to make this...

I'll share with you a few things you may need...

first

{duh}

a gingerbread kit

 courtesy of Trader Joe's

really I should be a spokesperson in our area for them

*love* that store to pieces

just wish we had one a bit closer

I've tried to suggest they put one in our town or the next town over

 my family and extended family would keep them in business

not to mention several friends too

but it hasn't happened yet

I'll just continue to suggest

until they decide to thank me later
after they do decide to open a new location near me for my convenience
and it's really successful

but anyway

thank goodness I have a job where I get paid to be a spokesperson

no,...
this is absolutely *not* a shameless plug for what I do

I'm being serious

about that

it's really not a plug

because there is nothing like loving something you get paid for

that's seriously my job

and I love it

just being honest

with you all

it's one of those *honest* kind of days

you know

fyi if you'd like a gingerbread kit yourself

this one was purchased for $7.99 from Trader Joe's

I haven't found one that is cheaper or cuter yet to be honest
just my opinion

if you don't have a Trader Joe's...

Target has a couple for $9.99 as well

{just thought I would share that in case you are a price kind of person}

so secondly...

and this one is completely optional...

it would be optional to me

but I really didn't have a choice in the matter

but secondly

you need

 help that thinks they know everything about buildings

particularly metal pre-engineered buildings

who also can manage the project
or has management skills

oops...

I almost forgot we are doing a gingerbread house

not a "pre-engineered metal" gingerbread house

so those credentials/requirements
{I previsouly mentioned}

are highly optional

unless that person is cute

then just maybe they can get away with project managing

{ahem...the one above}

thirdly...

and what worked for us

is a wee little one who just likes to entertain everyone

or shake the candy packages...

 maybe to make music
or maybe just to do it for fun

no particular skills required

but someone who makes you smile and laugh
{a requirement of any kind of project}

that would be this one in our family

see...

she just wanted to shake the packages of sprinkles, gummies

and that little mark on her cute face
she flat-backed herself at my in-laws house over Thanksgiving
ran right into the corner of the cabinets
it really did kind of scare me
ugh...
but luckily the mark is looking so much better now

so would this be fourthly?...

I'm thinking...fourthly isn't a word

so let's go with

next...

you need an assistant to the project manager

who likes to study

every.single.detail

to make sure it looks exactly like the picture on the box

so the project manager

doesn't have a misstep

or

the project manager doesn't have to submit a *change order*

for the corrections that have to be made

{oh yes Mr. Project Manager I've heard you loud and clear with the lingo these last 6 years

surprised the heck out of you didn't I?}

oh, and...

I need to introduce you to the assistant project manager

that would be this one

the one on the right of course
you've already met the head PM

I thought the project managers could use a picture together

  lastly...

{I really wanted to say fifthly...}
as in the number 5 with a "ly" at the end

but I didn't...

just so you know...that does not say filthy above....it is 5thly...

if your mind wandered

that is not my fault...
I'm talking numbers here

you also

 need someone to document

{I guess}

why is that always me?

did I mention over thanksgiving weekend

in the car traveling

the project manager

"this guy"

had me typing his e-mails

as he dictated them to me

and of course I'm supposed to know how to spell obscure construction terms

*that was a fun drive*

kidding...

I only had to do one short e-mail since he was driving
and I joked with him about it
that my payment for my time should be in new fall boots

should have gotten it in writing
before I hit *send* on the e-mail

but anyway...someone to document

that would be me...

by the way

this was a super easy kit

all you had to do was mix the icing

and for that you only needed a little lemon juice and one egg white

I must mention one disclaimer

project managers often like to do trial runs of the pieces

in order to show the subordinate workers how it is really done

and exactly how the icing should go between the pieces so it sticks together

just a warning

no really...

we had a super fun hour or so starting a new tradition of putting together a gingerbread house

and we all worked together perfectly

within our own roles

{wink, wink}

well...me the documenter

got in trouble for taking too long to document

i.e.
taking a few pictures

and was warned that the icing was going to get too stiff to use as glue
for the *panels*

 and then the candies would not stick either

okay...

so I got three warnings

but it all worked out just fine

and if you have spare icing on hand

{doesn't have to be gingerbread icing btw}

for back-up that always helps

 we didn't use our back-up icing at all
{smile}

 our result was two very happy girls with a job well done
of decorating it all by themselves
and the box
{that's according to the assistant PM}

voila...

fyi...

I have a PM for hire
if you need one
 for your gingerbread house

I know just the person

you may be able to hire him by the 1/2 hour

as long as the terms are agreed upon

of course by the project manager, himself
and most importantly by his legal team,
moi

of course I would get it in writing for you
accepted forms of payment would be
new fall boots for the PM's documenter,
moi

{chuckle}

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