A Little More Than an Update

Gosh, it has been so long since I have blogged. I guess with the new job it's hard to find time to update it regularly. The past couple of months has been busy ones, as always around the Holidays. Josh and I just got back from Gulf Shores, only to find out that we have no hot water! I've been sick and taking a cold shower today didn't help. I'm adding Christmas pics and Dill Pickle's dedication pics, if you haven't already seen them on Facebook.

 

Mom's necklace I got her. See link below

Dill Pickle learning to say "hey"

On another note, our family has really been under, what feels like an attack. It seems like we don't have enough time to catch our breath before we get punched again with bad news. I'm just ready for everyone to be in good health. Everyday, I am humbled by the simple air I breath. Today, I encourage you to enjoy the simple things, one day you might not have them.

http://nesteggsdesign.blogspot.com/search/label/the%20eggs

The Pumpkin Patch...where the pumpkin picks you

So this afternoon, Josh and I finally had an afternoon off together where we didn't already have plans. We went with our neighbors to the Farmer in the Dell  Pumpkin Patch. It was fun! We really just walked around and looked at pumpkins. Josh and I stole a minute away from everything, and just enjoyed the quiet, perfect weather. Our pumpkin finally found us, as we were walking out...It was giving us the stare down...so we bought it. We plan on carving it next week (pics to come). If anyone has any ideas for a cool pumpkin let me know. As we were leaving the girls (Me, Tracy, and Olivia) decided we needed to get away from the boys for a bit and went on a Hayride. Olivia was extremely distracted by the hay as Tracy and I were like the paparazzi. Sometimes, it's nice to put the camera down and just enjoy the moment. Be a little selfish and cherish a moment that doesn't involve a flash or aperture setting. With that being said....here are some of the moments captured in time...

 Staring...

Staring...

Trying to get the prickly things off her ugly pumpkin!

" Mrs Stephanie...that's enough!"

Dill Pickle, Shrimp Fest, and Gumballs

So this past weekend, I decided to head home. At the first of the week, Josh and I decided to just stay in Auburn and save our money. It's funny how Daddy's can change just about anything. I needed a "Daddy" hug, and my Daddy just so happened to be working at Shrimp Fest. So, on Sunday, we headed south.

We couldn't head south and not see our Dill Pickle (Jillian). I don't know why I am not calling her Dill Pickle, maybe because it rhymes with Jill. Who knows?..but it stuck. She is now talking and smiling. Sooo cute! I was able to catch a couple of quick shots before she started getting fussy and then fell asleep. Here are a few, the rest are on Facebook.

She just loves her Uncle Josh

She's being dedicated this month. So we did some shots of her in her dedication gown for invitation reasons. I just love this last one...so cute!!

After we spent some time with Dill Pickle, we headed off to the Shrimp Festival. I grew up on Cajun Pistols and it's hard to go a year without one. If you have never had a Cajun Pistol, then you just haven't lived...it is this sandwich type thing with just ooey, gooey shrimp lovin' in the middle. We shopped around a little, but I got my daddy hug which was the whole reason for the trip.

After Shrimp Fest, Josh and I headed off to Tuscaloosa, AL for gumball fun! I am currently in the process of changing my schedule since the new job. So we drove about 3 hours and the ill bug bit me. I don't know what it was but I just all of a sudden got tired and so did Josh and we hadn't even made it to Tuscaloosa yet. We FINALLY made it to Tuscaloosa. We did our job and it was time to go home. We have made this trip so many times and have never had a problem with traffic. So of course the one day when we just want to get back home this is what we get into...

If it looks like we are close, that's because we are. They stopped traffic three cars in front of us...We sat there for at least 30 min. As you can tell the guy in front of us had even had enough time to get out of his car take 4 cigarette breaks. 

We finally made it back to Auburn, to only get up the next morning and go to work.

I know that it was all brought on by us, but we are just getting to old for this! I complain, but I couldn't ask for a better day. Any day filled with Dill Pickle, family, daddy hugs, and gumballs, couldn't get any better!

Bringing Home The Bacon

As most of you already know, I FINALLY have a job. I have been patiently waiting for this for a while, but for this specific job since the first of August. I am a Coordinator for Auburn University's Annual Giving Department. I am working in the Alumni Center. My first day was Thursday. The past two days have been a blissful whirlwind. I have learned a lot, but have so much more to learn. I am very passionate about Auburn University, so I am very grateful to be able to work for "family". I now have an office to decorate, so if any of you have any ideas of what to put on my walls, please comment. Everything I have is 3rd grader friendly, so any ideas will be useful.

