Category Archives: Family

Ready for Thanksgiving!

Good evening!

I have had a pretty darn good day today! It completely helped that today is my Friday to a 4-day weekend, I got off work a little early this afternoon, and that my sweetie has been completely and totally charmingly helpful this evening! What a gem he is!!!

Not only that, but he has single-handedly prepped everything for Thanksgiving dinner, so besides the actual cooking, everything that can be ready for Thanksgiving is ready. WHEW!! Although he did get enough groceries to feed an army!!!  LOL!!

Tomorrow, we are expecting our very good friends, Dawn and Errin to join us for our Thanksgiving !! I am so excited, I really can not wait!! I am also planning on making the calls to all the family to make sure that the family is doing well, and enjoying their Thanksgivings as well!! I just need to make sure that I don’t get so busy that I forget! SHEESH!! That would make me bad daughter/sister for the year!!! 😉

What are all of your plans for Thanksgiving? Are you planning on spending it with your loved ones?

So for some randomness:

It has been a really rainy week here in Oregon, matter of fact, I am wondering when it is going to start flooding here, if it hasn’t already! I absolutely adore rainy days, which is one of the main reasons I live here in Oregon.  I was reading today that 2 of the top 50 healthiest US cities for Women are Seatlle, WA, which is #15, and Beaverton, OR/Vancouver, WA are #30, which makes me happier about living here, but makes me think about the possibility of moving up north to either Portland or Seattle again. Anyway, I am not sure where those thoughts came from, but I am just keepin’ it real here!! 😉

Anyway, I am off to enjoy the rest of my night!

Have a FABULOUS evening! ;-)

 

My Tree Is Done!!

Good evening!

It has taken me three days, but I have finally finished decorating my Christmas tree!! WHOO! HOO!!! I know it is early, but I really have needed a little Christmas spirit early this year! 😉

I wasn’t going to put up our tree this year, because I was thinking that it is an awful lot of work for just my sweetie and I, and we aren’t even going to be here at Christmas, however, when I expressed my thoughts to my sis, Alex she convinced me that even if it was just to enjoy the Christmas tree while I am reading on a quiet evening – it would be worth the work!!! 😉 She was absolutely right! AS SOON as I got the Christmas lights on the tree I was IMMEDIATELY put me in the Christmas spirit! It also helped that my sweetie helped my put the tree up this year, which I REALLY appreciated it!!

My theory on decorating my Christmas tree is to basically put EVERYTHING and ANYTHING that I LOVE on the tree!!! Which means that every single solitary inch of that tree has something on it!!

I love to tuck little treasures and momentos into our tree too. I especially LOVE pictures of my sweetie and from various different Christmas’!

We are such babies in this picture. This is one of our first Christmas’ with my sweetie’s family.

I also have lots of little signs, and this little red bird. One of my pastors, growing up, used to tell me that the little bird in her tree would wake up every evening and fly to the north pole to report to Santa whether or not we were behaving or not. Even though we don’t have children, I sometimes wonder if our little red bird flies to the north pole while we sleep and give a full report of our behavior to the man in the big red suit too!! 😉

Oh, and with my love of Santas, how could I not at least have one or 10 Santas on my tree??? 😉

Here is our Christmas star. Everyone always makes fun of me for this topper. Apparently it isn’t quite as flashy as the rest of our tree, however Jason and I bought this tree for our very first Christmas almost 17 years ago and every year I pull it out and PRAY that all of the lights in it still work. Every year, I am always amazed when they do!! WHOO! HOO!! 😉

When I describe our tree to anyone who has never seen it before, I always say that it looks like a jewelry box exploded ALL OVER our Christmas tree!! I still think that is pretty fitting!!!

Have a FABULOUS evening! ;-)

PS. Thank you, Alex, for cheering me on when I was having a moment of weekness!! I dedicate this blog posting, and my lovely Christmas tree, that has made me ABSOLUTELY SMILE to you!!!You were 100% right!!! I love you, Sissy!! 😉

A Day with My Auntie!

Good evening!

I am sorry I am posting so late, uhmmmm….I would love to give you a good excuse for that, but I have to admit that I have been doodling on Pinterest for quite a few hours this evening! Oopsie!!

