the codielee edition

Yes I'm here...

2010-05-20T18:23:00.000-05:00

I have been MIA for a few days now...

Here's what been going down...

rodeos
life
gardening
spending lots of time with RD&Snuff
A NEW JOB!!! {which I love!!!}
and... last but devastatingly NOT least... MY COMPUTER CRASHED!!!

Yes. True story. I cried. Real tears. Ryan thought I was seriously hurt or something. He must have thought it was my neck again because I had my head hung over on the side of couch screaming.

It was a sight.

I go to turn on my computer {the MacBook that I love SO dearly}.

White screen. Folder with question mark.

Then... NOTHING.

Still nothing.

Nope, I got nothing.

That's when the fit began...

I found out through friends and BestBuy and Apple Support that a new hard drive and possibly completely new computer would be the answer to my ailment.

Ugh...

So... until I can afford a new computer I will be blogging less, designing less and basically stay in my depression.

I'm currently using Chase's MacBookPro...

{Maybe they should have bought me the Pro and not the Pro-less one...hmm.}

Mac's never crash.

Never.

But when you save everything you've every designed, photo you've taken in the past several years, and tons of music & more... it adds up quickly and nothing can handle that.

So...

Here I am.

Computerless.

Dataless.

Pictureless. {Although I backed up all on cds except from June 2009 - May 2010}

The next system will be completely backed up periodically and not be full ALL the time.

I mean the thing did have 5 years of college and everything in between on it...

I'm trying to make myself feel better but it's not helping!

Oh well...

I hope to be back soon :)

I fell in love...

2010-05-05T09:48:00.000-05:00

... with this book!

I love love love love {love etc.} Sex & the City! I have seen every episode {I own the box set}, saw the movie at midnight the first night it was shown, and will do the same with the sequel... but I never read any of the books. It was something I wanted to do but just never got around to it...

I have also never read an entire book in one day... This guy is 389 pages and I read it all on one day. That is a big deal for someone who would never dreamed of reading an entire book in one week much less one day!!

It was SOOOOO {so} fabulous!!!!!! It tell the story of Carrie Bradshaw before New York City, her 3 fun friends and her awesome career. It is simply amazing and I loved the ending so much that I read RD the last few paragraphs {which he graciously pretended to really enjoy}.

I read most of it on the hammock in the front yard with my pillow & an old quilt... with this guy underneath me... {All day}.

{He apparently is a big fan of Carrie Bradshaw too... although every time I laughed out loud it woke him up and he looked at me something awful!!}

Anyways... if you are big Sex & the City fan, this book is a must read! It really lets you know a lot about Carrie and why she is the grown up she is in the shows and other books.

Literally the ending.... OMG the ending!!! Ugh.. I loved it! I've already read the last chapter again this morning...

Ok enough with that.. I'm off to buy Sex & the City {the book}... hopefully it picks up right where this guy left off...

In my garden...

2010-05-02T20:40:00.000-05:00

... there are...

oh my!

{along with Corn, Pumpkins, Sunflowers, Cantaloup, Watermelon, Strawberries, Squash, 4 different types of Peppers, & more!}

I have been spending lots {tons} of time in my garden!

Last Friday I planted all the seeds and plants... And this Saturday I found this!

... my seeds are sprouting!

{YAY!}

I was SO {very} excited! RD was over at his barn working on his tractor... I jumped in the 'hoe {Tahoe} and sped over to show him my sprouting seeds via my camera...

which he had already seen but pretended that he was so surprised!

... And then there is this guy for sheer decoration {& entertainment because the horses spend hours trying to get it through the fence}!

I love...

2010-05-01T22:22:00.000-05:00

... these two boys :)

That'll do...

2010-05-01T13:11:00.001-05:00

This guy is so cute {& SMART!!!} that he made the blog header :)

... and boy oh boy does RD love him! {& so do I!}

Baby Cousins...

2010-04-29T20:11:00.001-05:00

A {long time} sweet and dear friend of mine, Ashley, is expecting her 2nd baby child {a baby boy}! Her sister, Sarah, is expecting her 1st baby child {a baby girl}! A few weeks ago, Ashley asked me to design a joint baby shower invitation for the shower being hosted by her Mom & Grandmother.

Here it is:

I sent it over to Ashley, who then sent it to her Mom. The shower was a Noah's Ark theme so I stuck 'em in a boat! :) And they both loved it! {YAY!}

I am so excited to meet both these sweet angels! AR is going to be such a sweet big sister/cousin!

One word... well 3...

2010-04-29T16:42:00.000-05:00

{Roll Tide Roll}

Days like today...

2010-04-29T12:39:00.000-05:00

{Cotton Gin 2008}

...make me want to grab my camera & go on an adventure!

{Hmmm... maybe I will have new black&whites to show soon!}

Today...

2010-04-28T14:57:00.000-05:00

I {& Snuff} woke up bright and early and went straight to my garden. I wanted to have plenty of time to get everything I had panned for today taken care of.

I planted more tomato plants and one flower in a bucket that hangs on the pasture fence.

I cleaned up the edges of the garden and sprinkled ant killer on the all the ant beds around it.

Last but not least, I fertilized the garden just in time for the good rain that will be here on Saturday!

Picture posts to come soon!

Just can it...

2010-04-26T00:00:00.001-05:00

1. Boil jars to sterilize...

2. Prepare the ingredients...

3. Boil the jars again {with ingredients in them}...

4. Listen for the "pop" & keep up to one year or refrigerate up to 3 weeks....

5. Eat Yummy Salsa!!! :)

{RD is going to pumped! The boy loves some salsa!!}

Today...

2010-04-24T00:08:00.000-05:00

Today I planted my garden and I wanted so badly for you to come and see it. The entire time I was getting all the grass from the rows and seeding the soil, all I could think about was how you could make anything grow. You always had random jars in every window with what I assumed were dead sticks or "switches" but soon enough they turned green and "rooted". They were then planted and turned into plants that were carefully placed in one of your many flower beds. I always think about you. I know you're happy and you're at peace but it's still hard to believe that you are gone.

I even thought about my sweet neighbor today, who left us on the same day you left us. I couldn't remember if he liked "Big Boy" or "Better Boy" tomatoes, so I bought both. I actually had to catch myself from walking down past the pasture and across the road to ask.

Everyday I have to remind myself that you are gone. I miss you so very much. I know you are looking down from Heaven now and sending me a kiss. Tell my Papaw and Uncle Will that I love them very much. Tell my Codie Mother and Daddy Buck that I cannot wait to meet them oneday. Give all my friends a hug for me and tell them to behave.

Keep an eye on my garden and hopefully it will be half as good as your gardens were. Thank God for sending the rain and I will thank Him too.

I miss you my Mamaw and I love you very much.

Happy Birthday...

2010-04-20T18:40:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was RDs 25th birthday! I made homemade spagetti, with salad and garlic breadsticks and a homemade cake made into a Copenhagen can :)

That says Snuff on it in red hots! {the actual Copenhagen type and his dogs name}

I was in a rush and had to apply the icing before it cooled and it totally messed it up... But it looks half way decent and was delicious! So life is good!

I will post pictures from his BBQ birthday party from last Thursday and this Thursday is dinner with Phillip&Heather! Can't wait!

The boy definetly had a full birthday week!!

I can't wait til...

2010-04-16T13:16:00.003-05:00

Football season!!! I love summer, don't get me wrong, but I think about football season the entire time! A-Day is Saturday and I cannot wait to hear how well everyone does!! Maybe I can talk RD into stopping by T-Town on our way to the 2nd rodeo of the weekend!! :) RTR!!

Meet Snuff...

2010-04-14T22:16:00.003-05:00

Tonight we celebrated RD's {early} birthday.

Two reasons:

Susie Q & Creeddaddy will be out of town on his actual birthday {4.19}.
And this guy could not be hidden that long!!

{Meet Snuff}

Snuff is a Louisiana Catahoula Leopard.

{He is a cow dog.}

He is blue with amber eyes.

He is 11 weeks old.

He is sooo much fun!

He is very calm and loves his chew toy!

He hates his bandana but was a good boy and wore it anyways!

He is precious!

He came from South Mississippi.

He was a TOTAL surprise!

{RD has been wanting one for a while now.}

...and RD loves him!!

He has risen...

2010-04-03T14:24:00.000-05:00

{Happy Easter}

Finally...

2010-04-02T18:11:00.001-05:00

For Christmas Phillip {RD's Daddy} gave me a Summit gift card {one of my top 3 favorite things to get!!}. At the time, RD & I had recently started our Rodeo Productions Company {Rockin' D Rodeo Productions}. We held out first event January 22nd&23rd. It was awesome {deserves a post of it's own} and went better than we could have imagined our first event to go! Although we worked SO hard on everything, we still could not have done it with the help of SO many people.

We decided it was a MUST to send out thank you cards. We found fabulously simple, male yet classy tea stained cotton card set. We both loved them! They were perfect. However, they were plain and had no design. Then I discovered this guy.... three Designing ladies stamps at Swoozie's {by the way, they are going out of business. So, if you are at the Summit you MUST go by there!!}

I fell in love. Ordered it. Waited. Waited. Waited. Waited. Did I mention I waited? Waited. Got a call that Swoozie's was closing their doors and my stamp was not going to ship and that I would be refunded my money. Saddened and with a slight case of depression I went in to get my money back {which I had already re-spent in my head} and what do you know! My stamp had came in!!!

Pardon the blurriness... I used the ole iPhone :)

With stamp in hand I walked on out {after looking through all the fabulous deals first!} and love it even more in person! Sadly, I will not be sending out thank you cards anymore. The event was in January and time got away from us... and the fact that we didn't have our stamp to decorate our thank you cards until March 31st!!! But we're all set for next January {but hopefully we will have more events before then!!}

However, you should check out this company! three Designing women

And then go to Swoozie's and check out the fabulous savings!!!

{Happy Easter! Jesus loves you!}

Sundays....

2010-03-29T21:06:00.001-05:00

Sundays {after church & lunch} are for

adventure, mud and a nature walk :)

Exhausted...

2010-03-25T23:26:00.001-05:00

This is what I did today...

A few days a week I work for my very talented cousin at her bridal boutique.

My job duties {include but are not limited to} :

Cutting out fabric for dresses
Taking apart vintage dresses to be re-worked {It's becoming extremely popular to wear your Mother's wedding dress to the rehearsal dinner!}
Cutting out more fabric for dresses
Emailing people
Making sure everything is ready to go and organized for the seamstresses
Helping with setting up appointments
Sometimes trying on dresses to try new ideas
Giving my opinion {Like I could I actually hold it in anyways!?}
Helping with appointments
Acting silly with her so sweet Intern {Katie Grace}
Oh and cutting out fabric

I never knew just how much work goes into one wedding dress! There are layers on top of layers of even more layers... I mean I knew there was a lot involved but wow at the various types and textures that make up a dress! I also never thought that I would actually enjoy cutting out the various pieces of fabic and patterns over and over and over again... But it's very calming... Especially when I pop in my earphones to my iPhone and listen to Lady Gaga, Miranda Lambert, followed by some T.I. That makes for a great day!

