keepin' it classy...in the backyard

Well it all started here:

After a $300 trip to the grocery store (and then me throwing out half the stuff because I never got around to cooking it before it went bad - oppsie), I started looking at coupons in the paper.   No, not the coupons you are thinking of, get $1.00 off your salad dressing of choice.  More like the coupons, buy 1 large pizza for $10.99 and get a free liter of soda. 

As I was glancing through the 'buy one bbq sandwich platter, get one free' I spotted this:

Oh, yeah!  Just what I need to trash up our back yard.  Well, I have a good self image and I don't care what our neighbors think, bring on the blow up pool that takes up over half your yard.  I am hot, people, and remember from a post ago how obssessed I am with being outside?  Thanks to Dave Ramsey (and I mean that sincerely), we are living on a budget below our means, and this summer does not allow for a $325/month membership to the country club in addition to the $2,500 initiation fee.  Next year. 

So off to KMart I go...yes, I said KMart.  Did you even know they still existed?  To find this gem for $20!  Well since that was such a steal, I might as well pick up a little assistance (automatic air pump for $20).  And there you have it, for 40 bucks, an afternoon of fun.  Yep, that's all it lasted.  One day.  No time since then. :( 

I will go ahead and give you a glimpse of my fourth of july weekend that happened almost a month ago now:

Here's hoping to get that baby up and going again before summer's end.  

FAD girl

Just opened up my 'blogger account' to find oh, about 7 or 8 started, yet unfinished, posts. 

What the heck is wrong with me?! 

I believe it has something to do with my personality.  Must work on that flaw.  You see, I am a 'sanguine' which in personality language, according to Wikipedia, means: 

"The Sanguine temperament personality is fairly extroverted. People of a sanguine temperament tend to enjoy social gatherings, making new friends and tend to be boisterous. They are very much people persons. They are talkative and not shy.  They are usually quite creative and often daydream." 

HOWEVER, it goes on to say...

"Sanguine personalities generally struggle with following tasks all the way through, are chronically late, and tend to be forgetful and sometimes a little sarcastic. Often, when pursuing a new hobby, interest is lost quickly when it ceases to be engaging or fun."

ahahahahahahah.  Actually, I realize it is not really that funny. 

I mean seriously, every freakin' day I think/talk about a blog post about something Bri said or my latest obsession (blow up pool in backyard), then I get distracted, probably perusing around pinterst.  I get too busy pinning to type. 

How many times have I had an idea that is so gung ho that lasts 2 mayyyyybe 3 weeks?!  Seriously, as classy as I want to be, I am a 'fad girl' at heart.  I am the first to jump into the latest workout/diet or celebrity hairstyle for about A MINUTE before getting sidetrcked onto the next best thing.  Let me humor you with a few that come to the top of my mind: 

wheatgrass. 
zumba. 
cooking.
diets. 
running.
early morning reading.  
hair. 
blog. 

The truth of the matter is that there are some things that I do not waiver on, like being a wife and mom and business owner X 2.  Sometimes, I am so busy productive handling those tasks, along with a full time job, that the little fads take a back seat in my life.  And I am ok with that.  But there is a part of me that wants to do this for them, though, for Babe and Pumpkins, to capture all of our MANY fun family moments. 

Now that the personality has been revealed (as if it wasn't already obvious), I will work on some discipline, and maybe even a blog post or two. ;)

roots and lawn party - two things that go together

Ok, you know it's bad when your grandmother asks you if you are letting your hair go dark again!  And to top that off, it's worse when your 5-year old tells you that your hair is supposed to be blonde, not dark.  These comments are not made up.  And they came just in time for my touch-up appointment for tomorrow.  Only thing is, I have to reschedule because of my crazy busy week.  

Guess I will be rockin' these roots for the next couple days.  

I will say that I fit in pretty good with last night's crowd, although I did wear a hat to cover up the nastiness. 

We ventured out to the lawn party (redneck rendezvous, but oh so much fun).  And boy was it the venture.  All 13 of us!!  Me, Travis, Briley.  My parents.  My sister, her husband and their two boys.  And some friends of ours and their two kiddos. 

Here, you might enjoy this picture of us taking up an entire picnic table....covered in fried food and everyone stuffing their faces.  HA!

