We're Getting an Elf

I was just contacted by Santa himself to inform me that Miss. Kate will be receiving her very own elf this holiday season. He feels she is old enough to take on the responsibility that comes along with having an elf as a visitor. This elf will “magically” appear in our home between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Santa would not give me the exact day or time to expect our visitor because the elf has to finish her work before leaving the North Pole. We will know it is our elf by the snowflake on her heart that was placed there by Santa himself.

Santa has given Kate's special elf permission to travel and participate in nightly adventures and daily play in order to help her create positive Christmas memories. She can go shopping with us, eat dinner with us, and even go exploring around our house while we are sleeping.

Santa informed me that he will pick up Kate's new friend on Christmas Eve night to help him deliver the toys to all the children, and then she will return with Santa to the North Pole for a much needed break! Next year, the elf will magically return again for even more fun!

Here is a photo that Santa sent of Kate's elf!!! I think I am just as excited as Kate will be to meet her. : )

Organization: Sugar and Spice Are Not So Nice

So, my organization mood is still in full swing. I vacuumed out my car today, and didn't stop there. I continued with the spice cabinet. My spice cabinet has gotten so bad that stuff falls out when you open the door. YIKES!!! So, I decided it was time to spend some time cleaning and organizing it.

Note to myself... It may be wise to clean out your spices more than once every 5 years. Embarrassing? Yes, most definitely!!! And, the worst part is that I have moved two or three times within those five years. :(



The before!!!



I filled up a WHOLE trash bag just with old spices.

My daughter insisted on helping mommy.

Haven't seen this site since I moved in two years ago.

The after... What a difference!!!

Things I Don't Love: A Letter to President Obama (Part 2)

I have taken the first steps in my battle over medical insurance for the middle class. After posting my draft of the letter I planned on sending, I had so many individuals email and message me about how they were in the same boat as my husband and me. I also had many people in the public come up to me and tell me how proud they were of my actions. All of the wonderful comments I have received has pushed me even harder on this issue. I appreciate every individual who has read or commented on my efforts. Words can't express my gratitude! I want to be the voice of every individual going through the same situation.

For my first step in this process, I am mailing and emailing letters to Claire McCaskill, Jo Ann Emerson, and Roy Blunt. I have a very gracious individual helping me with this process. I appreciate everything she has done for me so far! :)

Signed...

Sealed...



Delivered!!!



 "Big results require big ambitions." - Heraclitus 

Organization: The Pantry

So, I am back after a week long hiatus. I had a very difficult week last week with my 13-year-old pomeranian dying, and then with Homecoming festivities. But, I am back and ready for some blogs.

I have found myself on Pinterest all the time lately getting crafty ideas. And, let me tell you, I am SO not a crafty-type of person. I can attempt and hope for the best. A lot of times my great ideas don't turn out very well, but sometimes I get lucky and they turn out really cute.

While searching this week, I found several pictures and blogs about organization. One of my favorite organizing blogs has to be iheartorganizing. This lady is a master at organizing anything! And, her blog is super cute. So, after looking at her blog and Pinterest pictures, I am now in the organizing mood. First area of interest... the pantry!!!

All of the containers and storage that I used were items I had in my cabinets already. I am a girl on a budget, so I like to use what I have before making any purchases.



The before... Yikes!!! Very embarrassing.



I can't believe I let the bottom of my pantry get THAT bad!!!



The after... Much better!!!







Things I Don't Love: Saying Good-Bye

Kristin's Lil Chelsea

June 9, 1998 - September 19, 2011

I remember it like it was yesterday... My mom and I drove to Holly Springs, Mississippi to pick up a cute blonde pomeranian puppy that I would call my own. Chelsea was the cutest little furball. She looked like a blonde powder puff. From that point on, she stole my heart and my entire family's...

Chelsea was also very special to me because she was born in the same year Nathan and I started dating. So, she has been with the two of us since the very beginning of our relationship. Deep down, I feel like she is part of my relationship history. We have many memories from the beginning of our relationship that center around my puppy.

