:: foto friday :: 2011–Our Year. The Recap.

I saw this floating around on different blogs last year so I wanted to steal it and do it here.  This year has FLOWN by.  Even though wedding planning was a big part of this year, we tried our best to mix in things that we’re unrelated to wedding planning and just enjoy each other’s company.  I tried to include pictures as much as I could…. but Kyle hates cameras and is not photogenic so it made it harder than I thought.

January:  Um…. I am not so sure if we really did anything in January other than house hunt and look at 4 million houses and decide to not move into a house with a pool (which I regretted once the southern summers came), we packed to move, played the Wii, and watched Auburn unfortunately win the National Championship. 

February:  We moved into our 1st house.  Yeah… it is a rental house, but it is still our 1st house.  It has a great big backyard for our dog, with doggie doors so Mulligan can come and go as he pleases and it feel great to have so much space and not be on top of each other.  Our neighbors are nice (even though they’re Auburn fans) and the neighborhood is nice and quiet which is a good change for living right off of Peachtree.  We signed a 2 year lease so it is a good thing we like it. HA!

March:  I got my wedding dress and probably kept it on for close to 45 minutes.  I love it.  It is gorgeous and in 3 months everyone gets to see it.  YAY!  It has the vintage, romantic feel that I wanted, but it has a touch of youngness to it.  I ended up getting a veil since my mom wanted it, but that is fine.  I plan on ditching it right after pictures and only wearing it in some pictures.

We also celebrated our “365 days till we’re married” day.  And we of course went to Medieval Times because we (or me) love that place and because that is where we got engaged.  Once again, our knight lost. We always have the yellow knight and he always loses.  What a let down.  We kind of talked the whole way through because if you have seen it once you have seen it a million times, it does not change. So we have decided to not go back for a few years or until we have kids old enough to go and appreciate it.

April:   ….I cannot think of anything we did in April. (Yeah… I started this midway though the year – that is why January and April are LAME!!)  OH – we did get a minister.  That is exciting right?! 

May:  Kyle and I LOVE Zac Brown and I had always said that I would love to see him in concert.  Well, I was given the opportunity to go see him and sit in a VIP box from one of our vendors.  We went with 2 other couples from my office.  We of course had a good time, but it was a total bummer that we had to leave early.  Note to self: once we have kids and go out with friends who are kidless, don’t suggest to go home early… the kidless couple won’t want to bow out early, but they will. =)

Kyle and I also took a trip to Tuscaloosa to help with tornado relief efforts.  We helped with the animal shelter and sorted donations in a warehouse/distribution center.  Though we felt like we did a lot and accomplished a lot… in the grand scheme of things, I feel like we did very little.  It was a great trip and a great experience.  That town needs a lot of support and help and will need it for awhile.  I hope the volunteers continue to flow in.

Oh. And we started our wedding registry at Crate and Barrel.  Kyle acted like a child because he got bored and I realized that registering for wedding gifts is a lot more overwhelming than I thought it would be.  Plus it is kind of weird asking for SO many things.

June:  Kyle and I got dressed up all fancy schmancy and went to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Man and Woman of the Year Gala. It was fun to get dressed up and go to a big charity function to support a cause that means a lot to me …. and we were celebrating my friend Mitzi being in remission for 10 years!  YEAH!  We participated in the silent auction (and didn’t win anything), people watched, and I learned that the dress I chose for my bridesmaid can be worn again.  There were about 4+ girls in the black version of it. 

We also continued registering for wedding gifts.  This time at Target.  It was chaotic and Kyle as on horrible behavior so he became uninvited for future wedding registering events.  Rawr. But we registered for a lot of useful things and things that will be much needed.  And I really hope someone gets me the Magic Bullet {{update :: i got it for christmas}}.

AND!!  We sent our save the dates out to all our wedding guests (with a little bit of panicking thanks to them being magnets and mailboxes being metal). This was a total accomplishment since we (well, I) had been dragging my feet on them since I couldn’t decide on what picture to use. I knew which save the date I wanted, but I couldn’t decided on a picture. But, with Kyle’s help I made a decision they came in, and they got mailed out.  When they came in the mail I was so so so excited with the final product and so excited to send them out to our guests that I sent them out a month early!  Whoops! And I was really excited about the custom cupcake stamps and the personalized Kyle and Barbie return address stamp. I was so excited to hear the positive feedback from so many of our guests (and to know they were not stuck in USPS purgatory)! We hope everyone liked them and that they’re still on your refrigerator!

July:  We took a REAL quick trip home to Northern Virginia to see Kyle’s parents and mine.  It was a good break from reality and it was good to see Kyle’s parents since we rarely get to see them.  Lots of chatter about wedding decisions – didn’t share my dress with them – and the wedding in general.  I got to go run Burke Lake which could be one of my favorite running spots.

We spent part of a Sunday knocking more things off our knot.com “to do list” – my parents came down from Northern Virginia and we all headed to the venue for a “Bridal Extravaganza” to taste food and cake.  We also headed back to McDonough for some major wedding planning and decision making. 

August:  Kyle brought home a cute little dog that had been abandoned by its parents (car drove into neighborhood. neighbors heard a bark. saw car drive off. spotted new dog. sad. some people do not deserve pets) one Monday and left the decision to ME on what to do with her.  I could not put her at animal control knowing her family was not looking for her and knowing that in 5 days she would be put to sleep so we got our 1st and only foster dog and named her Kennesaw (after where Kyle got her). I of course got super attached and cried for hours when I learned that she was finding her furever home and was a hot mess the day I had to hand her over to her new mom.   But not even 24 hours later I got a call telling me that Kennesaw was not going to work out & that she was not getting along with the cats on the farm; therefore, she would have to come back to Atlanta.  Kyle and I just decided to just keep her and make her a permanent member of our family because I couldn’t handle the handing her over again and we both didn’t want to put her through the adoption events again.  So… as of August 30th we are a 2 dog house! =) 

September:  What a lazy lazy month for us.  We really just enjoyed each other’s company, got on each other’s last nerve, tried to get used to having 2 dogs, and watching a lot of football.  It was kind of nice to not really have anything on the schedule, but the month somehow still flew right by.

So many wedding details came together – welcome bags ordered and came to my house.  All the apothecary jars for the candy buffet were bought.  Candy was starting to collect.  Match books bought.  Koozies bought and delivered.  Wedding gift for Mom chosen. Wedding day gift for Kyle chosen. Bridesmaid’s gifts completed. Invitations selected.  September was a REALLY successful wedding planning month.

