High Five for Friday

Ermahgersh you guys...I am so sleepy...I almost have to pry my poor little eyelids open to write this blog.  What a day...what a week.  My life is so blessed with the most amazing family, and the most wonderful friends anyone could ever ask for.  I made a point to tell the special people in my life how much they mean to me, and in doing so I realized I should not only do it during the holidays, but everyday.  Something I definitely need to work on.  

I hope each and everyone one of you had a fabulous Thanksgiving!  On my way home last night I could not believe the crazy long lines outside the stores. Kyle almost ran off the road when I pointed it out. Personally, I have never gone shopping on black Friday, and honestly I never intend to.  I get the concept, but the craziness just isn't worth it to me...there can't be a bargain worth fighting crowds and crazy people elbowing you, and stealing items out of your shopping cart.  No thank you...I will stay home in my warm bed with my comfy jammies.

Here are a few of the highlights from my week...

My girls night-in party I had Friday night was a success.  I was feeling a little under the weather by the end of the week, and wasn't sure I could pull it off, but of course I did.  Not to mention sitting at home with a room full of 7 of my favorite girls was the perfect way to spend a Friday night.

Little man and I went to the 11:00 movie last Saturday night.  We saw Breaking Dawn 2, and I loved it.   It was so much better than the book. Which, for this series, is quite unusual. Of course I was prepared with tissues in tow because I knew I would cry, and I was right...I cried.  It was the best movie out of the others.  So much, in fact, that I am going to see it again today with the girls.

Best little movie date ever, and of course we went to Steak and Shake afterwards to get our grub on.

I did a little Christmas shopping for myself...Can't wait open this little puppy up on Christmas morning, and play with all my goodies.  I <3 Santa.

Long story short, I asked my husband to get something out of the attic for me twice...I decided the best way to get it done was to do it myself.  Well, I kinda got "stuck" in the attic, then ripped a hole in my favorite pants.  I was mad about being stuck in the attic for 30+ minutes, but seriously ticked about ripping my pants, so I had to pull the ol' sewing machine and do some serious damage control.

It was such a mess...I forgot how to wind my bobbin, then I broke a needle, and I had to read the directions to remind myself what in the heck I was doing.  Finally it all came back to me, and I saved the pants.  Thank goodness my awesome sewing machine tells me what to do when I ask...Good grief...what a hassle!  

I wore my favorite apron this week while I cooked up a storm in the kitchen.. This apron is seriously the cutest thing ever...You can find one just like it at Pier One!!

I made a few loaves of pumpkin bread.  Of course it was amazing!  Trey's absolute fave!  

Thanksgiving morning Marcie, Dave and I headed down to Nashville for the Music City Turkey run.  We have been planning this for a little over a month now, so we were super pumped that it was finally here...even at 6 in the morning...

It was a beautiful day, and all three of us enjoyed running through the streets of downtown.  My favorite part was running over the pedestrian bridge, and seeing all of the buildings and the sun reflect off of the Cumberland River.  It was so beautiful that everything in me wanted to stop and take a picture, but I was trying to beat my usual time, and I didn't want to set myself back.

We ran the 4 mile course, and I finished it in 49:39 averaging 13:13 per mile...I know I can do better, but I'll take it.  I'm proud that I finished, and it was the perfect way to begin the day.

I got home a little after 10:00 and got ready for Thanksgiving with the Millers.

Sure do love this girl!!

Bloody Mary's as soon as I walk in the door...yes, please!

I love the Miller's....each and every one of them, and I am thankful that I was able to spend Thanksgiving with them for the first time in 5 years.

I stopped by my Mom and Dad's on the way home, and got to see this sweet girl.  My beautiful niece that will.not.stop.growing.  I guess I'm going to have to put a book on top of her head...not to mention chase all the boys off.

I love this big black dog...

He is just about the cutest!!

