X is for...

eXhausted! Life has been busy around the Huntley home lately. Busy but fun, though!

Yesterday was Maddie's 9th birthday and we had so much fun!

Jeff and I even got in on some of the action!

Here are a few pics from the party:

Maddie & friends playing.








Jeff getting ready to do a front flip into the foam pit.


Jeff flipping.



Jeff in the foam pit.



Maddie and friend on the bars.



My parents and my niece Aubrey.



Maddie opening gifts.


Maddie's cake.








Oh, and a little funny story about the cake.

My mom called and ordered the cake.

Well, when she called she got an elderly foreign man on the phone. He was taking her order and she was telling him that she wanted a "BEACH" theme for the cake. He responds back "Oh, you want a "B*tch" cake. My mom was like "NO, a BEACH!" He keep saying the other word finally' he said "someone will call you tomorrow".

Needless to say, I told her to PLEASE preview the cake before hand.

I just knew we were gonna have a cake wreck on our hands. LOL


It really was a fun day and Maddie said it was her best birthday yet.

Next year she says she wants to rent a limo. Ummmm...we'll see about that!

Since I am stuck. . .

on the letter X and I have yet to take any pics of my Fall decor, I saw this on Alison's blog and figured I would give it a go.

1.What is your occupation right now? I am a Data Coordinator for a counseling agency and Mom.

2.What color are your socks right now? None, I am wearing sandals

3.What are you listening to right now? My computer humming in the background.

4.What was the last thing that you ate? Spaghetti from dinner last night

5.Can you drive a stick shift? Barely, LOL

6.Last person you spoke to on the phone? Jeff

7.Do you like the person who sent this to you? Well, I got it from Alison and I think she's pretty fab!

8.How old are you today? 31

9.What is your favorite sport(S) to watch? I really don't watch sports. Jeff watches football, golf and Nascar though.

10.What is your favorite drinks?Dt Mtn Dew

11.Have you ever dyed your hair?Yep, but it's been a long time.

12.Favorite food? Mexican!

13.What is the last movie you watched? Well, I just rented "What happens in Vegas" but I have yet to watch it.

14.Favorite day of the year? Thanksgiving!

15.How do you vent anger? Call a friend or my mom.

16.What was your favorite toy as a child? I had these fashion model dolls that I just loved.

I played with them until I was 12 or so!

17.What is your favorite season? Fall, hands down!

18.Cherries or Blueberries? Cherries

19.Do you want your friends to e-mail you back? Well, I am blogging this, so no.

20.Who is the most likely to respond? No idea. Becca, maybe?

21.Who is least likely to respond? No clue.

22.Living arrangements? Married, with children (or child rather).

23.When was the last time you cried? A few days ago

24.What is on the floor of your closet? Shoes, gifts, wrapping paper

25.Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to? Just blogging it, not sending it to anyone.

26.What did you do last night? Worked on painting my front porch rockers, fixed and ate dinner then cuddled with Jeff and Maddie on the couch and watched TV.

27.What are you most afraid of? Losing a loved one

28.Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? Cheesburgers

29.Favorite dog breed? We have a chocolate lab and I love her!

30.Favorite day of the week? Saturdays

31.How many states have you lived in? 5

32.Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds

33.What is your favorite flower? Tulips

If you could spare a prayer or two. . .

For this sweet little girl and her mama and daddy, we would so appreciate it!






We love her so much already and just want her to be a healthy and happy little girl.

Oh-and they *think* her name is going to be Makenzie! :) So sweet!

W is for. . .

WHAT are you doing this WEEKEND??? I have lots to do but I am excited because I am breaking out my Fall decor and getting my house all Harvest-y!


>






I LOVE this time of year and honestly my living room is pretty much done in Fall colors because I love Fall so much!


Fall is my most favorite season and I love decorating for it.


I saw some of *the* cutest Fall things at TJ Maxx and seriously if my budget could have afforded it, I could have spent it!





Speaking of the seasons, a friend once told me that you should decorate your house in accordance with the seasons.

Like one room should be Fall, one room Winter, one room Summer and one room Spring. Have you ever heard this?



Believe it or not, I kinda have done this just because I like variety and have a hard time just sticking to one style.



I would say my living room would be my fall, my kitchen would be spring, my dining room would be summer and my bedroom would be winter.



What about you? Is your house pretty consistent or do you have a variety too?


Anyhow, I hope y'all have a FANTASTIC weekend as well!

I will never forget. . .

September 11th, 2001 for as long as I live.

At the time Jeff and I were both working at night and I woke up about 9am to the sound of my phone ringing off the hook.

It was my mom in tears, telling me to turn the news on.

I was dumb founded and I just stood there weeping, in total shock.

I remember climbing back into bed with Maddie and Jeff and just holding them tight to me while I watched the news. I wept for days.

I worked in the billing dept and I was able to listen to music while I worked but instead I was glued to the news. It was like I couldn't tear myself away from it.

I just remember feeling so lost that day and for days afterwards.

I was also so relieved that Maddie was so little and was unaware of what was going on because I honestly had no idea as to how I could answer any of her questions because I had so many myself.

I will NEVER forget.

Our family portrait. . .

This was our first family portrait. Quite lovely, isn't it?




We actually had this done when Maddie was itty bitty and we were at Carowinds.

I can remember as a kid, watching someone do these and wanting one done so very badly.

