Off to the Ritz we Go

Yep Yep you heard me right! Tomorrow morning bright and early hubs and I are off to the one and only Ritz Carlton in Amelia Island, Florida. And no no no before you start off on the "wait I thought you were crying pitiful me for the one income story" this is for our company retreat/ Merry Christmas from the Company. Every year (this is my first year) they close the office down and send us all to the Ritz for an all inclusive paid vacay for 5 days. Yep ALL INCLUSIVE and AT THE BEACH! Take that! I am super excited for some plush beds, ocean front views, relaxation and exploring a new city!

Yep yep I'm super excited! An all inclusive paid vacay at the beach in December when its gross and cold- SIGN ME UP! I am going to take my laptop but not sure if we have internet! If not I hope you all have a WONDERFUL rest of the week and weekend and I will look forward to playing catchup when we get back!

Top Two Tuesday- Cleaning Tips

 

Over at Taylor's Top Two Tuesday it's favorite cleaning/ organization tips. I am a big one when it comes to things being neat and tidy. My husband is worse than me...soo here are some of our tricks

{ONE} Hubs has implemented the colored tubs concept. Seems simple enough but it REALLY helps when we are trying to find certain decorations- we know the red and green are Christmas and so forth. He also labels the bins because if your anything like me with a million decorations you don't want to be ripping through it all just to find the bows! This has been just amazing for us!

{TWO} I/ We try to constantly stay on top of the cleaning. I can't just let everything go and clean once a week. Normally one day we will dust or if I see furbabies hair on the wood floor I will vacuum. Dishes are constantly in the dishwasher NOT the sink *that drives me nuts*! We try to just keep everything a constant production of keeping the house neat and clean- well really so I don't have an OCD panic attack. Great example- one night I go to bed and don't fold the blanket back up on the couch, or fix the pillows on the couch, I maybe didn't put my wine glass away or take my shoes upstairs- the next morning as I'm already rushing around for work I see this cluster of a mess in my living room and what do you know I'm late for work because I'm picking up my mess from the night before! OCD a bit much?! YES I KNOW

12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge- Least Favorites

So I feel like I am going to sounds like McGrouchy the Grinch Grouch but there certainly a few things that really GET me around the holiday season

{ONE} As I have touched on before now that hubs and I are married its extremely (an understatement) difficult trying to figure out how we are spending the holiadys. My family is a straight 2 hours up the interstate from us, his family is west Tennessee like 3 hours from mine and its a bit of a pickle to get to (or maybe its just me). And then my mom and step dad live in Ohio which requires flying and is just never easy to get to get up there and just creates issues. We want to spend time with everyone and of course your always partial to wanting more time with your family and its just *(%^$# NOT FUN! Once something (GOD FORBID THE DAY) happens to my grandparents and we dont have to have the formal holiday jazz I SWEAR hubs and I are just going to go on a vacation and say see ya all later one holiday!

{TWO} My next least favorite is the financial part of all this jazz. I LOVE nothing more than buying presents for everyone. It just makes me so happy. But it also scares the living *(%^% out of me when the bill comes in for everything. As I mentioned before I am the only income right now as hubs is in school right now. And although he is so wonderful and helpful as he can be when it comes to buying presents its kinda on me. This is going to be evaluated for next year... because I'm getting an ulcer just thinking about it now

{TREE} TRAFFIC and CLUSTER!! As if I don't already a large HATE HATE relationship with traffic in this darn city the holiday tis the season doesn't help. People already can't drive... add a load of presents and not knowing where you want to go... I'll stay home with my glass of wine! Online shopping here I come :)

See why I said McGrouchy Grinch McGrouch?! I really do love the holidays I promise! I just tend to overstress sometimes :)

12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge

Day 7: Holiday Craft/DIY

Sooo I officially am SLACKING in the blog world. I had FULL intentions of going home and taking pictures of all my winter/ Christmas crafts and well..... I did nothing! We are getting ready for our trip tomorrow and so we were packing and organizing and ya know..... the typical pre trip thing you do. More of that to come!

