simplicity

this year as I look around my home

during Christmas season

{which is usually a big deal for me}

I see right in front of me
that it still looks like our home

there is no clutter

 those that know me well

know I completely *freak* in clutter

so I never have clutter

because my brain is unable to function "normally"

{I'm chuckling as I say "normally" by the way}

 that may be debatable to some

but with it now being Christmas season

I really have no "Christmas decor" clutter this year

it's a breath of fresh air feeling simple this year

some of our furniture this year had to be moved around the house

in order to fit our tree

and I love that one of our big shelves is now upstairs in our mini loft area

I like it much better

because it doesn't look so uniform in our living area now

it probably will stay that way after Christmas

{really excited about that}

but I'm happy

that as I look around my home

it's minimal

since I was really, really selective with what I set out

there is no clutter

it looks and feels more like us more than ever before

I still have to rearrange some of the decorations

as they are just sitting in our laundry room

waiting to be placed

but when I finally get around to doing that

it'll be simple

and easy

 no pressure for perfection

this Christmas season

I'm doing more important things this year
like

 making hot cocoa for this little one

with rainbow marshmallows

rather than stressing too much about decorations

she's loving the fact that

this is in one of my coffee glasses btw

the new song I've added

"Winter Song"

just sounds pretty

so don't read too much into the wording with this post

lol

xo

home...

home sweet home

is how I feel right about now

it's finally quiet in the house

after an hour or so drama in the house

caused by two crying girls

as Bobby headed out for the airport this evening

but it's quiet...quiet...

and that's really nice right now

especially since I'm enjoying a peaceful cup of coffee

all.by.myself

oh yes indeed

we had a great time visiting my in-laws over the weekend for Thanksgiving
but it is always nice to walk in your home after an extended weekend
it just feels nice

I'm amazed every time all four cousins are together

our two

and our two nieces

who are exactly the same age {4 and 2}

it's so sweet to see how they have so much fun together

and how excited they are to see one another

it makes us all smile

every.single.time

this year we have a little boy who has now been added to the mix too

we actually got all five of them together

they are adorable

I guess I should say he is not our little boy, per se
 but Bobby's second cousin
didn't want you to think I had another kiddo overnight

{chuckle}

and this year

oh yes we did

we ventured out Black Friday

a tad bit later than we anticipated

but we still went anyway

we didn't have any long lines
or tales of people waiting 2 hours or fighting over deals
 it was not stressful
the best kind of shopping

 I've never.ever.ever.
have shopped early..{early} on Black Friday

I did some

online {supporting independent shoppes} and at the store as well

yep

we sure did

and it feels great that a little bit of it has been checked off the list

since we seem to always always scramble at the very last minute

to finish

I want to enjoy the season instead of seeing it rushed off

that means a bit more planning on my part
really, really enjoying it
without the stress

I swear I used to be great at having plans

anymore now...

not so much

so I'm trying to get in that mode again

"I can do it," I say

"I can do it"

I'm sounding like the little engine that could

aren't I?

although it seemed to work when I said that with not biting my nails

so I'm going to try saying that phrase again
{with doing better at planning}

however, my fingernails are looking particularly good

if I do say so myself

no bitten edges or breaks
shaped and filed

wahoo

today is...

a day of thanks 

love  

family

and acceptance of all those around you 

Happy Thanksgiving 

to you and your family

and thank you
everyone for your love, support, and joy you bring to my life

xo


gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you
  
eileen caddy


(my first mobile post and haven't quite figured out how to upload a picture)

the secret ingredients...

you can have all the right decorations

the perfect home

or party location

the absolute best food and drinks

vintage silverware

but if you don't have family and friends to celebrate it with...

what's really the point?

last weekend my parents helped me throw a surprise party for Bobby's birthday

with some of our closest friends

I had to recruit big help from my parents because Bobby figures out

every.single.thing

that.I.ever.try.to.slide.past.him

even small things

so surprising him is no fun

and I've been known to slip on very small surprises before for him

no joke

so if he saw me cooking up a storm and buying significant extra stock in his favorite drinks

throughout the week

he would know something is up

yes...even though he's not home during the week

he still checks our grocery bill while he's gone

no fun...girls, right?