So of course, when I saw these I just had to have one!

As cheesy as it is, I do love it. It suits us, we are quirky like that.

I will have to say that Maddie was a much cuter baby than she looks in that pic! But, that is a good likeness of Jeff and I.

Anyhow, I thought this was good for a chuckle. :)

It's a P.O.O.P.I.E. Par-tay!!!

The Nester is hosting a P.O.O.P.I.E. Party today and I am RSVPing! :)

You can read all about how this works and what a P.O.O.P.I.E is, from The Nester herself.



Ok here are my contributions to this event. . .



This lovely piece sits atop a bookcase. Isn't she purty?? She was actually $$ many moons ago and was passed down to me from my mom.

I have had her forever but I think it may be time to replace her with something a little more current.




This is one I do happen to like.

I got it super cheap at Kohl's a few years ago and I love the colors of the flowers.




Oh and please ignore all the dust! I didn't realize how bad it was until I saw that pic. ACK!



I also just bought this wreath on clearance at Belk's this wk. It needs some work but I do like her bare bones and I couldn't pass up the deal.

Maybe I will take a page from The Nester's book and redo her and post some after pics soon!





So, I am an official P.O.O.P.I.E. and proud to admit it!

At least, I know I am in good company! :)

V is also for...

Vera Bradley! I just picked up *the* cutest chocolate brown hobo at TJ Maxx by Vera Bradley. It's a perfect fall purse!

I have carried Veras for the last couple yrs and her stuff holds up so well and is well worth the money. I always love to see what new prints she comes up with.

This is the purse I picked up! It's way cuter in person and I love it.

Have you ever looked at her home accessories? Omgosh, her stuff is gorgeous.

How cute is this rug? It does not match my decor at all, but I love it!

Seriously, super cute stuff!

Ok, I am off to find a new wallet for my cute new purse! :)

V is for...

Vents! As in the little things that just totally get under my skin.
You know we all have them. Pet Peeves, of sorts.

I figured you now know about my quirks, things I love, so I am gonna throw my pet peeves out there too.


Really, V was just a hard letter and this was the first thing I came up with.



These are a few of the things that make me wanna do this. . .

Competitive parents-Seriously, if your kid does better than mine. That's great! I am thrilled for you and them but this one upping each other all the time needs to stop. It drives me insane. I am trying to raise a happy, healthy and well rounded child and I don't feel like she has to be #1 all the time. So, please lay off. (can you tell this one is near and dear to my heart. LOL)

Clothes that land 2 ft from the laundry basket- Is it really that hard to drop them in the basket???

Lights and TV left on in rooms that are not in use-$450 electric bill, nuff said!

Kitchen cabinet doors left open-Nothing like walking in the kitchen and getting your noggin whacked by an open cabinet door. Yes, this has happened to me on numerous occasions.

Calling me and asking "Who's speaking?"- Dude, you called me!

Loud, rude and CRUDE music blaring from your car-Never paid much attention to this until I had a child and one day it I actually listened to the music that was blaring and was appalled! So, then I proceeded to crank my James Taylor up to drown them out. :)

Rude sales people-I have spent many years working with the public and I know how hard it can be BUT at the same time I do expect good service or at least be polite.

Wet socks-BLECH, I can't stand for my socks to get wet!

Brown belt/Black shoes or vice versa.

Ok, rant over! LOL

Seriously, not all these make me wanna pull my hair out. But, they are little pet peeves of mine. Nothing major, just little things mostly.

Anyhow, what are some of yours?

Heartbreaking...

I just read about this family on Today's Creative Blog.


Apparently, they were in a plane crash and were both severely burned and their flight instructor was killed. They both remain in critical condition. They also have 4 small children.

There is also a website set up where you can make donations. If you click on the icon below, it will direct you there.

I also know that there is some talk of doing several charity auctions to benefit this family. You can find more details about that at Today's Creative Blog.

I am sure this family could use your thoughts and prayers and if you are able to donate in any way that would be greatly appreciated as well.

Thanks for your help!

Remember the surprise...?

that I had posted about, once upon a time. It's been a while and anyhow she got it yesterday!!



That was so fun! I was so excited about her getting it.



See, what happened was that I won a raffle and was given the opportunity to spend $200 at the Coach store. Well, after and thinking and consulting with some friends, I decided I wanted to send a certain someone a Coach as well.



You see, this certain someone is an amazing person. She has a huge heart and passionate about her family and her beliefs. She also really wanted to win this raffle. So, I decided to get both of us wristlets and I figured this was a wonderful way to get her started on a Coach "obsession". :)

I love mine and could not wait to get hers to her!



Well, she got it yesterday and was so excited and surprised. I honestly think I was more excited about her getting hers than I was about getting mine!



Here's a pic of "our" wristlets. How cute is that?! :)








So, thanks again to Stacey and all my "Britches" for our wristlets! Love you guys!:)

U is for...

ULTRASOUND! No, not for me! But for my bestest friend in the whole wide world!

She found out today she is having a little baby girl!

My first words were "Let the shopping BEGIN!" LOL

I am soo excited for her! Her youngest is Maddie's age, so it's kinda like she is starting all over.

Here is a pic of her ultrasound today. Isn't she sweet?! I can't wait to meet her!

They have yet to decide on a name but I keep telling them that Stephanie has a nice ring to it, dontcha think?