LIFE SAVER... more like couch saver!

I have to share this with whoever reads my blog because it seriously saved my life this morning.

In no way am I kidding.

Jeb made biscuits and gravy this morning, and I was letting the steam settle off of mine when a crazy little black and white fur ball came galloping over to the couch and sending my plate of morning goodness right on to the cushion next to me.

Gravy and buttery biscuit ALL OVER the couch.

I panicked, nothing short of screaming, shoveling up all I could before a little pink tongue gobbled it all up, we were left with gravy spot after gravy spot.

Then it hit me, just recently I pinned a couch cleaner thinking I would try it out before our big Christmas gathering.

Ha! Can I just say what a life saver Pinterest is to me?!? I use it all the time, literally.

So I followed the pin to this blog:
 http://551eastdesign.blogspot.com/

and used her tutorial to "clean a microfiber couch using rubbing alcohol."

Worked like a charm!

Anyone who has a microfiber couch, this is the way to clean it.

Biscuits and gravy included.

Happy Monday!

Tis the Season, almost!

At this time every year it takes all I have to leave all the Christmas stuff packed up and Pandora off of the Christmas stations.

I made a vow (to myself) to wait until we get home, the Monday after Thanksgiving to decorate in all things merry and bright

AND… (sigh) to keep the buzzing of Christmas carols only in my head, even though Dish Network has already added the holiday music channels to our lineup.

In all honesty I am happy to do it because I really do dislike that Thanksgiving gets trampled on by all the bru-haha that comes with “the most wonderful time of the year.”

Thanksgiving is usually by far my favorite holiday but I normally forget that fact until after Christmas.

And still this year I am clinging to the way things were all of my years living with my parents. I so badly wish we were headed over the mountain Wednesday and were able to stay til “classes resumed” Monday, but I know this is another part of growing up.

Right now at 7:00pm on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, we still don’t have a clue what our plans are. AHHH!

My inner control freak is going nuts!

But, I am trying trying trying to be the quiet, understanding wife, who doesn’t nag about making plans.

Which includes pinning all kinds of Christmas “to-dos” on my Pinterest boards and cleaning.

Cleaning because there might be a chance we are going to spend Christmas here in Alamosa with both our families, and there is this little voice inside my head that thinks getting a head start on preparations will make a difference.

But let me get realistic with you for a minute,

1.   we have a 4 month old puppy who LOVES to shred paper, thanks to me, at the end of the election I got real sick of all the ads in our mailbox and started handing them over to Trip as soon as I walked in the door. Now that we have a paper box to start fires filled with junk mail we also have shards of news print everywhere.

2.  My husband is a WONDERFUL cook, and after the time change, he either beats me home or is right on my tail when I hit the driveway. So, he has been making dinner about 50% of the time or at least cooking the meat. Even though his meals are always so so tasty, the kitchen is such a disaster and a pain in my rear to clean. I love you Jeb & your cooking is the BEST!

3.  We live on a dirt road surrounded by hay fields, that are all dry and prepped for the freezing winter season, and at the back of our casa, (where we both park and where the door we primarily use is) the ground is so soft and stirs up dust flurries every time we pull in to our house.

4.  Last but not least, I hate laundry. (enough said.)

So cleaning now doesn’t change the fact that I will be doing it all again twice more before our parents come for Christmas.

Jeb finally caved in and helped me put up outside Christmas lights on our deck today; I think I hooked him by suggesting that today might be the last free day we have that is actually going to be warm.

He did make me promise not to turn them on until after Thanksgiving.

Once again I am so eager to go home. I and hoping that this time there will be more than enough time to spend with everyone. Realistically I know it’s not the case but I’ll take every minute I can get! 

End of October

today is just one of those days.

I am sitting here kicking myself because after the weekend we had, I don't have one single picture to show for it.

Believe me it was one for the books. 

Jeb and I both were able to get Friday (and Saturday for Jeb) off so we could take a road trip up North to see all our family.

We left Friday morning so we could meet Lacy in Pueblo just as she got off of work and we hit the road!

