Christmas Parade and More

Alan and I went to the Christmas parade this past weekend. It was my first Christmas parade in a long time. We had a blast. It was freezing out, but we bundled up and headed out. Ran into some of Alan's friends from high school and caught up with them. It was a long parade but they had so many great floats and marching bands you couldn't resist getting into the Christmas spirit. Even Alan had fun and he doesn't get into all that stuff like I do. Once we got home I decided to take some pictures of us and the animals in front of our tree. Pepe couldn't get into the fun with us because he was outside and filthy so he will have to take pictures some other time. Here are just some of the pics from the parade...I took too many to put on here. Merry Christmas Everyone!!

'Tis the Season

Alan and I put up all of our Christmas decorations last weekend. And I surprised Alan this week by putting up and decorating the tree while he was at work one day. I love this holiday and couldn't wait to finish decorating. It's our first Christmas in Tupelo together. Last year I was in Tupelo by myself while Alan was still working in Jackson so I didn't put up any decorations or anything. We did get to spend it together visiting most of our families but it just wasn't the same. I love being in Tupelo and seeing all of the city's decorations. It feels more like home then Jackson ever did...it has a more down home feeling. Here are some pictures I took of our decorations and tree. Have a safe and happy holiday season!!

These are the stockings of our dog and cat. We have to get one more for our new dog, must go shopping.


Our Christmas Tree


Mine and Alan's stockings. We don't have a mantle so we have to use our speakers.


My collections of santas, nutcrackers, and other Christmas figurines.


With the lights on it looks much better


The outside. The big ball of light in the middle is a star that is so bright that it doesn't show up well in the pictures.

Coupon Savy

I was surfing the internet the other day and came across this blog about saving money with coupons. It was talking about this woman who can go to the store and spend $4.00 a week on groceries and household items for a family of 6 plus 4 animals. It was amazing... She has a stockpile of coupons that she has saved from everywhere, 5 years worth of toilet paper (that was free), and she has never paid money for her child's diapers (and he is 3). Now, if you don't think that's amazing I don't know what it is.
So, I'm on a new mission now...SAVE MONEY WITH COUPONS!! I know that I won't be as good as she is because she has been doing this for years and knows a thing or two about how it all works. But, I'm determined to use coupons, surf the net for deals, and spend far less money than I usually do.
I have been researching it all week and have found that is it pretty interesting all the stuff you can find and use to save money. I have made it into a little game and I'm becoming super organized with it all.
My first experience with coupons didn't go so well, but I went to Kroger yesterday to buy a few grocery items we needed for this week and saved a pretty good amount of money (to me)...$2.10, not much but it's a start.
My first big deal will be happening tomorrow when I go to Walgreens. They have Arm and Hammer laundry detergent buy one for 6.99 and get one free. I have a $1.00 off coupon and $2.00 worth of register rewards from them. Which means I get 64 loads of laundry detergent for $3.99 + tax. That, I have to say is a very good deal!!
I'm hoping to get really good to where we can cut our grocery bill in half at first...that will free up money to go elsewhere. I'm super excited about my new experience and hope I can get the hang of it to where I'll be a pro like those other people out in the world that don't pay for things of this nature.

A Clean House Does Make you Feel Good

Well, my plans for this weekend changed several times but I ended up staying in Tupelo and taking it easy. Alan and I don't stay home very often when we have time off from work, but it felt great. I do miss the fact that I couldn't spend time with my Dad and the rest of my family, but it was a great weekend non the less.
Friday we didn't do much once Alan got off of work. Saturday we ate breakfast and while Alan was at his granddaddy's house I decided to clean our house spotless. I was very productive which is unusual for me when it comes to house cleaning, you can ask Alan...I don't clean very well and often! HAHA!! But it is very rewarding and makes me feel good when my house is clean from top to bottom. All laundry is done, floors are clean, and beds are made...love that feeling. That left the rest of the weekend to relax and have fun.
Alan went to the HAM radio clubhouse for a competition and I spent the rest of the weekend doing whatever I wanted, which meant pretty much nothing. I hardly ever get to just relax and veg out.
Now that my house is clean and I'm refreshed it's time to go back to work. But the good thing is it's Thanksgiving this week and we only work a few days...
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone...hope you have a great holiday!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Fall...I Love this Season

Fall is by far the prettiest time of the year. I love to see the leaves changing colors and feel the cool weather making its way in. I love this time of year and all of the holidays that come along with it. Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas right there all together. It's funny to see even Alan getting into all the holidays. When we first met he could have cared less, but now he is the one talking about decorating the house and even putting up the Christmas tree. I guess married life will do that to a man...who knew!!
I took some pictures a few days ago around our house in Tupelo and then when Alan and I were driving back from Jackson this weekend I took some while we were on the Natchez Trace Parkway. By the way, that road is gorgeous right now. There may be some more later, but for right now this is enough...I think!

Janae's Baby Shower

Alan and I went to Jackson on Saturday to visit friends. I helped Cristy throw a baby shower for one of our best friends and we had a great time. I am so happy for Janae and Josh as they welcome their first child into this world...It truly is a miracle for them. Janae got some great things for baby Rowan and we all had fun watching her open the presents. I can't wait to meet him in the next few months. Here are some pictures I took. I made the four tier diaper cake for the center piece for the gift table...she loved it. It was made up off all kinds of things such as diapers, onies, receiving blankets, socks, and many other things for little Rowan. And the adorable little boy that is in the pictures is my former boss's son, Nicholas. He is the cutest thing there is; that is of course until Rowan arrives!! Enjoy!

New Addition

Our family has a new addition...14 year old cocker/chow mix named Pepe. I got him from an old client at the animal hospital I used to work at about 7 years ago. My apartment wouldn't let me keep it without a hefty deposit so I gave him to my grandfather. They became the best of friends right away. They went everywhere together...the pond, around town, etc.

Recently my grandfather had open heart surgery and is not able to care for Pepe for 6 weeks, so I offered to take him back to Tupelo with me. We have decided since he is getting older and my grandparents love to travel that I would just keep him here with us. We love him and he has definitely found his place in our family and our hearts. Here are just a few pictures of him in the backyard that he truly enjoys. I am glad to have him back in my life because he is a very sweet dog.

Trying Something New!

I just set up my mobile blog. I want to see if everything is working and I know exactly what I'm doing. We will see!

Jackson House

I finally downloaded the pictures from our weekend painting the house in Jackson. I took alot for two reasons...one, for pics before the renter moved in and two, because this was mine and Alan's first house together and we will truly miss it. I loved this house. Although it is technically still our house, we don't live there and will never live there again. So here are some pics of before we painted, after shots, friends and family helping, and just random pics from inside and out.