That'll be all for this weeks H54F.  I hope you all have a fun weekend, and remember to count your blessings...not just today, but everyday!!

xo

Carrie

High Five for Friday

Hellur, Friday....took you long enough to get here....I had a couple of days off this week, and the week slow poked it's way to today.  I guess because I am tired....I did catch up on my sleep from my travels, but I'm still exhausted from all of the things I have to do, and I will admit I am (still) partially living out of my suitcase....I am a terrible unpacker...it happens.  Just thinking about doing the things on my to-do-list make me want to take a nap...I guess I have become somewhat lazy with the freezing cold weather we have been having...either that, or this is the result of a self-induced sugar comma due to too many hot chocolates...I love Starbucks hot chocolate, by the way...

With Thanksgiving being next week (seriously, can you believe it?) everything seems to be happening all at once.  This is the first year that I am not having Thanksgiving dinner with my family.  I already told them to expect me to stop by for a visit on my way home from my Mother-in-Law's.  I am only making one dish for dinner this year...It makes me sad, but I would not have time to make as much as I normally would anyway because I am running a race with my cousin-in-law's in downtown Nashville early Thanksgiving morning, so making one dish will be all I can suffice. I am super excited to spend Thanksgiving with my Mother-in-Law's family though, we have never done turkey day together, and I love spending time with all of them...

So, I decided I am going to make 1-2 dishes a night of my favorite Thanksgiving dishes... from now until Thanksgiving.  My husband and my son will appreciate it, I'm sure.  I have yet to cook a bird for turkey day, but I'm pretty darn good at making some delicious sides and desserts.  Yesterday I made three loaves of pumpkin bread, and for dinner we had glazed carrots and baked apples to go alongside some smoked pork chops.  I am hoping to post the recipes on the blog over the next few days...I must make time to do so...I must stay awake long enough to do so...

Tonight, I am having a few of my girlfriends over for a 31 party.  I hope ya'll like pumpkin bread.  :)  I am usually the hostess with the mostest, but I have not even planned my menu yet, other than the permpkern bread, and I outsourced for someone else to make my drinks so I wouldn't have to..  I can promise you that the drinks will be amazing, and by the time you arrive I will have it all together...and you won't even know that I pulled it together only hours before...well, yeah you will because I just told you, but still. 

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I pulled my favorite scarf out to wear...a little bit of leopard print with a little bit of stripes...love it!

I love it when I am Krogering, and they are giving away my favorite cookies.  No way would I pass up a Kroger sugar cookie..yumm yummm...and it beats buying a whole box..one is just enough to get me by.

I saw someone post this not too long ago, and it reminded me of myself.. A strange gal with a chicken...that'd be me...and the world is amazing when you try not to be like the rest...I love being me...weirdness and awesomeness all wrapped into one...

As I was looking through my pictures I came across this breakfast taco....I had it for breakfast one day last week in SA...My mouth is watering..right.now.  I want one!

Ermahgersh....she makes me lerf..

I broke down my Christmas list for Kyle...I included pictures, and websites so that there would not be any confusion.  I'm on top of it...you know how I am when it comes to list making.  

I wonder if the girl in the picture ever realized that her headlamp was upside down.?  Hmmm...Isn't that a cute headlamp?  I can't wait to get it, and I bet Trey can't wait for me to stop asking to borrow his...

That's all....Hope you all have a fun weekend...who is going to see Breaking Dawn?  I am sad to see it because that means it is over, and I don't want it to end.  We have always gone to see the midnight showings, so maybe I can talk Kyle and Trey into a movie date sometime this weekend, and a cherry coke afterwards from Steak and Shake...it's kind of a ritual...annd...my favorite marketplace is having a holiday extravaganza tomorrow...there are not enough hours in the day.  I feel like I have so many things to do, but I cannot remember them all.  I need a nap. 

Thanks for stopping by to read H54F  :)

xo

Carrie

My Trip to San Antonio

Once it was finally time for my much anticipated trip to San Antonio.. Nicole, and I could hardly stand the wait any longer.   One day we discussed staying awake the entire time so we wouldn't miss spending any time together, then quickly nixed that idea because we would be super grumpy and not like each other for a while...it happens.  So...it's time...it's time...it's finally here..I woke up super duper early to get ready to go to the airport...Kyle tossed my luggage in the back of my car, and we were on the road bright and early.