he would have seen major

red flag

so my parents and I worked together on this

I did the desserts and decor

and my mom cooked the food and bought stock in his favorite drinks as his present from them

we have the best group of friends that made time in their schedule with 1 1/2 weeks notice

to arrive early and not say a word for me...

 we had a lot of fun...

and we didn't overserve a soul...

promise...

seriously promise

it was a good night

but we may end up donating our mini sofa after that night

just kidding

he was just being silly
so please don't get any wrong ideas
just funnies

but I did get a great detailed update on the Real Housewives of BH

since my darn tv decided to not tape it last Thursday
I was in panic mode because it was not available on the internet either

{now you know what I'm addicted to}

but I got a great detailed update from a "just as addicted real housewives girlfriend"

my problem that night was that I thought to take pictures

but then forgot to actually follow through with taking them

 once I get talking

and eating

and having a few drinks

and holding babies

well baby...he's a cutie

and laughing

I completely forget to document

so there isn't too many pictures with everyone together and enjoying themselves

but I did my best

just wish I would have gotten some more of the birthday boy with his friends

but we see them often enough I can make up for that

 I at least got one with all the guys together

I've never been able to surprise Bobby....ever before

so I was pretty proud of myself

however Bobby doesn't like admitting we actually slid one past him

he still won't admit it

so he's the one who will ever really know if he was really surprised or not

he said he had a feeling the day of....

what .ever

but he did say I did a great job of not slipping about anything

a huge step for me

it's hard to keep fun surprises

we wanted home-cooked food for him

because he eats out every meal 6 days a week when he is gone

and he is desperately wanting some good home cooked food

and there is no other person that can do that better than my mom

I'm still amateur at that

in case you are wondering

so we made it country as it could get for him

ball jars for his mixed drinks

homemade rolls made by yours truly

I can bake

chili and all the fixin's as Bobby would say

brats and hotdogs

lots of dips

vegetables for us *normal* people

{chuckle, chuckle}

burlap chair ties and chalkboard signs

pictures hung along our folding door closet with clothespins

all from the past year

lights strung along our living area

I absolutely forgot to use his *Bobby* belt buckle from when he was a kid

*sigh*

but I've found over time that I may be decent at making desserts

go figure

since I like cheese and salty foods better

so are you usually better at cooking things you don't prefer?

or I should say don't like quite as much

just wondering on the general opinion/response of that

don't get me wrong

 I *enjoy* sweets

but I can't whip out regular foods without a recipe

well maybe I can but I just don't like to admit it

or *want to*

so shhhh....

don't tell Bobby that

because that's my excuse when I'm *tired* and need a break from cooking

I can't find my recipe

lol

but yes...I had to make sure I had chocolate cake for him
and a friend whipped up super cute mini white cupcakes in his favorite NFL team colors for the non-chocolate eaters

anyway...

I love our friends

really love them

thank you all

for making it a great night

you all are the secret ingredient to a great evening

I love...love that you all came and celebrated with us

I know it meant a lot to Bobby

since I now know most of you read my blog now

I'll say thank you again

xo

because...

 soccer guys are

*hot*

I mean super

*hot, hot*

so did I ever mention I have a thing for soccer guys?

I haven't have I?

actually I should point out it's not guy*s*

in the plural sense

but one particular guy

in the singular sense

I better clear that up before you all think I'm talking about someone else
{ahem...Beckham...}
that was a slip
{wink, wink}

okay I'm stopping before I lead you into the wrong direction here
 *whew*

I'm just kidding

even on the Beckham one
because this one
sweeps him out of the water
*true fact*

but thought I would throw you a loop
just to make you smile a little

I do have a slight crush on a certain *hot* soccer guy

 and I'm missing being with this him on his birthday today

because he's out of town on his special day

I'm going to do my best to make him blush a little today
with these photos

  

 I have some "fantastically" handsome pictures of him

to show

is fantastically even a word?

