Black Thursday/Friday shopping

Shopping on Black Thursday/Friday has become a tradition with my aunt and cousin.  We typically start our shopping on the evening of Thanksgiving  and basically shop till we drop.  Literally! It's the only time of year you can shop all night long.  I think that's why it's so much fun for us.   Ya'll know how much I love to eat, so we always take a breakfast break around 2 or 3 am for some coffee and PANCAKES. This year we shopped for over 12 hours (8:30pm to 9:00am).  I'm actually not sure how I stayed up for that long, but I did, and it could be the 8ish cups of coffee I had over a 24 hour period.   

Midnight, Cold, and Big Smiles.

I also realized something about myself....... you know you're getting old when you start shopping Black Friday at Home Depot.   I was excited to get fresh garland, wreaths and poinsettias. 













All in all we had a lot of LAUGHS, good shopping, FREE STUFF, pancakes, too much coffee and memories to keep. 

5:30 am.... sleepy....

The mall is ready for Santa!  (taken at 5:30 am)

How do you spend your Black Friday?

Lil' Pumpkin came early

Yesterday, I blogged about the "Lil Pumpkin" baby shower and awaiting the arrival of Baby Gaver.  Little did I know, he was planning to come a little early.  He must have known I was blogging about him.  Within an hour of my post, I received a text from momma Jeannie that her water broke that morning and she was on the way to the hospital.  You can only imagine my excitement!  I kept my phone by my side allllllllllllllll day!  I didn't want to miss anything.  

By the evening, I received another text that informed me that Colton joined this world late yesterday afternoon.  Yes, I said COLTON!  Love that name.  Congratulations to Jeannie and Sam!  Christmas came early this year.  Love you both. 

Lil Pumpkin Baby Shower

 Lil Pumpkin aka Baby Gaver will be joining us very soon and I can't wait.   He's supposed to arrive in early December which is perfect timing because I will be in NC during that time frame.  I'm also looking forward to Baby Gaver's name. At this point, his parents are keeping it a surprise.  Hmmm... what could it be?

A few weeks ago, a baby shower was held for Baby Gaver's parents, Jeannie and Sam.  A lot of lovely ladies put a ton of work into this shower and I was happy to be part of it from so far away.  A big shout out to Lisa and soon to be Grandma Gaver-- these ladies were some of the busy bees and they also provided me pictures.

Dessert Table

Momma Jeannie looking super cute!

Party Favors- Fresh pumpkin bread!
Grandma Gaver made the party favors and I provided labels :)
Turned out cute!

Mommy Jeannie in her Southern Belle attire.
(sorry Jeannie- don't kill me for this photo)  :)

I was not present for the party but my sister came to the rescue again to fill my place.  My sister and I also collaborated on the shower gift below.  Since, baby Gaver's parents went to school at NC State we knew the theme of the gift would have to have to be Wolfpack gear.  My sister did a fabulous job at making this gift super cute.  Thanks SUZI Q.

Jeannie and Sam- I know you'll be amazing parents and we wish you both the very best!  We also hope you enjoyed this shower!  Love you both. 

Happy Thanksgiving 2012

All you need is love...and...

 I saw this cute sign over the weekend at Francesca's boutique and it made me miss my little fur-ball in NC.  My sister recently bought him this adorable  UNC sweater.  Don't judge...we just love our cat!  

Blue got a new sweater!

UNC!!

Rick Turns 60!

This is what happens when you turn 60!  

You get to be surrounded by family, eat delicious cake, receive fabulous presents, and PARTY!  My in-laws were visiting this past week from Idaho and it was a week long party with dinners, wine, bowling, putt putt, and a birthday celebration.  My sister-in-law, Nicole was the party planner for this event as she showered her house in 60th birthday decor.   My father-in-law, Rick is turning 60 in about a week and since they were town it was the best time to kick off his birthday celebration.  

Of course, Rick wasn't expecting this and was completely surprised.  His big smile all evening warmed everyone's hearts.   Big kudos to Nicole for all the planning and preparation.  

HAPPY HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY RICK!  I hope it was memorable!    

Senior Zone!

60th birthday cake & cake from "Nothing Bundt Cakes"

Rick the 60th Birthday Boy!

Everyone needs a wine tie!

Kind of fuzzy.....Ryan, Nicole, Tom, Bridge

New Birthday Hat!

Rick, Dan, Pat 

Debbie (Ryan's mom) and Rick.

The Worst Pick Up Lines

Pick up lines?  Seriously, do they really work?  And if they do, who falls for this crap?

