Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and many blessings in the New Year!

I'm late! I'm late! For a very important date!

Oh my goodness! I almost missed Boomama's Bloggy Christmas Tour! Better late then never, right?!

This is me and my two favorite guys, my hubby, Gary, and my son (and only child), Zack.

Welcome to our home. Hubs was in charge of "Exterior Illumination", he's better known as Gary Griswold! "Let's add just one more strand..."

This is taken from the back deck looking into the Great Room

I collect snowmen and this cheery guy will welcome you as you come in through the kitchen door. I made you a red velvet cake, but me and my boys had to try it before you got here, just to make sure it was okay!


Hubby hung some Christmas balls in cobalt blue and lime green to match my kitchen. They are hung with fishing line, so they almost look suspended in air! I love them!

Here's the tree in the kitchen. It has a Disney theme and some of my favorite ornaments from when Zack was growing up...


...like this one...from his first Christmas...

From the kitchen, you'll enter the dining room. I love to completely transform the china cabinet with Christmas china and figurines.


Next you'll find yourself in the office, where I spend most of my time (aside from the kitchen). This is our patriotic tree!

Now let's head down the stairs to the Great Room. Here is my favorite tree! It's 12 feet and decorated in crystal, silver and blue ornaments. This is also where you'll find some of my snowman collection on the entertainment center and the village and the stockings on the mantle.




Here's a better picture of the tree, along with the lighted garland and wreath hanging on the "overlook" upstairs.

This is the view looking outside onto the back deck from the upstairs "overlook".

Another one of my favorite things...the Nativity which is located on one of my sofa tables.

This is something new we've added this year. Hubby got me the table, mirror and lamp (not pictured) for Mother's Day. This is located in the long upstairs "hall" which overlooks the Great Room. I added a silver tree with two silver deer for a festive feel.

Here is my son's tree. This year he wanted to decorate it in an Atlanta Braves theme. We did pretty good finding lots of ornaments!

I thought this one was precious! It reminded me of how much he loved the Braves, even as a child, and to this day!

Here is hubby's tree in our Master Bedroom. It's his "nostalgic" tree. It has those tacky big colored bulbs and lots of tinsel. We also have a ceramic tree on the dresser that was passed down from my mom---which reminds me so much of my childhood.

I think that wraps up the tour. Thank you so much for stopping by! I love meeting new friends--so leave me a comment so I can repay the visit!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Holiday Hectic?

I woke up this morning with a million and one things to do running through my head! I switched my days off this week so I could stay home today and clean and get ready for our annual Band Christmas party (which is after the band concert tonight), plus my mom is coming in town today. I keep going from room to room and doing little things and then I get distracted by something else that needs to be done in another room! I think I need to slow down and fix myself a pot of coffee! Hubby took the day off too, and he's already out with his "to do" list in hand.

So, instead of cleaning, I'm sitting here blogging. I sat down to google "holiday hectic" on the images page and this is what came up...

Isn't that so precious?!

Okay, enough of a break---I'm puttin' on my running shoes and gettin' busy!

My Little Political Activist

It's no secret that I am not interested in politics AT ALL! Not to say that I wasn't raised in a political household. My mom was and still is very much into politics---I guess it skipped a generation. Hold your gasps! I do vote! I have pretty much been a straight ticket Republican. I think it just happened that way because my parents always voted Republican and I voted for who my mom told me to vote for! It certainly wasn't because I took the time to look into the views and/or opinions or position of any of the candidates.

And I guess I should say "shamefully" that I still am not interested in researching and studying anything of a political nature. I was like this in high school too---I loved World History, but hated American History and Civics!

Hubby, on the other hand, is very much into politics and will argue and debate anyone who holds a different opinion politically. It's never been any fun for him, because my position has always been, "I don't care"! But now, the strange world of genetics has somehow mysteriously created a political monster in my offspring, otherwise known as my only child.

Today after school, he went and volunteered at the local office of the candidate named in the photo. I certainly don't want to mention the name, because I don't care to get spammed by those for or against this particular candidate.

I know nothing about what he stands for or where he stands on various issues. Son has researched the candidate and I'm not sure how "off kilter" he may be politically, but I know this, I'm proud that son is thinking for himself. I'm proud that he's passionate about politics, instead of out on the streets being passionate about something else that may be harmful. I'm proud that he has enough confidence to walk into an office of total strangers and volunteer his time.

And another thing...he is even considering majoring in political science. I know one vote he won't get...but mommy will ALWAYS vote for him, in every aspect of life.

The many faces...

I was intriqued by Tonja's comment on my previous post that my new profile photo makes me look younger than my previous photo. I'm one of those people that is constantly changing hairstyles AND hair color! My natural hair color is black...well, with the exception of the gray that continues to show itself more frequently. I've been everything from heavily highlighted goldish blonde, to dark auburn and now back to black.

So what do you think? Does the longer, darker hair make me look younger or older? I'm debating on whether or not to get it cut over the Christmas break...

Weigh in...

Spreading Christmas Cheer...

Every time I want to add another string of lights outside the house and hubby thinks we've done too much...I remind him of this house a few streets over from us. Now THIS man loves Christmas! He gets started right after Halloween and has it all finished by Thanksgiving! There was so much, that I couldn't get it all in one picture, so I had to piece it. Click on it to enlarge!