Today Heidi met with brides all today and I cut away in the cutting room... It was fabulous! I did not make it home until about 8:30. Kicker: This morning before I went to work, RD asked me to go pick up an oil filter, oil, hydraulic oil, and hydraulic filter from Talladega International Tractor. Well... I picked it up and drove from there to Birmingham. So then he decided to changed all this oil and stuff tonight... so ole RD had to wait a hot minute, but we just finished up. So all is well in the world.

If you want to learn more about heidielnora, go here to check out the 2010 Collection and more. She is so very talented. Her designs are simply breathtaking and fabulous on top of that! I love working at her bridal boutique and hope to be able to work for her full time oneday!

Wild Wild Flowers...

2010-03-24T23:36:00.002-05:00

Saturday, I went shopping with this sweet girl & her Mommy {Melissa}! Melissa wanted me to help make some Easter baskets for GL & her sweet big brother, Dylan. We also made one for her {born on the same day} cousin, Brennan.

Our first stop {if you know anything about me&moe} was Wings. Its seems like we always eat there when it's just us {+Erin} or most anytime when we are involved in the decision of where to eat. After eating entirely too many fried pickles, ranch dressing, french fries, our entrees, and 2 too many refills on Dr. Pepper, we were off to Hobby Lobby!

We gathered all the supplies to make the Easter baskets and more.

Then I stumbled upon the aisle where everything was 75% off... Ugh.

As you know... I love cowboys. {Obviously.}

I love stuff that looks old and worn out. {My obsession with antiques.}

I also love Western... Anything. Cowboys to old and dirty looking Westerny things. {idk: Westerny?}

Put the this all together and you get fabulous flower pots!!

This one is just too cute!

It would be perfect if they had a bull rider one... but I'll have to settle for a calf roper.

{RD pointed this out too.}

So now... I cannot wait to plant flowers in them!!

They will look fabulous with my boot planter !!

{YAY!}

... now I just need my own yard and front porch ...

hmm...

Last week....

2010-03-22T21:13:00.002-05:00

I spent the entire week with these two guys.

M&P

We went to Burger King and played on the playground.

We played in Coco's boots.

We watched cartoons ALL day and 3 Spiderman movies.

We played hide-&-go-seek, twice.

We went to visit my Nannie. She laughed at them and enjoyed their visit.

We played baseball outside.

We talked to their Mommie {Shelley} on the phone.

We went to McDonalds & played with Dylan&GL.

We drank lots of Kool-Aid and ate grilled cheese sandwiches.

We discovered that P will eat any type of chicken nugget but M will not.
We went and played at Uncle RD's house.
Mattson named the first baby calf.
{Coco: What should we name the new baby bull Mattson?
Mattson: Jack.
Coco: Jack?
Mattson: Jumpin' Jack. So he can jump all the cowboys off his back!
Coco: hahaha I LOVE IT! RD will be so proud!!}
...he was very proud too...

We giggled and laughed all day long.

We {I,Coco} were very tired by the end of the day!

We had a blast!

(Pardon the picture quality. I used my iPhone.)

Connected...

2010-03-21T22:28:00.002-05:00

I figured out how to make my blog posts appear on my facebook!

Yay...

I know it prolly took me longer than needed...

I was super confused :)

The latest addiction...

2010-03-21T21:40:00.001-05:00

This is the newest edition.

I predeicted it would be born today.

{I was right.}

Back in the woods, but still slightly visible, a Momma cow delivered her calf on this rainy cold day. We couldn't tell if we had a new hefer or bull, so off RD went to see. Well... Momma cow did not like this and ran him right back out of the woods.

So.. we ended up with this fuzzy picture captured via RD's ancient Nextel while running and dodging limbs.

We do know, that it's:

Healthy.

Bigger than the first calf born a few days ago.

Black&White.

Cute as a button!

Yay! I love baby calves!

Spring is near...

2010-03-21T19:02:00.000-05:00

Susie Q made this creation.

I drew the horse.

She calls him Charlie.

I call him Boosie.

Either way, he's a doll.

Hurry up Springtime!!!

{Outside living room with TV/DVD included (with cable) to come soon!!}

A review...

2010-03-17T22:18:00.000-05:00

Ok...

Last night I watched this movie:

Great movie. Laughed the entire time. Broke my neck trying to read the brand on the bull at the rodeo. Loved it. Great movie. Perfect for a date night or chick flick night or anytime. Awesome. Loved it.

Tonight I watch this movie:

I have heard several people say that they and their kids LOVE this movie. Love it. I remember the book from when I was younger and I loved the book. Monsters were much cooler than princesses to me. However, I was completely lost in this movie and felt scared and dumb by the time it ended. My favorite part was when he was leaving the island of monsters and he left a heart with a C in the middle made of sticks. Favorite part.

My mother cried when he was leaving the island. She claimed it was because of the background music {and because Carol was crying :)}. Chase loved it. Jessica seemed to be on my level. RD decided not to watch it and got his fishing gear ready for this weekend. He would have been overwhelmed and threw in the towel anyway so...

I really expected something different... I don't quite know what, but something.

I can see where little boys would love this movie... it's got monsters plus a lot of whaaaring!! {I don't know the correct spelling of the word!}

Anyways... That's how I feel about that.

Go watch the first movie though... it's just fun and not overwhelming and easy to understand :)

It was...

2010-03-16T23:48:00.002-05:00

It was the best ever.

Hands down.

Better than Oreo blizzards that RD and I ventured to the Childersburg Dairy Queen at least once a week every week in high school to buy...

Better than midnight Strawberry milkshakes from McDonalds during the summer when we were bored...

Almost better than those chocolate chip cookies he made me that time...

Almost but not close...

It was amazing!!!

A Nutella Shake with Burnt Marshmellow Topping. Go get one. Now.

I've discovered a SUPER fun date night spot!!!

FlipBurger @ TheSummit

It's on the new side {Anthro side} right by Juicy and some other really cutie store that sells the super hot $200 jeans. Ahh help!

Hopefully you'll have better luck than me when fighting the voices who are yelling "GO BUY SOMETHING!!!!"

Anyways... I wouldn't take children but it's great for a date. Fun music. Great decor. The architecture is phenominal!!! The food... I devoured my cheeseburger before taking a photo. Sorry :)

I had the FlipBurger only cheese and mayo... And it's to die for burnt mayo!!! With fries. Best fries ever!!!

Go now.

{It's like an art store of cheeseburgers.

And yes, its really that good}

A new addition...

2010-03-14T14:09:00.003-05:00

Saturday we had a new addition to the herd!! A baby bull calf!! So precious :)

{Look very close at the Momma cow's eyes. She has markings above her eyes that look like painted on eye brows! They are so cool looking in person!!}

And Sunday... I drove the tractor to put out hay!

I have a feeling that when RD is out of town this is now going to be my job!

Gotta go... Gotta go...

2010-03-11T23:17:00.002-06:00

Gotta Rodeo!!!

Tomorrow, Me&RD will go on another lovely road trip!
Robertsdale, Alabama here we come!!! Yes, we will be less than an 1/2 hour away from sand, sunshine, and endless seafood - But NO we will not be venturing any further than a dusty arena, awesome fast food, and hopefully a very rank pen of bulls!

See you soon! As in Saturday morning at like 3:00 :)

But tomorrow will begin with my two favorite boys!!
{Sweetest&cutest too!}

I am keeping Mattson&Payson!!

Yay for Dora and chicken pot pies!! :)

Isn't my road trip rodeo cowboy so cute in my Juicy Couture glasses!?

{Which by the way he thought were cheap gas station glasses and has been throwing them about not understanding why I always fussed at him and put them in their pink, fabric lined case!!! It was priceless!}

He really hates those glasses... :)

Guess where we're at...

2010-03-06T23:19:00.001-06:00

Yep. Leakesville, MS. 2 rodeos. Hopefully 2 checks :)

Blog Button...

2010-03-04T00:41:00.002-06:00

I can't sleep...

I started googling how to make blog buttons...

I did everything like it said...

And it still does something weird...

But it looks cool....

Until you click it.

{Ahh...}

** It works now!!!! YAY***

Words on Wednesday...

2010-03-03T17:50:00.000-06:00

Today is Wednesday, March 3, 2010. On April 19, RD will have a birthday. On that very same day last year, we celebrated his birthday. We had cake, his favorite foods, and lots of presents. One of which was a gift card for an audio store in Pell City to have his truck speakers replaced {they were cheap factory speakers and easily broke}. This was a gift from Susie, Creeddaddy & ChaseLee.

As you know, most gift cards expire one year from the date of purchase. He kept the gift card in his truck console with the speak brochure. It stayed there until March 2, 2010. This is when he was supposed to bring it inside to me so I could get everything together for March 3, 2010. This is the day I would take his truck to get the speakers installed.

Well...

The brochure was there in mint condition. No gift card. No where. We went through his always spotless, no stashes of trash truck and found nothing. He went through the trash. We both dug through drawers. Nothing. It has literally been less than a week or so since I last saw this gift card.

{nothing at all}

So, I loaded up this lovely, bitterly cold morning and took his truck to have speakers installed. The people said that their gift cards expire after 30 days. {REALLY? The gift card said 1 year on it!!} And they even called their accountant who told them that ALL gift cards sold in 2009 had been accounted for.

Umm... I think you need a new accountant. {Or fib telling classes.}

I knew it was a stretch to ask for someone to honor a gift card that was not physically there, but they could have at least NOT lied and looked it up on the computer system {which was clearly in front of me}.

So... this sweet guy now has fully functioning speakers. They have actually been paid for twice now. {Once by Susie, Once by RD.} But nonetheless they are paid for.

The point to ranting on & on... Why could the people not have just said, "Ma'am we can not honor an invisible gift card." or "Ma'am I am not going to yell at you today."

Either would have been well welcomed by the time it was all said and done....

But no...

The lady was rude horribly rude. She talked to me like I was stupid. She lied {to my face} about calling her accountant, unless her accountant missed the $150 that was purchased in April 2009. She did not explain the policy change of One Year on gift cards down to 30 days. He had prepared himself for having to pay for the speakers, after all he had lost the gift card. But why were the people so horrible?? They even called, after we {Me&Susie} dropped the truck off and were visiting with a dear cousin in Pell City, and said that they did not know what kind of speakers and no one had spoken to RD and set up an appointment.

Hmmm... that's why she crossed his name off the appointment list when I arrived and told her his name.

WOW. People kill me. And the experience was opposite of pleasant and nice...

No. They were rude and mean at 9:00 in the morning.

So after ALL this... a 45 minute appointment slot took 3 hours.

