Breaking all the Rules.

Confession: I am NOT going to be able to hold off on Christmas decorations for a whole 'nother week plus. It's just not going to happen. Tonight after work, instead of going to the gym like a good girl, I'm hitting the town in hopes of finding some sweet deals on Christmas decor. In fact, when I get home this afternoon I will have a Target shipment containing the cutest stocking hangers.

This guy:

And this guy:

Upon looking back for pictures, I'm not sure I made the best decisions but they're cute, if only for Christmas 2010.

I'm a large fan of cranberries and really want to decorate with them. I don't think I like eating them but I love they way they look and how cranberry scented goodness makes my house smell!

Basically, tonight might be the end of my pumpkin happiness. Either they are gone or my entire guest room is full of Christmas decor!! AHHH!

Tis' the Season, dammit. I. Can't. Wait.

Too Much...

I've been in a rut lately. I got some news today that will hopefully tied me over for a month or so until better opportunities present themselves. At least that is what I will tell myself until then.

I think this is just a weird time. It is still sort of that transitioning phase from college student to adult. Sometimes I still get the desire to have a few beers on a work night but then the weekend rolls around and I'm not looking forward to a night on the town. I blame part of this on being older and not "recovering" as easily and the other part on the expenses one entails when out on the town. This "expense" makes me miss college even more! Not because I didn't always pay my bar tabs out of my own pocket (Thanks, Mom!) but because college towns are so stinking cheap! Dollar drafts; two for one longnecks (and jager bombs. vom.); and who can forget, FREE beer. Roll back the time machine, will ya!

That's just what I plan to do this weekend. Roll back that ol' time machine. It's homecoming in the bustling town of Cookeville, TN. That means good food, great friends and CHEAP DRINKING!!

Fall

Oh how I love fall. My life has been a whirlwind lately but I think it has finally calmed down for a little bit at least. Just the other day I purchased a Chiminea (something like that) and built myself a fire, with the help of Duff the Buff Stuff. We got her going and relaxed with JED and TT. I'm a bit worried that Fall might be extra short and skip on to Winter which will make me very sad.



I have also committed to learning all the words to a new song. Well, it isn't really a new song but one that was conjured up on the way to All-Employee staff meeting a couple of weeks ago. That song would be.... duh duh duh. Ice, Ice, Baby by none other than Vanilla Ice himself (who I saw a pic of in Hooter's today at lunch so it's even more of a sign I've chosen the perfect song.) I realize I'm about a decade behind on this song but it is quite a long song. I listened to it for a solid two hours Friday on my way to Illinois and all I can remember is "If you got a problem, yo, I'll solve it. Check out da hook while my DJ revolves it" or something like that. I feel it has a good message. When I figure out what that is, I'll let you all know.



My current life in a nutshell. Word to yo motha.

Life Lately

It has been quite some time since I posted anything. I don't feel bad about it since only a couple of people have updated their blog in the last, oh, 4 months.

Lately:

• Work - I've been working. A lot. Funny how things can go from so painfully boring to staying late and working weekends at the drop of a hat. I LOVE being busy. It makes the day go by so much quicker and I feel like I'm actually needed on the job!
• Football - After spending a fun-filled Labor Day weekend with RB, Puh and J-Money, I've spent the last two weekends attending football games. UT vs. Orgeon left a lot to be desired. Nothing like standing for an hour and a half in the corridor of one of the largest STEEL stadiums in the country while a hellacious storm passes through. Oh and the game went quickly downhill after that storm. Titans vs. Raiders the following day was a good way to end the weekend. Then there was this past weekend. UT vs. FL - I've seen worse games. I've had much crazier weekends in Knoxville. BUT I have NEVER sweated so much in Neyland Stadium (or anywhere other than Bonnaroo) in my lifetime. It was a scorcher! My arms were the color of ketchup by halftime. Titans vs. Steelers. Thanks. God. I. Didn't. Attend.
• Kickball - I've been playing a little kickball lately. Nothing like a Tuesday night kicking a ball and drinking beer. On an organized team. Well I was on an organized team until this week when I "tore" my left quadricep and pulled the heck out of the right one. And cried for the whole second half of the game. It hurt like a mother. Still a little tender but I'm hoping to be back on the field for the next game. That is unless my team is embarrassed by my lack of muscular endurance. You simply cannot cry in kickball. Who does that?!
• TV - This could possibly be the greatest week in TV history. Monday night I tuned into "The Event." I was cooking dinner during the first half but JED brought me up to speed. I think it's going to be a good one. Tuesday night was the season premiere of "Parenthood." Gotta love that show. Last night I attempted to watch "Undercovers" because it is written by the "Lost" dude. It was alright but the urge to clean hit me mid-show and so I might have to re-watch. Tonight is Grey's and Private Practice. Nuff' said. Sunday is Brothers and Sisters. Rob Lowe is dead. Sad day. I, unfortunately, have missed every new episode of Weeds and Gossip Girl this season. I don't have Showtime and Bachelor Pad conflicted with GG. Must catch up on them both.

I am trying to decide if and when to have a gathering at the not-so-new house. Halloween would be perfect but I don't have a costume or an idea so that sorta puts a damper on that. Possibly a weekend before with football watching and pumpkin carving instead. Fall is pretty rad except for Fall at 90+ degrees. Thank you, Mother Nature/Global Warming/El Nino.

TaDa....

So I finally posted some house pics on Facebook. Not too many but enough for you to get the idea. I left out JED's room because I didn't want to be super creepy and snap photos of her space while she wasn't home.

Also, I have finally completed a project. I repainted an old Army coffee table I once spray painted black and used as an "entertainment center." Here is before (I almost forgot the before pic...)

And here is the final product. I was going to do a little bit of distressing action but I decided I liked the fresh, clean feel of the plain light grey.

I know. This is quite the boring blog but things have been NUTS at work and I'm certain no one wants to hear me vent about that!

Here's to the long weekend with good friends AND the kick off to Football Time in Tennessee.

Which reminds me, please take a trip over to my dear friend Sara's blog. A little something to get the football juices flowing. Miss you SKP!!

Until next time...

CRG

Random Tidbits

I'm taking the leap of health this week. I hope it's worth it. I am doing the GNC 7 Day Fast Loss thing again. I'm trying my hardest to do what it says this time so I can get results. It was difficult the initial time due to my big move coming smack dab in the middle (poor timing on my part.) I'm also joining the Y this afternoon. I've been planning on this for awhile now but since I'm officially a TVA employee, I have no more excuses since it's essentially free as long as I go. I think I'll feel much better getting back into the groove.

Side note - my body is sore from playing Corn Hole all weekend. I would venture to say I spent about 8 hours total tossing the bags around. I can't wait til Fall!!! It was so good to see so many great friends this weekend! (Welcome to East Nashville, Ben and Kitzie!!!) Hopefully some others will come visit soon!!

Another side note - Tonight I will be rummaging through the old paint in the basement, looking for the perfect color to paint an Army coffee table I used for an entertainment center in Memphis. It's taking up space and the current black paint clashes with everything. I will not paint it to match anything though. I'm thinking a ivory, white or gray, whichever is handy in the paint cabinet. After following the blog, "Life in the Fun Lane," I pretty much want my whole house in these hues. (Link to the blog on the right) It's so refreshing!

Random blog. Apologies.

Amen and Amen.

A little soul yelling from my lovely friend over at Come Sit By Me.

Us girls are tired of getting pushed around. Read here. Trust me.

I miss you SKP!