Dear...

Dear Readers...I am fully aware that I am absent from this blog and have been for months now. I keep promising you that I will change and I continue my evil ways. Sorry. I look at it this way - it's better to write a few times a month than not at all. Truth be told - I have had this particular post prepped and almost ready to go for several weeks now. (tsk-tsk)

Dear Lucy...fedoras are in. Or, well, at least they were last year. I don't know if they are still. But, they have been "in" fairly recently. So, when you get older, don't ridicule me. You love this hat. In fact, you picked it out yourself. It's a Fe-"Dora" hat. Love that joke!

Dear Readers...I often feel compelled to use "haha" and "LOL" on my blog. As you have probably noticed as well, I usually give into this temptation. I have also used emoticons against my better "writing-style" judgement [  :)  ;)  :(  ]. But, lately, my overwhelming urge to use slang and hashtags is getting the best of me.  
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Dear Everyone...I am completely obsessed with coral lately. It's serious. I LOVE it. I think it may have taken over my red obsession. #Legit

Look at the clothing that I am trying on, hanging to my right. Seriously obsessed!

 

Dear Work...You need to be a little less stressful. I'm trying to grow out my nails and you are making it very difficult. Any time I stop typing, I'm biting my nails. Darn!

Dear Olive...Your cry-smiling is very confusing. Are you happy or sad? I don't know what to do! (Come to find out, you just want to be held.) :)

Dear Twitter...You got me. I'm addicted. You've taken over Pinterest. But, I still love Pinterest for great organization and decor tips.

Dear Curly-Haired People...What in the world am I to do with this? It's sooo naturally curly! :)

Dear Summer...Why do you and winter want to take over spring? What did he ever do to you? Let him go...

Dear Olive...You look like me. Some may say its a curse. I say it's a blessing. ;) I love that you look like me, especially when you make your "duh" face. I don't know how I feel about that part though. Does that mean that I look "duh" most of the time?


Dear Readers...Although I often times promise things, I sincerely think you can look forward to posts about the zoo, graduate school, running, and of course the girls! :) I have some in progress!

Dear Jari, Hannah, & Nikki...Vegas was amazing and I can't wait to go back again. Seriously, lets do it again. #srsly

Dear Anyone Who Loves Food as Much as I Do...If you love a good cheeseburger and homemade onion rings, you need to find yourself a Johnny Rockets. It is delicious. I may or may not have eaten there three days in a row, while in Vegas. The closest one to us is like hours and hours away. But, I tweeted them and they promised me that they will eventually get to Kansas City. Haha. They are also "Home of the Las Vegas Squealer - with cheddar cheese." The Squeeler is 60% beef and 40% bacon. That sounds awesome, but my lack of gallbladder won't let me eat bacon. Whomp-whomp.

  Dear June...Where did you come from?! Wasn't it just May 1st?

I Love Fall

I sure do love this time of year. It's my absolute favorite season...well, that is considering that Christmas season isn't actually one of the four "seasons" you learn about in school. If it was, then it'd be hands-down number one.

I decided that I've had a pretty rough fall thus far. How about you? Well, just in case you have, I have decided to be optimistic about the rest of this wonderful season. It's going to finish out just great! You want to know why? Because, here are a few reasons to just love fall, no matter what is going on in your life...

1) The leaves are gorgeous! I'm sure my husband would agree for about point two seconds, until he looked at our yard. Those green, yellow, orange, and red leaves are gorgeous...and then they fall...into large piles that you can jump into! See that positive spin? :)  It just so happens that Lucy loves them too. She loves running through them, jumping, and throwing them in the air. It will certainly make for some great photos, especially since it's actually been nice enough to go outside.

2) Football. I love it. I was raised that way. I have mentioned before that I don't even need to be watching it. There is just something comforting about hearing those "bump, bump, bump, bump, bahhhh"'s of Sunday Night Football. I love the sound of College Game Day. I hate to admit it; but, even Kirk Herbstreit and Lou Holtz are like annoying, lispy music to my ears. Haha...did I push it a bit far that time?

My favorite kind of football? High school of course. The popcorn, the band, the cheering, the freezing, and the irritating opposing fans just wrap up into one fun experience. This year, we were able to watch my cousin play. You remember him, right? I mentioned him as a wrestler last year. He is the only boy cousin on my Dad's side -

I'm very close to him and his sister. :)  So, we tried to make it to any and every game possible (except for the few we missed when Lucy was sick. Insert sad face here.). Lucy even went to a couple and sat still! :) She had her custom shirt too.

The back says, "Rex's #1 Fan".

3) Halloween! Who doesn't love Halloween? I like to decorate the house completely. Right now our banisters are covered in creepy cloth, spider webs, and purple lights. They set the perfect tone for a scary movie. With Lucy getting older, it has only become more fun. I love to dress her up and I can't wait to take her trick-or-treating!

4) Cookies and Candy! This time of year is when everyone starts stocking up with baked goods and candy. Diet? Ehhh...I'll wait until New Year's. It's so hard to lose weight over the holidays. Sound about right?  Well, we take advantage of all the candy on sale. We also take advantage of the baking items being on sale. We indulged ourselves in some Halloween chocolate chip cookies the other night. The best part? Turning on the oven and heating up the house is a good thing!

5) Family gatherings and the fair! Our county fair is something I look forward to every time September rolls around. This year wasn't any different. Lucy had a blast. She would have had even more fun, had she felt better (little did I know...).

And, there are those carbs I was talking about!

6) Sweaters and long sleeves! As a self-conscience, fluffy-gutted gal, who occasionally indulges in a funnel cake or two, I am partial to the cooler weather. Cover up those love handles? Don't mind if I do. I have noticed that post-Lucy my closet has a lot more sweaters and jackets in it. I have one of the cutest long-sleeved jacket thingies too, from Maurices. I just need to find the right shirt to go under it.

Anyone have any suggestions? The pink and green are so hard to match!

7) Along with my favoring toward sweaters, I like pea coats. Not only do I get to enjoy wearing them, I get to enjoy Lucy wearing them too.

8) Thanksgiving! I will admit; I have referred to Thanksgiving as the kick-off to Christmas. And, well, let's be honest, it kind of is. :) I love the food and the company; however, we all know that the conversation totally consists of, "What time are we getting together for Christmas?" "What do you want for Christmas?" "Are you taking vacation from work for Christmas?"

Don't get me wrong. I love it. The day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, is totally up my alley. I love shopping and love getting good deals. Not many women would argue with me.  By the way: I have to send a shout-out to my Granny for her delicious, homemade rolls! I nab at least two every time she makes them and I would eat more if there were some left.

9) Boots! I feel like I'm getting a little carried away with the clothes items on this list. But, who doesn't love just throwing on their Uggs and heading out the door? It's so comfy and warm!  Lucy got her very own boots this fall too.

10) Opening up the house! I love opening the windows to the house. It is just so refreshing. By now it's getting a little cold; however, we still see a few nice days here and there. I enjoy napping in the afternoon with the wind blowing the curtains and the sounds of leaves dragging across the driveway.

Happy fall everyone! Why do you love this time of year? :)