Anyway, that is not what I want to talk about this evening. I wanted to talk about my Auntie Flo, and fun time that we had spending time together today! You see, my aunt and I, along with my Aunt Alice, my Aunt Flo’s sister, we meet every year for a Christmas outing to just get together, have lunch, do some window shopping, and spend some quality time together catching up! Well, this year Aunt Alice wasn’t able to join us, but Flo and I still made a point to get together. Today was the day, and we met up at the Woodburn outlet mall! Colby was with us for a little while, as he was in need of some new basketball shoes. His dad came and picked him up, and then Flo and I headed out for some serious discount shopping, and man did we ever make out like bandits!! 😉

One of the first places we stopped was Lane Bryant, for me, and I spent about $120 but had saved $145 – NOT BAD, if I may say so myself!!! I ended up with new pajamas, a red cardigan, 5 pairs of the cutest undies, 3 sets of bangled bracelets, 2 large hair flowers, a sparkly cocktail ring, and a pair of earrings!

After that we located the restrooms, and got a good chuckle from listening to some women who were fretting because the hand towel dispenser that they were standing at didn’t seem to be working. LOL! They were talking almost as if they would never be able to leave the restroom if they couldn’t figure out how to dry their hands!! If they would have just walked around the corner, and there was a perfectly functional hand towel dispenser. Too funny!! 😉

We ended up at a small Mexican food place for fajitas for lunch, and spent a good hour or so just talking about everything and anything that we could possibly think of! The future, politics, family, drama, etc, etc.

Next we went from place to place to place looking for Flo’s great discount, and I can’t remember the name of the store, but she ended up finding a flannel shirt, a sweatshirt, and something like 8 t-shirts at this one place. With all of the discounts said and done, she ended up paying ONLY $41!!!! WOW!!!

Both of our fabulous discounts gave us permission to do some more shopping/window shopping. After ending up visiting for quite some more time over at the local Jamba Juice, we decided to call it a day. We had such a GREAT time!! I ALWAYS LOVE Auntie Days!!!

Hmmmmm…where should we meet and what should we do next ladies??? I am seriously looking forward to our next Auntie Day outing!!

I am off to put up my Christmas tree – I know it might be early, but trust me, I am really ready for some Christmas spirit around here! The earlier the better is always my motto!!!

Have a FABULOUS evening! 😉

Swim Night with the Kids!

Good evening!

I just got back from watching my sweetie and the kids swimming, because of my new tattoo, I am unable to swim for at least 2 weeks, so I had the pleasure of being the photographer/observer!

This is me from my vantage point! 😉

Here is Miss Megan in her adorable polka dotted  bathing suit!

 

Here is Morgan and his Uncle Jay-Jay! Morgan follows him around like his shadow! 🙂

Uncle Jay-Jay does a hand stand…

and Morgan immediately has to do a hand stand too!

Now it is Megan’s turn to pick an activity, and of course she chooses her FAVORITE pool game…

Marco POLO!!! 😉

They could play this game for HOURS!!! 🙂

Aren’t these guys just the CUTEST??? I was so jealous watching the fun from the sidelines, but I am very happy that I was able to get some pics, albeit some fuzzy ones – they are just constantly on the go!!!

Have a FABULOUS evening!!! ;-)

Crossing Something Scary Off My Life List!

Good evening!

You remember I had told you my original plans were to stay close to home and just be homey, but I had a little change of plans!! This morning Jason and I had gotten together with our friends Errin and Dawn, for breakfast! Well, we were having a lovely time when, I am not sure how the subject came about, but Dawn blurted out that we should go down to the tattoo shop to get my tattoo. You know the one that has been on my HUGE life list, the same one that also made it on to 36 before 37 life list??? I am not sure how I let her talk me into these things, but I found myself waiting in the tattoo shop while the tattoo artist drew up a sample of the design I described to him.

After sweating it out, for what seemed like an eternity, he came out and showed my his translation of my design, and I LOVED IT!!! I knew that it was now or never, and the cost was a very minimal amount, something I had on my in cash (which is saying something because I hardly ever have cash), so I just

HAD TO GO FOR IT!!!

Dawn went with me into the back where I hopped up onto a medical looking table, and the tattoo artist transferred his drawing onto my right foot, exactly where I wanted it, and I knew that if I was going to chicken out, now would be the time to do it!

BUT I DIDN’T!

