner of the Creme de la Gems giveaway!









{something new and blue}

six. Please check out this week's latest giveaway, courtesy of Becca from Royal Blue Papers.


{thank you and a sneak peek}

seven. Thank you for all of your encouraging words and support with my newest endeavor, Persnickety Pages {& More}. It means a great deal that several of y'all ventured over to my design blog and are now following! I am very excited to announce that I will be debuting my first line of Holiday cards and invitations as well as other stationery goodies, on November 15th---just one week from now!

In the meantime, I'll leave you with a sneak peek:

Hope you're week is off to a great start! Happy Monday!

New Month---New Blog(s)

As I sit here just mere moments before the sun begins to rise, my sleep deprived eyes are having a difficult time focusing on the screen as the glow of the computer suddenly seems ten times brighter than it normally does. My hands are a bit shaky, either from the lack of sleep or the caffeine boost from the jumbo 32 ounce Diet Coke I nursed throughout the night as I worked feverishly,  like a college student cramming for mid-terms, to be prepared to make my "big announcement" come first thing Monday this morning.

And now as Sunday night has slowly tiptoed into Monday morning, I can honestly remember why I was never a fan of the all-nighter. Just losing one good night's sleep, I suddenly feel years older than my driver's license would indicate. But my goal was achieved, and for the most part everything is in place just as I had hoped. Today is a good day!

Beginning today, I am debuting my own design business, Persnickety Pages {& More}. Persnickety Pages {& More} has been a work in progress since May and though the blogging community needs another designer like Oprah needs a dollar, designing has given me an opportunity, and excuse, to exercise my creative side once again, something I haven't really done since I left the classroom. And while I'm excited to see where this new endeavor takes me, I know that I couldn't have made it this far without the support and encouragement of my husband and parents.

Persnickety Pages {& More} currently features blog design packages, and will soon include many varieties of stationery, including custom designs. And for everyone wanting to get a jump on the approaching Holiday season, I am very excited to share my first line of seasonal cards and stationery products in the upcoming weeks. I have big aspirations for my lil' design company! I'm not sure where it'll take me, but that's half the fun, at least that's what I'm telling myself.

Ummm, one guess as to who'll be napping today when Sweet Bean goes down---ME! But unlike Gillian Grace, I prefer to keep the blanket on my body, not over my head!






Images from GG's monitor hooked up to our tv.

Have a terrific day, y'all!

{Don't forget to check out and enter, my newest giveaway from Creme de la Gems!}

News flash---I'm a blogger!

Taking the lead from a friend and, in my opinion, a real genius when it comes to creative blog posts, Liz, I've decided to do my own post about the seven signs that you're a blogger.

{one} The popular commercial slogan, Never leave home without it, only pertains to you if it refers to your go-everywhere pocket-sized digital Nikon, because credit cards you could live without, but quick access to a digital camera, ain't no way!

{two} The words, "strictly off the record" are no longer limited to re-runs of Law and Order, but rather have become family and friends' latest catch phrase in hopes of keeping their conversations from turning into your latest go-to blogging fodder. But, you can't figure out what all the fuss is about, after all, you always remove names to protect the innocent!

{three} It's a good day when you've had time to take care the kids, cook, tidy up around the house, prepare a dozen muffins for your husband's coworkers, and run errands. All of which happens just after your questionable five minute morning primp that will hopefully be enough to keep the neighborhood kids from thinking that Halloween came early. Yet it's not considered a productive day unless you've found the time to also draft and schedule, in advance, several posts for publishing in between making the rounds and commenting on all your favorite blogs.

{four} Even small, practically non-existent keys aren't enough to keep you from blogging. You've blogged from your cell phone because the reality is, the waiting room at the doctor's office is prime blogging real estate. Plus, it sure beats reading an issue of Vogue from 2008.

{five} To prevent further confusion, you've started using blog titles and usernames when sharing your day with the hubs. It's no longer about what Jane from Accounting said, but rather what Laura from  Cowboy Boots and Baby Booties commented.

{six} No-reply bloggers have quickly skyrocketed near the top of your list of annoying pet peeves, just after smacking and open mouth chewing, but slightly before mothers that drag their sick-germ spreading toddlers to music class.

And lastly,

{seven} Blogger guilt is real. For you, a day without blogging is unnatural, like Bristol Palin's dancing, Tammy Faye Baker's makeup (no disrespect intended), or being forced to go commando because you're behind on your laundry.

Then there's the real reason most of us began blogging in the first place, our lil' monsters kids.






Though we blog about the ups and downs, poop blowouts and public meltdowns, we never forget that when it's all said and done at the end of a long day, we've got the best darn job around---and sharing our stumbles and triumphs with others while making friends along the way, well that's just icing on the cake!

So what do you think?

Can you identify with any of these signs or do you care to share some of your own?


