I've been Working on the Railroad...

My brother-in-law works for Union Pacific and was working his crew last Saturday morning while we were in Dallas. His crew was repairing some rail right under the "big ball" in downtown Dallas! It was so very cool to be right down in the midst of some very serious railroad action!

My sissy and I were pumped to be there and potentially execute some rail repair! To our surprise we were haulted by my brother-in-law {count your blessings Union Pacific} before stepping foot on the tracks, all because of this small infraction...Footwear infraction, are you kidding me? No flip flops allowed on the tracks, huh...I can't imagine why??? We were pretty much over the whole experience as soon as we found out that we weren't going to be able to be right out in the middle of the action. My sissy and I found ourselves perched in the hot Texas sun waiting on the boys (Charlie and my hubby) to get all geeked up on machinery verify that the crew was getting the job done. My sissy and I were so very hot, but were rewarded for our superior art of supervision with a nice lunch date with our hubby's here...I had never eaten at Hard Rock so I was super excited! After we ate we headed back to our hotel to make the trip from Dallas to Allen to hit the outlet mall.

I told you in a previous post that my sissy and I are on a constant laugh attack when we are together. Prime example...take a look at this picture and tell me if you notice anything "different":Not anything too crazy, right??? Just some big high-top tennis shoes...right??? Now look at this picture:Oh my gracious! Your eyes are not playing tricks on you, these are HUGE! These bad boys are size 22's and my sissy and I ran across them at Nike while shopping at the outlet. The shoe was way longer than my entire lower leg, ha! Please ignore the fact that I look crazy in the picture because I was trying to hold back the fact that I was dying laughing! We were amazed at how the shoes didn't quite look as HUGE in the pics until you saw them with my body in the pic as well, ha! Who in the heck wears a size 22? I guess that's why they were on closeout at the outlet, ha!

After a little outlet shopping on Saturday night, we headed out to a delicious dinner at Uncle Julio's. It was super delicious and the atmosphere was great! It was such a nice night out so we ate on the patio and that made it even better! If you are in Allen you have to try it...so yummy!

We made one last trip to the outlet on Sunday before heading home, just to make sure we didn't miss anything fabulous! We all had so much fun together and it was so great to have a weekend getaway with my 3 favorite people. We grabbed some lunch then it was time to make our way back home. Here's my hubby's favorite driving assistant... ha!

Natalie

I was in total Shock and Awe!

My handsome hubby (HH) got me the most thoughtful gift that I have ever received this year for my birthday! In order to completely understand my absolute shock and awe, you will have to have a little background info...so here goes! For those of you that might not know, my HH and I got married this August in the Dominican Republic.

The wedding was absolutely beautiful and so very romantic...it was so perfect! I loved the fresh beautiful flowers that adorned my room at the resort everyday. The maids were so very sweet and so thoughtful. The bouquet that I carried for the wedding was more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. After the wedding ceremony, I placed my bouquet in a vase in my room carefully changing the water each morning. I wanted to take this beautiful bouquet home to dry/preserve and save as a keepsake forever.

I was in for the shock surprise of my life when I arrived at the airport to depart home. I was told by the customs agents that I was unable to take the flowers home, but could take the greenery and ribbon. I thought to myself, "is this some kind of cruel joke?" I mean the greenery and ribbon, ha! I was mad as a snake to say the least and proceeded to have a mini emotional breakdown. As I ripped the ribbon off the bouquet that I so carefully tried to keep fresh for it's trip back to Oklahoma, I cried. The tears would not stop coming and all I could think of was the fact that it meant so much to me and I was throwing it away! I was so very upset!
My birthday was last Wednesday and to my surprise I came home to find the most thoughtful gift that anyone has ever given me! My HH had an exact replica of the bouquet that I loved so much made for me....was this a joke?...my trashed long lost wedding bouquet? There was no joke about it, I have the sweetest hubby ever! He secretly emailed the florist a picture of my bouquet and she made it exact...even down to the ribbon! If I didn't know, I would think that this was the exact same bouquet that I carried down the aisle the day that I married my best friend and love of my life!

I am more and more amazed everyday at the way that he loves me! This was by far the best gift that anyone has ever given to me...such a sweetheart HH is, I love him to pieces!

I hope that everyone had a great Monday! I had a great time in Dallas over the weekend and will have a post tomorrow about all the fun!

Natalie

I'm Going to the Big "D"...

...and I do mean Dallas ladies! My handsome hubby and I are having a nice weekend excursion in Dallas with my sissy and her husband Charlie. We planned a little weekend getaway to celebrate my birthday (it was last wednesday) and we are having a great time! I have some funny stories and some hilarious pictures to share so stay tuned! My sissy and I pretty much have a constant laugh attack when we are together...fun times! I forgot the cable for my camera so I will have to wait until I get home to post some pics.