I flew standby.  A few people asked me what that meant...well, ok...mainly my sister did not understand even after I briefly explained it.  Basically it means that I paid way less for my tickets (less than half of the ticket price) because I did not have a reserved seat..I only had a seat request.  Many people fly standby, and where you are on the waiting list depends on your seniority...such as...current Delta employees and their family, retired employees...etc.  I was flying on a buddy pass because my husbands Grandfather was a pilot for Delta...beginning in the mid 40's.  He has since passed, but his wife still receives an X amount of buddy passes each year.  After months of waiting for ticket prices to go down, I asked if there were any passes left over...and luckily I was able to use one.  Hopefully that semi-cleared that up for those in question...  Anywho, since I never knew if I would have a seat on the flight, annnd I had a layover in Atlanta... it seemed like it took an eternity to arrive at my destination....

Finally we landed...If you know me personally, you know that I get super excited...a lot...and I am not shy when it comes to showing my feelings....So, I clapped...some of you know what I am talking about...I clap...a lot.  I'm weird, I know, and it's not nice to judge people, so don't.  :)

Nicole and Henry met me at baggage claim, and we hugged and laughed, and I probably clapped some more..I don't remember.

We went to the grocery store, then finally made it to their house...as soon as we pulled into the driveway her husband and I were waving at each other like two year olds, and I jumped out to give him a big hug.  You would think that we had not seen each other in years...even though it had only been a few months...It is a wonderful feeling to see your oldest friends no matter how much time has gone by.

First thing's first...I had to hold the baby!!  If you've been following my blog for a while, this is Henry.  The little boy I have been talking about long before he was born.

We instantly became best buds!

After I got settled... Nicole and I sat in the garage listening to music, talking, laughing, drinking...just like old times.  The besties were back together again..

I think we stayed up until the wee hours of the morning.  I finally made it to my bed around 5:00 a.m, and of course the first thing I did when I woke up was hold onto this sweet boy again.

While Nicole and Frannie were getting ready for the day Henry and I got to spend quality time together.  Nicole told me she had been telling him about me since he was born...so I think he already knew I was the Auntie.   :)

The first day we went to a winery in New Braunfels, Tx called Dry Comal Creek Winery.  It was gorgeous...the countryside was breathtaking, with a creek running alongside the property.  It looked like the place had been there for centuries.

The wine was fabulous, but most of all the sangria was to die for.  Most def the best I have ever tried...and I got the recipe...

After Dry Comal we drove a little further down the road and went to Wurstfest.  A lot like Oktoberfest, but better. We laughed, drank some more...they had the yummy sangria there...and I had my first sausage on a stick...and it burnt my tongue like you wouldn't believe.  Someone commented that Nicole and I were eating ours wrong...lol...that we were eating them like Southerners...trying to eat it politely..I'm sorry, but there is no classy way to eat sausage on a stick...I tried...I failed...you've just got to do it...no class to it.

Sooo, Wurstfest...I came, I saw, I ate my sausage on a stick, drank...did the chicken dance....got the hat...laughed a lot, and had a great time...

The next day we went to Mi Tierra in downtown San Antonio.  A famous Mexican joint with a bakery at the front of the restaurant.  They had the most amazing looking pastries...Too many to choose from, but I did end up leaving with a giant chocolate cupcake.

and the best Mexican food I have ever had...I want some right now!!

After lunch we walked to the Mexican market.  We meandered in and out of all the shops...I bought some Mexican jewelry, and some handmade wine glasses...

Downtown was really cool...a lot of old history, I enjoyed just walking the streets looking at all of the old buildings and whatnot.  We went to the Riverwalk after dark...I did not get a picture, but it was fun to see.  It really is a beautiful city.

This is random, but it has to be mentioned...At some point along the trip Nicole showed us a text her friend had sent her of the ermahgerd girl.  Do you know what I am talking about?  This crazy girl made us laugh so hard...like tears rolling...basically you pronounce your words with an "r" in there somewhere...Like omg is ermahgersh...or lol is ler...or good night is gerd nert...get it?  My favorite one is this...You have to say it out loud as you read it...