On to crafts... you all know this is one of my favorite most favorite subjects so I am sad to announce.... my phone only has 2 crafts pictures thus far... I shall explain!

This is my Christmas centerpiece. Again- not a great picture at all but what do you expect out of a blackberry?! This wasn't exactly a craft- more like me poking and proding and moving for an hour. The pine cones are from your's truly (aka my yard) the rest are braches from the dollar tree that I plucked and arranged. One day I promise I will take good pictures! This is super pretty in person- especially the shimmer of the flowers

Pardon the furbabies tails in the background. This is my work in progress. Its a santa topiary but it needs some work. I bought some black shiny ribbon that I am going to wrap around the white stem and also around santa's belt (hence the uneven lines)

Now projects to come:

I SWEAR I am going to get this done! Holiday season just doens't allow for much time... It will and I promise WILL be done by next weekend :)

I am DYING to make an ornament wreath. I especially LOVE the gold and silver one here with the big bow! Tutorial and pictures to come when this slacking blogger/ crafter gets her butt in gear!

First Things First.... Blog Catch Up Time

Hiii Blog World! It's quite nice to be back. You see I win the most HORRIBLE blogger award when I am out of town. Since Wednesday I haven't had my computer, there has been LOTS of relaxing, time with family, maybe some wine involved and just all around chill time! I HATE that I missed so much on the blog challenge but I just couldnt bring myself to get on the computer the past few days! We all need a break sometimes from the craziness! Anywho.... first things first.... blog challenge catch up time

Day 3- Most meaningful gift/best gift you've received

This one is easy and I have three. The first would be a teddy bear that my daddy gave me when I was young. It's a Virgina Teddy Bear Company bear! Daddy had it made for me when I was younger so that he would "always be there" with me even when we were apart.... let me tell you... I am 24 years old and married and that thing still sits in the cornor of my bed behind my pillow everynight. Its one of those comfort things that is just hard to break! MMKKK soo I just admitted that....

Next is another daddy gift- its a promise ring he gave to me on my 16th birthday and I have worn EVERYDAY since. It has a heart diamond in the middle and diamonds on the side. It's never been lost, misplaced or forgotten. Again- another daddy thing I know but its just one of those things....

Lastly would be my wedding rings. I mean yes its shiny and pretty but it truly means so much to me. It represents more than just diamonds and pretty but a symbol of love and eternity despite the hardships of day to day life. I wear it through the good days and the bad and ups and downs in our marriage. It's something so special that my husband gave me and is so very close to my heart

Day 4: Tips/Tricks to a Budget Friendly holiday season

This is a BIG one for us this season with hubby in school and I as the only one working. I am a bargin shopper as the come when it comes to Christmas. It's usually one of the only times in the year I spend so much money at once. I absolutely LOVE giving gifts. I think I get more excited watching people open gifts I got them then anything else. I am a big outlet shopper, TJ MAXX shopper and online deals. I also think it is sooo important to start early so you aren't rushing around the last minute trying to buy and spend ANYTHING just to have a gift. GREAT EXAMPLE: I wanted to get hubby a new set of irons for christmas.... not sure if any of you have seen the golf club market lately but umm.... ex-pen-sive like WHOA. Soo I paired up with daddy and we took hubs shopping for a new set. First place we went- Play It Again Sports... yall ever been there?! Its like if you go out to Dicks Sporting Goods buy new clubs play with them 3-4 times decide you don't like them, Dicks says too bad soo you take them to P.I.A.S and sell them there! We got hubs a 2009 set of originally $900 golf clubs for less than half of that! I mean you can't beat that! And they MAYBE were used once or twice! Bargin shopping at it's best :)

Day 5: Favorite Holiday Movie/TV Show Special

This one is EASY.... I have 3 that I LOVE and watch every year....