October:  My good good friend and one of my bridesmaids got married in early October at a gorgeous gorgeous church and the Fabulous FOX Theater here in Atlanta.  I was SO excited to be part of Chrissy’s big day.  She looked fabulous and the wedding was amazing and of course I cried when her dad handed her off to Matt.  Chrissy seriously has the nicest friends and Kyle and I buddied off with another engaged couple.  Kyle and I had a great time dancing and laughing at people and we realized that this is our last wedding until ours. By 11:00 we were EXHAUSTED so I can only imagine how tired we will be on our wedding day.  But…. Yay for Chrissy & Matt – we wish them many years of happiness!!

I also wanted to find a pumpkin patch, so we could carve pumpkins for our house and because when living in Virginia we went to a pumpkin patch and had a lot of fun.  Well, I found one down in McDonough and it was GREAT! It had an awesome corn maze that Kyle ruined the fun in (kidding. kinda) by telling me that you take all right turns. At first we were rock paper scissoring it at each turn to decide who chose the next turn, but since I dressed like “fall” in a sweater and boots I was getting hot. We rode the hayride and went down the slide and the best part was the corn cannons when you had to shoot corn out of a cannon. I hit the target and Kyle did not, so I had fun taunting him and yelling Champion! =D And we of course got 2 awesome pumpkins to carve!

November:  November was rather uneventful.  We went home, of course, for Thanksgiving to Northern Virginia. It was a quick trip as always, but it was sentimental for me because I knew next year I wouldn’t be at Thanksgiving dinner with my family.  you never realize how much your family means to you and how much you love them until you have to think about not doing a holiday with them.  It was the 1st trip home with both the dogs and it was really not that bad.

December: We celebrated our 1st Christmas in our house! And even thought it is just our rental house it is / was so nice to not have our whole living room taken up by a tree.  We of course celebrated our Christmas early (which is going to be weird not doing next year) and then we headed home to Virginia for the holidays.  This was our last holiday apart so it was all just bittersweet.  December was pretty boring as well, but we enjoyed wrapping the presents and decorating our house. 

Ok… I had planned for this to be cliff notes, but it was pretty much a play by play of our year (well, what I could remember of it before I started this in may). next year will be better. promise.

:: thursday thoughts ::

oh Thursday. you have been expensive.

1.  today i spent $1042.96 on my car.  i died a little inside.  not only did i need 2 new front tires and a new drive belt, but i also needed an alignment and something about my coolant, transition fluids, and differential fluids.  i am officially poor for January and A LOT of my Christmas money has gone to fixing big black.  And they also told me I need a fuel injection service and something about a tune up.  There is a VERY big chance they're taking advantage of me because I am a lady.

This month I also need to:

• Finish paying off the Honeymoon
• Buy Kyle's Wedding Band
• Pay for the Marriage license(s)
• Pay for the dry cleaning I dropped off this morning.  this is meant to be funny.

Long story short - I am gonna be POOR after this month is over with.  I need a part time job!

2.  Brighter, happy notes and news.  The candy buffet at our wedding is going to look fabulous and I am so excited about it.  Granted, putting the labels and ribbons on is going to make me go cross eyed, it is all 100% worth it.  I am not so sure there will be any taffy left by March so we may have to buy more (it is oh so good) but all in all, it is looking good!  =D 

3.  Can you believe that this is the LAST WEEK of the year?  Where has 2011 gone? I can't believe that we're so close to to 2012 and then I am so close to getting married.  Officially - we are 86 days away.  And the fact that people are asking about our registries and where to stay legit means it is getting closer and closer. 

4.  We booked our engagement photo session.  Friday January 13th in the city.  It is going to be cold so I need to figure out what to wear.  That day is actually going to be really really busy because we're doing wedding rings and marriage licenses and engagement photos all in one day.  Phew there is a lot to do when you get married.

5.  Kyle and I had a REALLY good trip home.  It was good to see family and just spend time away from the hustle and bustle that is life in Atlanta.  The trip back home was painful - evidently there was a bowl game in Charlotte the night we passed through which would explain all the traffic.  But as good as it is to get away, it was good to get home and back to the groove that is our life.

how cute are these thank you cards?

ok. legit. I NEED these thank you cards (of course they would say future mrs. shanahan).  How flipping cute are these?  I need them so much that I have misspelled the word "these" all 4 times I have tried to type it.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/76370114/future-mrs-thank-you-cards-for-the-bride

January is going to be oh so busy.

January is going to be a crazy month in the Vines-Shanahan house.  Not only do I start traveling for work and head to both Florida and St. Louis - but the wedding things are intense and off the charts.

January 6th :: 1st wedding dress fitting & dinner with a bridesmaid to exchange Christmas presents oh so late and catch up.

January 8 - 11th :: work travel.  Kyle gets to fly solo with the dogs.  Bless him.

January 13th :: Kyle and I are taking the day off and getting our marriage license (eeeek) and our wedding rings (even bigger eeeeek) .... talk about 2 events in the wedding planning that scream oh my goodness we're getting married!! .... and then we're meeting our photographer at 3:00 for engagement photos in the city.  Topped off with an early dinner because we're gonna be oh so tired.

January 22nd - 24th  :: more work travel.

January 29th :: My first (and main) wedding shower.  =D  I guess that means I need to buy some amazing thank you notes so I can get those written and out quickly after.

....and mix in there work and wedding work outs and I have to have 2 more dinners with 2 other wedding party ladies to give them their christmas presents!!  I think January will FLY right by!

Ee Iiii Yeaah!!

That is excitement!

People are starting to make hotel reservations! =D  Yeahhhhh!! We have some confirmed wedding guests, people want to see Kyle and me get hitched!!

2012 Goals

I am not going to even revisit my 2011 goals.  If you want to find them - read them whatever - I am gonna make you dig for them.  Sure 2011 is not over yet, but by the looks of my DailyMile training it has sucked when it came to working out and putting the miles down.  Highest monthly miles: 14.  Wowzas.

So in 2012 I am not gonna stress about it. I am getting married in March and that needs to be my main focus.  I do have a half marathon on the books for February which I need to really get some miles in, but all in all 2012 I am just gonna try to find the joy of running and get working out back into my life.  So if that means I only do 1 half, then so be it.

Goal #1 :: Feel REALLY pretty on my wedding day.  I of course want to look good, but I don't want to stress myself out over missed workouts for the next 3 months.