Ermahgerd...ersn't irt furnny!!??  We talked like this for the remainder of the trip. I can't remember the last time I have laughed so hard.  When Kyle would call me he had a hard time understanding my new found language...He didn't get it...luckily I have converted him, and he can now speak fluent ermah-areserm--nerss.

Ok, back to it....my last full day in Texas we went to Gruene...pronounced Green.  I had difficulties sounding out the town names in Texas.  I am a phonetic kind of girl....I always sound words out the way they are spelled, not so much the case there...

Gruene is a small, historic town.  It was probably my favorite place that we visited, and we spent most of the day there.  We had lunch at Mozie's, and then walked down the road a bit to the Winery on the Gruene.

A teansie tiny family owned winery.  They are very generous with their serving sizes...rather than a "tasting" they would fill our glass up to what would be a regular sized serving of red wine.  Ermahgersh...I broke out into a sweat, which is normally what I do when I drink too much in a short period of time, and immediately caught a burzz...That was some good wine...

We laughed, and laughed, and I don't even remember what was funny...we just instantly laugh..a whole lot when we are together....

I ended up buying a few bottles of wine from this winery...

It was the perfect end to my last day in Texas...

Besides Henry, I also managed to make another new friend....Harley, the dog, loved me...like.. super crushing on me, loved me.  She followed me everywhere, slept in my bed, wanted to lay on top of me, and also sit in my lap.  It became apparent that she wanted to somehow be touching me at all times. 

This is how she slept on our last night together....with her hind leg right on me, and when I woke up in the morning her paw would be in my hand.  I miss that sweet girl!

She stayed by my side even up until it was time for me to leave for the airport.

I am pretty sure she did not want me to go..

and I certainly did not want to leave this little guy...I got snuggles, and kisses until it was time to walk out the door...

I had such a good time, and made memories that I will never forget.  It was a wonderful visit with a ton of laughs, tears, and just plain silly good times. These are two friends that are like family to me.  It is hard to be friends with people for 17+ years, and not love them like family, and now that I have finally met the newest member of their family I love them even more, and I really enjoyed seeing them as new parents. Life is such an amazing journey.  Friendships such as this that last over time...are often tested, and grow stronger year by year are so special, and rare.  There are so many blessings to be thankful for all around you.  This family is a blessing that I am thankful for, and I cannot wait to see them again soon...

Goodbye San Antonio, until we meet again.....

xo

Carrie

Flying Standby

Ermahgerd, suddenly I feel like I should bust out in John Travolta's rendition of "Stranded at the Drive-in" from Grease....except my version would be "Stranded at the Airport."

For reals....I have been at San Antonio Intl Airport since 9:00 this morning.  So far, I have attempted to catch four flights today.  I'm not complaining...it's an adventure, and luckily I'm a super patient person.  Flying standby has it's perks for sure, but clearly today I am figuring out the quirks.  

My day has gone something like this...

1. I set the burglar alarm off at Nicole and Francis' house before 7:00 a.m....I seriously thought he was going to shoot me or something, so I hid on the side of the stairwell saying "it's me, it's me!!"  The dog wanted outside....eeerps..

2.  I cried like a two year old...like seriously...I wept...when Nicole dropped me off at the airport, and I had to wear my sunglasses inside the building for like 15 minutes because I looked ridiculous.  People that wear their glasses inside a building are weird...unless they have a medical reason...I did not, I was weird.

3.  I am now sitting in my fourth seat of the day...Twice I sat on the floor...my leg fell asleep, and two times in a chair.  I am in a chair now.

4.  San Antonio had a cold front come through, and I am thinking the airport did not turn on the heat, so I'm super cold. Like faareezing cold, and I rarely get cold!!

5.  The people here are really nice..I have made a few "friends" today.

6.  I'm number 17 on the standby list for a full flight.  It's not looking good for me.  

7.  My luggage is already in Nashville. I do have my carry on, but my clothes, shower stuff/makeup..are in Nashville...(adventure, right...who needs makeup and clean clothes??) I don't have much use for all the wine paraphernalia I purchased while I was here that I am carrying in my carry on...oh, and all the Christmas gifts I bought for my friends and family...I have those, but not much else...