{Congrats to Lexie Loo & Dylan Too for winning the Lee La La giveaway! Email me for details.}

A bug

Good Monday morning, friends! Just a quick little note to say that I'll be away from the computer for a few days because I'm feeling a little under the weather. And no, contrary to what you may think, my sicky sickness has nothing to do with the horrendous booty whooping my Gators took from Alabama Saturday evening. Once I return I'll have tons of fun pictures, as well as a few exciting surprises to share! But don't get your hopes up, though I won't share the details of my soon-to-be revealed surprise with y'all just yet, I can promise you that we'll still be a family of three after the reveal.

If your team played this weekend, hopefully they fared better than mine and you enjoyed a wonderful Fall weekend!

As for me, I'll see ya when I see ya!

{Don't forget:}

Extended!

Love Stamped Jewelry
September 18th-October 8th
Winner will be announced Monday, October 11th!


Win 24 FREE personalized Halloween stickers from Pear Tree Greetings! Ends October 9th at midnight.

Autumn or Fall?

First things first, do you say Fall or Autumn?

I've always referred to the season following Summer as Fall, even though Autumn sounds simply beautiful and sophisticated, I just never think to use it.

After reading so many posts about Fall on my favorite blogs lately, I'm more excited than ever to see summer and the, more uncomfortable than normal, heat come to an end. Though Fall is still officially a few weeks away (September 22nd), I couldn't wait any longer to share a few Fall favorites of my own.


{cooler temperatures and warm cozy clothes}




All images from Ann Taylor Loft

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 {nature}


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 {football}

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{smells and tastes of pumpkin and spice, and everything oh so nice}


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 {home decorations}


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All Images from Pottery Barn

 {the holidays}

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 {spending time with my lil' munchkin}





Gillian Grace Fall (October 2009)


So hard to believe that this is our same lil' Gillybean. She's grown and changed so much in the past year. I can't wait to repeat this photo shoot in a few months.

What are some of your Fall favorites?



{Enter this week's giveaway here.}

Miscellany Monday

{not enough hours in a day}

one. Despite taking a week off from blogging, I still wasn't able to even put a dent in my list of to dos. And, though I tried, I failed miserably at my goal of staying off the computer completely. So yes, it truly wasn't my fault...the computer made me not do it.

{are you ready for some football?}

two. If there's one thing I enjoy just about as much as watching college football on Saturday, it's ESPN's Gameday. And, Big and Rich's theme song gets me dancing every time!



Game Day lyrics---
We're coming to your city
Well we flew through Oklahoma,
Alabama, and through Georgia
Time to get on down to Florida
For the game.

And then we loaded up our tailgate
Joined a convoy on the freeway
Headed north to see them Buckeyes
And Notre Dame.

Victory for USC
Bulldogs barking at the Wolverines
Hook 'em horns and gimme that
Rocky Top Tennessee.

Blue 32, down, set
You love football you know what's next
Got it locked on E-S-P-N
Tell your family and friends
'Cause Fowler, Corso, and Herbstreit
Got the lowdown on your rivalries
So buckle your chinstraps
Get ready to play
It's time to kick off
College Gameday



My team {Florida} is mentioned. Is yours?

Image found here.

{boot scootin' boogie}

three. Gillian Grace has been walking for nearly four months now, but it seems like every other day she's surprising us with a new move. Her latest---the booty scoot, a combination scoot and booty bounce. While not the most efficient way of moving about, it sure is fun to watch!

{feelin' like fall}

four. Bret spent last week in Park City, Utah enjoying Fall like temps with highs in the mid 60s and overnight lows in the 40s. And it seems he must've brought some of the uber pleasant weather back with him as the past few days have been nothing short of glorious for early September in the South. Fingers crossed these beautiful low-humidity days are a sign of things to come.

{not a fan}

five. Thank goodness the appointment I dread most is over---the dentist! While I take pride in my oral hygiene and have never had a cavity, there's just something about the dentist that gives me the heebie jeebies! Maybe it's the smell that smacks you in the face the second after walking through the door or the hygienist's impeccable timing for asking questions just as her hand enters your mouth, but I am not, nor have ever been, a fan.

{pb and yum}

six. TCBY has peanut butter yogurt again! No need to say more.




Image found here.   

{what's cookin'?}

seven. This week's menu includes several new recipes including red velvet brownies. Whether a success or a gigantic failure, you know I'll share!

{sicky icky}

eight. Gillian Grace caught a bug mid-week and is still a bit under the weather. Now, as always seems to be the case, she's been kind enough to share her sniffles with me. Sweet, right?! Summer colds are just the pits!

Even when she's sick, GG still can muster up enough energy for a smile! Bless her heart!

{rah rah sis boom bah}

nine. Be sure to check out my latest giveaway featuring a school spirit twirl skirt from the Baby Britches Boutique.



Anything exciting happen to you last week? How was your long weekend? Have a great Monday and Happy Labor Day, y'all!