Goal #2 :: Find a work out routine that I love and stick to it.  Mix up the running and the cross training.

Goal #3 :: Run my half marathon in February.  In 2011 I "skipped" / DNS'ed all of my halfs.  I don't want to be a quitter anymore.

Goal #4 :: Run 20 mile months at the very least.  That is 5 miles per week.  That is do able. 

And that is it.  I didn't want to set too many or aim too high.  I want to be comfortable in 2012.

Wedding Update.

I just realized that I have not done a real true wedding update in FOREVER.  And since the main point of this blog (currently) is to keep friends and family updated on my wedding plans I guess I should update you all.

1.  A month or so ago my Mom and Dad came down to Georgia for my flower appointment.  I think it went well.  We hashed out a lot.  But then of course, a week or so later I started second guessing everything.  I LOVE my bouquet and all the bouquets and boutonnieres, but I ditched the idea of Shepperd hooks along the aisles.  I think the centerpieces for the tables are gorgeous.  I just get nervous because I TOLD the woman handling the flowers what I want, yet she did not put arrangements together for me to eyeball.  And being the control freak that I am I will either be super happy or not thrilled at all. In my life - there really is no in between.  And I am still wondering if I should move the ceremony site out of fear that it (a) rains or (b) is too cold.  ...I seriously need to take a chill pill.

2.  I was supposed to have my dress fitting a few weeks ago, but per the usual, the salon was unable to keep an appointment and it has been pushed to the 9th of January.  

3.  Speaking of the dress boutique.  They gave me the HEART ATTACK OF THE CENTURY when I found out they ordered the wrong dress then that they did not order the wrong dress.  If the dresses come in and they are not a douponi navy I may just fall over and die.  I hate bridesmaid dresses and the douponi is the only fabric that does not scream "bridesmaid dress".  Le sigh.

4.  Happier news:  I started putting the tags on our candy buffet and all I can say is LOVE.  Seriously, the woman I bought them from on Etsy is nothing but marvelously crafty.

5.  Wedding invites - they should be going out after the 1st of the year.  I think I will be addressing them by the tons over the holidays.  Weeeeeeee.

6.  My wedding showers are on the books.  The BIG one is January 29th and the my work one is sometime in February.  I guess it is time to start cleaning out the kitchen and closets to make room for new and improved stuff.  And it is time to start buying cutesy thank you notes.

7.  There are 97 more days till the wedding.  97.   

8.  Have I mentioned in the past that I chose a wedding cake and that I L-O-V-E it?!  Well.  I did and it is amazing.  And I would like to thank Pinterest for helping me discover it. 

9.  I am trying to get our engagement pictures on the books but with the holidays and my soon to be insane work / travel schedule this is proving to be hard.  And it appears that our photographer does engagement sessions on week days.  So I think Kyle and I will be taking a day off work in January to go ring shopping and smile for round 2 of engagement pictures.  He is oh so thrilled. 

10.  Last and most important:  I have some of the most amazing girls in my bridal party.

Dear Trip Home To VA:

I would like to run and not lay in bed watching Netflix and reading the whole time I am home.  And since I will not have the dogs, there are no excuses why I cannot get a run in at least on Christmas Eve and the Monday after Christmas.  I do have a hair cut Friday morning (at a mall, what was I thinking!?) and dinner with one set of Kyle's parents but I must run some.

I am doing Pure Barre tomorrow morning and today at work I started trying to book myself up for January - March (nothing like a wedding get in shape and be pretty cram fest :: reminds me of college exam time) but their system is whack and wouldn't let me only book under the 'Baby Bounce Back Package'.  =/

As you know, I did get a run in on my work trip this week - but other than that I am sucking it up with the running and this holiday booty buster challenge thing.

I am gonna get a run in on Sunday after Kyle and I do our Christmas.  There is a lot that I need to run off.  This week has been a hard one.

Greenboro Work Trip.

Whenever I travel I always BRING my work out clothes and if I get a work out in... that is impressive.  But I made a point to try and get a run in.
We got to Greensboro early evening Sunday night and after dinner at Mellow Mushroom and a beer, we headed back to the hotel to call it a night.  I got the "brilliant" idea to hit the treadmill before bed.  Totally forgetting what I had had for dinner oh 40 minutes earlier.  It made for a semi uncomfortable run and after about 2.5 miles I called it quits. 
I really wish that it wasn't so cold (or that I had brought better outdoor running gear) and that it was not dark so early because I would have loved to run Downtown Greensboro where we were staying.  But to run it in the dark... not so much.

The working out on this trip was less than impressive, I blame the fact that I had a travel buddy - but I am going to make my trip to Florida and St. Louis more exercise-ish.

thursday thoughts.

This week really has been a chore thus far.  Monday did not go smoothly at all and Tuesday was a train wreck at work.  I guess all week cannot go well right?  But (as you know)... Kyle and I did put up the Christmas tree this past weekend and a Christmas tree just makes everything better.  I also joined the iPhone world (thanks to my company paying for $150 of it) and never have I had a phone that outsmarts me before! =D

1. do you know what sucks? knowing you want a new car and need a new car but realizing that you really cannot afford a car payment right now. ...correction: a car payment on a suv and you really want is a suv. (and really what i want want is a Volvo CX90) ... so i will be holding onto big old black 1 more year and I guess i will just be buying myself 2 new tires and replacing that cracked belt.  and holding onto this car for another year.  le sigh, being an adult sucks.  

2.  I am pretty sure if there was a casting director for Bridezillas near me on Monday I would have been instantly offered a spot on the show.  The poor manager at Demetrios got the end of my frustrations about my vendors and their inability to keep a scheduled appointment.  Long story short: Demetrios called to "reschedule" my dress fitting Friday and instead of calling to see if it would be ok to change and then keeping the appointment (a la Hazlehurst House) they just cancelled all together.  And hi. hello.  I am traveling for work next week, then home for the holidays, and then it is 2012.  So yeah. My new 1st dress fitting: January 6th.  I should have taken the house or the car that my dad offered because this wedding planning thing sucks. But seriously, when I was in sales I NEVER cancelled appointments.  I found a way to be there or sent someone in my place.  It is rule #1 of customer service -- value your client's time.

