It's... CHRISTMAS TIME!

I'm sooooooo excited about Christmas! Which is a relief because I thought that I would NEVER get here! The past few weeks have been crazy with work (finishing up the last few events of the year), getting side business orders done, getting Christmas Shopping DONE (or almost), and trying to have a little fun with holiday visitors.

My best friend Anne (with my little sister Libby) finally made it down to Mobile, and we had soooooo much fun. 

We had entirely too much fun (hints the accessorizing with old birthday hats).

 Due to all of the craziness time has continued to fly by, and somehow I have made it to this day, my last day of work for 2009.... and I won't be back until January 4, 2010. It's going to be great!!! 

To jump start the Christmas spirit Brenton and I had our Christmas last night, and it was PERFECT. Brenton was really surprised with his gift... home bar plans, a gift card to build it all, a sign I painted for the bar .... or should I say the "Lonely Bar," and a scrapbook to keep up with all of the progress and memories. I got such good presents... all way too much, but I am very excited!!! I got a camera (and this is a BIG deal because I have been wanting one for FOREVER), some Nike running shorts (that I can never bring myself to pay for), and most dear to my heart... Brenton bought me a limited edition of The Little Mermaid DVD (my all time favorite Disney movie).  It has already been a very Merry Christmas, and I can't wait for more!!!

There is one reader I especially cannot wait to see...

I love you Bibs... I'm so EXCITED to spend Christmas with you!

Atlanta... we are on our way!

By the way... there will be more to come later on the progression of the LONELY BAR! 

Blogging Is Hard To Do:

Time has been absolutely flllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllying away with reckless abandon, and before I knew it it's December. Lately my blogs have become massive summaries of several weeks, which can be great, but that also means I have missed out on a few little things here and there... things that, while possibly not necessary to the BIG picture, are still things I don't want to forget.

So, last night as I am chatting with my little sister and my best friend before I go to bed, and end a wonderful weekend visit... my sister tells me basically that my blogging is sub par. This made me laugh because people (including myself) have been getting on to my boyfriend about his blogging (or more a lack there of). Obviously I have some updating of my own to do...

So.... Thanksgiving was wonderful and there has never been a time that I can remember in my life where I have felt so thankful and blessed. I was so happy to be home and surrounded by family that I was beside myself. It was overwhelming to stand there at our table and just feel HAPPINESS. I feel so lucky to have so many amazing people in my life that I love so much!

Here is Mama cooking up a storm (I'm getting hungry just posting these pictures up)!

Here's Nana hanging out, and enjoying the full and busy kitchen.

Here is some "be sweet" time with Papa.

Good Ole Blazer hanging out and hoping to get some Turkey Day treats of his own!

Of course I had to show you our yummy Turkey!

Thanksgiving felt like it just came and all of the sudden it was December... and it snowed in Mobile, Alabama (and by snow I mean the kind blown out of a machine). It was so pretty floating all around Royal Street down near the water in downtown. It was such a fun night where all of Royal Street was decorated for Christmas, and if you weren't already in the spirit for the holidays... this night definitely took care of that.

We even got our own little tree... and it smells so amazing... I love the smell of the a fresh tree! It really puts me in the mood for Christmas, and it is so great to come home to a tree.

Merry Wishes and Happy Everything!

November = Birthday Fun, Ida, and New Beginnings...

November has always been an exciting month for me personally, however this November has been especially memorable. First of all, I would like to say that I feel like this year has absolutely flown by... I feel like I was 23 for 23 seconds as opposed to 365 days. Time is just going so fast that I am remembering everything as if it was yesterday, and then come to find out that it's this time of year AGAIN! I just don't understand how time could go any FASTER! So, in early November I said goodbye to 23 and hello to 24... it's not a particularly a landmark year... but it was a Friday birthday, which makes it a good one, and from the moment I got to work that day it was. I opened my office door and the room was totally PACKED! They got me I was definitely surprised!!! I mean completely SURPRISED! It was so SWEET of everyone at work to make me feel so special on my birthday, and I got all kinds of little goodies. 

I got my absolute favorite cake... RED VELVET... and I loved the star candles they were so cute!

This is the AmAzInG basket of goodies that my office buddy and wonderful friend Gina gave me. Yes, that is DUNK-A-ROOS I loved these when I was little.... it was always the best day when I  had those in my lunch box. Everything in there was so delicious and yummy, and my mixed "tape" was awesome. She really went over the top, and it made me feel so good. It's on days like this that I am so appreciative of the fact that I LOVE my job, and I LOVE who I work with.... it truly is such a blessing! Then as if that wasn't enough already I got taken out to lunch by Gina's mama and her precious little bit Alex! 

Does her sweet smiling face not just say... I HOPE YOU HAVE THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!

Then my birthday lunch wore her out, and she decided to be soooooooooo CUTE even while sleeping, which is a talent that I do not have.

I must also mention that my wonderful roommate and friends surprised me again in downtown for drinks. We had a great time, and I ended the night dancing (the PERFECT way to end any night)!

