Annual Christmas at Stephanie's

On December 6, Stephanie hosted her annual Christmas party. We really appreciate her time and effort for the event. Her parties are always something we look forward to attending. We also have a gift exchange. Mark and I brought a Lowes and a TGIF gift certificate. He walked away with two DVDs and our own TGIF gift card. Here are some shots from the party.Greg, Lance and Mark.Greg and Natalie

Katie (proud new momma), Maxine (Steph's mom) and Alecia (who you can't really see).

Uninspired

I haven't posting anything super interesting in a long time and it doesn't look like that will change anytime soon. Here's what I know:

• I started my new job! I'm in my first week and I'm only shadowing. I don't think I'll actually start working for a few weeks. Bummer. It's not really challenging and I wouldn't call it 'rewarding' but when I come home from work, I'm DONE for the day. That feeling is amazing. My stress level has been reduced drastically. Plus the team seems really fun and I like the fact that I know what I have to get completed each day in order to consider it a 'job well done!' I expect it will only get better.
• My birthday is in 10 days! Count them. I will be 2_? on the first day of winter. Mark said he is surprising me for my birthday/us for Christmas with something...I'll let you know what it is. He says that I will be really, really excited. My only guess is: a pair of tickets to the Brad Paisley concert (I don't think that's right). All I know is that the rendezvous will take place in March and it's north of Austin. AGH! I don't know if I can stand the anticipation.
• It sleeted here on Tuesday night. That was cool, BUT it snowed at my parents house in League City on Wednesday which is much cooler.
  
• There is a pretty big manhunt going on in our neighborhood. That's exciting. Apparently this guy applied for a job at a steak house (near our neighborhood) and instead of getting the job he wanted, he got a busboy position. I don't think he was too happy about that because he went in and shot the manager, killed him. I heard that one of the waitresses ducked behind a table and the gunman said, 'what? did you think I was going to shoot you?' Then he walked out. He's been on the run ever since. They have had dogs, cops and lake patrol searching the forest and lake around our neighborhood for the past four days. Today they said he is either dead or has disappeared from the area. It's kind of strange to have that going on so close to our house. It's sad for the family that lost their dad/brother/husband/son to this guy's temper. I hope they find the killer (dead or alive). It would be nice to know that he's not running around in our backyard.

That's all. In the words of Maximus, 'Are you not entertained?' Maybe I'll have some pictures for the next post. Sorry.

Fabulous Five

So, Dez has tagged me to do this fabulous five post. It sounds like fun so I guess I'll oblige her. Thanks for the award, Dez. If I understand correctly, I have to post five things that I'm fabulously addicted to? (I'm probably screwing this whole thing up.) Then, I have to tag five people to do the same; although, I don't think I know five people with blogs.

Here goes:

1. My Mark. He drives me crazy but I love him. I could probably live without him but it wouldn't be much fun. I have to say I'm fabulously addicted!
2. Camping. I was born to camp. I don't think I can even remember my first camping trip; I was really young. I love it and poor Mark was suckered into it, thanks to me! WE are fabulously addicted!
3. Diet Coke. I seriously need to stop. I'll thank Mrs. Ridgeway, formerly known as Kayla Cullers, for that addiction. I am fabulously addicted!
4. Reading. I go in spurts but when I start, I just can't stop. At least I can argue that it's good for me. I am fabulously addicted!
5. Popcorn. I'm not really sure where this one came from but lately I have to pop some good ole popcorn around 8 every night. I can't say that this is as good for me as the books and I'm pretty sure it's starting to show on my waistline. Oh well. I'm fabulously addicted...

As you can tell, I'm person of real substance...I wish I had more interesting addictions.

I think I have to tag:

• My mom
• My dad (you seriously need to put up another post)
• Melissa Ferro (I know you have a professional blog. Maybe you can post your five favorite photos that you've ever taken...that's an interesting twist)
• Rachel Bull (I'm not sure if you even read my blog, but I read yours...)
• You, if not named above. If you read my blog and have your own, do this post and let me know about your blog so I can read it! PLEASE.

Thank you and goodnight.

Thanksgiving Challenge: Day 5

I didn't forget. I have been terribly busy. I guess I can say that I'm thankful for everything. We had a great Thanksgiving! My parents came up to spend the evening with Mark and me (happy, mom? I changed it!) and his family. Mark's mom and granny cooked the dinner. Mom and I made deviled eggs, she made pies and I made green bean casserole and cornbread.

I'm also thankful that my friend, Stephanie introduced me to the Twilight series. I'm reading the final book, Breaking Dawn. I'm trying to finish the series before I start my new job next week. That shouldn't be difficult, considering I have finished each book within a 24 hour period. (Sorry, Mark! I should be done soon :) )

Mark had a birthday on Saturday! He's the big 26 and for another 19 days he can refer to me as his younger wife...

On a more solemn note, I would like to ask for any of you who stumble upon my blog and read this to keep Mark's mom in your prayers. The family could really use the Lord's help right now.

I hope you all had a very fun, family-filled Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Challenge: Day 6

Hey, you have to be Thankful for the small things. My friend gave me this recipe. I'm thankful for it among many others. It's nice to be able to feed my husband well.

1 Package of frozen hash brown (see freezer section of the grocery store)
1 tub of sour cream (medium size works nice)
1 yellow onion diced
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 stick of melted butter

Mix all of the above together in a large bowl.

Next, crumble some potato chips (sourcream and onion works well but anything will do) on top and cover with foil.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake 30 min (covered with foil) and 30 min without the foil. It's delicious but it makes a huge serving so I hope you: a) like leftovers or b) are having friends over for dinner!

Thanksgiving Challenge: Day 5

I bet I can guess what you're most thankful for...the day this Thanksgiving Challenge ends.

Well, you've got three more days, counting today.

I started decorating for Christmas yesterday. This is something that is traditionally saved for Thanksgiving day but I couldn't wait. For the past three years, I have been unable to decorate for Christmas. Why? I was moving every single Christmas.

So this year, I was a little more anxious than normal. It is the first time we've had a chance to decorate our new home for the season. And that my friends, is something that I am thankful for: my new house and the chance to decorate it. I feel like Mark and I are finally getting a chance to create our traditions!!

Thanksgiving Challenge: Day 4

My dogs. I know it's silly. They are only dogs but they are very special to me.


Pepper was gift from an ex. I was able to keep her after we broke up. She helped me overcome that break-up and a few bad dating experiences before I found Mark, who she immediately fell in love with. You can tell a lot by the way your dog reacts to a person. She was also there when my best friend moved away our senior year of college. She's seen me through about six moves and has been a trooper. She was an apartment dog when she needed to be and loves her new backyard (now that we own a home). I never thought I could be so attached to an animal.


Clyde was purchased by me for Mark. Mark fell in love with Clyde when he accompanied me to PetSmart to get the Pepper food. Clyde had to stay with me until Mark moved out of his parents house and into his friends' house. Therefore, I had the pleasure of housebreaking the wonder mutt. Clyde has a unique way of entertaining us. He is very intelligent but I swear he pretends that he doesn't have clue what is going on. It's funny to watch his act. He also has the most amazing Frisbee skills. He can jump incredibly high and makes the cutest squeaking noise when you don't throw the Frisbee fast enough. I'm not sure what we would do without Clyde. He's a sweetheart.

I'm thankful that both of these fleabags nuzzled their way into our lives. (P.S. If you want a hilarious account of what it's like to love your animal read Marley & Me. The movie comes out on Christmas Eve or Day...can't remember...but the book is laugh out loud hilarious.)