3.  I started putting our candy bar together this past weekend.  Not putting candy in the jars (since the wedding is 107 days off) but attaching the tags to the jars and of my goodness do they look cute.  I absolutely LOVE them.  If you're having a candy bar at your wedding (or any event) and need tag/labels I totally recommend Sweet Talk Designs on Etsy.  I legit, could not be happier with the final outcome.  I love them so much I am going to use the same lady to make the to-go candy bags.

4.  I also started wrapping up some bridesmaid's gifts this past weekend. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE what I have gotten my ladies.  I cannot wait till the bridesmaid brunch to give them their gifts!  In fact, I love them so much I added part of them to my Christmas list & bought another part for myself. 

5.  I feel like in general I am a pretty neurotic person.  Kyle always tells me that I immediately hit the "panic button" ...  well I am still wondering about the weather in March. I feel like the floral design we did for our ceremony site would look AWFUL inside if it rained or was too cold to get married outside .... so I am beginning to wonder if I should move the ceremony site from the fireplace to the big brick wall and do something like this (minus all those weird green bushes on the left): 

So, have the two arrangements at the top of the aisle then the clothy looking thing at the end.  That would transfer inside beautifully.  Seriously, I an neurotic.  But half of me REALLY wants to price this out because with the way all the wedding planning is going (cancelled appointments, trying to reschedule appointments) it is bound to hurricane on my wedding day.

6.  Oh and in good news - Kennesaw went to daycare last Friday and did WONDERFULLY! =D  So she is cleared the spend the night.  She is going tomorrow (with out her big brother) to see how she does on her own.  But they told me last week that she just played and played.  They are still on wait lists at both day care and the vet for holiday boarding so it looks like they will have to make one last trip to VA with us ... however, they're going to stay with Kyle's Mom and not me.  They may be at my house for less than 24 hours (dropped off afternoon of Christmas, gone the day after Christmas).  That is all kinda an added holiday stress that we're about to have to deal with.  We know for next Thanksgiving & Christmas -- make the reservations early!

I cannot believe that we're 107 days away from the wedding.  Soon we will be in the double digits only.  I

it's the most wonderful time of the year

We decorated for the holidays!!  We put our tree up this past Sunday and ate clam chowder (as a tradition) and listened to Christmas music and put all the gifts under the tree!  And wrapped more presents for our families!!  It was quite the festive weekend!!

I love our tree and all our ornaments.  And the best part of our ornaments is that every one of them has a meaning behind then :: whether they were passed down from family, given to us as gifts, plucked off my parent's trees, or *my favorite* given to each other as gifts ... they all have a meaning.  I am curious what my ornament is this year ... kyle had to order it for me...

our beautiful tree!! =D

Stockings were hung by the chimney with care!

I hope everyone has a good holiday season!!

Because I'm Having a Bad Day...

I wanted to share this.  Who can have a bad day when both your dogs got to sit on Santa's lap at Doggie Daycare with funny things around their necks?!  I love those little guys!!

Happy 3rd Birthday Mulligan!!

In honor of Mulligan's 3rd birthday {I feel like we have had him for wayyy more than 3 years} I am posting pictures of him growing up into the stapping young man that he is today.  Happy Birthday Bigs!

Mulligan's 1st Snow!

Napping with his Momma! We both have baby blankets!

1st and only baby pool that he destroyed

with his brother - believe it or not

happy dog!! big smiles!

cone of shame!

winter coat that he hates *sorry mom*

Here is to many more years and laughter and fun and fabulous pictures with Mr. Mulligan!!

5th Year Anniversary Surprise!

I have been thinking about my 5th anniversary gift to Kyle for a while now.  We’re celebrating 5 years on February 27th – a little less than a month before we tie the knot and I kinda want to do something awesome for the big 5 years!  (Honestly, I cannot believe it has been 5 years – it feels like we’ve been together forever at times and other times it feels like it has been 5 months!)

And I think I have figured out just the right thing and given that it is less than a month out from the wedding I know it will be much needed (probably more for me than him, but still).  I so badly want to spill the beans and all the details here, but I can’t.  Even though I would be REALLY surprised if Kyle read this or checked up on this but still … not willing to take that risk.  But some February I will give you all the details and post pictures.  I know.  I know.  The suspense will kill you! :)

"it doesn't matter if the guy is perfect. or if the girl is perfect. as long as they are perfect for each"

weather wednesday

I am losing my mind thinking about the weather in March 2012.  So much so that I have turned to the farmer's almanac and am thinking about buying the long range weather.  But so far this is what I have found.  Of course March is not listed.  But April and May will be cooler than normal so does that mean I will be destined for a cold outdoor wedding?  Please say noooooo.

Annual Weather Summary: November 2011 to October 2012

Winter temperatures will be near or slightly above normal, with below-normal precipitation and near-normal snowfall. The coldest periods will be in mid-December and early and mid-February. The snowiest periods will be in mid-December and early February.

April and May will be cooler than normal, especially in the west, with much-above-normal rainfall in the southeast and near-normal rainfall elsewhere.
Summer will be much cooler than normal, with above-normal rainfall. The hottest temperatures will be in mid- to late July and mid-August.
September and October will be much cooler and drier than normal, despite a hurricane threat in early to mid-September.

Oh the wedding registry fun.

So.  Kyle and I want one thing - for the gift giving experience to be easy.  I feel like it is not too much to ask for a big company to have their website working and in order.  But Target, they just cannot seem to get their website working and working all the time.

Example: You try to pull up Kyle & my registry.  It thinks.  And then pulls up the pretty heart background. And then it is just death.  NOTHING HAPPENS. You cannot see the registry, you don't know what is on it forcing you to go to the store rather than shop online.  Sure... if you're planning on bringing the gift to a shower or the wedding going in store is not a big deal.  But if you want it shipped to me, good freaking luck ... you may want to try one of our other registries.

And well since I have not been able to access my registry nor has a handful of my wedding guests (who ended up going elsewhere after letting me know that it does not work) we have made the decision to delete our Target registry.  The stuff from Target can be bought elsewhere so it really is not worth all the frustration.  So Target, if one of your social media or PR people happen to stumble across this, your new and improved website is pretty much a failure that 99% of people are annoyed with.  And sadly, because of its shortcomings you have lost a registry.  Sure, in the grand scheme of things I am just one person ... but it only takes one person to start a snowball effect. 

So. If you're wondering - we moved all our Target items to Bed Bath and Beyond and some of the kitchen items also to Crate & Barrel.

Holiday Booty Buster - Week 1

...was a total failure.  But, I am going to blame the fact that I went home to VA and had to be a single mother to 2 dogs. 

