Thankful for so much...

Its Thanksgiving am and I am curled up in front of the fire at Mamo's on this cold day, in my plaid pjs, watching the Macy's Day parade with my favorite person...(he lasted an hour before having to go build at his parents house across the yard).  I look forward to enjoying a relaxing Turkey Day and reflecting on all that I am thankful for.  This day starts the beginning of my the MOST WONDERFUL TIME of the YEAR!!  I will begin to deck the halls tomorrow with our annual trip to Atchison, KS for Christmas decor shopping at Nell Hills.  I can't wait!!  Gobble, Gobble, Gobble today!!  My Thanksgiving meal may just be mac n cheese (stomach is still touch and go) but its worth it for a healthy baby manda!!

Where or where have we been???

 

Due May 28, 2011!!!  We are so excited and feel so blessed!!  Boy or girl we will be surprised in May!  First two appointments were a success, Baby Manda has a strong heart beat (160bpm)!!  Looking forward to all that is in front of us.  

MU HOMECOMING

UNBELIEVABLE!!  The 99th homecoming at MU this weekend and it was one we will never forget.  It was all in all the BEST homecoming ever.

It started Friday mid morning when the builder suggested I go check out the ESPN Game Day set while he ran up to work.  They were predicting rain Sat am so I could get pics and see it all while the sun was shining.  I decided to take Oh bother in his MU jersey and we headed to the Colunmns.  It was an awesome atmosphere and we met Shelby breifly for a few pics before she had to run.  Oh bother was a hit!!  There were tons of pictures of him and randoms.  He was loving the attention.  I did not know but when I arrived they were filming the cut ins for Friday day and Friday night.  The whole crew was on the stage.  We walked around and soaked in all the black and gold.  Then the crew came off the set and was heading into the J school.  I did a little dash that way with Oh Bother.  First was Kirk, Oh Bother was spooked a little by the crowd so it was a photo of just me and him!!  Last out was Lee, he was running late so not many pics but I asked if I could get him and the pup.  Lee was all about and said that Oh Bother was a TV dog...haha!!  It was so exciting to see them!!  Then we were approached by a producer who asked that I bring Oh Bother Sat. am so he could be on TV...haha!!!  Great start to homecoming weekend!!

The festivites continued on Friday.  My mom was coming in for a Mom's weekend before S moves to Dallas for good in December.  It was a great fall night and we headed to campus for house decks and campus decorations.  The theme was broad games, LIFE, MOUSE TRAP, MONOPOLY to name a few.  It was a great time.  The pep ralley was full of energy with the ESPN U crew there as well.  It was a great night in Greek time.  We then headed to Addisons for a late dinner. 

The fun just continued and started early on Saturday am.  We headed over to GAME DAY on the colunms around 10am.  The rain that was predicted was not happening...yes we felt this was a sign!  It was suppose to really rain and we actually had some sun.  After game day and Lee put on the horse hat...boo!!  We headed to line up for the parade.  The fun just continued!  The parade kicked off at noon.  The crowd for the parade was unbelievable.  The AFA dance girls did a great job!  The sun was shining and the dancers were decked in black and gold.

A little break to regroup and change then off to the tailgate.  We had parked the car at 9am on Friday so we were the 4th car!!  The spot was perfect right up by the practice facility.  It was so great to see old friends and enjoy the day.  A few little sprinkles but no major rain...again a sign.

We then headed into the game, Number 1 OU vs. Number 11 MU.  It was CRAZY! A sea of gold.  The MIZ ZOU chants started right away and never stopped.  The game started off with a kick off run back for a touch down!!!  GO TIGERS!  It was an intense game and the crowd was in it the whole time.  We stood the entire game.  Mom and I had so much fun cheering on the TIGERS.  The rain stayed away most of the time but we did have to pull out the MIZZOU ponchos (Thanks MJ) once and the pics are hilarious. Lots of cheering and MU wins 36 to OU 28.  The crowd rushed the field....it was all gold!!  They got the goal post and headed out of the stadium with it.  Our sign was true....it was meant to be a TIGER WIN!!!