Yes, 3 hours.

{I feel much better. Thanks}

Surgery update...

2010-03-02T15:30:00.001-06:00

The doctor just called...

NO CANCER!!

We never believed it was, but there was always a chance.

{It's always nice to know for sure!!}

There's nothing better....

2010-03-02T13:23:00.003-06:00

...than a razor back cardigan and a floral mini!!!

oh how I am loving this whole "Miss Me" line!! :)

Maybe these guys will get to be ordered SOON!!

{YAY!}

Ugh.

2010-03-01T20:24:00.002-06:00

{i so love that boy}

That's how I feel.

Ugh.

I hate having surgery. Hate it. You wake up sick and dizzy... & I stay that way for about two days. I'm already over it.

I had to go in this morning at 5:30. I had two masses in my right breast that had to be removed. They seemed to be benign but they were sent off for re-assurance.

I had this same surgery last January for one mass. Two is much more difficult. You feel twice as sick and twice as sore.

And to think... I was just starting to feel normal again from neck surgery. Oh boy...

I will post a report of what the masses were. Please keep me in your prayers :)

Oh & Happy Monday!

(The picture is from Sunday. We spent the afternoon painting and carpeting the bucking bull barrell. This is where I spend lots of time with ole RD. It turned out quite lovely and will last much longer since it had rusted over since we bought it. I'll have to post a video of him on it & one of me if you're lucky. It was quite funny!! I pretended I knew what I was doing and drove my shoulder out like him and all...)

A deal is a deal...

2010-02-28T22:44:00.003-06:00

And there is nothing better than getting a pair of $169 jeans....

...for $49.99!!

{Thanks ebay - i'm super excited. I will be able to rock this guys at yet another rodeo this weekend!}

{Untitled}

2010-02-25T14:25:00.006-06:00

Photographed by CodieLee

Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil:
for Thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
for ever.

A quilt...

2010-02-24T00:15:00.001-06:00

This is my first {possibly last} attempt at quilting. Cowboy boots + stars + egg shell colored fabric with an outline of cowhide = RD's Christmas {turned into V-Day} gift.

He loved it. He thinks everyhthing I do.. Is what does he say.. Oh yeah.. Adorable.

He even said that about that homemade lemon pie... Looked good. Smelt good. No taste until after you swallowed it. Even then you had to pay close attention.

It was halarious.

Anyways I wanted to share this. It's finally finished!!

Thank you Mrs Sue for your help :)

Precious...

2010-02-22T17:04:00.005-06:00

This is my Nannie. {Creeddaddy's grandmother... My great-grandmother} We just celebrated her 89th birthday.

Weekend Wrap-up:

Friday:

Date night + 1 kid that came home from AU {Chase}. Me + RD + Chase = random trip to Leeds for dinner at Ruby Tuesday's & Bass Pro {which was closed by the time we finished eating our nasty food.

Saturday:

A 5 hour drive + $20 ticket {Note: I have NEVER paid to get into a rodeo... especially NOT that much!!!} 1 rodeo + Cooper's phone getting stepped on and broken while in his riggin' bag = Mad dash to find an AT&T store....

followed by.....

1 more rodeo + having to pay $20 AGAIN + getting asked to move not once but 3 times by the usher people = Another 5 hour drive home....

We were 50 yards from the ocean and I wanted so bad for it to be 97 degrees outside!

Although it was 65... but still.

We {Me + RD} had a fun little road trip with our sweet friend Cooper.

Sunday we watched live blog posts by the Bassmaster people and cheered on KVD {via ESPN360} to a much deserved victory. We debated driving to the BJCC but opted out...

My sweet Nannie came up for steaks with the whole bunch of us... She is so precious.

Monday was spent cleaning my truck {much needed} and piddling... now I am waiting on RD so we can eat dinner!

See you soon :)

It's almost Easter time...

2010-02-19T12:35:00.004-06:00

This is what Creeddaddy got Susie Q for V-Day.... the darling little basket... which she promptly decorated like so....

RD's egg....

Me&Chase...

The entire deal...

I love it... I told her when I move out that it will be going with us :)

906 & 966...

2010-02-16T16:31:00.003-06:00

It's a tie between those two....

Freckle Face & Lilly White....

Freckle face is full of personality, sassy attitude, and the cutest freckles you have ever seen...

L.W. is shy and pure white in color...

The list of ALL the girls....

Freckle Face :

L.W. will hopefully be posted soon...

3 months later...

2010-02-15T14:02:00.008-06:00

Well....

Where to begin?

I have been MIA from the blogger world for about 3 months now....

What's been happening? Well...

1. My sweet Mamaw passed away and I miss her terribly. I cry at least 1 time a day and it's been over a month now...

2. RD and I started a rodeo company and produced our first event!! ROCKIN' D RODEO PRODUCTIONS Mamaw would have been SOO proud!

3. We went to Mississippi for the PCA Finals and RD won! Yay!

4. I quit my AT&T job. I did not love it... at all.

5. I turned 24 on Thanksgiving Day.

6. We celebrated Jesus' Brithday.

7. We played with the boys and Matt&Shelley on New Year's Eve.

8. We did not watch Alabama win the National Championship game because we were at the PCA Finals.. but we got updates play by play via my iPhone and we brought the DVR to record it. But after we won we celebrated and did not watch the entire game until one week later. Note: I cried when we had to leave the casino to go to the arena as they were doing the pre-game festivities.

9. Our baby calves have grown sooo much!

10. And soo much more!!

But for starters again...

I got these guys for "I love you" Day!!! He arranged them himself... he was so proud and did a really good job if you ask me!!

I got this little blue guy.... It's kidney bean shaped... or like one of those bed side "throw up" catcher things in hospitals... sorry but that's the only way I could think to describe it....

The inside view... the fabulous bird nest came from a cutie little boutique in C'Burg....

Just a quick post today.. I hope to be able to post more and more regular too :)

The life of a cowboy...

2009-11-21T22:07:00.004-06:00

Several week ago, I bought 2 tickets to see Jamey Johnson & Randy Houser in concert. Both RD and I were very excited. He has been gone to a lot of rodeos and stuff lately and with me having neck surgery - I was not up to travel much.

I was so excited about date night! I mean see the boy everyday but every now and then you just wanted dress up and go do something fun. Well the plans were made.... and then they were broken.

RD went to a rodeo Friday night and his good friend Terry (a bull stock contractor) had to leave. RD had to stay and make sure the bulls were alright and that they got bucked at Saturday's rodeo.

So no concert for us. Luckily, one of my friends bought the tickets from me.

So I went shopping and bought myself a few early birthday presents :)

2 pair of jeans... one of which is a skinny jean. I finally found a pair that do not make me look like the side of a barn from behind. Haha.. I'm sure yall got a good laugh out of picturing that!

1 shirt.. gray in color. Dark gray... almost black. I got my Momma the same shirt in blue for Christmas.

I bought Maddy a bunch of fun goodies from Claire's for her birthday.

Some body splash... I have been wanted some more for some time.. like 2 years to be exact.

2 pair of tights... one gray in color & one black in color without feet.

2 SEC Championship shirts... black in color and they look really good! REALLY GOOD.

A this...

I heart Anthro!!

They sent me my discount card for my birthday... I could have done serious damage but I kept thinking about RD asking me how much my new dress was and me saying $215 and then the look on his face.. and then the feeling I would get of how he was right...

And decided an elephant change purse was much more exciting.

So even though we didn't get to go to our concert.... I had fun shopping and then going to visit my sweet Mattson & Payson. And he was having fun bucking bulls.

It worked out. Sundays are always spent together - No matter what :)

Black is my favorite...

2009-11-19T21:06:00.003-06:00

After not being able to go out and dress super fun for a couple of weeks due to neck surgery...

I decided to buy myself a little prize.

These two fun prizes will be here in 3-5 days.

Umm...

YAY!

Booties and tube dresses...

oh my two loves...

now I will have some color with black

since my entire closet looks like i am gothic...

oh i love black...

and booties and tube dresses with black panty hose...

i am so excited...

and RD is going to hate those shoes :)

How many you see?

2009-11-16T22:09:00.005-06:00

On Sunday I did this....

Oh my sweet RD... I love you :)

I helped fix fences, took photographs and counted calves... something tells me the rest of my life is going to consist of this.

Oh me, oh my...

Oh and I saw 18.

If....

2009-11-11T09:52:00.003-06:00

Heaven were in the form of food....

It would be located here.

Seriously... I documented the feast.

Step one: (After I ate an entire basket of homemade bread)

Crab Cake Salad... YUM. Perfect. Divine.

Step Two:

Well... I dove in before I took a picture. It was however...

Buttermilk Battered Chicken on a bed of mashed potatoes and a selection of fresh cut veggies. All covered with goat cheese.

This was literally the best thing that has ever been eaten by this girl. EVER. I am currently working on perfected this recipe.

Step Three:

Dessert.

A strawberry bread pudding with chocolate sauce. Oh my....

I looked like had eaten an elephant when we left. I strongly encourage EVERYONE to go here and eat. Their website is not exactly very inviting but the house is GORGEOUS, the food is DIVINE and the staff is friendly too. They also have a little bar section for the drink and sports lover.

The house is full of art and traditional southern architecture. Love it.

In the meantime... I have been spending a lot of time at home. I had neck surgery. I am went to work today and was sent home after being there only 20 minutes. I sound like a 90 year old woman... this is getting on RD's last nerve. Last night he asked me to sing Coal Miner's Daughter... haha. It was a show.

He has been doing a lot of this...

Hope everyone is doing well!

Go eat at Buttermilk Hill ASAP!!! :)

Update #4: A rehearsal dinner...

2009-10-21T17:01:00.004-05:00

This past Friday night was my cousin Heidi's wedding. Chase was an usher and I was the Maid of Honor. Here are before we left for the rehearsal & dinner. He is getting so old! {Tear}

Here are all 3 of us before the dinner... I was freezing. Literally. How cute is my cowboy?!

The dinner was the Old Rucker Place. Everything is pretty original and to die for!!! The decoration was elegant with white pumpkins.

The food : chicken fried chicken, mashed potatoes la gratin, bacon wrapped green beans, and roll. Dessert: homemade snickers sundaes.

Although this sweet boy would have loved to be anywhere but here, he looked like a prize with this starched jeans, white Polo and sports coat. He smiled and held me up during my toast which involved a story of me, Heidi, and my Mamaw and late Papaw going on a family vacation to the beach where Mamaw bought Heidi her first wedding magazine. Mamaw is very sick and Papaw is fishing in Heaven with Uncle Will. It was beautiful and tear filled night.

I am glad my cowboy was there :)

Here we are together...

There were better full shot pictures of us. Sadly, Susie Q doesn't have the greatest photography skills with my camera... they were ALL blurry. No worries. We seriously have a million pictures of just us.

Stay tuned for wedding and reception posts!!!