 

The food at these shindigs is simply amazing.  We had:  fried chicken, french fries, white bread, baked bbq chicken, hamburger, white beans with ham and onion, snow cones, caramel cake, peach, raspberry and chocolate homemade ice cream and funnel cake.  No lie.  

 There was a band and we caught the two upcoming first graders doing a little admiring from a distance.  Hey, who doesn't love a hot cowboy?!?!  (Yes, I can say that...Travis has tight jeans, boots and a cowboy hat - triple check! ;)

We the girls (and Travis on one or two) rode rides alllll night...thanks to the $10 arm band.  Gotta love it. 

I interrupt this segment on rides to give a quick thought on the 'carnies' operating the rides.  Definitely not trying to be downgrading here, but seriously.  This is what our children are subject too for two minutes whirling through the air?  

I seriously think he dozed off for a few.... 

All in all, there were lots of laughs and more memories made with friends and family.  Gosh, I just love livin' in the country :) 

And since we live in the fair capital of the state, I'm sure you will be seeing plenty more posts like these round' these parts over the next couple of summer months...

Please pass the cotton candy.

'GG' {glittery golden}

I love being tan.  I mean realllllllllly love being tan.  Like obsessed with it...if the sun is shining and I am not out in it - go ahead and mark me up as being in a bad mood.  Ok, I may be exaggerating slightly, but only slightly. 

The days of growing up with a pool and spending college days at the beaches of the world are long gone.  The biggest question of my day is no longer which suit to wear and what oil to slather on my body.  

Now, it's off to work I go and in the office I sit.  Sucks.  

Fortunately for me, I stumbled across some self tanner where I am actually pretty pleased with the results.  In the past two days, I have had several commenter's on 'how tan I am'.  I was also recently in the sweetest southern wedding (definitely deserving of it's own post OR two) and my great bridesmaids friends commented on my golden tone.  

 [WAS GOING TO INSERT CUTE GOLDEN PICTURE HERE, BUT BLOGGER IS BEING ANNOYING. POSTING ANYWAY - MY EYES ARE GETTING BLURRY...FROM PREVIOUS OFFICE SITTING OF COURSE]

Lovin' this product.  Best part, there are glittery sparkles in the lotion.  Must stock up for the rest of office sitting summer.  Blah. 

Braids are IN

The quick and easy, been doing since we were 5 hair do.  THE BRAID.  I am sure you have seen them around...

My friend Kara and I recently tried to pull them off.

(a couple of times to be completely honest)

Actually, the day she got ENGAGED she had put her hair in a WET BRAID.

(obviously the engagement was a complete surprise to her)

Soooo, we went with the assumption that braids bring good things.

 (like diamonds)



Kara (left), me (right), and our two braids facing inwards (embarrassing). 

 



Briley and me.....matching outfits AND braids. 

After reviewing the pictures, we have ONE question!

Why don't our braids look like this?!



NOT FAIR.





Top 10...

Top 10 reasons to start 'blogging' again:

10.  BECAUSE I may just become famous one day off this little creation, have a book written about me and a camera crew to follow me around (doubtful, but hey, a girl can dream).  In fact, already have the name of my show...Kitchen Catastrophe's with Corri.

9.  BECAUSE alllll [7 of them] of my followers have been upset due to lack of reading material.  ha! kidding.

8.  BECAUSE I celebrated number 29 this month.  It's my last year in my twenties...enough said.

7.  BECAUSE I was having fun!  Although it did cause some undue stress when I didn't have the most perfect post or the exact words to say, Oh well! - that's life for ya.

6.  BECAUSE my friend Amy, who has a private blog, has several printed blog books and during a recent visit I LOVED reviewing.  Need my own.  Period. 

5.  BECAUSE I want to erase all of the pics saved in my blackberry, but keep thinking I need a place to dump them.  Why not in a 'lately' or 'my life in blackberry pictures' post?

4.  BECAUSE I am funny and my life is interesting and people enjoy reading about it as much as I enjoy reading about other's lives.  (first half may be a stretch....second part is totally true, I am nosy.)

