Sunday Social: NYE Edition

I haven't done a Sunday Social in awhile, but I'm sitting around waiting for the laundry to finish a cycle, so this seemed like a great time!

1. What is the best New Years Eve you've ever had?

NYE is my brother's bday, so we usually are doing something with him. I've gone to a couple of gatherings with friends, but normally, I don't do a ton on NYE.

2. Are you doing anything for NYE this year and if so what?

Again, I know we will be having a family deal for Trev's birthday. I will probably just hang with Heidi, Mike, and the kids.

3. Name a book we should all read come January?

I'm starting 'Gone with the Wind' and hope to be able to finish that in the next month.  If you've never read 'Pride and Prejudice', read it. It's one of my all-time favorites.

Also, if you've never read the Harry Potter series, make 2013 the year to do that. I'm still amazed at the imagination of JK Rowling.

4. What are your new years resolutions?

They are really my birthday goals... I set them back in August. So far, I'm doing an "ok" job. 

This Fall, I've put on about 10 lbs (blah), so I am definitely recommitting to eating better and consistent exercise. Having my cousins here and being busy with work kind of got me off track. I know that at least 5 of the 10 will come off pretty quickly once I start exercising, again. But, I do need to lose the 10 and then work to get rid of the rest of my weight before August.

Perfectly Perfect Christmas

Hi everyone! I hope you had an amazing Christmas!!

Mine was literally perfect. Better than I could have ever dreamed.

My cousin Ben and his wife Terra were in town.... The were here for 10 days and just left. Honestly, I'm super sad about it.

I need to catch everyone up on the past month, not just the past week. It has been a whirlwind, but a great time.

So, this post is just to say "Hi.... and belated Merry Christmas!"

......... Also, I will have to tell you about the surprise visitor I had. Any guesses as to who?

Wonder

My mind still reels. As with pretty much everyone, it is just too difficult to understand what would drive someone to do this.

It keeps being compared to Columbine. As awful as it was, it was something we could eventually wrap our heads around. Troubled outcasts decided to take revenge on their peers. Many, many, many innocent people were hurt and no one "deserved" it, but you could at least see where it started.

I'm not sure any of us will ever understand why a 20 year old would hurt innocent children.

Facebook has exploded. Already, there are debates and questions and cries of "Why?"

My mind immediately went to a sermon I saw just a week and a half shy of two years ago. I scoured the internet for and eventually found it.

It comforted me when I heard it the first time and it comforted me this morning.

If you choose to watch, I really hope it offers some sort of comfort to you.

Thoughts and Prayers

Words cannot express my thoughts and feelings about the shootings in Connecticut.

I'm sitting at work, watching the coverage, and have broken down multiple times. Not only picturing the faces of the children I love personally, but the classes of children that I taught and the teachers with whom I taught.

I don't get it. I know there is evil in this world. I know that the Devil is at work.

But, I just can't comprehend someone hurting all those little humans. Children who were just excited about Christmas and the weekend and hoping for snow days.

My heart is just broken over this.

No watermelons were harmed in the making of this post...

File this under "Random Celebrity I Never Thought I'd Ever Meet"

Gallagher stopped by our studios, yesterday.

Yeah, sledge-o-matic Gallagher.

He was hysterical. Like, bouncing off the walls hysterical. And, super nice, too.

Monday Musings

I'm about halfway through with Christmas shopping thanks to Scentsy.

I'm hardly ever this far into Christmas shopping on Dec 3rd. It's a miracle, really.

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I'm hosting a fundraiser this month to help Heather get a wheelchair for her son B. I've been following her blog for a few years now and thought this might help.

So, if you're looking to buy some Scentsy gifts, use this link and it will also help them.

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We were decorating for Christmas yesterday.

Well, when I say "we", I kind of mean other people. More on that later.

Anyway, we were decorating for Christmas yesterday and little Lydia walked over to my mom. She was so sweet and innocent and asked, "Bev, can we get a Christmas tree?"

Neither us nor her parents have one, yet. It just melted me. I think kids that age really do care less about the presents than the decorations/traditions. Years from now, they won't remember what you gave them, but they will remember the combined festivities of their childhood.

Later on in the night, Jeff was asking her what she wanted to do and she whispered, "I want to go get a tree."

Guess where we will be this evening?

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So, yesterday, was decorating day.

Only I wasn't too helpful.

No, instead, I was dealing with a dreadful case of PMS. TMI, I know, but it was epic. I thought I had the flu.

And, I wanted to cry all day. In fact, I did cry several times.

Once when Lydia wanted the tree.

Another time during this cute L.L. Bean commercial....

Despite my emotional and physical state, Christmas is coming in the house....

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I have SO. MUCH. TO. DO.

and?

Absolutely no motivation to do it :/

Have a great Monday!

It's December!!!!!!

I love this time of year!

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving! We spent the weekend on a big, big boat. I will share pics, soon.