Then Tropical Storm Ida came to town, and was nice enough to do little to no harm. However, she did give us some time off of work, so we... CELEBRATED. 

We were all cozy, and enjoying some tacos, margaritas, hot chocolate, irish coffee, coke floats, and some fun games.... even though we had a....

CHEATER among us!

Here are our Tropical Storm Ida hosts!

I think the boys ot a little stir crazy... or we will just call it that! haha

It is amazing how you can go from being a kid one day to an adult the next....

This past Monday (November 16th) was Brenton's first day at his first "big kid" job. 

Here he is just before he headed off to work... this time the suit is not for fun it is a requirement.

He looks good doesn't he.... I'm so excited for this new opportunity for him. I have been so proud of him all week that I really do feel like I BURST at any moment! He is amazing, and I love him so much! 

This month has been so CRAZY, and it isn't even over yet! I love this time of year!

All Aboard...

Not to long ago I have started my own little side business.... Simply Scof Designs.... I have mostly being providing graphic design services, making hand made cards, and other creative projects. 

This brings me to my point... I got a very interesting request, from a lady that I work with, about two weeks ago to turn a little red wagon into The Polar Express. The Polar Express (wagon) was for her little boy who was the conductor, for Halloween. 

Here's train from the front...

and here is the caboose (all you Polar Express fans will understand)

I was told yesterday by the little boys mother, as she showed me pictures, that he had a great time conducting The Polar Express for Halloween! He even was having his dad ride him around the neighborhood (in full conductor attire) in his train on Sunday! Spending sometime with The Polar Express this past week... I have been bitten by the Christmas Bug.... I'm soooooooo ready for the holidays (even if it is only November 3rd).

Good People + Good Food = Good Weekend

This past weekend there was a very special event... that brought Tansey and I to her home town of Tallahassee, Florida. We were celebrating the fast approaching arrival of precious JULIAN CHARLES SIRMANS! It was a baby shower extravaganza!!! 

The party that was thrown by several of Kim's (mommy to be) friends was so cute. They all did a great job (especially Tansey with her games and favors). While at this party it didn't take long to realize that these two parents to be (Kim and Stace) are some of the most loved people I have ever met. One of the major signs pointing to this was that the shower I attended was their third shower... and they still had one more to go!

It was kind of crazy sitting there in this shower amongst several pregnant women (who were all right around my age). It dawned on me that how fast life is changing, and how these moments won't be too (maybe in a several years or so) far behind for me and my friends. Even though it may be quite awhile I am looking forward to it. For the time being though I am perfectly pleased to be celebrating the arrival of Kim and Stace's little bundle of joy rather than my own.

So... after this wonderful shower, which I unfortunately have no pictures from, we got lucky and got to steal the mommy and daddy to be away for just a bit! We went to Ted's!!!

  

Here are those oh so sweet (they are such incredible people that you almost can't believe it.... but it's completely true they are amazing) soon to be parents. (Kim and Stace... Julian is truly a lucky little boy to have yall) 

My lovely roommate and her wonderful mama (Denise) :)

I love, love, love, LOVE Coke in a bottle!

Not only was the company great, but the food was too I got a Blue Creek Bison Burger (in case you are wondering that is a burger made of buffalo ... yes BUFFALO meat, topped with Blue cheese crumbles and bacon!

Not only did we get to celebrate upcoming birthday of little Julian, but we also got to celebrate Denise's belated birthday! We celebrated with the best snicker doodle cookie and ice cream EVER!

Then... the next day as if I hadn't had enough good food... we went to the Pitaria... and it was soooooooooo good! I love Gyros... and this one was delicious and so were the little french fries that went with it!

We were racing the sun to the bridge... and we made it... this is the sun going down just as we were crossing the bridge to good ole Mobile.

I Love This Love Letter

Though still in bed, my thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved, now and then joyfully, then sadly, waiting to learn whether or not fate will hear us - I can live only wholly with you or not at all - Yes, I am resolved to wander so long away from you until I can fly to your arms and say that I am really at home with you, and can send my soul enwrapped in you into the land of spirits - Yes, unhappily it must be so - You will be the more contained since you know my fidelity to you. No one else can ever possess my heart - never - never - Oh God, why must one be parted from one whom one so loves. And yet my life in V is now a wretched life - Your love makes me at once the happiest and the unhappiest of men - At my age I need a steady, quiet life - can that be so in our connection? My angel, I have just been told that the mailcoach goes every day - therefore I must close at once so that you may receive the letter at once - Be calm, only by a calm consideration of our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together - Be calm - love me - today - yesterday - what tearful longings for you - you - you - my life - my all - farewell. Oh continue to love me - never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved. 

ever thine . ever mine . ever ours

~Beethoven

You may recognize this letter from Sex and the City the movie... I love this letter... my favorite part is "I can live only wholly with you or not at all."

