Christmas on the Beach

A lot of you weren't following my blog one year ago so you won't remember this post. So, go and read it again.

In the post I talked about my dream Christmas of skiing the Rockies instead of the traditional holiday at home. Well, the only snow skiers on my side of the family(immediate) would be Brad and myself. So... instead.

DRUMROLL PLEASE!!!!!

We are going here!! The Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort in the Bahamas!! That's right! Me, Brad, my brother, his girlfriend and my parents are all flying in before Christmas and leaving a few days later.

Can I get a WOOHOO!!???

I proposed the idea and everyone went for it! This will be our gifts to each other as we all are paying our own way there, etc.
We figured we might as well do it now before we have kids. Right?

We are still celebrating Christmas(just a bit early)with Brad's family so we WILL exchange gifts with them.

We are stoked!!

Again, as I wrote last year I'm still hosting my holiday cookie exchange and decking the halls in our casa we just won't be here to enjoy it on Christmas. Instead, we'll be snorkeling in the Caribbean!

Is this something you guys would be up for? Destination Christmas??

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Thanks for all the comments on our Thanksgiving feast! So fun! My parents stayed in town an extra day and spent the night with Brad and I.

I took advantage of my Mom's creative skills and had her help put up our tree.

Here's the end product! The first picture is blurry but the second looks crooked. Sorry about the sh--tty photography.

I bought this cranberry/gold velvet ribbon at the end of the season last year knowing that I wanted a new look for our tree.

Brad's comment on the tree? "I'm impressed! It looks like a professional decorator tree!"

As I pulled out all the Christmas decor I realized all the things I bought at the end of the season last year and got excited! I forgot about half of it including this door knob holder!

Yes, I busted out Buddy's holiday scarf too! Budster was super spoiled during the holiday and is getting back into his normal routine which includes NOT jumping on the table and stalking people down while they eat.

Another new piece of Christmas decor is this super cute Santa that my MIL made for us! She even put a bone in Santa's hand with Buddy's name on it!

He was placed in the perfect spot by the fireplace.

I have a ton more decorating to do and will post pictures when it is complete. I plan on finishing it this week as it looks like we will have visitors for the ACC Championship this weekend here in Charlotte...yep.. Virginia Tech is playing in it.

As for the LSU game against Arkansas? No comment.

I seriously blocked someone on Facebook this weekend because of their rude comments regarding the game. It's a game people. It's all in good fun. Get over it.

Oh..BTW -- today was day one in Brad and I commuting to work together. So far so good!!

Happy Holidays!

Our First Thanksgiving!

This was our first Thanksgiving as a married couple! First time hosting as a married couple too!! What fun!!

Here's a quick recap with pictures.

My centerpieces. Like I've said before I like realistic centerpieces for holiday tables so there is actually room to place food on the table and see the person across the table.

Pre-dinner cocktails and apps.

The Table!
We had 11 adults and 2 kids at our feast!

The place cards.

My Mom's awesome fresh apple cake!

Brad was on turkey duty. He and his Dad fried the little guy up.

It was hard to get a group shot but here are two attempts.

As for the champagne toast. We didn't do bubbles but we did drink wine and went around the table to say what we were thankful for. To be honest..I realized I didn't have enough flutes and scratched the bubbles idea.

While we ate Buddy ate his Thanksgiving too.

Kiddos!

All the parents. Brad's, mine and Robyn's Mom traveled in from St. Louis.

Cutest.picture.ever of Reed and Daddy!

Now it's time for a little football! My LSU Tigers take on the Arkansas Razorbacks tommorow and it's always a big one in our family because my Dad it a Hog fan!

GEAUX TIGERS!

Bubbles for Thanksgiving Dinner?

So, as I've mentioned we're hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year. Eleven adults and two kids! FUN!

We're so excited that we've made a few changes around the casa including paint and drapes. I've been finalizing our menu too.

Everyone is going to bring a few things which makes it more fun as well. I think I'm going to suggest they bring their recipes too so we don't have to worry about trading later.

In my research of recipes and fun decor for the big dinner I ran across an article that suggested serving a glass of champagne at the beginning of the meal.

Maybe because I was raised Southern Baptist, but I've never heard of this? Have any of you?

The idea is to pray over the meal, then afterwards make a toast for what each person is thankful for. Great way to start the dinner?

I think so...but I'm afraid the rest of the crew might think it's "gay". I'm still leaning on doing it and making it a tradition in our house.

Thoughts?

Also, a preview of my place cards even though I'm NOT done with them. I printed out the name part of them today and will glue them on tonight.

Thanks for the suggestions. The pumpkins work perfect in my opinion!

What are your fun Thanksgiving traditions, decor, etc? We're getting close!

Honesty

I have not totally been open and honest on this blog but tonight I think I'm ready. Nothing bad...but just open about my feelings.

So..here it goes.

B is gone and I'm home doing nothing. Is that bad?

I've been such a bum this weekend...or have I?

I poured wine at a festival last night and went home early because I was tired from hanging out with my hubby(B)the night before.
I was in bed and sleeping by 10pm.