We spent the afternoon at my cousin Kati's visiting with her and her family. She had a baby boy 3 weeks ago and I COULD NOT wait to meet him! 

They had a Halloween party to go to that night so we met up with one of my very best friends and her fiance and Jeb's brother to play BINGO!

We really did have such a good time even though none of us won any money, we went back for the "late night" round to try our hand again. Didn't win anything that time either, but got to spend some more time together!

After watching a few episodes of Duck Dynasty with my Aunt Chris we called it a night.

The next morning we left kati's house after 2 rounds of hugs and kisses from Jackson and headed to my Grandparents

Saturday was my papa Jason's 80th birthday. We spent the morning chatting with him and my grandma about the wedding and all the happenings in their lives. 

My parents and Karly made it to my Grandma's house just in time for lunch. 

Just as we were about to sit down to big plates of nachos my aunt Becca and cousin Jake brought my other cousin Matt's daughter over to spend a little time with us.

She is so cute, it took her a little time to warm up to all of us, but when Jeb and I left to head for Ft. Collins she was being passed from person to person.

My parents, sister and family celebrated my Papa's birthday that night with dinner and a scrapbook full of memories from many people in my papa's life.

We met up with Jeb's parents, brother and girlfriend at Farm House, the fraternity that Tyler is president of. They had just finished up an afternoon snack of cinnamon rolls and hot cider. Perfect for a pre-game snack.

The 6 of us stopped by 5 guys before heading to the game just to make sure we were full to the brim.

The game was so cold! But, THEY WON! it turned out to be a pretty fun game to watch!

Jeb's friend Ian met us for the 2nd half of the game and for drinks at Potts after.

It was such a fun day!

Sunday we met Jeb's brother for breakfast before his alumni meeting and then went over to Buffalo Wild Wings for more food (ha!) and to watch the Eagles loose. Boo!

We had to head south after the game because we had an appointment in Castle-rock to pick up the cutest party favor EVER!

This is Trip! He's already settled right in to our little family!

Today, I am so thankful for my family. And the family I have joined.

My cousins are always inspiring me to be better. At everything, Kati and her family are settling into being a family of 4 and seem to be loving it. Her husband Chris is such a good dad, he even makes changing a dirty diaper into something so hilarious my sides started hurting. 

My grandparents try not to miss a beat in all of our lives, my papa had lots of questions about Jeb's job and how things were going. Both were so excited to hear about all the happenings with my sisters and I.

My mom made sure to send us on the road with some home-made goodies & I have never seen my dad so rested looking and at peace. I really think this fall has done him a lot of good.

My sisters are busy as always it was so good to spend some time with them. Jeb had a good time razzing them too!

Sam and Gail were so fun to talk with. Lots of laughter this weekend and I am so thankful I married into such a wonderful family.

Tyler and Robyn are as busy as my sisters are. It was really nice to see them for the game and evening.

Today, I can't help but want to move. Closer to all of our family. I know we are putting down roots here and the people we have met down here have really made this move easy. The time with our family is always so short lived, and that is why I think I always leave wanting more.

A little bit about MUAH

I haven’t blogged in a while for a few reasons.

UNO: my cowboy and I have different views about blogging, & info sharing in general, so I have “kindof” been thinking about deleting my blog.

And I for now have decided to keep it. I blog mostly for me and to inform people of what is going on in our little lives.

2: NOTHING EXCITING HAS BEEN HAPPENING!

Three: Lately I have been feeling a little used (professionally), insecure and negative, so to keep from whining I kept off my www.

And finally four:

I have been keeping myself busy reading other blogs. I currently have 3 new favorites, none of which I know personally. & I like that I have no idea who these ladies are in real life, it’s pretty refreshing.

The idea from this post comes from my MOST favorite blog right now Mama Laughlin.

http://www.mamalaughlin.com/

But, WARNING. She is a little crude and she calls it like it is 100 percent!

I absolutely LOVE her.

She has been my size heavy twice & found the motivation to lose it all to the size I would like to be.

If that isn’t motivation I don’t know what is…

A month ago she posted a blog called “If You Really Knew Me…”

I really liked the idea, here is my version.