I mean come on who DOESN"T like this movie!!

Classic....

I LOVE the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.... am I too old to say this?! Its just one of those fun Thanksgiving Morning traditions

And you can't forget about ALL THE FREAKING FOOTBALL!! I was in heaven! I bet we watched a solid 24 hours worth of football this weekend! HEAVEN!

Day 6: Gift ideas (what do YOU want? We all have family/friends reading our blogs...so let them know!)

Hmmm this is a repeat for me from Top Two Tuesday soo click HERE to read whats at the top of my list this year :)

**Yes I took the easy road here, but trying not to bore all of you with my catch up post**

I'll be back later for Day 7 as this is a BIG FAVORITE for me!! Hope you all aren't napping after reading this LONG post! I'mmm baaccckkkkkkk :)

Top Two Tuesday

Top 2 Things on Your Christmas Wish List

Well if you ask my hubby (thank goodness you can't) he would rattle off a million different things that would be my "top 2" on my list! And yes I have several but they are NEEDS not necessarily WANTS per say....  :)

I really need new sunglasses- mine got "taken" while we were on our honeymoon. And here is the thing- I am big about my sunglasses. I am blind as a bat (as in I failed the Georgia Drivers Liscense test becuase I can't see blind) so i normally get more expensive sunglasses that help with that oh so minor problem! I've been wearing a cheap pair we had to buy in Mexico to make do and they just arent working! So PRAISE THE GOOD LORD I need new sunglasses.... and these exactly would be just dandy

Next on the list- I need a new watch. Some of you might remember that I lost my Movado (it was just a string of REALLY bad luck right around the wedding) as I was moving- well it got thrown away! It literally STILL puts a pit in my stomach when I think about it! Hubby and I have been watch hunting for a while now.... its a weird personal thing to pick out!

My sweet Movado I lost :(

Last but not least ( I know I know its not 2) But my GPS finally went to GPS heaven last week and well... YOU try living in this crazy massive city of Atlanta with no GPS! Its im-poss-i-ble! Thankfully my sweet Daddy to the rescue would have none of that as has a GPS ordered and on the way for me! It even tells you traffic updates and which lane to be in..... SAAWWEEETTT! :)

What are your top Christmas List items?! I am excited to see what everyone is NEEDING :) this year!!



12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge- Day 2

Day 2- Black Friday/General Shopping Tips and Tricks

Day 2- Black Friday/General Shopping Tips and Tricks

OK soo believe it or not I have NEVER been shopping on Black Friday before (does that deserve capitalization?!). I actually cannot hardly believe it myself. I guess party I am always with the family and just have never gotten the desire to wake up and shop. And when I shop I am a much more peaceful, stroll around, not park 3 miles away and deal with thousands of people kinda shopper. Now maybe if I was trying to buy a new TV or appliance and could save hundreds of dollars but i'm not going to wake up at 3:00 in the morning to go battle and stand in line with people! CRAZY I KNOW:)

On that point however- shopping tips I must ALWAYS abide by. I do not EVER buy clothes unless: they come from TJ MAXX/ Marshalls or are on sale. LIKE NEVER (that I can remember- I'm sure my husband would say otherwise). I LOVE a great deal and I am always soo much happier if I buy something on sale compared to not. It just seems silly to buy if its not on sale or you have a coupon!

However there are a few exceptions- like these furbabies. Who think its funny to destroy their dog bed in the yard so mommy and daddy have to go buy a new one for them. And what kind of new dog bed do they get?! A serta memory foam matress dog bed to be exact! EXCUSE ME- they sleep on a nicer bed than I DO!

Abolutely. Positively. ROTTEN! So the moral of the story is the dogs live better than I do, they get loved on more than I do, they sleep better than I do and well they are cuter than I am.

How did I get off on this tangent?! Happy Tuesday!! Only a day and 1/2 left in my happy work week!!

