CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Our dearest and best friends found out they were having a baby! So I just wanted to give a shout out to Audra & Andrew! We are praying for a perfect baby!!!

Proud Mommy- and Daddy-to-be!

(this maybe old news to a few, but I didn't have an opportunity to publish my congrats)

I'm Back!!!

I think...

Justin bought me an early Christmas present...an internet card! It's a little slow, so I don't know if we'll keep it. But at least for the month of January we'll have internet at home! It's great, but I'm really nervous that we'll waste a lot of time on the internet. It can be just like TV...a misuse of time.

Anywhoo, last weekend the Christmas tour of homes went really well. We've heard that somewhere between 150-250 people toured our home. Everyone was really nice and very complimentary.

Leigh and I were on the local news advertising the tour. It was funny to have people come into the house and say, "HEY! You were on TV!" People at church and work have also commented on our appearance. We're famous now...Want my autograph? ;)


Here is the TV spot (click on #3) and we were also in the Montgomery Advertiser, but the article has expired and their archives doesn't work...sorry. I'll try to post some pictures from the tour later.

Deck the halls!

So the garland is up and I like it all! I wasn't sure about adding the red garland and the stars to the sunroom garland, but I really like it. I love the sparkle of the holiday season! I tried to get a good angle of the sparkle the red garland adds. The last of the decorating won't be completed until next week. I have to set the table for the tour, but since we have to eat on it, I'll have to wait. Justin and I are hoping that we can live somewhere else next week, so our house will remain neat and tidy. Which the neat and tidy part will come this weekend. Justin will be glad when I don't have weekend projects for him. He did get some shooting in last weekend, so it's not all bad.

This last picture is an experiment. Let me know what you think about it. I hung garland above our bed, but I'm not sure about it. Either it's too skimpy and weird floating in space or it's okay.

"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care..."

St. Nick's festive spirit has certainly made an appreance at our house! In preparation for the Christmas tour and hosting my family for Christmas, I've done a few more decorations than usual. Our stockings are ready to be stuffed!

Not only is the fireside decorated, it also has wonderful light! Daddy and Justin installed some track lighting above the fireplace to illuminate it and the shelves. It makes a huge difference! The lights are also on a dimmer, so I can set the mood! I am so blessed to have such a talented family! Justin=jack-of-all-trades, Daddy=electrician, Mr. Sidney=workworker.

Justin and I are thrilled to be staying home; this is the first Christmas we haven't had to travel. Mama, Daddy, Leigh and my cousin, Rachel, will all be part of the festivities on the 25th.

Organization and Decorating Diva!

And no, I'm not talking about myself. Robyn came over last night after Jazzercise to work her magic on my living room shelves. They were just overwhelming to me. In my recent shopping trips, I bought a few accessories and more picture frames to add to the shelves. Robyn made quick work of my shelves and now, they look awesome!! I am so happy with them. When I get my Christmas decor added this weekend, they'll be perfect! Yea for Robyn!!

Here are a few pictures of our tree. Justin did a great job with the lights and he even helped me hang all the ornaments! Notice MSU has a special place on our tree this year (it's at the top). We are so proud of them!

Also, here we are on the roof adding lights. I'm not a big fan of the roof, but I'll get up there and work --only on the porch roof. I don't scale the peaks like Justin does. He thinks it's big fun. As Mama says, "it's all fun and games until somebody gets hurt." Justin likes add "...then it's fun and games with a broke arm/one eye [add ailment here]!"

Pie and Decorations

Before we sunk out teeth into some delicious pie, we went for a walking tour of downtown. It was cold, but it was great to walk off some of that turkey and dressing. Coming home and eating our pie and drinking piping, hot coffee was a perfect ending to the day!

The next day we did not get out for Black Friday (yea!). Justin and his dad began a window box under our large front window. It’s always needed something more and now we have a wonderful flowerbox. It’s so good that it looks like it has always been a part of the house! Thank you to Mr. Sidney and Justin!! Justin and I painted it the following day. It was COLD that morning, but it ended up pretty nice. We spent the day decorating the outside of the house. We were the first on our block, maybe even our neighborhood, to put up Christmas decorations (lights, garland, wreaths). Daddy and Justin took a great picture of the house at night, but I’ll have to wait to get that from Daddy.

Wonderful Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving break was wonderful! It was so nice to be home with Justin during the week. Wednesday we spent cleaning and cooking. We even took in a movie. We saw August Rush, which really wasn't that good. The only other negative [major] from the break was that Kama, Stew and Sage didn't make it. They were coming from Richmond, VA and the traffic was unbearable. They stopped for the night where ever they were and heading back to their house on Thanksgiving. We missed them so much.