I am really sad that my Hogs lost to the Tide today, but I'll be ready to cheer on a victory next week for sure. I am glad that the Gators were able to pull out a win against those Wildcats!

Go Gators!

I hope that everyone is having a fabulous weekend!

Natalie

Natalie Reporting Live

After trying to conceive for years, Julia Grovenburg and her husband of Fort Smith found out that she was pregnant. Imagine their surprise to find out the they were having 2 babies, but they were not twins. In fact they were conceived at 2 different times! This condition of conceiving while pregnant is etremely rare...check out this amazing story and family interview from Fox News Fort Smith.

Every Little Bit Helps!

We have a wonderful, selfless God that always loves us unconditionally. I believe that giving is not only an act that expresses our desire to be as loving and selfless as Jesus, but it also encourages us in our daily walk of faith to live like Him.

In Luke 6:38 it says, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

My good friend Brooke and her husband Seth have two precious little boys. Here is one of their family pics...they are an absolutely precious little family!

Their youngest son Cash has down syndrome and is the cutest, sweetest little boy ever! Tell me that you couldn't just eat him up...too cute!!

In order to help meet the needs of the Down Syndrome Association of Tulsa, my friend Brooke and her family are doing the Buddy Walk in October.
The Down Syndrome Association of Tulsa (DSAT) is a non-profit organization that exists to enhance the lives of individuals with Down syndrome, their families and caregivers. This is accomplished by providing support, encouragement, current information, education, opportunities for socialization and by promoting community recognition of the inherent dignity of all people with developmental disabilities.

To support their effort in raising money for DSAT you can go to this website to sponsor Cash and make your donation...just remember that every little bit will help!

Natalie

My luck has changed...

Do you know those people that you feel like win everything? Those people that are constantly winning somthing?? I am not that person...for sure! I never win anything, but don't worry that never stops me from trying to win!

Remember this post when I told you that you needed to go visit Kelly at Fabulous K Creative to sign up for her fabulous header giveaway???

Well ladies, my luck has officially changed and I am so super excited!

Kelly does such a wonderful job! I am so thankful to have won and I can't wait for the upcoming transformation. Get ready...Southern and Simply Classic is about to become absolutely fabulous!!

Whooooo Pig Sooie!!

One win down...one more to go! The Gators beat Tennessee ealier today so my handsome hubby is a happy man...Go Gators!

Now it's time for the highlight of my day...Come on Hogs, beat the Dawgs!!!!

It's gametime girls, get ready!!!

Go Hogs Go!!!!

Whooooooo Pig Sooie!!!!!

Natalie

These are a few of my favorite things...

Here are the top 10 reasons (I am sure that there are a few more) that I LOVE Fall!

1. Pumpkin Spice Non-Fat Latte from Starbucks...Delicious!

2. Mums! I think that there is nothing better than some Mums gathered together in the front of my house....the more the better! Love them!!

3. The crisp fall air and changing leaves...so pretty!

4. Wood burning fire in the fireplace. When there is a crisp in the air there is nothing better than fire in the fireplace to keep you warm and toasty.

5. SEC Football! I really don't need to say anything more on this one...you already know which team has my heart!
Go Hogs Go!!

6. Giving Thanks! Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays...there is something special about the love that a family shares together as they gather through out the holiday season. I love it, so bring on the turkey, mashed potatoes, and all the other fixin's!

7. Christmas is coming! Christmas is my favorite holiday, so fall brings a lot of anticipation as Christmas draws near. One of my favorite things to do is to go to the Christmas Tree Farm and pick out a tree...Noble Fir's are my favorite.

8. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation! This is my all time favorite movie...I could watch it every night between Thanksgiving and Christmas and never get sick of it! So funny!

9. Holiday Decorations. I Love decorating and I Love Christmas, so I am pretty much in heaven this time of year!

10. Sweaters and Boots. I love sweater and boot season! Here is a sweater that I am loving from J Crew...

I hope that you are as excited about fall as I am! Happy Friday everyone!!

Natalie

More to Love?

I am not sure how I got sucked into yet another reality show, but I just couldn't stop watching the train wreck help it! I really don't watch a whole lot of prime time TV...I usually just DVR what I want to watch so that I can watch it without all the commercials. For some reason, I guess that I am usually not busy on Tuesday nights because it seemed like each week when I turned the TV on this show was just about to start...The first time that I watched this show I have to admit, I was obsessed intrigued. The show stars Luke who has got a "little fluff" {as I like to call it} and is looking for love. He obviously {and rightfully so} does not care if his new love {I use the word "love" lightly since this is a reality show and all} has a little fluff as well. There were some beautiful ladies on the show, but he managed to narrow it down to two lovely ladies last night on the finale...Tali and Malissa.

