Monday, September 26, 2016

{Life Lately}

Well, I am pretty certain fall has gotten lost.  Y'all, it's almost October & up until today - the temps have been in the upper 90's with 200% humidity.  And I am so over it.  The weatherman claims that "cooler" temps & lower humidity are are the way...but I'm not buying it just yet.  I'll definitely have to see it to believe it.  

But, I didn't let summer-like temps stop me!  Fall came to my house a few weeks ago & I held as long as I could outdoors.  So, when I went to Wal-Mart last Monday & they had a new delivery of mums & boxes full of pumpkins, I couldn't resist.  
Here's a sneak peak at my {almost} completed porch!
Last week was homecoming so Wednesday evening they held a parade downtown so I took my 2 favorite kiddos.  In case  you haven't noticed, we have a parade for everything.  And I love it! =) #gottalovesmalltowns
 
Saturday morning I got up & headed out to the Round Top/Warrenton Antique Festival.  After about 2 hours of heat & humidity and off & on rain showers - I had had enough & headed home.  I didn't see anything I couldn't live without so besides a few metal letters to finish off something in my utility room  & 2 old, silver buckets that cost $5 each {seen below} - I came home almost empty handed.
 
Sunday was church, lunch & a quick trip to College Station with Corey & Amanda to look at houses...followed by a lazy afternoon of naps & football.  It rained most of the afternoon so it was the perfect day for it.  Nola hasn't quite learned to appreciate these kinds of days...she was determined for me to take her walking, play, get her a snack...anything that didn't involve laying in the bed.  Crazy dog.
And lastly, I am not sure if you watched the season premier of this last week, but if not - go watch it!!  I have really struggled the past few years finding a television series I like, but I think this just might be my new fav!  It comes on Tuesday nights at 9pm on NBC. Can't wait to watch episode 2 tomorrow night.
So that's life lately.  Nothing too exciting...which isn't necessarily a bad thing sometimes.  Now excuse me while I go patiently wait for this "cold front" to arrive.

Monday, September 19, 2016

{Sweet Home Auburn, Alabama}

Is 6 o'clock too early to go to bed?  Cause y'all - I am t.i.r.e.d. 

This past weekend, my traveling Aggie friends & I took a road trip to the A&M/Auburn game in Auburn, AL.  We loaded up & left around 10:00 Thursday morning.  Unfortunately Lynn wasn't able to go this time, but she stopped by to say bye & bring us our morning send off beverage.
 
Because it's 12+ hour trip, we decided to drive to Biloxi, MS & stay there Thursday night.  The normal 7 hour trip took 9 due to traffic in Baton Rouge, but we arrived 7:00, checked in at Harrah's & then headed down to the beach. 

The weather was gorgeous & there was a beautiful almost full moon out...I could have sat out there for hours.

We headed back to the hotel, had a drink by the pool, grabbed a quick supper & then hit up the slot machines.  Unfortunately I didn't get rich, but I did break even so I consider that a win!
We slept in Friday morning, packed up & then started the 3 hour drive to Montgomery.
 
It rained off & on on our way, but we arrived in Montgomery around 4:00 to clear skies.  We checked into the hotel & then headed down to happy hour in the hotel bar.
The location of the hotel {Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center} was perfect & we had a great view!  After a few drinks, we walked around downtown & decided to have supper at a Mexican restaurant called Jalapenos.  Note to self, if you ever go to Montgomery - don't waste your time eating there.  It was not good & the service was terrible. You don't think that you can go wrong with Mexican food & margaritas...but we did!
 
After supper, we headed back to the room to take a nap before Midnight Yell...what can I say - we old people need our rest. =)  We drug ourselves out of bed around 10:00 & headed down to the bar where it was being held - SandBar on the River Front.  Thankfully it was right across the street from our hotel.  A few drinks & yells later, we headed back to the hotel around 12:30am.
We woke up Saturday morning, had a picnic in our room & then made the hour drive over to Auburn.
We started checking the forecast weeks ago & for the longest, the rain chances for game day were 60%-80%.  Not surprising to us since it has rained on almost every single one of our football road trips.  When we checked on Friday, it was down to 10%.  Half way to Auburn, it started raining.  When it comes to us, even a 0% chance could still mean rain. =)  Thankfully the rain stopped & besides a few rain drops during the game, we somehow managed to dodge the rain until we got in the car to leave after the game.  It was hot & BEYOND humid all day & night, but at least we didn't get soaked this time.