Um..we don't have kids. Should I be out "hooping" it up instead?

Who knows. I know that I have no desire.

Today I spent my time getting ready for my week. Grocery shopping, laundry, trying to figure out drapes, ironing.
Then, I went and spent time with my SIL and my niece and nephew. I made my niece and nephew a thankful turkey(thanks Casey), took them coloring books, had quality time/talks with my SIL..but all I could think about doing is coming home and being quiet.

Is that weird?

I think I'm getting old or something? I'm sitting here right now drinking a glass of wine with my 48-Hours show on pause so I can fast forward through the commercials.

I feel so lame.

Most people my age are putting kids to bed. BUT, some, or maybe a lot, are out getting drunk, hanging out downtown, dancing their a==es off.

What I'm trying to say is that..I'm in this phase where all I can think about is with my life "with" kids. But I have none except my canine one.

Just hope it happens.

I know some of you bloggy friends might know where I'm coming from.
But...this is BIG for me to come out in public with.

I'm thinking it's OK since I'm 35 years old and it's time.
Back to my show kids.
Happy Saturday. night..................

Animal House

I decided to go ahead and do this post today after reading my friend Casey's entry where she talked about her daughter's obsession with stuffed cats.

No stuffed cats in our house but instead a sh--tload of stuffed AKC dog toys! Holy cow it's retarded!

I guess I'm partly to blame since I've bought many of them but my Mom and MIL are part of the problem too.

Check out part of the crew. Most of them are ducks but there is also a chipmunk, squirrel, mauled rabbit and more.

Where some dogs just look at their toys Buddy is totally into playing with his. We're constantly having toys brought to us while we're trying to watch TV, sleep, etc.

As for his favorite?
Hmmm.. probably the bummed out rabbit but truly he likes them all.

My favorites? The ones with no stuffing so I don't have to see him pull it all out leaving me to clean it up!

What dog toys do you buy? What is your pet's fav?

Happy Friday! I have a full weekend that starts in a few hours with me pouring wine at the local Beaujolais Festival! Should be a blast! CIAO!

Children's Christmas Gift Idea

I know that not all my readers have Louisiana ties but even so you have to admit that this book, Fleurdelicious, is too cute?!

Perfect gift for the little girl in your family! I'm getting one for our niece! My friend and sorority sister Renee and her friend wrote this book! They are also the creators of cute NOLA and Atlanta Baby books. Click here for information on those.

Here's a description of this totally cute book created by an awesome team of NOLA Moms!:
"Fleurdelicious the fleur de lis, is seen all over the Crescent City.From Bourbon Street to Esplanade, and even Mardi Gras Parades!"Follow "Fleurdelicious" as she travels the Big Easy on the Streetcar, around the Audubon Zoo, cooling off at Hansen's Sno Bliz and eating beignets at Cafe du Monde. You will Enjoy reading this interactive tale to children of all ages and not to mention it is an excellent souvenir to bring home to the family!

I just LOVE this!! Especially the Mardi Gras illustrations!

Something to keep for years to come. They're going fast so click here to order your own!

Chh-Chh-CHANGES!

Big changes are about to take place in Dee’s World! We found out last week that Brad will now be working at the same company I work for! In fact, he’s going to be working in the same building as me too! Just five floors down.

So – what does this mean?

Hmmm…

Well, giving that it costs anywhere from $100 to $200 to park in Uptown Charlotte a month– it means that we will be commuting together. OR.. at least we should commute together.

Here’s the exchange Brad and I had recently:

Brad: Yeh – I will probably just pay to have my own spot Uptown. You lolly-gag in the morning and I’m ready to go. Plus.. we already spend tons of time together this might be too much.

Dee: Seriously? You’re willing to spend over a $100 a month, plus gas, plus miles on the cars just to be able to drive by yourself and listen to sports talk radio without me?
WOW!! That’s retarded! Especially, since I asked to spend $100 a month on a maid and you refused saying we can clean ourselves and save $1200 a year!

Brad: Well, we’ll see. We can test it out.

Dee: I’m willing to get up earlier, etc. I know there will be days where it doesn’t make sense but overall it’s just dumb to drive 2 cars to a workplace that’s 17 miles from our house!

All in all – the jury is still out. Should be life changing. In a sense. LOL!

Also – Brad is pretty determined that I misplaced his SS card that he needs to show the company before he can be hired. We tore the house up over the weekend trying to find it and had no luck.

BUT.. guess what good wifeee did? Told him to ask his Mom if she happened to have one. Guess what? She does!! Aww.. good wifeee…good wife. Problem SOLVED!

What's Been Going on Here

Hey bloggies! I can't believe I haven't posted in a week but much of that is because there has been a lot going on. Thanks for all your sympathy this week!

I'm tired and am glad we had no major plans this weekend aside from a dinner party tonight.

Soooo....Here's what's been going on in Dee's world.

LSU has been rockin' the casbah. Even so-- we won't be traveling to the SEC Championship in December because Auburn was able to beat Georgia after all last night.

Oh.. well.