Both of these girls were so pretty and honestly as I sat there watching the finale show I had no idea who he would pick. The day before he picked, both girls were taken to meet his family and that even made it more suspenseful. By this time I was thinking that he was falling in love with Tali, but he takes each one to meet his dad {grandma and brother} and they all love Malissa. I was wondering if his dad's opinion about Malissa would change his mind...

{Not sure why this one is so small}

On their last date he told each one of the girls that he "loved" them, but Luke later explained that while he loved both girls he was only in love with one. That lucky lady was Tali, he proposed and she said yes! Poor Malissa, she handled it better than most of these reality girls do. She just explained that she thought that they were on the same page and felt the same about each other. I would have felt the same way if I was her based on what I saw on the show. I literally had no idea until the very end who he was going to pick. He seemed very genuine about his feelings for both girls, I think that it was a seriously hard decision that he had to make between these two!

Did you get sucked in watch the show? If so, what did you think? Hope that everyone had a great Wednesday...only 2 more days until the weekend!

Natalie

I mean seriously y'all?

Do you know a 57 year old man that is as good lookin' as this man?I mean seriously y'all, I am not even kidding. Part of me thinks "what is wrong with me?" this is a man that is old enough to be my dad but then reality sinks in and I think, "it doesn't matter that this man is old enough to be your dad-he looks better and better with each year!" I am sure that there are more of you out there...more ladies that will agree with me that George Strait is the most attractive man of his age that they can think of by far!

I have always loved George Strait's music. I think that he has a voice that is just one of those voices that you can pick out without a doubt. My love of George Strait music started back in the late 80's a long time ago when I would play on the back porch of my Mimi's house. My mimi and her sister, my Aunt Betty would sing their little hearts out to George Strait songs and I thought that it was so much fun!


I leave you with this, it is George's new video Living for the Night. I hope that you will agree with me that George is not only one of the last true troubadours, but he is also one of the sexiest men alive!

I hope that you enjoyed your Monday!
Natalie

Children's Miracle Network Gameroom Giveaway!

Microsoft and Xbox have teamed up with the Children's Miracle Network to put together a very special giveaway for some very deserving kids! Based on your votes, the top 3 hospitals will receive an Ultimate Gameroom Giveaway and have their current gameroom upgraded beyond their wildest dreams. This is such an awesome opportunity to help, so please take the time (it literally takes less than 1 minute) to follow my lead and vote!

You are allowed 10 votes per day, so if we all chip in and vote it will really add up! When you go to the Gameroom Giveaway page and register to vote it even gives you the option to sign up to receive daily reminders via email to vote. When you follow my link and get to the Gameroom Giveaway page you will see the following box:

You will need to click on this box to register your votes, choose the hospital (or hospitals if you are like me) and click on the box to vote! You can proceed to click that box up to 10 times per day.

There are 2 children's hospitals that are very close to my heart. I will be alternating my daily votes between Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock (you know I am partial to this one for sure) and The Children's Hospital at St. Francis here in Tulsa.

Both facilities are so wonderful and they really do such a great job at taking care of little ones in need. Anyone who has ever visited either one of these hospitals knows that the staff at either of these places is amazing. These are the most genuine, caring people that you will ever meet.

I hope that you will take the time to participate so that 3 lucky hospitals can be blessed with just one more way to brighten the little faces that cross their paths.

Natalie

Bloom and a Fun Giveaway

There are some really fun things that I have to share with you today and I am really excited about them both! My blogger friend Melissa, introduced me to a new community of fun girls that will all be reading the same book and then discussing it...how fun does that sound? Not only will we be growing in our faith together, but we will also be discussing everything else life brings our way. All in all, I think that it's also going to be a great support system as well! I am super excited!!!

Angie Smith and Jessica Turner are both lovely ladies and are the masterminds behind this community of girls and it's called Bloom.

This book club group will feature a book that we all will be reading and blogging about both on our personal blogs as well as on the Bloom Community Website. I have joined of course and I hope that you will take the time to check it out and join as well.

The first book that we are reading is Crazy Love by Francis Chan.

Here is a rundown from the Bloom Website on how the community will work: Each week we will do a blog post about the chapter assigned from the previous week (i.e.: on Sept. 13 we will blog about the intro and chapter 1.) Then that Wednesday, guest bloggers will write a post about the the chapter/topic of discussion/something relevant. We believe this will be a great way to get different opinions and encourage conversation. We are really excited about the contributors who are on-board – we have pastors, writers, all kinds of fun people.
I really hope that you check it out!