I am making a vow to enjoy this month, as much as possible. It's easy to get caught up in all of the busy and miss out on the warmth and magic of the time.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Sunday Social

1. Name 4 jobs you've had in your life.

- Dance Teacher

- Substitute/Interim Teacher (mainly Elementary)

- Asst manager at a dance clothing/shoe store

- Radio (pretty much a little bit of everything, but landed on Promotions Director)

2. Name 4 movies you would watch over and over.

- The Notebook
- Sweet Home Alabama
- Love Actually
- Life As We Know It

There are more, but you said to name four....

3. Name 4 places you have lived.

As I have only lived on three streets in two towns my entire life, I can't actually answer this question correctly, lol.

4. Name 4 of your favorite foods.

- Fruit: Pineapple, Watermelon, Pears
- Pumpkin and Sage Sausage Pasta (my cousin makes it completely from scratch.... including the pasta... To. Die. For)
- Chinese Food
- Pinkberry.... Is that a food? I think it should be.

5. Name 4 things you always carry with you.

- Cell Phone
- Hand Wipes
- Wallet
- Powder Compact

6. Name 4 places you have been on vacation.

- Cruising (Key West, Bahamas, Cozumel)
- New York City
- Washington DC
- Nashville

Thankful

Today, I'm thankful for.....

Family

Especially the ones that live in Arizona and walk in the door one Sunday evening.....

Friends

The Fact That Heidi Now Lives In Florida

This Little Girl

and, so much more.....

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!!!

Rascal Flatts (10/26/12)

A few weeks ago, Rascal Flatts came to town. Their shows always crack me up... I've seen them several times, so I know what to expect, etc.

It was a super fun night!

Eden's Edge was the first opener for them. We didn't see them when they performed on stage, but we did get a private show.... 

Eden's Edge and I

We got to spend time with Eli Young Band and Little Big Town, too. I did get a picture with LBT, but I haven't received it, yet :/

Rascal Flatts and I

Record rep and friend, S and I

During Eli Young Band's set, we got to watch from the wings.....

Such a cool view!

Personally, Little Big Town's performance was my favorite of the night :)

J and I.....

Billie Jo, Jenny, and I

Rascal Flatts....

Monday Musings

I'm pretty sure that Shaun T from Insanity is either married to or having an affair with Tanya. She is in every video and he always focuses on her at least once during the workout.

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Also, I think that Chris on the Insanity videos is a paid actor. During the Plyometrics video, he looks overly exhausted. Like, during the warm-up.

I mean, I know they all get paid, but they are paid fitness professionals. I think he gets paid to act really, really tired. I'm not even struggling that bad that soon.

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Hearing people chew drives me insane.

Over the weekend, various loud chewers almost drove me to violence.

Worse than chips are when someone is eating a sandwich or a piece of pizza. You know something with bread and cheese that they have to move their mouth more to chew.

I'm still trying to find a polite way to ask people to chew more quietly.

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I saw Breaking Dawn 2 Thursday night at 10pm.

O. M. G.

I almost had a panic attack. I read the books, I know what happens.

I was literally yelling at the screen (and I wasn't the only one... the whole theatre was freaking out), "WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?!?!?!?!?!"

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Taylor Swift's new album 'Red'??

I may or may not have listened to it exclusively for three weeks straight.

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HOW is Thanksgiving this week? HOW?!

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My sister and BIL are in town for Thanksgiving (and our family cruise!!).

It is insane.

My BIL and my cousin's husband Mike are two of the loudest people you will ever meet in your entire life. Plus, my sister talks more than anyone I know... and, really, really fast.

I love them all, but my head spins when they are in the same room together, lol.

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I'm devastated that Target didn't bring back the Crazy Target Lady.

Like, really, really sad about it.

So, in remembrance....

On My Soapbox (for a minute).....

In case anyone forgot, there was an election this week.

As I have political opinions, but rarely discuss them, I actually had a fun election post planned, but then got busy and didn't have time to post it.

For the record? My votes would have gone to Damon Salvatore and Wade Kinsella.

Anywho......

I was all excited that all the political ads.... all the FB arguing.... all the pettiness would be done once the election was over.

A big fat HA!

I think it's actually gotten worse over the past few days. In fact, one of my coworkers.... who proudly voted for Obama.... has been in a seriously foul mood all week. Any time she's asked about what's wrong, she starts to go off on people who voted for Romney.

I've seen multiple people get defriended over statuses. I've seen people get into "raised voice discussions." I've seen downright nastiness, from both sides.

So, here are my rather pointed thoughts on all of this craziness........

Anyone, regardless of side or affiliation, who is willing to lose a friendship over all of this is a blasted idiot.

 The fact is that neither the man that won nor the man that lost cares about any of us, personally. Neither will be willing to comfort any of us when we have a bad day or celebrate with us when we have a victory. Neither is going to remember our birthdays (or let FB remember). They aren't going to comment on our blogs or pay attention to our Instagram pictures or respond when we have some sort of crisis that only Twitter can solve.

They are two men and when it comes down to it, none of us individually matter to them.

Neither of them are willing to give up their friends for me, so why in the world would I be willing to give up a friendship for them?