Before he started, I asked him how badly will this hurt? and he responded by saying that most people describe it like scratching a really bad sunburn. So, I thought, ok, I can handle that. I layed back and let the man do what he does best!! By the way, Dawn is with me this whole time and she is taking pictures, videos, asking me questions, which I honestly don’t remember answering, but she had promised not to leave my side. I was going to hold her hand, but I was terrified that I would crush her little hand!!

Anyway, long story short, I DID IT!! For the most part it really didn’t hurt so bad, except for maybe a couple of moments, but of course, Dawn got pics of those moments too! I have to say that I have inherited a trait from my family, that when we are scared or are in pain, we become really quiet and delve inside of ourselves. Today proved no different! Dawn was surprised that I was able to stay so quiet.

The whole tattoo only took about 10-15 minutes, it is isn’t very big after all! That just would not have been my style! and when he finished, I saw that he did a PHENOMENAL job!!! My tattoo is of 7 tiny footprints walking across the side of my foot. They represent 2 things to me, the poem of The Footprints, where Jesus carries you across the sand when you are not strong enough to carry yourself, and it also represents my Ohana, my family. Those that are my family by blood, those that are family by marriage, and those that are family by choice!!

I want to always to be reminded of them.

Both those that are still with me, and those who have gone on before me.

They are why I do what I do.

They are why I fight with all of my might.

They are why I constantly try to better myself.

They make life worth living.

I love you all, I truly hope you all know who you are and how much you mean to me! 😉

I love you!!!

With that said…

Have a FABULOUS evening!!! 😉

Date Night with My Sweetie!

Good evening!
My sweetie and I just got home from a lovely date night out. We went out and watched a really fun movie, Puss In Boots in 3D. It felt really good to laugh. I mean, laughing out loud, the kind of laugh that makes you happy all over! It was a very cute movie! I am sure it would even be better with kids in tow, but there was a large family sitting next to us, and most of the kids were probably 8 or younger, and those kids made the movie so much more fun! I just LOVE hearing little kids laugh – it is sooooo genuine!! and these kids laughed at ALL of the BEST parts!! 😉 Good times!!

The plan for the rest of this evening is to close the house down early and go climb into bed for some quality quiet time together. It is sorely needed, we have been keeping ourselves a little too busy!

As for the rest of this weekend, my official plan is to turn our alarms off, and see if we can sleep in! After that, it is anyone’s guess! I am feeling rather snuggly, which means that I am really wanting to stay close to home all weekend. I want to cook, clean, create, take a nap or two, maybe read a good book, walk in the rain, maybe go swimming; whatever we want! That really sounds DIVINE!! If only I could find a way to get paid to do that, CAN YOU JUST IMAGINE!!! Oh, man! That would be AWESOME!!! 😉

Anyway, I will keep you posted on how it all goes! I just hope there will be something exciting to be able to share with you. I will keep my camera with me, and I will share with you images from my weekend! 😉

Have a FABULOUS evening!!! ;-)

Making a Girl Happy!

Good evening!

I had a pretty not-so-good-kinda day and, unfortunately, that is becoming more and more the norm these days. Now to not sound too much of a suzie-downer. That is not what I want to talk about, what I do want to talk about this evening is how great my sweetie is, and how he ABSOLUTELY turned my evening around!!

I have night blindness so my sweetie drives me to and from work during the Fall and Winter months. At times, it can be a pain because I feel like such a burden on my sweetie, and it isn’t always fun not have 100% freedom to do or go wherever I want without having a driver. Tonight, on the other hand, was a HUGE BLESSING!! He picked me up, let me vent to him, he got mad for me, and then we both made a bee-line to the grocery store to pick up dinner – something that has been happening when life is just too crazy busy to cook! Anyway, long story short he picked me up some magnets, that is a WHOLE OTHER story, we picked up two magazines for this evening (Romantic Country, and Romantic Christmas), and then when I got home, I found out he finished crocheting and AWESOME hat, and if I wanted it he would let me have it!! I tried it on and IT LOOKS SOOOOO CUTE!! Which really is saying a lot because I have never really been a hat kind of girl  – I love them, but they have never really loved me, that is UNTIL NOW!!! YEAH!!

My husband is so good to me, and I am so thankful that he is in my life! No matter what goes on in life, he will be right by my side!! Thank you, Baby, I am not sure what I have ever done to deserve you, but I will continue to work on making you proud!!!