When I went to college, Chelsea stayed with my mom. But, in 2006, when Nathan and I moved back to Caruthersville, Chelsea came to live with us and my new addition; a 1-year old pomeranian named Armani. It was almost like she started her second life at that point. Armani kept her on her toes, gave her company, and encouraged her to gain her young spirit back. Then, once Kate was born in 2009, my sweet puppies had to move in with Anna for two reasons: 

1) Armani did not like Kate .

2) Chelsea was a little old to be around a moving & active baby.

About a year ago, we were informed that Chelsea had an enlarged heart. She would periodically pass out when she got up too fast or when she got real excited. So, we took her to the vet and we got the diagnosis. She was put on medication, but we knew in our heart that this would probably be the cause of her death. It has gradually gotten worse since the diagnosis, but this last week has been a lot worse.

As I sat at my sister's house petting Chelsea and reassuring her everything was going to be alright last Wednesday night, an email continuously kept popping in my head. Y'all may have seen the email that floated around about a year ago called "The 10 Animal Commandments." In case you may not have seen it, here they are...

Ten Commandments of Animals

1 - My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be painful for me. Remember that BEFORE you buy me.
2 - Give me time to understand what you want from me.
3 - Place your trust in me, it's crucial to my well being.
4 - Don't be angry at me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your entertainment and your friends. I have only YOU.
5 - Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice.
6 - Be aware that however you treat me, I'll never forget.
7 - Please don't hit me. I can't hit back, but I can bite and scratch and I really don't want to do that.
8 - Before you scold me for being uncooperative, abstinent or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food or I have been in the sun too long or my heart is getting old and weak.
9 - Take care of me when I get old, you too will grow old.
10 - Go with me on difficult journeys, NEVER say "I can't bear to watch it" or "let it happen in my absence". Everything is easier for me if YOU are there.
REMEMBER: "I LOVE YOU!"

I highlighted #10 because as hard as it was for me to sit there with her, I knew it was harder to go through what she was going through. I remained strong for her, and then lost it once I got home.

We decided to take Chelsea to the vet on Thursday in case she just had a virus. We were given medicine to help with her visual symptoms (we told them we didn't want any tests ran on her due to her age), but we were told that it would lower her blood pressure because of all the medication she was on.

And, the day I have dreaded this entire time happened yesterday. My sister called and I rushed over to her house to find Chelsea laying life-less on the kitchen floor. From her appearance, it looks like she wasn't in any pain when she passed, which is a sigh of relief. And, I am very thankful that I didn't have to make the dreaded decision of putting her to sleep. She is now buried in my mom's backyard next to my mom's beloved cat, Sheba!

Chelsea will forever be loved and missed!!!



My favorite picture of Chelsea (Taken in 2008)!




Thanksgiving 2008



Nathan's birthday in 2008



Christmas card picture in 2007



Fall 2006

Christmas Eve 2006

Christmas card picture in 2006

Christmas card picture in 2008

Obsessions: Pinterest

A couple of weeks ago, my sister introduced me to Pinterest. After seeing her brag about this particular site for some time, I decided to give it a try. But, I had to be put on a waiting list before I was even allowed to sign-up, which was the first indicator of its popularity.

For anyone that hasn't explored Pinterest, it is a site where you are given as many virtual pinboards as you would like. A few of my pinboards are called Mrs. Organized, Around the House, and School Ideas. Pinterest gives you the opportunity to search for things you love online and "pin" it to one of your boards for later use. You can browse pinboards created by other people to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests. I love to search for neat craft ideas that are simple, cheap, and very cute! Here is a picture of one of my loves from the week...


Shutter Catch All...I would love to have this in my kitchen!

People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and share their favorite recipes. So, if you have a few extra minutes, take a look around this site... You never know what you might find.


An idea I got for Kate's accumulating bow collection.

Excellent Christmas decorating idea!

Quick and easy Apple Dumplings... I have already tried them, and they are fabulous!

Game Day: Battle of the Bootheel

This has definitely been one crazy week! It seems like when it rains it pours. Every day this week, I think I have dodged obstacle and obstacle, but I made it! I was certainly hoping that the rest of this week wasn't an indicator on how the game was going to go last night.