Update #3: Neck Pain

2009-10-21T15:51:00.002-05:00

Even though I have already touched on this a bit... it was on the list so I will cover it.

A few weeks ago my neck started hurting REALLY bad. It got worse and worse. Then my left arm went numb. This freaked me out.

I went to the doctor he prescribed Prednisone (steroid) for 5 days.

No help at all.

Went back to the doctor. He ordered an MRI.

It showed that I had 4 bulging disk and one herniated disk.

I went to the specialist yesterday - got a steroid injection this morning - here I am.

Stiff, annoyed, and hoping that it works.

The next step is surgery. Pray this won't have to happen.

They think the injury is from a car wreck I had last November or Cheerleading for 15 years.

Update #2: Walmart + Mission + Deadline = One crazy adventure..

2009-10-21T15:18:00.006-05:00

I have wanted a sewing machine for well... a very long time. I have always wanted someone to teach me how to sew with it as well. I always wanted my Nannie to teach me to quilt.

Well... they bought me one when I was like 5. It broke because it was made for kids and I was most likely to rough.

Time is precious and I always felt bad when I knew someone I could ask to teach me.

Nannie claims she forgot how to quilt. Riiiight.... but she pretends to be dead serious when she says this to my face.

So the Saturday we played Ole Miss... I was on a mission. It hit me at 12 that I had enough extra money to make my purchase. I had found the one I wanted online. Walmart was it's home.

I yelled at mother so she would rush to get ready so we could make it back in time for kick off. (Not yelling mean at her, but or less encouraging her...) I was ready wearing RD's tee shirt, leggings, and flats. She prefers real clothes when making an adventure.

Drove like a crazy person to Sylacagua, only to learn that they had gotten rid of their Craft department. Yes. Gone. I was pissed. No other word to describe it. Beyond pissed. Livid.

The man told me that the closet one was in Anniston, I YellowPages.com'ed it, (Who would have though? I used what I sell all day long... hmmm) and called Talladega... YES!!! CRAFT DEPARTMENT!!!!

Drove like an even more crazy person and tah dah!!!!!

My own little sewing station.... I bought all the goods: Sewing Machine (50 Stitch Selection), carry case, supply box, fabric scissors, needles, thread, and a whole bunch of fabric.

Here is the whole setup...

And my work so far...

In case you are wondering, RD is getting a quilt for Christmas. I told him it was for Payson. He was so jealous and has now decided it is really for him! Silly boy...

Random though: Steroids + Injected into spine = Pain and Stiffness... UHH!!!

Update #1: Momma's Birthday & Spooktacular Lingerie Shower Final

2009-10-21T11:11:00.004-05:00

Today I had a cervical epidermal injection... english: steroids injected into my disk that is out of place. So that means... pain, numbness, dizziness and plenty of blogger time!!!

This is the cake I baked for my Momma's birthday (9.18). It's homemade from scratch! It includes an entire bottle of Hershey chocolate... yeah. But she loves it...

This is her really awesome candle holder/wine bottle top we bought her....

We had steaks, potatos, rolls, and cake... she also got several more pieces for her Spooky Village (the same as a Christmas Village except spooky...)

Then here we go....

{Note: NO pictures have been edited yet! Sorry...}

The food table....
The drink table....
The Witch Bride....
Witch bride again...
Witchy me and the Witch Bride....

We had such a great time! Everything went perfectly! Food and drinks were great... everyone came dressed as a witch... she got lots of goodies....

More updates to come.. after a nap :)

An update...

2009-10-18T18:32:00.005-05:00

Many posts will follow this post. They will cover what all has been going on the past few weeks. Life was busy, busy, busy.. but is now slowing down.

What to expect...

A final post pertaining to the Spooktacular Lingerie Shower...
A trip to Walmart in a rush to make it back to see kick off and one new sewing machine later...
Cowboys love their boots... and to stay warm at night...
A trip to the doctor... a MRI order... one herniated disk...
A Rehearsal Dinner...
A wedding... a party... and a ball... {RD's priceless "Get me out of here" face}
A dinner for a hunter that spent Sunday in a tree... literally.

As you can tell, I have been super busy! I have so much to say and I think I am finally going to have time to say it.

One post at a time!

See you soon! :)

Something blue...

2009-10-05T20:37:00.004-05:00

These guys are on their way....

I decided I needed them for Heidi's wedding...

They will go with both dresses I have to wear...

One for the ceremony and one for the reception.... did I mention I have a peacock mask for the reception? Can't wait for pictures. RD's mask is a Zorro one :) And his suit... it's to die for! Houndstooth tie included :)

I still have to post the final pictures of the Spooktacular Lingerie Shower... I am still editing them for Heidi.

Part two...

2009-09-23T21:19:00.003-05:00

Here is a sneak peak of the decor... it's too fabulous to be shared and deserves it's on post. I think I will wait until the food is on the platters though... YAH!

An already spooky fireplace made super spooky with spider webs....

And the pumpkin I couldn't manage to find last night on my email... tah dah!

It's Heidi.. well her silhouette anyways :)

Stay tuned for more spooktactular posts...

Part One and a half....

2009-09-22T21:18:00.005-05:00

Here is one of the white pumpkins...

{the other picture is still floating around space somewhere unable to find my inbox}

Like Victoria's Sexy Little Bride... we are having a Spooky Little Bride!

Step one...

2009-09-22T20:32:00.006-05:00

When hosting a spookactular lingerie shower one must

PREPARE THE PUMPKINS

{Part One}

White pumpkins are WAY to high in price... so we made out own :)

B-O-O...
A bling and black BOO...

This sweet boy {RD} gutted his pumpkin and got right to work on a masterpiece....

A black pumpkin... A white pumpkin... throw in some bling... and an ole black crow...

This is my favorite so far...

This is not a cut out like a regular pumpkin but instead he scraped the skin off allowing the light to shine through. This is when it's all lit up. Is this not amazing!!! He fee handed it too!

There are 2 more pumpkins to go...

I have one finished and my email won't work so I can get the picture.

The other is in the process.

Tomorrow they will be finished.

And posted promptly thereafter.

i heart halloween

{aka: spooktactular lingerie showers}

Life is good...

2009-09-15T21:43:00.003-05:00

Now a days a post is few and far between.... but I do what I can. Working takes a lot of hours out of your day! I never realized. But then again... it puts money in your pocket book... so I guess it evens out. I guess...

Anyways....

Often, there are times when I want to type out exactly what I am feeling at that moment or the random thought that has popped into my brain.. but life kicks in, times flies, and the thought passes. I am seriously contemplating on writing these thoughts down and compiling a book - after of course I type them onto my blog... but then again who has time to write down stuff when there are quotas to meet, deadlines to beat, and places to be? Oh life.

I have been spending a lot of time with this guy. Even though RD is favorite, I run a close 2nd. We are definitely beating Creeddaddy & Susie... They discipline and frown upon people food. RD teaches tricks and gives treats while I just give him whatever it is I am eating at the time. He is like a person. He trips us out.

His new favorite spot to relax = under my bed.

I also got to spend some time with this precious baby child.....

Gracie Lee!
I played with her and then Melissa (her mommy) and I went out to dinner. It's been a while since me and Melissa got to hang out and the first time she has left Gracie for any period of time. It was fun for all parties... especially Nona (Melissa's mom) who got to stay and play with baby girl!

I have a couple of PRECIOUS pictures of my favorite boys... they will be my next post. It will be a tribute to Alabama football wrapped up in their absolute cuteness and sweet selves!

Tonight, RD and I went to the funeral home. A member of our church and a very sweet man passed away. Timmy Robinson died at the young age of 50 and will be laid to rest tomorrow. He had a smile on his face every Sunday morning when I saw him. He always said good morning or hello or something. He will be truly missed.... but I know he is playing that guitar in Heaven right now while the good Lord smiles back at him.

2009-09-09T12:02:00.004-05:00

It's almost been one month since I last blogged.

I am the maid of honor in my cousin's wedding. I am hosting the lingerie shower.. I cannot wait to post pictures!!!! Here is peak of the invite...

What I have been up to....

I work everyday from 7:30 - 4:30. I drive 280 in order to get there. I hate it. Why do people forget how to drive when they get over the mountain?

I miss the days of sleeping in and maybe studying or just going antique shopping 50 miles away instead. I miss driving to Tuscaloosa. There I said it.. I miss college.

I loved high heels until the day I had to wear them everyday. Now a pair of flip flops might as well be called Heaven on Earth! And my new obsession with house shoes.... yes house shoes. I found a blue pair with frogs on them in my closet a few months back. I think they might have been Melissa's... mine now. I wear them ALL the time. I contemplated wearing them into

Smith's the other day... RD was like nahhh prolly not a good idea. Haha... his face was priceless.

I go to a rodeo every weekend... and I love it. I have the best boyfriend ever.. I could not ask for better.

I planted these at the beginning of summer. I planted large and small.. I will post the picture of the large (over 6 feet tall!) but here are the small... how cute are these guys!!!???

{The picture quality is not perfect... i took it with my iPhone.}

I have spent time with family and friends. Went to a family reunion and to visit my sweet Mamaw :)

Did I mention that I spent lots of time with my two favorite boys? Mattson & Payson. I love those little guys! We watched football last Saturday and the Saturday before we played at Coco's house all day while their mommy & daddy cleaned carpet. We had more fun :)

Since the intro of the big orange tractor, if the sun is in the sky then RD is on the tractor. So Coco must find ways to entertain herself...

On his land there are several little ponds... so anyone that knows me well will know exactly what I did...

I went fishin'...
And caught 6 fish :)

I hope everyone is doing well. I currently have the stomach bug and have been out of work for the past 2 days. I hope to be back tomorrow. I kinda miss talking to strangers over the phone. Really it's kinda fun.

I am going to try and do better with my blog... it looks sad currently. There are just not enough hours in the day anymore. Especially since Memaw here goes to bed at 9... I am getting old.

Oh and ROLL TIDE :)

Since we last chatted...

2009-08-13T19:07:00.003-05:00

Since we last chatted..

I drove to PC by myself to meet up with some friends to celebrate one of their 30th birthdays.

I ate here... and spent over $40 BEFORE TIP on nothing but food and Coke Classic because that's how much I love it. (And threw in a text message to my dear cousin Patrick Scott because he too shares my fondness of this joint and I knew it would make him jealous!)

I came home nice and tan from my one day on the beach.

I ate lunch with my favorite people.. RD, Shelley, Matt and my 2 favorite men, Mattson & Payson on Sunday when I got home.

I napped as usual on Sunday with RD.

I worked all week and learned more about my job. I like it a lot!

I really like Thursday when you get a paycheck :)

I yelled at people on 280 who magically forget how to drive when they get on the other side of the mountain.

I drank a great amount of water. This is an always for me but I wanted to share this.. idk..

I woke up tired and realized I am getting old and nothing is going to change that.

