{The Most Wonderful Time of The Year}

Y'all, I am so sad that the most wonderful time of the year is over!  =(  We are one day away from 2020 & the start of a new year.  I'm just not sure where it went.  2019 was a year, to say the least.  I am ready to move on, but not ready for it to be over...if that makes sense.

December was a busy month for sure...but lots of memories were made!

We kicked off the month with our downtown Christmas Stroll parade. Bo & Morgan spent the day with us & we decorated a gingerbread house and then headed the parade.

{Merry Christmas!}

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

{Georgia On My Mind}

The weekend before Thanksgiving, Debbie, Lynn, Gail & I went on our annual football road trip, this time to Athens, GA.  I seriously look forward to this all year cause we have the absolute best time.  A lot of people think we are crazy for driving {& maybe we are}, but that's what makes it so fun!!  

We were packed & headed out by 9:00 on Thursday morning.

 

{October & November Recap}

Good gracious y'all, I am so far behind on this blog.  My first thought was that I would just start fresh in January, but I have kept it up for 6 years...I don't want to stop now! It might take a little digging back in the cobwebs to remember what I've done, but I'm going to do my best.

The last week in October, I hosted my annual Halloween party.  We had lots of yummy food as usual & went on a hayride.  The Astros were playing in the World Series so of course everyone's eyes were glued to the TV most of the night.

{Oh Christmas Tree}

I know. I know.  It's been FOREVER!!  I promise to get back to blogging soon & to catch you up on what's been going on the past few months.  But for now, let's talk Christmas trees!!

Last year, by beloved tree finally died so I began the search this summer for it's replacement.  Ever since I started my Instagram account, I had heard about King of Christmas trees.  All the influencers had them so I knew they must be something special.

I've always had natural green trees, but decided a few years ago to flock mine.  While I loved it, I was ready for a change & to go back to the natural green.  After much debate, I decided on the 7 1/2' Yorkshire Fir with 600 warm led lights.     One of the most important things for me when deciding on a tree is the light count.  A lot of 7 1/2' foot trees only have 300-400 lights on them so to find one with 600 is fabulous!  

Mine arrived back in July & I just couldn't wait...I had to take it out of the box & see it.  And test the lights to make sure they work...duh! =)

Y'all - I am not going to lie.  My initial thoughts were not good.  Although it was super bright {which I loved} - it looked super sparse.  I panicked a little.  But, I boxed it back up for a few months & then pulled it back out Halloween night.  It was so easy to put together...it comes in 3 sections that fit together.  Plug each one into the other & you are good to go!

After just a few minutes of fluffing, I realized I had absolutely nothing to worry about.  Each large branch has 3 smaller branches on the end so it's super full. Inside the box was a pair of gloves to wear while fluffing & y'all - they actually work!  They saved my fingers & arms from scratches and my clothes from snags.  I highly recommend you use them!

And here is the after!

See what I mean?!  Doesn't even look like the same tree does it?!  It did not take long, but the fluffing is definitely important!  This is probably the fullest tree I have ever had. It also comes with 4 settings: bright, 70% brightness, 30% brightness & flashing...all you do it push the button!

And here is the final reveal...

Y'all - I absolytely love it.  I am so pleased with it & would definitely recommend them.  I know they are an investment, but I plan to use it for many more years to come.  They are on sale right now & the best part - you can save an extra 10% off your purchase with code FAITHFOOTBALLANDFAIRYTALES.  So, head to King of Christmas & check them out!

{Life Lately}

Despite everything that has been going on the past few weeks, life has continued to whirl past us...at a faster than normal rate it seems.

Mid-September brought the Washington County Fair.  Morgan showed a goat & did amazing!  She got second place in her class.  Steve Wariner was the headliner Saturday night & he is one of my faves!

 

{The Post You Never Want To Write}

I'm having to write a post I never thought I would have to write at the age of 40 {or anytime soon for that matter}.  On Thursday, September 26th, my dad passed away.  Just seeing those words in writing makes it real yet unbelievable all at the same time.  

{Knock, Knock - Who's Still There?!}

Oh my goodness.  It's been over a month since I posted last...not sure where the weeks have gone?!  It's mid-September already & time is just flying by.  It's my most favorite time of the year & it's going by too dang fast!!

Unfortunately Mother Nature hasn't gotten the memo that it's fall & we have been knocking 100 most of September, including hitting 102 last Saturday.  It's been miserable.  I am so ready for sweater weather.  I tried to pretend the other weekend...I decorated for fall, bought all the pumpkins & mums and even made soup to stock the freezer.

So far it hasn't worked.

Here it a little more of what's been going on lately...

{Life Lately}

Oh my goodness!  Where has the time gone?!  We are into the first week of August already & although my brain is definitely thinking fall, Texas is quick to remind me that it's still very much summer.  Y'all - it's hot...and only going to get hotter over the next few days.

After a month of no rain, we finally got a little over an inch on Sunday evening.  It's been so disappointing watching the radar & seeing rain all around us...but we never got a drop.  We could definitely use a lot more, but I'll take what we can get.

Besides sweating, this is what's been happening lately...

The cuties came & visited me at work one day.

{Our Day in Waco}

Hey y'all!  I am a little behind as always, but a few weeks ago - Carol, Kelly & I headed to Waco bright & early.  Take that back, it wasn't bright but it was definitely early!  My alarm went off at 3am & I was pulling into Kelly's driveway at 4:15am.

