Birthday, Beach and Bargains

Whew.. thinking about this post wears me out....

My high school friend Angela was home for a week ( she just recently moved to Bham) and it just so happened she was here on her birthday. We celebrated with Mexican food, sombreros and laughter. Much fun! It felt like old times. I'm glad we can pick up where we left off.

Last week was our annual family trip to the beach. It started off rocky with me having a migraine but once it subsided, the week was wonderful . We could not have asked for better weather. Here are a few pics to share...

Now, we are back home and getting everything gathered for school starting next week for KE. Backpack monogrammed, lunchbox found and ordered, school supplies, uniforms fitted..not to mention cheer camp outfits put together and her BFF that moved to St Louis will be here for the week too! She couldn't be more pumped. Then on the side, me and a friend are having a garage sale this Saturday. I really don't want to , but I need to get rid of some of this junk! The boys won't start preschool until September so all the focus is on KE right now. This school year I will have 2 mornings a week to myself. I'm excited to actually have the time to come home and clean interrupted.

Now, I must share with you my recent fabulous find!!! Are you ready? If you don't like, oh well, I LOVE...

just look at the rug folks.. the rest is a work in progress.

There is a wonderful home decor store nearby and they have a scratch and dent sale in the back... well, not a thing is wrong with this. When Angela was here, she went and told me I must go see.. T made me wait until we got back from the beach. It was well worth the wait.

Fun Stuff!

This week has been HOT but last night we got a good thunderstorm that "cooled" down the air.. if that's what you want to call it... The humidity here is swelty.

Our neighbor's granddaughter was here this week from Nashville ( her daddy plays for the Dixie Chicks and Lyle Lovett.. isn't that neat?) and asked KE to come play... That they did and had a blast....

We will definitely have to get us a zip line! Even the boys enjoyed it!

Now, I have thinking about how to make our house "our own" we literally have not done anything to the outside of it since we moved in about 5 years ago. Our brick is a orangy that I don't care for and as I used to be totally against painted brick, I have a new appreciation for it..done right. So, I ride around taking pics of homes so I can study them , and decide what to do... Out of all the colors I see, I lean toward the creams and light golds as oppose to the greys. What do you think?

Yesterday I ventured out of town to meet up with some friends and head to a fabric 'warehouse' of sorts where all fabric is DIRT CHEAP and fabulous! ( *On the way back, I stopped to meet my internet friend, Amy that has Brownie-Goose! I didn't get to meet that precious baby girl of hers due to naptime, but Amy is a doll and I'm so glad to finally meet her) This is the dress I picked up from her. It's the "Evelyn" dress :)

I have 2 club chairs that were my grandmother's that I was fortunate enough to inherit and they have had their day. The lady that will be recovering them for me can't for 2 weeks so I thought I would go ahead and give you all a peak of what's to come!

FROM THIS:

TO THIS!

Now it's time to do the 8 loads of laundry waiting on me and get this house clean before we leave for the coast! yay!!! Every year as the kids get bigger, it's much more fun. I will be sure to check out the local consignment and thrift stores for furniture treasures!! I'm hooked on re-dos!

such a slacker

sorry i have not blogged. guess i haven't been with the blogging world... thank to facebook! I'm totally hooked! I need to challenge myself to go one day without checking it.. Better yet, I need to go one day without the computer!

In the midst of saving money the dave ramsey..sort of-way, we gave up cable. We are on week 2 and I was informed this morning that Direct TV was called. sigh... it has really been nice and peaceful without the boobtube on. I admit, I miss my Fox news and Divine Design and that useless soap opera I love.

This summer has flown by..... W and KE both took swimming lessons... KE just finished Art Camp at her school and she has piano once a week. Now we are trying to decide what extra curricular activities she will partake in this school year. W wants to play the wee-soccer. I'm excited about this school year for selfish reasons... I will have 2 mornings without children. I hope I use that time wisely and come home to clean! I'm sure Walmart will be in that mix as well. ok, ramble ramble...

tomorrow I'm going to what I hear to be a great fabric store. All fabric is $5 per yard.. I have these hideous gold chairs that were my grandmother's to cover... the arms are ripped to shreds. Wish me luck!!!

oh!! and I'm so excited about Blessed Be The Name this season. I get the trunk the first week in August. Can't wait to see the sweet treasures!

July 4th weekend trip

This weekend we all drove to South Carolina to my Aunt's house where I have never been but have always wanted to go. It's a 10 hour trip and I have just never had the opportunity. The kids did wonderful and we hope to make this an annual event for our family. This is my dad's side of the family and since both my grandparents have passed away, we are making every effort to keep in touch. We had a blast and loved it there.

a beautiful mosquito-free morning with my babies

W helping out with the drinks for the weekend

"Ready to go swimming mama"

my aunt has 3 boys who are all avid in sports.... one played pro baseball for a season, one played baseball for the Citadel, and the youngest played football for Clemson. This is the middle one, Jay, who owns and runs ( with the youngest) a training and fitness center. W warmed up to him and let him help with his baseball skills. He was so proud of himself!

A Night Out With the Family

All the guys in this pic are mycousins... we are missing one who could not make it. Growing up it was quite nice to be the only girl! They all married wonderful girls that I get along with great!! We can't wait to go back!