Halloween 2

I already blogged once today...but I had to share with you all my fun purchase today. Don't you just love it when items go on sale after the holidays!??? I DO!! I ran to Hallmark today for a couple other items and all their Halloween items were 40% off! I couldn't pass up these two guys!

They look great on our sofa table in our entryway below the stairs! They will only sit out one day this year, but next year I will enjoy them for the full month of October!

Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween!

Hoping you all have a wonderful Halloween! Hubs is at the gym and I am warming by the fire while making my grocery list. Fun fun!

Lots to do today. Next weekend is the Me Market and then the weekend after that I am participating in a Holiday Open House. I have been busy labeling all the catalogs and necessary paperwork. Today I will be placing tags on all the items and practicing a table set up!

I am so excited to share all the new products and hoping that both events have big crowds!

I am even more excited that it is the weekend! Nothing like a great fall day! 

Don't forget to change your clocks tonight!!

Just a couple of things

I have been slacking on the blogging dept. I have been so busy preparing for a craft show and a holiday open house...that time is sneaking away from me!

There are a few important dates that have passed...but I did not forget about...and I wanted to share with you all.

First, my baby brother celebrated his 30th Birthday (I can't believe he is 30!) on the 17th of this month!!  My SIL planned his day for him and I believe they spent the day with some friends to celebrate. Even though I wasn't with him on his big day...he was still in my thoughts.  My brother and I have had our moments...haven't we Jase?!, but no matter what I love him.  He and I are alike in a lot of ways...and in some ways we aren't. He has a big heart and reminds me so much of both of our Grandpas' personalities. I can see the awnry and loving side of Grandpa K in him and the stubborn and hardworking side of Grandpa B. We may not live in the same city and not see each other as much as I would like, but no matter the distance he is my brother and I love him lots!

Happy Belated Birthday Jase!

On the same day my brother turned 30...my friend Les celebrated her birthday! We went to college together and had shared many good times together with our friends Rach and Bren. The three of them went on a girls weekend this past weekend and I couldn't go due to me starting my new job last week. From the pics I have seen it looks like they had a great time. I am hoping they all got some well deserved mommy breaks.

Happy Belated Birthday Les!

And last, but certainly not least this past Saturday my dear friend Jurist celebrated her birthday! Even though we live many states away from each other.....I was thinking of her celebrating with her family and friends all weekend! I miss her tons and will miss the night out with her and Griffin this Friday! Jurist is one of my closest friends and I love our daily email updates we share! If you had asked me when I moved to Jersey if I thought I would meet new friends, I am not sure I would have said yes...and I know that I definitely wouldn't have thought I would meet such close friends! I am so thankful for them both!

Happy Belated Birthday Jurist!

Well...hubby and I are both on our laptops at the moment...I am blogging..he is working...and we are watching the World Series. Go Yankees!!!! Not looking good for them at the moment...

That wraps up our exciting evening at home. Good night.

Working out is hard to do

So I have started getting up early again and working out. I know...I know...call me crazy! It's just that it is so hard for me to work out after work. I typically take Bella for a nice stroll around the neighborhood...but it ain't cutting it!

So up at 4:30 is the rule for me again. I just feel better after a good workout in the morning too.  Trust me..it is hard...but when my pants begin to feel a bit snug...it's time to make a change.

We are also back on the health kick of eating..or at least trying to be. It is SO HARD. Last night we had a yummy salad with fresh strawberries, some almonds, grilled chicken and dried cranberries.  It was REALLY good....even though I was really craving a pizza! 

I am not sure how long the eating well will go. I am hoping at least until we leave for our trip in November....I know that with the holidays coming up it is going to be VERY HARD.  So I figure if I just start working out hard core...that gives me more room to eat some of the yummy treats!

On another note, you may see on the right side of my blog a couple of new links.I am SUPER excited about the Christmas Ornament Exchange and the Southern Hospitality's Christmas tour.  I can't wait! As much as  I love fall, I LOVE Christmas.  I decorate a little for fall, but I go OVERBOARD for Christmas. I learned it from my Mom! Thanks Mom! ha!

If you would like to participate in either one..be sure to click on their picture and it should take you straight to their blogs.  It should be so much fun!!