 I'm using it regardless

but they really are handsome

just a warning...
big warning

the truth is these photos make me blush a little too

he's so handsome

and this smile

that one right there

gets me

every.single.time

*it sure does*

and this one too...

he wouldn't do a natural smile

so I was saying very sweet {funny} things to him here

and there you go...

his real deal smile...

the pictures have been sitting on my computer since late October

and I see them in my box everytime I sit at my computer

and his outfit is what he wore for our 50's Halloween party we attended

and he looked fantastic in it

{my Grandpa's fedora and my Dad's suit he got married in}

this costume was literally put together in 2 hours

so...

 there's no better day to tell you about my *hot* soccer guy

than today

his birthday

the guy I went after 15 years ago

and by the way...

don't you love this song?
"small town USA"

it reminds me of him

along with

"should've been a cowboy"

especially those moments when you hear his southern "country" accent

*swoon*

I tell ya

I absolutely do

what I love about him most

 is his old soul

his really good values

I mean really good values
{when he's good...wink}

and yes this smile

15 years ago is when I first laid eyes on him

I played soccer with his sister and his Dad ended up being my coach for a couple of years

so it was only fitting we would eventually meet

but my shy, very young self at the time

went after him

you bet your sweet hiney I did

after a friend and I saw him across the way at a 3 v 3 tourney

yes I sure did

 I went to many lengths to run into him after school

on purpose

so he would notice me

{chuckle, chuckle}

 this makes me laugh only because it makes me realize how silly you are when you're young

I still cannot believe I had enough courage to do that

but I did

and we haven't looked back sense

well he would want me to say he was the one who made the final move of asking me

"if I wanted to date"

I wish we were with him to celebrate today

but we're not

so we'll just have to make do

when he comes home for a re-celebration

with the girls and I

thank you Mr. Bobby "C"

my hot soccer guy

for your love

I really do miss those blue eyes of yours

Happy Birthday my love

just the thing

I was randomly searching for a few things to get ideas

and inspiration and came across this

super cute and super girly fabric that I love
*love*
for Madison and Hayley

{both sourced}

and it's perfect for the girl's rooms for an idea
can't wait to show you what I'll do with it
{well after Christmas}
 because it goes with one of their presents

and the extra fabric left over
I've already got a few ideas what can be done with it too

hoping the pretty soft colors and florals give you a smile today

as we are diving straight into cold fall weather

same destination...

different ways...

different routes...

arriving from different cities

on different planes...

{of course}

 meeting at one place...

one destination

romantic and exciting in a way don't you think?

our destination:  Fort Worth, Texas

traveled from:       Phoenix ~  Bobby 

                                  arrived Thursday, November 4th

                                 before Adam and Julie's rehearsal

                            I traveled from our home 

                                   without the girls

                                   arrived Wednesday, November 3rd

                                  for extra time with friends and the bride

I literally saw Bobby 30 minutes before the rehearsal

as we dashed to get dressed and head over to Bass Hall

he had already checked in the hotel and met me at the hotel with food in hand

for a friend and I because we were starving

I loved being with girlfriends for 2 days and then meeting up with Bobby

the best of both worlds

in one trip

After the wedding celebration on Friday night

we woke up Saturday and had a date day together

just us two

Bobby used his "weekend home flights"

 to go to Fort Worth

 and I had a free flight from all his traveling

we also had a free night's stay on Saturday
{from his traveling rewards}
*so thankful*

 it couldn't have been more perfect to have an all day date

doing whatever from the moment we woke up
to the moment our heads landed on our pillows that evening

it was sort of exciting and romantic in a way flying from different places and meeting somewhere else

actually it's not "sort of"

it definitely was

so when I saw him Saturday morning

it was like I saw him Thursday night when he first arrived

I was all smiles...

and off the wall excited

we drove down to the stock yards in Fort Worth

I'll emphasize *drove*

because he wanted to walk

and I said...no way...

