Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

I sit down to blog today with a heavy, but encouraged heart. This week has been a crazy one. And an ever reminder of just how precious life is, how little control we actually have, and how insignificant some things are.  But also a good reminder of the blessings in my life.  Everything is fine, it's just been one of those weeks that throw you some rocks ... and then some knocks ... you know what I'm sayin?!

  In high school one of my teachers had us read 2 books:

Tuesdays with Morrie

and

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

Both were extremely easy reads. And, it wasn't until this week that I have actually gone back through my head to remind myself of the lessons they taught, and the founding messages the books share.  More than anything, providing encouragement that EVERYTHING will be OKAY!  If any of you readers today need a little pick me up, head on over to Amazon or your nearest book store and grab a copy.  You'll be glad you did.

Lastly, I hold on to words and memories of two of the greatest men I have ever known: My Dad and His Dad :) and know that their strength lives in me, and because of that, I'm the strongest their is!  These boys melt my heart, ya'll.  They're both insanely head strong and because we're all made from the same family mold, you can bet I match them with that trait, head to head.

But I let encouraging words and advice from my dad today ring in my head:

• You can't get too high and you can't get too low
• We have faith, and I firmly believe your attitude and positive outlook plays a role in the outcome of this, so stay positive
• No matter what happens, you're surrounded by love and support and we are with you all the way

I also look up, and know that my PaPaw is looking down.  

He's in good company up there and I know he's put in a good word with the big man :)  So, as I said, I walk with an encouraged heart and know that everything will be okay.  

In the words of a sweet card my friend Quinn gave me: "Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it turned into a butterfly!"

Have a good weekend love bugs and SMILE!

Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself ...

Woot Woot - it's finally Friday!  Alright so our household right now is a bit out of whack with all of the construction we've got going on (DOES IT EVER ENDDDD?!).  I swear its like nothing is EVER clean because the construction workers track so much dust and grit in and out of the house daily .. it's driving me NUTSO.  Not to mention, because one of the updates is our master bath they are 110% in my personal space, getting dust all up in my bedroom and let's not even start with how I feel about my poor wardrobe getting all nastified.  I can assure you however, pregnancy has made me crazy enough to make Shane help me put plastic on the bed every morning, because I refuse to sleep on dirty sheets and I WILL NOT wash them daily. 

Alas, this added to my already raging pregnancy hormones ... coming home at night is not what it should be right now and I just need them to get a MOVE ON!  That being said, now that my baby bump is in full force and no longer looks like I just had one too many cheeseburgers for the last 4 weeks (well I guess it still kind of does -- but I'm trying here PEOPLE!) ... pregnancy and alllllllll that comes with it is in full effect.  

I was fully committed to sharing my thoughts on what I've observed in my 5 months of pregnancy, but low and behold when I was catching up on my blogs today my sweet friend Caroline already had it packaged in a bow for me :0)  For those of you who do not know or already follow her (you should start), Caroline is a fellow Floyds Knob's gal and grew up on the right side of the Ohio River as a young tyke like myself (okay, so we both ended up moving to KY and sometimes don't claim IN for all we should or shouldn't - but we represent when we travel in packs).  When I made the decision to attend The University of Kentucky and go through Recruitment you better believe lil' miss was shouting my name from the rooftops (or so they tell me).  And seeing as though she can be a persuasive little nugget, Chi Omega got me .. and well, the rest is history.  And I wouldn't change it for a thing.  Another fun fact - our little ones are due 15 days apart - so we like to share pregnancy secrets, stories and updates as frequently as possible.

Anyways, Caroline's Blog: "Shades of Gray" took care of all the writing for me today and I was literally laughing out loud.  Her thoughts (which are 100% my sentiments as well) can be found here (and in the other 2 links above, because I wanted to make sure you could get there!).  If you're pregnant, have ever been pregnant, or just in for a good laugh ... it's a highly recommended read. I couldn't have said it better myself!

Have a great weekend gang -- and if you're looking for some Super Bowl Party tips and thoughts make sure to catch my post from earlier this week!

RM: Wait, The SuperBowl is about Football?

Well my friends, it's Recipe Monday - and I promise in this long winded post to share some recipes - just be patient.  So, unless you are living under a rock - you probably are aware this weekend is host to the biggest annual sporting event by the National Football League in the continental US ~ SUPERBOWL SUNDAY! 

{Alright ladies, if football isn't your forte -I'll help you out with the key points}

• National Football League = NFL
• This year's game = played in New Orleans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome
• San Francisco 49ers (red/maroon) vs  Baltimore Ravens (black, purple and gold)
• The 2 head coaches of the opposing teams are brothers - and therefore it's a big story

Super Bowl is really the one time of year all of us ladies actually get excited that the entire day revolves around football and every TV in the house is screening the highly anticipated kick-off, the big play touchdown and the ridiculous ref who actually thought that was intentional grounding and there wasn't pass interference on the play - I MEAN DOES THE ZEBRA EVEN HAVE EYES?! Because I'd be happy to buy him a pair of GLASSES (since the previous 8 million dollar commercial informed me it's BOGO time at Mr. Bizer's World! ---- Errrrr, scratch that...

Alright, time to be honest boys.  Yes, we're southern women (or northern -- just referring to the gals that will be in attendance with me), yes we love our football, and truth be told we actually DO know whether or not that was a bad call.  BUT - when it comes to Super Bowl Sunday - there are far too many other things we are interested in, to be solely focused on that game.  And the fact that we get to have a party in honor of them, and our men don't complain about going - WELL - color your ladies happy!