I got in 2.36 running miles = 2 points
And then you get 1 point for 15 minutes of low impact cardio (I read that as dog walks and oh did I walk some dogs) ... so I added in 5, 15 minute dog walks = 5 points.

7 points total.  Which is not the lowest, but it is also not impressive.

And currently - it is raining outside.  But that doesn't matter... my workout clothes are by the door. 

And I also now have an impromptu trip to Birmingham for work on Wednesday so I will try and get something in there. Oi.

How I get points:
1 Point per mile (run/walk)
1 Point per 3 miles biked
1 Point per 20 minutes of weight lifting, Pilates, yoga, stretching or abs 
1 Point per 15 minutes of low impact cardio (i.e. low impact aerobics, easy biking, skiing, skating, water aerobics, snow shoeing)
1 Point per 10 minutes of high impact cardio (i.e.spinning, kickboxing, lap swimming)
1 Per day where you reach a minimum of 7 servings of fruits and veggies (here are details on what is a serving)

foto friday :: our little super model

I just found this picture in the archives of our doggy daycare photo archives.  I mean Kennesaw hams it up for the camera.  This girl poses - what a sass face!

Tuesday Thoughts.

Since Thursday is Thanksgiving - I doubt I will get a Three Things Thursday out since that will be a family day - so I decided to do Tuesday Thoughts ... and I will not be limited to just 3 things.  I am still in total shock that we are about to be in December.  Like where has 2011 gone?  Time flies the older you get.  =/

1.  We are leaving for Northern Virginia today after work.  We = Me. Kyle. And the 2 dogs.  I am getting a little anxious about the two dogs because I will have to have them the whole time.  I am trying to make Kyle take them on Friday night - Saturday, but so far I am losing that battle. Having the 2 dogs really makes it impossible to run (really having 1 dog does this too) and there are some routes I really like back home.  I just feel REALLY bad dumping the dog(s) on my parents when I know they're more of a pain than anything.

2.  During the week I feel like I am REALLY good at hydrating myself - on the weekends I feel like I am really bad at it.  I don't know why, but I am.  So, I really really want this.  I am probably going to fall into some big amazing marketing ploy & it won't really actually work.    But it is worth a shot?  ...Or I can make a bigger effort to just drink water on the weekends?

3.  I need a December race.  If you're in Atlanta start suggesting.  I don't want to do the one in the Highlands because I predict parking will be a total nightmare and I like my pre-race activities to be stress free.

4.  The Run to the Finish - Holiday Booty Buster Challenge started this past weekend.  And I meant to run this weekend, I really did.  But then I got consumed with Football and Christmas Shopping and Christmas Movies (thanks Hallmark Channel) and dogs and super tiredness and laundry and packing to go home to VA and bathing the dogs.  HOWEVER - I got some miles in at lunch on Monday.  I was not going to let this week go by with 0 miles and 0 working out.  Those miles were not pretty, but they are done!

5.  All I want for Christmas is a new Road ID.  Seriously, especially if I am going to be running outside in the Perimeter Mall area on lunch breaks.  These stay at home moms in big SUVs are scary.  I feel like I am destined to be hit by a car (even in a crosswalk).  Therefore, I would like to have some sort of ID on me.  And I lost my old one ... and I want my new one to have my blood type on it.  And I want the one that attaches to my shoe (that way I cannot lose it).

6.  I need both Pure Barre and Blast 900 to have crazy holiday sales. I want to bring both back into my life after the 1st of the year -- especially Pure Barre, but the classes are so expensive I have a hard time justifying them.  Especially Pure Barre because I feel like you have to go a lot to see results, but I feel like Pure Barre will help the most to make me wedding dress pretty.  I wish things like that were not crazy expensive, I have bills and life to pay for.


....oh how exhausted am I. 

Oi. Oi. Oi.

Of course - Kennesaw is scared of daycare.  She LOVES one on one play but the craziness of all the dogs freaks her out.  When I called to "check on her" since we saw her against the blue wall pretty much all day they just said she is really shy and overwhelmed and daycare is not for every dog.  But we NEED her to love it.  She has to stay there over our honeymoon.  Right now they said she cannot stay overnight... it would cause too much stress.  I can hear my dad now you never should have gotten a 2nd dog.

BLAST!

I bought Grinch tickets for the same day as the SEC Championship!!  ....so much for a date night.  I would still go but Kyle told me sorry.  You know how I said Kyle really loves me since he agreed to go to see The Grinch.  Obviously Kyle does not love me enough to miss a football game (kidding).

Now I need to find buyers for my tickets and parking.  If anyone knows anyone who is interested in 2 tickets to The Grinch - December 3 - 8:00 PM at The Fox.  Let me know.

But I am sad about these recent developments.

Foto Friday :: Wedding Hair - Ideas!

As it gets closer and closer to the wedding day I have to start thinking more and more about my hair.  1st I would like to say, my hair is currently longer than it has been in a long time.  I cannot remember having it this long and I kinda like it (as does Kyle) ... so I may keep some length to my hair post wedding. we shall see...

Anyway.  I have decided on one thing about my hair.  It is going to be down.  I HATE when girls wear their veil down low because they have a low hairstyle and since I have a veil that means no low hair style.  But with down it looks so lame straight and boring which means I will need curls.  And my hair - yeah, it does not hold curls; therefore, I will need extensions.  But I am going to have the extensions cut and then died to my hair color.  But extensions will give me curls.  (Ok, maybe I have decided on 3 things about my hair 1. down. 2. curls. 3. extensions)  ....but that leaves me with the most important part: how will I have it styled.

MY THOUGHTS:

Yes I know they are all VERY similar.  Especially the last 2 - but this is where my mind is going.  That way I can attach the veil above where the hair criss crosses and then I can ditch the veil post ceremony and still have amazing hair.  But I do like the curls in the 3rd picture the most because they do not seem as tight, but I may need tight curls with the hops they fall but not fall too much.

And I would like to thank pinterest for giving me all these ideas.

Three Things Thursday.

Can you believe that next Thursday is Thanksgiving?!  I am wondering where 2011 is going and I am SLACKING on the Christmas shopping this year.  So, I need to get in gear!

And I am REALLY excited about today because on of my girls is pregnant and she is having her gender reveal party tonight and I cannot wait to hear if it is a boy or a girl so I can start buying baby stuff.  I hope it is a girl, I want to buy lots and lots of tutus! =D  Yay for friends and babies!!