I drove home today to this...

And realized my boyfriend loves it as much as he loves me and it's only been in his life 3 hours now. Oh and it's orange and I am cuter but he will probably say that this is still open for discussion.

Got to love that boy :)

I hope your work week was easy and grand... and that you're weekend is wonderful!

I am off to the gym, to eat, to sleep.

Then work, a rodeo, and Arab, Alabama for a Bridesmaid slumber party at my sweet Aunt's house!

A cowboy...

2009-08-02T23:08:00.002-05:00

As I mentioned in my last post...

RD and I went to a rodeo Saturday night in Blairsville, GA.

And Ashley... you were right.. there is NOTHING there! And the roads made me sick! Uhh! It was like Leeds Mountain times 100! Literally. Eww!

Anyways... we had the best time. We laughed and talked and acted like our normal random selves. I took my chair and good thing because there were over 1,200 people there. They only had 2 sets of bleachers. It was a mess. Parking was horrible. It took 30 minutes to leave!

But luckily with my chair I could post up behind the arena gates with RD and the other bull riders. This put me in front of a crowd who thought it totally unfair I was in there. I mean really? Calm down people.

The view was great and I was set. So I snapped this picture with my new iPhone of this sweet cowboy before he rode...

I heart him :)

He covered his bull according to everyone there {including my camera timer} but magically the judges timer stopped on 6 seconds! I was so shocked! And the other judge did not have a clear few so he automatically had to say thumbs down.

Oh my...

But we tore up some McDonald's {which we both HATE but that's all we could find} and head back to SWEET HOME ALABAMA!!

New members...

2009-08-01T12:42:00.002-05:00

Recently we have added new members to the clan.... Both are bulls of some sort and both are cute as pie!

Meet Juicy Couture

He is the newest member of the bull gang.

He is a young guy, around 3.

He likes his new home and his new friends.

He does not so much like getting in the bucking shoot.

He actually knocked the gate off and knocked Cooper out.

{They are all fine though :)}

But he likes to eat and graze and wonder about the pasture.

He has potential.

And I like him.

And yes... I changed his name from Juicy Johnny to Juicy Couture.

He has velour like fur with a subtle blue tint.

RD agreed :)

Meet B

{B stands for Bruiser but I hate that name.}

So we call him B.

He was given to me by a girl I work with.

He is 10 months old and she didn't have enough time to devote to him.

So.. now he lives on the hill with us in the haunted house.

He loves it!

He is the coolest dog... well ever.

He can skateboard. No lie.

He cries and it sounds like a baby when he doesn't get his way.

His great grandmother is a celebrity.

Ever heard of Uga? Yeah Uga III.

He is like a human,

He really enjoys rap music, bacon, and anything that squeaks.

He likes to torture the cats but cries when they fight back.

Love this guy.

RD and Creed even love him.

That's a big deal :)

Hope everyone has a happy weekend!

We are off to Blairesville, GA for a rodeo! I think it's going to pour down rain to. Did I mention it's outside?

Yah! :)

Move over RD...

2009-07-27T21:16:00.003-05:00

Mr. iPhone is here!!

Can I honestly tell you that I do not know how I made it without him thus far?

No lie.

I am big on texting. It saves voice boxes. (except when driving) I check my email about 100 times daily. I love to be able to check my bank account without listening to that stupid robot lady. I can pay all my bills from the the screen of my phone. Did I mention I can surf the Internet and it looks just like the screen of my mac? I can map quest, weather channel, play games with someone that lives in New Jersey, oh and Pandora radio, live football games, and my ipod all in one!?

Yes true story.. and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

I love this guy. Not literally as much as RD but come to think of it...

He always agrees and never talks back :)

Totally trickin'! {Shelley stop laughing at me! Love you!}

RD is already making fun of my new obsession. I told him it was my equivalent of a bull :)

I did it..

2009-07-27T15:50:00.006-05:00

Many people have heard about how good my mother can cook. RD brags on her all the time. I have gotten used to the fact that she cooks and we eat. As a child, I was outside all the time. I never came in unless it was too cold or it was time to eat. Even then, they MADE me come inside. I would go play outside until I could feel the seriousness in my mother's voice as she yelled from the back steps to the woods where I was always playing. I never have had a desire to be inside or much less in the kitchen helping my mother cook. My brother would help more than I would. I hated it.

This is now showing in my old age. RD loves to eat. I hate to cook. What's a girl to do?

I still hate hanging out in the kitchen, unless there is much needed to hear gossip being tossed about in the air. {None of you for a second better act like y'all don't do the same thing :)} I will arrive to the kitchen when it's time to eat. However, I have made it an effort to work on this. I mean after all, me and RD can't forever eat every meal with Susie and Creeddaddy. They will get tired of us.

So I sat down and thought about what I could cook...

Settled upon :

Ham and Cheese Chicken

Bacon Mashed Potatoes {served in sourdough bread bowl}

Baked Beans

I planned. I purchased. I prepared.

And the best part... RD loved it. And it was actually good!!! {He even took it for lunch!!}

I was SO happy :)

The very best part of it all though : he bragged about my cooking to Shawn at church! I was tickled pink. I almost cried and which Shawn found hilarious.

And the kicker: I actually enjoyed cooking.

I am getting old.

Officially.

a Monday from...

2009-07-27T14:20:00.008-05:00

you can complete the title yourself :)

{my take on it = not so much blog friendly}

**Click here : Pray for Hope and send up a prayer. (This is my neighbor's cousin blog.) This little girl needs prayer**

I woke up this morning, showered, dressed and gathered muddy rodeo clothes. Drove through Cresswell to Childersburg... almost made it onto Hwy 280.

ALMOST.

There was a girl lying in the road. Explorer lying on it's side. It had rolled about 50 or so feet until it finally stopped.

Wake up call HARD CORE!!!

Apparently, she had lost total control and was ejected from her vehicle. When I arrived on the scene another woman was just getting there as well. I called 911 and told them what had happened and also where we were located. Highway 85 - Harpersville (aka Cresswell).

The man on the other end of the line proceeded to tell me there was no Highway 85 in Shelby county... umm yes there is sir.. I LIVE ON IT!!

Uhh.. after finally getting him to just call Harpersville and tell them Cresswell - the 280 end. We had made some progress.

The girl on the other hand, was alert and able to walk. Her elbow was not doing so hot... seeing how it was protruding from her skin. Bone cut flesh trauma. Eww.

Not pleasant at 7 in the morning. Pleasant being the polar opposite actually.

Diapers were all over her vehicle. I was terrified that a baby was in there.

No. Just the part of the car seat where you attach the pumpkin seat - no baby, no pumpkin seat.

Thank God.

I waited for a minute. Saw that the other lady had it under control, she would stay and was now accompanied by another lady she works with.. I left.

{Be extremely careful in this road!! They are re-paving and left the shoulder hanging above the ground up to 1.5 feet in some places! You go off the road.. your best bet it to ride in the ditch until in lowers back down and come to a complete stop. This wreck happened and another wreck that left one lady dead. BE CAREFUL! Oh and we can thank the up and hopefully not coming quarry for the new road action!}

I continued on my way to Taylor's Cleaners in Childersburg and was once again reminded of why I go out of my way (and stumble upon all the random happenings of Cresswell) just so RD can have freshly starched rodeo attire, the smiling faces and sweet morning greetings from the employees.

A day in the office where the computer decided to crash ALL day.

However, I did manage to find a cute little birthday gift on my lunch break for a special girl!

Oh Monday... sweet and furious Monday :)

My take on dry cleaning...

2009-07-23T16:31:00.006-05:00

I started this post on Thursday and I am finishing it on Friday...

Currently I am sitting in my cubical. I am finished doing what needs to be done. I am repeating to myself to go to the dry cleaners to pick of my sweet RD's clothes. Usually I would not have to remind myself to do this, but this week I am having to use a different cleaners. Taylor's in Childersburg is who we usually use. I don't even have to tell them what to do, they already know. For years I have been doing the same routine. Monday: drop off clothes. Heavy starch. Don't mind the brown stuff. It's only bull poop.

Thursday: pick up clothes. Pay with a check. Cash if they are lucky. And tell them see you Monday. Oh and they ALWAYS ask how he did in the rodeo and if he took me out to dinner.. and if we had Hardee's on the way to the rodeo. They seem interested in our life and always ask details. Sweet people.

This week...

dropped the clothes off in Inverness Dry Cleaners. Rude teenage girl that was mean mugging the entire time I was there. Uhh. She was a witch. They make you pay before hand. So if they don't heavy starch but only medium starch... well you're screwed. You have already paid and there is nothing you can do if they mess it up. So maybe at 5 when I go pick up the clothes they will be heavy starched and perfectly creased. Maybe my cowboy will look as presentable as always...

If it was up to the teenage witch behind the counter, she would burn the clothes and then chase me out with a hanger. Seriously, she is not friendly!

So... I pick them up. It takes 15 minutes to find the clothes... I get them. I go.

I have a fun evening with Susie a sips and strokes...

And get up Friday to go to work....

RD gets his clothes and starts to dress for his rodeo... HIS PANTS ARE WET!!! {all 3 pair} They put so much starch that the pants couldn't even absorb it.

Words cannot express my anger. RD was very sweet and calm, the complete opposite of myself :)

Moral of the Story : People should be more like the nice, smiling faces behind the counter at Taylor's Cleaners. A smile. A nice gesture. And standing behind what you stand for. It matters.

Thanks for listening :)

Sips & Strokes Trip #1...

2009-07-22T21:54:00.002-05:00

Last Friday night...

Erin, Brooke, Jessica and I went to Sips and Strokes and painted this...

I love Sips & Strokes!! Love it.

Tomorrow Susie Q and I are going. She has been out of town for a week so I thought it would be something fun and new to do...

We will be painting a funky peacock.

SOO much has happened in the past week...

Here is a list of posts to come:

a new four legged family member who his an alabama fan georgia bull dog
paula deen + me = smile on RD's face :)
work and all that comes along with that
Eddie Rabbit, a vinyl, and good friends

Though the list may seem random.. wait what I am saying?

I am random!

See you soon! :)

Recap on life...

2009-07-14T22:31:00.004-05:00

What I have been up to...

I have spent lots of time with my two favorite boys {Mattson & Payson}.

Went to a wedding reception and took pictures only to find out that the lens was horribly broken.

I found out it would take 3-5 weeks to get it back. I almost cried. But it's better than buying a $500 or more lens.

I have worked everyday. I am ready to be done with training. I like my job though.

I went to a rodeo and the zoom broke on my point and snap pocket book camera {as I call it} so it looks like I was on the bull with RD, but then it worked fine on Cooper's ride. {idk.}

I bought some big curlers because i am OVER straight hair. And my hair is baby fine straight too. Uhh.

I have a mind set to become debt free ;)

I spent quality time with my BFF {and her sweet boys}.

