tis the season

To give credit where credit is due, sir husband came up with that lovely creative title.  I asked him what to write about because well my brain farts are way too common these days. He answers, "chili".

He does make some bomb chili. He made it tonight and I chugged about 4 glasses of water while scarfing it down. Sweet and spicy...ow la la. Delish. Anyway, I asked him if he had the recipe and he said no.

Therefore, you get no chef Jeff chili recipe. And he noted he couldn't share his secrets anyway. Sorry. He won't even tell me. Bah humbug.

Moving on....

I'll stick with his theme but tis the season for more things than just chili.

More like tis the season for people to be completely NUTSO on Saturday shopping at Hobby Lobby. Everywhere I turned I was smacking people with my cart saying "sorry", "excuse me", "whoops". I got so tired of saying sorry I just had to leave.

 I didn't leave empty handed though of couuuuurse. I grabbed some clothespins, spray paint, ribbon, and a tree topper. 50% Christmas stuff is just dangerous. I could have spent my entire pay check in there. Danger danger.

It is also tis the season for putting up our Christmas tree and Christmas parties.

We had my work Christmas party this weekend and somehow this morning I was feeling like death. I think someone roofied me. Kidding kidding, but hello headache. And somehow I ALWAYS seem to leave holiday parties with alcohol. Last week at Jeff's we got three bottles of wine. Last night we got two bottles of wine and mini crown and vodka bottles. I'm not complaining.

Tis the season for KU basketball. This needs no explaining. I am so in love with my Jayhawks. McLemore? Serious skillllllz. #23 is where it's at.

Til the season for learning that buying your husband Christmas presents isn't an easy task without him finding out. Therefore, I  guess he gets none. Kidding, but really...how in the world do you do that? He is the sneaky one, not me.

Tis the season for deals upon deals. And boy I LOVE me some deals. I literally try not to pay anything full price. I think it's bonkers. Unless it's target, then I will reconsider.

 And someone please tell me wine bottle sweaters are not the cutest thing ever. Seriously?! You can find the one above here for 7.99.

ornament swap

I am a little late on this, but I'm linking up with Laura from The Luckiest in Love for her annual ornament swap. I was even so lucky to meet the lovely host tonight at dinner and love love loveeed her and her husband. One of the best nights in town thus far!

Anyway, my swap partner Maggie gave me the best surprise ever in my little package that arrived Thursday after I got home from work. Which, by the way, is the best feeling in the world. Mail that is not a bill is always a winner in my book.

In her box she not only gave me a cute little present ornament and candy canes, but also a banner she personally made. I am in love! What a sweet surprise.

Maybe next year I won't procrastinate until the very last minute. Somehow I am really good at that. I love these swaps and so pumped about my goodies. And if you haven't visited Laura's blog you need to jump ooooon it!

the story of Santa Jr.

(warning: for my viewing pleasure years from now)

When it comes to teaching, I like to have fun. I feel like if I'm bored, I know they are at least twice as bored as I am.

This December I decided to follow the trend and get an elf on a shelf for my classroom. I looked for them everywhere and the only one I did find was 30 bucks. Yeah, my teacher self just couldn't dish out that for a little stuffed toy.

I settled for the 9 dolla version, that happened to be plastic. And short. With a head the size of Texas. Luckily the kids all thought it was because it was the "most special elf" of Santa's because he didn't look like the rest, could hide easily, and had more magic because he was so small. Good thing they didn't know it was just because their teacher was cheap.

Anyway, I was so excited the first day I brought it to the class. They have previously been almost begging an elf to come to our class, so I had to produce. They were more excited than I ever imagined. Oh the excitement and entertainment one little plastic toy can bring to 36 third graders.

I need to take a picture of their mural for the elf. Too funny. And maybe a little creepy.

Anyway, for the actually point of this story. I am going to recap some awful things that have happened with Santa Jr. (that is what they named him).

Day 1 was all good. He quietly sat on the whiteboard with a note written to the students about who he was and what he was there to do. Okay so smoothly it started.

Day 2 was pretty good. Until day 2 ended and I tried to hide mr elf behind one of the pictures the kids drew. Long story short, the damn thing fell off the wall, smacked his little elf noggin', and his santa hat broke off. My face was in shock mode :O.

Okay if these kids are going to find out these types of things aren't real it is NOT going to be from me. So I did everything in my power to make sure they believed this little elf man was real, even after I had to hot glue his hat back on. They believed he had fallen from the ceiling and got a bruise on his cheek and Santa fixed his hat. All was good.

Today, Day 3. A traumatic day in the life of Santa Jr. He decided to hide in the books today. Threw them all over the room. Not so smart on my part because the kids wanted to check out books. Well, he got hit and his hat got knocked off, again. They felt so bad for the elf.