1.  For real.  Kyle loves me.  I asked him the other day if he would go see The Grinch with me at the Fox Theater and his answer "sure" ... and I said, "really?" and his answer was "anything to make you happy" -- now  I know he really does not want to go to The Grinch, but since he know that I love Christmas and all things Christmas he agreed to go with me.  So we have a super fun date night on the books for December 3rd.   Sadly, we were trying to double date it with one of my most favorite people Chrissy and her husband, Matt - but they will be in the Blue Ridge Mountains .... so it is just Kyle and me and The Grinch.  :o)  now I need Kyle to agree to go see Annie with me in January ... that my friends will be true love.

2.  I am thankful to have a job and to have a job that I really really like and enjoy going to every single day.  But I would be lying if I did not say I was overwhelmed at work.  Like legit overwhelmed - not enough time in the day - overly exhausted.  We are 1 week out (correction, 2 business days) from rolling out the pilot of our new database for our branches  and just getting everything ready for it is A LOT.  Electronic documents. Training guides.  ...and then on top of my everyday tasks and other projects I am currently working on to help improve processes.  It is just a lot.  I am so thankful for Thanksgiving to be around the corner. 
3.  So I just joined Delta SkyMiles since I am about to be going to St. Louis & Daytona and Melbourne FL for work and I want points!! ...And now I am getting "Delta Deals" emails and it is making me want to travel travel travel.  Like, I can get a flight to Memphis and back for $59.00 -- and one of my bestest and more favorite people ever lives in Memphis!  So, I could go see Heather and I know she would love that since she has had a HARD past few months.  And... there is a flight to Ft. Myers for $89 and I could do that and go to the beach in October with my family.  This could be bad. Very bad. Vacaction anyone?

Ok.  Well with that - I am out of here.  If I don't post between now and Thanksgiving -- have a very good holiday with family & friends -- be safe, eat lots, tell people you love them and really, have a great holiday!

Oh and in case you're wondering -- 128 days!! I mean jeeze where is the time going!  But luckily the wedding is planned for the most part -- invites, flowers, food, cake, rehearsal dinner - done and done.  Just gotta do dress fitting and finish buying little details.  I will be a Shanahan before you know it!

Um.

Have you looked at a calendar?  Did you notice that next week is Thanksgiving?  I mean really?  Where has the time gone and where is 2011 going.

Time to stop procrastinating and I must pick up some Christmas gifts for family in VA.  Goodness.

Foto Friday :: Wedding Picture Ideas

Thanks to Pinterest I have been stalking wedding pictures and collecting ideas for pictures I want of my own wedding.  I need to print all them out and then send them to Justin and say yeah… can you make this happen?  Please and thank you?

I love this one for so so so many reasons.  The only hard part I see is that there are 5 bridesmaids and I have 6 total in my line up of lovely ladies.  Maybe a heart on each side of the word love?  I do not know, but I do know I love this picture.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this picture and I feel like it would only work if it was of my Dad and me before the ceremony.  How sweet and sentimental would that be – and I do have to walk down some scary old timey stairs.

This is overdone but still so cute and amazing.  Since I am not going to see Kyle before the ceremony we can at least say hello and calm each other’s nerves through the door right?  Honestly, we probably won’t do this but it is still such a sweet sweet photo.

Our venue has an amazing balcony over the front of the house.  We will recreate this picture. No options.  I may need some flip flops if I have to go up and down those stairs over and over again!

Another pre-wedding picture of Kyle and me – or it can be done after the wedding.  ….I would have to figure out if it can even be done at our venue.  I want to say something similar can be done but don’t quote me on that.

--------------------------------------------

It is a good thing I LOVE our photographer and stalk his blog and Facebook page and melt over a lot of his wedding pictures. 

Wave of Accomplishment *almost*

 

my parents will be in route to Atlanta tomorrow to make some final wedding decisions.  Thursday = flowers!  and once the flowers are decided … I will be 100% planned.  The only thing that will need to be decided from there is the rehearsal dinner.  And well that is out of my hands.

But… with 4 months, 2 weeks, and 2 days to go I am pretty much 100% planned and that is awesome.

From there the only “to do’s” to do  --- buy the rest of the candy bar candy and candy bags.  Finish getting all the goodies for the welcome bags and stuff them and buy the 3 different signs from Etsy and buy the guestbook!

I would like to say the venue made all this so so so much easier.  But yeah it feels good to be pretty much DONE! 

foto friday - mercedes half marathon medal.

So I have decided to run the Mercedes Half Marathon in February.  It is in Birmingham so it is a REALLY quick drive from Atlanta so I can run it and then come back the same day.  AND the medal is really cool.  AND it will be a month before my wedding so this can be my forced working out to get skinny minnie for the wedding.  AND I can use this as an opportunity to see some of my favorite Alabama people ever.  AND I can go to Mugshots for a killer good hamburger since they now have one in Birmingham.  Oh, and the race entry is/was wickedly cheap. =D

three things thursday

1. have you read about how they're thinking about making the new york marathon a 2 day race.  If not... you can get all the details HERE.  I have not run the NYCM but it is on my bucket list and when the lottery opened up for this year I toyed with the idea of trying to enter it {and man am I glad I did not}.  ....but I (may be alone in this thinking) but there is something about this marathon and the excitement and suspense of knowing if you did or did not get in. And I understand that the demand to run this race has and is growing, but I don't think that should change the process of getting in.   But I am not a fan of how they're getting rid of the guaranteed entry... guess I will have to get lucky. ;)

2.  I am still really shocked at how EASY the 5k I ran this weekend was.  Running 2 miles in my 'hood is hard - I blame the hills, but obviously the hills have helped a lot.  Now I am looking for a 5k for November and a 10k for December.  I actually have the Run Georgia web site pulled up and am trying to decide what to run. I am *hoping* to be amping up the miles soon.  I registered for The Mercedes Half Marathon for next February in Birmingham and I WILL RUN THIS RACE.  No more DNS.  

3.  I am so excited for everyone running Savannah this weekend but I am also so bummed that I am not running it.  There is always next year...  I kinda regret cancelling my hotel room and kept thinking I should just go to spectate... but that is a lot of money to just spectate.  But I hope everyone has a lot of fun and has a great race this weekend!!

Three Things Thursday

how is it already November?!