Ate hamburgers and cupcakes with Phil {Matt, RD, the boys, Heather, Kassidy and Cardson included} before he heads off to Costa Rica... and my little cousin Cade came to visit.

That's about it...

I don't have any pictures because the one I wanted to post is not photoshopped yet..

Hope your week is grand :)

I am tired.

Tomorrow the music will be put to rest....

2009-07-06T21:36:00.008-05:00

At around 9 in the morning...

{while I am working wishing I was watching the live coverage}

The King of Pop will be laid to rest.

I know there are mixed emotions and words of hate often times directed at this man.

{even after his death which completely blows my mind!}

But for the record...

I hope he moon walked through the pearly gates :)

Rest in peace Michael Jackson.

Yellow is yummy....

2009-07-05T22:15:00.003-05:00

I am the maid of honor in my cousin Heidi's wedding. There are only 2 girls out of 10 grandchildren on my Momma's side of the family. Lots of boys. So we are really close... she is also an only child so she refers to me as her little sister. We don't always get along and she can't understand why I am so honest and to the point.. or why I say whatever I want... or why I am mean {more so when I was younger than now :)} but nevertheless we are close. Sister close at times. She is also more dramatic where I am more chill... this concept blows her mind. But I love her so I am stepping up to the plate to tackle the task of being maid of honor in wedding that has 14 bridesmaids, 14 groomsmen, and some 750 invited guests. Yes 750.

She is couture wedding dress designer. Her work is amazing. Seriously. As the maid of honor I will be wearing a couture dress for the wedding followed by a sassy little number for the reception. Everyone is to wear fun shoes and everyone had to choose a color. Since I know the color of the skirt and dresses {navy blue}... I chose yellow. I love navy and yellow.

These fun guys are on their way...

Yah for yellow!

Sweet angels...

2009-07-05T13:41:00.003-05:00

Thursday morning I was receiving text messages from Erin. She was giving me step by step of Melissa's process in the delivery room. Erin was standing in hallway with ear to the door.. I was at work. All the while, wishing I was standing in the hallway with Erin.

At around 10 or so.. this angel was born...

Gracie Lee Phillips

8lb 5oz

20 inches

She is absolutely beautiful! Melissa did well and is doing fine. I held this sweet angel and marveled at the fact that Melissa is now a Mommy. Time flies. I got to the hospital around 4 and left around 6.

After leaving I began my trek down to the beach for the 4th. That's when Erin called me again. She was still at the hospital. Gracie Lee had been transferred into the NICU. Her breathing had been speeding up. It was in need of monitoring. It was then they discovered she had fluid in her lungs. She was placed on anti-biotics and IV's. My heart ached for Melissa and the baby. She was so perfect and then this?

Crazy.

In the meantime, around 9 or so...

Amanda {melissa's sister} was in the room next door delivering Brennan via c-section. He was 7lbs even and 21 inches. He was transfered directly to the NICU for heavy breathing and fluid in his lungs. His white blood count was off and he too was placed on anti-biotics. {I don't have a picture of this little guy because he was sent directly to the NICU.}

Both babies are still in the NICU as of today. Gracie Lee is showing great progress and almost has her breathing back to a normal level . I have not gotten any update on Brennan as of now.

Keep these two babies in your prayers and their mommies!

{Is this not crazy? 2 sisters. 2 babies. Same birthday. Both in NICU.}

Please pray :)

Happy Birthday MoeMoe...

2009-07-01T21:17:00.002-05:00

Moe..Coco..Ernie

These are my best friends. This is us on a random Memphis trip that I will never forget. We don't get to see or talk to each other everyday. We don't get to hang out every minute of every weekend. We don't get to take random road trips like we were once known for. But we are friends. Best friends.

We all took our own little paths and are now grown and happy. One is married. One is a RN. And the other just graduated and got her first real job {that she loves by the way :)}.

Did I mention that it's one of their birthdays? Moe is 23 today. Usually we would be at the beach dancing our tails off and talking to every single person we saw. Cramming our faces with seafood and getting away with whatever we wanted. But not this year....

Moe is about to have a baby girl! Tomorrow actually. Keep her in your prayers :)

Happy Birthday MoeMoe!

I love you :)

Yah for Mattson...

2009-06-27T12:22:00.003-05:00

Today is Mattson's birthday party!

Yah!

Mattson and Payson are the 2 sweetest boys I have ever met! {and the cutest too!! :)} I love them so much! Mattson is turning 3 and they are having his birthday party at Jumpin' Jacks in Chelsea. It should be quite fun and get interesting when his parents and me and RD all get in and start jumping!! Haha... It's going to be hilarious!

This is the toy that his Uncle RD bought him.. Shelley and I were at Walmart and she saw this on the shelf.. I mean could it be a more perfect gift for his uncle to give him!!!

Mattson LOVES trains and RD LOVES bucking bulls... crazy huh?

Mattson is also getting ready to start "school" in the fall. So he needed a mat to take his naps on... My friend Jayme's mom is an amazing seamstress. I mean she did this {with Jayme's help}.. so she is like top notch in my book.. so I picked out some fabric... cowboys and minky dot.
His name up close...
The entire thing... how cute is this guy!!!
So anyways I wanted to show off the mat and the randomly perfect present that was discovered at Walmart...

I hope everyone has a wonderful Saturday.. I am off to jump around with 2 sweet boys and some wonderful family and friends :)

an invite...

2009-06-25T19:41:00.002-05:00

This is an invite that I designed for my cousin Tiffney. She is in charge of hosting her mother-in-law's 50th birthday! Tiffney loved the design so I thought I would share! Happy Thursday :)

1 down... years to go...

2009-06-22T21:16:00.003-05:00

Well I did it! I made it through the first day. {I just have 25 years to go!} I was bombarded with information and handed a binder filled with more pages than I think I ever read in college. I was given homework assignments and more info to read on my own. It's interesting though so it's fun to read. I love advertising. Love it.

I had a cute outfit, met fun people and overall enjoyed my day at work. I work. Weird.

Then I was off to the gym and dinner with RD...

But my favorite part of the day came when I got home... my diploma FINALLY came! Yah! {Note: They spelt my name wrong from what I requested... they put L. instead Lee. Who is Codie L. Hoyle? I was mad but soon got over it when I realized no one would eve notice the name... the frame is too pretty! :)}

{pardon picture quality.. i used my cell phone}

I know that I graduated. I walked across the stage. I wore my cap and gown....

But getting this piece of paper completed it. I was truly relieved and excited to the fullest for the first time about this!

Yah!

Today I...

2009-06-21T21:11:00.002-05:00

Went to church and officially became a member at VRC
I ate chicken salad and fruit before swimming and laying out in the sun for some 6 hours with RD and the fam
I played hard core bad mitten and under water football along with a game of Marco Polo {which I cheated :)} with RD and Chase
I took a nap with RD while chicken and steaks cooked on the grill
Wished my Dad a Happy Father's Day and gave him a card that talked and was from the Simpson's and had something to do with getting my way {i could not have said what it said better myself... it was so me}
I chose an outfit for my first day of work and made RD picked the shoes {he laughed at me}
Am currently watching Army Wives because I have decided it potential..
And now I will make a quick phone call to RD and then rest for my first day of work...

Today was a good day.. I have not pictures to post. I just wanted to remember this day by recording it on my blog :) I hope everyone has a wonderful week... I hope to post soon.. I just have to figure out my new schedule.. actually having to do something is going to be insane. But yah exciting! :)

Friday...

2009-06-19T16:15:00.005-05:00

Well.. It's Friday. This is my last Friday that I will be able to sleep in and do whatever I want. Work starts Monday, but I am excited nonetheless. :) However, Friday's are better with fresh flowers...

I am excited also about this Friday because I get a date with RD. These are far and few between in rodeo season. I mean we spend a lot of time together but sometimes it's just fun to go out every now and then....

And then there are the random moments from the night before....

I went to the gym and came home... with RD gone fishing there was plenty of time to do whatever.. I was in desperate need of a pedicure. And since I have not worked in some time now and will not be getting a paycheck for about month {they pay every 2 weeks and hold your first check...yuck.} I decided to take matters into my own hands. I learned that we own a foot bath thing {i had NO idea..} and I already had the bath salt and pedicure tools... so tah dah!

{pardon my appearance.. remember I just left the gym where I sweated like a man for about an hour.. I swear the AC was off too..anyways I had to explain.}

And yes.. I added too many bubbles and my mother found this to be hilarious and started snapping pictures with my camera...

Moo..

2009-06-18T22:16:00.002-05:00

I mean could this foot rest BE any cuter?

Love him :)

Waiting and adventure... {happy birthday shelley!!}

2009-06-17T07:21:00.003-05:00

How cute are these?

These guys are on their way! I cannot wait until I get home this evening and they are here... at least I hope they are! Shelley, Chase and I are off on an adventure...

Happy Birthday Shelley! :)

Yah!

Framed...

2009-06-16T19:10:00.006-05:00

Monday I took a pit stop by J & J Junk and dug in piles of junk {and who knows what else} and found several little lovely frames. I bought some 17 frames for $9.50. I dig through glass and lucked up for $4.50. The rest had to be cut at Hobby Lobby which ended up being around $7. I printed off some of my favorite pictures {for the time being at least} and tah dah!

I wanted to go with a wall of them all put together {you know the fun vintage look} but there are no walls left in room. {This is another reason why I need a house.} So I added them to the pictures already propped against the wall... I really like how it turned out! And I now have a deeper love for J & J Junk...

I need a house...

2009-06-16T18:54:00.003-05:00

to put all my furniture in! For real.. I have enough furniture to fill an entire house. Sad I know but it is a true story. Here are the newest members of the collection... My Grannet asked me if I liked them and told me she didn't want them.. umm FREE and pretty... I'll take it!

{pardon the image quality.. they were taken with my camera phone}

and then this guy....

Yah :)

A trip to NC...

2009-06-15T23:52:00.004-05:00

This weekend Chase and I went to North Carolina to visit our grandmother on our dad's side. We don't get to see her as often as our Mamaw {Momma's momma} or our Nannie {my Dad's grandmother}. Grannet lives on top of a mountain in Saluda, NC. Saluda is cute little town.. sort of like Mt. Laurel except old and with more stores. Very neat place. The houses are to die for and very old and huge. However, Grannet's house is on top of a huge mountain. It was built by Perry Como and he eventually sold it to them in 1992. This was our 3rd time to visit but the only one we can really remember...

This is my favorite picture from the weekend :

We hiked about 1 mile there and 1 mile back.. and at the end of the trail is this beautiful waterfall. It was so worth the hike that we were not prepared for and wore flip flops. It was fun times though.

She gave me 2 pieces of furniture that are to die for, a comforter set that I asked for when I was 10 {I don't remember this but I guess I did..}, and a really neat Alabama glass that I found at one of the cute shops. {Will post pictures later :)}

Chase and I had a great time... especially the road trip part :)

Rest in peace sweet boy...