As we were walking to specials a little girl came up to me a little behind the class and I could tell something was wrong. I asked her and she just looked at me with a sad sad look. I asked her again if she wanted to tell me what was wrong. She said I would get mad and of course I said no of course I wouldn't.

Her answer in tears, "I accidentally touched the elf."

It took all of me not  to laugh. Poor girl. She thought that she ruined the magic for her entire class all because she accidentally touched the elf. She asked me what was going to happen and I made sure she knew elf man would not hold it against her.

Who knows what in the world that elf will bring next....and to think, it's only day 3.

i'm dreaming of a white christmas

It's funny how the only day I find my way to the computer is on Sunday. Maybe if my office gets done soon,  I'll start coming back more. Wink Wink Jeff.

This weekend was the ultimate perfect start to December. Literally the only thing better would have been actual snow itself. Not really minding this 70 degree weather though. 

This past weekend I witnessed probably the second best surprise ever. My dad has always always been a good surpriser. He has the biggest heart in the entire universe and is always looking for ways to surprise my mom.

Well this one took the cake. Every year it's a tradition in our family to watch White Christmas. It was my grandma's favorite, which is now my mom's favorite Christmas movie. So what better surprise than to take her to a dinner theatre with White Christmas playing?!

Dad you are genius. 

Needless to say when she asked while we were walking by to take a picture in front of the theatre, we knew she had no idea what was coming for her. She kept telling my little brother they had to come back so they could watch it. Dad then said well, we might as well go in. Her face = priceless.

On top of such good company, we had Jeff's Christmas party, and put up our tree and Christmas lights. I am in love with this time of the year. Ahhhhh!

now for a tree skirt and topper!

little moments

I just wanted to stop in to recap some moments....

Thanksgiving always gives me a second to stop in my tracks and be thankful. More thankful than usual. For how blessed Jeff & I are. It's unbelievable. Sometimes I wonder what in the hello I did to deserve what I have.  THANKFUL

I realized that just because I say I will never eat again after Thanksgiving day, doesn't mean it will happen. I ended up eating just as much for three days. Helllllllo gym.

Speaking of gym, I swear our new puppy is making me lose 100 pounds. Chasing her all around, having races with her, and making sure she doesn't escape. Goodbye Thanksgiving 50.

Today our neighbor was outside and I said my usual hello and asked if he got a new tree (he was getting it out of the truck). I said we needed to get on that because we didn't even have our very first Christmas tree because we are slackers. And what do you know....he offered up his old one. And the tree? Is perfect. It even twinkles at me. THANKFUL

I got the sweeeeetest package in the mail today from our wedding photographer. It wasn't a picture though. It was a gift addressed to Piper. And it had a dog toy and dog treats inside. I about died. Nicest thing ever. Piper is loving being the princess. THANKFUL

Husband not only raked all of the leaves today, but also came home from the grocery store with TWO jars of okra. TWO. Holy cow I am so in love with that man. It's the little things. THANKFUL

ow owwww.

Piper got her first bath tonight. She rethought being our child for a moment. She smells so fresh and so clean clean now though.

I am so ready to be in the blogging mode again....maybe someday....maybe someday.

Right now I have two cuddle bugs to hang with though.

sorry I shall stop being an obsessive fur mom. but i just can't help itttt.

our Piper girl

My heart is just busting out of the seams right now.

On Friday, November 16th, we brought our first little black miniature schnauzer home. It took less than 5 seconds to fall entirely head over heels in love with her. I may be completely nuts, but the happiness she already brings us just brings me to tears (of joy). Okay yes, I am totally crazy.

Whoever thought that a little pup chasing around leaves, dragging water bottles around, and trying to eat momma's diamonds could be so entirely adorable and perfect?

Really, everything she does just makes me beam. And somehow she thinks my pony tail turns into a chew toy when it goes in a bun. Serious attack mode goes down. 

She also got to experience her first KU game. Even though she wasn't the good luck charm we needed, she rocked it and was quite the trooper. Plus, she got to hang out with her grandma, gramps, and uncle. Of course she had fun.

Anyway, I know that this is simply a dog. A four legged animal. But to me, she is a part of our little family. And I am so dang thankful she is. We just love her to a million bazillion pieces.

Welcome to the family baby girl.

(Lord help us when we actually have children)

Winner of Tiny Prints

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xoxo.

HAPPY SUNDAY

 and don't forget you can still get some adorable cards at the Tiny Prints website! Get FREE shipping and their special weekend offer of 20% off of orders $49+ or 25% off of $199 with code novsw25