Can you imagine if we still wrote like this. Today the way we write is pretty pathetic by comparison. However, it does take alot longer to get your point across... Beethoven turned "I love you" into about 250 words. I think that sometimes we should take our time telling the people we love that we love them, or sometimes you can just borrow the words from Love Letters By Great Men to get your point across!

Fun Finds At Wal-Mart...

Tansey (my roommate) and I left our apartment, usually early for us on a Sunday, on a mission. This mission took us to a Wal-Mart in Mobile that we had never been to before... a really nice one (we were actually greeted at the door by a smiling employee). We went all over that place collecting this and that, and I found some fun finds....

Since HaLLoWeeN is just around the corner I found some fun stickers. (The preschoolers where I work get to come around to three offices that they choose everyday and get stickers). I already had two very excited visitors to receive my spooky ghost stickers... that GLOW IN THE DARK! You can't ask for a cooler sticker!

My other notable purchase... was a card that made me laugh so hard I bought it (mind you it's a birthday card... that I could save for someone... but it makes me laugh so much I think I might just need to keep it). 

Does that not just make your day? Haha Do you think it's weird that I think elephant booties are so cute... this card was made for me! Oh and the cashier (whom was also very nice) saw the card when she was ringing it up and was curious like I was and I told her read it... it'll make you laugh. She did and said... I don't think it will work for the next birthday I have coming up in December... my mom's 89th haha! That was some of the best $2.23 I have spent in a while, and I hope you enjoyed it too!

SUIT UP!!!

Big things are just around the corner... life is getting more and more exciting by the moment. There is evidence of this everywhere! For example Brenton had his first big interview on Monday. So... like any stellar interviewee he... SUITED UP... in Hugo Boss no less.

I figured I would let everyone enjoy the view...

and just in case you didn't get enough!

Brenton... it was so cool to watch you go through this experience... it's like you put on the suit and grew up a little bit. Watching you go after your goals makes me so proud of you, and makes me realize even more how amazing you are. I know you can do anything, and that great things are in your future! LOVE YOU BUD! 

By the way the suit looks VERY good on you!

Hello Fall.... WHERE ARE YOU?!

This morning has been one small crisis after another. First I woke up feeling soooooo sick to my stomach, which is my least favorite way to get ready in the morning. Then today is one of our quarterly luncheons at work... this one is tailgate themed (which means we get to wear jeans and our favorite team's t-shirt). While this should be exciting it wasn't because I could not find any of my Georgia shirts this morning, so I settle for another choice. The choice I settle for is a white tank top and a red cardigan.... this was a BAD CHOICE! It was a bad choice because I don't know what fall is thinking but it is not here YET... OH AND WE HAVE NO AC AT WORK TODAY! So if you do the math... sick to my stomach + jeans and cardigan + no AC = NOT GOOD! 

If it wasn't for this wonderful little fan here I would have been in some real trouble!

So to sum things up... Fall you are officially taking way too long... 85 degrees at 8:00 a.m. is too HOT! 

AtLaNtA... Round Two

So... I'm going to fill you in about my second trip to Atlanta... yes if you are doing the math that is TWO times in one month! The funny thing is I was so ExCiTeD to be there on this second trip that you would think I hadn't just been there two weeks before. It's easy for me to get overwhelmed when I go home because there are so many things I want to do (and sleep is NEVER one of them), so many places I want to go (like a mall that actually has at least two floors), and of course so many people I want to see (family and old friends). This trip was no exception.... I feel like we got to pack so much into this one tiny little weekend.

The first thing I have to share was our trip to Swoozies (it's this really cute little gift store that has almost everything you can think of and no we don't have one here in Mobile). Tansey and I went to Swoozies to look around at ideas and things for her best friend's baby shower... we had so much fun looking for things for LiTtLe BaBy JuLiAn! I don't know if it is just me, but baby onesies have gotten really funny!

I mean you have to laugh reading these.... we did.... and we ran around like crazy people taking

pictures of all of our favorite ones.... it's cracking me up now as I am uploading them!

Then when we got home from a LONG day of shopping.... and I really mean LONG my mom had a surprise! I was so glad that I was home for this one.... my mom got a new ring (same stone just a different setting) for her 25th wedding anniversary! She was so ExCiTeD!!! She was sparkling all over the place the rest of the weekend!

Then Tansey and I headed over to Roswell to have some fun! I don't know if you are going to be able to tell, but Brenton ordered a Guinness.... and if you look real close.... there is a shamrock in the top of his beer!

Then.... we went to Chaplin's.... this little bar in Roswell that always is a HUGE 

experience, and this time was no exception! In the words of Drew Adams "Chaplin's ALWAYS delivers!"  

So... here is Tansey and I enjoying the sights (very interesting people), sounds (its a karokee bar), and tastes (some really LARGE vodka Tonics).

Thank you Chaplin's for a WoNdErFuL night with old friends. Sadly leaving Atlanta this time was not easy as usual, but we had a really great time. I just absolutely LOVE being home.... how come I didn't get that when I lived there haha? I guess that is the way it always goes. Good news is Turkey Day is right around the corner!