But anywho, Justin's parents came in about 10 and Mrs. Carolyn and I started in on the turkey right away. Tom was injected and in the oven by 10:30ish and the dressing was cooking in the crock pot. About 30 minutes before the dressing was done, the casseroles were in the oven. We were aiming for 2:00 chow time and we only missed it by about 45 minutes. Everything went really well. Justin carved his first turkey. He did a fabulous job! Mr. Sidney even got in on the action sauteing the green beans!Everything was super yummy. But I am most proud that my greens and pecan pie turned out perfect!

What's on your table?

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

This has always been one of my favorite holidays. No gift giving, just enjoying one another's company and being thankful, being warm, cozy and super full, college football and relaxing!

This year Justin and I are hosting Thanksgiving for his family! It looks like we'll be eating, shopping and making a flower box for the front of our house. I am so excited about that. Justin's parents are such great woodworkers!

Yesterday they groceries were purchased (I still need to purchase the collards from the Farmer's Market) and the cooking will begin tomorrow.

Gresham's Thanksgiving Menu:

Turkey & Dressing

Gibblet Gravy

Cranberry Sauce

Squash Souffle

Sweet Potato Casserole

Corn Casserole

Collard Green

Whole Green Beans

Yeast Rolls

Pumpkin Pie

Pecan Pie

Thankfully, I won't be going solo on this venture, since it will be my first turkey to cook! Justin's mom will be assisting. His fam (Mom, Dad, Kama, Stew & Sage) will be arriving within the next few days! [Be careful!!]

Lucy is going to have a pal for the holiday too! She's going to meet her cousin Sage. Sage is a 90 lb. Rottweiler. I hope Lucy behaves and doesn't drive Sage nuts!!

Have a wonderful time of fellowship and reflection with your families and I'll check back in Monday with fun pictures!

Can you believe Nick Saban said this???

August of 2007…I’m living in the midst of the Alabama football culture, you’d think Nick Saban was a king. In place of the black square “W” that graced cars, they are now replaced with crimson squares with an “S”. In Church children are drawing Noah’s ark with an Alabama flag flying from it’s mast. The hype that has been around this man has been unbelievable. When Alabama won their first game this season, you might believe that Saban was god. The worship of this man is idolatry in its truest form. What would one expect from a god/king? Wisdom? Intelligence?

I am always amazed at what comes out of the mouth of coaches…I know that I shouldn’t expect much from Saban, but he has been so built up. Well, he’s opened his mouth and my, oh my…

"Changes in history usually occur after some kind of catastrophic event," Saban said during the opening remarks of his weekly news conference. "It may be 9-11, which sort of changed the spirit of America relative to catastrophic events. Pearl Harbor kind of got us ready for World War II, or whatever, and that was a catastrophic event."

Now a lot of people are misconstruing his words to say he is comparing losing this football game to the losses on 9/11; I do not have issue with that, because that is not what he is saying. What I do have a problem with is his amazing intelligent statement, “sort of changed…kind of got us ready…or whatever…”

What an idiot! I really expect too much from football coaches. I guess that’s why when I hear one that is intelligent, I like them. Football coaches should be categorized with dumb blonds…many fit the stereo-type, but not all fit the mold.

Here is a sign that best illustrates the follies of Alabama.

Prized Pilgrim Pumpkin Patch

"If no one believes now, they have their heads stuck in the sand." --Coach Sylvester Croom

MSU upsets Alabama 17-12 to clinch bowl eligibility

The Associated Press
STARKVILLE — Anthony Johnson returned an interception a school-record 100 yards for a touchdown and Mississippi State became bowl eligible Saturday for the first time since 2000 with a 17-12 upset of No. 21 Alabama.
It was the second straight win over his alma mater for Sylvester Croom, whose resurgent Bulldogs have won six games for the first time since 2000. It also was the second straight win over a ranked opponent for Mississippi State (6-4, 3-3 Southeastern Conference), which beat then-No. 14 Kentucky two weeks ago. The win gave the Bulldogs a 2-2 record during a streak of four consecutive games against ranked opponents.The Crimson Tide (6-4, 4-3) has now lost two straight. The Bulldogs limited Alabama to four Leigh Tiffin field goals and extended their streak of holding the Tide offense out of the end zone to 12 quarters. Titus Brown, a Tuscaloosa native, ended the game with a sack as Alabama edged into Mississippi State territory in the final seconds.

Thanksgiving Preparations

Hopefully I won't toss my first turkey!

Lap Warmers, the Perfect Gift

Little did Justin know that what he got me for my birthday last year, would come in so handy right now! Just when it's getting chilly, all you need is this beautiful black, white and tan muff...

hey...or should I say, black, white & tan muTT! She's been cuddly since it's turned chilly! Or she's having flashbacks from puppyhood.

Me and Lucy

I forgot the pictures of me and Lucy...

What a poser.