Miss Bella is feeling a bit better.They didn't find anything wrong with her....she has been acting better too....we'll see how she does today all by herself at home.  I am sure she will be fine...it just caught hubby and I by surprise when she wouldn't hardly move all weekend....that is not our typical Bella.

Well I must go...another great day at work is to come. I am going to be learning more about recruiting and job posting today. I can't wait!

Happy Tuesday!!

Ballet Shoes

I can't believe I am saying this.....but I love my ballet shoes! I bought these shoes last year....and never wore them....one of the main reasons why is because I am so short already....I like a little heel to give me a little height.  Today....I decided to dig them out before church and try them out.....I LOVE THEM! I am so glad I didn't try and get rid of them like I had thought several times.

My new job is going really good. I am loving it! I am going to be learning the staffing side of the business this week so I am sure I will be taking lots of notes.  The drive to work is the BEST! If there weren't stoplights it would take me only a few minutes!

We have a sick dog at our house. Bella went to daycare on Friday and that night she got home and acted like she was going to throw up several times..she hasn't gotten much better since them...she has been sleeping lots....and barely eating. Tomorrow we will be heading to the vet to see what is the problem. Hoping it isn't anything major.  She just isn't her typical self..poor thing...she just looks so sad.

That about wraps it up here! Hubby is wanting the computer...so I must get off and get some laundry done!

Bridal Shower Fun

Friday, my sister, little "I", and I headed up to our hometown to help host a bridal shower for our parents goddaughter, Tab. Friday afternoon we decorated the church basement with the colors of her wedding, baby blue, white, black and silver....

Saturday morning we hosted the brunch and had a great crowd...here is some of the yummy food....

The guests......

And the bride with the hostesses......

I have known the bride and her sister since they were born....babysat them alot...been on family trips together and have so many great memories with them...I think of them as sisters. We were neighbors in town and then when my parents bought a home in the country, their family moved not to long after us to a home just a few miles away. There is no separating us.....we are so excited for Tab and her fiance' and look forward to her December wedding....my sister and I are going to be the candlelighters....we just have to find the right dress!

And last but not least, here is the bride and her sister and mom. It was a great day and she received lots of nice gifts. My sister and I enjoyed decorating and planning....now it's time for my next project....a craft fair and holiday open house. Never a dull moment!

Warming by the fire

Yes...that is what I am doing at the moment. I am sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace trying to warm up. Hubby is in bed and I am staying up a little later tonight. I have the day off tomorrow!

This week has been very stressful and I am so thankful it is over (at least the work part). I have two more days with my current job and I can't wait to finish! They have been piling TONS of work on me and pulling me into all kinds of meetings to gather any information I have that no one else knows about. I think I was staring at the same spreadsheet for almost 5 hours today. YUCK~

I can't wait to begin something new and fresh!

Kid and I are headed up to my parents tomorrow. Our dear friend, Tab, is getting married in December and we are helping host a bridal shower for her. I am excited and will have pictures to post!

I am sure Munchkin will be chatting all the way up to their house...so we will be entertained! ha!

About time for bed...night ya'll!

Dance Party with Auntie D & Uncle Ike

Rubbing Belly

A visit from Munchkin

Munchkin came to visit us yesterday. He is changing so fast and is really just so much fun to be around. I enjoyed every minute and I know hubby enjoyed having him around too. They teased each other and had some tickle time.  Pretty cute!

We watched Toy Story, tried to help Uncle "ike" paint the garage, played with Bella and gave her LOTS of hugs and treats, did some puzzles, reorganized the bottom shelves in the pantry, took a nap in the "Big" bed, read some books, pretended we were superman and played with Playdough. Even Uncle Jase and Aunt Brey stopped by for a short visit!!
We even a dance party after dinner last night and I got some of it on video...as well as him playing with Uncle "ike's" hat.   Pictures below to show Mommy and Daddy what fun we had! Thanks for letting him visit! We had so much fun!

Fall Favorites

Well it is about time I talk about something fun.....don't you think?!

Fall is definitely upon us, well it actually almost seems more like winter as cool as it is getting. I wanted to share with you all some of my favorites for the season.