Elf Yourself!
I saw this on Heather's blog and was cracking up, so I knew I had to do one of our family! Click HERE to see the video...then take a minute or two to make one yourself and let me know so I can come check it out!

B's Bombard Birmingham

This past weekend, the "B Club" girls bombarded Birmingham! Could you hear the laughter? Could you hear the continuous chatter? We had so much fun! Wish ALL the girls could have been there!

Friday, Dianne (Glasses of Grace) drove down from Atlanta and met at my house, then we both went over to Birmingham to meet Kat (Justabeachkat), Tonja (Gatherings) and Sandi (Whistlestop Cafe) at the Cheesecake Factory at The Summit. After a long wait (but who noticed other than our growling stomachs?) we were finally seated and enjoyed a delicious meal and lots of sillyness and good conversation.

On the phone with Jean (What's up at the Stauffers?...or Musical Jean on my blog!). We each passed the phone around and told her how much we missed her and wished she were there! We saved a seat at the table for you (I think Tonja has those pictures).

Group shot at dinner (crop, ladies, crop!)

Woah! Can you say overexposed?! I'm really not that white! A little too close to the flash!

Tonja, Sandi, Me

Dianne and Kat

Let the sillyness begin...

I won't say what Tonja is doing, but look how hard I'm laughing!

These "to go" bags are the perfect size for a bonnet!

Saturday, we drove back over to Birmingham to meet the girls just after breakfast for some shopping and lunch. Kat got each one of us a flamingo Christmas ornament and Tonja made us each a necklace with a "B" charm on it! So very sweet and thoughtful! That morning, we got to visit with Jill (Who Could Ask for Anything More) for just a little while---she had driven over from Atlanta and had to get back for previously scheduled entertaining, but we are so glad we got to meet in real life...and by the way, she is just as beautiful in person and really, really tall!

The group outside of Anthropologie (Rhoda, Me, Kat, Sandi, Tonja, Jill, Dianne)

We shopped around The Summit for a little while and then Rhoda (Southern Hospitality) took us over to a wonderful, quaint little area in Homewood with lots of shoppes! We had a wonderful day, the weather was perfect, and a great lunch at O'Carrs. Then we each went our separate ways.

Lunch at O'Carrs. We were so glad Joy, Tonja's sister could join us!

Now give us your best side! Even sticking her tongue out, I've never see Kat take a bad picture!

Back home...gotta get the "annual" picture in front of the tree before Dianne heads back to Atlanta!

It's such a gift to connect with these ladies online, and an even greater blessing to meet them in person and continue that relationship as if it had been a lifelong friendship. I am so thankful for each one of you and can't wait for our next get together!

Christmas Bloggy Miracle Needed

I had a wonderful weekend with the "B" girls and will post pictures soon....but right now I'm in the middle of a BIG 'OLE MESS with my blog!!! I'm trying to change some stuff around and now I think I've messed it up!!!

All you bloggy girls that have cute Christmas layouts...I am in need of a Christmas Bloggy Miracle...my blog needs help!

Knee Deep...

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving surrounded by lots of good food, friends and family. We went to Atlanta, a little later than planned, due to a severe migraine that had me throwing up (too much info) and pretty much in bed all day Tuesday, but we got there and were able to spend a few days with family. Wednesday evening we went down to Atlantic Station and did some shopping and had dinner. Thursday we had Thanksgiving at Mom's and Friday we did a little shopping and then helped my sister decorate her Christmas tree. Saturday we helped Mom with her decorations and then headed home in time for Zack to get to work and me and Gary to duke it out over the Georgia/GA Tech game!!! Go DAWGS! Victory for the 7th year in a row!

Here are some pics...

This is me and my nephew, Draven (my younger brother's son) in the car on the way to Atlantic Station. So many people think that he and I look alike!

Here are Zack, my niece, Taylor (my older sister's daughter) and my nephew, Draven (my younger brother's son). Zack was in such a silly mood! He kept messing up the pictures and making everyone laugh...as you'll see below...(check out Zack's shirt!)

This is my sister, Terri and her daughter, Madison Taylor (she goes by Madison, but I call her "Tay-Tay")

I like this picture...it's me, my sister and my mom (as you can see, I favored my Dad!)

Here's Zack being silly and messing up our picture again! I was laughing so hard! When my sister saw this picture, she said I reminded her of Paula Deen.

We finally got Zack to be serious...

Here's one of me, my sis and my mom at California Pizza Kitchen at Atlantic Station. Check out my sister's eyes!!! They are so doggone blue---I'm jealous cause I love 'em!

Just a few more of my precious baby!

I'm still knee-deep in decorating. Sometimes I feel like I'll never be done, but as I look around, I can see we're making some headway! Zack has been home sick for the past two days. I took him to the Doctor yesterday and he has a viral infection (sore throat, headache, fever). He's been laying in bed for two days watching Seasons 1 & 2 of The West Wing. I think I'm getting hooked on it too!

This weekend is the second "B" Club meeting and I can't wait! We're meeting in Birmingham and I'm really looking forward to it. I've met Kat already, I've known Dianne for forever, I've talked with Tonja on the phone, but this weekend, I'm hoping to meet Tonja, Rhoda, Sandi, Jill and whoever else shows up!!! I'm so excited!!! Don't forget your cameras, girls!!! I'm just sad Jean can't be with us! We'll be thinking about you and we'll take lots of pictures!

Okay, enough of a bloggy break...back to decorating!