1. wedding invitations have been ordered (and are actually sitting on my front porch as I type this....)!  I have not seen the completed look and I will see the legit final product (other than the proof) when I get home today. I am pretty sure my mom thought I was out of control since we thought I was settled on some and then as my mom was about to order the invites I changed my mind on the color scheme.  I wasn't in love with the blue - it was too bright and even though my mom and my friend Afton said that no one will remember the invitation it just bugged me.  so we went more with the color scheme - but more of the muted colors.  Yes - I am that out of control bride who has a hard time making decisions.  ....which i kinda how/why the purple has been kinda kicked out of the wedding ceremony decor but kept alive in the reception decor.  HOT BRIDAL MESS I TELL YOU!!  ....but anyway, back to the wedding invite.  I am glad there are extras left over because (a) I want to keep one for the guest book but (b) I want to make a Christmas ornament out of it.  I saw the ornaments on Pinterest and LOVE the idea.  You just cut the invite up in small pieces, curl them and then place them in a clear globe.  So cute, right?! And Kyle and I are all about sentimental ornaments - all of ours on the tree have a meaning behind them. :o)

2. I have my flower appointment in exactly 7 days!!  Flowers are legit the last BIG wedding decision we have to make (that we have control over). I am still in love in love with this bridal bouquet so here is hoping that those flowers are (a) in season (b) able to be put together and (c) looks just as good on the wedding day.  My Mom of course is coming down and hopefully she knows a little more about flowers than me because I know nothing.  And I am unsure how his appointment is going to work because it is at the venue not the flower shop... are they going to bring flowers to me?  Erg, I need to see the final product to make a decision. With that said, I think I am just gonna trust the florist on the boutonnieres (hopefully I can see them).  But I think the longest conversations/decisions will be over ceremony decor and reception decor. ...After this meeting it means the wedding is getting seriously close!  I hope everyone has their dancing shoes and party pants ready!

3.  So... Saturday is a HUGE game.  In case you have not been watching or listening or caring.  Alabama is #2 in the BCS rankings and LSU is #1 - so we pretty much have the national championship game this weekend.  Kyle and I are excited and nervous for this game.  It would be a big win for The Tide so I am hoping for another W.  And then a W at the SEC championship and then at The National Championship!! But most importantly, I am irked that some dumb LSU fan made shirts that have a picture of the US with Alabama missing with the tag line "Imagine a World Without Alabama" -- like, isn't it too soon?  We just honored the 6 month mark post tornado last week.  Many parts of Alabama were destroyed and are still struggling to recover and get over the heartbreaking storm.  Even though it is known that LSU does not have the classiest for best fans, it really is kind of too soon to be rocking shirts like that. Especially in a town that was devastated and destroyed.  GRANTED:  My friend from college said it best "So tacky... in a way it's them admitting that we're better though! "If Alabama wasn't there, then we could win this year!"   ROLL TIDE!  ok. so here is to an awesome win and hopefully another Tide win!

big pumpkin 5k :: race photos

ohhh pictures are up and ready!  ….one is good the other I look like death.  And yes, yes I am wearing gloves.  It was COLD!

Halloween with the Shanahan-Vines!

We survived our 1st Halloween in the house – BARELY!  How do people do Halloween with dogs?!  And how Kennesaw did not get shot by a neighbor because of her barking/wailing/someone is killing me cry is beyond me.  We had to lock Mulligan upstairs with Kyle and we tossed Kennesaw out back (and I am pretty sure she had flashbacks of being dumped by her original owner and our bond is forever ruined – I will be sure to hug her tight tonight) to bark and howl at every sound she heard as I handed out candy!

Kyle ate a lot of our candy (go figure) before Halloween hit, so we had to take 2 trips to the store so we had plenty to go around and a good mixture too.  Sadly, we didn’t get a lot of trick or treaters (I blame the big hill leading to our house), but those kids who did trek up our insanely steep hill and driveway (or driven up the hill) were rewarded handsomely with a handful of sugary goodness (and barked at by Mulligan from the top of the stairs)!  Oh, and Kyle was cute and he swept the porch for all the kids. 

But Halloween has changed drastically since I was a kid.

Example 1:  TRICK OR TREAT is no longer said by kids.  I was saying it (and Kyle was making fun of me and telling me that I was not the one who was supposed to say it – really, who cares?).  The kids just shoved their bags and buckets in my face.  Without even a thank you!  When I was a kid, houses made us tell jokes and sing songs.  We had to work for that Hershey bar!

Example 2:  The kids were being driven by their parents.  And what was weird is that we had a lot of cars turn around in our col-de-sac as if our house and pumpkins were not good enough! When I was kid, one parents covered the door and passed out the goods and the other parents took the kids from door to door.  We walked miles and miles for the candy!  We dumped our pillow cases out in our house before hitting the other neighborhoods!  Cars?  How about feet?!

I wanted to dress Kennesaw up like a shark but Kyle wouldn’t let me – called it a “waste of money” – but how cute would that have been. 

Well, we survived the 1st Halloween in our house even if it was kind of a bust with only a handful of trick-or-treaters.  Hopefully next year will be better!

Big Pumpkin 5k :: Race Review

I ran this race 2 years ago in the cold and rain.  Honestly, it was pretty miserable but it taught me a life running lesson: if rain is predicted pack a change of clothes.  But this year I got a tiny bit luckier.  Clear skies make for a great race but holy moly was it cold.  But still great weather once you got moving.

Morning: as usual, I had all my race gear laid out so all I had to do was quickly change, brush my teeth, throw my hair in a pony tail, take out the dogs and feed them and go. (okay, actually, that sounds like a lot.)  BUT  I had shorts and a tee planned so I got to dig for capris and then walked into my closet a few times wondering if I should grab a running jacket and decided no (which may have been a bad idea or may not have, I am still unsure)  ...I was somehow not running late as I got on the road.  Which was good, because I live WAY farther away now than I did a few years back.

Pre-Race: I remembered from 2 years back to get their early because parking can be a pain, which was not the case this year.  I grabbed a parking spot quickly and then headed to get my race number, which a few years back was a cluster but this year was flawless (despite the woman in front of me that wanted turn by turn directions of the course)  Once I got my race number I headed back to my car to stay warm and then 10 minutes before the race started I got out to settle in and people watch.  And oh there were some characters and way too many Auburn fans.