I now need another weekened to recover.  Lets see what BCS ranking the Tigers get tonight.  7-0 Baby!!  Go TIGERS!!  MIZZOU RAH!

What makes us think Fall

crunch, crisp, pie, pumpkins, mums, corn stalks, colors, leaves, football, wind, tailgates, pumpkin patch, costumes, candy, walks, kids, chili, turkey, tv sundays, hunting, festivals

Over the last week we have started to associate these words with our daily go.  We have made some fabulous fall dinners, I love the move to that hearty food!  This week we made chicken chili (S's fab recipe) and Builder made the best lasagna (top meal ever!).  We enjoyed a Saturday afternoon soaking in fall..we walked the trail to the downtown festival and enjoyed the atmosphere and BBQ!  Oh Bother loved the walk of course and the taste of BBQ (hope we don't have any bad habits starting).  We have visited the pumpkin patch and bought our traditional LARGE pumpkin.  This year it was in the patch so Builder had to ride in the golf cart with the farmer to get the pumpkin....so nerdy!!  The mums are planted, the halloween decor is out and we are enjoying a great fall.  The trees have started to change this week....bittersweet since this means cold times are coming. 

Picture Update

This is the bathroom...full of stuff!

The room without carpet and after the ceilings were scrapped

Those are goggles to block out the dust..not a fun job

Dust in eyes

Making Progress..2 rooms almost done

Detail Oriented and is so good!

Love it!!

The next 30 Years..

30 years ago on Sept. 29, 1980, Builder was born into this world.  Since then the world has been graced with his patience, love, passion, and strength.  Happy Birthday to my best friend in the whole wide world.  I look forward to celebrating the next 30+ years with you!!

Where Have I been....

It has been a very busy last few weeks.  Fall has arrived.  The air is crisp, the leaves are crunching, the mornings and nights are cool (already hit 44), mums are everywhere, and pumpkins are starting to appear on porches.  The football season is in full swing and we can't wait for the Tigers to play a Big 12 team.  These first few games have been fun but after a while 45 to 0 is not exciting.  I am ready for a BIG game.  If you know me I love college football and follow it all.  Football =Fall in our house.

This weeks game was a day game!  We welcome visitors all fall and this week was no exception.  The royalty came to visit, King, Queen, and princess.  Oh Bother was so excited to have Princess come visit.  Let me tell you they were busy and tired.  I have to write this memory so I never forget...I am laughing as I type.  Queen was asleep on the couch when I noticed Volpi acting as if she was going to go the bathroom.  Of course me not being a huge dog person I was sure I was over reacting.  Oh no...as she moved to the kitchen I scream and Queen flies up off the couch ready to take action.  We run to the door and thank goodness no accident.  Queen sure wakes up ready to go!  We had so much fun welcoming fall with windows open and the cool air coming in!

Football has not been all that has made things busy.  Project time has been in full swing.  Here is a recap of what we have been up doing (some pictures will have to come in the next post)
*We have completed the hardwood floor upstairs in the office and guest bedroom...it looks soooo good! Love it!
*We now have 4 rooms to go with popcorn...next few weeks it will be down to 3 and then by spring down to 2
*Builder has moved his office cabinet into his new office.  Builder worked very hard on this piece and it turned out better than anything we could have bought.
*We have started putting together the decorating pieces to Builder's office, my favorite part (decorating and change!).  We moved the zebra rug from my office into Builders.  It looks great in its new spot.

