Take me back one year!

SNOWMAGEDDON

 

Snow in our parking lot at work.

Let me be the first to say that I love how beautiful the snow is once it is fallen. It's so white, pure and clean looking. I don't think I will ever look at snow the same way. I know that is a very dramatic statement but the truth is what Birmingham, AL experienced on Tuesday, January 28th will be a memory I never forget. The day started off like any other day. I woke up, got ready for work and headed to the office. I settled in at my desk and started working on a partnership for a fundraiser with the American Cancer Society. Around 9:30 am snow flurries started falling. I got up from my desk and walked to the window to admire how pretty the snow looked. The local news stations had reported that it was possible for us to get a dusting of snow but it would melt and would not be a treat for road conditions. About an hour later our entire parking lot was covered. The road ways were covered and it was evident the snow was not going to melt...it was just going to keep on falling. My boss made the executive decisions to send everyone home. Keep in mind schools were dismissing at this time and everyone had the same idea...the snow is sticking we need to hurry and head home. BAD DECISION. Once my boss said we were free to leave I left. I was the first one to walk out the door. My usual 20 minute commute to work ended up taking over 4 hours. My stomach was in knots the entire time I was driving. My car was slipping all over the road. I was praying the entire time I was driving that I would make it safety and other people would be okay. The phone lines were tied up due to the chaos that was going on everywhere. The only way I could communicate with anyone was by face timing and sometimes that would not even work. However, I kept creeping on the roads. While I was in the car I was listening to the radio and hearing the calls of all the stranded people was scary. Mason was a sweetheart and met me halfway where I left my car. Since he drives a jeep with big tires and 4X4 we were pretty much good to go. The craziness was just beginning by the time I made it to Mason.  People all over the city of Birmingham, left their cars abandoned on the sides of the road, middle of the road and walked as far as they could to some type of shelter. Many people slept in their cars that were abandoned and hoped for some type of assistance. The roads were in such terrible condition that emergency personnel could not get through to help others. 
 

Long line of traffic in the snow. The road ways were so terrible!

 

At least our house looked pretty in the snow!

Traffic...you can see all the abandoned cars on the roadways

This is the entrance of our neighborhood...So many cars could not make it up the hill

 Many of my coworkers slept at work  or spent the evening helping people on the road outside of our office. There have been so many heroic stories that have come out since the event. A doctor walked 6 miles on foot to perform brain surgery. Strangers welcomed the stranded people in their comes, facebook and social media outlets were used to raise awareness about road conditions, and report missing people, and request assistance for food and blankets, etc. Children were stuck a school over night due to their parents not being able to come get them. We ended up at a neighbors house on Tuesday night chatting about the day and we introduced to a couple who had a 7 month old baby who was stuck at daycare. The poor mother was a wreck. I can't even imagine.  Our state was in total chaos. Wednesday did not turn out to be any better. People were still stranded and the road conditions were still icy. Finally the sun decided to come out today...Thursday and I could not be happier to see it. The ice and snow are melting away and I am thrilled. This snow has been too much for us to handle. I know people who live in the North may find it humorous that southerners cannot handle around 2-3 inches of snow but the truth is we were blindsided by the snow. Our meteorologist that we love and adore predicted a light dusting. Please understand that I am not saying they are to blame because they aren't in my book. The truth is we were all surprised and not prepared but what was coming our way. From this experience I have a greater appreciation for the community that I live in. I makes me feel proud to live somewhere where people help total strangers and businesses put people before money. Glad to see the sun and so happy to know that Spring is on the horizon.

So happy to see the sun!

Love is in the air!

Valentine's Day is among us...and I love it. I LOVE <3 Love! Red and pink are my favorite colors so anytime I get to decorate my house in a red and pink scheme I'm a happy girl. I promise to post pictures soon of my decorations. Here is my own little personal board of Valentines favorites. Below the board you will see pictures of Valentine's decorations at our house.  Enjoy! 

My table set. Please ignore that I don't have glasses out.

Added a small touch for V-day decor for the front porch.

One side of our mantle.

Another Wonderful Weekend!

Hello Monday! I hope you all had a great weekend. We had a wonderful weekend. Friday after work, my best friend, Colby & I  went shopping. We left around 6pm and didn't make it home until 1. Once you throw in shopping, dinner, and a Wal-Mart trip it equals a LONG night. We had so much fun. I think the highlight for the night would be that I scored cute new pleather pants, a jacket, and a cute necklace. I forgot to take pictures but trust me it's such a cute outfit. Saturday morning, I woke up pretty early to clean the house and get ready for my Mom, Grandmother, and Granddad to visit. This was the first time my grandparents have seen our house. They loved it! I don't know why I never remember to take pictures but we had a great time visiting and catching up. Then we all went to The Bright Star. Which is a very legendary restaurant in Birmingham, AL. The Bright Star opened it's doors in 1907 and is known for their amazing food and service. It was such a treat eating there with my family. After lunch, we all went shopping at Marshall's and Target. I didn't really see anything I couldn't live without. However, my mom did bring me a cute rug for my kitchen as my Valentine's treat. It's cute...pictures coming I promise.  As soon as my grandparents and Mom left, Mason and I ran home threw some clothes and my beauty products in a bag and headed off to Philadelphia, Mississippi for a casino night. Mason went there for his bachelor party right before our wedding so since he dropped some money there they gave us a free room this weekend. Of course we took advantage of a night away. We had so much fun. On the way there I slept like a baby. Mason snapped a couple pictures but I rather not show those. Haha...Once we got there we hung out and got ready in our room and then headed to the casino. I learned how to play black jack and loved it. Mason walked away $70 bucks up and I walked away $20 down. Not to bad...We got up early Sunday morning and drove home. It was such a beautiful day that we had the sunroof open and county music blaring. I loved every second of it. Weekends are just fabulous. I so look forward to time with my family and friends. Here are some snapshots of our weekend. 