I'm a good LSU mommy and dress Budster up for game days too even though he's not as enthused.
This picture was taken last Saturday when we beat BAMA!

Also, last weekend -- Brad and I went to an engagement party for my Jr. League friend Ieva and her soon to be hubby Brad.
Good times..

As most of you know by my last post I traveled to Arkansas to attend my Uncle Delmer's funeral.
Yes, our family is weird and takes pictures at funerals. Here's one of the many photo displays they had in memory of him.

Uncle Delmer was buried next to his brother, Gary and his wife, my Aunt Bobbie. This was the first time I've seen their tombstone and I have to say -- it took my breath away. I still can't believe they are no longer on this earth. I miss them both dearly.

These are Aunt Bobbie and Uncle Gary's daughters -- my cousins. Again, I know it's weird but it's times like this that we try and take pictures since we are literally the only family members to live out of state.

During the course of the week I got to see family I haven't seen in years. Like my cousin Cory seen below. He's Uncle Delmer's grandson and has just returned from his 2nd deployment to Iraq. He's home for good now.

I couldn't figure out who he reminded me of then it dawned on me.

The late Heath Ledger. You think so too?

On Wednesday morning as we sat and ate breakfast at my Aunt Betty and Uncle Jimmy's house we saw this guy in the back yard. It's blurry because I took it through a window.

Uncle MJ(on the left)is a professional fisherman and wanted to be sure to fry us up some of his latest catch before we left.

Here's him and Uncle Jimmy getting their 'cook on'. And yes - in case you're wondering -- the fresh bass were AWESOME!

And.. as I mentioned in my last post. Then there were four. My Mom kept saying "four little Indians left".

I hope to God this time next year I'm not posting about only three being left. I'm not sure I can take much more of this. Losing 3 uncles in a year is just too much for Dee.

Moving on to happier times.....

Blogging Buddy "T" from DSS was in Charlotte this weekend and I met up with her to watch a little Hokie football.

Just as I expected her to be. Cool chick! I think we could have talked and hung for hours! I need to make a trip to small town VA very soon!

And.. last but not least.

My friend Karen came over today and we tested out a few Thanksgiving recipes from the latest issue of Bon Appetit magazine.

I made this sweet potato pudding with pecan and ginger snap topping. Click here for the recipe! To die for!!

That's all I have for today! More to come tomorrow!!

It Sucks Getting Old

Love the title of this post or what? Well, it's true and the reason being is that every year you lose yet another loved one.

My Uncle Delmer Bates died today. I woke up to a phone call from my Aunt breaking the news to me and telling me to call my Mom and break the news to her.

Sucky..long..time.

Uncle Delmer hasn't been in good shape the last few years(suffering from Parkinson's) and we knew he didn't have much longer but that still doesn't ease the pain.

Here he is meeting Brad for the first time at our Arkansas wedding reception.

If you're new here then you may not know that my Mom's family is super close. She's the baby of six kids and all of her siblings are much older than her and treat her as their own child.

Last year -- almost -- to the day we lost my Uncle Gary. Seriously...Uncle Gary was buried on the 9th of November and it's likely that Uncle Delmer's funeral will be this Tuesday - the 9th.

Uncle Gary was the first of the six to pass away. He died after going into cardiac arrest as the result of a snake bite.

Now -- a year later the number goes to four.

Here is one of the last pictures of the six siblings. Uncle Gary is the one in the brown shirt and Delmer in the veteran hat.

I'm flying out to Hot Springs, Arkansas here in a few hours. I'm meeting up with my Mom in the Atlanta airport and we fly together.

Prayers for our family please. RIP Delmer Bates. You were a GREAT man!! Love you!

I'll be taking some time off from here. More later.

Updates

I might have been misleading yesterday. I don't really have any big news or scoop instead just updates on life around here.

Sorry bloggies! I WISH I had some big news.. but no go.


So here's what I have today.


Some of our close friends had to put their beagle Jessy down this morning. Hers had doggy Alzheimers among other things. She's the beagle in the front here and was sweet and cute as can be. They rescued her a few years ago knowing she wouldn't have too many years. Such good people.

Buddy will miss her as will the rest of us. At least K and P have Drue(the beagle in the back)left.


RIP Jessy. We just know there is a chocolate pie waiting for you in doggy heaven.

We didn't do anything for Halloween. I know...lame. I did manage to throw together treat bags for our niece and nephew though.

My nametags suck since my handwriting sucks but the bags were full of all sorts of treats and treasures.

Including mummy hands. Brad thought they were clever not knowing that people have been making these for years.

We went with Robyn and group of friends to see her get her hair cut off! She starts chemo this next Monday and wanted to go ahead and prepare herself for hair loss.

Sassy or what?! The haircut event was a blast and the salon was great to let us all invade their space!

Afterwards we all hit the town at a local restaurant/bar.

We drank and danced! Good times for sure!

And.. on Sunday I left town and got to spend a few days with my Mom. I love her so much. Quality Mother/Daughter time.

It's Thursday and we don't have any big plans this weekend except an engagement party. What have you all been up to!