*The rug moved sparked a few changes in my office.  Completely unplanned project. Ever since I added the pink touches I wanted to change them to my original thought of purple.  Purple is a richer color and ties in better with my inspiration piece in the room.  So a little lunch project and $4 in spray paint..my chandelier and lamp are now purple.  I have a new rug coming from Ikea via my B-more friend (gotta love good friends that will run out on shopping errands when you can't buy online).  I am so excited to tie in the black and white rug with my black furniture.  I am currently working on the baskets for my shelves.  I changed the window treatments..of my fave spot for curtains JCP...for $20 I have deep purple velvet curtains.  Funny thing is I had purchased these drapes when we first moved in for my office and they were not on sale so I returned them.  The look is coming together.

    

*Kitchen Updates:  We ordered what we thought was going to be the perfect light.  It was a lampshade chandelier, black and white stripped.  It arrived and looks like a saucer...not at all the size we thought.  Of course there is quite a complicated return policy but it is on its way back.

 Worn out after nonstop fun!

Little Update

A quick update on where we are with the house...always a project

1. I updated last weekend that we are working on hard wood floors upstairs!  This week we will scrap the popcorn ceiling from the guest room ....it will be so nice when we have no more popcorn.  After this room we will have 2 rooms and 2 bathrooms to go.

2. Almost done with the chalkboard wall in the kitchen--Fun touch!  The new lights are in and by newest purchase has been orders.  I love it and can't wait to see it over the table.   I had to make a deal with builder on the chairs for around the table but its worth it!!

3.Sofa Table (no idea what you would call it!) I added a touch of color.  I like it...not love and will keep my eyes pealed for fabric I love.  Easy to update.

4. Builder's Office Book Shelves - Builder is quite the wood worker.  His recent work is unbelievable ( I may be biased but it is just awesome!) He has not missed any detail on this master piece.  I can't wait to see his office all put together...I promise I won't move it!

Few other things on my list:
*I am stuck on the idea that I want a slate gray rug in the basement.  Needs the fuzzy, cozy feel.  Builder and I are going to price this out this week.  I would like to get a piece of carpet and have it bound so I can get the strange size and exactly the look I want.  Maybe even get it cheap!

*This is a far off idea but my neighbor just painted her daughter's bathroom concrete floor and I LOVE it!  I stopped and saw it Friday am after my walk with Otto....all day I was imaging my office with a fun floor.  I hate carpet so why should I sit for 8+ hours a day in a room with carpet....my mind was on it!!

#2 having so much fun!

Cyclone #1 visits and Cheer on the Tigers!

Always a project and always a Tiger Game is the September motto.  We cheered on Tigers this weekend as they played San Diego State (we are ready for Big 12 play but this team proved to be no joke).  The rain started coming down and we decided to head out early but the Tigers gave everyone a run for it...I was told this today..Luck is better than a Loss...and we will take it.

 

Missouri football comes back to beat San Diego State 27-24

With his teammates and coaches celebrating behind him, T.J. Moe runs in the winning touchdown during the last minute of the fourth quarter of the San Diego State game on Saturday. The Tigers beat the Aztecs 27-24.   ¦  

A 68-yard touchdown reception by T.J. Moe with 51 seconds left in the game put Missouri back on top, 27-24.

PINK

The back of our T-shirts

Front of the shirt--Too early and wet for pics at the race

Weather forecast for Sunday morning.....

81° F | 67° F
Chance of T-storms 40% chance of precipitation  It was the first ever Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure day in CoMO, rain or shine.  It was also super early on a Sunday morning, 7am meet at the Mandas for the Bunco group.  Someone had this crazy idea and said she would have muffins and coffee.  Arriving home wet from the MU game last night, I was not in the cooking mood.  So bright an early this morning I whipped up some muffins, must say the Fiber One blueberry muffins are fabulous! We make them often.  The table was set with pink and the sky was looking dark when the sun should have been rising.  Everyone rallies and we load up to head to the race.  The cracks for thunder and light show on the way to the stadium was a little intimidating...there was a lot of 'I melt in the rain', 'I hate getting wet', 'I am not interested in running in the rain'....we all did!   There was rain but it was light until the end of the race.  Then it was POURING!!  We all were so happy to have completed the race for such a great cause.  Of course headed to Starbucks and then back home to bed on this rainy Sunday.   Nerdy moment but this morning I really loved people and I have to reflect on the power of people...as I entered the MU Football Stadium for the last lap of the race it was a great moment.  There were moms, dads, kids, friends all cheering (soaking wet!), the MUcheerleaders with pink pom-poms, Truman in pink, Golden Girls in pink outfits and I was running around a field that I have a huge sense of pride in.  It was a proud moment.  I have to say I did for a minute picture the stands full all cheering for me...not the case for this 5K but still a great feeling.  Always a proud TIGER and also proud of the Bunco ladies for supporting this great cause!!