Yesterday was the most anticipated day of the entire football season. We played our rivalry school and both teams were undefeated. YIKES!!! And, a game like that only means one thing for this football wife... I carry all of the stress!!! My husband usually tries to zone out on Thursday night and stay focused for the game. If he is nervous or scared he doesn't let anyone know, especially me or his players. I have people ask me all the time if he is nervous, or how he feels about an upcoming game. He never comments about his doubts or worries. But, I, on the other hand, am not the zone out type of person. I carry it all out in the open...

I woke up yesterday morning very nervous. Thank goodness I stayed busy the entire day at school; therefore, my mind didn't have time to wonder. I didn't eat a whole lot, though... I am really not a stress eater. When I get nervous or stressed, I have a hard time eating. Then, it was game time, and the nervousness just increased. At halftime, we were losing 20 to 7, so it wasn't looking so good for us. But, I knew that if the halftime talk was a successful one, then the boys could come out and end up with a "W" at the end of the night. And, I am happy to report that we came out after the half and brought home a win!

Tigers - 41

Indians - 20

Congratulations to my boys and coaches!!!

A lot of people don't understand what a typical day in the life of a football team looks like. And, I think I have just got inspired for my next big blog post. Stay tuned!!!



My beautiful new football helmet for my
classroom door... One very talented lady made this for me!



It's game time!!!



The view from my seat (fold out chair)... Keeping my eye on the prize!!!

Things I Love: Grandparent's Day

I am one of those individuals that likes to celebrate everything. If there is a holiday, we try to celebrate it. And, today is Grandparent's Day, so we will be celebrating Kate's grandparents today. Another thing about me, I put a lot of thought into presents. I am not one of those individuals that runs to Wal-Mart and purchases the first thing I see. I think and plan for months for someone's present. I have actually already started buying Christmas presents and trying to come up with an idea for Nathan's BIG present. I try to make him something out of his newspaper articles and pictures from every football season. One year, I made him a scrapbook and last year, I made him two huge framed collages that are now hanging in his classroom.

But, back to Grandparent's Day... So, my mind was racing trying to find something unique and cute that Kate could give her grandparents. Then, I ran across someone's Facebook page where they had made a stepping stone. BINGO!!! So, that is what we did...

Happy Grandparent's Day to all the grandparents in this world!!!

the supplies

the stained glass pieces that were used as decoration

the concrete mix

it's ready to pour

smoothing it out

the stained glass pieces separated so we have enough for each one

we had to get the pose perfect first

the moment of truth

Kate did good

the finished product after sitting for 24 hours

The 10 Things Every Woman Should Own in Her Closet

I am taking a day to relax and hang out at home today. As I was searching the Internet, I came across this article:

Closet Confidential

In this article, Michael Kors lists the top 10 things that he feels every woman should own in her closet. So, I had to take a look at the list...

#1 - Tailored Black Pant Suit

I must say that I do not own one of these...

I did before I had my daughter, but don't now.

#2 - Crisp White Shirt

I definitely own a couple of these... When in doubt,

throw on a white button-up shirt!

#3 - Black Sheath Dress

I have an issue with purchasing too much black. It seems like

I always gravitate towards black dresses, shirts, and pants.

#4 - Black Pencil Skirt

Own one, but I am not a huge fan of skirts. So, I don't

wear it much at all.

#5 - Neutral Color Cashmere Sweater

Now, sweaters??? I have TONS of those. I don't

own one cashmere sweater, though. I don't think they are in my budget.

#6 - Fur Vest

I haven't really felt the need to own one of these.

But, I am not against the idea if I found a cute one at

a reasonable price.

#7 - Classic Trench

I am more of a peacoat person. I love them!

#8 - Dark Fitted Jeans

You can never own too many pairs of jeans!

#9 - Nude Stiletto

I am not a high-heel person... I would love to own a pair of

nude flats! That is more my style.

#10 - Cognac Leather Satchel

I own several leather-type bags in this color for winter.

The more room, the better!

What do you think about this list? I think I am going to create my own Top 10 List for an upcoming blog... I feel inspired now.