2009-06-14T21:47:00.004-05:00

{I woke up Friday and felt much better and decided to head toward North Carolina. The trip was awesome and a post will come later...}

But today {Sunday} when I got home after Susie showed us the cake she made for me, Chase, and RD (he was away rodeoin' all weekend...) something was brought to my attention... There is now a cross in the pasture under the oak tree. A beautiful wooden cross that says "Champ" across it. My dad made it this weekend while I was gone. Friday night was filled with bad weather. Champ loved bad weather. He would chase lightning and I believe he actually thought he was going to catch it. Well.. this storm proves him right. He caught it. He died chasing lightning. I am sure if they would have noticed a smile would have been on his sweet face.

Champ was 16 years old. He was a Sheltie. He wondered from our house to Nannie's house everyday. He chose to eat there because here he got dry dog food and there he got whatever they had at the center that day. He preferred people food. He begged for treats like a kid does for a toy in Walmart. He chased cars until his joints became stiff about 2 years ago. He has been ran over several times from this. He was shot by a crazy neighbor we once had and should have died right there. He lived on for some 10 more years. As a young guy he thought it best to chew through extension cords, he soon learned that was probably a horrible idea after being severely shocked a couple times.

Nonetheless, he truly was the best dog ever. He liked his hair long and vert trips minimum. He knew when it was time to go and would stay hid for days. We eventually gave up on dragging his to the vet when he was about 10. However he lived 16 years. A good 16 years too.

Here is a few months ago on his favorite rock by the pond...

Sir Champion of Rabbit Run

"Champ"

Rest in Peace Sweet Boy

4 is greater than 1...

2009-06-11T23:12:00.006-05:00

Let me explain:

For graduation RD was going to get me whatever I wanted. I settled on a new Coach bag. Then I ran across this guy yesterday and fell in love. He is a J Simp and he has a brother that would be perfect for work. {He has not be purchased yet.} So I thought why get one bag when you can get 2?

The cutest shoes ever.. and comfy :)

For work..
For work and possibly play..
The ones exactly like the J Simps.. LOVE!!!
And remember that cake I mention the other day? Here she is. It's now devoured :)

Nothing like it...

2009-06-10T17:44:00.002-05:00

Shopping in bed that is! Today in between napping and channel surfing I wondered about on the internet and purchased these little numbers :

Not this one... because if I feel up to it tomorrow I am going to go try him on first. I kind of stray from the high waist and he is def high waisted... but to die for.

Bangles... can you ever have enough?
Mary Janes : the light of the foot world. Next to good pair of J Simps - Mary Janes are the way to go. My other ones are serious need of replacement. Maybe I can make them yard shoes? Idk. They saw their last day at a rodeo this past weekend... brand new in door arena my butt.
This guy is strapless and pin striped. Fun for anywhere ad slap on a cardigan and can be church appropriate. Got to love that :)
This guy is close to black but not black because everything I own is black... He will look cute going to work with me.
And then this guy... you can never have too many little throw on and go dresses. It's purple. It's gray. It's cotton. It's a good length. It's mine.
That was my adventure for today... Sad I know but it was the highlight of my day. Besides the smell of cake that awoke me my deep coma like sleep again.

Yes.. Susie made a homemade cake with homemade icing. Pink with flowers.. I wonder who she had in mind??? Hmm...

Love her!

Yah on a yucky day..

2009-06-10T12:22:00.002-05:00

This morning while laying in a coma like sleep from taking medicine for the millionth day...

Wishing my head would finally cease the throbbing pain it insists on having...

And that I was anywhere but in this bed...

I got a phone call from AT&T {for those who didn't know - that's where I will be working - in the advertising department}.

They asked me if I could start to work a week early...

Umm YES!

Yah.. I cannot wait!

I must have it..

2009-06-10T01:49:00.003-05:00

Although there is no room left in my room... And this one is pink and if I had the choice I would want it to be black or yellow or green (like a fun vintage yellow or vintage green)... I must have it.

Yes, they sell them new. They are expensive and not as much fun. Half the fun of owning antiques is the fact that you really have no idea where they have been, what they have seen or heard, and the magic is missing... so I will hold off until this little number ventures into my life.

If you happen to be out and about and you run into a chair that looks like this guy (in any color)... call me right then. If you don't have my number find someone that does... you would seriously make my day/year.

I must have it!!! {Susie and RD are going to kill me for getting more furniture.. but oh well. I just keep reminding them I will have an entire house to fill one day!}

Love it!

No NC for me...

2009-06-08T18:32:00.003-05:00

This gal is sad... and sick :(

{this cow is so cute that i had to add her... she helps to brighten a depressing post}

If you read my post from last night you think I am in North Carolina.

Well... it did mention a horrible headache {twice}.

Well... he was still here this morning followed by a stomach virus, a trip to the doctor because the headache was growing increasingly stronger, with a very scary temp fever and I need assistance.

Therefore... no NC until next Monday. Sadness.

My grandmother does not need a fever or a stomach bug... I will spare her.

Anyways... happy blogging. Unless something earth moving happens within the next 2 or 3 days... I will not be blogging.

Have a great week :)

Off until Wednesday...

2009-06-07T22:31:00.005-05:00

A friday night of road trip and bull riding...

A saturday of antique shopping followed by summer fellowship for VRC @ Mrs. Sue's then pizza with Shelley and the fam...

A screeching headache that lasted from pizza at Shelley's until when I left church early...

Followed by hot dogs and baked beans by the pool with RD, Creeddaddy, Susie Q, Jess and Chase...

A nap with RD...

Dinner with the RD and folks...

The return of the dreadful headache...

Watching more bull riding and laying around...

Gathering of the clothes for the weekly cleaner's trip (I should own stock in Taylor's in C'Burg!!)...

And packing to go here :

Saluda, North Carolina

Mountain air and the cutest little town.. ever. Great food too :)

{Pardon the quality.. I straight up drug it off the internet from the Saluda website. Please don't turn me over to the authorities :) thanks!}

See yall Wednesday! I am off to visit my Grannet (my dad's mom)!

Have a happy first of the week :)

Bodacious + organization = splashes of color...

2009-06-03T16:57:00.003-05:00

Last night at like 9:30 after RD went home, Susie decided we needed to run to Walmart. We bought the random grocery list that she had compiled and texted to herself on the way. We were in the pet department and I suggested we look at the fish. She warned me there would not be a fish purchased and carried back to Vincent.

Wrong.

He was the fattest, cutest fish... ever. He came home with us.

Meet Bodacious.

{yes, he is named after the bull.}

The skull as too big for the tank. So he got a sign we had from a fish years ago {superman} and some aqua plants that should bloom in 20 days or I get to send them in and get new ones. {That's is what the package says..}

Then today... I added color to my already crowded living quarters {aka my bedroom}. Antique milk bottles and flowers/herbs from the yard.

Then on to organizing...

This is a "chester draws" that I bought at an antique shop in Columbus, Georgia. {Once upon a time, my friend Erin and I were going to move to Auburn and go to school. We had an apartment and everything. We changed our minds at the last possible moment. Very last.} I fell in love with this baby pink, distressed piece.

However, as it usually goes, the drawers were a hot mess. Disaster covers it better.

So I made these dividers to help keep things more tidy.

Here is the undershirt - work out / tank top - running / cheer short drawer. {The most phenomenal drawer is the underwear / bra drawer.. but I will spare you.}

And did I mention...

I hung out with this guy ALL day. He followed me every where. I think we walked to laundry room and back about 50 times. Love this guy :)

Now it's waiting on RD, a trip to the gym, dinner, and possibly a some television :)

{Happy Wednesday!}

Fresh face...

2009-06-02T15:39:00.003-05:00

Today I went to lunch with my RD. I got to see his office for the first time and took him some pictures for his desk. This is one of the pictures he now has displayed on his desk. Fun times :)

Then I came home to my mother who was preparing to give Bear a bath. Bear is our giant lab that weighs more than I do and lives in the house permanently as of this summer. He will be 10 soon and has hypothyroid disease, reoccurring hot spots and always gets aural hemotomas during the hot months, so he will retire to the indoor life. He is adjusting quite well. {Except for the little accident where he ate 3 loafs of bread}

Anyways he got a bath and then a Baking Soda coat to refresh and completely eliminate the dog smell. I said something about how random baking soda is...

Then my Momma proceeds to tell me that back in the day she and her sister used to use it as an exfoliate for their face. {Their grandmother "Codie Mother" did this.}

2-3 tablespoons of baking soda in the palm of your hand.
Drops of water until a paste like texture is made.
Smooth onto a damp face.
Rinse.
Feel the fresh skin.
Apply moisturizer.
Enjoy really smooth skin!

Yah for new tricks! It's seriously better than any store bought skin exfoliate I have ever used!

monday...

2009-06-01T22:28:00.007-05:00

Today... well was Monday. I still have several weeks before my real big kid job starts, so I am keeping myself entertained {the best I can}.

Today I woke up, ate breakfast, and went to the Shop. (My dad's business)

There I printed off a image from Pottery Barn of a organizer wall decor thing I have been wanting but did not want to pay $149 for. No way. Nope.

So I built it :) yes.. me and Susie Q built it.. and i love it!

Brought it home. Rd hung it on the wall. I cleaned and re-arranged my room while he watched bull riding.. over and over.

Here is the building process...
Here are the slots to hold invites, bills, whatever...

the whole deal :)

Here is my favorite part.. the little shelves :)

Yah for Mondays that are spent building fun things! :)

Thanks Momma!

a change of name...

2009-05-31T22:32:00.004-05:00

Well... I have decided to change the name of my blog... I had contemplated on just starting an entirely new one, but opted against that thought rather quickly. When I started the blog. my intentions were to post my photography pieces... thus resulting in the name Colorfully Black & White. I love black and white photography and this blog would be how I shared it. But soon that photography blog became more of a day to day journal of my life.

So I have decided to change the name to be more fitting for the actual purpose of my blog : to share my random life and all the crafts, photos and moments that gather along the way.

I settled on the "the days of our lives" because I say this all the time.. you know like from the soap opera I was forced to watch every summer day with my Nannie my entire childhood life. "like sand through an hour glass.... so are the days of our lives..." you know! well.. that is what I am doing with this blog.. only its my edition of the days of our lives - not everyone else's.

Resulting with : the codielee edition :)

So.. nothing is changing except for the name. I am just telling you all this in case you pondered upon why i would do such a thing.

have a happy monday :)

{Hookin' J Ranch} a logo...

2009-05-29T13:54:00.004-05:00

A few weeks back TJ (a bull contractor and one of RD's good buddies) asked me if I would come up with a logo for his ranch/bucking bull cattle company. He drew me a quick sketch at a rodeo of what he was thinking. Then pretty much said "you're the designer" and left me with it. This is a really good guy so I wanted to put a lot of effort and make it look really good.