Aside from watching sweaty millionaire men in tight football pants prance around playing one of the manliest games alive (I say one because, have you seen those Aussie rugby players?! WHEW!) there is so much more to Super Bowl Sunday!  Let's talk about some of my faves shall we?

• Friends

• We get to spend an entire Sunday with our best friends standing around a table of delicious food while we talk and catch up on the latest news. Uhmmm is there anything better? No. No there is not. Plus - sometimes we get lucky enough and happen to be hanging at a home where there are numerous leather jackets and mullet wigs, and we get fun little keepsake photos like this :0) 

• Games

• At our annual party we always have games.  If you've followed my blog and are starting to understand some of my family dynamics you probably realize that competition is a big part of my genetic make-up therefore a party without some sort of game and/or competition does not exist to me.  We like to play the betting squares and scores game.  If you're hosting a party this year an need to spice it up - this is fun and not complicated, this includes instructions too - we just make ours on a big poster board and have everyone sign up as they arrive..

• The National Anthem

• After Whitney Houston's ground breaking performance (which I recently found out, thanks to Beyonce's pre-corded Inauguration anthem, was not live - BOOO!) and Christina Aguleira's word flub of a performance last year; this has become an enticing part of the show.  This year Alicia Key's will be singing the National Anthem and has stated she will not perform the song traditionally and instead will perform it as if it were a brand new song!  So, if this is not normally one of your favorite parts - I suggest arriving to your party on time - because I doubt it will be a performance you'll want to miss!

• Half-Time Show

• A-hem, do I need to mention the Janet Jackson/JT boob scandal "wardrobe-malfunction"?  Or can we all agree to disagree that ever since this moment, we vow to never miss another SuperBowl half-time show, regardless of who is performing?! I digress...  Not to mention this year we have Mrs. Beyonce Knowles on stage y'all!!  And collaborating in a bound to be show-stopping performance, we expect to see appearances by a reunited Destiny's Child (sayy whaaaa) and her hubby Jay-Z.  Wooot!

• Commercials

• SuperBowl commercials are the BEST.  I always love to see what the advertisers come up with.  And knowing they spent nearly 4-8 million dollars for :30-:60 spots COMPLETELY blows my mind.  I'm really digging Doritos stance on marketing and letting their customers really speak for the brand. Whatever marketing guru came up with this is brilliant.  If you're not up to speed on what I'm talking about, Doritos let's their customers create a commercial and then they send people to their Facebook page to vote for their favorite. Whichever commercial is chosen is the one that will air during the SuperBowl.  Voting for your favorite is open through January 29th - click here - I voted for the little girl and the dog - too cute. 

• Celebrating/Cheering

• Major sporting events are always a time to put on your best gear, hoot and holler like a crazy person. It's also a time to sit back and watch everyone else do this - which is just as much, if not more fun, than participating yourself.  And if your team pulls it out - I suggest stealing one of these poses to celebrate :0)

• THE FOOD - {Seeeeeee I told you I'd get to recipes :0) ...}

• Clearly, I've saved the best for last. Arguably one of THE BEST things about the SuperBowl.  The plethora of never ending, deliciously concocted, and beautifully arranged foods.  If I had it my way, every meal would be designed in tailgate/buffet style snacky fashion, but alas they are not.  So, I get extra excited for events in which it is MORE than acceptable, and often encouraged, to go after that cheese based dip for a FIFTH time. Of course there are always the staples: Buffalo Chicken Dip, Veggies (so something) and ranch, Queso, Laura's homemade White Castle Cheeseburgers and desserts, amongst the other bazillion delicious apps the gals bring. 
• But this year, since it's the first Super Bowl party in the new house, I'm thinking I need to kick up a notch and try some new recipes.  Here's some website I've been scouring to come up with my top contenders:
1. Top 20 Game Day Recipes
2. 10 Super Dips for Bowl Games
3. 25 Must See Appetizers

So, word to the wise fellas, if you're eager to watch the big game - but your lady friend isn't quite up for another Football Sunday.  I recommend finding a party to attend.  Mention these highlights and the fact that the SuperBowl is INDEED about much more than just chasing after a ball - and you're all set!  Have fun Sunday!

Renovations Update!

Alright gang .. time for an update of where we are on the potty status.  Last week I told you guys we had finally started on our last "BIG" renovation project.  Here's the post, if you need to catch up.

First and foremost, I am always amazed as to how quickly things happen. I swear I took a shower in my master bath this morning ... then, I get home from work and it no longer exists!  Now, don't get me wrong.  I'm certainly not complaining about anyone moving quickly!  It's just I laugh when I think how long home projects take me and the hubs when the task lies solely in our hands. So when we hire actual professionals to finish the details I'm so utterly AMAZED!!!

Anyways - short post today - but here's an update of what we're working with.  Or better stated, what we're not working with - since there is nothing left.

Get ready area (does this have a real name?) / Bathtub

Vanity/Sink

The Former Throne of the Porcelain god

And last but not least, here's the shower I was referencing above...literally - GAWWN.

I promised to share pictures and updates of the hubs as we shop around for his new porcelain toy, but no developments yet. However, I did catch him admiring a toilet with an automatic lid and heated seat on an episode of the Kardashian's the other day.  Boy oh Boy would I have loved to get inside his head for a few minutes to see what those wheels were spinning!