We arrived in Auburn around 2:00 & stopped at a gas station to grab some ice and....Casey lost the keys.  Thankfully I had brought an extra set, but we turned my Yukon upside looking for those stupid keys & they were nowhere to be found.  I knew I had them when I came out of the store cause I unlocked the car, but it was like they disappeared.  I was certain they were inside the vehicle somewhere so we left & headed to the game.  Once we parked, we decided to look one more time & there they were, in the bottom of our food bag.  HUGE relief for me.

We knew some people tailgating so a very nice Auburn fan gave us a tour of campus & showed us where to go.  Hats off to the Auburn fans, all those that we encountered were very friendly & helpful.  
After tailgating for an hour or so, we headed into the game.  We had great seats & the whole experience was so much fun!  {until I broke my flip flop...but that's a whole 'nother story}
 
Prior to kickoff - Auburn releases an eagle & it circles around the stadium and lands on the center of the field.  It was hard to get a good picture, but it was seriously the coolest thing ever to watch.  Definitely one of the highlights of the night.
 
It wasn't the prettiest of games {we had to kick 5 field goals cause we couldn't make it across the goal line}, but WE WON!  We FINALLY broke our road trip losing streak.  And it didn't rain during the game so it was definitely a great night! It's been so long that I had forgotten how fun it is to win an away game. 
 
 
A lady bug flew on us during the game so we took that as a sign of good luck! =)
While we were at the game, we got a text from a friend that they saw us on tv!  Y'all - we are celebrities!!  Ha! =)  But, how cool that out of the thousands of people there, we made it on tv?! {and good thing we were celebrating a touchdown & not doing something embarrassing...just sayin'.}
It's also worth mentioning - do not ever waste your money on boiled peanuts.  We kept seeing them at gas stations & around town, but had no clue what they were.  They were selling them at the game so I got us some to try & YUCK!  Kinda tastes like a mushy black eyed pea.  We were all in agreement that it was a wasted $5 bucks.
Once the game was over, we made the mile hike back to the car, had a little road rage in post-game traffic, grabbed a bite to eat & then headed back to Montgomery.  We got back to the hotel around 1:00 & then stayed up to watch the Longhorn game.  Four short hours later, our alarm clocks went off & it was time to head home.  13 LONG hours {& at least 50 Cracker Barrel sightings} later, we arrived back in Brenham.

I look forward to our road trips all year long cause I have the absolute best time.  Regardless if it rains or if we lose - the time spent with these ladies is the best!  We eat too much, drink too much, spend too much & sleep way too little...but it's worth every single second of it.

Meanwhile, back in Brenham - my sweet Nola girl spent 2 1/2 days at Barking Ranch playing & making new friends and a day & a half getting spoiled by my mom & dad.  I know she was in good hands, but I sure missed her & I know she missed me.  After a few very long - but oh so worth it - days, we were both ready to crash early last night.
Our road trip record is now 3-3.  After 3 straight losses the past 3 years, we were told if they lost again - we weren't allowed to go to anymore away games. =)  Thankfully they pulled out the win cause we are already planning our trip to UCLA in September 2017...let the countdown begin!

Thursday, September 8, 2016

{Friday Favorites}

Happy Friday!! Today I am linking up with Andrea, Erika & Narci and sharing some of my favorites!

{One}
The return of college football.  Y'all, were there some exciting games this weekend or what?!  Including my Aggies.  And we aren't going to talk about the fact that I left the game with 4 minutes left thinking that we for sure would win cause the score was 24-9.  Only to get to the car to find out it was tied & going into overtime.  I was sick.  Thankfully we pulled out the win, but I missed the most exciting part of the game. =(
 
{Two}
Speaking of football - I am road tripping next week to Auburn with these fabulous ladies & I absolutely cannot wait!  We have the.best.time.  Thursday cannot come soon enough.  Fingers crossed for no rain & a win this time!
{Three}
Happy Fall Y'all!  Ok, well it might not "officially" be fall, but it's fall at my house! LOVE how cozy the house feels now. I just need a few real pumpkins & large mums and it will be complete!
{Four}
Despite the fact that it's still 95 degrees outside {have I mentioned how much I HATE the Texas humidity?!} - I'm breaking out the fall recipes as well.  Taco soup is one of my absolute favs!
{Five}
If you haven't tried the new Blue Bell flavor - do it!!  Y'all, I know it sounds a little crazy - pistachio almond, milk chocolate & cream cheese - but it works.  The flavor combo is one of my new favs.  No one flavor stands out...they all just taste incredibly yummy together!  And how cute is that carton?!
{Six}
I  am going to be an aunt again!  My youngest brother & sister-in-law are expecting a baby in April. Best part?  They live right down the street from me!
And that, my friends, is a few of my Friday Favorites!  Here's to the weekend & hoping the Aggies BTHO pvamu!