Make sure to leave me a comment if you join...you don't want to miss out on all the fun and fellowship.

Next item on the agenda...just kidding, ha! I am really excited about a giveaway that Kelly over at Fabulous K Creative is doing.

Kelly is giving away a new blog header! She does a wonderful job and has some super cute blogs that she has done. Head over to her blog and enter to win, but wish me luck as well because I need a new header for sure!

Happy Friday Eve to everyone! This week has seemed forever long even though it has been a 4 day week for me...I think that 3 day weekends are a trick! They suck you into the luxury of being at home enjoying that precious time away from the dreaded office and then BAM you are back in the saddle at work and counting down the days until Friday. Oh well, only one more day and we are weekend bound! I am praying hopeful that we will be able to get some things done here around the house that I have been procrastinating wanting to do for a while. We need to replace some sick brass fixtures that we have in the bathrooms, so wish us luck. I will be sure to post some before and after shots but get ready because you will be amazed at the sickness of these gems, ha!

Natalie

I'm so excited and I just can't hide it!

Tomorrow is a BIG day...the start of college football season! I am sure that you understand my extreme excitement, especially if you read my earlier post this week.

What goes perfect with your favorite game? Chips and Dip of course!!! On Gameday at my house an arsenal of dips along with an ice cold Diet Coke in my Razorback koozie are a must!
BooMama is hosting a Diptacular today with tons of dips recipes. Stop by her blog and check out all the recipes...I am sure that you will find a ton of dips to add to your gameday dip collection!

Here is one of my favorites and it's so delicious! It's from sweet Paula Deen so you know it's gonna be good!

Shore Is Good Seafood Dip
Recipe courtesy of your favorite and mine, Paula Deen

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
1 medium green bell pepper
diced 1 medium onion
diced 2 stalks celery
1/2 of a 10 3/4-ounce can cream of shrimp soup (discard top half and use bottom half of soup)
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 pound freshly grated Parmesan
1 (6-ounce) can crabmeat, picked free of any broken shells, drained
6 ounces shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 teaspoon white pepper {I just use black unless I am trying to be extra fancy}

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees
Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat.
Add the bell pepper, onion, and celery and saute for 2 minutes.
In a bowl combine the soup, mayonnaise, Parmesan, crabmeat, shrimp, and pepper.

Stir the sauteed vegetables into the seafood mixture and spoon this mixture into a lightly greased 8 x 11-inch casserole dish.
Bake for 30 minutes then serve with crackers, toast points, or chips.

I don't like celery, so I omit the fresh celery {I hate the stringy parts} and substitute with celery salt. Paula does not call for any salt in this dish so the celery salt works out perfect...it gives the dish the taste of celery but without the dreaded "strings."

I always use fresh lump crab meat {you can buy it at Sam's} and fresh uncooked shrimp {deveined} as well. I cut the shrimp in half and lightly chop the crab meat still leaving it a little "lumpy." By chopping the crab meat just a little bit it disperses better so that there is some in every bite.

I like to serve mine with Kettle Cooked Lays {love that chip} or Club Crackers.

Have fun cheering on your favorite college team this weekend! I will be screaming my lungs out cheering my Arkansas Razorbacks to a victory over the Missouri State Bears...Go Hogs Go!

Natalie

Put to Good Use

Look at my sweet baby...he absolutely adores loves his new birthday clubs! We have spent some great evenings at the driving range lately and we have had so much fun together laughing and enjoying the beautiful summer nights.

I think that Billy assumed that I would be bored out of my mind just watching him hit balls, but little did he know I came prepared. While he was swinging away...
I had some serious laughs with this funny girl...
Have you read it yet? This book is seriously funny and so super cute...you definitely need to add this one to your list to read. You know that I am a huge Tori fan, so this book was right up my alley for sure. The rest of my time at the range I spent enjoying the weather and watching my Handsome Hubby rock some golf!


I was sitting at my desk today trying to focus ok busted, I was day dreaming on my many tasks at hand when this became all that I could think of...
Ahhhh, the beach...my thoughts suddenly couldn't have been further away from work. All I could dream think about was the beach and how one month ago to the day...one month ago today, I was not sitting in absolute agony at my desk at work. Instead, I was having the time of my life with my Handsome Hubby in Paradise! I seriously love the beach and if I had my choice every vacation {seriously, every single one} that we took from here on out would be to the beach!

I can't help but look at this picture and smile while patiently waiting on my next beach vacation...Love it!!

Natalie