The Famous Bright Star!

Our Hotel, The Golden Moon. It was actually pretty nice I was pleasantly surprised :)

My sweet & handsome husband! Photo shoot before the casino.

I love the Money Wheel Slots. Too bad they didn't love me this time. Maybe next time I'll win!

 

Weekend Snapshots

This weekend was wonderful. Mason came home from his work trip, the weather was beautiful, I got to see my best friends,  got a lot of cleaning done around the house, and it was filled with shopping and great food. It was a lot easier getting out of bed this Monday morning knowing that my weekend was wonderful. Without further wait here are my pictures from the weekend!

 

Playing Catch Up!

So I have been M.I.A. for about week. Sorry about that...I have been busy but just haven't really sat down to blog. I have to do better about it So without further delay let me start with four things I'm excited about.

1. I'm loving that Mason will be home tomorrow. He has been out of town on a work trip for 6 days and I have never been more ready for him to be home. I have an exciting weekend planned for us...I can't wait! 

2. My best friends are coming to town tomorrow evening for a Birthday dinner. There is a group of 6 of us and we always get together for each others Birthdays. I can't wait to see everyone! 

3. Everyone knows how I love fresh flowers. But not only do I love fresh flowers, tulips have always been my favorite. When I ran into the grocery store yesterday the most beautiful tulips were in the floral section. Of course I bought three bouquets! 

4. For Christmas, my parents gave us the neato robot vacuum cleaner. It has changed by life for the better. That little thing is my pride and joy. It has cut down my cleaning time tremendously. I'm saving up for the neato mop now.

5. I just found out today that my most favorite pop star...KATY PERRY is going to be in Atlanta on June 28. I have already blocked off the date in my planner and cannot wait to be at her concert singing along to every single song. Woohoo!! 

Happy 46 Days!

Wow! The expression "time flies when you are having fun really is true". I can't believe we have been married for 46 days already. I love being married to you. In honor of us being married for 46 days I wanted to make a list of the top ten reasons I am so thankful for you. I love you, Mason! Thanks for making me the happiest girl!

1.  You are such a great provider for me. You work so hard to give us such a wonderful life. I appreciate all of your hard work. I know the hours aren't ideal but you push through just like a trooper and never complain.
2.  You always pamper me. I love that you know how to treat me like a little princess.
3.  You understand the importance of us being a team. You help me so much around the house. And, I am so grateful.
4.  You have the biggest heart of anyone I know. You always want to help others and are such a softy. I can tell in the way you treat our little puppies that you will be the best father one day.
5.  You make me laugh nonstop. I love all of your jokes, voices,(except the baby voice...that drives me insane ;) )and your humor. Haha I'm laughing as I type this because I'm thinking of how funny you are.
6.  You appreciate me. You tell me all the time how much you do appreciate me and how much you love me. I never get tired of hearing it.
7.  I cook...you clean up. I love that you insist that I "rest" after I have cooked you dinner. You are so sweet.
8.  You get it! I love how you do the little things to make me happy. From lighting candles so when I come home the house smells good, to tidying up around the house to agreeing to stay in instead of going out because I'm sleepy...you really are the best.
9.  You encourage me. When I have a bad day and I'm feeling down you always just know what to say. You encourage me and inspire me to do my best. You make me a better person. I always said I wanted to be with someone who made me a better person even thought I wasn't exactly sure what that meant but I do now since I have you.
10.   You are you. It's that plain and simple. I have never met another person so precious and sweet as you. I'm incredibly blessed to be you wife. 

Animal Lover

In all honestly I was afraid of dogs when I was younger. I never had a traumatic event in my life but I always had a fear of getting attacked. My dad has hunting dogs but they were always outside dogs. I am allergic to cats so even though we had an outdoor cat I never spent too much time with it. My life changed with little Max came into my life. I got him while I was in college at the perfect time. I love taking care of him and before long he had more clothes than most humans. He is one very spoiled little dog. But I like it that way. Mason already had a little dog when we started dating so I quickly adopted him as my own too. Then came the time Mason wanted and larger dog. We found Ellie, a tiny little black lap. We got her when she was only 7 weeks old. She was so tiny but has become another little love of my life. I can't imagine life without my three little babies. Ellie is an outside dog 90% of the time. Still having three dogs is a lot of work but I wouldn't want it any other way. They are a part of our family and we love them very very much!