So now that I am off to a TERRIFIC start of a REALLY GREAT evening I will let you go!

Have a FABULOUS evening!!! ;-)

 

Randomness Tuesday!

Me and My Sweetie

Good evening!

To say I am having a GREAT day is an understatement! There is not really one thing I can put my finger on that has made it a great day, but really a bunch of little things that have just really made me a happy girl!!

I had a good day at work today, pretty typical, but I am really feeling like I am holding my own on my team – FINALLY! I did get all beautified up to go to the office today, including putting on a dress and lashes, which always makes me feel more confident. I am not sure why I don’t take time to do that every morning!! Usually my morning consists of taking a shower, throwing on one of 5 basic outfits I wear almost every day (out of a whole PLETHORA OF CHOICES!!), and then off to work with a clean face and mostly wet hair!

My girlfriend Dawn has really inspired me to be brave and try new things with my look, like I said a couple of nights ago, but last evening she was saying that she has spent a ton of time watching tutorials online on how to do different makeup and hair techniques, so as soon as I got home I decided to see what I can find. MAN, I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED!!! There is so much hints, tips, and advice out there! That was really fun! I am not sure what I am going to try yet tomorrow, but I know that I will at least try SOMETHING new, and I am sure that will be exciting!!

Another thing that is REALLY contributing to my level of happiness today is that my house is clean!

LIKE REALLY-HONEST-TO-GOODNESS-EVERYTHING-IS-IN-ITS-PLACE-CLEAN!!
WHOO! HOO!!! 😉

I told Dawn that it was her fault, that if she wouldn’t have come over last night, it would never have gotten that way! I really need to invite my friends over MORE OFTEN!!! What an AMAZING feeling!!

My Sweet and Beautiful Faye!

My sweetie is also in a good mood. He is working again, and he is just soooooo much happier, which in turn, makes me soooooo much happier!! I just LOVE seeing him having a good time, feeling like he is helping his customers!!! Tonight, on his way home from work, he even brought home a yummy, but healthy Subway dinner with a light Jamba Juice for desert! WHAT A GOOD MAN I HAVE!!! Thank you, Love!!! 😉

Me!

My official plan this evening is that I am going to watch Pride and Prejudice. Jason and I went with Dawn and Errin earlier this week to go see the new Three Muskateers movie, and I feel in love with Matthew Macfayden again!! SO DREAMY!!! 😉 I must have a thing for men who are rough and tough, but really a romantic at heart – oh, and the British accent doesn’t hurt either!! 😉 So I am going to get my fill of him in this movie this evening!! LOL! 😉

I did warn you that this was a random kind of posting, and sure enough it was!!! Until tomorrow…

Have a FABULOUS evening! ;-)

NOTE: See you at Chunky Dunkers tomorrow evening! I will have posted by 7-ish!!! (Pacific time!!!) GO CHUNKY DUNKERS!!! 😉

A Quick Post Before Bed!

Good evening!
Actually, it has been a GREAT evening!!

My sweetie and I got the privilege of dressing up with some of our very best friends, and went down to the Salem Carousel and participated in a VERY SPECIAL wedding!! I only have one pic to share this evening, and it is of myself and my bestie, Dawn!! We really did have the best time this evening, and  I am hoping to have some more pics to share with you tomorrow!!

I know that this is an insanely short post, but I am so exhausted that I am practically sleeping while still on my feet, and I have a bunch of makeup to still get off this evening, so it is off to get ready for bed for me!! I promise, I will share a lot more tomorrow!!! 😉

Have a FABULOUS evening! ;-)

A Sunday of Nesting!

Good morning!

Today is looking to be a very busy, but a very good day!

I have already warned my sweetie that I am in a serious nesting kind of mood today! I already done a little reading this morning, gotten the laundry started, and I have a pot of homemade chili simmering away for a late lunch of chili with cornbread muffins. I have a few other chores I would like to get done today, and am hoping to have our place cleaned from top to bottom before the work week officially gets underway!

I am planning on finishing a scarf I am crocheting, and would like to get started on a new art piece up in my art studio sometime this afternoon, and I think it would be lovely to take a nice long walk in the rain with my sweetie this afternoon! 😉

I will make sure to keep you posted!! 😉

Have a FABULOUS evening! ;-)