Something that looked good.. but not too much going on.. and something that stood out from the other logo's that are all very similar.... hmm...

For several days I went back and forth during the day emailing RD the various thoughts I had sketched out on my computer. Together we narrowed it down... and let me tell you.. the world better be glad RD is not an editor. He can be a picky little thing :)

But finally we landed on this:

RD emailed it TJ...

HE LOVED IT!

I get to see him this weekend at a rodeo and talk with him about it more in detail. I am so excited! Soon this logo will be on his cattle trailer, tee shirts, and hopefully more!

Yah!

nightie night RD..

2009-05-28T14:26:00.006-05:00

A few days ago, my neighbor Ashley at The Buchanan's - Our Life made a post concerning a bed frame and changing table that she was selling. With no need for a changing table just yet, I fell in love with the bed. Bought it. And finally sweet talked my brother into going and helping me get it in his truck yesterday. From there we went to the shop to make it all clean and new looking.

Here it is before.. just the head board. I deleted the foot board picture on accident. oops. :)

After some sanding and spraying with Polyurethane (clear semi shine stuff)... a touch of paint for the JRD brand and some welding of a horseshoe...

The horseshoe is on the foot of the bed.. so you can see it when standing at the end of the bed.

This turned out darker than intended, but the pillows cover it anyways...

{this is RD's brand}

Look how excited he was! :)

{until this point he was sleeping in the same day bed he had been sleeping in since elementary school.. yes true story. Mattson's bed was bigger than his. He is 2...}

Here is the final product... all the linens/pillows/throw came from Walmart which I was shocked because it was the Chelsea Walmart that usually never has what you need... and yes, we set it up outside simply for presentation. :)

It is going to look so awesome in our guest bedroom (even RD agreed) one day for when my sweet Mattson and Payson come and stay with their Coco! :)

Yah for new beds and comfy fresh sheets!

Thanks again Ashley! :)

too much to say...

2009-05-27T11:47:00.003-05:00

What's been going on :

This guy graduated high school. Yes. We are officially OLD. He was Valedictorian. He did an awesome job speaking and I am sooo proud of him! He is going to Auburn to become a vet. Go him!! Love you little man!!

Pardon the quality of this picture.. I took a picture of a picture with my cell phone...

This is Chase when he was about 18 months. How cute is this child? He was actually mean then. For real. But now he is very sweet and kind :)

I also finally finished a decorating issue I had been facing... With the use of this clock. Which has been in my room since I was wee child and 2 frames from Hobby Lobby... I came up with this...
Tah Dah!
The images came from The Black Apple. She has an Etsy Shop and is simply lovely!!!

Here is another image I bought from her. The frame is an antique that my Momma and I came across in Georgia on our way to a rodeo. Yah!

I also spent lots of time with my BFF Shelley and her wonderful childrens that I love dearly! Shopping and eating.. what we do best! Yah for awesome friends and family!

Then Sunday.. having not seen RD since Thursday because he was gone all weekend to rodeos... we were reunited and spent them entire Sunday afternoon, night and all day Monday at Wind Creek. Yah!

{pictures to come shortly :)}

Wake boarding, knee boarding, eating and just having fun...

Now we are back to the norm and today I finished another project...

{i am loving this no work until June 29th business!!!}

Tune in tomorrow :) It's lovely!!!!

Yah for today...

2009-05-20T17:49:00.003-05:00

Today I went for a formal interview (as a follow up from a phone interview)...

I wore my new "interview outfit" which made me feel 90 but still cute :)

I answered all the questions without hesitation...

I sold them on what I needed to...

I came home...

I waited for what I was told would be at least Tuesday....

I read some more my new favorite book (which will get it's own post later)...

I got a call...

I got the job!!!!!

yah!

Then I got this...

My Mom bought this with her first paycheck in like 1981.. she worked at the same company I just got a job with.. how random? One stone is missing and it needs a deep cleaning... but I love it and her very much!

the weekend...

2009-05-18T18:29:00.007-05:00

Today I went and got this guy a tie stake and line so he could run around and be free. He usually stays in a pen unless we are outside with him, because he really enjoys jumping in the pool after playing in the creek which in turn makes the pool the color of the creek..GREEN. He also can be picky about who he likes.... He really dislikes RD.. sadly he really does. Needless to say he will forever live at my parents house. But to me, he is the sweetest boy ever... well you know.. He is pretty anyways :)

But this weekend was filled to the limit... nothing else could have been crammed in!

Friday was a trip to Cullman with RD, his buddy John (who also rides bulls), and his girlfriend to a rodeo. RD bucked off but was safe :)

Saturday was very busy. Erin and I hosted Melissa's baby shower...

Here is a picture of her and Amanda (her sister). They are due like one day apart.. crazy huh?

Here is her cake that I ordered from Edgar's... sadly I didn't get a piece because I had to leave a few minutes early...

The table of food.. yummy!

Erin, Melissa and I...

Then afterwards I was off to Vincent in a mad dash hurry to meet RD to drive to Canon, GA. FYI: Canon, GA is about 10 miles from South Carolina. Yes... it was a road trip. But we laughed and read Cosmo and laughed some more... and sang a lot. We arrived to the most redneck place in the world that offered plenty of mud and filth. Lovely. However the restroom was clean which is always a plus at a rodeo. It was so nasty I didn't even sit in the stands.. I sat on the gate by the bull pen. Yes I really did. RD bucked off and landed face first in about 6 inches of mushy, fresh mud. Pants ruined, shirt ruined, boots in dyer need of immediate attention. Thank goodness I had a change of clothes and so did he. It was so bad his socks were covered in mud that were inside the boots he was wearing... so he wore my purple and pink socks home. A stop at the gas station to buy 3 year old sour straws which were quickly chunked out the window and a long trip home... laughter included.

Sunday... was sunday school, church and a family gathering. RD's nan and paps hosted a gathering for everyone to eat and talk about the recent purchase of the family land (Carlisle Road). It had to be moved because of the weather, but it was fun and sad all at the same time. Nan wrote this story about the land and everyone it had to do with. She mentioned something about everyone and almost everyone was crying by the end. It's so sad that they are having to go through that.. but that's another post all together.

Sunday night crept in quickly since out Sunday afternoon nap didn't start until 3.. meaning we didn't wake up until 7.. yes we are losers.

Hope everyone's weekend was safe and exciting!

Happy Monday.. well evening now! :)

g is for...

2009-05-13T22:43:00.005-05:00

g is for a girl...

that i can't wait to meet!

{gracie lee}

This Saturday my Erin and I are hosting our Melissa's baby shower.

this is going to be used on the table as decoration along with all the other marvelous things we have scrambled up. we are new at this and very excited.

then of course Mommie Melissa gets to keep it. i have yet to add the pink ribbon from which it will hang. i am so excited about this child. i cannot wait to post pictures of her little outfit i got her. but in case melissa decides to venture onto my blog.. that will wait :)

p.s. the black background is chocolate in real life. i am tired and do not feel like adjusting my camera and/or photoshopping the quality of this photograph.

A last day...

2009-05-13T21:32:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow is my last day at Chelsea Animal Hospital. I have made many friends and memories along the way, but the time has come to move on. I have opportunities ahead.... some of which require prayer. So any prayer would be greatly appreciated :)

Tomorrow I will work my last shift as a receptionist at the animal clinic. I will deal with my last anal pet owner, smell the awful smell of a dog that has never been bathed all while sitting behind a counter that enables me to view this horrid creature, and laugh with my co-workers about what people are actually wearing in public - all while keeping a straight face.

Pray that I will keep strong and goal oriented. Pray for me that I can make it through the day without crying and that I will remember that all things must come to an end for better things to happen.

Better things are yet to come...

a graduation...

2009-05-10T19:54:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was the day...

I finally graduated from college. Excited does not even begin to explain the feeling....

I received my Bachelor's in Communication and Information Science (advertising and graphic design). Oh yes...

This is my graduating class.. well most of them anyways. There was too many to fit into one picture. It took about 3 hours for everyone to receive their diploma. I was part of the 1:30 ceremony. They have to split them into 2 different groups because it would literally take all day and everybody wouldn't fit otherwise...

They had it all set it up beautifully. My favorite part was the guy at the end.. he said congrats and ROLL TIDE.. and the place went nuts!!!

This is Creeddaddy, me, Susie and Chase after the ceremony...
Me and my sweet RD afterwards... p.s. how wonderful are those shoes ;)

And to my total surprise.. there was an after party at my house with family and friends. Houndstooth cups included :) It was awesome night and a relieving feeling knowing that I never have to go back into a classroom. YAH!

Thanks to everyone for coming and to everyone for the cards and gifts... you are all so awesome!!

And congrats to my dear friend Ashley! We did it!!! yah!

A new love and Momma's Day treats...

2009-05-07T21:15:00.002-05:00

Here is the new love of my life.. move over RD!

{So just trickin' :)}

These little guys will be along for the ride on Saturday as I graduate from college and celebrate! I also got a lovely little black dress from Anthro! Love that place!

I actually cheated on J Simp and went with S Madden... I know, I am awful. Her design like these though were elastic which does not go well with walking in general.. they were slipping on my feet in the store so I can only imagine what they would do in front of 10,000 people Saturday... disaster.

As for Momma's Day...

Everyone Momma that me or RD give presents to... are getting these. Good thing none of them read this... Well as far as I know they don't. If so, pretend you didn't see this.

A flower one which now lives as Shelley's house.. Mattson and Payson gave it to her. Aren't they thoughtful little boys?! :)
The whole bunch... the rest are herb gardens. They are a mixture of lemon and rosemary.

These are Aunt Sharron's (my Momma's sister). They have already been claimed.

Happy Momma's Day to all the Momma's. Keep up the good work. I will be back on Monday with exciting pictures from GRADUATION!!!

I am in shock...

a green tree...

2009-05-06T09:32:00.004-05:00

Every time we ( me + rd) pass a big tree.. one of always says something about how big and beautiful it is. This time I actually had my camera with me.

This tree in on Highway 473 in Vincent. It is especially pretty because it won't be around for very much longer. Well it might be.. but chances are it will be surrounded by a quarry.

a gift...

2009-05-04T22:01:00.005-05:00

Yes... I know the picture quality is horrible. You can barely see the ring. It is very blurry. Just know that it says BS 2009 with a big fat Alabama A. And Codie Lee on the inside :)

...and yes i know i need to do something about my fingernails...

And... know that my mother received it on Saturday while I was still asleep and only gave it to me today instead of waiting until this Saturday because I begged and pretty much went back to the days of being 2 years old. I had a feeling it was here and I wanted it. Although she did make me wait on my brother to get home so they all 3 could be here when I opened it. She wanted me to even wait on RD. It was 3:15 at this point and I could no longer bare to look at that package which the contents were of no mystery. I love it!

Yah for May 9!!!