The Race:  Since I am slow and out of shape I of course lined up near the back semi in the middle, which obviously was not needed.  I remembered that the race had some "great" hills (as the website describes them) so I wanted to start off slow and not burn any and all energy that I had. The start was kinda a cluster since we had to run through his arch that was not big enough for crowds to run through  but once my iPod was on I settled into a slower pace that I felt comfortable with.  I started picking people off, one after the other. We approached our first hill and I thought um that is not bad at all and trucked up it with ease.  Still, picking people off.  As we approached the 1st mile water stop I was still going (say what?!) and took water from a guy my age in a LSU jacket and told him "thank you and Roll Tide" (I just had to!)  What was the best about this race was that it was smaller - still some people who have no idea about racing and race etiquette - but it was good.  The hills were not bad and most were followed by a down hill.  What I am kicking myself for is around mile 2.5 I realized that I wasn't going to PR (thinking my PR was like 31 minutes) so I let myself walk a little more to take my gloves off and have some easy breathing.  SO WRONG.  I totally going have PRed had I not taken that breather.  But oh well.  You win some you lose some. 

Most importantly - I finished strong.  I wasn't winded - I didn't overextend myself at any point during the race.
Overall it was a good race - really well organized - super easy course - the finisher shirt is great - still an ultimate favorite. 
But newbie runners please remember these tips:
1. If you're gonna walk, line up at the back not the front.  Weaving around you isn't a lot of fun.
2. If you're gonna run with your dog, make sure they're leash trained and maybe have run with you in the past.  Nothing is worse than having a dog all over the place).  My dogs  = horrible, they will never run a race with me.
3. If you're looking for your run buddy - don't stop in the middle of the course and look around - pull off to the side to continue your hunt.

Finishing time: 34:13
Pace: 11:02
I was 564 of 970

Can't wait to see race pictures.

just a reminder -- i am always interested in hearing about your races and what you loved and hated - so if you want a guest spotlight on my blog -- email me  (barbara.a.vines@gmail.com) a mini race report about any race you have done and i will share it with my readers.  hey and you may get more blog followers.

foto friday–rehearsal & bridesmaid brunch dress

 

LOVE.  It is no secret – we are getting married at an uber cute southern antebellum confederate soldier’s house.  It is quaint and anthro and love.  And it is so cute and love that there are 3 (count them) 3 weddings at the venue my wedding weekend.  One Friday, ME on Saturday, and then one of Sunday.  So, our wedding rehearsal is at 2:00 PM on Friday afternoon.  Meaning it is totally not formal – sundresses, jeans with a cute top is perfectly acceptable attire.  Me.  I wanted a dress.  A white dress that was not too fancy and something that is southern and love.  (BTW: I love the word love lately).  And I found this stellar piece of a dress on The Blue Door Boutique’s website and bought it faster than you can say amazing wedding rehearsal dress.

It is lace and southern and can be paired with my cowboy boots for a casual feel and I am so excited. =D  That way I am not too dressy for our brunch and then not too dressy for the quick wam bam thank you ma’am run through of the ceremony.

But of course for the rehearsal dinner I have a fabulously amazing dress that my amazing bridesmaid Heather found and made me buy and for that, I will be forever grateful.  That dress paired with cute gold heels I will be styling and hopefully not overdressed! cough cough cough.

I think one of my favorite parts of wedding planning is the style and attire and feel and vibe I am going for.

Three Things Thursday :: Wedding & Life

Long story short - I have like a million and one things to share but I guess I will have to condense this down into 3 of the most important. life altering. exciting things that have happened so far this week.

how stinking cute is the brick building
that houses the wonderfulness that is Rosebud.

1.  My bridesmaid brunch is officially 100% booked!  We have the smaller wine room reserved for 11:30 AM on Friday the 23rd.  I went to Rosebud for a client brunch one weekend and died over the amazing food.  When I basically was told by our wedding venue that I lunch was out of the question due to the rehearsal being in the afternoon I decided to do a brunch and knew just the spot.  Rosebud is an amazing little Atlanta spot, just outside of The Highlands - this place is white table cloth but not white table cloth - funky and fun without being formal - with fabulous food and drinks.  And I am super stoked about having our own little room so it will be more private for me and my fabulous girls.  Seriously.  Knocking things off the to do list.  ...And if you're in Atlanta and have not eaten here, you're missing out - but don't forget to make your reservations - this place fills up fast on the weekends.  But yum. Seriously.

2.   I have always been a day planner type person, I like to write things down. Visualize. Highlight. Make to do lists around my week (and cross things off). But this year I decided to embrace the electronic world that is 2011 and keep my life on my Blackberry calendar.  BIG MISTAKE.  I have missed birthdays, anniversaries, if it was important...  yeah, I probably missed it.    So I made the executive decision to go back to the ways of old and carry a planner planner in 2012 - but just not any planner and Erin Condren planner (and I actually got the rest of 2011 free).  These have been all the rave of Mom's and Teachers and since I am pretty much a Mom (of 2 precious furbabies!!) with a crazy life that goes in 5 directions and since I love all things customizable and bright - I broke down and bought one (and customized it Navy and Light Pink ... I almost did Navy & Light Purple *hello wedding*).  And it came in the mail yesterday and it was packaged so beautifully but the actual final product is the gorgeousness and I am in love with a planner.  I even got a few for people as christmas presents I love them so much.  Je Adore. 

3.  We have roommates.  And not the kind that are your friends who move to the city you live in and crash there until they find a place of their own - we have the kind that live in your attic and run around.  Squirrels.  Bushy tailed, gray squirrels in our attic.  And according to the dude who came and did the inspection they have been there long enough to do thousands of dollars of damage and they have 3 holes in which they're entering our warm living space.  RAWR!  So now we're talking with our property management company to find out who pays for this.  We of course say the owners of the house, after all we did not make said holes nor did we invite them into our living space.  If we were nasty and gross and had roaches then sure yes we should pay for this.  But we have a nature conservatory living upstairs and it is not our fault therefore .....   ....but I told Kyle I want to do everything with him (kids. dogs. vacations.) except own a house.  Because imagine if we are responsible for this.  Holy cow we will be broke.  But seriously - since we have lived there we have had oven issues, a water heater break, and now this -- never owning a home.  Remind me of all this when Kyle and I are googley eyed over the idea of our own place.

Kyle and I are doing NOTHING this weekend - we have no football since Alabama is prepping for their mini-national championship against LSU (LS-WHO?!) - so we will carve pumpkins and clean the house and watch movies and play with the dogs and read books and be lazy lazy people.  It is going to be great!