not my first idea of fun

So we kicked off the weekend with a garage sale.  I have never been the garage sale type, no real reason I just can never pull it together. With the move last year I had a good amount of stuff that was worth selling.  Grandma Jeanie was having her seasonal garage sale and suggest I have one...with all her marketing I knew there would be a crowd.  Grandma Jeanie is a serious garage seller, she has sneak peaks and tags everything with those tags with the strings.  Her set up was the Neimans and mine (and my neighbors) was the Walmart.  I started Friday night (after going through taco bell, yes terrible, but placed the whole order and got to the pickup window and had no wallet....no checks at taco bell!) and with the southern help went with a color coding sticker system.  It worked well.  Builder informed me that garage sales start at 6:30-7am according to Grandma Jeanie...seriously.  Yes there were people waiting at 7am.  Builder was the cashier and I pushed the sales.  Really no pushing was needed, we had crowds for our little sale.  Of course are prices were priced to sell but things were selling.  The clothes especially.  I was so happy to sell the rugs that Otto had made holes in...I say happy..bittersweet to spend 200 on a rug from pottery barn and sell it with a hole for $15.  Builder reminded me all am that there was no profit as we had spent way more to get the stuff...depends how you look at it right. haha!  I got great use out of most (not all) of the stuff,better to get a few dollars back and have a clean storage room, right?!  Again we did not have a ton of stuff so after around 150 look through it all, by 10:30am we were done!  2 bags to goodwill and napping by 11!!  Getting ready for the 1st Tiger tailgate.  Not an overly exciting game since McKneese State is not division 1 but we love the new seats (oh Angela in your event staff shirt, we do not miss you)!  MIZZOU RAH!

I hate...

Carpet....yes this is true.  Let me be a little more specific,  I like rugs but not carpet.  I know many people love it, in my house it just doesn't work.  Why because...
1. It always looks dirty  2. It wears horrible in the high traffic spots  3. All the dirt that gets down into the pad and stays there  4. Spills or dog vomit are hard to get out  5.  You can't take the whole rug to the cleaners  6. when you vacuum you see the lines  7. Just doesn't ever feel clean ...it just is not for me.  So we are back at it....

Hardwood is here for the whole second level.  Oh builder how I love you and your patience!  We have moved his office 3 times since we moved in...the desk is super heavy.  And yes the fabulous guest room that was complete has been emptied out.  While taking that room apart I did say "Who was the crazy with this idea".  But oh how nice it will be to have the dark wood surface upstairs.  Yes it will get dirty but nothing a mop and swifer can't handle!!

sums it up...

The text from me to start the day...

me: 'First pumpkin spice latte of the season in a cardigan, welcome fall! Next up corn stalks and pumpkins then fires.  Enjoy the day!'

louie: 'Ah yes, time to slip into those slippers, let the dog lay at the feet and browse pier 1's fall line, sipping your favorite latte.  We won't forget you summer; you provided veggie treats, household chores that kept the nest neat, family and friends, good times indeed but fall is here and I must say the haven is hard to beat.'  

 That pretty much says it all... An ode from louie, I think louie is in the wrong field.  I'm ready for fall!

Thirty more...