8.  I do have my medicine....it's always in my purse when I travel in case of instances such as this...

9.  Many times today I have laughed out loud thinking of something that was said, or something my friends and I did during my visit.  We're funny, and once again..I look weird laughing out loud for unknown reasons to others...

10.  I have two more chances to get on a flight before I have to leave the airport and try again tomorrow...They are boarding now, and I'm not getting excited since I'm 17 on the list...I am thinking I might fly home on a different airline if this doesn't work out in my favor...

11.  Did I mention I'm cold?

12.  People watching is fun.

13.  Thank gerdnerss the SA airport offers free wifi.

xo

Carrie

High Five for Friday

Friday, again?! What is going on with these last few weeks/months flying by?  I used to think that the older we got the faster the time passed us by.  Maybe so, but honestly I think it is because as we grow older we learn to appreciate our lives so much more, and we have so many more things we enjoy doing...wonderful things we look forward to...making the days seem much shorter.  I have so many things going on in my life right now that I am very thankful for...that I am excited about, and looking forward to.  

Here are some of the highlights from my week...

I can finally start counting down the days until my trip to San Antonio...this time next week I will be there visiting my friends, and meeting sweet baby Henry for the first time. You have no idea how excited I am!!  I have been to Texas, but have never been to SA, have you?

Birchbox has the fastest shipping....I received my new lip gloss in just a few days.  I seriously love this, guys..you have to get it.  It is the perfect neutral shade and it has plumper to make your lips appear full...For more details I mentioned it in my October bbox post earlier this week.  

Speaking of Birchbox...in my second bbox I got the crazy eyeliner stickers...Eye Rock.  By the way, I do rock, but that's a completely different post...(ha) So, anyway.. I used them this week...for Halloween.  They were so much fun...they were super easy to apply, and they looked awesome!

 They were perfect for the cat eye look I was going for....

Then I added two sets of false lashes..one on top of the other.. to give my eyes a more dramatic look...

I added some fuzzy ears, whiskers, and a little black nose...and turned myself into a kitty cat...

Meow..

The eyeliner stickers are the bomb..for reals...I am so glad I didn't throw them away!!

We sat around a fire in front of my neighbors spooky house Halloween night and passed out candy while our kids went in search of tricks...or treats.  Sipping on some margaritas, and getting to see all the cool costumes.  It was a fun night!!

Trey dressed as a teenager/scary movie person....and he liked to run and hide behind the "fog" each time the fog machine went off....with was every three minutes... <sigh> He had fun though.  It was his first year getting to go trick or treating without me.  He did very well, and checked in when he was supposed to.  It's a little sad that our kids grow up so quickly, but at the same time it is so interesting...and fun to see them changing everyday...

I scored this awesome sweater from the clearance rack at Old Navy this week...I'm seeing a striped theme going on in my Fall/Winter wardrobe.  I'm digging the stripes....

I weighed in this week, and have lost 5 more pounds.  35 down....I'm feeling pretty awesome!!  I am just a week or so away from having to go down another clothing size. I had to take my rings to the jeweler this week to have them sized down...1.5 sizes.  They were literally falling off.  I feel super amazing....It's crazy....and I am so proud of myself!! I told you guys...I rock!!  :)

If you set your mind to it...you can do ANYTHING!!!

You can totally rock too!!!

Poor Brodie needs a haircut...you can't tell, but he is totally looking at me through all that hair.

Winston climbed on top of me while I was laying down for a cat nap this week...Apparently, he thinks I am the best seat in the house.  He is so heavy, and it was a tad hard to breathe with him on my stomach...

I'm sure it wasn't very comfortable for him either, but he stayed there until I made him move...

Thanks so much for stopping by to read H54F.  I am pretty excited for my weekend...Trey is going to a leadership training thing for scouts tonight, so I won't be on Mom duty until around 4:00 Saturday.  What should I get into?  I know one two things for sure, 1.  I'm going to begin making my packing list for my upcoming trip to SA..(have I mentioned that I'm super pumped about it?)  and 2.  There will be tasty beverages involved at some point....yerp! 

 I hope you guys have an amazing weekend!

xo

Carrie