3.  BECAUSE My totally awesome sister made me a wonderful birthday dinner (Kobe style and worthy of it's own post) and asked me if I had "updated my blog"?  My answer, "no, but I really want to, just been soooo busy."  Her response, "well, you should, it was realllllly good." (Ok, maybe there wasn't an exaggeration on the really, but she did say it.  Honestly.)   

2.  BECAUSE of number 10. 

1.  BECAUSE My family is too adorable for just memories in my mind.  Briley captures my heart every single day with a funny story, cute sayings and sassy poses.  MUST document to look back on and smile. <3  And although Travis gives me a hard time with my picture taking and when the keys start typing away.  I KNOW he secretly loves it and will thank me for it one day.  I just know it.

Be on the look out for posts people, maybe multiple posts/day (well, I won't go that far). 

I have a lot of catching up to do.

where's my makeup brush?!

Ever have THOSE mornings?  The ones where you can't find ANYTHING.

This particular morning, it was my eye make-up brush.

So, in usually manner, we are in a RUSH to get Briley to school ON TIME, and so I head out the door eyeshadow-less.

I happen to look back at the little VT dressed girl in my rearview mirror to find this:

My make-up BRUSH in full use.

Unbelievable.  No, NOT REALLY. 

MY valentines

I am afraid there is some of my mother in me.  That is actually not a bad thing, just a figure of speech. :) 

When we were little (like through college little :), we would come home to doors decorated, banners hung and cards galore.  My mom loved to decorate for any and all occasions - she was the 'bmw' as we referred to her - 'best mom in the world'.  And the title is still hers.  

After a weekend of celebrating Valentines with my babe, it was time for Travis and I to celebrate with our little babe.  

We had flowers sent to her kindergarten class.  She was the only one to get them - spoiled little thing.  

 

I surprised Daddy and Briley with a little table decor I rounded up. 

 

 

i love shopping for her. (a little too much - nah!)

And even made a little treat.  Oh my gosh!  Is there hope for me in the kitchen?  Here is a another prime example of a HUMOROUS HAPPENING.  I gave up icing the other half.  

 Until next Valentine's Day. <3

lots of love, little blog posts

That pretty much sums up February.  Actually, it's more like, lots of love, no blog posts...but whatever.  Whose keeping track anyway? ;)

For the record, I have the sweetest guy.  For the record, we go to the most awesome church.  For the record, we are part of the absolute best small group.  For the record, it mas my most favorite valentine's day. EVER. 

The men suprised their gals with dinner.  We had NO idea (wellllll, I am married to Travis - who is a lot like me and sooooo maybe I had a little idea). :)  

It was wayyyyy better than anything I could have cooked - absolutely delish. 

Steve and Deb.  Our fearless leaders.  The most welcoming and warm spirited people you will ever meet. 

Luke and Taylor.  The North Carolinians and fellow cheerleader!  Preppy and Fun all wrapped into one.

Adam and Rachel.  The giving hosts for the evening.  So down to earth and relaxing to be around. 

Jonathan and Beth.  Sweetest people with huge hearts.  Great parents to the cute Evan. 

Charlie and Kate.  Not pictured.  :(  

They were out of town due to becoming an Auntie and Uncle - yay!
BUT...if they were pictured.


Charlie and Kate.  Hysterical, artsy and extremely talented.  What Joys!

Travis and Corri.  Us. :)

  
After eating entirely too much, the night continued with the traditional chocolate for each lady. 




rock that cheer head, girl

 
And then a poem, written by each hubby for his wifey.  They took turns - some were funny (very funny), but all were sweet (very sweet). 


In my case, I didn't get a poem.  I got a 'speech from the heart' and a gift which I LOVED.  

First of all, I love these globes.  Whenever I see these little guys, I want a one or map or something of the sorts.  Big, small, it doesn't matter.  I LOVE THEM.  


Babe said he knew I would like this and it reminded him of a trophy, like a trophy wife (how fitting -ahem).  Catch the engraving? "Corri - you mean the world to me." (cue - awwwww)

IF tags were allowed on blogs, the above would be tagged, "trophy wife looking a mess, valentine's trophy" 

And that, Ladies and Gents, was the most perfect Valentine's Day celebration.
*until you see the one I post about next which will include our little valentine, Briley Girl.