If you really knew me you would know…

I follow recipes down to the 1/8 of a tsp

I prefer the actual CD instead of the online “download” version

I watch “The Real Housewives of…” EVERYWHERE and literally laugh out loud every episode

Sometimes, I feel like my skin is too thin to be a hair-dresser. My feelings get crushed when people take advantage of the skills I have achieved & when they gossip about the job I did instead of to my face.

I think the fact above is HUMAN and is allowed!

Although I have found different sources of inspiration to lose weight time & time again my tries are always short lived and I only become more discouraged.

I absolutely hate it when people try to give me “pep-talks” about my size and situation.

I want to own and manage my own salon one day.

After I have kids

I love big big dogs

I dislike any cold blooded living things. Spine shivering disgusting.

Lemonade that you can only get at fairs and festivals is my ALL TIME favorite drink.

I love the smell of cigarettes but can’t believe that people still smoke after the horrible commercials about what smoking can do to you.

I have 11 piercings all in my ears and only want one more. (In my right ear) then, I promise I am DONE

I bite the insides of both of my lips and both cheeks as well as the flesh around my nails, but have kicked my nail biting habit thanks to braces.

I’m not into lifestyle fads at all & prefer to do things the opposite of them to prove my point, if only to myself. I.e. I refuse to buy anything “organic” even when the sale price is cheaper than the not on sale non organic item.

I have been told on many occasions that I am “sexist” and have yet to be offended by it.

BUT find it disgusting when men, husbands, fathers, etc. etc. take advantage of women and when men think they are better than women.

I’d drive a diesel over a little smart car any day

It is a daily battle in my head to keep my hair long or cut it short.

I have a short temper easily defused by my husband’s comedic attempts.

I prefer to do my hair and make-up Indian style in front of a mirror where ever the best natural lighting is at that point of the day.

Stars are my favorite thing to decorate with.

Camouflage is my favorite color, although I have never been hunting.

I like frosting more than cake

I like a little bit of coffee to warm up my creamer

I feel most beautiful in tight pants and a loose shirt

I recently jumped on the extension train & looking into buying permanent extensions for myself for the first time ever!

I use Pinterest for ideas for my make-up and hair daily

And for recipes and decorations and Christmas gifts

I love giving especially to the ones I feel closest too

I believe in God & have a personal relationship with my savoir.

This weekend we are headed to Pueblo for a horse show. ALL of our family will be there as well! I am so so so excited to see everyone for the first time since our wedding!

County Road 12 South

This

is our casa!

The place we reside

Where we call home

Our living room, if you look to the left when you come in our front door.

This is the entry way from the kitchen

Our living room

Sorry its such a bad picture.

Zee Kitchen

our dinning room, with our Fiesta ware (which we LOVE!)

Dinning room wall and hall way to the guest bathroom & 2 guest rooms

 

This bathroom might be my favorite room of the whole house, our land-lords told us we could re-paint if we hated the color but, I thought it was perfect for the shower curtain I got on CLEARANCE!!! at Target a year ago (just cuz I liked it so much!)

These are the two guest rooms, Jeb dubbed the smaller one on the west side of the house my "craft room" so it has all of my junk but needs a bed if anyone has one to get rid of!

This room gets so much sunlight & has a direct view to the best neighbors, (More on them later,) But ALSO needs a bed! (wink wink!)

Our bedroom is on the south side of the house, through the door next to the TV

We got to pick the colors for our room & I love it! Jeb does too, but I seriously love turning on the lamps by our bed every evening & really like how cozy if feels in there!

Our moms' found the comforter and pillow set on sale in PA last summer, & my dad made us the night stands as part of our wedding present! The dresser below was the third piece. Jeb started it in High School wood shop & my dad finished it for us!

our bathroom and WONDERFUL closet is on the south west side of the house

Our bathroom is the only room in the house that isn't remodeled, so we hope if we stay here long enough our land-lords will let us tackle the project!

AND the best biggest closet I have ever had! 

Now, meet our neighbors!

I refer to them as "the girls" 

These two are my favorite! They are so friendly.