Why you ask?  Because we were headed to the Magnolia Warehouse sale!  We went a few years ago & had a lot of fun so when we heard they were having one again this year - we definitely wanted to go back.  Doors opened at 7am so we wanted to get there by 6:30...hence the crazy early wake up time.  

Surprisingly, when we arrived about 6:40 - the lines weren't that long.

We got in & honestly, were very disappointed.  Last time, there was less quantity of each item but way more variety.  This year, it was larger quantities of each item, but the selection wasn't that great.  I bought 2 things because I couldn't leave empty handed, but we were done by 7:20.

{Happy 4th of July!}

Hey y'all!  Hope everyone had a great 4th of July!  Mine was pretty uneventful, but I had a 4 day weekend so that was great!  I decided to take Friday off as well so that I could get some things done around the house.

Tuesday evening, Sandra came over & helped me work on my shiplap wall in my office.  I absolutely love how it turned out!!  I'll share the finished room...as soon as I am finished. =)

Thursday I mowed and then went to the fireworks in Independence.

Friday I made a quick run to College Station and then came home & cleaned out my shed.  It's been on the to-do list for awhile.  Pretty sure I haven't sweat that much in my life!  May not look like a huge difference, but it was a mess.  I threw lots away & sold a few things on Varagesale.

{June Recap}

We are officially half way through the year!  Knock on wood, summer hasn't been too terrible {yet}...we've gotten really nice rain & this past Saturday evening, it was even kind of "cool".  The Hallmark Channel has started their Christmas in July movies & my brain is already starting to think fall decor.  

June was a a crazy busy month....the entire month is basically dedicated to: BIRTHDAYS!  Seriously, I think everyone I know has a birthday in June/early July.  

Colby & Jodie also have anniversary so this cutie had a sleepover at Aunt Casey's house.

{Friday Favorites}

Happy Friday, y'all!  It's already mid-June & summer is in full force.  We did have a tiny break this week with a few days of highs in the 80's & lows in the 60's...and it was heavenly! 

June is shaping up to be another busy month, but here are a few of my Friday Favorites!

{Baseball, Baseball, Baseball}

It's that time of year!  Mason is on a freshman summer league team & my cousin's little boy's All Stars team won the championship last night!

 

{Lazy Sundays}

After a busy weekend with lots of outdoor projects {in the 99 degree weather with a heat index of 110}, what better way to spend Sunday afternoon than on the couch napping, watching Hallmark movies.  Nola agrees.

{The Great Outdoors}

We all know summer isn't my favorite {hello heat & humidity}, but the sunsets are gorgeous after an evening rain & who doesn't love a nest of soon-to-be baby redbirds!

 

{Happy Birthday, Morgan}

Wednesday evening, we celebrated Morgan's 11th birthday!

{Growing Older}

OK, this is definitely NOT a favorite.  After a few months of knee troubles, I finally went to see an orthopedic doctor on Tuesday.  Unfortunately x-rays showed that I have arthritis in both kneecaps & it's bone on bone.  Ugh.  For now we are going to continue with the over the counter pain meds.  At some point we will do injections & if none of that works - knee surgery....but hopefully that's in the WAY DISTANT future.  I swear, I turned 40 & fell apart.

Tonight it's margaritas with friends & then another busy weekend of yard work and projects.  I'm determined to get my garage in order & it's almost there!!

Have a great weekend!

{May Recap}

Happy last day of May!  Can you believe the year is almost halfway over?!  Here is a quick recap of the last few weeks of the month.

Mason "graduated" from 8th grade & is moving on to high school.  He will be 15 next month.  What?!  How did that happen?!  He also got confirmed at church on the 19th.

It has already been crazy hot here so I can't imagine what the rest of the summer is going to be like.  Nola & I are already counting down the days til fall {when we don't nearly die on our evening walks}.

 

So you can imagine how THRILLED I was when I saw this out at Hobby Lobby. =)

Of course a month would not be complete with a girl's night that involves margaritas & Mexican food.

We spent a quiet Memorial Day weekend at home.  I started a new project in my office, caught up on things around the house & made burgers on Monday.  I had plans to go shopping but decided that staying home in my pj's & no makeup was a much better option.

And this week, I spent a few evenings babysitting these cuties.  Big brother is practicing for All Stars so they came & hung out with me.

And that's a wrap for May!  No big, fabulous summer plans...just counting down to the return of pumpkins, cooler weather & college football!! =)

{Weekend Recap}

Happy Wednesday!  Ok, so I'm a little late, but here's a quick look at what went on this weekend!  Better late than never, right?!

Thursday night, a group of us from work went out to celebrate my 18th Blue Bell anniversary & the 4 year anniversary of the layoffs.  Today is the actual day & a May 15th doesn't go by that I don't think about it.  Such a bad day that none of us will ever forget.

Friday morning we were up bright & early and headed to Huntsville to watch Colby graduate from Sam Houston with his Masters degree.  

I spent most of Saturday working on projects around the house that I have been putting off...including refinishing a table & chairs.  I am thinking about redoing my office...so stay tuned!

On Sunday, Mason had his faith statement at church {he gets confirmed this coming Sunday} and then we went to Colby & Jodie's to celebrate Mother's Day.  Nola hates pics, but she clearly loves her momma. =)

We had a cold front blow through last week & we had highs in the 60's...y'all - it was heavenly.

Not to worry, the near 90 degree temps, humidity & gnats all returned this week.  Ugh.  But, I'm betting Hobby Lobby has started putting their fall stuff out so guess where Casey might be going this weekend?!  Let the countdown begin! #notkidding =)