Hilary and the giant Lucy. She likes to get up close for a good rub-down.

fort toulouse

For the past 2 weekends, Justin and I have taken Lucy for a foot loose and fancy free run. Not only does Lucy enjoy it to the fullest, but Justin and I have a great time relaxing and enjoying nature. This weekend was really pretty (& I remembered my camera). The leaves are just beginning to change and it was sunny with a great breeze, perfect weather. Lucy runs and runs. If she gets too far a head, she'll stop and wait on us. She does great leaving other people and dogs alone. I wish she were this good in our neighborhood, but alas, she is wild and untrustworthy...
Here a few pictures from the afternoon...

Leigh's New Do

Leigh got a new do yesterday. It looks great! I love it! Here are some pics for the fam and Leigh's buds...

notice the flipping in the back...

"My Man"

I thought I might have missed being tagged for this, but Audra decided to partake and tag me, so here it is...

1. Who is your man? My husband is Justin Lee
2. How long have you been together? Since November 2000; 7 years
3. How long dated? 2 years, 8 months
4. How old is your man? 26. I've known him since he was 19!
5. Who eats more? Justin! He’s become the human trashcan lately.
6. Who said "I love you" first? Justin. He took so long to tell me that night, I actually thought he was breaking up with me… and I was crying!
7. Who is taller? Justin
8. Who sings better? Uh, me, of course!
9. Who is smarter? I think Justin is. He does better on standardized tests and he understands science…I’m in awe of folks who get that stuff.
10. Whose temper is worse? Mine. Justin rarely gets angry.
11. Who does the laundry? We go through phases. In college we usually did it together, in TX it was me, now is usually equal, although he’s done a lot lately.
12. Who takes out the garbage? It used to be Justin all the time…
13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me
14. Who pays the bills? Justin, unless he forgets and then it’s me.
15. Who is better with the computer? Justin
16. Who mows the lawn? Justin. This past year was the first time I ever mowed the grass—and I haven’t done it since.
17. Who cooks dinner? ME
18. Who drives when you are together? Most of the time, Justin.
19. Who pays when you go out? Most of the time, Justin.
20. Who is most stubborn? I’d say Justin.
21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Not sure.
22. Whose parents do you see the most? Mine. My sis lives in town, so they come see us often. I can’t remember the last time I visited their house.
23. Who kissed who first? We kissed each other…or at least I knew it was coming.
24. Who asked who out? I actually asked Justin to go to a play with me and my roommate, so we wouldn’t have to go with this weird boy by ourselves.
25. Who proposed? Justin, of course.
26. Who is more sensitive? Me
27. Who has more friends? That's probably equal. The difference is that I keep up with mine.
28. Who has more siblings? That’s a tie. We both have great, big sisters.
29. Who wears the pants in the family? Justin, but I give advice freely.

okay, now for a good pic...

Happy Birthday Lucy!!

Our dear little puppy is a year old today. She has grown from an adorable, sleepy puppy to a 50 pound, jumping bean full of kisses. What great joy she brings me! As I'm sure you've read before, she is one of my favorite things. Our families have decided we are obsessed with Lucy. So this should just add fuel to their fire. I've come to the conclusion that she's not very photogenic. We get compliments about how good looking she is, but when people (such as my cuz, Ash ;) see Lucy only in pictures, they do not agree. I can see why. This picture was taken at 6:30 this morning. We're both still sleepy...I had to get a pic of the birthday girl. She did really well remaining calm with something abnormal on her head. I don't think a Halloween costume would have gone over well...

Lucy has some major jumping power. This pup can jump at least 4 ft. high, straight up. I'll try to get a picture of it some time. I need to harness that talent though. She could learn some cool trick if she wasn't so stubborn or as Leigh thinks, retarded! Although Lucy loves to play, she isn't always crazy. She is actually sleeping a lot more! So, Happy Birthday to my dear companion, Lucy!!

Happy Halloween!!

I must confess that I am a so-called blog "stalker." I don't like that term one bit. "Stalker" has a negative connotation that I do not want to be associated with. I, henceforth, will refer to myself as a blog "cruiser."

So, as I have "cruised" many blogs, I have seen some really funny and cute Halloween pictures. I would like to share these with you. So, if you are a blog "cruiser" and happen to see one of your very own images, please don't be offended. Instead be flattered that I thought your picture was too precious or funny not to share! My intentions are pure. (I'm assuming that I actually have blog "cruisers" --ha)

Now, for your Halloween Enjoyment!

Big Bird looks dead! So hilarious!

What a cute dino.

This might be the most precious chicken I have EVER seen!!

I love scarecrows :)

Yes, that's her PG belly!

Quads in a Pod

Can't catch me I'm the gingerbread man!

Too cute! I love it!

I love Donald...he gonna kill his parents later for this...