One last thing, I need to introduce you to "the beast"!

This was our wedding gift from Jeb's parents and we LOVE it! Grilling is our favorite way to prepare meals!

Here are a few more pictures from our place

 

 And lastly, my favorite part of Jeb's job

Viva Las Vegas!

I just realized I never posted pictures from our honeymoon in Vegas!

Better late than never I guess.

We left Monday July 9^th in the afternoon.

My parents and sisters dropped us off at the airport.

The first night we walked down from our hotel to the Hard Rock Café where we watched local music acts & got to look at work from local artists.

      

We ventured into the casino, where I found the Johnny Cash “case” and Jeb tried his hand at the black jack table.

Tuesday we slept in, went to the pool & stupidly walked across the UNLV to In & Out Burger for lunch. (we’re talking like 2 bazillion miles in a record setting heat of 115 degrees.)

I slept for 3 hours before we headed out of the evening, our first night on the strip!

We ate dinner at Toby Keith’s Bar & Grill & walked about half of the strip.

Jeb gambled some more & I tried some slot machines, with no such luck.

Thursday, we headed to strip late afternoon where we had one of the BEST sundaes I have EVER had!

Wandered the strip some more, and found our favorite game, which was at New York, New York. 

It was called Casino War, & it was as easy as turning over a card! Perfect for me, I won $100.00 on $20. I was pretty impressed with myself but learned what a safe player I am, because every time I was about to spend my 2^nd to last $10.00 chip I would freak out a tiny bit, on the inside only! (I do have an OK poker face!)

One of the most comical & annoying part of the strip was, everyone trying to make a buck.

Some were pretty good, dressing up as Transformers, Iron Man, & other figures that are sure to catch the eye of a kiddo or movie fan.

Vegans Inhaling Porterhouse so funny!

Others… well were just really yucky & sad. My heart twinged every time someone tried to sell a CD or “the next best thing” to us. I was however grateful that most of the offers were directed to Jeb. And that every offer Jeb turned down he used the words “No thank you” and “sir or Maam”

Gahh! Whadda guy!

THEN others were almost offensive. “Your donation keeps me off probation!” umm, no.

The constant tick of the papers that had all the naked girls wasn’t to fun either.

BUT there was no way that we were going to let it ruin experiencing all we could.

We decided instead of a show, we got tickets to a “double feature” in the Luxor to see the Titanic Exhibit and Body Works.

I loved the Titanic Exhibit, it brought me right back to Elementary School, when I was OBSESSED with the Titanic and yes, Jack and Rose!  I was surprised how much the Body Works exhibit made my stomach turn.

 I liked it & would for sure see it again but was thankful when Jeb said we should go see the Aquarium at The Mandalay Bay before eating at a WAYYYY expensive buffet to get the “Vegas buffet” experience.

I was also happy Jeb picked that day to eat dinner at a buffet, so I didn’t waist a good meal on an upset stomach. I did feel a little guilty we paid as much for it as we did!

Friday, we went back to the strip for lunch at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, and let me tell you! We FOR SURE saved the best for last!

If you go to Vegas, be sure to stop by for at least a Pink Cadillac Margarita if not for a burger and fries. So so good!

We went to the M&M store,

 

the Coca-Cola store, took a picture with our “Bride and Groom” hats on at the Bellagio,

 

ate dinner at the PBR Bar and Grill & hit Margaritaville one more time before we said goodbye to Vegas.

Our flight was at 8 the next morning.

Gail picked us up at the airport with flowers in hand. It was very nice to see a face we knew & get into a clean car.

She took us to the Toby Keith’s Bar and Grill in Denver for lunch, Jeb & I agreed that the one in Vegas blew the one in Denver out of the water. But we were thankful for a lower paced meal.

We spent the day spending our wedding gift cards & met my parents at Ikea to spend a little more wedding money!

We met our friend Ian for dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner and headed to Westcliffe for the night.

We moved to Alamosa the next day, but I will save that adventure for the next post!  

 I would like to thank Chris and Kati for the trip. It was so kind of you guys to give us your time share, we are still so thankful for what you two have done for us! We love you!