I was emailing my Jersey girls a few weeks ago and had mentioned a new sweater/cardigan I had bought with a cute tshirt. They both replied that I always know how to layer well...which made me laugh because that is what my SIL told me over a month ago. I am the LAYERING QUEEN.  I don't know what it is about me, but I just love having layers on....it works for me. 

I am also LOVING dresses this season. I have worn 4 dresses this week instead of pants!! I love throwing them on with a pair of boots. So comfy!  And speaking of boots...loving the wedged look for boots. Black wedged boots are on my list for this season. 

What else?  I love cowl neck sweaters and sweatshirts...so comfy.  And anything with ruffles or designs....Love love love fashion this fall!

Check out below a few of my other favorites...and no...I haven't bought all of it...just found things that have caught my eye and wanted to share.

Happy Fall!

Fall Favorites by auntied featuring GAP

Doors of Potential (from A Grand New Day Devotion)

Jesus said, “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” John 10:10


It’s important for me to live well. God wants us all to live fully…and well. It is part of his dream for us. We have no idea what lies ahead or how God will open doors of potentiality when we consciously choose to get out of the ruts we are in and start moving down new paths about which we can be excited – even passionate. Some think being adventuresome means taking a trip around the world, bungee jumping, or walking into a lion’s cage at the zoo. Not at all. It’s an attitude, not a behavior. It’s daring to be curious about the unknown, to dream big dreams, to live outside prescribed boxes, to take risks, and above all, daring to investigate the way we live until we discover the deepest treasured purpose of why we are here.

- Lucy Swindoll

Sometimes things just happen. I can’t explain them; as much as I try…I just know and believe that it is a God thing. This week, a door of potential was opened to me and I have taken a leap of faith and decided to go through the door. I gave my two week notice to resign as of yesterday morning to my current job and accepted a new job with a company that is located closer to our home.

My devotion this morning says it all. I dare to dream, be passionate, take risks and believe that God has a better life for me than I could ever dream of. With the encouragement of my husband and the peace that God gave me about this decision, I honestly can say I know in my heart it is the right decision.

Thank you God for opening doors when we least expect them to open.

Direction

A lot has been going on lately with my life. I cannot fill you in on all the details right now, but I do want to share a few things.


You may have noticed on the right hand side of my blog that I have added some additional websites that belong to me. You may ask…what’s up with all the Thirty-One stuff? Well, I have taken an unexpected turn. Or maybe I should say God is beginning to direct me in a new direction. I am now building a team of consultants. I did not go looking for them, they came to me….and we just keep growing and growing. I am so excited to share this adventure with you all and them!

Midwest31gifts.blogspot.com is my blog that I am using to post all the specials for hostesses, customers and consultants. I need a way to keep everyone informed of all the great deals going on…..plus I plan on posting pictures of my favorite items that I have for fall. SUCH cute stuff! If you are interested in hosting a Party To Go (similar to a catalog party- I will send you products to show and you take orders and send the products back to me), a Catalog/Online Party or a party in your home…let me know! I will be happy to set it up for you…no matter where you live in the US!

Havingfunwiththirtyone.com is an informative blog for those who are interested in learning more about the business side of Thirty-One Gifts. This blog has been taking lots of hits in search of info about Thirty-One and decided it was time to post something out there.

Yes, I am continuing to sew and Anna Phyllis Designs is going strong. I am busy preparing for the Me Market on November 7th. I will not only have my Anna Phyllis handbags at this event, but I will also have all of my Thirty-One items and that includes the kids and teen line too!

There are a couple of other things brewing….but will fill you in on the details about it in the next week or so…not sure what direction God is going to point me yet.

Finally, I have been doing a lot of soul searching…LOL! Some days have been hard, so days have been wonderful. I am so thankful that God is in control of my life as the devil sure tries his best to interfere.

I will leave you today with part of my devotion from this morning:

We love because he first loved us. – 1 John 4:19

God’s desire is for you to love yourself and accept yourself just as you are. He doesn’t want you to go through life trying to fake it because you wish you were somebody else.

Ten areas I am going to try and work on:

Be content with what I have
Stop comparing
Count your blessings
Quit personalizing every comment
Maintain a servant spirit
Do the unexpected for a loved one
Keep a heart of gratitude
Don’t be negative
Respect yourself
Take God at his word

Make it a great day everyone!