I have a lot of friends that have said things that I 100% disagree with... And, by their posts, mean that they think I am all sorts of awful. However, those same friends have been there for me in the good, the bad, and the absolute tragic. I will remember that long after this administration has outlived its term and people are bitching about the next one.

Ok, I am off my soapbox now....

The winners I care about most...

I'm watching the CMAs and I am absolutely giddy.

Not because of the performances, though they are good........

Not because of the clothes, though they are (mostly) gorgeous........

Not because of the artists who won, though I've been happy about most of them....

Nope.

I am giddy because MY station was recognized. If you blinked, you would've missed it. But, we were recognized and it was amazing.

Ornament Exchange 2012

Get ready for Christmas Ornament Exchange 2012!!

Justine and I will start collecting names of everyone who wants to participate this year.  We will then assign partners, and you guys will buy a fun ornament and put it in the mail, and you'll receive a fun ornament in return! :)

I became great friends with some super lovely ladies through these Ornament Exchanges, so they are something I look forward to every year! Really, truly, Justine, Paige, and LW are women I met through these  exchanges and have sent met in person :)

Want to participate?! Great!! Here are the details!!

1-- You should probably be a follower of either my blog or Justine's blog so you can stay up to date with all the details and such, but it's not a requirement.    

2-- We'll be collecting sign ups starting today all the way until November 19, so help us get the word out! The more the merrier, right?  Grab our button, write a blog post about the exchange, tweet about it, Instagram about it, Facebook about it!  However you want to get the word out, do it!  Just make sure to direct them back to one of our blogs to sign up!  If you want to participate, just leave a comment on this post and make sure your email is connected to your account that you're commenting with, or include your email address in your comment.  Also, if you don't have a blog, feel free to participate, too!  Or you could start one... Blogging is super fun! :)

<center> <a href="http://allamericanjess.blogspot.com/2012/10/ornament-exchange-2012.html"><img border=”0″ src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/mbdimpleslvr/ChristmasOrnamentExchangeButtonsmall.jpg"/></a></center>

3--  I think we'll stick to just US and Canada (and maybe Military bases, there are special rates for shipping to military bases, I think?? Does anyone know for sure?) mailing addresses.  It just gets too expensive to have to ship internationally, I think. :( 

4-- Let's try and keep the package between $5-$15.  Nothing too expensive, I know money is tight a lot of times this time of year.  Check out etsy, pinterest, Hobby Lobby.  There are lots of cute and affordable Christmas Ornaments out there! :)  You could even throw in some other fun Christmas Treats if you want!

5--  Have your package in the mail by December 1st.  We'll make sure to get you your partner emails by Thanksgiving Day (November 22nd) at the latest.  That should give everyone just over a week to shop.  Feel free to email with your partner about what they do or don't like.  Or just stalk their blog.... ;)

6-- The week of December 10th, come back to Justine or my blog and we'll be hosting a link up so we can write a post about what we received, then link up so we can see what everyone else got! :)

7-- Please only sign up if you know you'll be able to participate!  It's always a bummer when people sign up to do fun things like this, and then their partner doesn't hold up their end of the deal.  

So, what are you waiting for??? SIGN UP! :)

Pretty Good Shot...

This morning, I was scheduled to go to a pre-work event with our local Young Professionals' Group.

At a gun range.

I have family members with their concealed weapons permit, as well as some being members of the NRA.

I, however, have never shot a gun. Never really had an interest.

So, this morning, I went in with no expectations.

When it was my turn to shoot, the man gave me a quick tutorial on how to hold, aim, and fire. He loaded it up with five rounds and handed it over.

After my third round, I heard him exclaim, "She just hit the same hole three times!!!!"

That made me sort of nervous and I missed a bit on the fourth. On the fifth, I was back at the hole.

When I was done, the workers and my fellow members of the YPG were all over me, because apparently I'd done a really good job.........

My coworker M and I.....

 

Who knows.... maybe I've found my hidden talent?

 

A New Venture

Every now and again, I decide that I need something. Something new. Something different.

I'm a creature of habit and don't like change, so these urges do not come often. When they do, I take notice. For a while I looked into it. I researched. I pondered.

Then, I joined.

I'm officially a Scentsy Independent Consultant!

So far, I'm loving it and having a blast!

Right now, they've got a great deal on their Buddies. You buy one and get the next free. Two super cute, non-stinky stuffed animals for the price of one!

Also, the Scent of the Month..... Mandarin Moon. It's 10% off and smells like a warm mandarin orange :)

The Warmer of the Month is this fella.... Tom Turkey. He's also 10% off and a cute addition to your Thanksgiving centerpiece. 

And.... just because I'm in the mood for Halloween and Fall........

It really is proving to be a fun way to earn some extra cash (and make my office and house smell lovely). If you've been thinking about buying or selling Scentsy, feel free to ask me any questions!

..... And, because I'm not quite done with new ventures, cross your fingers, pray, and stay tuned for another one coming down the pike!!!