Other than that, not much has happened. WE plan on heading south this weekend for Shrimp Fest and to see our little dill pickle of a niece.We also are decorating our front porch this weekend in Fall decor so pics will come soon of our lovely adobe.

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend...WAR EAGLE!!

The Days of Fall...

Yesterday, I truly felt the delicious season of Fall upon us. I woke up to the smell of fresh air. Josh had woke up before me and opened all the windows and doors. It was nice to hear the birds chirping and feel the breeze right away! He of course had to work that afternoon. So, I went with Bella our neighbors to Kiesel Dog Park. It was so refreshing to sit in the sun and watch Bella frolic about with other dogs....and yes, I just used the word "frolic" to describe my dog. Tracy and I were out taking pictures of Little O when I smelt  shame wafting in the air. Bella, had of course, went about 3 feet from where we were taking pictures and relieved herself. Everyone suddenly moved away with a look of disgust on their faces. Only my dog would have no shame to do that in the middle of a group of people. I now know what it feels like to have your child embarrass you like you've never been embarrassed before and you could do nothing to redeem yourself. About five minutes later, she was whining like a child because she was afraid that I was going to leave her. I can only hope that I have more success with my child than my dog. Other than the mishaps of my dog, I was able to soak up some sun and get a couple of good shots. Here are my faves the others are on Facebook...

 

After our escapade at Kiesel, Tracy and I had our CouponFest. I thought I would take a picture to show you guys what it looks like when two coupon crazed ladies get together. Coupons were everywhere! 

We then proceeded to go and get the best Starbucks drink ever, Pumpkin Spice Latte. OMGah, they are delicious. Everyone who is anyone that might just like Fall needs to get this drink. It is like warm Pumpkin Pie and a splash of coffee. It is delicious! So needless to say, my day was filled with nothing but Fall. My favorite season is Spring, but there's something about Fall that is just too intriguing to forget. I can't wait to carve my pumpkins, make some ghoulishly delicious treats, and see my sweet niece and Little O in their pumpkin costumes!

Past Times in Phenix City

One of Josh's friends opened a restaurant in Phenix City called Past Times. Today we had a little extra time so we went to go see what it was all about. This place is known for its Bacon Wrapped Fried Hotdogs also know as the Danger Dog. We have heard so much about their menu that we just wanted to try it all. So we got our top five choices and thought we would let you guys know what we thought.

 Here you can see four of the choices. We picked the Danger Dog, Scrambled Dog, Patty Melt, and Onion Rings.

 Patty Melt with Fries















This is the Danger Dog, which consists of a hotdog wrapped in bacon fried on top of a scrambled egg and topped with chili. It was delicious!

This was our fifth choice. Clay called it the coup de grace, or the stike that kills. It's chicken fried bacon. We could only handle one or two strips. They were delicious, but need to be spread over many people!

The damage. As you can tell, we didn't even come close to finishing. However, we conquered our mission, which was to at least try the top five. If we were to reccommend any menu choice it would be the onion rings, patty melt, and the danger dog.

If you live anywhere near Phenix City you would be missing out if you didn't go and at least try Past Times.


Past Times 17a Ashwood Drive
Phenix City, AL 36867
334-664-0425
www. PastTimesPC.com

Coupon Obsession

So as many of you know, I have taken a liking to coupons. I know that many people think that it is something that the elderly are obsessed over. I can't help that I love saving money!! My all time lowest of lows is when I was able to get 2 weeks worth of groceries for $90. That would mean that Josh and I could eat for $45 a week. That's crazy to me!! Since we have became vegetarians we haven't quite got that low yet. Fresh veggies and fruits are a little more expensive, but so much better for you! We went shopping tonight and I thought I would clue you guys in on our little "date" night. It isn't the most romantic, but it's cheap and we're together while we do it.

In the first picture you'll see Josh using a scanner. Recently, I have been selected to be on the National Consumer Panel (NCP) It's a little time consuming, but I really like the fact that they reward you for contributing and it's nice to know that my opinions matter. I'm just starting, but it's not that bad.

It all starts on Sunday when my neighbor and I have a Couponfest (we cut coupons and gossip). Then I sit down then the sales ads and price check where everything is the cheapest. Finally, I make a list of where I need to go and what I need to buy. Tonight we just went to CVS (my all time fave) and Kroger. Tomorrow I'll go to Walmart and Publix.

My total for Kroger, which is all of my food groceries for the next two weeks, is $107. That means for one week Josh and I can eat for about $54. My goal is to get back down to about $40 a week. I'll post in two weeks to see if I made it or not.