it's my day off running

and we'll do plenty of walking down there

it would have been 2 miles there and then 2 back

ummm...hello

not in heels

plus we were told not to walk there

of which right after that

Bobby was asked if he was packin'?

because "Papa Mike" said of which we could walk there if Bobby was

 packin'
{laughing out loud here}

not such a good part of town we would have had to walk through Papa Mike said

I almost lost it

when Bobby told me that he was asked if he was packin'

because there is no way Bobby would be

we got ready and headed out

Bobby waited for me...

no really he didn't

he's lucky that way

and rarely has to wait for me

it only usually takes me 5-10 minutes to put on makeup

and change

if my clothes are pre-planned

and if I have coffee

why coffee makes a difference I have noooo idea

and I didn't even have to do my hair that day

I had my Texas volume hair from having it done the night before for the wedding

in case you didn't know

my very fine and thin hair

welcomes volume

lots of volume

and hairspray

lots of hairspray

we walked around

snuck in a rodeo

well we wouldn't have had to pay anyway

we think it was a warm up or amateur practice

because everyone was walking right in for a bit

our slightly obsessed selves found seat number 13

sat down and watched awhile

very hard to get good pictures inside the arena

but really enjoyed

of which we were starving for lunch...

and I was craving fried pickles

I never ask for fried anything

because my stomach doesn't usually appreciate fried

 but Bobby tells me when I actually ask for fried food

he's definitely taking me up on that request

we didn't get fried pickles

because of another place we found

but it really didn't matter all that much if I ate them anyway

 we wanted to check out a pretty neat place we came across

the love shack

it was a multi-level restaurant with tree trunks and trees everywhere

tables fitting in and around the trunks

an order at the window type of place

*love*

you take a number

find whatever seat you want

at their very shiny silver tables

and they bring your order to you

Bobby was worried how on earth they would find our table with our number since we sat ourselves

instead of them seating us

he's so funny...

it didn't really matter to me when we got our food because the atmosphere was fantastic

live music

Bobby with me

and our food arriving just fine

have I mentioned how much I *love* live music with a great cuisine

yep that's my handsome hubby

trying to get active on facebook

{that's only funny to those who know he's so random with it}

I ordered chicken well since I don't eat much red meat

and the tenders were actually seasoned so not just fried

 I was a happy girl to eat

every.single.bite

I really couldn't tell you the last time I had ordered fried chicken tenders

literally 10 years maybe

but I couldn't help but eat two of them before I took the picture I was so excited they had flavor

and not just skinny fries

but flat fries

with a Coca-Cola

my fav soda

yep had the healthiest lunch evah!

we enjoyed the music

but I really could have sat there all day long it was so nice out 

we roamed around and took some pictures of signs and other things that caught my eye

picked up something for the girls because we promised them a surprise

headed back to our hotel room

and fell fast asleep

best nap I've ever had

other than at my friend's cloud sleeper

we could have literally stayed in and ordered pizza

it was one of those naps where you didn't want to get up

but during our Friday morning run
we saw a piano bar

and we made a date to go

have any of you been to one?

we are a fan

and went to one about 7 years ago in South Carolina

so we were determined to wake up

we slapped ourselves silly

to do so

{just kidding...checking to make sure you are with me on this super uber long post with me}

no really we made some coffee

since I only had one cup that morning anyway...

{and not my usual 3}

we walked to go get some appetizers and a drink

see an emphasis here

we like to eat when we're together

we stopped at 8.0 as they were setting up for their live music

and any restaurant that has sarcasm on their menu has a loyal customer in me

this made me laugh

{top left corner}

we walked a few blocks to the dueling piano bar

and had an absolute blast

we headed home as many were just going out

that made us laugh

because

I can only handle late nights occassionally...

and we had several over the weekend

we really loved Fort Worth and how beautiful it was

older buildings

fun places all in walking distance

perhaps why my feet were killing me Sunday and Monday

but the heels were worth it

they always are

now I'm missing Bobby

and can't wait until he's home again

it was a fantastic long weekend

thanks for staying with me on this

if you did...I should say

xo