OHHH and did I mention...

APRIL 29, 2011 is wedding day!!!

Bring on the gossip columns today! I will be reading in full force!



12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge

I am soo excited that it is finally time to play with Molly and Aly for the 12 days of Christmas Blog Challenge. I just love Molly so to add this cute little blog challenge is going to get us all in the holly jolly spirit.

Here are the days:

Day 1: Christmas/Holiday traditions

Day 2: Black Friday/General Shopping Tips & Tricks

Day 3: Most meaningful gift/best gift you've received

Day 4: Tips/Tricks to a Budget Friendly holiday season

Day 5: Favorite Holiday Movie/TV Show Special

Day 6: Gift ideas (what do YOU want? We all have family/friends reading our blogs...so let them know!)

Day 7: Holiday Craft/DIY (If you don't make anything, what do you WISH you could make?)

Day 8: Least favorite thing about the Holidays

Day 9: Favorite Holiday recipe

Day 10: Favorite Christmas Songs/Caroles

Day 11: New Year Resolutions

Day 12: Show us your decorations (indoor/outside)

Day 13: Favorite Cookie Recipe

Day 14: Oprah's Favorite Things: What item(s) would you want if you were in the audience?

Day 1

Christmas Traditions

Hmmm.... this is an interesting one for me because well my holidays have always been a bit crazy. My parents are divorced so my entire life each holiday has been a bit different shuffling from parent to parent. Now since I am older it's been a bit more consistent and if you were here last week- now that I am married it's getting crazy all over again :)

Typical Christmas for me is always going home- to my daddy's the SECOND I am off work for the holiday or back in the day the SECOND I was done with my last exam. Christmas morning we always do the "Putman family Christmas" which includes all my dad's side of the family getting together. We used to do it at my grandparents but as they have gotten older that really isn't possible for them to host. As some of you might know, when you get the grandparents involved the holidays revolve around a strict time schedule. They are EARLY morning people so we all meet at our (my dad's) house or my aunt's (his only sister) house around 10am sharp. Lunch is served by noon presents are opened around 1:00pm and grandparents are ready to go home by 3:00! HA- its always soo much fun to just hang out and especially spend time with them as you never know when their years are being numbered.

Now here comes the fun part: Christmas night is the immediate family Christmas- my step mom, daddy, me, Sam (step brother), Anna (step sister) and now Jeremy (my husband) and Emily (my brothers girlfriend) all do our Christmas. I always play Santa- I'm the baby of the family. We go around and open one present at a time, did I mention there is always a lot of beer and wine in this process?! It's just a FUN FUN time laughing listening to music and opening presents. My parents started a tradition several years ago- my dad buys $200 in lottery tickets and breaks them up evenly. We sit around at the kitchen table (mind you this is several hours and a bottle of wine(s) later) and scratch off our lotto tickets one by one. This might be hard to picture- but let me tell you.... It is the highlight of my year. My step mom is ALWAYS OCD to NOT throw away anything since we have been drinking, we are yelling and jumping around when we win something and just about every year we win our money back if not more. And SOMETIMES if we are feeling frisky we will either walk or if someone is still "good" we drive to the gas station and collect our winnings!

Now now before you judge and think this sounds extremely redneck and ridiculous it REALLY is soo much fun! After the stresses and hoopla of the holidays Christmas night for us is just a wonderful time to let loose relax and enjoy our family time. Not to mention it makes for some great stories the rest of the year!!

Now that I have written a novel- keep scrolling for some good ole wedding pictures that took ALL afternoon (no seriously) to upload! Can't wait to read all of yall's traditions!



Wedding Pictures- August 21, 2010

 My parents!

My grandparents- the most amazing people in the world

 First Kiss

 My Grandpa and I. No man can ever compare

 First dance

As promised here are some of our wedding pictures- these have now taken over 4 hours to upload! Hope you enjoy!!