About a week ago, I had stopped at the grocery store right after work to pick up some items for dinner.  This older gentleman comes up to me and says " You have legs that can RUN....."  

I thought to myself.....what does this mean??  Is he about to chase me?  It was pretty strange and creepy.

Another one I heard recently, was a gentleman asked if my father was a dentist?  My response "No".  His response "He must have been because you have the most beautiful smile."  OMG.... aren't these horrible.  

The worst story I've heard recently was from a friend of mine.  See conversation below.  

Friend: I was craving some bo rounds one morning, so decided to go get some before work. I'm in the drive through at Bojangle's and it's a long line of course. I'm listening to some song and moving back and forth. Not breaking it down or anything.

I notice the guy in front of me is looking at me on his side mirror. So I stop, and position myself where he can't really see me. I would peek out a couple of times and he was still staring.
It was really creepy. Then he goes to pay and I notice he has a wedding band on and I'm like, some guys are just skeezy.



When I pull up the woman tells me that the guy in front of me pays for my food. I see him pull away to one side and linger like he's waiting for me OMG I'm like, oh hell no.
Friend: I turn the other way like I'm going to go through the drive through again 
Me: Thats skeezy- picking a girl up at Bojangles. He's married too. UGH....horrible.

Lesson of the day: Pick up lines don't work and picking up woman at a Bojangles in the drive-thru is not classy. 

Good Friends

Life takes you to many places and you will meet a lot of great people.  
I've been fortunate enough to meet ALOT of fabulous people. 

People that love me for me.  

People that are always there for me during tough times. 

People I can always count on. 

People who make me feel special.

People that support me through thick and thin.

These people I call "FRIENDS"...."BEST FRIENDS".  

These ladies know who they are and I'm so thankful to have them as a part of my life.

One of those ladies is my friend, Maya.

Below is how she made me feel special on my 30th Birthday.

Collage of pictures from the age of 15. 

Thank you Maya for being one of my special/best friends!  Love you chica.

Presidential Election 2012

Don't forget to get out and VOTE today!  

Hmmmmm.... who did I vote for????

Coffee Jitters

Last night, Ryan and I had dinner at my god-mother's house and my uncle was the chef for the evening. He whipped up an amazing 4 course meal and topped the evening off with chocolate/raspberry cake (YUM).  My cousin brewed some fresh coffee at 7 pm and I couldn't resist.  Really.....CHOCOLATE  & COFFEE (this is a dream).  I knew that potentially the coffee could keep me up all night so I decided to drink only half a cup.   

I used to be able to drink coffee ALL day long and could sleep like a baby.  

What happen to those days??

My half a cup of coffee keep me up ALL NIGHT!  Here it's Monday morning and I'm exhausted!  Yes, I'm drinking more coffee this morning to make up for my lack of sleep.

When will I learn!  I can't drink coffee after 4 pm!  

I guess this is my sign....I'm getting older.   SIGH....

Ronan

Did you watch the CMA awards last night?  So good!  

After watching the CMA's.... I remembered something......

Taylor Swift was on the radio last week promoting her new album and instead of boasting about the album they were talking about her song "Ronan". 

 Its a song she performed at "Stand Up to Cancer" and currently is not on any of her albums but can be found on iTunes.  The DJ's on the radio were talking about how touching the song was and how it made grown men cry.  I will admit I was intrigued a little to see what this song was all about, if it made a grown man cry.   

Well, I have to admit this too..... it made this 3-0 year old, grown woman cry as well.

Taylor Swift took words from a mother's blog here in Phoenix, AZ and put it into a song.  Ronan was a 4 year old boy fighting cancer and sadly lost his battle.  Seriously, 4 years old.  Ugh....   My heart broke for his mother, father, siblings and loved ones.   

Cancer at any age isn't easy!  I HATE CANCER!!! I really do!  I see how strong my mom has been during her continuous fight and I can't even imagine it. She's such a brave soul and she still manages to make me laugh every day (even when she's not feeling good).  Love you momma!

Big LOVE and HUGS to Ronan's Family.  I hope to see you around PHX sometime.  Props to Taylor Swift for writing this amazing song. 

Halloween/30th Birthday Bash

Gifts from my brother-in-law, Tom

This past weekend, I turned the big 3-0!  We held a 30th Birthday/Halloween bash at our casa.  It was a full house with friends and family all around.  I thoroughly enjoyed seeing everyone in their costumes. We also celebrated October birthdays for our friend, Carlo (30th) and my two aunts Val & Amy.  I seriously had the best birthday and am so thankful to be blessed with such great family and friends. 

CHEERS to my new chapter! I'm excited!  

Enjoy the video below.   Make sure the sound is on!